Thirty minutes to ponydom!!

by Alesiopdv

Rating: teen
Tags: Comedy, Romance, Random, Slice of Life
Length: 216530

A collection of short stories about the Mane Six

Sounds like an awesome name for a band, ain´t? Actually this is just a compilation of my stories for the Thirty Minutes Ponies since they´re too short to be separate stories.
Thank you Krizak for the idea!

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-02-14 20:34:23 UTC

Imposibble

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza...

No no, way too formal.

My dearest Cadence...

Way to be subtle, Shining! How come this is so difficult? Come on, think! Okay, I think I got it...

Princess Cadence

               This is Shining Armor, remember me? You used to take care of my baby sister Twilight. She said you were the best foalsitter in the entire kingdom. She was always talking about you, I remember this one time...

No Shining, focus. This is an important letter.

        I must inform you that I have been named Captian of the Royal Guard and thus I´ll be leading a special comittet that will be visiting your kingdom the next month. Princess Celestia wishes to improve Equestria´s ties with the the Crystal Ponies, so I´ll be leading the escort that will bring you back to your home city of Canterlot. I asked specifically  to be put in charge of this mission because....

I´ve always loved you.

         Because there has been a series of treats in our kingdom lately, such as the return of Nightmare Moon and a strange infestation in Fillydelphia. I convinced the Princess that, being the most talented unicorn when it comes to barrier spells, I was the right pony for the task. You won´t need to worry about anything, Princess. I promise that as long as I´m by your side, nothing will ever hurt you.

Heh, "nothing will ever hurt you." That sounds like a great way to propose... get your head out of the clouds, Shining! She is a princess and you just a regular pony! Yes, you made it into Captain but that doesn't mean anything. You won´t be rescuing this princess anytime soon...

               I´m hoping to see you again, Princess. Until next month,

                                                                                                        Captain Shining Armor.

I hate writing letters. Wish I could just talk to you and said how I really feel. But that´s just a dream, she will never said yes.

Book Ends

The pillar of light rose to the heavens before slipping into five different lights, each their own color, that disappeared into the horizon.

Twilight Sparkle saw, tears rolling down her eyes in defeat, as the crown fell useless into the ground.

****

"This was all my fault..."

Twilight Sparkle put down her head, ashamed to see Princess Celestia into the eye.

Had she, she would have noticed the Princess wasn't mad or disappointed at her pupil; instead she was filled with sadness. Princess Cadence shared that same expression while Princess Luna kept a stoic and serene face.

"I made a mistake and now the Elements of Harmony are lost. Forever." Twilight Sparkle continued.

"The Elements are not lost, Twilight Sparkle. Merely scattered across the planet." Princess Luna explained but it felt more like a sentence due to her serious tone.

"We must search them before another evil attacks Equestria."Princess Celestia added.

"I´ll go." Shining Armor took a step forward. "I will search the Elements and return them to Canterlot."

Cadence pain was visible but it was Twilight who spoke "No, Shining! This was my mistake! I must do it!"

Shining bit her lip, defeated by her sister determination. Luna looked at her sister, now with genuine concern for the unicorn; but the Sun Princess knew there was no other option.

"Very well."

****

Twilight finished placing the last of her luggage into her balloon while Spike carried the nest with his little phoenix pet. He had been fighting tears the entire morning. Twilight gently rubbed his head and checked the last item of her list.

"Well, guess that´s it..."

She turned over to greet the ponies who came to wish her good luck. The entire town of Ponyville had showed up, even some ponies that Twilight didn´t knew; and of course, the six ponies that mattered the most to Twilight. Last night they had a "good-luck-Twilight-and-Spike-travelling-across-the-globe!" party and they promised there to not shed a single tear but still, Twilight saw how hard they were fighting them.

With a simple goodbye, Twilight got up the balloon and let the wind take them away. It took less than a minute for a certain pegasus to roar, dash back into her house and then reappear right next to the balloon, wearing a pair of saddlebags.

"Rainbow, what are you doing?"

"I´m coming with you two!"

"Bu-bu-"

"Hey, what did I tell you the day we met? I never, never let my friends down!"

Applejack saw the whole scene and a resolved smile appeared on her face. She looked at her relatives and they were smiling. They already knew. In fact, they have her saddlebags prepared. Applejack hugged her grandma and big brother. When it came to Applebloom, the filly had a strange look, sadness mixed with proud. Applejack smiled once more and placed her hat on top of her sister head before trotting after the balloon.

Feeling that familiar rush, Rarity entered her boutique to get her luggage. Once she went back outside she found her little sister waiting with a smile, waiting for her sister own gesture of recognition. Rarity smiled, levitated her pet cat, dropped her on top of Sweetie´s head and placed a "Gone for Vacation" sign before leaving.

Fluttershy looked at the balloon, nervously covering her mouth with a hoof when a saddlebag hit her head. She turned back to meet an impatient bunny who was scolding her with a silent look. Just when Fluttershy was about to apologize a familiar zebra appeared, silently reassuring her she will look up after her friends. Fluttershy beamed with happiness before catching up with the other girls.

With tears of happiness, Twilight said. "Girls, are you really coming with us?"

"Not without cake, silly filly!" Pinkie Pie, who somehow had climbed into the ballon wihtotuh nopony ntocied it, said.

Twilight brought all her friends together for one big hug.

"This going to be so awesome! We´ll have adventures, discover hidden temples, fight monsters, just like a Daring Do novel!" Rainbow Dash said, looking at the horizon.

"Oh I hope I brought enough hats!" Rarity wondered, looking at her luggage.

"Don´t worry, Rarity. I made a perfect schedule and if we follow it, we´ll be back in exactly a hundred days!" Twilight reassured her.

"Oh I can´t wait to meet new animals!" Fluttershy said, with all the enthusiasm she had.

"Oh I can´t wait to meet new ponies! And not just new ponies! There's going to be zebras and giraffes and elephants and alpacas and.." Pinkie was just being Pinkie.

Looking the opposite way, Applejack said goodbye to Sweet Apple Acres, promising to return soon.

"Everypony, are you ready for adventure?" Rainbow asked.

All the girls yelled.

"What about you, Applejack?"

With a confident smug, she said. "Whenever you are, sugarcube."

"Let´s do our best girls!"Twilight said.

"YEAH!" Rainbow shouted.

"Certainly." Rarity added.

"Yee-haw!" Applejack shouted.

"Woo-hoo!" Pinkie shouted too.

"Woo-hoo..." was the best Fluttershy could do.

"Together!" Spike added and raised his claw to meet the girls hooves.

"Together!"

And they all lived many more adventures, always together...

THe Pony Hour

The air breaks and I can hear the sound of the bells.

Fire comes out of his body but it´s not hot. Its just time escaping his body. The eternity hides inside his chest. A hundredth stars die every time he blinks.

He warned me about this, told me he will change and never come back...

And he didn´t.

"D-doctor?"

"Of course! You were expecting somepony else? Hey, look at these beauties on my back! Oh yeah, I´m one awesome pegasus! Hey, new voice too! A bit gruff but I like it!"

"Wh-what?"

"The cat bite your tongue, Derpy?"

"M-my name is Ditzy..."

"Nah, Derpy suits you better. With those goofy eyes and that boyish mane and what´s up with that voice?"

"S-stop it..."

"Stop what?"

"Stop being so mean!"

"...w-well, then you stop space out! We have work to do!"

And I look up and face those creatures again.

They came from somewhere far away, beyond the sun and moon. They have a name I can´t pronounce but the danger they represent was enough for me.

His first reaction was to smile, that childish naive smile of his, like a foal discovering a new toy. He thought these creatures were extinct, the last one destroyed by his actions; but here they were by the millions. They were looking for a new home; unfortunately they chose ours.

We tried to stop them and the Doctor got hurt, a beam of magic hitting him at point blank. Twilight Sparkle told me no pony could survive something like that, not even a Time Lord Pony...

And she was right. He didn't survive.

"Gah! I´m practically naked! A green tie? What was I before, color blind? I need a new piece, what was the name of that whiny unicorn, Charity?"

"R-rarity..."

"Same thing. Let´s go!"

His flight style is rude and strong, it reminds me of Rainbow Dash but a lot stronger. He doesn't ride the air currents, he tames them, like a hunter capturing a prey.

He doesn't even bother to knock, he just kick the door down.

"Hey, I need service! Pronto!"

Rarity looks at him confused and ask for my help. I can only point at the hourglass on his flank.

"Nevermind!"

He jumps at the suits, throwing them away while calling them horrible names. Rarity slowly turns red, almost ready to throw him out the store, when he finally finds the right suit.

"That´s more like it! Blue stripes, red tie...I had a suit like this before. It suits me fine."

We had to agree with him. He did look handsome.

"Now Ditzy, there´s work to do!"

He walks outside and looks up at the sky, flooded with threatening creatures...

And then I see him.

Him, the real him. That strange and weird pony, whose eyes see things that are hidden to even the Princesses. That confident smile, sure of his victory. He changed, no doubt about it, but deep down he is still the same Doctor.

And he will save us all again.

Mysterious Pony

Fluttershy wasn't used to getting visits, especially not this type of visit.

"Oh hello Scootaloo. What do you need?"

"Umh I-I need a favor..."

"A favor? From me? Oh you probably saw me during the hurricane and now want flying lessons. "

"It´s not that..."

"It´s okay, I think I can teach one or two thi-"

"It´s not that, Fluttershy! You know I missed the hurricane because I was sick!"

"Oh right...so, what do you need?"

A small blush appeared in the filly cheeks. "Ho-how do you get a pony to notice you?"

"Umh I´m not very good at talking in public. You should ask Pinkie abou-"

"Fluttershy! I didn't meant it like that!"

Fluttershy took a good look at the flustered look of the pony and realization hit her like a brick. "Oh...oh! OH!"

"Fluttershy, you´re not the one supposed to be blushing!!"

Once Scootaloo managed to get Fluttershy inside the house and gave HER a glass of water, she explained everything.

"I see...so, who is this mysterious pony?"

"I won´t tell you!"

"Come on. I promise I won´t tell..."

"No!"

Fluttershy gave up but she still didn´t have any good advice for the filly.

"Really? No ideas?"

"I´m sorry Scootaloo, I really don´t know how to get a good first impression. Have you tried asking another pony with more experience, like Twilight for example?"

"I tried, she gave me a stupid romance novel. Didn't help."

"Umh what about Applejack? She always has good advices..."

"I can´t ask her. She will tell Applebloom and she will tease me until the end of times!"

"Maybe I should ask Rarity..."

"Same problem."

This was hopeless. Scootaloo was really frustrated and Fluttershy wanted to help her, she just didn't know how.

"Wait, I have an idea! Scootaloo, what do you like to do the most?"

"Ride my scooter, of course!"

"And this pony?"

"I...I´ve seen...this pony...in the race tracks a lot."

Fluttershy almost fainted. She looked so cute when embarrassed.

"The I think I know how to get you to strike a conversation..."

*****

The very next day Scootaloo was at the racing tracks waiting for her special somepony. She fell kinda stupid wearing this exercise clothes but Fluttershy insisted it gave her a "professional look" like she trained every day, which she did...well, mostly. Sometimes she skips training to get some free cookies at Sugarcube Corner.

Fluttershy was looking at her from afar, trying not to get noticed.

"Oh those clothes just look horrible on her!"

Which was pretty difficult since all her friends decided to stop by. She promised not tell anypony but she just happened to run into Pinkie Pie and it took just one machine-gun questions round for her to crack up. Also, she really really wanted to tell somepony about this.

"Girls, you promised to be quiet!"

"So that´s why she wanted that book." Twilight realized.

"So, who do you girls think is the mysterious pony she is waiting?" Rarity asked, eager for gossip.

"Well, she DID leave the library pretty fast when Spike showed up..." Twilight said, some strange older sister instinct activating.

"She said it was a pony, Twilight." Fluttershy countered.

"What about Big MacIntosh? Girls usually have crushes on strong, reliable older brothers..."

"Something yah want to tell me, Rarity?"

Ignoring Applejack and Rarity fight ,Rainbow added "Nah, I bet is that kid Rumble. I´ve seen those two hanging around a lot."

"Well, she did mentioned it was a pegasus..."

"Maybe is a mare!"

"Pinkie, you always think is a mare."

"Well excuseeee me Princess´pupil!"

"Twilight Pinkie, shush! here he comes!" all the girls jumped over Fluttershy, eager to see this mysterious pony.

Scootaloo eyes went wide with happiness.

And it took one single word for the identity of this pony to be revealed...

"YEAH!!"

"...well, I didn't expect that." Pinkie admitted.

"Really? THAT pony? What did she see in him?" Rainbow demanded to know.

"Well, she said that they both had tiny wings."

"...gross."

Fluttershy realized that Scootaloo was frozen in place so she managed to whisper a strong "Go for it!"

Scootaloo snapped and went next to the pony. "Hey, wanna race!"

"YEAH!"

And off they went in a date of sorts.

"Well, that was weird." Rarity said.

"They do said that love is blind..." Applejack shared her wisdom.

"No, I meant that Scootaloo went to Fluttershy for advice. Everypony in town knows I´m the expert on romance!"

"Excuse me but I have an entire section dedicated to romance in my library. And she came looking for my advice first!"

While the two unicorns argued, Applejack trying to get Rainbow to understand that everypony had different tastes and Pinkie complained this ruined her ScootaBelle shipping; Fluttershy just looked at the happy face in the pegasus filly and a big proud smile appeared on her face.

In the garden

Fear.

For the first time in aeons Discord had felt real fear. It was obvious on his expression, he couldn't believe his own defeat and knew that he will forever trapped in stone.

Celestia was watching the statue in the garden, her mane flowing despite the lack of wind. Her student defeated him, she succeed where Celestia had failed, Discord will never return, she should be happy but she couldn't shake a terrible thought out of her mind.

“Princess?” Twilight Sparkle came trotting next to the Princess. “Here you are! You are missing the “we-defeated-the-meanie-Discord-and-saved-Equestria-once-more” party!”

Upon seeing her teacher´s expression Twilight quickly added “Uh the name was PInkie´s idea...”

Celestia simply smiled and went back to looking at the statue.

“That Discord sure was troublesome, uh?” Twilight joked, trying to ease the mood but Celestia kept looking the statue with a stern expression so Twilight shut her mouth.

After a minute or so in silence, Celestia finally spoke.

“He was laughing.”

“Excuse me, Princess?”

“Back then, he wasn't scared. He was confident on his victory. Even when we offered him one last chance to surrender, he just laughed at us.”

“Princess, Discord was simple an arrogant. He also didn't believe us when we told him our friendship was stronger than his magic.”

Despite this words, Celestia lowered her head. “I think he knew it.”

“Knew what, Princess?”

“About me...and about Luna. I think he saw it back then, all the jealousy and anger building up inside her. I did all the talk back then, I assumed the position of leader simply because I was the older sister. I ignored each one of Luna´s advices because I thought I knew better. But the truth is I was a fool, I couldn't see what was happening right before my eyes. I couldn't see how my sister was really feeling...but I know he did.”

“Princess...” and Twilight placed a hoof the closer to her shoulder she could get. “It wasn't your fault. There was no way you could have known about Nightmare Moon.”

“I should had, that´s precisely the problem Twilight.”

Twilight bit her lip and looked around, trying to find the right words to say. Instead,she found the perfect picture.

“Look, Princess. Over there.”

Celestia turned her head to the other side of the garden, where the party was being held. Princess Luna was listening to Pinkie Pie explain the whole adventure. It was obvious she was adding some details of her own, judging by how Rainbow kept interrupting her.

“See, Princess?”

“I´m not sure what I´m supposed to be looking, Twilight...”

“You sister. Look at her talking to other ponies, no longer consumed by rage and jealousy. She is just like you, just another regular pony.”

“Is that how you see me, Twilight?”

A small blush appeared on Twilight's cheeks. “Well of course I see you as our ruler and also as my teacher and as an alicorn your race is very majestic and regal...” Celestia just laughed  as her student kept hyperventilating.

“But most of all...I see you as my friend.”

Celestia smiled once more and gently nuzzled Twilight´s hair. “ I see you as my dear friend too, Twilight. Now, I'm getting hungry. I hope  Luna didn't ate all the cake.”

“There´s plenty of it, Princess.”

And they both left to the party, leaving

A Second First Honeymoon

A Second First Honeymoon

(Bonus points if you get which sitcom and which episode I´m copying here ^^)

It was late at night at Sugarcube Corner. Like every night, after the store was close and the babies were asleep, Pinkie Pie ate some leftover while sharing a cup of coffee with the Cakes.

"Awww, look! Pound and Pumpkin first picture!" Pinkie said looking at a photo album.

"Uh, you two look very young in this one!"

"That was taken on our honeymoon trip, back in Neighagra Falls." Mrs. Cake explained.

"Hahaha, you look silly with a mullet, Mr. Cake!"

"Well, that was the style back then..." he admitted with a faint blush.

"Nonsense darling, you looked pretty handsome." and MRs. Cake gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"You two look very happy..."

"Well, we were young and in love..:" Mr. Cake began which caused Pinkie to jump off her seat.

"You are no longer in love?!"

"Relax dear, it was just a figured speech. He means that was many years ago. Now we're a little bit tired with the children and all that."

"Oh, I see..."

"Adn speaking of tired..." Mr Cake let go a big yawn. "We better go to sleep."

"Please make sure to close the door, Pinkie."

"Will do, Mrs. Cake." but once the Cakes were off to bed, the oddly shaped engines on Pinkie´s head began to move...

****

The next day the Cakes returned from a delivery on Canterlot only to find the store completely devoid of any kind of pastries.

"Pinkie!" Mr. Cake yelled.

"Dear, did you have another one of your combos like that time you painted the whole store purple?" Mrs. Cake asked.

"Please, ring the bell Mrs. Cake." A voice said from behind the counter.

"What bell, dear?"

"Oh right." and she placed the bell on the counter. "Ring the bell, Mrs. Cake."

¡PING!

"Hello and welcome to Prince of the Mist." an uniformed Pinkie said.

"Prince of the Mist? Why does that name sounds familiar?" Mr. Cake wondered.

"Pinkie, what is the purpose of all this?"

"First thing first, Mrs. Cake." and Pinkie ring the bell a few times.

"Eeeeyup?"

"Stretch, take this lovely couple baggage upstairs."

"What luggage?" Mr. Cake asked.

"That baggage of course."

Big Mac dressed as a bellboy took the baggage that were behind a table and moved upstairs.

"Oh now I remember! Prince of the Mist was the name of the hotel we stayed during our honeymoon, remember darling?" Mrs. Cake said.

"Oh right..."

"You made quite a work with the store, dear...GASP where are the babies?!"

"Don´ worry Missus Cake." the melody voice of Applejack came from the kitchen. "Granny Smith is taking care o´ them."

"What are you doing back there?" Mr. Cake wanted to know.

"Making yah two a special honeymoon dinner." and she shoved some of the delicious treats for the night. "It was all Pinkie´s idea!"

With a small blush, Pinkie explained "You two have been working so hard these last months so I decided to take you back to a happy and easier time of your life." Pinkie explained.

"Oh so this is like a second honeymoon?" Mr. Cake asked.

"Nope. it´s a second first honeymoon. Now..." and Pinkie ring the bell to call the maid, played by Applebloom. "Take them to their room."

"This way!"

"Oh what a dear..." Mr. Cake said.

"Wait! Aren´t yah gonna sign the guest book?"

"Oh right..." Applebloom peeked from behind Mr. Cake to see what he was writing.

"Mr. and Mrs. Pony?"

"Oh that´s the same silly joke you tried on the first hotel too." Mrs. Cake explained.

"And the attendant didn´t laugh that time either. We checked." a completely serious Pinkie said.

"This way." Applebloom repeated.

"We hope you enjoy your visit and we´ll appreciate it fi you don´t steal out towels."Pinkie added.

"Pinkie, we will never do that!" Mrs. Cake said, offended.

"Ejem ejem..." and Pinkie showed them a towel with the name "Prince of Mist" on it. "We found this in the basement."

Once they reached upstairs they find their bedroom had a sign that read "Honeymoon Suitte. Mrs. Cake was about to open the door when Applebloom stopped her.

"Wait! Ain´ nopony gonna carry the bride?"

"Big Mac..." Pinkie ordered and the stallion was happy to obey but Mr. Cake stopped him.

"I can handle this, young man."

Once they get inside their first reaction was to gasp.

"As you can see, this is identical to the honeymoon suite you had. including the balcony." Pinkie explained.

"But we didn´t have a balcony on this room..." Mr. Cake retorted.

The Apples decided to made their exit while Pinkie dismissed the issue. "Don´t worry about that, just enjoy the night!"

"Thank you dear, we really appreciate what you´re doing for us." Mrs. Cake said.

Pinkie smiled but still stood there, one hoof extended.

"Oh right!" Mr. Cake said.

"One bit? Don´t expect to find clean sheets!" and she made her exit.

Once they were alone, Carrot and Cup shared a tender nuzzle.

"She is a really good child, isn´t she?" Mr. Cake said.

"Lovely. Before the babies came, I used to think of her as our daughter..." Mrs. Cake confessed.

"I still do." he responded and she nodded along.

They moved to the balcony, the beautiful moon of the Princess up on their heads; they were just about to share a kiss when Mr. Cake stopped.

"What´s wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing. It´s just...do you remember what happened during our honeymoon?"

"A storm appeared out of nowhere and drenched us..."

"Now Derpy!"

And right on cue, a sudden shower hit the couple.

****

Later, the Cakes were on the kitchen, sharing a hot cup of coffee.

"Pinkie, stop spying on us..:" Mrs. Cake said as PInkie peeked from the door.

"You still mad at me?"

"No, we´re not. You were doing something really nice for us." she said.

"And we know you mean well." Mr. Cake added.

"Great! So that means I can stop now?"

"Why?"

"Oh, no reason..." and Pinkie just rubbed her hoof on the floor.

"Darling, remember what happened right after the storm?" Mrs. Cake asked,

"Yes, we went to that restaurant and they offered us a free cake but the waiter tripped and we ended up covered in cream."

“Soups on every-” and Applejack tripped with something and the cake fall right into the Cakes heads.

"...coincidence." Pinkie said.

Summer Thoughts

Princess Celestia ditched her carriage and descended using her own wings. She enjoyed the sensation of feeling the morning breeze caressing her wings, the morning sun flowing through her mane; for a second in time, she was one with her sun.

She finally placed her hooves in the ground and the dry, cold of the grass, still damped for the morning breeze brought her back to reality.

“Howdy Princess!”

“Good morning Applejack.”

“Hahaha! It´ Applebloom ma´am!” the light yellow mare said, laughing out loud and adjusted her Stetson, which fit her head perfectly nowdays.

"Oh right. I keep forgetting..." Celestia said with a small trace of sadness. "I came here to oversee the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration."

"O´ course. We´ve been working all morning like mules! No offense."

"None taken." said anearbyy mule.

"I´m sure everything will be splendid." Celestia said.

"It better be, ah´ve the entire town runnign around. Scoots being cleaning the clouds and Sweetie has all the birds ready for the song and..."

But Celestia had stop listening and instead she was looking the quaint town of Ponyville. In just a few years the town had drastically changed and Celestia had troubles trying to remember the names of places and ponies. She kept searching for one particular building but the newest ones were so tall she couldn´t find it. Then her vision was covered by a wall of pink...

"What in tarnation?"

Before Apple Bloom end up covered in frost cake, Celestia levitated the cake away.

Apple Bloom put her hat back on and yelled at the two baker ponies who almost dropped the giant tower of marshmallow and marzipan.

"Pumpkin! Pound! What were yah two thinking?!"

The pegasus and the unicorn took turns blaming each other.

"Enough! Ah don´ wanna hear it! Now go before ah tell Twist on yah two!"

Threatened with her boss finding out, the twins grabbed the cake, apologize to the Princess and ran off.

"Ah swear that since the day towse two learned tah walk they do nothing but cause troubles."

Celestia chuckled but then her sight found what she was looking for.

"The library looks very different. So many ponies, most of them colts and fillies..:" Celestia said.

"Well Spike wanted ta take it into a different direction. Guess it is popular..."Apple Bloom said, scratching her head. "Ah still don´ understand a thing about them darn comic-books!"

Celestia levitated the "Mare-Do-Well/Daring-Do 75 pages spectacular" and found the art pretty good.

"Uh Princess..."

"Yes, Apple Bloom?"

"This year celebration...it won´t be like the last one, right?"

Celestia playfully pull her hat down. "Luna promised not to take over the world this time."

Apple Bloom sighed relieved while Celestia prepared to take flight again.

"I better go back to Canterlot. Tomorrow night will be a busy one."

Celestia took a final look at Ponyville, many memories assaulting her like a unscheduled summer rain.

"It´ awfully quiet without them, right Princess?" Apple Bloom said.

"Yes, I noticed." Before she took flight, Celestia had a final word to say. "You´ve been doing a splendid job...Mayor."

Apple Bloom smiled and tilted her hat to the Princess. As she watched the Princess disappear in the summer sky, she couldn't help but repeat a catchphrase from her older sister.

"Woah nelly..."

Web of Dreams

"...and I learned to keep my hooves on the ground and be there for your friends. I apologize for ruining the competition, Derpy Hooves is really the best flyer in Equestria."

"I know that, Octavia. And that´s why I´m giving her the crown for Best Flier!"

Princess Celestia places the crown on Derpy´s head and her face is beaming with happiness. SOmepony touches her shoulder and she turns back to meet the Wonderbolts.

"Ohmygoodnesohmygoodnes.."

Soon an entire crown is surrounds her, lifts her up and chant her name. Among the cheers of the crowd, Derpy fails to notice the voice of one stallion trying to reach her.

***

Wake up.

****

"I´m sorry I let my compettive side get the best of me, Carrot Top. We almost ruin the Running of the Leaves."

"Don´ worry ´bout it, honeybun. Hey, whacha said we took a ride back home?"

"You bet!"

And off they go, running side by side; missing by this much one brown stallion who sighs, wishing for once not needing to run.

****

Please, wake up...

****

Derpy closes her eyes, waitinf for the boos and the mockery. Instead everypony starts stompign their hooves, cheering out loud.

Lyra comes over and jumps to hugh Derpy.

"They liked it!" Derpy saids.

"Told ya you have a beautiful voice!"

Derpy hugs Lyra back, knowing for sure that her life couldn't be any better.

****

Please, Derpy. Wake up.

****

"I can´t believe we´re invited to the Royal Wedding! I´m so excited!" Bon Bon said, jumping up and down.

"Thank you for the invitations, Lyra." Octavia said.

"He, guess being one the bridesmaids has advantages, eh Carrot?" Lyrai said, teasing her friend who just rolled her eyes over.

"Oh yeah! This party is going to be so awesoooome!!" Vinyl said, already wearing her glasses.

"Stop righ there!" suddenly a brown earth stallion gets in their way.

"Hey, what gives?" Lyra asks but the stallion turns his attention to Derpy.

"Derpy, you need to stop this!"

"derpy, are you acquaintance with this loud gentlecolt?" OCtavia ask but Derpy just shakes her head in denial.

"Hey, isn´t he the cute stallion form the clock store?" Bon Bon says.

"Oh yeah, the one the purple egghead has a crush on." Vinyl adds.

"Mr. Timeturn, ain´ it?" Carrot Top asks.

"Stop it! Shut up! None of you are important, you're not even real!" and he grabs Derpy by the shoulders. "You have to wake up! You need t-AGH!" Carrot grabs the stallion arm and push him to the ground, pinning him.

"Hold it right there partner! That´ no way to treat a lady!"

"Certainly, that was mostly rude." Octavia adds.

"De-derpy, you need to listen. We´re in terrible danger..."

"Wh-what do you mean?" Derpy asks.

"The TARDIS is heading straight to the sun. If you don´t wake up, we´re going to die..."

"What´s a TARDIS?" Bon Bon asks as Derpy starts to back down.

"Derpy, remember Manehattan? Remember the Daleks?"

"What´s he talking about?" Vinyl whispers to Octavia but she has no answers.

"Remember the dragon migration? Clover the Clever was really made that we ride a dragon right into Canterlot."

Carrot looked at Bon Bon searching for answer but the mare just shrugged.

"Remember the muffin you gave me? I kept it. For sixty years I kept it. Sixty years, trapped in a cave, starving, going delusional; but I didn't eat it, because I knew you´ll come back for me. And you did."

"Hey Derpy, yah ain´t gonna listen to what this crazy pony says, right?" Lyra asks but Derpy goes down to watch the stallion right into the eyes.

"I know you...right?" Derpy asks.

"Please, remember..."

"...Doctor?"

"Oh for Discord´s sake! Stop the drama!"

They both turn over to see a mysterious stallion walking to them. He looks pretty  much like the Doctor, except this one is a pale tone of brown and he has a thought balloon as a Cutie Mark.

"Get up from there. You´re embarrassing yourself." he says and both Derpy and the Doctor realized the other mares are frozen in place.

"Defeated by a girl. How the mighty have fallen..." and the mysterious stallion pokes the  Doctor tie.

"Who are you?" Derpy asks.

"Well, if he is Timeturner, you may call me Dreamcatcher. I´m the stallion of your dreams, dear Derpy...quite literally." upon seeing her confused face he explains. "Don't you remember? I offered you the chance to live your dreams, to have the life you've always wanted, where you have friends, fame, and nopony laughs at you. The only problems was Mr. Grumpy Pants here didn´t want you to leave so I have to put him to sleep."

"And with the Doctor gone the TARDIS is going down..." Derpy finally understands what was going on.

"Here´s the deal, sweetie. If you accept my offer, you can live in this perfect dream world. I will return both you and the Doctor to surface and he will be safe and sound but you will come with me."

"So you can feed on her energy forever?" the Doctor yells.

"YES!" and Dreamcatcher reveals his true color as a changeling. "The alternative is that both of you fall to a certain death. So what´s going  to be Derpy? Don't look at him. He can't help you. This decision is all up to you..."

Derpy takes a final look at her circle of friends and to the Doctor, forced to take an impossible decision.

"I choose..."

****

It took Princess Celestia all her magical powers to keep the sun in place, she was quickly running out of energy and time was running out.

"Look sister!" Luna says.

The tiny dot that was the blue barnbox burst open and a smaller grey dot flies away carrying a brown dot. LUna uses her magic to wrap Derpy and the Doctor in a safe bubble, providing air and heath. The Doctor manages to open one eye to see his beloved box burning in the sun surface.

"Goodbye..."

Derpy hughs the Doctor as the Princess carries them back to Equestria.

Ponyville Days

"...and then he held her on her hooves and spread his pearly wings, taking her into the field of sta-AUH!"

A light blue unicorn dropped the romance novel she was reading and rubbed her head, trying to ease the pain of being hit with a ruler.

"Auh! Why did you do that Spike?"

"Because you were daydreaming during class time again!"

"Auh! Stop that!"

"Sparkler, how do you expect to become a better Princess if all you do is read those sappy novels? Your time in Ponyville shouldn't be wasted on those frivolous hobbies!"

"Is not like I asked to be send here in the first place..." and just Sparkler noticed a peculiar face peeking through the library window.

"Well, there´s a good reason for that my dear. You see, ages and ages the ponies in Ponyville were..."

Spike began another of his rants but by then Sparkler had already fled in company of a mint green earth pony.

"Thanks for taking me out of there, Minty!"

"No problem Sparkly! Hey, wanna go to Sugarcube Corner for a snack?"

"Sure! Watch out!" the warning came too late and the ponies ran into a purple earth pony and her carriage.

"Itai..."

"Sorry KImono, we ddin´t meant to." Sparkler apologized.

"It´s okay. You just tumbled over all my clothes and ruined a whole morning work." was the stoic pony response.

"Sorry..."

"Don't worry Kimono! We can get this clean in one breeze!" Minty promised. "We just a pegasus to lend us a hoof...hey, North Star!" and she called a light brown pegasus.

"What? I´m busy!"

"Going into another one of yours adventures?" Kimono said with a sarcastic tone.

"FYI, yes. I have a new map and I´m sure to find the Crystal Kingdom this time!"

"Oh please that´s an old mares tale."

"It´s not!"

"Oh not this again! Minty help me break this two apart!" Sparkler pleaded as the two ponies began fighting.

"*Whistle* Looks like our friends ´re stuck into another o´them of bickering, don´ they Night Shine?" a pale orange pegasus said, adjusting her red cap.

"Looks that way, Whistler. We better go help Sparkler." the bowtie wearing white unicorn said.

From not too far away a orange earth pony watched the six girls arguing and couldn't help but smile. "Seems that no matter how much things change they stay the same", she thought and after adjusting her Stetson she moved back to gather some apples.

The Silent Court

The Silent Court

It started as a typical day in Ponyville, the Cutie Mark Crusaders shouted that they’ll be Cutie Mark Crusaders Alchemists for that day, planning to go to Zecora´s hut to help her gather some herbs for her potions. Of course, Applebloom visited Zecora in a regular basis; but the Everfree Forest is a dangerous for three little fillies so Twilight Sparkle insisted in going too.

Everything was going so well, despite some small bickering among the children but when Applebloom dared Scootaloo to fly over and grab some roots in the side of a rock that’s when things go awry. The zebra´s warning came too late because said roots were actually the hair of a terrible creature, a Mandrake, a terrible plant-pony whose mere touch is poisonous. Bravely, Twilight Sparkle teleported and pushed the filly pegasus away from the danger but not before the venomous fangs of the creature hit her.

Even Zecora´s knowledge was helpless in this situation. Only one pony could save Twilight Sparkle´s life and that pony was no other than…Pinkie Pie!!

She appeared right there and the zebra instructed to go to the very center of the forest, where the court of the Mandrake Queen, Alraune, was. Before the pink pony ventured the deepest and darkest portions of the forest, the zebra gave her a warning. Only one rule applied in Queen Alraune court, that nopony was allowed to make a sound.

Pinkie Pie ventured into the darkness, being threatened by terrible vision and unable to sing the magic spell her grandmother taught her but she knew her friend life was in the stake so she kept going. Finally she reached a clear valley where the Queen waited on her throne.

Using nothing but her hooves, Pinkie explained that she needed the antidote for her friend. The Queen silently explained that she would only gain said antidote if she defeated her in a duel.

Thus began the most epic duel ever seen in the face of Equestria.

Using her hooves the queen pretended something came over her head and then embrace herself. Pinkie dismissed that futile effort and wrote in piece of paper “Winter Wrap-up.”

Now it was Pinkie´s turn. She pointed at herself and then at her hooves. The Queen thought for a second and then wrote Hearts and Hooves Day. Pinkie conceded and waited for the queen turn.

She pointed at herself and then at the sky. Pinkie pondered for a second and then wrote Mare in the Moon.

The stakes were getting higher so Pinkie thought her next move very carefully. She trotted for a few seconds and the pretended something was slowly falling down. The Queen put on a smirk and wrote down Running of the Leaves.

The tension was unbearable. The next movement of the Queen was fairly cryptic. She pointed at some rocks and then stretched her forelegs and kept perfectly still. Pinkie punched her skull, trying to get the answer, luckily a light bulb appeared over her head and she wrote down Elements of Harmony.

Now Pinkie was running out of ideas. What could she possibly said next? She needed something that the Queen may ignore but she was a being as old as Celestia, what could she possibly not know?

Pinkie then finally got the answer. She smiled cheerfully; grab a piece of dirt and smashed between her hooves, daring the Queen to guess. She stood confused, looked at her subjects but they have no answers, she even imitated Pinkie punching her head but nothing came out.

After the Queen finally admitted her defeat and gave the antidote to Pinkie, she demanded to know the answer. Calmly, Pinkie wrote in a piece of a paper, Chimicherrychanga.

“That´s not even a word!” the Queen shouted but immediately covered her mouth. “No no no no I di-“having broken her own rule the entire army of Mandrakes turned against her Queen. Pinkie quickly flew off the forest, covering her ears to not hear the screams of the terrified queen.

And finally, she returned to Twilight’s side and gave her the antidote to save her life.

….

“Sugarcube, did anything in that story happen at all?”

“Welll, Twilight did ate some poison ivy by accident and Zecora sent Applebloom to find me so I gather the antidote. You won’t happen to have some oatmeal, do you Applejack?”

“…sure, just ask Granny Smith.”

“Thank you!”

“…sure, Pinkie being perfectly quiet. Like I would believe THAT.”

My Bad

My Bad

Twilight Sparkle took a good look at the pony right in front of her. He seemed like a normal stallion, a brown coated earth pony, a bit older than Big Mac but definitely younger than her father, good looking and not too muscular, just like her tastes, and with a cute hourglass Cutie Mark. He seemed all right but the strange things was what he had just said…

“ So, Doctor was it?”

“Yes, The Doctor!”

“Doctor who?”

“No. Just the Doctor.”

“You said you can travel through time…”

“Yes. That blue barn-box over there it’s my time machine, the TARDIS!”

“Right…”

“I don’t understand why are you so skeptical, I mean, you time travel once, didn’t you Midnight Twinkle?”

“Twilight Sparkle and yes but only for a few minutes and just a week before. I´m guessing that a time-traveling machine will require ridiculous amounts of energy!”

“Well I won’t discuss the specifics with you but yes, it does and yes it works, now then since you helped me with those pesky aliens that kidnapped the Princesses I decided to give you one free ride on the TARDIS!”

“I can travel anywhere?”

“Anywhere and any-when you want!”

Twilight considered the matter for a few seconds and then agreed. “Well there is one place I always wanted to go…”

“Say no more, Midnight Twinkle…”

“Twilight Sparkle.”

“I´ll take you there!”

“Yes but its kinda of a private thing. Can’t I go alone?”

“Well I suppose I can set the TARDIS in auto-pilot. I´ll just need the specific time and place…” Twilight whispered the information to the doctor who raised an eyebrow but agreed and set the machine. “All righty then just press the button and onwards you go!” The Doctor watched as Twilight got in the blue machine that disappeared with that characteristic noise. “Care for a cup of tea, Spike?”

While waiting for Twilight to return, the Doctor decided to just relax and read some magazines. He considered visit Derpy when he remembered he had dropped her somewhere and forgot to pick her back but she can wait until Twilight Sparkle returned.

Suddenly he felt sick. He looked up and saw the ceiling changing and melting right in front of him. The entire library was trapped in a psychedelic frenzy as it mutated into something else. Once it stopped the confused Doctor found himself in some other place.

“Spike, did you se-GAH!” The Doctor surprise came because instead of Spike it was Crackle.

Scared he went out.

To say that Ponyville was different was an understatement. It seemed like the whole of Equestria had changed. Ponies had the wrong colors and races and even the sky was different.

“What?!”

A stream of confetti hit him on the face and when he look up he found a pair of pegasus one white and one bright pink.

“Come on Surprise, we don’t have time for that!”

“Oh Firefly, you’re such a killjoy!”

“What?”

Right in front of him two ponies walk by, a farmer light orange pony and a vbright violet unicorn followed closely by a shy yellow earth pony.

“Applejack, we´re going to be late for the parade!”

“Hold your horseshoes Sparkler! We´ll be there very soon! Keep up ta pace, Posey!”

“I´m coming…”

“WHAT?!”

He heard the familiar sound of the TARDIS arriving so he went back to yell at Twilight but once she came out she looked really different.

“WHAT?!”

“Oh hi Doctor!”

“Sparkling Star…”

“Twilight Sparkle. No wait, it’s now just Twilight.”

“What have you done? You said you were just going to meet Lauren Faust and thank her for bring you to life! What´s all this?”

“Well you see, while I was there I took the change and used my magic to convince the Hasbro executives to make the Milky Way series. It seems that with Lauren unavailable to work on My Little Pony they decided to just make a straight remake of G1.”

“What? You have any idea of what you have done? Now bronies will never exist! Oh the consequences are unimaginable! How can you be so stupid, Twilight Sparkle?!” and the Doctor rushed inside the TARDIS.

Twilight took a moment to inspect her new bright pink body, her new white mane and her new pink house. After some careful meditation she concluded this:

“Meh. I like it.”

Come with me

Come with Me

“The days are long and heavy

As Celestia trots across our land

The sound of her gallop

The same one heard by my mother and her own…”

Fluttershy gently smiled. At her right, Rainbow Dash had her arm around Rarity who rested her head on her lovers´ shoulder. At her left, Twilight had her head placed on Pinkie´s soft mane. All over the saloon, ponies were embracing their significant other, listening to Applejack´s soft voice. Even Applebloom was forcing Spike to cross his arm around her.

Fluttershy giggled at this. She didn’t have her special somepony hugging her but she didn’t mind.

She could feel Applejack hug on her voice.

“We work hard and long, every day and night

We work hard until Luna reaches her head out

Singing to our children her lullaby…

Fluttershy couldn’t say a word. Big Macintosh handled the entire conversation, assuming the role of surrogate father that he took when their parents dies. The doctor calmly answered to all of his questions but he had no solution.

Fluttershy looked at Applejack who softly smiled back. She had nothing to say too.

“And that afternoon I buried them

Just like they buried their own before

And the ground where their rest gives birth to a new crop…

The moving was taking longer than expected. Twilight organizing skills and magic should have finished this sooner but keeping her over-excited wife in check was a full time task. Rarity of course wasn’t helping at all but Rainbow didn’t mind, always ready to impress her girl. Her only problem was dealing with the bunny. Angel was completely against moving to Applejack´s farm and refused to move.  Fluttershy simply gave him the Stare and the bunny conceded and grab his luggage. Rainbow was about to ask her how she did that bu then remembered Fluttershy´s vote of silence.

She took one last look at her cottage, taking a mental picture of her former house and smiled one last time.

“And when the rain falls, and when the wind blows

I have nothing else but you

Only you…

Applejack and Fluttershy were resting in their rockers, enjoying the quiet afternoon. Winona, no longer an active dog, was sleeping right in the middle of the pair. Both Applebloom and Big Mac have left long ago and Granny Smith had joined her sons long ago. Even all of their friends have left Ponyville, chasing their dreams together. Applejack have nopony else but Fluttershy.

She looked at her wife. She regretted that Fluttershy had cut her mane. She looked too mature and serene. Applejack grabbed a piece of paper and struggled to write something. She handled the paper to the confused pegasus. On it, it was written one single question, the one she had wanted to ask for years.

Fluttershy smiled and slowly shook her head.

Applejack´s eyes were filled with tears as she jumped to hug such a kind mare.

“Come trot with me, mare of my dreams

Come to the land where my heart belongs

Come trot with me, mare of my dreams…

Applejack voice grew in intensity and passion. She was handling her heart to the audience but she had only one pony on her mind. The one pony she always sung too, the only one all her songs were dedicated, the one she loved the most.

“Come with me…”

“…I will.”

Different Accounts

Different Accounts

Twilight Sparkle: We arrived at Sugarcube Corner at 2000 hours, the sole exception being Applejack who was already at the bakery. She seems to be always at the bakery these days. At 2005 hours the party started. At 2043 hours Big Macintosh broke a table trying to do some modern dancing. At 2106 hours Lyra Heartstrings told a joke about two mares and one donkey. I didn't understand it. At 2330 hours DJ-PON3 left the bakery, taking the music with her. Pinkie Pie insisted to keep dancing, even without music. At 2352 Fluttershy finished her twelve cup of cider, loudly proclaimed “I´m gonna do it!” and then she did something completely unexpected. I asked Rarity what was happening, her response was “Darling, didn’t you notice the fireworks between our two lovely pegasi?”. I didn´t. I took a second look at both couples, then I looked back at Rarity. “Darling?” At 2354 I did my move.

Applejack: I never would have admitted. Rainbow Dash saw right through my lie, just like always. That filly can´t do grade school math but she realized I wasn't visiting the library for the books. Still, I never would have admitted, not to anypony or to myself. I don't know what it was. Maybe it was Pinkie jumping over Fluttershy, maybe it was Rainbow finally getting Rarity to shut yer trap or maybe I just stopped lying to myself. Anyways, I finally admitted it. And she said yes.

Rainbow Dash: Look, let´s get things straight, ´kay? It didn’t start like that, you get me? It didn´t! At first, we were just friends, playing pranks, baking cupcakes, the usual. I never had any other intentions about us. It just…happened. Yeah yeah, I noticed Twi and Shy being all cuddly with each other, hardly breaking news. A. J and Rarity? Everypony could see it. But us? I honestly had no idea. It was all Pinkie´s fault. She made the first move, ´kay? I just…let her.

Rarity: Oh, my darling! Oh my dearest Fluttershy! How long have we been lying to each other? How many “dates” that weren´t? How many spa meetings, trying to keep our eyes away from each other? All we needed was a little push. Good old Pinkamena. She knew exactly what was going on and knew what had to be done. She knew how to make those stubborn ponies stop challenging each other and finally open their hearts. She knew what words to say to reach that dumb librarian, so focused on her books she missed what was right in front of her own eyes. And she knew exactly what to do for us two to finally said those words we have been keeping for too long…

Fluttershy: The smell of the morning sun on your hair, the bright of a generous heart in your eyes, the taste of sweet apples on your lips. I wonder what the others felt? A electrifying lust on those cyan lips that so eagerly rushed to meet the lavender ones? The fragrance of cotton candy and marshmallows as two manes get tangled? I don't know but I know this. Finally our six hearts had become one.

Pinkie Pie: WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

***

The six confused ponies looked at eachother, then at the complete wreckage that was Sugarcube Corner and then at the only one with answers. The little dragon with the smug smile and the photograph at his claws. They looked pleading at him.

“Well…if you really want to kn-

TIME LIMIT REACHED!!!

(Nah, just kidding. ^_^ Open ending story. Draw your own conclusions!)

Happy Failure

Happy Failure

“This is so lame…”

Scootaloo sighed for the like twelfth time that afternoon as Fluttershy happily hummed a childish tone. They were in the garden of Fluttershy´s cottage, sitting on the picnic table having a “tea party”. Right in front of her, Angel Bunny was sitting on the table wearing a formal suit and a smug smile.

“What are you laughing at, uh?”

In response, the bunny grabbed a top hat and placed it on her head. Fluttershy giggled and served the tea.

Scootaloo looked at her Cutie Mark and sighed again. When things did become like this? She had acquired her Cutie Mark just a few weeks ago. She was going around town on her scooter when she found Angel Bunny trapped under a tree branch. Worried, she approached him, calm down the frightened animal, set him free and patched his wound. Grateful, the Bunny had done something really unusual for him. He hugged Scootaloo and after she finished hugging back, she felt the need to look at her flank and, what do you know? There it was, her Cutie Mark! A…bunny face.

Yep, that was her Cutie Mark. A ridiculous and girly draw of a bunny face. Of course she was mocked by the entire school, not just Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, even her friends and her teacher were holding back tears of laughter. But that wasn't the worst thing. A little bit of embarrassment she could handle but having her idol, the one pony she looked up the most, laugh right on her face; that was unbearable. Rainbow Dash didn’t even TRY to hold back, she just pointed and laughed.

Scootaloo was devastated but then something weird happened. Fluttershy insisted for Scootaloo to come to her house and learn how to take care of animals, that was her “life call” she insisted. Scootaloo didn’t want to do that but at the same time, she wanted to know what her Cutie Mark meant so she went along and started to visit Fluttershy´s house every day.

Every. Single. Day.

“Fluttershy, I'm so bored!”

“Oh my, well what do you want to do? You want us to comb our manes? Or you want me to explain again about the different types of animals stools?”

“Please no! Not that again!” Exasperated, Scootaloo stretched her eyelids. “I don't want to spend another afternoon surrounded by fleas and drool!”

“So, what do you want to do?”

“I want to learn how to fly! I want to soar through the sky like Rainbow Dash!”

“Oh well, I'm sorry Scootaloo but I'm not that good of a flyer…”

“But you spend all day with flying animals! Can't any of them teach me some basic tricks?” Scootaloo was clearly desperate.

“Well, Mr. Falcon knew some good movements but he doesn't live here anymore. He has a family and a nest on the peak of a mountain…”

“Well, let´s go visit him!”

“Y-you mean going to the mountain?”

“Yes! Let´s go, teacher!”

The kid knew how to bribe the pegasus. Being call “teacher” put some much pride inside Fluttershy´s heart she would have agreed to almost anything.

The next day they were climbing the base of the mountain.

“Come on Fluttershy!We're almost there!”

“Coming…” It was a twenty minutes ride but it took them almost and hour to get there because Fluttershy was terrified of looking down or looking up or just open her eyes for that matter. Scootaloo had to stop and helped her up like fifteen times.

They finally reached the nest where Mr. Falcon introduced her family to the ponies. He then tried to teach Scootaloo how to glide but she kept falling every time, needing the bird to rescue her. After half an hour Scootaloo just quit, completely devastated. Fluttershy opened her flask and served some tea.

“Agh, why can't I fly?”

“Don´t feel so sad Scootaloo. Like I said, I'm not such a good flyer but you don’t need to be to take care of animals.”

“But I don't want to take care of animals! I want to be a stunt pony like Rainbow Dash and join the Wonderbolts!”

“But your Cutie Mark says different, sweetie.”

“It's a dumb Cutie Mark and I don't want it! I never liked animals to begin with!”

“B-but you helped Angel!”

“I was just being nice! That´s my special talent, being nice?”

Fluttershy had no answer, she just babbled something.

Frustrated, Scootaloo turned her back. “You don´t understand.”

Feeling defeated, Fluttershy left with Mr. Falcon and his wife to gather some food for the chicks, leaving Scootaloo to guard the nest.

“You guys have it easy; you already know who you´re supposed to be. Me? I have no idea…”

Behind her back, a pair of glowing yellow eyes were watching. Scootaloo heard the roar in time and grabbed the chicks before the cougar could get them. When the cat jumped again Scootaloo flapped her wings furiously, managing to put them all away from danger. The feral cat tried once more but failed and fell down, avoiding certain death by grabbing a rock. Scootaloo put the chicks back into the nest and look down at the terrified feline.

“Okay okay, I´ll help you! Hold on!” she grabbed the beast by the tail and moved it to a safe spot. Then she scolded it. “Listen, I know you are a carnivore and have to eat and all that but attacking a nest of defenseless babies’ it´s wrong, you get me mister?”

The cat nodded.

“Good. Now, I don’t want to see you ever again threatening this family, you understand that?”

The cat nodded again.

“Now, go!”

Scootaloo watched the cougar jump away and when she turned around she was asphyxiated by Fluttershy hug.

“Oh Scootaloo, I´m so proud of you!”

“You agh! Saw me?”

“Yes and I’m so glad to see you live up to your Cutie Mark!”

“What?”

“You were kind to that animal, even after it attacked you. Your Cutie Mark shows how much you care and love for them, that’s your special talent!”

Scootaloo looked at the smiling Fluttershy, then back at her Cutie Mark. She wasn’t so sure but what she did it did feel right. Maybe she was wrong; expecting a huge signal like a Sonic Rainboom to tell her what was her mission in life. Maybe her signal was something as simple as the hug of a grateful friend.

Once they descended the mountain, Fluttershy suggested something.

“Scootaloo, I´m a good friend of the town veterinary. Would you like to learn from her instead?”

Scootaloo gave a good luck at her teacher smiling face.

“No Fluttershy, what I really want to learn…”

Fluttershy opened her eyes, confused.

“…is to make a tea as delicious as yours, teacher.”

You are my Hero

You are my Hero

Big MacIntosh pushed the stairs and climbed up, silently wishing they won't crush under his weight. Again. Once he reached his destination he looked at the whole mess of things that the Apple family had accrued over the years. Boxes full with old clothes, broken toys, used furniture, empty lampshades and padlocked vaults. After looking at all that jumble he could only say one thing.

“Eeeeyup…”

Defeated, he began to sort through the garbage, looking for that old can-opener Granny Smith had insisted on using, despite having a brand new earth pony adjusted one in the kitchen.

He smiled when he found a picture of his family from a few years ago, back when his parents were alive. They took that picture of their sons, the big colt holding the newborn foal while his little sister smiled.

He put the picture away and then noted a big box, sealed with duct tape. He opened it and found a familiar purple costume. After playing that mean prank on Rainbow Dash (Big Mac had understood the reason but didn’t approve of their methods), the girls had explained everything to the Mayor who came up with the story that Mare Do-Well had moved to Manehattan to help the ponies in there, leaving the town in the capable hooves of Rainbow Dash. A lie was a lie, even if it was a white lie, but at least the foals won´t feel betrayed with that story. For what he knew the girls had returned the costumes to Rarity, whose designer heart prevented her from destroying any piece of fabric even the ones she didn’t liked; so he wondered why Applejack had kept hers and lied saying, her costume had burned in an oven related accident.

An idea came to Big Mac, about why her sister may still want to be the masked heroine…

“Eeeenope!”

It was a silly idea. He found the can-opener and went down the stairs.

****

Applejack made sure that nopony had followed her. She opened the door of the barn and then took another look around, just to make sure. Once she had shut the door, she let out the air and smiled. She prepared the stage, placed the record on the player and changed into the costume.

The barn went silent for a moment while the needle just scratched the empty part of the record…

“Oh no, there´s a terrible manticore is threatening Ponyville!”

“Fear not citizens! Mare Do Well is here to save you!”

Mare Do- Well fought against a monster made out of hay and pillows, easily defeating him. She finished too early and had to wait for the record to reach the part of the cheering.

“You saved us, Mare Do Well! You are a hero! Three hoorays for our savior! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!”

In an uncharacteristic moment, Mare Do Well cheered as well, hugging the mannequins dressed as her friends and saluting a cardboard of cheering ponies.

“Ejem!”

Applejack rushed to stop the player and turned back. Coming from behind a pair of boxes, Big MacIntosh was looking somewhat sad.

“B-b-big mac? This isn’t a-ah mean…”

Applejack had removed the hood, almost on the verge of tears.

Big MacIntosh, being the big brother and substitute father he was, slowly approached her and drove her into a tight hug.

“You don't need to do all this.” Applejack looked up at his gentle green eyes. “You are my hero.”

Applejack finally broke in tears and hugged his brother back.

That night, the Mare Do Well costume went to its rightful place. A trash can.

(Personal Note: At first, Applejack was Worst Pony on my list, second only to Fluttershy. But since the producers had completely forgotten about her on season two and some portion of the fandom started to hate her for no reason, she has moved on my list. Now she is almost best pony, second only to Rarity. Show some love for Applejack.)

Dash & Shy

“Dash & Shy”

Ponyville, Wednesday, Mid-summer

A pink pony yelled so loud she was heard even in the Royal Palace.

“Oh no, Gummy has been kidnapped!!!”

This is a job for Equestria finest detectives.

Dash & Shy!

One is a tough and aggressive member of the Weather Patrol.

The other, a shy and middle mannered animal caretaker.

Together, they take care of a turtle!

“Tortoise!”

Whatever.

Dash & Shy!

Tonight episode…

“A mouthful of complicity!”

“So Pinkie Pie, tell us exactly what happened!” Rainbow Dash said.

“I-I woke up this morning and…and…Gummy wasn’t chewing on my head!” she broke in tears.

“Only one pony is capable of such a heinous act! Let´s go, Shy!”

*****

“No Rainbow Dash, I have no idea where Gummy is!” Twilight Sparkle said.

“Oh well, thank you Tw-“

“Admitted it, Twi! You never liked Gummy, you found it gross and once tried to stuck it into Applejack´s head!”

“That was you, Rainbow…”

“So, you want to play dirty, eh? Then let´s see, what if I do…this!” and Rainbow Dash removed the cup holder.

Furious, Twilight Sparkle kicked her out with her magic.

“That was useless. Come on Shy, we need to check the crime scene!”

*****

“So Shy, what have you found?” Rainbow Dash asked while finish a piece of chocolate cake.

“I have no idea what I´m supposed to be looking for…” Angel Bunny hopped in, carrying an important clue. “Oh what´s this? It looks like a piece of gemstone…”

“A-ha! A clue! And I know exactly what pony can helps us with this!”

*****

“So Rarity, you´re the town expert on jewelry. If somepony has some gems to spend they come with you!”

“You made me sound like some kinds of smuggler there…”

“Please Rarity, help us.”

Rarity sighed and took the piece of red gemstone. “Yes, I recognize this. I paid Spike with this a few days ago. He helped me get rid of all of Sweetie Belle´s old toys. Those useless things were taking too much space.”

“Of course! Spike is the perfect culprit, he has always been jealous of Gummy for being the coolest lizard in town! He is responsible!”

“Are you done here, darling? Because I´m extremely busy!”

Ignoring Rarity, Rainbow Dash grabbed Fluttershy. “Now, the game is ahoof!”

“…umh, the game is what?”

****

Rainbow Dash jumped over the terrified dragon, pinning him to the ground.

“Confess Spike! You have no way outta this!”

“…yes, I confess! I took pictures of all of you sleeping and sold them to the colts in town!”

“…I want those pictures.”

******

“So if Spike didn´t do this, who did?” Fluttershy asked the hovering cyan pegasus.

“We are forgetting the one pony with the most cunning criminal mind in Ponyville…”

“…Derpy?”

“No! You, Applejack!”

The farmer pony titled her head. “Ah beg yah pardon?”

“Confess you kidnapped Gummy so you can turn him into one of those lame cowboy boots of yours!”

“GASP! Applejack, how could you?”

“What are yah two dumb-heads talking ´bout?”

“That´s it! It´s time for rumble!”

“Uhhh sis? Everything all right?”

“Oh so you bring into the big guns, eh? I´ll handle this, Shy!!” and Rainbow Dash jumped into combat, kicking and punching Big Mac with all her strength.

Big Mac just blinked confused while the little pony harmlessly punched him. He pointed at Rainbow Dash but Applejack had no answer to give and just shrugged.

“Ouh! I´m hurt!” Rainbow Dash fell down dramatically.

“Rainbow Dash!”

“You won this time, Applejack but someday I´ll bring you down!”

Fluttershy carried Rainbow Dash away while the two farmer ponies just looked confused.

“Sis, have any idea what just happened?”

“Eeeeenope.”

*******

Fluttershy took Rainbow Dash back into her cottage where she bandaged her non-existing wound.

“Sorry I wasn´t of any help…”

“Don´t worry your pretty little head, Shy. You being there for me is all the help I need.”

While they looked into each other eyes tenderly, a slow turtle walked by.

“A tortoise!”

Oh, shut up!

“Well, since I can´t fly with a hurt wing I guess I´ll have to spend the night here.”

“Okay.”

“Too bad you only have ONE bed.”

“Yes…oh!”

******

The next day Pinkie Pie knocked at the cottage door.

“Hiya Fluttershy! Silly me, I completely forgot that the Cakes had took Gummy to the vet after I gave him a full chocolate cake, duh! Now, he´s back and healthy, see?” the alligator just kept in place while Pinkie jiggled her tail.

“O-okay Pinkie…”

“Bye-bye!”

“Bye.”

Rainbow Dash came to the front door and placed an arm over Fluttershy. “Well, another case solved, right Shy?”

“I guess…”

“Now what do you say we write the report?”

“Okay!”

DASH & SHY!!!

One Pony Garbage

One Pony Garbage

The old bottle stood right there next to the window, a lonely lilly inside.

“Rarity, stop looking at that bottle!”

“I´m sorry Darling, I just can´t help it!” she moved to the table. “You have such a lovely house, everything is perfect except for that ugh piece of garbage!”

“One pony garbage is another pony treasure!”

“Who can treasure something as tacky as that?”

Twilight sighed and put down her cup. “Okay, if I tell you the story behind the bottle will you promise not to make a fuss about it?”

Rarity gestured the Pinkie Promise ritual but Twilight knew her better than that.

“Back in the day, when I have just moved to Ponyville, I still have problems talking to you girls. Pinkie Pie was too extroversive for me while Fluttershy was too introversive. You were always busy while all Rainbow Dash wanted was to nap. So the only pony I was comfortable talking too was Applejack. Please don’t get mad but if I have to choose between the five of you, I´ll said that Applejack is my best friend.

One day I went to the farm to visit her.

“Howdy partner! Low day in the library?”

“Spike is taking a nap and it was such a nice day that I decided to go out. You mind if I read my book here?”

“No problemo!”

Reading under an apple tree in the farm is very relaxing too me. The smell of fresh apples and the bright sun over my head. But as comfortable as that was, I felt like an intruder, reading alone while Applejack and Big Macintosh worked under the hot sun.

“Applejack, there´s anything I can help you with?”

“Don´t ya worry, Twi! We have it all covered, right big bro?”

“Eeeeyup!”

“Still I can help you to organize the schelud-“ Big Mac took the notepad from with a growl.

“Hehe sorry ´bout that. Big Mac is very jealous about his fancy mathematics. Why don´t ya go help Granny in the kitchen instead?”

“Five minutes later Granny Smith was chasing me with a spoon.

“Get ya stinky hooves outta mah kitchen!”

“Woah nelly…”

“Sorry.” I apologized.

“Hehe don´t be. Hey, since you like cleaning things why don´t ya go to the barn and see if there´s some old stuff to get rid too?”

“Okay!”

I entered the barn and when I climb the stairs and found a ton of garbage. Old corsets, broken records, vaults filled with worn clothes, boxes filled with all newspapers; all sorts of garbage.

“Perfect!”

A few hours later Applejack came in.

“Hey Twi! Ah just saw Roseluck taking a bunch of stuff on her wagon. Did ya fou-WOOAAAAA!! What in Celestia´s multi-colored mane happened in ´ere?”

“Oh hey, Applejack! I just finished cleaning in here!”

“Wha-wha-what happened to all the stuff in ´ere?”

“I get rid of it!”

“All of it? Are ya crazy? Who told ya to threw everything?!”

“You did!”

“Ah meant some broken boxes and bad apples, not the things up there!”

“But it was all just garbage, nothing useful! I mean, who keeps an empty bottle anyway? It was all just useless garb-“

Then Applejack did something unexpected. She pushed me. Hard. I hit my head and saw a tiny amount of red over my forehead.

Applejack´s rage slowly disappeared.

“Oh no! Twilight, Ah´m sorry! Ah didn´t meant to! Let me help yo-“

Instead I ran off, tears forming in my eyes.

“Ah´m sorry, Twilight! Ah´m sorry!”

I didn´t want Spike to see me hurt and I couldn´t find Fluttershy to help me so instead I hide under the bridge, crying. After a while, I felt a hoof over my head. I look up and found Big Macintosh looking concerned.

He didn´t say anything, he just bandaged my head. Once he finished he stood there looking nowhere.

“She´s sorry.” He said.

“I don´t know why she get so mad. It was just garbage!”

“Not long ago, this little contraption here in mah neck was in that pile. So was A.J hat. Our folks left a bunch of gizmos up there. Never bothered to get rid of anything.”

I cried a little more, realizing what an idiot I was.

“I´m sorry, Big Macintosh.”

“Ah know.” And he gently patted my head.

When I got back home, I found Spike in his usual cheerful self.

“Hey Twilight! Woah, what happened to you?”

“I hit my head with a door. I´m not hungry, I´m going to bed.”

“Sure you´re okay?”

“Yes, I just want to sleep. Good night Spike.”

“Night! Oh, Applejack was here early. She left that!” and when I looked at the window, there it was that old bottle with a lily inside.

…and that´s the whole story”

Despite her promise, Rarity was already crying a waterfall.

“That is The. Most. Touching. Story!!!!”

Twilight sighed again and took another sip of her tea.

The old bottle stood right there next to the window, a beautiful lily inside.

Friendship Burns!!!

Friendship Burns!!!!

The Elements of Harmony! Once the most powerful source of magic known to ponykind, wielded by the two Royal Sisters; but then the terrible villain Discord stole them and hide them in an island right at the edge of the world.

“The Elements of Harmony? Sure you can have them! You only have to found them first! Buahahahaha!”

Thus began the Great Age of Piracy, where all ponies set sails across the Great Sea of Equestria!

And the one pony who will turn into Queen of Pirates will be one Pinkamena D. Pie. After eating the Pinky Bouncy Cupcake, she acquired the ability of turning into a living balloon. She made great friends, travelled a lot and now, she is in the place of the final battle, Q Island, where chocolate rain falls from  the sky and buffalo dance in tutus. But before they can reach the Elements they must defeat the dreadful Queen Pirate Chrysalis and her legion of Changelings!

“You are a fool, Straw Hat Pony! I will take the Elements of Harmony! Muahahaahaha!!!” the evil villain gloated.

“No-uh! Bouncy Bouncy Hammer!” and the pink pony, captain of the crew, inflated her hoof and squashed the changelings.

“You lame changelings think you can defeat the one pony who will become the Best Flyer in Equestria? Well, think twice! Sonic Hydra Roar!!!” and Rainbow Dash, the pony hunter, spread her wings, as sharp as swords, and slashed the changelings, leaving a rainbow colored trail.

“You monsters won't stop me from fulfilling my dream, making a checklist about every island on Equestria! Friendship Storm!” Twilight Sparkle, the ship navigator, lighted her horn and conjured a magical storm that fried the changelings.

“You will regret changeling the Great and Powerrfull Trixie!” the changelings roared and the coward unicorn ran off to hide.

“Trixie!!” Twilight yelled.

“I´m not Trixie! I´m the mysterious masked pony, Lulamoon!!” the caped pony announced, coming out of a bush.

“Whatever...”

“Las Pegasus Fireworks Show-stopper!” and the unicorn shoot a wave of magical explosions from her magic wand, knocking the changelings.

“Y´all look very hungry, partners! What ya say about a bucket of apples? Apple Pie Bomber!” and Applejack, the ship cook, jumped high into the air, delivering a special order of powerful kicks to the changelings´ faces.

“Umh, I don't want to hurt you but...you are in our way so please move!” the changelings were not scared by the shy pegasus threat. “I´m sorry then...” Fluttershy, the ship kind doctor, gulped a strange looking pill and then transformed into a furious were-pony that started pounding the poor creatures.

“Hmph! How uncouth! Destroying such a beautiful landscape. I could find some beautiful gems in here but first, I must get rid of the garbage. Six Joyaux Cage!” and Rarity, the beautiful gems hunter who ate the Pretty Rocky Cupcake, created a wall of emeralds that trapped the changelings.

“Hey, this changelings are such losers! They can´t compete with all my swag! Super! Swag Flame Wave!” and Spike, the cool and sexy dragon that made the Sugarcube Sailor, the group ship; grew in size and threw out a large wave of green flames that burned the changelings.

“Yooo-hohohoho!! Why thou wishesest to fight us? We just want to dance!!! Nocturnal Ballet!” and Princess Luna, the missing princess that was found by the group after being a thousand years locked in the moon, alive thanks to have eaten the Moony Creamy Cupcake; danced around the changelings, freezing them with her magic spell.

In just five minutes the Straw Hat Nine had defeated an army of over 9.000 changelings.

“Now you will pay for what you did to Shining Armor on volume 46, big meanie!!” Pinkie Pie shouted.

(God, this series is really long...)

“You fools won´t defeat me! I also ate a Discorded Cupcake! With the power of the Black Snooty Cupcake I can conjure pure darkness! Buahahahaa!!” and the Changeling Queen created a whirlwind of green glowing darkness and throw it at the crew, seriously hurting them.

Pinkie managed to stand up. She saw all her defeated friends and was about to break in tears. But then she heard their voices, all cheering for her, believing in her, on their friendship. Pinkie was burning with pure friendship.

“Party Hard!!!”

And Pinkie entered her Surprise Mode, her hair turning gold, her coat white and two magical wings appearing on her back, She flew right straight to the Changeling Queen, her hoof of friendship burning with the wishes and trust of all her frie-

TIME LIMIT REACHED

(God dammit!! Okay, I'll skip the fight.)

Twilight Sparkle levitated the book in front of her. She had been following this manga series for quite some time now. She was aware the characters were based on all her friends and herself; after all, she knew the cross-eyed pegasus that wrote it.

She reread the final volume and give it her final thought...

“Best. Manga. Ever!!!!!!!”

Blow the Last Candle

Blow the Last Candle

“Where are we?”

The Doctor sighed again. He had specified a dozen times they were not moving from the kitchen of Sugarcube Corner, they were moving forward in time, not space; but considering the easily distracted nature of his companion he decided not to complain. He was actually relieved that Pinkie Pie didn´t had a heart attack at the sight of the broken sky.

“We are precisely on-” he stopped mid-sentence when he noted those naive blue puppy eyes looking back. “We are really really really really far in the future. This...” and he waved at the land surrounded on eternal dusk. “...is the last day of Equestria.”

Pinkie Pie and the Doctor descended from the TARDIS and took a look around and what used to be Ponyville. Instead of colorful buildings and the Whitetail Forest on the distance, there was nothing but a barren land and desolate ruins. Pinkie´s heart sunk at the realization that she was all alone, that no traces of her friends were around, not even the big tree where Twilight used to live. There was nothing Pinkie could recognize.

The Doctor meanwhile was distracted, hearing the music of the dying stars. He heard the sound of ethereal wings flapping behind them and turned to greet the ruling Princess.

“Your Majesty.” Pinkie turned over and saw the saddest winged unicorn she had ever meet. She was as tall as Celestia but shared Cadance´s delicate figure, Luna´s blowing mane and Twilight´s colors; but the only thing Pinkie noticed was the extreme sadness on her reddish eyes. “Pinkie Pie, met Princess Equinox, the last Princess of Equestria.”

She gently inclined her head, waking up Pinkie who bowed back. “Doctor...you kept your promise.”

“I always do.”

“This way.”

The Princess led them down the road and Pinkie´s curiosity got the best of her.  “What promise?”

“I promised her one last visit. The same way I promised you one last party.”

“But I didn´t meant that to be the literal last party on equestria, you silly!” It was hard to tell if Pinkie was actually mad or not.

“I don´t understand what the problem is...”

“The problem, you crazy pony, is that there is nothing around here! No sun, no moon, no ponies around, and definitely no laughter! Everything is so gloomy and sad and depressing!  Why is everything so sad? Is this really the end? This all there it is?  Only sadness?”

The Doctor stopped hearing Pinkie´s hoofsteps so he turned over and found the party pony sitting in the dirt. Her hair had straightened and most of the color of her coat had diluted. The Doctor lifted her teary face and spoke “Everything must eventually end, Pinkamena.  This is the last day in Equestria, there is nothing else but the here and now, and now...there is a party to celebrate.”

Pinkie cheered up a little and joined the Doctor into the last town in the land.  Pinkie finally saw other ponies or at least what seemed like ponies. They were pretty strange creatures, horned zebras, pegasi with mechanical wings, things that looked like Iron Will but have pony legs and some other things that Pinkie didn't even wanted to know what they were. Princess Equinox greeted the guests, her voice was soft and melodious like a lullaby but it seemed like she will broke in tears any second now.

“Greetings, dearest guests. Today we celebrate the last joint of the stars and to commemorate this occasion our guest of honor is the bearer of the Element of Laughter, Pinkie Pie!” all the ponies look alikes applauded Pinkie who was feeling pretty uncomfortable. “This day we say our goodbyes to the land of our ancestors so in their honor, let´s celebrate!”

The Princess tried to soudn entusiastic but she came out even more depressing. The pony creatures started to chat and drink but nopony seemed to be having a good time. Pinkie walked away from the party, not really feeling in the mood to celebrate.

“Pinkie, where are you going?” the Doctor asked.

“I´m...I´m going to take a walk.”

“Well, make it a quick one. The Princess wanted you to meet somepony.”

Pinkie nodded and moved away. She took another look at the creatures but that only depressed her more. As she walked past a three horned unicorn chatting with something that seemed like a changeling she overheard one familiar name.

“Applejack, come over here!”

“A.J is here?!” Pinkie hair immediately inflated at hearing that name but when she looked she got sad again. The pony named Applejack resembled a pony, except that she had eight legs and she was birth red with blue light mane but at least she was wearing a similar hat. The “Applejack” turned sideways and looked at the confused Pinkie. She waved a hoof and in response the “Applejack” waved back with three.

Pinkie Pie walked back to the center of the plaza and found the Doctor waiting with the Princess. The Doctor let the Last Light Ruler speak. “Pinkie Pie, I´m afraid that I´m the last pure pony in Equestria. There are no longer any pegasi, unicorns or earth ponies. But there is one last pure race...” and she moved to reveal a tiny shy figure. “...the last dragon.. His name is Spike.”

Pinkie looked surprised at the little dragon. He had the opposite colors of her Spike, green over violet, but the same innocent eyes. The baby dragon bowed at Pinkie who bowed back in a respectful manner. She then broke in a snort of laughter and hugged this “Spike.”

“Feeling better?” the Doctor asked.

Pinkie beamed a grin and turned over to the crowd. “Come on everypony, why the long faces? Let´s change those frowny-brownies!! Except you sir, it seems your face is that way the whole time....but the rest LET´S PARTY!!!!!”

The party lasted for hours, or what counted for hours in that state of eternal dusk shine. When they were done with all the games and songs, all the creatures went their separate ways and the Doctor and Pinkie returned to the TARDIS.

“That was the most super duper fun party ever! Well, it was the last most super duper fun party of all but still! Did you have fun Doctor?”

“Yes I did, Pinkie. Now let´s get in before everything explodes“

“Okey-do-WAIT!!! What do you mean explode?!”

“I told you a dozen times that this is the last day. Once the Princess performs her last  ceremony, the entire planet will explode.”

“A-a-and what will happen with all the non-ponies-ponies? And with little Spike’?”

“They´ll be fine. They're leaving Equestria for a new world. This was just a farewell party, a moving party.”

“Oh, okay then...”

Pinkie and the Doctor stood at the open door of the barn box and watched as Princess Equinox rose in the air. She spread her ethereal wings and lighted her horn, covering the dying stars with a purple light. Once the stars were joined all the land burned in a blue fire.

This reminded Pinkie of her last birthday. Before blowing the candles they played a game where they had to tell what was their most prized possession. For Fluttershy it was Angel Bunny who didn't like being called a possession, Rainbow Dash showed an autograph of the Wonderbolts, Twilight the first book she received, Applejack her hat and Rarity made everypony daww when she choose her little sister. Pinkie was about to say her most precious possession when the Cakes brought the cake.  She had to made three wishes. She wished for a really tasty cupcake for her next birthday, she wished to be with her friends forever and finally she wished for another rainbow, like the one that first made her laugh. That was her most prized possession, her first smile. And now in the last party of all she smiled again.

And the last candle was blown...

Blossom

Blossom

If there was one thing Rainbow Dash was familiar with that was boredom. She got bored rather easily, especially when around Fluttershy. It was only out of her sense of loyalty that she hanged out with the shy pony, torturing herself with excruciating activities; but Fluttershy was her oldest friend and even when sometimes she pushed Rainbow´s buttons, she will still stick to her side, no matter what.

Except this time. Fluttershy had dragged Rainbow to the library, the most boring place in town.Rainbow would never enter the library voluntary, unless there was some super amazing adventure book to read, something with a brave and bold pegasus explorer or something like that but, come on, that´s ridiculous! Everypony knows that books are only for eggheads!

“Hi girls!” Twilight Sparkle said. “You need anything, Fluttershy?”

“Sure, don´t ask me. I´m just standing right here!”, Rainbow thought while sitting down.

“Yes Twilight, I was looking for a book about ikebana...” the shy pegasus said in almost a murmur.

“Uuh the exotic art of flower arrangement from the Far East! Didn't know you liked that sort of thing, Fluttershy!”

“It´s...a hobby.” the pegasus was blushing.

“I think I have one in the top section. Spike, check out sector 7-G!”

“Will do!”

While the little dragon worked, Twilight inquired more information from Fluttershy who responded by taking out a flower pot from her saddlebags. “I was trying to copy a piece I saw on a magazine but I don´t think I got  it right.”  Twilight examined the intertwined lilies and chrysanthemums and had to admit the result was pretty bad looking. “You had any ideas?”

“You should really ask Rarity instead. I´m not good with...decorations.”

“Ha!”

“Shut up, Spike!”

“This is what all the fuss was about? You drag me out of my bed for this?!” Rainbow complained.

“I´m sorry...”

“Rainbow, be more considerate. This is important to Fluttershy.” Twilight scolded her.  “Now, let´s figure out what´s wrong with this piece here...”

“It just needs to be a little more cooler. About a twenty percent . No, make it a ten. You got that bow right.”

“Yeah, like you know anything about flower arrangement, Rainbow!” Twilight mocked her and even Fluttershy giggled a little. “Now Spike, bring that book here. According to the manual we should move this here...”

“Here?”

“Yes! Now we cut this one and...”

Rainbow was about to explode with how slow these two were. “GAH! Let me handle this!”

True to her ten seconds flat motto, Rainbow fixed the flower pot in a dash. Now the flowers beamed like sunlight and you could almost hear music coming out of the petals.

“There! Can we go now?”

….

“Why are you all staring at me like that?”

******

“I´m so bored!” the little rainbow maned filly did a few loops in the airs before crashing back into the chair. The older mare next to her just laughed a little and kept going with her business.

Rainbow took a upside down look but all she could see was green empty space stretching into the horizon with just a distracted goat in the background. “Dumb farm...”

Rainbow pouted. Why did all the relatives on her mother's side had to be earth ponies? Rainbow was stuck every summer in that boring farm at the outskirts of Fillydelphia with her grandmother and her dumb earth ponies cousins. She hated this. She wanted to fly around, to soar across the sky, go back to fly camp. She missed Gilda a lot. Hay, she even missed that scaredy cat of Fluttershy! But, she was stuck here for another two weeks so, she guessed she better find something to kept herself busy.

“What are you doing, granny?”

“Making a centerpiece.” the grey mare slowly moved another sunflower inside the pot. Rainbow watched her go in slow motion, picking another flower from the ones in the table. The old lady moved her hoof over a flower, she was about to grab it and then...she moved back to the left. Rainbow rolled her eyes. Her grandmother went for another flower, pick it up, was about to place it in the pot and then...she put it back in the table.

“Oh come on! Why is taking you so long?”

“You have to be patient, Peewee...” (“Heheh Peewee.” “Shut up, Spike!”) “You have to find the perfect flower and place it into the perfect place. It takes time and a lot of trial and error but when you finally do it right...” and she turned the pot over so Rainbow could see it.

Rainbow eyes went wide at the spectacular sight of the bright and blooming flowers. She feel like the Princess herself was singing at her ear. The flower piece was magical.

“It shines like bright day.”

Rainbow was finally excited. “I wanna do it too! I wanna do it too!”

“calm down Peewee. Let me teach you the basics...”

Rainbow may be impatient but she was also a  fast learner. She quickly understood the basic rules and adapted the proper method to her own needs. She didn't  want to waste time picking the right flower, she trained to recognize the best one, swoop them in a flash and made an arrangement in a matter of seconds. The results...were pretty good.

Rainbow looked at her work, proud of her speed and skills. She hold her breath, waiting for that moment of impact when the flowers will sing.

…

Nothing happened.

“I don´t understand. I did everything exactly like you did, grandma! Why does mine looks so...boring?”

“You did everything by the book, Peewee.” and she gently patted Rainbow´s head. “But there´s more to decor that simply arranging things to look pretty, they need to tell a story, to express your true feelings.”

“My what now?”

“You have to tell something with this piece. What do you want to tell?”

Rainbow looked at the flower pot intensely, trying to figure out what was she looking for with it. After a while an idea came to her head. She rushed back to the field and grabbed a weed that she then tangled around the pot. The result was... pretty impressive.

Now the flower pot looked menacing, the weed circling the vase while the sunflowers escaped from it, searching the sun. Granny Dash approved with a look and then looked back at her grandchild.

“I want it to look cool!”

****

“And that´s the whole story. My grandma taught me all the basics and I still visit her every summer but boy, it´s been years since I last fixed some flowers!”

Rainbow looked front and found both ponies and the baby dragon with dumbfounded looks.

“What? Can´t I be good at girly stuff? Let me tell you something girls, I´m Rainbow Dash and I´m awesome in everything I do, even flower arrangement! Next time, I´ll teach you two how to always dress in style!”

Twists and Turns

Twists and Turns

“Attention Ponyville, it´s time for the annual Pinkie Pie Pony Extravaganza Festival!!!” Pinkie Pie loudly announced. “Let´s get the couples ready!”

“Ah, what´s the point Pinks?” Rainbow Dash complained. “Every year Twilight gets paired with Applejack, you get paired with Rarity and drive her crazy with your wild antics and I get stuck with Fluttershy who drags me down and we lose every single year.”

“I´m sorry...”

“Well, that´s boring! if every year is the same it´s get really old so this year we´ll doing it at random!” she grabbed Spike, stuffed a bunch of papers down his throat, shook him a little  and he burped a new scroll.

“Now, let´s announce the couples!” Pinkie announced while Spike growled. “Twilight Sparkle is paired with Derpy Hooves! Applejack is paired witth Lyra! Rarity is paired with Spikey-wikey! Pinkie Pie is paired with Cranky Doodle! Hey, that´s me! Fluttershy is paired with Big Mac! And Rainbow Dash is paired with Granny Smith!”

“What?”

“Now, let the games begin!”

This year the games were hilarious. Twilight had to deal with Derpy´s poor coordination while Spike was too distracted ogling over Rarity to help her during the competitions. Big Mac was patient enough to deal with the shy pegasus and they quickly arrived at the top spot, going head to head against the AppeLyra team whose coordination was great.

During the eight-legged race, Fluttershy fell down the mud.

“I´m so sorry, Big Mac.”

He gently pulled her up. “No problem.”

Rainbow was visibly very upset. “Come on Granny Smith! Move, please!”

“Ah´m coming, hang on!”

Rainbow facehoofed and painfully watched as Pinkie dragged Cranky around.  “Wiiiiiiiii!!!”

After a long and entertaining day, they reached the final competition.

“Now for our final game, I created a new one this year! it´s called “How long will you endure?”

“You cracked your brain with that one darling...” Rarity said. but Pinkie didn't pay attention.

“Out two final couples will have to endure at least one minute of...kissing!”

All the ponies gasped and laughed. Rainbow and Fluttershy competing for who get the bigger blush. Applejack and Lyra looked at each other and they seemed to have no problem at all.

“Lyra, you better back down from this or you get to spend the night at the couch! Again!” somepony yelled from the audience.

“Big Mac, are you...umh, okay with this?” Fluttershy asked.

“Eeeyup!”

“So, let´s begin!”

Big Mac and Fluttershy looked at each other. Then, closed their eyes and began to get closer. The only sound was the sound of Rainbow teeths rubbing against each other. Their lips were coming closer, almost together, one big kiss...

“STOP!!!” Rainbow rushed to push Big Mac away. “I won´t let you do this!”

“Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy said.

“Why Dashie? It´s just a game!” Pinkie said.

“Because...because...nopony but me kisses Fluttershy!” and she proved her point by giving the yellow pegasus a long and deep kiss.

It took Rainbow a minute to realize what she had done and she opened her eyes to meet the blushing face of Fluttershy below her.

“Finally!” Pinkie said.

“It took you two all day!” Rarity complained.

“Wait a minute...you mean...” Rainbow was unable to come out with the right words so Big Mac summarize her thoughts.

“Eeeyup!”

“Now now everypony, shows over! Let´s all get back to our houses!” Twilight Sparkle announced.

“See you at Dashie and Flutters wedding!” Pinkie said.

While the two pegasi remained in the floor confused and embarrassed, Applejack approached Lyra.

“Well, that worked pretty well ah say!”

“I´m glad for those two!”

“Me too! Say Mrs. Lyra, had not that pony yelled, you think you would have ah mean...”

Before the blushing pony could say another world, Lyra pressed her lips on her.

“Sweet but a little strong. Just like apple cider...”

A Gift

A Gift

Pinkie once told me that the best gift in the world is a smile. That´s pretty easy for her, she´s always smiling. But what about a pony who almost never smiles? Wouldn´t in that case a smile be a gift so rare and unique she would only give to someone she holds dear?

I remember seeing her around, back when we lived in Canterlot. She was a musician and she was always playing during formal occasions. She played the double bass or the cello, I can't remember. I never pay attention to that. I only payed attention to her face. She was beautiful but so stiff, so serious; never smiling. At first, I think she was like this only when playing, like she was concentrating really hard; but Twilight became an acquaintance of her and we spoke once or twice and she was always the same. Always with a stoic face.

I watched her from afar, hoping to catch her smile or laugh or maybe even sneeze. I was enthralled by her. I won't say she was my first crush or anything I was just...curious about her. But despite all my efforts, despite trying to be funny, she never smiled at me.

After we moved to Ponyville I kinda forget about her. Set my eyes in another pony and let that feeling, whatever it was, go away. Until one day I had to return to Canterlot for royal business and I ran into her again. She was roaming through the aisles of the palace, like she was searching for something. She look tired and without her bow-tie on, she looked sad and defeated.

I knew what to do, I searched all over the palace and eventually I found the  bowtie. I had to fight with some pompous unicorn who had found it and insisted it looked good on him. What a dead weight! I ran off to the stage and handled the bow tie to her just before the show started. The curtain was going up so she didnt had time to say anything, not even thank you but instead she...smiled.

She smiled at me.

That was the first and only time I saw a smile on her face.

Her one and only gift to me.

Unlikely Alliances

Unlikely Alliances

It all happened in a second. The doors opened and the swarm of changelings assaulted them. Rainbow Dash was the first one to fall of course. She rushed right into the swarm and was caught very easily. Applejack was put down when she jumped to save the terrified Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy showed surprising strength when she tried to save the captured Rarity. Twilight Sparkle saw all her friends fail and did the only thing she could.

She ran away.

Before the changelings could capture her she teleported. Since time ws running short she appeared in the one place she thought she could find help. The statues of the garden were bathed in a bright purple light, casting a ominous light at the unholy pact that was about to happen.

“I can´t believe I´m going to do this...”

****

Inside the palace the Changeling Queen was gloating on her victory.

“You won´t get away with this!” Princess Cadance said.

Just then the changelings brought the defeated elements of harmony “You were saying? Now that the Element are gone I can...wait, where is the purple one?”

“Right here!” Twilight Sparkle announced. “And I won't let you do as you please!”

“hahaha! What a fool! I have already won! I have complete control of Canterlot, my will is the law!”

“Oh and where is the fun in that?” a raspy familiar voice was heard on the room. “One absolute rule for the entire kingdom? How boring! That´s why I always liked little Luna best, she was so full of jealousy! I had the most fun watching go all evil and smoky hehhehehe!”

The ponies watched in horror as the shadows melted and changed until taking the form of the terrible draconequus. Even the changeling queen was terrified.

“Twilight, what have you done?” Rarity was the only one who dared to ask that question.

The Changeling Queen reacted and send her minions tos top Discord but he only needed to snap his fingers to transform them all into harmless rocks. He grew, larger and larger, until he almost hit the roof.

“No no! Don't do this!” the Changeling Queen pleaded.

“Sorry but if the villain wins, it gets boring!” and with another snap of his finger a magical tornado dragged all the changelings and send them with ehr Queen bakc into Tartarus.

Princess celestia fell down for the cocoon that imprisoning her and her first words were to chastise her student. “You have made a terrible mistake, Twilight Sparkle. Now Disco-” she stopped mid sentence because Discord was starting to dissolve in a purple smoke.

“What is happening?” Applejack asked.

“I only released Discord temporarily.  My spell will return his powers only for him to stop the Queen and then he would return to being a harmless stone.”

“And he was okay with that?” Rainbow Dash asked and Discord gave her a smug.

“I covneicned him that letting the Queen take control of Canterlot will result in a boring Equestria. One where only her law will apply, eliminating chaos.”

“I may not be fond of you ponies but I´m less fond of boredom.” Discord chuckled. “Seems like my time has ran out. It was nice seeing you again, Celestia. And Twilight Sparkle...” the purple pony looked up at those soulless eyes. “I must say I´m impressed. I never expected you to take such a decision. To choose chaos over order. Perhaps, you and I have more in common than you think. Perhaps in a different reality,  I could have call you a friend.”

And with a terrible and sarcastic laugh Discord disappeared for good, leaving the room in shadows and one pony who didn't dare to look back at her friends, afraid that they will see in her eyes the same soulless void.

A Wish from the Stars

A Wish from the Stars

(Please, don´t take this too seriously. This is just me trying to imitate the Bard and failing miserably...)

Pray thee, beacons of bright

Solely confidents of my soliloquy

Safe be away from perky ears of a certain sister of mine

fiery regent of beaming skies

lend us thy scarcest time

to share thine fair amount of secrecy.

Gaze ye bright upon the lands below

boisterous land of Equ´strian lords

wherist subjects of ponydom

lay hidden beneath pastries held roofs.

No longer theirs hoofs craving fer the apple´s growth

no longer blows of a-flutter leading clouds

nor shone revolution through weld alicorns.

Pray thee, harbingers of glow

we demand an answer to suffice

explain us thine subjects disobedience

hiding thine plots gates shut close.

Dost them ignore that no affright is needed;

that not a time is fer dreams of unease;

that no harm shall pray upon them

safe under thine dutiful watch?

Dost them still guard cautious against woods forev´rmore released?

Dost them mount guard against  hydras, wolves o´timber and encased draconequus?

Have not thine sister both prove no danger shall overcome?

Ungrateful subjects, thus are!

You choose to diss thine princess of night time?

So have at you, a plague on your houses three!

Pray thee, silently watchers

a request you wishest to comply?

Then for all manner, we bid you to reply

and if thine is of nature both generous and sincere

we may ask for you to proceed.

We see what you meant, heralds of dreams,

ask four our heart' deepest desire

that shall be granted have our eternal soul be resigned.

Harsh words you speak, in the language of silence,

but truth thy nature are, our heart for long has ache

ignored by subjects that treason speak

and a sibling that suffering ignores.

Look upon the lands once more, dancers in the clouds

beyond the realms of jester blossoms and roaming manticores

into the lonely forgotten halls of a temple of sisterhood.

There stood in the altar, left to embrace cobwebs

once wielded as flagships of harmony

now dull rocks in the bright of pale silvered

Loyalty betrayed, kindness unrewarded

Honesty deformed, Generosity ignored

and Laughter silenced;

the final element forever unknown.

We had took a decision, whispers of truth

since loyal duty and a moon stood proudly above have been ignored

we no longer shall be in ours subjects service

so have them choose a path, dost we have too

that no longer shall them receive the gift of the sun

for eternal night shall last forever more

no longer shall known as Princess Luna

for ours mane is clouds of nebula and our wings of onyx´ shone

thus shall be call forth Nightmare Moon!!!

A Sudden Storm

A Sudden Storm

A lonely hawk shrieked in the desert sky. It was a declaration of freedom and strength, of joy for the glorious privilege of flight. Rainbow Dash looked up at the bird with contempt.

“Lucky bastard...”

The sound of another buffalo knocking down accidentally an apple tree and the subsequent bickering among buffaloes and ponies brought her back to reality. She growled. SHe hated the desert, hated the heat, the lack of shadows to cover, the sand getting under her feathers; but mostly, she hated to work. Back in Ponyville her job at the Weather Patrol was really easy since the town was small and stick to a lax schedule, given her plenty of time to either practice or nap. But here she was under a strict schedule and in charge of an inexperienced squad too small for such a large area.

Her mane started to itch again. She also hated to wear clothes. She never bothered to wear anything unless Rarity got really annoying but here she needed to wear a hat to cover her head and a jacket because she needed pockets. One of her pockets was always fill. It has the rejection letter from the Wonderbolts. She didn't knew why she still kept that thing. To torture herself, reminding about the dreams she had an will never come true? Or a motivator, something to get really angry at and get the necessary energy to get the job done?

“Miss Dash!” Braeburn was calling for her again. “Care tah move them cloudy over ´ere?”

Rainbow growled again. “Coming.”

Braeburn was a nice guy overall. After all, it was only her and little Strongheart the only two ponies (well, one pony and one buffalo but Rainbow didn't make distinctions) that she knew and could talk with. Not that Rainbow wasn't eager to make friends, it was just she wanted this to finish as soon as quickly. Only two more weeks to go.

After being rejected again by the Wonderbolts and being told she could never apply again due to age limits, Rainbow was devastated. Applejack told her that her cousin was planning to expand the settlers town and needed help to create a weather patrol team. Rainbow only accepted to make A.J shut up.

Once she got there she got even more depressed. Obviously, earth ponies couldn't control the weather but the only pegasi that they managed were a bunch of rookies fresh out of Flying Camp that made Scootaloo look like Fluttershy...and that was a compliment. Rainbow almost fell flat when she lined up the recruits and found Derpy Doo in the line. She just couldn't get rid of that cross-eyed flying disaster, could she?

Since her team was so useless, Rainbow did almost all the work alone, not bothering to give any orders. She told the pegasi to stay down while she gathered the few storm clouds that could be find in the desert to water the orchard. One small cloud went loose and Rainbow chased it reluctant.

“Oh pony feathers!”

Just hiding behind a mountain it was a gargantuan black storm. Rainbow knew very well what that was, a rogue storm; sometimes when small clouds went loose they start to gather together to create a giant one that if left alone could destroy an entire town. All it needed was a small bolt of electricity. Carefully, Rainbow approached the missing cloud, trying to catch it before it set the fuse. She was gently pulling it with her hooves when she noticed the letter slipping off her pocket. She rushed down to catch it while the tiny cloud loosely floated until it hit the storm and shot a small lighting.

Due to that stupid mistake, a terrible downpour exploded.

With no time to warn the settlers, Rainbow tried to contain the storm. A Sonic Rainboom could dissipate it but the wind was blowing too strong for Rainbow to gain momentum. Hit by a lightning strike, Rainbow start to fell to the ground. Suddenly she was again in course. She looked at her right and found those happy mismatched golden eyes. Derpy Doo and another yellow mare were helping her stay in the air. Even the earth ponies and the buffalos were helping the pegasi stay in course with their lassos. Working together, the team managed to break the storm apart, even creating a small rainboom.

Rain started to fall over the apples field. Rainbow scratched her head, sore after the sudden crash and found laughter all over her. The buffalos and the ponies were dancing and celebrating under the downpour. Rainbow laughed as well. Maybe she wasn´t be where she  wanted to be but maybe she was where she needed to be.

The rejection letter was in a pool. The ink slowly dissolving, erasing the words.

“Dear Miss Rainbow Muriel Dash:

We are sor...

Present Time

Present Time

The sickening green glow of the screens, like ominous will o the wisp, surrounded the darkened basement of the library. The pink hooves of the intruder carefully walked over a puddle of green fluid and electric wires, careful not to the disturb the unnatural presence that lurked below. Trapped right in the middle of the roots, wires shoved down her throat, the purple unicorn remained sit, her eyes completely devoid of emotion.

“T-twilight?”

The purple unicorn didn´t respond.

“Twilight, are you allright? You haven't come out in days...”

What was once known as Twilight Sparkle raised her head in a mechanical fashion. “It´s so simple. I now understand it. Discord tried to fool me, to make me think that chaos was the natural order; but it was chrysalis who was right. Her vision of an ordered and stable Equestria, one without disturbances is exactly what I´ve been dreaming.”

Her words made no sense so Pinkie grabbed her shoulders. “Twilight, snap out of it!”

“Oh, hi Pinkie Pie! I´m so glad to see you! Do you like it? You like my work?” and she spread her arms around but there was nothing besides buzzing computers and empty flasks.

“No Twilight, I don´t like what you have become! This isn´t you! All those things you said in the Town Hall, about curfews and cameras monitoring everypony all day...what´s wrong with you?”

“I opened my eyes, Pinkie. For years I wondered what was the true nature of ponydom. Now I know it. Now, I can make things better!” and she giggled. But it was an unnatural an artificial giggle.

Pinkie back down. “Wh-what do you mean?”

“I learn how to gather the energy form the Elements of Harmony to enhance my Want It Need It spell. I can spread it all over Equestria and I can make all the ponies finally understand the truth, finally see the world the way it´s supposed to be.”

“You can´t do that!”

“It´s very simple really. The connection was always there, I just  failed to see it. My spell has no flaws, once it starts it will spread from Ponyville to Appleloosa. It will be inevitable. After all, no matter where you are...everypony is always connected.”

Pinkie slaps Twilight. “You can´t! You can't force other ponies to change!”

“Order is the logical nature of the universe. It must not be accepted but enforced.”

“No no no no no!” Pinkie started to cry, realizing she has lost her friend forever.

Suddenly a pair of hooves held her face close. “I love you Pinkie. Can´t you see  things like I do?” Twilight´s lips were just inches from Pinkie´s face. Just a few inches more...

“NO!” Pinkie pushed Twilight to the ground. “Thi-this...this isn´t how things were supposed to be!”

And Pinkie ran off, leaving a small and confused purple unicorn in the ground. She looked at the dark and cold place around her. The buzz of her machines muted her own heartbeats.

“You´re right...this isn´t how it was supposed to be.”

Twilight horn lighted and she floated, engulfed on her magical urge. The machines roared simultaneously as the spell traveled through the roots of the giant tree and it was expelled through the sky, covering Equestria in a purple light.

*******

“...and then I said, darling that´s not a hat! That´s a natural disaster that somehow landed over your head!”

Pinkie laughed along with Rarity, even if she didn´t understood the joke. She was enjoying spending the afternoon with her friend. They passed near the abandoned library, the one spooky building that Pinkie never liked. She caught a glimpse of a purple unicorn standing in the door, smiling at her. She had never seen that pony before so she must throw her a welcoming party! But when she turned around the pony was no longer there.

“Whatever is the matter, darling?”

“Nothing Rarity. It´s nothing.”

Fair Game

Fair Game

Princess Luna yawn again. Princess Celestia smiled and nudged her sister to wake her up. She needed to stay up to cheer for her champion, Nightshade; but she was so tired she soon fell asleep again. Not that it mattered much since the bat-winged pony in the field was also snoring. All the other competitors were up and awake, specially an enthusiastic rainbow maned pegasus.

“You earned your place here, Rainbow Dash. I know you got what it takes to make us proud.” Spitfire said giving her a playful punch in the shoulder.

“Yes captain!”

A sudden flap of wings at her back made her turn. The griffon landed and gave her a contempt look. Gilda and Dash were locked in a silent discussion that lasted for about a minute before the griffon moved to her place.

“Friend of yours?” Spitfire asked.

“Not anymore.”

The announcer asked the competitors to take their places, the audience roaring in response. The sudden stomps woke up Princess Luna from her slumber.

“LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!”

...and with that she was back to snoring.

The competitors dashed into the race, leaving behind Nightshade still asleep at the starting line. The course was pretty difficult, it involved going through tall mountains were giant roc birds kept their nests and dodging several storm clouds. Many racers fell down  trying to avoid the Upside Down Waterfalls and many more got lost at the Windy Tunnels.

Rainbow saw Gilda pushing a pegasus out of her way, making him fall into a cloud.

“You still are the same cheater, right?”

“Shut up!”

Gilda whipped her tail at Rainbow who kicked her in return. They were soon locked in a struggle and failed to notice the incoming stream of vapor that hit them form below. They landed in the ground and with their wings dampered they couldn't get back into the air. Gilda didn't care and left off, running and jumping through the rocks.

Since claws and paws made it easier to grab to the wet rocks she quickly was ahead while Rainbow struggled to keep up. Rainbow slipped and was about to fell down when she heard the cheering from her friends. Even if they were pretty far away she could still hear them, especially Pinkie. Rainbow regained her confidence while Gidla frowned.

One clumsy pegasus hit the mountain side causing an avalanche. Rainbow had learned her lesson from the last time and quickly dodged all the falling boulders. Gilda wasn't so lucky and she ended up trapped. She tried to lift the rock to no avail. Just when she had given up she heard Rainbow pushing the big rock over her.

“What are you doing?” Gidla yelled. “I didn't ask  for your help!”

“Well, you´re gonna get it, you like it or UGH not!”

Rainbow pushed as hard as he could but the rock was very heavy.

Above them, the still sleepy Nightshade flapped her bat wings and slowly flew by.

Gilda couldn't resist it anymore and began to sob.

“Leave me alone. It doesn't matter if I win or not.”

“Why are you saying that?”

“Because nobody is cheering for me. I´m all alone.” Gilda looked at the stands where no griffons was visible. “Remember that promise we made at camp, Rainbow? That we will stick together no matter what? You said you´d  will always be there for me! But you're not. And its because of me.”

Gilda was about to cry when she felt the rock being pulled from her back. She opened her eyes to find a friendly cyan hoof in front of her.

“I forgive you.” Gilda grabbed the hoof and was pulled back up. “Now, watch me  win this race!”

“You wish.”

They were in the last lap. Gilda and Rainbow were pushing the boundaries, flying faster than ever. They were head to head, competing with each other, trying to prove who was the best. Or maybe that they just could fly like before.

They didn't win the race of course. They ended up fifth and sixth place. Nightshade amazingly arrived third place. They didn't care and shared a sincere brohoof.

After announcing the winners, Princess Celestia lowered the sun and asked her sister to raise the moon. Princess Luna did her best to raise up, lightened her horn and as soon as the silvered orb was up in the sky....

“YEEEEEEESSSS!!! THE TIME FOR DARKNESS HAS ARRIVED! COME FORTH, MY CHILDREN, LET US CELEBRATE NIGHTSHADE´S VICTORY WITH A GLORIOUS FEAST!!!!!!”

All the ponies from Luna´s kingdom recovered their energies and began to laugh along with the Princess of the Night.

Smugly holding her medal, Nightshade approached Gilda and Rainbow. “Better luck next time, losers!” and she flew like a lightning bolt to join her Princess and her terrifying court.

Twilight was about to ask Princess Celestia if this was normal but the Sun Bringer was already inside her chariot, comfortably dress on her pajamas and holding her teddy bear. The guards nodded and took the Princess back home for a good night sleep.

The Grey Room

The Grey Room

Doctor Caramel adjusted his glasses for the eight time. He was nervous, extremely nervous. Usually when he gets like that, Nurse redheart had some comforting words but she was equally nervous. They had every reason to, Princess Celestia herself was coming to visit the Ponyville Mental Asylum. While there were plenty of hospitals and clinics across Equestria they only were a hoof-full (pardon the pun) of mental institutions.Most ponies lived peacefully with each other and never bothered to wonder the mysterious inside of the pony mind and the illness that could affect it. Doctor Caramel had been working in a thesis for what he called the Cutie Mark Failure Syndrome for quite some years and a small egotistical part of him wanted to show his work to the Princess but he knew better.

The chariot landed and the Sun Bringer descended. Glorious, majestic, always royal; Princess Celestia was the beaming sun walking among ponies. her sole presence was enough to comfort them and clear their heads. But as the Princess approached, Doctor Caramel noticed a small disturbance on her face, a small clear sign of sadness. His professional side took the best of him and he forgot proper protocol, earning a kick from Nurse Redheart. Princess Celestia didn't mind at all and saluted her subjects.

Since it was the Princess's first visit, Doctor Caramel had prepared a full speech about the institution, detailing its history, the methods and instruments used on patients and so on. The Princess politely listened to every word, just interrupting to give small compliments. Then a loud crash came from the hallways as a barking pony came running to them. Doctor Caramel cursed out loud, Screw Loose was always a problem whenever she set free. He was about to order some sedatives when the electric blue mare stopped on her tracks, looking like a confused and lost puppy. Princess Celestia gently smiled and extended a hoof, caressing the poor mare head. For a split second, Doctor Caramel thought he saw a glimpse of sanity like the former personality of the mare had returned; but he knew that was impossible. Screw Loose was beyond conventional medicine, her mind destroyed by Poison Joke years ago. The Princess´ pupil had brought the zebra once for assistance but she only managed to calm her down a little, allowing a good night sleep for her for once.

While Doctor Caramel ordered for Screw Loose to be returned to her room and to increase security, the Princess attention shifted to another room. One room that was never opened. Doctor Caramel approached the Princess and saw an unique expression of hers, one that mixed fear, distrust and anger all together. The pink and purple mare inside the cell giggled. She was always laughing or making silly faces but despite her cheerful personality, all the nurses were afraid of her and refused to enter the room. They said that being near her was like succumbing to madness as well, the air smelling of cotton candy. Screwball giggled again, albeit more threatening and began to hum a song with a familiar eurobeat tone. The Princess had enough and asked to be lead to the one room she needed to visit.

Doctor Caramel guided the Princess to the far end of the hospital, to the oldest and darker area where no sounds were heard, all patients quiet. He unlocked the magical locks and allowed the Princess access to the dark grey room. The mare inside didn't react, her deflated dull mane covering the left side of her face. Princess Celestia placed one hoof inside the room and instantly her radiant mane lost all color, becoming a flat and dull tone of pink. Even her pristine white coat was darker. Doctor Caramel had never suspected that the room could affect even a princess. The room responded to the feeling of the patient, it was a dark and uncaring area where no sound was heard, where no light was shed, where no magic was alive. And there was one only one explanation for such a terrifying phenomenon...

Pinkamena Diane Pie had stopped laughing.

Reflection

Reflection

“All right, Smarty Pants! This is our most important mission yet, are you ready?”

Since the inanimate doll gave no response, Twilight Sparkle shook her head for her. The guards could perfectly watch her hiding behind a corner but since they were instructed by the Princess to ignore the little filly antics they didn't reacted. Twilight licked her lips and concentrated her magic, getting ready to perform the most complex spell she knew. She had just learned the magic of teleportation and wanted to impress the Princess bypassing her magical barriers and jumping right into her personal chambers. Nowadays, Twilight Sparkle will look at those days with regret and disgust but back then, little filly Twilight thought that the way to show her work was breaking some rules; she didn't knew any better. Twilight finally finished focusing and disappeared in a blink of purple. The guard watched her leave and smiled a little, proud of the little filly progress.

Once inside the chambers, Twilight was a bit disappointed. Instead of the royal majestic saloon she expected to find, Celestia´s bedroom resembled her own. Full of books and scientific equipment and one large bed as the only decoration. Nothing too impressive...

“Luna?”

Startled, Twilight turned over, holding Smarty Pants close. Standing over a doorway was a pristine white alicron with a flowing pink mane.

“Oh pardon me. I mistook you with somepony else!”

After taking a second look, Twilight realized the alicorn was standing below a mirror frame. “Who are you?”

“Well, hello to you too. My name is Tia, and yours?”

“I´m Twilight Sparkle.”

“Nice to meet you, Twilight. Are you a princess too?”

“You are a princess?”

“That´s what I have been told!”

“Why are you inside a mirror?”

“I´m not inside a mirror! You are inside a mirror!”

“I´m not inside a mirror!”

“Yes you are!”

“No, I´m not!”

“Yes, you are!”

“I´m not!”

“You are!”

“I´m not!”

“You´re not!”

“I am!”

It took Twilight a split second to realize she had fell for the most ridiculous of jokes. The alicorn laughing out loud didn't help.

After that initial comedic routine, Twilight discovered that “Tia” was a very nice pony. She was smart and loved to read books and study, much like Twilight. She had an odd sense of humour but she wasn't hurtful. Twilight felt like she had met her best friend.

“And what others things do you like, Tia?” Filly Twilight asked.

“I used to enjoy playing with my little sister. We used to race and read stories together. My poor little sister, she was always the serious one, even as a filly. I was always playing pranks and making silly faces behind her, just to see her laugh at least once. I miss her...”

“What happened to her?”

“She lives on the other side of the kingdom, going through a special training. That part of the kingdom is only open at night and I´m not allowed to go out after the sun sets so, we dont´see each other often. Almost never, actually.” Tia lowered her head, the sparkles on her pink mane dulling out.

“I know how you feel. I also miss my big brother. He left to become a Royal Guard and I haven't´seen him in months.” Twilight caressed the head of the distracted Smarty Pants.

“You love your big brother, Twilight?”

“Of course! He´s my B.B.B.F.F!”

“Your what now?”

“My Big Brother Best Friend Forever.”

“Oh...” Twilight couldn't tell if Tia was mocking her. “I guess then that Luna is my L.S.B.F.F! Hahaha!”

“Hahaha! Wait! You said...Lun-”

“TWILIGHT SPARKLE!”

Twilight startled again and turned over to find the royal majestic presence of Princess Celestia standing behind her. She had spread her wings full and obscured the room so she was glowing with a threatening aura.

Tia looked confused at the adult alicorn scolding the little filly.

“You have been very disrespectful, Twilight. Go to your bedroom and we will discuss your punishment later.”

Celestia didn't raise her voice at all but that was all she need to get Twilight to grab Smarty pants with her mouth and back down. She muttered a small “bye” at Tia before leaving the room. Without looking at the mirror, Celestia also turned over.

“Wait!”

Celestia stopped, one hoof still on the air.

“You are...she, the little filly Twilight said this was a mirror. Could it be the Starswirl´s mirror? The Mirror of Shattered Memories that our mentor Clover showed us?”

But Celestia didn´t answer.

“That´s all that I am? Just a memory? A reflection of your past self? Then, why? Why do you keep this memory? Why did you choose to remember a time when you were so young? Why do you choose to remember Luna? What happened to her? What happened to MY little sister?”

Celestia turned to face the mirror, her face a mask of royal duty and rectitude.

“You were a memory too painful to preserve.”

And with her magic she lifted a cloth to cover the mirror.

“Wait! Don't do that! Please, answ-”

With no means of connection, the window to the past closed, leaving the tears of the young Celestia where they belonged.

Hidden in the past.

Homage

Homage

(somewhere Alan Moore is rolling his eyes...)

The towering dark thing appeared out of nowhere. It just landed all of a sudden on Sweet Apple Acres, crushing several apple trees and missing Big MacIntosh for merely inches. The thing reached the heavens and even when the pegasi moved the clouds there was still not a clear end to it.

The ponies were terrified of the thing. The Royal Guard quickly spread, Shining Armor on the front lead, ready to strike the thing should it attack Equestria. Princess Celestia as the ruler insisted on going first, her sister complaining all the time. The Princess flew straight into the thing, submerging into the darkness.

Inside, there was only more darkness.

*****

Little thing, you are inside me now.

“I am Princess Celestia, ruler of this land. If you have no intention to harm my subjects I welcome you to Equestria but if you pose a treat, I demand of you to leave immediately.”

Your treats do not worry me, little thing. I have travelled long and far, always searching for the answer.

“I repeat you, if you don't leave now, I will respond.”

And I repeat you that I have no reason to fear you. Tell me, little thing, what is the answer?

“The answer to what?”

There are infinite questions but  only one answer that it matters. Tell me, what is?

“The only answer I need is that I must protect my subjects. I am their regent, I respond for them, watch them and keep them safe. I must not fail them again. I need to protect them.”

A life dedicated to the service of others, throwing your own existence away. Little thing, you have showed me repentance. I have no regrets.

And the Princess was expelled of the thing, like a pony will spit a seed out of a fruit.

*****

“That´s it! Nothing, not even a scary looking black thing, treats the Princess like that! I´m coming!”

“Rainbow Dash, no!”

Rainbow Dash dive in the thing and found herself floating in the dark void.

*****

Little thing, you are inside me now. You rushed in to attack me.

“Hay yeah! And you better leave my friends house before you taste the rainbow!”

I have no interest in that. I only care about the answer. Tell me, what is the answer?

“Answer? What are you talking about? You are really weird, you know that?”

Just tell me what the answer is.

“The only answer I have is to live the dream! Look at me! I work hard every day to eventually join the Wonderbolts! That´s what life is about! You work hard and bust your flanks until your dreams finally paid off!”

So a life of hard work and sacrifice with no promise of a reward? Little thing, you have merely showed me determination. I have plenty of that.

Rainbow Dash was spitted as well, with seemingly more force. She crashed landed unconscious in the ground while the Princess was still recovering.

******

“Oh Rainbow Dash, oh Rainbow Dash!”

“Please Fluttershy, stop crying. Rainbow Dash is going to be just fin-”

Twilight Sparkle didn't finish her sentence. The tower of darkness suddenly moved and absorbed Twilight inside it.

*****

Little thing, you seem to be the most intelligent of all. I saw you giving orders to the other things. Tell me, if you know so much, what is the answer?

“The answer...is to keep asking. I know it sounds strange and it took me a while to understand it too. But after the Princess send me to Ponyville to learn about friendship, I realized how complicated that is! Not everything is in books, you have to keep asking and making mistakes, learning something new every day!”

And the quest never ends? I have to keep searching for all of eternity? Little thing, you have nothing to offer but stubbornness. Keep it to yourself.

And Twilight crashed into the ground, unconscious. Applejack carried her into her back and drove her to where Cadence and Luna were taking care of the still hurt Celestia.

*****

All ponies cowered in fear, refusing to look at the dark and intimidating pillar of blackness. All ponies but Pinkie, who looked at the thing with a playful and innocent look. After contemplating for a few seconds she just jumped in, disappearing into nothingness.

*****

Little thing, you came inside me, holding no fear or anger. Not even curiosity. Why?

“Well, you are new in town and I always throw a welcoming party for every new pony in town! Or dark towering-smoochy-blacky-thingy like you!”

Even in the darkness, Pinkie smile beamed.

Curious. Tell me little thing, what is the answer?

“That´s easy, silly-filly! The answer is always A PARTY!!!” and Pinkie throw some confetti out of nowhere.

The thing remained in silence for a while.

After all the work is over, a celebration is in order.

“Hahaha, you made a rhyme! I bet Zecora will like you!”

You have given me plenty of matters to consider, little thing. I must leave now.

“Ooooh but I was about to throw you a super-duper-theblackthignwasnotevilatallandweshoudlbetheirbestfriednsforever- party!”

Perhaps another time. Now, please go. Leave freely as you came.

“Okie-dokie-lokie!”

And Pinkie Pie bounced off the dark thing, completely unharmed. A terrible earthquake assaulted the orchard as the tower began to elevate. While it was still on reach, Pinkie jumped and punched it with her hoof. The other ponies watch in awe as the tower disappeared of sight.

“Pinkie, what in tarnation was that?” Applejack asked.

“A hoof.” And humming to herself, Pinkie Pie leave in the direction of Sugarcube Corner,wondering if she will have cupcakes or muffins for lunch.

Running Late

Running Late

Applejack tensed her muscles, she knew she only had ONE chance. She couldn´t mess up. She licked her lips, adjusted her hat, waited for it...waited for it...

“HEY APPLEJ-”

Quicker than a rattlesnake, Applejack used her lasso to tied up Pinkie, making sure her hooves and mouth were covered. Once Pinkie was secure and unable to escape, Applejack ran off her bedroom. She opened her door, only to find Rarity waiting for her.

“Oh Applejack darling, I have the perfect dress for you! If only yo-”

“Ah don´t have time for this, Rarity!”

Applejack didn't want to hurt her friend but she also wanted her out of her way so she tumbled a book shelf, knowing the unicorn could not resist to clean up.

She ran down the stairs and head for the door, meeting Twilight on the way.

“Appleja-”

Applejack didn't even slow down, she kept running head straight, knowing that Twilight will teleport out of the way. Once outside however, Twilight had plenty of room to catch up with her. Every turn Applejack took was met with a smiling and organized face.

“Please Applejack I already have everything prepared and your family is wa-” Twilight said in between blinks.

Before the last one Applejack grabbed a barrel and, proving those fine earth pony instincts worked just fine, she placed just in the right place where Twilight was about to teleport, trapping the purple unicorn inside.

“You won´t get away from me, A.J!” Rainbow Dash shouted from above her head. Applejack speed up  and ran in a zigzag manner, trying to distract the cyan pegasus. “That won't work with me! You know I will catch you!”

Rainbow Dash descended, ready to snatch Applejack but the farmer pony knew her farm like the bottom of her hoof so when Applejack took a jump Rainbow failed to see a low branch and made a full impact, crashing into the ground.

Finally Applejack was free of all her enemies. She sat down under the comforting shadow of one of her favorite apple trees.

She didn't even need to turn back to face the pegasus at her back.

Applejack sighed. “Yah won't leave me alone, would yah?”

“Umh well we really think you should do it...that is if you are okay with that of course...umh sorry.”

Applejack sighed again. After all those troubles all it took, was Fluttershy.

A little while later, Applejack was wearing the dress Rarity made for her. She still had her hat, nopony will take it from her. Rarity had to bit her hoof to no place a complain but everypony understood. Applejack met with the rest of the family, Big Mac, Applebloom, Granny Smith, Uncle and Aunt Orange and all the cousins that could make it. They were also other ponies from town, the Mayor and her family, Mr. Waddle on his professional outfit and even Prince Blueblood with a perfectly somber and serious face.

Applejack sighed again. Twilight touched her shoulder. She didn't say anything, the little dragon behind her trying not to cry was enough.

Applejack sighed one last time and took those dreaded five steps. She finally stood in front of the gravestone, she took her hat off and took a deep breath.

“Hello mum, hello dad. Sorry ah´m late for your anniversary...”

Fancy meeting you here

Fancy meeting you here

“What are you all doing here?”

Carrot Top looked at the three ponies in front of her with the same confused look they were given to her. She knew BonBon pretty well thanks to her friend Lyra. The candy maker pony was carrying a box filled most likely with her delicious treats. The two pegasi she couldn't place their names. One was the delivery pony, Ditzy, Derpy something like that. She was carrying her mailbag instead of a saddlebag and something was shaking inside of it. The bright colored mane one she have no idea what was her name. She had a record sticking out of her saddlebag.

They all took out a bright pink invitation. Carrot looked inside her saddlebags, past the hat she had brought for the party and took out her own invitation.

Then, they all understood.

****

Carrot Top had seen the pink pony roaming around the market, an obvious look of confusion on her face. Turns out she was the new assistant on Sugarcube Corner and she had been sent to gather some supplies but, being new in town and easily distracted, she got lost. Carrot helped the pony get everything and go back to the bakery. She babbled on and on the entire time but Carrot didn't mind, she liked hearing other ponies talk and this pony had plenty of things to say.

****

Derpy had just the worst day of her life, she was soaked wet and freezing. She was a mailpony not a weather patrol one; so every time she had to fill for other pony she ended up making a disaster. For example, that day nopony told her she was supposed to be over the cloud before making it rain. So now she was wet both by the rain and her tears. But then a tasty vision popped in front of her misplaced eyes. A blueberry muffin, her favorite. The pink pony offering it didn't say anything so Derpy never knew how the pony knew that was her favorite. She just smiled and waved as she leave, bouncing.

****

Blossomforth sighed again. Most mares did not dare to go the gym, that was a stallion territory. Just one look at Rage Roid and they flee in terror, something that Blossomforth found silly since he was such a softy pony who cried over every little thing. So being there without any other female friend Blossomforth was really sad and blue. She sighed once more as she left the lockers and then she looked confused. A pink pony mare was doing aerobics. She was completely ignorant at the strange looks the stallions were giving to the silly faces she was making, she was just enjoying the freedom of jumping around and stretching her limbs. Blossomforth smiled, happy that she had found a kindred spirit.

****

BonBon was terrified. This cake needed to be perfect. It needed to express exactly how she felt. It was Hearts and Hooves Day after all, the perfect day of the year. That’s why she cringed when the Cakes insisted to give this job to their new assistant. She need a trail of fire they said and BonBon couldn't do anything but agree. She was terrible making cakes after all. She admitted her limitations. But despite all her fears, everything turned out for the best. The cake was delicious and it made the confession so much easier. It was like the pink pony knew exactly what BonBon needed, what she needed to be happy.

****

The back door of the bakery opened and the pink bouncy mare came out.

“Hi girls! Thank you so much for co-“ she didn't quite finished because the alligator jumped out from Derpy´s bag and jumped right into her face.

Everypony gasped, even Derpy.

“Hihihihi, how cute! He has no teeth! I think I´ll name him…Gummy!”

Everypony sighed, even Derpy.

“Now come on in! This is my first birthday party on Ponyville and my first party with my new best friends!”

And everypony went inside to the first of many many parties held by Pinkie Pie.

All Hail the Great and Powerful Princess Trixie Lulamoon!

All Hail the Great and Powerful Princess Trixie Lulamoon!

(Inspired on Royal Pains by PononymousPony)

“All Hail the Great and Powerful Princess Trixie Lulamoon!”

The little filly stand atop the pile of boxes, wearing a fake tiara and paper wings, and doing a terrible impression of the Royal Canterlot Voice.

Prince Blueblood (an actual prince, not a pretend one) sighed. He hated whenever Trixi insisted on playing Pretty Princess because, not only will she be an obnoxious demandipants; but she always insisted on *gah!* kissing her prince. And three guesses on who has to play the part.

“Trixie, please come down You could fall down and hurt yourself. Remember you don´t quite master the levitation spell unlike T-“

“SILENCE! Your Princess demands cookies! Go fetch them!”

“Yes, your highness…”

Prince Blueblood tugged the alicorn tail. “Cousin Cadance, don´t leave me alone with her!”

“Now Blueblood be a nice colt and play with Trixie while I'm on the kitchen.”

“But…” but the alicorn princess disregarded his complaints with just a pat on the head.

“Remember that our Auntie put me in charge. Now, go play with Trixie.”

Prince Blueblood snorted. He hated how despite his constant reminder that he was now a gentlecolt and didn´t need a foalsitter anymore, his aunt always treated him like a baby. And to make matters worse whenever she shows up she always bring a “playmate”, some insufferable pedestrian colt or filly that will disrespect Blueblood and force him to play ridiculous games. Trixie was by far the worst one but there was another filly that Blueblood didn't like. Unlike Trixie she was really quiet, always with her snout on a book. Blueblood hated being told what to do but he hated even more to be ignored. How dare that T-

“BLUEBLOOD! Your Princess wants you here right now!”

“You´re not a Princess so don't give me orders! I am a true prince, you should obey me!”

“I´m the princess of the Crystal Kingdom! You will obey me! Now, come up here.”

“I don´t want to!”

“I said come up here!”

“I don´t want to!”

“Cadanceeee!”

“Blueblood, play nice.”

Blueblood snorted again and climbed the fake tower of the Crystal Kingdom. This was ridiculous, he thought. They were merely a few hooves higher than before, standing atop a pile of boxes around a fake kingdom made of boxes. Only an uncouth pony like Trixie could think this was an actual kingdom.

“Behold, dear husband!”

“I´m not your husband…”

“This is my kingdom! Look at my subjects!” (Blueblood suppressed a laugh at the dolls on the floor around them) They all love me and chant my name!”

“Please, you do realize this are merely pretend subjects ona pretend city and that you are a pretend princess, do you? Whereas I, am an actual member of the royal family!” he proudly announced while punching his chest.

“Ha! Being born in royalty is not everything! The value of a true princess lies on her heart! Even a commoner like me could become a princess if she really believes so!”

Blueblood laughed aloud but his mock was cut short when he turned and saw a different side of Trixie.

“Someday…I will be famous. My name will be known all over Equestria and everypony will look up to me and love me.”

Blueblood looked at his playmate and no longer saw a boisterous loud mare; instead he saw a sad little filly, wearing a fake tiara and paper wings. Looking at those deep and hurt purple eyes he felt something inside his chest. What was this feeling growing inside him? This need to hold her close, hug her, comfort her…

“Why are you all red?”

Blueblood hide his flustered cheeks way. “N-no reason!”

“…weird.”

“Anyways, aren´t you supposed to make the crystal spheres sing with the sunrise or whatever the princess of the crystal kingdom  is supposed to do?!”

“Of course! I can rise the sun with my magic!”

“Ha! Like you have any magic! You don´t even know the most basic of spells!”

“I do know magic!”

Blueblood laughed again. “Please, merely magi kindergarten tricks! I´m being trained by the court magicians themselves!”

“So you think you're better than Trixie?!”

“Undoubtedly.”

With her cheeks blushing red out of anger, Trixie concentrated all the magic she could gather on her horn and released it all in one huge blast. It wasn't a sunrise precisely, more like fireworks, filling the living room with a series of bright green and purple explosions that resembled animals and ponies.

“Woa…”

“I did it! I did it! I made magic! I did it!”

Filled with joy and pride, Trixie jumped and hugged Blueblood, forgetting they were atop an unstable pile of boxes. They both fell to the ground and when the dust cleared, Trixie saw herself reflected on the bright blue eyes of the prince, their faces merely a few inches away as she laid on top of him.

“…”

“Oh my, I hope I´m not interrupting anything.”

Since Trixie was too busy blushing to say anything, Blueblood acted like a true gentlecolt.

“Co-cousin Cadance! Take this pedestrian mare off me!”

“Pedestrian? You dare call the great and Powerful Trixie pedestrian?”

Cadance rolled her eyes and placed the cookies on the table, while the two little ponies continued to argue, inadvertently destroying the kingdom of boxes.

The Doctor eats an apple

The Doctor eats an apple

"And Ah want to see ´em...naw!"

The Doctor looked with wide eyes and the not-so-little-filly-actually-quite-attractive-mare in front of him. He remembered the first time he met her. He was just passing by the market and she shoved some apples on his face, pestering him until he bought them. He never thought he will see her again, especially not as the new Mayor of Manehattan. She sure had grew a lot on these years, in more than one way.

"Ah saved yah life, so yah owe me one, ah´m right?"

The Doctor sighed and promised that on the next Dalek Invasion he will just surrender.

****

"Woah Nelly! It´ bigger on the inside!"

The Doctor smiled and began to push buttons and pull levers, half of them just for show. The

TARDIS wasn´t as complicated as he liked to pretend.

"Wait! Ah need to fetch Applejack and Big Mac!"

But the Doctor stopped her. "They can´t come."

"Why not?"

"They have already travelled with me once, which means they can´t be in a timeline they have already visited. In fact, you too can´t be in a timeline where you already exist. That´s why I´m taking you to a previous moment in time..." and he pulled some more levers.

"And why´s that?"

"The last time I took a pony to a time period where she already existed...things didn´t go well."

The blue barnbox appeared in a peaceful clearing. The first thing they noticed when they step out was the fresh scent of apples. Applebloom took a good look at the bright land filled with several ponies all barring similar Cutie Marks.

"...where are we?"

"Sweet Apple Acres, where else?"

"But it looks so...empty."

"Give your grandparents some credit, girl. This is just the first generation."

One of the Apple ponies spotted them and once it recognized the mark on Applebloom´s flanks greeted her on the family.

"Glad yah can make it! Annie, there´s one more and she brought ah special somepony!"

"Wait! That´not..."

"Why do they always jump at that conclusion?" the Doctor murmured.

A young green coated mare with an apple pie on her flank came to greet them. Her eyes opened wide for a second before she smiled.

"Well howdy there, that´ a fine shiny red apple on yer flank missy! Welcome tah Sweet Apple Acres!" she then turned her attention to a little thing hiding under her legs. "Now don´ be a ruffian and say hello to the missus!"

The little colt tilted his Stenson that covered most of his head and let go a meek "Ma´m..."

Applebloom eyes began to fill with tears but before she would break Annie Smith said:

"Son, why don´ cha take this lovely miss and introduce her to that lovely little thing that´ always chasing you around?"

The little colt blushed and growl before taking Applebloom hoof. "This way ma´m."

He took her to the table where a little filly with pigtails was waiting, the second she saw her she jumped at his neck.

Applebloom chuckled. "What´re ye, like her fillyfriend?"

"Eeeeyup!" the little filly said.

"Yah´r not!" the colt yelled, blushing furiously.

The Doctor smiled upon the scene.

"Well well, that´ a face ah never expected tah see again!" Annie Smith said. "Tah last time yah show up your timey wimey flank we got in quite a ruckus."

"Fracas. And I apologize for that whole cyclops incident. And the thing with the barn. And what happened to the cat."

"Ah, it´okay! We have a dog now!"

They stood in silent for a while watching the filly trying to kiss the colt while Applebloom laughed.

"Annie, she..."

"Don´ say it. Ah just needed one look at her eyes to know. She´ll never met them?"

"I´m afraid not."

"Ah see..."

"I´m sorry Annie. There´s just some things that I can´t...I´m sorry."

"Don´ be!" and she patted his back. Hard. "Now cheer up fella! This is an Apple family reunion! Have some shiny reds!"

And the Doctor took the bright red apple and gave it a good bite. He tasted the flavor, enjoying the love and care put on it.

"...sweet."

"Truly dashing, darling!"

"Truly dashing, darling!"

Applejack was walking down the orchard when she saw a sight that made her chuckle. It was nopony else but Rainbow Dash wearing the most feminine dress she had ever tried on and the biggest and most ridiculous hat that could cover her rainbow colored head.

Applejack couldn't resist and patted her on the back. Hard.

"Whatever happened tah you, Rainbow? Did yah lost a bet to Rarity or something?!"

"Of all the heavens..." the cyan pony complained. "Whatever bring you to- oh my, that hat is truly gorgeous, darling! A tiny bit rough for my tastes but I said, it does make those cute little freckled of yours stand out!"

"...cuse me?!"

"Oh I would love to stay and chit-chat, darling; but I´m afraid I have previous comminments. Chao!"

"....what in tarnation just happened in ´ere?!"

Across the street, Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle were walking back to the cottage.

"Thank you so much for coming over and get some medicines for Spike, Fluttershy."

"Oh it was nothing! I hope he...did we just pass by Rainbow Dash wearing a dress?"

"Yes, we did."

Rarity rushed to answer the door of her Boutique. Whoever the pony who knocked was, she recognized class and sophistication on that knock.

"Welcome to the Carousel Boutique where every piece is-OH MY STARS!" and then she fainted.

"Oh my dear heavens! Please wait, I will fetch some help!"

Fluttershy and Twilight found Applejack still staring at the empty space.

Twilight asked. "Applejack, did you see..."

"Rainbow Dash acting all girly-fluffy--pretty-witsy? Yes, ah do."

"Oh thanks heavens! For a second I worried that me and Twilight were hallucinating because I accidentally switched our tea with Spike´s medicine!"

"...wait, what?"

"Look over there! Pinkie found her!" Applejack shouted and they looked at the pink pony causally talking with her obviously gone crazy friend and then pointed at some direction. Rainbow waved goodbye and trot off instead of flying (which was strange enough but given the day they were having...); so the girls rushed to ask Pinkie what was all that about.

"Pinkie, what was all that about?"

Didn´t I already said that?

"What did Rainbow said to you?" Twilight asked.

"Oh, she asked me which direction the hospital was. Oh I swear girls, that silly filly had been living in Ponyville for years and she still gets more lost than the Crusaders on the Everfree hihihi!"

"Pinkie, didn´t you noticed....something strange on Rainbow?"Twilight insisted.

Pinkie pondered for a few seconds. "New haircut?"

Applejakc facehoofed, Twilight sighed and Fluttershy looked at her hooves, wondering if they were always green.

"Come on Pinks! You have to had noticed that something is wrong with Rainbow!"Applejack shouted.

Pinkie did her best to come out with the answer her friends were asking but she gave up.

"Okay, I give up. What's wrong with Rainbow Dash?"

"Yeah, what´s wrong with Rainbow Dash?" a grumpy voice asked behind their backs.

They turned, surprised to see their friend, on her usual cocky normal self, hovering them

"Hi Rainbow!"

"Hey Pinkie. So, what was that about me?"

"Oh darling, I finally found you!"

They turned over to see the other Rainbow Dash, running to meet her mirrored self.

"I had been desperately looking all over you!" Rainbow said.

"Oh gosh, what have you done now?" Rainbow complained.

"Well, I went to the Boutique all on my own, despite your promise that you will take me there but you completely forget about it, as usual..." Rainbow complained.

"Ugh, I told you that I was tired of training all morning and I needed a nap! Couldn't you just wait a few hours? Would have that killed you?" Rainbow said.

Confused yet? Don´t worry, the other girls are confused too.

"Please, mind your manners Rainbow!"

"Ugh, you´re such a pain in the ass!"

"How could you...say those things to your own..."

"Ugh okay okay don´t cry, come over here...there there, I´m sorry I yelled at you, okay?"

"...yes, darling. It is okay."

"Could you please give it a rest to that whole darling thing?"

"Rest? Oh yes! The mare in the Boutique just pass out, I need your help to carry her to the hospital!"

"Oh that Rarity...okay let´s go. See you girls!"

The double rainbow went off, down the lane, leaving four mute and confused ponies behind.

Pinkie Pie summarized all her thoughts.

"....how did Rainbow did that? I wonder if I can split in two too. I think I did it once during the Giggle at the Ghosties song no, that wasn't. Cupcakes song? No..."

Applebuck Season Deleted Scene

Applebuck Season Deleted Scene

Rarity was humming to herself a familiar tone about the Grand Galloping Gala being the best place for her while magically lifting fabrics and needles. Suddenly the door of her Boutique burst open as a tired and raggedy cowgirl entered.

“Applejack, you look like quite a mess!”

“Nastier than a rat's nest? How dare ya call like that mah Papa hat?!”

“I didn´t say such a thing. You look extremely tired darling, why don't you better take a rest?”

“Nah ah would not much rather wear a fez! What do ah look like, a camel?”

Rarity realized that trying to reason with Applejack was a futile attempt.

“Now ah don´ have time fer any of that! Ah have been mighty busy all day, first Rainbow with those silly tricks of her, then helping Pinkie cook the worst recipe this side of Appleloosa and then Fluttershy wasting mah time with those silly rabbits! Not to mention Twilight nagging me all day and ah still have plenty of apples to buck, now come over here!”

“Whatever do you intend?”

“Ah know ah know, ah promised yah a romantic dinner and whathaveyou but ahm afraid ah only have time fer a little shaken an stirred, so let me grab the three of you up to bed and get those socks rocking darling!”

“Appleja-wait! Stop it! Get your dirty hooves off me!”

“They not dirty, look! Now come over, ah know yah liked it rough!”

“I said....GET OUT!!”

And with a magical outburst Rarity tossed Applejack out of her store and several blocks away until she crashed into a fruit stand.

“Well, ah said that pony is more picky than a beaver on a furniture store! Now, which way was Sweet Apple Acres again?”

Gently Breeze

Gently Breeze

♪ Gently breeze carried away/ all my tears and sorrows. Take them far from this land/ singing to them a lullaby about sunbright. ♫

She opened the bedroom door only to find the little girls still awake, looking at the window into the lonely castle up in the hill.

“Now girls, I told you it was time to sleep.” she said.

“But grandma, she is singing again!” the little girl said.

“I know darling, she sings every night.”

“But why? What is she? Why is she singing?”

She refused to answer her questions as she fixed the blankets.

“I heard she is a monster. One of the boys at school saw her and said she was bright green and with a horn on her head!” the other girl said, trying to scare her sister.

“Stop that. She is not a monster, she is a pony.” she said.

“What´s a pony, grandma?” the most innocent of the two girls asked.

She sighed, knowing there was no way to avoid this question. “If I tell you the story, you two promise to fall asleep right away?”

Since they both nodded, she began to tell the story about the ponies.

“Many generations ago, this land was known as Equestria and was inhabited by a magical race called ponies. They had hooves instead of hands and they came on every color of the rainbow. They were different from each other, some had horns on their heads, some had wings on their back, some even had both; but they all shared a mark on their flanks that signalled their special talent.

For many years, the ponies lived in harmony, being kind, generous, loyal, honest, filling the air with laughter and sharing the magic of friendship. It was like if the happiness they made, the love and tolerance they lived by, was spread across all corners of the planet, making the world bright and wonderful.

But one day, the magic was gone. Suddenly there was no joy or laughter and the ponies become dull and boring. Some say it was because in one corner of the world the magic of ponies was no longer available. The link was broken and all those wonderful songs about them, all those tales about their bravery, were slowly forgotten. Cancelled by a silent and monotune tune.

The ponies became frightened. Some ponies said this had happened before, it happened to the previous generation and will happen to the next, that was inevitable. A group of brave pegasi flew across the world, searching for a new place for ponies and after months of absence they returned with wonderful news. There was a place where ponies were still remembered,a small corner of the world that still told their stories, a place inhabited by humans.

The Princess of the ponies told them that the only way they could survive was moving to the reign of humans and changing their appearances to become like them, to keep the magic of their hearts still alive by resigning all the memories of their magic kingdom. All the ponies agreed, all the ponies but one.

She was proud to be a pony, she refused to give up her existence and so she chose to stay. She said her goodbyes to her friends and watched them all change and leave. She stayed on the ruins of the castle, watching as the land slowly disappeared and was replaced by the land we live on; and she stayed all this time. Always on that castle, playing her lyra and singing songs about caring and sharing, about a magical gala that was the best of nights and about a place filled with so many wonders.

Now, it's time to sleep darlings.”

The little girls shoot a million questions about the mysterious pony but she raised her hand to silence them.

“You get one question each and that´s it, understood?”

“How can she play a lyra with hooves?” the older sister asked.

She rolled her eyes, realizing what a silly question it was. “Magic.”

“Will the ponies return some day?” the little sister asked.

She leaned over them and gave each girl a goodnight kiss on the head.

“Yes, they will. And she will be there waiting, ready to sing to the new generation about the magic of friendship and the brave ponies of before.”

And then she leave the bedroom, leaving the two girls to sleep.

♫ Moonbright embrace/hope, dreams and wishes. Carry them home/ back to the land of friendship.♪

Earn your wings

Earn your wings

Hi Princess Celestia! This is Spike and I wanted to share with you the amazing adventure I had the other day. Well, yesterday but I took an afternoon nap so it's two days ago, I guess? I don´t know, Twilight insists I should be more accurate with my description or something...

The day started as usual, me waking up just a few seconds after Twilight, only this time she just stood there watching me like if I was Discord or something.

“What?” I asked.

“Spi-spike! You have wings!” she yelled.

And what do you know? I do have wings now! It seems I´m growing or something. Strange, I always thought I was one of those wingless dragons but I think I had wings that time I grow up and trashed through town, I can´t remember...

Anyways, I spend the rest of the day showing off my amazing wings. I´m amazing after all, so it was obvious I was an amazing flier as well, taking off and doing barrel rolls in a breeze! Landing, not so much.

Since I needed some help to practice Rainbow Dash suggested to take me in a Weather Patrol mission. Winter was coming to town and she needed to fly to Foal Mountains to gather the snow clouds. Scootaloo was in the ride as well since she started taking lesson from Rainbow a few days ago. Twilight was at first all “no no no he´s just a baby!” and all that but I managed to talk her out (If she tells you that I begged to her, she´s lying!). Everypony seemed a bit scared of letting me go, Fluttershy hugged me really tight and Rarity made me a new scarf and goggles. She is so amazing!

And thus we took off. Like I said I was a natural flier, keeping control, knowing when to catch a hot air current, the usual stuff. I think that made Scootaloo feel a bit jealous of me because she didn´t talk to me for a while. Once when we got with the rest of the team the question on everypony minds was what was I supposed to do you know, not being a pegasus and unable to gather the clouds and all that; but Rainbow had already think of that. my fire breath being the perfect tool to melt the ice caps and get fresh ice water. So I began to work and soon I was the hero of the day! They were all praising me and they named me Honorary Pegasus! It was the best day ever!

Now, here's the part where Twilight will scold me and call me “insensible” because I failed to notice I was making Scootaloo very upset by showing off and ruined her also first Weather mission. But hey, who was I supposed to know what goes into a crazy mare head? And trust me, she´s crazy. Why? because she ignored the team captain orders and went to gather a storm cloud from the opposite side of the cliff where they told us again and again NOT to go because there was a dragon sleeping there. I catch her before she went inside the cave and she was all screaming at me and calling me a big jerk for ruining her day and all that when the dragon finally woke up.

“Not again.” he complained and I don´t know why he said that.

I'm starting to think we´re not really nice creatures. That or I´m really bad with dealing with my own species because when I tried to calm him down and I only got him even more mad and he began to chase us. I learned hard how we dragons relied on hot air currents to rise up and in a dark, ice cave you don´t have any of that so I was dangerously at ground level or should I say teeth level. Luckily, Scootaloo let her petty jealousy aside and proved that she was a good flier, swooping down and saving me.  The entire pegasus team arrived in time and ald together took down the dragon, causinga small avalanche. Scoot and me landed on the soft snow where I did the gentlecolt thing and apologize to her.

“Scoot...” I said. “I´m sorry for acting all Trixie and the like. I was just happy of having an adventure of my own, a real adventure. I´m always just sitting in the library and some times well, you know that libraries are supposed to be quiet? They can get really quiet...”

“It´s okay Spike. You were acting all haughty and disdainful...”

Note to self, check the dictionary.

“But not matter what you have to know this. You can always have an adventure with me and the girls.”

That was the sweetest thing anypony had said to me. And the hug just made it better.

“Oh you two need a moment alone?”

And Rainbow and the other pegasi laughed and then we blushed not that there was any reason too and why I´m even telling you this?

The important thing is this. I learned a lesson,a lesson about being humble, a lesson about using your talent in benefit of others and not just for showing up and apparently a lesson about not disturbing a dragon when they´re sleeping something I already knew.

This was Spike saying over and out!

(P.S.: I´m sorry for that Princess. Spike insisted on writing  this week report. I´ll write the next one. And if you know any way to keep Spike from flying around the library I´ll be really grateful to you.)

My Very Best Friend

My Very Best Friend

She reluctant walks towards the orchard, wishing to finish this as soon as possible. She is greeted by a strong and friendly yellow hoof and a melodious singing voice:

“How´ya do Miss Twilight?! Mah name is Applebloom and ´ere in Sweet Apple Acres we love tah make new acquaintances. Now come over and met the rest of the family. Here´s Apple Fritter, Apple Bumpkin, Red Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart aaaaaand Granny Smith! Up and at´em Granny, we have company!”

And she shoves an apple down her throat and she coughs.

“Ah said yah already part of the family!”

And this is what family does?

*******

Twilight Sparkle stops drinking her cider to start laughing like a maniac. She can´t stop the laughter nor she wants to.

“What´ so funny, Miss Sparkle? Did Pinkie put some laughing powder on yah again?”

For a second she sees an orange mare with a blonde mane, freckles on her face and three red shiny apples on her flank.. She seems friendly but Twilight doesn't knows her so she backs down. But the illusion is gone and back is the familiar face of her yellow coated, red mane, no freckles and an apple bloom with a hammer crossing it for a Cutie Mark.

“No, I was just remembering the day we first met, Applebloom.”

“And ah can´ be more grateful tah the Princess for that day. Have ah never met yah ah and the other girls ah would have lost mah farm today to those slimy Flim Flam scammers!”

And Applebloom sits down next to her, adjusting her hat to cover from the Princess´ sun. Twilight takes a good look at her friends and smiles. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow are teasing Rumble. Fluttershy is casually chatting to Sweetie Belle while Spike keeps looking dreamy at the unicorn. But then her eyes stumble a lonely little figure. A small orange pegasus.

Twilight can´t remember her name but she knows that look. She had seen that look before, like if something was missing. She had seen that look on Princess Luna as she raises the sun every morning and the moon every afternoon like she waited for another pony to be by her side; she had seen that look on Cadence when she looked at an empty street like she waited for somepony to show up; and she had seen that look on the mirror, when she wakes up early in the morning, feeling a hole inside of her.

Feeling that something is missing.

“Horsehoes and Saddles! What ´ave you so quiet, Twilight?”

Twilight takes a good look at that smiling face and ask one question.

“Applebloom, you ever feel like if something is missing?”

“Well, ah think ah have lost mah favorite hammer. Ah hope those Snips and Snail rascals aren´ tha blame ´cause if not ah gave them one ´ell of a bucking!”

Twilight can´t help but laugh again. What was she worrying about? There´s nothing wrong with the world.

“Applebloom...” and she raises her cup of cider. “You are the apple bloom inside my heart.”

“Wa-wa-what? Where do that came from?!” she asks, making her face match her mane.

“I´m just saying you are my very best friend.”

“Schmucks, miss Twilight yah one heck of a strange pony!”

And Applebloom finished her drink before anypony sees she´s blushing like a school filly and Twilight laughs some more and below a statue in the Royal Garden, a pink pony snores and sleeps, dreaming another dream, one she will told her daddy when he wakes up.

(Cue huge crack in a wall!)

My Little Blue Box

My Little Blue Box

Mrs. Cheerilee walked through the classroom, handing the assignments back to her students, making small comments on the way like “Very nice, Applebloom.” “Good works, Snips.” or “It was...nice Sweetie but I don't think your sister has three heads...”; but when she reached Scootaloo´s seat her smile disappeared.

“I´m sorry Scootaloo but I´m afraid you have to make your draw again.”

“Uh? Why?!” she demanded to know.

“I ask you to draw your house. You only draw a big blue box.”

“But that IS my house!” she yelled.

“Now Scootaloo, I don´t like pranks in my classroom. I will give you one more day but you better bring me a real work next time.”

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon couldn´t resist to began to mock her, soon the rest of the class joining, only the other two Crusaders looking sad for her friend.

*****

Granny Smith saw the little filly coming over on her scooter and instinctively jumped to safety but there was no need, she wasn´t going full speed instead just dragging her back hoof as she passed by.

“Hi Granny Smith.”

Scootaloo dragged herself into the lowest part of the farm where a blue box rested, hiding behind some bushes. She opened the door with her spare key and put foot on a room that will even make Pinkie Pie feel confused because of the lack of physics.

“Uncle! Where are you, uncle?!” she yelled in the strange coral like room.

After a minute of silence, the sound of an engine running made her turn over. In a dark corner, a single blue orb blinked.

“EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!”

“Not now Salty...” and she pushed the alien creature down causing it to fall to it´s back, unable to get up.

“WAIT! RETURN! YOU MUST BE EXTERMINATED! IF ONLY I HAD MY WEAPONS!”

Ignoring the whining alien, Scootaloo moved through stairs that led nowhere, calling for her uncle to show up. Finally she came across a damped stallion.

“Good news darling! I found the pool! I thought it was lost but I happened to run into it, so to speak...what happened to you? You look pretty sad dear.” he said, rubbing her curly mane.

“Miss Cheerilee scolded me.”

“What? Why did she did such a thing?”

“She said I wasn´t taking my assignment seriously. That I was playing a prank on her.”

“Ugh, the nerves! And to think she was such a adorable little thing when I first met her! Well she was a bay after all, all babies are adorable little things by default...”

“Uncle...” she stopped him before he went in another rambling.

“I´m sorry dear, is there anything I can do for you?”

“Can´t I take Miss Cheerilee here, show her the house?”

“Oh well you see the thing is...” he panicked, trying to come out with a reasonable excuse.

“You never left me bring anypony home. I´m the only one of the Crusaders who hasn't host a sleepover. Some ponies at school think I´m an orphan or even worse, a chicken and that I sleep at Fluttershy´s cottage!! Why can't I have friends, uncle? Why are we hiding? Why can´t I tell them who we really are?” and the stallion grabbed the crying filly and held her close to him, letting the tears dry on his brown coat.

“There there...” he gently patted her head. “I know I´m forcing you to keep too many secrets and I´m sorry but there are some things we can´t say. At least, not for now.”

“You mean...someday I can tell my friends about you?”

“I promise you.” and she smiled at his beloved uncle. Sure, he was strange and noisy and half the time she didn´t understand what he was talking about; but he was her family and Scootaloo loved the crazy stallion. “Now, what do you said we get a nice house to show to Miss Cheerilee?”

“You mean...buying a house?”

“Even better! Let´s build one! A big tree house! Oh, I love those empty tree houses you ponies have!”

“Uncle, tree houses take years to be made and I have to send the assignment tomorrow.”

“Oh my dear niece, I´m disappointed of you! You know that for us, tomorrow is yesterday!” and he put on that silly grin he always put right before they were sent for another crazy adventure.

Scootaloo laughed and jumped to hug her uncle, holding tight as he pulled levers.

Nopony saw how the blue box slowly disappear in a roar, leaving behind a giant tree house that had grown over the centuries.

The First Twitchy-Tail

The First Twitchy-Tail

It was Wednesday.

As anypony could tell by Pinkie Pie standing in the counter of Sugarcube on one leg while keeping a spinning plate with her snout and wearing a penguin costume.

Twilight and Applejack were sharing a sweet meal but the unicorn was too sour to simply enjoy it. “Okay, I´ve been living in Ponyville for a few months now and I´ve grown accustomed to mostly everyone of Pinkie´s antics...mostly. But still I find them really odd!”

“Just roll with it, sugarcube.”

“But how can you be so comfortable next to...well, that! It´s so awkward and unnatural!”

Applejack took another glance and the pink pony who was now joined by the twin babies playing the march of parasprites on kazoos. “Ah don´ see anything strange with that.”

Twilight vent out her frustration by slamming her head against the table.

“All righty calm down! If yah really so desperate tah understand Pinks here´s a story fer yah, city mouse!”

*******

The first time ah met Pinkie is one of those days hard to forget, not that ah want to of course.

This happened shortly after ah received mah Cutie Mark and returned to the farm. It was mah first day taking care of our stand in the market since Granny was taking care of Applebloom, still a baby then, and Big Mac had plenty of work to do.

Ever noticed how fierce can the market get in ´ere? Ah was just a little filly fresh out from the big city and have no idea that to survive in there ah have to take my claws out, if ah have some of course. After ah got into a nasty fight with that carrot farmer mule, the stand was quite a mess and ah was feeling like a puppy who had just wet the carpet. Who could ah come back home and tell Big Mac and Granny that not only ah hadn´ sell any apples but crashed our stand in a silly fight?

It was then that a bright shiny smile entered mah life.

This would come as a surprise ta yah but Pinks here, when she first came tah town was quieter than Fluttershy. Yah heard me right! Don´ get me wrong, she was still bouncy and hoppity and all around Pinkie but fer some reason she refused to say a word. Pinkie and ah became best of friends in a second. Us earth ponies had to stick around after all!

After Pinks helped me put the stand back in one piece, ah took her to the farm tah meet the family. Don´ know why she was afraid of taking care of the twins, Applebloom loved her the second she saw those bright blue eyes! Granny offered a piece of her traditional apple pie and then...it happened.

“Twitchy-tail?”

Twitchy-tail indeed Twilight! She began to bounce around tah whole kitchen like a porcupine trapped in a football game!

“...sorry, what?”

That she was bouncing all over the place, girl! Ah fought she had an allergic reaction to apple pie or something. Once she stopped hopping around like crazy she tried to explain  us something but since she wasn´ saying no word. Don´ roll yer eyes Twilight! Ah´m talking! Like ah was saying, we could´understand a thing he was saying. She tried doing charades but that mostly only entertained Applebloom. It wasn´until she pointed at the barn that Granny remembered Big Mac was working in there.

We rushed in, Pinks tail twitching all the time, and once we arrived mah poor brother was trapped under a beam. Now, the sensitive thing would have being to run to town and ask fer help, after all ah was just a filly then not the strong pony ah´m now! Granny couldn´ do much and Big Mac wa saying no word so ah put on mah Papa´s old hat that had fell off Big Mac´s head an tried mah best to lift the beam. It seemed hopeless at first but soon, Pinks was at my side, helping push up. Together we free Big Mac and got a big hug and a hot newly fresh apple pie as a reward.

Like Granny said that night, it was Celestia´s favor that Pinkie had been there, otherwise we would had assumed Big Mac was still working and not check on him until later that night by which his wound would have been far worse.

*********

“Lovely story APplejack. But I have one question?”

“Fire away.”

“Why was Pinkie NOT talking? That seems a bit out of character for her?” she says as Pinkie had added a pair of cakes to the equation playing juggling with them.

“Oh that. Since she grew up in a farm up north, she was afraid other ponies would make fun of her accent so she kept quiet for a while until she accepted she has a lovely voice.”

“...Pinkie has an accent?”

“Yah too, sugarcube! The laughs we had when we first heard that fancy Canterlot accent!”

“What? You made fun of me? I don´t have an accent! Eep! I don´t! Stop laughing! That is not a cent! It´s proper pronunciation! Stop it!”

It certainly was a typical Wednesday, back in Ponyville.

A Jewel in a Jar

It was the biggest party that was ever held in Ponyville. Not even Pinkie Pie could top it. There were streamers, balloons, party hats, the Wonderbolts making a performance and the biggest cake you have ever seen.

And yet, not a single one of the guests arrived.

No Dinky, no Truffle, no Snips or Snails, definitely not those pesky crusaders, not even Twist or perhaps Featherweight to take a shot. And worst of all, not Silver Spoon.

Diamond Tiara remained still, wearing her best and most fabulous dress, brought all the way from Canterlot, trying to hold back the tears.

“Why? Why nopony came to my party?” she asked aloud.

“Maybe now you'll learn to treat your friends better.” her father said. “Have you considered take a moment to appreciate all the hard work that was put on this party for you? The effort the Cakes made to bake you your special twelve levels cake? The fact that the Wonderbolts took time from their tight schedule to come perform just for you? All the work of the maids to get the house pretty just the way you wanted it? And instead of thanking them you were yelling and complaining the whole time. Well, what do you have to say now, young lady?”

But Diamond Tiara say nothing and just ran away in tears. She ran so, so far away that she went past Fluttershy's cottage and entered the terrible Everfree Forest. Once she stopped running and took a look around she realized she was completely, surrounded by twisted trees and watched by glowing eyes. She was about to cry again when a cloud of blue magic appeared.

“Well well, why are you crying my little pony?” the sorceress asked.

Diamond Tiara look at the unicorn in front of her. Her white almost silvery flowed with grace, her eyes were dark and hide a sinister motive, her neck was decorated by a necklace with an alicorn symbol and a purple cape decorated with stars and wands covered her body.

“Well, what seems to be the problem?” the sorceress asked again. She had a permanent smug smile on her face but somehow Diamond Tiara thought she could trust her.

Once she finished her tale, the sorceress pondered for a moment. “So you're sad because you don't have any friends. What a pity concern. Friends are nothing but a nuisance, you don't need them.”

“But...I still miss them. Especially SIlver Spoon, we have been best friends since we were little foals...” Diamond Tiara said.

“Very well, if having friends its so important to you, I can help you.” the sorceress announced.

“You really can?” Diamond eyes glowed with happiness.

“With just a magic spell, I can make all the ponies in Ponyville become your friends. They will adore you and want to spend all day with you. The only thing I ask in return...”and the sorceress leaned over the filly, Diamond´s terrified face reflecting in those soulless mirrors. “...it is our heart.”

“M-my heart?”

“They will all see what they want to see, they'll see the friend they wish they have, they´ll see  you smart, funny, generous; everything they want you to be. But they will never see the real you, because I will keep your true heart away. It will be mine to do as I please and if you ever want it back it must be another pony who reclaims it, for only a true friend will come in your aid. So, now that you know the risks, are you willing to take the deal?”

Diamond Tiara pondered for a while, wondering if there was a pony that will truly come back for her heart. She wished for one particular pony to do so, should the sorceress lie; but the temptation of the offer was great so she agreed.

Few ponies saw the flash of magic light as a heart was pull apart.

Once Diamond Tiara returned to Ponyville, every single filly and colt were after her. Even the mares and stallions were glad to have her back, constantly praising her. Only one pony remain unsure, SIlver Spoon watched her, thinking that something was amiss, something was wrong with her close friend. But the cheers and the music of the party drowned her doubts.

The sorceress looked down at the festive town, her smug clearly one of victory, holding on one hoof a jr where inside reside a heart shaped crystal.

A Thousand Year Nights

The music of the spheres was set in tune as Princess Luna placed the silver orb right in the middle of the sky and circled it with stars bringin night to the kingdom.

“Congratulations dear sister. It seems even after a thousand years away you still have the touch!”

“Thank thee, dearest sibling.”

“But you still need to work on your speech...” Princess Celestia was then assaulted by a powerful yawn. “ Well, I better call it a night. I´m sure you can take care of anything from here, Luna.”

THe Princess of the Night nodded while the Sun Bringer left the balcony and went inside her chambers. Celestia levitated  her crown and boots and gently got inside her blankets on  fashion Rarity will approve. She carefully placed her head on the pillows and was then hit by a terrible realization.

“...I can´t sleep.”

****

Spike was used to been awake by a Twilight having one of her night frenzies but this was the first that they were awake by Princess Celestia sudden arrival.

“I´m not sure how I can help you, Princess...” Twilight admitted.

“Oh but Twilight, I just can´t sleep! After a thousand years of keeping both the day AND the night together I just developed a natural resistance to getting asleep!” the Princess pulled her eyelids in desperation.

“You mean you never sleep in a thousand years? Not one night?” Spike asked.

“Well, I have slept some...” Celestia admitted.

This caused a flashback on Tiwlgiht whor emembered her giving a greta lesson and the Princess just snoring.

“I just don´t know what to do!” the Princess sobbed.

“Don´t worry Princess. I´m sure we can find some way to get you to sleep.”

****

“Fluttershy has the sweetest voice in all of Equestria. I bet just hearing her lullaby once will send you straight into dreams land.”

“Hush now quiet now, it´s time to lay your sleepy head.  ♪ Hush now quiet now it´s time to go to bed ♫”

“...that´s it?” Celestia complained.

“Well, I´m usually interrupted on this part so I don't know the rest of the song.” Fluttershy confessed.

*****

“A glass of warm milk will get you straight to bed, Princess!”

“I sure hope so!”

“Of course we can help yah, Princess! Big Mac, why doncha grab a milk bucket?”

“Eeeeyup!”

Of course, sending a male pony on a cow´s barn while they were all sleeping to get some surprise milk was a terrible idea.

*****

“Rarity will surely have some advices on how to get a beauty sleep.”

Celestia merely nodded while Twilight knocked on the Boutique.

“YES?!”

“AAAHHH!! Bad idea bad idea!!!”

*****

“Rainbow Dash is always napping during the day. Maybe she has some advice on what to during a restless night”

Princess Celestia levitated Twilight to the cloud house and they were surprised to find the door unlocked.

“....”

“....Let´s face it Twilight, this is not the worst thing you have caught me doing.”

“Is that a Daring Do costume?” Celestia asked.

******

“...and then I went back to the market but oh surprise! I still was two bits short so I went back to the Cakes and they told me they didn´t had any spare change so I went to Rarity's because she is always carrying money but she told me she only had Griffon change and of course wasn't going to use that and...”

Twilight was already drooling but Celestia remained perfectly still. After all, she was immortal so she had literally all the time in the world to listen even the most boring of stories.

****

Twilight fell to her bed in frustration “That's it! We have tried everything! I can't think of anything else to do!”

“It´s okay Twilight. I appreciate you ef-”

“Wait! There´s something we haven´t tried!”

“Oh there is?” Celestia asked confused.

“Yes, according to all the books I have read there is no way to stay awake after doing this!”

“And what would that been?” Celestia regretted asking that question once she saw Twilight moving the blankets away and inviting her over the bed.

*****

The next morning, a squad of the Royal Guard led by Princess Luna went to Ponyville, demanding to know what was up with Celestia.

They found her arguing with a projector while Twilight and Spike have given up looong ago.

“Please, just get inside the Enterprise! Just do it! Do something! Do something!”

“Thank heavens she is not watching the J.J. Abrams one...”

AppleCube

“And that´s how you index a dictionary! Any questions?”

Twilight Sparkle put on her best and most sincere smile but it was obvious to even a giant boulder that the entire class of fillies and colts were extremely bored and have only listened to half of Twilight's lesson. They even had to kick Cheerilee to wake her up.

“Oh! That was a wonderful lesson Twilight! Class, let´s all say thank you to miss Twilight to invite us to Golden Oaks Library today!”

In the most monotone tone possible “Thanks Twilight...”

“You´re welcome!” Either Twilight was really naive or she will eventually explode in flames at some point later.

“Now we better get going kids...” Cheerilee said.

“Oh you´re going so soon? But I was ready to bake some cookies and maybe share some more information about encyclopedias!” Twilight seemed a bit hurt.

“Nononono, we better get back to school! Come on kids, MOVE!”

“Mrs. Cheerilee, we can´t find Applebloom!” Scootaloo said.

“Oh great...Applebloom, come here this instant!”

“Mrs. Cheerilee?” the melody voice of the filly could be heard but she was nowhere to be seen.

“Lesson is over. Now, get in line Applebloom.”

“Ah don´ think ah can. Ah think ah´m stuck!”

“Where are you, sweetie?” Twilight asked the disembodied voice.

“Some place ah have never been before.”

“Ah, the shower.” Diamond Tiara mocked her, earning a push from Sweetie Belle that eventually evolved into a fight.

“AppleBloom, come here immediately!” Cheerilee ordered while trying to bring order to her class again.

“Ah can´! Ah´m stuck in a really strange place and ah can´ find the door ah came into!”

“What door?” Twilight asked.

“I think I saw her getting inside the laundry closet.” SPike said.

“And why in Equestria will she get in there?”

“Ugh, we may have stained her mane with jelly jam...” Scootaloo confess.

What followed were several hours in vain to get Applebloom back. The closet door could be opened but Applebloom seemed to have disappeared between the cracks, thus they called the town expert in strange shenanigans, Mr. Timeturner.

“Where ish Applebloom, Mr. Timeturner?” Twist asked.

“Well, it is obvious even to the most obtuse of minds that the little apple pie has fallen into...the foal dimension!” complete with scary light effect.

“Don´t you mean fourth dimension?”

“Please Twilight Sparkle. We are in My Little Pony, we need to switch every five words with some equine related pun!”

“Applebloom, this is your big sister! Can yah tell me how it is in there?”

“Umh, has anypony played Out of this World?”

Applejack said “No”

Twilight said “No”

Scootaloo said “No”

Timeturner said “No”

Cheerilee said “No”

Sweetie Belle said “No”

Scootaloo said “No”

Diamond Tiara said “No”

Silver Spoon said “No”

Scootaloo said “Yes. I mean, no. Of course not.”

Hours went by and nopony have any clue how to help Applebloom. “Maybe we should write to Princess Celestia.” Spike suggested.

“I can save Applebloom! I only need four other brave volunteers!” Granny Smith suddenly appeared wearing an old dive suit.

“No Granny! It's too dangerous! We don't know what could possibly be inside there!” Twilight warned her.

“Are yah going to help me or are ah all keep jabbering?” Applebloom cried.

“She´s right! We need to saddle up!” Scootaloo said while tying a rope around her.

“Ha! See? Every five words!”  Timeturner said.

“Scootaloo! No!” Cheerilee yelled but the orange pegasus have already jumped inside the mysterious closet.

A little while later the grown ups managed to pull Scootaloo back into the library, just in time as the closet imploded.

“What happened? Where´s Applebloom?” Applejack asked,

“Well, we have a tiny problem when the dimension collapsed into a black hole...but Applebloom seemed to take it well.”

“Pony feathers!!!!!!!!!”

“Language, young lady!” Granny Smith chastised here.

“Applebloom...”

“Don´t worry Applejack.” Twilight placed a hoof on her friend's shoulder. “I´m sure she is in a better place.”

Applebloom hit the ground really hard as she fell down from the sky. Once she get up, she was met by a set of smiling faces.

“Welcome to Care-A-Lot!”

“....what in tarnation?”

Broadcast from the future

“...and that was Daring Do and the Chains of Cerberus. What do you think of it, Rainbow Dash?”

“It was so awesome!!!”

“And that´s all the time we had this week! Join us next time for more Books of Equestria! I´m Twilight Sparkle...”

“And I´m Rainbow Dash!”

“Goodbye.”

Vinyl Scratch came inside the recording booth to congratulate the two girls. Their literature critic show was one of the most popular in Ponyville F.M. It has been just two years since radio signals were invented in Equestria and the small business the musical unicorn had started with an earth pony friend had evolved into the multinational PonyWithTheGlasses.

“Yo girls, that was your best show eva!” the red eyed unicorn was a bit eccentric but  all her employees loved her very much since she was a very kind if a bit loud boss.

“Thanks Vynil but I´m a bit concerned what we will talk next week. We have already covered all the Daring Do series.” Twilight said.

“Aw what a drag. The Do in the Do is the most popular of the books. Ponies love to hear you two criticize her daring escapes!”

“Oh man, I hope they do another one soon!” Rainbow asked.

“I think it was a good ending, Rainbow. It´s better to not drag a story too long and risk ruining the franchise. ”

Just as she finished saying that a flash of light hit the recording studio and a pony wearing a lab coat appeared.

“Great Faust!”

“Agh, who are you?”

“I´m you, from the future!”

“Oh no, not this again!”

“Don´t worry Twilight, this time I built a time machine that uses Zap Apple Jam as fuel . It is perfectly safe!” Future Twilight explained.

“So, what do you want?”

“I came to take you two into the future!”

“Wo wo wo, nopony is taken mah girls outside mah crib!” Vinyl protested.

“You don't understand. I came to tell you that a new Daring Do book was just released. In the future! You must come with me to review it!”

“Oh okay. Be back at six.”

So with her boss approval, or better say “orders”; Rainbow and Twilight used Future Twilight machine to travel into the future world.

“....everything looks exactly the same.” Rainbow complained.

“Of course! Its been just eighteen months after all!” Future Twilight said.

“So...nothing has changed.”

“No, not much...except for the sea-ponies taking over Equestria.”

“Oh....what?”

“Oh yes. They took down Celestia and now rule all the world.Surprising that nopony saw that coming.”

They took a peek through the window to see flying squads of sea-ponies terrorizing the population.

“...well, we´ll deal with that later. Now, let´s get to the book!”

*******

One book review later.

******

“...and that was Daring Do and the Kingdom of the Crystal Pony. What do you think of it, Rainbow?”

“Hated it.”

“Yeah, me too. Eighteen months just for this? I wish they would have ended it on the twelfth book.”

“Twilight! Rainbow! The sea-ponies have caught us!”

Two armed guards burst into the recording booth. “Halt! Were you reading Daring Do books? You know that is against the law! Seize them!”

“Yikes!”

“Vamonos!”

******

One daring escape into the past later.

*****

“Yo, how was the show?” Vinyly asked.

“A monumental waste of time.” Rainbow said.

“I have a question for you Future me. If you have the ability to build a time-machine that runs merely on Zap Apple Jam, why used it to drag us into the future to review a terrible book instead of, I don't know, stop the sea-ponies from conquering the world?”

“Uh...that is because, there are certain events in time I cannot interfere. There are a ton of variables and fancy mathematics to consider...”

“But still there are several questions. Just like, how does one use apple jam as a fuel source?”

“Well, you see when the molecules of the apples are separated and something something unicorn magic...”

Vinyl and Rainbow were lookin back at forth at both Twilights arguing with themselves.

“And you are telling me that with all of time and space in your hooves, you still didn't take dance lessons?”

“For Faust´s sake girl! I was busy with other things!”

“Busy doing what? You do nothing but read books and record a radio sho-”

“I was frozen today!”

…

That was the definition of awkward silence.

“Yo, let´s start the next show best! Pinkie Pie, jump into record!”

Wearing a purdy hat, Pinkamena jumped in.

“Hi, I´m Pinkara! Welcome to Poking the fourth Wall and today we're reviewing Mare-Do-Well New Equestria...it ´s a baked bad. Roll music!”

Pinkara! Has a party cannon? Where does she keeps that?

Pinkara! She talks to the bronies, poking at the screen!

“Of course, don't you know anything about friendship?”

This is a baked bad!

Pinkara!

Facing impossible odds

This was it.

The last stand.

There was no turning back.

Running away was not an option at this point, nor one I would ever take. I´m an Apple after all. We live by your word and do the job, no matter how dirty we may get. And right now I have a job to do, an enemy to face. Any pony would call me crazy for agreeing to do this and maybe they're right. After all I have no logical reason to be doing this but darn it! Reason have no place in here! This came from the heart!

I had to do this alone, nopony else could help me, it was a matter of honor, of pride; it all came down to me. I adjusted my hat as my enemy snorted, releasing hot air against me. I was facing certain death, there was no possible way from me to survive this but I wasn't going to escape. I was going to do it, me and no other pony. No substitute, no assistance, it was just me against all impossible odds.

I remember my papa words,

“A pony´s gotta do what a pony´s gotta do.”

Papa, you'll be proud of your son.

I smirked once more, tap the ground and move forward.

The last thing I saw before everything went black was Applejack, not the grown up mare but the small little filly which I used to play with, running around with a hat twice the size of her head, always smiling.

I love that smile.

The Apple´s smile.

******

“Is he alright?”

“Braeburn? Can you hear me?!”

“Granny Smith? Ah don´ wanna share the bed with Big Mac, he talks too much...”

“He is fine.”

“W-what happened? Did ah won?”

“Hardly. Stone Breaker sent you flying a good few meters into the air and then you crashed.”

“Oh, guess ah failed then?”

“HAHAHAHA, of course you couldn't win against my best warrior in a head-butt struggle, son! But the mere fact that you stand your ground against a buffalo that´s impressive!”

“Here let me help you, little one.”

“Thanks, now ah know why they call you that. Now Chief Thunderhooves, does that mean that...”

“Yes. You can have Little Strongheart´s hoof in marriage.”

“Oh thanks Celestia...”

“Sure you are okay, Braeburn?”

“Ah´m better than never, darling. But ah can't say the same fer mah poor hat...”

Mare in the Hill

The cape and the hat are magically placed on me. I feel ridiculous with all these bells but the King insisted in that was the proper attire for the Court Magician. I always assumed the Court Magician to be old and frail, I am far too young for the title. The entire court bows before me and my semblance is added to the stained glass, standing proud with my horn lighted and the constellations under my control. The portrait of my victory, celebrated by the entire kingdom.

My smile disappears the second I realize she is not there, the mare who lead me to my destiny, who taught me how to unleash my true potential, standing at my side as I confronted the dreaded Windigos; my mentor, my friend. I try to leave the room but hordes of servants and nobles block my path so I dissapear in a blink of light, another trick I learned from my friend.

I appear outside the Royal Gardens and run straight to the forest, ignoring the village and the cheering peasants; running back to the hill where I met her. She just appeared out of thin air, the wind breaking to let her pass into our reality, she was truly a wonderful creature, one that do not belong in our world. And so she say so, claiming to have come from a faraway place called Ponyville. She kept many secrets to herself, speaking only what was necessary but occasionally making strange remarks that she dismissed as "Pinki-nisms". I did not understand her manners at times but I learned everything from her

She told me that her time with me was limited, that soon she will had to leave back to her kingdom; but I pay no attention to her words, distracted by our adventures and the fun we shared. Now I fear she may had leave without saying goodbye, that I may never see her again and never known who she was and where did she came from.

I reach the hill and she is still there, still magnificent, still strange, looking at the sky with those eyes that have seen eternity. She noticed me and giggles, a gentle not offensive laugh from her genuine warmth heart.

"A friend of mine will love your looks. Although she may consider lose some bells, it looks more fabulous that way!" more of her strange speech.

"Are you leaving, my dear friend?" I ask.

"´fraid so. I exceeded the limits of the spell. The first time I tried it I only moved a few days in time, now I was able to travel even before the founding of Equestria. I may have drained the Princesses of their power, I hope they're alright." she looks back at the sky. What does she see that no other being can?

"Please, do not leave me! I still have much to learn from you!" I beg.

"I told you everything I know which is everything you taught me...ugh, Rainbow is right. This makes my head hurt!"

"Enough with your strange words! Speak nothing but the truth!"

"The truth is that I don´t belong in here and I must return home." and a strange pillar of white light engulfs her as she slowly begins to disappear.

"But tell me, Smartypants; what should I do next? I ignore what future awaits me and I am afraid of face it without you!" I beg one last time.

"Don´t worry, Star Swirl. You will live a long and wonderful life, one filled with many adventures and tons of friends. I know because I read about it since I was a little filly...and my name is not Smartypants. I made that up, my real name is Twilight Sparkle!"

"Farewell then, Twilight Sparkle!" I said.

"Goodbye, PFF..." she says and with those last words all that remains of her is but a whisper. She leaves no trace of her presence, the wind returning to her dance, but inside I know the truth, that I was taught about the true nature magic thanks to this strange mare that came from somewhere away.

I turn my back and prepare to face the rest of my days, no longer ago and without my friends but with the lingering memories of the mare I met atop of that hill.

Two Flames

We used to live in a beautiful city called Cloudsdale. I was never a good flyier, always falling into the ground and crashing into pillars. I spent most of my days just hiding in the woods below the city. That´s where I met Angel! Rainbow Dash will always come looking for me, she was the best friend I could've asked for, always so strong and brave, nothing like me.

When they told me I was the next Element Bearer I almost fainted. I could never imitate the last bearer, Applejack was so strong and reliable, I'm weak and coward. I couldn't even tell the Princesses that I didn't want the title. I just lowered my head and accepted it. But Rainbow saw through my weak lies, she confronted me, she forced me to confess that I didn't want this title and then she yelled at me for ignoring my destiny, she admitted she was jealous, that she wanted nothing more than to be the Bearer and that she couldn't believe the Princesses have chosen such a worthless pony.

I couldn't took her words so I ran away. I didn't even fly, I just jumped to the ground and the ran, ran faster than any earth pony could, I ran so far aways that I ended up in the Everfree Forest surrounded by all kind of savage creatures but they didn´t hurt me, they approached me and comforted me, nuzzling me and offering their kindness. I was still crying but at least I had friends now.

It was then that the dragons attacked.

I watched, I just watched as the flames consumed my home, as sharp wings destroyed building and giant claws defeated warriors. I just watched like the coward I am as the entire pegasi nation was destroyed in a sea of flames.

Once Cloudsdale was nothing but a scorched ruin, I turned my back and retreated into the dark corners of the forest, hiding from my destiny and from my failure. And that´s when you found me Rarity, you and your sister found the destined Element Bearer, hiding like a small foal inside a cave. That´s the whole truth.

I´m just a coward.

*****

We used to live in a great city called Cloudsdale. I was at top of my class, the first to get her Cutie Mark, the faster flyer, I was even able to pull off a Sonic Rainboom, a feat that not even the Princesses are able to! So I always thought that my destiny was to be the next Element Bearer; but instead, they chose Fluttershy.

I always felt bad for that girl. She was so frail and meek, she was taller than me and yet I had to protect her from bullies all the time! So naturally when she was given the title of Bearer I snapped! Because I knew she could never handle it, that she would get hurt, that she would never dare to use the Elements against another creature, even against a dragon. She is nothing like Applejack was, she just doesn't like to fight.

I tried to tell her that, I tried to make her understand that if she didn't want to fight I would stand by her side; but I have a big stupid mouth. I began to complain, instead of comforting her I was accusing her of stealing my destiny, of being a coward for running away; but I was the real coward. I hurt my best friend and instead of running after her, I just watched as she ran in tears.

It was then that you attacked.

We fought you. The best warriors of Cloudsdale gathered together to stop your warriors. Princess Celestia herself led the forces while her sister put the fillies and colt at safe but it was useless. You dragons were superior in every aspect, in strength, in numbers, in cruelty. Your kind did this to me, Spike. This scar I would carry in my face for the rest of my life. A reminder of our defeat and of my own cowardice.

You asked me why I accepted the offer and joined the dragon´s ranks. The pegasi are all gone, the few that are still alive are nothing but slaves, the earth ponies won't resist forever, Ponyville will eventually fall for your army; and the unicorns are hiding in their little villages, unable to resist. So what´s left for me? Just gave in and accept that all hope is lost...or wait for her?

Yes Spike, I´m sure that Fluttershy is alive. I know she's  alive. I can feel her and I would find her. I don't know if she could ever forgive me but I do know that she is the only pony that can save us now. Unlike me, she can save Equestria from the sea of flames.

She is a hero.

MIssing

"Five more minutes, Fluttershy!"

"Okay..."

She gently closed the door of her dressing room, enjoying this small refugee of privacy. She didn't had much time. Soon, she'll have to return to the runway, to the flashes and the critics eyes. She hated this life, all those eyes on her, all this unwanted attention but such was the life of a fashion model.

If only she had followed Twilight advice, if only she had told the truth, at least to Rarity, she deserves to know what Fluttershy really...

She shook her head, trying to scare all those thoughts away. Her time is short and she must not waste it . Her fan mail almost reaches the roof, hundreds of fillies that admire her and wish her lifestyle, she wishes she could answer back to all of them but there simply isn't time. She separates the letters of her friends and smiles at seeing those familiar stamps.

There is a postcard from Applejack, showing the proud Applebloom wiht her brand new Cutie Mark. The last time she saw her was when she made an advertisment campaing in the orcarhd. She barely talked to them but was able to share a meal with the entire Apple fmaily, a memory she will enver forget. Twilight letter is ridiculous detailed, she wished for her to tell more about her life instead of some many facts about Ponyville. Rainbow made a terrible job trying to hide her petition to met the Wonderbolts, Fluttershy will be glad to invite her but Photo Phinish was very strict about guests. Pinkie Pie just sent a cupcake, the simplest of gestures was also the most appreciated.

But nothing from Rarity.

Not a letter, not a gift, nothing. They haven't spoke to each other in almost a year. Was she mad at her? Did she did something wrong? She was following her plea, shining across Equestria, this should have made Rarity; but if that's the case, how come she never tries to visit her? How come every time she manages to visit the town, Rarity always excuses herself with work? How come she never answer the few letter that Fluttershy had sent to her?

There was one time she thought she saw her, hiding behind the crowd, running away before she could reach her, leaving only a shadow in the wall. Why did she ran? Why they stopped being friends?

"I´m sorry Fluttershy but we only had two minutes."

"I´m almost ready..."

She looks at her reflection and puts on a smile. THey need to see the confident and beautiful model, nto the insecure and hurt pegasus. She has a role to paly, she made a rpomsie to Rarity; but deep inside, she wishes to know the reason of why the unicorn abandoned her.

She slowly walks out of the dressing room, the gentle movement of her wings shaking the fan mail pile,a single letter escaping it and falling to the ground. She missed that letter by just an inch, if only she had two more minutes she would have read it, the first letter that Rarity sent after months of gathering the courage to say those words, to finally explain how her jealousy took the best of her, how she failed to notice how miserable Fluttershy really was and how she regrets having pushing her into this.

If only Fluttershy had read that letter she would have understood everything.

The assistant just thought it was garbage and tossed it along with the empty cupcake wrapper, never to be found.

Pinkie´s Quest

It was a hot and sunny day. Applejack remove her hat to clear the sweat out of her forehead and enjoy the blessing of Celestia´s sun. She looked down the orchard and smiled upon seeing her big brother finishing his round. Before she could ask him if he wanted some beverage she saw Pinkie Pie bouncing alongside him, carrying a basket full of apples. Weird, did Big Mac asked Pinkie for help? Why Pinkie of all ponies? Just when she was about to raise her voice to ask them, they did something that made Applejack turn green.

They kissed.

A deep-its-gonna-leave-a-mark kiss on her big brother snout.

This made Applejack ran at a speed that will make Rainbow Dash look like a turtle and landed in between them.

"How-what-why-I-you-and you-you two!"

Pinkie Pie stopped her incoherent rambling with a happy smile "Hey Applejack, how´s it going?"

"Ho-"

"Ups, I´m on a tight schedule. Better hurry up, now how do I get you?" Pinkie pondered for a few seconds. "I know! If you beat me in a hoof wrestling I´ll explain what´s happening so your head stops spinning around, but if you lose you have to do me a favor, no regrets.”

"Wha-I-Fine!"

Once her face met the ground, Applejack remembered that Pinkie was the strongest one of the group.

"You lose!"

"What do yah want, Pinki-"

The answer was another of those long kisses, this time right in Applejack´s nose.

"Thank you!" chimed the pink baker before leaving two farmers with dumbfounded looks on their faces.

"Yah gonna wash that?"

"Eeenope!"

******

"Thanks for making all these delicious pastries for the party, Mr. and Mrs. Cake!"

"No problem Pinkie but wh-oh my!" Mrs. Cake was cut short by a deep kiss on the cheek.

"Oh honey, no need for that!" added Mr. Cake after receiving one.

"And one for Pound! And another one for Pumpkin! And- hey Derpy, nice to see you! A muffin for a kiss? Okay bye!!"

*****

A proper lady knock was unmistakable.

"Hello Rarity, what can I do for you?"

While the answer was obvious seeing as how Twilight Sparkle had led her mane straight back to show her forehead, Rarity had to ask:

"Darling, I must ask you a question. Have you noti-" the words died on her mouth upon seeing the little dragon with hearts on his eyes just floating around.

"Oh ignore him, he´s been like this all morning. First kiss on the lips and all that." Twilight said.

"Okay then. The question I have is regarding Pinkamena. I ran into her earlier this day, she offered to help me in the store and to make a long story short...” and she pointed at the big lip mark on her eyelid. "I intended to clean it at the spa but when I went looking for Fluttershy to join me, I discovered she suffered the same fate." and she levitated the still blushing pegasus with a kiss mark near her lips. "You see where I´m going with this, darling?"

"Don´t worry Rarity, I´m sure Pinkie has a good reason for all of this." Twilight reassured her.

"She helped me clean the library..." Spike said still floating around.

****

Rainbow Dash climbed the tallest mountain in the entire continent. Her wings tired after a transoceanic flight, forced her to do it by hoof. Once she reached the top, she burst open the wooden gates of the cabin, hoping to finally find some help.

"Gilda, quick! You have to-oh no, you too no!"

"Hey Dash...”  the smiling griffin said, a kiss mark planted on her beak.

"Rainbow Dash!"

Rainbow turned over to see the harbinger of her door, walking the steep mountain like it was a soft spot of grass, nothing able to slow her down.

"You are the last one! You can´t escape! Oh hey Gilda!"

"Hi..."

"No no no stay back Pinkie!"

"It´s over Rainbow..." and the Pink Reaper loomed closer and closer until she kissed her forehead.

"Ya-hoooo! I finally got a hundred!" and she ran off back to Equestria.

"...that´s it?"

*****

The loud obnoxious knock on the door was unmistakable.

A light blue pony with a palm tree for a Cutie Mark answered the door. Her first reaction was being annoyed of meeting the pink pony again but then she realized the pony had brought a hundred extra with her.

"Hi! We´re here for the party!"

"Like...excuse me? What are you talking about?"

Pinkie took a deep breath and started to explain. "Earlier in the market you were talking to your friend and saying you were making a huge party and I said Uh I love parties! Can I go and bring all my friends? and you said Like no way! This is an exclusive Hearts and Hooves Day party, only couples can go!  and I said Well I´ll get a couple then! and you were Ha! You get a couple? I don´t think you have ever dated a stallion before! and your friend said Yeah like, she probably never been kissed before! What a loser! and I said Well I kiss the babies good night every night, does that count? and you two were laughing and then you said You´ll never make it to my party even if you like kiss a hundred ponies or something! and your friend was Yeah! and so then I went and kissed a hundred ponies and brought them right to your party! Now, can we go in and have fun?".

"Like...what?"

Before anypony could explain her Pinkie had no sense of sarcasm or worse, that Pinkie decided to explain everything again, the Element of Loyalty jumped front.

"Yeah so we´re all here and want to have fun! Now, move!"

The other 99 ponies followed Rainbow example getting inside the house while making comments like "The Great and Powerful Trixie supposes she could join this celebrations!" or "So that´s why she came all the way down to Appleloosa" or even "Sister, is this a regular occurrence in modern Equestria?" and the like.

Once all the guest were inside all the Valley Pony could said was.

"Like...what just happened?"

A Hundred Treasures

The entrance to the cave resembled the vicious mouth of a hydra, all those spikes its sharp teeth and the darkness below its stomach, ready to consume anypony stupid enough to dare venture in.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Geronimoooo!!" the pale yellow earth pony yelled right before jumping into the pit of darkness.

She gracefully moved her body,avoiding every spike and sharp rock, but just before she hit the ground she was catch by a pair of teal colored hooves

"Aw, why did you did that for Morning Dawn?"

"Because you never think before you act Dandelion..." and she gently put her down. "Besides, if you get hurt I´ll end up in the receiving end of Grandma Fluttershy and I don´t want that!" and not gently at all she punched her forehead.

"Auh!"

"Honeycrisp, come down. It´s safe!" the pegasus yelled at the honey colored unicorn who covered behind her Stetson hat.

"B-bu-but it´s too tall..."

"Just teleport down here. I´ll promise, you´ll be fine!"

"Bu-bu-bu-bu..."

"Agh, Cadence´s crown! I can't believe you´re actually a unicorn who is afraid of using her own magic!" Dandelion complained.

Morning Dawn threw some invisible daggers at her friend and flew up to comfort the crying unicorn.

"There there, I´ll help you down..."

Dandelion never apologized but Honeycrisp recovered some of her confidence when she was told to light her horn, her light being the only way they could travel across the dark caves.

Finally, following the map that Morning Dawn was carrying they reached their destination, the giant chamber where the first dragon they have ever seen was sleeping.

Honeycrisp rushed to hide behind the pegasus legs.

"Woah..."

"Uh, he´s not that big..."

Morning Dawn ignored the obvious lies of Dandelion and hovered next to the enormous eyes of the sleeping monster.

"Grandma Sparkle told me so many stories about him but I never thought that he will be...like this."

"Is he dead?" Honeycrisp asked from behind her hat.

"No, he´s just sleeping. According to Grandma Sparkle he will for another 88 years..." the pegasus explained.

"Ah, how boring. I wanted to hear him talk..." Dandelion complained, her fears already gone.

"He actually looks cute...for a giant monster." Honeycrisp said.

"Hey, look at all these crap! Why did he kept this garbage!" the earth pony asked while rummaging through a pile of random objects.

"It´s not garbage!" and Morning Dawn slapped her friend´s hoof "It´s his hoard. All dragons collect treasures. That´s how they grew that big and when they go to sleep they covered themselves on their most precious possession."

"Treasure? You mean all this...souvenirs?"

"Well, I´ll admit that this doesn't seem like the typical dragon treasure I had read all these years..." Morning Dawn admitted while looking at a fabulous wig.

While her friends threw more seemingly useless garbage around like a megaphone or a kitchen sink, Honeycrisp was distracted by a won out yoke, wondering if it could be the same yoke she remembered from when she was a little foal.

"Well, I´m bored!" Dandelion announced throwing a pair of binoculars away. "Let´s go back home, this was a waste of time!"

"I agree. It seems all the warnings our parent gave us were unfounded, my friends..." Morning Dawn concluded while blowing some bubbles from a pipe. She quickly put on a sheepish grin when Dandelion scolded her in silence.

"Come on, Honeycrisp. We're leaving!"

"Okay..." but she stayed behind watching the small almost non existing breathing of the dragon.

"Come on! I don't want to make Aunt Applebloom angry! She scares me more than my grandma..."

"You never saw my grandma angry. She literally burst in flames once..."

"Yeah, right."

"I´m serious Dandelion!"

Honeycrisp tilted her hat, wishing good night at the dormant beast and rushed to meet her friends.

"Wait up!"

Echoes

(Inspired by this tumblr http://ask-echo-wonderbolt.tumblr.com/)

Forty-five...thirty-nine...fifty-one...fifty-eight.

“Hello Captain.”

“Woah, that always creeps me out!”

Soarin is an honest pony thirtyfive... never since I joined the team have he ever treat me different because of my “condition”. If anything, he's impressed that I can walk around without  seeing.

“Hey Echo, let me introduce you to Rainbow Dash, she is a big fan of ours!”

I shook the mare´s hoof seventy-six... she is excited of meeting us.

“I´ll go get something to drink.”

The Captain smiles while I excuse myself. I can't see her but I know she is smiling.

Thirty-seven...forty-four..sixty-one..ninety-one..

I dodge the excited pony who appeared out of nowhere, she smells like cotton candy.

Forty-five...twelve...

“Your highness...”

I bow to the Princess and try to hide my fear, her heartbeats are so slow and heavy, like she had lived less than a week in a millennia.

“So glad to meet you Echo, this is Twilight Sparkle, my star pupil.”

Forty-two...what an odd specific number.

“A pleasure to meet you.”

I excuse myself as I move next to the drinks Sixtynine... Thirty-nine … two ponies are already there Thirtyone... no, wait.

“Congratulations, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.”

I bet they're looking at me with strange faces, maybe they didn't knew. I excuse a third time right after taking a cup of punch. Outside, I can finally hear silence,  I ignore the sound of every bird and critters and just focus in the wind caressing the leaves, no other pony around...

Five...

Its just me, sitting alone, under the pale bright of the moon...

Nine...

Ignore that, there´s only statues in that direction, only the statue of a ridiculous creature, a spirit of chaos...

Thirteen.

Don´t turn back, don't do it...

“Excuse me, can you lead me to the snack table?”

“Sur-”

Fortyeight... no thirty-nine... no fortyeight... again how many ponies are in front of me?

“Or maybe the gift shop, I love gift shops!”

What are you?

“Is something wrong, miss?”

“...no.Everythingn is fine.”

Forty-one...

A Simple Afternoon

It was a beautiful day outside and enjoying her tea was all that matter for Fluttershy.

Pinkie and Dashie were probably playing some pranks, Rarity on her dresses, Applejack on her farm; and busy with some crazy experiments were Spike.and Twilight Sparkle.

But Fluttershy was a simple mare that only wished to enjoy some biscuits with her darling Angel.

“Fluttershy, quick!” a voice yelled. “Nightmare Moon has returned and teamed up with Queen Chrysalis!”

Fluttershy sighed and got up, guess she won't be enjoying her tea after all.

Honesty

"Umh Angel..."

The bunny sighed and abandoned his lunch with great sorrow before jumping next to Fluttershy.

"Please, sit down."

Angel sit down, wisihing to finish this soon and get back to lunch.

"Can you please keep a secret and not tell it to anypony?"

“You do know I can´t talk, right?” he thought.

"Pinkie Pie promise?"

Rolling his eyes, the bunny did the oath in silence.

"Well, here´s the thing. You may wondering why I didn´t came home last night..."

No, not really.

"Well, what happened is that I spend the night on a friend´s house. I sleep with her- I mean on her bed- I mean! I´ll start over...I ran into an old friend of mine and we went to a bar. You do know I don´t like those places but I haven´t seen this friend in a while and I wanted to chat with her, catch up with her so to speak..."

Is this going to take long? I have food to eat!" too bad she couldn´t hear him.

"We were chatting, everythign was nice but then I began to...get distracted. You know that sometimes I just stand there counting things like leaves or rock, is just something  I do. Only this time I start counting the points of her Cutie Mark. Don´t give me that look! She has this star shaped Cutie Mark with 42 points and I just couldn´t help but count them. But she cauhgt me and assumed I was checking her flank which I wasn´t! And she made a joke about it and we laughed (although I was blushing red) and she ordered more drinks. You know I don´t usually drink anything too strong because well you know how I get when I drank too much..."

Boy, do I know.

"I drank one or two cups and my head began to feel lgither and she was still talking, she talks a lot, she´s very smart and becuase she was still talking and moving her lips I just well I kissed her. I don´t know why I did that, I-I´ve never been into mares, actually I´ve never been into anything, dating makes me nervous and no matter how much Rarity insists I´m not going with her to one of those you know those places where stallions don´t wear clothes..."

Angel just looked at her like saying, "ehh, you´re not wearing anything right now."

"I apologized and tried to ran but she grabbed my hoof and took me to a more private room. She calmed me down and told me she had always been interested on me too, ever since the first day she saw me. And I say really? and she said yes and then..."

Angel was making the "get over with it" gesture so Flutterhsy rushed it.

"Yes we spend the night together as in the Celestian sense for spending the night together."

Angel got it right away.

"That´s why you can´t say anything about it, Angel. Not because of me although I´ll be a little bit embarrassed if somepony finds out, I don´t like talking about that kind of things; but this pony is  a very precious friend of mine so nopony must know this happened unless she wants to tell it because I don´t want her to get mad at me and an-"

Angel calmed down Fluttershy, gently patting her head and reasurring her he won´t say a word

.

"Thank you, ANgel. You can go back to your meal."

The bunny happilly returned to bunny business while Fluttershy looked trought the window, sighing her worries away.

****

The assistant grabbed the pony saddlebags as they were tossed into the air.

"Everything in order?" the pony asked.

"Yes, everything is running smoothly." the assistant said.

"The inventory, checked?"

"Yes."

"Double-checked."

"Double-checked."

"Perfect."

The assistant placed the saddlebags on a hook while the pony went inside a dressing room.

"So, how was last night?" the assistant asked.

"It was nice. I ran into an old acquaintance, we went for a drink, chatted about the latest fashion trends and we spent the night together." the pony said from behind the curtain.

"Uh...when you say spent the night you mean..."

"In the Celestian sense."

"Oh.It´s strange  to hear you talk about it. You usually turn away anypony who tries to get too close with you." the assistant commented.

"She´s...unusual. Of all the ponies I have met she is the most honest and open of all. I´m used to deal with stuck-up ponies that hide behind appearances but she is...sincere. She doesn´t hide her feeligns at all. She is quiet but she is not coward at all."

"Seems it wasn´t your typical one night stand."

"Of course not. I would love to see her again but... I don´t believe she would like to be around such a blunt pony. If I try to pressure her I may end up just scaring her away."

"Nonsense, Photo Phinish." the assistant said, giving the fashion pony her trademark glasses. "Despite appearances I know for a fact you´re one of the most generous and sensible of ponies. You will never hurt her."

"...still, we live in two different worlds. I could never leave mine and I would never drag her again into something she hates. Now..." and Photo Phinish opened the door, welcoming the blazing flashlights. "It´s time to make the magicks!"

Secrets

I have to do it. I can´t hide the truth anymore. So many years, so many lies...

“No, Rainbow Dash! Don´t do it!”

I´m sorry Scootaloo, I have to! I can´t dare risk getting another pony hurt. Derpy was lucky last time but if I make another mistake like that...

“This one of the bravest things you have done, Rainbow. I´m proud of you.”

Thank you, Twilight. I really need that. I don´t want to face this alone. I need my friends by  my side. My real friends.

“Oh that´s how you wanna play? How about I tell the truth about you, Dash?! Show them how you really were back then!”

You can no longer threaten me, Gilda. I´m no longer ashamed of my past.

“I never tell anypony, I swear! I don´t know how they found out! Please Rainbow Dash, trust me!”

I know you will never betray me Fluttershy. I´m sorry that I yelled at you. I´m sorry.

“...ah think yah all overreacting with this.”

This is it. The final step. There´s no turning back.

“Best of lucks, darling!”

All of my friends are by my side.

I´m no longer afraid.

*****

“And there we go! Brand new reading glasses. Wear this for a few weeks and your sight will surely improve, remember to always read in a well-lighted room and just for a few hours. No more of those Daring-Do marathons, young lady.”

“Yes doctor, thank you....Pinkie Pie stop laughing.”

Hearts Warming Eve all year round

It was a sunny day of summer in Ponyville, the sun was up and bright, making the town the perfect picture of harmony.

Except of course for that one spot that was covered in snow.

Twilight Sparkle growled once more before taking the first step into winterland. The area surrounding Fluttershy's cottage was covered by a dark blue cloud that was set on a permanent blizzard. Twilight appreciated the perfect circle it made, separating the grass from the snow but she was still pretty made.

"Hey Twilight, look! I´m making snow ponies!"

"Not now, Pinki-" Twilight was interrupted by a flying snowball.

"Lighten up, egghead." Rainbow Dash had a big pile of snowballs ready to put on a fight but Twilight decided to ignore her and knock on the cabin door.

"Oh Twilight, what a pleasant surprise. Please, come in."

"Fluttershy, I...what are you wearing?"

"Oh, this? Rarity was so kind of making this sweater for me. Look, it has butterflies on it."

She came in expecting a fight and was ready to use all her logic to win this discussion but Fluttershy completely defeated her simply by smiling.

"Please, take a seat."

Twilight decided to stop fooling around and just say it.

"Fluttershy, you have to stop this."

"Stop what?"

"Living with that...thing!" and she pointed at a little blanket where a light blue baby was sleeping.

"Shhh. You´ll wake her up."Fluttershyy whispered.

"Wh-how do you even know is a she?" Twilight whispered too.

"I just know those things."

"Fluttershy, please listen. It´s not safe to have a Windigo around. This are creature born of hatred and distrust, don´t you remember what they did to our ancestors? You can´t have one around!"

"But...when I found her in the woods she looked so helpless and small. I don´t think she can harm anypony. And besides, everypony seems to like the snowy weather in here."

"Fluttershy, this is serious!" Twilight screamed waking up the baby. "We´re all concerned about you living with this creature! Me, Applejack..."

"Oh she is the kitchen making chocolate."

"Howdy sugarcube!"

Twilight facehoofed. "Okay so maybe is just me but Fluttershy..." and she grabbed her friend hooves. "I am worried about you. I´m afraid in your kindness you´re making a mistake."

"Oh Twilight, I´m so happy to hear that you care so much about me. But there´s no need to. I´m perfectly fine and Frostbite will never hurt me."

"Frostbite?"

"That´s how I call her." and Fluttershy lifted the little Windigo and approach it to Twilight. Twilight leaned closer and was bitten on the snout, leaving a thin cover of ice.

"Oh, now I get it."

"Twilight didn't some ponies opposed to the idea that you were taking care of a dragon?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes, they were a few who thought that SPike may be dangerous."

"And what do you did?"

"I punched them on the face, of course! Nopony messes with my baby brother...oh."

"Then you understand why I want to take care of this little thing. She may be dangerous but even so, she still deserves someone that would take care and give her love." and Fluttershy hugged the little creature who responded making a small cute noise.

Once again, Twilight logic was defeated by Fluttershy kind heart. "Guess so."

"She is kinda cute." she said rubbing the Windigo head.

Outside, Rainbow and Pinkie continued their snowball war trying to take control of the small snowy country that was Fluttershy house.

Old Letter

Dear sister:

If I did everything right you´re reading this letter just two weeks after I "disappeared". Now I want you to know there´s a reason for this so please don´t go yelling Granny Smith for keeping this a secret so long. She was just a little filly, not much older than me, when I met her, handled this letter to her and made her Pinkie promise she would deliver it at this exact moment.

First of all, let me explain that I wasn't ponynapped. This was all my fault. I met this crazy pony with a box that was smaller on the outside. He told me that he was going on an adventure and that seemed like the perfect opportunity to ear my Cutie Mark so I pressed some buttons, pulled some levers and then we appeared hundreds of years in the past where a dragon king ruled Equestria and there was this ruby and well that´s not important. The important thing is for you to know that I´m fine.

Mr. Doctor is a very nice pony and he´s taking care of me, he´s teaching me lots of things and even helped me write this letter; so please don´t punch him once he returns me home. And he will, he promised me that he will take me home, someday. Right now we can´t because his magical box is broken and we first need to find seven magical crystals in order to stop this machine that will forze time or something like that.

I´m sorry for all the troubles I caused Applejack and when I come back, I´m ready for any punishment you may have for me. Tell everypony that I´ll be back soon and that I missed them very much, I miss Winona and Big MacIntosh and Granny Smith and Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle (I promise I will return with my Cutie Mark so don´t get yours first!) and all my friends at Ponyville.

And of course, I miss you most than any other pony, Applejack. I can´t wait to come back home and give you one big hug.

I love you, big sis.

I promise I´ll be back very soon, sooner than you expect it! With love, your sister,

Applebloom.

P.S: Could you tell Pinkie Pie to take out the red ballons and the sarsaparilla? She knows what that means...

Promises (SpikeXLuna)

I remember the first time I saw her. Pinkie´s welcoming party had just ended but she still had plenty of energy. I remember the beautiful music Fluttershy´s choir made and how gorgeous Rarity looked back then. I remember the fear when she appeared and how I want kick myself for not believing Twilight.

But mostly I remember those eyes, those cold unforgiving eyes, filled with grudge and thirst for revenge.

They stopped her back then and Princess Luna returned to her mellow and graceful self. She came back to town and despite her loud manners she made new friends and repaired old wounds. As years went by and Twilight began to get old and fragile, I began to spent more time with the Princess. We used to talk for hours and since I was older I was able to enjoy her beautiful night. I remember her blushing when I told her how beautiful the night sky was.

Princess Luna became my friend, and more.

When the time finally came for me to sleep, she promised that she would wait for me. That she will throw the greatest feast.. I laughed and went to sleep, the last image being those dreadful eyes flashing for a second before darkness engulfed me.

We never talked about Nightmare Moon possible return, we always kept quiet about the subject. Still, Twilight made contingency plans just in case; always resourceful. But this new Elements can´t expect to defeat her. They´re barely out of foalhood. The element of Loyalty is a small earth pony colt, almost Pipsqueak height, brave and loyal for sure but he will be defeated with one swoop.

I look at their faces as I crash through the ceiling of the town hall, tearing down the flags for the Summer Sun Celebration.  I´m not sure what terrifies them more, if the return of the Mare on the Moon or the giant dragon breathing fire over their heads; but I don´t care. Nightmare Moon yells and attacks me with all her magic but I don´t care and keep going. I don´t know what happened, I don´t know how the darkness get a hold of her again but I will not let it win.

I will rescue Luna, no matter what.

Deep Down

"It´s finally done girls! I´ve created a spell that allows us to breathe underwater!" Twilight proudly announced.

"YEAH! Finally I can throw my swimsuit party!!" Pinkie Pie yelled, pulling the bikinis out of nowhere.

"Sounds like fun." Rainbow Dash said, referring to the swimsuits.

"Indeed. This will be a perfect opportunity to study underwater life." Twilight conceded levitating her notepad. "Fluttershy, I´m looking forward for you helping me communicate with the animals down there."

"Oh please Twilight, everypony knows that fish are just food."

"...okay."

"I can´t wait to get my hooves in some nice shiny pearls." Rarity added.

"Then let´s get our package ready. We´ll sail, so to speak, tomorrow morning."

"Euh Twi- ah think ah´ll pass on this one. Ah ha-have work in the farm, yah know...apples." Applejack said, looking white.

"What´s the matter, AJ? Afraid of water?" Rainbow teased her.

"Don´t worry Applejack, the fact that you can´t swim at all won´t affect our mission. You can just stay on the bubble." Twilight said.

"Jeez. Thanks for keeping a secret, sugarcube."

"Everypony ready?"

"YES!"

"...no."

*****

Ignoring Applejack´s complaints, the next morning the mane six and Spike were ready to dive into the unknowns deeps using the magical bubble created by Twilight. Although Twilight assured them they wouldn't need to swim, Pinkie insisted on them wearing bikinis, Rarity one causing Spike to remain unconscious the entire time.

Once they descended enough, they found a city build out of coral and inhabited by mermaid like ponies.

"Oh my Celestia, the legends were true! Sea-ponies!" Twilight saidenthusiasticc.

Shoo-be-doo shoo-shoo-be-doo!

"This is going to be so much fun!!" Pinkie chirped.

****

Shoo-be-doo Shoo-shoo-be-doo!

"This sea-ponies are fascinating! Not to mention very welcoming." Twilight said while marking some item on her list.

"I must said their taste in fashion is simply delightful!" Rarity added, covered in pearls.

"Their culture is simply fascinating and everypony seems to be having a wonderful time in here, right Applejack?"

"..." the blank stare of the earth pony said enough.

"Yeah, we´re having fun."

Shoo-be-doo!

****

"Dear Princess Celestia it´s been two days since we discovered the sea-ponies." Twilight said while writing her own letter due to SPike being out of service. "Although seaweed is not exactly my favorite we´re still enjoying it in here, right Applejack?"

"..."

"Yeah, even Rainbow Dash who I think would dislkie the water is engaged to their underwater races, insisting on being the fates on land, sky and water. I´m eager to return home and give you a full report on their cult- Fluttershy, stop chewing on their tails!"

Shoo-be-doo!

***

Sho-sho-be-dooo!

"Dear Princess Celestia...I CAN´T TAKE IT ANYMORE!! All they do all day is singing and swimming and singing. I´m going crazy in here and my friends do nothing to help! Rarity does nothing but roll on the pearls all day, Rainbow Dash just doesn't know when to give up and keeps circling on those silly races, Applejack is useless...

"..."

"Pinkie got sick after eating seaweed and Fluttershy keeps trying to eat this ponies whom, should I add,a re incredible annoying! They´re not fascinating, they´re obnoxious!"

Shoo-shoo-be-doo!

"ARGH! That´s it we´re out of here!" and Twilight teleported all of them back to dry land.

The sea-ponies watched the magical bubble burst and finally let themselves breathe in relief.

"Finally they´re gone!" one of them said.

"Thank Oceanis, I couldn't take them anymore! That pink pony never shuts up!" another said.

"And that pegasus? It was all me, me, me, me! So annoying!" yet another one said.

"I liked the orange one." a sea pony wearing a sailor cap said.

"Enough girls! Now that we´ve have get rid of those characters we can focus on stopping the evil Tidal Wave for destroying Portssnout!Let´s go!" the leader of the sea-ponies said.

and thus the sea-ponies leave to have many adventures...that we will never see.

Just Another Night

Donut Joe was used to seeing all kind of ponies walk into his store. He didn't have enough hooves to count how many times Princess Celestia had come to pick up Twilight Sparkle after the child fell asleep after one too many sprinkled donuts.

Still seeing a member of the Royal Guard walking in, still wearing the uniform was quite something.

"Hey Grey Clouds, over here!" the black coated unicorn look up and saw two other Royal Guards, out of their uniforms sitting on the table. The white pegasus was calling him while they grey earth pony was finishing a chocolate donut.

"Hi Swift Shoes, Rock Bitter." he says while taking his helmet off and taking a seat.

"Finished the night shift?" Clouds merely nodded at Swift question. "Ah come on, cheer up. Donuts on me, hey Joe grab a pair for my friend here!"

"You´re awfully cheer, Shoes. Don´t you remember we were invaded just this morning?" Clouds said.

"Still with that?" Bitter said while he took another bite out of his donut. "The Captain and his wife got rid of those nasty things. End of story."

"I know, it´s ju-"

"Nah, Mr Gloomy Pants here is sad because Twilight Sparkle blew him off." Shoes interrupted him.

"She didn´t blew me off! She was...distracted. She just didn´t see me waving and instead went and yelled at the captain, ugh." Clouds simply hit the table with his face.

"Come on men, cheer up." Swift tried to comfort him while Donut levitated a plate filled with donuts.

"You don´t have a chance with her." Bitter coldy said.

While Swift was silently saying "dude!", Clouds simply punched the table in frustration. "You know why she doesn´t pay attention to me? Because nopony pays attention to us! They all think we´re background ponies or something but we do plenty of things! Remember that time we escorted Princess Celestia clean off those...things that were in Fillydelphia?"

"Yeah, you have a point. Everypony is crazy for the Wonderbolts and nopony wants to join the Royal Guard. Well, its not the Wonderbolts the ones who have to fly by next the dragon migration and make sure they don´t burn any village!" Shoes let go of his frustrations too.

"Think that is bad? Try dealing with Diamond Dogs." now it was Bitter turn to complain. "You´ll think that Prince Blueblood will be smart enough to NOT get kidnapped by them! Then again, they seemed pretty eager to return him when we find them."

"Hehe, yeah he´s kind of a plain in the flank." Clouds admitted.

"Yeah, I bet he whined his way out of that problem." Shoes joked.

Soon the three of them were laughing out loud and since they were the only clients around, Joe didn´t mind at all.

"You know guys, we may be not "famous" ponies but we still have an important job to do. And frankly I´m quite proud of that. I'm a Royal Guard Pony, that´s what I am and I wouldn´t trade it for the world" Grey Clouds announced and his friend agreed, making a toast with their donuts.

"But I bet you would trade it for a date wit Sparkle." Shoes joked.

"Okay, cut it out..."

"You still don´t have a chance."

"Shut up Bitter..."

"How does the captain calls her? Twiley? Yeah? Oh Cloudy has a crush on Twiley!"

"Shut up Shoes..."

"I bet Donut here has a better chance that you."

"I love you Twiley!"

"Cut it out guys!!"

Donut Joe smiled and levitated another glass to clean. It was just another night at Canterlot for him.

Just another night.

Misinterpreted

Big Mac was about to enter the building when he remembered he was about to enter a school so he spit the hay strand and cleaned his hooves before crossing the door.  Inside it, Cheerilee was on her desk sorting some papers while Apple Bloom was sitting on a stool in a corner, facing the wall.

"Howdy." he said.

"Oh, Big Mac. Glad to see you." he merely nodded. "Sorry to make you come here but I´m afraid got herself in problems, she is punished for punching a classmate."

Big Mac sighed. "Ah talk with Mr. Rich ´bout it."

"Oh this time it wasn´t Diamond Tiara. She actually hit Scootaloo."

Big Mac raised an eyebrow, that was a first. His sister and his friends were used to argue and such but they never actually hurt each other.

"I don´t know what they were fighting over this time but Apple Bloom punched Scootaloo on the face and, you know how strong we earth ponies can be so, she fell over and she accidentally broke a leg. It was a disaster. Her parents actually came all the way from Cloudsdale to pick her up." Cheerilee explained, looking exhausted. Big Mac looked over at his sister who remained still, facing the bright colored wall.

"I don´t like doing this but I have no other choice but to suspend her for at least a week. I´m sorry."

"Ah understand." and that was all he said. He moved over to Apple Bloom, who turned over upon seeing his brother shadow. Her eyes were a little red, showing she had been crying. Big Mac didn´t said anything, he just turned over and Apple Bloom soon followed him, saying goodbye at Cheerilee before leaving.

They made their way back at the farm in silence, the sun already disappearing behind the horizon, bathing the town in the purple light of dusk.

"Ah´m sorry." she quietly said.

Big Mac said nothing.

"It wasn´t mah fault. Scootaloo started it." she tried to jsutify herself.

Big Mac said nothing.

"She´s all day teasing me and driving me crazy, Apple Bloom and SPike sitting on a tree! Ah hate her! Ah just wanted her to shut up!"

This actually made Big Mac turn over. "That´s no reason to hit her."

"B-but what is she so mean? Why does she keeps saying those things? In front of everypony! And now the entire school thinks ah´m a dragon lover!"

"Where did yah learn that word?"

"Silver Spoon called me that."

Big Mac sighed, he now had another parent to talk to. But right now he had to take care of his crying sister.

"He´s just mah friend, honest! Why does everypony misinpretenses- misispretent- no, miss..."

"Misinterpret." he said while he gently patted her head. "Ah understand. Ah really do. Ah know how it feels, that everybody assumes something even if it isn´t true. Even if there´s nothing more than friendship."

Apple Bloom looked up at the gentle smile of her brother,a bit confused. "What yah mean?"

Big Mac simply smiled. Nothingn. Let´s go home. Wanna ride yah back?"

"A-ah´m not a baby anymore!"

Big Mac simply waited for the filly to jump over. As he walked back to the farm, he thought that he would like to ask Cheerilee to go see a game like they used to do when they were younger. He missed those days.

Only in Japan

Demashitaa! Little Ponies Z!!

The city of Ponyville....

IS UNDER ATTACK!!

The evil Queen Chrysalis has returned from Tartarus and brought together all the evildoers who threatened the peace of Equestria. Gilda, the Diamond Dogs, Trixie, the Flim Flam brothers, Discord!

"Muahahahahahahaha!! Now we shall conquer all of Equestria!"

"Onee-sama!!" cried Princess Luna.

"Call the Elements of Harmony!!" Princess Celestia ordered.

Inside the library, Spike the dragon jumped and shouted for the Elements of Harmony to reunite.

"My Little Ponies Dawaa!"

And thus six regular ponies are transformed into super-heroines!

"Shining Sparkluuu!!"

"Rushing Applejacku!"

"Charming Rarity!"

"Bouncing Pinkie!"

"Twisting Rainbow!"

"Dancing Fluttershy!"

"Protecting Harmony, Friendship Heroines, Little Ponies Zetuuuu!"

And thus the six ponies fly together to defeat the evil Changeling Queen and her army of villains, each heroine armed with a different element of Harmony: the Ribbon of KIndness, the Clubs of Honesty, the Ball of Laughter, the Hoops of Generosity, the Rope of Loyalty and the Baton of Magic.

Together the Six Elements can create the Magic of Friendship!!!

"Blast!!! I´ll remember this, Little Ponies!!!" the Queen screams as she and the rest of the villains are blasted to the sky.

And thus the day was saved again by the Little Ponies Z!!!!!

(Author Note: I LOVE the Powerpuff girls anime!!!! Hope that someday My Little Pony gets to Japan and thus they made new openings and endings ^^!!)

Big sister promises...

"...and they lived happily ever after. The end. Well kids, that´s all for today." Amethyst Star said, closing the book.

All the foals in the room complained but Nurse Redheart appeared to bring order.

"Now now kids, Amethyst has to leave and you had to sleep. Now, lights off." and she pressed the switch. "Nursery Rhyme..." she called and the little nurse apprentice came out of the bedsheets and rushed to put on her cap and return to her station.

Both grown mares giggled and moved to the door.

"Thanks again for coming to visit the children. They always look forward for your visits." Nurse Redheart said.

"Me too. I love spending time with them." Amethyst said.

"I´m serious, Star. There´s only too much medicine can do for them so they need of ponies like you showing that they care for them."

"That´s what the Big Sister Program exist for. And don´t worry, they know you care for them too." she said, giving her nurse friend a gentle nuzzle.

Once they reached the front door, Redheart said. "Sorry you have to come here in Hearts and Hooves Day."

"It´s okay." she said levitating her saddlebags from the desk. "Its not like I have a date or anything for the day."

"Really? A cute mare like you?" Amethyst merely shrugged. "Well if you like I can introduce you to some nice stallions in here....or mares, I mean if you´re into mares, are you?" Amethyst put on the biggest poker face before leaving. "Oh Celestia..."

"And yes, I am." Amethyst poked her head and winked at her friend who after the initial shock couldn't help but laugh off.

Amethyst made her way back to her house. The festivities were already over and the entire town was packing all the party items. Pinkie Pie surely threw one heck of a party. Maybe she should have come, hang around with her friends, have fun and who knows, maybe met a nice stallion. But being with those sick childrens was more important for Amethyst, she had plenty of friends but those kids have nothing, they needed a big sister and that was what Amethyst was for them. Her Cutie Mark was kind of misleading, three jewels make it seem like she was superficial but actually they represent how she brought smiles that shine like jewels or at least that´s what she believed.

Amethyst smiled as she walked through the park but then something caught her attention. A single filly sitting on the swings, not playing but just sitting there. Amethyst approached the young unicorn.

"Hi, Tootsie!" the filly moved her head. "Remember me? I took you to a picnic a few weeks ago, Rainbow Dash tried to open the peanut jar and made a fool of herself." Tootsie barely nodded.

Amethyst moved to the other swing, putting her saddlebags on the floor. Tootsie was still quiet so Amethyst spoke. "So, what did you do at school for Hearts and Hooves day? I remember when I was filly we have to make cards for our classmates. I always got teased when I handle them to a colt because my friends began chiming uuuh Star has a crush, Star has a crush!" Tootsie kept quiet. "I miss those days. School was fun."

"School is stupid."

"You don´t like school. Cheerilee is one of my best friends, I know that she is pretty nice."

Tootsie kept quiet again.

"You don´t like your classmates? Dinky told me there are two fillies who are very mean."

Tootsie simply said, "I like some of them."

"Really? You mean like or like, like?"

Tootsie began to blush.

"Oh, so you like like a classmate? So how is he, eh? I bet he´s very cute, eh?" she playfully poked her.

"She is dumb! I just wanted to give her a card and told her how much I like being her friend and she completely ignored me! And now all she talks about is that dumb coltfriend of hers and those dumb Cutie Mark Crusaders friends of hers! And she forced me to spend the entire day with her on that stupid carnival trying to get me a special somepony when I don´t want a special somepony! She IS my special somepony, she´s my best friend and...and..." and Tootsie broke in tears.

Now it was Amethyst turn to be embarrassed she didn´t know what to said. THey kept quiet for a while, the moon slowly rising on the horizon.

"Its getting late. I better take you home." she finally said.

"I don´t want to go home." Tootsie complained.

"I´m sorry this day turned out so bad for you Tootsie but I´m sure tomorrow you´ll feel better."

"How do you know?" Tootsie spitted.

"I don´t but I promise you that things will get better." and she placed a hoof on her shoulder.

Tootsie look up at her. "You...promise?"

"Your Big Sister promises you."

Tootsie couldn't hold her tears any longer and jumped to Amethyst´s arms, crying out loud.

Amethyst gently caressed the filly mane. She may not be an Element of Harmony, she may not be an alicorn princess but she was this filly big sister and if the only thing she could do was hug her and promised her that things will get better, then that´s what she will do.

Dance of Yore

The curtains opened and all the lights of the room pointed at the top of the stairs.

"Introducing our Regent of the Night....Prrrrrrincesss Lunaaaaa!!!"

Luna took a few small and graceful steps to the stairs, stood her chest proud and announced. "GREE-ejem! Greetings our beloved subjects. May this celebrations brought joy and enlightenment."

The ponies respectul clop their hooves except for six young mares who cheered wildly like if they were in some pedestrian sports event.

Luna descended to the floor and smiled at her sister, proud to have been able to keep the volumes at tolerable standard.

"So glad you decided to appear, Luna." Celestia said.

"Of course. It would have been disrespectful of ours to ignore our subjects." she said and walked to the crowd, royal snout high as she greeted all the high society ponies. Luna was actually comfortable sticking to protocol so when PInkie PIe dragged her to the dance floor she was a little disoriented.

"Come on Princess, shake those hooves!!"

The ponies of Canterlot were a bit disturbed of the loud and rude manners of the Elements of Harmony so Luna searched from her sister approval before dancing. After receiving a single nod, Luna stood on her hind legs and extended a hoof waiting for a partner. She received Applejack who decided to show her what an Appleloosan dance was. Luna was a bit shaken but after being released she got a much more fitting partner on Rarity who at least knew what constitutes a waltz. Still, the movements of the Princess were stiff and old-fashioned and even Rarity had problems keeping up. As the dance continued the ponies began to stop and stare, causing Rarity to blush and Celestia to facehoof. Finally after a series of turns and bows, Luna stopped.

Silence.

"HAHAHAHA what was that?!"

Suddenly realizing that all the looks were on her, and not precisely looks of admiration; Princess Luan excused herself and basically flew to the garden.

"Rainbow!" Twilight chastised her.

"What?" Rainbow looked at her friend and the Princess. "What?”

In the garden, Princess Luna was hiding behind the statue of Friendship, trying her best to contain her tears of embarrassment.

"Princess?"

"Leave us be, Twilight Sparkle."

Instead, Twilight approached her. "The Dance of the Leaves. Its been a thousand years since the last time it was performed."

"You...knew that dance?"

"Of course. I read it in a book."

"Of course..." Luna murmured.

"It was beautiful, Princess." Twilight said, placing a hoof on her shoulder.

"The ponies disagree. Their looks showed confusion and disgust."

"Well, it was a little bit outdated so it came as a surprise. But I assure you´re a great dancer."

Princess Luna finally smiled. "Thank you, Twilight Sparkle. Could I...ejem! Could we ask a request from you?"

"Anything you want, Princess."

"Can you teach us newest forms of dance?"

Twilight practically beamed, so happy to teach a lesson. Any lesson. "Okay Princess follow my lead!"

Luna tried to but gave up after a few seconds. "Is that....how modern dance looks like?"

"Well, I may have improvised a few moves. Added a little bit of Sparkle!" she seemed proud of that. " The important thing Princess is to have fun. It doesn´t matter what other ponies think as long as you´re enjoying yourself."

"Oh so that is why you make yourself look as a buffon!"

"What? I do not look like a buffoon! I´m a good dancer!"

Twilight continued to defend her moves, further confusing Luna. Celestia watched the scene from afar and smiled. Luna was slowly catching up with the times and she had plenty of friend to help her do so.

An old joke

This an old Equestrian joke:

Why did the sick pony visited the chicken coop?

Why?

Because the doctor said he needed a chicken soup!

....

I said it was an old joke not a good one.

But few ponies knew the story behind this particular joke.

*****

"As you can see, my dear Carrot Top; the origins of Equestria were actually pretty humble." the Doctor explained, waving a hoof at the small farms in front of them.

"A-ha." the earth pony answered, clearly uninterested.

The Doctor sighed. "You know, Derpy would have appreciated the opportunity to see this."

"Yeah, well yarh stuck with me partner." she retorted.

"Don´t remind me..."

"Hey look at that, an unicorn farmer. Well, ah be silly that ain´ something yah see everyday." she said, pointing at the nearest farm.

"Even better. Recognize his pony Cutie Mark?"

Carrot took a good look and once she saw the four-leaf clover, her eyes went wide.

"Precisely, he started as a simple peasant before Star Swirl recognized his true potential."

Now Carrot was genuinely impressed but soon the moment was interrupted by danger, something that happened a lot with the Doctor around.

"ARgh! That cockatrice is attacking the chickens!" Carrot said and rushed to help Clover.

It was a mess of feathers as the chickens ran away in fear, Clover unable to contain them. Carrot finally was able to trap the cockatrice in a bag and toss her away. Unfortunately not before it laid eyes on the Doctor.

"Doctor are yah...green?"

"Yes it seem I ACHU!" and a nearby egg hatched into a full chicken. "am."

"Ah don't understand. Ain´t yah supposed to turn intah stone when looking at a cockatrice?" she asked.

"Usually but Time Lord physiology is kind of tricky. Instead I seem to have come with a severe case of Chronic Flu, in this case Chronic standing for ACHU!" a small seed grew into a giant tree. "chronological."

"So yar gonna keep doing that?"

"And worse. If I don´t stop this I could be sick for over 50 years."

The mere idea made Carrot turn white. "Is there any cure?"

"Actually it is and its very simple too. I just need to drink a good hot bowl of chicken soup."

"CHicken soup?"

"That´s right."

"Ah ain´t gonna cook that!" Carrot yelled.

"Figures. This actually why I stop being a vegetarian, you never know when you gonna need a cure for a strange disease. Listen Carrot, I don´t actually need you to cook the poo chickens, just made a soup with their feathers and I´ll be just fine."

Carrot took a good look at the farm, all covered in feathers including the poor clueless farm.

"That might be a problem..."

****

The story of how Carrot recovered every single chicken will remain a mystery for eternity since the Doctor was unable to join her, instead staying on the farm watched by poor Clover, who had plenty of troubles understanding this weird ponies. It was at times like this that the Doctor miss his TARDIS and her handy universal translator.

Carrot finally returned at night, wearing a suit of armor for some reason; returning to a farm that was a complete mess of things that were too old or too young for their respective ages.

The Doctor took a good look at his companion as she entered the bedroom. "Should I ask..."

"Please don´t."

*****

The next morning the Doctor was perfectly fine and both he and Carrot leave, leaving Clover with plenty of questions that went unanswered.

Years later, CLover told the story to his mentor who repeated the story for the king who told his daughter who bragged about it with her friends who spread the gossip and somehow, centuries later the only thing ponies remembered were the words "chicken soup."

Sturdy as a rock

"Oh look rocks!"

Rainbow Dash said , pointing sarcastically at the rocky valley. Of course, there was nothing but rocks since the Mane Six were all together in a geologist expedition. Twilight´s idea, of course. They walked along the tourist group to hear a professor giving a lecture about the different types of rocks that could be found on this valley. Out of the six the only two that showed any kind of real interest were Twilight and Rarity; Rainbow was pretty bored, Applejack had fallen asleep over Fluttershy shoulder and Pinkie Pie was her usual carefree self.

"...and this type of rock here comes from the Pre-discordian era." the professor said.

"Excuse me, Mr. Professor but you´re wrong. They are from the post-discordian, do notice the rounded tips caused by residual chaos magic." a voice said.

All the looks moved over to Twilight but amazingly it wasn´t hers; it was Pinkie the one who talked.

"Oh yes, you´re right child. May I ask your name?"

"Sure you can! I´m Pinkie Pie!"

"Uh Pinkie Pie...as in Doctor Pinkamena Diane Pie?!"

"Eeeyup!"

"Doctor? Since when you´re a doctor?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I have a P.h.D in Geology." she explained.

"...so you´re not a doctor then."

Rainbow decided to ignore all the angry looks she was getting from all the presents students and geologist.

Soon Pinkie Pie was surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of rocks admirers, she answered all their questions, showing an impressive amount of knowledge.

"I have no idea that Pinkie was a doctor. She never said anything about it." Fluttershy said.

"She is not a doctor...." a snarky pegasus murmured.

"Well darling, do remember she grew up in a rock farm." Rarity added.

Two mares had nothing to say, Applejack, because she was still snoring; and Twilight who silently move away from the crowd.

A few minutes later Pinkie found her, sitting under a tall rock.

"Hey grapey candy, there you are!" she said jumping to hug her but Twilight moved her head away. "What´s wrong?"

"Why didn´t you tell me? Why did you hide something so important from me?" she answered.

"Uh I wasn´t hiding anything I just...well, forgot about it."

"How can you forget something some important?"

"The same way I forgot to tell you your mother is in the train station?" Pinkie said, looking at a note under her left hoof. "Are you...mad at me, Twilight?"

"I´m not mad...and I´m certainly not jealous is that what you´re thinking. I´m just...frustrated. Why aren´t you here, doing research instead of wasting time in that bakery?"

"But I like being in the bakery!"

"But Pinkie, you have a gift! I heard you talking, you´re incredibly smart! Why waste that intelligence just throwing parties?"

"Because to me making ponies happy is more important that just knowing stuff." Pinkie said, looking completely serious.

"You don´t understand anything about science."

"And you don´t understand anything about being happy." and Pinkie Pie left.

Twilight remained there for a few minutes. She hated her big mouth and hated hurting Pinkie´s feelings. But she just couldn´t understand, in her list of priorities studying was over partying but Pinkie was different. She couldn´t force her ideas on her. Twilight facehoofed, she was a terrible marefriend at times. Note to self: buy some chocolates to apologize. No better yet, make some chocolates to apologize.

Twilight went back with the group and was witness of a funny scene.

"Jeez Rares, a rock. That´s...nice." Applejack said, trying her best to lie.

"Just take it, Applejack. And now rub it with your hooves." Rarity said.

"Like this?" after a few seconds the rock crumble revealing a beautiful set of shining stones. "Oh...nelly."

"Allow me." and Rarity levitated the gems, placing them in Applejack´s ear as improvised earrings, taking the chance to wink at Pinkie who suggested the present. Above her, Rainbow Dash brought Fluttershy closer.

Seeing the happiness on Applejack´s face, Twilight finally understood. She smiled at Pinkie who smiled back. Their relationship may have some ups and downs but in the end, it was truly sturdy as a rock.

"So Pinkie...” Rainbow said. “you´re not really a doctor, right?"

Big Brothers

It was a beautiful spring day in Ponyville, too bad a certain unicorn wasn´t looking at it.

"Come on Twiley, take your snout out of that book! That´s no way to spend your only day out with your big brother." Shining Armor said, using his magic to overcome the one of her sister and take the book away.

"Said the brother who drags me all the way to Ponyville to a boring inspection instead of a trip to the Palace Library like he promised." Twilight Sparkle said, pouting.

"I´m sorry but this was a direct order from the Princess, I can´t say no to that. You understand, right Twiley?"

She didn´t said anything and kept pouting.

"COme on, I´ll buy a dandelion sandwich. I know is your favourite."

Still pouting.

"And I´ll take you later to the Golden Oaks Library."

"...I want a hay juice with my sandwich."

*****

In another part of town, two siblings were collecting the afternoon apples.

"Big Bro, can ah buck the trees?"

"Eeeenope."

"Big Bro, can ah pull the cart?"

"Eeeenope."

"Big Bro, can ah use Papa´s hat?"

"Eeeeenope."

Applejack had enough and jumped at her brother's neck. "That´s all yah said! Can´t yah said something else?!"

"Eeeeyup."

"Big Bro!!"

"Listen apple seed..." he said, while putting her back in the ground. "Yah too small for doing all the manual work. Why don't yah better go help Grandma on the kitchen?"

"Don´t wanna! Wanna help yah with the farm, big bro! That´s an apple duty!"

Big Mac smiled at the little proud filly. "Ah have something yah can help with."

"Really?"

And he placed the hat on top of her head. The hat fell to the side, covering her face.

"Yah can keep an eye on this while ah work the trees."

Applejack adjusted the hat the best she could and basically beamed.

****

This was boring. The pink haired mare kept bringing scroll after scroll and despite how much she loved office work this office was such a mess that Twilight just give up trying to fix it. She wanted to go to the library.

"Shining..."

The mare kept throwing so many scrolls that Shining stop using magic and was forced to hold them on his hooves.

"Shining!"

And the scrolls kept coming and coming...

"I´m going to the library. Pick me up there!"

****

Big Mac was finishing loading the last cart while Applejack rested atop the piles of apples. Suddenly a squad of pegasi passed by carrying a cloud storm, one of them, an enthusiastic rainbow maned one, flapping so fast that a gust of terrible wind hit the ground, causing the Stetson to be drag away. Applejack jumped after the fleeting hat.

"And that´s the last one. Time to go home and get dinner. Are yah hungry, Applejack? Applejack?"

****

The librarian mare shook her head. Twilight wasn't there. Once he realized his sister was missing, Shining rushed to the library. It was the obvious guess but Twilight was prone to get distracted and had never visited the town before. There was no way to know which way she took. If only Cadance was here, she could fly over town and...

"´cuse me?"

Shining looked down at the small orange filly who tugged his arm.

"Can yah help me, mister?"

****

Big Mac rushed across the edge of the Everfree, unable to said a word. He usually was a very quiet pony because he wanted to, he prefered to only said what was necessary; but right NOW, when he needed to speak up, he was too scared to actually said something.

Thank Celestia he saw a glimpse of brown hat behind a tree.

"Applejack!"

But the little purple filly wasn't his sister.

"Oh...howdy."

The filly backed down. That happened sometimes, Big Mac keep forgetting he was pretty big for his age. He slowly sit down and smiled at the filly.

"Yah found mah hat. Thank ya."

She slowly got closer. "...I found it near the stream."

"Alone?"

She nodded.

"And,,,yah alone too?"

"I saw a firefly. You don´t see those in Canterlot. I followed it but I got lost." she was almost in the verge of tears. "My big brother will get mad at me."

Big Mac finally got close enough to pet her head. "Don´t worry. Everything will be fine."

She slowly smiled and wiped her tears.

****

In the town square, two stallions that carried two small fillies happened to find in the exact same spot.

"Big MacIntosh!"

"Shining!"

The fillies jumped to hug their brothers. Applejack began to apologize over and over again but Big Mac simply put the hat back on her head and hugged her.

Shining kept looking at Twilight with a stern look but when she looked up again found a big red shiny apple floating in front of her.

"The restaurant is closed." he said and then gently smiled.

Twilight smiled back and held the apple in her hooves. "I like apples too."

****

Later that night, two stallion shook hooves.

"Thanks for looking up after my little sister." Shining Armor said.

"Thank ya for keeping after mine, partner." Big MacIntosh said.

"Well, we better go back to the carriage. Sure you don't want to join the Guard? We can always use a big strong guy like you."

"Thanks but ah have a family to take care of."

"I understand. Come on Twilight, said goodbye to...oh, she´s already asleep." Big Mac looked at his back where Applejack was also snoring with the hat on. "Too bad, I bet these two will be the best of friends."

"Ah think the same."

Shining and Big Mac shared a brohoof and went their separate ways while their sisters smiled on their sleeps.

Pressure

I must finish this! The time is almost over, I must not get distracted, Ohh Pinkie Pie stop chewing bubblegum, oh I´m so nervous, look at Rainbow Dash she is so relaxed she probably didn't even study for this test, unlike me I got prepared oh no another minute went by! Paidattentionn, Twilight! What´s Fluttershy doing? Is she humming? Oh who cares I have to finish this, two more questions to go, is it A, B , C or D? Oh I don´t know....C! Oh no, I wrote outside the circle! Have to fix it! Wait I have no time to lose but it´s important to match the circles Rarity will approve, right? Just take a look at her test NO Twilight! You musn´t! Just a quicck look...what? She´s still on the first question? How co- auh! WHo threw that? Of course it was Trixie, she´s such a bully wait, I´m lost, which question I did las-

"Time is over, my little ponies!"

No Princess Celestia, I need more time! Don´t take away the papers!

"Let´s see...Fluttershy dear, what is this?"

"It´s a bunny."

"...interesting. Now after reading all your tests...

Already?

"The biggest score is for...Applejack!"

WHAT? But what about me Princess?

"Twilight Sparkle, did you wrote Princess Celestia has a huge fat flank?"

What? No!

"And you made this drawing of me breaking a chair with my big fat flank?"

No no no no no! It must have been Trixie! She changed our exams!

"How dare you, Twilight Sparkle? Dare to accuse the best student I ever had? The most magical unicorn in all of Equestria."

What?

"Twiley, how can you say such horrible things about my wife?"

Shining, no! You can´t marry her!

"Bad unicorn, Twilight Sparkle! Bad Bad Bad Bad!"

No no stop pointing at me! Please stop!

"What´s the matter, Twilight Sparkle? Can´t handle the heat? Then you better leave the oven!"

No no not you! We defeated you! We turn you back into stone! Why are you wearing Spike´s apron?

"Can I have some cupcakes?"

"Sure you can, Pinkie Pie. And now, who wants some chocolate rain?"

No no no no no no NOOOOOOOAAAAAAUHHHHH!!!! Spike! Why the hay did you bite me?" Twilight Sparkle complained, her hoof almost bleeding.

"You were yelling and crying and I try to wake you up and..." Spike was really nervous and waving his arms back and forth. Twilight realized how worried he was so she gently patted his head.

"It´s okay, calm down Spike. It was just a nightmare..."

"You´ve been having a lot of those lately. Sure you´re okay?"

Twilight hugged her little brother, hiding the insecurity on her face. "Yes, I´m fine. Now, go back to sleep."

Spike was about to jump out of the bed when he stopped. "Do you want me to sleep with you? You know, to protect you and all that."

He sure was a boy, always prideful. "Well, I may need someone to watch me over in case the nightmares come back. Think you can do it, number one assistant?"

"Sure I can!" and he jumped into the blankets.

Twilight used her magic to cover both with the blankets. As expected, Spike fell asleep first but Twilight didn´t mind. She looked up and found both pet birds watching over them, doing silent guard.

Twilight wished them good night before holding Spike close and drifting into a dreamless sleep.

If only...

Pinkie Pie was happily bouncing up and down when she saw Spike carrying a large box full of apples.

"Hey Spike, woah you certainly don´t want to see the doctor!" she said.

"Uh?" said the confused dragon.

"You´re carrying enough apples to scare him for a month."

"Oh, these aren´t mine. These are for Twilight." he explained.

"Twilight wants to keep the doctor away?"

"No! She´s having visits today."

"Visits? As in a pon is visiting the town for the first time?!" she yelled.

"I guess so. I don´t think that pompous prince had eve-" he didn't get to finish because Pinkie was already running through town at full speed.

Fluttershy was able to catch a glimpse of her coming through.

"Oh hello Pinkie Pi..."

"Notimetotalktheprinceiscomingtheprinceiscoming!!"

"...the price is dropping?"

She repeated the story to Rarity in the spa, who was as confused as her.

"Perhaps you misheard her, darling." Rarity suggested while getting a massage.

"Maybe. Maybe what she said was the prince is coming..."

"The prince is coming...as in the prince?! As in prince blueblood?!"

"I...I don´t know." the startled pegasus said.

"OhmyheavesIhavetogetreadyIhavetochangemyclothes!" Rarity yelled before running out.

Back in the library, Prince Blueblood came out followed by Twilight Sparkle.

"My aunt will be glad to hear about your progress, Sparkle." he said, levitating several of Twilight´s reports and then casually throwing them to the pegasi guards.

"Thanks Blueblood." she responded, pretty annoyed.

"And thank you for the treats. Those cookies you served were pretty tasty. Overall, you are quite a host. Although I still don´t think you needed to throw a bucket of water on me." he complained.

"Well Prince, you DID fall asleep in the middle of my presentation..." she said, through clenched teeth.

"Well, you can´t expect a royal to remain awake during such a long and boring exposition."

Twilight was seriously lighting her horn at this point, luckily SPike was around to restrain her. Just then Rarity arrived and saw the Prince moving to his carriage.

"Oh here he is! Oh he´s so dreamy! No Rarity you're a lady, act like one! Now, just walk slowly with grace, introduce yourself..." she was just two steps away from her dreams to come through. "Greeting my name i-"

"HELLO NEW PONY I'M PINKIE PIE NICE TO MEET YOU!!" and a shower of sparklers and confetti assaulted all the ponies.

Once her sight returned, Rarity was able to see the Prince again but the combination of a wet mane and sparklers made the Prince looks so heavenly handsome that Rarity just...fainted.

"Oh! the manners of some ponies! Twilight Sparkle, you should really reconsider coming back to Canterlot. This town is so ugh! pedestrian!" he said.

"I´m fine, thank you."

"Suit yourself. Take me home." he told the guards before jumping over Rarity like she was a mud pool.

Twilight and PInkie looked at the unconscious unicorn, who had the biggest of smiles, and merely shrugged.

Oh well, she´ll probably will have another chance to meet him at the Gala...

Green Eyes

It was a special day in Ponyville School because the School Fair was open, all the students presenting projects or models and plenty of game and activities to share in family. Apple Bloom basically dragged Applejack around, wanting to play every single one.

"Darlings, you look smashing today!" Rarity said coming over with Sweetie Belle at her side.

"Having fun, Rares?"

"Certainly. The school has put in quite a performance. So many colorful activities. Oh, I do recommend you and Apple Bloom take the free painting stand, you´ll love it!!" Rarity said rubbing her snout against her sister, both covered in paint stains.

"Well I..." Applejack began but she was dragged by her enthusiastic sister and soon the two were making a picture using nothing but their hooves.

"That´s...quite an interesting choice of colours, Applejack." Rarity said, looking at Applejack work. "Twilight could certainly use some green although not in her entire body."

"Thanks, I guess..."

Applejack apologized and left her sister playing with her friends while she went to get her hooves cleaned. Rarity observed the paint attentively until an idea came to her.

"Applejack dear, could you help me with something?" she asked. "I was about to buy these precious earring Silver Spoon made but I wasn´t sure which one will combine with Fluttershy´s blue mane."

"Oh okay...umh that one."

"Are you sure?"

"Su-sure, ah orange goes well with blue right? Right?" but looking at her friend face, Applejack realized the truth. her secret had been exposed, she ran away before being forced to give any explanations.

It was to no good, Rarity had been Applejack friend for years. She find her quite easily.

"Ah, guess I better just said it. Yes Rares, I can´t see colours. Never could."

Rarity sit down next to her. "Well, that certainly answer some questions. Like why you never place green apples and red apples in separate baskets. That always disturbed me."

"You were the only one disturbed by that. I usually can hide it but you have to be so damn attentive to details!"

"..."

"Sorry, didn´t mean to yell at you. It´s just...I hate this. I hate not being able to enjoy the world like you do."

"Whatever do you mean?"

"You know how Pinkie is always talking about colorful this and colorful that, and Fluttershy is always talking about birds and their feather colours; I always just nod along but I really can´t follow. They all seem alike to me. I can´t even see Rainbow´s tricks, they all look that sick kind of green, I guess. Heh, it is funny. I heard ponies saying that out of six of us, I´m the least special. Guess that´s the reason. I can´t see the world in nothing but those dull colours because I´m dull mysle-AUH!"

"Don´t you ever say that again!"

"Auh! Say it, don´t slap me...”

Rarity apologized and continued. "You´re one of themostt special ponies I´ve met Applejack. You´re brave and loyal and kind and always honest..."

"Not that honest, I´ve been keeping this from you for years."

"Yes, a mistake on your part. And mine too. I can´t tell who was the blind one, me for not realizing sooner; or you, for failing to see all your good qualities."

Applejack was shrinking more and more in shame.

"I actually envy you."

Applejack looked back at Rarity, asking silently "what?"

"I see the world just like anypony else, all the same colours. But you see something unique. Oh, I would love to see my dresses devoid of colours. Wonder how could I combine just dull tones maybe a match of black and white, OH idea!! pearls and onyx!!! Brilliant!"

Rarity was already lost in her own world of fashion and design. Applejack looked over at the school, filled with all sort of colorfoul colt and fillies, but throught Applejack eyes they seemed a dull kind of sepia. Despite of that she was able to spot her sister, laughing along her friends.

She may not see her in the bright red and yellow that everypony else does; but she was able to see the lovely filly that she called her sister.

Moonflower

"Big Mac...Big Mac, wake up!"

Big McIntosh opened his eyes to find his little sister clinging on his bed, a pillow on her mouth.

"Ah saw a ghost outside mah window. Can ah sleep with you?"

Big Mac said nothing.

****

"Applejack...Applejack, wake up!"

Applejack opened her eyes to find her little sister clinging on her bed a pillow on her mouth.

"Ah saw a ghost outside mah window. Can we sleep with you?"

Applejack was about to said something when she looked up and found Big Mac holding his own pillow.

"Really, big bro?" Reluctantly, Applejack got up and moved to the window. "What´s all this nonsense about a ghost?" She looked outside and saw exactly what her siblings meant. A shadowy figure walking through the orchard. "That ain´ no ghost, it´s a intruder and ah don´t like intruders on mah farm!"

*****

Applejack went all alone in the starry sky and tackled the mysterious intruder, only to find herself floating in mid-air.

"What in tarna-"

"Pray thee, fair Applejack. Despite the time passage, we are certain attacking your ruler is a capital crime."

"Princess Luna? What are yah doing ´ere?"

Princess Luna gently put Applejack on the ground while she explained. "We were looking for a specific location but it seems a thousand years have done major changes to these landmarks."

"Well, ah guess...this was nuthing more than a barren land until mah grand-grandparents moved in." Suddenly, Applejack solved those fancy mathematics on her head. "Wait, if you have been ´ere before, that had to be...."

"Fair Applejack..." Luna interrupted her. "Inform us. Which is the oldest landmark in town?"

"Oh...that would be the everfree Forest."

"Ah, of course. I remember now...not so far away from our old castle." and Princess Luna walked right into the dark forest.

****

"Princess, wait! We better go back! This place ain´ natural!" Applejack warned the Princess who gracefully walked through the vines and branches. It seemed like the forest was opening a path for her, making her go unscathed; unlike Applejack who kept getting cuts and scratches.

"We do not recall asking for your service." Luna responded.

"Ah know! But if ah don´ follow you and make sure yah okay, ah would never hear the end of Twilight scolding!" she said, taking her hat out of a greedy branch.

"And what makes you think you are capable of defending us?" The tone of the Princess was harsh and severe. Unlike Celestia, she could be pretty intimidating.

Applejack kept quiet and followed the Princess to a clearing. There, it stood a giant tree surrounded by glowly white flowers that danced in the moonlight.

Princess Luna approached the tree and gently caressed its crust. "You have grown so much, my old friend." and she softly nuzzled the tree, petals of pearly flowers placing by themselves on her mane.

"Princess. Wha-what is this?"

Princess Luna blinked, it seemed like she had even forgot Applejack was even there. "A moonflower tree."

"Ah never heard of it before..."

"Of course not. This is the only plant of its kind in all of Equestria. I made it myself. A thousand years ago, after we defeated Discord, my sister and I embarked in a task to restore Equestria to its original beauty. Celestia brought life back to the fields and forest while I molded the mountains and valleys. She created so many beautiful fields of flowers but Tia...Celetia made one mistake. All her flowers blossomed in the daylight and none in the moonlight. All the flowers closed their petals at night, leaving my nights to be a warren sight." Applejack noticed how much misery circled the Princess´ words and a sudden burst of guilt hit her troath. "I worked many years, magically altering a single seed to create the flower that would nurture form the moon. I took care of her like it was my own child but before I could see her blossom I...."

Princess Luna went quiet and for a second the valley covered in shadows and Applejack saw a small glimpse of a sad and furious mare in place of the Princess.

"I feel better now, knowing that its resting here. All these years, alone and secure."

Luna heard a noise and turned to find Applejack chewing off some of the flowers.

*****

Applejack opened the earth and dropped the seeds she collected into the land, where they will surely grow up into another majestic tree.

All the while back to the farm, Applejack had been quiet and Princess Luna was still unsure about her intentions. Applejack then moved next to a pair of gravestones, located in the far side of the farm. Applejack placed the flowers on top of them and took off her hat. Luna took a look at the names and understood.

She stood next to Applejack who simply said:

"...no longer alone."

The way to a ladyÂ´s heart

Ever since she met two newlyweds who opened their own business in a relative small Ponyville, Princess Celestia made a habit of visiting Sugarcube Corner whenever she had royal business. Due to her long life-span she was able to see the growth of the store, the arrival of Pinkie Pie and the birth of the twins.

One year she was enjoying her tea when Mr. Cake basically pushed his son in front of her. The pegasus was already a young colt by that time. He was carrying a tray filled with chocolate cupcakes and failing to hide his blush. Celestia smiled and levitated a cupcake to her mouth. She only took one bite but couldn´t help but go "squeeeee" in delight.

"Your son truly has talent, Carrot Cake. I will love to have him among my royal staff in the future."

Pound Cake was beaming with happiness but the moment got ruined by his sister singing "Tia and Pound sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

While the two siblings wrestled in the floor, Carrot Cake told the Princess "If you pardon my boldness Princess...you shouldn´t raise his hopes so soon. He´s just a small child and has plenty to learn. It will take years before he gets to that level."

Celestia simply said. "I can wait."

******

Many years later the door of Sugarcube Corner chimed as a bulky pegasus walked in the store.

"Family! I´m home!"

"You´re late! Whatever happened to our 30 minutes motto?" a unicorn complained.

"Oh excuse me, next time you take a flight to Cloudsdale! Oh wait, you can´t! You don´t have wings!"

"I can teleport you into the moon, you know?"

"Try it, shrimp!"

"Kids kids, stop fighting!" Mrs. Cake had to burst in and stop the twins. "Pumpkin, keep cleaning the tables! And you Pound...how was your flight back?" she said gently nuzzling him.

"I was careful, mother. Hey, Spike. Saw Rainbow today, awesome as always." Pound Cake said to the teenage dragon who spend the entire fight just eating cake and watching. He was about to answer when Pumpkin yelled at him

"Spike! Don´t talk while eating!" Pumpkin then noticed the teasing look her brother was giving her. "Stop it! We´re just friends!"

"Hey Pound, Pinkie left a letter for you."

Pound Cake took the envelope from Spike´s claw and read the content.

"My dearest student. Congratulations! You have completed your training. Your last task proved that you´re a worthy successor of our school´s name..."

"What training? I only did a delivery..."

"Now you´re ready for your ultimate challenge. Here you will find instructions to create the biggest cake in history that shall be delivered to none other than Princess Celestia herself."

The rest of the family wondered why Pound Cake fainted.

****

Pound Cake was extremely nervous, he was sweating more than that time a dragon chased him for disturbing his sleep.  Beside him Spike did he best to hold the largest piece of cake ever made for the family, the best work Pound Cake had ever done.

"You may pass." the royal guard said but Pound Cake was frozen in place.

Luckily, his sister was there. With one gentle push, she made him take that dreadful step.

The throne room was huge, scary even; but Pound Cake kept his face straight and bowed to the Princess. Celestia magically levitated a knife and spoon and took a bite of the cake.

"Delicious."

"So that means that..."

"Yes, Pound Cake?" Princess Celestia encouraged him to finish.

"Well, that proposal you made me years ago, about being one of the royal cooks...is that still on?"

Princess Celestia put on a stern face. "I´m afraid is not..."

Pound felt his heart crushed and Spike had to restrain Pumpkin from magically throwing a rock over the Princess.

Celestia descended the stairs and lifted Pound face with a gentle touch.

"I´m afraid I cannot have my husband locked in the kitchen all day."

Pound was so shocked he barely noticed the Princess kissing him.

*****

Pound Cake took a good look at the mirror. His beard had grown pretty large but it did matched his crown. He took the crown off and put on his cook hat, he still looked good. Celestia walked inside the room and greeted her husband with a small kiss on the cheek.

"The children are all asleep, my dear. And Luna has already raised the moon."

Pound nuzzled his wife back. "Sounds like we have the night for ourselves."

They decided to sit in the balcony, enjoying the beautiful night sky. Pound took a look at Celestia and realized she had aged less than a week in all these years while he was now about the same age his father was when he made that first tray for the Princess. Time had certainly affected them in different ways.

"Tia..."

"Yes, my husband?"

"I´ve always wondered. Why did you choose me? I mean, what´s so special about me to marry a Princess? I´m just a simple baker from Ponyville."

Celestia giggled a childish tone. "I´ve watched your for years. I´ve watched you grown from a lovely foal into a proud stallion. In all those years I enjoyed your pastries, filling with a warmth and happiness that I couldn't explain. A few years ago, I realized that it wasn´t the food but the love the chef but in every meal he made. I realized the reason why I was so happy to visit Sugarcube Corner every year, it wasn´t the food. It was you, Pound Cake. You made me happy. I don´t know if it was fate or simply a coincidence but I´m so glad that I met your parents and got to meet you."

Pound cake was blushing like when he was a child. "So...I conquered you through your stomach?"

Celestia laughed out loud. "You could say that!"

Pound and Celestia leaned into each other while Luna made the stars dance around the full moon.

Not Me

Spike hummed a silly song as he cleaned the last spot of dirt in the table. He double-checked the library. Everything needed to be perfect. After all, it was the day that they will return.

He was checking the windows when he heard the familiar roaring sound. He rushed to the door and jumped to Twilight´s neck.

"Youarebackyouarebackyouareback!"

"Calm down Spike! I was only gone a few hours!" she said.

"A few hours? You left for over two months!" Twilight face went pale. "I was worried sick about you! But a few days after you disappear I found this note that said when you were returning."

Twilight turned over to kill the Doctor with her mere sight. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot..." he absentmindedly said and wrote the same exact note in a piece of random paper.

Twilight decided to ignore that and returned SPike hug when she noticed a figure standing in the kitchen door.

"Princess Celestia!"

The Princess moved forward and Twilight rushed to greet her but upon seeing the sadness on her face she stop.

"Princess?"

"...is true then?" and the Princess almost broke in tears.

"What´s wrong? Princess Celestia..." Twilight tried to reach her but Celestia backed down.

Spike was just as confused as Twilight but before he could say anything the Doctor stepped in. "How?"

"You knew it?" Celestia asked.

"Of course I knew it. The strange thing is that you knew it."

"I heard her...every night, I heard her cry, calling me, begging for me to save her. Oh Twilight!"

"I could ramble about psychic connections across the dimensions but in the end, it will be a matter of you loving her that much..."

"What are you two talking about? I´m right here!"

"No Twilight, you´re not!" and they saw that small glimpse of the true nature of a Time Lord. Under the goofy pony there was a harsh and unforgiving overlord whose orders could not be ignored. "You´re not here. You were taken away, a long time ago. You have to remember."

"I..."

"Please, tell me where she is! Tell me where Twilight is!" Princess Celestia cried.

"I am Twilight! Why are you saying those things?!" Twilight in turn cried, backing down while Spike stood between her and the two other ponies, doing her best to protect her.

"I can´t tell you what you need to say. Remember, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight didn´t understood what was going on. She just kept going backwards until she hit a bookshelf, a photo album dropped and open at a random page. Seeing the picture of her and her friends at her brother´s wedding flooded her mind with hundreds of other pictures, other sensations, hugs, tears, love, fear, a figure approaching her in the darkness, glowing green eyes, darkness....

"Twilight? Why are you crying?" Spike asked.

"I...I remember. I´m not...I´m not Twilight."

"No, but your mind is connected to her." The Doctor explained and pulled his Sonic Screwdriver. The machine buzzed and Twilight disappeared in a flash of green light being replaced with a changeling. "I only needed a second to find her signal, now I can find her." he told the Princess.

The changeling noticed the terrified and hurt SPike and tried to approach him but he also step back. The pain in the changeling face was clearly visible but it was then replaced by a powerful pain all over its body.

"I´m sorry, your usefulness is over. But before you leave I have something to tell to your boss..." and the Doctor grabbed the changeling face and look straight at its eyes, pass its eyes, right into the eyes of the Changeling Queen. "I´m coming for her...and for you too."

And with that, the changeling turned into green dust and was wiped away by the wind in the wind coming from an open window.

Bubbles and Grapes

(DISCLAIMER: Don´t think too much of this. I´m just in a silly mood...)

The metal doors closed but Princess Luna´s doubt were still plenty.

"Dear Sister, I must insist. Twilight Sparkle is still not ready for such a task."

"Don´t take me for a fool Luna, I know Twilight will need help, that´s why I have a backup plan..." Celestia used her magic to lift the magic crystal which glowed and displayed and holographic images of dozens of ponies. "I have secret agents located in every town in Equestria, waiting for my signal to spring into action."

"I´m...impressed. When do you find the time to prepare all this, sister?"

"Ha, what did you think I spent the last thousand years doing Luna?"

"Mostly eating cake and playing childish pranks on your subjects..."

"Crystal, call agents Music and Candy!"

The picture of a green unicorn and an earth pony appeared with the words NOT AVAILABLE.

"What? Ugh I can´t believe those two...call agent codename Caramel"

The picture of a female earth pony appeared with the words NOT AVAILABLE.

"The flower trio?"

NOT AVAILABLE.

"Okay, which agents do I have available?"

The picture of a grey pegasus and a wine colored earth mare appeared.

"Bubbles and Grapes?"

"Don´t you mean Derpy Hooves and Berry Punch, sister?"

"Shhh we can´t use those names..."

"Your talent for melodramatic still remains after a thousand years sister..."

"Nevermind that! Send them to the Crystal Empire!"

****

Once the threat of King Sombra was defeated, agents Bubbles and Grapes returned to the castle.

"Tell me agents, how was your mission in the Crystal Kingdom?" Celestia looked at agent Grapes.

"....what? Ih yeah the HIC Crystal thinghie...it was fun! HIC I saw a jousting tournament and HIC hahaha flugelhorn..."

Celestia moved over to agent Bubbles. "....muffins!"

"...shut up, Luna."

"Yur pretty...auh, the floor is cold..."

"...MUFFINS!"

Shiny Apple

Sweet Apple Acres was big. REALLY big. You could easily get lost unless you were an Apple pony and even they have certain "forbidden" areas they never went too. Unfortunately that day Winona went chasing after a mean squirrel and Applejack followed her, getting inside an area where she shouldn´t have.

"Winona! Come on girl! We shouldn´ be in ´ere..." then Applejack´s eyes caught glimpse of a glowing gold apple. "Well howdy, ah ´ ve never seen an apple like that..." she grabbed the apple, ignoring the danger it was. "Wanna share a bit girl?"

Winona barked and jumped around as her master shared the apple with her.

****

Twilight Sparkle and Spike arrived at the Apple´s house and were greeted by Big MacIntosh.

"Howdy Miss Sparkle. Spike."

"Good morning Big Mac. Have you seen Applejack? She was supposed to come help me move some dusty bookshelves."

Being a pony of few words Big Mac simply shook his head. Just then Winona appeared and start jumping around, barking alarmed.

"What´s up with her?" Spike asked.

"She´s starting to make me nervous..." Twilight said, moving away from the dog that kept barking at her.

"Don´ worry Twilight!" Apple Bloom said, coming out of the house. "Big Mac ´ere can shush her in one sec. Show her Big Bro!"

Big Mac put his hoof on his mouth and whistled causing Winona to kept quiet.

"That was awesome!" Spike said.

"EeeeAUH!"

Winona disagreed and bite Big Mac.

"Winona calm down!"

Winona ignored Apple Bloom and kept pestering Twilight.

"Hey get away from here!"

Spike tried to stop her but he was tossed around like a haystack.

"What is all thise fracas?" Granny Smith asked, coming out too.

"Granny, Winona is acting crazy!" Apple Bloom cried.

Granny Smith looked at the dog who looked back with pleading eyes, hoping somepony will understand her. Granny Smith smiled and said

"Discorded apples, ain´ ?

"I´m sorry, what did you said?" Twilight asked as Granny patted the dog.

"Ah thought they were all goner. Guess there were a few bad apples left in the barrel."

"Granny Smith, what are you talking about?" Twilight insisted.

Granny Smith simply smiled at Winona who ran off and returned with the familiar Stetson hat.

"What does that mean? Something happened to Applejack?" Twilight insisted, now genuinely worried.

Granny Smith laughed. "She ain´no goner, she is..." and she put the hat on top of Winona.

Everypony gasped, including Apple Bloom.

"...ah don´get it." she said.

****

Back in Ponyville, Rainbow Dash and Rarity walked back to the Boutique, the former forced to carry a cart filled with several types of gems.

"Ugh, this is way too heavy! I can´t even fly while carrying it! Why do I have to carry this anyway?" Rainbow complained.

"Applejack had already offered to help me but I haven´t been able to find her in all day and out of the six you are the second strongest." Rarity explained.

"You know very well Pinkie is the stronger than me."

"True but she is not reliable to carrying shiny objects."

"Thats true...hey what gives? There´s Applejack! She was too busy to help you because she is..eating from a trash can?"

"Applejack, dear?"

"Heh, she is acting more like Winona." hearing the sound of that name caused the hatless pony to turn around and once she recognized Rarity she jumped over her and began lickign her face.

"Well well.." Rainbow said.

"Wai-this isn-isn´t what it looks like! APplejack stop it!"

Opalescence then pop out of the chart causing Applejack to stop, growl and began chasing her.

"Applejack! Leave my Opalescence at once!"

"There they are!" Twilight arrived with the entire Apple clan behind. She used her magic to separate the two animals, landing Opalescence on top of Big Mac´s head.

"Twilight Sparkle, explain to me at once what is happening!" Rarity demande din her best princess luan impression.

Twilight explained the whole story while Rainbow Dash laughed at the spectacle of "Winona" scolding "Applejack" who laid in the ground, wimping.

"Well that...explains a lot. But what are we going to do about Applejack?" Rarity asked.

"Don´worry yer tiny heads. The solution is but a few SUnny Berries." Granny SMith said, caressing the orange pony head.

"Sunny Berries, I remember reading about them in a book. They were the first type of fruit that blossomed after Discord´s defeat and they are extremely rare to find. They must be only a few dozen bushes in all of Equestria."

"Okay, I´ll start searching for them!" Rainbow said, happy to be free of the chart.

"Ah no need fer that! AH have a few samples right ´ere!" and Granny SMith pulled the shiny fuits. "Now open wide and..."

"Uh shinny berries!"

"PINKIEEEE!!!"

"Wut?" she asked, lickign her face.

"Pinkie what have you done?" Twilight yelled.

"What, they taste yummy and sunny!"

"What are you even doing in here?"Rainbowe barked.

"I saw Applejack playing dog and figured we were playing animals. I´m an elephant! WOOOOO!"

Everypony facehoofed, minus Big Mac.

"Now what ´re we gonna do?" Apple Bloom cried.

Everypony was worried and scolding Pinkie with their looks when "Applejack" tried to get a sniff off Granny Smith´s hoof. She found something as wrong with her so she barked at "Winona" who needed a time to understand. She then sniffed the hoof too and began smelling the air.

"What is she doing?" Rainbow asked.

"Of course! Winona´s enhanced sense of smell can lead her to the Berrie´s bush!" Twilight exclaimed.

The bush turned out to be enxt to where Rainbow held her pet competition so it was a good thing they brought her along. After she flew away from the cliff she handled the berries and with just one bite, the chaos magic was dispersed. Applejack hugged Winona and was ready to write a letter about this strange and new experience.

****

"Oh my Angel that apple looks delicious! So bright and shiny, it looks almost golden!" Fluttershy ate the shiny apple and turned over to Angel. "My you ate it too quick bunny angel!" the bunny shook his head. "You didn't? SO where´s your part of the apple?"

Angel Bunny pointed back and Fluttershy turned over to find a giant dragon licking his scaly lips.

"Oh my..."

Second Chances

Luna woke up startled. The nightmare vanished in a matter of seconds but the feeling of guilt and fear never leave. She left the bed and moved to the mirror. Her mane was still flat and dull but a few sparklers were visible, at least she had grown back to her original height. Her powers were slowly returning with each passing night.

"Luna, may I come in?" Luna didn't actually said yes but Celestia still went inside. "Good morning sleepy head!" her tone was always cheerful, like a spring morning.

"Is it morning? Or is it night? We can no longer tell..."

Celestia magically moved the curtains. "Its actually the afternoon but I figured this is what you will consider morning. Just like old times, sleeping all day and working all night!" Celestia joked but Luna kept her straight face. "Want me to call for breakfast or dinner in your case?"

"We have no desire for food, sister."

Celestia sighed. "Please, do you have to use the royal we when is just the two of us?"

"We...I apologize sister. Old customs die hard."

"So it seems. So, what do you want to do today? Want to take a walk across the castle? Or maybe visit the town, there´s a bakery I will love to show you!"

"Neigh sister. I don't want to leave my chambers...not yet." Luna turned over, making an effort to not take a look at Celestia´s face. "I will return to bed."

"As you wish." Celestia was about to leave the room when she stopped and levitated a black book with swirling stars on its cover to Luna.

"What is this?" Luna asked.

"A book, silly filly."

"We can tell that."

Celestia giggled. "Its a journal. You know, for writing...stuff."

Luna looked at her sister, puzzled. "Stuff?"

"Just write whatever you want on it. Whatever comes to your mind. I'm sure you had plenty of time to think." Celestia regretted those words the second they came out but Luna just kept looking at her present. Celestia slowly moved to the door. "Good night, Luna." and she closed the door.

"...good night, Tia."

****

Princess Luna opened the door of the chambers with her magic. The room was simple but practical, a bed, a desk, a mirror, a good room for a student. Obviously Trixie´s reaction was to sneer.

"Trixie Lulamoon, these will be your facilities from now on."

"These?" the unicorn complained.

"According to the rules of the magic duel which you agreed upon.." the Princess emphasized those words. "You are from this day forth my student and thus will be relocated to my castle."

Trixie levitated a worn out pillow. "Not exactly the glorious palace of the night that the Great and Powerful Trixie was expecting."

Luna sighed. "Must you refer to yourself as Great and Powerful even when is just the tow of us?"

Trixie raised an eyebrow and looked at the princess like if she had just asked if Celestia raises the sun.

"Your training will begin in the morning."

"I see no point in having me as your student. Do you want to compete with your sister or something?" Trixie covered her mouth and trembled. Her big mouth had already put her in enough troubles. She was surprised that Princess Celestia had no banished her to the moon or something for humiliating her student and "enslaving" (she preferred the term "improving") Ponyville.

"As flawed as she can be, Twilight Sparkle has no real knowledge of guilt over doing something wrong. It simply isn't in her nature to do harm to others." Trixie looked at the Princess who was looking through the windows at the night sky. "You know well the feelings of guilt and regret and thus you could never be a student of my sister..." and Luna looked straight at Trixie. "But fill the requirements to be mine."

Luna turned back leaving Trixie with her thoughts, she was feeling a strange mix of pride and fear. Being praised by a Princess felt good but the implications behind said praise made Trixie shiver. Her thoughts were interrupted by a black book with swirling stars on its cover floating in front of her.

"What is this?"

"My journal or so it was supposed to be. The truth is that for months I have nothing to write on it until now..." Luna smiled at her student. "On this journal I will record every single report of my student, Trixie Lulamoon."

Trixie smiled back and stand proud to say:

"Dear Princess Luna..."

Chasing

All these years, all this time trying to be like you, admiring you, wanting to soar the skies with you; and now..its all over. I have nothing left...

"I´m sorry Rainbow Dash. You´re just not cut for the team. We can´t have you around unless you stop being so reckless."

Reckless. I used to be proud to be called that.

"I´m sorry."

Don´t be Spitfire. Don´t be.

****

Rainbow Dash spent the next five days locked in her house, not seeing anybody. She even returned Tank to Fluttershy, feeling unworthy to even have a pet. Her friends tried everything to cheer her up; Pinkie tried to throw her a party, Applejack challenged her to a race, Twilight offered to help her train, but nothing worked.

That night Rainbow was crying in her bed, tears still able to roll; when a winged shadow appeared on her window.

"Go away Fluttershy. I don´t want to talk."

"Well, it certainly is a compliment to be mistaken with her but I believe these wings look so much better on me."

"Rarity, what are you doing up here? Did Twilight gave you those wings back?"

"I actually learned the spell myself, that´s why they look even better than before."

Rainbow growled and moved out of the bed. "Please leave, I want to be alone."

"And wallow in...umh, what was it we ponies wallow on again?"

"Look I just don´t want to speak to anybody, okay? I screw up, big time. I finally got the chance to join the Wonderbolts and I ruined it. I had to open my big mouth and show-off. I couldn´t be part of the team."

"Let me ask you something, what do you think of us as a team?"

"The six of us? We are a mess."

Honest as always, Rarity just giggled.

"Twilight barks orders that Pinkie never listens. Fluttershy is scared of her own shadow and I do nothing but argue with Applejack. I´m surprised we managed to do half of the thigns we did."

"And yet we did. Guess that proves you´re team material."

"I know you girls will always be there for me, but the Wonderbolts were my thing, my dream and now, I don´t have it anymore."

"Maybe you need a new dream." and Rarity gently nuzzled Rainbow. She felt electricity rush across her body as the silk and soft coat of her friend caressed her.

"You know, you and me are pretty similar." Rainbow put her defenses now and let Rarity´s arms surround her. "All the others are happy with their small lives but us two, we´re always aiming for more. Always chasing wild dreams." and she planted small kisses all over her neck. "Maybe we should stop."

"Or maybe we could run together." if Rarity was about to say something, Rainbow´s tongue suddenly getting inside her mouth stopped it. Always reckless, always bold, she pinned her no longer just a friend to the ground and tried to overcome her, to win her own, always rushing to the finish line.

"Careful darling. These wings are really sensitive."

Rainbow smirked. "Any other sensible spot of yours?"

Rarity giggled as Rainbow began to slow, she may be stubborn but she could learn a lesson. She could take things slowly. She wanted to.

****

Dear Spitifre: I want to apologize for some of the things I did and said to you and the other members of the teams. Big Mouth was the perfect nickname for me, I guess. I jsut wanted to tell you that I won´t try again to join the team. Don´t worry, I´m okay. I just realized that I had been chasing the same dream all my life and maybe, just maybe this is the time to stop and think. I´m still running, I´m still fying but now I´m flying towards another dream and I have somebody flying next to me.

Thanks for everything. Your friend Rainbow Dash.

She Smiled

"Princess! Princess, wake up!"

The curtains were opened and Luna felt the light directly in her face. It hurt.

"Rise and shine sleepy-head! Come on, up Princess!"

"I told you already to not call me Princess, Cherry Pie..."

"Uuups, sorry! But I´m so excited! Today I´m going to make a rainbow! A rainboooooow!" and the pink pegasus flew off the roof.

Luna got up slowly and moved to the mirror. She still found strange the sight of her head without the crown and horn. She had chosen to kept her wings, she couldn´t give up the joy of flight. She wondered why Celestia had chosen to be an earth pony but Tia was strange like that.

She went downstairs and found her caretaker soaring across the room, either making food or causing a small tornado. Luna slowly sit down in the chair as breakfast was served at the speed of lighting.

"I´m so excited!! Are you excited? Because I´m so excited! DId I mention I´m excited?"

"You remind me of your great-grandmother even more each passing day."

Cherry Pie giggled. " Grandma Pinkie said that the Princess was the best student she ever had. Well not you Princess the other Princess but she also was called Princes but didn't like to be called Princess.."

Cherry Pie kept on rambling while Luna finished her breakfast.

After breakfast she helped the feeble pegasus to put on her uniform and escorted her to the Weather Factory. During the ride there, Luna took the time to watch around Cloudsdale. The city hasn't changed that much from when it was funded, statues of Commander Hurricane replaced by statues of Captain Dash. Cherry Pie helped Luna move into the factory and flew into the rainbow sector while Luna walked into the literal eye of the storm.

She watched the clouds roar and the lightnings dance. She remembered the first storm that ever hit Equestria.

"BEHOLD OUR LOYAL SUBJECTS THY PRINCESS HAS BROUGHT YOU...STORM!!!!!"

The fear, the screams, the sorrow.

"Why, Tia? Why are they afraid of me?"

A young colt touched her shoulder, bringing her back to present times.

"You calculations were correct, director. The storm is a success!"

She smiled at him. She couldn't even remember the name of this colt so she just patted his head. That seemed to be enough to brought a smile to his face.

Luna watched the storm be released, all the ponies in the factory dancing and cheering around. So many smiles. So many happy smiles.

Luna fainted.

"Luna! Luna! Princess, please do something!"

Luna was about to tell Cherry Pie to stop calling her Princess when she noticed a lavender hoof stroking her face. She looked up and found a gentle and caring face looking back. A shiny crown and a glowing purple mane.

"Rest well, my friend." said the gentle voice.

Luna looked back at Cherry Pie. Please, do not cry. Just smile. That´s it, smile with me.

Luna closed her eyes.

She smiled.

Switchy-Friday

"LIsten up girls! I noticed that whenever we have an emergency the Elements of Harmony are never available so, with Princess Celestia permission, I have developed a new spell that will turn this unpractical elements into fashionable earrings!" Twilight Sparkle said..

"Oh darling I completely agree!" Rarity said.

"Who are you and what did you did to Twilight Sparkle?" Rainbow Dash mocked her.

"Trust me. They will look good and be practical."

"Well, ah agree with the last part. Ready to try it?" Applejack said and the other two nodded.

Twilight concentrated all her magic in the elements, covering them with a purple light. Once it dissipated the elements were small and pretty earrings...with only one slight problem.

"Hey Twilight I brought that book you wanAUH!"

"HeyaSpike!Sogoodtoseeyahdidahstartledyahdidahstartledyah?"

Spike blinked and wondered why Applejack was acting all...Pinkie Pie-ish.

"Oh you poor thing! Did that rude pony hurt you?" now Spike was even more confused as Rainbow Dash gently picked him from the ground and start to...caress him? "Applejack, that´s no way to treat a baby dragon!"

"Well, he wouldn't be such a baby if somepony wasn't so enable with him." Rarity said, acting nothing like her usual self.

"Hmph! I don´t need to take care of the little guy! He can handle anything, right bro?" and Twilight grabbed him and began to rub his head in a “brotherly" manner.

"Mmh, it seems Twilight spell accidentally misplaced the elements and that affected our personalities as well. What do you think, Pinkie Pie?" a strangely calm and collected Fluttershy asked.

"I think this room will look simply fabulous with some balloons! Or maybe some streamers! Uh I know! sparkles!

"Twilight Sparkle, you need to repeat the spell immediately!" Fluttershy ordered.

"All right all right, hold your horseshoes!" adn Twilight reluctantly repeated the spell.

"Did it work?" Spike asked after the flash.

"Oh my poor baby brother! What have I done? Are you hurt? Were you scared? Do you need anything?" Spike wasn't sure which Twilight was worse, if the "big brother Twilight" or the "big sister acting like a mommy Twilight."

"Guess the spell didn´t work again. Figures." a brutally honest Fluttershy complained.

"Muahaha look at Spikey Wikey!" Rainbow laughed.

"Calm down, we just need to repeat the spell again." an unusually focused Pinkie Pie said. "Rarity I´m afraid you'll have to do it."

"Always ready my captain!" Rarity made a salute to Pinkie.

"I´ll go make some tea and pastries, darlings." Applejack chimed as she moved to the kitchen.

From inside the library a bright flash could be seen.

"Did it work?"

"Oh Spike partner! Are you alright?!"

"Lets try again."

And from inside the library another bright flash could be seen. And then another. And another.

Looking at all those flashes Luna simply had to ask Celestia. “You do remembered to tell her what happened when we accidentally exchanged our elements, right sister?"

Celestia put on her best Liarjack face.

Unbreakable Bonds

"Rainbow Dash! Come back here this instant!" Spike yelled to no avail. The cocky pegasus smiled and did a few loops around the stoic pegasi guards that kept their route straight to Ponyville.

"You guys are boring. You didn't even wanted to race with me..." and Rainbow did a final loop, returning to the chariot.

"About time! You think this is the way the personal student to Celestia should act?"

"Awww give it a rest, demandi-pants! If I really am the best flier of Equestria I have to show it to everypony!" Rainbow Dash said while the guards rolled their eyes.

"I never said best flier and besides Princess Celestia didn't send you to Ponyville to show-off!"

"Yeah yeah something about the Elements of Harmonic or whatever...booooring! I have a better idea, lets see if I can pull off that awesome Sonic Rainboom again!" and she jumped off, soaring the skies like a comet.

"This won't end well..."

Spike´s complaints tured to be right since Rainbow failed to perform the maneuver, bounced in the air cushion, bounced over a few rooftops before crashing into the ground.

"Oh heavens that was ohohohoho quite the spectacle I said!"

Rainbow took the white hoof that was offered to her while she rubbed her head with the other. "Yeah, old trick, didn´t quite work..."

"Oh but those colors and those movements ohohoho fabulous!" the white unicorn that had offered her help kept laughing much to Rainbow confusion.

"Here partner, let me heal that nasty bump fer yah." an orange earth pony kindly offered to tend to Rainbow´s wound.

"Oh you must be Rainbow Dash. Two minutes late, I afraid." a lavender unicorn that was levitating a quill and a paper scroll said.

"Oh my, am I late? I was just gathering all these apples for the festival..." a meek yellow pegasus that was hovering above them apologized.

"You´re quite in schedule Fluttershy, Pinkamena is the one who is awful late." the purple unicorn complained again.

"DOn't you worry silly mare. Pinkie Pie never lets her friends down!" the white unicorn reassured her.

Rainbow laughed, wondering what kind of group had she just met.

****

The black alicorn laughed, sure of her victory.

"You´re wrong Nightmare Moon because the Elements of Harmony...are right here!

Twilight Sparkle, who guided me through the dark forest when my wings failed represents the element of Honesty!

Applejack, who kindly helped the Furbobs, even after you forced them to set us a trap represents the element of kindness!

Fluttershy, who selflessly gave her feathers to help the phoenix rise again represents the element of generosity!

Rarity, who even in those dark caves never lost her smile and showed us the exit represents the element of laughter!

And Pinkie Pie, who rejected your offer to leave the labyrinth and waited for all of us represents the element of loyalty!

When the five elements are together it creates the spark for a new one, the element of magic!"

And Rainbow Dash rise to the ceiling, covered in a bright rainbow of magic.

The rainbow hit the alicorn, who screams as her armor is shattered...

***

...and that´s always when Twilight Sparkle wakes up.

"That dream again?" Spike asks, clearly annoyed that his sleep was interrupted. Again.

"Yeah but I think this will be the last one. I covered all possible combinations..."

Spike climbed to her bed. "I liked when Fluttershy took your place, she was nice to me. I did NOT like when you were the element of generosity. Having a crush on you? Nuh nuh!"

"What are you implying? I´m not as pretty as Rarity?" she teased him.

"We better not go there..." and he returned to his bed. "What do you think those dreams meant Twilight?"

"I don´t know but one thing was sure. No matter who was Celestia´s student, no matter which mare represent which element; the six of us were always meant to be together."

"The seven of us." he corrected her.

"Yes, the seven of us."

"Good night Twilight."

"Good night Spike."

Twisted Mirror

Twilight Sparkle levitated the dark crystal, watching her reflection twist on its surface; when the sound of hoofsteps distracted her.

"TwilightTwilightweareherewearehere!" Pinkie shouted as she bounced down the stairs followed by the other girls.

"Hey Twi, Spike said you needed us. What´s up?" Rainbow Dash said.

"So glad you could make it. Here´s the thing, remember that door I told you about? The one that showed your worst fears?" Twilight asked.

"Yes. It was...awful." Fluttershy trembled.

"Well, here it is." Twilight said and levitated the dark crystal.

Understandably, all the girls backed down.

"Twilight, what the hay are yah doing with that thing?!" Applejack yelled.

"I went back to Crystal Kingdom and recovered it. I wanted to study it, to understand how it works."

"Twilight, that is dark magic. You shouldn´t be playing with such a thing!" Rarity chastised her.

"But I´m not playing Rarity, I´m studying. Preparing for King Sombra´s return. I´m not entirely sure he´s gone for, he may return and I need to be ready. I need to understand how his magic worked." Twilight explained, her eyes glowing an eerie green.

All the girls were concerned so Applejack moved forth. "Twi, Rarity is right. Yah shouldn´ be ´round that thing. Whatcha yah said you put it down, ´kay Twi?"

"...okay Applejack." Applejack smiled but instead of putting it down, Twilight moved the crystal right in front of the farmer.

"NO! No! What happened to Sweet Apple Acres? Big Mac, where are yah? Apple Bloom? Granny?"

Rainbow Dash rushed to push Applejack. "Twilight, are you crazy? Stop it!"

Twilight moved the crystal again, trapping the pegasus.

"What? W-where am I? Girls? Where are you? I´m alone...I don´t like being alone!"

"Twilight, stop this!" Fluttershy cried.

"Why? Don´t you want to know what are your biggest fears, your worst nightmares? That your animal friends no longer like you Fluttershy? Or maybe that nopony wants to be your friend Pinkie?" Twilight asked, her tongue growing long and viperish.

Both pink maned ponies cowered in fear but Rarity step front, using her magic to take hold of the crystal. Twilight tried to regain control and bot ponies struggled, the crystal moving back and forth in the air. Rarity began to cry, her mind assaulted by the crystal evil magic but finally she succeeded, pushing Twilight into the ground.

"Rarity, are you okay?" Fluttershy helped her got up.

"Ye-yes. Spike, be a darling and bring me a box to hide this awful thing." she said to the little dragon who had been hiding under the stairs the entire time. "Fluttershy, don´t worry about me. Take care of them." and she pointed at both Rainbow and Applejack who were still in quite a shock.

Rarity looked at Twilight who was unconscious on the ground.

"Rarity..."

"Yes, Pinkie?"

"What did you see? When the crystal touched you, what did you..."

"I don´t want to talk about it."

Twilight remained there, a small trace of dark magic escaping from her closed eyelids.

****

Twilight put the crystal down in the table. She wiped a few tears brought by the illusion.

"So that´s my worst fear...." she said to nobody.

She had brought the Crystal back from the Empire, hiding it from her brother and friends. Not even Spike knew she have it. Twilight wasn´t quite sure what made her brought that thing back but she did know it was a mistake. That thing brings nothing but misery.

She lifted the crystal, ready to smash it against the wall, she held it in the air, watching her reflection twist on its surface and then she put it inside a box and hide it behind a bookshelf.

"Twilight! Dinner is ready!"

"...coming Spike."

Twilight walked up the stairs, her eyes blinking in a dark green glow for just a second.

Farwell Party

Farewell Party

The sun bathed the village in a golden glow, the roof of the hut doing little to keep the suffocating hot away. The yellow pegasus flapped her wings in a useless effort to cool down the room. Just when she was about to fall into a deep slumber, one of the few ways to pass through the day, a little zebra came running inside, jumping effortlessly, the heat doing nothing to slow down her enthusiasm.

“Pardon, breezer o´ summer, a missive of farther lands arrived in terms of equine without stripes but two golden spheres that face the opposite way!”

Fluttershy looked at the zebra foal confused, she had always trouble trying to understand her.  Luckily, Zecora came to explain.

“What my enthusiastic little sister tries to explain is that for you has arrived mail.”

Fluttershy went out and smiled upon meeting again the familiar, cross-eyed face of Derpy Hooves. How the pegasus had made the travel all over the desert was a feat she couldn´t do less but admire.

“No matter the weather schedule or the princess routine, the Equestria Post Service will always-“ she fell down before she could finish.

“Brother, perhaps it will be best to carry Mrs. Hooves inside for some well-deserved rest.”

The bulky zebra stallion put Derpy on his back and the three zebras went inside another hut. Seeing Zecora family together Fluttershy couldn´t help but giggle, remembering another family.

She opened the letter that Derpy had risked wing and limb to bring and tears began to form right upon reading the first line:

Dear Fluttershy.

I hope you receive this letter because it will most likely be the last one I could write in a long time.

Tomorrow morning we, that being me and Spike, will aboard the airship that will take us to the Eastern Lands where I will begin my training under my new teacher Kimono. Spike is excited upon seeing a land where dragons are treated like nobility and can´t stop nagging Kimono with all kind of questions. While I´m also anxious to begin my studies, I can´t help but feel a little sad of leaving my home in Canterlot once again.

Pinkie Pie of course insisted on having a farewell party for us. I still can´t get used to her new appearance, with a short haircut Pinkie looks so mature, something really strange on her. Luckily, she still is her usual cheerful self. And I must say under the tutelage of Gustave Le Grand she had really improved her skills! Living in Canterlot had done wonder for her cooking but I´m still afraid that she will break in Palace with some ridiculous excuse for a party one of these days.

You´ll be happy to hear that Rarity managed to find the time on her tight schedule to come to the party. I don´t know if fashion magazines are available on the zebra land but you should see how famous and known across Equestria she has become. Thanks to Fancy Pants connections, Rarity had finally fulfilled her dreams of becoming the most popular of ponies.

In a strange twist of fate, Rainbow Dash arrived first at the party while Applejack did last but she is excused since Appleloosa is several hours away on train. Applejack has changed a lot on these few months, she looks older and she combs her hair different now to mention she now sounds much more mature and confident on herself having a whole orchard of her own in the desert. Living with griffons in the other hoof has done nothing to improve Rainbow attitude, if anything she is even cockier than before. I guess is a necessity to endure the harsh northern regions and I was glad to see her one last time before she travels further north. I still sincerely doubt that she needs to wear that eye patch.

Although the party was supposed to be about Spike and me you quickly became the central topic, Fluttershy. I know you had to leave first since the travel to Zecora´s land was longer and more dangerous, with so few routes to connect it to Equestria. You couldn´t even take Angel Bunny with you (he is fine by the way, all the animals of your cottage are, Scootaloo is doing an excellent job taking care of them, honoring her Cutie Mark).  I feel bad about poor Derpy Hooves, imagining the journey she will have to endure to deliver this. We all began to talk about you and how much we miss you. Rarity whined (sorry, complained) for over an hour about missing your weekly spa session and Rainbow couldn’t hold the tears remembering you days on Flight Camp and she admitted it was because of you that she struggled to always be strong, to always being able to protect you.

As for me, I miss you the most my friend. I always felt like, both you and me, shared a special bond. Probably because we were the “awkward” ones of the group, always the quiet ones. We didn´t share Pinkie spontaneous nature of even Applejack natural charisma. We always kept everything inside, always having trouble to speak our mind. Always keeping quiet…I´m sorry, I think I´m letting too much of myself on this letter and forgetting the important thing.

We miss you, Fluttershy. We never realized how important you were for us, how you holds us together. And yet, you were the one who broke the group apart. You, shy and quiet Fluttershy, who announced she was leaving not only Ponyville but Equestria all together, wishing to know more about animals and medicine, accompanying Zecora on her journey back to her home. I´m repeating your words because to this day I can´t believe them. I can´t believe you move away. I can´t believe I never dare to…

Please Fluttershy. Be safe. No matter the distance, no matter where destiny take the six of us (and you Spike, of course you too…) the bonds we share will never break.

Love

                                                                                                Twilight Sparkle.

Fluttershy folded the letter and hold it close to her heart, letting the tears flow freely. She missed her friends, all of them. She missed those words never spoken.

She looked at this strange and far away land she was one. It was her decision coming here, hers alone. She wanted to be stronger; she wanted something only for herself. She had no regrets.

She smiled back at the zebra family and trotted inside the hut for a warm and spicy meal. She had plenty of work to do under this hot sun, the Princess farewell gift to her.

Grey Sky

"Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!"

"Rainbow, how could yah be so careless?!"

"Ugh, that wound looks really gross..."

"Is Pinkie Pie! How could I know she would actually got hurt for falling from a cloud?! She falls from weird places all the time!"

"Quiet! She is waking up!"

"Pinkie Pie dear, are you all right?"

"I guess so...I just have one question..."

The five mares and the dragon looked at the pink bandaged pony.

"...who is Pinkie Pie?"

****

Dear Princess Celestia

I´m afraid this time I´m writing to ask for your help because this is a problem that seems not even my academic skills can solve.

While playing a prank with Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie fell and hit her head. The wound is not severe but it seems to have caused her amnesia. She can´t remember our names or even her own. Her hair is straight now and her body has lost all her bright. She had reverted back to the days when she lived in a rock farm.

But the worst part is that losing her memories she had lost the one thing that made Pinkie Pie so special, her friends. She can´t remember anypony, not only us six but all the friends she made over the years. Zecora, Cranky, even Gummy seems a stranger to her.

Losing her memories have no only affected her mind but also her spirit. She has lost the desire to make new friends or even to hang with her old ones. We try to throw her a party but she just sit all alone in a corner, not saying a word. She doesn´t want to play, she doesn´t want to bake, she doesn´t want to sing.

We have tried everything to cheer her up and bring her memories. Rainbow played some pranks on her to no avail, Rarity designed the most ridiculous of outfits but that didn´t made her laugh, Spike a (quite frankly really bad) stand-up routine but she said nothing. Not even the Cake babies worked! Once they started crying Pinkie simply hush them and they got quiet!

I´ve ran out of ideas, Princess. I simply don´t know what to do. I wrote a letter to her parents, they would come pick her up this afternoon. Please Princess, I need your help. I don´t to lose the very first friend I made in Ponyville. I would have never discovers how wonderful friendship is have not Pinkie threw that party for me. She offered me her friendship and I don´t want to lose it.

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.

*****

Pinkie´s family arrived on a carriage that afternoon. Pinkie didn´t said a word as she moved, a line of ponies waving goodbye to her. Rainbow tried to play strong but she finally broke in tears. Even Applejack was crying, needing her grandma to comfort her. All of Pinkie´s friend were there to said goodbye but she couldn´t care less. SHe had no memories of them so she just got up on the carriage and took off.

"Wish I could have done something..." Twilight said as she entered Golden Oaks.

Spike was about to said something but instead he burped a scroll. "Hey! A letter from Celestia!"

"I´m afraid it arrived a little too late...what does it says?"

"Umh...remember your first day in school. What does that have to do with Pinkie?"

"My first day....of course! Oh, what a stupid stupid pony I am! Rainbow Dash!"

"...ugh?"

****

Far away from Ponyville, Pinkie´s father pulled the carriage while his wife and daughter sit on the back. Just then a powerful explosion hit them from behind. They turned over to see the most spectacular of explosion, flashing with all the colors of the rainbow, spreading across the sky.

Pinkie watched the spectacle, her eyes growing bigger until finally her hair exploded in a rush of happiness.

"A sonic rainboom!!!! Wasn´tthatthecoolestawesomestsuperduprfantasticthingyouhaveeverseeninyourlifes?! Oh that was fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic! All the colors, all the sounds, all the woosh and wiish and woooooahhh!"

Pinkie jumped up and down, her usual cheerful self back and her parents could do nothing more but laugh.

The Sun and the Moon are confused

Princess Celestia and her sister were on the royal chambers, just enjoying each other company when a soldier bursted in.

"News from Northern Equestria" and he took out a letter. "A message from Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince Shining Armor!"

Celestia levitated the letter and a smile appeared on her face.

"Oh such wonderful news! Cadence and Shining are expecting a foal!"

"Expecting a foal to do what, sister?"

The guard looked at the Princess, wondering if she actually had said that.

"Its an expression Luna, it means they are about to be parents."

"Oh...how?"

"Well, you see sister...its..."

Now the guard couldn´t believe Celestia had no answer.

****

"You got to be kidding me."

Twilight said unable to understand the motive the Princess had show up on Golden Oaks.

"You want me to explain where foals come from? Aren´t you two over a thousand years old? Shouldn´t you know this from a very long time?"

"Well not exactly, you see we were both raised as Princess, secluded in a castle,  trained to rule the country  and remain pure and virgins so we were never told how did ponies...you know...when their like each other very much and then touch their hooves and..."

Twilight jaw almost hit the ground seeing the Princess blushing. Actually blushing.

"Okay, I´ll explain everything to the princess..."

"Wonderful!" Celestia didn´t leave. "Can I watch too?"

****

The next day the Mane Six had made an improvised stage on the library.

"Why do I have to do this?"

"Its a request from the Princess, Rainbow! You can´t say no!"

"No I mean, why do I have to play the colt? Shouldn´t we call Big Mac or some other pony?"

"I second that proposal." Rarity said, seeing as she was playing the mare.

"No. I want to keep this to just the seven of us. I´m sure the Princesses are really ashamed by this whole situation."

In the couch were both Princess and Spike were sitting. "Sister, are we going to watch them engage in the mating ritual?"

"I don´t know..."

"Twi, this whole idea is ridiculous."

"Well Applejack, I´m out of ideas. How did you learn about babies?"

***

"Look at the pigs Applejack, one day yah´ll be watching over them."

"What are those two doing, papa?"

"Umh....here haystack, yah have my hat now! No, no don´t lift it..."

****

"Good point."

THe play finally began.

"When a colt and a mare really like each other they are ready to have a foal..." Twilight narrated.

"So I like you and stuff baby..."

"This is the worst production I have ever been...."

"And the move to the bed, where they would make the baby..."

"Don´t get any funny ideas Rainbow." Rarity said as she lied on her back.

"Oh I don´t know, I´m sort of a method actor." Rainbow said, moving on top of her.

"Don´t you dare, Rainbow Dash!"

"Why? Afraid you may like it?"

"Stick to the script!"

"Ugh now wife, let us make a baby."

"Okay."

"And then the male inserts his p-"

"Hey Pinkie! I want to hear!"¨

Pinkie pet her hooves on the dragon ears while singing the cupcakes song aloud.

"...and finally after months of waiting the baby is born!" Awkard silence. "Fluttershy that´s your que!"

Fluttershy was basically kicked from under the bed and she fell to the ground letting go a small "yay"

"And that´s how babies are made! Any questions?"

"That was certainly interesting! Sister, do you wish to have babies with me?"

"...what?"

"Yes! it sounds so entertaining!"

"No Princess! You misunderstood!" Too late they both teleported back to the castle.

"...well, that went well."

"I have question Twilight."

"Yes Spike?"

"Who laid the egg, Rainbow or Rarity?"

"..."

Rainbow pointed at Rarity, getting a slap in response.

(Author note: ....yeah.)

Last Report of the Year

It was a quiet and sunny day in Ponyville and Fluttershy breathe in relief. The weather is perfect for a tea party, she thought; so she filled her saddlebags and headed down town.

She decided to start with Twilight Sparkle, whose library she never abandoned.

"I´m sorry Fluttershy but this is the last day of the year, the most important one! Spike bring me those records! We need to organize everything for the new year! Even the Princesses have all of Canterlot running around, the change from day to night has to be perfect! Spike, where are those records!"

Fluttershy sighed and moved on; one name crossed, five more to go. She moved to Rarity´s boutique, her closest friend, always have time to share, such was the Element of Generosity.

"I´m terribly sorry darling but I´m just buried under piles and piles of delayed work! I have to finish all these orders before noon otherwise my whole reputation will be ruined! Do you understand that?! My. Whole. Reputation!"

Fluttershy left Rarity to her antics, she clearly had no time for biscuits. She moved next to Sugarcube Corner where Pinkie Pie works, the party planner extraordinaire once she hear of her idea will jump off her hooves.

"No way Jose! I can´t leave now! The Cakes are waaaaay behind schedule and they need me to both watch the babies and help on the kitchen! I´ll need like five extra hooves to keep on! Hey, maybe I can use that Mirror Pool again! Why did we closed that thing again?"

Fluttershy was about to speak up but decided against, Pinkie had her hooves full with Pumpkin and Pound Cake. She decided to take flight, hoping for Rainbow Dash find ; she may like to hang-out, despite her reluctance to sit-down.

"Are you crazy? We need to gather all the clouds and clear the skies for the next week! I have all the pegasi flying around town like crazy! In fact, why aren´t you helping? AGH! Derpy, don´t gather the storm clouds!"

Before she was forced to work, Fluttershy flew down ground. She walked all the way to Sweet Apple Acres, home to her friend Applejack; who she hold as one of the closest, despite searching for her last.

"Ah´m awfully sorry sugarcube but we have to gather all ´em apples before night falls! Ah don´have a minute to lose ´ere! Rotten apples, ah already lost one ´ere! No offense but ah have to run!"

Fluttershy looked at her list, all the names crossed, without a doubt her plans for sharing the day with those close to her heart have been crushed.

She sit down at the edge of the Everfree, the scariest place she could think off; but at those late hours when the sun was going down, the place was filled with an atmosphere of bliss and peace. She heard the sound of hoofsteps near by and turned around, finding a friendly face at long last who smiled in return.

"Greetings Fluttershy enjoying an afternoon meal? Perhaps we can share a seat and a cup of my home-brew tea."

Fluttershy smiled at Zecora and hand her a biscuit, before they were all devoured by Angel Bunny.

The two mares sit down and shared a cup, the last day of the year, nothing eventful to report.

Flawless Plan

"...and then she levitated my cello, without the slightest of regards of course, and tossed it outside! Could you believe her nerves" Octavia said finishing her cup of tea.

Twilight sighed, suppressing the urge to teleport out of the room. Back in Canterlot she barely talked to the musician, they were mostly on the first name basis due to sharing the same dorm, so it came as a surprise when Pinkie Pie introduced her to DJ-PON3 who just happened to be Octavia´s marefriend. Since then Octavia had decided to become Twilight´s friend, showing up whenever she had a problem with her significant other, which seemed to be a weekly routine.

"And then she told she will never play with me again! Hmph! She should be thankful I bring some class and sophistication to her "bombastic" performance."

Celestia save me, Twilight murmured.

Luckily she heard because Spike appeared in that moment.

"Twi..."

"What´s that Spike? Princess Celestia sent a letter? King Sombra has returned? Oh my goodness we must gather the Elements at once! I´m sorry Octavia but we must cut this meeting, it was lovely hope we see each other again soon bye bye!" and Twilight levitated the confused earth pony out of the library.

Spike crossed his arms. "Rude much? I was just gonna ask if you wanted more tea..."

Twilight sighed again. "I´m sorry Spike but that mare drives me crazy! She always has something to complain! I don´t understand how they fell in love to begin with, they have nothing in common!"

"Looks who´s talking."

"We do have things in common. We..." but Twilight was interrupted by a knock in the door. She feared Octavia had returned to complain some more but behind the door a white unicorn waited.

"Umh heya Twilight was it?"

****

"Thankya again for helping me, Twi." DJ-PON3 or Vinyl Scratch as she went by outside the stages, said while the two unicorns walked down in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres.

"It´s okay Vinyl. I can´t just ignore a friend although I still believe this whole problem could be solved if you just say sorry."

"Yeah but I can´t just turn back after the number I did. ´sides if Tavi goes into the boards with me it will ruin the surprise. I worked really hard on this song..." Vinyl said taking a piece of paper. "...I want her to hear it there in the crowd."

Twilight smiled. "It´s a lovely gesture, Vinyl."

"Yeah well yah got me the idea with how you come out to your lady..." and she poked Twilight.

"What? WHo told you that?" Twilight asked, blushing.

"Tavi of course! Nice touch in the dress there, hoof made?"

"Yes but it didn´t come out very well. I´m not good at hoof works."

Thankfully they arrived at the farm before Vinyl could crack a joke about it.

"Here we are."

"Why did we come ´ere again?"

"To find you a singer."

"Why can´t be you, didn´t yah sing for your bro back then in Canterlot?"

"This a love song Vinyl, a proposal nonetheless. You need a special voice for that..." Twilight waved a hoof at Applejack who took out her hat and waved back.

****

Octavia was standing in the town hall, surrounded by dozens of ponies who came to the concert. One particular pony recognized her and jumped in front of her, filling her vision with pink.

"HEYA Octi Octi Octi!"

"Diane. And my name is Octavia."

"I´m so glad you decided to come Octavia." Twilight said, wearing a particular tacky costume, obviously home-made. Octavia noticed a pegasus next to Twilight wearing a matching dress but before she could remember her name Twilight spoke again. "I was afraid you wouldn´t."

"I only accepted out of our friendship Twilight; but I´m not feeling comfortable seeing her performing."

"Give her a chance Octavia." Twilight said and placed a hoof on her shoulder.

The lights went out and all the looks shifted to the stage where the loudest of Equestria musicians jumped in.

"HOW´S IT GOING PONYVILLEEEEEEEE!! ARE YAH READY TO PARTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!"

The crowd roared.

"ALL RIGHT THEN! BUT BEFORE THAT-"

Strangely DJ-PON3 lowered the volume and took a microphone, addressing the audience.

"Before we start the show I have somepony special to introduce you, my partner for the evening, your local apple bucker, one Big MacIntosh!"

Of course the crowd was surprised to see Big Mac on stage, holding a guitar; except Octavia who looked sad.

Time Limit-

"Now tonight I wanted to share something with you all. Something I wrote for a very important pony to me, in fact she´s the most important pony to me..." Vinyl even took her glasses, showing her reddish eyes. "I always wanted to tell her that but I´m not good with words. Yeah I know, weird uh? So I wrote her a song but I needed somepony to sing it for me ´cause yah know, singing ain´t my thing. So Big Mac, care to help me?"

Big Mac nodded and stroke a chord.

Octavia only needed one line to understand what the song was about.

****

"Last night was simply lovely!" Rarity said levitating her cup of tea. The entire group, Spike include, were under an apple tree, sharing a picnic.

"Octi and Scratchy are sooo cute together!" Pinkie said.

"I´m just glad that everything turned out okay. I know how nervous Vinyl was about the whole thing." Twilight said holding Fluttershy´s hood who smiled back.

"But what give you the idea to have Big Mac sing it?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Applejack. She is always bragging about his gorgeous singing voice."

"Eeeeeyup."

"I wonder why he doesn´t sing more often." Spike asked.

Down the farm, the barn was under attack by a legion of love-struck mares shouting Bic Mac name. The entire town of Ponyville plus some other mares who got the word about the stallion mellow voice. Big Mac pushed some more furniture to keep the door closed while the Crusaders worked to cover the windows.

"Now ah know why yah always quiet!" Apple Bloom said.

Lightning Trail

Final Question: Why do you want to join the Wonderbolts?

A: I don´t want to join the Wonderbolts. I was born a Wonderbolt.

The way I see it everypony is born with a destiny, that´s what Cutie Marks are for. To tell you what you were born to do and I was born to strike lightnings.}

It all become clear the day my Cutie Mark appeared.

I was the fastest and most agile of my class back in Cloudsdale, nopony could match my moves. I was head of my class because I was the best. One day the Wonderbolts came for a demonstration. I remember it well because they had the classic line up, back in the days when Spitfire and Soarin were both rookies and Soarin sported that ridiculous mullet. They were teaching us how to handle storm clouds and of course all the other students were pathetic at it. Especially this yellow one, she didn´t even tried! She curled into a ball and cried, pathetic! Even worse was that skinny white one, he couldn´t even lift himself. Guess that weight Cutie Mark slowed him down. I do remember one filly that was actually good, she got talent. I can´t recall her name but she was always around with a griffon...

Finally my turn came and of course, unlike those cowards losers, I didn´t just gently tried to push the clouds, I dive right into the storm. I began to fly in circles, faster and faster, making a tornado that will dissipate all those clouds in one swoop. The problem was that I was still a filly so I wasn´t able to exactly control it. Of course now that I´m a grown mare I can control tornadoes with no problem.

So I was kicked out by the tornado that began to spin out of control. The teachers all jumped to stop it along with the Wonderbolts. Some of my classmates tried to help me stand but I push them aside.Only losers need help. I saw Spitfire trying to catch a loose storm cloud but she didn´t notice one shooting lightning above her head so I rushed at full spead and crashed against the storm cloud saving her; and in that moment I created the "Lightning Trail", my special movement that no other pony can do. I soared the skies leaving behind a bright yellow lightning image, the same one that it´ printed on my flank.

So that´s my answer to you. I don´t want to join the Wonderbolts, I deserve to join them because I was born to do so. The Wonderbolts only accept the best of the best and that´s what I am.

Truth

"But I don´t want to go!"

"Come on now Spike, don´t be a spoiled baby..."

"I´m not a baby anymore!"

"You sure sound like one."

"Hihi Spikey-baby!"

"Girls!" an unicorn yells at the pranksters while the dragon cheeks blush in embarrassment.

"Spike, you need to take your nap."

"I don´t need to. I can stay aw-" he doesn't finish the sentence, he yawns and a puff of green smoke comes out of his mouth.

"Yes, you do. You have been delaying your rest for far too long, your body needs to rest."

"But if I go to sleep, who knows when I´ll wa-" his eyes close against his will. He feels a soft yellow hoof caressing his face.

"Look, this here a Golden Apple seeds, brought all the way from tah Griffon Kingdom. It is said they take a full two centuries to grow. Ah won´t be here to taste them so ah need yah to be there fer me."

The dragon opens a claws, taking the seeds. An orange hoof digs on the earth and the seeds are planted, still glowing even the dirt covers them.

"Now you need to sleep..."

"But I promised your mother I will always look out after you."

"You don´t need to worry, Spike. We have each other."

The dragon looks at the smiling mares. Their faces, so similar to another six faces.

"...okay."

He closes his eyes.

"Good night Uncle Spikey!"

"Good night Spike."

He sleeps.

******

The dragon wakes up and slowly leaves the cavern.

The pegasi guard was kind enough to move the clouds so the bright sun won´t hurt his eyes. He wasn´t expecting the parade thought. The entire of PonyCity was waiting for him, holding flags and balloons. The new mayor looks nervous, unsure how to act around him. He notices the traditional Apple freckles on his face and smiles.

He moves around the crowd that splits in half to let him walk. All the fillies and colts jump around him, excited to see their first dragon, their crusaders capes flowing with each movement. So many new faces, all too similar and yet different. A stallion with an hourglass Cutie Mark winks at him. He wonders if he knows him but before he can ask the stallion is gone.

The crowd leads him into Sweet Apple Acres. The royal guard is waiting for him, saluting him. The Library staff also awaits him. He chuckles, he remembers the old days when they were just him and the shy librarian; now there are over a dozen.

He reaches the tree, standing tall and bright, all its golden apples shining like the sun. The Princess awaits for him unders its shadow. Still young, still regal, still looking at him with those motherly eyes. He smiles at her and grabs an apple. It is said that the shiny surface of a Golden Apple reflects nothing but the truth. What looks back at him is a small baby dragon with bright green eyes.

He cries and the Princess leans on him, giving him the warm he needs.

He is happy.

A Promise (Happy 2013 everypony!)

Luna engulfed the quill with her starry aura, the ink dripping over the desk as she moved it over the scroll.

"A Princess must always held her head tall in the presence of her subjects..." she read aloud as she slowly wrote the words.

Satisfied with her work she dived the quill into the ink and back to the paper only to discover with horror the words had completely disappeared. Before she could wonder what kind of sorcery this was the sound of her sister snickering revealed the culprit.

"TIAAAAAA!!!"

****

"Stop playing such childish jokes, sister!" Princess Luna chastised her older sibling.

"Calm down Luna, I was just joking." Celestia replied taking another bite of her meal.

"You are always joking, Tia. You never take your duties seriously. Remember we are the Princesses of this country, we must always act according to protocol."

Celestia rolled her eyes at her sister lecturing her for the twelve time that day. "Again with the protocol. Why do you always have to be so boring, Lulu?"

"I am not boring AND DO NOT CALL ME LULU!!"

"Auh! No Royal Canterlot Voice!"

Blushing Luna returned to her meal. From the balcony both sister had a perfect view of the blossoming town of Canterlot. It was hard to conceive that just a few generations ago this was nothing but a frozen wasteland where ponies constantly fought each other.

"Sister, you are a princess..."

"You are a princess too, silly filly."

"You know what I meant. You are the older sister and you have the most important job, raising the sun for our subjects. The day your Cutie Mark appeared you were destined to rule over all of Equestria."

Celestia frowned, irritated that her sister had brought back the subject of her mark. A little embarrassed she covered it with her wing.

"You have the most important duty of all Celestia. You must promise to honor that duty and always look up for your kingdo-

"Stop it!"

Luna froze, surprised by the harsh tone of her sister.

"You always talk like that! Your duty, your kingdom; almost as if you don´t belong in here. This is our kingdom, we both rule this land so stop talking as if you were already gone! You are not going anywhere Luna!"

Once the shock was gone, Luna smiled and leaned onto her sister.

"You promise?"

"Yes yes, i promise to be a good princess!"

That wasn´t what Luna meant but she said nothing and kept smiling.

****

On that day the ponies saw the sky turn black, consuming all the stars; then a striking rainbow pierce through the heavens and once it was gone the night sky had changed, the silhouette of the night princess engraved on the moon.

Celestia crashed into the ground, the Elements, deployed of all magic, scattered around her. Her crown fell off, letting loose her mane which now sporter the entire spectrum of colors instead of her natural pink. She looked up at the night sky, blurry through the veil of her tears.

"...I´m sorry Luna. I´m sorry for being so weak...for not being a true Princess. A true Princess would have saved you from darkness...but I make this promise, the same promise I made so many years ago, that I will become a better Princess. A royal beloved by her subjects, noble, kind and always respectful of the ponies below her and the rules of the kingdom. I will become the Princess you always wanted me to be and once you return, once the stars guide you back to my side, you will be proud of your sister."

(Author Note: Happy New Year to all of you guys! Here´s to another year of wonderful moments to share with all of you and like Celestia I promise to be stronger this year! Best wishes to all of you!)

Quiet Lesson

Archer hit the joystick in frustration. Once again she had lost and now she was out of bits. To make matters worse her friend High Score wasn't there so she couldn't even stay a little around so she decided to just leave the arcades area.

"Scoots! Scootaloo!"

She didn´t turned around. That wasn´t her name after all.

"Hey Scootaloo!"

Go away.

But the filly didn´t leave and put a hoof on her shoulder, forcing her to turn.

"Hey Scoots, ah´ve been calling yah- oh, yah ain´t Scoots!"

"No. My name is Archer."

"Oh." Archer frowned at Apple Bloom who just didn´t got the hint. "Well ah was looking fer Scoots to try out getting ponyville gladiators Cutie Marks. Hey, wanna go try with us?"

"Why would I? i already got my Cutie Mark last year." she said pointing at the bow and arrow on her flank.

"Oh okay. Well see yah later...umh."

"ARCHER!"

"yeah that, see yah!"

Archer stomped her hoof in frustration. They were classmates for a whole year, how come she never remembers her name.

"Hehe boy howdy..."

Archer turned around to confront the laughing mare. A yellow mare that was playing a fiddle a minute ago.

"What´s so funny?"

"Calm down, little apple. I ain´t mocking you, just laugh at the coincidences."

"Coincidences?"

The mare lifted her hat, never once opening her eyes.

"You know how many ponies have that same Cutie Mark there?"

Archer looked again at her bow, this time not so furious. "A...few, I guess?"

"More than a few. You couldn´t shake a stick in Baltimare among all them ponies with arrows in their flanks. Most of them stallions."

Archer sighed, she was sick of Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon "tomboy" jokes.

"And when you are a pony musician it ain´t much variety in Cutie Marks. Yah stick with whatever instrument you play or one of these notes."

"...so what do you do when somepony mistakes you for another?"

"Can´t help you there. All I can tell you if I took a punch for everypony who mistakes me for that fancy pony from Canterlot why hooves will be sore red."

Archer giggled, glad to see she wasn´t the only one with a temper.

"All I´m saying if that you shouldn´t hold a grudge against that filly. She made an honest mistake."

"Yeah well she always makes that honest mistake. She never remembers me. I even changed classes and she barely noticed. None of them did!" Archer stomped her hooves again, this time genuinly hurt. "I just want once, ONCE, they call me for my real name!"

Fiddlesticks said nothing, she kept her eyes closed and waited for the filly to wipe the tears she won´t admit were there.

"I don´t know anything about that, little apple. I just know to play this fiddle here. I may not be cut for the big city, the recitals and all that; but if the town is holding a party of if the Apples need a back-up then I would be there...among friends."

FiddleSticks took her instrument and began playing a soft tune. Archer looked at her and wondered how could she be so calm and collected. It was like if nothing bothered her. Archer blushed, suddenly feeling like a little foal.

"Archer!"

She turned around and saw a green filly unicorn waving at her form down the street.

"Umh miss...my friend is calling me."

"Of course she is."

Archer smiled, proud of understanding the lesson even when her teacher said nothing. "Coming, Sun Glimmer!"

Fiddlestick smiled and kept playing her tune, slowly changing the pacing to one more optimistic. A sudden gust of wind made her hat bend to the right.

"Hello Raindrops. How was the Wonderbolts camp?"

"It was awesome!" yelled the enthusiastic mare. "Wanna hear about it?"

"Always my friend."

"Okay so first day we put all in line and Cloudchaser was already there and also Thunderlane and then..."

Fiddlesticks smiled and adjusted her hat. Her friend kept rambling about her camp experince while she fixed her instruments.

just another day in another corner of Ponyville.

Strange Encounter

(Note: this is based on a very old Flash comic I read once. Not think too much of it.)

Rainbow Dash hated her nap being interrupted, unless it was some earth shattering emergency, and even then; but when she arrived at the town square she realized something was wrong. Very, very wrong.

Half of the town was frozen in place.

"Twilight! What's going on in here?"

"Rainbow Dash, thank Celestia you are here. We need your help,"

Rainbow took another look at the ponies, all standing still in mid-air, trapped in a real life photography. "Are they playing some kind of game?"

"Of course not. Some type of magic I´ve never encounter is affecting them."

"What kind of magic?"

"Pinkie knows more about the details. She said she saw something fell from the sky into the Everfree. Pinkie, can you repeat to Rainbow what you just told me?"

Of course to Pinkie "repeat" meant doing somersaults while explaining things. "There was this big huuuuge flash of light and then I look up and there was like this fireball that came crashing to the ground fiiiiuuuuu and then I move over to see and out of big chunk of rock came out an a-" and Pinkie froze in the middle of her acrobacy.

"Pinkie!"

"No Rainbow, not touch here! Look, she came inside the perimeter. I´ve made calculations and the effect expands across the entire town square, anypony who enters the area falls into the spell," and she pointed at Scootaloo, who was trapped in her scooter, never finishing her fall.

"She can´t move at all?"

"Not really. Spike and I have been monitoring her and we discover she is actually moving, albeit very slowly. About an inch every sixty seconds."

"I don´t understand any of this. And I don´t like it. Can´t you get Princess Celestia to fix this?"

"I´ve already called her but I´ll like to have more information before she arrives, that´s why I called you. You´re the fastest flier of Equestria, I figured if somepony could be able to move inside there, it would be you."

Rainbow Dash didn´t like the idea of getting inside there but she didn´t like seeing Pinkie and Scoots like that either.

****

"Ugh," Rainbow grunted. "I can´t barely move! I´m going at the speed required for a Rainboom and I´m moving slower than Fluttershy!"

Doing a tremendous effort, Rainbow was able to move further into the square, noticing that ponies were caught in the middle of their activities just like Rose who kept watering her plants even she was still as a statue. After a few minutes of slow, really slow search she eventually found something. Something strange.

"Uh?"

It was a pony or it seemed like one. It actually resembled the changeling queen more. She was a s tall as Princess Luna, even wearing a crown and all but her body was white and gold, eyes were completely black and she had butterfly wings, similar to the ones Rarity had once. She moved at the same speed as Rainbow, dropping gold glitter on every move.

"Who is she? Why isn´t she affected by this weird spell? And why is she lifting everypony left hoof to look inside it?"

Rainbow tried to get her attention but when she ignored her, Rainbow did what she always did to get somepony attention. She kicked her.

"Who are you and what are you doing in Ponyville?"

"No time. Too slow." and the strange pony returned the kick sending her against some boxes.

"Brilliant move Rainbow. I should get Twilight in here...no, I´m the only one who can deal with this weird pony. But how do I do that? Think Rainbow, what would Daring Do do? She doesn´t use her muscles, she uses her brain..." Rainbow finally got an idea and flew off the area.

Just as the strange pony was lifting Applejack leg to get a good look inside her hoof, the sky went dark and downpour fell over her head. When she looked up, she found Rainbow and her confident smile.

"You may have some weird bug-eyed powers but only a pegasus can control weather in here." Furious, the strange pony tried to fly but she failed. "And I figured you can´t fly with those pretty wings soak. Now, answer my questions, who are you and what do you want?"

"...lost." and she lifted her shoe, showing that she was missing a horseshoe.

Understanding the problem or at least the basic idea behind it, Rainbow went to fetch pinkie and as the pony to release her. Pinkie Sense was better than any search dog and Pinkie was able to find the missing horseshoe, a tiny glimmering crystal sho that Big Mac got stuck inside his hoof.

"Thanks." said the mysterious pony and she transformed into a flash of light, disappearing into the sky.

Without her, the spell was broken and everypony was free.

"You didn´t ask her who she was, or where did she come from, or how she was able to do that type of magic, or..."

"Relax egghead," Rainbow said, ready to catch Scootaloo when she regained inertia. "Your head is gonna explode if you keep asking questions."

"But aren´t you curious?" Twilight asked.

"Not really. A pony needed help and I helped. To me is as simple as that. Hey kid, want a ride home?" and Rainbow carried Scootaloo on her back and flew her back to her house, heading straight into that blue sky.

Cranky

The wind was blowing strong, the sun was up on the sky which gleamed in a perfect blue. It was the perfect day for a balloon ride...or it would be if Cherry Berry had a better companion.

"Oh this wind is terrible, can´t we go any lower?" Cranky Doodle complained.

"Any lower and we´ll be hitting the trees!"

Berry sighed, she made a reputation of never rejecting a client but this one was an occasion when she was regretting it. Her balloon had been through a lot of harsh times lately, first Twilight Sparkle and her friends crashed it and a few days later her assistant lost it on the Everfree. When Cranky showed up saying he needed it to deliver a package Cherry was worried, why didn´t he asked the post service. Then she remembered who usually runs the post in town, so instead she decided to go with him. A decision that will haunt her forever.

"Would you stop complaining back there? The wind is not that strong!"

Of course at that precise moment a loose current hit then.

"My wig!" Cranky yelled and jumped right after it, not falling over thanks to Berry catching him in the act.

"Are you crazy? It´s just a wig! Who does something as crazy as jumping af-MY GOOGLES!"

****

Right after they landed, or better yet "crashed", into the woods, Cranky gathered all their stuff, making sure his package was safe.

"I can´t believe this! My balloon! Great now how I´m going to get back to Ponyville?"

"Relax kiddo. We´ll figure out a way to fly back,"

"Unless you suddenly grow wings I don´t see how..." she frowned.

"Do you need to be cranky all the time?"

"What? I´m not the one who´s cranky! I´m funny, I tell jokes all the time! Listen to this one, a donkey and a mule are in a desert island...." Berry shut her mouth the second she remembered the punchline to that one.

Cranky was of course, unamused. "Listen kiddo, I was just like you. Never once cracking a smile, always seeing the bad side on things. It took a really good friend to make me change and I thank her everyday for not giving up on me."

Cherry rolled her eyes. "Lets get this over with..."

And they took on the road to Vanhoover.

A road filled with danger, daring escapades, thrilling chases, tall mountains, furious rivers, wild beasts; and all leading up to...

"A train station? There was a train station all along? You made fly you halfway and then risk my neck in the wildness and it was a train station all along?!"

"Stop complaining. We made it okay so its fine. Also, train seats really hurt my back..."

Cherry printed her hoof on her face. That was it, no more balloon rides, she promised.

Finally they reached their destination, an old building in the city. A retirement home for senior citizens. Once he put a hoof in the property Cranky was surrounded by dozens of old ponies, including in the crowd a few donkeys and mules. Cherry was surprised to see the old donkey had this many friends and that around them he was able to smile.

"Did you bring it, Cranky?"

"There you go, old friend." and he handled the package to a bald mule.

"An harmonica? You took all these risks just to deliver an harmonica?" Cherry asked but Cranky ignored her and moved to another room.

This was the type of room that would have Pinkie bounce in happiness. Why? Because it was decorated for a part, a birthday party no less. And the lucky boy, a young earth pony colt, finally got his present. An old but trusty harmonica.

"I don´t get it..." Cherry admitted.

"That harmonica belonged to an old friend of mine. He had a band here in the city and for a while I carried their stuff around on their tours. Half of the crowd here was in the band too. When I left town, he gave this harmonica as a present and I had keep it for over twenty years."

"Then why are you giving it away if its so important?"

"That little fella over there, its his grandson. And thats the only memory he has of his grandpa. I rather have it on his hooves, playing new tunes than rusting on one of my boxes."

The kid obviously needed lessons but none of the crowd cared and they all applauded. It was as if the band was back together.

"Come on kiddo. let's go home."

With finally an honest smile on her face, Cherry followed Cranky "Hey Doodle, you said you´ve been in this town before, have you ever hit the Comedy club?"

"Don´t call me Doodle and yes, I worked in there too for a while."

"Uh tell me tell me!"

Cranky sighed, it was going to be a long way back home.

(Note: I´m not sure if I ever wrote Cranky before, maybe as a side character once but I´m pretty sure I never did Cherry. And its a shame cause she looks so cute on those aviator goggles.)

Knight in Shining Armor

The Crystal Empire was spreading its light all over Equestria, bringing peace and joy; and from the balcony of the palace Twilight Sparkle got a perfect view of the radiant land below.

She took a glance at her right and couldn't help but giggle at the sight of his older brother, Prince of the Crystal Nation; acting like a complete fool, making all kind of silly faces to his newborn daughter. The usually serious Shining Armor looked ridiculous sticking his tongue and twisting his eyes all to get the baby to laugh. She remembered how he used to play a similar game to Spike when he was just out of his egg. Shining had a huge soft spot for babies.

"More tea, Twilight?" Cadence asked, levitating the teapot.

"Thanks...umh Cadence?"

"Yes?"

"Do you remember your wedding day?"

"its kind of a hard day to forget,"

"Yes, of course," Twilight admitted, scratching her head. "But the truth is that, since that day, there´s something I have been trying to ask you. How did you know about the changelings? None of my books had any information about them and the ones from the library that did were very old and haven´t been consulted in years."

Cadence sighed, obviously not interested in answering that particular question. "First-hoof experience I´m afraid. Let me explain Twilight..."

****

Not too long after you were accepted in my aunt academy, Shining returned from his training service, no longer a cadet but an official member of the guard, and his first assignment was the protection of a princess, namely me.

Looking back, my aunt must have caught how nervous I used to be around him and how I kept talking about him on dinners; so she did that on purpose.

On our first day together, i decided to take a picnic on the outskirts of the city. It was supposed to be just a simple outing but it turned into a disaster. For starters, your brother back then was unnecessary serious all the time. Don´t laugh Twilight, you two have more in common than you think. He secured the area of the picnic, he double secured the area just to be safe, he made a defense perimeter and he even interrogated some squirrels because they seemed suspicious. Worst of all, he decided to stand perfectly still and don´t even talk to me, standing in guard the entire afternoon. I got mad and decided he wasn´t going to ruin my meal.

One of my maids went inside the forest looking for some leafs she insisted the tea needed. Unfortunately, lurking in the woods was a creature you and I came to know very well, Twilight. At the time we have no idea she had been assaulted but when she returned with her eyes glowing green and acting strange, we figured something was amiss. And when she tried to bite me we knew it for sure.

She transformed back into its original form and despite being a single minion changeling, it had absorbed enough strength to knock down three guards, including Shining. My maids were in danger so I came forward and tried to protect them. I´m ashamed to admit that magic is not my thing. You probably would have knocked it down or even teleported everypony out but all my spell did was actually make it stronger, my desire to protect my friends feeding it. Just when the changeling jumped, Shingin got in the middle, casting his protection spell. You told me once he got his Cutie Mark protecting you from a wild beast, right Twilight? He seems to be very good at those kind of situations. He stood there, repealing the monster and when I told him to be careful, he answered:

"What kind of guard I am if I can´t even protect the mare I love?"

I know I know but your brother has always loved to make big speeches. i smiled at him and that renewed his strengths, allowing him to throw the changeling back into the forest. The first thing he did was check everypony was all right and ask the guards to search for my maid and I´ve to admit, that made me blush, seeing him so confident and in charge.

He smiled back at me and from that day on, we were both more honest with each other...

****

"And when you came back you started investigating about these creatures..." Twilight said.

"Actually, it was Aunt Celestia who did the research. She later shared the information with me. She was really concerned about these creatures and the damage they could do to Equestria. You can tell she has quite an animosity towards that cheese-legged tyrant"

"Yeah, me too..."

"But it doesn´t matter if she tries to attack again. I feel safe because I have my knight in shining armor."

They both looked at Shining who was peering over the crib and when the baby touched his snout, he let go the goofiest of laughs.

Twilight looked back at Cadence who just shrugged. Sure, he looked goofy but he was still her beloved knight.

Twilight returned to her cup of tea while the Crystal Heart keep spreadin it slight over the land.

Getting Up

Spitfire placed her hoof on the flier, the ink still fresh leaving a mark inside her horseshoe. It was over, the last piece of paper to sign.

There was a knock on the door but she didn´t bothered to answer, it was done simply for formalities and she hated formalities. The pegasus finally walked in the office, her wings respectfully tucked at the sides.

Spitfire got up and approached the pony.

"Wipe that goofy smile of your face...captain."

Rainbow Dash did her best to kept a stern face but she just couldn´t. At least her wings weren´t flapping like crazy.

"Excited for your first day, Rainbow?"

"Very! I mean, very much former captain."

Spitfire frowned. She remembered why she hated so much formalities, they made her sound like an old lady.

"I can´t wait to start meeting the recruits. I already have a whole course planned for them! Oh and my little sister is coming this year! She was so excite-"

"Relax Rainbow, the first day is nothing more but paperwork. You´ll spend half of it just trying to get used to that damn chair."

"Oh..." Rainbow made a mental note to change the chair.

Spitfire looked through the window at the field course. "You know when I first applied for the Wonderbolts this training ground was brand new. Just a couple of rings and flaga, none of this new equipment. I still remember the sky, so clear and blue." There was small pause and Rainbow smile finally wear off. "Heh I remember Soarin crashed on the first obstacle. You did know that I was on the same class as Soarin, right?"

"Of course. Number one wonderbolts fan!"

"Heh did you know back then he had a mullet?"

"No way!"

"Yeah and he looked ridiculous!"

Both mares laughed. Their intimacy was protected by the walls of the office, outside they were divided by rank, or used to be, but when in private they were free to be close friends, almost like sisters. Now that Spitfire days in the uniform were gone, what exactly were they?

Spitfire dismissed those doubts and opened a drawer. Ignoring pictures and medals of her glory days she instead took out an old pair of goggles. They were worn out and had obviously been through a couple of storms but they were still usable. She approached Rainbow who looked at the goggles confused.

"Back when I was a newbie I was a mess. I kept crashing all over the place. They even named me Slip-Fire."

"Lame."

"But I never gave up and I keep trying. I kept crashing and crashing and every time I got up. One time another mare helped me got up, she extended me her hoof, it felt warm. She told me that I should stop aiming for the floor and then she gave me those. Mine broke in the fall and she just gave me those to replace them. I only saw her a couple of times after that but never managed to thank her." and Spitfire handled the goggles to Rainbow.

"You still have a long way to go, kid. Try not to get cocky."

"I make no promises."

They exchanged smiled and then salutes. While Rainbow inspected the goggles, Spitfire took a last look at her office. She gave it one last smile and closed the door behind her.

Rainbow eyes went wide when she found the name "Firefly" in the straps but before she could ask Spitfire about it the door was already closed. She slowly walked over the desk, taking a good look at the pile of papers. She sit on the chair, leaning against it.

Nice chair, she thought.

Honest Mouth

I have always been honest. That is not only my designated Element but also a life code I have followed my entire life, always tell the honest truth even if it may hurt somepony´s feelings. You may both shed a few tears but its always better than shallowing some bitter lie.

So I´ve finally decided to tell Twilight how I really feel. And let me tell you something, it ain´t gonna be easy.

Twilight might be the smartest pony this side of Appleloosa but boy she can be thick as brick when it comes to take a hint. I can´t tell you how many times Rainbow and I have made remarks at her face and she has totally missed them, it makes me feel guilty to tell you the truth, almost like if I´m stealing from a foal. How can she be so intelligent and yet miss the most obvious things in life?

That´s why I don´t want to tell her, because she may completely misunderstood me and get sad and I really hate to see her crying face. I can bear facing a pack of timberwolves but I can´t stand two seconds of her crying, I already made her cry once when she was just trying to help us pack the winter and that is as much as I can bear.

But I have to do it.

Rainbow would tell me to stop whining and just come out right and say it. Well I can´t be like that, I can´t be that rude and insensitive.Maybe that kind of approach may work with Pinkie but Twilight is different, she won´t just shrug it with a laugh and a silly rhyme. Its useless to ask Rarity, she will go in a rant about lady manners and the sort while Fluttershy just cowers in the corner blushing and wishing she wouldn´t be so vocal about them.

So I can´t rely on my friends for this. Family? Eeenope.

So there´s only one solution. Be brave, walk in, sit down, smile, try not to puke simply by the smell of it and once Twilight sits down with that lovely smile of hers and ask

"How was it, Applejack?"

I will be honest and say....

"Delicious. Can I have some more, Twi?"

Three´s a crowd

Divorce. One word that was never uttered on Equestria before, after all ponies were supposed to find their one true special somepony and never lose it; but now it had happened. After 10 years of marriage the Cakes were splitting up.

"It´s not fair Pinkie!" Pumpkin Pie cried "My mom is leaving the house, to live with another mare! Not that there´s anything wrong with that but...how could she do this? To my dad? To Pound? To me! Even to you Pinkie! Aren´t you mad at her?"

"Well you see honey its a little more complicated than that..."

But there was no use, Pumpkin was too hurt to listen to anything Pinkie said. Defeated she left the store only to be replaced by her brother right away.

"Man I can´t believe my dad will just throw my mum away! For a younger mare! Is he going through a mid-life crisis or something? And I don´t know this mare! Is he ashamed of her or something? Well he should be!"

"Well you see dear its not that simple..."

Just like his sister, Pound didn´t listen and soon leave.

Looking for answers the twins ended up on Golden Oaks, asking for advice for the first friend they ever made Spike the Dragon.

"Mmm that is a problem. Hey why don´t you try this new thing?"

"New thing?" Pumpkin asked.

"Yeah this new law in Equestria...what was it called? Hey Twi, what was that thing we did so we could both marry Rarity? Polygon"

"Polygamy. Its a new law that allows marriages to be composed of more than one individual." Twilight Sparkle explained.

"Oh that thing Rainbow Dash did, right?" Pound said.

"Yes, she couldn´t decide between Fluttershy and Applejack so she decided to instead marry both. It is a...useful solution."

"Yeah, you get to share the be with two mares!AUH!"

Twilight put down the book she magically levitated to slap Spike.

"Think we could do this sis? Talk mom and dad to stay marriage and add their new couples to the family? Like a four-ways-marriage?"

"I don´t know bro but we have to try! We can´t lose our family!"

"You´re right!"

"Come on! Mom wanted me to meet her new marefriend tonight, lets get dad and her date too!"

"Lets!" and the twins ran off.

"...can you do that? Can you have three mares?"

"You´re sleeping on the couch tonight."

****

Pound and Pumpkin looked at their parents and the mare sitting on the middle with a complete blank expression, so shocked by the news they couldn´t even talk.

"You see kids it seems there was a little confusion here." Carrot Cake explained. "We are not breaking the family, we´re actually making it larger by adding another member, one we have always considered one of ours but she had grown to be even more special." and he put an arm around Pinkie Pie.

"She had grown into a beautiful mare and really found a place between us!" Cup Cake said, nuzzling Pinkie.

"Mrs. Cake stop it!"

"Call me Cup Cake darling."

The twins blinked a few times in surprise.

"Pinkie Pie is our new...mum?"

Silence.

"AWESOME!!!! This is so awesome, we have always loved Pinkie she is the bestest of big sisters and now she is also our new mom! Awesomeawesomeawesome!"

The twins danced and jumped all around, filled with happiness.

"...should I tell them I´m also pregnant?"

(author note: oh Pinkie Pie why do I always put you in this crazy situations?)

Shards

"Welcome welcome to the place where all your dreams and fantasies become true. Where past, present and future dance together. Where every questions gets an answer, where every lie gets exposed, wher-"

"Pinkie cut the act."

"Oh Twilight, don´t make me break character! I need to be mysterious and omnivorous..."

"You mean ominous."

"No thanks I´m not hungry!"

"...Pinkie could you please get to the point?"

"Very well young mare. You have come to the lair of Madame Pinkie because your heart is troubled!"

"How did you...yes, I have a little problem. A big one actually."

"And that problem concerns another unicorn."

"Again how did...yes, its a friend of mine."

"The over- dramatic-making-a-huge-deal-about-everything tailor in town to be precise."

"Okay now I have to know, how did you know I was talking about Rarity?"

"Madame Pinkie knows it all!! Also I saw you two kissing behind the library."

"PINKIE!"

"Hey not my fault! Find a better place for your sloppy-make-out-time!"

"Ugh. Pinkie I just come here for advice, do you think Rarity and I...I mean we have been friends for some long and I never once...well maybe one or two times...but making such a huge leap...I just...you think we can have a future together?"

"I can do better than that, I can SHOW you the future!"

"No Pinkie you can´t."

"Yes I can."

"No you can´t. Not even the most powerful unicorns are able to see into the future."

"Ha useless unicorn magic! I don´t need that I have this magic crystal ball! I found it in the deeps of the Everfree...."

"...it has a price tag."

"Okay Trixie sold me this but it still works, look!"

Swirls and turns as the mists on the crystal ball clears, showing times to come.

"Its that...Canterlot?"

"Shhh something its about to happen..."

Twilight saw a beautiful decorated place, a house filled with grace and style. A tall much more mature Spike entered the scene and Twilight can´t help but giggle. Her laugh died when she saw herself, now a full adult mare, walking in wearing a beautiful dress.

"Woah Twilight! You look amazing!"

"Thanks Spike. I was afraid the ribbons were too much..."

"Wait I know that dress! Isn´t the one Rarity made you for your first anniversary?"

"Yes that´s why I´m wearing it tonight. I thought it will be a nice touch for our tenth anniversary together."

"Boy I´m so happy for you two. You make such a great couple."

"Daww you´re such a dear Spike! Thanks for always looking after us even when you made quite a scene when we first revealed our relationship!"

"Hey I was a baby with a crush back then! Give me a break!"

They laugh but the joy its broken by a sudden burst of green flame and a scroll materializing on air.

"Strange. I told the Princess I will be busy tonight."

"Its´not from the Princes..."

"What? She cancelled again?! What ridiculous excuse does she have this year?!"

"Umh something about Photo Finish needing help an-"

"Third year! Third year in a row! Why does she keeps doing this? ARGH!"

"Twilight, calm down!"

The vision becomes blurry, covered by anger and resentment.

"Woah you have quite a temper Twilight."

"Well it seems Rarity has been ignoring me or will be, ugh confusing tenses. But its not her fault, I´m sure in the future she will become famous and thus have plenty of work. i´ll just have to learn to deal with it..."

Twist and turns as the vision changes once more.

"What is happening Pinkie?"

"You changed the future Twilight."

"Me? I didn´t do anything!"

"Yes, you took a decision, and every decision brings a change in the future. That´s why its so complicated to look into it, because the future change with every step you take."

The vision becomes dark and gloomy. Slowly a field of stars allows to see inside the shadowy library.

"Twilight darling, are you still studying?"

"A-ha."

"But the night its simply beautiful tonight."

"That's redundant."

"Oh but anyways won´t you like to go out and watch the stars? I´ll could make us a late night meal and we´ll sit in the balcony you know like we used to do before, when you taught all the names of those little constellations?"

"Busy."

"Oh well if you are busy, I´ll be working on my latest dress then. I´ll wait for you in the bedroom."

"Fine."

The light on the candle vanish leaving the crystal in darkness again.

"NO! You mean trying not to worry about her work I´ll become so absorbed by mine I´ll ignore completely? That makes no sense!"

Violent twists and turns as the crystal trembles.

"Twilight calm down!"

"No this has to be a mistake! Show me the future! The real future when we are together!"

She grabs the ball and shakes it, desperately trying to turn into a snow globe of her fantasies. But each stir only reveals more suffering. On every future, on every possibility something bad happens; a fight, a misunderstanding, a tragedy. And every time she tries to fix it, every new decision she makes only makes the ball fill with dark fumes.

"ARGH!"

She smashes the crystal ball, each little shard still reflecting a terrible outcome.

"Twilight..."

"Its no use. No matter what I do...we are not meant for each other. We were never meant to be together."

She leaves, abandoning the shadows of the tent and moving into the sunny town. Pinkie starts gathering the pieces of glass, searching for that one reflection of a unicorn couple in love.

Composure

"Please, have a drink." Fancypants said.

The pegasus slowly reached her glass of orange juice and timidly took a sip. She shrugged while doing so, almost as she was embarrassed of doing something as trivial as having a glass in a restaurant.

Fancypants couldn´t help but smile.

He took a good look at her. She was a delight to sight, her primrose coat made a perfect match with the lavish bright green she was wearing and the wonderful work done to her cheerful pink mane. Photo Finish ensemble had done a terrific job on her. And of course, she was also especially attractive. Even without the makeup to enhance her features, she will still be delightful.

Photo Finish certainly know how to pick them, her eyes were never wrong. It was the same case with that lovely girl, Fleur. She found her trotting through the streets of Baltimare like any normal mare and within a week, the photographer had transformed her into one of Equestria most recognizable faces. She was currently overseas but Fancypants made a mental note to see her again once she returns, she made quite an impression on him.

But now wasn´t the time for her, now it was the time for...

"Miss Fluttershy, was it?"

Her response was a shift that could be interpreted as a nod.

"Are you enjoying your meal?"

Again, hardly a response. The poor thing was extremely shy, true to her name. But as adorable and a proficient sales gimmick as her shyness was, it made Fancypants feel uneasy. Was he really that intimidating?

"I was planning to see a concert at the Royal Auditorium. I had my eye on the local band for quite some time. One of their membe-"

"I´m sorry, mister. I don´t know much about music." she rudely interrupted him.

Fancypants nodded and let the subject die. The girl was clearly uncomfortable around him. He couldn´t help feeling a little insulted. He frowned, while levitating a spoon and getting a hold of his plate of soup. He was merely looking for a conversation. Even if neither of them had agreed of this date, she forced by her manager, him paying an old favor; that didn´t mean it had to go so unpleasant. Fancypants decided not to let this night got ruined.

"So tell me, what are your interests miss Fluttershy?"

This got her attention

"You have been all night hearing about my interest on pegasi derby but I´ve hardly her about you. Let me know, what do you do outside of the runaways?"

"Well, I like animals...I have a little cottage, outside of Ponyville. I´ve plenty of animals there...I wonder if they´re okay. Twilight promised to look after them and Photo Finish told me I have the weekends free but still..."

Fancypants stopped listening. He didn´t so much lose interest as become distraught by her looks. He realized she wasn´t just good looking but undoubtedly desirable. He came to this dinner with only the intention of spending a quiet night with a young mare but now he wanted more. His eyes began to drift slowly to her lips which keep moving, whispering about all sort of woodland creatures. Fancypants wasn´t sure what was so alluring about her, what made him, for a lack of a better word, fall for her. She was too young, too shy and showed no interest on him all night. Was that it? That she was such a hard game? That he had such a position on Canterlot society that he could date any mare he wanted if he wishes so? But then there was this child, this simple mare from a simple town and she had done the impossible, she had made Fancypants, regarded as the most composed and centered of unicorns; to act like a fool.

"Umh Mr. Fancypants...your soup is dripping."

And indeed. He was so distraught that he forgot he was still levitating the spoon, whose contents now were spilled all over his fancy coat.

"Indeed..." ignoring the waiter he levitated a table napkin and cleaned his own muddle.

"Are you sure you are okay, mister?"

Fancypants looked at her surprised. So kind and considerate, she was genuinely worried about him. Seeing her like this made him remember an old adage.

Lips like wine, tongue as honey.

It truly matched her. Her words, so sweet and soft, her lips, so seductive and sensual.

He smiled.

"It´s nothing dear. My mind just...slipped for a second. Now please continue with your story. You were telling me about your friend. Ingenuity, was it?"

She giggled. "Rarity. But she is clever, she made all our dresses work even when our demands were irrational. Still she..."

And she continued her story, Fancypants only half listening. He made no moves at all that night and the next time tehy met, it was months apart when Fluttershy had returned to her quaint life and Fancypants have almost all but forgotten about her.

But he never forgot that on that night, he lost his composure thanks to a gentle smile.

Your Turn (old chapter)

NOTE: this chapter was made long ago for the sexty minutes tumbl so its supossed to be NSFW except nothing really happens in here. Its also all dialogue which I know isnt approved here but I guess one dialoug chapter wont be any problem. Let me know if this isn´t supossed to be here and I´ll gladly remove it)

Your Turn.

“Pinkie Pie, let´s play a game!”

“A game, Twilight?”

“Yeah...you´ll see...according to my research, in order to maintain a stable relationship you need to take special care at the sexual aspect, be sure that it doesn't become dull and one of the best ways to avoid it is role-playing.”

“Oh, I´ll go get the dices, you grab the Monster Compendium!”

“Not that kind of role-playing! I mean, that you and I pretend we are different mares and such...”

“Uh uh, I want to be Daring Do!”

“Pinkie...”

“No, I want to be Mare-Do-Well!”

“Pinkie!”

“No, I know, I know! I want to be Mane. Con Mane...”

“Pinkieeeeeeee!”

“Yes, Twillie?”

“Those aren't the rules! According to the “Cadenza to Amore”, the correct way for role-playing is for the partners to choose each other roles to play, the objective of the game being to differentiate the roles by taking control of the other pony actions, making them assume a role different of their usual behavior, exchanging the positions of dominant and submissive; for what I can understand...”

“Princess Cadence wrote a book about sex?”

“...let´s not dwell into that. I´ll choose a pony for you and you choose a pony for me, okay?”

“Okie-dokie-lokie!”

“Me first. I want you to be...Rarity.”

“Ooooh, revealing a secret fantasy there?”

“Pinkie, don't tease me! Just choose somepony for me!”

“Well, that´s easy! If I´m Rarity, you´re Applejack!”

“Guess it makes sense...”

“Oh Applejack, you uncouth brute! You finally let yourself fall to your basic instincts and grab me by force, rendering me defenseless against your brutish manners, laying here in the hay, easy prey to your animal desires!”

“Hehe...I mean, Ah sure as sunday morning did, sugarcube! Now ah would ehh something with apples...this is too difficult! Pinkie, choose other pony! And stop laughing!”

“Haha, okay okay! How about Rainbow Dash? She is easy! In more than one way!”

“Okay Rainbow Dash...hey Rare, you ready to taste the rainbow?”

“Oh you rumbustious ruffian! Kidnapping me in the middle of the night, dragging me to your cloud fortress with the sole purpose of ravaging me! I would not tolerate such a depraved act!”

“Ugh, this is confusing. It seems you´re the dominant one even while I´m in top. Why don't you try to be somepony else more submissive, like Fluttershy for example?”

“sob...sob...”

“Pinkie, are you crying?”

“Rainbow Dash, ho-how could you? Now nopony will ever want to marry me! You've ruined me!”

“Pinkie, thats not funny! Stop acting like that!”

“Hey, when I get into a role I play it seriously!”

“Okay, why don't you choose a character for me? Maybe that would be easier....”

“Big MacIntosh!”

“Choose somepony else. Somepony I could easily imitate, that I could relate too. And no stallions!”

“Ummhh....what about Zecora?”

“Guess I can play her...oh my sweet mistress-what a candid night we distress-together in our chambers we embrace-to our bodies...merge?”

“Twilight, you suck at rhyming.”

“Okay Smarty Pants, I get to choose again.”

“Fine by me.”

“Maybe I should choose somepony I´m already comfortable with...I know! Pinkie Pie, now you are Cheerilee...”

“...”

“Pinkie?”

“I won't do it.”

“What? Pinkie, the rules says you had to do what I tell you to!”

“I don't care! I won't do it!”

“Why?!”

“I don't want to be her!”

“...Pinkie.”

“You only liked her because she reminds you of the Princess. And you only broke up with her because she didn´t want to come out the barn and admit she is a filly-fooler. So you went with the easy pony in town, the one who has dated half the population in Ponyville! She won't be a challenge.”

“Pinkie, that´s not true...”

“Admit it, Twilight! I´m just the rebound! You only started dating me to show off to Cheerilee and now we´re playing this stupid game because you have already got bored with me!”

“Oh Pinkie, you know that´s not true...”

“Let me go, Twilight. I want to go home. I have to feed Gummy.”

“...”

“Please, stop crying.”

“...”

“Seriously, Twilight. Please, stop. I´m sorry I yelled at you, I´m just...I´m sorry.”

“You really think all that? You really think that I only chose you out of despite? That I find you boring? You, Pinkie PIe, the most random and strange of ponies, boring?”

“...then why did you wanted to play this?”

“I was scared! I thought that I wasn't that interesting! That pony that had dated a supermodel like Fleur de Lis wouldn't find me attractive! A plain, fat librarian who has zero appeal!”

“Now who´s being random? Plain and fat? Have you seen you in a mirror, Twilight? You're beautiful! You're the most beautiful mare I have seen!”

“Looks aren't everything Pinkie, my personality is not...”

“Your personality is even more beautiful than your looks. You have the biggest and warmer heart I have ever met, Twilight.”

“...you mean it?”

“Twilight, I have dated a lot of ponies...”

“He...”

“A lot of them.”

“I know...”

“I mean like really a looooooooot of ponies!”

“Yeah Pinkie, I know...”

“I mean everything! Mares, stallions, mules, donkeys even a goat during a really crazy party...”

“Pinkie, there´s a point in all of this?!”

“My point, my silly-filly-worriestoomuchy-marefriend is that I love you. I love you with all my heart. And I will always do.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

“Pinkie promise?”

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my ouh! I forgot to close my eye!”

“Hahaha! Pinkie Pie...”

“Yes Twilight?”

“Thank you so much. And if you still want to go home...”

“I want to finish our game.”

“Still? I thought that you...okay, you go first.”

“I want you to be...Twilight Sparkle. Your turn.”

“And I want you to be...Pinkie Pie.”

“Well, I´ll give it a try! Not sure if I can pull her off. She is a really complex character, lots of hidden depths and random songs to improvise...”

“Pinkie!”

Kite

"Ah´m so sorry girls! A-ah got buried in work, Applejack needed me to clean the pigs and then ah dropped some buckets and Big Mac made pick all the apples back and and..."

"Apple Bloom relax." Scootaloo said trying to ger her friend to resume her breathing. "You´re only an hour late. No big problem,"

"Oh o-okay. What have you girls done so far?"

"No much. I tried to play cards and Sweetie keeps asking me who´s cuter, Rumble or Featherweight?"

Scootaloo made an "ugh" face while Sweetie just smiled.

Then ah guess we should start...have you done the roll calling yet?"

"Its still just the three of us," Scootaloo snarky remarked while Apple Bloom went to get her cape.

"What´s that?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Wha-what´s what?"

"That," Sweetie pointed at her pockets. "Its that...a candy cane?"

Apple Bloom was sweating, her secret exposed.

“You went to Sugarcube Corner?”

“Yeah a-ah did after ah was done with the farm...”

“Oh...okay!” And they went back to the cards.

But Apple Bloom couldn´t deal with her lie and she exploded, yelling the truth. "No! Ah didn´t! Ah lied!Twist gave it to me! Ah wasn´t at the farm, ah was with Twist! Please don´t be mad at me!"

Sweetie and Scoots looked at each other confused.

"Why would be?"

"Yeah, Twist its our friend too."

"Bu-but she is not a crusaders and we made a promise to spend all our effort getting our Cutie Marks and and..."

"Apple Bloom relax!" Scootaloo replied "We´re not mad at you for spending time with Twist, silly!"

"Yeah, actually you should spent more time with her. Wasn´t she like your best friend?"

"She used too...but then ah met you two and ah guess ah got busy."

The girls smiled and invited Apple Bloom to sit down next to them. "Calm down farm girl. You´re being silly, ´sides we have fun just the two of us. Just like the old times, right Sweetie?"

"Yup!"

"Wait, yah two used to hang out together?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Yeah we were like best friends before we met you,"

"Really? And how did that happen?"

Sweetie was doing an actual effort trying to remember but Scoots remember that day very well.

"Well if you want to know..."

****

This happened just after I moved from Fillydelphia. Back then I didn´t had any friends, I didn´t knew Rainbow Dash. I didn´t even had my scooter! I was just walking around town when I ran into two fillies I regret ever meeting.

"Seriously Silver Spoon, this all your fault!"

"How is it my fault? You didn´t saw the tree either!"

"Well you have glasses so you should see better!"

"And now how are we gonna get our kite back?"

"Hey you! Yes you! Not you, mule; the pegasus colt with the purple mane!"

"I´m not a colt!" I yelled while that mule left offended.

"Haha you are not? With that voice?" Diamond mocked me.

"What´s wrong with my voice?"

"Nothing...dude!" Silver continued.

"Ugh what did you two wanted anyway?"

"You see that kite up there?" and she pointed at the top of that big tree in the park.

"...yes?"

"Well, go fly and take it back!" she ordered me.

"Why should I?"

"Because you have wings, duh!"

I should have said no but I didn´t want them to think I was a coward or something so I tried to climb the tree and of course, I failed.

"Why aren´t you using your wings?" Silver said.

"Wait, you can´t fly?" and they began laughing .

I tried to climb back and I fell again and when I tried to hover, I just crashed.

"Please I have seen chickens flying higher than you!"

*****

"...ugh. Ah guess those chickens joke must had been very hard fer you, right?"

"YES."

"...umh and then what happened, Scoots?"

"Sweetie you were there, don´t you remembe- anyways, I tried a couple of times more until they got bored...

*****

"Let´s go Silver Spoon."

"But what about the kite and the competition?"

"Forget it, I was only doing that to please Mrs. Cheerilee but I didn´t want to be in such a lame contest anyway. Lets go home. Oh and thanks for nothing pegasus!"

"See you later...dude!"

And they left laughing. I was really mad and embarrassed so I tried to get the kite one more time, only this time I felt on top of somepony.

"I´m sorry..."

"Auh...oh oh! Oh dear gentlecolt, it was my fault! Please forgive me!"

And she did this thing when she extended her hoof. "What are you doing?"

"Uh my sister told me I have to act this way if a boy bumps into me,"

"I´m not a boy!"

"Oh...then, how dare you? You could have scratch my hoof and ruin an entire day at the spa, you brute!"

"...what?"

"Umh my sister told me that if a girls bumps into me I should. act all offended and stuff.."

"Yeah yeah, just forget it." and I remember I looked up. "Stupid kite,”

"You were trying to get that kite back? I can help you!"

"...okay, how?"

"Just jump into my back and then I will push up and you would use your wings to reach it!"

"Yeah, I don´t think so,"

"Why not? We can do it! A pegasus and a unicorn team, flight and magic combined! Although I can´t use magic but you can use your flight and then..."

"I can´t use my flight! I can´t fly, okay? Are you happy now! Now leave me alone!"

And I left after yelling at Sweetie for something that wasn´t even her fault. I make a terrible first impression so imagine my surprise when she showed up at my door the next day.

"How did you find my house?"

"Oh I ask Mrs. Cheerilee about the new student and she told me it was you but that was after I asked her about the kite competition and that was after I asked my sister for help in getting the kite back but the kite was already broken so I ask my sister help in repairing it but she told that flying a kite its uncouth so I decided instead to make a new kite but that was after I talked to Mrs. Cheerilee and asked her about the kite and I told her about you and she mentioned you were a new student and am I going too fast?"

She was but I didn´t noticed because I was looking at what was on her hooves.

"So I made this new kite and I was wondering if you want to go to the competition with me,"

And then I said "You know, usually kites are simple shapes or maybe a cute animal like a butterfly. This is the first time I see an octopus kite."

"It´s not an octopus! It's an alicorn! Like the princess!"

"And why does she has eight legs?"

"She doesn´t! Those are her wings and those are...UGh I made this mistake again!"

And then I laughed.

*****

And Scootaloo kept laughing as she finished her story while Sweetie was blushing.

"So...did yah win the competition?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Are you kidding? We had an octopus as a kite!"

"It wasn´t an octopus!" Sweetie replied.

Scootaloo kept laughing, Sweetie got even redder and Apple Bloom just smiled and thought if they could get a Cutie Mark for flying kites. And more importantly, if Twist will be willing to help them make one.

Good Intentions

“Train tickets to Baltimare?” Rarity repeated, still surprised by Rainbow sudden visit to her boutique.

“Yup, The Wonderbolts are doing a special presentation this weekend and I managed to snatch three tickets. They come with hotel rooms and everything!”

“Oh wonderful, I´ve always dreamed visiting the runaways of Baltimare! But, no offenses, why asking me first? You know I´m not the sport type,”

“So? We can still have fun, as long as you don´t try to force me into any girly dress,”

“No what I meant is why me and not Pinkie or Applejack?”

“Pinkie is busy taking care of the babies and I didn´t even bothered asking Twi or Fluttershy, I know they are both busy and not interested. But I have a great time with both you and AJ during the camp and I figured we could have some fun in the city as well,” Rainbow explained.

“That...makes sense.”

“Of course it does. I´m smarter than you think you know?” Rarity giggled knowing that Rainbow wasn´t really offended. “I was going to ask Applejack now. I bet she´s busy doing some work but I thought that if we help her maybe we can catch the first train tomorrow morning,”

“Sounds like a plan. Wait here, I´ll get my afternoon hat!”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. She was going to force her into some dress, she just knew it.

****

“Ah´m mighty sorry girls, ah´ll be glad to go with you two but  ah simply can´t. Ah´be been all morning doing errands and ah still have to lead our group to raise the windmill.”

“I knew you´ll say that and that´s why we came here to help you!” Rainbow said.

“Ah appreciate that RD but still...”

“No buts Applejack!” Rarity interrupted her. “You yourself said you´ve been working since this morning. You need to take a rest immediately, risk doing more damaged to that sunny mane of yours,”

“Umh?”

“You heard the expert, AJ. You just go and take a nap, we´ll take care of things in here,” Rainbow insisted.

“Sure yah can handle things, girls?”

“Of course we can!” Rarity assured her.

“Yeah, I mean, how could we screw this up?”

*****

“Okay troops, one line! Listen well, we´re gonna tackle this beast in one swoop! No mercy! We´re gonna strike fast and we´re gonna strike hard! Victory awaits for nopony! We must watch the enemy in the eyes and laugh on its ugly face! There is no mercy on this dojo!”

The farmer ponies all looked at Rainbow like she was crazy. Not even Granny Smith will speak such nonsense.

“Are we ready to complete the mission, soldiers?”

“Ah I thought we we´re just raising a windmill...” Caramel said.

“Do I detect a hint of mockery, soldier? You think you can speak up? Let me see your war face son!”

Caramel just shrinked in fear.

“Umh Rainbow Dash, where is Applejack?” Apple Fritter asked trying to make some sense out of this.

“Applejack is resting and she can´t be bothered so we´re the ones who will raise this thing up and we´ll do it before the sun falls! No breaks, no delays, all finish by 1800 hours, are we clear soldiers?”

….

“I say are we clear?!”

“Yes sir, sir!”

******

Meanwhile inside the house Rarity had finished cleaning the kitchen when she noticed Big Mac sitting in the couch, clearly exhausted.

“Oh look at you. You have been working alongside your sister all morning, haven´t you? Well Big Mac, no need  to worry. I´ll give you a special massage and you´ll be back in your hooves in one second.” Before he could protest she was already behind him, getting her hooves ready. “Trust me, I´ve been getting this treatment for years in the local spa. I know exactly what I´m doing.”

“Well thanks Rarity, that´s mighty generous of yoAAAAHHHHH!”

“Honestly, Aloe and Lotus, those are the twins that run the spa by the way; always make this sound much more difficult that it really is. Its simply a matter of applying pressure to the right spots, thats all. I don´t even need to use my hooves, my magic will do the trick, if you pardon the pun,”

One painful massage session later, Rarity noticed Granny Smith  coming downstairs.

“Granny Smith, I thought you were sleeping. You too need to rest, you know that?”

“AH couldn´t sleep with all that noi-”

“Yes Rainbow can get a little enthusiastic but that is no excuse. Come on in, back to bed.”

“Hey, wait a minute!”

Ignoring the unconscious Big Mac, Rarity took Granny Smith back to her bedroom and make sure she was comfortable enough. She was going to get her beauty sleep, even if Rarity had to pretty much tie her up to the bed.

“Well that takes care of it, now what´s next?” Rarity heard a sound coming from the kitchen.

“Oh hi Rarity! How's Sweetie Belle?” asked the filly, who came in alongside the family dog.

“Apple Bloom, you are...completely covered in mud!”

Apple Bloom and Winona looked at each other confused.

“This is unacceptable!”

****

“Okay AJ, you just relax. Ahhh, ah miss you bed! Maybe ah could get some sleep after all...oh apple seeds, ah forgot to tell Rainbow where the paint buckets are. Ah better go tell her...no, she insisted ah took the day off. Ah´m sure she can handle it . Yup....ah hope Rarity reme,bers to take the pies out of the oven. Hope she notice them, ah forgot to tell her. And if she doesn´t, she will for sure once the smoke covers the entire kitchen! Ah have to go down! No no no, stop that! Rarity is obsessed with detail, she will notice. Also there´s no smoke so the pies are fine. Just fine. Ah need something to distract myself....mmmh ah could read something or maybe ah could finish that story ah was writing. Yeah ah could get to do that, lets see.. where was ah again? Chapter 1. Umh.....”

“Man down! Man down!”

“Apple Bloom, stay still! You´re making a mess in here!”

“...ah´m never going to finish this thing.”

******

Unable to get some rest, Applejack came downstairs to find a complete war zone. Big Mac was out of combat on the floor, Granny Smith looked like caterpillar all covered on her sheets, jumping down the stairs, trying to escape; and both Winona and Apple Bloom cried over their exaggerate makeovers.

Outside, things were even worse. All the ponies arguing with each other and all the tools being thrown at Rainbow who was being a terrible leader this time, forcing the ponies to do ridiculous chores and having no idea how a windmill was supposed to look.

“ENOUGH!”

They all turned to look at Applejack.

“Rainbow! Rarity! Come here this instant! Listen you two, ah appreciate your offer but yah both doing a horrible job! Rainbow, these ponies are my friends, my family! Yah can´t just yell orders at them, yah have to work alongside them, thats the only way to get teamwork done. Ah don´t start me with how thats boring. Ah already had a discussion with Pinkie about how rasing a barn wasn´t fun, well it is fun for us and this certainly isn´t fun! Being yelled at by a leader who doesn´t even know how to do the work herself that its no fun! And Rarity, yah can´t just come in and put my house upside down! This is my house, not yours! Yah can´t force my family to do the things yah want to do! Ah know your heart it´s on the right place but all your help its just making thigns worse! You two have done more damage to my house than an invasion of parasprites! Ah want yah two out of here! Now!”

And with that final order, Rarity and Rainbow lowered their heads and left the farm.

****

The next morning, Rainbow Dash meet up with Rarity on the station, the unicorn already wearing her “tourist scarf”. Despite the sunny day, both girls were feeling blue.

“What´s up with ta long faces? Did yah forget to bring an extra set of scarfs or something, rares?”

“Applejack?” they both asked confused.

“You came? After all the awful things we did yesterday?” Rarity added.

“Yeah, I thoguht you were so mad with us you didn´t want to see us again!”

“Relax Rainbow. Ah was mad at yah two but ah got over it. Ah know yah were just trying to help. ´sides, ah can´t let a free ride to Baltimare go to waste. That city has the recipe for the best blueberry pie in all of Equestria. Ah taste it when ah was a foal and since then, ah been obsessed with taking another bite”

The three girls laughed as their waited for the trian to arrive.

Recruits

"All right newbies, make a line and stick to it! If any of you do as much as blink without my permission you can take your bags and get the hay out of my academy!"

Half of the recruits shivered, either out of fear or because the instructor was really loud. She inspected the line up and down, checking each pegasus one by one, and taking the opportunity to take out any U-Pod or any other things they brought from their homes to avoid getting bored.

"Damn unicorn thingies...back in my days we´ve nothing but recorders. Did I say something funny, recruit?"

"N-n-n-n-n-no maám!"

"Then why the hay do your wings flap like that? Or are you just that happy to see me?"

"Umh ma´am, he can´t help it. Shivering Feathers wings do that anytime he gets nervous," another recruit explained.

"Shivering Feathers? What kind of cruel parents named you like that?"

"Ha, says the mare named Scoot-aloo!"

Blushing, the instructor turned over to yell at the intruder, a tall stallion with a goatee and a camera hanging from his neck. "Featherweight...I told you before, no reporters on my ac-" but before she could finish he pointed at his "press" tag on his jacket.

As much as she hated it, it really wasn´t "her" academy; management still make the calls and if they said that Featherweight got full access there was nothing she could do about it. Not that she had to like it but she couldn´t just throw him away.

"I don´t have time for you. Recruits, one line! Follow me!"

Featherweight saluted the younglings. Most of the mares giggled but a few thought he was mocking the instructor. Of course, they ignored that they were an item back in school and even today remained good friends. Friends that constantly bickered but friends nonetheless.

Scootaloo took the young pegasi into the main building of the academy. "This is the museum area. Strictly for tourists, they come here to learn about the story of the Wonderbolts. You´ll be busy this whole year trying to dodge the storm clouds to visit here so this is your one chance to take a look around. Make it worth it,"

It took them a minute to realize that was her way of saying "dismiss". The students spread across the room, looking at the photographs and statues. While they were already familiar with all the facts in display this really was an unique opportunity to see things like Rainbow Dash original goggles or read Soarin apple pie recipe.

"What? She has a place on the Hall of Fame! What a rip-off!" one of the young mares complained and the rest gathered around the statue she was pointing at.

"Yeah, wasn´t she like the worst flier the group ever had?" another mare commented and several nodded along.

"Quiet!" Scootaloo barked, causing Shivering to almost turn into a hummingbird. "You will not, I repeat, you will not speak like that about Lightning Dust!"

"But ma´am, she is regarded as the worst recruit in the history of the team," one colt replied.

"So? There´s more to being a Wonderbolt that just getting good numbers. So yes, she may had been a bad team player, she may had disobeyed orders occasionally, she may had been expelled a couple times..."

"Seven." a freckled mare added.

"Okay seven! Who cares? My point is that Lightning Dust had courage and she never gave up, no matter how many times she failed, no matter how many mistakes she made, she never gave up! And I wouldn´t let you brats make fun of her sacrifice, got that?"

They didn´t nodded, too scared to even say anything at Scootaloo. Growling like a mad dog, she turned over, ignoring them.

The students began to chatter among them so Featherweight, who had been watching the entire time, said this:

"You do know how LIghtning Dust lost her life, right?"

"Didn´t she died like in an accident or something?" a brown coat colt asked.

"You know, Lightning Dust was what my old teacher used to call a bad apple, never quite learning the lesson. She should know, she used to deal with Diamond and Silver in a daily basis. But despite all the mistakes she made, Rainbow Dash never gave up on her. It just figures, if Twilight Sparkle, THE Twilight Sparkle was able to forgive somepony like Trixie, the Element of Loyalty should show the same level of commitment. They were bitter friends but they remained friends all those years. Rainbow Dash never once, turned her back on her..."

"Yeah ´cause she was the most awesomest of ponies!" an enthusiastic mare replied.

"But she had one fatal flaw, she never listened. Even when Twilight warned her she couldn´t hold the falling Crystal Tower she didn´t listened. She was about to get crushed had not Lightning Dust show up and help her. Together they managed to hold the tower enough for everypony to escape but when the dust cleared, they found Lightning among the shattered remains, a piece of crystal piercing her heart. She died on the spot, only managing to tell a few words and even then those words were her complainign that she once again screwed things up and that she failed where Rainbow succeeded. She saved the Crystal Princess daughter, she was hero that day too but she didn´t even noticed." Featherweight took a break to look at her statue. "The day she was named captain, Rainbow ordered that statue to be built. She wanted everypony to remember her friend. To remember this lesson. You´re going to fail kids, a lot, but in the end your effort, no matter how small, it matters. Not your failures but your effort."

Thunderlane walked in and saw Scootaloo sulking at the window while the press pony addressed the recruits. Something was wrong, he thought. "Listen everypony! Your first lesson begins in an hour, follow me to your rooms!"

As the students left, Featherweight took a look at a photo on display. A bran new line of recruits on their first day. It was a little funny seeing Scootaloo, fresh out of Ponyville, standing next to Lighting, a grown mare by then; both wearing the beginners uniform. But despite the age difference, on that day, and the whole year they were together, they were the same.

They were Wonderbolts.

The Real Culprit

It was a peaceful day in Ponyville and the girls were at Sugarcube Corner watching some old photos.

"Heh, look at us! Fresh graduates of the Flight Academy! Haha look at Fluttershy trying to hide behind me!"

"Silly filly! You were almost a head taller than her, how did you think you could hide behind Dashie?"

"Rarity, you are covered in mud on this picture,"

"Oh yes, the pig catching contest. My parents forced me to participate in such an uncouth contest..."

"Oh cheer up sugarcube, we had fun, plus it was the day we became friends!"

"Umh yes it was. I guess it wasn´t such a bad day after all,"

"What´s going on this picture?"

"Thats the day Fluttershy arrived to town, Spike."

"And where is she?"

"Ha where else? Hiding behind that bush! Pinkie made her jump higher than she had ever jump before!"

"...she startled me."

All the girls laughed while Twilight put down the album with a small smile. "You know, I´m a little jealous. You all have memories from before you knew me, all those wonderful days you shared."

Twilight friends hugged her to cheer her up. All but one. "They were not all that wonderful, darling."

"What do you mean Rarity?"

"There was a terrible day, a day I will never forget."

"Ugh, not this again!" Rainbow lamented, stretching her eyelids in frustration.

"It was a dark and stormy night..."

"It was a bright day," Applejack interrupted her.

"...and I´ve just finished my latest creation!" Rarity continued, ignoring her. "A beautiful party dress, covered in jelly beans. It was both cheerful and delicious, it was going to be the center of attention in our school party; but before my classmates could rejoice in my creation...it was destroyed!"

Everypony gasped.

Well, actually only Spike, Twilight and Fluttershy did, and the last one had no reason too.

"Some vicious criminal devoured my masterpiece, it was the worst crime ever committed in the face of Equestria!" Rarity make sure to push a seat before she dramatically fainted.

"And you never caught the culprit?" Twilight asked, getting way too much into the story.

"Sadly no...but I have my suspicious. For years I´ve suspected of one pony and only one pony, the one who has always hold a grudge on me for being prettier and more talented, the pony known as...Cheerilee!"

"Yes?" Cheerilee asked, since she was just in the other corner of the room talking to Lyra and BonBon.

"You have always been jealous of me, ever since foal school. Admit it!"

"Ugh this again? I didn´t ate your silly costume, Rarity!"

"Silly? How dare you?!"

While the two mares argued, Twilight smiled, intrigued by the story. "This is actually quite a mystery. Maybe I should take a look at this. Pinkie, want to be my assistant once more?"

"Euh I...I´m sorry Twi I have...ugh I have work to do in the kitchen." and she retired, acting very suspicious.

"Well in that case, want to replace her, Fluttershy? You are always making good observations."

"I think I better go help Pinkie on the kitchen. I don´t like interrogating ponies." And she retired too.

"Well I can´t ask Applejack because she was a witness, that leaves you, Rainbow."

"Hey why me? Why don´t you ask Spike here?"

Spike was currently busy biting on Cheerilee´s leg while BonBon and Lyra tried to pull him out.

"...good point."

****

Inside the kitchen, Pinkie was frantically running around, putting empty bowels in the oven and baked goods inside the dishwasher.

"Pinkie, are you sure you are okay?"

"Of course I am! Why wouldn´t I? I´m as happy as a sandcolt not that I´ve ever seen a colt made of sand before what do ponies meant by that anyway?" she answered while putting a frost cake in the trash can and the garbage inside the fridge.

"Oh well if you say so, Pinkie. Why don´t you let me take care of things here for a while, you know, in case Twilight has some questions for you?"

"Questions?!"

"Well yes, you were there that day, weren´t you? Me and Rainbow came a few weeks after the incident but you were here when it happened, right Pinkie? You were there that day...Pinkie?"

Pinkie didn´t turn around she just said "I´m sorry, Fluttershy."

"About what?"

"About this."

****

"...thats very useful information Big Mac. I´ll let you know if I need anything else, understood?"

"Eeeeyup," the stallion said, while keeping his hoof down on Spike´s tail so he won´t attack Cheerilee again.

"Now we have plenty of witness information. What do you think of the case so far, Rainbow Dash?"

Her answer was a snore.

"RAINBOW!"

"What? I think it´s boring! All you do is ask, ask and ask again. Can´t we just punch somepony?"

"That´s not how a detective acts, Rainbow."

"Not in the boring novels you read...." she murmured.

"What was that?"

Before she could answer, a scream came from the kitchen. Mr. Cake was the first one to rush since it was his wife who yelled. When they all got inside, they found Mrs. Cake standing over Fluttershy body.

"Mrs. Cake, what happened?"

"She is...she is..." And Mrs Cake broke in tears.

While her husband comforted her, Rainbow Dash approached her fallen friend.

"Oh Fluttershy...what the hay is wrong with you? You know you´re allergic to peanuts and you ate a whole jar of peanut butter?! Are you crazy?!"

"It...wafmt...mi....foult,"

"...come again, sugarcube?"

"She is saying she didn´t do it. Somepony forced her too. Look at her hooves, they´re perfectly clean. Had she ate the butter, her hooves will be dirty."

"But what pony could do something like that?" Cheerilee asked.

"The only pony who was here was...where is Pinkie Pie?!" Twilight yelled.

They all looked around until they heard sounds coming from upstairs.

"Her bedroom!"

Everypony rushed upstairs, Rainbow carrying the inflated Fluttershy. They found Pinkie rushing around her room, packing a suitcase with all sorts of things including Gummy and a kitchen sink while the babies laughed at her antics.

"Its all over, Pinkie Pie!" Twilight announced, causing Pinkie to froze in mid-air. "You have no way to escape."

"Pinkie, why did you do that to Fluttershy?" Applejack demanded to know.

Pinkie didn´t answered but trembled in fear.

"I know why she did it. To cover her tracks, Fluttershy must have figure out something, probably Pinkie gave herself away by saying the wrong thing..."

Twilight was right in the zone but Rainbow had no patience. "Could you drop the act and said that Pinkie ate the dress already?"

Twilight sighed. "You really don´t care about following the formula, do you, Rainbow? Yes, Pinkamena Diane Pie...you are the culprit!" And she pointed at Pinkie with an accusing hoof.

Pinkie tried to fight back but she finally cracked. "YES! I did it! I confess! I did it all! I ate Rarity dress back in school, I fed Fluttershy the peanut butter so she won´t talk, I stole Dashie´s Daring Do costume and got it dirty with mud and when I tried to clean it I made it worse so I hide it under my bed and never told her!"

"Pinkie!"

"Well Pinkie Pie, you´ve been hiding this secret for fart too long, now its time you face the consequences..."

Pinkie hung her head low waiting for Twilight judgement.

"What consequences, Twi? She just ate a stupid dress like ten years ago, we would have eat the costume anyways after class." Applejack the voice of reason pointed out. "The only real crime here are two ponies holding a grudge for absolutely no reason for far too long."

A little embarrassed, Cheerilee and Rarity looked at each other.

"Apologies accepted."

"Apologies given."

"Great. Now that everything is over, lets go get Fluttershy some medicine before she keeps getting bigger," Applejack sentenced and everypony went downstairs.

Pinkie sighed, the weight on her shoulders finally gone.

Rainbow Dash came back to the room, grabbed her costume out of the bed, gave Pinkie a menacing glare and then returned back downstairs.

"....sorry."

Not Quite

Fluttershy smiles.

A small, faint line always carved on her pale face, not quite a real smile but good enough. Small enough to not draw attention, big enough to stop any questions. She always remembers to put on that smile, even when her eyes dart to the wall.

She visits Twilight to return a book and once her friend turns over, her eyes dart to the wall. Hanging on the wood, there is a small frame. A picture of the entire family on the wedding day. The groom's parents hugging, the newlyweds smiling to the camera and the mare of honor holding the ring bearer so he fits on the picture. All of them, beaming with happiness. Twilight thanks Fluttershy for returning the book and she says is nothing, all while keeping her smile on.

Always keeping her smile on.

It happens everytime, on every house she visits. There´s always a picture. On Applejack´s it hangs over the chimney. A bulky stallion, a cheerful mare, a baby on her arms and under them, a young colt and a freckled foal.

Rarity keeps her on the boutique, barely visible behind the counter. Still, Fluttershy can't help but look. She nods and pretends to listen to her friend while taking a cup of tea but in reality her full attention is on the picture. The elder sister looks annoyed, her elaborate dress a stark contrast to her family tacky outfits. She still poses though, despite her embarrassment she stands alongside her little sister and parents.

On Pinkie´s bedroom, two frames lie on the nightstand. One in sepia tone, the uptight family doing its best to not crack as the cheerful filly makes a silly face. The other is on bright colors, the bakers, their assistant and their babies; all covered in birthday cake after an intense food fight.

Fluttershy smiles. She remembers to do so on every house.

Except hers.

She returns to her cottage where all her animal friends await for her. She thanks them and hugs them but she can´t smile. She can´t smile when watching that empty wall. There is no frame, no picture. No brothers, no sisters, no cousins nor aunt or uncle. Her parents reduced to a single postcard.

Then there's a knock on the door. She finds Rainbow Dash standing on the doorway, blowing her mane like she always does when she is nervous about something. Fluttershy stands and listen to Rainbow ramble for a long while. About their last trip together, about it being extremely lame, about the butterfly thing being kind of cool looking but still lame, about not having such a terrible time, about how she actually likes hanging out with her, about how they have been friends for so long she is practically family, how Fluttershy is the closest thing to a family she has, almost like a sister but not quite.

Fluttershy listens to all of this but says nothing. Her patience finally over, Rainbow hands a package and flies off, not one to give explanations. Fluttershy unravels the package and finds a picture frame, an image of both pegasi standing together. Rainbow is blushing, clearly not wanting to be there while Fluttershy beams, following the photographer orders to stand closer to Dash.

Hovering slowly, not making a single sound, Fluttershy moves to the wall and hangs the picture. Despite her efforts, it doesn't stand straight, always falling to one side, not quite hanging on the wall. But she leaves it anyway, not moving it from that wall, since that place is the first thing she sees every time she crosses the front door.

And since then, everyday when she comes home Fluttershy does one thing....

She smiles.

Warm Memory

“Come on Apple Bloom, come out!”

“Yeah, the wrap-up is almost over!”

“Pleashe?”

No answer.

Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Twist took one final look to the bedroom closed door and sighed before heading downstairs.

“Told you she wouldn´t come. She doeshnt like Winter Wrap-up,” Twist said.

“I don´t get it. Why does se locks himself like that?” Scootaloo asked.

“Maybe we should ask...” Sweetie said and pointed at Granny Smith who was resting on her chair, wrapped in a blanket due to the chilling weather.

“It´s not that she hates the holiday...” said the elderly mare. “It´s the snow. It brings her sad memories.”

“Sad memories?” Sweetie asked.

“Of the day our family became two sizes smaller...”

Sweetie was about to ask again but she got punched by Scootaloo. Before she could complain Twist made her noticed that Granny Smith was grabbing a picture frame with an image of the Apple family, back in the days when it had two more members.

“It was the day after the Wrap-up and despite all the hard work in town, there were still a few small patches of snow on the roads...”

****

Upstairs, Apple Bloom had her head buried under the pillow.

Unable to cry anymore, she tried to force herself into sleep to no avail. Her memory instead began to wander, showing her several pictures of her past. Some were obscure, others were bright but all were covered in snow.

She remembered roaming through the snowy fields, sinking in all the time and needing to ride on her brother´s shoulders. She remembered her dad, bulky and tall, always smiling while chewing a straw of hay. He weared the yoke back in the day. She couldn´t remember his voice but she remembers the warm feeling as he playfully rubbed her mane.

She remembered her mother, trotting through the fields, the Stetson placed on her head, her bright freckles on her pale green face. Her mother looked like a taller Applejack with Granny Smith colors except for the mane, a powerful apple-red mane.

Her mother loved the Wrap-Up, Apple Bloom remembered this. She was always barking orders and doing half of the work herself. She looked harsh but she gave support to all the farmers. She was enjoying every second of it, Apple Bloom could tell because of her radiant smile.  Her mother was a hard-worker but she was also stubborn, perhaps a bit too much. She remembered small fragments of a discussion, her mother insisted on capturing a snow cloud despite the pegasi team declaring it a wasted effort. She still gave chase to the missing cloud, running after it, lasso in mouth.

Next thing she remembers, Apple Bloom was sitting on Granny Smith lap, right next to the chimney. The entire family is there, except her mother. Despite being next to the fire, the absence of her mother made the room felt cold. She finally returns, bringing with her the elusive cloud. She looks so proud, like she had just captured the entire cattle. Her father said something, his voice muffled on Apple Bloom´s memories, and her mother reaction is to furiously kick the cloud, somehow causing it to explode. The entire living room gets covered in a white blanket, all the Apples turned into small snow piles. Big Mac was the first to break in laughter soon followed by the entire family. She remembered all the laughs, all the warm.

It was a good memory.

*****

“Poor Apple Bloom...I had no idea her parents were gone... she must miss them so much,” Sweetie said, while placing her hat over her horn.

“I miss my parents too but its not like I can´t visit them. To me, its just a small trip to Fillydelphia. Her...” Scootaloo said.

Twist said nothing and just tied on her scarf.

The fillies were about to leave when they heard a voice, calling them to wait. Shortly, Apple Bloom was on the doorway, half dressed on winter clothes.

“Ah´m coming too...”

“You sure?” Sweetie asked.

Apple Bloom nodded.

“Why the sudden change?” Scootaloo asked.

“It´s not that sudden, it´s just....this is the first Wrap-Up for the three Crusaders.”

“And the Honorary Crusader!” Twist said.

Apple Bloom smiled and looked back at her friends. Sweetie and Scootaloo looked at each other and then smiled back.

“What are we waiting for then? Rainbow Dash is cleaning the skies near the library! If we hurry we can catch her!”

Scootaloo then dashed off, followed by the other three. Apple Bloom did her best to catch on, all while trying to put on her boots and jacket. It was cold outside but running with her friends, she could feel a little bit of warm returning.

Like a warm memory that never faded.

Show your respects

"So..."

The Alpaca King didn´t answer, he kept chewing his food, completely ignoring Twilight Sparkle.

The newly appointed princess smiled nervously, trying to figure out someway to reach to the stoic ruler of this mountain kingdom.

"Nice weather you have in here. Do you use some kind of magic to control it?"

No answer.

It was a rhetorical question actually, Twilight Sparkle have already done her research on the kingdom but she was desperately trying to get some sort of reaction out of the king. Otherwise, she will have failed on the mission Princess Celestia has appointed her.

"ARGH! This place is so boring!"

And of course, her friends weren't helping.

"Rainbow Dash, be quiet,"

"But it is! They do nothing in here but chew all day and then spit on each other faces,"

"That´s how they express gratitude. Be respectful of their custom, Rainbo-Fluttershy! What are you doing to the Princess?"

Fluttershy stop petting the alpaca Princess "I´m sorry, it´s just she looks so cute. She reminds me of my animal friends back home," and she resumed her petting, something that didn´t seem to bother the Princess that much.

Twilight took a look around and found her other friends were not doing any better. Applejack was arguing about how they should plant apples instead of potatoes, Rarity tried her best not to tear in pieces the poncho she was offered. The only one who seemed to be having a good time was Spike, who was in the balcony happily devouring a bowl of gems.

Noticing the King was looking at her, Twilight tried to save face. "Oh, we´re having a great time in here, your Majesty. We really this beverage, a mate you call it? Mmh, we love this. Right, Pinkie Pie?"

Pinkie had literally been sucked of all colour. "Sour..."

"I don´t even know why we are here..."

"Can´t believe I´ve to explain this to you again, Rainbow. A farmer from the Alpaca Kingdom was found lost in Appleloosa an-"

"No, I mean why are WE here. Can handle things on your own now, Mrs. Big-crowny-thing?" and she poked Twilight´s tiara.

"Rainbow, I do need you here. I´m still new at this whole Princess business, I need all the help I can get,"

"Why? You are doing such a good job so far," and Rainbow turn her back on her.

Twilight took another look and seeing the complete mess this meeting was she sighed, defeated, and moved to the balcony.

"Maybe I wasn´t meant to be a Princess after all..."

"Oh looks like somepony has a dark cloud over his head,"

"Gah! Discord! What are you doing in here?"

"Why, just enjoying my vacation." and he took the dark cloud over Twilight´s head and ate it. "Mm, it needs salt. The truth is that I heard the news about this new kingdom and decided to gave it a look. I have to agree with your friend Rainbow, this place is certainly boring. Wait, I know how to make it better!" and using his chaotic magic he turn the potatoes field into jelly making all the alpacas bounce around.

"Discord, stop this! You promised to not use your magic for evil ever again!"

"Au contraire,mon cheri. I promised to never use my magic in Equestria," and he continued turning the houses into cookies.

"Girls! Come here! We need to stop Discord!"

"Why? Aren´t you a Princess now? Can´t you stop him all alone?"

"Rainbow, stop it! I don´t have time to deal with your problems! Yes, I have new powers but I also have new responsibilities and if you aren´t going to help me with them then stand aside!"

Rainbow didn´t said a word. Applejack instead took the lead "What do you need us to do, Twi?"

"I have been practising in my fail-safe spell but I need time to gather my magic. Fluttershy, Rarity, put the alpacas safe. Applejack, Pinkie go and distract Discord."

The girls spread, leaving Rainbow behind.

"Hey!" Spike protested as Rarity took his gems.

Time Limit -

Using her magic, Rarity made a trampoline with the ponchos and the gems, making the alpacas bounce to a safe place where Fluttershy took care of them. Meanwhile, Applejack and Pinkie tried to do a "Who´s on first?" routine on Discord.

"Ah, a classic. But seriously, did you think I wouldn´t noticed the glowing alicorn over my head?" Discord pointed out.

"Maybe you should worry more about things under your head!" Rainbow yelled and uppercuts him, turning his head upside down.

"Well, that was totally uncalled for. Why did you did such a thing?" Discord complained.

"Oh i was just trying to turn your attention around,"

This got a laugh out of Discord.

Her magic finally ready, Twilight´s hro lighted and a wave of light engulfed the kingdom, undoing all of Discord´s magic.

"Ohoho, oh well, it was all worthy just for that joke. I guess I´ll try Saddle Arabia next. I always wanted to visit the pyramids," But before he teleported away, he moved next to Fluttershy "Our tea party for Sunday is still on, right?"

Fluttershy nodded.

With Discord gone, Twilight descended next to the Alpaca King and bowed her head, offering her since apologies.

The King response was to spit on her face.

"Hehe, I like this guy!" Rainbow said and proceeded to spit on Twilight too.

The other girls and Spike did the same.

Twilight laughed, being a Princess surely was hard work but having her friends around make thing easier.

(I bite a lot more than I can chew with this one. Still it was a good exercise to push myself. I like this version of Discord.)

Puppy Love

It was a nice and sunny day in Ponyville. Fluttershy had just left the market, her saddlebags filled with all sort of vegetables her little friends will enjoy. Especially Angel Bunny, she had planned to make him a special carrot cake.

She was heading back to her cottage when she heard a whimper coming out some bushes. It sounded just like a wounded animal. You can imagine her surprise when instead she found a light blue pony with a messy white mane, curled up like a ball and hiding behind some branches.

"Umh, are you okay?"

The pony didn´t answered and just keep weeping. Fluttershy considered going to get some help but if the pony was seriously injured she needed immediate help. Fluttershy took out the spare bandages she carried on her bags.

"Here. Let me help you..."

The pony reacted just like a dog would. She barked and make herself smaller. Fluttershy didn´t know what to do. Any other pony would have yelled at her to get her attention but she wasn´t anything like Rainbow or Applejack. So instead she acted like she was really an injured critter.

"Come here, little girl. I´m not gonna hurt you. Come out now. Come on."

While still suspicious, the pony slowly came out of the bushes. She protested a little as Fluttershy applied a spray on her wounded leg and bandaged her but otherwise she let Fluttershy work. Fluttershy asked her name and what had happened but the pony said nothing. Once she had done patching her, Fluttershy patted her head:

"Good girl. I have to go home now. Take care."

The pony stood there, looking confused.

***

Later that night, Fluttershy was taking care of dinner when Angel Bunny came running to tell her something. Like always, it took a while for Fluttershy to understand he meant somepony was at the door. When she opened she found the same pony from before, standing in the door just like a dog waiting for her master.

"Umh can I help you?"

The pony dropped something she had on her mouth.

"Oh my money bag. I thought I´ve lost it. It must have fell when I took care of your wounds. Thank you so much."

The pony barked.

"Umh well, thanks for returning it."

The pony wiggled her tail.

"Umh bye."

Fluttershy came back to her dinner. She served salad to all her friends and then sit down.

"Umh is she still there?"

Angel Bunny looked behind her and nodded.

"Oh my..."

***

"Thanks again for taking care of Owlowiscious. I was really worried when her feathers began to fell," Twilight said as the bird posed on her back.

"No problem. Owls can be a little tricky. Just make sure to give him a proper cleaning every day."

"Umh Fluttershy, have you noticed that pony following us?"

"Umh yes..."

"Isn´t that the pony from the hospital? Screw Loose I think. Why is she following you?"

"I helped her the other day and since then she had been following around."

"And why?"

"I don´t know. I tried to tell her to stop but she um licked me. On the face."

"Fluttershy, you need help?"

"Don´t worry Twilight, I´m sure she will get tired. Eventually."

***

But Screw Loose didn´t. Day after day she kept following Fluttershy around. When she was inside the house she just waited at the door and when night arrived, she just curled up and sleep there.

It got to the point where Fluttershy refused to leave her house. Rainbow Dash, tired of all this, yelled at Screwloose to get lost. In response, the pony bit her on the flank. Twilight finally told Fluttershy (more like yelled since Screwloose didn´t let anypony came closer to the cottage) that she was going to call the hospital. Fluttershy wanted Screwloose to stop following her but she didn´t want the nurses to hurt her or anything so, once her friends left, she came out to explain things to the strange pony.

"Screwloose..." the earth pony turned around, jumped excited like a little puppy. "Listen, you are not a dog. You are a pony. And more importantly, you are not my dog. I won´t adopt you or take care of you so if you can please stop following me around..."

Screwloose blinked a few times and then said "Well duh! Of course I´m not your dog. That´s just silly!"

Fluttershy was surprised, mostly that Screwloose could speak at all.

"So you know that you are not a dog?"

"Heavens, you are just like those nurses. Of course I know I´m not a dog."

"Then why do you act like one?"

"Because it´s fun! Don´t animals have the most fun, running around in the mud, sleeping wherever they like? Much better than being a boring plain normal pony!"

"And...why were you following me around."

"Because I like you! You are really nice and sweet and take care of all those other animals. By the way, they said they don´t like eggplants on their salads so please stop that."

"You can understand them?"

"Of course!" and she barked a few times.

Fluttershy took a good look at Screwloose. At this unusual and strange pony. She always had troubles connecting with her friends, they never quite understand why she preferred to spend time with animals instead with other ponies. When around others, she always felt out of place, unable to really be herself. But she was different. She didn't have to hide or pretend, she didn´t have any reasons to feel ashamed. Like all her animal friends she won´t judge her or look at her weird. She could be who she really was around her.

***

"Right this away, doctor. She is...playing with Fluttershy?"

In effect, Fluttershy and Screwloose were chasing each other. Barking and tried to grab each other's tail. Fluttershy won and once she got Screwloose down start licking her face.

"Umh...I think we better let them alone," Twilight said.

Burning Eye

Burning Eye was old and slow. His words were like a snowfall, ideas slowly piling up. It could take an entire week for him to finish a sentence and that if he was feeling motivated. He usually wasn´t, preferring to count the slow dripping for the estalactites. So when the little dragon came into the cave, searching for refugee, he said nothing. Back in the days, when the volcanoes were blossoming, he would have fought him but he was so old and tired that he welcomed the company.

The little dragon had plenty of stories to share. It figures, being a dragon raised by ponies. Burning Eye let him be, listening to his tales. If he kept quiet for too long the little one would yell at him, terrified of being alone. He dreaded the slumber. For Burning Eye the slumber meant nothing, it was gone in the blink of an eye but the young dragon wasn´t still ready for his first hundred years of sleep so Burning Eye let him go.

"What is that thing you keep playing with?" Burning Eye asked him, during one of the occasional moments of silence when the young one called Spike will stop his stories to play with a small object.

"This is my most precious possession!" he proudly announced and showed it to Burning Eye. The ancient dragon had to tilt his head so his remaining eye could get a look.

"A small emerald? Thats is the extent of your treasure?"

"Hey, it´s bigger than any of your hoard!" he pouted, his silly expression being reflected on the giant ruby that took the place of Burning Eye´s right eye.

The elder dragon laughed, his thunderous voice echoing through the cave. "I collected my treasure centuries ago, back when that treacherous draconequus was being chased out of the Everfree by my siblings. How can you said that diminutive rock is more worthy that my thousands of precious gems?"

"It´s not about the size, dude. This gem was giving to me by the most precious creature in all of Equestria, my beloved Rarity. She gave to me one day we went searching for gems in the mountains. Did I told you that story already? The one about the Diamond Dogs?"

He had and Burning Eye was more interested in the gem that another tale of him rescuing the ponies from certain death.

"And why haven´t you eat the gem yet?"

"I would never do that! This gem is a gift from the pony I love the most. I still remember her face the day I had to leave Ponyville. She was so old but still beautiful. As beautiful as in her wedding day..."

"She married?"

"Yes, to that Fancypants guy. He wasn´t so bad, once I get to know him. I know he treated her well and she really did love him."

"Your loved one chose another mate and yet you still cling to her gift?"

"Of course! I will never stop loving her! She was always so nice and generous. Even the last thing she said to me was to find a nice dragon and be happy with her. Wish I could find a dragon just as nice as her. Hey, are dragon chicks nice? I haven´t met one yet."

"I can´t tell you, little one. I never mated in my life. Back when I was young, mating was only for those strong enough. And I´m ashamed to say I was weak."

"I have to fight the other guys?" Spike asked, visibly not thrilled with the idea.

"You had to fight the females."

Now Spike was even less thrilled.

"Wish I had knew that feeling you spoke off. That feeling that makes you cling to a tiny rock even after so long."

"You never knew love, uh? No wonder this cave is so cold..."

"Cold?" Burning eye asked, his nostrils sprouting hot steam.

"Yes. It´s so cold and big. Luckily I have this to cuddle, otherwise I´ll be freezing." he let go a yawn, the slumber approaching. "You know, that whole fighting chicks reminded me of Scootaloo. We used to argue a lot. Rainbow said it was because she had a crush on me but I don´t think so. We were just friends. Probably because we both couldn´t fly. I wonder if there any other dragon that can´t fl..." and with that incomplete idea Spike fell into sleep.

Burning Eye watched him sleep, even still he seemed to be shaking at a high speed. But now that he was finally quiet the cave does seem too big and too cold. Burning Eye looked at his treasure, still glowing after all those centuries. He tried to remember the story of each gem to no avail, they were all the same, all meaningless.

Spike was right. His tiny treasure was bigger than his. Burning Eye closed his eye and waited. He decide to wait until his young companion wake up so he can learn more about this love he never knew.

Changes

Pumpkin Cake levitated her brush and began taking care of her mane. Her mirror was covered with photos of her favourite memories. As a baby with Pinkie Pie, with her friends at the Filly Scouts, as a flower filly in a wedding alongside a certain dragon...

"Hey Sis, can I borrow you-"

"ARGH! Get off my room, you idiot!"

"Auh! This is also my room!"

"I´m sick of sharing it with you, you buffoon!"

"Don´t call me things I don´t know the meaning!"

Downstairs, Mrs. Cake merely rolled her eyes.

"I was just going to borrow your Wonderbolts cap for today game. No need to get like that," Pumpkin choosed to ignore her brother and kept brushing.

"Hey Gummy wanna go to the game with me?" Pumpkin put down the brush and tried to choose an earring.

"Sis?" She couldn´t decide.

"Pumpkin!"

"What?!"

"Gummy isn´t moving."

Downstairs Mrs. Cake stop and looked upstairs worried. It was quiet.

*****

Funerals were supposed to happen in cloudy days but the weather scheduled that day was sunny. Pound managed to convince his friend Rumble to let him borrow a cloud just for this occasion. Both siblings stood under the single dark cloud, looming over the alligator tomb.

Mr. Cake watched his sons on the backyard with a concerned look, wondering what to say to them. As an answer to his prayers, the sound of the door bell told him his other daughter had returned.

"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Cake! Oh sorry Carrot and Cup!" Adult Pinkie Pie was pretty much the same. Her short haircut and glasses made her look a little like her biological mother but she remained her usual and cheerful self.

"Sorry you have to come for this, Pinkie." Mrs. Cake said.

"It´s okay. I should visit more often. How are the little ones?"

Just then Pound and Pumpkin came from the back door. Upon seeing her, Pound rushed to hug Pinkie.

"Auch. Watch it, Pound. You are no longer a little colt."

"Sorry."

"But just because you are all grown up doesn´t mean you can´t have some of my special blueberry cupcakes!"

Mr. Cake unfortunately had to remind him he had to return the cloud.

"Don´t worry. We´ll make sure to let you some. That is if me and Pumpkin can control ourselves, right?"

"Not hungry," the young unicorn said and went upstairs, slamming the door.

****

"She hasn´t come out?" Applejack asked, rocking back and forth on Granny Smith´s old chair.

"No. I figured I should give her some time but I´m leaving on Monday. I´m running out of time." Pinkie said.

"What about her brother?"

"Boys are easy, AJ. All Pound needed was a hug and one of my special cupcakes. He is already back to doing deliveries. But Pumpkin...you know, I was never really close to my sisters. That´s what made it easy for me to leave. With the babies, it was easy at first. Just playing and taking care of them. But as Pumpkin grew up, I became the big sister, the cool aunt, the confident. I now have to give answers on dating and body issues and why she needed her own room and stuff like that. Honestly, girls are a trouble. I don´t know how you deal with three of them, AJ."

"Four and counting!" the farmer said, patting her belly. "This apple tree still has a few more for the bucket!"

Pinkie smiled nervously. There were reason why she never wanted to have kids, talks like this being one of them.

"You´re right Pinkie. Girls can be tough but you can´t give up on them. You have a responsibility with those kids Pinkie, they need you. Just as much as you need them. Golden Crisp, stop pulling your sister mane! Don´t make me got up!"

Pinkie smiled, this time with ease. She had decided not to have kids but, seeing her friend happiness, a small part of her regretted it.

****

Pinkie was in the old storage room which also served as her temporary bedroom. She missed her old room but the Cakes had turned it into a second storage room once they decided to open for deliveries, despite Pumpkin protests that she needed her own room.

She was looking at her friends various written responses. Rainbow´s letter was a mess. She mentioned that she will never have to worry about burying Tank because turtles lived like for a hundred years only for then to apologize and scratch all over her speech and then do it all over again.

Rarity´s was better, more concise and to the point. She had already buried Opalescence a few years ago. Pinkie remembered that day. She visited Rarity, with no idea what to say and do, just wanting to cheer her up. In the end they just had tea. Something as simple as that.

Twilight letter was a formal apology for not being able to visit. It gave a dozen excuses but it end she was simply busy with Royal Duties and couldn´t abandoned them any time something happened to her friends. She learned the lesson the last time when she moved the entire Royal Guard just for Fluttershy wedding.

Speaking of Fluttershy, her letter was the odd one of the bunch. It was just a postcard of the Fillydelphia Zoo with a simply "Sorry". Nothing more. Pinkie could understand her. Ever since she married and moved Fluttershy had grown distant to them. It was only natural, she had work and a new family. Things have changed.

For all of them.

"Pinkie?"

"Hey Pumpkin Pie! What brings you to Casa del Pinkie?"

"I..." Pumpkin stopped mid sentence, slowly backing down.

"Hey, I still have some of that cupcake. Want a bite?"

Pumpkin kept quiet but sit down next to Pinkie. They shared the cupcake in silence, Pinkie enjoying this little moment of peace.

"You never answered."

And the moment was gone.

"I sent you several letters. You never answered them."

"I´m sorry, Pumpkin. I was busy."

"Doing what? You have no kids, you run your own business. You could have come visit us any time you wanted but you never did. You just...left. You simply took your things and left and never looked back. You never turned your head in the train. I remember."

Pinkie remembered too. She didn´t turn back because she was crying. Just as Pumpkin was now. "I´m sorry Pumpkin. I wish things could be just like they were before, trust me. But I can´t. As much as we hate it, as much as it hurts, things have changed. Sometimes for the worst. And there are some things that not even your Auntie Pinkie can fix."

Pumpkin finally surrender and laid her head on Pinkie´s chest. Pinkie slowly caressed her mane, humming a lullaby.

It wasn´t exactly like before but they were together again.

And being there, being there right now and then, was something Pinkie could do.

Requirements for a Princess

"All right class, sit down sit down," Cheerilee said, patiently waiting for her energetic class to calm down. "I hope you all remember the assignment I gave you last Friday. I sent your essays to Palace and today Princess Twilight Sparkle and Prince Blueblood are here to give you a special announcement. Please, your majesties."

Twilight and Blueblood entered the classroom. The entire class was happy to see Twilight, especially the Crusaders. Blueblood got his share of attention too, or at least Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara giggled and blushed at his presence.

"Good morning, my little ponies," Twilight said. "We´ve read your wonderful essays about what are the requirements for being a prince and princess and I must said, I´m personally proud of all of you. After consulting with Princess Celestia, we´ve decided to do something special. Based on your works two of you, a filly and a colt, will be named royalty for a whole day!"

The entire classroom exploded in joy.

"Calm down kids. Remember this is a great honor, so please behave," Cheerilee said. "Now please continue, your majesty."

"Thank you Cheeri-"

"Gladly," Blueblood said, pushing Twilight out of the way. "Younglings, your works were delightful. All of you perfectly understand what it takes to be a true prince!" and he continued, moving to the back of the room.

"Whatever happened to ladies first?" Twilight murmured.

"Your works speak of the bravery, the chivalry and the dedication that requires the title of prince. Young Pipsqueak, my aunt was very pleased to hear that you wish to become captain of her guard in the future so you can protect her. Snips and Snails, it is true. My blimp is pretty awesome."

Pipsqueak smiled while Snips and Snail bump their hooves.

"But out of all of you, this young fellow exposed the most important point of my position."

"Me?" Truffle Shuffle said, obviously not expecting to be selected.

"Yes. You knew exactly which element is the priority on any social event a prince must assist. The food. Only the finest of high cuisine is worthy of touching the mouth of the royal family. And your selection of favourite dishes prove your excellent taste. That´s why you young umh..."

"Truffle Shuffle, sir."

"Yes, you Truffle, will become prince for a day!"

While the students congratulated Truffle, Twilight glared at Blueblood. "Seriously, that was your criteria?"

"Of course, dear cousin. There are simply certain food manners that we, as royalty, must obey. You´ll be fine to learn them now that we´re family. You don´t want to repeat that embarrassing event in the latest Garden Party, do you?"

Twilight decided to ignore him and move next to the students.

"And you girls, also have proven to understand what it requires to be a princess. Those were some of the most interesting works I´ve ever read. Scootaloo, yes flying is awesome. Sweetie Belle, I don´t like chocolate that much but Princess Celestia does have a private fountain for parties. Apple Bloom, I´m afraid no princess is able to time travel and fight dinosaurs."

Scootaloo grinned in happiness, Sweetie licked her lips imagining all that chocolate and Apple Bloom just let go a sigh of disappointment.

"And the one student whose presentation precisely described what entitles to earn the crown was yours, Diamond Tiara."

Even Cheerilee gasped at this.

"You understand the responsibilities and the pressure that comes with the title. By comparing it to a business, you made a solid argument as to why a princess must be severe at times, why she must give orders to others, why her decisions must be carefully considered because they have consequences. A princess´ job is not all about parties and dances, is hard work that must be done flawlessly, otherwise the people under her reign may suffer," Diamond was beaming, gloating on the praise. "And that is precisely why I didn´t chose you."

"...WHAT?!"

"You understand how the job must be done but not why. Your essay only says Me, Me and Me. At no moment did you consider the opinion of others. It´s truth you must make the decisions but those decisions must be for the greater good, for the benefit of others. A true princess must not impose her orders, she must take the best decisions and, even if sometimes they may be seen as harsh, they are always for the best interest of her subjects."

Diamond hung her head lown, understanding the words of the princess despite her hurt pride.

"And thus, my chose to become princess for a day is...Twist!"

"...Me?"

"Yes Twist. Your work may not have the best arguments or even the best grammar; but you said that a best princess is the one that never forgets her true friends and stays by their side and you´re absolutely right."

A few minutes later, Twist and Truffle were wearing their new royal clothes. Twist attire complete with a set of wings and horn.

"Behold Equestria, your newest Princess, Princess Twist and her consort, Prince Truffle Shuffle!"

And the princess first order? Cupcakes for the entire classroom at Sugarcube Corner.

Be There

"You´re the man of the family now, Mac. We´ll try to come once a week to help but remember we have our own farms so you´ll have to deal with most of the work, understood?"

Big Mac didn´t answer. He kept rocking Apple Bloom back and forth, making sure the baby was asleep. Applejack was still crying upstairs, been crying all day since the service started. He was waiting for the grown-ups to stop talking before checking on her. She was his responsibility now after all.

They were right, he was the man of the family now.

*****

"And why can´t I go?!"

Big Mac was pulled from the world of painful memories into the present where more drama was unfolding. Sisters yelling at each other. At least, they were not throwing plates at each other this time.

"Because that´s no place for a young filly like you!"

"I´m not a filly anymore!"

The fights were a daily routine in the Apple farm now, ever since Apple Bloom finished elementary school and got her Cutie Mark. A martini glass with an apple slice, which Apple Bloom was convinced meant her destiny was on Las Pegasus. Of course, Applejack was not willing to let her little sister move to such a city.

"Why not? Sweetie´s parents gave her permission to study in Baltimare!"

"But there are not your parents!"

"Neither are you or Big Mac!"

That was the final straw. Had Granny Smith still be alive she would have put an end to this right there; instead, the house filled with silence. Apple Bloom turned around and ran off before Applejack could say anything.

"Did you...did you hear that?"

"She is right."

"What? How...how can you defend her, Mac? After she say such a thing? We practically raised her!"

"But we´re not Ma and Pa."

Applejack was speechless again. After a minute of silence, she left the house too, leaving Big Mac alone in the kitchen. He looked at his cup of coffee while his mind raced back again to the past.

****

"Big Mac! Big Mac!"

"Hello Cheerilee. You´re looking pretty nice."

"Yeah, I look totally gnarly," she said, trying to look impressive despite her notorious braces. "The guys at school are throwing a party, at that new place Sugarcube Corner. Wanna go?"

"I can´t. Have too much work."

"Oh come on, Mac! You´re always working and making excuses. Why can´t you be like the other kids and have some fun once in a while?"

"Because I can´t. I have to harvest all the right field, Applejack is still not over her fever and Apple Bloom´s teeths are coming out. I can´t take a day out."

"...I´m sorry, Mac. I have no idea. I just thoguht you may like to go out with me and, you know..."

"It´s okay, Cheerilee. I know. Go to the party, have fun for me," and he went back to the farm.

Cheerilee watch him pull the cart hill down and whispered

"It won´t be that fun withouht you..."

But he was too far away to hear those words.

*****

Apple Bloom closed her suitcase and put on a black cap, ready to sneak out but when she tried to leave she bumped against a hard wall.

"Big Mac! You´re not going to stop me, big brother! I´m leaving and that is final!"

"I´m not going to stop you," he said,

"...you´re not?"

"Nop," and he picked her suitcase and put it back on the bed. "I won´t tell you what to do. Dad was not around to tell me what was right and what wrong, I had to learn all on my own. Grandma did a better job taking care of AJ but, she still wasn´t mum," Big Mac sit on the bed and she sit next to him. "I´m not your father Apple Bloom, I know that. And I know there are things I could never do. But I can do one thing, I can be here for you. Whenever you need me, I´ll be here." and he put his arm around her, pulling her closer.

****

The next morning went unusually quiet. Applejack was washing the dishes when Apple Bloom approached her.

"Can I help you, big sis?"

"...sure."

Big Mac watched them work together and smiled. He knew the silence was not going to last long. Apple Bloom will leave and Applejack will cry once more. And he will be there for them, he will be always there for them.

Another year, another season

A perfect princess. Standing still, looking pretty, doing nothing.

Twilight Sparkle sighed.

She hated doing nothing.

"Mayor, may I help you with something?"

"Oh no no no, Princess. You just stand there and don´t worry about anything!"

"But I´m the Team Coordinator for the Wrap-Up, shouldn't I be, you know, coordinating something?"

"Of course not! We can´t have the Princess running around town like that."

"But-"

"Now now, don´t you worry. We have it covered. Spike, bring me those papers!" Mayor Mare said and she left along with Spike.

Twilight sighed again. She looked up and saw Rainbow Dash and her team passing by:

"Rainbow! Wait!"

"Hey Twi, what´s up?"

"Can I help you cleaning the clouds? Now that I have these..." and she wiggled her wings.

"Umh you see Twi, the thing is..." Rainbow scratched her head and looked at her teammates, all of them with their heads turn.

Twilight sighed a third time. "I know, the Princess shouldn´t be doing this," and she turned around.

Everywhere she went was the same; every group made a million excuses to not have her work. All of them, offering an umbrella for the snow of a new scar. All of them, watching over her like she was made of glass, afraid to let her get hurt or dirt; being so careful about her to the point Twilight couldn´t take it anymore and with a loud yell, she teleported away.

She re-appeared atop a snowy hill, next to a dying tree.

"Twilight? Are you okay sugarcube?"

Twilight wiped her tears before answering "I´m...I´m okay Applejack. What are you doing here? Shouldn´t you be with the Green Team?"

Applejack shook her head. "Nop. This year Apple Bloom is in charge."

"Apple Bloom? But she is too young!"

"She is old enough. She better get used to being in charge" and she moved a little over the edge of the hill. From there they could see all the teams working.

Twilight saw Apple Bloom barking orders right and left. She looked like a miniature Applejack, down to the borrowed hat. Apple Bloom was wearing the team jacket and brown Stetson while Applejack was simply wearing the blue hat she wore during Twilight´s coronation.

Twilight took a good look at all the teams and noticed how many fillies and colts were helping this year. Sweetie Belle was helping Rarity made the nest, or more like driving her crazy while trying to help. Scootaloo was chasing some fleeting rabbits while being cheered by Rainbow. Even the likes of Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon helped their parents organize the food.

But Twilight didn´t smiled until she saw Spike, who in previous years wanted nothing but sleep, gladly helping the Mayor with her paperwork. It was the same proud smile that Applejack had while watching her sister.

"Everybody is changing..." Twilight said out loud.

"Look who´s talking!" Applejack said, poking her wings.

Twilight smiled. Sure, things were changing. The people she knew were changing as well. Even she was changing. But maybe that wasn´t so bad. It will take time and effort, but just like the town changed from winter to spring, she could deal with the changes as well.

"Applejack..."

"Yes, Twilight?"

"I hate your new hat."

Applejack laughed and patted her friend back. Below them, the town continued to work.

Another year, another season.

I knew it was you

Snails was standing at the door of Golden Oaks Library. He kept trying to knock the door again and again but every time he pulled back.

"Oh, hi Snails!" Twilight suddenly opening the door. "Are you here to see Spike?"

"Uuhhhhh...ye-yes."

"Well I´m sorry but he isn´t here right now, Rarity took him to gather some gemstones or something."

"Uuuhhh okay."

"Okay."

After a minute of awkward silence, Twilight was ready to slam the door shut.

"Umh can I come in and ummh read the books?" he asked.

"Well, sure you can. This is a library after all. Come in. Are you looking for a specific book?"

"uuuh the one with words on it?"

Twilight suppressed the urge to say anything.

Ten minutes went by in complete silence as Snails read a book about birds in a corner while Twilight double-checked her notebooks. A couple of times she asked him if he needed help but Snails response was always a series of "ummh" and "aahh"

"Hey Twilight! Where were you? We waited for you like forever!" Rainbow yelled, suddenly bursting through the door.

"I´m sorry Rainbow, I know I said I was going to visit you and Pinkie but I got a client," she explained, pointing at Snails.

"He?" Rainbow asked, getting a glare from Twilight in response. Of all ponies she shouldn't make fun of others for wanting to read. "He sorry but, what are you going to do? Wait all day until he finish that book?"

"If that´s what it takes, yes. It is my duty as a librarian," she proudly announced.

It did take Snails most of the day to finish the book, the sun already setting when he closed it. Twilight asked if he wanted to check it out but he instead asked if he could come back tomorrow to read another one. When she said yes, Snails blushed and ran off the door, a confused Twilight watching him go.

****

"Hey, wanna grab a chocolate cake at Sugarcube, Snails?" Snips asked his best friend.

"Ummh no."

"Why, don´t you like chocolate now?"

"Ummmh no. I just need to visit the library."

"The library, ha! Do you even know how to read?" Diamond Tiara mocked him having listened to their conversation.

"Maybe he just sit there and stares at the covers!" Silver Spoon added.

"Hey, he knows how to read!" Snips defended him.

"Sure, but I bet he does it one page per hour! hahaha! Because he is as slow as a snail. Silver, that was a joke."

"Oh!" and both fillies left laughing.

"Ah, ignore them Snails. You are not that slow."

"Umh thanks Snips."

"So you want to got the library then?"

"Umh I prefer if I can go alone, Snips."

"Why?" Snips asked and his friend blushed in response. Snips may not be the brightest pony either but he knew his friend better than anypony. "Oh!"

"Umh could you keep the secret, Snips?"

"Hey, do you even need to ask? You know I got your back covered. As long as you don't tell anypony I´ve a secret crush on Apple Bloom!"

"ummh it was supposed to be a secret? ´cause I may have say something to Spike the other day about your drawings of her."

"SNAILS!"

****

Days and weeks passed by, everyday the same routine. Snails stopped by the library, he sit there reading a book while Twilight did some paperbook in a corner. Some days Spike was there and they played for a while and some days Twilight wasn´t there because of some emergency, but Snails went to the library every day.

Eventually, Twilight began to talk to him. It all started when he asked him a question for a word he didn't know. He then started making more questions, all of them she was happy to answer. They spent their hours like this, Twilight explaining some complicated issue and Snails just nodding along. He didn´t always understand but he keep asking and listening.

Everyday after school, he walked to the library and waited at the door. He never got to actually know, for some reason she always opened the door for him. He asked him one time how she knew and Twilight just shrugged, "Twilight sense, I guess".

A simple answer but to Snails it was a light of hope, like they were meant to met each day.

****

Snails was standing at the door of Golden Oaks Library, waiting for the door to open. He kept staring at the library, ignoring the boarded windows and the CLOSED sign. He kept waiting.

"Snails! Snails! Come on man, the storm is about to begin!" Snips yelled, trying to get his friend to react. "We better go take cover."

"I want to stay."

"Oh come on man. You know she is not coming back. She is a princess now princess don't live in libraries, they live in castle and stuff."

"You can go now, Snips."

"Oh man..." Snips patted his friend and left, just before the storm began.

Snails stood there in the rain, looking at the closed door of the library, waiting for the beautiful librarian to open the door and said

"Oh hi Snails! I knew it was you!"

Looking Down

Princess Celestia was in her bedroom, working over some delayed paperwork.

"Auh."

She calmly levitated paper and quill, signing orders and petitions.

"Auh."

Despite being so late at night, and technically her sister time, she was still up, making sure the kingdom was running in time and without problems.

"AUH!"

Celestia rolled her eyes and opened the window for her student.

"I´m sorry Princess," Twilight apologized. "I know I´m late for our meeting bu-oh." Twilight laid her head down upon seeing the clock.

"No need to worry Twilight, but may I ask what took you so long?"

"I´m still not used to these wings. I got lost coming back from Ponyville, not to mention all the times I crashed on the way here."

"I was under the impression your friend Rainbow Dash was giving you flying lessons."

"She isn´t exactly an expert on landing, Princess."

Celestia smiled and patted her student shoulder. "Don´t worry too much, Twilight. Can I tell you a secret? I was terrible at landing when I first started."

Twilight shared her laughs but her concern came back in a second. "Wish you could be given me these lessons, Princess."

"I´m afraid I won´t be of much help. But probably you could learn more from my old flight master."

"Your master? But you´re over a thousand years old! How can your master still be alive?"

"Thank you for reminding me how old I really am..." Celestia said with a visible vein on her face. "But if you really want to learn to fly, he is the best teacher you could ask for. Although I must warn you Twilight, he is anything like me or your friend Rainbow. He would not go soft on you."

Despite the warning, Twilight was determined to learn to master her wings so she silently nodded.

****

Rocks.

Nothing more than rocks and heath. The Royal Carriage had led both Princesses into the further regions of the Badland desert, where nopony had dared to settle down.

"Who could possibly live in this place?" Twilight asked.

"You´ll see."

Celestia guided Twilight into an old cave, buried deep in the canyon. Twilight was trembling, imagining what creature could possibly could live there. A dragon maybe?

A roar came from the darkness. Twilight folded her wings, terrified. Slowly the creature came out and to Twilight surprise was just an old griffon with a cane.

"Master Sharp Wing. I´m hap-AUH!"

"Stupid student! I told you never to come back!"

"-appy to see you again. Master, this is my pupil Twilight Sparkle. Twilight he is-"

"I know who he is. Sharp Wing was one of the Five Generals of the Griffon Kingdom. He was at the Siege of Cloudsdale. He is one of the biggest heroes of the Kingdom but, how is he here? How is he still alive? Ho-auh!"

"You ask too many questions! Why are you here?" Wing asked, still threatening them with his cane.

"My student needs your help master. She is having trouble with her new wings. Just like I was, remember?" Celestia explained.

"How can I forget the worst student I ever had? Your sister learned in one week what took you two years!" Wings stop and took a good look at Twilight. "She is small. She won´t last a day in here," and he moved back into the cave.

Twilight was already giving up but then she noticed Celestia moving back to the carriage.

"Princess?"

"Don´t worry Twilight. Master Wing may be a little grumpy but he won´t let you down. Just remember to not give up." and with that the Princess left, leaving Twilight in the entrance of the cave.

***

Twilight went looking for Master Wing and found him sitting atop a rock. She asked him when they will start but he said nothing and remained still. Twilight found a rock next to him and sit down too. She spent hours standing there, fighting sleep and hunger, until she finally gave up.

"Why are we doing this? Why aren´t you teaching me anything? How is this going to help me to get better at flying?"

At the end of her rant she was expecting another hit at the head but instead Master Wing asked.

"Do you need to fly?"

"What?"

"Do you need to fly right now? At this moment?"

"...no."

"Then just stay there."

Twilight kept quiet and waited but at the end of the day, she couldn´t go on anymore. She was hungry, she needed to move, but they were at top of the canyon and in the middle of the desert. She was too weak to teleport and it was too harsh to walk. The nearest was Appleloosa but in order to get there she had to fly. She looked at Master Wing, he was not moving at all. Twilight consider asking something but instead she looked upwards, to the night sky. To all the beautiful stars Princess Luna had spread that night...

"Why do you look up?"

"Excuse me?" Twilight asked.

"You ponies, always looking up. She did that too, watching the clouds all day. We griffons don´t do that, we look down, at the ground. That´s where the food is, that´s where life happens. Up there there´s nothing but an empty space, I don´t understand."

"Precisely because there´s nothing there is why we look up. We dream of infinite possibilities, of soarin through that starry sky. We don´t see emptiness, we see a million dreams to fulfill." Twilight explained.

Master Wing slowly nodded and closed his eyes. Twilight smiled and closed her eyes too.

***

The next morning, as the sun rises Twilight could felt her teacher´s magic. Slowly she began to float, ascending into the air and when her body was aligned with the sun she spread her wings, letting the magic and joy curse through her too. She then dove in into the canyon and went back up, performing a trick even Rainbow will envy. She met with Master Wing in the air, the old griffon still able to fly.

"Now you needed to fly?"

"I just wanted to spread my wings."

Master Wing nodded.

"I guess I learned my lesson."

"What are you talking about? This is just the beginning! Next we fight against a dragon!"

Seems like Twilight lesson had just begun.

Lost the Way

"So it was you the whole time," Applejack said.

Rainbow Dash bit her lip, trying to come up with some witty retort but she was caught in the act, so instead she just put down the mask and goggles.

"Shoot. You just had to walk through the door."

"It´s not like it was closed. Besides, this was my clubhouse before I give it to the kids. I still visit once in a while, especially during a downpour."

"Yeah, they did a good job with the decoration," Dash said, looking at the dew posters that hang in the wall, mostly dedicated to her.

Applejack, who was not in the mood for nostalgia, grabbed Rainbow by her costume "What the hay does this means? Why are you wearing this Shadowbolts uniform? Why are you doing all of this?" she yelled and pointed at the storm that was hitting Sweet Apple Acres.

"Relax AJ. The storm will pass soon. My boys will make sure nopony gets hurt."

"Your boys? You mean that gang of thugs that keep tormenting town?!"

"Hey, they´re not thugs! They are my friends and you better not talk like that about them!"

Applejack looked at Rainbow like she was a complete different pony. "What happened to you? You abandoned the Wonderbolts, disappeared for months and now you return like this? This is what you have been doing, gathering a group of criminals?"

Rainbow turn her back to Applejack, moving to the darkest corner of the clubhouse. "It didn´t start like that. It was just me at first but then I met those kids. All rejects from the academy, I couldn´t let them alone. You remember how bad things went for Lightning Dust when she got kicked. So I start giving them orders, turning them into a team. Heh, when they started they couldn´t fly in a straight line. Last night, we outrun the Pegasi Guard."

"You keep dodging the question. Why are you doing all this?"

Rainbow took a picture out of uniform´s pocket. Despite the darkness, Applejack knew what it was. She remembered the day it was taken. After the Sisterhooves race, Rainbow made the promise of never let go of that photo.

"I spoiled her AJ. I made a mistake. She grew up worshiping me, thinking I was the best pony in the world. And because of that she never learned any better. She never had to surpass me or defeat me, just to reach my level and when she did, she lost the way."

"Apple Bloom did said she had changed a little since they were kids."

"A little? She turned into a bully, a jerk! She think she is better than anyone else! I feed her ego so much, she stop caring about others. And worst, she has the talent to back that up."

"So, you turned into the villain she must defeat now?"

"She needs a challenge, a threat. If i just confront her directly she won´t learn a thing, but if I keep attacking the town, she will finally understand what´s important."

After a moment of silence, when they let the storm outside speak, Applejack sighed and put an arm on her friend shoulder. "I can´t say I approve of your methods but then again, we did something similar a few years ago. Remember that?"

"Yes."

Applejack chuckled.

"Promise to not say a word AJ."

"I promise but, how long are you gonna keep this act?"

"Until Scoots comes back to her senses."

"And you think she will forgive you?"

"You guys gave me a tought lesson that day but it worked. The only difference now is that I get to play the villain."

"No, you are not."

Rainbow Dash smiled and leaned her head against Applejack. The storm was still roaring and it will take a while more for the sun to finally come back.

(kinda twisting the prompt here but i liked this idea.)

Perfect Day

Ignoring guards and servants, Princess Cadence entered her bedroom, slamming the door behind her. She walked to the mirror and levitated a silvery brush. As she attended her mane a small, quiet laugh escaped her and slowly it turned into a devilish chuckle.

"Easy. Far too easy..." she said, her eyes glowing a menacing green. "This day has been just perfect. For a second I was worried that little blabbermouth may ruin my disguise but luckily my performance fooled them all. Even Celestia believed my crocodile tears! HA!"

She got up and start prancing across the room. "This plan is going flawlessly. Much better than the original idea. Taking the place of Princess Luna could have worked but it wasn't a plan without risks. Celestia knows her sister far too well. Fortunately, my spies were able to find about Celestia´s precious niece and even she is able to cut the bride some slack on her special day. If I make any mistake I can blame it on stress. And so far, it was working. Everypony believed I was the Princess and those who could notice were too distracted by the fake threat I sent. Everybody is too busy looking for threats on the outside, ignoring the real danger was already inside. It was perfect! or it was until Twilight Sparkle appeared. She almost ruins it all. Wonder how she saw through my disguise...bah, who cares? She is no longer a threat to me! I have more important business to attend."

She moved next to a mannequin of the groom and magically removed the hat. "I´ve to be the lucky bride. Poor pathetic fools, they have no idea. While they are all busy looking at my lovely dress, my changelings will invade this country. We´ll take over Canterlot first and then all of Equestria! Not a single pony will able to oppose us. A new and bigger colony will be built over the ruins of the castle and I shall rule over every stallion mare and colt! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

Nobody in palace heard her maniacal laughter, her nefarious plans were lost forever in the marble hallways.

****

Below the capital city, in the long forgotten crystal caves, two ponies who see each other as sisters, bonded by friendship but not love, shared a hug.

"I´m so glad to see you´re all right Cadence," Twilight said.

"Thanks for finding me, Twilight."

"But there´s something I don´t understand. Why did she locked you here instead of you know, get rid of you?"

"Please, don´t give her ideas. Besides even if she wanted to she probably couldn´t."

"What do you mean?"

"Because I´m immune to her magic. The Changeling Queen is able to control the minds of others but her spell is useless on alicorns. That´s why she didn´t attack my aun directly. She locked me here because she couldn´t control me," Cadence explained.

"That must be the reason why my friends believed all her lies."

"Partially. The Changeling Queen disguise is almost perfect, nopony would notice something is off unless they were paying attention. And she chose the perfect time to impersonate me. But you didn´t fall for it. You were able to see the truth. You were always good to pick up small details, Twilight," Cadence said, posing a hoff on her shoulder.

"I gues..."

"Now we need to hurry. I´m worried for Shining Armor. She must be using her mind control spell on him constantly, it´s the only way she could fool him. My poor Shining. He must be suffering so much, trying to understand what is that awful feeling he has when he is near me..."

While Cadence pondered about her soon to be husband fate, Twilight looked at her reflection, spread across a dozen gems. She knew something was wrong with Cadence the second she saw her but it was just her natural attention to details, or there was something more. Did the Queen magic just failed on her and it´s so, why? Twilight couldn´t help but think there was something more about this, something important about herself...

"Twilight! I think I found an exit! Hurry!"

"Coming!"

This was not the time for such thoughts. Twilight needed to hurry to save her brother and all of Equestria. This was different from the other threats she had faced before. Not only her family was involved but she no longer had her friends with her. But she still had Cadence. She was tired after being prisoner for so long but she didn´t give up, doing her best to push a mine cart. Twilight smiled, seeing how much she loved her brother and how much she could endure. Using her magic she lifted her and moved the cart, both mares jumping in and descending down the caves, towards the exit.

They were going to save Shining and Cadence was going to have her perfect day.

Time for Changes

From a bird point of view, Sweet Apple Acres looked like a rainbow. And not just for the fruit bats on the loose.

There were so many ponies, ranging from family members to guests and political relatives, the numbers went over two dozens; all working hard to make this celebration one they wouldn´t forget any time soon.

The first one to see the carriage was a filly who waste no time shouting the Princess´ name. Always graceful, the alicorn descended from the vehicle and spread her wings, engulfing the ponies on her light. All the ponies bowed their heads, rejoicing in their regent presence.

One of the Apples approached the Princess, taking her hat down to salute her. "Princess Celestia, is such an honour to have you here today."

"Annie Smith, please. I´ve know you since you were a little filly, you have no need to be so formal."

Blushing a little, Annie Smith put her old Stetson back on her head. "Well then, then colour me pleased to see you!"

Celestia laughed. Of all her subjects, the Apples were certainly the better hosts, always making her welcome.

"It looks like this year celebration is going to be memorable," Celestia said.

"It better be! Now that I´m in charge I ain´t hiding any cards! I´m gonna make everypony have the time of their lives or my name stops being Annie Smith!"

Celestia kept smiling, the mare had certainly inherited her father positive attitude. She took a look around at all the tables, at all the food being served. A small selfish part of her wanted to grab a bite of that tempting apple pie...

"Excuse me Princess?" a stallion with a little ragged suit interrupted her thoughts.

"This here is Stinkin´Rich, he has been selling our Zap Apple Jam here in town," Annie explained.

"I´m sure it has been a productive alliance for both families," Celestia said.

"Very. But, I was thinking the business could use a little expansion, going into new territori-" Stinkin´said.

"Again with that? I told you we not need to sell our Jam to those pompous Canterlot ponies! Uh no offense your Majesty..." Annie apologized, ashamed the Apple Temper got the best of her.

"It´s only natural a businessman wants to expand his business. And actually I´ve heard wonders of your Jam from my own kitchen staff. I´m sure I can pull some strings and get you into Canterlot Market."

"Oh that would be just wonderful, your Highness! We can discuss all about it after the party, if you wish so of course!"

Celestia simply nodded, letting Annie take the word again. "I said that instead of bothering the Princess with this nonsense you better take a look at your own kind," and she pointed at a nearby table where a colt had his head stuck in a jar of jam.

Shaking his head in embarrassment, Stinkin went to take care of his grandson.

"Ha! I bet that´s why they named him Filthy!" Annie joked.

Celestia didn´t heard her, her attention was focused on a group of children playing behind the barn.

"I´m Nightmare Moon and I´m gonna gobble you up!"

"Oh no! Save me Princess Celestia!"

"You are forever banished to the moon, evil doer!"

"Nooooooooo!" and Nightmare Moon fell to the ground, defeated, her helmet falling off too.

"Ahh those children, Nightmare Night is not until next month and yet they are already playing," Annie said.

"..."

"Princess? Are you alright?"

"Oh yes, I´m fine. " Celestia took another look at the kids, who kept laughing and playing. "It´s nothing. I said Annie, the organization is splendid. You have really outdone yourself."

"Well to be perfectly honest, I didn´t do everything. I got a little help. Hey kid, come here!"

Answering to Annie´s call, a small mare, probably just out of school approached. She adjusted her glasses and moved her pink bright mane off her face.

"Your Highness," and she bowed to the Princess.

"This little pony made all of this?"

The mare adjusted her glasses agia, visibly embarrassed but Annie grab her by the neck in a affectionate hug. "She may be small but there´s no better pony in town when it comes to organizing and those fancy mathematics!"

"I guess is just my natural talented." the mare said, still blushing.

"A scroll for a Cutie Mark, uh? I believe that means your future will be full of responsibilities." the mare lowered her head, concerned. "But I also believe you will be up to the task," and now her face was beaming.

Time Limit-

"Well Princess, ready to watch some fun activities?" Annie said.

"Mrs. Annie, you still haven´t checked the apple fritters." the mare reminded her.

"Oh pony feathers! Umh Princess, do you mind..."

"It´s okay Annie, I´m sure I´ll find something to do."

As Annie and her assistant leave, Celestia moved down the farm. Her guard tried to follow her but she order them to remain still with a gentle gesture. With a soft trot, Celestia interned into the trees and once she make sure she was far enough she teleported.

She reappeared in an old and abandoned chamber. The wind intruded through the broken windows and despite being a sunny day outside, inside the castle, hidden in the dark forest, the air was chilling. Celestia noticed how much the place had decayed, old painting crumbled, statues in pieces and silence on every chambers.

Celestia knew she only had a few minutes before her absence became a problem but she needed this moment of solitude. She approached the throne room and watched over six useless rocks.

"I´m sorry Luna but you have to wait a little more. Is still not time but it will be soon enough. I know so. We must wait for the one that can release you, the one that can do what I couldn´t. Could you wait just a little more, little sister?"

No response.

Like always.

Holding back a tear, she returned to the orchard. She was gone less than fifteen minutes but that was enough to worry everypony. Her guards were hysterical and a few ponies looked at their watches, wondering what was wrong. Celestia could simply smile and shake her head, she loved her subjects too much to make a scene. Using her magic she set the sun down, painting the sky with the orange of sunset.

She then moved to the family table where she was granted the front seat. Everypony was looking at her, not daring to touch their plates, waiting for a grand speech. Celestia levitated a cup of apple cider and simply said

"For new times, for better times."

And with that, the celebration began as the moon watched over them, waiting for the times to come.

Love Thyself

It spread like a plague.

A plague of hate.

It started slowly, small arguments turning into vicious fights. The Cutie Mark Crusaders tearing apart their capes and swearing to never be friends again.

And then it kept growing. Pinkie Pie being throw away Sugarcube Corner, no longer welcomed in the family. Stick and stones throw at Zecora who ran off into the Everfree.

It eventually reached Canterlot, where the love their subjects once had for Celestia was turned into a furious lynch mob who attacked the castle doors demanding their Princess to surrender.

Everything turned grey and silent. Even Discord, with all his malice, couldn´t stand the state of Equestria and disappeared with a snap of his fingers.

Days later, when the plague had took over almost all of Equestria, a solitary unicorn concentrated her magic. She was all alone, no assistant, no friends, not even a caring brother. She had nopony to turn to but she kept trying. She kept focusing her magic, making a call, asking for the one pony in all of Equestria, in the whole word, that could still save them.

And then, her call was answered.

She covered her eyes as the magic engulfed the library and once it was done, one pegasus stood there. Her hat, her jacket, her compass Cutie Mark; all undeniable proof that the spell had worked

"All right Ahuizotl, you won´t get away this tim-wait, where in the hay am I?"

"Oh my gosh, it worked! Oh Rainbow Dash is going to be so happy!"

"Who are you?"

"Oh right sorry. My name is Twilight Sparkle. Big fan, mrs. Do," Twilight said, wearing the goofiest grin.

"A fan, uh?"

"Oh of course, I should start explaining this. Now listen well, this may come as a big shock but I invoked you from this book, you are a fictional character."

"...I know."

"You do? Oh that´s...strange I thought that the realization that you are simply a character of a series for children may startle you."

"...don´t tell her folks."

"Who are you talking to?" Twilight asked looking around at empty space.

"Nevermind that Why did you call me here, Sparkly?"

Not very thrilled with her nickname, Twilight summarized the situation of the hate plague.

"I see..." Daring Do said, rubbing her chin. "What I don´t see is why you called me?"

"Well, I need help from somepony who could still feel love and it says right here in the cover you have an unlimited love for adventure."

"...seriously? That´s the reason?"

"Hey, I was desperate! My friends aren´t here, our Elements don´t work, I even asked the Changeling Queen for help but she told me that, aside for prefering to see us all rot that help us, her magic only works in love not hate! I´ve no more ideas!"

"Calmn down Sparkly, I guess you could argue my love for adventure is a sign of my strong will and desire for new challenges." Daring said while moving to the window. "I just thought that since this revolves around emotions you were thinking about a more traditional form of love. ever thought of your coltfriend?"

"I don´t have one..." Twilight confessed blushing.

"Oh sorry. Fillyfriend."

"I don´t have one of those either!" she screamed, blushing even more.

"Hey relax, I´m cool. Have any idea how many times I´ve been paired with Mare-do-Well?" Twilight stuck her tongue in disgust. "But I´m afraid you made a mistake. This isn´t about hate at all..."

"What makes you said that?" Daring Do pointed at Twilight´s flank who screamed upon realizing her Cutie Mark was slowly vanishing. "Wha-wha- when?"

"Basing on what you told me this started in a very small scale. Students failing on their team assignments, co-workers unable to stand each other, no sense of community. This isn´t a plague of hate, it´s a plague of frustration. Think about it, Twilight Sparkle. If one pony is unable to love itself, how could that pony accept the love of others and give it back?"

"You...you are right. When this whole thing started I got so frustrated because I couldn´t find a solution that I shone all my friends away, even Spike. I yelled at him, I told him I never want to see him again. Oh Celestia what have I done?"

"Relax. There´s still time to fix this..." Daring said placing a hoof on her shoulder. " But you need to make the ponies recover the faith on themselves. Make them remember the things they loved to do the most and how that love gives them strength."

It took time but slowly the colour returned to Ponyville. The animals no longer liked Fluttershy but with the support of Twilight she insisted and finally was able to show them she still loved them. Applejack was convinced to return to work at the farm, even if she had to do it all alone. She endured for days and when she was about to give up her siblings showed up to help her.

As joy and friendship returned to the ponies in one dark cave, hidden in the depths of the Everfree Forest, one little dragon cried. His sobs were interrupted when the giant boulder that covered the entrance was suddenly removed by a magic force.

"Spike! Spike there you are!" Twilight said and rushed to hug him.

"Twi-twilight?"

"Ho-how did you find me?"

"I got a little help." she said and Daring and Zecora behind her nodded. "And now that you are back we can fix this whole mess."

Spike however removed himself from her hug. "But you told me you dind´t want to see me ever again!"

"I´m sorry Spike. I was just too frustrated...no, that´s no excuse. I shouldn´t had done that," she said while nuzzling him. "Can you ever forgive me?"

"..."

"Come on."

"All right. I forgive you" And he returned the hug. "And I sorry for burning your favorite copy of the Princess Biography. I was so mad."

"You did what?!" Noticing the other mares looking at her, Twilight let it go. "Nevermind that. The Princess needs our help winning the citizens back. I wrote a speech for her and I need my number one assistant to send it for me."

Spike gleamed and proceeded to transport the letter. Meanwhile Daring Do had somepony to apologize. "Sorry that I kicked you back there. Zebras are usually the bad guys in my books."

Zecora was not amused.

The speech did its work. It wasn´t so much the words as the emotions Princess Celestia conveyed in her words. Hearing their ruler remind them how each one of them, no matter how small, no matter what mark their flanks had, they were all important and she loved them all as a proud mother would. The crowd cheered, chanting the Princesses names.

"You were right, Daring Do. A pony cannot open to others love unless it has a love for itself. Once the ponies accepted themselves, they recovered their genuine desire to live with each other. But one questions remains, where did all of this started?"

"Who knows? When a tree falls in the woods which squirrel threw the first nut?"

"...what?"

"I don´t know. The new writer is really bad at this. Kind of a weirdo. But not as weird as this one." she pointed at her back.

"Daring Dooooooo...I touched her...."

"Can you please take me back to my book, Twilight? This story is already five minutes over the time limit!"

Not entirely sure of what she said, Twilight returned Daring back to her word of adventures. She landed right in the entrance of a temple where Ahuizotl laughed while holding a magical idol, surrounded by his army of cats.

Daring Do smiled and adjusted her hat.

"Boy, I love my job."

Keep It Alive

"Cadence! I´m so happy to see you!"

"Me too Twilight."

"I´m surprised you could make the time to visit me," Twilight said while Cadence entered the library, nodding the pegasus who pulled her royal carriage to wait for her.

"I can still take a day off to visit my favourite filly. Did you get the fairy-tale book I asked you in my letter?"

"Sure, Spike has it. Spike. Spike! Ugh, he must be upstairs."

And upstairs he was, crying on his bed while holding the book.

"Please Spike, it´s just a fairy tale."

"Is not! This is the greatest romance story ever written! The tragic love between Emerald Bright, the crystal pony, and Broken Fang, the dragon. Their love was pure but they got separated when the kingdom disappeared. It´s so saaaaaad!" he cried a bucket, quite literally.

"Please, I don´t know how you can get so emotional with the story of a sparkling pony, Spike. Um, no offense Cadence." Twilight said, blushing.

"None taken and hope you don´t get offend but I´m afraid I can´t stay for lunch," Cadence said, levitating the book away from Spike.

"Why?"

"I need to travel to the Badlands?"

"The Badlands? The most dangerous place in Equestria, home territory of the dragons? Why do you want to go there? Does Shining know what you´re planning to do?" Cadence waited for Twilight to catch some air and simply patted her shoulder before heading for the door. "...Spike! Get your things, we´re going out!"

***

During the journey towards the desert land, Cadence avoided most of Twilight´s questions, her attention focused on a cloaked pony that was already waiting in the carriage.

"Twilight, what do you think of my aunt?" she finally asked.

"Princess Celestia? She is the most wonderful pony of all, she is the whole reason I began to study magic."

"And you think she can handle any problem? That she is all-powerful?"

"Well, I don't know. I mean she is probably the most powerful pony in the land..." Twilight said, a little unsure.

"And yet she failed to rid her sister of the evil that corrupted her. That was you and your friends. And she couldn't deal with Discord when he returned and was defeated but the Changeling Queen..."

"Stop it Cadence!" Spike and the cloaked pony jumped in surprise by how loud Twilight was.

"Calm down Twilight. I´m not insulting my aunt. I just want you to realize that sometimes, there are things that not even a princess can handle," and she placed her hoof on the cloaked pony, comforting her.

"Why are you telling me this?" Twilight asked.

"Just keep that in mind on the future."

The carriage finally landed in the middle of a rocky field, next to a canyon. As they talk towards it Cadence said

"You made fun of that story but I recall it was one of your favourite bedtime stories, Twilight."

"Is that so?" Spike said, causing Twilight to blush once again.

"It was also one of my favourites. My aunt used to read me that story all the time. She said that it was important that I remember it, that I have to keep the story alive. I didn´t understand at first but now I realize why is important to keep it alive," they reached the border of the canyon and a dragon jumped to confront them.

The guards were ready but Cadence order them to stay behind. The cloaked pony walked forward and removed her cover, revealing to be a crystal pony with an emerald mane. The dragon came forward showing he had a broken tooth.

"Because sometimes even fairy tales can be truth and we must never forget them." Cadence said as the pony and the dragon, separated for a thousand years, embraced, finally reunited.

Serious Business

"From a True, True Friend!"

"Aaaand that´s a wrap-up! Good job, everypony! The season is over, give yourself a big applause, you deserve it!"

The applause felt tired, not because the crew was cheerless but because after almost a year of shooting the only thing they wanted was to come home and enjoy their free time. Shooting will resume soon, even with a premiere date of next winter, for them that meant another cancelled summer vacation; that without counting conventions, special appearances and tours into the equation.

"What? This again?" Pinkie shouted looking at her cell phone.

"What´s wrong, Diane?" Fluttershy asked in the next seat, while the makeup artist got rid of all the glitter from the musical number.

"Fans are again complaining there was no Octavia episode! That was just a rumor! I told the director that letting her be on scene was a bad idea!"

"Relax Diane, she only appeared in the background for a few minutes last year. Nothing to worry about. Beside, we had fun shooting all those episodes in Canterlot. I´ll said it was worth it," Fluttershy replied while her tail extensions were removed.

"But what if she wants more screentime? What if she wants a role in the show? She might not want to sing my songs anymore! I´ll be ruined, she is the real Pinkie Pie!" Pinkie shouted, while the hairdresser removed the puffy wing she used in show revealing her natural straight hair.

"Calm down, Diane."

"Easy for you to say, you sign your own songs! You have it easy!"

"Hey, I´ve problems of my own. Auh, this rash is getting worse. Why do we have to use real bunnies for these scenes?" she complained while her assistant applied the medicine.

Elsewhere in the studio, Rainbow Dash had already her saddlebags and was ready to leave when she noticed a familiar mare leaving the executives office.

"Thanks for your time, sirs."

"Derpy?"

"Oh, hi Rainbow."

Rainbow looked at the ominous door, knowing exactly what happened there. "They said no again..."

"What can I do? At least they let me be in the shooting today. Maybe some fans will notice me, haha. That would be fun, right? Just like old times," Derpy said, trying to sound cheerful.

"..."

"Well, I better go."

"Hey Derpy."

"Uh?"

"You know, one of my stunts doubles just resigned."

"You mean Raindrop, right? I saw the pictures in the magazines. I´m happy for her."

"Yeah, she got one role and now she thinks she´s a regular. Anyways, there´s an open spot now and maybe I was thinking if you want to..."

"You want me to be your double? Me, the clumsy good for nothing, taking the fall for Mrs. I do my own stuff?" It was hard to tell if she was mocking her or not with that goofy look.

"Hey, I´m being nice here! And that was my agent idea! She said kids will be destroyed if they know I´m...you know."

"Afraid of heights?"

"I´m not afraid of heights..."

"Okay. I´ll take the job," Derpy said, smiling. "But only as a favor for you, RD. After all, us cousins need to stick together."

"Second cousins, derps."

"Don´t get technical with me, family is family!"

Moving along the studio, Rarity politely knocked in the leading actress dressing room.

"Twilight? Darling, are yo-" Rarity went quiet as she saw her gulping half a dozen pills. Twilight was shaking, obviously having problems. "Darling, is the treatment that painful?"

"Ah? Oh hi Rarity. Didn´t hear you come in. No, no really. I just get cramps once in a while."

Rarity caressed her friend´s mane. She was still wearing the fake crown. "You look gorgeous every time you wear it," she said.

"Wish I could remove this hideous horn already. But they insisted and now I´m a princess. How ridiculous does that sound?"

"Darling, they´re taking a huge risk letting you stay in the show, you know that. At least as an alicorn princess you can still keep your job."

"But I´m not an alicorn Rarity! I´m a pegasus, I´ve always been one! I was just...born in the wrong body." Twilight voice was trembling, almost at the verge of tears.

"Shhh dear, relax. Just one more season. Just hold on for one more season."

"You´re too good with me, Rarity."

"Can´t help it. I´m the team mom, remember?"

"Mommy? Are you ready?" a child voice cried from the hallway.

"I need to go. Sure you´ll be all right?" Twilight nodded.

Just before she left the room, Twilight asked. "Rarity, is it weird? I mean, playing your daughter´s sister?"

"...sometimes. But at least, I get to spend the day with her. It´s better than having her waiting for me in an empty house."

"I suppose. Take care, Rarity."

Rarity smiled and met with Sweetie in the hallway. As they left the building, Sweetie hugged Apple Bloom.

The filly stayed at the door, watching all the actress and crew leave. She waved at Scootaloo and Spike as their respective parents came pick them up. It was getting cold. One by one, everypony left the building and she stood there, waiting.

"Kid? What are you doing here?" Applejack asked, no longer wearing the hat or the fake accent but a dress she find more comfortable.

"Waiting for my parents. They´ll be here soon." Apple Bloom said.

"It´s getting late. Why don´t you wait for them inside?"

"The cafeteria is already closed and I don´t want to bother the security guard."

Applejack took off her scarf and put her around Apple Bloom´s neck. "Come on kid, I´ll take you home."

Apple Bloom looked up, confused.

"Just because we play sisters on the show, doesn´t mean we can´t act like them in real life."

Apple Bloom smiled and followed Applejack to her car.

The last crew member turned off the lights and locked the doors. Ponyville Studios went into slumber, the magic of friendship resting inside it.

(Pony business is serious business)

Night Talks

"Good morning, Twilight."

" *Yawn* Good morning, Spik- wait, morning? But it´s night outside! Why did you wake me up at night?"

"Uh I didn´t. According to this clock is 8:00 AM."

"What? But tha´ts impossible! SOmething must have happened to Princess Celestia!" Twilight flew striahg to the palace but halfway the sun finally began to rise. "Uh, false alarm."

****

"Remember we have to meet with the Mayor at 2:00 PM, Twilight." Spike said, finishing his slice of pie.

"Don´t worry, Spike. We have plenty of time, the sun is right above our heads."

A few more apple pies later.

"Twilight Sparkle, what are you doing here? You miss our meeting!"

"But Mayor, the sun is still right above us. Oh no, the Princess is in trouble." Twilight flew once again but the sun moved before she arrived. "Uh, false alarm. Again."

****

"Twilight, the sky is red! Something is wrong with the sun!" Applejack yelled.

"Oh ponyfeathers, I had enough of this!" and she just teleported into palace, finding the Princess half asleep in her throne. "Princess!"

"AH, what? Oh Twilight, so nice to see you! What brings you here?"

"You, constantly playing with the sun. What´s wrong, Princess? You look so tired."

"No-nothing is wrong, Twilight. I´m just *yawn* a little overwhelmed with job, that´s all."

"Princess..." Twilight said, posing her hoof over the Princess´ "Can you please tell me what´s bothering you?"

Seeing the concern in her pupil eyes, Celestia agreed. "Follow me to my office, Twilight. "

***

"Twilight, what do you know about this new invention of the internet?"

"Enough to block half of the pages Spike might accidentally visit," she answered.

"Well, I wouldn´t know about that. But I do know plenty about chatting. Oh such a wonderful tool! I´m using it to talk with this splendid mare I met! She lives all the way in Saddle Arabia, so the timezones are sort of a problem for us. The only time she is available is nighttime here."

"So, that´s what´s keeping you up all night? Chatting?"

"Twilight, this is serious! We´re in a committed relationship. Look at our status, in a relationship." she said, pointing at the screen. "Oh look at the gif she sent me. It´s a grumpy cat with a hat."

"...I´m out."

"Where are you going, Twilight?"

"To tell Luna I´ll be handling the Sun for a few weeks until your inevitable break-up."

"Let me tell you that many online relationships are successful, young lady! uh, she sent me another one! Hahaha!"

****

Meanwhile, all the while back in the Changeling Kingdom.

"I know, LOL!"

"Your highness, how long are you going to keep this?" a changeling guard asked.

"Ju-just until I finish seducing her and then we´ll take over Equestria! Muahaha!" but once the soldier retired "Are you going to be at night? Send me a PM later."

(Yes, Twilight online relationships can work! And I´m rooting for Chrylestia, hope they late-night relationship works!)

My arm around you

"Here."

"Thanks, sugarcube."

This is nice. A simple date in the park. Oh, does this counts as a date? I suppose, we told how we feel for each other a few weeks ago but this is our first time, outside, in public. Stop it Fluttershy! You need to focus! You need to make this time together memorable! Just like Rarity says, focus! Just look at the Cakes, all these years together and they still go walk in the park and nuzzle like newlyweds. Still nuzzle...

"Nuzzling..."

"You say something, sweetie?"

"No! I mean...no, it´s nothing."

Uh, I´m so spineless. At this rate, Applejack is going to dump me for never taking the initiative. No, she wouldn't do that. Would she?

"Heh, look at those two."

"Those children."

"The filly with the glasses, she is one of Apple Bloom´s friends, Twist. And I think the chubby fellow is her boyfriend. They´re cute, right?"

"Very cute."

Then again, they´re just children. They´re just pretending to be in love, is different from us, right Applejack? Oh, she kissed him on the cheek. She can do it, why can I? Just show her that I care.

"Ugh, I think there´s a worm on this apple."

"What? I´m sorry. Here, le-let me change it!"

"Nah, it´s okay."

Argh, why do I keep making mistakes? Dumb pegasus. Why can´t you be more like BonBon? She always make a delicious treat for her girlfriend. Just look at them, sharing a food, holding hooves, kissing...kissing?! Not a cute kiss on the cheek, a full mouth open kiss! I can´t do that! I want to but I can´t. No, I must do it! For us, for our relationship!

"A-a-appleja-"

"COME ALL!"

"Ah!"

"Come all and see! The Marvelous Twixie First Anniversary!"

"TRIXIE! Put that thing down! Everypony in town is looking at you!"

"But that´s the idea, my love. They should come and celebrate our union!"

"Put that thing down!"

Well, that´s something I could never do.

"Poor Twilight. I told her going out with that show-off was a mistake."

She...put her arm around me?

"Such a nice day ruined. Hope Twilight manages to shut her up."

Silly me. Now I get it. We don´t need to be so bold in public, she doesn´t like that. She isn´t getting tired of me, she is moving at my pace. Waiting for me.

"Umh, you feeling tired?"

"No, just want to lean in your shoulder."

"Oh, okay."

Sorry that it takes me so long, Applejack. But, you would wait for me, right? Until I can put my arm around you?

Mint Flavored

"Well, that was one heavy cloud! I´m hungry, I better go grab a bite at Pinkie´s!" Rainbow Dash declared out loud and flew towards the bakery. She landed on the back of the store and saw her friend leaving the store.

"Hey Pinkie, what´s u..." she was speechless. She just looked at Pinkie, unable to say a word. "Pffffft BUAHAHAHAHAHA!! What happened to you,? Did a paint bucket fell on you or something? Look at you, you´re...green!"

Rainbow kept laughing while Pinkie looked at her green coat and pink mane, wondering what was wrong.

"Oh this is precious! Wait, this doesn´t feel like paint. What happened, Twilight messed up with some spell again? Or were you trying to make a sandwich with Poison Joke? Again?"

Pinkie was about to say something but Rainbow interrupted her "Wait, I just got a great idea for a prank. Come with me!" and she dragged Pinkie into the Town Square. She hid her behind some barrels and then dramatically announced:

"Oh no! This is a disaster! There´s a new deadly disease! Now that causes ponies to change the color of their coats! The terrifying Recolor-itis!"

"Rainbow, what are you talking about?" Applejack asked, already used to her lies.

"I´m talking about an epidemic, AJ! One that will spread across Ponyville, look! It has already turned Scootaloo blue! BLUE!"

"I´m not Sco-" Rainbow tossed the filly and kept going with her dramatic speech.

"And worst of all is that this horrible disease has affected the pony I care the most, my best friend in the entire world..." and she moved the barrels. "PINKIE!"

Pinkie waved at the other ponies with a perfectly innocent smile.

"Is that Pinkie?"

"Looks like her but her Cutie Mark is different..."

The townspeople were starting to suspect so Rainbow made a sign to Pinkie. She quickly caught the hint and pulled an acordeon out of nowhere and began dancing the polka.

"She is Pinkie Pie!"

"Rainbow was right! it is an epidemic!"

"RUN FOR THE HILLS!"

In a matter of seconds the entire town was evacuated.

"Muahahaha! This was so funny! Pinkie, we totally scared them!" and Rainbow hugged Pinkie. "Hey, I got another idea! Uh, I forgot that I was hungry...hey, maybe we could get some free meals at that fancy restaurant. We just have to pretend you´re sick. Come on!" and she put Pinkie on her back and flew down town.

****

Pinkie was busy stirring the dough when the kitchen door opened.

"Hi Minty, were have you been all day?"

"Around town," Minty said, taking some leaves out of her pink mane. "I met your friend Rainbow Dash. "

"Isn´t she the best?" Pinkie said.

"She is lots of fun. You know, she called you her best friend."

"We´re best friends! Oh, but you´re also my best friend actually you´re my oldest friend because we know from many years ago even before I met Rainbow Dash but she is still my best friend or at least my best friend here and you´re my best friend back there and you´re also the Cakes niece so that makes you like part of my family well not exactly my family but you´re kind of my family bu-" Minty put her hoof on Pinkie´s mouth.

She said nothing, just smiled at Pinkie and that calmed her down.

"Want some cupcakes?"

Minty nodded. Pinkie moved the trail with two flavors of cupcakes, mint and cherry. Pinkie grabbed the mint ones and Minty the cherry ones.

Once they realized this, they just laughed.

Hidden behind the grey

Orange! Red! Yellow! Green! Purple! Pink! Blue!

Rarity was in heaven, dancing around fabrics, each made of a wonderful color, each glowing with hope and love, creativity, inspiration, excitement.

This was the perfect dream.

****

"Rarity!"

Indeed it was, Rarity slowly woke up and the bright colors of her dream start to fade and disappear until there was nothing but yellow and pink. The sweet colors of the equally sweet Fluttershy.

"Are you okay?"

"Oh I was just...it´s nothing darling. Just a simple dream," Rarity answered.

"Was it a bad dream?"

"No. No, it wasn´t. It was a nice dream. It´s just...well, the weather doesn´t match it," she said looking at the window, looking at the dull and colorless Ponyville and all its inhabitants, the same grumpy and rude folk.

"Umh looks like you need a cheer up. How about this flower?" Fluttershy said, offering a flower that promptly sprayed water over her own face, ruining her pink mane.

Fluttershy intentions were nice but her pranks were never successful.

"I appreciate the gesture, darling, but next time, just stay with the sweets and pastries," Rarity said, wiping her face with her handkerchief. Fluttershy smiled back. "Well I better get going, I´m supposed to clear the sky for the Celebration. It seems I´ve delayed the entire team, again."

"Good luck," Fluttershy said and waved her goodbye.

Rarity left Sugarcube Corner and made her way to the Town Square. Like always, her steps took her the wrong direction, heading to Carousel Boutique. The noise of the sewing machine could be heard from the outside, as well as the muffled curses the Manehatten girl kept making. Rarity always felt this urge, this need to go outside the boutique and take over the place, but that was ridiculous. She knew nothing about fashion, her passion was the sky, wasn´t it?

"Hey Rarity." a voice said behind her.

"Hello Rainbow Dash. I see Opalescence is giving you a little bit of trouble again," Rarity said, seeing the cat firmly attached to the pegasus´ flank.

"Nothing that I can´t handle," Dash lied, doing her best to hold back a scream as the cat claws dug deeper. "Say, you know if Princess Celestia is coming today?"

"So it seems. Although I heard that maybe a new organizer will be sent from Canterlot to make sure everything is ready beforehand."

"Ah that´s too bad. I was hoping to see if the Princess was bringing her pet phoenix."

"Are you interested in that, Rainbow?"

"Are you kidding? Animals is like my thing, you know?"

"Yes, it is," None of them seemed too sure of those sentences. "I better get going. Take care, Rainbow Dash."

"You too, Rarity. Auh, could you loosen a bit, kitty?"

Rarity reached the Town Square where she noticed the town´s farmer passing by with a cart full of apples. Like usual, her straight mane was covering half of her face but Rarity could tell she wasn´t smiling.

"Pinkamena. Are those the treats for the celebration?"

"Oh, hi Rarity. Yes, I mean no. These are just the raw apples, they still need to be cooked," she said.

"Are you going to bake the pies this year? I heard you were quite good at the kitchen."

"I´m not. I tried once but Granny Smith didn´t liked how they turned out. Fancy carnival flavors, she called them. She was right. I´m not supposed to cook."

Again, that urge. That feeling to do something. She could almost hear the words coming out of her mouth. "Nonsense darling! You´re the best baker in the whole town. Nopony can make cupcakes like you do!" but she kept her mouth shut.

Pinkie was right, she was a farmer not a baker, what nonsense was she thinking?

"Well. take care Pinkamena."

Her friend just made a small nod and left, carrying the heavy cart with her.

Rarity looked at the sky. She remembered, back when she was younger, that the sky used to be blue, a precious light blue with puffy dots of white clouds and the occasional purple of a mountain at the distance. Now, there was nothing to see but grey. A massive wall of grey clouds, covering the entire town, looming, threatening to drop a downpour on their heads.

Rarity frowned. She hated this sky. She tried to move the clouds, gathering all the magic energy she could. Controlling weather was a pegasus job, she still wondered how they accepted an unicorn in the team. The clouds keep rebelling against her. "Blast, if only there were rocks!", she tought and laughed at that silly thought. Why would she care about rocks?

Finally the clouds moved and she smiled, but it wasn´t her doing. It was a Royal Chariot making its way through. The chariot landed next to her. First, a baby dragon came down. He took a look at her and smiled. She smiled back and noticed him blushing. Then an unicorn came next. She had this air around here, the type of presence only Canterlot ponies had; but there was more to her. The way she stand, the way she walked, like she didn´t want to draw attention to her; a country mouse in city clothes, Rarity thought.

"Oh hello. My name is Twilight Sparkle. I´m here to supervise the Summer Celebration," she said.

Just then, the clouds moved on their own will and a small ray of light shone upon them. Rarity looked up and finally saw that blue sky that had been hidden behind the grey all along.

"Umh hello?"

"Hello Twilight. My name is Rarity. A pleasure."

Hospital Routine

04:00 am

Doctor Stable was snoring under his desk. This was his safe place, there were no emergencies, no yelling; just peace and quiet.

"Get up!!!"

He got up so fast his horn got stuck on the wood. "Auh."

"Stop lazing around, the morning shift has already started!" Nurse Redheart yelled at him.

"Really? it feels like the night shift to me..." he said, trying to release his horn.

"Maybe if you sleep for once in a real bed instead in your office like a dog you´ll be able to tell day and night apart." she said and pulled the desk off with no effort.

"Is that an invitation?"

"Don´t push your luck." And she left.

Stable smirked, adjusted his glasses and coat.

This was going to be a long day.

09:00 am

"Well, that´s why I hate the SIsterhooves event. All patients come in pairs. All right Shorty, you deal with the right side of the room and I´ll take care of the left" Nurse Coldheart said to Nursery Rhyme, the foal nurse.

"Wouldn´t it make more sense if I deal with all the fillies?"

"Oh excuse me, Princess White Cap! I didn´t noticed you were there! Why, with your magnificent wings and your glowing horn. Oh please, forgive me your highness!"

"...no need to be so sarcastic."

"Look Blabbermouth, just do what I said. The day you suddenly sprout wings and a horn, then come talking to me. Ha, that´ll be the day. An alicorn visiting the hospital."

Meanwhile back in the reception

"Hello, do you have more of these furniture magazines? They are such a fascinating read!" Princess Sparkle asked before knocking down a flower vase. "Ups! New wings, sorry!"

14:00 PM

"The Cutie Mark keeps appearing and disappearing. I´ve never seen something like this," Nurse Tenderheart said.

"It has to be Cutie Pox," Nurse redheart said.

"It never is Cutie Pox," Dr. Stable sentenced.

The three of them looked at the board intensively. Scanning all the symptoms listed, searching for an explanation.

"If Cutie Pox is not the cause, may i ask why I was called?" Zecora asked.

None of them had a good answer.

18:00 PM

Coffee break.

19:00 PM

"Have you wondered if this is the real world? Maybe our world is nothing more but a dream, trapped inside a snowglobe," Nurse Sweetheart asked, watching the rain hit the window.

"...just shup up and clean the vomit," Coldheart told her throwing her a bucket.

In the bed next to her, Carrot Top expelled the muffins she had last night for dinner.

23:00 PM

Vigilance, the security pony, was in the hallway standing stall. His eyes fixed on the aisle, not moving an inch.

A pony covered entirely in bandages passed in front of him, his forelegs extended and he was dragging a few loose bandages.

Vigilance didn´t move an inch.

23:45 PM

"Scalpel!"

"Check!"

"Suction!"

"Here!"

"Napkin!"

Doctor Stable put the napkin on, covering his coat.

"All right then, dinner is ready!" And he cut the apple pie, sharing it with the other nurses.

23:50 PM

Nursery Rhyme passed next to Vigilance.

"Hey! Don´t run in the hallway!"

03:25 PM

Doctor Stable returned to his office. He found a cup of hot coffee waiting on the desk.

"Oh Redheart. You spoil me too much,"

He took a sip, got under his desk and quickly began to snore.

Lesson in Dreams

"Oh what a beautiful landscape! This is without a doubt the most pleasant dream I´ve ever walked into! Everything is so peaceful and pleasant. Oh hello there, little friend! I believe your name is Angel, am I right? Are you enjoying this dream too? Wait! Where are you going?"

And Princess Luna chased after the White Rabbit, moving in between dreams, until they reached another field.

"Oh cotton candy clouds and chocolate rain. This must be Pinkamena´s drea-AUH!"

"Ahahaha! Gotch´ya!"

Luna wiped the cream pie off her face and confronted the prankster. "Fair Applejack? Why are you here and acting like a buffoon?"

"Hey, don´ call me things ah don´ know the meaning!"

"Oh my apologies..."

"Ah it´s okay. Hoof-bump?"

Luna returned the salute only to be met with an electric shock. Happy with her prank, Applejack left bouncing.

"Oh that was...odd. Now, where is Angel?"

Luna saw the rabbit jumping on the clouds, going upwards to a castle on the sky. Luna opened the door searching for him and was met with a scene even stranger than the previous dream.

"...Rainbow Dash?"

"Oh hello Princess! We were not expecting you. Please, have a seat," Rainbow said, inviting the Princess to her fancy tea-party.

One look at the giant stuffed animals that were sharing the table with Rainbow was all it took for Luna to close the door. Slowly.

She turned around and saw Angel going down into a giant chimney. She descended as well and after a long fall she appeared inside a studio. It was very sophisticated, with bookshelves and classical music on the player. In the middle of the room there was a big chair and sitting on it was a pink pony with straight hair.

She put down her book and looked at the Princess "...yes?"

"Umh have you seen a white rabbit lately?"

Pinkie pointed at a large mouse hole and returned to her book. Luna continued her chase of the rabbit, going further into the dark tunnel until she arrived to a dusty old cave filled with dirty pans and plates. Luna covered her nose, trying to avoid the smell.

"Ugh disgusting," she said levitating a dirty mop away.

"Hey don´t touch my stuff!"

"Rarity?" Luna asked, she couldn´t believe such a refined pony will dream of such a place. Or look the way she did.

"Yeah, what yah want sissy princess?"

"Have you seen Angel Bunny? i believe he went through here a minute ago."

"Oh that thing," Rarity said, scratching her mane and spreading lice everywhere. "Yeah, he bounced around, knocking all my precious plates and leave through that hole."

"Thank you lady Rarity."

"Yeah yeah, just don´t touch my stuff. I´m watching you."

Luna exited the cave and end up in front a large building. It was all grey, with bars on the windows and barb wire on the roof. Even the weather was dark and sinister, with storm clouds and a red sky. Luna saw Angel standing next to the door.

"We better leave Angel. Whoever the pony dreaming this is, it must be a very stern individual."

"HALT!"

Luna jumped after being startled and the surprises continued as she met the owner of the house.

"Fluttershy?"

"You, silence! There you are Angel Bunny. Think you could escape after curfew? Now go inside and eat your vegetables!" Fluttershy, looking like the perfect image of a strict headmistress, yelled at the bunny.

Luna moved in front, protecting the animal. "That is enough, Fluttershy."

"You, silence! Who said you could tak without permission?"

"DO NOT DARE TALKING TO ME IN THAT TONE, FLUTTERSHY!! IN THE DREAMS WORLD I REIGN SUPREME! THIS MAY BE YOUR DREAM BUT I AM THE PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT AND I WILL NOT BE DEFIED!!!"

Luna imposing attitude, helped by the strong wind and the loud volume, made Fluttershy back down. Now relaxed, Luna talked to Angel

"Don´t be afraid, little friend. I can understand why you have run off your dream but I must explain something to you. Fluttershy is not being mean, she is just letting out a part of herself. In dreams, ponies are able to be what they secretly desire. A hard-worker can play like a child while the usual prankster can relax in privacy. With no other ponies around, one can be as rude as one wants without being criticized or polite without feeling embarrassed. Fluttershy is simply picturing what would it be like to be more stern, to finally have the spine to talk back; but she isn´t trying to scare you. She still loves you very much. This is nothing but a simple fantasy."

Angel rolled his eyes and said "Well duh! I already knew all that!"

"...you can talk?"

"This is a dream, genius. Of course I can talk," and he pulled a carrot out of his pockets. "´sides, I wasn´t running from her. She doesn´t scare me."

"Then what does?"

And Angel pointed upwards.

In the other side of the dream a giant Twilight Sparkle was stomping across Canterlot, destroying all the houses while laughing maniacally.

"Hahaha! Well Princess, how do you like me now? I´m a Princess too! Here comes Princess Sparkle! Hahahahahaha!"

Luna just stared at the giant alicorn for a few seconds.

"I guess she isn´t that humble on her dreams.” a purple pony with green hair said.

Luna simply stared at him.

“...what?”

Luna then gave up.

“Well, this was a waste of time. I´m going to wake up now."

****

The next morning, Celestia was having breakfast when Luna entered the room.

"Good morning, dear sister. Did you learned anything from visiting our subject´s dreams last night?"

"Yeah, never waste your time chasing a white rabbit..."

(LOL Luna hates her job. And mondays. XD)

Late Night Thief

"It was late at night. I´ve just gave the babies their last bottle of the night and I was going back to the room when suddenly my nose start itching. My Pinkie Sense is tingling! I yelled and rushed downstairs. I heard some noises at the kitchen and went inside, frying pan on my mouth. When I walked inside there it was, a thief! Eating all our pastries! You, thief!, I yelled. And then she turned around, spreading her wings. Stop right there, Rainbow Dash!"

"Hey, why did you think it was me?"

"Well you have a competition tomorrow and every time you have a competition you get really nervous and sneak into my kitchen looking for chocolate cake..."

"Pinkie, that was supposed to be a secret! I´m supposed to follow a diet!"

"Pinkie, finish the story." Applejack ordered.

"Oh right! I said stop right there, Rainbow Dash! and I jumped over her and then PUFF!"

"Ahhh!"

"Fluttershy, dear..."

"Sorry, she startled me..."

"Puff? What does puff means?" Spike asked.

"It means she was gone! She disappeared, like magic!"

"And there´s only one pony who was wings and can disappear like that."

"Applejack, I didn´t do it! I was here all night!"

"Likely story, sugarcube. But like ah said you´re the only alicorn around ´ere and this isn't the only crime of the night. You also got into mah kitchen and steal two apple pies..."

"And got into my store and eat half of my candies!" BonBon accused her.

"And you stole my Cutie Mark design!" Photo Phinish yelled. "...what? We do have the same Cutie Mark!"

"I´m sorry darling, but all the witness recall an unicorn with wings bursted into their houses and steal their food. You can´t deny you´re the only pony that fits that description," Rarity said.

"Well, I fit the description. But that doesn´t mean I did it! And shouldn´t I get a chance to defend myself, don´t I get a trail or something?"

"Oh ho ho ho, Twilight Sparkle. We here in Ponyville don´t have any of that. We figured a much more civilized way of dealing with these kind of problems."

"And what would that be, Mayor?"

****

"A catapulte? That´s your solution?!"

"Well of course, Twilight Sparkle. Ponyville had traditionally always being an earth ponies town so we figured the best solution to any troublesome elements will be to eject them before they cause anymore troubles."

"...does Princess Celestia knows about this?!"

"Umh I´m not entirely sure. Then again we haven´t expelled a pony in over two hundreds years according to this scroll..." Mayor Mare said, looking at the entire law of Ponyville summarized in a single scroll. "Well, you can always ask her aim for the castle!"

"WHAT?!"

"Umh couldn´t she just fly away?"

"That´s why they tied up her wings, Rainbow." Fluttershy explained.

"Oh."

"Girls, how can you be okay with this? I thought we we´re friends!"

"Sorry sugarcube, but that´s the law here in Ponyville. You of all ponies should respect that."

"We´ll miss you, Twilight," Fluttershy added and they all waved at her.

Twilight just stood there, wondering how the town could do this. Then again, this was the same town that got invaded by some creature or another every week. Maybe they just got tired of all this. Twilight sighed and resigned to her destiny.

"Wait! Stop this! Twilight didn´t do it!" a voice said from above them

"Princess Cadence?"

"Yes, it was me I was the culprit!" Cadence said and she landed in the ground.

"But why, Princess? Why did you went into a rampage, devouring half of the town food?" Applejack asked.

"Because...I´m pregnant. And I´m having this terrible cravings and Twilight kept saying how delicious the food in Ponyville was so I just teleported here but since it was so late at night I...I..."

"Oh silly filly! You should have just said so and I would have prepared you a super-gigantic-late-night-craving-chocolate cake!" Pinkie said.

"Same here Princess. You just say it and ah get a pair of crunchy apple pies ready fer yah!"

"Oh you´re so kind!" and with those words the town left with the Princess to give her a treat, all while Twilight on the catapulte.

"...Twilight, is it me or this town is getting crazier?" Spike asked.

"That or Cadence always manage to get away with this things. Remember the wedding?"

"Technically wasn´t the Changeling Queen that time?"

"Who cares," and she teleported out of her ropes. "Now I get why Princess Luna told me to stay in palace. Less crazy ponies in there."

****

"Tia! You ate my special moonpie! I was saving it for tonight!"

"I didn´t do it!"

"The guards said it was an alicorn and what other alicorns are there?"

"I can think of at least two more!"

Outside the bedrooms, the guards just rolled their eyes. Seems like it was going to be a long night.

Little by little

"This is a bad idea"

"Rainbow Dash, don´t say that. This is my first official act as a Princess, I´ll like a little support," Twilight said.

"Bringing all the jerks and villians on Equestria for a party at the castle? Sure, that sounds like a good idea. What was I thinking?" Rainbow mocked her.

"Rainbow, one of the most important lessons in friendship I learned is that everybody, and I mean everybody, deserves a second chance."

"A-ha. And how come you didn´t invite King Sombra or the Changeling Queen?"

"Because one exploded in pieces and the other is literally an embodiment of evil. All those that I invited have show signs of actually wanting to be better, just look at Trixie and Lightning Dust, it seems they have become friends," and Twilight pointed at the magician and the former Wonderbolt who were friendly chatting in a corner.

"Sure. Friends," Rainbow said, noticing how the two mares were actually flirting with each other.

"Come on Rainbow, this is important. Also, it´s important for Princess Luna, I think she still feels guilty  her past actions," Twilight said, looking at the Night Princess who was talking with Discord. The draconequus offered her a trade of sandwiches that promptly come to life and start dancing a russian dance.

"....okay." Rainbow conceded.

But Rainbow´s concerns were not so much about having the likes of Discord around, but more about a former friend that was about to burst. Gilda was at the table, trying to get something to drink, while Pinkie Pie kept bouncing around her and chatting about how happy she was to see her again and how she was no longer a meanie-grumpy-panties-betty and how she likes strawberries but likes blueberries more and...

"LEAVE ME ALONE!!" Gilda shouted and flew off the party.

"Oh that Gilda! I thought she had learned her lesson last time. Well, she won´t escape this time," Twilight said, ready to take off but Rainbow grabbed her tail.

"Wait. Leave her alone, Twi."

"Didn´t you saw what she just did? She needs to be lectured!"

Rainbow sighed "Let me explain you something about Gilda, Twi. When she likes somebody, I mean really liked her, she gets so frustrated she doesn´t know what to do so she just yells and flies off."

"What? You are saying she actually...likes Pinkie?"

Rainbow nodded.

"But I don´t get it. Why is she mean to her?"

"Like I said, is a thing Gilda does. She can´t admit she likes Pinkie so she just acts like she is mad but she really isn´t."

"Like you do with Applejack?"

"What? NO! It´s not like that! Shut up!"

****

Meanwhile, in the middle of the garden, Gilda was quietly weeping atop a large tree.

"I know you are there, come out now dweeb," she suddenly said.

Fluttershy then took her leaf hat and pop out from under some bushes. "Sorry. I wasn´t spying on your or anything."

"I don´t care," Gilda said, wiping her tears.

Fluttershy flew up next to Gilda and said "I heard you screaming. It was because of Pinkie, right?"

Gilda didn´t answered.

"Rainbow Dash told me about how you really feel about her."

Gilda said nothing but blushed a little.

"And I remembered that you used to act like that with me back in flight camp, remember that? How you used to yell at me and stuff?"

Gilda was now completely red.

"Back then, I was really scared of you. But after Rainbow explained things well...it was nice knowing that you thought I was pretty. You know, Pinkie is really popular, lots of ponies ask her out but she never gets they´re asking for a romantic date, she always thinks is a party date and does a lot of embarrassing things like showing up dressed like a clown."

This made Gilda chuckled.

"So if you never tell her how you really feel she may never realize."

"Even if I tell her she will still turn me down," Gilda said.

"I don´t think Pinkie will do that. She is really nice."

"You really think so? You really think she will go out with me after I was so rude to her?"

"Oh I bet she will. She isn´t really mad at you, Gilda. Pinkie knows that even the biggest of meanies has a soft spot," and Fluttershy waved at Discord on the party hall, and he waved back.

"Heh, you´re so corny..." Gilda complained but she was still blushing a little.

The party continued all night and to close it, Trixie and Ligtning did a fireworks spectacle. Gilda didn´t gathered the courage to ask Pinkie out but when the fireworks started, Pinkie finally went quiet and Gilda was able to stand next to her. Just that, standing next to her sya anything.

It was little but to Gilda it was more than enough.

Dreams and Stars

Clover the Clever was too old and he got tired too quickly. He squinted his eyes, trying to make sense of his master scribblings, but it was useless. Suddenly the room got brighter, like a small star have descended on his studio.

"Thank you Philomena," he said and pet the phoenix next to him. Still he was too tired to continue. Yawning, he close the book and got up. The phoenix watched him move to the balcony, toning down its brightness. Clover looked far away, at the castle embedded in stone and the village beneath it.

"Grandfather..."

Clover turned around and smiled at the pink haired filly. "Why are you awake, Tia?"

"I couldn´t sleep. I had those dreams again."

"And your sister?"

"She is flying on her sleep. Again." Clover chuckled and his attention went back to the sky while Celestia moved next to him. The little earth pony couldn´t reach up so Clover magically moved a footstool so she could watch too.

"Tell me Tia, what did you dream tonight?"

"I can´t remember all of it. I saw...things. Places, creatures. There was this strange creature, made up of different animals. He looked silly. And there was this lady unicorn again. She was nice..."

Clover and her granddaughter went quiet and watched the night sky, with all its glittering stars.

"The sky looks so pretty tonight." Celestia noticed her grandfather watching down at the town. "Do you miss it, grandfather? Your old home of Equestria?"

"Sometimes." he said.

Once more, Celestia noticed the sadness on her grandfather eyes. She stood straight, like she always did during her lessons and said

"in the land of Equestria, all three races of ponies live in harmony. The unicorns use their magic to bring the night and day, the pegasi move the clouds to bring light or rain and we, the earth ponies, harvest the land, bringing food to all three races." She finished that last sentence puffing her chest in proud.

Clover rubbed her mane, showing his silent pride.

"How long must be live on this tower, grandfather?"

Clover didn´t answer her.

"I wish we could live on Equestria. In a place where unicorns, working together, create such a beautiful picture in the sky." she said, looking up.

"It is beautiful. But that shall soon change."

Celestia tilted her head in confusion.

"My mentor, he had dreams just like you. Tell me Tia, in your dreams, there is a large pony, with both wings and horns?"

"Yes, there is. She looks like that nice lady unicorn."

"He dreamed with that pony. An alicorn he called it. He fabricated an amulet for it, a gift for the pony that would control the stars."

"What? A pony that could control the stars? All by its own?!" Tia yelled.

"Yes, he had several dreams about the alicorn. In some there was more than one..."

"Two alicorns?"

"No, it was the same alicorn, facing a mirror. But the mirror showed a distorted image. He never knew what it mean´t. Two beings of different natures or the same being, faced with its internal darkness?" Clover pondered.

He then noticed Celestia look of confusion. He rubbed her head, trying to dismiss all those complicated thoughts.

"Grandfather?"

"Yes, Tia?"

Time Limit-

"Are you disappointed that neither me or my sister are unicorns? That we cannot help you finished your master works?"

Clover grab Celestia and hugged her tight "I never thought such a thing. You two are the most magical ponies in the world and years from now, you will spread that magic across all lands including Equestria."

"But your master´s work..."

Clover rubbed a tear off. "Even if I never complete his work, I have no doubts another pony will come. One that will understand the true meaning of magic. And you will there to guide that pony on fulfilling its destiny."

Celestia finally smiled and returned the hug.

Above them the stars kept on shining, waiting for the unique pony that will one day glide among them.

Most dependable of ponies

"This journey is taking forever!" a bespectacled orange unicorn filly complained.

"Come on cuz! it´s not so bad!" a light green pegasus filly replied above her head.

"Easy for you to say, Rainbow. You have wings."

"Living in the city has certainly sour your attitude, CA."

"Don´t call me that way."

"Cinnamon Apple! Rainbow Leaf! Come here!"

"Coming Uncle McIntosh!" Rainbow Leaf replied and flew next to the old stallion.

"Help me sit down," he asked.

"Have we arrived, uncle? Here it is?" Rainbow asked, looking around the forest.

"Of course it´s not. Did you see any course of water around? He just needs to rest. Again," Cinnamon complained.

Big Mac lifted a huge hoof and gently ruffled the unicorn mane. "Sorry. Old folks like me need to rest a lot." Cinnamon huffed,slightlyy blushing. "Why don´t you little ones go get some branches?"

Rainbow did a salute and rushed into the woods while Cinnamon simply levitated a few rocks to make the campfire.

Once the fire was ready, Rainbow Leaf asked "Want to sing a song, uncle? Or what about a story? Uh, I learned a new joke in school! Want to hear it?"

"Please, not another mule in an island joke..."

"Oh come on, it´s funny!"

"I´m sure it´s not."

"Hehe."

"See, uncle is laughing! But I haven´t told the joke..."

"It´s not that. You two with your bickering remind me of your grandmother and her friends," Big Mac said.

"Grandma Apple Bloom? She is the best!" Rainbow chimed.

"She is just another boring old farmer. How could she resemble us?" Cinnamon snarked.

"She wasn´t always like that. She used to be as energetic as Rainbow here and could be as sarcastic as you, Cinnamon. But that all changed after what happened to your great-aunt."

"Auntie...Applejack?" Rainbow asked and this perked Cinnamon´s attention.

Big Mac scratched his beard, like he did every time he was nervous "Your auntie used to be the most dependable of ponies. And your grandmother drove her crazy everyday as she searched for her Cutie Mark. She was too eager to get one," the two fillies looked at their blanks where a rainbow colored leaf and half of an apple rested. "She had this little group and they did the craziest things trying to get their marks. One day they heard the story of a stallion that tried to course the Neighara Falls in a barrel. They thought they could do the same and the barrel broke halfways. Rainbow Dash, you remember her, girls? She saved your grandma friends but she got stuck in a branch. Your great-aunt jumped to save her and they both fell from the waterfall..."

"Did she died?" Cinnamon asked while Rainbow covered her mouth.

"No, she didn´t die then. But she broke both her rear legs. She was never able to work in the farm. I was still young back then and could handle all the work but Applejack..." Big Mac seemed about to cry. "Some say she died of sadness of losing her special talent but I´m not so sure. She was happy and proud of how her sister became one of the most reliable and noble ponies in Ponyville. I think she died happy."

"What a sad story," Rainbow said, wiping a tear.

"What a stupid story. What´s the moral here? That bad things happen to good ponies? Grandma Apple Bloom made a stupid thing and her sister pay the price," Cinnamon complained, her eyes red with frustration.

Big Mac ruffled her mane again. "I´m sorry, little one. Not all stories have a point. We better go to sleep."

****

The next morning they finally reached their destination. Even a cynical Manehatten citizen like Cinnamon found the sight of the waterfalls breathtaking. Rainbow start flying around, excited.

"What do you think, little one?" Big Mac asked.

"It´s beautiful...but why, do you take us here, uncle?"

Big Mac smiled and ruffled her mane one last time. "Just for you to enjoy your weekend in the farm. I know Ponyville can be pretty boring sometimes."

"Cinnamon, look look!"

Cinnamon rushed to meet her cousin. She was pointing at a statue that rested next to a viewpoint. A statue dedicated to the most dependable of ponies, bearer of an Element, and local hero. But more importantly, their own blood.

Big Mac looked at the little fillies admired his sister statue and smiled.

(playing a little with the prompt, just this close to make a Gravity Falls parody XD )

Always Standing

"Shining Armor, open this door immediately!"

The ornamented doors trembled as powerful kicks were delivered.

"You´re not leaving that room, Twily."

More yells of frustrations could be heard from inside the Royal Chambers followed by the sound of frantic steps as the prisoner inside looked for an exit. Silence indicated her success at finding the window only to be followed by more yelling after she hit the magic force field that surrounded the tower.

The guards looked at each other, worried about her safety. Their captain remained still, facing the closed door.

"Give it up Twilight. You´re not going anywhere."

"I have to, my friends need me Shining. Please."

The captain went silent for a few seconds, the guards wondering how long could he keep his composure.

"No."

More yells and the sound of furniture being tossed at the door.

"Sir, are you sur-"

"The orders are to keep the Princess secure in her chambers until the threat is over. Understood?"

The guards saluted and even while Shingin was giving his back to then, they knew he appreciated their loyalty.

Light could be seen from under the door, the Princess gathering all her power to teleport out of the castle. The captain lightened his own horn, reinforcing the magic field. The guards clearly heard the Princess hitting the bed after the backlash of the spell failing.

Shining Armor looked tired for the effort of using so much magic but he still kept his position.

He closed his eyes, his mind going back in time.

*****

"No Twily , you´re not coming with me."

"But you promised. You said I can go camping with you!"

"I said I´ll take you to camping some day, but this camping is for cadets. Not for little fillies."

"I´m not a little filly!"

"Yes, you are. Now go back to your room."

"...."

"Twilly, put down that vase."

"....uh."

"Twilight, put that down. You can´t control your magic yet and mom will get angry if your break it."

"Nnngh!"

"TWILIGHT SPARKLE!"

"AH!"

"...great. Look what you did, mom is going to have an attack."

"...this is your fault! You´re a meanie liar, Shining!"

"...."

*****

"Guards, open the door now!"

These words brought Shining back to present. He looked at his men who were insecure if they should obey.

"This is a direct order from your Princess! Open this door. Now!"

They looked at Shining who kept his stern face. They were hesitant for a moment but even if she was a princess, their captain was in charge. They returned to their guarding position.

"Go back to your bed, Twilight." Shining said.

There was no response for over a minute until finally they heard her going back to her bed and throwing something, probably a book, at the door.

Shining Armor relaxed for a moment. Twilight will resume her complaints soon but he earned a few moments to relax. The guards moved a few steps front and turned around, assuming their positions at the door. Shining smiled, proud of his men. He stood back again and faced the closed door once more, determined to not lose sight of it until the danger was over.

Love Fever

"See Fluttershy, this creature is commonly known as Bubble Spider because it´s usually found in swamps but it´s actual scientific denomination is Arcus Aranea, that´s because of the rainbow pattern of its middle section."

"Umh that´s...interesting Twilight, but could you please not put them in jars? They seem not to like it."

"Fluttershy, this is simply standard scientific procedure. We can´t risk touching them with our bare hooves, who knows what kind of poison or disease they carry? Now you hold on to this while I got get my notebook."

"...here you go, little fella. You´re free. Auh! Why did you bite me? Meanie."

****

"TWILIGHT! PLEASE COME OUT!!"

Twilight was well secured inside of the library, the only place where she could stay away from Fluttershy´s advances. Yet, that was no guarantee, if Fluttershy could manage to get a giant heart shaped chocolate and a full band to declare her love, who knows what else she could do?

"What in tarnation is going on in here?" Applejack asked, looking at the spectacle.

"It seems spring has arrived for our dear Fluttershy. A very bombastic spring," Rarity explained.

"She looks almost like Pinkie Pie," Applejack said, watching as Fluttershy put on a cheerleader outfit and spelled her true love name.

"Please, don´t say that," Rarity said, noticing the completely devastated Pinkie next to her. Her straight mane and the ominous cloud above her proving how defeated she felt.

"By the way, where´s Rainbow?"

"She flew off the second she saw Fluttershy like this." Rarity explained.

"I don´t blame her. And I don´t blame Twilight for hiding, Fluttershy here is getting a little too bold..." Applejack said, pointing that Fluttershy had managed to drag Princess Celestia to marry them. "Sugarcube, I get that you´ve woodpeckers in the ceiling..."

"What kind of expression is that?" Rarity murmured.

"But don´t you think you´re being a little too forceful on poor Twilight? That you should give her some space?"

"I know what you´re up too. You want Twilight all for yourself, don´t you Applejack?!" Fluttershy raged.

"What? O-of course not, why do you say something that crazy?"

"Well, you do spend an awful amount of time together..."

"Rarity, you´re not helping!"

"Forget it, sister! She is mine!"

Applejack may be able to handle a struggle with her own brother, one of the town stronger stallions, but against a jealousy powered Fluttershy she was no match. Luckily Twilight came to her rescue.

"Fluttershy, stop this!"

"Twilight!" Fluttershy grabbed her and flew past the clouds. "Finally we can be alone. Once the Princess marry us, we´ll live together away from this awful town filled with jealous ponies. We´ll live in a beautiful house by the lake, where I´ll tend to all my animal friends while you conduct your cute little experiments, and don´t worry, ´ll make a little room in the attic for Spike and..."

"Fluttershy, stop. You´re not in love with me."

"Of course I am, silly filly!"

"No, youre not. Now put me down."

Fluttershy obeyed, looking like a wound puppy.

"Why would you said that, Twilight? I do love you."

"Why?" Twilight coldly asked.

"Why? Because when I look at you my heart starts pounding and my face turns all red and my hooves can´t stop shaking and my wings flutter and..."

"Those are not feelings, those are symptoms. You´re sick."

"I´m not sick! I love you!"

Twilight pushed her forehead against Fluttershy´s. "You´re feverish, Fluttershy. Your mind is playing tricks with you, creating feelings that are not there."

"Bu-but..."

"I´m sorry but what you're feeling isn´t real."

"No Twilight, I..."

"I´m sorry," Twilight repeated and casted a sleeping spell on her friend.

"Care to explain what´s going on, student?" Princess Celestia asked.

Twilight pointed at Fluttershy´s hoof. "See that mark? She had been bitten by a dangerous spider. That´s the reason for her...falling in love."

"I assume you used your time secluded to create an antidote."

"Of course," Twilight said and made Fluttershy drink a green potion. "I´m sorry."

****

"Well, this was certainly a crazy day. Iím glad is over," Spike said, sweeping all of Fluttershy's love letters and presents. "Although, living in a lake house, that could have been fun. And Fluttershy is very nice, I wouldn´t mind living with her."

"Me neither, Spike. But this how things are supposed to be, just the two of us."

"I suppose," he said and went back to cleaning.

Twilight went back to her book

the venom of the Bubble Spider is known to enhance a pony behavior, making a brave pony act fearless or a make a coward one act terrified. It never changes the pony personality, it merely exaggerates their real feelings and thoughts.

"Real feelings..."

"You said something, Twilight?”

"Nothing Spike, is nothing."

Twilight closed the book, returning it to its place in the bookshelf.

Special Ocassion

Rarity levitated the needle, hovering it over the skirt. The final gemstone rested there, in the middle of the unfinished pattern, patiently waiting for the final touch. She played with the needle a bit more, making it circle around her head. She licked her lips, delaying the moment. Not ready yet to make the final sewn...

"You know, it´s not easy to concentrate with all of you staring at me," she said.

Standing next to her, watching her every move, was her circle of friends.

"But Rarity, this is an special occasion! You´re about to finish your three hundredth dress! This is a moment that must be recorded in history," Twilight said, stepping out from the group. Behind her, Spike, Fluttershy and Rainbow waved their "Go Rarity!" flags.

"I appreciate the gesture, darling. But I still believe you´re making this a bigger deal that it is. Calling the Royal Band was a bit excessive of you," Rarity said.

"Nonsense! They are meant for unique occasions and this one of them. Now, get back to work and I´ll capture the moment for posterity," Twilight said, levitating a camera.

"Twi, why don´t you give Rares a little space?" Applejack asked, gently pushing Twilight a few steps back.

Rarity nodded, silently thanking her for her gesture and went back to work. She conceded that Twilight had a point, three hundred dresses was a remarkable accomplishment. Yet, she didn´t feel like it was anything that special.

She took a look at the store and realized there wasn´t anywhere near three hundred dress in there. It make sense since a huge number where commissions for clients but several old dresses she never put on sale and even some she made as gifts were also missing, probably resting in a box at her parents house.

She remembered the very first dress she made, a birthday gift for Sweetie Belle. To be accurate, her first dress was the one she made with a napkin and some marbles for her favourite doll; but the one she made for Sweetie was the first for a living pony. It was a lovely baby blue piece that matched her sister perfectly. Of course, it didn´t last long before Sweetie devoured it but it was one of Rarity´s special dresses.

"Hey, are we going to see some action or you´ll keep the Statue of Manehattan act all day?" Rainbow shouted.

"Oh my apologies, I got distracted," Rarity said and made two final touches at the dress. "Finished!"

"Perfect!" Twilight shouted. "Now Pinkie Pie, return to the library and bring all the party supplies. Rainbow, go get back the Royal Band, we need some music. Spike, send this picture to the Princess."

"You okay, honey?" Applejack asked to Rarity, who was trying to recover from the camera flash. She nodded as Fluttershy handled her a cup of water.

"Why are you standing there, girls? Let´s go the library, quickly!" Twilight said, flapping her wings like an excited filly.

"In that case, let me change. This morning I prepared an outfit that would suit just right," Rarity said, moving to the closet.

-Time Limit-

"This morning? As in this morning morning?" Twilight asked, frozen in mid-air.

"Well yes, I felt this sudden rush of inspiration early this morning so I made a little something. Funny, I´ve forgotten about it," Rarity explained.

"A rush? You felt a rush?"

"Yes, it happens. From time to time when I´m working."

"But you told me yesterday that today you´ll make your three hundred dress. But it´s not the three hundredth but three hundred and one. No, not even that. You probably made a ton of dresses in a rush before and you never told me about them so my numbers, my numbers..." Twilight didn´t finished the thought, she just fell over.

"Ah horseshoes. Spike, why don´t you take the Princess here to the library? Don´t worry Raes, she´ll get over soon. We´ll wait you at the library," Applejack said, leaving the store with Fluttershy and Spike carrying the unconscious Twilight.

Rarity pulled the dress out of the closet and examined it.

"Now I remember, I wanted to wear this for the photo. Oh well, what can one do?"

Rarity returned the unnumbered dress into the closet, grabbed a simple but cute pink hat and headed for the library.

She still believed Twilight overreacted but she wasn´t going to let the party be wasted.

(I must confess I´m not sure “hundredth” is correct but I figured Twilight will speak that way)

What my Cutie Mark is trying to tell me

"It´s a kite."

"Are you sure, Scoots? It looks more triangle shaped that diamond shaped."

"Well, it does looks kinda like Rarity´s. If you tilt your head this way..."

Scootaloo sighed, already tired of her friends trying to decipher her Cutie Mark. They were happy for her when she got it, for like a minute, then they started arguing about what it meant.

"I told you a million times that it is a kite."

"I think it looks more like confetti. You know, when you found a big piece of paper in the bag that it´s bigger than the others..."

"Pinkie Pie, what are you doing in our clubhouse?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"And what does that mean? That you´re good with kites? ´cause you´re not," Apple Bloom said.

"I´m good with kites! And you´re getting everything wrong! It doesn´t mean that my special talent is kites, it´s a signboard. No wait, that´s not the word Twilight used. It´s symptomatic? No, that one either..."

Scootaloo was in a blank there, trying to remember the word and the other three ponies have no idea what she was trying to say.

"Anyways, it means it´s not about kites! Just like Pinkie, she has balloons but her talent is throwing parties and she loves baking because that´s what her Cutie Mark means, right?" she said.

"Well, I can make balloon animals! Check out, a puppy!"

"Ehh, that looks more like a manticore," Sweetie said.

"Okay then, what about...a scary dragon!"

"Now that looks more like a kitty," Apple Bloom said.

"Argh, okay okay I got this. What about...Princess Celestia?"

"Where are her wings?"

"Aren´t those her wings?"

"They look more like fins to me..."

Scootaloo abandoned the tree house, feeling frustrated and annoyed at the same time. She walked around town, hoping to meet Rainbow Dash. She would understand what her Cutie Mark means, after all, it was after they spent an afternoon together that her Cutie Mark appeared. She was at her bed, putting the pictures of their time together in her album when she noticed the Mark appearing. Their pictures of...flying a kite together.

Maybe Apple Bloom was right after all.

"Ah! Dumb bubbles! They got in my eye again!"

The complaints came from behind a bush. Curious, Scootaloo looked and found Derpy Hooves struggling with what seemed a monster made of bubbles that threatened to eat her.

"What are you doing?"

"Uh, I was trying to wash my uniform but these dumb bubbles keep getting in the way! Go away!" she replied.

"I think you used too much soap."

"Oh, you´re right. I´m such a dummy! I can´t even do my special talent right!"

"Your special talent is washing clothes?"

"Of course! That´s what my Cutie Mark is telling me! Isn´t it?" Derpy said, pointing at her flank.

"I thought it was more syntax? No, that´s not the word either..."

Scootaloo struggled with the word, half hoping Pinkie will pop out of the bubbles to say the word but nothing happened.

"What I meant is that your bubbles represent your personality, how you´re so carefree and let yourself float away, like a bubble does." Scootaloo said,

"It does?" Derpy asked.

"Yes! Just like mine represents my desire to aim higher, to reach the sjy while still keeping my string attached to the ground..."

Scootaloo smiled and soon that smile turned into a giggle that bursted in alughter.

"You okay, kid?"

"Yes. I´m just...you know, i just realized this Cutie Mark business is more complicated that I thought. I spent so much time trying to get my Mark that, when it finally appeared, I didn´t even knew what it really meant. But now I know, I´m going to show my friends what my destiny truly is! Thanks for the help, Derpy!"

"You welcome! wait, what did I exactly do? Wait again, this isn´t even my uniform. Oh, Cloudchaser is going to be mad I mixed our clothes again..."

And while Derpy tried to fix her mistake, Scootaloo rushed to the clubhouse, no longer needing her scooter since now she was flapping her wings with renewed confidence and finally being able to glide like a kite.

(BTW, the word you were looking for Scoots is SYMBOLISM!!!1 ^_^ )

Missing Cake

You know who is the saddest pony in a party?

The one who makes the birthday cake.

Everyday is somepony birthday and everyday Mr. Cake makes them a cake. Every single day, without fail, he gets one done.

But what about his cake? The day of his party, who will make him a cake?

My father was always busy in the farm, every day, every year. He could never make it to any birthday, not mine, not my sisters´, not my mother´s; not even his own.

When I moved here, Mr. Cake made me a welcoming cake. Back in the farm, we only got one cake at year. Father said it was all we needed, why waste flour for each individual member? Just one big cake for the whole family. So, when I saw that big, delicious, sparkling cake; I thought that was all I would get.

But, when my birthday arrived, I got another cake and a birthday present. Mrs. Cake decorated the store just for me, and Mr. Cake baked me another cake. A birthday cake. A tall, pink and blue, cherry and chocolate flavored cake.

And it was the best gift I ever got.

Tomorrow is Mr. Cake birthday. I have to make something special for him. He can´t bake his own cake, that would be silly. Mrs. Cake is sleeping, she is tired for working all day in the kitchen too. I can´t bother her. So it´s just you and me, Gummy. We have to make this cake special, we have to make the best birthday cake ever.

*****

"So Pinkie, did you understand? All you got to do is when the clients come, give them the packages in the counter. Do not take any more orders and please, do not try to use the oven without us to supervise."

"Yes, Mr. Cake."

"Is not that we don´t trust you but after last week accident...well, you understand, right Pinkie?"

"Yes, Mr. Cake."

"We´ll be back from Vanhoover tomorrow morning, assuming the train leaves in time. It never does. Oh, I talked with your friend Applejack, from the farm? She said she and her grandmother will stop by later, so you won´t be alone all day."

"Okay, Mr. Cake."

"I better hurry, Cup Cake is waiting at the station and she hates to wait, hehe. I´ll see you tomorrow, Pinkie!"

"Mr. Cake!"

"Yes?"

"Umh just...happy birthday."

"It won´t be so happy if I don´t deliver the cake! Wish we get on time, Pinkie!"

"Yes! Wish you...luck. Looks like this year he won´t get his cake. Maybe he´ll be more lucky next year, Gummy. What? No silly, I´m not crying. Why cry? It´s not my cake..."

Giving up the cape

(Hey It´s my birthday too! ^_^  Or was at the time of writing this)

Apple Bloom was tying her ribbon when she took a look at the mirror.

This won´t work.

The ribbon no longer fit her, it was too childish. Now that she was a grown pony, her mane must reflect that. After playing a little with different styles she finally settled for a style just like her sister. Apple Bloom smiled, she did looked like Applejack.

She grabbed her Crusaders cap and put it on. She was so tall now that it was useless as a cap more like a neckerchief. Sometimes she hated being so tall.

She rushed downstairs but before she could leave Applejack called her. "Woah partner, where´s the fire?"

"Scootaloo and Sweetie are waiting for me. I´m running late, sister."

"That could be the case but my sister escaping without getting a hug for her birthday." Applejack needed to stand in two feet to hug her. "Dang girl, why did you have to get Big Mac freakish genes? I can barely hug you."

"Heh, guess I finally am the big pony."

"Don´t get cocky, young lady. You´ll always be my tiny apple. Now, go have fun and remember dinner is at 7:00!"

"I´ll be there!" Apple Boom shouted and galloped towards the Crusaders clubhouse. Not that it was a long journey since the clubhouse was within the farm limits and with her new large legs she got there in just a few minutes.

"Woah nelly."

Apple Bloom didn´t expected to find so many ponies present. There were are at least fifteen ponies waiting in front of the clubhouse. Not just colt and fillies but their parents and some friends as well. Apple Bloom noticed some already have their Cutie Marks but they were still there for the new recruits.

As she made her way upstairs all the looks were on her, be it because she was one of the three founders or because she was as a tall as a stallion. She finally made it inside and found her friends waiting for her, alongside Princess Sparkle.

"Sorry I´m late," she whispered.

"Don´t worry. We haven´t started yet," Sweetie said while Apple Bloom hugged her cousin Babs.

"What is Twilight doing here?" she asked but before Sweetie could answer Twilight called her front.

"Now fillies and colts, future Cutie Mark Crusaders, now that your President and founder has arrived, let the ceremony begin!" all ponies cheered as Twilight let Apple Bloom take her place.

"Umh Twilight, what are you doing here?"

"Remember that as a Princess I must attend to every official event in the kingdom."

"This is an official event?"

"Well, I may have told the court I´m actually in a meeting with the Mayor but shh!" both mares giggled. "Are you nervous?"

"A little. I wasn´t expecting so many ponies..."

"You´ll be fine. They are even more nervous than you are. Trust me, I was in their position during my own ceremony."

"Twilight, you can´t compare being crowned a Princess to being given a raggedy cape." Apple Bloom said.

"For these fillies it is. Being Crusaders is the most important thing for them, it is an honor. They grew up with stories about you four, having adventures. They have dreamt with these moment for years and now, it has arrived. The time to pass the torch."

"Woah, you really are a Princess. I could never talk like that."

"You´ll be fine," Twilight patted her in the shoulder. "Also, happy birthday. I bet you couldn't ask for a better gift that those smiling faces."

Apple Bloom moved to the stand, looking at the new set of Crusaders. Especially the teal colored pegasus filly that was going to take her position as president. She took a good look at the clubhouse, no longer the small house where they played cards in a rainy sunday but a full building with desk and files and other stuff that showed how times have changed.

She took a final look at her cape, dirty and discolored over the years. She looked at her friends who smiled back, Scootaloo even adding a wink. She looked again at Twilight who nodded.

Apple Bloom took a deep breath, let all the memories of those years of crusading come back.

She was ready to give up the cape.

Learning to play the flugelhorn

ZONK ZUAK ZUTZ

"Pinkie Pie! Could you please stop that?!"

"But Twilight, I need to practice. I still haven´t mastered the flugelhorn!"

ZOOOONK

"You´re not making any progress. Besides, I´ve told you several times that a library is supposed to be quiet. Go somewhere else," Twilight ordered.

"But I have nowhere else. The babies kept crying, Applejack tossed me some apples, Rarity kicked me out of her store and Rainbow chased me with a stormcloud."

"Why are you even insisting so much? I thought you were already familiar with that thing. You need to practise?"

"Well duh, of course I need to practice. What, you think I magically turn into an expert on every instrument? It takes time and a place. I have the time but I can´t find the place. Everypony keeps kicking me out, it´s like they don´t like the sound of the flugelhorn."

"Yeah, imagine that," Spike said, adding more cotton to his ears.

"Pinkie, I know you want to learn to play this instrument but I can´t have you in the library all day making that noise," Twilight said.

Pinkie sighed. "You´re right, Twilight. I won´t bother you anymore."

Pinkie walked across town, noticing how all the ponies shut doors and windows so she won´t even consider asking for permission. Pinkie sighed again.

"Pinkie, are you okay?"

"Oh hi, Fluttershy. I´m fine, it´s just...I need to practice but it seems nopony will lend me a place."

"Well, you could come to my cottage, if you want to..."

"Really? But won´t I bother you? I know you don´t like loud noises."

"It´s true but you won´t bother me at all."

"Oh thankyouthankyouthankyou!" Pinkie hugged her pegasus friend, managing somehow to lift them both in the air and remain there a few seconds. "I promise I won't be too noisy. Oh, but what about your friends?"

"Oh, I´m sure they won´t mind a little music. They usually the noisy ones, maybe listening to you will calm them down."

****

"Stand back, all of you! NOW! I want you to go back inside and think on what you have done!" Fluttershy stared at her animal friends. Not quite using The Stare but it was intimidating enough to make them retreat. "Shame on you. Pinkie Pie, you can come down now."

"Is it safe?" Pinkie asked from the top of a tree. When Fluttershy nodded, she jumped down. "Woah, they really didn´t like the flugelhorn. Maybe I should go back home."

"You haven´t practice enough, that´s all. Why don´t you give it another hour?"

ZZRRROOONK!

"Maybe two hours..."

****

TU TU TU TUUUU

"That was wonderful, Pinkie!" Fluttershy said, and it seemed her friends agreed since they applauded as well.

"I did it! I finally mastered the flugelhorn!" Pinkie said, jumping around.

"And it only took you a week, I´m impressed."

"Oh thank you so much Fluttershy. I couldn´t have done this without you!" Pinkie said, grabbing Fluttershy's hooves.

"Me? I did nothing, I just sit here and listened to you."

"Nononono, you always supported me and listened to every one of my terrible performances and you never never let me quit. You are wonderful, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy blushed a little. "O-okay. Now I suppose you´ll play it in town and have fun. Maybe threw a I-learned-to-play-the-flugelhorn party, right?"

"Oh." This sudden realization made Pinkie let go of Fluttershy and slowly back down. "Yeah, I should get to it."

"Okay. I´ll see you later, at the party I mean. Not here..."

"Of course not here because I already finished practicing and that was the reason I came here so I have no reason to se you anymore unless I threw a party or something..."

The animals looked at both mares, wondering why they looked so uncomfortable and avoided looking at each other.

****

"No. No. NO! I knew this one. This one too. I mastered this one when I was five!"

Twilight patient was at her limit, Pinkie trashing around her library was the last straw.

"Books. Quiet. Librarian!"

Ignoring her complaints, Pinkie jumped at Twilight´s feet. "Oh Twilight Twilight, you have to help me find another instrument!"

"What for?"

"I need to find another instrument to practice so I´ll have an excuse to visit Fluttershy!"

"Why do you even need an excuse? Can´t you just go visit her?"

"It´s not a visit visit. It´s one of those fake I-made-up-a-reason-to-come-see-you visits! Like how Rainbow uses Daring Do as an excuse to see you!"

"I do not!" the pegasus replied from behind a book.

"Pinkie, you don´t need any excuses. If you really want to see Fluttershy that much just do it." Twilight said.

"But what if she doens´t ant to see me? What if she was only being nice and now I start to bother her? What if..." Twilight put a stop to Pinkie´s rambling by just touching her shoulder. Pinkie took a deep breath and nodded.

When she arrived at the cottage, she found Fluttershy setting a tea party.

"Oh hi Pinkie. You needed something else?"

"Oh no, I just...I just was passing by and wanted to say hello. Hello"

"Umh hello."

Another awkward silence fell over them. Pinkie then felt a tug on her tail, she turned over and found Angel holding her flugelhorn. Pinkie was about to ask where he took it but then noticed all the animals standing in line.

"I think they want a little concert," Fluttershy said.

Pinkie smile was so big it even made a noise.

All the way back in the library, Twilight was still fixing the mess when she heard a sound. Ignoring Rainbow and Spike bickering over why she really came visit them so often, Twilight moved and opened the window, letting the music come in.

She smiled and went back to work.

The Princess Dream

I had a dream.

It was a dream of the night.

But it wasn´t a pleasant night. The stars felt like oppressive eyes, watching over every movement, every living being. There were no clouds, only stars. Always the stars.

And the moon was fixed above our kingdom, like a dutiful jailer, never losing sight of us. Of the prisoners of the stars.

Hours went by but the day never came, only the night remained. The snow fell slowly, painting the land white. No more colors, no more life. Everything was silent, all the ponies missing. I was all alone in the snow, watching the stars, our silent oppressors.

All of a sudden I heard a cry, like the sob of a filly. It sounded almost like my daughter. I feared the worst, that she was lost in this desolate land. I ran through the snow, looking for her, the wind intensifying with every step I took until I saw a silhouette, a small child lost in the snowstorm. I called her and I noticed her wings. Wings in a horned pony. But before I could see what she really was, the storm trapped me and I woke up in my chambers.

Clover insists that I shouldn´t worry, that dreams are often misleading. Yet when he turns around, thinking I can´t see him, he rubs his chin like he always do whenever he comes across a difficult spell.

Maybe I shouldn´t worry, maybe I´m thinking too much. I always let my doubts overwhelm me. Some days I wish to have the Chancellor carefree nature or even the Commander bold approach to life but I can´t change who I am. No longer a spoiled princess but a queen with subjects and a sucessor which depend on me.

She is my only true concern, my little Selene, named after the ancient word for the moon. Her coat and mane resemble the night sky and a half moon rests on her flank. She would soon share the Princess title with my younger niece, both ruling over ponies, unicorn and pegasi alike.

My only fear is that her glorious day might never come, that the eternal night will capture her. I´m afraid to sleep so I remain by her bedside, singing a lullaby.

Married Life

My name is Spike. I am a dragon. I am the personal escort of Princess Twilight Sparkle. I have fought many powerful adversaries. I have faced dragons and cockatrices. I have faced Nightmare Moon and Queen Chrysalis. I am the savior of the Crystal Heart. And yet there is one day that I fear the most...

"Rarity, I was using that broom!"

"I need it to clean behind this bookshelf. Seriously Twilight, how can you ignore all this dust?"

Spring Cleaning Day.

"Move the couch so I can clean under it, dear."

"You can move it yourself, I´m busy holding a hundred books at the same time. It takes concentration."

Every year is the same. ever since Twilight and Rarity moved together, Spring Cleaning Day turns the house into a battlezone. Arguments, yelling, furniture tossed aside, it´s a wonder they don´t zap each other with magic beams.

"Why won´t you let me put the photos of our jouney to Saddle Arabia in the living room?"

"Rarity, you know I don´t want anypony looking at those pictures. I look...silly with that outfit."

"Nonsense, you look adorable. Besides, it was our honeymoon trip, they´re  supposed to be in the open for the visits."

"Precisely because it´s our honeymoon these pictures should be private!"

Things were much more easier when I was a baby. Back then both Rarity and Twilight played along with my "crush". Of course, as time passed my feelings for Rarity changed so I was able to see it as a big sister. Ironic that at the same time Twilight was seeing her as more than a "friend". Everybody was worried about me during the wedding, fearing that I might turn into a monster out of jealousy or something. But why would I be jealous? My two favourite sisters were getting married, I was happy!

I still am.

"Twilight, how dare you? Green and brown can go together, it look hideous!"

"Who cares about that? Volume 2 goes after volume 1. It has nothing to do with the color of the covers!"

Except this day,

This day I wish I have wings so I could fly off. One time I even tried teleport myself with my flames. It didn´t worked.

"So you have the entire wall for your books but I got absolutely nothing? The entire room is for you."

"You got your ridiculous statues which take half of the space!"

"How could you? I bought those statues for you!"

"I don´t like them!"

Wish they would just shut up!

"..."

Finally.

No, wait.

"Rarity. Rarity I...I´m sorry. I didn´t mean to...please, don´t cry."

"I thought that you liked my presents."

"I do like them! I just...I don´t know, I say something stupid. I didn´t meant to."

"No Twilight, you were being honest. They are a little ostentatious. I´ll get rid of them if they bother you so much."

"I don´t care about that! I care about you! I..."

"Shh, don´t cry darling. He, now I´m the one comforting you."

"Haha you´re right."

...

"Sorry I yelled at you, Rarity."

"It´s okay dear. Well, look at the time. It´s almost noon. We better finish this room and make us something to eat. We better hurry before Spikey wakes up."

"Yeah, he always get hungry after his morning nap."

"Which comes right after breakfast, hehe.Now come on, help me lift this shelf."

"Okay."

Spring Cleaning.

The most noisy day of the year. And yet the day I sleep the best.

I think I´ll stay in bed for a few more hours. Just until lunch is ready.

Spring Flowers

Rainbow Dash was sleeping in a cloud, it was one of the few remaining snow clouds so it felt cool at touch. The sun was bright, cleaning the entire fields of Ponyville but there was still a little bit of chill in the air. For Rainbow Dash, those were the conditions for a perfect nap.

Or it would if somepony would stop making so much noise down in the ground. Rainbow peaked and found Scootaloo digging in a patch of snow.

"Hey squit, whatcha doing?" she startled the filly.

"Ah! Oh Rainbow Dash I´m...I´m just looking for something?"

"Something? What?"

"Umh flowers."

"What was that again?"

"Flowers!" she yelled, blushing.

"Flowers? Like those ones?" Rainbow said, pointing at some small yellow and pink flowers half covered by snow.

"There they are! Thanks Rainbow!"

"You´re...welcome?" Rainbow said, watching Scootaloo rush to meet the other Crusaders.

"Oh darling, they look beautiful in you!"

"You think so?"

"Of course! They have your exact same colors!"

Rainbow turned her head to see Rarity tying the flower to Fluttershy's mane. Why was everypony acting so strange?

"Hello Rainbow!" Twilight Sparkle, accompanied by Spike, approached Rainbow

"Hey Twilight. Have you noticed how weird everypony is acting?" she asked.

"Weird? I didn´t noticed anything weird."

"Then why do you have those flowers?" Rainbow pointed at the flowers that magically floated in the air.

"These are for Spike. Now, hold still," she said, using her magic to tie the flowers around his neck, something that the dragon clearly disliked.

"Why are you doing that?" Rainbow asked.

"It´s tradition. It´s the custom after every Winter Wrap Up to search for the Spring Flowers and tie them to either your special somepony or a family member you hold dear. Hold still, Spike!"

"Never heard of that one," Rainbow admitted, scratching her head.

"Really? How strange, considering you have been living here longer than us."

"Yeah well, I usually just sleep over the day after the Wrap Up, hehe. I got to leave, see ya!" Rainbow took off, leaving behind Twilight struggling with his little brother.

She flew across town noticing that everypony was doing the same. Little fillies giving flowers to their grandparents, couples exchanging bouquets, good friends making crown flowers together, the entire town was painted in pink and yellow.

She circled town a couple of times, unsure of what to do. They would notice if she starts searching for flowers but if she keeps flying around with nothing i her hooves they will notice her anyways. She start looking around, trying to find some for herself before they ran out but it was useless. There were no more flowers in all of Ponyville.

Defeated, Rainbow floated to a hill in the outskirts. She poked a snow patch but found nothing. Rainbow sighed.

"Stupid flowers. Who wants them anyway? Although it would have been nice if at least somepony would have gave some to them, even from the squirt. Nobody likes me enough?"

Her question was answered by a snowball hitting her head.

"Gotcha ya!"

"Pinkie Pie! What are you doing?"

"The weather team let me have the last pile of snowballs! And now the war has started!!" she said, grabbing half of the pile.

It took a second for Rainbow to forget about the flowers and join in the battle.

"For Cloudsdale!" she yelled and jumped over the other half of the pile.

Rainbow and Pinkie kept throwing snowballs to each other the rest of the day. One of them failed and hit a nearby bush, revealing a pair of bright flowers. The only pair of Spring Flowers that were not handled to anypony that year.

Troubles

Carrot Top put on her working hat and left the house, ready for another day of work.

"Ah horse apples!"

****

"The entire farm! The entire farm is flooded! For the third time this week, this is inexcusable!"

Carrot had been complaining to the head of the Weather Team for about half and hour. The elderly mare pressed her forehead, trying to relieve some stress.

"I don´t get paid enough for this..." she murmured.

"Are you even listening to me?"

"Yes, Mrs. Top. But I´m still not sure what exactly do you want from me."

"To fire Derpy. You´re her boss, can´t you replace her or something? If this keeps going I´m going to lose my farm!" Carrot said.

"I´m sorry but all the pegasi are already assigned. I cannot make any substitutions at this time of the year."

"But my farm..."

"I suggest you talk to Mrs. Hooves and tell her to be more careful, Mrs. Top."

Carrot Top left the office in a gallop, her anger escaping like steam from her nostrils. That old lady didn´t help her at all. "Talk to Derpy", like that would work. The pegasus was well known for creating disasters everywhere she went, Carrot sighed when Derpy got assigned to her sector. She could have asked for a replacement back then but seeing that poor cross-eyed ditz she...

Carrot cursed her kind nature and headed for the market. She was upset and had a lot of work to do and worse, she was getting hungry. Igoring every basic instincts  she went to the Apple´s stand. Luckily, Granny SMith was in place of Applejack so at least she wouldn´t need to hear any mocking from her rival farmer.

"You´re looking a little grey, darling."

"I believe the color is blue, Granny; and yes, I´m having some troubles at the farm."

"Moles?"

"No, my pegasus assistant. She keeps daydreaming at the job and forgets to clean all the clouds so I keep getting surprise showers that keep ruining my crops! Derpy is ruining my business...I don´t see what´s so funny about it, Granny."

"Oh this reminds me when that cute colored streak started working at the farm..."

"Rainbow? But she never makes mistakes like this," Carrot asked.

"Usually no, but when her eyes were focused in one big red apple instead of the clouds she lost track of a few thunderstorms and we had to rebuild the barn everytime that happened," she explained. "A mare in love tends to make quite a few mistakes."

"In love? But I have no other assistants so..." Carrot noticed the hussy smile in the elderly mare and blushed. "Please, you´re being ridiculous. Thanks for the Apples."

But Granny Smith´s smile kept haunting Carrot even in the farm as she watched over Derpy. Could it be true? Could that be the reason why Derpy kept looking behind her and then rushed to get back to work, making more of a mess with those clouds? Carrot was a practical mare, she never let herself be distracted with things like romance, that just interferes with work; and Derpy constants distractions were interfering with her work. This was a problem and she needed to solve it.

"Derpy Hooves, could you come down here?" she called.

Derpy descended, leaving her clouds unattended. "Ye-yes, Carrot?"

Carrot said nothing, she just kept staring at Derpy, directly at her eyes. Not a good idea since the odd angle was making her dizzy but she needed to confirm something. Derpy kept tried to look away but her odd eye betrayed her.

"Wha-what is it? Did I do something wrong?"

"Derpy, are you..."

The question died as a sudden downpour fell over Carrot´s head. Derpy covered her mouth embarrassed while the farmer spit a bit of the water, looking pretty silly with her damped mane covering her face.

"I´m sorry! I´m so so sorry!"

"Towels."

"What?"

"Towels. Inside the house."

Derpy grabbed Carrot by the hoof and guided her inside, since she couldn´t see a thing. She keep apologizing over and over as she dried the darmer mane.

"You really are troublesome, Derpy."

"I´m sorry."

"I don´t like troubles." She then grabbed Derpy´s hooves, holding them strong. "So I´m going to need your help to fix this one, okay?"

It took Derpy a minute to understand. Carrot Top was very straightforward with her words, always speaking her mind, but when it came to things that disturbed her, that she couldn't quite understand, her actions speak for her. Derpy realized this by the way she hold her hooves, she was being forceful, she was actually asking for help. Her help.

"Of course."

Carrot let go of her, took the towel and returned to fix her, all the while trying to hide her faint blush.

Outside, the random rain clouds had disappeared, leaving behind a small rainbow.

Mistake

"This is all my fault, Spike," Twilight Sparkle said, as she moved upstairs, her head down in shame and despair. "I need to find a way to fix this. I need to think."

"So...this would be a bad time to mention this letter the Princess has just sent?"

"..."

****

It took Twilight a while to convince her friends to come with her, they have changed so much they barely remembered being the Bearers of the Elements. They were only worried in fulfilling their chores, their misplaced chores. Twilight couldn´t bear to see them so miserable, sinking in a fate that wasn´t theirs, but she also couldn´t an order from the Princess so she moved the entire team to the streets of Canterlot where Discord was creating havoc and distress.

"Discord! Stop this instant! You promise to behave!"

"Oh Twilight Sparkle, you´re not one to criticize after what you have done," he replied.

"What is he talking about?" Applejack asked.

"What? You didn´t told them? HAHAHA! Oh wonderful, please allow me."

"No Discord, don´t!"

Ignoring her pleas, Discord swift like a snake around the five other ponies. "Haven't you noticed how awkward your lifes feel now, like there was something wrong, something missing? Tell me, can you remember how you got your Cutie Marks?"

None of them had an answer, they tried but they were unable to recall their own past.

"Don´t you remember Applejack?" Discord said and with a snap conjured an image of the former farmer past. In the image, her aunt and uncle praised her for picking a beautiful dress. In the midst of all the congratulations, Applejack flank glowed and three diamonds appeared.

"Is that how it happened?" Applejack asked.

"Maybe, maybe not. Is as true as Rainbow heroic act," Discord said and created another image, this time of Rainbow saving a bird nest. All the other pegasi praised her and three butterflies sealed her destiny.

"Discord, stop this! He´s lying girls, don´t listen to him!" Twilight pleaded.

"Lying? I´m merely a narrator, you´re the writer of this mismatched story, Twilight." Discord said, while showing Pinkie an image of her helping the Apples in their farm and being invited into the family.

"This isn´t your past girls! This isn´t what you are!"

"But is what they remember, is what they think they are. Isn´t that right Fluttershy, didn´t you made other ponies laughs with your constant tripping that you thought, maybe I can make ponies laugh and be happy?" Discord kept pressing. "Didn´t other ponies called you dashing, Rarity? Didn´t you showed off to them, using your magic to control the weather?"

"Please, this is all wrong. This isn´t how things are supossed to be."

"But it is what are becoming, Twilight Sparkle. Look, it has already begun!" and Discord created a new image, an image of Ponyville slowly falling apart. "You already changed the present, how long will it take to change the past? It only make sense that if your destinies changed then the destiny of Equestria changed as well. None of you got the wrong Element and thus nopony was there to stop Nightmare Moon. You caused Eternal Night, Twilight Sparkle!"

"No..." Twilight cried, covering her ears, trying to ignore the harsh truth that was being delivered.

"Yes, you did. Your arrogance and your desire to be better than Starswirl, than Celestia, caused you to create this chaos. I´m ashamed to admit Twilight, but you´re better than me in causing disharmony!" and Discord laughed, a terrible echoing cackle that could be heard all over Equestria.

"Stop it, your ruffian!"

Discord obeyed, apparently surprised to see Rarity standing in front of Twilight.

"If our destinies have been changed, that means I´m the Bearer of Loyalty and then I will remain loyal to Twilight no matter what!"

Discord raised an eyebrow.

"She is right. Twilight might have made a mistake but she has never disappointed us before. If there´s one pony that can fix this is Twilight." Rainbow Dash said, kindly caressing her friend mane.

"I don´t like having to do so much work but I do like the Apples and my friends and I will always stay by their side!" Pinkie Pie declared, moving next to Rarity, defending Twilight.

"How noble of you but what if she fails? What if she can´t return things to normal?" Discord asked.

"Then we´ll learn to live these new lives. Together. As long as we remain friends, I´m willing to give up my entire past," Applejack declared.

"Twilight, we´ll always be your friends, remember that. No matter what so please, get up," Fluttershy said with a reassuring smile.

Twilight was crying but no tears of sadness but tears of joy. She got up and stood next to her friends, her crown glowing along the other elements. A rainbow circled them and fired against the mischievous draconequus, blasting him away.

"Is he...gone?" Applejack asked.

"It seems the Elements are not strong enough to froze him this time. But I don´t think he´ll bother us for some time. Now girls, I need to repair my mistake, I need to find a wa-" her speech got interrupted by a group hug. "Yes, we´ll find a way. Together."

****

TIME LIMIT -

Back in the throne room, dark smoke began covering the Princess. It grew and grew until it finally took the shape of Discord.

"Ah, it felt good playing the villain once more. Maybe I should return to being evil..."

"Discord, you made a promise."

"Oh don´t be so grumpy Celestia. I was merely thinking out loud. Also, I think you should say something instead..." he teased.

Celestia sighed. "You did well."

"Of course, I´m a natural villain. Imagine if you have sent little Luna here as she proposed, she can´t play a convincing villain even to a crowd of fillies," he said, poking the Princess of the night nose.

Celestia restrained her sister to unleash a magic bolt at Discord and said "Don´t think so highly of yourself, Discord. I only sent you because I sensed Twilight despair, she was about to give up. She is the only one that can finish Starswirl spell but if she loses faith on her friend, then everything will truly be lost. I sent you to make her remember what was at risk but once again, her friends showed what was truly important."

Discord made a "ugh!" face while Luna smiled at her sister.

"Now, all we have to do is have faith in that Twilight will fulfill her destiny and bring back the magic of friendship."

Busy Schedule

"And then I realized I had mixed the green and red potions!"

"Oh darling, you have always been terrible with color combinations!"

Rarity and Twilight shared a laugh.

"I was planning on continuing the experimenting tonight, maybe after dinner?" Twilight asked, placing her hoof over Rarity´s. Her friend blushed and leaned closer, both unicorns closing their eyes in anticipation for the kiss, when Rarity noticed the clock.

"Oh goodness, I must go! Bye darling!" and she ran off.

"Rarity left? Oh and I just baked this cookies for her," Spike complained.

"Don´t worry Spike. I´m sure she´ll be back soon."

"She is staying here again? Woah third night in a row! She must really like me!"

"Umh yes about that, we need to talk Spike."

Over at the spa, Fluttershy was concentrated in her newspaper and the sudden outburst of Rarity crashing in made her jump to the ceiling.

"I´m terrible sorry darling!"

"Don´t worry Rarity. Umh can we have the usual?" she asked the spa ponies.

Once they were sitting in the hot tub, Rarity finally relaxed. Fluttershy repeated in her head her assertive exercises and moved closer to Rarity.

"Rarity, these past weeks have been wonderful and I think I´m finally ready to..."

"Oh my heavens, I completely forgot it! Have to go!"

Fluttershy opened her eyes, finding that she was kissing thin air.

"Rarity?"

Galloping at full speed, Rarity finally arrived at her destination, Sweet Apple Acres.

"I´m...here."

"Apples in a row, girl! Why do you look like a cat that just climb out of the well?" Applejack asked.

Rarity realized she was still wearing a towel in her head and dripping wet so all she could was sheepishly smile.

After being handed a towel, Rarity sit in the kitchen table watching Applejack get some plates and napkins.

"You didn´t need to come in such a hurry sugarcube. We still have a few hours until dinner and I still need to make the apple pies. My aunt and uncle won´t be arriving until eight but I want everything ready by then." Applejack said.

"Your aunt and uncle?"

"Yeah, all the way from Manehattan. I took the liberty to invite since this is the night we´ll tell the whole family about our business."

"The whole family?"

"Uh yeah. I know you wanted to keep this private Rares and I respect that, but after what happened the other night I figured the cattle is out the fence, so to speak."

"Yes, cattle. Would you excuse me a second?"

"Do you need any more...towels? Rarity?"

Rarity basically collapsed once she entered Sugarcube Corner and had to drag herself to the back room.

"I´m...so...sorry...for...my...lateness...darling."

"And I´m so sorry I got so hungry waiting that I ate all of our meal," Pinkie said, her face not really showing her remorse considering all the food still on her lips.

"I´ll make up for you...promise."

"If you want to make up..." Pinkie said, cleaning her lips and leaning closer to Rarity. "What do we said we skip dinner and head straight for dessert?"

"Dinner? Dessert? I just...one moment." and she took off again, leaving an empty space, causing Pinkie to fall the ground.

"Hey!"

Rarity rushed back to the library, so tired and confuse that she was actually going in circles. All of a sudden she felt like she was trotting in the air. It took her a second to realize Rainbow was holding her.

"Have been looking for you all morning, gorgeous," she said. "I know we said we´ll take the train to Canterlot this weekend for the Derby but I just couldn´t wait to sample those diamonds like a hungry dragon."

"Rainbow Dash! Put down Rarity into the ground right now! And wipe that grin out of your face!" Applejack demanded from the ground.

"Rarity! Why did you leave before dessert?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Dessert? Rarity, what is going on?" Twilight Sparkle asked.

Rarity looked at her friends gathering below them and her face somehow managed to turn whiter. Fluttershy hovered next to them and took Rarity from Rainbow Dash´s arms.

"Uh care to take your hooves out of my girlfriend?" she asked.

"Excuse me, but it´s you who should take her hooves out of my girlfriend," Fluttershy replied.

"Hey, Rary is my girlfriend!" Pinkie shouted.

"I beg your pardon, Pinkie?" Applejack asked, looking very angry.

"What? What is going on in here? Rarity sweetheart, what is happening?" Twilight asked.

"Sweetheart?" all her friends asked.

Rarity sighed and with a gesture asked to be put down. Once all the mares were in line, Rarity gave them an explanation.

"I...lied. I lied to all of you. For the past few weeks I´ve been deceiving you, dating the five of you at the same time. You never noticed because at first it was simple to adjust my schedule but as time went by, and intimacy increased, it became more difficult to maintain this charade. The moment of truth has arrived. I´m so so terribly sorry. I should have said something, do something but instead I acted like a criminal, lying and conspiring against you. You deserve better than this, you deserve better than me. I´ll leave," she turned around, dramatically.

"Rarity, wait. Why did  you keep it a secret? Why didn´t you said something?" Twilight asked.

"Because, I couldn´t choose. I realized that I love you, all of you. I couldn´t give my heart to just one of you, knowing that it will hurt the feelings of the others."

Rarity hung her head, waiting for the inevitable yelling and fighting. Instead, Twilight approached her and touch her shoulder.

"Rarity, you don´t need to worry about our feelings," Rarity looked up at those comforting and wise eyes. "Because all you need is organization!"

"...what?"

"Yes, just a simple schedule for the six of us. Let me see, taking into account your work in the Boutique and our own duties I can set a day for each of us. Of course, weekend we´ll spend it the six together."

"Hey I already made plans for saturdays!"

"Don´t hoard her, Dashie!"

Rarity sighed, this time it was a sign of relief. She looked at her wonderful friends and wonder how she could have possibly thought they will ever abandon her. She then heard the sound of two carriages landing next to her.

"Dearest Rarity, we are ready for our evening of...Celestia. Dear sister, whatever are you doing in Ponyville?"

Defeated at last, Rarity magically pulled a couch and fainted.

(I don´t know if feel sorry for Rarity or jealous she got both Celestia and Twilight :P )

Princess Admiration

Twilight Sparkle opened her window, letting the warming sun in and the dark smoke out. Once she was able to breathe again, she went downstairs to the kitchen.

"Good morning Princess! Breakfast is ready!"

"Sweetie Belle, you are here...again."

After putting her new enhanced magic to practice fixing the kitchen, Twilight sat down to enjoy a simple cup of tea and the morning newspaper like she did every morning. Too bad a grinning face standing right in front of her was ruining her routine.

"...yes?"

"Is there anything else I can do for you Princess? Clean your bathroom, organize your books, preen your wings?" Sweetie emphasized each question with a bounce.

"No, no and definitely no. Why don´t you better go talk with someone else, where is Spike?"

"I gave hima few gems and told him to take the day off."

"What about your sister?"

"She is spending the weekend on Trottingham."

"The other crusaders?"

"Apple Bloom is helping Fluttershy in her cottage, Babs Seed is watching Rainbow Dash train and Scootaloo is at the farm with Applejack."

"Everything is wrong on that sentence..."

"So..."

Twilight looked into those deep, pleading eyes and silently apologized to her big brother for all those years of torture as a filly.

****

"Cadence, it´s not funny."

"Sorry Twilight, it´s just the way you tell the story," Cadence said, trying to regain control of her cup of tea. "And how do you get her to leave."

"After I made her sent you the letter, I told her to go to the Sofas and Quills store and get me a bluebird quill. Knowing Mr. Davenport, they´ll be all afternoon in the storage room."

Cadence giggled some more while Twilight sighed.

"Thank you for coming, I know nothing about little sisters. I don´t know what to do with her," Twilight said.

"Well, I don´t think she sees you as a big sister."

"What do you mean?"

"Remember when I was your sitter, that letter you gave me?"

Once the gears in Twilight head moved, her face turned red. "Oh sweet Celestia, is that what´s going on? She is in love with me?"

"Not in love Twilight, she simply has a crush on you. It´s very common for fillies to admire the Princesses so much they confuse those feelings with romantic interest."

"My feelings for you were not romantic at all! I simply read a book on how to properly treat a Princess and followed suit!" Twilight wasn´t fooling Cadence at all so she just give up. "I better have a talk with her."

"Try not to break her heart. Shining told me you cry a whole night when I rejected you."

"You didn´t rejected me! I wasn´t in love with you! Stop teasing me!"

****

That night, Twilight took Sweetie Belle to the balcony. Despite all her teasing, Cadence was right. She needed to use the exact words otherwise she may hurt the feelings of Sweetie.

"Are you gonna show me how you control the stars? Can you do that, right? I mean, that´s what you Cutie Mark means, right?"

"Sweetie Belle, which pony do you admire?"

"...uh?"

"Tell me who do you admire. And be honest."

"...my big sister. She is the best pony I know. She is smart and pretty and makes beautiful dresses. I always wanted to be a fashion designer just like her but I don´t have her talent."

Sweetie was sobbing so Twilight moved a wing over her to comfort her.

"You know which pony I admire?"

"Princess Celestia?"

Twilight shook her head. "My big brother, Shining Armor. I always looked after him. He worked so hard to achieve his dreams and never gave up. He is my goal, the pony I always wanted to be."

"But then why didn´t you join the guard or something?" Sweetie asked.

"Because I didn´t wanted to be exactly like him. I wanted to be somepony he will admire, one he will be proud of."

"And he is proud of you, now that you´re are a princess?"

"I think so. But that doesn´t meant that I can´t give him a few headaches now and then. Privileges of being a little sister."

They shared a giggle.

"Twilight, I still think you´re a wonderful princess."

"Thank you. I think you´re a wonderful little sister."

Twilight brought her closer and they both watched as Princess Luna painted the night sky with a shower of shooting stars.

Real Heroine

Babs Seed was in a park bench, basically devouring the latest issue of Mare-Do-Well.

"Look Silver Spoon, Mrs-too-good-to-hang-out-with-us is back in town."

Babs looked from over her comic and glared at the two earth ponies "What do you two want?"

"We were on our way to the spa but when we saw you came back to town, we decide to give you one more chance to hang with us cool ponies, right Silver Spoon?"

Silver Spoon nodded.

"I don´t want to hang out with you again. You´re just a pair of immature bullies."

"Ha, says the filly who reads Mare-Do-Well comics!" Silver Spoon laughed.

"Shut up! Everypony in Manehattan reads them!"

Now both fillies laughed. "What a bunch of losers! Those comics are for babies!"

"No, they´re not!"

"Don´t you know she is not even real?" Diamond teased her.

"She is! Apple Bloom told me she met her in person!"

"Please, it was all a lie. A prank the Princess and her friends pulled on that dumb Rainbow Crash. The entire town knows about it." Diamond continued.

"You´re lying!"

"Really? Then why do you think she retired? Because she was never real to begin with!"

Babs got up of her seat and raised a hoof. For a second, it seemed like she was about to punch them but finally she turned around and left in a gallop.

Babs Seed was running with her eyes shut. She didn´t wanted to see the truth. She didn't wanted to believe the heroine she admired the most, the one who helped her during those horrible times, was a fraud. Back when she was at that school, when all the other ponies teased her for being a blank-flank, Mare-Do-Well adventures were her only happiness. You couldn´t see her Cutie Mark, for all she know she could be a blank-flanks as well; and that gave Babs hope. But now...

"Watch out, kid!"

Babs opened her eye and realized she was heading straight to the train tracks. Before she could do anything however a streak of multiple colors saved her.

"Woah, that was a close one! I know you´re new in town but you need to look where you´re going! Um kid, are you crying?"

Rainbow took Babs to a nearby hill and heard her story.

"Those dumb fillies. I knew all the time it was my friends. I mean, what were the chance of an alicorn superheroine in Ponyville, seriously!"

"Rainbow, aren´t you mad at them for tricking you?"

"...nah. I needed the reality check. I was acting way too cocky. If I had continued acting like that somepony could have got hurt because of my recklessness. They did the right thing pretending to be Mare-Do-Well."

"But...all this time, I thought Mare-Do-Well was real. That she was a heroine, somepony I could admire. And now..."

"Heyhey, a pony doesn´t need to be real for you to admire her. I admire Daring Do and if you dare say is a book for little fillies I will smack you! I admire how awesome she is and how she never gives up, no matter what! A true heroine inspires whenever she is real or not, you got ta?"

Babs Seed nodded and took a good look at Rainbow. Any casual looker would have noticed how embarrassed Rainbow was for that confession, blushing and forcing a pose. But Babs saw something different. She saw a brave pony who wasn´t afraid of anything, even being humiliated. Now she could understand why Scootaloo always talked about her. It was impossible to not admire Rainbow Dash since she was strong and cool and pretty.

"Why are you staring at me, kid?"

"Umh nothing. Rainbow, you mind if I spent the rest of the day with you?"

"Uh well, I wasn´t planning to do anything spectacular. Just do a few more exercises and then take a nap."

"Can I help? I´m the best at sports at my school!"

"Sure thing, kid!"

****

"This has been the best weekend ever!" Babs proclaimed jumping up and down -"I can´t wait to tell my friends all about it!"

"And remember to show them your own Rainbow-Dash-fan-club badge!" Scootaloo said, sharing the secret hoof-shake with her.

"I´ll be back next weekend. Can we do some more training, Rainbow?"

"Sorry kid, next weekend I´ll be backa t the Wonderbolts Camp."

"Oh." Babs hung her head low, grabbed her luggage and headed into the train.

"Buuut, when I come back in Monday I might take a little detour around Manehattan. After all, I have to pay a visit to all the venues of my fan club." Rainbow said, winking at her.

Once inside the train, Babs hold tight her badge. This feeling inside her was completely different to the one she had for Mare-Do-Well. Maybe because she wasn't real but Rainbow was, and thus the feelings she had for the pegasus were real as well.

She is Cool

"And finally hoof-wrestling. Those are eight, eight more reason why Rainbow Dash is cooler than Applejack!" Scootaloo announced, holding a list.

"Whatever. On half of that list she used her wings to win," Apple Bloom replied.

"Well duh, what kind of pegasus doesn´t use her wings to win?"

"You, for example."

"Hey! That wasn´t nice!"

"You have spent the entire afternnon braggin about how Rainbow is cooler than my sister!"

"Well, she is. Your sister is nice but Rainbow is a million times better than her."

"She is not! Take it back!"

"I will not!"

"I said take it back!"

As the punches and kicks began, Applejack rushed into the clubhouse and separated the two fillies. "Enough! Now I want you two to explain what is going! Over what are you two fighting about this time?"

"No-nothing." Apple Bloom said while Scootaloo kept quiet.

"If it´s nothing there´s no reason to get into a hoof-fight. Apologize to each other. Now."

"Sorry Scootaloo."

"Sorry Apple Bloom."

"Well, that´s something. Horsefeathers, why do you keep fighting like this?" Applejack asked.

"I have to go. I promised Fluttershy I´ll help her with the chickens. I don´t have time to waste with another one here," Apple Bloom said.

Scootaloo was about to burst but Apple Bloom left in a gallop. Applejack noticed the list and took it.

"Pictionary? Huh, you know she cheated on that one? Awesomeness is not a word in the dictionary."

"It is! And Rainbow never cheats!"

"But she sure is a sore loser. She still argues Twilight about this one."

"That´s because Twilight is wrong," Scootaloo replied and took back her list.

Applejack just smiled and went back to her chores. Scootaloo was about to grab her scooter and head back home, but the fight with Apple Bloom was still fresh in her mind. How could she not see that Rainbow was better than her sister? She decided to prove her than Applejack was not cool at all, that she was a boring farmer pony. She sat down in a log and watched her work, convinced it was the most boring thing ever.

After half of hour of being observed, Applejack finally said "If you´re gonna stand there instead of going back home, why don´t you better help me gather these apples?"

Scootaloo obeyed, still convinced this was a lame activity that Rainbow will never do. She grabbed all the apples near a tree and then noticed one still in a branch.

"I´ll ge tthat one in a second," Applejack said.

"I can do it."

"Is a little too high for you sugarcube."

"I said I can do it!" Scootaloo yelled and jumped over to the branch. Applejack was right, she couldn´t reach it but that didn´t mean she will give up. She flapped her wings as hard as she could and finally grabbed the apple. She took a second to celebrate, forgetting to flap her wings.

"Auh, you okay sugarcube?"

****

"I still think Rainbow is cooler than you." It was a strange way to thank the pony that was bandaging her hooves but Scootaloo was too stubborn to even be grateful.

"I don´t care if I´m cooler than Rainbow. I don´t even care what cool means. I don´t compete with Rainbow to win."

"Then why you do it?"

"Because is fun. Rainbow is one of my best friends and there´s nothing more fun than pushing your own limits competing with a good friend!"

Scootaloo had no witty remark, so she just blushed a little.

"Now come on, we still have work to do."

"You still want me to help you?" Scootaloo asked.

"You´re not getting out of your chores so easily as Apple Bloom. Now, get up."

*****

"Great work Scootaloo!"

Scootaloo collapsed in the grass, gasping. "That was...exhausting. I never knew the work of a farm pony was so hard."

"And you only did it one afternoon. Imagine if you have to do it a full week."

"I can do a full week, no problems."

"Is that a bet? You think you can handle as much work as I do?"

"I can! I can show you than I´m way cooler than you are!" Realizing what she just said, Scootaloo entire body blushed.

"I take your word then. Come back tomorrow for more work."

"Yo-you bet!"

Scootaloo dashed back to the clubhouse. She opened her saddlebag and took a piece of paper. it was labeled "How to prove Rainbow Dash I´m cool." She scratched the name and replace it.

A confident smile on her face, she got on her scooter and took off, wondering if she should get a stetson.

Ferrets and Chickens

Apple Bloom was heading back from Zecora's hut when she saw a stray chicken roaming around the edge of the Everfree.

"Again?" she gently poked the chicken back to the cottage. She then noticed the fence was broken again and saw Fluttershy helplessly trying to get the chickens in one line.

"Oh goodness. Did I count right? One, two, three..."

"And four! Come now, go inside!"

"Oh thank you Apple Bloom."

"No problem! Broken again?" Fluttershy nodded. "Let me handle it."

"Oh you don´t have to worry."

"It´s no worries, I´ll get back in one piece in ten minutes!"

It took her only eight minutes to get the job done. Fluttershy was already waiting her in the garden with a glass of juice and cookies.

"You did a wonderful job Apple Bloom."

"I have a talent. Hey, maybe that´s my special talent. Let´s see! No, no Cutie Mark." Fluttershy giggled at the filly antics. "Why does the fence keeps getting loose?"

"Oh I believe is my ferrets friends. When they got into the cottage they pass through the fence and force it open."

"Well tell them to stop doing that!"

"Um that would be a little rude of me..."

"No, it wouldn´t! You need to be firm with them! Watch! Hey you!" Apple Bloom yelled at the ferrets, who were eating in a corner of the garden. "Stop breaking the fence! Use the door like the other animals!"

The ferrets looked at each other and then laughed.

"Why you little..."

"Apple Bloom, watch your language."

Apple Bloom sit back, feeling humiliated.

****

The next day the ferrets were getting back into the garden when they stumbled into a very angry filly.

"I told you three to stop breaking the fence."

The ferrets responded with a series of squeaks. Apple Bloom couldn´t understand them but she got the point and wasn´t happy with their words.

"Apple Bloom, why don´t you com- OH HEAVENS! Stop that this instant! Stop!"

****

Fluttershy closed the medicine kit and with a stern tone said "I´m very disappointed with you Apple Bloom. Violence is never the answer."

Apple Bloom crossed her bandaged arms and protested. "They started it."

"Yes, I heard some of the things they said and I will talk to them. But you were also wrong for resorting to your hooves to win an argument."

"But you let them do as they want! Why don´t you punish them or forbid them for coming back?"

"And what would I gain with that? I would only lose three good friends. I need to make them understand but not being disrespectful to them." Fluttershy explained.

"...you´re too kind."

Fluttershy just shrugged.

"I hate when you do that."

"Do what?"

"When you shrug, when you low your head and hide behind your mane. You always do that instead of speaking up."

"I guess I´m not the type to speak up."

"But you could! You are the bravest pony that I know. You faced a dragon and saved me from a cockatrice. I think you´re the most wonderful pony that I know! I like you!"

Fluttershy wasn´t sure what to say. Something in Apple Bloom´s words, in her passion.

"I really really like you. I think you´re great Fluttershy and I hate when you shrug."

Apple Bloom went quiet, her cheeks. now matching her bow.

Fluttershy softly lifted her chin. "I´m sorry. I´ll try to not shrug so often."

Apple Bloom smiled. It was true that she hated watching Fluttershy shrug but when she smiled that made her very happy. More than anything.

"What do you say we call the ferrets and try to talk things over?" Fluttershy asked, still smiling.

Apple Bloom nodded. She still didn´t like those ferrets but if dealing with them was with took to keep Fluttershy smiling, she could talk to them. She could do that for her.

(Well, I liked the prompt! One of the Cutie Mark Crusaders having a crush on one of the Mane Six. I went with a more childish definition of “crush” so you be the judges. Since they´re stand-alone stories I think they work, right? Even if technically they happened all in the same time-frame.)

Planet of the Hats

"This is wonderful! How does it work? It´s the booth moving or it remains fixed in one spot while time flows around it? But it´s that the case, how does it works backwards?"

"Please Twilight Sparkle, don´t try to explain it. It takes away all the fun," the Doctor said.

"Bu-"

"The Doctor is right, Twilight! Who cares how a house with four kitchens work? It has four kitchens!" Pinkie Pie said, her face covered in chocolate cake.

"Why did you get the top hat?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I got lost in wardrobe."

"Applejack darling, are you all right?" Rarity asked.

"Small booth. Big House. Got it," she responded in a mechanical voice.

"Umh Mr. Doctor..."

"Please Fluttershy, I already told you half a dozen times, It´s just the Doctor. And, yes?"

"I was wondering, where are we going now?"

"Well, I´m so grateful to the six of you for saving my life back there with the Cyber-Ponies, that I decided to give you a reward. A no-charges trip to anywhere in the universe," he explained.

"You don´t need to do this, Doctor," Twilight said.

"I insists. Besides, is this or just coupons. Now, that sounds says we´ve arrived! Feel free to explore your surroundings, I´ll be in just a minute, just need to.." he said, digging into a chest that was under the panel.

"Come on AJ. Stop staring into space!" Rainbow yelled, adjusting her Wonderbolts cap.

"Space. Relative. In time."

Rainbow rolled her eyes and dragged her friends by the tail while Pinkie bounced around them.

"...find this! Aha! Now, before we move any further you need to...where are the others?" the Doctor asked, holding a fez.

"You told us to go outside," Rainbow said, still holding Applejack.

"Oh no no no, this is bad. Why do people always leave in the middle of my explanations?" he complained while rushing outside.

*****

Meanwhile, Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy were already in the middle of what seemed to be a park. In a sense it resembled Ponyville, except the inhabitants were all different kind of animals, ranging from ducks to mouses.

"Such a colorful place," Rarity commented.

"Is more than that, it´s wonderful! It´s like my animal friends could finally talk and walk like we do!" Fluttershy chimed. She fluttered next to a duck buying a newspaper, "Excuse Mr. Duck, may I pat you?"

"Fluttershy! I´m terribly sorry, sir!" Twilight apologized, pushing Fluttershy aside. "Fluttershy, they´re not like your animals. You can´t treat them like that," she turned over to the duck. "I apologize again sir, my friend wasn´t trying to be disrespectful."

The duck just pointed at Twilight with a terrified look on his face.

"Is everything all right, sir?"

"A TALKING HORSE!" he yelled, much to her confusion.

" Twilight darling, I think we might have a little problem here..." Rarity said, pointing at the crowd of really scared and mad animals.

****

"I don´t get it. What´s the big deal about not wearing clothes?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Different cultures have different costumes. Some of them are not very tolerant to the idea of exposing yourself so lightly," the Doctor explained, trying to straighten his fez. "You can´t expect to go around here wearing nothing at all like you do in Ponyville."

"But you´re not wearing anything."

"On the contrary, I´m wearing a fez." The Doctor noticed her expression. "Yes, that´s enough around here. Haven't you noticed how everybody is wearing jackets without pants?"

Rainbow rolled her eyes again while Pinkie pointed over the other side of the park. "Look, there´s a party over there!"

Despite the distance, they were able to see the animals dragging her friends into cages. "I don´t think that's a party, Pinkie," Rainbow said.

"Oh goodness, this is what happens when you don´t bother to learn the local customs," the Doctor complained.

"What are we waiting for? Our friends need our help! Move along, ponies!" Applejack commanded, back to her old confident self now that she was in the open.

"I don´t understand. Why are you doing this?" Twilight asked the angry crowd.

"We can´t let a bunch of animals walk around like they´re normal people!" a police dog epxlained.

"Of coruse you can! Look, there´s a mule over there!" Twilight replied.

"That´s not a mule! That´s the mayor!" he said, while the monocle wearing mule raised a glass.

Defeated, Twilight went quiet as the animals raised the cage with the three of them inside.

"STOP!" The Doctor yelled, getting in front of the crowd. "You must stop this! You can´t treat them like this!"

"Why not? They´re animals!" the crowd replied.

"But aren´t we all animals? Under our jackets and hats and outdated sailor uniforms, we´re all animals but we can choose to live as people! If we kill like animals, we died like animals!"

The crowd went silent for a minute. It almost seemed like the Doctor words have reached them. Too bad his fez decided just then to drop off his head.

"Hey, he´s a horse too! GET HIM!"

"This place is crazy!" Twilight yelled.

"Hey, you´re the one who said let´s jump into the big blue box. No complains now," Rainbow said, trying to broke the lock in the cage.

After one swift kick did the trick, the ponies jumped down the street.

"Thank you girls. Now, we need to find a way to save the Doctor and leave this awful place," Twilight said, while a terrified Fluttershy clinged to Pinkie Pie.

"I got an idea! Rares, can you make a hat out of this?" Applejack asked, holding a newspaper.

"Please dear, I can make a hat out of anything!"

Just as the angry mob was ready to put the Doctor in a cage, Twilight yelled "Look, we have hats! We´re just like you!"

Despite how ridiculous they looked with paper hats, that seemed to do the trick, the angry mob dispelling.

"Well, that speech used to work. Twilight Sparkle, you look ridiculous with that hat," said the pony with a fez that kept sliding over his nose.

"Please Doctor, can you take us out of this awful place?"

"All right, I will. But let me remind you that you brought this problem over yourself. Next time, wait until I´m done explaining." She glared at him but the Doctor continued with his lecture. "Listening to me will come in handy next time. Now, since you seem to have problems with etiquette, I´ll take you somewhere where animals don´t need to worry about wearing any clothes at all."

****

"Doctor, we are in a zoo!" Twilight Sparkle yelled.

Behind her, Applejack tried to get her hat back from some monkeys while Rainbow had turned into the adopted baby of a large gorilla, much to her displeasure. The rest of the group divided between laughing or being worried.

"You know Twilight Sparkle, you complain too much."

(LOL, feel like writing something silly. Poor Twilight...)

Hidden Rainbow

"Why, Lemon Hearts? Why did you move to Ponyville? Why would anypony move there?"

I get that question a lot and, to be honest, it is a good question.

What could a quaint little town as Ponyville offer to a Canterlot unicorn like myself? A tiny town that isn´t even a hundred years old. It doesn´t have the glamorous lights of Manehattan or the exciting nightlife of Las Pegasus. It´s just a small farmer town.

Not to mention that since the Princess´ pupil moved the town has become a place more dangerous than Tartarus itself. It seems that every week some creature is trying to destroy it or some deranged pony takes over. no safe pony would like to live in such a place.

So, why do I stay?

Because of a rainbow.

It all happened the week I moved to Ponyville. I was trotting across town when I got lost and ended up in the Everfree Forest. Not to the best place to be all alone, even during daytime you can hear all sorts of creatures lurking in the bushes. I got scared and galloped at full speed, trying to find a way out. I´m sure some other unicorn would have thought of some spell to escape the forest but the truth is that magic has never been my strong point. Aside from simple levitation, I never mastered many spells. Unlike other unicorns, I actually prefer to get my hooves dirty. Probably the reason why I get along fine with the ponies in here. Still, even a skilled magician would probably be scared if lost in the Everfree.

I didn´t know what to do so I just kept running, not realizing that I was circling around the forest and heading to the back of Sweet Apple Acres. I ended up crashing against a tree and then, it happened. I looked up and saw a rainbow.

I have actually hit a nest of fruits bats, startling them. When they flew away, they painted the sky with every color in the rainbow. I´ve never seen something so beautiful in my life. After they left I heard a faint sound and realized one of them had fallen from the tree, injuring a wing. I took him to the veterinarian and she healed him but, when we returned to the forest, we were unable to find his family back. it seems they moved somewhere afar.

I couldn´t keep the bat since the inn I live in forbides pets, so I did the only thing I could and made him a tiny nest in a tree near the town dam. The morning after I went to visit him and then I discovered something about fruits bats. They´re not just made of fruits, the create fruits. Leave a fruit bat in a forest and it would magically grow a fruit tree. It didn't took long for my tiny friend to get a mate and make a new family and that little patch in the forest filled with color.

I still visit that patch every day, keeping an eye on my friend´s family.

I could tell my Canterlot friends about it but I doubt they understand. They still think lowly of this place. But I don´t intent to keep it a secret either. It shouldn´t be one. Wish more ponies knew about it, that they could also see this beautiful rainbow that rest just outside the town.

But for now I just trot up that hill, with a basket in my mouth, ready to have lunch under the shadow of my hidden rainbow.

Legacy of the Future

There was a flash of light, the sound of thunder and the force pull of a gust of wind. When the ponies opened their eyes they saw six glowing jewels floating in the air.

"We did it! We sealed the Chaos Magic!" Twilight Sparkle exclaimed.

Before anypony could celebrate, the air suddenly cracked and a blinding white portal appeared.

"What´s that?" Smart Cookie asked.

"The time portal is open! We need to get back before it closes," Twilight explained and looked back at Clover the Clever. The old unicorn stallion smiled and nodded. "Quick! We must hurry! Rarity, drop that! We can´t take anything with us to the future!"

"But...these dresses. I can´t just..."

Rolling her eyes, Twilight magically pulled the dresses away from Rarity and hurried to the portal.

"Rainbow, we have to go!" Applejack yelled.

"No. I´m staying," she said, holding the hooves of a pegasus stallion.

"Rainbow, we don´t belong here," Twilight insisted.

Rainbow knew she was right so she turned and said to the stallion, "Come with us. Please."

He looked back at his friends. Princess Platinum and the Chancellor Puddinghead looked heartbroken while Commander Hurricane kept a stern glare on him. He looked at Clover who just shook his head. Before any decision could be made however, Applejack pulled Rainbow by her tail.

"NO!" she yelled.

The pegasus tried to grab her but froze when Commander Hurricane shouted, "Captain Pansy!"

He stood in place, holding back tears as he watched Rainbow dragged into the portal shouting "I love you!"

"Goodbye great-great-great-great-great-auntie!" Pinkie said waving and Princess Platinum waved back.

Finally once the six mares have crossed, the gate collapsed and the old palace fell silent. Smart Cookie and the Princess moved forward to comfort Pansy.

"Look! Shiny rocks!" Chancellor Puddinghead said, pointing at six jewels in the floor.

Clover made them float in front of him. "This was why they came here. This is their legacy and we must protect it," he said.

Commander Hurricane moved next to him and nodded. They both watched the six jewels, six gifts by six wonderful mares.

****

"And that´s the whole story, Princess," Twilight Sparkle finished her tale.

"I´m glad you all returned safe, Twilight," Princess Celestia said, nuzzling her.

"We came back with out four hooves intact!" Pinkie said.

"I would have preferred to come back with our hooves full of souvenirs," Rarity confessed, causing a general laughter.

"You know we can´t take anything from the past with us. it would create a paradox," Twilight explained while Rarity still pouted. Fluttershy smiled and comforted her friend.

"But wait Twilight, if we can´t take anything from the past it means we can´t leave anything from the future either, right?" Pinkie asked.

"exactly."

"But we left the Elements of Harmony in the past!"

"But we used them to travel into the past in the first place. Have not we left the Elements they would have not be here in the present for us to travel to the past," Twilight explained.

"But then where did the Elements come from? If we have them now because we took them then...auh! head hurts!" Applejack said and collapsed into the ground along with Pinkie, both with sever headaches.

"It´s best not to think about some things," Princess Celestia said and all of them giggled.

Twilight looked at the balcony and noticed Rainbow sulking in the edge. She got up and moved next to her.

"You know, I can´t also believe you´re an descendant of Princess Platinum," Applejack said.

"Why? Don´t I look regal enough?" Pinkie said and they all laughed again.

Away from the sound of laughter, Twilight was able to hear Rainbow´s sobbing. "Rainbow?"

"You should have let me there in the past, Twilight."

"I couldn´t. You belong here with us, Rainbow. That wasn´t your time."

"But I´ll never see him again..." Rainbow said, breaking in tears.

Twilight cover her friend with a wing and gently nuzzled her. "You can. Remember that the past is always with us. Is the memories we carry on. He ´s still with you."

"...you´re too cheesy, Princess."

Twilight laughed and pulled Rainbow together. Below then in the garden the statues of the founding father and mothers of Equestria stood proud. Commander Pansy standing in the middle of the garden, his armor sporting a cloud and a lightning shaped rainbow.

Three Movements

The Apple family was loud and numerous, dozens of ponies stomping and shouting at full force. Octavia took another sip of cider and rubbed her forehead, thankful she remembered to buy a hat before coming to the farm.

"What´s the matter, Octi? Not liking the apple fritters?" Applejack said, slapping her back.

"Not at all, they´re lovely. And my name is Octavia," she replied.

"Well, need anymore cider?"

"Still on my second cup."

"Enjoy then, warm cider is an acquired taste. Say, is your pal all right there?"

Octavia turned right to see Vinyl Scratch snoring on the table. She gave her a strong kick and the unicorn woke up

"Waaaa..."

"She is doing fine," Octavia said.

"Just like your partner Fiddlesticks there at the stage. She is rubbing those strings like a dog licking her fleas out!" Octavia didn´t quite get Applejack´s joke but she still smiled. "Well if you two excuse me, I better go back to the squares! Yee-haw!"

"Oh Celestia, what time is it?" Vinyl asked, finally coming back to her senses.

"Ten in the morning," Octavia answered.

"Still too early. Did I miss breakfast?"

"Technically we´re still having it."

Vinyl hit her head against the table." Oh Celestia, how can Sticky deal with this?"

"Growing up in a farm makes you sturdy I suppose. And please, stop giving us nicknames like that," Octavia said.

"Why? They´re cute."

"They´re childish."

"You´re childish..."

Octavia ignored the witty remark and went back to her cider. Applejack was right, she was getting used to it.

"Hey, can I have a drink?" Vinyl asked.

Octavia moved a cup that was already on the table and Vinyl took it, not even asking if it was from some other pony. Octavia watched at her fellow earth pony musician smiling as she played the fiddle and smiled too.

****

The Canterlot Opera House was quiet and crowded, dozens of ponies sitting in perfectly aligned rows, their expressions severe and cold as they watched the orquesta do their performance in the hall. Fiddlesticks struggled on her seat, fighting against her bowtie.

"What´s the matter?" Vinyl asked her.

"This thing is strangling me. How can Octavia wear one all day? It feels weird and looks funny," she complained.

"It looks cool on her," Vinyl replied. She noticed a couple watching her from a couple seats at her right, whispering and pointing. She blushed and tried to cover her eyes with her glasses, forgetting she wasn´t wearing them. They didn´t match her dress.

"You okay?" Fiddlesticks asked her.

"Wish they stop looking at my eyes. Makes me feel weird, like there´s something wrong with them."

"There´s nothing wrong with your eyes. They´re a lovely cherry-red."

"They´re not cherry, they´re magenta," Vinyl pouted.

Fiddlesticks giggled but then an elderly couple ordered them to be quiet. Both mares blushed and kept quiet. As the play continued and the emotions in the music kept raising, they moved their hooves closer, never losing sight of Octavia and the passionate way she played. They watched her play, holding tight her hooves together as the music reached the crescendo.

*****

The nightclub was colorful and shaky, dozens of ponies jumping up and down at the rhythm of the music, making tables and lamps tremble. Fiddlesticks took a sip of a purple colored drink and stuck her tongue out, she had no idea what was in that drink she was sure it wasn't grape like the bartender told her.

"Can you believe it? Can you believe I just ran into Photo Finish?" Octavia said.

"What?" Fiddlesticks yelled.

"I said, can you beleive Photo Finish is in this club, this night precisely," Octavia said, louder.

"Who´s Photo Finish again?"

"How can you not know who Photo Finish is? She´s the most famous earth pony in Canterlot, even more than Sapphire Shores. She puts ponies in the spotlight!"

"Sorry sugarcube, I never look at the lights on stage."

Octavia laughed while Fiddlesticks wondered why there was a tiny umbrella on her drink. She watched at the stage where Vinyl Scratch was hitting the console and shaking her head up and down. She then waved at them and both mares waved back.

"Can she even see us with this smoke?" Fiddlesticks asked.

"Oh yeah, she can. She can see just fine with those glasses on," Octavia said.

Fiddlesticks smiled and gave another try at the drink. She still didn´t like it but kept quiet. Back at the dancing floor, Vinyl raised her hooves high and the entire audience repeated her move, waving her arms left to right as the DJ ordered.

***

Their house in the outskirts in Canterlot was quiet. Very quiet.

The three mares were sharing a couch in the front yard. All of them wrapped in one single blanket. They watched as the Princesses painted the sky, making the stars disappear and the sun rise.

They didn´t said a word, they just hold together tight and watched the sun rise.

Lonely

"I do not understand the purpose of this object, dear sister."

"It´s a book, Luna. You´re supposed to read it."

"I don´t see the point in reading a foal´s fairy-tale."

"Hey, I like it! Just take it Luna. I want you to have it."

"What for?"

"It will give you company during the night."

"That´s ridiculous. A book is a mere object, it cannot provide company."

"Please, take it."

"..."

****

The library was dark and silent but Twilight Sparkle was not afraid. She had never been scared of libraries, they were her favorite place in the world. She carried a candle with her magic, carefully balancing it in front of her head. Despite her horn being able to produce light, she was planning to stay for a while and the candle was the best tool for the occasion. Despite the dim light, she was able to recall every single book on the shelves, having read most of them.

She checked her list and turned left in an aisle, heading for the section of ancient literature. She giggled in anticipation, eager to mark another item on her "to-read" list. She made another turn and gasped, almost dropping the candle. A large  figure was standing in the dark aisle,. It took Twilight a second to recognize Princess Luna.

"Princess, you startled me!" Twilight said.

"My apologies, Twilight Sparkle. And please, just call me Luna."

Twilight nodded and adjusted her glasses. "I wasn´t expecting to meet you, or anypony for that matter, at such late hours."

"Itis not so late from my perspective, Twilight," Luna replied.

"Yes, of course. Princess of the Night, I forgot."

There was a minute of awkward silence. Despite having befriend the Princess during her last visit to Ponyville, Twilight still find her distant and aloof. She was completely different from Celestia. When she was near her mention, Twilight felt warm like when she greeted the morning sun; when near Luna, Twilight only felt cold and a shiver on her back.

"I am disturbing you. I will retire," Luna said and took a step forward.

"No Princess, I mean Luna! You don´t have to do that! This is your palace as well!" Twilight said and Luna stop to listen "Were you looking for a book? I can help you find it, it´s probably on my list. See, I have a list of books I wanted to read. It´s a pretty big list, isn´t it? I know it´s big but I´m only staying for a weekend and I couldn´t let this chance to visit the library be wasted, I know I should have waited until morning instead of sneaking in but..." Twilight noticed the look on Luna´s face and put a hoof on her mouth.

She blushed, realizing she was babbling and not making any sense. She was glad her friends were not around to see her act like that.

Luna took two steps forward and lighted her horn, taking a book from the shelf. "I have already found the book I was looking for."

Twilight peek from behind the Princess. "The farmer and the princess behind the mirror. I know that book. Celestia used to read it to me when I was just a foal," Twilight giggled but soon stopped and brought a hoof to her mouth again. She wondered if talking so casually about her older sister around Luna was a good idea.

"My sister have always found the time to read stories to the younglings."

"Luna?" Twilight asked, worried because of the somber tone of the Princess.

But she wasn´t listening. Luna was lost on her memories...

****

"Won´t you like to have a pet, Luna. I have so much fun playing with Philomena. We could get you a phoenix or what about an owl? It will look good on your shoulder."

"I do not have the time to play with pets, dear sister."

"But you need somebody to keep you company. You must be so lonely in that tower."

"I have no need for company, dear sister. I have my duties to attend."

"I´m worried about you, Luna."

"Why?"

" Because you spend every night, all alone in that tower. You must feel so lonely."

"it is my duty, sister. I have no reason to feel lonely."

"...Luna."

"Princess Celestia!"

"I´m coming, childrens! I´m sorry Luna, I´ve to go."

"You will read another story to the younglings?"

"Yes, they love to hear the fairy-tale. Will you like to join us? I bet the children will like to hear you read them some pages."

"...perhaps another time. I have to prepare for the night."

****

"Princess Luna?" Twilight pushed Luna, trying to get her attention back.

"My apologies, Twilight Sparkle. You are right, it is simply a foal´s book. I will leave you alone now," Luna said, returning the book to the shelf and turning to make an exit quick.

"Princess. Luna, wait!"

Luna stopped.

"Would like to stay and read the book with me?"

Luna turned over, looking confused.

TIME LIMIT -

"When I was little, I couldn´t sleep at nights, so I used to sneak in my brother's bed and he will read a book to me. Your sister also used to read me stories in between our lessons. Of course after I grew up I let og of that childish habit and now I just read alone. Besides, Spike never wants to read with me."

Luna tilted her head, not really understanding Twilight´s point.

"What I´m trying to say is that, reading is fun, very fun. But reading alone is not as fun as reading with someone else..." Twilight finished, looking a little embarrassed.

Luna took a good look at her. "You remind me of my sister, Twilight."

Twilight blushed, having just received the biggest compliment she could think of.

"Answer me this, why did you asked me to accompany you?"

"Because you look lonely."

Luna smiled and moved past Twilight. She used her horn to take back the book and sit down, silently inviting Twilight to sit next to her. Twilight moved the candle next to the book and sit close to Twilight. She looked at Luna waiting for her to start but the Princess smiled back at her. Twilight then opened the book and start reading:

"Chapter 1"

One Kiss One Solution

Yes, I saw Rainbow Dash yelling at you. Again.

Yes, I know you mix up the deliveries. Again. You only have one more strike at work, I know.

Yes, I know you ate the carrot pie in the fridge. The carrot pie that I made for our anniversary,the one we were supposed to eat together. I know you did it.

And I really don´t care.

I´m not mad at you. Just because I´m giving you a stern look doesn´t mean I´m mad at you. I know you were trying to do your best, I know how difficult it is for you to coordinate with those eyes. I know how sorry you are for everything, especially eating the pie. But I´m not mad at you.

I´m mad at myself because I hate seeing you with teary eyes and I can´t do anything about it. I can´t punch everypony that makes you cry, that won´t solve anything. I can´t do your work for eyes and I definitely can´t fix your eyes. I can´t do anything for you.

Except one thing. I can only think one thing I can do, that we can do, that will solve everything.

I know, childish. How can a kiss solve all our problems? It can´t, not really. But when I see you flying down with that sad look, all I want to do is to hold you close and make your problems disappear.

Can you make my problems disappear too?

If so, then come down and kiss me, you ditz.

Royal Flag

The kitchen of the Crystal Palace was as big and silent as every other room, it made Princess Cadence and her son look like ants in a glass jar.

"Okay, now we take the measuring cup. Which one was that again?"

"The one with the numbers on it, mother."

"Oh right."

The white coated pegasus colt sighed. "Mother, have you ever cooked before?"

"O-of course. I used to cook all the time with your aunt Twilight and your uncle Spike. That reminds me, never let an unattended dragon near an oven."

The kid sighed again, one hoof under his chin. "Like I´ll ever get to meet a baby dragon spending my whole life inside this boring castle."

"Come on Royal Flag, don´t be like that," she said, patting his head. "You get to spend every summer in Ponyville. You do like playing in the farm with that cute little Apple Leaf, right?"

"She is not cute, she is annoying! Always pestering me, following me around!" he replied, blushing.

Cadence giggled and levitated a pepper over a bowl filled with cream. "Well, we can talk to your father about letting you join the Royal Academy next year, okay?" she said, looking back at the recipe while her son removed the bowl from under the floating pepper.

"I don´t know why he doesn´t let me join right now. I already earned my Cutie Mark," he said, pointing at the blue and gold flag on his flank. "I´m exactly how I´m supposed to be. Captain of my hoofball team, top of my class, as strong as nay of our guards..."

"I know all that, honey."

"The why won´t he let me go? He still treats me like a baby! I hate him!" and he buried his head on his arms.

Cadence let go of the recipe book and caressed his mane again. "Royal, have you heard the story about when your father yelled at Princess Celestia?"

Royal lifted his head, his eyes a little red for holding back tears. "what? Father will never raise his word against the Princess!"

"Well, he did once. It goes like this, a few years ago your aunt Twilight and her friends were sent to deal with a sleeping dragon whose smoke was threatening Ponyville. They solved the problem rather easily but when your father heard about it, he stormed into the throne room to yell at the Princess for putting her in such a dangerous situation. It was the first time anypony have ever talk like this to my aunt. I remember the whole throne room falling silent at that moment."

"And then?" Royal asked, his eyes now filled with curiosity.

"My aunt told your father that she trusted Twilight and that she will never ask her to do something she wasn´t absolutely certain she could do. She had complete confidence in Twilight and asked Shining to have more trust on her sister," Cadence lifted her son chin. "Royal your father knows how capable you are, he just can´t help being worried."

Royal rubbed his eyes and gave his mother a big smile in response.

"Okay, now let´s get back to that birthday cake for him. Next, flour. Where did the Royal Baker said that thing was again?"

Rolling his eyes, Royal flew over the cupboard and grabbed flour sack. making Cadence blush. Soon they both start humming while they worked in the cake.

Do you hate me?

Rarity looked at the mirror and frowned. Her mane was a mess. She tried to levitate a brush to fix it but couldn´t get a hold of it. Spike heard her very unlady like cursing and walked in to help her. Rarity giggled.

"What´s so funny?" Spike asked while combing her mane.

"I was just remembering. When you were little you had to use a stool to comb my mane now look at you, so tall and handsome," she said.

The adolescent dragon blushed and kept brushing her mane in silence.

"Thank you darling, that would be enough. Tell me, where is Twilight?"

"I think she is at the balcony."

"Think I will join her. Could you be a dear and get us a cup of tea? it´s getting cold."

"Sure thing Rarity!"

"You´re such a sweetheart," she said and gave him a little kiss on the cheek.

She giggled once more when she saw him stumbling downstairs. After all these year, he still acted like a little child around her. Rarity went upstairs, cursing her old legs for complaining. She regretted that she never bothered to learn a proper teleportation spell but then again at her age she was in no shape to try stunts like that. She finally reached the balcony and found Twilight in a couch, next to her telescope.

For a second she saw her like she used to be, a regal alicorn princess with her radiant wings and flowing mane. But the illusion faded and Twilight was still a simple elder unicorn.

"Oh Rarity, didn´t hear you coming," Twilight said, obviously squinting behind her glasses.

"I´m surprised you´re not at the library, honey."

"It´s a little too late to be reading. Besides, it´s such a wonderful night," she said, looking back at the night sky.

Rarity smiled and moved next to her. Twilight levitated a blanket and extended it over Rarity. Rarity smiled at her, keeping quiet the little sting of envy at watching her still able to perform magic. They both looked at the stars that twinkled in harmony.

Rarity soon grew bored of the silent stars and looked at Twilight. Time had make a work on her, her mane was a light tone of purple, heading for gray in some areas. There were some clear wrinkles under her glasses and the eyes behind them had that peculiar glow, the one that told of memories that replaced childhood dreams. Twilight noticed she was watching her and turned to look back, a gentle smile on her face.

"Do you hate me, Twilight?" Rarity suddenly asked.

Twilight´s eyes returned to her youthful state, filled with confusion at such a question.

"You had everything you always wanted. You were a Princess with all the power and knowledge of that title plus the gift of immortality, the gift to have all the time to search for more answers. And I stole all of that from you with just one kiss...", Rarity said and hold Twilight´s chin.

The memory of that day returned to them, a day decades ago. Rarity remembered little details like both wearing their respective Elements of Harmony or how Applejack was missing her hat that day. Twilight remembered a bigger picture like Spike and the grown up Crusaders being there and the tears on Shining and Cadence. They both remembered the vows and Celestia´s warning that there was no turning back, that Twilight will never recover her powers and that there was no escape from death now. They both remembered nodding and then the kiss, the magic flowing between them and then Twilight´s body shining as her wings faded.

Rarity remembered one more detail, a tiny gray hair on Twilight's mane appearing just after they finished kissing.

"That kiss sentenced you to death. Some nights I can´t sleep knowing that, knwoing that because I was unable to turn into an alicorn you had to lower to my level. I can´t help but think that you must hold a terrible grudge against me," Rarity said.

Now it was Twilight´s turn to lift her chin, "Why would you even think such a thing? I don´t hate you and I never will and, if we got a second chance, one to run you into an alicorn so that we can both share eternity...I would have turned it down."

Rarity´s face rejuvenated this time, looking at Twilight with a very silly and confused expression.

Twilight giggled while she explained. "I love you Rarity and I treasure every moment I spent with you. But if time has taught me a lesson if that every one of those moments had a purpose. I don´t need to spend eternity searching for an answer, I only need to share every day until the last one with you."

She then leaned her head against Rarity´s. She returned the favor and they both laid i the couch, their eyes closed and a smile on their faces.

Spike sit down in the stairs holding a tray with two steaming cup f tea. He decided to wait a few minutes, letting them share that moment under the bright stars.

Wedding Day

I´m scared.

Tomorrow is the big day, her wedding day. Our wedding day I mean. Funny, I can´t never call it my wedding day, it´s either hers or ours. Twilly will probably make fun of me for thinking that way.

She is coming tomorrow too and I can´t hardly wait. Her visits to Canterlot get shorter every week, it´s like she can´t stand a minute away from Ponyville. Guess it can´t be helped, she is no longer a little filly. She has a life of her own and I have to accept that. I just wish things could go a little slower.

Things have been going too fast these past days. Between the wedding preparations and the security measures I have hardly slept more than a couple hours. Cadence must be tired as well. Honestly, I don´t know how she is. We haven´t spoke much lately with both of us running around. I feel terrible letting her do all the preparations alone but those anonymous threats keep appearing. The Princess keeps saying I shouldn´t worry but I can´t help it, it´s my job after all. Maybe we should just cancel the whole thing...

No, what am I thinking? Pull yourself together Shining Armor! You have been waiting for this day for years, ever since the first time that soaked filly appeared in the door, carrying the doll Twilight had lost at the park that day. She was all covered in mud and bruises for digging under the rain, but she didn´t care. All she cared was giving Twilight her doll back. I´ll never forget her smile as she watched Twilight jumping around in happiness.

That´s all I should think off. That smile.

No more worries, no more fears.

Tomorrow is going to be a great day, my wedding day.

*****

I´m scared.

I´m all alone and everything around me is dark and silent. The walls are covered in crystal that work like carnival mirrors, twisting and deforming my reflection. I look like a monster with my mane disheveled and my coat scratched. My whole body is hurt but I can´t feel the pain, I only feel cold.

It´s not the cave that it´s cold, it´s the fear that still haunts me. The fear of watching my own face, not my reflection but my own face; smirking. The terrifying memories of those sick green flames engulfing me and that laugh. That laugh.

I can´t stop listening it, not even by covering my ears. It just keeps echoing across the caves, hiding behind every corner. I gave up on screaming a long time ago and I lost the will to cry shortly after. I have no more strengths to do anything. I just want to crawl and sleep.

I want to sleep and wake up away from this nightmare but I can´t. No matter how many times I close my eyes. No matter how high a number I can count. Every time I open my eyes I´m still in the darkness. I´ve managed to keep track of time, counting the dripping sound of the water from a small leak near me, each drop a second. The mental exercise and the fresh water the only things keeping me sane. The day is almost over, I can tell.

I´ll close my eyes and tomorrow I will wake up in the darkness. There will be nothing but darkness.

No cake, no streamers, no smiling guest or proud family members. Not the comforting voice of my aunt, not Twilight´s cheerful singing. And not the kind eyes of my future husband, those gentle that have been watching me since I was a filly. Those eyes that worried about me, that brighten when I came in the morning and dulled when I had to leave. Those eyes that told so much with no words. I´ll never see those eyes again.

All I´ll see tomorrow will be darkness.

Trial of a Crusader

"Order, order! The Cutie Mark Crusaders Courtroom is on session!" Apple Bloom shouted. "Cutie Mark Crusader Number 004 you have been accused of acting all smoochy-woochy with one of The Pair that Shall Not be Named. How do you plead?"

Babs Seed answer was to blew her mane up.

"HOW DO YOU PLEAD?"

"Why do you even ask? We all saw them in Sugarcube Corner this morning," Scootaloo said.

"It has to be in the record! How do you plead?" Apple Bloom insisted.

"Guilty," Babs said.

"Guilty then! Now let´s discuss the defendant´s sentence!"

"What sentence? All she did was kiss Silver Spoon," Scootaloo said.

"Yeah. Why are we doing this again?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Because she was kissing with the enemy! That´s a clear violation of the Cutie Mark Crusaders Law Book!" Apple Bloom said.

"We have a Law Book?" Sweetie asked.

"I still don´t get what the problem is..." Scootaloo said.

"The problem is that they were rubbing their nuzzles and stuff right in the open with everypony watching! Twist, you were a witness of the crime! Testify!"

"Yesh. I saw everything and I wash very surprished. I thought that Shilver was in love with Diamond," Twist said.

"Why does everypony assumes that? We´re just friends," Silver Spoon said.

"Yeah, friends. Just like Apple Bloom and Sweetie´s sisters are just friends," Scootaloo said.

"HEY!", both fillies yelled.

"Anyways, I don´t get why we´re even here! This whole thing is like really lame, right Diamond Tiara?" Silver Spoon said but Diamond Tiara said nothing, she just kept staring at empty air.

"Silence! The defendant is not allowed to speak!" Apple Bloom yelled.

"I thought Babs was the defendant," Sweetie said.

"No! I mean, yes. I..."

"You did call her the defendant," Scootaloo remind her.

"RECORD!" Apple Bloom shouted.

"Why am I even here?" Spike complained.

"You´re confusing me! We´re here to discuss why Babs was making out with the enemy!"

"She is not the enemy, cuz! She is my friend! More than that!" Babs Seed shouted.

Silver Spoon smiled while APple Bloom tried to organize her papers. She finally gave up and shouted at Diamond Tiara. "Witness, testify!"

Diamon Tiara just stood there with a frozen expression.

"Eh, you okay?" Scootaloo asked her.

"Can´t believe you did that. How could you kiss her in public? Everypony saw you kissing with that, that farmer!" Diamond Tiara snapped and shouted at Silver Spoon.

"She is not a farmer, she is from the city! And what if she was like a farmer? I still would have kissed her!" Silver replied.

"But...but how could you choose her?"

"Wait, are you mad that we were kissing in public or that I was kissing her?"

"NO! I mean yes. I..."

"Enough! Diamond Tiara is not on trial here! The defendant is Babs!" Apple Bloom remind them.

"Washn´t the defendant Shilver Shpoon?" Twist asked.

"I´m confused..." Sweetie admitted.

"STOP IT!" Apple Bloom yelled.

"No, you stop it cuz. You can´t tell me who I can be friends with or who I can kiss with. I´ll said it, I like Silver Spoon, she is my friend and we´re going to kiss as much as we want. Now come on, SIlver!" Babs said and head for the exit.

Silver Spoon looked at Diamond Tiara but her friend turned her head making a "humph!" sound. Silver then left too.

"Well, I´m hungry. I´m gonna check if Granny Smith made some pies," Scootaloo said and got up too.

"I´m still confused. Who was the defendant again?" Sweetie asked, following her.

"Last time I do something for gems," Spike complained.

Diamond Tiara just left with an angry face.

"Wait! You can´t leave! Court is still in session! That´s it! New rule! Members of the Crusaders can´t ever kiss in public again!" Apple Bloom shouted.

"Doesh that mean we have to kish in shecret?" Twist asked her.

Apple Bloom gave up and slammed her face against the table. "Court is adjourned..."

What I always wanted to say

"(barking) Scootaloo, I told you to be careful with that Poison Joke!"

"(weird roaring sounds) It´s not my fault, Sweetie Belle was covering my eyes!"

"(meowing) It´s not my fault either, Gummy was biting at my tail!"

"(more barking) He has no teethes!"

"(more meowing) It still hurts!"

Three little ponies, one brown, one white and one green, watched as the dog, the cat and the alligator bite at each other.

"Does anybody understand what they´re saying?" the white one asked.

"Not a word. Is this how our masters hear us all the time?" the brown one asked.

The green one looked at her hooves and said "Fascinating. It doesn´t seem like we switched bodies, more like our bodies were altered to resemble the shape of these three little fillies. Poison Jokes nevers ceases to amaze me."

"....you were a girl all along?" the brown one asked.

"(barking) Now what are we gonna do?"

"(meowing) We could ask Twilight for her help."

"(weird roaring sounds) She is still at Canterlot."

"(meowing) How about Zecora?"

"(barking) She left for a journey to search for medicinal herbs."

"(weird sounds again) Yeah, that´s why we get in this mess to begin with. How come you didn´t have the key to Zecora´s hut if she asked you to watch it?"

"(barking) Well, she didn´t actually asked. More like I wanted to sneak in..."

The cat and the alligator just glared at the dog that lowered her head.

"(howling) I´m sorry!"

"(meowing) Hey, I just remembered! Aloe and Lotus! They probably still have some of Zecora´s antidote, right?"

"(weird sounds) You´re right! Let´s get the pets to the spa and...where are the pets?"

****

All the while at Ponyville Market, three fillies marched with a happy smile.

"This is so awesome! We can walk around and there´s nobody yelling to get on a leash!" the brown one said.

"I still prefer to get the attention of some ponies..." the white one replied,noticing the looks of some stallions.

"What do you want to do first? Wanna play with a ball or with a frisbee or a ball?" the brown one asked.

"You´re still thinking as a dog, darling. We have hooves now! Let´s hit the streets and show these ponies why we are fabulous!" the white one said.

"Sounds fun! Hey Gummy, what do you want to do!" the brown one asked.

"I just want to do one thing..." the green one said and entered Sugarcube Corner.

Since it was noon, the place was filled with ponies. The green filly walked right to the counter.

"Hi there, what can I do for you?" Pinkie Pie asked.

The green filly looked at Pinkie for several seconds and then say

"I love you."

All the ponies in the store went silent, including the two transformed animals.

Pinkie Pie simply smiled.

"No. I love you more, Gummy."

The green filly smiled. "No, I love you more."

"No, I love you more."

"No, I love you more."

"No, I love you more!"

"I said I love you more!"

Winona and Opalescence looked at each other and just smiled.

****

"(barking) Well, I sure miss having hooves but this tail here, wouldn´t change it for the word," and saying that she started to chase it.

"(meowing) i still would have liked a few more minutes just to get a hooficure. Rarity always make it sounds like the best feeling ever."

"(barking) Hey Gummy, would you like to be a filly again?"

"(weird sounds) No, I already say what I wanted."

The three pets made more noises and just watched at the night sky.

Heavy Crown

Cadence signed a paper and immediately another one was shove on her face. Rolling her eyes, she signed it and the next five.

"That´s enough Ruby," she told her assistant.

"But Princess, there´s still tons of preparations to be made!"

"Just put Pinkie Pie on date once she arrives. She will take care of everything."

"I´m still against it Princess," Ruby complained. "No offense to your friends but this is an official event, it should be handled by your royal servants following the ancient Crystal Kingdom traditions. No details should be left unattended. Especially since you insisted on celebrating both your ascension to throne and your wedding anniversary on the same date!"

"It´s more easy to have just one big party that having everypony come and go," Cadence casually replied.

"But Princess..."

Cadence raised a hoof, made her usual breathing exercise and waited for her assistant to imitate her. Once Ruby have calm down, Cadence said "You worry too much Ruby. I assure you that everything will work out. Now, have you see my husband? I wanted to talk to him at breakfast but he left."

"Your Majesty, Prince Shining Armor, is at the training grounds."

"You can just call him Shining, you know."

"No, I can't," Ruby replied.

Rolling her eyes once more at her assistant strict obedience to protocol, Cadence walked to the balcony, spread her wings and glided all the way to the training grounds. Just as she was told, Shining Armor was atop of a hill next to the track course.

She landed next to him and gave him a gentle push with her wing "What´s up, coach?"

Shining merely nodded.

Cadence was now concerned. She took a good look at him and the bite his tail.

"Auh! What was that for?" he complained.

"Just checking you weren´t a changeling. Better safe than sorry."

"Har har..."

"Shining, what´s wrong?" she asked.

Shining took a deep breath and said "This morning a kid call me Prince Shining."

"Well, you're a Prince."

"I know but it wasn't until today that I realized what that meant. I´m a Prince, the ruler of an entire kingdom. The lives of hundred of ponies depend on me, on my decisions. I´m not up to that task," he said.

"What are you talking about Shining? You´re a great Prince, nobody is disappointed at you."

"Really? I don´t recall being of much help when King Sombra attacked. You defended the entire kingdom and in the end, they were Spike and Twilight who saved everyone. I didn't do anything. I couldn't even tell when my own wife swap places with a monster."

Cadence put a hoof on his shoulder and said "Shining, you're a wonderful husband and this past year you have done a great job protecting the Crystal Kingdom. You have nothing to be ashamed of."

Despite those words, Shinning still hung his head low. Cadence took a look and around and told him to come with her. They walked to the other side of the hill where they had a perfect view of the training track and all the runner ponies.

"Look at those ponies Shining."

"What about them?"

"Look how happy they are. Remember when we first arrived? How terrified they were, not even daring to look at their shadows? They have just woke up from a terrible nightmare and didn´t even understand what had happened to them, but you changed all that," she explained.

"It wasn't me! You're the Crystal Princess, it´s you they look after!"

"I might be the symbol of their kingdom but it was you that gave them hope and make them trust me. You talked them, you told them to believe on themselves and keep the Crystal Heart shining. You're an inspiration for them too, Shining."

Just then one of the trackers spot them and waved at the royal couple. The rest of the runners soon join her on the salute. Cadence and Shining waved back the ponies.

"See, they do look after you, coach."

Shingin smiled and softly nuzzled his wife.

"I only have one question Cadence..." Shining said.

"Yes, honey?"

"How did you managed to escape Ruby? I had to flee after breakfast so she wouldn't bury in a mountain of security forms and troops reports!"

Cadence laughed and nuzzled him back.

Feeling the love of the subjects, anxious to celebrate their rulers happy occasions, the Crystal Hearth light up and sent its magic to the air, painting the skies of Equestria with every colour of the spectrum.

Rising from the Horizon

"May I refill your cup, Princess?"

"Uh no, that's...that's fine."

"Well then Your Majesty, as I was saying..."

Twilight didnt hear what the Mayor of Manehattan said. Actually, she hadn't been listening for the past half hour. At some point between her speech and the dozens of waiters eager to refill her cup, Twilight had just stop listening. Instead, she was looking for her friends.

She didn´t find them.

She found five ponies with lives of their own. Applejack sitting with the Oranges, Rainbow Dash with the press and other Wonderbolts cadets, Pinkie Pie doing some sort of stand-up routine and Rarity surrounded by all the best designers in town. Even Fluttershy was involved in a passionate talk with the staff of the zoo. All of them happily chatting.

"So, regarding those taxes Your Majesty..."

"Excuse me, Mayor."

Ignoring the next two waiters, Twilight grabbed Spike with her magic, dragging him away from the food stand and walked over to the balcony. She looked over at the ocean at her right and then at the hills on her left. Ponyville was barely visible, a few dots that were supposed to be her house and those of her friends. She sighed while Spike kept gulping sandwiches behind her.

"What´s happening, partner?" Applejack asked, approaching her. "Catching on the Statue of Equinity? Yes sir, she´s a piece of work! Ah remember first time ah saw it, ah almost fell on mah hooves."

"Pfft, that´s nothing! Last month Spitfire tooks us to the Neighara Falls for a training session, now that´s something to see!" Rainbow Dash bragged.

"Still, I wouldn't trade it for Manehattan. While it may not have the regal status of Canterlot, this city has plenty of treats. Especially this wonderful weather. With not a single speck of breeze, I feel rejuvenated!" Rarity said.

"You can say it makes you feel breezy?" Pinkie Pie joked and they all laughed.

"Twilight, is something the matter?" Fluttershy asked, noticing the sad look on her face.

"It´s nothing. I'm probably just tired," she lied.

"I bet you are after having to deal with that old geezer! I never heard a pony talk that much!" Spike said, jumping on Twilight´s back.

"I bet you can say he´s a horse-mouth!"

They laughed again at Pinkie´s laugh but Twilight was unable to give more than a smile. After taking a good look at them, Twilight asked:

"Have you noticed how much we have changed?"

The sudden question left them with no words, they just looked at each other confused.

"Well, I noticed Applejack is wearing a new hat. And I must said, it does looks great on you," Rarity said.

"And Fluttershy is wearing pigtails tonight!" Pinkie pointed causing the pegasus to blush.

"And my Wonderbolts uniform is awesome!"

"We noticed. Yah´ve been bragging about it all night..." Applejack said.

"It´s not bragging when you're this awesome."

More laughs that Twilight didn't joined. Concerned, Fluttershy placed a hoof on her shoulder, encouraging Twilight to speak. Once the laughs went quiet, she said:

"I guess I haven't adjusted to the changes yet. It´s funny, looking back at seeing how different we're from just a year ago. I can't believe how much I shunned others, spending all the days with my books. It´s funny in a way, I think I like books that much because they never change. No matter if I don't like the ending of a book, I can´t change it. Guess in a way, I have always been afraid of change."

By this point, they have got closer to Twilight. Applejack placing her arm over her. But before any words could be said, a loud crash came from the saloon.

They peaked and saw three little fillies running away from the kitchen, being chased by an angry cook. After a few seconds they crashed against the desserts table, getting covered with cream and chocolate. One of the fillies got up and cleaned up, causing her friends to gasp. She blew her mane way to see and her freckled face lighten up upon watching her flank.

"I got my Cutie Mark!"

Her happiness was cut short by the angry cook and so the Manehattan Crusaders resumed their escape.

"Then again, some changes might not be so bad in the end," Twilight said.

The seven friends shared a group hug.

"Everypony, the Summer Sun Celebration is about to begin!" the Mayor announced.

They moved back to the balcony to watch Princess Celestia from her spot on an island raise the sun. Twilight wa sure that the Princess waved at her just before raising up and invoking her magic.

As the sun rose from the horizon, signaling the beginning of the summer, Twilight Sparkle´s smile grew. She looked again at her friends, all different and yet the same.

Things have surely changed this last year but she wasn't worried anymore.

Not a thing

This thing is dangerous.

I need to tell Twilight right now. Tell her that one of those nasty changelings wasn't blasted into orbit along with that cheese-legged jerk and her army of monsters. Because that´s what they are if they bring a baby for an invasion. Because that´s what this thing is, just a little baby, right? Look at it, so small and fragile and scared...

"..."

I´m taking it with me, just to make sure.

I´ll tell Twilight later.

*****

"Rainbow Dash, are you home?"

"Just a second Fluttershy! AUH! Hang on!"

"Oh okay..."

"Just stay down! AUH, don´t bite me! Stay there. Hey Flutters, what´s up?"

"Umh I brought the milk bottles you asked for..."

"Oh cool, I´ll just take them."

"Why did you need them again?"

"I..well I...."

"Oh what´s that?"

"Fluttershy I can explain! You se-"

"This precious little baby is adorable! And he has your exact same colors. Is he a relative of yours Rainbow?"

"Umh yeah, he is..."

Come on Rainbow Dash, think!

"His name is...Daring...shell. Daring shell, that´s his name."

Good one Rainbow. You´re as fast with your head as with your wings.

"That´s an odd name for a pegasus."

"Hey don´t criticize my nephew, okay? Now, it´s time for his lunch so I´ll just take these bottles here, thank you very much!"

"You´re welco-"

"The nerves of that Fluttershy. So just copied that picture of me as a filly, right? Clever boy."

****

"Come on kid, you can do it!"

Look at him struggling. This kid has guts.

"Come on, if we want them to believe you´re a pony you need to change your appearance a little. Mix the colors a bit, come on! I know you can do it!"

"...ngh"

"Come on son! You can do it!"

He did it! He really did it! It´s just a different shade of blue but it can pass, I can just tell Fluttershy his coat got a little darker. It could happen.

"You did a great job"

"Mama!"

"...heh it´s...it´s not mama. It´s aunt Rainbow, okay? It´s just aunt Rainbow."

****

"Rainbow Dash, how could you? Don´t you know how dangerous changelings are?"

Why? Why did they had to learn the truth? Stupid Pinkie Pie and her surprise party. She altered Daring so much he dropped his disguise. Now he´s too scared to change back. Stupid Pinkie!

"Rainbow, let go of that creature."

"Don´t call him that! His name is Daring Shell and he´s not dangerous!"

"Why are yah acting like that, Rainbow?"

"Yes, you act like this thing is your pet or something dear."

"He´s not a thing! He´s my baby! And none of you are going to get your hooves on him! Stay back!"

They´re not going to take you away Daring. I promise you. Momma will protect you.

"Rainbow, changelings can´t live with ponies. They feed on love, consume it. Right now he is at an infant stage but soon he will grow and will become a threat for the town. You can´t keep him."

"You´re wrong Twilight, he will not become dangerous. I´ll give him enough love so he will never need to attack anypony. I will look after him, I promise."

"I´m sorry Rainbow. But he has to go."

"Please Twilight, please don´t"

Please, don´t take my baby away.

******

Please, don´t look at me that way.

I know that place looks scary but that´s where you belong. With the other changelings, they´ll take care of you. They better do.

"Come on Daring, go."

Don´t look at me that way. Stop doing that! I can´t go with you, you have to go alone. Go!

"It´s okay, just go."

Don´t look back. Please, don´t look back. Just fly away. There, spread your wings and settle an upwards angle. Just like mommy taught you. Good boy.

"This is for the better Rainbow."

"I know Twi, I know."

I just need to cry right now. Just let me cry for my baby, Twi.

I need to.

All I can give

A thousand kisses for you.

A kiss for every year you spent in solitude.

I can't believe you were left alone all these years. All that time hiding your pain behind a serene smile. And I cannot believe you chose me to bring comfort to your heart.

I know you hate when I think poor of myself but I'll never understand how you could chose a simple farmer as your partner.

You have given me and my family so much. You have given us our land. You gave my parents the sky to watch over us. You gave me the best friends a pony can hope for. And you keep giving and giving to every creature under your sun.

I have nothing to give you in return. I can't give you my trees since everything under the blue sky is yours. I can't give you my heart since you already have it. I can't even give you my life since I would be gone one day and you'll have to stay here.

All I can give you is a little peck on your cheek, on your eye, on your horn, your wings and  other places that make us both blush.

I have a thousand kisses for you.

And when I'm done with them, I have another thousand more.

The Princess and the Cakes

Pinkie Pie had told the Cakes babies many stories. She told them about that time she and her friends were chased by an angry hydra, about the time they prevented a war between buffaloes and ponies and about that time she spilled hot sauce over Rarity's mane, forcing her to cut it and wear a wig for a few days and she totally shouldnt have told them that since Pinkie Promise never tell anypony; but their favourite story was the one when she met her best friends and they defeated Nightmare Moon. They loved that story and she told it to them dozens of times.

So when a tall, black alicorn with a flowing blue mane entered their bedroom, their reaction of jumping over her, biting on her legs and face was pretty understandable.

“My stars!”

“No children, no! Don't bite other ponies! Why did you do that?” Pinkie asked them.

Since they couldn't talk yet, Pound and Pumpkin went for a visual medium. She jumped atop her brother to draw the illusion of a winged unicorn and they made scary noises. Luna didn't quite understood what they meant but charades was one of the many talents of Pinkie.

“Oh no no no, she isn´t Nightmare Moon! She is Princess Luna! And she is a very special somepony for me,” she explained.

Pound and Pumpkin looked confused.

“You know, special like “Mommy-and-Daddy-doing-smoochy-woopy-in-the-kitchen” special?”

Pumpkin giggled while Pound made a “gag” face.

“So no more biting or punching or making faces at her back, understood?”

Both babies nodded.

“Pinkamena, perhaps it will be better if I stay at the kitchen...”

“Don't be a silly-filly, my loony-woony! I´m sure the babies will love you! Just keep them entertained while I take care of the store for about an hour, oki doki?” Pinkie Pie said.

“Understood,” Luna replied but then noticed Pinkie´s look. “Umh oki doki loki?”

Pinkie smiled and gave her a quick kiss on the nose, causing the babies to repeat their previous reaction. Once Pinkie was gone, Luna realized the babies were staring at her.

“Younglings, would you like to participate in some games?” she asked, pulling a deck of cards with her magic.

The babies crossed their arms.

“How about singing? Oh the mounts of Equestria stand tall!!”

The babies covered their ears, begging for her to stop.

“Very well then.” Luna took a moment to ponder. remembering her previous experience in town she invoked her magic, making herself taller and scarier. “Perhaps you will prefer me like...THIS!”

Predictable, the babies reaction was to cry.

“Oh no no, younglings! That wasn't my intention!”

“Is everything okay up there, moonpie?” a voice asked from downstairs.

“Everything is perfect. No need to climb upstairs. Please, stop crying. Look look, who am I?” Luna said, pulling a flour sack out of nowhere and dumping the content on her, turning her whole coat white. “Dearest Twilight!”

This made the babies but not because they found it funny but because they were utterly confused.

“I suppose imitation isn't one of my talents...”

*****

A few minutes later while Luna cleaned the mess she had made, the babies plotted how to defeat the evil Nightmare Moon. Even with each other they needed to retort to charades so Pumpkin was making all sort of gestures to explain her plan to her brother while Pound simply suggested punching the Princess. Pumpkin made a series of elaborates sings, that basically told that she would distract Luna, Pound will blind her, they would both throw her over their crib and then Pound suggested punching the Princess in the face. Pumpkin´s reaction was to slap her own face.

Despite the communication problems, they carried over with the plan. Pound flied over a drawer while Pumpkin approached Luna, a squeaky toy on her mouth.

“Oh, what a lovely toy. Is it a...chicken?”

With Luna distracted, Pumpkin made the sign and the young pegasus jumped over the Princess. He covered her eyes, trying to bring her down.

“I do not understand the purpose of this game...”

Pumpkin came to help her brother, magically throwing all her toys while Pound pulled Luna´s mane.

“Please children...this is getting a little...please stop...I said...ENOUGH!”

The Royal Canterlot Voice did the trick, causing both twins to stop and freeze. Luna took them back to their crib and looked at them with a sad and disappointed eyes.

“I´m sorry,” she suddenly said.

Pound and Pumpkin were confused by this reaction.

“I know why you act like this. Since you were born you have been told stories about the evil Nightmare Moon, about how she sneaks at night to gobble little ponies. I know you're afraid of me and I know you're afraid I might hurt your beloved caretaker. But my heart belongs to Pinkamena and I assure you I will never do anything to hurt her. She is the only pony that looks at me without fear on her eyes. Even my own sister has the memory of my betrayal. But Pinkamena, Pinkie...she simply smiles when she looks at me. She smiles and tells me she loves me very much. And I love her as well. I love her.”

Luna went silent after that confession. The twins looked at each other and smiling, they jumped over to Luna, only this time they just gave her a tender hug. Luna smiled and returned the gesture.

****

“Well, that was the last customer of the day. How are things here?”

Pinkie looked inside and found the babies asleep under Luna´s wings, who was also softly snoring. Smiling, she put a blanket over the three.

“Sleep well, my sweeties.”

Pinkie turned the lights off and let the three ponies alone, playing in their dreams.

(Daw, I think this is sappy even for me ^^ )

All Night

When Twilight Sparkle was working on a report, the outside world seemed to just disappear. No sound could distract her unless someone moved an inkwell out of place, of course. So when Rarity came by to visit, Twilight didn't even noticed. She also didn't heard her ask her if she was okay. It wasn't until Rarity placed a hoof on her forehead that she realized she was even in the room.

“You're hot,” Rarity said.

“W-what?”

“You're boiling hot, darling. It must be a fever.”

“Oh right...”

“You need to take rest, honey,” Rarity said.

“I can´t. I promised the Princess I will finish this reports on the Winter Wrap-Up as soon as possible. I can´t be tard...I meant delayed. I can't afford a delay,” Twilight explained, putting on her best smile to convince her friend she was going crazy over her schedule, again.

“You have bags under your eyes, you're sweating and the least I say about your mane the best. You need to rest, twilight Sparkle,” Rarity insisted.

Twilight groaned, knowing she couldn't win this argument.

****

“Now, all safe and comfy,” Rarity said, adjusting the covers over Twilight who was still pouting.  “I'll get you a nice hot soup in just a minute and then I'll leave you to rest.”

“I rather be working,” Twilight said.

“Don't worry about your apers, Twilight. Spike is already sorting through your work and sending it to the Princess.”

“But the charts were not finished. And the reports needed a third proofreading! An-” Twilight's complaints got interrupted by a thermometer that was pushed into her mouth.

“I told you not to worry. Remember that I handle a business of my own. Trust me, finances report can be quite a challenge. You just stay here and rest.”

Rarity left the room, humming a little song. Twilight groaned once more and the thermometer exploded but not precisely because of Twilight´s temperature.

*****

“Rarity busy in the kitchen, checked. Spike not really working on the papers because he is ogling Rarity, check. Fake Twilight doll, check. All set...” Twilight murmured and placed the doll made of a few coats and her old Smarty Pants doll in the bed, taking her place. The doll couldn't actually fool even a fool but Twilight was never the best judge of her manual work so she was actually convinced it could work.

She checked once more that neither Rarity or Spike were paying attention, put a few papers and quills in her saddlebags and then teleported outside the library. She looked behind her and smiled at the closed door but her smile disappeared when she turned over and bumped into another pony. She looked up and found Rarity frowingina t her.

Twilight groaned a third time as Rarity magically pulled her back inside.

*****

“Rarity, you're treating me like a foal,” Twilight complained, while Rarity levitated a spoonful of soup to her mouth.

“Don't be grumpy, dear. Just think of me like a big sister. Now say ahhh!”

“You're just one week older than me...” Twilight murmured through her mouth full.

“Actually, you did mentioned having an older brother once, didn't you?”

“Yes, but Shining armor was never the best of foalsitter. One time our parents were out he tried to cook us, me and Spike, some dinner.”

“I assume that didn't end well...” Rarity ventured.

“Let´s just say there´s a reason why Princess Celestia doesn't allow the Royal Guard in the palace kitchens.”

Rarity giggled and Twilight soon joined her.

*****

“Rarity, you don't need to stay all night by my side.”

“Nonsense darling, that´s the least I can do.”

“...thank you.”

****

Twilight woke up, the morning sun intruding through the window above her bed. She looked at her side and saw Rarity asleep on a chair. A blanket was over her, Spike surely did it. Twilight looked at the serene face of her sleeping friend and smiled.

She did feel a lot better than yesterday. She really was sick and didn't even realized it. She was grateful to have such a good friend that noticed she wasn't well and took care of her. Twilight decided to do something nice for her in return, maybe a gift. A hoofmade weather probably. Yes, Rarity will surely like that. Twilight was confident on her skills after all.

Giggling with that thought, Twilight went back to sleep, knowing that Rarity will stay by her side.

Love Expert

"cuz, you're a crazy."

"I´m telling you cuz, Mare of Steel is actually a good movie!"

"It was boring!"

"Nah, you need to see it in a big Manehattan screen not this tiny town theater."

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes and decided to end the discussion. They were probably going back to the theater anyways since Babs was only staying for the weekend. Apple Bloom spotted Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo and rushed to meet them.

"Hey Bloom, Babs. Still defending that crappy movie?" Scootaloo said.

"Shut up, squirt," Babs Seed replied and they soon began lightly punching each other, like they always did when they were together.

Apple Bloom moved to grab one soda from Sweetie´s saddlebags while Sweetie just stood there, watching the two fillies and pondered.

****

Sweetie Belle kept pondering and pondering while she watched her friends playing with a ball, killing time before the movie started. Applejack passed by and noticed her just staring at them with her arms crossed.

"What´s the matter, sugarcube? Don´t you wanna play hoofball?"

"Can´t. Thinking."

Applejack blinked confused. "This filly is really strange", she thought. "Then again, she IS Rarity´s sister."

"Applejack, how can you tell if two ponies are in love?" Sweetie suddenly asked.

"Well, there are many ways. Why do you ask?"

"Curiosity. And what if two ponies are clearly in love but they don't realize they are?"

Applejack was now worried and she leaned over Sweetie "You aren't planning in using any Love Poison, right?"

"Nonono, we learned our lesson last time!" Sweetie put on her best grin but Applejack wasn't convinced. "Uh it´s my turn now! Apple Bloom, switch switch!" and Sweetie rushed to trade places with Apple Bloom while Applejack stared at her.

****

Sweetie Belle didn´t wanted to get into any troubles but she just couldn't help it. There was no doubt in her mind that something was going on between Babs Seed and Scootaloo.

When they took a lunch they say next to each other, even sharing their juice box. They keep playfully punching each other and when they went to the theater, Babs Seed put her arm over Scootaloo! It could be just the way Manehattan mares sit but Sweetie Belle was sure of her theory and she couldn't just stand there and do nothing.

She had to make them realize that they loved each other.

****

"The Love-O-matic?"

The three fillies laughed at the name of the bright pink machine. When Sweetie Belle had suggested going to the arcades after the movie they agreed, they still had time before their slumber party and seemed like fun. But now they couldn't help but laugh.

"Come on girls, this is the best game ever! It can tell you if two ponies are meant to be together!" Sweetie insisted, showing how two ponies had to place their hooves in the hearts to make it work.

"Sweetie, that's not true. It´s a simple pressure mechanism that the more weight you add, it lights up the screen."

"Stop ruining it with your fancy knowledge of mechanics, Apple Bloom!"

"Calm down Sweets, why don't we give it a try? It´s just two bits," Babs said, calling for peace.

Sweetie rushed to the chance and pushed both Babs and Scootaloo´s hooves over the buttons. The machine lightened up and after a few seconds it spelled "Best as Friends."

"What? Dumb machine, that´s not the correct answer!"

"Umh Sweetie, what answer were you expecting?" Scootaloo asked but Sweetie didn't listened. She grabbed Apple Bloom´s hoof and make it push the left button while she pressed the other. The machine blinked a few times and then said "True Love."

Babs whistled while Scootaloo said "Hey Apple Bloom, how long have you been keeping this secret?"

"I told you that this machine can't tell you if you're in love. It´s just a game."

"Sure sure..." Scootaloo teased her and Babs laughed.

Blushing red, Apple Bloom got off the machine and headed for the air hockey table. Babs and Scootaloo followed her, still snickering.

Sweetie Belle stared at the screen for a few more seconds and then declared:

"Well, I can't argue with the expert. Wonder if Rarity will make me a wedding dress."

Shared Music

"You see Featherweight, it´s all in the claws! There´s no prize I can´t get thanks to these babies!"

Featherweight rolled his eyes and let Spike brag some more about how he won six games in a row. He had to admit that when it came to throwing a ball, Spike was the best if only because he could actually hold a ball.

"Well, I got enough plushies for all my friends. What game do you want to go next?" Spike asked.

The usually quiet Featherweight pointed at a hill where Thunderlane and Rumbled were waving at them.

"Oh right, you did say that Thunderlane was taking you guys to try the Tornado Ride."

Featherweight tucked his wings, a gest that meant he was trying to apologize to Spike.

"Hey it´s cool man, no wings, remember?"

Featherweight nodded and headed to meet Rumble and his brother.

"It´s all cool. Cool..."

But it wasn't cool at all. Despite all the games and music around him, Spike was having a hard time keeping a smile at this carnival. He had insisted Twilight all week to come here but, as usual, she was buried at work even in a weekend so Spike decided to go alone. He was lucky enough to find Featherweight and they had fun for a couple of hours but now Spike was all alone.

He thought about going to look for Snips or Snails. He was considering going to the Crusaders Clubhouse, even when he knew they will probably drag him to another crazy escapade instead of coming to the fair. But Spike decided to instead just sit in a bench.

It wasn't just the fact that he was alone in the carnival, it was the fact that he was the only dragon around. He looked at all those fillies and colts running around and then looked at himself. He found claws instead of hooves. He touches his forehead and found no horn and when he scratched his back there were no wings.

Spike was the only dragon in Ponyville and it was in times like these, when he was surrounded by a crowd of ponies, that he remembered that sad fact.

****

"Spike! Spike! Hey Lyra, have you seen Spike?"

THe mint unicorn shook her head and Twilight sighed, continuing her search. She was starting to get worried and regretting not coming with him when he asked to. Like always, she got too excited with her paperwork and barely heard Spike when he left. It wasn't until she ran out of ink that she realized her assistant wasn't there. The sound of the empty library reminded Twilight that sometimes she wasn't the best boss or the best sister.

She was about to go ask Rainbow Dash to help her look for SPike when she heard a happy tune. It didn't come from the carnival butfrom a nearby hill. Twilight approached it and found the musicians sitting in a log.

"Spike?"

"Woah!" Startled, Spike dropped his flute. "What? Oh Twilight, what are you doing here?"

"I was looking for you. Since when did you know how to play the flute?"

"Hey, I know how to play a lot of instruments! Want to hear my awesome drum solo?"

Twilight giggled. "Maybe later. That was a catchy tune. Who taught you that? Pinkie?"

"No. I...I wrote it." Spike played with his fingers, obviously nervous. Twilight noticed this and put a hoof on his shoulder. "Twilight, can I tell you something?" Twilight nodded. "Sometimes when you are too busy with work and you leave me all alone, I go outside and write some music. Just little happy tunes to cheer me up. I know it´s silly but it helps when I feel alone."

This sudden confession left Twilight speechless. She looked at Spike who avoided her look, almost embarrassed of what he just said. Twilight brought him closer and he smiled, finding comfort on that hug.

"Sorry, I don't know why I say that," he said, once she let him go. "I know you're busy with your work and it´s important so don't worry about me, okay?"

"Spike, don't be silly. I will always worry about you."

Spike laughed, fighting back some tears.

"Well, now that you're here, why don't we go to the carnival? Look all the prizes I already won! I bet I can get some more!" he said.

"That´s nice Spike but actually, I would prefer to stay here and listen to some music," Twilight said, sitting down.

Spike smiled and sat down back in the log.

Twilight nodded her head along with the melody that Spike played, the little dragon deciding that playing for her felt a lot better than playing alone.

Growing Orchard

“Golden Crisp, Golden Leaf, Golden...”

“Twilight, you don't need to make a list of the entire family,” Applejack said, feeding a bottle to the freckled baby on her lap.

“Of course I have! Everytime I come visit you, you have five more new foals!” Twilight yelled and immediately blushed, regretting what she said.

“It´s okay Twi, I'm not offended. Having a big family it´s my greatest pride. And I'm also not offended if you forget their names once in a while,” Applejack said.

“I'm sorry Applejack, it´s just...I can't keep up with so many names. I have no idea how Princess Celestia did it. She could remember the names of every one of her subjects, in every city.”

Applejack took the bottle off the baby and hear Twilight chuckle.

“What´s so funny, sugarcube?”

“I just remembered something. When I asked the Princess how she could remember every name, she told me that she simply thought of her subjects as her own children, that way she could never forget them.”

“Makes sense to me. No matter how big the family is, a matter always knows how to keep track,” Applejack said, patting the baby in the back and making her blurp.

“I can't do this, Applejack. I can´t be a mother to all the ponies in the kingdom. I can barely keep track of my own family. I haven´t visited my own nephew in months, he´s probably in the Royal Academy by now!” Twilight let go off that confession in one breath. Applejack´s baby looked at her with a curious face, wondering how can she make her face turn red like that.

“Honey, you're worrying too much. You keep trying to be like Celestia was instead of being yourself. You might not be a mother but you're a wonderful aunt for the Apple family,” Applejack said, placing a hoof on her shoulder. The baby agreed, laughing and asking Twilight to hold her.

Just then, one colt and one filly, both with the traditional freckles approached them.

“Auntie Twilight, tell Golden Leaf she is wrong about the oak tree in the south orchard!” the colt said.

“It's not an oak, dummy! it´s an apple tree, there are all apple trees around here!” the filly replied.

“Now Golden Leaf, just because we are in an apple orchard doesn't mean every tree it´s an apple tree. In fact, several areas of Sweet Apple Acres are actually dedicated to orange trees left by your relatives before they moved into the Manehattan area,” Twilight explained.

“Really?!” Golden Leaf asked with big, curious eyes while her brother grinned at her.

“Of course. I can even show you where they are. Applejack, do you mind if I take baby...uhh baby...”

“Apple Slice and yes, she could use a little stroll before her nap.”

Twilight levitated the saddle so she could take the baby with her and rushed to meet with the two excited little ponies.

Applejack smiled, adjusted her hat and relaxed in the rocker, slowly moving into a pleasant dream.

(I haven't thought if Celestia is dead or retired here but yes, Twilight has pretty much taken on her duties.)

Staying in the Kitchen

Rarity was a train wreck. Her mane was a mess, her eyes were blood-red and she couldn't control a nervous tic that made her lower lip quiver.

“Oh my...” Fluttershy said, looking at her.

“Rarity, calm down. Everything is going to be alright, this party will be a success,” Twilight Sparkle said, trying to comb her friend´s mane.

“I can't help it! Every important pony is coming! Hoity Toity, Photo Finish, Fancypants! What if something fails? What if they don't want to come because they think I´m not important enough?! What if they think  I'm such a simple town pony not worth of their time?!” Rarity yelled.

“Rarity, pull yourself together!” Twilight ordered her and start doing some breathing exercises, gesturing rarity to imitate her.

“Twilight is right, you don't need to be so nervous. You already know all these ponies and they will be impressed with your reception,” Fluttershy said, gently patting Rarity´s hoof. “Besides, Princess Celestia already said she was anxious about this party so at least you know of one pony that won´t miss it.”

“Princess Celestia is coming?!” Twilight yelled and her breathing accelerated.

“Umh why don´t you go check on the food?” Fluttershy suggested.

Rarity decided that was a good idea and they both abandoned the nervous Twilight. This turned out to be  bad idea because the kitchen was covered from wall to wall in dough with a smiling Pinkie Pie right in the middle of it.

“Pinkie, what are you doing?” Rarity yelled.

“Making the desserts, silly!”

“But I thought Applejack was in charge of the food,” Fluttershy said.

“Applejack is taking Octi´s place in the band. You know OCti? She is like this super fun bass player from Canterlot, I met her during the Gala na we became like the best of friends so anyways she sent me a letter telling me she was sick and couldn't make it to your party and I was so sad and wanted to throw her a get.-well party but then I remembered I couldn´t do that because tonight it was your party and you now you were missing one band member but then I remembered that Applejack can play the violin so I asked her to take Octi´s place and she said yes and now I can plan Oct´s party for tomorrow.”

“Applejack is playing in the band? Oh my stars, she is going to turn this into a rodeo!” Rarity screamed and rushed for the stage while Fluttershy was still processing Pinkie´s ramblings.

“Hye, where´s Rarity going? I wanted her to hear my rehearsal before the show!” Rainbow Dash asked, coming into the kitchen. with Twilight.

“Your show?” Fluttershy asked her.

“Yeah, since OInkie is taking care of the food, I will provide the entertainment. Pinkie already wrote me some jokes, check this one. You know how Princess Celestia has a sun on her flank so, how do you call when she sits down?  A solar eclipse!”

“...”

Fluttershy dragged the twitching Twilight by her tial before she teleported Rainbow to the moon or something.

*****

Despite that disastrous setting, the party was a total success. Applejack was a perfect fit for the band, sticking to the sheets and giving a solid performance and Princess Celestia laughed so hard at Rainbow´s jokes that she turned red.

While it wasn't exactly the high society event she had planned, Rarity was quite happy with how the party turned. She walked into the kitchen and couldn't help but make a surprised gasp upon finding Pinkie was still there.

“Darling, the party ended hours ago! Don't tell me you stayed here the whole night?” she asked.

“Yup!” Pinkie said, chewing in one of the leftovers for the party.

“Well, this is actually for the best. I can properly thank you for your help.”

“No need to thank me, Rarity. I'm always glad to help you.”

“You do that often, don´t you?” Rarity asked and Pinkie looked at her confused.

“Helping me, I mean,” Rarity said and sat in front of her, “You are so selfless and generous, always thinking of others. Like this band player Tootsie..”

“Octi! Short for OCtavia!” Pinkie giggled.

“Yes. I can't even remember her name and I was the one that hired her. I always do stuff like that always worrying about me and not my guest or my friends. Guess being frivolous is my special talent.”

“What are you talking about? You're the Bearer of Generosity. You threw this huge party for all these ponies. You work hard every day for your dream of becoming a great designer! You are amazing, Rarity!”

Rarity took one of Pinkie´s  hooves.

“But this isn't about me, darling. What about you, Pinkie? What do you want? What are your dreams?”

“I...I don't have any dreams.”

TIME LIMIT -

“Oh please you can't possibly tell me that you're happy just being always in the kitchen eating leftovers!”

“Actually...I do. I don't mind always being in the kitchen in every one of your parties. Not if I know that you will have one thing left to worry,” Pinkie said, putting her other hoof over Rarity´s.

Rarity looked at her pink hooves and then at her bright blue eyes and gentle smile. She couldn't see her own face but could feel it getting red.

“So, are there any cupcakes left?” she asked.

Pinkie giggled and handled her one. They spent the rest of the night on the kitchen, living PInkie´s dream.

Always Working

It doesn't hurt physically.

Applejack can't feel the weight on her back when carrying the apples or the sore in her legs after working all day. Her body had grown accustomed to the heat in the fields and the splinters inside her hooves.  It never hurts when she is moving and doing her chores.

When it hurts is at night, when Applejack can't sleep.

It hurts when looking at Big McIntosh´s empty room, abandoned after he married and made a family of his own.

It hurts when visiting the hill where Granny Smith rests along with the other family members that would never leave the farm.

It even hurts when it shouldn't, when looking at Apple Bloom working in her workshop. She should be proud of her, so talented and dedicated to her work but it still hurts deep inside.

The pain doesn't stop at the orchards, is still there when visiting her friends. When watching Rainbow do a performance, when talking with Twilight at the Palace. When noticing how much they have grown and how far they have gone.

It hurts because Applejack hasn't changed while the others continued with her lives. She is still the same, always working, always supporting her friends and family. Never demanding something for herself, never indulging on any selfish desire. She keeps on giving, on listening, on offering a shoulder to cry on or a proud smile from the crowd.

She is still there in the background, giving it all for them. No matter how much it hurts at night, when she is all alone.

She ignores the pain at her chest and goes to sleep.

She has work to do the next morning.

The Apple Way

“Being honest it the Apple way,” that´s what Applejack always said.

Apple Bloom tried to live by those words but it was almost impossible when she knew that telling the truth will only bring pain.

Sweetie Belle was holding her hooves and jumping in excitement.

“I'm so happy you say yes! I can't think of any other pony to be my best mare!”

Apple Bloom smiled, doing her best to kept the truth from escaping her lips.

“I'm so excited! We need to get started on the wedding! I know Rarity will lose her head when I tell her about it!”

“You haven't told your family about this?” Apple Bloom asked her.

“Well, you remember how my parents were when I told them I was dating Scootaloo back in school. They might not like it but they're actually really traditional. Coping with Rarity´s mood swings, that´s one thing. But the idea that her own daughter is a fillyf-”

“Hey, don't say that word! It´s a nasty word said by nasty ponies! One time I accidentally said it during dinner and Big Mac gave me the spank of my lifetime!”

Sweetie Belle couldn't help but laugh at the mental image of Apple Bloom on her brother's lap being punished. It seems silly to her. Apple Bloom crossed her arms, blushing.

“Apple Bloom...”

“Yes?”

“Thank you so much for being there for me, for us. All these years, despite my family, despite Diamond and Silver making fun of us, you always stood for us. If it wasn't for you never leaving my side, I would have never endured all those months while Scootaloo was stationed in the Griffon KIngdom. You have always been our best friend.”

Apple Bloom bites her lip, the guilt bitter on her tongue. Sweetie keeps smiling, ignorant of the truth.

She doesn´t know about that night, years ago. When she got into a fight with Scootaloo, their worst fight. That she found Scootaloo drunk and hurt, among the wreckage of her motorized scooter after crashing against a tree. She got her back into their old clubhouse and tended her wounds. Scootaloo cried and rambled about Sweetie Belle and cried some more. And Apple Bloom did something really bad. A kiss was supposed to be something innocent, something harmless. But that kiss lead to another and another and finally...

“Hey, Apple Bloom!”

“Oh, what Sweetie?”

“You okay?” Sweetie asked her.

“I´m...fine. Just excited for the wedding.”

Sweetie Belle giggled and went back to her drink.

An Apple is supposed to be honest but Apple Bloom can´t be one right now. If she tells the truth she would only hurt her two best friends. Sweetie had endured too much already and so has Scootaloo. Scootaloo isn't a bad pony, she had to go through a lot of awful things when she joined the army. Sweetie is the best thing that ever happened to her and Apple Bloom can't take that away from her.

Apple Bloom played with her drink a little and then finished it in one gulp.

“Let´s go Sweetie, before the drinks get into your head.”

Sweetie pouted but Apple Bloom nudged her and paid for the drinks.

“Come on, we need to plan a wedding...”

Talentless

“Good work, Moondancer. Excellent work, Sunset Shimmer. Aim it a little lower, Lyra.”

Princess Celestia walked along the students of the Academy for Gifted Unicorns. All the young mares did their best in their studies, concentrating their magic to transform a simple rock into a flower pot. Celestia was proud of all of them and encouraged them with kind words and a warm smile.

However, her smile faded when meeting a particular student.

The petite light-blue unicorn struggled to light her horn. Her face was distorted by the effort of the concentration and her horn bursts like a broken fuse.

“Don't push yourself so hard, dear,” Celestia advised her.

The young mare ignored her and pushed herself harder, sweating and grunting. She finally managed to release her magic but the rock didn't turn into a flowerpot but merely a simple flower.

All the other students laughed but Celestia moved next to the student and patted her shoulder.

“A valiant effort, my dear.”

The unicron sobbed, refusing to look at her.

“What´s your name, dear?” Celestia asked.

“Lulamoon. Trixie Lulamoon.”

“Well trixie, not every unicorn progress at the same level. Some spells are harder to amster. You just keep on trying,” Celestia encouraged her.

Just as she was leaving, trixie pulled at her tail.

“Princess...”

“Yes, dear?”

“I've been in your school for over a year now and I still can't handle a simple spell like this. You think I made the right choice coming here, Princess? You think I can become a great wizard if I work hard enough?”

Celestia felt like being showered with cold water. She could tell by simply looking at her that Trixie had no real talent. She could just know, the same way she could sense the hidden potential in Sunset, she could sense there was nothing in Trixie. She could train her whole life but she will never go further than making small firework or the like.

Celestia looked at Trixie's pleading eyes. Sometimes she cursed all her wisdom, being able to tell how a pony life will unfold. She wasn't omniscient, there were some things she didn't know; but she did knew enough to keep the truth for herself.

“Of course, my dear. Just keep on trying and never give up.”

****

“Expelled? What do you mean the Great and Powerful Trixie is expelled?” Trixie yelled at the school council.

The teacher remained unfazed, letting the mare with the ridiculous hat and cape vent her frustrations.

“We have conclusive proof you cated in your latest test. Plus, we have numerous complaints for your fellow students that you have been bullying and blackmailing them behind your teacher´s back. You are a disgrace for everything this school stands for, Trixie Lulamoon, “ the headmaster explained.

Trixie rage was bursting through her horn. She looked at Celestia, that stood behind the council. The Princess tried to kept a stern face as her position as founder required but underneath her facade she was struggling with guilt.

“You lied to me. You told me that if I keep trying I could become a great wizard but that was a lie. I tried and tried for four years and I was always at the bottom of my class.”

“That´s no excuse for cheating, Mrs. Lulamoon!” the headmistress said.

“SIlence! I'm not talking to you, I´m talking to the Princess! She lied to me! She made me think I had a chance here! Well, why don't you say something now, Celestia?” Trixie said, pointing at her.

Celestia turned her face away and said “Cheating is not accepted in this institution. And bullying and harassing your colleagues goes without saying. Take your stuff and leave.”

“Fine! You will regret this day! I will show you all how Great and Powerful Trixie is!” an with a puff of smoke she disappeared from the room.

The council quickly dissolved, all murmuring words like “what a disappointment” or “I knew she didn't belonged here” but Celestia  remained in the room, even after the lights went out. She stayed there, remembering the hopeful eyes of an innocent mare asking her if she could be anything she wanted to be.

Celestia wondered if telling the truth would have been better. If her kindness was misguided and caused Trixie´s downfall.

She wondered about this and more all through the night.

Rainbow Crash

Don´t you get it, Rainbow “Crash”? I don't think you're cool, I think you're lame. Really lame. I just hang out with you because you make me laugh.

But not like those other loser that laugh at you when you crash. That´s not funny just pathetic. The real joke to me is watching you get up and try again. Now, that's hilarious. ´cause it seems like you really think you can do it better, like you really are a half decent flier.

Yeah, like I would believe that story you pulled a “Sonic Rain-bloom” or whatever is called. Let´s face it, I'm the best flier in this lame camp, it´s those dumb teacher that can´t see it. None of these ponies has half the talent I have, especially you.

So I keep watching you get up, again and again. I love that stupid cocky smile of yours when you say “Just watch me!”. Yeah, watch you fail.

You make me laugh, Rainbow Dash. And you don't even realize I'm laughing at your back.

Partners

Lightning Dust was kicking rain clouds, furious that she couldn't get them to tear apart with just one kick. She growled and tried to grab one, only to have it slip away from her hooves.

“At ease, cadet!”

Lightning Dust turned over and growled again. She had to use all her inner strength to not punch Rainbow in the face. She turned back to the clouds.

“I said cut it out, Lightning.”

“Can´t. My detention period is not over yet,” Lightning said, without looking back.

“It is now. Spitfire says you need to leave that already and followed me to the south track course.”

“Oh really, then why isn't she here telling me that?” Lightning retorted.

Rainbow Dash glared back at her and both mares held a staring contest for a full minute. Rainbow finally give up and turned her head, saying “Fine, if you want to stay the whole day kicking clouds, be my guest. But if you want to ever get your badge back, you better start taking orders, girl!”

Lightning Dust growled a third time and stomped over a cloud.

*****

“Task is very simple. See those storm clouds ahead? We need to gather them all and push them back into the storage area, “Rainbow Dash explained. “We'll circle around them and then pull them with an upward spiral. Keep your wings at a ninety degrees angle and...”

“I know how to do my job,” Lightin replied and rushed towards the clouds.

Rainbow sighed and followed her. As usual, Lighting was going at full speed, without any regards to others or even her own safety. Rainbow kept a steady pace, going the opposite way and keeping the hurricane under control. Finally, they managed to make the clouds go up and they moved it towards two other males ponies that took them to be stored.

“Told you I can do it,” Lightning Dust said.

“Lose the attitude, LD. Spitfire still has you under probation,” Rainbow Dash said.

“And sent you here to keep an eye on me?”

“She sent me to get you back in your hooves. To teach you how to work with partner.”

“Yeah, partner. You well know that I'm better than you,” Lighting said with her arms crossed.

“You are faster than me. Not better. You still have a lot to learn about teamwork.”

“Oh yeah, and I'm going to learn it from you, Mrs I won´t go to training tomorrow because Princess Sparkle wants me to reshuffle her library or whatever?” Rainbow glared at Lightning. “I don't even know why I'm still here.”

“You wanna know why you're still here? Because Spitfire thinks you deserve a second chance! Me? I would have personally kicked you out of the field after what you put my friends in danger so, be grateful than the captain thinks everypony deserves a second shot, otherwise you will be back in Fillydelphia cleaning rainclouds, you got that?”

Lightning Dust turned around, seeking to avoid the discussion. Before Rainbow could say anything else, they both heard screams coming from the storage area.

“Hey, you remembered to trigger the lightings out of the clouds, right?” Rainbow Dash asked her.

“You didn't told me to!” Lighting Dust stuttered.

“Do I even have to? Even a filly knows that!” Rainbow Dash shouted and rushed towards the storage area.

Embarrassed, Lighting Dust followed her soon after.

The maintenance pegasus had problems trying to keep the clouds in keep, since every time one shoot a lighting, it triggered the other clouds. Rainbow rushed in between the clouds, seeking to spread them apart before they keep triggering each other. Lightning Dust took a different approach, pushing one cloud against the others.

“What a re you doing?” Rainbow shouted.

“Making one big shot. Better than what you're doing!” Lighting shouted back.

“You dumb reckless mare!” Rainbow yelled and followed after her.

Despite her recklessly, Lighting´s plan seemed to be working. She kicked the giant cloud and released all the lightnings at once. One of them hit one of her wings and she fell down. Above her, the cloud expulsed the excess of water as rain.

Rainbow Dash catched her before she hit the ground and they landed on the track field.

“You idiot!! What were you trying to do?” Rainbow yelled at her.

“Showing-off, like always,” Lighting Dust tried to joke. “Guess Spitfire made a mistake keeping me around.”

“Enough about that! You wanna know something? I lied! Spitfire didn't want to keep you around, she wanted to expell you. I'm the one who rooted for you. I begged her to keep you under probation!”

Lighting looked at Rainbow, incredulous to those words. “Why? Why did you do that?”

“Because I don't want to loose the best partner I ever had!”

Water kept falling over them, making their usual lively manes look sad.

“You're reckless, loud and never listen to orders. You know who else is like that? Me. You are just like me or like I used to be. But I learned to be better, to work with others. And I know you can do that too. But you hot to stop doing dangerous stuff like this! We work great as a team and I don't want to lose you. I already lost a great partner once because we couldn't get along and I don't want that to happen again.”

The cloud over them was still raining.

“Guess I made that cloud way too big,” Lighting Dust joked.

Rainbow let go a soft chuckle.

“Next time, just tell me to discharge the clouds before.”

Rainbow didn't answer her. Both mare stood under the cloud, waiting for the rain to stop.

Rainbow Dash´s Idols

“That show was awesome!” Rainbow Dash laughed, jumping and doing a loop.

“It could've been better, if someone hadn't crashed against that building mid-performance,” Spitfire said, glaring at Soarin.

“Hey, you said duck and I thought there were some ducks in the air,” Soarin said.

Spitfire face hoofed and Rainbow laughed out loud. This was the best day of her life, not only had the two best Wonderbolts done a performance in Ponyville, but they even invited her to fly with them. And now she was hanging with them after the show, Rainbow couldn't control her glee. She was so happy that it took her a while to realize where they were heading.

“Um Spitfire, why are we going to the spa?” she asked, pointing at the building.

“Well, I've heard a lot about this place and I thought we needed a little cleaning up after our performance,” she explained and walked in, along with Soarin. Spitfire noticed Rainbow wasn't following them and asked “Something´s wrong, Rainbow Dash?”

“No, it's...cool. Everything is cool,” Rainbow lied.

*****

Rainbow cringed everything the spa pony´s hooves hit her back. She hated this, she hated her wings being restrained by the towel and not being able to move while some pony basically punched her for fifteen minutes. Rainbow Dash hated going to the spa and while she had occasional come with her friends, she usually just stayed in the hottub while they chatted. She enjoyed being with her friends but hated being treated like a piece of meat by other ponies.

Now, she was all alone at the mercy of the spa ponies. Well, she wasn't alone. She was with her diol Spitfire, who rested in the next table getting an even louder massage.

“You like this kind of stuff, Spitfire” Rainbow asked her.

“Oh yes, this is exactly what my wings needed after a full week of cadets try-outs,” Spitfire saying, her head buried in the pillow.

“Speaking of that, I sent my application letter a week ago. You think I´ll get an answer soon?”

“I´m not in charge of that, Rainbow,” Spitfire replied, melting under the spa pony hooves.

“Okay.” Rainbow went quiet, trying to think of something to say. There she was with Spitfire, the pony she admired the most and they were barely talking. “You know, Spitfire, you have always been my idol.”

“Mmh?”

“I mean, I've been following you since you were a cadet. I saw you in one of your first shows and I thought, that mare is so awesome! Wish one day I can be like her! Kind of silly, right? I never thought I'll really get a chance to talk to you, let alone fly by your side! So, this change you gave me today I just want to say...”

Rainbow looked at Spitfire, who was loudly snoring and drooling over her pillow, the massagist still working on her.

Rainbow grabbed her own pillow and screamed right into it.

*****

“That was a disaster,” Rainbow said out loud, walking across the hallway.

“Mrs. Rainbow Dash, would you like to try our mud baths? They are great for the coat and do wonders for the wings of a pegasus,” Aloe, one of the spa owners, asked her,

Rainbow cringed at the idea of getting into a mud pile but then Aloe mentioned that “Your friend Soarin is already there. Wanna join him?”

“Join...him?” Rainbow asked out loud, blushing.

Aloe noticed it and giggled. Still blushing, Rainbow walked to the mud baths room, stopping at the door. She took a deep breath and once again, pondered out loud.

“Okay Rainbow, this is your chance. Your one chance to talk to the most talented and cool and dedicated and mature and handsome member of the team; which you totally don't have a crush for, no matter what Rarity says. Just walk in and talk to him.”

She looked at her right and saw Aloe and her twin sister waving from behind a pot, encouraging her. With a deep blush, Rainbow walked into the room which was, strangely enough, empty.

“Soarin? You here?”

In response, something raised from, the mud bath. A roaring creature that extended its arm at Rainbow.

“I´m the mud monster!!”

Rainbow just blinked confused at the obviously covered in mud Soarin. She finally face hoofed and said

“He's as cool and mature as Pinkie Pie.”

****

“Mrs. Dash, the steam is supposed to come from the water, not your ears,” Aloe joked, giving a light massage to Rainbow while her sister preened her wings.

The three were in the steam room,  where the twins have dragged Rainbow after Soarin had covered her in mud.

“I just can't believe it! All my life, ever since I was filly, I had admired Soarin and Spitfire. They were the coolest ponies in the world! ANd now that I finally get a chance to talk to them, really talk to them, I discovered they're kind of...well, dumb. They're not so special off the stage,” Rainbow explained, venting her frustrations.

“Maybe your mistake is that you´re looking for the ponies you want to meet, instead of the ponies that are with you,” Lotus said.

Rainbow chuckled, thinking that was the kind of cryptic advice she'll probably heard from Twilight. But after pondering she had to admit that maybe she was right, she was expecting too much of them instead of appreciating them for who they are.

Happy with this realization, she relaxed on her seat, letting the twins tend to her tired muscles and wings.

*****

Spitfire yawned and walked into the hallway. Suddenly, a mud creature approached her.

“Roar!!”

“Hey Soarin,” she said, rubbing her eyes.

“Ah, no fun! You never fall for my tricks,” he replied, pouting.

“Just try not to get us expelled from this spa, Soarin. Remember we still have two more years in our ban from the Canterlot one,” she said.

Spitfire asked one of the employers where Rainbow Dash and she pointed at the mane grooming room. They walked in and froze in horror at what they saw.

“Rainbow Dash?” Spitfire asked.

“Oh, hi guys!”

“What happened to your face?” Spitfire asked.

“And your mane!” Soaring added.

“Oh, this? Just a little makeup and a small job in my mane. I wasn't so sure but the twins talked me into. I have to admit, it does feels kind of nice. My mane feels all soft and I love what they did to my eyelashes,” Rainbow explained, looking at her reflection.

Soarin rushed to hide behind Spitfire. “Who is she and what has she done to Rainbow Dash?”

“Maybe is one of those changelings we heard about,” Spitfire said.

“Hey, cut it out!” Rainbow shouted.

“Should we call the Princess?” Sarin asked.

“I think we should call the entire Royal Army,” Spitfire said.

“I said, cut it out!” Rainbo shouted and jumped over them, ruining her entire make-up.

Aloe and Lotus giggled at the scene, Spitfire keeping Rainbow at bay while Soarin kept making faces. Rainbow Dash may have wasted the work they did in her face but at least, she was finally enjoying her time in the spa.

Show-off

Rainbow Dash was relaxing in a cloud when she got disturbed by the buzzing sound of Pinkie repeating “Dashie” over a dozen times.

“What do you want, Pinkie?” she yelled.

“You have to help me. Something is wrong with Twilight!” Pinkie said.

“What do you mean with wrong?”

“No time to explain! Follow me! Pronto!”

Rainbow didn't really understood what she meant but if Twilight was in danger, Rainbow couldn't ignore her. She followed Pinkie to the plaza where Twilight Sparkle was simply walking.

“See, Dashie?” Pinkie asked.

“See what? She is just walking,” Rainbow said and just in queue, Twilight tripped with her own hooves and fell flatface. Pinkie glared at Rainbow but she just shrugged “Maybe she is still having trouble adjusting to her wings.”

“It´s not that. Something is different with her. My Pinkie Sense warns me. See? The inside of my left hind hoof is itching,” she replied, sticking the hoof into Rainbow´s face.

“Alright, I get it. What do we do now?” Rainbow asked, pushing the hoof away her face.

“We follow her! Spy Mode!”

They followed Twilight all the way to the market and hide behind some boxes to spy on her.

“Pinkie, why are you wearing a turtle disguise?” Rainbow asked.

“Duh, so I won't look suspicious standing next to you!”

Rainbow face-hoofed while a few mares laughed at the giant turtle with a pink pony head. Meanwhile, Twilight moved to Applejack´s stand in the market.

“Howdy Twilight, wanna take a few apples?”

“Don´t  mind if I do!” she said and devoured the entire stand in one gulp, adding a very loud burp to the end.

Rainbow had to admit that was very weird.

Twilight then ran into Rarity.

“Good morning, Twilight,” Rarity said.

“Hi Rarity, looking as gorgeous as usual!” Twilight said.

“Oh please!”

“No really, you are the most gorgeous mare in the whole town. You look just fabulous.”

“Oh Twilight, if I didn't know any better I´ll said you're flirting with me...”

“Heh, no...then again, maybe I am. After all, you did mentioned wanting to meet a Prince. How about a Princess?” Twilight said, leaning over Rarity, who turned red and ran away, with a sort of goofy smile on her face.

“Okay, that was weird,” Rainbow admitted.

“Hey Snips, Snails! Check out this awesome magic trick I can do!” Twilight said to the two passing unicorns. She then lifted her hor and levitated some buckets over her head.

“Uh cool trick...Princess,” Snisp said.

“Yeah, I´m a Princess! Everypony, look at me!” Twilight announced and jumped straight. She used her wings to keep on place and magically levitated even more stuff around her, adding some lights effects too. Soon a crowd of ponies was cheering for her.

“Alright, that's it! She can´t  show off in town! That's my job!” Rainbow Dash declared.

“It's worse than that, Rainbow. If the town keeps encouraging him, the spell will be harder to dispel,” a voice said behind them. They turned over to find a very grumpy Spike.

Pinkie leaned over and stared him for a few seconds before smiling and declaring, “Hi, Twilight!”

“uh?” Rainbow asked.

“You noticed, uh?” Spike said.

“Notice what? What´s going on?” Rainbow asked, frustrated.

“Let me guess, your Pinkie Sense warn you about it,” Spike said.

“Yup!”

“Warn you about what?!” Rainbow yelled.

“I already told you Dashie that my hoof was itching. I forgot to tell you that it was itching in a counterclockwise direction which means that one of my best friends meeses with a spell and exchanged minds with another,” Pinkie explained like it was the most obvious thing.

Rainbow just stared at her and then to “Spike” who just shrugged. Rainbow gave up and threw her arms in the air.

“I better go get Spike before this fame gets into his head. Oh, one more thing, I ran into Rarity on my way here. Did Spike did something to her?”

Rainbow and Pinkie looked each other and Pinkie hide inside the shell while rainbow shrugged. Behind them, Spike was giving Ponyville and spectacle that even Trixie will envy.

Different Horseshoes

“Come one, come all and see the wonderful magic of the Great and Powerful Twilight Sparkle!”

The ponies in Ponyville looked confused as Twilight as she failed to create fireworks. They wondered why the Princess was dressed as that obnoxious magician that visited town a few times but, then again she was a Princess and she could do whatever she fell like.

“Now, watch as my lovely assistant gets into the box!”

“Twilight, I don't want to do this...”

“You'll be fine, Spike. Just trust me.”

Applejack and Rainbow approached the stage, as confused as the rest of town although they were also concerned for her.

“Twilight, what in tarnation are yah doing?”

“Yes, showing off is my show!” Rainbow noticed that Applejack was staring her. “What?”

“What do you mean, girls? I´m the Great and Powerful Twilight and I cut this box in half!”

“Wait, what?” Spike shouted as the saw floated above him.

****

Meanwhile, Rarity and Fluttershy knocked the library door. When they got no answer, they went inside and found a pile of books in the middle of the room.

“Twilight?” Rarity asked but the head that peeked wasn't´her. “Trixie? What in Celestia´s name are you doing in here?”

“Well, obviously since I work here that must mean I´m the librarian. Now, what can I do for you?”

“Umh we were looking for a book on sewing,” Fluttershy answered, too polite to address that Rarity was mad at Trixie´s sarcasm,

“Just a moment.” And Trixie levitated a book from under the pile. “There you are.”

“Umh this book is about swimming,” Fluttershy said,

Trixie grunted and levitated another book and then another and another, but not one of them was the right one.

“AHHH! I can't understand this system! Why aren't the books in alñpahetical order?” Trixie shouted.

Just then a member of the Royal Guard walked in. “I´m looking for the Princess.”

“Umh she's not here,” Trixie replied.

“You live here?”

Trixie nodded.

“And the Princess lives here?”

Trixie nodded again.

“Then you are the Princess. Now, let´s go there´s an emergency on Saddle Arabia,” the unicorn replied and magically dragged Trixie outside.

“Wait? No! Saddle Arabia! Trixie doesn't like sand!! It gets all over my mane!!”

****

Later that night, the mane six were waiting at the library for either Twilight or Trixie to return. They both did it at the same time. Twilight and Spike were covered in tomatoes while Trixie had sand all over her mane and coat.

Bot mares looked each other and then jumped into a hug, both shouting “I'm sorry!!”

“I didn't knew audience could be so judgmental! I´m going to need a full week to clean my mane,” Twilight said.

“And a Princess´ job is tougher than I thought. There´s paperwork and diplomacy and fighting giant sandworms! It's awful!” Trixie admitted.

“I guess we both learned that walking in the other horseshoes is a lot more difficult that it seems,” Twilight said and Trixie nodded, wiping her tears.

“In the plus side,” Twilight continued a dn took Trixie´s hooves. “We now know a lot more about the other and that would make our life together even better.”

“Oh Twilight Sparkle, you´re wonderful!”

“You too, Trixie Lulamoon!”

The rest of the group couldn't tolerate their sappy kissing and went back to their houses, Spike declaring that he needed to take a bath.

“Ah knew these two dating will only bring us headaches,” Applejack declared and the rest agreed.

Regulations

The editor looked at the sample pages, tapping her chin. She looked up at the young colt sitting in front of her who smiled at her. She went back to the pages, give it a final look and sighed.

“These are really good. You certainly have a way with story-telling. The action is well paced, dialogue could use some work and I will reduce the sound effects. But, it´s a pretty solid work.”

The pegasus was as radiant as his rainbow themed mane.

“Now, the thing here...”

“White Canvas, ma'am,” he finished the sentence for her.

“Kind of a ironic name,” she pointed and he simply shrugged. “As I was saying, the main issue here is that I don't think this will ever catch on.  Superhero stories are very old fashioned. Especially one like these. Mare-do-well, that´s the best name you could come up with?”

“Well, it wasn't me who named her...” White Canvas murmured but the editor missed it.

“Maybe if you went with a more grim approach. This story is too squeaky -clean. You should try making things more realistic. After all, nopony is going to believe there´s an alicorn walking around town like that.”

“But she uses magic to hide her wings.”

“That´s even more unrealistic. Sorry kid, do you have anything else to show me?”

White Canvas sighed and showed her a few other drawings but he barely heard what she said about those.

****

Ponyville Old Retirement House lived up to its name. It was an old and rusty building. The medical care was top-notched but there was no doubt the old tree-house had seen better days. White Canvas often wondered why they build a house inside a tree but previous generations were odd like that.

He had to dodge when walking inside because a slipper flew over his head.

“I didn't steal no slipper! Go bother another somepony else, young lady!”

The nurse passed by next to Canvas, murmuring some curses.

“And don't talk to me like that, Sweetheart! I knew your grandmother and she never behaved like that! Arrogant child. Hey, look who's here!”

“Good morning, Granny Scoots.”

Despite her age, Scootaloo had enough strength to give her favourite great-grandchild a strong hug. Too strong as far as Canvas was concerned.

“Now, how´s my favourite author? Did you get that job at the big city?”

Canvas shook his head. “No. They said that it was too unrealistic. Apparently, kids these days aren't interested in superhoes.”

“Kids these days. Don't get me started on them. They wouldn´t recognize a changeling even if it bite them in the flank!”

Scootaloo noticed how White Canvas sighed.

“What´s wrong, squirt?”

“Nothing, Granny. It´s just...remember all those stories you told me when I was a baby? About Princess Sparkle and how she could do all these cool magic spells?”

“Yes, sir. Twilight was the best there was. Last and best princess of Equestria.”

“Wish I could share those stories with kids but I guess they would just laugh at them. I mean, how could believe an unicorn could swap Cutie Marks? That´s...ridiculous.”

Scootaloo gave Canvas a light smack on the head and told him to come with her back to her bedroom. She then searched in an old trunk while complaining out loud:

“Damn kids! It took just a few generations for them to forget who they are. Damn Magic Regulation System. Pegasi flying in strict lines. Rainbow Dash would have died of a heart attack had she lived enough to see that...”

White Canvas sighed once more, letting her elder sibling ramble. He had heard a lot of “how things were different before” and “how ponies are tied by these dumb rules” but he couldn't really understand her. This was the world he had been born, a world of regulations and schedules. Where pegasi fly in a straight line from city to city and unicorns magic was regulated by special bands. It was a dull world but it was also a peaceful world. Canvas felt like the only fool who dreamed of a world of superheroes and adventures.

“Here it is!” And Scootaloo pulled a suit from under the trunk.

White Canvas only needed one look to recognize it.

“That´s...wait, is that a costume, right? Just a Nightmare Night costume, right Granny?”

“Of course not! It´s the original Mare-do-Well costume! Well, one of the four original ones. Sweetie Belle managed to steal this one from her sister. Clever girl.”

“That means...she was real. Mare-do-Well was real? How is that even possible?”

Scootaloo sighed and rubbed hr forehead. “Kids these days. Let me tell you a story...”

*****

The editor looked at the pages, tapping her chin.

“Better, a lot better. I like the twist you added, of having three different types of ponies, all playing the role of Mare-do-Well. I especially like the personality you gave to the pegasu one. She is bold. Any inspiration?”

“Heh, well she kinda resembles my great-grandmother.”

The editor smiled and put down the papers.

“So, when can I expect the first issue?”

Listen Well...

Dearest Luna, I have hurt you a lot, haven't I? So many rules, so many restrictions, it´s no wonder your anger darkened your heart. But I assure you that all I did was for a reason. All the rules I imposed on you were necessary. Sadly, I learned their importance too late.

When I first met her, I didn't think much of her. She was simply the youngest child of a family in need, nothing else. I gave them the lands next to our birthplace so they can turn it into a fertile land. I watched grown from a simple family of settlers into a diverse town, where all types of ponies were accepted. It saddens me to see how other towns make one type of pony stand over the others, and I was afraid Ponyville will do the same regarding earth ponies. But that wasn't the case at all and it was all thanks to the Apple family.

The generous, kind and honest Apple family, who welcomed every single pony, regardless of race, into their homeland. Their hospitality and the quality of their food was well know even in the halls of my palace, so I decide to pay them a visit. And then I met her again...

Sweet, funny and beautiful Annie Smith, the youngest of the Apple clan. Or so she sued to be, because when I reunited with her, the family had added a few more members. There were so many of them, all laughing and singing out loud. It was so different to my cold and empty chambers. I felt...happiness when around them. And especially, when around her. Annie made me laugh with no effort, treating me like any other pony, disregarding all protocols. She looked me at the eyes and listened to my words. Not my speeches but my words. That afternoon I spent with her is one of my happiest memories and when I retired to my bedroom that night, it was the first night since you were gone that I didn't cried.

I kept visiting Annie and her family, each visit the family growing along with my feelings for Annie. On several occasions I tried to tell her how I truly felt, to confess my affection for her. There were numerous opportunities to do so, the one I remember the most an unexpected change of schedule that led to a downpour, forcing us to hide in the barn. Us standing together next to a lamp, our wet manes dripping and our clothes and accessories drying in a corner, was the moment I felt more fear than since you changed before my eyes. I was sitting next to her like a common pony, robbed of my crown and boots and looking at her, I  felt an urge that was totally inappropriate for a Princess. I didn't act following those impulses that night, nor any other occasion. The vote of chastity that we took as Princess kept my lips sealed.

It´s so easy to forget we don't age, Luna. And the realization hurts so much. The painful, burning sensation in my chest when I descended from the carriage, anxious to meet Annie again and found her holding a foal, standing next to her husband. Years had passed since my last visit and I didn't even realized.

Time passed by for her while I just stood there, like an old tree that silently watched from the orchard. I watched her family grow and move to new lands, planting new seeds across Equestria. I gave a speech at the funeral, keeping a stern face while she suffered the worst possible pain a mother can experience. I couldn't share her tears, a Princess must never cry in public. Remember that, Luna.

She changed with time. Slowly but too me, it happened too soon. She is now fragile and old and soon would follow her husband to a place I'll never able to follow her. She is happy, at least. i know that much Her family keeps growing and she keeps laughing with the same cheerful tone. Her face has aged but to me, she is still as beautiful as the first day I laid eyes on her. And I wish I could tell her those words, those simple words. But I cannot.

A Princess cannot fell in love.

You see, Luna? This is why that rule exist. Love is certainly a wonderful feeling but for us Princesses, it´s nothing but pain.

Hearts and Stars (Note: Spoilers for Equestria Girls)

Every time the little bell on the door chimed, Pinkie Pie bounced with joy.

“Welcome to Sugarcube Co-AAAAHHH!! Sunset Shimmer!!!”

“Wait,” Sunset said but Pinkie had already built and armor with a flour sack and a bowl.

“Stand back, you villain!” Pinkie said, holding a wooden spoon.

“I´m not here to hurt you. I've changed. Promise.”

Pinkie wasn't convinced so she poked her with the spoon a little.

“Please, stop that.”

“Why are you here? Are you kidnapping Twilight´s friends one by one?” Pinkie asked.

“No! Listen, my exile in the other world is over. I came back to make amends. I promise.”

Pinkie glared at her for a while and then beamed a bright smile.

“Okay! I believe you!”

“You...do?”

“Yup, curly here says you're being honest!”

“Curly?”

“It´s how I call the big curl on my mane. It´s my personal lies detector! One of my many Pinkie Senses!” Pinkie said, playing with her mane.

“Okay, if you say so.”

“So, what can I do for you, Sunny Shimmy?”

“I need some help making a present. Twilight Sparkle mentioned you were the best baker she knew,” Sunset explained, looking a little angry at her new nickname.

“Well, i don't like to brag...but, sure! I´ll help you! But if we're gonna make a chocolate for the Princess, I'm going to need a bigger kitchen!”

“uh thank you. How did you know it was for the Princess?” Sunset asked and PInkie played with her mane some more. “Oh, right.”

*****

Sweet Apple Acres provided the big enough kitchen for Pinkie´s needs. She had the Apple family plus her friends and the Crusaders helping Sunset make some chocolate. Of course, half of the time was spent on keeping the Crusaders or Pinkie for starting a fire but work was being done. Sunset wasn't the best cook but she learned fast and was willing to make this with her own hooves, not even using magic.

“Ah don´t know about that Sunset. Are yah sure we can trust her?” Applejack asked.

“Curly says she is okay!” Pinkie declared, much to the confusion of Applejack.

“You´re the one who dealt with her before, Twi. Are you sure this is a good dkea?” Rainbow Dash asked her.

“I believe that everypony deserves a second chance.”

“And now, we have to give them shape,” Rarity declared.

Sunset picked a heart shaped mold, blushing a little while holding it. She noticed Fluttershy looking at her and dropped it.

“What about this one?” Twilight said, levitating a star shaped one. “She really likes stargazing,” she said, blushing a little herself.

“I...remember,” Sunset said and took the mold.

While her friends weren´t so convinced, Pinkie was smiling at the scene.

******

Sunset Shimmer wa standing perfectly straight. Even the guards were a little envious of her posture. She watched with a straight face as Celestia tasted the chocolate treats.

When she reached the one made by Sunset, the Princess gave up and walked outside the room, levitating the chocolate star.

“Sister?” Princess Luna asked from her seat.

“I´m taking these on the balcony,” Celestia declared. She let the balcony door open, waiting for an answer and when she didn´t got one, she added, “Sunset Shimmer may accompany me.”

Twilight poked Sunset with her wing, encouraging her to go forward. Princess Luan silently watched her as she walked outside.

Celestia was sitting in a cushion, tasting the chocolate. She didn't even gestured for Sunset to sit down so teh unicorn stood straight next to her. For a long couple of minutes, neither say a word.

“Tell me something, Sunset...” Celestia suddenly said.

“Ye-yes, your Majesty?”

“Why did you make me these presents?”

“Well, I...” Sunset began but then she looked at Celestia. The Princess had a stern, almost angry look. Sunset shivered and looked away. “I was just trying to apologize.”

Celestia didn't seemed to believe that and kept waiting for Sunset to continue.

“I remembered how much you like sweets so I thought...”

“You thought you could bribe me into forgive you with sweets.”

Sunset bit her lip, ashamed of herself.

“Dumb student. You haven´t learned anything after all this time...”

Sunset bite her lip harder, almost making it bleed. She turned around, trying to leave when a white wing stopped her and brought her closer to the Princess.

“I already forgive you.”

Sunset no longer hold her tears and returned the Princess embrace.

Inside the diner room, Princess Luna had finished with the rest of the chocolate treats when a heart shaped one floated in front of ther. She looked behind it and found a blushing Twilight Sparkle holding with her magic. Luna giggled and took a bite at the chocolate.

Concert

“Manehattan? Ah wanna go! Ah wanna go!” Apple Bloom yelled, jumping up and down in excitement.

Rarity giggled at the sight and levitated the tickets she was holding with her magic next to Applejack.

“Well, she seems enthusiastic enough. I'll take I´ll see you both at the train station at seven?” she asked Applejack.

“No.”

“No? What do yah meant no? Ah wanna go!” Apple Bloom yelled some more.

“I must insist as well, Applejack. Whatever reason you´re saying no to all expenses covered trip to Manehattan?” Rarity asked, her generous nature offended by having her friend reject her gift so bluntly.

“Ah said no because ah still plenty of work to do here and besides, ah´m already done with that city,” Applejack said.

“But Applejack, it´s Manehattan! Ah finally get a chance to see Babs again! And ah never seen the city before! Ah wanna go sightseeing, ah wanna visit aunt and uncle Orange house, ah wanna go!”

Keeping the same stern glaze, Applejack approached Apple Bloom. “You do understand we´re going to a concert, right?”

“Of course ah do!”

“Not a concert like the ones we had ´ere at the farm or the ones Pinkie pulls with her Canterlot friends. Ah mean a fancy concert in a hall filled with ponies in top hats and monocles. Where yah have you stand really, really still and quiet for over two hours?”

Apple Bloom gulped, suddenly realizing what her sister meant. She looked at Rarity that had an eyebrow raised, awaiting her response. Apple Bloom usually dismissed Sweetiés complaints about her sister but, looking at her like that, she thought Rarity seemed a stricter teacher than Cheerilee.

“Ah...ah promised to be really, really quiet.”

Applejack sighed and looked at Rarity, who was now smiling and still holding the tickets in the air.

“Ah´m going to regret this,”

*****

It was hard to tell who was more entranced by the city´s light, if Apple Bloom or Rarity, with both jumping up and down and giggling in such a silly way. Even Bas Seed thought her cousin looked a little silly being so excited. Meanwhile, Applejack was already regretting the whole thing, being forced into a very uncomfortable dress and dragged into a city she didn´t wanted to set hoof again.

“Oh, isn´t this wonderful, Applejack? Manehattan is such a wonderful city and look at the Concert Hall! Oh, I can´t believe you actually abandoned this place to return to that old, dirty farm. Oh, offenses, darling,” Rarity said.

Applejack omitted the “none taken” and simply kept walking.

“Oh Applejack, do cheer up! Look at your little sister, she´s enjoying the sights. And besides, it´s not like you actually had anything to do on Hearts and Hooves Day. You have to admit that me showing up with those tickets was a blessing,” Rarity said.

“Yah do realize by that logic, you too had nutin´ to do on this day?” Applejack teased her but Rarity rejected her with a “pfft” sound.

“Please, in the most romantic city of Equestria, in the most romantic night of the year, I´m sure to find a suitable date for the evening. I can even get something for you...”

“No, thanks.”

Rarity stopped Applejack then and held her straight, looking genuinely concerned. “Applejack, now that I come to think about it, you hardly talk about your love life. Even Fluttershy is more open about her dates. Granted, they usually end with Rainbow punching the poor stallion into a pulp for accidentally startling her. But, you...”

Applejack removed her rambling friend´s hoof from her shoulders and dismissed her worries. “Ah´m fine, Rarity. Ah just...don't like to talk about those things. That's all.”

Rarity was about to ask something more when Apple Bloom yelled at them.

“Applejack! Rarity! Come ´ere! Auntie Orange says she can get us behind stage!”

“Oh, access to backstage before the biggest concert of the year? Oh, it´s good to have a friend whose family has connections! Rarity declared, immediately forgetting about the previous issue,

Once backstage, Apple Bloom quickly became depressed once she realized that the musician were just a bunch of boring earth ponies who quietly cleaned their instruments. Applejack patted her head and looked at Rarity, who had quite the opposite reaction, pestering every single player, especially the males one. Applejack laughed, noticing how, when excited, she acted more like Pinkie Pie than her usual stiff self.

“Applejack, look who´s here! your old friend, Octavia!” Uncle Orange announced, bringing with him a grey mare with deep purple eyes.

Hearing the name, Rarity trotted next to them, taking down a few players in the way. “You know her?!”

“Of course she does! During the months she lived with us, Applejack and Octavia were inseparable. Almost like sister,” Uncle Orange causally explained.

It seemed like a simple reunion between two old friends, but Rarity´s attention to details noticed something else. She noticed how Octavia searched for Applejack´s look and she in turn shifted her eyes away.

“You two were friends then?” Babs Seed asked Octavia.

“Close friends,” she quietly replied, and Rarity once more noticed how Applejack looked away.

All her happiness banished in an instant once she understand the situation. The musicians got a call to get ready and the Oranges said it was time to return to their seats.

“It was nice meeting you again, Applejack,” octavia said but Applejack didn't replied.

Once in their seats, while the Organes tried to keep both fillies to seat still, Rarity looked at Applejack. Her friend seemed distant, distracted, like she had return to someplace deep inside her memories.

“I´m sorry, Applejack, “ Rarity said.

“Uh? What for?”

“For bringing you here. Now I understand why you never talk about your love life or about your time here in the city. It´s because of her, right?” Rarity looked at Applejack, whose face refused to show an expression. “If I can ask what happened between you two...no, no. Forget that, it´s none of my business.”

“Rarity...” Applejack said, placing a hoof on her shoulder. “It´s okay. Ah´m good. Honest.”

Rarity wasn't so sure about it but say nothing and let Applejack kept smiling.

“Ah´m not mad at you. And don´t get the wrong impression either. Ah don´t hate this city, ah have...wonderful memories of it.”

“But you also have some sad ones as well?” Rarity asked.

The lights went out and the band took their places. Applejack looked at octavia taking her place.

“Well, guess that´s love for you...”

And then, the band started playing...

Responsibility

“Dragons are extremely dangerous creatures. Do not approach them for any reason. Do not provoke them in any way. If you see a dragon, turn around and seek cover,” Twilight read out loud.

She put down the book and looked at the tiny baby dragon in front of her, who was chewing at his own tail.

“He doesn´t look that dangerous. This book isn´t helping. It´s only telling me that dragons are dangerous. It doesn't explain anything about them.”

She looked at the book a couple of times more , trying to match the terrifying picture in the page with the drooling creature that rocked back and forth on the ground. Twilight had never seen a live dragon before, only heard stories about them. Shining Armor once told her a story about a dragon that tried to eat a princess and she had nightmares for a week. But she wasn't scared at all of the baby dragon, she found him quite adorable.

Twilight wanted to know more about him. The teachers refused to give her explanations and even Princess Celestia dismissed her questions, saying it was simply a special test. That didn't satisfy Twilight´s curiosity so she insisted to the Princess that she be allowed to stay with the dragon a few more minutes, before he was taken away. The Princess agreed to give her half an hour while she attended some business, reminding Twilight to take good care of the baby since he was her responsibility now. Twilight took the chance to ask her father to get her some books about dragons from the library before they left her alone with the baby, but they weren´t helping.

Twilight looked at the baby, who was still chewing on his tail, not doing much else. She had to admit that, while she did find him cute, the novelty was starting to wear off. That the Princess called him her “responsibility” made her feel important, like she had a special duty. But that duty was starting to become rather boring.

“Don´t you get tired of doing that all day?” she asked the baby, who obviously didn't answer back.

Twilight inspected the room and found a ball on the floor. It was next to a few other objects, probably used by a previous student for another test. She levitated the ball, which took her a lot of effort, and moved it next to her.

“See? A ball. You see?” she asked the baby, moving the bright red object in front of him.

This got the baby attention, and he stopped chewing at his tail. Twilight pushed the ball to him and made some gestures to tell him to push it back. The baby dragon just looked at it, confused. Twilight sighed, thinking that maybe he was too young to even understand her. He had hatched just a few hours ago after all. The book said something about dragons living a lot longer than ponies but nothing about their lives after they left the egg.

Just as she was thinking that, the ball rolled next to her. She looked and found the baby standing on his four legs, just like she was. Smiling and feeling proud of him, she patted his head.

“Auh! We have to do something about that spike,” she said, looking at her sore hoof.

Hearing this, the baby dragon made a noise which sounded like laughter. Twilight wasn´t exactly happy that he laughed at her pain, but he looked so cute, she decided not to say anything.

At that moment, Princess Celestia and her parents returned.

“Is everything alright, Twilight?” the Princess asked.

“Yes. We were having fun,” she replied.

“It seems you did a splendid job taking care of him,” the Princess congratulated her.

Twilight´s mother patted her head, congratulating her on her own way.

“Well then, little one. It´s time for you to go to bed,” the Princess, levitating the baby dragon.

She was careful and gentle but Twilight couldn't help looking worried. She felt like the Princess was doing something for her. Wasn't the baby her responsibility, after all? Shouldn't she take care of him? The baby seemed to agree, looking at her with sad eyes.

“Does he really need to go?” Twilight asked the Princess.

“Don't worry, Twilight. The Princess will take good care of him,” her father answered for the Princess.

“But I thought I was supposed to take care of him.”

“You´re still too young to be taking care of a dragon on your own. He may be a baby, but he´s still a dragon and needs special care,” the Princess explained in a soft tone.

Twilight lowered her head, not wanting to argue with the Princess but also, not wanting to show the sadness on her eyes.

“So keep that in mind every time you come visit him at the Palace,” the princess added.

Twilight cheered up in a second and the baby responded, smiling along with her. The Princess nodded at the Sparkle family and walked towards the door.

“Good bye, Spike!” Twilight said, waving at the baby.

“Spike?” her mother asked and Twilight blushed, not sure how to explain herself.

The Princess smiled and said, “Good name.”

Twilight waved once more at Spike who waved back at her.

Bad Decisions

“Twilight, we look ridiculous...”

“No, we don't, Spike. My research shows that this blend of pop music and acoustic instruments is what´s popular with fillies and colts this days.”

“That´s why you´re wearing your old Celestia´s School for Gifted Unicorns uniform?” Spike asked, pointing at Twilight whose uniform didn't quite fit her like before.

“It´s part of the appeal of the style, so the magazine says...” Twilight replied, blushing.

“And me in a dog suit is part of the appeal too?”

“Well, every band needs a mascot,” Twilight responded, trying to hold a laugh  at the sight of Spike in a ridiculous mascot suit.

“What are you two wearing?”

“Us? What about you, Rainbow?” Twilight asked, pointing at her friend whose mane was now twice the length and had enormous shoulder pads.

“It´s called glam and FYI, it´s totally awesome.”

“Clam? But ah don't like seafood!” Applejack replied, walking down the road to join the group.

Twilight and Spike did their best to suppress a laugh but Rainbow was just rolling in the floor.

“What´s so funny?” Applejack asked, her hat being replaced by a giant afro and she was wearing a cowboy dress with long freckles.

“Applejack, your costume is...interesting,” Twilight mentioned and SPike finally cracked. “But I don´t think that´s the style we decided to go with.”

“Didn't Fluttershy said we're gonna look funk? Ah ask Granny Smith what that word meant and she made me this!”

“Umh i didn´t said funk. I said I was going to be late because I had to take care of a skunk,” a soft voice replied at their back.

Fluttershy approached them, wearing a dress decorated with flowers and dark sunglasses.

“Darling, your outfit is simply wonderful! But I don't think it will fit our little entourage,” Rarity said, approaching the group.

“And I don´t think yours works either, Rarity,” Twilight pointed while Applejack checked her ears.

“But darling, goth rock is what´s tending in Canterlot this days!” Rarity explained, showing off her costume that made her look like a giant spider. “And besides, it´s better than Pinkie´s plain clothes.”

They all turned over to where Rarity was pointing and saw Pinkie standing there, wearing a striped shirt and with her straight mane covering half her face.

“Oh, hi Pinkie. How long have you been there?” Twilight asked.

“I came along with rainbow Dash. Not that any of you noticed me...” Pinkie growled.

“And how is that style called again?”

“It´s called grunge.”

Spike took a good look at the entire group, from the outrageous like Rarity and Rainbow Dash to the old fashioned looking Fluttershy and Applejack and then the clashing styles of Twilight and Pinkie; and then he said..

“Remember when we decided last night we wanted to make a band?”

All the mares nodded.

“Next time, let´s not make decisions during Cider Season...”

Honesty and Loyalty

Trust me, Applejack. You wouldn't like the old me, the one that came from Cloudsdale. The one who hated this town and everypony on it.

I still remember Fluttershy´s reaction when she saw me in the market. If you think she was scared of a dragon, you should have seen her then. You could tell the color of ehr coat had vanished. No wonders, considering how I treated her back then.

You know, there was a reason why me and GIlda hang out. It wasn't simply because we both liked to skip classes and take back to the teachers. No, we were both very angry. I´m sure Twilight will call it a phase or something, but truth is we were genuinely angry at everything and everyone. I was frustrated for not being top of the class, I was frustrated at my family, at my classmates. I was frustrated at everything and more than  one pony got a bloody snout because of my anger. Gilda was the only one who got away, mostly because she had always been bigger than me.

Yeah, I can tell you're not buying it. Well, remember a day, two years ago, when you ran into a thief in the farm? Remember a pegasus laying in a cloud, chewing in some apples she stole from your orchard? I bet you remember lassoing the cloud and pulling her down and giving her the lecture of her life. I remember that. I remember that angry freckled farmer yelling at me. I remember not being able to understand half of what she said because of that damn accent, and I remember blushing like an idiot while I looked at her face.

Yeah, that was me, AJ. Back in the days when I hated this mane and dyed it on dark colours. I don't blame you for not recognizing me, details have never been your strong suit. See? I just insulted you without even noticed it. I think that´s a bit of the old me peeking. Still, the old me would have insulted you right in the face. But I´m no longer like that.

You changed me, Applejack. After that day, is started following you around, watching you work at the farm or the market. It´s not creepy, I was looking for a fight! But every time I looked at you, you were either playing with your sister or being nice to your brother or polite with other ponies. You were always doing the right thing and everypony in town liked you. You can´t tell, right? You´re the most popular pony in town and you don't even realize it.

I tried to be more like you and this is as close I get. I brag because I want you to congratulate me. I pull dangerous stunts because I want to get your attention. I play pranks because I want to see you laugh. All I do, I do it for you. And you know what? I have to thank you because, by doing all that stuff just to like you, I made others like me too. I made friends with other ponies, I even managed to make Fluttershy start talking to me. And it´s all because of you, Applejack.

You made me a better pony and for that, I'll be always loyal to you.

Made with Love

“Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres, we´re we made the best apples in whole of Equestria! All made with love!” the farmer said, offering a shiny green apple.

Rainbow Dash took it and smiled in a bit awkward way. There was no reason to, she thought, they were a simple family of farmers. A mare, a big stallion and a little filly. The perfect picture of a pony family.

Perhaps, too perfect. Something about them seemed unnatural. It was the smiles, they were too bright and wide. They didn't seem right.

Soaring groaning at her back took Rainbow Dash away from her suspicions. She had more important matters to attend, namely that both she and Soarin were injured from their fall after that thunderstorm.

“Thanks. Hey, do you have some medicines to spare? I think my friend here is badly hurt,” Rainbow Dash said, pointing at Soarin.

“Yah two can come inside and we´ll fetch you some bandages,” the farmer said.

“Thanks, umh...”

“Name´s Applejack. Here´s Big Mac and little Apple Bloom. mah siblings.”

The big stallion nodded while the little filly kept smiling, both making Rainbow feel uneasy.

“Now, follow me.”

The entire family marched at once, like a line of well trained ants. Rainbow Dash shivered, the whole place was frightening. It seemed there were no more ponies than this three, which seemed wrong for such a big place. And besides, for being an apple farm, half of the trees were dead. She wondered if they have landed in dry season.

The whole place seemed terrifying and Rainbow was already regretting landing there. They didn't had much of an option after they got struck by lighting, to be honest. They needed a place to rest and sent a letter to Spitfire. Rainbow could already heard all the yelling she was going to get for disobeying orders and taking a wrong turn. She then looked right and saw at the porch an old mare in a rocker. She seemed wrong somehow, just like this entire place.

“It´s Granny Smith nap time. Please, try to be quiet. She doesn't like being disturbed,” Applejack said.

Was she even moving? She was rocking back and forth but Rainbow could swear the mare wasn't breathing. Applejack and her siblings kept walking, passing by the house.

“Uh, I thought we were going to the house...”

“Medicines are kept at the barn. It´s safer there,” Applejack bluntly explained.

By this point, Rainbow wanted to grab Soarin and flew as far away as possible but, she knew she wasn´t in any condition to carry him. She entered the barn and heard a strange sound coming from behind the haystacks. She was about to ask what was that but she regretted it, Applejack didn't seemed that trustworthy, anyways. She didn´t wanted to keep talking to her.

“Now, sit down in the hay. Apple Bloom, go get an apple pie from the window.”

“Yes, sister.”

Rainbow and Soarin sat at the hay, with the siblings standing at the door, looking at them. Rainbow didn't liked the way they kept looking at them. She leaned over to Soarin and whispered

“This place is giving me the creeps. We should get out of here.”

“Auh. Fear I can´t move, let alone fly, rainbow. My wing hurts and my side is even wo-” Soarin couldn't even finish the sentence.

Rainbow hugged him to offer him support and he responded with a soft nuzzle. Rainbow blushed a little. She didn't mind that Soarin was affectionate in public but she didn't liked the audience they had right then. Apple Bloom returned to the barn, bringing a hot apple pie. Soaring recovered some of his energies and grabbed the pie, chewing on it like he had´t eat in days. Rainbow was angry too but she didn't feel like eating, something was telling her to not eat anythign she was offered. And besides, she couldn't stop paying attention to that sound.

“Aren´t yah going to take a sample, miss?” Applejack asked.

“No thanks, not hungry,” Rainbow lied.

“Come on Dash, we have been flying for almost a day without stopping once. I bet you're as hungry as me,” Soaring said and right on queue, Rainbow´s stomach grumbled. Blushing, she chewed at a bit of the apple pie.

The siblings were still staring at them and she was starting to move from uneasy to downright frightening. Plus, there was that buzgsisin soud nsitll coming from the haystacks.

“Did you heard that?” she asked Soarin but he kept chewing at his pie, not listening to her.

“Are yah two in love?” the little filly asked.

Soarin and Rainbow smiled, both blushing and were about to answer when Applejack punched her sister in the face, making her bleed.

“Don´t yah talk that way to the guest, young miss.”

“Hey hey, calm down! She didn´t do anything wrong!” Rainbow yelled and got up, ready to fight Applejack but then she took a look at Big Mac. Rainbow wasn't afraid of facing stallions and got quite a reputation on the team but she knew better than facing such a large pony.

“She knows is rude to ask such personal questions,” Applejack said.

“Hey it´s okay, we don´t mind. We really are a couple, we have been dating for a few months now,” Soaring explained.

Rainbow was angry and wondering why he was giving explanations when there was a hurt filly in front of them but then again, Soarin was the type who wouldn't hurt a mare no matter what. Had Big Mac raised a hoof, Soarin would have probably jumped at once, not caring about his injuries. Rainbow admired his chivalry at times and at others find it annoying, this was right in the middle, considering the circumstances.

“Well, ain´t that cute. Yah two do look like a nice, loving couple,” Applejack said.

“Yeah, good. hey, what about those medicines you were supposed to give us?” Rainbow asked.

“An apple is the best possible medicine. An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” Applejack retorted.

“Okay, I had enough! We´re leaving!” Rainbow said, getting up but Big Mac moved to block her way. This got Soarin to stand up too but he was obviously in no conditions to fight. “Look, we don't want any troubles, just let us go and w-” Now the sound was loud enough for Soarin to hear it too. “Okay, what in the hay is back there?”

“Aw shucks, miss. Ah would´ve preferred to explain things after dinner but since yah´re in such a hurry,” Applejack said and moved past Rainbow Dash. She moved some haystacks, revealing what was behind them.

Rainbow and Soarin almost puke at the sight of the creature. It was big, not large but wide, like it had done nothing but ate and roll in its own filth for years, growing into a giant blob. It resembled a pony at apts but at others it resembled an insect. It made some horrible noises and kept spewing a green substance.

“What in Celestia´s name in that?” Rainbow yelled.

“Yah fancy city folks call it a shang- gelin or something. Mah papa called it a gift, a gift to keep our family alive. Yah see, when ah said that our apples are made with love, ah really meant it,” Applejack explained and put her hoof inside the disgusting creature, taking a shiny green apple.

Soaring no longer hold it and puked all over the floor.

“This little fella ´ere feeds with love. The younger and passionate, the better,” Applejack said and nodded at Big Mac who grabbed Rainbow Dash, holding her tight.

“Hey!”

Rainbow looked at Soarin, asking for help but he was already unconscious. Apple Bloom stood next to him, holding a bloody hammer on her mouth, still smiling despite her broken snout.

“Yah see, our family had been in a bit of a downhill the past couple of years. Not many ponies come ´ere to the outskirts of the Everfree. Good thing yha two are so dumb that decided to fly in a stormy day. Ah guess Celestia does takes care of her children;” Applejack said, taking off her hat in a sign of respect.

Rainbow couldn't  even begin to process what was going on. She cried and shivered, vainly trying to get free form Big Mac´s steel grip. The stallion marched over the large beast who spread its mouth, revealing set of sharp fangs.

The last thing Rainbow registered, was the scent of fresh apples coming from its mouth.

Mountain Pass

(Trigger Warning: Murder)

“Pinkie Pie! Wake up!”

Pinkie woke up, gasping for air. In her dreams, the griffon claws were closing on her throat, slowly breaking it. She touched her neck, feeling the scars still there. She looked up and found the worry face of Apple Bloom staring at her.

“Yah were screaming in your sleep...”

Pinkie smiled, a tired, old smiled; and lift the filly and put her back on the floor. She looked around and found Cheerilee looking at her, holding a filly on each arm. She silently asked Pinkie if she was okay and Pinkie nodded. Her sad smile disappeared as she took a look around, at the dozen of fillies and colt earth ponies, all piled together in the caravan.

“Auh! Your stupid hat is poking me! Take it off!” Diamond Tiara complained.

“Ah´m never taking mah hat off! Ah´m keeping it safe fer mah sister!” Apple Bloom replied.

“Like she would ever return for it...” Silver Spoon murmured.

“She will!”

“Girls, stop it!” Cheerilee yelled.

“She is coming back. Ah´ll find her again. Right, Pinkie?”

Pinkie didn´t answered her. She simply patted her head, making the big hat cover her entire face. Pinkie could tell she was sobbing.

Suddenly, the van stopped.

“Get out,” an unicorn ordered, peeking inside.

“Have we reached Manehattan?” Cheerile asked.

“I said...out!”

Pinkie and Cheerilee obeyed, helping the kids come down the vehicle. When they felt the snow on their hooves the younger ones smiled a little, being their first time watching it. The two adults mares however looked worried and they walked to the edge of the road, to take a look at the mountain valley near them.

“ What is this place?” Cheerilee asked.

“The Crystal Mountains. I was stationed here a year ago,” Pinkie explained.

“Isn't this unicorn territory? Why did you bring us here?” Cheerilee asked the driver.

“This is as far as Trixie would go,” she replied.

“What? My father paid you tons of bits to take me to safety! This isn´t safe!” Diamond Tiara yelled but got a slap in response.

Cheerilee helped her stand but decided to not take actions against Trixie. The unicorn's magic and the two heavy earth stallions that pulled her carriage were enough reasons not to.

“This is the safest route to Manehattan. Unicorns will never venture into those mountains,” Trixie explained.

“She is right. The crystals magic interferes with their magic. Those rocks have magical properties the same type that the alicon in their horns, making them reject each other,” Pinkie said. When she noticed the looks of the fillies she added “I grew up in a rock farm.”

Cheerilee sighed and told the kids to grab their few possessions while she handled Trixie the final payment. But before they left, a voice called from above.

“Ho-hold it right there...”

The voice belong to a pegasus soldier, obviously an explorer that was doing surveillance maneuvers, judging by the delivery bird she carried on her shoulder. She had a bright yellow coat and a long pink mane. Pegasus were supposed to be the bravest warriors in Equestria but she looked more fragile that the fillies.

“What are you doing here?”

“I´m simply a merchant delivering supplies on my way to the northern kingdom. I have immunity according to the treaty signed by Princess Platinum and Commander Hurricane!” Trixie quickly said.

The soldier took a look at Cheerilee and the small children and raised an eyebrow.

“But why is an unicorn travelling with earth ponies?” she asked.

“They are my assistants. Yes, they help carry heavy stuff and that. You know, that´s the only thing earth ponies are good for,” Trixie said, desperate to get out of this situation but the soldier wasn´t sold.

“I better tell my superior...” she said and was about to handle a note to the bird when Pinkie suddenly jumped over her.

“Wa-wait!” she tried to plead but Pinkie took a nearby rock and smashed it against her head.

Pinkie repeated the motion, again and again. Cheerilee grabbed the children in a tight hug and make them close their eyes, but Apple Bloom didn´t. She watched for a full minute as Pinkie kept smashing the rock until the pegasus stopped moving.

Meanwhile, the bird took off, probably returning to the pegasus station. Trixie tried to blast it with a magic beam but she failed.

“Damn! It got away!”

“Maybe if you have better aim...” Diamond Tiara snickered, trying to get a little payback at the unicorn.

Trixie growled but decided to ignore her, jumping back at her wagon and ordering the earth ponies to pull.

Cheerilee made sure the kids were alright and helped them put on their scarf and vests. Apple Bloom walked next to Pinkie who had stopped attacking the pegasus. She got a good look on the soldier´s smashed face and almost puked. Pinkie turned over to her and Apple Bloom backed down in fear.

Pinkie said nothing, she moved past her and grabbed her saddlebags. She nodded at Cheerilee and headed for the mountains. Cheerilee asked the kids to hold hooves and follow her.

Apple Bloom however stayed behind, she stayed for a while, staring at the dead pony. Cheerilee called for her and Apple Bloom turned to leave but before, she placed the hat on the pegasus, covering her face.

The pegasus remained there in the snow, slowly being covered in white.

Light My Fire

The changeling spread its wings and roared, the sound coming out mechanical and unnatural. I´m paralyzed, just staring at the creature. The helmet´s screen keeps flashing warning but I can´t read then, I can only look at those metallic eyes.

Suddenly, I feel like I´m flying. Despite the heavy armor that I´m wearing, I´m floating in the air, high above the street. It takes me a minute to realize Scootaloo is carrying me.

She lands and throws me on the floor.

“Hey pop star, keep your head in the game.”

And off she goes, jumping several meters in the air to land on the head of the changeling. Apple Bloom joins her in the fight, delivering powerful kicks on the side of the monster.

How can they do this? How can they put in those ridiculous outfit and risk their lives, trying to stop that thing?

What is that thing to begin with? Less than a hour ago, I was talking to that thing. She was a pony named Twist. She wore glasses and had a cute speech impediment. She liked making candies and looking at the smiling faces of their customers. Then she changed. She transformed into the creature Rarity warned me about. She told me not to trust anypony. I should have listened to my big sister.

I knew coming back to Ponyville was a bad idea. I could have said no and head for Baltimare instead. I´m the band's leader, after all. I should have said no but I wanted to see her. Five years without even a single letter. We both have decided to stop talking to each other but, she is still my big sister. I just wanted to say hello.

I just wanted to say I´m sorry.

I wasn't expecting precisely a warm welcoming but for Rarity to at least invite me to a cup of tea. What I got instead was a long exposition talk about a race of cybernetic creatures that have infiltrated in Ponyville, taking in the shapes of ponies to merge with a crowd. I was introduced to a dancer with broken wings and a farmer with a talent for computers. I was show a secret lab in the back of the Boutique and offered a suit of armor. An armor made with the most advanced technology of Equestria and powered by the most powerful magic stones.

She asked me to wear it, to use this armor to fight against the changelings and protect Ponyville. She never explained why or how she knew all this stuff or how she made this suits of armor. She simply stared at me and asked for "a favor for your big sister".

That´s all she did.

“Sweetie Belle! Look out!”

Now I pay attention to the screen. I know exactly where to jump to avoid being crushed and what action will the changeling do next. The screen even explain how the armor can enhance my magic to create a powerful energy beam.

I don´t want to do it. I don´t want to hurt this thing, not if there´s a small chance that Twist might be inside it.

Just a small chance.

The screen tells me otherwise. There are no vital signs, it´s just a machine now. Rarity is yelling at me to attack. I can hear it right next to me, even when she´s standing atop of a building, watching the fight unfold. She is testing me, just like when we were young. Always looking at me with her hooves crossed.

But I´m not a filly anymore. I made a name for myself. I´m Sweetie Belle, lead singer of The Flutter Ponies. I´m not useless anymore.

I concentrate all my magic energy on my horn. I can feel the suit heating up, the energy coursing through it. The suit gets so charged up that I´m floating, almost like I have a pair of glowing wings on my back. Wouldn't surprise me if the suits does that, Rarity always added to those little details. I scream as I release the beam, obliterating the changeling in one single shot.

I´m exhausted, I can´t get up after using that much energy but I´m okay.

I passed the test, right big sister?

Perfect Gardens

“This year will be the year! This year the Great and Powerful Trixie´s garden will win Ponyville´s Best Garden Competition! MUAHAHAHAHA!!”

“Umh shouldn't technically be my garden since this is my house, technically? Also, could you please not add those thunder at the end of your sentences? They scare my little friends...”

“But darling, the thunders are an essential part of my act! They give it intensity...” Trixie said, dragging Fluttershy closer to her. “And we´ll need all the intensity we can gather to defeat...her!”

And she pointed to the next door garden where Rarity was adding sugarcubes to Cheerilee´s tea, something she didn´t seemed to like, judging by her expression.

“Year after year, that arrogant unicorn wins the competition...” Trixie said.

“Actually, it´s only been a year and a half since she moved and you moved just a weeks before that so...” Fluttershy corrected her but Trixie was too busy with her monologue to listen.

“But this year, victory will be mine!MUAHA-” Trixie stopped her lightning mid sentence, not wanting to make Fluttershy angry at her. “I meant, ours. We´ll make your garden the winner this year.”

“Honestly, I would rather let this silly contest go away...”

“Oh but Fluttershy, don´t you want other ponies to acknowledge all the hard work you do? Look at this wonderful garden, at this inviting porch, your house is the prettiest house in the whole town and that´s one of the reason why I decided to stop travelling,” Trixie said, nuzzling Fluttershy´s neck and making her blush. “Can you guess the other reason?”

Fluttershy giggled a little“Can I make a suggestion then?”

Trixie nodded while still nuzzling her.

“Would you consider moving your caravan from my front yard?” she asked, pointing at it.

“Why? It looks perfect where it is.”

“Actually, I think the judges would appreciate if we don´t have something so...extravagant there,” Fluttershy explained and her point was proved by one of her animal critters accidentally activating the fireworks.

Trixie pondered the matter for a few seconds but then dismiss it with a wave of her hoof. “Nonsense. They will love it! Actually, I think we should add some more banners and trumpets to the roof!”

Fluttershy sighed while Cheerilee looked at the fireworks and Rarity did her best to ignore them.

******

“Muahaha! With this special potion I bogut to those twin salesponies, I´ll make the flowers grow ten times their size! This will grant me...victory!!” Trixie loudly announced and poured the content on the floor.

She stared at it, waiting for the potion to take effect.

“...”

She kept waiting.

“...”

And waiting.

“Work! Why isn´t working?”

Right on queue, the ground began to glow in a yellow light. Trixie was excited, expecting to see a wall of flowers pop out. Instead the potion made the grass grow taller, trapping Trixie on it.

“Oh hohoho, seems you´re having a little bit of trouble there, Trixie,” Rarity mocked her from the next garden. “You should have follow my example and ask a real expert, not those fraudsters. This magic powder Zecora gave me is sure to make this flower seed blossom into a dashing wallpaper of colours!”

And Rarity spread the powder all over the ground. A little bit of it hit her snout, making her sneeze. Suddenly, her mane turned all curly and puffed again.

“Oh, no! She accidentally gave me some poison joke!” Rarity screamed, as a whole patch of the blue flower grew under her hooves.

Trixie laughed at Rarity's misfortune but she wasn't off the hook either, as the grass kept growing taller and taller.

Fluttershy rushed to get some gardening scissors while Cheerilee sighed and headed downtown to get Twilight.

****

Later that day, Trixie and Rarity competed to make the biggest bird fountain in the garden. Each time one added a statue, the other responded by adding another level, making it bigger and the other pony responded in turn, time and time again.

Fluttershy and Cheerilee watched the whole thing unfold, sharing a lemonade and sighing at the same time.

“They´re going to keep this all day, aren't they?” Cheerilee asked and Fluttershy nodded.

“For the record, I really don't care about winning this competition...” FLuttehrys said.

“Me neither. I´m just humouring Rarity. She keeps insisting my garden is too pretty to go unnoticed. I think she´s exaggerating,” Cheerilee said.

“You seem to get along with her...”

“Well, we´ve know each other since we were fillies,” Cheerilee said.

“I know. arity showed me the pictures of the Hearts and Hooves Day Dance,” Fluttershy said and Cheerilee blushed at the memory.

“And what about you and the Great and Powerful Trixie? You two seem like an odd couple.”

“Do we really...look that different?” Fluttershy murmured.

“I didn´t mean anything with that. It´s just she is so loud and you´re so, well, shy.”

“I think we have a lot in common. She can be very kind at times and, she´s always nice to my animal friends...” Fluttershy responded, blushing.

Cheerilee smiled and patted her shoulder, showing she wasn´t really judging.

They then noticed the big shadow over their heads and looked at their gardens, finding now two huge towers on them.

“Will you two cut it out?” Cheerilee yelled.

****

Finally, the judges for the competition arrived at the afternoon to look at their gardens. Between the ridiculously tall fountains, the giant jungle in Fluttershy's cottage and the poison jokes that turned one of the judges into a squirrel; it was no wonder they got disqualified.

Rarity and Trixie fell to the ground defeated but they soon felt comforting hooves on their shoulders. They got up and shook hooves.

“But next year, victory will be ours!” Trixie announced, grabbing Fluttershy.

“I´ll like to see you try!” Rarity retorted, copying her gesture with Cheerilee.

Both mares sighed at the silly antics of their respective special ponies but decided to just shrugged and ignore them.

“We better start cleaning all that poison joke. Did you get rid of that powder, Rarity?” cheerilee asked.

“I gave it all to Spikey-wikey. He said he´ll take care of it.”

“And did you used all of that potion, Trixie?” Fluttershy asked.

“There was a little still on the bottle but I gave it to that baby dragon. I´m sure he´ll know what to do with it.”

Neither couple noticed the Golden Oaks Library growing three times its sizes and being covered in Poison Joke.

Magical Ponies Girls

(Note: Humans)

A little girl was crying in a corner, hiding from her classmates. Her little hideout wasn´t perfect since she was found by another girl who looked at her worried.

“Hi there, Abby was it?” the girl asked.

“It´s short fer Abbigail...” the crying girl replied.

“I´m Suzy. I saw what Debby and Sally did to you, how they stole your hat and made fun of your accent,” Suzy said and Abby sobbed some more, the memories still fresh. “Don´t be sad. Those two are just a pair of bullies, it´s better to just ignore them.”

Abby looked up and smiled at Suzy, accepting the handkerchief she was offering her.

“If you stop talking to them, they´ll eventually will get bored and ignore you. Trust me.”

“They got ya too?” Abby asked and Suzy kept quiet, blushing at the embarrassing memories.

“Thank ya,” Abby said to Suzy and got her to smile.

Just then, a hat landed on Abby´s head. She looked up and found another girl standing there, a girl with an orange shirt and covered in bruises.

“Here´s your dumb hat.”

Abyy looked confused so Suzy explained. “She is a friend of mine. Her name is...”

“Call me Scoots.”

“Scoots?” Abby asked.

“That´s not her name! Her name is...” But Suzy got interrupted by Scoots punching her head.

“I like Scoots!”

“Don´t need to get mad at me just because those two make fun of your name...” Suzy whined and Abby looked at the blushing Scoots.

“What?”

“Ah just wanna thank you for recovering mah hat...”

“Don´t make a big deal out of it. Those two keep taking stuff that don´t belong to them. Next time they try to steal my scooter...” Scoots explained, making a fist.

“Thank you. Both of you...” Abby said and extended her hand. Suzy took it and nudged Scoots to repeat the gesture. The three girls hold their hands together and smiled.

And then, a flash of light hit them. The girls covered their eyes and they fell like electricity coursing through their bodies. THey peeked and saw a figure descending over them. It looked like a horse, a winged horse with a horn.

“Finally. The three of you have met.”

“Is that horse talking?” Scoots asked while Suzy had stars on her eyes, enchanted by the mysterious figure.

“My name is Princess Celestia. I´m the guardian of a magical kingdom called Equestria. For many years, I've been looking for three special little guardian to help me fight a great evil.”

“What great evil?” Abby asked.

“A terrible fiend called King Sombra who only wants to plunge every world into darkness. He already tried to conquer Equestria but I was able to expel him. Since then, he had been slowly recovering his power and setting his eyes into another world...this world,” Princess Celestia asked.

“And why don´t you just get rid of him again?” Scoots asked.

“I cannot enter your world, little ones. But I can give you the means to stop him,” Celestia said and made six magical stones appear in front of her. “THese are the Elements of Harmony, the most powerful kind of magic know to ponies. They can only be wielded by those that represent the Honesty, Kindness...” And two of the stones turned into bracelets and attached to Abby´s writes. “Loyalty, Optimism...” And the same thing happened to Scoots. “and Generosity that will make the spark of Magic appear,” and Suzy got the last set of bracelets.

“Using this pony magic you'll be able to defeat King Sombra and his evil magic!”

The girls looked at their bracelets and smiled, Scoots even adding a loud “Awesome!”

Before they could ask any more questions, they heard a commotion happening in the schoolyard.

“What's that?” bby asked.

“King Sombra must have felt my magic and is now seeking the Elements. Quick, call your Elements and become the Bearers of harmony!” Princess Celestia said.

“Okay! Ready girls?” Abby asked and her two friends nodded.

In the schoolyard, a horrible black smoke was attacking the students. It had already trapped Debby and Sally, holding them with its tentacles. The girls screamed while the evil King Sombra laughed.

“Put them down this instant!”

Debby and Sally looked down at their saviors...

“What the hell are those things?” Debby asked.

“I think they´re ponies...” Sally said, adjusting her glasses.

And right so, three little ponies stood in the ground, facing King Sombra. A yellow earth pony, and orange pegasus and a white unicorn with magical bracelets on their hooves.

“....what?” Debby asked.

“Ah! What the hell? Why did we transformed into tiny horses?” Scoots yelled.

“Yeah, ah thought we´ll become magical heroines or something,” Abby asked the floating image of Princess Celestia.

“Well, I did said it was pony magic,” the Princess casually replied.

Abby and Scoots frowned while Suzy stared at her hooves.

Debby and Suzy looked at their tiny saviors and sighed.

“Well, this sucks...” Debby concluded.

The Good Mare

Cadence finished brushing her mane and took a good look at her reflection. Seeing herself with the frilly costume and the silly wig she felt ridiculous but, such was the etiquette code for Equestrian Courts. If she seriously wanted to go back to the courtroom, she figured she had to endure the tacky dress.

She levitated her wedding ring, wondering if she should put it on. Most unicorns mare didn´t wear theirs in public anyways but, for her, it was a life changing decision to wear it. To the public eye, it would meant she had forgiven him but the truth was, she hasn´t quite forgive him in her heart. Not entirely...

“Well, you look lovely no matter what.”

Cadence didn't need to turn over, she could see Blueblood´s smug smile thanks to the mirror.

“Want my advice? Wear it,” he said and Cadence threw the ring back into the drawer.

As she walked past him, he said out loud, “You´re making a mistake, Cadence.”

“Don´t tell me what to do with my life.”

“Oh well, here´s the thing. It's not just your life. It´s Shining´s life too and all the lives that are affected by you two, like mine for example.”

“You expect me to believe you care for any of us?” Cadence asked.

“You know I don´t but I do care what the rest of the kingdom may think. And they think about stuff like how the Captain's wife doesn´t wear her ring anymore, meaning she hasn´t  forgive him. And if that prevents Shingin for staying four more years in the charge, that will affect me,” he said, adjusting her slightly tilted wig.

“Don't worry, Blueblood. I´ll be there for every campaign speech. Like always, Now if you excuse me, I need to be in court,” Cadence said, pushing Blueblood aside.

“Oh yes, that little hobby of yours. Don't you think you should be focusing more in your marriage than in defending an obvious criminal?”

“She is innocent, Blueblood. Just because she´s a griffon doesn't make her guilty. And just because I don't wear my ring anymore, doesn't mean I haven´t  forgive him.”

And with that final word, Cadence left the room, not bothering to turn back to see if Blueblood was still smirking.

She made her way to the courtroom, chastising herself for letting Blueblood get on her nerves. She should have know better than that. She was so distracted she bumped into Twilight Sparkle in the way.

“Sorry, Twilight,” Cadence apologized but Twilight simply levitated some papers to her. Cadence give them a quick look and smiled, “Thanks. I think this was jsut what I needed to crack this case.”

“What are best friends for?” Twilight said and walked away.

“Twilight? You wouldn't happen to know anything about that Trixie mare, right? I mean, she pretty much disappeared after Shining...confessed,” Cadence asked.

“I thought Bleublood had taken care of that,” Twilight casually answered. Almost too casually. “He´s probably keeping her away from the public eye. You know, protecting you two.”

“Yes, he cares for us,” Cadence said and Twilight smiled and turned over again.

As she was leaving, Cadence noticed the blue lipstick on her neck. Same lipstick Shining had that night. the exact same lipstick.

Cadence sighed and step in front of the courtroom´s door. She took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. She had a lot of things to worry, She had a husband to forgive. She had a best friend she couldn't trust. She had a life that was falling apart. But right now, she had a client to defend.

She took a deep breath once more and magically opened the door, walking inside the courtroom.

Apples don´t fall far...

Apple Bloom shifted on the seat, unable to fit on it. Makes sense, this was a seat meant for a small filly not a full grown mare. Especially not one mare who was as tall and big as any stallion.

As she struggled with the seat, a yellow pegasus filly next to her flapped her wings in protest. She was also struggling against the seat but her complaints were motivated for rebellion. Apple Bloom finally managed to sit down only for the seat to break apart. The filly snickered, earning a well received smack on the head.

“Oh darling, sitting on the floor is so uncouth of you,” a voice said from the classroom door.

“Yah can´t pull a good Rarity, Sweetie,” Apple Bloom replied, smiling at her friend.

Sweetie giggled. “I suppose you got a surprise letter too.”

“Well, wasn´t that much of a surprise. Apple Root ´ere keeps gettin in trouble,” Apple Bloom said, smacking her daughter again.

“I figured. But this young colt here should know better,” Sweetie saying, pushing an earth pony colt inside the classroom. “Go get us some seats, Topaz Hooves.”

The colt obeyed and exchanged some looks with Apple Root on the way, the filly responding by showing her tongue. Topaz responded with the same gesture and now both mothers delivered a smack.

“Shame on you, young man. What would your father say if he saw you act that way with a lady?”

“Well, Bloom´s little one isn't exactly a lady.”

“Auntie Scoots!” Apple Roots cheered and almost jumped out of her seat.

“Hey kiddo, got into trouble again, uh? Yours too, Sweetie? That´s weird.”

“We should be the ones surprised, Scoots. Since when has darling Autumn Leaf got into any troubles?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Beats me but there´s a first time for anything, I suppose. Hey, what are you doing? Come out from there and go take a seat!” Scootaloo yelled at a trembling unicorn filly who was hiding between her mother's legs.

Scootaloo pushed her inside and Autumn reluctantly sat on the seat Topaz offered her. The colt moved to his own, blushing. Sweetie was smiling, showing a mix of pride and smug at her son behavior. Scootaloo merely rolled her eyes and dropped into a seat next to Autumn.

“Well, this brings back memories...” Scootaloo said.

“Eeeeyup,” Apple Bloom said.

Sweetie simply nodded.

Cherilee walked in a second later. The three mares brightened up upon seeing their favorite teacher. She had a few wrinkles on her face and her mane had lost color but for the most part was the same cheerful and loveable pony as they remembered her.

“Hi, girls!”

“Hi, Mrs. Cheerle!” All six ponies replied.

“It´s good to see you all three at the same time again. I know we haven´t had a chance to talk the four of us since you graduated but, I´m afraid right now...”

“´cuse, Mrs. Cheerilee. But ah think ah know what yah´r gonna said and ah want to say something first,” Apple Bloom itnerumpted her.

Cheerilee sit down, waiting for what she had to say.

“Ah know mah daughter can be a bit of a problem but she´s just a young filly, just like ah was. She doesn´t mean anything bad, she´s just trying to find her place in the world. And ah´m personally proud that she keeps trying despite having found her Cutie Mark already. At a younger age that ah did, mus add!” Apple Bloom said, nudging her daughter.

“Same goes for me, Mrs. Cheerilee. I´m always pressuring Topaz to be like his father but that´s because I want him to achieve his full potential. I know he must feel sad at times but he should know that I´m always proud of him. And that the day he finally fins his special talent and his flanks gets marked, I´ll be there to watch it,” Sweetie said, nuzzling the blushing colt.

Cheerilee looked at Scootaloo, waiting for her speech.

“Hey, I don´t need to say my daughter is awesome! She has both the coolest mom and coolest aunt in the world. Sure, she can be a scaredy cat at times and I can´t help her with any of that fancy unicorn magic but, despite all that, I´ll never give up on her,” Scootaloo said, rustling the unicorn's mane.

“That´s all very sweet, girls but I brought you here for another reason,” Cheerilee said and the three mars blinked.

“You see. early in the break. Apple Root punched Topaz on the face after he saw him kissing Autumn. Apparently, she has a crush on him and she end up causing a fight on the schoolyard.”

The three mars blinked again, processing the story. And then, they snapped.

“Hey, what´s the deal with your son making moves on my daughter?” Scootaloo yelled.

“Don´t dare say those things about my Topaz! He´s probably traumatized after being assaulted by that rude farm pony!” Sweetie yelled.

“Yah son has the fault for being all fancy pony and kissing fillies so young! And what´s wrong with being ah farm pony, uh?” Apple Bloom barked.

Soon, all the mars were punching and yelling at each other.

Cheerilee sighed at the sigh and say “Have you learned your lesson, kids?”

“Yes, Mrs. Cheerilee...”

“Then you can leave. Girls, act your age! Stop that this instant!”

Rainbow

The wind breaking apart, the colors spreading around and the sound catching up behind her. It´s not easy to describe how it feels to be at the center of a Sonic Rainboom and, to be honest, Rainbow Dash never cared to do so. She simply described it as “Awesome” and that was enough for her.

As for the landing part, the description should have been “painful”, considering she was going full speed downward. Instead, it felt soft and comforting, like landing on a pile of pillows. Actually, that was exactly what happened, as Rainbow discovered when she spat the pillow out of her mouth.

“Uh?”

“A few centimeters to the right. My mistake, I didn´t place the cushions the right way,” a soft voice said behind her.

Rainbow shook the feathers out of her mane and looked around to see where she was. The room was too dark to actually tell, only the moonlight peeking through the windows wasn´t enough for her. She seemed to be inside some sort of studio, judging by the bookshelves.

Rainbow scratched her head, confused by the whole situation. She was sure she had been at the Flight Camp track just a few seconds ago and it had been a bright, sunny day too.

“Are you hurt?”

Rainbow turned over to meet the mysterious voice. She squinted her eyes and could just make out the outline of a pony standing in the darkness but her face wasn't visible.

“Rainbow Dash, are you okay?”

The pony took a step forward and now Rainbow could tell she had wings. Rainbow smiled, happy to see another pegasus but soon she backed down when she noticed the horn on the shadowy pony head.

“Wait a minute. You have a horn and wings? Princess...Celestia?” Rainbow Dash asked.

The shadowy pony giggled. “No.”

“Then who are you?”

“That´s quite a long story. Come with me, Rainbow,” the pony said, waving to her to follow.

“Hey, how come you know my name? Oh wait, I forgot! I´m Rainbow Dash, the most awesome cadet at Flight Academy!”

The pony giggled again. “And the most modest too...”

“Yeah! Wait, was that...umh, what´s that fancy word?”

“Sarcasm.”

“Gesundheit.”

Despite the darkness, Rainbow could swear the pony rolled her eyes. Rainbow tried to get a better look at her but it was too difficult. She was tall, not as tall as the Princess but still much taller than her. Rainbow frowned, remembering all the bullies at Flight Camp that make fun of her short stature. That made her remember the fact that she wasn't at Flight Camp anymore. Actually, she had no idea where she was or why it was nighttime or who this pony was.

Before she realized it, Rainbow Dash had followed the pony to a balcony. The pony used her magic to open the door and stepped outside. Rainbow thought she could finally get to see her face but it was still dark.

“Take a look around, Rainbow,” the pony said.

Rainbow had to climb to the railing in order to see from the balcony. When she did, she got a good view of a sleepy town. It was quite a large town and it looked really nice and welcoming, even at night. The sight managed to calm Rainbow a little.

“This town is called Ponyville. You probably never heard of it before,” the winged pony said behind her.

“I have. I have a classmate from there. A real scaredy cat. Every time she tries to fly she just falls down. She is nice though. How did I get here?”

“Well, I have a theory. When you accelerate past a certain point, the molecules of your body...” the pony began but stop when she saw Rainbow looking confused. “Never mind that. Thing is you are here now and your are for a reason.”

“What reason?”

“See this town here? How peaceful and quiet it is”

Rainbow nodded.

“Well, that´s thanks to a Princess. A Pony Princess who made this town her home and protected it from many evils.”

“Cool!”

“Yes, cool. But that Princess never would have gone so far if it wasn´t for her friends. She had the best friends a pony could ever ask and they help her become a better Princess.”

“You´re sappy,” Rainbow snickered. “But it´s a nice story. Wish I had friends like that. Hey, how come I never heard of this Princess pony before?”

“Because that didn´t happen...yet.”

“...explain.”

“Think about it, Rainbow. You flew fast, faster than anypony has ever flew. What do you think it happened?”

Rainbow pondered for a few minutes, trying to get this pony´s point. Then, it hit her. “Wait, you mean...I travelled through time?”

The pony nodded.

“That is...awesome! I mean, how cool is that? i actually went so fast that I travelled forward in time? Yeah! I´m the fastest pony alive! YES!”

Rainbow flipped in the air, happy with her accomplishment. And then reality hit her again.

“Wait. If that's true...how far did I traveled? A few months? A few years? Centuries? Can I go back? How do I do that? What if I can't? What if I´m stuck in the future forever?”

“Rainbow, breathe!”

Rainbow slowly recovered her breath, helped by the pony placing a hoof on her shoulder.

“Don´t worry about that. I can send you back to the exact same moment you left with a  simple spell.”

“You can do that?”

The pony nodded.

“But before you left, I need to tell you something. Actually, I have to ask you for a favor.”

Rainbow nodded, her nervous state coming back.

“In a few years, you´ll meet a pony. A pony who doesn't want to make friends but she´ll change her mind and become one of your best friends. One day, she will change and she´ll be very scared by that. She will lose her confidence and will try to run away from her friends.”

“That...that´s bad. Why would she do that?”

“She´ll think that she is disappointing her friends and that she is no longer helpful to them. But one friend will make her see the error of her ways and help her become a better pony. Can you be that friend, Rainbow?”

Rainbow wiped a few tears that threatened to escape and nodded.

“Thank you. Now, do me one last favour when you go back,” the pony said, her horn glowing.

“Wha-what?”

“Try not to crash into me when we´ll first met. It hurt.”

“Wait? You mean...”

But Rainbow didn´t get a chance to finish her question. A bright white light blinded her and she woke up with grass in her mouth and a bright sun over her head.

*******

“Come on, Twilight! Just flap those wings already!”

“I´m-..trying!”

Twilight tried to stay on air, flapping her wings as hard as she could. But eventually she lost balance and dropped into a mud pile. Twilight growled while Rainbow extended a hoof to help her.

“I can´t do this, Rainbow...”

“Sure you can, just remember the idea is to go upwards,” Rainbow joked.

“I´m serious, Rainbow! I can´t fly like you! I can´t even fly like Fluttershy! It doesn't matter how many hours we train!” Twilight yelled, waving at the moon over their heads. “I´ll never be good enough!”

Rainbow waited for Twilight to stop sobbing, never moving her hoof. Twilight looked up and saw her still standing and quietly accept the hoof. Rainbow help her got up and the moonlight hit her the right spot, making a memory return to Rainbow.

“Stop looking at me like that, Rainbow. It´s...a little embarrassing,” Twilight replied, blushing.

“Heh, sorry Twi. And sorry about crashing into you when we first met.”

Twilight smiled and shrugged, no longer blushing.

“Hey, can you do me a favor, Twi?”

Twilight now raised an eyebrow, a little confused.

“Move the cushions a little to the right. It hurt a little when I crashed.”

Rainbow laughed at Twilight´s totally confused look but refused to explain what she was talking about.

Obstacle Course

“All right, everypony! Saddle up! One line! Move move move!”

“Rainbow Dash, no need to be so harsh. Remember they are just fillies and colts,” Cheerilee said, trying to calm down her enthusiastic assistant.

“Sorry Cheerilee, but kids need discipline. It´s the only way they can enjoy this type of events. You don´t want to slack off all day like some other ponies...” Rainbow Dash said, nudging at Rarity who was powdering her nose.

“Excuse me, I´ll have you know that I´m as much a volunteer for this event as you.”

“Oh come on Rares, we all know you´re only here because your little sis guilt trip you...again.”

Rarity responded with a “Hmph!” noise and Cheerilee simply rolled her eyes. These two weren´t exactly the best assistants but considering she have over a dozen excited foals running around, she needed as much help as she could get.

“Alright, class. One line, please. We´re going to start with the sport event. I want you all to make groups.”

The foals immediately began to push and fight as they disarmed the line.

“Try to make your groups as balanced as possible. Follow the example of the Crusaders. They have one of each type of pony, increasing their chance to success,” Cheerilee said, waving at the three smiling fillies.

“I don´t know about that, Cheerilee. The main event here is an obstacle race and for that, you need strong wings to carry you around. It´s better if you get your team with the most pegasus, like these cute champs here, right boys?” Rainbow said, grabbing Featherweight and Rumble with each arm and making them blush.

“Please Rainbow, a race is not just about speed. You need strategy and dexterity and that is something that unicorns have to spare. Am I right, girls?” Rarity said and two unicorns fillies nodded.

Cheerilee rolled her eyes again, hoping her students won´t fall into this argument.

“Rainbow Dash is right, girls! If we want to win this race we need as many pegasus as we can get!” Scootaloo said.

“Ah don´t know about that, Scoots. Ah think our team will be better off balanced,” Apple Bloom replied.

“Come on, your heard her! It´s all about speed and there´s no pony faster than a pegasus!”

“Hey, unicorns can be pretty fast too!” Sweetie Belle replied but her friend dismissed her with a gesture. “You hear my sister, we can be pretty sceptical...”

“Ah think she mean dexterous,” Apple Bloom said but Sweetie was too busy arguing with Scootaloo.

“If you don´t want to be in the winning team you can leave!” Scootaloo yeled.

“Fine then, I´ll make another team filled with unicorns!” Sweetie yelled.

Apple Bloom watched as her two best friends turned over and went their separate ways, joining Rainbow and Rarity who were coaching teams made of one type of pony..

“Wait, girls! What about our team?”

“Hye blank flank, you´re joining our team!” Diamond Tiara shouted, coming along with Silver Spoon.

“And why would ah want to do that?”

“First, because you totally want to be with the popular ponies. And second, I got tired of those dumb pegasus and snobby unicorns making fun of us, earth ponies, so I´m making a team just of earth ponies to show them wrong!”

Apple Bloom wasn´t buying Diamond Tiara´s act but when she looked over her shoulder, she saw Twist approaching with a group of earth ponies.

“Ah´m not so sure about this...”

“Normally Apple Bloom, I´ll be with you,” Cheerilee said. “But I just can't stand those two. Let´s show them why earth ponies are best ponies!”

“YEAH!”

The race began and Rainbow´s team quickly took the lead, going in a straight line to the flag.

“Come on, fillies! Flap those wings if you want to win!”

Rarity´s team however took a different approach, going the shortest way to the goal. It was filled with more obstacles but Rarity was confident of her team.

“That´s right. Small jumps make the win. No need to hurry. Sweetie Belle, watch your step.”

Meanwhile, Cheerilee lead her team in a different route, trying to circle the most amount of obstacle. They soon found themselves trapped in a tall area with a mud pile in front of them.

“Ewww! I´m not goign in there!” Silver Spoon said.

“We got to do it! It´s the only way!” Apple Bloom retorted.

“Whatever. I´m not going to get my hooves dirty! You agree with me, right Diamond?” Silver Spoon said but to her surprise, her friend´s desire to win was stronger.

“Eww, come on! Move!”

Cheerilee smiled and helped her team made it throguh the mud pile. Unfortunately, they ran into another obstacle, a path covered in thorns.

“This is too dangerous. let´s circle around, kids,” Cheerilee said.

Pipsqueak however ignored her and took advantage of his small size to crawl underneath them. He reappeared a few seconds later, claiming he found a path. He lead the group through the narrow way and when they reached the other side, he got a pat in the head from Cheeerilee.

Now the last obstacle over was a huge gap, too large to jump. Apple Bloom noticed a log, long enough to reach the other side. The earth colts had their moment to shine, using their strength to lift it and pushed it for all to climb.

“I can see the goal!” a brown colt with a propeller hat exclaimed.

They all could see the goal too, along with the other two teams rushing to it.

“Come on, everypony! Gallop as hard as you can!” Cheerilee shouted and rushed.

The earth ponies turned into basically a stampede. Rainbow saw them coming and shouted her team to fly towards the goal, grabbing Scootaloo and placing her on her back. Rarity also saw the other teams rushing and ordered her team to go faster.

The three team moved faster and faster, not moving they eyes from the goal.

All the way over on Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack and her brother were calmly collecting apples.

“Say brother, did yah hear a loud noise just now?”

“Eeeenope.”

Back to the school grounds, all the foals were in a huge pile. Their eyes spinning around and some could swear there were stars circling their heads.

“Did we won?” Scootaloo asked.

“Ah don´t know...” Apple Bloom said.

“Can we just call it a tie?” Sweetie Belle said.

“Agree.”

As the colts and fillies helped each other got back on their feet, the shadows of a winged unicorn fell over them. Princess Twilight Sparkle descend, a proud smile on her face.

“Congratulations, my little ponies. I have been watching the whole event and I´m proud to see how you all worked as a team to reach a goal. You also discovered that each pony has its own advantages and disadvantages. No one is superior to another for having wings, a horn or lacking them. Each one is different but working together can be as good as pony with all three traits....What? why are you all looking at me like that? What?”

Ponyville Girl

Sweetie Belle followed all the rules of etiquette. Lifting her cup with her magic while holding her nose up, softly wiping her mouth after every bite and politely nodding at the waiter after every order.

Too bad her perfect score gout completely ruined by her dad burping so loud it made the other clients turn.

“Sorry honey, coffee makes me gas. Well, better out than in, right? Hahaha” Magnum said.

Sweetie Belle didn't laughed. She levitated the menu, trying to hide her blush. “Dad please, this place has a reputation. Try not to embarrass the clients.”

“Oh, sorry honey. Sorry fellas!” he shouted, waving at the other unicorns who just turned their heads.

Sweetie Belle now was a deep red.

“Sweetie Belle, is that you?

“Oh, Mrs. Octavia! Wha-what are you doing in here?” Sweetie stuttered.

“Just doing some shopping. Oh, hello there, sir. Have we met before?” Octavia asked Magnum.

“Sure did, miss! We met back when Sweetie here took her first audition on that fancy Canterlot school;” magnum said.

“Oh yes, I remember now. It was quite a...performance,” Octavia said, suppressing a giggle and making Sweetie blush even harder.

“I bet yah! Sweetie was so nervous she let go a burp louder than the ones I just made! Oh.” magnum covered his mouth But Sweetie was already growling.

Octavia however dismissed the issue with another giggle. “Well, it was a pleasure talkign to you again. I´ll be at your performance tonight, Sweetie.”

“I´ll be too! Look over at the reserved seats!” Magnum said, making Sweetie shove her face on the table.

“I´ll keep an eye on them. Sweetie, break a leg.”

“Hey, that´s not nice!”

“Dad! Good afternoon, Mrs. Octavia!” Sweetie said, slightly pushing her to leave.

Fortunately, Octavia took the hint and went down the street.

“Well, she seemed nice. Why would she want you to get hurt?”

“Dad, why would you please stop embarrassing me like that? She was wishing me luck, it´s an old theater expression!”

“Oh, I didn´t know...”

“No, you didn´pt! You never know anything! Always speaking your mind or doing such uncouth things while eating. Celestia, you embarrass me to no end.”

Sweetie didn't realized but she was yelling so loud that the other clients could perfectly hear her and they weren´t pleased. They may have standards and protocols but even they knew that treating your own father like that was uncalled for.

“I´m sorry honey, I...I apologize,” Magnum said, lowering his head. “I never intended to make you feel embarrassed. I was just...you know, it´s kind of funny. When you get like that you look exactly like your sister. She used to yell at me like that all the time, even as a filly. Always so worry about not being un...uh, that word you said.”

Sweetie Belle looked at her father, her anger fading away.

“I suppose I thought you will be different. I mean, as a kid you always liked to get dirty and play in the mud and eat worms and all that. But as you got older, you started no longer liking that stuff. You become a young mare and I still see you as a little girl playing with the pigs at the Apple´s farm,” Magnum continued. “But now that I look at you, so tall and pretty and fancy, I guess...I guess Canterlot life suits you better than life back at old Ponyville.

Sweetie Belle´s blush returned, but now she was feeling embarrassed by her own actions. She took her father´s hoof and smiled at him.

“I´ll always be a Ponyville girl, dad.”

Magnum smiled back at Sweetie. The waiter coughed to get their attention and asked if they wanted something else. Magnum instead asked for the bill, refusing to let his daughter pay.

“Well honey, we better get goin. You need to get ready for your performance and I need to get to my seat.”

“There´s still plenty of time for that, dad. Maybe we could look a few stores around the city? Sports stores maybe?” Sweetie said.

“Sounds nice! Hey, I just noticed something. It´s called reserved seats, meaning you reserved two seats?

“Umh yes, dad.”

“”But your sister and mother can´t make it tonight. So who´s sitting next to me?”

Sweetie stuttered again, blushing one more time.

“Oh, I see! A special somepony! Hey, let me see if I can guess...is that girl that was always riding with a scooter, right?”

“Dad!”

“Or maybe is the Apple girl? You used to play all day with her...”

“DAD!”

Sweetie pushed her dad away from the cafe while the rest of the customers smiled and kept their composure at the scene.

(I don´t like Magnum as a name that much but it´s the most popular one)

Struggling with Words

(Note: I google her name and found Amira, which means Princess. I hope she counts as “non-pony”, still I sent other submissions for this one)

Princess Twilight Sparkle was uncomfortable. She had read dozens of books about the culture of Saddle Arabia before her diplomatic mission but none of them mentioned their lack of chair or even cushions. It was just a hard rock for her to sit down and her legs were starting to get numb because of the strange posture. The fact that her wings kept flapping in turn with her envers didn´t help but she knew she had to endure and kept a smile, she couldn't offend her hosts.

She hoped she had made a good impression on them when they visited Ponyville. They did praised her magic show but the fact that they mentioned the fireworks as their favourite part made her a little nervous. She wished she had brought Trixie along to impress. Actually, she wished her friends were here, especially Spike. But Princess Celestia had insisted that she take this journey alone, her first serious task a Princess. And of course, Twilight was now on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

She kept repeating the customs and words she memorized, making sure she won´t make an offensive comment or accidentally call the Princess a..

“..horse?”

Twilight almost teleport out of the room. When she calmed down, she noticed the Arabian Princess was standing right in front of her. Twilight had been so busy repeating facts that failed to notice she had entered the room. She blushed, wondering how many rules of courtesy she had just broke. She didn´t want to offend such a graceful and beautiful creature, a creature that possessed such elegant features and such a remarkable coat color.

Twilight shook her head. She was sure that staring at the Princess was disrespectful, as well as not answering her questions. “Excuse me, what did you say?”

“I asked if rooms for ponies are so different than rooms for a horse?” the Princess asked. “You seems a bit uncomfortable.”

“No, not at all, your majesty,” Twilight lied, her legs were killing her but she couldn't say that to her face.

She kept staring at say face. There was something about it. Maybe because it resembled Princess Celestia a little bit? That regal air about it.

“Is something the problem, Princess Sparkle?”

Twilight shook her head again. She was now blushing a deep red, realizing how much she had been staring at her. She wondered if she had offended her somehow but when she looked again the Princess seemed glad.

“If I can be blunt, I´m glad Princess Celestia sent you, Princess Sparkle. I wanted to have some words with you.”

Now Twilight was more nervous, did she do or say something back in Ponyville?

“When we met in your hometown, I was...what is the correct word? Impressed by your performance. Is that how you say it?”

Now Twilight was confused. Was the Princess blushing too?

“After your performance, I was hoping we could share some words but my brother and I had to leave so soon…”

“Your brother? I assumed that was your husband,” Twilight said and immediately covered her mouth, realizing she had use such an informal tone and said something very rude.

“No! You are confused! Oh, how can I explain myself? When we first met I was interested in you and then... wait, is that how you say it?”

By now, Twilight´s nerves was gone. She wasn´t looking at an imposing horse regent anymore, she was looking at a very nervous female struggling to find the right words. Twilight smiled, starting to get what the issue was. She patted the horse Princess´ hoof, trying to calm her down.

“Princess, can we start over? Dispose of all protocol and try to have a conversation?” Twilight suggested and the Princess nodded “Then, why don´t we start with our names.”

“My name is..Amira.”

“I´m Twilight Sparkle. And there´s no need to call me Princess. Now, do you mind if we go somewhere more comfortable. My legs are killing me.” Amira looked worried so Twilight rushed to add. “That means I´m very tired.”

Amira giggled and waved to the balcony. Twilight smiled at her and noticed her blush. Twilight giggled a little, wondering how many rules was she breaking now but she didn't really care. She was anxious to have a nice conversation with Amira and get to know her better.

Honest Mistake

“I can´t wait to taste some apple pies! Or maybe some apple fritters! What about an apple salad? Do they have those?”

“Calm down Spike, Applejack just invited us for lunch, not to a food fair.”

“Yeah but you know how lunch goes for Apples! They made food for a dozen ponies just for breakfast!” Spike said, jumping on Twilight´s back.

“Well, they have to if they invited you…”

“Yeah...hey!”

Twilight giggled while Spike pouted but her smile soon disappeared when she spotted Applejack in front of them. And she wasn´t alone. She was with one of the cows of the farm, Daisy Jo it seemed, talking. But there was something off, something about the way they leaned closer to each other. Twilight raised an eyebrow, wondering if she was reading too much on their actions when Applejack  and Daisy Jo actually kissed right in the open.

“Oh my Celestia!” Twilight shouted.

“What? What? Hey!” Spike complained because Twilight covered his eyes with a hoof.

“Umh I think we need to go back to the library, Spike.”

“Why? I´m hungry! Did something happened!”

“Nothing happened! Let´s just go!” And despite Spike´s protests, Twilight trotted all the way back to the library.

Twilight spent the rest of the day, wondering if she saw what she thought. Spike obviously wasn´t too happy of being denied a lunch but Twilight managed to calm him down with a few gems. She couldn't calm down however, not unless she got some answers from Applejack so she went to Sweet Apple Acres that afternoon.

When she reached the barn, she confirmed she hadn't alucinted the event since Applejack and Daisy Jo were casually nuzzling. Twilight took a hoof to her mouth, blushing at the spectacle.

“Hi Twilight!”

“Apple Bloom, you startled me!”

“Hey, why did yah miss lunch today? Ah thought Applejack invited you and Spike.”

“Yes, well...what happened was…” Twilight couldn´t come out with an answer, she was too busy trying to keep Apple Bloom from finding her sister getting intimate with someone who wasn't a pony.

“What´s wrong? There´s something in your back?” Apple Bloom asked.

“No no no! Of course not!”

“Ah wanna see! Hey!” Apple Bloom protested because Twilight used her magic to lift her up and she sent her floating towards some haystacks. “That ain´t fair, Twilight!”

Twilight sighed. “Well, that was close…”

“What was close, Twi?”

Twilight jumped again, wondering if startling her was a sisters thing. “Applejack! Wha-what a re you doing here?”

“Ah live here, Twi,” Applejack deadpanned.

“Yes! You live here with your brother, who is a pony and your sister, who is a pony too. And your grandma is also a pony.”

“Yes, we are all ponies, Twi.”

“But there are other animals who aren´t ponies, like Winona, who is a dog.”

“That she is,” Applejack casually stated.

“And there are pigs and sheeps and...cows.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow, wondering what was the deal with Twilight but since she couldn´t read her emotion she just shrugged the issue. “Yeah, there are cows and pigs and sheeps and tons of other animals. This is a farm, Twilight. Now, ah´m glad to see you, why did yah miss lunch today? I got an apple salad ready for Spike.”

“Well, I was...we were..I mean, me and Spike…”

Applejack leaned forward, piercing Twilight with her gaze. “Twi, are yah keeping somethign from me? You know ah don´t like lies around here…”

Twilight finally couldn´t keep it anymore and she shouted out loud. “I saw you kissing Daisy Jo, who is a cow and you´re a pony!”

“...that´s it?” Apple Bloom asked from the haystacks.

“Wait, you knew? And you´re okay with this? I mean, your sister is a pony and she is a cow and…”

“And what is exactly the problem with that, uh?” Applejack asked, clearly offended.

“Well, isn´t a little strange? I mean, you´re two different species and…”

“And what? Just because we´re different does that means we can´t love each other?!”

“Lo-love? You love…”

“Yeah, ah love her! Ah been loving Daisy Joe long before ah met you. We practically grew up together and she loves me back!”

“I...I didn´t know. I mean, I just assumed…” Twilight stuttered.

“Yah assumed what? That farm animals and ponies can get along? That we´re too different?”

“No Applejack, I…”

“Look, ah don´t know how things work in fancy Canterlot but ´ere in Ponyville, we all work together, farm animals and farm ponies. There are no distinctions, no animal is better than the other and Daisy Jo and mahslef have been a team for years. Mah family understand, mah old friends understand and ah was hoping mah new friends will too!”

And with those last words, Applejack turned over and went inside the barn. Apple Bloom got off the haystack and repeated her sister motions. Twilight just stood there in the field, trying to find the right words to say.

“...I´m sorry.”

*****

Two days later, Applejack and Daisy Jo were having a picnic on the field when Twilight Sparkle came to join them. Applejack was still mad at her so she just ignored her but Daisy Jo casually asked her if she wanted to join.

Twilight sat down and took a package from her saddlebags and offered it to Daisy.

“Oh oatmeal, my favourite!” she said.

Applejack was still ignoring Twilight.

“And there´s a note here. I´m sorry? Why are you apologizing Twilight?” Daisy Jo asked.

“I…”

“Ah invited her for lunch a couple days ago and she forgot ´cause she was in one of her study sessions. Again,” Applejack said and Twilight blinked, confused.

“Oh well, that´s just silly. No need to apologize for that. Would you care to join us to make up for that, Twilight?” Daisy Jo asked.

Twilight looked at Applejack who pushed a plate with a dandelion sandwich. Twilight smiled and wiped some incipient tears, taking a bite of the sandwich.

Happy Accident

Rarity was in the zone, magically lifting feathers and headbands, combing them to create fabulous designs. She had complained the whole way to Appleloosa but the second she was shown the buffalo´s collection of precious gems and beading, she was back in her happy place.

“Is she alright?” Little Strongheart asked, worried about the way the unicorn cackled when she finished a piece.

“Ah don´t worry, it´s better to have her like that than complaining about the weather every five seconds,” Applejack said. “Now cuz, what problem did you have with the trees again?”

Applejack and Braeburn left the room, leaving Little Strongheart with the other guest. She actually wanted to go with them to the orchard but she thought leaving Rarity alone was rude, despite how much she seemed to be having. She then realized her head was being filled with beans and feathers, magically forced into her hair.

“Oh darling, you look beautiful! You should wear more colorful accessories, they really bring the bright of your eyes! Here, let me help you…” Rarity said, forcing her magic on Strongheart.

“That...that isn´t necesarry.”

“Nonsense, you´ll look fabulous. Just let me do my magic.”

“NO! I mean, why don´t I show you the proper way to made them? I mean, the traditional way to made them?” Little Strongheart said, taking off the over the top headpiece Rarity had made.

“Oh of course, forgive my...enthusiasm.”

After that incident, Rarity and Strongheart actually had a good time together. The buffalo had to admit that the unicorn had talent, once she let go of her more extravagant ideas she was skillful and creative.

“How aobut this?” Rarity asked, showing a colorful headpiece.

“Wondeful. You certainly have learned the basics.”

“Oh that sounds like a challenge!”

“No, not at all,” Strongheart replied, blushing. “Mrs. Rarity, I don´t want to sound rude but why did you come here? Mrs. Applejack mentioned you dislike the weather.”

“It´s true, desert weather simply doesn´t combine with my delicate mane. But Applejack said she needed some help carrying the sick trees back to Ponyville.”

“That´s really generous of you.”

“Well, anything for a friend. I just hope those trees aren´t too heavy or too dirty.”

Strongheart giddled. “Don´t worry, I´ll carry them to the train. You just use your magic to secure them.”

“Well, thank you very much,” Rarity giggled too.

*****

A few hours later, Applejack and Strongheart carried the trees into the train. They were a little more dirty than Rarity would have liked but she faked a smile for her friends. Once everything was secured, Rarity had one final thing for Strongheart.

“I wanted to thank you for this lovely afternoon. When Applejack dragged into this dusty land, no offense Braeburn…”

“None taken, miss.”

“I was sure it was going to be unbearable but I actually had a good time. A really good time.”

Strongheart blushed, scratching her head.

“So I made you this piece as a thank you note,” Rarity said and pulled an elaborate headpiece. Even the Apples whistled at the sight of it.

“Oh! But this is...oh I…”

“What´s the problem, sugarcube?” Applejack asked the blushing buffalo.

“I´m sorry...I cannot accept this. I´m sorry!” Strongheart yelled and ran away.

“Well, the nerves! How dare she reject my present like that? I will not tolerate this!”

And Rarity ran off after Strongheart. The Apples whistled again, impressed by the mare´s fitness. Despite her reluctance for the desert ambient, Rarity was handling it pretty well, matching Strongheart´s speed. She tried to outrun her taking advantages of her natural agility but Rarity cheated, using her magic to teleport and catch up with her. Finally, Rarity was able to tackle down and demanded some answers.

“You...you don´t understand!” Strongheart replied.

“I understand that you rejected my present and I want to know why!”

“I...I can´t.”

Rarity didn´t took no for an answer and leaned forward over Strongheart, making her blush even harder.

“That headpiece you made is...is...an engagement piece!”

“...I beg your pardon?”

“The color of the band and the arrangement of the beans, tangled with the feathers, it´s the traditional way to propose to a calf. I´m sorry, I must have accidentally teach you that one. I didn´t mean anything by that…” Strongheart said, still blushing.

“Mmh. now why would you apologize?”

“Uh?”

“I see no point in apologizing for an honest mistake. If anything I´ll say it was a happy accident for my part,” Rarity said, looking down at strongheart.

“Oh,” Strongheart wasn't sure what to say but she smiled back at Rarity.

They both hear the whistle of the train but neither move. Instead, Rarity leaned a little forward, showing Strongheart one of her own traditions.

Jewels

“Morning Star! Midnight Jewel! Where are you? I swear these kids…” Spike complained while searching across the Boutique.

He had already looked at their bedrooms, his bedroom, Twilight and Rarity´s bedroom (which he wasn´t supposed to enter under any circumstances after that accidentally fire), the kitchen, the bathroom and now, he was going inside the store. The room was pitch black but for a dragon that was no problem at all, he could perfectly see the mannequins and the clothes in display. Unfortunately, he didn´t saw the string on the floor that activated the trap that dropped a ton of clothes on his head.

“Surprise!” the elder filly, Morning Star, shouted and jumped on his head while the younger sister tried to grab his tail.

“...” Spike had no reaction to the two foals trying to pin him down.

Sighing, he pick them up and waited until Morning Dawn stop fighting.

“Auh, you´re no fun, Spike.”

“It´s past your bedtime, girls,” Spike said.

“But we´re not tired,” Midnight Jewel said.

“And we´re bored!” Morning Star added.

“I swear you two…” Spike said, rubbing his forehead but he couldn't stay mad at the pegasus and unicorn filly. “I know you two miss your mothers but they can´t take you with them to their social events. I mean, they will if somepony haven´t done a scene last Gala…”

“Hey, it´s not my fault! How could I know that Princess Celestia was joking when she said her mane was made of ice-cream?” Morning Star said, pouting with her arms crossed.

Spike smiled and put both fillies on his back. They always liked riding on his back and Spike found funny that now he was large enough for a foal. “So, what fun thing do you girls want to do? Read a book?”

“Yes!” Midnight Jewel said.

“Agh, so boring! Only you and mom will find reading a book fun!” Morning Star said.

“Hey, don´t talk like that. Your mom can be really funny,” Spike said.

“Yeah because maths are so much fun…”

“Hey, your mom is not all books and numbers. She has many other talents. After all, there´s a reason why she is called the Most Romantic Pony in Equestria.”

“Mom? Our mom the most romantic pony in Equestria?” Morning Star asked, incredulous.

“Sure. I never told you girls this story?”

“Tell us, Spike! Tell us!” Midnight Jewel said, jumping up and down his back while her sister rolled her eyes.

“Well, here it goes. Before you girls were born, your mom and I had to travel across the world, meeting the leaders of different kingdoms and such. Unfortunately, we couldn´t take Rarity with us since she had job to do here and of course, that made both your moms were sad.”

Spike put down their fillies on Morning Star´s bed.

“But your mom Twilight is the type of pony who never gives up and so, she found a solution. She combined different forms of magic and created a special type of magical rock.”

And Spike uses his magic fire to make appear a box. He opened it and revealed several jewels labeled after countries like “Saddle Arabia” and such. Spike took the first rock and asked Midnight Jewel to use her magic on it. Morning Star puted, folding her wings but her eyes opened as wide as her sister when the room was filled with stars.

“What´s this?” Midnight Jewel asked.

“This is an image of the night sky at Saddle Arabia. Twilight invented a spell that let Rarity see what she was seeing. After she imprinted the jewel with the image, I used my magic to sent it to Rarity and so, she wouldn't feel so lonely being so far away.”

“It´s...really pretty,” Morning Star admitted.

“Yup. We traveled to many different places and eventually, word of what Twilight was doing got spread and rulers shows us the best sights at their countries. And they also give us the best meals,” Spike said, licking his lips, remembering the food. “And so, that´s how  Twilight was know as the romantic pony of Equestria.”

Spike looked at the fillies. Midnight Jewel was enchanted by the stars but he smiled when looking at Morning Star, who had stop pouting and was blushing a little, looking at stars.

A few hours later, all three fell asleep on the bed, each filly in one of Spike's arm. Twilight Sparkle peeked through the door and smiled at the sight. She was planning to let them be but her old habits took the best of her and she moved to fix the sheets. When she did, a sleepy Morning Star got up and hug her tight.

Twilight smiled as she put the filly back into the sheets, tugging her tight along with her sister and Spike. She left the bedroom, gave Rarity who was looking from the hallway a small kiss on the cheek and softly closed the door.

Old School

“Come on Applejack, hurry!”

“Rarity, over here!”

Applejack and Rarity sighed at the same time. Trying to keep up with their enthusiastic little siblings was a task more tiresome than any of the adventure they faced when wearing the Elements of Harmony.

They were glad Rainbow Dash had taken Scootaloo to Cloudsdale for the weekend. They could barely handle two, they shuddered at the idea of the three Crusaders together. Then again, Scootaloo missing was the reason they were at the Town Square to begin with. Better than leave those two fillies all alone and bored, risking the possibilities they find something to do, was to endure a few hours and take them to town.

Rarity had insisted going shopping but was rejected for being too boring while Applejack´s suggestion of go visit Cheerilee ona weekend was met by a shut-on-their-faces door by say teacher; so instead, they followed the fillies of going to the arcades.

“Ah wanna ride this one! No, ah wanna play this one! No, this one!”

“Find one for two players, Apple Bloom!”

“Now now, girls. Just calm down and find a game we can all play together,” Rarity suggested while Applejack exchanged a few bits for more bits, these ones bits for the machines.

“Found it!” both fillies said and grabbed the bits, rushing too a two players shooter game.

“Well, at least they seem to be having fun,” Rarity pointed.

“Come on Rares, let´s find something to do.”

“I don´t know, Applejack. All these modern games are too...noisy, for a lack of a better world. Whatever happened to the games when we were fillies? All the tableboards and card games?”

“They all end up in the attic, ah guess. Along with our records and dolls,” Applejack said and Rarity sighed, obviously feeling out of her element. “Hey, there´s something ah recognize,” Applejack said, pointing at a table.

“Shufflepuck. Oh my stars, I haven´t played this in years.” She looked at Applejack who had already put the coins, throwing the disk at the board and holding the paddle with one hoof. “Oh, it is on.”

“Ahhh, we lost!” Apple Bloom cried. “Got any more coins?” Sweetie shook her head and Apple Bloom got off the stool, looking defeated. “Now what are we gonna do?”

“Let´s ask our sisters for more change. That assuming they didn´t spend it in some boring crane game or something.”

“Yeah, ah bet they...what is all that commotion over there?”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie had to push among the crowd to get a good look at what was going on and, once they did it, they jawa drop to the ground.

Applejack and Rarity were engaged in what could only be described as a battle of epic proportions. They keep hitting the pucks at full force, neither mare letting the other score. Rarity was swift and graceful while Applejack was fierce and brutal. Ponies around the arcade were taking bets on them while the table shook with the force of their movements. Finally, Applejack and Rarity locked their gazes together and, without looking at the board, sent the pucks at full force at each other, causing the table to crack under the pressure.

Obviously, the match ended on a draw but the owner refused to let them decide with another game and instead gave them coupons for free ice-creams at the store across the street. Rarity and Applejack shrugged and decided it was a better idea, taking their sister with them.

“Woah Nelly, that was the most fun ah had all week!” Applejack said.

“I agree, it was rather...intense. And I could really use a refreshment right now so this coupns come very in handy. Sweetie Belle dear, what flavour do you want yours? Sweetie?”

They turned to look at their sister, their shaking, white pale, staring at nothing sisters.

“What in tarnation is wrong with yah two?” Applejack asked.

“It´s those violent modern games, Applejack. They do horrible things to their brains.”

Old House

“Come on guys! This ain´t fair!”

Despite the orange colt protest, the two other older ponies kept his straw hat up in the air when he couldn´t reach it. When they got tired, the unicorn of the pair used his magic to move the hat to the tallest branch in a nearby tree.

“Good luck getting it back, blank flank!” they said in unison and left laughing.

The little colt sighed and tried to climb the tree but he fell down. He was about to start crying when a soft voice asked behind him “Wait. Let me help you.”

He turned over and caught a glimpse of a pony raising in the air and grabbing the hat. He watched as the yellow pegasus descended with the hat on her mouth and gave it to him.

“Thanks, ma´am!”

“You´re welcome. It´s a lovely hat,” she said.

“It´s mah favourite hat! Grandpa Big Mac made it for me!” the colt said with a bright smile, showing his buck teeth

The pegasus smiled at him but she seemed somewhat sad doing so. Budwood noticed she was really pretty and lively, despite being around the same age of his grandmother.

“You okay, ma´am?”

“I´m fine. Just a little tired, I think. I haven´t used my wings in a long while.”

“A pegasus that doesn't use her wings? That´s weird…” the colt said, not noticing the mare blushing. “Anyways, yah were really kind to me, ma´am; is anything ah can do to help you with?”

“Actually there is, umh…”

“Name´s Budwood but everypony calls me Bud! And anything yah need, ah can get it!”

“I just need to find the Town Hall. It seems a little lost and I can´t find my way back to the Town Square,” she said.

“No worries, ma´am! Ah´ll guide you right to the front gates!”

“Such a gentlecolt…” she said, ruffling his name and making him blush now.

Budwood lead the quiet pegasus to the center of Ponyville, all the while talking about his friends and family.

“So, you are visiting the Apples?” she asked.

“No ma´am, ah live ´ere with Granny Jack. She´s a bit of a grump but ah think you´ll like her!”

She giggled at this so Budwood smiled back. They finally reached the Town Square and Budwood asked her to stay close since it was the rush hour.

“Oh my, the town has certainly grown these past years…” she mentioned.

“Have yah been in Ponyville ´fore, ma´am?”

“I used to live here but that was long ago. Everything has changed,” she murmured the last sentence so Budwood didn´t get it.

“There´s the Town Hall! Just pass right the corner of the sweet shop. Ah stop there to get cupcakes every weekend,” he said, pointing.

“Just at the corner of Sugarcube Corner then?”

“Yah mean Sugarcube Square, right?”

The mare looked over him and once she saw the giant building, she understood what he meant.

“Oh my…” she simply said.

“Well ma´am, it was a pleasure to guide yah. And thanks agian for recovering mah hat,” Budwood said, attempting to leave.

“Umh actually, could you please wait for me? I only need to get some papers signed and then I need to find some other place. Just one more.”

“Sure thing!” he said, making a salute.

The mare giggled again and Budwood smiled at her. He waited for about half an hour, taking a milkshake at Sugarcube. He was starting to get bored but figured that leaving a stranger, even one who used to be from around her if he heard her correctly, al alone was rude and definitely, not the Apples way. Just when he was done with his drink, the mare returned.

“All done, ma´am?”

“Yes,” she said and looked at the waitress who took Budwood´s drink away. “Was that Pumpkin Cake?”

“Yes, she is…” Budwood turned over and caught the mare gigging again, this time at Budwood´s dreamy eyes when looking at the unicorn. Blushing, Budwood got up. “And where do ah take you now, ma´am.”

The mare gave him the instruction while still giggling.

After a short walk, smother since they were leaving the crowd Town Square, they reached their destination, an old cottage at the outskirts of the town.

“Sure yah want to go there, ma´am? That´s the haunted house,” Budwood said, slowly hiding behind the mare.

“Haunted house?”

“Yeah, there´s a monster living on that house. Only the Princess is brave enough to get inside.”

“She does?” the mare asked.

“Yeah, once a week she gets in with a bag and stays for like half an hour. Every time there´s noise and dust coming out tah windows. Ah think the Princess is keeping a monster in there and has to feed it every week.”

Budwood looked at the mare, wondering how she could giggle to something like that. Just then, a loud noise came from inside the house and dust escaped from the half open windows. Budwood stayed in the fence, watching the mare get inside. He was too far away to hear this full exchange:

“Spike, are you here?” the mare asked from the doorway.

“Oh Fluttershy! You´re back!” Spike said, holding a broom and smiling despite being covered in dust.

“I heard you have been taking care of my house while I was gone.”

“I tried but your animal friends never make it easy,” Spike said, waving at the animal critters who were making a mess of the kitchen.

Fluttershy looked behind her and saw Budwood peeking from behind the fence. “I heard the kids in town think you´re a monster.”

“Yeah, I don´t go out much anymore and I kinda snore when I´m sleeping. I think the kids started to tell stories about me,” Spike said, scratching his neck.

Fluttershy smiled and approached Spike, handling him a book from his saddlebags.

“Is this it?” Spike said an Fluttershy nodded. Spike flipped through the pages of the book. “Woah Fluttershy, this is...all this information about dragons. I can´t believe you travelled all these years. I should have gone with you but…”

Fluttershy patted the now tall dragon in the head and smiled. “It´s okay. Now, I have plenty of stories to tell but I´ll like a cup of tea first.”

“Coming!” Spike said, almost roaring.

Outside the cottage, Budwood wondered if he should go get his grandmother for help.

Hard to see

“Look at them! Can you see it?” Cloudchaser said, nudging her teammate Snowflake.

The muscular pony looked at what she was pointing at but he only saw Spitfire and Soarin arguing, something that happened often. Almost a routine, you could say.

“I don´t see it,” he said.

“How can you not see that these two are meant for each other? They are definitely the perfect couple and I can see something going on there…” the mare insisted but Snowflake still saw nothing. “Seems they haven´t even realized yet either. Ahh, wouldn´t be wonderful if they finally confess their feelings for each other and accept their love?”

“Why do you keep insisting with this? I don´t see how is any of your business,” Snowflake said.

“Well, it is my business! It´s my captain and my favourite Wonderbolt, I wanted them to be happy!” Cloudchaser said, looking a little offended.

“And are you sure that getting together will make them happy?”

“Sure it will! Ié been following those two careers since I was a filly. I can totally tell they´ve harboring a crush for each other for years but never allow it to be expressed!”

“...you are starting to scare me.”

“Oh, don´t be a coward! Now help me push that raincloud. Once we get them wet, they will stop arguing and start laughing and then they will lock their eyes and…”

Snowflake psuhed Cloudchaser before she get lost in another of her romantic ramblings. He wasn´t too sure about this plan but he did wanted Spitfire and Soarin to stop yelling at each other. He admired them both and liked them better when they were working together and not when they were arguing about the cadets performance.

Working together, they moved the rain cloud over their heads and made it rain. The idea was too quickly hide and watch them reconcile forma safe spot. Too bad they forgot that not only that Soarin and Spitfire were the fastest ponies in the academy and could catch them before they could hide; but also that Snowflake wasn´t very good at hiding.

“Sorry,” Snowflake said, with half his body sticking from the bush they were trying to hide behind.

*****

“This time it will work!” Cloudchaser announced, hovering next to Spitfire´s office.

“Are you sure about this?” Snowflake asked, holding a box

“Yes! Trust me, we only need to create a situation and when that situation causes an awkward pause, bam! Spitfire will finally lower her defenses and allow Soarin to ask the question! I´s a flawalles plan!”

“You get that from a romance novel, right?”

“Shu-shut up and handle me the pies!”

While Cloudchaser placed the pies in the door of Spitfire´s office, Snowflake saw two other female cadets passing by. He tried to act cool so they wouldn't figure out what they were doing. When Cloudchaser got out of the windows, the cadets giggled and whispered with each other making Snowflake blush.

“All set! Hey, what's wrong? Why are you red? You getting sick or something?” Cloudchaser said, pushing her forehead against Snowflakes making him blush harder.

He retreated, embarrassed and Cloudchaser wondered why but before she could ask, they heard the door opening.

“Now Soarin, I´m telling yo-” Spitfire´s sentence got cut short by a pie landing on her head.

Soarin casually lciked the fillign while his aprtner was burning with anger.

“Umh she doesn´t look embarrassed. She looks more...angry,” Cloudchaser commented. “Also, I think she can see us!”

*****

Cloudchaser and Snowflake were forced to clean all the windows in the academy as punishment for their “prank”

“Hey CH, good prank you pulled on Spitfire! But next time try not to get caught!” Rainbow Dash shouted, passing by.

“It wasn't a prank. It was supposed a romantic comedic scenario. Maybe I´m reading the wrong novels…” Cloudchaser said.

“Alright you two, at ease!” Spitfire said, approaching along with Soarin. “Before you continue with your punishment, I want an explanation for why two did that!” she said, her man still wet from the logn shower she needed to clean all the pie filling from her head.

Cloudchaser was about to say something but Snowflake interrupted her “It was my idea. I dared her to play a prank on you, sir. Ma´am.”

“Is that so?” Spitfire said, her arms crossed.

Cloudchaser looked at Snowflake, wondering why he was taking the fall for her.

“Well, in that case I think it´s better than we separate you two. Cloudchaser has one of the best records and I don't want you to ruin it,” Spitfire said to Snowflake.

Soarin noticed the distressed look on Cloudchaser´s eyes and realized something. Smiling, he touched Spitfire in the shoulder “Hey, let´s not be hasty! Why don´t we wait to see if they can handle this task together?”

“...okay. After all, two ponies together can clean the whole building faster,” she conceded and Snowflake and Cloudchaser smiled.

“And after they done with the main building, you can continue with the gym. And the showers. And the storage room,” Spitfire added, making them drop their smiles.

Before they left, Soarin gave Snowflake a wink, encouraging to make a move. Snowflake however returned to the window, a slight blush on his cheeks.

“Thanks for taking the fall for me,” Cloudchaser said.

“No problem. That´s what wing ponies have to do,” he said, still blushing.

Cloudchaser played a little with the sponge before saying, “You know, I got a little worried there when Spitfire said about splitting us because...I have so much fun being your partner. You think she will really do it?”

“....I think we should finish this task first, partner.”

“Okay then, partner,” she said, smiling and moving a little closer to Snowflake.

Back in the other side of the field, Soarin was complimenting Spitfire´s wet mane, causing her to blush and yell a little at him.

Taking Over

Like every morning, Pinkie Pie woke up and her mane poof into action. She got up, kissed Gummy, opened the window and waved to the sun, all with a big, goofy smile on her face.

“Okie Dokie Lokie! Another day begins! First…” she said out loud, looking at the activities notebook Twilight gave her last birthday. “Feed the babies so the Cakes can open the store! Okie Dokie Lokie!”

Pinkie bounced downstairs to the kitchen and grabbed a pair of bottles from the fridge.

Mrs. Cake saw her and rushed to stop her. “Oh Pinkie, don´t disturb the babies! They´re asleep!”

“But they never go back to sleep until I feed them the bottles,” Pinkie said.

“Pinkie already took care of that, dear.”

“I didn´t, silly! I just got up! Oh wait, I was sleepwalking again?”

“Oh, I meant the other Pinkie, Diane,” Mrs. Cake said.

“Ummh Mrs. Cake, nopony calls me Diane. Except my mom...when she is mad at me…” Pinkie said, no longer smiling.

“Oh well, it gets a little confusing with both you having the same name. I didn´t mean…”

“It´s...it´s okay, Mrs. Cake. Well then, I´ll go see FLuttershy,” Pinkie said, faking a smile.

She packed a few musical instruments and headed for the cottage, making a conscious effort to bounce all the way there.

“Hi Pinkie, did you forget something?” Fluttershy said when she saw her coming.

“Forget? Oh I think I didn´t bring my harmonica! Do we need that for your rehearsal?”

“But we just had a rehearsal..” Fluttershy began but covered her mouth once she realized what was going on. “I mean, no. We don´t need it unless you want to come back  for it…”

“No, Fluttershy. It´s okay. I´ll go see if Rarity still needs to try her new outfit,” Pinkie said and left, now walking with her head low.

“Oh Pinkie Pie, you back!” Rarity said upon looking Pinkie at the door and the pink pony responded with a loud growl. “Oh, it´s you. I thought it was the other Pinkie.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, Rarity. Wait, you can tell us apart?”

“Of course I can, darling. Maybe other ponies with less attention to detail will miss it but I can clearly see the other Pinkie has a certain...maturity that you lack.”

“What? She is exactly like me! She likes parties and loud music!” Pinkie yelled, obviously offended by her friend´s comment.

“Probably the reason other ponies have so much troubles telling you apart. We should do something about it...got it!” Rarity said and used her magic to comb Pinkie´s mane, giving her a straight mane.

Rarity was very proud of her work but Pinkie was obviously mad and left the store in a hurry. She ran towards the Town Square when she found Twilight, Spike and Rainbow Dash walking along the other Pinkie.

“YOU!” Pinkie yelled, pointing at her exact duplicate. “You are taking over my life!”

The other Pinkie looked confused at Pinkie.

“Ever since you arrived from that dumb portal you have been doing nothing but ruining my life. You are taking over my family, my friends, my life. Why do you have to do everything I do?”

“I was jsut trying to help you. Doing some of your chores so you can have more fun…” the other Pinkie said.

“You´re not helping! You´re hurting me!”

“PINKIE PIE!!” Pinkie Pie feel to the ground, blown apart by the force of Twilight using the Royal Canterlot Voice “I´m so disappointed of you, Pinkie! You know she is only trying to adjust to Equestria and being nice to you, how can you say such things?”

“But she is trying to steal my life!” Pinkie retorted.

“In twenty moons the portal will re-open and she will return to her world. We were talking about making a farewell party and what gifts she can take back to Canterlot High. She is not planning to stay!” Twilight said.

“But...but she...she…”

“Not cool, Pinkie. Not cool,” Rainbow Dash said with her arms crossed.

Pinkie broke into tears and left, trotting away from town. She eventually stopped at the side of a stream where she let the tears fall into the water. A while later, she felt a hoof touching her shoulder. A soft, pink hoof attached to an equally pink pony with a bright blue jacket.

“Rarity made me this present. She says it matches my eyes,” the other Pinkie said.

Pinkie wiped her tears and said, “It does.” After a small, silent pause Pinkie added “Sorry for what I said.”

“It´s okay. It´s also my fault for not asking you first. Guess I just like being with your friends so much.”

“I know, they´re great. I once used a magic pool to duplicate myself so I can be with all of them at the same time,” Pinkie said,

“Really? You have a pool that can do that here?” the other Pinkie said, excited.

“Yes! But we had to close it because it was causing troubles. Here´s the full story…”

Twilight Sparkle watched from afar as Pinkie Pie did all sorts of gestures and waves while she explained something to the other Pinkie, who nodded and gasped in surprise at every sentence.

She smiled and turned around, meeting with her friends to start planning the farewell party

A little secret

Rainbow Dash was confused.

Right after Twilight and Spike came back from the mirror, another pony came out. A pink pony that was exactly the same as Pinkie Pie. But couldn´t be Pinkie because she was standing right next to her.

“What happened to my hands?” the pink pony that looked like Pinkie but wasn´t Pinkie said.

“What are hands?” Rainbow Dash said.

****

Rainbow Dash woke up from a strange dream to the sound of somepony calling her name. She looked through her window and saw Pinkie Pie waving at her.

“Hey Pinkie, come up!”

“How do I do that? I´m not one of those flying ponies!” Pinkie replied.

Rainbow looked at her confused but upon seeing the completely lost expression on the pink pony face, she realized what was going on. It wasn´t a dream at all.

“Oh right, just...use one of those flying things. Or attach a bunch of balloons to your back,” Rainbow said.

“And where do I get balloons?” this Pinkie Pie asked.

“I don't know. The same place you take your party cannon.”

“I don´t know how to do that either!”

Rainbow rolled her eyes and fell down to the ground. She looked at this Pinkie with a raised eyebrow, waiting for her to explain why she was calling her to begin with. When she realized this Pinkie was as bad as her Pinkie at getting clues, she just asked “What do you want?”

“Oh! Twilight told me to go to this Sweet Apple Yards…”

“Acres.”

“That! I have to meet with Applejack to get some boxes but I can´t remember where this Sweet Apple Fields is.”

Rainbow rolled her eyes again but didn´t corrected her. “Come on, I´ll walk you there.”

While they walked, Pinkie Pie told Rainbow all about her week so far and all the ponies she had met and talked to and all the things she had done. It amused Rainbow how the most mundane of the things sounded so new and original when she described them.

“...and then Fluttershy taught me this cute lullaby song and we put all her critters to sleep.”

“That´s cute. You know Pinkie…” Rainbow said, emphasizing her name. “You´re different to what I expected.”

“Really? how so?”

“Twilight said you were pretty much like Pinkie from here but you´re a little more quiet. I thought you´ll be some wild prankster and that you two will take advantage of all this, switching places to confuse everypony,” Rainbow said.

“I used to be a weild prankster but Principal Celestia implemented a no tolerance policy to pranks and that put an end to my antics,” Pinkie explained.

“A shame. I bet you are great at pranks.”

“I am! I once put a fart cushion at Principal Luna´s seat while she was giving a speech and when she finished...hahaha! Now that I think about it maybe that explain why pranks got banned. She didn´t found it funny. At all.”

Rainbow did find it funny and laughed out loud.

“You know, you´re also pretty different from the Rainbow Dash I know.”

“I bet. I´m unique,” Rainbow said, inflating her chest.

“But you both are pretty great. I´m glad you two are my friends.”

“...hey, Pinkie. Can I tell you something?”

“Yes, Rainbow?”

“Don´t tell this to the other Pinkie because she will never shut up about it but, among all my friends, I think she is my best friend.”

“Really? Even more than Fluttershy? Or Applejack?”

“They´re all my friends and I love them a lot but Pinkie, she...well, she is special. She is the one pony that can always make me laugh and that´s why i love her the most,” Rainbow said, blushing a little. “But don´t say this to anypony, especially not Pinkie! She will throw me a parade and tell everypony how sappy I was! I have a reputation to keep!”

“Okie Dokie, Dashie…”

“Okay then, we´re here now. I´ll go ahead and ask Applejack for those boxes. I bet they´re pretty heavy and you still haven't figured out how to carry things, I bet,” Rainbow said, taking flight.

“Thanks, Dashie.”

Once Rainbow was far enough, a pink head appeared from behind some nearby bushes.

“So, did she bought it? Does she thinks you are me? I mean, than I´m you. I mean…” the pink pony began.

“Yes but I´m calling the prank off,” Pinkie Pie said.

“Why? I thought you wanted to play a prank on Rainbow!”

“Pranks are only funny if everybody laughs.”

“Mmh, Principal Celestia told me the exact same thing after I played that prank on her sister. But she was laughing too. I don´t get it…” the Pinkie Pie at the bushes complained.

Pinkie Pie smiled and looked over to the barn where Rainbow Dash was talking to Applejack.

She smiled, silently making a Pinkie Promise to keep the secret her friend just told her.

Jailed

There were few things that Fluttershy truly hated. It was hard for other ponies to imagine, being Fluttershy such a kind and gentle spirit, that she would truly hate something but, what they ignore is that there´s a difference between being scared and hating something; and Fluttershy hated cages. That´s why she refused to have her bird friends on them, unless they were sick and needed special care; otherwise, she trembled at the mere mention of bars and had nightmares at night about being in such a confined place.

So, right now, she wasn´t scared as anypony would expect of her, she was angry. She had been tossed inside a dark and smelly dungeon, that resembled a cage too much for her comfort. She now understood Rainbow´s annoyance with remaining still and not being able to fly. The thing she wanted the most was to leave this suffocating space and spread her wings. She wasn't the best flier but, like any pegasus, the urge of flight was inside her and she needed it. She needed the skies.

Fluttershy got tired of trying to reason with the guards. They didn't understood a single word of hers and she couldn't understand them either. She wished her friends will be there. Twilight will surely find a way out of the cage with Applejack´s assistance, no doubt. Rarity will probably figure out how to talk to the guards while Spike could find a way to make this cell more comfortable, improvising a bed or something. And Pinkie Pie could make her smile. She always made her smile.

A pony with a brown coat and light yellow mane approached the cell door and stared at Fluttershy. She didn´t liked the way this pony was looking at her.

“Who...are...you?” the pony said.

“Oh my Celestia!” Fluttershy said, recovering all her strengths. She flew over to the door at such a speed that even Rainbow will envy her. “I can understand you! You can understand me?”

“You...use...our...words. How?”

“It´s...Equestrian. Everypony speaks Equestrian. You...don´t?”

The other pony looked at Fluttershy and tilted her head, obviously struggling to understand. Fluttershy got nervous, trying to figure out some way to communicate. She sighed, remembering how bad she was at charades, something that always ruined Pinkie´s parties.

Another pony, this one with purple coat and dark blue mane, suddenly appeared and start yelling. Ar argument started between these two ponies and Fluttershy could only guess what they were saying.

*****

“Why are you speaking with her?” the purple pony asked.

“She can understand me. Barely. I think I can communicate with her,” the brown pony replied.

“Communicate? With a pegasus?”

“She uses some words from our language. Maybe she is a merchant or was raised around earth ponies.”

“How dare you suggest any of our tribe will let a pegasus learn our customs? These barbaric brutes can never live among us!”

“With all due respect, Chancellor, I disagree.”

*****

“Wait. Did she said Chancellor?” Fluttershy wondered.

*****

“Smart Cookie, don´t contradict me! And don´t speak to the prisoner!” the Chancellor ordered.

“But how else can we know who she is and where she came from?” Smart Cookie replied.

“I don´t care who she is and you saw very well where she came from! She came from that haunted forest. You and me both saw her appeared from that glowing door. A portal to Tartarus, no doubt.”

“That I saw but I refuse to believe she came from Tartarus.”

“What other explanation could it be?” the Chancellor yelled.

“Magic, perhaps. Maybe the actions of an unicorn sorceress?”

“Nonsense. What unicorn will ever even speak to a pegasus? They do nothing but hide on their mountains.”

“As always Chancellor, you´re not really listening to me…”

****

“Wait I did heard that! You are Smart Cookie!” Fluttershy said, interrupting their argument. “But you don´t look anything like Applejack. Makes sense, I guess…”

Fluttershy pondered for a few seconds, trying to remember something. “Their language is not Equestrian because there´s no Equestria yet. Each tribe has their own language, I think. Uh Twilight, I need you. I´m not good at history.”

Fluttershy looked up and saw the two ponies, looking at her with confused expression. “Umh, I need your help. I need you to contact Clover the Clever. She or maybe he, is a powerful unicorn wizard. He can probably help me contact my friends and sent me back to my era.”

At the mention of that name, both ponies started arguing again. Fluttershy could only make out half of the worlds, like “right” and “questioning” and “forbidden”. Finally, the Chancellor let go a loud “No!” and ordered something to the guards, who take Smart cookie out of the room. The Chancellor glared at Fluttershy before leaving, ignoring all of her pleas.

Fluttershy sighed, praying to Celestia for strenght. The strenght to endure until her friends can find her. She turned around a few times, very much like her dog friends, and lay down on the cold floor of the cel, trying to get some sleep.

Broken Routine

Aloe was a pony of routines, which was to be expected since she ran a very specific type of business. And one of the most important item on her weekends routine, to the point of being even called a tradition, was that every saturday the pegasus Fluttershy will arrive and wait for about an hour for her friend Rarity to come in and they both will get a full treatment.

That was how the routine went but, since the last couple of months, the routine has changed. From waiting an hour to one and a half to two to finally four. Four hours had passed by and still no signs of Rarity. Fluttershy refused to leave her spot however, reading again and again the same magazines and glancing at the clock in the wall every thirty minutes.

Finally, the doorbell rang and Rarity walked in.

“Terribly sorry for my lateness, dear. I came here as soon as the train arrived. As you can see, I didn't even got time to change clothes,” Rarity said, while Aloe helped her remove the dirty armor.

When she took the helmet off, both the spa pony and FLuttershy gasped.

“Your...mane!” FLuttershy said.

“Oh, yes…” Rarity said, rubbing her hoof over what remained of her once long and fabulous mane. “I forgot to mention this on my last letter.”

“What happened? Did some creature attacked you? Did your burn your head on an accident?” FLuttershy inquired, looking terrified as she kept suggesting scenarios.

“No no, dear. I simply cut it for...practical reasons. You must admit my previous style wasn´t quite fit for a helmet so…”

Fluttershy looked like she was about to cry. Aloe could tell she didn´t care about the mane at all but the shock of seen her friend so changed. She cleared her throat loud enough to get their attention and guided them into the hot tubs.

Rarity let go a loud sigh once she finally got into the hot water. She smiled as she washed her arms, not noticing Fluttershy flinching at the sight of her many bruises and cuts.

“Ahh, there´s nothing like a relaxing bath to heal these tired muscles,” Rarity said.

“You do seem a little more...muscular,” Fluttershy commented.

“Do I? Well, I suppose so. All that exercise must paid off somehow. Funny that you mentioned it, Hard Helmet told me something similar after I beat him at a hoff wrestle match,” Rarity said, laughing at the memory.

“Who is Hard Helmet?” Fluttershy asked, sounding a little too harsh on her inquiry.

“Oh, he´s one of my squad partners. I should introduce you two, he has a soft spot for kittens,” Rarity said, giggling.

“He sounds...nice,” Fluttershy murmured.

“Oh, he´s delightful! All the boys at the squad are, such a nice group!”

Rarity got lost on her own world, humming what seemed like a marching song. Fluttershy meanwhile was busy having an argument with herself, fighting to decide if she should say something or not.

Rarity took the lead, mentioning out loud, “Ah, these days are the best. Wish I could stay in Ponyville longer.”

“Then why don´t you?”

“I´m sorry, darling?”

“Why don´t you come back? Why do you have to go back to Canterlot and be sent somewhere far away, a place filled with dangerous monsters and bandits and the like? Why do you have to keep putting yourself in danger?” FLuttershy demanded to know.

“Fluttershy, you know it´s part of my job. When I took the vows…”

“Why do you take them? Why did you have to leave?” Fluttershy yelled, sobbing.

Rarity drew her closer and tried to calm her down. “Fluttershy, you know exactly why. Twilight needs me. She needs me as one of her guards now.”

“I don´t think she wants that,” Fluttershy said, sobbing on her friend's chest.

“Probably. But just like Rainbow told her when we joined the guard, she won't get rid of us so easily,” Rarity joked, trying to get Fluttershy to stop crying.

“You could have stayed. You could have stayed with me and Applejack and…”

“Applejack stayed because she has a family to take care off. Just like you stayed because of your animal friends,” Rarity interrupted her. “You are needed here but I´m needed there. You do understand, right Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy nodded but she said “I don´t want to.”

Aloe considered this the right moment to interrupt. She had been listening for the past five minutes, not because she was spying on them but because she was afraid they were arguing when she overheard Fluttershy raising her voice. She cleared her throat again and asked them if they wanted a massage.

“That sounds lovely. Shall we, Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy wiped her tears and nodded, managing to bring a sincere smile to her face.

Proud

“Come on Twilight, come out already!” Spike said.

“You promise you won´t laugh?” came the reply from the closed bedroom door.

“Yes,” Spike said, rolling his eyes.

“Say you promise, Spike!”

“I promise, I promise! Just come out and let me see!”

Twilight opened the door and stood in front of Spike. “So, do I look good?”

Spike had to hold his breath to not burst laughing right there.

“Hey Twily!” came a voice from downstairs.

“Shining? What are you doing here?” Twilight asked, already starting to blush.

“I came to see how you look in unifo-” Shingin couldn't finish the sentence since he had to suppress a chuckle. “You look...fine.”

Twilight growled and left the room, missing the moment her two siblings finally broke and fell to the ground, laughing. Twilight kept blushing all the way from her dorm to the field of Celestia's School for Unicorn. She tried to avoid other students but when she reached the field she ran into a blue unicorn with a magic wand Cutie Mark and her posse, who all laughed at the sight of Twilight. Blushing harder, Twilight rushed to join the mass of the school band, bumping into another student.

“Sorry. I wasn´t paying attention,” Twilight said to a white unicorn with braces.

“Hey there, you must be new! You know, because I've never seen you here before!”

“Yes, my name is Twilight Sparkle and I…”

“Oh, that´s great! I mean, it´s weird for a student to join the band so late in the year but I´m so happy to meet you!”

“Thanks, listen…” Twilight tried to say something but the unicorn kept interrupting her.

“My name is Vinyl Scratch! What´s your name? Oh wait, you already told me! What instrument do you play? Oh, you brought a xylophone! That's cool! I play the cymbals! See?”  And Vinyl banged the cymbals, causing Twilight's eyes to bounce due to the impact. “Fun, right? Oh, I´m so glad to have you in the band, Twilight! I bet you´re gonna love it!”

“I´m not in the band!” Twilight said, pushing Vinyl aside. “I only joined because I need extracurricular activities to pass this course. I´m not interested in joining,” she finished explaining, blushing when she noticed the same blue unicorn laughing and mocking her from the stands.

“Oh, okay then…”

The awkward moment got interrupted by the teacher blowing her whistle and calling the band in formation. Twilight sighed, wishing to be done with this quickly. Holding the instrument with her magic wasn´t so difficult but she soon discovered that standing in formation and keeping the rhythm while doing so was almost impossible. She tripped and caused the nitre line to fall down. Once again, she heard laughs from the stands and unable to stand it anymore, Twilight ran off, hiding inside a storage room.

“Hey, you okay?” Vinyl asked, peeking from the door into the dark room.

“No, I´m not! I look stupid with this uniform, I really don´t how to play this and I´ve turn into a laughing stock!” Twilight said, tossing the hat aside. “I hate this! I rather be on the library that being exposed here like a clown. I don´t know how you can stand this, Vinyl.”

“Because I´m not a clown! None of them are! We´re the School Band and we´re proud of it! Maybe you´re too petty to be in this band but I´m not!” Vinyl explained, clearly offended and moving closer to her with each sentence.

“Hey, I´m not petty. I just don't like other ponies making fun of me,” Twilight answered, blushing although this time more out of guilt than embarrassment.

“Well, that´s your problem because I feel no shame in wearing this uniform! Vinly said and turned around.

Twilight approached her to apologize and got a glimpse of the band marching. Twilight´s eyes went wide upon looking that perfect formation. “It´s...flawless. Two set of straight lines, bot a pony out of place. I never noticed it.”

“You never saw the band playing before?” Vinyl asked and Twilight shook her head. “You need to get out of the library more,” she said, patting Twilight in the back.

“Vinyl, I´m sorry for what I said. Think you can you forgive me?”

Vinyl pondered for a few seconds and then levitated the xylophone to Twilight. “Let´s see first how you handle yourself in the field.”

Twilight smiled and took the instrument back. Vinyl tried to leave first but crashed against the door.

“It´s too bright outside. I have sensitive eyes,” she explained, rubbing her snout.

Twilight looked around the room and found a box with some lost objects. She elviated a pair of sunglasses and handled them to Vinyl.

“Hey, cool!” Vinyl said and almost crashed against the door again.

Twilight wasn´t the most talented xylophone player but she didn't cared. She was happy simply standing in formation and keeping the rhythm. The laughs of the other unicorns no longer bothered her and they stopped mocking the band when Princess Celestia came to see the rehearsal. With a proud smile, Twilight marched along with Vinyl as the band played the school's anthem.

Farmers of the Moon

Creatures of the moon were curious by nature. They lived in a place filled with wonders and mysteries but they were missing so much that happened at land.

Ever since they were released from the grip of the Nightmare forces, Princess Luna has been visiting every two moon cycles, spending their time with them as the moon circled Equestria. While she was there she told them stories about flowers and rivers, about green fields and the blue sea, stories about all the wonders that could never happen in the warren land of the moon.

Feeling sorry for her friends, Princess Luna asked her sister for assistance, to bring something from Equestria to the moon. Celestia told Luna that one of the Elements Bearers will be the answer she seeked. Princess Luna first choice was Twilight Sparkle so she took her to the moon. Twilight and her assistant Spike spent a full cycle reading books and showing pictures to the moon creatures but that wasn't enough. Once she left, she left nothing to be remembered.

Princess Luna asked her sister again and she insisted to bring an Element Bearer. Princess Luna chose Rarity next, convinced her keen eye and love for gems will be the right answers. Rarity spent her time praising the moon creatures and showing them how many precious stones were hidden on their tunnels. But that wasn't the answer either for, once Rarity left, all they had was the same cold tunnels as before.

Princess Luna pleased again and Celestia insisted on her previous answer. Princess Luna was sure to have the answer this time and brought the enthusiastic Pinkie Pie for a ride. The moon was filled with fireworks and music and confetti being thrown around. But every party must come to an end and leave nothing behind.

Distraught, Luna bowed to her sister, asking to know which pony to bring to the moon to make her subjects finally happy. Celestia giggled and told her sister to go outside and see what made Equestria such a bright kingdom. Luna roamed through the royal gardens, searching for the answer when she decided to take a rest under a tree. Said tree was full of apples and one of them landed atop of her head. Once the pain faded, Luna finally got her answer.

She brought Applejack, the farmer, to the moon and introduced her to the moon creatures. With the Princess´s assistance, Applejack made seeds that could grown in certain areas of the moon and teached the inhabitants to make them grow. She taught them how to plant the seeds, water them, harvest them and sustain the resulting farm. By the time the cycle ended, the moon got a patch of blue flowers and fruits that were nothing like what grow on Equestria. At the end of the cycle, Applejack left but she left behind the best possible gift.

Now, the moon has a different color, a blue mark that shows where they live, the farmers of the moon.

Time is Slipping

When you are an immortal being, time doesn´t stops, time goes too fast.

Generations pass in the blink of an eye. One day you witness the birth of a foal and when you open your eyes again, she is at her deathbed.

You lose friends, lovers, confidants, enemies. Everything and everybody goes away as time slips by your hooves, unable to hold it. Like trying to grab water without magic, it can't be done.

Why must it be like this? Why must everything fall apart? I just want to stop it, I want to make things last forever. I just…

I just…

“Hush, my sister. You must stop worrying.”

Luna? Is that you? Oh, I´m dreaming, am I?

“Indeed. Your restless dream call me. Now you must rest, I will take care of our subjects at night. Why does this amuses you?”

It doesn't, I just...I must tell you something. All those years, all that time I spent alone, the only thing that kept me going was knowing that one day, you would return. And you did.

You have always been the only one at my side, little sister.

“...rest now, Celestia. You must save your strength to raise the sun for our subjects.”

Always so serious, Luna. Don't worry about me, I just need to rest my eyes and when morning comes, I´ll..

I will…

“Sleep well, Tia. Sleep well.”

Changed

Twilight woke up to the smell of fresh apples coming from downstairs. She went down and found Spike holding a smoking pie with a beaming smile.

“Good morning, Twilight! Pie?”

Twilight smelled the treat, her wings happily flapping at the sweet aroma, but then she backed down. “Wait, you made this? You actually got up off the bed before me?”

“Hey!” Spike complained, not liking the teasing so early on the morning. “Anyways, I didn't do it. I found it at the door.”

“I guess that´s the only thing that can make you got up early,” Twilight joked and then noticed a note attached to the pie. “Thank you for all your hard work, AJ,” she read out loud. “How thoughtful of her. We should really the favor. What do you say we go to Sugarcube Corner for some cupcakes?”

Spike approved with his mouth full of his side of the pie and followed Twilight outside. When they reached the bakery however, they didn´t found the pink prankster but her partner in crime.

“Rainbow Dash?”

“Hey guys!” Rainbow casually said while playing with Pumpkin Cake.

“What are you doing here?”

“Watching the babies while the Cakes finish a few orders. Hey Pound, get down here!”

“And where´s Pinkie?” Twilight asked.

“She had some errands to do so I'm giving her a helping hoof,” Rainbow answered.

“How..nice of you.”

Rainbow smiled and hovered to retrieve the mischievous pegasus foal. Twilight and Spike buy a dozens of cupcakes and headed to Sweet Apple Acres but instead of finding Applejack tending the farm, they ran into the least pony they could imagine getting her hooves dirty.

“Rarity? What are you wearing?” Twilight asked, referring to the unicorn´s flower decorated galoshes and overall.

“Oh, I made some changes to some old work clothes from my mother. What do you think? Rarity said with her usual pride for her work.

“I think you look lovely,” the love struck dragon said.

“You look nice, Rarity. But, what are you doing in here?”

“Just offering a little assistance. While Applejack is busy at the kitchen, I'm helping her brother clean the barn. Of course, I don't want to get dirty,” Rarity explained and when Big Mac peeked,s he returned inside carrying some empty buckets with her magic.

Twilight was a little confused but before she could express her doubts, she felt Spike poking at her wing. She turned around and saw what was worrying her little assistant.

“Oh hi Twilight. And Spike,” Fluttershy said, approaching with the Crusaders as escorts.

“Fluttershy, you're helping Applejack too?”

“We're going to see Zecora!” Apple Bloom rushed in.

“To get our Cutie Marks as hunters!” Scootaloo added.

“Or herbalist!” Sweetie finished.

“Don´t made up words, Sweetie! Nopony will take us seriously!” Scootaloo berated her.

“Is not a made-up word, dummy!” Sweetie replied and pushed her friend over Apple Bloom, who pushed back.

“I heard they were going to the forest and didn't feel comfortable letting three little fillies go there alone,” Flutterhsy explained while the fillies fighted behdin her.

“Woah. That´s...very brave of you, Fluttershy,” Twilight said.

“Just trying to help. Oh, could you please escort Angel back to my cottage? I don't want him in that awful place, “ Fluttershy said and the little bunny popped from inside her mane. When he say Spike he showed his tongue earning an equal response from the dragon.

“Sure. We'll take care of him,” Twilight said while Spike crossed his arms in protest.

They headed to eh cottage, Twilight looking behind her shoulder as Fluttershy lead the Crusader, or better said, was lead by them; into the Everfree. Twilight wasn't even surprised when they reached the cottage and found Pinkie Pie feeding the animals.

“Okay, this is weird,” Spike said while Angel rushed to get some food and Pinkie waved at them. “Pinkie Pie, what are you doing here?”

“Well, Spikey-dummy, I´m feeding these nice little fellows. Who wants more carrots?” Pinkie asked and the animals basically went into a full brawl for them.

“What is this? Live in the other pony horseshoes day? Twilight, did you exchange their Cutie Mark again?” Spike asked, frustrated by this whole scenario.

“No, silly! I just wanted to help Fluttershy a little, that´s all,” Pinkie giggled. “But Living in the other pony horseshoes day sounds super-duper-fun! Next month, we're celebrating it! We could do a lottery or a bingo to decide who gets to be who! What do you think Twilight?”

Spike shrugged at Pinkie´s rambling and missed Twilight wiping a tear. Twilight sat down next to Pinkie, smiling.

“That actually sounds like fun, Pinkie.”

“Well duh! Imagine if I get Mr. Breeze´s job! Or maybe the Mayor´s! Can you imagine that? Pinkie Pie, Mayor of Ponyville!”

“I shiver at that idea,” Spike murmured, getting a kick from Angel as response.

Twilight giggled and put the cupcakes box down.

“Uh, can I have some?” Pinkie asked and Twilight nodded.

She then let go a big sigh, finally relaxing. She had been confused the entire morning, thinking something was wrong with her friends but now, she realized they were the same. A little different from the day before but still the same.

Exact Words

“I knew you hadn´t changed, Discord, not really?” Twilight Sparkle said, spreading her wings to stand her ground against the King of Chaos.

“Oh, haven't I? What makes you said that?” Discord said, suppressing a chuckle.

“Who else but you could have turned all the Crystal Guards into toys?” Twilight said, waving around the room to all the helpless soldiers, Shining Armor being held by a concerned Princess Cadence.

“Sounds like something i would do…” Discord saying, pulling his goatte.

“And who else has the magic to turn the entire Crystal Empire into candy?” Twilight said, moving over to the balcony.

Outside, Twilight´s friends were trying to help the Crystal Ponies got out the candy buildings. Rainbow Dash noticed Pinkie licking a building and yelled at her.

“Interesting,” Discord pondered. “So you say I'm responsible for this chaos?”

Twilight took a look at the chaos on the empire and sighed, folding her wings on shame. “...no. You're not?”

“What? What do you mean, Twilight?” Princess Cadence said. “Discord broke into my kingdom while you were in charge and attacked my subjects! Right, Twilight?”

“Well, not exactly…” Twilight said, rubbing her neck. “He didn't break in, I actually invited him.”

“Liar liar, pants on my fire!” Discord mocked her, making her a paint of flaming pants.

“I didn't lied, Discord!” Twilight yelled, making the pants go away.

“Twilight…” Cadence said.

Twilight sighed and walked over to Cadence. “When you asked me to babysit your daughter, I was happy, Cadence. I thought I could finally be like you and make you proud but then...well…”

“She made the baby cry!” Discord mocked her.

Twilight frowned but when she noticed Cadence looking mad at her she blushed. “I didn´t meant to. I just...didn´t know how to handle her. Guess not everything can be learned in the books.”

“Told you!” Pinkie shouted, bouncing on a roof turned into jelly.

“So, you got Discord to help you”? Cadence asked.

“No! Not at first, I went looking for Fluttershy but she was busy and she is the one that recommend Discord. She told me that he wanted to prove he was reformed by giving a helping hoof.”

“Claw on my case,” Discord said.

“And this is his idea of helping? Cadence asked.

“Hey, I did a good job! Twilight Sparkle´s exact words were,” Discord said, adding air quotes to the last two words, “Do anything to make the baby laugh. And, just look at her.”

Discord pointed at Spike who was holding the giggling alicorn baby.

“Twilight…” Cadence said, spreading her wings and looking like a very disappointed teacher.

Twilight sighed and lowered her head. “I´m sorry Cadence, I didn't want any of this to happen. But when the baby started crying...I didn't wanted you to be disappointed at me. I thought I knew everything about babies but when it comes to my own niece…” And she approached the baby, who upon seeing Twilight stopped laughing and pulled her mane. “I just can't get her to like me.”

Cadence put down Shining and approached Discord. She didn't even say a word to him, she just looked at him with a menacing glare. Discord obeyed and he snapped his fingers, making everything disappear. The baby started crying right away but just one stern look from Cadence was enough to make her stop. She then approached Twilight whose wings were stuck to her sides and her eyes staring at the floor.

Cadence lifted Twilight´s face and looked at her right at the eyes:

“You know, things would have gone a lot better if you'd told me this before.”

Fake Promises

Ponies kept telling stories about the forest close to the castle. They said it was the home to monsters made of wood and creatures that could turn ponies into stone just with a stare. I would have never ventured willingly in such a place but Commander Hurricane insists that, now that I´ve been named Sergeant, I must set an example for our kin and put on a brave performance so, I ventured inside the forest.

I should have waited for more soldiers to arrive but the idea of leaving the farmer´s child alone in that place frightened me. The ground scares me, Clover. Trees can't be moved like clouds and are home to awful critters. I´m comfortable with birds and other flying creatures but I'm terrified of small rodents and giant bears. How can such creature still eludes me. I could only imagine what kind of beasts were chasing the missing child so I hurried my pace. Branches hurt my sides and the trees were so thick together that I wasn't able to fly. Even with my armor on, I felt defenseless, observed by dozens of prying eyes, of predators ready to attack.

I ran with my eyes closed, fighting against my own tears. When I no longer felt sharp thorns at my sides, I opened my eyes and found myself on a clearing. I couldn't believe that such a beautiful place could exist within the dark forest. I indulged in one selfish moment to hear the stream and took off my helmet to refresh my head. Then, I saw her.

I've heard stories from the farmers, they told about a creature that lived in the forest. A creature of deceit that took the form of the pony you love the most. One follows the image of your beloved and never returns from the shadows. I knew the stories but I foolishly let myself be tricked. I believed the words that come from the pony's mouth, I believed her promises of love. I was entranced, feelings the lips of the one who holds my heart.

But then i realized something wasn't right. That the obejcts of my affections will never told me to forget about the child and lay down on the grass with her. She will never act so selh and cruel. I pushed her aside and stand my ground, forcing my eyes to see through the lies. The creature broke the spell and showed her truth from, its crystalline wings and sharp fangs. I looked behind her and was able to see a glowing substance and the child trapped inside it.

Don't look so worried, Clover. I may look fragile but I´m a pegasus soldier, well trained in the arts of combat. I was frightened, of course; but with a child in danger, I turned my fear into strength and punched the creature. It was resistant and unwilling to surrender, driven by hunger and malice. If it wasn't by my chest plate, I would have sucummbed to its bite. I got rid of my heavy armor and took advantage of my swiftness, using the sharp side of my helmet to free the child. The beast tried to attack us but I dove into the river and swimmed to our escape. I reached the other side of the stream and ran back into the bushes, carrying the unconscious child. I headed back to the farms, hearing the frustrated roar of the monster…

*****

“An impressive tale, Seagenat Pansy. You did well saving that child.”

“It was your medicines that brought her back, Clover. I did nothing to be impressed.”

“I think different, my friend. I will like to know more about the creature you ran into. Perhaps I should take a trip to the forest in the future.”

“I prefer if you don´t. That creature is not to be taken lightly.”

“Perhaps. But I find it fascinating. A creature that can change its appearance at will. You said it takes the form of who you love the most. If I may be bold, can you tell me whose form did you saw?”

“I...I rather not say, Clover.”

“Fair enough. It wasn´t right of me to ask. Matter of the heart must remain private. Now, if you are done with your chores, would you join me in tending the gardens? I must gather more medicines for the sick child.”

“Yes…I will love to do that.”

Faith

“So, tell me Scootaloo, where did you exactly saw this insect pony?” Twilight Sparkle added, keeping a notepad next to her with her magic.

“I was doing my special death-defying three ways turn on my scooter, when I passed next to those bushes and landed straight down that hill. When I raised my head, I saw it. it was like a miniature pegasus but she had antennas and butterfly wings!” the excited filly explained.

“That sounds ridiculous!” Spike said.

“It does not! I´m telling you, I saw it!” Scootaloo replied. “You believe me, right Rainbow Dash?”

“Sure kiddo, I do,” Rainbow said but then she whispered to Twilight. “You're not buying any of this, are you?”

“There´s some facts behind her story. Flutter ponies are said to be creatures of lore, Cadence told me stories about them all the time.”

“Oh, so we're here in the middle of Whitetail Woods because of a bedtime story you heard when a foal?”

“Hey, it's not a bedtime story! There´s some scientific background. Remember the spell I used to give Rarity wings? It´s said it was made by unicorns after their encounter with the flutter ponies!” Twilight insisted but Rainbow wasn't listening.

“Please, your story is less believable than Trixie´s!” Spike said, causing Scootaloo to blush in rage.

“I´m telling the truth! You're just like Sweetie and Apple Bloom! I'll prove you all that I'm not lying!”

And with that Scootaloo rushed over to the the same bushes where she saw the mysterious creature. She was going at full speed and so focused on proving her story that she didn't heard the other ponies warning. She saw a tiny ot of light and rushed after it, trying to catch it. She only end up falling off a cliff, right to a certain death.

It took a few seconds for Scootaloo to realize the ground wasn't coming any closer since she was clinging to a flying pony.

“Oh thank you thank you thank you, Rainbow Dash!” she said, kissing her savoir several times.

“Actually…” a very embarassed Twilight said, holding Scootaloo.

The filly looked to the side and saw Rainbow holding her Scooter and when she realized that, she blushed even harder.

“What were you thinking? You could have end up squashed!” Rainbow chastised her.

“I'm sorry. I just…”

“The important thing is that you're okay, Scootaloo. We better go back home,” Twilight said.

“But, what about the insect pony?” Scootaloo asked.

“I don't know if you really saw it but, after that whole issue with the Pinkie Sense, I learned that absence of evidence it´s no evidence of absence.”

Both Rainbow and Scootaloo looked at her confused.

“It means, that just because you can't prove something doesn't mean it never happened. It's...a matter of faith, I suppose.”

“But, you believe me, right Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo asked and Rainbow looked at Twilight who nodded.

Rainbow sighed and out a hoof on the filly´s shoulder. “I believe you're the best little sister I could ask for and that´s all I need.”

Scootaloo smiled and gave Rainbow a hug. They were heading back to Ponyville when Spike heard a giggling sound, he turned over and saw a tiny pony with butterfly wings spying from behind a bush.

“Spike! Come on, let's go back!”

Spike blinked and the pony was gone. Scratching his head, the turned over and followed after Twilight and the rest.

"Oh no, she didn´t!"

“Coming!!” Rarity chimed, approaching the door of the Boutique. When she opened it, she found Rainbow Dash with a distressed Fluttershy on her back. “What is happening in here?”

“Raaaaarityyyyy! Twilight said something horrible to me!” Fluttershy cried, jumping over to Rarity.

The unicorn patted her friend´s back while Rainbow crossed her arms to show her disapproval.

“I told you dating that egghead will only make you cry!” Rainbow said and then she noticed Rarity´s stern look. “What? She is crying!”

****

“Why should I apologize? I said nothing wrong! She is the one overreacting!” Twilight said, frantically moving books from one shelf to the one another.

“Ah hear ya, sugarcube. But would you consider at least talking to her ´fore this gets any worse?” Applejack asked.

“I won't talk to her until she apologizes for acting so childish! Spike! Why are all these books in the wrong shelf?” Twilight yelled, moving the same books she has just moved.

“Oh come on Twi, you have to talk to her!” Pinkie Pie said.

“I won't apologize, Pinkie! And I won't forgive her so easily for acting like this!”

“We couples forgive each other all the time! Look at me and Jackie, she forgave me for eating all her apple pies at the vending boot and replacing them with pear pies!”

“Ya did what now?”

“Oops! I forgot to tell you about it!”

Just then, Spike opened the door and entered along with Cadence and the other three girls.

“Cadence, what are you doing here? And what is she doing here?” Twilight asked, pointing at Fluttershy who looked away.

“I called Cadence to help you two solve your problems because if you keep being mad at each other you will eventually break up and then you won't be able to stay in the same room together and you would eventually stop talking to each other and going to places where you can run into each other and then Twilight will make us move back to Canterlot and I will never be able to see Rarity or Apple Bloom or Sweetie Belle or Scootaloo or Snips or Sna-”

Cadence gave Spike a paper bag so he could recover his breath.

“Can somepony explain to me what is exactly going on?” she asked but Twilight and Fluttershy refused to give answers.

“Well, it´s obvious the problem will resolve itself if only Twilight apologizes to Fluttershy,” Rarity said.

“´cuse me, ah don't think Twilight is the one who has to apologize first,” Applejack said.

“Yeah, Shy-shy should apologize first and then Twilight and then we could all have a reconciliation party!” Pinkie said.

“Oh, figures you will take Applejack´s side!” Rainbow said.

“Are you still bitter because we broke up, Dashie?”

“Don't call me Dashie anymore! And I´m not bitter!”

“It seems you are to me…” Applejack said, hugging Pinkie Pie closer.

The four began to argue while Spike kept breathing inside the paper bag.

“ENOUGH!” Cadence shouted, showing she can also pull the Royal Canterlot Voice. “Now, let's start over. What did you exactly said to her, Twilight?”

“I just mentioned that, despite looking cute, a brown tail forest squirrel has a short life cycle than the white tail snow squirrel.”

“...seriously?” Cadence asked.

“How can you talk so coldly about my animal friends, Twilight?”

“I'm not cold! I was just merely stating a scientific fact!”

“Who cares about that? Everytime we talk about my friends you always mention all those confusing numbers and data!” Fluttershy yelled.

“I´m just trying to keep a conversation with you! I did a research in all zoologic topics so I can keep up with you!”

“You did a research? But I bet you didn't bothered to learn the names of my friends…”

“Yes, I did! I keep control of all of them! Last week, Big Tooth had a family!” Twilight said, pulling out a list.

“You...noticed it? You care about them?”

“Of course! I care about them but you care about them. I...care about you.”

“Oh, Twilight!”

“Oh, Fluttershy!”

The ponies and the dragon with a paper bag on the head watched the kissing unfold and decided they had enough.

“I´m going back to the Crystal Empire.”

“Come on Spike, this ain´t no spectacle for young impressionable minds,” Applejack said.

“Say Rainbow Dash, now that you and Pinkie are definitely over, do you have something to do this weekend?” Rarity asked.

Proper Outfit

Rainbow Dash didn't care much about apples. Well, she cared for The Apples, all of them. So when Applejack needed help to carry some apples all the way to Manehattan, she happily followed her. That didn't stop her to sleep for most of the journey there, there was only too much she could hear about the different types of recipes involving apples.

The only thing she found apples useful was juggling a few while waiting for Applejack to move all the carts to that fancy ponies party.

“There ya go, auntie! Seven full carts of apples!” Applejack said, sporting her usual cheerful smile.

“Thank you, dear. Now please, come inside. I want to meet some of my friends,” Aunty Orange said and lead Applejack to the mansion.

Rainbow fell on top of the apples, already regretting coming there. However, Applejack never made it inside the party, the unicorn bouncer stop her before she could set one hoof inside.

“I´m sorry but you're not wearing the proper outfit for the occasion,” the bouncer explained, apparently offended that he had to explain how the covered in dirt and wearing an apron Applejack couldn't get in.

“Excuse me? This young lady is my niece and she´s providing the party with all those delicious treats!” Aunt Orange shouted.

“No horseshoes, no admittance,” the bouncer stated.

Aunt Orange was turning into a tomato but Applejack calmed her down. “It´s okay auntie, ah have to catch the first train back to Ponyville.”

Aunt Orange wasn´t sure but she hugged her niece and let her go. Rainbow Dash however wasn't so rational, she have heard the entire conversation and was ready to give the unicorn a black eye that matched his tuxedo.

“Are you going to let him treat you like that?” she barked.

“It´s okay, Rainbow. Ah didn't want to spend the rest of the night talking to those namby-pamby fancy ponies. Ah love mah aunt and uncle but their friends are a real bore.”

Rainbow looked at Applejack serene face and blinked a few times, trying to  process the information. “You're really not mad about it?”

“No, sir. Now, let´s put these beauties at the kitchen and head for the station.”

Rainbow Dash scratched her neck. She wouldn't have reacted so calm have she been rejected like that. She may look like one who didn't care much about dresses and such but, being insulted like that, being told she wasn´t good enough; that really got under her skin.

Rainbow took a huge bite of one of the apples, regretting she won't get to watch the reaction of the pony who gets it.

******

“And the winner is….Mrs. Raindrops!”

Rainbow Dash applauded along with all the other contestants. She smiled and hold her bronze medal for the camera, pretending to be just as happy as the other winners. Her face hurt for forcing that smile.

“I feel so bad for Dashie,” Pinkie Pie said, having watched the contest form the stands along with her friends.

“Third place isn´t that bad,” Twilight said.

“But she wanted to win so badly. She even made the costume herself. I offer my help but she threw me off,” Fluttershy explained.

“And that´s why she failed. The judges took all the little details into account. Rainbow´s suit may be aerodynamic enough but the other two put more effort in the presentation. She should have asked either Fluttershy or myself for help, that way she would have secured the gold,” Rarity said. It took her a minute to realize the death glare she was receiving and she blushed, hiding behind a Rainbow Dash flag.

Applejack moved away from the group and waited for Rainbow Dash to come down. She was still sporting that fake smile.

“How are ya?” Applejack asked.

“Great! Check this beauty!” she said, showing the medal. “I also got some flowers and a ribbon. Great stuff, right? They even told me they´re waiting to see me next year again. Those judges were really nice, they say I was one of the best they saw even if they didn't fancy the suit,” rainbow Dash explained in an obvious fake tone.

“Ah think yah look fine, sugarcube.”

“Not fine enough to win, hehe. But I don´t mind. I don't, really!”

“Wanna talk about it?”

“Talk about what? I´m cool, really! Hey, would you...would you and the girl wait for me a little longer? I still have to take a few more photos and stuff. Wait for me, okay?”

“Ah´m not going anywhere, Rainbow. Ah´m here for you, if you want me.”

Applejack smiled, a sincere, not judgmental smile; and that smile, was all that was needed to break Rainbow´s defences. She stopped fighting the tears and broke down, resting her head on her friend's shoulder.

“I really wanted to win…”

Jumping into stage

Pinkie Pie´s eye was twitching. It wasn't her Pinkie Sense at work, mind you. It was the consequence of repressing all her natural instincts, of holding back her body from jumping into the ceiling and her hooves making her dance around. And how could she not do it when a pony was playing the piano in front of her? She wanted to dance and sing so badly but she wasn't supposed to move. She wasn't at a party, it was...umh she couldn't remember what name Rarity sued but it was one of those fancy names that sounded like a delicious cake.

“That Frederic is such a delight. Such a handsome stallion,” a fancy mare mentioned to Rarity.

“I was just saying the same thing to my friends, isn't that right, Pinkie dear?” Rarity asked and she noticed Pinkie´s twitching eye. The other pony noticed too so Rarity faked a laugh and whispered to Pinkie. “Pinkie Pie, you Pinkie Promise to behave.”

“I am! I´m standing still just like you asked but…”

“You better do! You insisted in coming to this event and that means respecting the proper etiquette, do you understand?”

“I do but…”

“That means no singing, no dancing, no humming and certainly not jumping into stage.”

Pinkie Pie sighed and nodded. “I promise, Rarity. I...I won't do a thing.”

Rarity seemed pleased and returned to the other mare. Pinkie Pie took a deep breath and lock herself in position. If she endured a full hour watching paint dry, she could endure this event. She just needed to concentrate on doing nothing.

Somorhwoe she amnged to remain in postion for the rest of the concert. The pony stopped playing and bowed to the audience who politely applauded.

“Well, dear. That wasn´t so hard, was it?” Rarity said, patting Pinkie on the back.

This caused the now purple pony to release all the contained air and she fainted. Rarity had to fake another laugh to cover for her unconscious friend.

****

“Absolutely not! I´m not goign out!”

“Oh come on Rarity, you Pinkie Promise!”

“I know I did but that was before you show me this...this...gah, I can't even call it an outfit! It´s so...ewwww!”

“Rarity…” Pinkie saying the unicorn´s hooves. “Do you love me?”

“Wha-what is this all of a sudden?”

“Rarity…” Pinkie said, sporting her best sad puppy eyes.

“O-of course I love you! You're one of my best friends and I care deeply for you…”

“So…” Pinkie said, blinking a few times.

Rarity did her best to fight it but she was ultimately defeated. “Fine,” she said, sighing.

“Alright everypony! Are you ready for the spectacle of the greatest clown duo of Equestria?” pInkie Pie shouted, dragging Rarity along.

Rarity somehow managed to blush so hard that both her makeup and white coat turned red. This only made the ponies laugh harder, especially Rainbow who was even more excited that the birthday guests, Pound and Pumpkin.

Rarity managed to sigh one more time before the first pie hit her face.

Afraid to Say

“Now Twilight, spread your wings. No wait, I meant fold them! Or maybe you should flap them?”

“Fluttershy…”

“I´m sorry. Watch out for that wind current!”

Twilight rolled her eyes and waited for the wind current to hit her and make her lost her balance, throwing her right into the ground.

“I´m so sorry, Twilight. Are you okay?”

Twilight sighed and got up. She wasn´t hurt, she knew exactly how to land properly to avoid damage. It was basic flying knowledge she learned the first week.

“Maybe we should try something different. How about trying to gather some soft clouds instead?” Fluttershy offered and Twilight sighed again.

Fluttershy just wasn't a good flying instructor. In fact, she was terrible but Twilight didn't had the heart to tell her that. She couldn´t tell her either that she had been studying flight manuals that offered a better insight than her or that Rainbow Dash wasn´t being serious when she said that a novice like Twilight should learn the basics from someone like Fluttershy. She knew that Fluttershy was just trying to help but it just wasn´t working.

“Okay, so there´s some nice cloud spot over there. What do you say we slowly, very slowly, flap our way over there?” Fluttershy said.

“Wait Fluttershy, I…”

“Yes, Twilight?”

“I...I don´t know how to say what I want to say.”

Fluttershy blinked a few times, confused. Twilight decided that a picture spoke more than  a thousand words and levitated her saddlebags, taking out a flight manual. Fluttershy took the book and her face brighten up.

“Oh Twilight, this is wonderful! This books will serve as the perfect guide. I should have know you always come prepared. Now let´s see, chapter one, leaving the nest…”

Twilight couldn´t help but smile, watching her friend so innocently reading the instructions out loud. She shrugged and sat straight, awaiting for her next lesson.

*****

Spike was hiding behind the door, watching Twilight throw away her crown and dress. Fluttershy patted his back and offer a kind smile before going into the room. She managed to avoid a gold slipper being thrown her way.

“Twilight?”

“Go away, Fluttershy. I don´t want to talk to anypony. Not after...that.”

“It wasn´t so bad,” Fluttershy said.

“What are you talking about? Did you miss me messing that spell and turning the Saddle Arabians into mices? I completely ruined it! I'm lucky if Princess Celestia doesn't turn me into a rat and locks me in a cage.”

“The Princess will never do something like that. She knows you didn´t mean that, you were just nervous. That´s all.”

Twilight crossed her arms and sighed, turning her back on Fluttershy.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” Fluttershy asked.

“There´s nothing you can do for me. You have no idea how ashamed I am.”

“Never say that to me again.”

That took Twilight out of her angry rant and she turned over to see Fluttershy had dropped her gentle smile and was now frowning.

“I´m...sorry. You´re right. You of all ponies will now how does it feels to be observed,” Twilight said.

“I didn't meant that,” Fluttershy said, approaching Twilight. “Never tell me there´s nothing I can do for you.” And Fluttershy drew Twilight closer, giving her a tight hug.

It took a moment for Twilight to return the favor but she smiled while hugging Fluttershy. Spike quietly pick up the dress and shoes and closed the door behind him, leaving them alone.

A special pony

“Can too!”

“Can not!”

“Shut up!”

“Girls girls, calm down!”

“What in the wide name of Equestria is going on in here?”

“Princess Cadence!” Cheerilee said and bowed to the the Princess, scolding the girls when they didn´t.

Cadence, of course, didn't care and asked all the present ponies to raise their heads.

“Your highness, what a honor to meet you,” Cheerilee said.

“My pleasure,” Cadence replied.

“What can I do to help you?”

“Well, my guards told me that three fillies were making a  ruckus at the train station. Care to explain what´s goin on?”

“Well, Ponyville Elementary is here to celebrate the Hearts and Hooves Day at your kingdom…”

“Oh, so you´re the ones that are going to represent the play of the first Hearts and Hooves Day? I´m so excited to see it,” Cadence said with a cheerful tone.

“Thank you, your highness. But it seems production is a little bit troubled,” Cheerilee said, in a less cheerful voice. “One of these three was supposed to play the Princess role, but they can't seem to find a civilized manner to decide which one.”

“That´s not it! What happens is that Sweetie is being a big meanie!” Scootaloo yelled.

“I´m not a meanie! I was just saying that I, being a unicorn, should play the Princess. Otherwise the costume will look too fake,” Sweetie explained, doing a perfect imitation of her sister occasional haughty attitude.

“That´s not how ya said it! Yah were implai...implei...Scoots, help me on this one,” Apple Bloom said.

“Implying.”

“Yeah, that. Ya were implying that ya were the only one fit to play the role ´cause ya´re a unicorn!”

“Well, unicorns are the only ponies who can turn into alicorns so that goes without saying, right Princess?”

Cheerilee sighed while Cadence looked a bit confused.

“Well, that´s not exactly right. Not only unicorns can turn into alicorns. I, for example, was born a pegasus…”

“Really?” Sweetie, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo asked, making a pile and putting their biggest puppy eyes. Scootaloo having the biggest.

“Yes. I´m an orphan, I was abandoned on the edge of a forest. Luckily, a gentle couple of earth ponies farmers adopted me. When I grew up, I faced an evil pony witch that was draining the love of my town…” Cadence explained, drawing the ponies into her story with the same skills she used to tell bedtime stories to Twilight. Cheerilee giggled at the scene.

“And that´s how I became an alicorn,” Cadence finished her story.

“So, any pony can turn into an alicorn?” Sweetie Belle asked, looking as awestruck as her friends.

“So it seems. I once asked my aunt why was that, how could a simple pegasus like me turn into a Princess. She told me that through the history of Equestria, all kinds of ponies have turned into alicorns when the time was right. That when they were needed the call, the same call that brings our Cutie Marks, showed them their true destiny. Sounds a bit corny but don't tell my aunt I said that,” Cadence explained, finishing with a wink.

“So you see, girls; there´s no need for you to argue. Now, let´s find a reasonable solution to decide who gets to play alongside Snips,” Cheerilee said.

“Wait! Snips is playing the Prince?” Sweetie asked and Cheerilee nodded. “In that case, I retire from the role and nominate Apple Bloom.”

“Wait, why me?”

“Oh, I´m sure now you´re even more anxious to play the role…” Sweetie said in a very mischievous manner,

“There it is again! Ya are imploy...implai...Mrs. Cheerilee!”

“Implying,” Cheerilee said, sighing and pushing the fillies to move.

Cadence giggled at the scene and waved them goodbye. Scootaloo however, turned over and approached the Princess.

“Is it true that you never met your real parents, Princess?” she asked.

“It´s true I never met my birth parents but the couple that adopted me are my real parents and I love them very much.”

Scootaloo gave the Princess a hug and then rushed to meet her friends, leaving the Princess wiping away a tiny tear.

Empty Nest

Ponies through Equestria envied the way Royal Guards could keep a stoic face, no matter the situation. Little did they know, that the guards themselves envied the Princess for that same exact ability, that surpassed their own. For now the guards were trembling and unsure while Princess Celestia, she kept a stern and emotionless look.

“Proceed,” she ordered with the same tone she used to order a student to clean the chalkboard.

One unicorn guard obeyed and raised a hammer, aiming at the mirror in front of him. He hesitated for a second but, upon looking at the Princess´ commanding reflection, he gulped and smashed the glass with just one hit.

The Princess never changed her expression, not one bit.

*****

Cadence was heading towards the kitchen when she heard sounds coming from the storage room. She peeked and saw a tall, regal figure standing on the dark room, looking small and defeated.

“Aunt Celestia?”

“Oh Cadence, why are you...I mean, can't you sleep, dear niece?” Celestia asked, doing her best to hide her tears.

“Just looking for a warm glass of milk,” Cadence said and noticed a few smalls shards were still on the ground. “Is everything okay, aunt?”

Celestia smiled, a weak, feeble smile and said: “I was just remembering. Remembering old days, old regrets...Cadence, do you think I did the right thing? That I should have...tried something, saying something?”

“Twilight Sparkle said that Sunset Shimmer decision was final. I thought you accepted it.”

“I understand it but I don't want to accept it.”

Cadence placed a hoof on Celestia´s shoulder and then noticed an envelope sticking from her collar. “Have you read her letter?” she asked and Celestia shook her head. “Maybe there you'll find the answers you seek.”

Cadence left the room, leaving Celestia alone with her thoughts. She took a deep breath and levitated the envelope, opening it up to read the content…

****

Dearest teacher:

               First of all, i must apologize for my actions. I can´t apologize enough for all the mistakes I made and for ignoring your advices. I know that you have forgiven me but I still have a hard time forgiving myself.

              I must also thank you for offering me the chance to return to Equestria. Twilight Sparkle explained everything to me but I´m afraid I must reject your offer.

             I will remain here in this world. For, you see, I have found friendship, the very same thing that I always rejected, and it´s as wonderful as you said it´ll be.

            I´ve found love. I met a boy on this world and, while at first my selfishness drove him away, we start speaking again and our friendship and love has rekindled.

           I´ve found a new mentor, so to speak. The rulers of this place, who share both yours and your sister´s name, have take me under their wings, protecting me from the authorities of this worlds and offered me guidance and counsel.

         I´m safe here.

         I´m happy here and I´ve no reason to return to Equestria. I´ve no place there, no longer as your student nor your subject.

        Thank you for everything, Celestia.

                                                                                            Your former student,

                                                                                                                               Sunset Shimmer.

*****

Celestia put down the letter and finally let the shields down. No longer the stern teacher, no longer the regal princess, nor the commanding officer; just a sad mother whose child has left the nest.

Old Recipe

Soarin let go a big “BURP” sound. Usually he would apologize after doing something so gross but considering he was all alone on the barn with Big MacIntosh, he figured he didn't need to apologize to another stallion.

“Man, that was the best apple pie ever! I love Granny Smith´s pies!”

“And ah bet she loves hearing that,” Big Mac said.

“The praise or the burp?” Soarin joked and they both laughed. “But man, really, this is why I love doing gigs near Ponyville, because we got a chance to stop by the farm and get the best pies in all of Equestria.”

“And we love having you around. Everytime we heard Mrs. Dash talking about ya next gig, we get a order ready for our best customers.”

“Well, that explains it,” Soarin said, looking at the over forty pies piled on the table. “Too bad only me and Spitfire made it. Seems you made enough pies for the entire team.”

“Don´t worry. Ah´ll take care of the rest once you leave, “ Big Mac said.

“What? Are you implying I can´t eat all those pies?”

“You can't handle half of them.”

“You saying you can eat more than me?”

“There´s only one pony who can eat more than me, partner.”

“Wrong. There´s two,” Soaring said, matching Big Mac´s smirk.

They both put their hooves on the table and locked their eyes. They nodded at the same time and started eating pie after pie.

Ten minutes later, they were done with all the food.

“Oh man, I think...I think I´m going blind…” Soarin said, patting his huge belly. “Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.”

“Eeeyup.”

“Uh, my stomach is killing me. I better go to the hospital…” Soarin said but when he tried to move he fall down. “Nevermind, I´ll just laid here and die quietly.”

“Well, ah do know an old Apple recipe for stomach ache,” Big Mac said.

“Yeah? What is it?”

“A good nap…”

“Sounds about right.”

“While cuddling another family member or a good friend.”

“...you serious?” Soarin asked, looking at Big Mac who looked a little uncomfortable.

“Worked like a charm when ah was little.”

“But...isn't a little weird. You know, being colts and all…”

“Ah used to do it all the time with my cousin on family reunions. It ain't...that weird.”

Both colts looked around for a few seconds, like trying to let the issue go away. Unfortunately, their stomachs had different plans. Sighing, Soarin got up and nodded to Big Mac who pointed to a pile of hay next to them.

They crawled over to the pile and laid there, Big Mac placing his arms around Soarin and drawing him closer. It was a bit strange at first but soon their digestive systems started to work and they relax. Before they know it, they both fell asleep.

Soarin woke up first and he noticed the sun was going down, meaning they had been sleeping a long while. His stomach no longer hurt and he had to admit, he actually felt very comfortable. He noticed Big Mac moving.

“You awake, man?”

“Yup.”

“You were right, worked like a charm.”

“Told ya.”

They stayed there for a while, just hearing the soft sounds of the farm.

“Wanna get up?” Soarin asked.

“...nope,” Big Mac admitted.

“Yeah, me neither. Actually, i think I´m going to take another nap before dinner.”

“Sounds about right,” Big Mac said and got a little comfortable, allowing Soarin to also move a little and spread his wings.

Meanwhile, in the upper floor of the Apple house, Spitfire moved a little to spread her wings and letting Applejack get a little closer.

“Seriously? That many?” she asked.

“Not even mah brother can compete,” Applejack said, patting her belly.

“I´ll take your word for it. Or rather, I´ll like to see that over dinner.”

Applejack laughed and leaned her head, happy that their stomach ache was all gone.

Different Eyes

When their eyes meet...a smile appears on their faces, because it doesn't matter how much he complains about getting up early, he still helps her make breakfast and clean the library, the two working like a perfect team.

When their eyes meet...a spark ignites, because these two friends are too stubborn to admit they love each other and prefer to race around the orchard, hiding their happiness with an argument about hooves versus wings.

When their eyes meet...all the anger disappears, because no matter how many times she burns the kitchen or ruins her fabrics, they still are and always will be the closest of sisters.

When their eyes meet...they don't see a different tribe, there are no hats and headbands, there´s no land to dispute, just a friendship that grew into something more.

When their eyes meet...as difficult as can be with those curious eyes, there´s laughter, because real friends don't care for a raincloud accidentally soaking a carrots stand, they just care they're both alright.

And when our eyes meet...I no longer see the nightmare, I no longer see resentment or jealousy or even guilt, I see my little sister back to my side, smiling at me; and I couldn't be happier.

Giant Card

“Howdy Rarity, we're here to help ya carry...whatever that thing is,” Applejack said, coming inside the Boutique along with Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy.

“Is it ready? is it ready? Is it ready? Is it ready?” asked Pinkie Pie, bouncing all over the place.

“What is this thing anyway?” Rainbow Dash, taking a hold of the glittering fabrics.

“Yes, it is ready. As for your questions, Rainbow..” Rarity said, using her magic to slap Rainbow away from the fabrics. “This is a special gift for our lovely Twilight to be handled this upcoming Hearts and Hooves Day. All Pinkie's idea, I must add.”

“That´s mighty kind of ya, Pinks,” Applejack said while her pink friend beamed.

“Yeah but what is it?” Rainbow insisted.

“It´s the perfect I-want-to-confess-my-eternal-love-to-you gift card!” Pinkie Pie explained. “The perfect gift so Twilight can give it to her special somepony…”

“Princess Celestia!” Rarity said.

“Princess Luna!” Pinkie said.

“...what did you just said?” they both said.

“Okay, what pony was it again?” Rainbow said.

“No no no no no no! Why is it pink and white? It was supposed to be blue and purple, you know? A combination of their colours to prove how much a perfect couple they make!” Pinkie Pie said, frantic.

“Oh please, Pinkie! While I do admit their colors are an aesthetic match but romance isn't just about chemistry, it´s about feelings! And there´s no deny that Twilight´s feelings for Celestia are as strong as a raging typhoon!” Rarity said on her usual flamboyant manners.

“What? You crazy? Twilight is soooo obviously in love with Princess Luna! She couldn´t stop talking about her the night after Nightmare Night!”

“Well, that´s too be expected. It was her holiday, after all. But who is the Princess she talks about the rest of the year?”

“You following any of this?” Rainbow asked Applejack.

“Kinda. But ah believe them both wrong, ah always thought Twi will make a nice match with Mrs. Cheerilee. Similar tastes, similar personalities, they match.”

“What? Twilight is so after that Trixie, she talks about her all the time when I go visit her to catch on Daring Do. Trust me, she wants to have a private magic show, if you catch my drift. Plus, Cheerilee already has your brother.”

“She does not has mah brother!” Applejack yelled. “And ah don´t think Twilight will go after such a bully as Trixie!”

“Like you'll know what a girl wants! You are with me on this one, right Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy was about to say something but Pinkie interrupted her. “Dashie Dashie, you are with me on Team TwiLuna?”

“Heh, I like the name. ´kay Pinkie, I´m on your team now. Luna is pretty fun too so she´s okay on my book.”

“Applejack dear, I suppose you agree with me in that only somepony like Celestia is more of a suitable match for our dear Twilight. They have know each other for years,” rarity said, grabbing Applejack.

“That´s a good point, Rares. Ah´m sticking with Team Twilestia!”

“Oh, we´re not calling it like that. It´s tacky.”

“Hey, you know who else have known each other for years? Your brother and Cheerilee," Rainbow said, making Applejack blush.

“Heh heh, you´re funny when you go all little-sister-super-jealous mode!” Pinkie Pie said.

“Ignore them, dear. We two know what´s really important in romance. I´m sorry, I meant us three, dear Fluttershy,” Rarity said.

“No way! Flutters is in our team! Right?” Pinkie Pie said.

“Actually, I  think that Twilight and that guard Flash Sentry make a cute couple…”

All the other four gave her a death glare so Fluttershy just backed down.

“Come on Applejack, help take this to the library so Twilight can confess her love to her real special somepony,” Rarity said.

“Whatever. We're gonna make our own super-awesome-card and it´s going to be better than yours!” Rainbow said.

“And how do ya intent to make it before we get to the library?” Applejack teased.

“We can make another card in fifteen seconds flat!”

“Don't ya mean ten?”

“Pinkie will slow me down a bit.”

“Yeah! Hey, wait!”

“Shouldn't we ask Twilight first who she consider her special somepony and if she wants to confess in the first place? Fluttershy suggested but she got another death glare in return.

“Quick, Applejack. We must get to the library first!”

“Right behind ya, Rares!”

“Let´s go, Pinkie! To the library!”

“No! We need to go to Sugarcube Corner first so I can get my glitter and a cardboard cut heart and…”

Both couples left in a hurry, leaving a pretty confused Fluttershy behind.

Rarity and Applejack obviously made it to the library first but when they opened the door they were greeted by a giant trading card, twice the size of their own, complete with motion figurines of Princess Luna and Twilight and a musical score.

“In the whole of Equestria, what is this?” Rarity said.

“You like it, sister? We made it ourselves!” Sweetie Belle said.

“Cutie mark Crusaders Love Cards Makers!” the three fillies shouted, jumping from behind the card.

“Ya three made this for Twilight?” Applejack asked.

“We made it for Princess Luna!” Scootaloo explained.

“I wanted to express my true feelings but I was unsure on how too. These wonderful younglings helped concoct this wonderful present, “Princess Luna said, ruffling Apple Bloom´s mane.

“Oh ¨Princess Luna, this is such a wonderful gift. I don´t know what to say. I haven't even  consider having a special somepony before but this present…” Twilight said.

“You haven´t? Ever?” Rarity said, dumbfounded.

“No, with all my time spent on studying, I´ve never considered the possibility of falling in love.”

“Not even with...Princess Celestia?”

“Oh please, Rarity! Don´t be silly, she´s like a mother to me!”

“We made it!” Rainbow shouted, carrying a giant card along with Pinkie Pie.

“Ya made it third place,” Applejack explained and they looked at the giant card.

“Ha! Told you!” Pinkie said, rubbing her victory on Rarity.

“Well, ah´m glad  for Twilight. Although ah´m a  bit confused too…” Applejack admitted, watching the two princesses holding hooes.

“Man, third place? I hate to lose…” was all Rainbow Dash said.

“And whatever are we going to do with this giant card, that I put so much effort, may I add?” Rarity asked.

“Oh you can take it to the Crystal Empire to my sister. She´s waiting for Sunset Shimmer to return and I can tell she will like to share this gift with her special somepony,” Princess Luna said.

“Wait! Ya saying that Princess Celestia is…” Applejack asked and Luna nodded.

“Ha! Told you!” Rarity said to Pinkie.

“Told me what?”

“That true love comes from years of sharing a life together, like the life shared between a student and teacher. I just got the student wrong.”

“Guess you´re right,”

“Cutie mark Crusaders Love card delivery service”! the three fillies shouted, heading for the train station while the Princess kept making lovely eyes to each other and Rainbow kept grumbling because she got third place.

Fright Night

“Ah´ll never get used to this...thing,” said Apple Bloom struggling with her dress and high heels shoes.

“Oh come on, Apple Bloom. It´s prom night, we have to look our best!” Sweetie Belle said.

“Check out Twist…” Scootaloo said, looking at the former bespectacled mare.

“She looks...gorgeous,” Apple Bloom said, unable to cover her blush.

“I admit, since she got rid of the glasses and the brackets, she does looks very attractive,” Sweetie said, pouting a little.

“Man, I should have asked her when I got the chance,” Scootaloo said, earning a kick from her date Sweetie Belle.

“Ah´ll go get some punch,” Apple Bloom said, moving to the table. There she ran into Twist who was looking for some punch of her own.

“Hi, Apple Bloom.”

“H-hi...so, how´s your night so far?” Apple Bloom asked, her cheeks now matching her mane.

“Fun, I guess,” Twist said and Apple Bloom looked at her confused. “Rumble is a nice guy but I feel like he´s a little intimidated to be seen with me,” she explained, pointing at the pegasus who was talking to Apple Bloom´s date, Featherweight.

“Well, ya make quite a reputation after you broke poor Truffle´s heart when you broke up with him.”

“Hey, it was mutual!”

“Ah´m just messing with you! Truth is you are quite a desirable catch at school, plenty of colts and mares are after ya. Rumble really got lucky catching you.”

“Well, he´s a sweet guy but, can I tell you a secret, Apple Bloom?”

“Yeah?”

“I was kinda hoping another pony will ask me first…” Twist said, placing a hoof over Apple Bloom´s hoof.

“Oh, woah…”

“Girls, have you seen Scoolato? She just disappeared!” Sweetie suddenly interrupted the moment. “Something´s wrong?”

“Everypony listen!” Pipsqueak shouted, walking into the dance floor. “I just saw Mrs. cheerilee and Scootaloo on a closet together, hugging each other…”

“They what?” a very angry Sweetie shouted.

“No, Mrs. Cheerilee was biting her neck…”

“Woo-hoo, Scootaloo!” Snips shouted.

“No, you don't get me! It looked like they were making out but actually…”

“Changeling!” Silver Spoon shouted as a brainwashed Scootaloo bursted through the door.

“Yeah, that´s what I was trying to say…”

“Everypony! To the emergency exit!” Diamond Tiara shouted just to be interrupted by the changeling Mrs. Cheerilee and few other corrupted students that caused the room to go into full panic.

“This way!” Apple Bloom said, leading Twist into a storage closet, just in time as Scootaloo started chasing Sweetie Belle.

“Oh, this is terrible! We gotta get out of here and call mah sister and Twilight!” Apple Bloom said.

“Apple Bloom, just in case we don´t make it out of here…”

“Don´t talk like that! We´ll get out! Ah promise!” she said, holding Twist´s hooves.

“Thank you. But I´ve to tell you this, it´s important. All this time, since we first met, i´ve wanted to tell you how I really feel.”

“Twist…”

“Apple Bloom, I…”

Instead of saying words, Twist leaned closer to Apple Bloom who also closed her eyes, ready for a kiss. When suddenly, a possessed Sweetie broke the door down and jumped over them

“AAAAAAHHHH!”

“Apple Bloom, calm down! It was just a nightmare!” Applejack said, trying to calm her little sister.

Apple Bloom looked around the room, realizing she was safe and sound on her bedroom. She sighed and said, “Thanks Celestia, it was just a dream.”

“Hehe, ah be damned. Guess ya were so excited for getting your Cutie Mark that you had way too many milkshakes with you friends last night. Ah told you that will only get ya bad dreams!” Applejack said, ruffling her sister´s mane.

“Heh, ah guess, but lemme tell ya, ah had quite a dream…”

“Yah´ll tell me all about it...after we finish repelling the invasion of giant fruit-bats.”

“...th what now?”

Applejack answered by opening the curtains and revealing the swarm of giant creatures devouring the entire orchard.

“What in tarnation?”

“Now come on, little lady! Time to put that Monster Hunter Cutie Mark to a use!” Applejack said, lending a crossbow to a confused Apple Bloom.

“...ah think ah liked mah nightmare better.”

No Such Thing as a Small Adventure

“Woah shrimp, I think you´re gonna get your face printed on that table!” Rainbow Dash said to a depressed Scootaloo, who was mourning her sorrows with some extra sweet milkshakes at Sugarcube Corner.

“Oh, hi Rainbow Dash…”

“Hey, come on! Cheer up! Wanna tell your big sister what´s bothering you?”

“Well, today was my turn at Family Appreciation Day and my dad was the absolute worst. He´s a great dad at home but his work is so...ugh! So boring!”

“Your dad works at the Mayor´s office, right?” Rainbow Dash said, struggling to remember him.

“Yeah, he does paperwork and it´s so boring! Granny Smith has a ton of old stories. Sweetie Belle´s dad trained all the famous players that came out from Ponyville. Even Diamond Tiara´s dad has better stories than my dad! At least he does a lot more than just sitting in a desk all day!”

“Hey there, don´t be so rough with your old man. Here´s one lesson I learned when I was around your age, there´s no such thing as a small adventure. I bet your dad has quite a few juicy gossip about what happens in the Town Hall.”

“No, he doesn´t. Wish you could have gone to school today instead of my dad. You have a ton of cool stories to tell…”

“I do, actually. I could have told a few about my dad,” Rainbow Dash said.

“I never heard any story about your dad!” Scootaloo said, recovering her enthusiasm. “What is he? A daredevil flier like you, I bet!”

“Nah, he´s just a simple delivery pony.”

“But, I bet he has traveled all over Equestria, facing giant monsters and wild tornadoes and raging dragons, all in the quest to deliver a crucial package to save Equestria!”

“I don´t know what you think delivery ponies do but my dad has barely flew further than Canterlot. Actually, the feathers he ever made it was to Las Pegasus once and that´s quite a story…” Rainbow Dash began and Scootaloo adjusted her seat, so she could look her heroine at the face the whole story.

“Well, my dad was called to deliver a manuscript to some big publisher there. He always mentions how the author was this mess of a mare who kept begging him to fly as quick as he could otherwise, she´ll be tardy. Don´t know what's up with that. Anyways, my dad had a motto, the safest route is the shortest route, so he was flying in a straight line with a steady speed…”

“That isn't how I imagined your dad, at all,” Scootaloo said, looking disappointed.

“I guess I take it more after my mom. The point is, he was following the safest route when he heard a noise down the road. He looked down and saw a broken carriage and a family of ponies. The mare was about to go into labour and the dad had an injured leg. My dad remember there was a rock farm nearby so he worked with the young colt of the couple to create a cart and draw them there. In the way, they were attacked by a pack of timberwolves. My dad remembered that those creatures were terrified of loud noises so he flew high up, gathered a bunch of clouds and shot a powerful lightning, making them all run away!”

Rainbow of course added all the noises to draw Scootaloo into the story.

“Finally, my dad brought the mare to the rock farm and a healthy baby mare was born.”

“That...is..awesome! Your dad is awesome, Rainbow Dash!”

“Just like me! You see? All dads have cool stories to share, why don´t you try asking your old man if he has a few?” Rainbow said, ruffling the filly mare and smiling as she ran off.

Rainbow walked to the next table where Applejack was taking a meal. “That was quite a story, Rainbow. Although ah seem to recall the young colt was the one who told the pegasus about the timberwolves being scared of loud noises.”

“Don´t mind the small details, AJ. It´s a good story,” Rainbow said, taking a sip of milkshake.

Diamond in the Rough

“Uuuuh, I´m so nervous! So excited! So nervicited! Wait, that word isn´t enough! Twilight, thesaurus!”

“Here you go, Pinkie.”

“Do you always carry one with you?” Rainbow Dash asked but Twilight simply shrugged.

“I´m ecstatic! No, that one is no good. I´m flabbergasted! No, that sounds like a nasty tasting food. I´m...gobsmacked!”

“That´s a word?” Applejack asked and Twilight shrugged again while Pinkie Pie bounced all over the ward.

“My Pinkie, you seem to be even more excited that with the Cakes´ twins birth,” Rarity commented, while Fluttershy watched her friend go up and down. “But I suppose the news about your parents having another baby will put you in such a good mood.”

“I just can´t believe I´m going to have another sibling!” Pinkie said, crashing through the roof and coming back inside the ward from the front door. “Aren´t you gobsmacked too, Lime, Marble?” she asked her sisters who were present in the room.

“Yes sister, we can´t contain our enthusiasm about mother´s accomplishment,” both twins said in a creepy monotone voice.

“Pinkie, no offense, but your sisters are kind of...weird,” Rainbow whispered to her friend.

“Nonsense bounces, they´re just like me!”

“Say dear sister, you think mother will return to work or we must continue doing her share of the labours?” Limestone asked.

“If it comes to that, we could ask the baby to do our share of the labours,” Marblestone said and bot sister laughed in an unsettling monotone tone.

“Yeah...really creepy,” rainbow said but Pinkie wasn't paying attention, having her face glued to the window of the ward.

“Hey Pinks, how ya feel about being an older sister now?” Applejack asked, placing an arm around her.

“Oh silly filly, I´m already a older sister.”

“Ya mean those two are younger than you?”

“We were the family babies,” they said, laughing again and Rainbow rushed to hide behind Fluttershy.

Finally the nurse came out to tell the they could go in and Pinkie rushed inside the room to meet her new sibling.

“Oh it´s adorable!” Fluttershy said.

“You´re right! She is...wait, she has something stuck. Let me rub this off…”

“Pinkamena Diane Pie, whatever do you thnk you´re doing to your little brother?” her father yelled.

“I´m trying to rub this thing off her…”

“Pinkie…” Twilight said in a flat tone. “That´s his horn.”

*****

“And that´s the story of the day you were born!” pInkie finished her story with a wave pf confetti that she pulled out of nowhere.

The little unicorn colt opened his eyes wide, same way he did every time Pinkie finished a story with either confetti or fireworks and applauded her.

“Thank you. But that's nothing compared to the story of the day when I was babysitting you and you accidentally got swallowed by a hydra.”

“What?”

“Oops. I´m not supposed to tell that story.”

“Your stories are always the best, big sister!”

“Oh, thank you my sweet Crunchy Pie!” she said, giving the unicorn a tight hug.

“Sister! That´s...not my name!”

“But I like to call you that because you´re my crunchy little sweet pie!” Pinkie said, nibbling her brother's ear and causing him to giggle but suddenly, she stopped. “Wait, something´s wrong. I can tell there´s something wrong with you.”

“Is it...your Pinkie Sense, sister?”

“No, it´s my big sister knows her little brother is worried about something sense. It´s related to the other one but in a different category. Now tell me, what´s the matter?” The little colt looked away not sure if he should talk. “Come on, little bro. You know you can tell me anything.”

“Well, remember when Princess Twilight Sparkle came home for my last birthday?”

“Of course I remember! I invited Trixie to make her magic act and she got angry because Dad couldn't remember her!” PInkie said, chirping at the memory.

“Well, during the party the Princess congratulated me on my magic skills and told me that I should apply for a magic school, when my Cutie Mark appeared…” He waited for Pinkie to catch on but since Pinkie wasn´t very good with subtlety, he sighed and took off his saddle, revealing what he was hiding.

“You got your Cutie Mark! That´s so awesome! I now have to prepare a my little brother has a Cutie Mark party! A Cuteceañeara! Wait, do colts celebrate Cuteceañeras? I don´t care! You're having one!”

“Wait, sister!” Pinkie got stuck by a magic tug on her tail and fell flat to the floor. “Can I show you my special talent?”

Pinkie nodded and watched her brother levitate a rock and slice it in half, revealing a shiny diamond inside.

“Uuuuh, you can find Deep Gems. Dad is always truglgign with those. Even Rarity has problems at times. You´re going to make a great rock farmer!”

“That´s the thing. I love the farm and I know I can help father here but…” He paused and Pinkie nodded him to continue. “I want to learn about magic. I want to leave the farm and visit Canterlot and Fillydelphia and all those other cities. ou think...you think father will get mad at me if I told him that?”

Pinkie smiled, a soft, tender adult smile and nudged her brother. “Take a look there.”

They looked at the house where their parents were struggling to get two little pegasus to remain still.

“I swear Igneus, you can´t control your own grandchildren?” Pinkie´s mother said.

“They took their mother´s energy,” he complained, patting one pegasus to make her blurp.

“And their grandfathers stubbornness,” she said, trying to get the other pegasus to take a spoonful of porridge.

“I think Mom and Dad got their hooves full for another generations of Pies,” Pinkie said and drew her brother closer, giving him the real hug that he needed.

Brighter Times

Ponyville had seen plenty of strange sights from parasprites infestations to roaming three headed dogs; so when a blue box appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the town square, barely a pony raised their heads to look at it.

“Here we go, Ponyville. Twelfth year of the fourth age of Equestria. In a...sorry, what day is it?”

“Saturday,” Mr. Breeze casually answered the brown stallion, not even questioning why he was coming out of the box in the middle of the square.

“Saturday. Good, I like saturdays. Well come on then, don't you just stand over there! You're the one who insisted to come here!”

A light green unicorn stallion came out of the box as well. He looked around, taking into the scenery and holding his breath for so long the other stallion had to slap him in the back.

“Is it..” he asked, getting his breath back. “Are we really here?”

“Just like I promised. Now, I don´t wanna hear any more words about me being the Bringer of Despair. Ever since I arrived at this universe I keep being accused of putting the kingdom in danger. Granted, that whole business with the Golden Horseshoe was my fault but let's not talk about that…”

The brown stallion kept rambling on but his companion wasn´t paying attention. He was fascinated by a store in the next street and he walked inside. He held his breath again, looking at all the dresses covered in shiny jewelry.

“Amazing…”

“Well thank you, I put a lot of work in the Summer Collection.”

The stallion turned over to greet the owner of the store but couldn't help but scream upon what he saw. “My stars, a dragon!”

The unicorn mare and the little dragon looked at the stranger confused while he kept his arms stretched and she magically fixed a tuxedo on him.

“A...baby dragon? I´ve never seen such a creature,” he said, leaning over.

“And I've never seen a pony with such a long beard. Is it fake, man?” the dragon asked, pulling the baerd.

“Spike! My apologies sir,” the mare said. “My little assistant apologizes too. Spike.”

“Sorry,” he said, crossing his arms and accidentally ripping the fabrics.

“Oh there you are! Why do you leave me rambling alone? It´s not fun to ramble alone. Oh hi Rarity, you mind if I take my friend outside? Looking good Spike.”

“Thanks!” Spike said with a big smile that fell flat when he realized Rarity wasn't smiling.

“That was...that was...that was...a baby dragon, Doctor! A baby dragon!”

“Yes yes, adorable little thing. A bit of a stomach problem, gets nervous and spits flames all around. Set the TARDIS in flames once,” the Doctor said, pushing his unicorn friend across the street.

“This place is...remarkable! All different kinds of ponies, living together! With dragons! And griffons! And..are those ponies from the Northern Kingdom?” the unicorn asked taking in the scenery.

“Yeah, they're adjusting to the modern world after that whole ordeal of being vanished a thousand years.”

“Wait, when did that happened? Ot when will it happen?” the unicorn asked.

“Oh at the early days of the third age. Quite a shaky time period. The first age was all nice and simple, except with that whole deal with the love poison. Wasn't my fault! I give him the proper recipe! Then in the second age Discord came and…”

The Doctor was rambling again but his companion wasn't paying attention. He was awestruck at the sight of a particular pony. The Doctor noticed and stop pushing him.

“Quite a beauty, uh?”

“She is…” the unicorn said, struggling to find the words.

“Not my type. It could be yours but she can be  a little peevish at times.”

“She is…”

“A librarian, yes. Oh you mean the wings and the horn together….yeah yeah, she´s Princess Sparkle, founder of the Fourth Age of Equestria. A new era with a new Princess. New ideas, new rules, tons of new rules, quite excessive actually.”

“Can I...I mean?”

“You go ahead. I´m going to stay here. She and I kind had an argument after I accidentally broke a magic mirror. Long story, just...just don't tell her I´m here.”

The Doctor rushed to hide behind  some bushes while the unicorn entered the open door of the library. Princess Sparkle wa busy stacking some books and failed to notice him coming in.

“Oh my, I´m sorry. I didn't see you there,” Twilight said after bumping into the unicorn. “Can I help you with anything?”

“You...you help me?”

“Sure. What do you need? An atlas? An encyclopedia? No, I can tell by your cutie Mark that you like stars, am I right?” she said, giggling a little.

He only managed to nod and she levitated a book to him.

“An Advanced guide to stars. May be a little too advanced for such a young stallion but I´m sure you can give it a try,” she said, returning to stacking books.

“Thanks…” he said but she was too distracted accommodating the books. It seemed like she had even forgot he was there.

“So, how did it go? Did she did that thing when she ignores you completely? Yeah, she does that and then gets angry when you miss a stop and end up in prehistoric times,” the Doctor asked, coming out from the bushes. “Are you okay, Starswirl?”

“She gave me this book. Is it...is it okay if I take it with me?”

“I normally would say no. But...this is a very good book. It contains the research from the most important pony astronomers, starting with the first one,” the Doctor said, opening the book and showing him the first page, an astral map by starswirl the Bearded.

Starswirl couldn't believe his eyes, he looked at the Doctor who was smiling at him.

“When you saved my life, you say it wasn´t a big deal because nopony will even remember a pony crazy enough to fight against an hydra. But they will remember you, starswirl. You don't need to worry about the future. The coming ages of your land, the land your dreamed, are going to be spectacular.”

Starswirl smiled, the first smile he made in several years. He smiled at this new and bright age for ponies, knowing that when the Doctor takes him back to the dark times, there will be brighter times waiting for him.

Wonderful Sight

(Based on the cover image of http://www.fimfiction.net/story/21017/Keeping-Your-Hooves-On-The-Ground )

“I´m not putting my hooves in there!”, Rainbow Dash yelled from the safe fortress of her cloud.

It took her a little while to realize Fluttershy was missing, with her getting her Cutie Mark and performing a trick no other pegasus could and all that; but upon learning she had fallen down she wasted no time getting a cloud and rushing to the surface to bring her back, terrified about what kind of nasty creatures may had get to her.

Much to her surprise, the scrawny pegasus was perfectly fine, playing along with all sort of critters and animals. Seeing her so happy, Rainbow doubted for a second if it was the same filly she knew.

“There´s nothing to be afraid of, Rainbow. All those creatures are friendly,” Fluttershy said, kissing a rabbit.

Rainbow almost puked at the sight.

“There were so afraid after that beam of light. I wonder what was it?” Fluttershy asked.

“Me. Being awesome and getting my Cutie Mark,” Rainbow said, showing off her flank.

“Oh, that´s wonderful. I also got mine today. Isn't it lovely?” she asked, showing the butterflies at her side.

Rainbow didn't had the courage to tell her she thought it was a little childish mark so she just smiled.

“Now let´s go back to Cloudsdale. This place gives me the creeps,” Rainbow said,

“How can you say that, when it´s filled with such wonderful creatures,” Fluttershy said, back to cuddling the animals.

“Seriously? You know what they said about the ground, it´s no place for pegasus.”

“You are wong, Rainbow. There´s so many wonders in here. Look at these cute critters, like this ladybug or this dragonfly.”

Rainbow wasn't impressed.

“Or you have such friendly critters like squirrels and rabbits.”

Rainbow had to admit a few were a bit cute, just like Fluttershy.

“And look at all the trees! With those colorful leaves! And the berries! They're delicious! We don't have those in the clouds!”

“Yeah, we don´t…”

Rainbow noticed she was blushing and worse, a rabbit was staring at her. She flustered went back inside her cloud.

“Come on, Rainbow! You can´t see all this wonderful things from inside that cloud,” Fluttershy said, pulling Rainbow from her arm.

“Wait, Fluttershy I…”

Rainbow couldn't resist. Despite her fragile appearance, Fluttershy was actually quite strong and pulled the petite pegasus out of the safety of her cloud. Rainbow squirmed upon touching the ground but Fluttershy giggled and dragged her to a flower field.

It was the most wonderful sight that Rainbow had ever seen, even better than any rainbow waterfall in Cloudsdale.

“Look, Rainbow, flowers! Of every color of the rainbow! Just like your mane! Isn't it beautiful?”

“Yes. It´s...beautiful.”

Rainbow wasn't talking about the flowers and the animals around her knew it. She blushed and tried to ignore their grins. Fluttershy grabbed her again and made her dance among the flowers.

Rainbow still preferred the safety of the clouds but she had to admit that the ground, right now, was a wonderful place to be.

Not enough time

The busiest day of the year is not when you have too many things to do but when you don´t have time to do the things you want.

I once tried to do too many things at once and that ended up badly, so I now just take my time the day before to carefully plan everything.

But it doesn't matter how many times I check  the list, the next day it never gets completed. Because when I head to Sweet Apple Acres to help Applejack harvest for the cider season, I get interrupted by the Crusaders wanting to test a new trampolin. Or I forget that when Rarity asks for a model for her new line of hats, she will take measure after measure, taking so long that I end up missing Rainbow´s flight practice.

There´s simply not enough time and no pony can be in two places at the same time.

In the end, times runs out and I have to go back home. I left so many business unfinished, so many ponies disappointed, like Cheerilee who I couldn´t help to prepare the school for the Science Fair or the Mayor that needed her office painted.

In the end I have to return to my bed while everypony else gets ready for tomorrow, the busiest day of the year for me. Because tomorrow is my birthday and on that day, they don´t let me help at all. They pat my head and say “don´t you worry, Pinkie! This day you don´t have to do anything!”; precisely in the day where I want to do the most. I try my best the day before to help them as much as I can, because the next day they would do so much for me and I want to show them how thankful I am but I never have enough time.

So tomorrow I´m going to be very busy making sure everypony is having fun in the one party that I can´t plan and wait for the next day to keep thanking them.

Vault

“I´ll say Princess Celestia, the idea of this vault is marvelous!” Twilight Sparkle say, making no effort in hide her excitement of being in a room filled with dozens of magical artifact.

“Well Twilight, considering all the problems you and your friends have faced in the recent times, I thought that we needed to take more precautions. We don´t want another Alicorn Amulet incident, do we?” Celestia say in her usual cheerful tone.

Twilight always admired how Celestia managed to remain calm. Even after the whole ordeal with the corrupted vines that infested Ponyville, Celestia didn´t seem fazed at all. Twilight realized she had a lot to learn about being a Princess.

“Everything is secured on its place, sister,” Princess Luna said, standing next to the mysterious box that sprouted from the Tree of Harmony.

Celestia thanked her sister with a soft nuzzle. “I suppose everything is here then. I´ll give you a copy of the key, Twilight. Just in case you need to check on any of these items.”

Twilight was flapping her wings in excitement, something that made Luna giggle, but before Celestia handled her the key, Twilight remembered something she was carrying on her saddlebags.

“Wait! I think you should add this to the collection…”

“What is this object?” Princess Luna asked, looking at the bottle of shining white fluid.

“I´m not entirely sure. Zecora only said she got it from a merchant back in her homeland but has no idea where it comes from, only that it was somehow related to you two. Something about being an object from an alicorn princess. What do you think, Princess Celestia? Princess?”

Celestia wasn't listening to Twilight. She was facing the opposite direction, not looking at them.

“Princess?”

“So this is the fabled potion that allowed you to look into the past, Twilight?”

“Oh, yes Princess Luna. One sip and I was able to see the night…” Twilight didn´t finished her sentence, figuring that Celestia didn´t want that incident to be mentioned anymore.

“And you claim is connected to our past?”

“So it seems.” Twilight kept looking at Celestia, who was hanging her head low.

“It is possible. Several objects were ransacked from our palace after it was abandoned, such as the cursed Alicorn Amulet. But I do not recall this particular item. Perhaps a taste of it will help me regain my memories?”

“Worth give it a shot,” Twilight said and Celestia chose that moment to turn around, but before she could say a word, Luna had gulped enough of the potion to make it work.

******

“Where am I? Wait, I remember this place. Our old private library. What is my sister doing?”

“One sip of the white flower juice will make you remember. One sip of the purple root...will make you forget…”

*****

“Princess Luna? Are you okay?” Twilight asked the Princess once she came out the trance. “Did you saw anything? Anything useful?”

“I saw...I saw you.”

Twilight pointed at herself, confused, but it was obvious that Luna was talking to the other alicorn in the room.

“I saw you mixing a potion and then infusing it with magic. I saw you drink it, drink the root of the Wandering Vine.”

“The Wandering Vine? I remember that name, isn´t it a plant that causes travelers to forget where they were going?” Twilight asked out loud but Princess Luna passed right next to her and confronted her sister.

“You chose to forget? To forget about me?!”

“I was trying to forget the bad memories. The moments of pain and sadness, of betrayal,” Celestia said, still unfazed.

“My betrayal! My memories! You wanted to forget me!”

Twilight didn´t know what to do. The sister were arguing, or rather, Luna was screaming in rage while Celestia remained stoic. She remembered what happened the last time they were like this and didn't want it to end with either sister vanished for another millennia.

“Please, maybe we can…”

“It hurt to remember, sister. I needed to stay calm to rule the kingdom and raise both the moon and the sun. With you gone, I had to take on both responsibilities. And the nightmares were making that difficult,” Celestia said.

Luna wasn't taking that explanation well and Twilight was afraid she will explode any second now.

“But now…” Celestia said, breaking her calm tone and showing she was struggling. “I don´t need to hide those memories anymore.”

Both Twilight and Luna gasped when Celestia suddenly lifted the bottle with her magic and gulped it down, right to the last drop. They watched in shock as Celestia's eyes flashed as memories long forgotten returned to her, causing her to collapse.

“Princess Celestia!”

“Sister!”

Twilight and Luna hold Celestia, who was crying. Crying without trying to hide her pain, crying for the first time in a thousand years. Luna and Twilight hugged Celestia and cried along with her.

Ghost Story

“Now what´s all this ruckus?”

Annie Smith had seen her fair share of disasters from caterpillars invasion to packs of roaring timberwolves, but nothing send a shiver down her spine like her two excited grandchildren jumping up and down their beds with no intention of falling asleep.

“We´re making rain!” Applejack said on her high pitched voice. “Don´t fall down the clouds, big bro!”

“Eeenope!” Big MacIntosh said, bouncing on his bed that was too small for him.

“Now now, calm down or y´all gonna wake up yer little sister!” Annie said, checking the baby was deep asleep on her crib.

She sighed, tired of an entire day of work and keeping an eye on the children, and then noticed a hoof on her shoulder. Big Mac had stopped bouncing and was trying to comfort her. “Bless Celestia,” Annie thought, “He´s becoming more and more like his old father.”

Annie kissed the colt and send him off to bed. “Now, time to sleep, little apples.”

“Tell us a story, Granny!” Applejack pleaded, refusing to get tucked.

“It´s a little late fer stories, AJ,” Annie said but the pleading eyes of the filly were too much to fight back. “Okay, settle down.”

Applejack giggled and crawled to her brother's bed.

“Ya both know about the old, spooky castle deep inside the forest, right?”

Both children nodded.

“And ya both know the story when Princess Celestia vanished Her to the Moon?”

Again, they nodded.

“But did ya know that not every part of the Mare of Nightmares is gone? When the Princess hit Her, a tiny feather fell off, just one and from that tiny, tiny feather came out a terrible creature, born of dark magic...the Pony of Shadows!”

Applejack clinged to her brother's arm and asked, “What´s the pony of shadows?”

“Nopony knows…”

Applejack was shaking by now, or maybe it was Big Mac making her shake.

“Nopony knows what it looks like. Some say that it can change shapes, just like a shadow. It can be a pegasus, an unicorn, an earth pony or all of the above. There´s no net that can capture it or door that can keep it away. Only the light of an unicorn horn can scare it away…”

“And what´s gonna do an earth pony then? Or a pegasus?” asked Applejack, who always wanted to find problems with ghost stories.

“Carry a strong torch or make friends with an unicorn, like that nice filly from school,” Annie said.

“Rarity? Ah´ll never be friends with that no-good manticore´s tail!”, Applejack said.

“Language, young lady! And never said never, ya never know who´s going to become yer friend,” Annie scolded her and Applejack blushed. “Now, ya got your scary story. Off to bed ya go!”

Annie moved Applejack to her bed and gave all three a goodnight kiss. But Applejack didn´t stay put long and moved next to the window to take a look at the face in the moon.

“Ya think it´s true, big bro? That she´s still out there?”

Big Mac didn´t say a word but moved next to his sister, taking a look at the sky.

“She´s not, right? it´s just a silly ghost story, right?”

Big Mac nuzzled her to calm her down.

“Ya´re right. We´re all okay, we have Granny with us.”

Applejack leaned next to Big Mac and they both looked as two shooting star passed over the farm.

Best Story

Daring Do, intrepid pony explorer, was tied to the boat mast, her wings tightly secured by a dirty rope while around her, the Lipizzan sea roared with fury, wave after furious wave hitting the deck. Daring squinted her eyes and saw the treacherous Captain Hooked Hoof approaching her.

“Are ya afraid, Mrs. Do?” he asked with a scratchy voice.

“You won´t get away with this,” the heroine responded.

“I reckon I have,” he gloated showing off the fabulous Crown of the Crystal Princess.

“That belongs in a museum!” Daring retorted.

“So do you!”

Just then, a powerful wave raised over their heads and…

****

“Booooooring!”

“It´s not boring, Scootaloo!” Sweetie Belle retorted.

“Yeah, what´s so wrong about it?” Apple Bloom asked.

“They do nothing but talk! It´s all blah blah and blah! Where do we get to the good part?” Scootaloo asked.

“In a minute! Daring has to escape the storm, lead a mutiny and fell in love with the handsome second mate who was being forced to serve Hooked Hoof to protect his little sister!” Sweetie Belle said with hearts on her eyes.

Scootaloo almost puke at this.

“Why does she has to fall in love with the second mate?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Because it´s a pirate story! All good pirate stories have romance in it!”

“Lameeee! Pirate stories are boring and full with all that fuzzy love stuff,” Scootaloo said, making Sweetie´s cheeks inflate with anger. “We need a story full of action and suspense and action and combat and action!”

“What do you suggest?’ Apple Bloom asked.

****

Daring Do walked into the temple of the three headed monkey where a magical gem was guarded. She carefully step into the chamber, ready for any trap in the floor but she didn´t count that ceiling  was already filled with the most deadly of traps…”

****

“Spikes?” Apple Bloom asked.

“No! Ninjas!”

*****

The ninjas descended in dozens, wave after furious wave of masked ponies, armed with katanas, shurikens, nunchakus, tonfas and…

*****

“Oh come on! That's just silly! How many weapons can they carry? And you're ripping off my story!” Sweetie Belle protested.

“Ninjas can carry dozens of weapons,” Scootaloo said, crossing her arms.

“And how do they fit them in their pajamas?”

“They have pockets! And they're not pajamas, it´s a keikogi!”

“Girls! I have an idea for a story…”

*****

Daring Do steps into the desert town of Dodge Junction and then…

*****

“NO!” both fillies screamed.

“What?”

“You´re making it a cowboy story!” Sweetie Belle said.

“So?”

“Nopony likes cowboys! They´re boring, Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo said.

“They´re not!”

“They´re at least better than ninjas…” Sweetie Belle murmured.

“You take that back!”

“Cowboys are cool!”

“Ninjas are better!”

“Pirates are awesome!”

Rainbow Dash sighed. Maybe the idea of creating a Daring Do fanclub wasn´t so great, especially when Twilight´s suggestion of a fanfic event turned out like this.

“Uh, rainbow…”

“Yes, Spike. What is it?”

“Would you take a look at my fanfic? It´s about Daring´s adventures with her new dragon sidekick, Scales!”

“Jeez, where did you come out with such an origi-” But Rainbow didn't finished the sentence. Spike looked genuinely proud of what he made. “Well, at least you're the only one who managed to finish a story…”

Rainbow start reading while Spike beamed with joy and the Crusaders kept arguing in a corner.

Do I have to choose?

“Spike? Spike. Spike!”

With a frustrated sigh, Twilight headed downstairs to search for her lazy assistants. The search didn´t take long since Spike was at the front door, talking with Apple Bloom. They seemed to be arguing, again. Twilight was about to interrupted when she noticed that Apple Bloom was blushing while handling Spike a big box.

“Oh right, it´s Hearts and Hooves Day,” Twilight remembered and tried to suppress a giggle.

After a few more passionate exchanges, Apple Bloom ran off the library and left Spike alone to figure out what had just happened.

“What is her problem? Oh hey chocolates!”

Twilight rolled her eyes and was ready to impart some necessary big sister knowledge when the door knocked again.

“Oh hi Sweetie Belle!”

“Hi Spike! Was Apple Bloom here just a second ago?”

“Yeah, she dropped by just to yell at me, like usual….”

“Could it be?” Twilight wondered, noticing how Sweetie held her sight on Spike.

“Oh and she tossed me this box of chocolates. I think she´s crazy but hey, free food, “ Spike said.

“Oh so she gave you chocolates…”

“Yeah, hey what´s that in your saddlebags?”

“Umh I made you a cake. You probably won´t want it…”

“Sweet! I love cake!

“You do?” Sweetie almost teleported out of joy and Twilight giggled out loud.

Spike was about to say something when Sweetie interrupted him, “I made this cake specially for you, Spike. It has a message on it.”

“What, you put a scroll inside it? That´s just weird.”

“Just read it!” the little unicorn said and ran off, bouncing in joy.

“Weird. Must be a pony thing…” Spike opened the box containing the cake and took a look at the sweet. “It has something written but I can´t make out what it says. Sweetie really needs better control of her horn or an assistant like me!”

Twilight now was ready to come down and help him when the door knocked a third time. Spike opened it and found another package and saw the fleeting silhouette of a scooter.

“Scootaloo?”

“I wasn´t here!” the filly shouted down the street.

Spike shrugged it off and took the package but before he could get inside, he was interrupted by Silver Spoon.

“Hey you, dragon!”

“My name is Spike!”

“Whatever. Diamond Tiara wants you to have like these cookies she made.” Diamond Tiara coughed from behind SIlver Spoon and she corrected herself “I mean, that her maid made because, she obviously doesn't make food and wants you to like have them.”

“Thanks, I guess…”

Spike took the bag of cookies but before leaving Silver Spoon dragged him close and handled him a second bag, saying nothing to him but blushing a little.

“What´s up with all the fillies in town?” Spike asked out loud.

“Spike, you really don´t understand what´s going on?”

“Oh hi Twilight, look, we have tons of free sweets! Cool, right?”

Twilight sighed again. “Spike, don´t you see what all these fillies are saying to you?”

“They´re not saying anything, they're just dropping food at the door. Not that I´m complaining…”

Twilight sighed a third time and then noticed Twist standing in the doorway. She magically grabbed her trail of candies and then shut the door on her face.

“Spike, today is Hearts and Hooves Day. You know, the day where love is celebrated in Equestria…”

Spike was obviously not following.

“When a pony ask another pony to be her or his very special somepony…”

“But I´m not a pony. I´m a dragon.”

“Spike, just think.”

Spike took a minute but finally it hit him. “Oh. So that means….”

“Precisely.”

“That Rarity is going to gave me chocolates!”

Twilight wings slapped against her face. “No! It means you have to decide which of these ponies is your very special somepony!”

“What you mean between Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo?”

“And don´t forget Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara.”

“And me!” a voice said from behind the door but they ignore it.

“But I cant choose! I mean I like them all the same. Well, maybe not the same. Maybe if i try their different gifts…”

“Spike, you can´t choose a date based on food!”

Spike wasn't listening. “Sweetie´s cake is delicious but Diamond´s cookies aren´t that bad. Agh, Scootaloo burnt her muffins but they´re still tasty and this chocolates are great. So are these candy canes!”

“Thanks!”

“Oh what I´m going to do Twilight? I can't decide!”

“Well, look at the bright side,” Twilight said.

“Which is?”

“At least you don´t have anymore to choose from.”

“Hi Twilight! Hi Spike! I just made you these cupcakes!

Spike fainted while Twilight sighed, deciding to not ask Pinkie how she managed to come out from behind a bookshelf.

Helpful Assistant

Sweetie Belle didn't want to get up. Her bed was feeling so soft and comfy, like she was a tasty cinnamon bun. She licked her lips thinking of that and tried to roll over but she was stuck. She tried to kick the sheets but it was to no good. She tried to move the covers but something was in the way. She opened her and her eyes and let go a long shriek.

*****

“Thank you again for your help, dear,” Rarity said, levitating a trash can.

“I´m happy to help, Rarity,” Fluttershy replied, swiping the last trays of spiderweb. “How´s Sweetie Belle?”

“Still a bit angry at me,” Rarity sighed. “But it wasn't my fault! I didn't instruct the spiders to cover her room!”

“Well, you can't actually give instructions to spiders. They follow their natural instincts and go to the highest place to call it their home,” Fluttershy explained while upstairs Sweetie was heard complaining while cleaning her room.

“I don't know why things turned out this way. I thought that spiders will be as helpful as caterpillars. I could have made some wonderful pieces with their spidersilk but they keep on fighting!”

“Spiders are very territorial animals, Rarity. They don´t lie to share,” Fluttershy continued her lecture while separating two spiders that were fighting.

“And even one spider gives me trouble!” Rarity whined some more as a spider rejected the lettuce leaf she was offering and even (somehow) blew her a raspberry.

“I know you are only trying to improve your dresses but maybe spiders aren't the best solution. They belong in the forest and not in such a nice place.”

“I suppose you're right, Fluttershy. My dream of a Spider Silk Collection is nothing but that, a dream,” Rarity lamented in her over the top fashion and freed the poor Opalescence that had been captured by the spiders.

*****

Later that day, Rarity was strolling around the market, trying to find a substitute for the fabrics but nothing was as good as spider silk.

“Come here! Yes, you!” a vendor called her from a strand. “Come closer, Rarity, was it? Trixie remembers you.”

“And I remember you. You have some nerves for coming back again.”

“Please, Trixie learned her lesson and now just want to help other ponies. You, for example, I overheard your problem and I believe to have the solution,” Trixie said and took a jar from under her cape. “Behold! A Star Spider, the most rare kind of insect!”

“Haven't you learnt your lesson about dealing with star animals? And a spider isn't an insect, it´s an arachnid.”

“Enough! You want the spider or not? For only five bits you'll get the arachnid,” Trixie felt the need to add quotation marks to the term, “that produces the most wonderful and delicate silk in all of Equestria!”

Rarity knew better than to trust Trixie but the offer was too good to pass. Besides, one tiny spider had to be easier to handle than an entire colony of them, right?

*****

“Rarity, are you here? Oh goodness!”

Fluttershy lost her breath, the interior of Carousel Boutique was shining in a ethereal light. For a second Fluttershy fought she was floating in space but after she blinked a few times realized the entire room was covered in fabrics. Sparkling, glowing silk fabrics. They shine like stars and were soft as clouds to the tact.

“This is wonderful…”

“Isn't it, darling? I usually try to sound humble but this is without a doubt my best work!” Rarity exclaimed coming out her workroom.

“It is splendid, Rarity. But how did you manage to do it?”

“Oh, it´s all thanks to the help of this little friend here,” Rarity said, levitating a box with the Star Spider inside.

“Oh goodness, is that…”

“Now now, I know what you're going to say but I learned my lesson. I gave this lovely creature her own place in the house. She is sharing Sweetie´s room and having her own cornet to spread her webs all that she want,” rarity explained.

“That's great, Rarity. But you should have asked me before for help. You see, Star Spiders… “ Fluttershy began but Rarity interrupted her again.

“I had no need to ask you, dear. I got all the answers from her. More flies?” she asked the spider and levitated a jar to the spider who gladly took a bite. “I ask my dad for a few of his fishing baits.”

“Yeah but you forgot to ask me if I wanted a roommate…” Sweetie complained, passing by with cobwebs on her horn.

“Rarity, that's great but hear me out…”

“I know what you're going to say but we find a perfect working relationship. She provides me with all the silk I need and I gave her all the space and attention she wants. Now, we're the best of friends,” Rarity said, rubbing the spider in a surprisingly honest gesture of affection.

“Rarity! You need to hear me! You know why she is eating this much and producing this much silk?”

“Because...she is being friendly and is hungry?”

“No! Because this is Star Spider Season!”

“When you say season dear, you mean season as in…”

Just in queue, a hundred star spiders came down the Everfree Forest and crashed through the roofs and ceiling, covering the entire house and dragged the ponies around.

“As in mating season,” Fluttershy finished the sentence.

“Rarity!” Sweetie cried while being dragged by a dozen of potential suitors searching the affection of the Star Spider.

Rarity blushed, admitting she did needed an extra hoof when dealing with animals while the spiders made a heart in the silk above them as the Star Spider picked a mate.

Founding Father

Know that this is story of truth and every word, as unbelievable as you may find it, hides no lies.

Know that my name is Star Swirl, called the Bearded, High Council magician of King Diamond Heart of the Unicorn Kingdom.

As many ponies, my juvenile years were spent finding my true purpose and, as many, my given name matched the mark on my flank. Three shooting stars in a spiral, signaling my passion for understanding the revolutions of the stars and how our magic can control them.

Know that was I naught but reckless and prideful as a young colt, challenging any passing unicorn to a magic duel and confronting beast thrice my size. I travelled across every corner of the land that shall be known one day as Equestria, testing my courage and arrogance.

But all that was put to a rest when I discovered the source of all amic, the Three of Harmony and the secret guarded on its crystalline leaves.

Oh, what a fool I was, chasing a truth without knowing it and being terrified when I stumbled upon it!

My excessive confidence shattered, I returned to the Kingdom as a nobler pony. I offered my services to the King as an advisor, quickly raising in positions. I  I spent many years studying all forms of magic and took on an apprentice named Clover, who I named the Clever, for he was smart, more than he himself gave credit for, and lent him the court matters while I struggled with the one spell that I never finished.

For years, I searched in vain for an answer to that incomplete verse, to achieve the spell that will create new magic. Finally, in my later years, I turned my attention to a mysterious crystal that I recovered from the clearing near the Tree, a crystal that showed glimpses of another world. I learned to read its cycles, learn that when the moon was rising the portal was open and when it touched the highest point, it will close for another thirty cycles.

Once I was secure my student had learned everything he could possibly needed, I took my garment and walked inside the portal, leaving instructions in case I may not return. You can imagine my surprise when i stumbled in the other side, transformed into a creature like I have never seen before. My hooves replaced by strange appendages and my stature increased.

I was a stranger in a stranger land, an intruder in a world where no magic was known and no king was in charge. Once the initial impression was gone, I felt rejuvenated. I was once again a foolish stallion with a brand, new world in front of his eyes and I decided to stay. It wasn't without sorrow that I abandoned my world, leaving my student with plenty of question that may not get answered, but I have absolute trust he would follow my direction and put the mirror to good care.

I have found a new calling in this strange world. I founded an academy, a high school as it is called, and I named it like the fabled castle the king trusted me wished to build for his daughter. Canterlot High it is named and I am his founder and headmaster. From this place, I shall guide a new generation of apprentices and with time, I may share the secret of my true origin. I have confidence one day, the story will be know.

In the meantime, I secure this knowledge to my successors and their successors, to keep the secret safe. The portal is hiding in the statue I built in the school gates and shall remain safe until the time is right for it to be revealed.

******

Principal Celestia closed the book and let og a big sigh. When the previous principal told her there was an entire story behind the founding of the school, she wasn't expecting this at all. Her initial reaction was to call the entire story a fairy tale or an elaborate hoax and call it a night, then she saw the glow.

It came from the statue in the front gate. She peeked through her window and saw a young girl come out, not from behind the statue but from inside it. She looked as the girl examined her body, like it was the first time she had seen hands and legs and then with a not very comforting laugh, she picked up a voucher, which Celestia assumed was one of the many for the school dance, and walked into the school.

Celestia let go of her breath and sat down on her desk, trying to process what she just saw. Then she noticed the diary, she picked it up again and start reading it from the beginning once more…

One True Pairing

“This little dance of ours is getting old, Ahuizotl!” Daring Do said, swiftly avoiding another spear.

“Curse you, Daring Do! And your little assistant too!”

“She´s not my assistant, she´s my friend!”

“Daring Do thinks I´m her friend! This is so exciting!” Rainbow Dash said, not paying attention to where she was flying. “First I get this cool new outfit and now this!”

“Rainbow, focus..:” Daring said, not amused.

“Oh right, you´re going down Ahuizotl, just like you did at the end of book three!”

“That's an exaggeration! I am not so clumsy I will trip on my own tail!” Ahuizotl claimed but his distraction gave time to Daring to pull said tail in front of his feets and make him trip.

“You were saying?” Daring smirked. “Rainbow, take the gold scepter, that will cause the fortress to fall apart!”

“Roger that!” Rainbow said and rushed to take it and, right on queue, the entire building began to go down.

Daring joined Rainbow and they were ready to leave the temple when she heard a grumble, she turned over and saw Ahuizotl clinging to a ledge while the floor collapsed.

“What are you doing?” Rainbow asked when she saw Daring coming back for him.

“I can't let him here!” she claimed and grabbed one of Ahuizotl´s hands.

Reluctantly, Rainbow helped her but she still said, “Realy? How many times has he leave you ina  death trap with no chance to escape?”

“We´ve to be better than him, kid. Besides, I always escape.”

After one daring rescue, Ahuizotl was left tied up and ready to be handled to the authorities.

“Seriously Ahuizotl, we need to stop this. I can't be chasing you my whole life,” Daring said.

“Bah!” was the villain answer.

“Come on Ahuizotl, you can be better than this. Think of all the ancient legends you know, you could be a great explorer if you stop trying to take over the world. Think about it, we can even team up once in awhile, search for some ancient treasure together…”

Rainbow Dash watched the whole conversation unfold and her eyes got bigger and bigger.

“Oh. My. Gosh.”

“Something's wrong, Rainbow?” Daring asked.

“It´s true. It´s totally true.”

Both Daring and Ahuizotl were very confused by then.

“You love Ahuizotl!”

“...WHAT?”

“I thought you were joking last time but now I see that you were being totally honest. You are in love with him!”

“What? that's...that´s not it! At all!”

“Oh my gosh, Twilight is going to freak out so much when I tell her this! She ships you with Caballeron which I don't understand because he´s like a hundred years older than you but you two, you are perfect match!”

Daring had by now turned into a completely red pegasus out of embarrassment.

“It has all the elements of a great romance and it´s about a redeeming villain which I totally don't have any experience because of a former griffon friend of mine but...OMG!”

Daring hit Rainbow with her hat, trying to suffocate her words. Unfortunately, that distraction gave Ahuizotl time to escape his ropes. He pushed both pegasus to the ground and jumped to a tall tree. Just as Daring was getting back up, a flower landed on her nose.

“Until we meet again...Daring, ”Ahuizotl said and disappeared on the trees.

“You two are my OTP,” Rainbow said while Daring hid inside her hat, wishing she could just disappear.

Most Unlikely Scenario

“However improbable it may sound...I´m confident that Diamond Tiara is dating Snips,” Sweetie Belle concluded and blew her bubbles pipe.

“That´s ridiculous!” Silver Spoon protested. “It´s impossible.”

“There´s no impossible, only unlikely,” Sweetie insisted.

Silver Spoon facehoofed and said, “I knew this was a bad idea! What was I thinking coming for you for help, Dumb Mark Crusaders?”

“Hey, nopony forced you to come!” Scootaloo said.

“Besides, we´re the only detective agency here in town!” Apple Bloom added.

“You´re not detectives, you´re just playing pretend!”

“Still, we´re the only ones willing to listen to you,” Scootaloo said.

“And we did our detective work!” Apple Bloom said, showing an impressive amount of papers, although half of them only had tic-tac-toe games.

“We followed Diamond for two days straight and the evidence speaks for itself. Everyday after school, Diamond Tiara leaves without you to go some place….” Sweetie began.

“And she takes great measures to make sure nopony is following her. I had to climb to a tree to get a good luck,” Scootaloo said, showing her pair of binoculars.

“Yeah, any other pegasus could have just follow them on the air,” Silver Spoon murmured.

Apple Bloom restrained Scootaloo and said, “And when she comes back home, she has sprinklers all over her mane!”

“Clearly from Sugarcube Corner, the most popular place in town for dates among the town fillies and colts,” Sweetie said.

“Tha´ts an strech! You have no evidence!”

“The evidence is in plain sight. I only had to connect the dots to complete the picture...how was that, Pinkie?”

“Really impressive detective lingo, apprentice!” Pinkie said, waving from her hiding spot on a nearby bush.

“But why Snups? Of all the ponies in class? If it was somepony like Featherweight I would understand but Snips?”

“It´s not that weird, In all of Rarity´s novels, the girl always falls in love with the nerdy boy who was with her the entire story,” Sweetie said.

“And Snails ehre confirmed us Snips has been acting suspicious too, right?” Apple Bloom said, pointing at the colt who had been quiet the entire time.

“Now what I´m supossed to do?” Silver Spoon said, lamenting the situation.

“You could start dating Snails here,” Scootaloo suggested, making them blush. “Unless you want us to help you get with Featherweight.”

“Are w back to palying Romantic Counselors Crusaders?” Sweetie asked.

“Forget it! I don´t need help  for any blank flanks!”

Silver Spoon stormed out of the headquarters and Apple Bloom chastised Scootaloo with a look, the pegasus blushigna  little.

****

The next day at school, Diamond Tiara arrived later. With Snips. And when she tried to get her seat, Silver Spoon tossed her saddlebags to stop her.

“I´m sorry this seat is taken.”

“By who?” Diamond asked.

“By a pony who is actually by friend!”

“What's gotten into you?”

“How could you not tell me you got a boyfriend? Especially being him!” Silver Spoon shouted, pointing at Snips.

“What? We´re not dating!” Diamond defended herself in front of the entire classroom.

“The DUmb Crusaders told me that when you disappear is to spend time with him!”

“But that´s not because we´re dating!”

“Then why do you spend all day with him?”

“Because...because…” Diamond Tiara stammered while all the ponies in the room, including Mrs. Cheerilee, were waiting for her answer. Diamond sighed and waved Snips to handle his saddlebags. Diamond handled Silver the bag and she opened it, finding a half made sculpture of her and Diamond made with Papier Mâché.

“Happy birthday, you dummy,” Diamond said, blushing. “I was waiting for your birthday this saturday but you just spoiled it.”

“Then Snips has just been helping you with your project?” one of the classmates asked.

“Well, he´s a dork but very talented with crafts,” Diamond admitted and Snips showed off his Cutie Mark. “He and Snails have been helping made this because I´m not getting my hooves dirty, not even for my best friend. Sorry, Silver.”

“Wait, Snails? He didn't told us anything about that!” Apple Bloom said.

All the ponies looked at Snails who only said, “Wait, you want me to date Silver Spoon?”

“If the name fits…” Scootaloo murmured.

“Diamond…” Silver Spoon said. “Thank you.” and gave her a hug, causing the entire class to cheer.

“Well, that's just impossible. Diamond Tiara doing something nice for another pony. Kinda,” Scootaloo said.

“Not impossible, just unlikely,” Apple Bloom said.

“Elementary, my dear,” Sweetie added and the Crusaders joined the group laughter.

New Student

Princess Celestia didn't understood what happened. She was just a filly back then. All she saw was the gentle and funny stallion that saved her from a dragon being hit by a magic beam and then, he began to glow and scream as his body changed in front of her own eyes.

****

“Attention everypony, we have a new student starting today,” Mrs. Cheerilee said, moving aside so the short pegasus colt could introduce himself.

“Hello. I´m Time Turner…”

“Hey, that´s the name of the crazy stallion that works with the Mayor!” Snips interrupted him.

“I mean, I´m Time Turner´s son...Clockwork! Yeah, that´s my name,” the nervous Clockwork replied.

“Really? How come we have never see you around town before?” Silver Spoon inquired.

“I was on a school in..Manehatann. I just came back to Ponyville.”

“That´s good enough, Clockwork. Take your seat,” Mrs. Cheerilee said.

“Here! Here!” Sweetie Belle insisted and Cheerilee encouraged him to take the seat. “Hi! I´m Sweetie Belle!” the filly told him, beaming.

Clockwork nodded and turned around finding Scootaloo staring at him, she then blushed and looked the other way, further confusing Clockwork.

“Now, back to the history lesson. Pumpkin Pie, a distant relative of the Apple family, was the first pony to travel he Neighara Falls when she sailed on a raft…”

“Excuse me, Mrs. Cheerilee. But that´s not right. Pumpkin didn´t used a raft, it was a barrel. And she didn't as much sailed as was thrown  there by a gang of gryphons,” Clockwork interrupted her.

“And you know this…” Diamond Tiara mocked him.

“Well for starters, I was there.” Clockwork bit his tongue when he realized what he just said. “I mean, my great grandfather was there and he told me about it.”

“Woah, he must be very old. Pumpkin Pie lived two hundred years ago!” Peachy Pie said, making Clockwork blush,

“That´s an interesting story, Clockwork, but let's stick to what the history book says, okay?”

Clockwork blushed some more and vanished into his seat.

****

When the class was over, Clockwork was approached by three fillies.

“Hi! I´m Sweetie Belle!”

“Yeah, I remember..”

“And ah´m Apple Bloom! And this ´ere is Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom said while Scootaloo avoided his look.

“Okay…”

“We just noticed ya´ve no Cutie Mark!”

“Oh yes, the regeneration process must have affected my special talent as well, which explains why my connection to the TARDIS has been severed…” Clockwork stopped when he noticed the looks he was receiving. “I mean, what does that has to do with anything?”

“Well, since ya haven't fund your special talent yet, it seems; we want ya to join the Cutie Mark Crusaders!” Apple Bloom said.

“The what crusaders now?”

“We´re a secret society in search for our Cutie Marks by trying every single thing we can think off!” Sweetie Belle said.

“That sounds amazing! Also extremely dangerous! Are you sreu about that? Don´t wanna join a club so dangerous, unless we wear helmets…”

“Yeah, I don't know. We have been an all-girls club, anyways…” Scootaloo interrupted.

“We never said that!” Sweetie yelled.

“´sides, what gives if he´s a boy? the more the merrier, like Granny always says!” Apple Bloom said.

“Ah, old Annie Smith. She never learned how to play the flugelhorn…”

“Ya know mah Granny?” Apple Bloom asked, now paying attention to the weird colt.

“Well, my...father knew her. Yeah, they´re old friends.” Clockwork wasn´t fooling anypony so he said. “Hey, you have a headquarter? you can´t be secret society without a headquarter, right?”

“We can´t be secret if we show it to you!” Scootaloo said.

“Stop it, Scootaloo! Yes, come with us!” Sweetie said, basically dragging the colt around.

When they reached the clubhouse, they all gasped at the sight of an intruder.

“Princess Celestia?”

“Hello, girls.”

“What are ya doing here?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Well, I came to visit an old friend…” the Princess said in a mysterious manner, looking at Clockwork. “Who´s in for a game of knights and dragons?”

Clockwork smiled and let the Princess put paper helmets on all of them to start the game.

Tale of Love

Now lad, don´t go telling false stories about us pirates! Sure, we are one fearsome lot, never to be fooled, less you wanna walk the plank.

You say the Princess “tolerate” us, as long as we keep our plundering to the islands outside Equestria but there should no be say that she does that out of fear, no Celestia is a wise mare and she can see in everypony´s heart and she knew that us pirates stay in the sea because of love.

You heard me right, lad. Love is what push our sails and set us on course. All priate stories are love stories and there's no better story than that of Hoofbeard.

Ha, love the look on yer face! Yes Hoofbeard is the most feared pirate in all the Four Seas. No creature in land or earth dared to cross his cutlass, even a griffon would have think twice before facing him! But he didn´t started like that, he started as boy, not older than you, roamin the docks of Baltimare.

Even as a blank flank he was a troublemaker, making a clown out of the Royal Guard but never hurting an innocent soul for Hoofbeard never stole from any mare or foal! His destiny was sealed by the mark of crossbones, the sea was calling him and so he went as a stowaway in a boat heading straight out of Horseshoe Bay, the Galloping Colt.

You heard the story, right? Nopony returned from that trip...nopony but Hoofbeard.

He ended up a castaway, holding for his life to a barrel and then he met her...Jewel. She was no gem but she was brighter than any treasure you could dream off, she was a mermare, member of the court of the sea ponies. She rescued him, took care of his wounds and set him back to shore.

You can't tell where the story is going yet? Hoofbeard fell in love with the mermare and she responded to his love but there´s a law in the sea, that ponies of land and sea cannot be together and their kind took her away.

Hoofbeard then hailed back to the ocean,  determined to be reunited with his love one. He made the fastests ship in Equestria, the Salty Sea Mare, gathered the biggest and strongest crew of stallion and mares and headed for the horizon. Unfortunately, this tale is not all happiness, the crew got tired of following the Captain's directions, that seemed to make no sense. They stole his treasure map and left him stranded in a rock. They soon abandoned the map when they couldn't read it, ignoring that it was  a special map, made to reunite Hoofbeard with Jewel by tracking her very move.

Hoofbeard managed to survive, some say by tying sea turtles to his mane but I don't believe that. He recovered his boat and searched for his crew to recover the map. On his journey, he lost an eye to an angry griffon and a leg to a huge sea serpent but he never stopped…

Don't look so sad, lad: Hoofbeard got his reward at the end. He found a new crew, six values ponies, including a Princess, and a dragon. They sailed to the Gallopinghost island, faced giant sea creatures and eventually they found the elusive mermare and reunited the two lovers.

What happened to Hoofbeard? The Princess made sure they could always be together and if you're truly lucky, you can find the pair still roaming through the sea.

Why don´t you try find them, lad? Go look for them and tell them that to this day we still tell the story of Hoofbeard and Jewel.

Jack of all trades (Equestria Girls)

“...and then Sunset was hit by the rainbow and returned to normal and Twilight got her crown and we danced all night and then she went back home and we lost our wings and pony tails and that´s the end!”

Twilight Sparkle raised an eyebrow. She looked around the table, waiting for some confirmation for Pinkie Pie´s crazy story.

“I assume is a tale a little hard to believe…” Rarity finally said.

“Quite,” Twilight said. “So, this other Twilight is gone?”

“Yes,” the other four girl said, sighing.

“Well, now I can understand your enthusiasm when meeting me, Pinkie Pie. But you can't possibly expect me to believe the entirety of that story…”

“What? Everything I said is a hundred percent true, except the part of the giant robot, we didn't did that part, but everything else was true! Right, Fluttershy?” Pinkie said, making her friend's head bounce up and down.

“There are still a lot of strange details. Like that bit about Rainbow Dash being the captain of every school team..”

“That´s the part you find hard to believe, sugarcube?” Applejack said, leaning on her chair.

“For starters, yes. I took a look at the school clubs list, there´s no way a girl could be in all of them at the same time,” Twilight said, going back to her salad.

“Sorry to contradict you, honey but, in Rainbow Dash case, that is possible,” Rarity said.

“She aced every single club!” Pinkie added.

“She even managed to be in the Glee club..” Fluttershy murmured so soft that it was barely audible.

“The Glee club? Is that a social club?” Twilight asked, checking her notes.

“Used to, nowadays is just Trixie´s club. She basically turned it into her personal cheerleading squad,” Rarity said, crossing her arms.

“You're just offended because she rejected your designs for their outfits,” Applejack mocked her and Rarity blushed. “The Glee club is like a music club here, Twi. It´s all about lifting up school spirit with performances and music.”

“Sounds like the perfect club for Rainbow Dash, based on what I know of her.”

“Yeah, well…” Applejack said, scratching her neck.

“I assume there´s more to the story…”

“It is. Let me summarize it for you…” Rarity began.

******

It was during our first year, before we met Sunset. Back then we used to hang out as a group always, except Rainbow who had gathered quite a following. After leading the soccer team to victory in the state championship, Rainbow decided to try the other sports team and she quickly rose in all of them. Basketball, tennis, volleyball, you name it.

I remember that day she was walking on the hallways, showing off a little too much on my opinion, and all the other students were asking her if there was anything she couldn´t do.

“Of course there isn´t! I´m Rainbow Dash, I´m awesome!”

****

“She didn't said that…” Twilight said but all the other girls nodded.

*****

“Have you tried golf?” a student asked.

“Piece of cake!” And Rainbow hit the ball, that bounced all over the lockers before landing in the Principal's office. I just hope it didn't fell on her coffee.

Then another student dared Rainbow to a game of chess. She sat down, looked at the pieces and asked, “Which one is the one that hops around?”

“The horse. But it doesn't hops around, it goes…”

“Yeah, yeah,” Rainbow interrupted the other students, made one move and said “Crown me!”

Poor kid of the chess club has no idea how she made that.

***

“That didn't happened…” Twilight said but the others nodded again.

****

Then it came the turn of the Glee club. When asked Rainbow said, “Ha That´s not a sports club! It´s all about twirling around with streamers and pompons! Anybody can do that!”

As you can guess, Trixie who was already captain of the team, didn't liked that one bit and challenged Rainbow to a performance and our friend, with her usual ego, accepted.

****

“And how did that go?” Twilight asked but this time nobody answered. “That bad?”

“It wasn't that she was bad. It was…” Fluttershy began but couldn't finish.

“Let´s just say Rainbow thinks school spirit translates to watch me and only me,” Applejack said.

“Not to mention the school band did not appreciated their instruments being destroyed on stage,” Rarity said and the looks moved to Flash Sentry who was sitting at the table too but had been busy finishing his lunch.

He simply shrugged and dropped the issue.

“I take Rainbow didn't let defeat affect her.”

“You don´t know her that well, Twilight. Rainbow was really, really sad…” Pinkie Pie said and took over the story.

*****

I found her in the gym one night, kicking balls against the wall. I´m pretty sure she had been crying. Rainbow might look tough but she´s not that tough. I feel so bad for her, looking her so defeated that I had to do something for her. So I offered to help her with her performance!

***

“And that did the trick?” Twilight asked and the others kept quiet. “Oh come on, what happened this time?”

“I think my idea wasn´t exactly what Rainbow needed...I mean the other students laughed but I don't think they were laughing with us…” Pinkie said.

Twilight looked around for answers and Applejack simply said, “Leave it alone, girl.” Then she get closer to Twilight and whispered, “Never offer Rainbow a watermelon. Trust me.”

“Anyways, Rainbow second attempt was a disaster too. But third time's the charm and Rainbow finally managed to get a good performance,” Rarity said.

“How?” Twilight asked.

“By stopping making it all about me,” a voice said right behind her. Twilight turned over to find Rainbow happily smiling. “Hey girls, sharing school stories with Twilight number two?”

“Why am I Twilight number two?” she asked while Rainbow sat next to her. “And what performance did you make then?”

“Like I told you, I came back and told Trixie that she was right. I couldn't do aperfoamacne all on my own because the Glee club is a work effort. Trixie is kind of loudmouth but she knows how to perform routines. So I swallowed my pride and finally we did a good show together,” Rainbow explained.

“Makes sense. Teamwork is always for the better. Wish I could have been there to watch it,” Twilight said.

“You can! hey Vinyl, get over here and show Twilight the video of that day!”

The school disc jockey approached them and showed the video on her laptop. Twilight had to admit it was quite a spectacle with Rainbow finally able to show off but making a perfect addition to the other students.

“Now show her the video of the Fall Formal!” Pinkie demanded.

Twilight´s reaction to the video of the giant demon on screen was priceless.

“Told yaaaaaaaaa!”

Common

The pegasi flew in formation, spread to opposite sides and then re-joined in the middle, the leader speeding up and capturing the rest of the fliers in the wake of the rainbow colored explosion, making the colors transfer to the others and make it look like it was a waterfall.

Twilight Sparkle could swear she saw the leading pony winking at her right before the explosion.

Once the spectacle was over and all the papers and autographs were signed, Twilight moved away from the crowd at the Fliers Academy and waited for Rainbow Dash to finish showing off and descended next to her.

“Well well, if it's not Princess Twilight Sparkle! Aren't you too famous to be hanging out with us, common ponies?” Rainbow mocked her and snickered, meeting Twilight with a hug.

“Glad to see you too, Rainbow.”

“So what brings The Princess to this forgotten cloud of Equestria?”

“Knock it off, Rainbow. I´m simply here doing an inspection, routine public appearance and..tending to some personal business,” Twilight said and she soon noticed the mocking look on Rainbow´s face. Twilight sighed and said, “Applejack told you, didn´t she?”

“Ha, like you could trust that pony to keep a secret!”

“It´s not a secret, more like...appropriate discretion,” Twilight said and her blush got brighter the more Rainbow laughed.

They finally sat down on an empty hill, from where they got a perfect view of the tracking fields and the students doing laps and routines.

“So, you still worried about that whole potridg-pedrig-student that you still haven't found?” Rainbow asked.

Twilight hung her head low a few seconds before answering, “I know Princess Celestia told me to not worry, that'll know when the time is right but I can´t stop worrying, waiting for a signal that just isn't coming.”

“I don't get you. All these troubles to find a student. Don't you have dozens of them now that you're the head...mattress?”

“Head-mistress. And being in charge of the School  for Gifted unicorns is very different to finding a suitable protege,” Twilight said, stressing all the words Rainbow had trouble with. “I can't pick up a random pony, it has to be a pony who needs my assistance more than any other.”

“Hey, if you wanna do community service, why don't you try taking care of Rarity´s daughters? Those little pets are walking magical hazards,” Rainbow said.

“That's not what I´m talking about. Besides, that´s what Spike is for,” Twilight said with her tongue out.

“Hey, remember that time they tricked Spike into eating a bunch of fireworks thinking they were gems? Haha, good things the little guy´s stomach is as thought as his head!” Rainbow said, laughing out loud at the memory and soon Twilight found herself laughing too.

Their moment of joy got interrupted by the sound of bickering and fighting nearby.

“What in the hay…” Rainbow said and flew to spread apart the students. “Alright, knock it off! What´s this all about!”

“It´s her fault! She ruins all of our routines!” a colt said, pointing at a tiny filly with a gray coat and light blue mane.

“She never listens to my orders! I´m the squad leader, she should follow me!” said a mare.

“And that's excuse to beat her up?” Rainbow asked and none of the students answered. “Okay then, all of you come with me. Twi, can you keep an eye on her?”

Twilight nodded while the other students argued but Rainbow was able to give orders to just one word and everypony followed them. Twilight took a look at the filly who was holding back tears, there was something about her, something that seemed familiar but Twilight couldn't place it.

“Why were you arguing with your friends?”

“They're not my friends,” the filly said.

“Teammates are kind of friend,” Twilight replied and the filly just sobbed some more. “Why didn't you followed your team leader instructions?”

“Because...our routine was wrong. We were going to crash with each other at the end.”

“Did you tell them that?”

“I tried too...but they never listen to me.”

Twilight approached the filly and said, “Friends listen to each other´s advices but if you never raise your voice, they´ll never take your ideas in consideration.”

The filly turned over and when she realized she was talking to a Princess, she stand up straight. Twilight couldn't hlep but smile to this.

“What´s your name?”

“Ra-rainfall, your majesty.”

Twilight looked at the filly. A common pegasus that probably was ignored by all the others. It reminded her of Fluttershy when she first met her but there was also a little of her too, something in her eyes, like she was longing for something more on her life but didn't know about it.

“Tell me Rainfall, you have a big brother?”

“Ho-how did you guessed?”

Twilight laughed. Just like when she was a filly and couldn't see past beyond her books, Twilight realized she had been so busy searching for a special signal of something instead of an actual cry for help.

She sat down to talk face to face and ask this pony if she wanted to learn more.

Playing Matchmaker

“Now Princess, you have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow with the Appleloosan settlers. They said the buffaloes want to start business relationships with Equestria and they´re sending an ambassador here with the settlers as her escort,” Kibitz, Princess Celestia´s loyal assistant said, checking his notes.

“Wonderful. I always look forwards to make new friends,” Celestia said, taking a sip of tea.

“While I appreciate your disposition, Princess, you should stop treating every meeting like a tea-party. Not every species likes that.”

“Stop worriyng so much, Kibitz,” Celestia said, looking around the balcony.

“Something is troubling you, your Majesty?”

“Oh no no! Just...where is she?”

“Where is who, your Majesty?”

“Umh..” Celestia struggled to come up with an answer but luckily, the pony in question arrived. “Inkwell, my good friend! Kibitz, you remember professor Inkwell, right?”

“I remember her planting booby-traps under the saloon table during the meeting with the representatives of Saddle Arabia…”

“Those traps were for those pesky gremlins! Damn invisible pesters that keep stealing my left shoes!” Inkwell shouted.

“Nonsense. Everypony knows that gremlins live in clouds in the edge of the Everfree Forest. And they don't steal shoes, that´s ridiculous.”

“You think you know better about gremlins than me, sonny?”

“I happen to know quite a lot about them, in fact. I deal with them during the massive downpour in Fillydelphia, forty years ago,” Kibitz replied.

“Ha! That´s nothing compared to the parasprites infestation I deal with fifty years ago! Damn critters ate half of my bookshelf!”

“Isn't this lovely? Two friends sharing old stories?” Celestia said.

“Friends?” Inkwell and Kibitz replied in unison.

Celestia returned to her tea, taking nervous sip after nervous sip, when her salvation came in the form of Raven, her personal secretary. “Oh goodness, Raven! Is there any emergency?” The bespectacled mare nodded, rather nervously and Celestia got up. “Well, i better go see what is it. You two stay here, sit and...keep chatting.” Celestia peeked one last time from the door to say, “Here. Chatting, like two friends.”

Kibitz and Inkwell remained in silence for a minute before he re-filled their cups and then let go a huge sigh.

“The Princess is getting careless,” he said. “What is this, her fifth attempt this month?”

“Seven. Don´t forget her cursed bedsheets emergency last tuesday!” Inkwell said, laughing.

“Oh yes, a rather desperate attempt. Why does she keeps insisting in putting us in this embarrassing situations?”

“Girl is a romantic. Always been, always will.”

“But why is she so convinced there is...a mutual interest with each other, “ Kibitz said and blushed a little when he noticed the smirk on Inkwell´s face. “It´s getting quite tiresome to indulge her in these scenarios,” he said, coughing and taking another sip of tea.

“Poor girl might look all regal and tall but you and me both, we know deep down she is like a tall filly. How many times have we caught her diving into a  rainbow fall?”

“Too many to count,” Kibitz said and they both shared a laugh.

From behind a corner, Princess Celestia, Raven and a few guards were looking at the scene.

“This is wonderful! Finally they're talking!” Celestia said.

“Princess, I don´t wanna question your judgement, but hasn't Princess Cadence warned you about this before?” Raven said.

“Oh please, Raven. Even Cadence admitted these two love each other. They´re just too stubborn to break their routines. All I do is give them a little time alone, time they need,” Celestia said and Raven and the guards smiled, noticing her heart was in the right place. “Now, we need to keep the illusion! Guards, pretend there was an emergency on the kitchen! Raven, come back with tons of books about cursed food or something! I need to be quite busy for the next few hours!”

Raven and the guards smiled and retreated and Celestia went back to watch two of her oldest friends, sharing laughs and a nice cup of tea.

Playing Doctor

“Resistance is futile. Conversion is almost completed,” sentenced the expressionless cyber-pony.

“No! Let me go! I don´t wanna be like you!” Scootaloo cried, struggling to get away.

“Your wings will be upgraded. You will be upgraded.”

“I´m fine just the way I am, you dumb buckethead!”

“Illogical. Your wings are deficient. You need our assistance.”

“Ah believe what she needs...is a doctor.”

The cyber ponies and Scootaloo turned their heads to meet the jacket wearing yellow filly that had entered the room.

“The Doctor is here. Delete!”

“Hang on y´all!” the Doctor cried and pulled a bright zap apple from her jacket. “This apple here is a powerful anti-technological agent! Just one touch of it and all of you´ll turn as useless as mlik on ac eral bow!”

The cyber-ponies and Scootaloo looked at each other, confused.

“What? Ah don´t like milk on mah cereal!”

The cyber-ponies were not impressed and threatened to shoot but the Doctor tossed them the apple. While the cyber-ponies crashed against each other in confusion, the Doctor freed Scootaloo with her sonic screwdriver.

“About time! Where did you get that anti-cyber-ponies apple?”

“Ya welcome. And ah didn´t.”

“What? You lied to them?”

Just then the cyber-ponies stopped and one announced, “ information. The apple is harmless.”

“Ya just had tos ay it outloud.”

The Doctor and Scootaloo rushed through the corridors of the cyber-ship, heading for the exit.

“Where´s the TARDIS?” Scootaloo asked.

“Don´t worry. Ah lend the key to Sweetie Belle, she'll be here any minute now!”

“You did what?”

They both stopped when they ran into a wall of cyber-ponies, ready to fire. Before they could shout their usual “delete!”, a blue box flied through the ceiling, crashing the cyber-ponies.

“Did I hit something?” Sweetie asked, coming out of the door.

The Doctor and Scootaloo smiled and then they-

¡APPLE BLOOM!”

******

Apple Bloom and her friends were sucked out of the comic, landing into the floor of her bedroom.

“Auh. Applejack, why ya took us out?” she asked.

“Dinner is ready. And ah thought ah told you to stop playing with these weird comics,” Applejack said.

“Oh come on, sis! It´s fun!”

“Ah just don't like the idea of ya three running around in some dangerous world filled with monsters and...cyber-ponies?” Applejack said, taking a look at the cover.

“Don't worry Applejack, the comic has a failsafe spell. If we ever get hurt, it just zaps us back to the first page!” Scootalooe xpaliend.

“Like a videogame!” Sweetie added.

Applejack scratched her head. “Suppose it´s alright then. Why did ah ever led Spike told you about this store? Now come on ya´ll, time for dinner.”

“Can we keep playing after dinner?” Apple Bloom asked and Applejack nodded reluctantly.

“Yay! Next time, I´m the Doctor!” Sweetie chirped.

“No way! I wanna be the Doctor!”

Applejack just shook her head, unable to understand why they liked playing pretend so much when the world was filled with enough adventures.

After Party

Caramel looked at the disastrous state the Town Hall was and smiled. ANypony from outside will probably assume the town just suffered a changeling invasion or worse but no, this was just the result of the Ponyville Ponies partying like only they can. That gave him a small amount of pride, that peculiar kind of pride that only stallions can get. Or maybe Pinkie Pie.

He walked inside and his smile grew wider, noticing the destruction was bigger there. The room was filled with ponies either unconscious or too exhausted to get up. All but one, who was diligently working with a trash can attached to his saddle.

“Caramel?” he asked when he noticed the stallion at the door.

“Hey Time Turner, I just came by to see if you needed any help.”

“Could use an extra hoof,” he replied with a smile.

Caramel turned over to pick a trashcan, afraid he might have blushed at that. They worked in silence for a few minutes, fiving Caramel time to think about Time Turner. He was a couple years older than him but they tended to hang out regularly since Time Turner was friendly and easy-going. He had an easy disposition that made him the go-to-guy when handling paperwork, that´show Caramel knew him, one cider season when he came to assist the Apple family. They shared a cup of cider that day, he remembered that.

That memory made Caramel remember what happened last night and now he was sure he was blushing. It shouldn't be such a huge deal, it was custom to kiss the pony next to you when the clock strikes twelve on New Year's Eve. It´s not uncommon to see mares kissing mares and even a few colts with colts, it was just an expression of happiness, nothing more. But Caramel knew that kiss extended for a bit too much, just a little bit…

Caramel turned over, feeling like somepony was staring at him but Time Turner was working like usual. Caramel sighed and poked his forehead, trying to gather his thoughts. Even if that kiss was a bit passionate, it shouldn't mean anything. Even if he wanted it too, it was just silly…

“Hehe”

“What´s so funny?” Caramel asked Time Turner, for a second afraid he was thinking about last night too.

Time Turner nodded to a chair and Caramel approached to see Mayor Mare totally wasted on it. She was snoring out loud and someone has scribbled her face. Caramel laughed, pretty sure he knew the mare responsible.

“Always a party animal,” Time Turned said, smiling.

“You have known her for quite some time, right?”

“Since college. We became friends right on the first day,” Time Turner said.

“Just...friends?”

“Just friends,” Time Turner said and went back to work.

Caramel gulped, regretting what he just asked. It wasn't his business if Time Turner had a story with the Mayor or any other mare...or stallion.

“I think it´s time for a break,” Time Turner suddenly said.

“Already?” Caramel asked, taking a look around. Seems like there was still tons of work to do.

“First day of the year it´s supposed to be my day off. I don't like taking days off, I much rather stay here and help around.”

Caramel smiled, that was Time Turner already, always working with a gentle smile on his face.

“But if we keep working, I think I'll waste the chance to ask you out for lunch. Would you like to join me for lunch?”

“Uh..yeah...sure,” Caramel stuttered.

“Good. I was hoping we could chat for a bit, maybe about last night,” Time Turner said and smiled but this smile was a bit different, a bit mischievous with a slight blush on the cheeks.

Carmaled laughed, discovering a side of Time Turner he never saw before. He tossed the trash can aside and joined Time Turner, leaving the Mayor snoring on her chair.

Den of Vampires

A howl was heard on the distance and Daring Do adjusted her hat, fighting against the shiver on her back. It wasn't caused by the timberwolves on the distance, she had fight them before and got away with her tail intact; what scared her was the torn apart sign on the street that said “Ponyville.”

Daring Do remembered her last visit to the town, a book signing several months ago. She remembered all the smiling fillies and colts eager to meet A. K. Yearling and one particular group of mares that knew her secret and winked at her. She especially remembered one happy pegasus,joiningn the line along with the other kids.

Daring walked past the abandoned buildings, from Carousel Boutique to Sugarcube Corner, each step making her wings tighter. There were no signs of life in town, all doors jammed, all windows shattered, all trees devoid of life. Daring was walking on a ghost town, it felt worse than any abandoned temple because she knew this place was alive just a couple weeks ago. There were dozens of happy ponies cruising the Town Square but now there was nothing but the chilling blew of the wind.

She finally made her goal. the biggest tree in the area. It used to be a library, the one where she met her fans last time she visited, but now it was house to a different type of fanatics. Hanging from the branches, the bat winged pony snored, sleeping through the last hours of the day. Daring sneaked past them, making sure not to wake them.

Inside, things were even more frightening. Piles of pale ponies, with their hairy ears and sharp fangs, were sleeping over barrels full with fruits and in the center of the room, rested the Queen of Vampires. Daring hold tight the amulet on her pocket and wished the legend were right, that this will dispel the misguided spell that turned the Princess into a cursed pony.

The Queen was sound asleep, a baby dragon with a leash sleeping next to her, Daring couldn't remember his name. The baby heard her coming and woke up, raising his head. Daring hushed, asking him to be quiet but unfortunately, that made her miss a tail and she step on it, waking a very angry unicorn that hissed out loud. Soon all the vampires woke up and started to surround Daring.

She tried to pull the amulet and use it against their leader but a group of transformed fillies jumped over her, making her trip. Daring didn't want to hurt any of these ponies but she had no option but to push, kick and punch the horde of angry fanged ponies. The dragon picked up the amulet and Daring called for it but the dragon smashed it against the floor, returning to his master side.

Daring heart felt crushed but not because she mistook where the dragon loyalty´s will lie, it was the sight of her former rainbow maned friend hovering over her, fangs ready to bite. Daring took off her whip, tied it into a pegasus leg and use her to crash against the other, clearing the path.

Daring flew away from the library, trusting the light outside was bright enough for the bat-ponies to not follow her. She had to explain a few things to Princess Celestia and together find a cure for the town but for now, she escaped the town of Ponyville, not looking back.

.

A girl best friends

The curtain open and Rarity took a step forward.

She was in heaven.

She was the center of attention, the star of the show, the pony all looks were on. She was the diva, the star, the most important pony in the room, aside from the Princess, of course. Everypony wanted her advice, her help, they thanked her for just being in her presence and then showered her in literal diamonds.

Rarity was living the dream she had since she was a kid.

She was...happy.

*****

Rarity sat next to the mirror and levitated the powder, applying a little glittering makeup to her already sparkling visage. Her asssitnanst Suri and Coco approache, carrying all the presents and petitions she received for just the first hour of her show.

“Wonderful show, darling. You have all of Canterlot eating from your hoof, okay,” Suri said, always the flatterer.

“Thank you, dear,” Rarity casually said, still working on her makeup.

“Rarity, you have several requests,” Coco said, holding the letters and cards.

“I´m listening,” Rarity said, not taking her sight off the mirror.

“Uh Prince Blueblood asked you for a date. Again.”

“The poor things. I should accept at least once, he tries so hard.”

“And Jet Set and Upper Crust invite you to their augher birthday´s party.”

“Remind me to buy them a present. Better yet, remind me to make them one.”

“And the Oranges from manehattan…”

“Will you stop wasting her time? Of course she´s going to say yes to all, she´s Rarity!” Suri yelled, interrupting Coco.

“Girls, what have I told you about fighting?”

“Sorry,” Suri said, blushing while Coco retreated to pick up all the dozens upon dozens of flowers that were sent to Rarity.

“Rarity, dear, can I ask you for a little favour, okay?” Suri said and Rarity just mumbled, busy as she was tending to her eyelashes. “I was wondering if you could give me a free weekend. I need to go back to Ponyville.”

“Something´s the matter, Suri?” Rarity asked.

“Oh nothing, it´s just my little sister, you know her, she goes to school with your little sister,” Suri said and then bit her lip, looking to Coco for help. They both knew better than mention her family during a show. “Well, her team got accept to carry the flag for the Equestrian Games and she wasnt me to make her new costumes, okay.”

“Oh, that little thing. Where is it being held again?”

“Baltimare,” Coco said, still tending the flowers.

“Oh yes, a shame the Crystal Empire didn't got it. After all the troubles they went throught, send a few of that flowers to that darling Princess Cadence. She needs a cheer-up.”

“So...can I go, rarity?” Suri asked, looking sincere in her plea.

“Oh sure,” Rarity said with a smile and Suri and Coco smiled too. “But, you should reconsider keeping that many ties to Ponyville. A little town like that it´s going to tie you down and ruin all your opportunities to success. You do want success, right Suri?”

Suri nodded, not daring to talk Rarity back.

“Then, off you go. Grab a few souvenirs for your little darling, a scarf or something. Foals like that,” Rarity said, dismissing Suri.

Once she left, Coco approached rarity, handling her a bottle of perfume.

“Thank you, dear,” Rarity said, still smiling.

“Rarity, did you really mean what you said? About cutting ties?”

“Of course I mean it. It´s the best decision in the end, after all. Just look at me, severing all connections was the right decision. I got everything I wanted and more. Don't get me wrong, Ponyville is a nice town but it was simply slowing me down. I needed to let it go to finally be happy.”

Coco wasn't too sold on that argument.

“Don't you miss your friends?” she asked.

“I have plenty of friends. And I have Suri and I have you. We are friends, right dear?” Rarity said, holding Coco´s face with a soft hoof.

“Of course we are.”

“Then stop worrying. Now, we have a show to give!” Rarity said and went back to stage with a bright smile.

Coco hesitated a little to follow her but then reached to the conclusion that if Rarity looked so happy, then she must be right.

Send them to Hell

“Howdy?” Applejack asked and a voice called her to go down the basement. Applejack never liked to get down there because Twilight got the place full of contraptions that could explode at the drop of the hat, and she always happened to wear one.

“Just a minute, Applejack,” Twilight said, focusing on her job.

“Ah´m afraid to ask what are ya doing this time…”

“I'm a bout to extract a brand new enzyme out of this type of crystalline plant that only grows on the Crystal Empire.”

“I'm holding the lens,” Spike said with a grudge.

“Hold still, Spike. breaking this kind of crystal it´s a work that requires extreme precision and just the right amount of pressure…”

“Ya want to break this crystal here?” Applejack asked and when Twilight nodded, Applejack simply smashed it with her hooves.

“Well, that´s one way to do it..:” Twilight said.

“Sorry to rush yer act, honeybun, but I need to ask a favor from ya.”

“Sure, what you need?”

“Uh, ah misspoke, ah meant a favor from him,” Applejack said, pointing at Spike. “Ya told me once that trick with the scrolls was a spell, right?”

“Yes, Princess Celestia taught Spike that spell when he was just a abby. I think she always intended us to stay in touch,” Twilight explained.

“And only works fer celestia?”

“Well, in theory. Although Spike has figured ways to make other things appear,” Twilight said and Spike made appear his Noble Dragon credential.

“In that case, ah need ya to send a letter to a certain place. It might be a tad difficult but ah need to speak iht these ponies.”

“Sure Applejack but, can I ask who?”

“Mah parents,” Applejack said and both Twilight and Spike looked at each other. “What´s gotten into ya two?”

“Sorry Applejack, it´s just, we always assumed…”

“Aren´t your parents dead?” Spike bluntly asked and got a glare from Twilight.

“No, sugarcube. Mah parents aren´t dead, they're stuck in…”

****

“Tartarus!”

“Apple Bloom, mind your language!” Mrs. Cheerilee sadi.

“But it´s true! Mah parents are stuck in Tartarus!” Apple Bloom repeated and all the students murmured.

“Jeez, even I don´t talk that way about my parents,” Diamond Tiara murmured loud enough to be heard.

“Ah ain't lying! Years ago, mah parents discovered a weird apple tree, one that caused every creature that eat from its fruits to turn evil. Princess Celestia took it away and sent the tree to Tartarus. Mah parents were the ones pulling the charts but they got stuck when the doors closed with them inside.”

All the students murmured some more, some not quite buying the story.

“It´s the true!”

“I believe you Apple Bloom, that s why I said you could skip the family tree assignment if you wanted to,” Mrs. Cheerilee said.

“Why would ah?”

Cheerilee didn't know what to said and decided to move to the next student.

“Scootaloo, tell us a bit about your parents…”

****

“I´ve heard that story before. The two farmers who saved a group of Royal Guards by tossing them outside Tartus and sealing the doors from the inside. My brother was just a cadet back then,” Twilight said.

“Ya, my folks right away. Heroes till the end” Applejack said with a sad face.

“But, how can you be sure they're still alive?” Spike asked but this time Twilight didn't scold him.

“Ah don´t but ah have to keep believing,” Applejack said, lowering her head.

“Tomorrow is Granny Smith´s birthday, right? You want to...let them know she is fine and healthy?” Twilight asked.

“Is it possible?”

“Let´s give it a try,” Twilight said and Applejack handled her a letter.

“I'll do my best but I've never sent a letter that fat away,” Spike said.

“Ah appreciate the effort, Spike,” Applejack said with now a smile.

Spike took a deep breath and released the biggest gflame he was capable off. The letter vanished and for a few seconds it seemed like it had worked, but the smiles soon disappeared when the letter returned in an explosion of smoke and ashes.

“I'm terrible sorry, Applejack,” Twilight apologized, coughing.

“It's okay, Twi. Ah...ah should have known. Thanks anyways.”

Twilight and Spike watched Applejack leave the place, defeated and hurt.

“Is there nothing we can do to help, Twilight?”

“I don't know. The gates of Tartarus can't be easily opened. I myself had a hard time just getting there to return Cerberus.”

“Think Princess Celestia can help?”

“I don't know,” Twilight said and picked up the letter Applejack had forgotten. “Send her this. She may know waht to do.”

*****

Celestia was sitting on her study, signing papers when a bright, green flash appeared next to her. Smiling she picked up the envelope, surprised there were two. After reading the one from Twilight explaining the nature of the letter, Celestia smiled again with a bit of sadness.

“Oh my dear Twilight, if you only have asked. I could have told you that they can receive but they lack the means to answer back”

Celestia approached the sleeping phoenix and waked her up.

“I always assumed that letting Applejack and her family continue with their lives was better than make them worry but perhaps I was wrong. They need to speak to them, not just keeping the faith they will return.”

Celestia levitated the letter and added another one, then handled them to the phoenix who rose in the air and then engulfed them in flames, sending them away.

“I have faith, Applejack. I have faith they receive every letter, that they know you and your family are well and one day, one day you will tell that to them. One day.”

Fruit Frenzy

“Woah, what a party!” Berry Punch said, coming out of Sugarcube Corner.

She giggled because she couldn't control her hiccups, obviously, she had too much punch tonight. She took a turn on an alley to get to her house and then she screamed. She thought she had jsut seen a giant pair of batwings, probably from a manticore, but when the creature step into the moonlight, it was just good ol Fluttershy.

“Oh, you startled me!” Berry said, sighing. “Hey Fluttershy, didn´t saw you at Pinkie´s tonight.”

“Oh, I saw you…” Fluttershy said, leaning seductively over Berry. “I do saw you…”

“Oh woah, I never...I mean, there´s a bet going on about you and Rainbow but…”

“Shhh…” Fluttershy ordered and leaned over Berry, spreading her bat-shaped wings to cover them.

****

“Thank goodness you´re here!” Nurse Redheart said, opening the curtain to show Twilight the room full of sick ponies.

Twilight got a sense of deja-vu looking at them.

“I have no idea what´s gotten into them. They´re all extremely weak but can´t tell me what happened, they only mumble about batwings,” the nurse explained.

“A mystery indeed…”

“Pinkie Pie, this is serious!” Twilight said, returning her the hats Pinkie placed on their heads. “Ponies are in danger!”

“I know! There´s a mysterious vampire lurking the town! I thought it was a perfect time for us to be detectives again! You know,s each for clues, interrogate suspects, have awkward almost romantic moments…” Pinkie said, forcing a magnifying glass on Twilight's eyes.

“Pinkie, that´s ridicu…” Twilight lost her train of thought because she did noticed something thanks to the glass. “Interesting. All the ponies have...fruit cutie marks.”

“Great Caesar's Salad!”

“But what does that means?” Nurse Redheart asked.

Pinkie and Twilight pondered and then reached the same conclusion.

“APPLEJACK!”

****

“What's gotten into ya two?” Applejack asked, watching her friends trying to regain their breath.

“Flutterbat is on the loose again!” Pinkie shouted.

“Uh?”

“Applejack, ponies with fruit Cutie Marks have been attacked by a shadowy pony with batwings. Does that sounds familiar?” Twilight said.

“But that s impossible! She´s cured, ya did that!”

“Maybe it wasn´t permanent, maybe there was still some traces of vampire fruit bat on her, maybe…”

“Apple Bloom!” Pinkies houted, potng at th aprrohcing filly.

“Apple Bloom! Are ya okay, are ya hurt?” Applejack asked, shaking her sister up and down.

“A-a-a-a-a-ah´m fine! Put me down!”

“Of course she´s fine! She doesn't even have a Cutie Mark yet!” Pinkie said and Twilgith galred at her, making Pinkie blush and apologize.

“Are ya sure yah´re okay?” Applejack insisted.

“Ah´m fine but ahpm mad. Fluttershy just now was really mean to me!”

“Fluttershy? You just saw Fluttershy?” Twilight asked, alarmed.

“Yeah, she was going to the barn with Big Mac and when ah asked what they were doing she hissed at me! Who does that?”

All the ponies gasped.

“Ah know, they´re probably kissing and that,” Apple Bloom saying, gagging. “But still, that was mighty rude of her, don´t ya thinking, AJ? AJ? Sis? Twilight? Pinkie?”

*****

“Stop, creature of the night…” Pinkie said, holding a cooking book. “And repent!”

Twilight and Applejack had no idea what she intended but they all focused their looks on Fluttershy, who was passionately kissing Big Mac.

“Oh, maybe we made a mistake?” Pinky said.

Turns out they didn't, since Fluttershy turned into her bat self and hissed at them, ready to attack. Just when she let go of Big Mac, Applejack used her trusty lasso to trap her.

“Pinkie, mirror!” Twilight ordered, placing the mirror in front of Fluttershy and not even asking where did it came from.

After a few seconds of struggling, Fluttershy stared at her reflection and switched back to her normal self.

“Oh my, it happened again…”

****

“It started a few days ago. I was feeling tired so I took a nap and when I woke up, I was in the middle of Sweet Apple Acres. I figured I had just sleepwalked and went back home. But it happened again only this time I…” Fluttershy covered her face in shame. “I woke up next to a stallion!”

Pinkie whistled and Applejack punched her.

“I think I know what happened. You tried to repress your vampiric urge but subconsciously couldn't control it and went for an approximate target, ponies with fruit cutie marks,” Twilight explained.

“Then what are we gonna do? We can't have Flutter attacking ponies on her sleep!” Applejack said.

“If only there was a steady way to control her urges. Eventually she'll get a steady dosis and won't need the feel to hunt anymore. But how?” Twilight pondered.

Pinkie noticed the way Fluttershy was looking at Applejack and how she blushed when discovered. She waited for a few seconds and then coughed, pointing at Applejack. She then threw her arms in frustration when they didn't get her. She pointed at Applejack and Fluttershy a few times and finally they said “oooh”.

*****

“Hey gang!” Rainbow Dash said, walking into Sugarcube Corner.

“How was Wonderbolt Camp, dear?” Rarity asked her.

“Not much. Spitfire gave me a medal,” Rainbow said, sitting down.

“Another one?” Twilight mocked her and Pinkie as already picking stuff for the regular “Rainbow-gets-a-medal” party.

“You know me. So, anything exciting happened this week?”

“Not…” Fluttershy began but then her wrist clock ringed.

She looked at Applejack, blushing a little. Applejack got up from the table, took her hat off and gave her a deep, long kiss. Then with a wink, went back to her seat, much to the confusion of Rainbow.

“...really.”

Heroines of Equestria

The girls waved the bellpony, relieved that he will deliver the dresses to Rarity on time, and let go a breath of relief.

“Now that that is taken care off, what should we do first?” Twilight asked, making appear her trusty schedule and quill, the girls smiling at this.

“Isn't it obvious?” Rainbow said, taking on the air. “First we go to the Mayor to introduce ourselves, not that we need to but we need to be polite and then, we can fight crime!”

All the girls looked confused before Applejack asked, “Come again, sugarcube?”

“Oh come on, what else can we do? We are heroines and we´re in the biggest city of Equestria! It needs our protection!”

The girls weren´t impressed by Rainbow´s fanfare, special rainbow effects aside.

“Ah think somepony is still hung on that whole superheroine business,” Applejack said.

“Remember when I had superspeed? That was so awesome! I could make things appear seemingly out of nowhere, like this hotdog!”

“Rainbow Dash, we´re not superheroines. We´re just normal ponies,” Twilight said.

“Sure, this coming from Mrs. Princess of Equestria,” Rainbow mocked her, while Spike and Pinkie chased for the bird that stole their hot dogs.

“Being a Princess doesn't mean that I have to flaunt my title around.”

“Come on, we´ve saved Equestria like, how many times, six times already? I think we deserve a little gratitude, like a parade or something.”

“Uh I love parades! Can we have one, Twilight?”

“No Pinkie, I don´t think comfortable with that. And I don't think we need to announce everypony who we are!”

“Besides, it´s not like it´s anything happening, “Applejack mentioned, waving to the rather peaceful city.

“Applejack, you don't get it! Big cities like this have crime and danger lurking everywhere!” Rainbow said, lifting a sewer cover to reveal a giant crocodile. “Like, that pony with the trenchcoat could be a criminal!”

“Hey!” shouted he pony being robbed of his clothes and Twilight had to apologize for Rainbow,

“That window-cleaner is in danger!” Rainbow said, trying to save the pegasus pony who wasn't pleased his work got interupted.

“Or a giant monster can be targeting the city! GASP! The Statue!”

Twilight stopped Rainbow with her magic before she headed straight to the Statue of the city. “Rainbow Dash, calm down! There are no dangers around, it´s just a normal, peaceful day! Note everyday Equestria is in danger!” Twilight said, while Fluttershy petted the giant crocodile.

“Can anypony help me?”

“A citizen in danger! Let´s go girls!”

Before they could stop her, Rainbow Dash dashed towards a fragile old mare who was struggling with a city map.

“Is there anything we can do to help you, maáma?” Twilight asked.

“Oh what dears, yes, I was looking for the museum of the city but I seem to had got lost.”

“Seriously? That´s your emergency?” Rainbow said and got a glare from all the onies.

“This city can be a bit confusing, let us help you with that,” Twilight offered.

“I'll carry your luggage!” Spike said, taking the heavy bags.

“Oh, you don't need to do that, dears.”

“Please, it'll be our pleasure,” Fluttershy said and they all nodded. All but Rainbow who whined in protest.

****

Several hours later, the girls took the old lady to her hotel, which happened to be just right in front of theirs.

“Thank you so much for your help, dears.”

“No problem, ma'am And we apologize again for Rainbow Dash´s attitude,” TwIlight said,

“That was...AWESOME! I never thought Manehattan will be so much fun!” Rainbow shouted, wearing an “I love Manehattan” cap and looking like the stereotypical tourist.

The girls sighed and let the old lady go to her room. “See Rainbow, a normal day without adventures nor monsters. Sometimes they're not so bad,” Twilight said.

“Alright, you got me there, Twi. Now, where are we going to go next? I think we could visit the stadium next and then…” Rainbow said, taking the tourist guide.

“Well, that goes mah plans of visiting the family,” Applejack said and Twilight patted her, calling Pinkie to get inside.

“Coming!” Pinkie said, taking a final picture. “Hey Fluttershy, you know they have giant apes in this town?”

“I heard the zoo has a gorilla exhibition. I´ll love to see that next.”

“Silly, you don't need to go to the zoo! Just fly high!” Pinkie chirped, leaving Fluttershy a bit confused.

Meanwhile, Spike blurped a letter than a bird confused with a hot dog and took it away. Spike decided to ignore it this time, the bird flying past the pegasus guard trying to calm down the furious gorilla in top of a building.

Heroine of Another Story

The stone guardian kept his sword raised, waiting for the challenger to answer the riddle. Daring Do smirked and lifted her hat, confident on her answer.

“The greatest gift is not the one received but the one given.”

Daring smirked once more when the guard moved, cracking a joke about how corny the answer was. Her eyes widened when upon looking at the magnificent treasure kept on the Cave of Wonderful Treats but decided not to touch any of the shining gems and instead hovered over one particular stone.

“Don't worry, grumpy-face, as tempting as all this treasure is, I´m only here for one thing...the missing Element of Generosity.”

Daring placed the gem on her saddlebag and left the cave which, following tradition, immediately vanished into the tick sands. Daring was ready to make her way back to the palace of Saddle Arabia when she was approached by a very distinctive gang of bandits.

“Well well, if it isn't Calf-i-Baba and his gang of thieves. How many were you again, about forty?”

“Thank you for finding the missing treasure for us, effendi,” the bulky ox, leader of the gang of tall arabian horses, said.

“Sure, why try to solve the riddles when you can just wait for me to do the first work for you?”

“Glad you understand, Now, hand it over!”

“Just for once, I wish someone will just ask nicely,” Daring said and adjusted her hat.

Her opponents were numerous, taller and sturdier than her, but she didn't cared. Making a big leap, Daring spread her wings and got ready for a fight against one ox and his gang of over for-

*****

A. K. Yearling managed to catch the inkwell before it crashed over her story. Adjusting her glasses, she came out of her cabin, looking very angry.

“Could you please steer this damn bathtub with a little more care? I´m trying to write a story here!” she yelled the zeppelin captain.

“My apologies, Mrs. Yearling, but a storm just appeared out of nowhere in front of us!” the old stallion apologized.

Yearling took a look at the brewing storm and then took something out of her pocket, seemed to be a compass, although it glowed in a rainbow pattern.

“Guess it fits the Element of Loyalty…”

“Did you said something, Mrs. Yearling?”

“I´m going down, captain. Make sure my baggage makes it to Manehattan.”

Before the captain could protest, Yearling had already taken her saddlebags and stuffed only the necessary equipments. She smiled when looking at the picture she took with a special fan on a book signing, and thought she'll be very upset about not being told about this mission. Tough luck, Yearling thought but one lesson in life it´s learning to trust an expert during an emergency.

When she lef the cabin she bumped into a Royal Guard and she tossed him a scroll.

“Take this to Princess Celestia, stat!” she told the confused guard. “It´s the latest chapter of Daring Do and the Missing Gemstones. Trust me, she´ll like to know right away that Daring Do already has two of the missing stones,” she said, winking at him.

Yearling smiled when the dizzy guard left the ship and then jumped right down. Once she hit the ground and make sure the ship was taking flight away from her, Yearling got rid of her usual bookish attire and put on her exploration suit. She looked at the storm and adjusted her hat, remembering the promise she made the Princess of recovering the Elements soon before the Tree wither again.

She had a few questions about it of her own and was sure Rainbow and her friends will like to know why they were kept out of the loop on this, but right now Daring had a job to do. First recover the elements, then finish the story. That´s how she had always worked.

Smiling she took flight into the storm, ready for another adventure.

Family or Not

“Ah´m not sure about this, Pinkie…”

“Come on AJ, we´re family now! Or as close as family can be so we need to get closer!”

Applejack got a little dizzy with Pinkie´s logic there so she decided to ask the first question on her mind, “What about the Cakes?”

“I´ll still work with them! The only thing that will change is that now I´m going to live under your roof!” Pinkie answered, smiling. “Family needs to stick together, after all!”

“But what about your family on the rock fa-”

“Applejack!” Granny Smith punched her.

“I still visit them every two weekends but this is even better because you live so close by but not enough close by so I need to move here so I can be part of the family even if we don´t know for sure!”

Again, Applejack was confused but the rest of the family seemed pretty happy.

“And we´ll love to have ya around, youngling!”

“This is gonna be so much fun!” Apple Bloom chirped. “right, Big Mac?”

“Eeeyup!” he said, very emotionally.

“Well, if everypony is alright, but where are ya gonna sleep, Pinkie?”

“With you, silly filly! I already made the arrangements!” Pinkie said, showing the reformed room that was, to put simply, saw in half to make room for two ponies.

“Mah bed…”

“Now Applejack, remember, family or not, Pinkie Pie is one of us now,” Granny Smith reminded her.

“Ah guess. Ah just hope this is isn´something we´ll regret.”

*****

“That kid needs to leave!” Granny Smith yelled.

“Granny!”

“Ah´m sorry, honey, but she's a disaster waiting to happen. She plays music all day, makes  a mess of the kitchen and ate mah special apple jam that ah saved for twenty years.”

Applejack made a face at that but before she could talk, Apple Bloom stat complaining too.

“Pinkie Pie ruine doru Crusaders meeting! We were trying to get our Pottery Makers marks and she destroyed our whole club house trying to help!”

“Ah get you, lil sis. She tried to help me with the fruit bats and she ended up throwing them an open fruit salad buffet and causing them to spread all over the rochard,” Applejack sighed.

The only pony without any complain was Big Mac.

“Guess, we´ll have no choice but to tell Pinkie she can't be ´ere. Family or not, she can't live under our roof.”

The apples approached Pinkie who was trying to fix the broken mailbag but every intent kept making it worse.

“Oh hi, Apples! I was trying to send our kitchen cabinet to repair but they don't fit on the mailbag!”

The Apples weren't sure if that was a joke or Pinkie was trying something really strange but they decided to just say it, pushing Applejack front.

“Pinkie, ah´m sorry but ah need to tell you something. Ah´m afraid we can't have you living with us anymore. Now dopt get asd…”

“Oh thankyouthankyouthankyou!” Pinkie hugged Applejack, taking ehr air out. “Taking so much, I´ve been trying the last two days to find ways to tell you I can´t no longer live here but I didn't want to hurt your feelings so I made all this sort of bad things like breaking your kitchen cabinet and letting the fruit bats out but thank you!”

“Wait, ya don´t wanna live with us anymore?”

“Oh don't be mad Applejack your family is great and these past two months were great...except you´re driving me crazy! You snore every night, Granny Smith makes us take drills for every caterpillar infestation, Apple Bloom crashes the house every two days and I cant eat anymore apples!”

“Let me get this straight, ya saying that us, the Apples, drive you, Pinkie Pie, mad?”

“...kinda. Are you okay with that?”

TIME LIMIT -

“Ah think so. Suddenly ah don't feel like the most down to earth of the group anymore”

“Okie-dokie then…” Pinkie said, taking her baggage. “This was great, except for the part of driving me crazy! But do know that, family or not, I'll always love you!” she said, giving them a hug. “And I'll miss you more than all Big Mac!” she said, giving Big Mac a full kiss. “Bye-bye!”

As Pinkie bounced away, the Apples turned to look at the blushing Big Mac.

“Wait!” Apple Boom suddenly said. “We drive her crazy?”

Shy Advice

“I´m so glad to see you again, Coco. I hope everything's going fine in Manehattan.”

“Oh it is, thank you for your concern, Fluttershy.”

The two mares took a sip of their tea while the restaurant kept with its usual chat behind them.

“Can I ask so how's work you for a favor going for you now?”

“Oh I´m sorry, you go ahead…”

“You first.”

Both mares went back to their teas, blushing, failing to notice the restaurant gone quiet and everypony was looking at them.

“Fluttershy, you are good friends with Rarity, right?” Coco asked.

“Oh yes, I think we´re the best friend of each other,” Fluttershy happily replied.

“Oh so you two are really close, then?”

“Yes, I think we are as closest as two friends can be!”

“Oh, I see…” Coco said, lowering her head.

The ponies started to whispered and point at them, making Fluttershy feel uncomfortable.

“I should have know...after all, you know each other from a long time ago...it was to be expected…” Coco murmured.

Fluttershy didn´t understood what was going on and was feeling really bad about being stared.

“I guess I should just give up…”

“No! Listen Coco, you must never give up!” Fluttershy said, holding her hooves. “I used to be like that, giving up before even trying, but my friends changed me! So...so, whatever it is you want, you must fight for it!”

“You...you´re right! I must fight for her!” Coco announced and took off, not before giving Fluttershy a big hug and a thank you.

Fluttershy was quite happy but then the ponies of the restaurant got up and start shaking her hoof and patting her back, saying things like “I´m so sorry” “there will be others” “you´ll find somepony” or “I´m not seeing anypony at the moment.”

Fluttershy didn't understood a thing of what happened.

“Ponies have been acting weird all day. I should probably ask Twilight about it...Oh goodness, I´pm ate for our date!”

And Fluttershy left, not before leaving a good tip for the nice waiter.

The Tale of the Two Sisters

“The Horn of the Two Sisters. The Plate of the Two Sisters. The  Pennant of the Two Sisters…”

Princess Celestia smiled and took a sip of tea, smiling at her former student listing items out loud. It was peaceful afternoon and she was enjoying just being in Twilight's company.

“The Ukulele of the Two Sisters?”

“Find something interesting, Twilight?”

“Ye-yes...I´ve been looking at the records for all the items at your former castle, Princess. And...well…”

“Yes, Twilight?”

“Every item we come across is listed as the something of the Two Sisters. It´s getting quite silly at this point, frankly,” Twilight said, a little embarrassed.

Celestia giggled and said “Well, back in those days, I shared everything with Luna. Our servants though it will be easy to just give them that name,”

“That´s actually quite touching. All those memories, it must be nice to share everything with your sister.”

“Yes, it was quite nice.”

Celestia couldn't help looking a bit sad when remembering those times. She put on a smile for Twilight and then went back to her tea, but the newest Princess wasn't satisfied.

*****

“Twilight Sparkle, while your company is always appreciated…” Luna began, interrupted by a big yawn. “But this early hours of the morning are my sister´s domain.”

“You´ll like it, Princess Luna. Promise,” Twilight said and escorted Luna to a hallway, where they meet with Princess Celestia, who also ignored what Twilight had in mind.

“Here it is!” Twilight said, opening a door to reveal a room covered in..well, basically garbage.

“Twilight, would you be so kind to explain?” Celestia said, since Luna was too grumpy to even ask.

“I told Spike to gather everything he could from the palace. This is the...umh Pile of Memories of The Two sisters!” Twilight said, not very convinced while Spike crawled from the junk pile.

A little amused, Celestia approached the pile, trying to find something that was still usable.

“Look, Princesses! A bird cage, surely Philomena's!” Twilight said, levitating such item towards Luna.

“Unlikely. Our sister acquired her pet phoenix after my exile,” Luna coldy said.

Celestia seemed pretty sad and Twilight hurried Spike to get her something else. “What about this book? You probably read Luna bestoreis from here, right Princess?” Twilight said and blew the dust off the book, so hard the book shattered too, much to her horror.

“I´m afraid there´s nothing of much use in here, Twilight, but it was a nice gesture,” Celestia said, placing a hoof on her shoulder.

“A futile gesture. There´s nothing here but dust and crumbles, nothing more, “ Luna said, leaving the room.

Celestia patted Twilight and then left too.

*****

Celestia joined Luna in a balcony, her sister pretending to be gazing at the sunset but was really looking at Twilight and Spike cleaning the room.

“You were a bit rude there, Luna,” Celestia said and her sister said nothing. “You do miss our old castle, right?”

“What´s the point of remembering it, Celestia? You have this palace, I have my private tower, we are no longer foals, there´s no need for us to share everything.”

Celestia didn´t want to agree, she looked at the window from where they could see Twilight still working.

“We do share things, Luna. Just as a mutual friend who tries hard to cheer us.”

“The Friend of the Two Sisters...a wonderful title!” Luna said, recovering her usual energy.

From the room, Twilight and Spike saw the two sister laughing and smiled, happy to see whatever they did, it worked.

Maybe, Just maybe...

There´s an old tradition among the Wonderbolts. You don't get to chose your wingpony, it´s always assigned to you based on the criteria of your superior. That´s it until your final year, when you make the transition to permanent squad member and you get the chance to chose the one partner that will fly at your side on every mission, on that day you give that pony a gift, a sign of commitment, a medal or an earring or anything that has the shape of your Cutie Mark.

Everypony in the squad has either given or received one, all but me.

I got named Captain too early, special recommendation by Princess Celestia herself after heroics actions in protecting the city of Las Pegasus from a stray tornado. The youngest mare to ever earn the spot, I barely got time to react before I got promoted and I lost my chance to pick a partner. After all, the Captain is supposed to lead the entire team, can't have a pony messing with her style.

I got this medal here, years ago, for Soarin. Makes sense, we were partners for three full years, assigned by former captain Firefly, she told us we were “the perfect match”; and we were, always flying in sync.,

Uh, smaller than I remember it being.

I never got around to giving it to him, even after I was named captain I could have just give it to him as a gift, a simple gesture. Why I enver did it? Maybe I was worried what others may say? I know Fleetfoot always teased me with the fact that ponies who gave the medals usually end up married but that´s  a silly story.

Besides, there´s nothing going on between me and Soarin. We´re just friends, best friends, best pals, nothing more…

“Oh horseshoes!”

“...”

“Nevermind, I can clean that. And I can clean that too. ANd that one.”

What in the hay is he doing? All he has to do is move his stuff to the office in front of me, simple as that. Of course being Soarin, he has to crash half of the place just moving some boxes. I better go help him.

“Oh, I hope I don't have to pay for that lamp…”

“It comes with the office, Mayor.”

“He, feels weird to have a rank now…

“You'll get used to it. Here let me help you with that”

He, always the same old Soarin. Picking up the strangest things, who keeps a rubber finger as a souvenir? Half of this stuff is from our different gigs, back when we were cadets. Souvenirs from Baltimare, Trottingham, Las Pegasus…

“...Soarin, this medal...is shaped like your Cutie Mark…”

“Oh that, yeah, I forgot I still have it.”

Is he blushing?

“Remember that gig on Las Pegasus, the one with the giant tornado? Well, I got this just the day before, I was kinda hoping to ask you to be my permanent partner, you know tradition and all that. Guess the sky that day got other plans, heh.”

“You know, you could still have give it to me later. Just as a gift.”

TIME LIMIT-

“Yeah, I thought so but...you know…”

“Know what?”

He, he´s cute when he blushes.

“Nevermind then. Come on, let´s finish unpacking before the start of the morning practice.”

“Okay. Hey Spitfire, I think this fell from your pocket. It´s...oh.”

“Oh that yeah…”

Great, how do I get out of this one?

“You know, you´re kinda cute when you blush.”

“Shut up, Soarin.”

Maybe we didn't miss our chance, maybe we shouldn't have care that much about tradition.

Just maybe…

Complicated Statistics

“All right, everypony, let´s get this meeting started!” Apple Bloom declared, hitting her hammer.

“I still don´t know why you invited her here..:” Spike said.

“Because as much as we don´t like her, Silver Spoon is an expert on statistics and is one of the best students in class,” Apple Bloom admitted while the snobby pony refused to look at Spike.

“No, I mean Mrs. Cake..:” Spike said, taking a cupcaked.

“Oh, I was here looking for some apples for my next line of treats!”

“That explains why Granny Smith is here…”

“No, I´m just here because I was taking tea with Mrs. Cheerilee”

“And I´m here to accompany Big Mac!”

“Eeeyup!”

“Enough! We have important business to attend!” Apple Bloom shouted and pulled a graphic of Twilight and her friend, wit lots of lines connecting them. “Now, what do you make of this?”

“That you´re really bad at making a chart…” Silver Spoon said,

“NO! This is a graphic of all the connections between our sister and her friends.”

“Wonderful work, girls!”

“Thank you, Mrs. Cheerilee. You see, the other day, we were talking and realized our sisters had all bad experience with romance so we figured out that the reason is that they never look for possibilities inside their circle of friends, so we make a graphic to see which pairing is more compatible,” Apple Blok finished, earning an applause from her relatives like this as a school presentation.

“Hey, how come I´m not on that graphic?” Spike asked.

“Because you are on this one!” Sweetie said, pulling a graphic of the three of them and Spike.

“He, Diamond Tiara is right. You spend too much time together…”

“Enough! Silver Spoon tell us what is the most possible pairing!”

“How can I? All these lines tell me nothing! I need information about these ponies which I barely know a thing about…”

“Well, my sister is best friends with Twilight who likes going to the spa with Rarity who´s best friend with Fluttershy who´s Rainbow childhood friend and likes playing pranks with Pinkie…” Apple Bloom began.

“...who likes cooking with Applejack, who doesn't get along well with Rarity, who helps Rainbow with her uniform, who likes reading Daring Do books with Twilight who gets along well with Fluttershy..:” Scootaloo continued.

“...who argued with Applejack about the vampire bats, who likes to compete with rainbow!” Sweetie finished. “oh and Pinkie likes to spend time with Twilight, Fluttershy and my sister, although they find her kind of loud…”

“I see... “ Silver Spoon said, pondering the information. “Based on this information, I´l say you omitted a vital detail…”

“What´s that?” Scootaloo asked.

“You didn't include Babs Seed on your other graphic!”

“What?!” they yelled.

“Ugh, Silver, she´s my cousin!”

“So, aren't Pinkie and Applejack cousin now or something?”

“Technically, they´re four times removed…”

“Granny!”

“Besides, that...that graphic was Sweetie´s idea! We don´t like each other that way and Babs, least of all, thinks that way!” Scootaloo yelled, blushing.

“I don't know. When she hanged around with us, she admitted she thought you were pretty cute for a tomboy…”

“Uh, what about me? What about me?” Sweetie chirped.

“Meeting dismissed…” Apple Bloom gave up.

“Nopony ever thinks of me…” Spike lamented, drowning his sorrows with some cupcakes, while the grown ups laughed at the silly antics of these fillies.

More isn´t Better

“Are you sure about this, Twilight?” Fluttershy asked, trembling with fear.

“No need to get that shaky, sugarcube! Twilight here knows what she´doing, right?” Applejack said.

“It's just a simple procedure, Fluttershy. I need to make sure your vampirism has been completely cured,” Twilight explained and Fluttershy nodded. “Okay everypony, keep those mirrors steady. Ready?”

All the ponies nodded, holding mirrors in a circle around the scared Fluttershy. Twilight lighted her horn and shot the magic beam that hit Fluttershy but then bounced over the mirrors, quickly losing control until it exploded.

“Oh wet galoshes…”

“That was a terrible experience…”

“Nice call, egghead!”

“Sorry girls, I´m not sure what...happened?”

Twilight gasped with the voice of the other dive ponies. Standing in front of her, was the reflection of an alicorn. But not a regular alicorn, it was an alicorn with two horns, four wings and a color scheme that was a mess.

“What happened to us?!”

“Auh, Rarity, don't scream like that!”

“I didn´t screamed, I thought that! I never raise my voice…”

“That´s the problem Rarity, our minds are fused like our bodies. We can hear all of our thoughts!”

“All of them…”

“Wiii, heard that echo! Echoooooooooo!”

“Oh my, Fluttershy. I have no idea…”

“It´s...it´s not what you think!”

“Oh come on, I now I have a pair of sexy wings! No need to hide those thoughts!”

“I don't think she was thinking about your wings!”

“Oh. I´m so ashamed…”

“It's okay, Fluttershy, really. I´m...I´m flattered. And thanks for your comments on my bangs…”

“That was me, darling.”

“I thought that was me…I mean, apple juice!”

“Okay, somepony is definitely thinking about my flank..”

“Who is thinking about cupcakes? Oh that´s me, right! Hihihi!”

“Enough, girls! We need to find a way out of this! I can´t cast the counter spell with two horns, we'll need to synchronize perfectly with Rarity and that will take to much time. We better go tell Spike to ask for help!”

“And where´s the little guy then?”

“Sleeping...on his room. Upstairs.”

“..this is gonna be fun.”

“Now now, we just need a bit of teamwork. Fluttershy try moving my right hoof, I mean your right hoof! No, not that one!”

“Pinkie, stop flapping our tail!”

“It's not me, Rarity! You're the one who got excited thinking of Applejack´s freckles!”

“I didn't thought about that!”

“Yeah, I think that was me…”

“This is a disaster…”

One troublesome climbing through the stairs, five minutes of Spike laughign and one sent letter later.

“Help has arrived, my little ponies!”

“Seriously? Discord?”

“The Princesses are busy, Rainbow. Discord is our only hope..if he can stop laughing for a second and actually help us!”

“Oh no need to yell Applejack! I´m all about helping!”

“That was Twilight…”

“Could you please help us, Discord?”

“As you wish, dear PInkie PIe!”

“Thanks but that was…” Pinkie got interrupted by the magic snap of Discord and then resumed her sentence after the bright flash. “Fluttershy! Hey my head is out again! Wiiii! Oh hi Fluttershy, what are you doing down there?”

“Same reason I´m on top of Rarity, sugarcube…”

“This is so embarrassing..” Rarity said, while Rainbow tried to avoid being poked by her horn.

“Discord, turning us into a six headed pony is not a solution!”

“Relax Twilight Sparkle, you know how random magic can be. You should be angry at yourself for not taking the necessary precautions. Now, let´s see…eight legged pony, that's not it...all of you connected by your tails, no...humans? ha, don't think so…”

“I'm going to get some ice-cream. This is gonna be a loooong night…” Spike said.

Saving the Orchard

“Goooood morning, Daisy Jo!”

“Gooooood  morning to you too, Mooriella! Allow me to introduce you our little friend here, what was your name again, darling?” the cow said ,letting the young buffalo move forward.

“Little Strongheart. A pleasure to meet you, kind Mooriella,” she said, bowing.

“Oh what a darling! Is she a relative of ours?”

“I don't know...are you, dear?” Daisy asked.

“Probably, our family is pretty big and stretches for generations,” Little Strongheart said, a little emabrassed. “Maybe we are distant cousin?

Both cows laughed at this and hugged the little calf.

“Oh what a dear! Little Strongheart here came to visit Applejack and her friends!” Daisy Jo explained to her friend.

“Oh what a dear! Aren´t the Apples the best? They gave us a roof to sleep and treat us like royalty. That Big MacIntosh is such a  gentlecolt, “ Mooriela said, blushing.

“Oh Mooreila, don´t speak like that next to a guest! But he´s a treat!”

Both cows laughed again and Strongheart smiled, they were a bit absent-minded but she found them to be very likeable and kind.

“Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!” another cow said, approaching them on a hurry.

“What happened, dear?” Daisy asked.

“It+ s those pesky vampire fruit bats! They´re at it again, all loose on the west orchard!”

Quickly, they all hurried to said orchard, finding it flooded with the vicious flying mammals, who devoured every apple on sight.

“Those nasty creatures again!” Daisy Jo lamented,

“But Applejack told me the story about them. She said they got their own orchard and learned to behave,” Strongheart said. “Why is this happening then?”

“Well, it is possible that the suppression spell Twilight Sparkle used on them eventually wore off and it caused a pressure on their neuro-cortex, building up an insatiable hunger for apples, overcompensating for the period they refused to eat them,” Mooriela said, making Strongheart blink in plain confusion. “Oh those nasty creatures!”

“What should we do,” Daisy?” the other cows gathered asked.

“I...don´t know. The Apples are out of town, gathering seeds for the next season. There were supposed to come here in just a few hours but these creatures could destroy it in less time than that!”

“We must protect the orchard!” Strongheart said but she soon saw all the cows looked terrified. “What´s wrong?”

“But...we´re cows! We´re not agile or strong or...well, smart like the ponies! We can't handle this!” Mooreila said.

Strongheart was really offended by that comment and jumped over a fence to make a point. “And who told you that? We, the buffaloes, are nothing like the ponies! We´re bigger, sturdier and heavier than them but there´s one thign we have in common...we have hearts! And our hearts are as big as anypony´s! That´s why we´re friends because our hearts are the same size and your hearts are that size too! You´re cows, proud cows of Sweet Apple Acres and now your land needs you!”

That speech was all the cows needed to gather their spirits. Following Daisy Jo´s instructions and the plan Mooriella concocted, the cows gather all the bats in one place, using their cowbells to scare them into one single tree. Then Strongheart rolled a barrel of cider and kicked the tree, causing all the scared bats to feel down. The creatures were at first annoyed but soon they found the liquid so refreshing they started to swing around, floaters and snorkels included.

“That would keep them busy until Twilight Sparkle returns to keep them on control,” Strongheart said and was then lifted by the excited cows.

“Hooooooray for our...umh distant cousin, Little Strongheart!”

Little Strongheart laughed, sure, the cows were a bit easily distracted and she was sure they weren´t related, but their hearts were really that big, as big as hers.

Sweet Revenge (mild spoilers predictions for Pinkie Pride and Friends Forever comic)

“All right criminal scum, get in there!” the Royal Guard said pushing Cheese Sandwich.

“No thanks, I once have an assistant but he crippled my style!” he joked, pulling a fake cast on his leg.

The guard didn´t appreciate the corny joke and kicked him aside.

“Rough audience, uh?” Cheese Sandwich greeted his fellow jail mates with a big grin that got bigger when he recognized one “Cousin!”

The dark colored mane raised her head and then sighed. “Oh no..”

“Sooooo happy to see you!” Cheese said, asphyxiating Marine Sandwich,

“What are you doing here, Cheese?”

“Oh a little run in with the law as in I run into this place! You know how it is, “ he said patting her back too strong. “And what about you, won any desserts contests lately?

“No! I was robbed my prize and sent to this prison because of my “dangerous behavior”! Those Ponyville fools dare to insult me, me the greatest cook from Gallopvania!”

“Uh Ponyville! That town has no sense of taste! They chased me out of town because I was being “too forceful” Cheese added quotation marks to that line.

“And it´s all that Pinkie Pie´s fault!” they both said in unison.

“It seems Ponyville has wronged us both, cousin. Care for a little payback to this town?” Marine said, taking out a file she had been hiding on her mane.

“You know what they said about revenge. Is a dish best served as an entry not dessert!”

“...who says that?”

****

“Woo-hii! This cousin´s bowling contest is the best thing ever!” Pinkie Pie chirped, jumping up and down the street.

“And we´re gonna win! We´ve been practicing all week!” Apple Bloom and Babs Seed announced

“Sugarcube, we just  learned about the contest this morning,” Applejack reminded her.

“Yeah, I didn´t even had time to pack my watermelons! You think they have galoshes my size?”

Applejack decided not to question how Pinkie envisioned the rules of bowling and lead the way inside. The bowling alley was strangely dark and empty.

“What´s going on in here?” Applejack asked.

“Glad you asked, supplanter!” A light went on revealing the figure of Marine Sandwich and Cheese Sandwich,

“Hey, you´re that party pooper that tried to ruin Rainbow´s birth-versary!” Pinkie said.

“Hey, I was only trying to make it better!”

“And you're that sore loser form the desserts contest!” Applejack added.

“You stole my name! And my prize!”

“What do you two want?” And we´re here to make you both pay for humiliating us!”

“You two know each other?” Applejack asked.

“We´re cousins,” they replied.

“Makes sense. They have the same surname…”

“Pinkie, we are sort of cousins and we don't have the same surname.,”

“Enough with this chatting!  We´re here to make you both pay for humiliating us! Cheese!”

“I think it´s time for a split…” Cheese said, throwing them a bowlin ball that exploded on impact, covering them on banana cream. “Get it?”

“Enough with your terrible jokes, Cheese! Now we have them where we wanted them!”

“I don't think so!” Apple Bloom said, kicking a bowling ball towards them.

Despite the dramatism of her statement, the ball just rolled and feebly hit a nearby pin

“Seriously?” Cheese said. “That´s the best you have?”

“I wasn´t trying to hit you. I was only buying time for Babs to get Twilight here.”

Both sandwiches turned around in time to see Twilight and the other ponies  approaching them. They tried to throw them balls but Twilight captured thm with her magic and tossed them back, trapping them on the banana cream.

“I´m glad to see you´re okay,” Twilight said to Pinkie and Applejack who was ruffling the two kids. “And since you two can't learn your lesson you´re going back to jail,”

“Get in there you two!” the Royal Guard said, pushing the Sandwiches into a cart.

“I have two candidates!” Pinkie said, putting some glassed on Babas and Apple Bloom.

Everypony laughed,

“Hey, that´s my joke!”

“Oh be quiet!”

And all the ponies laughed while the mean Sandwiches were escorted back to prison.

Both Sides Down

“Choosing not to choose is not really an option, Rainbow Dash.”

Those words stuck with Rainbow as she sneaked out from the clinic room, making her way back to the training fields. She watched as Fluttershy and Bulk Biceps kept on training but even with the assistance of Derpy Hooves, they kept crashing into each other.

She sighed and took a look at the Wonderbolts. Spitfire and Fleetfoot´s routine was perfect except that without a pony as fast as her they always ended up ten seconds late. Not a chance of qualifying either.

It seemed that no matter what choice she made, one team wasn't going to make it. Rainbow wasn't a pony of artistic nature, she never understood how her friends could bruts randomly into song, especially Pinkie; but this time she felt it growing inside her, the words coming out of her mouth on their own.

“I´ve to find a way, the right choice to make, I can´t believe I let this go, I´ve let both sides down. Oh how? How can I fix this? Choosing sides is not an easy choice, stuck between my dreams and my home. Oh how can I chose?”

But singing a song didn't help matters at all. Sighing in despair, Rainbow put her bandages back and made her way back to the infirmary…

I barely can...

Applejack smiled and nodded at every question. She didn't understand a word of what these fancy ponies were saying and didn't speak up, afraid of saying something wrong or her accent being too funny. She just smiled and stood there, being dragged around like a pretty doll, being told where to stand, what to eat, what music to play.

At the end of the day, Applejack returned to her room. She smiled at her aunt and uncle, who seemed so proud and then closed the door, being alone on her dark and empty room. She had everything she could ask for, a giant bed, all the dresses she could want but there was nopony to share them with. She walked to the mirror and couldn't recognize the filly who looked back.

“Oh Manehattan, what've you done to me? I barely recognize that filly who looks back. Friends and family used to be my first priority but now I can barely remember Ponyville and all alone I am...and all alone I am.”

During the song, Applejack took all her jewels and makeup, put her mane back to how she liked it and crawled to her bed, hugging the photo of Granny Smith and Big Mac, crying herself to sleep.

Do I Belong?

While the celebration continued, Princess Luna slowly moved away, getting lost on the streets of Ponyville. A few ponies bumped into her but they were too young to even recognize her. Soon, she was lost on the shadows of the crowd, invisible to all.

“I never imagined a place like this, everything is so different to what it used to be. I´m trying to understand but it seems so hard, all I ever know is now long gone.

All types of ponies live in harmony, my sister has finally brought them peace. I´ve been gone so long that I don´t belong, I´m nothing but a strange don this new world.

What a strange new world, how can I fit on this strange new world? I don't think I'll ever fit on this strange new world.

What a strange new world…”

Princess Luna made her way to the outskirts of the town, where she found a statue of Nightmare Moon. She felt down next to it, crying, when she felt a tender hoof on her shoulder.

She turned around to the comforting face of her sister and rushed to hug her, Celetia wrapping her on her wings.

A perfect schedule

"It´s done!" Twilight proudly announced as she placed the final dot on her list. "I´ve created the perfect schedule to spend our last day in Ponyville with every one of our friends, given them the exact same amount of time and attention."

"Great. Meanwhile, I´m stuck doing the luggage..." Spike complained.

"Oh Spike, you and me will have the rest of our lives together but this maybe the last time I see the likes of Applejack or Fluttershy. I can't waste a single second! I´m off Spike!"

But the second Twilight opened the door she was hit by a pink hurricane. "Twitchy-tail! Twitchy-tail!"

"Twitchy-tail?" Spike said taking cover under the shelves.

"Yes! Twitchy-tail and blinking eyes and itching hooves and trembling tongue and shaking eyelashes and more! This is the biggest combo I´ve ever had!" Pinkie Pie yelled.

"I´m sure is nothing." Twilight said while cleaning her mane and picking all the books that Pinkie threw in her tantrum.

"But this is the big one! El numero uno! This combo is warning me of the greatest threat to Equestria!" Pinkie insisted.

"Really? Then how come your combos never warned us about Nightmare Moon or Discord or the Changelings or any other real threat?" Twilight said, dismissing all of Pinkie´s worries.

"B-bu-but Twilight..."

"I don't have time for th-" Twilight was interrupted by a pleading puppy clinging to her legs. Twilight simply couldn't resist. "...fine."

****

"Pinkie, how is this supposed to help us prevent a disaster?"

Twilight failed to see the point of Pinkie holding a watermelon on her snout while riding an unycicle. "Just trust me, Twilight."

Sighing, Twilight crossed an item on her list.

"No helping Applejack at the farm..."

****

"That rock!" and Twilight levitated the rock.

"No, not that one. Uh, that one!" and Twilight levitated the rock.

"No, that one either. Maybe that one..."

"Pinkie, it´s been fourteen rocks already!"

"Just a couple more, Twilight. I´m sure about this next one! Uh uh, is that one, that one!"

While Pinkie rushed to the next plain and useless rock, Twilight crossed another item.

"No tea with Zecora..."

****

"I´m sorry Twilight!"

"Just keep running!"

Even when they were being chased by an angry Ursa Minor, Twilight found the time to cross another item on the list.

"No shopping with Cheerilee!"

****

"Pinkie, are we done yet?" Twilight asked for the eleventh time, they have been on that hill for over an hour while the sun slowly descended.

"Wait...the sun has to be on the exact place..."

Twilight sighed a final time and just threw her list away while Pinkie kept looking through the binoculars, following the royal carriages as they were about to met.

"Almost...almost...NOW!"

"Now wh-AUH!" Twilight never thought that being yank by her tail could hurt so much.

Her magical beam was sent in a straight line, hitting the Princesses at the exact moment. Once the light vanished, the guard had a hard time trying not to laugh while Celestia simply burst in laugther.

"Our beard is much more regal than yours, sister. " was the stoic princess of the night answer.

"Success! Phew, I was so worried it wouldn't work. Spell 25 just creates a tiny mustache, I need a huge beard and all the instruction on this book were very complicated! Wonder why you needed to sing soprano underwater to pull this one..." Pinkie asked, consulting the book she brought from...somewhere.

"You....you made me spent all day in a wild goose chase just to play a prank on the Princesses?!"

"Uh...yes?"

"You made me lose an entire day, a day that I had planned to spend with my best friends, just doing random and useless only to give the Princesses a beard?!"

"Twilight, are you going to burst in flames again?"

"You...you...y-" Twilight never finished her sentence, instead she fell into the ground while laughing. Pinkie soon joined her and they spend almost ten minutes just laughing and rolling around.

****

"It´s such a beautiful night."

"It sure is, Twilight!"

"Have I followed my schedule now I´ll be stuck in my lab, doing one last check before going to sleep."

"Boooooring!"

"Thanks Pinkie, you made my last day here the best I´ve ever had..."

Pinkie just beamed a smile.

"By the way, what happened to your combo?"

"My what? Oh yeah, the treah to Equestria! It was...umh...that flower! Die, evil doer!" and Pinkie chewed down the evil flower.

"...I´m going to miss you, Pinkie Pie."

"I won´t." Twilight looked almost crushed but Pinkie just smiled with the petals sticking to her lips. "How could I miss myself, silly?"

"Right."

Twilight remained silent while Pinkie licked the last petal out of her face, both watching the full moon in the sky.

Crazy Night

"Raimi! Romero! Del Toro!"

The stars were in the right place. Sweetie Belle levitated the book and chanted the magic words but nothing happened.

"It´s no use, Sweetie. Winona is not coming back!" Apple Bloom cried.

"I don´t understand. I read the entire spe...uh uh."

"What do you mean uh uh?" Scootaloo asked.

"I may have read the wrong page..."

"What makes you think that?" Scootaloo asked again.

The entire army of dead ponies raising from their graves shouting "BRAAAINSSSS!" were a dead clue.

"Ha! I told you, I told you!"

"Spike, stop that and help me close the door!" Twilight shouted as the zombies ravaged across town. The librarian and her assistant were forced to run away meeting half way with their friends.

"Twilight, whatever shall we do?" Rarity pleaded.

"We need to find Zecora! She can help me create a spell to repel these creatures!" Twilight suggested.

"BRAAAAINSSSS!"

"Take that!"

"Applejack! You killed Zombie Derpy!" Pinkie Pie said.

"She was a zombie?"

"Let´s go girls!"

As the girl ran to the Everfree Forest, an earth pony stallion with an hourglass Cutie Mark make his entrance. He observed the whole situation and said:

"Magic. Not my department."

And he left.

"Zecora, the whole town is invaded by undead ponies! We need your help!" Twilight explained.

The zebra sighed. "Zombies? Again? Do these things follow me around or what?"

Before anypony could ask, Twilight rushed in, looking for a solution. "Do you have any solution, Zecora?"

"Yes." and she tossed them a couple of shotguns. "Lead. Tons of lead."

"How do we even use this?" Rainbow Dash asked but Fluttershy had already figured it out and was shooting at every walker or trotter.

"FEAR NOT, CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE. YOUR PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT HAS ARRI..." Luna took a good look at the wrecked town and all the destroyed zombies. "...well, guess I can catch the late screening of Wreck-it Ralph. Back to the palace!"

The Cutie Mark Crusaders look the mess they have created and their first reaction was looking for their Cutie Marks to no avail. BUt just then the earth trembled and a rotten dog jumped into Apple Bloom´s arms.

"WINONA!"

This story is happy end.

Song of the Sun

Applejack tried to put on her hat and strangely, it was Twilight the one who slap her. It was rude to cover her head during the ceremony. Applejack frowned and rubbed her face, the facial markings were making her itch.

The six of them had their Cutie Marks painted over their cheeks and stripes all over their legs and chest. Rarity praised Zecora´s painting skills while Twilight wanted to learn more about the meaning of the symbols but Zecora said that had to wait after the ceremony.

The ceremony was held in the base of the Cutie Mark Crusaders Clubhouse. Zecora had brought her cauldron and the smoke was visible from the Town Square. The Crusaders waited in front of the cauldron as Zecora circled around, throwing some herbs at the stew and chanting some prayers.

She did the first part of the ceremony on her native tongue so they didn´t really understood it. Out of the present ponies, Twilight and Sweetie Belle were the most interested. In Ponyville when a pony got his or her Cutie Mark they simply held a party, a Cuteceañera; which some snob ponies made a whole fuss about it, going to ridiculous extremes to show off.

But zebras were different, their ceremony was not just a celebration for finding their special talent, they also thanked the gods for the gift they received. According to Zecora, her Cutie Mark of a stylised sun was a symbol of the goddess of medicine, a female horned zebra that was pulled by a chariots of winged zebras that drove away the rain clouds. Upon hearing this, Twilight tried to argue with Zecora, Fluttershy fall in love with the story and Rainbow cracked a joke she was surely faster than those flying zebras.

But those question had to wait, now Zecora was speaking in Equestrian and ready to praise the Crusaders. Zecora called for Spike, who was also sporting facial marks shaped as a scroll, who brought a tray and a paint brush. Zecora took a portion of her potion, placed it on the tray and once it cooled she moved to the three fillies, ready to paint their Cutie Marks on them.

"For the fierce pegasus of orange wings, the mark of winged victory. A race flag with wings of gold, the mark of a warrior proud. Bless by the spirits of combat and sport, here´s your blessing...loyal Scootaloo." and she painted the four squares on each cheek. Scootaloo turned over to grin at Rainbow who winked at her.

"For the kind pearly unicorn, the mark of a sparkling microphone. The goddess of singing and sleep, whose flute brings children their dreams; has blessed you with her melodious voice, so you can bring happiness on each song. A blessing I gave...to generous Sweetie Belle." and she painted a musical note on each cheek. Rarity tried her best not to cry but she failed.

"And finally to the most loyal and dependable, to the brave and bold; the first Crusader, our no longer little Apple Bloom." Zecora paused and smiled at Apple Bloom who smiled back. "In our land we praise Celestia, but we do so by a different name; the mare of skies high, Samii is called. And you, honest Apple Bloom, received her blessing, the mark of the Sun."

And truth be told, Apple Bloom became the first Apple to not receive and apple related Cutie Mark. Instead she had a stylised sun, pretty similar to that of Zecora, except hers was bright red. Zecora painted the marks on her cheek, both shiny red marks.

Apple Bloom turned over to her sister, who was skeptical and quiet the entire ceremony. She was afraid that not receiving a mark like the other members of her family had hurt her, like she had betrayed her family. Instead Applejack was in the verge of tears, smiling filled with pride of her sister. Apple Bloom smiled too, teary eyes of her own.

Zecora finished the ceremony with a chant of her land. Despite not knowing the lyrics Pinkie Pie jumped in to do some chorus and soon all the other girls were singing too. The tune was soft and heavy but also filled with warm, it was a song of happiness and hope.

The song of the bright sun.

Never Learned the Lesson

"FIRE FIRE FIRE!!" the flower trio yelled. Luckily, the weather patrol arrived in a minute, putting the fire out with rainclouds.

****

"This is the fourth fire today, Twilight Sparkle. We were lucky to save the Sofa and Quills store, but we need to do something now!" Mayor Mare pleaded to Twilight.

"You´re right, Mayor. The first thing we must do is find the common link between all the fires!"

"Hey Twilight, I brought the quill from the store you needed!" Spike said as he entered the library and he finished that sentence burping a green flame.

"Great, thanks Spike. Now let´s see, the first fire was in the kitchen of Sugarcube Corner..."

"Man, those cupcakes Pinkie gave me BLURP! they gave me the worst case of hiccup!"

"A-ha. And the second took place in the fruit stand in the market..."

"I thought that if I eat a lot it will go away, but even after I finished an entire bucket of apples I´m still BLURP!"

"And the third one happened in the jewel store. I fail to see the connection..."

"Then I thought I need to get some gems but the guy at the store didn't want to give me any free samples! I mean, he has plenty of jewels in there! BLURP!"

"Spike! Could you please be quiet? I´m trying to concentrate! Now Mayor, about those fires...what are you all looking at?"

****

"The court is in session!"

Incredibly, they got the Great and Powerful Trixie to act as the prosecutor in this case.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie will summarize the case in one word...SPIKE DID IT!"

"Those are three words!" somepony yelled.

"Is obvious to Trixie that the only culprit is this dragon. His constant rude expulsions of flame are the cause of those fires."

"Objection!" Twilight interrupted her. "Spike didn´t do it!"

"And what other possible explanation do you have, Twilight Sparkle? Are there any other creatures in Ponyville who can breathe fire other than him?"

Unfortunately, Twilight didn't have one.

"I´m afraid I have no other option but to pronounce Spike culprit..."

"Please Mayor, don´t do this! It wasn´t me, I pro BLURP!"

The Mayor blinked a few times, her head now comically burnt and devoid of any hair, and the she hit the hammer "CULPRIT!"

Spike was about to be confined into a cell until his hiccup was cure when suddenly another fire started.

"My van! My van!" Trixie yelled as the pegasi team tried to save her house.

****

"My van..." said Trixie after watching at the burnt remains of the place.

"There you are, Trixie!" Snips and Snails said and came running next to her. "We´ve been looking you all over the town!"

"What do you two want?"

"Well, we heard you were back in town and we have something for you."Snips explained. "You see, we now understand why you failed against Twilight. Because you didn´t had a dragon assistant so..." and he levitated something from under the remains. " We got you one!!"

"...what is that hideous thing?!" Trixie asked pointing at the floating black creature that chewed at its own tail.

"A baby dragon!" Snails said.

"That´s not a dragon!"

"A-HA!" Twilight rushed to the library and brought back a book. "That´s a salamander."

"A what?" Snips asked.

"A salamander. Its a type of creature that lives in lava and that can also breathe fire. Most scholars think they´re related to dragons. Where did you two find it?"

"In a cave near the Everfree Forest. We brought him here and then went to Sugarcube Corner for a snack..." Snips started.

"But he didn't like the cupcakes so we went to the market to get him some food..." Snails continued.

"And then I remembered Snails, dragons eat gems! So we went to the jewelry store to get some freebies but the owner said no." Snips finished.

"And when did you went to the Sofa and Quills store?"Twilight asked.

"Uh...we never went to the Sofa and Quills store." Snips  said.

"Oh yeah, I think that was me. I BLURP! in the store." Spike confessed.

"Mayor, let go of Spike. He has a store to clean. And you two..." Twilight took the salamander on her own magic. "Take this thing back to where you found it."

Snips and Snails left with the creature while Trixie kept looking at the remains of her house.

"...why me?"

"There there." said Twilight, patting her back.

****

"Dear Princess Celestia: today I learned to not jump at conclusions too early. Even the most obvious suspect could turn out to be innocent all along. Also, that salamander make terrible pets. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

Celestia levitated the scroll in front of her face. "Wish you could have told me that sooner, Twilight..."

"Sister! Your pet salamander is on the loose again! The castle in on fire! Get rid of that thing!"

"But it keeps me warm at nights!"

Kissing Rules

“Okay, rule number one! You can never talk to those blank flanks ever again!” Diamond Tiara ordered while Silver Spoon took notes.

Babs Seed just nodded, wishing she would stop using that term but didn´t dared to speak up.

“Second, we only eat on the places I selected, which are all part of my daddy´s business so we get to eat for free.”

Babs nodded again, wondering if she was doing the right thing. She didn´t wanted to hurt her cousin and her friends, she just wanted to be left alone, to never go through what happened on Manehattan again,

“Third, you can only kiss Silver Spoon after I´m done kissing her. But you can kiss me first if I chose to do that!”

Babs nodded again.

“Wait, what was that last part?”

“Pay attention, Babs! Silver, tell her the list of stores again!”

“No, the part about kissing!”

“What about it?”

“I have a question about that too, actually. What if it´s just me and Babs and you´re getting late, can we start without you?” Silver Spoon asked.

“I suppose so but if I´m on the room, I get first kiss privileges!”

“Hey, what's all this about kissing? Are you two like...well, like..”

“Dating?” Diamond Tiara finished and Babs blushed.

“Duh, I thought it was like obvious!” Silver Spoon said.

“But then...what about me? I mean…”

“Obviously, you´re dating us too! We´re not gonna hang out with any filly…”

“...only one we really like!” Silver finished Diamond´s sentence and added a wink.,

Babs blused agan and stuttred to say something,

“What's that? Speak up!” Diamond ordered and then she realized something. “Oh, I can´t believe it! You have never kissed before!”

Babs blushed even harder while her two new “friends” laughed.

“What a loser! But I suppose you can´t expect much for an Apple!” Diamond said.

“Hey, don't talk like that about my family!”

“Or what? Are you gonna prove me wrong?”

“Well, I might!”

“Fine then! Prove it!”

Diamond puckered her lips, waiting for Babs to kiss her. She obliged, pressing her lips while shaking. It felt nicer than she expected. She peeked and saw that Diamond was looking boring while Silver was snickering. Blushing and insulted, Babs pressed harder, almost sucking all the air out of Diamond.

“Let me go! Jeez, what's the matter with you?” Diamond said but she didn't seemed too mad.

“Sorry…” Babs said, now noticing she really liked what happened.

“Typical Apple, always so uncouth!”

“Was...was it really that bad?” Silver Spoon asked, and looked like she really wanted to try, which only made Babs blush harder, but was waiting for Diamond´s permission.

“Fine. I allow it!”

Silver Spoon took her glasses off before kissing Babs. This time it felt different, better, for several reasons. First, Babs was no longer trying to prove anything. Second, Silver was a lot nicer than Diamond. And third, she was really liking this.

“He-hey, cut it out!” Diamond yelled, blushing with visible jealousy.

Babs and Silver broke off, both leaving with a smile and a little blush.

“That's it! For now on, you two are forbidden for kissing without my presence! Yo-you can't do this behind my back, understood?”

Diamond´s barking was more cute than intimidating and both SIlver and Babs just nodded and played along, trying not to smile,

“Hey, give us back out club house!”

Diamond peeked through the window and sighed. “It´s those Cutie Mark Goof-saders again! Babs, get rid of them!”

“Yea-yeah…” Babs said, sharing a little look with Silver.

She didn't quite like doing this, being a bully but the other part, she liked the other part.

How things were...

Green Apple looked at the almost empty bag and sighed.

“Does something troubles you, sister of mine?” said the tall and muscular Red Apple.

“I fear our decision of heading north was not the wisest, brother. Seeds are scarce on these regions here and trees only get thinner the further we go.”

“But we cannot head towards south. The lands are drier and it is terrority for those brutish horned beings, those buffaloes ruffians!”

“Do not get angry, brother. It was merely a wagon that we lose,” she said, comforting the big stallion. “I do agree those animals are territorial to the point of being of being fierce. Makes you wonder, should we abandon this life of wandering around and settle head?”

“You speak nonsense, sister. We are Apples, travelers since generations past!” he said, adjusting his hat.

“Still the idea of owning our own land and make our family grow. Does that not interests you? Meet a friendly mare and have kids of your own?”

“Please, I have no time for that! You are the one who should be looking for a suitable husband!”

“So says the stallion who cannot keeps his eyes out of the wings of those pretty pegasus we passed by…”

Red Apple grabbed his sister to gave her a well deserved set of what they called noogie, a playful game of his rubbing her head with his hooves. But they friendly fight was interrupted by the sudden appearance of three griffons.

“Kind ponies of Equestria, me and my brothers here are starving, exhausted after spending says flying through the mountains, unable to found food. We came to your wonderful land, asking for your assistance,” said the leader of the group, a rather menacing looking female griffon.

“We do not belong to Equestria and we have no food to share.”

“That is not what we heard. We were told all ponies now lived under a single roof and invited all other species to share.”

“But we Apples care only for ourselves. That is the way of our family!” Green Apple said from behind her brother, who moved to protect her.

“A shame indeed but I must insist. I too have a family to provide for,” the griffon said, showing her sharp talons.

“Halt!”

Both groups looked upwards in surprise and saw an armored pegasus landing in between them, her hooves so heavy they left a mark on the ground.

“No violence is tolerated in Equestria! Under the law of Harmony, written by Princess Platinum of the unicorn kind, Chancellor Puddinghead of the earth ponies guild and myself, Commander Hurricane of the proud pegais race, I demand you to stop at once!”

The sight of Commander Hurricane, heroine of the pegasi, was intimidating enough to make the griffons took flight and leave. The Apple siblings however, were not very grateful.

“We can take care of ourselves,” Red Apple said.

“I have no doubts of that, sturdy stallion! I recognize a warrior when I see one but, according to the apct of tour three tribes, I have a duty to bring assistance to everypony in need,” Commander Hurricane explained with a big grin.

“Thank thee, Commander,” Green Apple said.

“Ah, formal like all earth ponies. Now my friends, no need for that! Come, I shall escort you back to the farming lands where my good fellow Smart COokie shall give your assigned lands to harvest!”

“We refuse,” Red Apple said.

“Beg your pardon, young lad?” Commander said, visibly irritated.

“We Apples refuse to live in Equestria. All of your laws and regulations, you say to promote harmony but we see nothing but an empire. We refuse to join you, we will take our chances on the far lands of the north.”

Commander Hurricane looked at them confused and took her a minute to reply to the Apples.

“Wait! The northern lands are dangerous! Unicorns refused to settle there because of strange crystal that affected their magic!”

“Fortunately, we lack horns, commander,” Green Apple replied.

“Are you sure about this? There´s plenty of land for you to cultivate, you are a young mare, you can remain here, start a family! Do not risk your life on those inhospitable lands!”

“My place is with my brother,” she said.

“But why cannot this be your place? We built this new land for you, for all ponies!”

“An Apple shall never set hoof on Equestria,” was all Red Apple said.

Commander Hurricane sighed in defeat, watching the two siblings leave. She hoped that someday they will return, that these troubling times will soon be over and ponies can finally live in harmony.

She took flight and returned to the castle being built atop of a mountain.

You are no Fun, Applejack...

“Any minute now…” Applejack, crouching on the apple field, all her muscles tensed and her eyes focused on the horizon, where the sun has just started to slowly rise and fill the orchard with a warm orange glow.

“Always on schedule, Princess. No wonder Twilight is so impressed by you!”

Humming a little song, Applejack set herself to work, moving the plow and all the tools Big Mac will need for the morning shift and fixing Apple Bloom´s saddlebags for a school day. She remembered they were short on eggs, so she went to Fluttershy's to ask her chickens for a few but when she arrived there, she found a couple foxes trying to break the fence and get some chickens for themselves.

“Shoo shoo! Get away, ya filthy vermins!”

It took Applejack less than a minute to fix the fence and she received a few eggs as payment form the thankful chickens.

“She really needs to fix that thign!” APplejack said but when she picked through the window and saw the peacefully asleep Fluttershy with all animal friends tucked next to her bed, she decided to not wake her up.

She headed to the town and noticed how dark the day suddenly got.

“That Rainbow! She forgot to tuck the thunderclouds again! She´s gonna get scolded and can´t risk anymore mistakes, better help her out…”

Using her lasso, Applejack had no problems to gather all the clouds and difrt them away from town. She however, got a naughty idea to get back at her friend. She tied the ropes so a coloud was connected to the door and the second Rainbow gets out, she will get soaked. Chuckling, Applejack continued with her errands.

“Thanks for the honey, pals!” she said, gathering some from the beehive on Twilight´s house.

She left a little next to the alicorn, who had fell asleep atop one of her books, exhausted after another of her all nighters. Applejack kenw that Twilight loved honey on her tea and hoped that was a good apology enough for the book she was two weeks overdue. After leaving the book back on the shelf, Applejack was about to leave when Twilight started mumbling something. Applejack froze in place but luckily Twilight was still asleep. Sighing and making that scrunchy face she put when she knew she had done wrong, Applejack left the treehouse, returning to Sweet APple Acres just in time to catch the sleep Apple Bloom getting her breakfast.

“Morning sis!”

“Morning...hey Applejack, after school can ah go with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to the arcades? We´re trying to get our Cutie Marks by getting the highest score on Fruit Bats Invaders!”

“Not today sis, you have to come home early so we can get the house all tuckered up for caterpillar season!”

“Awww…” Apple Bloom complained. “Ya know sis, ya´re no fun! You should try to do something else than working all day!”

Applejack chuckled and said  “Ah´ll try little sis, ah´ll try…”

The Doll

“Come on girls, hurry up! Zecora promised us to teach us how to play the kibangala!” Apple Bloom said, leading her friends towards the Everfree Forest.

“What's that?” Scootaloo asked.

“No idea but she said our musical talent will lead us to our Cutie Marks for sure! So, let's go!”

Sweetie Belle hwoever, didnpt share the enutshaism, staying behind the groups.

“What was  that?” she yelled at the sound of a branch.

“Probably just a squirrel. You got to stop being such a scaredy filly!” Scootaloo said.

“I´m not a scaredy filly! It´s just my sister keeps telling me we shouldn't go to the Everfree without adult supervision…”

“Relax. Ah come here all the time! Plus, Zecora will be here!” Apple Bloom said.

“I guess so…”

“Zecora, we´re here!” Apple Bloom shouted, crashing inside the hut which strangely was deserted. “uh, she must have left to get medicinal herbs again…”

The fillies decided to satiate their curiosity exploring the hut, Apple Bloom remembering then to not touch anything while she had her face buried in potions, and then Sweetie Belle found a zebra doll lying on the floor..

“How cute! She looks just like Zecora!”

“She plays with dolls?” Scootaloo said, looking at the other dolls on the table.

“Hey, we play with dolls!”

“But not of ourselves…”

“It´s a voodoo doll. This book here says it´s a powerful magical instrument…” Apple Bloom said, checking an open book.

“So there it was the doll I couldn't find, could you please hand it over and be so kind?”

The girls turned around and gasped, looking at the strange muscular zebra that walked inside the hut.

“Is he a friend of Zecora?” Sweetie Belle whispered, not really liking the fiery red and yellow striped zebra.

“He doesn't looks like one…” Apple Bloom answered.

“Who are you again?” Scootaloo said, holding the doll.

“A traveler from a faraway land…” the zebra said trying to get the doll. “Now get me back the doll, you impertinent lad!”

“Hey, I´m not a lad! Lad means boy, right?” Scootaloo asked her friends and the zebra growled, trying to snatch it by force.

Scootaloo dodge him but dropped the doll and just then Zecora came crashing down the cellar´s stairs.

“Children, don't let him take the doll back for he will use it for magic oh so black!”

The girls caught the message and started throwing the dolls to each other, Zecora being tossed through the air along with the doll. Finally the red zebra had enough and stomped on the doll, hurting Zecora´s leg. Apple Bloom jumped over him but he tossed her aside.

“Do not dare to hurt these children, Braze for you will meet..”

“Enough with your warnings, shaman. I do not fear the females wrath for I am a man!” he growled but the girls didn't abandon Zecora´s side.

Braze took another step and then found himself floating in the air.

“What sorcery is this?” he asked and then saw Apple Bloom, holding another doll. “Put me down filly or you will…”

Apple Bloom didn't let him finish, kicking him into the air just in time for an eagle to catch him and make him flew away.

“Zecora!” the girls shouted, hugging the zebra once the danger was over.

“Ah took a bit of his mane and tied it to the doll, just like the book says!”

“Good thinking, my young friend, perhaps a future in magic for you lays ahead,” Zecora said, patting her.

“Who was that guy?” Scootaloo said.

“And enemy from long ago who never learned to let go. Time and again he comes back with new evil magic and I make a duty to put an end to his debauchery. I found his casket full of toys and took it home but before I could finish studying them I felt a powerful force…”

“Yeah, this doll was on the floor. Must have fell by accident..” Sweetie said.

“Ya think he'll come back?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Always, my child. That´s why we must always stay tight,” she said, hugging them again.

Flash´s Duty

“Perfect! Her majesties itinerary is all set! Helmet…” Flash said, giving a final polish to his helmet. “Shiny and ready! Next, morning training routine. A hundred wing push, begin!”

The other guards laughed, looking at the pegasus on the floor doing exercise.

“Kid relax, you're taking things too seriously…”

“I have to, sir! As the first guard appointed from Canterlot to the Crystal Empire, I must amaint a strict training schedule and I must be ready to defend all dangers to the Crystal Princess and consort at any time!”

The guards just rolled their eyes.

“You're trying too hard, Flash Sentry.”

“Besides, it´s not like anything exciting ever happens here…”

Flash ignored them and kept with his wing-push.

****

Later, Flash was standing perfectly still on the training fields while Shining Armor coached the hoofball players. One kicked the ball too hard, sending it straight to where some children were playing. Flash reacted like a meteor, picking up the ball and the kid.

“Good catch, pal!” Shing said, rushing to meet him.

“Sir, your majesty, the stray ball was headed to a civilian area, outside the designated traingin course! That calls for penalty time, your majesty, sir!”

“Yeah, I´ll..get to that…” Shining said. “You can put them down.”

Flash obeyed, letting go of the kid and handing him the ball.

“I remember you, Flash Sentry, right? Yeah, got the best flying record of your class.”

“Thank you, sir your majesty!”

“Ah, the academy days? Brings me back...care to join me for some more memories after training? There´s a great crystal fruit stand over there.”

“Off duty time is not scheduled, sir your majesty! I´m pulling a sixteen hours shift, sir your majesty!”

“Woah, never saw a pony so strict with rules, other than my sister, that is. Hey, now that I mention her, Twilight is supposed to arrive in a few hours. Why don't you go make sure Cadence gets ready to meet her at the station?”

Flash responded with a salute and flew off, much to the amusement of Shining.

****

Once on the spa, Flash kept with his perfect statue pose while the spa ponies all chatted and tended to Cadence.

“Oh no! We have ran out of purple dye!” one spa pony said.

“Oh, that's a shame. Twilight was hoping to get a treatment on her mane, I mentioned the dye and she was interesting on testing them. Knowing her she literally meant that…” Caden said and shared a laugh with the other ponies. “Oh well, we´ll have to find something else to do…”

“Permission to speak, your majesty Princess!” Flash suddenly shouted.

“Umh, sure, go ahead…”

“That won´t do, your majesty Princess! Princess Twilight Sparkle´s schedule will be disturbed if you lack the necessary ingredient!”

“Umh, that´s okay, Flash. I´m sure Twilight wouldn´t mind…”

“I personally volunteer to search for the missing ingredient!”

“Umh, we got our products supply all the way from Las Pegasus..:” a spa pony said.

“Then I´ll go there!”

“It´s a two days travel!”

“I hold the best record in the academy! I'll be back soon!” Flash said, threatening to take flight.

“Flash, wait! Umh, why don't you better go make sure the library is clean? Twilight will probably get stuck there anyways..”Cadence offered and Flash answered with a salute, taking off. “He´s a good boy but he needs to learn to relax…”

*****

Later that day, Flash Sentry woke up atop a pile of books. His wings were sore and his back hurt, he remembered he had offered to polish the entire library before the Princess arrived but he underestimated how long the building was. He fell asleep, exhausted on the Z section.

“Well, you pull it through, Flash. The place looks shiny as new and you kept your schedule. That proves that diligence always pays!” Flash said, talking to the empty building. “Yeah, it pays all right…”

Feeling lonely and kind of ashamed, Flash was ready to leave when he noticed a book right next to his helmet. A brand new schedule book. He looked around trying to find who it belonged too but then realized it was left for him to find. Smiling at his mysterious benefactor, Flash tucked the book on his uniform and flew off back to headquarters.

Split an Apple

“Now you see, dear, I know you're more used to the dirty and muddy style of farming of good old Granny smith but, the key to become a successful fruit exporter here in Manehattan is all in business relationships, you understand hun?”

“I...think so, aunt Orange…” the little filly said, being almost pushed into a large room, filled with dozens of stands.

“Think of it like making new friends. You like that, right sugarcube?”

“Sure do! Back in Ponyville there was nothing I enjoyed more than meeting new fillies and colts!”

“Well, do try to be less entuasshtich around here, dear,” Uncle Orange.

“Will do, uncle! I mean...I´ll behave accordingly,” Applejack said, putting on her best accent.

The Oranges smiled and walked to a stand, meeting with a pony they knew well.

“Filthy Rich! Long time no see? How´s your grandfather?” Aunt Orange asked.

The business pony basically shoved Applejack aside and the filly walked away, ignored by the adults. She looked around the stan, unable to find one she didn´t find a little intimidating when her eyes met a small table where two unicorns were trying unsuccessfully to get clients interested.

“Care for a fine glass of orange juice, sir?” said one brother.

“Don't make me waste my time with your lemonade stand, kids!” the top hat pony replied.

“It´s not...lemonade…” said the pony, needing comfort from his brother.

Applejack wasn´t too happy with that scene and walked next to the brothers. “Greetings...I mean, howdy! That wasn´t very pleasant of that pony.”

“Oh, it comes with the territory, miss. A pleasure to meet you, we are Flim…”

“...and Flam,” finished the other brother.

“Which one was which?” Applejack asked at the identical twins.

“I told you bother, to get a hat! Ponies need to tell us apart!” said Flim or possibly as Flam.

“What is this contraption you two ahve here anyways?” Applejack asked, looking at the strange artifact they have on display.

“Ah you see, my dear girl, this is our finest invention...the Orange Juice-nator Mark VI!” said Flam or Flim.

“What happened to the other five?” Applejack asked and the brothers looked nervous at each other. “So, what does it does again?”

“Well, allow us to demonstrate...ejem ejem, you filly, yes, you, what´s your name, dear friend?”

Applejack looked confused at the act but she said her name.

“And tell me dear Applejack, is that a Ponyville accent I detect?”

Applejack chuckled, unable to hold a little blush.

“Well,then you must be sued to those long days of summer when there´s nothin refreshing at hoof..”

“You just want a juice of fresh juice but you don´t have the time to crush all those oranges!”

Applejack laughed some more at the brother´s act.

“But fear no more, because the Orange Juice-nator Mark VI is at your rescue! Just...put the orange...in the...machine..”

The two brothers struggled to get the orange inside the artifact.

“There! And now with a little bit of unicorn magic…”

Said “little bit of magic” ended up making the whole thing explode on their faces.

“Well, that didn´t go well..” Applejack said.

“Oh it´s no use, we´re a failure!”

“I hear you, dear brother! We´ll never get this contraption to work!”

“Now here, that might not be the case…” Applejack said, examining the oranges. “Here´s the problem, these oranges are not mature enough and these ones are too old. WHo harvested these for you?”

“We did it ourselves!”

“With that adorable portatile plantation!”

Applejack looked at the bunch of small orange trees the brother had stashed behind their table and sighed.

“that won´t do. You two need a real farmer to help you with this. Besides your little artifact won't work for an earth pony or a pegasus anyways. How about this, you get somepony to provide with fruit and you provide the magic to make it work?”

“You mean like a society?”

“Pretty much.”

“Oh thank you, dear mrs! Your orange knowledge saved our business!”

“Well, thank you but I know a lot more about apples myself…” Applejack said, blushing a little after the massive hug she got from the brothers. She then heard Aunt Orange calling her back. “I must go. It was a pleasure to meeting you and I hope to see you two again!”

The brothers waved Applejack goodbye.

“That little filly really saved our business.Such a charming pony!”

“And so pretty too. You suppose she will grow up to be quite a lady, right brother?”

“Always the ladies man, brother! Keep your head on the game! We must get a farmer to strike a deal with us! He´ll supply the oranges…”

“And we´ll supply the work! A perfect fifty fifty society!”

“YES! Although..we will be fueling the machine. I suppose we deserve a little bit more of the profits.”

“You have a point, brother. 60- 40, yo usay?”

“How about 75-25?”

“Sounds better!”

“75-25 it is!” both brother said, making a hoof bump. Then their flanks stated to shine and they looked down to find shiny apple shaped Cutie Marks.

“Dear brother, this call for a celebration!” they said, taking a drink of their not so good orange juice.

******

“And there they go…” Twilight Sparkle said, watching the Flim Flam brothers leave town for good.

“Good riddance. I hope they never come back,” Rainbow Dash added.

“Something is the matter, Applejack dear? You seem awfully distracted…” Rarity said.

“I think I saw those two before but can´t remember where…”

“Who cares? They were two jerks!” Rainbow said.

“Flim seemed to be a bit nice. He offered me a free drink,” Fluttershy said.

“That mustached fella was just making a move on you, Fluttershy!”

“Wait, wasn't Flam the one with the mustache?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“I´m pretty sure that was Flim,” Twilight said.

Applejack just chuckled and finished her drink while her friends kept arguing about which brother was which.

Daring and Brave

Daring Do sat down, her back itching on the spot where a wing used to be. She looked around her desk, smiling at the various souvenirs from her adventures, picking up a picture of her and her biggest fan, posing outside the Golden Oaks Library at Ponyville.

She then heard a cough and turned around to find a lilac colored earth pony.

“How long have you been in there, kid?” she asked, putting down her glasses to get a better look at the young mare.

“Well...I…”

“Nice uniform,” Daring interrupted her. “What does the B on the pocket stands for?”

“Brave. That´s my name ma'am, Brave Hooves.”

“No, it's not.”

“Sorry?”

“Well, for starters, I doubt your parents named a filly with such a name and I doubt you kept it after your Cutie Mark turned out to be twin butterflies,” Daring said and the mare blushed. “Let´s see, straight mane, shimmer on the eyes...you´re a Crystal Pony. A pure-breed Crystal Pony, that´s odd, I thought most of you already married ponies all over Equestria.”

The ashamed mare took her hat and scratched her neck, obviously uncomfortable.

“Yes, the Crystal Empire. I tried so many times to find it. I even started working on a novel about it, Daring Do and the Crystal Heart. I was so sure I would find it, I even wrote two chapters in advance. I tried so hard...but at the end the Empire came back on its own and somepony else found the heart,” Daring said, looking at her book collection. “It was for the best, at the end.”

“Mrs. Yearling…”

“Crystal Hooves,” Daring said, looking at an application.” Yeah, I remember you. You presented the best story but, why would a Crystal Pony ask for such a job as being my assistant?”

“I always wanted to be an adventurer, ever since I read my first Daring Do novel. I don't care what my name or my Cutie Mark implies, I want to be just as brave as Daring Do, as you ma´ama.”

Daring smiled and took her hat from a rack.

“You know, when I first started I never imagined that I would inspire some fillies like you. I needed a disguise and a way to finance my expeditions, this job covered both. As time passed by, I got slower and now I can't even fly anymore. I thought about retiring and telling the world that Yearling and Daring were one and the same but now I think that the worlds needs a Daring Do, even if it´s not me…”

“But you´re Daring Do!”

“And I´m always remember when I was her. But times change and new readers need new adventures and since I can´t go out…” she said, dragging the chair next to Crystal Shoes. “You know the first rule of being an explorer?”

“Always carry a map?”

“Good idea but no,” Daring said, placing the hat on Crystal Hooves. “Never forget the past but keep heading forward.”

Crystal Hooves smiled, adjusting the hat.

“Now, an unscheduled storm revealed an ancient Mermare castle. The Princess sent a Royal Guard boat to protect but you can bet pirates are already planning an attack so first thing to do…”

Lullaby

Hush my children, stop your buzzing and cackling. You mother and queen is very tired, she can feel the new queen is about to hatch, the ending coming soon…

No, my dear Fang, your queen is not afraid. I have no regrets for my actions. Just as Celestia protected her children, so I secured food for mine. Every enslaved kingdom, every devastated landscape, it was all for our satisfaction. Let the ponies kept their rules and morals, we are but creatures of hunger and on this, the last day of my ruling, I accept my nature with pride…

What´s that? Of course I know your name! I know the name of every one of you, of every child of mine. Oh, I recognize every sharp set of teeth, every majestic set of wings, every sparkling horn. I can tell all of you apart, distinguish every voice and hear every heartbeat…

Each and every one of your little hearts, all pumping at once with the energy of love we extracted from pathetic little creatures. It´s…intoxicating, almost intoxicating…

Let me hear that sound one last time, my dear Fang. Let me hear the sweet lullaby of your heartbeats. The murmur of your love for me. We thrive on the love of others because our love is so small and yet, yet I can hear it, feel it, embracing me one last time…

I need to sleep now…

Nothing special anymore

There was a strange feeling over her body, like rain but made of ticklish light, hard to explain, it was like one second being there and the next, not anymore…

“GAH! I hate these things!” Rainbow Streak yelled, coming out of the teleportation chamber.

“Please, stop complaining so much,” an unicorn said, approaching her.

“Easy for you to say, Diamond Dazzle! Your tail isn't on fire!” Streak replied, trying to put off the flame with her wings.

Diamond rolled her eyes and put a bit of saliva on her hoof, putting down the fire. Her friend smirked, knowing full well she wouldn't have dared to do that with her mother around.

“Now come on, we don´t want to be late,” Dazzle said, remembering to thank the receptionist when they left the teleportation booth.

“I still don´t see why we needed to use this thing…” Stak complained.

“You expected us to walk all the way from Stalliongrad, Rainbow?”

“I could have carried you…”

“It´s a three days trip! Even for somepony as fast a you!” Dazzled said, poking her prideful friend.

The sharp contrast once leaving the modern both and stepping into the quaint, little Ponyville was such that both mares cringed.

“I must confess, this town inability to progress can get quite..unnerving at times,“ Dazzle admitted.

“Same here. This place gives me the creeps…”

“Realy? Even when you were born here?”

“You were born here too,” Streak replied and Dazzle admitted it was a good point.

They walked into the Golden Oaks library, which despite a few stands for modern video books, was still pretty much the same place.

“You think a Princess will like to live in a bigger place,” Steak comment, avoiding piles of book scattered over the place while Dazzle just shrugged.

“You know her. She likes simple things…”

They reached the stairs and were reached by the gentle figure of the big and bulky Apple Tart.

“Hey cuz and cuz, ya two arrived early!”

“Good to see you too, Tart; but, why do you insist on calling us cousins?” Dazzle asked while Streak was blushing red.

“Momma AJ says all her friends were family so yah´ll family too on mah book!” he replied with a big goofy smile. “Cuz Streak, how´s it goin on them fancy flight school?”

“Gr-great! You know me, kicking some clouds and breaking some records! It runs on the family!” she said, punching him a bit too hard on the arm.

Streak wished she could teleport now, trying to hide behind her wings while the earth stallion rubbed his sore arm.

“Tart, you know where the Princess is?” Dazzle asked.

“Auntie Sparkle is upstarts,” Tart said, a bit less cheerful.

“Thank you, dear,” Dazzle said and dragged her friend upstairs. “Still not over that crush, I see…” she said, once they were up.

“Shut up. You're the one to talk after you announced you were gonna marry Bubblegum in your birthday party…”

“I was a child back then!” Dazzle replied, now blushing too.

“Remember when Pinkie Pie dragged you all the way to her family farm once you graduated from fashion school?”

“We promised never to talk about that again…”

Still snickering, Streak reached the balcony first and saw a young bespectacled  earth colt sitting on a cushion, reading a book.

“Hey runt, you escaped from Fluttershy's cottage again?” she asked, ruffling the colt´s mane.

“Stop picking on your cousin, Rainbow Streak,” Twilight Sparkle said, leaving her notebook and walking to them.

“Sorry…” Rainbow Streak murmured while Dazzle made a reverence to Twilight.

“So nice to see you agian, Princess. But I must ask, why I have to insist we´re not really related.”

“Oh, you're all my family as far as I´m concerned, Dazzle. And stop being so formal with me,especially on my birthday.” Twilight said, huggin both mares. “So glad you could make it, the rest of the family will be here soon. We´re waiting for Shingin and Cadence´s train to arrive…”

“Why did he insisted on coming by train?” Dazzle asked.

“Ah, my brother has a thing against teleporting, ever since I accidentally sent him into a lake once…”

“Yeah, I can relate…” Streak murmured again. “Hey, what's that thing?” she asked, pointing at something covered on a blank next to the stairs, they missed at first.

“Oh, it´s my old first version of the teleporter. I asked Apple Tart to take it out for the basement, the basement, WInd Chime here said he wanted to see it,” Twilight explained, now she softly ruffling the blushing colt.

“It looks tacky,” Streak said, earning a nudge from Dazzle.

“Haha, all inventions look the same. I remember the big party Pinkie threw during my first try, it was supposed to send us right into the Canterlot Palace but the machine malfunctioned and we were dropped halfway into a swamp,” Twilight said, laughing at the memory.

“Does it still works?” Dazzle asked.

“Probably. I remember, Streak´s mom once sued it to play a prank on Princess Luna. That lead to so many regulations and rules for the device. For the best I suppose but, those times were funny,” Twilight said, apparently lost on her memories.

The three younglings waited nervously for her to finish remembering.

“But enough about that, it´s old history now. Come on, we have my party to plan.”

“Surprise party, aunt Twilight,” Dazzle said, smiling.

“Of course, surprise party…I almost ruined the ffort your aunt Pinkie puts on it every year...” Twilight laughed and they all went downstairs.

I wait for you

After all is gone, after everyone left, I still wait for you.

After the moon and sun have gone, after the song of magic is over, I still wait for you.

I wait through your century of dreams and your century of travelling, I wait through nights without your company and days without your laughter, I still wait.

I wait and never give up, still waiting to see you coming through that horizon, flying majestically over those mountains.

I don´t care how much you've grown, I´m not scared of your roars when you get angry, I share your tears of loneliness because we both share the same pain, we only have each other now.

I know you're hurt and it kills me to know that.

I want to comfort you, to caress you, to kiss you goodnight and sing you to your sleep.

So come back my precious baby, my little brother, my best friend.

Come back home, my dear Spike and we'll be together, even after the end.

Dinner at Joe´s

“To Joe´s!!” the six ponies and a dragon said, hitting their mugs full of hot cocoa.

“I´m going to miss this place,” Twilight Sparkle said. “I used to come here everyday after school. I was here so much that Cadence used to tease me I had a filly crush on Joe.”

Twilight then noticed the looks she was getting from Rainbow and Rarity.

“I DID NOT HAD A FILLY CRUSH ON JOE!!!”

The girls laughed at Twilight spreading her wings in anger but Spike wasn't paying attention.

“I can´t believe he´s going to close this place,” he said, looking at his half empty mug.

“It comes a time for every business pony to move forward, Spike. It always happens,” Applejack tried to explain.

“Yeah, will you ever close Sweet Apple Acres?”

“Now that's  different. You see, Sweet Apple Acres is my family inheritance and…” Applejack began but Spike wasn't in the mood to listen.

“I myself have considered eventually closing Carousel Boutique, move here to Canterlot or maybe Manehatann...” Rarity said with all seriousness.

“You mean you´re not going to give Sweetie Belle the store?” Rainbow asked, half joking.

“Oh please, that girl can´t tell a loose fabric from a ghost!” Rarity said, but they could tell she didn´t meant that. “No, I can tell that Sweetie´s future doesn´t lead to fashion. She´s..she´s going to find her own path.”

“Yeah, those little fillies, they're all going places,” Applejack said and Rainbow shared the sentiment, gulping on her mug.

There was a small moment of sad silence, that got broken by Fluttershy, “Remember when we all came here after the Grand Galloping Gala?”

They all nodded and laughed at the memory.

“I dragged the Wonderbolts here after one show. The fullest the place ever got, Joe told me,” Rainbow Dash said.

“I managed to convince Trenderhoof and Fancypants to give this place a try. It became a fashion trend...for about two weeks,” Rarity said.

“And remember that time we came here to celebrate after we helped Joe on his secret agent mission to stop the Griffon Kingdom from obtaining the secret recipe to Princess Celestia´s three flavours cake?”

“Pinkie Pie, that never happened! Donut Joe is not a secret agent, you made that up!” Rainbow Dash yelled.

“Oh, so your Daring Do can be real but my con Mane can´t?” Pinkie retorted, adding air quotes to Daring Do.

“Okay, that's totally different! For a lot of reasons! First one…”

Pinkie covered her ears and sang “lalala” while Rainbow argued and the girls laughed, but Spike didn´t joined the laughs. He wiped some tears and said “I don't want him to go…”

“Spike, it´s okay to be sad but you also need to think of Joe. He´s moving forwards, with a bigger business and his new family. We shouldn't regret he´s leaving, we should be celebrating the times we shared,” Twilight said, lifting his chin and the little dragon smiled.

“Really got into that Princess role, eh?” Applejack joked, raising her mug and winking at Twilight who blushed.

There was another silent pause but this time they were all smiling. Fluttershy broke it again, raising her cup.

“To Joe.”

They all nodded and raised their cups.

“To Joe!”

One rotten apple

One rotten apple

“One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel” that was what Granny Smith always said.

I took that advice at heart and make sure to never be the rotten apple on any barrel. I worked hard all my life to be the friendliest and reliable of ponies, not only for my family or friends but for anypony who will need help, and let me tell you, that wasn’t an easy task. It takes Celestia´s level of patient to deal with the crazy antics of Pinkie when trying to help her in the kitchen or Fluttershy irritating nerves when helping her to count bunnies.

But if there is one pony that can make me lose my temper that pony is no other than Rainbow Dash. Since the day we met we have been clashing heads and hooves and that ain´t going to change anytime sooner. She usually drives me crazy by cheating on our contests or refusing to do her work, but there was one time when she ruined my day by doing absolutely nothing.

That day Rainbow was supposed to bring a storm cloud to the orchard to water the apple trees but, as usual, she never bothered to show up. I could have asked another pegasus to do it but, first it was a busy day and the only pony available was Derpy (thanks but no thanks) and second, she gave me her word she´ll be there that morning. So much for Element of Loyalty, am I right? So, since she never bothered to show that rainbow tainted plot of hers I went to search her in town.

I search high and low but nopony had any idea where she could be, not even Pinkie. I decided to go to the library where Rainbow was most likely jus lazing around and reading one of those Ducking-Dodo books she´s always blabbing about. On my way there I pass by Rarity’s boutique and saw a curious scene. Spike was there, wearing tuxedo and holding a bouquet of roses. When the door opened, Rarity’s little sister came out and her face brighten up like morning sunshine and then it darkened like a stormy afternoon once Spike explained he was actually looking for Rarity. Sweetie said she wasn’t there and the defeated dragon backed down. Poor little fella, how come he keeps trying to do the impossible ignoring what was right in front of him? Guess some ponies can´t see the forest for the tress. Or some dragons.

I finally reached the library and was surprised to see the “CLOSED” sign.  Knowing Twilight she was probably on her crazy laboratory doing some research instead of taking customers. I knocked at the door anyways and, to my surprise again, Twilight peeked through the door.

“Oh hi Applejack! Wh-what brings you here?”

“Hey Twi, have you seen that lazy Rainbow Dash?”

“Oh n-no no. I haven’t seen her all day!”

“Sure about that, sugarcube? She wouldn’t happened to be there hiding behind the shelves?”

“O-of course not, Applejack. Don’t be ridiculous. There´s nopony else in here hehe…”

Twilight was acting really strange, even for her. Then I heard a loud noise and, naturally worried for my friend, I pushed her aside and went in.

“Hey, what gives? Why did you close the curtains in the middle of the day? It´s darker in here than in the Everfree Forest. And what’s up with all these fancy decorations? A tablecloth, candles and…you´re wearing perfume?”

Then I turned over and found the source of that awful smell. It was obviously Rarity; sit down on the table Lyra-style with a scowl and a hoof on her chin.

“Oh hey Rarity. Funny find you here. Spike was looking for you earlier but your sister scared him away. That poor little thing will never confess her feeling at this rate. Oh, dandelion sandwich my favorite. So you came for lunch, eh? You could have told me Twilight, I would have brought some apple pie. Hey how come we never did that slumber party thing gain? The first one wasn’t so bad. Maybe we could it at my barn next time and invite the other girls well maybe not Rainbow Dash because she never bothers to show up what’s this? Wine? Gross! Hey, speaking of rainbow Dash just the other day sh-“

Rarity then rudely interrupted me.

“Applejack darling, as lovely as your presence is, could you please read the mood in here?”

“Mood? What mood?”

Then I took a good look around the library. Everything was dark, candles, tablecloths, centerpieces, Rarity and Twilight on fancy dresses…then all the pieces came together.

“It´s your birthday Twilight! How could I forget? How strange Pinkie didn’t remind me, maybe she is planning a surprise party for you…”

I took another look and found Twilight with a sheepishly grin and Rarity with her face on the plate.

“Actually Applejack today it’s a special day but it’s not my birthday. You see it’s been a full month since Rarity and I…umh…”

Twilight looked at Rarity asking for help for some reason.

Then Rarity sighed and said. “Darling, you remember that after Twilight´s brother wedding we all went to the hotel and get separate rooms?”

“Yes and why did they split us by races? I ended up with Pinkie! She stays up all night! And you know what’s worse? When she finally fall sleep she snorts even worse than Big Mac. I rather have been with Fluttershy. That Rainbow Dass is so lucky. Although something funny must have happened with those two. Fluttershy was blushing more than usual and Rainbow had this goofy grin all over her face and when I asked about it she said she was tying some loose ends whatever that means. Ha, you know if I didn’t know then better I could bet those tw…”

And THEN it hit me. Twilight embarrassed smile and Rarity frustrated expression were all the proof I needed.

“…woah Nelly.”

So, you see. In order not to be a rotten apple you don’t only had to be there when they need you… you also need to NOT be there when you’re clearly not needed.

Oh, and if you´re wondering where Rainbow Dash was this entire time turns out she did bring that cloud to my orchard but she fell asleep on it.

With Fluttershy.

You know, maybe I´ll just date Pinkie Pie…

No G4 for you!

"Oh heavens, look at my mane! What was I thinking back then?"

"Yahr mane? Look at me wearing a hat twice the size of mah head!"

"How funny, I look so tall compared to you all..."

"He, look at that smile. I had just won another trophy!"

"What are you girls doing?"

"Oh hi Twilight!"

"We were just looking at some old photos of ours. Back when we first met!" and Applejack invited Twilight to the group.

"Oh I´m so jealous. You all have wonderful memories together. Look here, Applejack and Pinkie Pie next to Big Mac."

"Ah remember. That was the day we met."

"Why does he have bandages?" Fluttershy asked, concerned.

"Ah, long story."

"And look here is Cheerilee on her first day as a school teacher. And you are all with her!" Twilight pointed at another photo.

"Well, she is an old classmate of mine. It was just natural we kept in touch." Rarity said.

"Oh here´s Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle as foals. How cute."

"He, I remember when Pinkie jumped from inside the cake. Those two were so scared." Rainbow laughed at this memory.

"Hey, here´s a pony I never met before." Twilight said pointing at a picture where Pinkie was hugging another earth pony, both dressed as painters with their faces all covered in paint Who is she?"

"Oh umh nopony." the others nodded along with Applejack.

"What do you mean nopony? She is clearly a friend of Pinkie´s. And look at the back somepony wrote Pinkie Pie and Toola-Roola. You girls knew her?"

"Euh no no no!" Rainbow and Fluttershy shook their heads together.

"But look at the background, that´s you two in the same art class. And in this other picture you can barely see her right next to Granny Smith. She was obviously part of the group, so where is she now?"

The second she finished that sentence a pink hoof slammed against the photo album.

"She broke a Pinkie Promise..."

Twilight looked up at those bright blue eyes that reflected her face like a mirror.

"Any more questions?"

Twilight shook her head.

"Okie-dokie-lokie..."

As soon as Pinkie left the room, Fluttershy let go a whisper.

"I miss Starsong too..."

I Don´t Understand

I Don´t Understand

I hear the words but I can´t understand them.

Back when I was just a little foal, I only had my big brother as my friend. We have our share of fights but nothing that couldn’t be worked over some ice-cream. Even after I made new friends here in Ponyville, I never had a real fight.

Sometimes I couldn’t understand Pinkie or maybe disagree with Rarity, sometimes Fluttershy was unbearable nervous or Rainbow Dash too cocky or even Applejack too stubborn; but again, nothing that couldn´t be fixed at the end of the day.

But this…this I can’t understand.

I turn right to face Pinkie and she is terrified. She is shaking and all color had gone from her body. For the first time I think I can understand what she´s thinking, what can I do now?

I look left at Applejack and she looks resigned, like she had been expecting this too happen. But then, how could she knew? How could she even imagine this would happen?

I don’t need to look at Rainbow. It´s raining over my head.

Hiding behind a tree, Spike takes care of the pets, too frightened to come out.

Then I look front, at two ponies that I used to know but that know are complete strangers to me. Their faces distorted by the anger that came out with the force of a hurricane

Wish I could do something, wish I knew some spell to reverse time, to fix the wounds they caused with their words; but I doubted even Cadance has the power for such a thing.

Finally they turn over, their first and last fight over. The bond that once tied all of us together, broken forever over…what? I can´t even remember.

I watch my former friends go separate ways. I see my still friends go back without uttering a single word. And I stood there, confused and sacred and can only say one thing:

“…I don’t understand.”

And the winner is...

And the Winner is...

I´m always there.

I was there that day, the day of the Iron Pony contest, cheering along the other ponies, sometimes for Rainbow Dash, sometimes for Applejack; but my eyes were fixed on one particular mare, one I had watched over, cared for and held close to my heart for years. I saw the rose falling down and I knew what it meant.

After the competition was over, I approached Fluttershy.

“What a lovely little detail!” I say and when she looked confused I pointed at the rose.

“Oh yes it´s...lovely.” she hide her face inside her soft and cloudy mane.

“And I'll like to assume you know what this means, right darling?” I asked.

“It doesn´t means anything, it was...just part of the act, that´s all. I just catch it by accident, that's the true.” she lied.

“Please, don't try to fool me. I have noticed how close you two are.”

“Well, she is one of my closest friends. In fact, she was the first friend I made here in Ponyville. Derp- oh sorry Ditzy! She doesn't like the other name!”

I laughed. “Why? I found it pretty adorable and I bet she wouldn't mind hearing it from you, darling!”

“I´m not so sure...”

I watched her walk away and I smiled, her lies so obvious.

Tomorrow I´ll be there too.

*****

The race was over. Derpy was in the floor, exhausted and frustrated. Fluttershy gently approached her and extended a hoof to help her up.

“You did good.” she said almost in a murmur.

“I did not! I ended up sixth! Sixth! Right behind that Midnight Twinkle one!” I overheard that and laughed as she pointed at the purple unicorn.

“Her name is Twilight Sparkle.” Fluttershy said but Derpy was too mad to notice.

“I failed, again. I thought that if I could win this race maybe, just maybe, I could stop being a laughing stock....but I failed.”

Again, so soft that it was almost like the wind whispering, Fluttershy spoke. “You are not laughing stock, Derpy...” Derpy Hooves turned her mismatched golden eyes and saw a single rose placed in front of her. “You are a winner today.”

Too distracted by the sudden appearance of Princess Celestia few ponies noticed that nuzzle that turned into a soft kiss.

I did.

I turned away, smiling. I have left her in good hooves. She would be happy, even if I´m not here for her. My best friend, my dearest assistant, my Derpy Hooves.

I walked away, not sure when I would return. Such is the curse of a pony with a hourglass Cutie Mark. But I´ll be always be there for her.

I´m always there.

One Step Forward

"Well, what are you waiting for?"

Savage storm clouds that no pegasus will dare to touch covered the peeks of the towering mountains. This was the last stronghold, the gates of the Dragon Valley, the birthplace of the draconian race. And the place where his mother and father awaited him.

A sudden roar made the rocks tremble. The six ponies cowered in terror, the cyan pegasus hiding behind the pink one making the other winged pony feel less like a coward for standing behind the farmer one. After all, they all shared the same fear.

"Go on, the entrance is right there."

The little baby dragon turned to face the unicorn. Unlike the other horned horse whose eyes were flooding with the drama of separation or the proud captain of the guard fighting the tears; the librarian kept a stoic and serene face, her eyes devoid of any tear. He wondered why wasn't she crying while at the same time he was thankful she addressed him like she would a real man.

"Come on Spike, your real family is right there."

He looked once more at the storm valley, a hidden land, lost in a time where Equestria was nothing but a mere dream. When the three tribes fought for a piece of dirt. The archives and maps covered with dust in the library until they were found by a curious mare who whished to give the perfect birthday gift.

Spike took one step and stop. There was once condition to met if he step forward. No pony was allowed inside, not even a princess. If he went in there, he would do it alone.

Spike took another step...

"No."

And his scaly arms brought the heads of the meek purple mare and the tall white stallion together.

"My real family is right here."

Change Hurts

Change Hurts

It hurts. It hurts so much. It shouldn't but it hurts.

It hurts to change, it hurts to be different, it hurts wanting to change who you are, to be who you want to be.

We don´t need change, we never change, we are who we are. But there is no longer we but I. No longer us but me. There is only I now.

I need to change, I want more, I am different.

I need a name, names are important. We don´t need names, our Queens knows who we are but I don't know who I am.

Names are difficult, leave them for later.

First the body, I need a new body. What should I be? A mare? A stallion? An earth pony, a pegasus, a unicorn? We don´t have any need for that, we are what we are. But I'm different, I am a mare. I want to be a mare, I want to be small and cute. The body is easy, hooves, tail, eyes, teeth, all easy.

The color, what is color? We are alike but everypony is different, nopony is identical to the other one. What color, red, blue, pink? Green, I like green. I like grass, a soft kind of green, a darker shade for my mane, the mane, make it long but soft, let it flow with the wind, the wind! I love the wind caressing me, I choose to be a pegasus.

It hurts, must get rid of the horn, they don´t have horns, they will suspect me if I have a horn. The pain, the pain of changing. Not just a simple reflection spell, this a new body, just for me, my body. I ditch the fragile wings with new strong feathered ones. The pain is gone and I am free now.

I need a voice, we don´t have voice, we repeat whatever they said but I have things of my own to said. It hurts, it burns, fire coming out of my mouth as I create words, ideas leaving my head and coming out to the air. I breathe music and brimstone. I have a voice now, my voice.

I´m making my mark, a Cutie Mark, that proves who they are, that a pony is not like the other one, similar but never the same, never like we were, like they were. I remember, I remember one day, waiting for our Queen, for their Queen to return, waiting in the grass, all the plants the same but one, one was different, one was unique, why it was different?

Back then, we weren´t different, armors didn´t mean rank, they meant nothing but those days are gone, I´m no longer a changeling.

I am a pony now.

I know who I am. I finally know me.

At last.

*****

“Well, look at that! I think I have never seen YOU around here before!”

“...hi. My name is Clover Leaf, nice to meet you.”

The Biggest Hero in Equestria

The Biggest Hero in Equestria

"Allright, thanks Dinky for that wonderful story about that Doctor pony. He sure sounds like quite a character."

"My mom was his first companion!"

"Sure honey, I´m sure she was. Now next is Sweetie Belle, come up front Sweetie!"

"Ejem ejem! The Biggest Hero in Equestria by Sweetie Belle.

The biggest hero in Equestria is my big sister Rarity because she is pretty and nice and generous and the best fashion designer this side of Dodge Junction! Sure, she can be bad sometimes, being all haughty mighty and greedy and petty and she gets mad at me and yells at me when I clean her workroom and disrupt her "organized chaos" or when I wash her sweater on the machine instead of doing it by hoof and the sweater shrunks or when I use her gems without her permission or when I use her special silk to make the capes for our crusading or..."

"Sweetie please, get to the point."

"Yes! Ummh page 2 umh here! or that time I accidentally turned her into a dragon because I read one of Twilight Sparkle´s books without her permission. But despite all that my sister always forgive me and I always look up after her. Not because she is on the Elements Bears..."

"Diamond Tiara, be quiet."

"But because she is always taking care of me. My mom and dad won the lottery last month and they have been travelling across Equestria since and I miss them very much. When my sister moved I missed her a lot but I still had my mom and dad with me. Now I have to stay with Rarity and sometimes she is really busy or away in a travel on Canterlot or in the Crystal Kingdom or chasing Sea-Ponies and I feel very lonely. When my sister is out I get to stay on a different house, sometimes I stay with Applebloom and we have a Cutie Mark Crusaders sleepover in the clubhouse and one time I get to stay with Twilight Sparkle and Spike which made me very happy because Spike is really cute and funny..."

"Wooooooo!"

"Kids, be quiet!"

"But I like it the most when my sister stays home because if the pegasieses decide to make a storm that night and it gets really loud and scary with lightnings and thunders I know I can go to my sister bed and she always lets me sleep with her and protect me from any evil Draconequusus that may be hiding because she is smart and beautiful and the best pony in all of Equestria!"

"Thank you Sweetie Belle, that was really sweet. Go back to your seat. Now Featherweight is your turn...

Final Words

Final Words

It finally happened.

It had to happen, I already knew it since the first day but I didn't want to accept it, to face the truth. I wanted to pretend it will last forever but eventually everything must come to an end.

I thought I was prepared, I had study for years, just for this moment, but when the time finally came I wasn't prepared at all. I almost feel like singing a song about it but I had never been the musical type.

I feel like I should fight back the tears, being the oldest one in the room but just once, just this one time, I want to be the little child and just cry.

I remember being a little foal, watching a bird´s nest, the mother watching her children finally spread their wings and rise up to the sky. My grandma told me that all mothers must do that eventually but a silly part of me made the promise to never open that door, to never let them fly.

How could I be so selfish? How could I think such a thing, now that I see them all, all grown up and ready to face the world in their own, all smiling at me, all my little ponies.

This is our last day together, their graduation day.

I read the banner one more time, their final words to me.

WE LOVE YOU MRS. CHEERILEE!!!

Promise in the Sky

Dear Princess Celestia:

I´m happy to inform you that the missing tomb of Commander Hurricane was found floating above Sweet Apple Acres and has already been returned to its original location on the back of Neighagra Falls by a squad of local pegasi. We still ignore what force could possibly be strong enough to set loose such an ancient building, protected by magic created by Clover the Clever himself; but that is not for me to question. I´m sure your advisers are doing their best to discover the truth behind this mystery.

One incident I must report is how touched were the pegasi by the appearance of the tomb, especially Rainbow Dash. When she was chosen to play the Commander role in the play last year she actually asked me who he was. But after she started spending time on my library she had grown to appreciate other things besides flying, namely poetry. This may surprise you but Rainbow Dash is an avid fan of poetry and a novice but enthusiastic writer. As part of the ceremony, Rainbow asked the Mayor to recite a poem dedicated to the Commander. I was able to recognize the source she quoted but she put so much emotion on the piece I didn´t dare to say anything.

This a transcript of her words but trust me Princess, they don´t convey the emotion she put into them.

Lo and behold, this land below the clouds!

Born not in heated discussion fire

but in cold bitterness of disharmony

This is the land where our three kinds unite

named after our fiery bonds, Equestria

Soon I will leave this green hills

spread my wings to embrace Elysium bliss

but as my semblance disappears in skies of blue

I leave behind to you my promise

An arch of chrome keys spread

a roar that curtains of clouds tears open

this my legacy to all pegasis

the rainbow explosion sonically

Follow my lead, warriors of Cloudsdale!

Follow me into victory.

A Hundred Candles

The mantle of stars spread as the Princess of the Night descended into the royal balcony.

“Rest my sister, as always I´ll gu-”

“SURPRISE!!!!”

Princess Luna reacted like trained, creating a dozen magic weapons and placing them at the throats of her assailants. Pinkie was the only one who made a soft “pfft” sound with her blowout.

“Luna, please put the weapons down...” Celestia calmly said.

“What is the meaning of this?” Luna demanded to know.

“Is your birthday, silly filly!” and she playfully poked her nose.

Luna took a good look at all the ponies with hats and party accessories and the giant banner that read “Happy 100th Birthday, Luna!”

“Is this your idea of a mockery, sister?”

“No...” and Celestia levitated a present. Hesitantly, Luna opened it and was met with a shower of stream and confetti. “That is!”

Everypony laughed along with the Sun Princess but Luna just growled in anger and teleported herself out of the room.

“...guess she doesn't´ like surprises.” Applejack said.

****

Celestia found her sister in the observator, looking at the full moon with almost tears.

“That was pretty rude of you, Luna.”

“Why, sister? Why did you did that?”

“I told you already, it´s your birthday so I invited some friends to celebrate it.”

“But the flag read a hundredth! I spent over a millennia on the moon! What was the purpos-” but Celestia placed a hoof on her sister shoulder to maker her quiet.

“The MAre in the Moon wasn´t you Luna. This is your first birthday since you came back. On the last one you were about to turna hundred, remember that?”

“Yes and nopony at all showed up. They all went to hide at their houses!” for a second, Celestia was able to see the silhouette of Nightmare Moon but the moment was gone and her small sister was back.

“And now see how many ponies are here for you, how many friends you have now. Please, let this be your chance to start things over, our chance...” and Luna turned over to see that her sister was also on the verge of tears.

“Very well, sister. Let us join the celebrations.”

“I´ll take that as a Thank you for the party, Tia!”

And the two sisters went back inside to blew a cake with exactly a hundred candles.

Voice of Reason

All the ponies in the tavern stomped their hooves to congratulate their new chancellor. All the ponies except the one who was too busy devouring pies to notice.

"Just as expected Fresh Mint was elected , what are your thoughts Smart Cookie?" one reddish earth stallion asked while pointing at the mint green pony who was saluting the audience.

"I´ll say that her words are as light as her breath." was the mare response. She obviously disagree with this election but the town had spoken.

"Blasted child! Puddinghead, I warned you to never return to my tavern!" the taverner yelled as he chased one bouncy pink pony out of the building.

While her partner laughed, Smart Cookie wondered why the pink pony wasn't celebrating as well. Maybe she shared her concerns about Fresh Mint capacities.

****

A few days later, Fresh Mint introduced the ponies to a brand new discovery, small flying creatures that could duplicate themselves, providing cheap extra worker for the town. Of course, everypony applauded her contribution. Everypony but two.

"Funny as they look those creatures may come useful, I may fetch one for myself. Care to join me, Puddinghead?" Smart Cookie asked her companion.

"A parasprite? UGH! No thanks!" was her response before turning back. "Now if you excuse me I have to find a mandolin!"

"Beg for your pardon?"

"You know!" and she pretended playing the instrument before leaving.

Puddinghead eventually did find her mandolin, along with several other instruments but her music was deemed too loud and played at unholy hours of the nights, so she was forbidden to play music again.

***

In less than two days the parasprites had spread like a plague, devouring all the food in town. The town ponies accused Fresh Mint of bringing this curse and demanded an answer but the terrified mare only cried and hide.

Salvation came in the shape of an orange mare. Playing her violin, she lead the parasprites out of town, to be lost into the dark forests.

The ponies were all happy and quickly stripped Fresh Mint of her position to handle it to Smart Cookie but she declined. When asked why she said:

"I didn´t come up with the solution this time. I only listened to another mare´s advice. If you're looking for a pony who can lead you and keep you safe..." and she placed the official hat on Puddinghead´s head. "You don´t have to look further than here."

And thus Puddinghead was named Chancellor of the Earth Ponies and the only two things she demanded in return was to have Smart Cookie at her side and infinite supply of the tavern pies.

Time and Time again...

"Oh no oh no! I´m late! I´m terribly late!" Twilight Sparkle lamented as she raced to the door. Once she opened she almost crashed with an earth brown stallion.

"Oh hello miss..." checking a piece of paper. "Twilight Sparkle. If you could just..."

"Sorry, I don´t have time Mr. Time Turner! I´m very late for an important date!"

"Yes, about that..." but Twilight had already ran off.

She didn´t amde it too far still, because Fluttershy rushed to catch with her.

"Oh Twilight, oh Twilight, is so terrible!"

"What is it, Fluttershy? I´m in kind of a hurry..."

"All my animals friends are lost! There was this big thunder-like-noise, I think it was a thunder and they all ran off and I now I can´t find them and..."

"Okay okay Fluttershy, calm down. I´ll help you. Just hope this doesn't take too lon..." Twilight went quiet because once they reached the cottage all the animals were already there.

"Off tfere you afe." Time Turner said, spitting an angry Angel. "I already recovered every last one of these little rascals." Fluttershy rushed to hug Angel. "Now, about that meeting, miss Sparkle."

"Oh I almost forgot! I have to run!" and Twilight once again ran off only this time she was stopped by the Mayor.

"Please Mrs. Mayor, I don´t have time!" she complained as they entered the Hall.

"I just need you to organize some paperwork for m-" but once again Time Turner was already there.

"All done! Paperwork for the next three months completed!"

"Thanks Mr. Time Turner! Bye!" and Time Turner slammed his face against the desk in frustration.

"Ah really need yah help, sugarcube," Applejack said as she lead Twilight to the farm.

"I´m sure everything is already taking care of," Twilight repeated.

"Well, how ca-" Applejack just went mute upon seeing Time Turner all covered in mud and chicken feathers.

Twilight didn't even bothered to say anything before she ran off again.

Finally, Twilight arrived at her destiny atop a hill. "Princess Celestia! Princess Celestia!"

"My dear Twilight, so glad to see you!"

"Here are all my reports for the last month." Twilight proudly said as she levitated a folder out of her saddlebag. Princess Celestia read the content and began to blush.

"...Princess?"

Unable to contain her laughter anymore, Celestia began to cackle, much to Twilight confusion. "Oh Twilight, Pinkie´s parties are surely the best!"

Twilight grabbed the folder and her eyes went wide upon seeing what was in there.

"Oh heavens, not again." Time Turner complained as he arrived. "This was exactly what I was trying to stop. If you would just stop and listen to me. Oh well I guess the 946th time will do the trick. Allonsy..."

And a blue box disappeared while a white alicorn rolled in the floor in laughter and a purple unicorn turned red from embarrassment.

Every single year...

Princess Celestia calmly levitated her cup of tea and her cupcake, ready to enjoy a pleasant meal; when suddenly the doors of her private chambers were magically tossed around.

"What in the nam-"

Standing in the doorway, wearing a lab coat and goggles stood a purple unicorn with a menacing grin and glowing horn.

"Now Celestia, prepare to meet your doom!!!!"

"...Twilight Sparkle?"

"Silence!! For is it I the one who speaks now!!!"

"...what?"

"This is a coup d'etat, Princess. I´m taking over your kingdom and naming myself supreme ruler!!!" Celestia tried to magically pull the bell next to her bed but Twilight cut the rope with magic. "Don´t even bother. All your guards have been disposed off, not even my brother can help you now..."

****

In another part of the castle, Shining Armor levitated an envelope.

"Hey guys, we won a free session at Ponyville Spa!"

"Huzzzzah!!

****

Princess Celestia tried to open the window but she was once again stopped. "Your pet bird can´t help you, Celestia." and Twilight pointed at the floor where Spike was sitting atop of Philomena.

"And your precious sister is out of the picture..."

****

In the other tower, Pinkie Pie was taking care of Princess Luna.

"Pinkamena, your desserts are truly the food of royalty!!"

"Glad you like them! There´s plenty more of them!"

"Huzzzah!"

****

Celestia tried to run away but Twilight pinned her to the wall. "I have planned this for years, Celestia. And finally I´ve succeeded. Your reign of terror is over! A new reign of terror begins...MY REIGN OF TERROR!! MUAHAHAHAHA!!"

****

The next day, Twilight Sparkle addressed the crowd of Canterlot, bringing the captured Princess forth and exhibiting her as a trophy.

"Citizens of Equestria, behold your new leader." the crowd wasn't sure what to do so they did nothing. "Now, a new era begins for ponies! This day marks the Epoch of the Reign of Twilight Sparkle the Wise the First!! Behold, our new flag!!! This symbol, designed by my dear friend Rarity represents the new spirit of study and learning that I...hey, why are you laughing? This is serious! Pay attention! What´s so fu..." and Twilight turned over to see her new flag.

"Oh look at our little baby learning to use the big fillies room! Isn't she adorable!"

The entire crowd was laughing and Rainbow´s laugh was the loudest of all.

A shocked Twilight looked at Princess Celestia.

"Happy birthday Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight simply facehoofed. "Every single year...."

Last Episode

“It´s coming! It´s coming!” Pinkie Pie yelled, running across Ponyville.

“Now what?” Twilight Sparkle complained but the answer came in the form of a rainbow- colored wave coming across the sky. “What is that?”

The wave came closer, engulfing the Everfree Forest and making it disappear. Fluttershy watched in horror as Zecora´s hut became a white nothing.

“Everypony inside!” Mayor Mare ordered and the ponies rushed in panic inside the town hall.

“Scootaloo? Why are you crying?” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle asked but her friend just hug them.

In Canterlot, the royals watched impotent how their kingdom was destroyed. Shining Armor and Cadance shared one last kiss.

“Luna, I...” Celestia began but Luna simply placed her head on her sister shoulder.

“Well, I´m going to miss you...” Rainbow Dash said goodbye to her wings.

Derpy Hooves was also crying, unable to understand what went wrong. Doctor Whooves was smiling with excitement, “Fantastic.”

Twilight and Spike rushed to the Town Hall, after SPike managed to snatch Twilight who almost killed herself trying to save as many books as she could.

“Applejack, come in!” Twilight yelled but Applejack remained still, watching the universe collapse.

“Well, here we go again...”

The rainbow wave hit them and Ponyville disappeared in the nothing.

*****

The book reached the last page and closed, bringing to an end the fourth generation.

Sugarcube and Honeybun

Applejack fell against the wall, her lips were dry and her breathing was heavy. She was exhausted. They have been running all day long so she was willing to make the best of this short moment of rest. Their last moment of rest.

"Yah just have to get that diamond necklace, don´ yah?"

"Well I just couldn´t let such a beautiful piece rest in the neck of a unicorn with such terrible taste in fashion. Green and yellow, the nerves!"

Applejack sighed; they were so close to reaching the Badlands border but Rarity just have to get into a fight with a snobby unicorn in the train station, drawing all attention to them. Then again, they probably wouldn't have reached the train anyways...

"Applejack, Rarity! You´re surrounded! Surrender all your pies and step forward with your horn visible!"

Applejack peeked through the window. Damn that Twilight Sparkle! She had been restlessly chasing them for the past five months and finally she had corned them. Well, it had to happen sooner or later.

"I´m sorry Applejack. Guess my greedy needs finally bite us in the flank."

"No need ta apologize Rares. We´ll get out of this one."

"No, we won't."

She was right. Applejack looked at their ammo, only half of an apple pie. THey stand no chance against the entire police force.

" This is NOT how I imagined our journey's end."

"Me neither but we had a fun ride, didn´t we Rares?"

"Oh yes, we visited so many beautiful places, Las Pegasus, Manehattan, Baltimare..."

"Yeah and now we´re stuck in Appleloosa. That last train hijack thought...hey rares, thanks fer saving my flank in there."

"No mention it, darling. Ah, so many nice memories and it all started with a tine jewelry store in Ponyville..."

"This is your last warning!"

"We already hear yah!"

"Applejack, do your regret helping me that night stole the diamond?"

"Not fer a second, Rares."

Twilight Sparkle ordered the troops to get their pipes ready.

"Ready Rares?"

"Ready."

"Ah love yah, sugarcube."

"I love you too, honeybun."

One last kiss.

One last ride together.

Applejack and Rarity came outside while a rain of hot pies were thrown at them.

Final Song

It began with tears, it makes sense it ends with them.

I was there in the early days, when dragons roamed free. I remember the fire and brimstone, I remember the roaring thunders, I remember the skies in darkness and when the coal fell from the clouds there was nothing but a single pony and a golden egg.

i remember the lad, curious and wide-eyed. The bearded one was a good master, his eyes always looking years in advance. He named the stars and planets and the lad smiled.

I was a gift to the haughty princess, passed from mentor to student and then to royalty. She tried to reject me but her admiration for the young lad was stronger. I giggled under my wing, I was the only one who noticed when their hooves touched.

I remember the other princess, standing in solitary guard night after night, waiting for a signal from the stars but there was only the shadow of the resented moon.

I remember the pranks and the laughs; I remember meeting a youngling from my kind, now he and the dragon that walked like pony soar skies unknown.

I feel the end approaching, I must burn ten times and no more and this is the final one. My master caresses my head, her gentle touch still intact even after her body aged. So many master, I have come full circle from master to student to a student turned master. She smiles at me, makes a final annotation in her journal and gives me a last kiss.

It ends with tears, it can't be helped, death without promise of return bring nothing but sorrow but my final song will be one of glory. She lifts me with her soft lavender magic and moves me to the window so I can see the sun one final time.

I cry and my whole being burst in flames, leaving but just a pile of ashes.

Consequences

"But why I can´t go with you, Twilight?" the little dragon complained.

"Because this is a really dangerous adventure, Spike."

"But you have brought me along in many adventures. Why is this one different?"

"Because umh you see...its and adventure in the zebras land, yeah! We´re visiting Zecora´s land and they don´t like dragons in there so you better stay here." she lied.

"You´re going to the zebra land?"

"Yes."

"And when will you be back?"

"First time in the mornin-" Twilight bite her tongue but before Spike could caught on her lie, somepony knocked at the door. "Oh that must be your foalsitter!"

"A foalsitter? I don´t need a foalsitter! i´m a dragon!" he complained.

"You´re a baby dragon and you´re getting a foalsitter Spike. End of discussion." Twilight opened the door to reveal the mysterious foalsitter.

"Rainbow Dash?!"

"What´s up?"

"Ugh I can´t believe this! Of all the ponies you brought Rainbow Dash!" and Spike went upstairs in a tantrum.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Spike."

"Don´t worry, he´ll get over it. Thanks for the help Rainbow. Why are you looking at me like that?"

Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, you know?! I made her Pinkie Promise she won´t tell anypony!"

"She can´t hide any secrets from me..."

Twilight left in a hurry, blushing..

"Good luck in your "adventure", hehehe."

***

"So SPike...have any cool games?"

"No games. Just books."

"Wanna catch a movie?"

"All her movies are documentaries."

"Wanna play Daring Do and the Obnoxious Dragon that did nothing but complain all night long?"

"I don´t like Daring Do..."

"That´s it!" and she grabbed him by the tail.

"AUH! Wh-where are we going?"

"Twilight told me to keep an eye on you. She never said where." Rainbo explained, managing to talk even when biting at his tail. "So, lets go out and have fun!"

****

Of course, Rainbow idea of fun was playing pranks on other ponies. Dipping their hooves in warm water while they sleep, putting glue in the doormat and calling at the door, putting vinegar in their bedside water, and so forth.

Spike realized that without Pinkie to counter her, Rainbow´s pranks were really mean spirited.

Finally they got to the Cakes house where Rainbow asked Spike to use his flames to send the basket of dirty diapers to Princess Celestia.

"Think you can do it?"

"Of course I can!"

"Go for it!" and she slapped his back, which proved to be a bad idea since his filames now came out regular, causing a fire in the laundry. "Oh no, I´ll get a raincloud! Be back in ten seconds flat!"

Spike was trembling in fear and guilt when the cries from the babies caught his attention. The Cakes were still asleep, if the fire keeps spreading it may hit the abies! SPike thought and rushed to the babies room. Once he got there the smoke was already on the windows, so he bravely grabbed the babies and jumped outside, softly falling into a cloud.

"Woah Spike! That was a close call!" Rainbow said and put them all down.

"What is going on?" Mrs. Cake asked while her husband used the hose that was IN the laundry to put the fire down.

"Oh right..." SPike scratched his head.

"I´m sorry Mrs. Cake. I was careless with a thunderstorm and caused a fire. It was all my fault!"Rainbowo said.

"Well, seems nopony was hurt. But you better be mroe careful next time, Rainbow." she said, taking the babies on her back.

"Rainbow..." Spike couldn't believe it. She took the bullet for him. She truly was the element of loyalty.

"That was really brave of you, Spike." she instead said and affectionately rubbed his head.

****

The next morning Rarity paid a visit to Twilight.

"Good morning darling. Oh Spikey-Wikey, good mor-"

"Later. Bye Twilight! Bye Rarity!"

"Why is he in such a hurry?" Rarity asked.

"No idea." Twilight confessed. She watched as Spike rushed to meet Rainbow Dash and they both headed down the lake. "Not a single clue."

Possibilities

What if we took the wrong decision impulsively?

“You know what Pinkie? Gilda is right, you are nothing but a bunch of dweebs! I know I´ve taken the wrong decision coming to Ponyville! I´ll never get a chance to join the Wonderbolts hanging with losers like you! Come on Gilda, let´s go!”

What if we never learned from our mistakes?

“No Twilight! I don´t need your help! My family can win this contest on its own!”

What if we never bothered to offer our friendship?

“You´re right Twilight, if Cranky doesn´t want to be my friend then I´ll simply just stop talking to him! Never again!”

What if we stop being honest to ourselves?

“These ponies? Of course I don´t know them! They are simply some peasants from Ponyville, I´m way more sophisticated that them!”

What if we lose the courage to speak up?

“I´m sorry Angel, I won´t go to the lake. Even if I go there, I won´t be able to help Rainbow Dash. I better just stay here at home.”

What if we say something we can never take back?

“No Twilight, I´m not going back! You have that owl to keep you company now, fine! See if I care! I´m a big dragon and I´ll take care of myself from now on!”

What if we decide to ignore our feelings?

“You´re right girls, maybe I´m being too possessive of my brother. I better just leave him and Cadence alone. Maybe in all these years we have been apart we have grown distant, maybe we can´t no longer be the friends we used to be. After all, I´m not a filly anymore! She wasn´t my friend now that I think about it. She was just my foalsitter. Nothing else.”

No matter which mistakes we could have made, no matter how much hurt we could have done to each other, it doesn't even matter if we stop talking to each other; our friendship will never break.

No matter what you do to us, what terrible outcome you show me; I will never once doubt them

They are my friends and I will never abandon them.

Secret Love

Sweetie Belle had a secret love.

Nopony could know about it, not Apple Bloom, not Scootaloo and definitely not Rarity. She couldn´t tell them. She keep a secret from everypony, making excuses, disappearing in the middle of the night and making the Crusaders promise to never spy on her.

It was painfully obvious she was in love. But when other ponies watched her bounce around town with hearts on her eyes, when Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon mocked her for drawing hearts on her notebook or even when her own sister asked her about it; Sweetie Belle always kept her mouth shut. SHe will never betray her love.

Only one pony knew the truth. When it came to matters of the heart, Sweetie Belle knew that she could trust her teacher no matter what. Cheerilee was understandably shocked when she first heard the news but she knew a girl only has one first love and that Sweetie´s was pure and innocent. She PInkie Promised to never speak about it (especially not to Rarity) and gave her advice about etiquette and manners, all the ways to have a perfect date with a fancy gentlecolt.

That Saturday Sweetie left her house. She said goodbye to her mom and dad and didn´t visited Rarity at the boutique, instead she headed for the Everfree. A hooded zebra watched her pass by, humming a love song of her own. Sweetie ignored all the shadows and noises, love guided her hoofsteps. She eventually her destiny, the entrance of a mirrored pool covered in mist and standing in solitary duty, covering the hole, its rocky guardian...

"Hi Tom! Did you miss me? I brought all the things we need for our very first date. I brought sandwiches and fruit and juice...I wanted to brought wine because that´s what Rarity would have on a date but Mrs. Cheerilee said that I´m too young for that. So, I made the food myself, do you like it?"

.....

"Oh thank you Tom! You are the best boyfriend ever!"

Stars

You ask me why, Twilight?

Because it isn´t funny anymore.

Remember when we first started? Remember how fun it was? Sure, we ran into some big nasty meanies but we never truly harm them. The most we did was kicking that cheese-legged bully into the sky and we knew she will be okay. We never truly hated any of them. Fluttershy even taught us to give them a second chance and those who didn´t want one, well we just let them go. If they didn´t want our friendship we couldn´t force them to accept it.

Those were the fun days. They may not have been perfect but they were fun.

Now...

You keep saying that it was necesarry, that sometimes there is no room for friendship. That we need to grow up and finally do what´s necesarry; but I think you´re wrong.

You took a life, Twilight. Rainbow keeps using the word "destroyed" but I can´t agree with that. That´s not what I saw. That´s not what we did.

Princess Celestia agrees with me. You were wrong thinking she would understand. Every time she was forced to use force she regreted it and she always tried to find a way to fix things, to turn an enemy into a friend, to give someone a second chance. Can´t you see the disappointment on her eyes? She had so much faith on you, we all did.

I can understand the other girls for sticking with you. I can even forgive them but you Twilight. I can´t forgive you.

That´s why we are doing this. That´s why I´m doing this. The Elements of Harmony are too powerful to be left with you and you are too dangerous to be left in Equestria. I should go with you too, I should join you five in your exile at the sky. We could be six stars together, but Princess Celestia says she needs me here. I´m the only one who can still connect with the Elements so I´m the only one who can keep you from returning.

I´m your jailer, your executioner.

Don´t worry Twilight, I´ll take care of Spike. He may not like me anymore but I´ll still take care of him. Your brother couldn´t make it here but I´m sure he doesn´t hate you, he is just hurt.

And I don´t hate you either Twilight. I just can´t forgive you, not right now.

i don´t know if you understand me, I don´t even know if you can hear me at all; but I want you to know that even if you hate me for what I did, I will still love you. I love all of you. You are my best friends.

You will always be.

Color in Dreams

I´ve visited 99 dreams and in each I´ve found a pink balloon.

It all started with a little filly, her dreams tainted by the noises and shadows in her bedroom. I watched her uneasy fantasies from afar, reluctant to intervene. In other times, when me and my sister were just crowned, I would have come forward and reveal my presence. But after I let my petty jealousy overcome me, I become the symbol of their nightmares, my figure bringing nothing but fear.

On those days, I despised how our servants bowed for my sister, praising and thanking her for all her work. They remember her deeds with ease since they happened in the daylight, but my actions were quickly forgotten, like all dreams do once the sun had risen. They ignored my night and kept vague recollection of my presence, and thus my heart filled with hate and I unleashed a wave of nightmares upon them.

My punishment was not simply exile but the painful realization that I´ve the lost the love of those I once called "my children".

The filly dreams began to fade, a sign that morning was approaching, and as I was leaving I notice an element that didn´t belong there; a solitary pink baloon, its brightness standing out in the dull canvas of the child dreams.

On the following nights, in every dream I visited, I encountered the same balloon. Be it a filly or a colt, a mare or a stallion, a couple young or old; the pink globe keep appearing. Intrigued, I dove further into my subjects fantasies, avoiding nightmares and private thoughts, searching for the source of such a colorful element.

I finally found the origin, the grey dreams of a pink pony. There were no balloons in here because she was the one setting them free. Sitting in the middle of a colorless field, she kept inflating the globes and sending them away. I approached her in silence, wondering what could she possibly gain with her odd actions. Once she noticed me, she smiled and offered me her last balloon.

And then I understood.

A thousand years of solitude taught me that respect must not be demanded. I now seek my redemption by doing my duty selflessly, ignoring fame or rewards. And she is the same, giving a smile to others but never demanding anything in return. Her happiness is seeing others happiness and that should be mine too.

We let go of the final balloon, together, let it float to another dream.

Hush Now

Silence.

I hate silence.

I spent the first millennia of my existence in complete silence, floating in what seemed an endless void. No sound, no light, nothing.

Then I found this world and I felt lonelier than before. I was different to every other creature and yet I had a little of each one. An arm, an ear, a horn; a little piece in common with everyone but not enough to relate to anyone.

It took me a while to understand what I was. I was the leftovers. When the universe was created, some piece were left behind. Useless, unfinished, nothing to be missed. Those pieces came together somehow (guess loners like to go in group) and voila! There I was.

I never intended to hurt anyone, I was just...playing. I was nothing like them and they were nothing like me. Would you blame a child for breaking his toys? Because that´s what they seemed to be at the time, my own little toys.

I had time to think when she turned me into stone, mostly I just thought in ways to get my revenge. I was angry, my toys had been taken from me so like any child I was throwing a tantrum.

I took things slower the second time, I realized that there was no point in being mad. After all, who wanted to rule such a boring place like that? When they released I was only planning in escaping, taking the first opportunity to snap my fingers and disappear; and then she appeared.

Ah dear Fluttershy. Wish I had more than these few pebbles to honor your memory. Twilight Sparkle was wrong, thinking I made matter appear of thin air. I actually arranged matter to my will. It was very easy. The first trick I learned was to make myself complete after all. From that to creating chocolate rain is a simple step.

Is a good thing that I don´t need to breathe or see for that matter. There´s nothing more in here than a few rocks, floating in darkness.

It figures that I´m the last one standing. I was here at the beginning, I should be at the end. With the last traces of magic fading, I won´t be able to hold this body any longer and thus I´ll be gone.

She told me that friendship was magic but not even friendship last forever. There comes a time to said goodbye and this is mine. I had fun, I must admit that. There were some harsh time and sad times and boring times but there were good times as well. Really good times.

Guess there´s nothing more to said now. Time to sleep.

"Hush now, quiet now, time to laid your sleepy head. Hush now, quiet now, is time to go..."

Standing in the Background

You are not the leader and you know it.

You´re the most experienced of the group. Fluttershy may be older than you but, when she was struggling with flying lessons, you have already gone to Manehattan and back to Ponyville on your own, a little filly traveling all alone. Since then you took care of the farm pretty much in your own, harvesting the land in addition of raising your little sister. All the responsibilities laid on you, the pressure of being the middle child, the one who had to watch Big MacIntosh´s back while looking after Apple Bloom. You did all that alone, and yet you´re not the one giving orders.

You´re the strongest one in the group. Rainbow Dash may have speed but she lacks in endurance. She could stand a storm but will surely collapse before finishing half of your daily chores. Of all of them, you´re the one who can hold the most in a fight. Without her magic Twilight will be defenseless but there you are, taking the blows for her, getting bruised while she stays in the back, giving orders.

You´re smarter than you think. Twilight has academic knowledge, Rarity has business experience, even your brother has a deep knowledge of mathematics that you lack; but you´re smart. You notice things, you can put together the pieces of a puzzle. While everybody else is worried arguing about petty things like bringing a scarf to a mission, you look at the map and figure out the best way to take. It might be the longest path but it´s the safest one and they should listen to you and follow your advice but they don´t listen because you kept quiet, convinced that you´re not smart enough to talk. You´re not the intelligent one, that´s what you say to yourself.

You have abilities. You don´t need a strange sixth sense like Pinkie, you know these lands like the back of your hooves, you know exactly where to go and what to do. You don´t need fancy unicorn magic, you only need your two trusty legs. You don´t need wings, you can run as fast as any Wonderbolt cruises the sky. You have the best qualities of all of them and some more unique to you.

And yet you keep quiet.

You stand there and let weak Twilight give orders. You listen to unreliable Pinkie ramblings and meek Fluttershy protests. You keep your mouth shut despite petty Rarity demands and reckless Rainbow Dash bragging. You stand there and nod and obey every order, because you´re not the leader.

You´re the number two, you´re the assistant, the lancer, the back-up, the cannon fodder.

You´re Applejack, guardian of Honesty and yet, all you do is lie to yourself as you stand there in the background.

Ruined Date

The Gala was over. Balloons lied in a confetti covered floor, like wreckage after a storm. Just a few guests remained in the room, most of them lying in their seats, half empty glasses next to them.

The Princesses were still there, their duty forced them to say goodbye to every single guests.

From the a bench in the garden, Rarity watched Twilight Sparkle shake hoofs with a guest. Next to her, Pokey Pierce struggled to untangle his bowtie.

"I´m terribly sorry," she said.

"You don´t have to apologize," he replied.

"Yes, I have. I should have been honest from the start. When did you realize I had lied?"

"The second you shoved my face in front of the Princess and bragged about how I can pop any balloon."

Rarity covered her face, embarrassed. "Oh heavens, I can´t believe that I said that." Rarity looked up and watched Twilight apologize for the hundredth time for Pinkie´s behavior to the guests. She noticed that Pokey was looking at her. "Is it so obvious?"

He nodded and Rarity sighed.

"I don´t understand why you don´t just tell her?" he asked.

"I can´t say a thing like that to a Princess."

"I thought she was your friend."

"That doesn´t make things easier. Quite the contrary."

Rarity took off the tiara of her head and sighed once more. Pokey finally took off his bowtie and took a look at the room.

"You know, the dance floor is finally empty," he said, getting up and extending a hoof.

"You shouldn´t be so nice to me," she said.

"You said one dance, one dance only. We haven´t dance yet."

She smiled, fighting back the tears and accepted his hoof.

It wasn´t the best of dances, it was slow and awkward. But the Princesses still waited for them to finish dancing.

Adult

"Oh honey, it´s not that you´re a dragon. It´s the fact that you´re a baby dragon. You have to understand that I´m a grown mare and you just a child. It will be scandalous if ponies see us together. It will be like me dating a colt. Even if I wait a few years you will still be a little boy because your kind ages at such a slow rate. It is simply impossible, Spike. You do understand, right?"

I did understand, I just didn´t wanted to accept it. I didn´t wanted to admit that someday I will have to leave Rarity, that I would have to go into my hundred years sleep and when I wake up she will be long gone.

I wanted to be with her.

That was all.

****

"Just one more gem. Just one tiny gem more. I know how to control this, it won´t be like last time. I´ll just grow enough so I´ll be consider an adult. Just the right amount so I can be as tall as those teenage dragons. But I won´t be anything like them! I´ll be a gentleman, I´ll be noble and kind and Rarity will stay by my side forever! Yes, everything is going to be fine! Just one more gem..."

****

The cave is too small and cold. The cave floor is the worst bed I ever had but I got rid of all my treasure, I have nowhere else to rest.

It´s so quiet in here, wish there was somebody to talk to.

Anybody.

I´m so lonely and tired. I want to sleep.

"Spike? Spike?"

What is that little annoying thing? Be quiet!

"There you are. Spike, can you see me? It´s me, Twilight."

Twilight. She looks so small now.

"I´ve been reading every book in the Royal Library but so far I haven´t found anything. I´m leaving for the Crystal Empire. I´m sure I can find something in there. Do you understand me, Spike?"

I do.

"Oh wish you could talk to me. I don´t understand why haven´t you changed. We did everything like Zecora said. Even the Princess doesn´t know what to do. But don´t worry Spike. I´ll do anything in my power to bring you back to normal."

I don´t care about that. Where´s is Rarity? She ran away when she saw me. Where is she?

"I can´t understand you Spike."

Please, tell me she is fine.

"I just can´t understand you but don´t worry, once you´re back to normal you´ll be able to speak again. You just wait here, okay? I´ll be back soon."

No, don´t leave! Don´t leave me here Twilight!

It´s so cold and silent. I don´t want to be alone.

I just wanted to be with Rarity, I just wanted to be the strong and tall adult she wanted me to be. Why did things turn out like this?

I´m tired, I´m too tired.

I need to sleep.

****

"You´ll see Rarity! I´ll soon be an adult and you will be my wife! I promise you!"

"Oh Spikey-Wikey, you´re so adorable when you said such things..."

Apple pie kiss

"Thish ish going to be the besht apple pie of all!"

"It sure will Twist! Now hand me more vanilla," Apple Bloom said.

She started stirring the dough when she noticed the way Twist was looking at her.

"What?"

"Oh nothing. I wash just...I´m jusht happy hanging with you Apple Bloom."

"Me too. Ah like hanging out with you!"

Apple Bloom started to humm a little tune while she stirred but Twist didn´t seem that happy.

"Apple Bloom, can I confessh shomething?"

"Sure. What is is?"

"When you shtarted shpending all your time with the Crushaders, I got a little well jealoush. Like you didn´t want to shpend time with me anymore," Twist said.

"That ain´t truth! Ah like being with yah, ah just got all busy with crusading and stuff! But ah never meant to hurt your feelings Twist.

"Ish okay, I´m not hurt. But I do like that now that you have your Cutie Mark we shpend more time together," Twist said, slightly blushing.

"Me too. Heh yah know what´s funny? Ah spend all that time looking for mah Cutie Mark and then one day ah just bake an apple pie and bam, there it was! just like everypony kept telling me. Ah just had to wait and then it appeared."

Both fillies laughed and went back to the apple pie. From the store, Pinkie Pie peeked inside the kitchen and smiled.

"Awww those two look so cute together!"

"Ah sure ah´m happy Apple Bloom is back hanging out with Twist. No offense to Rarity or Rainbow but those other two are a bad influence on mah sister," Applejack said while feeding a bottle to Pumpkin Cake.

"Hehe you are still mad about that time they tried to be Cutie Mark Crusaders Hatters?"

"Don´t remind me," Applejack grunted while Pinkie and the babies laughed. "It ain't funny Pinkie, mah hat is not supposed to have polka dots."

"Hehe you looked cute with that hat," Pinkie said nuzzling her.

Applejack returned the nuzzle but when they noticed the babies were looking at them, they blushed and pull apart. They heard more laughs coming from the kitchen and peeked again, finding Twist and Apple Bloom playing and throwing dough at each other.

Applejack and Pinkie smiled.

"Hey AJ, don´t you think those look good together?"

"Yah mean like friends?"

"Eeeenope."

"hehe ah got ya Pinkie. Well, it might be like mah Granny says, Apple Pie brings the hearts together," Applejack said.

"Well, it worked for us!" Pinkie yelled and then jumped over AJ, tackling her.

Once she got her pinned down, Pinkie leaned forward and gave her a deep kiss. The babies were still looking at them so Applejack took off her hat and used it to cover them while she returned the kiss.

Little did they know that in the kitchen, two fillies were having their first kiss, and just like them, it was an apple pie flavored first kiss.

Quite a Story

Rainbow Dash had an answer for everything.

If she crashed into the principal´s office, it was because the obstacle course had a design flaw. If the cafeteria got flooded, it wasn't because she and GIlda just played a prank of the student with some rain clouds but that the teacher never told them where to store them.

She always had an excuse, a story or sometimes even a lie. It didn't always worked, mind you. Applejack never believed a single word and Spitfire could see right through her every time. Besides, Rainbow wasn't so low as to never tell the truth. The few times she believed she had done something really bad like that time she made Fluttershy cry during a Nightmare Night with her dragon costume, she apologized.

But the truth wass that Rainbow Dash had cried wolf a number of times before. Enough times so that the townspeople of Ponyville weren't exactly ready to believe her story this time.

“I´m telling you, guys! I was just doing my own business, you know practising some skills, doing some maneuvers above the Everfree when suddenly, this huge swarm of fruit bats appeared right out of nowhere! Any other flier would have chickened out right there but not me, I flew right through the swarm, dodging every bats of every colour and the I dove right into the trees. or at least, I thought they were trees because they were actually a pack of raging timberwolves! Roargh, they went! And I was like, you will never catch me! Yeah, that's what I said. I didn't screamed like a little girl or anything, that would be so lame. But anyways, I started running, the timberwolves chasing me through the forest when I jumped over some bushes and they landed right into the pie´s table. See that table there? The one with the blueberry pies? The timberwolves were devouring them all. Somepony had to stop them and I knew that was job for one pony.”

“Which pony?” asked an excited Scootaloo.

“The one and only Rainbow Dash, of course! I grabbed that banner over there, flew around the timberwolves, wrapped them like a nice present and tossed them back into the woods!”

Scootaloo cheered her.

“So, as you can see, I clearly saved the day...minus a few tables.”

The townspeople looked at her, then looked at the mess that was the fair, with all its pies gone, the missing banner and the tables flipped. They looked back at Rainbow Dash who kept her confident smile although you could see a tiny drop of sweat in her face.

“Quite a story, Rainbow...” Applejack said. “I just have one question for you.”

“Shoot me, AJ.”

“If the timberwolves ate all the pies, how come you have blueberry all over your face?”

Rainbow Dash licked her face, tasting the delicious blueberry and said.

“I've got nothing.”

(Silly Rainbow Dash is silly. ^_^)

Screaming

You are my mother and I love you.

You are my Queen and I serve you.

You are my reason to live and I will die for you.

These ponies don't understand me. They think of me and my brothers as slaves, as simple tools that you dispose without a second thought. They fail to realize that is not your orders we obey, it is our purpose to sacrifice our lives for you.

You provides us with food, with love. You have no love to give, cruel destiny has denied you a heart in that hollowed chest of yours. You have nothing but hunger, the same hunger you share with us. But instead of seeking food for yourself, you give food for all of us.

You don't know our names, you can't tell us apart and we don´t care. I don't care. I don´t need for you to pat my back or give me a smile. I don't want that for you. I only want to give my life for you.

So when you order us to charge against the barrier, I happily obey. These ponies look frightened, disgusted even. They hear my legs breaking against the magic field. They see my horn and wings falling apart and I can see pain and pity in their eyes.

Silly ponies, they don't understand.

They can't understand how much I love you and how happy I am to die for you,

I'm not screaming because of the pain, ponies.

I'm screaming of joy.

Quite a spectacle

“Come one, come all, and see the wonders of the Great and Powerful Trrrrixie!”

The unicorns of Canterlot barely reacted to the loud fireworks. The obnoxious mare seemed proud of them but that was a trick any foal could do.

“Watch in awe as Trixie makes this simple rock turn into beautiful flowers!”

Another common trick, not worth anypony time. Not even the window cleaners were paying attention to her now.

“Wunderbar! Magnificent! Splendid! I've never seen anything like this before!”

Trixie snapped of stroking her own ego and looked at the only pony that was actually enjoying her show. The other ponies looked at the fashion expert Photo Finish, wondering what exactly she found so incredible about the magician rather poor act. Trixe struck a pose, waiting for more compliments.

“This is without a doubt the most glorious of carriages!”

Trixie fell flat to the floor. “My carriage? But what about me?”

Photo Finish adjusted her glasses before saying, “That style of mane...is too boyish. It doesn't suits you.”

“Boyish?!”

Trixie was heartbroken. Her mane was one of the many things she took great proud off and being called “boyish” was an insult in her book. Devastated, she turned around, ready to leave town.

“Warte nur!”

Trixie didn't understood that but froze in place as Photo Finish approached her. Photo Finish examined Trixie, ordering her to stand still. When she finished, Trixie was half way into making a step, her front left leg and her hind right leg up in the air.

“Perfect! That pose speaks of elegance and grace! The pose of a fabulous mare!” Photo Finish declared and Trixie´s eye beamed with glee.

“Really? You think the Great and Powerful Trixie is fabulous?”

“Indeed. Photo Finish never makes a mistake! She will make everypony in Equestria know the name of Trixie!”

“Trixie is pleased to hear those words!”

The unicorns looked at the two mares, wondering if they actually knew what they were talking about.

“Photo Finish will return tomorrow, this same place, with her entire crew!” Photo Finish declared.

“The Great and Fabulous Trixie will be waiting for her” Trixie declared.

“Splendid! Photo Finish is anxious to know more about Trixie..:” Photo Finish said, lowering her glasses.

“And Trixie can´t hardly waiting to give her that opportunity,” Trixie said, slowly blinking.

The unicorns now were truly confused. Was this some kind of game they were playing?

“I go!” Photo Finish suddenly declared, turning over.

“Me too!” Trixie said, moving back to her carriage.

And with that, both mares took their separate ways. The unicorns aren't exactly sure what had just happened but they had to admit that was quite a spectacle.

Pink Baloons

Pinkie Pie stared at the pink balloon at her hooves. She stared, inspecting it´s surface. She rubbed it and payed attention to the sound it made. She had been focusing solely on the balloon for the past thirty minutes. She didn't talked or moved, she just stared at the baloon.

Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity decided to ignore her and keep with the party preparations. There were streamers to hang and punch to be served. They couldn't waste any time waiting for Pinkie to come back to her senses.

“Pink balloons are not funny,” she suddenly said.

The other ponies heard it but chose to ignore her.

“I said...pink balloons are not funny.”

Applejack looked at her friends who pretended to be busy with the decorations. Sighing, Applejack took the word, “What do you mean, Pinks?”

“Balloons are supposed to be funny. But pink is not a funny color. Balloons are pink therefore, there are not funny,” Pinkie concluded but nopony argued with her logic. “Balloons shouldn´t be pink.”

“Then what colours should they be?” Fluttershy asked, moving her yellow mane aside to look at Pinkie.

“They should be...like me,” Pinkie answered, pointing at her blue and yellow coat. “They should have variety and energy. Not be this unfunny colour,” she concluded, pointing at the pink balloons at her flank.

“Don't be ridiculous, Pinkie! That´s like asking fer apples to not be orange!” Applejack yelled, adjusting her green hat and showing off the orange apples on her red coat.

“Why can´t they be another be? Why can't butterflies be pink or diamonds be another tone than that dull white?” Pinkie asked.

“Oh darling, that´s hideous! A diamond that isn´t pure white it´s simply...wrong,” Rarity replied, the bright blue unicorn waving a hoof to dismiss her friend´s questions.

“I don't think pink is such an unfunny colour...” Fluttershy murmured, playing with her pink hooves.

“But...don´t you think it´s wrong? That colours are not supposed to be this way?”

A large green stallion with a shiny red apple for a Cutie Mark happened to be listening to their conversation. He deposited the bucket full of orange and yellow apples he was carrying and replied:

“Eeeenope.”

This seemed to put the argument to an end. The mares returned to their job, decorating the room with pink balloons. Pinkie Pie however kept staring at the same balloon, trying to find some answer in the monochrome surface

“Pink isn´t funny...”

Right Words

Pinkie Pie was staring at the wallpaper in the funerary house. It was a very pretty wallpaper with a pink peony pattern. Pinkie thought it was really pretty and made her smile, she wondered why nopony else was paying attention at the wallpaper.

“Pinkie Pie..”

Pinkie turned over and found Twilight touching her shoulder. She seemed worried for her so Pinkie decided to smile.

“Do you have your eulogy with you?”

“No Twilight, I never bring food with me! Except this cupcake but that's for emergencies only,” Pinkie said, taking a cupcake out of her mane and gulping it.

“No honey, she means if you have already thought of some words for..” Rarity said but couldn't finish the sentence and used a handkerchief to stop some tears from coming.

Pinkie was worried for her but before she could say anything Rainbow was in front of her, looking worried too.

“Hey Pinks, if you don't want to do it, it´s okay. I mean, your mom and sisters have already pretty much say everything and…”

“What Rainbow means is that, if you want to leave now, we understand,” Fluttershy finished for her.

Pinkie was confused and didn't know how to respond to them. Applejack approached her but she didn't say anything. Pinkie was about to say she looked funny with a black hat but Applejack moved forward and give her a hug. Pinkie Pie smiled, she liked hugs.

She then walked into the next room along with her friends. It seemed like half of Ponyville was in that room, along with some ponies from out of town like Shining Armor and his wife and even Braeburn, all the way from Appleloosa. She smiled at all of them as she walked to the podium. She waved at Mr. Waddle as they exchanged places at the podium and smiled at her family who was on the first row of seats.

Pinkie looked at the entire room, at all those ponies who were waiting for her to say some words so, she spoke:

“One day, I was walking with my dad around the rock farm and then I say to him, Hey dad, you know why the rock farmer returned the mashed potatoes? He looked at me with that silly face he made when he pretended he didn´t understood a word I say and then I say, because he ordered it with gravel!”

And Pinkie made the motion for a rimshot, somehow making the sound for real.

The entire audience fell silent, looking around to see what reaction they should have at that terrible forced pun. Rainbow Dash facehoofed while Fluttershy innocently said “I don't get it.”

“Dad also didn't get it at first but then he started to laugh. He laughed for a long while and then I laughed too. We both laughed a lot. He loved that joke.”

“It is kind of funny,” Pinkie Pie´s mom admitted.

“Gravel,” Spike chuckled and his laugh start spreading among the row.

Pinkie Pie watched as the ponies started to smile and then slowly start laughing. A minute later, the entire room was laughing out loud. Pinkie Pie turned over and smiled at her father´s portray. Then she start laughing too.

Regrets

Applejack kicked the front door open and stomped her way to the kitchen. Big Mac was more gentle, softly closing the door so not to wake up Granny Smith and little Apple Bloom and taking the glasses from the cupboard. Applejack feel exhausted on a chair while her brother served some beer. He too sat down at the kitchen table and they both took a long sip of the cold beer.

Applejack let go a loud sigh before saying, “Well, that could have gone a lot better!”

“Eeeeyup.”

“Ah mean, ah know that Rarity´s heart is in the right place but she should have done some research beforehand,” she said and Big Mac nodded. “Ah don´t know how to explain her how the night turned out so...awkward.”

“Yah mean with me hitting on your date while my date was hitting on you?”

“Why do you have to put it so bluntly?”

Big Mac shrugged and went back to his drink.

“Ah gotta say, ah never thought that Mrs. Fleur will be into mares, being all clingy to Mr. Fancypants and all. Guess Canterlot mares are different that way. Wonder if Twilight is that way too…”

Applejack noted how Big mac was peeking at her from behind the glass and rushed to say, blushing:

“Ah´m jsut asking! Ah´m not interested!”

Big Mac said nothing but Applejack could notice him smiling from behind his drink.

“And what about you going all puppy-eyed over Mr. Fancypants? do you have a thing for moustaches now, big bro?”

Big Mac said nothing but she could tell his blush and snickered.

Applejack leaned against the chair, instinctively trying to cover her face with her hat but she then remembered she didn't took it to her date. She sighed some more while her brother opted to stay silent.

“It was a nice dinner, thought. A little bit too fancy but nice anyways. Although ah don´t wanna have to wear this type of clothes ever again, don't yah agree, Big Mac?”

He seemed to agree because he tossed his bowtie to the table.

“And they were pretty nice to us too. Makes me feels a little bad…”

“Regrets?” Big Mac asked.

Applejack took a few seconds to answer. She leaned forward and rested her chin on a hoof before answering, “Nah, it wouldn't have worked anyways. We are simple farmers and they're big, names in the kingdom. Imagine all the tabloids trying to get our pics and the like…”

Applejack took a deep sip of her drink while Big Mac played with his already empty glass.

“It´s better this way,” Applejack sentenced and finished her drink.

These shoes are not made for walking

I knew exactly what I was getting into, Twi. Starting a relationship with the most fashionable pony in town? I knew it was going to be difficult.

Don´t think I was being selfish. I know how important those fashion shows are for her. Hay, if someone ask me to stop bucking apples, I´ll go crazy too. But if she tells me to stop for five minutes to have lunch, I´ll even hang on my hat.

Of course I was a little sad that she was going to be gone for a full month. I miss her when she takes those weekend trips to Canterlot and Baltimare isn't exactly at trotting distance. I couldn't go visit her even I wanted to. And you know I can´t leave the farm in a hurry, there´s ton of work to do and animals to tend and…

I´m not rambling, Twilight! I´m trying to make you understand!

You see, it was the little things that she couldn´t let go. How my boots weren´t the right color for the season or how apple fritters can't be the opening plate and a million other things that I couldn't care less. She will turn every little thing into a major issue, everything.

I admit it. I said a few things that I shouldn't had. I was angry and I didn't want to lose that fight. You know how I can get at times. I did tell her that if she left, she shouldn't bother to come back and I feel awful for that.

I wanted to apologize. I wanted to just took off and travel across Equestria just to say I´m sorry.

And then she knocked at the door.

How can I stay mad at her, Twilight? How can I even raise my voice when she shows up at my doorstep during a rainstorm, still wearing her gala dress and mascara? I couldn't even say a thing, I could only think that she was wearing the wrong kind of shoes for a running.

Thanks for the medicines, Twilight. Tell Sweetie and her parents that I´ll take care of her. And also, don't worry about us. I learned something about Rarity today, about how far she would go for us to work together. And I promise to do the same for her.

Passing the Title

The hardest part of any new chapter in your life is to let go. You get so used to a routine, to things being a certain way that, when it´s time to close that chapter and open a new one, you feel like you don´t want to go, like you don´t want to let go of the last thing in your old life.

It can be something tangible like a set of keys for a new office or something less obvious, like a life with your family and friends in a farm being replaced by long hours of paperwork.  Both Apple Bloom and the former Mayor Mare knew all of this very well, and that´s why one couldn't handle the keys and the other couldn´t accept them.

“You know…” Mayor Mare said, playing with the keys. “You know what the former Mayor warn me about, the day I received this office?”

“That the left leg of the desk is loose?” Apple Bloom said, looking at the law book that was holding the broken desk.

“No, I figured that out of my own. With a nasty hot coffee accident. But she said…” the Mayor continued, trying not to get contagious with Apple Bloom´s giggle. “She said that the hardest part was going to be to have other ponies calling her by her real name. So many years wielding the title of Mayor and now she was going back to her old name and she couldn´t imagine how that was going to be. I can´t imagine how is that going to be…”

“Ah understand…” Apple Bloom said and then coughed to correct her accent. She didn't feel like it was proper for a MAyor to speak so thick. “I understand but let me assure that I have no intention to replace you as Mayor. I want to be my own Mayor, with my own name because...you will always be the Mayor to me.”

The Mayor smiled and caressed the young mare´s cheek, handling the keys to the office. She started to slowly walk out but Apple Bloom stopped her.

“Wait. Ya need...I mean, you need to sign the transference papers.”

“Oh right, of course. Of course.” The former Mayor took a quill and started to sign but then stopped. “Silly me..” she said and corrected her signature.

“Thank you…” Apple Bloom said, taking a look at the paper. “Ivory Scroll.”

Ivory smiled and exited the office but right before leaving she said, “Keep the accent. Locals will like a Mayor with the Ponyville´s accent. It will be a refreshing change.”

“Ah´ll keep that in mind.”

With a final smile, Ivory Scroll left the room and went downstairs. Apple Bloom sighed and moved next to the desk, she took the law book off and the desk fall down. She then opened her saddlebags and took a hammer from it, smiling at the trusty tool that always carried with her.

“´kay. Let´s get started…”

Jewel Case

Jewel Case wasn´t the smartest pony in the Empire. She wasn´t the fastest or the bravest, either. So why did she ran?

Because she was clever. Clever enough to realize something was wrong when the Crystal Princess went missing and that unicorn wizard appeared at the palace gates. She knew something was wrong he stood in the balcony and smiled at them, he smiled with those sharp teeth.

Jewel Case wasn´t intelligent enough to know where the Crystal Heart was or how to stop the unicorn, but she was clever enough to run. She wasn´t brave enough to stand and fight against the evil unicorn whose black magic was covering the skies, so she run. She knew she wasn't fast enough to outrun the dark crystals, to avoid the chains that were covering her fellow Crystal Ponies, but she ran anyways.

She ran so fast she never saw the two regal figures approaching the king, she never saw the beaming rainbow or hear the roaring cries of defeat, she only saw the exit to the kingdom and ran for it while the darkness engulfed her.

For her it lasted just a couple of second, just a few steps, a desperate sprint but when she landed in the other side of the gates, face straight into a snowy field, a thousand years had just come and go.

She raised her head and saw a stallion aproaching her. Another unicorn but this one was white as the snow and his smile was gentler. He looked behind her and seemed to understand everything that had transpired.

“Clever girl,” he said.

Before she could reply, the roar, the deafening roar of the defeated monarch, raised from behind them. Jewel Case could sense the darkness rising behind her but she wasn´t brave enough to face it.

“Run,” he said.

And she did. She ran and ran, leaving the brave stallion to face the raging darkness while her steps brought her closer to a bright and new world.

Lesson Learned

Dear Princess Celestia,

                                       today, I learned a valuable lesson about my family and myself.

You have a younger sister so, have you ever asked how much she loves you? Because I asked that about Twilight.

I remember than when I first met Shining Armor, I didn´t even understood who he was or why Twilight was so happy to see him. When I was told that he was her brother, I could only ask if he was my brother too because, isn´t that what I am to Twilight?

I have been called a lot of things, “baby”, “assistant”, “Spikey-Wikey”; but I don´t recall Twilight ever calling me “brother” and if I´m not her brother, then what am I?

So early this day, I made a terrible mistake. I tested Twilight´s heart.

I wanted to see if we are like the Apples, a family that does everything together but Twilight didn´t appreciated me turning her laboratory into an explosive bakery. Rarity and Sweetie Belle showed that siblings don´t always have to agree but they can help each other, unfortunately when my “assistance” turned Twilight into a mouse, I understand why I am left out of many adventures. I even tried to show Twilight I was more responsible and learned from her by paying visits to my friend phoenix. It all ended up with me chased by an owlbear that followed me right into the town square.

At the end of the day, Twilight found me crying under the stairs. When she asked me why I´ve been causing nothing but troubles all day, I yelled at her. I told her that if she loved me she should spend more time with me and don´t leave me away from important things like her birthday party. Twilight looked me straight on the eyes and made me remember that day, remember the ice-cream party we had and how I fell asleep right away with a full tummy. We both laughed, remembering the ice-cream fight we had. She told me I was so tired that I didn´t even noticed when she left me a note and a kiss on the cheek.

Have you ever seen Twilight blush, Princess? Because I think I did.

Twilight drew closer and told me that she never wants to leave me behind, but sometimes she has to and that no matter how far apart we are, she never forgets about me. Then I asked her “How come you never call me brother then? Aren´t we family?” and she said “You are Spike. I don´t need to call you anything else,” and you know what, Princes? I think she's right, I don't need to call her anything but Twilight either.

So I learned my lesson of not testing the feelings of your loved ones. For practical reasons, you could end up making their magic bounce on a mirror and turn them into a rodent. And for other reasons, you´ll feel like a fool every doubting how they feel about you,

                                                                                                             Your loyal subject,

                                                                                                                                 Spike.

Good Deed

Everypony was getting ready for Hearth's Warming Eve, in the quaint little town of Ponyville. They hanged socks and decorations, sharing the best they could, everypony but the grumpy Gilda, who prefered to hide inside her cloud.

“Who said that?”

Gilda was the meanest resident in town, for her pranks and her roar she was well know; and  while you may think this is just a gryphon being gryphon, Gilda wasn't mean without reason.

“Who are you?”

“There was a pony GIlda once called a friend, but then one day she showed her true colors to her as a fiend, She made ponies cry and make them scare and Gilda realized she made a mistake.

“Shut up…”

“Because she made all ponies leave in a hurry, she was in this chilly night all lonely. But tonight to be friendly she might have an opportunity if she looks down and gives help to a certain…

“Trixie...needs help!”

My my , what do we see down there, a wagon trapped in snow, perhaps this pony may need a hand or perhaps as you say...a claw?

“Can't believe I´m doing this...hey dweeb, what's your problem?”

“Oh, good evening. Trixie´s wagon seems to be stuck and she cannot set it free.”

“Uh, can´t you use your unicorn magic for that?”

“Well, you see...things is…”

“Seriously? You can´t even lift that? Let me do it.”

With one swift push, the wagon was set free…

“Wonderful! Thank you so much, gentle gryphon!”

“Heh, it's nothing…”

Could that blush be proof that Gilda was humble of doing a good deed?

“Hey, it's no big deal! I just helped her, it´s not like I was going to let her all alone here in the snow!”

“Who are you talking too?”

“Uh…”

“Nevermind that, you just helped Trixie and the now Grateful and Generous Trixie will repay your kindness!”

“Uh, not make a big deal of it…”

“I insist! I must ask you to join me and the other town actors  for the meal of Hearth's Warming Eve!”

“...well, I´m a bit hungry.”

And so Gilda the Gryphon learned one selfish attack can lead to a big reward, being invited to join a big dinner and a house so want. For she once rejected others, fearing they may shun her for her past deeds  but Trixie and her friends showed her that everyone deserves secord opportunities.

And I, Discord, the spirit of chaos and  disharmony no more, it´s most pleased to share presents, food and not forget, the mistletoe…

“He-hey, you got the wrong idea! That's not what I meant when I say you're kind of pretty for a pony, Trixie. Sto-stop it!

Guilty as Charge

“Now have anything to say, Big MacIntosh?”

“As a matter of fact...I do, mada´m Mayor.”

Big Mac cleared his throat and began:

“All this time I´ve been quiet, always standing on the sidelines. After our parents passed away, I made the promise to look out after my family, both the youngest and the oldest. And never once complained. But I can't no more.

I watched as my young sister grew up, always watching after her and I soon realized that she had grew faster than me and didn't need my help. She grew up responsible and brave and strong enough to handle the farm on her own. Sure, I do the heavy work and handle the bills but I couldn't do any of that if it wasn't for Applejack being so diligent and such a hard-worker.

I watched all that and for a time, I was proud of her.

But then she started to get her ego get the best of her. She started to devleop a huge pride and stop listening to others advice. I saw her get words, her playful rivalry with that pegasus friend of hers suddenly got much worse and she will return home with more than a few scratches. She was doing some reckless stunts, from jumping from rooftops in that ridiculous superhero costume to getting into the Everfree Forest to taunt the Cragadile.

She got too reckless and I have to stop her. It was my duty as her older brother. So I ventured into the forest and asked the witch for a cure and she lent me to the forest to get the plant. I put the petals on the apple juice and watched as the magic worked that night…

Big Mac let himself breathe after such a long speech and finally said;

“And I have no regrets.”

The Mayor nodded and turned to the side of the courtroom where, inside a tiny jar, Applejack was screaming and pointing saying things like “you´re taking things out of context! It was a dare and Twilight was there to teleport me out of trouble!”

The Mayor looked back at Big Mac who had his arms crossed, not willing to listen, and then she sighed and gave her verdict.

“Big Mac...you did fine. Applejack will remain locked until the effect wear off, which according to Zecora won't be long since you only took a little bit of Poison Joke. And no more dares from the two of you, young ladies!”

Rainbow just shrugged while Applejack keep screaming some more.

Big Mac stood proud but then met with Granny Smith´s glare. He may had gotten away with the justice system but this was the Apple´s justice.

“Something to say, young man?”

“....”

Down the Hill

Ginger Gold opened her green eyes. The last thing she remembered was darkness, a giant wave of black smoke coming towards her, engulfing the entire land. She screamed and then nothing.

Now she was back in the light. The sound of music came from the nearby city so she followed it. She found the ponies of the kingdom there but they looked different, sadder, their coats and manes plain. She found a mirror and looked at herself, she seemed fine. What had happened?

Then the darkness returned, the same growl, sending a chilling shiver through her body. Then somepony yelled something about the Crystal Princess and then a wave of light hit her, a warm comforting light. Like everypony else her coat crystallized and she felt a tender embrace inside her chest.

Once the fair was over she left the kingdom, intending to go back home. With each step she realized something was wrong, it wasn´t the land, still as bright and welcoming as Equestria was; it was the ponies. They talked funny, they looked funny and yet he felt like she was the funny looking one.

She couldn´t find a carriage so she was forced to travel in that strange gizmo, a train it was called. Functional but not even on her wildest dreams Ginger Gold would have created something like this.

She finally arrived home, only there was no home to return to.

"What is this Manehatten? Where is New Headstall?"

No answers. The world had simply changed.

The princesses were still there but everything else was different.

A thousand years have gone by. And everything that Ginger Gold hold dear was gone.

She roamed across the land for days until finally she gave up and sat on the side of the road, so hurt she couldn´t even cry. She saw no point in doing so, there was nopony to mourn, there was no home to feel nostalgic...

She was all alone.

"Howdy there partner! Going tah Ponyville?"

She looked up and found a carriage on the road, pulled by a big bulky red stallion and on it, three mares, going from a filly to an elder. They were all smiling.

"Po-ponyville?"

"The nicest town in Equestria..." the mare said.

"...with the most beautiful of lands..." the elder said.

"...and the coolest of ponies!" the filly said.

"Eeeeyup!" the stallion finished.

"You want...to take me there?"

"Well, we can´t leave one of us apples resting in a´ side of tah road." the mare said.

Since Ginger Gold tilted her head in confusion she pointed at the golden pair of apples on his flank. She looked again and found that all these ponies shared an apple mark.

A smile as bright as the sun appeared on Ginger Gold face and she jumped into the carriage. The stallion kick off and they head down the hill, all the way to Ponyville.

Luna´s Treasure

Dear Princess Luna

                                My name is Midnight Twinkle. First, I want to say I am sorry because my letter is not good. My teacher is always saying I keep missespelling words and the other fillies and colts make fun of me but my mommy told me that if you had something important to say to another pony you should write a letter because that is what the cultured ponies in Camterlot do.

And I have something really really important to tell you.

Thank you.

Thank you for your beautiful nights and your beautiful stars and your beautiful moon.

I always look at your night. My brother snores too much so I can not sleep so what I do is looking through the window and look at all the stars and count them and point all the constellationts. My daddy taught me the names of the stars and he said I was named after them so thank you for my name too.

I still don´t have a Cutie Mark and all the other ponies make fun of me because of that but when I grow up and I got one I wanted it to be just like yours a moon and stars or maybe a big star and a moon.

I heard some mean ponies saying that you are jealous of your sister, Princess Celestia, but I know that is not true because your sister is pretty and nice and brings us the sun every morning like my teacher told me but you are even prettiesest and nicer and you bring us the moon so I know you can´t be jealous of your sister because you love your sister very much even when you probably argue with her a lot I argue with my brother a lot because he is mean and smelly and he is always taking my stuff but he always looks after me and punches the mean ponies at school.

I tried to see you once when you came to my town, the other ponies said you were paying a visit but for some reason everypony went to sleep and they missed you but I escaped from my room and went to wait you at the town square, I wanted to stay up all night but I was tired and I had already drink my milk and then I fell asleep. I woke up on my bed somepony must have brought me back home I should probably thank that pony.

Why I wrote this letter to you is because I want you to know that no matter what other mean ponies say your night is beautiful and I like it very very much.

You are my favourite princess!

                                                                                                  Respectufully yours

                                                                                                       Midnight Twinkle

Perfecting the Routine

“You´re going the wrong direction, Soarin!”

“Well, that´s because Fleetfoot is going too high and giving me the wrong queue!”

“Me? Spitfire is staying too low and I can´t tell when to entry!”

“Man, the Wonderbolts are having a lot of troubles with this routine,” a pegasus trainer commented.

“Friendship is the first key to a successful routine! Those cloud-heads don´t know how to get along!” an old trainer said.

“Well, about that I heard that the problem is that Spitfire caught those two…” another trainer said.

“Caught them doing what?”

“You know…”

“Wait, so Soarin cheated on Spitfire? Were those two dating?”

“They were always smoochy-smoochy back at the Academy!” the old trainer said.

“Enoguh with the gossip! We can hear you just fine!” Spitfire yelled. “Besides, nopony caught anypony! We´re...it´s...we´re all dating, okay?”

“The three of you?”

“Yeah, we decided on that. It was the best way.”

“Not that anypony asked me…” Soarin said, crossing his arms.

“What you mean? You...you don´t like this?” Fleetfoot asked, taking her sunglasses to show how that affected her.

“Just tell this, why do we always stay on your place?”

Both mares looked each other, confused.

“I live closer to the Academy and we decided…”

“Yeah, well you see? When you say we decided, you mean you and Spitfire. You two never ask for my opinion, it´s like I don´t count!”

Spitfire flew next to Soarin and tried to take his hooves. “You do count. You always count.”

“Well, if that´s the case...I want you two to move in with me!”

“What?” both mares said.

“Oh come on, my house is bigger than Fleetfoot´s and I´m still very close to the Academy. Besides...it´s lonely when I woke up on my place instead with you two.”

Spitfire and Fleetfoot rushed to hug Soarin, planting small kisses all over his neck and making him giggle.

“Told ya, all smoochy-smoochy…” the old trainer complained and the others nodded.

“Cut it out! Now, let´s get back to work!” Spitfire barked. “We got a routine to practice and then, we´re gonna need some help moving out stuff to Soarin´s!” she finished with a wink.

Once upon a time

Once upon a time there was a dragon named Spike

He had purple scales and spikes of green bright

His green flames will send letters to the princess or burn a trade of cupcakes! Hihi!

He jumped off trees with the Crusaders or tried to cut the gumball out of Snips and Snails

He could play the piano for buffalos or swag with the saxophone

He was the favorite of every mare, he even got Octavia and Rarity to duel!!

He once got big and mean, he turned into a monster consumed by greed

And another time he tried to run away home but instead he found a phoenix egg lost

He learned that no matter what, he will always return to the side of his best friend Twilight

And to this day you can find him,  working and singing on the Golden Oaks Library

Always willing to help out, ´cause he is a baby dragon with a big pony heart!

Now Pound and Pumpkin time to bed, Aunty Pinkie needs to sleeps as well…

But don’t you worry that tomorrow morning…

I will share another story about my dearest Spikey-Wikey!!

Hihihihihihi!!!

You Lied

Rarity pushed the door of her bedroom and headed for the mirror, removing the cloth that was covering it to take a good look at herself. She frowned, which made her even madder, because her wrinkles became more noticeable.

"Look at you. You lied, you made me believe that everything will stay the same but it didn´t. How could it? Oh sure, it seemed so easy at first, everypony will stay in touch!"

Rarity pranced around the room, swinging her hair dramatically.

"BUt then there was one Wonderbolt show out of the kingdom and one baby Apple that needing caring and one Princess in Royal Duties. All of them, moved over, got married, had kids and you..." she stopped and gave a glare to the reflection. "You stayed the same. You got old but you didn't changed. You stayed here, useless. Whatever happened to all your dreams? Whatever happened to all your promises? You lied, you made me believe I had talent, that I could be somepony, that I could be famous! But the truth is that nopony ever cared about me or my designs, that I was envr the artist you made me believe I was!"

Rarity smashed the mirror, cutting her hoof and making blood fall on the carpet.

"It´s okay Flute, darling. Auntie Rarity just crashed a mirror. Nothing to worry about, go back with mommy Sweetie and I´ll be back in a second!"

Once she was sure the little filly went downstairs, Rarity gave the shards a final look, crying at the reflection that looked so sad.