Cup of Cuteby Harmony PieChaptersScootIs it Wrong?MarshmallowScootChance was a funny thing, Sweetie had grown to learn. It was the sometimes bothersome force that made certain things fall into place. Chance was when she made hay pancakes in the early morning, and Rarity just happened not to be in the mood for the breakfast treat. Chance was when she forgot her homework, but there was a substitute that day for class. It was also when Dinky couldn't come out to play when she had the best idea in all of Equus. Or when Sweetie stumbled upon a filly repeatedly banging her head against a trash can in a dark alley. The rain drizzled around her, and birds circled above in the grey and brooding sky. It was a day that greatly annoyed Sweetie, for everything seemed to move in an extremely sluggish and boring way. Even Pinkie Pie had been a bit quieter than usual when Sweetie had picked up the cupcakes from Sugarcube Corner: pistachio and cream cheese cupcakes to be exact. As much as she'd rather not have to see such cakes in her life, Rarity had had a certain craving, and asked Sweetie to grab the healthiest cupcakes from the store. So that was how she found herself, paperbag grasped between her hooves, standing before a peculiar filly beside the Sofa and Quill Store. Peculiar was a word Sweetie commonly referred to as old and frilly-- used by the uptight ponies of Canterlot-- and she prefered to avoid those things as much as possible. Sure, Rarity could perhaps pull it off when she was being a drama queen, but Sweetie never imagined a situation would call for it. And yet the pony before her could only be fitted with such a word. Her orange coat was streaked with the dust and dirt of the surrounding stones, and her mane was cut short in a tangled bob of magenta hair. Stunted open wings fluttered uselessly be her thin sides, as her cracked hooves kicked against the dirt. Sweetie's bag fell to the ground, and she stared wide eyed in shock. She knew this filly. Well, perhaps know wasn't quite how she would describe their relationship status. Sweetie had heard of her from the whispers of the adults, and from a couple yellowing papers tacked up. She swallowed hard, stepping forward just an inch. It was the orphan. Sweetie Belle hated labels. She despised the way ponies took one word, one utterly simple word, and stuck it on a mare or stallion like it defined them. Because it didn't. Ponies were so much more than just a label, once you got to know them. But Sweetie didn't know the filly. She had no clue who she was, despite the rumors spread around Ponyville. The orphan. The thief. The delinquent. Was she truly any of those things? Sweetie Belle watched her carefully--silently. She looked rugged, but not dangerous. She just seemed broken. *Thud, Thud, thud.* Her constant banging snapped Sweetie out of her stupor. She took a deep breath, and cleared her throat softly. She raised her hoof up just a bit incase the filly got startled. There was no response, save for the thuds of head hitting can. Sweetie bit her lip, and furrowed her brow. "Ahem," she coughed. Sweetie waited ever so patiently, but the other pony made no reply. "Ahemm!" With a deep sigh, the thuds ceased, and a small, rough voice spoke up from the shadows. "What do you what?" Sweetie Belle was taken back by the sarcastic tone, and flattened her ears. "Umm, hi. I just wanted to..." She was cut off by the continuation of banging. Sweetie huffed indignantly. Quietly, she stepped forwards, until she was a couple hooves away from the orange pony. Then, with the biggest smile she could muster, she sat down beside her. "Hi." The filly grimaced in frustration. When she looked up, Sweetie caught notice of her red ringed eyes and swollen forehead, and she gasped. "Oh my gosh!" she squeaked, pulling her away from the trash can. "You're hurting yourself!" The filly pushed away Sweetie's hooves. "Yeah, and why does that matter?" Her voice trembled a bit. Sweetie Belle creased her forehead in concern. "Of course it matters! You're a pony! Ponies shouldn't hurt themselves on purpose!" she protested, carefully rubbing the filly's forehead, who flinched. "But why shouldn't I? It's not like I matter," she grumbled. Sweetie Belle found herself suddenly reaching forward, and embracing the dirty filly. Maybe it wasn't the best choice, but who knew? Sometimes hugs really helped. The filly stiffened in her hold, but didn't fight away. "Listen, just, why are you here?" she whispered, her cheeks flushed. Sweetie Belle smiled as she sat back. "Have you ever had somepony help you before?" The filly squinted her eyes. "Maybe." Sweetie giggled. "Well, I'm here to help you! My name's Sweetie Belle. What's yours?" She offered out her white hoof to the filly. The filly stared at her hoof for a moment, before squeezing her eyes shut and shaking it. "Scootaloo." "That's a nice name," Sweetie replied, to the begrudgement of the filly. Then she waited, and realized Scootaloo had turned back to the trashcan, and was shuddering. Sweetie scooched forward, and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Scootaloo! What's wrong?" She almost knew the answer, but hoped she could still help. Scootaloo furtively wiped her eye. "Nothing." Sweetie Belle clasped her hooves together in a plea. "Scootaloo, I am bond to your assistance now. There are no second chances. Please, let me help you!" Scootaloo glanced up at her light green eyes. "It's the blue pegasus," she breathed, grabbing her knees. "The one with the rainbow mane." Sweetie's mouth opened, and then closed. What? No mention about her lack of parents, nothing about life on the streets, or about her hunger? Just... a pegasus? After Sweetie finally managed to wrap her head around it, she tilted her head. "Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo shrugged. "I don't know her name, but I'll bet you anything with a name that cool, it's definantly her!" But then she sighed. "She'll never notice me." Her head fell forward, only to be stopped by Sweetie Belle. "Notice you?" "Of course! I was watching her today--flying around faster than the speed of light-- and she didn't say anything. I'm sure she saw me, but she didn't say hello! After how much I look up to her, she doesn't even care! But I mean, who can blame her? I'm useless!" Scootaloo cried. Sweetie Belle frowned. "You are not useless!" Scootaloo stomped her hoof on the ground. "But look at my wings! I'll never get off the ground!" She fluttered her limbs to demonstrate their weakness. "So? You don't need to, Scootaloo. Maybe you'll fly someday, and maybe you won't! But Rainbow Dash won't care!" Sweetie said. "Then why hasn't she come to me yet?" Scootaloo scrunched her muzzle. "If I could fly, she might finally say something!" Sweetie Belle bit her lip. "Listen. Sometimes... ponies get nervous around others. They might not know what to say, in some situations." Scootaloo looked down. "It's because I'm an orphan, isn't it?! Ponies are too darn scared that I'll bite their head off that they can't even talk to me?! Sweetie Belle shook her head. "Well, I'm here, aren't I?" Scootaloo opened her mouth. "--I guess you are," she muttered, her face red. Sweetie Belle grinned slyly. "And I think I know what to do to get Rainbow's attention," she said. Scootaloo's eyes widened. "What?" "You're gonna have to sleep over at my house to hear the answer!" She squealed when Scootaloo's arms came down, but she softened when she realized it was just a hug. Scootaloo squeezed her chest. "Really?" Sweetie nodded sincerely. "Really." ~~~~~~ Chance was a wonderful thing. It was what made Sweetie Belle, offering over her cupcakes, walk to Carousel Boutique. It was what made Scootaloo eagerly follow behind, laughing at her joke. Chance was what made Rarity open the door, and allow a small stranger in their home. And it was what made Sweetie Belle find a pony who was in need of a friend. Is it Wrong?It was one of those rainy, dreary nights that made everypony want to curl up and go to sleep. The rain pounded out a lullaby on the windows, and the wind whispered a song of warmer days. Twilight, however, didn't feel quite the same. Since the whole world was enveloped in a calm fog, she decided there would be no better time for reading a good book. She, with a flick of her magic, lit a roaring fire in the hearth, and settled down beside it with a book tucked under her wing. As she opened it, she pulled over a blanket and sighed contently. "Twilight?" She glanced up from her warm nest, and tilted her head towards the direction of the voice. A pink muzzle poked over the threshold, followed by a familiar face. "Oh, Twilight, I've been looking all over for you." Twilight stifled a giggle as the mare walked over to her. "It is quite a labyrinth, isn't it, Starlight?" Starlight nodded with a careful smile."Definitely a bit tricky," she said, her hoof dragging across the floor. "So, I--uh..." Twilight smiled warmly, patting the spot beside her on the blanket. "Here, come sit down," she said softly. Starlight looked tense for a moment, but quickly covered it up with a grateful nod. "...Of course, Twilight," she replied, lowering herself down next to the princess. She tucked her legs underneath her, and laid down. There rested a warm silence between them, as Starlight stared into the dancing flames. "I'm sorry," she said after a moment. "I-I just--I'm nervous." She refused to meet Twilight's eyes. Twilight studied her carefully, closing her book. "Why are you nervous around a friend?" she asked, following Starlight's gaze to the burning fire. She shifted within her blankets, placing her hoof over Starlight's. Starlight flinched, dropping her eyes to the hoof resting over her own, and flushed lightly. She didn't pull away, however. "Friend?" Twilight raised an eyebrow, trying to find the unicorn's gaze beneath her curled hair. "Starlight? Is something wrong? Of course I'm your friend!" Starlight gave a half smile, swallowing hard. "Can ponies... lose friends? From hurting them? From making them disappointed?" She took a deep, waving breath. Twilight raised her free hoof, and lifted Starlight's chin up to meet her face. Starlight went crimson. "Starlight? Are you alright? You're burning up!" Starlight immediately shook her head, her cheeks aflame. "No, no! I'm fine, I'm good! It's just the fire! Just the fire," she explained frantically, waving her hooves. Twilight nodded unsurely, but didn't press further. "So, you want to know if ponies can lose friends?" she asked quietly, lowering her hoof away from the other mare. Starlight's ears flattened against her head. "No. I already know what that's like. It's just that--what if you don't want to be mine anymore?" She toyed with the end of the blanket anxiously. Twilight creased her brow, her eyes shining. "And why would that happen? I chose you as a friend because of who you are! Because you're a good pony. That won't ever change, Starlight," she said warmly. Starlight grimaced, hanging her head. "But what if you're mistaken?" Twilight's mouth fell open. "I am not mistaken!" Starlight closed her eyes. "But what if you don't know me? How do you know I'm a good pony now?!" Her hoof trembled. Twilight held her hoof still, which caused Starlight to go lightheaded. "I thought you had moved past who you used to be. I thought you knew I... that we all love you for trying to be a better pony," she protested. Starlight didn't move. "Is it wrong?" Twilight ran her tongue over her own dry lips. "What?" she whispered. Starlight was silent for a moment, until she finally met Twilight's violet eyes. "Is it wrong that I'm not disgusted?" The alicorn pulled back, bewilderment written on her features. "Disgusted at what?!" Starlight made an incoherent noise, her nose wrinkling up. "Disgusted at my feelings, my actions, and my principals. Is it wrong... that they're not all gone?" Twilight didn't answer at first. "Is it so horrible that I want to change, but these thoughts won't go away? Every night--every night, I lie awake--" Starlight broke off with a strangled sob, tears pooling around her eyes. Twilight pulled her into her side with a wing, and leaned comfortingly against her. "I lie awake and think about the village, all the ponies that lived there," she continued. "I was their leader, and they looked up to me. Everyone was equal and.... and I liked it. I still like it, Twilight." Starlight stopped, and buried her face in Twilight's chest, shuddering. Her voice was muffled as she spoke. "I guess I just loved... belonging." Twilight brought a hoof through her hair. "Starlight, can I tell you something?" she asked, pulling the mare up. Starlight nodded solemnly. "I know this must be hard for you. It was your sanctuary, and your haven for all those years. You have a right to miss it, no matter how misguided you were. Sometimes life changes drastically, and it's not always easy to accept that, even for the best." Starlight looked up. "What do you mean?" Twilight smiled halfheartedly. "I didn't want to become an alicorn, or even a princess, for that matter. But I did, because I knew it was the best choice. Sometimes, when I think about it too much, yes, I would like to go back to living as a regular unicorn. But that's what makes you a good pony, Starlight. You're doing it anyways. Yearning for equality is a great thing, but sometimes in life, ponies just need the magic of friends to show them what they're missing." Starlight rubbed her face dry. "You really think so? You don't hate me?" she asked. "Of course not, you silly filly. I would never, ever hate you," Twilight said seriously. "You're my friend." Twilight pulled Starlight in a heartfelt hug, digging her chin into the crook of her neck. "And don't you ever forget that." Starlight squeaked, her heart pounding in her ears, and blood rushing to her cheeks. "O--okay," she stammered, almost sighing in disappointment when Twilight sat back. "I do want to change." Twilight grinned, a sight that made Starlight's stomach fill with butterflies. Then Starlight looked back down. "I was thinking that, since I need to move on, that I could change my appearance, just a little? With a hair cut?" She bit her lip, her eyes wide with hope. Twilight held her hoof up in her own grasp, giggling. "That sounds like a great idea." Marshmallow"Applejack, darling, would you be so kind as to tell me what you're doing?" Applejack cocked her head to the side, swallowing hard. Her hooves grasped the stick held over the orange flames. "What do ya mean, Rarity?" she asked. Rarity huffed, flipping her perfectly styled mane out of her eyes. "I mean exactly what it sounds like, darling! You've been sitting here, staring at me for over four minutes straight! And look, your marshmallow's getting all icky. It's practically black!" Applejack raised an eyebrow, setting down the stick and picking up the dessert in her hoof. "Well, what if Ah happen to like the color black?" she responded, making a face as she chewed it carefully. Rarity scrunched up her muzzle. "Yes... ah, no. You see, there wasn't really a meaning for that, as my point still stands, Applejack. And you should seriously stop eating that repulsive piece of food; it is quite disturbing." Applejack, muttering something incoherent, spit the marshmallow out (much to the unicorn's horror). "Fine. Ah was just thinking, that's all." Rarity tapped her hoof against the log they were sitting on, and gazed around at the shadows and towering trees. "We all think, don't we? I think about what dresses I'm going to create, when Sweetie's next concert is, all the work I need to get done. You think about your apples... the apples, and uh.." she trailed off, ignoring the burning look the farm mare shot her. She cleared her throat. "Point is, nopony acts quite so strangly from just thinking of regular things. Pray tell, what exactly were you thinking about?" Applejack shifted uncomfortably. "Oh come on! I'm going to get it out of you, Miss Element of Honesty!" Rarity teased, jabbing Applejack in the ribs, as she leaned forward. "I came with you on this little camping trip, and now that my curiosity is piqued, I'm not leaving you alone without an answer!" Her diamond eyes shone with mischief. Applejack sighed. "You're not going to stop asking?" Rarity waved her hoof in the air. "Heavens, no," she giggled lightly. She seemed to take pleasure in her friend's wince. "Ya'll are gonna throw a fit," Applejack protested, avoiding her gaze. Rarity pursed her lips. "Oh, hardly, Applejack. You know how ladylike and controlled I am, do you not?" she said, while fluttering her eyelashes. Applejack chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Heh. Ah guess it is kinda silly, If Ah think about it." Rarity nodded. "Well go on," she lilted. Applejack brought up the stick, and pointed it at Rarity. "You're a marshmallow." Rarity didn't speak for a second, with only her mouth hanging open. "What?" she gaped. Applejack placed her hoof over Rarity's. "A marshmallow. Like this one right here. Those little--" Rarity slapped her hooves away, a look of shock written on her face. "Yes, I know what they are!" she snapped. "Of course I do! But why the hay am I one?" Applejack held up a hoof. "Oh, Ah knew you were touchy about this, although it did take a while to figure it out. See, it's so obvious now! But no need to feel ashamed about it, sugarcube," she reassured. "Ah just wanted to tell you it's okay. But Ah know it's silly, because you already know Ah accept you, right?" Rarity was flabbergasted. "Oh! Of all the fool-headed, absolutely ridiculous sentiments, you chose that one?!" Applejack nodded solemnly. "Ah'm sorry, Ah shouldn't have brought it up. Why don't ya go back to roasting those..." her eyes shrunk to the size of pinpricks. Rarity narrowed her eyes. "Applejack, darling--no. No. Just please, explain to me why exactly I am... a marshmallow," she said tensely. Applejack bit her lip. "Ya see, when Ah first met ya, Ah thought nothing of it. Ya were just a little, regular filly. But then Ah started to notice something. How white and soft your coat was. Ah didn't want to say anything, in fear you were sensitive about it, but well... Ah couldn't wait any longer." Rarity's face was frozen in a half grimace, half bewilderment. "I'm a certain candy, because my coat is white," she deadpanned. "Well, not exactl--" "Applejack, how could you be so biased?! Just because my coat is a particular color, it doesn't mean in the slightest that I correspond with a food!" she exclaimed, her voice cracking in sheer disbelief. Applejack's ears flattened against her head. "Well, no, not all the time, sugarcube. Ah realized how much ya go to the spa, and Ah know you marshmallow folk don't like to get all dry and crumbly. So, soaking in a nice, hot tub is a great solution!" Rarity's eye twitched. "And how--" she took a deep breath. "How do you propose this happened?" Applejack eye's widened. "You're really not kiddin', are you?" Rarity facehooved. "Just answer the Celestia-darned question," she muttered. "Ah thought you were just denying it, but you're serious, Rarity?" Applejack asked, who cleared her throat when Rarity gave her a death glare. "For some reason, Ah wasn't up to date about some of the events in Ponyville. And since most ponies don't talk about it anymore, Ah didn't catch word. So, after Ah was more curious than a cat in a bird's nest, Ah decided to go talk to your parents about ya. They told me that apparently the whole town already knew, but Ah was so far away from the middle of Ponyville that Ah missed it. They said that their oldest daughter was created from a strand of pony DNA... and a strand of marshmallow DNA," Applejack explained, worry creasing her brow. "Ah didn't realize that ya didn't know, Rarity, honestly. Ah'm so sorry, but Ah just wanted to let you know that Ah still love ya as a friend." Rarity was sure her heart had stopped working for a second. "What? You--you talked to my parents?! They said that?!" she squeaked, fanning her eyes. It was so ridiculously random, but yet.... Rarity was embraced by a pair of warm forelimbs, and a head that nuzzled her neck comfortingly. "Listen sugarcube. It's alright. We'll work through this as good friends," Applejack said softly, as Rarity began to hyperventilate. "No--no! It's not, it can't be alright! I didn't know! My parents, Sweetie Belle... Am I not even really--" she cut herself off abruptly of when she caught sight of a flash of cyan within the bushes. She squinted her eyes, her lips falling pulling further and further down with each second. Her body stiffened when she heard the sound of raspy laughter, joined by a deeper, rolling chuckle. Rarity's mouth dropped open as Rainbow Dash, tears of mirth streaming down her face, crawled out of the bushes. "Oh my gosh! Rarity! You should have seen the look on your face!" Rainbow cried, slapping her hooves on the log as she stumbled over. Rarity whirled to the side, and saw Applejack holding her hat to her face in laughter. "Applejack? Rainbow Dash? You mean...?" Rarity found her cheeks alight with an angry blush. "Ooh, ha ha, very funny," she seethed. Applejack finally managed to collect herself, and slung an arm back over Rarity's shoulder. "Hoo, boy! Ya really fell for that! A marshmallow! Heh! Rainbow Dash, that was priceless!" She covered her mouth. Rarity gritted her teeth, and turned her nose up in indignance. "I most certainly did not fall for that." Rainbow Dash smirked. "Alright. If you say so. Marshmallow." So Rarity returned directly to her house, after greatly snubbing her two pranksters and a good number of proper name calling, and sweared to never be so gullible again. She stayed up in bed all night, muttering words of injustice at Applejack and Rainbow Dash. And, since this day, Rarity has never eaten another marshmallow.
ScootChance was a funny thing, Sweetie had grown to learn. It was the sometimes bothersome force that made certain things fall into place. Chance was when she made hay pancakes in the early morning, and Rarity just happened not to be in the mood for the breakfast treat. Chance was when she forgot her homework, but there was a substitute that day for class. It was also when Dinky couldn't come out to play when she had the best idea in all of Equus. Or when Sweetie stumbled upon a filly repeatedly banging her head against a trash can in a dark alley. The rain drizzled around her, and birds circled above in the grey and brooding sky. It was a day that greatly annoyed Sweetie, for everything seemed to move in an extremely sluggish and boring way. Even Pinkie Pie had been a bit quieter than usual when Sweetie had picked up the cupcakes from Sugarcube Corner: pistachio and cream cheese cupcakes to be exact. As much as she'd rather not have to see such cakes in her life, Rarity had had a certain craving, and asked Sweetie to grab the healthiest cupcakes from the store. So that was how she found herself, paperbag grasped between her hooves, standing before a peculiar filly beside the Sofa and Quill Store. Peculiar was a word Sweetie commonly referred to as old and frilly-- used by the uptight ponies of Canterlot-- and she prefered to avoid those things as much as possible. Sure, Rarity could perhaps pull it off when she was being a drama queen, but Sweetie never imagined a situation would call for it. And yet the pony before her could only be fitted with such a word. Her orange coat was streaked with the dust and dirt of the surrounding stones, and her mane was cut short in a tangled bob of magenta hair. Stunted open wings fluttered uselessly be her thin sides, as her cracked hooves kicked against the dirt. Sweetie's bag fell to the ground, and she stared wide eyed in shock. She knew this filly. Well, perhaps know wasn't quite how she would describe their relationship status. Sweetie had heard of her from the whispers of the adults, and from a couple yellowing papers tacked up. She swallowed hard, stepping forward just an inch. It was the orphan. Sweetie Belle hated labels. She despised the way ponies took one word, one utterly simple word, and stuck it on a mare or stallion like it defined them. Because it didn't. Ponies were so much more than just a label, once you got to know them. But Sweetie didn't know the filly. She had no clue who she was, despite the rumors spread around Ponyville. The orphan. The thief. The delinquent. Was she truly any of those things? Sweetie Belle watched her carefully--silently. She looked rugged, but not dangerous. She just seemed broken. *Thud, Thud, thud.* Her constant banging snapped Sweetie out of her stupor. She took a deep breath, and cleared her throat softly. She raised her hoof up just a bit incase the filly got startled. There was no response, save for the thuds of head hitting can. Sweetie bit her lip, and furrowed her brow. "Ahem," she coughed. Sweetie waited ever so patiently, but the other pony made no reply. "Ahemm!" With a deep sigh, the thuds ceased, and a small, rough voice spoke up from the shadows. "What do you what?" Sweetie Belle was taken back by the sarcastic tone, and flattened her ears. "Umm, hi. I just wanted to..." She was cut off by the continuation of banging. Sweetie huffed indignantly. Quietly, she stepped forwards, until she was a couple hooves away from the orange pony. Then, with the biggest smile she could muster, she sat down beside her. "Hi." The filly grimaced in frustration. When she looked up, Sweetie caught notice of her red ringed eyes and swollen forehead, and she gasped. "Oh my gosh!" she squeaked, pulling her away from the trash can. "You're hurting yourself!" The filly pushed away Sweetie's hooves. "Yeah, and why does that matter?" Her voice trembled a bit. Sweetie Belle creased her forehead in concern. "Of course it matters! You're a pony! Ponies shouldn't hurt themselves on purpose!" she protested, carefully rubbing the filly's forehead, who flinched. "But why shouldn't I? It's not like I matter," she grumbled. Sweetie Belle found herself suddenly reaching forward, and embracing the dirty filly. Maybe it wasn't the best choice, but who knew? Sometimes hugs really helped. The filly stiffened in her hold, but didn't fight away. "Listen, just, why are you here?" she whispered, her cheeks flushed. Sweetie Belle smiled as she sat back. "Have you ever had somepony help you before?" The filly squinted her eyes. "Maybe." Sweetie giggled. "Well, I'm here to help you! My name's Sweetie Belle. What's yours?" She offered out her white hoof to the filly. The filly stared at her hoof for a moment, before squeezing her eyes shut and shaking it. "Scootaloo." "That's a nice name," Sweetie replied, to the begrudgement of the filly. Then she waited, and realized Scootaloo had turned back to the trashcan, and was shuddering. Sweetie scooched forward, and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Scootaloo! What's wrong?" She almost knew the answer, but hoped she could still help. Scootaloo furtively wiped her eye. "Nothing." Sweetie Belle clasped her hooves together in a plea. "Scootaloo, I am bond to your assistance now. There are no second chances. Please, let me help you!" Scootaloo glanced up at her light green eyes. "It's the blue pegasus," she breathed, grabbing her knees. "The one with the rainbow mane." Sweetie's mouth opened, and then closed. What? No mention about her lack of parents, nothing about life on the streets, or about her hunger? Just... a pegasus? After Sweetie finally managed to wrap her head around it, she tilted her head. "Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo shrugged. "I don't know her name, but I'll bet you anything with a name that cool, it's definantly her!" But then she sighed. "She'll never notice me." Her head fell forward, only to be stopped by Sweetie Belle. "Notice you?" "Of course! I was watching her today--flying around faster than the speed of light-- and she didn't say anything. I'm sure she saw me, but she didn't say hello! After how much I look up to her, she doesn't even care! But I mean, who can blame her? I'm useless!" Scootaloo cried. Sweetie Belle frowned. "You are not useless!" Scootaloo stomped her hoof on the ground. "But look at my wings! I'll never get off the ground!" She fluttered her limbs to demonstrate their weakness. "So? You don't need to, Scootaloo. Maybe you'll fly someday, and maybe you won't! But Rainbow Dash won't care!" Sweetie said. "Then why hasn't she come to me yet?" Scootaloo scrunched her muzzle. "If I could fly, she might finally say something!" Sweetie Belle bit her lip. "Listen. Sometimes... ponies get nervous around others. They might not know what to say, in some situations." Scootaloo looked down. "It's because I'm an orphan, isn't it?! Ponies are too darn scared that I'll bite their head off that they can't even talk to me?! Sweetie Belle shook her head. "Well, I'm here, aren't I?" Scootaloo opened her mouth. "--I guess you are," she muttered, her face red. Sweetie Belle grinned slyly. "And I think I know what to do to get Rainbow's attention," she said. Scootaloo's eyes widened. "What?" "You're gonna have to sleep over at my house to hear the answer!" She squealed when Scootaloo's arms came down, but she softened when she realized it was just a hug. Scootaloo squeezed her chest. "Really?" Sweetie nodded sincerely. "Really." ~~~~~~ Chance was a wonderful thing. It was what made Sweetie Belle, offering over her cupcakes, walk to Carousel Boutique. It was what made Scootaloo eagerly follow behind, laughing at her joke. Chance was what made Rarity open the door, and allow a small stranger in their home. And it was what made Sweetie Belle find a pony who was in need of a friend.
Is it Wrong?It was one of those rainy, dreary nights that made everypony want to curl up and go to sleep. The rain pounded out a lullaby on the windows, and the wind whispered a song of warmer days. Twilight, however, didn't feel quite the same. Since the whole world was enveloped in a calm fog, she decided there would be no better time for reading a good book. She, with a flick of her magic, lit a roaring fire in the hearth, and settled down beside it with a book tucked under her wing. As she opened it, she pulled over a blanket and sighed contently. "Twilight?" She glanced up from her warm nest, and tilted her head towards the direction of the voice. A pink muzzle poked over the threshold, followed by a familiar face. "Oh, Twilight, I've been looking all over for you." Twilight stifled a giggle as the mare walked over to her. "It is quite a labyrinth, isn't it, Starlight?" Starlight nodded with a careful smile."Definitely a bit tricky," she said, her hoof dragging across the floor. "So, I--uh..." Twilight smiled warmly, patting the spot beside her on the blanket. "Here, come sit down," she said softly. Starlight looked tense for a moment, but quickly covered it up with a grateful nod. "...Of course, Twilight," she replied, lowering herself down next to the princess. She tucked her legs underneath her, and laid down. There rested a warm silence between them, as Starlight stared into the dancing flames. "I'm sorry," she said after a moment. "I-I just--I'm nervous." She refused to meet Twilight's eyes. Twilight studied her carefully, closing her book. "Why are you nervous around a friend?" she asked, following Starlight's gaze to the burning fire. She shifted within her blankets, placing her hoof over Starlight's. Starlight flinched, dropping her eyes to the hoof resting over her own, and flushed lightly. She didn't pull away, however. "Friend?" Twilight raised an eyebrow, trying to find the unicorn's gaze beneath her curled hair. "Starlight? Is something wrong? Of course I'm your friend!" Starlight gave a half smile, swallowing hard. "Can ponies... lose friends? From hurting them? From making them disappointed?" She took a deep, waving breath. Twilight raised her free hoof, and lifted Starlight's chin up to meet her face. Starlight went crimson. "Starlight? Are you alright? You're burning up!" Starlight immediately shook her head, her cheeks aflame. "No, no! I'm fine, I'm good! It's just the fire! Just the fire," she explained frantically, waving her hooves. Twilight nodded unsurely, but didn't press further. "So, you want to know if ponies can lose friends?" she asked quietly, lowering her hoof away from the other mare. Starlight's ears flattened against her head. "No. I already know what that's like. It's just that--what if you don't want to be mine anymore?" She toyed with the end of the blanket anxiously. Twilight creased her brow, her eyes shining. "And why would that happen? I chose you as a friend because of who you are! Because you're a good pony. That won't ever change, Starlight," she said warmly. Starlight grimaced, hanging her head. "But what if you're mistaken?" Twilight's mouth fell open. "I am not mistaken!" Starlight closed her eyes. "But what if you don't know me? How do you know I'm a good pony now?!" Her hoof trembled. Twilight held her hoof still, which caused Starlight to go lightheaded. "I thought you had moved past who you used to be. I thought you knew I... that we all love you for trying to be a better pony," she protested. Starlight didn't move. "Is it wrong?" Twilight ran her tongue over her own dry lips. "What?" she whispered. Starlight was silent for a moment, until she finally met Twilight's violet eyes. "Is it wrong that I'm not disgusted?" The alicorn pulled back, bewilderment written on her features. "Disgusted at what?!" Starlight made an incoherent noise, her nose wrinkling up. "Disgusted at my feelings, my actions, and my principals. Is it wrong... that they're not all gone?" Twilight didn't answer at first. "Is it so horrible that I want to change, but these thoughts won't go away? Every night--every night, I lie awake--" Starlight broke off with a strangled sob, tears pooling around her eyes. Twilight pulled her into her side with a wing, and leaned comfortingly against her. "I lie awake and think about the village, all the ponies that lived there," she continued. "I was their leader, and they looked up to me. Everyone was equal and.... and I liked it. I still like it, Twilight." Starlight stopped, and buried her face in Twilight's chest, shuddering. Her voice was muffled as she spoke. "I guess I just loved... belonging." Twilight brought a hoof through her hair. "Starlight, can I tell you something?" she asked, pulling the mare up. Starlight nodded solemnly. "I know this must be hard for you. It was your sanctuary, and your haven for all those years. You have a right to miss it, no matter how misguided you were. Sometimes life changes drastically, and it's not always easy to accept that, even for the best." Starlight looked up. "What do you mean?" Twilight smiled halfheartedly. "I didn't want to become an alicorn, or even a princess, for that matter. But I did, because I knew it was the best choice. Sometimes, when I think about it too much, yes, I would like to go back to living as a regular unicorn. But that's what makes you a good pony, Starlight. You're doing it anyways. Yearning for equality is a great thing, but sometimes in life, ponies just need the magic of friends to show them what they're missing." Starlight rubbed her face dry. "You really think so? You don't hate me?" she asked. "Of course not, you silly filly. I would never, ever hate you," Twilight said seriously. "You're my friend." Twilight pulled Starlight in a heartfelt hug, digging her chin into the crook of her neck. "And don't you ever forget that." Starlight squeaked, her heart pounding in her ears, and blood rushing to her cheeks. "O--okay," she stammered, almost sighing in disappointment when Twilight sat back. "I do want to change." Twilight grinned, a sight that made Starlight's stomach fill with butterflies. Then Starlight looked back down. "I was thinking that, since I need to move on, that I could change my appearance, just a little? With a hair cut?" She bit her lip, her eyes wide with hope. Twilight held her hoof up in her own grasp, giggling. "That sounds like a great idea."
Marshmallow"Applejack, darling, would you be so kind as to tell me what you're doing?" Applejack cocked her head to the side, swallowing hard. Her hooves grasped the stick held over the orange flames. "What do ya mean, Rarity?" she asked. Rarity huffed, flipping her perfectly styled mane out of her eyes. "I mean exactly what it sounds like, darling! You've been sitting here, staring at me for over four minutes straight! And look, your marshmallow's getting all icky. It's practically black!" Applejack raised an eyebrow, setting down the stick and picking up the dessert in her hoof. "Well, what if Ah happen to like the color black?" she responded, making a face as she chewed it carefully. Rarity scrunched up her muzzle. "Yes... ah, no. You see, there wasn't really a meaning for that, as my point still stands, Applejack. And you should seriously stop eating that repulsive piece of food; it is quite disturbing." Applejack, muttering something incoherent, spit the marshmallow out (much to the unicorn's horror). "Fine. Ah was just thinking, that's all." Rarity tapped her hoof against the log they were sitting on, and gazed around at the shadows and towering trees. "We all think, don't we? I think about what dresses I'm going to create, when Sweetie's next concert is, all the work I need to get done. You think about your apples... the apples, and uh.." she trailed off, ignoring the burning look the farm mare shot her. She cleared her throat. "Point is, nopony acts quite so strangly from just thinking of regular things. Pray tell, what exactly were you thinking about?" Applejack shifted uncomfortably. "Oh come on! I'm going to get it out of you, Miss Element of Honesty!" Rarity teased, jabbing Applejack in the ribs, as she leaned forward. "I came with you on this little camping trip, and now that my curiosity is piqued, I'm not leaving you alone without an answer!" Her diamond eyes shone with mischief. Applejack sighed. "You're not going to stop asking?" Rarity waved her hoof in the air. "Heavens, no," she giggled lightly. She seemed to take pleasure in her friend's wince. "Ya'll are gonna throw a fit," Applejack protested, avoiding her gaze. Rarity pursed her lips. "Oh, hardly, Applejack. You know how ladylike and controlled I am, do you not?" she said, while fluttering her eyelashes. Applejack chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Heh. Ah guess it is kinda silly, If Ah think about it." Rarity nodded. "Well go on," she lilted. Applejack brought up the stick, and pointed it at Rarity. "You're a marshmallow." Rarity didn't speak for a second, with only her mouth hanging open. "What?" she gaped. Applejack placed her hoof over Rarity's. "A marshmallow. Like this one right here. Those little--" Rarity slapped her hooves away, a look of shock written on her face. "Yes, I know what they are!" she snapped. "Of course I do! But why the hay am I one?" Applejack held up a hoof. "Oh, Ah knew you were touchy about this, although it did take a while to figure it out. See, it's so obvious now! But no need to feel ashamed about it, sugarcube," she reassured. "Ah just wanted to tell you it's okay. But Ah know it's silly, because you already know Ah accept you, right?" Rarity was flabbergasted. "Oh! Of all the fool-headed, absolutely ridiculous sentiments, you chose that one?!" Applejack nodded solemnly. "Ah'm sorry, Ah shouldn't have brought it up. Why don't ya go back to roasting those..." her eyes shrunk to the size of pinpricks. Rarity narrowed her eyes. "Applejack, darling--no. No. Just please, explain to me why exactly I am... a marshmallow," she said tensely. Applejack bit her lip. "Ya see, when Ah first met ya, Ah thought nothing of it. Ya were just a little, regular filly. But then Ah started to notice something. How white and soft your coat was. Ah didn't want to say anything, in fear you were sensitive about it, but well... Ah couldn't wait any longer." Rarity's face was frozen in a half grimace, half bewilderment. "I'm a certain candy, because my coat is white," she deadpanned. "Well, not exactl--" "Applejack, how could you be so biased?! Just because my coat is a particular color, it doesn't mean in the slightest that I correspond with a food!" she exclaimed, her voice cracking in sheer disbelief. Applejack's ears flattened against her head. "Well, no, not all the time, sugarcube. Ah realized how much ya go to the spa, and Ah know you marshmallow folk don't like to get all dry and crumbly. So, soaking in a nice, hot tub is a great solution!" Rarity's eye twitched. "And how--" she took a deep breath. "How do you propose this happened?" Applejack eye's widened. "You're really not kiddin', are you?" Rarity facehooved. "Just answer the Celestia-darned question," she muttered. "Ah thought you were just denying it, but you're serious, Rarity?" Applejack asked, who cleared her throat when Rarity gave her a death glare. "For some reason, Ah wasn't up to date about some of the events in Ponyville. And since most ponies don't talk about it anymore, Ah didn't catch word. So, after Ah was more curious than a cat in a bird's nest, Ah decided to go talk to your parents about ya. They told me that apparently the whole town already knew, but Ah was so far away from the middle of Ponyville that Ah missed it. They said that their oldest daughter was created from a strand of pony DNA... and a strand of marshmallow DNA," Applejack explained, worry creasing her brow. "Ah didn't realize that ya didn't know, Rarity, honestly. Ah'm so sorry, but Ah just wanted to let you know that Ah still love ya as a friend." Rarity was sure her heart had stopped working for a second. "What? You--you talked to my parents?! They said that?!" she squeaked, fanning her eyes. It was so ridiculously random, but yet.... Rarity was embraced by a pair of warm forelimbs, and a head that nuzzled her neck comfortingly. "Listen sugarcube. It's alright. We'll work through this as good friends," Applejack said softly, as Rarity began to hyperventilate. "No--no! It's not, it can't be alright! I didn't know! My parents, Sweetie Belle... Am I not even really--" she cut herself off abruptly of when she caught sight of a flash of cyan within the bushes. She squinted her eyes, her lips falling pulling further and further down with each second. Her body stiffened when she heard the sound of raspy laughter, joined by a deeper, rolling chuckle. Rarity's mouth dropped open as Rainbow Dash, tears of mirth streaming down her face, crawled out of the bushes. "Oh my gosh! Rarity! You should have seen the look on your face!" Rainbow cried, slapping her hooves on the log as she stumbled over. Rarity whirled to the side, and saw Applejack holding her hat to her face in laughter. "Applejack? Rainbow Dash? You mean...?" Rarity found her cheeks alight with an angry blush. "Ooh, ha ha, very funny," she seethed. Applejack finally managed to collect herself, and slung an arm back over Rarity's shoulder. "Hoo, boy! Ya really fell for that! A marshmallow! Heh! Rainbow Dash, that was priceless!" She covered her mouth. Rarity gritted her teeth, and turned her nose up in indignance. "I most certainly did not fall for that." Rainbow Dash smirked. "Alright. If you say so. Marshmallow." So Rarity returned directly to her house, after greatly snubbing her two pranksters and a good number of proper name calling, and sweared to never be so gullible again. She stayed up in bed all night, muttering words of injustice at Applejack and Rainbow Dash. And, since this day, Rarity has never eaten another marshmallow.
