The Littlebat Trilogy: Book 2
Sunlight streamed through the window of Berry Punch’s cottage. Nitevision had fallen asleep on his back, lying in his basket, with his tummy soaking in the warm rays of the sun. Berry Punch had decided to close her tavern that day, in order to take full advantage of the beautiful summer day. Across town, Rarity had also decided to take the day off, to spend time with her little sister Sweetie Belle. Berry Punch had been considering what to do with her day, when the idea of a picnic floated into her mind. It was a beautiful day, and she decided that her child would likely benefit from a little time out in the sun with the fresh air.
While going on a picnic with family can be fun, Berry Punch had figured that it would likely be more fun for her, and for her child, if they invited a friend to join them. On her way through Ponyville to pick up some things to eat on their picnic, she ran into Rarity, who was ironically doing the same exact thing. Berry Punch took a moment to admire the mare’s brand new sun hat, before saying hello.
“Well hello, Rarity! Lovely day, isn’t it?” Berry Punch asked, taking a deep breath of the clean summer air.
“Ah, it most certainly is darling.” Rarity said. The earth pony had always loved the unicorn’s accent.
“Do you have any plans for enjoying this beautiful weather?” The mare asked, making a conscious effort to not inadvertently imitate Rarity’s accent.
“I was actually out purchasing some sweets for a picnic, and by the looks of things, you might be doing the same?” Rarity asked, looking closely at Berry’s attire.
Berry Punch was dressed in a light gown, with a floppy hat with the purpose of keeping the sunlight from singeing her fur.
“As a matter of fact, I am. Taking Littlebat with me. He could use the fresh air. As a matter of fact, I was actually out looking for company. Maybe if you aren’t busy,”
“We’d be delighted to join you!” Rarity said, cutting Berry Punch off mid-sentence. The earth pony smiled at her unicorn friend.
“Wonderful!” She exclaimed. “I will go grab Littlebat. I’m positive he’ll be beyond ecstatic to see Sweetie Belle.
“He’s a great friend to her.” Rarity agreed. “Well, I have to go prepare for the occasion, so what say you we meet back here within the hour, and we shall settle on a place to dine?” She asked.
“That seems reasonable.” Berry Punch concluded. “I will see you then!”
An hour later, Berry Punch returned to Sugarcube Corner, her child following behind. Rarity and Sweetie Belle were waiting for them. Nitevision smiled at his best friend, who had been outfitted with one of Rarity’s hoof made sun hats. Naturally, the hat was too big for her, and it covered her eyes.
“Oh…my…goodness…” Rarity said, as her eyes landed on Nitevision. Berry Punch grinned.
“You like his outfit?” She asked. Before the duo had left the house, Nitevision’s mother had outfitted him with a tiny little bow tie that hung loosely around his throat. Rarity picked him up by his sides, and rubbed her nose against his.
“He’s just so adorable!” The unicorn gushed. Sweetie Belle looked down at the ground, beginning to blush.
“Rarity, would you please stop embarrassing me?” She asked. Nitevision’s heart melted when he heard the slight whistle that accompanied Sweetie Belle’s voice. Rarity sighed, and put the bat pony down.
“Fine, but I know that you agree with me on how adorable he is.” Rarity teased her sister. Now it was Nitevision’s turn to blush.
“Do we know where we’re going, Rarity?” Nitevision asked. The unicorn nodded.
“I know a beautiful spot that I used to take Sweetie Belle to when she was a newborn. There’s a little lake, with a beach, and a really beautiful spot on the opposite side, with a waterfall and everything.”
“That sounds incredible!” Berry Punch said happily. “I brought my picnic basket.”
“Wonderful!” Rarity replied, picking up her own basket with her magic. She had originally been using Sweetie Belle’s back to carry it, so that she wouldn’t get her hooves dirty. “Shall we?” Nitevision and Sweetie Belle exchanged glances, then both smiled shyly. Berry Punch and Rarity watched the young ponies, then smiled at one another. So far, the plan to bring the ponies together was working well.
Nitevision and Sweetie Belle bounded down the trail, both running as fast as they could. The two ponies had become the best of friends, and were now looking for a place to play together. Granted, Nitevision’s wings were too small to fly, and Sweetie Belle was not adept at magic yet, so they had to find other ways to play together without using their racial abilities. Not far behind them, Berry Punch and Rarity strolled leisurely along a path, striped with shadows and sunlight. The pair were chatting casually as they walked, when Rarity stopped all of a sudden, listening for the voices of Sweetie Belle and Nitevision. Berry Punch froze as well, realizing that her child had vanished. Rarity looked over at her, and chuckled. Both mare’s knew what the others were up to.
“Where do you think Sweetie Belle ran off to?” Rarity asked, with mock concern in her voice.
“I haven’t the slightest idea.” Berry Punch replied, narrowing her eyes.
“Perhaps, we should continue on, and enjoy the cake without them?” Rarity asked. Berry Punch nodded, then winked at her unicorn friend.
“But Nitevision loves cake! It would be a shame for him to miss it.” She replied with a slight grin that quickly faded when their carefully laid trap had failed. Rarity shrugged, and both mares continued to walk down the forest path, looking around quietly. Seconds after the pair stepped into a small clearing, both Sweetie Belle and Nitevision jumped into the path.
“Boo!” They shouted simultaneously. Rarity shrieked, and Berry Punch howled with laughter. She had known all along that the pair was planning to scare them, and as a result had prepared herself for it. She ruffled her son’s mane, then fake reprimanded him for scaring Rarity, all the while smiling at him. Rarity brushed herself off, then chuckled at her sister, jokingly pulling the mare’s hat down over her eyes before walking off.
“I’m hungry.” Berry Punch complained. “Are we close?” Rarity smiled.
“Better,” she replied. “We’re here.” Nitevision and Sweetie Belle rushed over to the edge of the lake, and stopped short of it.
“Go on,” Sweetie Belle encouraged. “You jump in first.” Nitevision shook his head. “What’s the matter? Are you afraid of water?” She teased. The bat pony laughed, and shook his head.
“No,” he explained. “I just don’t want to go swimming before we eat is all.” Sweetie Belle smiled at him.
“I suppose that makes sense.” She replied with a shrug.
“Sweetie? Littlebat?” Rarity called. “Time for lunch!” Nitevision looked over at Sweetie Belle.
“Race ya.” He challenged.
“You’re on!” Sweetie Belle chuckled. “One, two, three, GO!” She said, racing away.
“Hey, no fair!” Nitevision shot back, running as fast as he could. Both bat pony and unicorn reaching the picnic at the same exact time.
“Eat up.” Rarity said, presenting row upon row of desserts. Nitevision’s eyes widened at the sight of the nearly endless supply of sweets lying before him. Granted, the buffet of dessert brought him great joy, but there was one thing that made him truly happy, and that was the friendship he had created with Sweetie Belle.