The Derpy I Know And Love Volume 2: Shooting Stars Are Not Always Lucky

Chapters

CHAPTER ONE: Pinkie and Rainbow
CHAPTER TWO: Muffins and Twilight
CHAPTER THREE: Shooting Star
CHAPTER FOUR: More Bad News
CHAPTER FIVE: Ponies in the Mist
CHAPTER SIX: The Truth Comes Out
CHAPTER SEVEN: What Friendship is Worth
CHAPTER EIGHT: Back to Normal?

CHAPTER ONE: Pinkie and Rainbow

Rainbow Dash wasn’t lazy, not completely. But being the athlete she was, and with all her activity, she needed a lot of sleep to recharge. That’s perhaps the reason for so many cat naps. Even after a good night’s sleep, she’d just lay in bed until she had to get up, that’s until lately. She had, about a year ago, invited Pinkie Pie to move in with her. She and Pinkie were never an “item” as Twilight might say. But they’d shared beds and themselves in the past. Perhaps more often than Rainbow cared to claim. But things had changed.

Rainbow was laying in bed not really wanting to get up. But the smell of pancakes were wafting back to the bedroom. Since Pinkie moved in, Rainbow was eating well. Pinkie was a fantastic baker and a very good cook. Rainbow was afraid with how well she was being fed she’d be too heavy to fly. But Rainbow worked out daily, and sex with Pinkie was enough to keep her pulse up and the sweat flowing.

Rainbow heard Pinkie’s pet name for her called from the kitchen. She smiled because she knew what’s coming. The biggest difference with cloud houses, other than hard to have Earth and Unicorn Pony friends over , was that the cloud floor kept you from hearing any hoof steps. Never the less, Rainbow knew what’s coming, which brought the smile to her face.

Rainbow felt a kiss on her cheek.

“Wake up Dashie! Pancakes are getting cold.”

Rainbow turned her head and looked into those big beautiful blue eyes, then came the real kiss. She could taste that Pinkie had been sampling the pancakes.

“Blueberry?”

“Can’t fool you Dashie!”

Then Pinkie followed up with an even more passionate kiss. The kiss worked down Dash’s neck, chest and was still headed down.

“I thought the pancakes were getting cold.”

“Yes, but I’m getting hot!” Replied the pink pony.

Dash had never considered a long term relationship. Not that she didn’t like having somepony to share with. As she’d explained to Twilight, that there had been several occasions that she’d found herself with Pinkie. Pinkie could be so random, so infuriating, so confusing. But Pinkie had an almost magical way of beating Rainbow to any destination, even with Rainbow having a head start. Truly a trait needed for a companion to herself, somepony who could keep up with her.

But Muffins and Twilight had shown her how great having somepony there to share with all the time. Rainbow had to realize it’d be nice to have a partner she could count on. Nothing so grandiose as marriage, as with Twilight and Muffins or Applejack and Rarity. But having a pony to be comfortable with. Plus when she thought back, some of the best sex she’d ever had was with Pinkie Pie.

It was getting hard for Rainbow to think about these things with Pinkie’s tongue in her marehood.

Rainbow grabbed Pinkie and turned her around, without Pinkie missing a beat, a giggle was the only reaction.

Rainbow was never sure if it was because of her job or if it was just the way Pinkie was made, but she truly had a sweet tasting marehood, it was like candy. This made it more enjoyable to have oral sex with the pink pony.

Soon they were busy trying to out please the other.

The first time with Pinkie, Rainbow was taken aback. Pinkie didn’t moan, squeal, groan, or scream. Pinkie laughed! At first, Rainbow thought it a commentary on her performance. But with time she came to realize it was Pinkie expressing sheer joy. Now Rainbow lived to make the pink pony laugh. Pinkie still could be irritating and random. but Rainbow was comfortable with it.

Rainbow never fully understood why she was attracted to mares. She wasn’t like AJ and Rarity or Muffins and Twilight. They were attracted to a specific pony, being a mare had nothing to do with it.

Rainbow knew mares like Bon-Bon and Lyra who said that they were born mare-lovers. They’d argued in the past with Rainbow it’s the way it worked and Rainbow just didn’t realize it.

But Rainbow knew she’d made a choice after testing both sides of the fence. She’d been with colts, and had enjoyed the sex thoroughly. But there was something about a mare. The big eyes, the curving muzzle, the pleasing voice. And to tell the truth she much preferred a soft mare’s tongue in her marehood than a colt’s hard ‘thing’.

There was no external reason in the past to account for it. No mistreatment by colts. No fears or misunderstandings. She was just happy with being a mare-lover.

Pinkie, on the other hoof, was different.

Dash had joked at Muffins and Twilight’s announcement party all Pinkie needed in a partner was a pulse. It wasn’t that Pinkie was a slut, whore or loose pony. Pinkie loved life, loved fun, and loved joy. And she took joy where ever it came.

And like her, Pinkie had come to see the value in a stable relationship. So she’d reached out to Rainbow Dash, perhaps the only pony in Equestria who had the stamina to keep up with her. Plus everypony knew Pinkie considered Rainbow a hottie.

Pinkie and Dash had moved on to grinding their marehoods together. The feeling this morning was so good, Rainbow looked at Pinkie. Her eyes were closed and there was a look of complete satisfaction on her beautiful face. Pinkie considered Rainbow a hottie, but Rainbow secretly considered Pinkie a beauty that rivaled Rarity.

Dash, always the fast one, had already climaxed, and she could tell that Pinkie wasn’t far behind. Pinkie was laughing hard. It was a cross between a ticklish laugh and a maniacal laugh. Rainbow could tell she’d got Pinkie good! Pinkie collapsed to the bed, then weakly crawled up to Rainbow’s face then kissed her long and deep. A roll with Pinkie in the morning was the best way to wake up thought Rainbow.

“You’re such a freak in the sack, Pinkie!”

“I love you too Dashie!” then she gave Dash another quick kiss.

Rainbow froze for a quick moment. Pinkie had been saying that a lot lately. It wasn’t that Rainbow didn’t care for the pink pony. In fact, she enjoyed immensely the time she was spending with Pinkie. She’d even be willing to admit that she cared for Pinkie deeply. But the ‘love’ thing just sounded too sappy.

Pinkie got up and trotted off to the kitchen while Rainbow went and brushed her mane just enough to look like she didn’t have to do anything but to let it fall into place naturally.

When Rainbow got the kitchen the pancakes had been reheated and were delicious.

Pinkie was getting ready to go to work at Sugarcube Corner. She was putting on her safety helmet.

“See you at lunch?” asked Pinkie.

“Sure, see you then.”

Pinkie gave Rainbow a kiss slightly larger than the regulation ‘see you later’ kiss and headed out the door. Rainbow had to admit that Pinkie knew how to make a pony happy. The next thing she heard was the whirly-gig descending to earth.

CHAPTER TWO: Muffins and Twilight

The lab was dark and silent. Suddenly, there was a brilliant flash, equipment was scattered, an alarm sounded. Moments later the guards entered the room to find four Unicorns in lab jackets laying on the floor. They were motionless, one was still breathing.

“Get the medics!” shouted Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard.

Twilight was working under the sink fixing a small leak. She was finishing up when she felt her tail being moved aside. Before she could say anything, she felt a tongue enter her marehood and start licking on her clitoris.

“Rainbow! I told you not to do that here, Muffins will catch us!”

“You only wish,” said Muffins muffled.

“I can’t work with you doing that.”

“It appears to be working for me.”

Muffins was so good at pleasing Twilight, she was close in no time. The orgasm was about to crest when they heard the front door open.

“Mommy! Mom!” cried Dinky.

Twilight hit her head trying to pull out from under the sink too quickly. There was quite the constellation of stars.

Muffins was able to get her muzzle out from under Twilight’s tail in time to avoid some unnecessarily embarrassing questions.

Dinky ran into the kitchen excited.

“What’s the matter Cookie?” Asked Muffins.

“Mom, Mommy!” she said excited, “Uncle Shining is coming!”

“Shining?” replied Muffins.

Twilight was weak in the knees. A result of the blow to the head and the interruption of what was about to be a good orgasm.

“Where is he?” asked Twilight.

“Coming down the street in one of those neat carts pulled by Pegasi. Like the ones we rode in Canterlot.”

Muffins looked at Twilight, this wasn’t the norm. The two went to the door and there was Shining Armor in a cart drawn by six Pegasi.

“Twilie, Muffins, thank Celestia you’re here.” Said Shining without prologue, “how fast can you be ready to go to Canterlot?”

“What’s wrong?” Asked Twilight.

“I’m not allowed to go into it. I’m commanded to bring you and the children to Canterlot right away. Don’t worry about packing. You’ll be provided for.” Shining’s face was almost grim. Twilight knew not to ask any questions. They called for Dinky and put Dawn in her foal carrier saddle bag. Spike was sent to find Sparkler. Spike was to stay to watch the library.

Twenty minutes later they were flying to Canterlot. Muffins was flying along side to save weight.

“What’s this all about?” asked Twilight softly to her brother.

“Something’s happened and the princesses want to tell you all themselves. Princess Celestia thought it best that I handle this.”

“How bad is it?” asked Twilight, always a little paranoid.

“That’s hard to say,” said Shining, “in a way it’s a good thing. But...

I just can’t go into it.”

“Is it the reason you’re in Canterlot?” asked the sister.

“No,” said Shining, “Cadence and I are here to meet with Princesses Celestia and Luna about Crystal Empire matters.”

Shining would say no more. Twilight didn’t know what to think.

They landed at Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia and Luna were waiting for them.

“Twilight, Muffins, children,” said Celestia, “something has happened which affects all of you. And even I’m unsure how this will play out, follow us.”

Celestia and Luna led them into the castle and to the hospital wing. They stopped outside an isolation room.

“Brace yourselves,” said Luna.

Celestia opened the door. There looking out a window was a gray stallion with red mane and tail. On his flank, a comet cutie mark. Muffins knees buckled and slumped against Twilight.

“Daddy?” said Sparkler in unbelief.

Twilight helped push Muffins back to her hooves.

“Shooting?” said Muffins weakly.

“Muffins! Sparkler!” he cried. He rushed over grabbing the two then planted a large kiss on Muffins.

“NOOOOO!” screamed Twilight turning and galloping out of the room. A frightened Dinky followed.

Luna followed Twilight down the hall.

There at the end of a corridor she found Twilight sitting on her haunches holding Dawn and Dinky tightly. Her eyes were wide, she was deathly pale, and tears were pouring from her eyes.

“No! No! No! No! No! No!” Twilight was repeating.

Luna couldn’t remember in all her long life ever seeing a pony this crushed and terrified, even from her memories as Nightmare Moon.

“Twilight?” said Luna softly.

Twilight looked at her. In her face was a look she could only imagine what a pony would look like if they had their very soul ripped from them.

“Oh Luna,” said Twilight, tears pouring from her eyes.

“Come here,” said Luna, trying to calm Twilight, reaching out to her.

Twilight buried her face in Luna’s chest weeping uncontrollably. Dinky was crying out of fear. Luna held them all close and said nothing.

The princess was immortal, almost godlike with the wisdom of having lived many centuries. But she was at a loss with this. In the back of her mind she only wished somepony loved her this much.

“NOOOOO!” screamed Twilight turning and galloping out of the room. A frightened Dinky followed.

Luna followed Twilight down the hall.

Muffins pushed away quickly. She looked frightened.

“What’s wrong? Aren’t you glad to see me?” asked Shooting.

Shooting looked closely at Muffins and noticed her eyes for the first time. Then he looked at Sparkler.

“How long have I been out?” he asked, “Sparkler looks so much bigger!”

“You’ve been missing, presumed dead for almost ten years,” said Celestia.

“Highness!” said Shooting, only now noticing that the princess was there.

“There was an explosion in the lab, you and the other Unicorns vanished, assumed destroyed. It injured Muffins, as you may’ve noticed, she was hospitalized for two months. The little filly you saw is yours. Muffins didn’t find out until after you were gone.”

“Who were the other ponies in here? Why did the one mare react the way she did?”

“One was my sister, Princess Luna. My apprentice and her companions released her from being Nightmare Moon, and she now rules with me.” Said Celestia, not sure how to continue. “The other, the one who reacted is Twilight Sparkle, my apprentice and...”

“And my wife!” interrupted Muffins. “The foal is hers and mine.”

Muffins turned and left to find Twilight.

“Wife?” asked Shooting to nopony in particular. Shooting sat stunned. The news was overwhelming.

“Perhaps we should let you rest,” said the princess.

“I’ll stay,” said Sparkler. “Questions need answered.”

Celestia nodded and left.

Muffins left the room and went looking for Twilight. She saw Luna coming down the hall.

“Muffins Sparkle, or is it Star now,” said the princess flatly, “come with me.”

“Sparkle, and I’m looking for Twilight.”

“And I’m taking you to her.”

Muffins noted the look on the princess’ face.

“Is she okay?”

“The appearance of your, I guess he’d be, late ex-husband was a shock to yourself. But to see you kiss him wasn’t anything Twilight was ready for.” Said Luna with an annoyed tone.

Muffins stopped in her tracks.

“He kissed me!” said the blue-gray Pegasus, “and I stopped him right away. I loved him at one time, maybe there’s still a fondness for him. But more nostalgia than affection. But I love Twilight, more than anything, more than I ever did him! I’d rather die than hurt her.”

Luna smiled, Muffins realized that she was being tested.

“I hoped you’d say as much.” Said Luna. “Twilight is in shock. All she saw was the kiss and it terrified her. You’ve probably noticed by now her insecurity, despite all her power and knowledge, she’s as unsure of herself as a small filly.

What she saw was her worst fear come to life.”

Tears came to Muffins eyes.

CHAPTER THREE: Shooting Star

“This is too much for me to take in.” Said Shooting Star, “I understand I’ve been gone for ten years, but to me it was yesterday. You’re grown, I’ve another daughter, and your mother is now a mare-lover.”

“Right on two out of three counts.” Said Sparkler, “you’re right about Cookie and me, but Mom isn’t a mare-lover. Yes she’s deeply in love with Twilight Sparkle. They were married in a state wedding here at the castle. But Mom isn’t in love with Twilight because she’s a mare.”

“What’s the difference? She’s married to a mare.”

“It took some time for me to understand it.

In the accident, mom had been injured badly. The only thing that didn’t heal was her eyes. But because of those eyes most ponies counted her out as some type of idiot. They called her names such as Ditsy Do and Derpy. So often most ponies didn’t know she’d a proper name. But mom worked hard at two jobs to raise Cookie and me as best she could. But it was hard on her. Without getting to know her, most ponies avoided her. She did make some friends and Uncle Hooves was around but she led a very lonely life.

Then about three years ago it was discovered that Nightmare Moon was returning. Most ponies had only considered her an ‘Old Pony’s Tale’, but Princess Celestia had her apprentice come to Ponyville to oversee the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. Twilight didn’t know that she was being sent to defeat Nightmare Moon. Twilight had grown up without close friends or personal relationships. She’d put all herself into being the honor graduate at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns.

Twilight was put into the position to have to make and depend on friends so that they could wield the Elements of Harmony. They defeated Nightmare Moon, later they defeated Discord, who was trying to unleash chaos on all Equestria. And she was instrumental in defeating an invasion of Changelings. I even witnessed her vanquish an ursa minor single hoofed.

And at no time did she ever try to use these events to build herself up. She remained just the quiet, reserved and slightly eccentric librarian of Ponyville. Every time I’d go to the library, mom would always ask me about my interactions with Twilight.

Her knowledge and power were starting to be well known. I think that’s when mother started being drawn to Twilight. It started as what I thought was just some odd crush. I didn’t understand it. And I think she kept it to herself until her friends Bon-Bon and Lyra married. Perhaps after that she figured it was okay to be a little more open about her feelings towards a mare.

As I said earlier, it wasn’t because she was some beautiful mare, in fact at the time Twilight was just a skinny and plain mare. What attracted her to Twilight was the same thing, so I was told, was what attracted her to you. And that was a pony who was very intelligent and humble.

Twilight had just went through a situation that made her realize that with all her success and all her power, there was something missing at a deep personal level. At the same time, the sadness and loneliness mom was feeling finally came to a head and she asked her boss about somepony to talk to get the pain off her chest. She was told to talk to Twilight because she was the most intelligent pony in Ponyville. At first she didn’t want to go, because of the feelings she was having for Twilight. But she went, and mom and Twilight found they were two ponies who were cut from the same cloth and both were looking for the same thing.

They were in the right place at the right time. Someponies thought it was all too quick almost like the two were just a couple sluts who indulged in gratuitous sex. But mom had developed a deep affection for Twilight and Twilight was ready to be loved by a pony who was in all aspects her equal. It wasn’t lust, not just sex; but a real, deep and life changing love.

They had an announcement party to let family and friends know about their relationship. Twilight and mom tried to make it known they were two ponies in love. The fact they were both mares didn’t enter into the equation. The only thing which mattered was they were in love with each other.

A love so powerful two mares conceived a foal.”

“How was that even possible?” asked Shooting star, still having trouble following the whole chain of events.

“After the wedding there was special ceremony called the ‘Blessing of the Princesses’. Then for their wedding night, understand that I wasn’t there,” said Sparkler blushing, “they indulged in Unicorn Horn Sex. According to Princess Celestia, the combination of the Blessing, the Unicorn Horn Sex and the most important thing, depth of their love for each other along with the regret that they could never have a foal, performed what can only be described as a miracle.

Basically if anypony ever had doubts of their love, it’s expressed in my sister Dawn Sparkle, the first Alicorn born in Equestria in a very long time."

‘To have the power for a female to make another female conceive a foal, and an Alicorn no less’ thought Shooting, ‘she must be a very powerful Unicorn indeed. Perhaps I can use her…’

Luna led Muffins to a room in a secluded wing. The door opened and Muffins saw Twilight laying on a bed watching Dinky playing with Dawn on the bed. The smallest of smiles was on her face as she watched the children she loved so dearly. But her eyes were red from crying. Twilight then noticed the intruders, she saw Muffins and grabbed the children, and the tears started to flow once more.

“Have you come to take away our children too?” said Twilight in fear.

It was like an arrow through Muffins’ heart.

“Oh Darling no!” replied Muffins, her own tears starting to flow.

“No Twilight,” said Luna, “I’ve come to take my nieces with me. I never get to see them.”

“Your nieces?” asked Muffins.

“Twilight’s brother is married to my niece Cadence. Therefore these precious foals are my nieces as well. I’ll watch them for now.” With that Luna’s deep blue magic aura surrounded Dinky and Dawn and they were lifted and followed her out the door.

Twilight’s only objection was a feeble reaching in the direction they left. Then with a quick glance at Muffins, Twilight turned away and sobbed uncontrollably.

Muffins walked to the bed, she placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder, and she could feel the conflict, not sure whether Twilight wanted to pull away or welcome the touch.

“Won’t your Husband be missing you?” Twilight said between sobs.

“My husband died ten years ago. I’m now married to the most wonderful pony in all Equestria.

Who I thought trusted me.”

The comment stung. Twilight turned to look at Muffins.

“You kissed him.” Twilight said in defense.

“He kissed me. If you’d have waited one more moment, you’d have seen me push him away. It may’ve been only yesterday to him. But was ten long years for me. I went throughout the grieving, the hurt, the loneliness of those intervening years.”

Muffins paused.

“Something I never told you, but when I came to see you the first night, I was on the verge of giving up. I was ready die of loneliness and pain, Cookie and Sparkler were the only reasons I’d not taken steps to end it all.

You not only brought love back into my life, you saved my life. If you could feel the way I’m feeling right now with you rejecting me, you’d not say the things you’re saying.”

Muffins saw the look on Twilight’s face.

“Perhaps you are feeling what I feel,” said Muffins regretting the way she’d just had spoken to her wife.

Muffins climbed on the bed and held Twilight close.

“What happens now?” asked Twilight.

“What do you mean?”

“Well he’s Sparkler and Cookie’s father. We can’t act as if he doesn’t exist. He does have the right to see and be with them. Sparkler is old enough to make her own decisions. But I’m not sure how Cookie will take all this. I’m afraid I’ve upset her. And to tell the truth, Shooting Star kissing you confused her more than it did me.

You know him best. Is he just going to give up and let some mare take away his wife?”

“I don’t know. But what ever happens, we’ll face it together, I promise.”

Twilight was exhausted, she cuddled up in her wife’s forelegs and placing her head against Muffins’ chest, and fell asleep. There was finally a smile on her face.

“Rest my Darling, I won’t leave you.” Said Muffins kissing Twilight’s cheek then she gently rocked her wife.

“So I’m just to accept this and act as if nothing had ever been between your mother and myself? I still love her. What if I were to appeal to Princess Celestia?”

“Not advisable.” Said Sparkler flatly. “Twilight’s brother, Shining Armor is Captain of the Royal Guard and is married to Princess Cadence, Celestia and Luna’s niece. Add to that the fact ‘Lady Twilight Sparkle’ is Celestia’s apprentice. Which in itself endows her with all the power of the Crown. If Celestia were to have to make a ruling against Twilight, she’d have to include Twilight in the decision making.

Plus, in my opinion, if these weren’t factors, it’d still be looked at in the same way as if you were lost at sea for ten years and found your way back. After seven years, you’re legally dead. All contracts are void, including marriage ones.

And even if for some reason, Celestia ruled in your favor, what then. You’d have a wife who no longer loved you the way she did ten years ago. Add that to the fact if you forcibly remove her from somepony she loved dearly, it’d not work in your favor.”

Shooting Star sat and thought for a while.

“Well nopony could blame me for trying. I guess I’m alone in this.”

“No Daddy, I’m with you and I’ll help you all I can to get adjusted to being here now. Even without the issue of mother and Twilight, it’d still be an adjustment to be dumped ten years in the future. You’ll need somepony to help you. I can tell my clients that I have to take some time off for family reasons,” said Sparkler with a smile.

“Will Twilight mind?” asked Shooting.

“I care for Twilight, you might say that I love her like a close friend. But she’s not my mother, nor has she ever tried to be. She accepts me as a close friend. You have to understand the depth of that. Her close friends have aided her in saving Equestria at least three times. Most ponies view them as heroes on a legendary scale. I’m honored to be considered as an equal to them by Twilight.

Plus I’m an adult. Mom and Twilight respect me and I live as I please. I stay with them sometimes but I don’t live with them per se.

If I’m not mistaken, your house is still owned by mother. I don’t think there would be any objections to you moving in.”

“So you don’t live in Canterlot?” asked Shooting.

“No we moved to Ponyville not long after mom came home from the accident. That’s where we’ve lived and where mom met Twilight. Twilight was sent to Ponyville from Canterlot, Twilight settled down there after the Nightmare Moon incident. Her parents live here still, and treat Cookie and myself like grandchildren and we love them as well.”

CHAPTER FOUR: More Bad News

Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were eating lunch at a table outside of Sugarcube Corner. Rainbow had come to have lunch with Pinkie but ran into the rest of her friends and they agreed to join her for lunch. They were sitting around laughing when they saw one of Princess Celestia’s carts fly overhead from the direction of the library. They could just make out Twilight and the kids with what looked like Shining Armor in the cart, Muffins was flying along side. They appeared to be headed to Canterlot.

“Now what in the hay do you think that’s ’bout?” asked AJ.

“Must be important for Twilight not to take time to tell us,” said Fluttershy.

“Hold on,” said Rainbow. “Let me go check something.”

Rainbow took off to the library. She was only gone a couple of minutes before streaking back.

“Spike said that Shining Armor came and told them that there was something important that happened and that they needed to leave right away.” Said Rainbow. “It wasn’t made clear what it was, but they had to leave as soon as they could collect Sparkler.”

“That sounds bad,” says Pinkie. “Do you think we should go see what’s going on?”

“Well don’t panic yet Darlings.” Said Rarity. “Let’s finish lunch and if we get no news, then we can follow.”

“Okay,” said Rainbow, not sure how she was feeling about this. Something was bugging her about the whole thing.

They finished lunch, and tried not to hurry as if nothing was going on. But the more they all thought about it, the more apprehensive they became. Pinkie was finally clearing away the dishes when AJ spoke up.

“I think there’s a train leavin’ for Canterlot in ’bout twenty minutes. Rainbow, would you mind flying over to the station and reservin’ us some seats?”

“No problem, AJ.” Said Rainbow. “I’ll reserve five seats and I’ll meet you there at the train station.”

“Please make that four seats,” said Pinkie, “Pound Cake is sick and Mrs. Cake is having to look after him. Mr. Cake is delivering some treats to the retirement home. I have to watch the store until he returns. I’ll get there as soon as I can.”

All agreed, Rainbow took off in the direction of the train station. Fluttershy, AJ and Rarity trotted off in that direction in no hurry. Pinkie went back to her duties.

There was one thing about this that bothered Rainbow. It was that she realized she didn’t say goodbye to Pinkie. And though it wasn’t in her nature, for some reason she felt bad she didn’t kiss the pink pony goodbye either. She only attributed it to the fact that living with Pinkie, all the pink pony’s sappiness was starting to rub off on her.

It was about an hour later when Mr. Cake returned, Pinkie explained what had happened. Carrot Cake thanked Pinkie for staying

Pinkie ran to the back of the store, she was looking at her flying machine trying to decide if she should take the next train or if she should take the whirly-gig to Canterlot. She never flown that far before, and Pinkie was unsure when the next train would be so she made a fateful decision.

She’d reflect on this in the future and would swear that something from the ‘outside’ urged her to make this choice.

A few moments later, Pinkie was rising up in the sky on her whirly-gig and heading in the direction of Canterlot.

The train arrived and the friends got off.

“Should we wait for Pinkie Pie?” asked Fluttershy.

“No,” said Rainbow. “We don’t know how far behind she’s going to be. Let’s go to the castle, we’ll leave a notice for her here in case she doesn’t go straight to the castle.”

They agreed and trotted off in the direction of the castle.

Pinkie was pilot enough to fly her machine to and from her cloud house and perhaps around enough to keep up, most of the time, with Rainbow to the swimming-hole. But a long cross country jaunt like this, and at this altitude was new to her. She didn’t have enough experience to know what it meant when she saw a flock of geese flying, pointing head-on her direction, but were moving sideways.

At the castle, the guards had been instructed to lookout for the group and they were to be taken to the throne room.

The sight that greeted them was amusing. Luna was on the floor playing tickle games with Dawn. Dinky was sitting on Celestia’s throne, wearing Celestia’s tiara. Celestia was standing behind the throne as if in attendance to the monarch. They were in time to hear Dinky order a guard to bring her more ice cream immediately.

Celestia noticed the group enter. She turned to Dinky.

“I’m sorry Princess Cookie, may I attend to our guests?”

“Of course, Aunt Celestia,” she said.

“I’ll stay and attend to Her Highness.” Said Luna levitating her own tiara to Cookie’s head and Celestia’s tiara to Celestia. “Her Highness has yet to get her second ice cream.”

Celestia let the group to the hospital wing of castle, along the way the princess relayed all that happened.

“Oh my gosh!” said Rainbow Dash. “How did Twilight take all this?”

“When she saw Shooting Star kiss Muffins, she basically had a break down.”

“How bad, Your Highness?” asked Rarity.

“That’s to be seen. She’s with Muffins now and we hope she’ll be able to comfort her. But you know Twilight, she can be a little excitable.”

“And Fluttershy can be a little insecure,” said AJ.

Despite the mood there was a couple chuckles, even from the princess and Fluttershy.

They arrived at the room. Celestia opened the door slowly. Muffins was still holding Twilight, rocking her gently. She looked up at her friends and smiled.

“I think the incident has been avoided,” Said Muffins.

“Is she okay?” asked Rainbow.

“I’m fine” said Twilight, her eyes still closed. “It’s amazing the healing power of a good mare.”

“I can vouch for that.” Said AJ putting her foreleg over Rarity and giving her a little hug.

Behind them the door had opened, Sparkler and Shooting Star had entered the room.

Twilight sat up and kissed Muffins.

“Now that was a kiss I can enjoy,” said Muffins looking into Twilight’s eyes.

There was a pained look in Shooting’s eyes as he caught Muffins and Twilight kissing and sitting on the bed embracing each other. It was the first time he really saw Twilight. She wasn’t what he’d been expecting from her description and his quick glance at her before she went screaming out of the room. She was a smallish mare, just out of adolescence and into adulthood. He was having trouble seeing her as the most talented and most powerful Unicorn in Equestria.

It was hard not to think ‘I could take her!’ But he was wise enough to know that Unicorn magic has nothing to do with size or age. If she’s Celestia’s apprentice, and had taken Muffins’ heart, there must be something to her.

“I’m sorry I upset you Ms Twilight,” said Shooting, “imagine yourself in my place. I hope we can be friends in the end. Sparkler told me that you’ve studied my work, I’m honored.”

Twilight was cautious.

“It was required reading at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. I did enjoy how you were able to expand on some things Star Swirl the Bearded had left unanswered.”

“My wife was honored when she found out that she’d be protecting and help raise our children,” finished Muffins.

Sparkler felt the forced politeness was getting hard to maintain.

“Mom, Daddy needs a place to stay, I told him there shouldn’t be any problem for him to stay at the house here in Canterlot.” Said Sparkler.

“Shouldn’t be a problem, it’s his house as well,” answered Muffins.

“I’m going to stay with him for a while, to help him get adjusted, would you mind letting my clients know I’ll be unavailable for a while?” asked Sparkler.

“Of course Honey,” said Muffins, “we’d feel better if you could help your father. Please let us know if we can be of any help. We’ll be heading back to Ponyville in the morning.”

“Twilight,” said the princess, “you look well enough to leave this room, your usual suite is open, you and your wife are welcome to stay the night. But I think it’ll be a problem getting Cookie and Dawn from my sister. She’s not the stern and aloof pony she tries to act. I’ll bring them by when Luna goes on duty. There’re plenty of suites open for your friends.”

To tell the truth it was a little unsettling to hear the princess give the royal treatment to this mixed bag of ponies. But then he remembered Sparkler said these were the wielders of the Elements of Harmony.

“Your Highness,” said Rainbow. “Has any of the guards seen Pinkie Pie?”

“I’m don’t know My Dear,” said the princess, “I’ll have the guard check.”

Princess Celestia left the room.

“I don’t feel right about this.” Said Rainbow, “if you don’t mind I’ll go back to Ponyville. It’s not like Pinkie to be this late.”

Several minutes later the princess returned;

“There’s been no news of her. Perhaps you all should return to Ponyville after all.” There was a strange look in the princess’ eyes. “I’ll have a cart ready for you all.”

Twilight understood when her teacher knew something but had reason not to say it.

“Would it be alright for Cookie to stay with me tonight?” asked Sparkler. “I’ll watch her and will get her home tomorrow. She does need to meet and understand about her father.”

“That’d be no problem,” said Muffins.

“And if there’re any needs, you know your grandparents aren’t far off.” Said Twilight with an unsure look in her eyes.

Luna walked in with the children.

“I understand you’re leaving,” she said. “Thank you for letting me watch after my nieces. Don’t make me wait long before I get to again.”

“Thank you Luna,” said Twilight, levitating Dawn to Muffins.

“Cookie Honey,” said Muffins. “Would you mind staying with Sparkler? She’ll take good care of you, and you need to get to know your father.”

Dinky looked concerned, but she trusted Twilight, Sparkler and her mother.

“I’ll stay mommy.” Said the little filly, trying to be brave.

“We’ll see you tomorrow Sweetie,” said Twilight.

Muffins and Twilight gave her a kiss.

Shooting Star, Sparkler and Dinky left. They walked away from the castle, after a ways Shooting Star turned to Sparkler.

“I’ve a bit of business to take care of, I’ll meet you at home.”

Shooting then turned and trotted off toward the business section of Canterlot.

There was a cart waiting outside of the castle to take Twilight and party back to Ponyville.

“I’ll fly ahead,” said Rainbow. “I’ll see you there.”

“I’ll go with you,” said Fluttershy, “I’ll try not to hold you back.”

Rainbow nodded, then the two Pegasi took to the sky.

The rest of the party were airborne in no time. They could see their friends ahead moving away a good clip.

About ten minutes into the flight, Twilight saw the glint of metal in the light of the setting sun. The shape and color were all too familiar.

“Oh dear Celestia no!” Said the purple pony.

“What is it Darling?” replied her wife.

Twilight pointed at the ground.

“Is... Is that Pinkie’s whirly-gig?” asked AJ.

“I don’t know.” Said Twilight worried. “Rarity, would you take Dawn.”

“Of course,” said the white pony, levitating the foal in her saddle bag carrier from Muffins to her own back. “Be careful.”

“Have them take you straight to Ponyville Hospital and send a flying ambulance.”

Both Muffins and Twilight jumped over the side. Muffins spread her wings and Twilight vanished. There was a purple flash on the ground moments later. AJ and Rarity couldn’t tell what’s gong on. They were out of sight in no time.

Twilight appeared right by the mangled whirly-gig. A large rock was nearby with half of Pinkie’s helmet broken in two, laying by. There was a trail of broken weeds that stretched about twenty feet. At the end of the trail lay a motionless Pinkie Pie. Twilight could see blood oozing from Pinkie’s ears and muzzle. There was also a considerable amount on the ground seeping out from behind her head. Twilight ran to her having to fight the urge to pick her up. She knew you don’t move an accident victim for fear of making the injuries worse. At that moment, Muffins came flying up.

“Oh no,” said Muffins. “Is she alive?”

“I don’t know, I haven’t had a chance to check her.”

Twilight walked up and knelt by the motionless pony, Muffins by her side as Twilight put an ear to Pinkie’s chest.

“There’s a heart beat, and she’s breathing, but barely.”

Pinkie groaned and barely opened her eyes. She only saw shadows, but she could make out Muffins outline.

“Don’t try to move Pinkie,” said Twilight.

“I knew you’d come for me Dashie, I knew I loved you for a reason.” Pinkie closed her eyes and breathed ever so slowly.

“Honey,” said Twilight to Muffins, tears in her eyes. “You need to get in the air so they can find us.”

Muffins nodded and shot up into the sky.

Twilight started a small fire to fight off the chill of the evening. Then she lay next to the pink pony to try to share body heat. Pinkie was cold, and Twilight had a bad feeling about all this. She could see Muffins circling overhead.

It felt like it took forever for the ambulance to get there.

Rainbow and Fluttershy flew to Sugarcube Corner only to find out Pinkie had left only about a hour after everypony else had left. This didn’t bode well for Rainbow. She and Fluttershy flew to Rainbow’s cloud house. Pinkie wasn’t there either. They went outside to check around when they noticed that Celestia’s cart was headed not to the library but it landed at the Hospital.

“No,” said Rainbow under her breath, then took off like a shot toward the hospital. Fluttershy was hard pressed to keep up.

Rainbow landed by the cart, only AJ, Rarity and Dawn were onboard. Rarity saw Rainbow, the white Unicorn looked upset. AJ rushed into the hospital.

“What’s going on? Where’s Twilight and Muffins? Has anypony seen Pinkie Pie?” Rainbow was panicked.

“Rainbow Darling,” said Rarity trying to sound calm. “We think Pinkie may’ve crashed. Twilight and Muffins are checking it out, we’re sending an ambulance, just in case.”

“NO!” screamed Rainbow.

At that moment an air ambulance pulled by four medic Pegasi rushed overhead. Rainbow took off after them.

CHAPTER FIVE: Ponies in the Mist

It was like hitting a wall of wind. Pinkie may have heard Rainbow talking about wind shear but had no idea what one was and what it could do.

Pinkie lost control, she tumbled end over end with the ground coming up fast.

“DASHIE!” she screamed, knowing Rainbow Dash couldn’t hear her. But with the name of her love on her lips, it held the smallest of comforts. It was a blessing of physiology she didn’t actually feel her skull smash against the rock.

All went black.

Pinkie realized she was still thinking, still seeing although all she was seeing was black. There was no actual feeling of temperature.

“I must be dead.” Said Pinkie sadly.

“Not yet My Dear,” said a familiar voice.

The dark lifted, replaced by a swirling mist. There was a low level light which appeared to be coming from the mist itself. There was another glow ahead. Pinkie started noticing she was moving in that direction. The oddest thing was on the edge of sight were the shapes of other ponies all heading in the same direction. The glow came nearer.

“Princess Celestia!” said the pink pony.

“Yes Pinkie My Dear.” Replied the princess.

“Are you dead too?”

“No my child, I’ve existed for much longer than you ponies may realize. So long I exist in your world and in this in-between world at the same time.”

“Are you a god?’ whispered Pinkie in awe.

“No My Dear, my sister and I are powerful and immortal. But we’re not the creator of all things, that’s beyond us. We have some responsibilities to that being, like me being here. I’m here to help guide ponies to what’s beyond.”

“And what’s that?” asked Pinkie, not sure if she wanted to know.

“Even I don’t know. Some have said the flames of Tartarus for misdeeds in life. Some have said the Fields of Elysium for the right doers. Other have said there beyond is oblivion, total non-existence and here is just the brain shutting down and what’s left of the reason is trying to understand what’s going on.”

“What do you think, Your Highness?”

Celestia smiled at the question.

“I believe, I wish that beyond this, we return to the supreme being. Where we rest as part of their existence forever.”

Pinkie was starting to feel the weight of her past life. The run, run, run existence she’d enjoyed. But now she was feeling as if all was catching up with her.

“A good rest would be nice.”

“Before you give in to the feeling all get here, let me tell you this. The reason you and I can pause and talk is that you’re not yet ready to pass over, and there may still be hope for you to return. You can give up now and pass on knowing there’re friends and a lover who’ll honor your memory always. But it may not be necessary to pain them thus yet. It’s up to you to hang on as long as you can, if you do, I’ll be here to help all I can. But I can’t stop the inevitable.”

Pinkie gave Celestia a hug. Celestia hugged back.

“You being here with me is a big help.”

Pinkie felt a love from this being that was beyond words.

It felt like it took forever for the ambulance to get there.

Muffins came flying down. She saw Twilight cuddling the pink pony and fully understood what was going on, but she couldn’t help herself.

“I can’t be gone five minutes and you’re already sleeping with some other pony.”

“If I didn’t love you so much I’d kick you.” Said Twilight with a smile. Then turning serious, “she’s still breathing but I think it’s getting weaker.”

At that moment Rainbow Dash came flying up.

“PINKIE!” she screamed and ran to the pink pony.

Muffins stopped her, Rainbow was amazed at how strong Muffins was.

“She’s alive Rainbow, remember what all Pegasi are taught about a crash victim. Don’t move them or you could make the injuries worse. The ambulance is here. Let’s see if we can help them.”

Rainbow nodded her head and allowed Muffins to lead her off but she didn’t take her eyes off the motionless pony.

Twilight was able to assist by levitating the pink pony to a stretcher and keeping her from changing any position. The medics secured Pinkie to the stretcher and loaded her in the ambulance, then they hitched themselves back to the ambulance.

“May I ride along?” asked Rainbow. Then she realized something. “Wait, Muffins and I can help pull, Twilight can ride. Otherwise, it’d be a long walk back for her.”

It only took a moment to add the spare harnesses that they always carried. The medics gave the signal and six Pegasi took to the air. Rainbow tried her best to get the thing moving at her top speed, but it was too much weight. And despite them moving at a good speed, the other ponies weren’t in Rainbow’s speed class.

As they made it to the hospital, there were several doctors and nurses waiting. One stopped the stretcher and listened with a stethoscope to Pinkie’s chest. Then he opened one eyelid and looked at her eye, then the other.

“Prep her for surgery STAT, her brain is swelling and we need to relieve the pressure,” he said to a nurse.

The stretcher was taken inside, Rainbow tried to follow but she was told she couldn’t go in the O.R.

All waited in the waiting area. They each took turns comforting Dash. A message was sent to spike to let the princesses know and if somepony could let Sparkler know as well.

A few hours later, about eight in the evening, they were told the operation was successful, but the prognosis was still grim. The next few days would tell if she was going to make it or not. Even so, if she did make it, there was no telling what condition she’d be in. There was a lot of brain damage along with the swelling.

They were taken to a room, there Pinkie lay, her head bandaged and most of her pink mane shaved off. Her hind legs were also bandaged. There were wires attached to her chest and an oxygen mask was on her muzzle. The indicators above the bed were moving but not very strongly.

Rainbow started to collapse. Rarity and Twilight helped levitate Rainbow to a chair and moved it by the bed. Rainbow took Pinkie’s hoof.

“I didn’t say goodbye or give her a kiss,” said Rainbow in guilt and pain.

Rainbow kissed Pinkie’s hoof, then put her cheek to the hoof and started crying.

All were standing around watching and waiting when the door behind them opened. They looked, it was Shooting Star.

“Sparkler told me what happened,” he said. “Is there anything I can do?”

“There’s nothing anypony can do. It’s up to Pinkie and time now,” said Muffins.

“Then I need to talk to all of you,” said Shooting Star, “the lobby would be better than in here.”

Muffins and Twilight were bothered by this turn of events.

“Rainbow, you stay here with Pinkie,” said Twilight.

“Celestia and Luna couldn’t make me leave,” said the blue Pegasus.

They walked down the hall to the lobby, there was Sparkler and two Ponyville police officers.

“What’s this all about?” asked Muffins.

“Twilight! I’d nothing to do with this, I tried to reason with him!” said Sparkler.

“Twilight, you’re a very intelligent pony. I’m sure you’ve read the works of Albert Ponystein and the relativity of time?” Asked Shooting.

Twilight’s eyes went wide, Muffins understood as well.

“You’re not serious?” said Muffins.

“What’s he talkin’ ’bout?” asked AJ.

“I may’ve been gone for ten years, but to me it has only been a couple of days. So which is correct?”

Shooting then levitated a document from one of the police officers to Twilight.

“This is a restraining order, It says that you’ll stay away from MY wife and children until what time the courts make a judgment. And with the load in civil court, that could take years.

Also it orders a genetic testing on her foal Dawn to prove the authenticity of her parentage.

The only time you may be around Muffins or the children is with an officer of the law present.”

Both Muffins and Twilight were floored.

“This is ‘one of the most wonderful Unicorns ever’, you told me about?” asked Twilight.

“No, it isn’t!” said Muffins sternly.

“I’ve every right to protect my wife and children,” said Shooting.

“Protect!” exclaimed Twilight, “protect from what?”

“Okay, if you want it in the open in front of all these ponies, then here it is,” said Shooting. “Protect my wife and children from some mare-lover harlot who preys on lonely mares who are defenseless and unawares.”

Twilight’s horn started to glow, her face was grim. Muffins jumped between her and Shooting.

“No!” Muffins commanded, “think Darling, if you do this, it’ll only work in his favor.”

Twilight lowered her head and her horn stopped glowing. A tear hit the floor.

“I’ll appeal to Princess Celestia,” said Twilight.

“No you won’t” said Shooting smugly, “the princesses are relatives and therefore it’d be a conflict of interest. Besides, this is a civil matter, not a criminal or state matter. If the princess intervened, it’d only prove her a tyrant and bully.”

Then Shooting looked at Muffins.

“Listen to me young mare, we’re going home, NOW!”

“You’ve been gone ten years, I’m as old as you are so don’t order me around like some little filly!

You may’ve taken me from my wife.”

“YOU HAVE NO WIFE!” ranted Shooting.

“MY WIFE!” shouted Muffins stomping a hoof. “And for now we may have to be apart. But unless that order has taken all my civil rights and made me a slave, I don’t have to follow your orders!”

“You’ll come home with me and you’ll perform ALL your wifely duties!”

There were shocked faces all around. Even the police officers.

Muffins lowered her voice in an effort to make plain the following meaning.

“I’d kill myself rather than have you soil me,” Muffins said in deadly earnestness.

“You’d not have to do that Muffins.” Said AJ, if looks could kill, Shooting Star would be lying dead on the floor. “I’d never let any of my friends suffer that.”

Rarity swallowed hard, she understood the real and deadly danger this stallion was about to put himself in. She was sure, remembering AJ’s past, the wrath of Applejack would overcome any magic this unicorn could throw at her. Rarity didn’t want to lose her wife to being arrested for murder. Especially in front of two police officers.

Shooting Star was unnerved by the look Applejack was giving him.

“I’ll go home, to my home. And my home is Ponyville’s Golden Oak Library where I’m Assistant Librarian. Twilight may not be able to come home with me, but the Library is still a government facility and she’s the highest government official without involving the princesses themselves. And I’m sure that she’d have no problem backing me banning you from there, or you’ll face trespassing charges. I’m sure these officers will agree with her authority.

I assume the order doesn’t bar me from my children?”

Shooting shook his head.

“Then I expect Dinky to be with me this evening. I doubt that any court would keep a mother from her children without due cause. And since you’re accusing Twilight as being the instigator of all this, then I’m still a fit mother.”

“We dropped Dinky at home, mom,” said Sparkler. “Spike is with her.”

Then Muffins looked at Twilight, who levitated Dawn in her foal carrier from her own back to Muffins’.

“It’ll be okay Darling,” said muffins, reassuringly.

Then Muffins kissed Twilight a long passionate kiss, which still took Twilight’s breath away.

“You’ll stop that! You’re to stay away from my wife!”

“I kissed her! So sorry! But your orders says that Twilight can be around me if police officers are present. Keep this up and they might get a nice sex show!”

Shooting was shocked to hear Muffins talk like that. Ten years had made the young mare mature into a strong confident adult.

Muffins then turned back to Twilight;

“We’ll be together soon.” Then Muffins kissed Twilight again and walked out.

Shooting looked at Twilight;

“Don’t count on it! And I’m going to put a spell on the library that will let me and the Police know if you come near there and violate the order.”

Shooting and the police officers left.

“I’m so sorry Twi,” said Sparkler “I tried reasoning with him.”

“It’s okay Dear,” said Twilight, “your mother and I’ll need your strength, stay with her.”

Twilight kissed Sparkler and she took off after her mother.

Twilight stood at the door. She was so tempted to teleport the stallion into airless space like she had Filthy Rich that time after Dinky’s fight at school. Except she’d make it a one-way trip. But there was a hoof on her shoulder. Twilight turned and saw that Rarity’s eyes were as misty and her own. Rarity hugged Twilight.

“It’ll be okay Darling” said the white pony. Then she turned to AJ, “would you also go to the library and watch after Muffins and the children? Twilight and I’d feel better.”

“That’s what I was ’bout to do.” Said AJ.

She hugged Twilight and kissed Rarity and headed off in the direction of the library.

“What do I do Rarity? What do I do? A few years ago I’d have welcomed the solitude. But now I can’t stand to be away from my wife and children for more than a few hours.”

Twilight broke down and cried on Rarity’s shoulder.

Rarity gave Twilight a couple of moments to get it out, then she gently pushed Twilight back.

“As bad as this is. We have a couple of friends who’re much worse off. We need to be strong for Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. We’ll stay a while and make sure there isn’t anything we can do, then you’re going home with me to Carousel Boutique. It’s closer than Applejack’s and my cottage. You don’t need to be alone tonight.

CHAPTER SIX: The Truth Comes Out

They went back to Pinkie’s room. Rainbow was oblivious to all around her. She was holding a hoof and caressing Pinkie’s cheek.

“Rainbow, has the doctor came back by?” asked Rarity.

“Yes, he said that her condition is unchanged. But he told me not to expect a miracle. It’s a wonder that she’s held on for this long. But we know Pinkie, she’s strong and will hang on as long as possible.

I pray to Faust she does.”

Twilight smiled, she didn’t think Rainbow was the least bit religious. But Twilight also knew that something like this would make a pony reach out for any help they could get.

“When Muffins and I got to her, she thought Muffins was you. She said she was happy you were there with her. I don’t like to lie, but we let her think you were there. She smiled as she slipped back into unconsciousness.”

Rainbow grabbed Twilight and sobbed.

“I wish I’d have made more of an effort to acknowledge my feelings for her. I want to make Pinkie as happy as you and Muffins."

Twilight and Rarity looked at each other. Now wasn’t the time to talk to Rainbow about it.

“It’ll be okay,” said Twilight. “I’m going to spend the night at Carousel Boutique. It’s closer and if you need anything, just send somepony by.”

“Thanks Twi, you too Rare. If we need anything we’ll let you know.”

Twilight went to the head of the bed and looked at Pinkie Pie. Rarity was right, this made her feel ashamed for feeling sorry for herself. Twilight kissed Pinkie on the forehead.

“Sleep well happy pony.” Said Twilight, trying hard not to cry.

Rarity and Twilight walked to Carousel Boutique in the late evening cool. Rarity tried to keep Twilight engaged so she’d not think of both situations. They talked about how Fluttershy was particularly upset with the whole Pinkie issue and it was a good bet it’d be days before she came out of her cottage.

When they got to Carousel Boutique, Rarity offered Twilight some food, but Twilight declined. Rarity insisted her friend take a warm shower and a stiff drink.

Twilight obliged and before long she was in Rarity’s spare bed. She could hear Rarity busy about the place.

Twilight was about asleep when she felt somepony clime in bed with her, a warm leg draped over her.

“Muffins?”

“Sorry Darling,” said Rarity, “it’s just me. I didn’t think it best for you to be alone. But don’t take this wrong, I’m a married pony. And besides, your flanks are still a little too scrawny.”

Rarity playfully goosed Twilight’s flank. Twilight chuckled despite the situations. With Rarity comforting her, she soon fell asleep.

Muffins had Spike send a letter to Princess Celestia informing her on the situation with Pinkie and with what Shooting Star had done. When Sparkler and Applejack showed up, Sparkler let her mother know she’d seen her father not far from the library as if watching.

“That’s enough!” said Muffins, “I’m going to have a few words with him!”

“Applejack? Would you keep an eye on the children, I think it best Sparkler comes with me. I don’t want to do this alone.”

“I could go with you,” said AJ, “I could handle him.”

“No, I think having his daughter there would be enough to temper any issues.” Said Muffins. She and Sparkler left. Sparkler directed them to where she’d seen her father.

Twilight was dreaming that Muffins had walked in on she and Rarity in the same bed.

‘I can’t leave you alone for one minute without finding you in bed with some other pony!’

The dream was so real that it woke Twilight half believing that she would see Muffins in the doorway.

Knowing she’d not be able to go back to sleep, Twilight teleported to the outside as not to wake Rarity. Once outside, she couldn’t help walking in the direction of the Library. ‘Maybe I’ll see her from afar,’ thought Twilight. As she got nearer, she heard some familiar voices. It was Shooting Star and Muffins. Twilight got as close as she dared, then did a spell that enhanced her hearing.

“I knew I’d catch somepony sneaking around, but I thought it’d be that tramp Twilight I’d catch.” Said Shooting Star.

“What’s with you?” exclaimed Muffins, “you know nothing about her and yet you judge her character.”

“I don’t need to know,” he said smugly, “I’m gone for a few moments and I find you in the embrace of some mare-lover.”

“You were gone for ten long painful years, not a few moments. I thought you were intelligent enough to have understood that by now.

And you didn’t ‘find’ me in the embrace of some mare-lover, I was in the embrace of my wife! And she’s no mare-lover harlot as you had said, before I came to talk to her, she was a virgin. She’d never even 'played with herself'!

If anything I was the slut who seduced an innocent and naive mare. I took advantage her emotional state and had sex with her the first night! She’s the sweetest, most intelligent, and most empathic pony I’d ever met since you left. In many ways she’s just like you, or at least like you use to be. And it was perhaps the reason I was first drawn to her.

Now I don’t even know who the hay you are! My Shooting Star would’ve sat down and talked to all parties involved. Petty jealousy was never part of his character.”

There was an odd look on Shooting’s face.

“You know this! I can tell! You remember the way you were, so why pull all this? You know any court would throw out any time-relativity horse-apples.”

Shooting lowered his head.

“No, no, no! It can’t be that simple. You know you could never win in the long-run. You want to keep me from my wife just in hopes of winning me back. It can’t just come down to the old ‘if I can’t have her, nopony can’. That in itself is proof that the Shooting Star who came to the future isn’t the one I watch die!”

“I’m sorry, I can’t stand to see you with another pony,” he said. “If it’s not how I was, it’s how I am now, I don’t want to be a monster, but I’ll never let you be with her as long as I live. Even if I have to kill her.”

“Good luck with that one,” said Muffins with a chuckle which unnerved Shooting Star. “You don’t know how close you were to being disposed of back in the hospital. Perhaps I should have let Twilight teleport you to Tartarus!”

Shootings eyes went wide.

‘Twilight can teleport a pony to Tartarus?’ Shooting thought, ‘that settles it. I want her powers. Even if it kills me.’

A thought flashed through Shooting’s mind.

‘That’s exactly what I’ll need to do!’

Twilight’s eyes filled with tears. She couldn’t understand why somepony would work to keep her from her wife and children forever. Twilight took off galloping, it happened that it was in the direction of the hospital. Sparkler, who was shocked at the entire interaction between her mother and father, happened to see Twilight and took off after her. Muffins turned around and returned home. Shooting followed Sparkler at a distance.

Twilight stopped at the hospital and went inside. She looked in on Pinkie and Rainbow. Pinkie was being examined, the doctor was talking to Rainbow.

“I’m sorry Ms Dash,” said the doctor, “short of a miracle, she’ll probably not last until, at the most, tomorrow night.”

The doctor left, Twilight was going to go in but she heard Rainbow talking and paused to hear what Rainbow said next.

“It’s okay Pinkie, I’ll not let you go alone.” Said Rainbow sobbing, “as soon as you go, I’ll go outside and fly as high as I can and then do a sonic rainboom straight into the ground. Rainbow Dash has to go out in style.”

Twilight’s blood froze. She’d lost her wife and children, a pony was threatening to kill her and now she was about to loose two of her best friends. Twilight now felt that the world had turned against her.

Twilight then remembered some rather off limit spells in the Canterlot Archives. She noticed a fruit basket AJ had left sitting on a table outside of Pinkie’s room, she took four apples and gobbled them down. She was going to need the energy.

She concentrated and the next moment she found herself in Canterlot. She was about to go to the archive, but she remembered her brother was still in Canterlot and she should see him for a couple of reasons. She did want to make sure she said goodbye to somepony. So she decided to make a side visit first.

Shining Armor heard a knocking at his door. He crawled out of bed as carefully as he could as not to wake his wife. Cadence could be a bear when her sleep was disturbed.

Seriously!

She became a bear or something truly scary. She had a transformation spell she’d involuntarily use as a defense mechanism when abruptly awakened. Something to do with when she was an orphan Pegasus left/lost in the woods as a filly.

He went down the stairs and opened the door.

“Twilie, why are you here so late at night?”

“I’m sorry, but this is an official visit. I need two Unicorn guards who can manage teleportation and I need them in fifteen minutes.”

“That’s a tall order, why?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t tell you that, please trust me. I don’t want to pull rank on you.”

Twilight had never even hinted at such a thing before. But he saw the look in her face and decided not to argue.

“Yes Lady Twilight,” he said.

“Then I’ll meet you back here in fifteen minutes.” Said Twilight, then she vanished.

It was only ten minutes when Twilight returned. Two large Unicorns in uniform were waiting.

“Here are the ponies you requested, Lady Twilight.”

Twilight looked very grim, but sorry.

“I’m sorry I came off the way I did. This is very important and very hard for me.” She said, trying to keep a brave face for the guards. “I love you so much, BBBFF, tell Cadence, mom and dad that as well.”

“What’s going on?” Shining asked.

“I’m sorry, I can’t tell you that.”

“I’ll have to let the princesses know.”

“You do what you have to do, just as I must do now.” Said Twilight. She gave Shining a hug and a kiss on the cheek then turned to the guards.

“Please stand close, we’re going to teleport to Ponyville on three.”

The guards nodded.

“One, two, three,” Twilight and the guard vanished.

Shining went inside to get his uniform to see the princesses.

The three ponies appeared in the town square.

“Follow me gentlecolts.” Said Twilight going off in the direction of the hospital.

CHAPTER SEVEN: What Friendship is Worth

Shooting Star saw Twilight going to the hospital accompanied by two Royal Guards. He was afraid of what this meant to himself.

The conversation with Muffins had triggered something inside himself. Was he really not the pony he thought he was. Did the transfer in time do something to his mind. Was he only some incomplete quantum duplicate that was put forward ten years?

There was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind the whole time these events have been going on. He was in conflict with his own actions. But he could still make all of this work for the plan he’d been plotting.

The trio entered the hospital, Twilight asked the front desk the status of Pinkie Pie. She was told what she was expecting to hear.

Twilight had the guard follow her down the hall that led to Pinkie’s room. They passed a waiting room and Twilight saw Sparkler was in there.

“Wait here,” Twilight said quietly to the guard, then she entered the room.

“Sparkler, are you okay?” asked Twilight.

“I’m okay, I know you overheard what went on between mom and dad and I was afraid for you. I followed you here to the hospital but I couldn’t find you. I couldn’t stand to be in the room with Pinkie for long. I’m so frightened for her and Rainbow.”

“I understand, I’m frightened for us as well. But things will get better soon, I promise. I’m so glad your mother has you to keep her strong.” Said Twilight embracing Sparkler. “You may not be my daughter, but I love you like one.”

Then she gave Sparkler a kiss on the cheek:

“If your mother asks, tell her I said; ‘Star Swirl the Bearded said it best’. I’m counting on you.”

Twilight turned and two Unicorns in uniform followed her.

Shooting had kept behind, when he got to the waiting room he saw Sparkler and went in.

“What’s going on?” he asked, “why is Twilight with Palace Guards?”

“I don’t know,” said Sparkler, “she told me that she’s counting on my strength for mother and that everything will be okay soon.”

“Is that all?”

“She said to tell mom that ‘Star Swirl the Bearded said it best’, what ever that meant. Then she gave me a kiss and walked out, two Unicorns in uniform followed her.”

“Oh no! She can’t be serious!”

All this time he’d actually convinced himself that Twilight was some self-serving pony without honor or decency. He couldn’t believe she was as noble and self-sacrificing as Muffins was insisting, this would work even better!

“What does she mean?” Asked Sparkler.

“Get your mother,” said Shooting. He kissed his daughter and said, “I’m so proud of the mare you’ve become. Always remember that.”

Shooting took off in the direction that Twilight had gone. Sparkler left galloping as hard as she could. Before she got to the Library, she was amazed when she met Princess Celestia and her mother going in the direction of the hospital. Sparkler told them what went on and what was said. The two looked shocked and they all hurried off back to the hospital.

Twilight opened the door, Rainbow was where she’d been the whole time.

She was holding Pinkie’s hoof. Rainbow looked terrible. She’d not eaten or slept. She’d cried so much that you couldn’t tell where the reddened ‘whites’ of her eyes ended and her red irises began. Rainbow had cried so much, she felt like there were no tears left.

Twilight looked at the monitor above Pinkie’s bed. There was hardly any indication. Pinkie was all but gone.

“I’m sorry but you need to go Rainbow,” said Twilight, “now.”

Rainbow looked panicked.

“NO! I can’t go! I won’t go! I won’t leave her! I LOVE HER!”

“Then don’t forget to tell her that,” said Twilight, then turning her head. “Guards!”

Rainbow didn’t know what to think as two large white Unicorns in uniform entered the room.

“Yes Lady Twilight?”

“Immobilize her, confine her somewhere comfortable for the next hour. And if I hear of any mistreatment, I’ll forget that there’s no death penalty in Equestria. Do I make myself clear?”

The Guard understood, Lady Twilight wasn’t making an empty threat.

“Very clear, My Lady.”

A magic aura surrounded Rainbow. Even if she was feeling normal, she couldn’t have fought it. She then started floating to the door.

“Don’t do this Twi! I thought you were my best friend!”

“I am, and you’ll be back with her soon. Don’t forget to tell her you love her.”

The door closed, Twilight walked to the pink pony, then took her hoof. She was cold and limp. Twilight stroked what little mane which had not been shaved.

“You’ll feel better soon, my happy friend.” Said Twilight with tears rolling down her cheeks.

Twilight took a step back, and an ancient parchment appeared in front of her. She read it again even though she’d committed it to memory.

She closed her eyes and started to concentrate.

“Please forgive me Muffins,” she said out loud. “Remember how much I loved you.”

“This is a fine way to prove it.” Said a familiar voice behind her.

Twilight turned to see Shooting Star.

“How did you know?”

“Sparkler told me.”

“I told her nothing.”

Shooting walked up to Twilight. There was no threat to his bearings.

“Yes you did, you told her ‘Star Swirl the Bearded said it best’. The quote is actually much older, from antiquity.

‘No greater love has anypony than that they lay down their life for another pony’.”

“I’m only one pony, if Pinkie dies then two ponies will die. If not of grief, Rainbow would do something rash.”

“I don’t doubt it, after all, you know your friends best. But I differ with you, if you do this, I don’t think Muffins could go on.”

“You’d be there.”

Shooting chuckled an empty chuckle;

“I hoped, I tried, but it was proven that I’ve no more place in her life. Perhaps only as a fond memory, and I may’ve ruined that as well. You’ve filled her heart more that I ever did. Not that I didn’t try. No, if you were gone, I could never fill the void. She’d cease to go on.

You see, I was the only Unicorn to survive the accident and I know why. It was pointed out to me and I finally get that I’ve not been the pony I once was, and now I believe. I may only be enough of the old me to understand I was given this existence for one reason.

The others who perished had no family. No reason to come back. I was given a gift nopony has ever been given.

I got to have the opportunity to say goodbye. I got to come back to see my daughter grown to a fine mare. I got to see the filly I never knew I had. And most importantly I got to see my beloved wife will be taken better care of that I ever could.”

Shooting then did something totally unexpected, he kissed Twilight rather passionately. It shocked her.

“Please give that to our wife.” He said smiling.

Twilight suddenly realized what Shooting had in mind. She started to cast a defensive spell, but Shooting was already ready and beat her to the draw. There was a red flash from his horn and Twilight fell unconscious. Shooting levitated the parchment and materialized a book against Twilight.

After scanning the parchment, he closed his eyes, his horn glowed and his aura surrounded Pinkie and himself. Then he collapsed to the floor by Twilight.

Princess Celestia led Muffins, Rainbow and Sparkler down the hall to Pinkie’s room. They stopped outside the door. Celestia closed her eyes and blocked the door.

“No,” she said aloud.

The mist was getting thicker. Pinkie was no longer able to resist the draw in the direction the other ponies were going, Pinkie released Celestia.

“Goodbye Princess, have fun for me. Tell Dashie I’ll miss her and I love her.”

“Tell her yourself,” said a stallion.

“What have you done?” Asked the princess.

“I’m stopping Twilight from doing this.” He said with a smile.

Shooting touched Pinkie with his horn. Pinkie felt life returning to her. The stallion smiled and disappeared. Pinkie was being drawn back in the other direction.

“I’ll see you soon,” said Celestia fading away.

It was getting clearer and lighter. Then she heard Rainbow’s voice.

“Come back to me Pinkie, I love you!”

“I know you do,” said Pinkie as the light flooded in. “And I love you too.”

Princess Celestia led Muffins, Rainbow and Sparkler down the hall to Pinkie’s room. They stopped outside the door. Celestia closed her eyes and blocked the door.

“No,” said Princess Celestia aloud. She opened the door.

On the floor were Shooting Star and Twilight Sparkle.

“Daddy!” screamed Sparkler.

“Twilight!” screamed Muffins.

Rainbow saw the monitor above Pinkie’s bed full of activity, Rainbow ran to the bed and took Pinkie’s hoof. It was warm.

“Come back to me Pinkie, I love you!”

“I know you do.” Pinkie said opening her eyes, “and I love you too.”

“Pinkie!” cried Rainbow. Then she unashamedly kissed the pink pony with a lot of passion.

Unaware of what’s going on with Pinkie. Both Sparkler and Muffins were on the floor, cradling a pony’s head.

“Daddy’s gone.” Said Sparkler then seeing her mother holding Twilight’s head. “Twilight?”

“She’s alive.” Tears were rolling down her cheeks. “How? Why?”

Rainbow broke the kiss with Pinkie. She buried her face into Pinkie’s chest, tears of joy were flowing. Pinkie noticed the princess and was about to say something, but the princess shook her head, Pinkie understood.

Celestia levitated the parchment from the floor, it vanished. Muffins and Sparkler helped Twilight up.

“What has happened was something foolish.” Said the princess. “But something done in the deepest of love.

Twilight was about to trade her life to save Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. But somehow Shooting Star did it first for the love of Muffins, Sparkler, Dinky and yes even Twilight and Dawn.”

All looked shocked. Such sacrifice was only heard of in stories.

“Shooting, don’t!” said Twilight, her head clearing.

Rainbow and Pinkie looked at each other, then at Twilight.

“You were going to trade your life for Pinkie?” asked Rainbow.

Rainbow ran to Twilight and punched her on the shoulder.

“Ouch!” Exclaimed Twilight.

“That was stupid!” said Rainbow. Then she kissed Twilight and hugged her. “Thank you.”

“I told you not to do that here Rainbow, Muffins will catch us,” said Twilight managing a smile.

Celestia called the guard and instructed them to remove Shooting Star gently.

“I’m so sorry Sparkler,” said Twilight, “he had to be the bravest and most loving stallion I’ve had the honor to know. I don’t know if I could ever fill his horseshoes with you.”

“No, maybe not, you could never replace my father. But seeing how much you love mom, Cookie, Dawn, your friends and me, I think I’m ready to fully accept another mother, mom.” Sparkler smiled weakly.

Twilight and Sparkler embraced.

Then Twilight looked at Muffins.

“His last wish was I give this, in his words, to our wife.” Twilight gave Muffins a deep long kiss. Kissing Muffins still took Twilight’s breath away.

Twilight then noticed the book on the floor. She levitated it. It was a first edition of Shooting Star’s The Science of Magic. Inside it was signed to Twilight Sparkle.

To Twilight Sparkle, the greatest mare I’ve ever met. You’re truly worthy to continue my work.
If not in science, then with our family.
Remember, if I ever find out you ever hurt one of them...
I came back once.
With love and respect,
Shooting Star

CHAPTER EIGHT: Back to Normal?

“Oh, The Science of Magic!” said Pinkie Pie. “Did you know Shooting Star considered the 3rd chapter his favorite. The part about all ponies are able to do magic, if only they are given the chance.”

Pinkie froze. All eyes were on her.

“Now how did I know that?” Pinkie said in a confused voice. Gently scratching her head.

In some ways Muffins felt that the last action of her late ex-husband proved that some of the real Shooting Star had come forward to them.

With such a sacrifice, it was hard to hold a grudge.

It was getting close to dawn and Princess Celestia had to excuse herself, after all the sun needed raising.

Twilight and Muffins were in a hurry to get back to home. They needed to check on the children and let AJ go home.

“Before you go,” said Rainbow. “I need you, all of you to come back later today. Bring AJ, Rarity and Fluttershy.

Because of what you were willing to do Twilight, and if it’s okay with Pinkie, I’ve a big favor to ask you.”

Pinkie’s face lit up.

About a month later, the Sparkle household were in preparation for another trip to Canterlot. Princess Celestia was installing a new statue in the Canterlot Statue Garden. It was a tribute to Shooting Star for his work at the Canterlot Institute of Science. And for his heroic sacrifice of his life for ponies he hardly even knew.

The statue was Twilight and Muffins idea. They figured it’d be best to remember the good pony and let this help future generations of ponies know what the common pony was capable of.

Muffins told Twilight she’d noticed the leak under the sink was back, and would she look at it before they left. She didn’t want a mess to come home to.

Twilight had her head under the sink looking for the leak. Once again she felt her tail being moved aside.

“Rainbow! I told you not to do that here, Muffins will catch us!”

“Oh gees, and I thought I’d show just how much in your debt I am.”

It was Rainbow’s voice! Twilight smacked her head even harder spinning around to only see that it was Muffins who had moved her tail. Rainbow was standing in the doorway pushing Pinkie in a wheelchair.

“You only wish,” laughed Muffins.

All were laughing.

“If we weren’t pressed for time,” said Twilight rubbing the knot on her head, “I’d embarrass you in front of Rainbow and Pinkie.”

“Embarrass? I doubt that.” Said Muffins. “Knowing those two, they probably would want to join in.”

“Ooo! A foursome!” squealed Pinkie. “Dashie, do we have time?”

“No!” said Twilight, Muffins and Rainbow at the same time.

“Well maybe some other time,” said Pinkie.

“We need to get to the train station.” Said Muffins, “Sparkler and the children should be there now.”

Train rides used to drive Rainbow crazy, just too slow. But now there was no concern about getting there fast. She was content to stick by Pinkie’s side. Only leaving long enough to get Pinkie a snack or something to drink.

At the ceremony, there were speakers from Shooting Star’s days at the Canterlot Institute of Science. Some from several professional organizations he’d belonged to. Next came his daughter Sparkler, his widow and even Twilight Sparkle.

However the keynote speakers were two ponies few knew on sight, despite them being wielders of the Elements of Harmony.

They spoke of love for your fellow pony and they were proud to have been recipients of such a gift from a pony they little knew.

Pinkie and Rainbow uncovered the statue. It was Shooting Star, a magic book in one hoof and a beaker in the other. The inscription read:

Shooting Star, Husband, Father, Friend
He lived the credo:
‘No greater love has anypony than that they lay down their life for another pony’
Presented this day in gratitude, love and respect by:
Pinkamena Diane Dash-Pie and Rainbow Pie-Dash