Chapters Home is where your friends are
Canterlot City, Canterlot Heights; 45 Celestial Court
It was about noon in Canterlot City on Sunday, the past couple of days for the Sparkle family had been spent packing and moving and today was the day that they'd get the very last of their things from their two story home in Canterlot Heights. Night Light had the truck all packed with the last of his and his wife's furniture along with their children's things and were now waiting on their children to finishing packing whatever small things they had left from their room's however they had a feeling the hold up was more so the fault of the young than the elder since little Twilight Sparkle was very against moving to a new house.
She'd never had to do this before and they remember a similar situation happening when Shining Armor was a boy and he simply refused to want to leave the apartment they used to live in when he was very young. Twilight had yet to see the new house as her parents wanted to keep it a surprise however the young girl was making this much harder than it needed to be.
"Twily c'mon we've gotta go!" Shouted Shining Armor who'd packed his last bag and slugged it over his shoulder as he awaited his little sister to get a move on so they could leave.
"I DON'T WANNA!" Screamed Twilight Sparkle, the cranky little five year old prodigy girl didn't want to leave her nice big home.
"Well tough cookies Twi, we've gotta! C'mon-" Shining groaned as he marched down the hall to his sisters soon to be old room to find his little sister in what remained of her bedroom with the last of her things still not packed up as she indignantly lay on the bed curled up on her side, refusing to want to leave. "Twilight Sparkle you get up right now...we've gotta leave" Shining said assertively
"NO!" Twilight shouted indignantly in a cute but whiny high pitch octave
He groaned knowing this was going to be a real chore. "Twily I know you don't wanna move to a new house but it's really not that bad..." Shining tried to explain
"Nu-uh! It is so that bad!! Moving to a new house means I'll have to leave this one! I LIKE THIS ONE!" Twilight whined as she didn't want to leave the super big room which had been hers for all of five years. "I.DON'T WANNA.MOVE! " Twilight threw a whiny tantrum and sounded like she was actually going to cry.
"Twily trust me when you see the new house it won't be that big of a deal; besides think of all the new friends you'll make; the place we're moving too is said to be a really nice place, lots of kids to play with..."
"But I have you...and smarty pants and my books...I'm fine..." Twilight pouted with a hrumph.
"Heheh sorry Twi but I can't be there all the time, I've gotta find my own friends and so do you....and Smarty pants is a good friend but it'll be better to have friends that aren't toys...and books can only be your friends for so long before you get lonely...and..." He chuckled and hugged his little sister and tickled her sides. "We'll be closer to Cadence so you can even spend more time with her! Hehe and so can I..." Shining chuckled
"Shiny and Cady sittin' in a tree....K.I.S.S.I.N.G!" Twilight teased playfully, her normal cheery expression returning just a little.
"Well look at who knows how to spell and sing, so talented." Shining teased right back and then brought twilight into a strong embrace. "I know it's hard to accept change Twily but trust me...everything will be fine; you'll see...I bet you'll make tons of new friends when we get to town"
"I guess..." Twilight said with apprehension.
"C'mon, let's get the rest of these things packed up and get outside, mom and dad are waiting for us"
"Okay..." Twilight said still pouting but she complied and aided her BBBFF in packing away her things so they could move to this new house. Mommy and daddy said it was because it was getting really expensive to live in this part of Canterlot Heights and her daddy had gotten a better job in a friendly neighborhood and so did her mommy so she knew it was for the best but she didn't like the fact they had to switch homes, she liked this current home and had so many memories here...albeit only about 3 years of which she can remember...but still!
"And hey tell ya what, once we get to the new house I'll call Cadence and we can all go to the park, the playground over there is really nice" Shining said with a warm smile
"You mean it?!" Twilight cheered
"Of course Sparks" Shining affirmed tussling the girls hair. "But only if you hurry up and pack..."
With that Twilight Sparkle rapidly packed all of her things and put her backpack on her back and grabbed her stuffed donkey doll Mr.Smarty Pants and gave a cute broad smile at her big brother as she eagerly awaited to leave.
"I'm ready!" Twilight said sounding a lot like a certain undersea cartoon character with how high an octave her voice was at such a young age
"Atta girl! Up ya go!" Shining said picking the little girl up and hoisting her onto her shoulder which gained an excited squeal of joy from the young girl.
"EEeeeheheheh! You're the best Shiny!" Twilight said with a smile
"Ain't I?" Shining said with a grin and walked them out of the house making sure Twilight was safe riding on his shoulders as he brought her downstairs and outside to the moving truck where their parents Twilight Velvet and Night Light waited.
"C'mon you two we've got a lot to unpack when we get to the new house...You alright little star?" Night Light asked little Twilight Sparkle who rode on her big brothers shoulders.
"Mhm" Was all Twilight answered, she was alright but still a bit pouty about having to have to move but knew it was for the best.
"Don't worry sweetie your gonna love the new house! I've even met a couple of the neighbors. Plus doesn't your old High school buddy and his wife live in the area dear?" Velvet asked
"Oh yeah your right Vel. Moonlight Shine &Bright Dusk and if I'm correct they have a daughter...um what was her name again?" Night Light wondered snapping his fingers to jog his memory.
"Moon Dancer, she's actually Twily's age."
"Really?!" Little Twilight asked
"That's right Twily, so you see? You've already got a new friend waiting for you when we arrive; and all the other couples around the community we're going to have kids too I think so I'm sure you'll make plenty of friends" Twilight Velvet smiled.
"Well what are we waiting for?!? Let's go!" Twilight cheered with newfound optimism.
"Atta girl; c'mon you two, get in; time to go home." Night Light said with a fatherly smile as he opened up the truck allowing his kids room to get in, it was a rather large moving truck that had room for the four of them to ride with the front having room mainly for 3 people was Twilight was small enough to where she could ride on her mothers lap. As Night Light started up the truck, Twilight gave one last longing look at her old home and waved it goodbye as they drove off.
The ride was about an hour and some change long since they hit a little bit of traffic and stopped to get lunch since they'd spent a good amount of energy moving and driving around most of the day. After the hour of driving they'd finally arrived to the community they'd now call home. It was a rather large community but not one of those super boring ones where all the houses looked the same, with the same lawn, same garage; same everything...nope. This was a super big place, many different houses of all shapes and sizes and while everyone's lawn was well trimmed each lawn had something that made it special...there was even a farm close by! Twilight loved animals and always hoped to have a furry little friend of her own someday.
As the truck pulled up the the new house which was a decent sized two story house with an attic and full basement, the outside was purple and blue with the families symbol stamped on the door. Their exact address was 06 Friendship Place in the community of Ponyville Commons, it was almost like its own little town with how many different roads and such there were; there was even a couple of stores that were special to this part of the community but that anyone could come to even if they didn't live there like an animal shelter and a clothing shop.
"Here we are Twily! Do you like it?" asked Twilight Velvet.
"It's...amazing!" Twilight Sparkle said in awe
"Oooh and lookie who's here! Your favorite babysitter!" Velvet cheered as she looked to see Cadence waiting near the house.
"CADY!!" Twilight shouted as the teenage girl with pink skin and multi-color hair with purple pink and yellow being the main colors and a blue heart shaped crystal locket around her neck approached with a loving and warm smile.
"Hey there's my little ladybug! So good to see you Twily! Hi Mrs.Velvet, Hi Mr.Night Light..." Cadence greeted them all with a kind smile and then when she looked at Shining Armor she blushed and giggled girlishly and twirled a lock of her hair on her pinkie finger. "Hi Shiny..."
"Heheh sup Cady" Shining said with his normal cool yet boyish charming smile deciding as usual to 'play it cool' and it was at this time Twilight decided to play 'annoying little sister' and make teasing kissy face sounds and noises at the two of them to which Shining Armor responded by tickling the five year old girl.
"Anyway Cadence sweetheart we've got a lot of stuff to unpack but we've got a couple of the neighbors helping us out, that nice boy and his father from the farm offered to help us unload the truck. Shining we'll need your help too" Velvet said with her typical level of motherly nagging
"Oh yeah the Apple family, I actually babysit their daughter Applejack." Cadence said
"Really? Don't you babysit for everyone around here now?" Night Light asked
"Uh-huh! It's a lot of work but it's worth it for these little angels though...hehe the biggest handful has to be little Dashie though...girl can't stay still for more than 10 seconds." Cadence chuckled.
"Oooh yeah hehehe I totally forgot Ol' Rainbow Blaze had a little girl" Night Light said with a smile. "He's been distant since well...you know" Night Light's expression was grim for a slight moment.
"Yep, I'm actually gonna be watching her today along with a new little one; she just moved here too from Cloudsdale if I'm not mistaken." Cadence affirmed. "I'm actually going to go meet her parents now and then go meet with Blaze in the park to pick up little Dashie." Cadence looked to Twilight. "Wanna come with Twily?"
"Can I mommy?" Twilight Sparkled asked with an adorable pouty face
"Of course Twily, go and have fun with Cadence, we'll handle the unpacking..."
"You mean me Shining and the apples will while you tell us where everything go-ow!" Night Light began to respond until she got a smack upside the head from his wife and he grumbled. "One of these days Vel...One of these days!"
"Huh so that's what "bickering like a married couple" means..." Shining looked between his parents.
"Word to the wise son...women...can't live with em...or without em...or win against em..." Night Light sighed
"Good to know that you still know your place dear." Velvet teased with a grin
"oookay that's enough of that...c'mon Twily; let's go." Cadence said opening the door to the truck and picking up little Twilight from her mother and carrying her on her shoulders for a bit before putting her down and allowing her to walk with her. They walked down a couple of blocks to a house that was yellow and green with butterflies on the door. Knocking on the door and ringing the doorbell Cadence would wait and Twilight would stand nervously next to her and in the yard she then noticed a little white bunny hopping around.
"Just a minute." A calm female voice said from inside. When the door opened it revealed a woman with yellow skin and a ruby red head of hair and green glasses framed on her face. "Can I help-Oh Cadence dear! Are you here for little Flutters?" Mrs.Shy asked
"Hi there Mrs. Shy; yup I am..." Cadence said with a smile as Twilight hid away behind her leg a little
"Oh and who is this little cutie?" Mrs. Shy asked curiously noticing Twilight acting much like her daughter
"Don't worry ladybug you can say Hi, Mrs.Shy is really nice..." Cadence moved her leg and encouraged Twilight to say hello to the woman
"U-um Hi..." Twilight said with an embarrassed and bashful blush as she tugged at her ponytail
"Well hello there; whats your name sweetie? Are you new around here?" Mrs. Shy asked
"M-Mhm...um T-Twilight...Twilight Sparkle..." Twilight answered still blushing bashfully.
"Such a lovely name; well it's nice to meet you Twilight and welcome to the neighborhood; you can just call me Mrs. Shy; heheh you remind me so much of my little girl."
"R-Really?" Twilight said in surprise.
"Oh yes! You are so cute and adorable; heheh and shy just like her...speaking of which; Flutters; sweetie? Can you come in here; Cadence is here! and she brought a friend!" Mrs. Shy called out to her daughter.
From the living room came a little girl about Twilight Sparkle's size with long pink hair and butter yellow skin and sparkling blue eyes. Her face was covered by her long hair a little bit and she slowly and shyly trudged into the room but tried her best to smile. She wore a simple white shirt with a green skirt and had on yellow shoes.
"U-Um...Hi Cady...um who is that with you?" Fluttershy asked in her timid tone as she noticed her babysitter but not the small purple skinned girl who stood before her...she always was frightened meeting new people.
"Hi Shy; don't be scared; she's a friend, isn't that right Twily?" Cadence said with a smile
"H-Hi there...I'm Twilight...Twilight Sparkle..." Twilight said introducing herself the way her big brother taught her
"I-I'm-" She mumbled something
"Huh? I couldn't hear you..." Twilight said a bit confused as to what the girl said
"I-I said I'm..." She mumbled again
"Um..." Twilight was very confused now.
Clearing her throat a little she spoke up a bit"Ahem...F-Flutter...shy...m-my name is Fluttershy..." Fluttershy finally said with a blush as she fully introduced herself, she always was super shy and scared around new kids but this girl didn't seem like a meanie like some of the kids from Cloudsdale...she seemed nice.
"Nice to meet you Fluttershy; I um...I like your hair..." Twilight said doing what else her family taught her and complimented the young girl; her hair was truly pretty, it was so long for a girl her age; one would think she'd have extensions but it looked so natural.
"Oh...um...thank you...I like yours too...the streaks you have are really pretty..." Fluttershy blushed and smiled
"heheh thank you! Mommy and daddy said I was born special with them" Twilight cheered happily feeling more at home talking to Fluttershy now.
"Aww would you look at that? In town only a few minutes and already she has a new friend! Well girls we're going to the park while Twily's mom and dad unpack and if your both good little girls I think I some ice cream may be in order!" Cadence said with a smile which instantly got the girls attention.
"Yay!" The girls cheered
"Well it looks like you all have things to do, now that you're here I can run out to the store, I'll be back in a couple of hours, wanted to prepare a nice little fruit salad for the new family that moved into town." Mrs. Shy said smiling toward Twilight.
"Well thank you Mrs. Shy; I'll be sure to take good care of lil Flutters...Oh and congrats!" Cadence said with a knowing smile
"What are you-" Mrs. Shy asked before Cadence shot her a knowing glare
"C'mon Mrs. Shy you can't hide this kind of thing from me...plus you're showing more than you might think." Cadence smiled looking at the woman's belly and instantly saw her blush.
"Oh my...um heheh what can I say? Mr. Shy and I have just had a...Spark...going on lately..." Mrs. Shy said bashfully.
"Heheh it's alright...so...boy or girl?"
"Not sure yet but with how much it's been kicking? Probably a boy...Fluttershy never made this kind of commotion when I was carrying her." Mrs. Shy chuckled.
"Well I won't hold you up; c'mon girls." Cadence said letting both of the girls walk with her and when they got outside it was then Fluttershy noticed the little white bunny Twilight saw before. As they walked away the little creature followed them taking a particular interest in Fluttershy.
"Heheh I think you just made another new friend Flutters." Cadence said with a smile stopping their walk to see that the bunny was intent on following them.
"Huh?" Fluttershy pondered looking down at the adorable little creature who sniffed her leg and then cuddled up next to her lovingly. "awww aren't you just a cute little angel?" Fluttershy said picking up the little bunny and cuddled him close. "I'm gonna call you Angel Bunny!" Fluttershy said appointing the furry little creature a name to which the bunny nodded in agreement as they all kept walking.
After walking for 10 minutes they finally reached the community playground which was very large and housed a very complex but incredibly fun looking jungle gym. The park even had swings, slides, seesaws, merry-go-rounds, monkey bars; you name it. It was truly a child's paradise and one child in particular was having the time of her life as she bounced from place to place in the massive rainbow colored jungle gym. She was a small with almost spikey like hair but her hair was all the different colors of the rainbow something that Twilight and Fluttershy had never seen before. She wore a white t-shirt with a cloud and lightning bolt on it that was also rainbow colored as well as a skirt with shorts underneath and she didn't seem to have a care in the world as a man that appeared to be her father cheered her on.
"Go Dashie Go! That's my girl! Faster kiddo!" Rainbow Blaze said with an encouraging grin
"You got it daddy!" Rainbow Dash bellowed following her dad's command to go faster and she did, jumping and running from one end of the playset to the other; she was a natural born speedster and so she was always trying to go faster and be the best.
"Hey Dashie!" Called Cadence
"Awesome! Cady is here!!!" Rainbow said jumping down from the monkey bars she was currently hanging off of and made a dash for Cadence and pounced at her jumping up and giving her a hug almost tackling her to the floor.
"Gyahhahahah! Well hey there little lightning bolt; energetic as ever I see!" Cadence giggled having caught Dash in her arms.
"Always! Say who are you two? I've never seen you 'round here before..." Asked Rainbow Dash with a curious look on her face.
"My names Twilight Sparkle...I just moved here."
"I-Im um...Fluttershy; I um...I moved here with my mommy and daddy a couple of weeks ago"
"Oooooh yeah! I think I remember you; daddy said you and your family are from Cloudsdale right?" Rainbow asked with a grin
"Mhm..." Fluttershy nodded
"Me too!" Rainbow said with a cheeky smile
"R-Really?" Fluttershy asked in surprise
"Yup, daddy and I moved here about a year ago; I really like it here but don't really got a lot of friends 'cept for Cady here and daddy." Rainbow explained having gotten down from Cadence's embrace to be on eye level with the other girls. Grinning broadly she'd poke a thumb to her chest and puff out her little chest pridefully and proclaimed her name. "The names Dash...Rainbow Dash but my friends call me Dashie...you girls wanna be friends?" Rainbow asked with a smug smile.
"Sure" The two girls replied
"Well too bad; ya gotta earn it." Rainbow said with a glint of mischief in her eyes.
"Oh dear..." Cadence rolled her eyes and giggled taking a seat on a nearby bench to watch the childish events unfold.
"How?" Asked Twilight Sparkle.
"Ya gotta catch me!" Rainbow darted off toward the jungle gym " If ya can!" She laughed gleefully leaving the two girls in the dust.
"Hey! Come back here!" Twilight shouted. She'd played tag with Cadence and Shining Armor plenty of times so she knew how to give chase and while she may not have been very fast she certainly wasn't slow. Running as quickly as her little legs would carry her she took off after rainbow dash. "C'mon Shy! We've gotta catch her!!"
"B-But she's so...fast...and that jungle gym is so...b-big..." Fluttershy whimpered shrinking in fear of the large metal contraption but then noticed that Angel bunny had taken off into the thing and she gasped in fright for the little creature and gave chance suddenly pushing aside any and all fear she had of the large jungle gym to make sure her little bunny friend would be okay.
As the seconds turned to minutes neither Twilight or Fluttershy could capture the ever elusive and speedy Rainbow Dash who evaded their every move with acrobatic grace and flair with a combination of almost inhuman speed! One could even notice a rainbow coattail flowing behind the young girl as she dashed and zipped about. When a full twenty minutes had gone by and the girls still hadn't caught rainbow they'd taken a moment to breath on the platform near the slide.
"She's...too...fast!" Fluttershy panted and whined
"We can't...give up though! She wants to be our friend but we gotta catch her first" Twilight said panting as well.
"Heheh you girls are real fun! I've never had anyone else chase me this long!" Rainbow boasted with a broad grin swinging upside down from the monkey bars by her legs in a carefree fashion.
"I'm gonna take a little break...is that okay?" Twilight asked Rainbow
"Sure thing, I've got lots of energy to spare." Rainbow said
"Okay, you wanna come too Fluttershy?"
"Sure um if that's okay with you of course..."
"No probs 'Shy; you go and take a breather..." Rainbow said having called Fluttershy by the nickname only Cadence or her mom ever called her.
"Okay...thank you Dashie..." Fluttershy muttered.
As they walked off Angel bunny followed and perched himself atop Fluttershy's head. Descending the jungle gym through the slide together they'd reach the floor and crossover to Cadence who'd gotten the hint that the two kids were a bit tuckered out and may have wanted a snack though she'd forgotten to bring snacks with her luckily for them however the snack truck was just pulling up and it was operated by. The little community had many wonders and one of them was this special and handy dandy little food truck that sold snacks and other such goods around the neighborhood 24/7 and it was operated and co-operated by the two families who'd lived in the community for the longest; the cake and apple family. Currently it was being driven by Mr. Cake while his wife Mrs.Cake manned the register and booth.
"Hiya Mrs. Cake!" Cheered Cadence.
"Afternoon Cady sweetie so good ya see ya; oh and are these two new?" Mrs. Cake asked
"Mhm; say hi girls." Cadence said with a smile
"Hi; I'm Twilight Sparkle, I just moved to town."
"I-I'm um Fluttershy" Fluttershy answered quick and spoke low and Cadence giggled a bit leaning over to Mrs. Cake.
"She's very shy..." She whispered
"Ya don't say?" Mrs. Cake chuckled. "Anyway girls what can I get cha? It's on the truck! Since your new and all"
"Hm well one second let's see if Dashie wants anything...HEY DASHIE!!! YOU WANT A SNACK?!" Cadence yelled out to Rainbow Dash
"A ZAP APPLE COLA AND SKITTLES PLEASE!!!" Rainbow called back almost instantly
"Hehe of course, so yeah one ice cold zap apple cola and a bag of skittles; Twily how about you?" Cadence asked
"Um...I'll have some starbursts and an apple juice please." Twilight asked
"And for you flutters?" Cadence asked
"Do you have any fruit? Mommy says I shouldn't eat a lot of candy..." Fluttershy muttered
"Well of course sweetie; hows a nice bowl of chopped baked cinnamon apples sound? The apples a fresh picked from Sweet Apple aces over yonder there." Mrs. Cake said pointing to the farm whose trees spread across the land.
"That sounds nice; yes please...and um...do you have any carrots?" She asked as Angel bunny popped up from her hair.
"D'awwww how precious! Of course sweetie in fact heres a little carrot cake for you little guy" She handed the little bunny a decent sized slice of carrot cake which she nibbled on for a moment and then swallowed whole making Fluttershy giggle.
"And as for me I think I'll have an ice cream cone...hm...in fact...can we make that three sunades in cups to go Mrs. Cake?"
"of course deary you know we always look out for you! You probably our best costumer and you've been such a big help ever since you moved into the community...hehehe everyone is calling you a princess or some such." Mrs. Cake teased with a giggle
"Oh my that sure is flattering; hehe here that girls? Your babysitter is a princess!" Cadence said with a broad grin. "And as princess I decree that my loving subjects shall get free sundaes of any flavor they like with as many topping as they like! Don't worry 'Shy it'll be our little secret." she gave Fluttershy a reassuring wink and turned to Mrs. Cake. "I'll have a vanilla & chocolate swirl with whipped cream coco sauce rainbow sprinkles and a cherry please."
"Ah a classic; and you girls?"
"Vanilla with the purple swirly goo stuff rainbow sprinkles marshmallow & strawberries please!" Twilight answered
"Um...oh my uh...cookies and cream with marshmallow coco sauce whipped cream and hot fudge please...um if thats okay..." Fluttershy muttered
"Comin' right up girls! Oh dear um what about Dashie?"
"We've got enough for now, I'll get her a sundae later if she wants one and I'll pay for it"
"Nonsense she's a great girl and has been really down lately trying to make friends...saw the poor dear getting bullied the other day by some boys who go to the pre-school around here." Mrs. Cake lamented.
"Oh my, was she alright?" Cadence asked worried
"She seemed just fine but I could tell some things they said really hurt her feelings...I think it was about her hair..." Mrs. Cake grimaced a bit
"What do you mean her hair-Oh....Ooooh dear that's...that's just awful! How cruel...." Cadence looked to Rainbow who still swung about carefree and happy and could imagine how hurt she must've felt being mocked for the natural pattern of her hair since it was very in tune with the LGBT flag.
"I know, I would keep an eye on her just in case hon."
"Thanks for the heads up Mrs. Cake."
"Anytime dear; here ya go!" Mrs. Cake handed all the snacks and food to Cadence and Cadence gave the girls each their respective snack and carried what she could. Giving a final thank you to Mrs.Cake for the generous gift they made their way back over to the bench where Rainbow Dash had already come to wait so she could retrieve her snacks.
"Thanks a bunch Cady! You're the best!" Rainbow cheered grabbing her soda and candy from Cadence.
"No worries Dashie...and hey...if those bullies ever bother you again? You tell them to fear Princess Cadence; got that squirt?" Cadence said with a smirk and tussled the little ones already messy head of hair.
"Eheh right...Can do! That is if I don't send 'em packin' first! They were picking on this girl with weird eyes that went different ways who was snacking on a muffin...it wasn't right." Rainbow huffed and popped a few skittles into her mouth.
"That was very noble of you Dashie to stick up for someone else like that, did she say thank you?"
"Uh-huh, she even gave me a muffin; she's super nice and really silly too; I like her...Her name is Derpy"
"Well it sounds like you do have some friends, and how about Twily and Shy? Are they your friends? They didn't manage to catch you after all..."
"Hm oh yeah hehe they're totally my friends!" Rainbow cheered.
"We are?" The two girls asked
"Yup! I really just wanted to see how long you girls would chase me till giving up but you weren't gonna give up I can tell; heheh plus you two are super fun to play with and you both are really good friends with Cady already; of course we're friends!" Rainbow cheered with a broad grin.
"Yay" Fluttershy quietly cheered
"Hehehe I guess Shiny was right; I am gonna make a bunch of new friends here." Twilight said with a smile as she sat next to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash and Cadence. Her smile was plastered to her face but she didn't mind and never before was so so happy to have been so wrong, making friends was actually really nice. These girls were really fun to play with and shared a lot in common with her plus Cady was their babysitter too! And since it seemed they all lived so close by that meant they could play together all the time and Twilight couldn't help but smile at that. She was looking forward to all the new friends she'd make along the way and she could just tell they would all be something special.
Welcome to the Neighborhood
They continued to play in the park having now earned the respect and friendship of Rainbow Dash; running around and chasing her and trying their best to capture to little speedster but to no avail however Rainbow seemed to be having fun and Twilight and Fluttershy seemed to be getting plenty of exercise chasing her so all is well that ends well right? As she continued to watch over the three young ones she noticed she was being joined by a few familiar faces from the area and couldn't help but smile at the sight. While she was the best and well known babysitter in the neighborhood she was far from the only one she was just the go to babysitter however many of the families in this area has children who looked after younger siblings and one such older sibling that was visiting the park with her three little sisters right now was Maud Pie along with little Lime, Marble and Pinkamena
The three little girls were each different in their own right; Limestone Pie was the most grumpy but secretly adorable, Marble Pie was the most shy and quite yet almost overwhelmingly adorable and Pinkamena was a rather happy child and very friendly and she and Marble Pie shared the same hairstyle similar to Maud though Maud had longer hair. With her usual deadpan and emotionless expression she lead the three sisters over to the park and noticed Cadence and as usual it was little Pinkamena who spoke up first. She wore blue overhauls with a pink shirt and pinkie shoes and smiled happily at seeing Cadence; she really liked Cadence; she was fun and Pinkamena liked fun...she didn't get to have a lot of it when she was home because her parents were so strict and had her and her sisters doing chores a lot of the time...but Cady as she was told to call her; let Pinkie...as Cady called the young girl; let her have as much fun as she liked any time they were together and taught little Pinkie the value of smiling and laughter and sharing ones joy with others.
"Hi Cady" the little pink girl chirped in a chipper tone, the octave of her voice high pitch but incredibly adorable.
"Well hello there Pinkie Pie! So good to see you, how are you?" Cadence asked
"I'm okie dokie; me and the girls finished our chores early and so mommy and daddy told Maud to take us to the park." Pinkie smiled, she loved it when Cady called her by that nickname, it was so much easier than her normal name and sounded a lot...happier.
"Well that's nice of you Maud; how are you dear? School coming along well?" Cadence asked
"Yes, quite well, I've moved up into the high honors rock analyzing class...we look at really rare rocks...I'm super excited to see them all" Maud's deadpan expression would tell one otherwise but much like Pinkie, Cadence saw through all that and could tell she was excited about it
"Oh that's wonderful dear! I'm certain with your grades you'll make it into the Crystal Prep high honors society when you go and apply, I'll be sure to put in a few good words for you of course"
"Thank you; Pinkamena you go and play with Lime and Marble....please make sure Lime plays nice this time?" Maud deadpanned but sounded a bit annoyed when explaining to her sister to get the youngest to play nice with her twin sister.
"Okie Dokie!" Pinkie gave a quick nod and headed over to play with her little sisters
"Such a happy little child; it's like you can't even notice the ADHD...and your sure keeping her off the medicine is a good idea?" Cadence asked Maud whom secretly had kept the meds Pinkie was to be given from the young girl believing they weren't needed for there was nothing wrong with her little sister in her eyes, they also made her sister not smile...and Maud couldn't bare to see her baby sister not smiling. Maud may have been hard, quite and reserved but she was a very good big sister and always did what was best for her siblings given her parents were a bit (a lot) out of tune with how the modern age worked. Of her sisters Limestone was the adorable grump and so while she frowned or scowled a lot it was almost never malicious she was just insure; Marble was timid and shy but did her best to smile and look happy for others even though she was even more quite than Maud opting only to ever say 'mhm' when speaking to someone and often either Pinkie or Maud did her speaking for her.
Then there was Pinkie Pie as Cadence had grown to calling her feeling that her full name was rather long and sounded rather...dry. For such a vibrant and energetic young girl it was a wonder if she was adopted or not with how different she was from the rest of her family since she came from a family of miners and their family often worked the mines just outside of town near the Everfree Forest. Cadence always felt there was something special about little Pinkie and that's one of the many things that drew her attention to her, not to mention the fact the little one had a very special talent for getting a smile out of her and everyone she met just about and just like Maud, Cadence would never dream of allowing that loving smile to leave the girls face.
"Positive...those drugs they were going to give her would've turned her into either me or something worse...and I don't want that for her..." Maud said her eyes downcast.
"Maud dear you shouldn't speak of yourself that way, you may be a bit...rough around the edges and rather...um...dull...to others but that doesn't make you any less special or important...besides your very smart, a loving big sister and if you don't mind me saying; secretly one of the most intimidating people I've ever met" Cadence said with a chuckle patting Maud on the should. "Though I do understand your reasoning for keeping her off the meds, I couldn't bare to think what she'd be like without that winning smile; though I do wish her mother would let me do something with the girls hair" Cadence pouted and huffed.
Maud gave a small semblance of a giggle and smile. "Thank you Cadence, it means a lot to hear you say that; Pinkie means the world to me...they all do, I just wish Ma and Pa would catch up to the times but they're stationed in the past like rocks."
"Indeed they are...speaking of which how are Marble and Limestone doing?"
"Marble still barely speaks and Lime still throws temper tantrums." Maud deadpanned and sighed
"Don't worry dear, I'm sure it's just a phase." Cadence smiled reassuringly. "Oh! I know; why don't you read me some of that poetry you said you've been working on..."
"Sure any requests?" Maud asked
"Um...any love poems?" Cadence asked with a smile
"I've got a few...but they can be a bit...'raunchy'" Maud said with what appeared to be a blush.
"Ooooooh do go on" Cadence cooed in a scandalous manner and would wait for Maud to begin.
Clearing her throat Maud would begin to speak. "Rock, hard; you are hard as a rock...Rocks are hard...like you...Rock"
Meanwhile at the Playground
"Marb! Catch the dumb ball!" bellowed Limestone pie in a sour tone as she attempted to play catch with her sister but the shy elder twin sister simply refused to play with her and it was making her cranky...granted she was always a little cranky but still! She just wanted to play ball and catch with big sis Marble and she was being all shy again, it was so annoying it made her wanna scream! Instead of screaming however she simply tossed the ball at her sister caring not if she caught it or not, using her little arms to hurl the red rubber ball at her older sister, for a little one limestone pie was pretty strong and sometimes didn't know her own strength what with being the daughter of a miner and all.
"Epp!" Yelped Marble Pie as she ducked the incoming ball which skid over her head and headed straight for her twin sister Pinkie Pie who was happily skipping over to the two of them her eyes closed as she hummed a gentle tune. She wanted to call out for her sister to duck but it was too late and suddenly she saw her sister toppled to the ground on her back as the ball impact her square in the face and mouth with a loud thump of the thick rubber to Pinkie's face.
Cadence with her hawk like babysitter eyes and ears instantly saw and heard this and came rushing to little Pinkie's aid along with Maud Pie whom while she didn't exactly show it was very cross with Limestone Pie who shrunk under her sisters dead stare and Marble simply looked like she was going to cry because she felt Pinkie taking that hit was her fault too since she didn't tell her to duck or look out. Hearing all the fuss, Twilight, Fluttershy and Rainbow came rushing from their playing to see what was going on and saw that some girl had gotten hurt and apparently Cady knew her and that meant she was a friend. Rushing over as fast as their little legs would carry them with Rainbow being the fastest of course followed by Fluttershy and then Twilight the three girls came to see a knocked out Pinkie Pie being tended to by Cadence.
"Oh dear; Pinkie are you okay? Please say something, anything..." Cadence was trying not to panic and was really hoping an ambulance wouldn't have to be called but she then felt Pinkie stir.
As she stirred from her mini black out, Pinkie's eyes fluttered open and the world shined back into few, she saw faces; all of them looked either super happy or super worried but then happy...Maud looked really, really, super duper happy that she was okay! Shaking her head wildly her normally straight pinkie hair which was now a bit ruffled by her tumble into the dirt was all puffy and wild more so when she shook it out, her entire head of hair almost coming to life with an audible inflation of air. Her sparkling blue eyes came to life, her smile was broad and she spoke up again as she rose up from the ground.
"Gee Limey that was some toss! Hehehe it was all zoom and then nailed me like BONK! hehehe just like in the cartoons with the mouse and the kitty!" Pinkie giggled and smiled happily not the least bit upset that her little sister just accidentally pegged her with a ball.
"Y-Your not mad at me?" Lime asked hesitantly, she should have known Pinkie wouldn't be mad but still.
"Of course not silly; it was just an accident, nothing I can't laugh off" Pinkie giggled with a smile but then one of her front teeth was seen dangling loose.
"Oh my her tooth came loose...does it hurt Pinkie?"
"Hm? Nope not really." Pinkie said as she ran her tongue along her loosened tooth and just yanked it out as if her tongue were some kind of third appendage
"Ewww" Fluttershy and Twilight said watching
"Awesome!" Rainbow Dash cheered with a chuckle
"All better heheh, now the tooth fairy is gonna come!! Yay! heheh I'm ready for her this time; lets see her get past the new traps I set up; all those coins shall be mine!" Pinkie giggled enraptured .by her imagination which seemed to now be kicked into hyper drive as her levels of excitement and cheer were far high than normal and it was very noticeable to both Cadence and Maud.
"Well if your sure but how about we get you cleaned up a bit huh?" Cadence offered Pinkie a hand
"Okie Dokie Lokie!" Pinkie chirped
"Oh my you girls haven't met...formally yet have you? Flutters, Twily, Dashie; this is Maud Pie and her little sisters; Limestone, Marble &..." Cadence began to name off the different girls but when she got to Pinkie, the little bubblegum pink girl stepped forward, smile broad and hand extended in friendship.
"I'M PINKIE PIE! Pleased to meet cha!" Pinkie said with a big smile and big levels of enthusiasm
"Heya; I'm Rainbow Dash, but my friends call me Dashie" Rainbow proclaimed with a kind grin
"I'm Fluttershy" Fluttershy said with a small smile
"I'm Twilight Sparkle; I just moved here with my family" Twilight said introducing herself to the newest girl.
"Really? Your new in town?! That's soooooooooo great! Oh oh oh! We should do something to welcome you...OOOH! I KNOW!!" Turning to Cadence with a big smile she looked up at her with sparkling blue eyes and hopped on her heels in excitement. "CAN WE THROW TWILY A PARTY? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE?!?!?!"
"A party?" Twilight, Shy and Rainbow all said in unison.
"uh huh, uh huh; a welcome to the neighborhood party! It'll be ubber fun! Pleeeeeeease Cady?!" Pinkie begged with the most adorable puppy dog pout that was almost good enough to rival Twilight's either way how could anyone say no to that face?!
"Wellllll I'unno Pinkie; Twily would you like a-"
"YES!!" Twilight cheered with a broad smile
"Well that answers that; okay Pinkie we can throw Twily a party later tonight at my house; the adults are all having a housewarming party at Twily's new house so it'll be a big sleepover at my house tonight, in fact I really should go pick up Apple-"
"WINONA YOU GIT BACK HERE GIRL!" The southern voice of a well known cowgirl bellowed from beyond the park as she chased a little puppy with a brown and white coat who had instantly taken a liking to Fluttershy and pounced on the small girl causing her to yelp in surprise and wiggle around on the floor giggling as the little adorable pup licked at her face.
"heheheheheheh awww well hello there."
A young girl dressed in what could only be described as cowgirl wear complete with a brown stetson and brown cowgirl boots she ran over to grab the little pup in her arms and calm her down chuckling sheepishly as she helped up the pink haired girl. Her southern accent was thick clearly indicating that she was of southern heritage.
"Consarnit Winona! Ahm mighty sorry ya'll; she's just really excited ta be outside today fer some-Oh howdy Cady!"
"Hello Applejack; I was actually going to come by the farm and get you, how lucky that you happen to find me here."
"Yep; Big Mac n I got done with our chores a might early and Granny went ta take a nap so ah figured I'd bring Winona out to stretch her legs but I guess I shoulda used that collar we got 'er cause soon as I go to grab a quick apple lil tyke runs off and tackles some poor girl ta the ground...I'm sorry bout that sugarcube." Applejack explained giving her apologizes to Fluttershy using the southern drawl she'd picked up from the rest of her family.
"It's okay hehehe she's adorable" Fluttershy smiled scratching a finger under the puppy's chin
"Why thank ya kindly; she was born only a week ago on the farm...My names Applejack by the way; whats yours?" Applejack asked finally putting the pup down so she could probably address everyone.
"I'm Fluttershy; my mommy actually knows your granny; um she works with flowers." Fluttershy said, her mother was a florist and often did business with granny smith and sweet apple arces.
"Oh yeah I remember seein' ya around; mighty pleased ta meet cha Fluttershy".
"Hi um; I'm Twilight Sparkle I-"
"Just moved into town right? Yeah your family must be the ones Big Mac is helpin' out right now; mighty kind of yer folks to pay my big brother for helpin' ya'll move in and its right fancy ta meet cha Twilight, Cady actually talks bout cha quite a lot." Applejack said with a smile as she addressed the much talked about Twilight Sparkle that her babysitter often told her about when she came over for visits.
"R-Really Oh well it's nice to meet you Applejack; Cady brought me some of your family's fizzy cider a few times; it was really good" Twilight said with a kind smile remembering the delicious drink
"Well thank ya Twilight; the family prides ourselves on our cider; hey hows about I bring some over to Cady's house tonight?"
"We were actually throwing a party so that's perfect!" Pinkie cheered. "I'm Pinkie Pie by the way; nice ta meet cha Applejack! hehehe you have the same name as that one cereal; Hm, I think I'm gonna call you AJ!" Pinkie giggled as she addressed the cowgirl, chortling at the fact that the girl shared the name of cereal and one of her favorites too!
"Hehehe yeah Big Mac and Granny tease me 'bout it all the time; Pa was the one who came up with it though." Applejack pouted a little bit but it was so adorable one couldn't care to take it seriously.
"And I'm Rainbow Dash; but Dashie is cool, so your a cowgirl huh? That's pretty cool" Rainbow said with a smile as she addressed the cowgirl herself.
"Yes ma'am, proud of it too! Ma and Pa said once I get older they'll start teachin' me more bout how to tend ta farm so me n Big Mac can take over one day....I've seen you and yer pops around a few times but always been too busy with my chores; ya'll are mighty fast I gotta say."
"Hehehe Yep! They don't call me Dash for nothin'! I'm the fastest kid 'round these parts!" Rainbow boasted with a broad smile
"Oh yeah? Betcha I could whoop ya" Applejack grinned
"Ooooooooh" The other girls minus Maud exclaimed
"Pft oh yeah? That a challenge cowgirl?" Rainbow grinned cracking her knuckled and tapping her foot to the ground ready to race if she wanted to
"Only if'n yer acceptin' and ready ta get burnt." Applejack said grinning still.
"Oh your on!" Rainbow bellowed.
"Hehehe well it appears we have a friendly compeition on our hands girls...winner gets a free sundae; sound fair?" Cadence decided to raise the stakes.
"Totally!"
"Darn tootin'!"
"Well alright, at the starting line! First one to the fence and back wins!"
The two girls took their place at the imaginary starting line where Cadence stood and has her hand raised. Kneeling down ready to take off both girls gave a determined look and grin.
"On your marks...get set...GO!" Cadence threw down her hand and the two girls sprinted forward
Taking off at top speed Rainbow Dash was of course ahead at first but was surprised when she saw she hadn't exactly left Applejack in the dust; in fact the blonde cowgirl was actually keeping up quite well with the young speedster and that was a feat in of itself, not even something that her father could boast. As they dashed across the grass, kicking up the dirt and blades of grass and their little feet pounded through the path before they them reached the fence almost at the same time turned around and took back off toward Cadence. They dashed forward at top speed, neck and neck they went and for a moment it seemed like it could go either way and Cadence had her hands extended out as if for one them them to highfive her to confirm they crossed first. When the two girls finally reached their babysitter they each slapped her hand and it was up to Cadence to decide who won but that wouldn't keep the two girls from bickering about who crossed first.
"I totally won!" Rainbow said
"Pft as if; I totally got to her hand a second before ya"
"Did not!"
"Did too"
"Did not!"
"Did too"
"Did not!!"
"Did too!"
"Girls, Girls; no need to fight...you actually tied..." Cadence grinned
"Tied?" They both said and Cadence nodded to affirm
"Sooo...who gets the free sundae?" Rainbow asked
"Hehehe you both do silly!" Cadence said with a smile and lead all the girls back over to the snack truck where Mrs. Cake was eagerly waiting with a knowing smile.
"Hehe we're gonna need a few things Mrs.Cake; Party at my house tonight!" Cadence cheered and the other girls cheered with her.
"Not you Lime...your grounded." Maud deadpanned looking at Limestone Pie who instantly scowled and began stomping her foot throwing a tantrum. In response to this Marble Pie tugged on Maud's jeans and whispered something to her and then Maud spoke again. "But you can have your own small little party with Marble at home if you want." She said which instantly got Limestone to calm down.
"Well that settles that." Cadence chuckled and turned to Mrs. Cake as she began to tell the plump cake seller what she wanted in terms of snacks and such for the little sleepover party she was going to be hosting at her house tonight. Cadence lived with her foster parents but they were very kind and loving folk and had full faith in Cadence and he ability to handle children so having a big sleepover at the house wasn't a big deal for her to ask. It was just rare that she did such things with so many of the kids she babysat, though given how friendly all these girls were becoming with one another? It wouldn't be a rarity for that much longer...and then as if right on cue, from behind her a posh and elegant voice called out to her.
"Cadence; yoo hoo darling" a woman with indigo hair and pink skin called out, with her was a young alabaster skinned girl with violet purple hair and the most adorable little sundress on. In her hair was a clip in the shape of three perfectly cut blue diamonds.
"Oh Mrs. Cookie! How are you? Hi Rarity! Hows my favorite little lady?" Cadence said with a smile turning to the posh young female
"Greetings Ms.Cadenza; I'm very well thank you" Rarity said in her usual polite and almost regal tone of voice and she then noticed the five other girls that were with her babysitter. "My and who are all of you? Does Ms.Cadenza babysit you too?" Rarity asked tilting her head some in curiosity.
"Uh huh! My names Pinkie Pie!"
"Rainbow Dash!"
"Names Applejack; pleased ta meet cha sugarcube"
"I'm Fluttershy..."
"I'm Twilight Sparkle; I'm new in town, it's nice to meet you."
"Greetings to you all! my name is Rarity; such an honor to meet others that Ms.Cadenza knows" She gave a cute curtsy bow.
"Heheheh you talk funny! Oooh I like your hair! It's so fancy and nice!" Pinkie said smiling and admiring Rarity's perfectly kept head of hair.
"Why thank you; I just had it done today" Rarity giggled with a smile
"So what's up Mrs.Cookie? Night out with the hubby again?"
"Heheh don't you know it honey; we've been on a streak lately! I dare say if this keeps up lil Rare is going to be a big sister!" Chuckled Cookie Crumbles behind a hand.
"Oh my goodness well that would be quite eventful I'm sure; well I'm holding a sleepover party at my place tonight if you want to drop her off." Cadence informed Cookie of her plans this evening
"Splendid! I'll bring her over in about an hour sound good?" Cookie began to walk off with Rarity in toe
"Perfect; see you then Rarity" Cadence waved "Well girls looks like we've got another party guest so how about you all go home and pack an overnight back and let your parents know you'll be sleeping over at my place tonight; any of you who have school in the morning don't worry I'll take you okay?"
"Okay!" The girls all cheered after having grabbed all their respective snacks and such. Rainbow went back to her father who was sitting on a nearby bench enjoying a fresh bottle of hard cider like he always did. Applejack took Winona back toward the farm, Pinkie went with Maud and her sisters and that left Fluttershy and Twilight with Cadence. Cadence took Fluttershy home to grab her some PJ's as well as her school backpack and whatever other items the girl might have needed and then went to Twilight's house to grab her things but kept the little girl out of the house or rather the parts that weren't ready for her to see just yet so they'd remain a surprise and grabbed her things. Once they had everything they'd make their way to Cadence's house where Maud waited with Pinkie, Rainbow Blaze waited with Dash, Cookie waited with Rarity, Ms.Shy with Fluttershy and Applejack was on her own having been to Cadence's house many times before.
"Alright everyone is here; thank you all so much for letting them stay with me tonight; I promise they'll all have a blast; isn't that right girls?"
All the girls voiced their approval with a big cheery 'Yes' and this made each of the parents smile in earnest. Each parents said their goodbyes to their children and left them in Cadences care and one by one Cadence filed the girls into the house and as she was about to go inside she heard someone calling out to her.
"Wait! Excuse me!!" A female voice called out
Cadence turned to see a woman with peach color skin and fiery red hair running toward her from the park which wasn't far from her home. She wore a long red dress and had pearl earrings and a necklace on along with a pair of black heels.
"Yes? How can I help you? Is something the matter ma'am?" Cadence asked
"O-Oh no, not really; I just; well um you see my husband and I just moved to this neighborhood from Canterlot Heights last month and our usual babysitter canceled on us at the last minute and we've got a very important party to attend tonight; I heard from many around here that your the best and go to babysitter and I was wondering if it wasn't too much trouble-"
"Ah bup bup! So no more ma'am! Of course I'll help! Why I'd be hard pressed not too! My names Mi Amore Cadenza but everyone calls me Cadence or Cady."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Cadenza; my name is Bright Dawn" The woman said extending her hand to shake with Cadence in a very professional manner. "I do thank you for wanting to help and I assure you money is no object and I can pay up front."
"Oh don't worry about it Mrs.Dawn it's no trouble; in fact I'm having a little sleepover at my place tonight; oh um boy or girl?"
"Girl" Dawn answered
"Ah perfect then; and where is the little sweetheart?"
"Hm? Oh dear um eheheh sorry she can get a bit distracted...SUNSET!!!! COME HERE!" The woman called out to her daughter whom was in the park sitting under the old oak tree with a book in hand.
The girl known as Sunset came over from the tree she was under and walked over to her mothers side holding her book in her arms and looked at Cadence with a look that was between indifference and shyness. She wore a orange skirt with streaks of yellow and purple, the image of a red and yellow sun stamped on the side and the same kind of symbol showed in a hair-clip that held her long fiery red and yellow hair into a ponytail. She also wore a purple short sleeve shirt and red shoes.
"Um...Hi." Sunset said her eyes downcast
"Well hello there sweetie; whats your name?"
"Didn't my mom just call my name?" Sunset huffed
"Sunset don't be rude!...I am so sorry..."
"Oh don't worry about it"
"Apologize and properly introduce yourself young lady..." Dawn scolded
"My name is Sunset...Sunset Shimmer...and...i'm sorry for being rude..." Sunset said but didn't sound like she wanted to say it; she could tell this girl was going to be a tough one to crack, she certainly had a few walls up, she seemed about Twilight's age if not about a year older and in fact she could see a lot of shades of Twilight in Sunset, so many it was almost scary.
"Well it's very nice too meet you Sunset; and it's alright I forgive you; would you like to come in? It is a party after all..." Cadence gave Sunset a warm and gentle smile
"Um...Ok...sure; I guess..." Sunset said a bit apprehensive
"Good; I'll leave her with you and bring by a few of her things in about 20 minutes" Dawn said
"Excellent, I'll be sure to take good care of her." Cadence nodded ushering Sunset inside.
"Thank you; now Sunset...behave" Dawn said sternly
"Yes mother..." Sunset said as she walked inside.
Upon entering the home Sunset felt something...different...it wasn't like her home, lonely, boring, just full of books and expensive things that her parents brought with them from Canterlot Heights from their much bigger home. Sunset hated that they had to move away from the fancy life they once had to live in this boring little community and she was working so hard to get into the Crystal Prep early starter program but now that would probably have to be put on hold because of the move which irked something something fierce but at least it wasn't all bad. This community had a pretty big library and for the most part was pretty quite and no one bothered her; often times she had time to herself to be with her books because her babysitter never paid her much attention opting to just goof off with their friends while Sunset sat all alone in her room reading or studying. It's not like she wanted to hang out with them anyway...they all called her an egghead and a spoiled rich brat and made fun of her for liking Power Pony comics...she didn't need them or anyone else but her mom and dad were insistent on getting her a new babysitter after the last one 'canceled' more like quit; stupid if you asked her, her parents were more or less rich! Why give up such a job? Probably because they got bored watching Sunset and because now they lived too far away for them to commute.
However this house...this place...this babysitter named Cadence...she was different; and all these girls...she hadn't known them and while she was in the mood to rather just go sit in a corner and read by herself she promised her mother she'd behave so that meant she'd have to socialize even if it was just a little bit. It was then her ears were met with an earsplitting
"HIYA!" The girl with poofy pink hair shouted
"gyah! Not so loud geez!" Sunset snapped
"My whoopsy! I didn't mean to scare you..." Pinkie smiled sheepishly
"Whatever...and you are?" Sunset asked snarkly
"My names Pinkie Pie! Pleased to meet cha! Whats your name?"
"S-"
"Oh, oh oh lemme guess!! Oh um...Sunburst Shine?"
"No"
"Sunlight Glimmer?"
"No..."
"Starlight Twinkle?"
"No!"
"uuuuuh...Sundown Sparkle?" Pinkie tilted her head
"No you big dummy! It's Sunset Shimmer!" Sunset snapped but pinkie didn't seem affected at all
"Ooooooh that makes a lot more sense hehehe; that's a really nice name!"
"Um thanks..."
"Why hello there Sunset; so nice to meet another new face; my names Rarity"
"Hi;my names Sunset but I guess you knew that already"
"Hehe why of course dear, and might I say I absolutely love you hair! Such a lovely design and so well done too!" Rarity said with her usual level of posh politeness
"Oh um...thanks...I like yours too" Sunset said with a small blush on her face
"Howdy sugarcube! My names Applejack; right fancy ta meet cha!" Applejack said taking Sunset's hand and shaking it vigorously
"H-Hi...um nice too meet you too?" She said, she'd never met a country person before. This girl smelled like apples
"Sup; Names Rainbow Dash, but since your cool with Cady that means we're gonna be friends and my friends call me Dashie" Rainbow said with a proud smirk and extended her hand.
"Um yeah sure ok" Sunset said shaking the cyan girls hand
"Um I'm fluttershy-" the meek girl mumbled in an almost inaudible tone.
"Huh what did you say your name was?" Sunset asked looking at the pink haired girl
"Fluttershy" She said again, her octave a bit squeaky
"Speak up will ya!" Sunset snapped and caused the girl to recoil and give a small 'meep' and sunset merely rolled her eyes. "Ugh whatever"
"That's Fluttershy, Sunset; she's um...well...you get the idea..." Cadence told Sunset
"Oh...I see..." Sunset felt like she should say sorry but then had her attention drawn to the last girl in the group who had her nose in a book. "And you are?"
Coming up from her reading she blushed to see the newest girl to join them "Um...T-Twilight...Twilight Sparkle..."
"Sparkle...Sparkle...Twilight...hm...wait! Your mom wouldn't happen to be Twilight Velvet would she?" Sunset asked quirking a brow
"Mhm...my mommy is a publisher and a writer..." Twilight nodded, her cheeks a tint of pink
"Cool! I have a few of her books back at home." Sunset said with a genuine smile. This girl seemed really smart and seemed to have a love of books like herself...hm wait is that? "Say is that Daring Do and The Thieves Gauntlet?" Sunset asked pointing to Twilight's book
"Uh huh! I love Daring Do! She's so brave and cool and smart and funny and fearless and-" Twilight began to gush and squee over her favorite adventure historian.
"Neeeeeerd" Rainbow teased.
Both Twilight and Sunset responded at the same time blowing a raspberry at Rainbow Dash.
"Oh please Daring Do is totally amazing I'll have you know Dash. I have my copy of Daring Do too but I have read that one yet."
"Oh? what copy do you have?"
"Daring Do The Wrath of Ahuizotl the complete 3 volume edition..." Sunset beamed
"NO.WAY! I've searched all over for that book! Can I borrow it? Oh please, oh please, oh please, please, pleeeeeeeeeease!?!" Twilight begged and whined wanting Sunset to let her borrow such a precious book
"Weeeeeell....maybe...I haven't finished the last volume yet and i tend to want to read books over when I finish them just to-"
"-make sure I get the full experience!" twilight finished for her and Sunset finished at the same time and they both shared a look.
"My my my aren't you both just cut from the same cloth?" Cadence said with smile
"I've never met anyone who likes to read as much as I do before; I um...don't really have any friends around here..." Sunset said down casting her eyes again. "Often times I'm just alone with all my books at home while mom and dad go out..." Sunset said with a pout and obvious frown.
"Awww it's alright Sunny! You don't have to be lonely anymore! We'll be your friends! Right girls?" Pinkie said with a smile
"Indeed;I know how difficult it can be moving, I moved here from Manehatten two years ago and haven't really gotten to spend much time with anyone besides Cadence, besides that I'm at home drawing up dresses and practicing my sowing." Rarity said gathering around Sunset with the others.
"Yeah sugar ah remember when me, ma, pa, granny and big mac moved to this here spot, we used ta live all the way up in Appleoosia but pa wanted ta find better land and such, had ta leave a whole lot of the family behind and I don't get ta see em as much so I spend a lot a time helpin' on the farm." Applejack added
"Yeah back home me Limey Marb and Maud all have lots and lots and lots and LOOOOOOOTS of chores to do all the time and its really hard work and we don't get to have a lot fun or smile; when I'm with Cady or any of you I feel like I can't stop smiling!" Pinkie said giggling and bouncing on her heels
"But...you just met me..." Sunset said
"And the rest of us for that matter" Twilight affirmed
"Well yeah I know that you sillies but your my friends and my friends make me smile! That's all there is too it!" Pinkie affirmed with a nod
"I agree with Pinks; I only just met all of you but you are all super cool if you ask me, I've had it rough trying to make friends with other boys and girls around here so it's nice to know I can hang out with all of you especially since you know Cady....and don't worry Sunset; you're gonna love Cady! She's the best babysitter around!" Rainbow boasted Cadences awesomeness. "Imagine something that's like really awesome; well Cadence is that thing but 20% cooler!" she exclaimed
"Hehehe my Rainbow your such a charmer" Cadence giggled covering her mouth with a hand blushing at Rainbow's barrage of compliments of how good a babysitter she was.
"Well it's true! Your the best!"
"Thank you Rainbow."
"Hey um....Fluttershy; was it?" Sunset said walked over to the shy girl who hid behind her wall of hair
"Y-Yes?" Fluttershy asked
"I'm um...sorry I snapped at you like that...I didn't mean too...heheh mom says I have her temper." Sunset said sheepishly
"Oh um...it's okay...I know that I can be really shy sometimes...I can't help it; but I'll try to do better, and it's okay...you apologized and I forgive you...thank you" Fluttershy said with a kind smile.
"You're Welcome" Sunset said kindly
"Well now that the ice is broken...WHOSE READY TO PARTY!?" Cadence said with a grin pulling out her phone. "I've got Ace's Pizza on speed dial!" Cadence gave a devious smile
As the sun dipped into its set position the girls had all settled in and were ready for a night of fun and games. Sunset had never thought it possible since she'd moved and her passed babysitter ditched her...she actually had...friends. It was strange, before she felt making friends was a waste of time; why socialize with others when you could increase your own knowledge. Besides most people ignored her anyway; she was 'a bookworm' as they called her, she always was studying or reading something and given her temper and tendency to be snarky she came off as rude and mean when that wasn't entirely the case. The concept of friendship and other such relationships up till now were foreign to Sunset Shimmer however just like any book or lesson she sought now to learn it. She didn't have to end up being a stuffy rich spoiled brat like her mother had been or follow the same path as either of her parents, Sunset wanted for simpler things; sure she wanted to be successful but she wanted to do it her own way...perhaps with these friends...she might be able to do just that.
The Sleepover Part 1: Fun & Games
Cadence's House
It day had dipped into the evening, the sun had set and the moon had risen, full in cloudless Fall sky as the wind whipped at the trees and rustled the leaves from their branches. The day had begun with a simple move into the neighborhood, Twilight Sparkle; the newest member of the little community of Ponyville commons had never thought that today would end up going the way it did but lo and behold she was wrong and much to her surprise she'd never been happier to be so wrong about something and if there was one thing Twilight didn't like...it was being wrong. She hated being wrong almost as much as she didn't like being tardy or quesadillas...something her big brother teased her about often but she couldn't help it...they were just so...cheesy! It didn't sit well with her at all. She also didn't like things that didn't make sense or had no real scientific explanation, she was a logical being, a critical thinker and as she was told by many; a genius. She was only five years old however was incredibly if not inhumanly smart for her age, having already blown through kindergarten and entered third grade with much older kids. Twilight loved to learn, it was who she was; she loved reading books, studying, increasing her knowledge, testing her brain power by quizzing herself or playing brainteaser games on the tablet daddy got her.
However even with all that; Twilight Sparkle...had no friends. Even when she was in kindergarten the other kids often left her to her own devices or she willingly ignored them and kept to herself for a multitude of reasons. Even with as smart as she was, she was socially awkward, she was shy, she often times overthought or over complicated things that were simple, she had a habit of rambling, she was easily frazzled and so many other little things. Those things often got her made fun of and the center of mockery from the other children; they'd always call her mean and nasty names like dork, geek, nerd, loser, egghead and other such hurtful things that made her even more standoffish towards them and made her believe that her books were her only true friends alongside her big brother best friend forever and her babysitter. After all why would she ever need anyone or anything else with them around right? Shiny was big, strong, reliable, almost as much of a geek as she was, kind, caring and everything a good big brother should be to their little sister and then some; a true knight in shinning armor and worthy of his namesake.
Then there was Mi Amore Cadenzea aka Cadence; her babysitter, the neighborhood 'princess' and to Twilight Sparkle? Her first true friend; Cadence was kind, sweet, smart, funny and above all else she was unconditionally loving. One wouldn't think a 16 year old girl to be capable of such love and affection; most of the teenagers Twilight knew of or had seen were big, mean, rude and loud. Cadence was calm, sweet, caring and while she loved to have fun, be loud and make the kids she looked after smile and laugh she always made sure to keep everyone safe and secure. She carried an aura about her that blanketed any she came across with love and affection, a warm smile that could turn any frown upside down, a gentle touch that could smooth the roughest of edges and a level of elegance that was befitting of a princess. She loved Twilight like a little sister and while Twilight may not have completely understood the concept of being 'in love' she knew she at the very least had a VERY big crush on her brother and vise versa which little Twilight would take every chance to tease them about it but she was never malicious about it of course.
She also had her favorite stuffed dolly Mr.Smarty Pants which was given to her at birth by her mommy and she loved him dearly. He always kept her company when she was alone reading books, kept her safe at night in the darkness of her old big room, listened to her problems about school or life in general and was always there for her to hug and snuggle when she was feeling down.
So with all that Twilight had knowledge which was power, a big strong knight in shining armor to protect her, a princess to love and nurture her, a dolly to play with and share her deepest secrets and imagination with. Why would she need anything else? However now things were different. Twilight for a time thought herself above making friends since other kids seemed so insistent on being mean when she was just being the girl she was at heart, it wasn't her fault after all...mommy and daddy said on the very first day of school...just be yourself and that's what she always did.
However as she sat around the big round living room with a plate of pizza in one hand and a soda in the other hand, Twilight continued to look a little nervous; she'd had slumber parties with Cadence before and they had a usual routine they stuck too but things were different now; there were all these other girls here and while she knew Rainbow and Fluttershy a little bit she knew nothing about all the other girls.
'What should I do? Should I talk to them? Ask them questions? What if they make fun of me for asking too many questions? What if they laugh at me? What if-' Twilight began to overthink and panic and of course Cadence read her better than any book and caught onto her facial cues.
"Twily? You alright there ladybug?" Cadence asked patting Twilight on the shoulder
"W-Whuh?" Twilight asked snapping out of her stupor.
"You spaced out a little bit ladybug; we were all about to play a game after we eat and wanted to know if you had any suggestions."
"Yeah Twily! I suggested hide and go seek!" Pinkie said bouncing in place on the floor while nomming on her pizza
"Oh, oh, oh Cady! I brought my N64; can we play Smash?" Rainbow asked remembering that she brought her game system from home and a couple of controllers; daddy always bought extras just in case Rainbow ever got any friends to come over and play with her. She only had 4 controllers but hoped everyone wouldn't mind taking turns.
"I suggested truth or dare" Rarity chimed taking small nibbles of her pizza.
"Ah suggested a scavenger hunt; Granny plays that with me and big mac all the time!" Applejack replied
"Those all sounds like great suggestions girls; Shy, Twi, Sunny; how about all of you? You haven't made any suggestions yet." Cadence asked looking to the three girls.
"Oh um....I'm okay with whatever you all like I guess..." Fluttershy said not entirely sure what she wanted to play or do because so many of the girls made good suggestions.
"Does it have to be a game?" Sunset asked curiously trying to think of just what to play drawing a blank.
"No I suppose not; as long as its something everyone can have fun doing." Cadence replied "Though let's try and keep it simple but fun okay? We all technically have school tomorrow."
Mulling that over Sunset would wonder what she should suggest. Sunset on the one hand found many of the girls choices...strange. But then again this was her very first slumber party...heck...it was her first party ever. Sunset wasn't very popular with kids at school having blown through kindergarten and landed in third grade at the tender age of seven; she would have gone ahead sooner but her parents wanted to keep her around kids her age for some unforeseen reason that Sunset didn't know or care to understand, none of those kids liked her anyway. Sunset came from a very well off family, she was naturally very smart and had a passion for learning new things, but the other kids in school seemed to automatically think she thought she was better than everyone; she for a time attended Canterlot prep where all the kids even in the lowest grades were simply put...elite jerks. They all came from super wealthy families or people who were well known in high society as well as being very smart however Sunset never felt an attraction to any of them in terms of wanting to be friends or have 'fun' with them.
Her version of fun was reading, studying, learning and thinking up new creative things; her mind was that of a super computer, always calculating, always thinking, imagining, never stopping and craved knowledge. Her parents were often busy working, her mother was the C.E.O, of a fancy jewelry company and her father was an accomplished and well known scientist in the field of bio-engineering and other such complex fields to help benefit humanity. At her core that's what Sunset wanted to do also...to help, to make the world a better place, to share her vast knowledge with others and have them acknowledge her for her ideas even if some of them may have seemed foolish. However in school the other kids often either ignored her or picked on her...or at least they did until they learned Sunset didn't like being picked on or called names and they quickly realized the girls temper was as fiery as her head of hair. That little punk Blueblood had no right to call her a 'Bacon-Haired Super Geek' Her hair did NOT LOOK LIKE BACON. She hated people comparing her hair to meat or anything of the sort, it was so demeaning; her hair was wavy and wild like fields of fire!
Sunset was by no means a 'bad' or 'misbehaved' child; she would say misunderstood really. Her mother and father rarely spent time with her, she didn't have any friends(till now) the babysitters her parents hired to watch her merely watched and tolerated her rather than spent any actual time with her leaving her alone to her books, kids at school weren't her type; so when now thrust into this new environment with all these different girls whom none of which seemed stuck up or mean...not even Rarity who seemed a lot like those girls in Canterlot Height's but she carried herself much different which was a breath of fresh air to Sunset. Sunset racked her brain wondering what to suggest to play but the cards were coming up blank...and then it hit her...Duh you big dummy, you never leave home without them.
"Can we play cards?" Sunset asked. "i have a couple of decks with me; and its a card game we can kinda all play." Sunset explained
"Oh? What kind of card game?" Cadence asked
"It's called Pon-E-Oh; it's-"
"THE BEST MOST FUNNEST CARD GAME EVER!!! EEEEEEE I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU PLAY!" Twilight cheered with glee, her smile threatening to split her face in two.
"Oh maker above help me" Cadence chuckled and rolled her eyes. 'How are these two not sisters?' Cadence thought.
"You play too?!" Sunset asked surprised, Sunset had only met a few people who played this game and she played them...they never played again and gave them all her cards after losing so fiercely.
Twilight nodded vigorously and smiled "Uh-huh! Shiny and me play all the time! He loves using his Equestrian Knight deck; I have a Princess deck myself..." Twilight said with a smile remembering all the games she played against shining armor; he was better at the game since he'd been playing longer but Twilight was a quick learner and easily kept up with him after she got the hang of it, plus a bunch of puppy dog pouty begging to her parents to get her the cards she wanted didn't hurt either.
"That's so cool! I have a phoenixian deck myself, I mean...I have a lot of cards I don't use if you all wanna build a deck to play with." Sunset suggested.
"I think that sounds lovely; it could be a perfect little bonding experience for you all! What do you think girls? Sound fun?" Cadence asked the other girls.
"I reckon that sounds like a good time; I always see Pa and Uncle Appleseed playin' cards and pa always wins so ah figure it runs in the family." Applejack said with a smile tipping her stetson.
"It sounds super duper fun!" Pinkie giggled
"Totally! I used to have a deck too but I lost it when we moved; got any Spectral Beasts?" Rainbow asked
"Do I? I have the entire set!" Sunset said with a grin having begun pulling out her card binder and tin cans that were full to the brim with cards.
"I believe this could be fun" Rarity replied. "How is the game played?" Rarity asked
"Don't worry I brought the rule book and can explain once we start making the decks." Sunset affirmed.
"um...is it a hard game?" Fluttershy asked; she didn't want to be bad at the game and ruin anyone's fun
"Oh no, no, no Flutters; it's really easy and fun, Shiny taught me how to play a few months ago and I love it! We play whenever we can but lately he's been super busy with his ROTC stuff" Twilight affirmed
"Oh yes that's right! Shiny is trying to go into the military after he graduates; he's been doing so well, I hear he might even be in line for scholarship to Crystal Prep." Cadence chirped and smiled; she and Shining Armor were on similar paths in a matter of speaking; Cadence as well as being a babysitter was an educator, a tutor and teachers assistant at the moment but she knew with enough hard work and once she went to Crystal University and teach classes at Crystal Prep; she adored educating young minds, enriching them and preparing them for the future, that's one of the things she loved about babysitting as well; it allowed her to mold young minds outside of classrooms and enabled her to prepare these little ones for the new world, giving them template to follow in a way of sorts, helping each child she looked after come into their own, find themselves in a way and then go out and be the best they could be and so far she'd been very successful though she had all that to thank her mentor for. Cadence smiled warmly as the image of an alabaster skinned woman with long flowing rainbow color hair who shined as radiant as the sun passed through her mind.
Focusing her attention back on the children in front of her she could already see they'd paired up and were looking through cards, exchanging them and talking among themselves. Pinkie was paired with Rainbow; Rarity was paired with Fluttershy and Applejack was paired with Sunset and Twilight. They were all grouped together and Sunset and Twilight did their best to work between them all and explain the rules of the game, the types of cards, their functions and much more. Each girl took a shine in a particular type of card archetype and each type told a lot about each girl in truth.
Rarity was partial to the cards known as Royal Crystal's; creatures of all shapes and sizes of an elegant nature, all of them were dressed like kings, queens, knights, jesters, executioners and even a couple of dragons. They were cards that focused on defense and adding power to the other cards for more chances to win.
Rainbow Dash as she had said was a fan of the Spectral Beast cards; beasts of all shapes and sizes who were different colors of the rainbow, some one color, some two, some three; the more colors a monster had in them the more powerful they were. Rainbow's favorite monster card was The Pegasus Paladin Aurora; a white anthropomorphic Pegasus with rainbow color hair surging with lightning with two swords clad in knight armor soaring through the sky with a sonic boom and rainbow trail shooting behind her. This deck and cards were made for quick plays and getting in as many attacks with the boss monster as possible.
Fluttershy was pretty partial to the Breezy's; little fairy like creatures each a different color and design. It too was a defensive deck but it had a good offense when spells were used in good measure, the monsters themselves weren't that strong save for the big boss monster of the deck however they were stronger together which made it well balanced.
Applejack was taking a special liking to the Lone stars; a western themed deck based around the old west. Monsters included cowboys, cowgirls, stallions and sheriffs. It was a deck that was reliable as it was strong and each monster had a special ability that played off the other. The big boss monster of the deck was a cowgirl riding a orange steed with a blonde mane and even bore a mark similar to her special three apples.
Pinkie took a quick liking to the party animals; silly and creative monsters each party themed in some way; it was a deck full of tricks and traps to lure foes in and then surprise them, right up Pinkie's alley. She liked all the super colorful creatures and names of the cards and it seemed like a really really fun game that she just couldn't wait to play.
Twilight had a deck of her own and had even brought a couple of her own cards having left them in the backpack that Cadence had gotten from her house. She'd sit and trade cards with Sunset, she'd keep her princess deck the same but Sunset had a multitude of new cards called The Midknights, monsters that specialized in magic and could draw special magic cards from the deck or even from the grave. There was even one that looked like her a little bit; Sparkling Midknight; The Queen of Magic.
Finally Sunset would keep outfit her Phoenixian deck with a couple of the knew Midknight and princess cards that Twilight had. Her deck was a well balanced one, powerful offense, strong defense, a well balanced amount of traps and spells and it specialized in burn damage. Sunset managed to make it even stronger by crossing the midknight cards of a certain type with her own. Sunset then noticed something between a few of the cards on the floor between her and Twilight, each one going to a different deck but could be used with most any other deck. A series of spell cards each baring a different letter and each was a different color and it spell out HARMONY and it came with a few different cards that had varying effects: Harmony is Magic, Harmonic Rainbow, and Aurora of Friendship.
'Huh; I don't remember ever seeing these cards before...'
"Oh you found those huh?" Twilight asked looking to see Sunset looking over the cards. "Those were the first cards I ever got, I could never make them work though, they go with so many different types of cards you know? But I think...hm...hey girls; c'mere" Twilight said calling the other girls over to take a look.
"What is it Twily?" Pinkie asked curiously scooting over to Twilight.
"Take a look at each of these cards...H. Honest Soul..."
"Ah think that one goes with me" Applejack said taking it and looking it over, reading its effect she affirmed she was right with a nod. "Eeyup this here goes with these Lone Star cards."
"Next is A. Almighty Laughter..." Twilight said
"Oh, oh oh! That's for me!" Pinkie said taking the card and matching it to her deck.
"Then there is R. Righteous Loyalty..." Twilight held up the next card
"I got that one." Rainbow took the card and added it to her deck.
"After that is M. Magical Friendship; Guess I'll take that one." Twilight said adding it to her deck. "Then we've got O. Omnipotent Generosity."
"I think that ones for me" Rarity chimed taking the card.
"Then we have N. Neverending Kindness..." Twilight said
"That's me" Fluttershy affirmed taking the card.
"And then lastly we have Y. Unyielding Forgiveness." Twilight finished showing the last card.
"I've got that one." Sunset said taking the card.
"And I think that about does it; anyone else want to trade?"
Looking to all the girls for an answer it seemed a collective no which meant they were ready to play. Taking out a couple of mats that were zone marked for beginners Twilight would hand each girl a mat save for Sunset who had her own personal mat. Before they could go any further Twilight turned to Cadence and regarded her curiously.
"Do you wanna play too Cady?" Twilight asked. "I'm sure you've gotten better since the last time you played Shiny"
"Oh I dunno Twily; I mean I didn't even manage to get passed his first monster and he beat me in 2 turns..." Cadence pouted.
"Aw c'mon; shiny isn't here; you can play us, it'll be fun!" Twilight said
"Well I mean; I dunno-" Cadence said not entirely certain she wanted to play, she didn't hate the game at all she just felt awkward playing it especially when her opponents were children.
Twilight would scrunch her nose and purse her lips and then looked to the other girls and seemingly as if they were all speaking to each other without using words; Twilight and the rest of the girls broke into a fit of grins and then collectively put on each of their best puppy dog pouts with sad and pleading eyes. Cadence being a babysitter had become immune to this tactic to a degree however this was a 7 vs 1 situation and Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie alone were adorable to an unbelievable degree, the rest of the them added was just overkill! How could she say no to all those sweet pouting faces?! Her heart melted as if it were tossed into that mountain from that movie about the short men with hairy feet with the haunted ring and as if their pouting faces weren't enough they all rang out in perfect adorable harmony with the most heart melting chorus of...
"Please Cady?" They all asked, the levels of sweetness almost unbearable. 'I might have to check for cavities and diabetes now' she thought
Cadence tried her best to resist...for all about 2 seconds and then caved. Squealing in delight and blushing she'd dash upstairs and grab the deck of cards that Shining had built for her to use and let her keep as a special little present and sign of affection; it was a deck called Amore's; ironic given her name and of course they were all love themed.
"The princess of love is here to play!" Cadence said with a proud smile as she got into the spirit of the game with the little ones.
"So how should we do this? Teams?" Sunset asked. "There are eight of us now after all."
"Yeah I think that sounds like a good idea." Twilight affirmed.
"I'll team with Pinkie, 'Shy & AJ" Rainbow said
"The I guess that leaves Rarity, me Sunset and Cady" Twilight nodded
"You're all goin' down" Sunset said with a cocky catlike grin full of confidence.
"We'll see about that..." Applejack grinned back tipping her hat as she got ready to play.
"Well then ladies I do have to ask before we begin...what time is it?" Twilight asked, looking to Sunset with a knowing grin, able to tell the fiery haired girl was thinking the same thing.
"Uh it's about 8:3-" Rarity began to answer looking at the clock but was cut off by Sunset and Twilight
"IT'S TIME TO DUEL!" They both shouted and Cadence could swear she almost died from how sweet it sounded.
Author's Note
Vegeta what does the scouter say about the sweetness levels?!
IT'S OVER 9000!!!!
