Party! Wake up, sleepyhead.

“So that gets ‘Arcane Sorcery Vol. 2’ out of the list, as well.”

Twilight sighed as she threw the mentioned book aside, having it land on top of an ever-growing pile of rejected books which stood next to two or three books that hadn’t been checked yet. “I suppose being the Element of Magic can only take you so far, huh?”

It was the third day since Twilight and Lyra had put hooves to work in the ‘Human Unfreezing Project’. Every spell they had attempted, though, hadn’t brought any visible results, and the statue was in the very same state she had found it in. Twilight had read Celestia’s letter, but she knew she couldn’t simply wait for her to solve things every time. She had begun the work extremely content, not being the lesser reason working alongside her newfound marefriend.

Whenever she was getting too deep into her work, Lyra would drag her outside somewhere, or they would watch stars, or she would play her lyre. It was very effective in soothing Twilight, which, now that she reflected on it, may be a good cause for her not having any breakdown as she usually did.

Said mare approached her and nuzzled her cheek softly, which brought a small smile to Twilight’s face as she turned to look at Lyra.

“Let’s take a break, ok, Light? We’ve been here three hours already...”

“Yes, that sounds good. How about going to Sugarcube Corner?

“Cool idea, Light!”

Twilight smiled wider. “Hey, Spike, do you want to go to Sugarcube Corner?” called she out loudly. The dragon’s answer didn’t take long, as he sped out of the observatory he was cleaning.

“Sure, let’s go!”

Spike climbed to his boss, and the three exited the Library. The two mares would walk pretty close to each other, and looks would be still be thrown at them, though mostly of curiosity at the quite strange couple of the librarian and the musician than anything else.

According to Twilight’s observation, in Equestria, (well, in Canterlot and Ponyville, but she didn’t see any reason for it not to be the same way in other cities, given the mostly uniform equine culture) same-sex couples, especially of the female variation, were not much of a rarity, given the gender ratio among ponies. They didn’t have to worry about fertility, there being quite a lot of ways to bypass that barrier, beginning by the quite simple -if only in theory for some cases- adoption method.

Twilight herself had become knowledgeable of some other ways to achieve that through her studies, even though she had never used them.  Of course, for them both it was too much early for thinking of true commitment, let alone having foals. She barely managed to suppress a giggle and a blush after that thought.

Living in the relatively small town of Ponyville and being a recent couple had saved them from the paparazzi threat, up until now, even for being a mildly notorious musician and Celestia’s student. Twilight hoped it would hold a little more.

“You know, it’s still  little weird to see you two like this,” said Spike as they walked. Lyra turned to look back at him, a smile in her lips.

“I know it’s been only a few days, Spike, but aren’t you familiar with me by now?” asked Lyra, without losing her grin.

“Yes, I know that. It’s only that I would’ve never expected this, is  a little sudden, and with miss Egghead here, I was thinking she’d never get down to that?”

Twilight’s cheeks puffed at this, and she shook, forcing the small dragon to cling to her strongly.

“Now what’s that supposed to mean, Spike?”

“Heeey, easy there, Twilight!  You’re always so deeply immersed into your books, that I never believed you’ll get out to this. Speaking of which, Lyra, you’ve been quite relaxed about making the human come back. I thought you’d be more enthusiast.”

“I’m enthusiast, Spike! I wish I could see it already, I really do! But stressing myself over it ain’t gonna solve anything, and I have so many other wonderful things to do!”

“That makes sense all right. No wonder you’ve been able to hold Miss OCD here so wonderfully.”

Twilight’s cheeks puffed again. “You’re making me having second guesses about having brought you along in this walk to the bakery, Spike.”

“Aww, come on, Twilight...”

Lyra lifted both her hooves, embracing both her marefriend and her assistant. “Come on, you two, don’t fight now. Let’s enjoy now that we’re here.”

Effectively, they were now at the door of Sugarcube Corner. The business was moderately busy, but Pinkie Pie still grinned at them from behind the counter. There was seemingly no trace of the anxiety she had prior to the contest, or her most recent fall down.

“Hey, girls, I’ll get to you in a minute! Let me clear this out!”

The line became smaller as they waited. When it was finally their turn, Pinkie Pie grinned widely.

“Howdy, Twi, Lyra, Spike?  Are you READY for the PARTY tomorrow?” The pink pony bounced with each word, her hair poofy and full of life as always.

“Of course, Pinkie. Just remember to come up early tomorrow, so Bon Bon and I can help you set up things, ok?”

“Okie dokie lokie, Lyra! It’s gonna be super duper fun and the bestest party ever since... the last party! And with new friends, too! I simply can’t wait for it!”

Twilight was now fearing her friend would rocket through the roof in any moment, though she also smiled.

“We can’t wait for it either, Pinkie. But for now, how about you give us some cookies?”

“Yup! Here you go! That’s ten bits!”

Twilight paid to her, and the three went out of the store, where the pink pony had released a streamers rain out from nowhere. Lyra didn’t even ask about it once, just enjoying the whole situation. They went back to the Library and sat down to eat the cookies.

“I’m glad to see Pinkie back to normal,” said Twilight, munching on one of the cookies, which tasted really delicious to her. “I still don’t understand what is it that gives her those moments... I think I need to study her comprehensively...”

Spike groaned. “Don’t you remember what happened the time that you tried that?”

“I know that, Spike, but this is a different matter. It’s about Pinkie’s mind...”

Lyra just looked confused from Twilight to Spike. “Just what are you two talking about?”

Twilight turned to her. “Well, you see, Lyra, there was this one time...”

A windy saturday came upon Ponyville, shaking the trees, pushing around the clouds in the Everfree and making windows rattle, including those in the top floors of the library.  Spike jumped out of his bed and onto Twilight’s, shaking the lying mare.

“Wake up, Twilight! You’ve got to go to Zecora’s”

He avoided an incoming hoof. Twilight shook herself and rose, her mane and eyes a perfect example of morning look. “You’re too pushy, Spike... Why can’t Lyra wake me up with her music?”

“Well, sorry for not being Lyra, but I’m still the one in charge of you.”

She glared at him from the bed, one gaze he returned.

“I am the one in charge of you, Spike.”

“Yeah? So funny, most of the time it doesn’t seem like that. Get up for breakfast, anyway.” She casted another look on him, but otherwise went to wash herself. When she entered the kitchen, Spike had prepared scrambled eggs with toast and orange juice. She smelled the delicious flavor and sat down.

“Oh, Spike, this looks delicious!” said Twilight, smiling happily.

“See, what did I tell you?” answered Spike, with a smug grin on his face. Twilight decided to leave it at that and get on enjoying breakfast.

“So, anyway, Twi. I’m really excited for this afternoon’s party. It had been a while since we had a Pinkie Party! Or any party, really.”

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it as well. I just hope Lyra and Bon Bon’s home doesn’t get wrecked after it.”

“Oh, come on. Since when have we wrecked something?”

Twilight cast him another glance; he shrugged.

“I’m sure it’ll all be fine.”

They both finished eating. Twilight gathered all her materials and set off to Zecora’s hut, while Spike remained in the Library organizing it.  In another part of Ponyville, Pinkie Pie trotted out of Sugarcube Corner.

“Thanks for the day, Mr. and Mrs. Cake!”

“No problem, Pinkie. You’ve worked hard the last few days. Go and enjoy it.”

“Will do, Mrs. Cake. It’s gonna be a great party!”  Pinkie waved and bounced away, heading towards Bon Bon’s house. She soon made it to her destination and knocked the door of the still closed business.  The other earth pony soon opened it.

“Good morning, Pinkie. You’re early today.”

“Well, duh! Parties need WORK!” cried Pinkie, making Bon Bon cover her ears. She finally let them free.

“That they do... Come on in, Pinkie. Let me go and wake Lyra up.”

Pinkie jumped inside and bounced. “OOOH, oh, let me do this, let me do this! I like waking up sleepyheads! I can’t do this with the twins now, because they need their sleep, but I’ll love doing this to them in the future. I also like waking Rainbow Dash up! She’s almost always grumpy, though, but I know how to make her happy!”

Bon Bon put a hoof to Pinkie’s mouth, in that movement that Pinkie’s own friends were so used to by now. She relented.

“Well, go then, Pinkie. Lyra can be a bit grumpy as well, just so you know.”

“No problemo!” The pink mare jumped upstairs merrily.

 Lyra turned around in bed, keeping her pillow tightly embraced between her hooves, a big smile adorning her face.

“This Twilight mounting a human cake it’s so pretty that I almost regret eating it...”

A stream of saliva left her mouth, travelling until leaking to her bed, leaving a growing spot on her sheets. While she slept peacefully, her door opened very slowly and quietly, letting a light come in. Pinkie Pie tip hoofed into her room, leaving the door wide upen behind her. She approached the bed, her figure seemingly enlarging as she observed the sleeping mare.

Gosh she looks cute. I can so much understand Twilight! I almost regret doing this!  But Pinkie Pie does what Pinkie Pie has to do!

Suddenly, from her hair, Pinkie somehow produced a pair of cymbals, along with a party whistle. She took a long, deep breath.

(To the tune of the Welcome Song)

Wake up wake up wake up, it’s already day! Wake up wake up wake up There’s so much to do!

Pinkie took away the instruments, looking away briefly. When she turned her look back at the bed, she found it empty. She tilted her head to one side.

“Where did you go to, Lyrie? I didn’t sing any song to make you disappear!”

“I’m up here, Pinkie!”

Pinkie looked upside, to where the voice was coming from, and found that Lyra was hanging with her hooves in the ceiling, looking down to her with an annoyed face. Strange, not even she had mastered that...

Lyra fell, landing on her mattress, which softened her blow. She got out of bed and shoof herself. Or more precisely, her body was shaking uncontrolably.

“Donnnn’t eveeeer doooo thatttt agaiiiin, Pinkieee Pieee!”

“Ooops, sorry, Lyrie! I didn’t know that could happen.”  She smiled sheepishly, making the unicorn sigh as she stopped trembling.

“Bon Bon sent you, right?”

“Nope! I voluntereed!”  Pinkie’s smile was bright and wide. Lyra groaned.

“I definitely need to begin waking up sooner.”

Once Lyra was completely back to normal and had washed herself, both mares descended to the first floor, where Bon Bon was waiting for them with oats in the kitchen.

“Oh, Bonnie, I already ate, but I’m not going to say no to you!”

“You really like going around giving nicknames to ponies, don’t you...?”

“Yippity yip!”

“You, the elements of harmony, are all crazy...”

After eating, the three put hooves to work hanging, inflating, cooking, baking, and doing everything to prepare the party. The things in the store room got pushed out to the sides to make way for a couple of tables and some chairs. When they were done, it was almost noon. The three mares looked forward to having a break, and sat down in the kitchen, next to each other.

“Preparing a party is always so much harder that it looks,” Lyra whistled out.

“But it’s all worth it in the end!”  cried Pinkie happily.

“We’ve never done a party here, though. I hope it all turns out well,” thirded Bon Bon, looking at her two companions.

“Don’t worry, Bonnie, it’s gonna be only us nine! I don’t think there’s gonna be much of a problem!”  Pinkie Pie smiled innocently.  Neither Bon Bon nor Lyra ate it even for a second.

“Pinkie Pie, you’re here,” chanted both friends in unison. The pink mare simply answered with a silly grin. They sat in silence for a while, even Pinkie Pie not saying a single thing, until Bon Bon turned to look at her.

“Pinkie?” asked Bon Bon quietly.

“Yup?”

“I know I’ve already asked you this, but why did you come up with the contest? I can’t still wrap my mind around it.”

Now the pink mare turned to look at her, her bright blue eyes turning serious for a small second, while her lips formed a pout, but it was more like she was very concentrated. She finally smiled, but it was a different smile from her normal one, a more subdued one.

“I’ve been an apprentice for some years now, and I think I’ve learned enough things to be succesful. However, for some time now I’ve been thinking that there’s something lacking to it. However, I haven’t been able to put my hoof in it, despite spending large amounts of time thinking on it. “   Pinkie summoned a cupcake from inside her mane and bit at it, before stashing it away again. She chewed on it for a while before finally swallowing.

“And I’ve seen you, you know? I’ve seen how you take your business and make it good. And somewhere, deep inside my mind, I thought that was what I wanted. But I didn’t know what to do... And I didn’t want to ask Mr. or Mrs. Cake. I didn’t want them to think I was abandoning them...” Pinkie’s hair deflated a little.  “And then I listened to Spike comparing your sweets to mine, and I just wanted to see that I at least could be recognized for something...  Yes, I do the bestest parties this side of Equestria, if not all of it, but a lot of it comes from my baking job. ”

While Pinkie speaked, Bon Bon and Lyra just looked at her, listening.

“Well, Pinkie, you know,” said Bon Bon, getting closer to her, “I was able to start this up with the help of my parents. I think you’ve seen them. Thanks to them both, I was able to put my talents into practice and begin this small shop. It might not be the greatest, but it’s my pride and I’m happy with it. We all ponies need to look ahead, and see what is it that we really want, and what are we going to do about it. Lyra here... well, that’s really her own story.. How about your parents?.”

“My dad was the one who sent my here. He’s an old acquaintance of Mr. Cake, they met when dad made trips to Ponyville. Mom and dad work on a rock farm. Its business is to sell rocks to construction projects and other places in need of it.  It has been declining, due to the development of new materials, but my parents still work diligently. Out of three sisters, two of us left to pursue other careers, and one stayed behind. However we help as much as we can...”

While talking, Pinkie looked towards Lyra on the other side. She saw the face of the silent unicorn, expressionless, looking up, and decided to better not ask about it.  She looked back at Bon Bon.

“So, what should I do?”

“If you want, you could take up on my offer. I could use a helping hoof around here. Lyra’s good sometimes, but she has her own things to take care off. And if you want to break off, I could help you, don’t you think?”

Pinkie meditated it, chewing on another piece of cupcake, for a while. Bon Bon was just looking at her.

“Yes, I’d like to do that. I’d like to have a better opportuniy of business.”

The two mares looked at each other, extending their hooves, and shaking them. On the other side of Pinkie, Lyra smiled.

They took a break, just resting around in the kitchen, when finally, there was a knock at the door. First arrived Twilight and Spike, then Fluttershy and Applejack, followed by Rarity and finall Rainbow Dash, who almost crashed against the house in her flying rush.

“Sorry, gals, I guess I got a lil’ bit excited, he he...”  Dash rubbed the back of her head with a hoof,laughing sheepishly, before being jumped on by Pinkie Pie, who smiled on top of her.

“That’s a-ok, Dashie! I know you couldn’t wait for your Auntie Pinkie’s party!”

“Ooof..! Pinkie Pie, we’re the same age! And you’re heavy!”

“Don’t git yer horses all riled up, Dash! Ah brought a lil’ somethin’ Ah think yeh’re goin’ to appreciate!”  Applejack pulled out from her saddlebags two thermos. Dash’s face lighted up.

“Is that what I think it is?!”

“Eeyup! The Apple family’s super special Cider. And by super special Ah mean fermented, if y’all catch my meaning”  Applejack winked, while ducking to the side to avoiding an incoming Rainbow Dash. “Now hold it there, Sugarcube. This here cider is fer all o’ us, and certainly for a little later.”

Having barely avoided a collision, Rainbow Dash pouted. Everyone else laughed. They all went to have fun the whole afternoon, playing, singing, drinking, eating and laughing until the point of exhaustion.  They decided to end the part when the sun was falling down in the horizon.  Applejack, Rainbow, Fluttershy and Rarity said goodbye and went to their own homes, Lyra went on to accompany Twilight and Spike. Pinkie Pie remained behind to help Bon Bon clean the house; they all had offered, but the two mares insisted they’d be enough.

“Hey, Lyra, don’t you think Pinkie was acting even more hyper than normal?” asked Twilight out of the blue. Lyra looked at her.

“Well, Light, I wouldn’t know. I don’t know Pinkie all that well yet, honestly.” Lyra smiled and nuzzled Twilight. The truth was that they had resolved not to tell anypony anything before Pinkie had sorted herself out with the Cakes and her parents and things were going well.  Twilight looked at her, but decided to change the topic.

“Well, there hadn’t been a party in a while, anyway. I guess she was just excited.  Say, you’re coming tomorrow afternoon,right?”

“Of course! I hope we’re a little more successful tomorrow! I can’t wait!”

Twilight laughed, and looked at her marefriend as they made it to the Library’s door. Spike immediately dismounted her, and made a run for the inside, claiming about how gross was it all.

“Thanks for coming here,” said Twilight, looking into Lyra’s eyes, which reflected into hers.

“Aww, it’s nothing, Light. Coming here with you is the best.”

They both smiled and shared a kiss under the streetlamps’ light. They let the kiss linger as much as they could before breaking apart. Both they eyes were shining.

“Good night, Lyra.”

“Good night, Twilight. Will see you tomorrow.”

“I’ll be waiting for it.”

Twilight watched Lyra leaving, and her heart soared with her vision. She really needed to talk to Celestia, and hoped the Princess would be less busy soon.

Twilight managed to wake up by herself the next morning, just as the sun was beginning to rise in the sky. She got out of bed and decided to let Spike sleep. The small dragon had had quite a lot of fun the past afternoon, even if Twilight hadn’t let him touch a drop of the alcoholic cider. Not that she had touched much of the drink, even if she had wanted to; Rainbow Dash had in the end drank a whole thermos all by herself, leaving the other eight mares to share the other one.

Hey, this is all too delicious!

Twilight chuckled to herself as she prepared some simple breakfast for the two of them. Hay, apple juice and toast would do, she surmised, as she wouldn’t have to cook anything.  Maybe someday she would have to learn, but for now it was enough. She ate quietly and left Spike’s portion in the table. Owlowyscious, of course, made his own huntings, and they left food for Peewee, though Twilight was suspecting that the nocturnal bird was teaching the small phoenix about his own particular eating habits.

Spring was getting warmer, announcing the approaching arrival of summer.  She knew that a good amount of rain was scheduled to fall during two or three days, but that day wouldn’t be until the evening, so she didn’t need to worry. She greeted many ponies during her trek to the hut, until finally arriving. She knocked at the door.

“Come on, my dear unicorn,” answered the zebra’s voice from the inside. Twilight opened the door and entered being received by the usual sight from Zecora’s residence. The zebra was standing next to a carpet, above which were collected several differently colored leaves.

“These, Twilight, are Emotion Leaves. They are truly worthy pieces. From the colors of this set, I will tell you what you’ll get”

“As their name would indicate, they will a certain emotion activate. For it to break free, you need to drink its tea.”

Zecora began to point to the different leaves. A deep black one was known as Betrayal Black, and it caused the one who drank it to turn his or her back on comrades. Another bright red one was Rage Red, which caused the drinker to become really angry. Obnoxious Orange, Rushing Rainbow...

They put the leaves to the test, by making tea out of a bright green leaf, called Gentle Green. Once the beverage was ready, taking on the very same color of its leaf, Twilight drank from the cup.  Some moments later, she felt a very calm feeling descending upon her. She put the cup apart and sat down, relaxing. The outer world seemed like it had been cut out from her mind, as she simply took on a resting stance. Zecora took another, dark blue leaf, working with it. Neutral Navy, its tea restored Twilight to her normal state.

The unicorn was amazed by it, and took very detailed notes on all the colors as well as taking some leaf samples for her to work with. She thanked Zecora for her lessons and promised to be there next week. When she exited the hut, she could see the clouds beginning to amount over Ponyville and hurried to the village.

She made it to the Library. Stashing the leaves in a box that she floated to her room along with the notes on them, she went back downstairs to begin other studies. When she made it to the floor, she stopped surprised, however. Alongside Spike, in the main room was Princess Celestia herself.  Twilight walked up to her mentor, bowed and greeted her.

“Princess, I didn’t expect to see you here today!”

Celestia smiled warmly. “I did want to give you a surprise, Twilight. You’re not the only one who can have them, you know?”

Twilight looked at her with a guilty smile. “Oh, yes, my faithful student. You have many things to tell me. But I can wait. For now I wanted to come here and help you with that which Lyra and you are looking forward to so much. But I see that she isn’t around here. So shall we wait?”

They didn’t need to wait at all, because, as if cued, Lyra came inside in that very moment.

“Light, I’m ready!  Oh, Princess!” Lyra bowed respectfully before approaching them.

“It’s good to see you, Princess.”

“I’m glad to see you as well, Lyra. I’m happy that you’ve keep your promise, and sorry that I couldn’t go to your last concert.”

“It’s ok, Princess. When I get other one, I’ll tell you, to see if you can go, as well as Princess Luna.”

“We would be very grateful, Lyra.” Celestia signaled for the three to come over to her.

“Now, my little ponies, and Spike, I think that it’s time for us to unveil a mystery.”

Lyra’s face shone brightly. “You don’t mean, Princess...!”

Celestia nodded. “That’s exactly what I mean, and that’s one of the reasons I came here.”

Celestia turned around to look at the statue, while the other did the same, expectant. Especially Lyra, the gleam in her face betrayed her, as did her tail swatting happily. Celestia’s horn began to glow in her kind yellow shine, which soon wrapped itself around the statue as well. It covered the stone, and began to shine even brighter, ascending from the base until its head.

There was a sound like a cracking, and soon, where pure stone once remained, a young human could be seen staggering. Albert Jones fell flat on his rear on the floor of the Library.

“Ouch.”