The First Date Of Fizzlepop Berrytwist
“No Twilight.” Tempest Shadow, aka, Fizzlepop Berrytwist, said to the purple alicorn as the two walked Canterlot's streets.
“Come on Fizzle, it’s been over a year since you came back to Equestria and moved in.” Twilight said, trotting alongside the unicorn.
“I just don't know. I’m still serving all that community service for taking over Equestria for the Storm King. Plus my job, I just don't have the time.” After the party celebrating both Friendship and not being enslaved by the Storm King, Fizzlepop was to serve a hundred thousand hours of community service. It would have been ten years in the dungeon, but Twilight and her friends managed to get her a better deal. Fizzle also managed to get hired at the Canterlot Firework Emporium. She made that display of her unique way of utilizing her magic into a rather successful career. “Why are you so interested in me dating anyway?”
“Because we both know the royal guard that was assigned to watch you kept coming by after he was ordered to stop~” Twilight mused, making Fizzle blush slightly.
“Twilight… Pastel Painting and I are just friends…” Fizzle stopped for a moment, letting what she said register. “Still not used to saying that.”
“Well I think he likes you more than a friend.” Twilight said as she moved in front of Fizzle to face her, and halt her from moving. “Look, you’re all work and little to no social life Fizzle, if I didn’t visit along with my other friends every so often, you’d have very few ponies to talk to.”
Fizzle sighed. It was true, when Twilight or the others were not around for visits Fizzle often kept to herself. While only the Canterlot snobs gazed judgingly at her, everypony else rarely gave her a second look when she walked the streets. The first weeks for her were...awkward, to say the least, but after two months she adjusted well enough to being around ponies again. “Fine, so...should I ask him out or…?”
“I have a feeling He is gonna ask you out.” Twilight mused.
Fizzle, merely gave Twilight a questioning look. “What did you do?”
“Oh nothing, just asked a few of the guards that know Pastel to give me some info whenever he mentioned you.”
“So you’re spying on me? Heh, respect Princess. But still, I mean, how will he-” Fizzle felt a tap on her side and did her best to hold back instinct of kicking whoever did that. She looked behind her, and saw Pastel. His mane was the same violet as he coat, and his coat was a bright, bright yellow with deep green eyes. He was also a pegasus, one of few that lived in Canterlot. “Pastel! You are so lucky I didn’t kick you like last time.”
“Heh, still got the crack in my ribs from the last time too.” He chuckled.
“Well I’m gonna go.” Twilight said, lighting up her horn and teleporting away, leaving FIzzle and Pastel alone together in the streets.
Fizzle rolled her eyes. “So...what’s up?”
“Came for two things, one to give you this.” Pastel said, pulling out a folded piece of paper from under his wing and gave it to Fizzle. “And to see your reaction.”
Fizzle, horn unable to use levitation, took the paper in her fetlock and opened it on the ground. Drawn on it was a pencil sketch of a park, and it had Fizzle and Pastel, sitting on a blanket, picnic supplies around them looking at the stars. At the bottom was written eight forty-five. “So...picnic at eight?” She asked, face slight with blush under her dark violet coat.
“And at Eight Forty-Five a fairly nice band is gonna play a late night concert there, no tickets needed and I have a nice spot picked out. That is, if you want to come…” Pastel said, a light pink blush appearing on his cheeks.
“Well...I’ll have to be quick and ask for some time off work so I can wrap up my community service hours for the day, but I think I can make it.” Fizzle said, her blush growing just a shade darker.
“Wow, great! I’ll be bringing the food and everything, so you just...just show up. Heh..” Pastel said, his voice filled with joy. “So, should I pick you up or am I gonna meet you there?”
“I know the park, I’ll meet you there.”
“Great! Soo you then.” Pastel said, taking flight while cheering his success in asking FIzzle out.
Fizzle, for her part, laughed at Pastel’s action, a smile appearing on her face as she picked up the paper. Pastel had the talent to draw or paint anything with fine detail. Thoughm every time he drew her, he drew her without her scar. She looked at it for a bit before folding it up and placing it in her mouth, trotting quickly over to her work.
Fizzle’s job at the Canterlot Fireworks emporium was simple, fill the empty fireworks with special magic orbs that, when broken, create whatever shapes and even words that they were enchanted to make. While Fizzle couldn’t enchant them to make shapes other than circles and such, she could fuel them to create a larger, longer lasting effect. While she didn’t like the candy cane colored jacket that was her uniform for the job, she enjoyed it when she heard ponies ask for the fireworks she fueled. It gave her a nice feeling inside. Even better when she would look up in the sky and see them go off.
She was working fast, getting her daily quota done as fast as she could.
“Wow, where’s the fire Tempest?” Her boss, Ironically named, Fireworks, asked as she entered the workroom behind the display area. Her coat was a vanilla white, and her mane was a fiery red. While FIzzle did use her normal name, only those she considered friends she let call her Fizzle, to anypony else, she was still Tempest Shadow.
“I uh, got something important to do by eight and I want to finish up my quota as fast as possible.” She replied, pouring the gunpowder into a larger firework.
“Oh really? What’s so special? Cause if I didn’t know better I’d say you have a date.” Fizzle jumped in her skin a little bit, nearly spilling some gunpowder. “Oh my stars you do!”
“Please boss, can we not talk about it.” Fizzle begged, starting to place the magical orbs into the firework next.
“Tempest Shadow. You are going to go out on a date, with a pony, a pony!”
“And…?”
“This is the first sign of a social life I have ever seen from you!” Fizzle rolled her eyes. While Fireworks acting more like a friend rather than a boss, Fizzle tried to keep her relations with her strictly work related. “Who is he, what’s he like, is he a rich pony?! Tell!”
“Alright! His name is Pastel Painting, he’s a royal guard and it’s just a simple picnic and concert.”
“...Is he hot?” Fireworks asked, nudging Fizzle a bit.
Fizzle blushed again. “Well...He’s cute, I’ll admit.”
“Ha! And they all said you were too tomcolt to be into stallions.”
“Wait, what?”
“How’s this Tempest, come in on your day off to make up your quota and you can leave now to finish up that community service time and got yourself dolled up nice and pretty.”
“Can we talk about who called me a tomcolt? If this is because of the scar I can’t do anything about that.” Fizzle was asking before she found herself being pushed out the workroom and though the display area by Fireworks. “Later, for now you have to wrap up those hours fast, I’ll pay you for today so don’t worry.”
“But, but.”
“That’s it, don’t be afraid to show off some plot too, no stallion can resist a firm plot.”
“What?!” Was all Fizzle could say before she found herself outside of the emporium, confused and flustered. “...Twilight is gonna owe me for this confusion.” She muttered, trotting off to the service center to see where she will be sent to.
The trott between the service center and her work went right by her apartment, and Fizzle was going to drop off her work jacket and the picture Pastel made her before heading off to the center. Fizzle loved her apartment, for all the oddest reasons. It was small, high up on an apartment with no elevator and only stairs, but gave her an amazing view of the castle, Canterlot’s upper residentials, and an amazing view of the sky where her fireworks would light up the night. While from any rich pony’s perspective, the place would look near run down. It was, but Fizzle called it home and was proud of it.
She took off her jacket, hanging it on the wall hook it was always hung on and took the drawing Pastel gave her and placed it on her bedside table. She went under her bed, pulling out a small box and opened it. Inside were many more sketches Pastel had given her since they became friends. Most were sketches of random things, flowers, parks, streets and building. But, including the one given to her today, she had three sketches Pastel made of her. The first was just of her head. At first she wondered why he didn’t draw her scar, and asked him about it once. He merely shrugged it off, saying he just couldn’t get it right. She didn’t fully believe him, as his detail work was too good for that to be the truth.
The second, was a fully body sketch of when she and pastel had a horror movie night one Nightmare Night. Pastel sketched her laying on the couch, as well as the couch, room, and even the shadows made by the TV. It was a beautiful image, capturing every detail that could fit, save for her scar. She placed the newest sketch in the box, quickly putting the box back under the bed and quickly heading out, locking the door and trotting at a brisk pace.
The service center was a small, one story office building where anyone who had spare time and wanted to sign up. In Canterlot, there were not many willing volunteers, most were like Fizzle, forced to do the services as an avoidance to time behind bars. Fizzle did enjoy the work, it gave her a chance to meet new ponies and to have the ponies of Canterlot to see she is nice. Upon opening the door she was greeted with the receptionist. A unicorn mare with a dark grey coat, amber mane and always wore a lime green sweater, even in the heat of summer.
“Welcome back Fizzle.” The receptionist said. Fizzle had considered her a friend as, even though they have her file, and know well what she had done, Humble Actions, the receptionist, never treated her as an outcast or criminal.
“Like I can go anywhere else after work.” Fizzle mused.
“You’re early. Something up?”
“Just...I might...have a...Date…”
“Oh you saucy mare~”
“Please Hum, don’t get pervy on me.”
“Why not? Given your old uniform I can assume some S&M is in order.”
“Humble!”
“Fine, but I still am expecting to learn something that’s kinky/freaky about you.”
Fizzle sighed, face-hoofing. “Well I need to be done by at least six thirty to have time to get ready so anything that will only last a few hours?”
“I have some pills to help you two last a few hours~” Fizzle gave Humble a deadpan look. “Fine. Shortest job on the board is work at the park setting up for a concert. If you head off now you can be done by six sharp.”
“Thank you Humble.”
“I expect to meet this stallion by the way.”
“Heh, sure. When you find a stallion for long term.”
“Owh. A risk I might take if this colt is a good catch for you.”
“Like you can settle with a stallion for longer than a month.”
“Eh, just haven’t found one to fill me enough.”
“And just like that, I’m leaving.” Fizzle said as she exited the center, leaving Humble to daydream her perverted thoughts. “Well, Twilight said everypony has at least one perverted friend. Guess that’s a fact then. Besides, this job at the park works out great, I’ll already be at the park.” Fizzle mused happily, trotting towards Canterlot Park.
Canterlot park was the only other public use land in Canterlot other than the royal gardens that held plants. It was about the same size of the gardens, but was more open without hedge mazes and statues decorating it. It was all wide open flat grass where ponies played. Dog lovers played catch, foals and parents got together and froleced in the playgrounds.
At the park's center was a stage halfway in the process of being set up. The base was set, but the framing for the lights and speakers still needed to be set up. As Fizzle walked into the work zone she was stopped by a familiar security worker. “Well howdy miss.” Pastel said, walking up to Fizzle. “You’re early.”
“So are you.” She retorted. “They hired guards to be security?”
“Yeah, let me guess, Center had finishing up the stage as an option?”
“Yup. Hehe, guess we had the same idea huh?”
“Seems so. Well, let’s just consider this a...pre-date...Does that sound right?”
Fizzle laughed. “Not exactly, but it’s still true. So, where am I going to work first?”
“Just pick up a tool and start working.”
Fizzle nodded as she trotted over to the stage, grabbing a wrench in her fetlock as she began to tighten up some bolts and place in new ones. It was relaxing. When she worked for the Storm King she was always alert, always keeping her senses at their peak. Now, now Fizzle has felt something she never felt working for him. Peace. “So, how much this paying you?” SHe asked Pastel, wanting to make a conversation to help the time pass.
“Same as regular royal guard stuff.”
“So still a noodle dinner?” Fizzle joked.
“We get payed more than what most ponies think. It’s just that Canterlot, bills, taxes. When we actually get our pay we end up spending all of it on bills and rent.”
“Don’t you have barracks?”
“Yeah, but I live in a studio with some old friends. My pay usually covers rent while their pays usually pay bills and buy food.”
“Seems like the only way to live in Canterlot is to either be stupidly rich or have a fair amount of roommates.” Fizzle commented, placing in another bolt in it’s socket and began tightening it.
“Truer words Fizzle. So, how did you manage that top floor shack of yours?”
“Got lucky I guess. Was crashing in a castle guestroom and searching for a place of my own. Princess Celestia actually offered me a place among the guard but after all I’ve done...I just didn’t want that kind of life anymore. I was tired of being a soldier.”
“I can relate.”
Fizzle stopped working, looking over at Pastel with a raised brow. “How so?”
“Well if my name didn’t give it away I enjoy art over guard work. Lucky me I grew up in a family of royal guards. Been royal guards for five generations. Even though my cutie mark talent and passion is art, mom and dad still shipped my off to boot camp. Been a guard ever since and my special talent has become a hobby.”
“That’s messed up.” Fizzle said, getting back to work. “So...if you could, would you quit and become a full time artist?”
“In a heartbeat, but even with my detail work and such I can do naturally, it means nothing if I don’t go to school for it, and going to art school on a guard's salary is a pipe dream. I haven’t been in any wars, just a few invasions.” Pastel said, nudging Fizzle who just gave him a deadpan look. “Heh, but yeah. I’m not very good when shit hits the fan. Seeing all that panic and chaos I just...freeze.”
Fizzle began to ponder. What if it was reversed? How would she feel being the one invaded? She spent so much of her life as the invader. Having the tables turned would be...unknown to her. No, there is a feeling they're...Scared. She would be scared. “Well, as somepony who has invaded I can say that making the panic and chaos is easier than fighting it. But therein lies the major problem. So easy for chaos and panic to spread but so hard to fight back. Unless you’re properly suited for it.”
“How is one suited for that sort of thing?” Pastel asked with a raised brow.
“For some, I guess it comes after years of experience in those situations, for others...I guess some are born with it.”
“I guess. Heh, guess it skipped me then.”
“It might be in there, just sometimes takes certain circumstances, or a life changing event for it to come out.”
Pastel looked at Fizzle, who was working on her fifth bolt. He merely grinned. Life changing huh? He thought. “Maybe...maybe.”
Luna rose the moon shortly after Celestia set the sun. The concert was going on as ponies flocked to the crowds place. Pastel and Fizzle, however, sat further away from the stage. On a blue and orange checkered blanket they sat, the stage was visible, but you could just barely see the ponies performing, yet still hear them clearly. Paper plates were placed holding sandwiches, bowels carried potato salad and fruit salad. Fizzle had to admit, Pastel packed well and even brought her favorite drink, Lemonade Soda.
“I have to admit Pastel, the food is delicious, and you got the name brand lemonade soda. How’d you pay for this?”
“Friends chipped in here and there, and when I told my mom I was going on a date she practically threw bits at me to get cleaned up and buy the necessaries.”
Fizzle laughed. “So she thinks you're hopeless then?”
“In love and life.” They chuckled. “What were your parents like, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Fizzle sighed, taking a few bites of a daisy sandwich before taking a deep breath. “They were loving. The day I ran into that Usra Minor and lost my horn and got this scar, they practically weighted on my hoof and leg. When I was able to leave the house after recovering my...old friends wanted to play, but with my horn broken I can’t use levitation. It’s a live wire whenever I channel magic into it, sparks go wherever, but I can have some aim. That took years though to master. Back then I hurt ponies without meaning to. They all were scared of me.”
Pastel placed a wing on Fizzle’s back, and she turned to look at him. “You became an outcast?”
“Yes. When I had my horn I was rather good with magic. Thought I could attend Celestia’s school, become a grand wizard. After my horn broke though, that all went out the window. Within a month I was always at home, my parents had to go back to work so I was at school or home alone. Medical bills, they took overtime. One of those days I just felt like a leach, taking and unable to give anything back. So, I packed a small bag of things and left.”
“...How old were you?”
“Seven. For a while I was just wandering the streets, a stow away on train rides. When I was ten I met the Storm King, he was just a start up then. Promised me that once he found an artifact then grabbed something to power it he could bring my horn back.”
“I guess we all know that was a lie huh?”
“I was just a foal, so I didn’t know better. I can’t lie though, there were moments he acted like a parent, few, but they were...fun.”
“Really?” Pastel asked, eyes wide.
“Yes. One time, he took me to a cage match. I was just there to hold his things but it was there that I wanted to fight. One random watcher threw me into the ring over the cage. I freaked out so bad my horn sparked. Electrified the champion in under seven seconds. Bright side, won fifty thousand bits, Storm King only let me keep ten though. I didn’t mind though, I learned to work with what I had. And by the time I...well, invaded Canterlot I helped him build up an army, title, everything. And I became strong.”
“It also made you cold though?”
“Yeah. With each win, each hit less and less of me was...me. I became Tempest Shadow, commander of the Storm King’s army, answering only to him. Fizzlepop Berrytwist was...gone.”
Pastel wrapped his wing around Fizzle, bringing her in close. Fizzle blushed at this. “Well, that’s not true though, you are Fizzlepop Berrytwist, AND Tempest Shadow. Tempest Shadow, the strong, kick your flank into next year mare that only a stupid or brave stallion would cross, and Fizzlepop Berrytwist, the mare who loves making Fireworks, and rents a raggedy apartment just because the view gives her the chance to see the fireworks she made light up the night sky when somepony fires them.”
Fizzle was blushing macintosh red at this point. “I...I guess so.” She stuttered. “Maybe I can be both.”
“So which are you now? Fizzle, or Tempest?” Pastel asked, smiling.
“...Doesn’t matter, both want to be here right now.” Fizzle answered, resting her muzzle into Pastel’s neck. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” Pastel said, blushing the same macintosh red as Fizzle.
“Why don’t you ever dray me without my scar?”
Pastel took a deep breath. “Because, when I look at you...All I see is you, no scar, no broken horn. I just see a lovely mare who had had a hard life.”
Fizzle smiled, letting a tear fall as she cuddled up to Pastel, the two watching the concert from afar as the night went on.
The two spent the entirety of the concert like this, and when it ended, Pastel walked alongside Fizzle to have some fun in town. “So, anything else you wanna do?” Pastel asked.
“Well, maybe… I don’t know, I usually just do work, my community service, then back home where I eat dinner and binge watch Equestria’s Got Talent.”
“Not a bad show. See the one with the earth pony who could self levitate?”
“I still say he had some kind of enchanted item on him.”
“What about the mare who could copy any pony's voice?”
“That one was funny. Heh, and her cutie mark talent is in marketing. Surprised she’s not a ventriloquist.”
“Well that is the point of the show, ponies showing off what they can to that’s unaffiliated with their special talents.”
“True, True. So, you got a hidden talent?”
“Unless drinking a whole keg of cider in an hour counts, no.”
“A whole keg?”
“Was a dare back in boot camp. Heh, my nickname was barrel gut for the rest of that year.”
Fizzle chuckled. “Well, that’s redundant.”
“I know, but so is four-eyes, yet foals and even adults still use it.”
“Fair enough.” Fizzle admitted as they arrived at her apartment building. “So, it’s pretty late.”
“Yeah, glad I got tomorrow off. I’ll be sleeping though it.”
“Heh, wish I could do the same.” Fizzle said as they arrived at her building. “So...what have you planned for our next date?”
“N-Next date! Really?!” Pastel said in surprise, making FIzzle giggle.
“Of course, if we’re going to date, even with busy lives we need to make time for each other.”
“Well, how about a movie? I’ve been hearing about some new horror that’s supposed to be good.”
“Horror movie it is, so...next week then?”
“Y-yeah! So, same day next week then?”
“Definitely, and Pastel.”
“Yes?”
“Maybe next time, after the date...you could sketch me exactly as you see me? I would like to know how exactly you see me.”
“Y-Yeah. I’d be happy to.”
Author's Note
This is the first of many Commissions I am now taking, have a request please PM me at This Account.
