The First Time

It was Twilight’s birthday, and the biggest shindig this side of Sugarcube Corner was being thrown. As usual, Pinkie had planned everything absolutely perfectly. Her file regarding the purple Princess was chock full of information, and she had used all of it to her advantage. Red balloons filled the auditorium of the Castle of Friendship, and lots of creatures danced the night away to Twilight’s favorite tunes. Cider flowed freely, earning rave reviews from those who tasted it. The cake, specially made by the ponies bearing the same name, was absolutely delectable. To top it all off, there wasn’t a quesadilla in sight. Pinkie always found that part of her friend to be quite quirky and odd, but then she reasoned that she had her own quirks. So she never judged Twilight on the matter.

For four beautiful hours, Twilight was celebrated as never before. She was now the ruler of Equestria, and wore her best gown to the proceedings. She insisted on having her party back in Ponyville, because it was where her journey of friendship began. The castle was absolutely packed with ponies, griffons, changelings, and all manner of creatures. Her school, now being run by Starlight, opened up its extra dorm rooms to accommodate all the visitors. It was the culmination of another year of her life, and she wouldn’t have had it any other way.

After the festivities had concluded, she stood at the door to personally shake every hoof and claw that passed by. She bade farewell to everyone, wishing them a safe journey home and thanking them for their attendance. Her smile was resolute and honest. For the first time in quite a while, she was genuinely happy. Becoming the ruler of a kingdom had taken its toll, and the first few weeks had been something of a living hell. But this night and the time she had with all of her friends had completely made up for it. She was absolutely beaming.

“I haven’t seen you smile like that since before taking our place,” Celestia said as she and Luna passed by on their way back to Silver Shoals.

“Oh, Celestia, this night has been just wonderful!” Twilight gushed, “and I’m so thrilled that you two were able to make it.”

“We wouldn’t have missed it for the world, my dear,” Luna said, “Pinkie always throws the best parties, and we couldn’t skip out on the chance to celebrate another year of your life.”

Twilight smiled and blushed a bit. She held tremendous respect and love for the two ponies standing in front of her. They had mentored her, comforted her, and stood by her through thick and thin as she ascended the ladder of Equestrian society. It was to them that she had always poured her problems, thoughts, hopes, and dreams. Like goblets, they received every last drop, and then turned it around and offered solutions, plans, and wonderful moments of conversation. They truly were two of the best friends anypony could ask for, and she suddenly stepped forward and hugged them deeply.

“Oh, Twilight…” Celestia said as she bent her head around her former pupil, “…you act as if we’re going away forever.”

“I know,” Twilight said, backing up and wiping a tear away, “it’s just so difficult to say goodbye to you.”

“Don’t forget,” Luna said, “we’re always a letter away.”

“Farewell, Twilight,” Celestia said, “until we meet again.”

With those kind words, the formerly royal sisters flew off towards their new home in the retirement community. Twilight almost reached out a hoof as they disappeared into the sky, wanting desperately to pull them back and retain their presence. She felt lost without them, but then remembered that her friends still surrounded her. Warmth and comfort flooded her soul, and she turned and smiled at them.

“I guess this is goodnight, then,” she said, “Pinkie, I want to seriously thank you for this party. It was so amazing, and just what I needed to calm my nerves.”

“It was no biggie at all,” the pink mare chirped, “I LOVE doing things like this!”

Twilight chuckled. “It is your special talent, after all.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Rainbow Dash suddenly cut in, “who said the party had to be over?”

“Well, I did,” Twilight said, “it’s after midnight, and I need my sleep. I have to be in Canterlot by noon tomorrow. We’ve got some dignitaries coming from Yak-Yak-Istan.”

Dash rolled her eyes. “Dignitaries, Twi? You used to be such a fun pony…”

“Well, I’m sorry that I have major responsibilities now,” Twilight responded sarcastically. The warmth from earlier faded a little as Dash made some rather selfish intentions known.

“Look,” Dash said, “I don’t want the party to end, and I know the six of you don’t, either. So why don’t we have a little…after midnight fun?”

Everyone blushed deeply as they realized that things had taken a major swing towards the “non-family friendly” side of the party meter. Twilight swore she heard a couple of balloons spontaneously pop at the heat that penetrated the room. She didn’t know what Rainbow was speaking of, and she didn’t think she wanted to know. Plus, she knew of her impending appointment in Canterlot, and she was absolutely exhausted. Her body couldn’t take anything…invasive.

“Dash, darling,” Rarity said as a yawn passed her lips, “you know I’d love to stick around, but I just can’t. I’ve a major project due tomorrow afternoon, and I must take myself to the task as soon as I rise in the morning.”

“Yeah,” Pinkie said, “I love a marathon party, but I’m tired, too. Plus, Gummy needs feeding!”

“How the hell does that gator eat?” Applejack asked.

“He just kinda plays with his food and then swallows it whole.”

“Ah…”

“Oh, come on, everypony!” Dash exclaimed, “All the others have gone, and we have the castle to ourselves.”

Twilight puffed out a breath of exasperation. She could see that Dash wasn’t thinking of anyone but herself, but at this point, she was too tired to argue. So, she conceded. “Alright, Dash. You win.”

“She does?” Rarity asked.

“Yes, Rarity, for the simple reason that I don’t think any of us are awake enough to argue with her.”

“YEAH!” Dash yelled, “okay, so here’s what I was thinking: truth or dare.”

“It just wouldn’t be a party without that, would it?” Starlight asked as her own yawns threatened to overwhelm her.

“Alright, Dash,” Twilight said, “we’ll play for a few minutes, but then I have to get to bed.”

“Fine, fine, fine,” Dash said.

So the six tired ponies and one excited Pegasus gathered around a small candle that she lit. Even through their exhaustion, everyone could hardly stifle their giggles at how funny the others’ faces looked. The light danced on them, creating shapes and figures that were at once indescribable, and yet completely understandable. It was almost as if some funny painter had decided to practice his ware and used their faces as canvases. They chalked this up to their own fatigue, chuckled to themselves, and waited for Dash to start the game.

“Alright, AJ, you go first: truth or dare?”

“Truth,” Applejack said through a monster yawn, "though I don't know how right in the head I am right now. Oh, what the hell? Just ask me the question."

“Have you ever been fucked?”