//-------------------------------------------------------// Hearts and Hooves Day -by Derpybrony890- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1: A Heart for Twilight //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1: A Heart for Twilight As the train to the crystal empire came to a very hard break, twilight looked out the window. It was only a week to hearts and hooves day and she received a letter from Cadence that said to meet her a week before the holiday. It was strange for Cadence to send a certain date to meet Twilight, but she would never pass the time to see her sister-in-law and her B.B.B.F.F, even though they would be spending more time with each other. She got off the train with her luggage and was hoping to see Cadence or Shining Armor, but was surprised to see one of Cadence’s royal guards. What she was to see was a Pegasus with the most soulful of eyes and a smile so wide, and yet so familiar, and his armor was glowing with his orange fur. “Princess Twilight, I have been chosen to escort you to the crystal palace,” He said, Twilight couldn’t help but stare at his figure, his voice sounded like a cheer but in the strongest way. “… Princess?” He said confusingly. Blushing, Twilight says “Oh! Yes, I’m fine, thank you for escorting me.” “No problem, I… I mean Princess Cadence is excited about your stay.” The palace was filled with many celebrating festivities, many streamers were hung up and crystal balloons were high above the top of the palace. “What is the big occasion? I didn’t think the crystal empire celebrated anything except the crystal fair or the friendship games, is it your own creation of hearts and hooves day because it just looks like a regular party, unless this is one of those royal celebrations in which only ponies from the palace can celebrate which I guess is fine but…” Twilight suddenly realized that she had been rambling on so much that the royal guard kept staring at her. “Sorry, I usually ramble on when I am interested in something,” Twilight said. “it’s okay, I actually like that you ramble, I’m not much of a talker, I usually stammer when I get nervous around… certain mares. Anyway, this is the start of a celebration to honor Mi Amore day.” The guard said. Twilight Sparkle noticed he was blushing hard, she didn’t get a chance to ask about his name when Cadence came rushing to twilight as they did their special dance. “I am so glad you could come, Twilight!” Cadence said, giving Twilight a hug, “Come on, let's go unpack your things.” As they walked through the hall, twilight couldn’t stop staring at the guard in front of her. “He seems familiar, doesn’t he?” Cadence said, smirking at Twilight. “Him? Oh, yeah I guess he does now that you mention it,” she said looking closely at him. “Does he remind you of someone you saw, maybe in another world? Possible name Flash Sentry?” Then it hit her like a ton of bricks when she said that name! Was it really him! Had it been that long since she had seen that similar face when she came out of that mirror. Suddenly Twilight couldn’t help but smile and blush so much she was as red as rarity’s satin dress on special occasions. Noticing that Cadence was watching, she stopped smiling and finally spoke, “I can’t believe that he still looks how I remember he was,” Cadence, nodding, said, “And ever since you two bumped into each other, he always had a special look every time I mentioned your name.” Twilight was astonished, she couldn’t let this down, now this vacation is going to be more interesting. It was only a few more days until hearts and hooves day, or as the crystal empire celebrates, Mi Amore day, it was a big celebration that led everypony to do something for themselves and their special pony. There was even a ball at the end of the day. Ever since Twilight realized that Cadence’s royal guard was Flash Sentry, she couldn’t speak or even see clearly. It was like all the blood that she had before had gone to her head to make her completely red in the face. Cadence and shining armor spent almost the entire trip with each other, but Twilight expected that with this celebration being of love. At times it seemed that Cadence was trying to set them up with each other, them sitting together at every meal was a very strange thing that she could only guess was Cadence’s doing, but what really got her was when she mentioned the ball to Twilight and Flash, she does like him, but the ball is a big step, she doesn’t even know how to talk to him yet, but it would be nice to dance the night away with him. Maybe even have something more. “F-Flash? I-I was wondering if maybe after today we could, you know, go to the ball and possibly dance and have fun and…no that won’t work.” Twilight said in front of the Castles bathroom mirror, she thought it would be the best practice before she really asked Flash to the dance. “It’s only a matter of time before the ball comes,” Cadence said coming into the bathroom. “I really want to say what I want to without being a complete idiot.” Twilight said frustratingly, “I usually am so organized and neat, but this is just too much, I really like Flash, but if I can’t do so much as to ask him to go to a ball, then what will I do when I ask something else important. I am a princess, and that means I must be brave during conversations that I think is awkward, but I can’t do that. I can’t go to some pony and say how I feel, it is just so hard. I can’t think of what to say or how I will address the pony, I can’t write flashcards when I forget what they say, I thought something like this would be like a hard puzzle game but no, it is so much harder than I ever thought!” sobbing, twilight slid on the floor. Cadence couldn’t bear to see Twilight like this, she came over to Twilight and hugged her ever so. “Twilight, you do not know this, but I was going through the same thing whenever I fell in love with your brother, I didn’t know what to say or do, but I know one thing, we both liked each other and that was the only thing that mattered to me. Then when the time came, I told your brother how I felt and now we are living happily ever… present.” Twilight felt a little better knowing that Cadence had the same problem. She calmed down as Cadence continued. “Twilight, you have to know that Flash does like you the same so it is as awkward to him as to you, he probably is feeling the same way as you are”. This made Twilight even better, in a weird way, and she did know that he liked her so maybe it would be easier to tell him if she kept that thought. As Flash Century was walking down the hall, Twilight breathed in, it was only one day until Mi Amore day and Twilight was ready to ask. She entered the hall and began to get nervous. “Hey Flash, how's the royal… guardying.” she spoke the best way she could. ‘What am I saying! He probably thinks I’m a huge idiot for saying such a spelling error’ Twilight thought. “it’s going well, I have been doing my best,” he said nervously. It was true what Cadence had said, he was as nervous as she was, this gave her enough confidence to stand up and say what she wanted. “Would you like to dance at the Mi Amore ball tomorrow,” Twilight was extremely nervous but what made her even more worried was the stillness that Flash was giving with his mouth open and eyes big. ‘Oh no, this was a mistake, he totally thinks I’m not good enough and thinks that I am too awkward and weird, or somepony already asked him and he doesn’t want to hurt my feelings, why isn’t he saying anything! Maybe I did another spelling error or I said it wrong, is there a specific way that I am supposed to say it, OH SWEET CELESTIA WHY ISN’T HE SPEAKING!’ Twilight thought. In only a matter of seconds, she was almost to the point of hyperventilating. “Flash… it’s okay if you don’t want to go I just thought that it would be a nice break from your work but it’s fine,” Twilight said disappointed, she thought this would be the moment that she would be the happiest but instead, she was the saddest, after all this time she was so excited to go to this ball with him and now all she wants to do is go to her room and cry. Before she left the hall she heard a small shout “Twilight,” Flash said, she quickly turned around and was hoping he was going to answer. “I think it would be fun to go with you to this ball,” he said. Twilight smiled so very brightly, she ran over to hug him while saying “oh thank you, thank you, thank you! I think we’ll have the best time and…” Realizing what she was doing, Twilight leaned off and blushed, “I, uh, I mean, thank you, it’s going to be really fun,” she said laughing very nervously, she walked off to the end of the hall pumping her hoof while quietly shouting “yes” and into her bed to think of the best moment she had. While Flash went into the hall, on the other hand, turning his head blushing and saying “it really will” The night of the ball was the biggest event since the friendship games. Everyone was in their finest outerwear and dancing this way and that. Twilight, with her hair curled up in a high bun and a bit in a curled bang, with a beautiful magenta dress and dark pink ribbon on the back and a golden crystal necklace and earrings, walked down the ballroom. The music was very light and fun but Twilight knows that if there would be soft music only two ponies would kick this party up a notch and that would be pinkie or DJ pon-3, which is weird because she doesn’t even know DJ pon-3 that well, she must’ve been homesick. She was going into the room searching for Flash, when she finally spotted him she saw he was wearing a nice suit with a nice Crystal flower, “You look really pretty” Flash said, not being able to take his eyes off her. “Thank you, so do you… I mean not that you look pretty, I meant that you look as nice as I was, not that I think that I am prettier than other ponies I just meant…” Flash put his hoof on her mouth to stop her from speaking, smiling he said: “thank you.” They both stood there for a while listening to music. “So, do you want to do the thing we were going to do in the first place? Twilight said. Flash Sentry looked confused at her witty comment, “Never mind, let’s dance,” She said. They swayed to the music, it seemed like only a few minutes when an hour had gone by. Then, as if the night had changed a particular pony with similar sunglasses raised the music to a higher fun sounding song which led twilight to get extremely tired, they walked to the balcony and she and Flash stood off into Luna’s gorgeous night, they lay there looking up at the bright white moon. All along the night Twilight was in heaven but still, she had one question on her mind that she had to ask, she looked into his eyes. She noticed they were sparkling, she knew he must have felt as happy as she does. And she hated to ruin it. “Flash, this night has been so wonderful, and you’ve made it even more special than it already was, but I still have one thing that I have to ask you. When I asked you to come to this ball, you just stood there and made me worried that you thought I was doing something wrong, what did I do, was there something I said wrong before you said yes or…” She was interrupted by a laughing Flash that made her feel like a little embarrassed, “What’s so funny!? Was it something that I said at that time!” Feeling more annoyed than embarrassed, she looked at him now laughing harder than ever, after a while she couldn’t help but start herself. Soon they both were laughing in the cold of the night with all the stars glowing in each other's eyes. “I’m sorry, it’s just when you said what I was doing, I couldn’t help but laugh about how silly I acted. It just blew my mind that some pony like you would ask some silly and non-special pony like me.” Flash said now looking kind of sad, Twilight looked at him with the most understandable of eyes and now understood everything “Flash you have to know that you have more value than you think, you are a royal guard that protects the crystal empire, you look to yourself like the kind of pony who won’t go on to the world and will never go to be an important character, but what I see is a pony who tries his hardest to protect the ones he loves, even though he might fail at times he still does his best, and when things go wrong he is the first person to inform and do something about the problem, while he may not be the highest in the palace he is still important,” Twilight said leaning closer making them both blush intensively. “At least to me,” as she leaned in closer they both shared their feelings in the form of a kiss. In the lone moon of Luna’s beauty, Twilight felt all the feelings in her spread out but still had one thing on her mind, while having the best time of her life she wondered if her friends were having as good as a Hearts and hooves day than her. Author's Note Yeah, this was back in 2017 when I shipped every character in MLP, but I still like this story, so if you don't like it then just skip to the next chapter //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2: A Heart for Fluttershy //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2: A Heart for Fluttershy Fluttershy was gardening her flowers by her cottage, Twilight was gone to the Crystal Empire, but Fluttershy and the others had many other things to take care of, during this time many of the food she buys is gone with candy hearts and balloons pinkie is selling, with all the festival going on, Rarity is very busy making dresses, the food at the festival will have applejack working harder than usual, and rainbow dash, now with the Wonderbolts, is performing a routine that is taking up most of her time, while they’re all busy they still made a pact to meet and enjoy the festival of hearts, something the mayor came up with this year. Soon angel bunny was hopping to her head to try to tell her something. “What is it, angel?” The bouncing bunny was waddling and waving his arms trying to tell something important. “The ducks are stuck in the well? You lost your carrots?” Fluttershy said while trying her hardest to understand her pet. Angel was still wiggling his arms trying to make Fluttershy understand. “Is someone important coming?” Angel nodded his head and pointed to the front of her cottage. Fluttershy flew to her door. She wasn’t expecting anyone, and the mail ponies were off until Hearts and Hooves day was over, so it had to either be some pony who wanted something from her or… She opened the door and saw none other than the very draconequus she predicted. “Hello Fluttershy, how are you on this fine holiday,” Discord said, very spry and cheery. “I am doing very well Discord, did you want something?” Fluttershy said looking very happy to see her friend, it seemed like as the years went on he was friendlier and happier to see her, “I was wondering if maybe you and I could go out to the park and take your special pet to play with all of the other pest and rodents- I mean animals, while we have some special talk time,” Discord said, he seemed like he was embarrassed to say all of that with his cheeks getting all pink. “Sure, Angel was anxious to get out of the cottage for a while,” Fluttershy said. Discord looked really happy smiling and shouting with his arms high in the air “Oh, lovely! You won’t regret it, I will see you in a few hours.” As she saw him teleport away she started to lean over to her side of the door, then she realized what she was doing, “Well this is new,” Fluttershy said. She had this new feeling of excitement and laughter in her stomach like the butterflies on her cutie mark went into her stomach. It was a weird feeling that she hadn’t felt before, and she wondered if it was something serious. “Maybe I should see some pony before meeting Discord,” Fluttershy said, she thought about seeing a doctor or somepony like that, then she thought maybe seeing an old friend would help better. As Fluttershy walked through the Everfree forest her thoughts were running wild, was it something serious, is she just overreacting, maybe this is just the spicy cupcake that pinkie had her eat, or she was sick and if some pony doesn’t help her she could be in serious danger of infection! Many dangerous thoughts were running through her head but there were also some memories that were running here and there, like the first time she and her friends were first in this forest or the first time they saw Zecora, now that she had these memories she felt better, now instead of being scared of what may come out of this forest, it’s like a path that they take just to see their zebra friend. Fluttershy knocked on Zecora’s door and the black and white zebra came, shocked to see some pony at her door on the day of Hearts and hooves day. “Fluttershy, what brings you here. are you alright my dear?” Zecora said, it always made Fluttershy happy to hear the rhyming zebra wondering how all the ponies are doing. “Zecora, I am feeling a little weird and I don’t know if this is serious or my own self worrying over nothing, I thought maybe I could come to you for some advice and see what this problem is,” Fluttershy said. “I see, and this is why you wanted to see me?” Zecora said, “please come into my home, and we’ll see this problem of your own.” Fluttershy felt relieved that Zecora would help her and she would finally be able to get this all out of her head. “Thank you Zecora, I really hope that this can all be over soon so I can go see Discord without any worry of what is wrong,” Zecora was looking at Fluttershy with a soft laugh “I see you are soon to go on an outing with your friend, a life-long pal to the end?” Fluttershy was looking at Zecora and wondering if she didn’t know if they were friends but knew that she usually asked stuff like that. “Yes, a friend, a very good friend actually, and he asked me to meet him at the park and after he left I started having this weird feeling like butterflies were in my stomach and my head was warm like an oven and…” Fluttershy was interrupted by a laughing Zecora. “I’m sorry for your pause, but it seems funny that you don’t know your cause,” Fluttershy was very confused but knew Zecora doesn’t really get to the point of things. “From your point of view, there are feelings that are new, but you don’t know who,” Now Fluttershy was even more confused than before, she didn’t know what else to do except ask for a straight answer. “Zecora, I know that this may be out of character, but could you give me a straight answer instead of a rhyme?” Zecora looked at Fluttershy and did her best to try to get to the point. “Listen, this feeling your having is a feeling for Discord, the blushing and the warmth in your head leads to one word.” Now Fluttershy got it! Zecora thinks she may like Discord more than a friend, “D-do you really think I might l-l-love Discord,” She said in a very soft and embarrassed voice. “I cannot jump to conclusions so close, but is Discord the one that makes you feel this way the most?” Zecora said smiling. Fluttershy remembered that she had never felt this way to anyone before, so Discord must’ve been the only one to make her feel all happy. “I guess it does make the most sense, I do feel really happy when I’m around him,” Fluttershy said blushing. “I hope you believe what I say, now go on and enjoy your day,” Zecora said very enthusiastically, “Thank you Zecora for all your help, maybe if I truly feel this way, I could tell him today,” Fluttershy said noticing that she had just rhymed. “Oh my, Zecora you're rubbing off on me,” She said laughing softly. After Discord teleported away he couldn’t wait any longer before he went to the Ponyville park, it was a long time till Fluttershy will come but he wanted everything to be perfect, it had been many years since she stood for him in front of her best friends, and that is what made him like her for the first time in one thousand years. “Maybe I should’ve told her a more specific area, just the park is not specific, what if she thinks it’s somewhere else other than this park, like Canterlot or Cloudsdale, or she doesn’t know where this park is and she’ll get lost, maybe I should send her a light to make the path brighter,” Discord said nervously. At a snap of a finger, the pathway from the park to her cottage was shining brightly blinding many ponies with one shouting “TURN IT OFF!” Discord, groaning, snapped his fingers and the path turned to its regular form. After that, he went back to thinking about what to do when Fluttershy came. “Maybe I can give her something so when I tell her I won’t look like a complete moron,” He said, he snapped his fingers and many items came into the air, “maybe a big stuffed bear. Who am I kidding, she can snuggle with a real bear. Perhaps something simple, like flowers. No, she probably has every kind of flower in her garden, it must be something special,” Discord said. He kept thinking and thinking until finally, a light bulb went on his head (literally). “I’ve got it! I’ll make the perfect setting with the perfect time in the most perfect way she could think,” he pulled down a big white sheet and started ruffling around with many sounds. When he was done he pulled the sheet up and left a big figure with another, whiter sheet and had a boombox in his paw, “good thing I always bring a boombox with random sounds to make me work faster,” He said in full victory. He went in the sheet to look over everything, “this is the perfect present to tell her how I feel.” It was only 15 more minutes and he would tell Fluttershy how he felt about her in the way that he could only think of. Fluttershy was heading to the park with Angel and was getting a bit nervous. Was she going to tell him? Was he going to tell her? How would he do it? Will she like it? what if she had to do something, what would she do last minute, what if she was mistaken and embarrass herself in front of her newly found love. “Maybe I should get something for him, I shouldn’t tell him without at least a gesture,” Fluttershy said, turning around. Angel came in front of her looking at her angrily, he pointed at the path to the park and hopped closer to it, Fluttershy looked to the path and knew angel wanted her to go tell Discord, “Alright angel, I’ll go, but you have to promise me that you will eat all of your meals for a week,” Fluttershy said firmly, angel’s foot hopped madly while a frown on his face, but after a while of thought angel nodded and hurried Fluttershy pushing her as hard as he could. “Ok, ok, I am going, you have a good time yourself angel,” Fluttershy said seeing angel hop away into one of the bushes. She walked farther down and saw Discord at the bench knitting a sweater passing the time. “Discord, I’m here,” “Oh hello Fluttershy, I am glad you came, I have a special thing to show you,” Discord said, he looked up at the dim sky for a while until he took her hoof and walked her to a figure under a blanket, “What’s under this sheet Discord?” Fluttershy asked. “Well if I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise would it,” Discord said, he lifted the sheet and in front of her eyes was a board with pictures that actually moved to make it seem like she was looking at a screen with all of the moments she and Discord had together. The time she had stood up for him, the time at the gala, even last week’s tea party. She walked closer to the board to look closer at the moving pictures. “How-how did you make this Discord? I know you have chaos magic, but this is different even for you,” Fluttershy said, she smiled at all of the memories that he had kept, she felt like she was more important to him than chaos itself. “I have always kept these memories, ever since you called me your friend, I have always wanted to keep the good times we had,” Discord said, he was looking into her eyes and saw the stars above, “You know Fluttershy before I met you, the only thing I thought about was to rule Equestria in full chaos, but that was before you reformed me, you were the only pony who actually believed that I was good, then you stood up for me, I never felt so… important, you made me better. You made me think of something other than chaos, every time I left your place to rest, I couldn’t help but think of your smile, and how your kindness flows through to my stomach, and today, it seemed like it was obvious that I was feeling like-” “The butterflies of my cutie mark went into your stomach and your head felt like an oven,” Fluttershy finished. They both looked at each other in the night of stars and the big full moon was over showering the festival, Fluttershy looked at Discord in her mind saying “Ok, this is it, this is the time to tell him.” She leaned closer to Discord and started to speak “D-Discord, I… I’ve been meaning to tell you, this board is the most special thing I have ever received, it almost makes me feel even more special than I ever have been, you’ve always made me feel more special than I have ever been,” They both were blushing harder than ever. “Discord, I-I, l-lo” They both leaned in so close they could feel the breath of their mouths. “FLUTTTTTERSHYYYYYYY” a very intensive scream flew that scared both of them to lean farther away when Fluttershy turned to who screamed and interrupted and found a very pink pony with a hyperactive bounce came tumbling towards Discord and her, “Are you ready to have fun with the rest of us?” Suddenly, Fluttershy remembered that she was supposed to have met her friends so they could go to the festival. “oh, sorry pinkie, I guess I must have forgotten,” Fluttershy said sheepishly, “ oh that’s alright silly, sorry I couldn’t have come sooner, I had a problem with this colt asking me all of these orders until…” Pinkie was interrupted by an annoying Discord “Uh, Pinkie, not that I don’t mind your stories, but I do believe that I and Fluttershy were in the middle of something.” It took a while for Pinkie to understand what was happening and soon had a big grin on her face “oh, I see, well I’m going to pick up everyone and then I’ll come back for you,” Pinkie said, dashing away leaving a pink streak like Fluttershy’s rainbowed friend to the end of the park leaving them both at an awkward time. Finally, Discord spoke up and said: “Well, if Pinkie can come and leave that fast, then we won’t have much time if you want to spend the rest of the night with your friends.” Fluttershy looked at Discord with sorrow in her eyes, she kept saying inside her head: “So close, I was so close to telling him, and then Pinkie stopped the perfect time” Discord kept thinking “why, the perfect setting, the perfect time, and the perfect mare, just had to be interrupted by a hyperactive bubble gum with 4 legs and a tail,” they both were still blushing pretty hard but Fluttershy knew that it wouldn’t be long before Pinkie would come back to get her, she had to act fast. Fluttershy leaned in and kissed Discord right on the lips, it was very unexpected for both of them but it couldn’t have lasted soon for Discord to break it away. “That was…Interesting,” Fluttershy said. They both looked at each other with the most joyful eyes. Discord couldn’t help but stare at her and her beautiful smile. Then Fluttershy saw her friends coming from the beginning of the park. “Well, I should go,” She said, she started walking down the path to say hello to her friends. “Fluttershy, there you are,” Rarity said, excited to see her. “I hope you're ready for a story because I have a hoot to tell ya,” Applejack said, Fluttershy walked with the rest of her friends but didn’t stop staring at Discord until they left the park. When the night was getting late, Fluttershy knew it was time to go home and think the night away, Applejack was right, the story she told was true “a hoot”, they had a great and fun evening, they played some games and had delicious treats made by Pinkie, an amazing show by the Wonderbolts, Rarity was barely even there, but they figured that out later. While she had a great time with her friends, she still couldn’t help but think of the moment she had with Discord, they had one short kiss for the shortest time, it was the best kiss she ever had (even though it was her first). However, she wished that she could have some more time with him, she was picturing her and Discord at her fire being snuggled up in a blanket, feeling the way she did before this all happened. “I should go to bed, it’s getting late.” She was just about to go upstairs when a knock at the door led Fluttershy running to the door and hoping that Discord was there, she opened it and became disappointed when it wasn’t Discord, but was still surprised when she saw her striped friend of black and white. “Zecora, what are you doing here? Especially this late,” Fluttershy said, surprised anypony (or zebra) would be at her door. “I am sorry for the time of night which I have come, but I had to know what you had done,” Zecora said. It took a while, but Fluttershy knew what she was asking. “Oh, well, it didn’t go as I expected, but it did go well,” she leaned in closer to make sure only Zecora could hear her. “Just between you and me, I did kiss him for a second or two,” Fluttershy said blushing at the thought of how they kissed. “Oh, Fluttershy, that's so exciting! Is this going to become a thing?” Zecora said with a shout, so happy that her prediction of Fluttercord was coming true. “I don’t think so, we haven’t spoken yet, but I was hoping he would come to the door,” Fluttershy said, looking sad as she thought of how much she was sure it was Discord, but it still was nice to tell about it to someone she knew well. “You were expecting the creature you shared your feelings with, you wanted to spend the night with the long-living myth,” Zecora saw that Fluttershy didn’t understand and tried again “you wanted Discord to come to your door, but you also wanted more.” Fluttershy didn’t know if she wanted to tell Zecora any more of her and Discord, she was getting tired and knew if Discord wasn’t at the door now, then he wouldn’t come at all the rest of the night. “I like that you came to talk to Zecora, but I am getting really tired and just want to go to bed,” Zecora could see that Fluttershy was as tired as she said, so she said goodbye. Fluttershy closed the door and sighed heavily. “Well, I thought she would never leave,” Discord said. Fluttershy flinched then turned around and smiled like she never had before, she ran into his arms and they both fell to the floor, “I thought you wouldn’t come back, not until the next day,” Fluttershy said with the most cheer that Discord had ever seen. “I couldn’t stop thinking about what we went through and had to see you when you got home,” Discord said, he lifted her in his arms and looked at her with the slightest blush. “I know it’s late, but I have to tell you one thing before you go Discord,” Fluttershy said, she looked away then back at him with the biggest glow in her eyes, the blushing on her face made Discord nervous and warm all around his face. “I love you,” Fluttershy said so nervously that she was almost as red as the tomatoes in her garden. She smiled at him with the happiest cheer, even more, happy than Pinkie Pie, which almost made his heart palpitate a bit. “D-do you really mean that?!” Discord said, they both were so quiet until Fluttershy came up to him and hugged him hard, Discord was blushing but this time was different, this time, they both felt happy, they both smiled and laughed for a while, then Discord set Fluttershy down and they lay there a while, she felt warm being close to him, but something was still missing to her, she knew she had to finish what they ended, she looked up to him and smiled, still having that special glow in her eyes. she leaned in fast and kissed Discord once more and he didn’t think twice to sink into it, they both held each and other and shared their feeling with tons going through their head mainly Discord was thinking of how beautiful Fluttershy looked, but Fluttershy was oddly thinking of something else, in her mind she was saying “even though my friends had a weird hearts and hooves day, I hope they're having as good a time as me,” Author's Note Fluttercord forever! Anyway, I will probably be doing these author's notes after every chapter, mostly just to comment and explain my thoughts. This chapter is one of my favorites, only next to the chapter after this one. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 3: A Heart for Pinkie //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 3: A Heart for Pinkie Ponyville always looked better when a holiday came for Pinkie Pie, while the sun was just rising Pinkie looked out her window and waited for the right time. “Any second now,” Pinkie said with enthusiasm. Celestia was rising the sun higher from the hills making Ponyville brighter and Pinkie happier to know that the big day has come. “Finally! It’s finally here, the biggest day of the year, the one day where I get to send out the most delicious treats and get the highest sales for the Cakes, it’s… HEARTS AND HOOVES DAY!” Pinkie said, shouting so loud it woke the babies and making the Cakes yell out “Pinkie Pie!” making Pinkie quietly say “sorry” and run into the halls The early morning mist tickled Pinkie’s muzzle as she and Mr. Cake were pushing their cart of food to the booth for the festival, Mr. Cake always worried that Pinkie would forget what to do and just go off and do her own thing, so, while they were loading the booth with pies and cakes and other treats for the holiday, he made sure to go over everything before he left her alone. “Now Pinkie Pie, what do we do when I leave?” “Wait until the festival opens and don’t go on my own until it’s time to close the booth.” Mr. Cake nodded, “And what do we do when a customer comes and wants a treat?” “Give them what they asked for only if they pay, and don’t give any free food even if you know them really well,” then Pinkie thought for a moment. “though, when I go meet my friends, can I give them some treats, they don’t have any special somepony, and we made a pact to enjoy the festival when I close the booth, so, could I bring them some treats, I’ll pay for them and everything,” Pinkie Pie said hoping that he would agree. “Well, if there is any left when you close the booth then I guess it’s alright with me,” Mr. Cake said. Pinkie buzzed with excitement as she kept jumping up and down and shouting “oh thank you Mr. Cake,” Then she stopped in mid-air and thought for a moment to repay him for his kind gesture, “and just to repay you, I’ll be your first customer,” Pinkie Pie said as she put the very first bit into the chest where they would keep all of the money. “Thank you Pinkie Pie, now what would you want.” Mr. Cake said pretending that Pinkie Pie was a customer, “Well, I could have the super delicious red velvet cake for myself, but I think I should save my appetite for something big, so maybe I’ll just take the super cherry soda pop stick,” Pinkie said as she took what she paid for and put it in her mouth. They both laughed, and Mr. Cake nodded and said “Well, you look like you have everything cleared, but maybe we should go over everything one more time,” Mr. Cake said, but Pinkie knew he and Mrs. Cake had their own things to do today so she pushed him away from the booth. “Nonsense, you and Mrs. Cake have your own schedule, so go on and enjoy today, I’ve got everything handled, now go get your loved one and most importantly, have fun!” “Well, if you say so, then I guess I’ll just go, thank you Pinkie Pie for everything,” Mr. Cake said with cheer in his eyes. Pinkie saw him leave to find Mrs. Cake as she waited for the first customer and thought about some things, things that she usually never thinks about, while looking at the scenery, she thought, “Boy, this holiday certainly had ponies going out of their way to make each other happy, I wonder, will this ever happen to me, I never thought of any love interest, but now that I think about it, I may like one, why am I thinking about this? Come on Pinkie Pie, you need to focus,” but the more she tried, the more she thought “Maybe I should look into finding sompony so I won’t feel so left out,” now Pinkie felt sad when she thought about all of this, “Nopony really took a shine to me or never asked me to go out on a date before, and I never asked anypony before either, why? Was I afraid of commitment? Did I just think I never needed anypony before? Everypony needs someone in their life,” She became disappointed at the thought of nopony wanting her, her hair deflated and her eyes were starting to fill up with tears, then somepony came by to her booth, Pinkie cleared her eyes and tried her best to think clearly. “H-Hello, welcome to sugar b-booth, would y-you like velvet sugar cake, or… or,” she was interrupted by the customer, “Excuse me, are you alright Miss Pinkie Pie,” Pinkie looked at the customer, “how does he know me?” she thought, she never saw him before, he was a tall colt with green fur and his hair was dark brown and looked as if it was ruffled 200 times, he also had a cutie mark with chocolate pancakes, if Pinkie Pie knew who he was then she must have forgotten him, no doubt about it, he knew her. With sympathy in his voice, he also cared, and she thought it was nice for somepony to think of her. “I’m sorry, do I know you?” Pinkie said questionably. It was strange, she knew almost everypony in Ponyville but she didn’t know him, of course, she remembered Mrs. Cake saying something about other ponies coming to Ponyville for this festival. “I don’t think you know me, but I definitely know you, how can anypony not know the biggest party pony (next to cheese sandwich of course) in all of Equestria!” He said with excitement, Pinkie still looked pretty confused but flattered, and her hair puffed up by the sweet comment. “Allow me to introduce myself, I am Flapjack Batter, I came all the way from Seaddle with my business, “Batters Breakfast House”, and I just wanted to know if you had any popsicles for me to buy,” Flapjack said, Pinkie looked for all of the popsicles the booth had in the freezer, then got out 4 types. “Sure, we have candy hearted, red velvet, sugar cupcake (lots of sugar, little cupcake), or super cherry soda stick, (made by yours truly),” Pinkie Pie said in the cheerful voice she had before. “I’ll take the cherry soda stick, it sounds like an amazing dessert for a certain pony I want to see tonight,” Flapjack said, blushing slightly. After he said that, Pinkie felt a twinge of jealousy, she thought he was single, oh well, she understood. “Oh, and who is this… a certain pony?” Pinkie asked being as smartly as possible, forcing it a bit more than she wanted. “Well, I have admired her for a long time,” Flapjack said, “Anyway, I’d like 2, please,” Pinkie did as Flapjack told and even put it in a red-flowered ribbon, then Flapjack paid his due and left leaving Pinkie to say goodbye and wait for the other customers to come. The early morning was busier than any day of Sugar Cube Corner, Pinkie Pie was taking so many orders herself and was wondering why she thought of doing this alone. “Now are you sure you can do this by yourself Pinkie? I wouldn’t want you to overwork yourself.” Mrs. Cake said as she and Mr. Cake were mixing together some sweets. “Don’t worry Mrs. Cake, if anypony can do this, it’s me! Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye” Pinkie said as she did her special promise that was not to be broken. Right. Pinkie facehoofed as she remembered the memory. She didn’t have time to think about that, what happened happened. You can never break a Pinkie Promise. She finished her 97th customer when Flapjack came back, she was so happy to see his face. “Flapjack, what are you doing here again?” Pinkie asked as she went to the back to refill one of the boxes up the front and come back with a pad and a pencil. “So, what do you want,” Pinkie asked fast, her hair frazzled, making Flapjack wonder why she thought of doing it alone. “Well, at first it was to order a cherry pie, but from how busy you're working, I think I should help, if I may,” Flapjack said shyly, Pinkie looked at him and smiled so happily, making him seem cuter and kinder to her. “I would love it if you would help me,” Pinkie said thankfully, she didn’t know why he would help her when he was going to see another mare, but she would love any help she could get. “Do you know the procedures of business?” Pinkie asked, wanting to know if he can handle the business of today. She trusted him, but today was going to be different for all of the ponies with businesses. “I run my own business, I think I can handle a busy day,” Flapjack said profoundly. “Great, then you can handle the front desk,” Pinkie Pie said giving him the pad and pencil when Flapjack asked for the first order, he realized the hundreds of ponies in line, he wrote everything down as fast as he could and noticed that Pinkie Pie was moving as fast as a rocket, putting treats inboxes and running out and back again, he pondered over how much energy she had but didn’t really have time to think about it. They worked throughout the day until her break time, very tired from working, they decided to go and explore the festival a little. “It’s amazing how much stuff you can do for such a little town,” Flapjack said while drinking a smoothie from another booth and on a bench near the town hall. “Well, one day we went to the town hall and the mayor suggested that we have a festival of hearts for everypony, not just those with loving ponies, but for anypony, which is why I and my friends made a pact to come here and enjoy the festival with each other rather than our… special some pony” Pinkie said finishing off sad, she still had it in her mind that she might want some pony in her life. “You know, it really confuses me,” Flapjack said, hoping to do something to change her mood. “what?” Pinkie asked. “That you are such a fun pony, and no pony has asked you to be their special some pony, you seem like the best pony to be with,” Flapjack said while looking at her in a glowy kind of way. “Well, that might be my own fault mostly,” Pinkie said with her head down, Flapjack looked at her like he was surprised at this. “How so?” “Well mostly I focus on my parties rather than any colt or somepony who might have liked me, I never thought of any love interest until today, I kept thinking about this holiday and how every pony treats each other with appreciation and it made me wonder if I would ever have one, I guess I always thought that my only love would be my friends, but... maybe I will want some pony to take care of me when I get ill. When I need to cry, when I need a hug... when I need lo…” Pinkie suddenly realized what she was saying and was getting red of embarrassment when Flapjack held her hoof, it was an unusual feeling that Pinkie didn’t exactly hate. “Pinkie Pie, don’t say that about yourself, sometimes we realize when we might need some pony in our lives, but that doesn’t mean that we need to find them now, in time some pony will come, but you don’t need to blame yourself, it’s not your fault, you just didn’t realize it until now, but you will find some pony,” Flapjack smiled at her with the same glow he had before, it made Pinkie think he was cuter and sweeter than ever. “Do you really think so?” Pinkie said smiling at him. “I do, really soon, maybe,” He said. They both smiled at each other and blushed hard, “Um, think my break is over, so,” Pinkie said, not really wanting to leave the grasp of his hoof. “Oh, yeah, you should go,” Flapjack said, they both got off the bench and started walking in opposite directions, “Thank you by the way,” Pinkie said, turning around with an enormous smile on her face. “Your very welcome,” Flapjack said, “My little gumdrop,” He said quietly, “What was that!” Pinkie shouted from the hill “Oh nothing,” He said loudly The rest of the day was pretty busy for Pinkie, but when it was time to close the booth, she couldn’t have been happier because it was time to meet her friends, and fortunately for Pinkie, there were exactly 6 treats for her friends, Flapjack stopped by a few more times to pick up some things, she didn’t know who this “certain mare” was, but he definitely was going out of his way for her, but she didn’t have time to think about that, she first went to Fluttershy’s but she saw her with Discord, he told her she was interrupting something, so she went to everypony else’s house before seeing Fluttershy, but it took a while for everyone to come out. The festival looked even better at night, all of the lights on the booths and rides made it look beautiful, Pinkie gave her treats and they all had a really great time, the Wonderbolts show was amazing, but Rainbow Dash looked very tired, however, she didn’t notice that. They even caught a surprise with Rarity, but it was getting late and every pony decided to go home, but when Pinkie was walking towards Sugar Cube Corner, she spotted a piece of candy. “No Pinkie, remember what Twilight says, ‘If it’s on the ground, leave it,” Pinkie said, shuffling her hair making an exact replica of Twilights mane and imitating Twilights voice, but Pinkie kept looking at the candy while walking away then stopped again. “Then again, it is wrapped so it is clean,” Pinkie said, second-guessing herself. “No, no, the wrapper is on the ground too so that means it’s also bad, right?” She said walking away but keeping her eye the sugary solid. In the end, Pinkie Pie couldn’t resist the temptation of sugary treats and had to take the candy, then she found another one, and another one, then she found a trail of candy leading all the way to the back of Sweet Apple Acres to their gazebo. She saw a blanket with bowls of sweets and pies and cake, with a rose of magenta and the bright huge moon Luna was bringing out. “What is this?” Pinkie said almost as if she was interrupting some ponies date. “It’s a picnic for a certain special somepony,” A shaking bush said, Pinkie looked closer and saw it was Flapjack. “Oh no, is this where you and your special somepony is supposed to meet,” Pinkie asked. “No it’s for you, I wanted it to be a surprise,” He held up a flower to Pinkie Pie. “It’s for my certain mare,” Pinkie Pie suddenly understood everything, Why he was getting so many treats, why he wanted to help her with business, why he comforted her when she doubted herself, it was all because she was his special admirer. “H-how long have you felt this way about me?” Pinkie asked, stammering. “It all started whenever you came to Seaddle, it was my sister’s birthday, and you came and made it better than any party I have ever seen, but you caught my eye most of all, you looked so fun and happy I couldn’t stop staring, I was going to ask if you were doing anything later, but before I could say anything, you were gone, but that didn’t stop me from seeing you, some customers I saw were from Ponyville and talked about you being so great, I wanted to come every time but I knew I couldn’t because of my business, but then I heard about this festival here and some pony gave me a few bits, so I came and found you, now I know that what they said was true, you are the best pony and I can’t think of any pony else I could be with, I know one thing, I want to be there for you, I want to be your special some pony, and if that means losing my business, I’ll do it, just to be with you.” Pinkie looked at him and blushed from what he had said. Until she remembered what his last words were, “Did he just say what I think he said?” “What did you say?” Pinkie asked hoping she didn’t hear his words right. “Be my special somepony?” Flapjack said, trying to guess what she meant. “No I mean before that,” Pinkie said. “Oh, you mean losing my business for you?” Flapjack asked as if nothing was wrong. “Yes! Why would you do that?” Pinkie said, having her hope blow up in her face with a frown. Flapjack looked at Pinkie as if she didn’t just hear him. “Because I want to be with you,” He said, trying to make her understand. “I know that, but is your business doing good? Is it a big thing in Seaddle?” Pinkie said looking in Flapjack’s eyes wanting to know answers. “Yes, we have the biggest sales, the Batter family do our best to get good sales but-” “But you would just forget all about that, your life's work just to be with somepony you’ve only known for a day,” Pinkie said with sorrow and annoyance in her voice. When she put it like that, Flapjack could feel what Pinkie Pie was saying, and suddenly he knew what he had to do. “Then I guess I’ll just have to go without you... or you could come with me,” Flapjack said with a bit of enthusiasm in his words, making Pinkie's heartbreak into pieces. “That may be good for you, but I would miss all of my friends and the Cakes, I also have to leave Ponyville, my home, where all of my greatest memories are,” Pinkie said, hoping that Flapjack would understand. “I think that it is so sweet that you would give up your business for me, but I see it in you that you would hate it as much as me.” “So what does this mean for us?” Flapjack asked with tears in his eyes and in a sorrowful tone. “It means we were never meant to happen,” Pinkie said while crying. They both knew that this was for the best, but like always, it’s hard to say goodbye to those you love, so when Flapjack stood up, he said goodbye to Pinkie, but before he walked out of her life forever, she ran to him and kissed him, then they both relaxed and started their passionate kiss. While Pinkie’s Hearts and Hooves day ended sadly, she hoped, with everyone being busy today, had a better night, from the things that happened in the festival, it sounds like it was crazy, but also very sweet and she hoped their Hearts and Hooves day ended better than hers. Author's Note Sad? yeah, but don't worry, wait until the end. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 4: A Heart for Rarity //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 4: A Heart for Rarity Hearts and Hooves day always was busy for Rarity even before the sun was rising, as she was frantically going everywhere looking for laces and ribbons and other things. Sweetie Belle was walking down the stairs. “Rarity? Why are you up so early?” she asked. “Why Sweetie Belle, don’t you know what today is,” Rarity said smiling maniacally, picking up and making Sweetie Belle uncomfortable. “Uh… Wednesday?” Sweetie Belle answered questionably. “No! today is the one day where I sell the most dresses and get the most orders on any day of the year!” Rarity said dropping Sweetie Belle and working on one of her dresses. “The Grand Galloping Gala?” Sweetie Belle said in an even more questionable way. “No, Hearts and Hooves Day,” Rarity said annoyingly. Sweetie Belle looked at Rarity with an expression like Rarity was overreacting. “Well, I need to go to the clubhouse for our next cutie mark problem,” Sweetie Belle said going out the door. “Okay, have fun,” Rarity said, not paying attention. Rarity was just opening the door and many mares came in running on Rarity and searching for the perfect dress and so many questions like “Do you have this in another size?” or “Can I get this in pink?” and she also made some suits for the stallions, but many of them just took the suits, paid, and left without a question, Rarity always loved seeing everypony leave with smiles on their faces, but she also saw ponies being together, which made her a bit lonely, but she knew she wouldn’t be lonely all day, she and her friends made a pact to see each other and enjoy the festival maybe she would see one of her dresses on somepony. “Excuse me miss Rarity, but I need to know if there are any suits left,” Rarity turned and saw a tall colt with white fur and black pulled back hair, Rarity blushed and didn’t even pay attention to the pony who asked, “Excuse me, do you have this in another color?” and just lifted her hoof saying “Oh, yeah, yeah, I’ll get to it,” and went back to looking at the colt, she didn’t even remember what he asked and was blushing so much she was as red as one of the satin dresses she made. “Um, miss rarity?” He said again, bringing her back to reality and remembering what he asked. “Oh, um, yes, they should be in the back,” Rarity said, they both walked to the back of the Boutique and found a huge mess, all of the dresses and suits were laid all over the floor, then a little Sweetie Belle popped her head along with Applebloom and Scootaloo. Rarity was so embarrassed she was even redder than before. “SWEETIE BELLE! Why are you back here messing up all of the hard work I made,” Rarity shouted, she heard the stallion chuckle a little and she felt like he was laughing at her. “I am sorry, my annoying sister and her friends must have done something to mess this up, I will try to find the suit you’re looking for,” she said trying to be as calm as she could, she went into the huge mess and got out a ruffled suit and brought it out to the colt. “I see you are going to have to swim for everything you need,” the colt said jokingly, Rarity laughed in the most sophisticated way, completely forgetting the huge mess on the floor. “Well, if you get done with that before tonight, then maybe I could take you out for the festival later,” the stallion said, Rarity was surprised, “Did he just ask me out on a date to the festival of hearts!” she thought, she couldn’t believe that somepony had asked her out, she couldn’t resist the thought of having a nice outing with this colt who obviously took interest in her. “Oh, yes, I would love to go to the festival with you,” Rarity said so excitedly she clapped her hooves, she couldn’t think of anything better. Her thoughts were interrupted as she remembered the pact she made with her friends. Rarity couldn’t believe she had forgotten about her friends! Rarity turned to face the stallion but was too late, he had already put the bits on her counter and was heading over the hill. “Oh Rarity, how could you forget the pact you made with your friends... and not to mention you don’t even know his name!” Rarity said looking out her window grimacing over why she had accepted too early, then she had an idea. “I know, I will go with my friends to the festival of hearts, but I will also go find the stallion and be with him, it’s the perfect plan!” Rarity said with lots of enthusiasm while clapping her hooves together “Now, to see what’s going on with Sweetie Belle and her friends,” Rarity said going to the back and getting the story of what they did. The busy workday was almost done and Rarity’s plan was going to take action, she got into one of the dresses she was going to wear and heard her doorbell and saw Pinkie Pie, then they got everypony else and started to go to the festival, Rarity was looking for the stallion while the Applejack told a certain story, then she spotted him and asked her friends if she could get a drink. “Rarity, I’m so glad you could come,” the stallion said with cheer, Rarity still didn’t know his name, but didn’t want to ask straight out “It’s good to be here, um…” she said, hoping her plan to get his name worked. “Oh, Golden Arches, hence the mark,” he said, pointing to his flank. she looked at his mark and saw none other than 4 golden arches interlinking to each other over a river, no doubt he was from Canterlot. “Ah, so, Golden Arches, shall we be off,” Rarity said, feeling giddy over the name already. “Yes, right after I go and take care of business,” he said walking towards an outhouse, this gave Rarity a chance to go back and see her friends, Applejack was just finishing her story when Rarity jumped in laughing with the others “Ha, ha oh, that is hilarious, I have never heard of something so funny,” she said with bits of sweat running down her head, though they were tiny enough her friends couldn’t see. Her friends looked at her like she was faking it all, little did they know she was, Rarity knew she had to see Golden Arches soon, so while they were watching the Wonderbolts, Rarity slipped away and saw him near the outhouse. “Well, shall we?” he asked, holding out his hoof and taking her to a booth where they ate, Rarity felt so happy and didn’t want this to end, but then she heard a loud boom and was reminded that she needed to get to her friends. “I need to go take care of something really quick,” Rarity said getting up and walking away. “Well alright, but when you get back, I need to tell you something,” Golden Arches said, making Rarity nervous and impossible not to think about, so when she went to see her friends, she couldn’t stop wondering what he would say, in her mind, she kept thinking “Is he wanting to say if we can be together, or does he not want to and thinks I am somepony who is going to strong, or he feels like we should go strong and asks to go on another date!” “Rarity? Are you ok?” Pinkie Pie said, sinking her back into reality. “Yes, I’m fine Pinkie, but I really need to know,” Rarity said. Her friends eyed her with suspicion, “What did you say?” Rainbow Dash asked tiredly, Rarity looked worried, she hoped her friends wouldn’t try to find out. “Oh, did I say know, I meant to go,” Rarity said stepping backward, then running to the photo booth. “No doubt about it, that girl is hidin’ somethin’,” Applejack said “Should we follow her? Fluttershy?” Pinkie said while Fluttershy’s head was down, also looking like she was thinking about something. “Fluttershy?” Pinkie said again, making Fluttershy look up and remembering what she asked. “Huh? Oh, yeah, let’s do that,” so they all went the way that Rarity went to find her. Rarity found Golden Arches near the photo booth and smiled at the sight of him, “Finally, that took longer than I thought,” he said with cheer in his voice and a smile that Rarity could promise almost made her faint. “Well it was hard to slip away,” Rarity said, Golden Arches looked at her confused. “What did you mean, ‘slip away’,” he asked Rarity, looking worried, she tried her best to look professional. “Oh, I meant I had to go do something and remembered what you said, so I had to ‘slip away’ to see you,” she answered while more sweat ran down her face, but she saw that he understood while nodding. “Well, then I wanted to tell you, I think you should come to Canterlot with me.” Rarity couldn’t believe it, she was blushing at the thought of going with him to the highest place in all of Equestria, and having the best life she ever had. “Oh my, that would be the best ever, I can just see us with a lively family in the best part of Canterlot and…” Rarity was interrupted by a hoof going to her mouth. “No what I mean is a business, you should move your Boutique to Canterlot to get even higher sales every day,” Golden Arches said with the same smile he had but it made Rarity look at him in a different way. “So, you wanted to see me tonight, just so you could discuss business on Hearts and Hooves day?” she said, annoyed at what she thought of him as wanting her, now only wanting her business. “Yes, that is what I do, what did you think I did,” Golden Arches asked oblivious to her feelings, making her angrier. “I knew you probably ran a business, but I thought you had a heart and liked me, or something,” Rarity said mad. “Well, I came here to ask you for business, but I see you don’t want anything to do with me,” Golden Arches shouted. “I don’t want anything to do with you or your business!” Rarity shouted so loud almost everypony could hear. “Well then, I’ll just go,” Golden Arches said walking away. “Good, I was just about to say the same thing,” Rarity said in anger, she glared at him until he was gone, then she heard a rustle in the bushes and knew exactly who it was. “Alright, I know you’re there, come on out,” she said, the 4 ponies all came out and looked sorry for what they did. “Were sorry for you and what happened,” Rainbow Dash said. “Yeah, we’re really sorry, right Fluttershy?” Pinkie Pie said, she looked and saw Fluttershy looking out of the festival, Pinkie stepped on her tail which made Fluttershy shriek and turns her head. “Oh, um, right,” she said, stopping and looking back to where she did before. “Is everypony out of it today?” Applejack said annoyed that she didn’t know what was going on. “Thank you darlings, I don’t know what I would do without you,” Rarity said hugging her friends, they all spent the rest of the night together until it was getting late and everyone left. While going back home, Rarity thought about her fight with Golden Arches and how she thought he liked her. Maybe she was just being herself and how she saw everypony that was male liked her, but now all she wanted to do was go to bed and sleep the night away, she opened the door and saw Opal on the chair purring. She felt like doing nothing at the time so she flopped on the chair and let out a big sigh from the night. Opal scurried off while she closed her eyes and thought about the stressful day, a lot had happened but it was nice just to let it all go out with another big sigh. While she loved relaxing, she still wondered, “I wonder how everypony else’s Hearts and Hooves day went.” Author's Note I forgot to mention that there will be OC's in this, mostly because of the reason that I don't really ship Rarity with anyone anymore. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 5: A Heart For Applejack //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 5: A Heart For Applejack As Celestia was raising the sun, Applejack looked at her glorious field, the Apple family dreamed of having rich sales, and now they get to sell not only just their apple treats, but also some of their delicious apple cider, and with it being a holiday, they’ll make twice as much, and when all her hard work will be done, she and her friends will go and enjoy the festival of hearts, something she and her family had heard about earlier, now she and the other Apple’s will have more money than any other moon they’ve had, now the sun was going over the hills in which Applejack knew it was time. “Yeehaw, it’s officially Hearts and Hooves day!” Applejack said as she was running down the field, she bucked one of her trees, and all of the apples fell into the basket, but one thing was missing. “Where is Applebloom and Big Macintosh?” AJ asked herself, she looked around the field and saw neither of them, then she remembered. “Oh, of course, they must be loading the barrels with cider,” she slammed her hoof on her face then went to the back of their barn and she saw that nopony was there. “Where is everypony?” Applejack said shouting, she looked everywhere inside the house, outside to the field until she had to take a breath. “I don’t know, maybe try Applebloom’s clubhouse,” a voice said, Applejack looked and saw the baby dragon that always made her smile. “Spike! Thank Celestia you're here, I need your help finding the others, I don’t think I checked the clubhouse, but I will, you could check the backfield, then we’ll meet here to see if we found anything,” AJ said, making her plan. “Okay I’ll try to do my best ma’am,” Spike said, saluting then running to the direction she pointed, Applejack stopped Spike before he was out of reach. “Wait! Why are you here in the first place?” she asked. “Oh, I just wanted to tell you something, but it can wait, we’re on a mystery,” Spike said as he got out a hat and an eyeglass. “It was a strange Hearts and Hooves Day,” Spike said monologuing as the entire place went gray, “Applejack and I were on a case, the case of the missing family, I was looking all around for a clue,” Spike said in a British voice. “Excuse me, ah told ya where to go,” Applejack said annoyed, she saw herself now in a black suit and tie and wearing a monocle. “Right Applesworth, but just stating a direction won’t get us anywhere with our case,” Spike said, Applejack was done with all of this silliness. “Spike, we need to focus on finding my siblings, not playing detective,” she said, scrunching her muzzle as the colors went back. “Oh come on AJ I’m just trying to make this a little fun, I don’t get to be a detective every day, and you don’t always have fun anyway,” Spike said, folding his claws. “I have fun! Why me and my friends are going to the festival of hearts later tonight after I close...” Applejack then realized that she was supposed to be at the festival already. “Oh no, I forgot about the festival! ah still need to get everything and load it all to my booth,” she said frantically going around in circles. “Not to worry, I’m sure Granny Smith is already there,” Spike said calming AJ down “I bet yer right, she left early today, so maybe she already went,” Applejack said, they moved on before she stopped again “Or she went with Big Mac and Applebloom and they all left me here to fend for myself!” she said going to the direction of the festival, Spike came in front of her and stopped her before she left. “AJ, calm down, look, we can go over to the festival but if Granny Smith is there, can we go back to being detectives, please,” he said putting his claws together and did sad puppy dog eyes, Applejack looked at his eyes and she couldn't resist. “Oh, fine, come on, let’s go,” she said mad at herself for falling for his trap. The festival was full of ponies being in love, but AJ didn’t focus of that, she only focused on finding her booth and hoping that Granny Smith was there so she can just go find her siblings, with the exception of playing detective with Spike, she didn’t know why he wanted to just go all out and play, but she made a promise, and Applejack never breaks a promise. “I don’t see her Spike, where do yah think she is,” Applejack said searching everywhere. “There she is,” Spike said, running to her as Applejack's relief went up a bit. “Granny, thank goodness, ah thought you left with Big Mac and Applebloom to Celestia knows where,” Granny Smith looked at Applejack with a mad face. “IT’S ABOUT TIME Y'ALL GOT HERE!” she said shouting, “I’ve been bustin’ mah flank off trying to sell our apple products, while you're out here wasting the day with Spike like ah was nothin’!” “Granny, I’m sorry that I got so… distracted,” Applejack said looking at Spike with him giving a nervous smile,“but I’ve been looking for Applebloom and Big Mac, and I have no idea where they are or how to even find them, I want to find ‘em soon, so I can just forget the worry and move on for today,” she hung her head at the thought of her family in danger. “Look, if you have any evidence, you better spill,” Spike said, making all of the colors go gray again, he was looking at AJ with the same puppy dog eyes. “Fine,” Applejack said, pulling out her costume and rolling her eyes, but making Spike smile wide. “Now, what do you know about Applebloom and Big Macs disappearance,” he said as Granny Smith was tied to a chair, “I ain’t yappin’,” she said turning her head deniably, “Tell us or we’re going to have to take it to more extreme measures,” Spike said holding an apple and playing with it, “You wouldn’t!” Granny Smith said looking worried, “Are you sure Spike, Granny is really delicate about her apples,” Applejack whispered, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this all under control,” Spike whispered back, he squeezed the apple and said, “Talk or I’ll do it,” he said squeezing the apple more. “Fine! I’ll talk,” Granny Smith said while Applejack and Spike smiled at each other. “I don’t know where they are, but I did see Applebloom go into a cart Big Mac was sending. Said something about giving somepony a pie or something,” Granny Smith said with her head down in a glare. “That leaves us with our first clue,” Spike said, they both left the booth not even hearing Granny Smith say “Alright, you kids just run along, it’s not like ah needed y’all to help me!” Applejack felt a bit of happiness as they left the festival, it started to make her feel less stressed about her crisis, maybe that’s what Spike wanted all along, but she also thought they were just wasting time. “Spike, this has been fun and all, but I don’t think we’ll get anywhere if we just look for clues,” AJ said stopping the hearted dragon. Spike turned around and looked at AJ with a frown as he sighed and said, “I know, this is too much for you, I guess I always thought if there was a mystery or a certain adventure. you and the others would save the day, but this time, this one time, I can actually be a hero, I can solve the mystery, I can save the day.” Applejack looked at Spike with sorrow as he continued “I know you all make me seem like I belong, but to be honest, I don’t feel like I do, I just want to belong for real, I just want to be special.” A tear trickled down Spikes cheek as he stifled, Applejack couldn’t bear this feeling of sadness in him, she came closer and embraced him, he didn’t want to let go but knew it would get awkward if he pulled her back in, AJ broke away and looked into Spikes eyes. “Spike, you are special, who is the first dragon who lives with ponies and the best helper to us all?” “Me?” Spike asked “And who saved me from the Timberwolves when I really needed help” “I did,” Spike said cheering up “And who is going to help me find my siblings and become the best detective Equestria has ever seen?” Applejack said raising her voice, “I AM” Spike shouted, “Who is?” AJ asked “I AMMMMM!” Spike raised his claws high and shouted so loud making a Pegasus say “What was that?” to another who shrugged her hooves. “Thank you applejack,” Spike said hugging Applejack once again. This time, it was different for AJ, this time she felt happy, like a feeling she had before was brought back to her a long time ago. “I don’t think I could do this without you,” Spike said, holding her closer, now AJ felt even happier, she knew this feeling before, but she didn’t know where, but she knew this feeling before. “And you know what,” Spike said looking at her with a simple glow in his eyes. “What,” Applejack said smiling. “Well, while Twilight might be my best friend, I would much rather have you as my assistant.” they both held each other for a while before Spike broke their hug and blushed of embarrassment “Uh, I think we got a little off track, we should go back to finding Applebloom and Big Mac,” he said pretending to look far. “Ah don’t think that was the proper language for a star detective.” Applejack said, giving Spike his hat and eyeglass, she then pulled out her own costume. “Well then, shall we go find those whippersnappers, Applesworth?” Spike said in his British accent again. “On it, detective Spikelock,” Applejack said as Spike got onto her back and they rode off to find Applebloom and Big Macintosh, “Well, well, well,” Spike said as he looked through his eyeglass to find something interesting. “What is it,” AJ asked, coming to see what it was. “These wheel prints, they lead over to the Everfree forest, but look,” he said pointing to another path that leads another way, “These prints have faded out, they were brushed off,” he continued as AJ came to a conclusion. “So, whoever made these marks, didn’t want anypony to follow them,” they walked until they found harder tracks that led to the train station. “Good eye Applesworth,” Spike said, patting Applejack on the head, making her get annoyed. “if my guess is correct, then Big Mac and Applebloom went into that train to another part of town,” they walked to the station and realized a train was going to a specific spot that made AJ get a little panicked. “We need to get on this train, now!” she said taking Spike by the arm and leading him inside the train, he pulled away thinking Applejack was crazy. “Why? Where is this train going anyway, and why do we need to get onto it?” he asked. “Because this train is going to stop at Starlights village!” Applejack said pale like, Spike gasped and now looked as worried as AJ. “So, either they decided to visit her village, or…” Spike said hoping that Applejack wouldn’t say what he was thinking. “Or somepony captured them both,” AJ said, making Spike faint, she picked him up as he went back to consciousness. “Now Spike, it’s just a theory, I’m sure they’re fine,” Applejack said, calming Spike down. “‘sides, that village hasn’t done anything bad… yet¨ Applejack said now looking worried again. “But what if it’s true, your siblings could be in serious danger and..” he said as AJ put her hoof on his mouth. “No, don’t say that Spike, don’t make me even more worried than I already am, I’m trying so hard not to freak out and you yelling will not help, would a star detective do that?” she put her hoof off of his mouth. “You're right, we should just think about finding Big Mac and Applebloom and not worry about what might happen to them if we don’t worry or…” he said looking at AJ with a mad face, “Uh, I mean, we should just find where they are.” They both heard the conductor say this was the last chance to get on the Friendship Express, they went in hoping that nopony would wonder why they don’t have their tickets. “We made it, now let’s go sit down and wait until we arrive at Starlights village,” AJ said, finding them both a seat, Spike fell asleep minutes after, with all of this detective work he was getting very tired. After all, he was a baby dragon. However, when Applejack looked through the window she couldn’t get her siblings out of her mind. “What were they up to? Are they in danger? Are they just making a delivery? Or has sompony really capture them and they need help?” AJ thought. She could just see both Applebloom and Big Macintosh hanging from a rope upside down above a big case of water with dangerous animals. “Ticket ma’am,” her thoughts were thankfully, but not, fortunately, interrupted by the ticket taker. “Um, well, I can explain, let me just check with my friend,” Applejack said, nudging Spike to wake up, he looked dazedly at AJ with confusion. “What’s going on, are we there already?” he asked. “Spike, this nice pony is wondering where our tickets are,” Applejack said pointing her eyes at the ticket taker, he finally got what was going on and nervously said. “Ooh, eh, ha, ha, can I talk to my assistant for a second,” the ticket taker looked mad but let them have their privacy. “What’re we going to do, we don’t have tickets, and we have no way of escaping!” Applejack whispered as they huddled together. “Maybe we just tell him, I mean, what are they going to do, throw us out of a moving train?” she said and looked to see Spike not looking worried at all, thinking. “Aren’t you the least bit worried, we could get in serious trouble if we don’t tell him the truth,” she whispered. “No, that will never work, we might get him mad and he’ll tell the conductor to stop the train and we’ll have to walk, but don’t worry I have an idea,” he said smiling like he was before this entire mystery. “Why couldn’t you have been like this when we were panicking about mah siblings,” AJ said, looking very annoyed at him as if nothing was wrong. “That was when we weren’t on a moving train,” he said, smirking. “Who are you and what have you done with Spike?” she said wondering if he was captured and replaced by a clone in the mirror pool. “No, I guess all of the stress went away in my nap, and now I’m calm,” he said. “We're getting off track, we need to figure out how to tell the ticket taker without getting in trouble, the only question is how,” AJ said, putting her hoof to think of what to do. “What if we do without telling him the whole truth,” Spike said with a smile. “I’m listening,” AJ said, getting closer to make sure that the ticket taker doesn’t hear a word. “We tell him that we forgot our tickets, thus implying that we have them but forgot them, and we can’t show them,” Spike said profoundly, Applejack smiled at the plan, but it faded when her logical side came back. “Spike, you're looking at the element of honesty,” AJ said, doubting herself. “You don’t have to do anything, just sit there and watch my magic,” Spike said going back into his seat. “I’m afraid to say this sir, but we have forgotten our ticket,” Spike said looking as innocent as he could. “Yeah right, I’ve heard that excuse before, you obviously came here without a ticket and now you know that we can’t throw you out because of the fast-moving vehicle, but this is not the end of our stop.” the ticket taker said angrily, making Spike panic. “Sir, we are trying to get to a village far away from where we started and find my siblings that I have lost and am so very worried about, could you please forgive me and my friend and just let us go to the village and let me see my sister and brother,” AJ said, truthfully she was really worried and was about to cry. “Wow, nopony ever has been honest with not having tickets, but your honesty is definitely ticket worthy, and I’ll even accept your friend, for trying his best to help,” the ticket taker said with a smile, he walked away and Spike looked at Applejack in awe as she was smirking. “What was that about honesty not working,” she said as they both laughed, and Spike said. “Ok, ok, I have to admit, that was pretty awesome, I didn’t know that you could hold such power with being honest,” he said. “Well I do know how to use it on special occasions,” Applejack said as if she was a superhero. “I mean it, I have never seen somepony be so honest, even me and Twilight aren’t that honest,” Spike said getting closer. Applejack saw that Spike was looking quite sad after he made that comment, and she knew exactly why. “You miss her don’t ya Spike,” she said. “Yeah, she’s at the Crystal Empire and Cadence apparently only wanted her, leaving me all alone, that’s one of the reasons why I came to visit you because I was so alone,” Spike said all sad like. “That’s why you came to the barn because you were lonely?” Applejack said feeling sorry for Spike, “Spike, you aren’t lonely now are you?” AJ asked, wondering. “No, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not missing her, I’m also getting homesick, but that’s normal for me when I go on adventures,” he said putting his knees on his face. “Then that means we have something in common.” Applejack said looking at Spike with the same glow as he did. “What’s that?” “We both are homesick and worried about those we love, but I know that I never am lonely when I’m with you,” Applejack said sitting beside him, they both couldn’t stop staring and blushing at each other. “Applejack, that is the nicest thing anyone has said to me,” Spike said, not taking his eyes off of her. “Applejack, I think…” Spike said before Applejack shushed him, they leaned in closer and were almost at a lips distance when the conductor yelled out, “NOW ARRIVING… a village.” They both realized what was going on and blushed embarrassingly. Applejack's mind was racing for what she was doing, Spike was reacting the same. “Um, we should go and find your siblings,” Spike said leaning farther. “Oh, uh, yes, let’s go,” Applejack said getting out of the seat, Spike couldn’t help getting the two words out of his head. “So close,” his knees were up to his mouth when Applejack said “You coming?” and Spike saying “Yep, be right there,” and continuing to think about what just happened, “No, I have to focus,” and he got off the seat to catch up with Applejack. They both walked to Starlights village and saw that they were having some sort of celebration, too. “What’s going on here?” AJ said. “Well, this is the annual pre-celebration of when we were freed and got our cutie marks back.” one of the ponies of the village said. They didn’t pay much attention as they had another mission to accomplish. “Well, this is a small village so we’ll be able to find them easily unless they have already left,” Applejack said, regaining the memories of what this village looked like compared to now. “Or they got lost and don’t know where to go from now on,” Applejack said, getting worried again. “Oh no, we’re not going through that again. Think, if Big Mac and Applebloom went anywhere, then where would it be?” Spike asked looking around. “I don’t know, the last time we were here, we went to somepony’s bakery, Sugar Belle was her name I think,” AJ said, lifting her eyes to look for the bakery. “Good work Applesworth, our mystery is now leading us to somepony with a bakery,” Spike said once more in his British accent, making Applejack like it, even more, it was strange how her mood changed. They both found the bakery and walked inside, seeing only sugary treats on a table, Applejack and Spike were getting more worried by the second, thinking of there horrible assumptions were correct, then a screaming “EEEEEEEE” came from below the flooring, Applejack found a door to a cellar, which she distinctly remember from an earlier experience, she bucked the door open and ran to the floor. “Applebloom, Big Mac, don’t worry, I’m…” AJ said, she looked to see that Big Mac was holding Sugar Belle in his hooves, and they both looked at AJ like she was crazy,. “Applejack, why are you here, and what are you talking about?” Applebloom asked. “And why are you and Spike dressed up like you are on a mystery?” Scootaloo asked going around Applejack and Spike looking to see what they were doing. “Well, um… it’s kind of hard to explain, you see…” “We were on a case that led us to Starlights village then leading us to your bakery,” Spike interrupted. everypony looked at them weirdly. “Then why are you here in my cellar?” Sugar Belle said looking as if they were going to steal something. “Oh, that’s because we heard screams and wanted to know if anypony was in danger” they all looked at each other relieved that nothing happened. “Well, no one’s hurt, but we are being disturbed,” Sweetie Belle said frowning, Applejack looked at Big Mac and Sugar Belle and realized that she and Spike had interrupted something between them. “Of course! It all makes sense, that’s why I couldn’t find either of you. Big Mac told me about Sugar Belle, it makes perfect sense why he was here,” Applejack said then looked and also saw that the CMC was also here. “But that still doesn’t make sense why you’re here Applebloom,” she said now looking at the CMC who was standing on a table all together looking worried if AJ told them, then they would all get in trouble. “That’s a long story,” Sweetie Belle said. “And besides, it’s getting late, aren’t you supposed to be with the others?” Sweetie Belle said. Realizing what Sweetie Belle’s words were true, she panicked. “Oh no! Yer’ right! What am I going to do! It will be too late before I get back, it took us almost 2 hours to get here, and that was on a train!” she said. “How am I going to get there before they realize I’m gone,” everypony thought hard before Sugar Belle had an idea. “What if we can get you there in a few minutes,” they all looked at Sugar Belle with surprised looks, it was impossible to get to Ponyville from here, so they all were interested. “Maybe, just maybe, we could go to the cave where Starlight kept our cutie marks,” Everypony now looked at Sugar Belle with confused looks, then Sugar Belle realized they didn’t know about the cave. “Oh, when me and my friends were looking around in the cave, we saw that after Starlight was defeated, she used her magic to make a portal that goes to Ponyville to “study” you and your friends Applejack, but even though she stopped using it, it’s still there, and lucky for you, I wondered how she used it and studied the spell, though I never really used it, I think I can help,” everypony stared at Sugar Belle amazed at the glorious plan. “Well then, let’s get to it,” Applejack said, they all entered the cave and gasped at the portal that Sugar Belle was talking about, they all looked at the spiraling blue which made Spike become hypnotized with his eyes getting spiraled, too. “Well, here it is, the gateway to Ponyville,” Sugar Belle said showing the portal. “And you definitely know the spell and not something that could turn us into a squirrel or anything else,” Spike said worriedly, hoping he was going to stay a dragon when he entered the portal. “As long as I can concentrate, I think I can get you through,” Sugar Belle said, sparking a bit of magic and sweating, this was way beyond her magic expertise, she couldn’t bear it, she stopped and panted. “I can’t do it,” she said looking disappointed. “Come on Sugar Belle,” Sweetie Belle said. “We know you can do it.” “We believe in you” “Eeup,” “We have all the faith in you sugarcube,” Hearing all of these compliments made Sugar Belle confident she could do this, she sparked her magic again and let out the spell to the portal, it glowed brightly and sucked all of the debris. “It is done, you must go now, or else it will close,” the CMC went in, then Spike but not before he said “I knew you could do it,” then getting sucked in the portal, AJ came into the portal back at Ponyville, then she realized that Big Mac was not there, and the portal was closing farther, she went back in and found Big Mac close to Sugar Belle, she didn’t want to break away their moment, but she had to grab him before the portal closed. “Come on Big Mac, this portal is closing faster than a bull running at a red cape,” Big Mac followed her into the portal and the portal closed completely, everypony sighed a breath of relief of cutting it close. Applejack looked at the sky and realized that it was almost time to meet her friends, the CMC went their separate ways and Applejack went to say something to Spike. “Spike, I want to thank you for all your help, without you, I would of never found my siblings, and not to mention I had fun doing it, you made me realize that I can have fun while in a serious problem, but I do wonder, while you said you would choose me for an assistant, I still wonder why?” Applejack said looking at Spike who was blushing, making him adorable. “Well that’s easy, it’s because you are so profound about the problem, Twilight would try to research, Rarity would just complain, Pinkie would do anything else, Fluttershy would freak out, and Rainbow Dash would just not include me, I chose you because you let everyone be included, and not to mention your honesty makes you a better pony than the others, but it’s also because, you, I mean, you are so amazing to me, what I’m trying to say is,” spike leaned in closer and kissed AJ making her blush so hard, she knew he liked her a little bit after the whole timberwolf accident, but she thought he got over her and went back to liking Rarity, but she never expected this, they broke away the kiss and were still blushing like crazy, “B-but how… w-when” Applejack stuttered. “Because I love you, and after the dragon code,” Spike whispered. AJ could see the truth in his eyes, she didn’t want to leave him now but saw that Pinkie was heading to Sweet Apple Acres and she knew she had to go, but she didn’t want to leave Spike, even though she had to. “I have to go, I’m sorry,” AJ said running to her barn, Spike felt sad letting go of her, but he knew what he did was right, The rest of the night went pretty crazy, everypony was surprised by her story, they saw the Wonderbolts show and met Rainbow dash after, being more tired than usual, they even saw a fight between Rarity and some other stallion, but that’s another story when AJ went back home, she saw her field once more, to think, all of this madness happened because of one buck of a tree, Applejack went in the house and saw Applebloom fully asleep along with Granny Smith and Big Macintosh, she went into bed and looked to her ceiling, had all of this really happened in only one day, had all of this mystery stuff, role play, blushing, and admits, really happen? It made AJ fall asleep but not before her she thought, “I wonder how everypony else’s Hearts and Hooves day went,”. Author's Note I had to include something more than just Applejack meeting someone and spending a boring day with them. I liked Applejack and Spike being together for a while, but now I don't really ship them as much. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 6: A Heart For Rainbow Dash //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 6: A Heart For Rainbow Dash ZOOM, A flash of rainbow went through the Wonderbolt stadium, Rainbow Dash flew all over practicing for her routine for the festival of Hearts, something the mayor came up with, not that Rainbow Dash minded, she had her own routine that the Wonderbolts gave her, she loved being in the Wonderbolts, ever since she heard she was in, she couldn’t resist waking up to practice, and she became even more friends with the others than she ever had before, and she was known to be the best rookie the Wonderbolts had ever seen, but while she loved being in the Wonderbolts, it was still stressful, Rainbow Dash was finally done with her practice when she saw Soarin waiting by the entrance of the hallway. “Nice reflexes, I didn’t know you practiced even before rehearsal,” he said as she flew to the hallway. “Hey, it’s important I get this routine just right, or do you want to be the second-best next to me because, after today, I will be the main attraction,” she said bragging. “Always with the retaliations Crash,” Soarin said looking directly at her, they both stared at a glance for some time. “Well, if you are done looking at my awesomeness, I should get back to practicing,” Rainbow Dash said, she didn’t want to admit it, but she almost felt something weird, something she had only felt when she was near Soarin, but she had no time to think about that, she needed to focus, soon Rainbow Dash was back to doing the routine, making her flips and falls perfect for the show After much practice, Rainbow Dash was a bit tired of the rehearsal with the others, but she had to get rid of that, she had a big show for her audience. The Wonderbolts were doing some flips and glides, while Rainbow Dash was doing her routine, then she caught up to the others and they fell into the air while Dash went higher, she then flew down so fast but stopped mid-air saving that moment for later, then they all hovered as Spitfire shouted, “Alright, take a 10-minute break then back to the air!” They all separated to get a drink or rest for 5 minutes, but Rainbow Dash almost fell asleep before Soarin woke her up. “Getting some rest before continuing practice,” he said, shaking her awake. “I might be getting a little tired, but I know when to rest, now if you’ll excuse me I have to wait for us to practice again,” Rainbow said, pushing Soarin aside, they then went back to practicing before another break. A little while later, after some more practice, Spitfire looked at Dash. “Nice form Crash, now I want all of you to go home and get some rest, make sure you don’t come late, and don’t oversleep,” she looked over to Fleetfoot who began to blush embarrassingly. Rainbow Dash went to her home. her eyes felt a bit heavy but she could fix that soon, her mind, however, was going to other places. “Maybe I should go and practice some more, I am the “central eye” whatever that meant, something Spitfire came up with,” Rainbow thought as she was flying home, “I need to get this routine perfect, though, I am tired, and Spitfire did say to rest a little bit, and she said I had, quote “nice form”, but I really want to prove to them that I’m capable, and I don’t want to ruin my spot, groan, all of this choice is so stressful,” Rainbow Dash went inside her house, she looked at her living room, then her backyard, she didn’t know what to choose, but she knew she needed to get all of the stress out of her, so she decided to rest a little bit, but her mind was still on her routine. “What if I mess it up, what if I’m not able to make the rainboom, what if I mess up so bad that Spitfire doesn’t want me to be in the Wonderbolts!” Rainbow Dash flew up and went to her door to the outside, she couldn’t help it but practice. But before she went out, she heard a knock on her door, Rainbow went to her door and saw Soarin, she wondered why he was here instead of resting himself. “What are you doing here, Soarin?” she asked, he looked at her face, noticing her tired eyes and feeling sympathetic for what was brought upon her, it wasn’t her fault she was given this task, Spitfire saw something in her and thought she was ready for it. He clearly saw she wasn’t and knew his plan was perfect for tonight. “Well, after you almost fell asleep, I saw how stressed this was for you. So when I was flying home, I had an idea. Then I came over and saw…” Soarin was interrupted by Rainbow Dash putting her hoof up saying, “Get to the point Soarin.” very annoyingly. Ever since she had known Soarin, he always dragged on with his stories saying every possible detail to make sure everypony got it, and Rainbow Dash grew annoyed every time, but also was interested in the fact he was so detailed. “Anyway, I thought you might like to fly.” Rainbow Dash was surprised, she sometimes goes on flies with Fluttershy, usually, if she needs advice or to get away from something. She had also gone on a fly with Twilight, but that was just to help her with the test, this was different though, she wasn’t used to flying with anypony other than her friends, but when she turned to her backyard, she remembered all the stress today was bringing. Rainbow looked to Soarin agreeably, “Oh alright, but can we make it fast, I really need to practice some more.” she said as they both took off flying slowly. The fresh afternoon air was nice on Rainbow Dash, they flew over to the Festival of Hearts, seeing the lively ponies with their special some ponies. The silence made Dash feel uncomfortable, she broke the silence by saying, “So is this Suppose to be a silent fly or are we going to have a conversation?” “Well I just wanted to know how this whole routine thing is going for you,” Soarin said flying up a cloud and back to where he was. Rainbow Dash hesitated about telling Soarin about tonight, she didn’t want him to think she wasn’t capable of doing something this big, but she also didn’t like bottling up the feelings, it was a long thought that made Soarin realize what she was thinking. “You’re worried about it aren’t you,” he said looking at her with a calming look Dash could swear she’d seen in Fluttershy, she was impressed, she didn’t think he would understand what she was going through, “how could you tell?” she said questionably. “It’s not that hard to see, you show signs.” He finished, Rainbow Dash took another 10 seconds or so to say what was in her mind, “I guess I want to prove that I can be the best for the Wonderbolts,” Rainbow said, admitting her truth. “You know you don’t have to be the best to be a Wonderbolt, you just have to have faith that you can do anything,” Soarin said with enthusiasm as they flew to the end of the festival, seeing only the land of hills with grass and flowers. “I know, but back at the academy, I tried the best to be the lead wing, and I failed from another pony who was better, now I am in the Wonderbolt and I don’t want to lose that chance, I know I… WOAH!” Rainbow Dash said as she was just about to hit a tree as high as her house, they both quickly flew up and stared there not uttering a word before they calmed down knowing it was safe to fly again. “Well that happened,” Soarin said chuckling a bit while the moment was still processing through both of their minds, relieved nopony was hurt, “Anyway, you may continue,” Soarin said, holding a hoof out to represent what he was saying. After what happened, Rainbow Dash realized that she was opening her feelings to somepony other than her friends. And yet, she didn’t think it was that embarrassing, but she didn’t think it was comfortable. “I think I’m getting tired, maybe I should go back home and rest,” she said, turning her back at the sun setting around the field. “Then we should rest on a cloud,” Soarin said, bringing one of the clouds in the air closer to her, she hesitated about sitting on a cloud with Soarin, but the texture of the cloud made it hard to resist. She could feel her wings grow more and more tired with every flap, but she also thought it was a bit dissatisfying for her, it is different from Twilight or Fluttershy. Then Dash realized what was she was thinking and was irritated to why, “Am I seriously getting embarrassed by sitting next to a colt!” she thought, looking at a lonely Soarin who was waiting for her to answer, Rainbow Dash went on the cloud, head hung high, and sat there for a while, once again in full silence. “I know it’s hard for you to open your feelings, especially to me, but it’s okay, to tell me, I understand,” Soarin said looking at the setting sun and how gorgeous it was, no doubt about it, this was probably the best one they had seen in a long while, not that they always watched the sunset. Rainbow Dash was surprised, she’d never seen this side of him, it was strange, and yet, so comforting, Rainbow Dash inhaled and continued from where she left off. “I know I have much more potential than that pony, but the potential is only half of me, and I really want to show the best me, the real me.” This was the deepest conversation that Rainbow Dash had ever been in, she could feel tears going down her cheek, but she didn’t care. While she hid it well, Soarin could see the tear and feel what she was going through. Then he had the greatest idea. “Have I ever told you about the time that I got in the Wonderbolts?” He asked smiling, knowing she didn’t. Rainbow Dash looked at Soarin with wonder in her eyes, she had heard of so many Wonderbolt stories from her parents and legends from their history of awesomeness, but never the stories of how they got into the Wonderbolts. “Just like you, I had to go to the Wonderbolt Academy, I was pretty great for my age, and I graduated very early, newly leader Spitfire saw something in me that she didn’t see in the others. Yet, it still wasn’t enough to get in. I thought I was never going to get in after the few months I graduated until…” Rainbow Dash always had her thing with dramatic pauses, but she was very annoyed at his, she glared at him with her glowing fiery magenta eyes, making him get lost until he continued on, “It was a very cloudy day, and I was just trying to clear some clouds when Spitfire came to me to say she was watching me and was proud of how well I was doing, then she said how well I’ve always been doing and thought I needed more than just kicking clouds then she gave me this metal and that was when I knew I was in. Well, after many days of exciting flying, I thought I wasn’t doing so great, on account, she was staring at me madly, I thought I was doing something wrong, so I practiced and practiced hoping she would stop glaring, and I did that until… snap!” Rainbow Dash gasped at the thought of such a related situation, she can still remember the hospital in which she stayed at, the first Daring Do book she read, the great friends she had taking care of her. The friends she is going to thank tonight while at the festival. Back at the calming way she was before he started. He made sure she was ok before continuing on, “As you may have guessed, my wing broke and I had to sit out of the Wonderbolts for 3 weeks, and while I was at bed rest, Spitfire came to say how disappointed she was, I was so confused, turns out Spitfire, from what she told me, looks at ponies like that to hide that she’s proud, I was completely shocked, now with all of the bandages on me, it was hard to laugh, but I couldn’t help it, all this time I thought she was mad at me, but then I realized she was proud. And I never pushed myself again.” Rainbow Dash’s eyes were so wide, all you could see was her pupil, she was so surprised to hear what happened, “Is all of that true?” she had to ask, it was impossible to see that somepony as important as he was had gone through what she was going through, but all of the words he said seemed almost not true to her. “If it wasn’t true, why would I tell it,” he said smiling, looking once again at those beautiful magenta eyes, they both stared at each other, but in a different, more gentle way. Now, they looked at each other with a glow in each eye, Rainbow Dash had never smiled like this, it was the kind of smile she told her friends was so mushy and yet, it felt so right, but that moment didn’t last for much longer for her. Soarin leaned in closer and instantly she knew what he was doing, it wasn’t that kissing Soarin was bad, it was just because she wasn’t ready, Rainbow Dash leaned back and now looked worried, she didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but she also thought she would hurt him if they did kiss after Soarin got the message, he frowned, but in an understandable way. “We should go, I think we rested for a while now, you should be getting ready, big night for you.” He said, forcing a smile, he flew away and she tried calling back for him but he never turned. Slipping back into reality, she looked to the moon and realized he was right, it was almost time for her performance, she dashed away leaving a rainbow behind. After putting on her costume, Rainbow walked out of the dressing room, it was embarrassing to see Soarin, who looked really down, every time she looked at him, he just looked away, obviously, he’d never forgotten what happened, so she decided to talk to him after the performance (but before she saw her friends). Soon Spitfire was giving a speech to motivate the rest of the team, “Alright, this is a performance that we’re used to, but now with our new “central eye”, I believe that with her we will do the best performance ever, but keep in mind that we all have an important part to this as well, so let's not let Crash be the lead. We all know our own part, and I know we can do that, but it will take all of us to do it. Are we Wonderbolts, or are we Wonderbolts.” She said holding her hoof out and everypony joining in and got into position. Getting nervous, Rainbow Dash inhaled, leading to exhaling, she saw the bright huge moon, almost not needing light for the show because of the amazing brightness from the holding of princess Luna. They began their routine just like they practiced earlier the day, with the same movements, same flips, same falls, and finally, the sonic rainboom Dash had been holding onto until tonight, she flew fast, just like the last time and blew a huge boom of sparkling rainbow tracks making all the manes in the audience fall backward. After much cheering and clapping, the curtains draped. “Great Job Crash!” “Nice work,” some of the teammates said, Rainbow ignored the compliments and tried to find Soarin, she looked everywhere until she finally saw him, Rainbow Dash once again tried to call for him, only to have Soarin fly away quickly, she caught up to him, trying once again to say his name until a familiar pink pony with cotton candy hair and wild hyperactivity came up to her face. “THAT WAS AMAZING!” she shouted while the others were coming up to the pinkalicious pony, “Thanks everypony, but I think I need to…” she started saying, but Rainbow Dash soon lost sight of Soarin, knowing she could never reach up to him by now. “Need to, what darling?” Rarity said, looking very worried. Actually, everypony looked ‘not fully into it’ tonight to her, but she didn’t think about that much. “Never mind, I can do it later,” she said forcing a smile and walking with her friends to the fun that awaited her Soarin looked at the still bright huge moon after he thought of a great night out, he still is lonely as ever. “Still can’t get your mind off of her can you,” said a familiar voice that made him feel a little bit better, “How can I not, would you try to lean in closer to the one you liked for a long time and try to kiss them and forget about it!” Soarin said, angry. the pegasus fluttered over on the cloud he was sitting on, holding his hoof, making Soarin blush a little. “No, but I did make a big gesture, but think about it, how long have you actually been friends with her? And I mean real friends with her?” the mare asked. “Well, I guess if we were going on real friends, then…” Soarin said, putting his hoof on his chin to think, “I guess ever since she became a Wonderbolt.” He finally said with pondering in his voice. “Then do you really think she was ready to have a Wonderbolt, who she only became real friends with for a short time mind you, kiss her? Do you think she really is ready for that?” They both sat there for a long while before Soarin finally stated: “So I went too fast?” “Very fast, sometimes it’s hard to catch up to how fast you move things along. Believe me, I should know,” the pegasus said jokingly. “Hey! I’ll let you know that I took our relationship very well, then you got into Wonderbolts and left me,” Soarin said, getting annoyed at her so much he turns his head the other way. “Yes, but how did I repay you?” the mare asked. “You got me in the Wonderbolts,” Soarin said, mumbling a bit. “And why?” she said playing an ‘I ask you answer’ bit. “Because you wanted to be together again,” he said smiling again and blushing the slightest. “And what did you do?” “I tried to rush things and it ended up making you break up with me,” Soarin said admittingly. “So don’t you think that Rainbow Dash feels like that, too, like your rushing things.” As the pegasus finished her lecture, Soarin realized what she meant, he looked at her in the most thankful and happy way. “What would I do without you,” he asked as he hugged her, “You probably would still have to be kicking clouds and hoping to get in the Wonderbolts,” she said hugging him back, they laughed for a while and she flew away, leaving Soarin alone again, he flew his head up as he conceived a plan, and then went on and flew to where he could fix everything. Tonight was very unusual for Rainbow Dash, it seemed like nopony was focused on what they were doing rather than something else, she even was surprised at a fight with Rarity (more like the usual, she falls “in love” and fights with him later), but she also couldn’t help but think about her own problems. As she was flying home, she saw a certain grey pegasus mare walking around alone, making her feel even more lonely than ever, she remembered the relaxing fly she had with Soarin and felt happier at the thought of being with him. “Maybe I should try to find him again,” she said while flying home, the darkness made it hard for her to see, but this being Ponyville, she knew every place to be, it also helped that the moon was so bright. “He probably wants nothing to do with me, from the way he avoided me, I could be right in front of him and he wouldn’t even notice me,” she thought brought her to see the tree they had almost hit, remembering the smiles and chuckles of relief they had. This brought her to the fun of teasing them before this all happened, remembering his words and her comebacks made Rainbow Dash close her eyes and smile, she even blushed now at the thought of Soarin being her colt friend. Dash then opened her eyes and stopped dead in the air, realizing what she was thinking after all this time. “Oh…my…gosh,” she said realizing she did really have feelings for Soarin, she rushed home so no pony could see how she was acting. She reached her house but couldn’t get her mind off Soarin. “Maybe I could just go over to his house and apologize, then we can forget this whole thing.” She said opening the door and first only heard the slight creak of the door. She saw a shadowy figure and panicked. “Who are you and what are you doing in my house!” she said, hoping she wouldn’t have to fight this pony, or worse be captured by whoever he or she was. “Hey, it’s ok, it’s only me,” the figure said, stopping Rainbow Dash who was frantically moving her hooves everywhere panicking that he was going to get hurt. Instantly Rainbow Dash knew who it was and asked in a surprisingly and weirded out way, “…Soarin?” She turned on her light and saw none other than the pony she predicted. “Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be at your own house? Or is this something that you usually do,” she said calming down and acting teasing as she used to. “Well, I was thinking we could talk for a little bit,” he said turning towards the couch and patting it to imply her to sit, Rainbow was a bit confused but relieved that he was talking to her again she sat on the couch and looked over to Soarin who was hesitant, but as Rainbow Dash looked at his face, she knew what this was all about. “You want to talk about earlier, about what happened on the cloud,” she said smiling wondering if she was correct, “How did you know?” he asked, not that surprised she found out. “You show signs,” she said, copying the words he said to her on the cloud, he looked at her with a face that meant he didn’t want to play games, she now understood that he meant really talk, and she was so happy he did, she looked at his hung face and started up the conversation. “It’s okay, I really wanted to talk about it anyway.” They both looked at each other making Soarin finally find the words he needed to say. “I’m so sorry, it was just part of the mood, and the setting from the outside just made you look more beautiful,” Rainbow Dash had never heard him say beautiful and her before. she liked it. “You know, ever since that happened I couldn’t stop thinking about you... and I actually realized-&” she stopped speaking what she was about to say, Dash thought of the words that she could say instead of what she meant. “Realized what?” Soarin asked. “Oh pony feathers, think Rainbow, think!” she thought, she couldn’t find any words that could compare to what she had meant to say. What she wanted to say. Rainbow Dash looked at Soarin who looked worried, she breathed in and finished her sentence. “I realized…I think I might like you more than a friend,” she smiled and blushed hard looking away at the stallion from her, waiting for her response, and just getting full silence, she looked at a wide-eyed Soarin, making her get worried as he stayed stone frozen, she started breathing heavily. “Soarin? Oh, I knew it! This is why I don’t express my feelings!” Rainbow Dash put her forehooves on her head, she couldn’t believe how stupid she acted, she now was completely embarrassed and so red. “ I should’ve known he would act like this, all stallions do!” she looked once more to see if he was ok, only seeing his face with tiny dots on his eyes, he was so in shock it looked like he wasn’t even breathing. “Oh, what am I going to do!” she said, she looked at his face another time and finally got an idea. but soon denied it. “NO, NONONO! That is too far, I can’t do that after he almost did it to me!” she thought, then she looked at him once more and couldn’t get over how broken he looked and she finally decided. She must do this. Rainbow Dash leaned in close enough to take her plan to action, she could feel the warmth of her body rising up as she felt the breath of his face of hers. “Good, at least he’s breathing,” she said with a bit of the relief leaving her, she leaned in closer and closer but still couldn’t do it. Rainbow slowly moved away until she then felt a pair of lips on hers, with no pony else being around, she knew who it was. It took a while but soon Rainbow Dash was kissing him back. They broke the kiss and stared at each other, blushing harder than they ever had before. “Well, that’s one way to answer me.” Rainbow Dash said as they smiled and she tugged him for another kiss. They both felt happy embracing each other, but they both had many things in their minds as they continued their passionate kiss, Soarin kept thinking about what the Wonderbolts would think, he knows that some would understand, but maybe not all, he thought about how his friends might overreact or be disappointed, but he also thought about what possibilities they might share, dates, possible marriage, maybe they could even create a family, all of these thoughts that usually mares thought about, but he didn’t mind that much. However, surprisingly, Dash was thinking of anything but the usual thoughts. Instead, she thought of the most random thought in her mind “I wonder how my friend's Hearts and Hooves Day went?” //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 7: A Heart for the Crusaders //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 7: A Heart for the Crusaders “I’m bored,” Scootaloo said, lying upside down as she waited patiently for her friend's response. “Well, what do you suggest?” Applebloom said, looking just as bored as her friend. “Where is she? I thought you said to meet at the clubhouse earlier than Applejack so we can discuss what you wanted to talk about,” Scootaloo said, getting more aggravated by every second. “I did, but you know Sweetie Belle, she always is the last one of us to leave her house,” Applebloom said just as a young unicorn with curled white and light purple hair and a nervous tone as she said. “Cutie Mark Crusaders, we have a problem!” The two looked at Sweetie Belle with concerning eyes. “What’s wrong, Sweetie? Is any pony hurt?” Scootaloo said trotting to her friend. “No, worse than that,” Sweetie Belle said with an even more concerning voice. “Just calm down and tell us what has your stomach in knots,” Applebloom said, trying to comfort her friend. “Okay. I was walking down to the clubhouse and saw Big Macintosh bucking some apples, but I noticed that since today is Hearts and Hooves Day and he has a marefriend, right?” Sweetie said looking at Applebloom with questioning eyes. “Last I checked yes,” she said, giving another thought at it, “Though now that you mention it, he hasn’t been seeing her for a while,” Applebloom said, making the crusader's eyes wide with realization. “Shouldn’t he be with Sugar Belle today?” Scootaloo asked in a wondrous tone, Sweetie Belle nodded her head as her friends took in all of the information. “What're we gonna do? It’s obvious that somethin’ happened or else Big Mac wouldn’t be here,” Applebloom said. They all thought of a plan to help Big Mac with his problem when Sweetie Belle squealed like a dog making her friends cover their ears and let her finish. “Whatever you’re thinking, I hope it is good and loud because I can’t hear anything after that,” Scootaloo said with her hooves still on her ears. “Well it’s good, but by all means, we don’t want it to be loud,” Sweetie Belle said. Applebloom and Scootaloo looked at their shrieking friend with confusion in their eyes, “Come again?” Applebloom asked, hoping to understand what Sweetie Belle's plan would be. Sweetie Belle looked at her friends with annoyance, they never really understood her when a plan came into her mind. “What I mean is, we should send a letter to Sugar Bells village making Big Mac go send some pies or something while we sneak in the cart, then we’ll get out of the cart and look around to see what is going on with the couple.” Scootaloo and Applebloom were surprised, it was a good plan, but there was one thing missing. “Ah don’t mean to burst your bubble Sweetie Belle, but ah don’t think Big Macintosh would want to go to Sugar Bells village when something is going on,” Applebloom said. “And do we even know if something is going on, I mean did you even talk to him,” Scootaloo said, making both Sweetie Belle and Applebloom realize she was right. “Well then maybe we should ask him before we get our costumes,” Sweetie said looking to see her friends who were very confused at her sentence. “Costumes?” Applebloom said, raising a hoof to wonder what Sweetie Belle was talking about. Sweetie Belle looked and realized that she hadn’t said that part about the plan. “Well, were going to need to be in costume so we aren’t caught,” they looked at her and remembered what happened the last time, “No offense Sweetie, but do you remember the last costumes we wore, they weren’t exactly… spy worthy.” Scootaloo said, hoping not to ruin her friend's plan. “Don’t worry about that until we get to Rarity’s shop,” Sweetie Belle said with a reassuring smile. The two crusaders looked at each other than at Sweetie Belle and smiled. “Well then, let's go see what has those two stuck in the reins,” Applebloom said with her county talk that made the others get a bit annoyed Big Macintosh was bucking one of the apple trees thinking about the holiday that was today. 'Maybe ah should go over and talk to her. No, that is silly, she probably doesn’t want anything to do with me, after what happened the last time, I doubt she never wants to see me again.' His head turned down at the thought of what happened. Big Mac’s thoughts were interrupted by little fillies coming his way. “Big Mac, can we ask you a few questions?” his little sister said, he looked at them and thought to himself, “Oh no, what do they want, this is better not be another attempt to find me another date. Wait, they know I have marefriend, hopefully. So what do they want?” he realized that he had been thinking for too long he saw the looks the fillies gave and came to his usual sayings “eeup,” he said making the fillies smile. “Good. Now, is it true that you have a marefriend?” Sweetie Belle asked making Big Mac sad at the thought of almost not having one, it took him a while but he managed to say a quiet “Eeup,” and forcing a nervous smile, the CMC noticed this and looked worried. “Okay, then why are you here and not at her bakery?” Scootaloo asked hoping he would say anything but what he usually says. Big Mac looked more nervous at this question. “Oh no, I can’t tell them, can I? It seems like they want to help me with something, maybe they already know. That can’t be possible, it was a private conversation.” It took Big Mac a longer while than he wanted to get the words he needed but finally got up enough courage to speak. “Well… because Applejack needs ma help with apple-bucking and I thought family comes first so…” Big Mac noticed he was talking fast (well faster than he usually does) and noticed the CMC reacting more nervously. “If that’s true, then where’s Applejack?” Applebloom said looking around to see if she was there. “Rats, they’re onto me, I guess there’s nothing else to say, except…maybe...” Big Mac thought he smiled up and looked at the crusaders making an unusual turn of events. “Me and Sugar Belle decided to not see each other during today since both of us are going to be busy,” Big Macintosh had a reassuring smile hoping it would work. “I guess that makes the most sense,” Scootaloo said, writing the information on a paper, “Thank you, Big Mac, we’ll see you soon.” The CMC walked off far enough so Big Mac couldn’t hear. “Well, obviously somethin’ happened,” Applebloom said hoping her big brother was okay. “So that means we need to take my plan to action?” Sweetie Belle asked with a bit of hope in her tone. “There must be an explanation to what happened, so I think we need to go along with Sweetie Belle's plan, but only if all of us agree,” Scootaloo said as she and Sweetie Belle looked to Applebloom for an answer. “If it helps Big Mac with his mare troubles, I’m all for it!” Applebloom said as they all hoof bumped and ran to Rarity’s workshop. “Can you find anything?” Scootaloo asked frantically searching for a costume. They tore down the back of her workshop to find something simple, but this being Rarity’s boutique, you never could find anything simple. “Not yet, but I know Rarity made some cloaks some time for one of her nervous breakdowns,” Sweetie Belle said looking between some fancy clothes. “Well, ah don’t think we’re doing such luck, this place is a bigger mess than before,” Applebloom said, pulling a few clothes onto the floor. “FOUND SOME” Scootaloo shouted, stopping her friends and going over to the loud pegasus. They took the simple brown itchy cloak and put it in a bag, there was a loud rumble and the crusaders turned around and saw a mass of clothes run onto them, in the darkness, they could hear a loud mumbling, “SWEETIE BELLE! Why are you ruining all my hard work!” They popped their head one by one and saw Rarity and another stallion. She looked red with anger when she looked at her sister. Rarity went and searched for a suit and went back to the stallion, before long they walked out leaving the crusaders to escape, but it was too late, Rarity came back and asked what they were up to. “Well, you see Rarity, I wanted to help somepony out today, and I needed to find a costume, so we tried to search for some and finally found a few, but then a big tower of clothes fell onto us, and we’re sorry for making you clean up.” Sweetie Belle said, hanging her head. Applebloom and Scootaloo looked and saw a calm Rarity, or as calm as she can be, and she said it was okay. They all left the boutique and walked with the bag. “Now that we have finished phase A, we need to move onto phase B,” Sweetie Belle said, taking a pad and pencil out in her hair making her friends confused. “So, is phase B to deliver a letter? If you haven’t noticed the mail ponies are off today,” Scootaloo said matter of fact. “No, the mail ponies aren’t going to deliver, we are.” Sweetie Belle said folding the paper into an envelope, her friends still looked confused but followed along as she went over to Sweet Apple Acres The sun was coming up for Big Macintosh as he bucked another tree, “Applejack should be up to her hill right now and watching the sun come up,” he thought, “I wonder what Sugar Belle is doing right now. No, I need to forget her for now, thankfully no letters have come to me to deliver anything,” his trail of thought left as familiar fillies came by with a letter, “Me and my big thoughts,” he grumbled in his voice of thought. “Big Mac! You have a letter from Starlights village!” a voice from Sweetie Belle said, he turned around and waited for the worst, he read what it was saying. Dear Big Macintosh, I want to inform you that I need some more apples for today and would love it if you could come, I can’t wait to see you.” See you soon, Sugar Belle. Big Mac read the letter over and over again. “Does she want to talk! Are we getting back together! Maybe I should go over and talk to her,” The crusaders looked at Big Mac with wondering eyes. “So are you going?” Applebloom looked at Big Mac with hope in her eyes. He looked at the CMC and smiled. “Eeup,” he said in the surest voice the crusaders have ever heard him say. “Yes! I can do this!” “Ah can’t do this!” Big Mac thought as he and the other crusaders put on their costumes and were about to enter the village. “Does Big Macintosh look worried to you?” Scootaloo asked as the crusaders walked. “Yeah, I noticed too. Whatever happened must’ve made Big Mac not want to come back,” Applebloom said as she looked over to where Big Mac was, he was falling far behind them and going slower by every minute. “Well, all we need to do is go over by Sugar Belle’s bakery and ask her what happened, with these costumes it will almost seem like we blend in here,” Sweetie Belle said flapping her cloak around. “Are we sure she even wants to see Big Mac, maybe she’ll get mad and we ruin a beautiful relationship,” Applebloom said stopping dead in her tracks worried that this was a mistake, the crusaders looked at Big Mac and were having second thoughts about this. “Maybe you're right, we should just go back and-” “NO! we’ve come too far to turn away now, all there is left to do is keep going forward.” Sweetie Belle snapped. Her friends looked at her with astonishing eyes, she only ever snaps like that when she is determined, and to her friends, that shows great crusader courage. “Your right Sweetie Belle, we just need to keep moving forward and see what the future leads to the two ponies, and if all else fails, then we’ve come prepared,” Applebloom said, folding her cloak to her ears as did the others, they entered the village. Big Mac saw that nothing had changed since he was last here, same buildings, same ponies, same bakery. “What am I thinking, the last time I was here she hated me, now I think she's going to forgive me? Ah can’t believe how stupid I was…am… oh, whatever, this is not going to work, right?” all of his thoughts stopped as he paused walking and coming right in front of Sugar Belle's bakery, “Well there’s my explanation, I am the stupidest pony in all of Equestria,” the crusaders looked over and saw that Big Mac had stopped walking and was just standing there, in front of her bakery. “Come on Big Mac, this isn’t that hard is it?” Scootaloo said turning around and pushing Big Mac into the bakery. “Eeup,” he said, forcing his body to move against Scootaloo, the other crusaders came up behind him and started pushing him themselves, making Big Mac’s body move through the ground until he was in the bakery. Sugar Belle was loading up herself when she heard a big thud and turned around to see that a big red pony was laying on her floor and looked worried. “Big Mac, what are you doing here?” she said, sounding annoyed. “Well, that answered my question if she had forgotten about the fight, oh well, no turning back now.” He thought to look at her purple face, her face was mad but he couldn’t help but look at them. “Uh… um…. I uh…” Big Mac stammered and was about to say something but three little fillies beat him to it. “Miss Sugar Belle, me and mah friends just want to talk,” Applebloom said coming up to Sugar Belle with pleading eyes, it only took one to get control but when Sugar Belle looked at all three of their pleading eyes, she couldn’t help it. “Okay, I’ll talk! Just stop looking at me like that.” Sugar Belle said looking away at them while they did a hoof bump “The pleading eyes always work,” Sweetie Belle said, Sugar Belle sat on her haunches, “Let me guess, you want to talk about the fight me and Big Mac had?” she said knowingly. “Yeah, we want to know what happened so we can try to fix it,” Scootaloo said as they all sat down. Big Mac, still on the floor, sighed and hoped that this wasn’t a mistake. “Well, I was putting away my treats…” Sugar Belle put the last apple pie on her shelf when she heard that same country voice she had been worried would never come back. “There you are, I was hoping you would come, how long has it been? 2 weeks?” she said as she came over and kissed Big Mac on the cheek, he blushed making her giggle. “Actually it’s more like… 2 months,” Big Mac said nervously as he scratched the back of his head, Sugar Belle turned around and looked at Big Mac with surprise. “2 months! You haven’t come to see me in 2 months!” Sugar Belle said as her head was getting red with anger, “Ah tried to come back but the farm… it needed to be taken care of, you know how hard it is to be a farm pony,” he said trying to calm her down, “Oh, now I see…” Sugar Belle said making Big Mac confused, but with a wave of relief. “Oh good, I knew you would under-” “You like your farm more than me!” Sugar Belle interrupted. Big Mac looked at her with astonishment. “No, I just meant that you wouldn’t understand how it is like being on a farm, you don’t have the farm experience in you at all,” He said trying to be reasonable. “So you think I can’t be a good farmer pony! I can’t believe you would say that!” Sugar Belle moved to her opposite side of her bakery to get away from the stallion. “Sugar Bell I didn’t mean,” Big Mac said trotting to her, but he somehow tripped and landed on her shelf that she had just painted. “Big Mac you idiot! I want you to leave right now!” Sugar Bell said, making Big Mac flinch, she had never used such strong language him. “I think I can fix this if you could…” Big Mac said getting back up from the splintered wood. “NO I JUST WANT YOU TO LEAVE!” Sugar Bell said shouting at the top of her lungs, the crowd of villagers came to see what was going on but just saw an angry stallion walking/running away. The crusaders looked at Sugar Bell, then Big Mac, and back at Sugar Bell, who looked as if she wanted to cry. “I don’t believe it, how could that have happened,” Sweetie Belle said freaking out. “It doesn’t matter how it happened, it just happened. Now you know the story, so you can just leave now,” Sugar Bell said, turning around to her cellar. “I don’t think so,” Scootaloo said standing up, “We said that we are going to hear and help with the problem.” The rest of the crusaders stood up and puffed out their chests to show how determined they were to solve this problem. “Ah don’t there’s anythin’ you can do to help,” Big Macintosh said standing up next to Sugar Bell, “But maybe ah can.” he pulled Sugar Belle to meet his gaze, his her eyes were all the mad, but also very sorrowful. “Sugar Bell, I’m sorry, I should’ve known what ah was talking about. Ah didn’t even notice you were feeling mad and ah just left you to feel this way, if you have any forgiveness in you, then I hope you can forgive me for mah cruel action. If not, then ah totally understand,” Big Mac said, hanging his head, he looked at everypony whose eyes were as big as saucers and had their jaws dropped. “What?” he asked as if nothing was wrong. “You just confessed something,” Sweetie Belle finally managed to say, they took a bit longer to say anything else but soon it got to their heads that indeed, Big Mac had confessed his wrongdoing, Sugar Bell, unlike the crusaders, was astonished happily, all her life she had been lied to, but now that somepony became honest with her, she couldn’t help but smile. “That was the sweetest thing anypony has told me,” she said as she came closer to Big Macintosh they leaned in closer and almost kissed, not even hearing Sweetie Belle shriek, soon they heard a familiar country voice in a suspicious costume. The rest of the night was pretty crazy for every pony. Once Applejack left, the Crusaders went on to their own lives that night. Scootaloo went on to Celestia knowing where to sleep, Applebloom went on to the clubhouse to contemplate what they should do next, and Sweetie Belle went back to the boutique to clean up after the big mess today brought. Big Macintosh went to bed early to think about what happened today. “Well, that was a busy day, ah hope I can see Sugar Belle again, maybe finally kiss her in private. Nonetheless, I should thank my sister and her friends for helping me. Without them, I would’ve been broken up with Sugar Bell forever, or at least for a long time, I’m just glad I could get up the courage, and hopefully, it will take myself to get enough courage to go over to her than my sister,” all of these thoughts and more made Big Mac smile, he kept thinking about his sister and thought, “Man, I hope both mah sisters had a good Hearts and Hooves day”, while all of the crusaders were thinking, “We did it,” and they all slept with happy thoughts and peaceful dreams. Author's Note At first, I thought about having the Crusaders be their own matchmakers, but then thought, why not combine two in one? Hopefully, it turned out okay. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 8: A Heart for Derpy //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 8: A Heart for Derpy “Oh please don’t be there, please don’t be there,” Derpy said, she was a grey pegasus with a blond mane and beautiful golden harvest eyes, she was special though, while her eyes were golden, they also were crossed. Due to this, many of the ponies called her names and she had a very bad childhood, but she was happy. She had friends and a good job as a mail mare. And thankfully she had a day off. While she was happily relaxing, she hoped today of all days was the day she wouldn’t find a letter. She always delivered one letter a week to her house, unfortunately for her, it was a love letter. She never liked the thought of a secret admirer, so she always anticipated when opening her mailbox. “Hi Derpy!” a voice behind her said, making Derpy shriek and fall. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare ya,” Derpy opened her eyes and saw (partially) a teal-colored pony with mint colored hair with white highlights. “It’s okay Lyra, I was just thinking,” Derpy said, getting back up on her hooves. “About the letters again? What does it say?” Lyra asked, coming up to the mailbox. “I don’t know, I haven’t opened it yet,” they both looked at the mailbox for a while before Lyra went up to the mailbox. “Well, what are you waiting for? Open it.” Derpy took a few more steps and carefully put her hoof on the door. She looked back at Lyra who nodded her head and opened her mailbox, looking in and seeing the letter. She took it and breathed in, but soon turned around to Lyra and held the letter to her. “You read it, I just can’t see all of the mushy stuff he said this time,” Derpy said, hanging her head in defeat. “Alright, if you're sure,” Lyra said wondering what all the fuss is all about, “I’m sure Lyra, please just read it,” Derpy said forcingly. “Alright,” Lyra read through the letter out loud, “My dearest Ditzy Doo, I know this is a bit far out there, but these letters are just not working out for me…” Derpy looked at Lyra with the hope that these letters may stop coming to her. “I have thought about you ever since the letter delivery, and I want to meet you in pony, to let you finally see my face, to show you how I feel. Please meet me at the hill where the stars shine the brightest, after the Festival of Hearts. I can’t wait to see you, your secret admirer” Lyra finished and saw that Derpy was blushing, many thoughts went through Derpy’s mind at that very minute. “OMC, this pony wants to see me! I can’t believe it, no pony had ever wanted to meet me before, maybe this pony does like me for me,” her thoughts were broken by a concerned Lyra calling her name. “Honey you don’t look too good, you’re a bit flush, maybe we should…” she was cut off by a frantic Derpy pulling her to her face where they were muzzle to muzzle. “We need to figure out who this stallion is and we need to figure it out now!” Lyra was taken aback by her words, never had Derpy raised her voice except in determination. Derpy took out a box with all of the previous letters that her admirer sent, Lyra looked at the box and was confused that she had kept track of the letters. “I thought you were uncomfortable with the letters he sent you,” Lyra said looking in the box. “Yes, I do feel a bit uncomfortable with the letters he sends, but I’m always organized with my letters,” Derpy said shuffling the letters around. This wasn’t that big of a surprise to Lyra, ever since she was a mail mare she had become so organized with everything. “So, how are we going to find out who this stallion is?” Lyra asked as Derpy took a few of the letters out. “We are going to find out by looking at the letters he sent previously, that way we’ll find out about his character and who he is,” Derpy said smiling at her plan. “That’s a pretty good plan, Derpy, but how will you know who he is when we find out his character?” Lyra asked as more letters came out of the box. “You know my sixth sense Lyra, you know I know the ponies of Ponyville by their letters better than any pony,” Derpy said, taking the last letter out. “Yes, but are you sure you can guess who he is by words on paper?” Lyra asked doubting her sixth sense, Derpy ignored her comment and read one of the letters instead, “Dear Ditzy, I just want you to know that I saw you at the market and you looked ravishing with your hair up, I hope I can see you tomorrow like that, it was different to see you without your hair in your eyes I might bump into you tomorrow so I can see your beautiful eyes on mine. Stay like you, your admirer.” Derpy took a minute or two to look at the letter then she looked at Lyra with a reassuring smile, “This means that he is thinking of me as beautiful with my hair up, and it also means he is very descriptive with his words, and since he saw me at the market and was going to see me again, this means he goes out a lot,” Lyra looked at Derpy with eyes of astonishment, she did have a sixth sense in ponies letters. “Wow, you do know ponies by their letters,” Lyra said amazed, “He sent a letter about himself so I could guess who he is, I just ignored it like all of the others,” Derpy said, realizing what she was doing to these letters. Had she just ignored the letters this pony, this pony who liked her, had sent, she found the right letter and read it, “My dearest Ditzy, I have sent these letters for a month now and have learned much about you, but now I think it’s time you learn about me. To summarize, I am a strange pony who you see at times you have talked to me before while ordering a muffin, but I also am a pony with a brown coat, I also have blue eyes, and I think fondly over you, this probably won’t help you much, but I know you can figure it out. You are a really smart pony and I hope to find you soon.” Once Derpy finished her letter she remembered why she ignored these letters, and Lyra knew it, too. “Wow, he wants you to know him,” she said as Derpy looked nervous. “This is why I hate love letters,” she said, “They always seem like stalkers to me when I read them all,” Lyra now understood why Derpy didn’t want to read the letter today, now she knew why she was getting nervous about meeting him. Lyra held Derpy in her hooves to comfort her. “Don’t worry Derpy, whoever this pony is we’ll find him… or her.” Saying these words made Derpy get out of Lyra’s reach and panic at the thought of the admirer being a mare. “OMC! What if it is a mare! What will I say if it is! Will I be able to? Will she be mad at me? Am I overreacting? Maybe I should just calm down and think again,” Derpy calmed down at her own words and breathed in, after a few long breaths she walked to the letter and thought. “Well, we have a bit of a clue on what he or…” Derpy shuttered before she continued, “She looks like. Now we just need to go out to the festival and ask a few questions,” Lyra looked at Derpy in a determined manner as they walked to the door, “Well then, let’s go find this stalker!” Derpy looked at Lyra with a ‘look’ that indicated Lyra should shut up right about now. The Festival of Hearts was unfortunately very busy for Derpy and Lyra, they couldn’t find the direct pony the letter described, all around them were different kinds of ponies with brown coats. They took a break for a while to catch their breaths, leaving Derpy to give up hope. “It’s hopeless Lyra, we’ve asked all around for clues and came to another dead end.” She said slumping down and crossing her forehooves. “Don’t worry, we’ve only searched for at least half of the ponies at the festival, and we still have more to search around for,” Lyra said trying to cheer her friend up. “We’ve narrowed it down to at least four ponies, the sales pony,” “probably worried I am going to ruin his shop,” Derpy said looking at the flaws of all the contestants, “Okay, how about G Strings?” “Probably will think I’ll ruin his music,”, “Well then how about Island Wonder?” “Was making fun of me when I was young,” Lyra rolled her eyes at Derpy’s remarks and thought of an idea. “How about looking at the positives of the last pony,” she said, trying to help her friend out, Derpy thought about it for a second before nodding her head. “Okay, what about Crescent Moon?” Derpy put her hoof on her chin to think about the pony. “Well he’d never made fun of my eyes, and he use to be my partner in flight training, and we always got along, but we drifted apart after training, maybe it is him?” Derpy smiled at the thought of Crescent Moon liking her, making her blush and noticeable. “It seems like we have a winner,” Lyra said smirking and making Derpy blush with embarrassment. Derpy then had a horrible realization as her blushing turned to disappointment. “What’s wrong? Did he do something wrong in your past?” Lyra asked, looking concerned at some bad thoughts of what he could do. “No, it’s just, I think he might have a mare friend,” Derpy said, saddened by the thought. Lyra looked at Derpy and tried to think of what to do. “Hey, at least that crosses out one of them from the list,” Derpy felt a little bit better knowing this but was still pretty sad not knowing who it is. “Maybe I should just face it and find out who he is tonight,” Derpy said getting up from the bench and walking away. “Are you going to freak out when you know who he is?” Lyra said questionably. “If he knows me that much, then he’ll bet I will,” Derpy said turning around and walking to her house, waiting for the biggest surprise she’d ever receive. Nighttime usually made Derpy relax, with the stars aiding her way to the tree that she loved so much, following the North Star to the hill she saw her first meteor shower, but now the walk to that hill is making Derpy more nervous by every step she took. Thoughts running through her head as she tried to imagine who this stallion (or mare, shutters) is. “Does he want to talk? Will he think of me as boring once he meets me? What if he doesn’t like me and just wanted to make fun of me, I can’t have that happen again.” Her mind drifted off to that awful day when she thought the stallion she had a crush on liked her, but she was heartbroken when he met her to say that no pony would ever like her in front of his friends, and they all laughed leaving her to give up hope that all ponies would just hate her for who she is. The thought kept running through her head. “What if he is like the colt I liked, it may just be another pony in Ponyville telling me that I’m nothing and no pony will ever love me,” she found the hill where her questions were about to be answered, but she found no one sitting there. “I knew it, he must’ve been too scared and ran away, or he just was leading me on to this very moment just so I can have my heart broken again,” Derpy said as she looked up to the sky getting the bad memory in her head. “Again? Well I guess if it was that bad then I shouldn’t have sent those letters,” a voice called out behind Derpy, she turned around and (Thankfully for the bright huge moon) saw a tall stallion with a brown coat, just like in his letter, with a darker color of hair spiked up, making Derpy remember the mohawk phase of Equestria, he also had an hourglass for a cutie mark, nonetheless, he was a handsome stallion that Derpy couldn’t get by, she wondered why this pony of all would send the letters to her. Derpy realized that she hadn’t said anything while he was standing there, suddenly something snapped making Derpy mad at the stallion who had sent the letters, making her remember all the words it said “WHY IN TARTARUS WOULD YOU DO THAT TO ME!” she shouted, making the stallion flinch and back up from her. “Alright not the reaction I was looking for,” he said, she noticed he had somewhat of a Trottingham voice, making her more confused why he would be here and not there, she lowered her voice but was still in a stern manner. “Have you been spying on me or something? Because if you are, your letters of not being a stalker are going in flames from your lies,” Derpy said crossing her hooves as she hovered above him. “Ditzy if you could please let me explain then I could-” “No! let me explain. Do you know the restless nights I had trying to figure out who you were? I couldn’t even focus on my job, which you probably already know by now, but why would you do that?” Derpy’s voice calmed down as she let her words sink into the odd stallion, she was mad but reasonable so she went quiet so he could explain. “Well, I didn’t know you would react this way,” he said, not sure how to put his words into place.“But if it leads you to that much discomfort, then you should’ve told me, but why didn’t you?” he asked making a sympathetic look causing Derpy to want to take back all of her words. “I just didn’t want to reply, it was hard for me to tell you to stop, from your first letter I tried, I did, but then I kept reading your words and it caught up to me that you liked me, and I didn’t want to break your heart knowing what I said would do that. So, I read the letters and put them in a box at my house, hoping you would just stop noticing me, which I guess didn’t work apparently.” Derpy looked at the stallion with sorrow in her eyes, she looked at him and saw he didn’t look hurt by her words. While feeling sympathetic, she still had one thing on her mind, “What is your name?” she asked wondering why she didn’t think of this sooner. “Time Turner miss, pleased to finally meet you,” the stallion said holding his hoof out to introduce himself, “Charmed as well,” Derpy said in a sophisticated manner, making Time Turner laugh, she began to snicker, too. Then she sat down and patted him to sit down as well. Time Turner was surprised about how fast her mood changed but didn’t waste any more time before plopping down beside her smiling. They smiled while looking up at the stars, making Derpy relaxed and contemplated what she could ask next, “How long?” she finally said causing Time-Turner to swerve his head to meet hers. “Pardon?” he asked. “How long? I mean when you started liking me?” Derpy said, looking directly at Time-Turner's eyes, making her slightly pink in her cheeks. Turner saw her and started blushing himself, trying to think of the words to say. “Well, if I have to say from the start, I guess ever since I saw you crash into me. Do you remember that day?” Time Turner finally asked, waiting for her answer. Derpy thought about it for a while, trying to remember the day she crashed into some pony someday. She remembered crashing into many things but not into any pony. Derpy shook her head, making Time Turner laugh quietly. “I thought you might not, but let me tell you that you did. And when you did, I felt something I have never felt for any pony before, like there was some kind of ticking time bomb that burst of pure joy.” Time Turner began to get excited describing how he met Derpy, it made her nervous but smile at his words. “So that means you must work at a clock shop then, doesn’t it,” Derpy said looking smug at her comment. Time Turner looked at her with astonishment and wonder, “Ho- how did you know that?” he said, still amazed at her action. “It’s just a talent I’ve always had, you said you worked somewhere where the time is always right so I figured it out through that. It’s like a-” “Sixth sense?” Time Turner said, finishing her sentence, Derpy smiled and nodded her head. They both stared at each other, Derpy looking at his blue, beautiful eyes. She never knew how nice they looked, at first glance he just looked like a normal pony. staring at him, Derpy could see many of the wonders in his eyes, but she also saw a bit of pain, her sixth sense kicking into her (from some of the letters he sent he seemed mad and hurt when discussing his parents for a sentence or two), she could tell in only a few minutes, he had a rough childhood. Parents never home... abused siblings, and he ran away due to too much. All of this made Derpy see him with new eyes, she tried to focus her left eye but to no avail. She noticed he was laughing and blushing to make her smile at what she was doing. “What, what is it?” she asked, still keeping a happy smile making him blush a bit harder. “Oh! It’s nothing,” Derpy didn’t look convinced and her eyes proved it. “It’s just, you always look so adorable when you do that. trying to fix your eyes and all, it just makes me realize how much more I want you.” Derpy blushed at his comment, she felt so happy. And yet, so sad. The words “Trying to fix your eyes” kept ringing in her ear. All the thoughts of that stallion who mocked her about her eyes and how no pony would love her. These thoughts made her sadder by each word and second thoughts of Time-Turner. “Miss Ditzy, are you alright?” there they were, the words she had remembered from her mother after that awful day. It was the day in which she thought some pony thought of her more than klutzy, and she came back with the same words over and over again. “Did you think I would like you? Ha! She thought I did! Let me be clear, you will never find any pony to like you, you’ll always be lonely, no pony loves you!” Derpy grew tears in her eyes, causing Time-Turner to quickly react. “Ditzy you're crying! Was it something I said? Something I did?” Derpy now was starting to wail and Turner went up to hold her. “It’s okay, what did I do, hmm? Did I make you cry? What can I do to make it better,” Derpy looked at those blue emerald eyes and was feeling a bit better. She sniffed and embraced him, making Time Turner blush with happiness. Derpy calmed down and carefully contemplated her words, and wondered with one question. “Are you just saying all that, or do you mean it?” Time Turner looked at Derpy with worry. “Now why would you think of a thing like that?” Derpy looked away from his eyes and thought about what to say. “I guess, it’s just…” she sighed, she didn’t know if he could understand what she goes through, she didn’t know if she could tell, but she also wanted to get this dark past out of her. “Have you ever been told no pony would love you?” Derpy finally said looking up and seeing a concerned Time-Turner. “Why would you ever ask that?!” he said, making Derpy have second thoughts of her question. “I don’t know, I just wondered because someone told me that before, and I kept thinking about his words and if you really like me or just making fun at me and-“ “W-wait, you mean to tell me some pony told you no pony would love you? Well, that’s just messed up. I swear I’ll…” Time Turner looked at a scared Derpy, realizing what he said must’ve frightened her. “Sorry, I guess I got carried away there,” he said, blushing in embarrassment, and Derpy took a while to say something. She was just so amazed that he would defend her, she couldn’t help but smile with thanks at his words, and he noticed it. “It’s ok, I’ve never seen some pony defend me before. I was just… astonished.” Derpy couldn’t keep her miss-matched eyes off his, they seemed like he had so many secrets to tell, but she also saw many things he wanted to tell. Things she would have to ask. Derpy blushed hard. She realized it was getting late, so she would have to leave. But she couldn’t, both for the reason he was still holding her, and also because she didn’t want to. She didn’t want to leave the grasp of his warmth, but tomorrow would be a busy day and she needed to get a good rest. Her mind was made up and she left his glance, “I think I should go, I have a busy day tomorrow delivering mail to all the ponies and what-not,” Derpy said sounding sad to go, she looked up at a disappointing Time Turner, she felt bad but knew it was for the best, she got up but was pulled back down by a brown hoof. “Wait! Are you sure you have to go?” Derpy stared at him once again, not wanting to let go. “I know you don’t want me to, but you also have a workday tomorrow, too. So I think we both should just go home,” she said, not wanting to look at his sad glow, “Well, at the very least, I could walk you home,” Time Turner said standing up and taking her hoof. Derpy didn’t know if she wanted to walk home with a stallion she just met. “Ok, but I should warn you it’s a long walk,” she said trying to get out of it. “Well, that’s even better. Gives us more of a chance to know each other, come on let’s go!” Time Turner said trotting away, making Derpy confused at how he was so positive. It took her almost half an hour to get here, and that was by flight, but she also was a bit relieved, she wanted to learn more about him. So many questions were about to be answered for her. It seemed like only a few minutes before Derpy and Time Turner left the hill. Derpy asked so many questions, she thought she had run Time-Turners brain dry, but he answered each of them fluently. Derpy already knew a bit from his letters, though there was one question that made him think. “So, who was in your family?” she asked. “Well, I had a mother and father, obviously, but I had a big brother and sister who…” Time Turner paused, contemplating what to say. Derpy saw this and instantly felt bad asking that. “I know,” she said, causing Time-Turner to swerve his head in surprise. “You do, really?” he asked, still getting the comment to his head. “Sixth sense remember,” “Oh right! Well, I’m glad you do, it’s hard to tell ponies about them when all they did was ridicule me, hurt me, even locked me out of the house with no dinner or anything for the night. My parents were never home so my big sister had to foal-sit us, in which she never did, always was writing to her friends with her unicorn magic, so that left me with my, unfortunately, athletic wrestler, brother. You can probably guess how that turned out.” Time Turner didn’t shed a tear, but Derpy could tell he wanted to. She leaned up next to him, making him blush with embarrassment. “Hey, I know what it’s like to be abused my parents did exactly what your siblings do. My dad was never home, and my mom was ill so she had to take many drugs, making her mad, Especially at me. I never blamed her for it, I blamed the illness and the doctors who prescribed them to her. Anyway, I always wondered if they thought of me more than just who I look like. More than an abused child. I tried to talk to them after I graduated and found my place, but when I couldn’t find them, I made the worst assumption that they…” Derpy stopped in her tracks, making Time Turner wonder what it was, but afraid to ask. “D-do, do you think they did?” He finally muttered. Derpy sat down on her haunches to think of what to say. “I don’t know, I couldn’t find them. I searched everywhere within a 50-mile radius but I couldn’t even get other ponies who knew them well to find them. I just gave up recently. I still wonder why they left, but other than that I never could get a lead.” Derpy hung her head. She had never mentioned this to anypony before, but something about Turner made her feel like she could say anything to him. she felt his fur on hers making her blush, looking to see he was, too. Once again getting lost in his eyes, she smiled and felt warmer than she ever had been. “You know, there are more things I find in common with you than any pony I’ve been around,” Time Turner said, making her blush more than ever. “Me, too.” They both got up from the ground and shared the awkward moment with silence as they continued until they reached Derpy’s house. “Thank you again for walking me home, I hope to see you again,” Derpy said, unlocking her door and stepping inside, she stopped at her threshold and turned around. “Um, I have one more question to ask you,” she said stepping closer to the edge of her door. “Well, ask away,” Time Turner said in the cheery way he used to be. “Well, of all the ponies you could fall for, why me?” Turner was taken aback by this question, he seemed so calm about the others, but this seemed to shock him most of anything, he was also blushing very hard, making him look cute to Derpy. “Oh! Um, well I guess it’s because… uh, hehe” he said stammering. This made Derpy smile even wider, “Oh my Celestia he is so cute! No pony has ever been this nervous in front of me! I feel like I should say something, but what?” She thought she looked at Time Turner, who was still stammering and thought of saying something, but he beat her to it “I think I like you because... this.” Derpy looked confused at his comment, Turner noticed that she didn’t understand. “I mean… you. You’re different, you’re not afraid to just go for it. When you put your mind to it, you just do it.” Derpy blushed so hard at his compliment. She tried once again to fix her eyes straight and say something, but he spoke before her again. “And another thing,” he said sternly, “Don’t change those eyes, they’re beautiful, they represent how different you are. They say it’s stupid, but I think it’s… stupidly adorable. And I love it.” Derpy looked at Time Turner with astounding wonder, no pony had ever called her eyes beautiful. Let alone stupidly adorable. She liked it. Then a thought ran up in her head, “Wow, he does love me… wait… he does love me!” she looked at Time-Turner and was getting nervous to ask. “T-Time Turner, d-do… do you… love m-me?” Derpy stammered, she didn’t look at Turner until after a while, but when she did, she saw that he was more nervous than ever. He was sweating in the head and it made Derpy regret every word she said, she then looked at his eyes for possibly the 10th time tonight, seeing the clear answer. She saw that he wanted to say yes, but he was nervous too. She saw his mouth wanting to say, “say something, you idiot” but all she saw were tiny movements. She did not need a clear answer, she knew he loved her and made the first move she thought. Derpy leaned in and kissed Time-Turner. Staying still but soon feeling the passion he brought back. Sitting there, in the moon princess Luna provided, Derpy felt right, she felt like this was meant to happen, her sixth sense may not be able to tell the future, but she can tell that she and Time Turner would be happy. And no muffins in the world could keep her like this. While the happiness in her was wide, Derpy also had the strangest thought, “I wonder if anypony else had as weird a heart and hooves day like me?” Author's Note OTP is here to stay, I will ship it any way!!! I can't help it, Derpy reminds me so much of myself, so I had to do a chapter about her. The favorite ship be favorited! it could take me hours to talk about how I love these two together, however, I felt that this chapter sums it up to an extent, but there are many more I want to tell. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 9: A Heart for the Princess //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 9: A Heart for the Princess Princess Celestia’s horn glowed as she lifted the bright yellow orb as she did every day. Today was the one day she did not have to file any taxes on the work of many sales ponies or having meetings with her staff for 3 hours or more. No, today was her day to relax. Though the only problem was, today she should be relaxing with her loved one, but she didn’t have one. Celestia stopped her yellow sparkling glow and looked down to the balcony floor. Her sister, Princess Luna, came in and saw just how sad she was. “Sister? Why doth thee look so glum? Hath she did something wrong?” you know she cares whenever Luna speaks in her Royal Canterlot voice, thus making Celestia smile a bit. “Has there ever been a point in your life, Luna, where you think you’ll always be alone?” Celestia said, head still down. Luna looked at her elder sister with surprise, “When hath she come up with these thoughts?” Luna could see the realization in Celestia’s face. The sadness she could see of being alone, making her think of just how empty it was when she was banished to the moon. “No, I didn’t, but if you want to know why it’s because I always have you. I know it was hard for you when my… problems occurred. But I assure you, it will never happen again.” Luna held Celestia as they slowly slid onto the floor embracing each other's warmth. “How about this, we see if anypony in the royal chamber has a certain eye for you, then we will see who you can spend the day with,” Luna said in determination to get her sister happy. “I don’t mean to displease you Luna, but I bet anypony in the castle would want to be with royalty,” Celestia said, making Luna think once again and sparking an idea. “But I bet not one admits they have always had a feeling since the beginning of their time.” Celestia looked at her sister of the night. It was true, not one of the ponies who worked there could lie to the princesses. And if they do then the two would figure it out fast for their spell of telling the truth to others. Suddenly the doors burst open and a royal guard came out walking regally towards the princesses. “I am sorry princesses, but I am afraid we are having a crisis in the royal kitchen, some of the bakers believe their cake is better than the other.” Celestia raised high and mighty, though inside she was regretting having to deal with the problem. Today was the day not to do normal princess stuff, yet here we are. “I will be back Luna, in the meantime, take care of some of the ponies in the corridor and see what you can do to help us… proclamation” Celestia said to Luna winking slightly making sure the guard could not see Many of the colts in the palace came by just to see what the “proclamation” was all about. Some were worried their benevolent princess was in tragedy. While others were eager to see what the announcement was. Or there were others, who didn’t really care what it was and just wanted to get out of the little spaced and warm room. They saw their princesses, both walking in with high praise as the group all bowed down and got back up. Luna was the first to speak. “It has come to my understanding that my sister is in a predicament,” The guards had on worried glances making Luna think that was a wrong choice of words. “Do not fret ponies, it is a trifling affair that hath not been discussed before until now.” this made the ponies confused at what she was trying to say, the princess of the night slumped down to try a new technique. Only thinking of one more. “THOU SHALL PAY ATTENTION WHILE THEE SPEAKETH. THOU WILL UNDERSTAND THEE TO…” she could feel a hoof on her shoulder. Looking to see a smiling Celestia, Luna looked at her subjects who had scared glares making her think of one awful nightmare night that was helped by a new lavender princess that was now in the Crystal Empire. “Hath I went too far?” Luna whispered to her equal. “I think I can take over Sister, you did a fine job,” Celestia whispered back. Luna looked happily to her sister, it was always like her to cheer her up with kind words. It made her wish the same thing for her sister. She deserves somebody who can take care of her. Luna went to the side to let her sister speak. “It has come to my attention that I have not thought about a loved one for a while,” the guards looked dazed at Celestia wondering why she would think of a ‘loved one’ for her when she had her sister to keep her company. Many were also blushing largely as she continued to speak. “Yes, I know what you are thinking, ‘why is our beloved princess thinking these predicaments?’ Well, I shall tell you… a long time ago…” The guards' faces turned from fear to relief and boredom from her tales of her loneliness and woe from her sister being gone. Even Luna was rolling her eyes saying in her mind “here we go again” but smiling as she thought of the care of Celestia. “I had to banish someone who was so dear to me and felt the loneliness like no other. Restless nights were spent thinking of our good times and what I could have done to help her out. But I was also comforted by many of you colts who said it would all be okay. And it made me feel pleased that you would care to leave aside your duty to help me out. Soon after she came back I was not lonely anymore, but there was still a placed hole in my heart. Now I understand that I require a love life to keep me sane from these thoughts. So who of you would want to volunteer to be with me… at least for a day?” Many of the stallions ran out of the room by pressure, but there was still a good amount who stayed in but blushed massively. Now it was time to see if they really wanted to spend time with Celestia, or if they just wanted to spend time with royalty. Either way, it would be a good and focused day. Luna’s aurora glowed as she cast her truth spell onto the first guard. “Now you will tell us how you feel about going out with the princess of the sun!” she said forcefully to the scared guard. “Luna you could at least try to be more official, you’re scaring one of the royal guards,” Celestia said quietly to her sister as they tried to get the truth from the guard. “What another way could I get out of him rather than force? Tis the way I used to speak before using the spell.” Luna said quizzically. Back then before Luna grew jealous of her sister when there was a problem the sisters had to solve around Equestria, they learned that a few ponies were just saying those things just so they could see royalty. So they decided to come up with a way to know if the subjects were telling the truth or not. With their teacher, Starswirl the Bearded, they made a spell to cast onto the subjects. He trusted Luna with the job because he knew Celestia would just sweet-talk to all of the subjects and get nowhere, but Luna wouldn’t be afraid to stand up to any of the ponies who lied. So she always used force to get the ponies to tell the truth before she cast the spell. Celestia just looked at Luna with annoyance. That was over 1,000 years ago, but she was an understandable mare. She raised her hoof to let her sister carry on with what she was doing. They both looked back to the guard who was silent the whole time, waiting for the time to talk, he finally got that he should and said. “I never implied to ‘go out’ with the princess, but if I am to be chosen I would be honored.” The guard smiled brightly thinking of being a loved one to royalty. Luna looked skeptical and saw Celestia who looked the same, they kept the guard up while they turned around to talk. “Do you think he is telling the truth sister?” Celestia whispered making sure the guard couldn’t hear. “I am not certain, he sounds like he is faking it, but we are to see what he is to say soon,” Luna whispered back. They looked back at the stallion who was looking uncomfortable. Luna sparked more of an aurora from her horn, getting ready for a loud truth. “I FEEL LIKE I’LL BE USED IF I GO OUT WITH THE PRINCESS!” the guard shouted. Even though she had improved the spell, Luna never could get rid of anypony yelling out there truth. She experimented it many times on herself but could never say her truth quietly. And it also led to many embarrassing things she mentioned, such as the crush she had on one of the royal bakers, or her many problems with Starswirls’ essays. She eventually gave up and just let anypony shout while using the spell. Luna slowly put the guard down and thanked him for his time and looked at Celestia who looked saddened. “Do not worry sister, that was just one of many stallions who said no. There will be many more to go through” Luna said. Her words were confident enough to let Celestia continue as Luna went to another guard. After many more shouted truth tellings of not wanting to go out with the princesses and other ones that included something about their butts, Celestia had lost faith, they were down to at least 4 out of the 50 that were in the room, and poor Luna could only continue for so long, they finally decided that this would be the last one. “Now… tell us if you want… to go out with… the princess.” The moon princess said, panting of the tiredness she felt. The guard, white coat and yellow hair, as all the others were, kept quiet and Luna sparked the last bit of the spell she could contain. “I THINK PRINCESS CELESTIA IS GORGEOUS AND WOULD LOVE TO BE HER LOVED ONE.” the stallion shouted making both princesses smile with glee. They had found their stallion. “So what do you think we should do first, Silver Armor?” Celestia said looking at her guard, his name reminded her of a certain stallion in the Crystal Empire with his loved one. Silver Armor shrugged as he looked at the beloved princess he has known for years. It was true what he had said before, she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen when he first became a royal guard. And now with the feeling becoming more mutual. He was almost at the ridge of kissing her at first glance, but now he has an excuse for being with the princess. “I guess we could go for a stroll in the center lot gardens, or we could eat a simple meal at the royal bakery, you can decide.” Silver Armor said; he didn’t know if he could speak for the princess when she was the highest part of Equestria’s royalty. “Silver Armor?” Celestia asked “Yes,” Silver Armor said, hoping this wasn’t over already. “I want to ask you to do a favor for me,” Celestia said shrinking her body down at the worried stallion. Silver Armor always could see how tall the princess was from him, but when she leaned down to him he almost thought she was kissing him. She stopped face in front of his and said quietly. “treat me like one of your people,” Silver Armor was dazed at her comment, “I’m afraid I don’t understand, princess” he said. Celestia could see his face and thought of a better choice of words. “What I mean is, don’t act like I am a princess, act like I am a pony. A pony who is meeting you for the first time.” Silver Armor looked at Celestia with astonishment, never had she said such a favor before, and he was glad to provide it for her. “As you wish.” the guard bowed down but got back up quickly realizing he just broke his promise. “Uh, what I meant was… hello, my name is Silver Armor, pleased to meet you,” he corrected as he held out his hoof for greeting. Celestia took the hoof and shook it. “Pleased to meet you as well, my name is Tia,” Celestia said smiling as she remembered her name before Celestia. They both laughed as the meeting was over. Soon they both were walking down to the garden talking about Silver Armors' life as a guard and Celestia coming up with her own story. “I was born in Manehatten with a beloved family who supported me the whole way, when I went to college to get a carrier for my magical abilities I got full straight A’s and went on to Canterlot to fulfill my destiny for raising the sun, then I finally learned the spell to raise the sun in which our founded princess “foustlestia,” made me an alicorn and I became a special mare ever since.” Silver Armor looked at the princess with amazement, never had he heard a story so made up it sounded like it happened. “Did you just come up with that? Because it sounds like it happened!” he said, trying to be calm about this. Tia looked at Silver Armor, making him remember that he was supposed to be acting. He apologized and was okayed by the princess as they continued their walk. “I must say though, you make some fascinating stories about your life, I almost believed you!” Silver Armor said in excitement. They went out of the garden when Silver Armor’s stomach grumbled, making Tia laugh. “I see that you are getting a bit hungry, shall we go to the royal bakery and eat a nice and delicious lunch?” They both went inside as the greetings from the bakers were heard all around the bakery, along with many expecting waves from the princess, Silver Armor couldn’t help but stare, she always looked so graceful when addressing other ponies, smiling and waving was one of many things he liked about her, but he also saw a bit of tiredness from her immortal face. They both found a seat while looking around. Silver Armor couldn’t help himself when he was curious about things he didn’t know. It was that which got him into the royal guard. He remembered like it was yesterday. He was just in the position of waiting at the door when the princess needed help with a case for who stole a royal artifact. He was the only one curious enough to find out what was going on, and with the help of a few friends he found out who the culprit was and was joined to become Celestia’s royal guard. “Prince-err… I mean, Tia, may I ask princess Celestia something?” Silver Armor said. “Why yes you may Silver,” ‘Tia said grinning of the catching on he was getting at. “While waving at the royal bakers, I realized that you looked quite, and forgive me for saying this, tired. Is there something you need to say?” Silver Armor looked away from the princess, not wanting to see her face of surprise. Tia was caught off guard by the question, she didn’t know how to answer the curious soul, her mind wandered off to think of the question. “Yes, my mortal, yes I am tired.” “Of what, your majesty?” Celestia sighed and brought her face with a frown, “Just, everything. The loneliness of being immortal. The many problems I have to face. The fact that I’ll be doing all of this alone!” Celestia stomped her hooves on the table and made the guard jump. He had never seen his beloved princess act so differently. He should have felt bad, but he felt joyous that the princess trusted him to talk to, instead of the royal therapist. ‘Honestly, they have too many positions in this castle, I’ve been in that room and I didn’t even see the degree in psychology’ Silver thought to himself. He looked to see that Celestia had calmed down, quietly drinking her water provided of her. He needed to say something, but what? What do you do for a Princess! “Silver?” the princess spoke before he could do anything “Yes,” “I sometimes wish I could be mortal, just to see what a normal pony does. It would just be for a day, but it would probably be the best day of my entire life,” her face fell as Celestia looked at the floor. She wanted to cry but her princess manners were telling her otherwise. And Silver Armor could see this. “Princess, if I may, I don’t think you’re lonely. You have so many royal positions for ponies who couldn’t believe they could have the privilege. You aren’t doing anything alone. You have them, princess Luna… and you have me.” Silver Armor blushed at her reaction, but instead of surprised, all he saw was a smile. Not just any smile, but a real smile that he had never seen on the princess. He thought she looked so beautiful he was completely red in the face. “Well, if our talk is over, I would like to bring back Tia so we can continue our date,” Celestia said, still having the smile on her face. She got up, showing her royal posture and exiting the royal building. Silver Armor got up as well and was behind her, he couldn’t help himself when he looked at her bottom side. He smiled as he continued. But soon bumped into the butt and turned to her front, “What is it… Tia?” Silver Armor said getting closer to her face, he looked at her gaze and saw a beautiful flower out in the royal gardens, Tia’s face looked at the flower with much interest. Realizing this, Silver Armor decided to go closer to the flower. Now close up, he sees how beautiful the flower is. The red mixed with blue and green along with tainted purple on the petals, with a gorgeous stem running down to the ground, it was so beautiful he almost was crying. He didn’t even notice Tia was behind him, and he jumped when she spoke “This flower was planted when Starswirl was here, he said that in time of our greatest day, it will bloom with so much beauty. He called it ‘the flower of tears’ because he said only the tears of joy will make it bloom. My sister and I never thought it would bloom, but when she came back, I went over to this flower and cried for joy of having her back. And now it seems like the time has come for it to bloom for all to see.” Silver Armor was still looking at the beautiful flower while listening to Tia’s story. He now understood why he wanted to cry of beauty. But the fact that it was tears of joy, made him all the more want to cry. Although he refuses because he is too honored to cry. “This should be kept in a glass case, it looks too valuable to just be in a garden,” Silver Armor breathed out. “I agree,” Tia said, glowing her horn and picking the flower from its ground. They walked to a convenient glass that was on a marble display. It reminded Silver Armor about a certain story regarding a beast with a beauty. Although for him it was a timberwolf and a pony. Nonetheless, it was a beautiful story. Tia put the flower of many colors inside and backed up to see the display. It was still beautiful just as it was on the ground. “I don’t think I have ever seen such a beautiful thing in my life,” ‘Tia’ said admiring the prismatic flower. “I have,” Silver Armor said, still staring at the beautiful flower. Tia looked at Silver Armor with wonder in her face, he blushed as he continued. “You, you have such an amazing and beautiful face that every time I see it, I just feel a waterfall of emotions. It’s a feeling I have never felt before in my life. And it’s all because of you.” Tia smiled at his words and blushed; she never heard these words to her except… her thoughts drifted off to Luna, how she helped her so much with everything. She felt remorse about how lonely her sister was, but ate that feeling aside as she remembered she was on a date. “Shall we be off then?” ‘Tia’ said, breaking her moment with Silver Armor. He went out of his trance and answered her with a yes and they were off. Onto the next part of their date. Luna glowed her horn to do her duty of the night, it was a big day to Luna to help her sister all she can, she was the one who helped get her sister date, and she also told the bakers to greet Celestia with tons of pride, but most of all she cried the best tears of joy for her sister and her newly found date for today. It thankfully was a lot of pride because she cried enough to open just in time before her sister and Silver Armor could see it. Now she wanted tonight to be a huge full moon with tons of romance within every corner of Equestria. She looked at her sister now walking with Silver Armor around the corridors of the castle and seeing the happy face Celestia bared. They came over to talk to Luna. she felt nervous about talking to someone that her sister was dating, she thought she couldn’t speak to Celestia about it now, so she came up with an excuse. “Hello there dear sister,” Tia said with tons of cheer. “Hello sister, I would love to chat, but I am needed to be in the royal chamber to talk to some regal doings, but I will do my best to talk later,” Luna said walking off in her royal walk she always did when exiting a building. Tia looked at her sister, ‘why did she fake-out that royal chamber talk and not talk to me? Is she jealous I am not spending time with her? Why would she! She is my sister for my sake!’ she thought. Silver Armor saw her face and was worried. And he knew exactly why. “Cele… I mean, Tia ?” he asked “Yes Silver Armor,” ‘Tia said, not fully paying attention to her date. “I was thinking, maybe we should stop this,” Silver said sadly. He knew if his gorgeous princess was feeling bad about abandoning her sister, then he shouldn’t stand in between them. If it meant his princess being sad, then he wanted nothing to do with it. “Why would you say that?” Tia said not understanding Silver Armor, she thought he was having as much of a blast as her but now was completely confused as to why stopping now. “Because you have another to take care of,” Silver Armor said sadly. “You have somepony else who requires your love, and that isn’t me.” Celestia was now very confused, who else needed her love, she only had two people who would love her and that was him and… Luna. Celestia now understood what he meant, now understood why Luna did all of this for her, now understood that she didn’t need a stallion to help her find happiness. And she hated herself for not finding out sooner, her sister just wanted Celestia's happiness with her. She was probably now sitting down and thinking of her happier times with Celestia right now, and that made her want to be near her sister even more. “I am sorry that it didn’t work out. You shouldn’t feel bad about yourself, this is my fault. But you’re right, somepony else does need me, and I should be there now, thank you for understanding Silvey,” Celestia said with happy tears streaming down her face. “Thank you… princess Tia” Silver Armor said with a wink. Celestia went out of the room and went to find her wonderful sister. After much searching, she finally found Luna, though she was curled up into a huge ball and sleeping in front of a fire. Celestia loved seeing her sister relax and sleep for once on a night like tonight. Though she probably will have to do her duty soon so she couldn’t miss this perfect opportunity. Celestia crouched down to rest next to her sister, she loved just relaxing next to her loved one. “I love you sister,” Celestia said, before closing her eyes and almost sleeping, but not before a strange thought entered her mind, “I wonder how my subjects' hearts and hooves went.” Author's Note No, this is not incest, this is two sisters who love each other as family. You got a romance with Silver Armor, and that was it. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 10: How It All Ended //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 10: How It All Ended Twilight Sparkle: was happy now that she and flash were a thing, she missed him a lot when she went home but she always wrote to him whenever she could, she made spike so tired he napped more than usual. they went on dates whenever she went to the Crystal Empire, or when Flash came over to Ponyville, which was a lot. Nonetheless, they both were happy and about a year went by and he finally asked her to marry him. The wedding was wonderful and Twilight couldn’t have been happier about her life Fluttershy:lived forever happily, Discord made huge impacts on her life and more. They married soon afterward and had two lovely children with both their parent's traits, now she is taking care of both her animals, her children, and her husband. She was happy though, Discord was happy too, he helped all he could with everything. After the wedding, he helped applejack with her farm, cleared skies with Rainbow Dash, had fun parties with Pinkie Pie, helped Rarity with her dresses (though she always told him he did it wrong), and twilight with her castle. Yes, lots changed for them, but in the end, they would do it all over again if they could. Pinkie Pie: grew tired of the non-love life and began dating, though not with Flapjack. Instead her best party pony friend (BPPF) Cheese Sandwich asked her out and she happily agreed, though they aren’t doing much now except the dating part, she knows her life will be better sharing herself with someone else. Cheese Sandwich was a good inspiration in her life, he always told her she was worth it in the beginning. And every time it would always remind her of her first admirer. She hoped Flapjack was living happily with his life as a baker. But for now, she didn’t think about that. All she thought about was her happiness and how it would have been different if she accepted Flapjack. But she also thought about what new possibilities she has with her new colt friend, and she didn’t need anything to remind her of his love except him. Rarity: is still looking for a loved one but is not that sad about it. She realized she doesn’t need a stallion yet, maybe one day she will, but for now, the love of her friends is enough… until a certain stallion, she had met before in Canterlot, Fancy Pants, came to ask her out after his divorce with Flur De Lee. she humbly decided maybe now it is time to find a stallion to love. After all, no one should be alone forever. Applejack: found happiness and fun with her little dragon boyfriend. They went out on dates and weren't afraid to kiss in front of other ponies. Many thought it wasn’t possible for a dragon and a pony to be together but they proved them wrong. Spike soon engaged Applejack and they were living a happily married life. And Applejack found out that she was in the progress of pregnancy! They anticipated having a child on account it had never happened before. But after a long talk they calmed down and everything was normal, now Applejack is due any day, Spike helped her all the way and began to get a growth spurt along with a more confident heart. After marrying Applejack he realized he is more important than he thought, and now with Applejack at his side, he was a bigger part of the mane six than ever! Rainbow Dash: couldn’t keep up with Soarin and decided to break up with him, but after that happened she realized just how much she loved him. It was a little over a month while she talked most of this with Twilight, who helped her accept she loved Soarin more than ever. And when she told him she found out he felt the same way and they soon married and are at the process of having foals. It was taken away from them when they realized Dash couldn’t produce foals. So they decided to adopt instead, they are still waiting for a response but are happy all the same. Tons of bumps in the road happened but it all led to a happy ending. They heard from the adoption area and adopted a son and a daughter and they are living with good money from the Wonderbolts and healthy lives. Crusaders: are still too young to date but not too young to crush, they talked about who they liked and what they could do to notice them, they became the “Cutie Mark Matchmakers” after a while and tried to get a date altogether. But that failed after they were too embarrassed to talk to them. Now they are back to their destinies and living with their friendships, only waiting for time to tell them when they’re ready. Derpy: was still getting used to not getting letters from her admirer. She and Time Turner grew happy together but promised to take things slow with only a few dates a month. Soon though they took a step and started living together, that was when they realized they loved each other enough to spend their entire lives together. Proposing and accepting profoundly fast, their wedding is nearing and Derpy couldn’t feel any happier with her life. Her friends helped her with everything she needed for the wedding and can’t wait for her life to take flight Princess Celestia: Never questioned if she was loved or not. With Luna by her side, she was always happy. The flower that bloomed over was represented as a symbol to her. But it not only is a symbol but a memory. She hoped that Silver Armor was doing well. They avoided each other for a while, but finally talked and sorted out that they could still be friends. She still wonders if there will never be a pony for her but in the end. She is always reminded that she has her sister to help her along the way. Sometimes we see love as meaning like no other, it can mean love between a nation, love between two individuals, love for friendships, love for the weak, or even love for inanimate objects (weird, right) but nonetheless, they all mean the same. But now one question goes for all of you who celebrate each other's love. How does your Hearts and Hooves day end? Author's Note That's it! it's all over! I hope you guys liked this story and I will try to make more at some other times. Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed