The Invasion

It was a simple little cough. It wasn’t much, but my Twilight was showing a small sign of life. I prodded at her fur with my hoof, nearly bursting into tears at all the injuries inflicted on her. This was my princess, my friend, and the pony I loved more than anything else. To see her in such a way awakened some primal urge to weep. I couldn’t help myself. So, I buried my nose into her body and began letting the tears flow. They rivaled the Great Equestrian River as they cascaded down my face and dripped into the forest of her coat. Some part of me felt a deep connection with Twilight as I lay there crying into her being. It felt like my tears would rejuvenate her, much as a bird taking flight at the break of dawn.

I silently begged for another cough, a sneeze, or even a yelp of pain. Something that would prove that my beloved was still alive. Memories flashed through my mind as I wept bitterly. I saw the time that Twilight and I first came together as friends. I had been a new soul in Ponyville without any friends or anypony to turn to. I had no home, so I would wander the streets aimlessly, wondering why the hell I had decided to move there. It was supposed to be the friendliest place in all Equestria. So…why didn’t I feel welcome? Why did it feel so strange to me?

At first, I thought it was simply my urban upbringing and the sudden change to rurality. But then I had a small conversation with some fellow Manehattan transfers, and they said that they’d never felt more at home. Then, I thought it was something with the way I presented myself. I wasn’t exactly the best looking pony, but I never considered myself ugly. Nopony ever called me out on the way I was dressed, nor on my speaking mannerisms. In fact, they never spoke to me at all, which made me feel lonelier than ever. I had moved to Ponyville because I felt lost in the Manehattan crowd. My books weren’t selling well, and I was living in a ratty old flat in SoHoof.

But in Ponyville, I felt even more lost…that is, until she crossed my path. She was beautiful, smart, kind, and an Alicorn. I was almost immediately smitten with this pony, Twilight Sparkle. I found myself hanging around her castle on a daily basis, wanting very much to speak with her, but never having the courage to do so. Then, one day, she came up to me and tapped me on the shoulder. She said she’d noticed me around, and wondered if there was any way she might help me. I went weak in all four of my knees, but I shook my head and explained my predicament. She was so kind to me, and allowed me to bunk in the castle until I found a place. It was there that we truly bonded and she introduced me to the rest of her friends.

Now, that same pony who’d shown me such kindness and warmth was dying under my watchful gaze. Her breaths were shallow, and her chest struggled to raise and lower itself. I nuzzled deeper into her fur, willing her to return to us. The other mares stood beside me, and one began rubbing my shoulder. I was comforted by the gesture, but an overwhelming sense of loss still enveloped my being. If Twilight died, I didn’t know what I’d do, who I would run to in a tight spot, or where I’d go when I just needed to talk. I was close with our other friends, but Twilight was my confidante. I trusted her above all other ponies. Frankly, I needed her.

Breeze stood in front of me with her head bowed. Ever since our three way sexual encounter in prison, she and Twilight had grown incredibly close. They had many conversations after we escaped, and when Cutthroat had kidnapped Twilight, Breeze had shown just as much anger as I had. Now, she bent down and nosed her way into Twilight’s coat, gently pressing her lips to it in a kiss of friendship. I did the same, feeling like the gesture was oddly appropriate for the moment. Once again, I thought that these small movements might trigger some kind of reaction that would drive Twilight back to the sunshine of life. But nothing happened for a very long time. So, we continued to sit in the bushes, holding a vigil for somepony that we were sure had left us.

Then, suddenly, she moved her head. Her beautiful eyes fluttered open, showing their purple radiance to the world once again. I smiled as I wound around her and looked directly into the windows of her soul. She didn’t say anything, but reached a hoof out and began stroking my cheek. Painfully, she crept forward until she could commit to the gesture and then pulled me into a kiss. I was shocked at first, but then her warmth spread all throughout my body and I melted into her hold. My heart thudded out of my chest, and I’m fairly sure my tail began wagging like the average canine. When she broke away, she looked up at me with a look of love mixed with pain.

“I heard every word you said,” she whispered, “and I love you, too.”

“You do?” I asked, “but, what about Flash?”

“Flash didn’t stay with me in prison. Flash didn’t help me escape. Flash wasn’t kind and friendly to me when the chips were down. Flash didn’t fight his way out of ropes thicker than a log just to save me. Flash…I don’t even know where he is. But you, Trundle, you’ve proven your love to me. I’m only sorry I didn’t see it sooner.”

“Oh, Twilight,” I said, “there’s nothing to be sorry over. You had Flash, and that was good enough for you.”

“But I don’t want my love life to just be ‘good enough,’” Twilight struggled to whisper, “I want it to be the best, and I truly feel that it will be that with you. Trundle, when we return to Equestria, I…I want to be yours.”

“Nothing would make me happier,” I said, “and…I want to be yours, too.”