Twilight Sparkle Lost Her Marble

Twilight fidgeted on the table, waiting for the Doctor come. The nurse had done all the bloodwork, she’d peed into a cup, and everything had gone exactly as she expected. If he could just give her a prescription for an antibiotic so she could go home and rest in time for the Gala tomorrow, that would be great. Part of her wanted to out to market and apologize to Big Mac for all the weirdness yesterday, but she knew she needed to get some rest so she could help Princess Celestia manage the huge event.

Her heart leaped in her chest as the door opened, the doctor came in. She didn’t remember him being this handsome. She certainly didn’t remember him looking at her quite so intently.

“Well, Miss Sparkle, I don’t even need to look at your chart to figure out what the problem is.”

“So… antibiotics?”

He laughed. “You… you must realize you’re in the active part of your estrus cycle, right?”

She stared at for a second, trying to process the words. No. Genital discomfort, back pain, listlessness… well, it could be both. But…

“But I had a marble inserted.”

“Well, you lost it.”

“Well, I need a new one, then!”

He shook his head. “Ok. The day after tomorrow.”

“The Grand Galloping Gala is tomorrow!”

“I’m sorry, Miss Sparkle, but no one who can do the procedure is in today or tomorrow.” He walked over to her, lowering his head to make eye contact. “I would recommend chasteberry or a hormonal supplement, but they take time to work and the risks of hormonal birth control are much higher than a glass marble IUD.” He shook his head. “You’re going to have to tough it out.”

She stormed out.

With a plop, she dropped herself into the tub. She knew in an instant that it was a mistake, with the way that Rarity looked over at her, water now dripping down the other unicorn’s carefully curled mane. Fortunately, her friend’s face contorted in sympathy, not in outrage. She was also relieved to find that the heat of the water was, at least, a distraction from her aching back.

“Twilight! I would say it’s a pleasant surprise if you didn’t look so miserable. What on earth is the matter?”

Fluttershy looked over at Rarity with wide eyes and a concerned expression. Twilight tried to suppress her anger, but it came spitting out instead.

“You figured it out and you didn’t say anything, Fluttershy?!” Twilight glared.

The Pegasus sunk in the bath. “I… I thought you knew what you were doing.”

“No I didn’t! I thought I was sick!”

Rarity blinked.

“I lost my marble early!” Twilight snorted.

Rarity blinked again.

“… Don’t you realize how terrible this is?”

Rarity chuckled. “Oh Twilight. Of course you would think this were terrible!”

Twilight tried to ignore the pressure building in her chest, the urge to reach over and smack the other unicorn. “It is terrible! I’m not going to be able to focus on anything! Every stallion who passes me is going to be distracted! And maybe even some mares!” Twilight tried to banish Rainbow Dash’s odd behavior from her mind.

“A little distraction might be enjoyable, Twilight.”

“A foal wouldn’t be enjoyable! I have too much to do to worry about that kind of thing!”

After a moment, Fluttershy covered her ears with her hoofs.

“Sorry, Fluttershy.” Rarity cast an apologetic glance at the yellow pony before turning back to her fellow unicorn. “Listen, Twilight… we’re mares. We’re supposed to find a nice stallion, have a little fun, and maybe have a foal. It’s not natural to put that off. Now if you’re waiting on the right stallion, that’s one thing, but…”

Twilight sighed, rolling her eyes in exasperation. “Rarity. I don’t want that. I’m not interested in that. I haven’t been able to get anything done because I can’t stop thinking about that kind of thing! I don’t know how I’m going to handle the Gala!”

Rarity considered, looking up as she thought. “Maybe I can introduce you to Bruce Mane? He’s a friend of Fancy Pants.”

Twilight screamed and stormed out of the tub, dripping as she went. She slammed the door behind her.

“Applejack! Applejack! Are you here?”

He knew who it was in an instant, and against his better judgment, he went to her voice. Twilight Sparkle was not particularly Big Mac’s type, and she was a little young for him, but for once his animal instincts and his sense of duty agreed with each other. He found her in front of the barn, tears streaming down her face.

“Nope,” he said simply, walking into view.

“Big Mac! I need to talk to Applejack right away!”

He noticed her eyes flit ever so slightly down to look at his body, but then they came right back up, pleading. Something really was wrong. Usually when mares came to him like this, their eyes lingered. “She’s off at the market. But what’s the matter? You look like you’ve been crying…”

“I can’t find any chasteberries! And I don’t want to ask every single vendor at the market and make a fool of myself.”

He shook his head. “You gotta start those early. ‘Sides, they don’t really prevent much.” He smiled at her, bringing his shoulders up into the slightest shrug.

“I don’t know what to do. The Gala’s tomorrow!”

He weighed carefully his options as she looked at him. On one hand, he knew one thing that might help, and he was sure he could enjoy it. On the other hand, Applejack didn’t seem to like that idea very much, and he didn’t really relish the thought of doing that sort of thing with somepony that only wanted it on a physical level.

“I don’t know what to tell ya, Twilight. I just wish I could help. Probably could, but I know that ain’t what you want. “

She smiled. “That’s very considerate of you, Big Mac. Thanks. I’ll try to find your sister.” And with one last glance at his flank, she was gone, running faster than he realized the unicorn could go.

He shuddered and tried to remember if there was school today.

Applejack had barely finished setting up the apple stand before her friend was upon her. Almost literally, Twilght’s face so close to hers she could feel her breath. “Applejack, oh thank goodness, I’ve been looking all over for you!”

Applejack gasped. “Twilight, ya can’t go sneakin’ up on a pony that way!” She lowered her head, glaring. “What in tarnations is the matter?”

“I need your help,” came the surprisingly quiet reply, barely above a whisper. Twilight’s purple eyes, out of focus due to the closeness of her face, looked down at the ground, sparkling with tears in the sunlight.

“Well, first, have a seat. Take a deep breath.”

“Why?”

“’Cause you’re gettin’ all panicky again and that usually helps.” Applejack smiled at her friend. “Just give it a try. You explain better when ya breathe.”

Twilight sat down, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. Then she opened them. “I need chasteberries.”

“Too late for chasteberries, sugarcube. You’re gonna have to live with it.”

“But… distraction…”

“I can’t help you with that Twilight. I reckon Rainbow Dash probably could, but I don’t know if that’s to your tastes, and that could get pretty weird anyway.”

“No!” Twilight gasped. “That’s not to my tastes, and it’s not like doing that turns it off!”

The earth pony sighed, looking up at the sky. “I know. I know, but you just work yerself up so gosh darned much. Maybe if ya give in a little now it won’t be so strong tomorrow.”

“You really think so?” Twilight looked at her with wide eyes, more fear than fire behind them.

“With you?” Applejack laughed. “You never let go of a problem until ya solve it. Why not… solve it? So ta speak.”

Twilight stood up, turning her head so sharply her mane whipped in the wind. “I guess it’s worth a try! Thanks, Applejack.” She darted off. “DASH! Rainbow Dash!”

Applejack slumped behind her table. “Celestia, what’ve I done?”

The door slamming woke him from a dead sleep, and he was barely on the stairs before she was calling for him.

“Spike! Rarity needs you at the boutique! And send Rainbow Dash here on your way!”

He rushed down the stairs, whining. “What does Rarity need? Why do you need Dash? What did the doctor say?”

Twilight closed her eyes, turning away from him. “There’s no time for that! Go to Rarity and get Rainbow Dash!”

“Twilight! Please tell me, what’s wrong?” he whined.

“It’s nothing. Just go.” She turned back to him, glaring, tears in her eyes despite her angry tone.

Spike thought for a moment, recalling the letter he’d sent in the night. “Is this about how gay Rainbow Dash got with you last night?” Spike suppressed laughter, snickering.

“Er… yes.”

“Right. On my way. Have fun, Twilight.” He walked out the door, laughing.

“SPIKE!"

Rainbow Dash scowled as she walked in the door, wondering what the oblivious mare she called a friend could be up to now. Why would Spike send her over here after Twilight rejected what was obviously an advance yesterday? Why was she even showing up?

Her scowl stopped when she spotted Twilight Sparkle… sprawled across the table, a safari hat askew on her head. “Hello… Rainbow Dash.” She winked.

Rainbow Dash didn’t even try to suppress the rising of her wings even as she fell over laughing. Roaring, letting the tears of exertion well up in her eyes, she panted…. “You… Egghead..! Costume?!” She let out a braying laugh so loud it seemed to reverberate inside her head.

“… Why is this funny?”

Dash slapped the floor with her hoof, laughing. “I thought… oblivious! I thought... you didn’t even… but you! That’s so… dirty!” She squealed. “Didn’t think… you had it in you! Ahahaha!” She rolled onto her back, chortling, ignoring the slight pain in her wings.

“I… I’m trying here, Rainbow,” Twilight responded, her voice going up in the slightest of whines, killing both Dash’s laughter and the tension in her back.

She rolled to her feet and stood, smiling. “I’m laughing at me as much as you. And I’d be glad to take care of you if it won’t get weird. You’re my friend.”

The unicorn seemed shocked, her little jaw dropping. “Weird? What do you mean, weird?”

“Well...” Rainbow Dash dug absently at the floorboard with a hoof, looking away. After a moment, she took a step in that direction. “You’re a friend. Just that. I don’t… I don’t want anything more than that from you.” She sighed. “But they say if you do some extra friendly things with your friends, sometimes they get confused. Or you get confused.”

With a jarring finality and calmness, Twilight replied, “And then that would jeopardize our connection to the Elements of Harmony.” It was the unicorn’s turn to sigh. “So we can’t. I’m sorry if I seemed to be teasing you, then.”

Rainbow turned back, smiling, even as Twilight’s choice of words brought up a nagging concern. “Hey, I’m the best prankster in town. If I can’t take a little teasing, what can I do? It’ll just gear me up to talk to Spitfire at the Gala tomorrow.” Despite her plans for the Gala, she couldn’t help but think about the others. What if Applejack or Pinkie Pie were the ones that turned her fancy? Would Twilight disapprove enough to create a problem? She noted. “Wait, what do you mean about the Elements?”

Twilight sighed sadly, averting her purple little eyes. “Even if one of us fell in love with one another, we could never date because of the Elements. Not that it’s likely to be a problem for me anyway, I guess. I keep on thinking about stallions.”

Rainbow Dash quickly imagined the unicorn dropping into a dissertation on the proportion of intrusive thoughts about colts versus fillies, deciding that she couldn’t let that happen. She nuzzled her friend. “See? Nothing to worry about. Now why don’t we find you a nice stallion to play with?”

Twilight growled even as she shuddered from the contact. “Stallions have consequences, Rainbow! Consequences I’m too busy and way too neurotic for!”

She thought about that. “… Yeah, you’re right about that. Talk to Lyra and Bon Bon? Practice a little magic? I don’t know, Twilight.” Rainbow sighed, and nuzzled her friend again. “Just… whatever you do, stop tearing yourself up over it.” She pulled back and waited for Twilight to meet her eyes. “Everyone has to put up with this sometimes. No one’s going to get mad at you. And… it’s your life anyway. Who cares if they do? Your friends won’t, and those other ponies don’t matter.”

Twilight nuzzled her back. “I’m so sorry, Rainbow. Thank you for being so very supportive.”

“Can I tell everypony we did it?”

For just a second she thought she was going to get shoved, but instead Twilight Sparkle backed away laughing. “Absolutely, though I’ll let Spike in on the joke. You can even say I… what can we say that will help your reputation?”

Dash laughed back. “I’m not gonna rile you up more talking about that. I’ll tell them you said how glad you were I was experienced and you kept talking about things you read in the Pony Sutra.” She thought for a moment. “You have a copy, right?”

“Of course I have a copy!”

“Can I borrow it? … you know… Spitfire…” Rainbow Dash gave a sheepish grin.

Twilight sighed. “It’s in the pile by my chair. Please, get it out of my sight.”

Rainbow Dash walked over to the pile, scanning the books. “Cheer up, Twilight. You might just have fun.” Still, as she walked out, she couldn’t shake an uneasiness at what Twilight had said about the elements. Before she grabbed the book, she asked. “If you were in love with us… you would really give it up to maybe, possibly save the whole elements thing, even if it might never cause a problem?” She turned back to look at Twilight, who was smiling, broadly, and hoped her concerns weren’t written across her face.

“Of course, Rainbow. What good would I be to my beloved if I were dead or turned gray or anything like that?”

“But… but your dreams.” Rainbow tried hard not to think about what the conversation really meant, tried not to take her thoughts off some imaginary love between herself and Twilight…

“What good would a dream of anything be if getting the dream destroyed it?” Twilight shook her head. “What would that kinda dream mean out of context of the friendships I have and the world we live in? It’s no different than the worth of one night of passion weighed against the potential consequences of having to bear and raise a foal. It’d take me away from my friends who need me. When other members of the team start having children, I’ll think about it as a common point of bonding to help preserve our friendship.” She took a breather from her rant. “No matter who I love or what I want, I’ll never be happy knowing I can’t protect them.”

Rainbow turned away as the tears welled up in her eyes. “Thanks for the book, Twilight.” She snatched it off the shelf and walked out, as slowly and carefully as her legs could take her.

Dear Princess Celestia,

I know that honesty is kinda AJ’s thing, but I learned a lesson about it tonight. If you don’t know what’s going on with your friends, don’t make assumptions. Just ask. That way, nopony’s feelings get hurt later on when you want different things. I also realized that someponies who seem kinda uptight about themselves are waaaaaay more tolerant than you’d think.

Oh, and my friends are more important than anything. I mean anything. I guess I already knew that, but it’s like I realized it all over again.

And something else happened. Twilight made me think really hard about what our friendship is worth, and how much is at stake. I can’t join the Wonderbolts as long as I’m part of the Elements of Harmony, can I? That’s why I haven’t gotten an invitation.

But it’s not because I’m not good. It’s because what I’m doing is more important. And I can’t be Loyalty if I can’t decide between them and my friends.

So… can I get your blessing to start my own team here in town? Maybe I can whip Fluttershy into shape.

So I guess I learned one more lesson from Twilight tonight. As the Rolling Ponies once said, “You can’t always get what you want… but if you try sometimes, you might find you get what you need.”

Rainbow Dash
Commander and Founder of the Rainbolts