Twilight Abuses the Cutie Map

Chapters

Scootaloo Lost a Leg Aftermath
The Map Gets Abused
Twilight's Type - (01) Dreams and Fantasies
Twilight's Type - (02) Rejected!
Twilight's Type - (03) The Planning Room
Twilight's Type - (04) The Date
Twilight's Type Aftermath
Scootaloo Lost a Leg - (02) Prank'd
Broken Family - (01) The Pegasus
Broken Family - (02) The Mayor
The Fourth Sister
The Fourth Sister Aftermath
Memory Loss - (01) The Sisters
Memory Loss - (02) Wake Up
The End(?)
Broken Family Aftermath

Scootaloo Lost a Leg Aftermath

The hologram on the table slowly fizzled out, the two humans disappearing from the projection like they were never even there. Twilight’s eyes were wide, a bowl of popcorn settled on her lap as she intently leaned forwards, sitting on a beanbag.

Starlight and Rarity were also sitting on beanbags, both with their horns ignited, and both with popcorn either in the process of being chewed, or being levitated a few inches from their muzzles.

"It ended early again!" Rarity shouted in an unlady-like manner.

“I have… so many questions.” Twilight said, flexing her jaw. “Why was that Scootaloo missing her leg? Why were her parents dead?” Starlight finished chewing her popcorn, swallowing.

“If I lost my leg, and somepony called me a paraplegic like that, I think I’d send them forwards in time out of anger. See how they like watching life progress without them.”

“To be fair, darlings.” Rarity said, politely plucking another piece of popcorn from the bowl. “It was Rainbow Dash.If anypony else were to make such crass comments, I’m sure they would deserve quite the beating to the head. But those two are like sisters, so I would say this is akin to sibling teasing.”

“I was an only-child.” Starlight shrugged. “I don’t know what that even really means.”

“My brother would never do something like that.” Twilight said, shuffling down into the beanbag deeper and adjusting the bowl. “When I accidentally gave myself magical exhaustion for the first time, he was there with an ice-pack, bowls of soup, water- I could never imagine him teasing me for it.”

“Twilight, I’ve heard your brother tease you before.” Rarity said.

“Yeah, but- not with loosing my leg!” Twilight said, like it was obvious. “He’ll tease me about plenty of things, but nothing actually serious.”

“I thought Scootaloo took it pretty well.” Starlight said with a small shrug. She levitated a piece of popcorn, chucking it into her mouth, and speaking through the snack like it wasn’t there, much to Rarity’s disgust. “If Scootaloo’s okay with it, then I don’t see the harm.”

“I… I guess.” Twilight shrugged.

“Shall we continue, ladies?” Rarity suggested. Without waiting for a response, her horn ignited, and with an audible click,the holographic table suddenly ignited into a brilliant display of storm clouds. “Oooh~! Dangerous!”

“I still don’t think joking about being paraplegic is very funny-”

“Hush, Twilight!” Starlight whispered. “The show’s starting.”

The Map Gets Abused

The duo arrived at the doors to the crystal throne room. It was a foreboding sight, as the usually bright and vibrant crystal castle looked drained and borderline abandoned as all of the light was sucked out of the walls. Rarity and Starlight exchanged concerned glances as the feeling of dread weighed heavily upon their withers.

Bright blue light arched and spilled out of any cracks of the door in front of them, flickering obedientially in time with the sounds of snapping electricity inside. Rarity, as politely as the situation allowed, cleared her throat, leaning towards Starlight.

“I-I’ve been meaning to ask, but what on Equestria is she doing in there?”

“She… decided to use my spell.” Starlight said awkwardly, rubbing a hoof against the back of her mane.

“Your spell?” Rarity asked, her snout turning up. Starlight laughed nervously.

“My… edited spell. When I… you know, tried to ruin Equestria? I went back in time and ended the world several times over?”

“That’s hard to forget, darling.” Rarity sighed, her eyes narrowing. “What exactly is Twilight doing in there? With your spell, no less?”

“I think it’s better if I just show you.” Starlight said. Without another word, the duo approached the doors. Starlight’s horn ignited turquoise, and both doors swung open simultaneously.

The only word that came to Rarity’s mind was chaos.

Discord would’ve been proud.

The crystal thrones were nowhere to be seen. In the center of the room was the table, except instead of showing a roughly sized map of modern Equestria, the entire thing was growing an ethereal blue as the interior of a small doll house levitated a few inches above. The table was fitted with huge black cables that snaked all across the floor, attaching to the walls, and draining the power of the castle. Rarity felt her hairs stand up on her coat from simply walking in.

Twilight had her back facing the door, a welders mask propped up against her horn. From the table was a faint voice, like she was listening to a radio.

“Look.” The voice of Fluttershy said. “These aren’t full-grown fangs. If I had to guess, he would only be… maybe a little older than Applebloom, or Sweetie-belle.”

Rarity approached the Alicorn from behind, peering over her shoulder. The room being holographically displayed was that of Fluttershy’s home, iconicly identified by it’s fireplace burning a bright… blue, and the multitude of tiny staircases for critters to roam around.

“It has fangs! Are you going to show me it’s fangs and not tell me it’s a predator-monster? Plus, maybe that’s just what full-grown bug-monster’s fangs look like!” Rainbow Dash said, also present in the room with Fluttershy.

Then, Rarity cleared her throat.

“Gah!” Twilight yelled. She whipped around quickly, her wings flapping wildly as the helmet she wore fell off, bouncing against the ground as she faced the two intruders. “H-Hello, Rarity! Starlight! So nice of you to-” Her horn ignited as the hologram behind her faded. “-join me!”

“Twilight, darling…” Rarity said with concern. “Be a dear and explain why you were spying on our friends?”

“Spying? No-no-no!” Twilight waved her hoof, taking a deep breath to calm herself down. “I’m simply taking a looking glass at different timelines!”

Starlight’s ears perked up when she heard this, taking a step forwards.

“Different timelines?” Starlight asked. “Like the timelines I created?”

“Not quite.” Twilight said. She turned around, igniting her horn once more, and the hologram once more came to life. She let it stabilize as she looked back to the group. “Do you two remember the human world?”

“Hard to forget…” Starlight mumbled.

“You’ve explained it before, yes.” Rarity nodded.

“The human world is simply another timeline. One that our timeline has ‘docked’ with, and now we can freely travel between these two timelines. Now- imagine if we could- not necessarily dock, but rather take a telescope to these timelines as they pass by!”

“Hm.” Rarity tapped her chin. “And would they be as different as the human world?”

“Maybe-maybe not?” Twilight shrugged. “I’ve been experimenting, and they’re not always super different. The one I was just looking through was one where Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash found a baby Changeling, years before the Canterlot invasion. They don’t always have to be super different.”

“Speaking of Rainbow Dash…” Starlight said, tilting her head. Twilight blinked, raising an eyebrow.

“What about her?” She asked.

“I mean…” Starlight nodded her head again, this time more aggressively. “Turn around.”

“Turn around?” Twilight asked, doing as told.

The hologram had stabilized, and it had turned into a clear picture of her bedroom back at the Golden Oaks before it had been obliterated in her fight with Tirek.

Except there was a definite… addition in her bed, that Twilight went scarlet at.

“Uhh- if you tell anypony I’m the little spoon, I will kill you.” The holographic Rainbow Dash said.

“Of course I wouldn’t tell.” The other holographic Twilight laughed. “I don’t think you’re big enough to be the big spoon.”

Rarity and Starlight’s mouths both opened wide as they watched the scene unfold. In Twilight’s old bed were two ponies, both snuggling each other dearly. Watching as Twilight, the Princess and bookworm, held the Rainbow Dash, the fastest flyer in Equestia, like a snugly teddy bear, short-circuited both of their brains.

“Oh my Sweet Celestia!” The real Twilight shouted. “Turn it off, turn it off!” Her horn ignited as the hologram began flickering.

“T-That was different! My legs hurt from walking all day, and-”

“It’s- bzzt- okay, Rainbow, I love you- bzzt- and your shortness.” The hologram ended as the small Twilight kissed Rainbow on the forehead.

The silence was deathly. Slowly, Twilight turned around, her cheeks on fire as Rarity and Starlight stood with their jaws open, completely stunned.

“We do not tell anypony about this.” Twilight was the first to speak. “Especially not Rainbow.”

“That was…” Rarity chewed air for a moment, trying to grasp the correct words. “…quite adorable, actually.”

“Rarity!”Twilight shouted. “We’re not going to- this is not- ugh!” Twilight buried her face in her hooves. “That was awful.”

“I thought it was cute, too.” Starlight said. Twilight made a noise that sounded like a mix between stuttering and embarrassment, deepening her hooves into her face. “What else can this thing do?”

“Show my love-life, apparently.” Twilight mumbled. Starlight smiled deviously, igniting her horn.

“Then let’s take a look, shall we?” She smiled. Without another word, the hologram ignited, and it once again began to transform into a delicate date.

Twilight's Type - (01) Dreams and Fantasies

It was one of the most beautiful nights in the history of Equestria. At least, as far as Twilight could tell.

The moon glowed fully, lighting the hills as far as the eye-could-see. The night sky was an explosion of colors, specks of white dotted across the heavens.

The duo sat in front of a luxurious restaurant. Above them, thin wooden beams ran across, dangling warm orange fairy lights, giving the entire area a homely vibe. Around them were ponies, all dining on the glorious night, sounds filling the out-door seating of plates clicking and fun chatting. There were ponies eating food, feeding each other seductively, and generally having a good time on this full night.

Twilight levitated her fork, twirling a tendril of spaghetti. She was nervous. Real nervous. Not the night sky, the ponies around them, or the fancy fairy lights could ever compare to the stallion sitting in front of her. Simply put, he was beautiful. His red coat seemed to light up the area, partially obscured by a black suit that fit him just so well. His luscious blonde mane dangled in front of his violet eyes, almost making Twilight swoon.

Twilight cleared her throat, no longer having the ability to maintain eye contact. Celestia forbid it became awkward with her… staring.

She was wearing a dress herself. A light blue dress with a clip pulling her hair back and a small starburst pinned in her mane, just like her Cutiemark. She used a hoof, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She smiled bashfully, looking back up at the stallion, putting her hooves in her lap as she kept twirling the spaghetti in her magic.

“So…” She started awkwardly. “Do you- um- come here often?” She asked, batting her eyelashes in what she could only hope was a seductive way.

“Enope.”

It was the local farmer, and her best friend's brother, Big Macintosh. She still had no idea how she managed to score a stallion this good. Twilight let out a lady-like giggle, finally shutting herself up by biting into her spaghetti. This date was going swimmingly. Twilight readjusted on her seat, eyes darting back and forth between her spaghetti and Big-Mac.

She fumbled with her hooves for a moment, landing her knee on the table, letting her chin rest on the top of her hoof, once again staring at the stallion.

“Tell me about the farm…” She said dreamily. Big-Mac looked down at his own spaghetti, which had been eaten over ten minutes ago. Truth was, Twilight had been fumbling this date for the past half-hour. But he didn’t mind. She was a pretty mare.

“Lot’sa pushin.” He said.

“O-Oh. Interesting.” Twilight said, shoving another fork into her mouth. She could feel herself becoming frustrated, even if she knew she shouldn’t be getting frustrated. While chewing, she took her chin off her hoof, letting her eyes wander for a moment. To her left, it looked like Lyra and Bon-bon were on their own dinner-date, the two wearing similar but cute dresses. To her right, Lyra and Bon-bon were on their own dinner-date, the two wearing similar but cute dresses. Behind her, Lyra and Bon-bon… wait a minute.

Twilight snapped ahead, staring directly at Big-Mac. He flinched for a moment at her sudden change in demeanor. Like a feral dog, Twilight started climbing on top of the table, getting as close to Big-Mac as possible. He shrunk in his chair, trying to avoid the fury of whatever he did to anger Twilight Sparkle, quite possibly the strongest Unicorn of his generation.

Twilight’s dress was getting ruined, spilling wine, extinguishing candles, and being dragged across unfinished spaghetti. She stopped when Big-Mac was practically on the floor, Twilight leaning entirely over him.

“Mister Macintosh…” She said, looking him up and down. “I need you to answer me truthfully… what color are your eyes?”

“U-Uhh- green?”

“So why are they violet right now?” She interrogated. Big-Mac’s only response was a swallowing of his spit. Twilight sighed, and finally popped the question. “Big-Mac, am I dreaming?”

Big-Mac swallowed again.

“E-Eyup.”

“Fuck me!” She shouted. Her horn lit, and in under a second, Big-Mac was crushed into something smaller than a sugar-cube.

“Aagh!” She screamed, rolling around in her own bed. She sat up in a cold sweat, looking around her room, panting like she had run a mile.

It was just a dream. Nothing more, nothing less. She laid back down, staring straight up at the ceiling of overgrown wood and bark. She let her heart rate slow down. If it was just a dream, why was her heart beating so fast?

Truth was, it was a reoccurring dream. She had the same dream, over and over, only being with every possible stallion in Ponyville. It was driving her mad. Like Princess Luna was trying to sabotage her friendship studies. She had even applied a warding charm before she fell asleep, but that only made her nightmares protected from the jurisdiction of Princess Luna. She felt silly for even thinking Princess Luna would try and sabotage her studies.

But what could a mare do? She couldn’t ask one of the princesses to help her with a dumb dream! Princess Luna only helped with nightmares, anyways.

Twilight realized half her pillow was covered in slobber, and was currently positioned half-way down her body. She reasonably concluded she had been hugging the pillow, and subsequently slobbering over it like a horse. She let out what Rarity would call an ‘unladylike’ groan and forced herself to her hooves. She threw the wet pillow onto the ground, away from the clean sheets, so it could be properly cleaned later.

Actually… the majority of her room looked like an ‘ill get around to it later’ materialized.

Maybe… it wasn’t healthy to live like this. But she just wasn’t in the mood to clean it up. Actually- she never was in the mood to clean her room.

Downstairs, a small dragon with purple scales was working a stove, clicking up the notches on the front panel and flipping a pancake. The pan clanged loudly to the stove, making Twilight’s ears involuntarily fold in on themselves. She sighed, walking towards the kitchen island and taking a seat on the stove.

His name was Spike, and he was humming merrily, completely oblivious to the Unicorn behind him. He stood on a step-stool and wore an adorable apron that read ‘#1 chef!’ He threw the pancake again, the pan landing on the stove again loudly. Twilight’s ears flopped again, and she put her hooves over them.

Spike seemed to grab for more batter in a bowl. His head slightly turned to the side and saw the Unicorn.

“Oh, good morning, Twilight!” He said. “Sorry for the noise. I didn’t know you were awake.”

“It’s fine.” She said, letting her hooves fall. “Good morning to you, Spike.” He poured more batter into the pan, this time flipping the pancake and gently letting the pan clank against the stove. He shimmied it for a moment longer, letting it sit and turning around. His eyes went wide as he finally absorbed the Unicorn.

“Wow.” He said. “You look like garbage.”

“Gee, thanks.” She said, resting her chin on the island. She used some of her magic to grab a nearby comb from the resident junk drawer in a futile attempt to contain the rat’s nest residing in her hair.

“No, I mean- you really don’t look good.” Spike said worryingly. “Are you getting sick or something?”

“No, Spike.” Twilight sighed. “Just- something going on, I guess.” She raised her head back up, using one hoof to scratch her fetlock. Spike watched for a moment as Twilight gazed off into the abyss.

“Alright, sister.” Spike leaned against the stove, unknowingly clicking the knob a few notches higher. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She said, scratching a little harder.

“Twilight, you’re doing it.” He said. Twilight looked down at her hoof, suddenly retracting it. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“I- Um- Fine.” She sighed. “It’s embarrassing.” She admitted. Spike chuckled.

“I don’t care! Something’s bothering you, and you need to spill it!” Spike leaned back farther. “So spill it!”

“Promise not to tell any pony.” She said, slightly embarrassed.

“Twilight. Do you have such little faith in me that I’d tell any pony?” He asked, almost slightly offended. He let out a short sigh. “I promise I won’t tell any pony.”

“Okay.” Twilight nodded. She turned around, looking around the empty loft. Almost like she was looking for any eaves-droppers in her own home. She turned back to Spike, sucking in a large amount of air until she turned red. Then, like a cannon, she told Spike.

“I’ve been having dreams.” She said quietly, much to Spike’s confusion.

“Is that it?” He asked, shrugging. “I mean, I have dreams all the time. Like last night, I dreamed that I found this massivegem. Size of the house-tree.” Spike stopped talking upon seeing Twilight’s expression. “Umm- please, continue.”

“Right.” She sighed. “So- in these dreams, with stallions, I-”

“Gonna stop you there, sis’.” Spike waved his arms frantically, cutting Twilight off. “I really, really don’t want to hear your fantasies.”

“What?” Twilight asked, looking around the kitchen again. “What fantasies?”

“I know developing ponies can have… certain dreams, and um- I know it’s totally normal and healthy-”

“Spike!” Twilight shouted. “Not those kinds of dreams! Geesh! How do you you even know about that stuff? You’re twelve! Not even old enough for school yet!”

“You made me read those anatomy books.” He shrugged. “Dragons age faster, live longer than ponies, but…” He shivered. “I don’t think any dragon is meant to age that fast.”

“Right.” Twilight stomped her hoof on the island. “No more anatomy books for you, young man.” Twilight scowled while Spike resisted the urge to let out a cheer of joy. “Also, um- Spike, the pancakes?”

“Huh?” Spike turned to his left, suddenly noticing the flame taller than him that was licking the vent above. He turned fully around, putting his hands on his hips as the fire burned no less than a centimeter away from his face. “Whoops.” He said, clicking the burner back down. The flame dissipated, leaving nothing but a scorch mark on the wood. For a normal pony, flesh would’ve been melted ages ago. For dragons, however, flames weren’t even noticeable most days. It wasn’t even an inconvenience, it was less than a bother. Once the flames died down, Spike turned back around to face Twilight. “Continue?” He offered.

“Right. Dreams.” She cleared her throat, suddenly looking a little more tired. She slumped her head back onto the table. “I’ve been having dreams of going on dates with every stallion in Ponyville. There, is that better?”

“Wow.” Spike blinked. “Hormones, am I right?”

“Spike!” Twilight made an ‘ugggh’ sound.

“What?” He asked. “Dude, all of my friends are mares. You, the girls, the Cutiemark Crusaders. How could I avoid that?” He defended. “Besides, it’s just natural! I know more about hormones than any pony in Ponyville. Remember, I was the one who grew fifty-feet tall because I got too many birthday presents?” Twilight debated for a moment, then nodding.

“You’re right Spike. I shouldn’t get after you for something like that.”

“No, it’s okay.” Spike shrugged, flipping what was left of the pancake. “Besides, why don’t you just go on a date?” Spike suggested. Twilight stared dumbly for a moment, left speechless. Well- Spike had a great point. Why didn’t she go on a date? She was more than old enough to do so, after all. She almost felt dumb for not thinking about it sooner.

Dating, while growing up, was always behind some kind of invisible wall. Her parents dated each other before marrying. That wall was being old. Her brother, Shining Armor, was always an adult figure in her life. He dated because he was an adult figure. Twilight never noticed herself becoming an adult. Hay, maybe even now she didn’t really consider herself an adult.

Why not, though? She had a job as the student to Princess Celestia herself, owned a rather nice home, even if it was integrated into the local library, had a group of friends her age… hay, even some of her friends were older siblings. Right now, she was the adult she always saw her brother as.

So why didn’t she feel like it? Twilight’s brow furrowed with determination as she made up her mind. Yes. She would go date a stallion! Probably Big-Mac due to her recent dream.

Was… was that it? Did she just make up her mind? Was there not a process? Perhaps some paper-work to fill out first? Was it just as simple as… asking Big-Mac?

“Kinda quiet over there.” Spike observed from his step-stool. “What’re you thinking about?”

“I think I just might, Spike.” Twilight said quietly. “I think I just might go on a date!” She began to raise her voice, standing up from her slumped spot on her stool. “I think I might just walk over to Sweet Apple Acres right now and ask Big-Mac out right now!” She declared proudly. Spike looked on as his sister suddenly regained lost confidence with a smile. Then, suddenly and unexpectedly, she slumped back down to the kitchen island.

“But Big-Mac is Applejack’s brother!” She almost yelled, covering her ears with her hooves. “I can’t just ask him! I’ll be- I’ll be that weird friend that hits on my friend’s brothers! Oh, what would she think of me?!”

“Twilight. You need to calm down.” Spike said. “Family is tight-knit. I’m sure Applejack would be over the moon that you wanted to date her brother. That is your advantage. Your angle!” Spike deposited two burnt pancakes on a plate in front of her, pushing it forwards as he talked. “So. You’re gonna ask out Big-Mac. Right?”

“I- I think I will!” She boasted. “I’m going to ask out Big-Mac! What’s the worst that could happen? Him saying ‘no?’ I’ve been rejected before! Maybe not in a romantic setting like this, but it’s not the worst thing in the world! It’s worth a try, anyways!” Twilight levitated a pancake close to her mouth. “After breakfast, of course.” She bit into the pancake.

*CRUNCH*

“Ow…” She said sheepishly, rubbing her cheek with a hoof. “Maybe just a little bit burnt…” Spike smiled sheepishly, already pouring another batch onto the pan.

Twilight's Type - (02) Rejected!

This was it.

Twilight would never describe herself as a cocky person. Hay, she wouldn’t even go as far as describing herself as confident. Because today was different. Today was a new day, a new Twilight. Right now, as she approached the Sweet Apple Acres barn, she felt like she was on cloud-layer-nine.

She had a spring in her step. She had a bounce to her hips. She was ready. Which, all things social-interaction, was surprising. She even surprised herself. She usually was never ready nor willing to talk to a pony, unless said pony was a friend. And even then! Sometimes, she just needed a moment to herself.

Twilight watched as Applejack deposited a basket of apples onto the floor. A familiar twinge of doubt wiggled it’s way into Twilight’s mind, but she forced it down and out of the way. This was her day, and she was going to capture it to it’s fullest potential.

She and Applejack talked for a few minutes. Although she still felt a little tingly in her hooves, asking where Big-Mac was came naturally. Applejack even shot her a bit of a look. Thankfully, it seemed Twilight's impeccable improv skills seemed to pay off, as Applejack shrugged it off as she grabbed a new basket from the barn.

It was two tree rows down and to the left. Eventually, she peered her head around a tree.

There he was.

He looked majestic. Jeesh, had Twilight ever noticed Big-Mac before? He was even better than in her dreams. Twilight suddenly felt very put off, like some pony pulled the ‘confidence’ plug from her consciousness. She felt like he was a ten while she was a one.It occurred to Twilight how she might just be chasing some pony outside of her range. What really were the chances that Big-Mac would reject her? Oh, if only she stayed behind to do some reading in the library!

It was intimidating. His coat radiated a warmth that was unrepeatable. His red coat, his blonde mane, his actually GREEN eyes instead of that nasty violet he had in her dreams! The apple trees danced above him, creating a fluctuating shadow that danced beautifully across his back.

Twilight pulled her head back, leaning against the tree, somehow panting suddenly.

No. She couldn’t do it. She would return to Spike with her head held low, damn it! Low and proud! No pony would ever have to know she had this voyage into romance. It was stupid, anyways! Just a dumb fantasy. She hadn’t even stopped to think about it. She got a special some pony… then what? Show off Big-Mac to the world, or something? Relationships were hard! No pony had to know this was happening. She could- dunno- swear Spike to secrecy with a blood-binding oath contact or something.

“Miss Twilight?”

“AAH!”Twilight screamed, suddenly finding herself on the orchard floor. She spun around, laying on her side, staring up at the hunking stallion before her. Her mouth dropped as she witnessed Big-Mac leaning over her, a concerned glint in his eyes.

“Are ya’ll alright?” He asked in his deep voice. Twilight tried to fight down the blush- and lost.

“F-Fine..?” She said in a squeaky voice. Big-Mac held out his hoof, to which Twilight gladly accepted, pulling herself up. “J-Just a little startled. Hehe?” She tried to laugh. Big-Mac took a step back to give a healthy distance, raising his eyebrow.

“Good.” He nodded. Twilight scratched her fetlock, looking around at the orchard. Well- now she was here. Might as well go through with it, right?

“So- uhm.” She cleared her throat, looking down at Big-Mac’s chest. “H-Heyyy! I- I know you’re- um- a farmer, or-”

“Miss Twilight, my eyes are up here.” He said as politely as possible. Twilight slowly scrawled her eyes up, meeting the stallions. It was like they suddenly were intimidating! She began sweating, forcing herself to keep staring.

“R-Right. Sorry. What I was- um- saying, was- um-” She cleared her throat again, this time more violently. “I know- um- you’re an Earth-pony and I’m a Unicorn- or- wait, I don’t- sorry, that shouldn’t matter- um-” She darted her eyes towards the ground, almost beginning to count the blades of grass. Her scratching fetlock almost started to wear away the fur. Then, in the quietest audible voice she could muster, she popped the question. “Will you go on a date with me?”

…

“Enope.”

And just like that, the world ended. Equestria was unmade in a single moment. Equus split in half like a piece of timber. And everything, yes, everything seemed to focus around Twilight Sparkle. She stared blankly, suddenly finding herself fallen to her flank. Big-Mac’s lips kept moving, but she didn’t hear anything.

She was… rejected. Rejected hard with just a simple no. She went in knowing that she might’ve been rejected. It was simple math. A 66.5% chance of being told no. But- she didn’t know why it still stung so hard. It was just so… so… painful.

She was going to die alone. Die alone with no pony around her for comfort. No big stallion. No kids. No grand-kids. Was that even a factor going in? Apparently not, as these things suddenly started filling her mind now of all times.

“Twilight, you alright?” He asked, breaking Twilight out of her trance. Twilight looked up at Big-Mac. Then stood up, and walked away. It hurt too much. “Twilight!” He shouted. Twilight kept walking. It didn’t matter. She wasn’t going to go home with her head held low anymore. She was going to go home with her head held low in shame.

She was right, though. She didn’t do enough research. Maybe she should’ve asked Rarity for romance novels for her to study up on. What went wrong? Perhaps it was the asking in the first place. Maybe she just didn’t know Big-Mac well enough to ask something like that. Perhaps it was her mane. She showered yesterday!

Nothing she tried to rectify in her brain mattered because, in the end of the day, it was her who was wrong. She wasn’t right. Something Big-Mac saw in her wasn’t right, and she was rejected.

In her stupor, she didn’t even realize she had accidentally went further into the forest instead of out of it. Out of sight safely, Twilight collapsed against a nearby tree. Now what? Does the protagonist cry out of sadness of being rejected? She didn’t feel like crying. But she felt as is she should be crying. Dammit, she should’ve read romance novels!

Twilight instead just decided to lay in her own sorrow, resting her head on the ground.

It was a nice day outside. Really, it was.

Too bad the rest of the day was going to be ruined now.

…

That was until she heard an unnatural flapping sound.

A swooping shadow suddenly crossed the ground above her! She instinctively tried to get even lower to the ground than she already was. She suddenly got a strange feeling she was going to be eaten by a fruit-bat!

A sound like paper being flipped through the wind exploded across the sky. The figure smashed into the ground like a bat out of hell, kicking up dirt and making an extremely loud thump sound. Twilight yelped, covering her ears with her hooves. It hurt.

There was a few moments of tense silence. Then, a voice she wasn’t expecting to hear muffled through her ears.

“Twi?” It asked. Twilight let out an estranged sigh of relief, standing up to meet the slightly taller Pegasus.

“Rainbow Dash!” She yelled, getting into her face. “You scared me half to death!” She stomped, eyeing her up.

“Sorry!” She put a hoof up in self-defense, pushing Twilight back a step. “I wanted to make sure you’re okay. I saw what happened. I was napping a few trees down, and- woah.” Rainbow finally took in the mare standing in front of her. “Are you okay, Twi?” She asked concernedly.

“Fine.” She mumbled. “Just got a little scared, that’s all.”

As a matter of fact, ‘fine’ was the last thing she was. Her mane seemed to suddenly start to spring out at every angle, leaving the once-familiar rat’s nest returning to her mane. The hairs on the back of her neck was standing up, and Twilight seemed to be breathing a little bit faster and louder than normal, her hooves shaking slightly where she stood.

“A little scared?” Rainbow asked. “Twilight, are you sick or something?” She asked, her eyes coated in concern. “If you need me to go get help, I-”

“I. Am. Fine.” She growled. “Loud noise. Loud noise scared me.” She sighed. “I just got rejected by a stallion, Dash. I just need some alone time.”

“Yeah, I saw.” Rainbow said, still eyeing Twilight. “You gave him the hard cold-shoulder pretty badly. Looked like he was about to cry, too.”

“What?” Twilight asked, surprisingly. She could feel her breathing finally start to slow down as she sat back onto the grass. “He was?”

“Yeah.” Rainbow nodded. “Did you… not hear him?” She cocked her head. Twilight solemnly shook her head. “Yeah, he said something about- err- not seeing you as anything more than a friend, and- um- he didn’t want to be that creepy stallion that hit on his sister’s friends.” Rainbow shrugged. Then, she noticed Twilight again. “Are you okay-”

“Damn it!” She shouted, standing up and marching in a tight circle. The sudden outburst made Rainbow take a few steps back in shock. “All I do is ruin things! Why couldn’t I’ve just been born… normal? Why did Celestia damn me to this! All I do is- screw up ponies feelings!” Twilight almost began hyperventilating, turning around and marching back towards the crime scene. “I have to go back and- I dunno- apologize!”

“Woah, woah. Twi.” Rainbow flew in front of her, stopping Twilight in her tracks. Twilight tried to go around, but Rainbow only side-stepped her. “Calm down. What’s going on? I’ve never seen you this- frazzled before. And I’ve seen you pretty frazzled.”

“I gotta go see him!” She almost yelled, sidestepping again, which was almost effortlessly blocked by Rainbow.

“You’re freaking out, and as a friend, I’m concerned.” Rainbow finally put a hoof on Twilight’s chest stopping her sidestepping. “Tell me what’s wrong. Please.”

“I- Umph- fine.” Twilight sighed, lowering her head and sitting again. She started itching her fetlock as she recounted the past week. “I’ve been having… dreams. It started normally, but it kept reoccurring! I keep going on dates with stallions, and- I don’t know what I was thinking! I guess I let it get to me, and Spike suggested I actually try. Just got rejected pretty hard, I guess. Dunno, I wasn’t expecting it.”

“You… You, the Twilight Sparkle, want to go on a date?” Rainbow asked, completely baffled. “The protege to the Princess? The bookworm? You?”

“Yes.” Twilight sighed. “You cannot tell any of our friends. Ever.” She suddenly became stern, her expression solidifying. “You’re in this too, now. You, me, and Spike.”

“You’re trying to get laid?” Rainbow asked, a smile cracking over her face.

“Not… laid perse…” Twilight itched her fetlock harder. “I’m just- I guess I want to settle down. Have some strong pony hold me in their hooves as I fall aslee-” Twilight stopped talking, looking at Rainbow Dash, who’s jaw was currently hitting the floor. Twilight’s cheeks flushed as she realized she spoke too much. It was a moment of super-awkward and tense silence. Super-duper embarrassing, and most of all, it was-

“Bwahahahaha!”

Hilarious?

“Are you kidding me, Twi?” Rainbow shouted on the floor, rubbing her wings into the grass. Twilight wore an offended expression as Rainbow failed to resist. “You have fantasies?”

“N-Not fantasies-”

“The bookworm? Twilight, no offense, but you are hopeless! There’s no chance this is going to work!” Twilight’s face grimaced, standing up to start marching away.

“Gee, thank. I always knew I could count on-”

“Not without me.” Rainbow said, standing up faster than a lightning bolt. Twilight let out a small shriek as Rainbow started hovering a few inches off the ground, awesomeness radiating off of her in waves. Twilight could only stare as a non-existent crowd began cheering for her. “I will be your trainer! I will be your middle-mare! I will hook you up with the best stallion I can find!”

“What.”

“Me, the eighteen year old, single, virgin mare, will try my hardest! I will not eat! I will not sleep! Well- maybe a quick nap and a snack if I can’t find one in the next few hours… After that, nothing will stop me get Twilight Sparkle laid!” She practically screamed. Twilight winced at the volume, not quite being loud enough to start making her shiver again. Rainbow began moon-walking in the air, making weird DJ sounds with her mouth as the invisible crowd only grew louder. There was absolutely a song playing in her head.

“What the hay is going on back here?” A sudden new voice said. Twilight jumped slightly, turning around to see Applejack setting down a basket on the ground. Rainbow screeched to a halt, her wings involuntarily snapping shut.

“Nothing!” Twilight said with a huge, fake smile. Applejack studied her for a moment, then applying a cheeky smile that almost drained Twilight’s soul.

“Nothin’, huh? ‘nothin will stop me get Twilight Sparkle laid’ is nothin’, huh?” She rolled her eyes. “Man, did I pick the wrong time to walk in or summit?”

“Twilight!” Rainbow regained her senses, flying again. “Quick, teleport to the planning room! I’ll distract her!” Rainbow flew faster than a speeding bullet, grabbing Applejack’s stetson and pulling it over her eyes. Twilight stood in shock for a second, watching as Applejack wrestled with the hat and Rainbow disappear into the horizon.

Twilight charged her horn and teleported to the only place she could assume where the ‘planning room’ was. The library.

Applejack just got the stetson off her eyes at Twilight appeared to blink out of reality.

“Gosh darn it.” She sighed. “What a bunch of- wait.” Applejack shook her head. “’getting laid?’ She asked me about Big-Mac- Oh Celestia!” Applejack shook her head. “Twilight, ya’ll better not be hitting on my brother!” She yelled to the skies.

Twilight's Type - (03) The Planning Room

Rainbow picked up a clipboard. “Miss Twilight Midnight-Twinkle Sparkle.” Rainbow said, clearing her throat and marching forwards. In the middle of the loft upstairs, Twilight summoned her inner brother, standing at attention like a true soldier. Rainbow gave Twilight a quick nod, apparently satisfied at her attentive. She stared forwards, held her neck straight and true, and stood completely still. “Seventeen years old.” Rainbow read from the clip-board. “Unicorn. Purple. Virgin. Has only been kissed by two stallions.” Rainbow raised an eyebrow, staring at Twilight and flipping to the next page. “Is this true, recruit?”

“Ma’am yes ma’am.” She affirmed. Rainbow nodded, bringing her eyes back towards the clipboard.

“That would be one ‘Sir Prince Shining Armor…” Rainbow squinted at the paper, reading in between the lines. “Whenever she got… ‘a boo-boo?’” Rainbow leaned back, staring incredibly judgmentally at Twilight. “Is this true, recruit?”

“Ma’am yes ma’am.” She repeated, suddenly sweating. Rainbow looked back at the paper.

“And one ‘Mr. Night Light’ kissing his daughter goodnight- Twilight, have you ever really kissed any pony? Like- not any of this, but REAL kissing?”

“W-Well-” Twilight cleared her throat, her eyes darting nervously away from her imaginary fixed point. “I-I mean- not traditionally?”

“Not traditionally.” Rainbow set down the clipboard on a nearby bookshelf. “This is gonna be a tough case, recruit.” She sighed, sitting on her flank, rubbing both her eyes with her hooves. “Even the most desperate of mares, like my previous recruit, Sargent Fluttershy, had a special some pony in flight camp.” She laughed darkly. “I kicked the shit out of him when he broke up with her. Only learned later she broke up with him.”

“Rainbow!” Twilight shouted, breaking out of her role play. “Fighting? You could’ve gotten in serious trouble-”

“Out of line, recruit.” Rainbow snapped, standing back up. “I mean, I did get in trouble. A lot of trouble. But that’s besides the point.” Twilight found herself suddenly muzzle-to-muzzle with the speedster as she spoke. “What’s your type?” She asked. Twilight could feel her personal bubble shatter into a million pieces, opting to instead close her eyes. When not getting a response, Rainbow began pushing her muzzle harder into Twilight, raising her voice. “I said- what’s your TYPE?”

“Rainbow!” A purple dragon yelled, running down the staircase. “Get away from her!” Twilight felt her relief in waves as her brother’s voice filled the room.

“What?” She asked, thankfully pulling away. “Why?”

“Because! She isn’t okay with that!” Spike yelled angrily. “You of all ponies should know about violating personal space!”

“Why isn’t she okay with it?”

…

“Because she isn’t.” Spike said, getting flustered. “Just- don’t do it again.”

“Why isn’t she okay with it?” Rainbow repeated, suddenly curiosity overruling her role as Drill Sargent. Spike looked at Twilight for a moment, Twilight’s very apprehensive face burned a hole into his retinas, her left eye only squeaked open a crack as her lip quivered. Spike only hardened his resolve.

“She isn’t. Drop it.” Spike growled. Rainbow looked like she wanted to argue, but decided against it after seeing the two-versus-one situation she was in. She only let out a sigh, her voice now much more quieter and reserved.

“What is your type, Twilight?” She asked uncharacteristically quiet and soft. Twilight opened both eyes, looking around nervously.

“I- um-” She coughed, looking towards the floor. “I- I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” Rainbow almost shrieked, raising her voice. “Wh- how did you choose-”

“Rainbow.” Spike warned. Rainbow’s face fell flat.

“Okay. Fine. You don’t know. Big deal.” Rainbow began hovering away, grabbing a blackboard in the process of making one large circle. She took an eraser, rubbing away the articulate spell-casting diagrams on the surface. Twilight cringed, as did Spike, but didn’t say anything. Rainbow took a piece of chalk in her mouth, scribbling out a sentence. She took a wing beat backwards.

“Twilight’s Stallion friend.” Twilight read. “Oh dear.” Rainbow then wrote in the left column ‘Twilight’s Type,’ and in the right column, ‘Potential caneedites.’ Twilight decided not to correct her on the spelling.

“Think real hard.” Rainbow said, settling onto the ground and spitting out the chalk. “What did you find attractive in Big-Mac?” She asked. Twilight put a hoof to her chin. Her mind was still a little frayed from the intense interaction she just had from Rainbow, but she kept pushing anyways.

“I liked his- um-” Twilight rolled her hoof. “His height. I like big stallions, I think.” Her cheeks grew in temperature. “I like it when I get hugged. Like- feeling safe when a stallion holds me-”

“Too much info, Twi.” Rainbow said, cringing slightly. Twilight’s cheeks grew in temperature from embarrassment this time. Rainbow chicken-scratched ‘TALL’ onto the board. “Right. Next?”

“I- um-” She clared her throat. “I like bravity?” Rainbow raised her eyebrow. Twilight looked a little flustered, but continued nonetheless. “Imagine a damsel in distress. A sweeping, strong stallion sweeps her off her hooves. Awh.” Twilight sighed. Rainbow just nodded with a raised eyebrow, scratching ‘Bravittite?’ “Um-” She started to scratch her fetlock. Spike shot a look, and she stopped, looking a little sheepish herself. Then, her eyes lit up like she had a realization. “Spike, you’ve lived with me since- forever. What do you think?”

“Brash.” He said almost immediately. Rainbow made an approving smile, writing down ‘Brash’ on the board.

“Woah-woah.” Twilight waved her hoof. “What? Brash? Really?”

“Meh, I can see it.” Rainbow shrugged.

“Yeah.” Spike agreed. “Like, remember when you dated that-”

“Spike!” Twilight yelled, summoning her magic to latch Spike’s mouth shut, shooting him a burning glare. Spike seemed to not realize what he had just said, looking surprised at even himself.

“Wait, what?” Rainbow said loudly. “Date? Date? Did I hear date?” She started flying in front of Twilight. “You dated some pony? Who? And why didn’t you kiss him?”

“Oh- um-” Twilight let go of Spike. He rubbed his muzzle, looking a little angry. “It was nothing, really. Just a little experimentation during my early days.” She giggled nervously. “I remember how surprised Princess Celestia was when I told her about it.”

“But you never kissed him?” Rainbow complained. “Not once? Not even a little peck?”

“Rainbow! Relationships are more than just kissing!” Twilight argued. “It’s about being with somepony you love! Somepony you can feel safe around! If kissing is your quota of a succesful relationship, then I don’t think that was a relationship!”

“Ugh- whatever!” Rainbow hovered a wingbeat back, flailing her hooves. “I’m only here to find you a partner! Not- make sure you kiss him. Kissing, or whatever, is your job. Not mine.”

“Are you taking this seriously-”

“I’m more serious than I’ve ever been in my life!” Rainbow exclaimed. “I’m so serious- I could- I could scream!”

“Don’t.” Spike warned, crossing his arms. Rainbow sighed.

“First things first.” Rainbow started. “We need to find you a potential partner. We have our list here. Tall, Brave, and Brash. Who do we know that is Tall, Brave, and Brash?” She put a hoof on her chin, hovering in the air. Truth be told, she really hadn’t paid all that much attention to stallion’s in Ponyville. When she was growing up, she was properly fawning over them. It was the talk of the school. To be cool, you had to have a stallion. Fortunately, Rainbow, and all of the other school kids, moved on from using stallions as objects of status.

Ever since she moved to Ponyville, gender didn’t seem like an issue. If the pony was cool, why not hang out with them? A pony was a pony at the end of the day, no matter what was between their legs.

…

Man, Rainbow didn’t feel good.

Something is going on with Twilight. Instead of giving her space, Rainbow just got closer instead, pestering the issue. She didn’t like Rainbow being that close, and couldn’t quite vocalize the fact she was uncomfortable. Not until Spike came into the room. Looking back, she could’ve handled that a little better… She deserves the best stallion. Cream of the crop stallion.

Rainbow landed with a smirk on her face.

“Spike. You and me are going stallion-hunting.”

“What.”

“That’s right, tough shot.” She nodded. “We’re going to go scope out stallions.”

“But- you can’t just- you can’t just watch at ponies outside! That’s like- stalking, or something. Just- really, really creepy!” Spike complained. Rainbow put a hoof to her chin, thinking it over. Spike was right, unbelievably.

“You’re right.” She said. “We need disguises.”

“For the love of-”

“C’mon- Twilight, you wait here.” Rainbow picked up Spike with a wing, throwing him onto her back. He flailed his claws in the air for a moment, before gettting two fists full of Rainbow mane. “Just- I dunno, study, or something.” She said dismissively. “C’mon, Spike. Hold on.”

“I- I didn’t agree to thi-” Before he could finish, however, Spike and Rainbow were gone in a blaze of light, leaving behind a Rainbow trail. Twilight stared at the open door, it swinging shut and making a loud thunk as it hit it’s hinges.

Studying. Huh. Twilight thought. I can do that.

There was a mare in a large-brimmed gray-striped fedora, shadow cascading down and creating a black shadow that obscured her features. If nopony looked past and at her rainbow tail and unique-to-her Cutiemark, nopony would know she was actually the fearsome, ultimate, and awesome Rainbow Dash. She leaned over a table, a smoothie-straw in hand, sucking down greedily on a chocolate shake. Out of the corner of her eye, she observed and watched. Observed for any tall. Watched for and brave and brash. Her eyes darted back and forth. Eventually, she spotted one.

Rainbow leaned forwards, letting the straw slide past her mouth.

“What about the Doc?” She whispered to her partner in crime.

It was a small creature with purple scales, wearing a similarly scaled fedora and black trenchcoat. He stopped sipping his own ruby smoothie, looking around and spotting the mentioned stallion.

“Doc? Eh… I dunno.” He shrugged. “He’s not really tall.”

“But he is Brash.” Rainbow whispered, eyes still locked on him. It appeared he had a bag full of clocks, trotting back towards his workshop.

“How do you know?” Spike asked, returning to his smoothie.

“I needed him to fix my clock once.” Rainbow explained, looking at Spike. “He sent me back to my flight-camp days.”

“What?” Spike almost shouted. A few curious glances looked towards the duo, the two suddenly solidifying stiller than statues. A few moments later, the other patreons of the milkshake palace returned to their own smoothies. “How did you get back?”

“I didn’t.” She explained calmly. Spike blinked dumbly. “I had to do it all over again.”

“W-What?” He asked, apparently concerned. “How old are you?”

“Physically? Eighteen. Mentally? Probably like thirty.” She shrugged. “I got to fix some of my mistakes, though. Not everypony gets a second chance like that.”

“Great. The Doc isn’t for Twilight. Mixing her with Time-travel isn’t a good idea. Ever.” He sighed. “Next.”

“Aw, why not?” She asked, apparently hurt. “We should thank him. Without him, the elements of harmony don’t look exactly the same.”

“I- Oh, Celestia, what did you do?”

“Well- before the ‘reset,’Trixie was the element of magic, Big-Mac was the element of honesty, and Rarity was a stallion called ‘Elusive.’” She explained, looking around for more potential targets. “I’m not entirely sure how Rarity switched genders like that, but…” She shrugged. “I’m pretty sure she was born before I screwed with the time line, or whatever.”

“Oh. Oh, Celestia.” Spike put his head in his hands. “Does this mean that Rarity is- is a-”

“Oh, Oh, what about him?” Rainbow pointed. Spike temporarily forgot about his life-altering mind-bending and time-line destroying dilemma when he followed Rainbow’s hoof with his eyes.

A good block down the road, devoid of any homes, was a developing neighborhood. A lot of concrete foundations had been poured, the place looking like a wooden plank forest with posts sticking up out of the ground almost randomly. One near house towards the rest of civilization had four ponies working on the structure. A pegasus directing a unicorn lifting a beam. An earth-pony hammering in nails to an already fastened piece of wood. Another Earth-pony, one that Rainbow was pointing at.

“Him?” Spike asked, raising an eyebrow. “Um- I mean, sure. He does fit the list.” He said, rubbing his hands together nervously. “But- I mean, I think Twilight deserves somepony a little more… um…” He waved generally. “Smart.”

Indeed, the stallion seemed to be trying to fit a plank of wood through the door horizontally.

“Smart?” Rainbow asked, looking at the scene. “Err- I mean- Twilight might find it charming?”

“Charming.” He said. “Whatever. I think we should keep looking.”

“Spike.” Rainbow sighed. “At this rate, we’re gonna be here half the day looking for a stallion! I say we go for it! He’s the closest pony that fits the list.”

“Fine. I’m not gonna ask him, though. You gotta do that.”

“Deal.” She said, saluting. In less than a second, a fedora was the only thing that remained on the stool. Spike blinked dumbly for a minute, before also shedding his fedora and trench coat, pitter-pattering his legs to catch up to Rainbow.

A second later, a waiter approached the table. His eyes narrow, a grunt of frustration leaving as he sees the mess left behind.

“Hey!” A mare shouted. The stallion stopped his hammering, dropping the plank of wood and looking around in confusion. Then, another. “Hey!” He heard her shout. The stallion picked his ear, not entirely sure whether the sound is coming reality or the ringing coming from the banging of his co-worker above him.

“I said hey!”

The mare was right behind him. He let out a girlish squeal, jumping back and staring at her with a shocked expression.

“Um- Hey!” He said, re orientating himself proper. “Rainbow Dash, right? Element of loyalty? How can I help you?” He asked.

“Yup, that’s me.” She shined. “What’s your name?”

“Caramel. Caramel Blueshoe at your service.”

“Listen, buddy.” She started, slinging a hoof around his neck. “Are you single?”

“Woah.” Caramel said, a blush forming around his muzzle. “Coming on hard a little?”

“Not for me, doofas.” She sighed, letting go of him. “Are you single? Some Earth-pony families believe in the-” She waved a hoof around her neck. “The necklace tradition of married ponies. That, or bracelets.”

“This?” He asked, picking at a tightly bound necklace to his neck. It had a thick, black collar that looked almost restraining with a bright light blue crystal in the middle. “No, this is a gift from my sister.” He laughed nervously before dropping a few octaves in volume. “Does it look good on me? Oh, I hope I don’t look bad.”

“Oh, yeah, whatever.” She waved a hoof. “So, you’re single?”

“Oh- Single and proud.” He said with a slight boast. “But- uh- you said it wasn’t for you. What’s happening?”

“I got this-” She made a circular motion with her hoof. “Shy friend. She’s not very good at conversation, and wants to ask you out.”

“Oh, that's a shame.”

A beat.

“So I’m asking you out for her.”

“Oh, right!” He said with a smile, planting a hoof against his forehead. “Yeah- uh- duh.” He said sheepishly, his ears folding back. “Did that sound dumb? I really hope it didn’t-”

“It sounded fine.” She sighed. “Confidence issues? When do you get off of work?”

“Six. Six-thirty at the latest.” He looked up at his other three co-workers. The Pegasus gave him a long glance. He felt a shiver run down his spine as he turned back to the prismatic mare. “Listen- uh- I gotta get back to work.”

“Okay. Eight. Meet us at the fancy restaurant at eight.”

“Fancy… do you mean ‘Poneys Et Baise?’”

“Whatever.” She turned around, starting to trot away. “See you there!” She stopped short, however, as she witnessed a small purple dragon finally stop in front of her, sweat pouring down his face as he collapsed on the ground.

“You- are so- fast!” He panted. “D-Did you get a date for Twilight?”

“Heck yeah!” She said. “This hunk of stallion right here!” Caramel would’ve blushed, if he wasn’t petrified with fear.

“Good… can you- carry me home?” He asked. Rainbow rolled her eyes, picking up the dragon and chucking him on her back. With one last glance at Caramel, she took off like a rocket.

Caramel really hadn’t registered what had happened. He had just agreed to a date. Because of course he had. He should be over the moon! He never even tried to get a mare, but one just asked him out!

The problem was, however, the mare that had asked him out.

Twilight. Twilight Sparkle.

The protege of Princess Celestia herself.

The most powerful Unicorn in all of Equestria, probably in all of history, too.

Caramel slowly glanced down at his necklace. He looked at the shimmering blue crystal, the surface humming a barely visible blue magic. Needless to say, he swallowed the rapidly drying spit in his mouth.

Twilight's Type - (04) The Date

Twilight wasn’t a nervous pony.

…

Okay. That was a bold-faced lie.

Right now, Twilight was more nervous than she had ever been in her entire life.

“How do I look?” Twilight fussed, tugging and pulling on her light blue dress. “I need to be perfect!”

“Calm down, Twi.” Rainbow floated overhead, straightening out the dress frills that Twilight was unsmoothening due to her rapidly deteriorating mental condition. “Be careful with this! I had to be really careful around Rarity to get this dress made. I don’t think she knows what’s happening.”

“Good!” Twilight said sharply. “I hope she doesn’t know! B-But- What if I don’t look good? What if he rejects me on the spot?” Twilight wobbled back and forth, putting a hoof on her head. Rainbow’s only response was an exasperated sigh. It had been like this ever since she got back to Twilight. Rainbow found her… researching. Researching stallions. Let’s end that there.

“I don’t think this dress can look bad.” Rainbow observed. It was simple, really. Just a plain light blue dress that covered most of her body. Basically a piece of cloth hastily joined together. “Besides, this is a learning process. So what if he rejects you? If anything goes wrong, you can just call on us. Me and Spike will be right outside.”

“Bananza!” Twilight yelled sharply. “Code word Bananza!”

“Code word?” Rainbow asked. “I don’t… I don’t think he’s a serial killer or anything.”

“I need a safe word! And that safe word is Bananza!”

“I mean…” Rainbow shrugged. “Alright. If it makes you feel comfortable.” Rainbow turned around, witnessing Spike making his way to the duo holding a large amount of make-up. The boxes were stacked higher than he was, but it seemed like his years of book-holding experience paid off as he expertly deposited the stack down infront of Twilight. He popped open the top box, grabbing a brush, and began to pepper Twilight. She blinked a few times, figuring out that the best way to get through this is to breathe slowly.

“Spike?” Rainbow asked, hovering in front of Twilight. “You know how to do make-up?”

“Well, duh.” He shrugged, pushing the brush into her cheeks. “I grew up with Twilight. I had to sit through one too many make-up sessions.” He shuddered. “She kept calling me ‘Spines.’ I don’t look back on those days fondly.”

“I think you make a very pretty girl dragon-” Twilight began. Spike’s response was to pepper make-up directly onto her snout, making her uncontrollably sneeze. He gave her a stare, to which Twilight decided not talking about their make-up sessions from eight years ago was a better idea.

Rainbow looked over her shoulder and towards the clock. It was seven-thirty. Half an hour ‘till they needed to be there. It was only two blocks down the street, five minute walk at a snails pace. Rainbow sighed, watching as Spike expertly dabbed a puff in a slightly reddish-pink powder. Twilight scrunched her face in distress.

She watched as Twilight began scratching her fetlock with her hoof.

What is with her and scratching? Rainbow though to herself. She also watched as Spike stopped dabbing for a moment, looking down at her hoof. Gently, he nudged Twilight’s fetlock. It took her a second, but she stopped itching soon after. Some kind of tick? She thought. Maybe.But Rainbow couldn’t help but think it cute. Just the dynamic between a dragon and a pony being siblings was adorable, but especially Twilight and her quirks. Quirks was the right word for it.

Rainbow let out a content sigh as she glanced up at the clock. For some reason, she didn’t feel particularily antsy. She just enjoyed watching Twilight getting prettied up. It was oddly relaxing, and not at all like herself.

“Hold still, Twi!” Spike chatsized, pulling at her eyelashes with a mascara pen. “I don’t want to stab you!”

“It’s hard! I just see a pointy thingy going straight for me!”

“Try. Please.” Spike begged with a certain face that Rainbow almost melted at. Not that she would ever admit that the face got her.

“I-” Twilight sighed. “Fine. I’ll… try.”

Rainbow glanced down. Twilight’s hoof twitched for a moment. That was strange.

Caramel wasn’t a nervous pony.

…

Okay. That was a bold-faced lie.

Right now, Caramel was more nervous than he had ever been in his entire life.

He tugged at the suit he was wearing, specificially around the neck. It was a dashing black, complete with a red tie that partially obscured his blue choker, which was now starting to hum ominously. He nervously glanced around at the other patrions of the resturaunt. They were all enjoying their meals, while he was drumming his hooves against the table impatiently.

Had he been stood up? No. The time was 7:59. There was still a minute left. He had to calm down. He took a deep breath in, deep breath out. Deep breath in, deep breathe out. Worst comes to worst, he walked out looking a little bit dumb from being stood up by a mare he wasn’t sure even existed in the first place.

No- scratch that. He knew she existed. Just- Rainbow Dash could’ve lied to him! Set him up for- what, a prank? Why would she joke about something like this? If he was going to be dating anypony else, he wouldn’t have been half as nervous.

And then the door opened.

Caramel swallowed his spit, watching as the most beautiful mare of his dreams walked into the luxurious resturaunt. She asked a waiter a question, and the thin-stached stallion pointed towards his table, her eyes not too far behind. Caramel jumped a bit when they made eye-contact. A beat of sweat rolled over his brow as he offered the most convincing smile he could.

And Twilight smiled back! Like she didn’t see though him! Alhough, to be fair, judging by the expression on Twilight’s face, she was almost equally as nervous. Which, strangely, made him feel better.

Twilight approached the table, and Caramel couldn’t help but notice how pretty she looked. For a moment, he was left in awe, his mouth open as he kept staring. And staring. And- Caramel forced himself to stop staring as he put his hooves in his lap.

“M-May I take a seat?” She asked with a wary smile.

“S-Sure. Go ahead, heh?” He laughed, putting an elbow on the table and leaning forwards. Then taking the elbow back off the table. “I- I mean, it’s not like you have to ask for permission, being… being Princess Celestia’s- I mean- not that it’s okay- or- okay.” Caramel forced himself to take a deep breath. “Hi.” He said dumbly as Twilight sat down.

“Yes. Hello.” She responded roboticly, using her magic to straighten out the already straightened silverware. She started rapidly looking around at the restaurant, seemingly putting her eyes anywhere other than the stallion in front of her. Caramel felt his mood rapidly deflate.

I’m ruining this already. He thought sadly, pushing a fork with his hooves. C’mon! Talk, you stud!

“So.” He said quietly. “What do you- um- do?” It seemed to do the trick as Twilight turned to look at him. She seemed to sprout a geninue smile as she began talking.

“I’m basically still a student.” She explained, putting her hooves onto the table. “I get a stipend from Princess Celestia to continue my studies in Ponyville. I’ve published over a dozen studies on various topics. Unfortunately, I’m not very focused right now. I mean, I might write a paper about the effects of plant-based-meat on carnivores, the next I’m writing a study about the possible secret affair between Clover the Clever and Commander Hurricane with a genealogy spell to back it up.” She laughed. “I guess I still have learning to do.” She looked back at Caramel. “What about you?”

“Oh.” He nudged a fork. “I’m a general contractor.”

…

“Oh.” She laughed awkwardly. “Of course. No- yeah, that sounds important.” That came out a little more rude than she meant it to. If Caramel noticed, he didn’t show it. Mainly because he just constantly looked a little nervous.

“Do you think I fit in?” He blurted out. Twilight blinked, looking a little confused. “With the other contractors, I mean. Like- other stallions. Do I fit in?”

“I think so, yeah.” She nodded.

Twilight started scratching her wrist as she turned to look outside one of the many windows in the establishment. There, with their faces pushed all the way against the glass was a familiar duo. Twilight’s eyes went a little large as she turned to look back at Caramel. He seemed preoccupied with pushing around a fork on the table, so she looked back. Using her magic, she forced a blind overhead to fall down, covering their faces. She whipped her head back as Caramel looked back up at the sound of a curtian being drawn.

“What was that?” He asked.

“Nothing!” Twilight said. Caramel shrugged. Now, she noticed that he was giving her a little look. Not anything malicious, but rather an almost confused look. Her mouth stretched wide as she smiled nervously as the hunking massive stallion stared at her. “Is… everything okay?” She asked.

“You… can see me, right?” He asked.

“What? Of course I can see you.” She laughed awkwardly. “Right?”

“Right.” He agreed. “Right. Can- um- I have a question. I thought super-powerful unicorns could see through illusion spells?”

A beat.

“What?” Twilight asked. “I have- I don’t- what are you insinuating?”

“N-Nothing.” He said, shuffling in his seat. “It’s fine. Nothing. Just a dumb question. Haha.” He brushed a hoof against his mane, rearranging in his seat for the hundredth time that night. “Where’s that waiter? I’m hungry.”

“Caramel, are you using an illusion spell?”

“Thought by now they’d at least give us something to drink.” He leaned forwards with a forced smirk. “What kind of fancy resuraunt is this, huh?”

“Your necklace!” Twilight shouted, suddenly noticing the glowing blue choker. She gripped it with her magic, noting the presence of something… familiar. She pulled, the choker pulling off almost instantly. In a panic, Caramel lunged forwards, wrapping it around his hoof and grabbing the necklace as it floated in the middle of the table. A few patrons casted their eyes, watching the scene unfold as Caramel was awkwardly placed, almost climbing ontop of the table.

Somehow, Caramel looked a little… fuzzy around the edges. Like when a projector isn’t exactly lined up with it’s film. Around specifically his flank and lower legs, he almost vanished completely, a strange blue light replacing where his body should’ve been.

“Please, don’t do this!” He begged. Twilight almost let up. Almost.

“I know this magic.” She said, suddenly filling with anger. “We kicked you out of town almost a year ago for trying to take it over! And I won’t have it happen again!” With a yank, Twilight tore the choker in half, the crystal landing in a wine glass.

And the illusion broke with a flash.

…

It wasn’t who she thought it was.

There, hooves on the table, hind legs on the chair, was a filly. She looked exactly like Caramel, from the color of her coat to the brown in her mane. Even her Cutiemark and eyes. Twilight stared in amazement at the filly, the realization suddenly dawning on her on what had just happened.

“O-Oh my Celestia.” She said. The filly’s bottom lip started to quiver as she sat back down on the seat, completely and utterly defeated. Twilight, however, steeled herself. “I-Is this some kind of prank? Do you think it’s funny to-!”

“I wanted to be normal.” She said in a feminine voice, and not at all like the Caramel on the seat no less than ten seconds ago. Twilight melted back into her chair. “I-I just wanted to be treated normally! I-I’m sorry t-that I’m not a stallion, I just thought if I-”

Twilight didn’t feel good.

“I’m sorry…” She said quietly. “I- I didn’t know, I-”

“Is that your reaction to everything?” She asked, hopping off the chair. “Rip it off with your magic? Act first, think later?”

“That’s not-”

“You must think you’re so important, miss ‘i’m the student of the Princess!’” She yelled. “Well guess what? You’re an entitled asshole!” Tears began brimming her eyes. “I hate you, and I don’t ever want to see you again!” In a blur, she ran towards the door and retched it open. Little hoofsteps slowly lowered in volume as Twilight was left to just stare. Slowly, through the open door, two heads peeked around the corner, both with shocked faces.

Twilight calmly stood up from the table. She didn’t seem to notice the amount of stares she was getting. It seemed that absolutely no pony knew what to do or say. Most of them probably didn’t even know what had happened. Twilight leaned forwards, looking at the blue gem laying innocently on the plate. She felt really bad. She had messed up before, a certain instance with her smarty-pants doll comes to mind. But nopony had reacted like that before. No pony called her an asshole before. Twilight touched a nerve. A really, really sensitive nerve.

She levitated the gem in her magic, turning and walking out of the resturaunt, being careful to avoid any and all stares she was getting, particularily the waiter that was going to wait their table.

Twilight closed the door with her magic.

“Was that..?” Dash questioned. “…a mare?”

“Sure looked like it.” Spike said, walking up and patting Twilight on the leg. She stopped walking, just staring blankly ahead as the gem levitated next to her.

Spike heard something peculiar.

Crying.

“Twilight, you good?” He asked, suddenly concerned. “Twilight!”

“Oh, what?” Rainbow asked, hovering over. “You good?” She asked.

“No!” Twilight yelled, yanking her hoof from Spike’s grasp. “I’m so stupid! All I do is ruin things!”

“To be fair, you did rip off a necklace when she told you not to.” Rainbow shrugged. “I mean, she looked scared when you grabbed it.”

“Rainbow!” Spike scolded. “Not. Helping.”

“I don’t even-” Twilight breathed a shaky breath. “What do I do? I just… ruined somepony’s life! I didn’t even think about why he didn’t want me grabbing the necklace! What if my hunch was wrong? I just- grabbed a necklace from his neck? How would I have played that off?”

“What hunch?” Rainbow asked. Twilight turned around. Rainbow almost jumped with the way Twilight looked. Her make-up was leaving streaks down her eyes, creating what she thought might’ve been a heavy metal rock band member.

“I thought he was Trixie.” Twilight admitted. “Her magic is all over this gem.” She held it up, looking at it reflect in the blue moon’s light. “No wonder I didn’t know it was an illusion. Trixie’s special talent is Illusion Magic. It’s borderline perfect. I only noticed when he started acting weird.”

“To be fair…” Rainbow started, walking up and placing a hoof on Twilight’s withers. “She shouldn’t be out trying to trick mares. I mean, she’ll need a pretty good excuse if she wants to get out of trouble-”

“Rainbow. She’s obviously transgender!” Twilight said through a particularly hard sob.

“Oh.” Rainbow said, sliding her hoof off of Twilight. “Shit.” Even Spike cringed.

“She… is a he.” Twilight sighed, sitting down. “He was probably self-concious about it. I don’t think he wanted any pony knowing… and now I exposed him in front of an entire restaurant.”

“That’s fucked.” Rainbow admitted.

“But what I don’t get…” Spike started, walking over and sitting down next to Twilight. “Why were they a stallion? Why didn’t they just- I dunno- ask Trixie the genie to turn her into a stallion? Did she have to make an illusion gem?”

“I don’t think Trixie can do anything other than illusion magic. Plus, It’s none of my business.” Twilight said. “If he’s happier a stallion, so be it. It’s none of my business.” She sighed, lowering her head. “He probably thought he found the wonder-cure for his condition. An illusionist. And I ruined it.” Twilight dropped the gem from her magic, a soft thunk as it hit the ground, sinking into the dirt a little bit.

“Can’t you just- I dunno- magic them into a stallion?” Rainbow asked. Twilight looked over her shoulder at Rainbow.

“No, I can’t.” She said sharply. “Not that simple.”

“Didn’t you do it at the duel with Trixie?” Rainbow asked. “With Applejack?”

“What?” Twilight asked, turning herself around a little bit more. “We painted Big-Mac orange and switched him with AJ- Rainbow, you were there for that. How did you forget that?”

“I was?” She scratched her chin. “I guess I forgot. But anyways- why can’t you? I mean, you gave Rarity wings that one time.”

“That was different.” Twilight said, looking back and at the moon. “The hardest part about transformation magic is picturing what you want to change. With small things, like making an apple an orange, it’s simple. Just picture an orange. With Rarity’s wings, it was just thin layers of chitin.” She began itching her wrist. Spike didn’t seem to stop her this time. “With a pony… you have to account for everything. Every strand of fur. Every muscle. Every organ. Every nerve running through the brain.” She sighed. “It would be easier if I had- I dunno- some kind of guide.” Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “Like, a really good picture of it already done, where all the hard stuff is done for me.”

“Twilight, you dummy.” Rainbow laughed. Twilight jumped, whipping around and looking at Rainbow. Her voice was different, and through the moonlight, she could tell that she was different. “Your guide is right here.”

Twilight looked down at her- or his- hoof. There, was the gem she had dropped.

“Oh.” She said, slapping a hoof to her forehead, accidentally knocking a few sparks from her horn. “Oh, shit!” She cried. “You’re totally right!” Rainbow the stallion made a really hot smirk as Twilight grabbed the gem with her hoof, holding it up triumphantly. Rainbow returned to normal as Twilight suddenly found herself a few inches taller. “I can still fix this!” She said in her new deep voice. “The perfect guide!”

“This is getting creepy.” Spike said, backing away from the stallion.

“We have to find Caramel!” He said. “Rainbow, do you know where Caramel lives?”

“Not a clue.” She shrugged. “But I can find him- her- real quick.” Twilight nodded, watching as Rainbow ascended faster than a shooting arrow, quickly becoming a black speck on an even blacker night sky. Twilight looked down at Spike, who has cautiously observing him. “Here, hold this.” He said, tossing the gem to Spike.

He caught it.

“Twilight, no!” She shouted. She looked at the gem held in her grasp, sighing deeply. “C’mon. Really?”

“What do you mean, Barbra?” Twilight asked with a sarcastic smirk. Using her magic, Twilight levitated Barbra onto her back, taking off in the general direction Rainbow was flying. Spike couldn’t feel any less comfortable in her current situation.

Author's Note

Story was cancelled because it took a weird turn. There's another two chapters not included here because they're unfinished and unpolished. This story got turned into another one of my stories, 'Twilight & Dusk Swap Places.'

Twilight's Type Aftermath

“No- No!” Twilight made a gasping sound as the illusion on the table dissolved, leaving the ghostly halo of two ponies and a dragoness galloping into the darkness unresolved. “It was just getting good!”

“Wow, Twilight.” Starlight said, sitting on the floor and leaning forwards intently. “I didn’t know you were into big stallions.”

“Such a shame you were rejected by Big Mac.” Rarity added thoughtfully. “You two would’ve made such a good power couple.”

“I’m angry.” Twilight added, sighing out aggressively.

“Why didn’t it finish?” Rarity asked.

“Because it hasn’t finished yet in their timeline.” Twilight explained. “The story is still unfolding as we speak. It’s like watching live TV. I can rewind and review what has already happened, but I can only go as far as the broadcaster has made it.”

“Hm.” Rarity hummed, tapping her chin. “Great analogy, dear, but one question. What is a TV?”

“Don’t worry about it.” Starlight leaned over, whispering. “It’s just some crazy thing the human world has.”

“Ah.” Rarity nodded.

“That’s also really annoying.” Twilight sighed. “I’m curious who I would hook up with, as bad as that sounds. It’s like… looking at what could have been.” She looked up and at the ceiling, wires dangling all across it. “Although… I already have my eye on somepony…”

“Oh?” Rarity straightened her back up. “And who might this be, pray and tell?”

“Oh, just some guard I met a little while ago.” Twilight smiled dreamily. “I’ve been trying to get him to become my personal bodyguard, but that would mean creating an entire military division for Ponyville, yadah yadah, specifics.” She sighed, itching her wrist. “Maybe I should get on that…”

“You’re doing the thing!” Rarity suddenly screeched, pointing at Twilight. Twilight’s wings snapped open as she almost fell over on the ground, looking at Rarity with wide eyes. “You’re itching your fetlock! Just like you did in the hologram!”

“Actually, I’m curious about that, too.” Starlight added. “Why were you itching so much?”

“Well,” Twilight started, her wings folding back against her sides. “I think it’s because I’m autistic.”

…

“What, dear?”

“You know- on the spectrum.” Twilight specified. “I was diagnosed pretty early. I think itching my wrist was just something I picked up on to help me calm down. That, and organizing, although I don’t think I’m OCD.”

“You’re… autistic?” Starlight asked. “But doesn’t that mean… you can’t take care of yourself?”

“What?” Twilight asked, now her turn to be confused. “Of course not! Being autistic doesn’t mean you can’t take care of yourself!”

“You don’t look autistic.” Rarity added thoughtfully.

“Thanks, Rarity, for your input.” Twilight dead-panned. “You don’t need to look autistic to be autistic. Sure, some ponies on the spectrum can look a little… different, but not everypony looks the same!” Twilight said. “I mean, look at Lyra! In town! The one that loves humans! She’s autistic, too!”

“I… guess.” Rarity said skeptically.

“Let’s change the channel!” Starlight redirected, her horn igniting. “To… err- speaking of humans, let’s…” There was a clicking sound, and like last time, a blurry blue halo ignited on the table. “Look, see? A human!”

“She looks…” Rarity made a gagging sound. “Why are they all fleshy like that?”

“That’s just what humans look like.” Twilight observed. “Is it okay if I make some popcorn?”

“Go for it.”

Scootaloo Lost a Leg - (02) Prank'd

Author's Note

UNFINISHED SEQUEL TO THIS STORY!

Scootaloo Lost a Leg - (02) Prank'd

After school hours were always strange.

The school almost always had somebody wandering the halls. It turned the bustling corridors into a desolate and empty facade. A shell of it’s former self. The feeling of unease only managed to multiply when the staff began turning off every second light, turning the feeling of unease into dread. If not for the sun shining in through the occasional window from a classroom, the place would’ve felt completely inhospitable.

A particular girl found herself wandering these creepy halls. It was a strange sight to see a girl like herself walking with such ease and gusto, like the terrible setting barely even affected her. Her skin was a light pink, curled purple hair with a single pink streak running down the middle. She wouldn’t have seemed too out of the ordinary in a high school filled with teenagers.

Except, of course, for her designer outfit.

She had money, and she wasn’t afraid to show it off. A designer yellow coat, a jeweled necklace worth more than the average house, and a diamond tiara on her head worth more than the average suburban community. Why wasn’t she slightly off-put by the terrifying halls of CHS after hours? The befogged hallways? Perhaps she thought she could simply pay off anything that lurked in the shadows.

Of course, nothing actually did lurk in the shadows. It was a high school, after all, and not a morgue.

Her name was Diamond Tiara. Daughter of Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich. In her fingers hung by her side was a small note, ripped straight from the notebook of a student. She had barely batted an eye at such a ludicrous and childish request written on it’s lined surface with a ball point pen.

Meet me at room 513 512 after school. Alone.

Although there wasn’t a name left on the note she had found on her desk late last hour, she could make quite an accurate guess at who it was, judging entirely off of the absolutely terrible and downright ineligible handwriting.

Scootaloo.

It had to be. She was part of the Canterlot Movie Club. A girl from nowhere town. A tomboy with abscent parents. A child with no money. Diamond Tiara thought her, plus her squad of two other girls, were the most annoying characters in the entire school. She had the fashion sense of a dead rat, almost always wearing awful baggy pants and whatever t-shirt she found in the dumpster of a chuck-e-cheese that day.

It was almost like she never put any work into herself. To be fair, her hair was almost always cut short, yet she managed to find a way to make it look messy. At least the other two members of the CMC had the decency to at least attempt to hide their atrocities. Sweetie Belle curled her hair everyday, while Apple Bloom did the bare minimum of putting her hair into a bow. Somehow, Scootaloo scraped below the bare minimum.

She was loud. She was boisterous. She was annoying.So, so very annoying.

Diamond Tiara stopped infront of the door. With a quick visual check between her hasty note and the plaque to the side, she gripped the doorknob and pushed the door open.

There weren’t many abandoned classrooms in the school. Unfortunately for Diamond Tiara, this was one of the few classrooms that had been missed in the remodel after Sunset Shimmer’s… breakdown, let’s call it. The place was full of outdated wooden boards, cans of paint, and building supplies. The room had obviously been used as a storage room at one point, judging by the literal hallways made from desks stacked ontop of eachother picariously.

“Scootaloo!” Diamond Tiara shouted from the door. “I know you’re the one who wrote the note! Stop hiding like a chicken!”

“I’m not hiding!” A familiar voice said from deeper in the room. Diamond Tiara’s face scrunched her face into a frown, crossing her arms and delicately crossing the boundary into the room. It had a faint smell of ancient cigarette smoke. Like getting a whiff of the paper sleeve vinyl records came in.

“Then where are you?” Diamond Tiara asked, pausing momentarily to swipe her finger across the teacher’s desk. A blob of dust came up with her finger, leaving a trail across the wooden surface.

“Back here!”

“Back where?” She asked.

“Back- just-” Her voice was intterupted as she heard a loud crashing sound. One of the many towers of desks had succumbed to the weight of gravity, giving in and falling down with a huge scene. Diamond Tiara watched as a plume of dust began rising from somewhere in the back of the classroom.

“As you were saying?” Diamond Tiara asked, looking at the dust on her finger still. She rubbed it inbetween her thumb, watching as it rolled over on itself in disgust. Yet, she still didn’t get a response from Scootaloo. Her eyes flickered away from her own fingers for a moment. “Scootaloo? As you were saying?” She said louder into the back of the surprisingly deep classroom.

She let out a sigh as she, yet again, didn’t get a response. With an eye-roll that could level worlds, she started walking once more.

The desks were towering above her, getting only tighter and tighter against her sides as she walked deeper in. How a classroom could ever even get ten percent this bad, she had no idea. Her sour face only deepened as she came to a cobweb. For a moment, she considered simply turning around. But she was Diamond Tiara. She wouldn’t let a lowly spider get the betterment of her. She crouched down, probably putting a wrinkle in her designer coat, and began walking once more.

The desks finally spread out into a small clearing. For a moment, Scootaloo was nowhere to be found, and Diamond Tiara resisted the urge to scream in frustration. But, when all hope seemed lost to the poor girl, she looked down.

“There you are!” She said with a huff, finally uncrossing her arms. “What are you doing on the floor? Are you trying to look homeless? I almost got a spider-web on my jacket! Do you know-” Then, finally, Diamond Tiara noticed exactly what Scootaloo was doing.

A heavy metal desk had fallen down directly onto Scootaloo’s left leg. It looked almost like it had painfully split it right in half, a dark liquid beginning to coat her pant leg.

Unbenounced to Diamond Tiara, the Scootaloo laying on the ground forced back a smirk.

“S-Scootaloo?” She whispered. “O-Oh my god! S-Scootaloo!” She fumbled with her fingers for a moment, the paper note being dropped and completely forgotten about. “F-Fuck! Scootaloo!” She quickly leaned down, gripping underneath Scootaloo’s armpits and began pulling. “I-I’ll get you out of here! O-Okay? I’m gonna pull harder, okay? Scootaloo?” But Scootaloo stayed silent, her head going limp under Diamond Tiara’s grip. “One, two-” And then, she tugged.

There was a terrible ripping sound as Scootaloo’s pants leg finally gave up, ripping in half at the knee. Diamond Tiara fell backwards, letting Scootaloo fall to the ground in a heap. Her eyes widened as she stared, quickly realizing that where Scootaloo would usually have a leg was instead just replaced with…

...with nothing.

Scootaloo couldn’t hold back the smirk any longer, but bit the inside of her cheek to stop laughing.

“Oh my- oh my- oh no-” Diamond Tiara quickly stood up, covering her face with both of her hands. “No-no-no-no-” She began backing away from the crime scene in shock, back towards where she came from. Unfortunately, however, she bumped into something surprisingly fleshy.

She turned around.

“Got’cha!” Rainbow Dash was standing behind her in a super-hero pose, arms against her hips as she stared down Diamond Tiara. Dash let a smirk envelop her features as she watched Diamond Tiara wilt under her gaze. “So. You’re the punk that’s been-”

One of the few things Rainbow Dash wasn’t expecting, however, was the sound of a shrill shriek to fill the room. Diamond Tiara screamed, loud enough to shatter even the most delicate of wine glasses. Dash grasped her ears tightly, as did Scootaloo, who was still laying on the floor and pretending to be injured.

In a plume of smoke, Diamond Tiara turned tail and ran back down the small ally way composed of desks. Both girls kept their hands over their ears for a few moments longer, listening as the screaming became fainter and fainter as she ran down the hall.

“Well.” Rainbow said, removing her hands. “That was cruel.”

“Ow…” Scootaloo rubbed her ear. “That… really hurt.”

“What, the desk falling on you? Or Diamond’s scream?” Dash copied Scootaloo in rubbing her ear. “Man, that sucked.” She groaned.

“Give me my leg.” Scootaloo said, sitting up on the ground and looking up at Dash. She reached behind one of the many tipped over desks, pulling out the plastic appendage. From inside the hole where the stump would sit, Dash grabbed the sock and chucked it at Scootaloo. She caught it, pulling her torn pant leg up and over her knee. “Thank god I didn’t get ketchup on my pants.”

“Why not? Would’ve sold it better.”

“Do you think Diamond Tiara needed any more selling?” Scootaloo asked, pulling up the sock around her stump. “That scream sounded pretty real to me.” She reached her hand back out. “Leg.”

“Here.” Dash handed her the leg. Scootaloo took it, rotating it around in the air for a moment so it was facing the correct direction. “Man, it’s still weird seeing you with… you know- or, without a leg.”

“It feels weird showing you.” Scootaloo said, sliding it on. “I usually hide it. I feel kind of… exposed without my pants covering it.”

“Exposed should be the last word you use.” Rainbow said. “Trust me, sis, that thing is sweet.”

“Think so?” Scootaloo gave the leg one last tug.

“Yeah, I do.” Rainbow grabbed Scootaloo’s outstretched hand. “Let’s get you up, ya’ paraplegic.”

“Para-” Scootaloo scoffed as she found her balance. “I am not a paraplegic!”

“What? Why not?”

“Because paraplegic means you’re paralyzed.I am not paralyzed.”

“How do you know that?” Dash asked, both of them walking down the ally.

“Because the doctors thought I was.” Scootaloo said, walking. Somehow, it still managed to surprise Dash at how easy Scootaloo made walking look. Other amputees she had seen usually had a slight hobble, or a favoring of a leg. Not Scootaloo. Perhaps there was strangely little ankle bending in her gait, but to the untrained eye, it wasn’t even noticable.

“The doctor’s thought you were?” Dash asked. “What does that mean?”

“You know-” Scootaloo shrugged. “When I got in my accident. They thought I was paralyzed waist down for a little while. They eventually figured out that it was just temporary paralysis, and that I was fine.” She let out a hollow chuckle, looking down at her leg. “Well- mostly fine.”

“Scootaloo?” Dash had stopped short of the door, looking at her with concerned eyes. Scootaloo took a quick step back in surprise at the sudden change in demeanor. “What accident?”

“My…” Scootaloo took a breath. “How I lost my leg.”

“You weren’t born like that?” She asked, genuinely concerned.

“No. No- of course not. Why would I be born without a leg?”

“I dunno. You just make it look… easy without having a leg. Like you’ve walked without a leg your whole life.” Dash turned closer to Scootaloo. “But… what accident?”

Scootaloo adorned a face of mild uncomfortableness. She found a nearby desk, coincidentally the same one that Diamond Tiara had swiped her finger across earlier. She propped herself up on it, sitting down and letting her legs- or, leg and plastic- dangle down.

“Well…” Scootaloo interlocked her fingers, leaning forwards. “I was in an accident when I was younger.” Rainbow listened, leaning back and forth on her heels. “I don’t remember a lot about it. I don’t even remember loosing my leg. But there was- a car tried merging onto the highway. Car somehow didn’t see us, and- we spun out of control.”

“But your okay, right?” Dash asked with concern.

“Well-” Scootaloo made a broad gesture at her left leg. “Relatively?”

“Oh. Right.”

“I was pretty banged up. Lotta’ stitches. Lotta’ blood.” She shook her head. “Have I… ever told you about my parents?”

“Your parents?” Dash asked. She looked up at the ceiling, thinking. “Huh. I guess not.”

“Yeah.” Scootaloo swallowed. “They didn’t make it.” She looked down.

“Didn’t… make it?” Dash asked in shock. “What do you mean, ‘didn’t make it?’”

“I mean- I don’t have parents.” Scootaloo elaborated. “I don’t even really remember them, either.” Dash stood in shock.

Broken Family - (01) The Pegasus

KA-BLAM
Lightning rocketed across the sky, creating a sickiningly beautiful spider-web of electricity.

Up above the clouds, the six brave pegsus were defiantely beating back the storm, working near constantly to keep the dark thunderclouds at bay on a dark, stormy night.

There happened to be one problem- their small team was vastly outnumebred by the sheer quantity of thunderclouds rolling in from over the Everfree Forest. Everfree storms weren’t unheard of. A storm forms over the Everfree and eventually rolls itself in. What was unheard of was two storms in a row. The Ponyville Weather Team were on their last ponies.

If they let this storm roll over, they would have to rewrite their entire schedule for the next year. That, and getting an earful from their favorite team captain would be their biggest concern.

Through the dark night sky, a whistle blew, stopping the Weather Team in their tracks. Their wings had been horribly abused, almost all of them on the verge of plummeting back down to Equestria. Hearing the whistle made an audible sigh of relief break the monotonous of thunder and lightning.

Together they gathered in between two cloud layers, joining in a circle around tonight’s weather manager, Harrow Black.

“I know we’re all soaked and tired.” He said, gauging the varying states of reaction from the pegasus. “We’re gonna go back to HQ and call in the reserves.”

Like a light switch flipped, the several pegasus immediately cheered up. Harrow liked their reaction, letting a small smile cross his own muzzle.

“But what about the storm?” A voice from the back piped up. The imaginary light switch was flicked back off, the several pegasus dropped a few feet in the air, hanging their head low. “I mean, we’re gonna loose a mile of progress!”

“Bullet-”

“Tell you what, I can make it back to HQ in ten seconds flat!” The pegasus rose from the crowd, displaying his white coat in all of it’s glory. He had a blue mane, blue eyes, and a cutiemark of racing rings.

“I’m sure you can. I’m suggesting going back as a group ‘cause these guys need it.”

“Then they’re chumps!” He said, getting several angry looks. “S-Sorry. But it’s true! If I run back-”

“Fine. I’ll strike you a deal. If you can call in the reserves without taking a nap when you get there, then we’ll stay here and fight the storm. If the reserves aren’t called in within ten minutes, we’re heading back.” Harrow turned to the rest of the group. “How’s that sound? ‘Cause if we go back now, we’ll never hear the end of it from Bullet here.”

As much as they hated it, the group begrudgingly agreed with a few soft nods and murmurs.

“Alright Bullet. Just remember, no flying through storm-”

“Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou!” He said, grabbing the manager’s hoof and violently shaking it. Then, he saluted. “I won’t let you down!” He said. Much to Harrow’s absolute dismay, Bullet closed his wings, and started plummeting straight down.

“Bullet! NO!”

In truth, this was the perfect excuse to get as much speed as possible. Bullet’s game was speed. He was the physical reincarnation of Spitfire, the harrowing Wonderbolt from years gone by. If reincarnation was real. For all he knew, it was. Then, he’d be the most awesome pegasus twice.

The wind caught his mane as he reorintated himself towards the earth. He extended his hooves out infront of him as he dipped into the cloud layer like an athletic swimmer.

His plan was simple. Gain speed. More speed. Even more speed. Then, at the last moment, pull out of his dive. Although his angle was entirely wrong and not diagonal, he was still confident he could pull of the mythological rainboom.

His heart thumped in his chest as the all-too-familiar electric feeling tingled across his hooves and down his spine. Ten seconds flat? Maybe that was a little too far, but this journey would take him less than a minute, for sure.

Just a few more seconds! He thought to himself.

Every hair and feather started standing on edge, clasping his wings tightly to his body, creating the perfect cone shape into the ground. Any moment, he would break the clouds, and pull up. He could feel it. The anticipation. The energy. The adrenaline coarsing through his thematic passages.

The electricity.

…

Wait-

KA-BLAM

Another spider-web of lightning rocketed below the several pegasus, all staring stone-faced at the hole Bullet created through the clouds.

Harrow couldn’t even think. Slowly, and automaticially, they lowered themselves onto the cloud where Bullet dipped below. The group of once-six now-five looked on in awe. It was Harrow who finally spoke.

“I- I think we just lost him to the storm.” A silence drew over the group. Harrow could feel a lead ball forming in his stomach. How would he explain it to the higher-ups? ‘Sorry, but we just had our first death in well over a century.’

“Let’s go back as a group.” He finally decided. Silently, the five pegasus drew their wings, flying away and back towards the nimble town known as Ponyville.

Hours Later…

“Ollie, baby, could you come down for a sec?” Her mother called.

Oliver was currently slouching over a decently sized book. ‘The life and times of Joseph E. Hawley,’ it was titled. She had planned on investing her entire weekend into finishing the book. Fortunately for her, two-hundred thousand words was a cakewalk.

“Ollie?” Her mother’s voice finally broke her laser-focused concentration.

“Uh- coming!” She sputtered through the house. She dramatically pushed her chair backwards, latching her book shut with her olive-green magic. She had a brown mane and light-green coat, and noticably lacking in the cutiemark department.

For a thousand generations, her side of town could manipulate the natural forces present in everyday life. Ollie’s family in paticular had always been more gifted in magic. While someponies could only do specific, job-centric spells, Ollie’s family was more general. They could learn practically anything, as long as it concerned magic.

All this to say, Ollie teleported downstairs, scaring the socks off of her mother, Patchwork.

“Ollie! How many times have I told you to use the stairs?”

“S-Sorry. It’s just so much quicker.” Their house was quaint, with barely enough room for a kitchen, dining room, and living room within the footprint of a particular traveling magicians trailer. One thing, however, was how abhorrently blue the entire home looked. Blue walls. Blue cabinets. Blue mom. Yes, even Patchwork was blue. For a moment, Ollie’s eyes gazed over her mother, looking for her, before noticing her blue eyes.

“You’ve been holed up in your cave the entire weekend, dear.” Her mother said, levitating a saddlebag over.

“Sorry. I’ve just been reading this book about-”

“I’m sure it was great.” She stopped her, mid-rant. Patchwork knew better than to let her daughter start that. “But I want you to go outside. Get some fresh-air.”

“I could always crack a window.”

“No. I want you outside.” She placed the saddlebags across Ollie’s withers.

“What are these for?” She asked.

“Those are for berries.”

“Berries?”

“Mhm. I’m running low here. Your father gets home tonight, and I want to make him a meal to remember.”

“So instead of buying berries, you’re making me scrounge for them?”

“Oh hush. It’s not that bad. Naturally grown berries always taste the best!”

“Mom, we live in Ponyville. Everything is naturally grown.”

“Go on, I won’t hear another word of this!” Patchwork started pushing her out the door, much to Ollie’s dismay. With a loud thump, Ollie was sitting outside on the dirt, moistened from last night’s unplanned thunderstorm.

Unscheduled rain was nothing to be scoffed at. Infact, it was impressive to have a storm get through the Weather Team.

In all fairness, those feather-brained maniacs have no idea what they’re doing. Thought Ollie spitefully. If I grew a pair of wings tomorrow, I could do a much better job. Atleast, that’s what she tells herself.

Ollie started walking down the street. A cart being pulled by a cream stallion was levitating the fallen sticks from last night’s storm into said cart. Everypony had a different color to their magic. For instance, Ollie’s was golden, like her eyes. Different color, and everypony had a different strength. Someponies could barely lift an acorn. Others, like Ollie, could maybe lift an entire house.

Ollie dipped behind a few dank allies, and eventually popped out to the other side of the road, away from the residentials and into the business district. Shop-fronts lined the buildings as ponies tried desperately to sell half-grown potatoes.

As much as Ollie hated to admit it-

Earth Pony magic would come in handy to make every dinner taste like food and not like a useless pile of sand.

Every stall that lined the walls, and everypony walking the streets, were all unicorns. Not a single pegasus or earth-pony in sight. And there was a reason for this.

“Buy some apples here! Best apples… this side of town.”

“The sun’s always beatin’! Need a hat? Come buy a hat!”

“Want some defense against the other tribes? Invasion is always looming!”

Pegasus and earth-ponies were dangerous. They were brutes, snobs, and above all else, baby-eating psycopaths. Unicorns were the most sophisticated and civilized of the three tribes, this much was clear. Unicorns had never threatened anypony. ...Right?

Ollie had arrived at her destination. The long alley full of stalls eventually opened up into a large clearing. In the middle, much like the Town Hall was in the middle of Ponyville, stood a triple-story bakery with a brown chocolate-colored roof. It was overbearingly decorated with candy-canes, gum drops, and other pieces of candy.

To somepony like Ollie, it was aboslutely garish and freaky.

Not only that, but the building was falling into a state of disrepair. The candycane’s red had long since faded and has started flaking off. The windows had become fogged, and the chimney no longer blew smoke. Yet, the line outfront told a different story.

The young unicorn weaved her way through the crowd. Eventually, with enough ‘excuse me,’ and ‘pardon me’s,’ Ollie found herself inside the small building, more specificially, the unusually deserted dining room. Everypony was here for to-go, and nopony had time to sit down anymore.

Her senses were suddenly filled with the distinct odor of various cookies oozing out of the kitchen. She turned to the smell, like a cartoon following a line of cloud.

Ollie spotted a light-pink stallion behind the counter. He was tall and brutish, yet his eyes were full of joy. He shook a hoof, taking the money with his magic and delivering a box of treats to the customer. His cheeks were red from smiling, and lines shown the age on his muzzle. Despite this, he never stopped smiling. Ollie was sure he even smiled while sleeping.

It only took a moment, but the man stopped taking orders when he spotted Ollie.

“Whe-hey! Who’s this chump?” He projected, whispering something to his co-worker, then leaving the confines of the counter.

“Hey, Candy.” Ollie waved. The stallion bounded over to the yearling, basicially towering over the small unicorn.

“What’cha doin’ here? Don’t usually come this time o’ day, right?”

“Right. But mom wants me out of the house. Is there anything that I could do? To help out?” Ollie broke eye contact for the moment, before regaining focus. The stallion looked like he was thinking, putting a hoof to his chin.

“Well, we could’a used a toilet scraper a few minutes ago?”

“E-e-w. No thanks.” The face Candy made Ollie think he already knew what she was gonna say. He chuckled for a moment, before turning more serious. Well, as serious as a smile can get.

“How bout’ this- I have a poster Mayor Mare has been raggin’ on me to get up since thursday. I hadn’t had the time to do it me’self. But, if you wanna do it, be my guest, little miss.” Finally, something Ollie could get behind.

A moment later, Candy exchanged levitation spells with Ollie as she grasped a rolled up paper and a roll of duck-tape. She strolled to the window, facing out to the large crowd. With her magic, she rolled it out across the window, placing four pieces of tape on the four corners.

…

Then, the tape wasn’t straight enough, so she had to do it again.

…

Okay, maybe using four seperate pieces of tape was too much. Instead, Ollie just rolled two pieces of tape across the top and bottom.

…

The corners didn’t perfectly line up with the edge of the poster. With a snip of scissors later, going at a snails pace, it was finally perfect. With a wave to Candy, she left the shop.

Squeezing past the mare currently taking up the entire door frame, Ollie took a few steps backwards to look at the poster, to look at her handiwork.

The sky was black. The ground was blood-red. Two figures took up the poster, one on the ground, and one, with red, evil eyes, flying above the grounded pony. The pegasus held a spear, pointing at the helpless, and defenseless unicorn.

Ollie felt a pang of guilt. Guilt at this misrepresentation. If only Ollie could study those wings up close-

No. The pegasus were scary. The pegasus don’t deserve kindness. The pang of guilt was suddnely flushed outwords with anger.

That anger continued to double as she heard a voice behind her.

“Ooh- Ollie the cave dweller that never leaves her room. What a sight!” The very entitled english voice came over her shoulder. It came from another yearling, about the same age as Ollie. She was shorter, and had a light-purple coat. Her mane was stylized upwards in a bun that screamed fashion statement. Ollie knew this menace, however. It was the local school-bully.

Although school had been out for a few months, that fact didn’t make the bully dissapear.

“Wow. What a sight. She didn’t even get her cutiemark yet.” A second voice spoke. Next to the short unicorn was an even shorter and more annoying unicorn with a lightblue coat and darker hair. She looked slightly younger than the first.

Ollie rolled her eyes and shoudlers, letting out a defeated ‘ugh,’ before trying to walk away.

“Where are you going, blank flank?”

“What do you two want?” She asked, still walking away, and still irritatingly being followed by the two ponies.

“We just wanna see our favorite blankflank before school starts!” Said the purple one.

“I appreciate your-”

“That’s right, Platty.” Said the blue one. “We’re just here to give a warm welcome!”

“I don’t need-”

“Yeah, Nimbus, we wouldn’t want to leave our newest friend hanging?” Said the purple one named Platty.

“Look, I appreciate-”

“Sorry, but I don’t know if we-”

“LISTEN.” Ollie suddenly, turned around, shouting at the two fillies. “Leave me alone, dammit!” Ollie yelled, before galloping off towards the forest, leaving a stunned two fillies.

“Yikes. Like, what was her problem?” Asked Nimbus.

“I dunno. We should follow her.”

“Why?”

“’Cause I gotta plan.

Ollie, on the otherhoof, had decided to finally start picking those berries her mother wanted. She crossed the threshold of the forest, delving deeper into the Everfree. She knew to stay close to the edge, no matter how tempting some of the flaura seemed.

Mother always told her to never eat the blue flowers. Even if they looked amazing.

Ollie had stopped at a nearby bush, picking with her magic the blue spheres. She levitated a couple into her bag before continuing to the next bush. She was careful to only take a few. Leaving none for the critters would’ve been mean and hurtful to the biome.

A crunch of a twig turned her attention behind her, looking over her shoulder towards the sound. Yet again, the two ponies had followed her.

“Didn’t I-”

“Wait!” Said Platty. “We’re here to apolagize.” She said, looking down, eyes full of tears. Something went off in her head, though, telling her they were lying.

“Yeah. We’re, like, totally sorry for being rude.” Said Nimbus.

“I-”

“But, like, we need a favor.”

“Yeah, a huge one.”

“If you could be, like, kind to help us?”

“What?” Ollie asked, tilting her head.

“Just say yes, and I’ll tell you.”

“But-”

“Just say yes.”

“Ugh.” Ollie lowered her head in defeat. “Fine.” To be fair, she didn’t have anything else to do. What else was she going to do, pick some more berries and post more posters? “I’ll do whatever you-”

“Great!” Platty yelled, crossing the distance between the two. “You’ll need this-” She levitated a map, to which Ollie begrudgingly switched spells. “And we’ll be waiting!”

“Wait- you still didn’t tell me-”

“Oh yeah. We, like, lost our backpack.” Nimbus said. “And we need your help.”

“Sure you-”

“It’s true!” Platty piped up. “You don’t want to leave your new friends hanging, do you?”

“Ugh. Alright, I’ll go. Jeez.” Ollie turned around, leaving a snickering pair of ponies behind her wake.

“Quickly. Go tell the mermaid.”

Although Ollie knew there was going to be nothing at the edge of the map, taking a hike to the scariest forest this half of the hemisphere was more exciting than anything else she had planned for today. Well, nothing and that book she so desperately wanted to get back to.

The map in question was so obviosuly scrawled in under ten seconds, Ollie sworn a crayon fell out when she uncurled it. It was a simple piece of yellowed-paper, reminiscent of the pre-dissaperance days. It simply showed a brick road to follow.

Eventually, Ollie’s hooves met brick as she linked from wild forest to laid path.

Ollie wondered why the ponies laid a brick path through the worst forest in the world. It’s apperance was decieving, however. Perhaps it was laid before the forest grew to the way it was now. Although it looked fresh, it could’ve easily been half-a-millennia old.

Instinctively, Ollie willed a new piece of paper from existance. This one had nothing written on it, yet Ollie also willed a quill from the depths of her room.

She wrote on the top in big, large letters.

Scary Forest Checklist.

Big Tree. Check.

Old Road. Check.

Map. Check.

Rustling sound to my right. Check-

Wait a minute.

Instantly, Ollie dropped the checklist with a ragged and sudden gasp. With a kick of her hooves, she threw herself behind a nearby bush.

Her heard started thumping perhaps a little harder than that little exertion should’ve made her. She threw a hoof over her mouth, breathing deeply into it. Whatever that was couldn’t of been large, judging on how it’s entire body was hidden inside of the bush to her right.

Ollie went through the possible things it could’ve been. A snake could easily curl up in a bush that size. Or perhaps a spider! It could even be a cockatrice! If Ollie was turned to stone out here, it’s extremely likely she wouldn’t be found for years. And survivors of the cockatrice have stated that the pony gains full conciousness, even while petrified.

Slowly, Ollie peeked her head over the bush, braving a look. If she saw a chicken, she would have to play it careful.

Her eyes met beady ones.

A squirrel ran from the bush up a nearby tree.

She let out a long sigh, brushing sweat from her brow. Magicailly, she hoisted the list from the ground, straightening her quill back out.

Scary Squirrel. Check.

As she continued down the path, she noted how far she had actually came into the forest. Never before had she ever been deeper in than a few house lengths. Now… she’d been walking for all of ten minutes. That’s a long time! Her legs had started to ache a few moments ago, and she breifly considered taking a rest.

Although it was bright right now, the sun streaming through the canopy, Ollie had no idea how long that would last. After all, the Everfree creates it’s own weather.

Independent Weather System. Check.

Actually, she had no idea if this was true. It was scheduled to be sunny today, and the sun was currently out.

She scribbled that one out.

After a few more moments of walking, she crossed a small, yet upkept bridge. Without even chancing a second glance, she crossed it.

Suprisingly Nice Bridge. Check.

Yet, unbenounced to her, a creature lurked in the water, just underneath the surface. It’s pony-like eyes stuck above the water, watching the pony from a distance.

“Dammit.” He whispered to himself. “Just missed her. Gotta wait ‘till she comes back.” He said to nopony in paticular. The creature slipped back under the warm embrace of the water, deciding to bide his time, waiting for the oppertune moment his prey come back.

“Nice.” Ollie said, looking around the surrounding area. This is where the map led. It ended here, yet there was nothing. Ollie had seen it coming from miles away, but for the sake of adventuring, she took the bait and found nothing. No prize. No ‘congratulations’ banner. Just the end of the small brick road. To be fair, she hadn’t expected anything else, and it was just a short ten-minute jog out here, but the stinge of dissapointment still hung loosely in the air.

Frustrated, she kicked a rock into the bushes just beyond the clearing, and turned around to trot away.

…

thunk

…

“Ow.”

…

Ollie stopped, two hooves still in the air awaiting a firm step onto the ground. Soon, she fell off-balance, resting on her knees. She was blankly staring forwards, her mouth open in shock. Something told her to stay still, make herself as small as possible, to which she did. Something was out there, and that something sounded…

Like a pony.

She took a chance, looking behind her, heart still thumping. There, behind the bushes, she could see- still nothing. She rested on the dirt floor, taking a few deep breaths to reorintate herself. Whatever she had inadvertantly hit with a rock didn’t seem to be attacking her.

That, or it was biding it’s time.

That thought stopped Ollie in her tracks once more, still staring blankly at the bushes infront of her.

She sat there for over five minutes, her ears flickering back and forth at the swaying of tree leaves, trying to hear whatever caused that noise. Eventually, she started calming down. She thought it could’ve been nothing more than a coincidence. Hitting a rock just right to make it sound like a pony saying ‘ow.’ That was, currently, the only explanation.

Finally, with weak knees, she stood onto her fours. There, she took a sharp turn, to see if the mystery monster had finally decided to pounce. Yet again, there was nothing but the ever-growing expanse of green shrubbery.

She wanted to start trotting away again. She wanted so desperately to leave the woods and return to her house. Lock herself in her room again, and never step foot outside again.

Yet, there was that pony nature. Curiosity. Curiosity seeped through her veins as she felt like a marionette, being tugged by the strings towards the horrifyingly real pony voice. Curiosity killed the cat… but who’s to say the cat didn’t witness something spectacular in it’s dying moments.

She bent branches out of the way with her magic. A few rough patches released a cracking sound, which temporarily haulted her, ears swaying for any sound. Yet, nothing came out.

Ollie was on the verge of turning around, until she came out to an open clearing.

Above, the tree canopy was damaged. The usual monotony of forever leaves was broken apart via a hole in the ceiling. The branches had been forcibly pushed out of the way, a few branches even being snapped. A godly orange glow fluttered down and unto the green grass below. Despite being the Everfree, nopony could deny the overwhelming peace that perminated across this current field.

Ollie’s eyes slowly drifted downwards.

There, in the center of the clearing, so cozily curled up into a ball, was a pony.

A colt with the cutiemark of racing rings, a flame trailing behind them. Where should have been a white coat was instead a hazy gray, burned and singed hair covering his body from head-to-hoof. His mane was no better, what looked to be bright burning blue was instead a dull, almost purple haze.

His head was resting on the ground, soft breathing sounds coming from his muzzle. The dirt was being blown away with every exhale, the grass peacefully swaying in the wind. His legs, curled up against his body like a cat. Every once in a while, his hind one would give a small kick.

To Ollie, her heart fluttered upon seeing the blissful scene. It was peaceful.

That was, until she saw his wings.

“Fuck!” She yelled, throwing her entire body behind the bush she had just rose from moments before. Once again, her heart started thumping.

This wasn’t good. They were always, always warned about the other tribed. The scary ones. The ones who were wrong. The ones who teamed up against unicorns to overthrow, and ultimately kill, Queen Celestia and Princess Luna.

Their history was covered in blood. Unicorns were raised from day one to fear the powers of flight, or the strength and endurance of earth-ponies…

And there was one, currently no less then a dozen hooves away from Ollie, taking a nap.

She had to think fast. With yet another painfully loud pop, she summoned a blank piece of paper and a new, dirt-free quill. She started writing.

Option one: Turn and run away.

Pros – come out with your life.

Cons – If he it wakes up, it’ll smell your trail and hunt you down.

Option two: Kill it.

Pros – No more trail-hunting. Come out with your life (not guarenteed)

Cons – Other pegasus will be alerted to the death of their own. May have only a few minutes to escape.

Well, a few minutes were better than none at all.

Without hesitation, Ollie levitated a nearby rock. It was decently-sized, easily enough to put a hole in somepony’s head. The fact she was thinking about this at all made her slightly woozy, but she decided it was the best way to ensure survival.

Slowly, she moved away from the comforting sense of shelter, moving outwards and into the open. There, she once again laid eyes on the pegasus. His dirty, filthy coat burning into her eyes as she took shaky step after shaky step. The blood was pounding in her ears as she approached, a burning sensation coming from her horn as she focused more and more of keeping the levitation spell up.

This wasn’t right, that was for sure.

But she would be regarded as a town hero for slaying a pegasus.

A real pegasus! That’s what she wanted.

Right?

Her shadow loomed ominously over the pegasus. It’s eyes were still closed, resting peacefully. She tried convincing herself that it wouldn’t feel a thing. Just a flick of the horn and it would all be over.

Carefully, the rock moved position a good few hooves above the pegasuses head. This was it.

All she had to do was cancel the spell.

…

All she had to do was cancel the spell.

…

Yet, she couldn’t do it. She could feel her magic faultering, being mentally exhausted. But for some reason, she still poured magic into the rock, managing the spell, and stopping it from canceling.

It was only now, while she was a few inches away from the pegasus, she noticed something striking. It’s wings. Not only the fact that it has wings, but the condition they were in. The white was covered in soot, and the ridge of the wing where the feathers connected looked bent at an unweildy angle.

If Ollie didn’t know any better, she would assume it was broken.

…

Broken. A pegasus, on the ground, covered in black soot, with a bent wing.

She wasn’t slaying a creature. She was killing a wounded.

With a sharp gasp, she took a few steps back. She felt like throwing up. Why was she feeling like this? It was a pegasus! Some of the most feared creatures outside the Everfree! Yet, here she was, taking mercy. What kind of unicorn would her parents think she was? Not killing a pegasus? Would they hate her more for killing a wounded one?

Finally, after moving the floating rock next to her, she canceled the levitation spell, letting the boulder hit the ground.

She breathed out. She could probably make it home still. Maybe if she was fast enough, it wouldn’t catch her.

Before turning around, she caught one last glance at the creature. Once more, it was laying peacefully. It’s head resting on the dirt. It’s bright baby blue eyes, gazing back at Ollie.

…

They were making eye contact. Ollie could only watch in abstract horror as the monster slowly raised itself to it’s hooves, keeping direct eye contact. Soon, he stood up, and Ollie realized his impressive wingspan. Easily thirty hooves in width, Ollie felt small. Insignificant. This would be the last emotions running through her mind before her untimly death.

Rooted to the ground, she felt at peace with the world. What happens next, happens. No matter what she does, the outcome of this situation can no longer change. Fate is in Celestia’s hooves-

“WHAT THE BUCK?” A ghastly screech came from the pegasus. It backed up, it’s flank hitting the tree, and uncerimoniusly falling down, kicking it’s hooves into the dirt. “Holy shit! You’re an earth-pony!” He yelled.

“What? I’m a unicorn, you dope!”

“Oh Celestia, even worse!” It said, closing it’s eyes. “Please don’t melt my brain with your super powers, please!” It’s hooves went over it’s eyes. Ollie could only stare, completely agast at the change of events.

Not only did this pegasus not sink it’s horrible fangs into her neck, but it also appeared scared. Of course, this could be a trick. Yet, as hard as Ollie looked into his cowering eyes, she couldn’t find any trace of acting. This had to be genuine.

Which started to egg the question- why was this pegasus scared of unicorns?

Instantly, her brain boomed with a million more questions. This was it. Her opportunity for research. Further develop pony-kind into understanding the introspective of every-day life.

First things first- are they kind?

“Calm down.” She practically breathed. “I’m not going to melt your brain.”

“Then- Then- what are you gonna do to me?” He shivered, peeking his eyes out from under his hooves.

“Well. I was going to melt your brain, but seeing you scared is enough satisfaction.”

Suddenly, transition to humans! Because IDFK dude what was I thinking.

“Holy shit! You're a stronger! Please, don’t eat my insides!” The man yelled, while blocking his face with his arm.

“What? I’m a Magical, you dope!” Ollie retorted with a tone which surprised even her.

“Oh god, even worse!” The man looked away, and squinted his eyes shut. “Please don’t melt my brain with your powers, please!”

“Calm down, I can’t melt your brain.” Ollie admitted.

“You- You can’t?” He lowered his arm, only to reposition himself on the ground.

“No. Of course not, that’s not how magic works.”

“Then- what- what are you gonna do?” The man questioned intently, with piercing eyes.

“Well, I’m going to school to become a family doctor, if that's what you mean.” She shrugged her shoulders. The man looked on with interest. All things considered, she was being surprisingly calm. Even she surprised herself.

“Can you levitate that rock?” He pointed to the same rock Ollie dropped moments before. The tone in his voice changed from pure terror to curiosity in a matter of moments.

“Well, yeah.” Ollie faced her palm towards the rock, and within a few moments, the rock was engulfed in a haze of gold, the color of her magic. It lifted a few inches off the ground. Then, it fell back down with clutter.

“Too heavy.” She said, still eyeing the man. Was this just a distraction still?

“Too heavy? Is- Is there a limit to how much? How much magic can you use?”

“Yeah, I get a headache-” Ollie kept looking at him. Deep in his blue eyes, she saw innocence and curiosity peering back. Just like a child. A magical child, that is. He seemed just like a Magical, just with large wings.

“So.” Ollie’s voice changed back to demeaning. “What is your name?”

The man, feeling the presence change, adjusted his demeanor as well, shrinking back into a state of fear. “Oh- um, My name is- It’s Trent.”

What a human name for a Flyer.

“What is yours?” Trent peered back.

Ollie put her hands on her hips, flipping back her hair. “It’s Oliver.” She said, somewhat demanding. “But you can call me Ollie.”

A squeal of pain made her lose her focus. Trent had let his broken wing touch the ground. It shot pain through his back.

Ollie looked at the creature she was conditioned to fear her entire life. Here it was, squealing in pain from a broken wing.

Maybe she could help it? She had never healed a wing bone before. Sure, broken legs, broken arms, a few ribs, but what was the process of a wing? Was it any different?

Her body flinched. For a moment, she was going to take a step forward, but her body told her not to. After seeing him with piercing curiosity, being in pain, she realized one simple truth: This thing was a human, as much as Ollie herself was. Just because it didn’t have magic doesn't mean she should treat it any differently… right?

Finally, she took a step forward. Trent stopped focusing on his wing, and looked at the approaching Magical. Her demeanor had changed. She was no longer threatening, her face wore a mask of sympathy.

“What are you doing?” He questioned with fear the looming figure. She crouched down next to him. He could feel her presence, and she looked fearless.

In reality, the question he asked was going through her brain a million times. What was she doing? Was she insane? Why was she doing this?

But all Trent saw was a hand extending out to grab his wing. She tentatively grabbed it, and brought it towards herself.

“O-okay.” She said, her voice quivering. “This might hurt a bit, I’m going to relocate the bone.”

“Alright.”

“On three, three-” She cracked it back into place, before Trent even had a second to prepare. He flinched, but the immediate relief brought with the bone clicking back into place was immeasurable. He let out a sigh of relief.

“I thought you said you were gonna go on three?” He questioned.

“I did. I went on three.” She clasped her fingers around the broken bone, and closed her eyes. Within a moment, a wave of warm air encompassed the split. His wing glowed with a hint of gold, and Trent could feel the bone being maneuvered back into place.

“What was that?”

“Healing spell. That should hold it together until you can get a cast. I wouldn’t recommend flying for a few days.” Ollie looked at her handiwork. She couldn’t tell from the outside, but she assumed she did a good job.

Ollie turned to look at Trent again. “By the way, why were you sleeping on the ground?”

“Oh.” The question took Trent by surprise. He looked upwards towards the hole in the canopy. His face scrunched up as he tried to remember the night before.

“Well, there was a storm we were trying to fight off,”

“It did rain last night.”

“And I ‘accidentally’ dived through the clouds, got struck by lightning, I think.” He put a finger to his chin, deep in thought. Suddenly, his eyes lit-up. Not with excitement, but with absolute fear, and maybe a twinge of sadness.

“Oh no! My parents must think I’m dead!” He put his fingers through his singed hair. “I gotta get back!” Trent got on his legs in an instant, closing his wings into a surprisingly small footprint.

“What?” Ollie looked on in awe, as she got onto her feet a fair while after Trent stood up.

“My parents!”

“You have parents?”

“Yes?”

“I just thought you were all orphans.”

A silence broke through the two of them, as Trent looked on, not in anger, or dissatisfaction, but confusion.

“I thoughtyouwere the orphans.” He said. “Your tribe was too snobbish to have children.”

“I thought your tribe was too violent to have children.”

Again, they sat in silence. What else were they lied to about? Could this be the single example of an enemy being friendly, or were they all like this?

Ollie looked down to the rocks below. The rocks that started it all. She adamantly kicked one across the ground, and then looked back towards Trent.

“So… We gonna head back to the village?” Ollie asked.

“I hope so. I dunno the way out.”

“There’s an old brick path not far from here. We can follow it all the way back, if you want to.”

“I mean, sure. We can talk a bit too, can't we?”

They both walked back onto the brick path from before. Trent took a little longer to walk through the brush, as Ollie extended her palm, pushing the twigs away like a gust of wind, Trent was left to shimmy and squirm through..

Trent noticed where he was. God, he only assumed the crash zone was a little out-of-the way of the village. But looking down at the trees, all he could see was more and more trees.

“Hey- Ollie. How far out are we? From the village?”

Ollie turned around to face Trent, and with a slight smile, “Oh, only about thirty, thirty-five minutes.” Trent cringed, the thought of being so far away from home.

The ceiling of the forest never seemed closer until now. If only he could fly, he could make it back in ten seconds flat.

It wasn’t long before he realized how long walking took. After all these years, flying almost constantly, things seemed smaller while moving fast. Small dots made up people down in the town, but with every step he took, Trent could almost feel his legs start to atrophy.

But Ollie pranced in front of him, almost like nothing was wrong. Which was ridiculous, considering she had to have walked all the way here first. Her legs must be on fire.

Not only was the long distance killing him, but the break in his wing started to bother him again. Maybe Magical’s magic wasn’t all it was sought-to-be.

Even though there was no walking and talking through the journey, Ollie recognized the impatient nature of the man behind her. Every few minutes, he would readjust his wings, making a slight groaning sound, increasing in volume every time he did so. It was enough to make the simplest of minds go insane, but Ollie wasn’t no simple mind.

She stopped suddenly, and turned on a dime towards Trent. He hadn’t seen her for a moment because he was looking towards the ground. He almost ran into her, but stopped a foot away in a jut.

“Alright, enough complaining, what’s wrong?” Ollie snapped at him.

“What?” Trent, apparently surprised by her short fuse.

“You’ve been complaining ever since we left the hole I dug you out of!” It took Trent by surprise, the awful tone of her voice made him shrink, something only his mother could do.

“It’s- I’m used to flying everywhere. My wings usually get more exercise than this.” With a motion, Trent moved the broken wing in a circular motion, indicating the strain. “They kinda hurt. There’s nothing to rest them on.”

“If your wings hurt so bad after being cooped up, what do they do with normal bone-breaks?”

“Well, doctors usually use a jacket to hold the wings close to the body while it heals.” Trent thought deeply, looking towards the sky. In the half-hour of travel, the canopy of the trees had noticeably lost density. They must be close to the village by now.

“They- So like a cast? Hold on.” Ollie took off her backpack, and with a sharp rock she found on the ground, cut a hold in the back, a slot large enough to fit wings in.

“Here, does this help?” Trent quietly pulled the backpack, and with a little maneuvering, his wings snugly fit inside. The contents of the backpack pushed against his wings, pinning them against the inside.

“Uh- yeah. That helps a ton, thanks. By the way, whose backpack is this?”

“My moms.”

“Your mom’s? Is she going to be mad?” Trent’s face contorted.

“No, or yes, I dunno. Wanna go say hi?” The question came from nowhere, and confused Trent slightly.

“Wh- go say hi?” He asked, still unsure of what she meant.

“Yeah. Maybe pop by for a visit.”

“In your district? That sounds like a horrible idea.”

“But who would know? You got a backpack on, you look just like us!” It did sound tempting. Getting to see how the ‘other side’ lived. Luxury? Dump? It was all a question to him. But he needed more convincing.

“Are you sure? What happens if I get caught? Do they lock me in prison for trespassing?”

Ollie, surprisingly, let out a small chuckle. “I don’t take you for the cautious. I didn’t think Flyers could be cautious.”

“Yeah? Well- I didn’t think Magical could be so generous!” Trent snapped back. Ollie was taken-aback. Not because it was insulting, but because it was supposedto be insulting?

“Was- was that an insult?”

Trent’s face scrunched up. “Yeah!”

“That was adorable.”

“No it wasn’t!” Trent’s face went red with embarrassment, but all the same Ollie understood his anger. She had felt the same way many times before. Instead of belittling him, like has happened to her many times before, she let it go.

“Alright, I believe you. But I still want you to come.”

“Why should I trust you?” Trent asked. It took Ollie a second to come up with an answer. She hadn’t thought of why, only how to do it.

“Because when will you get the chance again?” Her head tilted. She could watch his face work, debating. Juggling the mental issues, and weighing the danger. Secretly, Ollie was hoping he would say yes. Although she still knew nothing about his kind, although they could still be blood-thirsty brutes, Ollie felt inclined to trust him. She didn’t, but the seeds were planted.

“Ugh-” He sighed. “Fine, you convinced me.”

Ollie jumped slightly, honestly surprised. This was it, she could show him the other side! Curiosity pushed back the superstition, and for the first time since meeting him, she wanted to hug him. Unrelenting happiness, Ollie looked at Trent like another human.

It only lasted for a second, she quickly came down from the high, but for the rest of the walk, she had a slight bounce in her step. Trent was still uncertain, and compared to Ollie, it looked like he was trying to walk on glass.

What… What did he just see?

A flyer? With a Magical? Impossible. It was just as probable as raining cats and dogs. They should’ve been ripping at each other's throats.

He sank back under the water. Maybe harmony would return to earth? Was he witnessing the renaissance in progress? He had to tell the other two. After all, they were his friends. But this was not part of the plan. It was just to scare Ollie while walking back.

He swam quickly, breaching the surface of the water back at the village-stream. There, a few feet to his right, the two sat on the bench.

“Oh, look, Cassandra, it's the mermaid again!” The shorter of the two pointed towards the breached person.

“Not a mermaid, I’m a-”

“Shut it. Did you do what we wanted?” The creature looked down towards the water, and shook his head.

“What? Can you seriously not follow simple instructions, water-brain? Seriously, just appear out of the water, and she would be running for the hills-”

“We have a bigger problem.” The creature cut Cusandra off. Cusandra was noticeably taken aback by being interrupted.

“Oliver is with a Flyer.” Instead of the reaction he expected, he only got a scuff of the nose by Jill, the shorter of the two. “A Flyer? Seriously? You wanna scare us now? We thought better of you.”

“I’m being serious. He was complaining about his wings, and Oliver gave him a backpack to cover them up. This is serious.”

“Jill, I think he’s telling the truth.” Cassandra said. Jill looked at her with a squinted eye.

“Why?”

“Because, look.” She grabbed Jill’s shoulder and pointed towards the tree line. Out of the brush, two teens came out. One with black hair cut to her shoulders, wearing a purple t-shirt. The other one, with dirty blonde hair, wearing a black-stained white shirt, and an oversized backpack.

The three kept staring, watching them cross the grassy knoll that separated the buildings from the forest. She looked almost happy. Happier than she went in, atleast. Which was not part of the plan.

“Oh my god. Did- did she walk in with anyone else?” Cassandra asked Jill.

“No. We watched her.”

“Did anyone else enter the forest after her?”

“No. We watched the forest.”

They sat in silence for a few more moments, taking in the scene. Although they didn’t want to believe the creaturethey had taken advantage of, his story added up. The person that walked out with Ollie was a Flyer.

Ollie was a traitor.

“We have to tell someone.” Cassandra stated.

“Who?”

“The Mayor. The Mayor would understand.” Quickly, they both stood up, and started walking away, like they were both on the same brain wave.

“Wait! What about me?” The creature in the water shouted.

“You didn’t scare her, you don’t get your pay!”

“Bruh.” The creature splashed the water in frustration before dipping back below the surface.

Broken Family - (02) The Mayor

In the middle of the seemingly peaceful town, a large borderline monotlitic circular structure dominated the sky-line. No other buildings came close to it’s height, the ancient spire being the tallest by a small landslide.

Much like the rest of the village, the building was decrepit. What was once state of the art a hundred years ago was falling apart from years of neglect and disrepair. Red paint peeled the walls, while the wood sagged under every step. The flags that united the three tribes all those years ago were no more than tattered cloth, being held up by nothing more than a metal pole.

Once a friendly town-hall became a foreboding structure, shooting fear through the hearts of anyone who chanced a glance in its general direction.

Inside of said building was a large hall. The room was a huge cylinder, smaller levels being separated by balconies that went higher and higher. Spotlights dangled from balconies, glowing an orange light, a stark contrast to the cool blue light outside.

Three doors were evenly spaced across the room. Above each door, a corresponding sign. The one to the right said ‘District of Flyers.’ To the left, a sign was crudely drawn with what looked like charcoal, simply stating ‘Strongers.’

Cassandra was sitting on a wooden chair, pushed against the frame of the third door. Her body was awkwardly positioned, her torso facing the dull, gray, and humid room, while her legs were facing towards the open door. Towards the cool air. Towards freedom from his horrifying palace. She wore an expression of concern, hiding underneath a facade reminiscent of the word ‘calm.’

Her leg was bouncing up and down, tapping impatiently. Being the daughter of the richest man this quarter of the village has long since taught her patience. Waiting was her special talent. Yet being here, in the hall where the other half conversed was enough to get anyone nervous. And it was apparent.

Eventually, to her left, she heard the sound of creaking floorboards. She turned her head, looking at the incoming person.

It was the mayor of the Magical. She was about the same height as Cassandra, she also had black hair down to her shoulders, cut short. She wore a brilliantly white suit, showing off the magical might. Something her family was proud of. Something every family was proud of.

She stopped in the door, looking at Cassandra with her beady eyes. Along the bridge of her nose was a small indent, where glasses were supposed to sit. For some reason, she wasn’t wearing any.

“Come.” She said, taking a hand from out of her own locked fingers. “The meeting will start shortly.”

Her voice was raspy and low. Slowly, Cassandra got to her feet. As long as she was next to a magical, she felt a little bit better. Together they walked into the hall. Cassandra craned her neck upwards, trying to take in the full scale of the place they were in. The spotlights put spots in her eyes, blinking away the light.

Suddenly, a hand shot out, grabbing her shoulder and pulling her back. Cassandra’s heart almost stopped, her breathing became ragged. She turned around, looking at the mayor. She had a patient look on her face. Slowly, she raised a finger, pointing to the floor.

Cassandra followed her finger. On the floor were pieces of tape, separating the large room into thirds.

This was a warning. Cassandra had just been warned.

Swallowing a lump in her throat, she took a few steps backwards. She didn’t want to cross into their territory. At that point, her life wouldn’ve been forfeit.

Creaking floorboards warned the pair of an approaching figure. From her right, she turned to look.

A taller man was approaching. His suit was a fuzzy brown leather-like material. His hair was brown, his suit brown, his eyes brown.

Cassandra looked at the man, then the floor. He was, for some reason, beyond the tape. Cassandra looked back up at the man. His face reminded her of father. A warm, yet tired look down, he offered a smile, stopping a short distance away.

“Jennifer!” He said, clasping his hands together. “What do I owe the pleasure of discussing today?” He flicked his wrist out, pulling up his sleeve and revealing a watch.

“We don’t need to wait for… her.” The mayor, now known as Jennifer, said. Her voice dripped with malice, which confused Cassandra.

“You’re right. This is just between us?” He asked.

“Right.” She said.

“So… no weather stuff?” He shrugged his shoulders, holding the palm of his hands up towards the sky. “Because that was a freak accident last night. Our team just got overwhelmed, and the reserves were already-”

“It’s fine.” Jennifer responded curtly. The man stopped talking, looking onwards. No matter how hard Cassandra tried to put a name to his face, she couldn’t do it. Simply put, the man was unfamiliar and foreign. And Cassandra’s family knew everybody.

“Excuse me.” Cassandra said, making her presence know.

“Hey, young lady.” The man waved. Jennifer looked from Cassandra back at the man, judging and making her place in the space well known. “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced.” Even the man’s face had dropped, almost expecting Cassandra to last out.

“My name is Cassandra.” She said. “I don’t know who you are, and my family knows everybody.”

“Oh- well, that’s obvious.” He said, laughing slightly. “I don’t come from over there, Cassandra.”

“What do you mean?” She asked, suddenly even more wary of the brown-suited man.

“Well…” He stood from his knee, slowly turning around.

Thats when she saw it.

On his back were a pair of equally brown wings. Maybe Cassandra hadn’t seen them due to the light. Maybe she hadn’t seen them because they blended in. Or maybe it was because seeing a pair of wings was completely out of expectation, she wasn’t even looking for them.

She let out a frightened gasp, taking a few short steps backwards. He finished his twirl, letting a sickening smile cross his features.

“It’s rude to stare.” He said with a faint smile still lingering across his lips.

“If we could get back on topic-” Jennifer said, stepping infront of the horrified human. “We have found evidence of a flyer entering magics territory.”

“Is that true?” He asked. Suddenly, his smile shifted to a confused frown. “Why would a flyer ever step foot into your part?” He asked, looking down upon Cassandra.

“We believe he was accompanied by a magical.”

“So- A traitor?” He asked.

“It would seem so.” Jennifer finished.

“W-Wait!” Cassandra cut in. “No! I- I know me and her haven’t been on the best of terms- but she isn’t a traitor! Just a little confused!” She sputtered out, looking at both of the adults.

“With that kind of language, I might take you for a traitor.” Jennifer said. Cassandra took a few steps back.

“N-No! I’m just saying-”

“Saying what? That you trust a flyer?”

“No! I never said that! Listen-”

“What’s wrong with trusting a flyer?” The mayor of the flyers asked.

“Everything.” Jennifer responded. Her gaze hardened. “I don’t know what your tribe’s problem is with magicals, but you lot aren’t good. You need to stay far away from us.”

“I could say the same about you.” The mayor responded. “All you prim-and-proper people, always thinking your so high and mighty. No wonder you took down the queen all those years ago. You dopes probably thought you could run the country. Extinct us. You and the strongers, working together.” The two were now nose-to-nose, staring eachother down.

“We never worked together. It was your kind who took down the queen. I know it.”

“Have you ever stopped to consider the third tribe?” A new voice spoke. Cassandra nearly jumped from her skin as she whirled to her left.

A new character appeared. She was taller than the rest, bearing gray hair and a brown, much tidier suit than the flyer mayor. Her voice was soft and gentle, being a stark contrast to the other two’s argument.

“Andrew,” She turned to meet the gaze of the flyer. “I really expected better from you. Letting your emotions get the best of-”

“Who are you to tell me what to do?” He said. Instead of an angry retort, the new person just held up her hand.

“A clear misunderstanding is underway. Please, I implore you to listen. Cassandra here is a mere child. Do you think she would turn her back on the entire tribe?”

“I-I’m thirteen. I’m not a child.” Cassandra said.

“Of course you aren’t, honey.” The new person said. Cassandra felt at peace, the new force pushing a cooling factor upon the entire room. “But you do not intend harm upon your type, am I correct?”

“O-Of course. I don’t mean anything by it. I’m just- they were being unfair to Olliver!”

“Olliver. I assume this is the name of the person with the flyer?” The mayor asked.

“Y-Yeah. We don’t get along very well- but she isn’t a traitor!”

“I expect not.” She said, turning towards Jennifer. “And you. You were so willing to push out your own kind. Why?”

“There’s no room for corruptible blood.”

“You do realize if you push out Cassandra, the entire Hattinson bloodline will die with her.” Apparently, this struck a nerve. Jennifer turned from the new character to look at Cassandra. A distant visage crossed her face as she looked down.

“I… suppose you are correct.” Jennifer cleared her throat. “You were always one for reasoning, Miss Mayor.”

“Now.” She started again. “Apologize to Cassandra.”

“I’m sorry for thinking you are a traitor.” Jennifer said.

“Wh- Why are you being so kind?” Cassandra turned to look at Miss Mayor. “Aren’t strongers supposed to be mean?”

“I don’t think we’re mean.” Miss Mayor said with a kind smile. “Just the same as you don’t think your kind is mean.”

“What the hell?” She asked, looking completely baffled.

“Although I may defy your expectations, I expect you to keep dirty words out of your mouth.” She said sternly, yet not threateningly.

“S-sorry. I’m just- surprised. You aren’t mean.”

“Nobody is mean. I’m under the impression that the three tribes hating each other is none more than a misunderstanding. If I had seen this coming, I could’ve stopped… this.” She hesitated. The sound coming out of her mouth unwieldy from such a pronounced person. It didn’t sound right for her to stutter like such. “But this situation, Olliver with a flyer, could be the start of a new era on earth.”

“What exactly are you implying?” Jennifer asked, raising an eyebrow.

“What i'm implying is something I should’ve done long ago.” She said, turning towards the group once more. “Let Olliver and the flyer have their fun. Perhaps once again Earth will be reunited under a single banner: The banner of the Human Race.”

“Go, go, go!” Ollie said, ushering Trent across the street. For the past ten minutes, they had been ducking and weaving across the streets. The most anyone had seen of the pair was the footsteps they left, or hardly a glance as they disappeared behind a building.

“Where are you taking me?” Trent was practically wheezing. Every minute she spent with the flyer made her realize something about their tribe: that they were all whiny.

“Just- wait a second, alright?” Ollie said. With tremendous force, Ollie used her magic to push a cart, providing cover while they crossed the busy street. Nobody seemed to notice, until the owner of the cart hastily returned, yelling something along the lines of ‘My oranges!’

Finally, the two popped out from a hedge, and into one of the residential streets. Trent looked up, his breath being taken away by the sheer colorfulness of the homes. Compared to his district, this place looked like a clownhouse. Every building was a different color, each family having their own pride to flash dangerously. Each house screamed character, a few even having balconies that doubled as full rooms.

“What are you looking at?” Ollie asked, coming up from behind him. To her, this was nothing out of the ordinary.

“The houses are just so- so- poppy?”

“What do you mean?”

“The colors. I’ve never seen anybody paint their house maroon red before.”

“Well, how do you tell which one is yours?”

“You just- memorize it?” He shifted uncomfortably, the backpack rubbing his wings the wrong way. “Can we hurry up? My wings-”

“Shut up!” Ollie quickly put a hand over his mouth. She looked side-to-side, making sure nobody caught a whisper. “Be quiet. We’ll get there soon enough, I promise.”

“Mhhmh!”

“Sorry.” She said, removing her hand and wiping the slobber on her shirt. “Did you need to lick my hand, too?” She asked, slightly irritated.

“Like I was saying,” He lowered his voice to a hoarse whisper. “My wings are getting fed up. They need to stretch.” He proved his point by shifting his backpack again.

“Really?” Out of nowhere, Ollie materialized a sheet of paper and a pencil. She started scribbling down notes. “Can you tell me how that feels? Is it instinctual? Or- like a falling asleep limb-”

“Can’t we wait to do this?” He asked, once again slipping back into his impatience.

“Fine, fine, follow me.” She stood up, turning the corner. “And we’re here.”

“You're kidding.”

“Nope. This is my house.”

“Your house is maroon red?”

“No- this one.”

“Oh my sweet Astral.” He looked to his other side, the house being an eye-blindingly bright blue.

“What? What’s wrong?” She asked, looking him up and down.

“Of course you couldn’t see what’s wrong…” He ran a few fingers over the wood, feeling the painted grain. “The colors! It’s awful! You need some yellow to offset the balance. It’s so blindingly blue that I’m starting to see stars in my eyes!” He took a few steps back, rubbing his eyelids.

“Wh-Bu- it’s my family colors! Atleast, on my dad’s side.”

“What’s your mom’s?”

“Lavender.”

“That would’ve been better than… this! I take it all back, your tribe is the worst thing in existence.”

“Bu- are you-” Ollie stared, completely baffled. Maybe she was wrong about this whole ordeal. Maybe flyers were just- is he winking?

“Oh, you are too gullible.” He said, suddenly doubling over in laugher. “That look! You looked like- It was-” His sentence was cut off by more laugher.

“I take it back. YOUR tribe is the worst thing in existence.” She said sternly, yet she couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her face.

Ollie still couldn’t get over the fact she was conversing with another tribe. To her, this was the most inhumane thing in the world. For her life, she was taught to avoid and be scared of these creatures. But here they were, sharing a laugh at a joke. Just how much were they like her tribe? She wanted to find out.

After the laugh, she opened the door to her home. It swung wildly on it’s hinges, hitting the wall harder than intended. Ollie cried out a greeting into the bright blue home.

“Ollie, are you home already?” Her mom asked from the other room. At this, Trent practically freezed. He was able to get along with Ollie farly well, but how long would that really last? How long until this new person would figure it out?

“Yeah, mom, in here.” Ollie said, giving a reassuring smile to Trent. “And I brought a guest!” Nope, that smile wasn’t reassuring. That was a devilish smile.

“You did?” Her mom suddenly came around the corner to the living room, examining Trent. She looked remarkably similar to Ollie. The only noticeable difference was her height and age, lines wearing thin on her visage. “Oh good. You finally made a friend! What’s your name, kid?” She held out a hand. Trent tentatively grabbed it, shaking it up and down. For a moment, he could’ve sworn some thought crossed her mind as her eyes flickered up and down.

“My name’s Trent.” He said. “I come from out-a-town.” He broke the handshake.

“Great. My name is Carly, and I think you already know this is my daughter, Olliver.”

“Ollie is fine.” Ollie said.

“How’d you two meet?” Carly asked, ignoring her daughters complaint.

“She found me.”

“O-out in the market, of course.” Ollie quickly corrected, shooting an evil glance towards Trent, who responded by smiling sheepishly.

“Yeah.”

“Well, it’s almost lunch time. If you care to join us, I would be delighted.” She waved a hand, not waiting for a response and turning around. Trent gave Ollie a glance, to which Ollie responded by smiling, practically skipping into the living area. Trent made to follow, but suddenly found a hand against his chest.

“Actually- how about you go take a shower?” Carly asked.

“What?”

“You look like death.” She stated bluntly. “How’d you even get those burns anyway?”

“Freak accident.”

“Right.” She said. She could feel the eyes burning through him. It wasn’t a lie. It was a freak accident. “Anyway, there should be clothes in the clean hamper in the bathroom. I’m sure Ollie’s brother wont mind.”

“What’s wrong with my clothes now?” He looked down, straightening out and flattening the shirt.

“Well-” His shirt was burnt even worse than his exposed arms and face. “Just put on some new clothes.” She finally finished, turning and walking into the kitchen. Trent was left for a few more minutes.

What… generosity. From magicals. Every minute he stayed in this world, the more and more confused he became. A thought glossed over his brain.

Why did they flyers hate the magicals? They were blamed for the disappearance of Queen Astra. But- that was over three-hundred years ago.

Finally, Trent’s brain stopped working. He just shrugged, and walked upstairs towards the bathroom.

“I never thought you for the romantic type.”

“What?”

“I asked you to go outside, and you returned with a boyfriend?”

“Mother. No.”

“If it was that easy at your age, your father and I would’ve started dating much earlier-”

“It’s not like that!” Ollie finally shouted, thumping against the couch. “He’s just- nice! Surprisingly nice! And not mean!”

“Mean?” Carly raised an eyebrow. “Why would he be mean?”

“Huh? I mean, he isn’t mean. Like-”

“But why would you assume I think he’s mean?”

“It’s just surprising, that’s all. Imagine you meet somebody you expect to be mean, but they arent. Your world gets turned upside down, and-”

“And you’re telling me you aren’t in love?”

“I- ugh.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Forget it.” Ollie breathed.

To Carly, she thought that was… interesting. Something was wrong with that boy, to put it bluntly. When she shook his hand, instead of a magic signature, she got… nothing.

It’s like picking up something you expect to be heavy, finding it light instead. It was just… nothing. She found nothing. The absence of magic. Who exactly did her daughter bring home?

“Stupid wings!” He said as he managed to knock over an entire shelf of bottles. Flyer homes were usually more open-spaced, due to the fact that wings were usually ten-feet in width. Magicals, apparently, didn’t need so much space. Just manuvering in this closet was enough to make Trent claustrophobic. He almost apolagized to the wall for barely avoiding putting a hole in it.

Then, he managed to catch the shower curtian with his wing. With one sweeping motion, the entire fixture became dislodged from the wall. He let out a totally manly scream as the curtain covered his body like a straight-jacket.

“He’s been up there for five minutes and still hasn’t turned on the shower yet?” Carly said to nobody in particular.

“Maybe he can’t figure out the valves. Not many houses have two levers for hot and cold.”

“But five minutes?”

Finally, after trying to bend the fixture back into place, he hung the curtain back up, removed all the bottles of soap from the shower, and was safely inside. He reached a hand out, looking at the two-valved design. One said Hot, the other said Cold. Well, he wanted hot, so he was gonna get hot.

“Maybe we should check on-” Carly was cut off as a scream ricocheted through the walls.

“Looks like he found the hot valve.”

“Looks like it.”

“Ollie, listen.” Her mom said. Ollie turned to look at her mother, leaning against the counter. “I know… theres something wrong with that boy.”

“What do you mean?” Ollie asked. Through her mind, she started speculating a thousand ways on how she managed to screw up. When did she let it slip? What happened?

“Ollie. I shook his hand, and I didn’t feel anything.” Carly said with a concerned look. Ollie made an ‘o’ sound, realizing something so simple. Magical signatures. Every magic user had one. They were traceable incase a crime happened.

“You don’t need to tell me whats wrong with him-'' Wait, wrong? “-if you don’t want to.”

“Theres nothing wrong with him. He’s just- different.”

“Of course.”

“H-He isn’t like us. But he’s friendly. He’s nice. These past few hours, my world has been flipped upside down. I don’t even know-”

“He’s a flyer, isn’t he?”

With a toothbrush, Trent cut two holes in the back of the white shirt. He felt bad for vandalizing something that wasn’t his, but his wings needed to breathe, dammit! Even their clothes were different. It felt strange, holding a shirt without extra holes.

He managed to slip it on. He felt an appreciation for shirt-makers back home. He cut the holes too high, riding on the bottom of his wings. With a few more stretches, he managed to cut it even deeper to an acceptable level.

He didn’t use any of the soap while showering. It felt wrong to use somebody elses soap. Not only that, but everything was girly. Conditioners and other nescecitties that he didn’t feel comfortable using.

Also, the soaps were outside the shower for his own convenience. He didn’t want to wrestle the curtain for a second time.

Finally, he opened the bathroom door, backpack on his back. No doubt he would get strange questions about it, but he didn’t mind. It was his backpack- or, not really. The cool air his his face, reminding him of how humid the bathroom was.

Slowly, and uncertainty, he made his way downstairs. This wasn’t his house, after all.

“Trent, is that you?” Carly called. “Come downstairs, lunch is ready.”

“I’m here!” He called back, hitting the bottom step.

Ollie was sitting on the sofa, looking stoic. She wouldn’t look in his direction, or even acknowledge his existence. Carly, on the other hand, had her eyes lit up like a christmas tree.

“Come, take a seat. I made PB&J sandwiches.” She motioned at the coffee table, which true to her word, held two PB&J sandwiches on dinner plates.

“Oh sweet. I love these.” He eagerly sat down, ignoring Ollie, and delving into the sandwich.

“So. Your parents must be worried about you.” Carly said, sitting opposite Trent.

“Huh? How’d- No, they aren’t worried. It’s okay.” He waved his hand, and continued biting into the sandwich.

“Are you sure? You’re far from home, after all.” Carly said sweetly. That made Trent stop eating. He held his sandwich, mid-bite. Slowly, he looked up to Ollie. She was still avoiding his gaze.

“Uh- I’m- from New Orleans. Yeah. New Orleans.” Trent said. He continued into his sandwich, albeit a bit slower. Carly decided to stop pressing, and instead left the room to go do something.

“You’re kidding.” Said Harrow. “H-How do you know?” The gruff man asked, leaning over his desk. They were currently in a decently sized office, a window extending upwards with cloud-like architect predominantly taking up the design.

“A witness reported a burned teenager with blonde hair walking out of the Everfree.”

“Okay-” He leaned into his chair, it making a squealing sound. “Please, don’t get my hopes up. As much as I would like to think Trent is still alive, false hope is worse than no hope.” He looked upwards at the ceiling fan, currently lazily spinning around, wafting the stale office air. “This does beg the question of- who the witness is? I’m curious, that’s all. What Flyer would be out near the Everfree?”

“I hope you understand the situation we’re currently in.” Responded the Mayor’s secretary. “The witness was none-other than a magical.”

“A- What?” Harrow stopped, looking at the girl with wide eyes. “Are you- A magical?” His mind screeched to a halt. “W-Why did the- Why did the magical help identify Trent?”

“Contrary to popular belief, Magicals aren’t entirely evil.”

“B-But-!”

“We do believe Trent is currently residing with a magical, and hasn’t been brutally murdered. Please, keep your superstitions to yourself.”

“B-You are the guys putting up the posters! Spreading rumors about the other tribes! Straight from the horses mouth, you’re telling me that’s wrong?”

“Yes.”

“What? Are you kidding me?”

“Money is money. People will gladly sell their window space for a little extra cash. It’s a win-win situation for us. Boost the economy.”

Harrow leaned even further back in his chair, taking in the information. He didn’t want to believe this. He really, really didn’t want to think they’ve been berating the other tribes for no other reason than selling window spots.

“Right. Let’s assume this is true. What do I tell his parents? ‘Sorry, but your son was kidnapped by the opposing tribes?’ I’ve already told them he died during work. I can’t exactly take back the money I gave them for his funeral.”

“That’s entirely up to you, Mr. Harrow.” She said, standing up from her desk. “I’m sure his parents will be elated he is still alive. Good day.” She turned on a dime, leaving the office. Harrow took a deep breath.

“Right.” He also stood up. Trent’s parents had a right to know.

I remember writing a scene here, where Carly basicially looses her mind and is all like "ohmygosh, you're a flyer, oh wow we need to do research!" But I totally lost it and can't find it. This was before I started using a dedicated writing program and was just using google docs, writing inbetween dead moments in class. Bear with me, I know it's awful.

“No. We do not eat babies.”

“Are you sure? I’ve heard alot-”

“Please, please stop asking about baby-eating.” Trent was fully reclined in the sofa, his wings covering him like a blanket. He knew these questions would be boring, but- Sweet Astral they were boring.

“Fine. Well, what about…” Carly had been writing questions and answers on pieces of papers, along with a huge line of investigation results. Papers currently scattered the floor, each with information on them that related to Trent’s answers. “Do you lay eggs?”

“Oh my Astral. No. We do not lay eggs.” Trent said. He raised a finger as Carly started to speak. “Not another word about eggs.” Defeatedly, Carly laid down that specific piece of paper, looking blanker than the rest.

“Well- as far as I can tell, our lives are very similar.” Carly said, looking a mite disappointed. “The only real differences comes in wings, no magic, larger homes, different shirts, and worm-eating.”

“Whuh- worm eating? When did I say that?”

“When I asked, you said ‘Uh-huh, totally.’” She said, reading off of an apparent interview transcript.

“That was sarcasm.”

“Oh. Well, scratch that, then.” She said, scratching that off the list. “Ollie, do you have any questions?”

Ollie was currently asleep, laying next to her mother. Drool dribbled off her cheek and into the sofa cushion as she made a soft snoring sound.

“Ollie. Ollie, wake up.” Carly started lightly rocking her back and forth. Of course, she hardly budged. Trent decided, with his massive wingspan, to use the tip of feathers to slap!

“Aughe! I’m up!” Ollie said, bolting up and rubbing the new sore spot on her bicep. “You didn’t have to do that, you know.”

“You wouldn’t get up.” Trent explained, shrugging his shoulers. Ollie shot him a mean glare.

“That hurt as much as being whipped with a towel. Man.”

“Ollie,” Carly cut in. “Do you have any questions for Trent.”

“Oh. Yeah. Can I touch your wings?”

“No.”

“But you just slapped me with them.”

“That was different. You were asleep, and it was funny. All pre-existing social restrictions go out the window when it’s funny.”

“Fine.” Ollie pouted. She turned to look at a clock in the room. “Say, when does dad get home?”

“He should be home any minute now.”

“Well- crap.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Dad’s been a bit of a- He takes his job too seriously being in the guard. Don’t you think if he saw Trent he would, you know-” He made a slicing motion to her neck.

“Oh. You’re right.” Carly stood up. “It was great knowing you, Trent.” She forcefully shook Trent’s hand, much to his dismay.

“What? What’s wrong with your dad?”

“Like I said, he wont be so receptive towards other tribes. If you could-” Carly held up a fresh backpack, free of the mud stains.

“Woah. You’re gonna give me a new one?”

“Yeah. The one I gave Ollie was already pretty banged up. I know this isn’t brand new, but it’s an upgrade to the one you got now.”

“Wow- I- This is awesome!” Trent excitedly grabbed the back. “And you already cut the back out?”

“Yup. It’s ready to go. Just slip it on, and-” Her sentence was interrupted by the sounds of the front door opening. Instantly, Trent threw the bag on hastily, adjusting and moving his wings to collapse within the small space.

Carly, on the other hand, used an incredible amount of magic to sweep all the sheets of paper littered across the room into a neat pile, to which she threw a blanket over.

A man walked into the small living room. He was tall, wearing what looked like guard armor with brilliant greens for camouflage. He had darker hair, similar to Ollie’s. Behind him, a kid, to which I assume would be Ollie’s brother, walked into the room, also dawning the same camouflage suit.

“Hey honey. I’m back-” He stopped, assessing the situation. Trent had both hands over his backpack straps, clinging it tightly to his skin. Ollie was looking over the sofa at her father with a fearful expression, while Carly was sweating after using such a large amount of magic.

“What did I miss?” He asked cautiously. As a guard, he was trained to understand and asses situations.

But here, he had no clue what just happened. His first thought was ‘affair,’ but Carly had never been unfaithful. That didn’t explain why Ollie looked so concerned, and it also didn’t explain why Carly was sweating profusely.

“Oh, nothing. Just went for a jog.” Carly said, brushing the strands of hair out of her eyes.

“O-kay. Hello, young man.” The father extended a hand.

“No!” Carly yelled. The father jerked his hand away.

“What?”

“He’s- uhh- having magical surges! He might hurt you!”

“Buh- I can take it-”

“I’d rather you not.” Trent said, the first words he spoke to the man. “I don’t want to be blamed for anything accidental.”

“So- some kind of late-bloomer? It’s rare for kids your age to be surging.”

“It’s a medical condition.” He lied. “The doctors said it was thematic- uhh- thematic constriction. My name’s Trent, by the way.”

“Hullo, Trent. Nice to meet you. I’m Carter, and this is my son, Jack.”

“Hey.” Jack said, waving his hand. “I’ve never seen you before.” He narrowed his eyes. “This is a small town. I think I would’ve noticed you.”

“I come from Griffonstone.” Trent said. “Just recently. Ollie here was nice enough to notice me and offer me some lunch.” He smiled.

“Griffonstone?” He asked. Something was off about his delivery. Whether is was his body language, his eyes, or his delivery, Carter didn’t trust the young kid. “Huh. Well, feel free to hang out. I’m sure Ollie would like the company.”

“Sorry. I actually have to leave. I didn’t tell my- my parent’s I was leaving. They might be looking for me.” He stuttered. Jack took this at face value, all his suspicions melting away. Carter, however, only narrowed his eyes further.

“Well, I’ll see you around, kid.” He waved, making sure to let the kid pass by unharmed. Ollie soon followed after him.

Once the door closed, he turned to his wife.

“Who the hall was that?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Carly said.

“That kid wasn’t normal.”

“Just because he can’t use magic doesn’t mean he’s not normal.”

“No- I mean, the way he talked. It was just like he was hiding something.”

“For all I know, he might’ve been.” Carly said, surprising Carter. “I don’t pry into lives that aren’t mine.” Carly walked away. Carter knew his wife well enough that statement was final. He let out a long sigh, turning around and heading upstairs.

Ollie and Trent took quick steps towards the border. Or, rather, the small stream that separated the magics and the flyers. They still managed to stay hidden, but after meeting Carly, Trent felt much more comfortable in this magics area.

He passed a two-story home that doubled as a bakery, taking in the sights and smells. He was quickly broken from the trance of standing in the sun, looking around at the magicals, by a very irate Olliver who accidentally lost him for a few moments.

Nobody walked by the stream. Being seen by the other tribe was a scary, scary thing to most people. Fortunately, the same applied for the Flyers. No flyers were on the other side of the stream, either. Which only solidified this entire surreal situation in Ollie’s head.

“Well.” Ollie said, stepping onto the desolate area between districts. “Here we are.”

“Huh. I’ve never came over here.”

“Me neither.” Ollie said. “Always avoided it. Didn’t have a reason to be here.” She turned towards Trent. “Guess this is goodbye, huh?”

“Oh. Oh, yeah.” Much to Ollie’s surprise, Trent sounded almost disappointed. “Yeah- i’ll be going then.” He shrugged his shoulders.

“Alright.” She waved. Trent turned to wade across the shallow water. But, instead of stepping forwards, he stopped. He turned around to meet the gaze of Ollie.

“Are- are we friends?” He asked, moving his eyes away from Ollie’s. That was a question. Question of the century.

While basically harboring a fugitive is immensely stressful, while trying to deal with the fact you are willingly putting your trust in someone to which was supposed to be your enemy for the rest of time…

Ollie wouldn’t trade today for the world. She was happy that this had happened.

“I- guess we are.” She said. Trent smiled back.

“Listen, if you hear some knocks against your bedroom window late at night, I need somewhere to crash. Sound cool?”

“As long as dad doesn’t find out.”

“Cool. Bye.” He waved, and finally started trudging through the ankle high waters. On the other side, he removed his backpack, and with one final wave, disappeared into the allies.

A huge weight was removed off of Ollie’s shoulders.

But at the same time, she felt a disappointing sense of longing for her friend. A real friend. And not some prim-propper school bullies.

Life would continue, but with a heavy hole in Ollie’s chest.

“Hey, Ollie. You hardly said hi to your old man.” Carter said, leaning back into the sofa, going over guard formations in his notebook. He currently had bronze glasses over his nose, as being farsighted was a blessing and a curse.

“Sorry. I was distracted.”

“With a boy?”

“N-No. I mean, yes. But not in that way.”

“Uh-huh.” He said, scribbling something out like he was playing a game of crossword. “No, yeah. I remember when I met your mom. She was the same way to her parents.”

“Please, stop.” Ollie said, moving towards the kitchen.

“Where’d you go with him?”

“Dropped him off at home.”

“Oh, good. I’d like to meet his parents.” He flipped the page.

“Dad, it’s not- i’m not dating him.”

“I just want to talk.” He said, trying to force a smile away from his lips. His poker face could not be beat. He looked up at the clock in the room. “You were gone for three hours. Where does he live, by the border?”

“Actually, yes.” Ollie said, half-lying. “I dropped him off there. I don’t know exactly where he lives, but I trust him enough to find his way home.”

“Huh. Alright. Are you hungry? It’s getting late.”

“No, i’m good. Today was too exciting.”

“Really?”

“N-No, not like that.” Ollie said, exasperated. “I’m going to bed. Peace out.”

“Bye bye.” Carter said. As Ollie ascended the stairs, Carter looked back to the notebook. The conditions under which Carter met Trent were… suspicious. His military brain was bouncing off the walls, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t put it to what was off with the kid. He was lying about something. All the more suspicious was the fact he didn’t want to shake hands.

Maybe that ‘medical condition’ he had was actually real. Maybe it was just a set of circumstances that made his situation look so… look so suspicious. He seemed nice enough, just very, very nervous.

In that moment, sitting on a sofa, blankly staring at a filled notebook, he made a crucial decision.

He didn’t want to be the recluse grandpa. He didn’t want to be the far away, non-emotional family member. He felt he was already on that path with the way he acted towards Trent. Carter was going to make sure he was the best father-in-law humanly possible.

With a disappointed sigh, he stood up from his spot on the sofa. The sky outside had long since fallen, a darkness seeping through the blue living room. His body was sore from today’s marching session. In his mind, it was good to condition kids young, hence bringing his son along with him.

Carter marched upstairs, finding his wife laying on the bed, reading a book. He flashed her a smile before walking further down the hall, and into the bathroom.

Why was the shower fixture bent? He grabbed it with his hands, forcefully bending the curtain bar back into shape. Something might’ve happened, as he remembered it being straight yesterday. He would’ve noticed if it was bent then.

He turned his attention to the counter. All of the different soaps were sprawled out on the tile. He grumbled, manually and magically lifting the bottles back onto their proper place.

Finally, just when he thought he was done, he took a toothbrush from a drawer. Running water over the bristles, his fingers slipped, letting the brush fall into the sink. He ceased the water, and retrieved the brush.

What was hiding under the brush almost broke him.

In the middle of the porcelain sink, in the middle of his house, his humble abode that he worked so hard to afford for his family.

It was large. Larger than anything that could sneak in. Maybe by freak accident, but that still didn’t explain it’s size.

It, laying in the sink, was a white feather.

The only thought that went through his head was… Trent.

Knock Knock

The sound reverberated through the home. From the nearby couch, mom and dad both practically bowled over themselves trying to get to the door.

In one swift motion, the dad whipped open the door.

There, against all odds, was Trent.

Usually, the emotion would be relief. Tears of joy. Loosing their minds over their returning son.

Instead, all he got was-

“Get in.” The stern voice said. Trent wilfully obeyed. Unlike the last times, he felt like he had a backup plan. Ollies. It was stupid to cross the border again. It was pure luck Ollie and Trent weren’t spotted while crossing, and Trent’s wings weren’t fully healed. Healing spells made a world of difference. If he didn’t know any better, he would’ve never thought his wing was broke earlier in the day.

Trent sat on the sofa. His mother and father stood infront of him.

“How dumb.” His father said. “Diving through a cloud? Did you not listen to anything during weather-training?”

“I- I know.” Trent said, looking at his still-on shoes.

“Then why’d you do it? That was stupid.” His mother cut in with the same tone. “We thought you died.” She said. Somehow, he felt like that didn’t phase her.

“I thought I could make it.”

“In a cloud, you are a lightning rod. You know that.” And so, the berating continued into the night.

Author's Note

This was the very first attempt at writing MLP fanfiction I had ever tried. I submitted it to the website, and it got denied by the moderators. It's... definately rough. Something I'm not proud of. But damn it, the world must know how awful my early attempts were!

The Fourth Sister

Clink.
Clink.
Clink.
Clink.

Crystals, gems, and ores galore. It was a tedious life of rock-farming in the small town aptly named Rockford. Ponies from every side of the country, whether it be the smaller similar towns like Rockford or the big giants like Cloudsdale or Manehatten, it seemed no matter where one looked, they could always find a pony in the market for rocks.

Obsidian, granite, amethyst, quartz, it didn’t matter what it was. As long as it was a rock that grew from the finest rock farm in Equestria, anypony seemed to be satisfied with it’s quality.

Clink.
Clink.
CRACK.

The rock split open at it’s seams. Today had been a slow day to say the least. The previous night was a downpour of rain, making the fertile rock-growing grounds muddy and sloggish to work on. What was once a two-hour job suddenly turned into a four-hour job, and sometimes even longer.

Marble Pie wasn’t in the greatest of moods. Her lip was turned into the slightest of frowns, although the pony in question rarely displayed an emotion other than shy. Her coat was a light gray, her mane being ironed out into a completely smooth darker gray. The mark on her flank depicted three marbles, as per her name.

Her mood flipped when she saw what she had just split open.

Inside of the seemingly dull rock was a beautiful array of Bismuth. Rock-farming wasn’t a literal term, of course. Rocks didn’t actually grow from nothing. It was a combination of magic from the Earth-pony tribe and the preexisting elements in the rocks themselves. Sometimes, to bring something beautiful forwards, all it takes is a little magic.

The Bismuth itself was a big deal. Recently, a popular fashion designer by the name of Sapphire Shores had used Bismuth in an ensamble she had been working on. Overnight, the rock farm had sold completely out of the thing- only parting with it for a pretty dime.

Marble’s mood lifted as she carefully collected the two halves of the rocks, dumping them into her sturdy saddlebags as she made her way back towards the house.

Ever since two entrepreneur brothers moved their mining operation a little over a mile away from the household, the sky was now a permanent murky brown from the fumes their machines produced. Although Marble, plus her family, was a little concerned when they originally moved in, the quality of their gems suddenly made the family’s financial security seem set in stone.

The door creaked open to the boring old farm house. A wave of sudden hot air hit her face, closing her eyes to prevent against the dryness it suddenly brought along with it. In the living room, her father, Igneous Pie, was stoking the fireplace. He was an older orange-coated stallion wearing what appeared to be a very tall black hat and tie. Her mother, Cloudy Quartz, was sitting on an armchair, rocking back and forth. She was a white mare, wearing golden reading glasses, with her off-green mane tied into a bun.

Marble deposited her saddlebags onto the ground. Igneous turned to look, his eyebrow shooting up as a chunk of bismuth rolled across the floor out of the open flap.

“What do I see here?” He asked in his rumbly voice. “Bismuth, huh?” He picked it up with his hooves, feeling the weight. “Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Just in time, too, for our next order. Did you grow this?”

“M-hmm.” Marble nodded, sitting down and sifting through her saddlebags. Igneous turned away from the fireplace, standing up and trotting towards Marble.

“Gee, I don’t think we need to do more work today.” He mumbled, watching as Marble pulled out the full boulder from her saddlebags. “I don’t think anypony here wants to work anymore in this… dreadful weather we’re having.”

“Agreed.” Quartz said from her rocking chair, her eyes glued to the paper. Igneous turned back to his wife for a moment, mumbling something unintelligible with a sharp look in his eye. Marble didn’t like that look, but she still knew it well. Whenever her father thought somepony wasn’t pulling their weight on the farm.

“Phew!” The front door slammed open again. Marble jumped a little bit as her sister, Limestone Pie entered the living room. She used her hind leg to kick the door shut, perhaps a little too violently. “Big haul, Pop!” She smiled, walking further into the living room. “I mined some Copper, a little bit of Gold, and a huge hunk of Granite-” She paused, upon seeing Marble with her hunk of Bismuth. “Aw, man!”

“You both did wonderfully.” Quartz said, not even moving her eyes up from the paper. Igneous, for the most part, did seem to appreciate the effort Limestone was putting forth. But, once again, as Quartz talked, he did the same side-eye thing. This time, Limestone picked up on it, shutting her mouth and scooping her things back into the bag.

“Oh-three.” Marble said, pointing to the date written below the photo.

“Oh-three?” Limestone responded, taking a closer look. “I was born in Oh-one… Maud was born in Oh-two, and you were born in Oh-four…” Limestone scratched her head with a hoof, getting closer to the paper. “I don’t… I don’t know?”

Limestone leaned further forwards. It didn’t make sense. They were all born in December. Every single one of them. That meant they were not only concieved within their birth-year, but were all almost exactly one year apart.

Except for Oh-three.

Limestone moved her hoof to her chin, now intently thinking about what see was seeing.

“Maybe it’s just dated wrong.” She shrugged. “I mean- you write the wrong date on something, that’s pretty embarassing. Put it to the back of the book, I say. Nopony wants to see that.”

“Why didn’t they cross it out?” Marble asked quietly. Limestone paused. That was a good question.

Pictures back then were far and few between. The further back in time they went, the less and less photos there was of the family. There was maybe three pictures of Quartz’s and Igneous’ wedding day. A few photos here and there celebrating a few occasions like birthdays, or the installment of a new grain silo.

There was, in total, two photos of Quartz’s pregnancy with Limestone. One at the beginning, and one at the very end. With Maud, there was about six photos. But that was it.

And that’s where their parents described their own personal gold-rush day.

They said it happened at the beginning of Quartz’s pregnancy with Marble. One day, they decided to crack open a rock, and they found the interior lined with gems. They said from that day forwards, rock farming became their top priority. And ever since Marble was born, that was exactly what they did.

Apparently, rock-farming came with the benefit of having spending money. Spending money to, as Igneous described it, buy more memories. Suddenly, the picture book was filled with photos, as the price of buying a new pack of blank photos was suddenly more than achievable. Everything was photographed, from a slightly cool rock, to the first time Limestone made a friend at school.

And all along those photos, they could quite clearly see the progression of Quartz’s pregnancy with Marble.

If photos were so rare back in the day, then why banish this one to the back of the book? Why not fix their mistake with a black highlighter and call it good? Limestone… really didn’t have an answer.

Until it slapped her in the face.

“W-Wait.” Limestone said. “Mom was… pregnant in oh-three?”

“M-hmm.” Marble nodded.

“I didn’t even realize what that means!” Limestone wiped her forehead. “Mom… No. No way.” She shook her head. That wasn’t the answer. That couldn’t have been the answer. Limestone turned to look at her sister.

“D-Did…” Limestone swallowed her spit, suddenly feeling lightheaded. “Did Mom have a miscarriage?”

Marble’s reaction was immediate. She gasped, putting a hoof to her mouth. It was like a wave of unspoken questions were all at once answered as it washed over the two idle ponies in the room.

“That- That’s the only explanation, right?” She drummed her hooves on the floor. “Oh… Celestia, that’s heavy.”

“It makes sense.” Marble responded warily.

“I… guess it does.” Limestone said. “I mean… that’s weird. If that didn’t happen- we would have another sister. A whole new pony.” She shuddered. “Could you imagine that? A whole new pony?”

“Makes sense why they wanted to hide it…” Marble said quietly. “It’s not- um- exactly something you would want to remember…”

“Yeah… I guess that’s pretty messed-” Limestone turned the page.

In the smack middle of the left page, all the way at the back of the book, was a photograph. It was taken at an angle, slightly raised above a crib she recognized as Marble’s own by the detailed flowers painted onto the side of it.

In the middle of it was a foal she had never recognized before.

She had seen her own foal photos- albeit the few there were of her back then. She had even seen Maud’s and Marble’s. What she had never seen, however, was this one.

The foal was obviously a filly by her muzzle shape. Her eyes were closed, and she was apparently sleeping. The old photography film they had used meant everything looked a little orange, but even here she could still tell her coat didn’t match up with any of her sister’s. In the black and white- or, rather, black and orange film, it was apparent her coat was closer to a pure white than any of their darker coats.

Her mane was a little darker, but it drooped around her in a completely flat manner, unlike Maud or Marble when they were first born. Around her body was a blanket wrapped tightly.

“W-Who is that?” Marble asked quietly. Limestone blinked, her brows furrowing.

“Uhm…” For once, Limestone didn’t really have an answer. She blinked again, leaning closer to the photograph. She flipped the page, but it was only the end of the book. “I don’t… know?” She rubbed her eye. “I mean- it could be me?”

“No?” Marble pointed to the back of her mane. “You have hair sticking up in the back. She doesn’t. It couldn’t be Maud, because her hair is- um- cut straight at the front. And that was my crib, too.”

“Who… is this?” She asked. “I… I don’t actually know.” She shuddered. “M-Maybe she- as morbid as it sounds, maybe she didn’t make it very long…”

“M-hmm.” Marble watched as Limestone picked out the picture from it’s holding place, and sticking it right into her mane. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to ask Mom and Dad.” She got up, stretching like a cat. “It makes sense why they would hide it from us. They probably don’t want us to know about it.”

“The farm was starving!”

“So you sold her?” Limestone screamed. “Are you bucking kidding me?”

“Language, young-”

“No- No! You need to hear this!” Limestone stomped. “You- you’re bucking kidding me! I- I had another sister, and you never thought to mention it?”

“We had to give her up.” Igneous stood up. “The farm was starving, and we couldn’t afford a third foal. We didn’t plan on telling you-”

“Apparently you bucking could!” Limestone pointed to Marble, who was cowering in the corner and the sudden yelling. “The story- the story you told us- that we found gold in rocks. Mom was already pregnant with Marble. Were you- were you gonna sell Marble, too?”

The silence that followed was all the answer that she neeeded.

“No. No-no-no.” Limestone shook her head aggresively. “No. You’re kidding me. NO.” Limestone reared onto her rear hooves, striking the floorboards with her earth-pony might. “You’re kidding me!”

“The farm was starving-”

“Shut up!” Limestone yelled, turning around and beginning to pace.

It was a foreign concept. Living life without her sister. Although their personalities had butted heads before, Limestone being the loud and brash one while Marble was quiet and reserved, Limestone still loved her sister dearly. The mere idea she could’ve been carted off the moment she was born was terrifying.She was already too young to remember the foal in the picture. She would’ve only been three when Marble was born. And she already couldn’t remember Marble being born.

Limestone shook her head, tapping her hooves for a second before turning back to her father.

“What was her name?”

“Pinkamena Diane Pie.” He responded.

She took a sharp breath, turning to look away. That was it. The mere mention of her name shook her, like a whole new world was unlocked where she had a third sister. Coming home after school with Pinkamena. Playing with not only Marble and Maud, but also Pinkamena. This wasn’t some wandering school friend, no. This was her family.

And her father sold her.

She pulled out the photograph again. Some small part wanted her to believe her father was lying. But this was the physical proof. Nopony in the family had their mane like that. Flat, and straight down. The photo was a worn brown from age, but Limestone could easily guess her coat was similar to her own- either being a lighter or darker gray.

She took a deep breath in.

“I gotta go.” She said, stashing the photo away in her mane and turning towards the staircase.

“Where are you going?” Igneous asked, watching as she walked away.

“Away. For a while.” She turned to look at her mother.

She had this look that stopped Limestone in her tracks. A look of deep sorrow, and perhaps regret. Her eyes looked like they had aged a thousand years, and all throught the conversation, she hadn’t said a single word, despite being the mare to carry Pinkamena.

Limestone snorted like a mustang, barging upstairs.

Marble woke up in the dead of night to the sounds of shuffling. Blearily, she pushed herself up with her hooves and blinked back sleep in order to see in the dark bedroom. The only light was shining from a nearby oil-lamp burning a bright orange flame that danced on the ceiling, making whispy patterns through the grain.

Marble yawned, pushing herself into a full sitting position. She rubbed her mane, leaning forwards and looking to the edge of the room, where the oil lamp was sitting on the floor.

Limestone had her back turned to her, digging through the closet. Nearby, her saddlebags laid flat open. She pulled out what appeared to be a mane brush, quickly stuffing it into her bags. Marble blinked, once again rubbing her eyes and looking up at the clock above the sister’s beds.

It read four in the morning.

“Lime?” Marble asked quietly. Limestone jumped, suddenly dropping a manilla folder on the ground by accident.

“Marble? What are you doing up?” She asked, looking over her shoulder. “You should be sleeping.”

“What are you doing?” She asked. “Are you… packing?”

“No.” She said quickly. Marble’s pleading eyes pushed something inside of her soul. “Yes.” She admitted, sighing. Marble’s brow creased, worry evident on her face.

“Don’t you think this is a bit… drastic?” She asked. Limestone scraped a hoof on the floor, pushing around the folder.

“Geez, I was just gonna leave a well-worded note, but…” She sighed. “I’ve been looking for an excuse to leave this dump for a while now.” She sighed, this time more aggresively. “Just- this whole sister thing kinda pushed me over the edge. I guess I have a reason to leave now, instead of just feeling like I wanna leave. I want to find her. Our fourth sister.”

“What’s that?” Marble asked, pointing to the folder. Limestone huffed, pushing the folder inside of her saddlebags.

“My birth certificate.” She said. Marble’s breath hitched.

“You aren’t coming back, are you?” She asked quietly. Limestone took a second to respond, clicking her tongue in her mouth.

“No.” She eventually said. “No, I don’t plan on coming back.”

There was a moment of silence.

“Then let me come with you.”

Limestone looked up quickly, her eyes full of surprise.

“What? No- you-” But she stopped herself. She looked away from the pony on the bed, towards the rapidly lowering moon. Maud had already left a few years ago- about the same age Limestone was now. Could she really leave her baby sister all alone with her parents? The same parents who were originally going to sell her if the farm was doing poorly?

She didn’t like the idea of running off with a pony to take care of. If she made a mistake, like not having enough money to eat dinner, that mistake would’ve been on her, and she would’ve starved herself. With another pony, now, they would both stave.

Limestone bit her tongue. She wasn’t going to be like her father, and she wasn’t going to abandond her own family. Even if she was running away. That was different.

“Look- I-” Limestone bit her tongue. “This is a heavy choice. Especially for a group of teens.”

“Teens?” Marble asked. “I’m nineteen, and you’re twenty-two.”

“Still, you’re a teen.” She playfully sneared. “If you want to follow me…” She ducked back into the closet, throwing the same saddlebag Marble had previously dumped into the closet onto the floor. “Then I ain’t helping you pack.”

Marble smiled, yawning while doing so. She stretched like a cat, and hopped off the bed.

“Well- at least now I can practice competitive marble racing finally.” She said with a happy smile.

“What?” Limestone asked, looking over her shoulder again. “Competetive what-now?”

“Competetive Marble Racing.” She flashed a grin. “Did you ever wonder how I got my Cutiemark?”

“I- I just thought they were rocks?” She squeaked, looking at her sister’s flank. “What?”

“I never really asked… um- sorry about that, but um- what about your Cutiemark?”

“You’ll laugh.” Limestone responded quickly. “It’s dumb.”

“Dumber than Competetive Marble Racing?” Marble laughed softly. “I doubt that.” Limestone chewed the inside of her cheek for a moment, looking between her half-filled saddlebags and her sister.

“Bartender.” Limestone said quietly, continuing to pack. “Two stones for grinding, lime for squeezing.”

“That’s not dumb!” Marble laughed. “That’s not dumb. It’s a good special talent.” She flashed a smile. “You’ll have a better chance at getting a job then I will.”

“I guess so…”

“I knew this day was coming.” Their mothers voice unexpectedly boomed over the living room. Both Limestone and Marble froze in their tracks, saddlebags full of everything they had ever lived. Slowly, they both turned around. Marble took a few steps back, cowering behind her sister as their mother sat ominously in the armchair.

“You knew?” Limestone asked.

“I knew ever since Maud left, it was a matter of time.” Quartz said, her face partially obscured by shadows. “Maud didn’t leave on good terms. It took me months to track down her address.” She laughed lightly. “Although, I didn’t expect both of you to leave together.”

“We’re going to leave.” Limestone asked, almost expecting, egging her mother on for an answer.

“I don’t doubt that.” She responded crypically. Quartz leaned further into her chair. “I want to end this a little better than I did with Maud…” She took a deep breath in. “It wasn’t my choice to give up Pinkamena. In fact, I was willing to take the farm down with me if it meant keeping her.” She sniffed. “But your father has such a good way with words… got me thinking about the money. I’m not a victim here, and I didn’t realize the mistake I made until I watched Pinkamena being carted away.”

“I’m…” Limestone stopped. How was she supposed to respond to that? “I’m… sorry that happened.”

“Not your fault. By the time I was pregnant with her,” She nodded towards the pony hidden behind Limestone. “I was terrified your father was going to sell her, too. I was so terrified, in fact, I hid the pregnancy for as long as I could.”

Limestone’s gaze relaxed a little bit.

“It wasn’t until we discovered rock-farming that I told him. I didn’t even tell him that I was hiding it, only that another foal was on the way. I think he knew that I was hiding it when I got big so fast, but he never said anything about it.”

Limestone flinched as Quartz shambled out of her rocking chair. She leaned to the side of the chair, holding a bag in her mouth. She walked forwards, and it was only then did Limestone realize how old her mother was.

She dropped the bag into Limestone’s expecting hooves. She sat down, opening it up, only to reveal silver coins.

The bag was full of Silver Bits.

“Wh-What?” Limestone asked, her eyes growing huge. “This has to be- at least ten grand!”

“Hm?” Marble asked, peeking her head. “W-What?”

“I already sent Maud a letter explaining the situation.” Quartz said, turning around and slumping back into her seat. “You can decide to tell her about Pinkamena or not, I don’t care. It’s up to you. This family is dead, anyways.” She shuffled. “I hope twelve-grand is enough to cover your trainride to Ponyville.”

“P-Ponyville?” Limestone asked. “That’s an entire day’s trip!”

“I know.” She shrugged. “Twelve-grand should cover it.” Limestone almost laughed, letting a smile cross her face.

“What about you?” Limestone asked. “I mean- I don’t think Pops is gonna be too happy about this.”

“No. Probably not.” She shrugged. “Don’t worry about me. He’s never been abusive. At least- not physically.” She leaned forwards. “This will probably be the last time you see me. I don’t think you’ll ever want to return to this farm, and I don’t blame you.” She let a tear slide down her cheek. “I wasted my life on these fields. Please- don’t waste yours.”

Limestone couldn’t take it, and embraced her mother in a huge, bone-crushing hug. Marble wasted no time, hugging the both of them together.

The silence was resounding.

The only sound for miles was the wind that whipped over the tall mountain tops.

Surprisingly, making the decision to leave was the easy part. Now, as silence reigned across the two mares, weights descended heavily onto their withers, leaving them sore and warey. Any adrenaline that once filled their systems had long since left, now making themselves figidy.

“It’s six.” Marble said, her eyes darting up to the only clock in the small, uninhabited trainstation. Limestone stopped her pacing, following Marble’s eyes. She took a shuddering breath.

“Dad’s gonna wake up soon.” She observed, biting her tongue. “Not good.”

“Do you think Mom’s gonna be alright?” She asked. Limestone stopped her pacing, turning around and looking at her sister. Her young, fragile sister. Although they were only seperated by two years, to Limestone, it felt like caring for a foal. Not because Marble needed the care of a foal, but because that’s what she needed right now.

“Pshaw, she’ll be fine.” Limestone waved, not entirely convinced herself. “Mom’s a tough mare. Worst comes to worst, she’ll just leave. Like we did.”

“And leave Dad all alone?”

“Marble, the farm’s dead.” Limestone said exhasperatedly. “Dad hardly works in the fields anymore, Mom never worked, and we were the only two mining in the fields.” She shrugged. “We’re gone, farm collapses.”

“Oh…” Marble figited uncomfortably.

Their attention was caught when the floorboards beneath them began to rumble. Limestone looked at Marble, both having been caught off guard by the feeling. Limestone trotted to the edge of the platform, leaning over and staring down the tracks.

In the distance, a steam locomotive approached. It’s smoke stack was billowing out black smoke, it’s boiler a bright and angry red. In the dark early morning, the headlamp on the front spew a warm orange light, coating and making the support pillars dance across the floor as it approached.

Lime and Marble suddenly covered their ears as the brakes locked up, billowing out sparks from underneath it’s wheels. It groaned and complained, finally stopping at the station with the sound of hissing.

Limestone blinked back the smoke, staring up at the pony jumping down from one of the cabs. His coat might’ve once been brown, but had been darkened significantly by soot.

“What are two pretty mares like you doing out here?” He shouted in a thick country accent. Marble blushed, hiding her eyes behind her mane.

“We need to get to Ponyville.” Limestone answered. He whistled, tapping a hoof to his cap.

“Tha’s gonna cost ya a pretty dime, miss.” He chuckled, giving the steam engine a tap on the side. “We may be a privately owned company, meanin’ we got no schedule to keep up on, but that’s crossing the whole country.”

“I know.” She responded curtly. “Can you get us there?”

“Can we?” He chuckled. “Course’ I can. The question is whether you can cough up enough bits ta-” Limestone threw him a silver bit. It landed in front of him on the floorboards. He looked down at it with his mouth open. “What the hay?” He asked, picking it up. He observed it for a second, before biting down on it. “Eyup, that’s real silver right there.” He held it up. “Alright, hop on.”

Much to Mom’s word, the trip took just over a day. By the time they were pulling into the train yard, the sun was setting once again. Limestone yawned heavily, blinking the ever-increasing sleep out of her eyes. She stood up, trotting to the edge of the traincar and looking down. The ride wasn’t comfortable. It was cold, hard, loud, and restless. They didn’t have the foresight to bring anything to eat or drink, so the both of them were, to put it lightly, quite orniry. And they couldn’t stop the director of the train over the noise. Even if they did, what would they eat? The grass off the ground?

What mattered now was the fact they were here. To call Ponyville’s trainyard a ‘trainyard’ was a bit of an overstatement. It was just a rail line that darted away from the main line. More than likely used to build other trains, but as the conductor couldn’t use the civilian train station, he had to pull into here.

The train lurched as it came to a quite unexpected hault. Limestone spread her hooves out, steadying herself, and trying not to fall face-first out of the cart. She turned around, looking at her sister. She, unlike Limestone, had managed to fall asleep in the tortureous hell. She had found a soft spot on a little pile of hay that didn’t provide any comfort, and due to the exhaustiveness of leaving their farm, left her positively drained.

Limestone watched for a few seconds longer, watching as Marble’s chest rose and fell. She was so peaceful.

And she just ripped her away from their family.

Home was the only place they ever really knew. Once in a great while, they would travel to different parts of Equestria. That was an interesting foresight into different cultures, and a great indicator that Marble wasn’t the greatest at social situations. Although she had wanted to come along, the fact that Marble was now her responsibility… Celestia be damned, it scared her.

“Hello.” A familiar mare said. Limestone jumped a little, whirling around to see a familiar face accompaying the familiar voice.

Maud. Her sister. The second oldest, and the one Limestone missed the most.

“Maudie!” She exclaimed, hopping out of the cart and grabbing her chest. “I missed you!”

“As did I.” She responded quickly, giving half-a-hoof attempt at a hug. They broke, staring at eachother. “I heard that you had a falling out with Mom and Dad.”

“Eh- Well…” Limestone took a step back, itching her mane. “Well- yeah. It was- yeah, we had a falling out.” She smiled.

“I couldn’t bear it either.” Maud reached into her coat pocket, producing a glistening purple gem. She looked at it, her face splitting with a faint smile. “I like studying rocks more.” Her smile faded, looking back up. “How is Marble doing?”

“Oh, she’s asleep right now.” She glanced back into the train cart, still seeing her peacefully sleep. She turned back to see a slightly alarmed expression on Maud’s face.

“You took her with you, didn’t you?”

“She wanted to go!” She whisper-shouted. “What was I supposed to do, leave her?”

“Mom’s letter didn’t mention that.” She pointed out.

“I’m sorry, but-” Limestone sighed. “Look- It’s all cold out, and we should talk more inside. Is that okay?” Maud nodded. “Alright. Let me go wake up Marble.”

“What made you decide to leave?” Maud asked.

“We- um-” Marble slipped out a picture from her suitcase, hoofing it over to Maud. She took it, pushing it a fair distance away from her face to read it. Her eyes squinted.

“Who is this?” Maud asked.

“It’s- um-” Marble shuffled her chair. “Do you want to answer that, Lime?”

“Sure, I guess.” Limestone shuffled herself, leaning into the sofa. “You might want to get ready for this…” Maud flashed her eyes for a moment. She seemed genuinely intrigued. “You remember the story Ma and Pa used to tell us about, you know, how the farm was starving?”

“Yes.”

“Well…” Limestone wiped her forehead. “Let’s say that Ma and Pa made some… bad choices in order to keep the farm afloat.” She pointed at the filly. “There was a year gap between you and Marble. A year gap where… anything could happen.”

Maud’s eyes flashed again, this time with even more alarm. She didn’t say anything, but gears were working on her own accord.

“We found this in the back of the family album, and… well- it’s our fourth sister.” Maud looked slightly shocked, picking up the picture again and reading it, again.

“What happened?”

Author's Note

This story was going to go like this: Lime and Marble both go to Ponyville to see Maud to try and find their fourth missing sister. Through trial and error, they almost give up, and Marble goes to Sugarcube Corner in defeat.

There, she shows Pinkie the photo. Of course, Pinkie recognizes herself, but isn't sure. In this timeline, Mr. and Ms. cake adopted Pinkie, so they don't really know who her real parents are. Pinkie shows them, and compares the photo with the other photos Mr and Ms cake took of her. Halleuliah, it's Pinkie, and they are reunited, although nopony is really sure how Pinkie ended up in the orphanage after being sold.

There was an earlier draft where it was a choose your own adventure, where Marble realizes her fourth sister is Pinkie, but the reader decides to tell Pinkie or not, after Marble sees how happy Pinkie is with her adopted parents, and isn't sure if she knows if she's adopted or not.

Story was canned because the ending felt very circumstantial. Lime and Marble happen to go to Ponyville where Pinkie lives, where Maud happened to already be living unaware of Pinkie, and Marble happens to go to Sugarcube Corner where Pinkie works, and happens to recognize Pinkie.

The Fourth Sister Aftermath

The three ponies had become oddly silent. Not even Spike, who was usually known for his crass comments, had anything to say, instead still laying on the floor and looking up at the rapidly fading image, popcorn paused in between his claws.

Starlight and Rarity both uncomfortably shuffled in their beanbag seats, looking at each other oddly. Twilight was the first one to break the silence.

“That was… dark.” She said slowly.

“Agreed.” Rarity hesitantly followed. “I know Pinkie’s parents quite well. They would never… sell one of their foals.” She shivered. “I wonder if that timeline’s Pinkie is alright. I do hope so.”

“This makes me feel…” Starlight frowned. “Dirty. I created a bunch of timelines, each with worse and worse outcomes. I wonder how many Pinkies my timelines had that ended up… gone, like that.” She looked down at the ground. “How many ponies lives did I ruin?”

“Oh, Starlight…” Twilight sighed.

“Don’t think of it like that!” Spike interrupted, rolling over and facing the Unicorn. “If there’s an infinite amount of timelines, chances are, it already happened, or is in the process of happening. Whether or not you were there to set it off.” Spike let out a little laugh, despite the mood of the group being firmly below laughing. “Are you telling me that because Rainbow messed up her Sonic Rainboom juust a little bit means that Nightmare Moon took over? Do you know how silly that sounds?”

“Let’s just… move on.” Twilight said, igniting her horn. “Maybe we could move onto something more light-hearted and fun.” She beamed. The table made yet another click, and a surreal discordian landscape slowly began to morph in front of their very eyes.

Memory Loss - (01) The Sisters

She was staring down The beast himself.

The duo were always known for their plans. Around every corner, the sisters planned everything to the drop of a dime. In their home village, they were known for sneaking money from the cash registers, tricking the local colts into snowball fights, and ending school-house drama in heartbreaks. It was what they did.

Right now, they had no plan.

They were the last layer of protection. The Pillars of Equestria had fallen months ago under mysterious circumstances. Along with them, the world’s last line of defense against The Beast. He began invading country by country, single-pawd’ly toppling countries that had long thought impossible to topple.

The Griffon Empire, The Changeling Hivelands, Cloudopolis, Harvest, Dragon Country. All of them disappeared off the map in under a month. It seemed every new day there was a new red X mark over another country on the map of Equus. Equestria itself had been having a hard time for a while now, dealing with corrupt rulers and famine. Now, it was all or nothing. The best military strategists from all across the country had convened outside the Midland Pine Forest in a small tent.

From a rural town outside The Badlands, two sisters signed up for military service. It wasn’t long until The Beast set his sights on the corrupt nation, tearing down building after building. For a while, it seemed the ponies would fall too.

The ponies were tricky, however. It was a matter of misdirection and cornering. Soon, a massive force field around the entire forest had erected itself. The Beast clawed and expelled chaos magic, hurling it harder than the then-laws of magic conservation would even allow.

The barrier held.

The barrier held into the night and into the next day. The Unicorns powering the barrier began thinning, some collapsing from exhaustion, others dying from depletion. It was just the fact that there wasn’t enough enlisted into the military to fight against such a creature.

And that’s where the sisters came.

Two sisters from nowhere had managed to find and locate artifacts planted by The Pillars thought lost to time.

The eldest sister, Celestia, had barged into the tent confident, with a cocky grin on her face. The youngest sister, Luna, followed with a small smile on her face as she watched her sister wipe the floor with the stallion’s in charge. After getting promptly kicked out of the tent, they had managed to sneak into the barrier without alerting any of the Unicorns on patrol.

Now, as Celestia stared down The Beast, she realized she never planned to get this far.

The Beast was composed of a mis-match of parts. His body was brown and serpent-like. He had one lion paw, a chicken claw, a dragon wing, and a face full of unmanned chaos.

The world below their hooves were, much like The Beast himself, a patchwork of a thousand different materials. The trees looked similar to a sinister cotton candy, and the sky was entirely devoid of Equestria’s protection, instead taking up what looked like a thick smog of pink clouds.

The Beast sat upon a golden throne, sitting on what appeared to be a hundred floating tufts of grass. He sipped a golden goblet at the tips of his lips, closing his eyes as the liquid pooled around his mouth and dripped all over his fur. He let out a content sigh as he turned his eyes to the two ponies making their way up the path.

“Bwahahaha!” He laughed cyclically. “What do we have here? Two more ponies for me to play with?” He asked coyly, turning around in his throne until it appeared he was laying down. “Dear fillies, I do say your defense is quite impressive, I must admit.” He became liquid as he turned around, staring at the sisters upside-down. “I underestimated your kind. Even the dragons fell quicker than a bag of flour!” He vanished suddenly.

Celestia and Luna stared around blankly. For all of the chaos around, it seemed this ambient quietness was overwhelming.

“What shall we do first?” He suddenly cut through the air. Luna jumped at the sudden voice, letting the saddlebags full of metal clunk to the ground. Celestia gave her a reaffirming pat on her wings, taking the time to pick back up the saddlebags with her mouth, tightening the strap around Luna’s barrel.

“How charming.” The Beast said dreadfully dull. “Sisterly love. How it sickens me. But it does give me an idea.” A huge claw materialized out of a nearby cotton-candy tree. It’s sharp talons wrapped themselves around Luna suddenly, hoisting her into the air. She let out a loud shriek as she was taken away. She stopped a few stories above.

“What if I force your sister here to watch you be eaten from the inside-out?” He charmed. “Watch you get gutted. What then? Doesn’t that sound fun?”

“Beast, put my sister down!” Celestia shouted. “You don’t want her!”

“Of course I don’t!” He said, almost offended. “Did you not hear what I say? She will watch you get gutted. Then, I might serve her a plate of you!I would be glad to let her go after that. PTSD, anypony? The funnest type of trauma.”

“Beast!” Celestia shouted.

“Beast this, Beast that. Ugh, fine. You two are no fun.” The Beast let Luna drop. It took her a moment or two before she realized she still had wings, gliding the rest of the way to the ground. Luna stuck herself to her sister’s side like glue. Celestia laid a protective hoof around her neck.

“Fine.” He sighed. “What do you two knuckleheads want? Obviously Commander Firestorm didn’t send you two in here. He would never send you two in. How old are you, anyways? Looks like ten years old and twenty?”

“We have something to show you.” Celestia said. Discord materialized himself a good few yards away, holding a bucket of what looked like bloody hearts. He began snacking on them like popcorn.

“Do continue. I would love to see what the Yin and Yang of sisters has to show me.”

“I-If this doesn’t work- I give you my word- You can do anything you want to- to me, not my sister.” She gulped. “If this does work, then Equestria will be freed from your horror forever more.”

“What stops me from killing you now?” He asked, genuinely curious. “This deal makes me gain nothing. I accept, of course. What’s a little chaos?” The Beast suddenly got very close, leaning towards the two cowering ponies. “You don’t sound very confident, however. Am I getting through to you? Getting through to your thick little skull that I-” He poked her on the forehead. “-am-” He poked her again, harder this time. “-invincible?” He poked her forehead so hard a small trickle of blood fell down her head. The Beast laughed as he watched Luna quake beneath her sister.

“Fine. Show me.” He said, teleporting back to his throne, lounging like a late Sunday. “I don’t care whatever you do. It takes me less than a finger snap to crush you under the gravity of the sun.”

“You were right.” Celestia admitted. The Beast looked up, in surprise. “You underestimated us.” His face fell into one of boredom again.

“Sure I do.”

“All you spread is chaos and agony. But you did one thing wrong. You forgot the most important thing.” In her saddlebags, she felt a slight vibration. A glimmer of hope brewed in her chest. Luna must’ve felt it too as she shuffled out from under her sister. They locked eyes for a moment, perhaps less than two seconds. In those two seconds, she was the unbridled fear in her sister’s eyes. She felt for her. Felt for her promise. She swallowed her spit, looking back towards The Beast on his throne. “Why does good always win out in the universe? Why doesn’t evil always prevail? I have an answer. The purifying forces of Friendship.”

“Oh, blah, blah.” The Beast yawned. “Get to the point.”

“Kindness.” Out of Luna’s saddlebag, a pink crystal levitated out.

“What?”

“Laughter.” Now, a blue one came out of Celestia’s bag. Their hair began flowing in an invisible force of air, suddenly finding themselves no longer touching the ground. For Luna, it was normal, as she was a Pegasus. For an Earth-pony, it was a little concerning. For The Beast, it was most concerning.

“What?!” He shouted. “I- I destroyed them!”

“Generosity.” A purple one joined a row starting to form.

“Stop!” He screamed, suddenly lunging. The crystals seemed to zap him, getting flung backwards a hundred yards like he was nothing more than a commoner.

“Honesty, Loyalty.” Two more joined the fray. The Beast tried flinging nothing but everything at the two sisters. Luna flinched as an entire tree came flying towards her, but it bounced off like nothing. “And Magic.”

“No!” He yelled. He tried dividing himself into a hundred copies, but found himself unable to perform basic magic. “Stop this!”

“And together, they form the Elements of Harmony!” In one large blast, a sudden rainbow found itself hurtling towards The Beast. It wrapped its tendrils around The Beast like a snake around a prey. He squirmed, throwing out his limbs, bolts of magic, anything to stop it. Instead, he only found it tightening further and further.

It started in his toes. A sudden coldness gripped him as he felt his legs began to solidify. The sisters watched as he screamed, squirming and screaming. Soon, his pelvis began to solidify, finding himself unable to feel anything.

He stared for a moment in absolute terror. But, slowly, his face slipped away into one of content. Then, he looked up, staring at the sisters. Celestia raised a cocky eyebrow as Luna turned away, too scared to watch. The Beast, in a terrifyingly calm manner, turned a smile. A toothy, terrifying smile that neither would forget in four thousand years.

“Sisters of Harmony.” He started. Celestia gulped and Luna tried shying away. “One day, I will return. One day, I shall get my revenge.” He placed his paw on his chest, raising the other into the air. “Everypony you hold dear will become a toxic, sentient sludge as I melt everything they ever were. One day I will return, and on that day, you will wish you forgot the name Discord. Until then, Celestia and Luna. Farewell.” He leaned further back, letting out one last sickening high note as his jaw became a solid, his vocal cords turning into concrete.

And then Celestia hit the floor.

It was like her senses turned off for half a second. An infinite black void of nothingness. Devoid of all thought. Then, like the world flicked a light switch, she fell half a hoof towards the ground.

Her head bounced off the ground like a basketball. She grunted, squeezing her eyes as she lifted the sore spot off the ground. Her legs were twisted weirdly as she laid, blinking back the pain. Her eyes became wide as she stared at her surroundings.

The air changed. It no longer smelled of a thousand different types of food, and the ever present stench of burning leaves, but rather the sterile, unwelcoming smell of nothingness. Like nothing had ever happened, and the scars of time had immediately forgiven the area.

Celestia’s first thought was that the Elements were so powerful, it had reverted the area back to even before The Beast had been trapped there, and before the Forest was there. That would be the only logical explanation as to why she suddenly found herself in a majestic throne room.

The walls were cold and calculating, yet still shone an uncomfortable amount of welcoming energy. She laid on a deep red carpet in the middle of this area. In front of her appeared to be pedestals and steps leading up to two massive thrones. One with a sun behind it, the other throne a moon behind it.

Sunlight shone through stain glass windows in a heavenly fashion. Had she- died? Was this the afterlife? It certainly seemed holy, and eerily similar to the Pegasi’s Religious beliefs. A castle in the clouds. Well- here it was. The castle in the clouds, dark blue walls and all.Celestia herself was an Earth-pony, therefore believing in a separate set of religious morals from her Pegasus sister, Luna. Maybe Luna was right, though, seeing as where she had ended up.

But she had to remember what had just happened. She had to remember that she had just defeated The Beast. Could’ve this been one of his tricks? Lets see how a pony reacts when they believe they had just died, right? It was all a game to him. This very well might have been another one of his games.

And then, right on cue, some pony painfully turned on her hearing with a screech.

“-incess Celestia?” An unfamiliar voice spoke mere inches away from her ear. To say she was startled would’ve been an understatement. To say she was sloppy, having just woken up where ever ‘here’ was, would’ve been defamation.

In an instant, Celestia was no longer laying on the ground. She swung a heavy hoof full of earth-pony might as she spun, making contact with the jaw of a purple unicorn as she stood up. The purple unicorn fell to the ground, holding her jaw with a hoof, with all the fashion of a bag of bones.

Celestia reared up onto her hind hooves, ready to finish the filly. Out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly saw a huge burst of blue light dashing towards her. She didn’t have enough time to react, only slightly turning her body towards the light. It blasted her chest. It didn’t hurt, and it probably wasn’t supposed to. Instead, she found herself skidding backwards across the ground. The carpet bunched under her hooves as she maintained a defensive stance.

“Tia?” A very familiar voice shrieked. “Oh Faust, what have we done?” Celestia hadn’t, for some reason, noticed the second of the two ponies in the room with her. Familiar was a word that didn’t begin to describe this new voice.

Everything was still a little bit blurry, but from a distance, she looked just like Luna. Her coat was the same dark blue, maybe just a tinge darker. She was standing with her own defensive position, her wings splayed to the side, her right wing covering the purple unicorn who was now shaking on the ground. On her flank was the same scar her Luna had, black splotches, only with what appeared to be a Cutiemark of the moon in the darkness.

Although her mane and tail were flowing with a radiant magical energy, completely unidentifiable to Celestia, and although she seemed quite a bit taller than her Luna, her eyes till held the exact same fear she had seen with her mere moments before defeating The Beast. Something in the deepest parts of Celestia’s soul told her that yes, this was her sister. This was her sister.

One big difference, however, was the fact she had a horn.

Wait- no. That wasn’t right. She had wings. She had wings, and a horn. Luna only had wings. Was this some kind of hybrid? Some sick joke that The Beast had put together?

“Twilight, are you okay?” The hybrid said, leaning down to the purple Unicorn. Celestia noticed that the Unicorn was leaking tears from her eyes, still shut tightly. She was repeating a phrase, over and over she said ‘she hit me.’

Celestia didn’t wait another second. In the time the hybrid looked down to check on the Unicorn, Celestia had launched herself towards the duo again. She had defeated Unicorns before, all she had to do was be quick-

It seemed the hybrid was one step ahead of her, however. Without even looking, Celestia was encased in a blue aura. She gasped at the power she felt radiating off of the hybrid. It was almost comparable to The Beast’s own power, only much more sequenced and much less random and chaotic.

“Let me go, you bitch!” Celestia yelled, trying her hardest to break the spell that held her. But- it was much, much stronger than anything she had ever dealt with in the past. The spell wasn’t even bending. It was the strongest Unicorn she had ever seen. Even stronger than Starswirl himself. And even she could barely escape from his aura.

The hybrid looked up. She looked fearful, and sympathetic. She sucked air through her teeth as she watched Celestia punch, twist, and contort against the aura. Then, she let out the air.

“I’m sorry.” She said solemnly. “Sleep.” She commanded.

And the world went black.

Memory Loss - (02) Wake Up

Celestia groaned from the deepest parts of her throat. The world came back to her slowly. It was a mystery exactly when she woke up. All she knew was in her moments of consciousness, she realized she had already been awake for several minutes. Although she was laying still, every bone ached and complained. It felt like she had been in the same position for hours. Like she had gotten almost too much sleep, her joints stiff and inoperable. Her white fur shone through her closed eyelids, combined with the holy light shining in the room she was in made it real difficult to drift back to sleep. Against her better knowledge, and certainly against her complaining body, Celestia forced her eyelids open.

For a moment, the world was blown out white. Unlike her last rude awakening, she still had her hearing in the first few crucial seconds. Also unlike last time, she was unable to do anything as the sound of heavy clunking metal approached the bed, stopping a good distance away.

“You sent her to the infirmary, you know.” A stallion said sternly. Celestia grunted, closing her eyes again as she tried blinking back the world. She noticed how her pink hair extended down into her vision, how frail and thin it really looked in this moment. She blinked a few more times, realizing the bright light that was blowing out her vision was actually three huge windows directly in front of her, where her legs were pointing. In her vision, she could see she was being covered by a plush blanket.

The bed she was in was ginormous. She didn’t even cover half-way down the length of the bed, her head being propped up by giant pillows. The room she in was massive. Not nearly the same size of the throne room she was in moments ago, but the ceiling extended way past the normal height of a pony, a golden chandelier dangling in the middle.The walls were painted an ugly purple, every little thing in the entire room being painted a golden trim. A fireplace sat unlit, a huge collection of scrolls being neatly arranged on a nearby shelf. The room was obviously a bedroom, with the bed in the middle, and a closet, body length mirror, and many dressers lining the walls. It looked very luxurious. Just like all the picture books Celestia read when she was younger about princesses in the olden world.

She licked her lips dry, closing her eyes again and trying her damnedest to drift back to sleeo. She wanted this feeling of pain to stop. Just for her to stop existing for a moment. Whatever was happening right now surely didn’t need her input.

“You don’t even care, do you?” He asked, sighing in a frustrated manner. “You dislocated her jaw. I suggested sending you to the dungeons, but Princess Luna demanded you be send to Her Majesty’s quarters.”

That got her attention. It seemed Celestia wasn’t getting any sleep any time soon. It’s not like she needed it.

Celestia opened her eyes again. She tried to sit up from her position. Her muscles tensed as she tried, complaining and creaking as she did. Suddenly, her hoof grew taught as a chain across her chest gave it’s slack up. She fell back her short distance into the bed again, turning to look at what kept her captive. It was a simple, surprisingly shiny silver chain, bound painfully tight along her wrist. No doubt some of the fur was probably worn off beneath it. It ran form her right hoof, along her chest, and ended by being somehow magically embedded into the tiled floor.

That was another strange thing about this massive bedroom. The bed was sunk into the ground, the edge of the bed barely raising any higher than the tiled floor around her. She twisted her hoof for a second, feeling the constraint. Even if this stuff was made out of the cheapest metal in Equestria, she still wouldn’t be able to break it. Not in her weakened state, at least.

In an attempt to view the stallion talking, Celestia pushed her head further into the pillow. Her pink hair fell around, giving her an almost insane look. She saw an unobstructed view of the stallion, albeit the view being upside-down. She squinted her eyes.

It might’ve been armor. It might’ve also been the most ridiculous costume she had ever seen a pony wear. She had no idea.

It had, just like everything else in the room, a golden trim. The main bulk of the metal appeared to be either painted purple, or just naturally purple, blending himself in with the walls. He had his electric blue mane styled into a mohawk, his mane sticking out of the top of the helmet that sat on top of his head. He had a white coat and blue eyes. Blue eyes that looked pissed.

Celestia tried to laugh. Really, she did. What she only found herself doing, however, was violently coughing from the lack of water she hadn’t been ingesting. The stallion grunted in frustration, yet his fact fell a few notches of anger, donning something very reminiscent of sympathy for Celestia. He still looked angry, but walked over to a nearby cart full of amenities that included water.

He poured a glass, not in a particular rush, and levitated it next to the prisoner. She happily used her free hoof to take it, greedily drinking down it’s contents as she coughed around the liquid. She let the empty glass drop for a moment, the stallion levitating it next to the bed. She closed her eyes again, sighing as her mouth finally felt parched.

Until a shadow blocked the windows in front of her.

She opened her eyes again, staring at the huge stallion towering over her, standing at the foot of the bed. She gulped, her mouth returning to the dry state it was previously.

“Let’s start this off simple.” He said with an unreadable tone, although he still looked quite peeved. “My name is Captain Armor. What is your name, prisoner?” He commanded. Celestia debated for a moment. Should she really tell the truth to this hostage-taker? Why would she need to lie? It surely wouldn’t hurt.

But then, it seemed the absurdity of the situation had really grasped her.

She was in a bed. Chained to said bed. There was a stallion standing over her. And he was wearing a costume. He was a Unicorn, and she was an Earth-pony.

Oh dear.

If this was any other situation, this would’ve been a dream come true. Unfortunately for Celestia, she suddenly felt very bare and uncomfortable as she looked from the constraint and back at the stallion. He seemed to pick up on the signal, his face dropping even further from the familiar anger.

“Right.” He said, shaking his head. “I’m sure you didn’t mean to hit my sister.”

Celestia’s ears twitched as the stallion started to walk away, head held lower than usual. She gathered the strength in her throat and croaked out a question.

“Sister?” She asked, her throat raspy. The stallion stopped, a hoof still in the air. He turned as so only one side of his face was visible, a critical observing her.

“Sister, yes.” He said, putting his hoof down. “That purple Unicorn you clocked. Do you know her?”

“No.” She shook her head in the bed. There was a moment where both ponies were staring at eachother, unsure of exactly what to do. The silence almost threatened to permiate forever. “I- I have a sister, too.” She finally said.

“Do you?” He asked, his curiosity piped.

“She’s a decade younger than me. Bou’t this tall.” She made a weak motion with her hoof, more of a generalization of her sister’s height. For a moment, Captain Armor looked conflicted. He bit his lip, turning to look away. Celestia watched as he calculated, eventually turning back to her with an even more relaxed expression.

“Twily’s six years younger.” He said, turning to look out the window. “When she was born, I don’t know. At first I felt jelous. My parents were giving this- this screaming foal more attention than me. But then- I don’t know. Something broke in me.”

“You wanted to protect her?” Celestia guessed. Captain Armor turned to look at her with a questioning glance, one of more guarded curiosity than anger. “I’ve been around the block, buddy. I know how it feels to see your sister hurt. You don’t want it to ever happen again. You’ll promise to keep her safe, no matter what.”

“Yeah.” He nodded, looking back out the window.

“I broke that promise.”

“What?” He asked, turning around fairly quickly. “To your sister, or to mine?”

“Mine.” Celestia said, diverting eye contact to a blurry nearby picture of a short purple unicorn posing with a tall white mare. “I- I almost lead her to her death. We were struggling and- it was our only chance of prospering.”

“You sacrificed her?” Captain Armor asked, suddenly becoming angry again.

“No. I didn’t sacrifice her.” Celestia elaborated, letting her eyes find a blurry and unfocused photograph hung on the wall. The white mare looked somehow familiar, but she couldn’t quite put her hoof on it. “We used these artifacts to kill The Beast. They only work when ponies with an unbreakable bond are close by. They work on harmony. It was me and my sister, or nothing.”

“Hm.” Captain Armor breathed, walking around the bed and out of view. “I don’t like that, but- hey, I’ve done worse to my sister.”

“Really now?” Celestia asked. “What happened?”

“It was at my wedding.” Celestia saw some motion out of the corner of her eye. On one of the nearby three-way-mirrors, she could barely see Captain Armor grab a different picture from the wall with a hoof, holding it up to his face. “Some mind control spell. I yelled at her pretty bad. I know it was just the magic talking, but- I felt really bad. It made me feel like I wanted to yell at her.”

“Mind control’s a bitch.” Celestia giggled, without coughing.

“Makes it sound like you’ve dealt with it before.” He said, readjusting the picture in his hooves.

“Earth-pony here.” Celestia said, waving a hoof around her head. “Don’t have much protection against it.” Captain Armor looked up from the picture in surprise towards the bed Celestia was inhabiting. “Sometimes you can recognize the signs before it takes hold. Get yourself a Unicorn who knows what they’re doing. Other times, you don’t notice it until you start yelling things you never would in a million years.”

“So you have dealt with it before?” He asked. “Hardcore.”

“Yeah.”

“You’re right, though. It is a bitch.” He said. The two exchanged a short laugh. “Hey, I never got your name.” Captain Armor said, placing down the portrait.

“Call me Tia.” She said with a smile.

“Then call me Shining.” He rolled his shoulder. “If you get out of here, you should really apologize to my sister, Twily. I don’t know why, but she’s really shaken up about it.”

“Yeah. Sorry, I guess I got startled pretty bad.” Celestia played with the edge of her blanket, looking away from the mirror.

“Water under the bridge, I guess. Was about two days ago, anyway.”

“Two days?” Celestia asked, surprised. “How long was I out for?”

“Well- two days.” He said. “Apparently Princess Luna gave you a little too much of a sleep spell. She was super apologetic about it, though. Didn’t mean to.”

“You keep mentioning-” Celestia huffed in frustration. It could very easily be one of the foreign leaders sharing the same name with her sister. She needed to stop jumping to conclusions so fast. What was the possibility that yes, this Princess Luna was the same pony as the Pegasus Luna.

“I don’t even know where my sister is.” Celestia admitted. “We were fighting The Beast, then I woke up on this big throne-looking room’s floor.”

“Well. That was the throne room.” Shining explained. “Mind telling me a little more about this ‘beast’ you keep mentioning?”

“You don’t know?” She said, adjusting herself on the bed. “The Beast is the opposite of harmony. Disharmony, if you would. He is- he was a nasty piece of work.” Celestia fumbled her blanket, accidentally dropping it on her. Shining seemed to notice the discomfort. He stared at the picture for a few more moments before placing it back on it’s rightful spot.

“Listen- if you aren’t some kind of super villain, I will gladly lend you some of my troops to help find your sister.” He said, approaching the window once more. Celestia kept staring at the fray of the blanket.

“Lend some troops? What are you, some kind of commander?”

“You could say that.” He laughed. “Or you could call me Prince of The Crystal Empire.”

“Hah. No.” Celestia said, still playing with her blanket. “You seem like a good stallion, but you aren’t no Princess Amore.”

“Princess Amore?” Shining asked, turning around. “That was- um-” He lightly stomped the hoof, looking for the right words. “That was the princess of The Crystal Empire directly before King Sombra, right?”

Celestia, instead of responding, kept playing with her blanket. Shining’s gaze dropped, watching as the mare kept screwing with it. He turned back to the window, staring at the streets below. This mare seemed, at best, out of date with her knowledge. Perhaps she had an ulterior motive, perhaps not. It’s true she did sock Twilight Sparkle, but she might’ve just been confused and scared.

Shining was about to turn and grab Princess Luna when he heard a peculiar sound: sniffing. Shining turned around to watch as Tia seemed to be leaking tears. He froze, suddenly unsure of himself and what to do. He leaned forwards on his hoofs, and then backed off. He decided the best course of action was to just talk from a distance.

“Um- hey?” He asked. “What’s going on? What’s wrong?”

“My sister.” She stated bluntly, hiding her tears with her mane. “I don’t know where she is.”

“I told you- I will help you find her-”

“But what if she’s already gone?” Celestia yelled. “I just fought tooth and nail with the devil himself! What if he- I dunno- magic’d her to purgatory!” She buried her head into her hooves. Shining stood, unsure of himself as he watched the mare break down. He knew how to comfort his wife, but- this was a complete stranger.

The door of the room slowly creaked open. Shining looked up with pleading eyes at the new figure entering the room. The figure nodded, approaching the bed from behind.

“What if I got her killed?” Celestia sobbed. “I shouldn’t of. I should’ve left it to the strategists or something! I just want to see my sister again.”

“Want no more.” Luna said. With a flick of magic, the constraint around Celestia’s hoof suddenly clicked off. She looked down in surprise at the now-free’d hoof. Celestia turned around in the bed, staring up at the towering figure.

“What?” Shining asked.

“Lulu?” Celestia said, crawling slowly towards the tall mare. “Is that really you?”

“What?” Shining asked, a little bit more concerned and even more worried.

“Yes, Tia.” She said with a smile. “It is me.”

“What?!”

“You look- so old!” Celestia beamed, shakily standing up and weakly hugging Luna’s legs. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there! I- I think I got zapped by The Beast or something and ended up in the future!” Celestia looked at Shining. “And I assume this is your husband, right?”

“What!” He said, backing up. “No, no, no!”

“Nice to meet you, brother in law!” She beamed, crossing the distance, suddenly finding the strength to hop like a filly. “I don’t know if Luna’s ever mentioned me, seeing as I vanished for a while, but-” She wiped away the renaming tears, completely forgetting about her woes. She turned away from Shining. “I’m real sorry, Luna. I just-”

“Tia, you weren’t absent. And Sir Shining Armor isn’t my husband.” Luna explained. “Come, we can explain on the way.”

“To what?” Celestia asked, walking towards Luna. “Where are we going? Woah, you’re tall.” She craned her neck backwards.

“I assume you come from a time before Discord?” Luna asked, using her magic to open the door.

“Discord? You mean The Beast, right?”

“Oh, I forgot.” Luna laughed. “That’s what we used to call him, correct?”

“Used to?” The doors swung shut, leaving a very confused Shining. “What the fuck?” He asked. “W-Wait up for me!”

The End(?)

The four creatures watched as the image faded, once more leaving a story unresolved.

A quite nasty, and honestly, unfortunate story still left in the hooves of fate, being unwound as they sat, looking at each other warily.

“I-I think we’re done.” Twilight said simply. She stood up from her beanbag, extending her magic, and disconnecting the cables that hooked onto the table. There were a few sparks as the electricity suddenly snapped off, leaving the table to sputter in light, eventually dimming down to almost nothing, only a pale blue light left from somewhere deep. Some of the only light left was the golden glow above them from the memory tree.

“Let’s… not do that again.” Rarity said slowly, looking slightly mortified.

“I think I’ve been emotionally scarred from that one.” Starlight shivered. “I know Discord was evil and all, but that was… level ten. Seeing Princess Celestia so… unfiltered. Seeing Princess Luna scared like that… I didn’t like that one.”

“It makes me wonder how many stories were toned down.” Spike pondered from the floor. “I mean- passing down stories from generation to generation, I think you’d want to leave out the bit where Discord would ‘serve her a plate of you.’ That was… I’m a dragon, and that was tough.”

“Let’s just say it was interesting to see Discord in his prime.” Twilight had already begun wrapping up her project, levitating some of the thick wires and coiling them together, placing them neatly to the side. “I think it’s best if we leave this project on the back burner for now.”

“Hm.” Suddenly, Starlight felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Slowly, almost mechanically, she looked forwards, past Twilight, and at an indeterminate part of the room. She shivered again, frowning. “Do you girls ever wonder if… we’re being watched? Just like we’ve been watching other versions of ourselves?”

Twilight contemplated it for a second, halting her cleanup as she worked her jaw.

“Psh, are you kidding me?” Spike answered for her. “Obviously not. We’re just a group sitting around a table, talking. What’s interesting about that? We’ve been looking at humans with lost legs, Discord’s reign, Twilight’s date life- the table’s been skipping clear over the boring between. Right now, we are in the boring between.”

“I… guess that makes sense.” Starlight said warily. She stared at the spot in the room for a few more seconds, before shaking her head, and turning to Rarity. “What do you think, Rarity?”

“That anypony could be watching us?” Rarity pondered for a half-second. “I will admit, the idea does… scare me, slightly. But like Spike said, I think we would only be watched if the information is relevant to a story, like when you tried wiping us from the timeline.”

Starlight sucked air between her teeth, cringing. “I’m still sorry about that…”

“No, it’s quite alright dear. I apologize. That was a bad example.”

Slowly, all of the creatures in the room became more and more undefined. They became blurry, and almost hazy, like somepony was viewing them from the surface of murky water.

“Girls. You’re both Unicorns. Could one of you grab that pipe really quickly for me?” The staticy voice of Twilight said.

“Of course.” Rarity extended her magic.

The room was quite large, extending upwards a few stories. Huge windows adorned the walls that sat behind an evil looking throne, although the throne itself was completely empty. To the right, a huge wooden structure with a door in the middle and a staircase. Behind was a set of double doors, and surrounding the large pool were tall torches, igniting the area in a purple haze.

Laying on the ground, a laptop open to her side, and drool pooling on her hoof, was a white Pegasus. She stared down at the scene unfolding, her eyes half-closed as boredom threatened to tip her head down. Slowly, she extended her hoof, tapping the space bar on the laptop, and clearing her throat.

“Wednesday. Two in the morning. Twelfth attempt at using the magic pool.” She stifled a yawn, pinching her eyes closed tightly as she did so. “No luck so far. I can’t figure out how to make the pool show me a specific frame of time. The pool is almost completely random. Maybe I have to be a Unicorn to use it correctly. It’s a racist magic pool.” She sniffled, rubbing her eye warily. “I think I’m going to call it a night. Sunny will most definitely be interested in what I’ve recorded.” She looked over her shoulder at the tripod holding her phone, pointing down at the pool, and recording. “Turns out, Twilight Sparkle, the last great Princess, was a nerd. But the pool still doesn’t tell me when and what happened to old Equestria.” She sighed. “I’m going to get out of here before Opaline wakes up and locks me in a dungeon. I’ll pick back up tomorrow night.”

And then Zipp tapped the space bar again, ending the log.

Broken Family Aftermath

“Poor Trent…” Starlight sighed. “Being stuck with such a hostile family…” The snackening had increased in volume, no longer contained to a simple bowl of popcorn. Now, there was a large soda sitting on the ground for every pony in the room. Which was strange, as the amount of sodas added up to four, instead of three.

“Did you see how he dived through that cloud?” The voice of Spike said, sipping on the straw to his. “That’s like- basic Pegasus knowledge. I’m a dragon, and even I know not to dive through a wild cloud like that.”

“Why was the mayor so weird?” Twilight said aloud, although the question was mainly directed towards herself. “She acts like she’s a thousand years old, or something.”

“Why did the hologram change from ponies to humans mid-way through?” Rarity asked. “It was such a… jarring and unexpected change.”

“I think the table was confused on which reality it was supposed to be broadcasting.” Twilight explained. “It might’ve lost signal with the first timeline, and simply switched to the most similar one. It just happened to be full of humans instead of ponies.”

“Hey, Ollie kind of reminded me of you, Twi.” Spike said, now burrowing his claws into the bowl of popcorn. “Big bookworm, never goes outside. Actually, Ollie’s mom is a lot like our mom, Twi… Now that I think about it… wasn’t her dad a lot like Dad, too?”

“Cosmic coincidence.” Starlight answered. “Seriously. This is cosmic. There’s a lot of room for things to happen out in the universe.”

“Or, alternatively…” Rarity cut in. “Ollie was Twilight, just from another timeline. A very, very distant timeline, to be fair, but still that timeline’s Twilight.”

“Maybe. I dunno.” Spike shrugged, piling popcorn into his mouth. “Can we start the next one?”

“Sure.” Twilight said, reaching out her magic. But, unfortunately, her face twisted into a strange grimace as she did so.

“Everything okay, Twilight?” Starlight asked.

“Y-Yeah.” She nodded. “It’s just- this timeline is really… fuzzy. It’s kind of hard to explain…” She twisted her head while she worked her spell. “It’s skipping like a record. We might not get to see the entire story here.”

“Well, we haven’t thusfar.” Rarity commented.

“I’m getting blueballs over here, Twilight.” Starlight said. Twilight’s muzzle blushed at that comment, as did Rarity’s. Spike, however, clenched his gut in laughter, rolling to his side.

“Thank you for that, Starlight.” Twilight rolled her eyes. Finally, the image appeared. That of a small farm house on a field of mud.