Twilight Sparkle and the Mane Colts

Chapters

Never leave a friend behind
The order of the Princess
First love
It's a party
She looks fine
Worried as I can be
Butterscotch privilege

Never leave a friend behind

Six ponies can be heard running towards the library.

Twilight went in first. Her heart pumps in and out loudly as it normally would, but she tries to remain calm. Despite Twilight's shaky legs, she managed to maintain her balance. She floated and dug through the bookshelves to find a clue as to who and what Nightmare Moon was. She had never heard of her before, and there must be some hints as to why she came to rule over Equestria.

At that moment, Twilight heard Spike making vomiting noises. She went up the stairs and into the room. "Spike? You okay?"

"There's a scroll..." He panted, "Sent by the Princess.."

Spike sounded like he could vomit at any given time. But Twilight cared little, for she had a mission to do. She snatched the scroll and read it.

Twilight, I need you to go
to the everfree forest
and find the elements of

And that's that—a hurried and unfinished scroll sent by the Princess. Everfree forest? And the elements of what? Twilight gasped. The Elements of Harmony—the book she had wanted to read for some time.

She hurriedly got back to the main floor, and just then, the door crashed down, and a blue pegasus flew towards Twilight. CRASH.

"Owhhhh," Twilight groaned. Feeling her hurt head. Didn't this scenario happen before...

When she opened her eyes, the face of Rainbow Blitz could be seen on top of her.

"AHA SO YOU ARE HIDING SOMETHING!" He exclaimed.

Confused and irritated as Twilight is, she calmed herself a little. "YOU AGAIN! Why do you HAVE to keep KNOCKING ME OUT?" She yelled, then yanked Rainbow with her magic out, slamming Rainbow on the ceiling.

A small cry came out from Rainbow.

Coming in through the broken door were Applejack, Elusive Berry, and Butterscotch.

"Hold your hays now, yall! We don't want anything wreckin' in here now, do we?" Applejack said.

Elusive saw what Rainbow did, "Seriously, Rainbow, this is not how you greet someone you love." He made a slightly disappointed face.

Rainbow blushed. He landed on the ground, "WHAT? No, I'm not!" And looked at Twilight with a grungy look.

"Oh, please. The way you talked about her before the party was all the sign I needed!" Elusive argued. "I could help you, you know." He whispered to Rainbow.

"Okay, enough with this, whatever talk you're having. I need to find a book, and it will not go smoothly with a crowded group of ponies in here." Twilight said.

Rainbow and the others gave a sideway glance at each other.

"Seriously?" Rainbow commented.

Twilight Sparkle started digging through the books. Levitating fives and tens at once and checking their contents in search of the elements of Harmony and maybe of Nightmare Moon.

Rainbow Blitz gathered the whole gang behind Twilight. They formed a small circle, their hooves tangled with one another.

"Okay, so she's a bookworm! Nevertheless, you two make a perfect couple." Elusive stated.

"Ion think Rainbow did this for that Elu." Applejack was still confused by all this love talk. How could Rainbow have feelings for Twilight in one day? That didn't make sense.

Rainbow Blitz coughed loudly, but not loud enough for Twilight to hear. "Doesn't it sound strange to you?"

"WHAT IS?" Shouted Bubble Berry.

"SHH. Quiet down!" Rainbow sighed. "Twilight, or if that's even her name. She Came here on the same day Nightmare Moon came. And she checked our get-up for the celebration! To probably sneak some smoke bobs on Aj's food, to see if my flying skills aren't good enough to defeat that monster and to check the town hall for whatever their evil-doing things are!"

"You're overeating this Rainbow; we all know she won't betray us," Butterscotch defended. Even with that small, short encounter with Twilight and her little dragon earlier, he saw kindness in her eyes. That's good enough for him.

"How do you know, B? We all didn't meet her for that long. Just try to be cautious and be ready to streak when you know something's up."

The others shrugged and nodded. Everypony knew nothing could go through Rainbow Blitz's hard-headedness.

"YES I FOUND IT!!! ITS HERE YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES!!!!!!"

That startled everyone.

"What d'ya got there, Twitwi?" Berry hopped over near Twilight.

Rainbow frowned. "What did we just talk about?" he said with a loud slap to his face.

"Well, I found this book called The Elements of Harmony. It's a reference guide. Here, it will help me defeat Nightmare Moon! Well, maybe not defeat her. But it can save Princess Celestia!" Twilight needed the positive energy. Her previous outbursts when something went wrong would only bring problems.

Everypony gasped. But Rainbow looked amazed. "So you gonna save the princess, aye?"

The unicorn nodded.

"Then count me in!" Rainbow flew over to Twilight and hugged her with his wing. I LOVE adventures, and missions, and saving! I wouldn't refuse one at all!" He looked at Twilight, who looked confused, and then he looked at the others, and all of them looked at him with smug faces. That made Rainbow withdraw himself.

"Yeah! Count me in, too!" Berry enthusiastically said.

"This could be an opportunity to take forest designs in my column!" Elusive followed.

And the rest agreed and nodded.

"I think you all have mistaken. I will be the one to save the Princess. It's too dangerous for any pony to battle that villain." Twilight started overpacking with food, lots of books for survival, water and more books.

"WHAT! ALL BY YOURSELF?" Berry cried out.

"And what made you think you can save her?" Rainbow jerkingly smirked.

"If I may, it says here the elements of Harmony are in the old castle of the two sisters. It's also dangerous for a pony to go to the everfree forest." Elusive argued. "Besides, you'll need scarves and boots. That place is very windy at night and very muddy. Plus, it's never too bad to be stylish when going on a mission." He gasped. "OH! I can make costumes for our mission! It will be splendid!"

Twilight sighed and smiled calmly. "Thank you for the offer and advice, Elusive, but I think I'm good. I got all that I need." She levitated her overpacked saddlebag—you can barely call it a saddlebag—and dropped it in front of Elusive with a proud smile.

Everypony present gave an awkward smile and nod.

The unicorn levitated her saddlebag to her back and walked over to the door.

Rainbow looked uneasy. "WAIT!" He uttered. "We..can still take you there, right?"

"Uh, sure you all can do that, thank you," Twilight said.

"That's what friends are for, silly. There's no need to thank us!" Berry exclaimed while hopping out of the library, followed by the others who walked.

Twilight smiled. That checked the task box of making a friend. Would there be plus points if you made two or more friends?

Along the way, nopony was talking, not even Bubble Berry. Everypony saw Twilight mouthing, whispering some stuff to herself and taking the Elements book back and forth like she was forgetting something repeatedly. They shouldn't bother her.

But Rainbow Blitz thought otherwise.

"So Twilight, how'd ya think you can take out the scary alicorn thing?" While he gestured punching movements.

Twilight took her eyes off the page she was reading and side-eyed Rainbow. "Well, I'll probably go to the castle of the two sisters and find the elements, and it says here I can activate the elements of harmony by using my magic." Twilight flipped to the next page. "USING WHAT MAGIC?"

Rainbow made a little startled jump. "What'd you mean? It just says magic. Don't you do that already?"

"Yeah, I do, but there are different variations of magic. Like hundreds and thousands of them, and some of them haven't been discovered yet!" She answered."And this stupid book doesn't want me to find out what type of magic should be used to activate the elements! UGHHHHH!" Twilight almost broke that book.

"That sucks," Rainbow responded.

Applejack heard Twilight's irritated noises and galloped a little faster to keep up with her. "Am sure you can do what yer supposed to at the right moment of time, Twilight."

"How are you sure when I'm not even sure myself?" the lavender pony pouted. "You're just making this stuff up."

Applejack frowned. "No, I ain't. I'm tellin' the whole truth. Trust me. And you can hang my hat on it." He winked.

Twilight looked Applejack in the eye—those beautiful, manly, handsome, radiant, breathtaking eyes. She didn't see any bit of doubt. "Okay, thanks, Applejack."

"You can call me Aj now, ya know. We close as two peas in a pod."

Twilight smiled and blushed. She turns her head away to hide her tomato face.

Meanwhile, Butterscotch can't help but feel everypony bonded with Twilight more than he did. He lowered his head.

Berry saw this and hopped very close to Butterscotch's side. "Why you down, Butter? Did something happen?" He asked worriedly.

Butterscotch whispered, "No.."

Berry flipped his ear up and down. "What was that? A yes?" He downed himself. What could he do to cheer his friend up?

"You know Butterscotch, nopony is BUTTER than you, don't BUTTER them." Berry smiled widely.

A small smile crept on Butterscotch's face. "Thank you, Berry. I feel Butter already. Haha."

The realization of a faux laughter and smile made Berry clench his heart. Berry's smile disappeared, yet he did not give up hope, for he could still bring a smile to Butterscoth's face. Before Berry could say something, Twilight interrupted him.

"We're finally here."

The order of the Princess

"Twilight! Twilight!" Somepony shouted outside the Canterlot tower stairs, which Twilight Sparkle, a lavender-coated unicorn, heard.

"Come along, Spike!" Twilight said while she hurriedly packed up a pile of scrolls in her saddlebag using her unicorn magic.

After Twilight Sparkle spoke, Spike went into the tower Twilight was in. Spike wasn't a somepony but a tiny baby dragon with purple scales and green spikes. "We'll be late to Moon Dancer's party if we don't hurry up!" Spike pleaded at Twilight, which Twilight ignored.

"I'm sorry, Spike, but I don't think we will attend her party. Princess Celestia asked me to check the preparations in Ponyville for the summer sun celebration." Spike sighed, let out a sound of disappointment, and helped Twilight pack up to Ponyville. Not long after, the two of them got outside the tower, down the stairs and went in a carriage ordered by the Princess of Equestria herself. The carriage took off, leaving Canterlot and taking a flight to their destination.

"Twilight, did you remember what Princess Celestia ordered you to do in Ponyville?" Spike asked. Taking the time spent flying to ask an important question. One that might change her whole perspective in life.

"Of course! That's why we are going in the first place." Twilight answered, a little frustrated that Spike questioned her responsibility.

"No, the other order," Spike said. He knew what order she was talking about. Yet, he should remind Twilight what was the point of their journey in Ponyville.

"What do you mean?" Twilight was truly confused, not knowing what Spike meant.

Spike looked at Twilight, expecting her not to know the true reason for the Princess's order and sighed. "To make some friends, that's what the princess wants you to do," Spike responded. Twilight was about to argue with Spike's words until the carriage hit the ground; they had arrived in Ponyville, an ordinary town near Canterlot, a peaceful village where ordinary ponies live harmoniously. All three tribes working together. Unicorns, Pegasi and Earth ponies. Twilight learned all these from a book she read as a filly. She hopped out of the carriage, followed by Spike and thanked the stallions that flew them there.

Walking through the streets of that peaceful town, Spike decided to negotiate with Twilight to make some friends, even if he had to force her into making one. "Twilight, you really should follow the princess' orders. You never break the rules."

"Well, I guess this rule is the only rule I'm going to break." Twilight debated.

"What? No!" Spike was shocked that Twilight wanted to break THIS law.

"Calm down, Spike, you keep saying that I should break some few laws and rebel, and this is it!" Twilight let out a slight grin of victory while Spike looked down at the ground, crouched, letting out a sign that he lost.

They kept walking until Spike could hear a beautiful melody, "Woah! That tune is amazing!" Spike exclaimed. Twilight perched up her ears to listen to what he was hearing,

"Wow! It really is. Come on, let's go. That may be our Sun celebration's choir." Twilight and Spike followed the beautiful melody and stopped just outside a house near the center of the town. It was an ordinary house made of wood and hay. "Are you sure we should go in that house without permission?" Spike asked.

"We're going to knock, of course," Twilight said and approached the door. She was knocking it twice. Nothing happened. Twilight knocked again, but louder, which caused the inside of the house to panic. The both of them were startled by what was happening. Spike saw birds flying in a window and furrowed his brows. The door opened, and a white-coated mare appeared with a blue mane, oversized sunglasses covering her eyes, and big headphones on her head.

"Hello there! My name is Twilight Sparkle. I'm here because I heard a beautiful melody and was wondering if that melody is for the Summer sun celebration?" Twilight asked. The white earth pony nodded after hearing the stranger's reason for knocking on her door. Twilight and Spike smiled in delight. "I am Princess Celestia's protégé and have been ordered to see how the preparations for the celebration are going. Do you mind if we come and see?" Twilight asked again. While the earth pony put on a thoughtful look with a hoof on her chin, she went back inside. She came out and nodded her head again. Twilight and Spike went inside the humble home and saw a colt with light yellow fur and a pink wavy mane. The pegasus colt is near the birds that sang beautifully.

"Hello! You must be the choir representative. My name is Twilight." Twilight extrovertedly said. She looked at the colt expectantly to hear his name.

The Pegasus heard her name and reason when she was outside, but he still covered his eye levelled mane on his face. "My name..." whispered the colt. Twilight looked eager to let the colt finish his sentence; meanwhile, Spike saw a cupcake stand near him and focused his mind on that.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Twilight is trying to hear what the colt is saying, twitching up her ears. All Twilight hears is the mumbling sounds the colt has made for the last 20 seconds.

The colt gave up trying to say his name to the beautiful mare and looked behind her. A cute and tiny dragon! The colt widened his eyes in excitement but contained it after seeing the eager mare. "..um..my name is...Butterscotch." Butterscotch replied, fidgeting his hoofs on the ground. Feeling timid meeting a new pony, especially a mare!

"Butterscotch! Gotcha." Twilight happily said. "Very well! We'll get out of your mane now." She looked to her right and saw Spike almost emptying the cupcake stand. She rolled her eyes, picked him up with her magic telekinesis and went out.

While the two guests are leaving, Butterscotch thinks about how Miss Twilight Sparkle is so patient with him, unlike most ponies who get frustrated by his shyness.

"Those cupcakes were amazing!" Spike said happily. He was forgetting his own mission. To make Twilight have friends.

"Come on, Spike, We have to find the other representatives," Twilight said while finding other ponies responsible for decor, weather, and food since the Music had already been checked.

"Okay, Okay. Why are we in such a hurry anyway? We have a whole day to find them." Spike proclaimed.

"Because I need to find the nearest library after we check that everything is going as planned," Twilight answered.

Spike still confused, "But why?"

Twilight narrowed her eyes, "There's this book I'm very fascinated with—the elements of harmony. And I read that the elements are somewhere near Ponyville. But I don't know exactly where."

"Seriously, Twi?" Spike said. "You know better that the elements of harmony aren't real but a made-up story of really bored ponies."

"I doubt that." Twilight uttered. But before Twilight could defend her answer again, a crash hit her, making her pony figure fly through the ground. "Ow!" Twilight reacted.

"Twilight!" Spike cried.

"Whoops! Sorry about that." A colt on top of the mare said. While getting up.

"Watch where you're going," Twilight grunted, getting up and touching her head with her hoof.

"Haha, yeah, I always do." The blue pegasus colt with a rainbow-coloured mane said.

"So you crashed into me on purpose?" She narrowed her eyes, feeling frustrated, but said the sentence calmly. One of the things she learned while living in the Canterlot castle is not to let out a sign of frustration for a minor reason.

"Duh! Why won't I want to crash into the most beautiful mare I have ever met." The colt winked at the mare. He was clearly flirting with her! Thinking he could make her fall in love with him like any other mare in town.

Twilight let out a sound of disgust. "No thanks." and walked away with Spike. She doesn't like flirty colts, much less a colt with a higher ego.

The mare's reaction stunned the Pegasus, and she followed the unicorn and the dragon. "Wh- what do you mean, no thanks?"

"I mean that you should go away."

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

The Pegasus widened his eyes, shocked that a mare rejected him. No pony rejected him. Not since forever. "I'm Rainbow Blitz, by the way." Intrigued by this unknown pony, he decided he should befriend her.

"Nice," Twilight said. She was not looking at the colt but straight up on the road, and she looked at Spike, who was putting weird signals to talk to the pony who wanted to befriend her. Twilight sighed, stopped her track and looked at Rainbow Blitz. "I am Twilight, the protege of the Princess," She said, smiling politely.

Rainbow Blitz blushed slightly at the smile Twilight put on. "Hold on a minute, The Princess' Protege? Whatever that's called. That means you live in Canterlot?" Rainbow asked.

"Yes. A protege is a pony who is guided and supported by an older and more experienced or influential pony, or could be called a sponsor or student." Twilight answered, who she thought asked what a Protege meant.

"Yeah, that." Rainbow Blitz said, "Hold on, that means you go in and out of the castle?!" Rainbow exclaimed excitedly.

"Yes," Twilight answered again.

"That's amazing! That means you get to see the wonderbolts!" Rainbow Blitz exclaimed.

"Yes, I do see them sometimes when the Princess personally asks them what to do-" Twilight said before getting cut off by Rainbow Blitz's scream, which sounded like the scream of a fan.

"That's soo cool! Oh! Do you know the wonderbolts personally? Do you think you can say a few words to your friend? Me?" Rainbow asked pleadingly to Twilight, to which Twilight raised a brow.

"Even if I know them personally, why would I say a few words to you? You're not my friend." Twilight said, unpleasant about what he had said.

"Oh, C'mon! You are now! You're one of my bestest marefriend!" Rainbow shouted. Letting everypony near them hear the word, Marefriend.

"YOU'RE WHAT!" Twilight shouted shockingly.

"Oh, haha. That sounded wrong. I meant a friend who is a mare. But who knows, you might be my marefriend." Rainbow Blitz said, proud of his attractiveness that made a few of the mares near them fall to the ground, blushing.

"No!" Twilight said, letting go of the hug Rainbow Blitz gave her while saying that bunch of nonsense. Twilight looked for Spike, who looked at them very confusingly. Is this how new friends joke around each other? He didn't know since all of his friends were primarily stoic guards. They didn't joke like that around with him. "Spike, we are going," Twilight said, frustrated.

"Aww, why? Didn't your talk with your new friend work out?" Spike asked sadly.

"It didn't work out. And he is NOT my friend," Twilight proclaimed. "We just need to find these other representatives and the library, stay there until the celebration, and get back to Canterlot."

"Representatives for the celebration?" Rainbow Blitz thought out loud when he eavesdropped on their conversation. "Hey! I'm one of the representatives! I'm in charge of the weather 'ya know!" He exclaimed.

Twilight looked back at Rainbow Blitz and sighed. "Great! The weather couldn't get any clearer." Said Twilight sarcastically. And she walked away from Rainbow Blitz, followed by Spike.

The colt was disappointed he didn't get to talk more with Twilight Sparkle about how awesome he is. But he was sure that Twilight and he would get to meet and speak again with his other friends, who would love to meet an exciting mare and a dragon.

Author's Note

I don't know what came over me but Twilight hates Rainbow Blitz now xddd

First love

After that weird encounter with the blue pegasus, Twilight Sparkle and Spike walked on the streets of Ponyville. "That was mean of you, Twilight," Spike said, walking behind her, worried that Twilight had hurt the poor, enthusiast colt away.

"I wasn't being mean. I was being sarcastic. Besides, now that we know the weather and music are all right, all we have left is food and decor." Twilight stated, looking rather annoyed but neutral now, not mad or happy.

Spike looked at the list the Princess gave and read that Sweet Apple Acres provides the food for the celebration. "I know that place!"

"You do?" Twilight questioned.

"One of the guards in Canterlot brought food from Sweet Apple Acres, and it was delicious! Their apples are rich and juicy, and even more, their apple pies! I could never forget what they tasted like." Spike commented and licked his lips, savouring that memory.

They both went to the edge of Ponyville, across the bridge and in front of Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight and Spike could already smell the delicious food they were having. Both can see earth ponies working hard, not just making food but growing it, building equipment, and having fun—earth ponies whose cutie marks are related to apples. One cutie mark has flowers and a big apple on top. Another cutie mark is a big sliced green apple; another has three apples with maple syrup. Then, They saw a filly with no cutie mark come up to them, "Howdy, strangers!"

"Hello, little filly. Do you mind showing me who's preparing the food for tonight?" Twilight asked, lowering her head to see the cute filly who greeted them.

"Why, we are indeedy! We have the best apples in Ponyville and might be the best in Equestria! And we, too, are very honored to hold this kind 'a thing!" The little filly answered. Twilight looked at the filly. She had bright crimson as her mane, a yellow coat and red-orange eyes. She was wearing a big bow on her head, which was very cute.

"There must be somepony in charge." Twilight thought. Just then, a vast colt appeared. Well, not that huge, but an average big stallion. Worthy of being called a strong earth pony. Twilight lifted her head, widened her eyes and blushed a little. Seeing a handsome stallion wasn't rare in Canterlot, but a big one was. The stallion told the filly off to do some chores while he took care of the visitors.

He walked up to Twilight and Spike, "Howdy there, name's Applejack, but I reckon if we're close enough, you call me Aj." The stallion smiled politely at Twilight. Twilight, however, has her jaw dropped. She didn't know how to react to her heart beating. She had never felt that way in her life. She looked at the stallion with blushing eyes and looked to his left. Twilight saw Spike eating another pile of food given by the Sweet Apple Acre ponies. That made her shake her head aggressively and jump right back into reality.

"Uh- Hi! M-my name is Twilight Sparkle. Sent here by the Princess to check if everything is well for the Summer Sun Ce...Celebration." She realized how embarrassing it was that she stuttered. Waiting for the response of the handsome stallion, Twilight Sparkle looked at his physic. She hadn't seen any pony that good-looking. His hair is long and flowing, making him more attractive, but Twilight knows he would look much finer even with his hair tied.

"Oh! Why didn't you say so!" Applejack happily said. "Ya'll, we have the inspector comin' in!" He yelled. In that second, He carried Twilight with his front hoof across her barrel and sat her at a table.

All the ponies came rushing in, putting all kinds of apple-related foods at the table: Apple pies, Apple muffins, Apple fritters and so on. Twilight Sparkle was shocked by how fast everything was happening and how delicious those foods looked. She then started eating them one by one, with Spike almost gulping the 57th food that they had given him. While they were eating, Applejack started introducing his whole Apple family. "Apple Bumpkin, Red Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Gala Appleby, Jonagold, Perfect Pie, Lavender Fritter, and Peachy Sweet!"

"Wow, that's a lot of family members," Twilight said, gasping for air before eating again.

Applejack gladly looked at Twilight and Spike after listing a lot of names. "Oh shucks, we haven't even gotten to the fillies and foals yet, and it looks like ya'll run out of food. Big Mac, we need s'more!"

"Oh, no, we got a lot to do today. We'll save the rest for later." Twilight, who cannot take one more bite, said.

"Well, don't mind if I do." Spike chimed happily.

"Spike, not now. The sun is almost setting." Whispered by Twilight. Begging Spike to take a hint. She couldn't consume more food! Much more, one more look at the ripped Applejack!

"No, no, I insist. I mighty could bring the whole thing to ya!" Applejack said, carrying all those apple pies to give to Twilight. Walking to her, Applejack caught his front hoof on a twig. He tripped and fell forward on his face. The apple pies flew through the air, and everypony gasped and watched where the apple pies would land on.

It landed on the visitor, Twilight Sparkle. SPLASH.

"Yikes," Spike mumbled while stuffing his face with food. Most of the apple pies got squashed with Twilight and splashed a little to the ones near her. Luckily, the apple pies that hadn't been squashed placed themselves on the table in front of the ponies, and they ate them happily like there was no tomorrow.

Why does this keep happening to her? Of all the possibilities that could've gone wrong, Her lavender fur dirt all over, including her beautiful mane. Twilight Sparkle couldn't take it anymore. She would burst off in flames because of the humiliation. But this isn't Canterlot; not everyone has met her directly. They would think she has a bad temper as her personality. Worse yet, Applejack's impression of her would go down the drain. All she could think about was to run.

And now she's running. Running far away from Sweet Apple acres to the bridge and back to the center of the town. She stopped to catch her breath. Next to her was Spike, who was worried about why Twilight had suddenly run away.

"Twilight! What was that!" Spike shouted at Twilight. Twilight didn't answer. Spike looked at her and saw how embarrassed and sad her face was. How humiliating that must have felt. Even though he thought Twilight was being dramatic by running away from an accident she didn't even make. "Sorry, Twi." Spike lowered his head and looked at the ground. He was thinking of ways to cheer her up.

Twilight looked at her one and only friend and brother, aside from her teacher, formal foal-sitter and big brother. She smiled, "It's alright, Spike. Not every day has to work out just as planned; there's got to be something to ruin a beautiful day. Besides, can the day get any worse?"

Spike smiled back at Twilight, and the two loving siblings went to finish their quest. "Well, the only one left is the decor."

"Then we're close by! Come on, Spike! We can check decor off the list and off to the library before the celebration!" Twilight exclaimed and started striding.

Spike, taken aback by what Twilight was doing, walked at the same pace as her, "What? Aren't you going to clean yourself first?" Asked Spike. Twilight Sparkle kept up her space and was now in front of the town hall. She didn't have time to clean herself up; she had important things to do than her hygiene. She opened the door with her magic and went in, followed by Spike. In there, Spike widened his eyes. Just like the expression Twilight did with Applejack, Spike blushed. He saw beautiful mares across Canterlot, but no one could be pleasing to his eyes until a beautiful short violet mane drew him in.

Twilight can see a pony facing his back, his pony figure covered by long, wide fabrics; only his back mane can be seen. But being surrounded by stallions all her life, she knew what a stallion would look like. Twilight looked at Spike and observed him. "I didn't know you were like that Spike." She stated and motioned to go near the stallion. Spike saw what Twilight was going to do. He snatched her tail and shook his head, signalling Twilight not to go near her. "Spike, what are you doing?" Twilight turned her head and body around and questioned.

"I'm sorry, but I think it's my turn to make a friend," Spike said, blushing. Then, he let go of Twilight's tail, closed his eyes, inhaled strongly and exhaled. He was preparing himself to meet his soon marefriend. He walked up behind the mare while fidgeting his claws and stood there motionless. The mare didn't notice him; she was too distracted by what fabric would do for the entrance.

Five minutes have passed, and Spike still hadn't said anything to the distracted unicorn.

"Did I look like that after seeing Applejack?" Twilight thought. She then recalled what Applejack looked like and turned red. She then focused her eyes to see Spike getting all nervous. How did she not see it before? Now that she also recalled when Spike kept talking about one of his guard friends to her, he was blushing! She widened her eyes and turned sad. Being gay isn't encouraged here in Equestria; Spike might not get along with other ponies he might be interested in. She looked down to think about what she could do and decided to help. Twilight Sparkle went and stood next to Spike, "Um...Excuse me." She said. The unicorn didn't seem to hear Twilight. She furrowed her brows and coughed loudly, "EHEM."

The violet-maned stallion finally returned to reality, turned his back and saw a pretty lavender mare and a cute little dragon. He wondered how they got here without noticing but soon discarded his thoughts after the cute dragon screamed in horror.

Spike screamed. He was confused about why the beautiful maned mare he loved became a stallion. "Wasn't he a she? Ugh, and I have been blushing non-stop since a few moments ago..." He was embarrassed.

"uh, hahaha.." Twilight laughed uncomfortably and put on an uncomfortable smile. For her part, she wondered why Spike reacted that way. Was he that attracted to the stallion? I mean, the stallion is pretty handsome. Twilight thought. She should come up with an excuse if she wants to save Spike's face from his lover. "Wow Spike, you were that amazed by the stallion's face huh?" She said.

On the other hand, the stallion blushed at Twilight's compliment. Getting a mare in love with him was no surprise, so he brushed his mane with his hoof to look presentable. He levitated a flower from a nearby window box using his magic. "For you, mi amore. My name is Elusive, the finest tailor in Ponyville, and possibly the finest stallion you will ever find here" He winked at her, moving his head upwards to give his mane a nice flow.

When Elusive said those words, Twilight was amazed by the gesture and accepted the flower. The flower picked by the unicorn was a white lily with scaly bulbs inside and big white petals hanging out. This flower symbolizes purity and rebirth, but when receiving or giving one, the pony who gives it means their heart is pure.

Twilight wanted to ask if he meant it that way, but she shut her muzzle when she was about to speak. Twilight remembered that Spike liked him first, and as a good sister, she said she would help him. With that in mind, the lavender unicorn gave Spike the flower she received. Who now has a bright red pale on his face.

"Wh..why are you giving this to me?" Spike asked. Is it to make fun of Spike? Or to hold it for Twilight? He shrieked when he looked at the stallion, who he thought was a beautiful mare.

Twilight went to Spike's ears and whispered enthusiastically, "This is your chance to get the love of your life!" She wanted to play cupid like her former foal-sitter, Princess Cadence.

"WHAT!" Spike cried out loudly. His theory IS correct. Twilight IS making fun of him. He then devised a plan, and a mischievous smile crept on his face. Spike looked at Twilight eye-to-eye and looked back to Elusive. "Thank you so much, Elusive; my sister is shy in these situations. Please forgive her." He said. Spike's face was full-on evil as he watched Twilight's smile fade in horror and the stallion's face filled with pride.

"What are you doing? I'm helping you, for crying out loud!" Twilight whispered to Spike.

Spike furrowed his brows, "What do you mean helping? You're the one who started it." Spike debated. He didn't expect Twilight to do so low to prank him. I mean, she could've done that with any mare, not a stallion!

"Started what?" She was so confused about what Spike said, and with her big brain, she realized everything was a misunderstanding. But what could be that she misunderstood? Spike like the stallion? As for love? Or...oh. As for friendship. She doesn't have any knowledge of making friends. That's why she can misunderstand those things. "I'm sorry, Spike, I thought you liked him that way; I promise never let that happen again." She smiled sadly at Spike. Hoping he would forgive her mishap.

"That's okay, Twi," Spike said, smiling sincerely at her.

While this happened, the stallion looked confused, questioning why they were arguing and forgiving one another. "Uh...this isn't what I had in mind for a fight for me per sé..." He said.

Twilight looked up at the stallion, "I am very sorry, there seems to be a misunderstanding with my brother. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and I have been sent here from Canterlot to--" she was cut off again.

"CANTERLOT!?" Elusive shouted.

"Er, Yes, from Canterlot." She closed her eyes to keep in her pride of being somepony from Canterlot and smiled proudly. "I have been sent here to see the preparations for the celebration." Twilight finished her sentence.

When she opened her eyes again, she was snatched by the stallion, placed on his back, and ran out of town hall. Spike was left there motionless. Why does this keep happening? He sighed and looked at the decorations. It was breathtaking! The fabric seems like it's made with the finest wool, the lanterns were placed in the right areas, and the flowers and gems, as the finishing touches, were beautiful with colour and brightness! After finding everything beautiful in that room, he checked the box listing the decor with a smile that indicated a task had been accomplished. He finally finished the checklist Princess Celestia gave them.

Back to Twilight and Elusive. Twilight was still dumbfounded by the situation and had a delayed reaction. She turned her head left to right to see where they were heading and saw the town hall after a bridge they just passed. She turned her head forward, "What are you doing!?" After she shouted, she used her magic to stop Elusive from taking another step and levitated herself down to the ground. Once she saw her hooves touch the pavement, Twilight heard hoof steps and looked up.

Elusive walked forward, and as he did, Twilight opened her mouth to speak, but before she did so, Elusive passed her and opened a door using magic. He looked Twilight in the eyes and extended his leg, "Would you care to come inside, Miss Sparkle?" he said and went in.

Twilight Sparkle pressed her lips together, a moment of hesitation flickering in her eyes before she finally went in. The house on the outside looks much smaller than the inside. As she observed the room, Twilight realized she was in a boutique. It all looks elegant with dark blue as its colour palette and so many tuxedos with different textures, colours, and designs. Just like what the noble stallions in Canterlot wore, but prettier.

Elusive stared at Twilight and was glad knowing she looked amazed at his boutique. It's not surprising that a pony was astonished seeing Elusive's stunning formal wear for the first time. "A cup of tea for refreshments?" he asked, placing a tea set beside a rounded table.

In a place like this, Twilight Sparkle has not been in any boutique in her lifetime. She isn't interested in going to one. Twilight knew places like these existed only in books and passing by some through the streets of Canterlot. She always wondered how ponies love going in one since they have no need to wear clothes, well, except for formal events like the Grand Galloping Gala. "Why did you take me here?" Looking at Elusive back, Twilight answered with another question.

After Elusive took a sip of tea, he sighed. "Please, follow me for a moment, my dear," and he galloped, followed by Twilight. Far from the front door of the boutique, in front of them was a curtain. Elusive drew the curtains behind, and Twilight's brows wrinkled.

All she sees is an elegant bathtub with beautiful decorations surrounding it. Why would he take Twilight there?

Before Twilight could ask another question, Elusive raised a hoof, inviting her to the bathtub.

Cheeks brightened red on Twilight's face, and her body was stiff as a board. "w...WHAT!?" She yelled and walked away backwards.

Elusive, jolted by the sudden yelling, furrowed his brows. Is there something wrong he had done to make the mare shout? After Elusive analyzed what had happened, his eyes widened by the realization of scaring the poor mare. That is not how a gentlecolt should act. Lowering his head with shame. "Oh my, I-I am truly sorry, Miss Sparkle. I mean no harm." a faded light flashed before his eyes, and Elusive looked up at where Twilight stood, but no pony was there. He looked left and right just to find him alone in the bathroom.

Author's Note

why is this chapter so long T_T Twilight thinks Spike is gay ehehe. I might make a fanfic about Twidash but with more Angst

It's a party

Radiant violet light flashed outside the window, and Twilight Sparkle appeared. She looked back at the boutique for a second and ran fast towards the town hall, her eyes shut with clinginess and cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. Through the door, she saw Spike, not far away, sticking on a wall, lying down, and snoring. She went up to Spike and shook him with her hoof. "Spike! Wake up!" Her voice is at an average talking range.

Spike, oblivious to Twilight, is still sleeping comfortably. "Spike." She called for him numerous times, but he didn't wake. She then sighed with a look of defeat. It's not even Spike's bedtime. How is he sleeping so soundly at this time of day?

Twilight shrugged and levitated him to her back.

The unicorn strolled just before the door and glanced at the room. It was beautiful. Decorations like these should be used at Canterlot events. Twilight smiled, turned her head, and walked outside with Spike on her back.

The lavender unicorn walked calmly through the streets of Ponyville, taking in the relaxing silence. She inhaled and exhaled from the exhaustion she had experienced that day. Never in her life would she encounter so many ponies. Does that make them her friends? Nah, she doubts that.

Looking at the hills not far from the peaceful town, Twilight saw the sun almost set. The hills already blocked half of the glowing sun. A look of worry roamed through Twilight's eyes. There were still two tasks left from the checklist—not the checklist left by her teacher but her own.

Her last task is to find a library and read a book about the elements of harmony.

She has always been curious about what those are. Her books in Canterlot only told tales of how the ruler of Equestria used the said elements to banish the nightmare moon. Every pony surrounding her said it was just a tale. But was it? She had her theories.

She galloped twice as fast, sweating a whole bunch, asking local ponies where the nearby library was. Until she saw an oak tree with a sign saying the Golden Oak Library. A wide smile crept on her face. She let out a long and loud squeal of joy and ran to the library.

Faint sounds were coming from inside. Twilight held her head closer to the door and backed out.

Maybe the excitement of the love of books is what causes the sounds?

That question made the unicorn more excited. She uses her magic to shake the door knob and open it.

Twilight Sparkle closed her eyes and hoofed over to her face as fast as possible. A binding light flashed Twilight's. She squinted her left eye to see more clearly. Once Twilight got comfortable with the intense lighting, she widened her eyes and saw that the library wasn't a library anymore. It was a party! With balloons all over the bookshelves, confetti on the ground, and a table with cider and cupcakes on the left!

How dare they hold a party IN a library! Libraries are supposed to be fun, relaxing, calming, cool, wise, unique, and worthwhile, a place where you host parties, dance some stupid moves and eat and drink unhealthy solids and liquids. Twilight was about to burst.

Suddenly, a pony called her name. A voice and accent Twilight couldn't possibly know and ignore. She turned her head right and saw Applejack waving his hoof high at her. "Twilight, over here!"

The colour of Bright Red filled her cheeks once again, and Twilight found herself already walking towards Applejack.

"Oh, hey Applejack, it's funny seeing you here," Twilight said, almost stuttering her words. Her wide, nervous smile faded after she saw Rainbow Blitz gulping some cider like it was his last day in Equestria beside the love of her life.

"WOO! That's some kinda special cider you got there, Aj! This cider's better than last year!" Rainbow Blitz wiped his muzzle with his hoof ungracefully. Looking at Applejack, Rainbow saw Aj staring at something in front. Curiously, Rainbow glanced in the same direction.

"Oh, hey, Twilight," Rainbow said nonchalantly, returning to the cider table.

Twilight Sparkle looked bewildered after Rainbow Blitz "greeted" her. What was that? But her question floated away when Applejack moved his muzzle.

"Don't y'all worry 'bout him, sugarcube. He's always gotta have somethin' to fuss bout." Applejack remarked.

SUGARCUBE?! Twilight Sparkle's cheeks went max 100%, and her whole face looked red.

Before Applejack could ask if something happened to the mare, a head popped up in the middle with the bit of space the two ponies had left. "Hello there, new pony!"

Twilight jolted and backed an inch away. "Uh..hi?"

"Berry, you don't just sneak up on ponies," Applejack said.

"But it's fun," Berry whined. "Besides, what better way to surprise a pony at a surprise party!"

Twilight and Applejack raised a brow.

Berry giggled. "This is a surprise welcome party for you, Twilight! It's also a party before the summer sun celebration—a Pre-party!"

Great. A welcome party for Twilight. "How do you know me, and why would you do a welcome party here in the library in Equestria?" she questioned.

"Well, Rainbow and Aj told me about their meeting with a BEAUTIFUL mare, and I just HAVE to make a welcome party for her." A big, wide smile crept on his face. "The her is you!" he whispered loudly.

Does Applejack think Twilight's beautiful? Twilight Sparkle stood still with a blush. She was probably broken by how many blushes she had already made.

Immediately, the front door burst open. A white stallion came in. Twilight gaped. Berry yelled to Elusive to join them, waving his hoof aggressively. Elusive glanced at the crowd. He saw Berry, Applejack and Twilight and went up to them. "Hey, everypony, and hello, Twilight." Elusive rubbed his head with shame after their encounter.

"Ya know Twilight, too?" Applejack asked.

"Well, yes, dear, but something...much more happened." as stated by Elusive.

"Did you kiss each other?" Berry asked excitedly.

"What!? no!" Elusive and Twilight both claimed.

Berry sulked, went over to where Rainbow Blitz stood, and pestered him, putting a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder. Rainbow Blitz looked annoyed; he took a quick look at Twilight while talking to Aj and Elusive. Rainbow crumpled his face. The three of them looked happy chatting without Rainbow.

Somepony from the crowd screamed. "WE'RE GONNA MISS THE CLEBERATION!!" Everypony gasped and ran outside the library and went to the town hall, where the Summer Sun Celebration was being held.

Everypony but Twilight left. The mare was about to follow the crowd, but then she remembered Spike. The dragon was sleeping so soundly. She can't just bring Spike to the celebration. It would not be quiet. Just then, she saw a clipboard on a wall. It says they are hiring! What perfect timing for Twilight. She could be a librarian! Just like what she always wanted. If that's the case, Twilight could live in the library. Problem solved. The new librarian levitated Spike and walked through the stairs and into the room. There's already a bed there. She placed Spike on the bed and headed out.

Author's Note

We are so close!

She looks fine

A lot of oohs and aahs came from the town hall. Twilight Sparkle could hear the crowd's stomping hooves and loud cheering from a mile away.

When the mare got in through the door before it closed shut, she saw Butterscotch on the 2nd floor, who, by the way, she did not see in the "pre-party" when the whole town was there She looked straight ahead and started scooching herself through the crowd of ponies.

Twilight stopped. She found herself in the front row with four familiar faces, and it looked like the pony on her right was Applejack!! Woah. Her stomach started twirling. She blushed, turned her head sideways, and saw Rainbow blitz beside her. Her stomach stopped twirling. The mare saw Rainbow blitz eyeing her like some pervert or, better yet, like an insect standing beside him.

What in Equestria is going on in his mind.

Twilight rolled her eyes. Lights were flashing out, like at a concert. They were dancing all over the place, and then they stopped in the middle of the stage, and a pony who looked like a mayor stepped up.

"What an amazing decorations! And an amazing pre-party, Elusive and Bubble Berry!" The mayor said.

Elusive smiled and made a humble bow to the mayor. On the other hand, Berry smiled widely and shouted, "SHE'S TALKING ABOUT ME!!! DID YOU KNOW SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT ME?" He popped his head on Rainbow's side, leaving little space between them.

"We know the mayor's talking 'bout you, Berry," Rainbow grumbled and shoved Berry's face with a big blow.

But Berry stood still, his body straight as a ruler and shook his head aggressively.

The mayor continued her speech, "You know, back in my day, the summer sun celebration..."

This could take forever, Twilight grumbled. She looked up at the balcony, where the Princess would show up. She saw white hooves underneath the closed curtains. That's got to be Princess Celestia. Twilight Sparkle's poutiness left, and only gladness could be seen on her face. After the summer sun celebration, she could talk to the Princess and have a wonderful time in her new library work/house.

This got her thinking. Why would the Oak tree be her house? Her home is in Canterlot. After the celebration, she would have to go back with the Princess. She couldn't be a librarian in a place she couldn't visit every day. Twilight probably took that job quickly because it was her dream. It was not like Twilight to not think about this decision thoroughly. Her thoughts were cut short by a small bump on the shoulder. Twilight looked to her side.

"I coulda get outta this place if it isn't the Princess 'erself gonna show up," Applejack said openly.

"This speech is pretty long even for me, who loves making speeches and all that."

They both laughed.

Twilight sighed. She looked back at the balcony and saw a dark figure. Eh, that's just a guard. She shrugged. Her brows furrowed. Twilight felt an immersed magic flowing around. She tingled. Can a guard evaporate and float with a dark bluey shade of magic around the hall and out the window? Twilight looked at the balcony again, and the white hooves were gone! Is the Princess gone? Did the guard take her? How can a guard have immense magic and take a princess away? Is the Princess in danger? What if something happened to her!?

Twilight closed her eyes, inhaled and exhaled, counting from one to five. That's what the Princess taught her when she worried too much. It's probably nothing.

By the time Twilight regained her composure, the mayor was done with her speech.

"And without further ado, the Princess Celestia, Princess of Equestria!" Butterscoth's choir of birds started singing, with Butterscotch guiding them, and the curtains flew away. The light focused on an empty balcony.

Twilight's eyes widened. And so does everypony present. Instead of cheering and in awe, they felt afraid and confused. Twilight could feel intense perplexity and sadness in her. She was trying to find ways to explain why the Princess was gone.

Then she remembered.

Her body acted first before her mind. Twilight's body motioned to run, but then a mist of a darker shade of blue surrounded the hall. A much darker figure of a pony appeared behind the mare. Suddenly, everpony was quiet.

The pony strolled, listening to the hoovesteps she made.

The mayor stepped away, frightened of the unexpected guest.

The pony chuckled. "Aww, were you all expecting the loving Princess of the sun?"

Her voice is so enticing and..sexy? A loud gulp was heard from Twilight.

"Fear not. Citizens. For I have returned. To get back what was once supposed to be mine, EQUESTRIA!" After the pony exclaimed. She rose using her alicorn wings, stretching her hooves high, showing the full, illuminating moon at its peak.

"Who are you..." One pony asked from the crowd. The voice sounded scared and soft.

The alicorn pony quickly turned her head to search who spoke, and her hooves met the ground. "Who am I?" She chuckled again. "I am Nightmare Moon! You're new ruler!"

Dark mist floated around the hall, ponies screaming and running while Nightmare Moon laughed amusingly.

Twilight Sparkle observed her surroundings. Only five ponies stood out to her, not including the maniac who might have kidnapped the Princess.

Butterscotch, who is making the birds calm down. Elusive, Bubble Berry with royal guards trying to stop the ponies from being overwhelmed. And finally, Applejack, with Rainbow Blitz's tail on his muzzle. He's probably trying to stop Rainbow from fighting the alicorn.

The unicorn closed her eyes and thought to herself. Nopony can save Princess Celestia other than the royal guards. With a fierce look, Twilight decided that she should save her mentor. Twilight ran towards the door. She used her magic to open them until two guards appeared before her.

"Woah, woah, woah. Where do you think you're going, young lady?" one of the guards asked.

"Oh, hello um i just need to go out for a while." Twilight said quickly as those guards startled her.

"I'm sorry, miss, but it's too dangerous outside."

Twilight raised a brow. "How is it dangerous outside when the pony who has the princess is here?"

"Didn't you see that monster leave with her weird floating smoke a while ago?"

"Oh." That was all she could say. Leaving Twilight with her thoughts again. What if Nightmare Moon took the Princess far, far away? What if She's torturing her mentor?!

"I apologize, but I really need to go." Twilight stood firm.

"And I apologize too. No, you won't." The guards were infuriated.

Twilight was ready to teleport. But suddenly, Elusive and Berry stepped up.

"If a mare says she needs to go, she needs to go." Elusive stated.

"What he said!" Berry followed.

"Why don't you all just listen?" the guard's voice cracked. "My wife left me, my kids disappointed in me, and they won't even listen to me! And now the citizens of this small town won't even respect me!"

"There, there, dude. Let it all out." The other guard comforted his comrade, patting his hoof to the other's back.

Elusive looked confused. "What just happened?"

"Woah, that is one harsh venting," Berry said.

"I've got no time for this," Twilight claimed. She opened the doors and went outside.

"And what is she up to?" Rainbow asked suspiciously to himself and went to follow Twilight, followed by Applejack and the others.

Worried as I can be

A gulp was heard, a shaking pony could be seen, and a confident spirit could be felt.

"Eyup. This is it for sure. The Everfree forest..." a looming and dark forest with creepy sounds that critters and animals use to communicate with nature. Applejack glanced at Twilight, her hair restless as leaves being blown by a strong wind. Her body stood still, yet her head moved left to see the elements book and moved to the right to see a book of survival tips repeatedly to face the possible dangers she'd be walking into. Applejack hesitated, his muzzle from speaking and his body from moving. He saw a brave, determined unicorn from the outside but saw a scattered, scared filly from the inside.

Twilight Sparkle heard whispers behind her back, but she didn't care what nonsense they were spouting at each other. After Twilight prepped herself, her face full of determination, she took the first step. And another step. And then another--

All of a sudden, Berry hopped past Twilight while humming and whistling. He turned his head back and saw Twilight’s muzzle and eyes wide open. Berry giggled.

"What just happened?" Twilight dumbfoundedly asked. She turned to see the others waiting for them to call for Berry, but they did not. Twilight sighed; she had to handle everything by herself, she guessed. "Berry! What are you doing? Come back!" Twilight galloped towards Berry, but he seemed so far away, even with how fast Twilight ran.

"La, la, la, la, la." Berry sang. "Ooh!! Butterscotch look! These fireflies look so pretty!" He stopped hopping and stared at the fireflies on the side of the road.

Loud sighs, breaths, and dying sounds came rushing into where Berry stopped. Twilight could not breathe; that was the first and last time she would run like that. "Berry..." Twilight was hungry for thirst. She reached for her overpacked saddlebag and found water. The dehydrated Twilight drank with loud gulps each time the water flowed past her tongue.

"Oh hey, Twilight!" Berry smiled widely.

The mare frowned. "This isn't funny, Berry. Why did you do that?" She packed her water inside the saddlebag and saw on the side that Berry's friends had caught up with them.

Instead of answering Twilight, Berry asked, "What was making you all super-duper late?"

Rainbow Blitz huffed and pointed at Elusive, saying Elusive kept whining about why they had to follow, and when they did, he walked sluggardly. Rainbow raised both his front hooves to show annoyance.

"It isn't my fault you all didn't share your little plan," Elusive pouted. I could've brought boots, a scarf, and a hat to match the suspense." He whined, looking at his bare, muddy hooves with teary eyes while Rainbow rolled his.

"Wait, what?"

"Sorry, Twilight. We could really help you save the princess. We can defend ourselves and defend you, too." Butterscotch stepped up front. He looked embarrassed, with his ears kind of reddish and his hoof rubbing the earthen ground. That response made Twilight irritated.

"Why do you all need to defend me so much? I can protect myself, too," Twilight argued, her voice hoarse.

"We know, dear, but we can be all assured that you don't hurt yourself while you vast into this journey." Elusive smiled sincerely. Twilight calmed herself down, and then a small smile crept on her face. "Besides, why won't you let us gentlecolts protect a lovely and beautiful mare like you?" He added.

Twilight scowled and let out a sound of disbelief and annoyance. She scolded the five colts with arguments about mare rights and how a mare can protect herself just as a colt would. After that, Butterscotch reassured Twilight that they never intended to protect Twilight like that, but Twilight glared and scolded some more, swearing and storming off. "Do NOT follow me." Twilight left the scene. Her last sentence left a tight and awkward air in the room.

"You had to add that last bit, didn't you?" Rainbow sarcastically said, directed at Elusive.

Elusive lowered his head, "I thought that would make her trust us more."

Everyone sighed, "What are we gonna do now?" Butterscotch asked.

Nopony spoke. They all kept walking in the opposite direction to where Twilight went. Applejack suggested they would do what Twilight told them to do. They should trust her to solve this matter. Not everypony agreed on this, but eventually, they did.

"I'm still sure we should at least follow Twilight secretly, just to be confident she's alright," Rainbow muttered.

"Leave it, Rainbow, we all know you just want to be with her," Elusive uttered.

Rainbow glared at Elusive, his voice edged with disbelief. "How could you say that? You don't even know how I act in this type of stuff." Then his brows knit together in frustration. Elusive does not know what truly lies inside Rainbow, just as Rainbow struggled to know himself.

"With your past experiences, dear, I know."

A strong wind suddenly spooks the group. Rainbow Blitz stood in front of Elusive, his eyes full of fury. "Says the pony, who has had three marefriends for the past month. Ya know, I should be happy since you don't have anything to feel for Twilight,”

"Woah, woah, nopony need t'fight right now," Applejack stood between them with his hooves, pushing the two away from one another.

Berry inserted himself, "Um, you guys?"

"No, no. Maybe we do need to do this, even if it's so vulgar," Elusive spoke.

Rainbow raised a brow and calmed his posture. "What are you suggestin'?"

"You guys, you all really need to--" Berry interrupted once again. He can't get any pony to listen to him. Berry knows this is no laughing situation, but he really needs everyone's attention at that moment. He tried butting himself when Rainbow and Elusive were talking; he even annoyingly poked Aj on his face and his back, yet nopony even noticed him. Is this how Butterscotch felt all this time? He thought to himself.

Elusive smirked. "I'm suggesting a gentle brawl. Just you and me."

"Deal." Rainbow agreed and lifted his forearm to shake his competitor's hoof to show agreement. Elusive declined, of course. He's so dramatic.

Applejack rolled his eyes. This always happens in the group: fighting one another when things don't go well. Applejack was just surprised Elusive initiated the first fight. He's always about being a gentlecolt and stuff like that.

The two combatants took a stance.

"Waiiit!"

In the stillness and suspense of the room, a disturbing voice interrupted the setting. Creating confusing faces. After the loud sentence that hung in the air, bated breaths can be heard from Bubble Berry.

"Berry, dear, are you alright?" Elusive cut off the fight and headed towards Berry. Bubble Berry looked pale and worried. Somepony who is blind can even tell a lot is going on in Berry's mind. Without a word from Berry, Elusive widened his eyes. "Oh, Berry…I apologise sincerely for this. I got too carried away without realising what I had done." He lowered his head.

Rainbow Blitz caught up to what was going on, "...Yeah. I guess I'm sorry, too. It was too much of me to be mad at a situation like this." He talked as slowly and quietly as Butterscotch would.

"No! Yes! I-" Berry's words stumbled out in a panicked rush, his sentences becoming a jumble of incomprehensible syllables.

Applejack furrowed his brow, noticing his distress, and gently asked, "Is somethin’ wrong?"

Berry sighed, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. The wind bristled loudly, taking advantage of the silence. "You all have been single-mindedly competing with one another that you didn't even notice Butterscotch is gone!"

"WHAT!?" Rainbow, Elusive and Applejack screamed.

Berry sat down, fidgeting his hooves. "And... and you guys won't even listen to me or notice me. I felt like I was invisible for the first time."

...

Berry looked up. Three of his friends were too far away to hear him, yet he could hear them just fine because of the frantic clamour they were making.

"Butterscotch cannot be too far!" Applejack yelled whilst opening bushes in the hopes of finding the missing pony.

"Imma check on the sky!" Rainbow unfurled his wings and flew out as fast as he could. He looked down, left and right, to see if Butterscotch was flying. Where are you, Butter… he whispered in the solitude of his mind. Elusive, on the other hand, was searching the ground, using his unicorn magic to light up the path he was heading on.

Of course, none of the ponies showed fear, which eased Berry's mind. Finding Butterscotch is more important than his feelings; he can talk about them later. Berry then searched in his own way, popping in and out of various places: bushes, trees, plants, and rocks.

Butterscotch privilege

After about an hour of searching, there was still no sign of Butterscotch. Deep in the Everfree forest, with only darkness sounds of critters Elusive started panicking. His heart started beating fast. Sweat poured down, and tears began to flood in his eyes. Elusive blabbered without breathing, "What if we cannot find him? What if everything goes downhill from here? What if I can't dress him up anymore? what if we won't make it out alive!" He fell drastically mid-air. His hoof hanging on his forehead.

Applejack swooped in immediately and caught Elusive on his back. With Elusive lying on Applejack's back, Aj could not help but roll his eyes. Instantly, his annoyed face turned into a look of sadness. His brows curved, and his annoyed lips turned even more down. Elusive's actions were valid. There is a pretty low chance of them finding Butterscotch. Nonetheless, none of them can lose hope now.

The four ponies lowered themselves on the enormous grass of the forest in unison. Each breath they took was heavy with exhaustion, the rhythm of their inhales and exhales synchronising with the gentle rustle of leaves overhead. They lay there, thinking of any possible way to find hope. Together.

Rainbow Blitz relocated his head slightly and saw his tired friends and the journey they had to face. His eyes shifted to the side and focused between the tree trunks. He saw the empty, dark space. Rainbow squinted his eyes on a bush–Is it a bush? He could not tell, but it was not far away from the trees the group was near.

Behind that bush, he can see a little bit of bright yellow. Is that? Rainbow stood up. With lightning speed, he moved as swiftly as his muscles would allow towards the bush. It was unlikely to see a buttercup yellow amid trees. That could be Butterscotch! Rainbow halted abruptly, his heart racing as he caught sight of Butter, only to find a space where he should have been. Disappointment washed over the pegasus. He glanced left and right with a sense of urgency, desperately searching for any sign of his friend. And then, there he was, standing with a purple figure beside him.

"Let me help you with that Twi." Butterscotch politely said. He stretched out his wing to reach one of Twilight's scrolls out of the quicksand. He gave it to Twilight, and Twilight accepted. She thanked the kind colt and placed her scroll in her overpacked saddlebag. Just as the scroll neared the opening of the saddlebag, poised to slip inside, it tumbled to the ground instead. Twilight's magic on the scroll stopped working when she jolted because of a sudden noise coming into them—the noise of loud, fast-paced hooves. Twilight looked to her side and saw Rainbow Blitz. Her smile faded.

Butterscotch, on the other hand, was glad to see his pegasus friend. "Rainbow!" Butterscotch stepped forward but stood still after he felt something coming through.

It wasn't a thing. It was ponies. They looked up and saw Applejack coming in hot. "Oh mighty good you found 'em!" He hugged Butterscotch and wrapped himself to Twilight with a tight squeeze.

Butterscotch and Twilight didn't have any air to breathe anymore. They gave signals and weak voices to tell Applejack to stop. Yet Aj finished the warm embrace on his own as he heard two more ponies coming.

Alternatively, Elusive and Pinkie collided with Applejack, bouncing off each other like playful orbs. However, it was Elusive who took the final impact, his body hitting the ground with a thud. He let out a grunt of discomfort, his muzzle meeting the earth. "Pinkie! What did I tell you about jumping towards me when we are moving? Much more so even when we are not moving!" Elusive felt his head crack. He searched around to find a reflection. However, he only saw Twilight's overflowing saddlebag. He then went over to Twilight, opened her bag despite the fact he did not need to open it any further and dug through like it was his own saddlebag he was holding. "A big saddlebag yet no mirror!?" He franticked.

A cough was heard. "Ehem! Ignoring Elusive and his weird obsessions, the gang is back together!" Rainbow enthusiastically claimed. He brought his hands together and made a smack with a cheer.

"What gang?" Twilight asked.

"Wha- THE gang! Our gang, this gang! Now let's go out there and kick some butts!"

"No, we won't."

"But-"

Twilight walked over to the nearby river. She gave a thoughtful look. Twilight darted a look to the side. Then she smiled. "Look. I have to do this on my own. Why don't you all understand?"

"Us? Understand? On your own? You don't gotta problem with Butter with you. Why can't you let us stay, too?" Rainbow saddened himself. Why can't she pick me, too?

"Butterscotch is different. He proved to himself that he can join me."

"Oh yeah? What are we? Little interns to impress you and for you to pick and discard us whenever you want to?"

"Rainbow, just leave it." Applejack placed a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder.

Sigh. Rainbow saw Twilight's unaffected face. "You're right, Aj. We can't waste our time on a pony who can't even appreciate us." He turned his back, along with his concerned friends behind him, as he walked out of the forest.

Twilight heard everything. She didn't care. She doesn't want to care. Everypony leaves her. It's not something to be surprised about, but she did. She cared. Twilight thought she had friends who wanted to be with her. But they were all just fakes. Fakes who do not show their true intentions. Just like Moon-what-cer and her group. Spike said she wanted to befriend me, but he did not get it. They laugh at me secretly. I don't need evidence for what they did. I know they wanted to. I could be hallucinating. I could not be. It's always better to be sure about people like them.

Twilight Sparkle left her never-lasting thoughts and hopped on a nearby curved-thick vine that looked purple-ish, drowning in the river. There was no time to think everything through. This adventure might make me into a different pony. She thought while hopping once more on the following vine. And the other following. Twilight felt unusual about these rocks, but she did not know what made them strange.

Twilight hopped again on the second-last rock, and the stones started rumbling.

A creature appeared out of the waters—a long-necked violet creature. The unicorn opened her mouth wide.

Before Twilight could react, the creature pounced at her, its claws aiming for her neck. Her heart pounding against the aggressive grass, swaying back and forth due to the mighty wind. She gulped. Twilight closed her eyes. Her brows drew together, forming a furrowed line.

Rainbow dashed away from the group, his hooves reaching out while speed-flying. A drop of sweat dropped from his head, Rainbow's eyes squinting. He knew he could fly faster than that. Regretting all that he had done to Twilight passed through his mind, flashing the arguments of the selfishness he had done right before him. As he was almost an inch away from grabbing the stunned Twilight, the creature held her neck and lifted her, taking advantage of his enormous size. "NO!" Cried Rainbow, his head following the beast and Twilight, passing them and giving a thunk sound while he crashed against a tree.

Applejack finally took action, hitting a tree multiple times to make it fall on the creature. Berry gathered a bunch of rocks and started throwing the rocks at the villain. Elusive, hitting it with a stick like a mother spanking their children with a slipper, and Butterscotch kept finding animals near them but in vain.

Still collapsed, Rainbow Blitz's head moved slightly. His eyebrows curved down, and his eyes tightened. He motioned his mouth open, then huffed and grunted quietly. Rainbow opened his eyes, but not too broad; as his vision blurred, Rainbow saw Applejack not taking a break from fighting off the monster, and so did the others. He saw Twilight mouthing words that were not audible for Rainbow. She also had a fury look, and Twilight's forehead wrinkled for some reason. He saw all of this upside down.

Rainbow closed his eyes and opened them once again, moving his wings and getting back up. The pegasus scanned the fight scene. His eyes drifted off to Butterscotch, who was far from the rest of the group. Rainbow motioned towards him, "Uh, Butter, What're you doing?"

Butterscotch's eyes widened. "Rainbow! You're alive!" He hugged Rainbow. Every pony called him the weak one, but Rainbow Blitz thinks otherwise when it comes to giving hugs.

"Of course I'm alive; one big hit would take much more to crush me down." Rainbow winked, and Butterscotch giggled. "So, what are you doing instead of going out there?"

Butterscotch stopped smiling. His mouthline straightened, and so did his brows and eyes, "Oh, you know I'm no good at fighting…I was going to ask my newfound friends and invite them to help us, but I couldn't find one." His mouthline ends lowered slightly.

"Butter…"

Silence befalls them. Rainbow diverted his pupils to the battlefield and diverted back to Butterscotch. He placed a hoof on Butter's head and patted him twice–no, four times. "Why don't you tell me how you got Twilight to trust you? That's what your speciality, BB, making people love you." He smiled, and Butterscotch returned that smile, getting nostalgic whenever Rainbow patted him when they were little as if it were a sign that Rainbow would protect him.

"Sure, maybe I might steal her from you."

"Hey! That's just drawing the line!" Rainbow replied jokingly.

They both sat down below a nearby tree. Rainbow Blitz lay down, feeling the rough texture on his back and becoming comfortable with it. He placed his arms above his head and scooted down onto the warm, tingly grass. This is a perfect sleeping spot. Too bad I won't go back here anytime soon. He thought to himself.

Butterscotch looked at him and giggled a little bit. He sighed at the typical Rainbow he always knew when they were foals and started his story: "Before we all agreed on returning home, I found a small notebook and thought it was Twilight's. I picked it up and went to see her before she was far. It's a good thing she wasn't. I gave her the pocket notebook. It turns out it was Twilight's task-checking book, and she thanked me so much for it. "

"What? Just for a simple notebook, she let you join her?"

"I doubt it was just any simple notebook." Butter rolled his eyes. Well, that wasn't how she made me join after giving me the notebook. I turned and walked back but didn't see you guys after a few minutes. I was getting scared, with the scary, creepy noises always coming back—" A sudden noise came, and Butterscotch jolted with a little scream.

Rainbow rolled his eyes. "Butter, that's just the wind passing through the leaves."

"Oh…Um, I also screamed a little after I couldn't take my fright anymore. Twilight swooped in behind me, looking fierce and ready to combat somepony. Twi asked me if something was wrong. I said no, and she wondered where the others were. Then she told me to be with her for the time being." Butterscotch finished his story, and he heard a sigh after finishing it. "What's wrong, Rainbow?" He asked shallowly.

Rainbow got up and sighed again. He turned to see the others, who had sweaty furs, messy hair, and tired eyes. Rainbow bit his lip. "It's just. I want to help Twilight if I can. But she doesn't want me to. I love Twilight. She's a real strong mare. Unlike others, I have dated." Butterscotch noticed Rainbow smiling brightly, talking about her. "Her passion for saving the princess and books are like my passion for becoming a wonderbolt! Her beautiful violet glimmering eyes, mane, and even sarcasm are beautiful! And I want her to see what I can do, too. I want Twilight to see my passionate side, not me being stubborn." Rainbow laughed uneasily with downcasted eyes.

Rainbow felt pats on his head. He tilted his head up, seeing Butterscotch with pitiful eyes patting him. Somehow, it made Rainbow feel better. No words were said at that precise moment, mere pats from Butterscotch only.

Rainbow Blitz's eyes focused on the ground. His mind was racing with solutions and counter-problems that would arise from those solutions. He widened his eyes and lifted his head immediately, "I got it!"