Failing Friendship (an Infection AU story)

“Now approaching Ponyville station.”

Sapphire Star was pulled back to consciousness by the tinny voice coming over the speaker in the train car. She sat up, stretching, shaking the drowsiness from her limbs before standing up. Golden light blooms off her horn as she retrieves her bag from the overhead containers, before the train slows to a stop.

She lets the other ponies shuffle off ahead of her, heading out to do what they needed to do. Then she stepped out, sighing.

“Sapphy!” The nickname makes her ears perk up, them swiveling to the side. She braces herself, feeling the tawny earth pony slam into her in a hug. She chuckles, wrapping a wing over her best friend and gently nuzzling against her head.

“Fawn, what’re you doing here? I didn’t tell you I was coming to town!” Sapphire was delighted, if anything, as the Earth pony pulls back.

“No, but she weaseled it out of me.” Sapphire looks past her friend to the older mare, who’s purple hair had a couple streaks of gray in it at this point. Starlight blamed the students at the school of friendship, but her wife Trixie thought she looked fantastic. “I said I had to pick somepony up, and she tricked me into revealing it was you.”

“Fawn, come on now.” Sapphire sighs, before leaning into her friend in another hug. Then she they’re heading into Ponyville proper, Fawn quietly talking about all the things Sapphire has missed in her absence.

Sugarcube corner looked the same. Since Mr. and Mrs. Cake and retired, it was left in the capable hands of Pinkie Pie and her husband Cheese. And right now, Ponyville’s number one party pony was preparing for a surprise party. Her son, Cheesecake, was helping, the golden pegasus putting up balloons and banners.

Pinkie finishes the cupcakes, a delicious swirl of icing, couple sprinkles… then she brings it out to the table, setting it down and waving to the gathered ponies. “Hey everypony! Starlight sent a message, so they’ll be here soon!”

The gathered ponies settle into the sides, the murmuring quieting down into silence. The sound of nearby shoppers the only noise in the room, sans Pinkie’s occasional excited squeak. They listen carefully for the agreed-upon knock code. A few sets of hooves get louder as the approach the door.

Knock knock knock! Knock knock, knock!

Three quick knocks, then two, then one. There’s a moment of wait as muffled voices speak from the other side of the door.

“Are you sure they’re home, Auntie?”

“I’m quite sure, Pinkie asked me to visit..” Starlight pauses as she begins opening the door, noting the dark interior and barely catching a glance of a pink, curly tail. It twitches before being yoinked back into its hiding place with a small squeak.

The lavender mare pushes open the door, escorting the two behind her in as she reaches for the light switch. The lights flick on, and…

“Surprise!”

Almost a dozen ponies burst forth from various hiding spots, as well as ample confetti and streamers. Sapphire Star jumped, mane brushing the ceiling before she drops back down, laughing.

Fawnstep presses herself against Sapphire’s side, grinning. “Guess we got you, huh?”

“Did you plan this?” Fawn shakes her head at the question, pointing at Starlight. “Your aunt got everything ready, and you know Ms. Pie was more than willing to throw another party.”

“I told you to call me Pinkie, Fawn.” The bubblegum pegasus gently chides, poking the earth pony before reaching over and handing the alicorn a cupcake.

Sapphire picks it up, taking a bite and letting out a pleased noise, her tail lashing. Chocolate with blueberry swirl icing, her favorite. Pinkie’s mind was a steel trap of people’s favorite flavors just for these occasions.

After a brief moment of praise towards Pinkie, she waves to her friends, trotting over with Fawnstep to see them.

The first to wave is Cloud Crisp, the deep teal pegasus gaining the attention of the three other mares.

“Hey, Sapphire! It’s really nice to see you-” -I just wish it were under better circumstances… Cloud bites her lip after the first half of what she wanted to say, not wanting to bring up her friend’s loss.

“It’s great to see you all too. How’s the farm going?”

“Great as ever!” Cloud’s sister, Honey Butter, pipes up, grinning. “Ma’s real proud of my cider-makin’, and Crisp’s real good at gettin’ those clouds perfect for the trees!” The dark bronze pegasus picks up her cider, taking a drink.

“That’s great, what about you, Peach?”

Peach Pit brushes her curly auburn hair from her eyes, adjusting her glasses. “I’m in my final year for my Master’s degree. In a few more years, I’ll be Doctor Pit, with a PHD in Psychology.”

“Your parents still wanting you to join the family business?”

“No, not anymore. They’re happy I enjoy the baking that I do, but they know that becoming a therapist is my passion, and all they want is me to be happy, so… I’m happy.”

“That’s what’s important, isn’t it?” The final friend, a silvery-white unicorn, pipes up, smiling. “As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters.”

Sapphire nods, smiling. “That’s a fair point, Amethyst. How’s the gem cutting going?”

“The usual. I’ve perfected my umbrella enchantment, and I’m studying climate control enchantments.” She lifts her teacup to her lips, taking a sip. “That way you can wear whatever you want, regardless of the weather.”

“That’s really cool!” Sapphire reaches for her own tea, taking a sip and pausing before adding a couple more sugar cubes and stirring. Another Sip. Perfect.

The talking becomes more general chatter. Normal things. It’s nice. Things are good.

In the Everfree Forest, a golden mare picks flowers and leaves into a basket. A delicious dandelion salad, with some mushrooms and tomatoes sounded wonderful to her. She’s been having trouble finding her normal button mushrooms. She normally knew where to find them, but it was driving her mad looking for them.

She finally finds some. At least.. She thinks they look right? They’re the same white as the normal mushrooms, and these were just a little bit taller.. They look fine!

Sunflower Seed heads home after picking them to prepare her salad, humming softly. A fresh salad sounds great.

Her nose crinkles and she sneezes, annoyed.

She hopes she’s not coming down with something.