Home is Where the Heart is
Chapter 1
Homecoming
Twilight was sitting on the train from Canterlot to Ponyville, staring out of the window. She could barely glimpse the first contours of the town way up ahead. The unicorn smiled to herself; to think the very same trip had once filled her with dread four years ago almost sounded insane to her. Now it was considered home. ‘Home…’ Twilight sighed inwardly, leaning her head against the window. Lazy eyes watched as homes and buildings began to blur along as the train sped on, breaking up the view of the blue expanse above. Buildings… Homes… They all seemed so unfamiliar and alien to her now; she had spent most of her recent years in different army barracks along Equestria’s borders with only short breaks to see her friends. The sky itself was nearly devoid of any clouds, save for a single tiny one lingering high above town. Even after six months of absence, Twilight knew she would find Rainbow Dash napping on it.
That thought made her pause.
Had it really been so long since she left? It was more than a little hard to believe; she could still remember her friends’ reactions before her first deployment. Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie Pie encouraged her, taking the news the easiest. Rainbow had even wanted to join her. Twilight chuckled slightly. She wasn’t entirely sure if Pinkie understood what she was going to do, but at least she seemed happy. She even threw her a party to celebrate her accomplishment of becoming an arch mage, and since then declared it necessary to throw her a party whenever she came back, left or just whenever she felt for it. Fluttershy was unsurprisingly worried and at the same time supportive. There was something about that mare she would never understand. An angry butterfly could make her shiver and run for hiding, but she could stand up against a dragon for a friend. Then there was Rarity…
Twilight’s thoughts were derailed as she felt the train slowing down, and soon the first buildings of the train station blurred past the window. The deceleration of the train almost forced her out of the seat until the train came to a standstill just in front of the main station building. A quick look at her checklist was all she needed before she was ready to step out of the train and unto the small city. Twilight stood up, trotted out of her coupé and exited the train.
It was time to meet her friends again.
Twilight placed her hooves on the paving of Ponyville for the first time in a long time. The faint breeze pulled slightly at her mane and tail, making it dance a bit with the wind. With a deep breath she began trotting aimlessly down the main road, taking in the familiar sights and ponies with a smile. It really was good to be back in Ponyville; to be home. The barracks weren’t bad, per say; they were considered “home away from home” to her. But it was good to get away from them, to return to Ponyville. She always enjoyed coming back, but this time it was better than usual. A small dispute with the deer-kin had escalated to the point of which fighting had erupted. The skirmishes itself weren’t a problem. Worse was the extensive nerve damage she had received after a deer had managed to impale her left flank with its antlers. Only quick thinking and a large dose of magic had saved her from extensive damage. Running for long periods of times, however, were putting a painful strain on her leg, something that worried her.
She quickly turned her thoughts to a more positive view. She was back in Ponyville, and she’d get to see her friends again… to see Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack and Rarity.
Rarity… She had always been and would always be intangible. Every time Twilight departed, there was something with the fashionista’s glassy eyes. The glassiness came from unshed tears, she knew that much. But the expression... it had given her a great many of nights awake wondering what was written in them. Those longing eyes, hungering for something, craving. The true message in those eyes still eluded her, and would likely do so for a long time.
Twilight snapped out of her chain of thoughts again, noticing to her horror and delight that she was standing right in front Rarity’s boutique. She was slightly surprised. She managed to trot from the station and all the way to the Carousel Boutique without being greeted, surprised by or in other ways met Pinkie Pie. Heck, her old record was about halfway from the station to the town square. ‘Oh well, I guess she’s baking or pranking someone with RD. I just hope they don’t cause too much of a mess. At least it gives me an entire day to spend with Rarity.’ Her heart skipped a beat just thinking about it. She had tried innumerable times to figure exactly what it was about the mare that always got her heart up and kept her fighting, but the answer eluded her more efficiently than Rainbow Dash taking a nap on a cloudy day.
Twilight pushed the door open with butterflies in her stomach, eager to see Rarity again.
‘What? Why am I so nervous? It’s just Rarity. So what if I haven’t seen her in a while? She’s still one of my best friends of four years.’ Twilight pushed those thoughts back into her head as she entered the boutique. She shut the door behind her a little harder than she realized, making a bang echo across the large room.
The sound sent her heart rate skyrocketing. Adrenaline surged through her as she looked hastily around the boutique, searching frantically for the source of the sound. Realization struck once she looked back at the door, and the mare let out a shaky, frustrated sigh. ‘It’s nothing. Just the door…’ Even with the reassurance, her heart continued to beat rapidly with tension. ‘What’s wrong with me? I’m a soldier for Celestia’s sake, not some coward afraid of every loud sound!’ A few deep breaths calmed her down. ‘Now, where’s Rarity?’ Twilight took a good look around the boutique but it yielded no results. There wasn’t anypony there but her. At least that’s what she thought until she heard the scribbling of a pencil in one of the more closed-away rooms of the boutique. “She must be busy sketching up her next dress...” Twilight whispered silently to herself granting her some relief. At least something hadn’t changed. She gently trotted towards the door, careful not to step on pieces of textile or damage something.
With another breath, she quietly pushed open the door. For the first time in a long time, her eyes landed on Rarity. The mere sight of her brought her heart a-flutter.
Perfect was a word she rarely used, but it was the only word she could think of to properly describe her fellow unicorn. Her mane and tail, a deep indigo that contrasted attractively against the stark white of her smooth coat. The gentle contours of her body, from her horn down to her flank. It was art in the form of a pony. Twilight's eyes lingered on the tri-diamond cutie mark before she suddenly stopped her though process. She didn’t know where the thoughts were taking her, but she surely didn’t like it.
What she didn't care to stop was the surprise she felt; she didn't think she'd forget how beautiful Rarity really was. Beautiful indeed... the stallion to get her attention would be the luckiest stallion in all of Equestria. But per now Rarity’s attention was directed at the sketch she was obsessing over. At least there wasn't any surprise in finding the snow-coated unicorn buried in her work.
“Just a moment, darling.” Rarity didn’t even look up, which was normal for her when she was working. “Just let me finish the last few details here. Then I'll be right with you.” The whole thing brought a strange sense of nostalgia to Twilight, bidding a smile to her face.
"That’s ok, Rarity. Take your time. I know how you want everything to be perfect." Twilight chuckled, knowing the seamstress wouldn't even register her voice. It was normal for Rarity; when dressmaking she shut-out nearly anything and anyone when an important detail was concerned. She even managed to forget her weekly trip to the spa with Fluttershy once.
'I guess she hasn't changed much.' The soldier thought fondly.
“So, how can I he…” Rarity fell of the chair in surprise when she saw who it was. Well, she would have fallen of the chair if Twilight hadn’t caught her in her hooves. “Twilight… but you are… you were… but how… oh, it’s good to see you darling!” Rarity’s cheeks and the tip of her ears were reaching a color tone suspiciously similar to scarlet red. A tone in which Twilight found quite enthralling, however not as enthralling as Rarity’s eyes. There were no way not to avoid looking back into those blue eyes; it was just too tempting. She didn’t try to fight it either; she just stared deep into those hypnotic pools of blue. Rarity’s eyes mirrored the exact same look they held every time Twilight left for her deployment. Only this time she started to recognize what they spoke of. She'd seen it countlessly when her fellow soldiers received visits or letters from their lover. It was affection…
Affection which was centered on her.
‘Wait, Rarity is… that means that… she loves me?' It would certainly explain a thing or two; Rarity’s increased interest in her, the look in her eyes, her tiny suggestive moves... She had always thought the last one was directed towards the stallions in Ponyville. ‘That’s how wrong one can get.’ Twilight didn’t dare to say it out loud, but she was pretty sure that it was more than just a friendship between them. Rarity obviously loved her, but she wasn’t so sure about it herself. ‘No, it’s so wrong. She’s stuck here all day, and I'm spending my life fighting for Equestria. What if I get hurt, or even die? It would be heartbreaking for her. No, it’ll never work’.
Rarity's stare became deeper and her blush returned. She opened her mouth and hesitated a little before speaking with a soft caring voice. “Twilight, darling. Don’t hide the feelings. I can see them in your eyes. You need to let them out. I… need them" Rarity fluttered her eyelashes in a way that was only endearing when done by her. There was no way in Equestria anypony could manage to resist it, and neither could Twilight. She knew deep in her heart that they both wanted each other. Rarity moved slightly closer, her eyes shining with nothing but the truest of love even capable of competing with the love between Shining armor and Cadence. Twilight could do nothing more than return the gaze. She desperately wanted this to work, but she knew she couldn't start it. It would just hurt them both in the long run, knowing they wouldn’t be able to see each other until she got back after each deployment. Even after that she would be busy with her duties as a royal Arch Mage. She bit her lip, desperately trying to hold back, but she knew it wouldn’t help. They loved each other, and they both knew it. There was nothing in all of Equestria who could separate them, not even Celestia herself.
Rarity’s kiss took her completely off guard. Those soft lips pressing against hers... her hot breath… it was magical. She wanted the moment to last forever despite knowing it wouldn’t. The kiss ended as abruptly as it had started. Despite its short duration it was among the best experiences in her life, and it told her one thing.
This was going to be two fantastic months.
Authors Notes
A big thanks to Eartsong9405 at deviantart for prof reading and making the cover picture. This story wouldn't have been here if it wasn't for her.
Chapter 2. Omnia Vincit Amor
Home is Where the Heart is
Chapter 2
Omnia Vincit Amor
“The deer are strong and they are many. Luckily for us they prefer to attack with no kind of plan. That’s how we will defeat them. Soldiers, are you ready?” The following roar from the enthused soldiers echoed through the swamp’s trees, the sheer strength of the cry sending several birds to the sky in panic.
The thundering from enemy’s countless hooves echoed throughout the swamps as the ponies braced themselves for the assault. Twilight was responsible for the defenses, a job she didn’t take lightly. Some of the best unicorns, including her, were lined up, ready to unleash whatever their vast arsenal of spells had to offer.
The rumbling sound drew closer, and there were barely a couple hundred meters separating the two forces. A single drop of sweat ran down Twilight’s chest as she stepped up on a rock overlooking the Platoon.
“Unicorns, shields up now!” Despite having done it countless times before she was still amazed by how powerful and commanding her voice was. It was a voice she wouldn’t have dreamed of possessing toward the beginning of her training. It was the voice worthy of a sergeant.
The bright blue light enveloped her as more and more magic was cast into the shield, increasing its power every with passing second. The first of the deer appeared in the grove as the first arches of raw magic pulsed in the shield, indicating that it was fully charged.
The charging deer rammed into the shield with an immense force, causing sparks of magic to flicker. There was only a split second of pause before the enemy was suddenly greeted by a rain of arrows and magic bolts. Several of the projectiles easily met a mark in the sea of bodies, but with each wave defeated another took its place. Wave after wave thundered into the shield without falter, weakening the magic with every attack. The combined effort of archers and unicorns did what they could to hold them off, but their forces seemed endless.
Twilight chanced a look around her, her body drenched with rain and sweat from her contribution. The other unicorns holding the shield up were at least as exhausted as she was. There was no way they could hold out under endless onslaught; she had to alert the sergeant, now!
“Sergeant, the shield is breaking! We can’t hold it much longer!”
“Roger that corporal. Bring it down. It’s time to find out what our boys really are made of!” The general’s orders were all she needed. It was time to call down the shield and go face to face with the enemy.
“Ok, you heard the sergeant! Bring it down!”
The shield shivered as the unicorns stopped casting one by one, slowly obtaining a sickly orange glow in the process. In the end Twilight was the only one still casting. The bright magenta glow around her horn faded away as the shield protecting the soldiers cracked and faded away. It was time to fight face to face.
The deer’s attack only increased in brutality and savagery after the shield had gone down. There was no way they could survive this. All around her ponies were fighting for their life. She had to do something!
Twilight drew her short sword and rushed forward. A deer in front of her was the target. A small burst of her magic struck him to the ground, only to be followed by a quick stab of her blade. The blade sunk deep into the deer’s chest, coloring the hilt and ground crimson with blood. With a firm grip on the hilt she forced the blade further up its chest before tearing the blade loose from the now dead deer.
Her horn glowed with the newfound power the rush of adrenaline gave her. A concentrated bolt of magic found its way to the chest of another deer, violently throwing the soldier backwards and burrowing deep into its body. The creature was dead before it even hit the ground.
A quick look around confirmed her fears; the platoon was falling apart. Worst of all, she was practically separated from the rest. A snort behind her caught her attention. With a swift move she hurled around, burying her sword in the neck of a deer with a sickening sound. A quick yank forced the blade free from its victim, making the deer drop to the ground with a muffled thud.
Moments later a sharp sting of pain shot through her body from her flank. She rapidly turned her head around, only to be greeted by a devilish grin from a deer with its antlers dug deeply into Twilight’s flesh. The deer twisted its head viciously, sending a new and massive wave of pain surging through her body, and finally dropping her on the ground with a thump. She tried desperately to get up, only to discover that she had no power in her left foot. She couldn’t even feel any pain below her flank. It was like her foot was gone.
Unable to move and her body going into shock, there was nothing she could do other than watch in horror as the deer prepared to deal with her once and for all. The creature raised itself on its hind legs and prepared to slam its hooves into Twilight’s head…
Twilight shrieked in terror as she shot upright, her teeth grinding as her eyes snapped open. Frantically she whipped her head around in all directions, eyes and ears straining to find the enemies that plagued her mere moments before. What met her was nothing more than darkness, its accompanying silence broken only by the roar of her own throbbing heart and shuddering breaths. As her eyes adjusted she began catching glimpses of the contours of the room, but it brought too little comfort. What she could see was unrecognizable, almost alien and unfamiliar. It certainly wasn’t her own room.
The unicorn remained still for what felt like hours until she had calmed herself completely, only to discover the faint sensation of a hoof gently stroking her belly. Her heart rate skyrocketed again as she slowly turned around, expecting the worst. The pair of deep blue eyes staring compassionately back into her own caught her completely off guard.
The mare just sat there, staring at the eyes and the contour of their owner for a split second before everything fell into place. Rarity… she was at Rarity’s. Twilight’s memory of the night were a bit fuzzy, mainly thanks to one glass too many of Pinkie’s punch, but she remembered most of it. It was the day before her final deployment, and her hyper friend had, as always, thrown her a “happy journey” party. She then headed home with Rarity. ‘Wait, punch with alcohol. Why don’t I have a hangover? Why do I never get a hangover from Pinkies Punches?’
Twilight’s derailed chain of thoughts was interrupted by a gentle hoof playing with her mane. Her mind snapped back to real life, and the eyes right in front of her.
As she often did, Twilight found herself getting blissfully lost in those expressive eyes, the liveliness and passion within them chasing away her fear momentarily. Everything stopped short, however, when the hoof against her belly slowly worked its way up before pressing gently against her heaving chest.
“Darling, your heart’s pounding.” A weak undertone of concern could be traced in her voice. “It was one of those horrendous dreams again, wasn’t it?” At Twilight’s shaky nod, Rarity’s ears folded back sympathetically. She moved her hoof again until it caressed Twilight’s cheek. while the other continued stroking her mane. The lavender unicorn leaned against her marefriend’s touch with a heavy sigh, and Rarity furrowed her brows. She knew all too well how terrible the nightmares could get for Twilight, made all the worse knowing that they were memories. The unpleasant and sleepless nights were becoming more frequent as well, and it did nothing but concern the fashionista.
“Come here.” She whispered as she embraced Twilight, halfway forcing the lavender unicorn on top of her. An action that was happily obliged. Twilight let out another sigh that wasn’t nearly as heavy as the previous one. No, this one was filled with relief and content, the hooves moving over her body pressing the tension away from tight muscles and gentle murmurs easing her fears. Rarity shifted underneath her, and Twilight couldn’t ignore the strong sensation of the fashionista’s fur tickling against her own underbelly.
The sheets on Rarity’s bed were known among the circle of friends for being the softest, but even the quality material held no purchase when compared to the white-coated unicorn herself. She shifted again as she pressed kiss after kiss to Twilight’s cheek, her nose, her muzzle. The soldier couldn’t help the shiver that ran down her spine at the sheer affection each peck held, but her heart all but stopped when Rarity’s lips lingered on her own.
It stole her breath away like it always did, her chest tightening and heating simultaneously as the last remnants of the nightmare dispersed finally. Not only the nightmare, however; Twilight’s awareness and ability to care about her surrounding left her, her attention focusing on nothing but the mare melting away every worry she had.
As soon as the kiss ended, Twilight pressed her forehead to Rarity’s, eyes boring deeply into those brilliant blues. “I love you.” She said with a touch of conviction, and her heart soared at the lovely sight of a light blush brushing over Rarity’s cheeks. Even still, Rarity smiled and gave one last peck to Twi’s nose as she snuggled against her chest. “And I you.”
“Hurry up, darling. You don’t want to be late!” Rarity was positively panicking as the two ponies trotted hastily down the road towards Ponyville station. It was the day Twilight was deploying for her last tour. She had, as usual, packed what she needed the first chance she had, but Rarity always had to overdramatize everything. It was a trait Twilight often found cute and endearing.
She had been looking forward to this day with both excitement and a heavy heart. It meant that it was the last time she would risk her life for Equestria, but that wasn’t what worried her. No, she was worried how she could handle the coming long months without her beloved Rarity. A single day hadn’t passed without them seeing each other since they became together, and now they had to endure six months away from one another.
They quickly put the short trek to the station behind them and arrived in good time. “Rarity, I told you we had a lot of time left.”
Rarity turned to Twilight with a wide grin. “Oh darling, did you really think you were going to step onto that train and leave without us saying goodbye?”
“Oh Rarity. You didn’t need to--“
“Girls!”
“Eek!” The purple pony nearly jumped as a shrieking streak of pink lunged toward her, and honed instinct made her take an evasive step back.
“Weeeeee!” The streak missed its mark and merrily continued down the street at a speed only Rainbow Dash could match.
“Phew, that was clo…!”
Twilight was pinned to the ground as a rainbow colored streak assaulted her.
“Gotcha.”
Twilight wriggled her body with no avail as she attempted to get out of Rainbow’s firm grasp.
“Ah reckon it’s time ya’ll let her go now RD.”
“… Um, if you don’t mind.”
The two ponies trotted over to the rest of their friends, and helped Twilight get on her feet.
“Thanks girls, I needed that.” Twilight could do nothing but smile at her friends. She was to abandon them for a prolonged period of time, yet they could still prank her like it was a normal day. “Wait, where’s Pinkie Pie?”
A nearby flower bed exploded as a pink pony emerged from it. “Did someone say Pinkie Pie? That’s funny because that’s my name, but you all know that because we have been friends for a super duper long time!”
“Then we are all here.” Rarity motioned them all to go.
“It’s a long time before the train leaves. Why are we in such a hurry?” Twilight looked at Rarity with a puzzled expression.
The only response she got from her marefriend was a mysterious and sly grin before she started trotting in the general direction of the train station.
The five other friends rapidly trotted after her, entering the train station. The signature pink train was as always ready for its departure long before necessary, thick white dots of smoke already coming out of its chimney.
Rarity was already standing in front of the train with a worried smile as she waited for the others. As they caught up with her the smile slowly faded and revealed her true expression; anxiety.
Twilight, knowing her marefriend, quickly understood that there was something troubling her. Twilight gently placed her hoof on her shoulder and looked into Rarity’s eyes. This time it wasn’t her that would seek comfort in them. No, it was Rarity.
Lifting her head and looking into the violet eyes, she found their usual enthusiasm and joy replaced with nothing but the utmost care and concern. With a heavy sigh she moved in for the offered embrace.
“Twilight… promise me that you will come home in one piece.”
Twilight looked back at her marefriend with a heavy heart. They both knew that there were no guarantees that she would, only hopes and wishes. Yet they needed to believe, they needed to cling to the hope. She had survived so far, after all.
“Rarity, I promise. I will return home to Ponyville, to you, as soon as I can.”
“Oh! Oh! Oh! Do you Pinkie Promise?” The hyper pony cut through with her question while practically bouncing all over the place in excitement. “Because if you don’t that means you don’t promise and if you don’t promise you might--”
“Cross my heart and stick a cupcake in my eye. Happy now, Pinkie?” The sentence was quickly followed up by a swift motion placing a hoof to her eye. Even still, Twilight found herself smiling, even chuckling a bit, at her bouncy friend. “And Rarity…” Twilight turned towards her special somepony, her smile turning more into a crooked grin, “… do you need more convincing?”
“Oh Twilight, you know I…” The sentence was cut short by two hooves wrapping around her neck and a pair of soft lips pressing forcefully to her own. Rarity’s intended works quickly drew out into a moan as she returned the kiss, eagerly exploring the insides of her partner’s mouth while inviting Twilight’s tongue to dance. The two ponies quickly forgot about everything except each other’s company. The hot kiss was brutally ended by a sharp voice holding a sharp Sothern accent.
“And we’re in public!” Applejack looked at them both with a stern look. The two love birds quickly detached themselves leaving them with rosy cheeks as they looked around to the other ponies. Most of them didn’t seem to mind, but a few ponies close by the train seemed slightly bothered. “Ah’m okay with it, but Ah’m not so sure if everypony else agree with me.”
Rarity was the first to fully gather herself and raised her voice slightly. “Sorry AJ, it’s just…we won’t get to see each other for a long time. It’s…”
“Um, Rarity…”
“Don’tcha worry yer head none, Rare. Twi’s gonna make it. Ah know she will.”
“Girls…”
“Rarity, Applejack, I think Fluttershy’s trying to say something! OK, Fluttershy what did you want to say?”
Five sets of curious eyes turned towards the creamy mare. The sudden increase of attention startled Fluttershy, making her retreat behind her mane slightly. “Um, I really think that Twilight should get going. If she, um, wants to, of course.”
They all turned their attention towards the train, its chimney thick with heavy grey smoke. Twilight frantically gathered her luggage in her signature magenta aura.
“See you all in a few months!”
“Darling, Wait! I have something for you!” Rarity gingerly dug into her saddlebag and took out a rather large tome. “I know how much you enjoyed reading so I got you this book. It’s not much, but I hope you will like it.”
“The Collected Works of Starswirl the Bearded? With leather cover! It’s authentic! How in Equestria did you get your hooves on this? I haven’t seen one since I left Canterlot!” Twilight was practically in ecstasy; not only did she get the honor to actually see one; she was also the owner of an apparently authentic copy of it!
Twilight leaned forward to give Rarity a quick kiss before gently grabbing the book with her magic and hurrying onboard the train.
Twilight quickly found an unoccupied coupe, placed her belongings on the luggage rack and took her seat, eagerly setting the book down in her awaiting hooves.
Juggling the heavy book she discovered something peculiar. The cover on the front was slightly thicker but also lighter than the cover on the back. ‘Weird, I haven’t seen any books like this. Perhaps I should open it and try to figure out why.’
The lavender mare gently placed the book on the table and lit up her horn in order to turn the cover. What it revealed was a lot more that what she expected. The cover itself was hollowed out enough to hold a small piece of jewelry, which it did. A ring of the purest gold was attached to the cover.
A small tinkering of magic was enough to carefully remove the jewelry. Now free and held into the light, the ring revealed its true beauty, holding a large magenta colored diamond in its center. ‘Funny, it has the same color as the gem in my element’s crown…thing. I got this from Rarity too... There is no way this can be a coincidence! I have to get to the bottom of this.’ As she gently rotated the ring she revealed a barely noticeable inscription on the inside.
“Omnia Vincit Amor”.
‘Love conquers all…’ Twilight couldn’t have agreed more.
The greatest surprise came when she turned the first page, revealing a tiny silver necklace obviously made to hang the ring from, along with a simple note.
Answer me when you get home again.
Rarity
Twilight could feel her heart skip a beat as she read it out loud. ‘The ring, the letter… does she… she does!’ Twilight quickly attached the ring to the necklace and put it on. A whip of her horn forced the window open.
She quickly stuck her head out of the window and shouted after the fashionista. Her words were however muffled by the train’s whistle indicating the train’s departure. Undeterred, she simply yelled out once the whistle died away.
“Rarity!” Twilight’s shout caught the white pony slightly off guard, yet she turned around instinctively, catching sight of Twilight in the window.
“Do you really want to wait for my answer?”
Rarity couldn’t speak. She just stood there, smiling with tears running down her cheeks as Twilight’s window disappeared around the turn.
She didn’t hear what Twilight called, but she knew it. Those three letters she would have to wait so long to hear.
“Yes.”
Authors Notes
A big thanks to Eartsong9405 at deviantart for prof reading and making the cover picture. This story wouldn't have been here if it wasn't for her.
