Balance within Harmony

Walking through Ponyville towards his Treehouse Library, Twilights very analytical nature meant that even a few minutes of time trotting alone gave him plenty of opportunity to think.

What a week it has been, there has been a lot to get used to. I mean, apart from the move from Canterlot to Ponyville, and becoming the element of magic, nopony else has ever had to go through what we did. And that’s according to the Princess who knows everything. Well, maybe not everything, but she has seen most things in the thousands of years she has been around. Sure is going to take a bit of time to get used to thought!

Twilight looked around and notice no-one was paying attention to him

I shouldn’t really complain so much as Jack and Dash really, should I? Nobody round here in Ponyville knew me until the day before I changed, so really they know me more as a colt than a filly. Well biologically speaking at least. But AJ and RD have friends and family who have to get used to this…

He waved absent mindedly at a group of passing fillies, who gave a wave back and a bit of a giggle.

Careful Twilight. You are very aware of the demographics of pony gender imbalance, particularly in a town like Ponyville. I mean, colts are outnumbered even in Canterlot which has the highest ratio in the kingdom. An average mare, outside the highest circles of so-called society, only has about a 20% chance of landing herself a stallion in a town like this.

His pace quicken and tail swished a bit more than usual as he thought that through.

So, you’ve basically switched from a life resigned to being a lonely old-mare, to being able to probably choose whomever you want on Hearts and Hooves Day. Although, for the moment magic and science is your mistress…even if you perhaps desire one certain unicorn.

Shaking that last thought out of his head, Twilight then realised something he had been forgetting.

But I wonder what Spike makes of all this? I mean, being a Dragon born to the youngest pony ever to hatch a Dragon egg, and then be brought up by a trio of the Ruler of Equestria, a Princess foalsitter and one of the most powerful young unicorns in the kingdom, he surely most be used to the unusual? But I’m all the family he has, who has he to talk to?

Approaching the Library, Twilight gulped as he realised he needed to actually deal with this at some point.

“Hello Spike, are you home?” Twilight called out as he entered the library and headed upstairs towards the shower.

“Hello Twilight” Spike called from the kitchen, peaking through the door “Whoa, what happened? Everypony okay?”

“Oh, I just had a game of Hoofball with some of the other colts in town. The rain yesterday certainly made the ground soft”

“Must have done, you look like a right mess. Still, all that running around must have made you hungry. I’ve got a nice soup on the boil”

“Thanks Spike, I’ll get myself cleaned up and join my number one chef for dinner in a moment” Twilight called back. Despite wanting to deal with this, a rumbling stomach made Twilight feel perhaps later tonight would be the best time.

***

Meanwhile, Rarity had made her way back to Carousel Boutique being carefully not to get any mud or rainwater over her freshly groomed mane.

Ah, what a lovely afternoon it was, I do love our sessions in the Spa. It’s so nice to see Fluttershy relax and be herself away from all the problems in real life. I enjoy our weekly spa day for the luxury but I wonder if for Fluttershy is the only time she isn’t on edge?

Unlocking the Boutique door with her magic, she called out for Opal as she pranced in and turned on the lights. Opal just lay on a pile of spare fabric and gave her owner a look that indicated she was not in a good mood. Rarity noted the implied threat and went up the stairs to her workshop.

Now, what do I have to do at the moment? A few minor alterations and a couple of dresses for Diamond Tiara’s upcoming cute-ceañera. Hmmm, that’s not much to do given how creative I feel at the moment. I don’t know, since wielding those elements I feel that there’s a change within me, and all of us, but I can’t quiet put my hoof on it.

She went over to her workdesk, grabbed a clean sheet of parchment, closed her eyes and let her horn channel her creativeness. She heard a lot of scribbling but just let the ideas flow out of her. After a while she opened her eyes to see what it had drawn.

Hmmm, just lots of doddles of stars, all in purple ink? I suppose with the return of luna the next fashion is bound to involve night colours and motifs in some way…wait…IDEA!

Rarity went running off and started wrapping purple silk over one of her mare sized mannequins, pinning the material with silver trim quickly as a wave of excitement overtook her. “Oh why yes” she said to nopony “this is exactly what I need to show off in my Autumn collection”

The piece of parchment was blown off behind the desk as a roll of thread was levitated past. If Rarity had spent a few more moments looking at the parchment she would have realised that Luna is more associated with the Moon than the stars, and what was drawn looked more like somepony else’s cutie mark…

***

Back at the Library, Twilight was lying on the sofa, reading through her next assignment and letting the delicious soup slowly digest. Spike was lying on a cushion on the floor, nibbling a small chipped gemstone Rarity gave him as a welcome present.

“It was sure nice of Rarity to give me this to eat, it’s going to be difficult to get hold of gemstones to eat around here” spike suddenly said, a dreamy look in his eyes.

Twilight looked up from her “Far from it Spike. From what I understand Rarity can find gemstones using her magic. I’m sure if you help her out she would be able to give you some of the imperfect ones to eat”

“Imperfect or not, all gems taste lovely” Spike responded, taking another gentle nibble before putting it back in a box to save the rest for later. Afterall, being a present from Rarity it was something he wanted to keep hold of “You really think she would give me some gems?”

“Well, I can’t say for sure, but she is the element of generosity” Twilight giggled, knowing that the damaged gems are worthless to Rarity.

“Yes, the elements, they sure…” Spike started and trailed off. This was an opening and Twilight knew there wouldn't be a better time to talk.

“Spike, how have to been the past few days” Twilight asked, putting down her book and moving towards Spike.

“Yeah fine, great in fact. Ponyville is so friendly and there are so many more people I can speak to than in Canterlot. I mean, I miss the Princess and all, but Pinkie is so friendly and - ” Spike looked over “- but that’s not what you were talking about, was it?”

“Kind of, its great to hear you've settled in here. I suppose that Canterlot was a little boring for you, stuck with me all day. But obviously there’s been a bit of a change. I mean, as far as I’m concerned nothing has changed between us, I still love you and you're always be my number one assistant!”

“Yeah, it’s a little strange. I mean I always considered you to be half my mother-” Twilights eye watered up a little when he heard this “- half my sister, and half my best friend”

“Oh spike, that adds up to one and a half - ”

“Of course” Spike interrupted “because you were much more than a single pony to me” Both of them seemed to be struggling to control tears at this point. “But I’ve been thinking about it and I think that I’ll consider filly Twilight to have been my mother and my Big Sister. And now with the move to Ponyville I think it’s a new start with colt Twilight as my Big Brother and my mentor”

Twilight looked at the baby dragon, who was looking down at his feet and holding his tail.

“Oh spike, you are just so mature. Apart from being my assistant, you’ll always be my BDFF – Best Dragon Friend Forever. And we don’t know if the change is permanent or what so we have to be careful not to overcomplicate anything. I mean, do you think anything has really changed?”

“Hmmmmm, nothing much Twilight. I mean, if anything it’s nice to have another male around having been brought up by princesses and you. I mean, Shining was nice to have around when training allowed, so this could just be a good thing. And you haven’t really changed, you still just a big bookworm” spike sniggered as he pointed to the large pile of books read since arrival.

“Too true, number one assistant. But now you point it out, perhaps you could tidy the place up for me tomorrow”

“Oh shucks, I dropped myself in on that one didn't I?”

“You sure did, BDFF” Twilight laughed as he rubbed Spike’s head.

***

Rarity lay down exhausted on her bed, looking across at the draft dress she had put together. It looked absolutely divine and she knew it would be the centrepiece of her new collection.

It probably has to be one of the most exquisite pieces I’ve ever put together. Whatever is giving me inspiration at the moment certainly seems to be working. She knocked her hooves together excitedly. But something else seems to be helping.. am I trying to impress someone? Well, Sweetie Belle is getting older so perhaps I’m trying to inspire her whilst she looks for her cutie mark?

As she laid down preparing to sleep somepony else popped into her mind for a few seconds. Surely it couldn’t be due to him, could it? She shock the image out of her mind as she started slipping off to sleep…