The sunlight slowly poured through the window, shining straight into the sleeping mare's face. The pony only shuffles around in bed, turning away from the window.
But then a baby dragon, by who you know as Spike, yawns deeply, waking her up from her slumber. She slowly sits up in her bed, her eyes slowly making its way to the clock at the corner of the room.
Her eyes go wide, and then she quickly gets out of her bed, and bolts down the stairs, while combing her hair and all that with a levitated comb. When she's done, she throws the brush against the wall.
She quickly opens up the door with magic, and leans against the doorway. She had just enough time to see the new mailpony, running by and putting her mail in her mailbox. His brown fur with red zebra stripes made him one of a kind in this town. Also the fact that he has no mane, only a short brown tail.
"Hey Rover." Twilight says.
"Hey."
And thats all he says. Thats all he says every single day he delivered mail. He was Derpy Hooves assistant, helping deliver the mail to the residents of Ponyville. Then he sprints off, eager to finish his job, like every other day.
He was the new pony in Ponyville. Fillies and mares want to be with him, and colts and stallions envy him. And there were many, many factors that went into that.
He was, if you listened to ever mare and filly in Ponyville, the cutest male in Ponyville. Some would go as far to say the cutest in Equestria. And there was the fact that he already has a job, and takes care of his 2 year old sister by himself. There was also the fact that he could run basically three times the speed of a normal pony, and for hours on end. Rover would also put everything before himself.
But probably the best fact, the one thing that made everypony envy him so much.
He just... doesn't care.
Rover would do anything, and I mean anything, without thinking about consequences or himself. In the week he's been here, he's told Celestia to basically go fuck herself, saved half of Fluttershy's creatures by jumping into her burning house and rescuing them after an accident with a pheonix, invited Fluttershy to stay at his house until hers could be repaired, and made out with Luna. Many consider him the Element of Bravery.
But, despite all the good factors, there were three bad factors that made it so fillies and mares wouldn't approach him.
The one that made every pony stay away was he wasn't a full pony. He was genetically mutated, as Celestia had pointed out, to be half pony, half timber-wolf. That's why he's faster then the average pony,has no pupils, only a light green color in his eyes, and his horn is made entirely of wood.
The one for only fillies to mind was that he was aggressive. He entered town with his sister on his back, covered in blood that wasn't his, and with a creatures ear in his mouth no less. Or fangs, because he did have fangs. As for the mares, the reason they never asked him was because...
...he's only 10 years old.
Rover's an elementary school dropout, pushed to the very limits, to provide and protect his 2 year old sister. He's already threatened to kill anyone who trys to take her away. Everyone believes him, after he bit one of Celestia's legs when she tried. He accepts little help, and trust me, many ponies have offered.
That's probably the major reason he hasn't started dating yet. He's sacrificing his youth, the best years a pony has, to take care of his sister. He doesn't have time for a relationship.
Twilight sighs, and walks back inside her house.
It really doesn't take long to finish my job. If anything it takes about 3 hours. Then I go to the post office, collect my pay, and sprint over to Sugercube Corner. Like every other day. It was a schedule that I hoped would go on for a while.
I slowly walked into the door, and was instantly recognized by the only pony I really got to know well, Pinkie Pie.
"Hey Rover! You here to pick up Stargazer?" She said with her usual loud and peppy voice.
I could here her playing with the twins upstairs, she sounded like she was having the time of her life. "Actually, I'll let her play with the twins. Why don't we chat for a while?" I said, sitting in one of the stools in front of the counter.
"Okay! What do you want to chat about?" Pinkie said, waiting for some cupcakes to bake.
Come on, why don't you just ask her? My brain kept saying to me. I had developed another voice in my head, because it gets pretty lonely with only a 2 year old to talk to.
"Pinkie Pie, would you like to go with me to the dance with me tonight?"
And time slowed down, as her eyes went wide. It felt like she was staring straight through my soul, as she slowly opened her mouth...
"OF COURSE! I've never been asked to a dance before, but I've heard it's really fun, so of course I'll go with you!"
Then Pinkie randomly appeared behind me, and gave me a giant hug. I paused for a second, before slowly wrapping my hooves around her as well. I was kinda confused, but it was Pinkie Pie so I should of expected anything. And I really should of expected Mr and Mrs. Cake to walk down the stairs at this exact time.
"AW, you two look so adorable together. So whats the occasion, you two don't hug often." Mrs. Cake says, happy to see such a sight.
"Rover just asked me to the Hearts and Hooves Day dance tonight!" The energetic pink pony says.
"Well thats wonderful Pinkie! Who would have known it be little Rover to sweep you off your feet." Mr. Cake says.
That's a fact I forgot to mention, it's Hearts and Hooves Day in Equestria today. Every Hearts and Hooves Day, there is a dance in Ponyville Park. A lot of ponies go to it, and sometimes even the princesses come. That's when it really gets fun.
But now Pinkie Pie grew that confused look that she usually had. "Sweep me off my feet? You mean like a date?"
Now she looks down at me, "Are you asking me on a date?"
So, w-
Shut up, I don't need your input now. My brain could be such a bitch sometimes. So I gulped, and looked back into her eyes.
"Thats what I was going for."
Now I feel like the smallest thing in Ponyville. Her eyes were about the size of dinner plates, and I thought I was going to get hit for a second. I closed my eyes, and waited for the inevitable.
But all I felt was a gentle nuzzle on my cheek, and I slowly opened my eyes to a smile on the pink ponies face.
"Why didn't you just say so? Of course I'll go on a date with you! It'll be so much fun!"
I let out a deep breath of relief. I really thought something bad was going to happen there for a second.
DING!
"Ooh, cupcakes are done!"
So I slowly unwrap my hooves from her, and she magically appears in front of the stove. I couldn't hear my little sister upstairs with the others, and my mind pictured possibilitys of what could of happened.
"I'm going to go get my little sister. I'll see you ponies later."
So I walk upstairs, and open up the door to Pinkie's room. There, in the middle of the room, were three little foals, all curled up and sleeping together. Pumpkin was sucking on her binky, while Pound was teething on a rubber chicken. Stargazer was also teething, on her tail. It was so adorable.
I slowly walked over to her, and a brown aura surrounded her as I levitated her onto my back. She shifted a little, but I was again relieved when she didn't wake up. Then I slowly left the room, closing the door silently on the way out. I then slowly trotted down the stairs, and said my goodbyes to Mr and Mrs. Cake. I paused before leaving the door.
"Should I pick you up at 5:00?"
Pinkie Pie looked over at me, and smiled, nodding her head vigorously.
So I left for my house, thinking only one thing.
I have a date with Pinkie Pie.
This is going to be one hell of a night.
I slowly trot through town, my head thinking of things. Things having to do with my past. Who I really was. What I really was.
Anyway, so I look around, watching everypony start inching away from me. The talking throughout the town causes Stargazer to wake up. I slowly levitate her in front of me, rocking her back and forth, making cooing noises.
"Shh shh. There there Stary, everything is alright. We'll be home soon."
We did make it home soon, 10 minutes to be exact. I open the door, and look around at my bleak apartment. Well, Fluttershy sure did spruce it up at least. Though I swear a fly is more assertive then her, she's the shyest thing I've ever seen.
"Hey Rover, how was work?" Fluttershy says, noticing that Stargazer was awake and crying.
"Oh, the usual. How was your day?" I say, still rocking Stargazer back and forth, before doing my secret for putting her to sleep. I then hop onto a stool, and layed Stargazer inside the crib. Unlike other foals, Stargazer knows that when she was in the crib, it meant it was bed-time. She usually went to bed seconds after being put in.
And today wasn't any different. Stargazer looks up at me, and then slowly curls up into a ball, her tail in-between her teeth again. Then, like previous days, Angel Bunny hops onto the counter next to her crib, and hops in with Stargazer, curling up next to her. Then Stargazer stretches out her hooves in a yawn, and puts Angel in a hug, pulling him closer. He doesn't mind one bit, actually hugging her back with his tiny bunny arms. If I didn't know better, I would think they were in a relationship.
I smile at the sight. "Oh, it was okay. The animals are fed, and I cleaned up the house a little." The pegasus says.
"Oh, well thank you Flutters. You didn't have to." I say. That mare was always helping out everyone, without asking anything in return. She's so sweet.
"No, it's quite fine, you look like you need all the help you could get."
"Well thanks, a lot." I say, my attention turning towards my sleeping sister. She has a light green coat, with a tiny light blue tail with orange streaks through it. Her mane is only one strand of curly dark red hair, and her eyes a dark shade of purple. She's the love of my life, and I will do anything for her.
I could still remember the night she was born. That dreadful night will forever be burned into my cranium, I just hope she doesn't remember it. The horrors that took place that night should never have to be witnissed by anypony her age.
Fluttershy sees my blank stare, and decides to walk over to me. She draps a wing over my side, and I snap out of the memory. My eyes wander over to her, and then back down to Stargazer.
"You know, your pretty brave. Taking care of a foal, at your age no less. Defending and providing for her. Your one of a kind." Futtershy says, also now looking down at the two sleeping creatures in the crib.
"I know. And I wouldn't want it any other way." I say, slowly leaning onto Fluttershy's side.
Fluttershy slowly started to pet my bald head, and I had to admit, it felt really nice right about now.
"Oh Flutters, I have a question to ask you."
The shy mare stops petting me, and looks into my eyes. I can't believe how pretty she looks right now. This mare knows how to take care of herself.
"Yes?"
"Were you going to the Hearts and Hooves Day dance tonight?"
Fluttershy's cheeks go red at the mention of the dance. Flutters wasn't one of those mare's who has been known to date or have a special somepony, but as the old saying goes 'it's always the quiet ones.' She hides behind her mane.
"Well... I was expecting to go alone, maybe just socialize with my friends."
I know what she thought was happening, she thought I'm asking her out. I can't lie to myself, she would have been my second choice.
"I already asked out Pinkie Pie, but you would've been my second choice." I say, nuzzling her cheek.
Now her whole face goes a shade of red, this shade putting Big Mac's to shame. She slowly starts to paw at the wooden floor, but then her face goes to one of surprise.
"You asked out Pinkie Pie, why I have to say I'm surprised."
I giggle at that, "Well then I'm full of surprises today."
I hop off of the stool, and slowly walk over to the door, "If your not going anywhere anytime soon, would you mind watching Stargazer while I go find her a baby-sitter?"
"I wouldn't mind the slightest. Your sister and I get along very well, though it would be nice to know your secret."
I stop dead in my tracks, and was confused beyond belief. Then my eyes went wide, "How did she figure out?" I say in my head.
"Calm down, she might not know that secret. Play it off like you have no idea what she's talking about. If she does, RUN!"
So I turn around to face her, "What secret?"
Now Fluttershy giggles at my nervousness. "You know, how you put Stargazer to bed so quickly. Once you get her in front of the crib, she's out like a light."
I breathe a huge sigh of relief, and then chuckle to myself, "All it takes is a kiss on the right spot."
Now Fluttershy was the one confused, "What spot?"
I opened up the door, and look back at her one more time, smirking at her.
"The lips."
And then I left a shocked Fluttershy inside my house, laughing at the expressions my mind came up with for her face.
Now my thoughts went to the task at hand. I can't ask the Cakes, they have done so much already, it just wouldn't seem right. That left four friends, two that were colts, and one that's an immortal goddess. So I left for the Everfree Forest.
I wave at all the ponies that I pass. If my eyes weren't all green, they would probably be bloodshot to shit. Stargazer might sleep often, but she only sleeps about 3 hours at a time. It's a miracle I can stay up to take care of her.
Only two ponies wave back at me, and one decides to walk next to me. Some dark blue alicorn I know all to well as a friend.
"What's up Princess Luna?"
She only looks down at me, a small smile on her face. "Not much, just walking with you. I would be in bed, but we just had an important meeting with Fillydelphia, and A LOT of coffee was consumed. How about you, what are you doing?"
"Wow, someone learned to speak modern Equestrian fast." My other voice says.
"I'm going to go find Stargazer a babysitter. I got a date with Pinkie Pie tonight."
She has on a face of fake shock, "Well congrats, you two always had that special friendship. But if I may ask, if your looking for a babysitter, why are you walking towards the Everfree Forest?"
I look over at her, and give her a smirk, "I have an animal friend that loves to spend time with my baby sister."
Luna only nods, and we walk in silence towards the forest. Then out of nowhere, her expression changes to one of surprise.
"An animal! Your leaving her with one of those creatures!"
I only facehoof, "See, thats the attitude that makes them attack you. If you would actually be nice to them, and stop acting like they're the scum of this universe, you might learn something. And not get ambushed every time you step foot in here."
We reach the edge of the forest, and I just keep on walking. I wasn't expecting Luna to follow me in, but she did anyway.
"If what you say is true, then maybe I can make friends with this friend of yours."
I smile at her, and we walk in silence again.
I could hear a chattering of some kind after a while. Then I look over at Luna, and realize it's her teeth. I never knew ponies were so scared of this place, it's mostly peaceful here. When animals aren't trying to kill each other, of course.
I walk over to her, and slowly intertwine my tail into hers. Her eyes quickly go to the size of dinner plates, and she looks down at me, a massive blush on her face.
"W- what are y- you doing?" She says.
I only giggle, "Sometimes, it's nice to know you're not alone. And also your teeth are chattring so loud your probably going to wake up the whole forest."
She smiles at that comment, and then lets out a big laugh. "You're right, it is better."
We then again walked in silence, and soon we arrived. Luna stared in awe at the MASSIVE cave in front of us. Her eyes went even wider when she saw two gigantic eyes peering through the entrance.
"Hey Mr. Rogers, I was just wondering if we could talk for a little bit."
The eyes bob up and down, and I motion for Luna to follow me in. She was hesitant, but when I untwined my tail from hers, she quickly followed me in.
The cave is illuminated by glowing moss and types of fungi. We could finally see the Ursa Minor in front of us,and I sit down on the floor across from it. Luna sits right next to me, shes probably never been this close to an Ursa before. She probably scared shitless.
My horn glows, and I begin our conversation.
"So Mr. Rogers, hows it going these days? It's been a long time." I say, noticing Luna inching closer to me.
"Luna, it's not nice to stare." I say, smirking at her.
She only blinks, and then looks down at me. The Ursa begins to speak, in some naitive dialect. But my horn speaks up as well, "It's been swell, me and my wife have been doing great. But why the surprise visit?"
Luna just blinked once more, and I saw her blank expreesion. "Translation spell. Come on Luna, even I would think you would know that."
I turn back to Mr. Rogers, "Do you remember my baby sister, Stargazer?"
"Ahh, I do remember your adorable sister. A real energetic foal that one. What about her?" My horn says.
"Well, I was wondering, if you don't have any plans of course, if you could babysit her tonight. As you know, it's Hearts and Hooves Day in Equestria, and I got a date tonight. But if you already are doing something, I totally understand."
Mr. Rogers only smiles, "We would love to have Stargazer over, she's so adorable. What time should we expect her?"
I thought about that, before another voice was heard outside the door.
"How bout now sugercube?"
We all look towards the front of the cave, to find Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and four other ponies I recognize from my mail routes. Stargazer was softly sleeping on Fluttershy's back, and all the stuff I use to take care of her was in a saddlebag on her back as well.
"HEY ROVY!" Pinkie literally screams.
Stargazer's eyes instantly shoot open, and the crying begins once more. Everyone looks at Pinkie with a stern face, while I just levitate my baby sister off of Flutter's back, and into my hooves.
"Pinkie, you woke up the baby!" Rarity says with a stern whisper.
I could see her face grow sad, "I'm sorry."
"It's alright Pinkie, I can handle this." I say, gently rocking my baby sister back and forth. I start to sing her favorite song.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy, when skies are grey. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take, my sunshine away."
Her tears stop, and her eyes gaze up at me, as I repeat the verse one more time.
I smile at her, and gently throw her into the air, catching her in my hooves. She starts to laugh, and my smile widens more. I give her a hug, and she returns it, snuggling into my chest.
"Aw, so cute." Twilight says, as I gently bring Stargazer up to my face.
"I'm going to leave you with Mr. Rogers, okay?"
Stargazer made a cute sound, and I set her down on the floor. She crawls over to him, and embraces one of his paws from the side, to my relief avoiding the claws on them.
"AWW! She's so adorable!" Rarity says, squeeing with joy.
I levitate the saddlebag off of Fluttershy, and slowly put it next to Mr. Rogers. "Are you sure your fine with this?"
"Of course, we've done this many times before. Have fun on your date tonight."
"I will. See you later, tell your wife I said hi."
And with that, I walk out of the cave, seven ponies right behind me.
