//-------------------------------------------------------// Happy Endings I - Child of Legends -by SlashopentheSky- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Prelude to Shenanigans //-------------------------------------------------------// Prelude to Shenanigans Our story starts with two special ponies, one that wants something seemingly impossible. ~~~ “Oh, Daaashie, I have something to tell yooo!” “Pinkie Pie, what is it?” Pinkie Pie was my wife, and I had to listen to her. Sometimes I forget why I married her in the first place. But then I remember. “I just had a GREAT idea! Alrighty," she begins, whispering. "Let’s have a sweet cute and absolutely ADORABLE foal!” I didn’t want to look stupid in public. I grabbed Pinkie and ran into an alleyway. “What?”         “A child, Dashie, a child! Wouldn’t it be great? We could feed the little foal and play with the little foal and change diapers and play with...”          I interrupted after a while. “Pinkie Pie. We. Are. Both. Mares. How do you plan on this?” “Easy!” said Pinkie Pie. “Twilight has a book about it! 101 Ways for a Foal, Providing Conception is not Normally Possible without Magical Aid. It’s on the bookshelf closest to the basement, two shelves down.”           I wanted to be a Wonderbolt, really badly. Then I remembered there wasn’t a rule against it. Well, I love Pinkie. If she wants it, then my decision is made. After all, we always do things for each other. I can be cool about it.  Can’t I? ~~~          This is tearing my mind apart. We’re approaching  Twilight’s place so that she will cook up a spell to give me a fully-functioning stallionhood. I plan to be a good mother anyway, but the sex is a definite bonus. Especially around this time of year, and I think you know what I mean. No Rainbow, focus on the good mother part.  I take a deep breath and go in with Pinkie. I’m rambling because I’m nervous. You don’t see the sweat, but it’s there. Silly me, I don’t GET nervous. Right?  Right. My knees aren’t shaking.  I am simply having the pre-Whoa-Egghead jitters. Okay, I may not be the element of Honesty, but there are certain things I can’t lie about. I look at the clouds. Instead of commenting on them like most boring ponies, I take seven seconds out of my day to clear ‘em. I think that’s a record! Distracting myself outside Twilight’s door is calming.         “Umm... Dashie? Are we going in?”          Right, I’m here with Pinkie Pie and probably torturing her over wait time. “Sorry Pinks, let’s get going.” I walk in.                                                                                             ~(*)~                                                                                                !                                                                                             ~(*)~           At the knocks, Twilight Sparkle opened the door. “Hi girls. I was just practicing divination, so I knew you were coming. Pinkie Pie... will burp... bubbles? Arghh, I’m doing this wrong. Anyways, come on in, tell me what you need. With predictions like that, I might need to revise the theory.”         Rainbow Dash walked in warily, Pinkie Pie following behind with a bounce to her step.         Rainbow began to talk. "Yeah well, Pinkie's brainwaves, you know. Anyways, so the pink mare...who's my wife... life descision...foal...        Twilight stopped the flow of words trailing from Dash's mouth and said, “ I think I know what you’re saying. You want a foal? That is not you, Rainbow Dash. You know it takes responsibility, right? So Pinkie...”         Pinkie Pie bounced up and spoke.  “Yep, a little foal is what we want, right Dashie? So here’s the book. We bookmarked the spell!”         Twilight opened up the book, curious as to how she found it so quickly. she looked at the spell and frowned. “I’m afraid I can’t cast this spell. I tried before on Spikaya, but now she’s a male baby... I look for the answer to the predicament today.” Twilight took a breath and continued. “Is there anything else you want to try?”         Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash sighed. “We wanted the most natural way,” said Rainbow. “but let’s look at these...”        “Wait,” said Twilight. “Zecora taught me a few magic-infused potions, including this.” If two mares want a foal to keep They cannot do it in their sleep I have a little potion brew And in a tummy a child will stew Take the essence of each mare Create a father from what’s there put the egg back in the mother In nine months you will have an other       “I understood it. I need an egg and a part from each of you. A hair from Pinkie and a feather from Rainbow. It should be easy to zap them to the basement. Do you agree to do this?”        The couple shook their heads yes.  “Alright,” Twilight said. “So who’s the father?”        “I call it,” said Rainbow Dash.         Twilight zapped an egg from both of them. She zapped the hair and feather as well. “You’re free to leave. Come back tomorrow morning, It’ll be ready then.”         The pair thanked Twilight as they left. ~~~          “Alright,” said Twilight to no one in particular, setting off to the basement. Everything was sparkling clean from her fifth daily cleaning. She made a check when she got down, seeing the indicators for the eggs and the hair next to the feather. “Let’s begin.”           A little while into the potion-making process, it became time to convert the egg into sperm. A difficult spell, Twilight thought, starting to charge.  Sparks flew from her horn and sweat from her brow. Concentrating her power into the spell, she cast it. Looking under the microscope, Twilight saw signs of success. She gathered the ingredients together in a brewing pot. Hair, Check. Feather, Check. Egg, Check. Sperm, Check. Water, Check. Root of Joke, Check.She used her magic to stir the pot. I wonder what the foal will be like...         “I’ve probably stirred enough,” she said aloud, wiping more sweat from her face. A few drops fell into the pot, unbeknownst to the purple mare. “I’ll stir a few more times to be sure.”         The sweat mixed in with the other ingredients. “I’M DONE!” she exclaimed, tired. “Now to let it sit overnight and give it to Pinkie Pie in the morning. “ //-------------------------------------------------------// Keeping the Secret //-------------------------------------------------------// Keeping the Secret "I'll call her Berry Twinkle." It wasn't that everypony had gotten over the fact that the foal had wings and a horn, but they were pushing it aside for Pinkie and Rainbow's sake. The two had fallen in love with the child immediately, and no one wanted to ruin that. They were still at the hospital, and it was only a day since delivery ended. Everything was cleaned up, leaving a sparkling glow across the room. All of the ponies that were there yesterday came back today, except for Fluttershy. She had something to attend to with the animals. Rainbow Dash had stayed overnight, and slept on the couch in the room. It was Pinkie Pie who decided on the name. "With her coat like a berry and her blue eyes twinkling, how could I NOT name her Berry Twinkle?" "Sounds good to me," said Dash. "Then it's settled," said the pink mare, the smile on her face growing. "She's beautiful." After a moment, she added, "And so are you." The two shared a brief kiss. Shortly after, Twinkle grew restless. "Is somepony hungry?" Rainbow Dash cooed at the foal. She tickled her tummy, eliciting a giggle from the child. Pinkie Pie giggled too. "Actually, somepony is stinky. Pee-U! Let's get this diaper changed." "Pinkie," began Twilight, the first to break the dialogue between the two," You stay in bed. I'll clean her up." Twilight took the filly and levitated her to the changing table. ~~~ "Dear friend of my sister," said Octavia, with a slight Canterlot accent. She looked at Twilight, who had recently finished changing Berry Twinkle's diaper and had put the child in Rainbow's care. "I have but one question. Why is the child an  Alicorn?" "Octavia, I-I don't know" Twilight looked nervously around after hearing the question. Why is she bringing this up now? "Perhaps I am asking the wrong question," she said looking at the ground. As Octavia looked back up, the purple pony saw that by the expression on her face that she was asking this question out of curiosity and not out malice. This calmed her. "Would you tell me every detail of the potion-making experience, no matter how minute? Perhaps then we can crack the case." Twilight began. "Well let's see.  I walked down the stairs, and then checked that everything was in place. The ingredients were water, the eggs of each mare, a hair from Pinkie Pie, a feather from Rainbow Dash and the root of a plant known as Joke, not the more common poisonous variety." "I set the water to heat up to ninety-eight degrees Fahrenheit, then  ground up the Joke. I then converted Rainbow Dash's egg into sperm, which I remember was a particularly hard spell. I even sweat a little. Then I put all the in- Oh. Oh. I know what happened. My sweat fell right into the pot. And I mixed a few times more than I should have. Oh." Twilight almost fainted when she realized what happened, especially considering how angry or shocked some ponies might be at hearing what had happened and that it was her fault. What would the princesses say? What would happen to Berry Twinkle? Question swarmed through her head like parasprites, each question causing more to erupt. "We'll have to keep it a secret." "That much is obvious, dear Twilight. But the child must eventually leave the confines of her parent's homes. What then?" "I-I'll disguise her horn or wings!" Twilight said, feeling somewhat more pleased at having found a solution. Talking to the grey mare had shed some light on the situation, and was more helpful than she'd thought originally. "Do you think we should be able to tell anyone else, though?" "Well I suppose you should be able to tell the rest of your friends, assuming that sweet pegasus Fluttershy hasn't done so already. Nurse Redheart... Let us ask of her silence or limited ability to tell. She is conveniently coming back right now." ~~~ After the nurse finished attending to Pinkie Pie and  Berry Twinkle, Twilight walked up to her. "Please don't tell anyone the... unique situation of the child. I think it could be potentially harmful to Berry's safety." "Very well, Miss Sparkle," said the mare. "Thanks," said Twilight. "I appreciate it." Nurse Redheart offered a smile. "He told me, 'That's amazing! I'm writing to the local paper right now!' Then he left. I-I didn't get a chance to stop him." "Oh. Well today is Thursday and the paper comes out on Monday, so there's time!" Twilight decided it was simple enough to simply ask for the article not to be published. Nurse Redheart still looked worried as she walked out of the room. Everypony had heard. It was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. No emotion was shown on anypony's frozen features. If the little one hadn't laughed, then perhaps time would truly stop, and their lives would never move forward. But she did, obviously oblivious to the current predicament, oblivious to the possibility that her life was in danger. She simply laughed, and for a moment, they all laughed too. Just to escape. ~~~ The next day, Pinkie Pie and Berry Twinkle checked out of the hospital. She was accompanied by Rainbow Dash and Octavia. As they left, the Canterlot mare turned to face the others. "I must bid farewell, my train leaves soon. Please do write me when you sort everything out. I wish you the best." Octavia trotted off in another direction. "Bye!" called Pinkie. "Bye," called Dash. "Bye!" squeaked Twinkle sharply. "Hey," said Dash."Her first word already! Octavia, she actually said bye!" shouted Dash, unsure if she heard. Pinkie Pie smiled, the bounce slowly returning to her step, although limited for the child's safety. "So now we meet up at Fluttershy's house to tell the rest all about Berry Twinkle and then we can go to where they make the newspapers to tell them not to say anything. Just like Twilight said yesterday. Wow, we were all so scared about the Gazette printing that we forgot there was such an EASY solution!" Oh Pinkie. Is anything ever that simple? ~~~ Twilight suggested Fluttershy's house. It was the most secluded, and they couldn't risk anypony else finding out. "I don't trust the bunny," said Dash, rather loudly. "Rainbow Dash, manners! That was very rude," Rarity chided. "Oh," said Fluttershy. "He's very sweet. Aren't you, Angel?" The rabbit responded by kicking her. " Now let's take a look at this here foal." Applejack opened up the blanket." Aww... ain't that the cutest thing anypony's ever saw. An' a unicorn, to. Mus' be in the family." "Yeah," said Twilight, shifting her hooves. "About the unicorn thing... Now you have to promise to not tell anyone. Pinkie Promise." In unison, the two ponies that didn't know repeated the rhyme with the appropriate hoof actions. "Alright. Twilight said. " The four of us that didn't do the Pinkie Promise already know. Pinkie?" She took the blanket off the baby. "What in tarnation?..." ~~~ "So in conclusion, we need to go to tell them that the article cannot be printed." Twilight had spent the last few minutes telling the three that weren't there about nurse Redheart's mistake. "Then it simply must be done," Rarity declared. "Obviously not all seven of us can go. How about... yes the parents should go, of course, and Berry Twinkle- Oh, that's the first time I said her name! I think I would be of use, especially if it's a stallion, So then it's decided. " Everyone agreed, and so they set off on the lovely Friday afternoon. ~~~ At the office of Printing Press, everything was neat, everything was clean. Not a single paper out of place, everything filed in the proper cabinet. It was a good idea not to bring Twilight, thought Rarity. She would have gone crazy from the impeccable details of the room Ahead of her, she saw a white stallion with a cream-colored mane and a black tail. Interesting. Usually one's mane and tail would be the same color. "What do you want?" Rarity stepped forward. "Why, my fine sir, we simply wanted to know if you received any particularly... interesting news recently." "And if I did, why would I tell you?" He continued speaking in the same voice as he did earlier, a gruff monotone. "Let me elaborate," said the mare. "Anything about... a baby alicorn? "Maybe I did," he responded. "Would you mind not printing that? For this filly's sake? For her parent's?" She batted her eyelids. Emotion finally crept into the voice of Printing Press. "Not print it?! Are you out of your mind? What would be the story then? Of course, the Apple family apple cupcakes recipe. We hadn't had a good story in years! We've lost thirty-two percent of weekly buyers, in fact, at some point a newspaper for FOALS got more popular than the Ponyville Gazette! Rarity remembered that paper particularly well. "So the answer is yes, I WOULD mind not printing it. In fact, let's get some pictures." A swarm of cameraponies came in, snapping pictures of the Pinkie, Rainbow and Berry. The ponies squirmed and swatted to no avail. Twinkle began to cry. Soon, the cameraponies left, and the three ponies cried along. Rainbow Dash stalked up to him. "THE FUCK! YOU COMPLETELY VIOLATED US WITH THOSE CAMERAPONIES! YOU WILL RUE THIS DAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE! I SWEAR IT!" "Security!" called Press. "And he has the audacity to call security," said a still seething pony. "Now," said the stallion. "I trust the three, sorry four of you to leave on your own accord." "Mabye no, countered Pinkie, scraping her hooves against the smooth and flawless floor with an audible screech. She too was carried out, though the guardponies were careful with her child. Finally Rarity left, face covered in tears, as the door slowly clinked shut. //-------------------------------------------------------// The Shenanigans Begin //-------------------------------------------------------// The Shenanigans Begin After what had happened, we we just went home. Rarity to the boutique, me, Pinkie and Twinkle to my house. They had some weird contraption that Pinkie could still use, apparently, when she wasn't at her happiest. The good news is she hadn't gone Pinkamena on anybody. Berry had pretty big wings and could flutter a little, but that was it. She still needed support to go around. Ah, but one day I'll teach her to fly as fast as her mother! You know, I'm sure she'll be fine. We just have to think of something else. I took Berry from her stroller and invited Pinkie over to the same fluffy cloud bed I was heading. She followed. "Oh my gosh," she said "I don't see anything scary, but I feel so scared! I've never felt this way before." I knew what Pinkie was feeling. I had felt something like it before, though not as intense. "It's called true fear," I said. "We can fix it, but giggling at ghosties won't help. But I've thought of something." "Fear!" a little voice squealed. That's two words, and she's less than a week old! Perhaps being an alicorn has an effect on her growth. "We need to see our other friends. I know just what  to do, Pinkie. I know just what to do." ~~~ "And that's what happened." It was Friday, and the newspapers were to be stocked on Sunday. We all met at the library this time, me telling what had happened. I had only to tell my marvelous plan soon to the others, and we would all be saved. First, of course, the anguish. I mean, would YOU like to be randomly famous and then probably shunned for "Trying to impersonate our rulers".  I heard about it, I think. Or not. But who knows? You see, I'm relaxed, because my child is NOT in jeopardy. And I let Pinkie in on it, sooo she's cool too. Rarity came to the meeting. She was in her room when we found her, still sniffling. The white mare was on her bed, doodling in her fashion notebook. We found Fluttershy. She was holding a knife above Angel. Was she finally going to do the right thing? But she proceeded to cut some carrots up for him. Applejack was munching on an apple. "Well, A'hm goin' back to bucking," she muttered. I caught up with her, though. That was all of us, plus Twilight, with her initial confusion of why the heck we were all crashing here. Which we weren't crashing. We needed to talk. "All right," said Pinkie Pie. "They're still going to print the article." Everypony gasped. "And that is why we need a plan. Oh Daashie!" I smiled, despite the unsure looks on everypony's face. "Here's the plan. I call it The Heist..." ~~~ The middle of the night. Kind stars, a moon. It was beautiful weather, which would help us. Something was occurring this Friday night, and it wasn't a party. Pinkie Pie was actually stealthy, for once, which was good because she and Fluttershy were in the main parts of the plan. We looked at the building. A few guardponies were stationed around it, which was why it was time to begin. Phase One RD I signaled to the others that it was time to begin. With a quick prayer to Luna, I started gathering speed. Guards are clouds, I just twirl the rainbow awesomeness that is me around the guards, and we'll be ready for action. Heh, a metaphor. I felt the wind through my mane as I lit that spark, the pegasus magic. I went all figure 8 at the guards in the front, stunning them. "Quick!" I whispered, signaling to Pinkie Pie. She pulled out a key that had belonged to the guard, ready to open the door inside. Little life cheats like that, saving her the time of walking over to the stallions. Always an oddity. Phase Two PP This was going to be super fun! Unless something didn't go according to plan. But how could it not? Dashie covered EVERYTHING. She must've borrowed Twilight's brain or something! Twilight wasn't here right now, she was with Rarity and Twinkle. We'd see them soon, though. I took out the key and went towards the door, unlocking it. I heard a click, which caused everypony to sigh in relief. But Uh-oh, the guards were recovering! I quickly led the other three in and locked the door. There was no trace we were there. Phase Three FS I didn't want to go on this, erm, mission, but apparently I'm quiet, so now I have to do this. I have second thoughts, yes, but I need to do this! Yes! I will. We're moving through the corridor and soon I will, I will... Oh, but it's dark. And dreary. I haven't seen the building at night before, but it's very scary. And the flashing- I almost scream, but Rainbow covers my mouth. Luckily. It's just the print room, with the lights flashing. Applejack holds a magic light from Twilight near me so I can pick up this little piece of paper that's supposed to be in a locked cabinet in this room. Pinkie produces a key, giving it to me so I can unlock the drawer, and- and, okay. It's open. I think it's in this section- Submitted Stories- Ah! here it is! I found it! Phase Four Get the heck outta here! The four relaxed the tiniest bit, still knowing the had to get past the guards outside. Applejack snuffed out the light with a little bit of earth pony magic, looking back at the room. We got it, she thought, smiling. We got the paper. Leaving the smells of ink and copy paper, the ponies walked back through the corridor, retying any knots in their bellies as they braced to see the guards. It was just then when they heard another, albeit unsettling, click... And light flooded the hallway, revealing the figure of Printing Press. //-------------------------------------------------------// Great and Powerful //-------------------------------------------------------// Great and Powerful "Well well, I was here to meet somepony, and look who I find?" Printing Press laughed cruelly, as he walked up to Fluttershy and snatched the papers. Where is that stupid stallion... "Your little plan almost worked, Dashie, but just my luck, I picked this night to meet them!" The stallion continued to chortle, his eyes flashing red on yellow. Stupid cult followers... Rainbow Dash stiffened, recognizing that voice. "How do you know about my plan!?" she demanded, as the others backed away. Applejack looked ready to strike. Trying to revive Discord... Fluttershy asked,"Are- are you Discord?" And here is the strongest follower, the most stupid of them all... "No, not exactly," said Printing Press. "My dear Fluttershy." Got the guards, now I get in... Hooves could be heard flying against the floor as Trixie Lulamoon arrived for the 'meeting' The Great and Kickass Trixie makes it on the scene, an assassin. She walked in, levitating a giant wand. The metal handle glinted, as if it were-no it was a sword. That was when Trixie stopped. "YOU GUYS? Why are you here? Later, later," she said, beginning to mumble about the princesses needing to see them or something. The wand sword raised above Printing Press' head. He tried to dodge, but it was no use against a skilled assassin. The blood spilled on the floor, but quickly disappeared leaving only the body. "That's something like the story of how I got my cutiemark." The other ponies gasped. Fluttershy was bawling and hiccuping, Applejack was shaking her head in disgust, Pinkie Pie was comforting Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash just stared. Eventually she said, "The princesses are SO gonna kill you for that. I mean, not literally like you did. I guess thank you 'cause did seem like he was turning into Discord or something, but still." Trixie zapped the sword out of existence. "Trixie does not need to speak with you. Trixie supposes a small explanation could work, however. You should thank Trixie for allowing this." The Lulamoons, Dusty, Moon, Leila and Trixie, were living in a small town when Leila found love and ran off. This left Trixie with more time on her hooves. She spent this free time practicing conjuration magic. She was constantly teased for being a blank-flank by other ponies, especially one lavender unicorn named Twilight Shine, who always wore her red and orange striped mane with hairspray and kept her nose high in the air. She found out this pony had grown up to sell drugs to foals, so Trixie conjured a blade and killed her. The blade started to take shape as her flanks glowed, but there was nothing there. Trixie had lost hope until she heard a prophecy- one about Nightmare Moon. A group of ponies was trying to revive her in ultimate darkness, hoping to be redeemed in eternal night. It wasn't supposed to happen this way, so Trixie killed them. Having averted a disaster, her cutiemark appeared. Ponies saw and thought it was a magic trick, starting her life as a showmare. She got a little caught up, but was back on track after sent on this mission by-  by herself. The spell ended. The four friends looked around, slightly dazed. After all that action... "Well, at least the paper won't print," said Rainbow Dash, as everyone nodded their heads in agreement. Trixie demanded to see Twilight Sparkle with legitimate news, so they all left. ~~~ At home, Rarity was asleep with Berry Twinkle and Twilight Sparkle was scribbling in her notebook. The door burst open to reveal four- no five ponies, the newest addition appearing to be a particular all-blue mare. "Hi guys," said Twilight. Her next attempt at divination had predicted another pony coming back, but that didn't stop her surprise as she looked up. "Trixie?" She quietly exclaimed, minding the sleeping pair. She whipped off the covers and walked towards them.     "Why is she here?" the lavendar mare asked the others.     "She saved us! She needs to talk to you!" said Rainbow.     "She's a-a-a murderer!" Fluttershy breathed.     "She got rid of Discord's gang!!" Pinkie telepathically shouted, minding the sleepers.     "Summat jus' wasn't right about that feller, though I'm not sure murder was nesser- sary." said Applejack.     "If it weren't for Trixie, the pro-Discord propaganda would have printed. Just look what it did to Berry Punch's sister. She won't go by anything but Screwball!" Trixie had already gotten the hint and kept voice low as well. "In any case, I must talk to Twilight Sparkle alone," she huffed, moving to the hall and commanding Twilight over. Twilight shrugged and decided to see what Trixie would say.      "So I divined a princess would come over, possibly Luna since it is nighttime. What are you doing here?" asked Twilight.      "Trixie is a princess," Trixie began. "Trixie was Blueblood's mother, but I gave him away to be a prince. I never had wings because of my mother having only been under a spell from Celestia while birthing Trixie. We are...cousins, in a way. But I am done with that."      Twilight narrowed her eyes at the blue mare. "And you killed somepony? How would the princesses react?"      Trixie smiled. "That has something to do with why they want to see you." //-------------------------------------------------------// To Canterlot We Go! //-------------------------------------------------------// To Canterlot We Go! It was a fine day in all of Equestria as a certain group of ponies trotted about, soon to go to Canterlot. In opposite land. It was a terribly rainy and muddy day in all the land as a certain group of ponies sat in a bumpy carriage. Pinkie Pie was learning to experience the middle range of feeling and was not taking to it so well, proven by her constantly optimistic smile occasionally twitching into a frown. It was quite amusing to watch. Rainbow Dash was muttering something about rain and how it should go away and Twilight Sparkle was sitting with her nose in a book. Typical. The rest seemed to be snoozing. Cute, but we would have to leave soon and make it to the actual castle. I was the only one fully alert, polishing my albeit safer amulet and occasionally looking out the window. Did I mention my new amulet? It is quite pretty, blue and shaped like a length of vine. It reflects magic in the sunlight, just like me. In any case, we were nearing the gates of the Mountain of the Celestial Queen. The pearly brightness contrasted against...well, everything else. It was an eternal sunny day and moon-filled night. Soon I'll see the princesses in their brilliance as they reward ME, not Twilight Sparkle, with ever more golden bits. ~~~ Everything seemed to be a bit muddy today, but that didn't matter! I'm pretty sure everypony else will go and tour Canterlot as Trixie and I visit the princesses. Did you know the mountain there is named after the Celestial Queen, mother of Celestia and Luna? It was erected in her name by Discord, who then discovered he liked creating chaotic things like floating mountains and began to spread terror. He reigned for five-hundred and sixty-two years before being defeated by the Princesses. Oh, but I have to pay attention to where we're going. By the looks of it, we're almost there! ~~~      Destiny awaits! I see the shining castle up ahead, with the princesses up on their thrones and ready to grant me immortal life... Well, one can dream, can't they? Maybe one day I'll ascend to the top. Heir to the throne! In any case, we're here. I clear my throat and announce to the distracted plainfolk by my side that very fact, but instead of appreciation I get groans. Oh dear. They shall one day learn to appreciate my ability to speak out the facts. ~~~      We finally get out of the carriage. While I am relieved to now be able to keep my distance from Trixie, who keeps shouting the obvious, I am actually quite intrigued to learn about how she got into the good graces of the princesses. The job of an assasin is a rare one.      It soon becomes time to step out of the carriage. Trixie first, of course. Then the rest of us pile out at one time or another. "Very bweezy," I hear. Pinkie chuckles at this. "I concur."      We eventually reach the castle as a good friend of my brother comes to show the others around. His name is Strong Saber, a muscular stallion with a yellow coat and a glossy brown mane. His cutie mark-a sparkling blade. Soon enough it is just Trixie and I, ready to head towards the throne room. A few guards lead us there and without the extra ponies, we get there quite quickly. ~~~      Next thing we know, the two princesses of the sun and moon stand regally before us, the only creatures alive more glorious than myself. I bow and then stand up. "Princess Celestia, Princess Luna I have completed the assignment. I have killed the lead follower of Discord, Printing Press. I would like to recieve my reward."      Princess Celestia smiles. "I will return with your promised reward Trixie, two-hundred bits."      She then exits with a graceful stride, leaving me with Twilight and Princess Luna. It is then that the moon princess turns to Twilight. ~~~      "Twilight Sparkle, We have some grave news." I gulp at those words and feel myself cower a bit. "As you were leaving the scene, a document was found detailing Berry Twinkle's situation. All of Ponyville knows and many have begun to dust off pitchforks dating from Our days as Nightmare Moon."      "Well can't we stay here?" I ask.      "Ah, but the pony who spurred Ponyville on is here, in Canterlot, ready to kill the foal." //-------------------------------------------------------// Fire From Inside //-------------------------------------------------------// Fire From Inside There was a pony in the room. It was a small room with just a few old books. This pony used as a place to think, to plan. There was a certain charm she found in abandoned castles. She passed through the room where the Elements of Harmony were rediscovered by six friends. Now she feared they would bring the apocalypse. It was a sad tale, she thought.      She left the room for the old royal library. Most of the books were in surprisingly good condition. She passed through a section in which most of the books were fairy tales. No one knew what fairies were, other than they had tales to tell. Some of the oldest fairy tales included the story of Bright Spark, the pony who wanted the attentions of a prince. The one she had her eye on told of children sorting out a problem. It was rather heartwarming. Her thoughts returned to her mission. She picked up her scrolls and ran into the dark of night, but not before grabbing a few books. The pony put the cloak over her head as she entered the town. She arrived at the train station, boarding the first train to Canterlot available. She took a seat in the back and opened up her scrolls, going over her plans one last time. ~~~      "Trixie," said Celestia, returning. "I've decided you will accompany the Element bearers and the child to keep them safe."      Trixie grumbled. "Yes Princess, what a quest, I suppose I must, though I don't like Twilight, oh well, can't have dead babies-"      "That's a run-on sentence, Trixie."      "Can I complain in peace?" ~~~      Trixie flashed a sad look at the ground. Suddenly, the wheels began to turn in Twilight's brain. An assassin, one who was close to the foal... It was Trixie. Of course!" "Princess Celestia, wait! It was Trixie the whole time!"      "What a ridiculous accusation! And what is my motive?"      Celestia stopped and turned to the huffing blue-furred mare. It was true she was a suspect, and she trusted the judgment of her student.. Just to be safe, perhaps she should spend a night at the dungeons. "Guards!" ~~~      It was time to strike. The pony readied her weapon, only to be stopped by a guard. He did not notice her, but attack would be futile right now. She slunk in the shadows until they reached the throne room. This was bad. She would have to change tactics. One thing she noticed was Trixie being dragged away. No one would suspect her now.      It was time to strike. One magic bolt to the child's heart would end this. She prepared her magic under the cover of her cloak. Ready...Aim...Fire. A bolt of lightning sped towards Berry Twinkle.  Pinkie Pie jumped in front of the bolt. It singed her fur and drew blood as well. The foal began to cry at the weakened form of Pinkie. Pinkie just smiled. I saved her, she thought, before falling asleep.      "Princess Cadance," began Celestia, highly disappointed. "I hereby proclaim that you will be sent to the asylum to be treated for your mental illness."      "It's not an illness," Cadance responded, watching as the guards unlocked the cell containing a bright blue unicorn. "Sun, moon. Love, hate. You would've done the same if you knew the terrors awaiting. But then Pinkie pie went and blocked my attack-"      "It's all in your head, Cadance. So what, the foal is an Alicorn. And yes, she may have to deal with the magic that comes with that. But she has the support of her mothers and the other Elements of Harmony. Why can't you see that?" "But-but-" Candace, flustered, wasn't sure how to respond. She still felt like she was right. In her confusion, she began to sob. Celestia sighed, signaling that it was time for her to be taken away. After she left, Celestia turned to the seven remaining ponies, specifically eying Rainbow and Pinkie. "Raising an Alicorn will be a challenge, even with such caring parents. I trust you are up to it, however." The six ponies smiled. "Absolutely!" they said in unison. THE END //-------------------------------------------------------// Birthing the Legend //-------------------------------------------------------// Birthing the Legend ~ONE YEAR LATER~ Pinkie Pie... Pinkie you’re doing fine. Push. A little more. PUSH! I was usually hyper and happy, but I felt different today. The foal in stayed in my tummy for an extra month, but seemed healthy, at least according to the ponies helping me get the little one out. I thought I could identify Twilight Sparkle and Nurse Redheart with a few other ponies. Right now I felt dizzy and disoriented. I felt like crap. My... areas hurt too. I never wanted to sleep so much in my life. A unicorn? Must be somewhere in the family. Push past the wi- Oh my God. A pony in the background fainted. I think it was Fluttershy. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I knew I needed to focus on pushing. Let’s just finish the delivery. We can worry about it later. ... Almost out. I see the base of the tail. I felt worse after the extra time spent. Hearing the foal was almost out made me feel better, but not by much.  I felt a pop and hair sliding out, and I immediately felt calmer. So an Alicorn, huh. I was calmer, but at those words, the dizziness increased. I feel sick to my stomach. The last thing I remember before fainting is a strawberry coat. ~~~ “She’s awake. Pinkie Pie, do you hear me?” “I do.” A little filly, my little filly, was nestled next to me, sucking on my breast. She had a reddish-pink or pinkish-red or Yay! I'll be back to my old self in no time. Anyways, she had a strawberry coat, which must've been the one I saw, and a mane of four colors- purple, yellow, blue, pink. I wondered how the Princesses would react. I would be shocked. But I wasn't too concerned about that now. I was just happy she was here.