Bound Books

by WNA

Rating: everyone
Tags: Tragedy, Slice of Life, Romance, Random
Length: 3961

A compilation of short stories, most of which were written in thirty minutes for ThirtyMinutePony Prompts.

A (soon-to-be) compilation of short stories, most of which were written in thirty minutes for ThirtyMinutePony Prompts.

Prompt #240: I Wrote You in a Letter: A betrayal by one of the Elements will leave all six reeling.
Prompt #241: Not Loving: Fluttershy confronts Rainbow Dash.
Prompt #242: Goodbye: A goodbye to a loved and loyal friend.
Prompt #246: Left Hoof: Two words: Unicorn Boxing
Prompt #247: A Little Prank: Luna is a little bit high-strung.
Prompt #250: Seconds: Feels alert.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-02-04 23:07:23 UTC

Prompt #240: I Wrote You in a Letter

Prompt: "The Elements of Harmony betrayed by one of their own. Special rule: the traitor is not Discorded, nor is she acting under any other form of magical control or coercion."

Dearest Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I leave you. I wish that things could have been different... but as a wise pony once told me, “the only thing you cannot change is the past.”

I know that without me, the Elements will be useless, but I fear that I would not be able to use them anyway, not after the things that have happened. The Elements of Harmony require harmony between their users. That much is obvious. Harmony is something we no longer possess, however.

When we defeated Nightmare Moon, the magic of the Elements drew us together. It gave us strength, and bound us with a friendship that we should not have shared. We stayed together, each of us pressured by the others, each of us feeling that we could not possibly hurt anypony else.

To organize myself and to be more coherent in this understandably fragmented letter, I have compiled my thoughts and conclusions as a list:

I knew that I was lonely, even when I was around all of you.

I knew that when I felt these feelings I was being a terrible friend, so I crushed them.

I thought that you wouldn’t have those feelings too; I assumed that I was the only one questioning our friendship.

I know now that I was wrong; all of us were feeling the same way.

I guess it’s right to tell you how this came about.

After the wedding, I was surprised to find in myself feelings for Rainbow Dash. This startled me; never before had I had more than a simple crush on another pony.

I confided in Applejack, and she told me that I had to tell Rainbow before she left for the Wonderbolts, or I would lose her forever.

Even after that, I waited until the very last moment to tell her. She was leaving, going on the train to Canterlot, and I poured out my feelings in front of her.

She didn’t reciprocate. She told me that she couldn’t think about spending her life with me.

As I left, dazed and confused from the restrained turnaway, I realized that the Element of Loyalty wasn’t really that loyal at all. I realized that none of us really represented our Elements. That was the last straw for me.

I knew it wasn’t healthy to continue this way. To save everypony from the emotional trauma of breaking our relationships up, I decided to leave. To save myself from the pain, I decided to tell all of you in a letter. By the time you read this, I will be long gone.

Rainbow Dash, don’t blame this on yourself. You did not drive me to this decision; you simply revealed the truth that none of us could see. I hope that you can understand this.

Goodbye, everypony. Face the truth. Begin new lives.

Remember me fondly.

Twilight Sparkle.

She took a last look at her hoofwork, nailed to the door of the library, before she turned and fell off into the night. The moon shone brightly down, but nopony saw her.

Prompt #241: Not Loving

The Prompt: Pony A is seething with anger. Pony B tries to get Pony A to tell them what’s wrong.

They had all met in the library to discuss the situation. The five ponies scheduled a fake spa trip for around noon, because they all knew that that Rainbow Dash would never come to the spa while she was still breathing. Sure enough, Rainbow suddenly had plans to "uh... practice some tricks! Yeah! That's why I can't come. Sorry!"

When they made it to the library, seated around a table, Twilight had finally put her hoof down. "We all know why we're here."

Pinkie Pie shot her hoof into the air, rapidly gyrating in her seat. "A party planning committee! I only wish Dashie could have come!"

Twilight shook her head, as if she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. "No, Pinkie Pie. We're here because of Rainbow."

Pinkie Pie's eyes went round. "Ohhhhh... It's a surprise party!"

Rarity gently joined the conversation. "No, Pinkie darling. We're here because Rainbow has been so beastly this week. She's snapped at every one of us, has she not?"

A chorus of yes's came from around the table. "She even stormed away from mah orchard when Ah tried to confront her about it," said Applejack.

Twilight continued, "Well, we're meeting here to discuss it. Something's obviously wrong, and it's our duty as Rainbow's friends to try and figure out what it is. The only question is how."

Pinkie Pie jumped in her seat again. "Ooh! Ooh! I know!" She paused for dramatic effect. "A party!"

"No, Pinkie Pie." Twilight gently massaged her temple with the point of her hoof. "One of us needs to go and talk to her."

"Oh." Pinkie's face fell. "I don't think I can handle that."

Applejack nodded. "Neither can Ah. I don't think Ah can put up with her, not after what happened at Sweet Apple Acres."

"What about you, Rarity? Do you think you could talk to her?"

"Oh, no, darling. I'm simply terrible at speaking with our Dashie. Her normal lack of manners has waned even farther, believe it or not!"

"Especially since the beginning of this week. It seems like she's deep in thought about somethin' important to her, and it's affectin' her friendships," Applejack said.

Twilight grimaced. "Oh. Well, I guess I'll do it, then." She looked around the table.

A tiny "eep" drew her attention to her left. Sitting hunched down in her chair was Fluttershy, quivering madly. "I- I can do it."

Applejack shook her head. "Oh, no, sugarcube. Ah couldn't let ya do that. With the mood she's been in this week, she'll tear you apart."

"But I know her the best out of all of us, and maybe she'll listen to me."

"Applejack, darling. She might be right. She has known our Rainbow for the longest."

Twilight looked to Fluttershy. "Are you sure?"

"P- Positive." She quivered even more. She looked even more scared then the time she had faced down the dragon.

"Then, when we figure it out, we can have a party!" Pinkie Pie blasted the air with confetti, showering all the ponies present. Twilight cleared a space in the air with magic, then glared at Pinkie Pie. Shaking her head, she directed her gaze to Fluttershy.

"If you talk to her, you have to do it soon."

"I know. I'll go r- right away."

Twilight got up and put her hoof on Fluttershy's back. "Whatever happens, we'll stand by you."

All the ponies around the table nodded emphatically. Applejack wrapped her hoof around Fluttershy. "We'll always back ya, Flutters. No matter what."

"O- Okay. I guess I'll be going now, if that's okay." She shakily got up and walked to the door. Bracing herself, and trying to stop the shivers running up and down her body, she pushed the door open and walked into the bright sunlight.

She knew where Rainbow would be. During these hot days of summer, she always stayed near the Everfree, because of the perpetual cool breezes. There was a meadow around a minutes flight from Fluttershy's house where she always practiced.

Fluttershy launched herself unsteadily into the air. As she got closer and closer to the meadow, she could see the shape of a small cloud floating abnormally close to the grassy ground, maybe ten or fifteen feet above it.

She landed on the outskirts of the meadow with the same silence that accompanied all of her movements. As she neared the cloud, she could hear the muffled snores of her friend.

"Umm... Rainbow? Rainbow Dash?" She spoke this at a voice barely above a whisper. She called again, louder. "Rainbow Dash? Are you there?"

"Awww... five more minutejfijfefosf." Rainbow's voice broke off into a garbled snore. Fluttershy half-smiled to herself and jumped into the air again, slowly spiraling upward until she landed on the cloud.

The blue pegasus was sleeping, head rested on forehoof, her rainbow mane fluttering with each breath. Fluttershy was tempted to let her sleep, but the fear of her mission drove her on. She wanted this over with.

She leaned over and gently shook Rainbow. "Umm... Rainbow? Wake up."

Rainbow yawned, and without opening her eyes, said "buzz off."

"Oh. Oh." Fluttershy choked back a sudden sob. Now, her best and longest friend was shutting her out, too. "Sorry to bother you. I- I guess I'll be going."

Rainbow opened her eyes. "Wait! Oh, Fluttershy, I'm so sorry! Don't leave! I didn't know it was you!" She wrapped the now openly-crying Fluttershy in a hug. "It's okay. Don't worry."

Fluttershy whimpered. "Why have you been so... so mean, lately? It's like you're a different mare."

Rainbow hugged Fluttershy tighter. "I'm so sorry. I've just had a lot on my mind."

Fluttershy looked into Rainbow's eyes. "W-What do you mean? You can tell us, you know. W-We're your friends."

"It's... complicated."

"Y-You can just tell me, then. I won't tell the others if you don't want me to."

Rainbow Dash looked into the blue sky above. "Okay. Do you promise?"

"I promise," said Fluttershy, with more resolve in her voice than in her heart.

"I got accepted into the Wonderbolts," she finally said.

"B-But Rainbow, that's great news? Why would that make you sad?"

"The job is in Canterlot, and it's eight months before I get any leave or vaction. Eight months, Fluttershy! I don't think I could go for eight days without seeing y-" She stopped, but Fluttershy didn't notice. "Without seeing my friends," she finished lamely.

"But you have to go, Rainbow! It's your dream!"

Rainbow grimaced. "That's the problem. It was my dream, and it still might be. But you girls won't ever let me stay in Ponyville on your account, and I'm not sure I want to be pressured into this decision. That's why I didn't say anything."

Fluttershy shook her head. "B-But Rainbow, what about being the fastest flyer in Equestria? That's been your goal since I met you!"

Rainbow smiled wanly. "I can still be the fastest flyer in Equestria, in Ponyville... and besides, Ponyville has perks of it's own." Seeing the look on Fluttershy's face, Rainbow quickly reassured her. "That doesn't mean I'm not going, though! I still have three weeks to make a decision!"

Fluttershy suddenly smiled and broke the embrace. Three weeks was plenty of time to convince Rainbow to go with the Wonderbolts. "Well, that's good news, then. We all thought you were angry with us."

Rainbow suddenly looked crestfallen. "I'm so sorry about that, Fluttershy. I owe an apology to all you girls... but Flutters," Rainbow paused, searching for the right words. "I would hate myself if I ever did anything to hurt you, Fluttershy. You, more than any of the others."

"O-Oh."

Rainbow mistook her surprise for disbelief. "No, I mean it! You're kind, funny, cute... and every time I'm around you, I feel like I'm flying faster than ever, without even leaving the ground."

Rainbow looked Fluttershy in the eye. "I love you, Fluttershy."

"Eep," said Fluttershy, as she toppled sideways from the cloud. She hit the ground with a soft 'thump,' legs lying crumpled beneath her.

"Are you all right? Flutters? Oh, buck it, this is all my fault. I should never have said anything."

She started to fly away, but Fluttershy mustered her voice and shouted, louder than she had ever shouted before, "Rainbow, wait!"

Rainbow stopped in midair and hovered, close enough to touch. "I-" She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. "I love you too, Rainbow."

Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped. She suddenly started spinning around in midair, faster and faster, until she broke out of her barrel roll and scooped Fluttershy up in her front hooves. "I think we have something to tell our friends."

"Two things, actually. You still need to apologize for this week," Fluttershy said meekly.

"Let's go, then. I can get us there in ten seconds flat."

"Oh, really?"

"Really."

Prompt #247: A Little Prank

Prompt #247: Basically, I cheated on this prompt. All you have to know is that I had to use the name "Wishing Star."

“Art thou sure that this guise will work, sister?” Luna looked to Celestia, who had stepped back to admire her handiwork.

“Sure I’m sure! I’ve done this before, haven’t I?”

“Thou were caught both times. In fact, your subjects noticed that it was you before you even spoke.”

“Well… subtlety was never really my thing,” Celestia said. “I’m perfectly confident in you. Go have a fun time!”

Luna looked at herself in the shining full-length mirror. Her mane and tail, normally shining with stars and galaxies, were now disguised by white dye. Her wing had been a greater challenge to hide, but Celestia had magicked a temporary illusion to cover them. She had also attached a temporary sticker to her flank to change her cutie mark into a beautiful shooting star.

“I hope that thy plan works, dearest sister. It has been a very long time since We have been able to allow our mane to fall majestically into place, as the saying goes.”

“Well, you’ll never fool anyone with that voice of yours, Lu-lu!”

Luna glared coldly at Celestia. “And what exactly is wrong with our voice?”

“Well, nothing’s wrong with it, it’s just… wildly anachronistic. Didn’t you notice how nopony says ‘thou’ or ‘thy’ anymore?”

“Oh. We see. We— I will try to correct my voice.”

“Okay, then! I think you’re set! Enjoy the party!”

“I will try to, sister.”

Celestia shook her head as Luna teleported away. “She’s about as subtle as six Diamond Dogs in a jewelry store.”

Meanwhile, in Ponyville, Pinkie Pie’s party of the week was rocking. Music spilled out across the street and blared so loud that half of the ponies in the town were kept awake.

Luna, undercover as the unremarkable mare Wishing Star, was there to have a good time. She wasn’t exactly sure how a pony could go about having a good time; it had been a very long time since she had last been out.

A trash can beside her on the street popped open, revealing a completely dirty and stinky Pinkie Pie. “Hi! I don’t think I’ve met you before! Are you coming to the party?”

Luna almost screamed, but she quickly regained her composure. “We— I, I mean, intend to. It’s just so… loud.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that! It’s not that bad once you get used to it!” She grabbed Luna by a hoof and pulled her through the doors of Sugarcube Corner. “Come on! I’ll introduce you to some of my friends!”

The pair waded through the crowd and walked up the stairs. Standing in the open area were six mares and a dragon, all of whom Luna had met. But currently, she was undercover as the dashing Wishing Star, so she feigned ignorance.

“Well hello, darling! Pinkie, would you introduce us?” Rarity stepped forward and inclined her head. It wasn’t close to being a full bow, but Luna knew that only Princesses could demand genuflection.

“This is Wishing Star, everypony! She’s here to have fun!” That was odd. Luna couldn’t recall actually telling Pinkie her fake name. She puzzled over that internally and eventually just chalked it up to Pinkie being Pinkie.

“Hello, darling. I’m Rarity,” the white unicorn proclaimed haughtily.

The rest of the ponies all introduced themselves at the same time, which caused Rarity to mutter something about manners, or lack thereof.

Something shifted in the atmosphere of the room, as if an unheard message was passing between the ponies. Spike shifted and peered out the window.

“It’s a beautiful night,” he said mechanically. “Princess Luna has really outdone herself.”

The other guests stepped over to the window as if following a script. Luna followed, feeling a rush of pride at the praise.

“It’s terrible!” Rainbow Dash stared into the sky, eyebrows furrowed. “Worst. Stars. Ever.”

What? Luna blinked her eyes rapidly. Had she really just heard that?

“Yeah. Ah reckon that is the worst moon Ah have ever laid eyes upon,” said Applejack. She pronounced every syllable carefully with her eyes shut in concentration.

“They are simply tawdry,” cried Rarity. “Complete and utter trash.”

“Y-Yeah,” said Fluttershy. She looked at Luna and made an “eep” sound.

Twilight shook her head and said, “Yup, girls. I’m going to have to agree with you on this one. Princess Luna must be losing it.”

Luna looked between all of the mares, sorrow replacing anger as she realised what her friends really thought about her. She hiccuped, then the hiccups turned into sobs. She shook her head and sprinted out of the room.

She was out so fast she didn’t even hear Twilight’s shout of “Wait, Luna! Wait!”

Applejack asked concernedly, “Ya think she’s alright?”

Pinkie Pie smiled evilly. “Of course she will. Nopony’s ever been harmed by a little prank.”

The next day, the world was plunged into eternal night.

Prompt #250: Seconds

The prompt: Fifteen minutes. A quarter of an hour. That’s all the time I have, so I have to make every second count.

It only takes a second for a storm to spiral out of control.

It only takes a second for a mare to get caught in the winds.

It only takes a second for her get knocked out of the air.

It only takes a second to shout for help.

It only takes a second for a friend to be brave.

It only takes a second for him to come to her rescue.

It only takes a second for him to find her.

It only takes a second to see the last glimmer of sunlight through the rapidly spinning clouds.

It only takes a second for the wind a rain to drive the pair to seek shelter in the forest.

It only takes a second for lightning to strike.

It only takes a second for a tree to fall.

It only takes a second to for him to push her out of the way with his body.

It only takes a second for him to be pinned.

It only takes a second for her to get up and see him on the ground.

It only takes a second for him to tell her to find shelter and leave him.

It only takes a second for the blood to flow.

It only takes a second for her to tell him that she will always stay beside him.

It only takes a second for him to realize that he is dying.

It only takes a second for him to say, “Carry on,” even when there can be no carrying on.

It only takes a second to gasp a breath as blood fills his lungs.

It only takes a second for him to whisper goodbye.

It only takes a second for her to listen to the last heartbeat of her friend.

It only takes fifteen minutes for a storm to flash by.

It only takes fifteen minutes for a life to change.

It only takes fifteen minutes to lose a friend forever.

Prompt #242: Goodbye

We are gathered here today to lay to rest a pegasus who is beloved, respected, and above all, missed.

The rain beat down.

She was the most loyal of ponies, to the very end.

It was fitting, wasn’t  it? Dark weather for a dark day.

She brought love and life to all of us; she shone like a firework in the dark night sky.

All around ponies were crying, some to themselves, some openly.

Like a firework, she burned bright, like a firework, she burned fast. Without her, our sky will always be grey.

Pinkie Pie was sitting in a puddle of mud, sniffling. Her mane was dripping wet.

She was kind to those who deserved kindness, and a constant bane to those who threatened her or her friends.

Rarity stepped closer to Pinkie, bringing her saddle-umbrella over both of them. She was composed, but deep sadness was evident in her eyes.

She valued her friends above all else.

Applejack was sobbing deep, rasping gasps, her signature Stetson pressed to her chest with one forehoof.

She was an incredible flyer, and a hero in her own right.

Fluttershy was completely silent. She trembled, and Twilight leaned against her to comfort her.

She was pure, confident, and loving.

The rain beat down.

Her sacrifice will always be remembered.

A gentle sob.

Goodbye, Rainbow Dash.

A coffin, lowered into a grave.

We love you.

Dirt, poured over it.

We miss you.

A headstone, bearing the simple epitaph, “Rainbow Dash: loyal to the end.”

Goodbye.

A red lightning bolt on a headstone.

Prompt #246: Left Hoof

Prompt #246: Dukes up. Two ponies get into a fight.

“Well, it seems that we have reached a stopping point, Twilight Sparkle,” said Trixie pompously. Her arrogant tone was especially confusing, seeing as she had just been tricked into taking off the Alicorn Amulet.

“What do you mean?” Twilight turned around and saw Trixie pulling on a pair of baby-blue boxing gloves. “And what in Equestria are those for?”

“Why, the tiebreaker, of course! The Great and Powerful Trixie has never lost a boxing match!”

“Ummmm... what?”

Rarity sauntered up to Twilight. “Come on, dear. Let’s get your gloves on.”

Twilight just sat down on the dusty ground outside of the Town Hall. “I have no idea of what in Tartarus is going on.”

Trixie grinned and pulled the strings on her gloves, then stood up on her hind legs and experimentally punched the air a few times. “Such language, Twilight Sparkle!”

Twilight shook her head and smoothed her mane. “Why are you wearing boxing gloves, Trixie?”

“Trixie has already answered that, Twilight! Trixie has challenged you to a Unicorn Boxing match!”

Trixie’s habit of speaking in third person was very frustrating.

Twilight turned to Rarity, who had produced a pair of indigo gloves with Twilight’s cutie mark sewn to the front, over the knuckles. “Do you have any idea what she’s talking about?”

Rarity looked closely at Twilight, then exclaimed, “Well, really!” She turned to Trixie. “She really doesn’t know about Unicorn Boxing!”

Twilight closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “And what, exactly, would Unicorn Boxing happen to be?”

“Well, darling, I knew you were ignorant of social norms, but everypony knows about Unicorn Boxing!”

“Ancient unicorn tradition,” confirmed Trixie haughtily.

Twilight put her head under her forehooves, but Rarity lifted them and started stuffing the oversized gloves on them. “What if I don’t want to box?”

“Oh, denying a Unicorn Boxing challenge means either permanent banishment, permanent servitude, or death. It would be Trixie’s choice.”

Rarity lifted Twilight up. “And no magic, darling. The Game is meant to decide superiority based on strength, not magic.”

“Hooves up, Twilight Sparkle! Right hook! Left hook!” Trixie swiped at the air. Upon seeing that Twilight made no move to rise to a standing position, Rarity lifted her magically.

“I know you can do it, Twilight! I myself am an amature Unicorn Boxer. I believe in you!”

Both contestants walked to the center of a dirt ring in the middle of the road. “Three. Two. One. GO.” Rarity was waving a flag that she had apparently summoned from nowhere.

Twilight turned to face Trixie and was immediately downed by a flying left hoof.