The Derpy I Know And Love 4 or And The Children Shall Lead

PART TWO OF:

AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD

Passing the Torch

CHAPTER ONE

Joy and Sadness

The graduation from High School was grander than from Primary School, as it should have been.  It was now barely a week since the festivities.  There had not been a lot of trials these last four years.  The six friends had the time of their relatively carefree lives.

No matter the changes, the six friends stayed close.  There were coltfriends that came and went, but Diamond Tiara and Sweetie Belle stayed constant in their relationship.

Sweetie Belle and Diamond Tiara’s friends were all taking the summer off before whatever.

Scootaloo was following in Rainbow’s hoofsteps.  She was learning the art of the weather, plus she was learning magic from her other mother, Pinkie.  Twilight was so impressed that she gave extra lessons as well.

Dinky was happy to learn magic and library science from her mothers.

Silver Spoon was going to take education courses, and do student teaching at Ponyville School with Mrs. Cheerilee Apple, especially with the foal on the way!

Apple Bloom had continued to learn from Zecora and was making the zebra very pleased with her progress.

Diamond and Sweetie worked all they could in getting ready for adult life.  So much so, that the last year of school, they were staying with each other’s families quite a bit.  They would stay with the Rich’s for a week or so and then they would stay with Sweetie’s parents and occasionally with the Apples.  For Sweetie Belle, there were magic lessons with Twilight, Diamond had insisted.  But during the off times, that is after school, or lessons or on non school days, they would help out at Rich’s Barnyard Bargains, or help Rarity at the Carousel Boutique.  As they did, something not quite expected happened.

Sweetie Belle, who was always good with music and singing, found that her talent for improvisation allowed her to think creatively when it came to business.  She was able to help the Rich’s to make Barnyard Bargains more profitable.  She also found ways to increase sales and lower operating costs.  Yet every time Filthy tried to pay her she refused.  She said that with them treating her as part of the family, before it was official, was payment enough.  But they did make it up to her by feeding her and even covering the cost of her and Diamond’s movie outings and even some weekend trips to Canterlot.  Diamond was always happy to help in the family business, and was even happier to work along side Sweetie Belle.

The girls were shocked when Filthy Rich just laughed off the couple times they were caught in the stockroom kissing.

“Why do you think you have to hide it back here?” he would say and just shake his head and laugh,  “Do you think there is a pony in Ponyville who doesn’t know what you two do!”

Diamond Tiara on the other hoof, found that her taste in fashion was put to good use at the Carousel Boutique.  Rarity had noticed how Diamond had a flair for knowing what direction the younger set’s taste was going.

After a couple times of making some very valid suggestions to Rarity, Diamond was put before Rarity’s drawing table and asked to design something on her own.

Had Rarity been wearing socks, they would have been knocked off.  Rarity had Diamond go right to work and make the garment.  It was hardly on the dress form in the window before it was out the door.

Rarity also found that Diamond had a knack for sewing intricate details, she was able to do these things without the sewing machine, and without magic.

Diamond also refused any compensation from Rarity, she said that her training by one of the best designers in Equestria and acceptance by Rarity’s and Applejack’s families was payment enough.

It appeared that the girls were indeed going to follow the family business, just not the ones they might have thought.  But after all, when they married, the families would be united.

Rarity and Applejack Apple, Filthy and Nouveau Rich, Magnum and Pearl had invited the girls to a dinner at one of the nicest restaurants in Ponyville.  It was time to put plans in place for the wedding that Sweetie and Diamond had so patiently and almost painfully waited for.  With the wedding two weeks off, the time was getting short.

The Rich’s insisted on paying the tab for the wedding, but the Apples were able to convince the future in-laws that they would handle the catering.

Rarity had kidded in the past about having to make matching wedding dresses in the future.  In fact, she was thrilled that she would be doing it for her dear ‘little’ sister and her fiancée.  Filthy Rich had actually contacted Twilight Sparkle to do the ceremony.

The talk went to what the girls planned to do after the wedding.  They were not really wanting to go anywhere or do anything in particular.  They had, almost excruciatingly, resisted sex for four years.  To consummate their love at last was their only goal, and they were unashamedly open about it.

“So Sweetie, have you and Diamond decided what you are going to do about living arrangements after the wedding?” asked Filthy.

“Or have you girls even thought about it?” asked Rarity.

Diamond looked at Sweetie, there were sheepish looks on their faces.

“We haven’t talked about it.  It has been so easy for us just to be together, it hadn’t even crossed our minds.  I guess living the rest of our lives with families would not be the best arrangement.”  Said Sweetie Belle.

“I guess it is something we need to talk about, the wedding is less than a month away,” continued Diamond.

Rarity smiled at Filthy Rich, he nodded to Applejack.

“Living with family is not a bad option, if necessary.  The Apples have always done that, for the most part.  Cheerilee moved in the big house with Big Mac after their wedding and there is plenty of room, even with a foal on the way.

But we have something for y’all to think about.” Said A.J.

“Sweetie Belle, Diamond Tiara,” said Pearl, “your father and I have decided that we were going to provide you with everything you will need to run a household kitchen.  All the pots and pans, plates, cups and flatware.”

‘Mother and father’ was a generic title by this time.  Both girls called Magnum, Pearl, Filthy and Nouveau, mom and dad.  It did not matter to which set of parents they were addressing.  The parents were thrilled at this, having two loving daughters were better than just one.

“And your mother and I have decided,” said Filthy, “that we are going to provide the house hold furnishings, a bed, bedroom furniture plus living room and dining room furniture.”

“The Apple Family will be giving you rugs, linens and towels.  Plus Granny Smith has been working on a quilt the last four years for you.” Said A.J., “it appears that everything you need to start a household is going to be provided.”

“Thank you so very much!” exclaimed Diamond.

“We can never thank you enough!” said Sweetie Belle, then turning to Diamond, “I guess we now had better find our own home.”

“Before you do that,” said Rarity, “I have a proposition.”

The girls looked intently.

“Applejack, Apple Bloom and I move to our cottage during the fashion seasons, and back to the farm when it is planting and harvest time.  The apartment above Carousel Boutique remains mostly unused.  If the two of you want, it is yours at no cost, as long as you keep it up and as long as you are working with us.  I said with us, not for us.  After all, you are family to all of us, or you will be soon.  And as family, there are more responsibilities and expectations in a family business than just what an employee would have.  And that is as it should be.

We know that you have been working for Filthy and me for no compensation.  With you having your own household you are going to have to allow us to pay you a fair wage for your labor.  You are adults now and you are going to have to live that way.”

Diamond and Sweetie were stunned, this was nothing they expected.  There were tears in the girls eyes and there were hugs all around.

“Sweetie Belle and you too Diamond Tiara, we are so proud of you.  You have behaved as adults for the last four years while your friends were still adolescences.”  Said Magnum with a smile, “we all know about that room Rarity provided for you after the Primary School Graduation Dance, and we know what did not happen.  We could not ask for daughters better than you have been and how you have behaved.”

“I do have one more thing to ask you,” said Filthy, “this is especially for you Sweetie Belle.  I have talked to your mother and father, also your sister and Applejack.  They all said that they were okay with it.  Understand, it is not necessary, but I hope that you will think about it.

Your family, Sweetie, is like a lot of families in Equestria.  Unlike my family, they have no family name that is passed on.  So I wanted to know if you would do us the honor, proving that you have truly forgiven my past sins, of taking the family name of ‘Rich’ when you marry?”

Sweetie Belle got up and went to Filthy and Nouveau.  She hugged them tightly.

“I would be honored to do that.” Sweetie then looked at them and smiled, “but Diamond and I had already decided on that.”

This brought a smile to Filthy and a tear to his eyes.

“This has been a wonderful night,” said Rarity, “you and your friends need to come see me so I can finish your dresses.”

“Enough of this serious talk,” said Nouveau.  “Let us have dessert and enjoy the rest of this evening.”

That was not to be........

The late train from Appleloosa pulled into the station at Ponyville.  Braeburn and Caramel collected their bags, there was also one large, long box, which was put on a cart to be delivered to a prearranged address.  No pony at home was expecting them, the news had not reached the Apple Family yet.  They hired a taxi from where they took the box to Sweet Apple Acres.

The Apples, Richs, Rarity and Sweetie’s parents and the girls were leaving the restaurant when they saw Apple Bloom galloping at full tilt!

“Mama!  Mama!” shouted Apple Bloom.

“What’s up baby?” replied A.J.

“It’s Braeburn and Caramel!” said Apple Bloom, “they are here from Appleloosa.  They said they need to talk to the family.  I was told to get Twilight, Pinkie and Rainbow too.  They did not say why, but they looked terrible.”

Rarity turned to the girls.

“Go home with the Richs please.  If we need you, we will know where to find you.”

“Send for us if there is anything we can do,”  Said Filthy Rich.

Half an hour later, Twilight, Bubbles, Pinkie, Rainbow and the Apples; Applejack, Rarity, Big Mac and Apple Bloom were in the front room of the main house.  Granny Smith and Cheerilee were in the back with Caramel and Braeburn. Cheerilee walked Caramel into the room, Braeburn and Granny followed.  Caramel looked especially terrible.  He was leaning on Cheerilee, it appeared that he had been crying hard.

“Thank you for coming, family and friends.  I don’t know how to say this,” started Braeburn.

“What’s wrong?” asked Twilight, “has anything happened to Fluttershy?”

At the question, Caramel broke down crying again hard.  All the ponies took that as a bad sign.

“Yesterday was the annual buffalo stampede.  It has become a spectacle where all the town turns out to cheer them on.

Caramel, Fluttershy and I were watching from the side.  When suddenly a small bunny ran out in the road.  The buffalo were approaching fast.  You know Fluttershy, we tried to stop her but she flew off to save the bunny.  Just as she reached it, it took off in another direction.  Fluttershy tried to turn hard but she must have stalled.”

Braeburn paused, he was about to loose it.

“She hit the ground hard (sob), it must have stunned her (sob).....

She could not (sob) get out of the way (sob) in time.  It was too late (sob) for the buffalo to stop (sob).  It was quick (sob), I doubt she felt it.”  Braeburn could not hold back any longer.

“Noooooooo!” screamed Pinkie Dash.  Falling to her knees, tears pouring.

Rarity fainted, for real.

Bubbles took Twilight’s hoof, she could not tell who’s hoof was shaking worse, Twilight was deathly pale.

Rainbow was trying to calm Pinkie, but her own tears were pouring.

Applejack was crying while holding Rarity, trying to reviving her.

Apple Bloom held her cousin Braeburn while Cheerilee worked to comfort Caramel.

“We just sent her body to the Ponyville Undertaker.” Said Braeburn who could not keep it together and longer.

There were mass tears, everypony was trying to comfort everypony else.

The first of the six was gone.

A lot of ponies came to the memorial service from all over Equestria.  Fluttershy’s reputation for compassion and her fame as the wielder of the Element of Kindness was known far and wide.  Princess Celestia was there to officiate.  All of Fluttershy’s friends gave their best memories of the shy pony.

But to the surprise of many, the speaker who moved the ponies the most was Discord.  He related how if not for Fluttershy, he would still be stone and not know how important friendship was.  With tears, he swore before Celestia that he would dedicate himself to carry on the work of friendship and kindness that Fluttershy had taught him.

Then with his magic, Discord produced a statue to Fluttershy as a monument.

Sweetie Belle and Diamond Tiara told Twilight Sparkle after the memorial service for Fluttershy, that they were thinking of postponing the wedding.  They knew how they and the ponies around them had been affected by the loss of a beloved pony like Fluttershy.

“Listen girls,” said Twilight, “I can appreciate the gesture.  But I also know that Fluttershy would not want you to do that because of her.  She was probably the most loving and caring pony that has ever lived.  Love was important to her, and she would have wanted the two of you to have your love completed.

If you want to honor Fluttershy, then let loving each other be the most important thing in your lives.

But I do believe that will not be a problem.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Sparkle,” said Diamond, “we will.”

“I know you will, and my friends call me Twilight.” She said with a proud smile.

The evening before the wedding rehearsal, Pinkie threw the girls a bacheloret party.  There was a lot of difference between this and regular Pinkie Parties.  The guest list was all married and single mares who were close to the couple, including the brides’ mothers; Nouveau Rich and Pearl.  Also Applejack and Rarity Apple, Twilight and Bubbles Sparkle, Rainbow and Pinkie Dash, Bon-Bon and Lyra Heartstrings, Octavia (Pinkie’s sister) and Vinyl Scratch, she was a close friend of Pinkie and Octavia and she was to provide the music for the service.

Then there were; Silver Spoon, Dinky Sparkle, Scootaloo Dash and Apple Bloom Apple.  Being the brides maids, they had to make sure that the brides were having a good time.

They played games, some innocent and a some naughty.  But all-in-all, a good time was had by all.

Pinkie was going to have some hot dancing stallions there, but Rainbow reminded her that the brides were two females, although they were not mare-lovers, they probably would not be interested in seeing stallions strutting around.  Pinkie then thought about some dancing mares.  But again Rainbow had to point out that Nouveau and Pearl were interested only in stallions as were the younger girls so they would not be impressed.  Except for herself, Bon-Bon and Lyra, the others, although being married to mares, were not mare-lovers.  But Rainbow knew that Pinkie would have enjoyed either.

In fact, Lyra once asked Pinkie if she ever decided to come clean about truly being a mare-lover, Pinkie replied;

‘I am not a mare-lover, but I have sex all the time with a mare who is!’

That was a good enough answer for Lyra, and she never asked again.

During the party there were the gifts.

They opened matching boxes from Pinkie and Rainbow, in each was a gold spoon with a pink bow.  The girls just looked at Pinkie.

“Believe me, in a couple days you two are going to be alone without having to hold back any more.  And you are going to want to, as the saying goes, ‘eat each other with a spoon’,” the pink pony said with a smile.  “I just wanted to make sure that you were ready for that!”

All the married mares got a good laugh out to it, but the girls just looked lost.  They did not remember anything from any of the books.

But they understood later!

Bon-Bon had made chocolates that looked like anatomically correct marehoods on a stick.

“Hey!  Don’t you think they look just like me!” Lyra said, turning around and moving her tail to one side.  “I was the model!”

The younger girls did not know what to do.  But the rest of the adults, including the brides and their mothers got a chuckle out of it.

The candies were them passed out to all.  Then Bon-Bon told them she had a game for the brides;

“Okay, here is the rules, the one who get to the stick first, wins,” said Bon-Bon. “Obviously you can lick them or suck on them, but no biting!  That would not be nice!”

“See, I told you!” said Bubbles, loud enough to make Twilight blush.

The girls chuckled and started to put the confection to their mouth to comply with the instructions, then Bon-Bon spoke back up.

“Stop!  You can’t do it that way!  If you could, you would not need to get married!”

More laughs.

“I know this is all new to you but you have to put yours in front of your partners face, they have to eat yours!”  Said Bon-Bon with a wicked smile and gleam in her eyes.

This incited a lot of laughs, even from the more squeamish.  But the brides got the idea and they proceeded to make a show of it.  They both got to the stick at the same time.

“Good!” said Bon-Bon, “that is how it should work!’

All cheered and laughed.

Rarity and A.J. gave Diamond and Sweetie some very sexy and sheer negligees Rarity had made.  Rarity joked that she did not know why she even bothered to make them, she doubted that they would get worn anytime soon!

More blushes and laughs.

As the couple expected, Twilight and Bubbles gave them some books.  When they were unwrapped, they saw it was their own copies of the books Rarity had first shared with them four years ago.

There was also one that they had never seen before.  It was signed by the authors.  The title was ‘Understanding the Mysteries of Unicorn Horn Sex’ by Twilight and Bubbles Sparkle.  Twilight warned that they should get use to what was in the other books before they even attempted it.  And if they had any questions, see Princess Luna, she was always eager to talk of such things.

The rest of the gifts were nonsense and naughty items that brought a laugh to all.

The next day was the rehearsal, it was noticed that there were no ‘Best Mares’.  It was explained that they did not want to choose one friend over the other.  And so it was pointed out that Sweetie was Diamond’s Best Mare and vice-a-versa.

The other thing noticed was that Twilight was having trouble with speaking.  She said that she had a bit of a sore throat, but it would be okay.

The wedding party had a nice rehearsal dinner at Ponyville’s best restaurant, thanks to the Richs.  Most of the brides’ friends had never had such a fine dinner.  After dessert, the parents reminded everypony that they had a big day ahead and they needed to get some rest.