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ShopperBrony90
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562091
| 8 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Diamond Tiara,Main 7 (EqG),Spike (EqG),Crossover,Human,Adventure,Anthology,Comedy,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
|
Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land (Volume 1)
|
The first volume of the Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land series
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Join the Rainbooms, Spike, the CMCs and Diamond Tiara as they go on new adventures with their friends (Ord, Cassie, Zak and Wheezie) in Dragon Land!</p><p>Co-written by <a href="/user/731647/PascalMulokozi2" rel="nofollow"><b>PascalMulokozi2</b></a></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-12T13:12:17+00:00
|
2024-08-20T17:46:19+00:00
| 55 |
It’s 5:00am the morning after the Rainbooms, Spike and Diamond Tiara had their slumber party at home and in Dragon Land when Sci-Twi’s closet shines a really bright glow. Sunset Shimmer has woken up by the light, really tired. She knew the dragons needed them.
“Hey, girls. Wake up. The dragons are calling us.” Sunset whispered as she gently shook her friends to wake them up.
“Ugh, what do they want? I haven’t even gotten 8 hours of sleep!” Diamond and Rarity complained in unison, both yawning.
“It must be important, y’all.” Applejack said.
“What’s so important that made us get up at 5 in the morning?” Spike asked himself, waking up from his dog bed.
“We’ll find out what they want only when we get there. We better get going, everyone.” Fluttershy instructed as everyone nodded groggily.
Everyone grabbed their own dragon badges, Sci-Twi opened her closet, and everyone held her dragon scale together. “I wish, I wish, with all my heart, to fly with dragons, in a land apart.” They all said in unison as the dragons on Sci-Twi’s wall flew off, swirled around them all and off they went!
In Dragon Land, the sun was starting to rise a little bit. There was no one around and there's not one sound.
“Hello! Where is every--” Rainbow yelled before Ord appeared and put his hand over her mouth.
“Shh! Follow me.” Ord whispered as the girls followed him and found Cassie, Zak, and Wheezie sitting on a cliff and listening to something.
“What are you doing? What do you need this early in the morni-” Diamond Tiara asked before Ord, Cassie, Zak and Wheezie had shushed them.
“Listen.” Cassie whispered as soft choir vocals were heard from a distance.
“Aww, It's beautiful.” Fluttershy whispered, adored by the sounds while Zak and Wheezie were swaying their heads to the rhythm.
“We've been hearing the music…” Zak whispered.
“...every morning for the past week. Don't you just love it?” Wheezie continued, whispering.
“Ya. It sure is a beautiful way to start a day for sure.” Applejack agreed with her soft voice.
“Who’s making that sound?” Rarity asked.
“We don’t know. We thought maybe you’d help us find out.” Ord suggested as the girls and Spike agreed to help. Fluttershy channeled her dragon badge and saw her vision zoom in to where the singing is coming from.
“It’s coming from the edge of that meadow over there.” Fluttershy said, pointing at the location she saw.
“It’s the Quiet Corner.” Zak exclaimed quietly.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” Pinkie Pie shouted as everyone shushed her.
“Quiet Corner, her we com--” Wheezie shouted loudly before Zak closed her muzzle and everyone, even Pinkie, shushed her.
Everyone tip-toed through the woods to the meadow. Along the way, Ord sees a doodle fairy sleeping on a leaf. He folds a leaf up, so it forms a blanket for her. Eventually they reach the top of a hill. They all see whatever is singing. They’re pink birds resembling music notes.
“Aw, they’re so adorable. I just wish my world would have birds like that.” Fluttershy cooed.
“What are they exactly?” Spike asked, whispering.
“They’re the Do-Re-Mi birds. They’re the sweetest singing birds in all of Dragon Land.” Zak explained as everyone cooed at the birds’ singing.
“Well, ah’ll be.” Applejack whispered, loving the birds' melody.
"They are so sweet." Diamond exclaimed, quietly.
"I've never heard anything that makes me want to sing so much." Pinkie whispered as the birds continued their soft singing.
“Come on! Let's do some Do-Re-Mis with the Do-Re-Mis!” Wheezie said.
“No, Wheezie! They don’t like loud noises. You’ll scare them away.” Zak warned quietly.
“Oh, no way. They won’t fly away. They won’t fly away. They’re songbirds. They love singing!” Wheezie said.
“I couldn’t agree more, Wheezie.” Pinkie agreed.
“Do-Re-Mis do love to sing, Zak.” Cassie said.
“I know, but softly.” Zak whispered.
“You mean like this?” Wheezie hums softly.
“Yeah, that’s perfect.” Zak exclaimed quietly and proud.
“Thanks, Zak. You sing like this…” Wheezie said, before she continued to hum quietly.
“Wheezie and I will take over.” Pinkie said, grabbing a random electric guitar from her hair.
“Pinkie, no!!” the Rainbooms, Spike and Diamond whispered in panic. It was no use, because Pinkie already started shredding away, screaming and singing loudly!
“Wow, wow, wow! Hey there, Do-Re-Mi'ses. Here I come! Zak and Wheezie are coming, too!” Pinkie raps loudly before Wheezie takes over
♪ Scooby-doo, wah-wah, Scooby-doo, wah-wah, Scooby-doo wah! ♪ Wheezie scatted loudly as everyone started covering their ears from Pinkie’s rap and Wheezie’s singing.
Eventually, Pinkie, Zak and Wheezie have crashed into the fence and the Do-Re-Mi Birds got startled and started flying away!
“They’re flying away!” Ord exclaimed, panicking.
“Oh, no. What did you do, Pinkie? Are you really that stupid?!” Diamond yelled as the Do-Re-Mi birds flew far away.
“Diamond!” Sunset exclaimed, infuriated by Diamond’s choice of words.
“I knew we should’ve been quiet.” Zak said, infuriated.
"Do-Re-Yous! Wait for Do-Re…Me.” Wheezie exclaimed, just as the birds are nowhere in sight!
“Oh, no. Now we'll never hear them sing again.” Fluttershy said in disappointment.
"If Pinkie here haven't been so loud, we would've enjoyed those birds' performance more!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, looking at Pinkie with a dirty look.
“There must be some way to bring the Do-Re-Mi birds back.” Sci-Twi stated just as everyone starts brainstorming some ideas. Eventually, Ord has gotten an idea.
“I know. Dragonberries. We can make a trail and lead the birds right back here.” Ord stated as he pulls dragonberries out of his pouch.
“What if birds don't like Dragonberries?” Sunset asked.
“Well... then we can eat them all.” Ord said with everyone groaning in annoyance.
“What?”
“I don’t think Dragonberries would work anyway. We need to think of something else.” Fluttershy stated just as Zak has an idea.
“I have an idea, Wheezie. Let’s call them back with a soft lullaby like the one Mom and Dad used to sing to us." Zak exclaimed
“Lullaby? Yuck!” Wheezie exclaimed.
“Maybe Zak’s right, Wheezie. The song the Do-Re-Mis make does sound kinda like a lullaby.” Cassie explained, liking the green dragon’s idea.
“Uh huh. As soon as they hear my lullaby, I’m sure they’ll come back.” Zak agreed.
"Yeah. Great idea, darling!" Rarity cheered as Zak started singing softly.
♪ Lullaby and goodnight, sweet dreams little Wheezie…♪ Zak sings just as the lullaby putting Wheezie to sleep, but she immediately wakes up.
“Well, the lullaby didn’t work. What do we do now, darlings?” Rarity asked.
“Hey, ya’ll. Ah got a better idea! We can do wild bird calls and they’ll think we’re part of their family!” Applejack said as everyone likes the idea.
“I know how to make bird calls. CALLING ALL BIRDS! CALLING ALL BIRDS!” Ord shouted as Sunset giggled.
“That’s not how you call birds. You whistle like this.” Sunset explained as she whistled out a long whistle.
“Wow. I didn’t know you could whistle, Sunny.” Pinkie exclaimed, impressed.
“Well, Pinkie. You don’t really know what else I learned in Equestria.” Sunset replied.
“I can whistle, too.” Cassie said before she started trying to whistle, but all that comes out of her mouth is her firebreath.
“Oops.” Cassie spoke, sheepishly.
“But what about my lullaby?” Zak complained.
“Yeah, we need to try his lullaby again.” Fluttershy said as her human friends gave her annoyed expressions. “Hey, it never hurts to try.” she continued.
"Let's whistle, everyone." Rainbow commanded as they whistle her own bird call. Everyone except for Zak and Fluttershy followed along.
“I just love bird calls. They’re so….tweety! Come on, Zaky! Tweet, tweet, prrr, tweet, tweet, tweet, prrrrr!” Wheezie called.
“Oh well, since nobody’s listening to me anyways. Tweet…tweet.” Zak said, lamentably.
Fluttershy sighed in disappointment as she joined everyone making their bird calls.
Everyone started making their own sounds, and the sounds were SO horrible, it made the Do-Re-Mis fly off in fear. They did NOT want to hear horrible sounds.
“Oh, no! They’re going bye-bye!” Pinkie cried.
Suddenly, the wooden fence was about to wiggle, since the wood has exceeded the maximum weight, the fence was about to break apart!
“...and so are we.” Zak cried. As the fence started to break.
When the Do-Re-Mis saw this, they were terrified at what they saw. The Rainbooms, Spike, Diamond and their dragon friends have fallen down on the ground!
“I told you. If we want to get the Do-Re-Mi’s to come back, we have to sing soft music.” Zak explained again.
“But you guys didn’t listen.” Fluttershy said. “Instead, we made loud sounds that scared these poor birds!
“Wait a minute. Maybe the Do-Re-Mi’s will come to our bird calls if we look like birds too.” explained Cassie.
“Looking like a bird won’t help.” said Zak, almost rejected. It’s a–” he tried to continue.
“Great idea, Cassie. We could stick feathers all over ourselves and then when we
squawk and chirp they’ll think we were Do-Re-Mi too.” said Ord as he grabbed some materials for the Do-Re-Mi’s disguise.
“Great idea, Ord.” Fluttershy said.
“Yeah.” Cassie said
“LOVE IT!” Wheezie said. I'll be the mama bird, and you can be the papa bird, Zaky.” she said.
“Forget it. No way. Stop.” said Zak in annoyance. “This is never gonna work. I'm not doing it.”
“Well…” Spike said. “If Zak's not doing it, then can I be the papa bird?” He asked
“You betcha.” said Ord.
Everyone got ready for the disguises, But Zak isn’t. He tried to explain…
“But…” said Zak, trying to explain.
“You'll make a great toucan, Zak.” Sunset said.
“Yippee.” Zak said, sarcastically.
Moments later, the others were making bird sounds, but Zak isn’t. He doesn’t like the plan at all, not even one little bit. Then, Sunset grabbed a worm and pretended to give it to Ord.
“Time to eat your worm, baby birdie.” Sunset said.
“Yummy!” said Ord.
Zak, who saw this, was disgusted. “Gross.” he exclaimed.
Everyone was still pretending to be birds, until a Do-Re-Mi appeared, looking annoyed.
“I see one, I see one.” Said Pinkie, as everyone was still making bird sounds, making the Do-Re-Mis look confused.
“I know how to make them fly right over here.” said Ord, as he flew.
Zak, who was scared of what was about to happen, said: “Ord, wait!”
“♪ Do-re-mi♪ Fa-so-la-ti ♪ Do!” sang Ord, in off-key.
The Do-Re-Mi’s were scared of Ord’s off-key singing, so they zoomed off as fast as they could.
“Oops.” said Ord, embarrassed.
“They're going, going… gone.” Rainbow Dash said as everyone saw them fly away.
“Guess I really scared the Do-Re-Mi’s away this time,” said Ord, sadly.
“Aw, they'll never come back now.” Wheezie said, sadly.
“And we'll never hear their pretty music in the morning again.” Cassie said, sadly.
“It’s all our fault. We shouldn’t have done this.” Sci-Twi said.
Suddenly, a beautiful flute tune was playing, leaving everyone confused.
“What's that?” Fluttershy said.
“Uh, what are you doing, Zaky?” asked Wheezie.
“When the Do-Re-Mi's hears my soft sweet music, they'll want to come back and sing along with us.” Zak explained about his plan. Then he played the flute again, until Wheezie interrupted and said: “But Do-Re-Mi’s are wild birds. They like wild music. I'll show you.”
Wheezie tried to explain, but Zak stopped her.
“No, Wheezie. This time I'm gonna try it my way.” Zak argued, as he resumed playing his flute tune to bring back the Do-Re Mis. Suddenly the Do-Re-Mis heard the flute music, looking very confused.
“It's not working, see? I knew tha–” taunted Wheezie as she tried to say something until…
“Look.” Diamond said.
The Do-Re-Mis heard it, and they were pleased, they sang in the style of opera singers, leaving Wheezie amazed at what she saw… the Do-Re-Mis continued singing the tune alongside Zak’s flute, in a peaceful manner, and started to fly.
“Don't you just love soft music? It's so, so... Zaky.” Wheezie said.
“Oh, isn't this heavenly?” Spike said.
“Yeah. I like this tune.” Fluttershy said. “Reminds me of the peaceful life, including Mother Nature.”
“Reminds me of… the happy times of Princess Celestia, and my old home, Equestria, including my friends.” Sunset said, reminiscing her past.
Zak continued to play the flute music and the Do Re Mis started to follow Zak and his friends in a peaceful manner, they arrived at the place where they broke the fence and they rebuilt the fence, piece by piece, restoring harmony.
“Wow.” Ord said.
“That was great, Zak.” cheered Spike.
“Well done, darling.” cheered Rarity.
“Yeah.” Zak said. “I said loud noises wouldn't work. So, I just had to do what I did and was right.”
“You made the right choice.” Spike said.
“I’m glad Zak did the right thing.” Sunset said. "But we weren’t listening. We were just doing our own things to get the Do Re Mis our attention."
“I agree with you, Sunset.” Fluttershy said.
"Yeah. Zaky, you're the best." Wheezie said, in a comfortable manner.
“Uh-oh.” we’d better go, girls.” Spike said.
“Why, Spike? We're having fun.” Fluttershy asked.
“But we are still in our PJs.” Pinkie answered for Spike, as everyone laughed.
It was time for them to all go home for real. “I wish, I wish, to use this rhyme, to go back home, until next time.” the Rainbooms, Spike and Diamond said in unison.
They re-materialized back to Sci-Twi's room where the sun is rising outside. The girls and Spike went to the window to see the majestic view. They were amazed by the sight.
"Aw, it's so beautiful." Fluttershy and Diamond Tiara exclaimed in unison.
"Yeah. In Equestria, Princess Celestia is the one who raises the sun." Sunset explained.
"Whoa, sounds like she is one busy princess for sure!" Diamond exclaimed in awe. "I sure wish I would've been able to have such magic power.
"Don't get your hopes up too high, sugarcube." Applejack said as Diamond is feeling okay about that. Everyone yawns and are ready to go back to sleep. It's a new Saturday that awaits them after all.
The End
|
ShopperBrony90
|
562091
| 9 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Diamond Tiara,Main 7 (EqG),Spike (EqG),Crossover,Human,Adventure,Anthology,Comedy,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
|
Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land (Volume 1)
|
The first volume of the Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land series
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Join the Rainbooms, Spike, the CMCs and Diamond Tiara as they go on new adventures with their friends (Ord, Cassie, Zak and Wheezie) in Dragon Land!</p><p>Co-written by <a href="/user/731647/PascalMulokozi2" rel="nofollow"><b>PascalMulokozi2</b></a></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-24T23:16:24+00:00
|
2024-07-30T14:23:07+00:00
| 181 |
Pinkie Pie is putting on her roller skates for another day of skating to reminisce about their participation in the Friendship Games. All she needs now is Rarity.
“You ready to go skating, Rare?” Pinkie asked.
“Yeahhhhhhh!! I'm a great skater, darrrrlllliing!!!!” Rarity said as she skated uncontrollably. Eventually, she crashes into the closet. “I meant to do that.” Rarity continued, sheepishly. Sweetie Belle shows up after she hears Rarity crash into her closet from her silly skating.
“Are you, okay, sis?” Sweetie said.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just haven’t skated in a long time since the Friendship Games.” Rarity replied, still in her closet. "I guess I'm going to need all the practice and refresher so I can become a good skater again."
“Well, you can show off all you want as soon as we get to Dragon Land.” Pinkie requested, giggling and removing her skates.
“I’m way ahead of you, darling.” Rarity exclaimed, as she held her dragon scale in her hand and was wearing her dragon badge. They were always stored in her closet, and she knew she was ready the second she crashed in there.
Sweetie Belle and Pinkie Pie put their dragon badges on, held the dragon scale together with Rarity and said the magic phrase: "I wish, I wish, with all my heart, to fly with Dragons, in a land apart!” They all said in unison as the dragons on Rarity's wall flew off, swirled around them all and off they went!
The girls arrive in Dragon Land where they find Ord skating around.
"Hi, Rarity, Pinkie and Sweetie! Look at me go!" Ord cried out, happy to see that they arrived again.
"Wow! Pinkie exclaimed, crouching down and seeing Ord actually floating in midair.
"Wait a minute. Aren’t your skates supposed to be on the ground?" Sweetie asked, confused.
"Maybe?" Ord said, realizing that he was about to fall. “Wow, that was close.” Ord continued, relieved that he didn't quite get hurt from the hard landing.
“Don’t worry, Ord. We can help you try to stay up.” Sweetie said, kindly helping him up.
“You betcha.” Ord replied, happy to see that Rarity's sister is supporting him. Just as Ord was about to let go, he almost fell. Luckily, he was saved by his friends and a few moments later Ord and his human friends roller-skated all-around Dragon Land for practice. Eventually, once the girls let him go, he became very good at it!
At Zak and Wheezie’s knuckerhole, they all flew right out and did an unbelievable 360 skating flip, as they met up with the rest of their friends.
“Hi, Zak.” greeted Rarity.
“Hi, Wheezie.” greeted Sweetie.
“Uh, hi. Hi.” said Zak, still dazed from the flip.
“Whoa, don't you just love roller-skating?” Wheezie said happily. “It's so…” She continued, until... “Scary!” Zak continued.
Just like that, everyone was roller skating and having a good time, kind of like a summer vibe that happens every year.
Meanwhile, Cassie was holding a wagon holding jingle flowers, while singing a song about them.
♪ Jingle flowers, jingle flowers, jingle all the way! Oh, what fun it is to push a wagon full of jingle flowers on a sunny day! ♪ Cassie sang until the unfortunate was about to happen. She sees the others are coming right toward her laughing and shouting.
“SLOOOOOOOW DOWWWWWWWWWN!!!” Zak yelled, obviously not liking the speed he and Wheezie are going. Of course, he can't quite help it, because he shares one body with his sister after all.
“It's Cassie.” pointed out Sweetie, seeing that they're about to crash into the pink dragon.
“Look out! Watch it!” Everyone cried, trying to slow down but to no avail. Cassie pushed the wagon away, but they all crashed into her. Unfortunately, the wagon is rolling down a hill and is about to fly off the edge!
“Oh, no!” Cassie exclaimed, just as the wagon flew up and it almost crashed. Luckily, the flowers survived.
“Sorry, Cassie.” Pinkie apologized, still dazed from the crash.
“Are you okay?” Ord asked, feeling concerned for his friend.
“I'm fine but look at my poor flowers.” said Cassie, starting to feel sorry for the flowers as they are still jingling. The jingles are becoming quiet now and they're drooping!
“Oh, you poor things. How will I ever get you to Singing Springs now?” Cassie asked, worried about the flowers' well-being.
“Why do you need to take the flowers to Singing Springs, Cassie?” Pinkie asked.
“Because they're jingle flowers. I grew them from seeds. But now that they've grown up, I need to plant them at Singing Springs. Without the fountain's musical water, they'll lose their jingle.” Cassie explained.
“You better hurry. They don't sound so good.” Zak suggested, starting to get concerned for the flowers' well-being.
“But the wagon is broken. How will I ever move all the flowers?” asked Cassie.
Suddenly, Ord has an idea. He suggested; “I know. I can carry your wagon to Singing Springs.”
Ord tried to use his strength to pull the broken wagon to Singing Springs, but Ord slipped with his skates and almost fell.
"It's no use. We'll never get my jingle flowers planted in time." sighed Cassie.
There must be some other way to get the flowers to Singing Springs." Rarity says to herself as everyone starts to think of ideas about what they can do. It wasn't long until Sweetie Belle finally got an idea. "The wagon's wheels are broken, but maybe there’s something else we can use for wheels... that's it. We can skate the jingle flowers to Singing Springs." Sweetie explains as the flowers continue their weak jingles.
"Yeah, we can all be the wagon wheel. Pinkie Pie agreed, obviously liking the idea. With that, everyone approached the wagon.
"Everyone, lift up a corner." Rarity commanded as everyone stuck sticks of wood into where the wheels were and lifted the wagon up so they can all skate and carry it at the same time. Well, Cassie doesn't have any skates and Zak & Wheezie take notice of that.
"Oh! Cassie doesn't have any skates. Silly us." laughed Wheezie as Ord reached into his pouch and grabs spare skates that Cassie can use.
"Thanks, but..." Cassie began.
Unfortunately, her problem hasn't fully spoken out yet as everyone helped put her skates on. They were oblivious to her problem. She doesn't know how to skate! It all became obvious when everyone lifted the wagon before Cassie fell.
"What's wrong, Cassie? Are you okay?" Rarity asked, worried.
"I think so. It's just that I don't know how to skate. if I don't learn to skate, my jingle flowers won't make it to Singing Springs in time." admitted Cassie, starting to doubt herself.
Maybe we could fly them there." Zak suggested. However, there's a problem.
"But Rarity, Pinkie and I can't fly, so there'd be no one to hold up the fourth corner. It would take forever to fly them a few at a time." Sweetie Belle complained.
"Oh, oh, I know, I know. We can plant them in our roller skates and teach them to skate to Singing Springs by themselves!" Wheezie suggested, obviously going back to her ditzy ways again.
"Ha! That's the silliest idea ever." Zak replied, obviously annoyed.
"Maybe not. We're gonna teach you to skate, Cassie." Pinkie Pie spoke up, pointing to Cassie.
"Me?"
"Sure. A little help won’t hurt." Pinkie answered.
"First, you stand up." Pinkie explained as Cassie stood up with Ord holding her hand for some support.
"Oh, I can't watch." Zak panicked, having his eye unblocked. Technically, he's watching.
"Okay, Ord. Let her go." Rarity signaled as Ord lets go of Cassie's hand and she's still up and moving.
"Hey, look at me. I'm standing." Cassie exclaimed, giggling and happy about what she's doing now. However, that didn't last long, because she fell anyway.
"Want a pillow, Cassie?" Zak offered, considering that he's the safe and cautious dragon.
"No, thanks, Zak. I wanna try again." Cassie replied, still confident that she can do it. Ord picks her up and holds her until... "Okay. Let me go." Cassie signals as Ord lets her go but she's still struggling to keep her balance.
"Try to keep your balance, darling." Rarity cheered. Just like that Cassie regained her balance and she's starting to get a little better at skating. Everyone cheered for her accomplishments, but that’s only the first step of skating.
"Ready for the next step?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"I think so." Cassie answered, still feeling a little nervous.
"We need something for Cassie to hold on to while she skates." Rarity instructed.
"Okie, dokie, lokie!" Pinkie Pie spoke up as she grabbed a rope and pulled it out of her infinite hammer-space that is her hair. She skates over to a tree and ties the rope around 2 trees. That way, Cassie will get more support while skating, since she's learning.
"Ready." Pinkie signaled, taking to have Cassie hold on to the rope.
"Just hold up to the rope and try to skate along it. If you lose your balance, just hang on. Okay, darling?" Rarity instructed.
"Okay." Cassie replied. What do you know, she's getting a hang of it since she's holding the rope as everyone is cheering for her. It didn't last long until she fell again.
Not bad, Cassie-Lassie" exclaimed Pinkie, feeling proud for Cassie and how far she's gotten in practice.
"That was terrible. Well, I’m no quitter. If skating is the only way to help the jingle flowers, then I'm gonna skate! I think." Cassie spoke, still not willing to give up. Especially that she has gotten this far. She's not going to quit now!
"When I learned to skate, my sister, Rarity, had me do little small steps, like this." Sweetie Belle explained, taking really small steps and letting her skates roll free.
"That doesn’t look so hard." Cassie tries to go slow, eventually she gets it down and she's skating! "I'm... I'm doing it."
"Way to go!" cheered Ord.
"I knew you could do it, darling." Rarity cheered.
Suddenly, Cassie's starting to slip. Luckily, she's still holding on to the rope. "This is... fun. Pinkie, I think I'm ready for the most important lesson."
"Which lesson is that, Cassie?" Pinkie asked.
"How to stop!" Cassie replied as she started skating a little too fast down the hill until she crashed into Zak and Wheezie, who were waiting for her at the end of the rope.
"Oh, what’s the use?" Cassie sighed, wanting to give up.
"Don’t give up, Cassie. Remember how long it took me to learn to ride a bike?" encouraged Ord.
"We just gotta keep trying. I even had training wheels when I was really small. I never used them anymore since I was in 3rd grade. It’s because I got better at riding bikes." Sweetie Belle explained. She doesn't know it, but she came up with a great idea to help Cassie even further!
"You’re a genius, Sweetie!" Rarity cheered.
"I am?" Sweetie Belle said, surprised.
A few moments later, everyone has prepped Cassie up for another run. They have strapped a roller skate to Cassie’s tail to make it a lot easier for her.
“You really think this will work, Sweetie Belle?” Cassie asked, fearing that she’s gonna fall again.
“There’s only one way to find out, darling.” Rarity answered for her sister. On cue, they all start going nice and slow for their pink dragon friend. Eventually, she’s able to keep her balance, she’s gone from little steps to big steps. She’s definitely a better skater now.
“It's working! I can skate! I can skate.” she cheered as she’s made some really huge progress and she’s skating better now. Even the Jingle Flowers are congratulating her for her progress via happy jingles.
♪ Jingle flowers, jingle flowers, jingle all the way! Oh, what fun it is to skate a wagon full of jingle flowers on a sunny day! ♪ Everybody sang as they approached Singing Springs.
A few minutes later, they made it to their destination. Everyone was so proud and happy of Cassie for her skating skills.
“Nice skating, Cassie!” Pinkie cheered.
“Come on. Let’s get the jingle flowers planted.” Cassie orders as Ord scoops up some dirt, hands the flowers over to him and planted them on the ground.
The flowers are starting to grow but they need one more thing. They need water. Ord realized that as he reaches into his pouch, grabs a watering can and waters the flowers. After that, the flowers are fully grown, and they can jingle normally again! Everyone was happy with their accomplishments.
After seeing the flowers jingle some more, it was time for the girls to head home. They all held their hands and said the magical phrase: “I wish, I wish, to use this rhyme, to go back home, until next time.” Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Sweetie Belle said in unison as they went back home. Instantly, they arrived home.
“We sure had a blast skating with Cassie and all of our Dragon friends.” Pinkie exclaimed, feeling tired from all the skating.
“How about this? I can make you my own jingle flowers.” Sweetie Belle suggested as she warmed up her singing voice and started to sing the Winter Wrap-Up song. The voice was so high-pitched that Rarity and Pinkie had to cover their ears. Eventually, the pots the flowers were placed in have shattered into pieces. Rarity and Pinkie look on in surprise while Sweetie Belle felt like she got herself in trouble.
“Oh, sorry. I was just trying to help.” Sweetie said, feeling sorry for herself.
“Oh, that’s okay, darling. We’ll just have to take you to choir class.” Rarity answered, sheepishly. She wasn’t mad at her sister. She was surprised by her singing voice and how much power it had released.
“Well, you sure made my day a lot more musical!” Pinkie spoke as everyone giggled.
The End
|
ShopperBrony90
|
562091
| 10 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Diamond Tiara,Main 7 (EqG),Spike (EqG),Crossover,Human,Adventure,Anthology,Comedy,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
|
Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land (Volume 1)
|
The first volume of the Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land series
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Join the Rainbooms, Spike, the CMCs and Diamond Tiara as they go on new adventures with their friends (Ord, Cassie, Zak and Wheezie) in Dragon Land!</p><p>Co-written by <a href="/user/731647/PascalMulokozi2" rel="nofollow"><b>PascalMulokozi2</b></a></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-28T21:04:26+00:00
|
2024-07-28T21:44:54+00:00
| 122 |
It was a normal day here in Canterlot City and our heroes are having a video chat with Applejack and Apple Bloom.
“Okay, y’all. We’re making a new wardrobe for Rarity. Check it out!” Applejack explained until she moves her camera to her work, only to find that it's barely done.
Everyone has reacted to her handiwork with an "meh" and stuff like that.
“It’s kind alright.” Sunset said.
“Looks… good.” Sci-Twi said.
“Impressive?” Rainbow said.
“Great!” Pinkie said.
“Well, it’s alright.” Fluttershy said.
“Meh…” Scoots said.
“It’s kind of alright…” Spike said.
“Well, I’m doing the best I can, sugarcubes. I think I need help after all.” Applejack blushed.
“How about this, let’s go to Dragon Land and we can ask them how they can help with your dilemma.” Sunset suggested.
“Yee-haw! Let’s go!” agreed Applejack.
“Yeah!” Everyone else shouted in agreement.
Moments later, everyone opens their closets, puts their dragon badges on and holds their dragon scales. “I wish, I wish, with all my heart, to fly with dragons, in a land apart.” They all said in unison as the dragons on their walls fly off and swirl around them all and off they went!
In the School in the Sky, Quetzal, Ord and Cassie were getting ready to start building the new playground here.
“Mira, niños. Inside is your new playground.” Quetzal said as he opened the lid to reveal unassembled parts.
“Is that it?” Ord asked.
“We have to build it, Ord.” Cassie clarified.
“Oh. Heh-heh-heh.” Ord replied, laughing nervously.
Suddenly, the Rainbooms, Spike and the CMCs start to re-materialized sitting on a giant box.
“Surprise!” Pinkie exclaimed, throwing confetti out her hair the second she appeared with the others.
“We're ready to build!” Sunset spoke, showing that she and the others are here to help indeed.
“Hi!” Cassie said.
“Hola!” Quetzal greeted.
“Quetzal, can we start now? Can we? Because I brought my special hammer.” Apple Bloom asked as she bought out her hammer to show it.
"Not so fast, niños. Aren't we missing someone?" Quetzal said. Everyone realized that Zak and Wheezie were late.
"I'll get them." Pinkie said as she ran up to a knuckerhole and called down "Zak! Wheezie!" she cried. Just like that, Zak and Wheezie pop out and land in a tree; they hang upside down from a branch by their tail.
"What's up?" Zak and Wheezie said in unison
"You!" Everyone replied, laughing.
We're here! We're ready! And we're never gonna get down unless you go this way, Zaky! Wheezie said. Unfortunately, Zak and Wheezie share the same body, so they can't agree on what they want to do.
"No! You go THIS way! Zak said." They stretch their necks separate ways until they fall off the tree and hit the ground. Zak was feeling dizzy from that fall. Of course, Wheezie just doesn't mind the impact and walks it off.
"On your feet, Zaky! We can't build a new playground just sitting around!" Wheezie commanded as she scoots to the right.
"Take it easy, Wheezie. I already bonked my head three whole times because you were in a hurry!" Zak said, worried that he might get hurt again.
"You wouldn't have bonked your head if you weren't walking so slowly! My leg fell asleep waiting for your leg to catch up!" Wheezie argued.
Quetzal clears his throat and says, "the plan today, niños, is to work together to build a xylophone slide and three drum trampolines." Quetzal explained. "So, who wants to work on what?" He questioned.
“I’ll be the leader of the construction. I’ll tell everyone how they can build everything right and give them some tips.” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as Quetzal agreed.
"I'll work on the Trampolines! Wait until you see this cool trick I made up in gymnastics: the Pinkie Bottoms-Up Bounce!" Pinkie said.
"I'm with Pinkie on this one!" Scootaloo replied.
"I'll help, too." Cassie comments.
"We'll help as well." Sci-Twi, Fluttershy and Spike say in unison.
"Sign me up for the xylophone slide!" Wheezie said.
"I can help with that." Ord exclaimed.
"We'll help you with that, darling." Rarity replied, with Applejack, Sunset Shimmer, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.
However, Zak wants to work on the drum trampolines, but Wheezie wants to work on the xylophone slide. They share the same body, so it's really hard for them to work on two things all at once.
"But Wheezie, I wanna work on the drum trampolines!" Zak said, angrily.
"But the slide will be way more fun!" Wheezie argued.
"No fair! I always have to do what you wanna do!" Zak argued.
"Do not!" Wheezie argued.
"Do too! I wish for once I wasn't stuck together with you, Wheezie!" Zak complained.
"Really?! Well, I DOUBLE wish it!" Wheezie agreed.
"Well, then, I double, DOUBLE wish it!" Zak agreed further as everyone gasped.
“Uh-oh, you guys gotta calm down. There’s an old thing saying, “Be careful what you wish for, otherwise, YOU might GET IT!” Spike said.
Luckily, Quetzal was there to break up the argument before things got ugly.
"My, my, niños. You really wish to be separated from each other?" asked Quetzal.
"YES." Zak and Wheezie said in unison.
Then, so be it. Here, take these crystals. Now fly into the air and say: "Alakazoo, split in two." Rub the crystals together, and your wish will come true." Quetzal instructed, giving them special crystals that may make their wish come true.
"Come on, Zak, let's get flapping!" Wheezie said, excited that she's getting her own separate body.
"Well, I'm not holding us up." agreed Zak, still feeling annoyed as they flew in the air.
"Alakazoo, split in two!" they recite in unison.
Then, they rub the crystals together; there is a blinding flash of light as the others gasp. They float down as the light clears to reveal Zak and Wheezie now with their own separate bodies.
“Loooooove it!” Wheezie exclaimed in excitement, loving her new form indeed.
“Two feet? Two claws? Two wings? Too good to be true!” laughed Zak.
“Woah!” The CMCs exclaimed in unison.
“Did it hurt?” Fluttershy asked in concern.
“No, it didn't.” Zak replied, still feeling better with his new form.
“How does it feel, darlings?” Rarity asked.
“Great! Now I can do anything I want! Watch!” Wheezie replied as she did somersaults in the air.
“Well, look at this... A handstand, all by myself!” Zak brags as Wheezie does some loops in the air and divebombs down.
“Careful, Wheezie!” warned Zak, trying to make sure his sister doesn’t get hurt. She does some more tricks in the sky; suddenly, she crashes into a tree, and everyone gasps. She falls to the ground.
“Oh, my. Are ya okay, sugarcube?” Applejack asked, concerned.
“Okay?! I'm better than okay!” Wheezie replied.
“Thank goodness. I'll never have to fly too fast again.” Zak stated as he flies at his own slow pace.
“Ho hum.” Wheezie said, yawning because her brother was being a show-off.
Minutes later, it’s time to go to work. Wheezie is on Team Xylophone Slide and Zak is on Team Drum Trampoline.
“How are we gonna make all that stuff into a slide?” Scootaloo asked in confusion.
“We’ll just have to work hard.”
“Remember, I’ll be on the sidelines, taking notes on your performances and I’ll give you support when you need it. Got it?” Rainbow Dash instructed.
“Got it!” Everyone agreed in unison as Rainbow steps aside.
It took Team Xylophone Slide a while. Eventually, they’re done. Unfortunately, it’s constructed very poorly.
“Is it supposed to look like that?” Ord asked, confused by the slide’s appearance.
“I don’t think so.” Sunset replied.
“Of course it is! Wild and Fun!” Wheezie replied, clueless at the fact the slide wasn’t supposed to look like what it is now. Applejack begs to differ.
“I think we need assistance from Rainbow.” Applejack exclaimed as she took out her whistle and blew it. Rainbow Dash heard it, and she came to their area instantly. She inspects the slide and notices something was wrong.
“Uh, I think you built the slide the wrong way, Wheezie. No dragon is gonna slide on that.” Rainbow exclaimed, going over her inspection.
“Oh, don't worry. This is gonna be super-duper! What’s the big deal?” Wheezie replied as she leaned against the slide. Suddenly, it falls apart. It leaves Applejack, Rarity, Sunset Shimmer, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Ord groaning in disappointment. Wheezie looks at the plans and realizes her mistake.
“Oopsie.” Wheezie exclaimed, sheepishly.
“Well, you need to follow the plans carefully. That way, you’ll get everything done.” Rainbow Dash explained, giving the blueprint to Wheezie.
“Ah, who needs those boring things?” Wheezie exclaimed, throwing the blueprint aside.
“We do!” said Rainbow Dash Applejack, Rarity, Sunset Shimmer, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Ord in unison, each annoyed.
“Okay, okay! Following the directions is Zak's job, but I can do it too! Thanks for the help, Rainbow.” Wheezie exclaims.
“No problem. If you need me, I’ll be here in the flash!” Rainbow Dash said as she runs off-site and sits on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Zak is working on the trampolines as Fluttershy tightens the bolts with Zak, Sci-Twi hammers down the support beams, Spike pulls the ropes and Pinkie Pie and Cassie pull & adjust the elastic bed.
“A little more... Not too tight... Not too loose…” Zak instructed Pinkie Pie and Cassie to adjust the elastic bedding to the way he wants it, however he couldn’t make up his mind.
“Zak!!!!” Pinkie and Cassie exclaimed in annoyance
“Sorry. Usually, Wheezie tells me when we're done.” Zak spoke, sheepishly as he finished tightening the bolts. “There. Three perfect drum trampolines.”
“Yippee! Now I can show you my famous bottoms-up bounce!” Pinkie exclaimed in excitement as she tried to bounce, but she fell on her back as the elastic wasn’t adjusted all the way.
“That's your big bounce?” Cassie asked, confused by Pinkie’s jump.
“Oh, no! That’s not bouncy enough. Zak, the trampoline is saggy!” Pinkie complained.
“I know. This way we can jump nice and slow.” Zak answered, obviously liking the calmness of the atmosphere around him.
“Slow?! But we need bouncy! You can't do good flips and knee drops unless it's bouncy!” Fluttershy complained before Cassie steps in to try her turn on the trampoline but falls as well.
“It's-- It's--” Cassie exclaimed, feeling dazed from her fall.
“BORING!” Pinkie and Cassie said in unison.
“I guess Rainbow would've known how to make it fun. I think we need Rainbow’s help.” Sci-Twi spoke as she blew her whistle. Instantly, Rainbow Dash comes into the site.
“What seems to be the trouble?” Rainbow asked.
“Our trampolines seem to be too light. It’s not letting us bounce. What are we supposed to do?” Scootaloo complained.
Rainbow inspects the trampolines and notices something was wrong. “I see what’s wrong. You just need to tighten the ropes an extra squeeze, so they'll be extra bouncy.” Rainbow explained as she tightened the ropes. Zak tests the trampoline, and he bounced higher now.
“Thanks, Zak. I knew you'd know what to do. That's bouncy, all right.”
“That’s more like it!” Pinkie exclaimed as bounces and flips flawlessly.
“Wow!” Cassie said, impressed. She decided to try to bounce and flip. She landed flawlessly too, laughing! Almost instantly, Ord and his group finally got done with their project. The xylophone slide is ready and constructed perfectly! Wheezie starts sliding down it, laughing through the ride. She landed hard on the ground, though.
“Oh, my! Wheezie, are you okay?” Fluttershy asked, concerned.
“It was fun! ...Except for the landing.” Wheezie answered, sounding okay.
“So now we have a great slide.” Apple Bloom exclaimed.
“With a really bad landing. What are we going to do?” Rarity asked.
“Have a snack?” Ord suggested as he pulled a sandwich out his pouch. Everyone starts looking at him with unconvincing looks on their faces. “What?” Ord asked. Eventually, Sci-Twi gets an idea.
“Why don't we put the slide and the trampoline…?” Sci-Twi asked.
“Together?” Wheezie continued.
“Okie, dokie, loki!” Pinkie and Zak answered in unison. They move the trampolines in front of the slide.
“Is this the right spot, Zaky?” Wheezie asked, adjusting the last trampoline in line. Zak is instructed to tell her when she gets it in the right, precise spot.
“A little over.... Just right!” Zak confirms.
Wheezie slides down first and bounces across the trampolines, coming in for a perfect landing.
“Looooooove it! Zaky, you're up!” Wheezie replied.
“All by myself? Only me? Nobody else? Will you come with me, Wheezie?” Zak asked.
“Sure.” Wheezie replied as they got to the top of the slide together.
“Ready, Freddy?” Zak asked.
“Okey-dokey, artichoke-y!” Wheezie answered as they both slid and bounced, laughing and shouting happily.
“That was fun!” Zak exclaimed as the others cheered on them for their perfect landing. Just then, Quetzal comes back and goes over their work.
“Fantástico! You did a great job putting everything together. Is it fun?” Quetzal asked, proud of the girls and dragons’ handiwork.
“It's fun-tastic! But I have an idea that will make it even better.” Wheezie replied before she started whispering her idea in Zak’s ear.
“Great idea, Wheezie.” Zak replied.
“What idea? Ah, don’t understand.” Applejack and Apple Bloom asked in unison as Zak and Wheezie whispered their idea to Quetzal.
“Quetzal, can we?” Zak begged.
“Pretty please, with a fireball on top?” Wheezie begged further.
“Tell me. I wanna know!” Scootaloo complains.
“What’s going on?” Rainbow Dash comes in, confused as to what is going on.
“I think it's a wonderful idea.” Quetzal replies as he brings the crystals out and gives them to Zak and Wheezie.
“What is?” Sweetie Belle asked, even more confused while Zak and Wheezie take the crystals.
“Fly into the air and say: "Alakazoo, stick like glue." Then rub the crystals together.” Quetzal explained.
“Come on, Wheezie!” Zak commanded as he held hands with his sister and flew up.
“Alakazoo, stick like glue!” they recite in unison.
Then, they rub the crystals together; a blinding flash of light as it comes down. It clears, revealing Zak and Wheezie have returned to their original two-headed self.
“Ha-ha, yeah! / We did it!” Zak and Wheezie exclaimed as they high five and flew around happily. They have turned themselves back to their original normal selves.
“Now ah get it!” Applejack exclaimed, finally understanding.
“They're our Zak and Wheezie again!” Pinkie Pie said, happily.
“It’s so good to have them together again.” Spike spoke in relief.
“It sure is, Spike. It sure is!” Sunset replied in agreement.
“I wish, I wish, to use this rhyme, to go back home, until next time.” the Rainbooms, Spike and the CMCs said in unison as they went back home.
Over at Applejack’s home, she and Apple Bloom went back to their dragon-ified rooms. “Hey, little sugarcube. Ya know what? How about you help me finish building Rarity’s wardrobe. I know by following directions, we’ll get it done in no time!” Applejack offered with her little sister agreeing with the offer and beginning to help out. Just like that, Applejack’s dragon badge starts glowing. She finally realized that with a little help and instructions, she’ll get things done faster.
“Of course, sugarcube!” Apple Bloom replied as she grabbed a few tools with her dragon badge glowing as well.
Hours later, Applejack and her sister started a video chat with the others.
“I believe that I have a big surprise for you Rarity!” Applejack spoke from her room.
“Ooh, do tell darling!” Rarity asked before Applejack turned her camera to the fully constructed wardrobe. Everyone was really happy about what they were seeing. Rarity especially loves it 100%!
“Oh, I love it so much! Thank you, Applejack!” Rarity exclaimed in glee and excitement.
“Ah, shucks! What are friends for?” Applejack replied.
“Don’t forget about me!” Apple Bloom steps in as everyone laughs in happiness and glee before the video chat ends.
The End
|
ShopperBrony90
|
562091
| 11 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Diamond Tiara,Main 7 (EqG),Spike (EqG),Crossover,Human,Adventure,Anthology,Comedy,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
|
Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land (Volume 1)
|
The first volume of the Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land series
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Join the Rainbooms, Spike, the CMCs and Diamond Tiara as they go on new adventures with their friends (Ord, Cassie, Zak and Wheezie) in Dragon Land!</p><p>Co-written by <a href="/user/731647/PascalMulokozi2" rel="nofollow"><b>PascalMulokozi2</b></a></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-21T23:54:32+00:00
|
2024-08-18T01:55:38+00:00
| 254 |
It was another normal day here in Canterlot City. Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle were at Applejack’s place and were having some drinks.
“So, what’ll be guys?” Applejack questioned.
“I hear you make the best apple ciders in town.” Fluttershy said.
“I agree with Fluttershy, you really do.” Sweetie replied.
“You betcha’ y’all.” Applejack said. “So, what’ll be? fizzy apple cider or non-fizzy apple cider?” she questioned.
“I’ll take the non-fizzy” Fluttershy said.
“Fizzy will do.” Sweetie said.
“Okay.” Applejack said.
Then she gave them a glass, one fizzy apple cider and one non-fizzy apple cider.
“Hey.” Fluttershy said.
“What?” Applejack said.
“I said non-fizzy, this is fizzy.” Fluttershy said.
“That’s my order.” Sweetie said.
Suddenly, there was something flashing in Applejack’s room. They knew what that meant: their dragon friends are calling them.
“Look.” Applejack said.
“The dragons are calling us.” Fluttershy said.
They went into Applejack’s room, put on their dragon badges, held a dragon scale together and said the magical phrase; “I wish, I wish, with all my heart, to fly with dragons, in a land apart.” They all said in unison as the dragons on Applejack's wall fly off, swirl around them all and off they went!
In Dragon Land, Cassie’s friends were waiting for Cassie to come out. Cassie appeared with a bow on her head, ready for a special event that was happening in the School in the Sky.
“Do I look okay?” asked Cassie. “Today is such a big day.”
“Wow! Love that bow, Cassie. It’s so bow-utiful.” replied Wheezie in joy.
Suddenly, the 3 girls start to re-materialize after being transported to Dragon Land.
“Hi, everybody. What's going on?” Fluttershy said.
The dragons said in unison; “The School in the Sky parade!”
“Whoa… now that sounds like fun.” Fluttershy said.
“Fun? It's gonna be wild, with balloons and floats and–” said Wheezie.
“-And flowers and music and–” continued Zak.
“Guess what else. Cassie might get picked to ride on the book float.” Ord continued.
“You will?” Applejack said.
“Oh, I hope, I hope, I hope.” Cassie said in joy.
Ord said, “Quetzal's gonna pick the names of the winners right now.”
“Oh, let's go.” Cassie said in excitement.
And so, they hoped on their backs and started to fly into the School in The Sky. Everyone was really excited because the winner was gonna ride on the parade float. When they arrived at the building, all of the dragons were working on the floats.
“Wow. This parade’s gonna be humongous.” Sweetie said in excitement.
“Big, too.” said Ord.
Suddenly, the other dragons were working on their floats, until they spotted a float that resembled a book.
“There it is. The Book Float.” said Cassie. “Isn't it the best float you've ever, ever seen?”
“I agree, Cassie. Besides, you're gonna look great riding on top of it, Cassie.” Fluttershy said.
Quetzal appeared, and was holding a black hat and said, “Gather round, niños. It is time to pick the names of the dragons… ...who will ride on this year's book float.”
Zak chuckled and said, “Good luck, Cassie.”
“We’re rooting for you.” said Fluttershy. “Come on, everybody. Cross something.”
Some of them crossed their fingers while some did not cross their fingers. They crossed their heads and their bodies instead.
“Uh, Fluttershy, why am I crossing?” asked Ord
“To bring Cassie good luck.” Fluttershy replied.
Cassie giggles and said, “Thanks everyone.”
Quetzal announced the winners… by pulling out the hat and said… “...and the lucky dragons are…. Luna and Sparkle. Congratulations.”
The dragons, Luna and Sparkle were very happy. They hugged each other because they get to be in the float.
Everyone watched in shock, and they were speechless.
“Looks like Cassie didn’t get picked.” Sweetie said.
“It figures.” Applejack said.
“I didn’t get picked.” Cassie said sadly, while shedding a tear. Suddenly, she starts to shrink when she feels so sad, and repeats what she said; “I didn’t get picked!” Suddenly she starts to fly away in tears… Like Ord who feels sad or scared, becomes invisible, Cassie has the ability to shrink when feeling emotional. For Zak and Wheezie, well, it’s unknown…
“Cassie, come back.” Wheezie said.
“We thought isn’t the only one who has an emotional ability. Ord's ability is that when he gets scared or sad, he becomes invisible.” Sweetie Belle said. “But Cassie, she can get small when she gets really emotional.” she continued.
“Yeah.” We’d better find her.” Fluttershy said.
In the forest, a small Cassie was still crying and complaining while flying.
“I really, really wanted to ride on that float. It's not fair. It's just not fair.” Cassie said sadly. Suddenly, she bumped into a tree, then on a spider web, then on a flower.
“I just hate today.” Cassie said, sad and angry.
Suddenly, she heard a voice crying… it was the flower.
“I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?” Cassie apologized
“No.” the flower said, sniffling.
“Then why are you crying?” Cassie said.
The flower said while crying, “Because I didn't get picked to be in the School in the Sky parade.” Then, he sobbed.
Cassie groaned, “Me neither.”
The flower stops crying and said, "All my friends were picked for a special float, except for me, and now I feel... I feel—”
“Terrible…” continued Cassie.
“Awful!” continued the flower.
“Sad…” continued Cassie
“Left out.” they both said, sobbing.
Suddenly, they stopped crying.
“My name’s Cosmo.” The flower introduced himself. “What’s yours?” he continued.
“I'm Cassie.” Cassie introduced herself. “Thanks.”
“For what?” asked Cosmo.
“For making me feel a little better.” Cassie said. Suddenly, she goes back to her normal size.
Cosmo looked shocked. “Whoa! You're big.”
"Sometimes, I get little when I feel really bad about something. Like not getting picked for the parade." Cassie explained.
"Oh, don't remind me!" Cosmo said as he starts to cry again. Everything's about to get better when Cosmo blows his nose, which makes a really funny noise. Cassie instantly giggles.
"You wanna hear that again?" Cosmo asked if he could make his silly noise again and Cassie replied with an "Uh-huh.". Cosmo blows his nose again, makes that silly noise and they both laugh and feeling better for their dilemma. "You try it." Cosmo suggested to Cassie.
However, she was nervous and was worried that she would look too silly. "Oh, I couldn't."
"Sure, you could." Cosmo encouraged. With that, Cassie reaches into her pouch for a blue towel and blows her nose. They both laugh and are already getting along.
Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle is riding on Zak and Wheezie alongside Applejack riding on Ord, while Fluttershy has ponied up and is flying with them as they are searching for Cassie.
"I can't believe we haven't found Cassie yet!" Sweetie Belle said, worried about what happened to her.
"Don't worry, sugarcube. We'll find her." Applejack replied, just when they heard noises of noses blowing. They all realize that it's Cassie.
"Wait a minute, I hear her." Zak exclaimed, relieved.
"You do? I don't. Wheezie said, confused and being a ditz as usual. With that, Zak wipes her ear with an orange towel.
"How about now?" Zak asked, clearly annoyed by her sister's antics.
"Hey. Down there in the forest." Wheezie yells out in relief. "Thanks, Zaky."
"Let's go." Fluttershy said, with them landing to where they found Cassie. "There you are, Cassie."
"We've been looking all over for you." Sweetie Belle said worriedly.
"You were? I thought you'd all be at the parade." Cassie asked.
"Without you? It wouldn't be any fun." Applejack replied, also relieved that Cassie's okay. Everyone then sees a moving, talking flower beside her.
"Uh, what's that?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Everyone, this is Cosmo." Cassie says, introducing everyone to her flower friend.
"How do you do?" Cosmo said, politely introducing himself.
"Wow, a talking flower." Fluttershy exclaimed, adored by the flower's charm.
"I talk. I wave. I blow kisses. I was made for a parade, except..." Cosmo continued.
"We weren't picked." Cassie and Cosmo pointed out in unison.
"Hey, there's always next year, sugarcubes." Applejack said, comforting Cosmo.
"But that's a whole year away." Cassie confirmed.
"Four whole seasons." agreed Cosmo.
"Wait a minute. Who said you have to wait a whole year? Why don't we just make our own float?" Sweetie Belle suggested.
"Yeah. We could make a beach float. I'll go swimming." agreed Ord, pulling out a beach ball and beach umbrella from his pouch.
"It just wouldn't be the same as the book float." Cassie denies the beach float idea.
"How about a storybook float?" Fluttershy suggested.
"A storybook float?" Cassie asked.
"Yeah. I saw one on TV during a Thanksgiving Day parade one time." Sweetie Belle agreed.
"Ah remember! You pick your favorite story, and you act it out on top of a float." Applejack describes her idea.
"Yeah, like Daring Do hunting for a lost treasure." remembered Sweetie Belle.
"I don't know." Cassie said nervously
"Come on, Cassie. It wouldn't hurt to try. What's your favorite story?" Applejack said, enough to encourage Cassie to make the float. It's just then Cassie pulls out one of her storybooks from her pouch and gets an idea.
"Well, I kind of like The Dragon Princess." Cassie reads, just when Ord grabs a flower headpiece from his pouch and has Cassie put it on, thus making her the Dragon Princess (for her float that is).
"Oh, my. We're going to be in a parade, ha, ha. I better get ready. Hello world, here I come." Cosmo exclaimed as he got ready to be part of a parade.
With that, everyone is working on the float. Sweetie Belle and Fluttershy just made finishing touches of the castle. Applejack, Zak and Wheezie were painting the float. Sweetie Belle was goofing off until she knocked over a paint can and all the paint splattered all over Applejack.
“Sorry, Applejack.” Sweetie Belle said, sheepishly.
Cassie was reading her storybook for more ideas on the float while Cosmo, now in a flowerpot, is practicing his wave for the parade.
“What are you doing, Cosmo?” asked Cassie, wondering what Cosmo’s up to.
“Working on my wave for the parade.” Cosmo replied, still practicing his rehearsals.
“Which do you like better? Bubbly (Hi, hi, everybody, heh-heh-heh.) or elegant (How do you do)?
It didn’t take too long for Cassie to decide. “Uh... Bubbly.” It was just when Fluttershy went to check on her and Cosmo.
“Do we need anything else, Cassie?” Fluttershy asked.
“It looks pretty good, but in my storybook, the princess lived near a mountain.” answered Cassie, asking for one final touch of the float
One mountain, coming up. Come on, Zaky.” Wheezie replied as she and Zak flew off to pick up a small pointy boulder and place it on the float. They couldn’t quite decide where to put it, until they dropped it right by the castle. Thankfully, the float didn’t break and everything is all set.
“There needs to be a magic tree growing near the mountain.”
“I can help you there, sugarcube.” Applejack said as she found some twigs with leaves, pulled them off and waved them.
Wow. It's fantastic. All we need now is a flower for the princess to hold, and I pick you, Cosmo.” Cassie exclaims as she picks up.
“Me? I got picked. I got picked.” Cosmo exclaimed, clearly excited about his role in the parade.
“Is the princess ready?” Ord asked, since the float’s all set and ready.
“I'm ready.” Cassie replies as Sweetie Belle climbs on her back and they fly to the float. Cassie places Cosmo on the windowsill of the castle part of the float. “You know, this is gonna be just as much fun as the book float.”
“No kidding, sister.” Cosmo replied as he uses his breath freshener to truly look handsome.
“All aboard!” Wheezie calls out.
“Ready?” Ord asked, eager to pull the float.
“Ready.” everyone said in unison, wanting their own parade to start. Ord begins to pull the rope to move the float with everyone there doing their part, laughing and cheering along the way. Cosmo starts blowing kisses, taking in the popularity that he thinks he’s getting.
“Oh, I just love a parade!”
“Me, too.” Cassie agreed. Suddenly, Ord missteps on a large hill and the float begins to roll fast. They were all holding on for their lives. Some of them seemed to enjoy the ride while others were feeling scared of what would happen if the float rolled too fast.
“Uh… How are we gonna stop this thing?” Ord asked, suddenly feeling too nervous
“Easy. You can fly us out of here.” Fluttershy suggested.
“Oh, yeah.” Ord said, laughing sheepishly. He flies and the float flies with him.
“Now we're a float that floats!” Sweetie Belle exclaims, clearly taking in the thrills and loving every single second of it. Eventually, they land at the parade area of the School in the Sky, where Quetzal was waiting for them. Cassie was still holding Cosmo in his pot.
“Niños, I wondered where you went. Look at this beautiful float.” he said, impressed with the float Cassie and the gang made.
“We had our own parade.” Ord replied, clearly proud of what he and his friends did.
“I was worried about you, Cassie. You were sad this morning.” Quetzal continued, obviously concerned about what made Cassie sad.
Cassie spoke up, “Yeah. I was sad because I didn't get picked for the book float. But then--” Cosmo suddenly speaks up.
“She met me.” Cosmo continued, with Cassie giggling.
“I ended up having fun anyway.” Cassie continued, clearly happy about her parade float and the adventure she and the gang had on it.
“You know, if you hurry, you can still find a place at the end of the School in the Sky parade.” Quetzal requested, making Cassie and Cosmo even more happy.
“Really?” Cassie asked, looking at the open spot of Luna and Sparkle’s float.
“Let’s do it!” Applejack exclaimed.
“Have fun, niños.” Quetzal said as everyone else got ready for more parade fun.
After the parade, it was time to go home. “I wish, I wish, to use this rhyme, to go back home, until next time.” Applejack, Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle said in unison as they went back home.
Instantly, they teleport back to Applejack’s place.
"Hey, I never did get my non-fizzy apple cider." Fluttershy complains. Luckily, Applejack has something better for her.
"What's that?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"A triple-decker apple pie with some chocolate chips, frosting and a cherry on top, plus some milk on the side." Applejack announced as she brought out her decked-out plate.
"Wow! You sure are a great chef, Applejack!" Fluttershy cheered.
"I should come here more often!" Sweetie Belle continued.
"Aw, shucks!" Applejack replied as she chuckled.
The End
|
ShopperBrony90
|
562091
| 12 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Diamond Tiara,Main 7 (EqG),Spike (EqG),Crossover,Human,Adventure,Anthology,Comedy,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
|
Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land (Volume 1)
|
The first volume of the Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land series
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Join the Rainbooms, Spike, the CMCs and Diamond Tiara as they go on new adventures with their friends (Ord, Cassie, Zak and Wheezie) in Dragon Land!</p><p>Co-written by <a href="/user/731647/PascalMulokozi2" rel="nofollow"><b>PascalMulokozi2</b></a></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-25T18:14:45+00:00
|
2024-08-03T13:14:38+00:00
| 160 |
It was a normal day here in Canterlot City. Rainbow and Scootaloo were getting ready for the big game in Dragon Land.
“Come on, Scoots. We can't be late for the big Dragon Ball game.” Rainbow Dash said, in a rush to make it to the Dragon Ball game.
“You bet!” Scootaloo replied as Rainbow got off her bed to fetch her Dragon Scale.
“Can I pitch in the game today?” Scoots asked.
“Okay, squirt…” Rainbow replied as she opened the closet. She misinterpreted Scootaloo’s request and was cut off by her.
“Oh, sweet!” Scootaloo shouted in excitement. She thinks Rainbow accepted her request, but she’s about to find out that she’s wrong.
They put on their dragon badges, held the dragon scale together and said the magic phrase: "I wish, I wish, with all my heart, to fly with Dragons, in a land apart!” Rainbow and Scootaloo all said in unison as the dragons on Rainbow’s wall flew off and swirled around them all and off they went!
Instantly, they appeared at a kickball field where Quetzal and the dragons were getting ready for the game.
“Hi, everyone!” Scootaloo greeted, obviously ready for some kickball action.
“¡Hola!” Rainbow greeted.
“¡Hola, Rainbow! ¡Hola, Scootaloo!” Quetzal greeted them back, happy that they made it.
“You're just in time…” Cassie said before Ord continued, “...for a team hug!”
The dragons all walk to the duo to give them a hug. It lasted until Quetzal explained the rules: “Okay, niños, let's go over the rules again. When the pitcher rolls the ball to you, kick it as hard as you can and run! If you can get all of the way around the bases, before anyone tags you with the ball, you get a point.”
“…and the team with the most points, at the end of the game, wins!” Zak explained.
“Correcto, Zak, but more important than winning…” Quetzal explained before Wheezie continued “...is having FUUUUUUUUUN!!!!!!!” All while she was blowing her trumpet.
“Okay, niños, play ball!” Quetzal commanded, thus beginning the game.
A red dragon puts down the ball as Rainbow and Scootaloo run to it. Rainbow picks it up but is cut off by Scootaloo running up to it as well. She wanted to pitch the ball, but Rainbow was pitching instead.
“Give me the ball, Rainbow.” Scootaloo commanded.
“What for?” Rainbow asked, confused.
“I'm pitching.” Scootaloo pointed out as Rainbow glared at her in confusion and annoyance.
“No way! You're playing out there with Ord.” Rainbow commanded as she pointed to Ord, who's waving.
“But you said I could pitch!” Scootaloo yelled.
“Did not!” Rainbow yelled back.
“Did too! In your room!!” Scootaloo yelled again, obviously getting a little mad.
“Did not!! Just go out and play with Ord, squirt!” Rainbow commanded, getting mad too.
“It's not fair!!” Scootaloo yelled, obviously not having what Rainbow’s saying to her. Suddenly, Scootaloo slapped Rainbow’s arm really hard, causing her to drop the ball to the ground. Woah! Talk about an over-reaction!
“Ow! That hurt!” Rainbow cried out as Quetzal walked over to the field.
“Scootaloo hit me!” Rainbow cried out as she rubbed her arm.
“Why did you hit your sister, Scootaloo?” Quetzal asked, trying to find out what happened.
“She said I could pitch!” Scootaloo replied in anger.
“I never said that!” Rainbow replied back.
“Did so! I asked you before we left home and you said, ‘okay’!” Scootaloo said, still in anger.
“I said, "Okay let's go." I didn't hear you ask to pitch! You should listen next time, squirt!” Rainbow answered. Luckily, Quetzal broke up the argument before things got ugly.
“All right, niños! Go ahead and pitch, Rainbow. Scootaloo, we need to talk.” Scootaloo walks away angrily from Rainbow with Quetzal off the field. An orange dragon kicks the ball after Rainbow rolls it. It was going high.
“Get it, Cassie!” Rainbow commanded as Ord tells the pink dragon to throw it to him.
Cassie runs as she tries catching the ball. She whacks it to Ord with her tail, but it lands in his pouch.
“Where did it go?” Ord asked, who was confused about where the ball went.
“In your pouch! Hurry!” Rainbow answered.
Ord gets the ball out from his pouch, but the orange dragon makes a home run. That means 1 point to the away team.
Score:
Home Team (Team Rainbow and Scoots) - 0
Away Team - 1
Meanwhile, Scootaloo is watching off field with Quetzal to reflect what she did to Rainbow.
“The game is starting, Quetzal!” Scootaloo points out, not wanting to miss the game.
“I know, it's okay to be angry, Scoots, but the first rule in Dragon Land is that you cannot hit anyone.” Quetzal explained.
“But I want to pitch!” Scootaloo replied, still feeling annoyed.
“I understand, but you must never, ever hit. Next time you get angry, Scoots, use your words, not your fists. Just say how you feel, but don't hit.” Quetzal continued.
“All right. Can I go play? I feel ready.” Scootaloo requested. Quetzal accepted the request, therefore Scootaloo’s back in the game.
“Sí, but if you hit someone again, I'll have to take you out of the game.” warned Quetzal.
“Got it!” Scootaloo replied as she ran next to Ord. Rainbow throws the ball to one of the dragons from the other team, who kicks it to Scootaloo.
“I got it!” Scootaloo yells out. Suddenly, Ord blocks him and catches it before she can.
“No fair! I was going to catch it!” Scootaloo yelled out, clearly disappointed that she didn’t catch the ball. The good thing is that she didn’t get all physical about it.
“Sorry, Scoots. You'll get the next one.” Ord promised.
“Good work, Scootaloo! You used your words!” Quetzal praised as she walks away from Ord.
Score:
Home Team (Team Rainbow and Scoots) - 1
Away Team - 1
Rainbow throws the ball to one of the dragons from the other team, who kicks it to Zak and Wheezie.
“Oh, oh, oh... I got it!” Wheezie shouts out. “You mean we both got it! Because we only have two hands.” corrected Zak just before the ball landed in Wheezie’s mouth. “Toooooooold 'ya!” Wheezie said with the ball still in her mouth while Zak chuckled and was feeling proud of her sister. The dragons from their team cheer about Wheezie’s accomplishment, while three of the dragons from the other team surprisingly and disappointingly watch after their teammate gets eliminated.
Score:
Home Team (Team Rainbow and Scoots) - 2
Away Team - 1
Rainbow throws the ball to a red dragon, who tries to kick it to Scootaloo.
“Look out, Ord! I got it, I got it!” Scootaloo yelled out as she ran to catch the ball.
“It's yours, Scoots!” Ord cheered.
Scootaloo tries to catch the ball, but she blinks, and it bounces in front of him and lands in Ord's hands. Ord was feeling embarrassed that he catched the ball even though he let Scootaloo catch it.
“No fair! That was my ball! I was supposed to catch it!!” Scootaloo gets mad again and kicks Ord's tail.
“OW!! Ooh, ooh, oh my tail!! YOU HURT MY TAIL!!!” Ord begins to cry. Scootaloo is starting to feel guilty that he had hurt her best friend. Rainbow Dash, Zak, Wheezie, Quetzal and Cassie walked over to him and Scootaloo.
“Are you okay, Ord?” asked Quetzal, concerned about what happened.
"I tried to let Scootaloo catch it, but she closed her eyes and the ball bounced in front of her. I wasn't even trying to get it, but it landed right in my arms and--and--and then she kicked my tail!” Ord answered tearfully.
“He didn't let me catch the ball!” Scootaloo pointed out, angry and guilty about what she did.
“Entiendo, but you're going to have to come out of the game for a while.” Since Scootaloo hit Ord too (just like when she hit Rainbow Dash), she is being taken out of the game for a while.
“Without Scoots, we only have four players on our team, and they have five!” Cassie explained, disappointed.
“We'll never win now!” Zak said, doubting that his team will win.
Several minutes passed, Rainbow threw the ball to a blue dragon. The blue dragon kicks it, taking first base.
At time out, Scoots and Quetzal were chatting.
“Did you see how sad Ord was when you hit him, Scoots?” asked Quetzal.
“I used my words, but he didn't listen.” complained Scootaloo.
“Well, the next time you feel like hitting somebody, stop and find something to hit instead.” Quetzal advised.
“Huh?” Scoots replied. Soon, she found a basket with some balls. “Like Dragon Balls?” she asked.
“SÍ! ¡Perfecto, Scootaloo! You can hit them as hard as you want, and nobody gets hurt.” said Quetzal.
Scoots then tips the basket over and kicks a few dragon balls.
“Oh, yeah!” said Scoots, who is finally in a good mood. She kicks some more balls, impressing Quetzal.
A few minutes pass, and a red dragon throws the ball to Zak and Wheezie. They tried kicking it, but they missed.
“¡Está bien! Give it another try, niños!” encouraged Quetzal.
“We only have one more try, Zak! Time for my special kick!!!” Wheezie said
“Don't do it, Wheezie!! Remember what happened the last time?!” Zak said, nervous, just when the red dragon suddenly throws the ball again.
"Yeah! I really gave it a... kick!" Wheezie said before they could kick the ball. Unfortunately, they missed again and fell to the ground. With that, they’re out.
“Ouch!” reacted Quetzal as he chuckled, “Better luck next time, niños.”
Score:
Home Team (Team Rainbow and Scoots) - 3
Away Team - 6
“I'm up!” Rainbow said.
“We're losing by three!” Cassie said
“You got to get a point, Rainbow Dash!” Ord commanded.
“On it!” Rainbow said.
Then, the red dragon throws the ball to Rainbow, who kicks it.
“Huh?” The blue dragon said, looking confused.
Everybody claps and cheers while Rainbow's running. The ball lands on the purple dragon, who throws it on the ground. That dragon picks it up and throws it to the orange dragon and everybody cheers.
“You did it!!” Cassie said
“Hooray!!!” Everyone cheered, proud of Rainbow’s run.
Score:
Home Team (Team Rainbow and Scoots) - 4
Away Team - 6
“Cassie, you're up!” Quetzal signaled as Cassie began her turn. The red dragon throws the ball to Cassie, who kicks it.
“I kicked it! I KICKED IT!!!” Cassie cheered, but there was no time to celebrate yet.
“Run, run!!! Everyone cheered.
Cassie runs but gets caught in the middle of two other dragons, the Cyan Dragon and the purple dragon.”
“Uh, oh!” Cassie said. She didn’t know what to do, until she got an idea.
“What's that?” Cassie asked as she pointed up to the sky to form a distraction. The two dragons look up but don’t see anything.
“See 'ya!” Cassie taunted, having tricked the two dragons so she could get by.
“HEY!!!” the Cyan Dragon yelled. Suddenly, the purple dragon throws the ball, which lands on the orange dragon's head while Cassie runs.
“All right, Cassie!!” Rainbow yelled out in excitement.
“Way to go!!” Ord said.
“Yay, Cassie!!!” Everyone cheered.
Score:
Home Team (Team Rainbow and Scoots) - 5
Away Team - 6
After that, everyone switched sides.
“Now do you think you're ready to play without hitting, Scoots?” asked Quetzal.
“Uh huh!” Scoots said.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Go get 'em!” Quetzal encouraged.
“YEAH!!!” Scoots said as she got off the rock and got back in the game. Rainbow throws the ball to the cyan dragon. The cyan dragon kicks it to Scoots.
“Got it!” Scoots said, having to catch the ball after it bounced a few times.
“Tag him, Scoots! Tag him!!” Ord cried.
“Nyah, nyah! Can't tag me!” taunted the Cyan Dragon as he runs along with Scootaloo chasing him.
“Oh!” grunted Scoots. Scoots felt so mad… she felt like she wanted to hit, just like she did to Rainbow Dash and Ord, but remembers what Quetzal told her.
“Yes, I can!” Scoots said. Just like that, she tags the cyan dragon out.
“He's out, yeah!! Way to go, Scoots!” Everyone cheered.
Score:
Home Team (Team Rainbow and Scoots) - 6
Away Team - 6
After that, the teams switched sides. The red dragon, who throws the ball to Ord.
“Go, Ord!!"! Everyone cheered as the ball traveled all over the field.
“I'm going to get a point! I'm...!” Ord cheered. But however, the orange dragon on third base tags him out before he can reach the base.
“Gotcha!” said the Orange Dragon, tagging Ord out. Everyone groans in disappointment as Ord gets tagged out and he walks away sadly.
Score:
Home Team (Team Rainbow and Scoots) - 6
Away Team - 7
“Sorry, Ord. Zak and Wheezie, you're up!” Quetzal signaled. Zak and Wheezie walk to start their turn since they’re on the field.
“We have to get two more points!” Cassie said.
“You two can do it!” Ord said.
“I know you can!” Rainbow Dash cheered.
“Not so hard this time! Okay, Wheezie? My scales are still rattling from last time” suggested Zak as he still felt dazed from that last kick. He also puts a helmet on his head.
“I can't help it, Zak! I just love Dragon Ball!...” Wheezie said “...It's such a kick!!” The red dragon throws the ball to Zak and Wheezie, who kick it.
“Run!!!” Everyone cried. With that, Zak and Wheezie ran with everyone cheering them on. Suddenly, the ball lands on the red dragon, who throws it to the cyan dragon. Zak and Wheezie gasp and run. Luckily, they made it to base.
“They did it!! Rainbow cheered. Everyone cheered and were very proud of their accomplishment.
Score:
Home Team (Team Rainbow and Scoots) - 7
Away Team - 7
“Okay, Scootaloo, you're up!” Quetzal signals, as Scootaloo takes home base. Everyone was cheering her on. They were all hoping she would get one more point so she could win it for the team.
“If you get a point, we win!” Cassie cheered.
“Don't worry, I'm a great kicker.” Scoots said, confident that she’s going to win it all for the team.
“Yeah, I know.” Ord said, rubbing and holding his hurt tail. The red dragon throws the ball to Scootaloo. She tries to kick it but misses and starts to get angry.
“No fair! That was too fast!!” Scoots complained. Scoots stomps his foot in frustration and his friends look worried. The red dragon throws the ball to Scootaloo again. She tries to kick it, but she fails again and falls to the ground. Scoots gets very angry this time and is getting ready to walk over to where the red dragon is and hit him.
“Seriously?!?!” Scoots yelled.
“Scootaloo, remember what I told you.” Quetzal reminded.
“I know, but what else can I hit?!” Scoots complained. Suddenly, the red dragon throws the ball to Scoots once more and she finally kicks it. She was impressed by how hard she kicked it, so was the red dragon.
“Go, Scoots!!! Run!!! You can do it! Keep running!!!” They cheered. The ball lands in the cyan dragon's arm. Scoots crawls under the cyan dragon's arms to avoid getting eliminated, causing the cyan dragon to lose his hat while looking down.
“Huh?!” Cyan Dragon said, confused. The cyan dragon throws the ball, but it hits the orange dragon on the nose, and Scoots makes it to home base, sliding hands-first in the dirt.
“I did it!!! I got a hit, without hitting anyone!!!” Scoots said, excitedly triumphant.
“Hooray!!!” Ord cheered.
“We won!!!” Cassie cheered as Ord lifted Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo and Cassie up to hug them.
“Oh, yeah! We rock!” Rainbow cheered.
With that, team Rainbow and Scoots won the game! They had so much fun with it too. Having fun is more important than winning after all. Scootaloo's dragon badge starts glowing. She has learned that using her words is a better way of expressing feelings. She also learned that no one should ever resort to violence.
Final score:
Home Team (Team Rainbow and Scoots) - 8
Away Team - 7
After the game, it was time to go home. “I wish, I wish, to use this rhyme, to go back home, until next time.” Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash said in unison as they went back home.
In an instant, the two are taken back to Rainbow’s bedroom with trophies.
“We're the Dragon Ball champs, Scoots!” Rainbow cheered.
“Yeah! Did you see the way I kicked the ball, Rainbow Dash? Just like this!” Scoots bragged as she kicked in the air, but her shoe came off and landed onto Rainbow’s trophy.
“Score! Way to go, Squirt!” Rainbow exclaimed as they both fist bump and laugh.
The End
|
ShopperBrony90
|
562091
| 13 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Diamond Tiara,Main 7 (EqG),Spike (EqG),Crossover,Human,Adventure,Anthology,Comedy,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
|
Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land (Volume 1)
|
The first volume of the Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land series
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Join the Rainbooms, Spike, the CMCs and Diamond Tiara as they go on new adventures with their friends (Ord, Cassie, Zak and Wheezie) in Dragon Land!</p><p>Co-written by <a href="/user/731647/PascalMulokozi2" rel="nofollow"><b>PascalMulokozi2</b></a></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-05T01:07:32+00:00
|
2024-08-05T01:07:41+00:00
| 90 |
It’s a beautiful day at the Apple Family home and Pinkie Pie is there taking care of her plants that are given to her from science class while Applejack is taking care of her own plant. Applejack’s plant has grown really fine, but Pinkie’s plant is not really doing well. It’s because Pinkie has used cake batter and sugar in the soil.
“Uh, Pinkie. I don’t think you should use cake batter for plant care.” Applejack said, while Pinkie Pie giggles.
“What’s the problem? Why is it so bad to feed the plant sugar? It’s usually how things get up and go.” Pinkie replied before her plant drooped down. “Oh, that’s why.” she continued, giggling. She has earned herself a seriously disappointed look from Applejack’s face.
“Ugh, Pinkie. When will you ever learn?” Applejack sighed just as she notices that there’s a glow emitting from her room. Applejack realized what that meant.
“The dragons need us. Let’s go and see what they’re up to.” Applejack exclaimed, setting her plant down and putting her dragon badge on.
“I’m right behind you, Apple Girl!” Pinkie Pie shouted as she followed the country girl, putting on her own dragon badge.
They both went to Applejack’s room, opened the closet in her room and held the magic dragon scale together as they recited the code rhyme. “I wish, I wish, with all my heart, to fly with dragons in a land apart.” the duo said in unison as the wallpaper dragons spun around them and off they went!
One flash later, Applejack and Pinkie Pie appear at the garden area where Ord and Cassie are waiting for them.
“Hi, guys!” Applejack and Pinkie Pie exclaimed in unison with Pinkie throwing confetti out her hair upon her arrival.
“Apple Pie sandwich” Ord exclaimed as he came up and gathered Applejack and Pinkie in a tight hug. It wasn’t long until he noticed that he was practically squishing the girls, and he set them down.
“What are y’all up to?” Applejack asked.
“We’re planting a garden. We can even use Wonder Water. It's a special water formula that makes plants grow big and fast.” Cassie explained as Applejack and Pinkie are intrigued.
“We can plant a whole vegetable garden with lots and lots of different seeds, with pumpkins, cucumbers, rutabagas and everything!” Ord exclaimed, excited about the food they’re going to grow.
“Oh, sorry sugarcube. We don’t have any seeds.” Applejack said, disappointedly. Luckily, Ord came to the rescue as he pulled some vegetables out of his pouch.
“Hey, those are not seeds!” Pinkie exclaimed, giggling. Luckily, Ord realized what he needed to do to make seeds. He eats all the vegetables in one bite and spits out their seeds into different piles.
“Now, that’s better. Let’s get to work, y’all!” Applejack commanded as everybody got ready for their tasks.
“I’ll be right back with the Wonder Water.” Cassie spoke as she flew off to get the water formula they needed.
Their first task is to get the soil ready. They were moving all the rocks and sticks away before they made straight lines on the soil with their rakes. Applejack and Ord were doing really well. As for Pinkie Pie, she has gotten back to her silly ways.
“Hey, Applejack! Look how fast I’m going!” Pinkie exclaimed as she started dragging her shovel against the dirt. She wasn’t making straight lines. She was running everywhere while not paying attention!
“Pinkie! What are ya doing?! Straight lines.” Applejack said, clearly annoyed by her friend’s actions. Pinkie stopped immediately upon cue and looked behind her.
“Oh, sorry.” Pinkie apologized, feeling dumb. Luckily, Applejack forgives her.
“It’s okay, sugarcube. Please watch where you are doing next time.” Applejack instructed, feeling less annoyed.
The next step is that they planted the seeds in the soil, and they stick the stakes with illustrations of vegetables they’re making: one stake / illustration per vegetable. That way, they know where they can find what they planted in the soil. They are markers. Ord was especially excited to see all the food that’s going to grow!
“Yummy pumpkins, crunchy carrots, tasty rutabagas… I can't wait.” Ord exclaimed in happiness as he and Applejack went off-site to wait for Cassie to show up with the Wonder Water. Pinkie Pie was just lying there by the tree, getting some tan. She made another ditzy mistake. She pulled the markers off the spots on the soil! She approached the duo.
“Hey, you left all those signs here.” Pinkie exclaimed as she dropped the signs in front of them.
“Uh oh! Now we can’t tell where everything’s planted.” Ord spoke in worry. Pinkie Pie tries to speak up, but Applejack obviously didn’t want to hear it.
“Save it. I think you have done enough for today.” Applejack scolded as Pinkie hangs her head down in shame, feeling bad about what she did. Her hair has also deflated in defeat.
Later, Applejack and Ord are fixing up the garden while Pinkie is sitting alone by the tree. Cassie then arrives with a watering can.
“What are you doing over here all by yourself?” Cassie asked.
“I messed up the garden.” Pinkie replied.
“You did? It looks nice to me.” Cassie spoke, confused.
“That’s because Applejack and Ord fixed the garden like nothing happened.” Pinkie clarified.
“Oh, cheer up Pinkie. You can help me with the Wonder Water.” Cassie offered. Unfortunately, Pinkie gave a hard pass to the offer because she knows she’s going to mess up again. It was just then Ord and Applejack came calling, because they wanted Cassie to come in to help.
“Coming, Pinkie?” Cassie asked.
“No thanks. Hard pass. I’ll probably just do something else wrong.” Pinkie replied as she walks off to be alone with her hair deflated while Cassie brings the water over to the garden.
“Howdy! Welcome back, sugarcube. Is that Wonder Water?” Applejack asked as she grabbed the watering can. She was about to water the plants, but Cassie stopped the cowgirl.
“Applejack, wait. My dad told me just a single drop on each seed is all you need.” Cassie explained as she dripped one tiny little drop in each mound. One drop made the plants magically grow upon touch.
“Whoa, nelly! Hey, Cassie. Do you think you can give me and my friend some Wonder Water when we get home?” Applejack asked. “Pinkie and I are working on some plants for science class.”
“Sure! I’m happy to help.” Cassie exclaimed, giving her 2 cups. She can use one cup to give to Pinkie, who was out in the field.
“Now, we’ll just have to wait for everything to grow.” Applejack spoke. Ord has got an idea that will help make time fly.
“Let’s go to my cave while we’re waiting. I bet my mom will make us all lunch.” Ord speaks, obviously hungry.
“Good idea. By the time we come back, the garden will be blooming.” Cassie agreed as they all went to Ord’s cave. Applejack sees Pinkie just sitting on the field alone.
“Hey, sugarcube. Don’t you want to come with us for a lunch break?” Applejack asked.
“No, thanks. I’m good alone.” Pinkie Pie replied.
“Okay, then. We can at least bring you something to eat for a change.” Applejack said as she and the dragons left.
As they leave, Pinkie goes over to check on the garden. She sees that nothing is growing.
“Come on, grow.” Pinkie cheered, starting to cheer herself up with her hair inflating back to its original state. She sees the watering can and gets an idea
“Ooh, I’ll bet you’re really thirsty.” She grabs the can and feeds the seed some water. She didn’t use a drop as required. She used a lot of Wonder Water. As a result, it grows a giant beanstalk that takes her up to the clouds! She jumps off the beanstalk. Luckily, she didn’t fall through, because clouds were like trampolines.
“Ooh, bouncy!” Pinkie exclaimed, giggling. It was when she heard a voice that made her snap back to reality.
“I remember when I first got here. I loved bouncing on the clouds too.” The voice exclaimed.
“Who’s there?” Pinkie asked, curious of whomever that voice belonged to.
“You! Down here!” the voice exclaimed as she digs in the clouds, and she finds a tiny elf!
“Whoa, who are you?” Pinkie asked in surprise.
“The name’s Squink and you’re here to rescue me, right?” the elf introduced himself.
“What?” Pinkie exclaimed, confused.
“So, what did you bring? Helicopter? Hot air balloon? Ladder? I floated up in a soap bubble a long, long time ago. I’ve been stuck in this cloud ever since. Can we go now? Please?!” Squink asked in worry.
“Go where? We’re way high up in a cloud. Besides, I’d only mess up.” Pinkie said as her hair deflates again.
“So, what this here means is we're doomed! we're gonna be stuck up here forever.” Squink yelled in panic.
“There, there. It’s okay, Squink. We can just climb down. There’s this giant stalk that took me here.” Pinkie offered, which made Squink feel better. Her hair inflated as she offered Squink a ride in her hair. She picked her elf friend as he hopped in her hair. They were both approaching the beanstalk until the unfortunate happened at the wrong time! It suddenly got windy!
“Whoa!” Pinkie exclaimed when she realized that the cloud they’re on is moving away from the stalk. “Oh, no. We’re being blown away!”
“Oh, let me tell you, this ain’t good!!!!” Squink panicked as he realized that they can’t do anything at that point!
Meanwhile, back on the ground, Applejack and her friends were back until they saw the giant beanstalk that grew because of the Wonder water.
“Amazing…” Applejack said in awe.
“Wonder water really works,” said Ord.
“I don't understand. Cassie said. We only used a drop. It's like someone used the whole can.” she continued before she noticed that Pinkie Pie was missing.
‘Hey. Where's Pinkie?” questioned Applejack. “Pinkie! Where are you?” She yelled.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are.” Ord said.
“Uh-oh.” Cassie said in shock.
“Do you see Pinkie?” asked Applejack
“Not exactly. But something tells me Pinkie is… up there.” said Cassie.
The others flew up in the sky from the beanstalk to find Pinkie, but to no avail.
Meanwhile, Pinkie and Squink were still finding a way to get back down on the ground.
“Let’s see. What would Applejack do to get down from here?” Pinkie questioned herself.
“Who’s this….Applejack?” Squink asked
“My friend. She always has good ideas.” Pinkie explained
“Good ideas. Yeah. That’s what we need. I’m sure you can think of one.” Squink replied.
“Really?” asked Pinkie.
“Sure. You strike me as a fellow with a lot of good ideas.” Squink said.
“But all I do is mess up.” Pinkie said.
“Come on. Give it a try. Please?” Squink asked
“Maybe if I just keep thinking.” Pinkie said.
Pinkie started pacing, trying to get an idea of how they’re gonna get back to the surface. While she was pacing, she accidentally knocked Squink on the ground in the water can, and accidentally grew his beard longer!
“Hey. Hey. What happened here?” Squink said.
“Squink. Are you okay?” asked Pinkie.
“Okay?” Squink questioned. “This is the best beard I've ever grown. It almost touches the ground.” Realizing what Squink meant, Pinkie had an idea.
“The ground. You just gave me an idea.” Pinkie Said. There's still some wonder water left. I have three carrot seeds.” She explained.
“How can you think about food in a time like this?” questioned Squink.
“Here goes.” said Pinkie as she buried the seeds and poured the wonder water on the cloud, causing it to grow into a BIG carrot on the cloud!
“How did you do that?” questioned Squink in curiosity.
“Carrots grow down, not up. Applejack told me.” Pinkie said.
“Whoo-hoo! I knew you'd come through, Mrs. Good Idea.” Squink cheered.
“Okay, Squink. Hold on tight.” said Pinkie as she grabbed Squink in the hammerspace of her hair for safety.
“I think I better hide before…” Squink said before he continued.
“Whee!” cheered Pinkie as she held onto the giant carrot, sliding like she's a firefighter.
Meanwhile, the others were still finding Pinkie in the beanstalk, but to no avail.
“I don't see Pinkie anywhere.” said Cassie as Ord suddenly sees a huge carrot in the sky, looking so delicious…
“Yum. A giant carrot.” exclaimed Ord.
“Carrot?” asked Applejack.
Suddenly, Pinkie was still holding the carrot, sliding to get to the ground.
“Pinkie!” exclaimed Applejack. “It’s Pinkie Pie!” she said.
Pinkie was still sliding on the carrot, greeting her friends, she said; “Hi, everybody.”
She stopped sliding when she touched the ground.
“You can come out now, Squink.” Pinkie said.
“You sure?” asked Squink.
"Yes. We made it down." Pinkie exclaimed.
“I'm on the ground. Oh, I love you, ground. I love you, dirt. I love you. Love you. Love you!” Squink exclaimed as he jumped out of Pinkie’s hair. He was happy that he’s on the ground again after all those years.
“Pinkie! Are ya alright?” Applejack asked.
“She’s better than alright. She's my hero!” Squink said happily.
“Huh? Who in tarnation said that?” Applejack asks as Pinkie picks up Squink and holds him in his hand to introduce him to everyone.
“Everybody, this is Squink.” Pinkie said.
“This big fella saved the day!” Squink explained.
“I did it all on my own. I am useful after all” Pinkie continued.
Everyone praised Pinkie for saving Squink. It was time for Pinkie Pie and Applejack to go back home.
“I wish, I wish, to use this rhyme, to go back home, until next time.” Applejack, and Pinkie said in unison as they went back home.
They all went back to Applejack’s room and Pinkie’s plant is still droopy.
“Well, ah can help you with that, sugarcube.” Applejack said before Pinkie remembered something: Cassie gave her and Applejack some wonder water to take home with.
“Don’t worry, AJ. I got it.” Pinkie exclaimed as she grabbed the bottle of Wonder Water she had in her hair. She poured a drop in her plant and it grew back to perfection!
“Well, ah’ll be. Ya sure know how Wonder Water works after all.” Applejack praised.
“Thank you, sugarcube.” Pinkie exclaimed as they both laughed, happy that her plant is nice and healthy again.
The End
|
ShopperBrony90
|
562091
| 14 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Diamond Tiara,Main 7 (EqG),Spike (EqG),Crossover,Human,Adventure,Anthology,Comedy,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
|
Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land (Volume 1)
|
The first volume of the Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land series
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Join the Rainbooms, Spike, the CMCs and Diamond Tiara as they go on new adventures with their friends (Ord, Cassie, Zak and Wheezie) in Dragon Land!</p><p>Co-written by <a href="/user/731647/PascalMulokozi2" rel="nofollow"><b>PascalMulokozi2</b></a></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-23T13:09:17+00:00
|
2024-08-02T20:59:34+00:00
| 234 |
It’s another April Fools’ Day at the Pie family house and Pinkie Pie is having Apple Bloom, Applejack and Rainbow Dash over for a day of mayhem. First, Pinkie gives Rainbow Dash an innocent looking cookie.
"Well, thanks, Pinkie. I’m always up for a snack.” Rainbow replied, taking a bite of it. It was just at that moment when she tasted something suspicious and spit it out. She was disgusted but her mouth smells better. “Pinkie! What’s in that?!”
“Toothpaste, silly. April Fools!” Pinkie answered, laughing.
“You sure got me.” Rainbow said, laughing but feeling annoyed. Pinkie then tells Applejack and her sister that there’s a rodeo going on. Just when they all got there, it was obvious that there are no rodeo after all.
“April fools!” Pinkie Pie yelled out in happiness, with the others noticing that she’s going way too far with her pranks.
“Uh, Pinkie. Ah think ya may have gone a little too far with yer pranks.” Applejack said, sternly.
“What did I do?” Pinkie asked, confused as to why her friends are upset.
“Well, you should know that sometimes, pranks and practical jokes can be fun. They can get a little mean.” Rainbow explained with Pinkie frowning in shame.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.” Pinkie apologized sadly.
“It’s alright, Sugarcube. I know what'll make you feel better: let’s go to Dragon Land to see what our dragon friends are up to.” Applejack requested with everyone nodding yes in agreement.
Sometime later, they all went back to Pinkie’s house, puts their dragon badges on, opened the closet in her room and they all held the magic dragon scale together and they recited the code rhyme. “I wish, I wish, with all my heart, to fly with dragons in a land apart.” they said in unison as the wallpaper dragons spin around them in a tornado and off they went!
In Dragon Land near the Stickleback Mountains, the dragons are playing leap dragon.
“One leap dragon!” Cassie exclaims as she leaps and flies to the front of the line.
“Two leap dragons!” Zak and Wheezie leap and fly into the air and do a somersault before they hit the ground hard.
“Three leap dragon!” Ord leaps and flies into the air while looping when suddenly Applejack, Apple Bloom, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash appear right where Ord is supposed to land. “Howdy, yall!” Applejack greeted.
“LOOK OUT BELOW!!!!” Ord warns as he falls out of the sky and thuds on his bottom. Thankfully they all moved out of the way just in time. “What are you all playing?” Apple Bloom asked, curious about what they are doing.
“Leap Dragon!” Zak replied as he and Wheezie got up and stumbled. Pinkie Pie giggles seeing that.
“Wanna play?” Cassie requested, for which the girls all said “sure” in unison. Just like that, they all line up and are ready to play Leap Dragon.
“Ready?” Ord asked.
“Ready!” Apple Bloom answered before Ord leaps, flies into the air and he lands at the front. “Whoa!” she exclaimed, looking at the big line behind her. She has to leap over them somehow.
“Your turn now, Apple Bloom!” Ord signals as Apple Bloom backs up.
“Look out everyone!” Apple Bloom runs and jumps to the front of the line. But she wasn’t leaping over any of them; the way the others wanted to play.
“Hey!! You're not doing it right. You're supposed to leap over us!” Zak spoke, clearly pointing out Apple Bloom’s mistake. “Come on, Zaky, Let's show him!”
Wheezie replied as they back up and leap and fly into the air over them. They land at the front and turn around. What they didn’t realize is that their tail knocked a rock away as it ended up on a little trip which had it flying toward a strange arrow post with a golden dragon sign at the top. The rock bumps into the sign, making it face the other way and it releases magic sparkles which shower all over Dragon Land. The sparkles shower down on the Doodle Fairy, who suddenly starts flying in reverse with no control. Just when Rainbow Dash is up, the sparkles shower down on the gang.
“Ooh!! Sparkles.” Cassie exclaimed, adored by the magic shower.
Rainbow Dash runs and leaps over Ord, when she suddenly stops in mid-air and unexpectedly flies backwards the other way. “WHOAAAAAAA!!!!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she landed in a pile of leaves behind her. “What happened?”
Ord flew into the air, but he only flew backwards. He lands on a mushroom next to Rainbow.
“Wow, this sure is trippy!” Rainbow Dash spoke, trying to take in what went on with her and Ord.
“Yeah, you’re telling me.” Ord agreed, just as Cassie tries to walk. Unfortunately, she too only went backwards.
“You're supposed to leap dragon, like this!” Zak exclaimed as he and Wheezie also flew backwards and screamed until they landed in a mud puddle.
“Ooh. Opposite day!” Pinkie Pie laughs, seeing everything going in reverse, including herself.
“What's happening?” Apple Bloom wondered, shocked by what’s been going wrong with direction.
“I don't know. Now everybody seems to be going backwards!” Cassie explained, also confused by the sudden change in direction. Zak and Wheezie come out of the mud and run backwards while Wheezie laughs.
“Slow down!!!” Zak warned, getting really overwhelmed by the moving and confusion.
“Why?! It's so much fun!!!” Wheezie yelled out in a ditzy manner as she made them hop backwards more before laughing and snorting hysterically. They suddenly see that the river is flowing the wrong way and the waterfall is flowing up instead of down.
“Doesn’t anyone else think we should figure out why we keep going in the wrong direction?” Apple Bloom asks.
“You’re right, sis. Things are all mixed up, now!” Applejack replied.
“Maybe Quetzal knows what’s causing this. Come on!” Rainbow Dash said as she ponies up, Apple Bloom, Pinkie and Applejack hopped on their dragon friends’ backs and off they went to the School in the Sky. The problem is that they’re all flying backwards! The girls have to sit the other way and watch for anything they might fly into along the way. Rainbow Dash was having the worst luck, since she couldn't quite turn her head around and she kept crashing into trees and anything in her way. Eventually, they arrived at the School in the Sky. They were hoping to get help from the great wise dragon, but he wasn’t there.
Suddenly, Cassie has an idea. She said, “Let's look in The Big Storybook.” And they walked backwards, until Cassie grabbed the book and flipped the pages to find the backwards Forwards Sign.
“Here it is. The Backwards Forwards Sign.” said Cassie. “When the backwards forwards sign gets turned around, the sun comes up when it should go DOWN. You take a step and back you fly. You can’t go forward, no matter how hard you try.” she narrated.
“So, that’s it! That’s how we got backwards.” Applejack said. “The sign must've turned around.”
“All we gotta do is turn it back and everything will be back to normal!” Pinkie said.
“All we gotta do?!” asked Zak, scared
“Where’s the sign, Cassie?” asked Pinkie.
“Near Dragonland Ledge.” said Cassie.
“C’mon. We were just playin’ there.” said Pinkie.
So, we have to go back to being forward, like we did going backwards.”
“Exactly… I think.” said Cassie.
Several minutes later, they were flying backwards, until they reached the Backwards Forwards sign, where Pinkie notices. Then they landed in a rough backward landing.
“Okay, all we have to do is turn the Backwards Forwards Sign around and everything will go back to the way it used to be.” instructed Rainbow Dash.
“But what about that sign?” asked Applejack, pointing to one sign.
“What about that sign?” Ord said, pointing to another sign.
“Oh, no!!! There's LOTS of signs! And only one of them is the right one!! What are we going to do?!?! WE'RE DOOOOOOOOOOMED!!!!!!!! Zak said, scared.
"Why don't we just turn each sign and see what happens?" Wheezie said.
“Can I turn one?” Ord asked.
"We can all turn one!" Pinkie instructed as everyone got ready.
"Here it goes..." Cassie said nervously. She turns one of the signs; suddenly, she starts floating in mid-air upside down.
“WHOAAA!!!!” Cassie yelled.
Suddenly, everyone was flipping and floating upside down, kind of like a different gravity field!
"Well, this is mighty disorientin'. Hope it doesn't last too long." Applejack commented, confused but determined to find a solution.
“That must be the Upside-Down Sign!!! Cassie, how are we gonna fix this?!” Apple Bloom said, tired from all the vertigo she and the others are feeling.
“Loooooove it!!!” exclaimed Wheezie while Zak was feeling nauseous. “I think I'm gonna be sick!”
"This is like a party trick gone wild! Wheee!" Pinkie Pie cheered, loving the chaos.
Thankfully, Cassie turns the sign back the other way; everyone flips right side up and lands normally again.
“Sorry.” Cassie apologized while Pinkie Pie walked to another sign.
“Or maybe it's this one?” Pinkie asked as she turned it. Suddenly, everyone started floating mid-air horizontally!
“WHOAAAAAA!!!!” cried everyone.
"AJ, this is pretty neat, huh?" Apple Bloom asked, clearly intrigued.
“Really loooooooove it!!!” Wheezie exclaimed.
"I can handle this, no problem." Rainbow Dash said, confident and getting competitive.
"Uh, Pinkie! Put us down right now!!!" Applejack yelled out, clearly having enough of the gravity changes.
"Oh, come on Applejack. This is like we're floating on a cloud of candy! Why should we stop?" Pinkie complained.
A serious grin from Applejack finally convinced Pinkie to turn the sign back the other way. With that, everyone flips vertically and lands normally again. Sometimes, Applejack's looks can kill. She doesn't play around!
Ord then walks over backwards to another sign. “I bet it's this one.” Ord guessed, as he turned it. Suddenly, everybody flew up and were spinning, flipping and cartwheeling in mid-air nonstop!
"This is makin' me dizzy! Try to hold onto somethin', y'all!" Applejack exclaimed, getting even more disoriented as she was floating and spinning round and round.
"AJ, I don't know how much longer I can take this!" Apple Bloom screamed as she flips around in the air, dizzy and exhilarated.
“WHOAAAAAA!!!!! Cassie yelled.
"This is the wildest party ever!" Pinkie Pie screamed out as she cartwheels in the air, completely ecstatic and loving every moment of the craziness. She's Pinkie Pie, so what did you expect?
"This is insane, even for me!" Rainbow Dash screamed as she cartwheeled in the air as well, frustrated that she magically has lost control of herself. “Can you please make this stop, Ord?!”
Ord is also about to spin like everyone else but turns the sign back the other way just in time and the spinning stops.
“I don't know what that sign is, but it makes me dizzy!” Ord said, feeling nauseous.
"Yeah. you're telling me, sugarcube!" Applejack replies, clearly on the verge of throwing up from all that spinning!
Once everyone recovered, Zak and Wheezie went to a different sign and were confident that they might have the right one.
“Please, be the right one…” said Zak, scared.
The 2 headed dragon turned the sign and it released magic sparkles which shower all over Dragon Land as showered over everyone.
“Nothing happened.”
“Do you think this is the backwards forwards sign?” asked Ord.
“Only one way to find out.”
Suddenly, she starts walking forward.
“It worked!”
Zak and Wheezie started to fly forward and Wheezie said; “We did it, WE DID IT!!!!” “We’re finally going forwards again!” Zak said happily.
Ord jumped forwards and was very happy about what he did. “I’m jumping forwards again!” he exclaimed.
Cassie did forward skips on one foot and said, “I’m skipping forwards!”
“And we’re hoping…” Said Wheezie.
Then they hopped until the others were shocked at what they saw; they bumped into the bouncy mushroom… and saw until Zak and Wheezie fell in the bush. Zak groaned.
“Backwards.” Pinkie said as everyone laughed
After a long, confusing day, it was time for the girls to head home. They all held their hands and said the magical phrase: “I wish, I wish, to use this rhyme, to go back home, until next time.” Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Apple Bloom said in unison as they went back home. Instantly, they arrived home, still a tiny bit dizzy from their backwards day.
“That was fun!” Rainbow said.
“Hey, look!” Apple Bloom pointed out.
“What?” Pinkie asked, when she realized that there was Cake. She went there to eat it, but when she was about to eat it, a small party cannon came out of the frosting and blasted confetti all over everyone.
“April FOOLS!!!” everyone said to Pinkie.
Pinkie Pie loved what Rainbow, Applejack and Apple Bloom did to her. Pinkie wasn't sad at all; she was just happy.
“Aw, thanks. You truly all are the best friends I could ever ask for.” Pinkie said as everyone giggled.
The End
|
ShopperBrony90
|
562091
| 15 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Diamond Tiara,Main 7 (EqG),Spike (EqG),Crossover,Human,Adventure,Anthology,Comedy,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
|
Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land (Volume 1)
|
The first volume of the Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land series
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Join the Rainbooms, Spike, the CMCs and Diamond Tiara as they go on new adventures with their friends (Ord, Cassie, Zak and Wheezie) in Dragon Land!</p><p>Co-written by <a href="/user/731647/PascalMulokozi2" rel="nofollow"><b>PascalMulokozi2</b></a></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-09T16:19:08+00:00
|
2024-08-09T16:21:12+00:00
| 76 |
It was another great day at Canterlot City and Sci-Twi, Sweetie Belle and Applejack were at Pinkie Pie’s house, watching some stand-up comedy with their pink friend. They were watching Jerry Seinfeld. The girls loved the jokes and they were laughing. Eventually, Pinkie’s laugh gets so crazy that they have to turn the TV off.
“Hey! What was that for?” Pinkie asked, oblivious to the others’ annoyed looks.
“I think you were laughing too hard. Sorry, but I believe it doesn’t make it fun to hang out with you.” Sci-Twi explained as Pinkie Pie sulked.
“Ah’m with her. You know if you laugh too hard, you could lose your voice.” agreed Applejack.
“I’m sorry, girls. I just love stand-up comedy. They’re just standing up!” Pinkie Pie said, laughing a little lower. "How about we play soccer with Rainbow or help Rarity with her fashion designs?” she asked, pulling a soccer ball out of her hair.
It was just then Pinkie Pie’s closet started glowing and you know what that means: the dragons are calling them!
“Looks like it’s Dragon Land time! Come on, girls!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go, everyone!” Sweetie Belle said as everyone else got their dragon badges from their pockets to put them on.
They run to Pinkie’s room where she puts her badge on and they hold the scale together while Applejack was holding Pinkie's ball under her arm. “I wish, I wish, with all my heart, to fly with dragons, in a land apart.” They all said in unison as the dragons on Pinkie's wall fly off, swirl around them all and off they go!
Sometime later, they all re-materialized just to see Ord enjoying his Dragonberry Ice Cream cone. Suddenly, a soccer ball flashed into view and landed on top of the ice cream cone. He licks the ball and realizes that something was off about his snack. It was when Pinkie and the others approached him.
“Hi, Ord. Wanna play soccer with us?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Oh, hi everybody! I’ll play!” Ord answered as the girls took the ball back, Ord ate the cone, and they went to the field.
“Well, the one rule to keep in mind is that you can't use your hands in soccer.” Applejack points out.
“Then I'll use my tail.” Ord replied as he swings his tail then bounces down the knuckerhole. It was just when Zak and Wheezie jumped up and then landed down into the ground.
“Hi Zak. Hi Wheezie.” Sweetie Belle greeted.
“Wanna play soccer with us?” Sci-Twi asks as she kicks his soccer ball and lands on Zak and Wheezie's neck.
“Yeah!” replied Zak.
“LOVE TOO!” Wheezie replied in her loud sing-song voice. Pinkie Pie can’t help but yell out in excitement, just as Zak and Wheezie swiveled at their tail and passed the ball to the pink party girl. Pinkie tries to kick the ball, but she misses as the ball lands right into a field of tall grass and fauna.
“I'll get it.” Ord calls out as he walks into the green grass and sees something green sitting on the soccer ball. It’s a frog (a Dragon Frog)! There is something very weird about the frog: it’s croaking like a rooster before it leaps off the soccer ball! The dragon frog leaps out the field with the others looking on, confused as to what they heard from the amphibian creature. Pinkie loves it of course.
“Ooh, croaking froggy!” Pinkie laughed.
“Uh, Ah don’t think frogs are supposed to sound like that.” Applejack said.
“They shouldn’t.” Sweetie Belle replies.
“I wonder why that frog is croaking like a rooster?” Sci-Twi asked herself when they suddenly heard a rustle again. It turns out to be a little green troll who was sitting on the soccer ball.
“Uh, because it sounds… FUNNY!!!” The troll shouts hysterically and throws the ball when Ord looks down. They saw him jumping out of the tall grass and making a goofy laugh.
“Who in tarnation are ya?” Applejack asked, confused about the troll’s hobby.
“Me? My name is Mr—” the troll greeted as he makes a pop sound with his mouth to display his name.
“Mr Pop?” Everyone asked.
“Delighted to meet you.” Mr. Pop greeted as the dragon frog hops away, looking a little bitter.
“How did you make that frog sound like a rooster?” Sweetie Belle asked as she hid behind Sci-Twi.
“Shhh! Don’t tell anyone, but I did it with this!” Mr. Pop replied as he pulled out a funny looking device from his coat. “My super, duper Sound Switcher!” he continued, laughing. Sci-Twi was impressed by the technology of the device.
“Intriguing! How does it work?” Sci-Twi asked.
“Simple as pie. Make a funny noise.” Mr. Pop explained with Ord volunteering as he pulls out a party noisemaker and blows into it, making a trumpeting sound. Mr. Pop pulls the handle on his device and the sound disappears. When Ord blows into the noisemaker again, it doesn’t sound like anything.
“I just suck the sound into this tiny, little bottle and then I can put it exactly where I want it to go.” He puts the device on Pinkie’s tummy and pushes the handle.
“That tickles.” Pinkie giggled as she felt the airwaves push into her belly. Whenever Pinkie rubs her belly, the noisemaker sound is heard.
“Ooh, trumpy-belly!” Pinkie giggled.
“You haven’t heard anything yet, ladies and gentle-dragons. I have a zillion more where that came from.” Mr. Pop continued as he pulled open his jacket, revealing numerous bottles of sounds in pockets. I have good sounds and bad sounds. Happy sounds and sad sounds. Quiet sounds AND LOUD SOUNDS!!!”
“Wow!” Ord exclaimed
“Ah, shucks! I wish you would make gadgets like that, Twi. Maybe that will take care of the Pinkie Pie laugh problem.” Applejack said, glaring at Pinkie as she was suddenly remembering the situation she, Twi and Sweetie Belle had before they went to Dragon Land.
“I want one of those Sound Switchers!” Pinkie Pie shouted at a great level of volume.
“Me, too.” Zak and Sweetie Belle exclaimed in unison.
“Where can I get one?” Wheezie asked, laughing. Mr. Pop was suddenly surprised about what he heard from the ditzy dragon.
“What did you say?” Mr. Pop asked.
“I said ‘where can I get one?’” Wheezie replied.
“No, no, no, no. After that.” Mr. Pop asked further.
“Uh…… after that, I just laughed.” Wheezie replied further, laughing again.
“That’s it! That’s the laugh I’m looking for! How would you like to trade that laugh for one of these genuine, one-of-a-kind, fully guaranteed giggles?” requested Mr. Pop as he pulled out a couple bottles containing laughter.
“Thanks, but I like my laugh just the way it is.” Wheezie said, denying the request.
“So do I!” Mr. Pop replied as he pulled out his Sound Switcher.
“Hey! What are you doing?” Zak asked, suspiciously.
Wheezie keeps on laughing. She doesn’t realize what’s going on as Mr. Pop sucks her laugh right out of her mouth.
“Ha Ha! I got your laugh.” Mr. Pop exclaimed.
“Got my laugh? You’re so funny.” Wheezie said as she tried laughing again, but nothing came out.
“Huh? What gives?” Wheezie exclaimed in shock.
“He does have it.” Zak exclaimed in panic.
“Give Wheezie’s laugh back, you big green meanie!” Pinkie yelled as she was shocked about what the troll just did.
“You know what, I have had just about enough of your voice, Pink Gal!” Mr. Pop exclaimed as he drained her voice. Pinkie yelled until she became completely silent, and Mr. Pop contained Pinkie’s voice in one of his empty bottles! She also turned black and white with her hair turning black, her body becoming white, her dragon badge turned from balloon to a gray sad face and her clothes magically changed into those of a mime!
Pinkie tried to talk or make a sound, but nothing came out! She became as mute as a mime!
“Oh no! Pinkie Pie! Are you okay?!” Sweetie Belle shouted in panic. Pinkie tried to speak again, but she’s still muted!
“Gotta run!” Mr. Pop said as he sprinted off like the speed of a race car.
“Hey! Come back!” Sci-Twi yelled to Mr. Pop as everyone gave chase.
Sci-Twi, Pinkie Pie, Sweetie Belle and Applejack raced after Mr. Pop. The troll suddenly moved aside and the girls fell. Ord sneaks right after Mr. Pop to grab him, but he leaps up.
“COME BACK WITH MY LAUGH!!!” Wheezie yelled while Pinkie Pie claps, balls her hands and covers her mouth to show that she wants her voice back. Mr. Pop pulls up the sound switcher to hear Wheezie's laugh as he runs into the field with Zak, Wheezie and Pinkie in pursuit. Zak grabs Mr. Pop's sound switcher and he & Wheezie fell backwards out of the field. Wheezie pushed the handle, but they didn’t find what they were looking for. It was Mr. Pop’s voice!
“FOOLED YOU!” Mr. Pop's voice said manically.
“Oh no! I'll never get my laugh back.” Wheezie sobbed.
Pinkie Pie was also sobbing with her hair straight down. She couldn’t make a sound, because she’s basically a mime.
“It’s okay, Pinkie. We’ll get your voice back.” Sweetie Belle said, as she comforted her.
“Sweetie Belle’s right, Wheezie. We just have to find Mr. Pop.” Zak said as he comforted her. Suddenly, the Dragons and the girls heard a moo coming from a rooster that came out of the bushes and moos right to his friends.
“That rooster sounds like a cow.” Sweetie said.
“Mr. Pop must’ve switched some of the animals' sounds around.” Sci-Twi exclaimed, intrigued and confused as to what was going on. Just as a Dragon Frog came in, nodding and letting out a clucking sound.
“Yeah. But, how do we find him?” Wheezie asked.
“By following the trailed animals that aren’t making the right sound.” answered Sci-Twi.
"If the frog is going Cock-a-Doodle-Doing and the rooster's mooing, then there must be a cow somewhere!" Zak said as the frog crows and then the rooster moos.
“That's goin' ribbit, ribbit.” Sweetie laughed.
“Well, what are we waiting for? WE GOTTA FIND THAT COW!” Wheezie exclaimed as they followed the cow. They raced towards the rooster and the frog. Suddenly, they heard a croaking sound.
“What'd you say, Mr. Dragon Frog?” Sweetie asked
“That wasn't the Dragon Frog. It came from over there.” Applejack said, pointing to the cow that is eating grass.
“It's the cow.” Ord explained just as the cow croaked up for help.
“Let's switch their voices back.” Ord said.
“Just leave it to Wheezie.” Wheezie said.
The rooster looks shocked as she pushes the handle on the Cow mooing sound.
“Hold this for a minute, Zaky.” Wheezie said as she pulled the handle on Zak's mouth.
Zak was shocked as he heard a moo from his own mouth. As Wheezie pulls up the handle to switch on the Rooster's voice. She pushes the handle on the rooster sound and puts it back in the rooster's mouth, he crows again happily. The Rooster flies out of the cows back. She sucks the sound out of the croaking sound, and pushes it in the frog's mouth. He starts to croak again then jumps out. Wheezie pulls the handle on the Sound Switcher on Zak's mouth, then pushes the cow's mouth inside. She starts to moo again.
“Phew!” Zak said, relieved.
“Everyone's back to normal.” Ord said.
“Except me. I want my laugh back.” Wheezie said, sadly.
“Pinkie wants her voice too. She misses it, and wants to go back to being the girl she used to be.” Sci-Twi said.
Pinkie couldn’t agree more. She was running her fingers down her eyes to show that she is still miserable without her voice.
“Mrs. Dragon Cow, you know that noisy little man that switched your voice? Did you see which way he went?” Sweetie asked, as the Dragon Cow nodded to Sweetie and moved in the right direction.
“Thanks. Come on, y’all.” Applejack said.
A few moments later, They started to continue on. Suddenly, a growling sound came near.
“What was that?” Sci-Twi asked.
“Ooh. I know that sound.” Ord said. “It's uh… uh… It's uh…” he stammered.
“A lion.” Sweetie answered.
“Yeah, a… Dragon Lion!” Ord said as he ducks down then covers his ears, feeling scared. Luckily, Sweetie Belle is there by his side to cheer him up.
“It came from over there.” Sweetie said.
“It's a waterfall.” Zak replied.
“Sounds like a mean one,” said Sweetie.
“Mr. Pop must’ve switched the sound.” Wheezie said
“W-w-why would you want a waterfall to sound mean?” Ord said, stuttering.
“Maybe to keep people from coming close to it.” Sweetie said.
“You're right, Sweetie. There is a cave behind the waterfall.” Applejack said.
“Let's see what's inside. Sci-Twi said.
When they went to the cave, the girls and the dragons were shocked and disgusted at what they saw at Mr. Pop’s place.
“Eww! Look at all this junk.” Zak exclaimed in disgust. He took a trumpet and blew real hard.
“It's broken.” Sweetie said
“This one too.” Ord said.
“Hey, they're not broken. I bet Mr. Pop took away their sound.” Sci-Twi explained as she held a bell. Suddenly, they heard an elephant sound and Mr. Pop was laughing hysterically. They look at Mr. Pop holding a bottle and pops up a cork to hear a goat bleating, while Mr. Pop laughs hysterically. He holds a duck sound and makes Mr Pop laugh.
“I WANT MY LAUGH BACK! GIVE IT!” Wheezie said, angrily
“We want Pinkie’s voice back!” yelled Applejack as Pinkie runs her hand down her face to form an angry expression.
“Okay, okay! Keep your scales on.” Mr. Pop said. “It's right over here with a hundred other giggles, snickers, and hahahah's. Chitters, chutters, and great guffaws.”
“Aw, we'll never find my laugh in all of those.” Wheezie said, feeling gloom.
“Sure we will. There's no other laugh like yours, Wheezie.” Zak said as Ord looks for Wheezie's laugh, including Pinkie’s voice then tries to grab the other bottle. Then Mr. Pop came over angrily.
“HEY! Watch the merchandise!” Mr. Pop said, angrily
Ord shockingly looks at the bottle. Then grabs it when the sound bottles suddenly begin to fall down on the floor.
“Oh no! Whoa!” Ord exclaimed. He slips his foot on top of the sound bottle and falls down, along with Zak and Wheezie landing down with the box of sounds. They heard Wheezie's laugh and Pinkie’s voice
“Hey! I heard my laugh!” Wheezie exclaimed.
"We hear Pinkie’s voice, too!” Sci-Twi exclaimed. Pinkie moves her hand up to form a happy face and her hair silently puffs to its normal form again.
“There it is!” Zak said, just as he picks up a bottle and Wheezie takes out the sound switcher.
“Let’s put them back.” Zak said.
Zak puts the bottle into the sound switcher and puts the sound into Wheezie’s mouth. But when she tries to laugh, a trumpet sound comes out.
“Now that’s funny!” Mr. Pop said, laughing.
“That is not your laugh, Wheeze.” Zak said.
“I know where that sound goes. It belongs to this trumpet.” Sweetie said as she picked up the trumpet Zak found earlier.
“Yeah.” Wheezie said.
Zak removes the sound from Wheezie’s mouth and puts it into the trumpet. Sweetie blows the trumpet and it makes the right sound. The gang hears Wheezie’s laugh again, including Pinkie’s voice.
“I hear your laugh over there!” Zak said
“Including Pinkie’s voice!” Applejack said.
Zak picks up another bottle, puts it in the gadget and puts the sound into Wheezie’s mouth, including Pinkie’s. However, once again, it is not the right one, as Wheezie and Pinkie let out a foghorn sound, which makes Mr Pop laugh even harder.
“Oh, that is so funny, it hurts!” Mr. Pop said, laughing crazily.
“Oh, if I don’t get my laugh back, I’m never gonna laugh again. Ever!” Wheezie said, sadly. Pinkie feels her hair deflate again.
“Don’t worry, Wheezie. Your big brother will get your laugh back.” Zak said as he picked up an empty bottle while Mr. Pop was still laughing.
“Oh, I’m laughing so much, it hurts!” Mr. Pop said, still laughing.
“Uh, Mr. Pop. I found a great sound for you.” Zak said.
“Really? A funny one? Oh, let me hear it!” Mr. Pop exclaimed, laughing excitedly.
As Mr. Pop keeps laughing, Zak uses the sound switcher to remove the laugh from his mouth. Zak takes another sound and puts that into him. When Mr. Pop tries laughing, it sounds just like a donkey.
“Oh no! My laugh!” Mr. Pop cried before he made a donkey sound.
Now you know how it feels to lose your laugh. Wheezie said, imitating the mean troll's laugh.
“I sure do. And it feels…..awful.” Mr. Pop said, sadly.
“I’ll give you your laugh back, if you give my sister her laugh back, including Pinkie’s voice.” Zak said.
“Okay, you win.” Mr. Pop said. He gives Wheezie's laugh and Pinkie’s voice to Zak and he sucks her sister’s laugh and Pinkie’s voice into their mouths and starts to laugh a little, while Pinkie turns from mime to her normal form. Pinkie’s dragon badge changed into that of a balloon, she got her colors and her clothes magically changed back from her mime outfit to her normal outfit.
“Hey! My laugh’s back” Wheezie said in joy while she laughed happily out loud.
“Hey! My voice is back!” Pinkie said in happiness.
Zak puts Mr. Pop's mouth into his Sound Switcher and sucks his laugh back into him. Mr. Pop started making a goofy laugh again.
“Ooh, my laugh! My wonderful giggly laugh! Oh, it's so good to have you back.” Mr. Pop said, giggling
“Uh, sorry, Wheezie. Including you, Pinkie” Mr. Pop apologized. "Friends?"
“Friends.” Wheezie & Pinkie said, shaking hands with the troll. Pinkie then grabs a pink glass as they hear a raspberry sound. They laugh as Mr. Pop bangs on the carver wood to make the sound bottles shake.
After a long, confusing day, it was time for the girls to head home. They all held their hands and said the magical phrase: “I wish, I wish, to use this rhyme, to go back home, until next time.” Sci-Twi, Pinkie Pie, Sweetie Belle and Applejack said in unison as they went back home.
They all made it back to Pinkie’s house just when the stand-up special they were watching had ended.
“Aw, we missed the special.” Pinkie said, sadly.
“Oh, don’t worry Sugarcube. Ya can find it anytime. There’s always reruns.” Applejack said as she turned off the TV and Pinkie Pie started to cheer up. The girls suddenly started hearing a hiccuping sound. It turns out Sweetie Belle got the hiccups from their adventure!
“Oh, my. Excuse me.” Sweetie exclaimed as everyone laughed.
The End
|
ShopperBrony90
|
562091
| 16 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Diamond Tiara,Main 7 (EqG),Spike (EqG),Crossover,Human,Adventure,Anthology,Comedy,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
|
Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land (Volume 1)
|
The first volume of the Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land series
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Join the Rainbooms, Spike, the CMCs and Diamond Tiara as they go on new adventures with their friends (Ord, Cassie, Zak and Wheezie) in Dragon Land!</p><p>Co-written by <a href="/user/731647/PascalMulokozi2" rel="nofollow"><b>PascalMulokozi2</b></a></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-21T20:15:04+00:00
|
2024-08-21T22:08:36+00:00
| 354 |
It was another great day at Canterlot High and the Rainbooms, Diamond Tiara, the CMCs and Spike were talking about what to give to their new dragon friends a book for story time in a group online chat.
“So, guys, any perfect books that you found to bring to Quetzal to read for story time today?” Sunset asked through video chat. “I brought mine of Equestrian History”.
“I brought books of the whole Daring Do series.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Bought a book about animal husbandry.” Fluttershy replied.
“Sweetie and I picked books about fashion.” said Rarity.
“Spike and I brought books of science and history.” Sci-Twi replied.
“I have a book of royalty and riches.” Diamond replied.
“I brought a book about parties and culinary sweet desserts.” Pinkie said
“Apple Bloom and I picked a book on planting apples.” Applejack said.
"Well, I picked mine that is all about extreme sports." Scootaloo replied.
“Great! Now, which book will Quetzal pick for us?” Sunset replied.
“Now that’s a good question…” Sci-Twi said. “Let’s just see what Quetzal thinks about which book he’ll pick.”
Seconds later, everyone opens their closets, puts their dragon badges on, got their dragon scales out as they get ready. “I wish, I wish, with all my heart, to fly with dragons, in a land apart.” They all said in unison as the dragons on their walls fly off and swirl around them all and off they went!
Sometime later, they all re-materialized in the School in the Sky, where their dragon friends are going there too.
“Hey, wait for us!” Sunset said.
They ran and said hi to their dragon friends.
“Did you bring a book, guys?” asked Ord.
“We did.” Sci-Twi replied.
They brought in their favorite books, and their dragon friends loved them. Then they walked in the building where Quetzal was waiting for them patiently.
“Hola, niños.” greeted Quetzal. “Come. Sit down.” he said.
The Rainbooms, the CMC, and Diamond asked them to read each story, but Quetzal said; “I'm glad you're all so anxious for me to read to you. But I'm afraid I can't possibly read every book today.”
“Why?” Apple Bloom said in protest.
Everybody groaned and complained why he couldn't read them today, but Quetzal had an idea.
“I know just the thing!” he said.
Quetzal walked into his shelf and grabbed a big book with the cover of a castle.
“A book about a castle? What does that have to do with storytime?” Sci-Twi said.
“That’s what we’re about to find out.” Sunset said.
“Wow. It's Quetzal's Big Storybook.” Ord said in amazement.
This isn't my Big Storybook, niños. This is my Magic Pop-Up Book.” Quetzal explained.
“Magic? You mean—” Sunset replied.
“Cool!” said Scoots.
Sweetie asked, “So, which story are you going to read to us?”
“I am not going to read any of them.” Quetzal replied.
Everyone groaned and complained why they couldn't, despite it being a “magic popup book” that resembles a castle.
Quetzal explained while pouring magic onto the book as the book glows; Because with this storybook, all you have to do is say the magic words "I imagine," and you can go into the book and make up any story you want.
He handed the book to Ord and said, “Try it.”
“Go ahead, Ord, say the word.” said Cassie.
Ord was reluctant, so he decided to give it to Cassie. He said, "You say it."
Cassie was handed the book and said, “Me? I think Fluttershy should say it.” she said as she hands Fluttershy the book.
“Okay.” Fluttershy replied. “Wow.”
Then she said the words, “I imagine.” Just then, just like a vacuum cleaner the rest of the gang starts to get sucked into the book just like magic! Suddenly, they were gone.
“Enjoy your story, niños.” said Quetzal.
Suddenly, the gang starts flying through a portal of pictures and words. They were flying and flying until they arrive at the white void, similar to the Construct from the Matrix.
“Where are we?” Zak asked, confused about where they are.
“Inside Quetzal’s pop-up book……. I think.” Wheezie replies, knowing that she’s right.
“But where’s the story?” Cassie asked, not seeing anything for a story anywhere.
“Yeah. And the pop-up stuff?” Diamond complains
“Quetzal said we can make up our own story.” Zak reminds.
“Well, maybe we have to say what we imagine, like ‘I imagine………wild flowers!’” Wheezie commanded, as a field of flowers suddenly appears as a story setting.
“A jungle adventure!” Scootaloo announced.
“Exactly like Daring Do!” Rainbow Dash agreed as everything changed into a jungle.
“I was imagining a tea party.” Zak suggested, as a table appears in front of the group, complete with a teapot and teacups.
“Yeah. With lots of big stuff to eat!” Ord spoke, with all the food appearing on the table.
“Aw, this is so adorable.” Sweetie Belle replied while Pinkie Pie was smiling even more to show her happiness.
“Oh, come on. This is so childish.” Diamond argued when suddenly the ground started shaking.
“Wh-What did you think of, Ord?” Zak wondered, noting the ground shaking.
“A watermelon.” Ord answered, sheepishly, just as a giant watermelon came rolling straight towards them.
“What about my Daring Do story?!” Rainbow complained.
We’ll finish it later. After we RUN!!!!” Zak yelled as they all ran away from the watermelon until they reached the edge of a cliff.
“We’re trapped!!!” Zak yelled in panic.
“No we’re not! It’s our story. We can imagine anything!” Fluttershy points out, reminding everyone of what they can do in the book.
“Oh, then I imagine NOTHING!!!! Zak yelled out as everyone screamed, fearing that they’re about to get squished by the watermelon. Thankfully, the watermelon disappears to blank along with everything else. Everything is all white again and everyone is relieved that nothing bad happened to them.
“Whew! That was close, yall” Applejack said.
“But fun!” Pinkie Pie replied. “Let’s start another story.”
“Wait! We can't all go at once.” Sci-Twi said, obviously overwhelmed by the way they’re all making stories.
Twilight’s right. We should take turns.” Sunset agreed, before everyone starts talking about who should make which story. The chattering became too much.
Wait! We have to decide who goes when.” Cassie said, coming up with an idea.
“You’re right, Cassie. Let’s pick numbers!” Sunset agreed, with Pinkie Pie pulling out a hat from her hair and Sunset making slips of paper that each had a number written on it. Sunsets put the slips in the hat before everyone started pulling their numbers.
“Hey! We got number 1!” Zak and Wheezie said in unison, excitedly. “Me, too!” Rainbow said.
“I’m second” Ord replied, with Fluttershy showing the number two as well.
“I got 3! Sunset Shimmer said, as Sci-Twi and Spike also show that they got 3 as well.
“Ah’m fourth!” Applejack exclaimed, with Pinkie Pie getting the 4 as well.
“We’re 5!” The CMCs said in unison as Diamond Tiara got a 5 as well.
“Looks like I’m last.” Cassie said, disappointedly, just when she pulled up a 6, realizing that she got the important part of their story. “Which means I get to make up the ending!”
Rarity pulled out a 6 as well. Everyone is happy about the positions of their story.Zak and Wheezie / Rainbow DashOrd / FluttershySunset Shimmer / Sci-Twi / SpikeApplejack / Pinkie PieThe CMCs / Diamond TiaraCassie / Rarity
“Well, I’m Astro Dash of Rainbow Command and I imagine we’re going into outer space!” Rainbow Dash spoke as everything turned into an outer space adventure and they were all on a spaceship. Ord sees something that freaks him out.
“What’s that, Rainbow?” Ord asked, obviously scared of what he saw.
“Dragon beetle aliens!” Scootaloo answered, as the beetles appear in front of them.
“B-B-B-Beetles?! This story’s too scary!! I imagine we’re back on the ground!” Ord freaks out, ending the story abruptly.
“Hey, no fair! My story’s ruined!!” Rainbow Dash complained.
“Yeah!” Scoots agreed, also feeling disappointed.
“It’s not your story, Rainbow and Scoots. It’s supposed to be all of ours!” Cassie said.
“But we picked numbers like Sunset said to!” Scootaloo complained even more.
“Only we didn’t go in order.” Ord replied, obviously finding what’s messing their story up.
“I guess we all got too excited.” Wheezie admitted, sheepishly.
“No matter what we do, our stories keep getting all messed up!” Rarity said, telling everyone what they’re doing wrong.
“Without any surprises.” Zak instructed.
“But surprises are the best part of the story. And I LOVE SURPRISES!!!!” Wheezie yells out.
“Well okay, but only if the surprise doesn’t surprise me.” Zak agrees, while being cautious.
“What should our story be about?” Cassie asked curiously.
“How about………castles?” Rainbow suggested just as everything turns into a fairy-tale world.
“With Knights in shining armor!” Fluttershy continued.
“And a big bad giant!” Wheezie continued, wanting some excitement obviously.
“Not too big.” Zak warned, clearly worried that the giant would be too big for his taste.
“...and lots of dragons!” Ord suggested, clearly forgetting that he’s a dragon.
“Of course there’s going to be dragons, Ord. You are a dragon!” Sweetie Belle said.
“Oh yeah!” Ord replied, sheepishly laughing at his mistake.
“And there were two brave knights.” Rarity narrates, as a silver suit of armor appears with her.
One named Lady Rarity and the other named Little Miss Belle!” Rarity continued, just as a suit of golden armor appeared with her sister. It wasn’t long before the visor of her armor fell.
“Hey! Your story doesn’t fit.” Sweetie Belle complained.
“Shhh! It’s not your turn yet, Sweetie Belle.” Cassie points out, letting Rainbow, Fluttershy and Sci-Twi pony-up and Spike dragon-up so they’ll be ready for a medieval adventure.
“Okay, now it’s your turn, Sweetie Belle.” Cassie signaled before Fluttershy interrupted.
“Wait, remember our order. I’ll help Sweetie Belle with her dilemma. I imagine that Sweetie Belle’s suit fits her better.” Fluttershy said, with Sweetie Belle’s suit beginning to shrink until it fits her size.
Sci-Twi are next “and I imagine the saddles got super rocket boosters. So, hang on!” Rocket boosters appear on the sides of the saddles of Ord, Cassie, Zak and Wheezie. They all blasted off while Sci-Twi, Spike, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flew behind them.
Once they arrive in the castle, they see a cage at the top of the really tall table. “Look!” Cassie spoke, pointing to the cage. The cage had a little fairy inside it.
“Aww, she's a little fairy princess, and she needs help. We’re gonna save her from the big, bad giant.” Sweetie Belle said, ready to rescue the fairy.
“W-W-W-Why not a nice, little giant?” Diamond asked, nervously.
“You can make him little when it's your turn, Diamond.” Rarity tells her.
“I like big giants.” Applejack suggested, just when they hear giant stomping sounds as they hide. The giant comes in and smells something that’s invading his castle. “Fe, fi, fo, fum, I smell the scales of a puny dragon.”
Just like that, the Rainbooms, CMCs, Spike, Diamond Tiara and their dragon friends come out of hiding.
“What do you want?” the giant asked in curiosity.
“Another story.” Ord stammers.
“No. We wanna save the fairy princess.” Sweetie Belle clarified
“Well, how are you gonna rescue the princess, huh?” the giant asked.
“Maybe we can trade him something.” Sunset suggested.
“Yeah! I know just what the giant likes: Music.” Pinkie Pie said. “I imagine… a drum set.”
Just like that, a drum set magically appeared in front of Pinkie Pie and she is set to play away. The CMCs, Diamond Tiara and Wheezie are set to sing.
♪ All around the dragonberry bush, the giant chased the Wheezie. The giant thought It was all in fun, pop goes the Wheezie! ♪
Wheezie, CMCs and Diamond finish the song with everyone laughing. The giant enjoys it a lot.
“That was great. You can have the fairy princess if I can keep the drum set.” The giant requested, happy from the entertainment he just got from the pink drummer and her recently imagined band.
“Deal.” Pinkie agreed, giving the drums to the giant while he set the princess free. The giant then leaves with the drums magically growing to the size more fitting for him.
“We did it. We saved the fairy princess.” Sweetie Belle stated as everyone celebrated their successful mission.
“It's your turn, Cassie.” Scootaloo said.
“Uh... uh… actually, I want you to say it Rarity” Cassie said.
As you wish, darling. I imagine that everybody lives happily ever after. The end.” Rarity said as everything starts sparkling and they vanish.
Sometime later, they went back to the School in the Sky where Quetzal is waiting for them
“Well, how was your story, niños?” Quetzal asked.
“It was awesome!” Scootaloo replied, excited about the experience everyone went through.
“At first, we were all trying to tell stories at the same time. It was kinda hard. But then, Cassie said we should take turns, so we did, and we made up a really cool story. Do you want to hear it? Huh? Do you, Quetzal?” Ord asked, getting carried away.
“Heh-heh-heh. Si. Tell me all about it.” Quetzal requested. His voice is immediately drowned out by everyone else's. Everyone is so excited that no one can get a word in edgewise.
“Whoa, whoa. Take it easy, niños! One at a time! One at a time!” Quetzal said, chuckling.
“I wish, I wish, to use this rhyme, to go back home, until next time.” the Rainbooms, Spike, CMC and Diamond said in unison as they went back home.
Back at home, they’re all having an online video chat again.
“What do you think of our story?” Rarity asked.
“It was amazing! I just wish we all would’ve had that kind of adventure again!” Rainbow Dash replied happily.
“Same here” Scootaloo said as everybody else raised their hands while on camera.
The End
|
ShopperBrony90
|
562091
| 17 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Diamond Tiara,Main 7 (EqG),Spike (EqG),Crossover,Human,Adventure,Anthology,Comedy,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
|
Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land (Volume 1)
|
The first volume of the Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land series
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Join the Rainbooms, Spike, the CMCs and Diamond Tiara as they go on new adventures with their friends (Ord, Cassie, Zak and Wheezie) in Dragon Land!</p><p>Co-written by <a href="/user/731647/PascalMulokozi2" rel="nofollow"><b>PascalMulokozi2</b></a></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-10T13:07:06+00:00
|
2024-08-10T13:07:09+00:00
| 103 |
It was a new day at Canterlot City and Rarity was talking with her sister, Sweetie Belle about the day she’s having with her friends. She’s going to help her friends hunt down some Equestrian Magic streams that have leaked in the human world.
“Wow, sis! Looks like you have a really busy day ahead of you.” Sweetie exclaimed in awe.
“Tell me about it!” Rarity replied.
“Although, I wish we could spend time together for a change. We’re sisters.” Sweetie said, feeling disappointed that she doesn’t get much time with her sister as much.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be sure to find time to spend with you.” Rarity replied as she hugged her little sister.
“Sisters?” Sweetie Belle asked, holding her hand out.
“Sisters.” Rarity answered, shaking hands with little Sweetie Belle. It was when Rarity’s phone started buzzing and she instantly picked it up. It was Sunset Shimmer who was calling her.
“Hey, Rarity. We found out that Micro Chips’ inventions went rogue with Equestrian Magic. We’ll need your help!” Sunset said.
“All right. I’m on my way.” Rarity said over the phone as Sunset said bye and hung up. Rarity grabbed her geode and gave her sister a kiss on the cheek before she left out the door.
Suddenly, there’s a glow in Rarity’s closet which means the dragons need them! Sweetie Belle opened the window and tried calling out for Rarity, but she’s already too far away to hear her.
“Hey, sis. Wait! The dragons need us…” Sweetie Belle called to no avail. “Well, I guess I’m going solo today.” she sighed.
She closed the window, grabbed her dragon badge, went to her sister’s room and held the dragon scale herself. “I wish, I wish, with all my heart, to fly with dragons, in a land apart.” She said in disappointment as the dragons on the walls fly off, swirl around her and off she goes!
She re-materialized near the docks where Ord, Zak and Wheezie were waiting. There’s a winged dolphin in the water.
“Hey, Sweetie! Over here!” Ord called out as Sweetie trudged towards them.
“Hi.” Sweetie Belle said, feeling all gloomy.
“I’m so glad you could come. Wait, what’s wrong and where’s Rarity?” Ord said.
“She went to hang out with her friends for another magic battle.” Sweetie Belle replied.
“Oh, we’re sorry to hear that. To keep your mind off your situation, we’re going to help Maui.” Zak explained
“Who's Maui?” Sweetie asked in confusion.
“She's our slippery flippery sea dragon friend…” Wheezie answered as she pointed to the sea dragon.
“Aw, she looks so cute!” Sweetie cooed, loving their fishy friend.
“...and she can't find her little sister Lanai. So, we said we'd help her look. We can’t swim as well as Maui, so we got this cool submarine and now we can all look for her. That's why we need your help. So, are you going to help us, Sweetie Belle?” Ord continued.
Sweetie Belle is happy to help her dragon friend. “Sure! I would love to go on an undersea adventure! We should wait for Rarity.” Sweetie said, feeling better.
“Well, when is she coming?” Wheezie asked.
“I’m not sure.” Sweetie replied just as Maui barked and squeaked impatiently.
“Maui says she can’t wait. We got to start looking for her sister Lanai right away.” Zak points out.
“Are you coming, Sweetie?” Wheezie asked.
“I want to. It’s just that I’ve never been in Dragon Land by myself without anyone with me before.” Sweetie answered, feeling even more gloomy.
“We could really use your help, Sweetie.” Ord said as Sweetie is starting to feel a lot better.
“Well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to go on another adventure with you guys solo.” Sweetie said. The dragons were feeling happy that their human friend would help after all. Even when she doesn’t have any of her human friends with her. Maui is happy too.
“Maui says she'll look by the waterfall…” Zak replied.
“...so, we'll go the other way.” Wheezie continued as Maui squeaks more.
“You bet, Maui. We’ll meet you back at the island in the middle of the lagoon.” Ord said as Maui dives in and is on her way to the waterfall.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” Let's rub-a-dub-dub and get in the sub.” Wheezie exclaimed as everyone got on board the submarine and it dove down and they set off to the Dragoon Lagoon Island.
“Wow, I've always wanted to go on an underwater adventure, but not like this.” Sweetie exclaimed as she looks at many fish, flora and all types of stuff underwater.
“I know, right! I have never been in a submarine before.” agreed Wheezie before Sweetie saw Ord holding his breath.
“Wow, I've always wanted to go on an underwater adventure, but not like this. I have never been in a submarine before.” Sweetie exclaimed before she saw Ord holding his breath.
“Uh, Ord. What are you doing?” Sweetie asked
“Holding my breath.” Ord replied as Sweetie was laughing.
“You don't have to hold your breath, Ord.” Wheezie said, giggling
“Yeah, you can breathe in a submarine, even when you’re underwater.” Zak continues as Ord lets it all out and he recovers.
“Boy, am I happy to hear that.” Ord said, relieved.
Sweetie sees a periscope and looks at all the fish, the sea beetles, eels and everything! She sure was amazed. It wasn’t long until Sweetie found something.
“Hey, I think I see Maui.” Sweetie replied. Zak and Wheezie come in and look in the periscope. They were arguing which one of them gets to look at what their human friend found. They have eventually decided that they take turns. Zak looks first. It turns out that Sweetie didn’t find Maui. She found a jellyfish!
“Oh, it’s just a jellyfish.” Zak groaned.
“Now what we need to find is a peanut butter fish. We can have peanut butter and jellyfish sandwiches.” Wheezie giggled as she and Zak went back to the pilot’s wheel.
“Poor Lanai. Out in the big lagoon all alone without her sister.” Ord said, feeling bad.
“Just like me. I’m done. I want to go home.” Sweetie Belle groaned, feeling gloomy again.
“But we haven't found Lanai yet.” complained Zak.
“I know, but I miss Rarity.” Sweetie continued.
“What are we going to do, Zaky?” Wheezie asked. Eventually, Zak had gotten an idea.
“Maybe Sweetie will feel better if we give her a picture of Rarity.” Zak exclaimed as he pulled out a picture of Rarity that was from an unseen moment where Quetzal took a picture of the Rainbooms, Spike, CMCs and Diamond Tiara.
“Love it!” Wheezie replied happily.
“Here, Sweetie.” Zak said, giving the picture to the gloomy girl. Once she touched the picture, she started to feel better.
“Aw, thanks. I guess having a picture does make me feel a little better.” Sweetie exclaimed
“So can we keep looking?” Ord asked.
“Sure. I can stick around for a while.” Sweetie answered, happy that she has a memory photo of her sister with her.
“Great. While we look, we can sing a seasick sea song.” Wheezie exclaimed, giggling as she started to sing with Zak blowing some music with his horn.
♪ Come, all ye sailors and listen to me. Yo-ho, blow the dragon down ’cause I am the captain whose name is Wheezie! Yo-ho, blow the dragon down! ♪ Ord and Sweetie Belle sang along.
While they were singing, an octopus appeared and caught them in the submarine! Everyone screamed.
“What was that?” asked Ord, fearfully.
It's a sea monster. Sweetie shouted, scared.
“He's got us. Abandon ship. Dragons first” cried Zak.
“Oh, keep your scales on, Zaky. It's just a friendly octopus.” said Wheezie, calming Zak down.
“Wanna play with me?” said the octopus in a friendly manner.
“We can’t. We have to look for our little lost sea dragon.” Ord said.
“I have to get home to my sister.” Sweetie said.
“But I wanna play.” shouted the octopus, throwing a fit and shaking the submarine around.
“I don't think he's gonna let us go.” Zak cried.
“W-W-W-What are we gonna do?” said Ord fearfully.
Out of options, Zak had an idea.
“Go fish.” replied Zak.
“This is no time to go fishing, Zaky.” said Wheezie.
“No, no, not that kind of go fish. The card game kind.” Zak explained as he pulled out some cards.
“Rarity and I would play that game all the time!” Sweetie said.
“Oh, I just love card games. Can I play? Can I?” the Octopus asked happily.
“How's that card game gonna help us get away from the octopus?” whispered Sweetie.
“You'll see.” said Zak, as he grabbed a deck of cards then shuffled the cards, while the octopus was watching. “Help me give out seven cards to everyone, Wheezie.”
“I'd love to.” said Wheezie as she gave the cards to everyone, bit by bit. A few moments later, the game had finally begun.
“Open the hatch, Ord.” commanded Zak.
Ord opened the hatch, while Zak gave Mr. Octopus 7 cards.
“And now seven for Mr. Octopus.” Zak said as he handed over the seven cards to the octopus. “You go first, Sweetie.” said Zak.
“Uh, got any fives, Wheezie?” asked Sweetie.
“Hm.” said Wheezie as she started looking at the 5’s cards.
“Will you hurry up!” Yelled Zak.
“One, two, three.” counted Wheezie while holding the 5’s cards and laughed.
Sweetie grabbed a 5 card and put it on the deck.
“Okay, Mr. Octopus. Got any nines?” asked Zak.
He looked for any nines but there were none.
“Uh-uh. Go fish.” said Mr. Octopus. “You got a jack, Zak?” he asked.
“No. Go fish.” said Zak. “Take your card already.” he cried as Mr Octopus looked for a card, unaware that they were trying to get away from him.
“It worked.” cried Ord.
“Way to go, Zaky.” said Wheezie
“Full speed ahead.” said Zak as he activated the engines, causing them to run away in a flash.
“Hey, no fair.” Mr. Octopus complained.
A few moments later, after they escaped from Mr. Octopus, the gang were continuing riding around the whole sea finding Lanai, but no luck. Meanwhile, Sweetie was still missing Rarity.
“We’ve been looking for a long, long time. We haven't seen Lanai anywhere.” Ord said.
“I miss my Rarity.” sighed Sweetie sadly.
“We can’t stop looking now.” Ord said, telling her not to call it quits.
“But I wanna go home.” Sweetie complained.
“Maybe we better turn around, Wheezie.” Zak said.
“Wait, Sweetie wasn't missing Rarity so much before.” said Wheezie.
“When?” asked Zak.
“When we were singing.” replied Wheezie
“…and played Go Fish.” said Zak. You’re a genius, Wheezie.”
“I’m cute too.” exclaimed Wheezie, giggling.
“Wheezie is right. There must be something you can do, Sweetie, that's so much fun, you won't think about Rarity so much.” said Ord.
“Like what?” Sweetie asked.
“I know. How'd you like to be a sub captain?” Wheezie asked.
“Really?” Sweetie said.
“She's all yours, Captain Sweetie Belle.” Wheezie replies as she and Zak move from the captain’s wheel and Sweetie Belle takes over.
♪ Come, all ye sailors and listen to me. Yo-ho, blow the dragon down ’Cause Sweetie Belle is the captain who's sailing to sea Yo-ho, blow the dragon down! ♪ Sweetie Belle sang as Ord, Zak and Wheezie sang along.
Eventually they have arrived on an island they were searching for.
“Land-ho.” cried Sweetie, just as Maui started chirping asking where Lani is.
“Uh-uh. We didn't find Lanai either.” Wheezie said to Maui.
“It's getting real late.” Said Zak.
“I guess it's time for Max to go home.” Ord said.
“I wish we could’ve found her, but thanks for the neato submarine ride. I couldn't have stayed in Dragon Land without Rarity if I wasn't with my best friends.” said Sweetie.
Suddenly, Maui started to chirp happily about what Sweetie said.
“What'd he say?” Sweetie asked.
“That you just helped her figure out where Lanai is.” Wheezie explained.
“I did?” asked Sweetie.
"Yeah, come on.” said Zak as they went back to the sub. They follow Maui until they both find Lanai with some doodle fairies, reuniting them happily.
“It's Lanai.” Sweetie exclaimed.
“We found her.” Wheezie said happily.
“Way to go, Sweetie.” Ord said.
“You're the best.” Zak said.
“What did I do?” Sweetie asked before Maui explained in chirps while Zak translated for her.
“When you said you couldn't have stayed in Dragon Land without your best friends…” Zak said
“Maui figured that Lanai might feel the same way and be with her best friends.” continued Wheezie.
"You helped find Lanai, Sweetie. In fact, you did it even though Rarity wasn't here with you. You're my hero.” said Ord as he hugged his human friend.
“Thank you all. Without your help, I would’ve missed her all the time.” said Sweetie as everyone laughed.
It was time for Sweetie Belle to head home. “I wish, I wish, to use this rhyme, to go back home, until next time.” she recited as she got back home safely.
She re-materialized in her room to find that Rarity was looking for her. Rarity has turned the place upside down to find her little sister. Sweetie Belle showed up and Rarity was happy to see her again.
“Oh, Sweetie! Where have you been?” Rarity asked as she hugged her little sister.
“It’s a long story. Our closets started glowing and you were already gone when I called out for you. The dragons needed us, but I went solo.” Sweetie explained.
“Really? I am so proud of you having your first Dragon Land adventure on your own. Please continue.” Rarity cheered, kissing her sister’s cheek.
“Sure. Anything for my sister.” Sweetie said as she continued to tell her older sister about her adventure.
The End
|
ShopperBrony90
|
562091
| 18 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Diamond Tiara,Main 7 (EqG),Spike (EqG),Crossover,Human,Adventure,Anthology,Comedy,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
|
Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land (Volume 1)
|
The first volume of the Equestria Girls: Adventures in Dragon Land series
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Join the Rainbooms, Spike, the CMCs and Diamond Tiara as they go on new adventures with their friends (Ord, Cassie, Zak and Wheezie) in Dragon Land!</p><p>Co-written by <a href="/user/731647/PascalMulokozi2" rel="nofollow"><b>PascalMulokozi2</b></a></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-17T22:49:19+00:00
|
2024-08-17T22:50:12+00:00
| 64 |
It was a normal day here in Canterlot City and Diamond Tiara had a problem: she wanted to go see a sci-fi movie, but it's rated R! She just walks off in disappointment because of that.
“Ugh! It’s rated “R” and I’m not even old enough!” Diamond said angrily.
Suddenly she gets a call from Rarity and Rarity asks her what's wrong. She explains her situation and Rarity feels understandable by it.
Rarity offers to have Diamond come over to her house so she can think of ways to make up for Diamond not seeing an R-rated movie. Rarity gets an idea: Diamond can make a video diary of herself so she can reflect on her problems. Diamond likes the idea, and Rarity gives her a camera. Suddenly, Rarity's closet is glowing, and she grabs her dragon badge & her scale.
Diamond grabs her badge from her pocket and puts it on too. They recited the magic phrase: “I wish, I wish, with all my heart, to fly with dragons, in a land apart.” They all said in unison as the dragons on Rarity’s walls flew off, swirled around them all and off they went!
In Dragon Land, Ord was laughing playfully until Rarity and Diamond were re-materialized.
“Huh? Diamond. Rarity.” said Ord. “Meet my new friend.”
“Uh, where?” Diamond said, looking confused.
“Here.” Ord said as he shows a pink mouse eating cheddar cheese. “I named him Cheddar, because he loves cheese.”
“Wow… he’s adorable…” Rarity said, squealing.
“He's cute.” Diamond said.
“A dragon mouse. I have an idea for a video.” Rarity said, snatching her camera from Diamond.
“Hey, I needed that!” Diamond complained as Rarity started filming the mouse. "What are you doing?!"
“Well, darling. It’s my camera. We’ll get to your video diary later.” Rarity explained.
“But…” Diamond said as she tried to explain, but Rarity was busy filming her recently thought-of movie and asked Ord for something for her movie.
“Come on, Ord. Say something into the camera.” Rarity ordered.
“You want me to say something? Right now?” Ord asked. “I… I don't know what to say.” he stuttered.
“Well, then do something.” ordered Rarity.
“I don't know what to do.” Ord said, scared.
Suddenly, Cheddar starts smelling something good, something that is SO tasty and delicious, that he ran off and chased that tasty smell!
“Cheddar. Where are you going?” Ord complained as he saw his mouse friend running away from the smell.
“Perfect. Now I can call my video ‘The Great Dragon Mouse Mystery’ and you can be the star, Ord.” Rarity exclaimed
“Yeah?” asked Ord, confused.
“Lights, camera, action.” Rarity ordered.
“Yeah!” cheered Ord, as he became confused. “What does that mean?”
“It means, let's go find that dragon mouse.” Rarity said.
“Okay.” said Ord triumphantly.
So, the Great Dragon Mouse Mystery was on. They went off to find Cheddar, where he was at Zak and Wheezie’s knuckerhole. He jumped on the thing, looking for the source of the smell as Rarity, Diamond and Ord arrived.
“I saw him going to that knuckerhole.” said Ord.
Suddenly, the earth shook when Zak and Wheezie popped out of the knuckerhole, flying up and landing down on the ground hard.
“Love it!” Wheezie said her favorite catchphrase. "What's that?” she asked.
“It's my video camera.” Rarity explained. “I'm taping you right now.”
“Ooh. I just love being in videos. They’re so…” Wheezie said, as she made funny sounds on the camera.
“Wheezie, you're making us look silly.” Zak said, embarrassed, then he looked at the camera. “Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. It's me, Zak.”
“Hey, did you two see Cheddar?” asked Ord.
“Who cares about cheese, Ord? You're interrupting my scene.” said Zak.
“I'm not talking about cheese. I'm looking for my dragon mouse, Cheddar.” explained Ord. “He ran into that knuckerhole.”
“So, that's who scared Zak.” Wheezie said.
“He zipped right under our feet. Nearly tripped me.” Zak said.
“Oh, I'll never find him here.” Ord complained.
“Wait! I know just what this video needs: a detective.” Rarity said.
“I wanna be a detective! I always want to be a star. Please?” Diamond begged. Suddenly, Cassie appears and wonders what’s going on with her friends lately.
“What's all the excitement?” asked Cassie.
“I'm looking for my dragon mouse.” Ord explained
“I'm making a video about it called ‘The Great Dragon Mouse Mystery.’” Rarity explained.
“Rarity needs a detective for the video and–” Diamond said until Rarity interrupted her.
“You'd be perfect for the part, Cassie.” Rarity said, interrupting Diamond’s conversation.
“What, how?! How come she gets to be a detective!” Diamond exclaimed, feeling left out.
“Wh-- What do I have to do?” asked Cassie.
“Can I borrow some costume stuff from you, Ord?” Rarity asked.
“I guess.” Ord said, reluctantly as he opened his pouch while Rarity grabbed a detective’s magnifying glass and a Sherlock Holmes-style hat.
“This is perfect.” Rarity said as she grabs the magnifying glass and puts the hat on Cassie’s head.
“Now, just start looking for the dragon mouse while I tape you.” Rarity said, as she was getting ready to film her project.
As for Diamond, well, she was getting impatient, it felt like she was betrayed.
“It's not fair!” Diamond complained as she walked away.
“Diamond? Wait.” Rarity exclaimed as she walked towards her friend who is sitting on a rock, looking very disgusted and feeling left out.
“What's wrong?” she asked.
“I’m very disappointed. I can’t make my video diary and now I can’t be part of your movie! What is wrong with you?!” Diamond complained angrily.
“We’ll get to your video diary later, darling. Right now, I'm in the middle of my movie.” Rarity replies as Diamond scoffed in disgust.
“Can you at least help with my movie?” Rarity asked.
“Ugh, what do you want me to do? Stay off camera and do nothing?” Diamond asked.
“You can make sound effects.” Rarity said.
“Sure. I’ll finally be credited for my part of your work for sure!” Diamond said, glad that she's going to be part of Rarity's movie for a change.
Several moments later, everyone was ready for the filming for Rarity's mystery movie.
“Alright, Cassie, you lead the others in search for the dragon mouse.” Rarity said while Cassie did as she was told and looked at her magnifying glass to search for Cheddar.
“What kind of sound do you want me to make, Rarity?” asked Diamond.
“Shh.” shushed Rarity. “Right now, they're looking silently, so don't make any noise.”
“OK.” said Diamond, silently before she realized that she was tasked with doing nothing for Rarity’s movie. “Wait, what?! I’ll never be a star like that!! I want to be on camera for once!” She asked, scuffing in anger.
Just as everyone was working hard to film the whole film together, the same smell from earlier happened again and boy it smelled good. It made Ord feel hungry and Cheddar appeared!
“Look. There goes Cheddar.” Ord said.
“Great. Follow him.” Rarity said.
“Whoa, wait for me.” whispered Diamond, following them as she doesn’t want to be alone anymore.
Everyone chased the mouse and the smell, which led directly to the School in the Sky, where Quetzal is making a sandwich. It wasn’t long until Cheddar showed up and scampered onto the table.
“Hola, ratón. ¿Cómo estás? Hungry, eh?” Quetzal asked as Cheddar hopped onto the table.
“Cheddar!” Ord exclaimed, off-screen.
“No. It’s tuna fish.” Quetzal replied, obviously not understanding the situation.
“No, no, no. Cheddar’s the name of the mouse.” Wheezie answered, giggling.
“He's Ord’s pet, but he ran away.” Zak continued as the mouse took Quetzal’s sandwich and scampered off.
“Caramba. Now he's run away with my sandwich!” Quetzal shouted as Cheddar went through the door holding Quetzal's sandwich.
“Perfect! Now, Detective Cassie can find Ord's mouse and Quetzal's sandwich. My movie’s going to be fabulous. First, we need some dramatic dragon music.” Rarity exclaimed.
“If I can't be in your movie, can I help you provide the music?” Diamond asked.
“Sorry, darling. My movie needs real dragon music. Besides, you are already assigned to make sound effects. Remember?” Rarity replied.
“But…” Diamond complained, but Zak and Wheezie interrupted her.
“We can make real dragon music. Can’t we, Wheezie?” Zak asked.
“Of course. We're dragons!’ Wheezie giggled as she grabbed a trumpet and Zak grabbed a flute. They started playing away!
Rarity and the gang leave the school so she can continue making her movie. Except for Diamond and Quetzal. Diamond has had enough of working on Rarity’s movie, since she has been feeling left out and nobody is listening to her.
“Forget it. You’re on your own, fashionista wannabe! I’m done helping you!” Diamond Tiara yelled as Quetzal comforted the tween.
“Calm down, Diamond. How do you like to help me make another sandwich, Diamond?” Quetzal asked.
“Okay, as long as It doesn’t involve that dweeb, Rarity.” Diamond answered, still annoyed.
Okay then. I hope you have a big appetite, because we’re going to make one monster of a sandwich!” Quetzal exclaimed as he brought out the ingredients he and Diamond were going to use.
Meanwhile, Rarity and the dragons are flying through Dragon Land looking for the mouse while Zak and Wheezie are making the music, and Rarity is riding on Cassie as she continues recording.
“The great dragon detective flew over Dragon Land in search of the little dragon mouse.” Rarity narrated as Cassie looked down, trying to see where Cheddar went. Suddenly, everyone started to notice that something smells really tasty, and it seems like it’s coming from the School in the Sky.
“Mm. I smell ham, cheese, lettuce and tomato. It’s all coming from the School in the Sky! Let’s go back.” Ord exclaimed, clearly beginning to feel hungry.
“Whoa, darling. We can't stop now. We have to finish my movie, and you have to find your pet dragon mouse.” Rarity said.
“Oh, yeah. Poor little Cheddar, where could he be?” Ord said, clearly worried about his pet as they all continued flying.
Back at the School in the Sky, Diamond Tiara and Quetzal were busy making their sandwich. They added ham, tomato, mustard and any delicacies they could think of. What do you know, Cheddar is hiding behind a jar!
Rarity and the dragons continued searching until they landed.
“Whew. My wings are getting tired.” Zak exclaimed.
“So are my lips.” Wheezie continued.
“I'm getting hungry.” Ord spoke as he noticed that delicious smell and flew back to the School in the Sky.
“Ord, wait.” Rarity commanded, but he’s too far away. At least she has Cassie, Zak and Wheezie left.
“Come on, Cassie, you're the detective. Find the dragon mouse!” Rarity commanded.
“Uh, actually, Rarity, all this flying has made me kind of hungry too. Why don't you come and have a snack with us?” Cassie asked.
“I can't. I have to finish my movie.” Rarity answered, still wanting to finish her movie.
“Well, okay.” Cassie answered as Rarity sighed. She realized she doesn’t have the detective for her movie anymore. She only has Zak and Wheezie left for her movie.
“At least my movie will still have music, won't it?” Rarity wondered.
“Sure, it will. Right after lunch.” Zak answered.
“Right after lunch” Wheezie continued as she and Zak flew off.
“Wait, what about my movie?” Rarity spoke, clearly losing her interest to continue her movie. She doesn’t have any more cast members.
Back at the School in the Sky, they all gathered around Quetzal and Diamond as they both continued making their sandwich. The dragons were clearly loving it. Eventually, Rarity showed up.
“Hi, Rarity. How is your movie going?” Diamond asked.
“It’s not going so well anymore, darling. I need my own stars to continue my movie.” Rarity replied, beginning to feel left out. She’s clearly starting to feel what Diamond Tiara felt when Rarity didn't let her friend be a part of the movie. “I guess I have no cast. I guess my movie had to be canceled.” Rarity sighed in disappointment.
“Really? Did you ask Diamond how she wanted to help?” Quetzal asked.
“Oh, I guess I didn’t really think about what she wanted, did I?” Rarity realized before she thought of an idea to make up for the conflict she caused and approached Diamond Tiara. “How about this, darling. I can have you appear in one part of my new project.” she said.
“I’m not a dragon, though.” Diamond replied, feeling down for how she acted.
“I’m making something new: The Dragon Chef and you & Quetzal are the stars!” Rarity offered as Diamond accepted the offer.
“Aw, thank you. I knew you would understand my greatness.” Diamond said in excitement as Rarity started filming her new show. After the show finished, Rarity’s dragon badge began to glow.
“Whoa! My badge.” Rarity exclaimed, admiring her purple diamond gem’s glow. “I guess friendship will last as long as I have all my friends a part of it.”
It’s just then Cheddar shows up!
“Cheddar! You’re back. Where were you?” Ord exclaimed as he held his hand out and Cheddar scampered on it.
“I guess it’s a happy ending for all of us. Let’s dig in, everybody!” Diamond spoke as everyone laughed and started eating.
After their lunch, it’s time for Rarity and Diamond Tiara to head home. “I wish, I wish, to use this rhyme, to go back home, until next time.” they recited in unison as they returned to Rarity’s room.
“It sure was the greatest adventure I ever had today. Sorry that I have been a jerk towards you today.” Diamond said, feeling sorry for how she acted.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself, darling. I should’ve listened to you and I’m sorry. Now that I’m finished with my projects, how about you start on your video diary.” Rarity replied as she hands her camera over to her friend.
“That’s okay, Rarity. I forgive you. I actually don’t need a video diary anymore. I feel better now, and I know I can wait until I’m old enough to see an R-rated movie anyway.” Diamond replied.
“That’s my friend. Always looking at the bright side of things!” Rarity exclaimed as she and Diamond Tiara giggled.
The End
|
Pillowfight
|
562097
| 1 |
Bat Pony,Cutie Mark Crusaders,Princess Luna,Human,Second Person,Comedy,Porn,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Fetish,Profanity,Sex
|
Nightmare Honeymoon
|
On your very wedding night, a jealous and demanding Princess Luna draws you into the world of dreams, and claims you for her own...
|
incomplete
| 31 | 8 |
<p>The saga of the luckiest dork in Equestria continues! During a Nightmare Night prank gone wrong <a href="/story/545089/trick-or-breed" rel="nofollow">(or right...)</a> you somehow impregnated Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo with your human seed. When Princess Luna discovered the breeding shenanigans that occurred on <i>her</i> holiday, she “suggested” that you put an end to the three mares’ constant pranks by making them your not-so-blushing brides. One shotgun wedding later, your honeymoon began, with the Cutie Mark Concubines demonstrating the depths of their affection and appreciation for their big ape stud.</p><p>Yet you swiftly discover that you’re not out of trouble yet. As you drift into a sleep born of sexual exhaustion, you discover that Luna has entrapped you in the realm of dreams. The lonely Princess is not letting you out until you show her the same love and passion — and virility — you’ve shared with your now gravid wives. And with her thestral servants to think of as well, it seems this wedding night just might last <i>forever...</i></p><p>This silly, kinky story features <span class="spoiler">breeding, butt stuff, light somnophilia, superior human stamina, a gullible himbo</span> and <span class="spoiler">a harem of cosmic proportions</span>. All characters are <i>well</i> over 18, and ready to fool around!</p>
|
mature
|
2024-08-13T21:30:18+00:00
|
2024-08-13T21:30:18+00:00
| 785 |
“Come on, you can do it, just a few more inches to go!” Scootaloo encouraged her herdmate, her wings fluttering with excitement as Apple Bloom backed her tight asshole up on your straining human cock. The earth pony mare’s legs trembled and her bottom lip was firmly pressed between her teeth as she concentrated on the strange and unfamiliar sensations within her firm and often ogled backside.
“Aww, I feel so durn full...” A dribble of heavenly scented mare-pre gushed forth from Apple Bloom’s small and (currently) unused pussy, even as she struggled to root herself anally upon your stiff and ready prod. With a grunt she pushed her hips backwards, and that delicate ponut of hers stretched even more. That tiny, pouting treasure had widened mightily to accommodate your shaft, and the flexible tube quivered around your cock as it strained to accommodate the ultimate thickness of your veiny length. As reluctant as you were to deny your new wives anything they wanted, you felt you simply had to step in and say something — you were packing too much dick for such a small mare!
Or so you thought. Even as you watched, Apple Bloom sighed, relaxed, and her quivering apple cider donut yawned even further, smoothing out its very last wrinkle and allowing another length of your sweaty meat to slide deep into her warm and welcoming insides. Her soaked cuntlips now brushed against your dangling and swollen balls, and only the final inch of your cock still remained outside that heavenly gate, now stretched taut to the very limit.
“M-maybe we should stop,” you suggested nervously. “I don’t want to hurt you, Apple Bloom. It’s our wedding night, we should take it slow and gentle...”
“Will somepony shut this guy up?” Apple Bloom griped. “I‘m tryin’ ta get mah buns blasted!”
“Just lay down and relax, big guy,” Sweetie Belle suggested to you, gently stroking your own tense and sweat soaked butt. “We’ll take care of everything from now on.”
Keeping one hand gently on Apple Bloom’s tush (which was now your personal property, according to the rather outdated words of her wedding vows!) you carefully backed the two of you onto your bed. In the past, this humble piece of furniture had been your faithful companion. You’d bounced many a gleeful mare upon its mattress, and even had it repaired several times after rounds of especially vigorous sex. (Applejack had offered to pay, fortunately!)
But you’d never been so lucky as to bring two mares home at once... let alone the THREE aggressive young wives who’d just pledged their plots to you! It was doubtful that your bedroom would be anything but a mass of splinters by the time the sun rose on the first day of your marriage!
With her new position atop you, Apple Bloom finally managed to sink your cock to the root up her tiny pucker. You gasped with worry, only to hear her cry out with purest pleasure. Incredibly, she’d taken it all! After glimpsing your hoofthick “stallionhood,” only the most kinky and experienced among your dates had been willing to risk her ponut for an evening’s entertainment — yet the petite farm girl you’d just married had swallowed your length up like it was nothing!
“That’s what I‘m talkin’ bout...” your earth pony wife moaned. “This durn thing‘s bigger’n my spine... an’ now that I took it all, Applejack can’t make fun o’ me no more!” Without warning, that tight little butt hole started PLUNGING up and down your shaft, as Apple Bloom powerfucked her rectum on a human dick that was never intended to go into that hole, into that species, or indeed into anything that small and tight!
“A-Apple Bloom, be careful!” you cautioned. Yet this fig leaf of a warning was the last your mind could muster. Having said your peace, you could do nothing but moan and writhe as a fat, firm apple bottom bounced, stroked and sucked on your member. Your horsewife’s cutie marks were a blur as farm toned cheekflesh firmly plapped against your thighs with a fast and pounding beat. Please, don’t hurt yourself... you mentally prayed. You’d never be able to explain this to Nurse Snowheart at the hospital... not after she’d oh so carefully showed you how to properly fuck a mare up the ass!
“Don’t feel bad, it’s just wedding night jitters,” Scootaloo assured you with a kiss. “You’re still our big, powerful stallion. We’ll even let you be in charge again, later!” Yet she glanced dubiously at Sweetie Belle even as she uttered the words. Though the CMCs had no question about your power as a stud, the “gentle” lovemaking you’d proposed for your first night together sounded like crazy talk to these three needy ladies. They wanted nothing more than to straddle a huge human dick and ride ’em, cowpony!
“Please, girls, I care about you, I don’t want anything to go wrong...” you begged.
“Maybe we should give him something to keep his mouth busy,” Scootaloo suggested.
Sweetie Belle put a hoof to her lips as she considered the question. “Hrm, how about... pussy?” Without waiting to hear your opinion of the issue, she gingerly swung her leg over your bare chest and mounted you with her plush form. Her swollen belly rubbed against you, sending shock-waves of thrilling pleasure through you. The touch of soft fur and warmth on your bare flesh reminded you of the tiny, precious life growing inside your unicorn spouse, and your heart swelled with love. Then all light and sensation was cut off as you found your face buried between Sweetie Belle’s chubby plot cheeks.
A loud, playful wink of her clit against your lips guided your tongue, and without a word you began to lick up and down Sweetie’s moistened lips, tasting her before beginning to dig in deeper. Your wife’s juices tasted different than she had that fateful Nightmare Night when you’d first taken her... more mature, more motherly, as the hormones of her pregnancy now mixed with the heavenly scent of her seemingly constant arousal.
“That’s right, big guy.” Scootaloo gently stroked your hair as she breathed warm air into your ear with her sexy, raspy whisper. “You’ve done all you need to do, knocking us up and marrying us. We’re so happy that you decided to bring us into your herd... now let us care for you, like good wives should.”
Finding yourself gently bullied into obedience, you ran your tongue up and down Sweetie Belle’s weeping pussy, squeezing Apple Bloom’s dickriding butt with your left hand and stroking Scootaloo’s eager clit with your right. As the scents and sensations of feminine pleasure overwhelmed you, you thought back to the beginning of your unexpected relationship with the Cutie Mark Crusaders...
It had certainly gotten off to a rough start. Despite your playcolt reputation around town, you preferred to woo mares of a slightly older vintage than these three. You’d considered the CMCs to be hardly more than fillies, and never thought of them as potential lovers until the day they set their sights on you! Taking advantage of your ignorance of Equestrian traditions, the mischievous pranksters had cornered and seduced you on Nightmare Night, only to find the tables turned and their wombs knocked up with potent human sperm.
Bred and gravid at the young age of 23, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo seemed destined for a struggling life of single motherhood. Fortunately, thanks to some “encouragement” from Princess Twilight and Princess Luna, you’d “chosen” to take responsibility, and formed a herd with the three sexy horses. Thus, your life together had begun.
After a brief ceremony at Ponyville’s town hall, you and the CMCs had retired to your humble cottage with a bottle of cheap Prench champagne, ready to begin your makeshift honeymoon. Sadly, your dreams of tipsy kisses and romantic lovemaking were shattered immediately. You hadn’t even gotten the foil unwrapped from the bottle before you found yourself pushed against a wall by your cockstarved brides, your wrists immobilized by Sweetie Belle’s magic as your own “champagne bottle” was unwrapped and forcefully erected by slavering tongues. The CMCs had lost all patience with not having your dick inside them, and they’d desired to pick up right where they’d left off: two months and three pregnancies ago.
As far as these gals were concerned, they’d married a large and potent dong that happened to have a human attached. They couldn’t seem to get enough! Even their wedding vows had been spoken around jaw stretching mouthfuls of your erection, as Mayor Mare blushed and tried to look away. Of course, your new brides deeply loved their husband, and valued you for other things than your grotesquely oversized penis... your skill at licking pussy, for example!
In the end, they’d decided to take you in the end. With a foal growing in each of their wombs — wombs your dick had no problem prying open, filling to bursting, and painting with cum — anal sex seemed the safest option. Nonetheless, the sheer girth of your shaft gave Apple Bloom pause, until Scootaloo demonstrated the advantages of buttsex by backing her plothole onto your dick and swiftly launching herself into orgasmic orbit. Her butt bounced furiously back against your hips, making her already swollen belly bulge further as her herdmates looked on with amazement and you were brought to the heights of pleasure.
Though Scootaloo was clearly no anal virgin, her tomboy tushie was so tight that your cock wasn’t even able to go soft after you cried out with joy and loosened a flood of seed that surged forth into her depths, eagerly (if futilely) seeking a second egg to impregnate. This persistent virility was a very fortunate thing for you, as your dick emerged from Scoot’s tiny orange tailhole just in time to be beckoned forward between the well toned cheeks of Apple Bloom’s extra large apple cart.
The practical earth pony had been quickly convinced by her pegasus sister-wife’s demonstration, and seemingly couldn’t wait to feel that full, satisfying feeling deep in her own beautiful, bottom heavy body! Now Apple Bloom was pistoning her plot up and down on your lap hard enough to leave bruises, and unless you missed your guess, the jumbo marshmallow currently monopolizing your tongue was next in line for the same rough treatment!
As Sweetie Belle groaned and came all over your tongue, Applebloom’s plaps slowed and gained force, gathering your scattered consciousness and pushing you over the edge of pure orgasmic pleasure. Your hips began to move on their own as your balls once again gave up their contents to the mares who’d claimed it for their own, and you screamed into the rarefied chambers of Sweetie Belle’s unicorn twat, struck by a powerful orgasm.
As your pulsating dick deployed another battalion of doomed swimmers deep into Apple Bloom’s butt, your mind found a calm moment of great clarity which sadly brought to mind all the problems with your life: problems which you’d hoped to leave behind on your honeymoon. Still echoing in your thoughts was the ominous warning Luna had issued as you quivered before her majestic power — something or other about studding you out to her thestral minions...
Too bad for Luna that you were now a married man! You had your hands full — quite literally — of your three horny wives, and you found yourself with no time to worry about the rantings of that pompous royal nag. Hadn’t you vowed to be a supportive husband to the CMCs, and a loving father to your unborn foals, just as Luna wanted? There was no need to escalate the situation further, in your mind. You had to focus on your wives and do your best to keep them satisfied — if only for the sake of Ponyville’s stallions, who were surely enjoying a well deserved break now that three of the town’s most insatiable dickmilkers were off the market.
As Apple Bloom’s innards absorbed the last blast of your liquid 21 gun salute, you sighed with the contentment that can only come from true love. It had been fun to date lots of mares, playing the field and even becoming known as a bit of a “loose stallion.” You’d enjoyed kisses from countless four legged ladies, and nights of passion you’d never forget, but now it was time to settle down and take care of your new family. Yes, married life truly was bliss...
bliss...
bliss...
bliss...
“Unnngh... aww.... take that, Applejack... human dick ain’t too big fer anal, yer just a fraidy cat!” Apple Bloom smiled gently as your simultaneous orgasms began to subside, leaving her butt full of your sperm and your bed-sheets soaked in her fragrant girljizz. “Awright, Sweetie Belle, yer turn! Time ta crack open that prissy lil’ backdoor!”
“W-what? Me?” The unicorn seemed shocked by this concept, despite now being the only un-sodomized one of her trio of friends. “No way! My pampered derriere is exit only! Unless my husband were to forcefully c-command me to present my dirty ponut for his shameful pleasure...”
Apple Bloom turned her head around and poked at your limp (mostly limp, anyways!) and lifeless body. “Well, that ain‘t happenin’, cause he done fell asleep!”
“Why’d you let him cum, Bloom?” Scootaloo whined. “That’s such a rookie mistake!”
“Ya made him cum first...” Apple Bloom pointed out, groaning even as your dick dribbled the very last of its load deep into her warm, churning guts.
“Guys always fall asleep after they cum!” the cute pegasus continued her familiar complaint. “Remember when he bred all of us?” The three mares all sighed at the happy memory. “He barely cuddled us for an hour, before he was out like a light!”
“I couldn’t help it!” Apple Bloom protested, pointing at the waterfall of her messy mare squirt that dripped from your thighs. “I was cummin’ at the same time! One o’ ya’ll shoulda bin lookin’ out!” With a grunt of purest indignation, she slowly slid her booty off of your dick, at last letting the broad mushroom head pop out of her raw and widened tailhole.
“It’s not so bad,” Scootaloo assured her friends. “See? He’s still hard! We can still have fun with him.” The kinky tomboy leaned over and took your cockhead into her mouth, swivelling her long tongue across your flesh and cleaning off the taste of her bestie’s apple flavoured butthole. Though your body had collapsed from exhaustion, it seemed that your alien member understood that his marital duties in this magical land were far from complete. “C’mon, Sweetie Belle, hop on!”
“I-I don’t know about this, girls, he’s really big,” Sweetie Belle whimpered, still grinding her messy cunt upon your snoring face. “One time when he was dating Rarity, she came home limping and she said he’d utterly destroyed her plot!”
“It ain’t that bad,” Apple Bloom winced as her stretched out pucker winked in the cool air of winter. “Jes feels a lil’ sharp, is all. Rarity‘s bein’ all dramatic, like always.”
“But she had to sit on an ice pack!” Sweetie Belle’s eyes were full of worry as she realized just what she was in for, having married a hung and hungry human. “She didn’t lift her butt off that thing til he picked her up the next evening!”
Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “So he ‘utterly destroyed’ your sister’s hay-hole, but she made another date with him the night after?”
“B-but you know Rarity... she likes that sort of thing.” Sweetie Belle blushed a deep crimson, hoping that her sister’s well known masochistic tendencies wouldn’t call attention to her own!
“It won’t be fun if you force it, that’s for sure,” Scootaloo acknowledged. “Have you ever had anything in your plot before?”
“Of course not, I’m a lady!” Sweetie Belle insisted. “Erm, hairbrushes don’t count, right?”
“Granny says stallions want a lady in the drawin’ room, an’ a whorse in the bedroom,” Apple Bloom observed. The optimistic earth pony looked about your humble abode, taking in each messy room and imagining how a female touch might improve its appearance. “Mebbe yew could be the lady in the drawin’ room, an’ me and Scoot... shucks, this place ain’t even got a drawin’ room! He don’t want no lady at all! What a perv!”
“Can’t I take him... you know, the normal way?” Sweetie Belle begged her herd sisters. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom glanced at each other and shrugged.
“The doctor said it’d be OK if we’re careful,” Scootaloo agreed tentatively. “Just keep your cervix closed, and don’t let him in your womb.”
“Awe, but that’s the best part!” Sweetie Belle grumbled and scooted forward to take Apple Bloom’s place, her crotch hovering over your rigid meat before slipping that dripping young marehood around the satisfying flare of your head. Panting with desire and gently lowering her hips, the unicorn began to try for a repeat of the bed breaking sex that had left her belly heavy with foal... though ideally a little less deep than last time!
“Oh, yeah, that’s good penis...” A tight, slick pussy gobbled up inch after inch of your pony conquering prick, reluctantly stopping just after the halfway mark. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo knelt before their friend, and each took one of your heavy balls into her muzzle. The nut hungry mares began to gently suckle on your slumbering jawbreakers, working their mouths on the salty sacks, encouraging you to build up a somewhat redundant load to feed the already bred unicorn.
Having settled down upon you, Sweetie Belle bit her lip cutely and began to ride her stud. Her pudgy butt, made even fatter by her pregnancy, plapped against your thighs with each downward thrust. Her clit was dragged up and down your slippery meat, her cervix just kissing your insistent head, her virginal plothole winking invitingly at your peacefully closed eyes.
“Fuck me, fuck me, I’m going to cum already...” the tiny unicorn moaned, her chonky cheeks clapping together with the force of her ride. “I’m so glad we get to share a stud, girls!”
“Cutie Mark Crusader Herdwives, yay!” the three cried out at once.
Even this loud and happy cheer couldn’t wake your exhausted body. Yet so long as you sported that sturdy erection, your near comatose state was no concern to Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo. As you plunged ever deeper into Luna’s ominous world of dreams, the mares of your herd were content to let you rest, satisfied that your unconsciousness was no reason to ever stop taking their pleasure...
|
Pillowfight
|
562097
| 2 |
Bat Pony,Cutie Mark Crusaders,Princess Luna,Human,Second Person,Comedy,Porn,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Fetish,Profanity,Sex
|
Nightmare Honeymoon
|
On your very wedding night, a jealous and demanding Princess Luna draws you into the world of dreams, and claims you for her own...
|
incomplete
| 31 | 8 |
<p>The saga of the luckiest dork in Equestria continues! During a Nightmare Night prank gone wrong <a href="/story/545089/trick-or-breed" rel="nofollow">(or right...)</a> you somehow impregnated Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo with your human seed. When Princess Luna discovered the breeding shenanigans that occurred on <i>her</i> holiday, she “suggested” that you put an end to the three mares’ constant pranks by making them your not-so-blushing brides. One shotgun wedding later, your honeymoon began, with the Cutie Mark Concubines demonstrating the depths of their affection and appreciation for their big ape stud.</p><p>Yet you swiftly discover that you’re not out of trouble yet. As you drift into a sleep born of sexual exhaustion, you discover that Luna has entrapped you in the realm of dreams. The lonely Princess is not letting you out until you show her the same love and passion — and virility — you’ve shared with your now gravid wives. And with her thestral servants to think of as well, it seems this wedding night just might last <i>forever...</i></p><p>This silly, kinky story features <span class="spoiler">breeding, butt stuff, light somnophilia, superior human stamina, a gullible himbo</span> and <span class="spoiler">a harem of cosmic proportions</span>. All characters are <i>well</i> over 18, and ready to fool around!</p>
|
mature
|
2024-08-13T21:30:21+00:00
|
2024-08-13T21:35:31+00:00
| 578 |
As you opened your eyes and emerged into the world of dreams, your feet found their purchase upon a fluffy blanket of clouds that stretched as far as the eye could see. A starry sky glimmered above and the full moon shone down upon you, so close by that you feared it might fall on your shoulders if you dared to walk beneath.
A stiff erection filled your trousers, for the air was charged with a sexual tension that was well nigh unbearable. As you sniffed the crisp night, picking up a distant yet undeniably female scent, you felt a veritable river of precum leaking from your cocktip and dribbling down your leg. Despite your long day of adventure in the waking world, here in the realm of slumber you found yourself raging and ready for a fresh round of lovemaking with some lucky dream-mare.
So far, all of this was nothing new, as erotic dreams were a near every-night occurrence in the lustful kingdom you called home. Albeit when you closed your eyes you were accustomed to finding yourself in more mundane locales than these. You’d frolicked in Sugarcube Corner, Ponyville’s park, and even (after an eye opening evening with a certain hippogriff lady!) in the depths of Seaquestria. In each case you hadn’t needed to search long before espying the object of your lust: a frisky female ready to be seduced, chased, or simply fucked silly. Yet here, high above even the pegasus cities, all was quiet and not a soul could be seen.
Putting one foot ahead of the other, you cautiously scoured the clouds in search of a rendezvous. At last you espied a tall gate in the distance, with an ancient and foreboding stone structure behind: Luna’s castle of the night. It seemed that you were destined to meet your royal appointment, after all...
Despite its fearsome appearance, the gate to Luna’s realm was guarded by a single thestral mare, her dark purple fur contrasting with the gleaming silver of her barding. Your first glance of the fabled “bat ponies” up close was quite intimidating. Though the solo guard stood as tall as a mere pegasus, with membrane covered wings no larger than your beloved Scootaloo’s, her sharp teeth gleamed in the moonlight and you knew that she would stop at nothing to defend her Princess.
“Erm, hi...” you surmised, “I think Princess Luna wants to see me. She mentioned something about... an eternity of hot sloppy breeding sex?”
With a silent smirk upon her muzzle, the thestral mare turned slowly and presented her unarmoured hindquarters to your eager gaze. Your jaw dropped at the sight of your favourite midnight snack — pink and glistening horsepussy. Now this was more like it! The sexytimes had finally begun, and you found yourself on familiar ground... or rather, clouds.
It seemed that you would have to pass a few heroic trials before being granted an audience with Princess Luna. The thestral had presented you with a bright pink gate which would have to be opened before you could gain entrance to the domain of the night. Fortunately, you had just the right “key” for this horny lock — and not a single mare had ever complained about your technique!
You briefly knelt behind the thestral, your knees sinking into the clouds. You hungrily kissed her pussy and took her winking clit between your moistened lips, tickling it with your wet tongue. “Hmmm...” she moaned quietly beneath your ministrations, yet still said nothing. You doubled your efforts, taking care to pay plenty of attention to that eager mareclit, and to treat the thestral with the tenderness you always showed your lovers. (At least until they saw your dick and demanded the right to ride you to cunt blasting maregasms!) You’d make this quiet cutie scream your name yet, you pledged to yourself...
Yet even when the thestral’s passion peaked, her delicious flesh tensed around your tongue, and the fluids of her passion soaked your eager chin, only the slightest hiss of pleasure escaped the pleasured mare’s firmly shut lips. What was she — pony, or kirin? Yet her satisfaction seemed none the less real, as she smiled at you and nodded with a silent congratulations.
Seemingly you had passed your first trial, as with a shimmer of magic your clothes dissolved from your body and disappeared into the smoke of dreams. You were left naked and fully aroused before the petite and sexy mare. The thestral took a sudden intake of excited breath at the sight of your nude, exotic form, and she lowered her head to the clouds below, thrusting up her hips to raise her freshly eaten pussy to the perfect height for your penetration.
Obediently you stepped forward and rubbed the glans of your cock up and down her dark purple, nearly black slit. Sticky sap covered your crown as the thestral eagerly leaked all over you, her quivering flesh eagerly preparing herself for her second maregasm... and perhaps her third!
“Is this what you want?” you asked. You were always careful to give your dates a chance to back out and call it a night, once they saw how huge your cock was compared to their small, cartoonish bodies. By and large, you’d found that Equestria’s adventurous females relished the challenge! A fresh vulval wink was the thestral’s only answer to your query, her mareflesh kissing your tip with silent desperation. Having given her every chance to lower her tail or decline your advances, you gently pushed yourself into the silent mare’s moist and steaming channel of lust.
The feeling was like none other. The thestral’s cunt seemed almost liquid, as if you were dipping your cock in warm wax to form a mould for a dildo. She guided you inwards with tiny muscle movements, gently urging and instructing you to move for her pleasure. You grasped the small mare’s surprising broad hips and used your girth to move her towards a fresh climax, rolling your own hips as her silent grunts gathered steam and her bat wings fluttered with arousal.
Taking inspiration, you reached up and gently stroked the membranes of those wings, drawing skilled fingertips through a familiar pattern. The stifled gasp you heard proved that thestral wingboners were even more erotically sensitive than those of the many pegasi hotties you’d provided with happy-ending preenings. The loud slurp of a wink confirmed the thestral’s arousal as it echoed through the night, an erotic eruption much louder than any sound you’d heard from your lover’s upper lips so far.
You couldn’t believe how hot, how tight, how PERFECT was this beautiful mare of the night! The thestral’s pussy welcomed you like a loving wife, pulling you in close for a romantic kiss that entwined your bodies like never before. Her frantically winking clit rubbed against the plunging veins of your shaft, masturbating upon you even as you satisfied her need for deep penetration. A few more hard won thrusts and you were fully sheathed within the tiny mare, your cock pampered in warmth and wetness like you’d never felt. A dozen full, firm pumps through her cervix, and the thestral uttered a single squeak as her second maregasm hit, splattering upon the clouds and erupting into a sweetly fragrant steam.
Through the long minutes that followed, you felt like a stallion in full stud: proud, powerful, and in control. Yet the ambrosial taste of bathorse pussy lingered on your tongue, slowly corrupting your mind. With that same lovely juice pouring down your shaft and wetting your thighs, you soon found your pleasure mounting to realms beyond your control, with every pump of your dick in the soft and yielding pussy before you. You tried to pull out and catch your breath, only to find that the tip of your member was now trapped between the tight, squeezing lips that dripped those heavenly juices! She wouldn’t let you go!
“I—I’m about to cum, too!” you warned. The slickness and tightness of that clasping cunt was irresistible as it hugged your glans, responding to your attempts to extricate yourself with squeezes and strokes that grew fiercer and tighter, until you could hardly move around at all!
“Mmh,” the silent thestral grunted, and braced her hooves upon the cloudy surface of dreams. You halted your struggles, hoping to be disgorged, but with wobbling plot she pushed back upon you, firmly claiming every inch of you, taking your shaft to the root as if she meant to keep you forever.
“Please, I-I need to pull out or I’ll cum inside! It feels too good!” you begged. Yet at this hazardous prospect the thestral’s clasping cunt only tightened its seal around your meat. Forbidden tentacles seemed to stroke you from the inside, and you found yourself unable to hold out any longer. The speed with which the talented thestral had brought you to the breaking point was beyond belief! This was no mortal pussy, but a milking machine worthy of Sweet Apple Acres!
“Unnngh, I’m CUMMING!” you screamed. With a final smack to that firm yet cushy plot, and a deep groan that tore through the night, you blasted ropes deep into the thestral mare’s womb, the ferocity of your cumshot shaming the vast nut you’d just blown in the waking world. You’d just sent a flood of sperm the wrong way up into Apple Bloom’s guts... yet here was an OCEAN of the stuff, erupting from your balls to swell a petite thestral belly!
Over your time in Equestria you’d enjoyed both gentle seductions and ribald romps. Indeed, as of today you were legally the freeuse stud of the CMCs, bound to their endless cravings by the chains of matrimony. Yet nothing could have prepared you for the tightness and heat that awaited you beneath this spoopy mare’s tail! Her pussy was giving you the best deepthroat blowjob of your life, and eagerly swallowing every drop!
“Hmh... mmh...” the thestral mare muttered to herself as you panted and weeped, utterly emptying yourself inside her. Her muscle control kept you firmly rooted within as you noisily spent your seed, not to mention for some minutes afterwards. Shivering from head to toe, you placed your hand gently upon the thestral’s plot to steady yourself after a truly intense orgasm. Your feeble attempts to pull out and take your leave, met with nothing but a tightened grip upon your sensitive member. At last the thestral turned her head back to regard you with a coy smile, still holding you inside her.
“I... huff... apologize, good human, but I could not speak ere now.” You were startled as the seemingly mute bat-pony opened her mouth to talk with you. Her voice was low and sounded like a growl, yet seemed quite friendly.
“W-what’s your name?” you asked, awed by the beauty and dark elegance of the mare you’d just creampied.
“I am Persephonea, Captain of the Lunar Guard.” With a flex of her lower muscles, the lovely thestral disgorged your limp and spent prick, her tight cunt clasping closed around your leaking seed. So tight was her grip that the strand of escaped semen dribbling from her insides was cut off as if by scissors. That drop of human sperm plummeted through the clouds and down towards the slumbering land of Equestria, no doubt to land comically upon the face of some unfortunate night watchpony. “Princess Luna herself stationed me here to await your arrival.”
“It’s nice to seed—I mean, to meet you,” you stated with a blush. “My name is—”
“Hush!” Persephonea flew up to your height and put a leather wing to your lips. “No name is necessary for you, save for ‘stud.’ In this realm, males have — and deserve — none other.”
“I don’t understand!” you confessed. “I’m so confused... and horny all the time...”
The beautiful thestral looked about, her gaze encompassing the silent majesty of the night that surrounded you. “All life in Luna’s kingdom hearkens to the feminine cycle of Lady Moon,” she explained. With a hoof Persephonea directed your gaze upwards, to the bright satellite that floated far too near above. “Beneath her gentle rays, brutish males like you are most unwelcome. It is thus that by Her Majesty’s ancient law, no thestral may acknowledge or speak to any stallion, save he be the father of her foal. Here, you are ‘stud’ or you are nothing.”
“Then... d-does that mean...”
“Indeed,” the thestral’s raspy voice rang out. She lowered her hoof to gently stroke her barrel. “A beautiful new life, in the service of the Princess of the Night. You have proven your worth, and conquered my womb.” With a flutter of wings and a tender kiss upon your lips, Persephonea sealed her fate to your own. “I am yours, my sweet stud, now and forever.”
You knelt down and pressed your face against the thestral’s warm fur as she flapped in midair, marvelling at the beauty that could come from such a hot, steamy inter-species dicking as the one you’d just delivered. “It’s so wonderful!” you marvelled with a tear of joy. “I know our foal will be beautiful... b-but I’m already married! Is this really OK?”
The thestral Captain laughed, throwing her slim neck back as if baying to the moon. “Such distinctions have no meaning here,” she assured. “In the land of dreams, fantasy is the true reality, and passion the only truth. In your nighttime adventures, have you not made love to other ponies’ wives?”
You blushed as memories came back of vivid dreams where you’d taken pleasure with the bountiful Mrs. Cake, the elegant Princess Cadance, the inventive Pinkie Pie, your best bro Lyra Heartstrings, and so many more. Even Cookie Crumbles, your new mother-in-law, had inspired a few nocturnal emissions in the days when you were dating her eldest daughter.
In reality, you knew these committed and faithful mares were off limits to your perverted mind and your groping hands. Yet freed from the shackles of consciousness and conscience, your libido leaned on the veil of sleep as an excuse to summon the most vivid of homewrecking fantasies. It had all felt so real, those dreams in which you tempted these lovely ladies to break the sacred bonds of matrimony, and spread themselves wide for a good human dicking down!
“I-I guess I’ve had a few dreams about married mares,” you admitted.
Once again Persephonea laughed. “Hahahah! A few, he says! Fear not, stud, for you are hardly alone in such desires. Why, even now, the number of creatures dreaming about pounding your wives would astound you~”
“Wait, what?”
Persephonea merely smirked. “Now that you have studded me, allow me to be your guide to Luna’s kingdom.” With a simple nod the gate creaked open, and your eyes were filled once again with the sight of that bounteous plot as the now pregnant thestral flew through.
With trepidation you followed her through the gate into the forbidden, not to mention exclusively female, realm within. Your feet shifting upon the clouds below, you followed your latest conquest towards Luna’s castle, where an unknown (but surely horny) fate awaited you...
|
Pillowfight
|
562097
| 3 |
Bat Pony,Cutie Mark Crusaders,Princess Luna,Human,Second Person,Comedy,Porn,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Fetish,Profanity,Sex
|
Nightmare Honeymoon
|
On your very wedding night, a jealous and demanding Princess Luna draws you into the world of dreams, and claims you for her own...
|
incomplete
| 31 | 8 |
<p>The saga of the luckiest dork in Equestria continues! During a Nightmare Night prank gone wrong <a href="/story/545089/trick-or-breed" rel="nofollow">(or right...)</a> you somehow impregnated Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo with your human seed. When Princess Luna discovered the breeding shenanigans that occurred on <i>her</i> holiday, she “suggested” that you put an end to the three mares’ constant pranks by making them your not-so-blushing brides. One shotgun wedding later, your honeymoon began, with the Cutie Mark Concubines demonstrating the depths of their affection and appreciation for their big ape stud.</p><p>Yet you swiftly discover that you’re not out of trouble yet. As you drift into a sleep born of sexual exhaustion, you discover that Luna has entrapped you in the realm of dreams. The lonely Princess is not letting you out until you show her the same love and passion — and virility — you’ve shared with your now gravid wives. And with her thestral servants to think of as well, it seems this wedding night just might last <i>forever...</i></p><p>This silly, kinky story features <span class="spoiler">breeding, butt stuff, light somnophilia, superior human stamina, a gullible himbo</span> and <span class="spoiler">a harem of cosmic proportions</span>. All characters are <i>well</i> over 18, and ready to fool around!</p>
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mature
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2024-08-18T22:03:29+00:00
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2024-08-18T22:03:29+00:00
| 248 |
As you and the freshly pregnant thestral known as Persophonea travelled the cloudy path towards Luna’s foreboding palace, the two of you passed through a beautiful cosmic sight. You gasped as you beheld a cascade of large and glittering bubbles, each one holding the dream of one of Equestria’s slumbering stallions or mares. Thestrals flew high above you with nets and clipboards, managing the flow of the bubbles and ensuring a peaceful rest for all.
Though calming and refreshing, the scenes you saw in the nearby bubbles were far from innocent. As enthusiastic as you’d found Ponyville’s adventurous mares (in your bachelor days, of course!) it seemed that the creatures of Equestria became truly unrestrained when night fell and sleep descended. You were not the only one of Luna’s subjects who enjoyed dirty dreams, and tiny winks of pink flesh visible between the hind legs of the attending thestrals showed that even these experienced mares were not immune to the arousing sights found within these magical spheres...
As you watched, Amethyst Star lay back in a lounge chair, inspecting a line of chained and hoofcuffed earth pony studs from behind a pair of stylish sunglasses. Mr. Cake frantically worked his hips, pumping his dick in and out of the zebra stallion who was fucking his wife. Cheerilee went down on her former student Pipsqueak. Princess Cadance threw her head back with pleasure as Shining Armour and King Sombra forced huge horsecocks into her pussy simultaneously, racing to be the first one to cum inside and impregnate her. Derpy Hooves gently nibbled on a chocolate chip muffin. Lyra rammed her futa cock balls deep up Bon Bon’s pussy, only to find a second Bon Bon stepping up, gripping her horn, and stuffing her throat with an even larger helping of dickmare meat. Pinkie Pie sprayed a fountain of whipped cream out of her ass and into a tower of champagne glasses, as her friends applauded and licked their lips.
Your head constantly turned by these spicy vignettes, you slowly followed Persephonea over a wooden drawbridge, up a golden stair and through a heavily guarded door made of cloudy, glittering smoke. At last you arrived at a sight seen by few mortals indeed: the grand throne room of Luna, the Princess of Dreams. Here, the fierce alicorn who’d bullied you into marrying the CMCs sat in glory upon her throne of stars, surrounded by her thestral attendants... gorgeous, regal, incredibly stacked attendants, you couldn’t help noticing! It seemed the minimum requirements for a position in this court were a pair of F-cup crotchteats, and a plot to match!
You silently bowed before the ruler of the night, and Luna commanded you to rise with a casual wave of a hoof. “Again we meet, human,” she stated with dignity. “Such a shame, thy new wives cannot satiate you. How boldly thou strayeth, pleasuring other mares on thy very wedding night!”
“W-wait...” you stammered, suddenly confused by the laws of Luna’s realm. “Don’t I have to breed you before you’ll talk to me?” The entire court burst into laughter at your innocent question, and the thestral you’d impregnated snickered behind a hoof.
“Really, Captain Persephonea?” Luna demanded with a roll of her eyes. “That old gag?”
“I assure you, your highness, I never gag,” the thestral mother-to-be stated smoothly.
“Ugh, human!” Luna’s burning eyes turned now to you. “Why wouldst I make such a silly law? The very idea is ludicrous! Thou truly believeth whatever anypony telleth thou, doth thou not?”
“Erm...” you shamefully scratched the back of your neck, feeling quite awkward. “I wouldn’t say I believeth anything...”
“Tis a shame that the word ‘gullible’ cannot be found in the royal dictionary, as thy portrait would be quite fitting alongside its definition!”
“Really?” Your smile brightened, as you were always happy to help. “That’s weird, but ‘gullible’ means—”
Luna facehoofed. “And fortunate indeed, that a foal’s intelligence is inherited from the mother’s side!”
“Huh?”
Luna sniffed haughtily. “Since thy promiscuous member hath already seeded my Captain with nary a second thought, perhaps thou wouldst be so good as to grant your Princess the same privilege.” The glamorous mare descended her throne, trotted towards you and nuzzled your bare chest, taking in your scent with a sigh of pleasure that quickly melted her icy expression.
“R-really? Me?” you asked, cuddling the ancient princess, letting your hands move over her warm and sensuous body. “But you’re so beautiful, and overbearing, you must surely have a dozen Princes ready to breed you whenever you want.”
“Neigh, human, I rule the night alone, without consort or heir.” As you gently stroked Luna’s warm barrel and back, a crystal tear descended down her shapely cheek and she began to unburden her sad story upon you. “As the Princess of Dreams, my womb is destined to lay barren until I meet the stallion of my dreams. For 1,000 years I have gazed up at the moon... or rather, down at its surface... wondering where he might be.
“Since my return to Equestria, I have called upon the land’s greatest studs to grant me a foal... all to no avail.” Dream bubbles drifted past Luna’s starry mane as she reminisced about her recent conquests. As they passed by, you saw one dreamboat of a stallion after another, each of them reliving the highlight of his life: that precious moment when the ruler of the night hungrily returned his proffered kiss.
Earth ponies, unicorns, crystal ponies and pegasi could be seen among the crowd: stallions of all types, from delicate royals to rugged labourers. Each was handsome in his own way, each one deeply passionate and determined to win Luna’s heart. Your own heart began to sink, as seemingly hundreds of failed suitors floated by. How could you possibly succeed, where so many stallions had fallen short?
Luna scowled as a final bubble of bittersweet memory drifted past her eyes, showing her younger self throwing her head back and moaning as she sprawled upon a bed of finest crystal. The sweaty visage of Prince Shining Armour could be seen, thrusting mightily into her from behind. In the background a certain pink alicorn could be glimpsed, looking on with a wide smile and excited eyes.
“Even the legendary Prince of the Crystal Empire did fail to subdue my eggs,” Luna admitted. “Though Cadance continuously asketh me if she can watch him ‘try again.’” Slowly, yet inevitably, the alicorn’s wings began to stiffen and unfold beneath your gentle strokes. “It giveth one pause... mayhap my lover is destined to be no stallion at all, but a sturdy male of another world. Wilt thou woo me, silly and trusting human — and, if I find thee worthy, breed me?”
“D-do I have a choice?” you asked tentatively.
Luna snorted and shook her head. “Neigh, thou hath none. I know not why I asked.” Before you could respond, you felt the pressure of her lips, her tongue forcing its way into your mouth as her kiss marked you for her own.
“Oh, Luna...” you moaned, despite yourself, as your lips parted and eagerly met with hers. When dating ponies, you’d always taken the lead, prizing yourself on recognizing that perfect moment when a curious gaze should be met with a mare’s first inter-species kiss. Luna cast away such notions of male dominance in an instant. With royal might, she conquered you as effortlessly as a momentarily bored MILF seducing her virgin paperboy. Your horny young wives were invincible in bed, but when it came to the stuff of romance, the CMCs still had much to learn — and Luna would be the perfect one to teach them!
Your heart began to pound with excitement, and you pushed your tongue into Luna’s wet mouth, only to find her passion denied you as she pulled away. You pouted brattily, and Luna smiled at such a welcome display of desire and neediness.
“Well done, human,” she assured. “Thou hath passed thy first trial: Ye Olde Test of Love. It gladdens my heart that thou returneth my affections — yet from here onward, the road will become ever rockier for thee!”
“Erm, m-maybe you should find another guy, then...” you stammered. Now that your lips were no longer tingling from the kiss of a lovely princess, the true reality of your situation was beginning to sink in. Being Luna’s royal stud would surely eat into your free time. After all, you already had 3 insatiable wives, and now a thestral to support as well!
“Tis too late!” Luna roared. “My ardour hath aroused! My hind lips drool for thy girthy fuckspire!” The dramatic princess practically swooned before you. “Yet as much as I long to be fulfilled by thy foalmaker, we must not mate... not yet!”
“Oh, not yet?” You sighed with relief. “Well, how does next Thursday sound—”
“Not until thou passeth... YE OLDE TEST OF BLOOD!”
“W-wait, blood?” you squeaked, practically blown off your feet by Luna’s Royal Canterlot Voice.
“Nom!” screeched the tiny bat-mare known as Persephonea. Your onetime conquest leapt upon your shoulders, hugging you tenderly with her front hooves, and bit at your neck. With the lightest scratch of her sharp, pointed teeth you felt an ancient venom enter your body, filling you with a strange and potent sexual energy.
“Owww!” you complained, even as your dick erected instantly, slapping against your chest like a stallion’s and expanding to an unheard of length and stiffness. In that moment you were ready to BREED! Forget these tests of love, these sappy kisses! You were ready to barge into a royal banquet, thrust into Luna and inseminate her with a single pump from your mighty balls — then pull out and impregnate Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, and Cadance with the dregs of that selfsame load! (And Shining Armour as well, if he didn’t get out of the way!)
“Aaaarghhh, it HURTS!” you screamed as a heavy pulse of precum jetted forth from your straining cock, nearly reaching the moon overhead. “I need to FUCK!”
Luna batted at your swollen member with a hoof like a cat with a toy, ignoring your agony. “Hrm, his blood floweth well indeed. A passing grade, it seemeth to me. And how doth he taste?” she inquired of her servant.
Persephonea licked her lips, flicking tiny droplets of your blood from her fangs. “He hath the savour of most delicious lust, your majesty,” she moaned. “Somepony pleasures him in the waking world, even as he visits us in dream.”
“Tis well,” Luna nodded wisely. “No doubt he is tended by those harlots three, whom he blessed with foal in the holiest hour of our Nightmare Night.”
“Hey, those are my wives you’re talking about!” you protested, your need to defend the CMCs barely overcoming your erotic pain.
“Thy slutty spouses and their oversized plots are no longer thy concern,” Luna scoffed. “Now thou art gifted with thy chance to breed a truly worthy mare.” Luna turned and positioned her hindquarters beneath your eagerly grasping hands. “Be warned that a failure to conceive will be punished most harshly.” As she looked back at you sternly, Luna’s fierce grimace became a happy smile. “Yet take heart, human!” she assured. “Success shall be rewarded just as harshly!”
Despite Luna’s ever more ominous pronouncements, the thought of relieving the burning in your cock was all you could think of. The punctures in your neck throbbed as you cautiously gripped your rigid dick, guiding it to its target. It felt like your meat was on fire, and the only way to quench it was in the moist valley of pony pussy!
And yet... Luna’s plothole winked at you, as if calling out for attention. It was only earlier this evening that the naughty Scootaloo and the ever horny Apple Bloom had aroused your insatiable hunger for pulsating pony pucker. Now, despite the deep lust you felt for the petite Princess’ cunt, you felt an even greater need to claim her tightest and most forbidden orifice.
It wouldn’t be so bad to jam it in her butt instead... right? you thought to yourself. Even an eternity of torture in the dungeons of the night might be worth it, for a taste of that royal plot. Your hands gently angled your cock upwards, then downwards, hovering between the choice of holes with indecision tearing at your soul. Your bucking dick pumped forth sticky precum, soaking the royal ponut with enough lubricant to ensure a satisfying insertion for both of you. However, the prospect of siring Princess Luna’s foal with superior human seed fluffed your ego like no other. And, yet... dat ass!
It was only with the strictest exercise of will power that you turned your eyes from that exquisitely crafted equine ringpiece, decisively lowered the angle of your meat, and swiftly thrust your cock past Luna’s glistening royal lips, taking your next step on your royal quest and sinking several inches deep into a heavenly pussy indeed.
“Eep!” Luna squeaked as your “stallionhood” abruptly made itself known within her. Her unchosen tailhole clenched with envy and her tiny cunt-tunnel seized upon your girth. “How crude! Thou porketh the royal vajayjay, just like that?”
“Why not?” You whispered, leaning down to take in the dark, mysterious view of Luna’s starry mane as you stroked your meat ever deeper into her feminine cavern. “You need it, I need it... why don’t we just get on to making those babies?”
“Some foreplay would have been nice, human,” Luna grumbled. “Thy pillar is truly brutish and oversized. Unnnf... One wonders how thy wives manage to swallow it without bursting!”
Truthfully, you wondered this yourself! Your lovers’ holes always seemed to expand just enough to pleasurably sink your girth inside. In fact, Luna seemed downright jealous of the CMCs for claiming you before she got to you. Perhaps a bit of teasing might be in order...
“Are you giving up already?” you chuckled as the head of your cock pressed firmly past Luna’s cervix, evaluating your new lover’s womb and preparing to remodel it into a nursery. “Don’t tell me that the Princess of Dreams can’t take what little Scootaloo managed to fit all the way up her butt hole...”
“W-wha?” Luna seemed incredulous. Her barrel shuddered as she gasped, picturing the sight of your anally impaled pegasus wife. Her pucker winked again, this time with aroused sympathy. “That tiny spinner’s fat bottom hath swallowed up this beast?”
You playfully began to toy with the thick, dark ring of flesh that marked the entrance to your cosmic cutie’s “black hole,” anointing the wrinkles with your spilled precum even as you slowly and gently introduced your cock to Luna’s royal womb. Your thrusts picked up speed and depth as you gained new confidence. “That’s right...” you teased, “Do you like thinking about that? My wife’s little orange butt, stuffed full of human cock? Oh, how she squealed... how she came...”
Luna sniffed daintily even as her hind legs stiffened at the thought. “I-I care not how thy lucky flightless chicken of a wife entertaineth herself... merely stud me, good sir, and be on thy way, back to the world of the waking!” Yet her labia quivered around your thrusting shaft of pleasure, and the dribble of liquid from her royal pussy thickened to a near constant stream of mareish arousal, betraying her supposed disinterest.
“Mmm, I’m not so sure,” you teased. “Is Her Highness a naughty girl, just like Scoots? Does my pretty pony princess like it when a guy plays with her plot?” You slowly, teasingly, used your finger to circumnavigate the ridges of Luna’s puffy anus, pressing its tip firmly into that tiny pinprick of a horse pucker.
“M-my plot?” Luna laughed shrilly. As your finger ended its journey by poking deep into that warm chocolate donut, a sudden gush of lotionlike liquid sprayed from the princess’ velvet pussy and dribbled down your pumping shaft. “Hahaha, how droll!” the alicorn scoffed. “What gavest thou such a silly notion? Verily, tis there whence I poopeth! Remove thy unwelcome digit a-at once!”
Something didn’t add up, you mused to yourself as your finger rounded once again the delightful rim of Luna’s pouting, quivering booty. You’d noticed that the stretching, filling and gaping of tender tailholes could be seen in the happy dreams of many of Equestria’s mares — and more than a few stallions! From the gentle touch of a tongue, to the most brutal pounding imaginable, no fantasy seemed more prevalent in the world of dreams than simple butt fun. Surely Luna had seen things much raunchier than a mere pucker-poking, and on a nightly basis! Why was she being so coy? Unless perhaps...
“Oh, such a naughty little princess.” You gave an evil smile as the royal secret was revealed to your perverted mind. “Don’t tell me that your butt is your weak point?”
A fiery, sunset-like blush consumed Luna’s cheeks and swiftly spread down to her shapely neck. “Neigh, tis dirty...” she protested weakly. “Tis wrong and unbecoming...”
“Come on, you can tell daddy,” you urged. “My pony princess loves big cocks up her royal horse-bum, doesn’t she?”
“Waaahhh, tis true, my tragic secret!” Luna wailed, shaking one hoof at the moon above. “Tis my craving, my highest desire! All of those studs... they left me barren because they all bucked my plot! I could help it not... verily, I ordered them to spare my womb, and not one had the balls to disobey! Most eagerly did they forget their breeding duties, and escort my plothole instead to the carnal village of ‘Pound Town!’”
The powerful alicorn hung her head in shame and panted hungrily, even as you plowed a full confession out of her. “Foolish yet kind human, now thou knowest my shame... neigh, my curse, as ruler of the ‘moon.’ All of Equestria seeth me as an eternal buttslut, save only t-thou!” Luna seethed as you impaled her fully upon your prick and began to reward her honesty with a firm, commanding power fucking. “Somehow, thy dumb ass resisted the call of the royal ponut, and thou went straight to the pussy...”
You chuckled as you teasingly slid your cock nearly all the way out, only to slam yourself back into royal cunt, hilting yourself in an instant and filling Luna’s eager womb with the mushroom flare of your cock. “I wouldn’t quite say that I resisted it,” you admitted. You’d never say no to a hot bit of assplay, but given the opportunity for consequence free impregnation, in your mind there was no comparison! There’d be plenty of time for sweaty rump ramming later, once you’d given Luna a precious foal to call her own — your new wives had taught you that!
Luna’s stiff wingboner extended even further as she unfolded her vast wings fully. “Come now, human,” she urged you, “follow me upwards, to the very heights of Equestria! Nothing shall be greater than our passion tonight!”
With great beats of her feathery wings, Luna flew up to approach the very moon, pulling you after her thanks to the solid grip her underused pussy had upon your dick. Clouds scurried beneath your feet as you frantically climbed upwards into the sky, their fluffy softness giving you a sturdy foothold in the night as you noisily banged its ruler.
With screeches like the cries of bats, vast swarms of Luna’s thestrals swooped excitedly around you, only to land upon each others’ backs and form a vast and voyeuristic pyramid. The tower of excited bodies could be seen descending down into the clouds far below, even as the mare at the very top of this pyramid could nearly brush the lunar surface with her wing! Each mare had her eyes eagerly fixed upon her romping ruler: smiling, shouting and waving their hooves, countless legions of Luna’s subjects now acted as cheerleaders for the carnal eclipse they beheld.
“Ooh, you like having an audience, eh?” you whispered to Luna. “Naughty, naughty princess~” You slowed the motion of your hips, showing off your body for the excitedly cheering thestrals. “Why don’t you show all your subjects your cute little O face? Make it nice and believable, and I just might consider breeding you~”
Luna immediately tensed up and panted as you put forth your decadent proposal, each of your slow and deliberate thrusts driving her towards a climax before letting her come back down, ratcheting her pleasure up to an unprecedented peak.
“Human, you ruin me!” she groaned. “My maregasm approacheth on wings of fire! Cummeth alongside, oh worthy mate, and knocketh me up — high above Equestria with my countless minions for witness!”
“You don’t understand, Lulu...” you smirked as you plunged two fingers up that tight and clenching ass as far as they would go. “I’m not one of those quickshot stallions you’ve been fucking. I’m a human, and we have stamina!” With a hard thrust that slapped your balls against Luna’s winking clit, you let yourself loose, and your nighttime pony ride truly began.
“W-wha?” Luna squawked with alarm, sounding more like a startled griffon than the Princess of the Night. “Tis a falsehood! No male can last thus within the folds of an alicorn!”
“I can,” you boasted, ramming your fat meat in and out of the princess’ unprepared body, pushing her closer with every thrust. Her wingboner stretched to an unsurpassed span as she felt your undeniable truth within her: a rock solid human cock which was nowhere near its limit. “I’m not giving you one drop of sperm until you’re broken, and begging, and mine!”
Such words were rashly spoken, yet you felt you could back them up with horny action. After being utterly drained by Persephonea, and pumping loads up Scootaloo’s and Apple Bloom’s butts — not to mention the huge facial you’d jerked across your three wives’ muzzles at the “climax” of your wedding ceremony — the risk of a premature ejaculation at this point was next to nil. You gripped Luna’s cutie marks firmly and pounded her without mercy, determined to show her exactly why Applejack kept paying to have your bed repaired.
“Neigh, it cannot be...” Luna moaned, slowly feeling control slipping away as her needy body betrayed her. Tears of humiliation flowed down her muzzle, becoming shooting stars as they fell through the sky beneath you. “To be bested by this strange ape is a disgrace that shall not be borne! I am strong... I am powerful... I am an alicorn, a Princess, feared for a thousand years, I move the very moon... I AM CUMMING!”
Luna’s body went rigid and her cunt seized upon your meat. A scream escaped her throat — not to mention several litres of royal marecum that fled her body from the other end. Reaching forward, you dared to grip the royal mane, knocking Luna’s diadem askew and firmly holding the princess’s quaking body in place beneath your thrusting hips, as you showed her a pleasure like none she’d ever known.
After endless moments filled with twitching muscles and raw, guttural sounds, Luna gasped and caught her breath in the aftershocks of her ecstasy. “So many mares dreamed of this conquering cock...” she marvelled, “yet I thought it was mere exaggeration! Truly, thou art a male beyond compare. Our alicorn foal shall be far more powerful than that little brat, Flurry Heart!”
“Pretty words, but are you broken yet?” you asked Luna with a snarl. Curling your fingers, you yanked on her starry mane and pulled her head backwards to stare into your flustered face.
“Utterly!” Luna gasped, her wings a shadow over the very moon. “Human, I beseech thee! Shower my womb with seed, and end this blissful torment!”
“Are you begging?”
“I beseech, tis the same thing!” Luna snapped with annoyance. “Looketh it up!”
“Are you mine?” You asked the most important question, your hips blurring as you approached warp fucking speed.
“For a countless age!” Luna pledged. “Now tarry not with our foal! Deny your loving servant no longer!” Luna’s heat and tightness were incredible, but you weren’t ready to pop just yet. You had some “family business” to take care of first.
“If you want me to cum, then you’d better take back what you said about my wives!” you insisted protectively, cramming your full length up Luna’s cocksheath. Even when you were studding a Princess, you knew where your heart was!
“That they art h-harlots?” Luna scoffed even as waves of mare jizz gushed once more from her overwhelmed twat to rain down upon Equestria as a sheen of nighttime dew. “Sluts with fat plots? Tis naught but the truth!”
“Don’t talk like that!” you insisted. “Apple Bloom is beautiful, and Sweetie Belle is kind, and Scootaloo tricked me into breeding her... wait, that’s bad, actually... Anyways, they’re mine, and I love them!” Your heart went out to your three wives, and you found yourself filled with the most wholesome affection, even as you pounded Princess Luna’s cunt into squirting oblivion.
(Meanwhile, in the waking world, the very mares you were mooning over were taking turns upon your unconscious form, stretching their hungry pussies with your girthy meat and naughtily kissing each other even as you snored... truly, a husband’s work is never done!)
“Bah!” Luna spat as the tide of her climax subsided, leaving only the scorching arousal of your continuous thrusts and the steady thump of your nuts slapping her clit. “Tis only through thy own mental feebleness that thou succumbed to their romantic tricks! Those three are naught but babymaking troublemakers! Mares with sinfully gifted bodies, yet with the minds of foolish fillies to be found within! A trio of bimboes unburdened by brains, who pounce upon whichever cock is fool enough to seek refuge in their wombs! Hormone riddled broodmares whose highest wish is a foal on the teat and another in the belly!”
“Then admit that you’re the same!” you demanded, fiercely spanking Luna and burying a thumb up her ass as with wild thrusts of your hips you skewered her upon human prick. “You’re no Princess — you’re nothing but a fat assed slut, desperate for cock! You’re so baby crazy, you’ll beg a foal from any male with a working nutsack!”
“BE THOU CURSED, BUT I ADMIT IT!” Luna bellowed. “ENFOAL ME, HUMAN! THOU HATH SHATTERED MY SOUL UPON THY IMMORTAL ROD! I CANST TAKE NO MORE!”
“You got it, Lulu,” you stated gently as you battered some slack into the tight, clutching marehood. “All you had to do was ask. One royal heir, coming right up!” With one final, powerful thrust, you unleashed your nuts and screamed with brutal satisfaction as you finally fired your pent up load directly into Luna’s womb.
Far from the desperate passion you’d felt within your thestral lover, this was a calculated breeding worthy of an arranged royal marriage. Your sperm rushed into Luna like a flood of life, filling her foal-garden with brutal efficiency and setting about its assigned task. Naturally, the pleasure to be found in this regal cunt was unmatched. Luna’s cervix clenched and her muscles rippled up and down your shaft as she instinctively milked you into her — it was enough to drive another man to madness! Yet your own mind was as clear as a crystalline diamond, unadorned by tender or romantic feelings. You felt nothing but a deep satisfaction, not merely from satisfying the pompous princess, but from breaking her will in full view of the servants who adored her.
You’d made Luna your broodmare, and perhaps even your submissive sex pet, but despite her intoxicating kisses you saw that her heart held no room for true love — not for one such as yourself. Luna needed a foal, and you were here to provide one... no more and no less.
Though you found yourself a mere pawn in Luna’s royal game, you were not without power in this struggle. After all, what ruler had ever been satisfied with a single offspring? What was the saying — “An heir and a spare?” Lulu would have to beg and grovel even harder, you resolved yourself, to earn that second foal from your loins.
All of that would come later. For now, there was an alicorn breeding to see to. As your thrusting became less frantic and your spurts diminished, it seemed that all the night stood still, waiting to see if your liquid barrage had hit its target. Luna’s horn lit up and she began to concentrate fiercely as her entourage of servants looked on eagerly.
“Patience, my thestrals...” she murmured, “a Princess must choose only the very finest among her suitors.” The elegant mare wiggled her hips against your still embedded prick and frowned, seemingly evaluating your sperm one by one. “Hrm... are the genes for common sense entirely absent in this specimen? Such a tragedy... very well, this stout hearted fellow shall do.”
A single twitch convulsed your embedded cock as the very last drop of semen was sucked out of your tip. “Oh, how he squirms!” Luna declared with perverted glee. “Into my egg, thou tiny varlet... tis done! After 1,000 years, thy Princess is with foal!”
“HUZZAH!” Each thestral in the huge pyramid shouted with a single voice, nearly knocking the moon out of its orbit with the echoing cheer of countless happy mares.
With a sigh of satisfaction and a final wink of her clit, Luna disgorged your softening cock, letting all but one lucky sperm cell spill out to drip down her thighs. She turned to you, and your visions of domination crumbled as with another passionate kiss, she effortlessly claimed your heart once more. All thoughts were banished from your mind, save for these: Love Luna. Praise Luna. Serve Luna.
“Well done, oh handsome ape,” her voice soothed and lifted your soul as she stroked your hair with her magic. “Now shalt thou show each and every one of my thestrals the same passion thou hath gifted me. I command thee to spare none the ultimate pleasure, and leave not a single belly among the thousands unwarmed by new life.”
“Of course, my dearest Lulu,” you sighed, your spirits raised to the very heavens by the magical love potion you’d found upon the princess’ shapely lips. “Anything for y—w-wait, all of them?”
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Midnight Lancer
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562104
| 1 |
Original Character,Drama,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Letting Go
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Saying goodbye always hurts, doubly so when they can't say it back.
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complete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Midnight Lancer has lost part of his family. The toll taken on the stallion is heavy, with him isolating and blaming himself for her passing. Unable to handle his thoughts, he goes for a flight towards the rocky cliffs north of Manehattan to finally say goodbye.</p><hr/><p>This is a personal story to help me process the loss of a cherished pet. It's not meant to be anything crazy, but I did try hard while writing this. If you have any feedback, please leave a comment below so that I may improve. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I love you, Mimi.</p>
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everyone
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2024-07-21T23:57:41+00:00
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2024-07-21T23:57:41+00:00
| 125 |
It was cold.
Of course, this was to be expected. Up so high above the world, water droplets froze into fragile little crystals and the wind fell well below anything considered comfortable. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as the sounds of the world faded away, leaving only the whistling of air and flapping of wings to break the silence.
For Midnight Lancer, this was nothing special.
The jet black stallion sighed as his eyes trailed down towards Faust below, watching avenues and boroughs slowly trail away into rolling hills as he flew further north, leaving Manehattan behind him.
His saddlebags softly bounced against his frame every time the pegasus beat his wings, their leathery skin rubbing into his flanks incessantly. It didn't help that they were heavier than normal this time, forcing Midnight to put more work than usual into his flight. Still, he pressed on mostly unfazed, too distracted with the scenery below for him to care.
Manehattan would eventually secede from view, those rolling hills and the occasional forest now being all the pegasus could see below him. The greenery was a nice change for Midnight, all too used to seeing the concrete and brick jungle that was his city on a daily basis. Out here, there was actually space to breathe, time to think.
Out here, it was peaceful.
Turning his gaze back up towards the sky and his flight path, Midnight spotted a soft, grey cloud floating just ahead. It lazily floated along without a care in the world, its fluffy surface practically begging the stallion to take a rest.
Rolling around the cloud with little effort, Midnight frowned as the horizon was quickly filling with similar grey masses. Accompanying the slowly approaching wall of clouds was the distinct smell of moisture and a significantly colder gust.
"Of course a storm front is moving in.. and right where I need to go.." mumbled the pegasus, a distinct hint of annoyance in his voice. With the front moving in within the next hour or so, based on their distance, Midnight considered turning back towards home. Despite the coming weather, however, the stallion shook his head and pushed on, diving lower to avoid any further clouds.
After a bit more flying, the stallion would eventually arrive at his destination. Coming to a landing with a soft 'pomf', Midnight's hooves sank into the damp grass that lined the cliff's edge. The Celestial Sea stretched out for eternity below him, its deep blue water softly lapping against the chalk-white cliffs he stood atop of.
Midnight's ears perked up right after landing, the distinct rumbling of thunder sending shivers up his spine as he turned to eye the quickly approaching storm. It roared along in the distance, the cold wind starting to whistle once more along the cliff face.
The stallion turned and began to dig through his saddlebags, pulling forth a small wooden box with a bit of weight behind it. Engraved along its finely cut face was a heart with a paw print in the center, along with a name written in cursive.
His eyes watered as he read her name.
Turning back to his saddlebags, Midnight pulled forth a few more items of note. He revealed a small red bow, a simple pink collar with a bronze bell, and a patchwork stuffed mouse along with a trowel.
There was a moment of silence from the stallion as he placed the various belongings onto the grass ahead of him, the wind howling in the background seemingly to have been blocked out. Her things sat there, staring at him with such intensity that the approaching maelstrom felt like little more than a breeze.
He hated it.
What had started as a single tear turned into several as the pegasus grabbed his trowel, digging into the thick grass that lined the clifftop, his ears flat against his head as he did his best to focus on the task at hand. Despite the boiling guilt, steaming shame or volatile cocktail of other emotions, Midnight maintained a steady hoof as he dug through the topsoil.
Wiping his muzzle to clean the tears away, Midnight turned and placed the somewhat heavy box into the freshly dug hole. It fit snugly into its new home, the engraving facing up at him. A grimace broke through the focus as the stallion turned to grab those belongings, ignoring the much louder rumbles of thunder.
With hesitation, the stallion reached down and lightly pulled at the top of the box, a soft click notifying him that it had given way. Pulling the top off, he revealed a divider splitting the interior of the box into two. The top section laid empty, with red cloth lining its walls and floor to provide a comfortable resting place for her memories.
The bottom half contained her.
Resting behind a small, plastic window lay the ashes of his lost pet, his partner, his family. It stared back at his cyan eyes with a stark emptiness, her entire being reduced to a dirty gray mass, locked away inside a tiny box. Tears once wiped away came back in force, quickly flying from his muzzle as the wind around him grew in intensity.
Midnight wasted little time, grabbing the bow, collar and mouse toy and quickly placing them as carefully as possible into the top compartment of the box. Just as he was about to pull out the other plastic cover, he turned to his wing and plucked out a feather, placing it alongside her belongings.
With her belongings secured and a piece of him to protect them, the stallion slipped a second plastic shield over the top compartment, mimicking the one protecting her ashes. Just as the cover slipped into place, raindrops began to lightly splash against both it and the stallion above.
Midnight paused for a moment to register the raindrop before turning to the north, his eyes wide with horror. The orange, red and yellow streaks from Celestia's setting sun were smothered by the ever growing tide of rain. The very sky itself screamed around the pony, thunder and wind now nearly deafening as Midnight fought to close and bury her before the torrent started.
Fortunately, his efforts were rewarded, with the box successfully saved from the coming storm beneath the soil. The only thing that would alert any to its presence was that trowel Midnight had used to dig earlier, now stuck into the dirt as a makeshift grave marker.
Midnight stood back from the spot, raising his wing to protect his bright blue mane from the ever worsening weather. There was no way he'd be able to fly home like this, much less give her a proper send off.
Walking over to a tree atop a nearby hill, the stallion sat down and did his best to shield himself from the downpour.
The moment he did, it was over.
His focus shattered the second his flank hit the wet grass and roots of the tree, tears streaming off his muzzle wildly as any composure he had built up crumbled alongside the rapidly deteriorating weather. Lost in grief, Midnight howled much the same as the winds above while thunder rumbled the world to its very core.
Pain.
Raw, unadulterated pain shot through the stallion as each scream that fell from his muzzle fought against the ever growing winds. Shame at what he had done and what he had failed to do gnawed at him. Fear at what came next, fury at his mistakes and overwhelming grief all battled for dominance in his exhausted mind with a fury only matched by the raging storm above.
Above all else, the stallion felt something worse as he stared at that grave, that final reminder of somepony who had graced his life, who had grown up with him and loved him so truly.
Midnight Lancer felt cold.
|
ThistleRose
|
562110
| 1 |
Misty,Sunset Shimmer,Zipp Storm,Adventure,Mystery,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: A New Generation,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
|
Misty's Guide to Shimmer and Shine
|
Misty needs a mentor; one who can teach her how to use magic. Luckily, she is contact with a Unicorn who is very adept. One who does not want to be at home right now.
|
incomplete
| 17 | 1 |
<p>Misty, with her newly discovered element of harmony, messes up wildly during a battle with Opaline, leaving Zipp badly hurt and the rest of the Guardians of Harmony in disarray. </p><p>Luckily, she has a very special pen pal who is more than willing to travel through the portal to mentor her! But why is she so keen to leave her home? </p><p>Misty and Sunset Shimmer team up as the combined element of Empathy to show the world what it means to have heart!</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-21T23:36:07+00:00
|
2024-07-22T16:48:10+00:00
| 375 |
Hi all!
Before we start I thought I’d give a little context!
If you haven’t read An Empathetic Heart I’d highly Recommend you check it out before reading this! It’s only about 3k words long ^^ its not required, though!
Anyway! A quick summary of that!
Misty and Sunset shimmer met after sunset accidentally summoned Misty to a small cabin in bridlewood, where they find a shared connection when it comes to empathy.
As they connect, two new elements of harmony are created. One for Sunset, one for Misty. Both are elements of empathy. Sunset heads back to canterlot high and Misty heads back to the bridge house.
Another thing to note! In this story, G5 is in another dimension from G4, similar to the world of equestria girls. This is mainly to solve any Time travel related issues that may crop up Lmao
In this world, MLP fim happened normally until about the end of season 7, where Opaline rocked up and messed everything up, leading to the division between the pony clan! So its an au dw twiggle did great in the main timeline
This does mean that. there are 3 different dimensions in play ksadbfabfbf with sunset being from mainline equestria, going to equestria girls and now she's in g5 but dw about that it won't actually come up KAJSBDJASd sobs
I have two other short stories on my page, named no Bravery in her Gaze and Sometimes, words aren’t enough. They are loosely linked to this stories, but are just there to establish to Zipp and Misty are dating!
I think that should be everything! So let’s get right into it!
⚡️Foreword⚡️
How to Ask for Assistance
“MISTY! NOW!”
Sunny blasted an energy beam towards the core of the tree. The emerging Opaline cried out in pain as she was forced further back into the tree.
“YOU’LL FAIL, MISTY! YOU'VE NEVER DONE ANYTHING CORRECTLY IN YOUR LIFE!” Screeched the fire Alicorn.
Misty was frozen in fear. She had her spellbook floating in front of her, open at the correct page, but her eyes were focused squarely on Opaline Arcana.
Misty had been on edge ever since the ex deputy (and recently convicted war criminal) Sprout had burst into the brighthouse to warn the guardians of harmony that Opaline had started to emerge from the harmony tree in the Maretime bay town centre.
Sunny had immediately leapt up into action, Zipp was frantically grabbing her equipment, Izzy had loaded her moped with various home made bombs made from macaroni, Pipp had sent out an alert for everypony to evacuate, and Hitch had summoned the help of his animal critter friends. Sunny was hurriedly explaining to everypony that since all of the harmony trees were linked, Opaline must have found a way to emerge out of any of them.
Misty had been quietly watching all of her friends move around frantically as a churning bowl of anxiety had started spilling around in her stomach. When she had finally rebelled against Opaline, she thought it would finally be over, meaning she could just heal and move on, happily shutting out all the pain she had caused. But just like that, her own guardian had been thrown back into her life.
As everypony rushed out the door, Sunny had turned round to Misty and hurriedly said “Bring your element and your spellbook! We might need to use that sealing spell you were telling me about!”
Misty had spluttered a response to her, but she had already passed. She almost shut down there, but the feeling of a wing covering her back pulled her back.
“You got this, Misty.” Zipp had said reassuringly, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Misty had smiled at her, and nodded. “I… I got this!”
As they arrived, the form of Opaline had started to come out of the tree. It looked as if there was some sort of portal in the trunk of the tree and the more Opaline passed through, the more corporeal she became. As she emerged, strange batlike rock creatures flew out of the tree and started to cause general confusion and disarray.
With the area evacuated, the guardians started doing their thing. Zipp was flashing around, dispatching the creatures as quickly as she could. Izzy was doing the same with a mix of unicorn levitation and her homemade glitterbombs, which were surprisingly effective. Hitch was using a mix of his earth pony plant magic with his animal critter friends to help. Pipp was… filming everything (‘for documentation and research!’). All of the distraction work left Sunny and Misty. Being the one with the most raw power, Sunny was sending blast after blast at the emerging Alicorn. It seemed, however, that it wasn’t working as intended as for every blast backwards, Opaline seemed to get faster.
The fire alicorn’s plantlike gaze was set firmly on Misty.
“I don’t care WHAT you think you can do! You can’t do ANYTHING!”
And that’s how we got where we are now, with Misty frozen in place.
“MISTY! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!” Cried out Sunny desperately as she blasted one continuous beam.
Misty panicked. She looked in the spellbook, the words starting to get all mixed and jumbled in her mind as she tried to read them out. Stuttering, she shut her eyes and screamed the words to the spell without any finesse or precision in her horn movements.
She didn’t cast the spell correctly.
An incredibly unstable lightning bolt shot out of her horn, blasting into the tree. There was a huge flash as the tree was almost immediately engulfed in flames. Smaller bolts started flying around everywhere, blasting both Zipp and Sunny out of the air. One final offshoot blasted away towards the Canterlogic factory, flying along the power cables and shot inside of the building. A few loud booms rang out from inside as various capacitors were overloaded, blowing out a bunch of the windows.
The blazing tree did have somewhat of the desired effect, however, as the screams of pain from Opaline echoing around the square made Misty open her eyes. She could see the form of Opaline shrink back into the tree. Despite being a fire Alicorn, it seemed a lot of her senses were tied to the tree.
As Opaline’s figure returned to its wooden prison, its eyes were glaring strictly at Misty.
“You always were a pathetic little pony.”
And with that, she was gone, the flames starting to surround the area that she had been.
Everypony seemed to be in a state of silent shock at what Misty had done. Sunny staggered to her hooves, looking up in horror at the harmony tree. Her gaze slowly shifted to a quivering Misty, who looked back at her with an equal amount of horror.
“Well… that’s ONE way to close a portal.” Said Izzy, trying to hone in on the bright side as she slowly watched the tree burn.
Misty was frozen once more, feeling the walls in her mind start to suppress her vision. She clutched her chest with her hoof as she started to hyperventilate. She staggered a little, her eyes eventually landing onto a certain white pegasus.Zipp was laying on the floor, wings splayed out, unmoving. Along her left side on the section that her wing usually covered, a huge scorch mark had been created by the impact.
“Z-Zipp!” She cried out, and ran over to the Pegasus, gently shaking her. She was definitely breathing, at least, but it was getting more and more laboured by the moment.
“Nono… nononono… no…” she whispered, doing her best to try and wake her. “P-Please be ok…”
“We need to get her to the hospital.” Said Sunny as she quickly limped forward, with Pipp rushing over too. She had been hit by a blast too, as shown by her slightly singed mane, but it would seem that her Alicorn abilities had lessened the impact.
“Zipp!!! Don’t you DARE die on me!” Growled Pipp in desperation. “I FORBID IT!”
“I can fix it! T-There’s a spell!” She said, summoning the spell book to her and started to flick through it. She was breathing so quickly that she dropped it on the floor. Sunny placed a hoof on her shoulder. Misty didn’t like how much it was shaking.
“Misty.”
Misty looked around at her.
Sunny gently shook her head.
“Sunny! I-I can do it!” She whimpered. Sunny hesitated, but it was an incredibly stressed out Pipp that dealt the final blow.
“I think you’ve done enough.” She growled, shooting a withering glare at Misty.
Misty felt the comment skewer her right through the heart. Her eyes darted to Sunny for help. Sunny seemed too shocked by what Pipp had said to formulate a response, just looking between the pair of them. Izzy had let out a big gasp, and Hitch hissed nervously, although his attention was still mainly on the still burning tree.
Misty stumbled back, feeling the element of harmony around her neck heat up a little as she started to feel all the emotions being directed towards her.
Fear.
Anger.
Disappointment.
She could feel herself start to shake.
Sunny put herself in the way between Misty and the pegasus sisters. Her eyes were fixed on Misty’s element.
“Head back to the brighthouse, Misty. We’ve got it from here.” She said with a supportive smile, but Misty could tell that she was trying to de-escalate the situation.
Misty nodded quickly. She glanced at Pipp. She still looked furious. She felt her element heat up…
Fury.
Misty turned tail and bolted, running as fast as her legs could carry her.
For as long as she could remember, under the covers was Misty’s safe space. Somewhere she could hide from Opaline as she planned for ways to please her. This was where she was now. She was snuggled deep in the vast ocean of bedsheets as she gently sobbed into her little homemade unicorn plush. Today had been quite possibly the worst day of her life. Not only had she burnt down the harmony tree, blown up canterlogic and disappointed all her friends, her incompetence had sent her girlfriend to the hospital.
Spiralling hard, she did her best to ignore the hoof steps coming up the stairs. But as she heard somepony call her name, she realised she couldn’t really just ignore it.
She poked her head out from under the covers to see Pipp and Sunny sitting at the end of her bed, inside the curtain barrier that surrounded it. Pipp looked very guilty and Sunny looked kind of angry. Misty flinched a little at seeing Pipp, and felt her bottom lip wobble.
“Pipp wanted to say something.” Said Sunny, glancing over at Pipp. Pipp looked down, guiltily.
“I’m… sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.” She said quietly. “I was just worried about my sister. I know she means as much to you as she does to me, and you were probably feeling the same.”
Misty didn’t have her element around her neck, so she relied on herself to know that the apology was genuine.
“Is… I-is Zipp okay?” Misty asked quietly. Both Sunny and Pipp smiled.
“She’s going to be fine, yes.” Reassured Sunny. “She’s going to have a scar, but she will be back to full flight capacity in a week or so. She’s on her way back with Hitch now.”
Misty felt tears start to bubble, but she kept it in.
“Th… Thank you for… apologising, Pipp.” Misty managed to get out. She meant it, genuinely, but those words were going to be stinging in the back of her mind for a while.
Pipp gave a little smile, then backed out of the curtained area. Sunny stayed, smile dropping as she moved closer and gave Misty a tight hug.
“Are you… mad at me?” Asked Misty nervously.
“Of course not, Misty. This wasn’t your fault.”
“It was, though. I panicked and messed up the spell. Now the harmony tree is gone.” Misty mumbled into her mane as she returned the hug.
Sunny sighed, and took a moment to reply. This didn’t make Misty feel any better.
“It was Opaline that made you feel that way, though. You did your best to try and seal her away. You didn’t quite do it this time… but at least she won’t be able to return for a while.”
“If that was my best, I’d hate to see my worst…” She whimpered.
Sunny was silent for a little longer. Misty could sense she was trying to think of a way to resolve this without admitting that Misty had done badly.
“What I think you need…” she said eventually, pulling away from the hug “Is a mentor.”
Huh?
Misty looked confused.
“W-What do you mean? You mean like… O-Opaline?”
Sunny shook her head.
“She wasn’t a mentor. She was an abuser.” Sunny reaffirmed. “All she did was teach you bad things. She never offer any support, and her actions caused you more trauma than I can even bare to think about.” she said, her voice wobbling a little bit as she wrapped a hoof around Misty’s shoulder. Misty was quiet.
“She’s why you froze, Misty. It wasn’t you. This is why I think a mentor would be perfect for you. You’re one of the most incredible ponies I've ever met… we just need to make sure that you know that too.”
Misty smiled a little and nodded slowly. She didn’t really believe Sunny. She didn’t have much to give apart from a passing understanding of how to use a spellbook that quite literally fell out of the sky for her… but she did like the idea of having a teacher to help with her self confidence. “Uhm… that would be nice… I’d be happy for you to be my mentor, Sunny” she said, feeling hope start to form inside her.
Sunny smiled back, but shook her head.
“Not me. We’ll always be here to support you, obviously, but we need a real expert when it comes to helping you with this.”
“B-But… why…”
“We can’t really help with this kind of magic. Sure, we’ve all given you a hoof from time to time… but none of us really know how any of that spell stuff works. We need somepony who really understands it. And I just know that if you got proper teaching, you’d be the most formidable force in all of Equestria!” She said supportively.
Misty, as was quite common, was completely dumbfounded. “But… nopony else knows magic like this… not anypony alive, anyway…” she froze. “Y-You d-don’t want me to bring back somepony from the dead, r-right!?”
Sunny laughed, shaking her head. “Don’t be silly, Misty! I was thinking of somepony else…” she said, with a slowly growing smile, looking over at Misty’s spellbook. Misty was clueless.
“… that’s a book, not a horse.” She said slowly.
“Yes… but don’t you have your special pen pal?”
“OH!”
Misty’s ears shot up, and she looked super flustered.
“UHM! I think she’d probably be busy! She’s so busy all the time aha uhm… I don’t think she’d want to help me!” She said nervously.
“From what you’ve told me, it seems her life is pretty stable right now. Plus, you’ve got your special bond with your element!” Said Sunny. “Never be afraid to ask for help! If there's one lesson I can impart on you, it’s that!”
Misty let out a little sigh, looking at the book.
“… I think she is on her summer break or something… s-so I guess I could find out if she’s free…” she mumbled, gently hovering the book over to her. She flipped to the last page. The back of the book was a blank page. However, if she wrote anything on the blank page, the exact same words would appear in another book in a different world.
Misty grabbed her glittery pen, the nib hovering over the paper as her ears flattened.
“… what if I just disappoint her? Like I disappointed all of you?” She asked quietly.
“Then she wouldn't be worth having as a mentor.” Sunny reassured. “Because I could never be disappointed in you.“
Misty smiled, leaning into her for a few moments, Sunny wrapping her hoof around her.
Misty took a deep breath, and started writing…
‘Dear Sunset Shimmer…’
“Nervous?”
Zipp had walked with Misty up to the hill that overlooked Maretime bay. Misty had figured it would be the perfect place to introduce the unicorn properly to their world.
Sunset had been surprisingly enthusiastic to help, offering to travel across the same day. Misty had asked that she was given a couple of days to prepare herself.
Despite her mental preparations… she was still terrified.
“You have no idea…” Misty muttered in response, glancing over at Zipp. It had been a couple of days since the whole ‘zapping her girlfriend out of the sky’ incident and Zipp still sported a large bandage that had been carefully wrapped around her side.
“I’m…” she was about to apologise again, but Zipp placed a hoof on her lips, a furious blush appearing on Misty’s cheeks.
“Hey. What did we say about apologising for things you’ve already said sorry for?” She reminded her.
Misty nodded. “Sorry…” she said, covering her mouth as she realised what she’d just said.
“MISTY!” Laughed Zipp, and gave her peck on the cheek. “What are we going to do with you?“
Misty laughed along too, giving her a quick nuzzle before forcing a determined smile onto her face.
“I got this!“ she said.
“You got this!” Confirmed Zipp, who sat down a little bit away from her to watch the magic happen. Literally.
Misty wrote a quick message in her spellbook.
‘Ok! Casting the spell now!’ She scribbled, and quickly flipped to the correct page.
Her horn started to glow as she drew out a door shape in the air with a gold outline, and stood back. She placed her element around her neck and placed a hoof on her heart. A power circle appeared around her, and she started to gently float.
“I may seem a little quiet… but my strength is quite real”
She pushed her hoof forward, directing the energy towards the door. A beam of prismatic energy flew out and towards the door. Her cutie mark sparkled too, glittery energy supplementing the beam as an actual glowing door started to form.
“When my element comes to life…” she said, and gulped. Here we go…
“My heart helps me feel!”
With one last swelling of energy, the door was fully formed! Misty dropped onto the floor, panting a little, but her ears perked up as she saw the door swing open.
Zipp let out a cheer. “Way to go, girl!”
Moving through the door was a yellow, red and orange unicorn with two large satchels on her sides. She was wearing a leather jacket as well as an excited (yet nervous) smile on her face. Around her neck hung her matching element.
Zipp’s jaw dropped. She was so pretty!!!!
“Hey there, Morning Mist!” Sunset Shimmer said happily, extending a hoof out to shake. Misty took it one further and gave her a tight hug. Sunset laughed, hugging back. “Good to see you too!”
Zipp smiled as she approached the pair. “Damn, Misty was not lying when she said you had style.”
Misty unhugged and turned around. She pointed to Zipp.
“Sunset! This is Zipp! She’s my… uhhhmmm…” she said, blushing a little as she glanced at Zipp, who rolled her eyes affectionately. “Yes, Misty, you can say it…” Sunset raised an eyebrow.
“She’s my girlfriend.” Misty said, awkwardly smiling. Zipp stuck her tongue out.
“Ah! Yes! Zipp, was it!” Said Sunset, extending her hoof to her. Zipp happily shook it. “Great to meet you! I’ve heard you’re the best flyer in this Equestria!”
“Oh? Really? Who told you that?” She replied, feeling an embarrassed blush cross her face. Misty giggled.
Sunset laughed too, before setting down her satchels. She started rummaging around inside one of them.
“Okay! So… my… friend,” she said, purring a weird cadence on the word friend (which led Misty and Zipp to raise an eyebrow at each other), “helped me plan a lesson guide for us! Now, uhm…” she said, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. “I can’t pretend that I’ve ever really taught anybody before, but I am going to do my best!”
Misty looked confused. “What do you mean… anybody?”
Sunset tilted her head, before realising. “OH! Sorry, everypony! Heh, old habits… anyway… Aha!”
“Wait, we’re starting now?”
“Yeah! Why not!”
She pulled out a notebook that had a purple star shape on the front, and opened it up at the first page.
“Is that… Twilight Sparkle’s cutie mark?” Asked Zipp with curiosity.
Zipp didn’t pick up on it, but when Twilight’s name was mentioned, Misty felt a strange fuzz at the back of her mind. It wasn’t like the normal one that she felt when she got little glimpses of ponies' emotions. This was stronger. It felt like it had been festering for a while, and whilst they both wore their elements, their powers seemed to be somewhat intertwined. For the first time, Misty felt a full sentence form in her mind in Sunset’s voice.
‘Why did you have to ask that.’
Misty was completely taken aback. She had never had anything like this happen before… Luckily for her, Sunset had already started replying to Zipp.
“Hmm? Oh, yeah! Yeah, I know the version of her from the world I hang out in! Very smart. Anyway…” she said, quickly shifting the subject. Misty tilted her head. She was hiding something. Zipp wanted to learn more about Twilight Sparkle, but Sunset had already started talking again.
“It says here…” Sunset said, studying the page in front of her. “The first step in mentorship is finding out what your student is capable of. Ah! Easy!” She said, and shut the book. She cleared her throat, ready to start teaching.
“Okay! Lesson one, let’s go! Misty, I’d like you to punch me!”
…
“W-WHAT!?”
|
ThistleRose
|
562110
| 2 |
Misty,Sunset Shimmer,Zipp Storm,Adventure,Mystery,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: A New Generation,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
|
Misty's Guide to Shimmer and Shine
|
Misty needs a mentor; one who can teach her how to use magic. Luckily, she is contact with a Unicorn who is very adept. One who does not want to be at home right now.
|
incomplete
| 17 | 1 |
<p>Misty, with her newly discovered element of harmony, messes up wildly during a battle with Opaline, leaving Zipp badly hurt and the rest of the Guardians of Harmony in disarray. </p><p>Luckily, she has a very special pen pal who is more than willing to travel through the portal to mentor her! But why is she so keen to leave her home? </p><p>Misty and Sunset Shimmer team up as the combined element of Empathy to show the world what it means to have heart!</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-21T23:38:51+00:00
|
2024-07-21T23:38:51+00:00
| 306 |
💥Part 1: How to cast with confidence💥
“P-Punch you?“ stuttered Misty. She hadn’t been expecting the lessons to start so soon and especially hadn’t been expecting them to start like this
“Yeah! Go on!” Said Sunset, stretching a little and getting into an active stance. “I want to see what we’re working with!”
Misty quibbled a bit, and glanced back to Zipp who had a curious expression on her face.
“Have you ever punched anypony before?” Asked Zipp.
“N-No!” Replied Misty.
“Well, you know what they say! First time for everything!” Zipp said. “Go get her, girl!”
“Uhm… A-Are you going to punch me back?” she asked nervously to Sunset, who was a taller and much stronger looking pony.
“No. I promise you, I am not going to attack back” She said, smiling. Misty trusted her.
“Okay… here goes…” Misty said. She had to psyche herself up a bit, but with a big cheer from Zipp, she ran forward with her eyes closed.
“HHYAH!” She said, flailing her hooves around wildly at Sunset.
Sunset simply jumped out the way, Misty falling to the ground in a small pile.
“Come on! You can do better than that!” Said Sunset, smiling as she flicked her mane.
Misty turned around, a determined expression forming on her face. Keeping her eyes open this time, she waited until the last moment to throw out a hoof. Once again, Sunset simply jumped backwards, causing Misty to stumble once more. Letting out a grunt of frustration, Misty glared at her.
“How am I meant to punch you if you keep on jumping out of the way?” she asked.
Sunset just grinned.
“... OH.”
Misty realised what the actual ‘test’ was.
Okay.
“No more messing around, Misty…” she grumbled to herself. Her eyes narrowed as sunset stood there, ready for Misty’s next attempt.
Misty ran forward towards her, but at the last moment, hopped to the left and threw another punch! Sunset narrowly dodged out of the way, but it was a lot closer!
“Better! Come on! I know you can do it!” She said supportively. “You’ll need to use your head!”
“I AM using my head!” She said, thinking hard. Sunset was paying real close attention to her, and would likely be able to read any of her movements. So she’d have to try to distract her!
“… WOAH IS THAT A DRAGON?” She said, pointing up into the sky. Sunset turned around to look. As she did, Misty ran up to punch, but Sunset rolled out of the way just as she approached, laughing.
“UUGGGH!!!” Misty groaned in frustration. “If I had known that this would be difficult then I wouldn’t have suggested it!”
“Hey Mists!” Zipp called out to her. Misty looked around.
“You’ve got a horn! Use it!”
Misty blinked.
Use your head.
Oh… OH!
She looked back to Sunset who was grinning. “We’re here to learn magic, aren’t we?”
“Right!” She said, and activated her horn…
And then just sort of…
Stood there.
Sunset raised an eyebrow.
…
Misty didn’t do anything.
“Are you… going to do something?” Asked Sunset. Misty whimpered. “I’m… not really that good at it without my book…” she said. She cast the one spell she had managed to master; the spell that made her book float over to her.
“Oh.”
Sunset tilted her head, glancing over at the book.
“The book is just instructions, right?” She asked.
“Y-Yeah. All the magic is in me already! I think…”
“Awesome! So we don’t need it then!” She said, and grabbed the book with her own magic. “Zipp! Catch!” She said, Frizzbeeing it over to Zipp. Zipp caught it in her mouth.
“Sunset…” Misty was about to complain, but Sunset interrupted.
“Misty! Remember, this is all about you getting better, right?” she said. “And the only way to get better is to figure out where you need to improve!”
Misty’s ears flattened and her eyes narrowed. What spells COULD she do without the book?
There was basic levitation, of course, but she doubted that she’d be able to lift somepony like Sunset without resistance. She could remember the teleportation spell but had little practice with it. She didn’t want to end up halfway across Equestria and need to be rescued again like last time. She could sort of remember the spell that turned her friends into Seaponies, but not only would that not be useful right now, she didn’t have any of the correct components.
And then of course, there was…
Misty’s eyes brightened.
That spell!
“O-Okay… I’m ready…” she said, a new found determination in her voice.
“What have you got planned?” Asked Sunset, who got back into position.
“Can’t say! That’d ruin the surprise, wouldn’t it!” She said, and without warning leapt at her!
Sunset wasn’t expecting the sudden movement but was still able to dodge out of the way.
Misty didn’t let up. She kept on running at her, swinging her hoof. Sunset didn’t have much trouble hopping out of the way of the swings. Misty was getting exhausted, and after a good minute of constant running, she stopped, panting. Sunset was painting a little too.
“Come on, Misty! You’re getting closer!” She said, and then raised an eyebrow when she saw the exhausted misty’s horn glow. She readied herself… What was she going to do? A laser beam? Teleport behind her? Animate a tree?
She didn’t expect to feel the heavy impact on the back of her head.
She let out a cry of pain and looked around to see what had just hit her. Zipp sat a little bit away with a small smirk on her face as Sunset looked at… the spellbook?
OH.
Sunset looked around just in time to see Misty appear RIGHT in her face, and punching her right on the snout! Knocked off balance, Sunset fell onto her rear, hoof on nose. That hurt WAY more than she thought Misty was capable of.
“HA! YES! I DID IT! HAAAA! WOOOO!” She said, Twirling around in a circle as she celebrated. Zipp gave a cheer of support. After a few moments, Misty slowed down and looked sheepishly at Sunset, who had a smile on her face.
“S-Sorry! Are you ok? I didn’t mean to hurt you that much! And I know we said I shouldn’t use the spellbook but I technically didn’t USE the spellbook! I just used the book part! Which wasn’t very honest of me, i’m really sorry but-”
She was interrupted by the sudden hoof on her shoulder, which made her immediately sit down.
“You did it!” Sunset said excitedly. “You managed to work out a way to hit me! That’s amazing! Well done!” She said, smiling wide. Zipp was behind her, smiling too. Misty’s cheeks flushed with pride as she shyly shuffled her hoof on the floor.
Through the contact and with them both having their elements, she could hear Sunset’s mind crystal clear.
“She’s going to be so fucking powerful.”
She shuffled away nervously with a little smile.
“Thank you…” she said, getting to her hooves. “Uhm… what’s the plan now?” She asked. Sunset paused. She didn’t seem to know. “Uhhhhh…” she whipped out her lesson plan and scanned through it. She smiled a tiny bit.
“It just says ‘Get some rest, Sunsun.” Heh…”
Misty tilted her head slightly, as she felt the emotion emanating from Sunset.
Longing.
“I guess now we should show you the brighthouse then!” Piped up Zipp. Sunset looked up and quickly nodded, putting away the lesson plan. “Sounds good! I’d love to meet all of your friends! Especially Sunny. I feel like we have a lot to talk about.”
“Well then! Follow me!” Said Zipp, who started to trot off back towards the brighthouse . Misty nodded slowly, but her view was fixed on Sunset. When Zipp was a little bit away, Misty said quietly to Sunset: “are… you ok?”
“Hmm? Yeah, why do you ask?” Said Sunset, who had just taken off her element and placed it into one of her many bags. Misty frowned; it was going to be harder to read her now.
“Well… it’s just that… you seemed a bit…” she said, slowing down as she realised she didn’t even know what she was trying to ask.
“A bit what?“ she said, raising an eyebrow.
“Sad?” Misty said, tilting her head. Sunset let out a little sigh.
“I guess I am, a bit. Back home is a little complicated right now, but none of that matters! This week is about YOU! Not me, remember! Now, you two go on ahead a little, I’ll catch up! Just got to work out where I put all of my presents…” she said, smiling.
Misty nodded quickly with a smile, but concern filled her face as she walked away. Sunset did seem keen to come here…
“All good?” Asked Zipp, head tilting as Misty approached.
“Think so! She’s a bit distracted by… something. And I can’t read her too well when she doesn’t have her element on… but! I’m sure if it was important she’d tell us!”
“True.” Said Zipp, nodding, glancing back at her. A little smile crossed her face as she leant in close to Misty.
“Can we please talk about how pretty she is!?” She said in an excited whisper. Misty nodded, a similar smile spreading onto her lips.
“I know, right!? She’s so cool!? Why can’t I be that cool!?” She responded in a similar tone.
“Come on, Mists! Less of that!” Said Zipp, giving her a nudge. “You are cool! You just punched a Unicorn from an alternate universe!”
Misty smiled a little, but didn’t really believe it.
“MISTY! Z-ZIPP!”
Both Mares heads turned to see Hitch Trailblaze, sheriff extraordinaire, running towards them. “ARE YOU OK? SPROUT TOLD ME SOME SORT OF FIRE DEMON WAS ATTACKING!”
“Oh. You mean Sunset?” Asked Zipp, raising an eyebrow and motioning at the rapidly approaching bacon horse.
“She’s my friend! And my new teacher! Did Sunny not tell you?” Asked Misty. Zipp now looked incredibly confused as Sunset reached the trio.
“Uhhhhh…” said Hitch, who was now staring at Sunset Shimmer with confused awe.
“Heya sheriff. You that cop Misty’s told me about?” Sunset asked nonchalantly.
“U-Uhh… yes! I'm the sheriff of this town.” He said, regaining composure.
“Huh.” Said Sunset shortly. “Is there no royal guard?”
“Well, we don’t really have royalty here.” He said awkwardly. “Sooo… not much use for a royal guard… unless you head to Zephyr heights. They’ve got a queen, and you just so happen to be in the presence of one of their princesses!”
Zipp groaned a little.
“Oh.” Said Sunset, before her eyes suddenly widened. “OH! YOU’RE A PRINCESS!?”
Zipp looked confused. “Yeah… did… Misty never say?” She asked, looking over at Misty who shivered as she found all eyes were now firmly placed on her.
“U-Uhm! No, not really, because, I know that you don’t really, like being seen as a princess…” she said nervously. “So I didn’t say anything.”
Zipp’s smile grew. Sunset just looked between them in impressed confusion. Hitch just blinked.
“How in Equestria did you manage to bag a princess?” Said Sunset in a light tone.
“Well… she asked me, actually…” she replied with a little laugh. Sunset jaw dropped. “Girl? You never told me you got propositioned by ROYALTY?”
“It’s really not that big of a deal…” said Zipp, rubbing the back of her mane with a hoof.
“I don’t really see her as Royalty. I just see her as Zipp!”
Hitch went to contribute but the last statement was so cute that he gave up and just smiled.
“Heh…” Sunset laughed a little. “Come on, then, lovebirds!! To the… SHIT one moment I forgot a bag. she said, and hurriedly rushed back. The trio watched her go.
When she was out of earshot, Hitch turned to the other two.
“How is she so pretty?” he said in disbelief.
“I KNOW!” the Mares said in unison.
-
“So this is where all of the magic here comes from?” Asked Sunset, head tilted as she looked up at the translucent and prismatic beam shooting up into the sky.
“Yep! As far as we can tell, anyway.” Said Zipp. “There’s a set of crystals up there that our world's Twilight infused all the magic of earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns into it. If it’s moved, magic ceases to function here. So, you know. Don’t do that.”
Sunset looked impressed. “That Twilight sure is a wonder, isn’t she? And she sealed it away to stop the fire Alicorn from taking it?”
“Yep…” said Misty quietly.
“Which you did! Sorta- well, at least she won’t be back for a while. And once I'm done with you, you’ll be able to flatten her in moments. That’s all that matters, right?”
“Right…” said Misty, sounding more unsure than ever. She moved forward and opened the door.
As the three walked in, Sunset suddenly found an Izzy standing directly in front of her.
“ARE YOU SUNSET SHIMMER.” She asked, eyes huge and dazzling.
“Uhh… yeah?” She said.
“YAAAAAY!!!!!!”
Izzy immediately wrapped her legs around her in a tight hug, tail wagging like an excited puppy. “THIS MIGHT BE THE BEST DAY EVER! ANOTHER UNICORN BEST FRIEND TO KEEP!”
Sunset laughed at this, returning the hug a little awkwardly. “Is she always like this?” She asked.
“Oh, you have no idea.” Said Zipp, smirking as she walked past the unicorns. Misty and Hitch followed her in.
Eventually Izzy detached herself from the hug, and practically dragged Sunset over to a huge display of friendship bracelets she had made.
“Pick one pick one pick one!” She said excitedly, practically bouncing up and down on the spot.
“Haha, uh, is it ok if I do it a little later-“ Sunset started but was interrupted as Izzy was suddenly giving her a death glare.
“Pick one.”
“Okay! Okay, I will!“ she said, rolling her eyes a little. She scanned them over for a few moments, and eventually picked one that had a blue and purple theme, mixed with some sparkles. “This one reminds me of you, so I’ll take it!” She said, putting it on her front hoof. Misty looked with wide eyes. It was super similar to hers.
We’re matching!??
“And now, a LIVE EXCLUSIVE, pipsqueaks…”
A voice was reverberating round the main room of the brighthouse. Zipp groaned and placed a hoof on her muzzle in exasperation. Misty just let out a little giggle.
“...coming LIVE from the crystal brighthouse! We have a unicorn from…. wwwwait for it…. ANOTHER DIMENSION!”
Sunset looked up to see the pink pegasi suddenly leap off the balcony above them and swoop down. Pipp landed a few feet in front of Sunset, turning the camera round to show them both.
“This extra dimensional traveller is here to help train our very own ✨Misty Brightdawn✨on how to better do magic! So we don’t have another little…” she paused a little, her face dropping momentarily. “Accident.” Her expression lifted again as she shuffled closer to Sunset.
“So! Sunset Shimininer!” she started gleefully.
“It’s Shimmer.” she said quickly, tilting her head as she looked into the front facing camera of Pipp’s phone. “I didn’t even realise you had phones here… how are you holding that?”
Pipp opened her mouth happily to answer but paused as she actually considered the question.
“How AM I holding this-” she said slowly… “Ah well! Probably nothing to worry about!”
“So! As I was Saaaying…. How are you finding your time so far in Maretime bay?” she asked, tilting the camera towards Sunset.
Misty noticed Sunset’s cheeks flushing a little as the orange unicorn was suddenly thrown into the spotlight.
“T-Three thousand viewers!?” she said nervously.
“Yeppp!” Pipp confirmed gleefully. “And all of them are waiting for an annsswerrrr~”
“U-Uhhhhh…” she said, stalling awkwardly for a moment. “It’s good! Haven’t been able to see much of it yet, aha… I d-did get punched on arrival though! That was awesome!”
“You what? By who!?” Pipp said, camera tilting back to her slightly as she turned her head to look at Sunset.
Sunset went to answer but she stopped as Misty shook her head rapidly, waving her hooves. Misty did NOT want the whole of Equestria thinking that she punched anypony she didn’t know. She was already worried that she was an eco terrorist after she burnt down the harmony tree.
“M…….. doesn’t matter! Just a misunderstanding! It’s a lovely place!” Sunset said quickly. There was an awkward silence in the room for a few moments, before Pipp laughed loudly.
“AHHAAAHAHAH! Comedy must be different from other dimensions. ANWAY! Send your questions in the comments on the community tab! We will have a PROPER Q+A with her tomorrow! That's it for now, Pipsqueaks!” she said, and ended the livestream.
Shaking her head, she strutted up to Sunset.
“We have GOT to work on your online presence, girl! Don’t worry, we’ll get you all set up on clip trot tomorrow morning! We have a LOT of work to do to build your platform!”
“Clip Trot?” Was all Sunset managed to say as Pipp fluttered away up into the bedroom area, muttering about all the brand deals she’d be able to secure now that a pony from another dimension was living in their house.
Sunset let out an exhale of relief. “I don’t think I’m quite ready for social media here juuust yet.” she said with a smile.
“M-Me neither…” said Misty, approaching her again. She glanced around. “Does anypony know where Sunny is?”
“I think she’s still down at the bay” said Hitch, who was now tending to one of his animal buddies who had a sore wing. “I think there was a bit of a lunch rush at her smoothie stand.”
“Smoothie stand? The only Alicorn left in Equestria and she’s running a smoothie stand?” Sunset asked with some confusion.
As Izzy started excitedly telling Sunset about all of Sunny’s various smoothie types, Misty’s ears flattened as she started to worry. Sunset was asking so many questions… she had done a terrible job at explaining this dimension, hadn’t she! She was the worse at th-
Her R.A.S (random anxiety spiral) was quickly halted by the feeling of Zipp’s muzzle rubbing against hers. Misty could already feel her pulse slow as she returned the action. Zipp had gotten quite good at recognising the signs that Misty was slipping a little, and was always quick to show support.
“I’ll have to try some!” Sunset said after Izzy had meticulously explained every single flavour combination, and her gaze turned to Misty. “I’m… kinda tired now from travelling. Would you be able to show me where I’ll be staying?”
Misty looked blankly for a few moments before realising she was being spoken too. “OH! Uhm, yeah! S-Sure, It's… U-Uhm…” she stood up, shaking her head to clear it. “Follow me! It's in… the basement. S-Sorry its the only room that we’ve got free-”
“Don’t worry at all” she said, and followed her.. “Wouldn’t be the first time I've slept somewhere that wasn’t ideal.
Zipp gave Misty a little nudge as the two unicorns headed down into the basement.
As they left, Izzy shuffled over to hitch.
“Did Misty mention to you how hot Sunset was going to be-”
Hitch wasn’t expecting that, and spat out the glass of water that he was drinking.
-
Misty showed Sunset down to her room. Izzy had donated her old bed from bridlewood for the room (which they had transported in the flying motorhome that they of course had) but apart from that it was pretty bare. The old storage crates still remained. Misty hoped she wouldn’t mind.
“Not bad! I’ve slept in way worse rooms than this!” she said, throwing all her bags onto the floor with a heave. She took off her jacket, did a big catlike stretch, and lay down on the bed.
Misty hovered awkwardly for a few moments as Sunset settled down.
“So….” said Misty, shuffling further in and sitting by the bed. Sunset patted the bed. Misty nodded with an embarrassed smile and hopped up next to her. “What do you think of my friends?”
“Oh! They’re great!” she said, smiling wide. “Izzy reminds me of one of my friends from home! Only less…” she needed to take a moment to think. “... Less chaotic.”
“Than Izzy?”
“Oh, you have no idea… Hitch seems cool! Was a little worried when I saw that he was a cop, but he seems to care about his animals more than himself. Pipp is… Pipp will take some getting used to, but I can see why she’s so popular!” she said, looking up at the ceiling as she spoke. The pair could hear the usual noise of Pipp writing a new pop song in the rooms above them.
“And uhm… what do you think of… Zipp.” Misty asked anxiously.
Sunset let out a little sigh, and grinned at Misty.
“You are one lucky pony, Misty.’”
Misty felt an excitement build up inside of her as she wiggled a little bit where she lay. Sunset liked her girlfriend! This was the best news ever!
“Now… Is it ok if I'm just on my own for a bit?” Asked Sunset. “It’s been a long day is all, and I need a nap. After I've planned your lesson tomorrow, of course!”
Misty nodded but before she got off the bed she hugged Sunset. Tight.
“H-Hey! What's this for?” she asked.
“For being here… For agreeing to come. You’re going to make everything so much better.”
Sunset took a moment to reply. “I… Don’t think I will. It's you who’ll be getting better, right?”
“I… guess.” said Misty slowly.
“Besides! I really owe you one. I…” she stopped talking altogether.
Despite not having her element on, Misty could still sense the familiar feeling of sadness inside of Sunset.
“I think you know how bad It was for me when we first met.” She mumbled.
Misty shivered. When they had first come across each other about a year ago, Sunset was right on the verge of wiping her own memory so she didn’t have to feel the guilt of what she had done on her gambit to steal Twilight’s crown.
“You saved me then, Misty.” she said, voice wobbling a tiny bit. “This is the least I can do. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else at all right now.”
And there it was again.
Misty was getting the fuzzy emotion of unspecified loss emanating from Sunset Shimmer.
This was becoming too frequent to be random. Misty was stunlocked in her own mind. Why would Sunset want to keep something from her?
“You know…” she said, tilting her head a little. “You’re the only person OR Pony that I haven’t been able to read.”
Misty tilted her head, distracted from her previous train of though. “Read?”
“Yeah. It’s a lot more vibrant when I’ve got my element on, but I can generally get a feel for how somepony is feeling just by touching them. It's a near constant buzz when I’ve got the element on, and then if I touch them, I can hear their exact thoughts. It’s… bizarre to say the least.”
“Y-Yeah! I…I’ve started to experience things like that…” she said. “E-Especially when… uhm… I…” She mumbled, not wanting to relive the terrible experience of the battle against Opaline. “But…” her mind started putting things together. “You can’t… sense me?”
“Not at all.” she said, shrugging. “I guess since we kinda share the same power? I don’t know.”
Misty froze as she looked away from her.
She could hear what Sunset was thinking when she was wearing her element… and she could even feel the loss emanating from her now…
She knew she should just tell her. It would be the honest and easy thing to do!
…
But then she’d have to confront her about what was bothering her so much…
“That's weird…” is all she was able to say as she stood up. She turned around with a lil’ smile.
“Well! I’ll leave you now. J-Just head upstairs if you need anything!” Misty said. Sunset smiled and nodded.
“One more thing, Misty…” She said.
“Hmm?” Misty said, looking around.
“Prepare for the best week of your life!”
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ThistleRose
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562110
| 3 |
Misty,Sunset Shimmer,Zipp Storm,Adventure,Mystery,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: A New Generation,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
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Misty's Guide to Shimmer and Shine
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Misty needs a mentor; one who can teach her how to use magic. Luckily, she is contact with a Unicorn who is very adept. One who does not want to be at home right now.
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incomplete
| 17 | 1 |
<p>Misty, with her newly discovered element of harmony, messes up wildly during a battle with Opaline, leaving Zipp badly hurt and the rest of the Guardians of Harmony in disarray. </p><p>Luckily, she has a very special pen pal who is more than willing to travel through the portal to mentor her! But why is she so keen to leave her home? </p><p>Misty and Sunset Shimmer team up as the combined element of Empathy to show the world what it means to have heart!</p>
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everyone
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2024-07-22T22:26:35+00:00
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2024-07-24T11:45:49+00:00
| 244 |
Part 2
How to Fight with the Fear
“Misty! It’s ok! Misty!”
Misty’s eyes flew open, her breathing quick. She thrashed around a bit in the confused state between the dream realm and reality, only calmed down by feeling the hooves on her shoulders. Zipp was looking down at her, worry stricken across her face. Misty’s breathing slowed as she rolled up into a sitting position.
“Ugh…” she groaned. She had been having another nightmare. This time about Zipp… she didn’t even want to think about it.
“S-” she started but Zipp’s hoof had already shot to her muzzle. “Nononononono. You are not about to apologise for having a nightmare.” she said sternly, but with a smile on her mouth. Misty’s ears flattened, and she instead just rested her head against Zipp’s chest. Zipp placed a hoof around her and made a ‘shhhh’ noise. Misty felt herself calm right down. The contact started to let Misty inadvertently start to sense Zipp’s feelings… She would call them ‘affectionate concern.’ This made Misty shuffle uncomfortably. She did appreciate her developing abilities; nopony else native to this world could do what she could. But she did wish there was a way to turn it off every now and then.
“Remember… I’m here.” Said Zipp quietly. “And don’t forget! Today’s your first lesson…”
OH!
Misty had completely forgotten that somepony was here to help her!
A small smile crossed her lips as she moved away, glancing over at the spellbook on her dresser. “It… doesn’t quite seem real… I never thought I’d actually get to meet her again, and now here she is!”
“Goes to show how much everypony wants you to do well, Mists.” she said. Misty tilted her head.
“Zipp… you’re a good detective, right?” Misty asked.
“I’m not good. I’m great” Said Zipp with a grin.
“Well…” Misty said, looking at her. “Do you think that there's something… weird? About Sunset?”
“Well, she is a Unicorn from another dimension who lives in another OTHER dimension where she is some weird flesh creature. I’d class that as pretty strange.” Zipp pointed out.
“I know, but its not that. I…” she sighed. “You know my whole… emotion and memory stuff that i’ve started to develop?”
“Yeah…” said Zipp, tilting her head a bit.
“Well… I’ve gotten the feeling that there's a reason she was so keen to come here.”
“Uh, yeah? To see you?”
“N-No, I mean, yeah, she IS here for me but… I guess I mean more, a reason for why she was so keen to leave her home.” she said, pondering it a little. Zipp had a little think about it, reminded of their first meeting. “She DID seem a little off when talking about her friend that helped her make the lesson plan…”
Misty nodded. “I’m… not sure what to do. Do I ask her about it? She obviously doesn’t want to talk about it” said Misty.
Zipp considered it for a bit. “Hmm… Well… I think you should keep an eye on it, but not engage it directly.” she said finally. “Worst case scenario, she IS sad about something, and her time here will be a fun distraction, right?”
Misty nodded, smiling a little. She liked that plan. “Y-Yeah! I guess so… Thanks, Zipp.”
“No problem”, she replied, giving her a nuzzle. “I heard Izzy making pancakes, want me to bring you some up?”
“Oh! Yes please! That’d be great!” she said, smiling and nodding. Zipp gave her a small peck on the cheek and fluttered downstairs.
Misty laid back on the bed, smiling at the ceiling. She could hear voices from the roof. Her head tilted a little. Who was up there?
To say that Sunny was nervous was an understatement.
She had gotten back home late last night, and their guest was already fast asleep. This was a blessing and a curse. It was good as she didn’t have to do her formal introductions then and there, but bad because she had to wait all night dealing with the worry of what she was going to say.
She had tried to head into her room in the morning, but she was already gone. A pancake flipping Izzy had informed her that Sunset had headed up to the top of the brighthouse.
So there Sunny was, in the longest 5 seconds of her life, waiting for the elevator to reach its peak.
Once it eventually did, she crossed out of the prisbeam’s shine to see Sunset there, leaning over the balcony. She was wearing a leather jacket and her mane was gently moving in the wind. Sunny gulped a little.
She’s so pretty!?
Ok… you’re the leader… Go make a good first impression!
“H-HI! Sunset Shimmer, isn’t it?” she said, stumbling over the first hurdle a little. Sunset’s ear flicked as she turned around, her face forming into a smile.
“Thats me! Aaand you must be Sunny Starscout!” she said,moving her forelegs away from the balcony and extending a hoof. Sunny moved up, and shook it.
“Yep! Well, first off all, thanks so much for coming to help Misty!” she said sitting down next to her. Sunset sat down too and the pair looked over Maretime bay.
“Oh, I could never say no to helping out Misty. She’s one of the kindest ponies I’ve ever met! Plus, she’s adorable. I couldn’t exactly say no!” she said, grinning. Sunny laughed. “T-That’s true! What do you think of the town so far?”
“Heh… got asked the same thing yesterday on Pipp’s livestream.” Sunset replied, smirking a little as she looked back over the town below them. Sunny let out a little groan in embarrassment.
“I’m so sorry about that… she's chronically online.”
“No need to apologise! I actually think I’m going to ask her to help me with one of my lessons for Misty today.” she said, and got out her planning book. Sunny didn’t get a chance to see the symbol on the front.
“Where is it…” she said, flicking to the right page. Once she had found it, she showed it to Sunny. Sunny’s eyes widened a little.
“R-Really?” she asked, ears perking up as she read the contents of the page “Is that really a good idea?”
“I think it would do wonders for her confidence.” she said. “It helped me with mine, anyway.”
“I guess we’ll see!” she said. “I trust you to do well, though! You seem like you’re on top of this!”
Sunset laughed, shaking her head. “I’m only doing the things that helped me get better. Me and Misty… we’re pretty similar in a lot of ways. She reminds me of me right when I’d manage to come back from the darkness… Well, kind of. From what Misty has told me, she was only ever really doing the bad things because of Opaline. I did them by myself.” she said, smiling bitterly. “But! Like me, it seems she has a wondrous group of friends who helped pull her back, and she seems much happier for it!”
Sunny nodded along in agreement. “I’m so glad that we’ve been able to be there for Misty… she’s extraordinarily powerful in ways that I don’t think any of us really understand, not even her.” she said. Her ears flattened a little as her eyes darted over to the burned unity tree over in the town.
“The one thing she’s missing is magical guidance… which is where I come in! Don’t worry, Sunny. Once I’m done with her, she’ll be able to send Opaline back to the dark ages where she belongs!” she said happily.
Sunny could feel her anxiety start to flush out of her system. Knowing that there was at least one other not evil magic user in this world certainly did relieve a lot of the stress of Opaline still being out there.
The pair sat there for a few more moments, looking over the bay. Sunset looked over at her.
“... can I see them?”
“H-Huh!?” Sunny was confused.
“Your wings.”
“O-OH!” Sunny said, the momentary confusion cleared from her mind. She nodded, and activated her wings and horn! Sunset smiled wide as she saw them. “That’s awesome!” she said, standing up and circling Sunny, who blushed awkwardly. “I’ve never seen anything like THIS before! You must be one special-” she stopped suddenly. Sunny looked confused before realising that Sunset was looking at her bag.
“Is that…” Sunset said slowly. “Twilight Sparkle’s cutie mark?”
“OH! Uhm, yeah! It is!” she said with a nod. “I… used to be a huge Twilight Sparkle fan when I was a kid…” she said bashfully. “Same with the other elements of Harmony… I-I’ll show you my figurines later, aha!”
Sunset raised an eyebrow. “You have… figurines of them?”
“Yeah!”
“... so they…” she said, pausing for a moment. “Sorry. All of this dimension stuff is confusing, but from what I understand, this world is around a thousand years ahead of the one I’m from originally. So the myths and legends of the world before to you are just… the ponies I know.” she said slowly. Sunny tilted her head before realising what Sunset was realising, her face dropping a little.
“Wait… you know your worlds Twilight Sparkle?”
It was very subtle, but Sunny could have sworn she saw Sunset’s eye twitch.
“I know her, yes. She’s… the one who helped me with this, actually.” She said, pointing with a hoof to her lesson plan. “She’s… she’s something else.” she said, smiling softly. Sunny’s eyes widened.
Misty was getting real help from THE (well, A) Twilight Sparkle?!??
She tried her best to not have a nerdgasm.
“Was… Twilight Sparkle stil an Alicorn?” asked Sunset, interrupting Sunny’s freakout.
“Oh! Yes! We’ve actually spoken to her! Well, kind of. She left us a message! It plays if you touch the middle most gem of the unity crystals!” she said, pointing at the shining crystals that floated in the prisbeam. Sunset looked over at it, seemingly lost in thought.
“Is she still… alive here?” Sunset asked, still looking at the unity crystals.
Sunny sighed. “We don’t know. Zipp and I have been trying to investigate for a while, but we can’t find any trace of her. All we know is that at some point in the past, Opaline overpowered the Elements of Harmony and Twilight Sparkle had to seal away all the magic. What became of her after that… we aren’t sure.” she said, looking away sadly. Sunset was silent as she listened. Sunset could see a tear or two start to form in her eyes.
“S-Sorry! I didn’t mean to, I mean i was only… oh gosh-”
Sunny didn’t even register that she had just essentially told Sunset that all her friends in this timeline were either dead or missing.
“It’s fine! It’s… fine. Just a lot to take in.” she said, taking a deep breath. “But…it's also ok. All of my friends are alive and well. Just in another dimension.”
Sunny nodded, and let out a deep sigh. “Its… alot, you know. Everypony is depending on me… I’m the last Alicorn that we know of who isn’t evil… What if I mess up again?”
“Sunny… I know you can do it.” Sunset reassured. “Whatever troubles you face, no matter how great and catastrophic, your friends will pull through for you. You got this.” she said. Sunny managed to smile. “Plus, you’re about to have another magical superpower on your side! You got nothing to worry about, Princess!”
Oh goshhhhh. Sunny flushed with embarrassment.
“Oh, uhm… Don’t call me princess, please.” she requested bashfully. “I… don’t really feel comfortable being seen as better than everypony just because I’m an Alicorn.
“OH! Sorry! Force of habit… I’m used to calling Alicorns Princesses is all.” said sunset apologetically.
“It's ok! It’s not the first time I’ve been called princess by someone who knew Twilight.”
“Wait, really? Who else have you spoken to?”
“Oh! Did I not mention? Spike is still alive!”
Sunset blinked.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me.”
“Steadddyyyy…. Steaddyyyy…………”
Misty couldn’t remember the last time she had concentrated this hard. Her element glowing around her neck, her magical aura surrounded the large rock that Sunset was standing on. The rock in question was gently levitating in the air, spinning in a slow circle. Sweat was falling down her forehead as she kept on spinning it, the effort she was exuding being enormous.
“Almost there!” said Sunset encouragingly.
“Can’t…” Misty said, voice trembling, shutting her eyes. The rock started to wobble in the air uncertainly.
“Remember! Centre your magic!” said Sunset quickly, bracing herself for a sudden fall.
Mist took a deep breath. Centre yourself… centre yourself…
She could feel the magic inside of her calming, as she focused her body to her core. The pain in her head somewhat subsided and she was able to safely move the rock to the ground. As it touched down she let out a huge breath of exhaustion, and splatted down onto her side. She took in big gulping breaths as Sunset moved over.
“That was amazing! You’ve already doubled your weight capacity just from today! That’s faster progress than I’ve seen… well, ever!”
“Great! Just… great…” panted Misty, too busy restoring oxygen to her body to feel any pride. “Can we… ppllleeaaaseeee…. Stop with the levitation for today? I think if I try any more of that I might explode…”
Sunset laughed, sitting by her limp body. “Sure, we can stop levitation for today. You’ve been working so hard at it!” she said, getting out her planning book again. Misty saw Twilight’s cutie mark on the cover again. That's what seemed to set her off last time…
…
Misty stood up, and leaned into Sunset for ‘support’, which was of course not the real reason. As their bodies connected, her element heated up.
As Sunset flicked through the book, Misty heard what was in her head.
“I should just be thankful she’s not dead.”
Misty jerked away suddenly, eyes wide. That was NOT what she expected to hear.
“You ok?” asked Sunset, concerned by her apprentice’s sudden jolt.
“Y-Yep! I’m all good!” she insisted. “I think I a-almost fell asleep there, aha…” She said, rubbing the back of her neck with her hoof whilst looking away.
Who wasn’t dead? Did she mean Twilight? Or… did she mean… Zipp? Was she thinking about how Misty had accidentally zapped her? How it was a wonder that she hadn’t been killed? That if Misty ever messed up again she’d kill somepony? She’d kill everypony? She’d release a spell so powerful that it jolted everything and everypony around them and kill the entire bay? Oh hoofness she was going to kill everypony oh no oh no that wasn’t good she didn’t want to kill anypony!
“Misty!”
Misty hadn’t even realised that she’d started to hyperventilate. Her horn started crackling and sparking with blue energy.. “I…” she tried to speak, but she couldn’t get any words out. Sunset stood up, eyebrows furrowed, determination in her eyes. “Ok. Misty. Deep breaths. Where are we.”
“W… W-We…” Misty said, swallowing a few times to free up her throat, eyes closing. “W-We are in a field near the woods.”
“Yes. Good.” Sunset said calmly, placing a hoof over her back. “And what can you see?”
Misty opened her eyes. “I s-see… the… trees… and I can see the… brighthouse in the distance and… i can see our bags over there…”
“Good. What can you feel?”
“I can feel… the grass.”
“Focus on the grass. Run your hoof over it.”
Misty nodded, and did just that. She looked at her hoof as she did. She felt every individual blade of grass gently brush against the sensitive sole of her hoof. She looked at the blades as they sprang back into position after her hoof drifted over them. Slowly, the crackling of her horn started to die down.
“Good…” said Sunset, squeezing her. Misty’s breathing and heart rate managed to go back to a normal level as she wiped her tearful eyes. She was still shaking a little. “You’re safe here… you have nothing to worry about” Sunset reaffirmed. Misty nodded, and leaned back into her. No energy was sparking out of her horn anymore. Her element suddenly got very, very hot.
“Poor girl… that Alicorn really did a number on her mental state, didn’t she?”
Misty jerked away again, letting out a yelp this time. Using her hoof she grabbed her element. She tore it off her neck and threw it as far as she could (a few meters). It landed in the grass with a tinkle. Her horn sparked again.
“Misty…” said Sunset quietly.
“I-It…” Misty started. She wasn’t quite ready to give the real reason… but she still wanted to tell the truth. So she decided to tell the truth, just not the whole truth.
“I-It got really hot.” she said, pointing at the crystal that now lay in the grass. “I wasn’t expecting it and it g-gave me a fright.”
“Is that what made you start to panic?” she asked, moving over to the crystal on the floor. She placed a hoof on it for half a second before jerking it away with a hiss. “Wow that IS hot…”
“Uhm… No. I… started thinking about… t-the spell I cast that hurt Zipp. And it kind of… spiralled from there.” she said with a little whimper as she held her head again. “A-And when I get anxious like that and h-have been using magic, it starts to burst out of my horn and gets really strong.” she said, laying down in shame.
“I see…” said Sunset, tilting her head. “And that’s what lead to the lightning bolt, right?”
Misty nodded guiltily.
“Okay… so your magic gets stronger when you’re anxious?” said Sunset, putting two and two together.
“Great…” groaned Misty. “Good thing I’m always anxious then…”
“Hmm…” she said. “I’d like to try something, if that’s ok. One more spell for today, and then we’re done, alright?”
Misty nodded weakly, slowly sliding up into a sitting position.
“Ok… something I learned a long while ago is that I can channel my negative emotions into something useful. In this case…” she said as she started moving around her, picking up a few rocks and planks of wood they had brought for training purposes.
Misty tilted her head a little. “H-How can anxiety be useful?”.
“Small levels of anxiety can be helpful at times. Obviously though, when anxiety goes unchecked?” she said as she finished placing the last plank of wood. “Well… I think you know what can happen.”
Misty’s ears drooped.
“But that energy you produce is seriously powerful… and if channelled correctly could easily become a powerful weapon against any who would harm you or your friends!”
Misty was on her hooves now, looking up at the 6 foot structure that Sunset had made. It was a pile of a few large rocks with planks leaned against the side and front.
“Okay…” she said. “Now… you don’t need to do this if you don’t want to-”
“I want to.” Misty said quickly. She desperately wanted a way to have her inner turmoil be useful. Somehow.
“Got it. I’m going to need you to… well, think about things that get you anxious. Just so we can get the sparks going.”
Misty shuddered, but nodded. She shut her eyes, her mind immediately going to Zipp laying on the floor with the scorch match across her side. Pipp’s words echoed in her mind…
“I think you’ve done enough.”
She winced, and a few small sparks started appearing around her horn.
“Ok! Ok… good! Now… focus your energy on the tip of your horn…” said Sunset calmly. Misty let out a whimper as she did. A small ball of energy started to form just above her horn. She whimpered more; this wasn’t a fun experience at all. The ball began to get even bigger and more erratic; before the energy had just been dissipating into the air but now that it was being retained it was stockpiling up.
“Ok! Now! Open your eyes! Direct it at the target!” she said excitedly. Misty opened her eyes. Her vision was hazy again, but she tried her best. With a loud cry, she threw her head forward. The ball of energy was let loose, and a small bolt was let out. It zipped through the air, smashing into the target. Misty watched at the first board in front of her snapped in two, falling to the floor. Her ears dropped a little.
“That was…” she started to say but was interrupted by the sudden hug from Sunset.
“Amazing??? That was your first try!” she said, squeezing her. “You listened to what I said and just… did it! I’ve never known ANYPONY to pick this stuff up as quick as you are!” she said proudly.
Misty could feel the pride emanating from Sunset as she was embraced, and an embarrassed flush crossed her face. “T-Thanks…” she said quietly. A small smile crossed her face… she did an ok job there, didn’t she? Even if she had to get anxious to do it. “I… Uhm…” she coughed a bit. “I’d rather that we didn’t do that one again for a while though, I-If that’s ok.”
“Of course. Even if we never practise it again, it will at least mean you know how to channel it if things get real bad again!” she said. “Do you feel better now that you used the spell?”
Misty thought about it. The usual anxious pit in her stomach did feel smaller…
She smiled, and nodded. “Y-Yeah, I guess it does feel a bit better!”
“Well!” said Sunset, moving away and glancing up at the sky. The sun was beginning to set. “You are definitely getting a gold star for this one!” she said, chuckling to herself as she started to pick up her book.
Misty’s eyes sparkled for a moment. “I… get a star?”
“Huh? No, Misty I was-” she said, turning back to see Misty’s wide eyed expression. She smirked.
“Yes, Misty. We can get you a gold star.”
“YIPPEE!”
Thump.
Misty’s eyes opened as she heard the strange noise from downstairs. A little pang of dreaded filled her stomach, as it was a sound that she was all too familiar with when she still lived with Opaline.
The sound of a book being thrown at a wall.
Misty had… often been the true target. But that was in the past. She didn’t have to worry about it now.
She sat up in bed, and looked around the room. Everypony was sleeping soundly. Pipp, Izzy, Sunny… her heart dropped. Zipp? Where was Zipp!? Had Opaline snuck in to kidnap and throw books at her? Oh no she was dead wasn’t she-
Misty heard the snort beside her, and glanced down. Zipp was sleeping with her mouth open nexto her. Misty rolled her eyes at herself, smiling a little. She was so silly…
Wait if everypony was here… then where did that noise come from?
Misty wouldn’t have to wait long as she heard hoofsteps coming up the ramp. She lay back down on her bed quickly, keeping one eye open a slit so she could see.
Sunset Shimmer had risen into the sleeping area, her face scrunched with anger. Her mane was gently glowing in spots reminiscent to that of embers of a recently used campfire. Her movement was stiff and agitated. Misty silently slid her hoof out of bed and placed it on her element, which was placed on her bedside table. Immediately, she felt the emotion.
It wasn’t clear to her, but the closest thing she could equate it to was jealousy. She winced a little; she was still learning how emotions worked, and this was an incredibly complex one, a swirling vortex of confusion and pain.
She tilted her head where she lay. That wasn’t what she thought she was going to detect. She had suspected rage or sadness… not this.
Sunset was gently mumbling something to herself. Misty couldn’t pick out individual words, but this was not a happy horsie.
She watched as Sunset moved to the middle of the elevator and pressed the switch. The device quietly whirred into action, and up Sunset went. The last thing Misty saw of her face was tears rolling down them, looking up to the next level as it vanished from view.
Misty stayed sitting up, staring at the centre of the room for a few minutes more. Nopony else seemed to have been woken by Sunset. It was just Misty, alone with her thoughts. Frowning, she lay back down in her bed.
This certainly seemed like something that was worth asking her about…
She looked over at Zipp who was still soundly sleeping beside her.
Zipp had said not to pry…
She sighed, and closed her eyes. She wanted to know what was wrong with her… but she didn’t want to be irritated. She would continue to help distract her from whatever it was.
If it was really serious, she was sure that Sunset would tell her…
Right?
As Misty drifted off into sleep once more, she could have sworn she heard two voices coming from the balcony above her.
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ThistleRose
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562110
| 4 |
Misty,Sunset Shimmer,Zipp Storm,Adventure,Mystery,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: A New Generation,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
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Misty's Guide to Shimmer and Shine
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Misty needs a mentor; one who can teach her how to use magic. Luckily, she is contact with a Unicorn who is very adept. One who does not want to be at home right now.
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incomplete
| 17 | 1 |
<p>Misty, with her newly discovered element of harmony, messes up wildly during a battle with Opaline, leaving Zipp badly hurt and the rest of the Guardians of Harmony in disarray. </p><p>Luckily, she has a very special pen pal who is more than willing to travel through the portal to mentor her! But why is she so keen to leave her home? </p><p>Misty and Sunset Shimmer team up as the combined element of Empathy to show the world what it means to have heart!</p>
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everyone
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2024-07-29T13:35:31+00:00
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2024-07-29T13:35:31+00:00
| 182 |
How to Perform with Pizzaz.
It was a late start for Misty. She had spent most of the morning laying in bed with Zipp, the pair of ponies just talking and laughing with each other. Misty had decided to keep seeing Sunset last night to herself; it felt to her like something that Sunset wouldn’t particularly like anypony else knowing about. Hooves touching, Misty could feel the radiant affection that Pipp had for her. This made her feel all giddy. She had to stop touching her every now and again to wiggle with excitement. It was good to know that even though she found days hard, sometimes she could just forget everything wrong and bad, and just think about the good. It helped when the good liked you back.
Eventually, they got up, and Misty decided to show Zipp some of what she had learned.
“SO… Zipppp……” she said slowly, standing up on the bed. Zipp was still laying down, eyebrow raised.
“Whats up, Mists?”
“Well I-” Misty paused, tilting her head as she looked at Zipp. She narrowed her eyes. Zipp looked concerned.
“All good there?”
“Yeah, I’m fine! Just trying to figure out… uhm…” she said, blushing a bit. “I like… when you call me Mists… so I’m trying to think of a nickname to call you so you can… maybe feel good also.”
Zipp’s grin just widened more, and she sat up. She winced a little; her bandages were almost ready to come off, but they did still hurt a bit. “Well.. I’m waiting?”
“Uhm… how about… Zephyrina?” she suggested. Zipp let out a loud laugh.
“Misty! That's just my name!” she laughed.
“Huh?” Misty said, confused. “But your name is Zipp?”
“Yeah, but that’s short for Zephyrina! I prefer Zipp because it feels less royal and stuffy! Did i never say?”
“No??!?!?!!?!” Misty said in utter bewilderment. “I-Is Pipp short for Pipperina?”
“No, she’s just Pipp.” said Zipp.
“But your names rhyme!”
“They sure do.” replied Zipp with a :3 face. Misty put a hoof to her head but was smiling wide. She was disappointed that she hadn’t known this, but could certainly see the funny side.
“... Would just… Z work? Like… Zee?” she said sheepishly. Zipp considered it for a few moments before the smile raised on her face.
“Z works perfectly” replied Zipp, giving her a little nuzzle. “Anyway! What was it you wanted to show me?”
“Well! Z! Hehe” she said, getting a bit flustered with herself as she began to giggle. This all seemed too silly to her, but she was glad she could finally do something as frivolous as this. The only nickname Oplaine had ever accepted was ‘great supreme fire alicorn Oplaine Arcana the great’. Not a very good name if you asked Misty. Or anypony.
“A-Anyway! You know how you aren’t really able to fly at the moment…” Continued Misty.
“Yep.” she said, her smile dropping a tiny bit. Misty knew how important flying was for her girlfriend and she assumed it must have been torture not to be able to spread her wings how she wanted.
“Well… stay still…” She said, and ignited her horn. Zipp found herself gently floating in the air, her legs dangling a little. She was smiling wide as she did, but decided to push her a little.
“Okay, ok, very good… but any unicorn can do this! What can our MISTY do!”
“T-This!” she said, and with care and precision, started to levitate Zipp all around the brighthouse like a child with a toy plane. Zipp cried out in surprise at the speed and control that the magic surrounding her had, but started to laugh and cheer as Misty’s magic caused her to do some spins in the air as well as a summersault. Zipp had to tuck in her head to avoid bashing it; (Misty apologised profusely).
Eventually, Misty finished the flight by trying to place her down on the bed. This didn't work out as planned, as Zipp came in for a rough landing. Zipp held out her hooves and ended up knocking Misty down. Zipp’s hooves ended up either side of Misty, the unicorn staring up at the pegasi, their muzzles inches away. Both started flushing furiously, with Zipp raising an eyebrow.
“You… uhm… look pretty from this angle…” Mumbled Misty, a sheepish smile crossing her face.
“Well you look good from every angle” Replied Zipp who’s pupils narrowed in shock at realising they were not the only ones in the room.
“Am I interrupting something?”
Zipp and Misty both let out a cry of shock and embarrassment as they scrambled back into position, sitting next to each other and both looking at the Sunset Shimmer who had just entered the room.
Both Zipp and Misty started hastily explaining at the same time what was going on with desperation, only to stop as they realised Sunset was laughing.
“Don’t worry about it. You’re cute together! Anyway…” she said, reaching into her bag with her magic. “I’ve got today's lesson ready for you, Misty!”
Out of the bag flew a flyer, which landed on the bed in front of Misty. Misty looked down at it with Zipp looking over her shoulder.
“Okay, with me! Left, right, turn, hop! Left, right, turn, hop! Left, right, spin, stamp! Then up, up and pose!”
Pipp’s melodic instructions were being given to the camera. Jazz and Rocky were behind her, mimicking her moves perfectly. At Pipp’s final instruction, the trio posed perfectly as small confetti cannons burst behind them.
“And that, Pippsqueaks, is how you do the dance for my new song, ‘Don’t panic, we’re here!’ Every time you feel scared? Just do the dance! Anything you are worried about will vanish in a flash! Unless it’s… something actually dangerous. Then run. Anyway, thanks for watching~’ she said, and grinned. She awkwardly shuffled up to the camera and turned it off. Jazz and Rocky let out a sigh of exhaustion.
“Great work today, Ponies!” Pipp said happily as she started moving things around on her phone. “This one is going to be a BANGER!”
“You said that about the last five…” groaned Jazz.
“And I was right every single time~” trilled Pipp smugly.
“What about ‘Mr Brighthoof?” Piped up Rocky.
“Thaaaaats the exception that proves the rule, hun!” Said Pipp quickly.
We don’t talk about Mr Brighthoof.
Jazz was about to protest but was interrupted as the bell to Mane Melody jingled. Immediately, she put on a smile. Time to serve a customer!
“Welcome to Mane Melody, the one stop shop… for all…” she said, but her speech slowed as she saw who had entered.
Sunset had walked into the shop, giving Pipp a wave. Pipp waved back cheerily. Jazz and Rocky were left staring.
“Is now a bad time?” Sunset asked.
“Of course not!” Pipp chirped, trotting over and practically threw Sunset into one of the chairs. Jazz and Rocky snapped out of whatever
“What will be today? Restyle? Hooficure? I could even sort you out with some new piercings~” she said, squinting a little at the black rings on her upper ear. “That’s… strange…” She muttered to herself. The earrings didn’t seem to be threaded through the usual piercing holes. Instead, the metal almost seemed to meld with the cartilage around it. It almost seemed like they were just part of the ear.
“Hmm? Oh! Yeah, that. No clue.” She shrugged. “I think it’s a weird effect of whatever magic it is that changes my form. Anyway! I wanted to- HEY!”
Pipp felt the scissors in her hooves fly away as Sunset levitated them up. “Whaaat? I was just going to give your mane a quick touch up?”
“I like it how it is, thanks.” She said firmly. Pipp rolled her eyes. “Finnneeeeee! I guess this… style is kind of extra dimensional…” she said, looking Sunset up and down. Sunset tilted her head as she fluttered away towards her scissors.
Pipp eventually got back onto her hooves and went over to Sunset again. “Sooo… if you’re not here to get glammed up, what exactly are you here for?”
“Well…” said Sunset, and reached into her bag with her magic. She got out a small flyer she had found outside. Pipp’s eyes widened.
The flyer was one that she had made a few days ago. She was planning to have a little concert inside the salon tomorrow evening, but Minty had dropped out due to a sore throat. She had been desperately trying to find a replacement but to no avail. But now it seemed a frontliner had dropped out of the sky for her! Well, dropped out of a portal. Or something. She didn’t know how it worked.
“You want to preform!?” she said, her eyes sparkling as she shuffled up to her.
“Kinda…” she said. “I’d like to at least play an instrument! No singing for me this time, though!”
“Oh… Annnnn instrumental set?” Asked Pipp, her ears flattening a bit. She wasn’t really a fan of music without words. She got bored too quickly.
“Nope! We’ll have vocals!”
“But if you’re not singing, then who is?”
“M-ME!?” Misty said with surprise, dropping the apples she had been levitating in the air as practice.
Sunset nodded. “You betcha! You’re down to sing tomorrow night!”
“WHAT!?” Misty squeaked, shaking her head. “Nononono, ahaha, uhhh, NO? NO thank you! Sunset! Miss! Teacher! Professor! No thanks!”
“Come onnn, Misty!” said Sunset, moving up to the bed and smiling supportively. “You’re doing such a good job with your progress already! The main thing holding you back is your confidence.”
Misty stared at her for a moment before forlornly looking to Zipp for support. Zipp made an awkward face.
“She… isn’t wrong…” she agreed (Misty’s ears drooped), “But I don’t really see how singing is going to help her. You are here to teach her magic, after all.”
“I am teaching her magic! The magic of SONG!” Said Sunset, sitting down and getting out her notebook. She was flipping between pages as Misty had a little crisis to herself.
“I’ve barely even sung in front of a mirror before… how am I meant to sing in front of a crowd?” she said, leaning into Zipp who patted her back.
“I’m not the biggest fan… but Pipp talked me into it a few times.” Said Zipp softly. “And It was… liberating in a way? Just wished we had sung something a little cooler than the girly pop music she had me sing-” Zipp said with a chuckle. Misty smiled but there wasn’t much feeling behind it as she looked at Sunset Shimmer.
“Will it just be me on stage?” she asked nervously.
“Of course not! I’ll be there, and that strange pony named Onyx is joining us too on the drums! Weird girl. Might be a descendant of Maud…”
“Maud?”
“Doesn’t matter. Anyway, you won’t be alone!” she said. “So don’t worry about it! Now, meet me on the roof in 10 minutes, practice will begin!” she said, and left for the elevator.
Misty groaned, and slid the curtain around the bed. She lay down on her back and let out a big sigh. “Zzziiipppp….” she moaned. “Can you tell Sunset Shimmer that I don’t have to do thisssssssssss……..”
“I mean…” said Zipp, joining her with a hoof over misy’s chest, “She IS here to help you… so she must think it’s what's best for you.” Misty let out a little wince at this and she gave a little shiver.. Zipp’s head turned towards her. “You ok?”
“Y-Yeah. I…” she said, words getting tangled in her throat. She moved her hooves around to signify how she was having trouble getting the words out. Zipp studied her face, before letting out a sigh as she realised.
“Something that she used to say to you?” said Zipp softly.
Misty sighed and nodded, forelegs falling back to her sides. She was able to speak again after a few failed attempts.
“Shoot… if I can't even say a simple sentence to somepony I love alot, how am I meant to sing?”
“I know you can do it, Mists…”
“I don’t know if I can…”
[hb]
After some vocal warmups, Sunset and Pipp had started to train up Misty! Obviously, they weren’t expecting a flawless performance; Misty had never done this before. Despite this, Misty certainly had natural talent and was even able to hit some of the trickier notes in the practise song. After about an hour and a quick vocal rest, Sunset handed her the new song.
“Here! One of my friends wrote this! It really gets her pumped up, so I figured that it could do you some good too!” she said. Misty’s head tilted.
“Awesome as I… wanna be?” she said slowly. Her ears flicked a little as she read the lyrics. “Uhm…” she said quietly, and tried to get the words out. She didn’t like the lyrics too much. Well, that wasn’t strictly true. She thought they were fun, but they didn’t really fit her.
“Ready to go?” asked Sunset excitedly as she wrapped the guitar round her shoulders. Misty put on a fake smile and nodded with a ‘mmmhm!’
“Ok! Let’s go!” said Sunset, and started playing the intro music. Pipp was there to help Misty with timing and moved her hoof to the high tempo beat. Once it was Misty’s turn to sing, she pointed!”
“Awesome as I wanna be…” Sang Misty, but there wasn’t much energy behind it.”
“... I’m awesome, take caution, watch out for me, I'm awesome as I wanna be.” she said, Sunset doing a big finish on the guitar. Pipp clapped enthusiastically, but Misty got the sense that she was clapping for Sunset and not her.
“Great work, Misty!” said Sunset. “You hit all the notes! Now we just have to get you to REALLY put all your heart into it! Get some energy behind it!”
“B-But…” she mumbled, shuffling her hooves nervously. She looked up at Sunset’s excited face.
She couldn’t say no.
“... Can I go get some water?” she asked quickly.
“Of course, be back up soon!” Sunset replied, going back to tune her guitar. Pipp fluttered around her, asking her how she learnt to play and how difficult it was to play a stringed instrument with hooves.
Misty’s legs were already shaking as the elevator started going down. As she descended out of view, she burst into tears. She did NOT like that song. She did NOT enjoy the idea of singing in front of a crowd. She did NOT want to do this!
She took a few deep breaths as the elevator reached the bedroom floor. Her immediate trajectory was towards Zipp, who was at her workstation with her headphones on, gently bobbing her head up and down to her music (she was listening to mr Brighthoof). Misty made a beeline towards her but then suddenly stopped mid hoofstep.
The words she had said echoed around in her mind.
“It's what's best for you…”
Zipp wanted her to do it! She couldn’t tell her. She couldn’t say anything.
Literally. Words weren’t coming out of her mouth.
She bolted down the ramp to the main floor and leapt onto the sofa, head buried in a pillow. It had overwhelmed her so much. She felt her body curl around the pillow as a weird popping noise started which did not help with the feeling.
She wasn’t sure how long had passed, but her tears were only interrupted by the feeling of something hard pressing against her shoulder. She looked up to see Izzy next to her, levitating a ceramic bowl of popcorn.
“Eat!” she said, her smile not dropping even as she saw Misty’s huge wet eyes that made her look like a cat who had just been soaked in a bath. Misty didn’t have to be told twice as she immediately buried her head into the huge bowl of popcorn, crunching like an animal that hadn’t been fed in weeks. Izzy just rubbed her back as she did. The contact gave let Misty read Izzy’s current emotion: ’Supportive Worry.’
“Good work! Now, Misty, I GOTTA level with you. Not to be like that, but your sparkle is, like, TOTALLY off. And as chief sparkle coordinator for Maretime bay? That’s not good. What's up?” she asked.
Misty swallowed a mouthful of popcorn, and let out a big sigh. Izzy always had an incredible way of reaching through to ponies; it was just so easy to talk to her. Her free spirited attitude made her advice always seem all the more genuine. It took a few moments for her to get her words out again.
“I… S-Sorry.” she said. Izzy tilted her head a little but didn’t say anything. “I… I don’t want to sing. S-Sunset wants me to sing in front of a crowd at Pipp’s tomorrow night to ‘help with my confidence’. But I REALLY don’t want to do that? It just sounds really stressful when I could be at home NOT stressing about it? And if I do well they might want me to do it again and it's just- it's just not me, you know? The song doesn’t even fit! I’m really NOT awesome as I want to be… It doesn't feel right at all!” she said all in on breath and took some deep gulping to get the air back into her system afterwards. Izzy’s smile dropped a little.
“Wow…” she said. “That was a LOT of words.”
Misty nodded as Izzy mulled it over in her mind, making occasional ‘Hmm…” and “Aha! Wait, no..” noises. As Misty had almost finished the popcorn, Izzy finally chirped up.
“GOT IT! I know what we have to do!” she said. Misty’s ears perked up hopefully.
“We go up there, and we tell them you don’t want to do it!” she said triumphantly. Misty groaned.
“Izzy, that’s the opposite of what I want to do right now…”
Izzy’s head tilted. “Sorry, I don’t follow.”
“Well… Sunset really wants me to do it…” said Misty sadly.
“...So?” said Izzy with confusion.
Misty looked up at her with equal confusion. Did she just not get it?
“So if I tell her I don’t want to do it, she’ll get sad?” she said. Izzy’s expression didn’t shift.
“But… how do you feel now?”
“Not good.”
“Would you telling her you didn’t want to sing that song, or, well, at ALL, make you feel better?”
“I guess…”
“Sooooo….” said Izzy, tilting her head the other way. “If it would help you feel happy, why wouldn’t you do it?”
“Because she… She shouldn’t have to be sad.” said Misty slowly.
Izzy smiled. “And neither should you, Misty.”
Misty looked over at her.
“You deserve to be comfortable, Misty. It doesn’t matter what anypony does or doesn’t want you to do.”
Misty’s bottom lip wobbled.
Izzy was right.
“B-But… If I don’t sing like that… H-How will I… become confident?” she said quietly.
“Well, I think it'd be pretty confident of you to tell the smokin’ hot unicorn from another dimension that you don’t want to sing their dumb song.” Izzy said with a smug smirk.
Misty laughed a little, and nodded. “Ok…” she said, and stood up.
Her legs immediately started to shake.
“...Can you come with me!”
“Of course! That's what friends do!” she said, giving up and bumping her hip as she went.
“So like…. I don’t understand how does playing a guitar with those weird finger things you were talking about translates into playing the guitar. I just,,,, first the phones now this, I feel like my whole world is falling apart here, Sunset- OH! Izzy! Misty! Hi!” Pipp’s existential crisis was stopped as the elevator rose up.
“HI!” said Sunset, waving. “Ready to start again?”
Misty practically hid behind Izzy.
“Well, about that! Misty has something she’d like to say!” said Izzy, and she moved to the side. Misty felt like a spotlight was on her. She gulped. She thought the entire sentence through. Twice. She could do this.
“I… Would not like to sing in front of a crowd, and I especially don’t want to sing that song. I- D…” her flow left for a moment and she had to swallow. “I don’t feel comfortable doing it.”
Sunset’s face dropped a little. She looked at her hooves, frowning. “Shoot…” She mumbled.
Misty’s ears dropped. Oh goddd she’d made her sad this was the worst this was the WORST.
Misty almost backpedalled, about to insist she was joking and DID want to do it, but Sunset’s next words stopped her.
“I am so, SO sorry.” she said, standing up and giving her a hug. Misty was taken aback, the emotion carrying through the contact being ‘regret’. “I didn’t listen to you earlier… And I didn’t really give you a chance to speak when we were practising.” she continued, but as she pulled away, Sunset was smiling.
“I’m proud that you managed to tell me.” she reaffirmed. Misty flushed nervously, looking over at Izzy who was grinning wide. “Toooold you~” she said in a singing way.
“Well, this is all well and good… but now who’s going to sing at my show?” said Pipp glumly.
“OH! Wait, for YOUR SHOW!?” said Izzy suddenly. “You’re running it!? Why didn’t you tell me!?”
Pipp blinked. “Izzy we sleep in the same room I told you at least four times-”
“I’m so IN! HEHE! I can sing Mr Brighthoof! Hmmm,,,, but we’ll need pyrotechnics… and big sparkles… OUGH but there is no time! Where on earth am I going to find 2 ponies who’d be able to-”
She had been spinning as she thought out loud, her eyes landing on Sunset and Misty.
Sunset grinned.
“Misty? Go grab your spellbook. I think we will be learning some magic after all!”
“WHY CAN’T WE ALL JUST FORGET ABOUT MR BRIGHTHOOF??? IT'S A SONG ABOUT ME FINDING MY BOYFRIEND CHEATING ON ME WITH A ROYAL GUARD-”
“BRIGHTEN UP YOUR FURRY FLOOOF! COS IM MR BRIGHT HOOF!” Bellowed Izzy into the microphone, her slitted glasses sliding down her muzzle as she went.
“Ok! Now, Misty!” whispered Sunset. Misty nodded excitedly, and powered up her horn from the pairs position just off the stage.
A shooting firework flew into the air, and burst as Izzy did a big jump in the air. The purple and blue sparkled down on the cheering audience.
“BECAUSE I'M MR BRIIIHGHTTT HOOOOF!” Izzy screamed one more time, and as she did one final big slide on her knees, Sunset launched a huge illusionary blast of fire behind her.
The packed crowd of Mane Medley went wild (apart from Pipp who just clapped half heartedly).
“THHANNKK YOUUUUUUUUUU MARETIME BAY!” Izzy cried out as she waved at everypony. She quickly trotted back down the stage. As she left, the other two unicorns went to congratulate her but were swiftly intercepted by the sudden and aggressive tackle hug from Izzy.
“YOU TWO WERE INCREIBLE! YOU ARE SPARKLING SO HARD RIGHT NOW!” she declared.
“T-That was fun!” Replied Misty. “I.. I really enjoyed helping without having to be in the spotlight!”
Izzy smirked a little. “And whoooooo was confident enough to tell Sunset that you didn’t want to do it?”
Misty shuffled a little.
“Me…”
Sunset grinned at Izzy. “Izzy, why aren’t you the one teaching here? You gave her a FAR better lesson than I ever could have!”
“Oh!” Izzy beamed. “It's because I can’t read. GOTTA GO!” she said, and happily ran out into the audience to sign autographs.
Sunset and Misty looked at each other for a few moments before bursting out into laughter.
“Come on, Morning Mist.” Sunset said, nudging Misty and pointing into the crowd. Zipp was by the door, smiling tiredly. “Lets head back to the brighthouse.”
“Should just be to the left of the bed!” Sunset called after Misty.
“Got it!” Misty replied as she trotted down the stairs.
The afterparty was going strong, and Misty had been sent to Sunset’s room to get the root beer she had brought from her world. Apparently it was completely different to the stuff in maritime bay! Wasn’t that something!
Misty found it pretty quickly, and turned to leave. But she didn’t.
Something had caught her eye.
An open book laying face down on the floor near the far wall. Misty carefully placed down the root beer and shuffled over to it.
The book didn’t look dissimilar to her spellbook. On the back there was a strange symbol; it looked like a cross between Sunset Shimmer’s cutie mark and… was that Twilight Sparkle’s cutie mark?
Misty glanced back at the stairs leading up to the main party room. She could hear Sunset talking to Sunny loudly…
Misty gulped, and gently flipped the book.
The page that was open seemed to one from around midway through the book.
Misty’s eyes widened a little as she looked at it, realising what it was.
“Dear Twilight Sparkle, Hi! Just arrived here in Maretime bay! It is so strange being here. It feels so much like home… well, my first home anyway. But everything is so… different. I can’t quite explain it. You’d love it! And I KNOW other you would be OBSESSED! Hehe… anyway, I’m going to turn in for the night! Hope you have a good evening!”
Misty recognised Sunset’s handwriting from the pair's own book letters to each other. Her eyes moved down the page. She was… talking to Twilight Sparkle!? The one from her world? The ‘human’ one?
“Dear Sunset Shimmer, amazing! I hope you and Misty have a good time! You’re going to be an amazing teacher, just stick to the plan we made and you’ll be golden! Will write more tomorrow, can’t right now because-”
“Misty?”
Misty let out a strangled yelp as she quickly flipped the book down and spun round. Sunny was standing at the top of the stairs, smiling.
“Did you find the drinks Sunset was talking about? She was worried you couldn’t find them.” asked Sunny, oblivious to Misty’s investigation.
“Y-Yep! They’re just there! Sorry, I thought I saw a mouse. J-Just my imagination though!” she said quickly. Sunny just smiled and nodded, and picked up the root beer. “Come on then! We’re all missing you at the party! Zipp wants to see you upstairs in your bed too.”
Misty blushed a little.
“C-Coming!” she said, and trotted after her, but not after taking one last glance at the book behind her. She already had an anxious pit in her stomach from just looking at it…
She remembered the sound she had heard before she’d seen Sunset go up to the roof 2 nights ago. It only stood to reason that it was the book that had been thrown…
What had Twilight said to her that had gotten her so mad?
Misty turned around to follow Sunny out, but her mind was full of speculation.
In the corner of the room, a shape moved from its hiding spot behind the crate, watching Misty leave.
The shape tilted its black head, and made a warped hissing noise as it started to change.
It had found a target.
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Type_Writer
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562121
| 1 |
Other,Princess Celestia,Alternate Universe,Crossover,Adventure,Dark,Tragedy,Dark Souls,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Death,Violence
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The Hollow Pony - Sunburn
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The world is burning, and a lone shadow stubbornly refuses to die.
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complete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>The world is burning.</p><p>What once was a small, tropical island in the sacred heart of the dragonlands is now an inferno. The oceans are boiling, the trees have been reduced to ash, the beaches are melting into glass, and the very air itself is aflame. All life on the island has been annihilated. Even the bare stone of the island has begun to liquify into lava.</p><p>And yet, one shadow remains, under the unyielding sun.</p><div class="bbcode-center" style="text-align:center"><p>* * *</p></div><p>A standalone side story to Hollow Pony. No prior knowledge of Hollow Pony or Dark Souls is required; if anything, readers familiar with the story are likely to be <i>more confused.</i></p><p>Story image is a picture of Mount Etna erupting, taken by CNN.</p><p>This is also my entry to the <a href="/blog/1038867/tropical-post-apocalypse-contest-d" rel="nofollow">Tropical Post-Apocalyptic Story Contest,</a> though I was actually already planning to write this story. That contest just gave me a good reason to push it up in the schedule a bit.</p>
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teen
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2024-07-22T02:34:21+00:00
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2024-07-22T02:34:21+00:00
| 121 |
A shadow dragged itself across the burning metal, as it stubbornly refused to die.
The others had all died. It had heard them screaming, before its ears burned away and the liquid inside boiled. It couldn’t hear anything, anymore. It never would again.
It could barely feel. What little flesh remained was burned to ash. But the bones kept moving forward, cloaked in the incinerated remnants. It could discern four limbs, and the head was still attached, but there was nothing else. Now it was just a shadow of whatever creature it had been before. It could push one leg in front of itself, hook the charred remnants of a hoof onto the soft, burning metal, and drag itself forward, just a little more.
It could see, somehow. The shadow had felt its eyes burn away, but in their place, something new had emerged. New eyes, so that it could see the world burn around it. It could see better than anything else it could do.
It could see the sun. The sun shined now, oh so bright and red, even as the world burned around the shadow. It could still feel the heat. The shadow was still burning, under the light of the sun. It would continue to burn, so long as the sun lived.
So it needed to kill the sun.
When the sun was dead, then there would be only shadow. No more fire, no more pain. Only peace in the darkness. It could die in peace then, it was sure. It just had to keep dragging itself forwards. Towards the edge.
The burning metal against the shadow’s belly had once been a ship. One of a dozen, crewed by a hundred souls each. But all was fire and ash, now.
The shadow had been below-decks when it happened, and that was why it had gotten to hear the screaming, for just a few awful seconds, as the air itself caught fire. The wooden decks burned, the people aboard the ships burned, and now all that was left was the bones. Ashen bones of the dead, and metal bones of the ships. Even the metal was burning now, red and hot, and gently deforming under the heat of the sun.
The bow of the ship was closest to the sun, and so that was where the shadow crawled. The ships were anchored in the bay of a small tropical island before the fire came, and there hadn’t been time to even try to escape. So the bow of the ship must still have been pointed towards the island, where the sun had gone ashore. The shadow would follow her.
The motion of hook-and-drag, the burn of the metal underneath, that all kept the shadow from fading. It kept it focused, and kept it moving forward. Towards the bow, past the piles of bones and ash that used to be ponies and gryphons and minotaurs.
The journey took an eternity; the journey took only seconds. Under the burning sun, time held no meaning. All that mattered was that the shadow reached the bow, where the ship narrowed to a point so that steel could cut through the waves. The sagging bow rail was all that stood between the shadow and the edge of the ship, and the shadow could drag itself forward along the deck no longer.
The forelegs of the shadow were forced against the shifting surface below, and sunk slightly into the molten metal, as it tried to push down against the deck. It had to push itself away from the surface, push itself up. It had to stand, or reach something close enough to standing that it could hook its forelegs over the bow rail, and pull itself over into the water.
But peeling itself off the deck was agony. Metal had bound itself to bone, and molten steel now coated the shadow’s barrel. It dripped and spattered as the shadow struggled to stand, and then began to cool, hardening into a steel coating on the bones that threatened to pull it back down to the deck.
The shadow had to kill the sun. It would kill the sun. It could not be allowed to stop here, because if it stopped here, then it should have just died with the others. So it would stand.
And stand it did, eventually. Steel hardened the limbs, and it stood in a way that the shadow knew was wrong. The legs were spread too wide, searching for stability, and it forced itself to stand taller, stand more straight. Cooling metal cracked and flaked away as the shadow, now unburdened by flesh, learned once more how to stand.
It could see the island now. When the ships had first arrived, the island had been a curiosity; a tropical paradise, deep in the dragonlands. One of a dozen islands in a chain, and all fiercely defended by the dragons, for they considered these islands sacred, for some reason that the sun had never explained. But this island was unique, for it had formed around an ancient volcano, and the others had merely formed when that volcano had erupted, eons before the shadow had first come into being.
The land of the island hadn’t changed, but the topography had. The lush jungle was nothing but burning charcoal now, still smoldering and clouding the sky with smoke. But even that smoke wasn’t enough to block the light of the sun, and so the island continued to burn.
Beyond that smoke, the shadow could still see the ancient volcano, and surprisingly, it was just as dead as when they had first arrived. The shadow had expected the heat to rekindle the volcano’s fire, for it to belch burning stone, for rivers of fire to be crawling down the slopes. But under the heat-shimmer of the burning air, there was only solid stone, charred black from the sun’s fury.
The deck shifted under the shadow’s hooves, and it stumbled towards the bow-rail, but not fast enough. The ship was melting, the metal skeleton coming apart as the world around it became a forge, and something below-decks had given way. The deck trembled as the superstructure buckled, and the deck tipped backwards as the stern of the ship began to sink.
The shadow was thrown a leg-length into the air, away from the bow-rail, and it came down with a slam that shook its whole body. Then as the ship continued to tilt, it started to slide back, then tumble over the uneven surface of the boiling deck. The world spun as it rolled and bounced towards the stern instead, and it could do nothing to stop or even slow that fall backwards, away from the sun.
Water slammed into the shadow like the world itself was trying to crush its body. Water that was boiling off into steam, but as the shadow tumbled deeper and sank below the surface, the water cooled very slightly. The shadow expected to come to a rest on the sandy surface of the bay, where the light was not so bright and it could peacefully rest in the gloom, but even that was denied. The water was churning as the ship below sank, and the surface boiled, and the water of the bay tossed and surged like a bathtub being rocked from side to side.
The shadow was swept out of the bay, away from the island, and the shallow ocean floor fell away into an inky abyss. It reached outwards for that peaceful darkness, hoping to fall deeper, away from the sun, but again it was denied. The water pulled the shadow upwards, back towards the surface, and then the water was ripped apart as the shadow was pulled into the air.
The weather around the island had gone mad, as seawater boiled in seconds, and the air itself was burned as fuel. Cyclones sucked and surged, pulling water up and launching it high into the air to balance the pressure, but so long as the sun was incinerating the world, that balance could never be struck.
The shadow was pulled upwards into the sky, flailing and helpless and hundreds of leg-lengths above the ocean, as water became steam and steam became acid, and then it was falling once more alongside the heavy droplets of acid into the same bay, where it was swept back out to the sea again.
Again and again. Nature was helpless against the heat of the sun, and the shadow only knew more and more surely that its mission was true and just. This weather couldn’t be corralled, couldn’t be controlled. It raged and foamed like a wild animal, feral and rabid. This had to end. The shadow had to put a stop to it.
The shadow landed in the bay again, and this time it stabbed its forelegs into the molten glass of the shore, anchoring itself as best it could. The tide surged past it, acid and boiling glass and ash all mixing into a wave that tried to rip it back into the surf, but the shadow refused to be taken once more.
As the tide receded, beginning the cycle anew, the shadow was left standing on what had once been a peaceful beach. Now it was naught but red glass, slowly oozing down the shore into the ocean like a bloody wound. The shadow had to yank its forelegs out of the burning sludge so that it could stumble forwards, or else it would be trapped here instead. It had no interest in becoming a statue of glass and steel and bone.
Every slow, staggering step ripped out a clump of molten glass, which melted anew as the burning air heated it to a boil. In the distance, the mountain continued down to the beach in a rocky ridge, and the stone was more stable than the sand would be. So that was where the shadow began to gallop, across the liquid sand, as the tide surged forwards again.
Another shadow caught its eye; a cave, high above the waterline. It was dark inside; cool relief from the firestorm of the world. The shadow changed course to make for the cave’s mouth, and leapt inside with a giddy joy, which sent it rolling and tumbling once more, down the hot stone, deeper into the cave.
Even the difference of a few hundred degrees made this cave bearable, compared to the world outside. The shadow felt relief, for the first time that it could remember, as it came to a stop in a puddle of hot, bubbling water in a natural pool. Molten glass sloughed from its hooves, and it kicked playfully to shake off the rest.
The cave was not truly dark, but it had deep shadows, which were banished for a few moments as red glass was flung all over the cave. Those embers quickly cooled, but some remained—and began to move. The shadow stilled itself as the cave grew dark, and the embers approached in sets of two.
Another shadow emerged from the cave’s gloom; a moving shadow, the remnants of a pony. The shadow wasn’t alone in its suffering; others had survived, or something close to surviving. Only two more, so the group numbered three shadows in total, but it was more than the absolute devastation that it had imagined.
Surely, the first shadow thought, it had been the last. The only survivor of this calamity, as the sun burned away the whole world. And the sun herself. And as the last two creatures left “alive” in the world, the first shadow had believed that it was its responsibility alone to slay the other, and end the destruction.
The two shadows collapsed onto the first, and it felt the embrace of a hug, for the first time in an eternity. This warmth was different; not the hot agony of a burning world, but the knowledge that they weren’t alone, that even as ruined as they were, they could still find friendship in the ashes.
It was impossible to say how long the embrace lasted. There was nothing else in the world that mattered, for it had burned away. They could all stay here, in the cool gloom of this cave, which sheltered them from the sun’s burning heat. And the three shadows eagerly relished that relief.
* * *
The heat was fading. It was an almost imperceptible shift, but the cave had begun to cool, and the glow from the cave’s mouth was beginning to dim. And the first shadow recalled their duty once more.
Gently, they pulled themselves away from the other two, who blinked at them in confusion. Where were they going? Were they leaving?
The first shadow didn’t go far; just to the mouth of the cave. It looked out at the world outside, to see what state it was in now.
The sun was larger, and yet it projected less heat. That burning red sky had dulled to a darker red, and the storm around the island was pressing back in, trying to flood away the ash with hard rain that swept down the slopes, the blackened ruins of the jungle, and across the cloudy glass beach, which had finally cooled enough to remain solid. The sea still roiled and fought, just as hard as ever; it had already taken several of the ships down below the waves. Five warped husks still struggled to float, too heavy to be pulled out to sea, but too sturdy to sink.
This world was bearable, but only just. The air itself no longer seemed to be on fire; while it was still akin to standing inside of an oven, and no living creature could survive this heat, shadows of living creatures could endure. So the first shadow grabbed in its mouth a long length of charcoal that had once been a branch, and dragged it back inside.
The other two shadows were relieved to see it return, but still confused by the first shadow’s actions. So, it would explain. None of them could speak, and even if they could, none of them could hear. The fire had taken all that away. But they could still see, and in the mouth of the cave, the first shadow began to drag the charcoal along the stone.
It drew the island, and the sun above it. It drew the sun again, on one of their ships, as the pony that she truly was. Then the first shadow wiped that away and drew her walking on the island. And then that was wiped away as well, and they drew the sun-pony within her own sun, above the island.
Finally, it dragged the charcoal stick in one final movement—a wide streak across both suns—and dropped the stick, to look back at the other two.
After a long few moments of consideration, one of the shadows nodded, and picked up the charcoal, adding their own streak across the suns. Then passed it to the other, who hesitantly did the same, burying her image under their covenant. They were in agreement: they needed to kill the sun. It was all they had left of the creatures they had once been.
* * *
There was little preparation to be done. The shadows had no belongings to pack, no equipment to repair or maintain, and no one else to whom they could say goodbye, in case they did not return. All they had was each other, and they relished that company as best they could, for as long as they could, allowing the world outside to cool just a few more hundred degrees.
The first shadow took the lead, and guided the other two from the cave. They seemed shocked by the state of the world now—all was blackened ash, and smoke had settled over the island like a caustic fog. But through it all, the shadows could still see the sun piercing through, and it was the only landmark they needed.
Past the solid glass beach, past the charcoal remnants of the jungle, the dry bed of a river could be followed up the slope. Mud had turned to solid, baked clay, and it had endured the heat more clearly than any path that had existed before the sun burned it all away. That riverbed led to what had been a small lake, now simply an open clay bowl, and the shadows made their way to the edge to climb out.
There was more jungle on the shore of the lake, though none of those descriptions applied to what remained now. But the charcoal-black stumps were all blasted away from a central location in this section of jungle; a crater that rivaled the size of the lake from which the shadows had emerged. In the center lay a massive skeleton, and though the bones were gray from the heat, they had yet to burn away.
The massive skeleton had, until recently, been a living dragon. It must have died in mid-air, and then fallen here, slamming into the ground with such force that it knocked down trees for hundreds of leg-lengths. It had been flying towards the sun, judging from where the skull still indicated. It was known that dragons could survive temperatures that no other creature could; they bathed in lava for fun, stone that was so hot that it had turned to liquid. Only the fire of another dragon was hot enough to burn their scales.
But the sun had burned so hot as to end this dragon’s life in mid-flight, even as it flew headlong towards it. The creature had lived for centuries, perhaps millennia, but the sun had killed it in seconds. Now all that was left were these bones to mark its passing.
The shadows stared at it for so long, questioning whether they could even complete their mission. If the sun could do this to a dragon, how could they find the strength to slay her?
Eventually, the first shadow shook itself out of those thoughts. No, they had to continue. Even the dragons weren’t strong enough to defeat her. They weren’t strong enough to even approach. But the shadows yet lived, when no one else had, so the duty fell to them.
Upwards they continued, climbing the charred slopes of the mountain. As they climbed higher, the heat of the sun grew more intense, and they found yet more evidence that it had burned even hotter previously. The stone here showed signs of having melted, just like the sand of the beach and the steels of the ships. But it was cooled now, and so it did not deter them.
There were more dragons, as they climbed higher. Skeletons burned to ash, lying dead on the slopes from what had to have been a final, desperate push to reclaim their sacred island. The first shadow counted four in total, and there were surely more scattered across the island that they simply wouldn’t find on the way to the summit.
As the heat of the sun above grew even more intense, the stone under their hooves became uncomfortably hot, and they began to see more recent evidence of fires. Ash that had been soil still smoldered, and wild winds blew smoke down the slopes into their faces. A living creature would have choked on the poisoned air here, or would have been blinded as their eyes filled with ash, but the shadows were too damaged to be waylaid by such petty needs.
The mountain grew brighter as they approached the lip of the volcano, and the light of the sun would have been blinding as they came so close to the celestial object above, if their eyes could still be burned by the light. The sun could have been no further than a dozen miles above the summit of the mountain, far closer than it ever should have been, and the great dull red mass loomed above like an overripe apple hanging from a tree.
Here, finally, there were signs that the mountain was being forced awake, at least on the surface. The stone here was half-melted, and it dribbled down into pools of magma inside the mouth of the volcano like saliva. At the center of the crater, a temple had been built, and though the stone bricks had begun to sag as they deformed under the constant heat of the sun, it still stood.
That, the shadows knew, was where the sun could be found. They wasted little time sight-seeing, and galloped down the slope towards the open door of the temple, eager to plunge into the hot darkness and find relief from the unbearable boiling light outside.
The temple’s interior was large; the structure had been built by dragons, and the space within was large enough to accommodate one that had lived for centuries. But all that could be seen inside now was a pile of charred wooden debris that might once have been a wagon, judging by the general shape, and the metal that had melted into puddles on the stone.
The first shadow rummaged through the ashes and found, to their surprise, a few sets of burned armor, and some damaged weapons. These must have belonged to the guards that escorted the sun here, and the enchantments to maintain the equipment must have kept them relatively intact, even after the bodies of the guards themselves had long been burned to ash. That equipment would serve the shadows instead.
They all had experience wearing armor, and though the metal buckles and plates were hot against their bones, they were able to pull the barding on easily enough. They fit loosely, as the armor was designed for ponies who still had the luxury of flesh, but they simply tightened the straps as much as they could, and it worked well enough. The spears had to be forced into the deformed mounts on the armor, but before long, all three shadows were armed and armored.
They felt stronger than they ever had before. They felt as though they could actually do it. The sun was so close, she had to be, and they could finally end all of this madness.
The first shadow led them into the center of the circle carved into the stone, and blue light illuminated a series of runes set into the floor. Then the circle of stone was dislodged from the floor, and began to descend into the depths of the volcano—a magical elevator, large enough across that a dragon could ride down into the chamber below.
Hundreds of leg-lengths below the burning light of the surface, cool air rushed upwards to greet them, and it felt frigid after the oven-like heat of the world. They shivered in the cold, as the light faded and was replaced with comforting darkness.
The elevator descended into a grand chamber that had once been a lava pocket of some sort. The circular room must have been half the size of the crater above in length and width, but it was difficult to be sure, as the edges of the room were shrouded in darkness. The only source of light in the grand chamber came from the center, where a small bonfire had been assembled and a fire lit, and a single sword with a coiled blade had been stabbed through the flames into the black stone floor. A spiral of ash swirled outwards from the campfire, forming the symbol of the sun in ten equal ridges.
And finally, they saw the sun herself. She looked so small in the massive room, and they would have missed her entirely were she not sitting by the fire. Her white fur was illuminated by the light of the fire, and her mane was a dull red, matching the surface of the celestial object above.
It was time. They were here. The elevator came to a stop, and the shadows disembarked, slowly approaching the sun at the center of the room.
She only looked up when they approached. She still had flesh, though they were marred by crow’s-feet that were deep enough to give the impression that she had been unable to sleep for millennia. When she looked at them, they could see that there was the same fire in her eyes as those of the shadows; just a spark, bright enough to be visible.
She asked a question, though none of the shadows could hear it, and they did not hesitate in their approach. Finally, the sun realized she was in danger, and stood in alarm as the shadows spread outwards around her in a semi-circle, spears raised and ready to attack.
The shadow to her right struck first; it leapt forward and stabbed her in the side with the spear mounted to the armor. In an instant, there was a flash of light and heat, so bright as to blind even the shadows. When they looked again, the shadow that had attacked the sun was simply gone, and ashes were scattered from where they had stood.
The sun was screaming silently, and gasping in pain, as something about her nature seemed suddenly wrong. Her pony shape was distorting, warping around the sunfire that made up her being. She screamed again, and a mass of pure energy whipped out in a random direction, disintegrating the ash where it struck. She stumbled away from her two remaining attackers, and liquid light poured from her eyes to spatter across the stone under her hooves.
After a moment, she seemed to recover herself, and the shape of a pony re-asserted itself around her light. She glanced between the two remaining shadows with fear and sadness, and for the first time, the first shadow hesitated.
This felt...wrong. But the sun was burning the world, and it would only stop when she died.
No. They had to do it. They had to kill the sun.
The first shadow stepped forward, and readied its spear, while the sun’s horn ignited in golden magic. A matching aura wrapped around the sword stabbed into the bonfire, and ripped it free, so that she could wield it to defend herself. Her lips moved as she spoke, but the world of the shadows had long been silenced.
Begging for her life, perhaps? Pleading with them not to kill her? To forget what she had done to the world? To allow her to continue?
Whatever she said, it didn’t matter. The two remaining shadows leapt forward, and the sun struck with her sword in a downwards slash that pushed the first shadow back. The other shadow struck true, and there was another flash of light as the sun was stabbed.
For a moment, she bled like a mortal pony, and staggered back, facing the wound away from them—but then there was another flash as her golden ichor escaped once more, leaping out and splashing across the ashes like liquid fire. She screamed silently as the room trembled, and her body shuddered in a way that no physical creature could. It felt like the world itself was shaking, as she struggled to exist within it. Her sunfire was attempting to escape, and every wound the shadows inflicted gave it another route to abandon her flesh.
The sun spat into the ashes, her bloody spit glowing golden as it silently sizzled under their hooves. The first shadow leapt forward again, hoping she was distracted, but instead the sun advanced, and the sword swept upwards to shatter the spear. Then the sun slammed her body into the first shadow, shoulder-checking them and tossing them onto their back.
Her flesh burned as it touched the first shadow, even just for a second. They felt pain, for the first time that they could remember. Not the ambient burning of the air above, the searing heat of the metal ship or the boiling glass. Agony poured through their bones as their body became more real, in some way that the shadow couldn’t understand. As though everything they’d experienced until now was but a dream, a mere delusion.
The sun didn’t stop, but the first shadow had been disarmed, and so her attention turned back to the other shadow. They charged, lowering their head as they kicked ash into their air with each hoof-step, and their spear was pointed towards the sun’s heart.
The sun simply stepped to the side, and her face contorted into a feral snarl as she stabbed the sword into the shadow’s side. The armor did nothing to protect them; the coiled blade of the sword stabbed through it like paper, and the shadow tumbled forward, and collapsed in a heap into the smoldering ashes of the campfire. In a single smooth motion, the sun ripped the sword free from the shadow’s spine, and whipped it around in an arc that pointed the tip downwards.
The sword was stabbed downwards, through the shadow, to once more find a resting place within the fire. It pinned them to the ground, and they squirmed in the fire, trying to escape, for only a second. Then the sun’s golden magic burned brighter, around her horn and the sword she held, so bright that it hurt to look at.
There was a pulse of magic that shook the room, that sapped the strength of the first shadow. And now it was the only shadow remaining, because the other shadow’s form was dissolving into ashes. It wasn’t burning; it looked as though the magic that had kept them alive was being torn out, and the truth of their existence was being forced back upon them. They were no longer a shadow of a pony; they were merely a skeleton wearing a set of stolen armor. The bones should have long crumbled into ash and dust, and so they did, until there was nothing left but a pile of ash in the bonfire.
It was over, the first shadow, the only shadow, now knew. They had survived for so long, but their mission was doomed from the beginning. They had wounded the sun, but they never could have defeated her. So the shadow lay there, unmoving and defeated, as the sun turned to face them.
The shadow had expected to feel that coiled sword plunge into their barrel as well, so that they could be burned away by the sun’s magic. But she left the sword in the fire, when she saw that the shadow had given up fighting. Instead, her golden magic dimmed, and she took a few unsteady steps towards them.
Her being rippled. The shape of a pony shimmered, unreal and impossible, as the boiling sunfire of the goddess fought to tear apart the illusion. Perhaps outside, above the volcano, the celestial object above was mirroring her, rippling and straining to escape itself, masses of sunfire leaping and roiling across the surface.
All the fight left her, as the pony-shaped illusion collapsed next to the shadow. Just as she had when they first entered the chamber, she just looked miserable. Her eyes turned back to the dim bonfire, and the shadow stared into it as well, hoping to find what she saw in those embers.
The shadow had desired peace. Cool and calm darkness, relief from the burning light of the sun. And when the sun would not relent, it knew that it had to kill the sun. Just to make the heat, the dull ache of the fire, the unbearable light, to make it all stop.
But here, as the sun’s breathing slowed, as she regained control over her body, and flesh and fur became more real than the unquenchable fire, the room dimmed. Once more, there was only the light of the bonfire, and the golden ichor that streamed from her eyes and left glowing trails down her face. The rest of the chamber was cool and dark.
It was peaceful now. There was no pain. There was only a little light, a little heat. That was acceptable.
And so the shadow finally found rest.
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MagicalPony2099
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562123
| 1 |
Rarity,Spike,Porn,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Fetish,Sex
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Spike Want, Spike Take, Spike Get, Spike Have
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A love story about how Rarity learned to love Spike’s huge dragoncocks, as well as something blossom between the both of them.
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complete
| 16 | 71 |
<p>This is not the same as <a href="/user/512497/Birdybirdbird" rel="nofollow">Birdybirdbird's</a> <a href="/story/538923/spike-want-spike-take" rel="nofollow">Spike Want, Spike Take</a> story, but it was inspired by it.</p><hr/><p>If Spike’s greed made him grow, then why shouldn’t his lust over a heated mare do the same?</p><p>A.K.A Rarity learns why you don’t fuck with a dragon’s lust when you’re in heat. And then learns why you do fuck with a dragon’s lust when you’re in heat.</p><p>And maybe something can become soo much more than what you think.</p><hr/><p>Art by Kuroran<br/>1953206 on Derpibooru</p>
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mature
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2024-07-22T16:50:04+00:00
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2024-08-10T02:37:49+00:00
| 673 |
It was a weird day in Ponyville, ponies were losing their stuff from a baby dragon turned adult from his sudden greed growth.
When he turned into a big adult dragon, he suddenly sprouted wings. Also during his rampage in Ponyville, he felt something that wanted to mate with ponies. He never felt this before. The only thing in his mind is to take a pony to that mountain cave that Basil left and mate with that pony to bear his dragon kin and nothing will stop him from achieving this.
So with that in mind, he searched around Ponyville for that one pony, his crush. Even though he's under greed-induced growth, his crush is what powering his greed. And there is nothing more than wanting to mate with his pony crush. He is lusting for his pony crush.
After a bit, he found her. He smiled and wrapped her around in his tail, which she started whining, screaming, hitting, and kicking his tail. He rolled his eyes and then started to flap his wings and fly away from Ponyville. He then closed his eyes and smirked toothy. Finally, after all of this time since me and Twilight came to Ponyville last year, I can finally have my love for Rarity. I want her to bear my future kin and there's no pony to stop me! But then he replaced his smirk with a smile. Rarity, I love you, with all of my heart. I couldn't tell her that I loved her out loud because I was such a coward. If she knew about my love for her... His smile turned into a scowl. ...then why does she refuses to admit my love for her. Why the hell does she not love me back?! I'll make sure she loves me back. But then he just sighs. What's the point for her to love me back? She uses me as a slave, but what's the point in any of this. He just doesn't know, but he continued to fly to that mountain cave anyway.
Once he arrives to that mountain cave that Basil slept in, with Rarity still wrapped around in his tail, they went inside the cave where Basil's hoard is still there. He guessed that nopony bothered to move that dragon's hoard out of the cave.
"This is the same cave that red dragon slept in last year before leaving this cave for somewhere else. Why are we here?" Rarity asked surprised. Rarity then heard his voice, it was deep but familiar to her.
Spike just smiles and with a happy sigh and looked at Rarity. "We are gonna mate in here, because I love you Rarity. Since the first time I laid my eyes on you on that day when me and Twilight came to Ponyville, I was in love with you. I was such a damn coward for not telling you at all."
Rarity's eyes widen. "S-Spike?! Is that you?!"
Spike just laughed. "Yep, it's me Rarity, even though I'm like this from this greed growth that dragons have, I'm still Spike, but older I guess. I'm still that baby dragon you know me as, but I'm keeping this form. I really don't want to be a baby dragon anymore. And with you fueling my greed growth form, I think I'm finally ready to take my love for you to the next level."
"Can you at least let me go?" Rarity asked as she was still wrapped around in Spike's tail.
"Sure, sure." Spike said as he let Rarity go from his tail. He looked at the hoard that Basil left in here. "Well, I guess at least you'll be a princess in here. I won't mind at all."
"You love me Spike?"
Spike nodded. "Yep and boy I'm glad I got that out. Your love for me that I wanted from you was really fueling this growth. I guess I have to tell Princess Celestia about my growth and why I'm sticking to this growth and not returning back to a baby dragon. I'm much older than I look as a baby dragon. When Twilight hatched me, she was just 5 years old, but now she's 21 years old. I'm currently 16 years old, in pony years. I looked like a baby dragon because dragons age slowly than ponies do and lived much, much longer for over 1,000 years. I'm mentally 16 years old, but right now I look like a dragon when they're maybe over 500 years old."
Rarity was touched from this. A baby dragon that's smarter than he looks. But right now, she smiled as maybe... "Spike, I have something to tell you as well. I won't hear any arguments from you at all when I tell you this."
Spike just raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead."
Rarity sighs and started to speak her confession. "Spike, I'm really sorry about not returning your love for you. It's just that, with you looking like a baby dragon, I was having a hard time not to commit a crime for loving a minor. I didn't want to be thrown away in a dungeon by the princess for loving a young creature like you. But... oh buck this! Spike I love you too!"
Spike just smiles. "Thank you Rarity. Are you happy that you got that out of your system like I did?"
Rarity looked Spike in the eyes and nods. "I am darling."
"Now what? We both loved each other and with the amount of the hoard in here, if I give Princess Celestia all of this hoard, I think the total would be in the seven digits. We would be really rich. Millions richer."
Rarity looked at Spike's front body. Even though he's a big dragon, she thinks that she can appreciate his muscular form. She then looked at Spike's crotch area. She sees a slit where maybe his genitals are located inside. She then looked back to Spike's face. "Spike?"
"Yes Rarity?"
"Did you ever... touch yourself before... in a sexual manner?"
Spike's eyes widen and then he blushed red. What kind of question from Rarity was that?! "Wha?"
Rarity giggled and put on a smug smirk. "I guess it's been awhile since I really masturbated." She sighs in a dramatic fashion. "I wouldn't have time for myself ever since making dresses and stuff. Nightmare Moon, those Diamond Dogs, the gala, Discord, Luna on Nightmare Night and now you being this size. Also I guess that I'm in heat right now." A blush appear on her face. Her heat started this morning today. And now she has a means to sate her heat. Her mind is in a state where her heat is making her horny. She turned around and raised her flank in the air as she bend herself. As they say, face down ass up. Her moved her tail to the side making her genitals in full view of Spike. Her clit was winking as her pussy was wet from her heat. Her asshole wink as well. She felt both of her nipples on her crotchboobs harden. She then shake her ass in the air for Spike to see. "Come on Spike, do you want me?"
Spike looked at Rarity's shaking butt. He blushed as he saw her pussy open and closed as well as her vaginal juice leaking out from each wink from her clit. It was like looking at a angel of generosity in blessing to come from the heavens to rejoice in making Spike happy and excited. He also felt his dongs coming out. Yeah you heard that right, he has two penises.
Rarity turned her head around to see that... her eyes widen as she saw Spike's twin cocks coming out from his dragon slit. They're huge. With that length from both of those things and how big they are, he's gonna tear her apart with those things. She never had anything that huge inside her before. The biggest she had inside her was a Big Mac size cock dildo, but Spike's cocks broke that size by alot.
Once Spike's cocks were fully out, his cocks twitch with each heart beat as veins showing on his cocks, pumping blood through each of his cocks. Also his knots were out of his slit as well. He then grabbed Rarity in his hands which the mare eeped in surprised. "I really love you Rarity, my love for you is out of this world that I want to start a family with you. After you become pregnant with our kin, I'll ask Princess Celestia to set up a wedding for the both of us, so that we'll become married as a couple."
She started to cry with tears as she heard him. "I-I don't know what to say Spikey Wikey. And of course I'll say yes to the marriage!"
Spike just chuckled. "As well as I do Rarity for that yes to marriage. Now, are you ready for the time of your life to be breed by me?"
"YES SPIKE JUST DO IT!"
Spike just rolled his eyes from this. "Of course, of course Rarity. I'll be careful." As Spike said this, he laid down on his back and moved Rarity towards his leaking cocks. "I really hope you can take the pain as you're about to endure." Spike started to lower Rarity onto both of his cocks as his tips were right at the entrance of her leaking pussy. He then slowly move Rarity onto his cocks. He can see her face and she was starting to cry from having two huge cocks going inside her small, pony pussy. "It's okay Rarity, I want you to embrace the pain that you're experiencing. I don't want to really hurt you that I have to take you to the hospital for. I know it's my second time doing this, even though my first time was with Prince Blueblood. Also I confess that I have a thing for white ponies that are older than me. I don't know what I saw in that stallion, but I'm glad we broke up after that whole ordeal when I was living in Canterlot before me and Twilight left for Ponyville last year. I was 13 years old when my first time having sex happened. He was surprised from seeing my two cocks as well, but now I'm glad that it's with a mare this time and not a stallion."
Rarity was surprised from hearing that Spike had a fling with Prince Blueblood, but now she is glad that he and Spike broke up. Blueblood has no idea what he is missing right now. Rarity felt her insides were moving from his cocks, even though his cocks were going inside her vagina. She then felt his cocks touched her cervix and both of his cocks weren't even halfway inside her right now. She then heard him growling as he was trying to put more of his cocks inside her. Her insides were getting stretched from his cocks as she then let out a ear-piercing scream that even hurts Spike's ears as her cervix was teared apart by Spike's cocks. Blood was coming out of her pussy from her cervix being teared apart. She then felt Spike continued to push Rarity down on his cocks until she was touching his knots. Her walls couldn't even tighten from how his cocks were inside of her, even her clit couldn't wink out because of Spike's cocks.
"It's okay Rarity, just try to relax for a moment as you get used to my cocks excluding my knots inside you. When I push my knots inside you, you'll feel like you just died and went to heaven from being pleasured from me. It's like the saying goes, death by snu snu. But I don't want you to die from me, not today."
Rarity was trying to relax her body from being penetrated by Spike's huge dragon cocks inside her. A while went by and she nodded for Spike. "Okay Spike, continue."
Spike smiled as he pulled his cocks out of Rarity until his tips were just about to exit Rarity and then he pushed his cocks back inside her making her moan loudly. He pumped his cocks in and out of Rarity as he was enjoying having sex with the white unicorn mare he loved since last year.
As for Rarity herself, she was really enjoying this alot. She couldn't believe that she can take Spike's cocks inside her. Her insides were moving from his continued pumping. She even felt the veins on his cocks being pumped with blood inside her.
She then let out a scream as she orgasmed and she kept on getting orgasm after orgasm from Spike's pumping. Marecum was squiring out of Rarity's urethra, making a mess on Spike with her female cum. And right at this moment her bladder was full of urine and she released its hold on it.
Spike felt Rarity was peeing on him. He couldn't believe she was doing right now. A lady he was in love with, peeing on him. His blushed really red as this was hot being peed on. He started to quicken his pace as Rarity continued to pee on him.
Rarity felt his pumping was getting faster as she pees. After a bit, her bladder was empty and she stop peeing.
The both of their breathing were getting heavy and rough as Spike continued to pump his cocks in and out of Rarity. He was now to get rough with his pumping. He was getting close.
He growled. "R-Rarity, I'm close. Let's be parents."
She moaned and groaned as she replied. "Lets."
Spike went the fastest he could go from his current position. Smoke was starting to come out of his nose as he pumping was really rough, he then pull out except for the tips of both of his cocks and then he slam Rarity down on his cocks.
Rarity gave out another ear-piercing scream as both of his knots went inside her out-stretched pussy and Spike let out a loud roar as cum was coming out of his cocks.
Rarity felt his cum filling her up. She felt his cocks throbbed as cum was spurting out into her womb. She felt herself getting inflated with his cum. Her front being blown up like a balloon as more cum being filled inside her.
Rarity felt being soo bloated that she was hyper pregnant with more than 10 foals inside her, but in reality, she was soo bloated with cum inside her womb.
It was a couple of minutes later that Spike was finally finished cumming. He then pull Rarity up, removing her off of his cocks. When he lift Rarity up fully off, cum came exploding out of her just used pussy and onto Spike's crotch below.
Spike felt his cum from Rarity's pussy was coming out of her as a waterfall until Rarity was back to normal size. He then brought her to his face and kissed her.
Rarity was surprised from the sudden kiss, but closed her eyes and kissed back.
After a bit, they let go of the kiss. And Spike said. "I love you Rarity."
Rarity smiled and replied. "I love you too Spike."
Spike's cocks gone soft and went back into his dragon slit. He can't believed that he came soo much inside Rarity.
"Like Rainbow Dash would've said, that was awesome Spike. You came soo much inside me with soo much cum. Maybe I'm already pregnant from that much cum, but when I get back home to Carousel Boutique in Ponyville, I'll take a pregnancy test to see if I'm pregnant, even though I know I'm pregnant right now."
Spike smiled. "Well, I'm already happy for you Rarity. Pregnant or not, I still love you and nothing will change that one bit."
Rarity giggled and shaking her head. "Oh Spike."
After a moment of silence, Spike spoke up. "Well with everything we both did, just had sex, confessed our love for each other, you being pregnant or not, and me in my greed-induced form that I'll be staying in, what'll we do right now?" Spike then put Rarity down on the ground next to him as he sat up and turned to Rarity.
"Well..." Rarity said before thinking for a bit. "...I would be happy to return back to Ponyville, but for now..." She looked at the hoard that Basil left behind. "...I wouldn't mind bring some of this stuff back with me as I got new ideas for clothes, but..." She went towards the hoard pile and went searching for something and after for a bit, she found something. A sword of some sort. "...I think I'm taking this with me."
Spike's eyes widen as what Rarity just found. "D-do you know what that sword is?"
She shook her head. "No, why? Is this sword important?"
"Important... important?! Rarity, that was the lost sword that went missing over 1,000 years ago. The Sword of Self-Perservance. Princess Celestia was looking for this sword ever since it went missing, but since you found it... congratulations Rarity, you're the new owner of this sword. This sword was very important back then, welded by Commander Hurricane himself. Don't ask me on how I know this okay?"
Rarity's eyes widen from the very sword she's holding in her magic. "Okay."
"I really need to send Princess Celestia a message about what you found and me staying as my greed-induced form. And right now, I'm feeling like what I supposed to be and not a 16 year old baby dragon. Also these wings of mine..." He unfolded his wings to their full might. "...I'm never gonna get rid of these wings as I'm loving them."
"Yes Spike, these dragon wings of yours are amazing darling. I think you just gave me a new idea for a clothing set, but I'll wait until we're back in Ponyville." Rarity said also found the sheath for the sword and put the sword in the sheath with her magic.
"Rarity, I need you to write a letter to Princess Celestia as I really need to tell her something." Spike said giving Rarity a quill and parchment.
Rarity grabbed those two items in her magic, ready for writing. "This is my first time writing in this, but I'll do my best Spike."
"Alright here's what you need to put in the letter." Spike said before saying. "Dear Princess Celestia, this is Spike speaking, I'm writing to you that me and Rarity found that missing sword you lost over 1,000 years ago in the same mountain cave that red dragon named Basil left last year. Also I'm letting Rarity write in the letter because I'm in my greed-induced dragon form and I'm staying in this form, you'll see why when me and Rarity returns to Ponyville. Also me and Rarity are in love as we confessed to each other and just had sex. I think she's pregnant, but I'll let her confirm it back in Ponyville herself. From your favorite dragon, Spike Sparkle."
Dear Princess Celestia,
This is Spike speaking.
I'm writing to you that me and Rarity found that missing sword you lost over 1,000 years ago in the same mountain cave that red dragon named Basil left last year. Rarity became the new owner for the sword. Also I'm letting Rarity write in the letter because I'm in my greed-induced dragon form and I'm staying in this form, you'll see why when me and Rarity returns to Ponyville. Also me and Rarity are in love as we confessed to each other and just had sex. I think she's pregnant, but I'll let her confirm it back in Ponyville herself.
From your favorite dragon, Spike Sparkle.
If you want what the letter Spike told Rarity to write looks like.
"Now throw it into the air so I can send it Rarity."
Rarity did as she was told from Spike, threw the now sealed letter to Princess Celestia into the air and then Spike used his dragon mail fire to send the letter to the princess.
"Now it's sent, come on Rarity let's go home back to Ponyville." Spike said starting to walk out of cave before Rarity stopped him.
"Spike, can I ride on your back for our trip back to Ponyville?"
Spike looked at Rarity and then shrugged. "Sure, hop on."
Rarity walked on Spike's dragon back, between his wings. "Thank you Spike for everything."
Spike just blushed and nodded. "You're welcome Rarity and now, let's go home. I'll just let Princess Celestia know about the rest of Basil's hoard when she gets there in Ponyville."
"Alright Spike. Let's go."
"Next stop, Ponyville." Spike said before both him and Rarity exited the cave, then Spike started to fly with his wings and then flapped them and flew towards Ponyville.
As Spike flew, he thought back on how this all started. Yesterday was his 16th birthday, but then earlier today, he started to began to grow from being greedy and now he's an adult dragon from his greed-induced transformation. Also he's way too big to fit in any building in Ponyville with his current size.
Once he and Rarity made it to Ponyville, Spike landed in the exact location where he flew for the first time. But then his older sister and their friends were there as well.
"SPIKE, IS THAT YOU?!" You can guess on which voice who shouted like that. It was his older sister Twilight Sparkle.
He waved a claw at her. "Hi Twilight... hehehe."
Pinkie Pie was next to speak. "Wow! His voice is deep and very royally, like a true dragon king from a different anime."
"Dragon king, anime??? Wha?" Spike said before a few seconds later. "Oh never mind, it's Pinkie Pie don't question it."
Fluttershy was next with a blush on her face. But even with his hearing in this form, he couldn't hear her, but understood what she said.
Rainbow was next and was the one who heard what Fluttershy said. "Don't worry Spike, Fluttershy here is a total otaku fangirl. At first, I didn't want to believe but she made me read those manegas."
"It's manga Rainbow Dash. I'll let you borrow my next manga issue of Pony Ball as I have the entire Pony Ball manga collection that I ordered from Neighpon. I even speak in Neighponese. Hora, watashi wa sono gengo o hanaseru ndesu. What I just said is translated to... see, I can speak the language."
Twilight's eyes widen as is exactly what Fluttershy said in Neighponese, but didn't speak up.
Applejack didn't want to say anything at this point.
So...
"You can get down now Rarity." Spike said as Rarity got off of his back. "I know I'm way too big to fit in our library home Twilight. Maybe I can find a way to live in Ponyville with my size."
"And indeed, I can Spike." A voice spoke up as it was Princess Celestia who just arrived.
His eyes widen as it was Princess Celestia.
"I did received your letter Spike and I do say that... you're not big enough to the current size of Lord Torch, the current dragon lord right now. More details on this will come at a later time. And I'll allow you be this size Spike. Also yes, I'll set up a wedding for you and Rarity soon. A certain someponies will have their wedding coming up soon as well. Maybe I can host a conjunction wedding for two weddings on the same day. I won't tell who is getting married soon."
Spike is blushing and Rarity saw this. "Spike... why are you blushing?"
Spike snapped out of his daydreaming of thinking what he'll do to Princess Celestia in his current form. "Uhh... meep?"
"Meep?" Princess Celestia asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm sorry princess, it's uhh, it's kind of weird." Spike said embarrassed as he was thinking naughty thoughts of him and Princess Celestia.
"Weird? Weird how, may I know why Spike?" Princess Celestia asked with that eyebrow still raised.
"Ummm... hehehehe." He was blushing red as he chuckled embarrassedly.
It only took Princess Celestia a few moments before getting it and laughed out loud which surprised the other ponies near her. After she calmed down from her laughing, she said. "Oh Spike, you naughty, naughty drake. Trying to bring that side of me out, aren't you? You just want my love as well as other ponies, huh Spike? Trying to start a harem? Well you got my yes in it Spike. As Rarity will be lead mare in the harem."
"Harem, uhh princess???" Rarity asked before Princess Celestia cut her off.
She giggled. "You and Spike can call me Celestia, Celly, or even what my sister calls me Tia." She then started flying towards Spike's face and kissed him before letting go of that kiss to him. "Don't forget about what I'll bring into this harem of yours Spike. You'll soon find out. Well, I'm off back to Canterlot. Bye My Little Ponies."
And with that, Princess Celestia just teleported back to Canterlot leaving six ponies and one dragon very surprised.
"What the hay was that about Spike?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Spike just shook his head. "Just don't worry about it Rainbow."
"Well, I better get to Carousel Boutique to check and see what Sweetie Belle is up to while I was taking away by Spike." Rarity said before leaving. "Bye Spike love."
"Bye Rarity."
With that, Rarity left to check and see if she was indeed pregnant or not. That leaves Spike with the five other girls.
"Well girls, ah better return back to the farm for ta check and see Apple Bloom." Applejack said before leaving.
Only four girls left with Spike.
"Come on Flutters, let's go." Rainbow Dash said wanting that next issue of Pony Ball to read.
"Okay Rainbow. Bye."
Down to two girls with Spike.
Scratch that, Pinkie Pie left without saying goodbye.
And that leaves down to only Spike and Twilight Sparkle left.
"Well Spike, you wouldn't be able to fit through the door inside our Ponyville home, so I guess you'll be staying outside until the princess can do something about your new living arrangements."
"I know Twilight. Well, I guess I'll be flying around town. See you later OSBFF." Spike said before flapping his wings to get off the ground and started to fly around Ponyville. He knows that he'll say sorry to the other ponies of Ponyville about his greed-induced rampage, stealing other pony's things for his own without their consent.
Time passed as it was getting dark. Spike landed at the Ponyville Lake. He saw his reflection in the water, he was sexy lookin' as he was checking his own self out. He liked what he saw. But then he yawned.
"Well, this is my very first time ever sleeping outside of my home here in Ponyville, all by myself, as an adult dragon. I really hope Celestia can do something about this." He said before laying down on the ground curled up like a dog laying down to sleep. He then closes his eyes. He had one last thought before sleep took him.
And that thought is. This was the best sweet 16 birthday I ever had.
And with that, Spike fell fast asleep at the Ponyville Lake.
|
Mancin
|
562136
| 1 |
Fluttershy,Original Character,Anthro,Dark,Horror,Porn,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Death,Profanity,Sex
|
"Come, My Beckoning Fair One..."
|
A hundred years after the Fall of Equestria, a lone Caribou soldier visits the ancient, ruined town of Ponyville...only to find that not all of her residents are gone...
|
incomplete
| 25 | 9 |
<p>They warned me not to go there...even though we'd vanquished this country ages ago and subjugated all of its mares; there still persisted rumors of the one place we <i>didn't</i> defeat.</p><p>I scoffed at the rumors, I sneered at the stories, so I decided to see for myself.</p><div class="bbcode-center" style="text-align:center"><p>I was <span style="font-weight:bold;font-style:italic">such</span> a fool...</p></div><hr/><div class="bbcode-center" style="text-align:center"><p><b>[Author's Note]</b></p></div><div class="bbcode-center" style="text-align:center"><p>While I know that the Fall of Equestria genre isn't for everyone, I still welcome all comments. Even so, please be aware of possible spoilers in the comment section, so approach with caution! Thanks for reading!</p></div>
|
mature
|
2024-07-22T15:32:22+00:00
|
2024-07-22T15:44:47+00:00
| 407 |
I sat up in bed, yawned, and pushed the mares out of my way as I got up to go to use the facilities. They were all well-trained, these descendants of the conquered nation of Equestria, so they knew better than to protest my treatment of them. Indeed, as I casually looked back at them just before I entered my bathroom, all three of them had fallen to their knees on the floor with their heads down, awaiting my next command. I smiled, then snapped my fingers. They jumped to their feet and followed me into the bathroom, knowing exactly what I wanted them all to do after serving me as long as they had.
After relieving myself, I flushed and closed the lid of the toilet and sat on it. One ran the shower and prepared my towels, soaps, and shampoos, while the other two knelt between my legs and began sucking my cock. As a high-level officer, I can afford to select the finest, most talented sluts the stables had to offer, and I'd picked these three for their exceptional mouth skills.
And they did not disappoint!
All three had thick, soft, luscious lips, just right for massaging a cock, as well as long, hot, wet tongues, no gag reflex, and supple, soft hands. They cradled my balls and gently ran their tongues all around them while taking turns licking up and down my shaft; then one would bury my dick in her throat while the other suckled my balls, then they would switch off. The one running my shower came over and started kissing me all over, then joined her sisters between my legs.
I felt my orgasm approaching as the redhead was deepthroating me, so I placed my hand on top of her head and held her in place, and began thrusting violently! The other two moved out of the way as I facefucked their sister while she closed her eyes and held onto my thighs. I did hear her give a little whimper, but she knew better than to try and fight me. They were red collars, after all.
As I unleashed my loads, I felt her throat frantically swallowing as she tried to keep up with my spurts of cum, anxious not to spill a drop. But being the well-trained slut she was, she succeeded, and I finally relaxed with a sigh as she sucked my cock one last time, then sat back on her knees. And even though she didn't deserve it, I smiled down at her and said, "That was good, slut. Master is pleased." Her face went from passive to utter joy as she beamed but still kept her eyes averted, as was proper. Still, that little 'whimper' bothered me. It must have something to do with that 'apple' cutie mark of hers...if I remembered my ancient history, the Apple Family was one of the last holdouts during the War with Equestria, so there must still be a bit of that stubborn streak in this one. I really did not understand why these sluts still grew these ridiculous tattoos on their asses once they reached maturity; as I understood their history, it was supposed to indicate their station in life and what they'd be best at. It made more sense to me they'd have 'marks' that indicated talents related to sex since that was all they were good for, although we did have some that were excellent cooks...when they weren't on their backs and being plowed into a mattress!
I put the matter out of my mind as I stepped into the shower; it was a long, LONG time ago...and the Apple Family, along with all the rest, had been soundly defeated. I laughed at the thought: after all the trouble they'd caused, their many-times great-granddaughter was now sucking my cock whenever I felt like it...so let her whimper!
I was lounging in the Officer's Quarters when I happened to overhear a curious story, one that I hadn't heard in quite a while. A few of the older officers were relating tales of their great-great grandfathers' conquests during the War. I listened with pride as they spoke of the leadership of King Daiin the First, and how he had led the first invasion into this land...how he had personally defeated their monarchs Celestia and Luna, and turned them both into his own broodmares.
But then, they spoke of the town called "Ponyville" and the unusual choice the entire populace had made. I watched their faces as they turned pale.
"They had amassed most of our army a few miles outside of the Town, far within that place they'd named the 'Everfree Forest.' Their scouts had reported no armed resistance, and so their general gave the order to advance. They had yet to face those the Equestrians called 'The Elements of Harmony,' but the rumors were these were their most powerful force outside their Princesses. They laughed at these rumors, for they had all seen by now both Celestia and Luna dehorned, stripped, and made to serve as naked sex slaves to our King and to anyone who would have them, so if these so-called "Elements of Harmony' were their best, they should have nothing to fear!"
"They were within sight of the Town when they got our first look at the main square. It looked like every resident, from adult mare to child, with a few males, was gathered there. As they marched up to the square, they were suddenly stopped by the giant circle of a purple field. They stared inside and could see a purple Alicorn mare exerting all of her will to maintain the field, along with the help of several other unicorns. Beside her, they could see five others gathered around her who fit the descriptions of those mares who were called the 'Bearers:' a white unicorn, a pink Earth pony, a blue pegasus, an orange Earth pony, and a yellow pegasus, all with the same defiant look in their eyes."
"I'm told the General laughed and shouted, "Give up, stupid females! You cannot hold us back forever!"
"And that is when the Alicorn's eyes turned white, and she shouted back, "We will NEVER be your slaves! LONG LIVE EQUESTRIA!!"
"Then, I'm told, she closed her eyes, and the field grew brighter and brighter! The General, warned by some battle-ready instinct, ordered, "Fall back, FALL BACK!" as all rushed to obey him. They just made it to the outskirts of the Town when there was a tremendous explosion, and all were thrown off their feet."
"With their ears ringing, they all stumbled up, then turned back to look at the Town. Every window had been blown out, every building was set ablaze and damaged...and in the middle of the square...every single one of them lay dead."
The one speaking took a long pull of his drink before continuing.
"The bodies were contorted and twisted...some torn to shreds, but...they all had...smiles on their faces...those that still HAD faces. As if...as if...even in Death, they knew they'd won."
"One of them, the pink one, I'm told, wasn't quite dead when the General finally made it back into the square. As he stared down at her, her body was in shreds, with her head missing her lower jaw, but her...eyes...swiveled up at the General, and she started...laughing. She wouldn't stop, she just. Kept. Laughing. And then, all around them, the screaming started. The soldiers looked all around them, trying to locate the source, but there was nothing but dead bodies! Mares! Fillies! Colts! Stallions! All dead! Shredded, bloody, but screaming and LAUGHING! That's when they all fled and never returned..."
He took another long drink as his hand visibly shook.
"Even now, a hundred years later, no one goes into that Town. They say you can still hear the screams...and the laughter..."
|
Mancin
|
562136
| 2 |
Fluttershy,Original Character,Anthro,Dark,Horror,Porn,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Death,Profanity,Sex
|
"Come, My Beckoning Fair One..."
|
A hundred years after the Fall of Equestria, a lone Caribou soldier visits the ancient, ruined town of Ponyville...only to find that not all of her residents are gone...
|
incomplete
| 25 | 9 |
<p>They warned me not to go there...even though we'd vanquished this country ages ago and subjugated all of its mares; there still persisted rumors of the one place we <i>didn't</i> defeat.</p><p>I scoffed at the rumors, I sneered at the stories, so I decided to see for myself.</p><div class="bbcode-center" style="text-align:center"><p>I was <span style="font-weight:bold;font-style:italic">such</span> a fool...</p></div><hr/><div class="bbcode-center" style="text-align:center"><p><b>[Author's Note]</b></p></div><div class="bbcode-center" style="text-align:center"><p>While I know that the Fall of Equestria genre isn't for everyone, I still welcome all comments. Even so, please be aware of possible spoilers in the comment section, so approach with caution! Thanks for reading!</p></div>
|
mature
|
2024-07-23T08:40:57+00:00
|
2024-07-23T22:36:25+00:00
| 605 |
It was a tale I'd heard long ago when I'd been a mere cadet. I didn't believe it then, and I certainly don't believe it now. So that was why my boots were scuffing along on the dusty road to this Gods-forsaken Town weeks later, despite all the dire warnings from my peers.
I did not understand their reluctance, for we are the Caribou! We have conquered nation after nation, fought many glorious battles, defeated countless enemies, and carved out our place in history! How can those same soldiers be wary of one little insignificant pony town whose residents were such cowards they had refused to fight but rather kill themselves? And even if the place was haunted, what of it? The insubstantial, non-corporeal essences of creatures long dead had no power over the living other than to inspire fear. And my heart held no fear of any mare, neither living nor dead!
As I left the road that once led to their fabled city of Canterlot, before me lay the twisted, gnarled remains of their Everfree Forest, once a mighty, thriving woodland teeming with life, now reduced to a few scattered groves that had regrown over the ages after King Daiin the First's orders to destroy it. There were still great patches of scorched ground where nothing would grow, as well as stagnant pools that once held clear bodies of water. My boots crunched onto the dry skeletons of animals long dead, although I could hear in the distance the sounds of others that had returned and still eked out a bare existence in this dead Forest.
I smiled grimly as I pushed through what was left of towering trees with overhanging vines and branches. Many a rebel had been found hiding out in this Forest; those who thought they could escape us by fleeing into the wilderness from Canterlot or settlements as far away as the ones the ponies had named 'Appleloosa,' and 'Manehatten,' and thus, the order had been given to burn it all down. Many that we'd been tracking for moons had been discovered as a result and finally brought to their knees and collared. I had even heard of a so-called Shaman who had made her home in these woods, a Zebra mare if the stories were true, who had escaped capture for years and had tried to lead many with her out of Equestria. I smiled again as I used my machete to slash some vines out of my way. Of course, she had failed and eventually, willingly, joined the fate of all females under our rule.
Or so I'd been told.
A few hours later, as I broke through into another thick grove of trees, I saw a curious sight before me. There, off in the center of a circle of overgrowth, was a long-abandoned hut. Drawing closer, I recognized various markings and sigils belonging to certain members of the conquered Zebra nations; then, it dawned on me what I was seeing! This must be the very place where that Shaman, that Zebra, once lived. I couldn't recall her name, but it struck me as odd that she'd chosen to live out in this once-wild forest rather than reside in the relative safety and community of the nearby town. Perhaps it was true as we'd been told: for all their mouthings of "friendship" and "harmony," the ponies had all been nothing but hypocrites, unable or unwilling to accept a creature as different as a Zebra into their midst.
I snorted. Such beings needed to be conquered. I grinned as I further inspected the crumbling hut. We Caribou harbored no such prejudices: a female is a female, no matter the race. If she could please a male, then it didn't matter what country from which she hailed; all she needed to be was obedient, nothing more.
Suddenly, I felt as if I was being...watched. The hut was larger on the inside than it looked on the outside, and as I stood in the doorway, I could see a dark opening far off down a short hallway. It was from there that I got a sense of watchfulness being directed toward me, along with a feeling of...hatred? I squinted into the darkness as I put away my machete and drew my heavier sword, readying myself for combat. Even now, after a century, it was possible there might be some who had escaped and were still hiding out. If so, I wouldn't bother trying to capture them; I'd simply put them out of their misery, but only after making a survivor or two reveal their other companions.
"Come out!" I shouted into the darkness as I pointed my sword into the ruins. "Now that I know where you are, there's no escape for you!" And that's when I heard it. Faint at first, almost like a whisper. Then, the sound was unmistakable.
Laughter.
I gritted my teeth and charged forward. "Let's see how much you find it funny with my sword in your belly, slut!" I burst into the darkened room, swinging my sword in every direction...but there was nothing. As I strained my eyes, looking all around the dusty, decomposed room, something touched the back of my head. I spun around, swinging my sword, but again, there was nothing there. "Who's here?! SHOW YOURSELF!!" I bellowed as I turned my head back and forth, keeping my sword at the ready.
And even though I think of myself as a hardened warrior, something happened next that nearly made me soil myself like a newborn calf.
There was more of that insane laughter, and then a cold hand grabbed my cock...
It was full night by the time I came to myself. I sat up and stared about myself. I was in the middle of a clearing, with no sign of that decayed hut and no idea where I was. I still gripped my sword as I got shakily to my feet and slowly turned. I could see nothing, but I could hear movement. I took a few steps in a circle, holding up my sword when my foot brushed against my backpack. Relieved, I bent down to open it and retrieve my lantern. Once it was lit, I held it up in my left hand while keeping a firm grip on my sword in my right. I shone the beam all around me, trying to pinpoint the source of the movement, but it was as if the darkness was swallowing up the light mere yards from my lantern.
I shouldered my pack and was just about to simply pick a direction and start walking when I was stopped cold by a...voice.
"Oh my...are you...lost?" I spun swiftly around, sword at the ready, and pointed my light at the voice.
It was...a mare. A small, yellow mare, who was holding her hands up to her face, shielding her eyes against the glare.
"Who are you?! And what are you doing out in this forest?!" I demanded.
"I...I'm sorry! You...you just looked like you...you needed help!" she whimpered. At her submissive tone, I lowered my sword and took a good look at her. She was dressed in a long, white, flowing gown that was almost see-through. Her mane was pink and flowed over her shoulders and down her back, and her eyes were a piercing blue. Her breasts were...impressive, to say the least, and her hips were wide. Her lips were full and looked very soft, and she was quite small. I looked down at her feet and saw she was barefoot, which briefly made me wonder how she could walk out here in this forest with its floor full of broken branches, bones, and sharp rocks, but then I dismissed the thought as unimportant.
"Are you a rebel?" I growled. The question seemed to confuse her.
She fidgeted with her hands nervously as she stared up at me with those soulful eyes and shook her head. "A...rebel? What do you mean?"
I scowled. "Don't play games with me, slut! We conquered this country long ago, as you well know, so you might as well tell me who you are and where the rest of you are hiding!"
She took a step back while keeping an eye on my sword as I raised it again. "Please, Sir! Don't hurt me! I really have no idea what it is you want from me!"
I slowly put my lantern down as she fearfully watched me, and then I suddenly lunged forward and grabbed her by her mane. "What is your name?!"
"Fluttershy! My name is Fluttershy!!" she screamed as I gave her mane a twist.
I was relentless. "And who else is with you?! Where do you live?!" She fell to her knees, openly crying while holding onto my hand.
"I live in Ponyville, Sir! Ponyville!" I released her and stood back as she fell to all fours and continued to sob.
"...you're lying..." I whispered as a coldness gripped my heart. I raised my sword. "YOU'RE LYING!!" I shouted as I brought it down with all my strength. Only to bury it in the empty ground.
She was gone.
|
Mancin
|
562136
| 3 |
Fluttershy,Original Character,Anthro,Dark,Horror,Porn,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Death,Profanity,Sex
|
"Come, My Beckoning Fair One..."
|
A hundred years after the Fall of Equestria, a lone Caribou soldier visits the ancient, ruined town of Ponyville...only to find that not all of her residents are gone...
|
incomplete
| 25 | 9 |
<p>They warned me not to go there...even though we'd vanquished this country ages ago and subjugated all of its mares; there still persisted rumors of the one place we <i>didn't</i> defeat.</p><p>I scoffed at the rumors, I sneered at the stories, so I decided to see for myself.</p><div class="bbcode-center" style="text-align:center"><p>I was <span style="font-weight:bold;font-style:italic">such</span> a fool...</p></div><hr/><div class="bbcode-center" style="text-align:center"><p><b>[Author's Note]</b></p></div><div class="bbcode-center" style="text-align:center"><p>While I know that the Fall of Equestria genre isn't for everyone, I still welcome all comments. Even so, please be aware of possible spoilers in the comment section, so approach with caution! Thanks for reading!</p></div>
|
mature
|
2024-07-24T21:05:38+00:00
|
2024-07-30T07:23:34+00:00
| 291 |
I stared down at the empty place where my sword was embedded, then slowly looked around. Unlike earlier, there were no longer any sounds of animals or other movements. All was completely, utterly still. Then, I scowled and pulled my sword out of the ground with some effort. It was a trick! It had to be! When that slut had fallen to all fours, I'd noticed she still had her wings, so she must have quickly flown off before my blow had landed. Even though we knew the ponies to be as inferior as any other race, we did not lie to ourselves about their abilities. I remember hearing stories of how fast the pegasi could be, which was why it became standard practice to remove the wings of all captured female pegasi. She must have been an exceptionally fast one, or else she was fueled by fear and adrenaline when she saw she was about to be cut in half, and moved out of the way of my blade so quickly. As I walked back to retrieve my lantern, I convinced myself of this solid truth, for the alternative was impossible...
In all of our travels, during all of our conquests, I'd heard many stories from dozens of different lands, tales of supernatural beings and other entities. And while I didn't believe them all, I wasn't arrogant enough to assume that there only existed things I could myself see or touch, for I knew there had to be more beyond this life. I looked up at the night sky and took a moment to stare at the expanse of stars. The Great Cock Constellation stood out most prominently, eternally representing the place of Male domination over all females. This was not by chance but by Design, so there had to be other Forces at work in the Universe.
So it only stood to reason that if there were one unseen Force, there would have to be others if the stories I heard were true. I took another moment to look down at the hand that had grabbed that mare. She had been real! Solid! In none of the stories had I ever heard of a ghost being such. Yet...she had claimed to be from Ponyville, under pain. But, Ponyville was supposedly gone, along with every creature that lived there, a century ago. It...made no sense.
So...the only logical conclusion is the slut had to be lying. I snorted as relief flooded me. Of course. Without discipline, all females would tell a lie as easily as drawing breath. If I ran into her again, I would teach her that lesson before I killed her.
But, there was still the matter of my being lost.
I lifted my lantern and began scouting the ground. As small as she was, she still should have left some discernable traces, such as footprints, disturbed leaves, and maybe a bit of cloth torn from her gown adhering to some thorns or branches, but after an hour of searching, I came up empty. She couldn't have just appeared out of thin air! And her body, mane, and clothing were far too clean for her to have been roughing it out in these woods, so she had to have a dwelling close by. That, and the way she came up behind me so quietly, indicated she knew her way around this forest, so, despite her frail appearance, I wasn't dealing with a novice. This one had obviously been hiding out for a very long time and knew how to hide when she needed to.
Then I stopped as another thought occurred to me. If...all that's true...then...why did she approach me? Alone? In the dark? Surely she could recognize my race if she'd been hiding from us...so why the farce? As quiet as she'd been, she could have slipped a poisoned dagger between my ribs while she was behind me or waited until I'd fallen asleep...but she acted as if she'd never seen my kind before. And, for that matter, how did she find me? Had she been...watching me? Did she wait until I'd lit my lantern, or had she been out here on her own already and happened to find me? For what purpose? It made no sense! I stopped and strained my ears for the slightest sound while shining my light in every direction. Then I took a deep breath, trying to catch the scent of a cooking fire.
And that's when I heard...music?
I tuned my ears for the source, then started walking in that direction. The music was faint but growing louder the longer I trudged through the rough foliage, pushing and hacking my way through thick bushes and vines until I suddenly found myself looking at a dirt road. Now, I could not only hear the music but also see faint lights far off in the distance, so I walked out onto the road and began following it.
After ten minutes of walking, I came across an ancient sign partially buried in the dirt. I bent down to look at it, then sheathed my sword and brushed away the matted growth that obscured the writing. Then, I froze as I read the words: Sweet Apple Acres. I stood and shone the light before me. I could just make out the remains of a ruined building that could have been a barn off in the distance, then shone the light back where'd I come. I was no farmer, but those trees through which I'd trudged past for the last hour might have been all that remained of a devasted apple orchard. If so, then this was what was left of the Apple Family's holdings after we took our revenge on them for causing us so much trouble during the War. If I cared to, I could probably turn aside into that dilapidated barn and see the site where they'd drawn and quartered that traitor to males, the leader of the Apples, one Macintosh Apple. We'd all been taught how he had defied us and bought time for his female relatives to escape. And how the General had rightly dealt with the traitor before they'd approached Ponyville.
I took a moment to spit on the sign before turning to follow the sound of the music.
If I remembered my geography, then Ponyville was next to Sweet Apple Acres, so someone or someones was there now, having a celebration of a sort. I snorted. I guess whoever it was hadn't heard the place was "haunted" and "spooky." Yet they could be enemies, possibly rebel friends of that mare, so I kept an eye out for assailants the closer I got.
I stopped when I saw a sign along the road that read, "Ponyville, Population 1200," and could see lights in the buildings up ahead. I frowned. From what I could tell, the structures all looked ancient and burned, hardly fit for a place of celebration. Then, a cold wind blew past me, and I caught the scent of ancient rot, of decay. I took a step past the sign...and everything...
CHANGED
I was in the middle of a huge crowd of ponies, all gathered around tables filled with various food and drink. As I stared, the buildings were intact and completely restored, not burnt, decayed, and dilapidated as I'd seen them only seconds before. The Moon shone brightly down upon the assembled throng as they all celebrated with laughter and music. Then, one grabbed my hand. "Come on! Join the party!" It was a pink mare with a puffy mane and an eager smile. I hesitated for a moment, then allowed her to pull me to a table. She grabbed a slice of cake and pushed it into my hands. "Eat up! It's a special occasion!" I stood dumbfounded, looking all around me. How...how could there be an entire town of ponies not under our rule?! And I was told they'd all killed themselves and destroyed their home...yet here they all were, ALIVE, and...and having a...PARTY?! Worst of all, none of them seemed to show any fear of me! How could they not know my race?!
Then, I turned and looked into a nearby shop window...and my heart almost failed me. In the reflection, I did not see happy ponies dancing, singing, and playing with one another...I saw...corpses. My eyes grew wide as I looked at the tables. Instead of cakes, pies, and other delicacies, I saw rotten piles of decaying fruit...long-dead slabs of putrescent flesh covered in flies, moldy loaves of bread...and the worst part? The...corpses...were trying to...eat all the disgusting offal as if it were the most delicious food they'd ever tasted. Some...some no longer had midsections...so the objects they tried to swallow would slip out onto the ground, but they didn't seem to notice...
I looked slowly down at the reflection of the slice of cake I was holding, and it was filled with squirming maggots. With a great cry of disgust, I dropped it, leaped back, and drew my sword. I turned back from the reflection, expecting to see the same horrors, but all was as it was before, only now, everyone of them was staring at me. The music had stopped. There was no more dancing or singing. All of them stood. and then slowly started walking towards me.
"Keep back!!" I shouted, raising my sword. I backed off, looking for a way out. There were too many of them, but by Daiin, I'd take more than a few of them with me to The Inferno before they took me down!
The pink mare laughed. "Don't be silly, Silly! I told you it's a special occasion!" She held out an arm as she reached for me, as that smile stretched across her face.
"Keep back, I said! I'll cut you in half, bitch!" She giggled once more, then rushed me! My arms reacted without conscious effort, honed by years of battle training, and I took her head with one swift blow. I watched her body still stand upright, expecting it to fall any second, but then...then I heard something that almost shattered my mind:
Laughter
Her...severed...head...was LAUGHING.
I felt my bladder release as I watched her headless body turn, pick up her still-giggling head, and then set it back in place.
When she turned back to me and SMILED, her teeth had been replaced by rows upon rows of...fangs. As the laughter began again, I stared at the rest and saw they all had changed: their teeth had grown long and sharp, their eyes blood-red, and their fingers into claws. Then, the pink mare spoke, but her voice had changed to gravel:
"Now the party can REALLY begin!!"
She looked back at her companions. "GET HIM!!"
"NOOOOO!!" I screamed as I swung my sword wildly, but there were too many of them! They swarmed me like ants, then began tearing into my flesh like rabid dogs! Great chunks of flesh were ripped from my body as my screams filled the air, yet all the while, they were LAUGHING...LAUGHING!
My last sight before the darkness claimed me was the pink one, her mouth bloody and stretched to an impossible width across her face giggle one last time and growl, "yOu'Reee...DeLIciOcIOusssss...!!" then sink her teeth into my throat...
|
Mancin
|
562136
| 4 |
Fluttershy,Original Character,Anthro,Dark,Horror,Porn,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Death,Profanity,Sex
|
"Come, My Beckoning Fair One..."
|
A hundred years after the Fall of Equestria, a lone Caribou soldier visits the ancient, ruined town of Ponyville...only to find that not all of her residents are gone...
|
incomplete
| 25 | 9 |
<p>They warned me not to go there...even though we'd vanquished this country ages ago and subjugated all of its mares; there still persisted rumors of the one place we <i>didn't</i> defeat.</p><p>I scoffed at the rumors, I sneered at the stories, so I decided to see for myself.</p><div class="bbcode-center" style="text-align:center"><p>I was <span style="font-weight:bold;font-style:italic">such</span> a fool...</p></div><hr/><div class="bbcode-center" style="text-align:center"><p><b>[Author's Note]</b></p></div><div class="bbcode-center" style="text-align:center"><p>While I know that the Fall of Equestria genre isn't for everyone, I still welcome all comments. Even so, please be aware of possible spoilers in the comment section, so approach with caution! Thanks for reading!</p></div>
|
mature
|
2024-07-28T12:42:19+00:00
|
2024-07-28T12:42:18+00:00
| 264 |
Fluttershy's onryō sat next to a crackling fire out in the woods as she watched the Caribou toss and turn in his sleep. While she didn't possess Pinkie's eidetic memory, she was still able to recall every instance she and the other onryō had done this to a Caribou.
And each time, it became easier and easier to break them.
It was Twilight's original plan. Once word reached her of Celestia and Luna's defeat and her brother and sister-in-law's betrayal to the Caribou, she came to them all and revealed her dark purpose.
"Twilight...are you INSANE?!" All six of them, including Spike, were in the Throne Room. And five of them mirrored Rarity's horrified face. "What you are proposing is...is...monstrous! Evil! DEMONIC!" she cried, rising to her feet. She turned and began to flee the room. "I will have NO part in this!"
Her hand was on the door when she heard a quiet voice ask, "So...you would instead enjoy watching your little sister being raped and sodomized, night and day, over and over, by a horde of savages?" Rarity turned slowly around, her nostrils flared.
"...what did you say...?"
Twilight grimly smiled. "My apologies, I misspoke. What I meant to say was you might hear about it happening, but you'll only be able to imagine it because the same things will be happening to you." She looked around the room. "And to you. And you. And to you. And certainly, to you." She finally cast her gaze to her right. "Spike, you're safe from the Caribou, so you don't have to do this, but as for the rest of us, I—" she was cut off.
"Fuck you, Twilight, for saying that..." growled Spike. At her shocked expression, he glared over at her and continued. "I'll die before I allow those monsters to touch any of you...and if I have to die to make sure they pay for what they've already done, then so be it!"
She stared at him as the silence in the room grew. Then, a tear fell down her cheek as she sobbed, "I'm...sorry, Spike...you're right: I shouldn't have said that. You...you have no idea how sorry I am..." She held out her arms, inviting him in for an embrace, which he took, and then they both sat back and waited for the fashionista.
Rarity resumed her place, but not before giving Twilight a look of pure venom. "My sister is but a child," she offered. "...surely, she's too young for them to touch her...?"
"Even if that's true now, she won't be for long...nor will any other filly be safe from them." Twilight stood. "I know this plan seems crazy, but it's the only way we have to fight those beasts." She used her magic to levitate an ancient box from an alcove, a box covered in runes and foul symbols and set it down in front of herself with a grimace. Even before she opened it, all others drew back from the pervading sense of evil that emanated from it, as a noisome reek was seeping forth along with dark tendrils of eldritch magic. She looked up at them with a determined but slightly demented glint in her eyes.
"Celestia and Luna have fallen and are now in the service of their King, doing anything and everything demanded of them." She stared at them to drive home her point. "Anything..." The pain showed in her eyes as she spoke further. "To make matters worse, this morning I received word that my own brother surrendered the Crystal Empire's Army to the invaders and that Cadence willingly submitted herself to them as well!"
"NO!" was the response from all but Spike, who had already heard the horrible news. Twilight nodded, then bowed her head.
"I hope you all now understand that I did not come to this decision lightly." She gazed at the box for a moment, then back at them. "The book contained inside this dybbuk has been hidden for centuries, and for good reason: the spells written within are of the darkest magic, and, under any other circumstances, would merit the only use of capital punishment Equestria still requires if anypony was caught using them." At this, there was a collective gasp.
"Ah...Ah didn't know...we evah kilt somepony fer any crime!" breathed Applejack.
Twilight grimly nodded. "We haven't done so since the Founding. Even Tirek, for all that he did, did not merit such." She fixed her gaze around at them. "That should give you all an idea of how serious this is."
Fluttershy timidly raised her hand. "Um...since you mentioned...Tirek...that reminded me...what if I tried talking to Discord again? If you don't mind my asking, that is..."
They all turned to her with a scowl, which made her shrink back into her throne. "YOU know why he won't help us! He's the God of Chaos! He thinks this is "the most interesting thing to happen to this world!" his words! To him, it's all one big joke!" snarled Twilight. "Remind me again: what was it he only offered to YOU?!"
In a small voice, the yellow pegasus said, "...he...he said he'd take m...me away, but nopony else..."
Twilight pressed her relentlessly. "And what did he do when you told him 'no?'"
Tears began to stream down her face. "...he...grinned...and said...said...that it didn't matter anyway, because all of this," she gestured around the room, "...is just one multiverse...there are countless others..."
"...and...?"
But this time, Fluttershy shook her head and refused to say more, just gazed sadly at her own hands.
Twilight looked around the group and finished for her. "He told her that she's not even his 'favorite' Fluttershy," and here she held up her hand and spread her fingers, "...because his Fluttershy has hooves." All other faces went pale, thinking about the cosmic implications. Rainbow, who was sitting next to her, reached out and patted her back, but Fluttershy kept silent.
Twilight sat heavily down with an air of finality. "So you see? To him, we're all just one version of infinite Equestrias! Why should he care?" She raised her voice to the ceiling. "I hope you're watching us, you bastard! I hope you get a big laugh out of what we're going through!!" Then, she stared at the dybbuk, watching the glowing tendrils morph and twist into their grotesque forms. After some minutes, a quiet voice asked, "What...what do we do?"
Instead of answering, the Alicorn lit her horn...and opened the box.
"Ah...Ah caint! Ah cain't do this!" Applejack had backed herself into a corner with her eyes wide and staring and her chest heaving. "It ain't natural! Even if'n it werks, whut'll happen to our souls?!" She looked from face to face, desperately seeking support, but every other had already been convinced.
"It's the only way!" shouted Rainbow. She pointed back at the corpse. "Do you want that to be for nothing?! We can't take those monsters on one-on-one, or else I'd be the first to try! You know that, AJ!"
Twilight closed her eyes. "Applejack, I understand you're frightened. So am I. But in order for a spell such as this to work, it will take all of us! And we haven't even spoken to the rest of the Town yet! We need them as well!" But the farmer shook her head.
"Y'all will haveta do this without me! Ah knew we wuz messin' with sum dark magic, but Ah didn't know HOW dark! Ah. Jus'. CAIN'T!" With that, she turned, flung open the door, and fled.
Dash started to give chase, but she was held in a field by Twilight. "Let her go, Rainbow...it's...it is her decision." Twilight released her and sat back down on the cold floor. She stared at the bloody knife in her hand.. and then gently laid it next to the body of her Number One Assistant. Laying a hand on what was left of his head, she whispered, "Spike...I'll never forget you. I promise...when this is all over, no matter how much time it takes, I will find a way to bring you back..."
Then she leaned down, and gave his cheek a sweet kiss.
Over in a corner, the white unicorn was sobbing inconsolably. Fluttershy and Pinkie were kneeling next to her as the pegasus slowly rubbed her back. "If...if only she'd allowed me to give...give him...one...hour of...of...pleasure..." She held her face in her hands and broke into fresh tears. "I was such a fool..." she whispered.
Fluttershy tried. After exchanging a look with Pinkie, she said, "He knew how you felt, Rarity...that's all that really matters..."
She glared at her. "No, it doesn't!! I kept him at arm's length for years, just...play...playing with his...heart." She looked away again. "...I'm such a disgusting, heartless bitch...I deserve the Caribou..."
"Don't say that! Nopony deserves the Caribou!" cried Pinkie. She gently took her by the chin and turned her to face her. "You dishonor his sacrifice by thinking like this, Rarity."
Rarity stared back at her, then dropped her eyes and slowly nodded. She wiped her face on her sleeve, firmed her chin, then stood.
"You are correct, my friends." She looked over at Spike's remains, allowed a single jolt of pain to appear on her face, and then said, "Let's finish what we've started! For Spike!"
As the rest scoured the Town and gathered up all the residents, Rarity sat with her busty little sister in her home to take a few precious moments and explain the situation to her...and to tell her what had happened to Spike. Sweetie Belle's hands flew to her mouth as her eyes filled with tears. "S...Spike? He's...gone?" Rarity nodded sadly. "Oh...oh no...Spike..." wept the younger unicorn as she held her sister, and they both cried for some minutes.
Rarity eventually drew back, sniffed, and said, "...and the worst part, for me at least, is I never was able to make up for leading him on all these years...there just wasn't time."
At this, Sweetie lowered her hands, stared up at her, and sat back. "W...wait. What? What the hell are you talking about?"
Rarity startled and looked at her with her eyebrows raised. "Sweetie Belle! Now is not the time! I was trying to tell you how sorry I am for not giving Spike what he truly wanted...namely, myself." Then Sweetie did the last thing Rarity expected: she laughed. Rarity's cheeks burned hot. "This is completely inappropriate, young lady! How can you possibly find humor in all of this?!"
Sweetie wiped a tear from her eyes and managed, "Big Sis...Spike and I have been dating for the past year! How did you miss it?! And, judging by the way he pounded me until my eyes were crossed and I could hardly walk straight and made me suck his cock until those big balls of his were empty, I believe it's safe to say he'd gotten over you!" Oblivious to her sister's shocked expression, Sweetie gazed off dreamily into the distance and moaned, "Mmmm...that dragon cock was amazing..."
Applejack sat at her kitchen table, shakily holding a cup of hard cider while her family sat around her. Her expression was fixed into space in a 'thousand-yard' stare as her little sister, grandmother, and big brother exchanged worried looks. After trying again to take a sip (and spilling most of it), she whispered, "...ah ain't evah gonna git that sight outta mah mind...whut Twilight did ta Spike...an whut come outta that evil box when she did...nevah..."
They all remained silent until Granny spoke up. "Child, that gal has opened up some ancient magic that Ah only heard about from mah great-granny. An' from whut Ah hear about these Caribou, it might be the only way to fight 'em..."
Applejack startled and looked at her. "Granny! Whut are you sayin'?! I dun told you: whut Ah saw wuz pure EVIL!" But the matriarch shook her head.
"No, hunny...it weren't." She turned and stared out the window at the setting Sun, then sighed. "Them's forces in this world that git called on by the desperate, and that's only in time of greatest need." She looked back at her granddaughter. "An' they always demands a heavy price." She pointed at Apple Bloom. "Them Caribou are gonna rape her 'til her mind breaks, or if'n she fights 'em, they'll kill her." She looked up at her grandson. "If'n he don't go along wif 'em, they'll do terrible thangs to him, and then they'll kill him..." She placed her hand on her own heart. "They ain't got no use fer somepony as old as me, so Ah ain't gonna survive this no matter whut." She reached over, took the cup from her, then took both of her hands in hers. "Ah ain't so old Ah don't know whut's bin happenin'. Ah know the Princesses are beaten. Ah know them bastards are on their way here. We only gots two choices: let 'em do whut they want to us, or do whut Twilight sez." She gazed around at her grandchildren, and her eyes were deep wells of anguish. "Ah'd rather die a thousand painful deaths than have you all suffer one second of the things they'll do to you."
Applejack stared back at her, then broke into tears. "You...you're right, Granny! Ah'll do—" but she suddenly stopped and pricked up her ears, then looked toward the window. Her eyes grew round as her voice quavered, "Y...y'all hear that?"
Mac went to the window and looked out, then they saw his face lose color. He looked back at them.
"Run..."
The entire population of Ponyville was gathered in the Town Square as Twilight and her friends stood in the middle, and she held up a box. Her arms were bloody up to her elbows, and there were markings carved into her flesh, which gave her an otherworldly appearance and had made the task of convincing them all considerably easier. The herd was mostly mares, though some males, like Mr. Cake, Filthy Rich, and surprisingly, Caramel (the Town's self-appointed 'stud muffin,' whom everypony thought would be the first to join the Caribou) stood there. Each of them had a drop of dragon blood marked on their foreheads as they stood listening to Twilight's dire instructions.
"Citizens of Ponyville, hear me!" She used her magic to keep the dybbuk suspended as she pointed. "The Enemy is on their way and will be here within the hour! We have very little time!" She gazed at each of their faces in turn, noting the fear she saw. "I realize this is...horrible, and beyond anything you all have ever heard me tell you...but I had no choice!" She looked at her friends. "In order to guarantee this spell to work, I needed all of the Elements of Harmony, but sadly, one of my friends could not go through with this." She held aloft the necklace for the Element of Honesty. "Who will take her place?!" There was murmuring and a shuffling of feet as they all exchanged worried glances with one another, and then a voice asked, "Does...it have to be...a mare?" All turned to look at the one who had spoken.
"Car...Caramel?" asked Twilight. "You...think you can be...the Element of Honesty?"
He nodded as he stepped forward. "I've kept it secret, but...I AM an Apple. Applejack and her family are my first cousins." There was an incredulous gasp from the assembled, but he ignored it. "This is why I'm here: I don't want to see the Caribou destroy Equestria and rape all of you mares against your will." He looked around. "I know you all think I'm a scumbag, always chasing after you and never settling down, but if you'll all remember, I never tried to date any of you at the same time, and I never lied to you about my intentions." Many mares' faces went red as he spoke, and many dropped their eyes in shame. He turned back to Twilight. "So, yes, I am a "ladies' man," but I'm an honest one. As honest as any in my Family."
Twilight stared at him as a single tear slipped down her cheek. "I'm...sorry I doubted you." She held out the Necklace. "You would honor us..." But, before he could take it, there was a disturbance from the back of the crowd. All moved aside to allow a bloody, blonde Earth pony to make her way forward, followed by a shivering, weeping, redhead.
With her arms around her catatonic sister, Applejack stopped in front of Twilight. The look on her face made Twilight and all the other Bearers step back in fear. With her teeth clenched and her eyes blazing, Applejack snarled, "Whatever Ah have to do...however long it takes...Ah am gonna make them PAY fer whut they've done!!"
|
Kitsune_Wizard
|
562137
| 1 |
Changelings,Queen Chrysalis,Alternate Universe,Drama,Sad,Equestria at War,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Violence
|
The Occupation Of Equestria
|
The great war is over. Equestria lost. In the occupied Equestria, Generalmajor Jachs must must balance keeping the capital, Vesalipolis, happy with keeping his citizens content.
|
incomplete
| 11 | 1 |
<p>The great war is over. Equestria lost. In the occupied Equestria, Generalmajor Jachs must balance keeping the capital, Vesalipolis, happy- with keeping his citizens content</p><p>After the war, Equestria is only a little bit safer than an Equestria at war. There are logistical concerns, especially concerning the Love harvest. Rebellions and dissidents, especially concerning the Equestrian Liberation Front. Worst of all, politics. Especially concerning the pressure from the Queen's guard and her most esteemed majesty herself, who have their own ideas about how Canterlot should be governed.</p><p>All of this, the new governor of the Canterlot Commissariat must balance with his own ideals of how to bring an embattled and war torn nation into a prosperous, peaceful future. </p><p>An empire spread too thin, militarized to the utmost, must contend with a nation at relative peace- and a war fought not on battlefields, but in the hearts and minds of her citizens.</p>
|
teen
|
2024-07-22T14:44:11+00:00
|
2024-07-30T23:45:37+00:00
| 211 |
“We were over extended, understaffed, under equipped, and under prepared. A post-war Equestria was almost as dangerous as an Equestria at war.”
“And how did you solve that?” The interviewing pony, a young cream coloured unicorn held a pen over a clipboard with her magic, and sat back in her lounger.
Jachs’s chitinous black hooves placed themselves in a triangle shape as he closed his eyes in thought. “It wasn’t easy. Eventually, though, it got routine. When you’re constantly expecting a sniper’s bullet in the head it even starts to feel normal after a while. Not a good normal, mind, but normal.” Jachs shakily lifted a whiskey up to his lips with his own greenish magicks and downed it in one gulp. “I don’t know how I would have survived without my friends.”
“Friends, general-major?” The interviewer questioned, adjusting her glasses.
Jachs returned a wry smile. “Of course. You didn’t think changelings were such heartless monsters that we didn't have friends, did you?” He prodded cheekily, causing the unicorn to fidget.
“I only meant-” She started, but he cut her off.
“It’s okay. I’m teasing you.” He dismissed her concern with a wave of a hoof and a wry, charismatic smile.
The mare sighed apologetically before continuing. “Why don’t you start off with an account of the first days of the occupation?”
The general-major nodded. “I suppose- eh let’s start, actually- let’s start when I met my oberstleutnant.”
-From “Memoirs Of A Changed Changeling” by Herr Jachs, Canterlot press, Equestrian Protectorate, 1,045.
Jachs’ hooves rubbed solemnly into his temples- the castle of Canterlot was large, but its throne more so and its responsibilities somehow even grander than its size. He thumbed through logistics and occupation reports with increasing anxiety. Resistance cells were innumerable and growing bolder by the day, the fighting in Canterlot wasn’t even over yet- and the news of Equestrian capitulation had done little to dissuade the fighting spirits of the holdouts left in Canterlot.
Worse yet- Queen Chrysalis was planning to visit and hold one hell of a victory parade, and she expected all to be in attendance. Jachs stared at the report bearing the Vesalipolis seal on his desk with green eyes of despair. On his third day of no sleep and still yet the world had more to throw at him.
“General-Major!” Jachs glanced up at the ‘ling in officer’s dress who made her way into his office. Smaller than he with trademark pupil-less eyes of a changeling, deep purple. Like the endless velvet bliss of Celestia’s bedchamber he’d been eying with increasing envy since he first glanced into it. He tried to smile but the fatigue burned in his eyes, and he could only grimace.
“Come in, come in.” He disarmingly waved her in.
“We just got news- a victory parade, general-major?” She asked quizzically. “Isn’t it a little…dangerous, for the queen to be in enemy territory so soon?”
Jachs thought about lying to the young officer, he really did. Perhaps he would have if the mental power to form one didn’t take so much effort. “Yes.” He responded, curtly. “It’s dangerous. Stupid. Careless. Needlessly cruel- and worthless in the grand scheme of things. A royal horn-measuring contest with the opponent a princess who's already fled to New Mareland!” With those words it felt like a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. Jachs held the form in his hoof- this was going to happen, and there was nothing they could do about it. He could only brace himself for what was coming.
Sensing his defeatism, and with a welcome if surprising inflection of concern in her voice, the officer- an oberstleutnant, spoke. “Well- you’re the one in charge of the actual planning of the parade, right?” Jachs, still reeling from his outburst and the pounding headache he just gave himself, could only nod. “Why don’t you…dial things back a bit?” She suggested. “Maybe we keep her on a small, easily defendable street- nix the pony POW parade and have our own guards parade instead? With the queen’s guard we’ll have enough changelings to put one of us in every window. No one will even get a chance at her. She might be mad the crowd is smaller- but she won’t die.”
Jachs smiled. For the first time in days, he allowed himself a smile. “Angering the queen isn’t something I’m particularly interested in…but damnit oberstleutnant that…that would work. With the sheer numbers, we could…” Jachs trailed off in thought. Back with his old jaeger team, a infantry-lead blitzkrieg was always the key to success. Perhaps they could pull off something similar here. A grand show of force. And- showing off the tactic that won them the war in a victory parade had a bit of poetic justice to it too. “Well done, oberstleutnant…Alcippe?” Jachs responded, finally reading her nametag.
The changeling smiled happily. “Would you like some help planning it?” She returned. Whether she noticed his fatigue or not she did not say.
“It would be very welcome,” Jachs smiled, directing her to pull up a chair to his desk. His own office was small and cramped- and they often had to reach over one another to reach this paper or that pencil. Not that either ‘ling particularly minded.
Jachs sat in his tiny office, his hooves resting on his desk in quiet contemplation. He could still hear the fanfare of the parade beyond the walls. The music; the cheering from changeling soldiers, the 21-gun salute in honor of the Queen, the flyover from the most decorated changeling airkorp aces. He knew it would not be enough. He suspected Chrysalis would have some choice words for him after this. He was correct.
As the cheering died down, he could hear heavy jackbooted hoofsteps upon the castle floor outside. Queen’s guard. Here it comes.
With a violent kick the door was thrown open well off its hinges, and in walked the glaring green eyes of the Changeling Queen flanked by several of her fanatical guards. Jachs knew better than to complain about the door. “What the hell was that, Generalmajor!?” She stared down her nose at the changeling beneath her. “Where were my POWs? Where were my pony supporters? What happened to them swearing themselves to my service- where was ANYTHING I asked for!?” Jachs would have been afraid, but staring death in the eyes every day- the wrath of the queen was just one more gun pointed at his head.
“I’m sorry,” he responded curtly and diplomatically. “We couldn’t chance it- not with so many in the harmonic resistance still operating in Canterlot. For your safety, we had to-” Chrysalis cut him off.
“Are you telling me the changeling military machine is afraid of a bunch of weakened, cowed little ponies? You want me to hide from the people we subjugated, from the country I already BEAT!?” She bared her fangs, and just for a second Jachs saw himself reflected in her teeth. His own green eyes, shining in the royal, perfectly whitened teeth of the changeling queen. Just one more gun to his head.
“Please, Queen Chrysalis.” He returned, being especially careful with his wording.”Everyone here, changeling and pony, knows who their rightful queen is. But all it takes is one pony with one rifle and one lucky shot, and everything you’ve worked for is over. Everything the hegemony has worked for. Everything I have worked for.”
Chrysalis’s nostrils flared in anger, but Jachs saw her fierce expression fall a little. “...Point taken, Generalmajor.” She returned. She stared into his eyes for a moment longer, something unreadable on her expression, as if she wanted to say something but did not, and turned to leave. Just as relief was beginning to wash over his shoulders, Chrysalis glanced over hers. “One more thing.” She began. “Who was in charge of the security for the parade?”
“That would be kommandant-” She jumped down his throat before he finished. “Fire him. If you’re that worried about my safety he’s clearly useless.” With that, she and her guard marched from the office and back into the throne room. A photo op, Jachs reckoned, the queen herself in Celestia’s old throne.
Only once she had well and truly left the building and was miles away on the changeling royal airship back to Vesalipolis did Generalmajor Jachs finally let himself exhale and fall back into his office chair. “Oberstleutnant!” He called, and within moments Alcippe was in the door. She already had a fresh bottle of apple-whiskey in hoof. “Give me that. The whole bottle.” Smiling, she handed it off to him, her own magic giving way to his, and watched as her commanding officer downed half a bottle of whiskey in one long, long chug. He slammed it down on the desk, and have an exhaustive sigh.
“Was that celebration drinking or anxiety drinking?” She asked, a twinge of nerves in her voice.
“She agreed that the measures we took were necessary.” He chuckled with relief, stretching his hooves skyward with absolute relief.
”Celebration then?”
“Celebration.”
The pair shared a smile as Jachs dipped a hoof into his desk and withdrew his own personal favorite vintage. A bottle, scarlet red, of Stalliongradian vodka. He poured two shotglasses- one for him, and one for her. Alcippe took the cue to sit at the other side of his desk, and the pair magically lifted each other’s glass, and clinked them together.
”To a future…a little bit more stable than this one.” Jachs spoke, downing his in one swift swig.
“To a future a little bit more stable than this one!” Alcippe heartily returned, gratefully downing hers as well.
“You know this is just the start, Alcippe.” The Generalmajor’s tone shifted as he spoke. “The resistance- these ponies are stubborn. Even though Equestria’s surrendered, her citizens still want to fight for her. They will keep going until they physically can’t fight anymore. It doesn’t matter what odds they’re up against, it doesn’t matter how much we throw at them- they’ll keep going and the whole time they’ll call themselves heroes for doing it.”
“I know.” Alcippe flipped her glass around with her magic, looking very interested in the shape of it for a time. “You kind of have to admire them for that.” Jachs arched an eyeridge. “The…ponies’ fighting spirit, their loyalty- their love for each other. It makes them a really tough nut to crack.” She continued thoughtfully. “That idea of harmony they have- it really does sound good on paper. The more we press them on the occupation, the more they’ll just idolize their memories of the old times and fight harder to bring it back.”
“Yes…Alcippe, that’s exactly right.” Jachs was double-surprised. Both for her willingness to speak so candidly, and for her being entirely, by his reckoning, correct. “Pardon me- not to sound so shocked, I just didn’t expect anyone else to share my own views on the subject.” Jachs crossed his forehooves over one another, and leaned into his desk. “Most lings here have, I’m sure you’ve noticed, can be…zealous, in their interpretation of Vesalipolis’s command. I’m glad you’re one to think for yourself.” The Generalmajor doffed his cap in respect, sliding the brim up from where his horn is tucked into the little hole specifically made for it.
“I’m only speaking what I believe to be true.” Alcippe responded, her hoof dipping behind her neck to shyly scratch it. A small flush adorned her cheek as the weight of her commander’s praise pressed upon her.
“I admire soldiers who speak their mind.” Jachs responded respectfully, pouring another shot of vodka into her glass. “It certainly would be easier if we focused on reconstruction- and integrating these ponies into the hive instead of punishing them for their part in a war we already won.”
Alcippe took her glass and knocked it back, shaking her head with the effects. “Strong?” Jachs grinned. Alcippe waved her hoof back and forth noncommittal. “If we’re going to administer this entire province- from Canterlot, Ponyville, Cloudsdale and all the way up to the Vanhoover-Acornage line we can’t do it with a firm hoof or we’ll be the monsters their propaganda made us out to be.” Jachs continued. “Oberstleutnant, I need ‘lings like you around I can count on. Can I count on you to help me?”
Still reeling from the vodka, Alcippe lifted a hoof to her chest- which now felt like it was on fire with Stalliongradian liquor, and tried to return a nod. “Yes, you can.” When she spoke her voice was scratchy with the burn of the liquid in her throat.
“Thank you, Alcippe. Go get some water.” He chuckled, taking her glass back from her. Filling it, and his to the brim, and downing both. She nodded, and went to leave- a little quicker than perhaps would be proper.
Jachs tapped a hoof against his desk in thought. That ‘ling was going places.
|
Kitsune_Wizard
|
562137
| 2 |
Changelings,Queen Chrysalis,Alternate Universe,Drama,Sad,Equestria at War,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Violence
|
The Occupation Of Equestria
|
The great war is over. Equestria lost. In the occupied Equestria, Generalmajor Jachs must must balance keeping the capital, Vesalipolis, happy with keeping his citizens content.
|
incomplete
| 11 | 1 |
<p>The great war is over. Equestria lost. In the occupied Equestria, Generalmajor Jachs must balance keeping the capital, Vesalipolis, happy- with keeping his citizens content</p><p>After the war, Equestria is only a little bit safer than an Equestria at war. There are logistical concerns, especially concerning the Love harvest. Rebellions and dissidents, especially concerning the Equestrian Liberation Front. Worst of all, politics. Especially concerning the pressure from the Queen's guard and her most esteemed majesty herself, who have their own ideas about how Canterlot should be governed.</p><p>All of this, the new governor of the Canterlot Commissariat must balance with his own ideals of how to bring an embattled and war torn nation into a prosperous, peaceful future. </p><p>An empire spread too thin, militarized to the utmost, must contend with a nation at relative peace- and a war fought not on battlefields, but in the hearts and minds of her citizens.</p>
|
teen
|
2024-07-24T18:57:42+00:00
|
2024-07-30T23:46:30+00:00
| 154 |
“Let’s talk about the reason for the changeling invasion- the love harvest.” The cream coloured unicorn leaned in as she spoke. “Everypony knows your species needs love to survive- but we didn’t know there was such a deficit before the invasion. If you’d asked us we probably would have-”
Jachs cut her off, shaking his head in the negative. “I know.” He met her eyes with a sad smile.
The unicorn nodded respectfully. “What was it like for you? I know in Vanhoover we were terrified of what was about to happen. We were all talking about how…this was it, that you were going to just start harvesting us. Leaving us…husks. Then, when the trucks rolled up it was basically just a dentist appointment. Annoying but not fatal- just something you had to do.”
Jachs disarmingly shrugged, quietly amused at her description. “It very nearly was…that was a bad time for us. Me and Alsippe- I mean.” He leaned back in his own lounger, stretching his hooves out- his legs hanging over the side. “The ‘suggestions’ that passed over my desk were barbaric. Monstrous. Disgusting. It was…like putting the ponies in a slaughterhouse. Turning them to- to cattle.” He shook back and forth, trying to banish the memories from his head. “When one of those maggots sat down at my desk and earnestly proposed…that, I thought I should have had him shot.”
The unicorn reached a hoof over, resting it atop Jachs’s own. She returned his careful smile. “We don’t have to discuss it if you don’t want to.” Her voice took on a protective tone. Such anathema to the changelings, Jachs thought.
“It’s fine. I only glanced through the proposals, I never had to deal with the ‘lings considering putting them into action, Marsilio though…”
“Another of the Canterlot Five,” the cream unicorn spoke aloud as she scribbled down on her clipboard. “The Surgeon General.”
Jachs continued.”In our language we called it 'The Liebessammeldienst'. He’s the one that came up with the Seaddle Protocol. He put it into action- got the ponies happy to comply, and pretty much single-hoofedly set us on the path to Reconstruction. I don’t know where we’d be right now without him.” Jachs spoke eagerly of his friend, a tone of sheer pride in his voice.
The changeling sighed and grinned. “I wish I’d been there to see the looks on those lunatic-lings faces when his plan worked…but I did hear about it.”
-From “Memoirs Of A Changed Changeling” by Herr Jachs, Canterlot press, Equestrian Protectorate, 1,045.
Marsilio’s chitin black hooves rested upon the truck's dashboard as it rolled into a small but populous Equestrian town at the break of day. “We’re here, general oberstabsarzt.” The driver spoke as he pulled up into the town square. A few ponies noticing their arrival had begun to run from home-to-home. Passing a warning along, Marsilio guessed. Most were running into their own homes. Marsillio opened his door and slid down onto the cobblestone streets of the town. Equestrian villages weren’t built for automobiles- the streets were rough and uneven. This place must not have been near the war. It still looks like the old, happy little villages he read about in the history books as a child.
“Get them all out here. Line them up,” ordered Marsilio. He could feel the terror of the ponies around him, that small hoof full that knew they were seen and couldn’t run away to hide. They shrunk away when he looked over them.
As the driver nodded and turned to order his own men, Marsilio began the arduous task of unloading the equipment. The few other doctors here, guarded by the soldiers of the heer, unpacked a few ‘devices’, which were all they could be called. Essentially, they were large reclining chairs on wheels with a pointed, sharp apparatus affixed to the front. The ponies would be bound into them and their love- as ordered by Vesalipolis, would be forcibly extracted until they were wrung dry, like a wet towel. Marsilio smiled. At least- that’s what the original plan was.
He pulled in every favor he had to get it changed. The ‘Seaddle Protocol,’ as it was named, was a sustainable method of love harvesting. Targeting big population centers, one-half of the residents every month would be half drained of their love, and the other residents would care for them. It would repeat, cycling every month. Field tests and trials meant the best subjects were between 20-ish, and 60 years of age. Younger or older, and the subjects would be hurt in the process. He would not have them hurt- any form of distress on the pastel creatures would not do. This had to be sustainable for the hives. This had to work- and the more painless and the more of a non-issue he could make the harvest, they’d be even more willing to comply. After all, they’ll see the benefits of a changeling occupation far outweigh the cost of being tired a couple days every two months, he was sure.
He just hoped the ponies saw it that way.
“Not my son!” A shrill cry sounded from the back of the crowd. Marsilio glanced over, his white lab coat fluttering with the rapid beating of his insectoid wings. He could hear the sounds of a struggle- punches, hitting, hoofbeats. Instinct drew him into the air until he spied the provocation. “Infanterie halt!” He called aloud to the changeling regulars around the terrified mare and her son- a colt about the correct age by the looks of him, but frail and sickly. He shook his head in the negative- that one wouldn’t do.
“Please not my son!” She repeated, a mare deep-blue in colouration with bright blue eyes. “Please, he can’t take it. Take me- please.” She looked into the doctor’s eyes with a pleading expression. Marsilio’s snout wrinkled- by the queen, he hated this. These poor people- reduced to groveling like animals.
“Shutup!” A loud thump echoed around the quiet town hall as the butt of a rifle slammed hard into the mare’s stomach, causing her to double over in agony. “Herr Doktor, the-” Marsilio’s eyes flared in righteous anger- but he bit his tongue.
“That one’s too weak to give any love of a decent quality, take the mother.” He dropped to the ground as his wings stopped fluttering, and turned as a soft ‘thank you’ escaped the mare’s lips. The soldier confirmed his order in the old language.
Marsilio lied, of course. The quality of love extracted was not at all relevant to the health of the subject. Though, to the infirm the Extraction process could be painful- and if carried on for too long, outright fatal. This was something he knew the soldiers of the heer did not care about. Short-sighted fools, seeking short term gain over long term prosperity.
For the moment it did not matter. The Seaddle Protocol was a stroke of genius- and they would all see it in time.
In short order the first group was led before the machines. Several ponies, male and female- notably with the mother of the colt from earlier. They all huddled close together, tense and nervous. All of them except the mother. Marsilio noted, she seemed to be strangely calm.
“You first.” A soldier ordered, pressing the barrel of his machine gun into the back of the mare. She gulped, but complied. Marsilio sneered. Despite his distaste, he had no power to command the heer. No matter how many times he told them the subjects were more compliant when treated with a gentle hoof, it seemed some were more concerned with punishing the ponies than actual progress.
The mother nervously climbed into the apparatus, and Marsilio stepped forward. He hovered above her, his own hooves strapping her down- binding her to the machine. “This won’t hurt a bit,” he tried to assure her, but in her eyes he saw she did not believe him. He was met with a look of steely determination. The look of a mare who knows they are about to die to protect their child.
Marsilio softened in apology. It would be so much easier if they believed him…but showing them will have to do.
His black hoof fell upon the activation lever, and he threw it.
The machine whirred to life, the apparatus spun around and around- a metal thing that looked remarkably like a griffon’s claw, digits extended to grasp around the head of the mare in its grip. It did no such thing.
Instead, a purple-pinkish hued essence, an aura, began to flow from the chest of the mare. “Ah!” she cried, perhaps expecting there to be pain- but instead she was just confused. She exhaled, and glanced over at Marsilio for reassurance. The good doktor gave her an ‘I told you so’ shrug. The entire process lasted for only forty seconds, before the machine whirred down and withdrew. “There you are- all done.” Marsilio announced as much to the crowd as to her and set about undoing her restraints.
In disbelief, she climbed from the machine. Unsteady enough that Marsilio let her brace against his side. “Is…is that it?” She spoke incredulously. “That’s it!” The changeling responded, again to the crowd as much as her. “How are you feeling?”
“...like I need a nap. That’s really it?” Marsilio laughed. “Then go home and rest- doctor’s orders.” He gestured for one of the soldiers to take her from him. She climbed from his grip and onto the cobblestone streets once more. She shared a couple smiles with a few townsfolk- no doubt friends of hers.
“We’ll be taking half of you today!” He called aloud to the crowd. “The other half next month- and repeating after!” He gestured for the next pony, a young blue stallion, to climb into the machine next.
About halfway through the Extraction, Marsilio took a break. He climbed up on the hood of one of the military trucks to watch the crowd. For the first time in two years the surgeon general lit up a cigarette to calm his nerves.
The reaction was promising at least. The townsfolk were in good spirits, sharing hugs and smiles- even some laughter. For a trial run, the general oberstabsarzt supposed this didn’t go too badly at all. He did note too, with some self-satisfaction, that after the ponies learned it was truly harmless they were much less nervous about climbing in the machines. Perhaps even the soldiers of the heer learned something today, though he doubted it.
Still, promising indeed. A tax paid not in bits but in Love- just as annoying as regular taxes, but just as safe too.
Marsilio chanced a glance to the side. The mare from earlier- now with dark circles under her eyes, had thrown her son over her back and was taking him home. The changeling scientist inhaled a fresh breath of acrid cigarette smoke and let himself smile. Once this all got finalized perhaps they could look into incentives for ponies who wanted to, to give more Love. A payment in bits for another donation, perhaps…
Promising indeed.
|
Kitsune_Wizard
|
562137
| 3 |
Changelings,Queen Chrysalis,Alternate Universe,Drama,Sad,Equestria at War,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Violence
|
The Occupation Of Equestria
|
The great war is over. Equestria lost. In the occupied Equestria, Generalmajor Jachs must must balance keeping the capital, Vesalipolis, happy with keeping his citizens content.
|
incomplete
| 11 | 1 |
<p>The great war is over. Equestria lost. In the occupied Equestria, Generalmajor Jachs must balance keeping the capital, Vesalipolis, happy- with keeping his citizens content</p><p>After the war, Equestria is only a little bit safer than an Equestria at war. There are logistical concerns, especially concerning the Love harvest. Rebellions and dissidents, especially concerning the Equestrian Liberation Front. Worst of all, politics. Especially concerning the pressure from the Queen's guard and her most esteemed majesty herself, who have their own ideas about how Canterlot should be governed.</p><p>All of this, the new governor of the Canterlot Commissariat must balance with his own ideals of how to bring an embattled and war torn nation into a prosperous, peaceful future. </p><p>An empire spread too thin, militarized to the utmost, must contend with a nation at relative peace- and a war fought not on battlefields, but in the hearts and minds of her citizens.</p>
|
teen
|
2024-07-29T21:07:32+00:00
|
2024-07-30T23:46:42+00:00
| 169 |
“My sources tell me- back in the early days of the occupation you got recalled to Vesalipolis.” The cream unicorn made an ‘X’ motion across her clipboard with her magic. “What was that about, if you can say?”
“You are well informed, Miss Butter Scotch. I was way behind on my beating quota.” Jachs sneered, rolling his eyes. “Chrysalis- the Empress,” he corrected himself, “got the idea that because I wasn’t stomping my boot into the neck of every pony in Canterlot I might be some kind of sympathizer.” At that, he bit his lower lip in thought. “Well, I was. I am still. But it hurt my feelings.” He flashed a confident smile at the interviewer, leaning back to kick his hind legs over the armrest of his lounger. “It was an eventful journey there and back- and a very memorable meeting. First time I’d ever climbed the Queen’s tower itself- and the first time I ever saw her throne.”
“It is my job to be informed, Herr Jachs. I’m sure you can sympathize.” At that Jachs raised his, now empty, glass of whisky. Butter Scotch continued: “If it’s not too much trouble- can I ask for the story?” the unicorn spoke tactfully and professionally. She knew exactly what Jachs was doing.
“Since you asked so nicely.” He grinned, his eagerness to tell it displayed on his muzzle.
-From “Memoirs Of A Changed Changeling” by Herr Jachs, Canterlot press, Equestrian Protectorate, 1,045.
“RESIST”
Generalmajor Jachs crinkled his snout as he stepped from his armored transport train and into the Vanhoover station. Along the station’s back wall, right above the ticket booth, were several graffiti slogans all calling for the violent overthrow of the Changeling Queendom. He glanced across the platform. Ponies and changelings alike sat at respectable differences from one another, their eyes downcast. The ponies here didn’t want to meet his gaze.
“Generalmajor!” Jachs turned to greet the governor of the Vanhoover commissariot with a perfunctory salute- shared between the pair. “It’s an honor sir,” he continued. Jachs returned his salute, before he noticed the pair of assault-rifle wielding bodyguards flanking the sides of the governor. Heavy in black-armour, and with stern gazes. “The siege of Canterlot is the stuff of legends. I only wish I’d been there to see you in action.” The governor opined reverently.
“At ease, Governor Carapace. You needn’t butter me up- this isn’t a performance review.” Jachs gave him a subdued shrug. “Just a stop for fuel and rest on the way to the capital.”
“Oh not at all sir!” The governor chuckled half-heartedly. “I’m just glad to meet a hero of mine- before I escort you to your accommodation for the night, can I pick your brain a little?”
“Well I’m technically on duty for another hour. What have you got?” Jachs fell into step beside the governor, and the guards in turn fell into step behind him. He was led beyond the station and into the heart of Vanhoover proper.
The Generalmajor took in the sights and sounds of Vanhoover as they walked. This was the first city to fall in the war- and it took the worst beating. Shiny new bombs fresh out of the factory fell on these streets to mark the start of the war. It still bore the scars.Tank tread-marks along Equestrian cobble roads, broken walls, spent shell casings. It unnerved him. Why hadn’t they tried to rebuild yet? Canterlot was hit hard too but- admittedly, not this badly, and they certainly had more help.
Entire sections of the city were cordoned off- filled with gas residue, crumbling buildings and infrastructure which made it impassable. All those who remained, pony and changeling, were on the south half of the city. By the time the changeling tanks stood in the Vanhoover town square, they surrendered, so the South was relatively untouched. Even so…
Jachs sighed through his nostrils. It was as if he could still smell the war in these cursed, soot-blackened streets. What a miserable place. He could not wait to leave it.
Perhaps sensing his demeanor change, Carapace piped up. “As I’m sure you’ve noticed we’ve been having problems with the resistance here recently.” Jachs glanced behind him at the guards. The stern, black gas-masked faces scanned alleyways and windows with their hooves on their weapons.
“Explains the heavy security-” Jachs returned. “We’ve had some issues at Canterlot as well but mostly small isolated skirmishes. I take it your enemies here have organized?”
“We believe so.” Carapace gestured to a nearby wall. The same slogans written on the station were here too.
“Resist, ELF will save us, Lulamoon Legion?” Jachs read it aloud as he forced himself to focus on the tiny- scratchy written letters. “Pretty poor penmanship too. I wouldn’t put too much stock in graffiti, governor. Ponies say alot of things but it only really means anything when they put action behind their words.”
The governor threw his hoof over his shoulder, pointing out a few more of the same slogans written across the streets. “We see these same phrases, is what worries me. E.L.F. too.”
“I’m sure-” Jachs was interrupted by a shout from the alley over.
“Get them! Get the little bastards!” He was already running before the Governor was able to stop him. Rounding the corner he saw six young ponies, colts and fillies by the look of them, pinned to the ground by changeling kommandos in black body armour and gas masks.
Never in his life would Jachs have thought he’d see proud soldiers of the heer pointing assault rifles at unarmed children.
“There’s some of our little revolutionaries now!” Carapace rounded the corner after Jachs, his guards on his hooves. “The resistance likes to use these children and urchins as spies. Probably carrying orders from one cell to another.” Carapace shrugged. “I…find it distasteful, but what else are we to do? Let them carry messages unhindered?”
“...be that as it may, Governor.” Jachs spit the word, a hint of venom creeping into his voice, before he sighed and forced himself to calm down. “These are just children. Brainwashed by the resistance or not. We must be lenient- we must, or else we will become the monsters the resistance paints us as.”
“I admit- it does seem a little overkill for a few dissident children.” The governor shook his head, seeming not to notice Jachs’ shift in tone. “But my hooves are tied. If I let them run rampant I’ll never hear the end of it.”
“There must be a better way to do this than turning the proud soldiers of the Heer into brutes who point machine guns at children.” He spoke loud enough that a couple of the soldiers turned their attention to him, their grips on their weapons momentarily lowering. Jachs tapped his hoof into the cobbles below him in thought. “Just have them escorted home for now. Have your soldiers bring these colts and fillies back to their parents, tell them what they were doing, and I assure you most parents would never let their children outside again- much less give them the freedom to run messages.”
“Ahh…” Carapace lifted a hoof to his chin in thought. “Speak calmly and carry a big stick, Generalmajor? I guess it’s worth a shot at least. Certainly cheaper than imprisoning them.”
“Sparks less resentment too.” Jachs noted, gesturing with his head to the forming crowd of ponies on the street. “The best way to fight the resistance, Governor, is to give them a better life now than the one they are fighting to return to.”
Carapace nodded. “Very well- gentlemen, lower your weapons. We’ll do as the generalmajor suggests for now. A trial run.” The Governor bowed his head in respect.
The black-armoured shocklings complied reluctantly, lowering their weapons but standing close enough to the prone children that should any try to run they’d be easily tackled. None of them tried to run.
“Well, that’s settled then.” Carapace turned back to Jachs. “As I was saying,”
Jachs; however, interrupted him. “Actually Governor if it’s all the same to you I think I’d prefer to call it a night for now. Vanhoover has a way of draining one’s energy.”
Vesalipolis. Capital of the Changeling Queendom, center of the soon to be empire, administrative hub for thousands upon thousands of bureaucrats and clerks whose sole purpose was to keep the Queendom running.
Jachs’ train had to pass by multiple lines of militarized pillboxes, fortresses, and panzer patrols. The city itself was hardly visible, obscured behind a thick blanket of black factory smoke. The smokestacks of changeling machine shops producing guns and tanks around the clock belched fire upwards like industrial dragons. Steel, flame, gunsmoke. Every building worked as a single organism producing death in a symphony of metal. This was the full might of a nation on display. Citizens here lived with the guns of the heer like their neighbors.
The railway led straight to the Queen’s tower, itself flanked by two colossal pieces of railway artillery. As Generalmajor Jachs stepped onto the Vesalipolis tower station, the scent of industrialization hit him. It smelled remarkably like fire.
He’d heard of the Queen’s tower before, every changeling had. They’d all seen pictures in the newspaper. “A grand construction,” they called it. It certainly lived up to his expectations.
An edifice of black, a monument to the military prowess of the Queendom and the greatness of its ruler, grasped towards the sky as if the heavens themselves didn’t fall outside the Queen’s rule. As Generalmajor Jachs stared upwards he was struck with a sense of wonder.
This tower, this place, is a nexus of the hives and very well could be of the entire world. It was like stepping onto hallowed ground. He felt like he needed a blessing or else he’d spontaneously erupt in green flame.
Well, the summons in his saddlebag would have to do.
“You are on time, sir. The Queen will see you now.” A young changeling girl bowed her head low and gestured toward the throne room’s grand doors. They were done up in changeling black, shining with dark green glowing inlays that formed a relief of Chrysalis’s side profile. At either side were two of the most resplendently adorned, garishly armoured and serious-looking Queen’s guard Jachs had ever seen. They opened the door for him, and Jachs took his cue.
Green flames met his eyes. Behind Chrysalis’ throne was a wall of flaming, magical green. It gave the room an eerie glow. At either side of the room were lines of columns, each one reflected the polished obsidian floor. Although Jachs would never admit this even if tortured, it reminded him a little bit of Canterlot’s throne room, albeit more sinister and much less white.
At either side of the throne were posted two more guards, but these were the only changelings he saw. At his quizzical expression, one of the guards pointed his rifle sideways to the open balcony door. Jachs nodded his thanks and stepped outside.
The true queen of Equestria, monarch of the Changeling Queendom, sat at a small table covered with a white tablecloth. Upon that table sat a white- a very bright white decanter of tea, that Jachs swore he had seen somewhere before. “Queen Chrysalis.” Jachs announced his presence with a salute.
“Oh there you are- punctual, Generalmajor.” Chrysalis lifted a teacup to her lips and sipped softly from it. “Have a seat.” One does not refuse an invitation from the changeling queen. Jachs took his position at the otherside of the table.
“I like the quiet of the outside, Herr Jachs. If you listen closely you can hear the factory's rumble.” Jachs strained his ears as she talked- he could just about make it out, the distant, heavy metallic rumbling of massive metal presses working in tandem. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? All those changelings, all those citizens- working together for the common good. Working together for me.” She took a long, drawn out sip of her tea. “So would you like to tell me why you have not been?”
Jachs suddenly began to scramble- the shock must have been visible on his face as he tried to speak. “I- I don’t know what you-”
She interjected. “It has come to my attention that the ponies under your rule are enjoying so many privileges that they do not have in other occupied areas. Your leniency, no doubt, is emboldening the resistance.” Queen Chrysalis shot him a glare from across the table.
“My goal- as always, has been to maintain a stable Equestria under your rule. You know- um, the old saying. You catch more flies with honey?” As Jachs spoke he wavered a bit, swallowing nervously.
“You’re not in trouble, Herr Jachs. I’m only cautioning you- be more mindful. The example you set in Canterlot will be expected in every other province. Dissidents must be met with a firm hoof- lest, as you seem to be fond of old sayings. You give them an inch, the ponies will take a mile. Do you understand?” Chrysalis spoke with a reserved and calm tone, but the implication was deadly clear. Jachs nodded.
“At any rate-” Chrysalis continued, “we’re not here to discuss your…sympathies, misguided as they are.” The Queen rolled her eyes. “Changelings have been nipping at my hooves to be appointed governor of the Canterlot Commissariot. I’ve had so many letters, the odd impassioned plea, bribery, but I’ve heard nothing from you. I expect- because you’ve been too busy working to worry about politics?”
“Well…yes,” Jachs returned with a subdued nod. “I suppose I never really gave it much thought. I’ve been so preoccupied with keeping it stable I’ve never-”
“And that is why I’m appointing you Governor.” The Queen interjected. “Here-” Her magic lifted the decanter, underneath it was a paper bearing the royal Vesalipolis seal. A bright blue royal insignia. It hung in the air and Jachs merely watched. “The papers are already here- all ready, all you have to do is sign and initial.”
“I- I don’t know what to say.” His own magic took hold of the paper, and he unfurled it. There it was, his name on a piece of paper bearing the Queen’s signature. He felt his heart thump in his chest.
“As I said, I’m not here to punish you. Your methods have worked, as silly as they are. Canterlot under your rule is far more stable than any of the other provinces. If I put someone else above you it may well descend into open rebellion.” Her magical grip on her teacup faltered as she let it sit back down upon the tablecloth. “All I ask is that you keep in mind what I said. Don’t give them an inch, Governor Jachs.”
“I will,” the smaller changeling assented, withdrawing a pen from his uniform pocket with his magic, and noting down his name on the document.
“I expect to hear great things from you. Now,” Chrysalis drew up that little white decanter in her magical grip. “Are you a cinnamon or a jasmine man?”
|
Kitsune_Wizard
|
562137
| 4 |
Changelings,Queen Chrysalis,Alternate Universe,Drama,Sad,Equestria at War,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Violence
|
The Occupation Of Equestria
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The great war is over. Equestria lost. In the occupied Equestria, Generalmajor Jachs must must balance keeping the capital, Vesalipolis, happy with keeping his citizens content.
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incomplete
| 11 | 1 |
<p>The great war is over. Equestria lost. In the occupied Equestria, Generalmajor Jachs must balance keeping the capital, Vesalipolis, happy- with keeping his citizens content</p><p>After the war, Equestria is only a little bit safer than an Equestria at war. There are logistical concerns, especially concerning the Love harvest. Rebellions and dissidents, especially concerning the Equestrian Liberation Front. Worst of all, politics. Especially concerning the pressure from the Queen's guard and her most esteemed majesty herself, who have their own ideas about how Canterlot should be governed.</p><p>All of this, the new governor of the Canterlot Commissariat must balance with his own ideals of how to bring an embattled and war torn nation into a prosperous, peaceful future. </p><p>An empire spread too thin, militarized to the utmost, must contend with a nation at relative peace- and a war fought not on battlefields, but in the hearts and minds of her citizens.</p>
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teen
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2024-08-05T13:27:22+00:00
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2024-08-05T13:27:22+00:00
| 113 |
“Let’s see…and this was when you implemented the volunteer program?” Butter Scotch tapped her pen against her clipboard. She had fetched a meal for the pair as well. They spoke respectfully over a breakfast of pony-grown greens and vegetables.
“Yes,” was Jachs’ simple reply, as he licked his lips clean. “It was simple enough to vet prospects. Of course, E.L.F. infiltrators were a concern, but generally most volunteers were fairly loyal. When they saw they got more rations and an exemption from the love tax, we’d secured the simple and selfish ponies. When they saw they could choose how to treat the ponies under them- and they could be much more lenient than the ‘jackbooted changeling oppressors’ we secured the bleeding hearts and the ponies who only wanted to do right by their people. Then, the pony volunteers set an example for the rest of the Heer and everyone benefitted.”
Jachs took a self-indulgent swig of his freshly filled glass of whisky. Butter Scotch raised an eye ridge- but he waved her off. It was five o’ clock somewhere in the world. “You make it sound pragmatic,” the pony questioned. “But it wasn’t really JUST a pragmatic decision, was it?”
“No.” Was Jachs’ equally simple reply. “With my recent appointment to the position of governor, I needed a win to cement my promotion. If I faltered- Chrysalis would have second thoughts, and…I’m not sure my replacement would share my opinion on sensible policy making.” He shrugged. “I suppose there was a selfish aspect to it.”
“And,” the pony continued, “you got a bunch of jobs for jobless, starving ponies in a war torn hell hole.”
Jachs rolled his eyes. “You make me sound like I’m some sort of saint.” Despite himself, there was a bit of a flush to his cheeks. “It wasn’t that bad- most of the civilian infrastructure in Canterlot was intact, and what wasn’t I’d ordered rebuilt quickly. Only a couple months after the war ended and Canterlot, minus the changeling trident flags, looked just as pristine as ever.”
“What about Second Wind?” Butter Scotch interjected. “Did you meet him around this time?”
“Oh- yes, I did. Good soldier, loyal, one of my most trusted command- ahem, kommandants.” His chitin hoof slipped upwards to rest quizzically against Jachs’ chin. “I met him- well, do you have the time?”
Butter Scotch only smiled and took her pen in a magical grip.
-From “Memoirs Of A Changed Changeling” by Herr Jachs, Canterlot press, Equestrian Protectorate, 1,045.
Second Wind overlooked a legion of pony volunteers, marching up and down the canterlot gardens. As an ex-royal guard, he had the most experience of any pony here with marching in formation. “In step- fillies, you aren’t can-can girls are you!? In step! Left- right, left-right, left-right!” His voice boomed across the garden as he gave his orders from the balcony overlook. Quietly, he shook his head.
The new canterlot royal guard was a mockery of the old. Where they’d once worn the proud alicorn crest, now a changeling trident graced the ponies’ armour. Where once they were adorned in proud gold, now they were dressed in blackened shock-style armour that mimicked the elites of the Heer.
Second Wind found it distasteful, of course, but then again…as a pony in the royal guard, he never had much chance of excelling. He was born poor, raised poor, and kept squarely on the outside of the old royal guard. Only those of noble bloodline could ascend the old ranks, but now, well. Now his skills and experience were finally being properly recognized.
He himself didn’t wear a Guardsman’s uniform. He had on the gray of the Heer. An officer’s uniform- though, he thought it didn’t quite mesh well with his bright yellow fur, it did cut a striking figure. He sucked in his gut and flexed his wings as he lifted a hoof, trailing it down the gray fabric. Even if it was the enemies’ it still felt nice to wear a uniform again- and be proud of it.
He cocked a sly smile as they moved to a right column and made no mistakes. It was a start.
“Kommandant,”
Second wind was shaken from his internal monologue by a feminine voice. Turning on his hooves he brought his right up in a salute. “Oberstleutnant Alcippe.”
Her bright purple eyes were always a welcome sight. In her magical grip she held aloft a clipboard, and in that little clipboard were held the fates of his and all his soldiers' lives. Yet, she carried that responsibility with such respect Second Wind could not have imagined a changeling doing just a scant few weeks ago. She was an attentive yet casual superior officer. She allowed him to lead as he saw fit without micromanaging- but she gave him guidance and kept him apprised of the expectations the Queen would have.
To Second Wind, this professionalism was a welcome change of pace compared to the hands-off ‘leadership’ style of the old guard, if one could call it that. Since his joining, she'd well-earned his respect.
She waved her own hoof in an ‘at ease’ gesture. “I see you’ve wasted no time. You’ve made excellent progress with the new recruits.”
“Indeed. Though I’m afraid you’d have an easier time teaching stray cats to march in formation.” Second Wind returned to his resting stance overlooking the plaza.
Alcippe chuckled. “Regardless- Governor Jachs has asked to see you in his office when you get a moment.”
Second Wind nodded his assent. “Only good things, I hope, Oberstleutnant.” Second Wind replied professionally, his gaze fixed firmly on the formation below him.
“Only good things.” She repeated. “On a personal note- I must say, I am impressed. Personally, that is,” she reiterated. “Professionally I believe I’m not quite allowed to have an opinion yet, so- mmmh, do keep this just between us.” She shrugged disarmingly, telekinetically tapping her pen into her horn as she glanced out over the recruits. Second Wind saw her check a few things from her clipboard.
“The Heer and its never ending regulations.” Second Wind yawned exaggeratedly. “I don’t know how you do it. I’d go insane with all that paperwork.”
“Coffee, alcohol, and migraine medication in equal measure.” Her voice was even- in that enjoyable ‘trilling’ way changelings speak when they’re pretending to be serious. The pegasus found himself smiling.
Then, he felt a pit in his stomach. Guilt? Perhaps if they’d met before the war they could have been friends. He’d have liked that.
Banishing the thought with a silent shake of his head, he quickly returned “Tell the Generalmajor I’ll be up just as soon as these layabouts learn to column-right without slamming into a wall. I’m sure it won’t take long.” He winked. “And if it does, there’ll be hell to pay.”
Jachs glanced across the orders on his desk. All usual stuff- logistics requests, complaints about not being harsh enough, the officers whining that the soldiers are whining. Military equivalents of junk mail- except, he arched an eyeridge, taking hold of an order bearing the Vesalipolis seal. Not unlike the one he’d just placed at the opposite end of his desk. He did a double-take to make sure he hadn’t accidentally swapped its place before cracking open the seal.
It was a reinforcement request for the Queen’s guard- but oddly, they only wanted reinforcements for the Canterlot mines. That was strange indeed- stranger still, why this missive contained no reason for the requested reinforcements. A misprint? Well, he’s not signing his name to something without knowing the reasoning. If the guard really needed reinforcements they could damn well ask him personally. He balled the missive up with his magic and tossed it casually into the waste bin at the foot of his desk.
Before he could contemplate it further, a knock at his door interrupted him. “Come in!” He called, and none other than that promising new kommandant himself opened the door.
He was about to say something but Jachs interrupted him excitedly “Ah- just the pony I wanted to see! Sit down, sit down.” Jachs fished around on his desk for the letter- the one with the Capital’s seal upon it.
“Uh, It’s good to see you too, sir.” Second Wind chuckled, tugging at his collar with a hoof. “Can’t remember the last time-” But he was interrupted by a small envelope, bearing the bright blue royal Vesalipolis seal being levitated in front of his face. He went cross-eyed trying to focus on it.
Jachs’ chitin black hooves formed a triangle as he spoke. He tried to maintain a semblance of professionalism but even Second Wind could tell he was genuinely giddy. “The queen has approved, personally, your entry into the officer corps- and the formation of the volunteer regiments. You are no longer just an auxiliary, kommandant.” Jachs grinned, "Welcome to the Heer.”
Second Wind snatched the envelope out of the air and almost tore into it. “I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.” He scanned the paper- and then reread it, and then read it again. “Look at that. A few weeks with you and I’ve already managed to outrank my old position in the guard.”
At that Jachs couldn’t help but chuckle. “Well- your name is Second Wind, after all. Auspicious, isn’t it?”
The pony shrugged. “Nominative determinism? I don’t believe in fate, but it is funny how our names work out sometimes” Second Wind rolled his eyes. “You think you could find me a couple ponies with names like ‘Marching Order’ or ‘About Face?’”
The pair shared a laugh, and even a couple smiles. For a moment, Jachs was reminded of his time back in the jaegers, joking and camaraderie around the fire late into the Equestrian winter.
“And now the bad news,” Jachs spoke up with a quick shake of his head- not quite letting himself dip into melancholy. “Chrysalis wants to…ahem, tour Canterlot again, and inspect the volunteer regiments personally.”
“Uggh,” Second Wind let his head thump down onto his forehooves exaggeratedly. There was enough force behind it that It shook Jachs’ desk. “Why can’t anything ever just be good news?”
“She’s actually not so bad when she’s not mad at you. I imagine she’ll want to talk to you personally. So, easy solution- just don’t make her mad at you.” Jachs cracked a half smile.
Second wind raised his head from the desk and let it rest on one hoof as he closed his eyes in thought. “Just once, only good news.” He repeated, throwing his head back, breathless and evidently beyond all help.
“We take the bad with the good in the Heer, Kommandant.” Jachs was quick to correct him. “The bad? The Queen wants to make sure you’re up to snuff. The good? If you are, this could begin a cascade effect. Once she sees the ponies eagerly supporting her, you know, then there’d be even less reason to keep a firm hoof on them.”
“I…see your point.” Second Wind was quick to nod in assent. “Show her that we’re loyal and maybe earn a few more rights back in thanks?”
That stung. ”I wish it was something more concrete and- less…degrading,” Jachs let a bit of his guilt slip into his tone as he spoke. “But the truth of the matter is she’s a vain woman- and simply, when she sees ponies loyal to her she’s more likely to see them as actual citizens instead of just as the enemy.”
“Or a resource to be harvested.” Second wind was quick to add. “Still, thank you, Generalmajor. I’ll keep it in mind.”
Jachs bore a frown and began to grind his teeth. “I wish-” he started, and then cut himself off. “I…if there was something more I could do.” The rest of his declaration went unsaid, but Second Wind understood completely.
The pegasus was quiet for a moment, twiddling the paper between his hooves. The silence sat for nearly a full minute. “Can I ask you something, sir?” He spoke up suddenly.
“Of course,” The changeling leaned in, propping his fores against his desk. “Anything, Herr Kommandant. I keep an open door policy.”
Second Wind softly smiled at the proper addressing of his rank but his voice- and mood, were low. “Is…is it always going to be like this? Is there anything we can do to change things?” Second Wind’s voice wavered and Jachs narrowed his eyes.
The generalmajor did not have a response prepared. Royal etiquette training with Alcippe kicked in on instinct, and he deflected. “We do what we can.” A non-answer, with no meaning beyond empty platitudes. Jachs furrowed his brow at himself. “That’s- let me rephrase,” he quickly cut himself off, banishing that line of propagandist corporate-speak.
Clearing his throat, he continued. “One day things will change, Kommandant. I don’t know when- but old loyalties will die out, and eventually this won’t be the nation of changelings. It’ll be the Equestrian-Changeling Queendom. A hundred years from now- two hundred, that’s a certainty.”
“In the short-term though?” Second Wind piped up, an uncertain grimace on his face as if he was dreading the answer.
“That, I don’t know.” Jachs sighed solemnly. “Look- you’re in the Canterlot palace. You- a pony. That alone is a miracle compared to where we were a month ago.” The changelings' hoof tapped impertinently into his desk. “We’re progressing, is what I mean. It’s slow and gradual but it’s progress.”
Second Wind nodded in understanding. “So- we just grin and bear it for now?”
“And do what you can,” Jachs corrected. “The volunteers will have as much authority as any other soldier of the Heer.” The changeling shot Second Wind a sly little wink. “And as much agency in deciding how to go about their job.”
Second Wind had to smile. “You’re…telling me to…?”
Jachs lifted a hoof to his lips in a ‘shh’ motion. “I’m telling you…that I don’t always read incident reports very closely- and if for instance, you didn’t really gang up on and beat down a bunch of teenagers spraypainting resistance slogans, but noted it down in your report- that I, being the very busy changeling I am, would trust you and sign off on it without reading it. Even if in fact you simply gave them a stern talking to. You see?”
The pegasus shook his head in a grin. “How the hell did you get this job?” He exasperatedly asked, suppressing a chuckle.
“I do my job very well, I'll have you know.” Jachs shot a mock-glare into his kommandant’s eyes. “My job, despite all evidence to the contrary, is to keep Canterlot stable and my citizens safe. Ponies will be much less inclined to rebellion if they’re safe, fed, housed, and working.”
“Can’t argue that.” Second Wind leaned back in his chair, forehooves crossed over one another in thought. “You know Generalmajor, you’re not quite what I expected in a changeling occupier.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment, Kommandant.” Jachs smiled and shook his head. “For now though I need to get back to work. Alcippe will let you know the details of the Queen’s visit later.”
Second Wind gave a respectful nod and turned to leave. As he stepped from Jachs’ tiny office and into the empty throne room itself he caught himself feeling pride. It felt good to set an example. Maybe a better future really was possible.
Maybe in the end, it won’t be such a bad thing the changelings won.
Finishing his work for the day, Generalmajor Jachs glanced at the clock on the wall. One in the morning. His forehoof traveled up to rest on his temple, and he massaged it with a long and drawn out sigh. Fatigue ate at him, but he wasn’t about to spend another night sleeping on his desk.
From his little office adjacent to the throne room, Jachs stepped out into the dark. They’d forgotten to light the braziers before leaving, it seems. The only light coming in was moonlight- cutting through stained glass windows, reliefs of the old princesses and the Element Bearers.
It was quiet at night now. They had to ban anyone but officers from the throne room proper after Equestrian artifacts kept coming up ‘missing’ at the end of Heer guard rotations. Jachs was struck by the sheer silence of it.
He tapped his hoof against the marble flooring and let the echo sound around the room, he glanced up to the throne at the end of the room. In truth, it was more like a pedestal. Three great golden rings, upon which Celestia’s advisors once sat, rising upwards and shortening in circumference about a meter with each ring. At the very top ring center was the throne itself. Like the topping to a royal golden layer cake. A red carpet ran from it to the entrance door.
Jachs had never really looked at the throne before. It always seemed taboo to him to do more than a passing glance, for some reason. As if the empty chair was judging him.
The Generalmajor didn’t know what exactly he was doing- or why he was doing it, but he found himself approaching the empty throne. There, lit by the moon and painted in translucent reds of stained glass mosaics sat the inheritor of Canterlot. Jachs felt the strange urge to bow. To nothing.
The throne was empty- he told himself, shaking his head. This was silly. Why was he here?
But that wasn’t true. Celestia’s shadow still perched on that throne. She still held court. She still passed judgment on her subjects. She still gave guidance to those who asked.
She still punished those who couldn’t be redeemed.
This is the place where she’d received the news of the war breaking out. It was as if Jachs could still feel the emotions in the air. The creeping despair as the frontline approached Canterot, the desperation, fear…that final, desperate last stand at Canterlot. The last stand that he had broken. Then, sheer terror.
This throne was empty because of him. It would always be. He will carry this until the day he dies. Instead of adding to the world, he had taken from it. Instead of making the world a better place, he cut out its heart and left nothing but tyranny in its stead.
It didn’t matter what he did now. It could be a perfect world. Everyone equal, pony and changeling- everyone. Griffons, yaks, deer too.
Jachs approached the throne. He climbed the rings until he reached the top, and stared at the empty spot Princess Celestia once ruled from.
It could be a perfect world.
Jachs fell face first into the throne- his forehooves catching himself as he leaned against the seat, bracing himself against the red velvet cushions. “I’m sorry,” he pleaded to nought but dead air. “I’m so sorry.” His voice cracked. Jachs’ eyes closed, and his forehooves wrapped around the Throne’s armrest. He braced his forehead against it. “I’m sorry.” He spoke a dry, hoarse prayer.
The silence was his answer.
He stayed there until at last Luna embraced him. The inheritor of Canterlot and Generalmajor in the changeling army slumped pathetically against the throne, exhaustion dragging him into a restless, fatigued and uncomfortable sleep.
Celestia didn’t hear him. She was not there to absolve him of his innumerable sins- nor would she return. She wouldn’t even care to hear a changeling. They were all monsters- every last one, monsters. They had invaded peaceful people, broken and subjugated them. They were responsible for so much death, so much terror. Why didn’t they lose? Weren’t the bad guys always supposed to lose?
It could be a perfect world.
And this throne would still be empty.
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randomkid
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562139
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Rainbow Dash,Soarin,Spitfire,Comedy,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Making a Rainbow Connection
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Rainbow decides she needs to be closer with her teammates, so she tries to bond with her Captain and Second-In-Command, leading to them growing closer as well.
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incomplete
| 16 | 1 |
<p>After a tiring day of training with the Wonderbolts, Rainbow realizes she isn't that close with her fellow Wonderbolts. Sure she knows all their names and can work with them, but it's hard to consider any of them friends. The closest friend she'd consider on the team is Soarin. Maybe it's time she gets closer to him. The only problem is... He only seems to want to talk about pie. There's also Spitfire, but it can be hard to make friends with someone you could consider your boss.</p>
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everyone
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2024-07-23T10:19:27+00:00
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2024-08-07T02:28:47+00:00
| 282 |
Rainbow's wings ached as she came down for her final descent.
Though she was a trained athlete and an experienced flier, the Wonderbolt training regimen was an entirely different beast, even worse than in the Reserves, but she was starting to get used to it. At the very least, she knew she could hold onto her lunch today.
When Rainbow Dash landed, Spitfire gave her a small grin before tossing her a water bottle with her wing. "Nice job today, Crash. Looks like you won't be stuck on cleaning duty," Spitfire snickered before turning her attention to another Wonderbolt. "Flat-foot! You trying to make us look like amateurs?"
Fleetfoot scoffed and waved a wing in Spitfire's direction. "Yeah, yeah, I'll get the mop."
Rainbow sighed in relief before emptying the water bottle. The cool liquid refreshed Rainbow, giving her just enough strength to make it to the locker rooms. She got out of her uniform before hopping into the shower.
As she washed the grime from the day away, she listened to what little conversations she could hear in the locker room. A few members were talking about the training while others had their own completely unrelated conversations. She overheard Misty Fly and Surprise talk about their plans for the weekend, while Spitfire mentioned visiting her mother in Cloudsdale. It made Rainbow realize something... She hadn't really made any connections with the Bolts.
They were her team and she trusted them deeply but she never really got to hang out with them outside of training. It was hard to consider any of them friends. Obviously, it's not like she came in expecting to make friends with everypony like Pinkie tried to do.
Yet... The only members of the Wonderbolts she was somewhat close with were Spitfire and Soarin, both of which were ponies she'd helped out in the past, but not talked to all that much on a personal level later. How come nopony ever asked me to hang out after practice? Am I not awesome enough? Why haven't I ever asked them to join me? Rainbow paused in the shower, placing a hoof to her muzzle. Am... Am I still still viewing them as above me...? Was that why she couldn't call any of the Bolts her friends?
Rainbow stomped her hoof. That's it! No more acting like a fan pony. I'm a Wonderbolt now. They're not above me. We're a team! And why wouldn't anypony want to be my friend? Plus, getting closer could improve our teamwork. These thoughts lead Rainbow in a new direction. But... Who should I start with? I've already spent time with Spitfire and Soarin... I helped Soarin out of his funk on mount Everhoof and Spitfire with the foals at flight camp. Spitfire's the captain though... The thought made her feel like a teacher's pet. Just thinking about it made her shudder. Soarin is the second-in-command... But I feel like I at least know him better than Spitfire. There wasn't much to him really. Like pie, works hard and has imposter syndrome.
Rainbow nodded as she locked in which Bolt to start with. She turned off the shower head and rushed to find Soarin. Luckily, he hadn't left yet. She dashed in front of him, landing with a wide grin.
"Soarin, how'd you like to spend some time with the Bolts' newest flier~?" Rainbow puffed out her chest proudly as she spoke.
Soarin looked at her with a wry expression before responding. "Crash, is this like last time you came to me to talk? I don't really have an interest in Wonderbolt fashion."
Rainbow huffed, being reminded of her previous ill advised attempts at interaction, before raising a wing to her face. "N-No! I just want to hang out! And you seemed like the easiest to talk to."
"Oh, I'm easy now? You sure know how to make a stallion feel appreciated," Soarin teased before starting to walk past the rainbow mare.
Rainbow grumbled and stepped in front of him again. Ease up on the ego Dash. We're equals. "Look, what I mean is, of all the Bolts, you're the one I feel like I know best. But I don't know if I could really say any of you are my friends. And I want to get to know you better. So... Do you want to hang out sometime?"
Soarin examined the pegasus in front of him, taking a beat before answering. "Eh, sure why not? We got the weekend off so we can hang out then. Meet me by the compound entrance tomorrow. I have just the thing we could do."
Rainbow beamed with excitement before shooting into the air victoriously. "Yes!" she exclaimed before slowly hovering back down. She tried to play it cool, leaning against a nearby wall. "I mean... Sweet. See you tomorrow."
Soarin chuckled before giving her a playful smile and walking past her. "Yeah, see you tomorrow, Crash." With a quick wing gun, Soarin took off, headed towards the barracks.
When he was gone, Rainbow let her excitement show again, doing a little dance in place. "I got this friendship in the bag! And after Soarin, the rest of the Bolts will be a piece of cake!" Rainbow snickered to herself until she noticed Fleetfoot near the entrance of the locker room. She jumped a bit at the sudden realization that somepony was watching her the whole time.
"You're talkin to yourself again, Crash. You sound like a crazy pony," Was all the light colored athlete said in response, a slight smirk on her face.
"No I don't!" Rainbow screeched, completely red faced before taking off, leaving the compound and that awkward moment behind.
***
Rainbow tapped her hoof incessantly, keeping an eye on the sky for her company. The newest Wonderbolt was up bright and early today, a rarity for her. She just couldn't stop thinking about how excited she was to actually hang-out with one of her idols. Sure, she worked with Soarin, but hanging out with somepony outside of work was completely different to hanging with them at work. But he was late! Then a thought crossed her mind.
Soarin never told me what time he wanted to hang out! Rainbow groaned at the sudden realization. What if he meant later on? Did I wake up early for nothing? Am I gonna be waiting here all day? What if he- Oh. There he is.
Soarin glided down to where Rainbow was waiting, small bits of cloud in his mane from... Well, Rainbow didn't really know why he had clouds in his mane. He also had a few scuff marks as well as the trademark bags under his eyes. She raised a brow and gave him a prod in his side. "You just rolling out of bed or something? What's with messy mane?"
Soarin noticed the rogue puff and shook his mane, dispersing it into the ground below. "What d'you mean rough? This is just me Crash. Don't have anyone to show off to today."
Rainbow leaned in closer, giving him pouty eyes. "Aww... I'm not worth showing off to, Clipper?"
Soarin pushed her face away with a grin. "You wanted to hang out, so you get the real Soarin, not the mask. Consider yourself lucky. Not many ponies get to meet the real, raw Soarin."
Rainbow cracked up at the corny pose Soarin was taking. "Sure, sure. Let's just get to it already! You said you had something in mind? Is it some super-awesome secret techniques? Ooo! You gonna show me that famed 'Mastery of Lightning' you bragged about last week? Or-or are you-" Rainbow's rambling was interrupted by a hoof to her mouth.
"Easy now. I figured we'd do something we could do together. Just follow me and you'll see what I've got planned."
Rainbow moved Soarin's hoof away from her mouth, giving him a slight squint at his answer. "Alright..."
Soarin nodded and took to the sky with Dash following his lead. They made some small talk as they flew but Rainbow was honestly more in her own head than the conversation. Soarin said he had something planned for today, but what could it be? There was also something a little weird pulling at the back of her mind. Why did Soarin come to the gate from the south? The barracks are to the north! Was Soarin doing something before we met up? That would make some sense and explain why he seemed a little frazzled. Maybe he was in a rush to finish something.
The two pegasi kept flying until they arrived in Cloudsdale. Rainbow seemed surprised that Soarin was so willing to fly openly in a city where they were so likely to get swarmed by fan ponies, but it seemed like he knew exactly how to avoid the crowds. Soarin knew the streets of Cloudsdale like the back of his hoof, taking back roads and alleys to keep them from sight. Even in moments where they had to navigate a crowd or two, Soarin knew just how to fly past them without making a sound.
I never realized how quiet of a flier Soarin is. Dash mused, finding a new found respect for the stallion as they continued to fly on.
Eventually, the two arrived at what looked like a bakery. There was a big sign over it that showed a very familiar looking pony, holding a whisk and bowl, along with the name of the Bakery. "Whisk It For The Biscuit...? And is that... High Winds on the sign?! When did THIS get here?!" Rainbow gawked at the sign before Soarin graciously picked her jaw up from the floor.
"This place has been here forever. Billboard's new. You comin, or what?" Soarin made his way toward the bakery with a confident stride.
Rainbow quickly picked up the pace and caught up with him, her shock still clear on her face. "But why is High Winds on the billboard? Do the owners even have permission for something like that? There's no way High Winds could have time to be a Wonderbolt AND a baker!"
"You'd be surprised, Rainbow Dash," With that, Soarin pushed open the door to reveal a number of fillies and colts, along with their parents enjoying cakes and pies of all kinds. The smell of baked goods filled Dash's nostrils, so sweet that it almost gave her a sugar rush. It was like being at Sugar Cube Corner all over again.
At the counter stood that same pony on the billboard outside, High Winds, happily handing a bag of sweets to a Cloudsdale family. Soarin approached the counter, greeting High Winds with a cheery demeanor.
Rainbow stood stock still until Soarin ushered her over with a hoof. "Don't be rude, Crash."
Rainbow approached the counter, still grappling with her bewilderment. "How... How are you able to be a full time Wonderbolt AND run a Bakery at the same time?"
"And hello to you too, Crash," The frizzy maned pegasus responded. "It's not technically my place. Parents own it. They just put me on the sign cause it draws the customers in. But I pick up shifts whenever I get time off. Unlike this lazy bones over here." High Winds nudged Soarin, making him jump a bit.
Soarin grinned and playfully patted High Wind's head. "My passions lie in eating pie, not making it. 'Sides, I need my time off. I'm not a workaholic like you."
High Winds batted his wing away with a hoof. Rainbow just stared at the two ponies. "Wait... Soarin, you used to work here too?"
"Course! When I was little, before I got my Cutie Mark I'd help my parents out with the baking all the time."
That line was what broke Rainbow's mind. Her voice grew higher and the realization hit. "You're SIBLINGS? I know everything about the Wonderbolts! I memorized every little detail that I could! How did I not know that?"
Soarin's tone was surprisingly calm in his response, compared to the overreacting rainbow mare. "Eh. We never told you. We want to keep some things to ourselves, you know? Also nopony ever really asked."
High Winds was quick to chime in to her brother's statement. "Plus, it doesn't really matter. The ponies who watch the Wonderbolts don't care that two of their members are twins."
So many things clicked into place for Dash. A part of her always wondered why the two looked so similar. But twins... That begged another question. "So you're twins... I can see it now but... Are you identical or fraternal?"
Soarin was first to answer. "Identical."
Rainbow cocked her head to the side. "But aren't identical twins usually the same gender?"
High Winds answered this time. "Yup!"
"Oh. Oooooh." Yet another thing I didn't know about Misty. You'd think I'd try to learn everything about my idols... No. Teammate. Rainbow shook off her daze. Misty would be another day. Today was for Soarin. "Well... This is a nice place and all Soarin, but what are we doing here? Your plan wasn't just to pig out on pie, was it?"
Soarin shook his head before grabbing some chef hats behind the counter. "We're gonna bake some pies!"
Rainbow's eyes widened and her heart stopped. "WHAT?!"
***
Rainbow was frozen in place at the counter in the back of the bakery. She looked down at the collection of ingredients in front of her with a sense of dread in her stomach. Rainbow was notoriously bad at baking. It was something she often hid from most ponies to protect her image. She was Rainbow Dash! The pony who was awesome at everything! Just... Not this. She looked up from the ingredients to Soarin who was rambling about something, probably pies.
"Uuuh... Soarin? Are you sure this is a good idea for a hang out? You don't want to do something else? Anything else?"
Soarin turned to Rainbow and gave her the brightest smile she'd ever seen on him. "Of course! This'll be a great way to bond! It's how my sister and I bonded when we were little. Why...? Do you... Not want to bake with me?" Soarin's smile shifted to a frown.
"N-No! It's not that! I'm just... Not sure this is the best way to bond. Maybe we could trade flying techniques or something."
Soarin's frown deepened as he slumped a bit. "No, I get it Dash. I just thought this would be a fun way to get to know each other. But we don't have to."
Despite giving her an out, Rainbow suddenly didn't want to take it. Yes, she'd recently learned about being honest about her feelings to friends, even if those feelings might hurt them but... She didn't hate the idea of baking with Soarin. She was just worried about messing up and looking dumb in front of someone she looked up to. Biting the proverbial bullet, she took in a steadying breath before putting on her trademark confidence.
"I just didn't expect it is all! We can bake together. Just don't be surprised when my pie comes out better than yours!"
That seemed to cheer Soarin up as he turned back around to the recipe book. "Sweet! Let's get to it then! The first step to any good pie is the crust. We need to make sure it's perfect before we can even think about the filling."
Rainbow rubbed the back of her head and flew over to the recipe book. "Don't you guys have crusts already? Can't we just use one of those?"
"We could, but all of our pies are hoof made. It wouldn't be our pie if we just took one High Winds made."
Rainbow huffed and grumbled to herself. "Riiiight..."
"C'mon! It'll be fun, I promise!" Soarin trotted back over to the counter with all the ingredients and tore open a bag of flour with his teeth. "First off, we need two and a half cups of flour!"
Rainbow was hesitant but opened a cabinet to grab a bowl for the mix. She placed it on the table before looking at the bag of flour. "Right... How much is a cup again...?"
Soarin giggled and pointed to a series of measuring cups, each listed with their size on the handle. Rainbow grabbed the one labeled, "1 Cup," and dipped it into the bag of flour. She then poured it into the bowl, repeating the process until she had the proper amount. So far so good.
Soarin proceeded to the next step. "Now we need a half a tablespoon of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt," as he said that, there was a voice that called his name from the front counter, making it hard for Rainbow to make out what Soarin told her.
"Oh. Sounds like High Winds needs me! We got a rush. You got this Rainbow, right?" Before giving her time to answer, Soarin rushed off, leaving Rainbow alone before she could answer.
Dumbstruck, she looked at the bowl and ingredients on the table, trying to remember what Soarin had just said, but for some reason, it was gone. "W-Wait... What was it again...? Half a tablespoon of salt and half a teaspoon of sugar...? Soarin! Is that right?!" Sadly, she got no response from the counter. Not feeling like wasting any more time, Rainbow shrugged and went along with what she thought he'd said.
Soarin wasn't back yet so she moved on to the next step. She dumped the bowl of flour into a blender before popping the lid on and hitting the button to start it up. "This isn't too hard. I think I got this!" Rainbow patted herself on the back as Soarin walked back in.
His eyes quickly landed on the blender and the pie crust batter mixing inside. His eyes grew wide as he rushed over to stop the blender as fast as possible. Rainbow just looked confused at him.
"What the hay, Soarin? Why'd you freak out like that?"
"You don't put the mix in the blender, Crash! You have to mix it by hoof!" Soarin almost seemed a little offended that Rainbow would take a shortcut like that.
"That just seems arbitrary to me. Why hoof mix it when the blender is right there?"
"Cause that's not how we make it! There's a method to our pies and if we don't follow it, it'll all come out wrong." Soarin sighed and calmed down, pouring the mix back into the bowl from before. "Look just... Pass me some butter from the fridge."
Rainbow shrugged and grabbed the first butter she found, tossing it Soarin's way. Unfortunately, Soarin wasn't prepared and the stick of butter clocked him in the head. Rainbow put her hoofs to her mouth and tried her best not to laugh as the stick of butter slid down Soarin's muzzle, revealing an unamused expression.
"Oops. Sorry," Rainbow said, through muffled laughs.
Soarin grinned and took what butter he needed from the stick before throwing the rest of the butter back at Dash. She caught it easily, being more prepared than Soarin was. Soarin tossed the butter he needed into the bowl before looking back to Dash. "That was the unsalted butter, right?"
Rainbow paused and looked to the stick of butter in her hooves. It was definitely NOT unsalted butter. Rainbow waved it off and put the stick back in its place. "I'm sure it's fine."
The two continued their pie crust until the mix was ready for assembly. Soarin explained a few of his family methods but all the info just went in one ear and out the other for Dash. It was super hard to focus on the stallions words with something she didn't really care for.
Soarin emptied the bowl on the counter and split the mix into two equal chunks. "Now we flatten it and, when we're done, we'll throw the crust in the fridge."
"Flatten the dough, got it!" Rainbow pounded at the dough making the table jump and startling Soarin. She kept pounding at it, shaking the table and knocking ingredients over. Honestly, this was Rainbow's favorite part, just letting out her aggression and a dessert she didn't care for was strangely cathartic. Until she saw Soarin's look of concern.
"Uh... Rainbow Dash. Might want to be a bit more careful with the dough. You're trying to flatten it, not beat it up." His method was a lot smoother, forming the dough into a round disk shape and patting out any rough edges.
"I thought beating it was a baking thing...?"
"You beat eggs, not pie crust."
Rainbow grumbled again and followed Soarin's instructions. Unfortunately, the damage was already done. Her crust was already looking a bit malformed and lumpy compared to Soarin's. Soarin simply shrugged and took the crusts to the fridge. Rainbow was incredibly bored now.
"Uuuuugh! Are we done now?! That took like thirty minutes," Rainbow groaned at Soarin.
"You gotta have patience Dash. Now we wait one hour for the crusts to form."
"An HOUR?! We're just supposed to sit here for an hour now?!"
"It's the process. We don't wait and the crust won't stick together well."
Rainbow's scowl could give Fluttershy's stare a run for its money. Soarin picked up on Rainbow's frustration and bumped open the freezer. The freezer was lined with different flavors of ice cream. "Yeeeeah, the waiting gets to me too. That's why we got this. Pick a flavor."
Now THIS was something Rainbow could get behind! Rainbow quickly swooped up a tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream and dug in. Soarin chuckled and grabbed the chocolate ice cream tub. The two spent a few minutes cooling down with their icy dessert of choice before Soarin broke the silence.
"Hey uh... Rainbow Dash. I know you're not the biggest fan of pies so... I just wanted to say how much it means that you stuck around." The smile that Soarin gave her reminded her why she was still here. It reminded her of the smiles Pinkie used to give whenever she, 'ate,' one of her pies, in spite of her own dislike of the pastry.
"Aww, it's nothing. I may not care for baking but friends gotta compromise, right?" Rainbow returned his smile, her anger and frustration from before melting away.
Soarin gave her a sly expression, pointing his spoon of ice cream at her. "You seemed pretty confident in your baking skills before. Or was that more Rainbow Crash bravado?"
Rainbow took the challenge on the chin and puffed out her chest. "Oh, I'm still an awesome baker! Just not something I do for fun, Clipper."
"Riiiight. Cause Rainbow Dash is awesome at everything, huh?" Soarin smirked before putting the spoon back in his mouth. After swallowing that bite, he leaned against a nearby counter. "You know, I'm starting to believe that. But we'll have to see how this pie turns out."
Rainbow nodded and went back to her ice cream, occasionally taking breaks from it to get to know Soarin better.
***
An hour passed much sooner than Rainbow expected it would. Somehow they got on the topic of Ogres and Oubliettes. She'd never really played it normally, mentioning that one time with Discord, Spike and Big Mac. Quibble also talked about it a few times in his letters, but Soarin's explanation caught her attention way more. Maybe it was because Soarin was better at describing the action side of the game but she was almost tempted to try it sometime.
Before she could ask about it more, a timer dinged, letting the ponies know their hour was up. Rainbow was first up, zooming to the fridge to pull the pie crusts out. "Finally! Now, what comes next?" Rainbow found herself actually excited to bake with her new friend.
The excitement wasn't lost on Soarin. He took a step up to the fridge and pointed towards the lines of fruit in the fridge. "Don't get too excited, Crash. I might start to think you like baking." Rainbow rolled her eyes and scanned the fruit. "Now we decide what filling to go with."
Rainbow's eyes landed on a small basket of blueberries and scooped them up. At the very least, she could pop a few in her mouth while they were baking.
"Blueberry it is. Set those on the table and I'll get the pie tin."
Rainbow did as she was told, placing the pie crusts on the cutting board and setting the blueberries aside. Soarin placed a pie tin on the counter and handed a rolling pin to Rainbow.
"Now roll the crust out till it's nice and flat. I got the under crust, so you're in charge of the top." Soarin got to rolling out his pie crust, leaving Dash with a few questions.
"Um... Alright... What's different about the top?" Rainbow cautiously rolled the dough out, following Soarin's example.
"Well, once you're done rolling it out, you cut the dough into strips."
"Right... Is this good?" Rainbow's dough was flattened but was tearing on the ends, making it look messy.
"Not quite. You gotta fix the tears. Like this," Soarin demonstrated how he fixed the edges of his dough. Once again, Rainbow followed his lead and produced something that was at least presentable.
Soarin then rolled his dough onto the rolling pin before placing the crust in the pie tin.
"Cool! Now we take the blueberries, add sugar, flour, cinnamon and lemon juice." Soarin explained as he overturned the basket of blueberries into a bowl.
One of the berries tumbled out and onto the counter before quickly being scooped up by Rainbow. "Wait, you put lemon in blueberry pie?"
"Yeah! It adds a little bit of kick to the pie! Trust me, it's great. Now pass me the lemon juice." Soarin held out his hoof for Rainbow.
Rainbow scratched her head a bit before looking in the cabinet and finding an assortment of identical looking bottles. She hesitated as she tried to figure out which one was the lemon juice. Most of the bottles were labeled but two of them had the labels scratched out. None of the labels read, Lemon Juice, so she just grabbed the one on the right, unaware that the faded label once read, "Vinegar."
Before she could hand it to Soarin and get corrected, High Winds called for Soarin again. He groaned and moved from the pie.
"Sorry Dash. Sounds like they need me again. Just... add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, half a cup of sugar, four and a half tablespoons of flour and a teaspoon of cinnamon to the bowl," Soarin's voice trailed off as he walked out of the room before he popped his head back in to add something. "Oh! And grab the secret ingredient! It's a family staple. Should be in the leftmost cupboard. Can't miss it!" And then he was gone again.
Rainbow's brain stuttered for a bit as she tried to remember everything he said. She quickly gathered the remaining ingredients and did her best to remember the measurements. She wasn't completely off all things considered. The measurements for the lemon juice were right... If it was actually lemon juice. And the only measurements she mixed up was the Cinnamon and the Flour!
Now it was time for the secret ingredient. Rainbow flew over to the cupboard Soarin mentioned and found a bottle that showed a cheery looking pony on it. Soarin was right, she definitely couldn't miss the bottle. It was the only thing in the cupboard. Curiosity got the better of her. She uncorked the bottle and sniffed its contents. It had a familiar scent of ozone...?
Is it... Lightning? Her question was suddenly answered when the opening of the bottle zapped her hoof with just enough force to make her jolt.
Rainbow stumbled back, crashing into the countertop and falling to the ground. While she recovered, the bag of flour on the counter tipped over, spilling onto Rainbow and covering her in white powder. Rainbow sneezed, kicking up the flour and making an even bigger mess. Luckily, she was able to keep hold of the lightning in a bottle, which she promptly recorked.
Soarin stumbled back in, alerted by the noise. "Rainbow Dash, are you alright?! What's going on in here?"
Rainbow coughed as she got back to her hooves. "I'm fine just... Had a little mishap." Rainbow offered the bottle to Soarin with a shaky smile. "One secret ingredient."
Soarin raised an eyebrow at Dash but didn't question her. "If you say so. I gotta get back to the counter. We're gettin slammed out there. Just add the secret ingredient, mix the blueberries and add them to the tin. Hopefully, I can join you soon." Soarin turned and left once more, not even looking at the bowl of blueberries.
Rainbow sighed and rubbed the spot on her side where she ran into the table before heading back to the bowl.
Soarin didn't really say how much needed to go in the bowl so she just put all of it inside. A small puff of storm cloud landed in the bowl, electrifying the berries and giving them a soft glow.
Satisfied, Rainbow carefully started mixing the berries together. She didn't want to touch them, so at first she tossed the bowl, hoping it'd work like a salad. It wasn't very effective. The stickiness of the berries made some of them stay in place while other berries just tumbled onto the floor. Rainbow almost slipped on them as she reached for a nearby wooden spoon.
After a bit of light mixing, Rainbow decided it was enough to pour them into the tin. The berries tumbled out, not all of which made it into the tin before rolling onto the floor. She sighed and looked towards the door to the counter.
"Soarin! I put the berries in the tin! Are you done yet?!" Rainbow shouted to her teammate.
"I uh... Still got a rush! But you're almost done! Just take the strips you cut before and put them on top of the pie in a lattice pattern," Soarin's reply come in a bit muffled.
"A what pattern?"
"Lattice! You have seen pies before, right?!"
Rainbow huffed and dipped her head a bit. We're supposed to be doing this together. She shook her head and decided to give Soarin a piece of her mind when she was done. Rainbow did her best to make a lattice pattern, but without Soarin there to guide her hoof it came out very sloppy. It didn't look much like a lattice at all, but it wasn't about the appearance. It was about taste and she followed the recipe perfectly! She thought at least.
Soarin still wasn't back, so she decided to take the initiative. She grabbed the pie tin and walked it over to the oven, carefully placing it inside and closing the oven door. It was then that Soarin finally rushed back inside.
"Alright! I'm back! Next step is to-"
Rainbow interrupted and gestured to the oven. "Don't worry about it! I finished everything. Just got to cook it." Rainbow had a smug look on her face, rather proud she handled almost all of the filling by herself.
"Wait, really...? Huh. Maybe I did misjudge you," Soarin complimented as he walked over to check the oven. He looked it over and smiled before setting the temperature to 350 degrees. "Rather impressive Rainbow. You might have a baker in you yet."
Rainbow grinned smugly and lifted her head up high. "You can praise me all you want, but pictures will cost extra."
Soarin rolled his eyes and gestured to the flour and blueberries on the floor. "How about you clean up your mess and we'll go for a fly. Got another hour before the pie's done."
"I thought you'd never ask!" Rainbow sped through her cleaning, eager to finally get some flying in with Soarin. Once the kitchen was spotless, the two headed out, leaving just before the pie in the oven sparked with electricity.
***
Rainbow and Soarin both zoomed into the kitchen, tapping the counter at the same time before busting out into boisterous laughter.
"I win! Told you I was faster! Beat you by a feather, Clipper. Or should I say, Slipper~?" Rainbow beamed confidently.
"I only slipped at the start cause you tripped me, Crash. And you didn't even win! I was miles ahead." Soarin stepped closer to Dash, a competitive smirk on his face.
Rainbow met him, getting her face within inches of his for her taunt. "Sounds like delusions from last place to me."
Soarin pushed further, pressing his forehead to Rainbow's. "Only delusions I see are from you. Probably inhaling too much of my cloud trail."
"Oh yeah? Well-"
The two ponies banter was interrupted by the shrill beeping of the oven. It filled the room with an ominous feeling as they realized the oven window was clouded with smoke. Soarin pulled back from Dash, making her fall on her face.
"Uh-Oh. That's not good," Soarin said, as he reached a tentative hoof towards the handle.
Rainbow got up and watched Soarin from a distance as he slowly cracked open the oven. Black smoke seeped through the opening and quickly filled the room, making both ponies cough as they tried to wave away the vapors. When the smoke cleared, Soarin grabbed a dishrag and grabbed at the edge of the pan. He had to move quickly as the sticky, hot contents bubbled past the ineffective cover. Soarin's lips got slightly burned as a bubble burst near his mouth, causing him to swiftly drop the "pie" on the counter.
The wretched confection was scorched black as small ripples of electricity ran along the surface of the open pie face. The lattice of pie crust Rainbow tried to place had burst, leaving curled up crust in a mess that did nothing to contain the blueberry filling. Probably the result of Rainbow forgetting the egg wash. The smell was off, more sour than sweet and filling the room with its pungent scent. The smell wasn't helped by the black smoke coming off the pie and filling the room.
Rainbow rushed to open a window, sticking her head out of it to get a fresh whiff of clear air. The smoke eventually cleared out of the kitchen, but the stink lingered.
Soarin stared at the abomination before him, almost in awe of it. It took Rainbow waving a hoof in front of his face to break him out of his trance.
"Rainbow I... I don't know what to say..."
Rainbow looked to the baked bad before forcing her gaze away, lest she also fall under it's trance. "I'm... Sure it doesn't taste as bad as it looks. It's not pretty and doesn't... Smell remotely edible, but I'm sure it's fine," Rainbow tried in vain to justify her mistake but Soarin was still stuck by the blackened mess. "L-Look! I'll try it and tell you what it tastes like!"
Before Rainbow could reach for a fork to taste the putrid pastry, Soarin shook his head and held a wing in front of her. His tone was deadly serious, like a hero preparing for a noble sacrifice.
"No... I'll taste it. It was my fault it got this bad. I was too distracted to notice the monster we were creating. So now, it falls to me. If I don't make it... Tell Spitfire of my sacrifice."
"S-Soarin...?" was all Rainbow could mutter as he walked in slow motion towards the pestilent pie. Celestia's sun shined off Soarin's head, illuminating him in light and causing Rainbow to have to put a hoof to her forehead if she wanted to watch his approach. The pie stood tall, a monument to the hubris of ponies.
Slowly... Soarin grabbed a fork from the drawer and pierced the syrupy flesh of his chosen foe. Electricity ran up the fork handle into Soarin's hoof but he shook it off with a simple grunt. Soarin would not be defeated like this! Not by a pie, his favorite sweet contaminated by an evil most foul!
With a thrust, he hit his mark, piercing the crust below before quickly shooting the fork up and into his mouth. Time stood still as the battle for Soarin's taste buds began. His expression remained neutral, putting on a brave face for his subordinate. He stayed there, motionless for a moment, and then two... And then three. Until he finally swallowed. His turn to dash was almost anticlimactic.
"You know, it's actually not that-" Soarin's body was suddenly attacked all at once. His mouth burned from the heat and overuse of cinnamon, causing him to cough up what he'd had in his mouth. The hairs of his coat stood on end as lightning entered his system, making him go bug eyed. The crust was overly salted, drying out his mouth and making him desperate for a glass of water. This wasn't helped by the taste of vinegar, causing his stomach to groan in displeasure.
Soarin placed a hoof on the counter top to steady himself and keep from falling, but the, "edible," bomb he'd just consumed was threatening to overwhelm him.
Rainbow rushed to his aid, helping steady him as he rode out the attack on his systems. "Soarin! Y-You're gonna be fine! Just hold on."
Soarin chuckled weakly and wiped his muzzle. "I... I think I'm through the worst of it. I just need to-"
A surge of energy bubbled up from Soarin's gut to his throat before being released from his mouth in the form of a large lighting bolt that struck the nearby wall, causing a loud crack of thunder. The sound and sudden burst of energy was enough to deafen Dash briefly and cause her to lose grip on Soarin. He fell to the ground, coughing and wheezing. "D-Dash..."
"Oh no! Soarin! Hey, talk to me, buddy. Stay with me!" Panic shook through Rainbow as she looked at the crumpled form of her friend on the floor.
"D-Dash... Did you... Use... All the secret... Ingredient," Soarin slurred through coughs and gasps for air.
Rainbow teared up a bit as she nodded, worry gripping her heart. "I... I didn't know how much you wanted me to use... There wasn't much so I used it all."
Soarin groaned as Rainbow lightly cradled his head in her lap. "It's... Alright... It was on me... I should've stayed..."
"N-No! It's all on me! I don't know squat about baking, but kept at it anyway! I'm probably the worst baker in all of Equestria! And now... Because of that you're..." Rainbow couldn't bring herself to finish her sentence. Luckily, Soarin didn't let her.
"I lived a good life... Performed for ponies... Lived my dreams... Traveled the world... My only regret is that I didn't eat enough pie." Soarin let out a weak chuckle as his eyelids grew heavy.
"N-NO! You're gonna be alright! I'll... I'll go grab help!" Rainbow started to get up but she was stopped by Soarin.
"I... I have one more thing to say..." By the tone in his voice, it didn't sound like Soarin had a lot of strength left.
Rainbow teared up more as she looked to the weakened stallion below her. "Wh-What is it...?"
"I... I..." Soarin's eyes closed as his body went limp. Rainbow would've broken entirely if not for him suddenly shooting up from the ground with an impossible speed.
"I got you Crash! Should've seen the look on your face," Soarin chuckled loudly at Rainbow's stunned expression.
Her stunned expression very quickly turned to anger as her face grew hot. "This... Was all a PRANK?! Are you KIDDING me Soarin! I was... I was worried about you, you jerk!"
Soarin giggled louder and wiped a tear from his cheek before shaking his head. "Sorry Dash. I just had to get you back for last week. Think, now we're even."
"L-Last week? I didn't even pull a prank on you last week!" Rainbow was fuming, but her curiosity to Soarin's motives overtook her anger.
"Noo... But your friend Pinkie came by and gave you the most amazing looking pie ever! And you just threw it away. I get you don't like pie but hellooo, you have a pie enthusiast right here!" The Wonderbolt spoke with an almost comic level of seriousness, which would’ve been admirable if it wasn’t about pie.
Rainbow stuttered, taken aback by the stallion's answer. "All of this... Was for that?!"
Soarin's serious tone only grew. "I hate wasting good food, Rainbow Dash. Especially pies made by one of the best bakers in Equestria."
Rainbow stared at Soarin, trying to process everything that just happened. "So... You're saying you pranked me and made me think you were dying... Cause I didn't give you the pie Pinkie made?"
"Well, I didn't mean for it to go that far, the pie we made was pretty bad. But when I saw how bad of a baker you were, I had to play it up a bit. I uh... Probably went a bit far, huh? Sorry about that." Soarin rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"Ya think?!" Rainbow shouted in her frazzled state.
The two stood there in silence for a moment before they both burst out in laughter. As much as it scared her, Rainbow had to admit that Soarin was a great prankster. Soarin was just happy Rainbow was being a good sport about it.
When the two ponies finally composed themselves, Rainbow let out a tired sigh of relief. "How did you even do the whole lightning thing? Was that real?"
"Oh yeah, it was real! Party trick I picked up a while ago. I can put small bits of storm cloud in my mouth and make it look like I'm breathing lightning. I could teach it to you some day."
"You better! That was awesome!" Rainbow cheered loudly, as she thought back to their first meeting. "Wait... Is THAT why you were covered in clouds this morning?"
Soarin pressed a hoof to his nose. "It's not some secret ingredient of my family. Just a fun use of a party trick. You really think we'd put actual lightning in our pies? We'd get sued from here to Manehattan if we did that."
Rainbow shook her head as she realized all the clues leading up to here. "High Winds never even needed your help, did she?"
"Nope. She was in on it too."
"Wait... So is the pie...?" Rainbow looked to the smoldering remains of what could've been a tasty treat.
"Oh no, it's awful. But not as bad as I made it seem, believe me I've tried A LOT of bad pies in my time. I'm a pretty good actor, huh?" Soarin smirked and put a hoof to his chest.
Rainbow couldn't help herself from taking the shot. "You're an alright actor. Don't get too big a head."
"Coming from the queen of inflated egos? Riiiight. And I was good enough to fool you." Soarin jabbed her teasingly in the chest.
Rainbow was gonna shoot back with her own insult, but Soarin's stomach growled angrily at him.
"We should... Clean this up before the smell makes me actually throw up," Soarin suggested.
"Agreed!"
***
Both Soarin and Dash got a chewing out by High Winds for the lingering smell of burnt blueberries in the kitchen and were promptly kicked out for the day. As they walked away the two couldn't stop laughing. Even when one would stop, all that it would take was a look from the other to get them started again. It took a while before either was coherent enough to speak.
"You know... I didn't think baking would actually bring us closer but... I don't think I've laughed this much in a while. I feel like I learned a lot about you today, Soarin."
Soarin nodded as he settled down from his giggle fit. "Glad you enjoyed yourself. Been wondering why we didn't do anything like this sooner."
Rainbow paused and sighed. "Guess... Even with my, 'inflated ego,' you mentioned, I had a hard time seeing us as on the same level. I spent so much time looking up to you guys, I guess I was still seeing you and the rest of the Bolts as idols instead of equals."
"Rainbow, you are one of us. Don't know why you need somepony like me to tell you that. You made it. You can relax."
"Well... Yeah I see that now. Just hard to break that thought, you know?"
Soarin paused and went quiet, thinking for a bit. "Yeah, I think I get it. Honestly, I found it a little hard to approach you too. Even after you came to find me on Mount Everhoof, I couldn't help but compare myself to you. Everywhere I looked you came out on top. You just seemed to have everything figured out." Rainbow looked to him for a bit, speechless.
He... Looks up to me?
"Buuuut... Now I know I'm at least a better baker than you~"
Rainbow lightly pushed him and rolled her eyes at his light jab. "Yeah. One thing you're better than me at. Don't think it'll stay that way. Now I have a reason to get better."
Soarin smirked and waved her off. "I'd like to see you try!"
"Oh, I'm gonna be better than you! So you better brush up before I leave you in the dust!"
"Speaking of leaving ponies in the dust..." Soarin took off at blinding speeds, leaving nothing but rushing wind in his wake. "Last one back to the compound's on toilet duty for a week!" Soarin shouted from the air.
"Hey! No fair! Soarin!" Rainbow took after him, tearing through the sky at speeds that would make jets dizzy.
In the fading sunlight of the day, high above the ground below, Rainbow had one thought in her mind as she raced with Soarin.
I finally have a friend in the Wonderbolts!
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randomkid
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562139
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Rainbow Dash,Soarin,Spitfire,Comedy,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Making a Rainbow Connection
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Rainbow decides she needs to be closer with her teammates, so she tries to bond with her Captain and Second-In-Command, leading to them growing closer as well.
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incomplete
| 16 | 1 |
<p>After a tiring day of training with the Wonderbolts, Rainbow realizes she isn't that close with her fellow Wonderbolts. Sure she knows all their names and can work with them, but it's hard to consider any of them friends. The closest friend she'd consider on the team is Soarin. Maybe it's time she gets closer to him. The only problem is... He only seems to want to talk about pie. There's also Spitfire, but it can be hard to make friends with someone you could consider your boss.</p>
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everyone
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2024-08-12T14:24:45+00:00
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2024-08-12T14:24:44+00:00
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The oppressively dull sound of the ceiling fan rang out above Soarin and Rainbow Dash as a straight faced Spitfire glared at them from across her desk.
The lead Wonderbolt had her front hooves crossed and resting on her desk with her chin propped on top. She narrowed her gaze at the two pegasi, giving them just enough time to consider their actions earlier today. After a few minutes of judging stares, Spitfire finally opened her mouth to speak.
"You two know why I called you here, right?" She prodded, her rhetorical question hanging in the air like a fog. The two ponies nodded professionally, their stares holding as they waited for the expected shouting. "Then explain. Explain why I'm dealing with the entirety of the mess hall being filled with soap!" There was a slight raise to the mare's voice, but it hadn't become shouting yet, though it carried the same weight.
Spitfire's two subordinates sat in silence for a beat before Rainbow spoke up. "That was me Spitfire, sir. It was meant to be a prank for Soarin, but it was a bit of a... Slippery situation." Rainbow had the slightest hints of a smirk forming on her face. Soarin did his best to hold back a giggle. Spitfire turned her attention to him, immediately shutting him down.
"Soarin. You seem to think this is funny. Care to explain why Rainbow here thought this was a good idea?" Soarin straightened at the use of his real name, letting him know this was a serious issue.
"Right! Well... Crash and I were-" he interrupted himself, doing his best to keep professional. "Dash, and I have this joke where... She calls me crusty, cause I'm older and the whole, growing up in a bakery thing."
Rainbow snorted quietly, before immediately straightening up again when Spitfire shot her a glance. "So... I guess she got the idea to prank me by cleaning up my act?"
Both of the ponies before Spitfire were on the verge of a laughing fit, but Spitfire wasn't amused. She turned back to Rainbow and raised an eyebrow. Spitfire spoke with a cool anger, letting it simmer as she got more information. "And Rainbow Dash. Why, for Celestia's sake, did you think you needed to fill the entirety of the mess hall instead of, I don't know, anything else?"
Rainbow's voice was defensive, but careful. "Well, I didn't mean for the prank to be on all the Bolts. I just... knew Soarin spent a lot of time in the Mess Hall and wanted to make sure he couldn't miss it. I was gonna clean it up once I got him!"
Spitfire sighed and rubbed her right temple with a hoof. "But you didn't... did you?"
Rainbow's gaze met the ceiling as she nervously answered, "Heh... I uh, guess not, huh?"
Spitfire's glare grew colder as she thought about what to do. Celestia give me strength. Even now they can't help giggling like foals. I can't let this stand. They've had too many chances. Spitfire leaned back in her seat, keeping her expression neutral.
"Rainbow Dash, for causing a disturbance in the compound, you're on bathroom duty for the next month. Soarin, for encouraging Rainbow's reckless behavior, you're going to clean the mess she left. And I expect both of you to apologize
to all your fellow Bolts for the disruption. You're both dismissed," Spitfire spat at them. She was going to turn from them when Rainbow spoke up.
"Aww come on, Spitfire! Soarin didn't have anything to do with it. Why's he getting punished?"
Spitfire squinted as she spoke slowly, "Really? So you two haven't been egging each other on to bigger and better pranks for the last two months? You think I don't know about that?"
Rainbow paused, giving Soarin a chance to speak. "But they've all been harmless. 'Til now, we've only been playing pranks on each other. And even this one was pretty tame. We're all pegasi in our prime. It's not like most of us couldn't handle some slippery floor." Rainbow was quick to chime in her agreement.
Spitfire closes her eyes, her cheek twitching a bit. "It isn't about how dangerous the pranks were. You two are Wonderbolts; not just elite fliers but a branch of Celestia's military. These 'pranks,' hurt our image and make us look like a group of immature foals. Our reputation took enough of a hit after failing to stop Tirek two years ago.”
All three ponies winced at recalling that particularly embarrassing display. "And don't think I'm ignorant to the fact you placed a firecracker in the stalls of our most recent show, Soarin. You were lucky it was Rainbow Dash here that found it, and not a civilian."
Rainbow shot up from her seat in mild annoyance. "Oh, come on! That one was funny! It was low caliber. The most it would do is give somepony a start. You act like we're putting ponies in danger." Rainbow floated closer to the desk, resting a hoof on it in a casual manner. "Trust me, I learned all about curbing my pranks from my buds back in Ponyville." Dash seemed to shiver a bit recalling that particular Friendship lesson. "This one just got a bit out of hoof. It won't happen again."
Spitfire grit her teeth. "It shouldn't have happened in the first place! If word got out that two of our best fliers were pulling childish pranks on each other, Equestria would stop taking us seriously."
Rather than back down, Rainbow narrowed her eyes at that. Spitfire knew that look. If Rainbow didn't back down now, she was going to say something she regretted. But Spitfire knew she wouldn't do that.
"You know Spitfire, you're sooo worried about the Wonderbolt's reputation, but when was the last time the Bolts actually did something when Equestria was in danger?" Spitfire held back a snarl, as her gaze grew more fierce.
Soarin immediately knew she messed up and got up from his seat to calm his friend down. "Dash... Spitfire already dismissed us. Maybe we should head out. I can handle the mess hall."
Spitfire held a hoof, her rage at a boiling point. "No, let her speak. Please, Rainbow Dash. Tell me again. What did you just say about the Wonderbolts?"
Rainbow paused for a bit, but her ego was getting the better of her. "You're so worried about the image of the Bolts as some elite military force but you don't do anything! Who saved Equestria twice in the last 2 months? Oh, right. It was me and my friends. Pony of Shadows and the Storm King. Heard of them? And who was the last group of ponies to save Equestria before that? One of them was a STAGE magician. How does Trixie have more credits than a branch of the military? And-"
"ENOUGH!" Spitfire's shout boomed like thunder, immediately shutting up the brash pegasus. Spitfire slammed her hooves on the desk, leaving a fresh crack in the woodwork. "Clearly your friends never taught you to not run your mouth about things you know nothing about! You dare belittle the team and this institution that you're a part of like you're the only pony working to help Equestria! You may be an amazing flier, and even one of this country's heroes, but you have a lot to learn about respect. Ponies have lost their lives in defense of this country and you dare run your mouth cause you're an element bearer? An inflated ego, I can handle, but to so blatantly write off the sacrifices Wonderbolts of the past made... You're lucky I don't ban you from the Wonderbolts for insubordination! You are on thin ice Dash."
Any fight Rainbow had in her, left with each word Spitfire spoke. She simply floated back down to her seat, awaiting her CO's final judgment.
Spitfire seethed in her anger for a bit, glaring between the two dead silent ponies. "Rainbow Dash, effective immediately, I'm pulling you from any shows until you can show proper respect to not just me, but your fellow Wonderbolts. Now, both of you, get out of my sight."
Neither of them had anything to say to that, both giving a quick salute before leaving Spitfire's office in silence.
Spitfire did her best to relax, but she could feel the slight tremor in her forehooves. It would be a bit before she was calm enough to leave her office.
***
The day progressed in silence, word spreading fast that Spitfire gave Rainbow such a harsh punishment. She forced my hoof. That level of disrespect... Spitfire shook her head. She wasn't happy about having to put her hoof down like that. She understood that Rainbow was still young and had only been with the team for about a year and a half. But she wasn't that much younger than Spitfire herself.
Was I that self-centered four years ago? For Rainbow to think she was the only member of the Wonderbolts who was pulling her weight? That's beyond naiveté. Spitfire's mind wandered back to a certain pony many years back. One that pushed her to being the current Captain of the Wonderbolts. One who's wisdom and guidance would be with her until she died. One who's voice she missed to this day.
Before she could get too lost in thought, something broke her from her musing. "Hey, Captain!" a raspy voice called out from across the runway. Spitfire sighed and eyed the blue pegasus.
"If this is about getting back in the show, I'm not in the mood, Crash," She said the name with a little too much venom in her voice.
To her credit, Rainbow took the name she once hated with stride. She looked both ways before crossing the runway to Spitfire. "No, Spitfire it's not about that. I actually wanted to apologize. I got heated and didn't think about what I was saying. I meant no offense to you or the other Wonderbolts."
This was a surprise. It didn't make up for her words but at least she sounded sincere. Maybe her friends taught her more than she thought.
"Look Rainbow, you may be this hot shot that's showed us up a few times and helped remind us what the Wonderbolts should stand for, but you need to realize that just because you don't see us helping, doesn't mean we do nothing."
Rainbow nodded and landed in front of Spitfire, dipping her head a bit. "I understand. I'll be better about seeing that."
Spitfire eyed the mare, seeing she clearly had more to say. "Alright. See to it. Now, what else did you want to talk to me about?"
"I heard your birthday was coming up this Saturday and... Well, I was wondering if you wanted to swing by Ponyville and hang out?"
Spitfire's gaze tightened, trying to figure out what Rainbow's angle was. "If you learned about my birthday, you should also know I keep it a secret for a reason."
"That's why I didn't tell Pinkie about it. She'd probably try to throw you a party even if I begged her not to. We just need to be careful she doesn't find out. Then again, she might know it already cause she's just like that but..." Rainbow's voice faded off, giving a thousand yard stare.
Spitfire hesitated, waving a hoof in front of the frozen mare's face. Rainbow shook her head back to consciousness. "We just won't tell her, alright?"
Spitfire hummed a bit, recovering from her momentary concern. "And what makes you think I want to spend my, 'secret,' birthday with you, Crash? You disrespected me and the Wonderbolts in a huge way today."
Rainbow rubbed her side and glanced at the ground. "You're right. Consider it... Making up for today." Rainbow's attention quickly shot back to Spitfire as an excited smile spread across her face. "Oh! It's your birthday sooooo... If you join me, I'll follow any command you give! Without question! That way, you can get some payback and I'll get some extra discipline."
Spitfire rolled the idea around in her mind. It wasn't terrible. She was already thinking of a few ways she could make Rainbow regret that offer. "You sure about that, Rainbow Dash? You might end up regretting it."
Rainbow's expression oozed confidence. "I can handle anything you throw at me! I've been a Bolt for almost two years, and a Reserve for even longer! I got this!"
I'll make you eat those words, newbie. Spitfire held out a hoof to Rainbow Dash. "You got a deal, Rainbow Dash." Rainbow was quick to meet her hoof with Spitfire's, dooming her to Spitfire's fury. With that, Rainbow shot up into the sky, letting out a loud whooping sound as she went.
"That little pony has no idea what she signed up for."
***
After a moderate flight, Spitfire could see the familiar sight of Ponyville in the distance. Before meeting Rainbow Dash, Spitfire never thought about this little town much.
It was quaint, peaceful and the citizens were friendly, but that was true of a lot of places, and Spitfire honestly preferred places with a bit more energy to them.
But in just a few short years it had become a center for so much activity. Spitfire had to wonder if this place had always been so chaotic or if major events were drawn to Element Bearers like fan ponies to a show.
Spitfire carried a basket in her mouth that Rainbow insisted she bring. It contained an assortment of items she didn't really care about. An ugly old table lamp her mother gave her one year for Hearth's Warming, a few dead light bulbs, an ancient third place trophy she found in her attic; Rainbow did say they should be things that would make a satisfying crunch. Spitfire could take a guess at what Rainbow wanted to do with them but she decided to humor her.
Hope there's more to today than just smashing things.
She descended from the cloud line, making her way to the address Rainbow gave her. At first, Spitfire was confused about the number. She couldn't see any houses on the ground, so where was Rainbow taking her? She'd assumed this was Rainbow's home address. Does Rainbow live in some shack in the middle of nowhere? That didn't feel right.
Then she saw it. A magnificent tower, crafted out of clouds with an artisan's level of finesse added to the pillar's circling its structure. A rounded dome covered the top of the tower with a large waterfall of rainbow flowing out and forming a waterfall that spilled out onto the cloud foundation. Pools of the prismatic liquid rushed even further down, forming more falls to the ground below. Spitfire made an educated guess as to whose house this was, but it felt more like an art exhibit.
She must've got this place after becoming a Wonderbolt. No way could she afford this kind of house on a weather pony's salary.
Spitfire pushed past her shock and landed by the front door, knocking loudly and firmly. "Rainbow Dash! You in there?"
There was an unintelligible yelp followed by several crashing sounds before Rainbow was at the door. She looked like she'd just rolled out of bed. Her mane was a mess and she seemed slow to respond. A loud yawn escaped her muzzle before she spoke.
"Spitfire...? I wasn't expecting you for another few hours. What are you doing here so early?" Rainbow swayed a bit, like she'd fall back asleep.
The Wonderbolt Captain was happy she decided to bring her whistle and shades along. The screech made Rainbow shoot back to life and jump, hitting her head on the door frame. "Ten hut, Rainbow Crash! It's O' eight hundred. What kind of Wonderbolt is still in bed by now? Get your flank moving! We've got daylight to burn."
Rainbow groaned and rubbed her head, trying to wake herself up more. "But we have the day off... We're not even at the compound."
"A Wonderbolt needs to be ready at all times. That means being up early, even when off duty." Spitfire wanted to start the day off right. "Since you seem to still be in Lala land and not Equestria, why don't you wake up with a nice dip in your own rainbow pool."
That definitely got Rainbow's attention. "It's still early! That's gonna be freezing!"
"Are you questioning a direct order from your Captain?" Spitfire leaned in to Dash, looking at her with one wide amber eye. With a grumble, Rainbow plunged herself in the chilly depths, instantly waking her up. Spitfire couldn't help but grin as she watched the pegasus shiver. "Now give me one hundred laps!"
"Yes ma'am!" Rainbow said, through chattering teeth. She lifted off, doing her best to shake off the icy liquid sticking to her fur. While she did that, Spitfire found a lawn chair in Rainbow's house and laid back. Spitfire unfolded her sunglasses and enjoyed her small vengeance, as well as the warm sun beating down on her.
Once Rainbow finished her laps, Spitfire sat up, pulling her shades down to look at Dash. "You awake yet? Or do you need more laps." Rainbow shook her head, no longer shivering from the cold. "Good to see you remembered our deal."
Spitfire took one more look at Rainbow's home before standing fully. "Nice place you got here. Must've saved up a lot to get it."
Rainbow seemed a bit caught off guard but gave a delayed nod. "Oh. Yeah, it was a little expensive. But it wasn't too bad since I made it myself."
That made Spitfire freeze. "You... Made this house? You pulling my leg, newbie?"
"No, ma'am. I've been cloud shaping since I was a filly! This place was easy."
This place would put some cloud architects in Cloudsdale to shame! And she did it alone? Of all of Dash's talents, Spitfire never expected one of them to be architecture.
Might have to look into asking Dash for help with my own pad.
"Suuure... Care to fill me in on what there is to do here in Ponyville?"
"Well, there's Sugar Cube Corner if you're into sweets, we got a new club but they're not open until later, the lake nearby is one of my usual spots..." Rainbow's eyes finally landed on Spitfire's basket of junk. "Oh! You actually brought something! Those are for later. I got something special for us at twelve. We can just leave that here for now." Rainbow rushed to scoop the basket up and dropped it off in her house.
Spitfire considered her options, trying to recall anything that caught her attention on the way in. Spitfire never really had all that much of a sweet tooth, even as a filly. A club sounded like it could be fun but not at eight in the morning and the lake... Spitfire hated getting wet if she didn't have to, the irony of which also wasn’t lost on her.
A loud grumbling sound rumbled as she remembered that café back in town. When Rainbow returned, Spitfire's mind was made up.
***
While the two ate breakfast, an ear piercing screech rang out, immediately alerting both pegasi. Spitfire was first to respond, shooting her gaze to the source of the sound.
"Somepony's in danger! Rainbow Dash, on me!" Spitfire shot from her chair like a bullet.
Rainbow was by her side in less than a second. She tried to speak but still had a bite of her breakfast muffling her. With a quick swallow, she repeated her earlier statement.
"That sounded like Rarity!"
Spitfire nodded before locking in on a fancily designed building, made to look like a carousel. With a quick scan, she couldn't tell what the danger was. All she could see in the windows were ornate dresses covered in way too many gemstones for Spitfire's liking.
The two barged through the door, finding it was, fortunately, unlocked. Spitfire surveyed the room, finding a white coated pony, dramatically posing on a red cushioned couch.
Spitfire recognized this pony, remembering her from the Best Young Flier's Competition and from Celestia's royal garden opening in Canterlot.
Rainbow Dash was first to respond, resting a hoof on the unicorn's side. "Rarity! What happened? That scream could be heard all the way from Yakyakistan."
Rainbow was checking Rarity for any injuries when the fashion pony turned to her friend, mascara running as she whimpered. "Oh Rainbow Dash, it's just dreadful! Fluttershy was supposed to model for me today but she..." Rarity sniffled, making both the concerned pegasi lean closer in anticipation. "She had to cancel..."
The tension immediately faded as Rainbow's expression turned from concern to annoyance. "That's it... That's what that scream was for?!" Dash momentarily paused as she processed the events. “Why am I even acting shocked, you always make a huge deal out of stuff like this.”
"Rainbow darling, you don't understand. I need a pegasus model for my new line! The client's from Cloudsdale and is expecting perfection!"
As she watched the two ponies bicker, Spitfire couldn't help but think of a new way to get back at Dash, a smile quickly forming.
Spitfire cleared her throat, getting both of the friends attention. "Think I know something that could help. You need a pegasus pony, right? Why not Crash here? Heard her talking you up a lot back at the base. It'd only make sense she'd want to help out, wouldn't you?"
Rainbow's look of betrayal could be felt without so much as a glance, but Spitfire just grinned widely. Rarity didn't seem to pick up what was going on between the pegasi.
"You'd... really be willing to help me, Rainbow Dash?"
Rainbow's gut instinct was to decline Rarity's plea for help, but she was caught in Spitfire's web. A web given to Spitfire by herself. It only struck her now how evil Spitfire could truly be.
"I'd... Love to... Rarity. Nothing would make me happier than helping one of my best friends with... Dresses." She gritted her teeth, trying not to let on her disdain.
Rarity either didn't notice or didn't care, pouncing on her friend with a flurry of thank yous as she dragged her to the backrooms. Rainbow glared at Spitfire the whole time, making Spitfire's grin only grow. She did stop them before Rainbow was gone, giving her a glimmer of hope.
"Toss me your wallet. Gonna go pay for our breakfast."
***
Three hours. Three hours Rarity spent fussing over Rainbow Dash, trying to make the dress as beautiful as possible. Three hours of Rainbow groaning and tapping her hoof and trying to escape. Three hours that made up for it in the best way possible.
Rainbow emerged from the dressing room, dolled up more than she'd ever been in her life.
Her rainbow mane done up high in a beehive style, with diamonds placed about to keep its shape. Bangs hung down from the sides of her face, curling at the end. Rainbow's tail was braided with a bow tied around the base. Pink eyeliner and lipstick that would've given the rugged pony a refined look if she wasn't wearing the mother of all scowls. Her dress was long and flowy, sparkling in all colors with every stomp she took. Small gemstone earrings dangled from her down pointed ears. Rainbow's heels were taking a beating, which was unfortunate. Even Spitfire had to admit they were gorgeous, shimmering with every heavy hoof fall closer.
Needless to say, the sight and experience left the veteran Wonderbolt on cloud nine.
Rainbow made a face like someone mentioned hibernation around Tank, but before she could go off on Spitfire, Rarity followed her out of the back room, bouncing like the floor was made of jelly. "Oooooo~! It's perfect, darling! I knew you'd be the perfect model for this dress! I really wish you'd let me do this more often. You make every ensemble pop!"
"Guess she's not called Rainbow Fash around the compound for nothing," Spitfire teased.
Rainbow's ear twitched twice before turning back to Rarity. "Rarity! Are we done yet? We've been here forever and this make up is making my eyes burn!"
Rarity tutted softly, "Honestly, Rainbow Dash. You're always in a hurry. You should slow down. It's not about the destination, but the journey." Rarity used her magic to quickly remove Rainbow's dress, floating it over to a clothing rack.
The second she was free, Rainbow charged for the door, ready to wipe the make-up off her face and free her hair from its constraints. Spitfire kindly stepped in front of the door, not quite done tormenting the poor pony.
"Gotta say, don't look half bad, Crash. It'd be a shame to have nopony see your new style. I say keep it up for a little longer. I'd love to have some more opinions."
Rainbow's look of utter heartbreak almost made Spitfire feel bad, but Spitfire had to add one last thing. "Better yet, any time somepony mentions your new do, I want you to blow that pony a kiss." Rainbow wanted to scream. It was written all over Rainbow's face. But she didn't want to give Spitfire the satisfaction. This was a challenge and Rainbow Dash never backed down from a challenge. And Spitfire was using that to her advantage.
Once the two left from Carousel Boutique, Spitfire cracked up, no longer able to hold it back. Rainbow huffed, blowing the curly bangs away from her face. "This is cruel and unusual punishment, Captain."
"What? You really do look good." Spitfire looked at Rainbow Dash expectantly. It took her a moment before Rainbow registered what she wanted.
With a growl, Rainbow placed a feather to her muzzle and kissed it before blowing the kiss towards Spitfire. She couldn't help but break again, still laughing as she spoke.
"You certainly put up with a lot, huh Crash? I thought you would've cracked by now." Spitfire wiped a tear from her eye as she slowly recovered from her laughing fit.
Rainbow was quick to snap back at Spitfire, a determined look in her eye. "I said I could handle anything you threw at me and I meant it! This is nothing."
Spitfire had to admire the newbie's tenacity. Rainbow hadn't blown her top even once, despite Spitfire putting her through the wringer. Maybe it was because she had something to prove? Or was Rainbow Dash just really determined to make up for a few days ago?
Despite thinking she knew everything about the brash rookie, she really couldn't tell. Maybe that would change and she'd break later, but Rainbow Dash was still finding ways to impress her.
"Alright, now what was it you wanted to-" A loud explosion rippled through the air, sending Spitfire into emergency response mode again.
"Detonation, five yards. Let's move." Spitfire took off mid sentence, swiftly followed by Rainbow Dash.
After images trailed behind the two Wonderbolts as they closed the distance between them and the potential danger, finding its source to be some form of sweets shop. The structure seemed to be intact, but a look through the window told Spitfire there was some pink mass rapidly expanding. Spitfire barreled for the window, bracing for impact when she suddenly lost all momentum.
Spitfire looked around frantically, trying to make out why she stopped. Purple magic had enveloped her form. Spitfire turned to find the culprit, a pink unicorn with a purple mane and tail. Both had a single streak of light blue hair running through them.
Starlight breathed a sigh of relief and released both Spitfire and Rainbow Dash from her magic hold. "Sorry about that, you two. Didn't want either of you getting hurt."
"Starlight Glimmer? What in Equestria is going on in there?!" Spitfire demanded, her eyes still scanning the building to make sure nopony was inside.
"I can assure you, everything is under control. Pinkie and I just had a little... Mishap. And now she's handling it." The tone was far too casual for Spitfire's liking. Rainbow's response was even more concerning.
"Pinkie ask you to cast a growth spell on one of her cakes again?"
Starlight chuckled nervously and rubbed her forehoof, giving a soft nod. "She said she could stop it from growing out of control this time." Pink frosting caked the inside of the window, obscuring the inside of Sugar Cube Corner. "It's at least better than before so... progress?"
Spitfire was dumbfounded. "Before?! How often do cakes explode here?"
Rainbow shrugged softly, a nonchalant look on her face. "Give or take, about once or twice a week. You get used to it."
Her response left Spitfire utterly floored, staring at the wreckage and the mental image of it being a regular event.
What is this town?!
Spitfire needed a distraction or she would just keep thinking about how Ponyville was a magnet for trouble. Luckily, Starlight was more than happy to give her one.
"Nice to see you again Spitfire. Sorry we didn't get to talk much at the school last week."
Spitfire sighed, actively turning so the cake catastrophe was behind her. "Not a problem. I understand. with both the students and Discord to deal with, you had your hooves full. Your kids aren't half bad. That hippogriff, Silver Stream I think, said she wanted to join the reserves at some point."
Rainbow cocked her head a bit. "Wait, Spitfire... When'd you meet Starlight?"
"Remember the Friendship Festival? Yeah... Spitfire kinda saved me when I was surrounded by Storm Guards." Starlight chuckled nervously before registering what Rainbow was wearing. "Rainbow... Are you wearing make-up?"
Rainbow's shocked expression dropped as she groaned. Rainbow blew a kiss to her friend, making Starlight look at her funny. Spitfire snorted softly.
"I told you, Rainbow. Just because you didn't see us helping, doesn't mean we didn't. Somepony had to protect Equestria while you were gone." Spitfire did little to hide the pride in her voice.
Shame washed over Rainbow Dash, but it wasn't from the embarrassing moment. Spitfire could tell Rainbow finally realized the extent of her disrespect. Spitfire let the rookie sit with her revelation, knowing she'd need time to truly think about her screw-up.
During the silence, the door to Sugar Cube Corner swung open, showing nothing but a hallway full of cake. Then Pinkie Pie stepped out of the mass with a playful prance, completely no worse for wear.
"The cakezilla is under control! Come on in Starlight, the cake is deeeelicious!" Pinkie giggled bubbly, letting out a snort before clocking her friend. "Oh, hi Dashie!" The bouncing pony tackled her Rainbow, giving her a tight hug.
The hug seemed to shake Rainbow out of her thoughts, cheering her up just a bit. "Hey, Pinkie. Good to see you."
Pinkie frowned at the unusually low energy greeting from her best friend. "Are you okay Dash...? You look like somecreature served you a big cup of depresso..."
Rainbow chuckled weakly before turning her attention to Spitfire. "I'm alright, Pinkie. Just realized how much of a jerk I've been."
Spitfire gave Rainbow a small smile, hopeful the lesson would stick now. It was then Spitfire realized what time it was.
"Dash, didn't we have somewhere to be soon? Something you planned for us?"
Rainbow's expression immediately shifted, pulling from Pinkie's grip as fast as possible. "Right! Pinkie, I'll see you later! Spitfire and I are gonna be late!"
With the absence of Rainbow giving her balance, Pinkie fell flat on her face. She scrambled to her hooves, still worried about her friend. "W-Wait! Where are you going? Can I come?"
Rainbow looked a little guilty, rubbing the back of her head with a hoof. "Sorry Pinkie. It's kinda just between the two of us. We're going to Breakpoint to celebrate Spitfire's-" Rainbow suddenly stopped herself, realizing how close she was to blowing their cover.
"Celebrate...? Like a party? What are you two celebrating?" Pinkie had a sudden suspicious tone to her voice, reminding Spitfire of the pony's, 'investigation' at the compound two months back.
"I broke a new record during training yesterday. It's been a pretty big deal around headquarters. Rainbow Dash here thought it'd be a good idea to celebrate in Ponyville," Spitfire said coolly, turning back to Dash with a confident smile.
Rainbow was quick to nod, but Pinkie Pie turned her head at them, sizing them up with one eye that bulged a bit towards them, actually causing the unflinching Spitfire to take a step back.
Pinkie let out an overdramatic, "Hmmmmmm..."
"We should get going! We still have to stop by my place to grab our stuff. Bye Pinkie, bye Starlight!" Rainbow rocketed off, grabbing Spitfire as she went.
While the pegasi flew, Spitfire waved at Rainbow's friends. Only Starlight returned the gesture. Pinkie was still in that same pose, frozen in suspicion.
***
From the outside, Breakpoint looked like a fairly simple building. It had a fresh coat of paint, making Spitfire think that it was fairly new. Over the door hung a large billboard with the words, "Breakpoint," and a graphic of a baseball bat shattering a vase. Spitfire was... On the fence about this place.
It wasn't long before the two were led into the back by a tall Unicorn. Spitfire hung back a bit, her curiosity getting the best of her. She cracked open one of the doors to Rage Room 1.
She was surprised to find Princess Twilight Sparkle standing in front of a table with an old stereo on it. The only reason Spitfire could tell the pony was Twilight was because of her general body shape. She was wearing what looked like Owl pajamas that covered her whole body.
The Princess levitated a bat in her magic, almost in preparation for something. The stereo squeaked out a strange tune. "Can we pretend that-"
Smash!
Twilight swung her bat down once. Twice. Thrice. She kept smashing, over and over as she cackled wickedly. Spitfire decided that was enough.
She moved onto the next room. Spitfire was already falling behind a bit so she decided to just take a quick glance in this one before moving on.
Rage Room 2 was just on fire, completely on fire. The walls, the table, any scattered objects inside. The only thing that wasn't on fire was Pinkie Pie, who was standing completely still in an alligator onesie. She had an eerie smile on her face. Spitfire only saw a split second but it was enough to make her want to double back.
Spitfire opened the door fully now, only to find the fire was gone and the room was spotless. Pinkie still stood there, with the same smile on her face. Spitfire stared, at a loss for words. Pinkie's head started to slowly turn to her, prompting Spitfire to slam the door and skitter away.
The now shaken Wonderbolt quickly caught back up with Rainbow and the unicorn, definitely feeling more perturbed than she was before. Rainbow shot her a look but Spitfire simply shook her head, telling her not to ask.
After a quick rundown of the rules, the two were led into their room. On the table in the center of the room sat two baskets of personal items that Spitfire and Dash brought with them, but that wasn't all. Old furniture, busted lamps and ceramic dishes littered the room, just waiting to be trashed. Despite how childish it felt, Spitfire had to admit she was getting excited.
The unicorn directed them to a rack of animal pajamas and the stash of blunt weapons in the corner. He told them they had the room for an hour and closed the door behind him.
Rainbow didn't waste any time, getting dressed in a turtle onesie. Or was it a tortoise? Spitfire decided it didn't matter. She grabbed the first set of protective sleepwear she could find and donned it in an instant, which happened to be a tiger.
Spitfire grabbed a metal bat, giving it a few test swings before turning to Rainbow Dash.
"So... I just get to destroy things?" Rainbow cracked a smile as she nodded at Spitfire's question. "Anything in here?" Rainbow just grinned more.
Spitfire clenched her jaw around her weapon and she was off, burying her bat in the glass of an old display case. The shattering sound shot lightning through Spitfire's system as the rain of glass flew past her mane. She cracked her neck before blowing out the wooden frame, sending splinters flying through the air. CRACK With the bat again. CRACK! CRACK! Over and over until the display was nothing but wood pulp and shards on the floor. Spitfire let out a howl and leapt to the next object, bringing all her weight down it in a second.
Rainbow leaned against a nearby wall, enjoying the carnage almost as much as Spitfire was. "Don't think I've ever seen you this fired up, Punt Cake."
Spitfire froze, her eyes glowing with primal rage as she cocked her head to the side at Dash. "What was that, newbie?"
Rainbow Dash held up her hooves in mock defense, backing up with a smug look. "Touchy. Not used to your own nickname?"
Nopony ever called Spitfire by that name. All the Bolts were too intimidated by the Captain's reputation to ever use it. All but one, a while back. And now, Dash. Just hearing the name got her burning even hotter.
"You just gonna stand there newbie, or are you going to help me turn everything here to dust?"
A wicked grin shot across Rainbow's muzzle. "Thought you'd never ask."
The two athletes tore through the room like a storm of timber wolves, cracking, splintering and shattering everything they could get their hooves on.
Rainbow grabbed a glass before throwing it at Spitfire, who in turn shattered it mid air with her bat. Spitfire ripped the door off an armoire with her teeth before Rainbow exploded it with her buccaneer blaze. Spitfire was in a state of complete frenzy and she loved it.
Finally, she turned to one of the items she'd brought with her, a murderous gleam in her eye. She grabbed that old table lamp from her mother. She held it in her hoof as she looked it over.
"I always hated this lamp. It's ugly as sin." Spitfire bared her teeth in destructive glee. "Wonder how well it'll shatter~"
Spitfire lifted the lamp up and readied her bat when it suddenly spoke. "Spitfire! You are too old for this nonsense!" Its voice was high pitched and squeaky.
Spitfire stuttered as she dropped the lamp in shock. "Rainbow! The lamp just SPOKE!"
It then spoke again. "Clean up this mess! Honestly, what kind of example are you setting..." it continued to ramble on as Rainbow flew next to Spitfire.
"Now you see what sets this place apart." Rainbow chuckled as she lifted an item from her own basket. It looked like a limited edition Wind Rider glass cup. The face of Wind Rider started to speak as well, rambling on about Rainbow's insecurities. Rainbow threw it at a wall, shattering it instantly.
"They enchant the items you bring. Makes it more fun to break."
The small lamp was still going on, saying all the things she'd thought before coming here.
"Childish behavior has no place in the Wonderbolts. You should be working, not goofing off. You're setting a bad example for the team."
This wasn't some spell made for catharsis, it gave voice to the nagging voice inside and called out everything a pony hated about themselves.
"You'll never be half the Wonderbolt she was!"
Time slowed as Spitfire's legs kicked into overdrive. Each stomp towards the intrusive thoughts given physical form echoed in her mind, drowning out anything else. This... This was the real purpose of the room, letting a pony buck away at the part of them that was never satisfied. A way to break through that force keeping them down. An escape from doubts.
Glass shards cracked under Spitfire's hoof, pushing her further as she winded up her shot. Spitfire could swear she saw her bat catch fire with the speed she swung it.
The resulting smashing sound sent the whole world into clarity, easing away the tension Spitfire had held for so long. Wings relaxed, her vision cleared and sensations she hadn't felt in forever returned back to her. She tasted the saltiness of sweat from her brow, any aches and pains in her body faded, all freed in a swing of a smoking bat. That ugly lamp was in smithereens before Spitfire, sparking slightly as the pegasus felt true bliss for the first time in a while.
Spitfire wanted to keep going, but her body was so relaxed from the relief she couldn't will it to move. A part of her knew that the voice wasn't gone. It was still in her head. It would never leave her. But she didn't care. She could finally give that voice a piece of her mind. And she could do it again.
That thought gave her the strength to take to the air. Rainbow was still standing behind her as Spitfire turned only her head to Dash. The intense side eye of her Captain was enough to shake Rainbow out of her daze.
"Throw me another."
***
Spitfire and Rainbow Dash left nothing in their room intact. Even Spitfire's bat left melted and disfigured. Spitfire trotted out of the rage room with every muscle aching. Her hooves were bruised through the suit, and her wings hurt too much to fly. Spitfire's mane hung in wet strands, making her look like a drowned rat. The only thing keeping Spitfire standing was pure adrenaline.
And yet, she never felt better.
Rainbow Dash didn't look especially pretty either. The makeup Rarity gave her was running and her hair frizzed wildly. Spitfire gave her permission to finally pull her hair down and wash off her face.
After a few bottles of water, the two Wonderbolts decided to crash in the nearby park to catch their breath. Spitfire wobbled on her hooves before collapsing onto her back with a huff. Spitfire let out a few tired chuckles before turning to face Rainbow.
"So, this is what it's like to hang with the great Rainbow Dash? I can see why Soarin talks about you so much. You're a bad influence."
Rainbow was sprawled out on her back, seemingly just as tired as Spitfire was. She let out a slight giggle.
"If you consider fun a bad influence! Don't act like that wasn't a blast."
Spitfire smirked and looked back to the sky. "Got me there, Crash. It's been too long since I just let myself have fun with something. You were right, I needed this."
"I knew you did. I just don't get why you don't do things like this more often."
"I'm the Captain of the Wonderbolts. I can't just do whatever I want. There's a lot of pressure to perform at the top."
Rainbow sat up, looking to Spitfire with a concerned expression. "All the more reason you need time to let loose. If everycreature keeps winding you up like a spring, eventually you're gonna pop. You need to relieve the tension every now and then."
Spitfire sighed. It wasn't the first time she heard something like this. This conversation was all too familiar to her. She turned to face Dash again.
"You've been talking to Soarin about me, huh?"
"Well, yeah. He's your oldest friend. He worries about you. A lot. And so do I. We're both worried you're pushing yourself too hard."
Spitfire closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. "You two don't need to do that. I know my limits." Rainbow seemed disappointed by this answer. She looked like she was going to speak up but Spitfire raised a hoof to stop her.
"But, it's still nice to know you're both there for me. I'll try to give myself more room to breathe." Spitfire got to her hooves, the ache in her legs fading as the moment of relaxation gave her a second wind. "I've been overly stressed because what you said in my office was true. The Wonderbolts have been inactive in too many threats to Equestria. Tirek, Discord, Queen Chrysalis. All threats we were powerless to stop. But that doesn't mean I'm going to give up. I want to form a team that can stand up against the threats Equestria is facing. But I need the best ponies I can get to do it."
Spitfire stopped, having walked a few paces from Rainbow, who was still watching from the ground.
"Ponies that can take orders and even challenge me when I'm being stubborn. Ponies who will own up to their mistakes and do everything in their power to make up for them. Ponies that care enough about their team members to spend time with them, even if they aren't on the best terms. I need ponies like you Rainbow Dash."
Spitfire turned, walking back to Rainbow Dash and extending her hoof towards her. "What do you say, Dash? Wanna help me build the best team of Wonderbolts Equestria has ever seen?"
Rainbow didn't even hesitate, grabbing it the second Spitfire stopped talking.
"You know it! On one condition." Rainbow pulled herself up with the help of Spitfire, giving her a serious look. "You let yourself have fun every now and then. The biggest accomplishments in Equestria weren't pulled off by just a group of ponies. It was accomplished by a group of friends."
Spitfire smirked. "Guess you're right, Dash. But I think we've got that part down."
Rainbow grinned back. "True."
The two turned from each other, now standing side by side as they looked to Ponyville.
"So... You ready for more fun? We still have half the day left. I've got a lot more orders for you."
"I'm always ready! Part of the Wonderbolt Code, isn't it?"
The two shared a knowing glance, both feeling confident in the future of the Wonderbolts. Spitfire couldn't help but feel a little foalish, being so excited about having a new friend. But maybe foalish things weren't so bad every now and then. And then they were off.
|
FlightfulPone
|
562146
| 1 |
Anon,Twilight Sparkle,Human,Comedy,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Profanity
|
Poke The Horn
|
Anon wants to poke the horn. Twilight: "Do not."
|
complete
| 161 | 15 |
<p>Anon wants to poke the horn. Twilight: "Do not."</p>
|
teen
|
2024-07-22T20:11:16+00:00
|
2024-07-23T03:27:26+00:00
| 1,840 |
"Do not."
Anon pulls his hand back. "Why?"
Twilight peeks her eyes open and levels a death glare. "Do you not see the glow around the horn? I'm trying to focus on this spell, so if you screw up my concentration, something might go wrong."
"Like what?"
Twilight raises an eyebrow. "What, does it matter? Maybe it'll, I don't know, explode in your face and mine? Or it'll turn your hand into water. Or nothing at all. Why do you want to risk it, you gain absolutely nothing."
"Yes, but I can say I've poked your horn now."
Twilight sighs in frustration. "Why are you even here, shouldn't you be bugging Rainbow to hang out?"
"Actually, she's the one who does that." Anon corrects. "Come on, weren't you the one who was also keen on bugging me with all those questions?"
Twilight deadpans. "That was several months ago, when I knew basically nothing about your species! There was so much I could've learned, all that potential in history and sciences and mathematics that we ponies might never see for generations!" She points a hoof accusingly in his direction. "And then you turned out to be a fucking idiot who never paid an ounce of attention when you were in your school!"
Anon shrugs with an eye roll, then smirks. "Maybe I'd have paid more attention if you were the one teaching."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
Anon puts his arms up defensively. "Hey, I just meant if there was a talking purple unicorn as my teacher back home, my eyes would be up a lot more than they were down."
Twilight raises an eyebrow. "Because of what, the way I teach? Or..."
"Orrrrr...?" Anon leans in slyly.
"Wha— you know what I'm trying to say, Anon."
"Oh, I do." Anon flashes a smile. "But I wanna hear you say it."
"I'm not saying fucking anything, just get the hell out of my library so I can focus already!"
Anon whistles. "Wow, look at you. It hasn't even been a few months and you've already taken to using my vocabulary like it's nothing."
Twilight's eyes widen as her cheeks redden. The glow around her horn vanishes and she growls. "N— no! YOU'VE been cursing around me with your stupid weird words all the time, how can I not start using them?! They're practically living in my head rent free at this point."
"You're welcome."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"It is to me."
Twilight scowls. "Can't you just wait until I'm done with this spell to touch my horn?!"
"Not touch, I wanna poke it." Anon clarifies. "And it looks like your spell's already done."
"Huh? What do you—" Twilight blinks. "No it wasn't! I was on the fourth stage of that enchantment, now I have to start all over again!"
"Ohhhh shit, were you now?" Anon cringes. "Eeeeeesh sorry about that. Anyway, like I was saying—"
Twilight ducks under his outstretched finger. "Get your stupid finger away from my horn!"
Anon keeps walking forward, reaching for her horn.
"What are you— hey, cut it out!" A light purple dome of shimmering light erupts around Twilight.
Anon walks straight through it like it were nothing but a sheet of water, smirking wildly. "Oooo, tingly."
Twilight rolls her eyes. "If magic could work on you, I'd teleport you right above the nearby lake myself."
"Too bad, so sad." Anon continues forward.
Twilight teleports to the upper balcony of the library, looking down at Anon in annoyance. "Seriously, please! I mean it, just let me finish my experiment, I've been trying to get this to work all morning and your presence here isn't helping at all!"
"All the more reason to get this done sooner than later." Anon eyes the stairs and begins ascending them menacingly.
Twilight's eyes widen as they dart around her surroundings, landing eventually on a bookshelf propped against the wall beside the window. Her horn glows bright as she forcibly slides it in front of the top of the stairs. She breathes a sigh of relief and—
"Oh, Twiliiiightttttt." Twilight's pupils shrink to pinpricks as she spots Anon climbing over the bookcase like a demon from a horror book. "I'm coming to fucking poke that horn, Twilight! Whether you like it or not!"
Twilight's horn flares even brighter as several dozen books begin to float around her. With a quick swing of her head, she pelts them hard at Anon, who cries out painfully on each impact and tumbles off the bookcase and down the stairs. He lands hard at the base in a crumpled mess and lays there motionlessly.
Twilight gasps. "Wha— oh my gosh, Anon!" She shoves the bookcase back to its original spot and gallops down the stairs, looking over his still form. "Anon, can you hear me?" She pokes him carefully in the side. "Ohhh he's not breathing. He's not— what have I done?"
She gently nudges him over so he's laying on his back. "I— I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hit you that hard, I was just trying to get you away and—"
His eyes fly open as his hand shoots up and presses a finger against the tip of her horn. A mischievous grin forms on his face. "Gotcha."
Twilight blinks. Her eyes slowly slide up to the finger pressed to her horn, then back down to Anon's snickering form. Her horn begins to glow.
"And then I was like, 'whoosh!', then Soarin looked at me as I flew by, and he was all shocked! Then I—"
A loud boom echoes through the air.
Rainbow freezes and looks up at the sky. "Did you hear that?"
"Sure did." Applejack nods tiredly, then tilts her head to glance behind Rainbow. "Say, is that who ah think it is?"
Rainbow follows her gaze to a distant, bipedal form tumbling wildly through the sky in a graceful, upwards arc, all the while screeching in pure terror. "Yeah, looks like him."
"I told him not to bug Twilight." Applejack sighs. She narrows her eyes. "Ah'd reckon he has maybe thirty-seven seconds left before he hits the dirt."
"Woah, how can you tell?"
"I've spent a decade bucking falling apples, I've got a good sense of how things fall."
"Wowww, that's so hot."
"What?"
"What?"
"..."
"...should I go catch him?"
"...let the feller have ten more seconds, that'll either teach him that lesson, or give an extra two weeks before he does it again."
|
Aklinstar
|
562151
| 1 |
Sunset Shimmer,Wallflower Blush,Alternate Universe,Drama,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Walking the Moonlit Path
|
When desolation meets isolation, can they relate, or will their circumstances clash and leave them both feeling despondent?
|
complete
| 39 | 2 |
<p>When desolation meets isolation, can they relate, or will their circumstances clash and leave them both feeling despondent? </p><hr/><p>Spiritual successor to <a href="/story/498724/balloon-to-the-moon" rel="nofollow">Balloon To The Moon</a>, dedicated to and approved by the wonderful <a href="/user/249246/The+Sleepless+Beholder" rel="nofollow">The Sleepless Beholder</a> — Seriously, check out his stories. They've inspired me and have touched my heart.</p><p>Editor: <a href="/user/383423/Dewdrops+on+the+Grass" rel="nofollow">Dewdrops on the Grass</a> — Who has helped me tremendously. I couldn't have done this without her (thank you, Dew). Check out her work~</p><p>Cover art made and pre-read by the unpredictable and vivacious <a href="/user/221731/daOtterGuy" rel="nofollow">daOtterGuy</a> — Thanks again!</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-23T18:18:10+00:00
|
2024-07-23T18:18:09+00:00
| 217 |
Sunset gazed empty-eyed as she watched her mentor depart. Motionless, dazed.
Defeated.
Her plans stripped out from under her. Years of bending the knee, heeding her call, all for her to fall.
Pointless.
Light flickered, reflecting off the marble and stained-glass, shimmering endlessly as the shadow of the sun bore down on her. She shivered.
Cold.
Her gaze remained where her mentor once stood, for how long, she wasn't sure. Could have been hours, she didn't know, nor did she care.
All she could perceive was the mental image of Princess Celestia, that fake smile plastered on her muzzle.. Her eyes full of barely disguised disgust for her failed pet project.. Her stance tall, emanating authority; her final parting words reeking of nothing more than empty platitudes forged from millennia of trial and error to instill loyalty amongst her subjects.
Never forget that I care for you, Sunset Shimmer...
Lies. All lies.
Her hug. Celestia’s forelegs had wrapped around her, slow, methodical, as if wondering if Sunset were worth the effort. After all, why bother, if her most recent favorite toy had broken down? The Princess could always get another plaything. She had nothing but time.
But Sunset's time, however, was running out.
A single blink interrupted Sunset’s endless staring, slow and calculating. Steady breaths filled her lungs. Outwardly, she showed no signs of distress. She steeled her emotions, honed in from studying her former teacher.
An outburst wasn't going to get her anywhere. If she was going to be denied her destiny—that there was never a plan... fine. Fine! She'd just have to take it for herself, by herself.
With new resolve, and no time to waste, Sunset glanced in every direction, and when she determined she was not being watched, disappeared in a blink.
"So inconspicuous..." she scoffed. Her smile turned downright devious as she stared into her reflection, her destiny. It was hers for the taking, and no sun goddess was going to deny her her birthright.
It would take time, yes, but when she achieved greatness elsewhere, she'd be back.
After all, why conquer one world, when you could conquer two?
The corner of her mouth faltered, a sigh escaping her lips as she held her head low.
It doesn't have to be this way, a small voice in her head told her. Maybe her teacher was right.
Former teacher, she reprimanded herself. And what, her mind fought back, are you just going to obey and languish in agony? A simple pupil—lackey—to show off as a prize to future delegations from other nations? Look at this puppet I raised. She's trained well, she can even do tricks!
No.
Time well wasted.
But no more.
It was time. Her time.
Without another thought, she rushed forward, planted her hooves on the mirror, closed her eyes, and with gritted teeth, she waited.
And waited...
And waited...
Nothing.
No sensations, no zipping forward, no falling through.
Just cold, hard glass.
Her eyes shot open; she stepped back in a panic.
"What," she gasped. "Why..." She paused. Maybe it wasn't time yet, maybe she just calculated it wrong!
She rechecked the book. Thirty moons, there it was, clear as day
But no... She counted the weeks, the days, the hours, for this moment, all in case her original plan became a fruitless endeavor.
It was time. It was time. It was her time.
IT WAS HER TIME!
"No, no, no, NO!" she screamed, jumping forward and shoving against the glass. But it didn’t budge.
No magic. No teleportation. Nothing.
Just her frantic, disheveled reflection staring back at her in abject terror. Her physique taking in sharp breaths unable to be steaded, her head endlessly shaking in disbelief.
Lifting a hoof she banged against it, but the mirror remained steady, and although she was ready, it was not.
Thirty moons.
The mirror began to fog as she leaned against it, as if reflecting her inner turmoil while the universe played out some sick joke. Her breathing became more ragged, her appearance haggard as her thoughts continuously clamored for an answer. Anything.
Okay, Sunset, don't—you're fine. It's fine! Use your head. You can work this out.
She struggled to steady her breathing, to clear her mind, to do something to calm down, but it wasn’t happening, Celestia's teaching be damned. She didn't have time for tea and meditation!
She stepped back, and gave the portal a once over, even going around it to see if there was anything out of place. She didn’t know what she was looking for, or if there was anything to find to begin with, but she had to do something, right?
Right?!
No time.
She grunted in frustration and bared her teeth.
Think, think! she internally screamed at herself.
Thirty moons. That was all the book had said. Thirty moons. Twenty-two of which she’d had to wait out, and it had all been completely pointless! Like Starswirl himself mocking her from the grave. Just like Celestia.
Just like Celestia.
Heat rose to her ears, the ringing became more pronounced by the second. A buzz grew, the focus: her temple.
She'd been made a fool of.
A great fire lit in her soul as her life flashed by: the morning meditations, the boring delegations; the long, sleepless nights studying in the library; the great gulf that grew between her and her mentor with each passing day. All of it a giant waste of time.
The base of her horn felt hot, an eerie azure aura flashing to life as it overtook her horn entirely.
And in the tempest: a face, a look of indignation loomed over her, judging, smiting her down from where she stood. Her words of cold comfort washed over her as they replayed in her mind, endlessly mocking her.
Your future, Sunset. Yours, and yours alone.
Alone.
She screamed.
In a manic rage, she unleashed her fury incarnate. Her beam was like that of a blazing sun, releasing energy at the apex of a solar flare. It poured into the mirror; it greedily lapped up the energy like a dehydrated mare dying of thirst.
Seething, her mind was in a blank slate, as she was unable to control her own actions, letting her primal self take the reins. A bead of sweat traced down her cheek; the ringing in her ears grew louder. Her temples ached.
The mirror continued to take in what it was granted, the magic starting a vortex at center; the mirror had an otherworldly glow now.
The amethysts lining the outer rim of the mirror fizzled, a white gleam radiating from their very being. In moments, their glow coalesced, their purple coloring collapsing in on themselves; in their place wicked rubies formed, overtaking them entirely.
The pain grew. Was she screaming? She was vaguely aware of anything at all; a billowing smoke of white from her periphery was pushing and pulling.
And in that storm, in a fraction of a moment, an eerie calm washed over her. Time came to a stand still.
A blink.
A single intrusive thought reared its ugly head in her stupor. A single cold hard truth.
I have no future.
A wave of dread washed over her, and in her single moment of realization, she faltered.
Her magic dissipated, the tug she felt released.
She gasped, her intake of air sharp and painful. The ache in her head, insurmountable. Cold sweat poured in the equally cold marble below.
And when she finally calmed, she shakily attempted to stand.
No destiny.
She choked, wavering once more. Her eyes clouded over, the colors of her surroundings blended together into one ugly conglomerate. All save for one focal point: the mirror, completely unphased by her rage.
Just another failure.
Another thought coiled around her, leaving her helpless as it whispered one final truth.
You have nothing.
She collapsed.
And although her certainties crumbled beneath her, she could at least count on one certainty: the floor would remain.
Cold and tethered, Sunset weathered the reality that came pouring in.
Nothing.
Sobs were all that remained.
|
Aklinstar
|
562151
| 2 |
Sunset Shimmer,Wallflower Blush,Alternate Universe,Drama,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Walking the Moonlit Path
|
When desolation meets isolation, can they relate, or will their circumstances clash and leave them both feeling despondent?
|
complete
| 39 | 2 |
<p>When desolation meets isolation, can they relate, or will their circumstances clash and leave them both feeling despondent? </p><hr/><p>Spiritual successor to <a href="/story/498724/balloon-to-the-moon" rel="nofollow">Balloon To The Moon</a>, dedicated to and approved by the wonderful <a href="/user/249246/The+Sleepless+Beholder" rel="nofollow">The Sleepless Beholder</a> — Seriously, check out his stories. They've inspired me and have touched my heart.</p><p>Editor: <a href="/user/383423/Dewdrops+on+the+Grass" rel="nofollow">Dewdrops on the Grass</a> — Who has helped me tremendously. I couldn't have done this without her (thank you, Dew). Check out her work~</p><p>Cover art made and pre-read by the unpredictable and vivacious <a href="/user/221731/daOtterGuy" rel="nofollow">daOtterGuy</a> — Thanks again!</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-23T18:18:17+00:00
|
2024-07-23T18:18:17+00:00
| 197 |
A cool breeze greeted her beyond the archway leading out into the castle grounds. It was nightfall. The sun had long since made its departure with the promise of returning tomorrow.
Gods, she hoped not.
How she'd managed to make this far was a question she'd persistently asked herself as she passed the series of stationed guards leading out.
She was certain that they had to have been aware of what transpired, she'd made quite the fuss after all, but no. Somehow she'd failed to draw the attention of Celestia's most astute and well-trained guard.
She wanted to laugh.
If she'd succeeded, would they have not noticed her disappearance? Would it take Celestia's return to seek answers?
Hilarious.
So why did she feel like curling up into a ball and hoping the night would last forever?
She resisted the urge to sigh; a futile attempt to hold onto what dignity she may have left.
She should have been grateful she wasn't spending the night pacing in a cell, dreadfully waiting for the Princess' return. She'd seen her upset before, always with restraint, so what would she be like twenty meters underground, out of the presence of the public eye, and in the presence of a seven year experiment gone awry?
It wouldn't be pretty.
A scathing look would be the least of her problems, if that alone didn't turn her into ash. She'd be told how much of a failure she was, and how she'd be lucky to see the light of her former mentor's star ever again.
In a sick, twisted sort of way, she kind of wished that would still end up being the case. At least then she'd finally hear the truth.
But, no, here she was moving aimlessly through the fields of well-kept grass, a free mare.
It felt like a slap to the face.
Was she really so weak and powerless that the guard didn't need to bother keeping an eye on her now? Had Celestia simply waved off their concerns before her leave?
A bitter chuckle escaped her lips as she shook her head at the thought.
Trudging on, her eyes traced the landscape before her. She vaguely took in the overlapping trees, their leaves bristling in tune with the breeze. The flora, most of which she couldn't name, an assortment of blues, pinks and oranges, trailed along the well-kept path.
It set her teeth on edge, her jaw clenched hard enough to hurt.
Oh, but that wasn't all: statues—most of those she could name, but only because they seemed to symbolize some importance about harmony or something equally stupid Celestia had—
Her ears swiveled at the sound of laughter. She stood stock still for a moment, listening as it seemed to echo everywhere and nowhere all at once, before fading away.
Like a mirage.
She shook her head, rubbing her still aching temple. She must be going crazy. Overexerting oneself by stretching the limits of what they're capable of in thaumaturgy was liable to do that to anypony, even her.
She kept moving, but not before glancing back one more time just to be sure she wasn't being tracked.
She wasn't scared—she still had some magical reserves left after all. In any case, they'd be foolish to challenge her.
She took a steading breath, but no relief came.
The imposing height of the hedges passed her by in a myriad of twists and turns, beckoning her forward with a promise of losing her way in a vast maze. But as appealing as the thought sounded, she knew it wouldn’t last... Celestia would burn it to the ground in search of her for one reason or another, and even if she didn’t, well, Sunset wasn’t too keen on starving to death.
She kept moving.
Beyond the maze, in her daze, just down a simple ways, she found floral displays deserving of being razed—Gods she was tempted to set it all ablaze.
Dancing in the moonlight, mocking her with their display, it was all so infuriating. Her eyes lingered for a moment before settling on the clearing up ahead: a fountain at its center surrounded by tangled vines, with white lilies extending forward from them as if to further taunt her.
"Um, excuse me."
Sunset froze. Were the flowers speaking to her?
Maybe she had lost her mind. Also, was it possible they could sigh? Because she was pretty certain they had done just that—
A clatter to her right; Sunset practically jumped out of her coat. "Uh, are you alright?" the voice asked.
When her senses caught up to her, Sunset analyzed: a mare, green coat, darker green mane, freckles...
Was she wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat in the middle of the night?
Sunset took a wide defensive stance with her head lowered towards the odd pony. "Who are you?" she demanded.
The other mare gave her an owlish blink, her features unchanged, which only further served to irritate Sunset. She should be tripping on herself trying to spout out something, anything, but she just sat there, unbothered.
Sunset opened her mouth, about to give her a piece of her mind, when finally, the other mare responded. "Wallflower Blush," she said simply, rubbing her leg, before adding, "We've met before."
Sunset wracked her brain, all neurons screaming at her, but no memories came to mind. Was this another lie, a trick? How many more did she have to suffer through in a single day?!
"Do you take me for a fool?" Sunset scoffed, her scowl fierce. "Tell me who you are really, or I'll…" She paused. What could she do? Her magic was nearly spent.
The other mare didn't know that though.
"...Have you thrown into the dungeons, where you'll be interrogated, and I'll find out who you really are. By force if necessary." She allowed herself a devious smirk. That would get this mystery mare squirming, surely.
'Wallflower' just stared for a moment, her eyes settling below where Sunset stood. Her mouth creased ever so slightly. "You're standing on the stem of a marigold." She pointed behind Sunset, before adding, "Could you move, please?"
Sunset looked behind, lifting her leg as she did so. Sure enough, there was the marigold, half crushed by her careless hoofsteps.
Wait, why did she care? She was tempted to stomp on it; grind it into dust to put the apathetic mare in her place. Maybe she'd finally show some semblance of fear—or any emotion for that matter!
Sunset let out an agitated grunt, deciding it wasn't worth the effort. She stepped forward, her head still lowered, her eyes ablaze. "Answer. The. Question."
Wallflower brought her eyes back up to meet hers. She blew a stray hair away, her features remaining unchanged, before finally saying, "Again, um, hey, I'm Wallflower Blush."
Sunset's eyes twitched. She took a step forward, but Wallflower stood there unabashed and added, "I'm one of the gardeners here."
Another step.
"Princess Celestia introduced us once."
That broke Sunset out of her murderous trance. "What? I don't... No...?" Sunset scrunched her face. She wanted to argue, wanted to disprove her. The only problem was that Celestia did tend to try and nudge her to meet others, to befriend them, emphasis on the try.
She supposed it was plausible she'd simply forgotten her. There was nothing seemingly remarkable about her after all: a gardener. And... one that had a dead potted plant for a cutie mark?
Okay, maybe she had met her. Sunset only kept track of potential useful assets, or threats. Everyone else was disposable. She was wasting her time even talking to her—
Wait, was Wallflower ignoring her!?
Wallflower, apparently tired of Sunset’s antics, had chosen to pick up a trowel and was now working on digging up a plant off to her side.
She was ignoring her. How dare she?
Sunset's jaw locked in place, face beet red as she thought of every possible scenario she could get away with the unthinkable.
She knew murder wasn't legal, but did it count if the recipient was a nobody?
She was tempted to find out.
"Hey!"
Wallflower paused momentarily to give her a withering look before resuming her digging through the soil.
That's it.
Sunset felt a surge rising, her horn sizzling to life. She concentrated her magic into one point, her eyes closed, her teeth clenched. She'd turn that stupid little withering pothead into—
Cold water splashed all over her, her magic fizzing out with a whimper as she spluttered from the shock to her system.
"I didn't want to do that, but I can't have you going around destroying her garden," Wallflower said with a firm glare as she set the pail aside.
Sunset blinked rapidly, her mouth agape. Thoughts raced, all colliding with one another like a series of trains crashing into Canterlot station, utterly derailed...
Wallflower's disdainful glare faltered, before dissipating altogether. "Sorry," she said, glancing behind her before turning back to Sunset. "Look, Sunset, I don't know what your deal is, and why you seem to have it out for me—you don't even remember me..." She let out a sigh before continuing, "But I have a long night ahead of me. Several plants need transplanting, new ones need to take their place." She waved around them. "Most of what you see is getting relocated. Tonight," she emphasized by rubbing an eye, exhaustion apparent.
Suddenly, Sunset's hindlegs gave out, her strength feeling all but sapped from her as she fell on her rump.
Wallflower's brows furrowed; reluctantly, almond eyes met cyan, searching.
Sunset open maw closed after a brief pause, she blinked. Listlessly she stared back, thoughts starting to become coherent.
She wished they hadn't.
Failure.
A sickeningly predominant thought that outweighed all others. Anger stood no match and was washed out by the icy grip of the former, and only then did she realize how cold she really felt.
She shivered.
Wallflower took notice. "Um, hey, I got some towels in the greenhouse, let me go grab them—"
"I'm fine," Sunset interjected, but cringed at her own voice. Her intention to sound demanding came out more like a pathetic croak.
Wallflower bit her lip, hesitation apparent. "I'll be right back," she said, mind made up as she took off in a hurry.
"I'm fine—" Sunset tried once more with a bit more spite, but her voice petered out when she noticed her demands had once more been completely and utterly ignored.
Shet let out a breath of disbelief; a chuckle burbled out of her but she felt completely disconnected from it.
Great, she thought. Just fantastic. Wonderful.
She was starting to wonder if perhaps she was just having a nightmare. A very long lasting, vivid nightmare, one in which she could feel the bite of the night...
Another bitter laugh escaped her lips.
How had everything gone so completely wrong?
Before her mind could derail and relay everything that had happened in vivid detail for the sixtieth time, she felt something wrap around her shoulders, her eyes catching a glimpse of cotton overhanging her.
Wallflower stepped around and gave her a look over. She fidgeted in place for a moment, a hoof tracing the dirt absentmindedly. When Sunset looked up, her eyes meeting hers, Wallflower froze, her eyes immediately looking away before she said, “Okay, um, let me know… let me know if you need anything.” She winced, and after a bit of hesitation, moved back to the plot of dirt she’d been digging.
What was up with this mare?
"Thanks," Sunset said, her voice quiet.
Then she blanched, eyes popping out as she realized what she'd just said.
Why are you thanking her you idiot!?
Wallflower stared back in surprise, before shrugging. "Sure," she said simply, before grabbing the trowel and digging once more.
Sunset opened her mouth as she thought of how she could take back the empty gratitude she'd given—she clearly didn't mean it—but nothing substantial in how she could accomplish that came to mind.
She groaned.
Whatever, it's not like it matters anyway. After tonight, nothing does. My life is ruined.
She clicked her tongue, attempting to dismiss the thought, but it was pervasive and becoming more convincing by the moment.
With a sigh, she eyed the towel she'd been given, lit up her horn and got to work drying herself off. No point in being devastated and cold.
Funny that. Another dark chuckle. As she continued through the motions, she glanced upwards and she froze at the sight of the moon.
Huh, was it always this bright?
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Sunset's head shot over to the voice; Wallflower winced as their eyes met, and she fumbled with the potted plant she lifted into the wagon.
Sunset snickered. "Yeah, it's alright," she admitted with a wry grin. “Beats the sun anyway.”
Wallflower's ears perked up. She glanced up at the moon with Sunset, the beginnings of a smile graced her.
Sunset rolled her eyes. This peace and tranquility stuff was never really her cup of tea— but then, neither was tea. She started working on drying her tail to have something else to focus on.
"Have you ever thought, or... um..." Wallflower trailed off, her face scrunched up.
"Hmm, yeah, I think I've had thoughts," Sunset sarcastically remarked, pretending to be lost in them as she nodded along.
"No! I mean, ugh... I'm not used to this," Wallflower grumbled, her cheeks flushing.
"Used to what? Talking? Using your brain?" Sunset jabbed as she shook each hind leg, droplets of water flinging off.
Wallflower threw her a nasty look, but it quickly folded into more of a pitiful pout. "You're a jerk, you know that?"
"Probably, yeah," Sunset admitted with a shrug.
"I was just going to ask—you know what? Never mind," Wallflower sighed. "Don't know why I even bother..." Wallflower worked on the next plant, this time facing away from Sunset. Her trowel dug into the soil with more force than before.
Good, I didn't want to hear you babble on anyway... Sunset thought, rolling her eyes at the back of this annoying little drama queen.She turned away, deciding to no longer pay Wallflower any mind as she continued to dry herself.
The silence, although welcome at first, soon became her thought's accomplice, leading her down the same rabbit hole she kept finding herself shoehorned into.
Her mind's vision dealt its hand: a featureless fate. No destiny, no ascendence, no wings. Just the sun setting on her life, without warmth or peace. A meaningless end to a meaningless existence.
A failure.
Just Celestia's little puppet, dangling at the end of her strings for the rest of her life. If she were lucky.
And if she wasn't? Well, she supposed being locked in a cell wouldn't be too bad, there'd be no pretending in being a failure then.
There was that word again. Failure.
The thoughts kept rolling, keeping her stationary. She didn't realize she was starting to shake, her breathing starting to pick up pace.
Just a failure, forever and ever—no way out, no way forward.
It drove her mad, she couldn't stand it, anything was better than being stuck with her thoughts.
She wiped the accumulating sweat off as her gaze shot over to the other mare, but the petulant little gardener was still ignoring her.
Failure.
"Hey..." Sunset trailed off, her voice hitched.
What are you doing? Her mind asked. Just leave.
And go where!? she shot back, frustration and panic starting to take hold.
The gardener stood up and moved the next potted plant to the wagon, but otherwise paid her no mind.
A flash took hold of her mind; an endless upstream river, her at the bottom chained and drowning.
Shit, what was her name... Wa-Wall—LEAVE.
She wiped another bead of sweat, her eyes scanned the other mare, looking for anything, after a moment they landed on her hindquarters: that dead potted plant cutie mark.
No, it wasn’t just a plant. It was a flower.
"Wallflower," she tried again, now biting her lip. How'd I even forget that? She said it twice.
Because it doesn't matter!
Failure.
Shut up. Shut up! SHUT UP. SHUT UP!
"What?" Wallflower grumbled, wincing as she dug a bit too deep, too quickly, striking the roots.
"I..."
Who's the idiot who can't talk now?
"Moon!" she shouted.
What?
That got Wallflower's full attention. She turned around and gave her a look of confusion. "Huh?"
Sunset blushed in annoyance, wanting to hit herself for her stupidity.
Got to commit now, Einsteed.
"I—ugh. Okay..." Sunset took a deep breath, dispelling her inner turmoil, if only for a moment. "You wanted to say something—" she waved her hoof around "—we were looking at the moon. What was it?" This is stupid...
Wallflower narrowed her eyes. "Alright, what gives? You show up out of nowhere, harass me for doing my job, call me stupid—"
"I never directly said that—"
"And then you try to destroy the plants in her garden for... for what? Giving you my name? Because you forgot me?"
Sunset grimaced. She wasn't planning on destroying the plants, but she couldn't deny the possibility as an indirect consequence of her plan to... hurt her.
Wow, I really am a jerk, huh?
"And now, after being the biggest jerk in the history of ever, you care about knowing what I was going to say?" Wallflower stomped the ground in frustration. "I don't buy it! I don't buy you. Just..." She sighed, her head dipped low. "Just leave me alone."
Sunset opened her mouth but couldn't find her voice. A small, defiant part of her was furious and rebelling. It wanted to hurt, it wanted to smite.
You're right, I don't care! You were probably going to say something stupid anyway.
She bit her lip, preventing her tongue from lashing out.
Fine! Enjoy your stupid little project that'll get you nowhere in life and leave you completely unfulfilled.
She shook her head in an attempt to dispel the thoughts—a pointless endeavor.
Aww, are you going to cry? Lil' cry baby mare's feelings got hurt?
Her vision went blurry, concealing an already obscured world as she found herself too lost in the onslaught.
What a failure. I don't even know what Celestia saw in you in the first place.
They wouldn't stop. They wouldn't stop. They wouldn't stop—
Failure. Failure! FAILURE!
There was a voice, was it hers? Was she screaming? Was it a plea? Was it all in her head? Had she finally lost it after losing everything? Did it matter?
She felt a stir, was it herself? Was her body moving on its own, an automatic flight response to herself?
Another push, a voice deafening and silent; she didn't answer, how could she? She didn't have the answer. What was there to say? She failed, she failed and there was nothing she could do.
The voice again, this time she was sure it was a plea, but it didn't sound like her own.
Leave me alone. Leave me alone!
"Sunset!"
The exclamation lanced through Sunset like a perfectly chucked spear. Her head shot up with a gasp; eyes wide, but all the colors blended together, green being the primary smudge in her worldview.
A sniffle—wait, was that her own? She rubbed her eyes, feeling moisture there. Tears
Something warm touched her shoulder, causing her to wince. She looked up, her view much more clear: Wallflower, face full of concern—no pity, was looking down at her.
As Sunset stared into those almond eyes, no response came to mind. Nothing did.
So she did the only reasonable thing she could.
She ran.
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Aklinstar
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562151
| 3 |
Sunset Shimmer,Wallflower Blush,Alternate Universe,Drama,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Walking the Moonlit Path
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When desolation meets isolation, can they relate, or will their circumstances clash and leave them both feeling despondent?
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complete
| 39 | 2 |
<p>When desolation meets isolation, can they relate, or will their circumstances clash and leave them both feeling despondent? </p><hr/><p>Spiritual successor to <a href="/story/498724/balloon-to-the-moon" rel="nofollow">Balloon To The Moon</a>, dedicated to and approved by the wonderful <a href="/user/249246/The+Sleepless+Beholder" rel="nofollow">The Sleepless Beholder</a> — Seriously, check out his stories. They've inspired me and have touched my heart.</p><p>Editor: <a href="/user/383423/Dewdrops+on+the+Grass" rel="nofollow">Dewdrops on the Grass</a> — Who has helped me tremendously. I couldn't have done this without her (thank you, Dew). Check out her work~</p><p>Cover art made and pre-read by the unpredictable and vivacious <a href="/user/221731/daOtterGuy" rel="nofollow">daOtterGuy</a> — Thanks again!</p>
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everyone
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2024-07-23T18:18:24+00:00
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2024-07-23T18:18:24+00:00
| 176 |
The garden was large, sprawling with varieties of vegetation Sunset couldn't imagine in her wildest dreams.
But right now, she was living a nightmare. A never-ending, perpetual one with no waking in sight.
For all the thoughts her mind tortured her with that day, they were being eerily quiet now in lieu of the night.
So she galloped on, an urge springing her on. She galloped on haphazardly, her destination unknown.
She ran past an arch here, a pillar there, vines, budding bushes, everything.
She'd never considered just how large the garden was until then, when everything had gone wrong.
Or perhaps it wasn't as large as she thought. Perhaps she was running circles aimlessly—she wasn't keeping track of landmarks, or anything for that matter. She just had to get away.
Where are you going!? her mind finally screamed at her.
Away!
It wouldn't last.
Thoughts came pouring back, replaying the day once more in sporadic detail. She tried to focus on what came ahead, but it mattered little.
A harrowing thought clawed at her psyche, one in which she couldn't admit, she wouldn't admit, but it didn't matter what she wanted. She was terrified, but why—
Because you have nothing.
She stumbled forward, her equilibrium suddenly at war with her, but she managed to keep a balance, if just barely.
She visibly slowed.
There's nowhere to go.
Her gallop slowed to a canter.
You're stuck.
She stopped.
She was trapped, with no real options left to her. She could run all night, but then what? Celestia would be looking everywhere for her. The portal was supposed to get her ticket out, and sure, she had no idea what to expect, but at least she wouldn't have been a wanted fugitive wherever she landed. She could’ve escaped.
Now she had nowhere else to go. It wasn’t as if she had any real resources. She had little money to her name, as all of her needs were paid for by the royal treasury. Her job was being tutored by Celestia. She’d put every ounce of effort she had and then some into said job, and now she had nothing to show for it.
So what was she supposed to do?
She resumed movement, but her legs felt heavy, her energy suddenly nonexistent as exhaustion started to creep in.
She could try to flee the country, but most, if not all nations that bordered Equestria had good relations with the Princess, and it wasn’t as if she could hide the fact that she was a pony when living among other creatures, especially when a sun goddess makes it known that she's looking for you.
She could maybe survive in the wilderness for a bit, having studied some survival guides in the past out of boredom, and with her magic it wouldn't be the worst thing. Except… what would she even be living for? She’d have nothing to keep her going.
There was always one of the cults she’d heard rumors of, the sort that took in strangers and never question their past, but, no, she’d only accept that if she could be in charge. Otherwise it was pointless.
So, that just left...
Nothing. It left nothing.
She let out a shuddering breath. It was a sobering thought, that she'd been thoroughly bested—betrayed more like it. It tasted bitter on her tongue, like black coffee turned to sludge from being left on the burner for far too long..
In her malaise, she went on, her eyes barely registering that around her despite her slow pace. Nothing registered.
She was tired, drained; energy could be spent but there was no purpose left for it to fuel. Her bed beckoned, the castle not far behind.
She'd stay in her room for as long as she could before an inevitable knock stirred her. Celestia undoubtedly would be concerned that her prize pupil was not studying to better herself—to better Celestia's agendas. There'd be questions, and she was not prepared.
But still, her bed called her. It was the last refuge she had, and it wouldn't last.
She stared up, teary eyed and let out a bitter bark of a laugh. The moon greeted her and yet offered no words of wisdom, not that she was expecting any.
She wondered if Nightmare Moon found her state to be humorous—she wouldn't blame her.
And in her state she'd almost missed the glint of blue that she'd stumbled upon, and when she came to the realization she paused, a look of bewilderment as she fully took it in.
A flower, she assumed, an iridescent blue shimmered under the reverent radiance of the moon, sparkles akin to stardust flaking off of it in the gentle breeze. As she watched the bespeckled white drift away, her jaw dropped.
A sea of ghostly blue greeted her.
She watched as they swayed away, their stardust filling the night as they greeted their ancestors from above, they twinkled in and out of sight, and what a sight it was.
Sunset hadn't realized it but she'd found herself floored, seated in place, mouth forming a silent ‘oh.’.
She sat there for an indeterminate amount of time, her thoughts desperately attempting to realign. Only then did she notice the shuffling of someone to her right, startling her out of her reverie.
Wallflower had joined her, the look of exhaustion on her face tempered only by a sense of wonder.
Not that Sunset cared.
They watched on for a bit, enjoying the view, until finally Wallflower found her voice and said, "Do you like them?"
Sunset, her voice hoarse and weary, answered, "Yes."
She eyed her from the side, Wallflower didn't meet her gaze, but she could see a faint smile.
"They're called Dusklilies," Wallflower said, a glint in her eyes. "I've been growing them for a while now."
Sunset wasn't sure what to say to that, so she just let out a noncommittal "Mm."
Wallflower scratched her neck, her smile turning nervous. "I... I wanted to find the perfect flower to greet her for her return."
Sunset perked up at that. "Her?" Her brow furrowed momentarily, then her mouth twisted into a smirk at a sudden thought. "Oh, I get it..." She adjusted to incline her head towards the other mare who looked at her in bewilderment. Sunset's smirk took on a tinge of deviousness. "Well, I'm sure your marefriend will love them," she sang with a snicker.
"What!?" Wallflower exclaimed, blushing hard. "No! I don't—they're not for—"
Sunset's redoubled laughter cut her off, leaving her momentarily stunned. Her lips thinned as she pouted in embarrassment. "Jerk..."
"I think we already established that," Sunset said, her laughter finally dying down. Her mouth creased a bit downward when she noticed the other mare's glare facing the field.
She thought about dropping it, calling it a night, but she felt compelled to say something, anything, and she wasn't sure why. "Hey..." Sunset started off, giving Wallflower her full attention. Wallflower remained unchanged, save for a half-hearted attempt to adjust an ear in her direction.
Sunset bit her tongue, a word rattled uncomfortable in her brain to her throat.
Don't say it, don't say it, there's no reason to—
"I'm sorry," she murmured. Her eyes widened, and she wasn't the only one surprised.
She wanted to berate herself. Why was she sorry?
She turned away, a bit embarrassed, and started getting up.
This is stupid, I should just—
She froze at the feeling of her shoulder being touched. "Please, don't leave." Wallflower gave her a pleading look. "Not yet."
Sunset looked at her in bafflement. What was with this mare? Didn't she want her to leave earlier? Why is she wanting her to stay now? Better yet, why'd she follow her here? It made no sense at all, leaving Sunset so puzzled that she sat back down, if only to satisfy her curiosity. “Okay…”
After a moment, they found themselves staring at the field once more, the flowers still doing their pirouette.
"So... who is she you were talking about?" Sunset asked after a moment.
"Oh, uh..." Wallflower shook her head, dispelling a thought, perhaps? "They're for..." she paused again, was she nervous?
Sunset inclined her head, but otherwise remained silent as she waited.
"They're for Nightmare Moon—for when she returns..." Wallflower finished, biting her lip, and giving Sunset an expectant look.
Sunset blinked. "You mean that old ponytale legend? That Nightmare Moon?"
"She's not a ponytale!" Wallflower shouted, whirling on Sunset, her hooves clopping against the garden tiles.. "She's real. She's real and she's coming back soon!"
Sunset stood still as a statue under Wallflower’s irate glare, until she finally said a quiet, “I know,” and looked away.
Wallflower tilted her head. "Then why—"
Sunset cut her off with a big sigh. "Because that's what the Princess told me whenever I asked." She rolled her eyes. "I'd only asked her a dozen times, and she'd always spout off the same rhetoric. 'Oh, that old ponytale? That's nothing to be concerned about,' she'd say, or she'd laugh it off and state I need to stop burying my head in dusty old books." And that I need to make friends or whatever... She kept that to herself, not willing to further embarrass herself over something stupid.
Silence took over for a moment, being only punctuated by the breeze.
Cautiously, Wallflower took several steps back before having a seat. "Did she really say all that?"
Sunset scoffed. "Yeah."
Wallflower frowned, her ears twitching. "But... she's her sister, why would she—"
Sunset's laugh punctuated the air, mirthless and cold. It caused Wallflower to leap away in surprise.
"Don't you get it?" Sunset asked, her voice going up an octave, her grin faltering.
"...No?"
"Because she doesn't care!" Sunset screamed, angry tears beginning to stream from her eyes.
Wallflower stared at her, mouth agape.
"She wants to erase her sister from history! Why do you think there's only one stupid, worn out tome that even mentions her!?"
Wallflower's lips quivered, her leg muscles tensing as if preparing to flee, but Sunset barrelled on with her rant anyway., "And not only that, but the stupid thing doesn't even mention Celestia's name, but it's clearly her, she's clearly the sister, yet Celestia plays it off like it's nothing!"
"I-I, I don't think—"
"And think about this," Sunset cut her off, more tears streaming that she uselessly tried to wipe away. Why am I crying!? "Nightmare Moon was upset, upset that nopony seemed to pay attention to her precious night, why is that?"
Silence was her only answer.
"I'll tell you why." Sunset looked her dead in the eyes. "Because Celestia took all the glory for herself! She flaunted her day, ignored her sister's pleas, and then when Nightmare Moon even showed a little bit of a backbone, Celestia banished her without a care, took the night for herself, and kept her sister as a foal's legend, as something to be scoffed at! How sick is that?"
“But… but that’s not…” Wallflower trailed off, her eyes never leaving Sunset's.
Sunset shook her head in automatic response. "Her purpose was overshadowed by the day, by Celestia; her destiny, unfulfilled. Everything she could have had was taken away from her, by Celestia."
"It's all her fault." Sunset kicked a clod of dirt skyward, only building her rage further. "It's. All. Her. FAULT!" she bawled. Her horn ignited, unleashing a billow of flame that scorched the ground before her, narrowly avoiding the closest Dusklilly.
There she went again, crying. And crying in front of a stranger no less. It was something she'd repeatedly told herself she'd never do in a million years, that she was strong, but here she was, showing weakness once more. Pathetic.
The silence was occasionally broken by that and the breeze, and where the breeze served a purpose, her tears did not. Utterly pointless, like her existence.
A rustling of hooves came from her right. Probably Wallflower looked down on her in pity, but she didn't care, she wasn't moving now.
"I tried to visit her once," Wallflower said, hesitantly, her voice hitching.
Sunset’s ear perked up, if only briefly. She couldn’t muster the effort to ask.
Wallflower continued after a moment, "Nightmare Moon. I um..." Another pause. "I tried flying up to her."
Sunset rolled her head to face her, confusion apparent under tear-stained fur.
Wallflower rubbed the back of her head. "Balloons, I um, tied myself to a bunch of balloons."
Silence.
Sunset snorted, shaking her head in disbelief.
"I did!" Wallflower defended, pouting. "And I got pretty far up too!"
"Sure... let's say I believe you..." Sunset finally said, drying her eyes and sitting up. "How'd you get back down?"
Wallflower faltered at that for a moment before sitting back up straight. "I, um... Princess Celestia saved me."
A blink. "What?"
"I flew past the castle, Princess Celestia was out on her balcony. She saw me, and came up to meet me."
Of course she did... Sunset sighed, but waved her on to continue. "Then what?"
"We talked for a bit, she gave me a job of being a gardener here and..."
Sunset raised a brow and waved her hoof in a circle. “And?”
"And, we talked about Nightmare Moon."
Sunset’s nostrils flared with a snort. "Yeah? Did she tell you about how you should stop worrying about an old ponytale too?"
"No..." Wallflower shook her head. "She... she told me that when she returns, she'll have ponies ready to heal her, to cure her of the nightmare."
Sunset grit her teeth, fuming at the prospect that the Princess would keep that information from her, but would tell some random filly. "Did she now?" she sneered.
The other mare faltered, her ears splaying down. "Yes, and... she seemed really sad."
Far from what she seemed like when I asked her... she thought, clearly remembering surprise, but nothing beyond that.
"She doesn't want to leave her alone, she wants to help her."
"Oh, please..." Another scoff escaped her. "She was only saying that to you because you were a foal, and foals will believe anything they're told. She was just trying to appease you, that's all. End of story."
"You're wrong," Wallflower shot back, causing Sunset to rear back in surprise.
"And how do you know that?" Sunset said, recovering, getting up and giving her a glare. "How do you know she wasn't just lying?" Far be it for her to do that...
"I told the Princess I wanted to dedicate a section of the garden to Nightmare Moon," Wallflower said, her features pained. "But I couldn't find the right flowers to do so..."
"What does that have to do with—"
"She left without a word," Wallflower continued, unabashedly. Sunset's eyes twitched, but otherwise kept quiet. "I was confused, thinking that I'd angered her, wondering what she was going to do to me..." Wallflower glanced at the field. "But she returned shortly after, not with the guard, but with a sproutling, a Dusklily."
Sunset resigned to letting her continue without further interruptions, her curiosity outweighing her annoyance. She sat back down, grumpily mumbling something incoherent.
"She told me they were her favorite, a native plant of the Everfree Forest." Wallflower smiled. "I didn't understand the significance of it at the time, but I took it, nurtured it and..." She waved her hoof out in a wide arch before dropping it. "They only bloom in the night, their petals fold up in the day, reverting back into a sproutling state, unassuming—invisible." Sunset thought she caught Wallflower's mouth wavering at that, but it was hard to tell with her head tilted away from her.
So instead, Sunset followed her gaze, her face scrunched up in contemplation as she watched the moon with her.
"Every night," Wallflower punctuated. "Every night she came out here. Sometimes right after raising the moon, sometimes much later, but I always caught a glimpse of her watching over the field. Sometimes briefly, sometimes for much longer, but I always caught her. What does that tell you?" Wallflower inclined her head.
Sunset raised a brow. "That she really likes these flowers, I guess? I don't see what you're getting at," she lied. So what? she thought. She's making up for past sins by having someone else plant nice flowers as a memorial? She held her jeers back, waiting for Wallflower to get to the point already.
Wallflower let out a groan in frustration. "No! I—look, you weren't there, but you should have seen her... She misses her, Sunset, she really does. If she didn't, why would she bother coming out here?"
"Because, Wallflower," she drew out her name in exasperation, spittle flying out, her patience running dry. "She's mocking her."
Wallflower opened her mouth, but was stunned to find her jaw couldn't move, a cyan glow coming from Sunset's horn. Her eyes widened.
Sunset let out a grunt, dropping her magic to rub her temple. "Think about it!" She waved out to the field before them. "She approved a secluded section of the garden—far away from most prying eyes—I'd never even seen this, let alone heard of it!"
Wallflower shuffled uncomfortably in her spot, clearly itching to say something, but opted for rubbing her neck.
"If she really gave a damn about her sister, even just a little bit, why would she keep her mouth shut about her!? The book, remember? Nightmare Moon? Yeah, that's not even her real name! That's just a name she'd adopted after turning into the nightmare, Wallflower! Her name, her real name, isn't even mentioned ONCE!" Sunset seethed, her head jolted to Wallflower who withered under her heated glare.
Sunset took quick, sharp breaths, her hair a shaggy mess, covering an eye. She trembled, her head moving like it was on a swivel. "You don't know her, you've only seen what she wants to show you. You don't get to rule a thousand years without real opposition without adopting a benevolent façade. She's had practice, a lot of it. She told me as much." Her face fell, rage dimmed out in an instant, replaced by cold reality as she turned away. "It's so obvious looking back."
She was such a fool. Celestia never would’ve let her ascend, not if it meant threatening her authority.
The quiet that came after remained for some time, long enough that Sunset began to wonder if she'd scared off the mare—not that she cared, the silence was a nice exchange for misplaced optimism. So why did she feel terrible?
A rustle to her right after some time confirmed she hadn't. "I... I don't know why she kept a secret, but..." Wallflower started out gently, hesitating to move near the other mare at first, but Sunset didn't put up a fuss.
"She has a plan, she told me," Wallflower continued.
Sunset rolled her eyes, but otherwise kept her mouth shut.
"Her sister will be freed soon, and she will have ponies save her from the Nightmare."
Despite Wallflower’s proximity, Sunset didn’t budge, instead letting out a long, bitter sigh. "And then what?" she asked, glancing up at her. "Her sister comes back and everything is fixed and perfectly fine?" She rubbed her head before letting her leg limply fall to her side. "Give me a break... She'll come back, an unknown pony, adjusting to a new world, and be back at square one, ponies not caring about her or her stars. Nothing will change. Celestia will remain the one true ruler and her sister will just have to get over it."
"She made mistakes—they both did. They're not perfect, nopony is."
"Still makes mistakes," Sunset corrected as she spit the ground. "She's making the same mistakes even today. She hasn't learned a thing."
"...You said that I don't know her like you do, but are you sure you know her as much as you think you do?"
Sunset's stare bore holes into her. She was furious, but she couldn't find fault in her question. Sunset would like to say that she did know her past mentor—she'd studied under her for several years at this point, but, after today?
Wallflower shook nervously but stood her ground. "She cares. She cares about her sister, and..." She let out a breath. "I don't know what happened between you two, but... I know she cares about you too."
There it was again, that pestering optimism. Sunset growled. "You don't know what she said, you don't know what she's really like. You don't know her, you don't know me. Stop making baseless assumptions."
Wallflower let out a sigh. "Fine. You're right. I don't know you."
Sunset snorted.
"But I would like to."
A whirlwind of emotions tugged at Sunset, leaving her directionless, speechless. Had she misheard her? No, she certainly did not, but she didn't have the faintest clue how to respond to that. It was so out there, a complete one-eighty from everything that's happened up to that point. When the tempest died down, she settled for the reigning emotion: complete and utter confusion.
Sunset raised her head to stare at her in disbelief. Wallflower shuffled awkwardly in place, appearing unsure of what to say either.
Finally, Sunset broke the silence, "You don't talk to many ponies, do you?" She furrowed her brows.
Wallflower responded by looking off to the side, finding interest in everything else, her silence answering Sunset's question.
She wanted to scoff at her for even suggesting something so asinine.
...But she didn't have the energy for it.
Sunset blew a stray tuft of hair away from her face. "What's there to know?" Not much anymore... She let out a bitter chuckle, deciding to humor her. "Hey, I'm Sunset Shimmer. Now you know me, happy?"
Wallflower sat down, her smile awkward and crooked. "Hi, I'm Wallflower Blush. Nice to meet you, Sunset." She rubbed her own hoof.
Sunset blinked at her, Wallflower blinked back.
They burst out laughing. It was ridiculous, it was awkward, but Sunset at that moment didn't care.
They stayed like for a while—tension all but gone. For a moment, Sunset's worries simmered in the background.
It was… nice?
Sunset was the first to break out of her hysterics, Wallflower following shortly after.
It wasn’t meant to last though. Sunset let out a breath, and got up. “Alright,” she coughed. “Uh, I should probably head back. I’m pretty tired…” It wasn’t a lie, per say, but she felt compelled to leave, she didn’t know how to handle what was happening, and she didn’t want to admit it. She hoped this would all just blow over, and…
Well, she’d just have to see what the next day brings, she guessed.
She got up and started trotting away without another word.
“Wait!”
Sunset paused, inclining her head to give her a glance.
“Will… will I see you again?”
Sunset pursed her lips. She wanted to say no, but she didn’t know, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. “I don’t know,” she finally admitted. “Why?”
Wallflower gave her a dejected look. “Oh… Um, then…” She trailed off.
Sunset thought that’d be that, but Wallflower continued, “It was nice getting to know you, or well… getting to talk to you, I mean.”
Sunset looked at her like she’d lost her head. Nice? she thought, trying to process that, but failing. What part of their interactions, outside of a brief lapse of cognitive dysfunction would she have considered to have been nice? “Uh, thanks?” she offered, not sure of what else to say.
Wallflower gave her a pained smile. “See you then.” She half-heartedly waved before turning away and heading back, presumably to the section of the garden she’d been working on earlier.
She was slouched, head drooped.
Sunset watched for a moment, biting her lip, turmoil roiling as she felt conflicted at watching the dejected mare slink off.
She wasn’t sure why she seemed to care about seeing her again, Sunset was pretty sure she’d been nothing but an absolute jerk that night to her, so why in the world did she want to see her again?
Better question, why did she feel horrible for any of this?
“Tomorrow!” Sunset yelled, shocked that her voice felt compelled to speak with a mind of its own.
Wallflower stopped, ears perked.
“I uh, you work in the gardens every night, right?” She wanted to facehoof for asking such a dumb question…
“Um, yes…?” Wallflower supplied, facing her now.
Great, now what, Shimmer? She wondered how she’d managed to find herself in this mess, but shook her head to clear her thoughts. “Great, I’ll… swing by sometime tomorrow? Maybe around the same time?”
Wallflower’s mouth formed an ‘o’ and although Sunset couldn’t tell, she’d thought she’d caught a glimpse of a spark in her eyes.
“Uh, okay! Yes. That’d be… nice,” Wallflower chirped, her smile contagious, and making it hard for Sunset not to smile back.
“Alright then…” Sunset rubbed the back of her head. “See you later then.”
“Okay, uh, goodnight, Sunset!” Wallflower waved with much more vigor, before trotting away, head held high, a skip in her step.
Sunset waved as she left, her smile trailing off once she was out of sight. She wasn’t really sure she’d meant it, but she didn’t want to see the other mare so downcast. Why she felt that way, she wasn’t sure, but… it was there.
Just another problem she’d have to deal with…
That wasn’t quite the word. It didn’t really feel like a problem. Problems didn’t make you feel warm inside, did they?
She supposed that if she were stuck there for the foreseeable future, there’d be no harm showing up one more time. Wallflower, although a bit eccentric, didn’t seem all that bad, misguided and sickeningly optimistic, yes, but not bad…
Besides, she was kind of cute.
She blushed, and shook her head, trying to dispel the thought. Where the heck did that come from? she wondered, chalking it up to exhaustion.
She’d deal with that later, as well as… everything else. She groaned. She wasn’t getting much sleep, that was certain, and tomorrow was going to be terrible.
As she began leaving, she paused, taking a glance over her shoulder, the bespeckled sea of blue still there.
But, maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t be as bad as she thought.
Despite no plans of action yet, Sunset found herself leaving that night with a smile.
|
Aklinstar
|
562151
| 4 |
Sunset Shimmer,Wallflower Blush,Alternate Universe,Drama,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Walking the Moonlit Path
|
When desolation meets isolation, can they relate, or will their circumstances clash and leave them both feeling despondent?
|
complete
| 39 | 2 |
<p>When desolation meets isolation, can they relate, or will their circumstances clash and leave them both feeling despondent? </p><hr/><p>Spiritual successor to <a href="/story/498724/balloon-to-the-moon" rel="nofollow">Balloon To The Moon</a>, dedicated to and approved by the wonderful <a href="/user/249246/The+Sleepless+Beholder" rel="nofollow">The Sleepless Beholder</a> — Seriously, check out his stories. They've inspired me and have touched my heart.</p><p>Editor: <a href="/user/383423/Dewdrops+on+the+Grass" rel="nofollow">Dewdrops on the Grass</a> — Who has helped me tremendously. I couldn't have done this without her (thank you, Dew). Check out her work~</p><p>Cover art made and pre-read by the unpredictable and vivacious <a href="/user/221731/daOtterGuy" rel="nofollow">daOtterGuy</a> — Thanks again!</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-23T18:18:29+00:00
|
2024-07-23T18:18:29+00:00
| 220 |
Celestia’s wings beat steadily as she arced and angled through the winds in the skies over the garden, adjusting ever so slightly to descend to a better vantage point. Her horn glowed steadily, keeping herself and the pair of guards accompanied her hidden from view.
Despite her centuries of practice with patience, her every movement carried with it a measure of tension. Not anything anyone save the most keen and observant would notice, but she could feel it.
When she received word that her student… that Sunset had attempted to open the gateway into another realm, to flee from her own…
Fear.
She’d been forced to leave the delegates without an explanation, as time was of the essence. She’d even teleported back to Canterlot, an expenditure of magic she rarely used.
“Up ahead,” the guard on her left called, knocking her temporarily from her thoughts. He pointed to the clearing.
She couldn’t— no, she wouldn’t lose another. Time for reflection would come later, now she needed to see her. But… She glanced at the guards to her sides. “Thank you, I can handle it from here. You’re both dismissed.”
One appeared as if he’d wanted to say something, but thought better of it. After a moment, they broke off, leaving her alone in her descent.
Alone to her thoughts, albeit briefly, she realized she wasn’t sure at all what she’d say. All she knew was that Sunset was hurt, and it was her fault, and she didn’t know how, and that scared her.
Just like with Luna… A pang of pain ripped at her at the thought. Just like with her sister, she’d failed to be there for Sunset.
She had many years to contemplate one loss. The last thing she wanted was more years to contemplate another.
She should have never told the guard to monitor, and only monitor her activities while she was gone. She was lucky Sunset stuck around.
But what could she say? What was she supposed to tell her? Kindness hadn’t worked. Nor had discipline. Sunset was so difficult sometimes. Worth every moment, but so difficult.
The ghostly azure flora greeted her. Not where she’d expected to find Sunset, and not somewhere she’d have looked—her eyes widened. Sunset wasn’t alone.
Wallflower Blush, Celestia mimed her name, genuinely surprised. She stopped, hovering in place.
It seemed they were… just chatting.
Celestia looked around, spotting an area well away, a hill with plenty of bushes. She angled down and made her way, gracefully touching the ground silently.
She watched on.
A curious pair, she thought. They seemed to be… getting along, she wanted to say, but cringed when she saw Sunset frantically waving a hoof about, clearly upset about something.
She was fearful of the escalation, and she almost decided to put an end to it, but decided to hold on. After all, while Sunset was prone to fiery outbursts, they always flickered and faded if the right words were supplied. And although Celestia hadn’t spoken often with the reclusive, self-conscious and quirky gardener, what words she had exchanged with Wallflower had always come after finding common ground.
She looked up, gazing into the moon, a twinkle in her eye. A common ground, such as her sister.
She closed her eyes, letting the breeze wash over her. She liked to believe it was Luna being there to let her know that it’d work out, that she had it from there. It was comforting. She let out a sigh.
Soon, you’ll be home…
She pried her eyes open, they blinked in surprise when she focused back on the duo. It seemed their time was coming to a close… Was Sunset waving at Wallflower? Celestia peered closer, and saw that yes, Sunset was waving. And Wallflower seemed to be in good spirits as well.
It had worked out.
She let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.
She thanked the stars, she thanked the moon… her sister.
She smiled, brighter than she’d ever had as she stared back into the orb in the sky.
“Even in your absence, you bring ponies together.”
The current changed, the breeze billowing from the front, as if to answer her, before it stopped altogether, leaving nothing but the stillness of the earth beneath her.
“Thank you.”
|
Dr Sharaz Jek
|
562152
| 1 |
Deer,Original Character,Princess Cadance,Alternate Universe,Porn,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Non-consensual,Profanity,Sex
|
Keepers of the Forest: Tale of the Fawn and Satyr
|
A fawn and satyr try to evade Cadance, the most skilled bounty huntress in the land. But her love arrows are aimed straight at their hearts!
|
complete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Panna Fauna, a fawn, and her brother Cornelius, a satyr, struggle to survive the streets and make a life for themselves in the forest. However, the pickpockets have acquired a small bounty on them, and Cadance aims to collect, armed with a bow and arrows of love and lust aimed at her targets! But will karma also come for her...?</p><p>Note: All characters are 18 or older. Warning for incest and bestiality. This is a companion piece to my story Tale of the Centaur, although it isn't necessary to read that first.</p>
|
mature
|
2024-07-23T16:14:47+00:00
|
2024-07-23T16:14:47+00:00
| 511 |
Ever since she was a child, Panna Fauna enjoyed fairy tales and other such mythic tales, ones which inspired her and her brother, Cornelius. But one in particular had caught their eye, the legends of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men, vigilantes turned symbols of freedom from society's oppression. A romantic tale, one she further realized with each year, had to be a myth. The siblings had learned the world was often random and cruel, especially to those that were different.
She was born a fawn, her brother the male equivalent, a satyr, both a peculiar breed of their kin. Not only did they have deer legs instead of the expected goat legs, which came to just above their knees before more human thighs became present, but a single sharp horn sat in the middle of their foreheads. Otherwise, they didn't look particularly different from an attractive woman and man.
They'd learned to make their way on the streets, their parents unkown to them. Looted, pickpocketed, whatever it took to survive the day, although the pair preferred to target the wealthy and anyone in a position of authority. Unfortunately, they'd almost been caught a number of times, her ribs sore from the last narrow escape, and they'd make a home out in the wilderness.
Her deer hooves clopped on the cobblestone streets. She rounded a corner in a mad dash, pursued by authorities that shouted at her to stop, and she ducked into a number of alleys, rounded back once she'd put some distance between them, but didn't break her run for several minutes.
Finally, when she couldn't hear voices anymore and ended up in a solitary portion of the slums, she allowed herself to breathe. Dressed in a short, open jacket, shorts, and a bikini-style top, her breasts heaved, like the rest of her skin doused in thin perspiration. Panna leaned on a filth-caked wall for support, and took a moment to meet her reflection in a partially muddled puddle at her hooves.
Her black hair was cut sharply and fell to her shoulders. Green eyes reflected a certain curiosity and innocence, a child-like wonder she'd carried into her late teen years, tempered by a certain wariness and weariness. The thin deer fur from a moment above her knees downward proved soft and downy when she brushed it, covered in cute spots meant to help her blend into the wildlands.
The forest. Yes. That's where she and Cornelius belonged. But it was difficult for the siblings to survive on their own, despite their skills, and the richest here were bloated with excess!
“We're not the villains,” she whispered to herself. “They are. What choice do we really have?”
In her haste she'd almost lost the fruit she'd stuffed into her jacket pockets. She yanked out an apple, moaned low when she took a hefty bite, her lips and chin smeared in sweet juices. She munched on her lunch until only the core remained, tossed it and wiped her mouth on the back of her hand. Then, she navigated the back of the dirty streets, on her way out to meet her brother.
A solid wall kept enemies out of the town...and its people trapped within. With her hooves, she hopped onto the barrier, clambered over it with help from her hands, and deftly landed on her hooves outside the town, where she spotted a trail that eventually led into the wildlands.
Glancing back at the entrance, where guards and watchtowers were posted, she saw numerous wanted posters, some which depicted the siblings and a bounty. A pittance compared to what a number of state enemies were worth, but that didn't mean she was about to needlessly test her luck. She made haste to the usual rendezvous spot, the intricacies of the labyrinthine forest marked to her memory. Their increased, animalistic senses made it easier to track their paths.
The sounds of nature met her sharp- elf-like ears, which twitched in response. A tiny tuft of a tail above her rounded buttocks also raised in response. From a belt on her shorts, she drew one of many knives she always kept on her person, which left its blade to shimmer in the sun's rays.
She'd never taken a human life before, but had trained with her brother for self-defense. Usually, she slept with a blade beneath a makeshift pillow, should the worst come to pass.
The tree they met under stood out from the rest, its bark partially petrified. She took a moment to caress its rocky surface before a familiar voice said, “You made it okay? Weren't hurt or followed, I take it?” Cornelius stepped from the shadow behind the tree trunk, his hair composed of thick, chestnut curls that flowed down his lean, muscled back that matched his bare chest, like her dressed in a short open jacket and shorts. He, too, bore deer legs, and a solitary horn, his eyes a deep reddish-brown. Like her, his belt bore a few knives, which included a machete.
“I'm always careful brother,” she reassured him with a forced smile.
“Good. We have to do whatever it takes to survive. Those bastards won't let us have any rest. Here.” He tossed her another apple. “Fill your belly. You've earned it.”
“Thanks.” She took a bite with a crunch, let the flavor settle on her tongue. “But I'd rather have a bath. My ribs are sore and I'm all sweaty after I had to flee the marketplace.”
He considered a moment, then nodded. “Sure. Let's move out and freshen up before dark.”
They moved away from their camp, through the thickets and bushes, until past the foliage the siblings arrived at a pond lit by the afternoon sunlight.Wasting no time, both of them stripped their jackets, followed by Panna's bikini top, which let her medium-sized breasts bounce into the open air, her soft pink nipples soon erect when kissed by a cool breeze that made her shiver.
Lastly, the pair removed their shorts, neither of them adorned by underwear as they were fully exposed to nature. They were both limber and athletic, his muscles taut and limber, her supple curves also mildly toned, neither of them adorned by bodily hair aside from their eyebrows. Their buttocks were well-sculpted, his penis more animalistic in nature, her bare snatch clenched.
The duo waded into the waters, soon submerged to their thighs, when they started to splash themselves and rub their skin and the thin, downy fur on their deer portions. They'd bathed together since their youth, also washed each other, until they'd started to blossom. Now, they washed themselves practically back-to-back, aware that they couldn't rely on anyone else.
For several minutes, they washed themselves in silence. Then, she swallowed hard until she found her voice, her eyes nearly closed. “Brother, can you wash my back? I can't reach all of it.”
“You're still such a child,” he chided with a low chuckle, but nonetheless he waded closer. He'd shown her the ropes. Helped make Panna what she was. Firm hands touched her shoulders, then slowly slid down, and rubbed the dirt from her flesh. She flinched when he touched a sore spot, then nodded her permission. “L-lower,” she murmured. “My tail's dirty, too.”
His palms seemed to move on their own. Trailed her waist, traced over her shapely hips, caressed her wet, wide buttocks, which rippled under his tender caresses. Grime pooled from her skin and fur, neither of them sure what compelled them to be more daring, more adventurous than usual. Was it loneliness? Needs they couldn't truly sate, since they were pariahs from society?
Sanity momentarily returned to Cornelius. “We shouldn't. Brothers and sisters aren't supposed to-”
“We could be the last of our kind! Who else are we supposed to turn to? I...I don't want to die with any regrets! People will judge us like they always have, whatever we do, so what's the point? They think we're animals? Then we may as well act like them,” she declared, her mouth drawn in a snarl.
Blissfully unaware they were watched, the bounty huntress that had tracked them tittered to herself. On the shore, behind a tree trunk, stood a tall and shapely woman, garbed in a simple tunic, breeches, and boots, a quiver on her back, a bow with a notched arrow in her hands. Each arrow shaft had a heart-shaped arrowhead, invisible to the naked eye of any other observer.
She fire an arrow into the backs of each bounty, the phantom love missiles embedded into their hearts. They were charmed instantly, inhibitions dropped and their true desires pushed to the fore. Cadance had tracked them over weeks, learned their patterns and movements before she made her own to ensnare them. Now, with a mischievous smirk, she watched the natural results play out.
Cornelius' hands wandered more. Now openly squeezed and kneaded Panna's pert ass. She moaned when he fondled her flesh, the taboos that always held them back shattered. Then, she felt his red deer penis swell to erectness when it slid between her buns, and its precum-smeared tip brushed over her puckered pink asshole, which made her moan harder at the tease of possible penetration.
Panna had never seen him erect, and he proved more sizable than she'd ever expected. Like his shaft was made to please a potential mate, as it throbbed between her buttcheeks and rubbed them. Gripped by her hips, he slowly started to thrust, as his cock rubbed over her lower holes. Her moistened pussy squelched each time his deer shaft pushed over her orifices. Her pussylips swelled, slick and pink, partially encircled his shaft as they kissed and squeezed back on his tool.
While she could easily restrain them now, Cadance decided to toy with her prey, after all the time she'd spent to close this hunt. She slipped the strap that held her quiver over her shoulder, her body heated from their lewd display, seized one of breasts that poked a hard nipple into her tunic. “Let yourselves loose,” she whispered to the pair as she molested herself. “Fuck each other raw~!”
Frustrated by the barrier between her flesh, she practically ribbed her tunic off, her heavy tits flopped into the open until they smacked and settled, topped by wide nipples which she pinched and pulled on. Similarly, she hastily slid down and wormed out of her boots and breeches, also naked beneath when she leaned her heart-shaped ass on a trunk and started to rub her twat. She teased out her clitoris, which swelled, lifted a free titty to her lips and suckled on the pink nub.
“Good...so wonderful...” Her magic arrows were a talent she'd learned not long after she'd reached puberty, used them to manipulate others on the sly, but hadn't shared that secret with anyone else. Because the moment she did, she'd be treated like a freak, not so different from her bounties.
By now, Cornelius cupped Panna's tits, while she rubbed and pushed her ass back into his cock, felt his warm precum spat on her lower back and slide down her supple asscheeks. She craned her neck, met his lips in a kiss that crushed back into her mouth when it deepened amidst their moans.
“Put it in,” all but demanded Cadance, who pictured herself in Panna's place. “Bend her over and make her your bitch~!” The invisible, untouchable to anyone else arrows pinned into their hearts shimmered and activated further, drew on her influence and twisted their wills. Grunting, Cornelius reared back, , his deer cock tip poised at his sister's cunt, before he rammed in with a solitary stroke.
Panna screamed her masochistic pleasure when he sheathed himself balls deep and struck her cervix. She came a little on him, squirted a tad on his dick and testicles, while he stayed still a moment to allow her spread walls to adjust. Then, reassured she was comfortable, he clenched his teeth and started to hammer into her, which made her hips and buns quiver with each harsh impact.
“Yes, borther!” She huffed, bent forward. “D-don't hold back! Ruin me....!”
“As you wish,” he answered, and redoubled his efforts to breed her raw. His deer penis probed her cervix, tried to force it open with his slimy tip and spear her womb, where his lust-crazed mind desired to plant its seed. Her titties swayed and bounced under each fierce piston.
Cadance slid down to her butt, spread herself wide and flicked her bean while she continued to suckle a titty between her full lips. She yanked on her tit, drew it far as she could before she released it and let the distended flesh wobble and reform into its natural shape when it settled. All the while, she continued to pictured herself in Panna's place, as the faw was furiously fucked senseless.
“I need...more...!” The bounty huntress reached for her bow and quiver, and knocked a fresh love arrow, which radiated the warmth and passion of her amorous nature. With an eye closed, the other focused on Panna's puckered pink asshole, she took aim. Let loose the missile, her aim true.
The invisible, 'harmless' arrow reached home. Sunk into the fawn's rectum with an unheard thud, its shaft left to quiver after impact, buried deep in Panna's bowels. The struck half-deer woman opened her lips and released a voiceless howl, struck by an anal climax that threatened to melt her brain.
“Br-brother, I need it...” Panna spread her asscheeks wide. “Put it in my ass!”
Despite his lust, some reason remained. “Are you sure? You've never tried anal before-”
“Now,” she pleaded, and with a pop he removed his cock from her well-probed pussy, only to tease her rectum as it clenched and unclenched with his tip, prodded at the ring and rolled circles around the pliable flesh to test it, before he buried himself completely in its soft, silky warmness, past the phantasmal arrow still buried there. She screamed her pleasure more as he started to rail her ass.
Her other lower hole left open, Cadance took another crack shot, a love arrow also buried in Panna's cunt which made her squeal with another climax. Unable to directly fuck both of Panna's lower orifices at once with his deer dick, Panna started to rub her slimy snatch to squelches.
Pleasure radiated throughout the fawn, Cadance aware that a woman's entire body was an erogenous zone, and so she maneuvered herself unseen around the bank, until Panna's tits were clearly visible. It was difficult to make her mark while they bounced, but Cadance adjusted for the angle, the wind, and fired the first spectral love arrow. With a thunk it sank into the erect nibble bud, Panna almost tipped over by fresh bliss. She repeated the act with the other tit, Panna now a pin-cushion of pleasure, rocked to her core while Cornelius alternated between her ass and pussy.
Stirred up by need, Cadance was almost crazed enough to try one of these arrows on herself. Almost. Instead, she clambered onto all fours on the bank, stroked at her twat while she pretended Cornelius ruthlessly pounded her from behind, while the duo continued to breed like beasts.
“Goodness, I...I need more,” mumbled Cadance. What she didn't know was that the animal musk the fawn and satyr expelled, stirred by their desires, were carried on the breeze.
Woodlands critters sniffed the air. Inhaled the sweet scent of fresh, delicious pussy.
The bravest one wandered closer, flared his nostrils when he sniffed. A muscled hulk of an elk, a titan among his kind, adorned by massive antlers and a penis swollen to full erectness after he'd sniffed the aroma of aroused cunt. Closer he trotted, Cadance blissfully unaware while she wiggled her heart-shaped bare ass back-and-forth, with fuckholes made to be bred on full, lewd display.
The beast, his trot unheard by the squelches of Cadance's empty birth canal, reared up and settled his front hooves onto her shoulders. Gasping in surprise and cranining her head back to meet the elk's stare, she felt him settle his weight on her back and pin her in place when he mounted her. Already, she could feel his slick dick brushed over her holes, tease them with her imminent penetration.
He slammed his way into her fuck tunnel, split her open and tickled her slimy inner folds when he sheathed himself completely with one stroke and impacted her cervix. She yelped and tilted forward a bit on the band, her heavy breasts left to sway in a pendulous fashion, when the beast started to rut her into the dirt like a common animal. She couldn't scramble away, forced to take his cock.
Her nails tore into the earth. Tears met the corner of her eyes, a blush on her cheeks.
Worst of all, her pussy constricted around the invader, an emptiness filled by this filthy creature. And not that far away in the pond, Cornelius pounded his bent over sister Panna, oblivious. As Panna's buttcheeks clapped and rippled under his thrusts, she squirted upon his crotch, and he cried out to, pushed to his limit when he finally came and started to pump her womb full.
Not that it stopped either of them, for the moment he spilled his seed and pulled out, Panna turned and met his lips with a nibble. He lifted her to face him, returned to pound her ass when he drove himself up her backside, felt her limbs wrap around him when he continued to take her.
Cadance moaned when she reached the first of many finishes she'd achieve before this was finally over, soaked the dick and balls of the elk that mercilessly laid into her. But that only served to spur on the beast, who slammed his entirety into her, carved open her cunt without relent.
Aware that escape was hopeless, that she wouldn't be free until this monster was satisfied, she submitted to him, face down and ass up, slammed her buttocks back to meet each piston. He hammered away, drooled on her back, drove another messy, slutty spray from her twat.
She sputtered, “How can you not be done yet?” Weren't animals supposed to pump-and-dump their mates? Yet when she craned her head back, and looked into the woods, she spotted a number of collected animals that came to watch, and realized this beast was the 'King of the Forest'. A self-appointed alpha, powerful and virile, who needed to show his complete dominance over intruders.
Thus, he drew out his copulation, made her feel and take every inch of his monstrous cock, broke her brain with bliss and made her scream it aloud. She panted, mouth open, submitted to the alpha beast that made her his bitch and prove his superiority to the rest of his woodland followers.
He worked her hole over. Teased her slippery folds. Battered her cervix and eventually punctured his way directly into her womb, which he also bashed without relent. Her eyes would cross, or roll into her head each time he forced another bout of messy ecstasy from her cunt that splashed into his fur and muscles, stained and marked the beautiful beast that now owned her, mind, body, and soul.
By the time he reared up and triumph and bellowed, sheathed balls deep in her and head cast back, his hips quivered when he pumped his cum directly into her uterus. Her pliable interior swelled, as did her belly, rounded across the dirt and threatened to burst from the excess spunk he packed in.
She could feel each blast of semen hit her womb walls. Drive more, small climaxes from her.
A pop sounded after he finally withdrew. Gaped and ruined, her pussy oozed a mixture of his splooge and her feminine juices, while the elk stood behind her in triumph. Satisfied his seed would take root, he trotted away from her, and the next elk stalked in to take his place. Given no time to rest, she felt another animal dick brush her perineum in an attempt to find a hole to sheathe it.
“Y-you're not done...? Ah-!” With a sharp cry and wide eyes, her anal cherry was popped when a fresh cock sank into her asshole, speared it open, the once sneaky and proud huntress impaled on another beast's cock. He showed her ass no mercy either, clapped her cheeks with wild abandon.
Thanks to her lust arrows, which weren't removed and caused constant feeback between Cornelius and Panna, they fucked and fucked in numerous positions without a care of what happened by the time they noticed the forest had come alive. By now, Panna, sunk to her knees, sucked off her brother's deer cock, tasted a mixture of his cum, precum, and her own female lubricant on him.
His hands sank into his sister's hair, humped into her face, sank his entirety down her throat in a blur of rapid strokes. Her breasts bounced with each stroke, her buttocks left to quiver from the impact each time he railed her face into submission, her lower holes caked in his cum.
Hours faded into the darkness. Cadance lost track of how many elks took her, staked their claim on all her fuckholes, almost choked on the seed one shot into her mouth and spilled from her nostrils. Some of the more impatient, who'd lined up for their turn, instead rubbed their beastly cocks across her voluptuous bodies, throbbed and spattered her in thick packets of cum.
Eventually, she was soaked head-to-toe, forced to close her eyes from the pool of slimy, sticky, runny cum that doused the bukkake baptized bitch. She practically breathed it, swallowed what she could, trapped in a pool of cum while now two elks took her lower holes at once. A thin layer of flesh barely separated their animal rocks, rocked her titties and face into the puddle of spunk.
Hazy eyes stared back at Cornelius and Panna, the latter fucked sideways with her face and tits also caked in cum, his refractory period almost nonexistent due to the love arrows. The fawn's tits swayed and her buttocks rippled from his thrusts as she swished the cum that filled her mouth.
Cadance murmured, “When...when will it end...?” Inevitably, after hours of continuous use she finally passed out, and the horny animals continued to make use of her bodacious body.
After it was over and the dawn broke, the lust arrows had faded into the ether. When awareness returned Cornelius and Panna shared a look of horror, then quickly turned to acceptance when they shared a last, chaste kiss in the middle of the pond. The moon shone on the waters, surrounded by stars that sparkled in the darkness. Their naked, sweaty chests rose-and-fell with each heave.
Panna whispered, “ The moon sure is pretty, isn't it?”
“Yeah,” he replied, felt her hands on his hips and a portion of her buttocks, cradled her own beautiful butt in his palms, aware that they couldn't do this next time. That they'd have no excuse, not possessed by a temporary madness they didn't understand. “You could be knocked up-”
She covered his lips to silence him. “Always the practical one, aren't you? It's fine. I have medicine that can take care of that,” she reassured, since she'd always played the medic when they'd been wounded, learned to turn the forest's secrets to their favor. “I...why does this have to end?”
“You know why,” he replied, crushed her closer to his chest and felt her breasts rise and fall on him while he brushed her hair. “We'll both find suitable mates someday. More like us have to be out there.” They stayed in that position for some time, allowing their hands to wander a little, to knead and squeeze.
Meanwhile, Cadance wobbled to her feet, belly swelled to the brim with cum. Deciding that the relatively small bounties on the siblings weren't worth the trouble anymore, with what dignity she could still muster she slipped away into the forest, thankfully most of the beasts tuckered out.
Gushes of cum met her whenever she rubbed her pleasantly sore holes. She'd played match-maker with her bounties, knew they would've fallen deeply in love, were it not taboo.
Maybe that was her true purpose? She'd decide that later, after she returned home to recuperate.
|
anonpencil
|
562157
| 1 |
Anon,Berry Punch,Original Character,Human,Dark,Romance,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Death,Profanity
|
Something I Wanted
|
Berry Punch is enjoying traveling with Anon, even as her health continues to decline. Still, it's no surprise when an unexpected reminder about her future rears its terrifying, adorable head...
|
complete
| 39 | 5 |
<p>Berry Punch and Anon have traveled to Prance, at long last! They've managed to not get sick on the flight, and they've managed to find a place to stay in a small town on the outskirts of a major city. Everything is going great... but then Berry is shown in shocking, glowing color something that her life is missing.</p><p><b>WARNING:</b> <span class="spoiler">Contains discussions of illness and death, inuendo, and thoughts about pregnancy/childbirth. No death or sex actually takes place.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:0.75em">This story is part of the </span><a href="/story/315651/when-you-least-expect-it" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-size:0.75em">Berry Punch's Broken Love</span></a><span style="font-size:0.75em"> series. You do not need to read the other parts to 'enjoy' this story.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:0.75em">Art by </span><a href="https://derpibooru.org/profiles/Esc" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-size:0.75em">Esc</span></a><span style="font-size:0.75em">. Go give them some love!!!</span></p>
|
teen
|
2024-07-23T01:44:20+00:00
|
2024-07-23T01:49:52+00:00
| 438 |
~*~
Prance is absolutely beautiful, and best of all, it's nothing like I expected. That might be because we're avoiding major cities, of course. You think of Prance, you think of all the postcards, the buildings, the extravagant restaurants, the fashion! But that's... not exactly what we want. For one thing, big cities mean a higher chance of getting sick, which is a no-go for my dear Anon. And for another thing, I like small suburbs and villages. It lets me breathe and think. I'm not so overwhelmed. I can take my time and get to know absolutely every little detail or a place, and I won't leave feeling like I've somehow missed something. It feels a little like home once the last day comes.
I have that here, in this small town. Life is pretty good. I should be happy. I am happy. I can tell myself that as many times as needed in order for it to be true.
And yet...
Anon is over on a small soccer field, absolutely destroying some kids at their own game. From what I can tell where I'm sitting on the sidelines, it's all of them versus him. At the moment, he's completely forgotten that they could get him sick, and that this little game could actually spell the death of him. And to see the smile on his face, I'm completely willing to let him run that risk right now.
The five foals practically hang off of him like streamers as he trudges his way towards the goal. They're shrieking orders to each other to hold him back, or at least I assume so based on their tone. He speaks a little of their language, even if I don't, so I'm sure he's saying plenty of choice words as he shouts things back.
I have my own little dumb grin plastered across my face. It's obvious they are not going to stop him, and as he nears kicking distance to the goal, he lets out a truly villainous laugh.
"It's too late now!" He crows, "I am the ultimate warrior! Take this child scum!"
With that, he nets the ball and all of them fall to the field groaning in defeat. He does a short victory lap around the pile of them, cheering for himself. He'd never admit to showboating or bragging, as he thinks that's tasteless and arrogant. But he's not above poking fun at kids. I applaud with minimal enthusiasm, but an affectionate gaze nonetheless.
"Should have let them stop you!" I call.
He pauses only to reset, as if the kids are going to get back up and actually try another charge after that.
"What, and lie to them? Screw that!" he says with a scoff, "They gotta learn somehow! And here, I actually present a challenge. I feel great!"
"At least be nice," I say with a roll of my eyes.
"When have you ever known me to be nice?"
"All the time. Every day."
"This is lies and slander," he says with a scowl, "I am a true and honest asshole at my core and you know it."
"Sure you are babycakes," I call, sticking out my tongue.
"If you start a nickname war with me, you know I'll win."
I shut my mouth at this warning. He's right, he knows how to make the most absolutely disgusting nicknames, dripping in sugar and saccharine condescension. He'd even dare to do it when I least expect it. In bed. I can hold my own, sure, but once we start trading blows that's a game neither of us wins. He takes my silence for yet another victory, and immediately turns his attention back towards the kids.
"Come on, your ball," he urges them, "Get it past me."
When they stare blankly up at him from the ground, he tries again in their own language. Four of them climb to their hooves, looking bleakly determined at least to try. Another rises much more slowly. As he does, I notice he has a small trickle of blood leaking from his nose. He's not crying, but he does look very uneasy.
"Shit," I mutter.
These are feral children. Their parents are god knows where, doing god knows what, and I doubt any of them would appreciate my boyfriend giving one of their little ones a bloody nose or fat lip. Luckily, I've spent enough time in the hospital and enough time as an anemic person that I know what to do.
"Hey...uh...you... uh..." I gesture futilely at the little colt, and eventually, he looks my way. "Come over here."
I point at the bench on the sidelines next to me, and he gives me a quizzical look. I don't know if he can understand me, but he makes his way over to me, red continuing to snake down from one nostril. I pat the bench with one hoof, and he sits.
"You have a bloody nose," I tell him.
More blank staring.
Shit, I'm awkward around kids as it is. Looks like I'm even more awkward with kids in other languages.
I once more aim for pantomiming, holding my hoof to my nose and wiping it. He follows my motions, but makes no move himself. Well, this is getting me nowhere. I reach into my bag and fish out a small pouch of tissues, something I never leave home without just in case I'm the one with a bloody nose. I think this is the first time I've given it to someone else.
"Here," I say, as gently as I can.
I hold the tissue to his nose and use my hoof to tilt his head towards me slightly. I don't pinch the nose shut, and I don't have him lean back. It's not broken, and I don't see any major swelling. So we just put pressure under the nostril and wait for now. He seems a little surprised at my touch, but he lets me do it.
"See, you're doing ok," I say, gently ruffling the back of his mane as I hold his head into the tissue, "You're going to be just fine."
"Thanks," he says lightly.
I simply stare at him.
"You speak English?" I ask haltingly.
He nods, and it's an effort to keep the tissue pressed against him while he does. Well... okay. That's good news, right? Now we can communicate? Still, I can feel my cheeks flush at how weird I must have acted just moments earlier.
"Ah," I say, unsure what else I can say.
"Not all of it. But some," he goes on.
"Ah." I say again.
"My name is Minuit. It's nice to meet you."
"Berry," I say, "Nice to meet you too."
I extend the hoof I was holding to his head and he shakes it. Yet again, terribly awkward, but at least I've made the kid smile. Now, think, what do adults talk about with children? What do they ask? What do kids like to talk about.
"Um... how old are you, Minuit?" I ask.
Sure, real original.
"I'm five," he says, chest puffing up proudly. "My birthday was last month."
"Well, happy birthday!" I say, brightening. "Five is a very important age you know."
"I know," he says, "My mom says it's... how do you say... that I'm grown now."
"Ah," I say with a knowing nod that I am totally faking, "I get you. You're a big boy now."
"Yes," he says, "I have brothers that are older, but now I'm older too like them. So I have more things I do around the house."
"Well, chores do suck, but they're part of being grown. You'll get used to them."
Another silence. My smile wavers on my lips as I fumble for words again.
"Hey, uh, want to know how I know you're grown?" I blurt out, unsure where I'm even going with this.
"How?"
"You... didn't even cry when you got a bloody nose," I say, relieved that I found anything to say at all, "Takes a lot of bravery not to cry when you get hurt."
He looks up at me with big, blue eyes. They shine. They shine in this pure and empty way I cannot even define or describe. I can feel them, feel that behind them is so much space to fill with new experiences and thoughts. There's an honesty there, of a child who does not fully understand yet what a lie is, what death is, what suffering is. It's so damn beautiful that I feel a tightening in my chest. There's nothing like that look from a child. I'd pay all my savings to have someone look at me that way every day. It makes me feel big. And it makes me feel strong, like I could fight off any monster or evil in the world to protect those eyes.
He blinks, and the spell he's unconsciously weaving is broken.
"Thanks!" he says in a near chirp of pride. "You're really nice. Like my mom is."
That is crushingly adorable and kind. The corners of my mouth crinkle. I can't help it.
"That's lovely, thank you for saying that," I say.
"Do you have any kids here?"
There is a stillness that swoops in inside of me. It makes everything around me go quiet. I don't hear Anon anymore, or the kids trying desperately to get the ball past him. I don't hear my own breathing. I just see those big, honest eyes. Waiting. Expectantly. Say something, Berry. Say something simple, quick, before you get too wrapped up inside yourself.
"Ah...no," I say with a careful, calculated smile that is polite at best, trembling at worst, "I don't have kids."
"But you're nice," he says, tilting his head, "Why don't you have kids?"
Like something slitting open a place within my chest. Parts of me separating and splintering into fine threads of sinew and flesh. A harder thud than usual in my heart, one that reverberates through my whole body so I feel it rattle the back of my skull. That's what this question, in this voice, does to me. And It is all I can do not to show it.
"Well," I hear my own voice say, calmly and evenly, like it's miles away from me, "Some people just don't ever have any kids. And that's ok. Ok?"
"Ok," he says, but he's frowning. He's studying my face.
I smile. It's all I can do. I order my body to hold still, I order my eyes to stay dry. My body, slowly decaying and fraying at the edges, chooses this moment to obey me and for once I am grateful to it. It doesn't grant me many favors like this. I must not let this child see any evidence of what I am feeling right now, of the thoughts coursing through me like blood. He must not know. I felt like I could fight off any evils and monsters away from the innocence and honesty I see in him. This is one of the strongest monsters I can imagine, and I will be my bravest right now.
I pull the tissue away from his face, and no fresh red springs forth. The bleeding has stopped, no big deal, just like I thought. He's probably ready to go back out on the field, have more fun. Around me, I can hear sounds beginning to become real again, like time is gradually twisting itself back into motion. My frozen moment is thawing. I've weathered winter.
"Are you sad?" he asks me quietly.
I hate myself. In this moment I hate myself so very deeply. I thought I hid it better. I thought I covered it up. I smile harder, with a guttural effort like it's a battle cry.
"No," I tell him, but my voice isn't as steady as before. "Now, you're all mended. Why don't you go back and play with Anon?"
"Ok," he says.
He gets up off the bench and turns to go.
"Wait," I say, not entirely knowing why I've said this. "One last thing you gotta do."
I mean... yes I do know. I want to hug this child. I want him to hug me back. I want, for a brief moment, to feel like my small kindness mattered, that he won't forget me in an hour's time. I want him to know that he is small, and cared about, and protected, and has such a beautiful bright future ahead of him. I want to feel that in my grasp too. Just for a moment.
"...up top!"
Quickly, I hold my hoof up high, and put on my best signature smirk. He lights up too, and has to jump into the air to reach my hoof with an exaggerated slap. The sound of his small giggle of satisfaction haunts me as he turns and trots away back to the group.
I can only watch him go as the feeling of longing refuses to let go of me. I bite my cheek to keep the tears away. Physical pain is gentle enough right now that it soothes me, and I don't even feel bad about it.
I have never been great with kids. I'm too vulgar. I swear too much, I have no filter, and I don't water things down like I should. I talk to them like they're little adults. I'm not afraid to bark out a short, sharp, yell to get their attention. I'm not gentle enough with my mannerisms. I don't know how to be a good role model. I don't know when to give a hug and when not to.
And yet, as I've been sitting here, watching Anon, knowing I should be happy... I hurt. I've been aching this whole time, deep down, but now it's at the surface and I can't ignore it. It's a primal hurt, something I can't argue with or logic away. I can only sit with it and let it simmer until some part of me turns entirely to steam and lifts away. In this moment, having heard this little foal's questions, I feel full of boiling regret, and yet so empty.
So very, very empty.
There's a physical part of myself, a small section in my abdomen that feels hollow right now, and I place my hoof across it protectively. I want to crush it into me, until it merges and becomes whole again. But I know it won't. It can't. It never will. In an awful, honest way, I know I'll never be properly whole the way I want to be.
Some people aren't meant to have things. I wasn't meant to have this. Sure, I could try to make it happen but with my... situation. It wouldn't be fair. It wouldn't be right. They'd be alone, with no one there for them in a year or two. Before they would even remember my face. And who's to say I even COULD with Anon. We are certainly compatible when it comes to sex, but genetically, who's to say? That's even if he ever wanted this.
We've honestly never discussed it. I think we both knew it was never an option for us, given that we're both time bombs with explosion imminent. There's even a chance he never wanted kids to begin with and hates them, though from what I've seen on the soccer field, I deeply doubt that. I can see a sort of compassion and instinct in him too, even now. But I'll never ask him. I think it would hurt me ten times more if I knew he wanted this too, once upon a time. I couldn't bear to have yet another tragedy in common with him.
I don't really deserve to have this, anyway. I might have, once, but that went away so quickly. I wasn't ready then. I guess I'll never be ready, not really, even if I feel ready in this moment. I've wrecked my body so much by this point. It's probably not hospitable to another life form. Even if that life form was made up partially of me.
Who'd want to be made up partially of me, anyway?
For an instant, I feel so very ugly. I feel old. I feel worn out. I feel every second ticking by so much faster than it should. I wish I had more time. I wish I had enough time to nurture, and raise, and celebrate, and cherish. I wish I had time to watch my belly swell and fill out. I wish I had time to see large, honest, empty eyes stare up at me as if I'm the whole world and even more than that. I have always wished this. Even when I was little, holding a dolly, watching my own mother make breakfast. Even then. I always planned this until...
No. I have to stop. I can't keep wishing and wanting things that I'm not meant to have. I have to let this go. I have to let this go right now, before I'm sucked down into this feeling. My path is set, I can't wander, can't muse over what ifs anymore. I have to realize, have to feel the answer like a slab of cement, sealing off that empty place inside of me:
A finality. The word 'never.'
I blink, and feel the tears threaten. The back of my hoof moves up subconsciously and pushes them away before they can begin any sort of flood. I swallow several times, until my mouth starts to feel dry again.
Never. Say it again. Say it until you stop hoping for a miracle.
I take a few deep breaths. I breathe out through my nose in one long sigh.
Never.
My shoulders unclench, and I realize I've been holding them so taught that my back hurts all the way down to my tail.
Never.
I shut my eyes. Count the letters. Sound out both syllables. Feel the essence of the words. Absorb them in until they're a part of me, running through my veins.
Never.
Until that word is a summary of my very existence. Breathe it in. Breathe it out. Be it.
Never.
When I open my eyes again, I see Anon coming over to me at an easy lope. I give him a half-smile, liking how wild his hair looks and how his cheeks are flushed with the exertion of child-wrangling. He's still so handsome to me. I try not to guess if he's more handsome right now, given the context of what he was just doing. He smiles back at me, still looking self-congratulatory about the absolute stomping he pulled off out there.
"All done being a bad example of sportsmanship?" I say.
"Nah," he says with a shrug, "I'm heading right back out to give them another round, teach them what 'resilience' really means."
Of course, I should have known the kids would quit before he would.
"Then what's up?
"One of the little guys out there said I should come talk to you."
I tilt my head, feeling a sudden lurch of anticipation in my throat.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, said I should check on you for some reason. Was there something you wanted?"
Oh.
Something I wanted.
Was there? Was there something I wanted?
Anon's face falls, his levity gone. I continue to smile as hard as I can up at him as he reaches down to hug me, and I'm grateful he's so much bigger than me. That way, his body can block the view the children have of me. That way, they won't see me starting to cry.
-END-
|
KitoKitoKito
|
562165
| 1 |
Rainbow Dash,Twilight Sparkle,Porn,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Fetish,Profanity,Sex
|
Rainbow Dash's Diaper Desperation
|
Rainbow Dash has gone a bit too far with her pranking... so, Twilight decides to teach her a very embarrassing lesson!
|
incomplete
| 32 | 49 |
<p><i>Rainbow Dash is well-known for constantly pulling pranks on her friends, but one day, Twilight decided she’d had enough - it was about time she had a little payback. So, Twilight set up a little prank of her own… and that prank turned into something far more humiliating for Rainbow than she ever could’ve expected. Not only is she forced to wear a diaper, but she’s not allowed to use the bathroom… Rainbow Dash is going to have a very humiliating time.</i></p><p>Hello, pegasi and alicorns! This story is the first part of a series that I was commissioned to write, in which Rainbow Dash is forced by Twilight Sparkle to wear a diaper, and to use it~ In this story, Rainbow tries her best to hold in her bladder. Will she be able to keep from embarrassing herself by wetting her diaper~? Twilight’s teasing is going to make it difficult~</p><p>If you enjoy this story, please consider commissioning me! Click here for more info: <a href="https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57109063/" rel="nofollow"><a href="https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57109063/" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration:underline">https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57109063/</a></a></p><p>And also consider checking me out on Patreon! You can get access to tons of exclusive content and early releases for just $5 a month, with a backlog that has been growing for over two years of nearly weekly uploads!</p><p>Check the description of each chapter to see what kinks are included in each chapter - some chapters will contain different content, so make sure you read the description to make sure you'll enjoy them!</p>
|
mature
|
2024-07-23T19:58:47+00:00
|
2024-07-23T19:58:47+00:00
| 775 |
It was another cold day of winter in Ponyville. The Hearth’s Warming festivities were coming to a close; like any other year, the celebration had been fun and joyous, but the population of Ponyville was happy to prepare for the ushering in of spring, though there were a few weeks left before that time really came.
However, Rainbow Dash wasn’t planning to move on so quickly.
This winter, she’d made her own little “advent calendar” of pranks she was pulling on a multitude of ponies, especially targeting her closest friends. She’d meticulously planned each one, which wasn’t like her - planning wasn’t exactly her forte. But she wanted to make this a legendary season of mischief, and she’d succeeded. This wasn’t the end, though - there was still one more, one last prank that would catch its subject entirely off-guard due to it being done after the advent calendar should’ve already ended.
Unfortunately for Rainbow Dash, the subject of this prank, Twilight Sparkle, was already a step ahead of her.
One day, after making sure Rainbow Dash was fully distracted with one of her pranks, Twilight flew up to her house, snuck in, and found her plans, hoping to get back at her when she least expected it. This last prank was the perfect time for this payback.
The alicorn was under her bed, biding her time, patiently waiting for Dash to begin the prank. It was the most complicated prank yet: the pegasus was going to bring clouds into Twilight’s house while she was supposed to be gone for princess business, making the whole castle foggy. Then, Rainbow would jump out and scare Twilight, like she was in a horror novel. She had to admit, it was a little bit clever, but not clever enough.
Twilight heard her window open, followed by sneaky hoofsteps on the ground; Rainbow entered, a clearly mischievous look on her face, her teeth clenching a large cloud that she quickly ranked through the window frame. Any second, she would set off the trap…
“AGH!” A few vaguely magical sounds rang out in the room, accompanied by a distressed scream from Rainbow. Twilight snickered, crawling out from under the bed; she casually swept the cloud back outside using her magic, and then looked at her prey.
“Wow, Rainbow Dash - looks like you really should’ve watched where you’re going~” She chuckled. Rainbow Dash was bound to the ground, held down by a number of purple-ish, translucent, magical chains. “I wasn’t sure if leaving the rune circle out in the open was going to work, but I should’ve figured you’d be too focused on your prank to watch where you were going.”
“Twilight, what did you do!?” Rainbow asked, ruffling and squirming, trying to get out from the trap, though it was futile, of course. “How did you know I was going to be here?!”
“Don’t worry about that - all you need to know is that you should be more careful when you’re trying to prank me~” Twilight’s horn glowed. “We like your pranks, but you did way too many this winter - we’re getting tired of them. So, I figured I’d teach you a little lesson~”
“Alright, alright! Lesson learned!” Rainbow blushed; she’d probably gotten a bit too excited and went overboard. It wasn’t anything new for her. “Now please undo these chains, they’re making my back itch!!”
“Oh no, we’re not done yet~” A disposable white diaper floated out from under Twilight’s bed, unused and clean, fresh out of the packaging. It unfolded itself and drifted towards Rainbow, surrounded by Twilight’s magic. “Sorry, but I really want to make sure this one sticks, Dashie~” The diaper floated to Rainbow Dash’s backside as she squirmed even harder.
“Woah, hey, what are you doing with that thing!? Twilight, this is weird!” The diaper began to wrap itself around Rainbow’s arse. “There’s no way I’m going to wear this thing! You’ve gotta be kidding me!!” Despite her struggling and protesting, the diaper was soon strapped tight to Rainbow’s behind. To seal the deal, Twilight blasted a shot of magic at it, causing the straps to bind together with a small purple padlock.
“You’re not getting a choice this time~” A purple brace appeared around Rainbow’s back hoof, and a set of chains wrapped around her body, tying down her wings. “And with that, you won’t be able to leave the walls of my castle, or fly~ Plus, I’ll know where you are at all times~” She smirked; the chains dissipated, aside from the ones wrapped around Rainbow’s body, holding her wings down. “Be a good girl, and this won’t have to last too long~”
“This is insane, Twilight!” Rainbow tugged at the diaper, but to no avail. “This is a complete overreaction to a harmless prank!”
“Hmm… well, maybe it is… but that’s not really the point. I mostly just wanted to mess with you~” Twilight approached Rainbow Dash and lifted her chin, holding her face up to Twilight’s face. “We’re going to have a lot of fun together, Rainbow Dash~”
Rainbow blushed harder; Twilight might’ve been the same size as her, but right then, the alicorn felt a whole lot bigger and taller. She gulped. “This is going to last for a while… isn’t it?”
“Ha! Without a doubt.” Twilight moved her hoof and walked past Rainbow Dash, reaching out and touching the diaper as she did so, hearing it crinkle under the pressure. “You really look ridiculous right now~ I wonder what the Wonderbolts would think if they saw this~”
Rainbow bit her lip. “Please don’t let anypony else see me like this…”
“As long as you’re good, I’ll make sure nopony else sees you… probably~” She closed her eyes and concentrated; a magical collar with a leash attached appeared around Rainbow’s neck. “Come on - I have some chores I need to do. I’m not letting you out of my sight until… well, you’ll find out~”
Rainbow tried to pull off the collar, but it stayed right where it was. “Come on, you’re treating me like one of Applejack’s farm animals!”
“I’ll stop treating you like a farm animal when you stop acting like one~” She grabbed the leash with her magic and pulled Rainbow Dash along; the pegasus quickly began walking to avoid being tugged down the hallway.
And, as Rainbow was walked towards the castle’s library, Rainbow had a sudden and very unfortunate realization. “Um… Twilight?”
“Yes, Rainbow Dash?”
“How am I supposed to use the bathroom in this?” Rainbow bit her lip; already, her hind legs were beginning to quiver. It wasn’t a detail she’d normally divulge, but her bladder was already starting to get quite full. “Are you going to take it off every time I need to?”
Twilight chuckled, stopping to turn back to the pony. “Oh, poor Rainbow Dash~ What do you think a diaper is for? You can use the bathroom anytime you’d like, but that diaper isn’t coming off no matter what~”
“Wait, I have to actually use the diaper, too!?” Rainbow’s entire face turned red. “And right in front of you!? That’s so embarrassing!”
“I would normally say something about how you don’t have to worry about me judging you for something like that, but, well… yes, you’re right. It is very embarrassing.” Twilight’s smile was uncharacteristically mischievous and a bit horny; she was enjoying this a lot already. “And I’m going to make sure I never forget how you look when you finally do it~”
“Twilight… Y-you aren’t being serious, right? This has to be a joke - I’m sure you’re going to let me take this thing off when I actually need to use the bathroom.”
“You’ll find out whether I’m joking or not soon enough~” She began walking again, still pulling Rainbow Dash along. “Come on~”
—-------------------------
The walk wasn’t too bad at first, minus the heavy weight of the humiliation burning in Rainbow Dash’s cheeks. This went beyond anything embarrassing she’d ever experienced before - even the Wonderbolts’ hazing wasn’t nearly this bad. She almost believed this was a dream… or, at least, she hoped it was a dream.
The walk got much worse as it went on, due to Rainbow’s bladder seeming to get more and more desperate to release its contents. She could tell it was filled to the brim with urine; she couldn’t help but keep her head down and try to keep her thighs pressed close together, her hind legs quivering from the struggle. Intermittent pings of pain rushed through her body, all centering on her bladder. “Twilight, I-I really need to use the bathroom…”
“I’m not stopping you~” the princess responded, leading Rainbow Dash into the library, a grand room filled with novels and tomes - practically heaven for Twilight. “Do it whenever you’d like~” She dragged the desperate pony over to one of the armchairs, slipping the leash under one of the chair’s legs so that Rainbow wouldn’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Her horn glowed, and books that had previously been sitting in piles on the floor began to rearrange themselves on the shelves.
“Like… r-right now?” Rainbow couldn’t move far from the chair at all; the leash was barely five feet long. She paced back and forth, trying to distract herself from her need to urinate. Her back legs were shaking even harder now; there was a constant ache in her pelvis. She’d never needed to go this badly before, and it was really starting to seem like she wouldn’t be able to hold it. It completely went against her ideals and her image of herself to have an “accident” like that - she focused as much as she could on holding it in, eventually sitting in place with her back hooves slightly spread, her front hooves pressed against her crotch, crinkling the diaper and putting pressure on the area. Sweat beaded on her forehead. “If I do end up… y’know… wouldn’t it make a mess?”
“Not with that diaper on - it should absorb everything. And if not, I’ll just have you clean it up.” Twilight pulled a book from the shelf; the front cover read, ‘An Advanced Guide To Pony Bondage,’ one of many in a series by the BDSM-focused author, Moonscribe.
“Huh… I never expected you to have something like that in your library,” Rainbow teased, trying to take control of the situation. “Looks like you aren’t as pure as you seem.”
“Are you really that surprised~?” Twilight responded, snickering. “Where did you think I learned about this stuff from? Don’t worry - you’re going to get a chance to learn a bit, too~ In fact…” Twilight put the book down and stood up, walking over to Rainbow and using a hoof to move one of her front hooves aside. She got up in Rainbow’s face, far too close for comfort. “You look like you’re really struggling~ You look cute with your legs shaking like that~”
“T-Twilight!!” Rainbow blushed; she tried to back away, but the leash kept her in place.
“Getting close to losing control~?” Her horn was slowly enveloped in purplish light. “Why don’t I make it a little bit easier for you~?” Ropes of purple appeared in thin air and quickly tied themselves around the pony; first, they attached to Rainbow’s front hooves, pulling them behind her back and tying them tightly together. Second, they grabbed onto her hind hooves, one rope for each, pulling them apart. “There we go~” She prodded Rainbow’s crotch; the pegasus squirmed, trying desperately to hold it in still, but this position made it far harder. If she was in a battle with her bladder, then Twilight had just stripped her of all her weapons and armor. The open position made her body feel naturally inclined to let out what it was holding back. “It’s only going to get harder the more you resist~ Why don’t you just let it out and relieve yourself~?”
“Nnngh…” Rainbow’s limbs were held tightly; she couldn’t move an inch. “Twilight, please, I-I really don’t think I can hold it for much longer!”
“That’s fine with me~” The alicorn pulled a footrest over and sat in her armchair, laying her hind hooves across the rest and sitting loftily, looking down on Rainbow Dash with a dominant and mighty gaze, a look that you’d expect a pony to give to a cute bug, something lowly but entertaining. “I told you, this isn’t a joke~”
Rainbow lowered her head bashfully; she kept squirming and moving, her hind legs now fully quaking. Her bladder felt like it was going to pop open. “Oh no…” she murmured to herself. She bit her lip and focused all of her mind on holding it, even as the pain increased; she could feel the urine moving through her system, getting closer to her slit, rushing to the point of release with expediency. She had to keep pulling it back, again and again, as though it were an animal that refused to simply be tamed.
But eventually, it wasn’t enough.
Her whole body shivered; she felt the liquid breach her defenses, the lightest little leak of urine making it out of her slit and touching the diaper. And with that, her dam was entirely broken - her efforts to hold it back were rendered entirely futile as her body forced itself into a state of relief and relaxation, emptying her bladder, regardless of how she felt about it. She let out a loud, involuntary sigh of relief, her face glowing like a red star, as urine flooded her diaper.
It was warm and wet, as to be expected; it felt weird against her body, and it also felt so wrong to be doing this, like she was breaking a taboo, but she couldn’t help it. At the same time, the relief was so strong, she couldn’t help but enjoy it, huffing and panting from the effort of holding it back. The light sound of the stream pittering against the diaper material filled the library as Twilight smiled wider, chuckling as she watched the experience. “I knew you weren’t going to make it much longer~” the alicorn teased.
The diaper slowly turned to a golden yellow hue on the outside; the ropes on Rainbow’s front hooves disappeared, letting her cover her face in embarrassment, though Twilight still made sure the diaper was in full view. It turned to a darker shade, getting more and more full, the pissing taking almost an entire minute before it finally trickled out. “Aww, poor Rainbow Dash~ Looks like someone had a little… accident~” Twilight stood from her armchair and approached again, chuckling sinisterly.
“I-I…” Rainbow was so embarrassed, she could hardly get a word out of her mouth. “P-please don’t tell anypony…”
“Poor, poor Rainbow Dash~ Don’t you worry - I won’t let anypony know that you peed yourself right in front of me~” The alicorn giggled. “You look so much cuter this way, you know~”
The pegasus felt like she was on fire; the embarrassment was unlike anything she’d ever experienced before. She was almost on the verge of tears. “I-is this enough? Can I finally take this off?”
“Hmm… I don’t know…” Twilight held a hoof to her mouth and smiled, showing her teeth. “I think it’s going to take a while longer before I’m sure you’ve really learned your lesson. Sorry, Rainbow Dash… but I think you’d better get used to wearing a diaper~”
“How long do I have to wear this?” Rainbow asked, not quite as confident as usual.
Twilight put a hoof on top of the pegasus’ head and pushed it down to the ground, stepping on it, making it so Rainbow had to look straight up to see the princess towering over him. “Until I’m satisfied~ And, unfortunately for you, I think that’s going to take a while~” All of the binding on Rainbow, except for that on her wings and the diaper, disappeared, only to quickly be replaced with a chain attached to the ground. “I’ll change your diaper eventually… but I want to see more than just you pissing~”
“You don’t mean…” Rainbow shuddered, standing and stepping back as Twilight removed her hoof.
“I do~” Twilight sat back in her chair, opening the book again. “Good luck~”
|
KitoKitoKito
|
562165
| 2 |
Rainbow Dash,Twilight Sparkle,Porn,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Fetish,Profanity,Sex
|
Rainbow Dash's Diaper Desperation
|
Rainbow Dash has gone a bit too far with her pranking... so, Twilight decides to teach her a very embarrassing lesson!
|
incomplete
| 32 | 49 |
<p><i>Rainbow Dash is well-known for constantly pulling pranks on her friends, but one day, Twilight decided she’d had enough - it was about time she had a little payback. So, Twilight set up a little prank of her own… and that prank turned into something far more humiliating for Rainbow than she ever could’ve expected. Not only is she forced to wear a diaper, but she’s not allowed to use the bathroom… Rainbow Dash is going to have a very humiliating time.</i></p><p>Hello, pegasi and alicorns! This story is the first part of a series that I was commissioned to write, in which Rainbow Dash is forced by Twilight Sparkle to wear a diaper, and to use it~ In this story, Rainbow tries her best to hold in her bladder. Will she be able to keep from embarrassing herself by wetting her diaper~? Twilight’s teasing is going to make it difficult~</p><p>If you enjoy this story, please consider commissioning me! Click here for more info: <a href="https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57109063/" rel="nofollow"><a href="https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57109063/" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration:underline">https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57109063/</a></a></p><p>And also consider checking me out on Patreon! You can get access to tons of exclusive content and early releases for just $5 a month, with a backlog that has been growing for over two years of nearly weekly uploads!</p><p>Check the description of each chapter to see what kinks are included in each chapter - some chapters will contain different content, so make sure you read the description to make sure you'll enjoy them!</p>
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mature
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2024-07-23T20:00:29+00:00
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2024-08-01T17:49:03+00:00
| 434 |
Rainbow Dash was not the type of pony who enjoyed sitting around doing nothing.
In fact, she was the exact opposite. To her, sitting around and doing nothing was basically on par with being dead - she couldn’t stand it. Boredom was torture. She’d do anything to entertain herself.
But right then, all she could bring herself to do was sit silently.
Rainbow Dash had just done something that was the exact opposite of cool: she’d pissed herself, while wearing a diaper, right in front of Twilight. And what’s worse, Twilight had clearly enjoyed it… and she wanted Rainbow Dash to go even further.
It had only been a few minutes since the first accident. Rainbow Dash was lying on the ground, trying not to look at Twilight, her whole face red as a strawberry. Her diaper was still full and used; the bright yellow, lemonade-like hue was a clear indicator that it was far from clean. The warmth and dampness, along with the squishing sensation it made whenever she moved, grossed the pony out, just reminding her of her humiliation. “Come on, Twilight, can’t I at least put on a new diaper?”
“Don’t make me put a muzzle on you, too,” Twilight threatened, sipping a cup of coffee. “I told you - I’m not changing you yet. I’ll change it once you’ve made full use of it.”
“Ugh, what does that even mean!?” The pegasus rolled onto her back in frustration. “Twilight, this is horrible!”
“You’re gonna figure out what it means soon enough~”
As if on cue, Rainbow Dash felt a bit of pressure in her digestive system, especially focused on her stomach. Her embarrassment only grew as she realized what it was - she normally wouldn’t have felt any sense of shame about this, but in her current situation, it was hard not to. “Twilight… I really need to use the bathroom…” the pegasus said, turning to look up at her friend. Twilight was like a princess sitting on her throne. “Like, really badly this time. Worse than before.”
“Ah, finally.” Twilight closed her book; her horn began to glow brighter. “I was waiting for this~”
Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened in fear when she saw the alicorn’s horn glow; she was beginning to associate that with being bound and tied in different ways. “Um, y-you’re going to let me actually use the bathroom now, right? Making me… do… this…” she motioned to her bright-yellow diaper, “Was bad enough. You aren’t going to make me do that, too, r-right?” She sounded unsure as she spoke; she had little confidence at this point. Twilight’s humiliation was ruthless.
“I’m not going to make you do anything~” A magical bar formed between Rainbow’s hind legs and between her forelegs. Each bar had a shackle on the end, which quickly connected to the ankle of the corresponding leg, and stretched them out, holding them firmly in place while spreading them wide. Her body slowly floated from Twilight’s magic until it was in a standing position, and she then floated in front of the armchair, the hoofrest moving out of the way to make room for the pegasus. Twilight propped her legs on Rainbow Dash’s back, using her as her new hoofrest. “But, well, I’m not letting you take your diaper off… and I want to make sure you stay close, so I’m not letting you move too much either~” A magic rope tied Rainbow’s tail down to her legs, and then collared and leashed her head yet again. The alicorn placed the leash underneath of her on the chair. “You make for very comfortable furniture~” Twilight said, snickering. “Rarity would love this. Maybe I should give her some ideas~”
“Twilight…” Rainbow Dash couldn’t even squirm like this; she was being weighed down by Twilight’s hooves, her own hooves entirely restricted, even her tail and head unable to move. “I-I don’t think I can hold it that long. If this is a joke, this would be a good time to wrap it up!” The pressure was increasing; she felt an ache in her stomach. Instinctually, she wanted to put a hoof to her belly, but she couldn’t, of course. All she could do was stand and let it happen, let the pressure build and mount. Even clenching her rear wasn’t doing much to stop it; her defenses were slowly waning, slowly being broken, as her body kept pushing.
“Do you really think I would do all of this for a joke~?” Twilight snickered. “Don’t try to hold it in - I’m a very patient pony. I’ll happily sit here, all day, using my new, fuzzy hoofrest, while you stay in that position, all bound up by metal bars and ropes~ I’m sure that’s not too comfortable - I’ll undo it, as soon as you just let it out~” Indeed, Rainbow was in an incredibly uncomfortable position. The worst part was her hind legs being spread - it made it nearly impossible to hold anything back. All she could do was use her sheer force of will to stop her guts from emptying themselves into the damp material of the once-white diaper… and that willpower was not doing well for her at that moment.
The pressure mounted; she focused, letting out little groans, as her stomach continued to ache. Her body was begging her for relief, even harder than it had before, and it wasn’t going to hesitate to break through her resistance if it needed to. At this point, it was really only a matter of time until the pegasus finally lost all control… right in front of Twilight… for the second time. She closed her eyes tight and gritted her teeth. “Twilight… p-please, please let me use the bathroom!”
“Nope~” the alicorn simply replied. “Like I said, you should just let it out~ It’ll be so much easier that way.” She closed her book. “In fact… it seems like your body’s getting pretty close to listening to my advice, regardless of whether or not you want it to~”
Again, Rainbow’s legs were shaking; she breathed heavily, sweat dripping down her face. “Ah… I-I can’t hold it!” she proclaimed, her rear shivering and shaking. “Twilight!!”
“Call my name all you want - it won’t change anything. It is cute, though~”
“Hnngh…” She let out one last simple grunt as she tried to hold it back… but her muscles were now ignoring her brain. Suddenly, the pressure began to move… and then it began to decrease…and Rainbow stopped shaking, suddenly letting out a mix between a sigh and a moan in relief. Mildly wet sounds filled the quiet air as her diaper bulged out, suddenly turning a dark shade of chocolatey brown on some parts outside, though still retaining the yellow in other spots. She bit her lip and kept her eyes closed, wishing she could hide her face or fly away, as her diaper began to sag and expand, swelling as it got fuller with each passing moment.
“Hahaha~!” Twilight laughed out loud, getting up and running to look at Rainbow’s backside. “I can’t believe it - you actually did it~” She covered her nose as the horrid scent filled the air. She’d never seen Rainbow Dash in such a pathetic, humiliating state. “Oh, you poor thing~ You’re like a foal who can’t find her mother~” She walked to Rainbow’s front, laughing at her ever-brightening blush. “Aww, did poor Rainbow Dash have a little accident~? Does somepony need to have their diaper changed~?”
“T-twilight…” Rainbow’s voice was squeaky; she looked away from Twilight in shame, only for the alicorn to put a hoof against Rainbow’s face and move it back.
“You’re so cute like this, you know that~?” Twilight giggled. “Ahh, I wasn’t going to take any pictures, but…” A camera floated into the room; the alicorn held it in her hooves. “I have to get at least one~” SNAP! The alicorn took a quick photo of the scene, an instant film picture soon coming out. “I’m going to be keeping this~”
“P-please don’t let anyone else see this…” Rainbow bit her lip, opening her eyes a bit, just to see Twilight’s dominant, confident, sadistic expression.
“Don’t worry, Rainbow - I’m keeping this all to myself. Not a single other pony will know about it, I promise~” The picture floated back into her room, along with the camera. “Well… I might tell our other close friends that I had some fun toying around with you, but I’ll leave out the details on the diaper and your unfortunate little accidents~ Unless, of course, you decide you want more from all of us after getting taste~”
“No way,” Rainbow Dash immediately responded, shaking her head. “I can’t imagine ever wanting to do this again.”
“We’ll see how long you stick with that~” The bars between Rainbow’s hooves disappeared, as did the rope on her tail, though the leash remained. “Come on - let’s go to the bathroom. I’ll wash you off and get you a nice, fresh diaper~”
“W-wait, I have to put on another one!?” Rainbow’s mouth fell open. “Twilight, please, I swear I’ve learned my lesson! I’ll never prank you again, I promise!”
“It’s not about that, Rainbow Dash - I just want you to be a little more mindful about spacing your pranks out so that they don’t get overwhelming. A little prank here and there is fine, but an entire month makes it excessive and annoying. Maybe you’ll get what I mean after you’ve been forced to use diapers for, say… I was just going to do 24 hours originally, but let’s try a week~”
“A week!? Twilight, I have things I need to do! I can’t go around performing with the Wonderbolts in a diaper!”
“You don’t need to worry about that - I already called and said you’d come down with a bad flu. They’ll manage without you for a little bit, and when I’m done with you, you can go right back~” Twilight grabbed the leash and pulled Rainbow along, toward the bathroom. “Come on~”
“Mmm…” Rainbow put her head down and followed, still in disbelief. She already felt like she’d experienced one of the worst things she could imagine, and now, she was being told she’d have to deal with it for a whole week. But, then again… at least it was Twilight, her close friend, and not somepony else. At this point, she probably should’ve been questioning her friendship with Twilight… but it wasn’t like this was their first time doing kinky stuff. The mane six as a whole had explored some more sensual stuff together in the recent past; Rainbow Dash should’ve realized that Twilight’s teasing wasn’t a joke. No matter how much Twilight dominated the pegasus, Rainbow still saw her as a very close friend… and a very hot one, too, to the point where it would be difficult for Twilight to do anything that could make Rainbow feel otherwise. Even when the alicorn was going as far as to humiliate her to this extent. That didn’t stop it from feeling like a punishment, though, and that was obviously the princess’ intent.
“Here we are.” Twilight tied the leash to the bathroom’s handle on the outside. “Wait here for a second - I need to use the bathroom~” She put plenty of emphasis on that statement, making sure to rub it in.
Rainbow grumbled as the alicorn went in; she tried not to listen to the sounds of Twilight enjoying her time in the bathroom, but the loud flushing was difficult not to notice as the pegasus sat in her full, dirty, used diaper. Eventually, the alicorn came out, flipping her mane, looking refreshed and satisfied, even letting out an exhale of relief. “Do you really have to rub it in so much?”
“Of course~ I’m not the one who needs to be punished, am I?” She pulled Rainbow into the bathroom. “Hop into the shower for me.”
Rainbow did as instructed; she instinctively went to use her wings for that action, but of course, they were still bound, resulting in only a lame, sad little jump. Twilight put a hoof to her mouth as if trying to hide her obvious amusement; Rainbow stepped in, successfully this time.
“There we go,” Twilight said. She used her magic to remove the diaper, the padlock unclicking and disappearing. The water turned on; Rainbow went to start cleaning herself, but as she did, she froze in place, Twilight’s magic paralyzing her whole body. “Hold on~” Twilight stepped into the shower, grabbing the shampoo and putting it on her hooves. “I can’t let you clean yourself - how can I trust you to do that when you can’t even hold in your own waste~?”
“Twilight, you can’t be serious. I haven’t had another pony clean me since I was a foal!” She sheepishly looked back at the purple pony, who was now rubbing shampoo into the pegasus’ lower back.
“You probably haven’t used a diaper since you were a foal, either, but that isn’t stopping me~” She moved her hooves down, nearing Rainbow’s private parts. Even if they didn’t normally wear clothes, ponies still tended to consider those parts more private; Rainbow’s heart sped up, her blush glowing radiantly.
“T-Twilight, b-be careful back there!”
“Oh, oops.” The alicorn moved her hooves back. “Do you mind, Rainbow? I won’t touch you there if you’re not comfortable with it. But if you let me, I think you’ll enjoy it~”
If Rainbow possibly could’ve blushed harder at this point, she would’ve. She gulped. “I’m surprised you’d make me use a diaper against my will, but you’d still ask about that…”
“I still care about you, Rainbow - I wouldn’t touch you in that way without your permission. The diaper is different, trust me - that’s just a bit of harmless bullying~”
Rainbow wasn’t sure she agreed with Twilight’s assessment… but still… “Y-you can… g-go ahead…”
“Perfect~” She soon rubbed her hooves down Rainbow’s crotch, passing over her privates; the pegasus bit her lip, careful not to let out any sounds of pleasure or enjoyment, even though the alicorn’s touch to such a sensitive area sent shivers up her spine in the perfect way. Though, before she knew it, it was over; Twilight had cleaned her off, including her rear and privates, and the alicorn even went to the effort of drying her off by hoof, no magic required. “There we are~ Good as new~”
“Does that mean we’re done?” Rainbow asked, hopefully.
“Nope!” Suddenly, a new diaper flew into the bathroom, and immediately wrapped around Rainbow’s privates. “But for today, I’ll let you off the hook. We do need to have dinner, though… and I’m going to make sure you get plenty to drink~ I can’t have you leaving that diaper dry tomorrow~”
Rainbow shuddered; this was barely even the beginning. She had a long way to go before this would finally be over.
|
KitoKitoKito
|
562165
| 3 |
Rainbow Dash,Twilight Sparkle,Porn,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Fetish,Profanity,Sex
|
Rainbow Dash's Diaper Desperation
|
Rainbow Dash has gone a bit too far with her pranking... so, Twilight decides to teach her a very embarrassing lesson!
|
incomplete
| 32 | 49 |
<p><i>Rainbow Dash is well-known for constantly pulling pranks on her friends, but one day, Twilight decided she’d had enough - it was about time she had a little payback. So, Twilight set up a little prank of her own… and that prank turned into something far more humiliating for Rainbow than she ever could’ve expected. Not only is she forced to wear a diaper, but she’s not allowed to use the bathroom… Rainbow Dash is going to have a very humiliating time.</i></p><p>Hello, pegasi and alicorns! This story is the first part of a series that I was commissioned to write, in which Rainbow Dash is forced by Twilight Sparkle to wear a diaper, and to use it~ In this story, Rainbow tries her best to hold in her bladder. Will she be able to keep from embarrassing herself by wetting her diaper~? Twilight’s teasing is going to make it difficult~</p><p>If you enjoy this story, please consider commissioning me! Click here for more info: <a href="https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57109063/" rel="nofollow"><a href="https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57109063/" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration:underline">https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57109063/</a></a></p><p>And also consider checking me out on Patreon! You can get access to tons of exclusive content and early releases for just $5 a month, with a backlog that has been growing for over two years of nearly weekly uploads!</p><p>Check the description of each chapter to see what kinks are included in each chapter - some chapters will contain different content, so make sure you read the description to make sure you'll enjoy them!</p>
|
mature
|
2024-07-23T20:01:32+00:00
|
2024-08-13T18:45:56+00:00
| 109 |
That night, Rainbow had enjoyed a nice, albeit very teasing and domination-filled dinner with Twilight… all while the alicorn made sure that the pegasus ate and drank far more than what seemed necessary. Afterwards, Twilight had wanted to just relax for a while, though that relaxation ended up involving Rainbow Dash being a hoofrest yet again. At least she wasn’t desperate this time… though, the boredom of acting as a piece of furniture almost made her wish she was holding her bladder or bowels, just so that, at least, something was happening.
Though, when she had that thought… she couldn’t help but notice that she’d felt the slightest little pang of desire. Almost like she’d enjoyed it… and she wanted more. She quickly shook off those feelings; that was an insane way to be feeling about wearing and using a diaper, of all things. But even as she tried to sit and think about something else, her eyes kept going to the satisfied, dominant expression on Twilight Sparkle’s face… and it was beginning to make Rainbow Dash feel a way she hadn’t felt before. The humiliation and shame were horrible and painful, but at the same time, her feelings about it weren’t entirely negative.
Well… it was still mostly negative. Anytime Rainbow’s blush faded, it quickly came back in full force, either because she’d remembered what she’d done earlier, or because Twilight had reminded her. “You look so adorable in this photo~” the alicorn would remark over and over, in slightly different ways, even letting Rainbow Dash take a look at her own figure in the soiled diaper. The pegasus was quick to try to convince her not to take any more, but Twilight almost seemed like she was ready to fill a photo album with these embarrassing photos.
Eventually… “Alright, Dashie - it’s starting to get late.” Twilight had resorted to only calling Rainbow Dash by embarrassing pet names at this point; of course, Dashie was her favorite, a term that made the pegasus feel like she was getting smaller every time she heard it. “I think we should head to sleep.”
“Yeah… where am I going to sleep? You aren’t going to tie me to my bed or anything, are you?”
Twilight chuckled. “Don’t worry, Dashie - I’ll make sure you’re comfortable~ Very comfortable~”
“That, um, that wasn’t a no…”
“It sure wasn’t~ Come on~”
—--------------------------------
Rather than letting Rainbow Dash sleep in one of the many spare bedrooms included in the magnificent, sprawling castle, Twilight led the diapered pony into the alicorn’s own bedroom. “I’m not sleeping on the floor, right?” Rainbow questioned.
“Stop being so worried - it’s not going to be that bad~ And besides… we’re not going to sleep right away anyways~” The bedroom door slammed shut, a padlock appearing on it. Immediately after, Rainbow Dash felt magical rope wrap around her body in an intricate, shibari-like manner, binding all of her hooves together, bending her knees, spreading her thighs, even the chains on her wings being removed just so the ropes could more elegantly tie them down. Only her head was spared; the rest of her body was tied intricately to a wooden chair, seated on it with back hooves spread and front hooves tied behind her. The alicorn soon produced, from a drawer in her desk… a purple wand vibrator, with a large ball at the top and a more curved handle to hold. “I’m sure you’re getting desperate in more ways than one after all of this, aren’t you, Dashie~?” Twilight snickered. “I hope your bladder isn’t too full right now, because otherwise, you’re going to be having a very rough accident~”
Rainbow’s face went red yet again; admittedly, she had started to feel a little horny… and now, it seemed like that was going to be taken advantage of. She couldn’t help but remember Twilight’s hooves touching her so sensitively. “T-twilight, t-this is…”
“What’s wrong, Rainbow~?” The pony put the vibrator against the diaper, pushing it in, making sure the pegasus could feel it against her slit, though it wasn’t yet turned on. “I have no problem with just letting you watch me pleasure myself… but I doubt that’s what you want~”
Rainbow Dash shuddered at the sensation, the light stimulation; her horniness was now skyrocketing, quickly peaking much faster than it had before. “I-I…” She gulped. “I, um, but… I-I already have to pee a little…” She hesitated to admit such a fact, but at this point, her shame wasn’t enough to stop her. Her legs were already beginning to let out the slightest bit of a quiver.
“Oh, really? That’s just perfect then, isn’t it~?” Twilight smirked. “Hold it in while I play with you, and I’ll let you orgasm. Otherwise… well, I happen to have a spell for putting a stop to that sort of thing~ Trust me, it’s not a pleasant sensation - you’ll be pent up all night~”
“T-that’s horrible!” Rainbow quickly responded, biting her lip in fear. “All night!?”
“That’s right, all night~ I’ll let you decide right now whether or not you want to risk it, but I’m probably not going to give you another chance to do this for a long time~” Twilight put a hoof on the vibrator’s switch. “Well, Dashie~?”
The pegasus heavily considered it for a moment; if she accidentally lost control of her bladder and wet herself while Twilight was pleasuring her, it would be beyond embarrassing… but at the same time, the sensation of the wand pushed against her diaper was surging her desire for the pony to press that button so badly, she couldn’t help herself. “Ok, do it!”
“That’s what I expected~” The lights in the room went dim; Twilight flicked the switch, and immediately, the vibrator did as expected, beginning to vibrate. The diaper’s material was thick and absorbent, but not enough to stop the pleasurable sensation from getting through; Rainbow immediately felt a moan coming. She tried to stifle it, but she couldn’t help but let it out, much to her embarrassment and Twilight’s amusement.
The pegasus began to squirm, left and right, her hind hooves and front hooves all shivering from the sensation, her eyes going up as she let out more cute, small, high-pitched moans from her enjoyment; Twilight was eating it all up, one of the alicorn’s own purple hooves soon making its way to her own clit so she could pleasure herself as well. However, although Rainbow Dash would’ve liked to just enjoy the sensation to its fullest, she had another problem to contend with.
With her legs spread so far apart, and all that stimulation right on her crotch, her bladder was beginning to ache far worse than she’d expected. Her cheeks grew hot and scarlet as she dug her teeth into her lip; she couldn’t tell which one was coming, whether she was about to orgasm or piss herself. The sensations were just too similar in that moment, and to make things even worse, Twilight turned the vibrator up, causing it to make far more of a devastating impact on the pegasus’ will and ability to hold back.
“T-T-T-Twilight!!” She moaned out; she couldn’t think of anything else to say. Her legs were now shaking like she was in an earthquake, or like she’d just stepped off a boat. She had to close her eyes to focus on not pissing herself, but the very action of holding that back held her orgasm back as well, and both of those desires of her body were now fighting for control, fighting to be let free. The sensual, indescribable pleasure born from Rainbow’s lust along with the aching, pounding feeling of her bladder trying to release its contents created a storm of emotion and sensation in her body. “Urghh… ahhh~!!”
Twilight held the vibrator in place with magic, even pushing it deeper, pressing it harder. She stepped up onto the chair with her two front hooves, one on each side of the pegasus, encapsulating her body, whispering in her ear. “Come on, let it out - it won’t be that bad~ You’re going to have to piss eventually anyways~” Twilight’s words were sultry and smooth; in her mixed-up, dizzy state, they almost made Rainbow let her guard down entirely. “Come on, it won’t be that bad if you can’t finish - I know I’ll enjoy it that way, at least~ I’m sure it would be so cute to see you pouting about me denying your orgasm - squirming in your chair from the discomfort of being right on the verge, but never being able to release~” She chuckled, tickling Rainbow’s ear with her warm breath.
“Twilight… nhnn… i-it’s too much, I-I can’t hold it in!”
“Then don’t~” Twilight pulled herself up; she kneeled on each side of the chair and hugged Rainbow Dash, putting the pegasus’ head into her fluffy chest, embracing the diapered pony in a warm, comfortable, guard-dropping sensation, while pushing the vibrator in a bit further. “Just let it go~ Though, I don’t know if you mean your orgasm, or your bladder, at this point~ I guess we’ll be finding out soon~”
“Twilight… ahhh~!” Rainbow Dash let out a particularly loud, long, and intense moan; her whole body continued to shake as the familiar sound of her urine trickling against the diaper filled the air, quickly followed by her body being racked by an incredible orgasm…
…or, at least, it would’ve been, had Twilight not acted so quickly.
The alicorn stepped off of the chair, smiling sinisterly, her horn glowing as Rainbow continued to pee herself. She squirmed and shook, her face one of discomfort and dissatisfaction. “I-I’m so close… urgh… w-why won’t it happen!?” Rainbow complained.
“Sorry, Dashie, but I told you what was going to happen if you peed yourself~ No finishing for poor Dashie today~” Twilight’s magic was a complicated thing; this spell affected Rainbow’s insides, not making anything physical, rather just wrapping around her nerves in a way that completely prevented her from finishing her orgasm. Although, the sensation of being right on the edge remained; the pegasus kept squirming, trying to let it out, but her body just wouldn’t do it… until finally, the feeling subsided, leaving her with nothing but a vague ache from the unfinished task. As well as the warm and wet sensation of her full diaper, of course…
…and, as if things weren’t bad enough, before she knew it, she was feeling pressure in her backside… and the yellow diaper soon turned to a newer, much darker shade, as Rainbow groaned in dismay. “Oh Celestia…” she whimpered, turning her head away and keeping her eyes shut tight out of humiliation.
“Hmm… I think that spell still has a few kinks to work out. I didn’t realize it would affect your bowels so much~” Twilight chuckled, her horn glowing, the ropes removing themselves. Rainbow’s feeling of being right on the edge had somewhat subsided, but she was still left extremely horny and needy.
“Twilight…” She gulped; she couldn’t believe the words that were about to come out of her mouth. “P-please let me finish… I-I’m so close…”
“Sorry, Dashie, but that’s not happening~ As long as I’m still punishing you, I’ll make the decisions on what you are and aren’t allowed to do~ Maybe I’ll let you try again in a few days~” She smirked. “As for myself, well…” She grabbed Rainbow Dash’s leash and pulled her to the ground; the pegasus landed on her hooves, not necessarily falling. Twilight immediately put a hoof on Rainbow’s head and pushed her down again, as she had before… but this time, she moved her other hoof to her slit, stimulating and touching herself. In only seconds, she orgasmed, her whole body shivering and shaking; Rainbow could feel every little quiver through her hoof, planted so firmly on the pegasus’ head. The diapered mare couldn’t help but watch as Twilight covered her own hoof in marecum, huffing and panting afterward, showing that she’d clearly enjoyed herself quite a lot. “Oh, that was amazing~ It felt so good~ I’ve been holding that in all day - playing with you makes me so horny~” She giggled.
“Twilight…” Rainbow blushed; honestly, she’d enjoyed that show more than she’d imagined, being practically forced to watch due to her face’s position… but more than anything, it rubbed in that she still couldn’t orgasm herself. She sneakily moved a hoof to her own slit and rubbed her own clit, and even though it stimulated her at first, she could feel the blockage from Twilight’s spell; she could pleasure herself all she wanted, but there would be nothing but disappointment waiting at the end of it.
“Aww~ I was right - you are adorable like this~ I usually don’t like to see my friends upset, but when I’m the one in control, it just makes you so cute~” Twilight nuzzled her head against Rainbow’s in a cuddly, loving way. “Come on - into the bathroom. Let’s clean you up one more time… and then, we’ll go to sleep~”
Rainbow sighed; this was apparently going to happen a lot. “Yes, Twilight…” she said, resigned…
…though, her time with Twilight that night wasn’t going to be nearly as bad as she was expecting, considering what’d happened the previous day.
|
yoshiman2107
|
562169
| 1 |
Applejack,Main 6,Alternate Universe,Adventure,Mystery,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
MLP: The Heart of Friendship
|
Applejack's journey to find her mother soon turns into a quest to protect all ponykind.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>On her journey to find her long lost mother. Applejack tags along with five other mares of different shapes and personalities. But in doing so her quest becomes more than a simple family reunion.</p><p><i>A wholly reimaging of MLP: G4. With new worldbuilding and mechanics separate from canon. </i></p><p><i>Also main character upgrade for AJ. Just to spice things up.</i></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-24T09:10:07+00:00
|
2024-07-26T09:02:58+00:00
| 125 |
Once upon a time in the mystical realm of Equestria.
The lands where full of life and magic. And living in these lands were equine great and small. All species had unique magic gifted to them by the realm. Unicorns with their spell casts, Pegasi with their wind crafts and Terrahoofs with mastery of the earth beneath them. With these powers in hoof, the many equines use their skill to usher in a time of peace and harmony.
But there was one group that this time was not kind too. Though their name was lost to time they are remembered as chaos ponies. Their magic was unpredictable, unnerving, unharmonious. Their kin were unloved and desired acceptance with the other species. Though time and time again they could not fit in. after many attempts of unity, some chaos ponies came up with a simple idea.
Instead of trying to please others with their way of life, how about they show how great chaos can be through a marvelous display. So, the chaos ponies when to work to create the perfect gift. It was decided they will make a chaotic creature with magic surpassing any that which has ever been seen in Equestria. They hope that its supreme power will awe any who look upon it to revel in how wonderful chaos is. But when their creation Discord was born, the chaos brought upon the land was not what the chaos ponies had envisioned.
Discord toyed with Equestria its laws abandon for his whims. Land quaked, sky dazzled, day and night had no meaning. And when all seemed at its lowest; it sank deeper. With the wall of reality weakened, outside entities from between realms descended upon the land. The dark beasts sow corruption all in their wake. Their void forms, snuffing out all attacks to them. Not even Discord could hold them back and so he fled towards his creators. Equestria fell into a darkness so thick that the unmoving sun could not penetrate the miasma below.
Hope seemed lost for all creatures. Except curiously for three species of ponies. Throughout their recent hardships, the unicorns, Pegasi, and Terrahoofs showed courage and determination. They learn to rely on each other, treat another with respect, and teach and grow with your comrades. Ironically in this darkest time, these ponies shine the brightest. And a fateful day will shower them in legend.
After a raid on one of the main camps of united ponies, they were forced to flee to the base of a great mountain. Cornered on all side by enemies one would think to give in to despair. But not one pony let it overtake them. Standing firm, the ponies were fully united in their will, minds connected, there goals completely in harmony. This act awakened a burst of magic within them. Their raw magic coalesced into their leader Aurora and in a benevolent light she transformed. With horn, wing, and legs beset with mighty magic the first Alicorn was born.
Bellowing with light, Aurora showered the land around her. Dispelling the taint of darkness and chaos towards the west. The power of the light was so great that when it impacted the void creatures, it filled their abyssal cores with substance. Transforming them corporeal and defeatable. The battle soon fell in the pony’s favor.
United under their new ascended leader, all foes were either vanquished or fled to the still corrupted lands. With the east now spared of darkness, Aurora created a barrier to prevent the approach of darkness once more. Now with the threat gone, the ponies embark to reunite all remaining species together. With the hope of embarking west to save the remainder of Equestria.
Then, crawling from beyond the barrier came the chaos ponies seeking refuge. Not seen since Discords reign, Aurora questioned their intention to prove their commitment to redemption. Sadly, the chaos ponies grew angry with their interrogations and boastfully proclaimed no wrongdoing on their part. They declared that the guilty party had already been punished. For when Discord reunited with them, they mercilessly ripped all the chaos from his heart and transformed his body into stone.
The tale horrified Aurora. Seeing that not only have the chaos ponies not admitted to their part in all of this, but had acted cruelly and cold to their own creation. So, with a heavy heart, Aurora denied sanctum in these reconquered lands. Angered by this outcome the chaos ponies lay bare a trap they had left. For in crossing the barrier, they had left a hole in it for monstrosities to crawl through.
Though the battle was quickly resolved it left a fear in the hearts of the ponies. For anypony who wishes to cross the barrier will evidently allow passage for hungry foes. Aurora with a heavy hoof commanded that a wall of stone and iron be built. Separating the lands in two forevermore and declared that the chaos ponies shall be remove from there land immediately.
Before their exile a chaos pony declared a warning, “You may send us away this day, but our hatred will remain for the next and the next and the next. We will never forget what you did this day. Are revenge will come one day when you least expect it.”
With that declaration the chaos ponies were never seen again. The ponies continued on with the decision and constructed a wall across the barrier. Finally after many battles a peace had somewhat returned to Equestria. A peace that continues on until this day.
“A peace that continues on until this day.”
The orange coated mare closed the storybook and sat it on the bed. The little foal under the covers shifted and spoke.
“Wow, was that all real mom?”
The mare chuckled. “Well, it is called the legend of Equestria. Legends tend to be a little more interpretable.”
The filly then looks her mother in the eyes. “But was it true?”
A sigh escaped the mother’s mouth. “Applejack, I don’t think you’ll like me reading you a history book to bed.”
“But why would you lie about the past. That seems silly.” Countered the small one.
The mother then moves her hoof to caress her child. “That’s what a story is sugarcube. A past that everypony knows is a lie. But filling that lie is a lesson that will teach each reader.”
Applejacks eyes lit up in understanding. “I get it, that book wasn’t lying. It just has a crummy lesson.”
A chortle sounded from the mother. “And what was the lesson?”
The filly instantly answered. “That you should give up on other ponies after they make a mistake.” She snorted. “Like I said, crummy lesson.”
A hopeful smile grew across the older pony’s face. “You would have defended the chaos ponies?”
AJ’s face grew worried. “Was that wrong? Am sorry mom I just don’t think sometimes.”
After her apology she was then embraced wholeheartedly. “No, no AJ. You’re not wrong. There isn’t any wrong or right way to feel about this. You just have such a big heart and I’m so proud of you for that.” The hug intensified. “I don’t want you to lose that heart, okay.” Applejack nodded into her mother’s chest. “Good, now it's high time this little one goes to bed.”
Being released AJ objected. “Just a little longer mom. I’m not going to see you till next week.”
“Even so, everypony needs their sleep.” The mum said while booping the others snout.
“Ok mum, just remember to write please.”
“Oh yes sugarcube, I will.” And with that she left for the door. At it she gives one final goodbye. “I love you Applejack.”
“Love you too mum.” The door to the room then closes.
Years later
Applejack woke up feeling jilted. Sheets haphazardly lay across her form. The pillow was somehow on the opposite side of the bed. AJ was a messy sleeper, but this was beyond overboard.
“Today’s just scaring me silly.” She thought aloud. Getting up from the mess she cleans herself up. She picks out two hair ties for her mane and tail respectfully. And gave herself a onceover.
“Orange coat check. Yellow mane check. Green eyes check. Cutie mark didn’t disappear last night check.” While that song and dance may have been silly. It did calm her down slightly. Today was the day after all.
She grabs a pre stuffed saddle bag acquired with all the necessities. A map of her route is tucked in hoofs reach for when she’ll eventually get lost. Lastly the “story” book her mum read to her that night is stashed in too.
“Nothing’s missing or damaged so no excuses AJ.” With a slap on the cheek to encourage her, she turns to the frame on her desk.
Shown was her eighth birthday. AJ surrounded by her family. Her cutie mark of three apples shone brightly by the flash of the camera. Her brother and farther on the edges trying to squeeze into frame. And her mother embracing her with all her life.
“See you soon mum.” And with that the room was left without its occupant.
Downstairs smelled of breakfast. Pancakes with syrup draped on them. All the family were seated savoring their sugary meals. This meal was special for it will be the last one they'll have together for a while. Nopony talked, just spending their precious seconds in silence.
That silence was cut with the loud gulp of the youngest breakfast being scarfed down. When all eyes move to her, she asked. “Can I go to?” The pin dropped.
“Applebloom, we talked about this!” Replied the young one’s mother. “There's no way you’re journeying that far on hoof!”
“But AJ’s going to hoof it. So why can’t I?”
“You’re a foal Bloom. No way somepony as young as you can make that trek.”
“But I ain't going to be alone. AJ’s mission is a big one so she’ll need all the help she can get.”
Not getting anywhere with this back and forth the mother turns to her betrothed. “Bright Mac, help me reason with her.”
The Stallion swallowed his food to reply. “I don’t know Buttercup. Once Applebloom gets her mind on something she doesn’t let go easy.”
“So, you’re agreeing with her then?”
“Am I?” (Note: this was said sincerely)
The table shook when a green wrinkled hoof stamped down on it. “Whether it’s right or wrong, it ain't our choice to make!” The lifted hoof then pointed across the table. “It’s hers!”
All eyes turned to Applejack still eating away. Simply not engaged with the conversation. In the middle of her bites, she spoke. “You’re not going Bloom.”
“But sis-”
“You’re not going!”
Applebloom shrank back and whispered. “I just want to meet her.”
With Applebloom looking blue, AJ reassured her. “If I do meet her, you’ll be the first one to know sis.”
“All right, (huff) just make sure to write me every week, ok?”
“You just better remember to take it out of Big Mac’s kindling first.” She then glanced at the aforementioned stallion. “His 'fan mail' clogs up our postal service.”
“He he he… yep.” The eligible bachelor had more than once alight a bill when disposing of his secret admirer’s messages.
“Welp, I’m finished eating. Let me wash these dishes and I’ll meet you all at the porch.” Picking up the plate, Applejack left before anypony can argue. While washing the plate she hears hoofsteps behind her.
“Can we talk?”
AJ slightly glances at the golden curls at the corner of her eye. “There's not much to talk about is there.”
“But I just need to tell you that-”
“You’re not going to change my mind, Butters.” The sound of the tap was the only sound in the washroom for a while.
“Am just scared.” Finally AJ looked back. “Scared that you don’t find her.” She then turns her head ashamed. “Scared that you will.” Looking back, she bore deep into AJ’s eyes. “But what I’m most scared of is the safety of my daughter.”
Eyes like daggers stared at each other. “For both of them.” Those eyes a mix of anger, love, and sorrow.
AJ growled in heated breaths. “I ain't your…. “Sigh.” She finally turns off the tap. “I need to do this. Like really need. I fear that if I don’t do this, I’ll have a hole in my heart that can never be filled.”
She fully turns to face towards the mother. “I would be a sad wreck around the farm. All of you will worry about me.” The stare increased. “Especially Applebloom.” Pear winced at that. AJ then walked pass her to the exit.
“Applejack.” She stopped in her tracks. “No matter what happens next. You're still family to me, ok.”
A pause then the other replied. “Just look after them for me.”
“I will.”
With the conversation ended, AJ got ready to leave her home.
The last goodbyes were quick. Just a hug and a farewell from each. Granny did weirdly comment that “It's ok to let the others know about her fear of trains.” Softly cackling afterward. But with a final wave at the gate, she was off on her own. She headed down the long dirt road towards Ponyville.
Each step towards her destination gave her even more assurance that this was right. And she knows if she was ever in doubt of this choice, all she had to do was look down at her sides.
At the cutie mark of an apple traveling into the great blue yonder.
End Chapter 1
|
yoshiman2107
|
562169
| 2 |
Applejack,Main 6,Alternate Universe,Adventure,Mystery,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
MLP: The Heart of Friendship
|
Applejack's journey to find her mother soon turns into a quest to protect all ponykind.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>On her journey to find her long lost mother. Applejack tags along with five other mares of different shapes and personalities. But in doing so her quest becomes more than a simple family reunion.</p><p><i>A wholly reimaging of MLP: G4. With new worldbuilding and mechanics separate from canon. </i></p><p><i>Also main character upgrade for AJ. Just to spice things up.</i></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-15T08:23:24+00:00
|
2024-08-15T08:23:24+00:00
| 55 |
The road was the only constant thing along the path. Always dirty and dry, the scenery had long since changed from the farmland AJ knew. Steep hills doted the land with clumps of rock cluttered about them. Being a earth pony, she could sense the richness of magic in the ground.
She'd always wondered what life was like outside her hometown. If this is what it is like out here, then she would have journeyed out here ages ago. But Applejack disregarded that thought. She wasn't old enough for this long of a trek back then. Even now, she was having trouble. It had already been 3 days and her supplies were running dry. She'd underestimated the amount of food needed for the trip.
...or she was just a glutton when stressed.
"I may need to ration out the rest. I hope there's enough food to make it there." Speaking out loud like this kept AJ from being stir-crazy. Though talking to one's self could be seen as worse in a way.
Coming over the next hill, Applejack finally caught a glimpse of the legendary structure. Off in the distant west, obstructing the sunset was the great divide. The wall stood tall against its scenery. It was out of place, yet standing for so long that it seeped in the very land itself.
Looking upon it stirred a feeling in AJ that she was trying to hide. But seeing that monolith shoved it right in the open. Because it represented a separation between land, cultures, and ponies. And that opening can be filled with only one feeling.
Loneliness.
Applejack had never been alone for this long in her life. And she hated it. She expected to meet travelers and tradesponies along the way. But the road had been strangely absence of anypony. Did she take a wrong turn or completely pass up her destination.
Luckily, around the next turn a sight caught her attention. A wagon teeming with nick-nacks and memorabilia sat offroad ahead. Strangely the amount of stuff in it towered the wagon thrice over. Despite its mass, the stack seldom wavered or crumpled. Though it did jostle a little. In fact the whole wagon moved with its contents.
Coming closer, AJ could hear a sound coming from behind it. Though a little hesitant to approach, she stepped forward anyway. Eventually AJ could discern the sound to be a pony's voice.
"Come on, up up up. Just go up."
AJ then noticed another peculiar thing. Both wheels on its back weren't touching the ground. The wagon was in truth teetering on the edge of a steep cliff. Finally seeing the danger, Applejack galloped forward for an assist. Reaching the troubled vehicle, she grabbed ahold of its reins and announced. "Don't worry, I've got you!"
AJ poured magic into her back hoofs, magnetizing them to the earth. She then pulled with all her strength hoping to save whoever was on the other side. The struggle only lasted for a few seconds before the wagon jolted up at last. Although with no force pushing back, Applejack fell backwards. Her head landing forcefully onto the dirt. All the while chunks of dirt still sticking to her empowered hoofs.
"Ow..." Being knocked in the back of her head, AJ lay there eyes closed in pain.
"That stings like Tartarus."
"Hey, are you okay?"
"Gah!"
Opening her eyes in fright, AJ observed a mass of pink frills atop clear baby blue orbs observing her. It seems that wagon's owner had come over to thank her.
Silently, Without Applejack hearing her. Frankly, it freaked her out.
"Did you get tired after helping? Cause you were only helping for a few seconds. And I know that's bad and all but if you think about it, that's like a new record or something."
AJ realized the pink wagon owner was smiling during the whole speech. And now finished, was just staring down at her with that same smile, as silent as when she 'apparently' first entered.
"Um... no. I just hit the back of my head. It just stings a little right now." AJ then rolled over and pushed herself up. Though when she looked back at the pink stranger, her face had changed to a slight tinge of confusion.
"...That hurt you?" Now the confusion was mirrored.
"Well yeah, I probably didn't have the right form when pulling. Relied to much on magic, speaking of which." The dirt still stuck to her hoofs abruptly fell off her in a heap. The strangers eyes glanced up and down from AJ's hoof then face. Suddenly a look of realization dawned on her.
"Of course it hurt you. You're..." Suddenly stopping, the pink one then took on a nervous disposition.
"You're..... not..... wearing a hat! No wonder you got a booboo, silly." The cadence of her response was obviously suspicious. But for the life of her, AJ couldn't figure out what the other pony was trying to hide. So, in light of everything that just happen, Applejack decided to converse with the pink individual in a polite manner.
"All right then, I'm Applejack by the way." She lifted a hoof for a shake, which was immediately taken and shook viciously.
"Hi Applejack, I'm Pinkie Pie. A totally normal pink Terahoof out here in the middle of nowhere for no apparent reason." The strained smile Pinkie wore afterward did not inspire confidence in that statement.
"I didn't ask you why you're out here."
"Well now you don't have to ask now."
"Well then, I have something else to ask." AJ then pointed her hoof towards the wagon. "What's all that for?"
"Just some souvenirs from my travels. I manage to limit myself to one item per stop." AJ glanced up towards the forementioned trinkets.
"That's a lot of stops, you seem to have basically traveled all across Equestria."
"I hope so! The pamphlet I bought was very thorough."
"What pamphlet..?" When bringing her sights back to Pinkie, Applejack was taken aback by a substantial change. Pinkie nose deep in a pamphlet titled '7 wonders of the realm'. This was the second time that she had silently changed positions. Not to mention wherever she proclaimed it from.
The silence eventually clued in Pinkie to the dropped conversation. Pulling back from her reading, Pinkie's nervousness came back, and then some. But as the tension was rising, it was eventually cut off with a break in eye contact by Pinkie, her self looking deflated. Then with mutterings of "Not again" She crumpled her pamphlet and threw it into her pile.
"Look, its been fun, but I need to get going." Quickly ending the conversation, Pinkie then hitched herself onto her wagon and started off. "See yeah."
Applejack could sense the hollowness in that last statement. Pinkie was obviously running away from her. And from what AJ had seen, she had dodged a spell there. Pinkie's actions and behaviors were concerning. The gaps in knowledge, the silent movements.
And with the wagon out of the way, one more peculiarity reared its ugly head. The ground where she would have been pushing the wagon was steep. And not tumble down steep, but a cliff side with no where to stand on steep. This impossibility only strengthen the argument to stay away from that mare.
But that look on her face as she left, it told AJ what Pinkie was feeling. And it was something she was accustom with ever so recently. What AJ was going to do was probably a dumb move, but she couldn't let Pinkie wallow in that negativity alone.
Besides, they seem to be going in the same direction.
"Hold up Pinkie!" With that declaration, the caravan screeched to a halt. When Pinkie turn towards AJ, her eyes conveyed a slight terror at the situation.
"Look, I think we both know that I have a lot of questions . And I would like to know the answers to most of then." At that sentence, Pinkie looked ready to make a run for it.
"But I won't." And at that sentence, she came to a halt again.
"Call it naive or stupid, but I can't see you being some sort of dangerous trickster."
A reply came in a whisper. "You just met me."
"Like I said, stupid." AJ then started to approach the stunned Pinkie. "I seen to care more about the feelings of a complete stranger then to my own safety." Meeting Pinkie, Applejack put her hoof across her back in comfort.
"It's not hard to see that your too scared to open up. And you obviously want somepony to talk to. So lets make a promise. We'll walk together for as long as are paths intercross, then at the end we split up doing are own things. And during are time together we'll talk, get to know each other. But I will not comment or question anything you don't want to. And if everything works out, we will have some much needed fun together on the road. So what do you say?"
The speechless Pinkie's expression was unreadable. As such, AJ didn't know if her plead had worked. "If you need time to think, I don't mind to- gah!"
The bone crushing hug was not the response Applejack expected.
Her experience with bearhugs is high, with her father and brother giving them out constantly. So she should be at peek huggability. Yet Pinkie manage to squeeze all of the air out of her lungs and lift her up off her hoofs. The amount of strength from this small pink pony was staggering to say the least.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Finally Pinkie relented and put AJ down, who was gasping for breath.
"Gasp! is.... is that a yes to the.... promise cough."
"Of course I'll promise. In fact I'll Pinkie promise." She then leaned in and stage whispered. "Trademarked of course, to prevent unethical secret keeping."
The smile towards AJ was the brightest she'd ever seen. And in return she threw one back towards her. "Then that's what we'll do."
"Great, now repeat after me." Pinkie then used her hoofs to do a simple ritual while rhyming "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."
After copying what Pinkie had just done, Applejack smiled sweetly at Pinkie for the earnestness that she was treating a simple agreement to be. "Welp, looks like a deals a deal."
"Yep, now that promise can never be broken. Now and... Forever!"
Blinking at the sudden intensity, AJ reminded herself that her bed had been made and roll with it. "Now that that's out of the way, where are you headed? Our conversations are going to eat up time and I want to plan the journey ahead."
Pinkie answered instantly "Ponyville."
"Well that smooths things out. That's were I'm headed too."
"Ooooo road trip! I always wanted to have one of those when I was younger. But it was always 'Pinkie we have work, Pinkie it's nighttime, Pinkie this is the fifth time today you asked.' But now I get to go on one with my new best friend and..." Like last time, Pinkie stopped mid sentence abruptly. But this time it was more to do with embarrassment more then anything.
"Sorry, you probably don't want to be called that. Maybe best acquaintance will- "
"I don't mind."
"You don't?"
"I really don't. Being friends can be as easy as you make it to be. And that 'best' part, that just sweetens the deal, doesn't it?"
"Well in that case. Is there anything in the whole wide world I could do for you at this moment. Oh bestest of friends."
That was obvious from the outset. The thing Applejack craved from her whole being was on her mind during this whole debacle.
"Got anything sweet in there?"
"Do I!"
End chapter 2
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webkilla
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562171
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Original Character,Other,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Alternate Universe,Crossover,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore
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The Tome of Exalted Ponies
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An epic crossover fic between MLP and the RPG of Exalted, featuring the shiniest of heroes and the darkest of foes, all battling for the fate of all life in existence!
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incomplete
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<p>A sequel to the Scroll of Exalted Ponies.</p><p>Our heroes have loved, lost and set themselves up as the lords of Sunhill - but with greater fame and power, comes greater foes.</p><p><a href="http://asktheexaltedponies.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow">asktheexaltedponies.tumblr.com</a> <b>- Ask blog for the story and its characters</b> There be extra lore and fun things hidden away here.</p><p>The world of exalted is a magical place, where a strict hierarchy of corrupt and decadent gods extort prayers from mortal ponies, while ponies blessed with divine bloodlines exalt and gain unicorn horns with elemental powers, ruling over the mortal ponies with a jade-steel hoof.</p><p>This is how things have always been - until a group of Solars, a Lunar and their friends stood up faced down a great evil. This is their story of might, magic, compassion and fury, asian-themed mysteries and mystical martial arts.</p><p>Do note: The story only has the 'mature' tag on account of occasionally being somewhat bloody when the ponies get to fighting. Think kill bill and your favorite wire-fu movie done by ponies. It may also eventually contain zomponies, undead horrors and demonic nasties.</p><p>Creation is a cruel world: Will its new shiny heroes with the power of mind control and magic kung fu be able to improve on this, or will they ruin it utterly?</p><p>Exalted, the game, the setting, the universe, the awesome fluff and the amble amounts of fanservice in the rulebooks are (c) White Wolf.</p>
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mature
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2024-07-23T06:34:53+00:00
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2024-07-23T13:03:45+00:00
| 24 |
The scripture of soup is a lengthy one, known for its numerous verses, but rich in heavenly martial wisdom. It is shared in Yu-Shan among the Sidereal exalted as a way to memorize and learn the ways of all magical martial arts.
It is usually taught as series of parables of how various martial artists would eat a bowl of soup at a restaurant:
The Snake stylist would deliver a withering flurry of fang strikes to the surface of his soup, disrupting the flow of essence across its surface before finally taking a sip using his spoon. Then he would take a moment to suck on his badly scalded hoof.
…
Stepping up from the cabins below, yawning and shifting in her light barding, the old mare breathed deeply as her steel-shod hooves clomped onto the deck, old eyes looking around wearily. The yellow river looked as it always had: Murky waters, lots of ships and heavily loaded barges going up and down it, along with about as many fishing boats along the rich and fertile river banks as there were mosquitos in the air.
Sanguine Lotus looked out over the water from the deck of the ship. Why was she feeling so antsy about this? She had met plenty of new clients before, and these fools sounded perfect for wringing out as much silver from as possible. Was it old age? Nah, she had more than a few good years left for sure, grey mane and wrinkles or not.
“Hey, no biting!” shouted a stallion behind her, prompting Sanguine Lotus to look behind her and barked with a hoarse voice that had called out a lot of commands over the years: “Hey, knock it off!”
The two stallions wrestling with each other, one of them currently biting the other one’s ear, looked up and quickly said: “Sorry ma’am” as they disentangled themselves from each other.
Oh, the joy of having your own little band of mercenaries. Well, a mixed blessing really – especially when your last client stiffed you. At least the captain of the ship had been easy enough to convince to let them come along free of charge. The cargo wasn’t even that valuable, just a lot of crates full of sand. Freaking sand? Who buys a shipload of sand? Oh well, it meant free passage from Melevhil to Sunhill, which ideally would be just in time to make payroll.
“Commander, what kind of work do you think we can get at this Sunhill place? I mean, the stories that we’ve heard from those merchants… it sounds really sketchy” a mare said as she approached Sanguine Lotus.
Turning to face the mare, Sanguine Lotus gave her a scrutinizing look: The scars on mare face read like a detailed story of the tough life of a sellsword. Her mane was cropped short, ideal for wearing a helmet, and her clothes were basically the padding from her armored barding without the barding, not much different from what Sanguine Lotus was wearing: “First up, don’t call me commander. That’s only for when we’re being paid. Secondly, all that those stories told us is that the guild hates these Sunhill ponies. This means they’ll no doubt be desperate for all the military aid they can get”
“Right, sorry Silly. Do you even think it’s a good idea to work for someone on the guild’s shitlist? What if we get blacklisted too?”
Silly chuckled: “Berry Petal, that’s the wonder of being a small mercenary outfit. We can call ourselves whatever we want. I’ll introduce us under an alias at first, and if things don’t pan out, we can sell what we learn to the guild. So, once we get there shut up and keep your eyes and ears open, and let me do the talking”
Berry Petal nodded, taking a moment to take in her commander’s plan: “That’s brilliant”
“The art of getting paid my dear lieutenant. You lot picked me for command for a reason”
The ship took another week and a half to reach the channel leading up to Sunhill. Silly had to admit it was rather impressive to see that large an amount earthworking having been done there so quickly. Digging and shoring up canals that long would normally take years with an army of slave labor – and Sunhill had somehow managed to do that in just under a month according to the captain? In one of the most fought over regions of the hundred kingdoms? The amount of merchant shipping coming and going from the place sent conflicting messages, for a place supposedly on the guild’s shitlist.
Thinking strategically, Silly had thought long and hard on how this Sunhill place could possibly have remained intact for so long. Well, ‘long’ was a bit of an exaggeration – She had heard the rumors of the place having been founded about a year or two earlier, couldn’t remember where she had heard of it first – but being this popular with merchants that quickly? Quite suspect.
As the ship moved up the canal Silly considered what she knew of the place: It was said to a have a large central manse that the lords of the city lived in: “That would the giant golden pyramid we can see over the trees there…”
“Dragon’s puckered butthole, look at that thing!” one of her fellow mercenaries blurted out, everyone sticking their heads out to gawk at the city state they were approaching.
Along the canal were neatly ordered farms and plantations, irrigation channels, small roads and rows of tall trees making for a crisscross of dividing lines in the landscape of cash crops and food crops. Whoever managed the land clearly knew what they were doing, and had even managed to make the plantations and orchards look really pretty.
“Hey Silly, for a place that’s supposed to be on the guild’s shitlist, then this doesn’t look so bad” another of Silly’s troopers said, stating the obvious.
It was very suspicious indeed. Any city state or kingdom in the river provinces that ran afoul of the guild and its legions of merchants had a funny tendency to get raided constantly by warlords loaded with greatly discounted weapons, armor, provisions and… well… guild mercenaries. These lands looked pristine. Silly didn’t like this, but there had to be an explanation: “Maybe they only pissed off the guild recently?”
“Nah, that merchant in Melevhil said that Sunhill had been on the guild’s bad side since its founding a few years ago– something about fucking shit up in Nexus before their leaders led an exodus to set up shop there” another mercenary noted.
Chuckling for a moment, Silly imagined how utterly pissed her former boss would have been if her troops had so casually spoken to her so casually. Iron Hoof had been such a hard-ass, which was why she had split off from Iron Hoof’s mercenary company to begin with, taking a dozen of her most loyal friends with her. Her troops seemed to recognize that their leader was once again getting lost in thought: “Hey boss, you still with us? We’re getting close to the harbor, should we go get our stuff?”
“Yes – sorry – just thinking about how much Iron Hoof would have hated working in a place like this. He never could stand marching through anywhere that didn’t already look like a battlefield” Silly mused. Her troops all nodded, a few chuckling.
Approaching the harbor, Silly took note of the distinct lack of any kind of fortifications. There wasn’t even a city wall, nor any kind of artillery protecting the harbor. What kind of weird place was this?
“Wow someone spent a lot of money building this place… and there’s nothing protecting it” Berry Petal said, looking at the stone piers and harbor structure.
Silly had to agree. The cargo cranes looked exceptionally well made – and you couldn’t make cast iron things that big: “The cranes… that has to be steel somehow. How the hell did they make they so large? Where can you get steel made like that?”
“Never mind that – look at the buildings. It looks like they grew them out of the ground! Stone, windows and all. What kind of weird wood-aspected unicorn architect do they have here?” the stallion with a nibbled ear said, hanging over the side of the ship.
The ship came to and the gangway came down, the first ponies disembarking being the captain and her first mate. They had to negotiate docking fees, otherwise they would have to sail off again. Coin quickly changed hooves, and the captain returned, shouting for her crew to start unloading the ship to warehouse number sixteen, wherever that was.
“Alright, you are all free to disembark – if you want to stay on for the next leg of my trade route it’ll be silver” the captain said, looking at Silly with the serious and no-nonsense expression of a business pony who had just paid someone money she’d rather have kept for herself.
It struck Silly as something of a change of character. She remembered how spooked the captain had been at that river-side quarry where they had boarded, so afraid of… what? The journey had been completely without incident.
“Alright, you heard the captain – let’s get off here and earn us some good dinars” Silly called out, her troops quickly rushing down to the cabins to fetch their gear.
A few minutes later everyone mustered on the deck. Silly’s gear had been brought along as well, battle-worn, but an absolute masterpiece of barding – some armorsmith in Marita’s journeymare project. Everyone put on their kit: It was standard procedure. They all knew that it was all about giving a strong first impression when meeting a new client.
Marching behind Silly, the dozen pony mercenaries stomped along behind their leader down the pier. Their steel shod hooves all sparked against the stone, Silly somewhat confused that she shouldn’t seem to find any lines in the stone: “This is continuous… it’s not made of carved slabs”
What kind of strange sorcery was at large in this place? She could feel it in the air – something strange.
“Hey, are you new here?” a young colt, who had just jumped out in front of Silly, said.
Stopping up, causing a bit of a pile-up behind her with much rattling of barding and weapons, Silly glared at the colt who seemed either absolutely oblivious or incredibly brave, from within her spiked helmet with its many notches and dings from countless battles. The colt looked nine or ten, with that spry child-like enthusiasm, with a mottled grey and brown coat and a brown mane… and smiling at her like a salespony eying a future costumer.
After having concluded that the colt wasn’t just going to move out of her way from having glared at him, she finally drew a heavy and slow breath to reply: “Yes”
“Excellent. I’m a guide working for the Sunhill Information Services, Reedmane. For a half dinar I can show you around town, guide you to any location in Sunhill you’re seeking or help you find any pony you wish to visit here” the colt said, sounding very well-rehearsed, but not at all forced.
Silly had to think for a moment. It wasn’t the first time a youngster had accosted her when just having arrived somewhere new – of course, usually that meant trying to distract her while a co-conspirator tried to pick her pockets – but this colt was staying at a respectful distance and there were no one else around, other than the sailor-ponies who were unloading cargo, but they weren’t trying to get close to her either.
“You lot look pretty well armed – but since you’re not just attacking anyone, I assume you’re here looking for work? Heard about the call for mercenaries I assume?” the colt said, sounding surprisingly well-informed and not at all intimidated.
Looking around, Silly saw a bustling harbor. There were stalls along the harbor-roads selling food and other useful things, ponies smiling, ponies doing business, other ships loading cargo and barges unloading cargo. Why would this place need mercenaries? Silly looked down at the colt: “Yes, we’re mercs – who do we talk to about getting hired here?”
“Oh, that would be Lord Bright, but I think he’s… hmm…” the colt said, turning around and looking towards the golden pyramid at the center of the city. The light at the top of the pyramid, bright even in the noon-light of day, was surrounded by a number of flag-poles. The colt seemed to be looking at the flags up around the light: “…he’s no available right now. We’re having some issues north-east of the city. Some idiot princeling who’s upset that we’ve accepted runaway serfs into the city”
Silly had dealt with nobles and royals plenty of times. An issue outside the city requiring the attention of the lord-militant of a city-state? With a laugh, Silly said with a knowing smile: “Sounds like something this Lord Bright might need our help with”
The colt nodded: “Could be – but I doubt it. Still, it’ll be the fastest way to get to talk to him. Just don’t be assassins, ok?”
Ok that was patronizing. Silly growled at the colt: “What in all the hells of Malfeas do you think we are?”
“Heavily armed and armored ponies. We get group like yours coming once or twice a month at this point. Most claim to want to work for us, some turn out try to kill our lords for the guild bounties. They usually don’t survive the attempt” the colt said frankly and cheerfully without missing a beat, stepping aside to let Silly continue into the city.
If they had been somewhere where Silly had known the local leaders better, she would have struck the colt for mouthing off at her with all of her might – but Sunhill was still an unknown quantity. The kind of leeway that mercenaries hired by the local ruler got hadn’t been established yet. Begrudgingly shaking her head, Silly called for her troops to form up and follow her again: “Forward, march!”
Stomping through the city Silly couldn’t help but notice that the colt’s attitude towards her wasn’t a unique case: She saw an immaculate monk who was trying to preach that the locals were being misled and their souls corrupted by their anathema lords – who in turn was getting pelted with fruit. She saw the young gainsay their elders. She saw no fearful eyes in her direction as her troops came through. What kind of crazy place was this? They had better pay well.
Speaking of paying well: Moving through Sunhill Silly saw a lot of silver changing hooves: There was business being done, a lot of business: “Petal, what are you seeing traded here?”
“We’ve moved past several smithies at the last block – but they’re not making much in weapons, at least not out in front. Looked like some very strange forges though, not seeing any bellows. And I swear this place gives me a Great Forks vibe, there’s magic in their air for sure” Berry Petal noted.
Silly appreciated her second in command’s perceptive nature. Petal had spotted a lot of ambushes, sometimes even long before the ambushers had spotted them. Of course, Petal’s observation about the magic of the place was spot on. Silly could taste it: “I guess the rumors are true – the pyramid in the middle of the city really is a manse, and a powerful one probably – must be the secret behind their wealth”
Why did marching past the pyramid make her feel so uneasy? The magical light atop the pyramid, it was calling to her, like that time dealing with the band of changelings who lured ponies in with wordless song of purple tears. Still, they had gotten paid so well from that mission, and those alchemists had paid so well for the changeling corpses. Getting paid twice was always fun.
Getting away from the pyramid felt good, the band of mercenaries marching through what turned out to be a district dedicated to… something that smelled weird. Alchemy? It was difficult to tell – there weren’t any stores that had signs out advertising with what they were doing, just more of the organic-shaped buildings that looked grown instead of built. Some kind of state-run enterprise?
Exiting the city on the far side from the harbor, the band of mercenaries came to a large meadow. There weren’t any ponies out on the meadow, but Silly did take note of the watchtowers set in tall trees that grew along the edge of the city. That was another strange detail: Sunhill appeared to terminate rather abruptly, going from stone roads to dirt roads. There didn’t appear to be much in the form of scattered farm-houses as was the norm – those houses had been on the inside of the city limit. Strange. There were also plenty of livestock trails, but it looked like they had all been herded away from the fighting. The cowpies smelled fresh enough.
“Commander, over that ridge – look, banners” Berry Petal called out.
Indeed, the top of banner-poles with Sunhill banners could be seen just over the ridge ahead. Silly marched her troops there, telling them to prepare for skirmishing: “Get your bows ready, lets show much we can help out”
Approaching the peak of the ridge, the formation of Sunhill troops came into view. It had to be around four or five hundred heavily armored ponies, with Silly being somewhat confused at first about the weapons of the troops, until she realized that the formation was made up of dozens of smaller squads that each had different weapon loadouts. Some had spears, some had heavy clubs, some had what looked like catch-poles. It was a strange mix, but they all stood firm and looked disciplined enough.
Of course, the real revelation came when the mercenaries got up on the crest of the ridge, seeing out over the Sunhill troops.
This was not just some small skirmish or dispute over runaway serfs…
Before the Sunhill troops, at the foot of the hill with the city on it was a massive army, looking easily twenty times their numbers. Massive units of archers, spear-ponies, lancers, slingers, even ballistae and a few catapults. This was the kind of army you sent out to conquer small kingdom.
…or a magical city state.
“Commander… I don’t think we can do much here… what are we going to do?” Berry Petal said, her voice betraying her fear.
Silly remained resolute – but she wasn’t delusional: “You’re absolute right Berry. Take the troops back to the city, get to the western city gate, or whatever is the furthest from this side of the city. Wait for me there. I’ll go talk to this Lord Bright up in front, then I’ll meet you back at the gate later before the city is overrun. Make sure to spy anything worth grabbing near you before we leave”
Berry Petal looked at Silly with admiration in her eyes, as she just didn’t have those high-level planning skills. This was why Petal had never advanced to anything more than lieutenant back when they had all worked for what’s-his-name. Still, Petal turned around and barked orders at the rest of the troops, everyone quickly hightailing it back to the city.
Taking a deep breath, Silly steeled herself and galloped to the front of the Sunhill formation. On her way she couldn’t help but see the steely gazes of resolve of the troops she ran past. There wasn’t a hint of fear in them. What dark sorcery had the city used on their own here? How did they expect to remain standing at the end of the day? Sunhill would be burning by sundown from the looks of things.
At the front of the formation Silly could see the full spread of the approaching army. It was moving with weapons out – it was moving to engage, though it had to march uphill for that, before it could get close enough to charge.
“Where is he… come on” Silly said to herself, desperately looking for whoever was in charge.
Closing her eyes for a moment, Silly centered herself. This was a military organization – this was her thing – she knew how this worked. Opening her eyes again, she quickly spotted the messengers and relay-banners who were standing ready to pass on orders from their lord. Right, and they were all looking… over there – that one.
Wait. That old pony?
The old pony who wasn’t wearing any armor? Just some old faded uniform over his teal coat and grey mane?
“Great, the lunatics are running the asylum… dragons preserve me” Silly said, as she took off her helmet and approached, mouthing a quiet prayer to the immaculate dragons.
Near this eponymous Lord Bright, Silly once more took note of just how disciplined and stoic all the ponies were. They were just standing by, awaiting orders.
“Lord Bright, I assume? I am Sanguine Lotus, leader of a band of three dozen seasoned and battle-hardened mercenaries. It looks like you can use some help” Silly said, putting on her game face. She had negotiated rates and terms with nobles and royals before, even the crazy ones. It was all about getting a feel of them, and then not offending them too much, and getting paid handsomely up front if they were really flaky.
The impression she already had was that this Lord Bright had either cast a spell on his troops, or somehow had their undying loyalty for some other strange reason – and if nothing else, that spoke of having some kind of unseen power. One did not simply march up against an army of thousands with a few hundred unless you had a plan, especially since the city had not at all appeared to be preparing for a siege, evacuation or to repel attackers. That monk going on about living under anathema rule probably wasn't that far off.
Lord Bright turned to Silly, sizing her up. As his eyes went over her, she got the unique sense that she was speaking to a very skilled military leader: He was looking at her armor, her equipment, her helmet, and sizing up the aspects of her that were relevant for a warrior. This was, if nothing else, points in the Lord’s favor as far as Silly was concerned – it also helped that he didn’t appear to have crazy eyes or anything like that.
Smiling, Lord Bright spoke with a sage and grandfatherly voice that none the less sounded a lot spryer that what one would have expected from an old pony with a beard that long and grey: “Thank you for your concern. However, I doubt we’ll need any help here. Our call for mercenaries is chiefly to act as bodyguards to our diplomatic envoys and our merchant caravans. If you could wait back in the city and arrange a meeting via the Lords Secretariat, then I’ll be with you sometime tomorrow”
Such confidence. How could this Lord be so sure that he would still be alive come sundown?
“You’ll have to forgive me Lord Bright, but it looks like you need at least another three or four thousand ponies at arms, even with the high ground. How do you expect to win here without your city being overrun?” Silly said, not really wanting to ask the question, but she simply had to know.
Lord Bright chuckled: “You haven’t heard much of my exploits, have you? An army like this… it’s nothing”
“My lord, a delegation is approaching” a junior Sunhill officer called out.
True enough, a well-dressed pony and two ponies at arms were galloping up the slope. Even a hungover sergeant who had been hit over the head once too many would recognize a negotiator like that: “Ponies of Sunhill. I am herald Silken Quill. The great warlord Prince Orchid Blossom of the Five Rings demands your surrender. The banners of Orchid Blossom will fly over Sunhill, whether stained by your blood or not”
Silly took a few steps back to signal that she didn’t have anything to do Lord Bright, who in turn simply shook his head: “Silken Quill, you know what happened last time – what makes your master think he can succeed on his third try?”
Hold on, third try? Had this army tried to attack the city twice already, and failed?
Silken Quill looked very offended, his extravagant garb looking quite rich: “Your foul sorceries won’t help you this time. In his infinite wisdom Warlord Blossom has acquired the aid of an immaculate master to dispel your dark magic”
A chill ran down Silly’s spine. She had seen immaculate monks fight – they were beyond good – and on two occasions she had even seen immaculate unicorn masters in actions… once against a rogue river god, and the other against a band of brigands who had been raiding immaculate monasteries. The memory of the screams of those brigands as the master had punched and kicked them into chunky salsa sent a shudder through Silly. How could this Lord Bright still be so confident against a master of magical martial arts?
“By all means, send forth your new champion. It’s been a while since I’ve had a proper fight – this way we can at least make sure that the least possible number of ponies get hurt here” Lord Bright stated, sounding utterly unphased or intimidated.
Taking a deep breath, Silly watched as the herald and his escort galloped back to their master. She thought furiously about how the situation could make sense, based on what she knew: This Lord Bright, and his four fellow anathema lords, they had built Sunhill from scratch in just a few years. Never mind that a manse the size and scale of their golden pyramid would usually take half a decade or so to build in peacetime, but there were what? – at least forty or fifty warlords at any given time rampaging around the hundred kingdoms, conquering territory, pillaging what they couldn’t seize, and generally spreading misery. A place like Sunhill had no right existing as it was – no walls, no visible defenses, yet lots of merchants and merchant shipping? A place constantly on the verge of being overrun by warlords wouldn’t attract merchants. That meant that it wasn’t just the locals who were calm about the situation, but also ponies from elsewhere in Creation – it also meant that the merchants weren’t afraid of the lords of Sunhill putting them under some dark spell or seizing their goods.
It was confusing to make sense of it all – Silly knew she was missing something – but her train of thought was thoroughly derailed as the sound of metal rings on a staff became too loud to ignore.
The immaculate master had arrived.
Dressed in the sky-blue robes of the immaculate faith, the master was without a doubt an old and seasoned monk: The unicorn’s mane was completely shaved off, her gaze stern as she approached with bright red eyes. The monk’s orange coat looked eerily similar to Silly’s own, though Silly’s yellow eyes were different from the monk’s bright red eyes.
Also, Silly couldn’t light herself on fire like that, as the unicorn flared her anima to reveal the elemental might of her exalted soul: “Filthy anathema, I am Abbot Scarlet Tigress. All of Sunhill must be put to the torch. Pray to the immaculate dragon Heshiesh that his cleansing fire will purify your souls before your next incarnation”
The Sunhill troops withdrew a bit to form a half-circle around Speaker – both to give him room to fight – but likely also to avoid getting caught in anything. Silly withdrew to a similar range, having seen many a unicorn unleash their elemental fury from their magical horns. She had seen the chosen of the dragon of air smite wyld barbarians with lightning, and the chosen of the earth dragon crush their foes by having the ground yawn open and swallow them all. Only a fool fought a unicorn – only a mad-pony fought an immaculate master.
The monk didn’t seem terribly interested in any kind of formalities or protocol, launching herself like fireworks at calibration, exploding in a burst of flame as she leapt at Speaker, drawing two curved blades of red jade from within her robes mid-leap.
Such swift movement – jumping from a standing position – Silly couldn’t remember any normal pony who could have dodged such a fast attack. Lord Bright didn’t dodge it either… but… he had no armor? No weapons?
…and yet Lord Bright stood triumphant and unharmed, wreathed in a golden shell that hugged his form, the monk quickly darting back a couple of yards.
“Turn around and leave – you don’t want to fight me. You will only get hurt” Lord Bright stated calmly.
The unicorn made a disgusted expression, beyond words for her disdain: “I have studied the wisdom of Heshiesh. You will find that its flame can scorch anything”
“You are welcome to test that claim – but you will not like the result” Lord Bright said – but Silly keenly noted the subtle change in his behavior. She knew that if the unicorn struck again, it would be met with force.
Swinging her head around, the unicorn mare stirred red hot fire essence around her horn, forming a massive fireball. Craning her head back, she flipped it forward with great force as she flung the fireball at her foe.
Lord Bright rose from all four into a low and very strong stance, every muscle in body suddenly taught. To Silly’s amazement and confusion, he drew a golden disc from… nowhere? He held it up in front of him with his right forehoof, and the fireball erupted upon it.
Silly had to look away – the heat from the blast was immense. She could feel the few exposed parts of her coat getting singed, even at her distance.
Before she managed to look up again, she heard the sounds. The sound of… some kind of unholy steam whistle, mixed with strange metallic grinding, but the sound was moving around very fast? Then there was the impact. What was going on? Rubbing her eyes, Silly finally looked up: The monk was… floating up in the air, having somehow been flung into the air, but she wasn’t falling down.
What the absolute jellied dragon-dick.
Then Lord Bright spun around, throwing his golden disc which flew out into the air. It banked, turned back around and then rose into the sky – only to come down, banking at the last moment, striking the monk with its flat side and slamming her screaming into the ground. Dirt, bits of grass and loads of dust erupted all over.
That’s when the Sunhill troops began to cheer.
Lord Bright held a hoof out, as the flying golden disc zipped back to his grasp, and then nodded towards the dust-clouded crater.
Four Sunhill troopers approached cautiously, spears lowered, their black and yellow armor in stark contrast to their lord’s appearance. A breeze moved the dust away, revealing the monk in the crater, wheezing softly as she had been completely knocked out. It was a testament to the toughness of the unicorn that she had survived the attack, but only barely.
Lord Bright turned to Silly, shouting: “That is why Sunhill has nothing to fear”
Sanguine Lotus was having trouble believing her lying eyes. A finisher so quick, so powerful? It was clear that the unicorn never had a chance – was this the power of the anathema lords of Sunhill? No wonder they felt safe without walls around their city.
As the unicorn was hauled off on a stretcher, Lord Bright quickly inspected the mare: “She needs splints on her left hindleg and right foreleg. She should wake up in roughly four hours – leave a message for Sully to be on watch in case she tries anything”
They had protocols for taking hostile unicorns prisoner? Keeping a powerful unicorn captive was no small feat – their powers were difficult to contain, even when wounded. Silly couldn’t help but nod out of respect. It took some solid organization to pull that off.
Lord Bright appeared to take that as a cue, turning to face down the hill towards the approaching army: “Thank you for the warm-up! May I have another?”
A carefully aimed ballista-bolt flew up in an instant, but was parried by the golden disk – the freaking steel tipped log was parried by Lord Bright’s golden disk. With a deep sigh, Lord Bright made a gesture, as if signaling for something – but Silly couldn’t see the ponies at arm next to her doing anything.
That was when the storm clouds formed out of nothing. In mere moments the valley where the army marched was shrouded in darkness, the storm clouds having blotted out the sun. The heavy rain that followed made any attempt at marching up the hill into a muddy nightmare, troops slipping and falling everywhere, and the siege weapons being pushed and hauled getting stuck almost instantly.
Lord Bright then touched a pendant around his neck, closing his eyes. A magical image of him appeared high in the sky over the hill, surprisingly the hell of out Silly. So not only could this Lord Bright do magical martial arts, but he could also do strange illusion magic? The giant illusory image of Lord Bright spoke, its voice booming out over the valley:
“Lord Orchid Blossom. Your attacks on Sunhill are becoming annoying. I plan on going on a long journey soon, and you will not enjoy the same level of mercy if one of my fellow lords have to helm the defense of Sunhill. Leave, return to your lands, lest I command this storm to strike you with lightning”
A single bolt of lightning came down and struck somewhere among Orchid Blossoms’s forces – it seemed to hammer the message home very firmly. Silly couldn’t see if anyone had been hit, but she could see entire regiments routing.
Was this the power of Sunhill? The ability to command the weather and strike down any foe attacking the city with lightning and heavy rain? Looking around, it seemed that the valley that the army was in stretched around Sunhill – which was… odd… because come to think of it, the canal that the merchant ship she had arrived had been at water level with the Yellow River. This would mean that this valley was under the water level… probably more magic at play – still, if this meant that the whole city was uphill, except for its water-side.
Oh, Silly had so many questions – but ok, at least now she could hopefully set up a deal with this Lord Bright and start earning coin.
Satisfied enough that her future clients weren’t going away any time soon, Silly hightailed it back to Sunhill and found her fellow mercenaries making a nuisance of themselves at a tea house near the western gate out of the city. Rounding them up, she tried to explain how the battle had been won before it even started – but as she had expected, then they found her story quite impossible.
Berry Petal shook her head: “You can’t just make it rain and thunder like that – you say he didn’t even start casting any spells or anything and he’s not a unicorn either”
“I know – but that’s what happened. You must have been able to see the illusion he made of himself to shout at them” Silly said, getting a little annoyed that she wasn’t being believed.
The mare serving tea piped up as she distributed cups from a tray: “Oh it’s nothing – you just can’t see the elementals our lords have working for them. We’ve got hundreds of them living here in Sunhill. Fire elementals in our forges, water elementals helping keeping our crops watered and sewers running, earth elementals helping in the mines. You just can’t see them unless they want you to – that’s how they made the storm to ward off Orchid Blossom’s forces again”
Having her story corroborated by a local seemed to make her fellow mercenaries finally believe her, to which end Sanguine Lotus breathed easily. After going to the city manse and arranging a meeting with Lord Bright the next day, Silly and her crew found some cheap but surprisingly nice lodgings and hunkered down for the night. Strapped for coin, she had no interest in giving anyone drinking money, and the rest of crew knew that – though she also hoped that these lords of Sunhill would be up for giving them partial payment up front.
That night Silly dreamt a strange dream: She was young again, and galloping across a great open sunlit field, clad in shining golden armor and wielding a great golden blade, in front of a vast army as she raced towards a foe that didn’t really… make sense… but it felt like a foe, something to be defeated – and there was a song, but the words didn’t make any kind of sense, but she did catch herself humming it when she woke up.
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webkilla
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562171
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Original Character,Other,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Alternate Universe,Crossover,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore
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The Tome of Exalted Ponies
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An epic crossover fic between MLP and the RPG of Exalted, featuring the shiniest of heroes and the darkest of foes, all battling for the fate of all life in existence!
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incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>A sequel to the Scroll of Exalted Ponies.</p><p>Our heroes have loved, lost and set themselves up as the lords of Sunhill - but with greater fame and power, comes greater foes.</p><p><a href="http://asktheexaltedponies.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow">asktheexaltedponies.tumblr.com</a> <b>- Ask blog for the story and its characters</b> There be extra lore and fun things hidden away here.</p><p>The world of exalted is a magical place, where a strict hierarchy of corrupt and decadent gods extort prayers from mortal ponies, while ponies blessed with divine bloodlines exalt and gain unicorn horns with elemental powers, ruling over the mortal ponies with a jade-steel hoof.</p><p>This is how things have always been - until a group of Solars, a Lunar and their friends stood up faced down a great evil. This is their story of might, magic, compassion and fury, asian-themed mysteries and mystical martial arts.</p><p>Do note: The story only has the 'mature' tag on account of occasionally being somewhat bloody when the ponies get to fighting. Think kill bill and your favorite wire-fu movie done by ponies. It may also eventually contain zomponies, undead horrors and demonic nasties.</p><p>Creation is a cruel world: Will its new shiny heroes with the power of mind control and magic kung fu be able to improve on this, or will they ruin it utterly?</p><p>Exalted, the game, the setting, the universe, the awesome fluff and the amble amounts of fanservice in the rulebooks are (c) White Wolf.</p>
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mature
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2024-07-25T12:36:33+00:00
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2024-08-02T04:33:40+00:00
| 16 |
The Tiger stylist waits for the soup to flee from his menacing offense. After a few minutes of the bowl of soup taking no action to retreat, he gets annoyed and smashes it to the ground with a claw strike, then laps it up.
…
Sanguine Lotus had her troops muster in the courtyard of the inn they had stayed at. Again, she was disturbed by the fact that none of the locals seemed to even care that foreign mercenaries had shown up on their doorstep. Of course, they had learned from that waitress at the tea house that the city was a bit like neighbouring Great Forks: It was apparently full of invisible magical elementals… and with such might at the beck and call of the lords of Sunhill, it was no wonder that the ponies there felt safe.
It certainly made Silly appear a lot less safe – the idea of a superior force that she couldn’t see or hear, it could strike her with lighting from the sky? No wonder she hadn’t seen any real city guard anywhere – and she wasn’t afraid of saying that out loud.
Marching to the city manse, the great golden pyramid, Silly stopped outside the main entrance. There were a lot of ponies coming and going, but it was clear that it was the hospital entrance… because the ponies going in where sickly looking, or lame, hobbling, many being carried or otherwise helped along by others. They apparently hadn’t seen that yesterday, having passed the manse on the other side on their way to the battlefield.
A column at the entrance, with text in every major language of Creation written on it, explained that this was indeed the main hospital entrance, with directions for an entrance for goods to be delivered, another for staff to enter and leave via, and finally one for ponies who were only there to meet with the lords of Sunhill and their administration.
Seeking out this entrance led Silly to the same lobby she had gone to earlier, to set up the meeting with Lord Bright. The secretaries there appeared to instantly recognize her: “Oh hi, Sanguine Lotus wasn’t it? The lords can see you now, but you can’t bring your coterie with you – we’ve had bad experience with letting in too many mercenaries at once”
“You’re not the first one thinking we’re unsubtle assassins” Silly noted dryly.
The two secretaries chuckled: “It’s not a safety issue – it’s the cleanup. Takes too long to get the blood out of the carpets”
Silly’s face said it all: That was not what Silly had expected to hear – but her troops suddenly looked rather happy not having to accompany her. Silly shot them a furious look as they waved her off, while she got into the ‘elevator’ room that the mare at the desk had directed her to.
The platform accelerated upwards smoothly, Silly bracing herself and jumping a bit as the platform stopped. A room that moved inside the mance? Well, she hadn’t seen any stairs…
From within his office, Lord Bright Machine Speaker put his hoof down from the gemstone around his neck. He didn’t need to spy on the mercenary captain anymore – she was at his door.
“Come in – we have been expecting you” He called out, his voice sounding at least as old as Silly’s.
Sanguine Lotus approached, turning the corner in her battle-worn but well-maintained armor. Silly had spent a good couple of hours the evening before polishing it and tightening a few straps.
Silly beheld the ponies before her, the vaunted lords of Sunhill. First was Lord Bright – his face known to Silly via due to its silhouette being stamped on every crate of Sunhill medical supplies she’d ever seen – and she’d seen a fair bit over the last few years ever since Sunhill appeared to corner the market on military medical supplies. Next was a mare in white robes with most of her face covered by its hood, and an exceptionally beautiful stallion in some absolutely heavenly embroidered silks, all three of them standing around a large and sturdy-looking wooden desk. These appeared to be the lords of… hold on.
“There’s supposed to be four of you” Silly said, looking at the three somewhat suspiciously, her eyes all over the place, remembering the description of the lords she’d overheard earlier in the city.
A fourth pony stepped out of the shadows behind Silly, tapping her briefly on the left shoulder before darting around her right: “She’s certainly perceptive… by mortal standards” – but when Silly turned to look the pony was gone!
Lord Bright nodded and sighed: “To think that they got to one of us… how low”
Silly wasn’t quite sure if she should feel insulted that they were speaking over her like that – but she was a bit curious: “I charge a lot more for being a test subject if you’re going to do weird shit to me”
The one dressed in amazing silks laughed heartly and approached Silly with a most disarming of charm: “Be at ease, you have nothing to fear and untold wealth to gain – we just need to be sure of something regarding your identity”
Silly wasn’t really sure what was going on – the well-dressed one looked to Lord Bright, who in turn nodded. Silly was about to ask for clarification, when the well-dressed one poked her with a hoof shod with a very pretty gem-set shoe that looked as if wrought of polished silver.
“Ok, I’m going to need all kinds of explanations here - or I’m out of here” Silly said as she stomped her steel-shod hoof, the others looked at her as if expecting something.
Seeing that nothing had happened, the well-dressed stallion spoke up: “I am terribly sorry – this is most rude of us. We haven’t even introduced ourselves. I am Cash Charmer – the Sunhill Master of Coin, this is Sunrise Glow – our high priestess, and you’ve already identified Bright Machine Speaker, our Lord-militant and Chief of Medicine. The joker who spooked you earlier is Sullen Hoof, our spy-master and master chef. The real question is, who you are”
What.
Silly looked at the three – the Sullen Hoof one was still nowhere to be seen again – looking at them as if they were all insane: “Look, I know the rumors says you are anathema and all that, and I’ve seen the kind of strange magic you wielded to defeat that army – but if you’re trying to do something weird to me, then I am so out of here”
Speaker nodded: “I understand – but we suspect that something has already been done to you. Tell me, have you felt anything weird since coming here? Any strange dreams last night?”
Silly’s expression said it all. How could they have known?
“Yes, on both accounts” said an unseen voice, the one called Sullen Hoof revealing himself again as a strange pony in a chef garb and a huge salakot rice-hat that obscure his face.
Ok this was just too much. Stomping both forehooves hard into the wooden floor with a loud bang, Silly shouted: “Now hold on a minute – I said explain this, not give me more cryptic nonsense!”
Removing her hood, revealing the face of a young mare so beautiful it would make the very gods jealous, Sunrise Glow spoke: “I am so deeply sorry, and I do apologize on behalf of my idiot peers here. Please, calm down and we will explain everything”
Silly felt her mood mellow out surprisingly quickly, but there was just something about how this young and absolutely stunning mare with her wild orange mane and white coat that could not be denied.
Seeing that their guest had calmed down, Cash Charmer spoke up: “Tell me, how much of your childhood do you remember? What was the name of your best friend when you grew up? The name of your first special some-pony?”
Silly was about to say something spiteful, when the hat-wearing Sullen Hoof pulled a huge sack full of silver dinars up from behind the desk. The coins spilled out on the desk… there was a small fortune there – the kind of money you use to hire not small bands of mercs, but entire armies!
Her motivation for letting these strange ponies play around with her thoroughly restored, Silly nodded: “Right… best friend when I grew up… first crush… easy enough”
The others watched, waited. Silly chuckled – these ponies were most certainly mad, but she could work with mad as long as it paid really well, and this sack of coin was all the incentive she needed. Now, best friend… first crush…
Seconds turned into minutes. One could see Sanguine Lotus strain herself mentally, an exercise that soon turned into desperation, then despair…
Sinking to the floor, Silly reached for her head: “What’s wrong me… what have you done to me!?”
“We haven’t done anything – someone else did. They robbed you of your past and implanted false memories, ones with lots of holes in it because they were in a hurry not to be found out. The good news is that we can help you” Speaker said, approaching Silly and reaching out a hoof as a symbolic gesture of aid.
Scooting away from the four, Silly shouted: “No! Get away from me! This place is messing with my head!”
Cash Charmer tried this time, approaching in a way that did make Silly feel a lot more at easy, but his words none the less terrified her: “This is a place of healing – your mind is wounded, but likely also made to fear being healed. Think for a moment, ignore your feelings. Why would you fear wanting your memories restored? You know yourself now that you are missing memories”
It was impossible to deny his logic… except of course for the simply conclusion that he was totally in on what had been done to her!
Silly got up and galloped away. She found a door, but didn’t even bother opening it – she smashed through it with her armored bulk, thundering down a hallway past half a dozen clerks, paperwork flying everywhere in her wake. Behind her she could hear the shouts of those four crazy lords of Sunhill. Oh no, they weren’t getting her that easy.
Leading a merry chase through the offices she was in, Silly finally found what appeared to be a window of sorts – it looked good enough for her: With a mighty jump and a steel-shod hoof out in front, she leapt through the window, it shattering with a loud crunch.
Hot on her tail, the rice-hat wearing pony came out behind her as they slid down the side of the pyramid – but at least it seemed that the others hadn’t jumped after her.
Silly twisted around, expertly righting herself and continuing her gallop as she reached the bottom of the pyramid – but this Sullen Hoof – he simply leapt from on high, landing on rooftops, and jumping from building to building, easily keeping pace with her.
Seeking ground where such aerial magic wouldn’t help, Silly slipped into an alley and ducked under a set of dense bushes, obscuring her position for anyone looking from on high. This seemed to work, right up until she found herself in a dead end – and a moment later Sullen Hoof landed in the alley, blocking the exit.
Still, not all was lost: The alley was dark, its shadow deep – so Silly hid… or would have, if Sullen Hoof’s arrival hadn’t bathed the alley in the bright golden light of an anathema!
“Stop bloody shining so much!” Silly shouted angrily, endlessly frustrated.
Tipping his hat up, revealing his piercing blue eyes… and horribly burned face… Sullen Hoof looked Silly straight in the eyes: “I’m not the one glowing here”
It was an absolutely soul-shattering realization. The light… it was coming from her… and it just wouldn’t stop. In fact, as she noticed it, it seemed to pulse and glow even brighter. That’s when Silly passed out from screaming so much that she forgot to breathe.
As Sanguine Lotus came to, she found herself on a strangely soft… something… yet the moment she became aware of it, whatever it was, it dropped her onto a much harder floor. The sudden shock of dropping down woke her up entirely, and she scrambled to get on her hooves.
Her armor was also gone – only the padding underneath her barding was still strapped to her. What was going on? She remembered… she remembered not remembering – and in trying to remember her foalhood once more, she came up blank. She wanted to scream, but the lords of Sunhill had appeared around her once more.
“Please, be calm – we can help you regain your lost memories” Sunrise Glow said, her voice empowered by subtle charms that lent power to words to force feelings of calm into all who heard them.
Cash Charmer, still dressed in his heavenly silks and looking like the envy of royalty everywhere, nodded: “You are not the first pony who came to us unwittingly. Part of you wants to be healed, even if the conscious part of you is afraid and wants to run away. You must discipline yourself and accept our help, help which we offer freely”
It was far too much to take in – but the dealbreaker, or rather the deal-maker, was when the hat-wearing lord with the melty face appeared, bearing a cake for Silly to eat and collect herself to. Before she had wanted to scream, but after sampling that most exquisite of pastry she wished to weep and pledge her undying fealty to the heavenly genius who had made that cake. All other worries, even her apparent amnesia, had been washed away and her mind singularly focused on the cake.
“Are you sure that was necessary – I mean… wow, you really got her good with that” Cash noted, looking at how completely dream-bound the mare before them was, drooling on the plate with her slice of cake.
Sullen Hoof, his mastery of Orichalcum Chef Style magical martial arts letting him perform culinary miracles on a daily basis, nodded grimly: “We just need to get her to the temple – once her mind is restored all will likely be forgiven. We can treat her new-found cake addiction later”
“Really, we should lead with cake in the future – much less running and broken windows” Speaker noted.
Silly, her mind wrapped in a magical stranglehold of creamy ecstasy that she had no hope of defeating, paid no mind as she was guided onto a beast of burden which then somehow flew up into the air at speeds that it had no businesses moving at, to a temple surrounded by jungle atop a cliffside promontory overlooking a river.
At this temple, its decorations and statues denoting it as a temple of fertility for expecting mares that sought to pray for a safe and healthy delivery, strange ponies with stars in their eyes attended to Silly, concurring with the lords of Sunhill that something had been done to her memories.
It was then that Sanguine Lotus was struck on her forehead with a solid and firm hoof, and in that infinite moment her entire life flashed before her eyes. She witnessed her entire life, from an upbringing in Lookshyan high society, the many salons and tutors, the hard military training, the decades of military service, the complete and crushing disappointment of seeing her siblings exalt as their horns came in, the desperate quest to prove herself to her mother via service to a city state that seemed to care less and less about her as it became more and more obvious that the dragons would never grace her – and then that fateful day when the changelings had come to her retirement home in the Lookshyan hinterlands, when she had taken her old sword from the wall and galloped into battle that she might fight one last time, that she might show the ponies around her that Karal Fire Orchid was truly worthy, that she could still lead by example, and that gods help her… if she had the power, she would show all of creation how to defend itself.
In that moment the heavens had heard her.
Golden fire had erupted from her, and holy light had taken her blade. The changelings around her saw their ruin smote, and had screeched as the lies that was their bodies had been rendered bare.
Of course, glowing with her golden light, she had known that she had to run – questions would be asked, her family would stand to lose face, and she could do so much good elsewhere… so she had run off, seeking other places to help, to teach how to fight, sough allies… and in that she had been ambushed.
Whoever it was, they had worn masks and great cloaks. There had been three of them – and they had done something… something sickening… something with demons… and ells? to her.
The end result was that she had forgotten. Forgotten herself, her new powers, her past, everything. The story of Sanguine Lotus had been told to her, a lie to make her not question herself or her skills, yet make her ignore her own powers, and prevent her from finding out or seeking help.
“No wonder she’d been able to work as a mercenary at her age – her exaltation had made her spry again, just like you Speaker” Someone said, a female voice, but not one of the lords of Sunhill.
It all made sense… eerily so. She had earned the trust and respect of her peers, earning a position of command – but never more than a lowly lieutenant, as their master had feared her authority and how much the troops had listened to her. Of course – that’s why she had been allowed to leave – because then she no longer threatened her leader’s position. Had she really been that popular among the troops? She had never realized that. How could she not have realized that?
Getting up on her hooves once more, Sanguine… no… Karal Fire Orchid, she looked around at the ponies around her. The strange ponies with stars in their eyes were gone, but the lords of Sunhill were there, and she knew them… oh how she knew them…
“It’s good to be home again… but there is something I need to do first” Fire Orchid said, looking at her peers, not with fear in her eyes, but a fearful kind of anticipation.
Returning to Sunhill – Fire Orchid was now keenly aware of how impossible it should be for a towering yeddim, a vast beast of burden that stood as tall as a three- or four-story building, to move at such unnatural speeds… or to race at such speeds up into the air, but as Cash Charmer put it, then he simply observed the ‘sometimes horses fly approach’. This somehow satisfied Fire Orchid, even if she couldn’t quite make sense of it. She got the feeling things would be a lot like that – answers that she felt were right, but didn’t quite understand yet.
The sun shone from on high as they approached the Sunhill manse, Fire Orchid trembling. This time she knew why she had felt uneasy near the place… for the soul of her last bearer, the previous keeper of her exaltation, had given her soul to defeat and pacify an impossible danger to Creation, the unison of which had been fashioned into the power source for the manse… and the last tattered remnants of that soul sought to properly greet the next bearer and heir to its workings.
To the other lords of Sunhill, and quite a few onlookers, seeing the very spirit of a hospital manifest and embrace this foreign pony in their midst, greeting her like an old friend, left no eyes without tears. The raw emotion emanating from the union, from the greeting and the hug, was undeniable… and Fire Orchid felt utterly overwhelmed, sinking to the ground as she wept, feeling the utter elation mixed with sorrow of having felt, no, having seen her own past self gaze into a glorious future and see herself stand resplendent once more.
Her mercenaries found the assembly and was quite confused, but before them Fire Orchid rose up and stood taller than ever – her mind, body and soul once more properly in sync – allowing her to tap powers that she had completely forgotten: “Take heart, my little ponies – you will never again be for want of coin, for now I stand before you as the fifth lord of Sunhill, and if you still wish to follow my commands, I will forge you into the finest elite fighting unit in all of creation, and the ponies here will salute you at every turn”
At first there were weary eyes among her troops, thinking their leader mad – but her earnestness shined though, seeing all of them bow to her once more.
“Right, glad we got that wrapped up – Speaker, please do the thing to unfuck the valley and have the orchards replanted. Sully, I’m going to need you to teach that cake recipe to some of our staff because I also ate a piece and I’m pretty sure you got me hooked too” Cash Charmer stated somewhat unceremoniously, wiping crumbs and icing from his mouth.
Silly… no… that wasn’t her name anymore. Never had been, even as a nickname. She was Karal Fire Orchid, of gens Karal of Lookshy, daughter of Karal Linseed, one of the highest-ranking military rulers of Lookshy. Oh, this was going to take some getting used to.
As everyone dispersed Sunrise helped both Cash and Fire Orchid shake their need for the addictive cake, noting that it was high time Cash learned of her personal addiction curing charm, and adding that Fire Orchid was going to face a harsh regiment of training to catch her up to the level of skill and ability that the rest of the circle possessed: “Our enemies are legion and grow stronger yet every day – this is the price of your rediscovered powers: You will now become a target, though you won’t be standing alone”
Yes, this would definitely take some getting used to.
Three days later the circle gathered at the Sunhill Manse once more, this time to bid farewell to Speaker as he had finally received a long-awaited word from Yu-Shan for where to seek out someone quite important to him.
“Hold on – word from heaven? We command elementals here, and speak with the gods now too?” Fire Orchid said incredulously, still being in the process of being briefed on everything.
Sunrise nodded from under her cloak hood: “We have many good friends in Yu-Shan – you will get to visit there in due time – but you will need to learn much more etiquette and occult lore if you do not wish to run afoul of the strange and contradictory laws of heaven”
Fire Orchid didn’t look as if she was entirely happy with that answer – not that she didn’t understand it – but she didn’t like the implications.
Cash in turn seemed more goal-focused for Speaker’s journey: “Did you store away the sea shells I got you? It’s their currency over there – not everywhere there accepts silver”
“I did. I also stored the other things we talked about, but come now friend – I’ve survived getting dropped into the western oceans before. Even made good friends last time” Speaker said, sounding very confident about his journey.
Fire Orchid had understood very little of this journey to the west that her fellow Lord was undertaking: “Lord Bright - this message you got from Yu-Shan… it’s related to your friend who died, right?”
Taking a brief but sharp breath, Speaker nodded: “Last Shimmer died a year ago, during the battle of Deep Rot – you had known her well back then. She has reincarnated, so I will seek to find her and bring her back here now that we know where to look. The challenge will be that while she’s reincarnated now, I’ll have to take the slow route to the west, to avoid detection by the realm… and there’s no telling what’ll happen to her in the meantime. I could arrive only to find that a Wyld Hunt killed her, or something similarly bad”
Cash mused for a second: “How long do you think it’ll take for you to get there?”
Looking at the large map of creation they had splayed out on the table, Speaker made a few quick calculations and recited his travel itinerary: “It all depends on the winds – but I should be able to clear the Blessed Isle after a few months or so of sailing, depending on how long we have to stay in each port. After that I can fly to Wavecrest and start scouring the Neck using my tracking charms. With any luck I’ll have her found a few months before calibration, then we’ll find the Denzik and use it to travel south around the realm holds and meet up with you in Lookshy again – I’ll message you when I know we’ll be there”
Cash Charmer appeared: “It’s a good start – but we all know that you’ll have to dodge bronze faction sidereals once you approach the isle and start flying around the west. There’s no telling how much trouble that’ll land you in”
“Not if I can help it” a chipper female voice spoke out, a young mare with a dark-brown coat and some seriously green eyes. Green eyes full of stars… now where had Fire Orchid seen that before?
A scroll was presented, and while the mare explained it being some kind of heavenly writ of solar mate-seeking, referring to some excessively obscure heavenly law that forbade any celestial agents, divinities, or spirits from interfering with a solar’s quest to find his lunar mate, then Fire Orchid just scratched her chin and found herself wondering who the mystery mare was, and whether she had met her before. Fire Orchid couldn’t remember meeting the mare at the temple where her memory had been restored – for such was the nature of the arcane fate of sidereals, to be forgotten by all, unless you worked as part of the heavenly bureaucracy, which the rest of the circle technically did as consultants and contractors to the convention of Deathlords, while Fire Orchid had yet to be brought back into that fold.
Speaker graciously accepted the scroll, folding it into elsewhere for safe keeping.
“And bring me back some recipes… and the spices we talked about while you’re in the south” Sullen Hoof said, appearing almost out of nowhere at the table with a shopping list of spices for Speaker to order when in the south.
Chuckling, Speaker looked to Sunrise who simply shrugged: “I have all what I need – just bring back our friend and come back unscathed”
Speaker couldn’t have asked for a better request. Sadly, it wasn’t the last thing Speaker had to do: A messenger came galloping with a letter. It was from his family in Lookshy.
“Another immigration request? The usual veiled demand to be made into advisors and viziers? How many times do we have to turn these leeches down? Speaker, you really need to tell them to stop with this, it’s embarrassing” Cash said, having snatched the letter and read it in an instant.
Fire Orchid didn’t know any of the bad blood between Speaker and his family, for even in her past life it had not been something she had been around to witness, so she didn’t quite understand the hubbub – but Speaker knew this, and so just shook his head: “They didn’t care about me when I basically retired in exile after mother’s death, after my own bother called me a liar for claiming to have heard her last will and testament before she died – but as a lord of Sunhill they want to move here and mooch off our wealth? Not happening. Messenger, take this back to the immigration office and have them put it in the reject pile. Tell them if they get more from these idiots, just reject them outright and not to bother any of us with requests for them anymore”
“Is his family that bad?” Fire Orchid wondered to Sunrise, as the messenger trotted off.
The priestess, Sunrise Glow, sighed deeply: “Speaker is the only one among us with still living family – and they treated him quite poorly when he was younger, to the point that he left them and his homeland to die of old age far from them. Now they simply lust for the wealth of Sunhill, thinking they can come here and draw on our wealth and power. We’ve had some minor run-ins with them, trying to move here un-invited and thinking they could act on Speaker’s behalf, trying to gain control of some of our industries. None of us are interested having them here. We prefer letting in immigrants who actually want to work and contribute, not just spend our money”
“Ha – like a general’s family thinking they can order the troops around, got it” Fire Orchid chuckled, having seen that kind of scenario play out more than once.
With that minor distraction over, the time finally came for Speaker and Cash Charmer to board a yeddim of all things, one of the slowest and likely most dull-witted of creatures in creation, to travel westward. Fire Orchid certainly didn’t see the logic in using such a beast to travel to Lookshy for the first leg of Speaker’s journey: “Are you shitting me?”
…she felt a tad silly when Cash pulled the reigns and somehow made the beast rocket into the sky, moving at a speed where her eyes could barely follow, only really seeing the golden con-trail that followed them.
“Come Sunrise, let’s see if we can get to the bottom of those cult fliers that we keep seeing snuck into the merchant wares coming into town” Sully said, leaving the yeddim stables with the young priestess, Fire Orchid remaining behind to look dumbfounded at the sky where the con-trail of the yeddim has disappeared.
A few hours and several hundred miles later, crossing into Lookshy airspace, the flying yeddim was interdicted by a Lookshyan skyreme – its bright blue and glowing stern of blue jade a bright light in the evening sky, almost as shiny as the trail of golden vapor that the yeddim left behind, which lit up the skyreme’s sails. From the skyreme a unicorn with a voice-enhancing talisman shouted for Cash and Speaker to identify themselves.
Speaker stood up on the howdah atop the yeddim, which was built with a big crystal windshield to protect the passenger from the fast onrush of air while traveling, and focused his essence inwards, making it burst forth through himself, through his very soul, flaring his anima to its iconic form for a few seconds.
The glorious shiny visage of a great golden gear erupted around Speaker as the very form of his soul became visible, three pairs of great wings wrought of golden soul-light spreading out from him within the great gear. The vision faded after a few seconds, leaving Speaker to simply glow softly in the evening sun.
The unicorn on the skyreme acknowledged the identification: “Good to see you again Lord Bright and Lord Charmer – we expected your arrival as per your message. Please land your yeddim on aviary dock wood-fourteen”
Speaker felt a strange little shudder, not in any bad way, but to be greeted in such an otherwise friendly and casual manner, brought back ancient memories of a time in the first age when he had ruled… nay… when he had built what would later become Lookshy from the bottom up. Of course, back then the city had a different name, and a very different look too… though as they descended to the many-tiered hollowed obelisk that was the grand aviary in the Old Town district in the very heart of Lookshy, Speaker did see that there were things afoot at the old buildings used by the Valkhawsen academy of sorcery. Was Lookshy really going to go through with his suggestion of tearing the place down to make room for raising the subterranean manse he had helped repair, to get it up to the surface?
“It’ll be a hell of an undertaking… I wonder how many elementals they’ll summon for it” Cash said, effortlessly guiding the flying yeddim onto the proper landing space in the aviary.
Shrugging, Speaker found his brows furrowed: “I’ll be honest – I have no idea. It’ll be the biggest public works since their reconstruction of the ports district. Isn’t that also where they’re building the new Valkhawsen campus?”
“It’s the only place where they had room – that’s the price of making the city a giant magical fortress – you run out of space really fast, and expanding the city walls is even more expensive…” Cash noted, speaking from hard-earned experience of having been Sunhill’s master of coin since its founding.
Speaker and Cash quickly parted ways, having different business to attend to. Speaker’s townhouse in Lookshy had been upgraded to a diplomatic residence and office, with Cash managing a lot of Sunhill’s trade from it – as well as managing imports from further away coming in via Lookshy, that either wanted to or was scheduled to end up in Sunhill. Sunhill’s continued beef with the Guild meant that there were guild bounties on merchant shipping going to Sunhill, something Fire Orchid had run across without even knowing it. Speaking of which…
“So… do make sure to tell her mother that we found Fire Orchid – but break it to her gently” Speaker said before heading off the Lookshy harbor.
Cash Charmer looked less than pleased of having to break that news as Speaker was out the door. Fire Orchid hadn’t wanted to come along to reconnect to her mother, needing time to reconcile being a solar and all: “You’re leaving that to… yes, yes you’re leaving that to me”
Making his way from his estate to the nearest light rail station, Speaker caught a quick ride to the harbor. Thanks to magical components and materials that Sunhill had sold Lookshy, mainly stuff that Speaker had made or taught others to make, Lookshy had been able to restore its internal light rail system, allowing for ponies and goods to flow through the city a lot more efficiently.
Well… the security checkpoints at the light rail systems were a pain – but so were all Lookshyan security checkpoints. Par for the course for keeping the city safe of course. Cash would have called it a needless waste of resources, Sunrise would have said it’s a paranoid bit of security theatre, but to Speaker he understood the necessity: With the re-introduction of the light rail system, a magical bomb, barrels full of animated skeletons waiting to leap out and attack, or something similar could be moved from the port district into the heart of the city very quickly once mounted into the light rail network – so everything had to be checked.
Thinking for a moment, it occurred to Speaker that he wasn’t an average run of the mill Lookshyan helot anymore – he wasn’t even a citizen anymore – he had the privileges of being a foreign monarch, and was on first name basis with most of Lookshy’s general staff. He’d only need to ask, and someone would have been sent to escort him through every checkpoint straight to the ship he was heading to.
Still, having grown up in Lookshy, it was difficult to kick such old habits. There was a strange comfort in standing in line and enjoying the system working as intended, even if the legionnaires checking his papers weren’t quite sure of how to address him due to his status and effective royalty.
Halfway to the harbour front, Speaker would swear that he could feel the fury and the swearing from across city as Cash Charmer had probably just informed Taimyo Karal Linseed that her long-lost daughter had been found… and that she was now a lord of Sunhill. All of gens Karal would likely suffer at least some loss of face for having a member become a solar. Officially Lookshy had no stance on solars – though it had a stance on Sunhill, and considered Sunhill a staunch ally and a primary medical service provider for wounded Lookshyan legionaries and vendor of rare magical crafting components. Indeed, Lookshy was Sunhill’s chief trade partner for such goods and services.
Speaker could only chuckle – it was a shame that he had to leave so soon really: Fire Orchid looked to have been around his age when she had exalted, and it would no doubt be great fun sharing stories from their time serving in Lookshy’s legions. He had to wonder which legion she had served in. He had served in the first field force, the elite forces, but Fire Orchid had likely been a low-ranking officer, so she could have served anywhere.
Thinking about Fire Orchid’s possible past kept Speaker’s mind occupied as he got aboard the merchant ship heading out of the city. Even with his writ of heavenly protection, he would still need to avoid detection by the realm… though how well their intelligence efforts were was a complete unknown to him – though he was traveling under a false identity.
As the ship set sail, Speaker struck up conversation with the captain. Thanks to a bit of sidereal trickery, Speaker appeared as a very non-descript pony to anyone who just casually looked at him, though the effect of that would wear off once Speaker got about a thousand miles or so away from Lookshy, where the limits of Sunhill’s sidereal allies’ sphere of influence reached.
It turned out that the captain of the ship did a regular trade route around the blessed isle: “I had a friend who visited the Denzik city ship once… told me of their route around the isle. I used to sail between Pangu and Port Callin, selling realm goods to guild merchants, but I could never arrive in time for the merchants I knew who’d give me good deals, just ones who’d give me shit deals”
“So, you started a bigger trade route instead?” Speaker inquired, looking out over the inland sea. There wasn’t another ship in sight, but Speaker knew that there were likely dozens of ships just over the horizon, as that part of the inland sea was known to be quite busy.
The captain adjusted her big fancy triangular hat, the latest in realm captain-fashion: “I called a few favors to set it up, even renamed my ship the Wing of Daana’d, but pretty much ya. I buy high quality steel spear-tips and arrowheads here in Lookshy, sell that at Wallport for bulk loads of wool and expensive furs, then its Chanos where I sell all that to the weavers and clothiers for a profit, pick up alchemical minerals they mine there, sail west and sell that at Heptagram. I don’t really pick up much stuff there, but there’s usually always someone paying for passage to Bright Obelisk, buy coal there…”
“Where do you sell coal? That doesn’t sound like something you can get much of a profit on unless you’re selling it back to the north” Speaker mused, having learned far more than he cared to about the fuel requirements of a city for things like heating and industry over the last year.
“No, we fill the hold with coal and take it Azure, up north in the Coral archipelago. They need it for making steel, and pay really well for it. Biggest challenge is dodging coral pirates going there, but I usually try to convoy with some part of the realm water fleet who patrol there regularly” The captain explained, sounding really happy about her trade route’s profitability.
The captain went on about all the cheap pirated goods she’d buy in Azure, where she’d then sail back to the blessed isle and sell the western goods for an even bigger profit. While Speaker could respect the business acumen, then the intricacies of such trading was endlessly boring to him. All he needed confirmed was that the ship was going to the west, and it was.
Somewhat clumsily excusing himself to the Captain, Speaker retreated to his cabin. It wasn’t big, but it had a door, a cot, and a small table. Retrieving an oversized doctor’s satchel form elsewhere, Speaker pulled out a large candle from it and put it on the table, along with a hoof-full of small red jade beads. Holding the beads tight in his hoof and focusing on the candle, its wick lit up as the magic of the red jade beads worked their fiery essence.
Taking a deep breath, Speaker settled into a meditative position on the cot.
He recalled the recent conversation he had enjoyed with Lytek, god of Exaltation, as the god had descended from on high in Yu-Shan to take into custody a captured deathknight – an abyssal exalted – that the circle had captured earlier. Speaker could only pity the deathknights, the dark mirror versions of solars, originally made from underworld-corrupted solar exaltations, especially the ones who didn’t come to Sunhill seeking aid in how to cleanse their exaltation and undo their dark state of being.
Still, Speaker recalled Lytek having been optimistic – perhaps a function of Lytek’s body being that of pure light, so having a bright mood came naturally to the god – for the god had insisted that he was working on cleansing abyssal exaltations manually once they had been removed from their hosts. Sure, the removal killed the host, but he made sure it was done in such a way that destroyed the host soul – instead of leaving it to be sucked back into the underworld for eternal torture at the mad whims of the Deathlords and the Neverborn masters.
This had brought Speaker hope – and he focused on that feeling. This had been part of the instructions that Lytek had given him, relating to a query Speaker had made quite a while ago: “You are of the twilight caste. Yours is the darkness before the dawn, the last sliver of hope holding out until the sun rises again. At this point in your spiritual development, you will need to focus on the fading light, the lone light in darkness. This will greatly accelerate your efforts to purify your essence, though why you feel the need for it is beyond me – at this point you’ve already taken down a deathlord… why would you need to be even more powerful?”
It was with a heavy heart that Speaker that explained his plight – a worthy one if there had ever been any, for back when he had first returned to Lookshy after having exalted himself Speaker had met with some old army buddies… of the sort who had given up their old age in exchange for magical power, sacrificing much of their line for their duty. Speaker had found a couple of buddies from his old unit, buddies who were suffering from the late stages of the supernatural aging that having worn those magical gemstone implants. He had sworn to them that if they could just hold on a few more years, then he would be able to give them back their youth.
Speaker could not remember having ever seen Lytek weep like that – at least not since the primordial war, before the dawn of the first age. And of course, getting to the point where he could master such a very much so impossible feat of turning back the clock wasn’t easy. Thus purifying his essence even more so was only the beginning… he would have to master charms that had all been forgotten since the first age, but he considered his personal quest: Too many ponies in creation suffered from things beyond their control, and were very much deserving of a second chance at life. Speaker wanted to be the one to give them that second lease on life, that they could help build a better future.
As far as anyone else on the ship was concerned, it mainly meant that Speaker spent most of his time in his cabin, only appearing for meals – something that quite a few of the other passengers also did, especially the ones who had absolutely no stomach for sailing the high seas, so he raised no suspicion in doing so.
The first leg of the journey, the trip to Wallport, took several weeks. Speaker had hoped to start his essence purification regiment during this time, and indeed he did – but it sadly wasn’t the only thing he experienced during that time… though not during his waking hours while he meditated.
It was during his dreams. They had started to become… strange. Not in any bad way, but as Speaker slept each night he had begun to dream of strange duels, fights against magical creatures and beings that seemed to always slip away from him. The worst part – depending on how one looked at things – was that he couldn’t always remember the dreams, and he knew from speaking with his sidereal allies that dreams were a known vector of attack among sidereals. Had he already been detected?
Was this some strange attack on his mind? Was it an attempt to blow his cover this early on his journey? He had no interest in finding out – but instead of trying to avoid the issue, he chose to face it head on, seeking to learn as much as possible from his foe, that he might ultimately outsmart it.
After a few days of fiddling around with this, stilling and purifying his essence during the day as he focused on the flicker of that one lone candle that he kept restoring using his repair charms, and learning strange nothings during the night, Speaker came to a strange form of enlightenment as he went to sleep once more.
He now knew that he was asleep. He had become self-aware and lucid while dreaming. This pleased him to absolutely no end, and he leapt about shouting in happiness and he danced from cloud to cloud over gem-studded sunsets in his dreamscape, attempting to taking control of his own dream and choosing what to dream of. His dreams became for more interesting after that: He was able to spend time reviewing old memories, dream up future projects, but now it also became clear to him that these dream-battles he had been having were… intrusions of some sort. He couldn’t tell from where, but while in his dreamland he couldn’t scry his physical surroundings with essence sight to track where the intrusion came from.
To this end Speaker focused his dreams on observing the essence patterns he could see while dreaming – the essence patterns of being in a dream-state. At meal-times during the day, when the ship’s half dozen passengers would be gathered on deck and be served simple meals of rice, beans, steamed sea-weed and whatever fish the sailors had been able to catch via tossing nets from the ship, Speaker snuck glances at his fellows to observe the essence patterns of being conscious.
It was a testament to Speaker’s mental discipline that he was able to work on his essence during the day, and then dream of strange essence experiments during the night – though a few days later again he awoke with a start during the night, as his dreamtime research bore fruit, sort of: He had found the way to fiddle with essence to wake someone up, evidently frightening his next-cabin neighbour quite a lot. Reversing the pattern, he put the screaming pony to blissful sleep until dawn.
A week later the captain warned the passengers during the mid-day meal that a storm had been sighted in their path – and it was unknown whether it would pass them by, or if they would be caught in it: “At the moment it seems very far off – our lookout up in the crow’s nest only spotted it just now on the horizon. I can’t even see it down here from the deck. Still, I am warning you all to tie down any lose objects in your cabins. Any oil lamps or candles are to packed away, because the last thing we need is a fire while being tossed around”
Speaker simply nodded. The other passengers were terrified – but he had survived worse.
Well, he felt that right until he went to sleep that night: The moment he ‘awoke’ in his dreamscape Speaker found himself ambushed by something.
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webkilla
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562171
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Original Character,Other,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Alternate Universe,Crossover,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore
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The Tome of Exalted Ponies
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An epic crossover fic between MLP and the RPG of Exalted, featuring the shiniest of heroes and the darkest of foes, all battling for the fate of all life in existence!
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incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>A sequel to the Scroll of Exalted Ponies.</p><p>Our heroes have loved, lost and set themselves up as the lords of Sunhill - but with greater fame and power, comes greater foes.</p><p><a href="http://asktheexaltedponies.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow">asktheexaltedponies.tumblr.com</a> <b>- Ask blog for the story and its characters</b> There be extra lore and fun things hidden away here.</p><p>The world of exalted is a magical place, where a strict hierarchy of corrupt and decadent gods extort prayers from mortal ponies, while ponies blessed with divine bloodlines exalt and gain unicorn horns with elemental powers, ruling over the mortal ponies with a jade-steel hoof.</p><p>This is how things have always been - until a group of Solars, a Lunar and their friends stood up faced down a great evil. This is their story of might, magic, compassion and fury, asian-themed mysteries and mystical martial arts.</p><p>Do note: The story only has the 'mature' tag on account of occasionally being somewhat bloody when the ponies get to fighting. Think kill bill and your favorite wire-fu movie done by ponies. It may also eventually contain zomponies, undead horrors and demonic nasties.</p><p>Creation is a cruel world: Will its new shiny heroes with the power of mind control and magic kung fu be able to improve on this, or will they ruin it utterly?</p><p>Exalted, the game, the setting, the universe, the awesome fluff and the amble amounts of fanservice in the rulebooks are (c) White Wolf.</p>
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mature
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2024-07-27T16:19:13+00:00
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2024-07-27T16:19:12+00:00
| 9 |
The Righteous Devil stylist takes a long, long moment to glare at the soup, and finally pronounces it innocent. He saddles up and rides off into the sunset, looking for another town, and another souphouse.
…
Speaker awoke, feeling absolutely terrified. He had spent the entire night fighting for his life, the shapeless nightmare that fought him turning his dream around him into a thing of horrible unspeakable terror every time it struck – not wounding him, but wounding his dream! The strange thing was that he still felt refreshed from the night’s sleep – but it had simply been amazingly intense… and the feeling of dread faded very quickly. Indeed, upon reflection he realized that he had never been harmed physically in the dream. Strange. To think that with all his encounters with deathknights, that nightmares of them wouldn’t try to harm him directly… didn’t make sense.
Returning to his meditations on essence purification, Speaker took care that his candle couldn’t fall over before starting. A fire on a ship was a truly catastrophic event.
The next night Speaker fought another such strange running battle, fleeing through his dream as parts of it were struck and turned into nightmares. Feeling more than stubborn enough to refuse such nocturnal aggression, Speaker forced himself to wake up more than once, trying to quickly scan his cabin with essence to find some trace of… something… but there was nothing.
His dreams kept being attacked – and the oceanic storm drew closer – but a few days later Speaker awoke with a strange new realization: He had now seen the commandeering and alteration of his own dreams enough to do it himself. During the breakfast meal the captain warned: “We’ve been trying to sail around the storm – but we’ve never seen anything like this… it’s like a western storm has come to the inland sea, and it seems to be just growing and gobbling up ships that pass into it. I fear we may be in for a rough ride”
As annoying as having to break his cover to continue his trip via his own magical means, Speaker paid little heed to the captains worries. He had his meditations to attend, and his strange new night-time trick to experiment with. That night, as Speaker went to sleep he found that each time the nightmare creature corrupted his dream, he could strike it in turn and change it back! His fights with the creature were thus no longer fighting retreats away from corrupted dreamscape, but a more an even fight.
…but it was also cut short, as Speaker found himself tossed about in his cabin: The storm had caught the ship!
Emerging from his cabin onto the deck, he found the captain shouting desperate orders as driving rain reduced visible to nearly nothing. This was perfect cover.
With a charm that let him leap many times the normal height that a pony could jump, and from a standing position at that, Speaker quickly ascended to the crow’s nest of the ship. The main mast creaked and groaned, and the young mare up in the crow’s nest was absolutely terrified – not even paying attention to the sudden arrival of Speaker.
Taking pity on the little pony, Speaker considered what he had learned recently. With a gentle touch and a bit of essence, he rendered her asleep with sweet dreams, then secured her to the crows nest with some ropes – letting her ride out of the experience without fright. With nobody to see him do anything, Speaker withdrew two large half-sphere rubies from elsewhere and attached them to his shoulders, each the size of a large cherry. Leaping high into the air above the ship, he willed the gemstones to activate, wings of fire erupting from them. In the driving rain even something that bright was muffled and obscured – so none down on the ship saw him.
Using his essence sight, Speaker trailed the source of the rain until he found it: The god of the storm, surrounded by a churning court of water and wind elementals. To his relief it wasn’t the same storm-god he’d slapped around a few years ago in the west – would have been fitting though, for that god had seemed quite petty and prone to plans of revenge.
“Cease this storm at once!” Flying up in front of the mighty storm god Speaker called out in the ancient tongue of the gods, that known to scholars as Old Realm – its visage that of water and wind manifesting into a furious face that harshly gazed back the solar.
The god shot lighting at Speaker, but they did nothing: Speaker had learned how to survive the elements during his time in the Lookshyan special forces, and as a solar those skills had amplified to such a point that no force of nature could really hurt him, as he stood regal with his elemental emperor stance.
Returning fire by taking a swipe at the god’s elemental minions, Speaker used his dread charm that let him destroy spirits, gods and ghosts with deadly efficiency – and the dying screams of his underlings got the god’s attention: “You dare?”
“I do – now cease this storm or I will thin out your retinue to the point that you will be the laughingstock of every weather god in creation!” Speaker shouted back.
The god’s eyes crackled with thunder, and it seemed to move to swallow Speaker – but the solar simply flew up and punched the god on the forehead, using the exact same charm as on the lookout in the crow’s nest, though in a decidedly more forceful manner: The god was instantly put to sleep…
Around speaker dozens of elementals flew up to… thank him? What?
“He’s been so amazingly cranky lately after he got robbed – been venting his rage on all those poor ships… a good night’s sleep is exactly what he needed!” one elemental said.
Other elementals surrounded the god and somehow began moving it away, probably off to bed.
Speaker struggled not to laugh, flying back to the ship and sneaking aboard by landing in the ocean next to the ship, using his solar crafting charms to form a hatch in the hull, getting in via the hatch, then removing the hatch with his repair charm. Why sneak over a wall, when you could make a door?
Satisfied that the storm seemed to be quickly abating, Speaker returned to his cabin, not giving much thought to what might have been stolen from the storm god – that wasn’t his problem. The nightmare beast he usually battled was nowhere to be found in his dreams that night, allowing Speaker to dream lucidly but peacefully for once.
With the storm no longer an issue, the captain declared the next day that their trip to Wallport would continue once more at the regular pace, winds permitting. Speaker was pleased as punch. At night, he even began fighting back against the nightmare creature, no longer just undoing its changes to his dream, but also striking at it, trying to put it to sleep… or mess with its dreamlike nature. With the right commanding dream pattern of essence, Speaker found that he could momentarily make the nightmare creature… do things. It was as if it was a dream, and he was gaining control of it, even if only briefly, before it reasserted itself.
The culmination of these strange bouts came a few days before the ship arrived at Wallport, as Speaker tried a new variation to his dream-based battles: He tore at the creature, pulling the nightmare out of the nightmare creature… and then it wasn’t a nightmare creature anymore.
For the first time in quite a while, Speaker awoke not remember his dream – but he was certain that he remembered the new dream-pulling trick… he just couldn’t remember how it was that he knew it – nor did he remember the appearance of the being he had revealed once its nightmare form had been removed, for it had evidently not wanted to be known just yet.
At Wallport things on the ship changed, and changed quickly – the cargo hold was stuffed with crates of tightly packed wool, thick animal furs and ivory, but all of the other passengers also got off, and new ones came aboard: Immaculate monks, including several unicorns.
Immaculates… the last thing Speaker needed on the ship. Even worse, he knew that bronze faction sidereals often hid among immaculates, which left Speaker very much so on edge. A dozen of the light-blue robed ponies arrived on the ship, with quite a few deckhooves hauling their luggage on board.
Going below deck, Speaker sighed. He didn’t expect them holding an inquisition at sea, but those ponies… he would have to eat with them. Anything less would be extremely suspicious.
As the ship set off from Wallport, Speaker girded himself mentally. The previous passengers had all been merchants traveling with their goods, or others simply going north for personal business. A group of immaculate unicorns? That meant something was up.
Their first shared meal was breakfast the next day at sea. Speaker quickly noticed that the immaculates weren’t eating the same as everyone else – which made sense, since the immaculate vows required one becoming a vegetarian. Still, they were only served a single bowl of rice each… a meagre diet by any standard.
One of the unicorns said something in his direction, spotting Speaker sneaking glances at their bowls, his own bowl of rice and beans still half full.
This was Cash Charmer’s forte – or Sunrise, or Sullen Hoof. Speaker knew his own limitations, and social subtleties and manipulation to veil one’s own agenda and intentions were not one of them. Still, there were certain easy solutions to avoid any serious conversation, such as pretending that Speaker didn’t speak High Realm, the language of realm nobles and landed gentry. He tried to gesture and explain as much, without using words – as would be expected for a commoner or foreign pony.
The unicorns appeared to quickly catch on to this, resulting in them starting to quiz Speaker on what languages he did know – to which end it didn’t take long before one of them asked him in in heavily accented rivertongue: “Do you speak the merchant tongue?”
Not wanting to chance that they had a means of detecting lies, Speaker politely nodded. “I do”
“Excellent – now, what’s this business my brothers here tell me about you keep looking at our food?” the mare inquired, her mane shorn off completely just like the other monks.
Keeping his gaze down, Speaker simply explained that he used to work as a doctor, and knew that only eating rice for extended periods would lead to scurvy. The unicorns all chuckled at Speaker’s words, appearing not at all worried. The mare monk then explained: “We have our special rations that we eat before meditating – more than enough to keep us healthy until we reach the isle, but we thank you for your concern good pony”
While looking down, Speaker didn’t see the other unicorns roll their eyes at the mention of the blessed isle. He did hear quite a few of them groan.
“Oh, don’t mind them – they’re just upset we’ve all been called back to the isle” the mare explained, making Speaker peek up in curiosity.
Why would immaculate monks be recalled to the isle? That didn’t make sense. Speaker had to ask: “Called back to your houses? I thought monks were absolved from house politics like the succession crisis?”
Several of the unicorns chuckled at the mention of the ‘succession crisis’ – even though Cash Charmer had insisted that such was the polite term for the realm civil war. The mare certainly found it funny, though her expression quickly turned serious as she explained the situation: “No, we have been recalled to the Palace Sublime. It, and most of the Incas prefecture has fallen to the Peleps legions. Several bishops are coordinating a massing of monks, both mortal and unicorns, to take back control of the Cloister of Wisdom”
“Good heavens… if a house gained control of the Mouth of Peace too, that would mean the end of political neutrality for all immaculates” Speaker said, his quick strategic evaluation of the most likely outcome relating the monks sounding plausible to him.
The immaculates nodded as the mare translated what he had said. She replied: “None of us want that. Most of us took the razor to get out of house politics – I didn’t want to end up a brood mare for my house, or some sacrificial pawn in a game about power and prestige. And house V’Neef has the Mouth of peace held up in other parts of the Incas prefecture, while Peleps control the Palace Sublime – but that means that V’Neef and Peleps can just trade insults over who is really in command of the immaculates. We’re looking to liberate both. Only thing we know is that there are also monks massing on the Sweet Radiance islands on the southern side of the isle for some kind of big distraction”
And with that, Speaker no longer feared the monks on the ship: He pitied them. They were going ‘home’ not to fight in the civil war, but to liberate and defend their supposedly neutral faction: “I will pray for you. There are no doubt tens of thousands of innocent farmers on the isle who are being pressed into becoming levied soldiers, to fight for nobles who care nothing for the lives of their serfs. Making the Cloister and the Palace into sanctuaries for those who do not want to fight is something that must be done”
“Well said” the monk mare replied, sounding sad as she looked down at her bowl of rice.
After the meal, Speaker returned to his cabin and did as he had done many times already on the journey: He pulled out the necklace he had with a talisman, in which the hearthstone for the Sunhill manse was set. It had a special power: It let Speaker see and hear as if being back in Sunhill, as well as command the features of the manse, which aside from messing with the magical lighting and doors, also included the controls for the manse’s magical illusion systems. This let him manifest images of himself, which could even speak and be heard by others.
Using this, Speaker manifested an image of himself near his secretary and dictated a message for his fellow lords of Sunhill, giving them a status update with this new information on the realm civil war.
The following few weeks of sailing to get to the Blessed Isle were… interesting, sort of. Speaker recognized that the oceans became calmer, winds steadier as they got closer to the stabilizing influence of the pole of earth. During meals he found himself looking at the horizon, trying to spot land, only able to see the distant rise of the impossibly tall mount meru – but you could see that almost anywhere in Creation if you were on flat terrain.
It had been so many thousands of years since he had properly set hoof upon the Blessed Isle in a calm and orderly fashion. Not just flying above it at breakneck speed to reach the Imperial Mountain for various strange reasons – but to walk the verdant plains, see the horizon-to-horizon orchards, to see the ancient temples to Celestia… well… those temples were probably either gone or remade to be immaculate temples.
Still, they would be at their port of call for a few days for loading and unloading cargo – and at Wallport the Captain had said that Speaker was free to leave the ship until it was ready to set sail again. Cash Charmer had even taught Speaker the language of High Realm, the tongue of realm nobles, which was to help his cover story of being a Grey Falls scion looking for an old friend in the west, so Speaker figured he’d be able to speak to the locals – at least in the high-end businesses.
This, as it turned out, did not come to pass: Approaching the harbour inlet for the port city of Chanos, the ship came across a rather substantial fleet blockading the port. Speaker couldn’t recognize the flags and banners that the fleet had on display, but it reeked of one realm noble house messing with the hold of another. Lovely.
The captain was none too pleased to announce that this meant basically waiting until the siege lifted: “Put out the nets – we’ll need to start rationing our dry goods. There’s no telling how long this will last… I’ll try sending a boat out to negotiate our passage”
“Captain, can you tell what house this fleet is from?” Speaker asked as he stood by the deck-railings in the evening breeze, none too pleased with things having ground to a halt, only the lamps on the blockade ships and the light of braziers on shore visible in the evening darkness.
The captain shook her head, running a hoof through her mane: “Honestly, no idea – maybe in the morning we’ll be able to see their flags if the boat isn’t back. We could be here for weeks… months? Normally I’d just have us sail somewhere else, but all the buyers for my cargo are supposed to be in Chanos, so I cannot afford to go elsewhere. I’m sorry”
“Take heart ponies – we will resolve this” the monk mare said, all of the immaculate monks having assembled on the deck of the ship.
The black-horned unicorn among the monks, a water aspected stallion, spun water up next to the ship, while the blue-horned unicorn monk who was blessed by the dragon of air blew magical icy air that shaped the water into a simple boat of ice. The immaculates quickly got down into the boat, and the water aspected unicorn moved the water around them to propel the boat. They had even brought all their luggage with them. It certainly appeared that the monks were meaning business.
Speaker and the Captain shared a confused but impressed look together, as the ice boat vanished into the darkness.
A bit later a ship blew up. Then another one. Other ships converged on the exploded ships.
“Well, that’s one way to open up a blockade… hey that’s the monks coming back?” Speaker said, spying the ice boat (now showered in splinters) reappearing out of the darkness.
The captain quickly called for deckhands to fetch a rope-ladder, the monks quickly coming back aboard: “Captain, the blockade has been sufficiently disrupted to permit transit – set sails and go in with lights out”
Speaker quickly hurried down below deck and packed his things, stashing it all elsewhere – just in case things turned out badly.
Returning to the deck half an hour later, Speaker found the deck very quiet and very dark. The sails were out, and a quiet evening breeze was pushing the ship towards the distant shore.
Everyone held their breath. The ship wasn’t armed, and the monks weren’t enough to ward off a proper boarding attack – and Speaker still didn’t want to reveal himself… but he also really didn’t want to travel west on land while on the isle. There were simply too many immaculate-loyal spirits and godlings on the isle who would be able to sense his true nature and reveal him. Sailing past the isle was the best option by far…
Passing the burning remains of the two exploded ships revealed a third one that was sinking, also likely the work of the monks. It made Speaker wonder if they were trained in the celestial dragon styles – mainly because that would actually make them actually dangerous opponents if they found him out.
Halfway through the blockade Speaker and everyone else saw a flare rise into the sky. While it looked pretty, it also meant that the Wing of Daana’d was suddenly very visible. Oops.
Arrows and ballista bolts started flying at the ship in short order – other nearby ships raising anchor and giving pursuit. With no small amount of shouting, the captain prevented her sailors from panicking, making them run all over the place to check for damages and patch up leaks if and when they were hit.
Several large ballista bolts soon crashed into the side of the ship, two of them just at the waterline. Their hooked heads were nearly impossible to dislodge from the ship, leaving gaping holes for water to come in. A bucket chain was quickly set up to buy the ship more time as it raced to the safety of the harbour fortifications.
This of course made Speaker wonder how they were going to avoid being shot at by the troops protecting the port… but one of the unicorns leapt up into what was left of the crows nest, flashing their anima banner in a set of bright pulses.
A similar chain of light signals came from the harbor. Had the immaculates set up some kind of identification code?
Either way, the ships made it into the port and was moved up to an empty dry-dock, after which the immaculates bid their farewells. The ship’s cargo was also removed, and repairs began.
To Speaker’s absolute chagrin the captain reported that the Wings of Danaa’d would first be sea-worthy again in about a month or so – the caulking and waterproofing had to be redone around the repaired bits of hull, and that stuff had to dry and cure before it would seal up properly. Speaker had to wonder exactly what kind of nonsense that was – but then he realized that the kind of shipping he was used to seeing, was pretty much only for river-travel… so he accepted that things were simply done differently for ships made for the open seas.
Speaker was also told that he couldn’t stay on the ship while it was being fixed – so he carefully journeyed into the city. To his surprise Chanos reminded him a lot of Lookshy: It was built on a grid, with the ‘grid lines’ being intersecting walls that kept each city block isolated via guarded gates. The number of troops that marched around was… impressive… but he quickly found out why: House Ragara had a whole legion garrisoned in the city. Lovely. Probably meant that the blockading fleet was from another house.
Lovely.
Finding a money lender that accepted silver dinars (at an absolutely atrocious exchange rate), Speaker exchanged just enough money to imperial paper money to keep himself afloat for a month or so, and rented a room in the foreign quarter of the city – he wasn’t allowed to stay anywhere else. Sure, the buildings of the city were nice enough: There had to be some local sources for all that marble, and the impressively cut black slate roofs, but it was also so… soulless. Every building looked the same, and it was a bloody miracle that the whole deal didn’t conflict so much with the local essence flows that it wasn’t dangerous. Maybe local immaculate monks had strongarmed the local elementals in ensuring that.
Speaker also overheard locals talking that the city’s immaculate temple was only staffed by a handful of monks – everyone else had apparently left for… something? Well, that would reduce Speaker’s chance of being detected - hopefully.
Days quickly turned into weeks, the naval blockade remaining in play for quite a while, even after the Wing of Danaa’d was fixed. Quietly reporting his lack of progress back to his friends in Sunhill, Speaker in turn read reports laid out for him to see via the same remote viewing: Fire Orchid had been caught up with how the city was run, and introduced to the elementals that worked in the city. There had also been another attack on Sunhill, a barge with a hollowed-out hull turned out to have been full of war-ghosts. Sunrise had laid waste to them with her prayers and musical martial arts, destroying the ghosts in short order, especially when combined with her holy charms. After the battle, Fire Orchid had been trained in how to fight spirits and ghosts.
Safe that all was good back home, Speaker returned to his essence refinement meditations.
Not having paid any real attention to the naval blockade, or any other local gossip, Speaker was quite surprised one morning after breakfast, while meditating in his room, by the sound of distant explosions outside. Not long after, the sound of loud cheering from down in the street came soon after… and later that day a young messenger came knocking on Speaker’s door: “Sir, the Wing of Daana’d will set sail later this afternoon. The captain says that if you still wish to come along for the journey, you must return to the ship quickly”
Returning to the docks, Speaker looked out at where the blockade had been: Flying skyremes up above, their glowing blue jade keels keeping them aloft, were floating above the broken remains of dozens of ships. It seems that house Ragara finally managed to mobilize or free up part of its air-fleet to rain fire down over the blockade.
The Wing of Daana’d set off in short order, the captain looking very relieved to be away from Chanos. Being a traveling merchant during a succession war was not easy. There were also a number of new passengers aboard, all of them eager to get away from the fighting – even a few unicorns, though none of them were monks.
To Speaker’s chagrin this did result in the captain announcing that there would be several more stops. Great, more delays – but apparently there were a lot more roadblocks on the Blessed Isle, so getting around via ship was still the best option, and the captain was being paid accordingly.
It was almost three weeks later when the ship arrived at the island on which the Heptagram was located. Speaker kept a very low profile there, fearing that bound spirits and summoned demons would identify him. He did leave his heavenly scroll that announced his right of passage out in the open in his cabin, in case any dematerialized spirit passed through to check things. Speaker didn’t know if the scroll was ever read, but he did breathe a heavy sigh of relief when they sailed away from Heptagram. There were no new passengers from the college of sorcery.
From Heptagram the ship continued along the north coast of the Blessed Isle, making more stops than planned and only slowly making progress along the trade route.
With no monks aboard, only a random mix of other passengers, none of which stayed around for very long, Speaker spent his time meditating on his essence. Sometimes its rained, sometimes the stops at various coastal cities took longer than others – to Speaker it was all just the same easily ignorable distractions. His main issue was that his original time schedule of finding Shimmer before calibration looked increasingly unlikely.
One day, off the annoyingly aptly named Storm Coast, late in the evening after many days of slow travel due to dangerously high winds, Speaker had an epiphany of sorts – and it wasn’t a quiet one.
The captain had ordered the sails at half mast, fearing ripped sails from the strong winds coming from the north. Nobody wanted the ship tossed into the rocky blessed isle shore where it would be smashed to toothpicks – so progress was slow and very careful, with most of the sailors on edge, as the dim light of the changing moon and the faint stars was barely enough to make out the shoreline.
This darkness meant that once bright golden light started to seep up through the floorboards it was instantly spotted. At first a fire was suspected, resulting in several sailor ponies armed with buckets of water smashing the door to Speaker’s room.
They found no fire – but they tossed the water none the less, then the buckets, for they found Speaker glowing brightly. Anathema!
Speaker wasn’t quite sure why his anima wouldn’t quiet down – or why it had involuntarily flared up to begin with – but his cover was blown, that much was for sure. Quickly pushing the enraged sailors out of his cabin, Speaker slammed the door shut and waved a quick hoof over the busted hinges to the door. The hinges reassembled instantly and bent back into their proper shape, and a second crafting charm saw the wooden planks bend and join together, barricading the door quite thoroughly.
The loud knocking on the not quite any longer door told Speaker that the sailors outside weren’t about to let up – and news of his… condition… would no doubt spread across the ship in mere moments.
Sighing, Speaker turned his attention towards the wall opposite the door: The strong and thick wooden hull of the ship. With a deep breath, and a fair smidge of essence, Speaker had the hull planks cleave and reorder themselves. What had been a solid hull, was now a hull with a new large hatch.
Swinging the hatch open, Speaker beheld the dark sea outside. The ocean reflected the light of his anima, even more so as he softened reality by sheer force of will and began drawing in ambient essence to shape into existence a cloud that quickly spilled out of the hatch, illuminating the darkness with golden essence as it pooled and condensed.
Once the cloud had formed, despite the sailors trying to bash down his barricade, Speaker stepped off the ship onto his cloud. The expenditure of essence seemed to have calmed his soul, making his anime fade as he flew off on the cloud.
Using his hearthstone, Speaker reported the development to Sunhill: “I had hoped to be able to clear the blessed isle before flying off on my own – it’ll likely be a week or two until I clear the isle, and I fear if a realm sky-fleet or any sidereals manage to catch me, that I will be unable to flee to safety – if I fail to send daily updates please seek out Heath Rose to locate me, and then come to my rescue”
As Speaker flew until the wee hours on his cloud, another problem presented itself: The cloud would disappear if he fell asleep – and if there was one thing clouds were good for, it was being soft and comfortable!
During his planning of the journey, Speaker had of course found a solution to this issue: In a sack he had stashed elsewhere, he had a large wooden cork life-vest, that would let him float on the surface – but because he was still near the blessed isle, he risked being swept onto the shore, onto the rocks and cliffs… which would likely kill him, charms or not.
So… a solution? Fly closer to shore, find a small island or rocky outcropping to sleep on? But arriving via sorcerous flight would make every spirit in the area want to start asking questions – and every spirit court on the blessed isle was thoroughly under the thumb of the immaculates and the sidereals. Of course, with that celestial writ he had an out… maybe.
Yawning, Speaker had his cloud descend in a south-western direction. Nearing the shore, Speaker observed the small cliffs and islets that jutted out of the water near the coast, looking for something, anything, that wasn’t just fisherponies or washed-up sea-weed, using his spirit detection charm.
There! A water elemental directing the surf.
Flying down to the elemental, Speaker respectfully introduced himself: “Greetings oh warden of these waters. May the sun and the moon shine brightly on your waves five times five times”
The water elemental, a creature of living liquid with eyes of aquamarine and a rough form defined by flowing seaweed, looked up at Speaker and spoke in a way that could not be seen or heard by mortals: “It has been a very long time since anyone spoke to me with the old honorifics and salutations. What can I do for you sorcerer pony?”
“I seek a place to rest of the night, for these shores are not friendly to me, and I do not wish to fall asleep the bottom of the inland sea” Speaker said, never mind that he could survive sleeping underwater, but swimming back to the surface would probably take ages, and again the local water elementals might mess with him at the behest of the immaculates.
The water elemental flowed in a figure-eight path – an old gesture of thought – then it looked at Speaker again: “You have no horn, yet you fly on a cirrus skiff – the immaculates do not take kindly to the presence of god-blooded or enlightened mortals. No wonder you don’t want to land on the isle… but what makes you sure that the court I am beholden to would treat you any better?”
“I have my traveling papers – if you would simply lead me to your court” Speaker said confidently.
Thus, it came to be that the elemental guided a sleepy Speaker on his cloud to a sacred cove where the locals knew never to venture – the court of the Five-Fold Lord of the Coast of Storms.
Sure, the court itself was in the water – but it wasn’t submerged, which was nice. On a throne of eternally crashing waves that rose out of the water in a truly regal manner sat the god of the thousands of miles of coastline, who quickly became curious as the elemental who had brought Speaker spoke of Speaker’s use of old first age honorifics: “Interesting. Who are you, guest pony”
Flaring his caste mark – which elicited quite a few gasps from the court – Speaker stood and spoke up, using a bit of essence to give him the strength to speak diplomatically: “Oh resplendent Five-Fold Lord Havus of the Coast of Storms, how my eyes are bathed in honeyed waters at observing your heavenly visage. It is a great honor to stand before this magnificent court on this most auspicious of evenings. I am Bright Machine Speaker, Chosen of Celestia, Solar of the Twilight Caste”
One could have heard a pin drop – right up until a unicorn mare, her mane shorn, her monk robes blue, came storming out from behind a group of sandy earth elementals: “Anathema! Havus, have your elementals seize this scum!”
Speaker quickly saw the god’s weary gaze swap from him to the unicorn – oh of course there had to be an immaculate representative at such an important elemental court. Still, he had his writ and so presented the scroll to the first elemental that approached him: “Five-fold water god Havus, I have with me a heavenly writ that forbids you and your court from acting against me!”
The elemental quickly read the scroll, its polished sandstone eyes going wide. Handing the scroll back to Speaker, it nodded to Havus. The water god made an imperious gesture, its elementals halting their approach towards Speaker: “I am sorry Monk Jade Scripture, but this Solar has a heavenly blessing I cannot violate without risking my own divinity. This protection extends to all spirits under my court. If you wish to see this pony apprehended, you will have to do so yourself”
The monk looked very displeased – more so at the prospect of having to get her own hooves dirty: “We will have words Havus – your position in the perfected hierarchy and your festival calendar can always be revised”
It was plainly obvious for all who could see the god, that it was by no means pleased of having its festivals threatened – gods lived by their worship, so threatening that was no small matter. To this end Speaker felt pity for the god, for he had not intended on seeing his host harmed for letting him sleep there: “Show some respect monk, you’re speaking to a god. If you think I must be struck down, do you own dirty work”
Oh, the look she gave Speaker. A second later she charged him, galloping towards Speaker with her horn blazing with a baleful aura of razor ice. A water aspected unicorn, of course.
Speaker braced himself with his magical shielding charms, a golden shell enveloping him as he made no move to parry or dodge the monk’s elementally enhanced strike… and that was all that the monk got to do, as she was swarmed by elementals and torn asunder.
It was an easy to overlook clause in the writ, but gods and spirits who provided aid to a questing solar were obliged to protect the solar when in their domain. Havus gave Speaker a pleased look: “I can’t tell you how long I have looked for an excuse to rid this court of that unicorn spy. Thank you, kind solar, for giving me the opportunity to do so”
“No problem – I just hope you and your court won’t suffer for this” Speaker said, bowing his head.
The god seemed in good spirits about the prospect of fallout from the monk’s death – his water elementals were already washing away any evidence of the murder, and he seemed certain that he could, completely honestly, state that the monk ran afoul a heavenly edict that he had to enforce: “The immaculates know that there are risks attached to being an observer at spirit courts”
Speaker didn’t object – he had recalled the at times strange brutality and lethality of divine law from the first age. The water-bed of ‘ocean velvet’ he was given to sleep on was just as amazing, though many of the spirits and lesser godlings were quite curious to speak with Speaker, seeing as he was a solar. Many of them remembered the times of glory in the first age when solars had ruled creation, and just as many wished for those times to return, arguing that the dragonblooded and the sidereals made for poor taskmasters who polluted their waters and did silly things like flush their sewage into streams that ran in their ocean, instead of using first age disposal and recycling techniques. Speaker of course agreed, and told wonderous tales of the sewage disposal system he had made in Sunhill, pleasing the water elementals to no end.
Next day Speaker flew west the on a new sorcerous cloud, at great speed.
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webkilla
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562171
| 4 |
Original Character,Other,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Alternate Universe,Crossover,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore
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The Tome of Exalted Ponies
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An epic crossover fic between MLP and the RPG of Exalted, featuring the shiniest of heroes and the darkest of foes, all battling for the fate of all life in existence!
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incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>A sequel to the Scroll of Exalted Ponies.</p><p>Our heroes have loved, lost and set themselves up as the lords of Sunhill - but with greater fame and power, comes greater foes.</p><p><a href="http://asktheexaltedponies.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow">asktheexaltedponies.tumblr.com</a> <b>- Ask blog for the story and its characters</b> There be extra lore and fun things hidden away here.</p><p>The world of exalted is a magical place, where a strict hierarchy of corrupt and decadent gods extort prayers from mortal ponies, while ponies blessed with divine bloodlines exalt and gain unicorn horns with elemental powers, ruling over the mortal ponies with a jade-steel hoof.</p><p>This is how things have always been - until a group of Solars, a Lunar and their friends stood up faced down a great evil. This is their story of might, magic, compassion and fury, asian-themed mysteries and mystical martial arts.</p><p>Do note: The story only has the 'mature' tag on account of occasionally being somewhat bloody when the ponies get to fighting. Think kill bill and your favorite wire-fu movie done by ponies. It may also eventually contain zomponies, undead horrors and demonic nasties.</p><p>Creation is a cruel world: Will its new shiny heroes with the power of mind control and magic kung fu be able to improve on this, or will they ruin it utterly?</p><p>Exalted, the game, the setting, the universe, the awesome fluff and the amble amounts of fanservice in the rulebooks are (c) White Wolf.</p>
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mature
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2024-08-05T06:38:14+00:00
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2024-08-05T06:38:14+00:00
| 13 |
The Single Point Shining Into The Void stylist picks up his spoon from the napkin and manages to spoon the entire bowl of soup into his mouth in a single motion.
…
Seeing a lot of ships down at sea level, tiny dots down on the water considering his altitude, Speaker tried to figure out exactly how far west he had come. He knew from the maps he had read that he had a bit under two-thousand miles from the westernmost tip of the Blessed Isle before he reached the massive archipelago known as The Neck.
…and since he didn’t know exactly how fast he was going, he didn’t know how long it would take to get there.
Still, Speaker chose to tough it out – and for this he was rewarded: Flying through the night, Speaker saw the horizon fill with islands not that many hours after dawn the next day. Sure, he could only keep his eyes open by force of his essence at that point, but now he could land safely.
Activating the charm he knew – oh that charm… Shimmer had been so upset when he had learned it during her last incarnation, and Speaker had promised never to use it other than to find her in situations like this. A strong shiver ran down his back, all the way down Speaker’s tail as he sensed her general direction and distance to him: “By the bright one… she’s close”
Suddenly feeling very awake again, Speaker flew close to the nearest islands and scanned them essence sight for any sign of life or civilization. He knew that most of the islands in the neck were uninhabited, but he also knew from Shimmer’s own stories that her exaltation had a funny habit of always reincarnating as a kind of western tribal in the neck.
There! Speaker spotted a cobalt-blue flare of essence. Flying closer, Speaker saw… the smouldering remains of a sea-side village of what had once been a lot of small wooden sea-weed or palm frond thatched huts. Oh no.
Flying down, Speaker used his investigation charms to instantly get a read of the area – and it wasn’t pretty: The strange bite and claw-marks spoke of western changelings, and the remains of quite a few shattered changeling husks littered the sand at the beach. Torn nets and wrecked dug-out canoes were everywhere.
The only thing Speaker couldn’t find were surviving ponies. Had the changelings made off with everyone? Has Shimmer’s reincarnation been slain just before his arrival?
Tears in his eyes, as he read the desperate story that battle-damaged oars and broken harpoons told, Speaker walked through the village. The smouldering remains of huts were evenly spaced, with room for canoes and nets for everyone. This had been a fishing village, not unlike the countless thousands that dotted the untold rivers of the east.
With essence sight Speaker observed a subtle but simple essence flow of the village – it all pointed towards the one hut that hadn’t… no wait, there were burn marks on it, but it had been repaired. Oh, and behind it were almost two hundred freshly dug graves in the sand.
Solemnly making the celestial sign of endings towards the graves, Speaker hoped that the dead rested easy in this part of creation – he didn’t want to have to deal with hundreds of angry ghosts.
Turning away from the graveyard, Speaker beheld the remains of the village again: Where was Shimmer? With his charm he could feel her – she was close… very close…
Oh, how he felt stupid. Of course! She wouldn’t be a pony – and Speaker knew from Shimmer what her animal totem usually always was. He should be looking for seagulls!
It figured that she would stand watch over the remains of her village as a bird – it was easier to do that way. Still, Speaker checked the repaired hut first. The smell inside was… less than promising, but that turned out to be fish hung to dry inside the hut. Judging from the arrays of crude charms and talismans then it had been the hut of the village shaman: “I guess her exaltation really likes to repeat that theme… taking another shaman again, really?”
Exiting the hut, Speaker found himself standing before a seagull. Looking closely, for he knew what to look for – looking for the unique tell of a lunar, some not quite natural feature on the critter – Speaker saw the telltale purple feathers in the seagull’s plumage that wouldn’t normally be there.
He didn’t need essence sight to confirm that it was her. Oh, how elated he felt – he wanted to cry… he wanted to hug her – but as he approached the seagull, it simply flew up and perched on the shaman hut.
Thinking for a moment, Speaker considered the situation. Shimmer had told him that lunars had to learn special charms to understand intelligent speech while in the form of animals – and another charm to speak to other ponies while animals… and it made some level of sense that she didn’t know either as a freshly exalted lunar. It was here that another aspect of Speaker’s thorough preparation paid off. Months before leaving, knowing that he would likely have to engage with someone in animal form who couldn’t speak, Speaker had gotten Sunrise to teach him a simple but profound charm: The ability to speak to animals. He had also gotten Cash Charmer to teach him sea-tongue, the most common language of the west. Of course, being a tribal there was a chance that she didn’t speak any civilized language, but that was chance he was willing to take:
“I am Bright Machine Speaker, Lord of Sunhill – you know me. What do you call yourself? I knew your last incarnation as Last Shimmer”
The seagull was difficult to read – it turned its head a bit and just kept looking at him.
Right, time to signal in a slightly less subtle manner. Speaker flared his anima, displaying the light of a celestially augmented soul: A swirling burst of golden fire and light formed into the rotating image of a golden gear, from which three pairs of beautiful feathered golden wings unfurled. If that didn’t get her attention, then he’d have to double check to see if that bird really was Shimmer or not.
“That’s quite enough!” said a roaring voice in sea-tongue coming from the surf.
What?
Turning, as his anima began to fade, Speaker saw a very… lunar… sight: A pony covered in bright almost glowing moonsilver tattoos, flanked by a squad of broad-shouldered biped beast-ponies that appeared to have far quite a lot of aquatic mutations, including heads that were less pony and far more shark, with very noticeable blue-gray shark fins poking out of their backs. The beast-ponies wore beautifully made articulated armor that didn’t quite appear to be made of metal, yet Speaker got the distinct impression that most normal attacks would just bounce off them. First age materials for sure.
“I’m sorry, am I interrupting something?” Speaker wondered in his reply, looking at the procession marching up from the water towards him. The beast-ponies had their… oh ya, those were magical shock-pikes, lighting shooting spears, lowered at him.
The lunar struck Speaker as quite old – he could feel the potency of his protean essence, while that of the Shimmer-bird was barely detectable – though he was sure the essence he had seen while flying was not from this new unknown lunar.
Without appearing to have received any kind of commands what so ever – not even the subtlest of nods – the beast-pony troops fanned out and surrounded Speaker, the lunar simply saying: “You are to leave”
Well, at least that confirmed that this new lunar spoke sea-tongue, that was nice. Of course, the request itself was rather silly: “No. I’m here for my lunar mate, and I’m quite sure I’ve found her. I have no plans of leaving without her. My name is Bright Machine Speaker by the way”
“You will have to make new and disappointing plans, Bright one” the lunar stated firmly, his voice strangely undeniable.
Luckily Speaker knew how to recognize mind control charms – and thus quickly brought up his own defensive charm, rendering him quite immune to such tricks: “I will do no such thing. I swore an oath to Shimmer before she died, that I would come find her and bring her home to her friends. I intend to honor that. You have no right to make me an oathbreaker – I don’t even know who you are”
Speaker carefully observed the lunar’s reaction, clearly remembering what Shimmer had told him about how much value lunar’s tended to put on oaths and the importance of keeping them. The lunar ‘rippled’ slightly, clearly some manner of subtle shapeshifting taking place, but it wasn’t clear what he had done: “Of course you would have…”
The lunar’s displeasure was clear to see – though Speaker could not pick up the more subtle inflections and micro-expressions that accompanied it. That the lunar wasn’t telling him his name really annoyed Speaker: “What can I say? I’m a nice pony – I promised to bring her back. I might not have carved a ring in my flesh to mark the oath like she would have, but I swore it to her none the less”
The seagull flew down from the shaman hut and melted into a pool of moonsilver that began to reshape itself into a pony. A few seconds later Speaker was struck by how uncannily Shimmer looked like… well… Shimmer. She had the same grey coat, the same purple dreadlocked mane. Even her eyes were the same shade of deep blue. Was it an effect of her exaltation that had changed her? Was it a shapeshifting trick? Why wasn’t she talking to him…
“Shimmer…” Speaker said, taking a tentative step towards her.
Looking at Speaker, Shimmer didn’t react – though she didn’t recoil in horror or anything negative either. What was going on?
“What have you done to her?” Speaker said, his voice clearly communicating his rising anger.
The beast-pony shark creatures around Speaker looked somewhat worried at Speaker’s raised voice, and the lunar himself actually took a single step backwards. His voice too sounded a tad less confident as Speaker glared at him: “I… I have sworn her to serve me during her training. Lunars do not have the advantage solars have by starting out knowing all you need to know. I am simply training her as she once did me. Right now, she is under orders not to speak to you, and I know that she would very much like to, but I cannot release her until her training is done”
“She doesn’t have her tattoos yet” Speaker said, not thinking much of the lunar’s explanation. Not allowing her to talk to him? What a load of road apples.
It was difficult for Speaker to tell if the lunar’s expression was sad or angry – but he did recognize that the lunar was running out of excuses. Of course, that didn’t mean that the lunar had any intention of releasing Shimmer from whatever strange bonds he had on her. With a brief but deep sigh, as the surf washed around his hooves in the sand, the lunar replied: “Once her training is done, she will be free to do as she wishes – whether that’s staying here, going with you, or anything else”
Speaker nodded, listening as the lunar elaborated:
“She has to finish her training and earn her tattoos – plus she had stated to me that the first thing she wants to do once trained is to free her people”
Throwing a quick glance towards the graveyard: “Her people look’s dead”
It turned out that there were others. As the lunar explained, then Shimmer’s tribe had been attacked by slavers from Coral who had taken most of the able-bodied ponies of the tripe, leaving only the sick and the elderly: “This was a little over five months ago. It was while fighting the slavers that she exalted, running away and hiding the tribe’s foals in the jungles on this island. She helped rebuild, then I came and took her away. Changelings then attacked a few days ago, wiping out the rest. She came here to bury them, finished last night before the crabs would come with the tide”
Ok… so Shimmer’s exaltation hadn’t come about exactly like her last one. Interesting: “Right, so I can speed this up if I go free her tribe?”
The lunar briefly looked to Shimmer, who nodded eagerly with a big smile: “That will be acceptable – we will continue her training in the waters around this island. Once her tribe returns, we will know that you have done as promised”
“…right… uhm, where are they?”
The directions Speaker got were rudimentary, but serviceable. With that, the lunar bid Speaker leave. Drawing in essence from their surroundings, Speakers shaped the sorcerous spell that formed into his magical cloud. Before mounting the cloud, Speaker looked to Shimmer: “I cannot put into words how happy I am to see you again Last Shimmer. Stay safe – I will be back soon”
It struck Speaker that he didn’t actually know if the name she went by was Last Shimmer for this incarnation – but she had told him that she had used that name many times before, so it stood to reason. She certainly looked happy, her face brightening up as she waved at him while he mounted his cloud and flew off.
Once they were out of sight, Speaker sighed deeply. That had not been how he had planned on things going… but then again, as he thought it through, he did recall Shimmer having talked about how elder lunars trained fledgeling lunars. It gave them far better odds for survival, and usually set them up with a network of peers and maybe even friends.
Recalling how lost and alone he had felt when he had exalted, Speaker couldn’t help but feel a little envious. Sure, he had exalted along with Cash Charmer, but neither of them had really known what to do, knowing only that they were hunted by those who wished to kill anathema.
Lost in thought, Speaker barely even noticed as he began to nod off – sleep catching up to him as his body finally reminded him that he hadn’t slept for a very long time, the surprise and excitement of having found Shimmer having finally worn off.
This meant that his cloud evaporated into whiffs of essence and water vapor – and Speaker falling to the ocean.
It was a sleeping pony that impacted the water – Speaker slipping into the waves like a diving fisher-bird, barely making any kind of splash, as he unconsciously assumed his elemental immunity charm.
This did not go unnoticed, local water elementals spotting the magical pony sinking into the depths but not dying – such a strange abnormality… it had to be reported.
Speaker woke up a while later, in complete darkness. Flaring his caste mark, the light from the symbol of a setting sun in a golden circle – a ‘blind smiley face’ in common vulgar parlance – he looked around and wondered how he had ended up in a… wooden room?
Feeling around for a moment, Speaker quickly concluded that the room was moving side to side – he was on a ship. Listening carefully, he heard no steps or sounds outside his room – none of the usual hustle and bustle sounds of a ship with a full crew, of which he had heard plenty while on the Wing of Wing of Daana’d.
“Hello?” he called out, not really shouting, but feeling weirded out by how desolate the place felt.
Getting up from his cot, opening the wooden door and stepping out into the ship, Speaker found it… abandoned? There were no other ponies going about. This made no sense. Was it a ghost ship?
Quickly looking around with essence sight, Speaker found that the ship itself was magical – no doubt about it. He saw traces of moonsilver in the wood that made up the ship, and essence markers of blue and black jade within the walls. How very strange… but he saw no ghosts or spirits.
Finally getting up on deck, Speaker found a single pony who appeared to have been waiting for him.
“You’re finally awake – took you long enough” the mare with the short-cropped mouse-brown mane stated, her black and blue-stripped garb standing in stark contrast to muted wooden colors of the ship. There was something familiar about her.
Speaker squinted at the mare, the light from the dawning sun quite strong in his eyes as he had briefly gotten used to being in the relative darkness of the lower decks: “I… don’t I know you?”
“It certainly would have been a lot easier if you didn’t – would have been even easier if you didn’t have that bloody writ with you. No wonder Siakal refused to even touch you” the mare said, getting up and sauntering over towards Speaker.
As his eyes adjusted to the light, Speaker recognized the stars in her eyes and the azure headband she wore: “Iron Siaka – what are you doing here? And better yet, what exactly am I doing here?”
The sidereal frowned at Speaker, crossing her hooves as she leaned against the portside railings: “I fished you out of the water, after ‘talking’ half a dozen sharks out of not eating you. Your turn”
Noticing that Iron Siaka’s large blue maul had several fresh shark teeth imbedded in it, Speaker raised an eyebrow: “Talking them out of it? Must have been an interesting exchange of words – but thank you”
“No problem – but do tell me how far you are in your quest to find your lunar mate. The faster you’re out of here, the faster you’re not my problem”
Speaker explained that he had sort of found her – but that her training by elder lunars wasn’t done yet – so he was on a quest to wrap up her business here in the west. Iron Siaka nodded, noting that then the wording of celestial writ was still covering him: “…but the moment you do get her back, you will need to leave, quickly”
Agreeing, noting that he had little interest in western issues: “I can help a lot more ponies in the east, so that’s where I want to get back to. By the way, can you help me get to where this group of slaves are kept?”
As Speaker explained where he had to go, Iron Siaka quickly cut to the chase and divined the exact location of the slaves – an extinct volcanic island north of Wavecrest. Once they had nailed that down, she pulled out a scroll and an ink-well. Speaker laughed as he saw the sidereal scream and shout at the scroll, the ink darting out of the well and splashing onto the scroll to form some rather interesting looking old realm calligraphy: “Alright, once I pop this, you’ll get a temporary fate rewrite as a marooned pony destined to be picked up by slavers and sold to that specific island’s slave operation – you should get there very quickly”
“Thank you. If you’re ever in the scavenger lands, feel free to come by Sunhill – I’ll have Sully cook you dinner” Speaker said, packing his clothes away into elsewhere, as wearing eastern garb wouldn’t fit his new temporary cover story.
Iron Siaka dropped Speaker off at a small island not far from Wavecrest, activating the heavenly prayer scroll she had produced earlier just before leaving. Speaker didn’t feel any different, but as far local reality was concerned, a lot of things had actually changed: Speaker no longer appeared to have the glorious solar destiny – or potential for one. Instead, he was but a mere mortal earth pony, destined to be enslaved and sold and worked to death in the iron mines of the Five-Fang Island.
Retrieving his hearthstone amulet, Speaker reported his progress to Sunhill. He was certain that Cash and Sully found the idea of him having to play a naked marooned pony… again, would be funny. At least this time, with Iron Siaka’s fate alteration, he wouldn’t have to wait very long.
This of course did not mean that Speaker simply wanted to wait. Exploring the island quickly revealed an abandoned – or at least un-manned – depot full of cargo. None it was all that dusty, and some of the scuffmarks on the floor from the crates looked reasonably fresh. Probably something used by smugglers, or as a pirate cache for stolen goods.
At least the place had reasonably pleasant beds to sleep in, and a fair bit of dried foodstuffs.
The next day Speaker collected a very large amount of seaweed, leaving it to dry in the sun. A quick prayer to the local weather gods ensured that it wouldn’t rain for a while, and so a few days later the seaweed was dry enough to burn. Collecting it all, Speaker set up several large bonfires on the beaches around the island. Lighting them in sequence, he made sure that the still moist seaweed sent huge plumes of smoke high into the sky, one after the other, so that any passing ships would have the best odds of seeing it.
Just after lighting the third bonfire, Speaker saw sails on the horizon. A short while later the ship came close to the island, deploying a rowboat to come to shore.
“Alright, time to play my role” Speaker thought to himself, approaching the half dozen ponies in the rowboat as they got close enough to wade to shore.
Galloping out to meet the ponies, Speaker greeted them warmly in his heavily accented sea-tongue: “Hi! Oh, I am so happy to see you – I was marooned here a week ago. Can you help me?”
The ponies from the boat exchanged looks, not really saying anything. The pony in charge, a gruff looking mare, finally nodded – and they all drew clubs, knives and picked up their oars as weapons: “Not sure if you’ll call it help – but you’re coming with us, that’s for sure”
And thus, Speaker was enslaved, put in chains, and brought out to the slave-ship where he was briefly interrogated – where it seemed that the slavers bought Speaker’s story: “I’m telling you – it was that bastard realm captain. She was pissed that I didn’t pray to their idiot dragons enough”
The slavers didn’t seem to care much about why Speaker had been on the island. They chiefly wanted to know who Speaker was, to which end he simply said that he was an old and retired army medic from the east, out looking for an old friend. It was fairly obvious that the slavers wanted to know if Speaker was worth ransoming – which Speaker convinced them that he wasn’t, since he had no family to speak of nor any wealth back home – resulting in them just tossing him in with the rest of their live cargo.
The cargo-hold of the slave ship had the most unholy of foul stench. With how everyone were chained down, there was no room for anyone to go toilet anywhere, so everyone just sat in their own filth. Many were sick from a mix of malnutrition, bed-sores, infections from several weeks of sleeping in piss and shit. Speaker learned that the slavers did seem to check for anyone dead about once a day – usually before the one daily meal was given.
“So… how did you end up here? You don’t sound like you’re from these islands. Coral?” a tribal pony slave who could speak sea-tongue, who was next to him, asked, after Speaker had done his best without using essence to drain and clean the pony’s wounds.
Shaking his head, Speaker spun his yarn once more. He knew from his own experience that he wasn’t really that good a liar – not any worse than your average mortal, but by no means better than regular ponies either. It had to be the magical fate that Iron Siaka had spun that convinced everyone.
Being the stubborn git that he was, Speaker managed to talk the slavers into suppling the slave hold with buckets of ocean water to wash themselves in – if for nothing else, then so fewer of them would die, so the slavers had more product to sell. That he had to appeal to their greed was sad enough – but at least his efforts meant that only three other slaves died before they were unloaded at their new home: Five-Fang Island and its merciless iron mines.
Seeing daylight for the first time in over a week was hard enough, trudging along the docks among a few armed and armored pony guards that watched them like hawks. The island itself seemed pretty normal, for an island formed around an extinct volcano: It looked like the volcano had exploded and collapsed completely at some point, with the island having grown up around the rich and fertile volcanic soil. Speaker’s chain gang was marched past several plantations, until they reached the iron mines in the mountain foothills. Enroute, it struck Speaker a bit odd that there seemed to be very few guards. Perhaps the place operated on the idea that a chain-gang of slaves wouldn’t be able to run away very effectively… plus it looked like the whole island was under control of whoever ran the place, so there truly was nowhere to run, unless you wanted to feed the sharks that circled the island.
As they were herded into what looked like an area where large crates of cargo were being loaded onto slave-pulled wagons – iron ore? Iron bars? Steel? – a pony who appeared oddly well dressed for how dirty the mine was, stepped up in front of the twelve rows of chain-gangs and addressed them, loudly, in a sea-tongue that came with an accent Speaker recognized from Chanos on the Blessed Isle: “I am Overseer Pushed Pencils. I have been informed that there are enough of you that speak sea-tongue that you can actually be given direct orders for once. You will be shown to the bunkhouses, there you will find a place to sleep. Tomorrow you will be taken to the mines. You will not get anything to eat, if you did not produce six bushels of iron ore the previous day. The same rule will apply to tomorrow, so I suggest you work quickly unless you like going hungry for the rest of your stay here. Any attempts to escape or cause trouble will result in you being fed to your minders”
Speaker looked around in confusion. With the chain-gangs they were somewhere around two hundred ponies in chains – and there was a total of six armed guards. Being fed to the minders? It seemed logical that this overseer was referring to something else… but what? The sharks?
This was quickly revealed, as one of the guards struck the hard rocky ground with the steel-capped end of his polearm, the sharp and loud sound ringing out in the massive courtyard…
A few seconds passed, then they appeared out of thin air.
With rippling muscle and bright red fur, a crown of horn growing around their brow, standing twice the height of a pony and almost three times the width of one. Bloodhounds. Erymanthoi demons. No wonder they didn’t need that many pony guards for the place… if there were dematerialized demons all over the place.
Oh, this didn’t change anything – Iron Siaka had said that Speaker’s altered fate would help obscure his essence as long as it held up. Of course, she had also said that it would revert to his normal fate the moment he started using enough essence to flare his anima. To this end Speaker began planning how to either take control of the place, or at least free the slaves, as the chain-gangs were herded to the bunkhouses by the guards and the massive blood red demon who kept looking at them all hungrily.
At the bunkhouse Speaker was met by a wall of misery. From the groans of overworked slaves, to the stench of infected wounds and disease. This was clearly not a place where slaves were treated very well – or where slaves were expected to last very long.
To Speaker’s surprise their chains were taken off at the bunkhouse – of course, now that they had been told that there were demons about, the implied threat did wonders to keep almost everyone in line.
Almost everyone.
A young tribal mare, looking battered and bruised from the rough ocean voyage and lack of proper food, made a run for it the instant her chains were off. The guards just laughed.
She made it roughly fifteen yards before she floated up in the air, squirming as an unseen force lifted her up in the air. The bloodhound that materialized with her locked in a massive clawed paw, gave her a single hungry and happy look – then it bit her screaming head off and went about drinking every last drop of blood in her, to the point that it even wrung out her corpse as if it was a dish-rag, to get the last few drops.
“That’s what’ll happen to the rest of you if you run – now go sleep. Tomorrow, you work!” one of the guards called out, the other guards laughing.
Everyone quickly distributed themselves among the bunkhouses – too frightened to speak initially. When choosing a place to sleep, it struck Speaker that he didn’t really know what Shimmer’s tribe had been called: “I guess I’ll have to ask…”
Speaker’s first challenge was finding tribal slaves that could speak sea-tongue, or at least had someone still alive among them who could speak it. By the time he poked his head into the third bunkhouse, he spotted the ‘friend’ he had helped on the slave ship – and it turned out that he had spoken with the ponies in that bunkhouse already, to get a feel for who was there and how bad the work was: “Good to see you again medicine-pony. There are many in here who could use your help”
“And I will gladly help them – but I also need your help: I need to find ponies from a specific tribe who were brought here. They lived on an island with a crescent cove, with a circle of five palms growing on the beach in the middle of their village”
The skinny stallion thought for a moment: “The five-palm tribe… I have heard some of the ponies over in the corner over there pray to a five-palm god”
“Thank you. The ponies who need medical attention, if you could gather them up, I’ll look at them once I’ve spoken to the five-palm ponies”
The five-palm tribals were apparently scattered over three of the bunkhouses, but Speaker was able to learn that most of them were still alive – apparently there had been recent a cave-in that had killed most of the slaves before that, which was why the island was taking in so many new slaves at the moment. Speaker had to wonder if Iron Siaka’s fate alteration had caused that, as a method to get slavers to come by him and bring him to the island. Beyond that, the three five-palm tribals he spoke to were quite happy to hear that Last Shimmer were alive – to Speaker’s surprise they all knew the name, confirming Shimmer’s name. Apparently, she had been their shaman’s apprentice… another similarity to her last incarnation.
With all that somewhat cleared up, Speaker turned to the sick and injured ponies that had been assembled. While examining them, Speaker figured that he would have to get to the other bunkhouses to speak to all of the five-palm ponies… but then again, none of the ponies there wanted to stick around. His compassion bid him to rescue every single one of them.
The question was how. While carefully examining a badly sprained and swollen hoof, Speaker wondered whether he should simply try to sneak all the slaves away – or pick a fight with the demons and take control of the place. Considering the number of slaves on the island, then getting all of them away to safety simply wouldn’t be possible without being noticed. This left conquest as the only viable option – and whoever ran the place probably wasn’t going to release the slaves if he asked nicely.
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webkilla
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562171
| 5 |
Original Character,Other,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Alternate Universe,Crossover,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore
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The Tome of Exalted Ponies
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An epic crossover fic between MLP and the RPG of Exalted, featuring the shiniest of heroes and the darkest of foes, all battling for the fate of all life in existence!
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incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>A sequel to the Scroll of Exalted Ponies.</p><p>Our heroes have loved, lost and set themselves up as the lords of Sunhill - but with greater fame and power, comes greater foes.</p><p><a href="http://asktheexaltedponies.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow">asktheexaltedponies.tumblr.com</a> <b>- Ask blog for the story and its characters</b> There be extra lore and fun things hidden away here.</p><p>The world of exalted is a magical place, where a strict hierarchy of corrupt and decadent gods extort prayers from mortal ponies, while ponies blessed with divine bloodlines exalt and gain unicorn horns with elemental powers, ruling over the mortal ponies with a jade-steel hoof.</p><p>This is how things have always been - until a group of Solars, a Lunar and their friends stood up faced down a great evil. This is their story of might, magic, compassion and fury, asian-themed mysteries and mystical martial arts.</p><p>Do note: The story only has the 'mature' tag on account of occasionally being somewhat bloody when the ponies get to fighting. Think kill bill and your favorite wire-fu movie done by ponies. It may also eventually contain zomponies, undead horrors and demonic nasties.</p><p>Creation is a cruel world: Will its new shiny heroes with the power of mind control and magic kung fu be able to improve on this, or will they ruin it utterly?</p><p>Exalted, the game, the setting, the universe, the awesome fluff and the amble amounts of fanservice in the rulebooks are (c) White Wolf.</p>
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mature
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2024-08-07T05:55:33+00:00
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2024-08-07T05:55:33+00:00
| 10 |
The Heaven's Ladder stylist insists on eating his soup with a ladder rather than a spoon. Somehow, this works.
…
The next morning, as the armed guards came into the bunkhouse ringing brass bells to wake everyone up at the crack of dawn, Speaker decided that he needed more information. Using a simple little charm, he was able to see the demons that paced the perimeter of the bunkhouses. None of them were walking close to the bunkhouses… which was good – though another aspect of the charm he had used meant that he would touch or bump into immaterial spirits and demons, so he had walk carefully when passing through the demon cordon, even more so to avoid looking suspicious.
“Keep up old pony!” one of the guards shouted, cracking a whip over Speaker.
As they were being marched to the mine entrances, Speaker overheard the more senior slaves explain how things worked to the new arrivals: Apparently that bushel thing about food was very true… but it wasn’t something you were rewarded for individually. The way Speaker understood it, then if there were one hundred slaves, then they had to bring out six hundred bushels of iron ore. If only half that were made, then only the first half of the ponies who got to the food stations would be fed. It was a collective punishment, with the slowest and weakest suffering the most.
Considering the poor condition of just the ponies in his bunkhouse, Speaker had to wonder how the place was able to remain profitable while wearing out and starving its slaves so much. The slaves bought had to be quite cheap for that kind of attrition to make sense.
Speaker also saw that the demons weren’t going into the mine – neither did the guards – but then again, you had to come out to get food and water… still, it meant that he could speak freely with the slaves inside the mine.
This of course turned out to be rather difficult – everyone was working hard, or squabbling over who got to work on the best veins, to pay attention to some bearded fool of a newcomer trying to address them.
Annoyed with the lack of attention – for Speaker didn’t know the charms that Sunrise or Cash had learned long ago to command such – Speaker chose to use his charms to observe the mine first: He quickly saw the flow of ore veins in the earth essence, and through that spotted where huge sections of ore vein had been missed. Second later Speaker charged that section of mining gallery wall, striking it with not a crafting charm, but one of martial intent.
In the first age solars had struck down the demonic palaces of the primordials, and so with his
pillar-breaking blow, he brought down all of the rock and the iron ore before him.
All the slaves in the mine heard the rumble, and all those near Speaker rushed in to dig out anyone caught in what they thought had been another cave in. What they found was Speaker standing on a giant pile of iron ore, enough to carry the food quota for all of them for weeks. Of course, Speaker was also glowing with a golden light, as he addressed them: “Listen to me ponies. I can free you all, if you let me help you. I can heal you of your hurts and diseases if you accept my guidance. I can see your cruel masters punished if you rally behind me – and I will see you returned to your homes if you follow me”
Many of the ponies in earshot bowed before Speaker, signalling their submission or consent – it was difficult to tell – but some stood uncertain, and one of those spoke up. The mare looked haggard and worn, her pelt scuffed and her hooves chipped: “Who are you? Hell, what are you? They have demons out there that eat you!”
Speaker nodded at the mare: “I am Bright Machine Speaker. The immaculates would call me an evil pony, but they would also call anyone who tries to free slaves owned by realm nobles evil – and they would call you fools for aspiring to freedom. That is who I am: I am a pony with powers granted to by the gods, and demons are no hindrance for me. I can shatter them as easily as I struck down this wall”
It had been a bit of a gamble – but Speaker had hoped that appealing to the mare’s likely wish for freedom, and pointing out how immaculate scripture said that slaves should simply submit to their unicorn lords and pray that they reincarnated into a better life in their next incarnation, would make her think less about him being what they would likely call solar anathema.
The mare looked to the ponies around her. Most seemed game, looking to Speaker eagerly. She still seemed hesitant. Jumping down from his pile of iron ore, Speaker spoke to her directly: “If you fear for your spirit, know that I will not ask any of you to pray to anything you don’t already worship. I came here to free the five-palm tribe, but now I will free all of you. I do this with no reward in mind other than knowing that it had to be done”
“What is your plan then? The ore you have found here, it’ll mean we won’t have to work in here other than haul this stuff out” the mare asked, still sounding apprehensive, but she was nodding along.
Relieved that he didn’t have to deal with any hostile holdouts for the time being, Speaker asked that word be spread. He said he would find more ore so that there would be enough for all the slaves – and he would dig out more of the gallery to make room for everyone: “Once we can gather everyone up, I’ll use my powers to teach you all to fight – not to fight the demons, I will handle those things, but so that you can match the guards outside. This will take time, but if we do this properly then we should be ready to rebel and take back the island in a few weeks”
The mare shook her head at Speaker – but she had already seen him do one impossible thing… so why not a couple others?
It was thus that word quietly spread throughout the tunnels of the mine. More and more slaves came to the mining gallery, while others went outside to fetch baskets so that the iron ore could be hauled out. The entire quota was met a fair bit before noon, all of the slaves cheering at Speaker once the basket-haulers came back from the outside to call for everyone else to put their tools down.
In the now vastly expanded gallery, it having been excavated into the form of a large underground amphitheatre, Speaker addressed the slaves. Of the very few ponies who weren’t convinced by the sudden appearance of a huge theatre inside the mine, or by the ore quota having already been reached, Speaker convinced the last few doubters by seeking out the most ill and injured slaves and instantly healing them before everyone’s eyes. Curing the lame and even regrowing the lost teeth of a pony who appeared to have been badly beaten in the mouth earlier, Speaker turned to the final pony of the three slaves with the worst health among the lot. This slave in particular appeared to have some very ugly infections in his eyes that was quickly turning him blind and quite sickly – the nature of the infections appearing quite strange to Speaker, for he couldn’t figure out how the slave had ended up like that: “How did this happen?”
“I… I insulted the overseer. I was brought before the unicorn that rules this island, and she… they did… did things to me…” the pony said, breaking into uncontrollable sobs and tears as the memories of the horrors that the poor wretch had been subjected to. Speaker cleared up the stallion’s eyes, washed away the sickness and flushed his system of infection. The crying continued, but quickly turned into tears of joy.
All of the slaves cheered for Speaker, but this last pony had given Speaker an idea: “So if you insult the overseer, you get taken to the pony in charge around here?”
Indeed – but he would only show up in the ore quota wasn’t met, to instruct the guards at the food tents to stop distributing meals. This gave Speaker a fun little idea, allowing him to spend the rest of the day instructing the slaves in basic martial fighting techniques using his educational charms.
The next day all of the slaves filed into the mines once more, and ore was brought out quickly – but the quota was not met… by exactly one bushel. One pony would not get to eat.
Come noon, when all the slaves gathered at the food tents for the thin poi or gruel they were usually served, the overseer Pushed Pencils stood ready with an abacus, counting the bowls of gruel poured out. Speaker had arranged that he would come last, and sure enough Pushed Pencils stood ready after the pony before Speaker had gotten her bowl: “None for you – the quota was not met”
Now, the overseer had expected Speaker to be sad – to be upset – not… smiling? Advancing on him? The overseer quickly cried for the guards to attend him, but with a flurry of martial finesse Speaker had the spears of the guards yanked from them and broken.
“Demons! Do you job! Kill this one!” the overseer howled, stumbling backwards.
Three bloodhounds materialized amidst the slaves, roughly shoving ponies out of their way as they lumbered towards Speaker.
“Demons, have your senses been dulled? Do you not feel it? Do you wish for the release of death that much?” Speaker said calmly, in old realm – the ancient language of gods and demons alike.
The bloodhounds stopped in their tracks. As brutish as they were, then none of them were stupid – and being magical in nature gave them many powers, including a greatly heightened awareness of their surroundings, though having been enslaved to guard slaves had likely made them ignore that sense for quite a while.
The overseer looked ready to piss himself in terror as he saw the bloodhounds start to back away from Speaker: “What… what are you?”
“I want to see your master. Take me to her, you pitiful worm” Speaker said, standing defiantly before the overseer.
Some very weary armed guards escorted Speaker to a mansion a few miles from the iron mines. It was not far from the plantations and… palm groves? Were they farming coconuts? How silly.
At the mansion the guards handed Speaker over to a master of ceremonies and a more well-dressed house guard. Speaker could only smirk as the guards didn’t tell the house guards anything – because now he was their problem.
The house guards and the master of ceremonies considered Speaker’s good mood to simply be defiance and rebelliousness – things to be crushed. To this end the MC ordered Speaker taken to ‘the pole’ out back and whipped twenty times before he was to be brought before the mistress.
Speaker had not expected a whipping – but figured that if he used his least shielding charm, then he would be able to tough out the blows without actually getting more than a few scratches.
At the eponymous pole, around which Speaker saw blackened stains on the coble from many a blood stains, a burly and masked stallion stood ready with a very nasty-looking whip: “Another one? Tie him up so we can get this over with”
Speaker knew well enough that a good master of the whip could strip flesh with every blow – and this stallion had the look of a seasoned torturer. Of course, once the whipping began and Speaker’s shield charm supernaturally toughened his skin like that of the most durable oak, all the solar ended up with were superficial scratches and bruises. Sure, the whipping hurt, but it didn’t really injure him.
The torturer was livid, looking at his whip as if it was the tool which was to blame – Speaker relieved that none of the guards present, nor the torturer, had figured out what he had been doing – but twenty licks of the lash had been given as ordered, even if no blood had been drawn.
Speaker was hauled back to the mansion, where the master of ceremonies at first accused the guards of not having gotten Speaker whipped: “He’s not even bleeding! What is the meaning of this!?”
“I think whoever sold you those whips got you good. Haven’t felt that nice since a whore tickled my jimmies with a feather, and by whore, I of course mean you mother” Speaker said with a wide smirk, staring the well-dressed stallion right in his eyes.
The master of ceremonies tried to remain stone-faced, but sneer did creep over his face: “The mistress will see that defiance taken out of you”
Home guards-ponies escorted Speaker to the third floor of the mansion, to a grand library with an impressively polished stone floor. Aside from the rows and rows of books, Speaker quickly spotted the huge summoning circle carved into the stone floor in the middle of the library. So, this was where they got the demons from…
The master of ceremonies stomped a firm hoof onto the stone floor, the noise ringing out across the quiet library. He then spoke in high realm: “Announcing: A troublesome slave severely in need of discipline”
Right – these realm jokers were often big sticklers of that kind of protocol. Being announced before the lord and whatnot. In Sunhill, Sunrise and Cash had instituted far more sensible and less pompous protocols, often to the great annoyance of visiting nobles. Ponies would greet you in the streets, especially for Speaker when he would go about his business in the hospital, while realm ponies like this… they would probably consider even being seen by commoners, serfs and slaves as some kind of social faux pas or insult.
There was a rustle in the far end of the library, scrolls and books being dropped. A minute or so later a very richly dressed unicorn mare with an off-white coat and matching coloured horn came forth. She bore the telltale signs of pure breeding, that of strong dragonblood, typical of being a realm-born noble: Her eyes were slitted like that of a dragon – plus she had that upper eyelid fold like many ponies from the west and the blessed isle, and Speaker could see bits of her coat around her neck covered with scales. Finally, there was her black mane: It had that unique blessed isle native look – smooth hair that hung flatly down around her head and neck, no curls or greater structure to it. She was a pony of noble birth from the blessed isle without a doubt.
The mare addressed her master of ceremonies, speaking in high realm as her MC had: “What has this one done? He doesn’t look like the usual sand-crawlers you drag up here”
“According to Pushed Pencils he broke three spears and gravely insulted his authority, defying your will in front of everyone” the master of ceremonies stated, reading off a scroll.
Speaker couldn’t help but smirk at the report not mentioning what he had done to the demons – actually, with that in mind, Speaker activated his spirit-sensing/interaction charm, to see if there were any demons hidden in the library. There didn’t appear to, though Speaker did see the oily vapours of perronele demons coming off the unicorn… so she had living armor demons bonded to herself.
The unicorn mare’s white horn flared, as did her eyes, as she closely inspected Speaker: “When did he arrive?”
“He arrived on yesterday’s shipment – according to the captain he was marooned on some random island they passed on the way here” the master of ceremonies noted, checking his scrolls once more.
Speaker recognized a keen intellect behind the eyes of the unicorn, her gaze intense – but he knew that unicorns didn’t have the ability to naturally learn any kind of essence sight. They needed magical equipment for that – essence-sensitive lenses or other such equipment – so whatever she was looking for, it couldn’t possibly reveal that he was a solar.
“What tongues does he speak? If he could explain to the slavers that he was marooned that means he could speak sea-tongue” she stated, turning away from Speaker as if she had lost all interest in him.
“Normally I speak river-tongue, but I am also quite fluent in old-realm, and I was taught high-realm in case of just this kind of encounters – and sea-tongue of course” Speaker replied in high realm, before the MC got a word in edgewise.
Both the unicorn and the MC quickly turned to look at Speaker with shock, who maintained his confident appearance. The unicorn quickly seized Speaker in her floating grip with her essence, her horn ablaze, as she pushed him up against a bookcase: “Who sent you? Are you a spy?”
“If I was a spy, why would I attract this much attention to myself? No, I simply came for your slaves – I don’t like slavery. Release all your slaves and I’ll be on my way” Speaker plainly stated, not sounding concerned at all that the earth-aspected unicorn had him by his neck.
Like the rumbling of great stones, then earth aspected unicorns were known to be slow to anger – but Speaker was in no doubt that he was pushing all kinds of buttons on the dragonblooded mare. He felt her essence tighten around his neck, shards of stone and crystal materializing where her essence condensed – producing a cloud of razor-sharp rock.
“You will still your tongue – or what comes out of your mouth next will be your last words!” she shouted, pressing her razor crystals up to Speaker’s neck… but he wasn’t bleeding?
Speaker knew that cranking up his personal shield charms would reveal him sooner or later – but this was just a fine time as any other: “Speaking as a fellow scholar, then you are welcome to test that assertion – but I doubt you will like the results”
Having spent much of his free-time sparing with his fellow solars back in Sunhill, Speaker had spent a lot of time honing his shield charms – the odd guild assassin, or deathknight, who would sneak in and try to kill them all had also sped things along, to the point that any foe striking at him would see him sheathed in righteousness – the golden shell around him as difficult to punch through as the heaviest of plate armor. The unicorn quickly realized this, dropping Speaker in shock as her normally quite deadly stone razors bounced off Speaker as if they were nothing: “Anathema!”
“Oh please. You’re the one keeping hundreds of ponies slaves, working them to death and ordering them starved when they don’t work hard enough – if there is anyone here who is the personification of evil here, it’s you” Speaker said, advancing on the mare.
Stumbling backwards, the mare looked at Speaker with terror in her eyes. With her horn blazing, she blasted Speaker with her elemental powers, hurling large chunks of instantly-forming stone and sharp crystal at him – but it all just bounced off his shield charm.
“Yield. I didn’t come here to kill you – but I will make sure that you cannot hurt anyone else, if you don’t cooperate” Speaker said as he put one hoof before another, making for a slow but purposeful advance.
“Demons! Protect your mistress!” she cried out, but Speaker had already checked – there had been no dematerialized demons waiting in the shadows in the library.
…he hadn’t counted on the ones that had been hiding within the bookshelves, materializing as they leapt clear of the shelves. The bloodhounds, huge and looming, snarled menacingly at Speaker and swung at him, but as he had demonstrated at the latest battle for Sunhill – and at quite a few other occasions prior to that – then fear was a purely optional thing for him, thanks to the charms he knew to render him fearless. Speaker didn’t miss a beat as he weaved and dodged, moving to deal devastating blows to each – both blows enhanced with special solar charms designed to slaying magical beings such as spirits, demons, gods or… originally… primordials.
The supernaturally thick hides of the bloodhounds did nothing against Speaker’s blows, their very beings disintegrating before his might.
“Even I can hear your perroneles screaming in your ear – they know what’s coming. One is begging for you to banish it back to malfeas, the other is begging you to get up and run away. Which will you choose?”
Back at the iron mine the slaves were finishing their mid-day meal and starting to wonder what happened to Speaker. The explosion from the mansion in the distance caught everyone by surprise.
Seeing the unicorn that ostensibly ruled the island come flying from the explosion at the mansion, her screaming all the way until she ate dirt in the staging area in front of the iron mines, left a lot of ponies – and quite a few demons – a bit confused at what had just happened.
Speaker came bounding after her, his monkey-leap technique lending his hops, skips and jumps supernatural distance and height. He couldn’t quite move as quickly as the unicorn he had beat the crap out of – but he was there before the dust had settled in the crater she had made: “My good ponies – I give you, your mistress, the great and powerful Lady Tourmaline Blossom of the great house Peleps. I do believe she has something to tell us all”
Hauling the bleeding and broken form of the unicorn mare up, that she might behold her slaves and her frightened guards, Speaker held Lady Tourmaline Blossom up for all to see: “Talk, or you get another round you heartless wretch!”
“Ok.. ok…” the unicorn mare croaked, her voice all kinds of messed up – though it was hard to tell if it was from the broken teeth, the fat lips, the messed-up nose, or the blows to her chest. At least she was polite enough to speak in sea-tongue – or perhaps just sufficiently afraid of Speaker’s fury: “All the pony slaves… they’re free – go!”
With a stern gaze, Speaker ‘politely’ suggested that the armed guards who had born witness scatter across the island and spread the good news. Once they were gone, Speaker observed the dematerialized demons around them. They didn’t exactly look happy their mistress was being turned inside out, but they seemed more than clever enough to know that they didn’t have to engage unless explicitly ordered to. Speaker in turn ordered the demons to gather into one spot: “Over there, and reveal yourselves – you know what will happen next”
Shrieks of shock and fear from the slaves rang out all over, as dozens of bloodhounds and a few other demons appeared, clustering around the spot that Speaker had pointed out. They didn’t look happy about being bossed around by a new master, but Speaker knew quite well that there was only one thing that demons truly respected: Power – chiefly spiritual power – and as a solar, especially one had recently refined his essence, then his power was far greater than any of them.
“What are you going to do to them?” one of the slaves asked Speaker, as he watched the demons arrive over the course of an hour.
Drawing a deep breath, Speaker kept his gaze on the demons: “I will do, this”
It was one of three basic bits of sorcery that Speaker had learned at that point – and he had in fact learned this particular spell from Shimmer: The way of banishment of lesser demons. Using his essence to illustrate a circle around the demons, he invoked the ancient Treaty of Limbs, the surrender pact that all of the demon lords who had survived the primordial war and found themselves in eternal captivity had signed. The final part of the spell was the mudra of victory over the primordials, Speaker standing tall on his hind-legs with his forelimbs spread out to the side in a mark of spiritual dominance. The demons all sneered at the display as their forms erupted into emerald-green flame, returned to the accursed demon realm – for the knew that against a powerful solar, banishment was the merciful option.
With only a small garrison of woefully outnumbered guards, taking control of the rest of the island took very little time. At the port two cargo ships were seized for the slaves to sail themselves home. The thoroughly defeated and humiliated Lady Tourmaline Blossom was left with her guards, amidst her servants who had all gathered around their lady’s mansion, desperately trying to fend off any angry slaves that had come to vent their anger before leaving on the ships, and even that they weren’t really capable of.
It took a few days, but once all the slaves had set sail, Speaker standing at the docks with a dirty great smile on his face, the solar breathed a sigh of relief.
“Are you quite done yet anathema?” came the voice of a mare behind him.
Turning to look, Speaker saw Lady Tourmaline Blossom. She still looked like shit. Her fat lips and other bruises were long gone, thanks to her own exalted healing factor, but her mane was a mess, and she was clad in rags barely better than what most of the slaves had been dressed in. Oh right, the slaves had looted the mansion for everything of value and made off with all of it on their ships.
“The name is Bright Machine Speaker – you’d do well to remember that”
Blossom spat on the ground before Speaker: “You’ve ruined me, you’ve taken away my slaves, my demons – killing me would be a mercy at this point. You can’t do anything more me”
Shaking his head, Speaker looked at the traces of burn-marks around Blossom’s neck where he had banished the living armor demon that had been bonded to her. The emerald fire had scorched her, which had left her weakened and easy for Speaker to toss around: “Your wealth was built by starving and crushing the souls of others. You will get no sympathy from me. If you want your wealth restored, go summon some demons to work your mines… see how long until they rebel and how gentle they are about that”
She did not appear to like hearing that – but also appeared wise enough to know that she wouldn’t win a fight with Speaker, no matter her hatred of him.
His work done, Speaker summoned essence from the air, the water and the ground, forming it into his magical cloud and flying off.
As he flew back to five-palm island, Speaker quickly caught up with the ship with the five-palm tribe. There were other ponies on board as well, slaves taken from other tribes that lived on islands near where the five-palm ponies had their territory. Landing on the ship, Speaker was greeted warmly.
Enroute to five-palm island, Speaker taught the tribal ponies on the ship basic agricultural and construction techniques. He figured they would be able to better exploit their own islands, and build proper piers for the ship they had taken. Considering that the tribe had previously only had experience with using canoes, then they had to learn to how make the infrastructure needed to support such bigger ships. It was also while teaching these charms that Speaker had an at first strange, but later quite welcome epiphany regarding his education charms – but that was quickly overshadowed as the tribal ponies started talking gods and worship.
What happened was that the few five-palm ponies who knew sea-tongue spoke extensively with Speaker – as did the other tribals – for they had grown to respect his power and wisdom, and wished to know where he had gotten it all from. This ultimately resulted in them starting to discuss whether to start praying to Speaker’s god, to Celestia, instead of whatever native gods they had previous thrown their lot in with. Of course, without their shaman present, then they couldn’t agree on that topic. Of course, they were happy to learn that Shimmer had survived back home, so they figured that such a decision could be made when they returned…
Right – about that… Speaker tried to explain that Shimmer had gain powers not unlike himself, powers bonded to him, meaning that she likely wouldn’t stay: “You’ll need a new shaman – but I’m sure she’ll help set you up with one”
This left the five-leaf ponies in a lot of debate, because being a tribal shaman was no small position of power and responsibility – plus it took many years to be trained up to become one.
Upon arrival at the right island there was much joy, though it was quickly tempered when the five-palm ponies found the graves of their kin. Speaker went looking for Shimmer, wondering where the other lunar had taken her.
The tribals quickly recovered some of their canoes and went about fishing and foraging for food, trying to rebuild their lives and homes, while Speaker scanned the village with essence sight to spot any trail of lunar essence.
It took three days before Shimmer and the other lunar showed up, appearing out the waves one as they walked onto the beach. The tribals were quite frightened, seeing the beast-pony troops that came along with them – typical fright against mutants, a normal reaction – but they also recognized Shimmer.
“Impressive. You work very fast” the elder lunar said, Shimmer remaining silent – though her eyes never left Speaker.
Having spent a while preparing for the encounter – and conferring with Cash Charmer back in Sunhill – Speaker cut to the chase: “Indeed. Now before we continue, I’m going to need to know your name”
“You can call me Grey Fin” the elder lunar said without missing a beat.
His lie-detection charm on, Speaker frowned: “Your real name…”
The elder lunar made a less than pleased expression, remaining silent for a moment. Speaker in turn approached Shimmer: “If he’s not going to play ball, I can at least welcome you back to my circle”
The magical spears of the half-shark beast-ponies sparked as they locked together to block Speaker from getting close to Shimmer. The elder lunar had raised a hoof: “No”
“You can say that – but I am a solar, and she is my lunar mate. You have no right to keep us apart. I have fought a Deathlord to a standstill, and slain more deathknights than I care to count. You want to provoke a fight here? Go ahead, but know that your odds are not good and that I have three other solars at home who will bring down heavenly fury on you, even if you stop me!” Speaker stated, having grown more than a little angry at these pointless games now that he had fulfilled his end of the bargain.
The beast-ponies certainly didn’t look enthused, Speaker’s animal flaring up so that the golden fire of passionate soul burned around him. The elder lunar, to his credit, didn’t flinch: “Her training isn’t finished. You can come and make your offer to her when she’s done”
“I can finish her training – I am a very good teacher. I even let my students talk”
The two kept looking each other in the eyes. This was a pissing match, a contest to see who flinched first. They got right up in each other’s face, not really saying anything to each other, but subtly flexing and trying to psych out the other.
The elder lunar’s features rippled, him shapeshifting in an instant into a massive beast-pony creature that was equal parts squid and pony, but the thrice the size of a pony. His eyes were huge and swirling, almost hypnotic – even his own troops averted their eyes – and all of the tribal ponies ran off screaming.
Speaker stood resolute. He knew the essence patterns of fears, and thus controlled his own fully. In knowing this pattern of fear, he also knew how to project it onto others: “No, now yield”
With but three words spoken plainly, the elder lunar’s tentacles curled up and became wrinkly. The giant monster stumbled backwards, its eyes wide. With a voice that rattled the very souls of all who heard it – all except Speaker – the monster trembled: “Truly… I think I underestimated you”
Having been the one to flinch, the lunar dissolved into moonsilver and shrank back into a normal pony. Speaker just stood still, eyes still locked on the lunar, waiting for a proper answer.
Bowing his head, the elder lunar breathed deeply: “I am known as Sage of the Depth – and ultimately all Shimmer needs to finish her training is her formal introduction to the Silver Pact and for her to receive her tattoos. You can come along for that. If she wants, she’s all yours after that”
With a sharp breath, Shimmer appeared as if she was suddenly about to say something – both Sage and Speaker turning to look at her, but she caught herself and simply smiled widely. Instead of saying anything, she leapt at Speaker, hugging him tightly.
Once they had hugged it out, Speaker was instructed to follow the two, and to gird himself for they were going into the wyld.
Speaker kept apace easily on his magical cloud, Shimmer flying next to him as a seagull, while Sage swam at great speeds down in the water, guiding the two.
To Speaker’s surprise they didn’t have to fly for very many hours before things started to change. The water that the sage swam through became thicker, waves locking into place like stiffening jello. Soon the Sage strode along the ground in his massive beast-pony form, the cobalt-blue glow from his limbs clearly showing the charms he was using essence to gallop so very fast.
In turn, the air became thick and moist, making it difficult to breathe for a brief moment, but then Speaker activated his chaos-repelling pattern, enforcing the reality of creation around him. The air cleared up instantly, and beneath him Sage dropped into fluid water once more, instantly switching to swimming once more.
Looking back, Speaker could only see rainbow clouds obscuring the horizon. There were truly in the wyld…
“Solar, end your stabilizer charm. We are close to the waypoint, your charm would harm it” Sage called out, launching himself out of the water.
Speaker did as request, allowing Sage to land on the ‘solid’ water as he came down.
A moment later they transitioned into a new waypoint in the wyld, a new strange biome where it appeared that they were on an island… but it was all a lie – Speaker could tell: It was made of wyld energies tied together with stolen dream-stuff, gossamer harvested from ponies. To this end it made sense to end his chaos-repelling pattern, for it might terminate whatever strange magic had been used to craft this wyld hideout.
Landing next to the Sage, Speaker breathed deeply and noted that the ambient wyld energies of the places were almost non-existent: “Impressive – do you have a reality engine here to maintain this place?”
The sage chuckled: “No, nothing so advanced – though I have heard of lunars with hideouts deeper in the wyld maintained by first age wonders like that. No, we have some captive changelings we force to maintain the place under pain of iron. Now, welcome to The Western Dam, from which a thousand streams spring, where we hold back the tide”
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webkilla
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562171
| 6 |
Original Character,Other,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Alternate Universe,Crossover,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore
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The Tome of Exalted Ponies
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An epic crossover fic between MLP and the RPG of Exalted, featuring the shiniest of heroes and the darkest of foes, all battling for the fate of all life in existence!
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incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>A sequel to the Scroll of Exalted Ponies.</p><p>Our heroes have loved, lost and set themselves up as the lords of Sunhill - but with greater fame and power, comes greater foes.</p><p><a href="http://asktheexaltedponies.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow">asktheexaltedponies.tumblr.com</a> <b>- Ask blog for the story and its characters</b> There be extra lore and fun things hidden away here.</p><p>The world of exalted is a magical place, where a strict hierarchy of corrupt and decadent gods extort prayers from mortal ponies, while ponies blessed with divine bloodlines exalt and gain unicorn horns with elemental powers, ruling over the mortal ponies with a jade-steel hoof.</p><p>This is how things have always been - until a group of Solars, a Lunar and their friends stood up faced down a great evil. This is their story of might, magic, compassion and fury, asian-themed mysteries and mystical martial arts.</p><p>Do note: The story only has the 'mature' tag on account of occasionally being somewhat bloody when the ponies get to fighting. Think kill bill and your favorite wire-fu movie done by ponies. It may also eventually contain zomponies, undead horrors and demonic nasties.</p><p>Creation is a cruel world: Will its new shiny heroes with the power of mind control and magic kung fu be able to improve on this, or will they ruin it utterly?</p><p>Exalted, the game, the setting, the universe, the awesome fluff and the amble amounts of fanservice in the rulebooks are (c) White Wolf.</p>
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mature
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2024-08-09T17:38:26+00:00
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2024-08-09T17:38:25+00:00
| 7 |
The Black Claw stylist swallows a spoonful of soup before blowing on it, and makes a great display of how his tongue has been burnt. The hearts of everyone in attendance go in sympathy out to the Black Claw stylist, and they curse the wicked soup that would scorch so fair a tongue!
…
Of all the things that Speaker had seen, of all the things he could remember from the first age, then this “Western Dam” was a completely new experience: The ground was… solid, sort of, but it was like walking over a pontoon bridge, or the Denzik city ship, as if everything was floating a little bit, but at the same time there was grass and other strange wyld-wrought plants growing, jiggling, moving, as if the whole place was a fever-dream of an island made real.
It was a refuge and safe meeting place for lunars operating in the west, or operating in the western wyld – though it looked… very barebones. Literally: A lot of totems and decorations wrought of strange bones were strewn about the place, a few structures even appearing built by massive bones from gigantic oceanic monsters, or perhaps giant changeling monsters, with hides or rough-spun fabric or sailcloth stretched over them. Everything looked very crude, very hastily set up – but at the same time nothing looked to be that expensive to leave behind.
And then there were the ponies. Four of five dozen of them, milling about the place. Some, where sitting around bonfires, others were cleaning fish they had caught, others appeared to be wrangling captive changelings. A few were wrestling each other with some cheering them on, others were singing – the whole place had a cheerful campground vibe to it, that reminded Speaker of his youth with the Lookshyan boyscouts, when out camping in the eastern jungles.
“Sage of the Depth, you came – I take it that your trainee is ready for her markings?” An elderly-looking mare with bright, almost glowing, moonsilver tattoos, said in sea-tongue as she approached Sage, Speaker and Shimmer.
Changing back into a pony, Sage threw Shimmer a brief glance, then turned to the mare: “Oh I’m sure I could teach her more – but she’s ready to fly the coop, especially now that her solar showed up”
“You… no…” the mare began slowly, looking first at Shimmer, then at Speaker with eyes turning wide.
Speaker couldn’t tell if the mare was afraid, or if it was a positive reaction. The mare approached him, a brief glance with essence sight telling him that her essence was at least as potent as that of Sage, both of them more powerful than himself. Sizing Speaker up, the mare sniffed at him… wrinkling her nose: “You smell of the everfree forest, easterner”
“I am born of Lookshy, but I am one of the lords of a city state that goes by Sunhill, which is north of Great Forks, further east from Lookshy. Last Shimmer was instrumental in building Sunhill to what it is today, so there’s a lordship waiting for her there if she wants it” Speaker stated.
Sage left Speaker and Shimmer with the other lunar, trotting off. The old mare looked at Speaker with a distrusting glare: “You would do wisely to watch your step and stay quiet – there will be others here who will not want solars here”
“I have no intention of sticking around – when can Shimmer be ready to travel?”
“I will have the inks rendered soon enough. Consider carefully whether you actually attend the marking ceremony – you may have to fight for the right to be there” the old crone said, sounding eerily pleased with her words, as if she was hoping to see a fight.
Speaker acknowledged that he had understood the crone’s warning: “Very well – by the way, what do I call you?”
“I go by Five Horns, but you will call me Elder Horns, of the Crossroads Society. I am the keeper of this den”
Satisfied, Speaker suddenly found himself being pulled silently on by Shimmer towards a large bonfire surrounded by dozens of ponies. Elder Horns waved them off, shaking her head.
“Finally – can you speak to me now?” Speaker wondered.
Shimmer instantly stopped tugging Speaker towards the bonfire, turning to him and shaking her head. Speaker sighed: “Right, then we should find Sage and have him release you from that oath of silence – though I do find it impressive that you’re sticking to it this well. The Shimmer I knew would have found it very difficult to stay quiet like this”
The mare made a very frustrated expression, clearly communicating agreement with Speaker’s assessment. She then looked around, even sniffed the air, and began hauling Speaker in a different direction.
Seeking out the Sage, the two tracked him to a small hut guarded by half-shark beast-ponies. Approaching the hut, the beast-ponies crossed their magical spears to bar the two entry.
Stepping up in front of them, Shimmer… didn’t say a word? Yet Speaker got the distinct impression that a conversation was being had. The unseen and unheard back and forth continued for a few minutes, until the guards pulled back their spears and allowed Shimmer – not Speaker – entry.
Shooting Speaker an apologetic look before heading inside, Shimmer disappeared behind the pelt that covered the doorway. Speaker wondered how these shark-ponies talked. Could they even vocalize? He hadn’t heard them say anything: “Care to fill me on what she said?”
The two shark-ponies exchanged glances and more unsaid words, then shook their heads at Speaker, leaving him high and dry.
Annoyed, but not wanting to cause a scene as it might complicate his situation with Shimmer and her tattoo ceremony, Speaker looked around for something else to pass time with. Sitting down, he checked in with Sunhill to give another status update, and check-up the medical wards. The doctors that helmed the medical wards were thankful for the advice and instructions on the few complicated cases that had come in since Speaker’s last check-in.
His last consultation was cut short when Speaker felt someone poking him. Snapping his perception back to his own body, Speaker looked up at the… pony with a large amount of cat features? Forelimbs with paws instead of hooves, his head had cat-like features, tail was a large furred sausage, but there was still a cutie-mark, and hind-limbs had hooves and the lunar was covered in moonsilver tattoos: “You there?”
“Yes? Can I help you?” Speaker inquired, feeling a tad annoyed that his medical consultation had been disrupted.
The cat-lunar bounced back a bit: “Oh, it talks… who are you? You’re new here – who did you come here with?”
Briefly considering his options, Speaker was torn on whether to simply flash his caste mark to introduce himself, or to say who and what he was: “Does it matter?”
“It does” the cat-lunar said, smiling with a mouth that was far wider than that of a normal pony… and had much sharper teeth – and a single claw extended from his paw to pick those teeth: “…we get sidereal spies trying to sneak in here fairly often. Have to check all new faces, and sometimes even the old faces – maybe peel off your eyes to see if there are stars hidden behind them”
Ah, operational security. This was a problem that Speaker knew well, with all the guild spies and deathlord spies that routinely try to sneak into Sunhill: “Right – and how do I know you’re not one?”
The cat-lunar paused for a moment, then he smirked and twirled around himself quizzically: “Oh… how DO I know I’m not a sidereal spy?”
Speaker chuckled as the cat-lunar wandered off talking to himself. A tap on his shoulder made him turn: It was shimmer.
“Can you finally talk now?” Speaker asked, it occurring to him that he didn’t really know how her voice would sound.
Shimmer looked timid. There was a nod, but at the same time she suddenly seemed strangely shy compared to how eager she had been earlier. Still, she had the same blue eyes, the same purple dreadlocked mane, the same grey coat. This was Shimmer, no doubt about it.
“Sage of Depth said it was ok for me to talk… I just… I don’t know what to say” Last Shimmer finally said, her voice young and vigorous, but at the same time her voice was a bit deeper than the Shimmer Speaker remembered. It was close enough though.
This time it was Speaker’s turn to embrace Shimmer, hugging her dearly: “Last time I heard your voice, you were dying… I can’t tell you how good it is to hear you alive and well again”
Since he was hugging Shimmer, Speaker couldn’t see the very distraught and weirded out expression Shimmer was making in response to that statement: “Ok…”
“Oh, so you vouch for this stranger?” the cat-lunar said, having appeared out of nowhere once more.
Letting go from the hug, Speaker turning to look at the cat-lunar… but he wasn’t there. Shimmer in turn had been able to track the lunar, looking down underneath them where a leopard-looking large cat had snuggled up: “Yes – he is my solar mate. Now go bother someone else”
The leopard-pony slinked off, leaving Speaker and Shimmer to awkwardly look at each other.
“So…” Speaker began, but Shimmer sighed to interrupt him: “I spent three weeks crying after burying everyone – and then Sage came and trained me… I’m grateful that I can talk again, but with you here now… I need some time to process this. I’m sorry milord”
Smiling, Speaker nodded: “I understand – I remember how tumultuous it was to exalt. I’ve only been a solar for a few years myself… and unlike you here, I had no-pony to help train me or guide me”
Shimmer shook her head: “Yes milord… they keep telling me I should be grateful…”
“You don’t sound sure?” Speaker commented, looking around the camp for something more positive to talk about.
Shimmer scratched the ground, making an expression that Fred couldn’t quite nail down. It was a subtle mix of disgust and distrust: “Sage has some very… strong ideas… about how things should be done. Kept trying to talk me into staying here, saying that it would be bad if I go with you – that I’ll just get killed again – but I just feel… ugh… I’m sorry Lord Bright – I’m not good at this yet”
“Have you spoken with any other lunars about this?”
“Couldn’t – Sage had me promise to not vocalize… I had to learn to talk squid and shark, and nobody here but Sage and his soldiers speaks that – but we can do that now Lord Bright!” Shimmer said, the tone of voice telling a subtle story of harsh training and an unforgiving teacher.
Thus, the two walked among the ponies of the ‘Western Dam’, talking to other ponies. Speaker saw a lot of ponies suffering from wyld mutations, and Shimmer explained that the great western dam was a refuge for ponies who had been cast out from their own, for having been mutated by the wyld: “Sometimes fisherponies drift into a patch of wyld-tainted water, or they’ll catch a fish that swam through it and whoever eats it ends up mutated… and they’re the lucky ones who aren’t just murdered by their own tribes or villages, or eaten if they turn into a fish – it’s horrible Lord Bright”
Speaker recalled of the old Shimmer having told of similar stories, of fisher-ponies getting caught in wyld-storms and turning into fish or seals that their own tribes-ponies would later hunt and eat. Shimmer said that stories like that were often told to foals and fillies in the west to teach them why staying away from the wyld was so important.
“I can heal mutations – maybe we could organize something here, to help them?” Speaker suggested.
Shimmer thought about it for a moment: “Sage and Horns both told you that there are lunars here who won’t like having a solar around. I like your idea Lord Bright, but we’d have to get Horn’s blessings”
“Then let’s find her”
The den-mother, venerable elder Great Horns, was found directing mutant ponies around for setting up… something. Seating arrangements, strangely coloured and oddly brittle wyld-seaweed for building up a fireplace and clearing the ground by rolling the grass back as if it was a carpet.
“Last Shimmer – showing your friend around?” Elder Horns mused.
Nodding, Shimmer asked about the mutant refugees: “Speaker can heal them… but he’ll probably start flaring up if he does that. Who do you think will complain to you about that?”
“Nobody” Elder Horns said knowingly.
Shimmer squinted: “What? But you said earlier to Lord Bright…”
“Yes – now think young one, why would anyone complain to me? No, what would they do instead?” Elder Horns asked, clearly challenging Shimmer to puzzle out the answer on her own.
Speaker figured out the answer instantly, though he held his tongue: Elder Horns was clearly insinuating that the lunars would go straight to using force against him – not simply bellyaching about his presence. It took Shimmer a few tries, but she figured it out eventually, though she wasn’t happy about it: “But you’re the den-mother here – you can say Lord Bright’s allowed to stay here”
“Why would I do that? He’s not involved with any project that anyone here is working on – and he hasn’t been subtle about wanting to go home once you’re ready to leave – if he gets kicked out early, it’s no skin off my back” Elder Horns noted while pulling various strange jars out of elsewhere and arranging them in a circle around her.
Shimmer was about to get angry and say something stupid, but Speaker put a calming hoof on her shoulder: “Don’t – just confirm that she won’t object to me healing the mutants here”
Elder Horns simply nodded: “You two go right ahead and heal those who want it – just be ready to face the music when Three Tails or Scale Tooth catches wind of you”
Leaving Elder Horns to her business, the duo headed to the largest group of mutants they could spot. The mutants appeared to be singing around a large fireplace where dried mutant plants were burning. The fire had strange colors, of the sort you only found in the wyld, with colors that didn’t truly exist.
With a few discreet inquiries, word quickly spread that a magical healer had visited the dam, one who claimed that he could undo mutations. Speaker’s charms worked flawlessly, his order-affirming blow striking at the chaotic energies that had tainted the ponies who sought out his treatment. It was a bit messy, as tentacles, scales and other growths were shed, while internal mutations were similarly excreted from one end or the other, often at high pressure. Despite the harrowing experience for his patients, then they were all smiles once Speaker was done – quite a few of them crying with joy, now that they could return to their families and tribes.
Speaker in turn found the experience delightfully rewarding. With but a glance he could intuit all that was wrong with the mutants, from physical mutations to wyld-induced mental issues or the dreaded wyld-addictions which were known to lead ponies to keep seeking out the wyld, until they mutated so much that they entirely stopped being ponies.
Word quickly spread throughout the refuge, and even elder Horns came by to nod approvingly as Speaker laid his hooves on puss-leaking mutant boils, the horrible afflictions fading away as golden light washed over them.
That was when the ground shook. And again. And again. The impossibly heavy hoof-stomps were impossible to ignore as the oddly lean and wiry looking lunar mare approached: “Shiver me timbers… what is this nonsense?”
The no-longer-mutant ponies tried explaining the situation, but were all swept aside by an elongated limb from the approaching lunar: “What grog-brain thought it was a good idea to invite a bloody solar in here?”
Shimmer got up in front of the lunar: “Sage of the Depths led him here, and he is my solar mate – so back off!”
The wiry lunar smirked and looked down at Shimmer – despite being at the same height as her. A silvery ripple ran along his length: “Stand aside young-blood”
“Scale Tooth, back off!” Shimmer said, appearing surprisingly brave despite knowing full well that she was hopelessly outclassed by the looming lunar elder.
Scale Tooth looked at Shimmer, his eyes a baleful pale glow: “Prancing around with borrowed courage… how pathetic. Stand aside young blood, or you’ll get hurt”
Finally, Speaker spoke up, not turning to look at Scale Tooth, but addressing him none the less: “Touch her and you will have to answer to me. Chose the wiser option. I have fought a deathlord to a standstill”
The elder lunar switched his attention from Shimmer to Speaker: “You dare threaten me?”
“Yes – and as Shimmer pointed out, then if you have issue with my presence and who led me here, then take it up with Sage of the Depths who saw fit to guide me here, or me directly” Speaker said quickly and succinctly, knowing from conversations with the old Shimmer that many martially inclined lunars only respected courage and might, so he opted to present a fearless front.
Scale Tooth took a deep breath through his nose in Speaker’s direction: “You stink of sidereal essence”
“I have a lot of friends, some sidereals – some of them even owe me favours. Bite me” Speaker retorted, well aware that such a taunt might be taken as a form of encouragement to start a fight.
The lunar appeared wise enough to recognize the taunting dismissal for what it was. The way he wrinkled his nose at Speaker in disgust certainly spoke volumes – but the most telling response was how Scale Tooth began to swell…
With protean power, as befit a chosen of Luna – the goddess of the moon of many shapes, Speaker and Shimmer both saw Scale Tooth swell into a gigantic crab monster. Its massive shell appeared thick and replete with spikes, and its eye-stalks homed in on Speaker with deadly intent – and its gigantic claw made a lazy swipe, more to intimidate than to actually hit and hurt anyone.
The mutants and other ponies who had come to Speaker for healing ran for their lives, while Speaker and Shimmer stood firm. The half-crab monster howled, foaming at its mouth. “Be gone solar, sidereal friend. You are not welcome here!”
Shimmer looked up at the gigantic beast, the crab-monster easily being the size of a small ocean-faring ship: “Lord Bright… how do we do this?”
“Like this” Speaker said calmly, rushing towards the crab with amazing speed. Even with the finest of predatory charms, Scale Tooth couldn’t keep up, allowing Speaker to get under the lunar and wrangle his legs. Tripping the giant lunar, the massive creature barely managed to tip over and touch the ground before Speaker managed to buck him high into the sky.
Shimmer looked on in amazement: “What the… how?”
“Hoof the daystar style is very good at grapples and throws… even more so with large targets” Speaker said, catching his breath as the crab monster flew up.
Now, as most ponies would recognize that what goes up has to come down. Speaker disagreed, using a strangely subtle martial arts charm to make sure that once Scale Tooth reached the peak of his flight… that he stayed there.
Doing a double-take, Shimmer couldn’t quite understand why the giant crab wasn’t coming down: “Why… why isn’t he falling?”
“Because I like floating targets – they’re easier to hit” Speaker noted, calling upon his magical weapons from the extra-spacial realm of elsewhere. The golden disc phased into reality, attached to Speaker’s right forehoof. A second golden disc, one featuring a large hole in the middle, phased into being on Speaker’s left forehoof.
Flinging both discs at Scale Tooth, Speaker applied the linear flight principle he knew so well – making Scale Tooth fly high into the sky as both discs banked and struck the giant crab with their flat sides, imparting great force upon the floating lunar, but not really harming it. This continued for a good half minute, the discs smacking the giant crab around up in the air, like foals playing with a ball.
When the giant crab vomited, spraying sick everywhere from on high, Speaker finally let Scale Tooth drop, crashing into the ground with a grand plume of water and dirt flying everywhere from the muddy crater.
Walking up to the giant crab, Speaker asked: “Do you yield?”
Its eye-stalks barely able to stand still, still spinning around from how the crab had bounced around up in the air, Scale Tooth was barely able to string words together: “You… you dirty rotten…”
Holding one of his golden discs up to one of the eye-stalks, Speaker had the disc deploy a ring of golden razor hooks around its edge, the razors quickly spinning into action with a puff of steam from the disc: “I defeated you without hurting you. Accept that, or I can defeat you by also hurting you”
Struggling to get up, clearly still dizzy, the giant crab made strange angry crab noises. Silver-blue light glowed from its joints and exposed soft parts like its mouth and eye-stalks: “This isn’t over!”
“Very well – just remember, you chose this” Speaker shouted, spinning around and launching his bladed disc at the giant crab in rapid succession, the disc zipping back to his hoof faster than the eye could see, allowing him to throw it repeatedly as if he had multiple identical discs.
Scale Tooth laughed as the spinning-bladed disc scraped at his shell and claw: “So that’s why you tried to trick me with your flying tricks – you can’t actually hurt me with that thing. My shell is the thickest there! Realm ballista bolts do nothing to me!”
Shimmer had retreated away from the fighting, having realized long ago that she had absolutely no chance at influencing the outcome of the bout. She looked on with amazement as Speaker lit up, bright golden soul-fire burning around him as his anima roared into view: Three pairs of beautiful golden wings unfolded around him, centred on a glyph-covered golden gear that spun around him. It felt so very familiar to her. It felt right. It felt safe.
What had he done to flare his anima that much?
With a trick of the hoof Speaker tucked his bladed disc away into elsewhere, instead retrieving the other disc he had, the one with a big hole in the middle of the disc. This disc didn’t deploy blades around its outer edge: With a strange magical sound it instead of lit up with an edge of bright golden light, and once more Speaker spun to fling the disc with great momentum at Scale Tooth who wasn’t quite done chuckling.
But this was different. Scale Tooth’s roar showed that much: As the disc struck and burned deep grooves into the crab shell and zipping back to Speaker’s hoof, only to be flung again, other ethereal copies of the disc sprung out of Speaker’s anima and cut into the same groove in the armor, deepening them greatly. Scale Tooth raised his massive claws to defend and parry the discs and their magical copies, but they simply cut into the shell segments that covered the claws… over and over, and with each time the disc hit, so came two more phantom discs that melted just as much shell away.
Before Scale Tooth had any idea of what was going on, much of his oh so grand crab shell had been cut away, leaving large sections of his soft innards completely exposed.
The giant Lunar could not do much to recover other than use healing charms to close up what few wounds the shell-cutting had inflicted on him as the compromised shell greatly hindered his range of motion, with Speaker leaping up on the giant crab and holding his glowing disc’s edge up to an expose section of Scale Tooth’s innards. Bending back an eye-stalk so that the crab could see what he was threatening to do, Speaker spoke once more: “Yield, or this inside goes of you – and once inside, it will not make it stop until you are dead”
Foaming briefly at his mouth, Scale Tooth roared in impotent frustration – but as the roar abated the crab spoke: “I yield…”
Jumping down from the crab, Speaker found himself approached by other lunars that congratulated him on his cunning and clever use of exotic martial arts. Elder Horns was among them: “…and you barely even spilt his blood. How will he ever live this humiliation down?”
“That sounds like his problem, not mine” Speaker noted, very satisfied that he had been able to win quickly and efficiently.
Elder Horns shook her head: “I’m sure he’ll vent his fury on some more realm shipping once he leaves. Now, I have gathered my inks for Last Shimmer’s tattoos. Bring her to where we spoke earlier”
At the ceremonial circle, many a pony – quite a few of the ones Speaker had treated for mutations – along with various lunars, even a surly Scale Tooth in pony form, sat and observed as Elder Five Horns shapeshifted a hoof into a clawed hand, dipping a very long claw into a clay jar of glowing moonsilver ink: “Last Shimmer. Your training is complete, is this true?”
Shimmer, sitting in front of Elder Horns, bowed her head: “Yes, Elder Horns”
“Good. Now, to those present, those who have witnessed and overseen her training, has her mettle been tested?” the elder asked out.
There was a brief murmur among the ponies present, after which another lunar spoke up: “Last Shimmer exalted during a changeling raid, slaying dozens and even fending off a changeling noble with no real training or combat experience. I first caught up with that attack once she had routed them”
Elder Horns nodded, using her claws to trace the swirling patterns of moonsilver into Shimmer’s coat: “What of her succor?”
Speaker briefly wondered exactly what was meant by that strange and archaic term, but that was when Sage of Depths spoke up: “Last Shimmer agreed to a complicated and debilitating oath, as part of my training to her. She was not allowed to speak any words of a common tongue under any condition until released from the oath, and she impressed me by never once failing to uphold her promise. Similarly, while still under that oath, she even managed to impress her solar mate”
Tracing more strange tattoo scribbles onto Shimmer’s hide, Elder Horns nodded as she asked once more: “Good good, a trustworthy lunar will always make a good name for herself. Now, her glory was without a doubt tested during the changeling attack – but has that been tested additionally?”
Once more Speaker had to wonder exactly what was meant by that term, but here Scale Tooth spoke up in a solemn tone: “She faced me down, even when I challenged her solar mate for his right to be here – I used my most potent charms of intimidation, but she didn’t even flinch, buying her mate time to figure out a clever way to defeat me”
“Clever – a pony who both thinks before she acts and thinks ahead. What of her cunning?” Elder Horns said, running both sets of silvery hoof-claws over Shimmer’s hide to impart more tattoos.
Speaker saw how Shimmer shivered, how her teeth were gritted – he figured that the tattoo process probably hurt quite a lot, especially when done with such crude implements. At least he didn’t need to think too deeply about what cunning meant.
Sage of the Depths told of a story where he had challenged Shimmer to throw a fleet of realm slave ships off course, where she had used her charms to swim up under them and alter the shape of their rudders every night, making it impossible for them to navigate or even stay in formation, allowing them to be picked off one by one, their cargo freed: “They never saw her, heard her, nor suspected of what she did. They all thought it was the evil winds of a storm mother, making them throw many expensive offerings over board in vain, all of which we netted and used to fund worth causes”
Elder Horns smiled: “A clever little trick – well done. Finally, what of her wisdom?”
Here Sage of Depths spoke of how well Shimmer had taken to sorcery, how she had banished six swimming demons holding up a Lintha barge, and how she had taken to the elder tongue, reading sunken scripture on the bottom of the sea. Speaker didn’t get the context for this, but this somehow elicited gasps from some of the other lunars. Even Elder Horns looked up, appearing impressed: “She took on six of the ‘sour swimmers’ at once with a banishment ritual? Oh, that does it… Shimmer joins the no-moon caste once more!”
The lunars present cheered as Elder Horns traced the last bits of tattoo onto Shimmer, after which she made a series of strange arcane gestures that Speaker recognized as the old realm mudras for truth, duty and creation. The mudras manifested as moonlight glyphs which swirled around Shimmer and then seeped into her tattoos, which shifted and changed. Speaker couldn’t recognize any old realm symbols revealing themselves in the tattoos, but it did make him wonder if one could read the tattoos somehow.
“Now arise Last Shimmer, chosen of Luna of the No Moon caste! Protect creation and bring honor to the silver pact!” Elder Horns pronounced, Shimmer’s anima erupting in a beautiful silvery crashing of waves and a swirl of glowing white feathers.
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webkilla
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562171
| 7 |
Original Character,Other,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Alternate Universe,Crossover,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore
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The Tome of Exalted Ponies
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An epic crossover fic between MLP and the RPG of Exalted, featuring the shiniest of heroes and the darkest of foes, all battling for the fate of all life in existence!
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incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>A sequel to the Scroll of Exalted Ponies.</p><p>Our heroes have loved, lost and set themselves up as the lords of Sunhill - but with greater fame and power, comes greater foes.</p><p><a href="http://asktheexaltedponies.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow">asktheexaltedponies.tumblr.com</a> <b>- Ask blog for the story and its characters</b> There be extra lore and fun things hidden away here.</p><p>The world of exalted is a magical place, where a strict hierarchy of corrupt and decadent gods extort prayers from mortal ponies, while ponies blessed with divine bloodlines exalt and gain unicorn horns with elemental powers, ruling over the mortal ponies with a jade-steel hoof.</p><p>This is how things have always been - until a group of Solars, a Lunar and their friends stood up faced down a great evil. This is their story of might, magic, compassion and fury, asian-themed mysteries and mystical martial arts.</p><p>Do note: The story only has the 'mature' tag on account of occasionally being somewhat bloody when the ponies get to fighting. Think kill bill and your favorite wire-fu movie done by ponies. It may also eventually contain zomponies, undead horrors and demonic nasties.</p><p>Creation is a cruel world: Will its new shiny heroes with the power of mind control and magic kung fu be able to improve on this, or will they ruin it utterly?</p><p>Exalted, the game, the setting, the universe, the awesome fluff and the amble amounts of fanservice in the rulebooks are (c) White Wolf.</p>
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mature
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2024-08-15T05:58:27+00:00
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2024-08-15T05:58:26+00:00
| 10 |
The Crane stylist waits for the soup to make the first move, passing the time by idly discussing philosophy with his meal. After a few hours, everyone else is done and ready to go, but the Crane stylist has found the soup to have a rather charming and insightful personality.
…
The celebrations in Shimmer’s name were… arguably modest. It was a party at a hastily made camp, not a party at a luxurious palace or manse. Still, good times were had and Shimmer were given gifts to help her on her way, though it was via the uniquely bloody tradition of Lunars:
Elder Horns tore flesh from her own body, moulding it into a glowing sphere of essence-infused meat that she offered to Shimmer: “It will digest slowly and imbue you with sorcerous knowledge, use it well”
Another lunar offered up a small chest of silver bars, the chest thoroughly encrusted with dried remains of deep ocean plant and animal-life, hinting of its origins. Other gifts were offered, such as small trinkets and talismans, items imbued by powers by western spirits that could be traded with other spirit courts for favours or protection. Most of the gifts bore the hallmarks of things that could be made on the go, or acquired quickly from others, or torn from the carcasses of slain sea-monsters – but they were all useful.
Then it came for Sage of the Depths to grant Shimmer her gift: “You were true to your oath. I have trained many lunars, and very few managed to do that as well as you. I also owe you several favors from your past life, which add to this: Imbued with the spirit of a willing squid spirit, may it keep you safe and strike at your enemies at every turn”
It got eerily quiet as Sage drew the object forth from elsewhere. It looked… alive? A small silvery squid. Speaker recognized it when he looked at it with essence sight: “Good heavens… a quicksilver aegis talisman – that is not something you see everyday”
Shimmer looked at the thing and accepted it with trembling hooves: “I… I don’t know what to say”
“For many great contributions to Luthe in your past life, and dutiful service in this life. Leviathan also sends his regards” Sage said, eliciting even more hushed gasps and murmurs among the surrounding lunars.
Speaker frowned: This didn’t quite add up to the stories that Shimmer had told him during her past life. She had spoken of Luthe as a bad place, a place she had begged Speaker to avoid. Had she served Luthe at some point? There was something missing here… but that would have to wait for later.
Sage instructed Shimmer to stroke the hoof-sized silver squid talisman, and to name it. As she did so, naming it Deep Wave, it opened its black jade eyes and sprouted eight tentacles, slipping onto Shimmer’s right fore-leg like a living bracer: “It will answer your commands, keep your vigil at all times, become your shield, blade, spear or detach to be a simple servant. If struck enough – and it is impressively tough – it will go dormant and require repair though”
“I… thank you” Shimmer said, tears in her eyes.
Speaker looked around – and he saw other ponies whispering and nodding. It seemed that he wasn’t the only one finding such an impressive shapeshifting weapon. Now, Speaker didn’t have the same sensory-enhancing charms that Sullen Hoof knew, but he knew how to listen… and he heard some of the less careful whispers: “So the rumors were true – they really were lovers before she left for the east last time around…”
Ah, there we go – mystery solved. Oh well, time to present his gift.
Elder Horns was about to announce the gift-giving ceremony over, when Speaker stepped forth. Elder Horns nodded and gestured for him to approach, Shimmer looking up from her new magical weapon/pet/magical servant.
“I didn’t know that I was meant to bring gifts – but I do have something… something I got the last time I saw… the last you. I wasn’t really sure what she meant with it, but now I think see what her idea was” Speaker said, feeling strangely proud as he sat down and began to recall the item in question from elsewhere.
Everyone else waited patiently as the gift slowly translated into creation. It was difficult to see what it was, right up until it dropped into Speaker’s lap, still bloody and squishy.
The scent was unmistakable. The uproar deafening.
“What is the meaning of this!?!” Elder Horns roared, her voice bestial and her mouth suddenly full of fangs.
Sage of the Depths actually stepped in between Speaker and Shimmer: “Keep that away from her!”
Ok, social faux pass? Speaker held the old Shimmer’s heart, a heart she had torn from her own body as her last act before dying while hopelessly trapped in a doomed underworld manse: “Now hold on! She gave this to me freely, and instructed me to give it to her heir!”
“Oh sure, you want us to believe that she committed suicide for you? Just how brainwashed did you have her?” Scale Tooth said angrily, shell plating already forming around his body and encasing his forehooves like new crab claws.
Surrounded, Speaker wasn’t really sure if he should raise his shield charms – or try to talk it out. That was when Shimmer stomped her hooves: “Stop it! Do you all really think that Lord Bright would be stupid enough to show up with… whatever that is… if it was sourced under such bad circumstances? Bloody think for a moment!”
Such an impassioned call for reason did seem to calm everyone – at least a little bit. Elder Horns stomped over to Speaker and beheld the still warm heart, it still slick with blood from its ‘donor’. With a quick swipe she bought a bit of that blood to her mouth. Speaker noticed that everyone else had gone very quiet as she somehow tested the blood, tasting it.
Elder Horns gave Speaker a most confounded look, as her eyes began to fill with tears: “She put so much into this…”
Shimmer came up to Speaker, looking at the massive heart he was floating in the air. It was almost half the size of a pony’s head… definitely not the heart of a normal pony – but when she got close: “That’s… that’s my scent!”
Well, that was one word for it. Elder Horns stood aside, no longer objecting: “Very few lunars get to meet their past selves like this… but I’m not sure if it should be called an honor or a curse…”
Speaker hadn’t thought that the heart had any kind of message in it, having instead figured that it was something that would grant power, or knowledge, or access to the shapes that old Shimmer had been able to shapeshift into… not meeting on- self – then again, they did seem to have a lot of blood-bound powers, so… perhaps?
Shimmer accepted the heart, but looked at it with great trepidation, her eyes wide. The scent of her own blood from the heart frightened her in a way she had never tried before. Sage of the Depths came up to her: “You… may want to be careful when you consume that. You risk having your old self replace you. You’ll still be Last Shimmer, for you both bore that name, but you’ll be her… not you. Strengthen your mind and essence before you do this”
Nodding, Shimmer folded the heart into elsewhere. With the bloody organ out of sight, everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief – with quite a lot of ponies curious at Elder Horns, for she had tasted the heart-blood and had thus gleamed its secrets.
This signalled the end of the ‘official’ festivities, and many of the ponies began to disperse, returning towards Creations or starting to pack the camp up. Shimmer said her goodbyes to her new peers while Speaker summoned a magical cloud for them to fly off on.
Leaving, Speaker activated his chaos-repelling charm, allowing for very swift return to the stability of Creation. During this flight Shimmer thanked Speaker for the heart, and asked that they fly to her tribe: “…I need to say goodbye to them too, if it’s ok with you Lord Bright”
“Of course. We’ll be there before sundown”
“Thanks… this is still so new to me Lord Bright. Being exalted, suddenly being able to do all kinds of things, Sage training me and teaching me sorcery. I thought I had lost everyone I knew, and then you showed up one day, Sage sends you off, and then in no time almost everyone the slavers took comes back with a stolen realm cargo ship? I’m just trying to keep up” Shimmer mused, finally able to give voice her stress, anxieties and mixed emotions.
Speaker understood the experience well. He still remembered when he had exalted, the confusion, the lack of understanding: “It gets better over time, and while we travel to Sunhill I can train you myself – I know some very powerful educational charms… no eating anyone’s flesh required”
Arriving at the five-palm tribe’s island, Speaker landed and Shimmer quickly found herself embraced by her kin. The tearful reunion turning into an impromptu party, and celebrations were had, the tribe thanking Speaker for freeing them from slavery, and for Shimmer for her defence of the village. This culminated with a ceremony where Shimmer selected a new shaman for the tribe, and even used her lunar charms to commune with the local ocean spirits, negotiating new and much better terms for her tribe, which would likely lead the tribe to great prosperity, especially with their new ship.
The next morning, as Speaker woke up in the hut he’d been assigned to sleep in, he got up and found Shimmer sitting at the sea shore, gazing over the ocean and the waves washing up on the sandy beach. She was stroking Deep Wave, which seemed to alert her to Speaker’s approach – this let her ask with turning her head: “Lord Bright, will I ever get to see them again?”
“Your tribe? That’s your choice. Your exaltation gives you a compulsion to go with me, but you’re not bound by it. You still have a choice – and you can equally choose to come visit them. Mind you, with a little luck, you can live to be many thousands of years old. Come then, the descendants of this tribe might not know you as one of their own, but as a legendary heavenly guardian who guided them to greatness from a time of great need” Speaker mused, reflecting on how his own perspective had changed after just a few years of being a solar.
Shimmer got up and turned to look at the village: “Guide them to greatness… you make it sound simple”
“It starts out simple, but it depends on what you would like for them to become. I would teach them to write, so they can start to record their own history, write down their songs and their rituals, so the death of a shaman doesn’t mean losing everything. It makes it a lot easier not having to remember everything yourself. It gives them time to specialize more, so the tribe can grow and become something more than subsistence fisherponies” Speaker noted, having more than once spoken with Sunrise and Cash about similar plans of action for dealing with various jungle tribes in the east.
With a deep breath, Shimmer pondered what Speaker had said, looking at what her ponies were doing: “They’re gathering driftwood for new buildings… better huts – is that your doing Lord Bright?”
“Probably. I taught them better wood-working techniques while we were on the ship back to the island, after I freed them. It was mainly so they could maintain the ship, but the same lessons can be used to build better huts that can withstand storms and keep insects out, plus they can build better boats on their own now. That’s another way they’ll grow” Speaker said, feeling proud that his little lesson was already being used so well.
Without hesitation Shimmer asked Speaker to teach them how to read and write. Speaker did as asked, teaching those of the tribe who could speak seatongue how to write the language as well, using his magical educational charm. They would in time be able to teach the rest of the tribe. The lesson also included a quick primer on the use of local octopus ink and how to make bamboo scrolls.
Thankful, Shimmer bid farewell with her tribe and promised to visit them again. The duo flew off on a cloud, their bellies full of fish and coconut, heading south-east towards Wacecrest.
Out over the ocean, nothing but water around them as far as the eye could see, Shimmer asked why they weren’t flying straight east? Speaker explained that now that the two of them were reunited, then the heavenly protection he had enjoyed was no more, and that going over the blessed isle would be a death sentence: “We’ll need to move through neutral territory. We’ll go to Abalone, find out where the Denzik is. I have friends on the city-ship, we’ll go there, and from them to An-Teng. From there we’ll cross the fire mountains, and then fly along the southern coast all the way to the summer mountains – from there we’ll just fly straight home. I have a map if you want to see”
Shimmer was quiet for a moment, then she said: “Going to that lunar meet was the furthest I’ve ever been from home. Sage never even took me to Luthe where he’s from – always told me it would be best if I didn’t come there. You’re talking about going all across creation like its nothing…”
“For the exalted, it is nothing. By the way, the training you got from the sage, did that include teaching you a warform?” Speaker wondered.
Shimmer said that she had learned a beast-pony transformation technique: “…but Sage said I had much to learn in developing it”
“Fair enough – you can show me when we’ve found somewhere to sleep tonight. I’m curious what features it’ll have. Oh, and did you learn to hide your tattoos? When we’re in Wavecrest and An-Teng we’ll have to pose as normal ponies”
“I can do that – but won’t others still think it’s weird if we just show up on Wavecrest?” Shimmer wondered, not sounding terribly sure if she could pose as anything other than a tribal pony.
Speaker explained that she didn’t have to pose as anything else: “I’ll pretend to be an unexalted scion of a lesser realm noble house on some private journey, with you as my servant or slave. That shouldn’t look out of place – and we won’t be staying long. We just have to find out where the Denzik is, then we can fly off again”
Following the scattering of islands that led to the giant volcanic isle of Wavecrest, the duo had to stop for the night once before they could reach their goal. Speaker used his crafting charms to quickly and efficiently build a simple but very nice hut just off the beach, while Shimmer sent Deep Wave out in the ocean in the form of a squid, it returning shortly with a large fish they cooked over an open fire.
“Lord Bright, is this how it’s going to be now, flying around, going on adventure, sleeping in really nice huts?” Shimmer wondered, as she took a zip from her coconut.
Speaker shrugged: “Sometimes. Sometimes adventure comes to you – that’s one of the prices of being a lord of a city state. We have plenty of enemies already, and they know to target the ponies who live there to get to us”
“Tell me Lord Bright, do you have your own songs at this Sunhill place?”
Nodding, Speaker tried to recall one such song, but really that was Sunrise and Cash’s forte, not his. The best he could do was a nursery rhyme he had heard at the Sunhill manse in a foal’s ward. It was a slightly silly song, about waiting for the sun to rise if you were afraid of the dark.
Shimmer was asleep by the time Speaker finished, making him smile: “Welcome back Shimmer”
…but before Speaker fell asleep, he heard her making noises, tossing around on her mat of woven palm leaves. He had seen such behaviour plenty of times: Shimmer was clearly having a bad dream.
Speaker smiled. He could actually fix that now.
He wouldn’t have been able to do anything more than counsel Shimmer before he had started this journey, but now? With his new dream-based powers? First, he gathered up sticks, spiderweb, melted sand into clear glass and plucked a few hairs from his mane, fashioning a dream catcher. It was so intuitive to make a vessel that could contain a dream… and with a swift movement of the hoof and essence, Speaker pulled the nightmare from Shimmer into the dreamcatcher. Shimmer’s twitching instantly calmed down, her sleeping becoming restful again.
The next morning Speaker wondered if he should tell Shimmer what he had done. It wasn’t until they were flying again that he managed to broach the subject, showing the dream catcher to Shimmer.
She seemed to instantly sense that the dreamcatcher contained something bad: “You… Lord Bright you put my nightmare in this?”
“Pretty much”
“And that won’t hurt me, will it Lord Bright?”
“Not a single dream. If I did to you repeatedly, you’d wake up in the morning as tired as when you went to sleep – but you had a normal dream afterwards, I checked” Speaker mused, not having had anywhere near enough practical experience using his new powers to fully describe what they could do.
Shimmer accepted that information, putting the dreamcatcher away into elsewhere: “Alright, then maybe we can find a use for my bad dream later on”
“I could put it in someone else – maybe it’d be a good distraction” Speaker pondered, just as he saw the impossible to miss smoke from a volcano in the horizon.
The kingdom of Wavecrest was the single largest island in the west, along with the second and third largest ones – none of them were all that big by the standards of eastern territories, but it was the best the west had to offer. From up in the air the duo could clearly see the volcanoes that dotted the massive islands, keeping them fertile with their ash and even slightly growing the size of the islands every year, at the cost of scorching and burning many a plantation each time they erupted.
The challenge at that point was to get to Abalone, the capital of Wavecrest. According to the map that Cash had gotten Speaker, then it was set on the eastern coast of the largest of the three islands, which was the one furthest to the south of the three. It was thus that Speaker guided his cloud to fly them south. It was Shimmer who suggested that if they were supposed to pass for unexalted ponies, then they should land on a beach with no ponies in sight and walk to the nearest village or town: “Flying in would be a bit… obvious, if that makes sense to you, Lord Bright?”
Agreeing, Speaker said that he’d have to hide away his uniform and a few other things, while also retrieving his money from elsewhere. This resulted in them finding a beach and Speaker once more stripping down, Shimmer taking his old uniform and jewel pinions to put into elsewhere, while he finished getting his solid purse full of silver and cowries from elsewhere.
“Whoa… that is a lot of money” Shimmer said, her eyes wide as Speaker checked the content of the big purse.
Shrugging, Speaker said that it was one of the perks of being a lord: “Taxes – plus remember, I’m supposed to be a rich but unexalted son of a lesser noble house from Grey Falls – I came prepared for this”
“Yes, but what’s the name of the house Lord Bright?”
“I… hadn’t thought about that. What sounds like a generic noble house from Grey Falls to you?”
Speaker didn’t notice the surprised expression Shimmer made as they walked down the beach, but after having a bit of a ponder, she said: “I don’t know any places in the east Lord Bright… but this Gray Falls place, have you been there?”
“No, not really – I just know that it’s a realm satrapy, but I don’t remember who’s the satrap or what house controls it. I should probably call home and ask about that. Could you give me my hearthstone amulet?”
A quick question sent back to Sunhill later, and Speaker had gotten a quick summary. House Nellens controlled the territory, with one Nellens Rombulac as the wood aspected satrap currently in charge: “Oh, and Cash suggests we say I’m not really from a lesser house, but since Gray Falls is a place where criminal and exiled unicorns get sent from the realm, so I can just say I’m the son of an exiled house Mnemon unicorn who lives there”
“Is that a lesser house Lord Bright?”
“No, it’s one of the big ones – a house founded by the Scarlet Empress’s firstborn. They’re big in education and sorcery, helps explain why I’m so well educated”
A few hours of pleasant walk down the beach got the duo to a small town where Speaker started spending money like it was going out of fashion: Spinning a yarn about the two having been on a private yacht that had been taken by pirates, and how they had jumped overboard to escape with naught but his money pouch and their lives, Speaker bought new clothes and a chariot, as well as hiring two local strong stallions to pull the chariot to the next village in the direction of Abalone.
“Honourable one, the road directly to Abalone is dangerous. Beyond the next village the jungles are wild and monsters and feral tribals roam” one of the two stallions said as they were strapping into the chariot.
Speaker shrugged and gave Shimmer a knowing look: “That’s my problem, not yours – just bring us there”
Shimmer smirked, but was equally distracted by the sights of the massive island. It was so huge! After a short while she couldn’t even see the sea anymore. The orderly plantations, the ponies working in tiered rice fields, to Shimmer it was such an alien landscape: So unnatural, yet so bountiful and full of life.
Their breath ragged and stamina spent, the two locals who had pulled the chariot were quite surprised and happy when Speaker simply gave them the chariot once they had arrived: “I have no need of this anymore – we’ll walk from here”
“Ok, your death Honourable one. The roads are good, but it’s a ten-day walk – I hope you know how to find food and water” one of the two new grateful chariot-owners said.
Shimmer perked up: “That’s what the good lord brought me for. Don’t you worry”
With an accent that clearly revealed her background as that of a tribal, or at least former tribal, the two locals didn’t question Shimmer’s confidence or survival skills, leaving the duo their own fate. Speaker and Shimmer in turn shopped around at the jungle village they had been dropped off at, buying some supplies and saddlebags to keep them in, and then walked off into the jungles in an east-ward direction, along a lone road that didn’t look all that well-maintained.
Once out of sight of the village, and having passed the last of the outermost lumber operations, Shimmer asked exactly what Speaker’s plan was in Abalone.
“Well, I don’t think we’ll be staying there for long – we just need to find out if the Denzik has left for An-Teng yet. It all depends on whether they’re staying for calibration or leaving early” Speaker said, enjoying the sound of birds singing in the jungle canopies.
Shimmer perked an eyebrow: “Calibration was last week. That was the whole point of the lunar get-together. They hadn’t met up just for me Lord Bright”
Speaker stopped right in his tracks: “Wait what? But it was weeks until calibration when I came back to five-palms with the rest of the tribe”
“It was when we walked into the wyld Lord Bright. Sage moved us in both space and time, so we arrived after the main festivities at the western dam were over – he doesn’t like being part of stuff like that” Shimmer said, talking as if it was the most obvious of facts.
It didn’t surprise Speaker that the lunars had many tricks for moving about in the wyld – but to manipulate not just your physical destination, but your destination in time? That was… no, he remembered lunars having done similar things in the first age, slowing time around them while in the wyld, so that time in creation passed faster. It wasn’t time-travel per say, it was more akin to walking a long path to reach a destination.
“Ok… that probably means that the Denzik has left already. No need to do this slowly anymore” Speaker said, conjuring a cloud for them to fly on.
Flying south-east, Speaker had the cloud gain in altitude so that the cloud became very difficult to spot from down on the ground, even more so because it just looked like a normal small cloud when seen from underneath. Several hours later Wavecrest was a shrinking dot on the horizon, while another dot on the horizon was growing bigger and bigger…
“That… wow… that is a LOT of ships Lord Bright” Shimmer said, looking at the massive armada of ships and barges that made up the Denzik city ship. Hundreds, no – thousands of ships, lashed together with strong ropes like a blanket of timber and sails covering a massive patch of ocean.
Speaker guided the cloud down to land on the ship brightly marked for flying visitors and travellers to land or depart from, a guide and a translator quickly approaching the two to establish communications.
“I speak the sea and trade tongue, and I am known to Denzik Hala. You can tell her that Bright Machine Speaker is visiting, and that I brought a friend”
Shimmer observed how the two Denzik ponies suddenly became very happy and chatty – they clearly knew Speaker, or had at least heard of him. She had heard stories of the great city-ship back in her tribe’s village, of a great fleet of merchants who lived on the sea all year around. It certainly looked and smelled the part.
A pony soon arrived, and to Shimmer the mare looked like the silliest thing she’d ever seen. Heavily laden with jewellery and perfumes, and oddly flimsy cloth outfit that seemed to flutter in even the slightest breeze. Shimmer didn’t know what silk was, and had never seen golden jewellery nor ever made the connection between wearing shiny metals and wealth, for such had never been available in her tribe.
“Speaker, good to see you – what brings you to the city-ship?” Denzik Hala inquired, her southern accent thick but easy to understand.
Speaker made polite small-talk, while Shimmer kept observing the merchant queen. She could see from the sway in Hala’s hips that the mare had given birth more than once, and it was clear to Shimmer that she had very keen eyes, especially with how she was subtly visually inspecting everything Speaker was wearing.
“And who’s your friend? She reminds me of that other mare who had come along when you were waiting to be picked up by Cash Charmer, but she looks… more grown up, but with less scars?” Hala asked, giving Shimmer a curious smile that made the lunar want to creep into cover behind Speaker.
“It’s a long story – but she is in effect the same pony, reincarnated once more. I came here to bring her back home east” Speaker explained.
Hala took the explanation in strides, even though she did briefly make a confused expression.
They all ended up on the Teak-and-Cotton barge, where a nice tea house operated out of an artfully remodelled cargo hold. Shimmer listened on curiously as Hala and Speaker spoke like old friends, Hala talking about how useful the one hundred elementals that Speaker had somehow gotten the Denzik had been, and how much money they had been able to earn by being able to move about much faster, and thus spend more time at each stop along their annual route, or even add more stops.
“It is tradition here on the Denzik that principal parties to business ventures get dividends – but I understand that you have no need for money, seeing as you are now the lord of your own lands in the east” Hala said, sipping from her exquisite realm china.
Speaker raised an eyebrow at the merchant queen: “You want to pay me for the elementals? With what exactly?”
“Well, that’s the thing. I understand that Sunhill is doing a brisk trade in gems, fine furniture and very high-quality steel products. You’re making bank basically – so paying you in silver won’t be worth much to you… and with the realm civil war ramping up it’s become increasingly difficult for us to trade in certain products” Hala noted, looking in a way that reminded Speaker eerily of Cash Charmer.
It turned out that the Denzik had on its last time in the inland sea scuttled a barge full of ‘forbidden goods’ – things they simply could not afford being caught with for the time being. Things like bits of broken orichalcum and moonsilver artifacts, armor and weapons, things they would usually sell to shady collectors, but now each realm house that had a navy would routinely waylay the Denzik and inspect every cargo hold, crack open every crate, all on the hunt for weapons and magical things that other realm houses might have wanted, confiscating everything they find. This had already cost the Denzik a fortune in lost inventory, so the rest had been hidden carefully: It had all been sunk in the inland sea.
“I figure, if we make an official deal with Sunhill to recover ‘lost inventory’ from the sunken barge and safekeep it until we can pick it up, perhaps you can even make some of it work, or make use it in the meantime. You might even feel tempted to buy some of it from us” Hala said, sounding so shrewd one felt the urge to check if the silver in one’s purse wasn’t disappearing into puffs of smoke.
Looking at Shimmer, Speaker asked: “How good are you at swimming down to great depths? And pulling sunken treasure up?”
That had most definitely not been what Shimmer had expected them to end up talking about. Then again, she hadn’t really had any expectations… but diving for sunken treasure? Sure: “Oh Lord Bright, I think I have a few ideas – but Sage always told me never to go for really deep dives alone. There are things in the depths that do not care whether you’re a dead fish sinking to the bottom, or a pony diving”
“I can come along – the elements stopped being an issue to me a long time ago” Speaker said in a reassuring tone, then turning to Denzik Hala: “I think I can accept that deal. Should we have a barge or something like that to carry it home, or will a single yeddim be enough?”
“With the flying yeddim your friends have, I think a single one should suffice. Now, to celebrate our partnership!” Hala said with a smirk, calling for servants to bring in food and drink.
As they feasted, Speaker kept seeing Shimmer trying to hold back her tears. This was clearly the very best food she had ever tasted, not the comparatively crude tribal fare she had been used to. Spices Shimmer had clearly never heard of, fruits and sweet-meats from across creation, and some of the finest rice from the realm. It was really good food, though Speaker found it easy to maintain his composure: The culinary genius of Sullen Hoof back home was without equal, a peerless paragon in the cooking arts. Still, it was very good fare being served up, as befit of someone of Denzik Hala’s wealth.
The next morning Speaker and Shimmer inspected the elementals that served the Denzik, Speaker regaling his lunar mate of the story of how he had been bucked so hard he’d flown all across Creation during a fight in Nexus, landed in the western ocean, raised an island from the deep and then been found by the Denzik: “…and then a storm god showed up, and I smacked her around until she submitted to my terms”
“Wait, Lord Bright… You fought and won against a storm mother? She would have had her legion of elementals destroy you with lightning” Shimmer said incredulously.
Speaker shrugged: “Like I said yesterday: Elemental immunity charms. Fire, waters both shallow and deep, storm winds or avalanches, none of it hurts me – not even their lightning”
“Is that the power of the solar exalted Lord Bright?”
“It’s part of it – I was already very good at survival techniques because of my military service. I served in Lookshy’s special forces. Lots of crawling around in mud and eating bugs, but when I exalted, I became supernaturally good at surviving harsh conditions” Speaker noted, watching as a dozen air elementals above them maintained a constant wind to move the Denzik along at twice the speed it normally moved, while water elementals below maintained a clam sea to minimize the strain the massive ropes that connected the thousands of barges and ships that made up the Denzik.
After the party, Speaker and Shimmer were given nice quarters to stay in for their stay. There another friend popped in, the unicorn Mnemon Ever-Ember: “Hey, you’re back again”
Speaker introduced the freelance scholar to Shimmer, who in turn found the idea of very real reincarnation to be curiously in line with immaculate holy texts.
“True. For celestial exalts, but not for unicorns. Your powers are bound in your blood” Speaker noted, Ever-Ember nodding in agreement.
Ever-Ember chuckled: “True, and with the civil war getting worse its surprisingly easier to have conversations like this. Far fewer monks and realm spies wasting time monitoring fools like me, not that it doesn’t have its downsides”
“Yes, Denzik Hala told us of the house navies that keep ‘inspecting’ them and confiscating stuff” Shimmer chimed in.
The unicorn sighed: “Not just things… ponies. Refugees trying to get off the blessed isle risk getting arrested and hung, and unicorns like me risk getting pressganged into serving whatever house catches us. I’ve gotten very good at hiding, had to”
“Well, that sucks. I assume you’re still working here with magical messaging and dealing in rare texts?” Speaker wondered.
Nodding, Ever-Ember sighed. Shimmer seemed to look at him with pity, appearing to understand the harsh reality of being hunted by others who would exploit you.
Speaker drew in a deep breath and gestured for calm: “Since we last met a lot of things have changed. Sunhill, the city-state I and my circle lord over, has grown. We could use a state sorcerer. You would be free to engage in your rare text business on the side”
“You mean that? Oh, that would be amazing” Ever-Ember said, his mane starting to spark as his emotions activated his elemental anima.
“Just get off the Denzik when it passes Lookshy. We have an embassy there. I’ll make sure that the staff there knows to expect you. Then you can send a message to Cash Charmer to ask for pickup”
It was nice to see just how alleviated the unicorn became, his happiness converting into an elemental warmth that made the cabin all kinds of steamy.
“Hey, now that we’ve at it – since we’ve pretending to be a Mnemon scion and his servant while passing through An-Teng, do you have any suggestions on how Speaker could pass for that?” Shimmer suddenly said, realizing that hearing from someone from that very house would be a good idea.
Ever-Ember found the duo’s plan of going over land with magical transportation interesting, but also sensible if they feared that they were being hounded by essence-tracking foes: “Well… since you’re not a unicorn, you could always complain about never getting the token”
Presenting a white lotus tile from the game of gateway, Ever-Ember explained that when any pony of his house exalts they are made to have an audience with Patriarch Mnemon, the eldest daughter of the Empress, during which she would give one a white lotus tile: “There’s an engraving on it: Power through knowledge, mastery through rigor, and conquest through diligence – it’s the house motto. I can give you other suggestions too if you want”
The rest of the journey on the Denzik were spent the occasional dinner party, Speaker being repeatedly approached with business propositions regarding identifying bits of ancient artifacts, as well as teaching Shimmer a fair about spirits, gods and the lore of the undead, in preparation of what they would likely have to face when they got back to Sunhill. Shimmer found Speaker’s educational charm quite impressive, constantly looking for something to repay Speaker with, and finding herself frustrated in having nothing to return the favors with, especially since he seemed to be oddly hesitant at sleeping with her.
Indeed, Speaker had found it difficult to transfer the love he had had for the old Shimmer. She was so young, so naïve – not the wise and world-weary matron he had once known. He was well aware of Shimmer’s bond to his exaltation drew her to him, and he had more than once resorted to charm-use to escape her amorous traps. Still, he took it in strides as he figured that her fascination would fade into that of a partnership of equals once they got back to Sunhill.
A few weeks later the Denzik approached the Dragon Mouth Bay, anchoring and sending forth dozen of merchant ships to do business in the City of the Steel Lotus. Speaker and Shimmer, clad in fine custom-tailored silk clothes to support their cover story of being a realm scion and his servant, came along for this.
“I feel silly in this…” Shimmer said, squirming in her servant’s outfit.
Speaker chuckled. He knew that this idea of actually wearing clothes was still foreign to Shimmer, indeed none at her tribe had really done so until having been forced to wear it at the slave mine: “So do I – it’s not my old uniform, but while wearing this nobody should question us buying passage to Thousand Dragons Lake and beyond. From there we can just fly over the fire mountains, we’ll be more or less safe at that point”
“Safe from who Lord Bright?”
“I’ve told you of them several times already – but you forget of them every time. Ponies who are shrouded by special magic that makes them fade from your mind. They tell the future and predict your movements, tracking you like nothing else, makes it easy for them to send dragonblooded assassins after us… or worse” Speaker sighed, eager to get back to Sunhill so that Shimmer could be formally made an agent of heaven, that she might remember that the Sidereal exalted were a thing.
It was never easy to guard against a foe that your traveling partner kept forgetting about. Shimmer sensed Speaker’s frustration: “Oh Lord Bright, I’m sorry…”
“Don’t be – but keep that attitude, it’s perfect for a servant”
As the Denzik merchant ship pulled up to the harbour, gangplanks coming into position for cargo and passengers, Speaker looked at the many tengese dockworkers standing ready to receive them and their cargo.
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Lunabird
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562174
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Starlight Glimmer,Twilight Sparkle,Comedy,Porn,Thriller,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Non-consensual,Sex
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Starlight Glimmer is Violated by Twilight Sparkle
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Starlight Glimmer prepares to change her ways, will Twilight Sparkle forgive her?
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complete
| 8 | 12 |
<p>Starlight Glimmer prepares to change her ways, But Twilight Sparkle isn't prepared to let her go easily, but instead punishes her in a special way.</p>
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mature
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2024-07-23T08:51:06+00:00
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2024-07-23T08:51:00+00:00
| 477 |
"This is it, this is your room from now on......" Twilight visits the castle with Starlight Glimmer.
It's been about a year or two since those things before. During this time, Twilight becomes Princess of Friendship as a student of Celestia, defeating many of the villains and whitewashing Starlight and ...... She had more relationships with Princess Celestia during this time.
Oh man...... No pony knows. Only Twilight Sparkle and Princess Celestia, as well as ...... Twilight's five friends and Spike and Celestia's sister Luna. Other than that, no pony knows about Twilight's special relationship with Princess Celestia, including Twilight's family (except Spike).
Our poor, but not entirely pitiful, Starlight Glimmer doesn't realize the seriousness of the situation at this point, thinking that the kind-hearted Princess Friendship has given her a chance to mend her ways, even allowing herself to live in the castle and read the books in the library whenever she wants. She thought she was going to spend her life in prison.
But...... After all, Starlight has done so many wrong things, and she can't never go unpunished......
Twilight has a plan in mind
That night, inside the Castle of Friendship
"Well, Starlight...... Are you satisfied with today's dinner? I'm not very good at cooking......" Twilight looks at the licorice burger set on the table, of course, there are no burgers, just a bunch of wrappers.
"Of course, it's Crazy Thursday after all......" Starlight said with a pile of fried hay in her mouth, sipping her Coke and then swallowing the food. Ah, Twilight...... I was really impressed. You've brought me out of the shadow of years of falling out of love...... I mean, gaffes...... Uh, failure? I've always felt like a failure......"
"Oh...... It's okay, I've failed many times before.” Twilight's face grows to a sinister smile
Twilight then proceeds to follow her plan
"Anyway, Starlight...... I cleaned up your room while you weren't there in the afternoon, as I thought your room was a bit empty...... Do you want to come with me to see it?” Twilight asks tentatively.
"Of course......" Starlight was blindfolded before she could finish speaking. Oh, what's this for? Was it a surprise? ”
"That's right, it's a surprise...... "Twilight leads Starlight's hoof as she walks to the new room......
A few minutes later, Starlight took off her blindfold as the door slammed to close. What greeted me was a slightly eerie pitch black.
"Uh, Twilight? Where is the switch of the light......"
"Here it is!"
Twilight flips the switch, and is greeted by pornographic posters on the wall, boxes of strange toys in the corners, and a bunch of pillows with pornographic images, including Princess Celestia and Twilight's......
Before Starlight can realize what has become of her room, Twilight pushes her to the ground while she is not looking.
"Ahh Twilight! What are you going to do......" Starlight blushed in shock
"Isn't it obvious what you're doing? Star-stridded ...... You don't know how much you've done. As a pony who makes the verdict for your actions...... I've thought of a more appropriate way to punish you.” Twilight laughs uncontrollably again. “Aha...... Look at you, do you know you're crying now?”
Starlight burst into tears, she didn't expect Twilight to do such a thing to herself. She tried to cast her teleportation magic to escape, but by the time she could react, her horns had been strapped in a forbidden ring.
"Oh, look at your cute look...... I can't control myself from eating you, my lovely Starlight......" Twilight uses telekinesis to lock the door and then teleport herself to the bed along with Starlight with teleportation magic. Before Starlight can start begging for mercy, Twilight starts to move her hooves.
With Starlight's scream, Twilight's hooves are stained with warm blood.
"Oh...... Starlight, I didn't expect you to be a virgin.” Twilight licks the blood from her hooves and smiles excitedly.
"Don't ...... Twilight, please, I confessed my mistake......” Starlight cries and begs for mercy. Now that she's no longer the evil mayor of town, she thinks Twilight is a very kind pony......
"Oh...... Don't cry, my sweet little Starlight ......" Twilight gently strokes Starlight's soft cheek, red blood staining her face. Twilight doesn't think it looks good, so she licks the blood off her face.
"Perverted ......" Starlight said involuntarily as she looked at the blood on the corner of Twilight's mouth.
"Huh?" Twilight looks at Starlight with interest. "A pony trying to destroy the world is not qualified to judge a pervert!"
Twilight pins something against Starlight's belly, and a jolt is heard. Starlight may have realized what it was, and began to struggle. However, Alicorn's strength is much stronger than that of a normal unicorn, and no matter how Starlight struggles, Twilight will press her to the bed, giving Starlight no chance to resist.
"Don't ...... Please, Twilight, I can do anything, don't ...... this" Resisting to no avail, Starlight begins to cry and beg for mercy. In this way, she tries to awaken the kind friendship princess in her heart.
But whether she resists or begs for mercy, Twilight only gets more excited. Starlight realizes this, and she tries not to say anything, but she can't help but cry. As time slowly passed, the first blood gradually stopped, and the sheets were stained bright red.
"It's okay, oh, my lovely Starlight...... You're not a kid anymore, it's okay to do that......" Twilight stares at Starlight's scared eyes with interest, and she begins to lose her patience and slowly moves the shock animal underneath.
"Don't! Please don't do that, I can do anything! Ahh” Starlight cries out in fright, and although she has always been an evil pony, she has never known much about it, as Equality is completely off-limits. She kept kicking her legs and accidentally kicked off the lube-soaked fake cock.
"Shut up!" Twilight slaps Starlight in the face, and she starts to get impatient.
Starlight was stunned, her eyes widened as she looked at the perverted Alicorn in front of her in disbelief, her eyes revealing an unprecedented despair.
She closed her eyes in despair and accepted it all. Perhaps this is the punishment for her crimes...... Less is better than a death penalty or life imprisonment. At least you can read a book or play games online.
......
"Starlight?"
......
"Starlight Glimmer! Wake up!” Twilight's voice comes from ear.
Starlight slowly opened her eyes, and she was lying in her bedroom.
"Twilight......” her eyes moistened. All of this turned out to be just a dream. She jumps off the bed in excitement, hugs Twilight, and starts crying. She apologizes that she turned Twilight into an evil pony in her dreams.
"What's wrong, Starlight, are you having nightmares?" Twilight looks at Starlight, crying like a child.
"Hmm......" Starlight rubbed her eyes. I...... Uh......" She didn't know how to say for a moment.
"I dreamed ...... Abandoned by you?” Starlight is embarrassed that she doesn't think Twilight is a bad pony, she just misses Twilight like that
"Oh......" Twilight smiled. It's okay, I won't abandon you, my dear Starlight. ”
"Uh-huh......" Starlight laughed as she was comforted
"So, it's time for us to wash the sheets, right?"
"Huh?"
Starlight looked at her sheets, and for some reason, there was a small puddle of blood on them.
Starlight froze in place. "What's going on......" She reached out and touched her underneath, feeling normal.
"Did you forget?" Twilight remembers the events of the previous night. "Last night, we were both drunk, and you hugged me and coquettishly yelled at me, clamoring for me to sleep with you, and then ......" Twilight gives Starlight a suggestive smile.
Starlight was so frightened that she almost fell to the ground, and her face turned red. "That'...... You mean, I ......" Starlight unknowingly bleeded from her nose, and she hurriedly covered her face with her hooves, wiped it, and then covered her face.
"Poof......" Twilight laughed, covering her mouth. Don't blame me, you broke it yourself......"
"Ahhh......h” The nosebleed seeped out again.
"Haha, look at what you look like...... It's okay, you're not a kid anymore, although I don't know how old you are...... But you're already a mature filly, and it's okay to lose your virginity......" Twilight touches Starlight's head.
"But, but......" Starlight looked at her nosebleeds. But I broke it myself! Wait a minute, did I do anything to you? Starlight looks at Twilight incredulously.
"It's okay...... Actually, you're doing a good job, it's very comfortable......"
"Woo-ah-ah!" Starlight lay on the ground and covered her face. "I actually did that to my teacher...... I also broke my own ......"
"Oops, it's all right......" Twilight handed over a handkerchief and wiped the blood from Starlight's face. “Anyway, you go wash your face first, and then we'll have breakfast. And then ...... Well...... I'll help you wash the sheets, and I hope you don't mind if I leave them out to dry......" Twilight turns and walks out of the room, leaving Starlight alone and shy.
Twilight hums a little song happily and walks in the direction of the living room
Then, a wicked smile appeared on her face again
"Looks like the memory tampering magic works perfectly......"
|
Miner
|
562180
| 1 |
Original Character,Starlight Glimmer,Comedy,Drama,Random,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
It started with a Sneeze
|
I always wanted to meet my Favorite Pony, but this is not what I had in mind.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you finally got a chance to go to Equestria and become friends with the ponies? Now have you ever wondered what it would be like if your first impression with them is to be labeled as a pervert? I didn't, but I am. HELP!</p><p>A short story requested by <a href="/user/209935/Braden697" rel="nofollow">Braden697</a>,<span class="spoiler"> "I was not paid to make this story,"</span></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-23T16:55:51+00:00
|
2024-07-23T16:55:51+00:00
| 273 |
As the sun sets on another long day, Braden finds himself dragging himself back to his room kicking off his shoes and getting ready for bed. He scratches his head as he thinks of what has become of his life. He thought for sure after getting his degree life would become much easier. how wrong he was all the free time he once had has been evaporated to trying to make ends meet. But in his spare time, he was still able to watch one of his favorite shows, as he fantasized about how wonderful life would be in Equestria.
He thinks back to the latest episode released about two days ago. The one about how the Queen of the Changelings failed her master plan and got away. He thinks about how will everypony's going to deal with these New Reformed Changelings. Do they still need to eat love like they used to or not as much anymore? Do they even need to feast on love or something else entirely? And why didn’t Discord use his magic to stop the Queen in her tracks before she got two feet away from them?
Only time will tell what will happen to his precious little ponies. But all in all, he can live with how things are going right now. Furthermore, he can live with the fact that he is able to see his favorite Pony get more screen time now. He'll have to admit, when he first started watching the show he had a thing for Twilight. I mean why not? She is the main character. She is cute and adorable despite her flaws. She has come a long way from the closed shut-in nerd from episode 1.
But that all changed when a new mare showed up and stole the spotlight, a mare known as Starlight Glimmer. He couldn't help but be drawn to her. Such a powerful Pony Villain turned friend who could stand toe the toe with some of the strongest Heroes ever known. She was able to learn the Power of Friendship and with the help of her new friends, was able to defeat one of the Greatest Villains the show has ever seen, Queen Chrysalis.
That said, he cannot understand why the show seems to be pushing for a ship between her and Sunburst. He knows it's probably just because of a childhood relationship that they justify the ship. However, that doesn't mean he has to agree with it. A picture of the stallion filled with holes and darts hanging on his wall symbolizes his hatred of the stallion. After all, a mare of her caliber could do so much better than somepony who abandons their friend without saying goodbye. But unfortunately, these are nothing more than fleeting thoughts and hopeful thinking.
He gets into his bed before pulling close a body pillow of Starlight into a side. It's nothing fancy just a picture of a pony wanting to give a hug, he got it from the last Bronycon he went to. He stares at the image of the mare silently wishing she could be real even if it were just for one day. Memories of dreams flash before his mind as he recalls such wonderful adventures of spending the rest of his days with such a pony. He slides his hand against the image where her cheek would be, sighing.
“If only you were real,” He says quietly before pulling her into a hug, “I would be happy,” He slowly falls into a deep slumber and softly rubs his cheek against hers,
However, as dreams of a future never to happen were just within reach, he could have sworn he heard a sound comparable to that of an animal sneezing. He ignored it, thinking it was just one of the Alley Cats that likes to roam near his windows. He hugs the body pillow tighter trying to go back to sleep nuzzling his face into the soft fur across his face. If he was just a little bit more alert, he would have started noticing two things. One his body pillow does not have any heating functions, and two it does not move on its own.
Every time the pillow would move away from him, he would hug harder not realizing that something was amiss. It wasn't until an ear-piercing scream that awoken him from his slumber. Braden puts his hands over his ears in pain as he is suddenly brought back into the world of living. Before he could ask who broke into his room, he was sent flying across the room by an unknown Force, knocking the wind out of him as he smashed into the wall, all the while the screaming continues.
Braden lays flat against the wall helpless as he tries to understand what is happening, but that was the least of his worries. As he looks at the source of the screaming person, which he can now safely identify as being female, he can only stare dumbstruck as he knows this woman. To be more precise, he knows this mare.
For some unknown reason his body pillow has come to life, and there where once lay a five-foot-long cotton pillow. Stands a Bona fide in the flesh, Starlight Glimmer holds a blanket over the front of her body as she screams her lungs out. The room is lit up in a teal hull as her horn shines brightly, which answers his question as to how he was sent flying into the wall and held there.
Braden could not understand what was going on here. Was magic real and had he accidentally wished Upon a Star to bring Starlight to life? Or did he somehow go to Equestria? So many questions but he won't be able to get any answers with Starlight screaming bloody murder. He needs to calm her down before her screaming attracts unwanted attention.
However before he could say anything to her, Starlight finally started saying words, much to his horror, “HELP! PPPEEERRRVVVEEERRRTTT!!!”
Not wanting to have his first interaction with his favorite Pony being a misunderstanding, he tried to call out to her when the room door opened, revealing another familiar face. There stood Princess Twilight Sparkles, her horn alive with magic looking around for the Intruder before her eyes locked onto the stallion against the wall. Brayden could only look between the mares as he tried to give them a reassuring smile that he was harmless and maybe they could talk this out. However, the death glare that Twilight was giving him was starting to make him doubt his chances of survival.
“AH, I can explain,”
|
Miner
|
562180
| 2 |
Original Character,Starlight Glimmer,Comedy,Drama,Random,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
It started with a Sneeze
|
I always wanted to meet my Favorite Pony, but this is not what I had in mind.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you finally got a chance to go to Equestria and become friends with the ponies? Now have you ever wondered what it would be like if your first impression with them is to be labeled as a pervert? I didn't, but I am. HELP!</p><p>A short story requested by <a href="/user/209935/Braden697" rel="nofollow">Braden697</a>,<span class="spoiler"> "I was not paid to make this story,"</span></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-06T15:28:30+00:00
|
2024-08-06T15:28:30+00:00
| 103 |
I can explain. Explain what! Why in the world would I say such a dumb thing? What was I thinking?! I slowly look up to the mares before me and I can't help but feel as though I am on trial for doing some heinous act. Shortly after Twilight detained me. She gathered the remaining members of the manesix in a makeshift courtroom inside her Crystal Castle. I stand alone in the Defendant stand with Starlight in the Prosecutor area. Twilight sits in the judge's chair armed with her crown and a small crystal gavel. Applejack is the Bailiff with her rope in her hoof ready for anything. As for the remaining members of Twilight's best friend pool, they are acting as the Jury. Fluttershy looks like she is still waking up if her small yawn she hid behind her wing is anything indication. As for the other three, they look like they want to rip me to shreds every time I look at them. I still have no idea where they got all the furniture needed to have a proper courtroom procedure here in such a short amount of time. But considering one of her friends is Pinkie Pie, I just sum it up to her being Pinkie Pie.
Although I am all for justice and seeing the bad guys getting what is coming to them. I never imagined I would ever find myself on this side of the law. I am no bad guy, I am innocent! But how am I going to conceive them that? As far as they know, I am a stranger who had sneaked into one of their best friend's bed in the middle of the night. Any logical person would think that only a pervert or an evil person would be the ones to do such questionable actions. But in my defense, it wasn't on purpose.
I still cannot wrap my head around what is happening. One moment I was getting ready to go to sleep, next thing I knew I found myself in bed with my favorite Pony. And speaking of said mare, I don't think she is willing to forgive me anytime soon. I tried to give her an apologetic wave to maybe soften her anger, but I don't think it's working. If the click of her tongue is anything to go by. I'm not sure how I'm going to solve that problem but one thing at a time.
In addition to arriving in Equestria, I also found myself transformed into a unicorn stallion. I got a decent color scheme all things considering, a light brown coat with a black mane and tail and green eyes to boot. Also, I noticed my cutie mark is that of an Old Fashioned Game Controller symbolizing my love for old video games. Go figure. Before I can think too much about the situation, Twilight uses her magic to slam her gavel bringing all eyes on her.
“The court is now in session,”
I know we just started but I can't help but raise my hoof like a kindergartener asking for permission to speak, “Question?”
“What?”
“Where is my lawyer?”
She was taking it back at my question, “What is a lawyer?” She asked before looking at the other ponies in the room trying to understand what I was talking about. Unfortunately for her none of the others seems to know what I'm talking about as they share her confusion,
“You know a lawyer. The pony that's supposed to help the represent me and defend me in this proceeding?”
She tilts her head at me as if I asked the dumb question, “Why would you need some pony else to defend you in this case?”
“Ah,” I say dumbly, “To make sure that everyone follows the law accordingly, In case some pony doesn't understand the formalities of the situation?” I stated as if I were quoting common knowledge revolving around our current situation,
Twilight thinks about what I just said looking up in thought, “That's a good idea. I'll make a note of that,” She says before summoning a scroll and quill to write that down,
You know, it never dawned on me that the court systems here would be very different compared to back home. Then again, since princesses still rule the land that would mean that they have the final say about everything that goes around here. Looks like I'm on my own with this one.
“Moving back to the topic,” Twilight says before sending her scroll and quill away, “I gather everypony here because this stallion-”
“Braden Your Highness,” I clarified for her,
“Thank you. Braden was found this morning in Starlight's Shimmer bed with her still in said bed.”
Applejack tilts her head as she thinks about the situation, “So we're dealing with a stalker here?”
“I think pervert is a more appropriate term for this Fiend” Rarity adds with a look of disgust at me,
“Maybe he was just sleepwalking?” Fluttershy says giving me the benefit of the doubt,
However, a scoffing laugh coming from Starlight ruined any feeling of hope I was getting, “Oh, sure. He somehow was able to sleepwalk up the castle steps, through the doorway, down the hallway, enter a locked bedroom, and went to sleep in my bed without making a sound,”
“If I may-” I tried to say but Starlight quickly hushed me up using her magic to zip my mouth closed,
“You be quiet!”
“So what are we going to do with him?” Pinkie asks trying to understand the situation as I can move my mouth again,
“That's why I called your girls here,” Twilight says before going over some scrolls before her as they move in the air in a purple hull, “There haven't been any perverts in Equestria in a very long time. So I'm not sure what the protocol is to properly discipline this stallion,” She says before coming to a stop with a very old scroll her before, “Since the last time this occurred. The stallion in question was tar and feather before being banished from the herd,” The girls all agree with a nodd except for Starlight,
“That's the punishment?” Starlight says before adding, “But herds haven't been a thing in over a thousand years!”
I shuttered at hearing their words, quietly thanking that they don't do that anymore, but more concerned that it’s the banishment part is what Starlight is complaining about, and not the cruel and unusual punishment of feathering a pony. However that does raise the question, what are they going to do with me?
“I say we should just throw in jail and be done with it,” Rarity says much to my surprise,
“Don't you think that's a bit extreme?” Fluttershy says as I quickly agree with her,
“I second that!” I pleaded,
“I say since Starlight was the pony that was offended by the situation,” Rainbow says casually, “She should say what the punishment should be,”
“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Twilight turns to her, “Starlight what do you want us to do with the stallion?”
She looks at me for a solid three seconds before snorting some air out of her nose, “Personally I just want him as far away from me as possible!” She says driving a stake through my heart shattering it into a million pieces. I physically had to hang on to my table to make sure I didn't fall to the floor in pain and heartbreak,
“If that is the case, how about we have him do manual labor?” Twilight suggests as the other come up with their own ideas of what to do with me,
“How about he cleans up the town for the month?” Pinkie says,
“Or how about he has to wear a sign around his neck saying what he did wrong for the same month?” Applejack adds,
“Don't I got to say in this?” I tried to ask much to my surprise their response was almost Instant,
“No,” Everypony else in the room sets in unison much to my displeasure,
After hearing this from them a new feeling started to come from within me. A feeling I never thought I'd have to these colorful ponies before. Anger and frustration. If I was going to be forced to answer for crimes I didn't commit on purpose. I want to at least get the record straight. Stealing my resolve, I spoke out loud not caring if any Pony else thought of me right now,
“Your Highness. I know this looks really bad on my part. But you have to believe me. I had no idea how I ended up in Starlight's bedroom let alone in her bed. The last thing I remember was just turning in for the night and going into my bed, in my own house.” I tried to plead with them although their faces showed that they didn't believe me, but I pressed on, “I know you have no reason to trust a stranger, but you have to believe me. I would never do such a thing on purpose.” I move away from my table to appear before Her Highness,
“I have no excuse for how I ended up where you found me. And if you believe that I have to pay for these crimes that I didn't willingly commit. Then I'll just have to let Justice take its course and follow through with whatever punishment you see fit for my crimes,” Once I said my peace, I resumed my position at my table as Twilight looks to her friends uncertain of how to take my words. After a few moments of silence, she had her answer,
“How very Noble of you. Most ponies in your situation would be begging us not to punish them,” Twilight says as the others nod in agreement, “But you are still willing to go through with it even though you are claiming yourself innocent. Why?”
“Because I have no reason to fear Justice,” I say before staring at the floor in defeat. Not because I feel bad for what's going to happen to me, but because my words are finally catching up to my brain. I didn't want them to see the blush on my face as think back to what I just said. That had to be the corniest, sappy one-liner a three-year-old would say trying to convince his parents he is not a bad guy. I am so embarrassed, maybe it's not too late for the whole tar and feather thing?
|
Miner
|
562180
| 3 |
Original Character,Starlight Glimmer,Comedy,Drama,Random,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
It started with a Sneeze
|
I always wanted to meet my Favorite Pony, but this is not what I had in mind.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you finally got a chance to go to Equestria and become friends with the ponies? Now have you ever wondered what it would be like if your first impression with them is to be labeled as a pervert? I didn't, but I am. HELP!</p><p>A short story requested by <a href="/user/209935/Braden697" rel="nofollow">Braden697</a>,<span class="spoiler"> "I was not paid to make this story,"</span></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-14T19:32:59+00:00
|
2024-08-14T19:32:59+00:00
| 83 |
“Faster you colt!” Rainbow screams at me as I sprint away from her, “You know what will happen if I catch up to you right?”
“Can't we talk this over like civilized Ponies!”
“Let me think about it. Okay, I thought about it. No,”
“Help!”
After my little speech to Twilight, she took pity on me, and apparently, that means she will do everything in her power to rehabilitate me. For the next month, I’ll be doing random community service requests from Ponyville and anything else the girls may come up with to make up for what I've done. And to make sure I don't weasel out of our deal or make a run for it. I now have a personal chauffeur or torturer, depending on how you look at it, following my every movement. Worst of all, she has been given free Privilege to do whatever she wants to me if I don't listen to her.
That was a week ago. Since then, I have been cleaning up trash, moving boxes, and getting my sorry hide back into shape according to Rainbow Dash. And that's where I find myself today. Every morning before any Pony wakes up; I must run away from the Multicolor-Flying Death Pony. At first, I thought she would be my coach, like a personal fitness trainer, to encourage me to never give up or something like that. But after she showed up on day one with a whip, I learned very quickly that if I don't keep running at a certain speed, I'll regret it.
I don’t know where she got that torture device but I can tell you this much, it hurts! She only managed to hit me once but that was all I needed to get the point. I'm starting to understand why some ponies went to the dark side now. Who needs villains when you have friends like these?
I look over my shoulder seeing the flying death as she winds up another shot with her whip before letting it fly and barely missing me but it did graze my the tip of my tail. Sweat pours down my face soaking my coat, as I pick up the speed. My muscles burn as I push harder than I ever had in my life trying not to get whipped into shape.
“Isn't there a better way to get back into shape!” I beg her as I feel my muscles are starting to wear out,
“Maybe but where's the fun in that,”
“This has to be illegal somewhere!”
“Maybe, but not here,” Swings her whip one more time encouraging me to pick up the pace, “Faster!”
“Mercy!”
Thankfully she does have some common sense knowing that I can't keep running forever. The only downside is that that means she'll keep this up until I collapse of exhaustion. So that's where I find myself hunching over Ponyville’s only Water Fountain Display and drinking the water from within disregarding the horrible flavor. Rainbow Dash looks disgusted at my actions but doesn't stop me. Other ponies who were passing by also shared her opinion, but I couldn't care less. Once I had my fill I gasped for air as I lifted my head out of the fountain,
Rainbow gags before addressing me, “You do know there is such thing as a water fountain that is intended for public use and not for displaying water shows and tossing bits into right?” She says a filly tossing in a bit into the fountain providing her point,
“I don't care. Water is water,” I say as I slump to the ground my muscles burning. I think about jumping into the water fountain to cool off and getting that bit, but I'm not that desperate. Even though I am a pony on parole, I still have some of my pride.
“Hey if you get sick that's going to be on me,” Gets into my face annoyed at my attitude toward my well-being, “And I don't want to take care of a sick Pony just because you decide to do something dumb Again!” She emphasizes the ‘again’,
I heavily sigh as she reminds me of that unpleasant memory, “For the last time, I did not mean to do that!”
“Whatever come on we got to get going,”
After my forced morning run, my next stop would be Sugarcube Corner, to help move some materials for the Cakes. Followed by cleaning up some branches and leaves around Sweet Apple Acres for most of the day. I had no idea how huge an Orchard could be until I had to walk back and forth to the same area multiple times a day. Rainbow Dash still not letting me live it down after I got lost twice, but in my defense, every tree looks the same, how am I supposed to know which way is the way out?
Furthermore, even after all this time, I have still yet to understand how magic works despite being a unicorn myself. I thought that maybe if I thought hard about something it would happen, but there is more to it than that. I tried to practice more in my free time to understand how it works with minimal success with a little spark coming from my horn. However, after accidentally zapping Rainbow Dash in the butt, I put my attempts of learning magic on hold for now. I thought she was going to murder me that day.
Despite Rainbow Dash's attempts on my life, it would appear that we got in rather close. She says that she sees me as a very unfortunate friend kind of like Derpy with terrible bad luck. And because of that, she feels like she has to ensure that I do not bring harm to myself and other ponies around me. Furthermore, she's forbidden me from seeing said mare. Something about the end of Ponyville if we ever were to meet. However, I believe she sees me more live punching bag that won’t fight back.
Speaking of Mares. I have yet to see Starlight after my untimely arrival in her sleeping quarters. It's nice that I'm starting to get along with the ponies, but out of all of them and I wish to see, she's on the top of the list. I don't blame her for avoiding me. I mean for crying out loud I am just a pervert in her eyes. Perhaps after my community service is done she may forgive me.
After another hard day of work, we make it back to the castle where hope starts rising within me. Rainbow informed me that she would not be able to keep an eye on me early in the morning. So something else will be looking after me for the day, but didn’t know who. She only knows that Everything is taken care of and I don't have to worry about it. And since I know that Twilight's friends have their jobs to take care of each day. I knew that limit the amount of personnel that it could be to herself or Starlight.
Unfortunately, that excitement that swelled up inside me made it difficult to fall asleep that night. The next morning I get up without worrying about being whipped into shape, as I look forward to seeing who is the pony in charge of me for the day. However, I was a bit surprised to see that they weren't waiting by my door when I got up, Although I did hear some ponies talking down the hall which prompted me to investigate.
Once closer, I can see that it is Starlight who is currently talking to somepony just out of view. She hadn't noticed me yet as I calmed my nerves. There are so many things I wish to say to her but I think I should start with an apology. Although I am receiving punishment for my actions I never truly apologize to Starlight for my transgressions against her. Even if my arrival here was out of my control. I still invaded a young lady’s sleeping quarters.
After I finally worked up the courage to go talk to her I came face to face with a new problem as the new pony came into view. To be fair, I had a lot on my mind when I first got here and only thought about how I was going to get along with Starlight. So I completely forgot about him. He wasn't a very important character in the show so he was always overlooked in my mind. Sunburst, Starlight's childhood friend and possible love interest.
Unlike the other main characters who had obvious problems finding a love interest. Starlight was one of the few characters to have a love interest in the show. Although they never got together officially, there's always been that hint that they could have. I glare at the stallion before he takes notes of me causing his conversation with Starlight to stop as they both look at me.
“Starlight who's this?” Sunburst asks unsure as to why I am glaring at him,
“That would be the Pervert, I was telling you about,” She says before looking away in a huff,
“That was this guy?” He says in shock,
“It wasn't on purpose,” I say dejectedly at her cold shoulder,
“How can accidentally teleporting yourself into some ponies bed be an accident?” He demands from me as he physically puts himself between me and Starlight,
“Because I can't use magic correctly that's why,” I clarify much do his confusion,
“What does magic have to do with it?” He asks as Starlight looks over his shoulder also wanting to know,
“Well considering I just showed up in the middle of the night without waking any Pony up. The only logical conclusion would be that I either silently flew into the building or teleported inside,” I move my hoofs in a flying motion before transitioning to moving them side to side to help emphasize my point,
“Teleporting yourself inside a building to a location you cannot see,” Starlight says terrified as Sunburst's face also matches her emotion, “Are you insane?!”
I look between the two unsure what the problem is, “What do you mean?”
Sunburst clears his throat before entering lecture mode, as he summons a chalkboard with pony-shaped doodles on it and two areas marked with an 'A' and 'B' with area 'B' having something blocking the doodle pony view, “Without seeing the location you wish to teleport," He points to the doodle pony before pointing to point 'B', "There is a chance you might end up failing the teleportation in a very devastating way. Sometimes in life-threatening ways," He then puts a big red 'X' on point 'B', "Which is why nopony uses self-teleportation magic without a clear line of sight,"
A shiver went down my spine as images of failed teleportation ran through my mind, “That makes a lot of sense," I replied as Starlight put the things away, "Regardless I'm pretty sure they keep the doors locked, so how else could I got myself in there?”
“Perhaps this stallion was sent into the room without his consent?” A new pony joined the conversation one that I never thought would be standing up for me.
We all look to the voice seeing a familiar mare that we all know and love as Starlight addressed her, “What do you mean Trixie?”
|
Miner
|
562180
| 4 |
Original Character,Starlight Glimmer,Comedy,Drama,Random,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
It started with a Sneeze
|
I always wanted to meet my Favorite Pony, but this is not what I had in mind.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you finally got a chance to go to Equestria and become friends with the ponies? Now have you ever wondered what it would be like if your first impression with them is to be labeled as a pervert? I didn't, but I am. HELP!</p><p>A short story requested by <a href="/user/209935/Braden697" rel="nofollow">Braden697</a>,<span class="spoiler"> "I was not paid to make this story,"</span></p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-21T16:54:34+00:00
|
2024-08-21T16:54:33+00:00
| 52 |
You know when I woke up this morning I was expecting to not only get to see the mare of my dreams again. But now I have to deal with her best friend and her childhood friend, what is going on?
“The Great and Powerful Trixie believes that what happened here was a genuine mistake. As a Great and Powerful unicorn,” She says striking a pose with her trademark grin before she got back on all fours having a hard time looking at me, “Trixie is not immune to failures during practice rehearsals for her act,”
“Trixie,” Starlight says confused looking back and forth at me and the blue mare, “What are you saying?” She thinks about it for a moment before She gets a moment of clarity and understanding of what could have happened, “Hold on. Are you saying what I think you're saying?”
“As much a pains Trixie to admit this,” She says with clenched teeth, “Trixie believes she might have accidentally summoned the stallion into your bed,”
“What do you mean Summon?”
“Trixie was working on a new spell. However, upon rehearsal, Trixie came down with a cold and ruined the spell halfway through. However, Trixie could not find the stallion that was summoned. Trixie was certain that the spell did succeed. Only that Trixie did not know where he would be,”
“So wait,” Starlight got into Trixie's face with Fury in her eyes, “You're saying that it was all an accident because you decided to play around with spells that I told you not to touch! After the last time you used that!”
“Trixie was certain that it would be fine,” She smiles nervously at her friend, “Besides Twilight was only a little peeved after being woken up for her nap,”
“What kind of spell summons somepony?” I asked Sunburst, “I thought you told me teleportation through such Feats would be dangerous,” He thought about it,
“That's only for self-induced teleportation. Teleportation through a third party has a different set of rules since all you need is a clear image of the endpoint regardless of whether the target can see it. It's similar to how unicorns can summon items to them. However, for that spell to work you need to have a good memory of where the object you desire is located and where you wish for it to end up. An upside to this one is that even if the object doesn't end up where you wish for it to go it will go to the nearest open space. The only downside to this spell is that it requires much more magic than self-induced teleportation. Furthermore, it can only work in a two-way teleportation. However, unicorns only use this for nonliving objects as teleporting living creatures larger than a cat can cause complications similar to that of the self-induced version,”
“That's interesting,” I say looking up in thought before shaking my head, “But that doesn't explain how I ended up in the Starlight's bed,”
“If I would have to take a guess. It sounds like Trixie was trying to induce a forced teleportation upon another living creature to appear before her. And the location where she wished for the pony to appear was in some kind of confined location. A dangerous feat, but if she pulled it off, it would be quite spectacular. Not just anypony could pull that off,”
“I get it. She wanted to make somepony who couldn't use teleportation, disappear and reappear in another location for her act. Like a disappearing Pony trick,”
“YES that's exactly why Trixie was practicing the spell,” She agrees rather quickly for some unknown reason,
“That would be a good trick,” Sunburst says as doubt feels my mind,
“But that doesn't make any sense,” I added much to their confusion,
“What do you mean?” Starlight asks,
“What I mean is that even if the spell failed. How in the world would its range be such a large radius?” I explained not understanding how this was even possible, “I mean I was nowhere near the castle when I got summoned into Starlight's bed,”
Sunburst puts a hoof to his chin looks up and thinks, “If Trixie was working on the spell that I think she was. The summoning radius would be fairly large. If she was standing in the middle of the castle, it wouldn't have gone farther than that of the twenty feet outside the castle walls. Which means Trixie could have only targeted ponies within the castle,”
“If that's the case, who was helping her out with this? Since Starlight didn't know about it, none of the other mares knew about this, you didn't know about this, then who did?” We all look to Trixie for an explanation,
“Trixie, who was helping you do this spell?” Starlight asks her friend,
“Trixie can assure you that no pony or creature was helping her with this feat,”
“And yet you summoned a stallion from who knows where into my bed!”
“Trixie apologizes for that,”
“Hold on a second,” Sunburst said, “Even if Trixie's spell failed. She would have needed a target to summon for the spell to even activate. And you said no pony was helping you. So who in the world were you trying to summon in the middle of the night?” He asked her but for some reason, she was avoiding his gaze as sweat started pouring down her face,
“Wait a second,” I added, “Was Trixie inside the castle when this happened?” I asked not sure how sleeping arrangements work around here,
“I don't think so,” Starlight answers me, “She normally sleeps in her wagon just outside the castle why?”
“Well let's think about it this way. What if Trixie already knew how the cast is spelled correctly and had somepony in mind she wished to speak to in the middle of the night?”
“That's a bit odd but go on,”
“If Trixie was able to summon any Pony to her within range without any Pony being the wiser. Wouldn't we just need to know who was in the castle during the time?”
“Why would we need to know that?”
“Just out of curiosity,” I turned to my fellow stallion, “Sunburst were you in the castle when Trixie activated the spell?”
“No, I was staying at the inn during the time. Why?”
“Did Trixie know that?”
“I don't get what you're going at. But I don’t think she did,”
“Well, what would happen to Trixie if she tried to summon some pony who is not in range?”
“The spell would fail and nothing would happen,” Starlight replies instantly,
“If that's the case, how did she know the spell succeeded?”
Trixie rolls her eyes before answering, “Trixie heard the screams of her friend shortly after casting the spell,”
“So that means you activate the spell while you were in your wagon in the middle of the night,”
She rolls her eyes at me, “Yes, Trixie does practice her magic in her wagon late into the night. Why do you need to ask?”
“Now I can understand some ponies going out of the way to practice their Arts in their homes. But you said nopony or creature helped you with this spell. So why in the world would you be practicing a spell that needs two ponies for it to work in the middle of the night when no one else is awake?
Trixie’s eyes widen at my statement, “Trixie does not like where this is going,”
Ignoring her I continue, “I believe the better question is, who were you trying to summon to your sleeping quarters in the middle of the night Trixie?”
“What makes you think she was trying to summon some pony to her sleeping quarters?” Starlight asks as Trixie starts sweating looking nervously at everypony,
“Even if the spell failed. It seems very odd that a pony she wasn't even targeting ended up in some pony's bed when that wasn't the original endpoint or was it?” Before anybody could think about what I just said Trixie looked like she needed to go to the bathroom soon if jumping on her hooves was any indication.
“Trixie believes some pony is calling her,” She says very quickly before dashing out of the castle with Starlight right on her tail,
“Trixie get back here!”
“Why did she run?” Sunburst asks as I facehoof,
|
DragonIdiot
|
562184
| 1 |
Sunset Shimmer,Alternate Universe,Human,Sad,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls,Suicide / Self Harm
|
Maybe I can't.
|
I guess, Twilight, this is my apology. My final words in a letter, written from the heart. I just want to be free.
|
complete
| 13 | 4 |
<p>Although corny, no words can describe you and what you have done for <s>our</s> your friends. And to me. Especially to me.<br/>But I only need a few words to describe myself. </p><p>Destructive, manipulative and useless.</p><hr/><p>This is a letter-style, first person fic. It is a suicide letter with self-degrading paragraphs, to be clear. Do not read if you are not in the right headspace or comfortable with the topic.</p>
|
teen
|
2024-07-24T20:22:43+00:00
|
2024-07-24T22:47:38+00:00
| 499 |
I have found myself thinking a lot recently. Thinking about my last words to the world. Thinking about the life I have lead and the impact I've made to those around me. Especially you. The only one I've ever truly felt love for. That might contradict the rumours of me being a fully, self-absorbed narcissist.
But you, oh you. You are like summer, my star. Warm and gentle, shining down on everybody with passion and hope.
How you watched the elderly from afar, struggling to pick up their bags and came to offer your help. I remember one moment vividly. When we you saw a man, dropping his bags and sitting down to cry. You came rushing at his side, making sure he knew that he was cared for by the world. You reminded him that his diminishing strength was an opportunity to rest and be loved by his friends and family. For a good hour, my love, you sat there and talked to this stranger, even whilst you yourself, felt abandoned and isolated from those around you.
Using that, I describe myself as those unrelenting days of heat, beating down upon the people below who were desperate for some shade to hide themselves.
When I consistently undermined and bullied my peers, especially Fluttershy. I made a daily effort to reduce her self confidence and self-esteem to fuel my own, to feel powerful and 'on-top'. It's always at the back of my mind, how I repeatedly shouted and laughed at her, pushed her into lockers and threatened to close down her - at the time - small animal centre at the side of the park, just for her to do what I wanted. I suppose I felt that she was an easy target - a friendless pushover who cried at the tiniest bit of negative attention.
Well, maybe, you are like autumn, dear. A blended mix of fiery colours and fallen leaves with comfortable clothes and warm homes.
At midday, even while you were exhausted, you emphasised with a teenager who lost their pet. Love, you sat there like a calming beacon of light, even at a low point, and chatted with someone you only met briefly while walking your dog. I heard remarks of how happy their pup was, and how you knew that she died calmly, in the hands of people she loved dearly. It was comforting, as I felt myself smile just being in your presence, like a blanket. People around stopped to share their condolences and stories of their interactions with her.
I guess... that I'm the hits of cold and dying trees, the havoc of temperatures changing rapidly throughout the day.
Even at my best before my redemption, I had mood swings and lashed out on my classmates as a foal. There was this one instance, during a friendly competition. I laughed, carefree and lively before losing. I knew that it wasn't an official test, but I exploded, setting my surroundings on fire with magic. Apparently, I burnt my opponent and left a permanent on their face. Although, shortly after, I was all smiles again, apologizing to those that witnessed that. They were flinching at me, cowering in fear.
...Winter might be the way to describe you Twilight. Heated homes, hot food and Hearth's Warming Eve - well, Christmas, I suppose.
During the cold temperatures, you gathered a team and handed out jackets and food to those unfortunate enough not to have any. I saw the donations that you got and how you gave money out - even job recommendations and shelters nearby, in a hope that you might change someone's life for the better. You took off your glasses and sobbed, sharing the stories of your parents raising you up, starving and cold before someone gave them a helping hand. And now they thrive in a large house, a dog and a safe, healthy family.
For me, I'm the drops in temperature that last days, with hail and winds with the strength of Nightmare Moon.
You wouldn't know personally how I was... am, to others. I have memories upon memories of the ways I've tormented ponies and humans alike. The cold shoulder, the strikes of anger, all those times I harmed the ones that stayed close to me, despite everything. Even you, my star. During that conversation we had about our past, I got overwhelmed by everything that, when you tried to comfort me, I barked back, knocking your hand away and leaving. You looked so broken, so, I guess that's why I left.
Why would I do that to you, someone as bright and loving as spring?
The shine in your eye, your easy-going, radiant nature, all of that! While things were being shot your way continuously, stress and school-work I could never even begin to imagine your you handle, you kept yourself, and.. didn't turn into me.
Although corny, no words can describe you and what you have done for our your friends. And to me. Especially to me.
But I only need a few words to describe myself.
Useless, unredeemable and villainous
Who needs a destructive and manipulative waste of space near them at all. It ruins friendships - I ruin friendships! There are so many relationships I have crushed just to get to my goal, that, if I had succeeded, I would have done even worse. I don't think anybody told you how I was a little over three months ago. My biggest desire was to become a Princess in Equestria. And you know what I had to do? I had to take over a population of teenagers using mind games and controlling tactics, take a Princesses crown, win a popularity contest that I used threats to win, in fact, and gain a large amount of magic to make an army.
Back the I thought that when I put the Crown on my head, I would gain it's power and it would see me as a better fit for royalty. But instead, I turned into what I truly was, a demon. Everyone as CHS saw me for who I was, and saw my defeat by the true wielder of the Crown. I was humiliated and gained permanent reminders along my body.
Now that I think about it, this is what started our argument. This... pathetic excuse! I shouldn't blame or hurt others for the things I committed! And I apologize, my love, I'm so incredibly sorry for what I have done and put you through.
And with this, using the last of my blood, I write you a letter.
Goodbye, my bright star. I'm sorry again for I've done and the pain I caused. Although I know you will be heartbroken about what I'm about to do, please, please forget me and continue on. I don't deserve you.
Yours beyond death,
Sunset Shimmer.
|
Electrix
|
562186
| 1 |
Applejack,Cutie Mark Crusaders,Rainbow Dash,Rarity,Random,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The Sister Switch
|
The CMC switch sisters for a day.
|
hiatus
| -1 | -1 |
<p>The CMC are fed up with their sisters, so they come up with the "brilliant" plan to switch sisters for a day!<br/>Chaos ensues.</p><p>Requested by JBlazer!</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-25T16:15:24+00:00
|
2024-07-25T16:15:24+00:00
| 193 |
"Hey, sis, can I help you make the dresses?" Sweetie Belle smiled, hoping for another chance to help her older sister for the first time in forever!
"No, that's fine, just stay over there in the corner, where you can watch me do my work. I heard that someday you wanted to be just like your older sister, hmm?" Rarity said, while she continued to work on the dresses at her workbench.
"I guess so." Sweetie Belle played with her hooves as she fell down on her flank, sitting in the corner she was banished to. She looked around the room and got an idea. "Hey, what if I help you with getting your supplies?"
"I'm just fine, Sweetie. But thank you for the generous offer."
Sweetie pouted. After a few minutes of sitting, Sweetie finally got up and quietly left the room, leaving Rarity alone to continue to quietly work.
"Now, Apple Bloom. You know that I can't have you selling apples with me no more. Remember what happened last time you tried to advertise live while we were selling apples?"
"I know, sis, but I wanna try again! Maybe I can sell apples better this time! Please?" Apple Bloom put on her puppy dog face in hopes of succeeding in her plea to help her sister sell apples.
"I'm mighty sorry Apple Bloom, but I said no, and that's that."
"But--"
"No buts this time. I'm sorry little sis, but that's the way it has to be." Applejack said, watching Apple Bloom sadly and slowly nod her head before turning around, and slowly and sadly walking away towards the Cutie Mark Crusader clubhouse.
"Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo stopped calling for Rainbow Dash for a little bit.
'Where could Rainbow Dash be right now?' She thought to herself. Just then, a ginormous gust of wind assaulted Scootaloo's mane, making it messier than it was originally. She whipped her head all over the place, to find out where that mysterious gust of wind came from.
"Sorry, squirt. Didn't mean to mess up your mane that badly." Rainbow Dash chuckled a bit. "What're you doing here?"
"I was looking for you!" Scootaloo jumped up. "I wanted to see if you could hang out with me today!"
Rainbow frowned. "Sorry, Scoots. I just came back from cloud busting for the day, and i'm really tired." It was true, Rainbow had been very tired from cloud busting all week, considering that all week, there were scheduled rain showers every morning. Dash also had visible circles around her eyes, not quite black, but questionably dark.
Not even Pinkie Pie's special coffee recipe had been enough to give Rainbow enough energy each day (Which is weird, considering they both have an almost unlimited amount of energy, must be the EXTRA special coffee).
"Oh. That's okay maybe we can hang out next week!" Scootaloo beamed.
"Sure, maybe next week. See ya, Scoots!" With that, Rainbow took off toward her mobile cloud home, leaving Scootaloo in her dust and ultimately, alone.
Scootaloo sighed, and dejectedly trotted off back towards Sweet Apple Acres. As she continued on the path, she noticed her fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders heading towards the clubhouse as well. As did Sweetie and Apple Bloom.
"Hey, guys, wait up!" Scootaloo exclaimed.
"Apple Bloom, Scootaloo? What're you guys doing here, I thought all of our meetings for this week were cancelled because of all the rain?" Sweetie Belle stopped her trotting to allow the other two to catch up.
"I could ask you the same thing." Apple Bloom raised her left eyebrow.
They all sighed in unison.
"I left Rarity's house while she was working, she just wouldn't let me help!" Sweetie Belle pouted.
"Applejack said that I couldn't help her sell apples anymore because of what happened last time."
"What happened 'last time'?" Scootaloo looked at Apple Bloom.
"Don't ask."
"I came here because Rainbow Dash is so busy with her work, and after she finishes her work, she's so tired she doesn't have the energy to hang out with me!" Scootaloo pouted.
Now, they're all pouting. But then, they stopped, they all noticed that they were all standing outside, and that there was an uncomfortably loud silence. So, they all headed inside the clubhouse, and sat in a circle.
Continuing the earlier conversation outside, Sweetie Belle spoke. "Well, what can we do about it? It's not like we can just switch sisters!"
They all thought about what Sweetie had just said, and suddenly, they all got the same 'brilliant' idea.
"We should all switch sisters for a day!" They all shouted in unison.
"Then, we can all see what it's like for each other!" Sweetie Belle added.
"Yeah!" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo agreed in unison.
And so, each set out to gather each of their sisters, and get them on board with the plan all of the fillies came up with together.
Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo all dashed out of the clubhouse together, all three faces filled with mischievous cheer.
The fillies didn't have it all figured out, but they were very confident they could get their sisters on board with this idea, and they were determined to do it.
But first, Scootaloo had to figure out how to wake Dash up.
.....
"And that's why we've decided to switch sisters!" Apple Bloom finished explaining what their entire plan was for today, that didn't involve cutie marks. The three fillies had gathered all of their sisters in the town square to discuss this.
"Well, I think that's a swell idea." Applejack winked at Rarity and Rainbow Dash. "I have just one question. Who's going with who?"
The CMC all collectively tapped thought for a second before coming to an answer.
"How about I go with Rarity, Apple Bloom goes with Rainbow Dash, and Sweetie goes with Applejack?" Scootaloo elaborated.
"Fine by me." Dash smirked. What the CMC didn't know, was that all three of the sisters were plotting something to get the Cutie Mark Crusader's heads straight!
|
Some Leech
|
562193
| 1 |
Original Character,Smolder,Human,Porn,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Fetish,Profanity,Sex
|
The Big Night
|
Robert and Smolder finally decide to bring their relationship to the next level...
|
complete
| 197 | 11 |
<p>Was Robert nervous? Of course he was nervous! Not only is he the only human in Equestria, as far as he can tell, but he's about to cross the interspecies barrier with an honest to goodness dragon! With his anxiety and libido warring for dominance, all he can do is hope that he's ready to make sweet, <i>sweet</i> love to the dragoness of his dreams, Smolder...</p><p>Kinks Include: Male on Female, Female on Male, Size Difference, Oral, Facials, Teasing, Flirting, Vaginal, Creampies, a Touch of Femdom, and Steamy Romance</p><p>Artwork by Nauyaco</p><p>If you want to help support me, I have a Tip-Jar/Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/someleech" rel="nofollow">HERE</a></p>
|
mature
|
2024-07-23T21:16:44+00:00
|
2024-07-23T21:16:44+00:00
| 3,629 |
With moonlight pouring through the window at his back, seated naked on the edge of his bed, Robert drew a deep breath, held it for a moment, and shudderingly exhaled. A maelstrom of emotions swirled within him, leaving him in a perplexing state. On one hand, he was elated that this night had finally come - on the other, he didn’t think he’d ever been more nervous in his entire life. Having sex with anyone for the first time was almost always a nerve-wracking experience, but this was so much more complicated than that.
For starters, and admittedly to his embarrassment, he’d never gotten laid before - secondly just as, if not more importantly, his first time was going to be anything but ordinary. Neill Armstrong had been the first man on the moon, Alexander Graham Bell was the first person to use a telephone, and he, as far as he knew, was going to be the first guy to get busy with a mythical creature. Glancing over at his nightstand, he was given some measure of calm when he saw her picture.
Her name was Smolder, and she was an absolute peach. Though he’d freely admit that he didn’t know how he’d ended up in the land of Equestria, why nobody knew what humans were, or what had brought him to a world filled with magical, sapient creatures that seemed to come straight from a children’s book, he was sure of one thing - without her, he would have probably wound up in a loony bin. As his memories shot back to the moment they’d met, a contented sigh escaped him.
He hadn’t thought much of her at first - well, aside from the fact that Smolder was an honest to goodness dragon, although that changed rather quickly. Unlike most of his fellow students at the School of Friendship, something comparable to a high school back on Earth, she was less than reserved about asking him questions. Most of his fellow classmates treated him cordially, possibly out of courtesy, apprehension, or some combination of the two, but not her - not by a country mile.
“You naked yet?” a voice blared, shaking him from his thoughts.
Peeking down his bare chest, he shifted his hands over his groin. “Yeah? I mean, isn’t -”
“Darn it,” she cursed. “I was gonna tell you to strip for me.”
“I…I mean, I can put them back on,” he sputtered while fumbling for a pile of his discarded clothes.
“Nah, don’t sweat it,” she grunted as the bathroom door swung open.
Turning and looking to the far side of his room, Robert went motionless. The sight of her, wreathed in gouts of steam and backlit by the light behind her, gave her the appearance of an angel - actually, no, more like a devil, but she was enthralling all the same. Her eyes, like twin, cat-like topaz, shot to his face as her lips curled in a fanged smirk.
Cocking one hip, she put herself shamelessly on display. “Staring kinda hard there, Robert…”
“I - uh…” he croaked, looking away as the spell was broken. “It’s j…just that -”
“I didn’t say you had to stop,” she chuckled. Strutting forward with a sway in her step, she came to a stop directly before him. “Not like you haven’t seen me naked most of the time, but it’s whatever. Better drink it in while you can, buddy, because we’re gonna be doing a lot more than just looking…”
Robert’s mind raced while his heart hammered a thunderous drumbeat in his chest. They’d been unofficially dating for over a semester, the first half of their senior year, and they spent more time together than they did apart - still, never in his wildest dreams would he have thought it would come to this. Trying and failing to slow his breathing, he looked her over from top to bottom.
The amber scales covering her from horned head to clawed toe gave way to gold on her belly and chest, an orchid frill ran down from her head to between her shoulder blades, and a pair of wings sat tucked against her back. Though she was anything but human, she was alluring to a fault - still, her looks were far from her strongest feature.
She was only a few feet tall, with the top of her head coming just above his waist, but she was a real spitfire - quite literally at times. What she lacked in size she made up for in attitude, making her a draconic tomboy of sorts, and it hadn’t taken him long to fall head over heels for her. It was only natural that she’d become his first friend in Equestria, given how bold she was, although he couldn’t have fathomed that their relationship would turn out the way it had.
Thrusting her hips forward, Smolder ran a taloned digit down her flat, featureless chest, over her belly, and to her loins. “Bet you’ve been dreaming of getting some of this ~ huh?”
Robert’s mouth set to watering and blood surged to his nethers as he watched her spread herself. It only made sense that she didn’t have the same naughty bits as a human, in spite of having a similar form, but he’d be damned if seeing her spread her cloaca didn’t get his motor running. Rosy and incredibly moist, standing in stark contrast to the rest of her, her depths sang a song to the most primal parts of his brain.
“Yeah,” she mused, lifting and licking her fingers clean, “that’s what I thought. Your turn, stud.”
The second she reached out and placed her hands on his knees, he started. He’d known this was coming, especially since he was the only student at the school who didn’t attend classes or strut around in the buff, although he’d never shown off his manhood to anyone. Keeping his hands over his turgid length, he anxiously laughed.
Undeterred, she smiled up at him and attempted to prize his legs apart. “Don’t tell me you’re chicken…”
“P…promise…” he wheezed as his voice cracked. “Promise you won’t laugh.”
She relented, if only just, and rolled her eyes. “Not like I was going to do that anyways, but I promise. Now gimme…”
With a speed and strength belying her relatively diminutive stature, she prized his knees open and went completely still. Her eyes widened, her pupils shrank to thin slits, and her jaw hung slack. This was either really good or really bad - regardless, her stunned reaction to seeing his package did nothing to soothe his frazzled nerves.
“Dude…” she breathed, lifting her gaze to his face.
Meeting her eyes, he swallowed hard. “Y…yeah?”
“You’re bucking huge,” she gasped while gawking at his manhood. “How the hay were you hiding this thing?!”
“I - um - pants?” he warily replied, genuinely unsure of what to say.
The good news was that she was obviously impressed with what he was packing - the bad news was that another problem, one he’d tried not to consider, reared its ugly head. Considering the disparity of their sizes, there was no guarantee that they’d be compatible - worse still, they were both rank amateurs when it came to amorous affairs. Hesitantly moving his hands to his sides, he reclined and allowed his dick to spring fully into the open.
Smolder didn’t budge, utterly mesmerized by his manhood, while a bead of drool crept past her lips and gradually made its way down to her chin. Ordinarily speaking, she was completely unflappable, acting totally cool and reserved under otherwise worrying circumstances, so to see her in such a dumbfounded state was jarring - yeah, he was flattered, but he didn’t want to get ahead of himself. As she eventually came to her senses and wiped the saliva from her face, a question bubbled to the surface of his mind.
“So…” he began, “what’s the plan here?”
“I…” she trailed off and narrowed her eyes. “We’ll figure it out, but I’m sure as heck gonna get a closer look at that monster of yours.”
The moment she finished speaking, she stepped forward and wrapped her fingers around the base of his length. Simply having someone other than himself touch his junk was enough to send a thrilled bolt surging through him. He’d hoped she’d have a plan, mostly because second-guessed himself more times than he could count over the days leading to this night, although it appeared as though they were going to have to wing it.
He suppressed a shiver as gently stroked his length. A dragon’s hide wasn’t much rougher than that of a human, although it was substantially warmer. Peering down his chest, he marveled at how big he looked in her hand. While he wasn’t exactly hung like a horse, only being slightly above average in the dangly department, seeing his dick held in her little hands.
Relaxing her grip and reaching lower, she gingerly cradled his balls. “These don’t bother you?”
“Bother me?” he repeated. “Why would they bother me?”
She shrugged while delicately fondling him. “I dunno - just seems like it’d be kinda stressful having them just hanging there all the time.”
Moments from asking her what she was talking about, it dawned on him. Male dragons, similarly to reptiles on earth, kept their baby-making equipment on the inside. Smolder was doubtlessly familiar with the anatomy of her own species, as well as a great many other mammals that called Equestria home, but he could see why she’d find his package so novel - particularly since this was her first time getting some hands on experience with someone.
“Nah,” he laughed, “it’s not that bad. I’ve had my family jewels my whole life, so it’s ~ what?”
Locking eyes with him, she grinned and ever so slightly tightened her grasp on his goods. “Careful - you start talking about jewels and I might just decide to keep these bad boys…”
A surge of adrenaline shrieked through him. He wasn’t in any real danger - at least, he didn’t think he was, yet something about the glint in her eye and her commanding tone caused his pulse to quicken. While he put his mind to work and tried to come up with a witty comeback, she leveled her attention back on his dick.
“I wonder how much of this I can candle,” she murmured as she grabbed and angled his shaft down at her face.
Without saying another word, she opened her maw and extended her forked tongue. Any reasonable person would have been alarmed by seeing a fang-filled snout gradually inching closer and closer to his manhood, but not Robert - not any more anyways. After all the times they’d kissed, including a few where she affectionately nibbled and sucked on his tongue, he was more than comfortable to trust her with his little soldier.
As she wrapped her lips around his cock-head, he sucked air through his teeth. Dragons, as he’d learned, had a body temperature that was several degrees hotter than most mammals - as such, the downright balmy interior of her muzzle, paired with the sinuous tongue languidly coiling around his shaft, was nothing short of heavenly. With his tension bleeding away, he leaned back and made himself comfortable.
The physical sensation of getting a blowjob was everything he’d hoped it would be and then some - that being said, the spectacle of watching himself get sucked off was the icing on the cake. Smolder’s heavily-lidded eyes never strayed from his face, she used one hand to lovingly massage his balls, and she quietly hummed while slowly bobbing her head. Holy hell - if she kept this up, he wasn’t going to last long at all!
He told himself he should stop her, yet he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Her tongue, her lips, the sinful look she was giving him - they left nothing to be desired. On and on she went, steadily working him deeper into her maw, while his chest started to heave. Reaching out with a hand, finally finding the willpower to bring the foreplay to an end, he made a shocking discovery.
Smolder hadn’t just been tending to his arousal. At some point or another, though he’d hadn’t the faintest idea of precisely when, she’d started getting herself off. Pistoning two fingers out of her taut, slavering sex, she groaned, filled her lungs, and forced her head forward. There was no way - no way in Tartarus she could have planned this out, yet the two-pronged attack of slipping into her gullet and watching her masturbate dealt a ruinous blow to his already waning constitution.
He didn’t just skyrocket to the limits of his endurance - no, he was launched past them with reckless abandon. In that instant of comprehension, understanding that he was going to blow his load, he found himself facing a torturous decision. Either he let her do as she pleased with him, and in so doing asserting her control over him, or he pulled out and put a wrinkle in her scheme - in the end, the choice was obvious.
Sliding back and hauling his wildly throbbing length from her snout, he clutched the base of his cock with one hand. His sudden action caught her with her metaphorical pants down and gave him the perfect opportunity to turn the tables. Grunting furiously while jacking himself off, he sent ropes of thick jizz sailing over her face and upper chest.
“F…fuck,” he croaked as his climax tapered off.
Peeking up at him with a lone eye, Smolder closed her mouth and knit her brow. “Nice…”
Shit - this was bad. All the impishness had drained from her voice, she looked like a freshly glazed strudel, and her expression had become unreadable. Not only had he delivered a mediocre performance, lasting no more than a handful of minutes, but he’d given her a facial that she clearly hadn’t expected.
“S…sorry,” he stammered. “I d…didn’t…”
He fell silent as she held up a clawed finger, snatched the bed sheet he was sitting on, and wiped her face clean. “Gotta say, I’m a little disappointed.”
Robert’s heart sank in his chest. He’d grappled with the possibility that she’d potentially outlast him, but this was just sad. Shaking his head, he pinched the bridge of his nose and turned his eyes to the floor.
“Listen,” he lamented, “it’s not my fault that -”
“Next one’s goin’ in me,” she interjected. Shooting him a wink, she punched his thigh then pulled herself up and onto the mattress next to him. “Actually, hold on,” she grumbled. “Is that a human thing - like, marking your mate or whatever?”
Turning and looking her dead in the face, he blinked. Damn it, he’d nearly forgotten! Leading up to this fateful evening, the night when he and Smolder would take their relationship to the next level, he’d done no small amount of research on draconic courtship. If what he’d read was right, and he had no reason to think it wasn’t, the imperious reptiles held a certain fondness for assertive lovers.
Clearing his throat, he nodded. “Yeah, it means you’re mine - as a matter of fact…”
He twisted in place, slid his hands under her arms, and lifted her from the bed. Aside from needing a bit of time to go another round, proving he wasn’t a pushover was going to be paramount. Placing her on his lap, he shot forward and locked lips with her.
The lecherous assault took her unawares. She stiffened at first, tensing and making a startled sound, although she quickly relaxed when his tongue snaked past her lips and into her snout. As she wrapped her arms around his chest and pushed back against him, giving as good as she got, he softly growled.
Her hushed moan, coupled with the sensation of her sweltering sex pressed against his abdomen, breathed new life into him. He could do this, he could prove he was a worthy boyfriend, and the simple notion of meeting or preferably exceeding her expectations spurred him on. Gliding a hand down her back and around the base of her tail, he gave her toned backside a squeeze.
“B…buck,” she rasped, pulling back and leaving strands of saliva connecting them, “this is so hot…”
“Not as hot as you,” he countered. Listing to one side, he kissed his way up her shoulder and to her neck. “My little firefly.”
She tittered and playfully pushed him away. “I told you not to call me that.”
“Right,” he hummed, “because you think it’s cute and it makes you blush - see, you’re doing it right now!”
“A…am not!” she pouted while petulantly averting her gaze.
He could write poetry about all the wondrous things about her, although seeing a side of her that few others did had to be at the top of that list. While she was glib, not afraid to get her claws dirty, and rather unladylike, she wasn’t without her girlish weaknesses. He couldn’t say what had inspired his little nickname for her, but he knew it, at least in part, tickled her fancy.
Sliding his fingers up the underside of her tail, he brought his lips to her ear. “Are too…”
In a blur of motion, her hands shot to his shoulders and fiercely shoved him backward. He’d long since learned not to underestimate her strength, yet he hadn’t anticipated she’d be using it turning such an intimate exchange. Set off balance, he fell back and hastily tried to right himself - tried because a foot immediately bore down on his chest and pinned him to the bed.
“I’m not blushing,” she insisted, despite the redness in her cheeks.
Unable to keep a straight face, he smiled. “Might want to check a mirror, firefly…”
He was well aware that he was pushing her buttons, and possibly in a way that could bite him in the ass, but he couldn’t help himself. She really was adorable when she was worked up, her face glowing and jaw set. Delighted that he’d ruffled her feathers, he faltered when she stepped over his head.
“Since you like flapping your gums,” she snickered, turning around and broadening her stance, “how about we put that mouth of yours to real use.”
The view of her crotch from below was impeccable, the sort of thing that inspired poets and horny teenagers alike, and it gave him a moment for pause - a moment that was shattered when she began to descend. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what he was in for, yet he wouldn’t - couldn’t move. Licking his lips, he did the first thing that came to mind.
A part of him longed to remain still, to let her make a seat of his face, but another, vastly stronger piece of him demanded he take action. Primitive portions of his brain, the deepest parts of his id, roared to life as he started to move. Buck it - if he was about to get intimately familiar with her groin, he was going to do it on his terms.
With a firm hold on her hips, he wrenched her downward with enough force to draw a small yelp from her. In the blink of an eye, his head was buried between her plump, deliciously warm thighs. Did he have the slightest bit of experience with eating out dragons? Heavens, no. Was that going to stop him from feasting on her like she was the last meal he’d ever have? No way in hell.
The first thing to strike him, other than the heat bathing his face, was the smell. He’d grown used to her scent after all the times they’d cuddled and hugged, yet the aroma of her arousal was staggering. Like exotic spices and fruits, the melange flooding his sinuses invigorated him. Taking just a fleeting second to reposition himself, he touched his lips to her entrance.
Smolder quaked and fell forward onto her hands and knees while straddling his head. One of the small things he’d had to account for when it came to oral was that her sex wasn’t quite as easily accessed as that of a human. With a thick tail that extended from the base of her spine, her pussy, for lack of a less romantic term, essentially faced forward - be that as it may, their combined burning libidos made it a trivial affair.
Dragging his tongue to her entrance, Robert was given his first taste of her essence. The flavor was exquisitely exotic, so unfamiliar that he struggled to classify it, but it had a curious, minerally tang that stoked the fires of his lust. As he sank his tongue into her, a low, guttural whimper pierced the air.
He’d fretted over how things would go with her, that she may find his amateurish efforts to please her wanting, although those fears were eased when she draped herself over his torso and trembled. She was loving this as much as he was - if she wasn’t, which he very much doubted, she really should consider a career in acting. Lapping at her entrance and, from the studying he’d done, the most sensitive parts of her goods, he clutched her ass and held her firmly in place.
Rolling her hips back and slathering his face with her juices, she lifted her tail. “R…right there…”
The waver in her voice as she spoke confirmed his suspicions and bolstered his resolve. He may have cum first, but he was determined to level the playing field - plus getting her off was just what he needed to recover. What would have normally taken the better part of an hour, the average span before his passion could get his manhood ready and raring to go after busting a nut, was reduced significantly.
Any guy could simply hump away until they were spent, mindlessly and selfishly thinking of themselves, but not him. He didn’t just want to feel good himself - on the contrary, a not insignificant portion of his joy from satiating her bestial urges. On and on he went, fueled by the insatiable desire to be baptized in her nectar. While it was a mystery as to whether she was a squirter or not, he was going to find out.
Gilding the lily, he shifted beneath her. She had a number of weak points that he’d discovered, and he was going to exploit them all. As he stroked the base of her tail with one hand, he wormed the other under her chest. Even without breasts, the upper portion of her torso where bosoms would have lie was wickedly sensitive.
The pitch of her moans raised an octave, she clenched around his tongue, and the tremor in her thighs told him everything he needed to know. She was getting close, even if she didn’t openly confess it, and she had no idea what she was in for. Pushing her to the brink, he took careful note of her breathing and squirming before landing the finishing blow.
Guided by intuition and dumb luck, his tongue sank into her and delivered the coup de grâce. One instant, she went rigid - the next, she threw her head back and howled in ecstasy. Hearing her climactic wail was a symphony, quite possibly the most stimulating thing to ever grace his ears, yet it was just the opening act. In a flash, a torrent of juices erupted from her spasming depths and cascaded over his face.
Her squeal tapered off while she shivered and panted atop him. He’d done it, he’d evened the score, and that only meant one thing. Patting her ass and prompting her to shakily lift her hips, he gasped for air. As gratifying as it had been to be bathed in her essence, it came at a cost - his burning desire to claim her properly.
While she languidly turned and swung a leg over his head, he wiped his face on his forearm. “That good ~ eh?”
“S…shut up,” she rasped, unwilling or unable to concede. Crawling on her hands and knees, she mounted his midsection and rose up. “Don’t get cocky…”
“Oh?” he quipped as he brought his hands to her waist. Guiding her back until his cock-head kissed her entrance, he flashed a smile. “Wanna make a bet?”
Kneeling over his crotch, with his cock prodding her sex, she smirked. “Like what ~ that I won’t outlast you again?”
“That or you’ll be walking funny for a day or two,” he hummed. “So what do you - Nnnph?!”
True to her cavalier nature, not even allowing him to finish his proposition, she threw her weight down and impaled herself - fortunately or unfortunately, her hubris wrought ruination to them both. Smolder gnawed her bottom lip to stifle herself, while Robert did likewise. Just like that, their respective virginities were lost.
Gyrating her hips, Smolder rubbed her lower abdomen. “Y…yeah, I bet you love this…”
Her words said one thing, yet her actions spoke to the contrary. Her blush had returned from a vengeance, her tone lacked any confidence, and she was shaking like a leaf in the wind. Though Robert was totally awestruck by her scalding, sublimely snug depths, he could not - would not let her get the upper hand.
Wading through a sea of bliss, he drove his hips upward. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head, her silken canal seized around him, and a puff of smoke shot from her nostrils, yet she composed herself in a heartbeat. What should have been a tender moment that would stay with them both for a lifetime had taken on a competitive hue.
Smolder bent forward at the waist, freed a portion of his shaft, then slammed her ass back down as she started riding him. “You were - Hah - s…saying?”
The most Robert could choke out was an incoherent grunt as he began moving in tune with her. It was anyone’s guess as to which of them was enjoying themselves more, but he’d bet everything he’d ever own that she was just as enamored with his endowment as he was with her slick, hot snatch. Thrusting up to meet her descents, he bottomed out with every single plunge.
If they stayed together for long enough, which he very much hoped they would, he was going to have to invest in a camera at some point, because the mental image of them going at one another was too beautiful not to capture on film. Bucking on him like a wanton cowgirl, in defiance of her unskilled technique, Smolder succumbed to her carnality.
He couldn’t blame her - in fact, he was in the same boat as her. Every instinct he had screamed at her to go all out, to fuck her until she was a quivering, gushing mass of limbs, yet he held himself back - if only just. Imparting the slightest bit of romance to what was otherwise a fierce exchange, he rubbed her chest and willed himself to slow his pace.
To their mutual mercy, she relented and reined himself in to the smallest degree. Kissing her would have been difficult, seeing as how her head was situated on his lower chest, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t make things slightly more sensual. Gliding a hand up her back and to her wings, he held her close as he continued plowing her.
She kissed his chest and pawed at his shoulders while rhythmically constricting around his pistoning length. He’d be lying if he said she felt better than someone of his species, but he couldn’t see how any human could ever compare to her or what she had to offer. As their eyes met, an unspoken agreement passed between them.
Robert pushed himself up on one arm while Smolder sat up. The standard cowgirl position had been phenomenal, but a seated variant would give them both what they desperately craved. Their bodies entwined, hands grasping at one another, as they deeply kissed.
It was like the final piece of a puzzle falling into place, completing the moment in a way so profound that they instantly knew it was right. Snapping her lips around his waist, she plastered herself to his chest and bounced on his dick while he pounded into her. The struggle for dominance evolved into a give and take, a mutual interest, and it brought them untold ecstasy.
On and on they went, straining their endurance purely for the benefit of each other. Maybe they’d been at it for only a handful minutes, or perhaps it had been closer to an hour - in the end, the small eternity of their embrace, becoming one, proved too much to bear. Sinking her claws into his back, Smolder broke the kiss and bit down on his shoulder.
The tinge of pain from her teeth piercing his flesh, as well as the tsunami of nectar cascading over his upper legs and balls, was the final nail in his coffin. Snaring her in a hug, he buried his face in her shoulder and repaid her fiery favor. He was hers, whether she fully understood it or not, and he genuinely prayed that she would be his for the rest of their days.
Cum surged through his pulsing length, painting her interior and marking her as his mate. No matter what happened, regardless of whether they stayed together for weeks or their entire lives, nothing would change the fact that they’d given themselves to one another. Riding out their mind-numbing ecstasy, they only eventually pulled back, locked eyes, and smiled.
It started with a small chuckle from Smolder, and ended with them both bursting into manic laughter. Neither could argue the sanity of what they’d done, breaching the interspecies barrier while coincidentally surrendering their virginity, yet the absurdity of it all elevated their glee. Ultimately falling back and pulling her down with him, Robert rolled to his side.
“Truce?” he whispered.
Giving a small nod, she rested her cheek against his chest. “Truce…”
He grinned from ear to ear, elated both with himself and his cute little girlfriend, and he hadn’t felt such happiness in - shit, come to think of it, he didn’t think he’d ever been so happy before. Kissing the top of her head, he withdrew his arm as she stirred. He could forgive her if she wanted to get off and clean herself up, but he was going to keep his fingers crossed that the spooning wasn’t about to come to an unceremonious end.
Easing herself off his softening length, she snaked a hand between them and grabbed his dick. “This…”
He gulped. “Y…yeah?”
“This is mine now ~ got it?” she sternly pressed.
It was at that moment, hearing her proclaim her ownership over him, that he felt true joy. She really did feel the same way about him as he did about her! Unable to control himself, he pulled her up and planted a kiss on her lips. He didn’t want to get ahead of himself and declare they were destined to be together forever, but his gut told them they were going to be with one another for a long, long time…
|
Cryogenii
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562194
| 1 |
Applejack,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Alicornication
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A well known farmer takes to the stage, and gives an intimate concert in Canterlot
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complete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Canterlot's independent music scene gets a performance from Sweet Apple Acres' own Applejack. All her best friends are there to support her as she showcases a sing she's been working on. She also gets to sing some things that she honestly wishes she could just say.</p>
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everyone
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2024-07-23T22:25:47+00:00
|
2024-07-24T13:41:41+00:00
| 153 |
The dim glow of street lamps cast long shadows on the cobblestone streets and old brick buildings as Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie made their way through the winding streets of Canterlot. Twilight Sparkle glanced around, her brow furrowing with curiosity as she took in the unfamiliar and slightly rundown surroundings. "I don't think I've ever been to this part of town," she remarked, trepidation shaking her voice.
Rarity, walking alongside her, looked around comfortably. “No? I've been here before, darling," she said, in a confident tone.
Twilight gave her element friend a shocked look, before blurting out in reply. “Really, Rarity? Seems a little, erm, unrefined for the sort of place you'd visit.”
“Oh please, darling,” the white unicorn let out a delicate scoff, flipping her mane with a practised flick, “you make it sound like I'm some sort of dainty princess… no offence, of course.”
The Princess of Friendship gave a wry smile as she trotted along. “None taken, but what brings you to this part of Canterlot? I can't imagine there's anything to do with fashion around here.”
Rarity's eyes sparkled mischievously, and she gave a knowing smile. "Well, darling, let's just say there are certain... places that one might frequent for reasons other than fine couture. One does sometimes like to be… watched.”
Twilight blinked, processing Rarity's words. "Watched?" she echoed, her voice tinged with confusion and curiosity.
Rarity nodded, her smile widening as she seemed to recall a happy memory. "Indeed. Not for fashion, but for the thrill of it. Sometimes, it's about more than just clothes; it's about putting on a show.”
Rainbow Dash perked up, her interest piqued. "Exactly what kinda show are we talking about here? Another music venue or something?" she asked, “were you performing with the Pony Tones?”
Rarity's demeanour shifted slightly, a blush creeping into her cheeks as she snapped back into the moment. "Well, not that sort of performance exactly," she stammered, suddenly bashful. "It's more of a... private member's club."
Pinkie Pie, always quick to catch onto new information, chimed in eagerly. "Ooh, is that where the ponies wear those special fashions you keep in the back room of your boutique?"
Rarity's eyes widened, caught off guard by Pinkie's observation. "Um, well, that's... erm," she stammered, attempting to steer the conversation in a different direction. "But look, we've arrived where Applejack will be performing tonight!". With the not quite deft change of subject, Rarity pointed ahead to a narrow entrance way under a neon sign, effectively diverting her friends' attention away from her previous indiscretion.
Pinkie Pie, always eager to steer the conversation to lighter topics, bounced slightly on her hooves. "And I can't wait to see her perform! It's going to be so much fun!"
As they approached the entrance of Ragtime Riff's club, the subtle hints of Rarity's words lingered in Twilight's mind, adding an air of mystery to the already intriguing night. She couldn't help but wonder what hidden facets of Rarity's life she had yet to uncover. Twilight realised with a jolt that, outside of spa days, she didn't really know what Rarity did to unwind. This glimpse into a more private, and perhaps daring, aspect of her friend left Twilight both intrigued and a bit unsettled. The princess resolved to tuck away her questions for another time though, focusing instead on supporting Applejack in whatever performance awaited them inside.
With a growing sense of anticipation, the fillies squeezed through the narrow entrance of the club, the warm glow of the streetlights fading behind them. As they approached the ticket booth, they dug into their saddlebags to retrieve their tickets, eager to gain entry so they could see their friend performing. They then moved down a short corridor illuminated by soft, flickering lanterns, the sound of their hoofsteps echoed against the walls. At the end of the corridor, a steep staircase descended into the darkness below, beckoning them into the heart of the club's hidden interior.
The soft murmur of ponies chatting, mixing with the occasional burst of laughter created a lively atmosphere that beckoned them closer. The faint scent of cooking wafted towards them, mingling with the warm, inviting aroma of the club's interior.
As they neared the bottom of the steps, the sounds grow louder and more distinct. The smooth melodies of saxophones and trumpets blended with the rhythmic tapping of hooves on the wooden floor. The clink of glasses and the murmur of conversation added to the ambiance, creating a symphony of sound that enveloped them.
At the bottom level itself, the friends paused as their eyes adjusted to the gloom. A grey stallion with little round glasses and a slightly greasy slicked back mane trotted up to the group with a broad smile showing some gold teeth. “Welcome, welcome,” he said in a surprisingly rich voice, “and it's good to see you again so soon Fluttershy. I see you've brought your famous friends to my humble establishment.”
With a shy smile Fluttershy gave the stallion a quick hug. “Oh my, thank you. Girls, this is Ragtime Riff.”
"Welcome to Ragtime’s, ladies!" Ragtime's voice boomed over the soft murmur of the club. "It's a thrill to have you all here tonight. Applejack's performance is going to be one for the ages!"
Rainbow Dash, always the first to speak up, beamed at Ragtime. "Thanks for having us, Ragtime! We can't wait to see AJ."
Rarity stepped forward, her alabaster fur glowing in the dim lighting of the club. "Indeed, we've heard marvellous things about this establishment. It's positively charming."
Twilight Sparkle nodded in agreement, her curiosity piqued. "Yes, it's very atmospheric. How did you come to own such a wonderful place?"
Ragtime chuckled, a twinkle in his eye. "Oh, I suppose you could say I've always had a passion for music and a knack for bringing ponies together. When I acquired it, this place was nothing but a store room. But enough about me, let's get you all settled in, shall we?"
As the group followed Ragtime towards a table by the stage with a reserved sign on it, Rarity couldn't resist her curiosity. "Forgive me for prying, Ragtime, but how exactly do you know Fluttershy?"
Ragtime's smile widened as he turned to Fluttershy, his gaze warm and knowing. "Ah, Fluttershy and I recently became acquaintances. She's quite the main attraction."
Fluttershy's heart skipped a beat, panic bubbling up inside her. She couldn't let her friends find out about her secret performances with the Stiff Little Fillies. "Oh, um, yes," she stammered, trying to think of a plausible explanation. "We, uh, met at a charity fundraiser for animals. Yes, that's it."
Ragtime raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes, but he played along. "Ah, yes, that's right. Fluttershy's commitment to helping animals knows no bounds."
Fluttershy offered a grateful smile, relieved that her friends seemed to buy her fabricated story. With a hidden wink directed at the yellow pegasus, Ragtime led the group to their table, where some bottles of vintage cider were sweating in ice buckets. “Compliments of the establishment, to Equestria's saviours,” smiled Ragtime before trotting off backstage.
Rainbow Dash's magenta eyes widened in delight as she beheld the bottles adorning the table before her. With a mischievous grin, she couldn't help but chuckle to herself, recognizing the familiar labels of some quality brews, including a couple from Sweet Apple Acres. This was indeed the good stuff.
Without hesitation, Rainbow seized a nearby mug and poured herself a generous serving of the amber liquid, the rich aroma wafting up to meet her nose. However, her indulgence was not without an audience. Rarity, ever the epitome of refinement, looked on with a disapproving frown, her elegant brow furrowed in concern.
"Rainbow, darling, do you truly believe Applejack would appreciate it if you were to overindulge in her prized cider before her performance?" Rarity's voice carried a note of gentle admonishment as she expressed her apprehension.
Rainbow, undeterred by Rarity's cautionary tone, offered a nonchalant shrug. "Chillax, Rarity, I won't go too far. Just a little something to get me in the spirit of things," she reassured, flashing a confident grin.
Pinkie Pie, always quick to diffuse tension with her bubbly demeanour, piped up with a suggestion. "Hey, why don't we grab some food to go along with that cider? You know, to help soak it all up and keep the party going!" Her eyes sparkled with excitement at the prospect of combining two of life's greatest pleasures: food and drink.
Twilight Sparkle, ever the voice of reason, levitated the bottles to the other side of the table with a gentle flick of her magic, a subtle reminder to pace themselves and enjoy the evening responsibly. "I think that's a wonderful idea, Pinkie," she chimed in, a warm smile gracing her features. "Let's make sure we're all well-fed and ready to cheer Applejack on when she takes the stage."
Fluttershy stood to assist Pinkie. “I think some nice hot baskets of fries would be just delightful,” she suggested, “let me help you get them, Pinkie.”
Pinkie beamed at her friend's suggestion, delighted to have Fluttershy's company as they navigated the menu options. The two left to place their orders, the pink pony springily pronking along whilst her pegasus friend's long tail trailed her rolling haunches.
Rarity, ever mindful of maintaining her refined image, called after the two. “Just an undressed green salad for me please,” she said, pausing as she felt the weight of every eye on her and caught the smirks exchanged between her friends. "Oh, very well," she conceded, pouting crossly. "I suppose fries will do just fine.”
Whilst Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy placed the group's order, Twilight Sparkle seized the opportunity to inquire about Applejack's upcoming performance. Turning to Rainbow Dash, she asked if their earth pony friend had shared any hints about her setlist for the evening. Rainbow shrugged nonchalantly, her wings twitching with excitement. "Not much, but AJ did mention she's got something new that she's pretty nervous about."
Twilight Sparkle's smile widened at the mention of Applejack's new song, excitement evident in her voice as she eagerly replied, "Oh really? It'll be thrilling to hear her original work." Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, reflecting the eager anticipation shared by her friends.
Rarity, ever the observant pony, remarked on the growing crowd in the club, noting with a hint of excitement that it wouldn't be long before Applejack took the stage. The buzz of conversation and the clinking of glasses filled the air, adding to the electric atmosphere of the club as ponies from all walks of life gathered to enjoy an evening of music and camaraderie.
Before Twilight could respond, Rainbow Dash nudged her playfully, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Hey, Twi, looks like Applejack isn't the only attraction in the room," she teased, nodding towards a unicorn who was making his way towards their table, a napkin and pen in hoof.
Turning to follow Rainbow's gaze, Twilight's eyes widened in surprise as she was greeted by the earnest expression of the unicorn, who seemed to be mustering all his courage to approach her. Feeling a flush of embarrassment at the sudden attention, Twilight couldn't help but chuckle nervously. "Oh, um, hello there," she greeted him, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink.
With a sheepish grin, the unicorn held out the napkin and pen, his eyes shining with admiration. "Um, excuse me, Princess Twilight, but would you mind... uh, could I possibly get your autograph?" he asked, his voice tinged with awe.
Despite her initial embarrassment, Twilight couldn't resist the sincerity in the unicorn's request. With a warm smile, she accepted the napkin and quill, scribbling a message of best wishes from the Princess of Friendship before handing it back to him. Rainbow Dash and Rarity couldn't help but giggle at the unexpected turn of events, teasing Twilight gently.
Twilight turned to the other two ponies, her cheeks still glowing with embarrassment. “Who brings a quill and inkpot to a nightclub?” She exclaimed, rolling her eyes.
Rainbow Dash gave a snort. “Seems like exactly the kinda super-fan you'd have Twilight!” She exclaimed, which made Rarity cough and giggle in an unusually unrefined way.
Just as Pinkie and Fluttershy returned with steaming baskets of fries, the house lights started to dim. Rainbow quietly took the chance to discreetly top-up her drink as the assembled ponies quietened in anticipation of the performers taking to the stage.
As the anticipation reached its peak, Ragtime Riff trotted out from the side of the stage, his presence commanding attention as he made his way to the microphone that was set up next to a lone chair. With a slight awkwardness in his movements, he bent down to address the eager crowd, his voice carrying over the murmurs of excitement in the club.
“Welcome one and all to Ragtime's," his voice boomed with warmth and enthusiasm, "I am delighted to welcome all you music lovers to our humble establishment tonight." The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, their hooves stomping in rhythm against the wooden floorboards.
"Tonight," Ragtime continued, "we have a special treat for you all. Please join me in welcoming Ponyville's very own Applejack, supported by our talented house band, the Riff Raff!"
As the applause swelled to a crescendo, the band slipped into position behind the chair at centre stage, their instruments poised and ready. The air crackled with excitement as the familiar figure of Applejack emerged onto the stage, her orange coat gleaming under the soft glow of the stage lights, her blond tail and mane flowing behind her and her guitar slung across her muscular back
With a confident smile, Applejack took her place in the chair, her presence filling the room with a sense of warmth and familiarity. As she strummed a few simple cords, the crowd fell silent, captivated by the magic of the moment. She spoke into the microphone. “Hi everypony. Ah’m Applejack, and it's really good to see y’all here. Ah hope that you're all feeling like some good ol’ country tunes tonight, ‘coz ah've got plen’y of those and maybe a few surprises too.”
The ponies in the audience whooped and stamped their hooves in eager anticipation from Applejack's announcement, their excitement reverberating throughout the club. Despite the rowdiness of the crowd, the orange earth pony sitting on stage completely at ease, her signature hat tilted just right, exuding a confidence that seemed like she had years of performing for audiences.
Twilight Sparkle felt an elbow gently nudging her ribs. Turning, she found Rarity smirking, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Following her friend's gaze, Twilight's eyes landed on Rainbow Dash, who was leaning heavily on their table, her muzzle cradled in her hooves as she gazed raptly at the pony on stage.
Rainbow Dash's usual brash demeanour had softened, her eyes wide and sparkling as she gazed up at the stage. She seemed completely entranced by Applejack's presence, a soft smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Twilight couldn't help but smile at the sight, the warmth of the moment seeping into her heart.
Rarity leaned in, her voice a playful whisper. "It seems Rainbow Dash is already a fan, wouldn't you say?"
Twilight chuckled softly, nodding in agreement. "Yes, it certainly looks that way," she replied, her voice just as hushed. The rest of their friends exchanged knowing glances, sharing in the quiet delight of witnessing such an endearing moment.
With a gentle nod to the band, the first notes from a banjo filled the air and the atmosphere shifted from one of boisterous excitement to a collective sense of anticipation. Applejack once more leaned into the microphone. “Let's get this ol’ shindig rolling with a little home comfort, ‘coz y’all know there ain't nothing like being on the farm.”
The melody resonating with a timeless country charm, the first refrains of her song echoed through the club, drawing the audience into the familiar rhythms of life on Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack's voice, rich and melodious, intertwined seamlessly with the music, captivating everypony present. “Every mornin’ ah wake up with the sunrise… Buckin’ apples and feedin’ Winona by ma side…”
As the song took shape, there were appreciative whoops and yips from the audience. Even in the heart of Canterlot, where sophistication often reigned, there were plenty of ponies with rural origins who were finding solace in the nostalgic lyrics. Applejack poured her heart into each verse, painting vivid pictures of the orchards, the fields, and the daily rhythms of farm life. Her friends, seated in the audience, were mesmerised by the authenticity of her words and the passion with which she conveyed her love for being a farmer.
Twilight Sparkle listened closely, a small smile playing on her lips as she watched her friend shine on stage. The sincerity in Applejack's voice touched her deeply, reminding her of the unwavering dedication her friend had to her family and her home. Rarity leaned in, her eyes reflecting a mix of admiration and pride. "She truly has a gift for storytelling through song," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the music.
However, as the song continued, Rarity's expression shifted slightly. Some of Applejack’s lyrics carried a dismissive tone towards city life, glitter, and fancy clothes. "Not everypony is content with just dirt and orchards," Rarity huffed quietly, her muzzle in a disapproving pout. She prided herself on thriving in the bustle of the big city despite being a small-town pony.
Twilight turned to Rarity, noting the offence in her friend's expression. "I understand how you feel, Rarity," she said gently, her voice thoughtful. "But I think Applejack is just singing about her own experiences and what makes her happy. She's not dismissing anyone else's tastes or lifestyle. This is her way of sharing her love for her home and the life she leads. It's not about putting down the city or fancy clothes; it's about celebrating the simplicity and beauty of what she knows best." Twilight's words were met with a contemplative nod from Rarity, who seemed to soften, recognizing the depth of authenticity in Applejack's performance.
Rainbow Dash sighed, her eyes locked on Applejack with a newfound appreciation. "Yeah… She's awesome," she said softly, a rasp of emotion in her voice. "I've always known she loved being a farmer, but hearing her sing about it like this... it's something else."
Pinkie Pie bobbed her head to the rhythm, her expression one of pure joy. "I know, right? This is so cool! She's totally in her element up there!"
As Applejack's song drew to a close, the final notes lingered in the air. The audience erupted into applause, their appreciation echoing through the club. Applejack addressed the audience once again. “Well now, ah think ah’ve got the measure of y’all tonight. Does anypony want something a lil’... darker?”
The audience erupted in cheers and whistles at Applejack's question, their enthusiasm palpable in the warm, buzzing atmosphere of the club. With a confident wink, Applejack spoke again, her eyes twinkling with a blend of mischief and determination. “Alrighty, let's see what y’all make of this one.”
She adjusted her stance and began to pluck a series of intricate notes from her guitar, each one twanging like angry bees through the smokey air of the basement. As the complex, hoof-plucked notes tumbled from her guitar, the energy in the room shifted. The audience fell silent, their attention riveted on the stage as Applejack launched into a song with darker, more introspective themes.
“They all laughed as he turned around slow… They said you ain't welcome 'round here anymore…”
Her voice, deep and emotive, carried the weight of the lyrics, telling a story of death and violence. The song spoke once more of revenge and retribution, of lessons learned the hard way. It was a stark contrast to the upbeat tunes she often performed.
As the song reached its climax, the room seemed to hold its breath, each pony hanging on Applejack's every word and note. When the final chords reverberated through the club, there was a moment of deep silence before the audience erupted into applause once more, their appreciation and awe for the orange earth pony’s range evident in their cheers and stamping hooves.
Amidst the noisy appreciation for their friend's singing, Twilight Sparkle turned to Rarity with a thoughtful expression. "I have to admit, I'm really surprised by Applejack's song choice," she said, her voice low to avoid disturbing the surrounding audience members.
Rarity nodded, her elegant mane shimmering in the dim club light. "Indeed, darling. Applejack never ceases to amaze. I'm sure she’s drawing on a rich heritage of folk songs, full of tales passed down through generations. There's such a wealth of tradition in the Apple family, and it seems she’s tapped into that with remarkable authenticity."
Twilight’s eyes were alight with curiosity. "It makes me wonder, though. Do you think there could be an element of truth behind it? Like, maybe there once was a wronged pony like the one in her lyrics who wreaked terrible revenge on a town that wronged them?"
Rarity tilted her head, considering the possibility. "Hmm, it’s certainly a compelling thought. Folk songs often have roots in real events, exaggerated over time but retaining a kernel of truth. It wouldn’t surprise me if Applejack’s song was inspired by a story from the Apple family’s past, or even an old legend passed down among earth ponies."
Twilight nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. "I’d love to dig into the history and see if there’s any record of such a pony. It could be a fascinating study of how these stories evolve and get immortalised in music."
Rarity smiled, amused by Twilight’s scholarly enthusiasm. "Leave it to you, Twilight, to turn a haunting ballad into a research project. But you’re right, it would be intriguing to uncover the origins of such a tale. And knowing Applejack, she might have more stories up her sleeve that are just waiting to be shared."
Twilight’s expression softened, her thoughts turning back to her friend on the stage. "Applejack really has a gift for storytelling. It’s incredible how she can convey so much emotion and history through her songs. Tonight’s performance has given me a whole new appreciation for her talents."
Rarity sighed contentedly. "Yes, she truly is remarkable. And we’re so fortunate to have her in our lives, sharing her heart and heritage with us."
In the lull between songs, Applejack flashed a warm smile and addressed the audience. "Well, how 'bout we switch gears and lighten things up a bit?" she suggested, her voice carrying a note of playful ease. Pinkie Pie, ever the enthusiast, whooped out a loud call of approval. Her exuberance startling Fluttershy, who nearly tumbled off her chair.
Applejack squinted into the stage lights, her eyes searching for and finding her friends amidst the crowd. She spotted their familiar faces, each one a beacon of support. Her smile widened as she acknowledged them with a nod before turning her attention back to the band. She looked around at the Riff Raff and mouthed something inaudible, a silent cue only they could understand.
The band responded immediately, slipping into a bouncy, upbeat tune that lifted the spirits of everyone in the room. The infectious rhythm had ponies tapping their hooves and swaying in their seats. Applejack leaned into the microphone, her hat now casting a shadow over her eyes, giving her an air of mystery and allure. With a light-hearted strum of her guitar, she began to sing, her voice clear and vibrant. The new song was filled with playful lyrics and catchy melodies, a stark contrast to the sombre tones of her previous performance.
“…And it's a wonder mares can eat at all…. When things are big that should be small…”
As the band maintained the lively funk beat, the audience responded enthusiastically, clapping along in time with the funky tune. The earlier introspection was replaced with joyful energy and Pinkie Pie could barely contain herself. The infectious rhythm seemed to pulse through her entire body, and she found herself bouncing slightly on her chair, her hooves tapping energetically against the floor. Her curly mane bobbed in time with the beat, and her eyes sparkled with barely suppressed excitement.
"Wow, Applejack really knows how to surprise us!" Pinkie exclaimed, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. The tempo was irresistible, and Pinkie’s usual boundless energy seemed to be cranked up to eleven as she swayed and wiggled in her seat.
Twilight Sparkle glanced at Pinkie with a mixture of amusement and awe. "I never would have expected Applejack to perform a song like this. It's so different from her usual style," she remarked, her voice raised slightly to be heard over the music.
Rarity nodded in agreement, her eyes wide with admiration. "Indeed. Applejack has always been the very definition of traditional, but this performance is absolutely electric. She's really stepping out of her comfort zone, and it's incredible to see."
On stage, Applejack seemed completely at ease, her usual confidence amplified by the funky groove of the music. Her guitar riffs were sharp and precise, blending seamlessly with the rhythm laid down by the Riff Raff. The audience was captivated, their attention fixed on the unexpected yet thoroughly engaging performance.
Rainbow Dash was still utterly captured in the moment, her eyes never leaving Applejack. "Who knew AJ had this in her? She's totally rocking it!"
Fluttershy, her own hooves tapping gently in time with the beat, smiled softly while Pinkie Pie’s bouncing intensified with each passing moment, and she could barely sit still. "This is so amazing! I just want to dance!" she exclaimed, her infectious enthusiasm spreading to the others.
Rainbow chuckled, feeling a swell of pride for Applejack. "She's definitely showing us something new tonight. It's cool to see her push her boundaries and have so much fun with it."
As the song continued, the tempo and energy seemed to lift the entire room, with Applejack at the helm, guiding the audience through a musical journey they hadn't anticipated but were thoroughly enjoying. Pinkie’s excitement was a perfect mirror of the electric atmosphere in the club, where all of Applejack's friends, and the rest of the audience, were amazed and thrilled by the performance of the normally conservative farmer.
As the lively tune concluded, it became clear that Applejack's ability to shift the mood and captivate her audience was unparalleled. The transition from dark to light showcased her musical versatility in being able to cover a number of genres effortlessly.
Once the stage had dimmed and the band retreated to take a break, the house lights brightened a little to help the audience to chat. Pinkie Pie, grinning from ear to ear, turned to Fluttershy, who was delicately munching on a fry. "Wow, Applejack's songs really hit the spot, don't they?" Pinkie exclaimed, grabbing her own hoofful of fries and popping them into her mouth.
Fluttershy nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips as she looked around the familiar venue. "They really do. That last song was so uplifting. You can feel how much she enjoys performing her music."
Pinkie giggled and dipped a fry into some ketchup. Cramming it into her mouth she mumbled towards her friend. "This show is amazing. Applejack's debut performance here is a huge success!"
Fluttershy agreed, her eyes shining with pride. "I think she's done an incredible job. Her voice, her presence... it's all so captivating."
Pinkie nodded vigorously, spilling crumbs onto the table. "Absolutely! And you know what? I bet Countess Coloratura would be so proud of her."
Fluttershy smiled warmly at the thought. "Oh, definitely. If she ever wanted to, Applejack could follow her friend into a music career. She has really found her own voice."
Pinkie Pie beamed. "I know, right! Maybe this is just the beginning for Applejack. She's got so much potential."
Fluttershy shook her head, her smile faltering a little. "She wouldn't give up being a farmer though. Although she always puts her full effort into everything she does, that's still where her heart is."
The two friends shared a moment of quiet admiration for Applejack, their hearts full of pride and joy for their friend's accomplishments before Pinkie Pie turned to Fluttershy with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "You know, Fluttershy," Pinkie began, munching on another fry, "I couldn't help but notice that Ragtime Riff really seems to know you. I mean, he doesn’t seem like the type who’d be interested in wildlife stuff. Tell me about how you two met each other?"
Fluttershy’s eyes widened slightly, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Oh, um, well," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, "we... met a while ago. At, um, a music event."
Pinkie’s eyes narrowed playfully. "A music event, huh? I thought you said it was a charity fundraiser. Did you come to this club before? You know, to check out the scene?"
Fluttershy’s cheeks turned a deep shade of pink. "Oh, n-no, not really. I mean, I-I might have been around here... once or twice... maybe."
Pinkie leaned in closer, her curiosity piqued. "Really? Waaaait a minute. You never mentioned anything about it. It'd be pretty funny if you were secretly a big fan of independent music. Oo.. oo.. oo.. oooor you sang in this club without any of us knowing about it."
At that, Fluttershy almost choked on her fry. She quickly took a sip of water, trying to regain her composure as tears came to her eyes. "Oh, no, no, I-I couldn’t... I mean, I wouldn’t—"
Pinkie laughed, clearly enjoying Fluttershy’s flustered reaction. "Relax, Fluttershy, I’m just joking! But seriously, if you ever did sing here, I bet you'd be amazing. You’ve got such a sweet voice!"
Fluttershy managed a weak smile, her heart still pounding. "Th-thank you, Pinkie. That’s very kind of you to say."
Pinkie nodded enthusiastically, her earlier teasing tone softening into genuine affection. "Anytime, Fluttershy! And hey, if you ever do decide to perform, you know we'd all be here to cheer you on."
Fluttershy’s smile grew a bit stronger, touched by Pinkie’s support. "I’ll keep that in mind, Pinkie. Thank you."
Pinkie gave her a playful nudge and turned back to watch the stage, leaving Fluttershy to ponder just how close Pinkie had come to uncovering her secret, or if her Pinkie Sense meant she'd known all along. She felt a surge of gratitude for her friend's kindness, even as she silently vowed to be more careful in the future.
Back on stage, Applejack smiled broadly and leaned into the microphone once more, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Well that was fun, but how 'bout we take this night back to our roots? Who here wants to hear somethin' a bit more country?" she asked, her voice carrying over the murmur of the crowd.
The response was immediate and enthusiastic. A swelling of approving noise rose from the audience, with ponies cheering and stomping their hooves in eager anticipation. Applejack chuckled warmly, tipping her hat. "Alright then, y'all get ready for a good old ballad," she announced.
With a practised hoof, Applejack began to strum the twangy chords of her guitar, each note resonating with a comforting cadence as she gazed down towards where her friends were looking up at her. The melody was simple yet evocative, setting the stage for a song of hope and triumph. Her voice, clear and strong, wove through the music, telling a story of perseverance, dreams fulfilled, and the unwavering belief in brighter days ahead.
“I can almost see it, that dream I'm dreaming… But there's a voice inside my head saying, you'll never reach it…”
The crowd listened intently, their attention rapt as Applejack's heartfelt lyrics filled the room. Even Ragtime Riff, usually reserved and composed, could be seen tapping a hoof along to the tune. His eyes glimmered with appreciation, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as if a sweet memory had been brought to mind. The soothing rhythm and uplifting message of the ballad seemed to touch every soul in the club, creating a sense of shared nostalgia.
Twilight Sparkle watched with a heart full of joy as the music filled the room, but what really caught her eye was the apparent connection between Applejack on stage and petit cyan Pegasus at the table beside her. Rainbow Dash, usually so full of energy and bravado, had been transformed into a picture of quiet admiration, her gaze unwavering and her expression soft with affection.
Rarity, ever the keen observer, leaned in close to Twilight, her breath tickling Twilight's ear as she whispered, "Those two need to hurry up and get a room, don't you think?"
Twilight blinked as her train of thought was derailed, surprise and confusion crossing her face. "What do you mean, Rarity? Are you implying that Applejack and Rainbow Dash should be a couple?”
Rarity nodded, her expression one of both amusement and satisfaction. "I've been suspecting as much for a while now, darling. They have a unique connection that's hard to miss. It's about time they both realised it themselves.”
The purple alicorn’s jaw briefly dropped opening surprise, before she shut it with a snap. “I mean, I’ve come to see that Rainbow Dash has feelings for mares, but Applejack? I can't imagine her having the same interest."
Rarity raised an elegant eyebrow and scoffed softly. "Twilight, dear, do you remember hearing about the time Trenderhoof tried to impress Applejack?"
Twilight shook her head, looking puzzled. "No, I don’t think I ever really heard the full story about that. What happened?"
Rarity leaned back slightly, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Well, Trenderhoof was absolutely smitten with Applejack. He did everything he could to win her over but she was utterly uninterested. It was as if he didn't even register on her landscape. Although I was a touch too jealous to see it at the time, Applejack's heart simply doesn't flutter for stallions."
Twilight frowned, still feeling sceptical. "But Applejack is so... traditional. It’s hard to picture her in a romantic relationship with another mare. She’s always seemed content with just being friends with all of us."
Rarity chuckled lightly, her eyes twinkling with understanding as she pointedly gazed at the colourful pegasus mare. "Oh, Twilight, love doesn’t always follow tradition. Applejack’s heart is as big as the Sweet Apple Acres orchard. She's just been waiting for the right pony to come along. And it seems to me that the right pony has been here all along."
Twilight fell silent, her gaze shifting between Applejack and Rainbow Dash, the bond between them palpable. As she watched, memories of their past interactions flooded her mind—the way they competed fiercely but always respected each other, the easy camaraderie and intimacy they shared. It made some sense, but she still had her doubts.
"I guess I never really thought about it that way," Twilight admitted, her voice softening. "There's definitely something special between them, but I just don't see it like that Rarity."
As the final chords of the ballad lingered in the air, the audience erupted into applause once more, their cheers and hoof-stomping a testament to the powerful impact of Applejack's performance. She took a step back from the microphone, her chest rising and falling with deep, satisfied breaths.
"Thank you kindly, everypony," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "It's an honour to share these songs with y'all. Ah’m gonna keep this night goin' strong!" The club roared in approval, their spirits lifted by the soulful music.
In the short period between songs, Twilight made a point of turning to Rainbow Dash, curiosity burning in her eyes. Beside her, Rarity attempted to feign disinterest, but Twilight could feel the weight of her friend's gaze.
"Hey, Rainbow," Twilight began, trying to sound casual. "What do you think of Applejack's performance so far?"
Rainbow Dash's eyes sparkled with excitement as she glanced back at the stage. "I'm really enjoying watching her in the spotlight. AJ's always been talented, but seeing her up there, pouring her heart into the music... it's something else."
Twilight nodded, watching Rainbow intently. "Did you know what she would be singing tonight?"
Rainbow shook her head, a look of genuine surprise crossing her face as she topped up her glass. "Nope, not a clue. Some of these songs have been real surprises."
Twilight hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "Do you think there's any special meaning behind the songs she's chosen? Anything directed at someone in particular?"
Rainbow waved her hoof dismissively, a slight blush tinting her cheeks. "Nah, I don't think so. AJ is just singing her heart out. Not everything has to have a big, deep meaning, you know?"
Twilight studied Rainbow for a moment longer, noting the blush and the way Rainbow's eyes kept drifting back to where Applejack was sitting on the stage. She turned her attention back to the stage, her thoughts swirling. Despite Rainbow Dash's evident admiration for Applejack, Twilight couldn't shake her scepticism. She knew how close the two were as friends, but the idea of a romance still seemed unlikely to her.
The stage’s spotlights brightened, casting a warm intimate glow over the Applejack in centre stage with her guitar cradled lovingly in her hooves. She cast a shy glance out into the room, her eyes searching for the familiar faces of her friends, drawing strength from their presence. The crowd quieted, sensing that something special was about to unfold.
Clearing her throat gently, Applejack leaned into the microphone. "This next song is a real special one for me," she began, her voice steady but tinged with emotion. "It's a love song from the Apple family, one ah first heard when ah was just a little filly. Granny Smith always says ah sound just like my ma when ah sing it, and now ah’m going to sing it for you."
A soft murmur of appreciation rippled through the audience. Applejack's eyes glistened slightly as she continued, "Hope y'all enjoy it as much as ah do. This one's only short but it's close to my heart, and ah’m sure it'll touch yours too."
The room fell into a hushed silence as Applejack began to strum her guitar, the gentle, lilting melody weaving its way through the crowd. Her voice, rich and warm, filled the space, carrying with it the timeless words of a love song passed down through generations of the Apple family.
“We're far apart, in every way… But you're the best part of my day… And sure as I breathe the air… I know we are the perfect pair…”
Her friends watched transfixed by the moment, fully aware of the personal significance of the song and that sharing it with such a large audience was a huge gesture by their friend. Pinkie Pie's usual exuberance was replaced with a quiet, heartfelt smile, while Fluttershy clasped her hooves together, her eyes twinkling with emotion. Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash all leaned in, captivated by the sincerity and depth of Applejack's performance.
As Twilight watched Applejack on stage, she noticed something she hadn’t seen before. Applejack's eyes kept drifting towards their table, her gaze lingering on the pony seated beside Twilight. The orange earth pony’s usual confident demeanour was softened by a vulnerability that matched the song's emotional depth. Twilight’s heart skipped a beat as she realised what was happening. Now that she'd noticed it, Twilight could see that every lyric and every strum of the guitar seemed subtly directed towards Rainbow Dash.
Glancing over at Rainbow Dash now, Twilight noticed something there too. The usually brash and bold pegasus was uncharacteristically still and not her typical whirlwind of restless energy, her attention fixed entirely on Applejack. Twilight had rarely seen her so focused. The cyan pegasus, who usually struggled to sit still for more than a few moments, was entirely captivated by the performance on stage. Rainbow's usually confident demeanour was softened by an emotion Twilight had rarely seen in her; vulnerability. It was the same with Applejack; the strong, steadfast farmer was revealing a side of herself that was tender and raw.
As Applejack's song floated in the air, Twilight Sparkle found her memory drifting to the moments spent with Rainbow Dash and Applejack. Over the years, she had witnessed countless moments of physical closeness between the two—a playful shove here, a comforting hoof there. They were never shy about being intimate in their friendship. Rainbow Dash, with her petite build, seemed an unlikely match for the robust and sturdy Applejack. Yet, Twilight knew that Rainbow's extraordinary athleticism made her every bit the match for her farmer friend.
Twilight’s mind replayed scenes of their camaraderie: the two of them wrestling in the fields, running the leaves, or simply leaning against each other after a perilous adventure. Their bond was evident in the ease with which they shared their space, the natural way they fell into step beside one another. Maybe it was a dynamic that could go beyond mere friendship, hinting at a deeper connection.
As the song came to its end, the final lyric hung in the air like a wishful thought. “On a prickly path that goes on for miles… You're the only one who makes it all worthwhile… And you should not blame me too… If I can't help fallin' in love with… you.”
Applejack's words hit Twilight like a bolt of lightning—the farmer clearly felt as much affection for Rainbow Dash as Rainbow did for her. The realisation was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Twilight had always known that their bond was special, but now she saw it in a different light. She saw the mutual respect, the unspoken desire, and the deep affection that had been growing between them all along.
In a second flash of clarity, Twilight saw what Rarity had been saying all along. Whether Applejack realised it herself or not, her performance was a confession, a heartfelt expression of love aimed directly at Rainbow Dash. The love between the two ponies was genuine, woven into every glance they exchanged. But despite the mutual affection between Applejack and Rainbow Dash, neither of them seemed to understand how the other felt. They were deeply in love, but they didn't realise that their feelings were shared.
Twilight's heart broke at the pathos of the situation. She could see it clearly now—the tender looks, the subtle smiles, the way their eyes sought each other out in a crowded room. It was all there, plain as day to anyone paying close enough attention. Yet, the two ponies at the centre of it all were oblivious to the depth of their own connection.
Now Twilight was starting to imagine them together as a couple. Despite their separate lives and careers—Rainbow’s duties with the Wonderbolts and Applejack’s responsibilities on the farm—they shared enough interests to spend meaningful time together. Their competitive spirits, love for physical challenges, and mutual respect created a foundation strong enough to withstand any storm.
Twilight smiled to herself, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. In her mind, she imagined a future where Rainbow Dash and Applejack could be together, supporting and challenging each other in equal measure. Their individual strengths complemented each other perfectly, creating a balance that was both unique and beautiful. The sight of Rainbow Dash’s unwavering attention and Applejack’s soulful performance made Twilight’s heart swell with hope for her friends.
Twilight glanced at Rarity, who arched an eyebrow with an unmistakably smug "I told you so" expression on her face. Rarity's earlier comment hadn't been mean-spirited at all. It had been born out of a genuine desire to see their friends happy. Rarity wanted, just as Twilight did now, for Applejack and Rainbow Dash to understand that their love was mutual.
Twilight sighed inwardly, her thoughts heavy with the realisation. She hoped with all her heart that somehow, through the music and the shared moments, these two wonderful mares would find the courage to reveal their feelings to each other. They deserved that happiness, and it was within their grasp if only they could see it.
Twilight couldn't suppress a quiet giggle, her cheeks flushing slightly, as leaned in close to Rarity and whispered, "I never realised before, but Applejack and Rainbow Dash really do love each other."
Rarity's eyes sparkled with agreement. "Absolutely, darling. We simply have to get those two lovebirds together. It’s obvious to everyone but them how much they belong together."
Twilight nodded, feeling a surge of warmth at the thought. "They've been through so much as friends. They deserve to be happy, and I can't think of a better match."
Rarity smiled, a glint of determination in her eyes. "Well then, we must put our heads together and find a way to nudge them in the right direction. True love like theirs deserves a little help, after all.”
Applejack looked up, a shy smile playing on her lips as the applause began to fade. "Well now ah’ve got that out of my system, how ‘bout we change things up a bit?" she drawled, her voice carrying a playful hint. "Maybe y'all need somethin' with a mite less honey sweetness in it too."
The audience chuckled appreciatively, eager to see what she had in store next. Applejack adjusted her stance, and with a confident flick of her hoof, she strummed a few powerful, electrifying chords on her guitar. The sudden shift in tone sent a murmur of excitement rippling through the room, the energy palpable.
Without further ado, Applejack launched into a darker, more visceral song. Her voice, now carrying an edge of grit and raw emotion, sang of regret and remorse. The lyrics painted vivid pictures of past mistakes and the heavy burden of living with their consequences. It was a stark contrast to the tender ballad she had performed earlier, yet it showcased another facet of her incredible range and depth as a musician.
“If you knew how much I really miss you… If you even got a clue how much I care…”
The audience listened raptly, drawn in by the emotionally charged lyrics and folksy slide guitar that accompanied Applejack's performance. Her words resonated deeply, each note driving sorrow within the hearts of those gathered. The rawness of her emotion laid bare her own struggles and the universal themes of pain and loss.
Twilight Sparkle watched her friend with concern. Although different from the previous song this too was Applejack at her most unguarded, sharing a piece of her soul with everypony present. The loss of her parents still weighed heavily on her, a hole that hadn't been filled. Beside her, Rainbow Dash was visibly moved, her eyes fixed on Applejack, absorbing every word and chord. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy sat in quiet contemplation, feeling the weight of the song's message. The farmer had never been so unguarded when she spoke of her parents, but in this performance she could open up in ways they'd never seen.
As the final, haunting notes echoed through the club, a profound silence fell over the room. It was as if everypony needed a moment to process the depth of what they had just experienced. Then, slowly at first, the applause began to build, growing into a thunderous ovation that shook the very walls of the venue.
Applejack took a step back, her chest rising and falling with deep, steady breaths. She looked out over the crowd, with relief and gratitude in her eyes. The audience's response was a tribute to the power of her music and the raw, unfiltered emotion she had shared.
"Thank you kindly," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Y'all are the best."
The applause continued, waves of appreciation that washed over Applejack, reaffirming the connection between her and her audience despite the emotional rollercoaster they'd just been on. She smiled, tipping her hat in gratitude, feeling the warmth and support of everypony in the room. It was a moment of catharsis and connection, a powerful reminder of the healing power of music and the bonds of friendship.
Nearly every pony in the place was enthusiastically stomping their hooves and cheering. The sole exception was Pinkie Pie, who had a worried frown on her face. Rarity, always attuned to her friends’ emotions, noticed and leaned in to ask, "Pinkie, darling, are you alright?"
Pinkie shook her head, her curls bouncing slightly with the movement. "No, Rarity. That last song was such a real downer after the one where Applejack told Rainbow that she loved her."
Rarity giggled softly, her eyes twinkling with understanding. "Was it really that obvious?"
Pinkie managed a small smile, her eyes glancing over at Rainbow Dash, who was still beaming from the previous performance. "Absolutely tootlely… Obvious to everypony in the room except one."
Rarity followed Pinkie's gaze and sighed. "True, Pinkie. But it’s okay to feel sad because of that last song. Applejack was pouring her heart out, and shared emotions can be a roller coaster."
Pinkie perked up a bit, a determined look replacing her frown. "You’re right, Rarity. Cheering up is what I do best, after all. And I just know the next song will make everything better again."
Rarity smiled warmly and leaned in to clasp her friend's hoof between her own. "That’s the spirit, Pinkie. And remember, we’re all here to support Applejack in whatever she wants to sing about."
With renewed energy, Pinkie nodded enthusiastically, her earlier worry fading away. "Absolutely! I can’t wait to see what happens next!"
Applejack stepped back to the microphone, her eyes scanning the room with a warm, appreciative gaze. "Alright, everypony," she said, her voice steady although there was just a little coarseness from all the singing she'd been doing. "We've got time for just one more song tonight. This one’s real special to me. It's somethin' ah wrote about a scary time that brought me together with the best group of friends in the whole of Equestria."
The room hushed in anticipation as Applejack began to play her final song, the strumming of her guitar creating a melancholy melody. “An evil nightmare pony tries to steal her mind and waken… And little Luna sleeps and dreams of her new incantation…”
It was the story that most ponies across Equestria knew only through official proclamations, celebrating the return of a long-lost alicorn princess. But as Applejack unfolded the tale, it became clear that this was not the sanitised version many had heard. This was a retelling of the saga of Nightmare Moon.
The room groaned with tension, the audience enraptured by the tale Applejack was weaving with her music. Most ponies knew Princess Luna as the benevolent co-ruler of Equestria, restored to her rightful place beside her sister Celestia and faithfully serving as the guardian of sleeping ponies everywhere. Yet, few really know her place in the dark legend of Nightmare Moon. Only a handful of folk lore enthusiasts, history scholars, and the eyewitnesses from Ponyville knew the full story of her return.
Her friends realised with growing astonishment that the song was a retelling of their journey as the Elements of Harmony, but with a focus on the darker, more cautionary aspects of their tale. Applejack’s lyrics vividly described the fall and punishment of the younger alicorn, and their first harrowing adventure that climaxed in the confrontation with Nightmare Moon.
As Applejack sang, her voice carried the weight of both ancient history and personal experience. She told of the jealousy and loneliness that had twisted Princess Luna into the vengeful Nightmare Moon. The horrible punishment that awaited her as the Mare in the Moon. Her lyrics painted a vivid picture of the night of her escape, the terror she brought upon Ponyville, and the desperate hope that led the six young mares to confront her.
Twilight Sparkle felt a shiver run down her spine. This was more than a song; it was a powerful reminder of the struggles they had faced. In her own way, Applejack was always driven by the same compulsion to tell the truth that had defined her. Through her music, she was revealing the raw, unvarnished reality behind the legends. There were real ponies behind these myths, individuals driven by genuine emotions—love, jealousy, hope, and redemption. These weren't merely the heroes and villains of legend; they were flesh and blood, with all the complexities and contradictions that entailed.
Applejack's voice became stuccato as she recounted the climactic moment of their victory, the transformation of Nightmare Moon back into Princess Luna. The audience sat in hushed silence, captivated by the power of her voice. It was a cautionary tale, a reminder of the dangers of unchecked jealousy and the victory of friendship and redemption.
Applejack's song brought back Twilight's memories of their journey to the ancient castle, the trials they had overcome, and the moment when the Elements of Harmony had reclaimed Princess Luna from the darkness. This wasn't just a story about the return of Nightmare Moon; it was an allegory to the real emotions and struggles that had shaped their world. Applejack's song stripped away the grandeur of the stained glass windows and the official proclamations, laying bare the equinity behind the events. Twilight realised that in doing so, Applejack was preserving the integrity of their shared history, ensuring that the true essence of their experiences was made into lore and not legend.
It was almost as if Twilight could feel the magic of friendship flowing through her as she listened. She looked around at her friends, and realised that they were all as touched as she was. Rarity dabbed at her eyes with a delicate hoofkerchief, overcome by the sombre beauty of Applejack’s tribute. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie exchanged looks of astonished reflection, while Fluttershy’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, moved by the strength of Applejack’s performance.
The friends realised that Applejack had done something truly remarkable. Nopony else had properly immortalised their story. Especially not in such a personal and intimate way. Applejack’s song was a living testimony to their friendship, but also a poignant reminder of the heavy price that had been paid by Princess Luna for her envy.
As the final, melancholic notes of the song faded, the room fell into a brief, reverent silence. Then, as if on cue, the audience erupted into applause, rising to their hooves in a standing ovation. The sound was thunderous, filling the club with an overwhelming wave of appreciation and admiration.
Applejack stood there, her hat clutched to her chest, her eyes glistening with emotion. She looked out at the sea of applauding ponies, her friends’ beaming faces among them, and felt a profound sense of fulfilment.
"Thank you, thank you all so much," she said, her voice thick with gratitude. "Y'all have made this night one I'll never forget." With a swift bow, a few blown kisses and a smile towards her pegasus friend, she left the stage as the spotlights were dimmed around her.
After the stage had gone dark and all the performers had left, a low buzz of conversation took hold in Riff Raff's. Ponies chatted excitedly about the performance. The proprietor, Ragtime Riff, approached the table where Applejack's friends sat, a satisfied smile on his face.
"Hope you enjoyed the show as much as I've enjoyed hosting it," Ragtime Riff said warmly, his pride at hosting such a momentous first performance. "Applejack wants you to know that she will be out shortly. Feel free to stay as late as you like. The club's always open until Celestia raises the sun."
Twilight Sparkle beamed at him, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you so much, Ragtime. We can't wait to congratulate Applejack. She gave such a wonderful show tonight."
Ragtime Riff nodded appreciatively, as he gazed around at all the ponies in his club. "She sure did. That mare's got a gift for storytelling, and having such a famous name on stage certainly filled my establishment. Glad y'all could be here to support her too."
Rarity leaned in delicately brushing her mane back, her voice filled with excitement. "It was simply marvellous, darling. We wouldn't have missed it. Each song was so heartfelt, so powerful."
Fluttershy nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting the same awe as she warmly spoke of her friend's performance. "Yes, she really touched everypony with her music. I had no idea she was so magical"
Pinkie Pie, bouncing slightly in her seat, added as streamers and confetti burst from nowhere around her, "I can’t wait to tell her how amazing she was! And maybe we can plan a big party to celebrate!"
Ragtime Riff chuckled, gently unwinding an errant paper ribbon from his ear. "I reckon she’ll appreciate that, Pinkie. Y’all make yourselves comfortable. She’ll be out soon."
As Ragtime Riff walked away, the friends settled back into their seats, the buzz of the club's atmosphere washing over them. They exchanged glances, each of them eager to share their pride and admiration with Applejack when she emerged. The air was filled with the emotional energy of Applejack's performance, and each friend had their own perspective to share.
"I was really moved by the honesty of her songs," Twilight began, her voice thoughtful as her gaze swept across her friends. "She managed to balance happiness and sadness so perfectly. There was such depth to the stories she told."
Fluttershy nodded, her eyes soft with emotion as she clasped her hooves together. "Yes, each song felt like a journey. She really knows how to draw you in."
"Do you think there was a hidden message in her choices?" Twilight mused aloud, pointedly looking towards Rainbow Dash. "Something she wanted us to understand?"
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, missing the subtleties of Twilight's suggestion. "The last one was obviously about us and how we became the Elements of Harmony. It was pretty clear."
Rarity gave Rainbow a fond but exasperated look as she subtlety took on the challenge of getting the pegasus to see what was staring her in the muzzle. "Well, yes… Maybe one of the other songs, darling. There’s often more beneath the surface. But I do agree, her storytelling was remarkable."
Despite Rarity's gentle probing, it was clear that Rainbow Dash still didn't grasp the subtle messages Applejack had woven into her songs. Not one to be easily discouraged, Pinkie Pie decided to take up the challenge, her mind working furiously to find a way to subtly nudge her friend into recognizing the deeper meaning behind Applejack's heartfelt performance, she couldn't help but feel a growing sense of urgency.
"Hey, Dashie," Pinkie shuffled across next to Rainbow Dash, her mind working furiously to find a way to bring her friend into recognizing the deeper meaning behind Applejack's choices. "Didn't you think one of those songs was really romantic? I mean, Applejack might've had a special pony in mind when she sang it."
Rainbow Dash shrugged nonchalantly, oblivious to Pinkie's attempts at hinting, her attention seemingly fixed on the energy of the crowd. "AJ's never talked to me about anything like that. She usually just talks about the farm, her family, or the latest competition."
Pinkie leaned in even closer to Rainbow, her voice lowered conspiratorially as she whispered as if only Rainbow would hear. "But, Dashie, weren't Applejack's songs just so... special tonight? Like there was something just speaking to you?"
Rainbow nodded enthusiastically, her eyes still focused on the stage where Applejack had been sitting before. "Yeah, she's really rocking it up there!"
Pinkie's mane twitched with a touch of agitation as she tried a different approach, slipping a foreleg around her friend's shoulders. "But don't you think there's something... more to it?"
Rainbow shrugged, her demeanour relaxed despite having the bright pink pony draped over her. "It's Applejack being Applejack, Pinkie. Singing about her farm and stuff. What else could there be?"
Pinkie's usual bubbly demeanour was tinged with a hint of mania as she tried to steer the conversation towards the underlying emotions in Applejack's songs. Rainbow, though enjoying the music, was clearly not picking up on the subtleties. Pinkie's eyes darted around, her eyes now twitching in agitation as she searched for a way to make Rainbow see what was right in front of her.
Before Pinkie could respond, Rarity gracefully interjected, changing the subject to Applejack's stage presence. She turned to Fluttershy, who was quietly observing the exchange, and commented on her surprise at Applejack's natural ability to captivate an audience. "It's quite a leap from singing around a campfire with friends to holding court on stage in Canterlot," Rarity remarked, her tone reflecting both admiration and curiosity.
Fluttershy tilted her head, her voice soft as she asked in her soft, breathy voice, "Do you think Applejack was nervous?"
Rarity considered this for a moment, her gaze drifting back towards the stage where Applejack continued to weave her magic with words and music. "Perhaps a little," she admitted, "but she's always had a way with honesty and sincerity. It's what makes her performances so compelling." Rarity pouted, her dramatic flair coming to the fore. "And yet, she’s never asked to sing with the Pony Tones. Can you imagine how wonderful we’d sound together?"
At that moment, Applejack appeared at the table from behind the white unicorn, a wide grin on her face. "Now, Rarity, my brother sings in the quartet. Why would you need another Apple?"
The earth pony's sudden appearance made Rarity give a little shriek. The friends laughed at the shocked look on the elegant fashionista's face, the warmth and camaraderie evident in their eyes. Applejack took a seat, looking around at her friends with a mixture of pride and gratitude.
Rarity, still pouting slightly, added with a playful wink, "Well, I still think we’d make a fantastic troupe."
Applejack chuckled, shaking her head and fanning herself with her hat. "Maybe one day, Rarity. But for now, I’m just happy singin’ my own tunes and sharing 'em with y’all.”
"You were amazing tonight, Applejack," Twilight said earnestly, her wings unfurling as if to bracket her words. "Every song was so heartfelt."
"Thank ya kindly, Twi'," Applejack replied, a hint of bashfulness in her voice. "I’m just glad y’all enjoyed it."
Pinkie leaned in, her eyes shining as she seemed to flow towards her friend so that she could look directly into Applejacks eyes. "Enjoyed it? AJ, you rocked! Especially that last song. It was totally amazing."
Applejack blushed slightly, her eyes drifting towards Rainbow's with a special kind of warmth as she subtly stuffed back from the pink space invader. "Thanks, Pinkie. That tune sure means a lot to me, well to all o’ us ah hope."
For a few moments, the table fell into a thoughtful silence. Each pony seemed lost in their own reflections, the depth of Applejack's song lingering in the air.
Fluttershy was the first to speak, her voice soft but clear. "I remember how scared I was when we first faced Nightmare Moon. But listening to your song... it also reminded me of how brave we all were, but especially you. You never wavered, even when things seemed hopeless."
Applejack blushed slightly, tipping her hat. "Aw, shucks, Fluttershy. We were all mighty brave that night. Maybe you more than any of us, when you trotted right on up to that manticore"
Fluttershy blushed slightly and looked down at her hooves. "Oh, Gerald’s just a big softy when you get to know him," she began softly, "Did you know his cousin was the one helping Trixie with her act?”
Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped in disbelief as she smacked her hooves on the table, causing the glasses and bottles to chatter. "You made friends with that monster? Are you serious, Fluttershy?"
Fluttershy lifted her gaze, her gentle eyes meeting Rainbow's incredulous ones. "He's not a monster, Rainbow. He was just in pain and scared that night. Once I helped him, he became a regular friend. My cottage is right on the edge of the Everfree Forest, after all. I often see creatures that others might find frightening, but they're just misunderstood."
Rainbow Dash shook her head, still processing the revelation. "That's... wow, Fluttershy. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You've always had a way with animals, even the ones I thought were too dangerous."
Fluttershy smiled warmly. "Every creature deserves kindness and understanding, Rainbow. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of compassion to turn a scary situation into a friendship.”
Twilight Sparkle listened, a delighted smile on her lips at the thought of Fluttershy wanting to keep in touch with the monsters they had met that night. The song had reminded her of their bond, forged in the crucible of that fight, and to find that it had extended beyond their circle was truly magical. She looked around the table, seeing the same emotions reflected in her friends' eyes. "Applejack captured it perfectly," she said softly. "The fear, the courage, the unity... and most of all, the redemption. It's a part of our history that’s so important, and she brought it to life through her music."
Applejack smiled, showing both humility and pride. "It means a lot to hear that from y'all. That night changed everything for us, and I wanted to do it justice. Singing about it helps me remember how far we've come and how strong our friendship is."
Twilight Sparkle leaned forward, her eyes meeting Applejack's with a sincerity that couldn't be mistaken. "Applejack," she began, her voice filled with conviction, "I just feel certain that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna would absolutely love your song. The way you captured the emotional journey, the fall of Nightmare Moon, and the return of Princess Luna... it's more than just a story. It's a testament to forgiveness, resilience, and the power of friendship."
Applejack's cheeks turned a light shade of pink as she looked down, trying to hide her modest smile. "You really think so, Twi? I just wanted to tell our story the best way I knew how. I never imagined it would be something the princesses would take to heart."
Twilight nodded vigorously, her enthusiasm growing. "Absolutely, Applejack. Your song isn't just a retelling of events; it's a heartfelt homage to the journey we all went through. Princess Luna's redemption will be a pivotal moment in Equestrian history, and you captured the essence of it perfectly. I know Celestia would appreciate how you highlighted the themes of hope and renewal, and Luna would be deeply touched by the understanding and empathy in your lyrics. Your song has the power to bring even more healing and connection between them and all of us who lived through it."
Applejack's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she absorbed Twilight's words. "That means more to me than I can say, Twilight. I reckon if the princesses feel even a fraction of what y'all are saying, then I've done right by them and by all of us.”
The table fell silent once more, each mare deep in thought, cherishing the shared memories and the significance of Applejack's song. But Twilight couldn't help but notice the longing look in Applejack's eyes, a subtle witness to the feelings she had yet to fully express. The purple alicorn was feeling conflicted. She deeply wanted to see her two friends happy, yet she feared that meddling might be counterproductive. Normally, she would seek Princess Celestia's guidance in such matters, but that felt too much like gossip. No matter how much she despised inaction, she sighed inwardly, recognizing that this was one time she’d have to let events play out on their own. Watching the affection between Applejack and Rainbow Dash, she hoped that they would find their way to each other without her intervention.
Before the pause in their conversation could stretch out and become awkward , Applejack looked over at Rainbow Dash with a hint of hope in her eyes. "So, RD, what did ya think of that old song my mama used to sing?"
Rainbow Dash shrugged casually, but couldn't stop a bright grin from appearing on her face. "Oh, it was great, AJ! Your mom must've been a pretty cool pony to come up with a song like that."
Applejack's smile softened, and she tried to maintain a casual tone. "Glad ya liked it. That one’s pretty special to me. It was how my ma showed pa how she felt about him."
Twilight and Rarity exchanged a knowing glance, each recognizing the subtle effort Applejack was making. Rainbow nodded enthusiastically, completely missing the deeper subtext that her friend was trying to express. "Yeah, I can see that. Family songs are always special. I bet your mom would be proud if you sang that to some special pony one day."
Applejack, realising that Rainbow was oblivious to her hints, simply smiled and nodded, her heart aching with frustration. "Thanks, RD," she said softly, her gaze lingering on the pegasus for a moment longer before turning back to the group. "Means a lot comin' from you."
Rainbow Dash grinned, clearly pleased with herself. "Anytime, AJ. You're… you're my best friend and I could watch you all night," she said, her eyes suddenly downcast as if she was thinking about something painful.
Applejack stifled a yawn, stretching her legs to cover her disappointment. "Much as I'd love to stay 'til dawn, I'm a farmer and used to hittin' the hay well before this."
Fluttershy nodded sympathetically, leaning across to rub the farmer's back. "You must be so tired, Applejack. Not just from staying up late, but from all the emotional energy you put into your performance must be catching up with you now."
Applejack smiled warmly back at the kind yellow pegasus. "You got that right, Fluttershy. It's kinda eerie how well you understand how I'm feelin'."
Fluttershy nodded sympathetically, inwardly cursing herself for nearly letting slip her own experiences on the emotional rollercoaster of performing at the club. She shrank back to drop out of everyone's attention, and let the moment pass.
Rainbow Dash, her words slightly slurred, leaned in. "That'sh shwell… I'm about ready to crash too, but not before I get a kebab. I'm starvin'."
Pinkie Pie perked up at the mention of food, her tummy giving a loud grumble as she leant back rubbing it. "Oh, yes! I could totally go for a dirty hay-burger right now!"
Rarity, always wanting to portray herself as the connoisseur and pony-about-town, chimed in with a knowing smile. "Well, I know just the place nearby for a late-night repast. It's perfect after a strenuous night."
“Lead on Rares,” said Rainbow Dash. Their chairs scraped back as all the ponies rose to leave the table. Rainbow cast a longing eye over the few unopened bottles that remained before draining the last of the cider in the mug before her and leaving the table to catch up with the other mares.
As the friends made their way out of the club, Pinkie Pie asked with wide-eyed innocence, "What kind of strenuous night were you talking about, Rarity?"
The friends couldn't help but laugh at Rarity's sudden blush. The white unicorn cleared her throat, trying to maintain her composure. "Oh, you know, darling. Just a, erm, perfectly innocent evening out and about in Canterlot."
The group continued to giggle and chat as they left the club, the camaraderie among them evident. Despite the exhaustion, the night had been a wonderful blend of music, emotions, and shared moments that only deepened their bond. Applejack looked around at her friends, feeling a deep sense of gratitude and affection. Even as the night wore on, their laughter and friendship kept the warmth of the evening alive.
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didntknowwhat2put4name
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562201
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Original Character,Sunset Shimmer,Human,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
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Teaming Up With Sunset Shimmer
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Human from our world gets sent into MLP EG world
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incomplete
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<p>Human from our world gets sent into the MLP EG world and decides to team up with Sunset and help her with her plans</p><p>Not sure what tags to add, I'll probably add more as I keep writing</p>
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everyone
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2024-07-23T23:28:23+00:00
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2024-07-23T23:39:41+00:00
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I was on my way to school, running as fast as I could. I was trying to get there before it started raining, especially since it was supposed to storm. I reached the front of the school just as the first few drops started to come down. I stopped to catch my breath but didn’t notice the lightning. As I reached for the door, there was a bright flash of light and pain that lasted for less than a second. Anyone watching would’ve probably seen me be struck and disappear. I came to in an alley, slightly toasted from the lightning strike. When I took a second look at my surroundings, a realization came to mind. I wasn’t in my universe anymore, everything was bright and animated and cartoony.
“So I’m in a cartoon, question is which one? Really hope this isn’t one with a high chance of death and/or torture,” I said.
I poked my head out and after seeing the people was instantly able to figure out where I was. MLP, specifically the EG world.
“Ok, not bad, could be worse. Question is, what point am I at? Before or after the first movie? Have the Dazzlings arrived yet? Etc.” I said to myself.
I decided to go to Canterlot High to answer my questions, depending on what the answer was would depend on what I would do. I asked around for directions which everyone was nice enough to give me, but they kept giving concerned looks.
“I was electrocuted, ok? I’m fine, just point me towards the high school. I need to sign up for classes,” I said.
“Are you sure? I can call an ambulance-” random stranger.
“I’M FINE.” I said.
The random stranger relented and gave me directions. I finally arrived.
“Ok. Walk in and say I’m here to become a student. Don’t say anything about the magic hijinks, just observe,” I said.
As I looked for Celestia's office I tried recalling the events from the movies, but couldn’t remember everything. Was that cause it's been awhile since I've seen them, or cause the lightning strike messed with my head? No matter, I remember enough. Including the fact Twilight was able to walk in here no problem. I got lost in thought and ran into the door to the principal's office. I took a deep breath and walked in.
“Hello? Principal? I’m here to sign up for classes. I'm new in town." I said.
She handed me paper with the different classes and available time slots.
“Over the weekend, decide what you want your schedule to be. Then come back Monday and you can start,” Celestia said, “If you need help with anything, ask one of our students."
I nodded and went outside and waited for the bell, once everyone started walking out I looked for Sunset. I found her walking out with Snips and Snails.
“Hello, I’m new here. Principal Celestia told me to ask a random student for help getting familiar with everything around,” I told her.
“I’m busy, go find someone else to bother,” she said as she pushed me out of the way.
Ok. Bad attitude plus having Snips and Snails around? Before the first movie. That’s ok, this gave me a chance to live out one of my fantasies. Side with the villain of the story, and ensure their victory.
“Oh I think this’ll be worth your time, Miss Former Princess Student,” I said with a grin.
She froze and turned back towards me.
“What did you say?” she said with a look of silent fury.
“Do you know what he’s talking about? She’s not a former student,” Snails asked Snips.
He just shrugged and replied with, “I dunno.”
“Let’s talk somewhere with more privacy, don’t want any eavesdroppers,” I said.
“Fine. The alley by Sugarcube Corner. Right now,” Sunset said.
I nodded and walked away, I overheard Sunset.
“Make sure we’re not followed,” she said.
|
didntknowwhat2put4name
|
562201
| 2 |
Original Character,Sunset Shimmer,Human,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
|
Teaming Up With Sunset Shimmer
|
Human from our world gets sent into MLP EG world
|
incomplete
| 22 | 3 |
<p>Human from our world gets sent into the MLP EG world and decides to team up with Sunset and help her with her plans</p><p>Not sure what tags to add, I'll probably add more as I keep writing</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-23T23:39:08+00:00
|
2024-07-23T23:40:53+00:00
| 410 |
We made our way to the bakery, we walked in silence till we reached our destination. When we did, Sunset said one word.
“Explain.”
“Like you, I am from another world. However, I am not from Equestria,” I said.
“Really? Then where are you from?” she asked, I could tell by her tone she didn’t believe me.
“I’m actually from an alternate Earth. Like, another, nother human world. Except there, things are, let’s say, a lot less bright and colorful. And there, there exists one specific TV show. Wanna guess what it’s about?” I said.
“What does that have to do with anything?” she asked.
“It has to do with everything!” I said with a delighted tone and wide smile, “It is a cartoon about Equestria, after all. And your ex teacher’s new student is the main character!”
“Huh….well you definitely don’t act like somepony from Equestria. You’re clearly used to having a human body, and you know what a TV show is. But what other proof do you have?" Sunset asked.
“You caused 5 friends to split apart. Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow. I just arrived so I shouldn’t know that, but I do.” I responded.
“Ok. I’m more inclined to believe you now, but I still have questions,” Sunset said.
“Ask away, Miss Shimmer,” I said.
“What portal did you go through?” she asked.
“None. I was struck by lightning and wound up here, that’s why I looked a little messed up. Must’ve been magic lightning or something, I don’t really know. Magic only existed in fiction, you’d know more than me,” I said.
“I’ve never heard of any form of teleportation like that,” Sunset said.
“Me neither. Like I said, magic only existed in fiction. Unless it was really, really, rare, or purposely hidden from everyone,” I said.
“Ok….well, if you’ve seen the show, what will happen in the future?” Sunset asked.
“Twilight eventually becomes an alicorn princess, then you 2 meet. While I don’t remember the details, she wins, you lose. But with my help, we can change that. So what do you say? Shall we work together?” I asked while holding out my hand.
“If you know my plans, why are you helping me? Aren’t I technically the villain?” Sunset asked, guess she was still suspicious of me.
“Because I like you, you're a villain I that I could say, 'I would like to see her win'. That, and also because this is a situation where siding with the villain would be the much more fun outcome. So I ask again, do you accept? Shall we team up?” I answered then asked.
Sunset pondered my offer for a moment, then looked at me with a sinister smile.
“Let’s do this,” she said, holding out her hand.
We shook on it, and I began laughing.
“Hahaha. Hahaha! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”
Sunset gave me a deadpanned look.
“Really? Did you have to do that?”
“Trust me. When the time comes, you’ll do the exact same thing. At least I think so, like I said I don’t 100% remember everything. We should probably focus on that.”
|
didntknowwhat2put4name
|
562201
| 3 |
Original Character,Sunset Shimmer,Human,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
|
Teaming Up With Sunset Shimmer
|
Human from our world gets sent into MLP EG world
|
incomplete
| 22 | 3 |
<p>Human from our world gets sent into the MLP EG world and decides to team up with Sunset and help her with her plans</p><p>Not sure what tags to add, I'll probably add more as I keep writing</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-06T22:49:50+00:00
|
2024-08-06T22:49:49+00:00
| 214 |
Before we got to planning, Sunset made me go to the hospital. Whether because she was genuinely concerned or because I was her key to success was up for debate. Either way I had no serious side effects except being mildly sizzled, which in a cartoon world is only a mild annoyance. Afterwards we went to her house and I started going over everything I remembered.
“She’s friends with her world’s Pinkie, Rarity, Dash, Fluttershy, and Applejack. So when she winds up here, she’ll gravitate towards them,” I said.
“Ok, good to know. Continue,” Sunset said.
“The 6 of them are connected to the Elements of Harmony. Which results in a rainbow beam of pain to defeat whoever they’re facing, so watch out for that. You do not want that to touch you at all,” I said.
“Those 5 are turning out to be more trouble than expected,” Sunset said.
“Yes. Please stop interrupting. Let’s see….what else….what else….Oh! I got something. This only applies to Equestria and not here, there are other villains you’ll have to deal with. A shape-shifting love eating changeling queen named Chrysalis, a magic sucking centaur named Tirek, a powerful unicorn who can steal cutie marks named Starlight Glimmer, another powerful unicorn named Sombra who has shadow powers and mind control. And that’s all the big bads I can remember. As for heroes/defenders you got the 2 princesses you know plus Princess Luna, who controls the moon and dreams. There’s also a chaos god with a lot of power named Discord, Twilight’s brother, and one I think I should mention is Twilight’s assistant. He’s a baby dragon who can send messages directly to Celestia, so that’s noteworthy. Things for this world you should keep an eye out for are 3 sirens called the Dazzlings, they can mess with people’s minds by singing. There’s also a human Twilight who goes to another school. Though if things go according to plan, they shouldn’t be a problem since they’ll be stuck in this world. I can’t remember exact details but I might remember them when events come to pass, and if I don’t I should still be able to help in case you make mistakes,” I finished explaining.
“Well that certainly helps a lot, good to know about possible threats. But are you sure you can’t remember anything else about when I have to deal with Princess Twilight?” Sunset asked.
“No, sorry. But I’ll help when she gets here, having someone to edit/revise your plans will be helpful. Considering the only real help you have is Snips and Snails. They may be good for carrying out any tasks you tell them to, but man do they lack brains. I remember the pony versions of them were stupid enough to mess with an Ursa,” I said.
“Wow. Even I didn’t know they could be that stupid,” Sunset said, “And fine, you can’t remember everything, at least you know enough to help me. And also having some smart help will be beneficial.”
“Yeah, speaking of which, I have another idea. When in school, and out in public generally, make it look like you absolutely despise me. Like, you especially want to screw me over more so than the other students,” I said.
Sunset looked at me confused.
“Why?” she asked.
“So no one suspects we’re working together, I can gain everyone else’s and Twilight’s trust and when the time comes….BAM! The truth is revealed!” I said.
“Oh, I see. Not a bad idea at all, but maybe tone it down. If you get special attention, even if it’s negative, that could be suspicious. So I’ll stick to just my normal methods,” Sunset said.
“Ok, guess that makes sense,” I said.
|
didntknowwhat2put4name
|
562201
| 4 |
Original Character,Sunset Shimmer,Human,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
|
Teaming Up With Sunset Shimmer
|
Human from our world gets sent into MLP EG world
|
incomplete
| 22 | 3 |
<p>Human from our world gets sent into the MLP EG world and decides to team up with Sunset and help her with her plans</p><p>Not sure what tags to add, I'll probably add more as I keep writing</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-18T00:25:57+00:00
|
2024-08-18T00:25:56+00:00
| 134 |
Over the course of the first day we set everything up so no one would suspect us of working together. It was basically setting Sunset’s authority over the new kid(me).
“I’m the one in charge, got it? I don’t care if you’re new here, I won’t show you any mercy. You mess with me, you will regret it,” she told me while pinning me against a locker.
I nodded and she walked away, at which point Fluttershy walked up to me.
“Are you ok?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little verbal lashing and a warning,” I responded.
“I’m sorry you had to deal with that. Sunset can be so mean,” Fluttershy said.
“While I don’t appreciate being threatened, I’m sure I can avoid getting into trouble with her if I just avoid her entirely and stay quiet. I just won’t say anything unless it’s school related, like answering questions or asking for help with something,” I said.
“You should still be careful around her, just in case she decides to target you,” Fluttershy said.
Then the bell rang.
“Gotta go bye!” I yelled as I ran to class.
When lunch came I sat alone, before I could eat Sunset walked in and stole my food. She made sure to do it where others could see.
“Hey! What was that for?!” I yelled.
“Showing you who’s in charge, and that no one will help you,” she responded.
I turned around to see the other students nervously glancing in our direction, but they stayed seated.
“Ok, fine. You win,” I said.
Then finally towards the end of the day, I got called to Celestia’s office. I put on a nervous look as I left while Sunset had a sinister expression on. Giving the students the impression I was just another unlucky bully victim of Sunset. When I got to the office it was really just Celestia asking how my first day was and if I found everything alright. I of course said yes and that I loved it and blah blah blah. After school at Sunset’s house we discussed our next move.
“If you can’t remember everything, I’m going to need to use the 3 days to gather intel. Which will unfortunately push everything to next month on the Fall Formal,” Sunset said.
“Best to wait an extra month and make sure everything goes according to plan. You’re the smart one here, wouldn’t you agree?” I said.
“Good point, I just don’t want to wait any longer than I have to,” Sunset said.
“It’ll be worth it when you succeed and gain your wings and ultra powerful magic,” I said.
Sunset looked excited at that prospect, we planned to have Sunset call in sick to excuse her absence for the 3 days.
“Hold up, I wanna go too,” I said.
“I think things will be easier if it's just me. You’ve never been a pony, and trying to adjust to a new body isn’t easy. That’ll make you more of a liability. And be honest, you just wanna fan over your favorite TV show,” Sunset said.
“Maybe. But come on, please? I also wanna see what type of pony I’ll be,” I said.
“No. You stay here, I go to Equestria. That’s final,” she said.
“Awwwwwwwwww….fiiiiiiiiiiiiiine….” I whined.
When the time came and Sunset called in sick, I was really upset that I couldn’t go. But then I realized something.
“We’re supposed to be partners. I’m not her minion like Snips and Snails, I can go if I want to,” I told myself.
I told Celestia that I wanted to help Sunset get better as thanks for introducing me on my first day. She of course agreed and gave me the 3 days off I asked for. That night when the portal opened I jumped in right behind Sunset. I was not prepared for how intense the trip would be.
“SHIT! SHIT! OH SHIT! AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!” I screamed.
The portal tossed me out, disoriented and dizzy.
“Man, I was not expecting that. Better brace myself next time,” I said.
Then I felt something lift me into the air.
“Who are you?! Why did you follow me!?” Sunset yelled while using telekinesis.
“It’s me. Your partner in crime. The guy who wanted to go with you but you said no to,” I said.
“WHY DIDN’T YOU LISTEN TO ME!?! You know what? Explain later, we’ve got to go. Celestia wouldn’t just leave the mirror in an easy to access public area. The sooner we’re gone the better,” she said.
She ran off while still carrying me with her telekinesis.
|
heartsswrites
|
562202
| 1 |
Rarity,Twilight Sparkle,Drama,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Raritwi short little stories
|
Twilight and Rarity have been dating for a while and here are some stories from their relationship.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Twilight and Rarity and short little stories from their relationship coming from multiple pov’s. It ranges from cute little things like dates to deep emotional drama.</p>
|
teen
|
2024-07-23T23:25:51+00:00
|
2024-07-23T23:25:51+00:00
| 97 |
Lavender
The first thing I notice when I wake up is a scent of lavender with a side of my marefriend snuggling up to me.
When I see her face, the events of last night course through my mind and my face heats up 100 degrees.
Me and Rarity have been dating a few weeks officially even though we’ve been flirting back and forth for months, but I finally worked up the courage to ask her out, and it’s been an amazing few weeks just enjoying each other's company, going on dates all the time, about everything a couple does, expect you know.
Last night was our first ever time. And I don’t mean to sound biased but it was the absolute best, Rarity was the absolute best.
I was still processing when Rares started moving around and clinging onto me tighter with light snores coming out her mouth.
“You know, you’re really cute when you snore.” I said smirking
“A lady does not snore Twilight.” She said groggily
“I thought you were asleep.” I said stroking her mane
“Oh, quiet Twi how can you blame me for wanting more sleepy time with my marefriend?” She asked yawning
“I guess not, I am pretty amazing.” I said nuzzling up to her
She laughed and wow, was it me or did it get hot suddenly
“I see.” Rarity smiled, “Someone’s full of herself this morning.”
I raised one eyebrow “Can you blame me?”
She rolled her eyes “I guess not darling.”
We laid there in each other's embrace for a few moments, I would've laid there for eternity. But of course my alarm clock had to go off. I took a look at the clock and it was 7. A little later than usual but I wanted to make sure I had as much time I could with Rarity before I had to get going.
“Hmmp” Rarity groaned “It's too early.” She brushed back my bangs “Do you have to get going already?”
“I have a while before I have to go to Canterlot, I made sure of it so we could eat breakfast.”
She kissed my cheek “Well aren't you ever so thoughtful dear.” She sat up “Oh well we better get started on breakfast, no time to waste.”
I sighed, sure I was hungry but if i was being honest I wanted to just stay in bed all day with Rarity.
I pulled her back down with my magic and enveloped her with my hooves into a hug. “C’mon a few more minutes won’t hurt.” I said as I nuzzled my face into the crook of her neck.
She laughed, “Twilight, that tickles stop it.”
“No way.”
I stopped on account to a pillow being thrown at me with blue aura surrounding it.
“Rarity.”
“Yes, my beautiful darling marefriend.” No doubt trying to sweet talk her way out this “What is it?” She asked innocently.
Another pillow hit my face. Oh no way in Equestria was I going down without a fight. I picked up 2 pillows with my magic and plowed them at my marefriend.
“Twilight Sparkle!” she shrieked
“What Rarity.” I smirked innocently
“Hmmp” she rolled her eyes “You’re impossible.”
I pulled her into another hug. Moments like these I cherish small or big.
I sighed “As much as I like this we should probably go make breakfast.”
Like her stomach had a mind of it’s own and heard me it grumbled
She blushed flustered “I think you’re right darling.”
|
heartsswrites
|
562202
| 2 |
Rarity,Twilight Sparkle,Drama,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Raritwi short little stories
|
Twilight and Rarity have been dating for a while and here are some stories from their relationship.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Twilight and Rarity and short little stories from their relationship coming from multiple pov’s. It ranges from cute little things like dates to deep emotional drama.</p>
|
teen
|
2024-08-18T07:19:55+00:00
|
2024-08-18T07:19:54+00:00
| 81 |
“What?” Rarity’s voice raised an octave “Are you saying I'm asking for too much?” Rarity shook her head
Me and Rarity have been dating for a little more than half a year now. Everything’s been going smoothly so far but recently I’ve been really enveloped in my work for Princess Celestia and me and Rarity haven’t gotten a lot of time together recently which led to this argument.
“Rares.” I sighed “That’s not what i’m saying-“
“So what are you saying?” She sat down in the chair across from my desk
“Please just let me speak.” I shoved my papers to the side, If she wanted my attention she definitely had it now. “All I'm saying is you have to understand what I have going on, I mean Princess Celestia has tasked me with the control of a small section of land. I can't just slack off, I have to put my all into this.” My voice was starting to raise why couldn’t she just see this from my point of view “So no, I can’t just drop everything for you.
After a while of dating Rarity I was used to the little petty arguments or her being dramatic, and I was prone to play along to please her but now I was stressed and I had no patience for it right now.
“Oh really!” She clenched her jaw “And i’m not busy? I own 3 shops and still have to complete personal orders and I still always find a way to make time for you because you’re my marefriend.”
“All I'm asking is for you to at least try and put in some effort to see me.”
“I am Rarity, what do you think this time is right now?” I asked
“Considering we're in your office I would say this was a meeting.” She hissed “I’m not asking for a meeting Twilight, do you even remember the last time we were on a date or just enjoyed each other's company or for heaven's sake were intimate.”
Thinking back it had to have been maybe a month which I admit is a very long time I guess I was so engrossed in my work I didn’t notice.
I sighed a dramatic sigh that could only be matched with my lovers.
she rolled her eyes
“Darling I get where you're coming from. I know how much of a big deal this is considering it’s your first task as a princess, and I get you have priorities I just want to be one of them.” She looked away from me and glanced to the ground
I softened, this was a stupid fight. I loved Rarity and my pride was too big to admit I was wrong, I should have made more time for her. I just wanted to make sure everything was perfect. I didn't want anything to distract me.
“I’m sorry Rares.” I tilted her chin back up to look me in the eyes, they were watering. “I was just stressed with this work, you are a priority, my number one priority.” She was trying to avoid my eyes “Sweetheart look at me, please.”
She glanced up with those big sapphire eyes and I realized how much I missed her “I love you.”
She smiled, “I know darling, I love you too.” I held her and she sighed into my embrace “We’re very silly ponies you know?”
“I know, I promise I'll make more time for you.” I said “You know screw work let’s go out right now.”
She smiled then kissed me “That would be lovely darling.”
|
heartsswrites
|
562202
| 3 |
Rarity,Twilight Sparkle,Drama,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Raritwi short little stories
|
Twilight and Rarity have been dating for a while and here are some stories from their relationship.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Twilight and Rarity and short little stories from their relationship coming from multiple pov’s. It ranges from cute little things like dates to deep emotional drama.</p>
|
teen
|
2024-08-18T21:40:01+00:00
|
2024-08-18T21:40:00+00:00
| 70 |
Me and Rarity sat in silence, we did this a lot, sat in silence and just enjoyed each other's company. Me and Rares have been dating for a year now and ever since I got my castle a month she’s been practically living here, mostly because she knows how I don’t like being alone in this big castle.
“Darling?” I glanced up from my book to see her staring at me thoughtfully. “You have that look on your face.”
“What look on my face?” I asked and gently closed my book.
“I’ve known you for long enough to know all your Twilight looks.” She smiled and raised an eyebrow. “What’s on your mind dear?” She asked
“Just thinking.” I smiled
“Alright.” She didn't press on and went back to her sewing machine and I went back to my book.
After a few moments of silence I spoke up
“You know, you’ve been spending a lot of time here lately.” I said
“Yes, and?” She said while still sewing
“I mean, well and we’ve been together for a year now.”
Ever since our first date i’ve been enamored with Rarity, by our second date I had our 1 year anniversary planned in my head and now we're practically living together and now i’m struggling to officially ask her to move in with me. I mean really living together is a big step, a big change, what if she gets mad when she realizes I hate washing dishes or other little things.
“Yes Twilight, I'm aware.” She giggled
“So I think maybe, only if you want, you should start keeping your toothbrush here.” I internally cringed, keep your toothbrush here that makes no sense.
She glanced up confused, and then said “Twilight, darling are you asking me to move in with you?”
“Yes.” I squeaked
“You know I already basically live here?” She walked over to me and sat next to me. “I mean we’re sitting in my work room.”
I groaned “You’re teasing me.” I blushed “I know but I wanted to ask officially you know?”
She rested her hooves on mine
“I know darling, and I would be happy to move in with you officially.”
_____________________
|
Melody Song
|
562204
| 1 |
Ember,Original Character,Pharynx,Tempest Shadow,Thorax,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The Young Warrior: Eternally Paternal
|
As it turns out, Fortuna wasn't the only long-lost relative of Thorax and Pharynx that's been alive the whole time. But how will they handle reuniting with a dad they've never met?
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Fortuna has returned, Pharynx is healing from his injuries, their family is whole once more, everything is as it should be. Until Fortuna brings up the fact that Thorax and Pharynx's father Metamorphosis, a changeling they'd assumed long gone, was in fact still alive. In Equestria. And she wants to bring him home too. Naturally, both brothers have some feelings about this, good and bad. As tensions rise between the family, Fortuna sets them on one last journey: to return their father, her cousin, to the Hive. But she will find not everyone is quite so eager to quicken this reunion, nor will they all be joyful upon the inevitable meeting.</p><p>After all, how else can they be expected to react when faced with the presence of a father they never knew?</p>
|
teen
|
2024-07-24T00:19:34+00:00
|
2024-07-24T00:19:34+00:00
| 114 |
“Okay, so let me get this straight.” Pharynx was pacing around in front of his brother, adoptive nephew, adopted sister, and his newly returned mother figure. “Our dad, the one we’ve never heard about, ever, is your teammate, and he’s coming here?!”
“Most likely.” Fortuna shrugged. “Middy’s gone check on him now. If he needs backup, they’ll be staying where he’s at to deal with it.”
“And why didn’t you say anything to us before now?!” Pharynx demanded.
“I am sorry about springing it on you like that, Phary, really.” Fortuna nuzzled her son gently, even when he huffed at her. “But after Meta left the Hive, Chrysalis forbade anyone from even so much as mentioning him.”
“He left?” Thorax asked softly, voice trembling. Fortuna sighed, turning to face him.
“Yes, he did. But it wasn’t that he didn’t want to see you, I promise.” Fortuna told him.
“So what now? Do we just wait for Midlight and Metamorphosis to show up?” Ocellus cut in.
“I would advise as much. However, if Midlight reports there’s a problem, I will have to go help them.” Fortuna said, glancing at Pharynx and Thorax. “I think you boys should have some time to process this, without my intrusion. Ocellus, Apex, would you show me around the Hive?”
“O-Of course Fortuna.” Ocellus led the nymph and unreformed changeling out of the room, leaving the brothers alone.
“...So,” Thorax scuffed his hoof on the ground nervously and looked out of a nearby window to avoid Pharynx’s gaze. “Nice weather we’re having.”
“Thorax, don’t do that.” Pharynx snapped. “If you have something to say, say it.”
“Okay, okay.” Thorax sighed. “I just don’t know what to think.”
“Me either, to be honest.” Pharynx admitted with a sigh. “I mean, first of all, who is this changeling? I can understand Chrysalis making it a rule not to ever bring him up, but why did he leave?”
“M-Maybe she forced him to mate with her, and he tried to run away?” Thorax offered.
“While I wouldn’t put it past mother to do that, it means,” Pharynx sighed and looked up at his younger brother. “If that were true, it would mean he didn’t– we weren’t planned. At least for him. So then, well, nothing would have changed.”
“Oh. Yeah.” Thorax’s eyes saddened. “Obviously mother wanted heirs, but she definitely wasn’t proud of us.”
“So if our dad had stayed he wouldn’t have cared either. We’d still have only had Fortuna. It probably still would have hurt,” Pharynx gritted his teeth. “Knowing neither of our parents gave a buck about us.”
“Y-Yeah,” Thorax agreed softly, before his eyes brightened slightly. “But what if we’re not why he left?”
“Why else would he leave?”
“I-I don’t know, but it can’t be completely because of us, we weren’t even born yet!”
“Well, I know that, Thorax!”
“So maybe he left because of Chrysalis! Maybe she exiled him for some reason!”
“Why does it suddenly matter? The point is that he left us just like everyone else!”
“Fortuna left, but she’s here now, she came back. Remind me, what exactly did you say the second you saw her?” Thorax asked, somewhat smugly.
“First of all, shut up, second of all, of course she was going to get that reaction, we actually knew her. We have no clue who Metamorphosis even is!”
“Well– yeah, okay, that’s a good point. But maybe we should know who he is.” Thorax insisted.
“Why does it matter to you all of a sudden?” Pharynx grumbled, and Thorax looked away nervously.
“I just, I was thinking– I never thought about who our father could be, but what if having him around makes us make sense?”
“If this is about how we were conceived, I don’t think you want to hear that, Thor.”
“Not that!” Thorax hissed, turning red as Pharynx laughed. “I-I mean, like– you look nothing like mother, so you had to get your traits from somewhere! A-And I act nothing like mother, so my personality has to come from someone else.”
“Thorax, personalities are learned traits, as in, your personality is shaped by your environment, not who your parents are.” Pharynx retorted.
“I know that Phar, but my personality doesn’t make sense for the Old Hive, I was the outcast, for no reason. I could have been just as much of a brute as you and the other changelings, but I wasn’t! That instinctual kindness had to come from somewhere, didn’t it?”
“I– okay, that’s a fair point.” Pharynx turned to stare at the violet carapace that covered his red wings. “...Do you really think he could be why I had a purple carapace instead of a teal one?”
“Yeah, maybe! And you had purple eyes, which noling else had, your neckfin was even red instead of black! Those aren’t little things any changeling could just somehow give you.”
“Well, yeah, but still– I don’t think we should care.”
“He’s going to show up here eventually, if he’s part of Fortuna’s group.”
“Well, maybe they’ll go their separate ways when he finds out she wants to give up fighting.”
“I never said anything of the sort.” Fortuna said sternly as she trotted into the room. “Don’t put words in my mouth, Phary.”
“But you said you were staying.” Pharynx objected.
“Yes, and if there’s a problem, I’ll take my crew, we’ll deal with it, then come back.” Fortuna responded. “The only reason we didn’t employ that system before was because we were technically all fugitives of the Old Hive. Until I tracked the band of unreforms back here we didn’t know if whoever was in charge would welcome us.”
“So, they’d want to come here and settle down like you?” Thorax asked.
“Well, of course!” Fortuna sat down beside the boys, gesturing for them to do the same. “Now, about your father. I can answer any questions you have to the best of my abilities, but there are some things I don’t know the full scope of.”
“But you worked and probably lived together for years.” Pharynx objected.
“Yes, but every creature is entitled to their privacy.” Fortuna retorted. “So, any questions about Metamorphosis?”
“How do you know he’s your cousin?” Pharynx asked immediately. “You mentioned he was before, but how do you know?”
“My mother was his aunt.” Fortuna answered immediately. “He was orphaned as an egg, so my mother was tasked with hatching him in her… sister’s stead, if I remember correctly. I was told never to interact with him, and he was placed in the care of nursery drones after he was weaned of nectar, so I kept my distance. I did get to grow up alongside him, but I only observed from afar.”
“Wait, if you’re cousins, does that mean he has a mane too?” Thorax asked.
“Yes, but I’m not sure how Meta has a mane, actually.” Fortuna ran a hoof through her own golden mane. “I don’t think he knows either. As I said, he’s an orphan, and he grew up isolated, not many ‘lings wanted to hang out with him. From what I heard, his mother was a part of some kind of scandal while she was alive, so obviously no older drones would be too keen on possibly encouraging him to disobey the Queen.”
“So what is he like?” Thorax asked.
“Heh, well, he looks like Phary, and he acts just like you.”
“I told you.” Thorax said smugly, and Pharynx snorted, unamused.
“Well, he does look just like Phary.” Fortuna smiled at the two. “You know, back when you two were nymphs, I used to see your father in you.”
“Used to?” Thorax asked nervously.
“Well, back when you two actually got along while I was there to referee you.” Fortuna chuckled softly. “Meta does everything with a sense of caution, even if we’re fighting off museum guards or something else that calls for action.”
“So like, if Pharynx and I were the same changeling.” Thorax offered.
“Exactly!” Fortuna chuckled as she nuzzled them both. “I think the only reason you two were laid as separate eggs is because only Metamorphosis can have such a balanced version of brave and shy.”
“Well, we’re still twins.” Thorax said proudly, his eyes gleaming momentarily in unison with Pharynx’s.
“I see you two still use that twin power of yours.” Fortuna smiled at the boys. “I bet that’s useful.”
“Every time I’m trying to speak with a dignitary from another kingdom I have to deal with Phar’s voice in my head telling me he doesn’t trust them.” Thorax sighed.
“Classic Phary.” Fortuna shook her head at him in mock disappointment. “Let your brother make his own decisions, please.”
“Tattletail.” Pharynx shot at Thorax, who stuck his tongue out at him cheekily. “Anyway, what else do you know about our– father, Tuney?”
“Well, he’s very kind, I think he can sing, he loves baking, and he’s got a pretty interesting eye color–”
“Tuney, I meant,” Pharynx sighed and turned to look at Thorax. The two were silent for a moment before Thorax nodded, and Pharynx turned back to face his mother. “Why did he leave?”
|
Melody Song
|
562204
| 2 |
Ember,Original Character,Pharynx,Tempest Shadow,Thorax,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The Young Warrior: Eternally Paternal
|
As it turns out, Fortuna wasn't the only long-lost relative of Thorax and Pharynx that's been alive the whole time. But how will they handle reuniting with a dad they've never met?
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Fortuna has returned, Pharynx is healing from his injuries, their family is whole once more, everything is as it should be. Until Fortuna brings up the fact that Thorax and Pharynx's father Metamorphosis, a changeling they'd assumed long gone, was in fact still alive. In Equestria. And she wants to bring him home too. Naturally, both brothers have some feelings about this, good and bad. As tensions rise between the family, Fortuna sets them on one last journey: to return their father, her cousin, to the Hive. But she will find not everyone is quite so eager to quicken this reunion, nor will they all be joyful upon the inevitable meeting.</p><p>After all, how else can they be expected to react when faced with the presence of a father they never knew?</p>
|
teen
|
2024-07-30T22:48:31+00:00
|
2024-07-30T22:48:31+00:00
| 80 |
Fortuna sighed, gesturing for the two to come with her. They stood up, confused, and followed the Golden General through the hallways of the Hive. They were heading into the throne room, where Fortuna paused.
“Okay, go ahead and sit while I get Ocellus and the little warrior. It’s a long story, I know they'll want to hear it as well.”
The twins nodded before heading for the throne. Thorax sprawled out in the oak seat as usual, while Pharynx sat at attention beside him. Fortuna chuckled softly at the two before leaving.
The brothers were still in their exact same positions when Fortuna returned with Ocellus and Apex, making her laugh. Apex bounded over and leapt up onto the throne, sitting upright in front of Thorax, tail curled around his hooves, looking like a smaller version of Pharynx as he rested against the monarch’s side. Ocellus, meanwhile, took a seat on the opposite side of the throne, not in a guarding position like Pharynx, but focused.
“Alright, I know you all want to know why Meta didn’t stick around after Pharynx and Thorax were conceived.” Fortuna began.
Apex blinked in confusion and looked up at Thorax. “Whas’ tha’ mean?”
“Well, um– Pharynx will tell you when you’re older!” Thorax said, smiling awkwardly.
“Like Tartarus!” Pharynx retorted. “Take responsibility for your child’s education!”
Fortuna cleared her throat softly, catching their attention again. “The two of you can discuss that later. As I was saying, it is true that Meta left the Hive shortly before Pharynx and Thorax’s eggs were laid. Now, I don’t know the full story, but I can tell you what I do know.”
The group nodded, and Pharynx gave her a gesture to continue.
“Right, well, Meta was fairly young when Chrysalis first noticed him. He had been enlisted in my guard, but after a couple years I authorized his dismissal, as the guard clearly wasn’t for him. I know he helped out in the kitchens for a little while after that, but otherwise he didn’t have anything to do. That was when Chrysalis met him officially.”
“Officially?” Apex tilted his head. “So she’d me’ him ‘afore?
“The Queen used to perform a naming ceremony for each new generation of nymphs.” Ocellus explained to him. “Your generation got one, and so did my generation, and my little siblings’ generation got one too – they were the last generation to get the ceremony.”
“Exactly, Ocellus.” Fortuna smiled at Ocellus, who blushed shyly. “The Queen had, of course, been the one to formally name Meta like she named every new generation, but it’s not like she pays that close attention to them. It was when Meta was jobless when she first really noticed him.”
“How did she find him?” Pharynx asked.
“Well, Chrysalis found him in that old room that technically counted as a library, and decided since he seemed to enjoy studying and reading, she could make him her archivist. But it seemed like her motives were deeper than that.” Fortuna continued. “Meta told me how she would constantly bother him when he was trying to work, and kept trying to flirt with him.”
“Why is that such a bad thing? Wouldn’t most drones have been grateful the Queen found them attractive?” Pharynx asked.
“Because, Phary, your father is gay.”
“What?!” The two brothers jolted up in surprise, making Apex leap off the throne as his position was disturbed. Fortuna dove forward, catching the little nymph before he could land. Apex giggled and hugged Fortuna gratefully as she stood back up.
“Did she just not know?” Ocellus asked.
“Oh, she definitely knew.” Fortuna chuckled softly, setting Apex down so he could scamper back to Thorax. “He told her after a while, but she just kept insisting.”
“But that’s awful! Why would she do that?” Ocellus asked
“Because she wanted heirs, Ocellus.” Pharynx responded for Fortuna. “Clearly our father was someone she knew would give her strong heirs, so she was determined to breed with him.”
Ocellus stared in shock as Fortuna just shrugged. “Well, he’s not wrong.”
“But– but–” Ocellus huffed. “She’s worse than I thought.”
“I thought so too.” Fortuna smiled softly as she glanced at the brothers. “At least you two came out of it though.”
“But how did we even end up being conceived?” Thorax asked
“He eventually gave in and went on a few dates with her, to get her off his back.” Fortuna explained, flinching slightly and trotting over to cover Apex’s ears. “But she may have gotten a bit demanding, and, well, you can infer what happened.”
“So she just–?” Ocellus cut herself off in shock, and Fortuna nodded.
“When Metamorphosis woke up afterward, he realized what happened and panicked. He knew that Chrysalis would use what they had done to force him to stay with her, despite not knowing you two had been conceived. So he ran for it.”
“That’s why he left?” Pharynx asked hoarsely as Fortuna let a squirming Apex go.
“One of the reasons. He explained to me that the real reason he left was because he knew there was a better way of living outside the Hive. He had also always felt like he didn’t belong, I couldn’t blame him for that. What Chrysalis did was the last straw, so he left the Hive in the early morning. Shortly after that, Chrysalis announced he had been exiled, and was never to be spoken of again.”
“So he left because of Chrysalis, not us.” Thorax looked at Fortuna with tears in his eyes. “Does he even know we exist?”
“Of course he knows you exist!” Fortuna trotted closer to the alpha, putting a hoof around him in comfort. “I told him myself.”
“You did?” Thorax whispered, and she smiled softly.
“The second I saw him again. I told him all about you and your brother.”
“I’m guessing he wasn’t happy to hear we exist?” Pharynx muttered, and Fortuna lifted his head.
“Pharynx Ray Elytron–”
Ocellus promptly burst out laughing, and Thorax covered her mouth. Fortuna chuckled softly, nuzzling her oldest son.
“I do not want you to ever think he was unhappy to know of you. He was shocked, yes, but in the end he was overjoyed. He has two wonderful boys he never knew about, who his own cousin was able to raise the way he would have wanted.” Fortuna nuzzled Pharynx gently. “He talks every day about how much he wants to see you.”
|
Melody Song
|
562204
| 3 |
Ember,Original Character,Pharynx,Tempest Shadow,Thorax,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The Young Warrior: Eternally Paternal
|
As it turns out, Fortuna wasn't the only long-lost relative of Thorax and Pharynx that's been alive the whole time. But how will they handle reuniting with a dad they've never met?
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Fortuna has returned, Pharynx is healing from his injuries, their family is whole once more, everything is as it should be. Until Fortuna brings up the fact that Thorax and Pharynx's father Metamorphosis, a changeling they'd assumed long gone, was in fact still alive. In Equestria. And she wants to bring him home too. Naturally, both brothers have some feelings about this, good and bad. As tensions rise between the family, Fortuna sets them on one last journey: to return their father, her cousin, to the Hive. But she will find not everyone is quite so eager to quicken this reunion, nor will they all be joyful upon the inevitable meeting.</p><p>After all, how else can they be expected to react when faced with the presence of a father they never knew?</p>
|
teen
|
2024-08-06T23:25:40+00:00
|
2024-08-06T23:25:40+00:00
| 69 |
“So how did you find him?” Ocellus asked, having recovered from her laughing fit. “I mean, you explained a lot about what you know about him, but you would have needed to find him before you were told all that stuff.”
“Oh, right!” Fortuna chuckled. “Middy and I found him in a suburban town, actually. Think Ponyville, but a mite bit bigger. Don’t remember the name, but we had heard there was supposedly a changeling in the town. Of course, we just thought it was an infiltrator who got caught, imagine our surprise when we discovered Meta.”
“How did you run into him then?” Pharynx questioned.
“Actually, Midlight and I bumped into him while he was on a date.” Fortuna grinned at them almost mischievously.
“A date?” Thorax's eyes widened.
“His first one. I’m so proud of him.” Fortuna beamed, looking over at Pharynx. “He kind of acted like you did when I caught you trying to flirt with Hunter.”
Pharynx turned bright red. “Mom!”
“Well, he did!” Fortuna giggled. “He was sitting with this Umbrum-pony named Griffon or something. Mid and I were disguised, obviously, but we saw him just sitting out in the open, so we approached him.”
“So he’d just been living in an Equestrian town undisguised this whole time?” Ocellus asked. “Why weren’t they afraid of him?”
“Well, remember Ocellus, Meta left the Hive long before the Canterlot Invasion, which is when ponies really started to be afraid of us. He had been living undisguised as a resident for so long they just accepted that he wasn’t one of the ‘evil’ ones when the Invasion occurred.” Fortuna paused for a moment before continuing her train of thought. “I believe he also helped the local police drive off some revealed changeling infiltrators directly after the Invasion, so that helped his reputation.”
“So that’s when you asked him to join your crew.” Pharynx guessed dryly.
“No, actually, he asked us.” Fortuna bopped Pharynx’s nose gently. “Let me talk before assuming, Phary. After we explained that no, we weren’t there to drag him back to the Hive, Meta asked if we could use some help. So the two of us agreed he could join the crew.”
“Oh! So is that why you said Mid and Meta were in different cities? Meta defends the city he lives in and you two patrol the other cities?” Ocellus questioned.
“Not quite. Meta stays with us, but makes regular visits back to his town to see his boyfriend and friends. He does have a life there after all.”
Pharynx sighed at that, promptly looking away when Fortuna glanced at him. She was having none of it though, lifting his chin gently.
“Phary, what’s the matter?”
“So if he’s willing to come stay here with us, what about his relationships in that town?”
“Well, Meta’s boyfriend is pretty loyal to him, I think he’d probably just come here too–”
“No. Absolutely not, not happening, I need to see our dad first, no strings attached.” Pharynx snapped.
“Phary–”
“Mom. How do you think you would have reacted if– uh–”
“If you suddenly showed up on her doorstep with Tempest after years of not seeing her and expected Tempest to be welcomed instantly?” Ocellus offered. Pharynx blushed, but nodded.
“Alright, alright, I can understand that.” Fortuna shrugged. “To be honest though, I probably would welcome her.”
“She is a really nice mare.” Thorax added.
“Not the point!” Pharynx shouted, turning red. “This is not about me and Tempest, this is about our dad!”
“Okay, okay, we’re sorry, Phary. Right kids?” Fortuna eyed Thorax and Ocellus, who quickly nodded in agreement. “Anyway, I can tell Meta if you want, so you don’t get overwhelmed.”
“W-Who said that would be overwhelming? I just don’t want to meet the idiot.” Pharynx huffed stubbornly. Fortuna chuckled, nuzzling him.
“Alright Phary, if you say so.”
Pharynx grumbled to himself and looked away. “Whatever. I have to go.”
“Or do you just not want to talk about this anymore?” Ocellus asked.
“No, I have to go because I have patrols to organize.” Pharynx retorted, standing up and striding out of the room. Only a couple seconds after he had left the room, Thorax’s eyes flashed, prompting him to leap to his hooves.
“I better go help him!” Thorax chased after his brother, leaving the two nymphs and Fortuna behind.
“Maybe I should go help too.” Fortuna said, standing up, but Ocellus held out a hoof to stop her.
“No, don’t, they’re not actually organizing patrols. Pharynx just says that whenever he wants to get out of a conversation.” Ocellus explained. “He doesn’t have any patrols to organize, he sets up all the schedules the night before.”
“Hm, very clever. A page out of my book, too.” Fortuna chuckled. “But what about Thory?”
“Papa Thorax wen’ with him ‘cause Uncle Pharynx used the twin power thing.” Apex responded.
“Ah, right, the signature eye flash. Well spotted, little warrior.” Fortuna said, nuzzling the nymph and making him giggle.
“Well, anyway, when Pharynx makes Thorax follow him like that, it usually means they're going to go meet up with their girlfriends.” Ocellus snickered, catching Fortuna’s attention immediately. ”I guess Tempest and Ember were planning to visit today.”
“I hope I get to meet these ‘girlfriends’ then.” Fortuna said, smirking. “I can’t wait to tell them all about what their boyfriends were like as nymphs.”
“Ooh, invite me when you do that! You don’t know about all the embarrassing stuff they’ve done as adults.” Ocellus said, and the two girls grinned at each other.
“Tuney, you’ll like Tempy an’ Emmie, they’e nice!” Apex piped up. “Emmie says I’m strong as a d’agon and Tempy says ‘m good a’ fighting!”
“They are really nice.” Ocellus agreed. “Ember needs to work on expressing her emotions a bit, but she is a dragon, so because of her learned habits she’s just not used to it.”
“And Tempest is a unicorn, correct?”
“Yeah, I think you’ll like them, if Thorax and Pharynx ever decide to introduce you to them that is.” Ocellus giggled. “Thorax is really shy about his relationship with Ember, and Pharynx is stubborn in even talking about Tempest like that.”
“Those two.” Fortuna chuckled. “Remind me to tell you about their first crushes some time, they did the exact same thing.”
“Tuney!” Apex jumped up eagerly. “We can go find them now, an’ you can mee’ them, so Papa Thorax an’ Uncle Pharynx don’t hafta in’roduce you!”
Fortuna giggled and smiled. “Perhaps a bit later, I can wait for a little while. We wouldn’t want to bother them. How about I show you some of the moves I taught Phary, instead?”
“Yeah!” Apex cheered. Fortuna chuckled, picking the young deputy up and carrying him out of the room.
“Alright, so I think for starters we ought to try some size advantage tactics…”
|
Melody Song
|
562204
| 4 |
Ember,Original Character,Pharynx,Tempest Shadow,Thorax,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The Young Warrior: Eternally Paternal
|
As it turns out, Fortuna wasn't the only long-lost relative of Thorax and Pharynx that's been alive the whole time. But how will they handle reuniting with a dad they've never met?
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Fortuna has returned, Pharynx is healing from his injuries, their family is whole once more, everything is as it should be. Until Fortuna brings up the fact that Thorax and Pharynx's father Metamorphosis, a changeling they'd assumed long gone, was in fact still alive. In Equestria. And she wants to bring him home too. Naturally, both brothers have some feelings about this, good and bad. As tensions rise between the family, Fortuna sets them on one last journey: to return their father, her cousin, to the Hive. But she will find not everyone is quite so eager to quicken this reunion, nor will they all be joyful upon the inevitable meeting.</p><p>After all, how else can they be expected to react when faced with the presence of a father they never knew?</p>
|
teen
|
2024-08-13T22:11:36+00:00
|
2024-08-13T22:11:35+00:00
| 67 |
“Wait, who is Fortuna again?”
The blue dragoness who had asked was currently lounging on a bed covered in purple and red sheets, one claw in a bowl of gemstones. She shoved a ruby into her mouth as she stared at the two changelings opposite her.
“Their mother figure Em, keep up.” A mulberry unicorn with a shattered horn climbed onto the bed beside the dragon, nudging her over to make room. “The Golden General?”
“Oh, right.” She chuckled sheepishly. “Sorry. So Fortuna apparently knows who your actual father is, and either he’s coming back to the Hive, or you’re going to him?”
“Something like that.” Thorax sighed and looked away. “We just– apparently he made his own life without us, a-and even though Fortuna assured us he does want to see us, we can’t just take him away from his home.”
“Wouldn’t it be his choice if he comes back, though?” Ember questioned.
“Even if he does come back, I’m not sure I want to talk to him.” Pharynx grumbled, scuffing his hoof into the ground.
“It’s not his fault he had to leave.” Thorax said softly.
“But he didn’t even try to come back and see if he’d been exiled!” Pharynx snarled. “He just ran for it and found a new life.”
“Phar.” Tempest locked eyes with her boyfriend. “You do realize that is exactly what I did, right? Less evil, but still.”
“Right… sorry Temp, no offense.”
“None taken.” Tempest sighed and looked over at Thorax. “Anyway, Thorax is right. He ended up being harassed by his Queen, so clearly his reality was all messed up. He thought the best thing to do was flee. I’d say that’s having a choice and choosing the right option.”
“But what about us? He could have at least tried to see if we existed.”
“How was he supposed to know?” Ember responded for Tempest. “I mean, he panicked because he was gay, not because he knew you two had been conceived.”
“I– well, yeah, but I still feel like we should be mad at him.” Pharynx insisted.
“You have the right to have feelings about it, you just don’t necessarily need to be angry at him for deciding to get out of a situation he didn’t want.” Tempest replied.
“Yes we do!” Pharynx snapped. “He left us behind! I don’t care if he didn’t know we existed, it still happened!”
“Phar–”
“Stop.”
Tempest fell silent as asked, but still glared at the changeling with a warning gaze. Pharynx almost seemed ready to submit to her stare, but steadied himself and held his head high.
“Tempest-praefectus, you have no right to tell me how I should feel.”
“I’m your girlfriend, I think I have enough right–”
“No you don’t!”
“Do I need to remind you that I’m not some housewife you can boss around?!” Tempest jumped off the bed and stalked over to look him in the eye. The mare was unusually tall for a pony, able to match Pharynx’s eye level, which did not bode well for the beta changeling.
“I-I never said that!”
“Sounded like it.” Tempest snorted at him, her horn crackling with energy.
“I didn’t mean– Temp, I didn’t think–”
“Exactly, you weren’t thinking. So why don’t you listen to us for once?” Tempest asked harshly.
“We are listening to you! I just– I want to be mad at him because of what he did to us!” Pharynx yelled in her face, and the mare stepped back slightly.
“What are you talking about now?” Ember asked, flaring out her wings and flying over to Thorax, who was staring at his brother in confusion.
“If he hadn’t left, things would have been better!” Pharynx shouted. “Think about it, Tuney said he wished he could see us, right?! So if he stayed we would have had someone besides Tuney who loved us! Maybe we wouldn’t have fallen apart when we thought she died, then!”
“Wait, what?” Ember looked up at Thorax, who looked away guiltily.
“When we had Fortuna, she was the one thing that helped us connect with each other. After she was gone, we didn’t act like siblings to each other anymore, not for a while. Apex was the next one to bridge that gap.”
“She was the thing that kept us together. If we’d had someone else in our lives who loved us maybe we wouldn’t have grown apart. Maybe we wouldn’t have needed a nymph to bring us back to each other.” Pharynx snarled.
“So then maybe you wouldn’t have reformed the entire Hive and created a new, better way of life.” Tempest shot back.
“Yeah, plus, what if he had stayed and just hadn’t been able to protect you guys?” Ember suggested, grabbing her bowl of gemstones. “Like Fortuna. You said she looked after you, but that didn’t change what Chrysalis did, right? How can you be so sure he wouldn’t have been stuck in the same boat?”
Pharynx opened his mouth to retort, but none came. He just sat down, staring at the floor in silence.
“I just really wanted a dad.” Pharynx whispered after a long while. “We only ever had Tuney, and– I always just wondered what having a dad was like.”
“Eh, dads are overrated.” Ember waved a claw dismissively.
“We know you’re only saying that because your dad tried to forbid you from becoming the Dragon Lord.” Tempest objected.
“Exactly! Overrated!” Ember huffed and crossed her arms. “Just because I got my mom’s height doesn’t mean that I can’t be a leader.”
“Well, my dad wasn’t really the best father either, but I think if Fortuna trusts Metamorphosis, he could be a good father to you two.” Tempest reasoned, stepping over to Pharynx and lifting his chin. “I mean, did she ever once say anything bad about him?”
“N-No.”
“Then it’ll be okay. Maybe you won’t get used to the idea right away, and you have every right to hold a grudge against him because of what he did. But you shouldn’t let that shape your entire relationship with him.”
“Exactly! I mean, come on, holding grudges is supposed to be our thing.” Ember said, gesturing to herself and Tempest, then smiling. “But seriously, you have the chance to have a dad now, so why not jump at it?”
“They’re not wrong.”
Pharynx jumped up so quickly he nearly crashed into Tempest. “Mom! You’ve got to stop doing that!”
Fortuna laughed as she walked into the room, brushing her mane back. “I’m sorry Phary, really! I just wanted to see if the two of you were alright!”
Tempest and Ember stared at the unreformed changeling, who grinned as she finally noticed them.
“So, you must be Tempest and Ember. I’ve got to say, I’m happy my boys found such good matches for them. I can tell you keep my Phary on his hooves, don’t you Tempest? Oh, and it’s nice to see such an assertive nature around Thory, Ember.”
“Mom!” The twins shouted in unison, as their girlfriends blushed.
“I’m sorry!” Fortuna laughed, smirking. “Honestly, I was just a bit surprised, I could have sworn you two liked boys – not that it would have been a bad thing either way.”
“Wait, what?” Tempest looked at Ember, who shrugged, also clueless.
“Oh, they used to have crushes on Tibius and Hunter.”
“You what?!”
Thorax shrank back against Pharynx as the girls rounded on them. Pharynx chuckled nervously, smiling sheepishly.
“We, uh– so, funny story–”
“Oh relax, they were still kids when they grew out of those.” Fortuna cuffed Tempest over the head gently to get her attention. “I do have a question, though. Tempest, did Phary stalk you?”
“E-Excuse me, what?”
“Mom!”
“He used to follow Hunter around, and when the older nymph finally caught on they just bullied each other.” Fortuna chuckled. “Phary lost every fight, but he kept saying Hunter was just asserting his dominance.”
“So that’s why you always let Tempest win when you spar!” Ember shouted, and Pharynx turned red.
“I do not let her win!”
“Yeah, but I do win every time.” Tempest shot back, blushing through her smirk. “So are you telling me that I’m the dominant one here?”
“N-No, I was a nymph!” Pharynx blushed and glared at Fortuna. “When did you come in anyway?”
“Around when Ember was finishing her train of thought.” Fortuna smiled at the dragoness. “I like you already, Ember, you’re smart. That’s something I always hoped for in a dragon, all the ones I’ve met can barely form sentences, much less pass off as intelligent.”
“My dad says I get it from my mother.” Ember murmured, smiling slightly.
“Anyway, what did you come in here for?” Pharynx asked his mother with a pointed look.
|
Melody Song
|
562204
| 5 |
Ember,Original Character,Pharynx,Tempest Shadow,Thorax,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The Young Warrior: Eternally Paternal
|
As it turns out, Fortuna wasn't the only long-lost relative of Thorax and Pharynx that's been alive the whole time. But how will they handle reuniting with a dad they've never met?
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Fortuna has returned, Pharynx is healing from his injuries, their family is whole once more, everything is as it should be. Until Fortuna brings up the fact that Thorax and Pharynx's father Metamorphosis, a changeling they'd assumed long gone, was in fact still alive. In Equestria. And she wants to bring him home too. Naturally, both brothers have some feelings about this, good and bad. As tensions rise between the family, Fortuna sets them on one last journey: to return their father, her cousin, to the Hive. But she will find not everyone is quite so eager to quicken this reunion, nor will they all be joyful upon the inevitable meeting.</p><p>After all, how else can they be expected to react when faced with the presence of a father they never knew?</p>
|
teen
|
2024-08-20T22:50:19+00:00
|
2024-08-20T22:50:23+00:00
| 30 |
In answer to Pharynx, Fortuna sighed and pulled out a scroll. “Got this message from Middy while I was distracting the nymphs. She said there’s more going on in Meta’s area than they expected, they need backup.”
“How much more is going on?” Tempest asked, raising her brow.
“Well, it turns out there were some very well-off mob bosses in Manehattan who were funding the griffons that Meta’s tracking. Middy took care of those during her mission, but the griffons have gone rogue. Meta and Middy can’t handle them all by themselves.”
“And you alone can turn the tides on that?”
“Well, no, but it wouldn’t hurt if I went to help.” Fortuna shrugged. “I have to grab my gear, then head over. I’ll probably just bail them out again and bring them back here.”
“But what about all the griffons?”
“Unfortunately we’ll have to let them escape. It’s too risky a mission to handle with just the three of us. Even we have our limitations, especially due to our crew’s size.”
“What if you had four extra hooves?” Ember suggested, and it was Fortuna’s turn to raise a brow. “I mean, we don’t have monthly sparring sessions for nothing.”
“What?!” Pharynx spun around to face the dragoness. “Are you seriously implying–”
“That we help your mother and her team not to be killed? Yes, yes I am.” Ember put a hand on her hip. “Pharynx, griffons are ruthless assassins when they want to be, the dragons used to get into territory skirmishes with them thousands of years ago. We lost plenty of good fighters.”
“I know that, Ember. But I just–” Pharynx sighed and shook his head. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt or die, sure, but that includes the two of you. Besides, you’re not seriously considering bringing Thorax, are you?”
“And what’s wrong with that, Phary?” Fortuna asked, arching a brow at him.
“He’ll just be a dead weight.” Pharynx told her bluntly.
“Phar– yeah, okay, he has a point, Em.” Tempest glanced at the dragon. “Thor’s not exactly skilled on the battlefield. No offense, Thorax.”
“None taken.” Thorax rolled his eyes slightly. “I’m used to it.”
“Okay, fine, I see your point. He isn't the best fighter.” Ember kissed Thorax’s cheek gently, making him smile. “I still love you though.”
“Nonsense!” Fortuna interrupted as she threw her hooves around Thorax, hugging him like a proud mother hen. “Thory can fight!”
“No, he can’t.” Tempest, Ember, and Pharynx chorused. Fortuna rolled her eyes, letting go of the alpha to face them properly.
“Ember.” Fortuna turned to the dragon calmly. “Attack him.”
“What?”
“You heard me. Attack Thory.”
Ember stared at her for a second, then sighed. “You’re not going to let me refuse, are you?”
“Either you do it or I will, and I have venom.”
Ember sighed and sank down into a crouch. “Sorry Thorax.”
“You needn’t be!” Fortuna called, though Thorax was looking very unsure of what was happening himself.
“Wait, can’t we talk about–”
Ember ignored Thorax and Fortuna as she lunged at the alpha. Almost instantly, Pharynx had sprung forwards to intercept her, but in a split second Fortuna had him pinned to the ground, sitting on his back to keep him there. Thorax cried out in alarm as Ember lashed her claws at him, but before she could hurt him, he swung his head. He caught her in his antlers, tossing her out the window – which thankfully was just a hole in the wall, because this was Pharynx’s room and he didn’t like pony windows.
Ember tried to jump back inside through the window, but before she could, Thorax followed her outside. In a flash of light, the monarch had transformed into his unreformed body. From there, he dodged Ember’s attacks as she struggled to adjust to fighting his smaller form. The changeling weaved through Ember’s lashing blows, having to twirl slightly to dodge several near misses. At last, Thorax slid under her attacks, skidded across the ground, flung out a hoof, and used one of his legs to catch Ember’s. The dragoness fell flat on her back with a thump as Thorax stood up.
As both fighters panted for breath, Thorax transformed back, staring at the defeated Ember in shock. He seemed just as startled as the watching creatures. Well, most of them. Fortuna was looking very smug as Thorax helped his girlfriend up from the ground.
“See?” Fortuna chuckled and rubbed Pharynx’s head. “I appreciate you looking out for your brother on the battlefield, Phary, but Thorax has his own strengths to play to. He just needs to be forewarned of what’s going to happen, then the adrenaline will kick in.”
“Okay, you have got to spar with us more often, Thor!” Ember spoke up, eyes wide as she and Thorax climbed back through the window. “Seriously! If you can do that in your old form just imagine what you could do now with more training!”
“W-Well, it’s not just that I’m not good at triggering my ‘fight’ response,” Thorax smiled sheepishly. “I’m grateful mom taught me how to defend myself by playing to my strengths, but I’m also just more of the peacekeeping type. That’s why I haven’t tried training since I was an apprentice.”
“Very respectable morals, Thory.” Fortuna nuzzled her youngest son, glancing at Pharynx. “I know you want to protect your family, Pharynx. I won’t force any of you to come if you don’t want them to. But Middy and Meta are my family as much as you lot. And I know that all of you have the ability to help me save them.”
Pharynx hesitated, looking back at Tempest and Ember, who gave him encouraging grins. He then looked at his twin, who offered a feeble smile.
“I’d like to come, and I guess I could fight a little bit.” Thorax offered shyly.
“...Alright, fine.” Pharynx agreed, and Fortuna hugged him tightly. “M-Mom!”
“Brilliant, Phary!”
“Mom, let go!” Pharynx protested, and the unreformed changeling released him, though she still beamed. “Besides, I have a condition.”
“Yes?”
“The second it seems too dangerous, we pull Thorax, Ocellus, and Apex out.”
“Wait, hold on, since when were Ocellus and Apex coming?” Ember asked.
“Well, knowing them, they’d follow us whether we like it or not so we might as well invite them.”
“Okay, fair point.”
“So, Fortuna, when do we leave?” Tempest asked
“Immediately.” Fortuna grinned at the group. “You won’t need any supplies, don’t worry, let’s just grab the nymphs and head out.”
|
Kentavritsa
|
562205
| 1 |
Discord,Original Character,Other,Spa Ponies,Alternate Universe,Anthro,Human,Random,Science Fiction,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls,Fetish
|
A New Me
|
A girl is taking the wrong turn, only to find herself fall down; trapped in what appears to be a Labyrinth. She stumbles along the path; only to be offered a Massage by Aloe, who promptly offers her a suit of her choice.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>A girl is taking a wrong turn, before she is falling down. (<i>Where is she?</i>) </p><p>She is ending up trapped, in what appears to be a labyrinth; where she is stumbling forwards, in the hopes of finding the way to.. somewhere! (<i>She has no idea.</i>)</p><p>In the end, she is finding something, as she is mounting Aloe’s Massage bed. (<i>Gurney</i>)</p><p>Aloe is offering the girl a Massage, the girl can’t help but accept. How could she?</p><p>In the end; Aloe is offering her a suit, and even gives her a few choices to select from. (<i>Though the suits are just the same suit, in different colours.</i>)</p><p><span style="color:#EA25FE"> <--- --- ---> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Illustration:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <i>N/A</i></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Written by:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <a href="/user/220563/Kentavritsa" rel="nofollow"><i>Kentavritsa</i></a></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Edited by:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <a href="/user/220563/Kentavritsa" rel="nofollow"><i>Kentavritsa</i></a></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Status:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <i>Incomplete</i></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Password:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <i>Isekai</i></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Rating:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <i>Teen</i></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Warnings:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <i>Fetish</i></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Series:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <i>My Little Pony: Equestria Girls</i></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Genres:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <i>Alternative Universe, Anthropomorphic, Human, Random, Science-Fiction</i></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Characters:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <i>Original Character(s), Discord, Other(s), Spa Ponies, Rarity</i></p><p><span style="color:#EA25FE"> <--- --- ---> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Ps:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-style:italic;color:#FF2005">I hope you don't mind my new format</span></p>
|
teen
|
2024-08-22T04:14:26+00:00
|
2024-08-22T04:14:26+00:00
| 24 |
<--- --- --->
Summary
<--- --- --->
.
I am extending my right hand in order to open the door, gently attempting to push the door up; only to find myself falling, soon landing on my rump on top of (something).
“That just happened..” I exclaim, as I try to crawl out of what I had just landed in the middle of; “at least, it had been a fairly soft landing; as opposed, to what I had been expecting!” I ponder, giggling to myself.
“Now, what do I do?” I ponder; “where am I, and what am I supposed to do here?” I inquire.
Just how far had I fallen, I have no idea.
As I had finally escaped, what I had landed in, I find myself standing on the pristine white ceramic tiles; almost, as if it had been a bath-house or a facility in that vein.
After a moment, I come to the conclusion that it is steaming hot, even the glossy tiles underfoot are not all that hot. I tentatively take a few steps forwards, wearily scan my surroundings for anything in the vicinity. Anything at all. It stubbornly remains quiet, and none is to be seen as far as my eyes and ears could say. Well, not that my nose was any more cooperative, as I can’t pick up any scent beyond what had already been obvious based on my first impression.
While the room is white, and bright; I can see precious little, where I am standing. Reflections, confusing me, casting me of constantly.
I still hear the sounds of my footsteps, and faint echoes indicating where I have the walls. I just can’t quite make out where the bright light is emanating from. Why bother, it is light enough for me to see; even if it is a bit much, almost blinding me.
The walls beside me are just five feet apart, but more than enough for me to walk comfortably. Just a few inches too close, for me to walk with my arms outstretched to feel my way forwards.
Had I fallen through a trap door, or a chute for clothes or linen to be washed?” I question.
No response is forthcoming, and I don’t have any further revelations on my situation.
I could as well have been trapped. Or, maybe this is just a Labyrinth in which I am to get hopelessly and irrevocably lost? (Wouldn’t that be absolutely perfect?) Either way, I am lost, never to be heard from or seen again. Isn’t that the case.
I am walking forwards, as I have nothing better to do. Or, maybe I did have something better to do. I could always try to examine the way I had come from. The location I had arrived. I could, but for now it just had not even entered my mind. Should it have?
“What kind of a place is this?” I ponder, never bothering to voice the question. (should I have?)
After several minutes of walking, the wall to my right vanishes and causes me to stumble to the side. I follow the hint, waling in the new direction.
On the right and left, I have three shower stalls. I have the shower, but nowhere to place my clothes. The path continues further and further; only to reveal a four foot high bench, similar to the once you have in the sauna. Yet, it is not getting either warmer, or colder than it had been before. Though the room is clearly steamy. My clothes starts to get soaked through.
I slip my clothes off of me; if I am alone modesty is the least of my problems, as the clothes are very uncomfortable by now.
Once I had disrobed; I take the chance to sit down on the bench before my clothes, just resting for a moment. Not as if the room or air is getting any less steamy, and I am feeling hot and a bit unsure on my feet by now.
I am closing my eyes, for a moment; but when I am once more opening my eyes, my clothes are nowhere to be seen. I have no clothes. Since I am still alone, I permit the notion to slip my mind. Should I have been that self-conscious of my appearance and body?
Just that now, is not the time to consider this issue, is it?
I am scanning the room, only to realize that I have a clear path forwards. While the walls still appear to be five feet apart, but I can continue to walk farther, in the hopes of getting somewhere; possibly learning where I am and how I ended up where I am.
< --- --- --- >
Departure
<--- --- --->
Less than the Greater Van!
|
Kentavritsa
|
562205
| 2 |
Discord,Original Character,Other,Spa Ponies,Alternate Universe,Anthro,Human,Random,Science Fiction,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls,Fetish
|
A New Me
|
A girl is taking the wrong turn, only to find herself fall down; trapped in what appears to be a Labyrinth. She stumbles along the path; only to be offered a Massage by Aloe, who promptly offers her a suit of her choice.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>A girl is taking a wrong turn, before she is falling down. (<i>Where is she?</i>) </p><p>She is ending up trapped, in what appears to be a labyrinth; where she is stumbling forwards, in the hopes of finding the way to.. somewhere! (<i>She has no idea.</i>)</p><p>In the end, she is finding something, as she is mounting Aloe’s Massage bed. (<i>Gurney</i>)</p><p>Aloe is offering the girl a Massage, the girl can’t help but accept. How could she?</p><p>In the end; Aloe is offering her a suit, and even gives her a few choices to select from. (<i>Though the suits are just the same suit, in different colours.</i>)</p><p><span style="color:#EA25FE"> <--- --- ---> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Illustration:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <i>N/A</i></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Written by:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <a href="/user/220563/Kentavritsa" rel="nofollow"><i>Kentavritsa</i></a></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Edited by:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <a href="/user/220563/Kentavritsa" rel="nofollow"><i>Kentavritsa</i></a></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Status:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <i>Incomplete</i></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Password:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <i>Isekai</i></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Rating:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <i>Teen</i></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Warnings:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <i>Fetish</i></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Series:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <i>My Little Pony: Equestria Girls</i></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Genres:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <i>Alternative Universe, Anthropomorphic, Human, Random, Science-Fiction</i></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Characters:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span> <i>Original Character(s), Discord, Other(s), Spa Ponies, Rarity</i></p><p><span style="color:#EA25FE"> <--- --- ---> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;color:#FF2005">Ps:</span><span style="color:#FF2005"> </span><span style="font-style:italic;color:#FF2005">I hope you don't mind my new format</span></p>
|
teen
|
2024-07-24T04:26:52+00:00
|
2024-07-24T04:26:52+00:00
| 77 |
<--- --- --->
Prologue
<--- --- --->
.
There is a door before me, a solid wooden door. The door had been crafted out of dark oak wood, from what I can guess.
I am opening the door, having nothing better to do. On the other side of the door, I can see what appears to be a black massage bed: a gurney I can lay down upon.
“How curious..” I ponder; “but I guess I could rest for a moment; if I am lying on this bed!” I conclude.
In place of the leather I had been expecting; this one is coated with a metallic bloody red, glossy silicone. While initially hard to the touch; it is still yielding comfortably, forming after my body once I am placing my weight upon it.
I am taking the final steps, up to the bed; climbing up from the right, mounting it before I lay down on my back and rest comfortably.
The smooth surface is a bit sticky to the touch, but not more than I am comfortable with; at least, it is still giving me a good grip so that I don’t need to fear falling off. While this gurney is just four foot high; I still am not comfortable with falling off of it.
After a moment, of slowly and carefully squirming and shifting around; I find myself comfortable, safely lying on the gurney I had just mounted. Naturally, or maybe not quite so naturally; I am lying on my belly, my face fitting into the shaped pillow crafted for the very purpose of making me comfortable on my pillow. I can breathe, comfortably; as this pillow is not obstructing my breathing, despite the smooth and otherwise unyielding surface. (Note that I am referring to these items, by the word first coming to my mind; on the account of not knowing the proper term, for things I have before me.) It is after all the first time, I am having the opportunity, to lie on a massage bed in the first place. (At least, it certainly is comfortable up here!)
My feet are dangling, freely; while the rest of me is supported firmly by the bed upon which I am lying. (This is surprisingly comfortable, once I had managed to make myself comfortable.)
This room is surprisingly cool, as I lie on this bed; only four foot off of the floor, resting.
The room is quiet, on the account of me being alone in the small room, I had just stepped into. With nothing better to do, I just stay quiet; enjoying myself, as best as I can in this strange situation. Nothing better to do, and I need to rest after I had left the hot and steamy room I had just left. I am taking slow, deliberate breaths; in through the nose, out through the mouth. In through the nose, out through the mouth; in through the nose, out through the mouth.
With every slow, deliberate breath I am taking; I find myself growing calmer, cooler.
It isn’t as if I had been tired, or sleepy; before I fell down and consequently entered the room with this massage bed. Yet, I find myself content, just lying limply and enjoying the short moment I am having before me.
“Clip clop, clip clop..” is heard, as the girl is entering the room in which I am lying.
Whoever she is, she doesn’t seem to take notice of my presence; or she pretends I am not here. Unless, of course; she feels it more comfortable; to trap me where I lie, as she had already gobbled up the little space there is between her and me. As if there is anywhere, I could possibly go.
“Greetings, I am Aloe..” she proclaims; “and I’m the one to performing your massage, today!” she promises, eagerly.
“Oh..” I respond, pondering what is about to go down; “did I book a Massage Session?” I ponder, refusing to protest, just in case.
Massage certainly could be quite enjoyable, or so I had heard. If she is extending me the service, who am I to turn her down?
She is stopping, just one step away, standing a foot to my right, ruefully examining me where she is standing.
After a minute, she is extracting a thin membrane, Silicone glove with her left hand; slowly slipping her right hand into the crystal clear glove, pulling it all the way up with her left hand. I can hear a distinct squeaking noise from the glove, as it is stretching eagerly; as she is pulling it onto her right hand. With the glove on her right hand, she is repeating the process; extracting the second glove with her right hand, slipping the left hand into the glove. There it is again, the distinct squeaking noise; from the highly elastic membrane glove stretching, as she is slipping the left hand in, into it.
“There..” she pronounces; “almost there..” she concludes; as she is pulling out a large can of what I am taking for her massage oil. (While this is a special lubricating care-oil intended to help me enter the suit she had prepared for me.)
She is dipping her right and left hands into the highly viscous, crystal clear gel; before she is withdrawing her now slippery and wet hands, from the depth of the gel before her.
“If you don’t mind..” she offers; “I will start to massage your back, in a moment!” she explains.
“Oh, oh!” I just respond, not sure as to how I am to respond to her offer; “Please do!” I finally utter, in the hopes I had given her the correct response.
After a minute, or so; I feel a pair of slippery wet hands, landing on the small of my back. The hands slowly move up the length of my back, eagerly spreading the gel as she goes. My skin eagerly absorbs the gel, while she continues to move her hands further and further up my back; the tips of her thumbs, comfortably resting on the right and left sides of my spine.
“Oh.. Oh.. Aaaah..” I sigh, in delight; as I am enjoying the experience, she is providing.
I am firmly trapped, on the gurney and under her hands; I am incapable to escape, had I even wanted to.
As her hands finally reach my neck, she is lifting her hands up; withdrawing her hands, as she is slipping her hands back to the gel under me.
She once more moves her hands from the edge of my spine; all the way up my back, until she is reaching the back of my head. Only, she is repeating the process a third and final time; leaving the skin of my back saturated and coated generously with the lubricating gel, before she starts to apply the relaxing massage to my back.
In slow, small diminutive circles, she continues from the back of my head; slowly moving down, ever downwards. All the way down my back, along the entire length of my back; only for her to move her hands an inch or two apart, before she is doubling back up towards my head. Like this, she continues back and forth; until she had covered my entire back, leaving each and every muscle completely and utterly relaxed. I can’t move a single muscle of my back, where I lie; relaxed, enjoying myself and the treat she had promised me.
Her hands once more vanishing from my back, only to return to my right arm; covering and coating it with the crystal clear gel, before she is performing her massage once more.
She only stops, as she had finished the arm; as she had started with the shoulder, moving down over my upper arm, my elbow and lower arm, before ending with the back of my hand, my fingers and concluded with the palm of my hand.
She is leaving the arm glistering in the sparse light; while my arm lie limply, as she had imposed the relaxed state onto my right arm.
“Clip clop, clip clop..” is heard, as she is walking around me; only to end up on the left side of my body.
A moment later, I distinctly feel the wet gel on my left arm, as her hands are working their magic, applying the massage to my other arm.
“Oh.. Oh.. Aaaah..” I sigh, in delight; as I am enjoying the experience, she is providing.
Once she had massaged my left arm, she takes a step back; walking to my back, only to place her now wet hands onto my rump.
I distinctly feel her hands sliding down the left leg, as she is spreading the gel along the way: once, twice and thrice, before she is once more applying her massage. Only this time, to my left leg. I feel her hands slide down my thigh, my knee, my calf, my heel and the soul of the foot; before she is finishing with my toes and the top of the foot. While she is working, I can but sigh and moan; in response to her, as I am enjoying the touch she is applying.
As she had completed massaging my left leg; she is repeating the process, extending the massage to my right arm.
Like this, she had applied the relaxed state, to almost the entire body.
<--- --- --->
Once she had massaged my back, she had stepped over to my left side; slipping her hands into the gel, before she is placing her hands on my back. I feel the wet sensation spreading out over my back, as her hands are moving up and down my spine; only withdrawing her hands in order to dip her hands in the gel; repeating this process: once, twice and thrice.
“Relax, and press your arms to the sides..” she suggests, and I do my best to comply, as if I could have moved my hands from my body.
Her hands once more enter the gel, only to be withdrawn with a wet, sucking noise as she is lifting up her hands towards me; sliding her hands along the sides of my arms and press my arms gently towards my body.
“Oh.. Oh.. Aaaah..” I sigh, in delight.
Of course, she is repeating the process; pressing my legs together. I can but enjoy the sensations of her hands sliding down the sides of my legs.
“Oh.. Oh.. Aaaah..” I sigh, in delight.
Once she is done; she is turning me over ever so gently; leaving me on my back, before she is returning to conclude the massage she had promised me.
I feel her hands over my face, as she is spreading the gel; before she starts to massage my face, gently.
Her hands then move down my throat and down onto my chest; covering and coating me with more and more of the gel, in the process.
She is taking a step back; moving down, before she starts to apply the gel from the couch and up my chest. Much the same way, she had applied the gel to my back; before she is applying the massage, the same way she had back then.
With my eyes closed, relaxed; I enjoy the calm the relaxation is imposing upon me and my body.
After a moment; I can clearly feel her hands, on my face once more. She is spreading the gel over my face; applying the gel with the tips of her fingers, in order to slip the gel over the skin and into my mouth and ears.
I feel the tips of her fingers, playing over my relaxed lips; teasing my skin, with the gentlest of touches.
I no longer hear the noises of her hard hooves hitting the floor as she walks. She had walked down, to stand before my lower body; applying the gel onto my mound. Caressing the mound, the lips and sliding her fingers inside in her effort to apply the lubricating gel where she feels it needs to go.
Soft caresses makes me feel wet, and I feel my face flush and go red.
“What is she doing?” I ponder; “but, why does it feel so good, I don’t want her to stop!” I conclude.
There is just the one step left and I soon feel her hands slipping in between my thighs.
A moment later; I feel her fingers slipping and sliding around the orifice.
Wet fingers slip in, enter; completing the process, by permitting the gel in inside my final orifice. I can do nothing, to stop her; had I wanted to, but right now I can’t find a reason to. I am enjoying myself far too much. She had trapped me in the bliss of the relaxation her massage is offering me.
I just. I just. Want more. I can’t let her stop. I can’t permit her to slow down.
“I will be back, in a moment..” she explains; “I just have a few options to prepare, before I can continue!” she concludes.
I remain quiet. I remain still. I remain relaxed. How could I not?
My eyes remain closed, and relaxed.
My mouth remains closed, and relaxed. (could I even open my mouth?)
Iam wet. I am wet. I am wet.
Yes.. I. Am. Wet.
“Yes, yes, yes..” I ponder, relishing in the sensations she had offered me; “I am wet.. still.. and forever!” I conclude.
< --- --- --- >
Entry
<--- --- --->
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SparklingTwilight
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562212
| 1 |
Maud Pie,Trixie,Vice-Principal Luna,Comedy,Drama,Romance,My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
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Problem Students
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The Great and Powerful Trixie blew up a bathroom and got drop-kicked by Bon Bon. She needs a friend. But, she's giving the world a show.
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complete
| 15 | 1 |
<p><b>The Great and Powerful Trixie</b> loves school, where she can be herself--an utter spectacle madly practicing stage magic. <b>Maud Pie's</b> most herself when she's performing standup comedy. These performers connect after Trixie burns a metaphorical bridge--literal bathrooms--and pisses off pretty much everyone.</p><hr/><p><b>Content Note:</b> One f-word. Spoiler: <span class="spoiler">Physical abuse discussed briefly near the end.</span></p><hr/><p>This is an entry for <a href="/blog/1040218/the-rainbow-rocks-10th-anniversary-shipping-contest" rel="nofollow">the Rainbow Rocks 10th Anniversary Shipping Contest</a>.</p><hr/><p><b>Cover Art:</b> is from <a href="https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2023/4/8/3103814.png" rel="nofollow">here</a> by <a href="https://derpibooru.org/tags/artist-colon-batipin?page=1&q=artist%3Abatipin" rel="nofollow">batipin</a>.</p>
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teen
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2024-07-31T22:25:02+00:00
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2024-07-31T22:25:02+00:00
| 228 |
"Lulamoon, Trixie. Would Lulamoon, Trixie please come to the Vice Principal's office immediately? Lulamoon, Trixie," the classroom's announcement speaker reverberated its ear-splitting out-of-tune request.
Trixie Lulamoon tossed her light aqua-blue-ish hair and chuckled a high-pitched laugh. "I am clearly being rewarded by our Administration who is requesting This Great and Powerful Trixie--discreetly of course--to perform for the entire school."
"That. Or getting expelled." Rainbow Dash made a farting sound with an elbow as Trixie rose. Some of the dumber and meaner students snickered--for completely different reasons.
"No one got rich betting on your powers of intuition, Duh-she," Trixie sneered.
Rainbow Dash fluttered her arms like bird wings. "Disappear--squawk--squawk--just like your poopy birds."
"They only did that on your head because you're a shi--poop head," Trixie said.
Her teacher cleared his throat.
"On my waaaaay," Trixie drew out the words as she hurried to the door, which she opened, bounded through, then intentionally slammed.
"Oh my," she noted when she was a few steps from her classroom door. "I don't have my hall pass. I'm so baaad," she chuckled and made a pose covering her mouth with her hands. No one heard her. No audience roamed the hallway while courses were underway. She sighed and loped sadly and directly to where she was supposed to be. Not even a stray Freshman popped a head here or there, although she did think she heard the sound of footsteps retreating down an adjacent hall. But, alas! No audience.
The bench in front of the Vice Principal's office, however, was not empty. There was a dull-faced gray-skinned girl there.
Trixie smiled and pulled a rock out of her pocket. "Hey there," she said.
The girl looked up.
"Watch this, Maud!" Trixie said, pretending to yank the rock out of the girl's left ear. "You've got rocks on the brain."
The girl smiled. "Gravel, to be precise."
Trixie looked at the rock. "I suppose it is...." She placed it back in her right skirt pocket. "Regardless... what are you here for, troublemaker?"
"Sassing the teacher." The girl answered in monotone.
"You, like, never speak."
"False. I am speaking. Right now."
"In class, unless called on, I mean."
"Yes," Maud blinked.
"What happened?"
"I did not say anything during my group project presentation. The teacher asked me to talk. I said Micro Chips had already said everything pertinent. The teacher said I was being impertinent, and I laughed. Because that was funny."
Trixie giggled. "I see how that might have been amusing." She patted Maud on her back, noting as she did that the upperclass-student had a dark rock lying adjacent to her.
Before Trixie could comment on how Maud was even more rock-mad than rumors suggested, she was called in to the Vice Principal's office.
"Ta-ta!" she wished Maud goodbye. Maud nodded. Trixie slammed the door.
Vice Principal Luna gestured for Trixie to be seated.
"Trixie Lulamoon, I am very sorry to be having this conversation with you," Luna began. "I don't think you are a bad student or human being."
"Girl, I'm a girl."
"Yes, that. You're also a human being. Just like me and your fellow classmates."
"However," Luna's words hung in the air. "Your misbehavior cannot continue."
Trixie stayed silent.
"And there must be consequences for negative actions."
"Excuse me?"
"You are excused."
Trixie got up to leave.
"Not that type of excused," Luna said.
Trixie sat back down.
"What I am speaking about is the incident that happened yesterday... with the stink bombs... and the fight."
"They weren't intended to be stink bombs."
"Manufacturing difficulties in chemistry class does not cover for the fact that you should have known what would happen when that precise chemical reaction was affected."
"Are you suggesting I am intentionally torpedoing my grades to build an alibi for an accidental creation of a stink bomb?"
"Yes."
"You can't prove--"
"I don't need to," Luna said. "It is enough that you *did* it. I just want to make sure you wholly understand that I have seen the games you've been playing, I acknowledge their cleverness, but you're not going to get something past me." Luna steepled her fingers. "Do I make myself clear?"
"I didn't--"
"When I was your age, I played far more successful pranks that didn't result in broken noses."
"That was hardly my fault and it was part of the show. It wasn't a prank!"
"It's also a major reason why we are sitting here having this conversation now. Do you think I enjoy having these conversations?"
"You're a vice principal. Discipline is, like, part of the job description. Why else would you take this job?"
"I want to help students improve."
"Then let me practice my magic more!"
"No!" Luna's voice raised.
Trixie raised an eyebrow.
"Bon Bon has a fifteen foot restraining order against you. And you owe her restitution for her nose."
"Next time she shouldn't stick her clownishly oversized schnoz into my business and foolishly attempt to debunk my magic!"
"Violence is not the answer."
"If she hadn't volunteered for the trick, she would have been fine. If she'd played along, she would have been fine. But no, she insisted on sticking her head out when I was disappearing her--ruining everything!"
"Including snapping her nose."
"And then she had the audacity to drop-kick Trixie. Trixie should be suing her!"
"Witnesses confirm you approached her aggressively and pushed back, screaming in her face that she was a 'terrible assistant and an even worse human being.'"
Trixie bit her lower lip, then spoke in an even tone: "Mistakes may have been made in the heat of the moment."
"And our understanding of that is why you are not in a disciplinary school at this moment."
"But it's not like Bon Bon and I will necessarily cross paths in the bathroom again."
"Your invasive insistence on performing magic in the bathroom has upset a number of other girls. Combined with their twelve complaints, some of which allege assault and voyeurism--"
"MISUNDERSTANDINGS!" Trixie shouted. "Trixie has absolutely no interest in the human body! Trixie nearly failed biology and health! Why is Trixie always misunderstood?"
"It has been noted you are less... playful with the opposite gender."
"Interactions can be misconstrued. By fools."
Luna raised an eyebrow. "To be clear. You're able to control yourself with boys but not girls... I have the name of a good counselor if you'd like to talk and learn to express your feelings in a safe manner. It's entirely natural what you may be feeling and there's no reason to be ashamed, but you should not allow your feelings to seep out in uncomfortable ways. Channel them to constructive, appropriate and consenting avenues! Is there, perhaps, some reason or attitude at home that may have led you to perhaps suppress and lash out in this way--"
"Trixie has no issues! Except back issues of Magician's Monthly! Thank you very much, but no!"
"We may need to escalate this to a doctor... or a psychiatrist."
"Fine," Trixie said, scrunching her head down. "There is one thing. Mother doesn't like me doing magic at home."
"I see. That's what's bottled up."
"Yes. Trixie cannot express her true self at home."
"You must be more careful at school. And respectful of others. Regardless, I'll give you the name of a good psychiatrist and family counselor. I may need to contact your mother."
"NO!" Trixie slammed her hands down on the table and stood facing Luna eye to eye. Her lower lip quivered. "I'll be good..."
"She doesn't physically discipline you?"
"NO!" Trixie's quivering stopped, replaced by a mask of rage.
"--deny you food?" Luna noted Trixie's ultra-slim figure.
"NO!" Trixie repeatedly whacked her hands on the table. "No, no, no."
"Emotionally--"
"Trixie feels uncomfortable!"
"And--"
Luna held up a hand. "Of course, we may revisit this in a few days. Trixie. We're here to help you."
Luna made a note to consider contacting more qualified and experienced authorities for a potential home visit to Trixie's domicile--just to be safe.
Trixie tapped a foot.
"Anxious to get back to class?"
"Of course. Next period's chemistry."
Luna sighed. "Please try not to have any more incidents."
"I didn't know invisible ink wouldn't work on cotton."
"It does tend to stain."
Trixie bit her lower lip. "Can I go now?"
"In just a minute. We need to talk about your consequences. Since there are a number of complications with you utilizing the girls' restrooms, we've decided you can use the unisex handicapped bathroom, or the boys' if the unisex is in use. We're moving towards gender neutral bathrooms anyway."
Trixie rolled her eyes, then settled her expression on a smile, steepled her fingers, and said, "Just as planned."
Luna shook her head. "There is no way you planned this. And, if you did, that's an even greater violation."
"Heh-heh-heh," Trixie laughed.
Luna crossed her arms, leaned back and chose to allow Trixie to release her emotions. After a while, she said, "And if you eventually become banned from these places, then we may need to discuss alternative schooling arrangements. Private sessions. Special schools."
"Anything could happen to me!"
"We have professionals."
"It's a bad idea to leave me alone."
"Are you looking to not have access to the unisex bathroom?"
"I mean--in a classroom."
"Noted."
They sat in silence for a while, Luna staring at Trixie and Trixie rubbing her fingers against each other. Whether she was pantomiming a trick or merely making nervous movement, Luna could not tell. When Luna could no longer stand the movement, she nodded at Trixie, saying, "You may send the next person in."
Trixie left the room, slamming its door shut and winked at Maud, whose head had risen. "Heyyyyy," Trixie smiled her best stage smile. She walked over to Maud and patted her on her left shoulder. Maud turned that way. Trixie bent down and pocketed the dark rock that had been resting to Maud's right.
"Knock 'em dead," Trixie said.
Maud got up, then she looked back at the bench and turned her head. She bent down to the ground, and studied it.
"Hey," Trixie said, tapping Maud on her shoulder. Maud turned to her again, frowning. Trixie jostled Maud's ear and turned open her hand, revealing the dark rock.
Maud saw the rock, and her eyes lit up.
Trixie placed it in Maud's hand. "You dropped it earlier," she lied.
Maud frowned for a moment, but she collected herself and smiled a tight grin back.
Trixie walked off, head held high.
Not too many days later...
Trixie, in the unlocked unisex bathroom, was found in it hanging upside down from the roof with a wand, and a rabbit. More at eye-level for the wheelchair-using male student who had opened the door, was an eternally swirling toilet and a floating plunger.
She was banned from going into that bathroom.
Shortly thereafter...
Trixie was in the boy's restroom. She was washing her face because she'd been crying. She heard a tinkling sound and she shuddered because she'd thought she was alone. She stepped to the exit and heard steps and words from outside. She unthinkingly retreated and bumped into the boy who'd been in the room all along.
"He-" he paused. "Hello."
"Hey," Trixie forced a grin.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Hi..." she noted his curly hair and nerdy demeanor-- "Micro Chips--" that had to be his name. "Just hanging in the boy's room. Smokin' the boy's room, as the song goes--hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha." (Note: She didn't quite correctly cite the song's lyric. The song starts around 0:49.)
"Okay." Micro Chips quirked an eyebrow, then washed and wiped his hands.
"Please don't tell anyone," Trixie urged, pressing her hands together in a steeple.
"Please don't blow up our bathroom."
"Hahahahahahhahahahahahah. I won't," her eyes, intense with pleading and possible insanity, glistened.
"Okay." Micro Chips bit his lower lip and considered Trixie and the wildly expanding blush spreading across her face. "I won't tell... if you don't do anything bad.... I'm... going to go."
The sound of voices drifted in when he opened the door--boy voices. Trixie closed her eye that would have been perceiving the disgusting urinal wall, and headed to the stalls opposite. She fiddled with the door, opened, then closed and locked it. The restroom door slammed open and boys barged inside.
Trixie looked at her ankles--visible to any boys--then arched her legs up against the door.
Tinkling and laughter and the sounds of pushing and whatever boys did when they were in the bathroom filled her ears. She crossed her legs and scrunched down really tiny.
The sounds gradually became quieter, and she was left with the soft repetition of farts and the susurration of stools. It was safe and calm to be cramped tight, wedged in the stall, but she always liked contortion.
Somehow... after the voices and the sounds subsided, she fell asleep--until the last bell of the day. After the bathroom emptied, she quickly left.
Maud saw Trixie coming out and confronted her with a raised eyebrow. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"What?"
"You weren't in Chemistry."
"Yes, I was."
"No."
"Your eyes are bad. I was there."
"Ears are fine. You're the loudest in class."
"Am not."
Maud stared.
"Okay, I am."
"Is something wrong?"
"No!"
Maud stared. Then, she blinked. "I won't hurt you. And I don't gossip. Even if someone asked. I wouldn't talk."
"What do you think is wrong? Why do you think? Maybe I'm tricking you--I'm Trixie, the Great and Powerful... The Great and Powerful Trixie! Come on."
"It's okay." Maud shrugged. "But I saw The Great and Powerful Trixie coming out of the boys' room. Any reason?"
"Magic."
"Good," Maud nodded. "You're good at that. I hope it went well."
"Wasn't performing. Just practicing."
Maud's mouth made an 'o'. "When you are ready, I would like to see."
"Really?"
"Yes," Maud blinked. "You don't need to worry about asking for confirmation. I mean what I say."
"Do you?"
Maud cocked her head.
Trixie laughed, "Sorry."
Maud smiled.
Trixie kept laughing. "Oh, yeah. Dumb Trixie. Stupid Trixie."
Maud, frowning, held up a hand.
"Sorry." Tears filled Trixie's eyes. "It's just that time of the month."
"No it isn't."
"What?"
"Not for you."
"What the serious fuck."
Maud blinked. And smiled, showing her teeth. "I can smell it."
"No you can't."
"I was joking."
"So, I can't trust you."
"I show my teeth when I joke. Or lie. Wanted you to learn by example."
"You minx!"
"Actually, I'm a human."
"Why joke about that? It isn't any good. It's disgusting!"
Maud blinked. "Did you laugh?"
"No."
"Sorry."
"Wait.... I think I get it."
"Do you want to explain?"
"Yes! You were doing something unexpected and transgressive to put me off balance--to make me less sad... or... to figure out my lie!" Trixie's eyes widened.
"Yes."
"That's clever. You know, one important thing with magic is misdirection and the gift of gab. You're pretty quiet but seriously--oooh."
"hooo."
"Hoo? ooh-hoo--darnit," Trixie giggled. "Reversing the situation."
"Itdarn indeed."
Trixie cocked her head.
"Verlan. I reversed the syllables. Made a new word. It's funny. Sometimes."
"I'm learning so much," Trixie leaned forward. "How'd you get so good at... this?"
"I do stand-up comedy."
"Where?"
"Everywhere. Practice all the time."
"But I don't recall hearing much laughter--"
"People talk so loud. Live in their own worlds. They don't listen."
Trixie nodded. "That's probably true."
Maud blinked.
"For a more attentive audience, I also perform at the Sweet Snacks Cafe. 11:45 to 12:00 slot. I'm the closer. Best spot. Or worst. Everything leads up to me. But if everything is bad, people leave early. Unless they stay, just to see me"
"I'd stay for that!" Trixie grinned. Then, she blushed. "But I can't sneak out until after my mom goes to bed, so I'd be maybe just getting there in time. But I'm good at disappearing. I'd make it."
"Don't risk yourself."
"The Great and Powerful Trixie thrives on risks! Did you ever see me balance that black widow on my nose?"
"No."
"I'll have to acquire another one. It was an excellent trick."
"Is that what got The Great and Powerful Trixie banned from the girls' bathroom?"
"What?"
"You were banned?"
"...yes."
"I figured. Didn't know, though. Till just now."
"But--"
"It makes sense. Between what happened with Bon Bon and the other complaints."
"Principal Luna figured it'd be best to not talk about it, since technically the bathrooms are open to everyone. Nobody reads the fine print, though."
They shared smiles.
"Are you performing tonight?" Trixie asked.
That Night
Trixie took a deep breath and opened her window and lowered her magician's handkerchiefs to the ground, all tied and twisted together and secured to her bedpost. With only a little trouble, she managed to descend and then she was on her way.
She got her bike out of the detached garage, wheeled it past the neighbor's and then pedaled like mad.
She arrived at the Cafe just as Maud was going on.
Maud's set was perfect.
Trixie was pounding a table and weeping with laughter.
When Maud was done, she tapped Trixie on the shoulder. "We need to go. It's closed."
"Sure." Trixie got to her feet, wincing and wobbling a bit. Maud supported her.
"Sorry," Trixie said. "I biked up a hill."
"You can put your bike in my truck," Maud said.
"The benefit of being a Senior," Trixie laughed.
"I worked for my truck," Maud, the Senior, said.
"I mean... being able to drive, and being alive enough to save enough..."
Maud blinked. "An average student working an average part-time summer job could earn enough to purchase a typical used vehicle in this market within two summers. Of course, maintenance and fuel have additional costs."
"It's hard to save when one spends everything on magic equipment."
Maud smiled and patted the back of one of Trixie's hands. "It's good to invest in oneself."
Blushing, Trixie turned from Maud, wheeled the bike around, then started to pick her bike up. It barely budged.
"Just have to get my breath..." Trixie said.
Maud smiled and patted Trixie's shoulder. Trixie moved aside and Maud reached down, heaved and easily lifted the bike into the truck bed.
"So jealous," Trixie's eyes widened at Maud's muscles.
"From farmwork," Maud smiled.
"You work on a farm?"
"Live and work."
"What do you grow? Or raise?"
"Rocks."
"What?"
"All types. Decorative. Carved. Lots of geodes, too. We mine and break them open."
"That's... so cool. I use geodes in some of my bits. I hide--well, that's part of the trick."
"I'd love to see that."
Trixie yawned. "I wish I wasn't so tired. I'm jealous.... Wait! Stop here."
Maud gradually applied pressure to her brakes and stopped a house away from Trixie's home.
"I'm fine now, but that means I'm terrible with mornings," Maud smiled.
Trixie reached out for her hand and shook it. "Thank you." She grimaced at the extremely strong grip.
Maud relaxed her grip and pulled away, but Trixie squeezed back.
"I--I'm a night owl," Maud elaborated. "Not hoot-hoot. The expression. I'm good at taking in the moonglow and enjoying how nice it looks reflected on the rocks."
"That's nice," Trixie said. "I should do a moonlight show sometime. School's always closed at night and I can't get out much."
"You can perform for me, anytime you like."
Trixie swallowed and released Maud's hand. Maud got out and removed the bike, not even breaking a sweat.
Trixie, meanwhile, was still covered in sweat from her ride. She stumbled near some bushes. Maud caught and steadied her and Trixie turned away, hiding a blush. Together, they wheeled the bike to Trixie's garage. Then, they turned to Trixie's house. But then Trixie hissed, "My mom knows."
"Knows The Great and Powerful Trixie broke out?"
"Ladder's gone. Lights are on."
"Sorry."
"I'm going to get punished."
Maud hung her head.
Trixie bit her lower lip. "Can I... come back with you?"
"Won't it be worse if you do not return home?"
"Probably."
Maud waited. "Will your parents be worried?"
"I don't know."
"You sure?"
"Sorry. I'm talking nonsense. Good night. It was a really good show." Trixie smiled and walked to her door.
At School:
"That was the last straw," Trixie whispered. "But if it hadn't been that, she'd have found some other excuse. She wants me out of the way. She has a new boyfriend. They need the house. Anyway, the school wrote me up for the unisex bathroom incident. Between that and repayment for that jerk's schnoz, I got recommended for military camp... summer sleepaway. To straighten me out."
"I'm sorry--"
"Don't be. They want me out. The sooner the better.... Can I sleep over with you sometime?"
"... Yes?"
Trixie patted the back of Maud's hand. "Great!"
"If everyone is ready to start--" their teacher, Cranky Doodle, glared.
"Momentarily, Sir," Maud said.
"Didn't I say no back talk?"
"Not today, Sir."
Trixie sashayed back to her seat. Maud turned her hand to a side and found a smiling face sticker that Trixie had snuck under her hand.
"Maud Pie!" Cranky shouted.
"Yes?"
"I'm writing a note. About your attitude. Again. Take it to the Principal."
"Yes."
At Maud's:
Trixie sucked ravenously on the water bottle's nipple. Sweat seeped through her clothing.
"You don't have to do this," Maud said. "You are not used to it."
"No," Trixie said. "I'll be doing worse at camp. Might as well start the torture now."
Maud smiled. "It'll get easier."
"It gets better..." Trixie sighed and leaned against the rock wall she had been digging into. "That's what the mascot, Trevor, says anyway."
"Mascot?"
"The military camp's mascot--Trevor--he's a beagle. A promotional project they're working on to be hip. To help problem students." Trixie shivered.
"You're not a problem," Maud massaged one of Trixie's shoulders.
"I just want to make people smile. And I can't practice at home. And I can't practice at camp. We get three changes of clothes. A pencil. Seven sheets of paper and envelopes. And that's it. Not even a pack of cards!"
"No magic at home?"
"Mom hates it."
"Oh."
"Dad. The one I never met. He was a magician."
Maud nodded.
"I've had three dads." Trixie lay back on the rocks. "It's icky."
"Did something horrible happen?"
"No. But they're bad. You're lucky. You're doing what you want. Your parents let you."
Maud smiled. "It's not all perfect."
"Of course."
"And they're not too happy with my multiple trips to the Vice Principal, either," Maud said.
"You're a real problem student--" Trixie laughed.
"I just... say what the teachers ask. But they don't always want an answer. It's difficult."
"People are stupid," Trixie said. "You've got to charm them. Then they're yours."
"You're an expert on charm?"
"Have I charmed you?"
"Yes."
"Then I am!"
"One conquest does not an expert make."
"Unless it's an expertly-made conquest!"
"Is this?"
"You tell me."
"To be deter-mined."
"Was that a rock joke?"
"Yes."
Trixie watched Maud get back to work, swinging her pickaxe.
Later
"When's the air conditioning going to come on?" Trixie, a towel wrapping her hair, asked.
"We don't have it," Maud said from her bed.
"Was that a joke?"
"No teeth."
"Why?" Trixie nearly screamed the question.
"Parents are environmentally-conscious. You get used to it." Maud fluffed her camisole, pulled a sheet up and tucked her washed and buffed pet rock into bed beside her. "Take off what you need. Turn up the fan's speed if you like. Boulder won't mind. Aeolian erosion will not hurt him unless we leave it on for a few thousand years. Good night!"
Trixie, resting on the floor, had a difficult time getting to sleep and eventually tossed her flannel pajama shirt into a corner. Still, when she did slumber, she had surprisingly good dreams starring herself and a pliably willing grey-skinned assistant.
Morning
Trixie stretched and got up and went to the bathroom. Then she returned to find Maud already awake and dressed. "Good morning," Maud nodded at Trixie, then looked away.
Trixie jerked anxiously, covered her unclothed chest with her arms, and scrambled to her bedding.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie," Maud said. "Were you bit by mosquitoes or other insects?"
"No.... I'm sorry you don't like their size--"
"Not that. This may be rude... and I only had a glance, but do you have a rash? It was a hard day of work for you yesterday. It is not unexpected to acclimate. We have creams--"
"No."
"I am sorry, I did not realize those red bumps were natural. They are very beautiful and I am embarrassed for assuming. It is difficult to be a good host. I have not had anyone over recently. My experience is slight. I say weird things."
Trixie squirmed into her day shirt. "When I misbehave, mother pinches me."
"Those are a lot of pinches."
"I'm not a good daughter."
Maud blinked. "That's abuse."
Trixie put on her leggings. "Don't worry about it. I'm not a good daughter and I keep doing what she doesn't want. I mean, I intentionally DID have invisible ink blow up in his shirt pocket and a normal kid wouldn't do that. But I'm weird and queer and strange and stupid and it was invisible ink and he was always laughing before and I thought he had a sense of humor. And she threw out a lot of my magic equipment." Trixie sniffed and buried her head in her hands.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie," Maud said.
Trixie choked back tears and raised her head to smile back at Maud.
"Those parental actions are inappropriate and unexpected," Maud continued.
"I don't have friends, Maud. I don't want to be taken care of by some random family. I don't want to move away. There may not be such easy access to magic stores and... I don't have anywhere to go."
"I think you do." Maud spread hands, indicating her house.
"I don't want to cause her trouble."
"Would she let you stay here?"
"Maybe. It'd be easier for her."
"I can ask my parents." Maud waited. Trixie wrung her hands.
"May I?"
Trixie took a deep breath, then she looked at Maud. "Yes.... But if it's a problem--"
"It's not."
"I'm a problem girl. A problem student."
"So am I. We'll solve this problem. Then you can help solve mine." Maud shook Trixie's hand in a strong rock-hard grip.
"Yours?" Trixie frowned. "But you're perfect."
Maud hugged her. "You're already solving it. You really rush things, The Great and Powerful Trixie. Thank you!" She squeezed Trixie until she noticed her struggling to breathe.
"No problem," Trixie said.
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DATONETWIxDASHFAN
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562216
| 1 |
Rainbow Dash,Twilight Sparkle,Anthro,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Profanity,Sex
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The popcorn is popping! The drinks are drinking! The movie is movieing! What can go wrong!?
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Everything, as Dash wants this movie night with Twilight to be perfect!
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complete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Everything! Dash keeps having problems as she wants this movie night with Twilight to be super special for her!<br/>It will have the Sex tag, but nothing is shown/written when it happens.</p>
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teen
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2024-07-24T05:16:23+00:00
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2024-07-24T05:16:23+00:00
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"What do you mean movie night is canceled?" shouted Rainbow Dash, getting up from cloud bed and putting her phone on speaker.
All her friends were on a Discord call on her screen, discussing what they would do that night. They had initially planned a movie night, but that was quickly changed to a game night. That movie night idea was just thrown out the window.
"I mean, it's canceled, Dash. What's the big deal?" AJ asked as the sounds of her doing farm work could be heard.
"Yes, darling. Why are you so upset about plans changing?" said Rarity. "Besides, nothing has really changed. We are still going to hang out, nevertheless."
Dash groaned loudly as she sat in her computer chair and spun around it, pissed her friends were canceling on her idea. She had looked forward to this ever since she made the plan a few weeks ago, and now the plan was being thrown away because someone had decided to buy the latest hot board game on the market, 100% Orange Juice.
"Guys! We've had this planned for almost a few weeks! The movie was my choice too! I've been dying to show you this cool movie!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she stopped spinning in her chair and reached for a VHS on her desk. "It's old school too! I heard it was the shit back in the old days! How am I supposed to get my fill of old-school films when my own friends won't watch them with me!?"
The girls were quiet as Rainbow Dash went on a small rant about how she couldn't even watch it alone because she needed the group experience. This made the others sigh slightly, and Pinkie Pie started giggling.
"You could always watch it alone, Rainbow Dash. I don't think any of us will mind."
Fluttershy spoke, but to this day, no one could tell if her mic was damaged or if she always whispered when she spoke into it.
"Pinkie is right! You should be able to watch the film alone, Rainbow Dash."
Rainbow Dash, who had to put her ear up close to the phone, rolled her eyes as Fluutershy said that, not at all happy.
"Yeah, I know I could, but it won't be the same without you guys!" Dash just sighed and finally gave up on fighting. "Whatever. Is it the same time for game night?"
Her friends quickly agreed on the time and soon hung up. Rainbow Dash was still sitting in her chair, frowning as she looked at her VHS and then her phone.
"Why are they such downers?"
She sighed again and was about to get up when her phone got a text. She looked at the screen and could see it came from Twilight. She remembered now that since Twilight became the Princess of Friendship, she'd been pretty busy and couldn't join the group call, but Dash remembered her texting in the group chat.
Dash read out the text: "Rainbow, don't be too upset about this. If you still want to, I can join you in watching the movie next week. Is that okay with you?"
"I guess it is better than nothing," Dash said aloud.
She typed her reply and put the phone down. Then, she grabbed the VHS and balanced it on her finger.
"So, a movie night with just Twilight and me. All alone..." she kept balancing it. "All alone in my house, at night..." Dash's cheeks started to turn red as she slowly realized it. "Twilight, and me...alone. Alone. Alone!"
Dash jumped out of her chair and tossed the VHS in the air. It was heading straight for the floor and was going to break, but luckily, she caught it. She rolled on her back and hid her blushing face with the tape.
"Why am I freaking out!? This isn't a freaking date! So why do I feel so embarrassed?! This is stupid!"
She just lay there, saying nothing as her thoughts started to drift.
"It is nice of her to offer to watch it with me, though."
Dash sat up and held the VHS in front of her. She had been excited about movie night...but now she was even more excited about the new plans.
"Maybe this will be fun after all. Just us...alone."
She suddenly heard her phone going off and realized Twilight replied to her text. Dash quickly hurried to her desk but tripped and landed face-first into her desk drawer, hurting her nose.
"Fuck, that hurt," she said as she grabbed her phone and read the text.
"Oh, good, that's a relief! I am happy you wanted to spend time with me! See you then!"
She smiled as she read the text and replied. She didn't think this would be so bad after all.
"No problem, Twi! I can't wait for our date next week!" Dash sent the text and tossed her phone over her shoulder, which she knew would land on her bed...only for her eyes to shoot open and jump after it. Landing in her bed, blushing hard. "DID I JUST TYPE DATE? WHY WOULD I TYPE THAT!?"
Dash started to write a long text about how she didn't mean to say date, but her phone pinged again, and she quickly looked at the text, only to let out a massive sigh of relief.
"Thanks, Dash. I can't wait either. See you then."
She was relieved that Twilight didn't misunderstand her words.
"Close one..."
Dash lay there in her bed, looking at the text, and her relief became somewhat annoyed at Twilight.
"Wow, Twilight, that was a lame response; what if I really did ask you on a date? That would be a horrible reply."
She tossed the phone aside and just stared at the ceiling.
"This will be a lot of fun. Just me and Twi. Alone."
Rainbow Dash's mind started to wander as the thought of Twilight came into her mind.
"I hope we can watch it soon."
She turned onto her stomach and hugged a pillow, blushing at her own thoughts.
"I'm going to enjoy it."
A week later
Dash was watching TV in her living room, in her underwear like always, flipping the channels. Nothing was really catching her eye until her phone started to ring. She lazily looked for it, as it was somewhere underneath her.
"Where did I put that damn thing?"
After a few seconds of searching, she finally found it: Twilight was calling her. Dash smiled and answered.
"Hey, Twi! What's up?"
"Hello, Rainbow Dash! Just letting you know I'm arriving in Ponyville soon!"
Dash scratched her butt, not really paying attention to what Twilight was saying.
"Uh-huh. Cool. You got big plans in town this week?"
Dash could hear Twilight sighing on the other end.
"...Dash?"
"Yeah?" answered the lazy pegasus, still scratching her butt.
"Rainbow Dash, did you forget our movie night? After we agr-"
Dash screamed as she fell out of the couch, making the phone spin in the air. Before it could fall, she grabbed it and quickly stood up, blushing.
"W-What!? No, no! I was joking!" she lied. "Of course, I remembered!"
Dash could hear Twilight let out a relieved sigh.
"That's good to hear, Rainbow Dash. I'm on my way to your place soon. I say..." Dash looked around her living room, seeing how messy it was. "About in a half hour! I want to stop by the School of Friendship. Starlight has something for me. See you soon!"
Dash was picking up her trash and held her phone between her neck and shoulder, not listening again.
"Yeah, yeah! Sure, sure! See you soon for our date!"
She quickly cringed as she realized she had spoken to Twilight again, but this time, over the phone rather than by text.
"OUR MOVIE DATE! NOT A ROMANCE DATE! NOPE!" Dash punched herself in the face, hoping that would make her shut up, but she couldn't. "WE ARE JUST FRIENDS GOING TO WATCH AN OLD MOVIE! AND HAVE FUN! NOTHING ROMANCE ABOUT THAT! JUST THE TWO OF US! ALONE!"
"What? Sorry Rainbow, this asshole cut me off!" Dash's heartbeat as she could hear Twilight screaming at someone over the phone. "I'M THE PRINCESS OF FRIENDSHIP ASSHOLE! I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY! ALWAYS!" Dash always liked this side of Twilight, who was a sky rage flyer. She loved hearing Twilight swearing and abusing her power. "Sorry, Dash, what were you saying before." Dash could hear Twilight moving her face away from the phone. "BEFORE THIS ASSHOLE CUT ME OFF! YEAH BUDDY! I'M TALKING ABOUT YOU!"
"Oh, I was saying that..." Dash was happy that Twilight didn't hear the stupid things she said to her. She smiled as she continued to clean the living room. "I can't wait to see you on our date."
Dash did a facepalm as she cursed her brain for letting those words escape her mouth again.
"Sure, I can't wait too, Dash." Twilight giggled on the other end. "Oh, before I forget, I got us some snacks! The super expensive snacks from that shop that Rarity suggested to me! I heard they are so good! I'm sure you'll like them too! See ya!"
"See ya soon, Twi! Love ya!"
"Wh-"
Without a second thought, Dash tossed her phone into the wall, breaking it as she couldn't believe her stupid brain made her say that!
"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK!" Dash was running around the room, screaming at herself and slamming her fists against her head. "WHY CAN'T I SAY THE RIGHT THING?!"
She quickly tossed that thought out of her head and looked back at the pigsty she called home.
"Gotta get this cleaned fast before she sees this! Gotta impress her!"
She quickly cleaned the place, picked up trash, and put it in a bag. When the living room and the rest of the lower part of the downstairs rooms were cleaned, she needed to get the meals ready!
She entered her kitchen and searched for popcorn and the best soda she had. She took out the Dollar Tree ones she always used but tossed them back.
"No! No cheap shit tonight! Since this is Twilight, who's a princess and a smoking hot one! Only the best for her!"
Dash pulled out the Family Dollar ones instead and placed the popcorn in the microwave. While she set the can of soda on a tray, she quickly flew into the room, came back to the living room with the movie, and put it into the VHS player, nodding as everything was going well.
"The popcorn is popping! The drinks are drinking! The movie is movieing!" she clapped her hands together. "This is going better than I expected! Now I gotta-huh?" Dash suddenly could smell something burning and was coming from the kitchen. "Oh fuck!"
She flew into the kitchen, only to find that the microwave was smoking and was on fire.
"SHIT!"
She grabbed the can of soda and started to put out the fire, screaming as it got bigger and the microwave burned. She didn't know what to do, but an idea came into her head.
"BRAIN BLAST!"
She made a hole in the cloud floor and pushed the burning microwave into it. Then she patched it back up and nodded, happy with herself.
"Well, I no longer have a microwave, but no harm done." As she said that, a faint glow of orange could be seen from her window. "But man, I don't want to use the cheap shit for Twilight...maybe I should..." Dash gulped loudly and faced the readers. "COOK!?'
Dash went and returned from her bedroom and looking something on her laptop.
"Maybe Noogle can help?"
She typed in what meals should be done for a movie night together with...
"F-Friends?"
She typed in girlfriend, and before she could backspace it, she pressed enter and was taken to a website.
"Pony Food for a romantic movie night! Your girlfriend will love this!"
Dash blushed as she saw photos of the reviews. In them, couples were holding hands while the movie played in the background. There was a romantic setup between the lovers, candles, and a five-star-looking meal.
"This will never work..."
Dash retyped in the exact words but with cheap at the start.
"Cheap food for a movie night with your girlfriend because you are fucking broke."
She read the top reviews and nodded.
"That should work! Finger sandwiches! Easy, cheap, and fast!"
Dash quickly got out her bread, dashed toward the fridge, and opened it...only to find it empty as a fly flew out. There was some cheese, though.
"I forgot to buy food." She eyed the trash, which was filled with takeout food. She sighed. She grabbed the cheese, set it next to the bread, returned to the fridge, and checked the bottom shelf. She pulled out a box and nodded. "Thank God I still got these."
She opened the box and was happy to see fresh strawberries.
"The site also said something about strawberries and chocolate?"
Dash quickly grabbed the bag of chocolates from her cupboard and placed them on the table. She quickly put the bread on a plate and searched the cabinets for something.
"Can't make finger sandwiches, but I can make flatbread pizza! The cheap ass kind!"
She quickly found what she was looking for, opened the pizza sauce, poured it on the bread, and topped it with cheese. She then placed it in her oven and set the timer.
"Easy, cheap, and quick! Like me!" She paused. "Wait..."
Dash returned to the counter and poured the chocolate and strawberries into a bowl. She nodded.
"I think that's what the site meant by chocolate strawberries." It wasn't.
Dash was about to check the site when she smelled something nasty. She thought it was coming from the trash can, but the smell was too close to be it...that's when it hit her. She smelled herself and quickly realized the reason for the bad smell.
"FUCK! I haven't showered since yesterday! And I'm wearing the same underwear as well!"
Dash quickly flew toward her bedroom, where her bathroom was, and closed the door. She got naked, got into the shower, and started cleaning herself while whistling.
"Doo doo doo~! This is going to be the best night ever! Twilight and I are going to have fun! And if I'm lucky, she'll like my cooking, and I can impress her, and she'll kiss me!"
Dash could picture it now! Twilight is impressed by how Dash made their not date such a romantic and wonderful time. Dash could even see her blushing and smiling, as she is timid. Twilight would lay on her back and reach out to her, wanting Dash to take her and...
Thud
Dash quickly snapped out of her lewd thoughts and realized her wings were standing up, all stiff. Hitting the glass door and cloud wall. She tried to push them down, but they refused to listen, and she could feel her blood rushing down her body, straight to her privates.
"Come on! Not now!"
Her wings kept growing more stiff as the images of Twilight kept appearing in her mind.
"Twi..." whispered Dash as she started reaching below her waist. As her hand got closer, the more vivid the images got. "Twi...Twilight!"
As her hand was close enough, she could picture Twilight reaching out to her, blushing as she smiled. Naked and...
Beep
Dash pulled her hand up and looked around. "Huh!? What!?" She stopped, realizing the oven's timer was beeping. "Shit! The food is done!" She opened the shower door but found herself having a weird problem. "Come on!"
Dash's wings were still standing. Because of that, they hit the doorway, stopping her from leaving.
"Why did you have to grow, you stupid wings!?"
She wanted to wait it out so they would go soft again, but she didn't want the food to burn, and she didn't want to toss out her oven. She tried to pull them down, but they were hard as a rock.
"DAMN IT!"
With much effort and thinking about a naked Granny Smith, Dash pulled them down and rushed to the kitchen. She sighed with relief as she saw the food was not burnt. She took it out and let it cool off on the plate with the bowl of chocolate and strawberries. She brought it to the living room and set it on the coffee table.
"Meal is mealing! The snacks are snacking! The movie is movieing!" she said, clapping her hands again. "Everything is perfect!"
Just as she said that her doorbell rang. She rushed to the door and opened it, only to be amazed.
"Twi!"
Dash looked up, still amazed at how tall Twilight had grown over the years. She was going to ask how flight over here was when she noticed Twilight was on the phone and had her back to her.
"Twi?"
"Yes, there's a big fire down below! Huh?" Twilight didn't turn around but answered her as she placed her hand over the cell phone. "Oh, sorry, Dash, but I called the fire department. There seems to be a huge fire down below!"
Dash gulped as she saw the growing orange and yellow lights reflecting on the edge of her cloud yard. "W-wow, how could that have happened?" she nervously chucked and wiped her sweat from her brow.
"Yeah, weird...it's getting bigger, and the firefighters aren't here yet..." Dash's heart was pounding against her chest. "Sorry, I need to talk to the dispatcher on the line," said Twilight, not once looking at her.
Dash said it was cool and understood. She tugged her collar and nervously laughed...only to stop and realize something. There was nothing to tug.
"...no..."
Dash looked down and realized she was butt naked and forgot to change after showering.
"EEEK!"
Twilight heard the cute sound and turned to Dash.
"You oka-"
Dash slammed the door and used her wings to cover herself. She heard knocking from the door, no doubt Twilight confused why she slammed the door.
"Hey, Dash, you ok?" asked Twilight from the other side of the door.
"J-Just peachy! Heh, heh, heh, just uh...got my...wing...stuck between the door and the frame!"
Twilight was confused, as she didn't see Dash's wing in the frame. Why would she close the door if that was the case? "Okay? Want me to help you? I could teleport in."
"NO!" screamed Dash, pushing the door hard against her back. I'M FINE! JUST GIVE A SECOND!" Pushing herself away from the door and racing to the bedroom in ten seconds flat, she grabbed what was closest to her without thinking, as she was in full panic mode.
"Dash? Hello?" asked Twilight as she knocked on the door again.
"J- Just a second!"
Dash rushed to the door, opening it and breathing heavily as she leaned on the frame, all cool. She looked up and saw Twilight looking down at her. Twilight was wearing her princess dress, as it seemed she didn't have time to change into her casual outfit like always. Dash needed to tease her for that.
"Hey, Twi, I thought you were coming to my house for a movie night, not for the royal ball."
Twilight rolled her eyes. "Ha ha ha." Dash loved it when she said that sarcastically. "Sorry, I didn't have time to change. It was a hectic day. Besides, aren't you too...?" Twilight couldn't hold her laughter. "Too casual for this get-together?"
Dash was puzzled at why Twilight said that. "What do you mean, Twi? I'm just wear-eeep!?" Dash looked down and saw she was wearing a long Wonderbolt t-shirt and nothing else...which made her realize she's going commando, which is why she made that cute eep. She quickly covered herself with her wings.
"Y-yeah, ha, ha, ha, this is just a new trendy look for me!" Looking at Twilight, Dash saw she was holding her phone to her chest. "And what is with the cell phone?"
Twilight chuckled. "Oh, you know, the princess duties can't go a day without checking on every little thing that's happening. You wouldn't believe what I deal with today."
snap
Dash's ears perked up when she heard something.
"What was that noi-"
Twilight lowered her head and quickly entered the home. Not letting the cute Pegasus finish.
"Anyway, I can't wait to watch that movie!"
Dash forgot the noise, and she smiled at her tall, courching friend.
"Glad you are excited!" When she saw the orange light, Dash was about to move from the doorway. "Oh, yeah, the fire."
"Huh? Yeah, what about the-argh!"
Dash quickly faced Twilight, fearing she was hurt, but Twilight just bumped her head on the cloud ceiling. Dash laughed as she shut the door as the firefighters arrived down below.
"Twilight, you are getting too tall in such a short time! I think you are almost taller than Celestia! Soon, you'll need a bigger castle if you get taller!"
"Ha, ha, very funny." Twilight deadpanned as she tried to couch herself to fit into the hallway.
Dash wanted to tease her some more, but she could see how much she struggled because of her size.
"Okay, hold on! I'll make the ceiling higher for ya!"
"That would be nice, tha-" Twilight was interrupted as her cell phone rang. "Hold on, the firefighter needs to speak with me."
"Ok, no worries," said Dash as she flew up to the ceiling and started pushing it up more. She leaned out her rear as she pushed the ceiling with her hands, which caused her shirt to ride up her stomach, showing a little bit of her bare behind. "I hope you can fit now, Twi!"
Twilight didn't answer. She was still on the phone and didn't notice the full blue moon behind her.
"Twi, is this good....e-enough..." Dash could feel a cool breeze hit her exposed ass and realized her ass was out and was sticking it out for Twilight to see. She quickly lowered her shirt and faced her, all red. She hoped she didn't see and looks like Lady Luck was on her side as Twilight was still looking away and talking on the phone.
"Close one..." Dash sighed and continued to make the ceiling higher while keeping her shirt down when she did.
After the phone call and being able to stand without hitting her head, Twilight and Dash headed to the living room. Dash hurried ahead and was going to bow to make fun of Twilight, but she remembered what happened before, so she just stood and reached her arms out to the couch.
"TA-DA! Welcome to your throne, my princess! Sit down and take a load off! Enjoy the flatbread pizza and snacks!"
Twilight shook her head at the lame teasing and sat down while Dash joined her. She looked at the flatbread pizza but was confused at what she saw.
"This isn't flatbread pizza? It's just melted cheese on toasted bread." She bit into it. "With pizza sauce?"
"Yep! Cheap flatbread pizza! Cheap and delicious! Like me!" Dash coughed as she realized what she said.
"Uh, right," Twilight said, not caring what Dash just said. She looked at the snack, chocolate, and strawberries mixed in the bowl. "Least you made a healthy snack...without ruining it."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean!"
Twilight giggled. "Oh, come on, I'm just teasing you."
"I knew that! Ha, ha, ha..." blush Dash, looking away.
Twilight took her shoulder bag off, placed it on the floor, and took a few strawberries from the bowl and ate them.
"Thanks, Dash, for this. It's nice."
Dash blushed. "Y-You're welcome, Twi. Anything for you."
"Aw, thanks, that's so sweet." Twilight got more strawberries and ate them, making Dash's heart skip a beat. "So, what movie are we going to watch?"
"Well..."
Twilight got more comfortable as she leaned on her elbow and placed her cheek on her palm while putting her legs behind Dash. This caused Dash to blush as she felt Twilight's legs brushing against her.
"Sorry, Dash! I just needed to get more comfortable," apologized Twilight, who didn't notice Dash's blush.
"It's ok," said Dash, her voice cracking.
"So, what movie did you have in mind?" asked Twilight, her eyes shining with curiosity.
"A-An oldie but goodie!" Dash shuddered as she got up, hurried to the VHS player, and pressed play.
Twilight wondered what kind of movie it was as Dash returned to the couch and sat down. They watched as the TV screen flicked and buzzed as the movie was playing. It was like this for a few minutes, making Twilight question whether the tape was damaged or not.
"So...what's the name of the movie?"
Dash was gonna answer her when the flicker finally stopped, and on the screen was just an old-looking brick wall. The colors were black and white. The two kept watching, waiting for anything to happen, but nothing happened.
"Huh?" Twilight leaned forward, trying to make sense of this.
"D-Don't worry, I'm sure it's starting soon," Dash assured her as she looked at the screen, worried and confused at the same time.
"Are you sure it's the movie, or did you record over a random tape?"
Dash would answer when she saw a hand popping out of the well. Soon, an anthro mare with a very long black mane, wearing a long white sundress, crawled out of the well. Dash was more confused as she looked at the VHS cover.
"Odd...this is Space Jam?"
She looked back and saw the bare feet of a mare slowly walking to the camera, all creepy-like.
"...Dash, is this a horror movie?" asked Twilight, getting all scared.
Dash looked at her and, with the most confused face, answered, "No?"
"Then, why does it look like a horror movie?"
"Beats me?" Dash turned her head and looked at the screen, seeing the screen flicker with a ring symbol flashing between the flicker...until an arm shot out of the screen, causing Dash and Twilight to scream.
Soon, another arm popped out of the screen, and the weird, creepy mare body crawled out of the TV screen and stood in front of the two.
"DASH! DID YOU FOUND A CURSED TAPE!?" screamed Twilight, hiding behind the scared Pegasus. But she quickly shook her with great force in anger. "AGAIN!?"
"NO!" yelled Dash, her head shaking like a bobblehead.
"THEN WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING!"
The strange mare looked at them, slowly walking toward them. Her long hair, hiding her face, slowly moved back to reveal her creepy, monstrous face.
"DASH DO SOMETHING!"
"WHAT CAN I DO!?"
"FIX IT!"
"HOW AM I GOING TO FIX THAT!?"
Twilight hid behind Dash harder now, crying. "I DON'T KNOW! YOU CREATED THIS MESS! NOW FIX IT!"
"OKAY!" Dash looked around; anything to use to fight the evil spirit or whatever this mare was? "Oh?" Dash saw the remote for the TV and picked it up. She just turned off the TV, and the creature just vanished. "Huh...didn't think that would work? Heh."
"...seriously?" Twilight got up behind Dash, dusted herself off, and gave her friend an annoyed glare.
Dash ignored Twilight and wondered about something. She turned on the TV, and by doing so, the creature returned. She had her back to them, scratching her head, wondering where her next victims went. She looked back and saw Twilight and Dash and was going to attack when Dash turned off the TV again, making the creature disappear once more.
"Welp, going to throw that VSH player out..." Dash dropped the remote on the floor and leaned forward with her hands on her face.
Twilight sighed with relief as the monster was gone. Twilight sat upright and wanted to yell at Dash, but...
"I'm sorry Twi..."
"Huh?" Twilight was surprised by the sadness and regret in Dash's voice.
"I didn't mean that to happen..." Dash started to cry. "I just wanted this night to be perfect, but it's ruined..."
Twilight felt awful now. "Dash, no...it's not ruined; I mean, it wasn't ruined until that happened. Bu-"
Dash stood up, tears in her eyes. "Even before that! So many things went wrong. For example, I wanted to make a great meal for you but couldn't! Other things went wrong as well!" She placed her hands back on her face, sobbing. "I just wanted our night to be super duper romantic, but I just keep messing up!"
"Huh? Romantic?" Twilight was confused by that.
"Yes!"
"Why?"
"Because!" Dash shouted as she put her back toward her.
"That's not an answer."
"Yes, it is!"
"No, it's not."
"YES, IT IS!"
"NO, IT'S NOT!"
"YES, IT'S..."
Dash was suddenly pulled into a hug by Twilight, her face filled with Twilight's chest.
"Dash, stop."
"Twi..."
"Just say it."
"Twi..."
"Come on."
"Twilight!" Dash looked up and saw Twilight's big purple eyes.
"Yes, Rainbow?"
Dash's cheeks were bright red, and her whole body was trembling. She looked down and then back at Twilight, and with a big inhale, she told her,
"I love you!"
"Wha-!" Twilight pretended to be surprised, causing Dash to pout. "Whoa! I'm shocked! Shock, I say!" Twilight shrugged as she smiled. "Well, not that shocked."
Dash pouted some more. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up..."
"I'm not laughing," Twilight said, not laughing.
"But..."
"You want me to laugh? or..." Twilight leaned in, closer to Dash's face. "You want me to kiss you?"
Dash was going to respond but was too embarrassed. Instead, she just nodded and closed her eyes, expecting the kiss.
"Ok," Twilight said softly, leaning down and...
"HAHAHA!"
Dash opened her eyes, all mad, but Twilight's suddenly met her lips. It was a short kiss, but Dash still blushed.
"T-Twilight."
"Hehe, sorry, sorry. I couldn't resist. Now..." Twilight picked up her shoulder bag and took out the snacks she got from the shop that Rarity suggested to her. "Now, let's celebrate our relationship with some tasty snacks!"
Dash could see different wrap bars. "What are these?"
"Well, Rarity told me about this little store that sells special snacks," explained Twilight, unwrapping one. "She told me to share with someone special!"
Dash blushed a bit. "Oh? Is that so?"
"Yep, Try one!" Twilight bit into the bar, moaning. "Mmm! They are delicious!"
"Okay!" Dash took a bar and bit into it without asking or looking at the flavor. "Hmm? Taste like a fruit! Super tasty!"
She and Twilight kept eating more, but Dash noticed the box from which the snacks came. "Hey, let me see that! I might want to order some when I get paid!"
"Go ahead." Twilight handed Dash the box.
Dash held the box and looked it over. She had never seen this logo before. She suddenly felt warm as she kept looking at it like something within her was rising, growing, expanding, and getting bigger. She could feel her whole body getting warmer and warmer.
"Why is it getting so hot?" Thought Dash, flipping the box around; she flinched at what she saw. On the back was a picture of two couples in a loving embrace, hiding under a red blanket. Near the picture was very long info about how this candy store treats are the best in making couples feel...Dash couldn't finish that as she quickly faced Twilight, who was blushing and eyeing Dash as if she were a tasty piece of cake. "U-Uh..."
Twilight didn't speak. Instead, she slowly sat up, crawled on Dash, and took the box from her. Dash's breathing grew heavier, her heartbeat fastening. Dash was cursing Rarity for doing this, but at the same time, she was thanking her for doing this. Rarity always has been trying to get Twilight to find someone and always did this without Twilight knowing.
Dash tried to speak, but her words failed her. Instead, she just sat there and watched as Twilight put the box away on Dash's side of the couch, leaned closer, and wanted to go further with their bodies.
"Dash..."
"Ye-yeah..."
"Let's fuck!"
Dash quickly pushed Twilight off. She was expecting Twilight to be gentle, romantic, and loving, but this was like a punch to the face.
Twilight watched as Dash leaned over to get the box. "Wait...you don't want to?"
"Twilight! I love you, but I want our first time to be without being drugged on aphrodisiacs! Sorry, but no, not like this!"
Dash was about to grab the box when she felt her shirt being raised—until it was raised entirely by someone. She quickly blushed and faced Twilight, who was pretty mad at her as she held Dash's shirt.
"You say that, but you aren't wearing any underwear." Twilight puffs at the fact. "Almost like you expecting this to happen!"
"Uh..." was all Dash said as she tried to lower her shirt, but Twilight was too strong.
"Not only that, but this part of you is being honest right now," Twilight pointed, turning Dash red.
"It's because of the aphrodisiac!" Dash shouted, really trying to get her shirt back down.
Twilight smiled at how cute Dash was acting. She loved seeing that cute expression.
"You are acting like a cute virgin..."
"Because I am!" Dash finally pushed Twilight's hands away and fixed her shirt, but Twilight's face was still close. Dash wanted to move away, but the aphrodisiac made her feel like a piece of meat in a lion's den. She was being submissive to the purple lion.
"Rainbow..."
"Y-Yes..."
"I love you!" Twilight declared as she tackled Dash.
"Wha-!"
As Twilight was forcing Dash's shirt off, she clicked on the remote, making the creature reappear but was sitting on the TV, eating a pizza she had ordered. She noticed the two and quickly ate the slice and coughed. She would be all creepy as that was her job, but Dash's blue shirt smacked her in the face. She soon heard the couch rocking and loudly moaning. The creature's blush bled through the shirt, and she quickly looked for the remote and shut the TV off, making her disappear.
It was morning when Twilight opened her eyes. She could see Dash on top of her, snoring away while they were under a Wonderbolt blanket, both naked from last night's fun. She couldn't smile as she loved how cute Dash's sleeping face was. She got her phone and took a photo, making it her new lock screen wallpaper. She looked at her standard wallpaper, which now updated the image of when she took a picture of Dash wearing that cute long blue t-shirt. As Twilight was about to put the phone down, she got a text from the firefighter station.
"Wonder why they are texting me..." Twilight read the text and ugh loudly.
In the text, Derpy was holding a burned microwave, which belonged to Dash and had her name on it. It caused the fire down below. The text said that Dash was going to be fined for the fire. Twilight texted them back, saying she would gladly pay the fee because...she looked at her sleeping girlfriend.
"...she's my new girlfriend, after all."
End
|
Storms Aspirant
|
562222
| 1 |
Main 6,Original Character,Queen Chrysalis,Starlight Glimmer,Sunset Shimmer,Alternate Universe,Anthro,Human,Adventure,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,My Little Pony: The Movie,Death,Gore,Narcotics,Profanity,Sex,Violence
|
Alicorn's Oath: Bound by Destiny, Bound by Love
|
A young male, Cypher Volcan, is transfered into Equestria through unknown means and finds himself in predicaments, adventures and lessons with the Equestrians within this new world.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>A young male, Cypher Volcan, is transfered into Equestria through unknown means and finds himself in predicaments, adventures and lessons with the Equestrians within this new world. His time spent on Equus helps him make grand connections to those around him and their time with him changes them greatly. How will this unplanned meeting affect the grand story of Equus itself?</p>
|
mature
|
2024-07-24T23:26:25+00:00
|
2024-07-24T23:26:25+00:00
| 268 |
I am Cypher Volcan. Originally I was an average human male from the year 2560, around 5'8", a little over 170lbs, a mechanical prostetic arm, nothing too far from the norm. I was studying for a masters in magitech and alchemy, but, one moment can change everything. One night I had decided to go with some of my friends for a bit of fun and drinking. Normally, I don't drink much, but, tonight I had a devil on my shoulder and I ended up blacking out.
I awoke the next morning to a massive migraine as the sun burned my vision and loud sounds blared in my ears. I opened my eyes and saw that, for some reason, I was in a forest. Thinking my friends had played a trick on me, I stood up slowly as I tried to figure out just where I was and how they had gotten me there in the first place. Hell, the nearest forest was nearly 200 miles away from where we were in the first place and there was a checkpoint in the middle. I shook my head and checked my pockets to see if I still had my magiplate. I found it quickly and chuckled a bit. "At least they left me with something," I said to myself.
Just as I pulled it out, I saw four female equine-like humanoids. I froze at first, as did they when they saw me. Things quickly changed as a large lion-like creature, I think it's a manticore, burst through the trees and let out a terrifying snarl. Its tail struck forth with great speed striking the larger of the equines while they were distracted by me. Without thinking I jumped forward and latched onto the manticore's tail ripping off the part that was dug into the purple female. The manticore shrieked loudly, growled in pain and ran off. I looked at the smaller ones and asked, "Can you understand me?" They quickly shook their heads up and down. "Who is the fastest of you?" I continued.
"Me," an orange one with small wings said quickly, obviously terrified.
"Ok, then get me..." I stopped myself for a short moment and changed my answer after seeing their cart. "I'm going to put her in this cart. Get her to someone who is good with detailed magic. Tell them that I am going to be coming soon and tell them what happened. Understood?" I continued. She shook her head yes and I looked to the other two and said, "Ok, now do not pull this out and keep pressure on it so that the wound doesn't bleed too much. Don't worry, I know this is terrifying, and that you don't know me, but, please trust me." I covered the wound up with a bandage that had pain relieving magic on it and poured a healing potion on the bandage.
"Sir... ahh... Thank you... ahh don't know what..." The yellow one started, her country accent coming through.
"Just go, we can get everything out later, know we need her to get healed and cleaned up. So, just go. I'll be there soon." I said cutting her off. They nodded once more and jumped in the cart as I lowered the larger one in the cart with their help. She twitched and groaned in pain, "Shh, it'll be fine," I said quietly. "Now, I have a tracker placed on her, so that I can find you all after I finish up here. Now off you go, as fast as you can ok?" I finished.
"Yes sir," the orange one stated. They rushed off and I looked around for some of the purple equine's blood that was still clean of toxins with my magiplate. It ended up beeping a few minutes later. I quickly collected the small amount and stored it in my magiplate.
'I really hope this is enough.' I thought to myself. I followed the tracker making my way through the forest quicker than I thought it would take. As I was seen by the equines their, I could see the confusion, but, I ignored it and followed the tracker to a very gaudy building. I walked in and immediately was bumrushed by the three I had seen before in the forest. They drug me to where the other one was being held. A white one that was slightly shorter than the purple one was keeping pressure on the wound as she was bawling her eyes out.
"Twilight, I know you can make it. Come on... I know this is like a paper cut for you.. Please come back..." The white one blubbered, makeup running down her face.
"Miss, I hope the girls told you that I'm here to help," I stated calmly as I took a step into the room.
"Get out! This is your fault!!" She screamed at me.
"I wish I could say that it wasn't... maybe if I hadn't have been there she wouldn't have been distracted." I answered quietly, "However, for Twilight to get through this I need to help her quickly." The younger ones looked at her and pleaded silently.
She nodded and backed off, gritting her teeth as she muttered, "You, had better make sure she gets through this." Her tone showing the unsaid threat. I nodded and got closer to Twilight. "Girls, you probably shouldn't see this," she said and got them out of the room. She closed the door and said cautiously as they left the building entirely, "this had better work, and I will be watching each step."
"I actually need your help with this," I answered her as I pulled out 2 obsidian shards and 5 amethyst gems from my magiplate. "Do you have a black diamond, roughly 5 carats? I asked."
She looked at me in confusion and answered slowly, "Yes?"
"Please get that while I keep pressure on the wound." I answer quickly. She darted off, still confused as to why I needed it. I pulled out 5 rose quartz gems, putting them right next to the other materials, and reapplied pressure.
She came out with the gem and said, "here now what?" I could feel the lack of trust in her tone.
I took out a spiral of mythral thread and the small amount of blood that I had found. I dipped the mythral in the blood and it absorbed some of it. "Please pour this, its the only amount of blood that wasn't toxic, onto the black diamond," I directed. She hesitated, but, did so in the end. "Hold pressure on the wound, please," I told her, she simply nodded and put her hands over the bandages. I quickly arranged the gems with the diamond in the middle, "we're going to switch now, I need you to weave the mythral through every gem starting with the diamond," she nodded and we quickly switched with me. "Tell me exactly when you..." I started, but, just as I was about to finish my statement she interjected.
"I'm finished," her answer was swift.
"Ok, bring it over here, this needs to be done as quickly as possible," I answered, she nodded and brought it over. I took out some adamantine thread and quartz crystal and set them down next to Twilight. I slowly removed the stinger from her chest and with it came her heart. I put the crystal next to her heart to start the purification process "quickly so that she doesn't lose too much blood," she looked scared, but, did what I asked, placing the gems within her body. We got lucky and her heart was purified quickly and I put her heart in her chest cavity. It swiftly swallowed up the black diamond and now was connected to the rest of the gems. I quickly sowed up her chest with the thread I had set out. We cleaned up the area as best we could using the gems that I had and I looked at the white equine, "I didn't have any antidotes with me, I'm sorry. All we can do now, is wait," I stated.
"Who are you and how did you get here?" The white one asked.
"I don't know how I got here. Hell, I don't even know where here is. My name is Cypher Volcan. Just call me Cypher. I really hope that what I have done works. I know it sounds as if that would be for my sake, but, truthfully I just wish for Twilight's safety." I answered her.
"Forgive me for not believing you. I am Rarity. Now I guess all we do is wait." she stated.
"Unfortunately, yes," I answered as she just looked at Twilight.
_________[Rarity POV]_________
The strange male, Cypher, sat in the chair, a look of fear and hope on his face, and I just looked at my friend while I was covered in her blood. Pain seeped into me as I started bawling once more. I had heard what Sweetie Belle and the other Cutie Mark Crusaders had said. I still blamed him, though, logically this couldn't have been his fault. I was so scared that I was going to lose a friend that my anger flowed towards him. Still he tried to help, I don't know how this works, but, he tried. These thoughts were plaguing my mind for a while as I watched her silently and that's when Twilight's new heart started beating and she took her first breath once more.
Twilight slowly opened her eyes and I started bawling once more. "Oh Faust, Twilight you made it." Rarity looked from Twilight to Cypher and said slowly, "I'm sorry I screamed at you like I did. I..."
Cypher cut her off and said, "there is no apology needed you thought you were going to lose a friend. I can understand how hard that can be for someone. Not to mention seeing the looks on your face while we were getting this done you didn't know what was being done in the first place. Now, Twilight are you feeling alright?"
Twilight looked very dizzy and started coughing harshly, "dry... Water..." was all she could get out before the pain overtook her.
"Ok, I understand. We'll get you to a hospital now so you can heal and they can take a look at you." He said to Twilight.
After I heard that I took my phone from my bra and called the hospital telling them what had happened to the best of my ability. I hung up the phone and we just waited. "You can take a shower if you want to. It's upstairs first door to the right." He just nodded and walked up, I could still see the fear in his face. It took around fifteen minutes for the hospital's vehicle to finally make it to my boutique. They ponies took her in and set her up on the machines, then closed the door and left. I was so worried about her. Around five minutes later I started to realize how much blood was all over me and I was sad that one of my favorite outfits, probably, needed to be thrown out. "Well, that's one outfit down the drain," I said.
"Well, we could just use one of the pure quartz gems that I have in my plate if you need it. You'd get to keep the outfit," Cypher said as he came down in new clothing. I took the time to actually look at him this time and I realized that he was decently well built, his left arm was mechanical, he had dark brown eyes, long brown hair and lightly tanned skin. I nodded and said, "I was so afraid... so afraid... I've known twilight for a long time now. Hell... mind my language... Our friendship was basically foretold... Almost destiny for our little group... We are known as the Elements of Harmony and each one of us represents one of those elements..." I simply looked down.
"Wait... was there... an actual prophecy about you and your friends?' Cypher asked.
I stopped and thought, "several actually."
"Oh.... shit..." he started, "damn, fuck, shit, fuck.... Son of a bitch!" He cursed.
"What's so bad that it requires that kind of language?" I asked, put out by his words.
"This was an alchemic ritual that links her soul to the new heart created by the gems and the fusion of her old heart. A prophecy connects those on the level of the soul so, things might end up happening to all of you... I am so...." He said rushing through the words. Then he quickly added on, "....so fuckin' stupid!"
|
DonWitherThestral
|
562223
| 1 |
Discord,Fluttershy,Main 6,Crossover,Comedy,Random,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The Aftermath...
|
After Discord saves Equestria from Bill Cypher invasion, the Main Six choose to follow the instructions on his last note, as a way to honor his memory.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>The chaos and weirdness has ended. <br/>The sky, that moments ago was a broken mess of unnatural colors and breaches between realms, is once again blue and clean, like nothing ever happened. Where bubbles of unimaginable horror floated, now clouds drifted, having recovered their territory. </p><p>The hundreds of ponies turned into stone and used as bricks for a macabre throne, are free to move again. And the Mane Six have returned from their imprisonment as mocking banners. After the final battle between the embodiments of chaos and weirdness, nothing is out of place. And <b>that</b>, is the strangest thing of all. <br/>After all, if Discord won, where is the big party? The hundreds of banners with his face? The rambunctious and chaotic... everything? Where is <b>he</b>? Shouldn't Discord be already here gloating and boasting his victory?</p><p>Why is there only a note?</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-02T13:12:07+00:00
|
2024-08-02T13:12:07+00:00
| 279 |
For any doubts or questions, read the author notes at the end.
Everything was quiet. The screaming heads were no more. The inverted thunders and winds that played in reverse, had become silent. The horrible visions and nightmarish sounds that escaped from beyond the rip between realms, that had turned the sky in to the color equivalent of smashing your head on a piano while choking on a kazoo, had all disappear, like a bad dream.
Worse even, because after a nightmare there are sequels that follow: your fight or flight instincts are on high alert, your skin is covered in goosebumps, you're afraid of returning to your bed in case the nightmare is awaiting hidden under your pillow... But there, at that moment, after what, probably, was the most horrific, terrifying, and mind bending fight Equestria has ever witness, there was nothing... no hearts beating like a drummer after their fourth coffee, there wasn't a single drop of adrenaline running through anypony blood, no goosebumps covered skin, no cold sweats running down your back... there wasn't a new fear in their hearts, a new trauma waiting to reveal itself the next time the ponies went to bed. That night Princess Luna wouldn't have to worry about any extra work, even after all the horrifying beings, escaped the realm whose name she once use as hers, had roamed the city of Canterlot.
The ponies that had been turned in stone, like a mockery of they nation preferred punishment for villans, and then piled on top of each other, like a sick game of tetris to build a macabre throne for a sickening and macabre demon, now walked and hugged each other, like they only came out from watching a horror movie.
Even the Bearers of Armony, the ones who had try to stop the dream demon from another plane, and in turn where use as decoration banners for a sick joke, now rested confused, not by the experience they've live, or the aftereffects of their transformation... but for the lack of something around them. The lack of someone.
There was no doubt in the hearts of those six ponies, that there was only creature in Equestria, probably in the whole world, that could have defeated such a demon, master of weirdness and ruler of nightmares. And yet... he wasn't anywhere to be found. Not only was he lacking, but his chaos too. After such a battle, undoubtedly there should be massive concentrations of chaos everywhere. Chunks of earth floating around in triangular orbits challenging each others to chess games, inverted ice cream cones (strawberry flavored only) riding jellybeans running around ketchup geyser, a chorus of penguins with rusty hinges for voices and towels as instruments playing a symphony dedicated to their savior the all mighty olive oil... not even the signature candy cotton clouds raining chocolated milk. There was nothing.
Soon the girls began to talk among themselves, trying to find what was giving them that 'wrong' sensation. They did tests, each on her own specialty, trying to discover the reason behind the whispers of 'wrong' that echoed on the back of their heads.
Pinkie Pie was bouncing, and jumping. Hidding in hedges and jumping into barrels, she trie to head dive a few times in flower pots, only to end with a new bump in her forehead. Anytime time she found a reflective surface she stare deeply at it, apparently trying to challenge her reflection to a blinking contest, other times she will just smile and stare, confused, like she was watching herself smile for a first time. But no matter wat she did, her coat and mane just seemed less... there wasn't a specific adjective that could nail the description, but something about the party-loving, cupcake-making, unexpected-happiness-bringer pony, wasn't there anymore. Her bouncy steps, her smile and her bubbly-puffy mane, all seemed less... no, they weren't less of anything. They were more. More realistic. Her mane didn't look anymore like a cotton candy explosion frozen in time, and more like a time consuming hairstyle. Her body didn't defy gravity with each bouncy step she did, she just could get as high, and last as much as any other pony. And her widest smile could no longer deform her face like pink chew gum.
Rainbow went for a flight, easily reaching her top speed and doing her usual tricks. And each and everyone of them went perfect, even those she had practiced less, where easier to do than ever before. There wasn't any unexpected air current, no micro-changes in the air, no turbulences whatsoever, or any type of resistance that she normally had to adjust for. All her natural pegasus magic, that guided her to do all the fine adjustments needed to keep her in the air, had nothing to do. The air was perfect, all currents were always on her favor, there wasn't any irregularities that force her to turn or to position her wings in any different direction. It probably was the easiest flight of her life. And she hated it, no effort, no difficulty, there wasn't anything that made her tricks complex or spectacular, worthy of her great talent. In these conditions any pegasi could do the same tricks she had worked so hard to perfect.
Rarity found herself examining herself in a pocket mirror, (where did she keep said mirror its a mistery for another day), making sure that, after such draining and weird experience, her extensively cared mane and coat weren't damaged or dirty in any way. Of course, just as she confirmed everything was on its place, Rainbow choosed to dash next to her in a inverted u-turn pirouette, dragging behind her a cloud of dust and leaves. Naturally, the only rational course of action that Rarity could take, was to scream her lungs off and close her eyes praying to Celestia that the damage was minimum. You can imagine her surprise once the dust settled and she only needed to do a little shake to get rid of the dust and leaves. Even her mane returned to her favored style without barely any effort. Just to make sure nothing was out of place after a DashTM related incident, she took a look at her reflection in the mirror, only to be horrorized by what she saw on the other side of the glass. Rarity Belle was at her best, but her best no longer meant what she remembered, her unique, her rarity, were no more. Her best was now the same as any other pony.
Applejack as a earth pony, and more important, as a farm mare, had a instinctual connection to earth. Many say that earth pony are stubborn, but the truth is that the stubborn one is the ground, earth ponies just learned to out-stubborn it. To take care of a field was to face hardship and setback after setback. Was to tame the ground until it accepted its new role as field, to clean up the rocks and pebbles that rest both above and underground and would difficult the growth of new roots. To take the weeds and keep them from returning to steal the nutrients the crops need. Then you have to divert water from rivers and springs so the earth can satiate its thirst. And that's just the tip of the iceberg of work that a farm pony like Applejack has to deal with in her day to day. But now, the ground almost feel like a trained sog, ready to obey any order its owner gives them. The few fruit trees that grew around the palace gardens, seemed to be waiting for her to approach to just drop their fruits. The whole thing tasted just same to Applejack as if she told a lie.
Meanwhile Fluttershy was busy trying to find Discord, a fear heavy in her heart. A horrific knowledge rested on her stomach, and she did everything on her power to ignore it. She knew her friend, her best friend. He was a jokester and a prankster, and too many times he's taken a prank too far, but he wouldn't disappear like this. Not after that battle, not after her and her friends where turned into banners. He may look, and in most occasions act, callous. But there was a heart inside him, one that did worry about his friends. And after such horrifying events, he would be here with her, making little chaos creations to entertain her. He would create his classic candy cotton clouds for Pinkie, try to ruffle Dash feathers, mess with Rarity mane, prank Applejack and tease Twilight. So why wasn't he here? Where was discord? In her search an unexplainable pull guided, more like drag her, to a single scroll on the ground. Despite it's simple and normal apparence, like any other paper anypony could have in their desks, it was the last item in the whole of Canterlot, and unknown to Fluttershy, the whole world, that still had a touch of chaos magic.
And Twilight. She could feel it in a much deeper way. As an alicorn and the Bearer of the Element of Magic, she could feel the mana fluxes around herself, the matrix of spells that surronded the castle, the thaumic trails of every spell that had been casted in the last days. And everything was wrong. No, not wrong... right. She couldn't belive what she was about to say, but... "There's to much armony." She immediately feel a bad taste on her mouth at saying that, or she would if everything didn't feel so right.
Twilight began to observe the nature around her. First the flocks of birds flying in perfect 'v' shape formations, each bird flapping its wings in syinc with the rest of the flock. Then she looked at the gardens around her, and noticed how the bees where flying around the flowers. Normally the bees would communicate through moves similar to a dance, each unique on its own way. But now, it was like seeing a hundred mirrors reflecting the same moves, again and again. Looking down the bushes she found herself being able to predict perfectly the order in which the dew droplets were going to fall. Twilight was horrified by how perfectly in sync everything was. What could be a dream to her; no disorder, nothing out of sync, everything following patterns... had turned into an horrifying vision. Her brain working overtime, trying to find a explanation for all of this.
"Twilight... s-sorry to bother you, but I found this lett-" Fluttershy tried to speak to Twilight, and like many other times, the alicorn was to entrapped inside her own mind to notice her friend. But unlike other times, Fluttershy was didn't have any of her usual patience. "TWILIGHT!!!"
Surprising not only her target, but also drawing the attention of the rest of her friends, she continued talking. "I've found this scroll." As she was talking, the contents of the letter that she had already read, became more and more true, turning into a dead weight inside her stomach. And how she wished it was literally.
"I-It's from D-discor-" The poor mare could finish her sentence, the damn broke and tears stated falling, sobs wreaking her body. Rainbow immediately got to her oldest friend side, followed by the rest of them. Only Twilight stood back, picking the letter and psyching herself to be ready to read its contents. Though by Fluttershy reaction, she had already an idea of what Discord wrote them.
My very dear friends. I wish I could write the stereotypical but hopeful "if", but the truth is that i can only write a realistic but pessimistic "when". Truth be told, the only hope I have is that I could give you enough time to scape and regroup. Contrary to popular belive, and what I myself have brag, I'm not invincible. And this one, is a battle in wich i can only fight to gain more time. Theres many things i wish i could tell you all, but i can stall more time, and there are important things you must know. Things you must do after you beat the one-eyed dorito, because theres no doubt in my heart that you will teach that freak what the magic of friendshipcan do, the same way you did to me.
Once you defeat him, everything will seem to return to normal by itself. But the truth is that things won't be right. This may surprise our purple egghead, but chaos is as vital for the world as Harmony. And if one of those disappears, the whole balance follows. You are smart, all of you, and you will notice how the world is just too right. This will only worsen each day. Untill everything and everypony are just cogs in a boring and lifeless machine. Unfortunately without me around to keep chaos, you'll have to find an alternative. Lucky for you, my home will have enough chaos stored up to keep the world balanced until you find somethingmore permanent. Fluttershy knows where I'd the entrance. You just have to enter and free the energy.
I apologize, because I'm too coward to write what im sure you already guessed. Im suppose that there are things not even I dare to joke about. I'm sorry, I'll miss you all.
|
abrony-mouse
|
562225
| 1 |
Other,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The Fire: Campfire Tales
|
The sweet ponyfolk of Dream Valley bond over a forest outing—after settling in, marred only by a few singed hooves, they share tales around the campfire, culminating in an epic by besties Masquerade and Paradise (pictured).
|
complete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>The sweet ponyfolk of Dream Valley bond over a forest outing—after settling in, marred only by a few singed hooves, they share tales around the campfire, culminating in an epic performed by besties Masquerade and Paradise (pictured) </p><p>Setting is G1 (no G1 knowledge required). </p><p>This part (Part 1) can be read as a complete story (character/story arcs complete in each part). </p><p>This is a slice of life, wihle Part II (Wildfire) will be more adventure-focused. </p><p>Part III (Firestorm) will be a G4/G1 adventure/crossover, featuring Tempest Shadow. Firestorm will have a ‘T’ rating (Parts 1 and 2 are ‘E’) as it introduces some mature themes (not sex).</p><p>The draft plan for the trilogy is complete and writing has already begun on Wildfire.</p><p>Art commissioned from the amazing Leporinedivine, check them out <a href="/blog/1039080/commission-artist-experience-recommendation-leporinedivine-swagchaos69" rel="nofollow"><u>here</u></a>!</p><p>Thanks to <a href="/user/431424/Peace+Petal" rel="nofollow">Peace Petal</a> for proof-reading!</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-24T11:18:37+00:00
|
2024-08-11T09:03:21+00:00
| 80 |
Over the crashing of a waterfall can be heard gleeful young shouts as two pegasi roar into view, racing the glittering chromatic mist of a rainbow that ends in the azure of a river below.
The turquoise pony lands behind her pink rival, but the latter’s hooves, slick from the watery descent, skid on smooth rocks, depositing her in the river with an unceremonious splash, and she disappears into the churning deep blue of the plunge pool. The former also slides but is more sure-hooved, barely stopping at the edge of the bank; she flicks the wet green of her mane from her face and looks into the roiling waters.
With a splash, a pink muzzle emerges a little way down-river, as the ‘winner’ finds her footing in the current of white-flecked rapids. Eventually, like a salmon, she flops herself ashore, draped in her blue mane, panting from the exertion. Her friend is waiting for her and chuckles musically, “Well, I have you beat for style anyway, Firefly.” She offers a hoof.
“Stupid slippery rocks!” Firefly takes the proffered blue-green hoof and hauls herself up. “You were right behind me, Medley—how come you didn’t fall in?” she complains, before spreading her wings and shaking herself, duck-like, wetting her companion.
The two banter back and forth and trot along the river until a shadow falls on them from above and both look up. A pale pink pegasus glides easily down away from the mist from the waterfall — her feathers light and fluffy, unlike the sodden down of the pair on the ground. Beneath the blue of her tail ribbon, a starred compass symbol states that she is a fated explorer, just as the turquoise pony’s musical notes speak to harmony and the pink pony’s thunderbolts to energy.
“I think I saw a clearing up ahead where you can dry those wings while we set up camp. I’ll guide from the air,” the mare calls down to Medley and Firefly, who thank her in turn, calling her 'North Star'.
The trio weave away from the river and into the surrounding forest. Soon, North Star’s hooves are brushing the deep greens of a summer canopy, while Medley and Firefly are pushing through underbrush, wet green and blue manes becoming tangled with foliage. Eventually, however, the grounded ponies are halted by a thicket. The two cry for help, but the voice and wing beats of their aerial companion have already disappeared, leaving only the crunch of hooves on leaf litter, chirps of birds and creaking of forest trees stirred by the early morning breeze.
As the two try to find a way through, their ears prick up as something large appears from an unfamiliar direction, obscured by the brush and trees of the forest. They whinny in shock as a sudden piercing whistle sounds closer to them than expected.
The noise comes closer. “This is why playtime proceeds from work concluded,” sounds a matter-of-fact voice, seemingly without an owner until its source manifests out of the greenery: a light-blue, high-held head accompanied by piercing orchid eyes. The mare sports a mane of salmon-pink, pulled tight to her nape. “These woods are unfamiliar and if I had been a hungry wolf…” she chides.
The damp duo follow the pony through a hitherto unperceived gap in the thicket, still bantering with each other as the other, whom they call ‘Wind Whistler’, trots tight-lipped in the lead.
In another part of the forest can be heard piercing shrieks, whoops of laughter and the cawing of startled birds in response. Underneath the canopy are blurs of green, orange and white, which gallop and leap merrily through spacious undergrowth skirting a wide path through the forest. With a start, two of the ponies fall back, eyes flitting to something above which seems to drop like a stone, while the teal unicorn continues unawares. There is a momentary hush as the latter’s hoof-step falters, before the shape cries, “Surprise!”.
The creature's wings flare, revealing to the astonished ponies on the ground that it is a startlingly white pegasus!
Shocked, the teal unicorn wickers and rears up, wind-milling her forehooves as her pink-gemmed eyes glint in the midday sun; her four-tone light/dark pink, green and white mane is momentarily silhouetted before she keels over and rolls down a mossy incline, ending up in a ditch next to the path. The orange and white earth ponies who had fallen back previously prance after her, giggling, to help her up, while the teal unicorn gives a little huff and pokes her tongue out at her assailant. As she does so, her horn lights up and a stream of bubbles flies towards Surprise, the assault causing the pegasus to loose her balance, whereon she too slides into the ditch, colliding with the others, to more laughter.
As they dust themselves off, they chatter, each competing with the other for excitement.
"Last one at the camp is a rotten egg!" the teal unicorn, whom they call 'Fizzy' shouts.
The white earth pony calls out, “Applejack!” to her orange earth companion, before the other, engrossed in a conversation about pies with Surprise, trots into a low hanging tree branch.
“Thanks, Sundance!”
Merry fates mark the teal, white and orange flanks of these four ponies: sodas on Fizzy, balloons on Surprise, pink petals on Sundance and apples on Applejack.
Later that day, as the summer sun is leaning westward towards afternoon, a babble of voices rises from a large forest clearing, punctuated by rhythmic thuds. The glade is filled by dozens of ponies, above which rears a bipedal creature, a ginger-haired, ruddy-skinned and freckled human boy who wields the source of the sound — a small axe, which he is using to strike a felled log. This is being steadied at either end by a burly, light-orange earth pony and a white, orange-maned pegasus with striking green eyes.
A unicorn mare, dark-pink fur stained from recent exertions, is standing beside a recently erected tent, looking over it with an expression of one satisfied with a job well done. Content, she turns her penetrating ruby-gemmed eyes, which are set in a head framed by a red, pink and white mane, towards the trio. “Need a hoof?” she offers, breathlessly.
The boy pauses, wipes his brow and shakes his head, before returning to work. He puts extra heft into his next strike, and the two holding the log cheer as it is cleaved in two.
“We’re building the fire here, Cherries Jubilee,” instructs the dark-pink unicorn, pointing towards a partially formed ring of stones.
“No problem, Galaxy,” the hefty earth pony responds as she rears onto her hind hooves, forehooves free to roll the heavy log. The white pegasus tries to copy her, but hers does not budge.
Galaxy shakes her head. “It’s too big, Paradise—Danny!" She gestures to the human. "Help us, please.” Together, the three manage to roll the log to the fire, positioning it against the tip of Cherries’ log, forming the beginnings of a ring of log-seats around the makeshift firepit.
“Excellent, thank you," Galaxy pants. Suddenly, she yelps and skips to the side as a tent pole clatters down on the spot where she had been standing.
“Sorry, Galaxy!” yells a white unicorn who is holding a teetering tent frame in her hooves.
“Gusty! I told you to hammer the pegs!” cries a golden-yellow pegasus above the tent, trying to steady it.
Picking up the pole, Galaxy hurries to help. Once the tent is stable, the pegasus flies a canvas over the frame and the dark turquoise and pink-streaked mane of the white pony disappears inside to tie it. The olive-emerald gemmed-eyes of the golden-yellow pegasus carefully survey the tent canvas from within the tousled frame of her teal, light blue, green and olive mane. Once satisfied, she lands, and all three peg it down.
“Good job, Masquerade,” Galaxy says to the pegasus, before turning to the unicorn and adding, “You too, Gusty, but try to be more careful next time.”
This group of industrious ponies wear varied fates: the log-rollers, Cherries Jubilee and Paradise, have cherries and a tropical scene respectively, while those working on the tent, the unicorn Gusty who dropped the tent pole and the pegasus, Masquerade, have leaves and masks, while the helper, Galaxy, has stars.
At the same time as the aforementioned work, at the other end of the clearing, a ring of soft-coloured ponies are watching the antics of foals, who are squealing and shouting.
“My turn on Molly!” the little ones chorus, as they clamber over the pink-clothed legs of a small, blond female human who is seated on the ground. She lifts each in turn and gives them a spin, to chirrups of foalish delight from her playmates.
Among the onlookers is a blue unicorn with a majestic white ribbon on her tail, matching the fate on her flank, as well as a warm neon blond mane streaked with a playful orange. Her careworn muzzle crinkles and green eyes narrow with concern as she sees a seemingly innocuous patch of empty ground behind the girl. She calls out, but her soft voice is lost in the noise. Her brows furrow with concentration as she focuses on one of the mares, a green-maned, yellow earth pony with a magic wand on her flank. As her horn sparkles a soft blue, echoing sparkles dance over the yellow-furred head of the other mare, who immediately ceases her activity of braiding daisies into the mane of her companion.
The braider looks towards the ribboned unicorn, nods, and gives the braidee, a yellow earth mare with a pink mane and flowered mark, a nudge; this latter, in turn, gently prods the pink star-marked unicorn next to her, who rises quickly to her hooves, nostrils flaring and two-tone white/purple-streaked mane swishing.
“Baby North Star!?” she calls out, loudly, in a voice full of concern.
The others in the circle go quiet.
“What is it, Twilight?” Molly asks, and soon she and the foals are joining in the call for the missing baby. None, however, turn towards that one exploratory babe, whose unsteady hooves have taken herself now all the way to the underbrush at the edge of the clearing.
The blue, white-ribboned unicorn rises to her hooves, searching the late afternoon blue of the sky above her, until they find a shocking white pegasus—the merry pony from before: Surprise. In a second, the unicorn's horn lights up again and Surprise stops mid-flight and waggles her silly head, before flapping over and joining the calls. Just as the light pink hooves of the little foal disappear into the forest, Twilight, noticing the tiny hoof-prints, shouts and points towards the wayward infant.
Once the foal is safely returned, the happy play resumes.
The unicorn trots up beside the two yellow earth mares who resume their activity. "That little one gave me such a fright. Are you okay, Magic Star?" she asks the green-maned pony with the wand symbol, who nods.
She turns to the pink-maned, yellow, rose-marked mare. "And you, Posey?"
"Yes, Ribbon," the two reply, demurely.
Some time later, the dipping sun paints the sky orange over the heads of the ponies in the clearing. Paradise and Cherries Jubilee, Gusty and Masquerade, and Danny, led by Galaxy, have assembled a large pile of chopped wood next to the ring of logs. Another human, like Molly, though bigger, is gently petting the pink mane of Sundance with one hand, while her other is gesticulating at the boy.
“You can’t build the fire until you clear the ground and make a ring of stones.”
"'Course you can, Megan!" Danny shakes his head impatiently. "It’s getting late. Let's get the fire going!"
The dispute prompts various responses from the ponies, who gather round them.
"C'mon! I'm freezing my fur off!" complains Firefly, the pink, racing pegasus, whose mane is ruffled after her dunking in the waterfall earlier.
"Yeah! Some of us are only wearing ribbons," huffs Gusty, the white unicorn who had previously dropped a pole on Galaxy.
Danny gives Megan a smug look. However, the girl is soon joined by a chorus of pony voices supporting her view.
"What Megan proposes is the logical order of things," comes the firm tones of Wind Whistler, the pegasus scout who had escorted the two racing pegasi back from the forest.
"And clearly the safest course," adds Ribbon, though her soft voice barely carries over the noise of the discussion.
"Don't be so impractical, girls. If the fire were to spread, we would have far more to complain about than a little chill," warns Galaxy, the gem-eyed unicorn who was helping with the tent and fire assembly.
The latter's wisdom carries a number of ponies, who murmur their assent.
Megan raises a quizzical eyebrow at Danny, who scowls, but does not immediately respond.
During this, unbeknownst to the debaters, Fizzy, the teal gem-eyed unicorn from among the giggling ponies on the path earlier, had gone to whisper something into the upraised ear of her shocking, white-furred friend, Surprise, who now chuckles, nods and flaps over to Megan. After taking in the excitedly gabbled idea, she nods.
Megan stands, making a gesture to Wind Whistler who with a shrill blast calls for silence. "Listen, everyone! If we just pitch in together, then the task will be a breeze," she addresses the perky ears and sparkling eyes of the herd. "All that's needed is to collect rocks to form a ring around the fire, and for the area around the fire to be cleared of any leaves or twigs or anything else that might burn."
"Sounds borrring!" Danny heckles.
"Yeah!" Gusty and Firefly cry in unison, prompting disapproving tuts from Ribbon, Galaxy and Wind Whistler.
Megan raises her hands for quiet. "But it needn't be a chore; as a little birdie just told me—" She winks at Fizzy, who blushes. "—it can be a game! Using your pony-tails, sweeping can be a dance!" she explains to upturned quizzical pony faces, with a little twirl to illustrate.
"Yeah, well I've got four left hooves, so that's me out," grumbles Cherries Jubilee, the burly earth pony who had been rolling logs. This complaint is echoed by a number of the bigger, louder ponies. The suggestion is, however, greeted by a soft murmur of agreement from Ribbon and the quieter ponies in the group.
"Or," Megan continues, "stone-collecting could be a race!"
This suggestion is greeted with more enthusiasm, until Danny caterwauls again. "You're just tricking us into doing chores!"
Irritated, the girl stomps her foot and shoots him a look. "There will be prizes."
This is met with general approbation, and just as Danny is about to continue barracking his sister, he is interrupted.
"Come on slow-pony, or we'll never catch Firefly!" Surprise shrills, giggling, gesturing at the fast-disappearing, blue tail-ribbon of the competitive pegasus.
"I'll show her!" Danny growls, and sets off running, joined by Cherries Jubilee, Gusty and a number of other louder, more high-spirited ponies.
Once they have gone, Ribbon turns to Medley. "Not chasing after her?"
The pegasus looks ruefully after her bestie's receding withers. "Nah, the prize is as good as hers. Anyway, I'd rather stay."
Ribbon nods. "Please could you sing for us, while we dance?" The sentiment is echoed by a number of the others.
Medley smiles and nods. As she begins to sing her favourite song, the notes on her flank shimmer. Megan, familiar with the tune, joins in with her own strong, young voice, and soon the two are soaring together.
"Somewhere, over the rainbow..."
The motherly unicorn unties her tail ribbon and leads the dance, twirling the white fabric in the dusk to the melody. Eventually, all the remaining ponies, even the quiet Magic Star and Posey, are swaying, brushing the floor with their long tails.
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abrony-mouse
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562225
| 2 |
Other,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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The Fire: Campfire Tales
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The sweet ponyfolk of Dream Valley bond over a forest outing—after settling in, marred only by a few singed hooves, they share tales around the campfire, culminating in an epic by besties Masquerade and Paradise (pictured).
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complete
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<p>The sweet ponyfolk of Dream Valley bond over a forest outing—after settling in, marred only by a few singed hooves, they share tales around the campfire, culminating in an epic performed by besties Masquerade and Paradise (pictured) </p><p>Setting is G1 (no G1 knowledge required). </p><p>This part (Part 1) can be read as a complete story (character/story arcs complete in each part). </p><p>This is a slice of life, wihle Part II (Wildfire) will be more adventure-focused. </p><p>Part III (Firestorm) will be a G4/G1 adventure/crossover, featuring Tempest Shadow. Firestorm will have a ‘T’ rating (Parts 1 and 2 are ‘E’) as it introduces some mature themes (not sex).</p><p>The draft plan for the trilogy is complete and writing has already begun on Wildfire.</p><p>Art commissioned from the amazing Leporinedivine, check them out <a href="/blog/1039080/commission-artist-experience-recommendation-leporinedivine-swagchaos69" rel="nofollow"><u>here</u></a>!</p><p>Thanks to <a href="/user/431424/Peace+Petal" rel="nofollow">Peace Petal</a> for proof-reading!</p>
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everyone
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2024-07-24T11:21:05+00:00
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2024-08-07T22:08:51+00:00
| 82 |
"C'mon, guys!" Danny calls out for help building the fire. Gusty nods eagerly and canters towards the surrounding forest to collect kindling.
The boy looks hopefully to Firefly, but she shakes her head, her mouth full of her toffee-apple prize. Masquerade reluctantly rises to her hooves, giving the sitting ponies a huffy look, but she makes no comment as she trots over to assist.
Danny produces a knife, picks up a pair of smooth sticks and enters the ring of stones. He whittles a groove in one of the sticks, watched curiously by multi-hued eyes that glint in the early evening sun. While he is doing this, the two helpers deposit underbrush kindling in a mound near him. Then, he places some dried leaves and grasses in the notch he has made and, pausing every so often to explain the process and respond to questions, attempts to light the kindling matchlessly, using the friction method.
After repeated attempts, during which Gusty has grown the kindling pile considerably, Danny achieves a little smouldering whiff of smoke which, to a collective groan from the assembled ponies, almost immediately burns out. Freckled cheeks pinkening, he grunts in frustration and redoubles his efforts.
“Danny?” Masquerade tries to get the attention of the distracted boy as she eyes a kindling pile now almost as large as her. “Is the pile big enough?” But the boy just grunts in response.
Masquerade pouts and looks around for guidance, but finds none among the seated ponies, most of whom are chattering idly about the day’s fun and do not look up. With a frustrated ‘hmmph’ the golden-yellow pegasus shrugs and sits heavily on one of the logs, gazing hungrily at Firefly, who is still munching on her winnings.
Gusty, meanwhile, continues to gather kindling with characteristic energy. The sparkles from her horn add to the crepuscular rays to create a halo around her eager white-furred face. She grins as she drives the underbrush before her with winds that define her magic and mark her fate.
As Danny continues to struggle, ponies begin to shout encouragement.
“You can do it!” shrills the bubbly, gem-eyed unicorn, Fizzy, joined by her friends Sundance and Surprise. The infectious enthusiasm of these ponies quickly spreads to the others until there is a general clamour of support.
One such voice, belonging to Twilight, the pink, star-marked unicorn who had spotted Baby North Star earlier, entreats softly, “Oh, I do so wish it would work this time!” She repeats the phrase with increasing fervour until a flurry of sparkles appears around her horn. “I wish it would light! I Wish!”
There is a sudden ‘whoosh’ and flames seemingly burst from Danny’s hands as the stick that he is holding lights up. Danny whoops with delight, along with many in the crowd, including Fizzy and Twilight.
The spark, fanned by the still-swirling winds from Gusty’s horn, jumps and crackles through the dry leaves and twigs of the oversized kindling pile. There is a collective ‘aah’ as the formerly dark equine shapes seated on the logs around the fire-pit are lit up orange-tinted and bathed in warmth.
However, as the fire continues to build in intensity, Masquerade calls out in alarm. “It’s spreading too fast!”
The feathers of the pegasus are ruffled by the current of air drawn in by the fire. Danny leaps back as flames lick at his white trainers, leaving sooty lines on the material.
“Aah!” he exclaims, retreating as the flames make short work of the large heap of underbrush.
“Awesome!” chant Gusty and Firefly in unison, eyes dancing.
A current of uncertainty flows through the other ponies as the fire begins to tower above them, and whinnies of fear break out from the timid forms of Posey and Sundance.
“Danny, make it stop! It’s too much!” they wail.
As Gusty and Firefly’s cheers die down, fierce currents of warmed air begin to swirl around the crest of the blaze, which wears a crown of sparks. The now howling fire raises its head and, with a final roar, the currents become strong enough to carry the still-burning underbrush high into the darkening sky.
“Eeeh!” a startled high-pitched squeal comes from Paradise, who leaps into the air, bucking madly as her white-furred body is stung by a falling ember. She is shortly joined by the others, who flee in a panic from the burning rain.
“At least we cleared the ground,” grumbles Masquerade to Danny, referring to Megan’s earlier measures. However, he doesn't respond as he is focused on the sky.
The boy's is gazing at vivid orange sparks floating serenely against the gloaming dark. With a gulp, he turns to the site of their descent, a nearby tent which is lit softly from within.
Across the glade, Ribbon's soft voice is just wrapping up a magical tale for the baby ponies, their last before bed. Most are already snoring, including one little one whose softly-breathing form cuddles a fluffy duck.
“And then the snow-white princess banished the evil jet-black monster to the dark side of the moon!” she finishes, to gasps from the few among her audience who are still awake, and a small quack-like snore from the sleeping filly.
“Did they all live happily ever after?” asks a little yellow muzzle, framed by a jolly four-tone mane of navy, yellow, red and green.
“Yes, Baby Tic Tac Toe, there were no more monsters to disturb the peace of the ponies of Equestria.”
Next, the blue unicorn embarks on calming the little ones enough to get them to sleep.
First, she addresses herself to her own foal, Baby Ribbon, identical to herself in every way, though smaller. Only a gesture is needed for the well-behaved youngling to immediately climb onto her ribbon-festooned camp-bed.
'Good girl, sleep tight,' she transmits, telepathically.
"Night, night, mama," the infant replies out loud, with her own tiny horn sparkling, sending a fuzzy imitation of the message back to her parent's mind.
Moving on, Ribbon smiles down at the purple, pink-maned form of an earth pony, Baby Ember, who is cuddled up with Molly, the latter stroking the little pony’s mane.
“Now-now, girls, separate beds,” she chides.
“Aw, please…” Ember pleads, pouting.
Ribbon shakes her head and, with a last pet from Molly, the little pink baby earth pony curls up in her own camp-bed. As Ember settles, her ears flick as she hears a too familiar whine, like a keening dog, sounding behind her. “What’s the matter, Fifi?” She grimaces, knowing the likely cause.
“Fwuffy gone!” the babe blubbers.
Ribbon turns around, her face having adopted a more gentle moue. “I’m sure Fluffy will be round here somewhere.” She drops her muzzle to look under the bed, whereon she alights on a little pink dog plush. “Here she is!” She holds up the toy, for which the misty-eyed, diminutive, light-blue, white-maned foal stretches out her little hooves.
In the heavy atmosphere, scented by talcum powder and gently lit by a night-light, Ribbon surveys the settling foals, lingering over her own, and thanking Majesty, greatest of the unicorns, for granting her wish. A tug on her tail interrupts her reverie. Looking down crossly, she sees three foals out of bed. Besides the ribbon-puller, revealed to be Tic Tac Toe, is an energetic little yellow pegasus who fidgets and prances, while a lavender pink-maned earth pony looks up, hopefully.
“Bouncy, Lickety Split and Tic Tac Toe! It’s bed time!” Ribbon scolds. The pegasus flinches, while the earth baby's eyes fall, but Baby Tic Tac Toe looks defiantly back up at her.
“But we want another story!” The pugnacious foal stomps her little hoof.
“Yeah, I can’t sleep!” adds Baby Bouncy.
“Um… please?” Baby Lickety Split offers.
Ribbon sighs. “No, girls. It’s far too late for little ponies to be up — the stars are almost out, and you know the little pony tales about the Mare on the Moon, don’t you? If you stay up past your bedtime she’ll gobble up all your nice dreams and leave you only nightmares!”
The impressionable little ponies scurry back to their beds.
“But if you’re good and sleep like you should, her sister—Queen Zephyr Zither,” Ribbon improvises, “will carry the most wonderful dreams to you from her palace in the sky.”
The unicorn smiles as her vignette has the desired effect and soon furry heads are on soft pillows. With a chuckle, she takes one of her many white ribbons and flutters it over them.
“That’s probably her now! I can smell the scents from the flowers of her sky palace on the breeze,” she murmurs, as the eyelids of the three begin to droop.
Ribbon, an experienced foal-sitter, stays looking at the rambunctious trio awhile, before turning to leave the tent, satisfied. But on the way out she notices an empty bed. Biting down on an exclamation, she searches for its occupant: the little compass-marked pegasus, Baby North Star, whose earlier attempted expedition out of the forest clearing caused such panic.
This time, fortunately, she does not have to look far. The little one is framed in the tent entrance, gazing up at the sky. Frowning, Ribbon leans down to the foal’s silly pink head. “Baby North Star!” she hisses, trying to keep her voice low so as not to wake the others. “I’m surprised at you, young filly.”
But the filly ignores her. Taken aback, Ribbon adds, crossly, “Really! I’ve half a mind to tell your mommy to fly you right back to Paradise Estate this instant!”
“Sorry, Ribbon, but I think Queen Zephyr might have made a mistake,” the foal quavers, bemusing the adult.
Before she can respond to the seemingly bizarre statement, she hesitates, her nostrils flaring.
Baby North Star continues, “These dreams look pretty, but smell wrong.”
Ribbon isn't listening, however, having noticed the rain of embers which are beginning to catch on the tents around her. “Fire! Help!” she yells, but her voice cracks, becoming a shrill whinny.
Seeing the normally calm pony so distressed, Baby North Star joins her in panic and startles back, windmilling her hooves and flapping her little wings and shrieking with all the ear-splitting force of young filly-lungs.
In another part of the clearing, Megan, Wind Whistler, Galaxy and Cherries Jubilee are finalising preparations for dinner. Applejack is putting the last of her steaming apple tarts into a makeshift oven.
“Nice job,” compliments the burly Cherries Jubilee, causing her friend to blush.
“Whoa, careful now.” Galaxy steadies the tray which had snagged on the opening.
Megan, her tasks done, looks over to the other side of the clearing. “Danny should have got the fire going by now,” she wonders idly.
Wind Whistler looks to the firepit, ears flicking up as she hears a squeal.
The pegasus turns to Megan. “Did you hear that?”
Megan shakes her head, but Galaxy, next to her, stomps her hoof in alarm. “Something’s wrong! Follow me, girls!”
Wind Whistler trots up to the human. "I suggest we survey from the air." The girl nods but does not immediately jump on, as she would with one of the horses back at her parents' farm.
"I consent.” The pegasus bows and lowers her wings for Megan to jump on. Once astride, the experienced rider leans into the powerful neck for balance as they take off.
From her vantage point, Megan sees the blazing fire, much brighter and larger than it should be, and feels a shudder under her as terrified youngling squeals reach her steed’s ears. With another pony, Megan would have crooned and petted, but she refrains from doing so — mindful of the mare's pride.
Instantly, both turn in the direction of the baby ponies' tent, seeing the faint glows of dull orange scattered about it. “How could it be spreading to the tents?” Megan wonders.
“The embers must have been carried by the breeze.” The vibration of the panting mare's voice can be felt against the girl's chest.
“We’ll need water to put it out and soak the tents, but we don't have nearly enough to douse them all and put out the fire...”
“Indeed. I will summon Medley to retrieve a raincloud.”
Megan gives the sky-blue coat a relieved pat, having overlooked that whimsical possibility.
Everyone stampedes towards the tents — timid, ditzy, practical and scout ponies alike, all desperate to avert the danger.
“Muzzles and manes—the baby ponies!” Magic Star and Posey wail.
“Molly!” cries Danny.
Firefly is the first to arrive, followed shortly after by Gusty and Danny.
“Are you alright? Where’s it catching?” The three gabble to Ribbon, their speech almost lost in the din of voices behind them.
Ribbon looks for others, but not seeing wiser muzzles, engages them. “Wait! You’ll panic them. First, I will remove the little ones to safety. The smell is coming from over there.”
The three peer in the direction indicated. Meanwhile, the blue unicorn turns her sparkling horn towards the tent, from which emerges Molly and the baby ponies, including a, now pacified, North Star. They are scared, but under Ribbon’s calm command, they trot or walk beside her without demur, bearing their various cuddly toys. The quietude of the infants contrasts with the panic of the herd of adults now milling around the tents.
Once these retreat, the trio spring into action. Gusty, before anypony can stop her, ignites her unicorn magic in an attempt to blow out the flaming rain, horn blazing as she summons a powerful wind. The cinders — whose dull glow has begun to pile at the base of the tents — flutter into the air. Some of these darken as their bodies cool in the early night air, but others flare brighter. Worse still, parts of the singed tent begin to join the bright oranges of the embers.
“Stop!” Firefly and Danny shout out in dismay as they see the sparking embers alight on nearby tents.
The unicorn hesitates and the wind abates.
“Don’t blow on them! Stomp! Use your hooves! Quickly!” Danny yells.
Gusty and the rest of the herd, now caught up, race to do as directed.
Unfortunately, in the gloom, the difficulty of navigating the guy rope strewn ground between the tents, combined with the smoke thrown up from the singeing fabric and the aerial bombardment of painful embers, results in general confusion.
“Ow!” Surprise yelps and leaps into the air, shocked by an ember landing on her hindquarters.
“Oof, what the—“ Paradise takes a white hoof to her muzzle from Surprise.
“I can’t see!” complains Magic Star and Posey as their heads are smothered by the wings of the now upturned pegasus.
Suddenly, a piercing whistle sounds from the air, causing everyone to look up. Above the tangle of feathers and pony limbs, the light of a lantern can be seen swaying, held tightly by Megan.
“EVERYONE STOP!”
Wind Whistler takes charge. “Medley and Firefly, to me,” she directs, pointing to the two sooty-hooved, pink and turquoise pegasi, who nod and fly up to her.
“Where’s North Star?” the latter wonders aloud.
They are greeted by a voice from above. “Here!” the aerial scout replies, and all look up. “It was so confusing on the ground, I thought I'd fire-spot from the sky.”
Frowning, Wind Whistler gestures for the three to pay attention.
“You see that cloud?” She points upward to a few wisps, and the three nod. “Medley, use it to put out the fire. Firefly and North Star, assist her.”
They race off in the direction indicated — the pink, blue-maned pegasus in the lead as usual, with her turquoise friend close behind.
"I'll help on the ground. Set me down near the others, please," Megan requests.
After dismounting, with a flurry, the pegasus leader takes off after her scouts.
“Danny, Megan, Masquerade, Paradise, Gusty and Cherries Jubilee, to me!” calls Galaxy. “The rest of you, seek the safety of the forest’s edge, but do NOT go into the forest.”
Various shapes untangle themselves from the melee near the tents while Applejack, ears a little flat, holds up a foreleg in the manner of many indecisive quadrupeds. “Are you sure I can’t help?”
Galaxy shakes her head. “It’s tricky ground in the dark. You could twist a fetlock.”
Sighing, the earth pony sets off to the edge of the clearing.
The humans and four most practical ponies assemble around Galaxy.
“If we pour water on the tarp it’ll just slide off. Any suggestions?” the unicorn asks.
“I saw a programme about firefighting once, which was really interesting and—“ Danny begins, but is interrupted by a raised hoof from Galaxy.
“Quickly!” she interjects.
“—and they soaked blankets, which they placed on furniture to stop it burning!”
Galaxy nods. “Great idea. I’ll wink over to the water canteens. You ready the blankets.”
With order restored, everyone works efficiently on their various tasks. The two pegasi push the raincloud into the campfire's plume of smoke, whereon Medley jumps on it, releasing a dark mist of rain that makes short work of the wayward blaze.
While the vulnerable or untrained members of the herd huddle away from the action, Galaxy and her team efficiently traverse the spaces between the tents, hopping nimbly — as if in a dressage performance — over guy ropes. Soon sopping blankets sooth the angry orange of the stray cinders, restoring the peace of the gloaming dark.
With the fires out, the group fumble towards each other in the gloom, giving friendly nuzzles, hugs, and licks—where patches of fur had been singed.
In short order the foals are settled once more, sodden detritus is pushed to the edge of the clearing, and broom-wielding pegasi brush the sludge from the firepit, before Danny carefully re-lights it and Cherries Jubilee sets out a buffet dinner.
Before settling down, though, there is a reckoning. The pale-blue pegasus, Wind Whistler, dewy fur glittering in the moonlight, perches imperiously on a log, addressing the herd. She points down at Twilight, the pink, star-marked unicorn whose two-tone white/purple mane hangs over her head, which is bowed low. Gusty, the white, leaf-marked unicorn and Danny join her.
“It wasn’t Twilight’s fault for her Wish, it was my fault,” Danny says, head low. “The fire was my responsibility, and I should have been paying more attention. I’m sorry.”
“No, it was my fault. I stacked the kindling way too high. I’m sorrier,” Gusty contradicts, in a martyred tone.
Wind Whistler nods. “Twilight, you are excused. Your Wish was not responsible for the fire.”
Twilight gives a relieved sigh, rises to her hooves, nods to Wind Whistler, and moves to re-join the herd who have assembled around the now-dark firepit.
“As for you two.” She turns to Danny and Gusty. “I accept your culpability in this matter.”
“Windy!” Megan exclaims.
The pegasus hesitates. “But, of course, we forgive you both. Don’t we, girls?”
“Naturally,” soothes Ribbon, leading off nods and murmurs of assent around the herd.
“Turning to the matter of their sentence—” Wind Whistler begins, but stops, uncertain of what to suggest.
“Washing up duty would be most appropriate, I think,” Megan offers with a wink, to nods from judge, defendants and audience alike.
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abrony-mouse
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562225
| 3 |
Other,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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The Fire: Campfire Tales
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The sweet ponyfolk of Dream Valley bond over a forest outing—after settling in, marred only by a few singed hooves, they share tales around the campfire, culminating in an epic by besties Masquerade and Paradise (pictured).
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complete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>The sweet ponyfolk of Dream Valley bond over a forest outing—after settling in, marred only by a few singed hooves, they share tales around the campfire, culminating in an epic performed by besties Masquerade and Paradise (pictured) </p><p>Setting is G1 (no G1 knowledge required). </p><p>This part (Part 1) can be read as a complete story (character/story arcs complete in each part). </p><p>This is a slice of life, wihle Part II (Wildfire) will be more adventure-focused. </p><p>Part III (Firestorm) will be a G4/G1 adventure/crossover, featuring Tempest Shadow. Firestorm will have a ‘T’ rating (Parts 1 and 2 are ‘E’) as it introduces some mature themes (not sex).</p><p>The draft plan for the trilogy is complete and writing has already begun on Wildfire.</p><p>Art commissioned from the amazing Leporinedivine, check them out <a href="/blog/1039080/commission-artist-experience-recommendation-leporinedivine-swagchaos69" rel="nofollow"><u>here</u></a>!</p><p>Thanks to <a href="/user/431424/Peace+Petal" rel="nofollow">Peace Petal</a> for proof-reading!</p>
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everyone
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2024-07-24T11:23:24+00:00
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2024-08-12T09:24:17+00:00
| 90 |
Now that furry stomachs are full, thoughts are beginning to turn to the final activity before bedtime: campfire tales.
“Paradise! Please tell us a story. Last time I had the most wonderful dreams about that place—" a husky voice begins to say, originating from a pale blue, muffin-marked earth pony. “Um...where was it again?”
“Oh yes! It was Marlot, Sweet Stuff, but Paradise didn't write that one — it was by Tarpan Hackney,” Magic Star answers. “Just like the story about poor Tessie — that was wonderful, too!” she shrills, remembering the tales which had so enchanted her, her enthusiasm contrasting with her usual soft manner. "And that's why Paradise's originals are so wonderful, because she reads so many amazing stories."
“Yeah, your yarns are better than any of ours,” Cherries Jubilee adds, admiringly, nudging Paradise who stifles a grin of pleasure at receiving the compliment, knowing the gruff earth pony did not give them lightly.
Paradise absorbs this praise with an expression of equinamity. “Thanks, gals. I would love to. But maybe someone else should go first,” she says, winking at Masquerade, whose eyes sparkle in return.
Thus redirected, the attention of the story-hungry ponies turns to others.
“Megan. I did so enjoy the story you told us about that funny mare, Bathsheba,” Sundance encourages, muzzle resting on the girl's lap.
The girl stifles a yawn, tired from the busy day and recent events. “I don’t know if I can, right now, Sunny. But, I would like to hear one of your tales about the Brighthouse.”
In another part of the log-seat ring, an unlikely request is made by the dignified Wind Whistler. “Ribbon, I do find your stories about Equestria to be quite excellent—" she begins, but is cut off by a snigger from Firefly.
“The bed-time story for foals! You, like that? Seriously?” she challenges.
Ribbon gives the latter a wry smile, as her horn lights up. “Oh yes!” she says, in a sugary sweet tone. “Fairy tales are just for little foals, unlike Danny’s ‘She-Mare fights Skeletor’ comic which is for big, strong warriors!”
Firefly blushes as the telepathic abilities of the unicorn reveal her secret. “No fair,” she grumbles.
“Anyway, while I would adore regaling you all with a pony tale, after the day’s events I just couldn’t do it justice,” Ribbon declines, with an apologetic look to Wind Whistler. “However, Posey was telling me such a delightful tale about her garden on the way here,” she suggests, volunteering the meek fellow foal-sitter beside her.
Thanks to the suggestions from Ribbon and Megan, the attention around the fire turns to Sundance and Posey, who — as Paradise continues to be reticent — are soon being entreated on all sides. However, both shy ponies wilt in the heat of their interest.
Sundance is the first to demur, mumbling into Megan’s green, dress-suited lap that she can’t think of a story.
Megan leans over the pile of pink mane on her lap and whispers into a furry, white ear. “Go on, I know you can do it, and we’d all love to hear it!”
But the bundle merely shakes its head, and she feels the frightened filly tremble.
“Oh, Sunny," Megan sighs, looking a little crestfallen, an expression shared by Fizzy and a number of other furry faces around the fire, but she doesn’t press the issue.
As Posey continues to hesitate, the girl offers another suggestion to divert them from the trembling pony in her lap.
“How about the first pony with a story to tell goes first? I s—” Before she completes her sentence, a pink pegasus with a three-tone blue, green/red mane excitedly raises her hoof.
“Me! Me! Mememe! I have one! Yes-yes I do-I do! Got a story right here—thought of it during dinner—you’ll all really enjoy it. It’s for all ages-'n'-all genres!”
The enthusiasm of the proposer is not matched by the others — though the herd is generally tolerant, there are a few groans from the more boisterous ponies.
“Are you sure, Whizzer? Don't you want a little more time to think? I believe—” Galaxy is also cut off.
"Yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes! I'm ready!" Whizzer nods furiously and leaps to her hooves, eager to begin. Megan shares a worried look with Galaxy but eventually assents.
“Thank you, well—" the girl begins to say, but gives up with a sigh, since the pegasus was already storming along. "Oh, well, off you go, then."
Whizzer starts well enough, setting out ideas that had come to her while they were engaged in putting out the fire earlier. The ponies on the log-seats lean in and prick their fuzzy ears to catch the words spilling from the eager pegasus.
It soon becomes apparent, however, that the ambition of the tale is grander than any mere campfire yarn as the filly hurries the herd at break-neck speed through a cast of no less than twenty characters. She is at pains to point out that certain of these, not all of whom are named directly, or consistently, are not ponies. She describes two as ‘Zardichars’ who breathe fire and have scaly wings, while another cluster are ‘Squirt-Eels’ and yet are also somehow ‘Tortoise-Blasters’ who breathe water and have hard shells. To this core cast are added cameo appearances of many more characters, some of whom are creatures with mystical powers — from storm-wielding ‘Chu-Chu Picks’ to wind-blasting ‘Sparrow Spikes’.
After this introduction, which she manages to cram in in just a couple of minutes, Whizzer embarks on a plot which mixes elements of high fantasy, detective story, drama, fairy-tale and romance. Each of the themes is associated with a different villain — five in all.
As the third sub-plot of the second alternative ending is embarked on in as many minutes, a hum of confused questions breaks out.
“Is Rapunzel the rabbit, or is that Roger?” Fizzy wonders.
“So... did they defeat the dragon with the horn of the basilisk, or the basilisk with the dragon’s horn?” North Star ponders.
“Did Hamlet kill Rosencanter and Guilded-Hooves, or was it MacBess?” Medley muses.
“Was it that Juliet poisoned herself because she found Poneo with Marecutio?” asks a pegasus in pyjamas, Heart Throb, trying to get Whizzer's attention with a white-slippered hoof.
As the confused murmurs increase in volume, the storyteller, becoming agitated, raises her voice and speeds up, leading cyclically to more noise and so on until Whizzer can barely be heard above the din.
Eventually, Surprise, one of the few ponies to keep up with Whizzer’s story, but who had become visibly more and more confused, leaps to her hooves.
“Make it stop! Won’t someone please make it stop!” she yells, before raising a hoof to her brow and flopping backwards over her seat and landing in a feathery heap.
As she does so, the other sillier ponies, Applejack, Fizzy and Sundance, burst into fits of laughter. Soon, general mirth breaks out around the campfire, until even Megan and the more mature mares of the herd are struggling to keep a straight face.
Wind Whistler, however, ever a paragon of self-control and sensitive to Whizzer's crestfallen expression, rises sternly, hushing them. “This is most uncouth. Surprise! Apologise to Whizzer.”
Surprise rises, still giggling a little, and approaches the other pegasus contritely, stuffing her mouth with her wing-feathers to avoid further outbursts. Once she is close, with a hiccupping guffaw, she skips forward and cuddles the motor-mouth affectionately.
Wind Whistler turns to address the herd. “Thank you for the story. It was a—a..." She tails off, the precise mare struggling to adequately sum up the chaos that she had just heard.
"—wonderful effort,” Ribbon finishes, and the pegasus nods gratefully.
“Yes... thank you, Whizzer,” a few chorus, politely.
“Mmmf—!” the storyteller tries to say that she isn’t finished, but her mouth is suddenly full of Surprise’s blond mane as the smaller pegasus’s poufy curl pushes into her face.
Whizzer gently pushes the huggy little pegasus away to continue her story, however, as she does so, she feels a pull at the base of her tail. Too late does she realise that the mischievous pony has turned the hug into a game of ‘steal the tail ribbon’.
“Hey!” Whizzer squeaks, as she feels her ribbon come away.
“Catch me, if you can!?” teases Surprise in a sing-song voice, leaping into the air, giggling, waggling the scrap of white fabric in her hoof.
Always up for an aerial chase, the speedster streaks into the darkness and is soon abreast of her much slower opponent, but the slippery pickpocket whisks away at the last moment. As Whizzer's manic pace causes her to overshoot, the chase continues, with Surprise wriggling, eel-like, in the smoky night air, her own red ribbon fluttering enticingly atop her receding withers.
A few shout encouragement to the pursuer, while wiser heads shake their heads at the silliness.
“But what did Kash Etchem do next?” wonders Twilight, gazing up at them, wanting to see the tale to its end.
In the lull, Ribbon nudges Posey, who starts nervously. The flickering faces of the ring of ponies turn towards her.
“Um, if you’re sure she’s finished,” Posey quavers, looking down at her hooves.
The audience grow restive. A few ponies yawn from the day’s exertions, and the less sensitive among them, notably Cherries Jubilee and Paradise, begin to grumble about the delay.
Firefly, less than thrilled by the suggestion that the gentle gardener deliver a tale, whispers something in Medley’s ear, prompting the other to roll her eyes. Both of them steal sly glances at the unfortunate earth pony, causing her to shrink down onto her log-seat in a state of involuntary percipience, struggling to collect her thoughts.
“I-I, I…” she stutters, helplessly, a tightness in her chest causing the words to sound at a pathetic high pitch.
Unable to bear the attentions of the ponies before her, Posey looks away from the circle into the blackness of the forest around her. Suddenly, the scene before her seems to dissolve, replaced by an image of her garden bower at sunrise.
Ribbon, who had conjured the image with her unicorn power of telepathy, sounds her voice in Posey's mind, ‘Deep breaths now.’
Posey steadies herself, releasing her constricted chest. The muttering ceases as she decisively clears her throat, forgetting the audience as she commits to the images of her plants, which form the basis of her tale. The ponies lean in as the soft-spoken, pink maned pony begins to speak.
“My tale begins with a group of gentlefolk, who live in a forest clearing, much like this one.” Posey gestures to the rustling, dim shapes of the creaking trees around them. “Now, this group was led by the proud Rose family, supported by the sister families of hefty Heather and bountiful Berry...”
Gaining confidence as the long-dwelled upon characters of her plants rise in her mind’s eye, she goes on to explain that this happy collective was threatened by three crooked families of brutes: the nasty Nettles, brash Buttercups and back-sliding Brambles.
As Posey gets into her stride, she rises from her crouched position to stand boldly on her log-seat. “Birch is known for his beauty,” she says, directing the gazes of the ponies to the delicate white of the distinctive tree-trunks, just visible in the moonlight. “While Ash is known for his gentle strength.” She points towards a cluster of the respective trees, but their identity is lost in the dim arboreal purlieu.
“Um, Night Light, please could you use your unicorn power to—?” she asks. The respective trees are lit up by the glowing horn of a deep-blue star-marked unicorn. “Thank you, dear.”
She continues to describe how Birch and Ash try to help Rose’s family, while ferocious Fir and cruel Cypress support Nettles’ brood.
"Master Nettle takes Madame Rose hostage and demands that she and the leaders of the Heather and Berry families leave the clearing. Mrs Heather, desperate to free Madame Rose, approaches an evil witch who gives her a poison to use against the Nettle family." Posey grimaces as she thinks back to the many invasions staged against her innocent vegetables by this particular garden bully.
“Mrs Heather gingerly holds the poison bottle in her strong hooves.” Her voice is heavy with real emotion as she nears the climax of her tale. "Its evil scent sickens her, and she almost throws the corrupt brew away, but thoughts of Madame Rose trapped and unable to bud—" Posey hesitates. “I mean, um, unable to breathe," she corrects. "—drive her to approach Nettle’s estate, which borders her own.”
Posey explains that Nettle estate was choked with his numerous brood, who peek out at the dignified Mrs Heather from the chaos of polluted soils and broken glass which they choose to live in. "In the midst of this baleful scene—"
A few around the fire look uncertain.
"—it means deadly or threatening harm," Paradise cuts in.
"Oh, yes, um. Anyway, in the midst of this dreadfulness is Madame Rose, tied up next to the ugly gargoyles of Nettle Manor, but Master Nettle himself is nowhere to be seen."
A hush descends and ears prick forward in anticipation.
“Beautiful Madame Rose sees what straits Mrs Heather has been driven to.” The earth pony's voice shakes with anxiety for her characters and the plants of her garden, remembering the tough decision she had recently had to make when weeding.
“Even though she was captive and might die, Madame Rose held up her head, brilliant red mane blazing, and said—" Posey clears her throat. "No!” Her feathery voice attempts to imitate a regal tone befitting, in her view, her garden's 'queen'.
Posey explains that Madame Rose would prefer to remain in Master Nettles’ grip than see Mrs Heather harm another on her behalf. "Mrs Heather is conflicted and hesitates and just at that moment, Master Nettle, who had been informed by his spies of Mrs Heather’s incursion, clatters into Nettle Manor in his carriage! With his wiry strength, he seizes the poison from Mrs Heather!"
"Oh nooo!" gasps Magic Star.
“With a sly grin, he gloats over Mrs Heather.” Posey attempts a low, monster-like voice. “Grr, I am evil and I will hurt your family. Grr!”
The poor impression causes a few winces, and Medley gives a sarcastic snort in response to a whisper from Firefly. But Posey is too wrapped up in the story to notice that her impression has not been entirely well received.
"Master Nettle drives immediately round to Mrs Heather’s house and upends the poison upon it." She blinks back tears. "Almost immediately Mrs Heather’s bountiful family begins to wither, growing thin and pale. Over the next days it seems like all of the Heather clan would pass away," she sniffles.
"Poor Heather, she was only trying to do what's right!" Magic Star cries.
"Buck up, it's just a story." Cherries Jubilee shakes her head at the melodrama.
Recovering herself, Posey continues, “Everyone expected Master Nettle to finish Heather off and throw all the good families out of the clearing. But he had not been careful with the weed-killer—" She checks herself. “—poison, I mean, and you see, you must always be careful where the water is draining, if you have to resort to such brutish methods.”
"Wait, what?" Cherries Jubilee furrows her brow. Other ponies also look perplexed, momentarily uncertain whether they were hearing a campfire tale or a lecture on gardening.
"Sorry?" Posey returns, her mind on the practicalities of weeding, and not immediately understanding their confusion.
“What happened to Master Nettle?” prompts Twilight, her light-pink face earnest.
“Oh! Yes, sorry. Well, under Heather’s home the soil was all sandy, because that’s where Heathers like to make their homes. And all this time the vial of cursed poison had been passing through the sandy soil and into Nettle’s home which surrounded hers!” She shakes her head sadly.
“Soon, the Nettle family became so sick that they had to relinquish Rose. Not only that, but—” Posey glows with pride, thinking about her own patch of hard-grown, healthy heathers. “—the hardy Heathers were able to overcome the poison and soon they were all just as healthy as ever!” She skips happily on her log-seat, and Magic Star similarly gives a pleased chirrup, a moiety of her glee for the story, but the greater share for her friend’s happiness.
"The magnanimous Rose family was not bitter towards Master Nettle and his brood and allowed the Nettles, Brambles and Buttercups to live on the edge of the clearing. And sometimes Madame Rose even allows her children to play with little Miss Buttercup, even though she's an ally of the Nettles. Buttercups are a lot nicer without brutish Nettles about—provided they are kept in check, or they get everywhere,” she finishes, prompting a friendly whicker of laughter from Ribbon.
“The end,” Posey sighs. “Thank you for listening.”
Magic Star leads the applause, which is loudest from those who are usually quietest. “You care about your characters almost as much as you do about the plants in your garden! It was wonderful.”
“A good story, but I—” begins Wind Whistler, who had been wearing a look of concern during the latter part of the tale, but she stops. Despite feeling that Posey's story suffered from more than a few logical inconsistencies, her pink eyes had discerned at the last moment the subtly shaking heads of both Ribbon and Megan, neither of whom feel that the sensitive earth pony was quite ready to face criticism. “I—er—did not want it to end.”
“Thank you, Wind Whistler,” Posey smiles. “That means a lot!”
Megan and Ribbon both give Wind Whistler a grateful nod.
Posey turns to Ribbon, gives her a special smile and thinks hard. ‘Thank you for before.’ she sounds in her mind, conjuring a picture of a bouquet of roses with a white ribbon around them.
The unicorn smiles, puts her hoof to her heart, and nods, her horn sparkling. ‘You’re very welcome; it was a wonderful story, and they’re beautiful,’
As the modest clopping-applause dies down, a few ponies — particularly Firefly and Medley, whose enthusiasm for the gentle, garden-based story had been the least — resume badgering Paradise.
Danny and Gusty, who have by now rejoined the circle, after completing their chores, loudly join in, hoping to have returned in time for one of the palm-marked pegasus's famous tales.
Paradise nods to Masquerade and both rise, prompting a murmuring crescendo. "Parade, Parade, Parade!" The chant is taken up around the log-ring, the nickname for the pair of besties.
“Ponies, humans, countrymares, lend us your ears,” they begin in unison. The crowd hushes, eyes sparkling, tails tucked in for the show.
***
Over the previous weeks, while the other ponies at Paradise Estate were preparing the camping trip, the pegasus and her golden companion had been planning their performance. The others had looked on curiously as one-by-one Masquerade had approached them with strange requests. Many a pony had wondered what she was up to, but she had just sparkled her green-gemmed eyes at them and told them to ‘wait and see’. Danny and a few others with larger roles understood that she was making a play, but only now does everyone fully realise that she wanted them to help her dramatise one of Paradise’s tales.
***
Paradise narrates that the location of her tale is the exotic, fantastical Kingdom of Saddle Arabia. "An oasis in the lonely desert where for miles and miles all that could be heard was the rushing of the dry wind over the endless dunes."
Masquerade signals to Gusty, who summons a magical wind, which the golden pegasus flexes her wings against — as the zephyr fights her feathers they vibrate to create an eerie 'whooshing' sound.
"But our tale truly starts in the grand throne room of the Saddle Arabian king," continues Paradise.
Medley and Megan join their voices to sing a choral passage. Masquerade gestures for Danny to sit on the log-seat and drapes a piece of tarp around his shoulders as a makeshift cloak.
"The ponies of the kingdom have come to petition the king to save their property from destruction by an evil dragon, but rather than request that the beast be slain, they blame the dragon's attentions on the activities of a unicorn pony called 'Vista Star' and demand that she be exiled. This Vista had done nothing wrong to summon the dragon, but her artistic talent was so great—" Paradise winks at Masquerade. "—that every time she completed a project, the dragon would devastate the kingdom to steal the artwork."
At a direction to Whizzer, an impression of a hubbub of angry, accented ponies is created. Masquerade holds up a roughly whittled horse’s head, courtesy of Danny, as an example of a 'sculpture' and a few of the ponies clop their hooves in admiration.
"The fearsome black-coated and bearded king sits on his majestic throne of glass, as he listens to royal petitions with a grim frown."
The herd rustle uncomfortably at the description, until Sundance pipes up. "Is the king a pony?"
Paradise, who had paused so the ponies could digest the description, immediately responds affirmatively that he is a unicorn.
"But he sounds like a monster?" Sundance replies, to nods of agreement from various rainbow-coloured faces.
Danny looks baffled, but his sister immediately understands. "They don't have dark coats here! Not like on the farm," she explains, noticing his confusion.
Paradise resumes, "It is common for the Saddle Arabians to be dark as night."
Once the exclamations and murmurs of disquiet die down, Paradise continues, "But, just like the night, their gemmed-eyes sparkle like stars."
The reference garners appreciative smiles from Galaxy and Fizzy and the other gem-eyed ponies.
The storyteller reminds the audience that the king is frowning down at his subjects who are petitioning him.
Danny screws up his face frownily, causing giggles from Fizzy and the sillier ponies in the audience. “Your King hears you," he intones, in as deep and manly a voice as he can manage. "And he is moved by your petition. The mare known as Vista Star is hereby banished from Saddle Arabia.”
On cue, sounds of approval are simulated around the campfire circle.
Wind Whistler gives a whistle of approval, as quietly as she can manage out of respect for the foals sleeping elsewhere in the campsite.
“Hear Hear!” Cherries Jubilee rumbles.
“Woo hoo!” Fizzy chirrups. She mimics a champagne toast by adding a mouth pop with her hoof and fizzing the water in her canteen with her unicorn power.
Paradise goes on to describe that, while most are approving, two ponies towards the back, a grey earth pony and sky-blue pegasus, are dismayed.
“Poor Vista! You don’t think she meant to draw the dragon down on everyone, do you, Petal Swirl?” Paradise voices one of the dissenting characters, mimicking Surprise’s high pitch, before turning to Masquerade.
“No, Mousefur. This punishment is quite illogical,” the golden performer replies, in role as the other dissenter, passably mimicking the logical pegasus Wind Whistler’s measured tones, setting off giggles throughout the audience, and even earning a rare smile from the mare herself.
Paradise narrates that Vista and her two friends try to contest the finding before the king’s most trusted advisors, the Council of Furbobs.
Masquerade places Heart Throb's fluffy white heart slippers, lent to her for the occasion, one on each hoof, and holds them up like puppets, to more giggles.
“Oh, wise Bob,” Paradise begins, in her high pitched Mousefur voice.
“No,” Masquerade replies in a masculine voice of pugnacious staccato, flexing a white slipper and pushing it into Paradise’s muzzle, which she wrinkles.
“Let her speak!” Masquerade immediately follows up in another, similar but more feminine voice, flexing her other slippered hoof so that it clutches at the first ‘puppet’ to draw it back.
“Oh, wise Bobbess.” Paradise maintains her voice through the slipper in her face, while also trying not to smirk at the silliness of the scene and to ignore the tickly sensation on her muzzle. “Please advise the king not to banish our friend Vista Star!”
“I agree!” replies the 'Furbob' that is currently not assaulting Paradise.
“No!” Masquerade bounces her other slippered hoof up and down on Paradise’s red mane, simulating the bob angrily jumping on Mousefur.
There is a surge of laughter as the scene grips the audience, the mirth infectious.
“Double yes!” The golden pegasus slides her other hoof up to Paradise’s head as she mimes the genial bob attempting to restrain the angry council-bob.
“Ow!” Paradise squeaks.
“Triple no!” Masquerade makes a gnashing sound as her furbob ‘puppet’ clutches Paradise’s furry white ear, simulating it biting Mousefur.
“Quintuple yes!” The 'bobess' replies and the performer mimes dragging the angry bob away. The laughter crescendoes, with some of the sillier ponies doubling up and banging their log-seats, delighted by the antics.
The scene over, Masquerade returns the prop to Heart Throb, to whistles and stomps of applause.
The golden pegasus waits for the noise to die down before continuing. “We are getting nowhere with these council-bobs,” she says as Petal Swirl. The deadpan statement sends many over the edge again, and Paradise has to wait before delivering her line.
“That big one bit me!” ‘Mousefur’ huffs — Paradise raises a hoof to her ear, which sends the ponies into another giggle-fit.
"Ah-ah!" Fizzy cries breathlessly, tears of laughter streaming down her muzzle. "No more!"
After pausing for calm, the storyteller explains that the two friends leave defeated, complaining about the behaviour of the Bobs. "Unable to prevent it, Vista Star is cast out into the desert, with nobody allowed to see her, on pain of joining her fate, for fear that the dragon would punish the kingdom further. But Mousefur and Petal Swirl were determined to see their friend, in defiance of the cowardly king’s edict, so they travel to Vista’s new home — a distant cave in the shifting wilderness of the desert sands."
Gusty resumes the desert sound-effect and a pink earth pony, whose faded pink tail conceals a seated flank of ice-cream cones, adds a soft wolf-howl, as of a distant wolf-pack.
“Oh, Vista Star! We will miss you so,” 'Mousefur' exclaims, squeakily.
“Mine own dearest Mousey,” Masquerade says in an exaggerated theatrical version of her own voice, before turning to her side and adjusting her features.
“I too will miss you,” 'Petal Swirl' replies. The smooth, much practiced, transition between the two characters draws admiring noises from around the circle.
Masquerade and Paradise approach each other and hug, prompting 'awws'. Paradise hides her white muzzle in Masquerade’s luscious two-tone greens while Masquerade noses herself under the former’s cherry mane. Faces thus obscured, they shake to simulate crying.
Seeing her cue, Heart Throb adds a tearful sound-effect. The plaintiveness of the tender pony’s sobs, and the high emotional moment, causes sniffles to break out around the log-seats. Indeed, the moment proves to be too much for a few, including the pony providing the wolf howl, Lickety Split, who falters.
Before everyone starts crying, Masquerade gestures to Heart Throb, who stops abruptly.
Paradise, through sniffles, explains that the three friends part company with hugs and sad goodbyes. She pauses for a moment to allow emotions to settle, before continuing, "Mousefur and Petal Swirl return to Vista’s home after many weeks have passed to find she has been kidnapped!"
“Oh, no! What’s this!?” 'Mousefur' exclaims, pointing her golden hoof at the ground near the fire, where Masquerade had previously drawn a paw print. “It must be wolves! They have taken her and eaten her all up!”
The revelation brings foalish gasps from Sundance and Fizzy.
“A reasonable deduction, but there is a crucial flaw in your reasoning—there is no sign of a struggle,” ‘Petal Swirl’ replies.
Paradise narrates that the two ponies track down the wolf pack, ready to fight, but hoping that there might be another explanation. "The wolves turn out to be friendly."
The pink ice-cream marked pony who had previously been providing the wolf-howl sound effect, having recovered, now yips happily. “Smelled dragon ruff! At pony home. Take pony.” She buries her head in her hooves, flattens her ears and adds a keening canine whine to give a scared doggy impression, which draws ‘awws’ from the softer ponies.
Paradise, a better storyteller than actor, rolls her eyes and squeals out her shock. “Ohhh… nooo!”
Masquerade simply hangs her head as 'Petal Swirl' reacts to the sad news, avoiding the temptation to overact.
The melancholy is broken by the perky voice of the pink ‘wolf’. “Help ponies find friend, ruff ruff!” The pony sits upright, faded pink mane falling about her face, and adds tongue-lolling and tail-wagging for good measure.
“Thank you, dear wolf.”
Forgetting that Mousefur is meant to be sad, Paradise leans forward and pats the actor's pink muzzle. “Good girl, Lickety Split!” she jests, prompting laughs throughout the audience.
Paradise continues the narration, relating that Mousefur and Petal Swirl are led by the friendly pack to the lair of the dragon. "The two companions' battle-gear clanks as they trot into the mountain’s depths to face the terrible foe."
At a signal from Masquerade, Galaxy, Applejack and Cherries Jubilee make a clattering sound by banging their canteens together.
Paradise leans forward, flames dancing across her snowy, cherry-framed visage and hazel eyes, as she describes the two friends entering the dragon’s lair. The more impressionable ponies in the audience, Fizzy and Sundance among them, already on the edge of their log-seats, hold each other’s hooves. Surprise, next to them, nibbles her wing-feathers anxiously. On the other side of the campfire, Ribbon is petting Posey who has buried her face in her fetlocks. A bold contrast is presented by the pink and turquoise forms of Firefly and Medley, who are drumming their hooves in eager anticipation of the dragony confrontation.
"The companions trot breathlessly onward through claustrophobic caves stinking of sulfur. Eventually, the close passages open out into a glorious, glittering cavern dominated by the dragon’s horde of gold, silver and artistic treasure. Among these they recognise something that makes their hearts leap — sculptures from the talented hooves of their captured friend, Vista Star!" As Paradise pauses for effect, Danny holds up a now half-whittled horse-stick ‘sculpture,’ eliciting admiring murmurs.
"Above the horde, sitting on a huge throne of glass, towers a monstrous, red dragon!" the storyteller crescendos.
The reveal, after the build-up, draws squeaks of fear from the softer parts of the log-ring, and shrill ‘oh noes!’ from sillier quarters. The hard-nosed Cherries Jubilee just grunts at the impractical nature of glass seating.
‘Awesome!’ exclaims a grinning Firefly, nudging North Star, but she doesn’t respond. The explorer is looking longingly upward, wings shifting restlessly with the ever-present itch to fly.
“Yeah, this is gonna be good,” Medley returns, giving a wry smile at their fellow scout's mute, upturned muzzle. She reaches past the smaller pegasus to wing-tap her bestie.
Paradise, who had been taking in the various reactions with the humble inner-smile of a proud craftsmare, presses on.
"At the base of the dragon’s foot-long claws, is the tiny form of Vista. She is manacled, but unharmed," she explains, to relieved sighs. "As Mousefur and Petal Swirl peer closer, it becomes apparent that the pony has her sculpting tools out and is being forced to work for her captor."
“What can we do!?” 'Mousefur' whimpers.
“Well, thinking logically, what are our options?” replies 'Petal Swirl'. Even in the tense moment, the phrase is so reminiscent of Wind Whistler that both Firefly and Medley snort with laughter.
Paradise narrates that the two ponies huddle back into the passageway to debate their approach.
“We are not fast or ferocious like our pony pal, Fire Feathers,” bemoans 'Mousefur'. Paradise winks at Firefly, who grins back.
“Nor as strong as my workmate, Cherry Beam!” Masquerade smirks at Cherries Jubilee, who flexes a bulging foreleg.
“Nor as magical as our friend, Wand Withers.” Magic Star blushes and shakes her head, looking down.
"After further debate, the friends recognise that violence is not the answer, because Vista could be hurt." This conclusion draws approving nods from the majority, the herd being generally violence-averse, with a few notable dissents from feistier characters.
“Boooring!” grumbles Gusty.
Paradise describes how the friends effect the plan of action. "Firstly, Mousefur sneaks up on Vista."
Masquerade beckons with her hoof but, strangely, no one responds. The audience gaze round in confusion and there is an awkward silence. Masquerade’s poised features are just beginning to show worry when she is startled by a loud noise.
"Surprise!"
The ponies’ spin round to look at the sudden source of the shout, which proves to be a mint-green, pink-maned earth pony on the opposite part of the fire who is grinning triumphantly down at the now upturned and giggling form of the white pegasus. Normally the perpetrator of astonishment, Surprise's shocked expression demonstrates that the soft-hooved assailant has given her a taste of her own medicine.
“Ya got me, Minty! Good one!” she titters from the ground.
The mint-green pony holds up her hooves proudly by way of explanation for her extraordinary sneakiness, displaying the thick, mismatching socks on all four that had muffled her approach.
Paradise, looking testily at Minty and Surprise for the improvised additions, explains that Mousefur has sneakily scuttled across the horde, wearing socks, just like Minty did.
“But Mousefur and Vista did not say ‘surprise,’ because that would have alerted the dragon,” she scolds, tutting at the still-giggling pair.
“Unlike some ponies who have more socks than sense,” Masquerade adds, gems flashing at Minty.
“Also, Vista did not fall about giggling like a silly feather-brains.” Paradise wags a hoof at Surprise.
The two ponies are far from cowed by these admonitions — at her first opportunity, Surprise mounts a feathery tickle-assault. With a squeal of laughter, Minty is soon rolling about in the dark on the dry earth behind the log-seats, at the other's mercy.
The sillier ponies, led by Fizzy, join in the giggles, but are swiftly shushed.
"Enough now." Cherries Jubilee easily separates the two, ushering them back to opposite sides of the fire.
Masquerade gives the impromptu usher a thankful nod and, with a quiet *ahem*, Paradise resumes the story, reminding the ponies that Mousefur had just approached Vista Star.
“Bobbins and bodkins!” Masquerade stage-whispers in her ‘Vista Star’ voice. “Do mine orbs discern in the flickering shadow beneath this scaly tyrant, the shape of mine own boon companion, Mousefur? Oh, how this sight stirs me to bitter joy, for thou hast put thyself in great danger on account of this poor artist.”
Paradise explains that Vista’s manacled hind-hooves prevent her coming any closer to Mousefur, who is cowering between the dragon’s huge, clawed feet.
“Ew, I hope they smell better than mine.” An audible mutter is heard from among the audience, causing titters.
"Minty, Minty, Minty!" A pink, balloon-marked pony tuts nasally, holding her muzzle, addressing the green pony next to her who has now removed her thick woollies and is engaged in speculatively sniffing them.
"Oh-err!" she starts, goofily. "Um... you didn't hear that."
"I wish I didn't smell it, either..." Pinkie shakes her head.
Ignoring the interruption, Paradise explains that Mousefur does not approach, fearful of exciting the dragon’s notice. "She gives a whispered greeting from her hiding place and gabbles out an outline of her plan, terrified of the beast above her. Vista pretends to work on her sculpture all the while, until the dragon becomes suspicious. She thinks a moment, tinkering away, the little grey Mousefur peering out at her from beneath the throne, gemmed-eyes twinkling wonderingly... but eventually Vista's mind is made up. Heart in her mouth, she hails the dragon."
“Oh, majestic Dragon lord!” 'Vista Star' declaims. Masquerade nods to Danny, cueing him in.
The boy squints at his lines, dimly lit by the firelight, before replying in a deep, throaty ‘monster’ voice, “Yes, my jewel, how goes the work?”
“The wonder of thy visage requires gems of such magnificence that this humble subject’s unworthy and pitiful orbs discern none that are suitable among thy mighty horde.”
At another signal, a blood-curdling roar causes whinnies of fear from the timid ponies in the group, and even the normally unflappable scouts swivel their eyes around in alarm looking for the ‘monster’. The diminutive Surprise, the inexplicable origin of the sound, coughs, pats her chest and returns their incredulous looks with a tongue-poke.
Paradise explains that the dragon is angered by the delay.
“My horde contains the greatest treasures for a thousand leagues! If nothing exists that is so magnificent as to compare with the true article—” Danny pauses for Paradise to explain that the vain dragon preens into a huge crystal mirror above him. “Then you must make do. And, if you refuse to finish, I will crush you like an ant.”
Paradise narrates that the monster raises up one of its great feet, as if to stomp on Vista, causing Mousefur, who had been hiding behind the dragon’s legs, to scuttle further away, behind the throne.
“Oh, great Wyrm, I have heard of wonderful jewels of viridescent emerald that lie in the belly of the mountain of the phoenixes. Only these are capable of capturing the radiance of your eyes,” 'Vista Star' proposes.
The ‘dragon’, having finished reading his lines, sits down on his log-seat.
Paradise explains that the beast ultimately accepts Vista’s suggestion, which appeals to his vanity. "But the friends' plan meets a hitch when he taps the gigantic crystal mirror with his mighty staff which, with a flash of magic, summons the image of a hooded pony. Rather than abandon his lair to acquire the gem, as the friends had expected, the dragon commands this servant to search for him!"
Around the log-ring little furry muzzles murmur discontentedly as they share the disquiet of the fictitious friends. "To think! A pony helping a brute like that!"
"Just like that rogue, Knight Shade," Ribbon hisses, prompting growls, many still angry about that pony's actions in service to his shadowy master.
Paradise raises her hooves to quieten the murmurs and goes on to explain that the third part of the plan, unshackling Vista, would have to wait.
"There is nothing that Vista or Mousefur can do, so she returns to Petal Swirl, tail between her legs."
At the high emotional moment, Paradise declares an interlude.
Masquerade and Paradise rise, to raucous applause and stomping.
Megan approaches them, her eyes gleaming. “It's going wonderfully, Paradise! I feel so sorry for Vista, and you do such a good job of bringing everything to life, Masquerade.”
Nuzzling the girl thankfully, Paradise scents something delicious. Giving a delighted horsey snort, she discovers the two toffee apples the girl had been keeping as prizes for the best story. After tossing one of the treats to her bestie, they retire together to their log-seats, receiving many an appreciative pat as they pass.
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abrony-mouse
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562225
| 4 |
Other,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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The Fire: Campfire Tales
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The sweet ponyfolk of Dream Valley bond over a forest outing—after settling in, marred only by a few singed hooves, they share tales around the campfire, culminating in an epic by besties Masquerade and Paradise (pictured).
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complete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>The sweet ponyfolk of Dream Valley bond over a forest outing—after settling in, marred only by a few singed hooves, they share tales around the campfire, culminating in an epic performed by besties Masquerade and Paradise (pictured) </p><p>Setting is G1 (no G1 knowledge required). </p><p>This part (Part 1) can be read as a complete story (character/story arcs complete in each part). </p><p>This is a slice of life, wihle Part II (Wildfire) will be more adventure-focused. </p><p>Part III (Firestorm) will be a G4/G1 adventure/crossover, featuring Tempest Shadow. Firestorm will have a ‘T’ rating (Parts 1 and 2 are ‘E’) as it introduces some mature themes (not sex).</p><p>The draft plan for the trilogy is complete and writing has already begun on Wildfire.</p><p>Art commissioned from the amazing Leporinedivine, check them out <a href="/blog/1039080/commission-artist-experience-recommendation-leporinedivine-swagchaos69" rel="nofollow"><u>here</u></a>!</p><p>Thanks to <a href="/user/431424/Peace+Petal" rel="nofollow">Peace Petal</a> for proof-reading!</p>
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everyone
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2024-07-24T11:29:55+00:00
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2024-08-07T22:07:16+00:00
| 100 |
In a quiet part of the log-circle, Magic Star addresses her friends over the babble of similar conversations around the fire.
“Mousefur was so brave to stand by her companion when the bad king condemned her,” the soft yellow pony observes, “but she can’t go against her king any more than poor Vista can. Maybe he will change his mind about exiling Vista Star when he sees how upset she is?”
Ribbon, Posey and Twilight, who are sitting near to her, nod sadly in response.
***
Across the fire, squeals of mirth can be heard from a collection of silly ponies.
“Those Bobs were hilarious!” giggles out Surprise.
“No they’re not,” returns Fizzy, mimicking a disagreeable ‘Bob’.
“Oh, yes they are!” Applejack joins in.
“They so are!” Sundance agrees, breaking the sequence.
“Nuh uh!” Surprise adds. “I mean—“ She hesitates, then snorts, realising she been wrong-hoofed.
The entire group dissolves once again into horsey laughter.
***
Drawing the occasional concerned look from Megan, two pegasi — one pink, the other turquoise — are in the middle of a heated argument about the story-play, fiery eyes glaring at one another.
“Dragons aren’t scary — the ponies in that kingdom are just cowards.” Firefly snarls and thrusts her muzzle into Medley's, her pink nostrils flaring.
“That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard!” the turquoise pegasus strikes back, leaning away unphased, head held high. “Well, at least since I heard a silly pony sploosh into a plunge pool earlier this morning, but really it would be hard to sound sillier than that.” Medley meets the intense purple orbs of her temporary foe with the cool power of her own blues.
Firefly is about to respond, when another pegasus, North Star, who is sitting between the warring parties, pipes up. “I think if I were a dragon, all lonely in a cave, I’d probably want to take all the interesting things from every other creature. It’d cheer me up no end to read all their books and admire their sculptures.”
The statement is met by silence, as the combatants are briefly lost for words.
Medley is the first to recover. “You should be called Dragon Star!” she sniggers.
“The only dragon who’s afraid of fire!“ Firefly adds, referring to her friend's reluctance to become embroiled in the melee of fire-fighting earlier.
However, North Star doesn't respond, her eyes having glazed over as she day-dreams about Paradise's world.
With a chuckle at the whimsical nature of their companion, they return to their argument.
***
Adding to the fireside chatter, the human, Danny, mug of root-beer in hand, declaims enthusiastically to Galaxy, Gusty and Cherries Jubilee. “But couldn’t Vista Star simply wink out of the manacles?” he challenges, gesturing to the two unicorns.
"Good point," notes Gusty. As she says this, her horn sparkles and she disappears and reappears in place. Referred to as ‘winking out,’ most of the grown unicorns of the herd have the ability.
The storyteller, Paradise, who is munching on her toffee apple, listens with trepidation, watched by her companion, the playwright, Masquerade.
“But, isn't it impossible to wink through solid objects?” offers the earth pony.
“That’s true, except—” Galaxy begins, only for Danny to jump in.
“I know that unicorns can’t wink through things, like a net, but Vista Star wasn’t trapped like that.”
“Her fetlocks were manacled though, and unicorns are unable to escape when they are tied up,” Cherries Jubilee responds, practically.
Galaxy furrows her brow. “Yes, that’s right.”
Danny thinks for a second, stroking his freckled chin and narrowing his eyes, the way that crafty humans do when they puzzle through things. After a moment, he snaps his fingers. “Galaxy, have you got two spare guy-ropes? I have an idea."
The unicorn sighs and takes the requested items from her saddlebag, which she gives to him.
Danny turns to Gusty. When she realises what he means to do, she snorts and shakes her head. "I ain't being tied up."
He turns to Galaxy, who nods reluctantly.
"Now, hold out your hoof.”
She holds up a curled foreleg.
“Your hind hoof, Galaxy,” he clarifies.
When she hesitates, he adds by way of explanation, “Vista Star’s hind-legs were manacled.”
Galaxy sighs and turns around. As she feels his hand on her hind-leg she startles, prompting the human to back off.
“Easy, girl,” he soothes, instinctually treating the unicorn as he would the ponies back on the farm at home.
She steadies herself, overriding her horsey desire to kick, and does as asked.
Danny takes her fetlock and places it on his lap. His practiced hands quickly bind the proffered limb in an improvised guy-rope ‘manacle,’ and with the other rope quickly binds both legs.
“There, now try to—” he starts. With a brief scintillation of her horn, she winks out, leaving both guy-ropes to fall to the floor.
“It seems I was able to slip out of them,” Galaxy observes, reappearing.
“That proves it!” Danny crows triumphantly, to Paradise’s dismay.
Cherries Jubilee brings a hoof to her chin and muses awhile before observing, “But the dragon is probably pretty smart — it might have prepared for that.”
The boy stomps his sneakered foot in frustration. “But how!?”
Galaxy flashes her eyes at Masquerade, before saying in a strange, ominous tone, “Look into my gems, human, and I shall inform you.”
Danny, taken aback, does as she requests. He sees the flames of the campfire dance in the many facets of the glittering rubies. Unlike his own eyes, or those of most of the herd, he sees no pupils, only points of fractured light, as she is a gem-eyed pony. As he focuses, she swishes her head from side to side to create a flash of dark-red that rises from the periphery of both gems and swirls outward, briefly dazzling his vision, causing him to stumble back.
“It’s magic!” she grins,
Danny shakes his head to clear the sparkles and huffs, unimpressed.
Paradise rises to her hooves. “Hah! True enough. Isn’t that right, Masquerade?” she avers, having by now finished munching, offering a wing-up.
With a smile to Galaxy, the pegasus takes her friend's wing, gemmed-eyes twinkling. “Surely. Now, let’s get back to the 'magic'!”
As the pair rise and return to their log-seat 'stage', the babble of fireside conversation swiftly fades.
To resume, Paradise briefly explains that the two ponies, Mousefur and Petal Swirl, are huddled together in the passageway leading to the dragon’s cave.
“Oh, whatever shall we do!?” Paradise stage-whispers in the squeaky, Surprise-like voice used for Mousefur. “I just knew this would be a disaster—we’ll never save our friend now!”
“Now, now, dear Mousefur, do not lose hope,” Masquerade replies, in her reasonable, Wind Whistler-esque ‘Petal Swirl’ voice. “First, let me clarify a few things.”
Paradise sits on her hind haunches like a school-filly, looking up at Masquerade, as 'Mousefur' awaits the other's pearls of wisdom.
“You say Vista is not in immediate danger?” 'Petal Swirl' questions, sternly.
Paradise nods her white head. “He only threatened her when Vista said she wouldn’t work for him.”
“So she is safe for now — for she has the most creative mind of anyone I know. And you say that a pony was assisting the dragon?”
“Yes! What kind of pony would help a big, mean old dragon?”
“I am not sure, but where there is a problem there is also an opportunity.” Masquerade strokes her downy chin thoughtfully and draws her hoof below it, as if she had a wispy goatee.
Paradise smiles, pleased by the delivery of the line, which she had found in an old pony tale.
As this is going on, Danny and Galaxy whisper excitedly to each other, discussing what the characters could be planning — the boy, using logical human syllogism, argues that the fictional friends must fight the dragon, while the unicorn, using instinct and intuition, defends her view that it would be most sensible for the characters to find someone to help them.
Paradise occasionally glances over to this pair during the dialogue, pleased with their engagement but wanting them to follow her story.
"So,the plan is... um, err—" she stops, groping for the line.
A few ponies look up expectantly. Masquerade, worried, mouths it.
"Oh, yes, to...um? Wait, that's not—"
Sensing a theatrical emergency, the performer realises she will have to improvise to help Paradise out. With a flash of inspiration she suddenly leaps to her hooves. “Eureka!” she shouts and goes in for a hug.
The display of emotion and sudden shout shocks the audience, so consistent had Masquerade’s portrayal of the sober character been. An intrigued gasp goes up around the fire, most of whom then lean in, in suspense as to the meaning of the outburst, other than Applejack who was so surprised that she fell off her log-seat.
“Eeeeyah!?” squeaks Paradise, genuinely astonished, her pitch naturally imitating the high tones of her character.
“I apologise for the outburst,” begins 'Petal Swirl', “but I believe I have formulated a plan which will surely achieve our goal.” The golden pegasus pauses significantly.
“C’mon!” Danny and Galaxy mutter together, anticipating the revelation, both hoping to be proved right.
“To prevent the dragon’s spies overhearing—” Masquerade arches an eyebrow at the pair. “—it is safest to whisper.” Burying her muzzle in Paradise’s ear, she murmurs, "Pretend like I'm setting out the plan!"
Paradise, who had frozen, barely manages to choke out, “Oh, my!” playing along by instinct.
The audience relax, relieved that the awkward moment has passed, most assuming the whispering to be part of the act.
"I think it's working! Say, 'You don't say', or something, like a panto," Masquerade whispers.
“You don’t say!?” 'Mousefur' declaims. Paradise, attention diverted from the pair by her friend's warm proximity, relaxes and leans into the pantomime aspect of the improvised scene.
Danny and Galaxy drum hand and hoof respectively against the bark of their rough-hewn seats in their eagerness to see their speculations confirmed. A few other ponies, notably the curious Twilight, are caught up in the anticipation and join the others in fidgeting.
"Whisper, whisper, whisper, okay, time for another silly response," Masquerade murmurs.
“But what if he locks us away and throws away the key?” Paradise moans dramatically, hoof to her brow.
Galaxy, though normally one of the less skittish ponies, ceases drumming and rises to her hooves to pace back and forth, prancing restlessly as she wonders what 'Petal Swirl' could be saying.
After a few more mouthings, Masquerade withdraws from her friend's ear.
“Petal Swirl, you're a genius!” Paradise declares, prompting a wry smile from Ribbon, amused by the latter’s indirect praise for her friend.
The fidgeting unicorn and the boy cease their activity as they listen eagerly for the revelation.
Masquerade, pleased to see the performance back on the rails, raises her golden head triumphantly. "Then no more talking. You know what to do, so let's save our friend!" She flashes her eyes at Galaxy, just as the other had done previously to Danny.
"Just tell us!" the boy huffs. Twilight and a few others also look non-plussed.
Turning back to Galaxy, Danny tries to resume their argument, but as he leans in, her ear flicks.
“Let's just wait and see what they have planned,” she suggests, sitting herself back down and forcing herself to be patient, earning a thankful nod from storyteller and playwright alike.
Paradise describes the two friends leaving the mountain.
"Mousefur, the earth pony, travels the ground around the dragon's lair, searching for something."
She trots around the log-seat ring, her fur barely lit up by the glow of the campfire, which has now dimmed. As she swishes by the furry bodies, she mimes exploring — peering every so often at the ground, the log-seats and the audience. Some, like Firefly, look back with a grin, while others blush and look down. As Paradise comes to Fizzy, the bubbly pony giggles.
“I think I heard a noise over here!” 'Mousefur' squeaks. “I wonder if someone could be hiding inside this tasty looking fizzy-fruit tree? I better shake it to see if they fall out.”
With a chuckle, Paradise extends a wing to tickle the unicorn, who tries to wriggle away.
“Aah! Nooo!” Fizzy squeals.
Her neighbours, Surprise and Applejack, laugh delightedly as they treacherously join in.
The writhing teal pony activates her unicorn power to protectively bubble herself, poking out her tongue at the would-be assailants, who are pushed back by the translucent shield.
Applejack, not expecting it, and naturally clumsy, falls on her blond tail as a result. She licks her muzzle ruefully and returns to her log-seat, defeated for now.
Paradise, apprehending both the practical and narrative necessity of desisting, calls off the attack.
“No one there. I better keep looking…”
Surprise, however, not to be deterred, springs at Fizzy to burst the bubble. At the last moment a hard look from the bulky form of Cherries Jubilee makes her reconsider, so she decides to wrap her hooves around it in a bear hug.
The interposing film flexes, but holds.
“Hugs?” Surprise pouts, pushing her muzzle against the sinuous material.
Fizzy blows a raspberry. “Only if you promise no more tickles!” Her voice echoes inside her bubble-shell.
The pegasus nods solemnly and makes a gesture, sticking her hoof into her eye and crossing her heart. Fizzy, satisfied, dissipates the bubble with a sparkle of her horn.
Paradise looks at them incredulously, shaking her head. “The trees around here sure are spoony…”
“Petal Swirl, the pegasus, searches the skies…” the storyteller continues. Masquerade, on cue, springs into the night air.
As she takes off, North Star follows. During the last scene, she had been engaged in applying a costume supplied by Sundance. She now wears a silver party hat on her forehead, which juts out like a horn, and sports a coating of silver glitter on the underside of her pink wings and furry tummy. The glitter catches the fireilight as she climbs over the upturned heads of the audience, graceful as a bird. In moments, she has become just another point of light in the speckled shroud.
Megan, who had been following the costuming with interest, pets Sundance. “Excellent job—she looks beautiful! Wherever did you find the ‘horn’?”
“Thanks.” The white earth pony nuzzles the girl's hand. “It’s from my costume, from when I play unicorns and pegasi with Shady.”
The little white pony looks up with doe eyes, her blues seeking Megan's, who smiles down at her favourite, melting internally, suppressing the desire to coo and fuss in front of the others.
Above the ring of fiery upturned faces, Masquerade and North Star continue to ascend on smoky thermals until they are high above the campfire, whereon she hovers while the scout rises further, just out of view of the audience.
The ponies below squint upwards. With a gesture to Night Light, the golden performer is lit up by the unicorn's power which performs the role of a spotlight.
Paradise explains that Petal Swirl's search has taken her to the volcanic land of the phoenixes, where she is surprised to find something else in the air with her.
"The plumes of noxious steam that are constantly being thrown up from the roiling lava below her, make the pony unsure whether the form denotes a pegasus like herself, or a monster."
“Hail!” Masquerade calls out, casting an eye beneath her to be sure that the audience has heard.
Paradise explains that the mysterious figure does not respond.
North Star’s blurred shape, just visible as a shadow against the star-flecks, bobs and weaves a few pony-lengths above the lit-up form of the other flier.
“Be you friend or foe?” 'Petal Swirl' calls out, again.
With a powerful flap of her wings, Masquerade reaches out to the lavender tail. The audience 'ooh' appreciatively as they apprehend the elaborate costume, illuminated by the spotlight; the approbation draws a delighted blush from Sundance.
Paradise narrates that the strange being is a 'Star Unicorn,' which resembles both a pegasus and a unicorn, and has a silvery, ethereal form.
North Star smiles, but points to her mouth and shakes her head.
"Star Unicorns do not speak the common tongue," the storyteller explains. "Therefore, they must communicate using charades."
North Star raises a pink, glittery, foreleg in a gesture to the stars above her, which she follows up with a hoof-tap to her chest.
Masquerade shakes her head and shrugs her shoulders. “Um… your name is Starlight? No, that can't be right.”
The 'star unicorn' tries again. This time she points to the sky and then presses her foreleg to her face and closes her eyes in a recognisable ‘sleeping’ mime.
'Petal Swirl' once more shakes her head in confusion. “Err… you sleep on the moon?”
“She’s saying she’s a sleepyhead!” calls out Fizzy.
“Or that she has a headache?” suggests Magic Star.
“I hope she’s saying something about fighting a dragon,” Firefly groans, holding out her hoof for Medley to bop, which the she duly does, with an apologetic look to Paradise, who rolls her eyes at them.
North Star points once again to the moon and draws her hooves in a square shape, before bringing them together to form a triangle to convey a house.
“From that, I deduce that your herd live on the moon." Masquerade makes a similar gesture, pointing to the ground, prompting the 'star unicorn' to nod.
"I am on a quest to find someone,” 'Petal Swirl' continues. “Tell me, have you seen another pony like me, here?” As the costumed pony mimes incomprehension, Masquerade makes a ‘thinking’ gesture, scratching her head exaggeratedly so that the remote audience can see. Eventually, she makes a circling motion at her head, the pony-charade equivalent of ‘similar to’, and then points to her chest.
North Star nods and gestures to the party-hat 'horn' on her forehead.
“Oh—my—hoofness! A unicorn has visited here!” Masquerade stage-whispers with pantomime surprise.
Paradise explains that Petal Swirl was shocked to hear that the other pony was a unicorn, because in Saddle Arabia there were very few — only Vista Star, the King and a couple of others.
“Who could the dragon’s assistant be?” 'Petal Swirl' continues the whispered monologue, the performer contorting her face to convey as much surprise and consternation as the logical character allows for the benefit of those below. “Where are they now?” she asks aloud, as she simultaneously mimes the question by placing a fetlock to her brow and gazing about like an explorer.
The 'star unicorn' nods, then blinks and clops her hooves together.
“He winked away, of course!”
Masquerade notices furrowed brows of confusion on some of the upturned faces of her audience. 'Tough scene', she sighs — she had advised against performing in the sky when they were planning the story-play, but Paradise had insisted. As she swoops back down to earth, the storyteller explains that Petal Swirl, after miming a hoof to heart gesture of thanks to the Star Unicorn, rushes back to the dragon's lair.
North Star, her part over, looks down at the rippling fire and the orange-hued ring of ponies, before raising her gaze to see over the tops of the rustling trees of the now-black forest canopy, to the horizon. The dim shapes of mountains and the glistening skin of a moonlit lake in the distance call to her, but tonight her heart is set on destinations that are even further away.
The pegasus raises her eyes again so that she is facing directly upwards. In the unimaginable distance is the familiar Big Dipper, the constellation depicted by Galaxy’s mark. Free from the obscuring illumination on the ground, the stars loom large and, as she was often wont to do while night-flying, she traces the line of the sparkling ‘club’ of the Dipper to the two bright orbs at its tip, and then through the blackness in-between, to her own heart’s star: Polaris. Against the midnight pitch of the forest, this shines bright, like a diamond, filling her with longing. Her always-active mind whirs as she imagines the home of the legendary 'star unicorns,' a paradise of nebulae and supernova, just out of reach.
'It's so close! I must find it. I'll be the first pony to discover them and see where they go during the day...' As if on their own, North Star's wings fan, gathering the firey thermals and she shoots upwards into the night, hooves curling under — earth is forgotten as her sky-borne heart takes control.
Back on the ground, Masquerade gently descends into the firelight, to a smattering of applause for the scene. However, Galaxy, her horn sparkling, senses something is amiss; she furrows her brow, peering into the smoke for a glimpse of the missing scout. With an abrupt shout, she calls a halt to the play and everyone turns to her.
“Where is North Star?” Galaxy rises to her hooves, her rubies flashing with concern.
The herd murmur confusedly, gazing about the clearing. Most had assumed that North Star would be with Masquerade.
Firefly and Medley, North Star's companions, immediately leap into the air with a kick, seeking their comrade, but are called back by an angry whistle.
"Back, girls," states Wind Whistler in a tone that brooks no argument. "Don't be so hasty."
“It's a dragon!” moans Sundance fearfully, burying her face in Megan’s lap. “Come to steal us away and turn us into monsters, just like Tirac!”
Similar, though less hysterical, thoughts run through the minds of the others, many of whom have felt the trauma of monster incursion.
In other parts of the circle, more considered ideas are forming. Danny, who had been musing upon the abilities of unicorns during the play, is suddenly struck by an idea.
“Ribbon, can your unicorn power reach her mind?”
The motherly blue unicorn’s initially doubtful expression gives way to a thoughtful pout. “That is possible, Danny,” she agrees, giving the boy a respectful nod.
With a scintillation of her horn, her mind reaches out to the errant pegasus. The image that forms is full of stars and nebulae and is oblivious to communication, rather like the 'Star Unicorn' that North Star had recently been portraying.
Danny, seeing Ribbon’s horn sparkling, waits patiently for her insight, while all around, voices rise in panic.
‘Oh, she’s as bad as her foal!’ she broadcasts to him telepathically, with a shake of her head. ‘She’s star-struck.’
“Star-struck?” he wonders, bemused.
Galaxy's ears perk up at Danny's exclamation — as understanding dawns, she sighs and her rubies show spiraling sparkles, the gem-eyed pony equivalent of rolling one’s eyes.
“That feather-brain—of course! She sometimes tries to fly to the stars. In Dream Valley she can get pretty close, but no matter how many times we tell her she'll never catch those skittish star unicorns, she's always chasing after them.”
“Stars aren’t unicorns, they’re made of—” the boy begins, but is interrupted by Galaxy clopping her hooves for quiet.
“North Star is safe, but she is star-struck and needs to be brought back before she flies too high or draws the attention of a monster. Can any of you—” The unicorn gestures to the pegasus scouts. “—fly as high as her?”
All the scouts, bar Firefly, shake their heads. Medley, seeing this, tuts at her friend. “You might be faster than her, but none of us can go the distances Northie can.” Firefly looks about to argue, her pink head held high, but she catches the hard blues of the latter's gaze and her pride falters. With a sigh, she lowers her head and joins the others in defeat with a dispirited disavowal.
However, one, quiet voice from a formerly dozing pegasus, affirms that she is capable. It comes from a milky, light-yellow coated pony with a long blond mane. In contrast to the mare’s meekness, her physicality almost equals that of Cherries Jubilee. On her flank are stars which surround a hot air balloon.
Galaxy eyes the pony critically, before nodding with a grateful smile. “Thank you, Lofty. You should be able to catch her.”
The other pegasi sigh enviously as the great pegasus spreads wings that fan almost a pony-length on either side as, with beats heavy enough to cause the fire to flare, the albatross of the herd sets off.
As the thud of the Lofty’s flight recedes, Paradise resumes her tale, stating that Mousefur and Petal Swirl hurry back to the dragon's mountain.
She picks up a rope in her mouth, in character once more. “Mmmf mmf, mmmf mmmmf!” A few giggle and the tension around the fire due to the interruption eases a little.
“Mousefur, dear, please,” Masquerade states, patiently. “I cannot hear what you are saying.”
Paradise spits it out. “I said that this vine will be perfect!”
As the less practically minded ponies look on intrigued, a knowing look comes into Galaxy and Danny’s faces.
Paradise narrates that Mousefur weaves the vines into a lasso, explaining that her subtle earth pony mouth and deft hooves are equal to the difficult task. This draws an appreciative smile from Sundance and a few of the other earth ponies.
“Now that the lasso is finished, where should we spring our trap?” 'Mousefur' wonders.
“In the tunnel, where he or she won’t be able to wink away to escape.” Masquerade’s eyes glitter and she allows the serious character only the slightest of victorious smirks. The revelation is accompanied by ‘aahs’ of understanding from most of the listeners, who had been in the dark as to the designs of the two protagonists. Danny and Galaxy, however, who had already figured this out, grin at one another.
Paradise hops up and down, seeing in her mind’s eye her creation’s excited little grey form dancing with glee. There is a collective wince from the audience as they see the ungainly storyteller gallumph about.
"Is she pretending to be a pelican or somethin'?" Gusty mutters, smirking, prompting chuckles, which Paradise assumes to be in response to her character's performance, and so keeps going.
Masquerade pinkens. “Yes. In the tunnel. So we'll trap him there. Quickly, Mousefur!" she emphasises, an edge to her voice.
The repetition also serves to clue in some of the slower and more easily distracted ponies. “Oh, they were trying to find the dragon’s assistant the whole time!” Applejack blurts out. “Now it makes sense!”
Paradise shrugs and stops cavorting. “The two ponies lurk around a bend in the passageway until—” she pauses, waiting for a cue.
Girlish giggles break out as Danny, who has risen from his seat, bends to the ground awkwardly, dropping to all-fours. (Seeing the bipedal creature thus transformed into an ungainly, unbalanced ‘pony’ always delighted the herd— foal, filly and mare alike.)
Surprise, unable to contain herself, flutters onto Danny’s back, sitting astride him.
“Giddy up, Danny!” she chortles, squeezing him with her milk-white hind-legs.
“Neeigh!” He rears back, galloping his hands like a startled pony.
The silly sound causes the crowd to laugh even harder. Most assume it to be merely a human noise, and not an imitation of the horses of Danny’s homeland, but Firefly, who has visited the world over the rainbow, recognises it and guffaws.
She nudges her friend. “I told you, Medley, that’s the sound they make there.”
The turquoise pony snorts. “Hah! Well you wouldn’t catch me making such a silly noise.”
Masquerade and Paradise, expecting the display and anticipating the effect it would have on the crowd, wait indulgently for their audience to return to them. But when the mirth does not subside, Masquerade — mindful of the late hour — clops her hooves together in an attempt to bring the diversion to an end.
The performers, however, are in no mind to comply.
“Such a good horsey!” Surprise, enjoying the laughs and oblivious to Masquerade, continues her improvised routine. “Do you want a carrot?” She mimes holding a carrot to his mouth which he pretends to chomp on, provoking more giggles.
“Ahem!” Paradise coughs, trying to support Masquerade's efforts to move things on.
Ignoring this, Danny, enjoying being the centre of attention, turns to the laughing group and makes a nickering and snorting noise.
Surprise leans in towards his face, as if she’s trying to understand him. “Oh, if only they could talk like us? What could be in their silly heads?” she quips, winking, to more laughs.
Paradise tries to catch Cherries Jubilee’s attention, but she is too caught up in the fun to notice. Megan, though, more familiar with, and less diverted by, her brother’s antics, and similarly concerned by the lateness of the hour, decides that enough is enough.
“Quit fooling around!” she snaps, summoning a pretend anger, knowing that anything less would not be sufficient.
The laughing herd quietens, abashed. “I was only—” Danny begins.
Surprise, looking dismayed, dismounts. “Sorry, Megan.”
The human gives the rambunctious pegasus a stern look, causing her ears to droop. Megan never liked disciplining the ponies, but she knew that the excitable filly would only exhaust herself and, moreover, work up the others. She maintains the facade until Surprise is once more seated.
Paradise gives Megan a grateful nod. “So, as I was saying…” She explains that Petal Swirl and Mousefur crouch tensely as they hear the unmistakable clippety-clop of hoof-steps coming towards them, echoing in the quiet of the tunnel.
Masquerade adds the sound effect to this description, bringing her forehooves together as Danny makes his way towards her on all fours, imitating the heavy tread of the dragon’s mysterious pony helper. Some risible ponies join in, so that each ‘step’ is echoed by tens of similar clops from around the clearing, along with numerous sniggers.
Paradise, shaking her head at the buffoonery, perseveres, and once Danny is next to her, she shouts out, “Now!” in the squeaky ‘Mousefur’ voice.
Suddenly, Masquerade throws a rope over the boy who rears up and thrashes his arms about like a pony fighting the rein.
To Paradise's satisfaction, she notes that the turn towards action grips her audience, whose laid-back ears during the silliness have flicked forward intently.
“Mousefur—pull it taut!” 'Petal Swirl' urges, the calm tone contrasting with the tense scene.
Paradise picks up the ends of the rope and draws it tight, so that it knots around Danny’s waist like a lasso; as she does so she explains that once the mysterious pony is trapped, they find out that it is indeed a unicorn, a male. "Petal Swirl approaches the gloomy form apprehensively, unable to make out its features," she intones, darkly. “He seems to her to have midnight-black fur.”
The revelation provokes shocked murmurs from the colourful pony crowd.
“Unnatural!” mutters Ribbon, disquieted.
Paradise continues, saying that as the two friends approach the tied up unicorn and lift his travelling cloak, they are shocked to find that they recognise him.
“It cannot be!?” hisses 'Petal Swirl'.
“By Merlin’s beard!” squeaks 'Mousefur'.
“The unicorn assisting the dragon is… the King himself!?” they cry in unison.
The revelation astonishes those of the herd following the tale, provoking gasps and mutters all around.
“But why would he betray his subjects?” muses Galaxy.
“What a traitor, huh!” Gusty scoffs, unimpressed.
“But... they trusted him.” Posey’s reedy voice rises tremulously, almost lost in the din.
Suddenly, the ropes unwind and lift up. The earth ponies and pegasi 'aah' in surprise, and a few manes swish back and forth, looking for the secret to the trick. The unicorns, however, collectively grin, recognising the telekinetic magic of Buttons — a few gesture to her gently scintillating lavender horn, which protrudes through light red and blue curls.
“The King’s unicorn power is telekinesis, and he has unwound the rope restraining him,” Paradise explains.
Gusty grins across the fire at her playmate; Buttons winks back as she continues to levitate the rope.
“The treacherous King attacks by lifting Mousefur into the air with his unicorn power!” With a nod to her magical assistant, the storyteller is surrounded by sparkles as the lavender pony’s power levitates her. Steadying herself with her wings, she continues, “And then he throws the rope at Petal Swirl!”
The unicorn, now panting with exertion, sparkles the rope over to Masquerade, where it hangs limply on her muzzle.
The display of magic meets with a few clops of applause from the audience, led by Gusty.
“And he winks away!” the pegasus announces, gracefully gliding back to her log-seat.
The audience turn to Buttons, but she shakes her head.
Masquerade coughs repeatedly, gesturing at Gusty to cue her. Eventually, she gives up. “Gusty will play the part of the escaping king,” she announces, frowning testily at the windswept mare, who turns and laconically rises to her hooves.
“All hail king Gusty!” cries Sundance, teasingly, prompting an un-lady-like snort of amusement from Megan, who had already had a few run-ins with the highly strung ‘alpha mare’ of the herd.
Suddenly, with a flash of her green eyes, the wild unicorn appears on the opposite side of the fire, near Paradise. The pegasus makes to throw the rope, in character as Mousefur, but by the time it lands, Gusty has already winked away.
“Noo! He’s escaped,” 'Mousefur' squeaks.
The unicorn cackles as she reappears on the other side of the fire next to Sundance, who smiles nervously at her, ears pinned back submissively.
“Boo!” The mare grins down at the earth pony, summoning a wind to ruffle her pink mane.
“Eek!” Sundance flinches, before giggling, relieved that Gusty hadn’t taken the earlier tease the wrong way.
“Cease and desist,” Masquerade bellows, leaping over the log-seat next to Sundance to cast her rope once more. The crowd gasp, only to sigh as Gusty winks away again.
As the unicorn winks back and forth, pursued by Masquerade, Paradise explains that the King was too constrained by the tunnel to make good his escape, but also too quick to be caught.
“The two friends find themselves in a frustrating stalemate between hunter and hunted.” She gestures to Masquerade, whose heavy breathing and increasingly weak wing-flaps were not entirely an act as she tries to keep up with Gusty. “While Petal Swirl can anticipate the King, she lacks the dexterity to capture him, and while Mousefur can throw the lasso expertly, she struggles to predict the king’s movements, and therefore neither are able to trap him.”
“They need to work together!” shout a few ponies.
Paradise narrates that just as the king looks like he is going to escape, Petal Swirl calls out to Mousefur, suggesting a new tactic.
“Mousefur! Aim it here,” Masquerade calls out, pointing to a seemingly empty space.
“B-but—” Paradise begins, before opening her eyes wide. “Sure thing, Petals!” She launches the rope.
Gusty obligingly winks into its path, lowering her horn expertly so that it hangs at the tip, to a few clops of applause.
Masquerade gingerly approaches the unicorn, intending to knot the rope on the latter’s horn, but is checked as the other turns, lifts her head and shifts her weight forward. Those near the temperamental mare recognise the signs of an impending buck, and move to one side, but Gusty controls the urge. With a nicker, she faces Masquerade, bowing once more.
Paradise explains that the lasso expertly catches around the King’s horn and that Petal Swirl fixes it in place so he cannot escape.
The long anticipated revelation brings a pleased thigh-slap from Danny and squee of satisfaction from Galaxy, whose earlier whispering had chanced upon this means of restraint.
“Thank you, Gusty. I will play the part of the King from here.” Masquerade pants, relieved that the scene is over.
Gusty nods and hoofs the rope to the pegasus, before returning to her seat.
Masquerade ties the rope around her neck and her expression shifts to a scowl, in role as the treacherous king.
Paradise, in turn, pins her ears back and trembles her lip, a picture of betrayed trust. “H-how could you do this to us!?” she squeaks.
Masquerade snarls and whisks her head about, as if trying to dislodge the rope. In response, Paradise bites down on it and pulls, forcing the performer's head forward. The golden pegasus mimes reluctance, skidding her hooves as she is yanked along. Once she has been reeled in, she calms and raises her head to face the audience, who gasp in shock when they see that her normally sparkling emerald eyes, so full of life, are strangely blank and empty.
The audience recoils at the eerie sight of the inert gems.
“I can’t see her eyes! Where has her twinkle gone!?” Magic Star cries, horrified. “Stop it, Masquerade… I don’t like it!”
Posey, next to Magic Star, cuddles against her friend, similarly disturbed. “Please...” she joins in.
“Ew, freaky. Talk about nightmare fuel.” Gusty grimaces, less perturbed than the rest, but still flustered.
Danny, though, is more bemused than afraid. “What do they mean? ‘Her twinkle?’” he asks Galaxy, whose own gemmed eyes are unusually cloudy. But she doesn't reply. Surprised, he looks round the other gem-eyed ponies, seeing the same malaise upon all of them, with even Fizzy’s normally sparkling quartzes being downcast.
However, one pair of particularly brilliant, pink sapphires seem to be unaffected. Her gems are set among fiery white, golden, yellow, orange, and red stripes of mane—their iridescent light almost eclipses the campfire’s glow. She explains, softly: “When we joined the herd, our gems were dark like that because we had been kept underground. We couldn’t see very well and couldn’t escape until we harnessed the light in our eyes — our ‘twinkle’. I, Bright Eyes, was the first to do so.”
With a shake of her head, Bright Eyes's gems glow to a dazzling white. The spark travels to Galaxy’s rubies, then to Fizzy’s warm pink quartzes and finally to the deep emeralds set in the gold of Masquerade. The performer, her gems still flickering with the past, gives the other gem-eyed pony a brief smile, before turning to Paradise, waiting for her next cue.
Paradise puts a comforting hoof to Masquerade's shoulder as she draws her audience once more into her story. She explains that once the king is tied up, they strip him of his robes and possessions, including the gems he was sent for. “The gems glow with the golden fire of the land of the phoenixes, captivating Mousefur and Vista Star as they stand huddled in the dragon tunnel.” Suddenly, she pushes Masquerade forward towards the fire, causing her face is light up from below by the firelight.
“Behold! For mysterious Muse has revealed the Phoenix Gems to us!” she declaims, grandly, pointing to her friend's emeralds. The gemmed-eyes form dancing canopies or grassy plains as the reflections of the rippling flames play across their surface. “Their beauty is too much for me.” The snow white pegasus casts a fetlock over her face. “I may faint!”
Masquerade blushes as the audience turns to gaze at her face. Many ponies gasp as, under the influence of the story, they seem to catch glimpses of the unearthly beauty of the 'phoenix gems' reflected in the many facets of her eyes. Leaning into her role, she gently turns her head, twinkling her viridescence onto the onlookers like twin crystal balls.
Paradise smiles at Masquerade's beauty as she continues to narrate that the companions reverentially replace the priceless items in their pouch and then tie the treacherous king up. "Petal Swirl dons the former king’s robes and trots into the lair in disguise, looking to get close to Vista and somehow aid her friend’s escape."
Masquerade drapes a large, fluffy, white dressing gown, courtesy of Heart Throb, over herself and then flourishes a purse — provided by Megan — as an improvised gem-pouch which she holds above her head. She trots slowly over to Danny, crouching in a servile manner as she does so.
A roar sounds from the incongruous form of Surprise, prompting squeaks of discomfort from the group and startling a few of the sleepier ones awake.
Danny, in his role as the dragon, stands and glowers at the robed supplicant suspiciously. Suddenly, twin jets of bubbly steam appear behind him, catching the firelight and creating a vaporous halo. Behind him, in the mist, almost obscured, is the teal form of Fizzy, the source of the bubbles. The spectacle draws gasps of surprise from the listeners.
Masquerade continues to approach with the pouch aloft, breathing deeply to mime fear.
“Something seems different about you, my servant...” Danny growls in as deep and threatening a voice as he can manage.
Her green gems glint in the fire under her dressing gown 'robe' as she takes her time, savoring her audience's reaction to the tense moment: Posey and Magic Star clutch each other’s hooves tightly, Twilight fidgets with her log-seat and Sundance again buries her head into Megan’s lap.
After a momentary pause to build suspense, Paradise continues, saying that Petal Swirl approaches the base of the dragon’s grand throne where Vista Star is still chained and working on a sculpture for the foul beast. "As the pegasus approaches with the pouch held aloft, the Thespian unicorn is shocked to discern the fair fur of her friend poking out from under the cloak, but that the quick-witted pony swallows her amazement, to avoid blowing the other’s cover."
Masquerade cowers in front of Danny, head lowered and hooves outstretched, before opening the purse, as if displaying the gems inside.
After another dramatic pause, in which the tension electrifies the ears of every pony, Danny rears his head, takes a deep breath and opens his mouth. Posey and a number of the more delicate cover their eyes with their fetlocks, anticipating Petal Swirl’s demise by dragon-fire. However, Masquerade does not flinch, and holds the ‘gems’ high as jets of steamy bubbles form from behind Danny’s head. These cascade about the pegasus, evoking contemplative smoke, rather than an aggressor's stream of flame.
Danny nods and peers at the 'gems'. “Yes, that will do, my servant. Present them to the slave,” he booms, menacingly.
The ponies around the campfire all breathe a sigh of relief.
“Petal Swirl makes a show of passing over materials to Vista, and whispers into her friend’s ear,” the white pegasus explains.
“Where is the key to the manacles?” 'Petal Swirl' hisses, the stage-whisper cutting across the hushed audience.
Masquerade alters her features to Vista Star. “Mine freedom, the victim of these ill-begotten, draconic chains, lacks such a savior.” Drawing a fetlock over her brow, she continues, “Verily, my bonds are the product of a magick most foul.”
“Do you know what spell maintains them?”
“More than that, my would be knight in shining armour. In mine dreadful captivity, after the clawed Artemis captured this sacrificial lamb, our own Thesmothete imprisoned me. Both the chains and our liege are now creatures of the same arcana! The cause of this wickedness is the swirling crystal that crests the beast’s foul staff.” Masquerade delivers Paradise’s eldritch script with gusto, hissing and crackling like a crone and waggling her ears maniacally.
Many, however, look lost, unable to follow the references in the mini-soliloquy, which leaves even Megan — an avid reader — confused.
Paradise explains that Vista means that both the manacles on the pony and the king are controlled by the dragon's staff, which leans against his throne. The revelation prompts intrigued ‘oohs,’ especially from the storyteller’s practically-minded companions.
“That must be why the king’s sparkle had gone! Because the dragon’s magic was controlling him,” Galaxy whispers to Cherries Jubilee, who nods.
Masquerade pauses for her audience to digest the developments before continuing. “So, we break the staff.” The incongruity of the terse and straightforward explanation, after the floweriness of Vista Star, is met with a couple of giggles, despite the tension.
“Quite so, my clear-sighted companion. While labouring in this sulphurous pit, mine eyes oft strayed to the staff; without my sensitivities, one may suspect it to be invulnerable, but I have found a flaw. I who have shaped knotted branches from the giant redwoods of the south and stripped the sickly corrupted barks from the willows of the Eastern marshes. This same master-craftspony has discerned that the wood of the dragon’s staff shrinks from the crystal as doth flesh from a suppurating wound.” Masquerade's voice sinks to a growl.
Paradise clarifies that Vista Star's message means that the dragon's staff is rotten near the top and that if a pony were to crest the throne and somehow avoid the dragon, they might be able to buck the crystal off.
“I shall take this news to—” 'Petal Swirl' begins, but is cut off by a roar from Surprise.
“Leave now! Lest the creature divines that you are not subject to its magick!” Masquerade wails, her hoof raised dramatically to point at Danny.
Paradise describes that Petal Swirl grimaces and trots out of the chamber, imitating the mechanical gait of a possessed pony. "Once there, she explains the situation to Mousefur."
“Soon the dragon will realise that his servant is no longer under his control! We must destroy that dragon's staff now,” 'Petal Swirl' urges.
“B-but how?” ‘Mousefur’ splutters.
“I shall fly in there and—” she begins, but is cut off.
“No! You’ll be spotted and cooked alive by his fiery breath! I should go—”
“Don’t say that! I couldn’t bear to lose you too.” 'Petal Swirl' interrupts, sobbing, to the surprise of the audience, so used to the character’s Wind Whistler-like calm and logical delivery. Masquerade's eyes glisten with real emotion as she imagines losing her snow white bestie.
The outburst is met by sniffles around the campfire, particularly from the yellow forms of Posey and Magic Star.
“Nor me, you, mon cher,” Paradise lilts warmly, moving beside Masquerade, taking her hoof and entwining her red tail in the luxurious green weave of her companion. They hang their heads together emotionally, their manes dangling over their eyes.
Paradise is the first to break the embrace. “Be logical...” 'Mousefur' soothes, as Paradise strokes Masquerade’s golden-furred cheek with a pale hoof, a twinkle in her eye. “Your big clumsy hooves would alert the dragon to your presence in a second, while I can sneak up to that scaly monster and buck its stupid staff before it knows what has happened!”
“Yeah! You go filly!” Applejack calls out, wrapped up in the moment, joined momentarily by an echoing ‘woo!’ from Fizzy, Sundance and Surprise.
“Oh, Mousefur,” Masquerade chokes in a voice full of sadness. Ribbon, who is sitting next to Posey, gives her a squeeze as the delicate pony struggles with the tender scene.
In another part of the circle, Firefly pokes her tongue out. “Eww, yuck,” she whispers to Medley.
“Tell me about it,” the other responds, coolly, although her glistening eyes betray her.
Paradise explains that the two companions formulate a plan whereby Mousefur will creep up to the throne to destroy the staff, whereon Vista Star will wink to safety and Petal Swirl will distract the dragon to allow Mousefur to escape. "With one last look into her companion’s eyes, Mousefur begins the rescue."
Paradise leans back significantly on her log-seat, her creamy coat glowing in the fading embers of the now dim campfire, taking in the rapt expression of her audience, before continuing.
“With sock-soft hooves—” she begins, pausing as she is interrupted by a squee from Minty, “—Mousefur skitters across the dragon’s lair unseen and shimmies up one side of its enormous throne.”
“I can’t look!” Sundance moans, her head returning to the safety of Megan’s lap where, for good measure, she also covers her ears.
“Finally!” Firefly nudges Medley, her purple eyes sparkling with anticipation of the coming action.
Paradise explains that the dragon doesn’t spot the little pony, even as she climbs nimbly up the legs of his throne. "The beast’s eyes are glued to the iridescent phoenix gems adorning Vista’s sculpture."
The storytelling pegasus rises to stand on her log-seat, spreading her wings. The audience hush as they sense the nearing climax of the tale. “Mousefur ascends to the armrest of the dragon’s throne; all around lie the tyrant’s riches, like a golden mountain range,” she breathes. “The staff leans against one of these armrests. To approach it, she will have to use the creature’s own scaled bulk as cover....”
The attentive members of the audience hold their breath. Even the normally unflappable Medley finds herself seeking the pink of Firefly’s hoof and they sit entwined. The latter — similarly worked up — extends a salmon-pink wing and wraps it around her love.
“Mousefur gingerly creeps towards the staff, as slowly as she dares, trying not to draw the gaze of the monster, whose sulphurous smoke lies all about as a putrid fog, burning her with each... shallow... breath."
Paradise counts to three in her head, trying to build suspense, a technique passed on to her by Masquerade.
"Her eyes sting and her fur is soaked with sweat as she inches along the narrow armrest, averting her gaze from the cavern floor, far below…”
The reference to the threat of falling draws anxious glances from the earth ponies, and compassionate ‘awws’ from the pegasi.
“Mousefur draws ever forward, till the dragon’s staff towers above her, the arcane magic in the great apex crystal crackles and buzzes, like a storm...”
The clearing is silent except for the quiet shifting of the ashy logs and occasional pop from the fire. Suddenly a grumbling roar sounds from Surprise, which once more elicits shrieks from the more skittish of the herd.
Paradise explains that Mousefur cowers at the dragon's roar, fully expecting to become its next meal.
In the pause, a collective gasp goes up around the clearing.
"But miraculously the earth pony finds that she is not eaten. Risking a quick look back, she sees that the beast was merely clearing its throat."
The ponies sigh as one.
"Bodkins and bows!" Ribbon puts a hoof to her palpitating chest.
"Her heart in her mouth, Mousefur backs towards the dragon's staff, heading to where the wise Vista had indicated — the rotten wood underneath the crystal. Time seems to slow down for her as she unleashes and..." Paradise pauses again.
"Spit it out." Cherries Jubilee complains, eager to find out what happens and becoming exasperated by the theatrics.
"—it first creaks, then totters and finally begins to fall..."
"Oh, oh, oh!" Posey whimpers, biting her hooves.
"—and, with a crash, it shatters on the cavern floor!”
As Surprise takes a deep breath, everyone anticipates a loud roar. However, before she unleashes, a feather tickles her throat and she squeals with laughter. Fizzy, wielder of the feather, tongue-pokes cheekily.
The pegasus prepares to leap, but a thunderous look from both Paradise and Masquerade checks her.
Fizzy, realising that she has interrupted an important moment for the creative pair, shrinks back, feeling guilty. “Gotcha back,” she hisses.
Paradise describes the furious dragon bellowing with anger and swiping at Mousefur with its razor-sharp, meter-long claws. While Gusty, Firefly and Medley’s ears prick up with interest, most look uncomfortable at the visceral description of a predator attacking a fellow pony. Magic Star, who is holding Posey’s hoof, adopts a particularly tight-lipped expression.
Paradise, with a sigh, reassures her audience that Mousefur is perfectly okay, since she nimbly darts out of the way and slides down one of the glass legs of the throne.
“Go, Mousefur!” various ponies hoot.
“But before she can leap to safety, the dragon wraps his huge body around the throne to prevent her escape!” she adds, to a collective gasp.
Paradise explains that Vista Star now comes to her rescue. "The unicorn's magical manacles had fallen to the ground when the dragon’s crystal had smashed, and the artistic unicorn, though she could wink away in an instant, was loathe to leave her friend behind."
Masquerade advances on Danny. “Foulsome wyrm!” she roars as Vista Star, glowering.
As she does so, he reluctantly hands her the horsehead he had been whittling and she casts it into the campfire, wherein its passably whittled head begins to blacken and burn.
"Not horseface!" exclaims Applejack, piercing the solemn moment with her chuckleheadery.
Between this, the late hour, and the previous interruption, a few ponies' begin to titter and chatter among themselves.
Paradise hurriedly explains that, in order to distract the dragon and save her friend, Vista Star casts down the beautiful sculpture she had been working on, smashing the priceless piece and shattering the phoenix gems.
"With a blood curdling scream, the dragon turns from Mousefur to Vista and leaps, its fangs outstretched and grasping,” the pegasus booms, lurching her wings forward, at which a few in the audience flinch back.
The storyteller pauses as she notes with satisfaction that she has regained their full attention.
“C’mon, Paradise!” Firefly shrills.
However, the storyteller does not continue. Instead, with a smug look, she wags her hoof at the eager pink pegasus. “You’ll have to wait and see, because I need to tell you what Petal Swirl has been doing all this time.”
Paradise explains that as the dragon’s crystal explodes into fragments, the Saddle Arabian king returns to his senses.
“Petal Swirl! My most loyal subject. Untie me!” Danny commands, now using his ‘king’ voice.
“But Petal Swirl does not immediately help him. While she understands that the king is no longer ensorcelled, her ears are full of the roars of the dragon and her heart throbs with concern for her friends.” Paradise pauses, and many heads bob up excitedly, hopeful for action. “But she resists the urge to charge in to the fray, as she senses that the king might prove to be a valuable ally.” The heads sink back down.
"Ugh, what a tail-tease," Firefly grumbles.
Paradise continues to say that Petal Swirl unties the king. "Once freed, he is determined to storm into the dragon’s lair and confront the beast there and then, but the level headed pegasus advises against — resisting her instinct once more — she reasons that an attack without a plan would be too dangerous."
The sentiment draws solemn nods of approval from Megan, Galaxy and Wind Whistler, all familiar with the need to put their feelings to one side so as to keep their minds clear in order to better care for those who rely upon them.
'Petal Swirl' cups a hoof to 'the King's' ear and whispers, in response to which he nods, judiciously. “You understand, Sire,” she enunciates.
“I do,” 'the king' replies, gravely, before turning to the fire. “Onwards! For Saddle Arabia!”
“For Mousefur and Vista Star!” 'Petal Swirl' enjoins.
"At last!" Firefly grunts and leaps athletically into the air. Masquerade, who had been just about to cue the pegasus in, stops mid-gesture, awkwardly.
The pegasi grin, understanding that the expert flier of the group was about to put on a show.
Masquerade, meanwhile, gestures to Gusty and Fizzy, and excited murmurs bubble up from the audience as the two unicorns position themselves next to each other. While the ponies wonder what is about to happen, Paradise explains that before the dragon can land its strike on the static form of the proud Vista Star, Petal Swirl bravely charges it, driving her lance down onto the beast’s cavernous maw.
"Wait, where did she get the lance from?" wonders Wind Whistler, tiredly.
Paradise, overhearing, blushes hotly, having lost track of the item when drafting her script. 'Too late to correct that now' she thinks to herself, and presses on. “Vista Star! Wink to safety! We shall save Mousefur. Go!” 'Petal Swirl' calls out.
“The dragon turns to meet the new attack, surprised by the sudden presence. Its monstrous heart knew fear in that moment, but it still has its greatest weapon…” Paradise explains, and then pauses, ominously.
With a whoosh from Gusty’s horn and a zipping-popping sound from Fizzy’s, a stream of bubbles flies out towards Firefly, glowing orange in the reflected firelight. The beam streaks towards the aerial-ace who avoids it. A chorus of thumping applause and wolf-whistles breaks out from the log-seats as she loops away from it with a winged-backflip, flexing her shoulders and galloping her legs.
“The dragon unleashes a torrent of fire at its adversary!” Paradise booms, marveling at the impressive effect created by the combined unicorn powers of her friends. She goes on to say that when the dragon pauses for breath, Petal Swirl does not press her attack to close with the beast, but rather stays ready, awaiting its next move.
The noise from the clearing rises as Gusty and Fizzy unleash volley after volley, strafing into the sky. As she does so, the aural talent of Whizzer provides a whooshing noise, as of a blast of steam. As the pink pony skips forwards through the starlit smoke of the night sky, Firefly always seems to be just ahead of the bubbles.
At a gesture from Masquerade, Firefly, Gusty and Fizzy reluctantly pause.
“While she is unharmed, Petal Swirl is soon scorching hot, her fur is soot-stained and her ears are deafened by the bellows from her implacable foe,” Paradise imparts, darkly. “The dragon grins and his snake-like tongue flicks with the anticipation of tasty pony flesh, before releasing another torrent of flame; each time it does so, the cavern comes alive with flame and shadow, as the great crystal mirror above scatters the light from the blasts.”
The reference to 'flesh' causes sickly looks on a few soft faces. Magic Star's already tight expression from the earlier violence, becomes queasy. Ribbon shoots an angry look towards the 'stage' before turning to comfort the caring pony, as well as Posey, who is visibly trembling. Paradise bites her lip and flops an apologetic ear.
At a gesture from Masquerade, Gusty and Fizzy alter their behaviour — they now unleash bubbles in a torrent, aiming this time at the sky above Firefly so that soon the air is full of bubbles. The pegasus twists about in the air, trying to avoid them, but inevitably many pop against her pink fur or blue tail. After a short while, she returns to the ground and alights on her seat, giving a characteristic satisfied tail-whip and receiving a round of stomping applause.
Medley punches her shoulder. "Show off." But she is grinning, and she sneaks a peck on her marefriend's cheek as Firefly sits down.
Once the noise dies down, Paradise resumes, grimly, “The dragon’s flames surround Petal Swirl, so she can no longer dodge the fiery blasts. Though she is but moments from defeat, she does not betray fear — not even as her nostrils fill with the stench of her own scorched fur.”
"Paradise!" Ribbon scolds, before turning to nuzzle her whimpering friend. "There, there. It's okay, Posey."
The storyteller winces. "Sorry, Posey. Don't worry, there's no more ickiness, I promise." After clearing her throat, she continues, “Petal Swirl alights in the one portion of the cavern that is not aflame, an area near the throne, where the dragon’s most precious sculptures and art-pieces lie, many of them hoof-drawn compositions by Vista Star.”
Masquerade picks up a piece of fire wood and holds it in one fetlock as a makeshift shield, facing the audience solemnly.
Danny addresses the pugnacious form in his most monstrous voice, “Puny little pony! You had no hope of defeating me!” He completes the act with a passable villainous laugh.
With a nod to Gusty and Fizzy, a torrent of bubbles is unleashed upon the pegasus.
“Nooo!” Megan and Wind Whistler gasp. Paradise is inwardly delighted that her tale has managed to sway even these most level-headed members of the herd.
Masquerade raises the ‘shield’ which blocks the bubbles, but she groans in pain as if the fierceness of the attack was overwhelming her. So convincing is her performance that many leap to their hooves to help, before blushing and sitting back down.
“The brave pegasus’ shield staves off the dragon’s onslaught—” Paradise informs the group, to sighs of relief, “—but her fetlock is seared and she begins to falter.”
“My liege...Vista Star…Mousefur...I...failed...you.” Masquerade gurgles gutterally and slumps to the ground, mouth open and tongue lolling. Every eye is glistening, and more than a few cry as they imagine the fall of the brave character.
However, at the same moment, the bubbles suddenly stop. To yells of surprise, Fizzy and Gusty disappear under Heart Throb's dressing gown which had been levitated there by Buttons’ telekenesis. This act is accompanied by a crashing sound, produced by Whizzer.
“Wh-what happened!?” Fizzy cries, muffledly, from under the fabric.
Paradise explains, over the exclamations of the audience, that the great mirror that the dragon had affixed to the cavern ceiling had come crashing down upon its head, ending its evil life in one, fell blow. “Standing behind the monster’s corpse and upon its throne is the king, his great horn glowing with effort. For brave Petal Swirl had not been attacking the dragon, but was rather distracting him!”
Murmurs break out among the audience as well as cheers from the more martial ponies, such as Firefly, and sighs of relief from the herd's softer members, including Sundance, who finally removes her hooves from her ears.
“With the monster gone, the ponies of Saddle Arabia are free!” Paradise pauses to let the audience digest the developments before continuing.
“What a dangerous plan! Poor Mousefur and Petal Swirl...” Galaxy frets, her pleasure at the defeat of the dragon tempered by her contemplation of the cost.
“Did you see the way I dodged those bubbles?” Firefly boasts.
“Ding dong the dumb dragon is dead,” Gusty snorts and yawns, ready for bed.
“Crushed by the weight of his own vanity,” scoffs one, sarcastically — a pink pony with a two-tone red/white mane.
“Good one, Moon Shadow,” giggles a snow white pony with a tri-tone orange/pink/purple mane, the sparkles of a heart on her flank.
“Thanks, Light Heart.”
“Petal Swirl will be okay won’t she, Megan? Paradise wouldn’t…” Sundance trails off, fixing the human with glistening light-blue eyes.
Megan turns and pets the pink mane of the little earth pony, deeply touched. “Of course she will, Sundance, she’s way too smart and fast to let a big dumb brute like that defeat her.”
“A tremendous story, but the hour is getting rather late...” Ribbon reminds Paradise, eyeing the pale blue form of Wind Whistler, whose proud head, focused all day on the safety of the herd, had been dipping at various points during Paradise’s long tale, only kept upright by concern for the feelings of the two performers.
In the quiet, the ever-curious Twilight asks the question many are thinking. “But what happened to Mousefur and Petal Swirl?”
Paradise begins to wrap up her tale. She explains that the singed but unharmed body of Mousefur emerges from under the throne. Then, with a look to Magic Star, she adds that the little grey pony gallops to her friend Petal Swirl’s side and, with special Saddle Arabian magic, kisses her all better. "The triumphant trio and their liege return to the kingdom, alongside the friendly wolf-pack, who are overjoyed to hear of the demise of the dragon."
“Awoo! Well done—wuff, wuff!” Lickety Split yelps, reprising her role as wolf, prompting muffled laughter from Fizzy, who is still engaged in removing the dressing gown from her head, it having snagged on her horn.
“When they arrive back in the kingdom, the trio are treated like the heroes they are, but the king — who served the dragon, even though unwillingly — is ashamed.” As Paradise says this, she rises and lifts something from a box that had lain at her hooves throughout the performance. As Masquerade sees what’s inside, her eyes light up. Paradise gives this to Danny, who holds the object up so that it is illuminated by the firelight, which reveals it to be a tiara made of woven, golden passion-flower. The living ‘crown,’ a gift from Posey, was picked earlier in the day and kept secret till this moment. It had been chosen because the green and golds of the vine and petals match Masquerade’s colouring.
Paradise explains that the king has decided in his shame that he must abdicate the throne to make way for another unicorn, and that in the absence of another heir, and in recognition of her astonishing achievements, there was only one choice. “From this day forth, Saddle Arabia shall have a new queen! Arise, Vista Star!” Danny booms in his most regal-sounding voice as he places the circlet on Masquerade’s head.
Blushing, the golden performer gazes around the circle, her emeralds sparkling. Applause breaks out spontaneously as everyone takes a moment to recognise her effort to entertain them and bring the story to life.
Once the applause dies down, Paradise continues, "Petal Swirl is made captain of Queen Vista Star’s guard, while Mousefur is appointed Chancellor — the first task being to distribute the evil dragon’s remaining wealth!" she says to laughs and cheers. "And they all lived happily ever after. The end.”
The gathering, as one, rises for a standing ovation — Danny joins with the most boisterous ponies to stomp his approval, while Megan and the quieter ones clap.
“That was amazing!” Fizzy chirrups.
“Best yarn yet, Paradise. I don’t know how you do it!?” exclaims Galaxy.
“Bravo! What an excellent diversion,” a weary Wind Whistler states, her voice sounding so much like Masquerade’s impression of ‘Petal Swirl’ that it causes many to double-take.
Paradise and Masquerade rise to stand on their log-seat and gesture to Danny, Lickety Split and North Star, the acting roles, to take their place beside them, whereon all bow. The acclamation goes on for some time with loud ‘bravos’ and whistles. The din rises into the night sky along with the smoke of the fire, filling the clearing till — alarmed by the possibility of little ears hearing the noise — Ribbon and the other baby-pony-sitters shush them.
Once the appreciative noises relent, Masquerade points to the sound-effects team and those with non-speaking roles: Buttons, Night Light, Heart Throb, Surprise, Minty, Fizzy, Whizzer, Galaxy, Applejack, Gusty, Firefly and Cherries Jubilee. These rise in turn to receive clops of applause which single out the superlative performances of Whizzer, Buttons, Firefly, Fizzy and Gusty.
Then, story time over, the ponies sleepily rise to their hooves to head for their camp-beds; the fire hisses as Firefly pours water over it, and the clearing goes dark.
Eventually, almost everyone disperses to their tents — the glow of unicorn horns lead some, while others are guided by firefly lanterns held firmly in the hooves of pegasi and earth ponies. The dimly-lit groups murmur animatedly about the story they have just heard.
Masquerade, Gusty, Danny, Cherries Jubilee and Paradise head to the largest tarpaulin structure, while Fizzy, Surprise, Sundance and Applejack trot to a tent which sports streamers and balloons. Ribbon, Posey, Twilight and Magic Star sashay towards an elegant pavilion adjacent to the baby ponies, while Wind Whistler, Firefly, Medley and North Star stride towards a roughly-erected shelter at the edge of the clearing.
The tents are briefly lit up from within by horn or lamp, before going dark. The high moon of a clear Ponyland midnight soon shines upon a glade containing glistening, dewy, tarpaulin mounds.
Megan and Galaxy stay outside a little while longer in the dark, silently working together to restore the clearing, brushing campfire embers away from the log-seating and clearing away stray dishes. Both occasionally glance towards the tent of the baby ponies as they do so, ears cocked for sounds within. Eventually, with a last look around the clearing — encompassing the opaque blackness of the surrounding trees to the still-rising steam from the fire — the two are satisfied that all is well, and even these two sentinels are ready for bed. They say goodnight with an embrace.
“Sleep tight, Galaxy,” Megan murmurs into the unicorn's furry ear, her arms clutching the powerful neck and pressing herself against the large head.
“And you,” Galaxy murmurs, sleepily.
Megan hears her friend’s soft hoof-steps retreat and her eyes follow the glow of the horn as it approaches the largest tent in the clearing.
“I wish the horses at home were like this,” she sighs.
With a last, lingering, look round the peaceful, moon-lit clearing, Megan enters her own, elegant abode, stepping softly around the gently breathing form of Ribbon before making her way to bed.
|
abrony-mouse
|
562225
| 5 |
Other,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The Fire: Campfire Tales
|
The sweet ponyfolk of Dream Valley bond over a forest outing—after settling in, marred only by a few singed hooves, they share tales around the campfire, culminating in an epic by besties Masquerade and Paradise (pictured).
|
complete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>The sweet ponyfolk of Dream Valley bond over a forest outing—after settling in, marred only by a few singed hooves, they share tales around the campfire, culminating in an epic performed by besties Masquerade and Paradise (pictured) </p><p>Setting is G1 (no G1 knowledge required). </p><p>This part (Part 1) can be read as a complete story (character/story arcs complete in each part). </p><p>This is a slice of life, wihle Part II (Wildfire) will be more adventure-focused. </p><p>Part III (Firestorm) will be a G4/G1 adventure/crossover, featuring Tempest Shadow. Firestorm will have a ‘T’ rating (Parts 1 and 2 are ‘E’) as it introduces some mature themes (not sex).</p><p>The draft plan for the trilogy is complete and writing has already begun on Wildfire.</p><p>Art commissioned from the amazing Leporinedivine, check them out <a href="/blog/1039080/commission-artist-experience-recommendation-leporinedivine-swagchaos69" rel="nofollow"><u>here</u></a>!</p><p>Thanks to <a href="/user/431424/Peace+Petal" rel="nofollow">Peace Petal</a> for proof-reading!</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-24T11:47:46+00:00
|
2024-08-07T22:13:55+00:00
| 70 |
“—making her way to bed. The End. Tune in next week, for ‘The Fire II: Wildfire‘.” The audio from the TV is grainy, as if the VHS tape had degraded.
“Oh, thank Sol!” moans Discord. “That was excruciating. Please let’s just skip to Firestorm.”
Fluttershy looks shocked. “I thought it was wonderful! I loved Masquerade, she reminded me—"
“But it’s sooo boring. I wouldn’t have suggested we watch it if I thought you’d want all the—” He gags. “—backstory.”
Fluttershy turns to her sofa-companion earnestly. “But how can anyone get invested in an adventure if they don’t see them get to enjoy a nice day out first?”
Mismatched yellow eyes narrow. “Look, my dear, if you let me skip this dross, I promise I’ll clean up when we watch ‘Happy Pony Tree Friends’ at yours next week. Deal?”
Fluttershy considers, one hoof to her muzzle. As she does so, unnoticed, a clawed talon detaches and wriggles over to her other hoof, which it shakes vigorously.
“Then it’s settled!” Discord jumps up and, with a click of a paw, a VHS appears on Fluttershy’s lap whose cover displays a scarred, broken-horned unicorn grimacing at a tearful Fizzy. Flames engulf them both, kept at bay by a protective bubble.
‘THE FIRE III: FIRESTORM’
But the pegasus shakes her head, shooing away the detached limb.
“Ugh! Fine…” Discord turns to you. “Just so you know, by ‘cleaning up’, I mean stopping the smoozinator engulfing Equestria.
“Oh, don’t talk to them — you know they don’t like it, and I know perfectly well what you mean, thank you very much.”
With a grumble, Discord restores his detached claw.
Fluttershy gives him a meaningful look, pointing a hoof towards the VHS waiting patiently on the TV stand.
‘THE FIRE II: WILDFIRE’
Not done yet, he bulges his eyes and pouts his toothy pony-face, whose yellow pupils glisten pathetically.
“But it’ll be so bo’wing that it will make poow ole’ me all saddy waddy.”
Her eyes moisten.
“Aw… there, there,” she coos, reaching across to pet him. “I know you find it hard to sit still through the long parts.”
Discord sucks a pawed thumb.
She perseveres. “Part II is an adventure! Firefly and Medley and everypony against an evil, magical fire-monster!”
She frowns as he continues sucking and decides to change tack.
“But I believe you are a big boy—” In a flash, he is toddler sized. ”—err, grown-up draconnequus. That’s why we’re friends, because I am a grown mare and I know you can be one too.”
Eris, Discord’s female form, grins back at her, smiling slily.
“You know what I mean.”
With a sigh, he concedes defeat, returning to normal.
“You’re no fun.”
“Au contraire, Mister — by taking you on, I’m the only fun you have.”
“Touché, Pinkieshy.”
She picks up the VHS tape on the TV stand. On its cover, Firefly and Medley hold hooves next to an extinguished campfire. An empty bucket sits next to the feisty pegasus, who grins at it triumphantly, while Medley is turned to the burning forest behind her, blue eyes wide.
“Those two look so nice. I just know they’ve got so many tales to tell.”
“Yes, aren’t they just awful! I’m glad she d—”
“Discord! No spoilers.”
“—develops her character.” He gives you a wink. “Anyway,” he says, turning back to Fluttershy, “you’ve already seen it twice.”
“No, I mean for them.” She points to you.
“Oh, right. Can I at least tell them about Tempest Shadow?”
“Discord… she's in Firestorm. That’s Part Three!”
“Spoilerific job, my dear.” He winks and she blushes.
The grey head swivels round, eyeing you. “No more spoilers — just a riddle.”
“If you must. But only a little one — they have enough to read as it is.”
***
How to make a fire?
Secondly, dances the fuel a jig,
Lastly, pursues the stygian heat,
'Feed,' calls mother to the air.
|
RobtheMorpherPony
|
562231
| 1 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Dragons,Main 6,Spike,Alternate Universe,Adventure,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
What if Emziko was Canon?
|
Please read the long description
|
incomplete
| 13 | 4 |
<p>What if instead of Spike running into Garble during Dragon Quest, Spike ran into a different dragon?</p><p>What if said dragon was actually a dragoness?</p><p>What if instead of being red, she was green?</p><p>And what if, this green dragoness...hit it off with him in a good way?</p><p>What if Emziko was truly cannon?</p><hr/><p><a href="https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2022/11/28/2996571.jpg" rel="nofollow">Emziko Info</a></p><p>Emziko was apparently born from the mind of Lauren Faust's own daughter (which also explains why I didn't put down the "original character tag"), but while Faust says that the character is canonically Spike's girlfriend, she was never actually in the show.</p><p>But what if she actually was in the show? What if she was truly cannon?</p><p>This fic is here to explore the idea of Emziko being truly cannon to the actual show. How will things change with Emziko around? You'll just have to read to find out~</p><p>A fair warning: The prologue has some details that borderline on dark. This is the only time this happens, but I decided to give the prologue a dark warning regardless. The rest of this story is mostly sfw; but I may change that.</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-24T14:30:22+00:00
|
2024-07-24T14:47:02+00:00
| 263 |
Far away from what is known as Ponyville, once stood a town. This town wasn't so different from Ponyville in its social behavior: Every pony was friendly towards every pony else. The town thrived on its ability to be able to trust your neighbor with developments for your family. In fact, this town was such a closely tight nit community, that the thought that it would collapse was the furthest thing from reality. Or so it seemed.
What was once a testament to what could happen if ponies set aside their differences, was now burning in the hot sun. The town was plagued with wildfires on such a daily basis, that they had taken preventative measures.
Except for this one time. Because the once prosperous town had been abandoned for three whole weeks before the boiling sun caused one final wildfire to engulf the town.
Standing on a hill, looking out towards this town, a lone green figure began walking away from this burning town.
"They were all gone..." A female voice said as a narrator. "By the time I got back, they were all gone. No one was left."
The green figure continued to travel away from this village. "I couldn't find any bodies, but if they were alive, they would've come back by now." The female voice said. "The only thing I can do for them now, is let the fires burn away the village."
The fires continued to consume to town, which was now nothing but a speck behind the strange green figure. "I may not be able to give them proper funerals, but I can promise their spirits one thing..." The female voice said.
Suddenly the camera panned across the green figure, and then stopped on the figure's yellow eyes, which soon became slitted in anger. "If I ever find the ones responsible for this, I will bring them to justice. Only then can their souls rest in peace."
The scene faded to black around these eyes, and then even those faded away.
|
RobtheMorpherPony
|
562231
| 2 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Dragons,Main 6,Spike,Alternate Universe,Adventure,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
What if Emziko was Canon?
|
Please read the long description
|
incomplete
| 13 | 4 |
<p>What if instead of Spike running into Garble during Dragon Quest, Spike ran into a different dragon?</p><p>What if said dragon was actually a dragoness?</p><p>What if instead of being red, she was green?</p><p>And what if, this green dragoness...hit it off with him in a good way?</p><p>What if Emziko was truly cannon?</p><hr/><p><a href="https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2022/11/28/2996571.jpg" rel="nofollow">Emziko Info</a></p><p>Emziko was apparently born from the mind of Lauren Faust's own daughter (which also explains why I didn't put down the "original character tag"), but while Faust says that the character is canonically Spike's girlfriend, she was never actually in the show.</p><p>But what if she actually was in the show? What if she was truly cannon?</p><p>This fic is here to explore the idea of Emziko being truly cannon to the actual show. How will things change with Emziko around? You'll just have to read to find out~</p><p>A fair warning: The prologue has some details that borderline on dark. This is the only time this happens, but I decided to give the prologue a dark warning regardless. The rest of this story is mostly sfw; but I may change that.</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-24T14:56:35+00:00
|
2024-07-24T14:56:35+00:00
| 232 |
We all know the story of the show of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. We know how it plays out. We know how it ends.
But the green dragoness from part 1 never really made an apperence did she?
Well, that's about to change.
Let us rewind the clock back. Back to the time of the Dragon Migration. Back to the events of "Dragon Quest". Back to when Spike was set to meet Garble.
Because now instead of Garble, Spike is going to meet a different Dragon; or rather Dragoness.
A very particular green Dragoness on a quest of revenge.
A green dragoness, who Spike will find, he has a lot in common with.
And one who will alter the cannon events to a large degree.
Let us embrace this change.
Let us see how this one green dragoness will effect the course of history...
Time starts to tick backwards on the entire show; and as we see the events that lead to the defeat of the terrible trio being played in reverse, text pops up on the screen.
Fimfiction presents...
Then the events of Season 8 began to play in reverse. And then season 7...
A creation by RobtheMorpherPony...
Season 6...season 5...
And protected by LeoKingdomProductions...
Season 4...season 3...
Inspired by a tweet from Lauran Faust...
Finally, season 2 began to rewind, all the way into the start of "Dragon Quest"...
WHAT IF EMZIKO WAS CANNON?
End of Prologue...
|
RobtheMorpherPony
|
562231
| 3 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Dragons,Main 6,Spike,Alternate Universe,Adventure,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
What if Emziko was Canon?
|
Please read the long description
|
incomplete
| 13 | 4 |
<p>What if instead of Spike running into Garble during Dragon Quest, Spike ran into a different dragon?</p><p>What if said dragon was actually a dragoness?</p><p>What if instead of being red, she was green?</p><p>And what if, this green dragoness...hit it off with him in a good way?</p><p>What if Emziko was truly cannon?</p><hr/><p><a href="https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2022/11/28/2996571.jpg" rel="nofollow">Emziko Info</a></p><p>Emziko was apparently born from the mind of Lauren Faust's own daughter (which also explains why I didn't put down the "original character tag"), but while Faust says that the character is canonically Spike's girlfriend, she was never actually in the show.</p><p>But what if she actually was in the show? What if she was truly cannon?</p><p>This fic is here to explore the idea of Emziko being truly cannon to the actual show. How will things change with Emziko around? You'll just have to read to find out~</p><p>A fair warning: The prologue has some details that borderline on dark. This is the only time this happens, but I decided to give the prologue a dark warning regardless. The rest of this story is mostly sfw; but I may change that.</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-24T15:26:40+00:00
|
2024-07-24T18:39:26+00:00
| 262 |
Arc One: Seeking Justice
Act One: The Green Dragoness
As a male narrator begins to speak, a picture of various dragons of various colors is being painted, with the end point painting a purple dragon next to a dragon wielding a sceptor that has a red gem on it.
Like Ponies, dragons come in a verity of colors. Of all these colors, purple is the absolute rarest of them all, as only one purple colored dragon is born every ten generations. Purple Dragons are said to be revered in Dragon Culture, and are treated as upper class compered to every other dragon that isn't the current Dragon Lord. While it's common for these Purple Dragons to refuse a position of leadership, Dragon Lords have sought advice from Purple Dragons in the past.
Then, a map of Equees suddenly shows up; with highlights going on as the narrator continues.
In the era of where Celestia rules the Pony Population, the current dragon lord is known as Torch who has a daughter by the name of Ember; named after an ally to a Purple Dragon that existed long before even Queen Faust ruled the lands of Equestria. To this day, the Dragons are awaiting the sighting of the new Purple Dragon to grace the land, not knowing that one already exists. The current Purple Dragon is called Spike, and he lives in Ponyville as the assistant to Twilight Sparkle. He has lived his entire life, not knowing of his true nature.
Much has already happened for the young dragon, and even before he was born. Luna; sister to Celestia; became Nightmare Moon. Celestia attempted to reason with her sister, but negotiations proved fruitless. The white alicorn had no choice but to use artifacts called "The Elements of Harmony" to banish her sister to the moon. It was only one thousand years later when Luna was saved by Twilight and her friends, that Luna stood to listen to reason. Of course, the second major event in this Purple Dragon's life was when Discord broke free of his prison, only for Twilight and her friends to imprison him in stone once more.
Now as the dragon migration is about to take place, it will send Spike on a collision course with a dragoness who knows about the details surrounding The Purple Dragon. This Dragoness has her own agenda, for she is seeking justice for the ponies she came to like had been most likely killed by an unknown assailant. This dragoness is on a journey to find the ones responsible for destroying the village she comes from, and bring the culprits to justice.
The hand of fate is about to bring these two unlikely dragons into a collision course, that will alter the course of known history...
|
RobtheMorpherPony
|
562231
| 4 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Dragons,Main 6,Spike,Alternate Universe,Adventure,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
What if Emziko was Canon?
|
Please read the long description
|
incomplete
| 13 | 4 |
<p>What if instead of Spike running into Garble during Dragon Quest, Spike ran into a different dragon?</p><p>What if said dragon was actually a dragoness?</p><p>What if instead of being red, she was green?</p><p>And what if, this green dragoness...hit it off with him in a good way?</p><p>What if Emziko was truly cannon?</p><hr/><p><a href="https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2022/11/28/2996571.jpg" rel="nofollow">Emziko Info</a></p><p>Emziko was apparently born from the mind of Lauren Faust's own daughter (which also explains why I didn't put down the "original character tag"), but while Faust says that the character is canonically Spike's girlfriend, she was never actually in the show.</p><p>But what if she actually was in the show? What if she was truly cannon?</p><p>This fic is here to explore the idea of Emziko being truly cannon to the actual show. How will things change with Emziko around? You'll just have to read to find out~</p><p>A fair warning: The prologue has some details that borderline on dark. This is the only time this happens, but I decided to give the prologue a dark warning regardless. The rest of this story is mostly sfw; but I may change that.</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-24T17:11:24+00:00
|
2024-07-24T17:11:24+00:00
| 245 |
When Spike learned of the Dragon Migration, he eagerly wanted to see what other dragons were like and discover his true nature. Twilight decided to let him go, though she knew deep down that dragons were not like him. Or so she thought.
She had no idea that Spike would encounter a dragon who would end up being a great clue to Spike's true origins.
Spike traveled on foot through the rough terrain. "I wonder if there are various dragon races like there are for ponies..." Spike said to himself. That's when he heard what he believed to be a carving sound and then a female voice.
"Travel log, the dragon migration has happened. The good news, I know what dragon smell like, and it's not the same smell I smelled that time before." The voice said. "The bad news, still no information on what smelled like the smell I smelled. I refuse to give up. For the ponies who were lost, I will find the ones responsible. I swear it on my name."
This dragon was raised amongst ponies too? That's a good thing then. Spike thought to himself as he moved closer to the source of the voice, quickly finding a green dragoness.
As soon as he got close though, she suddenly sniffed the air. "...Whoever is there should come out now. I can smell you." She said. Spike saw no reason to hide from the dragoness, so he came out of hiding. When the green dragoness saw him, she gasped. Th-the Purple Dragon... she thought to herself.
"Hey, I'm not here to harm you; I was just curious about something I couldn't help but overhear you say. You said you were raised by ponies, right?" Spike asked.
"What of it?" The green dragoness asked, putting on a brave front. "What's that matter to you?"
"Because, I'm the same way. I grew up around ponies too." Spike said.
Now that's interesting... The green dragoness thought to herself. That's similar one of the previous Purple Dragons.
"Err, forgive me for not introducing myself; my name is Spike." Spike said.
"My name is Emziko. Or at least, that's the name I gave myself." Emziko said. "Never really knew my birth parents."
"That's the same with me. Sure, I got adopted by some pony parents, but, I haven't met my birth parents yet." Spike said.
Oh this one just gets way too similar to that one Purple Dragon. Emziko thought to herself.
"Err, are you alright? That's the second time you've gone quiet on me." Spike said.
"Sorry, my mind is just on some things." Emziko said. "Never thought of all the dragons I'd meet, I'd meet you."
"Well, I suppose the feeling is mutual. So, where are you headed exactly?" Spike asked.
"I don't really have a destination in mind; I'm just on the prowl for a certain smell." Emziko said.
"Well, I am the adopted brother of a pony who might be able to help identify that smell. If your willing to come with me." Spike said.
"I...I don't know. I'm unsure." Emziko said. "Are they a nice pony?"
"She certainly is. And so are her friends and the rest of Ponyville." Spike said. "Heck, I'm sure you'd love the place."
"That's...a nice offer, but..." Emziko really gave it away she was torn. "I'm just...not sure if I'm ready to adapt to a pony society again right now..."
"Well, in that case, I know some pony else who might be willing to let you room with them. Except they aren't really a pony; their a zebra. But my adopted sis has learnt to trust said Zebra so, their pretty trustworthy." Spike said.
"A Zebra?! You know a Zebra?! Gosh, that race is like the absolute penicle of knowledge most species don't have access to." Emziko said. "If you know a Zebra, I'm in for talking with her. So, lead the way Spike."
Wow, she perked up rather quickly at the mention of a Zebra. Spike said. "Just ah, there's one thing: She lives in the Everfree Forest."
"Oh that place? We'll be fine so long as there's a clear path to this Zebra's place. There is one, right?" Emziko asked.
"There is actually." Spike asnwered.
"Well then what are we waiting for? Let's get going right away." Emziko said. I have to be the luckiest girl alive: Not only have I met the current Purple Dragon, but he'll be able to help me let the ponies of that village rest in peace easily.
As the duo started the journey back, they did come across a phoenix nest which they helped relocate for safty, and then headed forward towards the Everfree Forest.
Little did either of them know, this meeting would end up affecting both their lives in ways they could've never prepared for.
|
RobtheMorpherPony
|
562231
| 5 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Dragons,Main 6,Spike,Alternate Universe,Adventure,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
What if Emziko was Canon?
|
Please read the long description
|
incomplete
| 13 | 4 |
<p>What if instead of Spike running into Garble during Dragon Quest, Spike ran into a different dragon?</p><p>What if said dragon was actually a dragoness?</p><p>What if instead of being red, she was green?</p><p>And what if, this green dragoness...hit it off with him in a good way?</p><p>What if Emziko was truly cannon?</p><hr/><p><a href="https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2022/11/28/2996571.jpg" rel="nofollow">Emziko Info</a></p><p>Emziko was apparently born from the mind of Lauren Faust's own daughter (which also explains why I didn't put down the "original character tag"), but while Faust says that the character is canonically Spike's girlfriend, she was never actually in the show.</p><p>But what if she actually was in the show? What if she was truly cannon?</p><p>This fic is here to explore the idea of Emziko being truly cannon to the actual show. How will things change with Emziko around? You'll just have to read to find out~</p><p>A fair warning: The prologue has some details that borderline on dark. This is the only time this happens, but I decided to give the prologue a dark warning regardless. The rest of this story is mostly sfw; but I may change that.</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-25T15:22:21+00:00
|
2024-08-15T13:04:54+00:00
| 162 |
The journey was a little long, but the duo soon reached the Everfree Forest, and Spike managed to find the path that Zecora cleared out.
"Whoa, why does she have Poison Joke at her hut?" Emziko said, as soon as they got to Zecora's hut.
"It's probably to study it if I had to guess. Besides, she knows how to counter it's effects." Spike said.
"...Actually I'd believe that." Emziko said. "Zebras are said to be the wisest of all the races after all."
"I don't know about that. She only knows because she has a book that has the cure in it." Spike said.
"Well, then it has to be a really rare book then." Emziko said.
"Not really. My pony sister lives in a library that has the same book. It's just...initially she didn't think it held the answer to the poison joke issue." Spike said.
"Wait, why would she think that?" Emziko asked.
"Because the title of the book was 'Supernaturals: Natural Remedies and Cure-Alls That Are Simply Super' but she didn't read the full title." Spike said.
"Geez, talk about one heck of an idiot ball." Emziko said.
"Please don't blame my sister like that." Spike said, getting a little heated.
Seeing that, Emziko decided to defuse the situation. "Sorry. I'm guessing she's a bit of a shut-in pony in that case." The green dragoness said.
"Oh you have no idea." Spike said. "But for now, we go inside."
"Well this is quite the sight for my eyes; two dragons in my home I spy." Zecora said.
"Wh-what?" Emziko was suddenly a little wierded out.
"I guess I should've warned you about Zecora's rhyming now that I think about it." Spike said.
"Right..." Emziko said. "I was hoping you could help me. There's a specific smell I know about, and I'd like some help identifying it."
"Guessing from the tone you are giving; perhaps there is a reason you should be sharing?" Zecora asked.
"Uh..." Emziko was confused.
"I think she means that you must have a reason for wanting to know about the smell." Spike said.
"Right. There is a reason. It's personal though. I'm...not sure if I'm confortable sharing why." Emziko said. Even if I am in the presence of a Purple Dragon.
"I shall prepare a few smells to see if you get a match; and I may just tell you what it is your trying to catch." Zecora said.
"Wait, how do you know I want to catch the source of the smell?" Emziko said. "...Wow I can't believe I just got a rhyme..."
"You did mention to me that you wanted to catch them at one point, but Zecora how did you know?" Spike asked.
"It was clear from this dragoness's manner of speech, that she certainly isn't going to give the source a peach." Zecora said.
"Uh..." Emziko was confused.
"I got nothing this time." Spike said.
"It seems whatever her reason is it's quite clear to me; that it is justice that she wants to see." Zecora said.
"Jeez, I certainly don't remember reading anything about Zebras rhyming..." Emziko said.
Zecora produced a few smells from around her hut, but each one was being struck out by Emziko. "No dice I'm afraid so far. Got any other smells?" Emziko asked.
"I'm afraid there isn't any left on Zecora's shelves. Is there any ways you can help at all Zecora?" Spike asked.
"Well, there is still one thing she could smell that is in my hut at this time; but it is one thing that is hard to put into a rhyme." Zecora said.
"Well whatever it is, we have to try it right? I'd hate to have wasted the trip." Spike said.
"Same here." Emziko said.
Zecora guided Spike to her cabnet where she took out a specific vial that looked very green. "Hold up, is that green goo in that vial?" Emziko asked.
"It is indeed specifically goo that is in this specific glass; but if you don't mind me asking--" Zecora started.
"Can it with the rhymes for a minute there Zebra." Emziko said.
"Is something wrong Emziko? Is there a reason why you ask if this is green goo?" Spike asked.
"Whatever attacked the ponies I knew left behind a lot of green goo. I'd recognize it anywhere, and the stuff in that vial is just like what was left behind." Emziko said.
"I feared as much..." Zecora decided not to rhyme for a change as she opened the cork up.
"UGH!" Spike immediately held his nose. "WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT SMELL?! SMELLS LIKE BURNT COCKROACH."
"UGH! OH YEAH, THAT IS MOST CERTAINLY THE STINK." Emziko reacted. "I'd recognize that smell anywhere."
"And again, this is just as I feared then." Zecora again didn't rhyme as she corked the vial again, putting on her serious face as she brought out a few things and put them in her cauldron which started to swirl.
"Do you know what causes that kind of smell?" Spike asked. "...Also, how on earth do I know what burnt cockroach smells like?"
"It is a smell ingrained in the pshyche of all dragons I'm afraid and will not lie: For long ago the dragons had a terrifying enemy unlike any other that could fly." Zecora said.
"I don't remember anything like that..." Emziko said.
"Same here." Spike said.
"It was way before today's time, just shortly after the world was made anew after it was breaking apart. Creatures that could deceive the naked eye by changing their shape, making friends turn on each other out of fear that the threat was stealing the face of their neighbor." Zecora said.
"Wh-what kind of species can shape shift?" Emziko asked.
"Many names they have been called by other races, but the real name for them brings fear to any dragon. For they used to be the natural predators of dragonkind, and wanted their land as their own." Zecora said. "The name of this shape changing race is very fitting: They are called Changelings."
"Used to, what do you mean used to?" Emziko asked.
"For that, a history lesson is in order..." Zecora said.
|
RobtheMorpherPony
|
562231
| 6 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Dragons,Main 6,Spike,Alternate Universe,Adventure,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
What if Emziko was Canon?
|
Please read the long description
|
incomplete
| 13 | 4 |
<p>What if instead of Spike running into Garble during Dragon Quest, Spike ran into a different dragon?</p><p>What if said dragon was actually a dragoness?</p><p>What if instead of being red, she was green?</p><p>And what if, this green dragoness...hit it off with him in a good way?</p><p>What if Emziko was truly cannon?</p><hr/><p><a href="https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2022/11/28/2996571.jpg" rel="nofollow">Emziko Info</a></p><p>Emziko was apparently born from the mind of Lauren Faust's own daughter (which also explains why I didn't put down the "original character tag"), but while Faust says that the character is canonically Spike's girlfriend, she was never actually in the show.</p><p>But what if she actually was in the show? What if she was truly cannon?</p><p>This fic is here to explore the idea of Emziko being truly cannon to the actual show. How will things change with Emziko around? You'll just have to read to find out~</p><p>A fair warning: The prologue has some details that borderline on dark. This is the only time this happens, but I decided to give the prologue a dark warning regardless. The rest of this story is mostly sfw; but I may change that.</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-25T15:28:57+00:00
|
2024-07-25T15:30:02+00:00
| 196 |
Arc 1: Seeking Justice
Act 2: A Royal Wedding
As a male narrator spoke again, another painting was being painted, this time it was an image of dragons and changelings fighting each other, before at the end of the speech, it showed thousands of dead changelings.
Just before the three pony tribes caused the Windigos to appear and start to freeze over their lands to the north, there was a vicious war that occurred between the dragons and the changelings. Tired of being hunted by the shapeshifting race, the dragons sought to win their freedom from the changelings in an all-out war. Eventually, the war came to a close when all but a single changeling hive was killed off, forcing the remaining changelings to go into hiding. To this day, that hive has yet to resurface and resume their operations of stealing love from the land, or so every dragon thought...
|
RobtheMorpherPony
|
562231
| 7 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Dragons,Main 6,Spike,Alternate Universe,Adventure,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
What if Emziko was Canon?
|
Please read the long description
|
incomplete
| 13 | 4 |
<p>What if instead of Spike running into Garble during Dragon Quest, Spike ran into a different dragon?</p><p>What if said dragon was actually a dragoness?</p><p>What if instead of being red, she was green?</p><p>And what if, this green dragoness...hit it off with him in a good way?</p><p>What if Emziko was truly cannon?</p><hr/><p><a href="https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2022/11/28/2996571.jpg" rel="nofollow">Emziko Info</a></p><p>Emziko was apparently born from the mind of Lauren Faust's own daughter (which also explains why I didn't put down the "original character tag"), but while Faust says that the character is canonically Spike's girlfriend, she was never actually in the show.</p><p>But what if she actually was in the show? What if she was truly cannon?</p><p>This fic is here to explore the idea of Emziko being truly cannon to the actual show. How will things change with Emziko around? You'll just have to read to find out~</p><p>A fair warning: The prologue has some details that borderline on dark. This is the only time this happens, but I decided to give the prologue a dark warning regardless. The rest of this story is mostly sfw; but I may change that.</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-06T14:10:03+00:00
|
2024-08-06T14:10:54+00:00
| 130 |
Third Person P.O.V.
Zecora had told the two dragons about the history between their kind and Changelings.
"So then that last remaining hive are the ones who kidnapped all the ponies from the village I grew up near." Emziko said.
That was when a knock occured on the door. "Zecora, are you busy right now?" A female voice asked.
"That's Twilight." Spike said.
"Spike, what are you doing out here? Oh never mind..." Twilight said, though her voice was slightly muffled being on the other side of Zecora's door.
Spike let Twilight in, letting her meet Emziko in the process. "Huh. When I heard you'd go to the dragon migration, I didn't expect you to bring a different dragon back with you." Twilight stated.
"Name's Emziko." Emziko said.
"Can you back up for a moment though Emziko; what exactly did you mean the ponies at the village you grew up near was kidnapped?" Spike asked.
Emziko looked a little perhensive, but decided to share her story anyways.
Emziko's P.O.V.
I was born near a pony village some ways away. These ponies were scared of me because I was a dragon. And because I was born alone, I had to grow up fending for myself.
The pony village was in an area that was constantly in danger from wildfires, and all the houses within the village limits were fire proofed because of this. However, there was one pony family who lived on the outskirts of the village because they couldn't afford a place inside the village limits.
One fateful day, their house got caught on fire from one of the wildfires, and seeing as they wouldn't have gotten out by themselves, I gladly helped them out. After all, dragons are able to swim in lava, so a fire like that was nothing to me.
After I had saved the pony family, the village became a lot more accepting of me and what I was. While some fear remained, I worked hard to help the village out where I could. That allowed me privileges I didn't have before. Which included books all about dragons and what they were all about. Everything about them was in those books, and I memorized each and every line.
One fateful day, the village was running low on the supplies they used to protect their houses form wildfires. Since a lot of ponies needed to be in the village to evacate any homes that caught on fire while protection supplies were low, I volunteered to go fetch additional supplies. I was given a sizable amount of bits to purchase these supplies, and then left the village.
Third person P.O.V.
"By the time I got back however, every last pony had gone mysteriously missing. Every house reeked of the smell of burnt cockroach. I wasn't sure why I knew that smell, but all I knew at that time was that the ponies I thought of as my family were all gone." Emziko said. "Everything I just told you happened two years ago."
"So, when the dragon migration happened, you saw that as a chance to get a fresh start?" Spike asked.
"Yeah. I was hoping I'd run into some creature who might give me a lead on the culprits. Didn't think I'd end up with an answer." Emziko said.
"I feel very sorry for what you went through. I know Ponyville could never replace your old village, but I feel like you'd make a fine addition to the town." Twilight said.
"Would they really accept me though?" Emziko asked.
"Hey, I've lived there for a while now, so I doubt they'd react negativitly towards you. Besides, you don't seem like a mean dragon." Spike said.
"I'm only mean towards those I deem worth being mean to. Ponies aren't really on that list unless some pony specifically is mean to me." Emziko said.
"Besides, I'd really appreciate it if you were around more often. While we do have an idea on the creatures that kidnapped all those ponies, you have no idea where they are right now. I'd say until you know more, you decided to start over." Spike said.
So...this is why Dragon Lords always looked to Purple Dragons for advice... Emziko thought to herself. "Yeah. Because I wouldn't know what do to with myself after I brought those culprits to justice. I don't know if the ponies that were kidnapped are even still alive at this point, but regardless, for their sake, I will find the culprits responsible." The green dragoness said aloud. "Until then...perhaps getting a fresh start properly wouldn't be such a bad idea..."
|
RobtheMorpherPony
|
562231
| 8 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Dragons,Main 6,Spike,Alternate Universe,Adventure,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
What if Emziko was Canon?
|
Please read the long description
|
incomplete
| 13 | 4 |
<p>What if instead of Spike running into Garble during Dragon Quest, Spike ran into a different dragon?</p><p>What if said dragon was actually a dragoness?</p><p>What if instead of being red, she was green?</p><p>And what if, this green dragoness...hit it off with him in a good way?</p><p>What if Emziko was truly cannon?</p><hr/><p><a href="https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2022/11/28/2996571.jpg" rel="nofollow">Emziko Info</a></p><p>Emziko was apparently born from the mind of Lauren Faust's own daughter (which also explains why I didn't put down the "original character tag"), but while Faust says that the character is canonically Spike's girlfriend, she was never actually in the show.</p><p>But what if she actually was in the show? What if she was truly cannon?</p><p>This fic is here to explore the idea of Emziko being truly cannon to the actual show. How will things change with Emziko around? You'll just have to read to find out~</p><p>A fair warning: The prologue has some details that borderline on dark. This is the only time this happens, but I decided to give the prologue a dark warning regardless. The rest of this story is mostly sfw; but I may change that.</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-15T14:30:15+00:00
|
2024-08-15T14:30:15+00:00
| 111 |
Since it was rather late, Twilight had insisted that Emziko stay the night at the Library with her and Spike; which the green dragoness agreed to.
"Dang, this is a lot of books." Emziko said.
"Hoo" Owlicious hooted.
"An owl...why am I not surprised?" Emziko said.
"Hoo" Owlicious hooted again.
"You who, that's who~" Emziko teased.
"Hoo" Owlicious Teased.
"Name's Emziko." Emziko said. "What's your name, owl?"
"That's Owlicious." Spike said.
"Hoo" Owlicious hooted.
"You who, that's who~" Emziko teased again.
"Uh...what are you doing?" Twilight asked Emziko.
"Having fun with the owl." Emziko said.
"Hoo" Owlicious hooted.
"You who, that's who~" Emziko teased more. "This is fun~"
"As amusing as this is for you to actually be having fun with Owlicious, don't forget how late it is." Twilight said.
"Yeah yeah." Emziko said. "Lucky for me, I brought some blankets I could use as a make-shift bed.
Suddenly Twilight brought out a spare bed. "...You sure you don't want an actual bed?" Twilight asked.
"You have one?" Emziko asked.
"That's Twilight for you. And trust me, your going to be seeing much more tomorrow." Spike said. "I'll be certain to show you around. If you want, that is."
"Seeing as I'll be here making a fresh start, that would be nice." Emziko said.
The next day, Emziko woke up quite early. Twilight was still asleep, though Spike was no where to be seen. "Tch, tell a girl your going to be her guide and--" She was interrupted when she could smell something cooking. "...Or you could be in the kitchen; wait what?" Emziko was a little confused but decided to check it out, and sure enough, Spike was cooking. "What are you doing?"
"Making breakfast. Trust me, you do not want Twilight to be cooking breakfast. She cooked breakfast one time, and the taste would make you puke. I know I did." Spike said.
"I believe that..." Emziko said. I have no reason to argue with a Purple Dragon anyways.
As Spike was wrapping up making breakfast, Twilight was coming into the kitchen. "Bacon and eggs smell so good right now." Twilight said.
"Gee, you look a little tired still." Emziko said.
"Did you stay up late again last night?" Spike asked.
"You know me so well, Spike." Twilight stated. "But I didn't stay up that late. Only an hour. I just wanted to see if there were any books on dragons here. There were not."
"If it's information about dragons you want, I got both of you covered. The books I read back in the pony village I used to live nearby had a lot of information about Dragon Culture." She then looked at Spike. "Amongst other things..."
"What are you looking at me for?" Spike asked.
"Don't forget, you told me you were going to guide me around Ponyville." She bent over towards Spike as she spoke. "I'm sure you wouldn't want to let a lady down, now would you?"
"Uh...I suppose not." Spike said. "We'll be back later Twilight." He and Emziko asked.
"...Why do I get the feeling Emziko knows something that I don't?" Twilight asked no pony in particular. "Because she's really been trying to get in Spike's good graces. Makes me wonder why."
"So, where are we off to first?" Emziko asked, who was gladly not too close to Spike, but close enough to follow close behind. It was enough to where no pony would guess they were some kind of couple. Which is what Emziko wanted for now.
"Well--" Spike said as the duo came across Pinkie Pie. "Oh hey Pinkie Pie."
The pink pony in question suddenly gasped before she rushed off. "...Now THAT was strange."
"...We'll meet up with her again later. Don't worry about that." Spike said as the duo entered Sugar Cube Corner.
"Oh dear, Pinkie Pie's going to need her usual order." Mr. Cake said.
"Seems so." Mrs. Cake said.
"What? What usual order?" Emziko said.
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. cake." Spike said.
"Hello Spike. Whose your new friend?" Mr. Cake asked.
"Call me Emziko." Emziko said. "You two are married?"
"Been a thing for a while now, but yes. If you ever feel a craving for sweets, just come on by. You'll often see us or Pinkie Pie at the counter." Mrs. Cake said.
Emziko suddenly leaned in on Mrs. Cake for a bit and gave her a big whiff. "Uh, what are you doing?"
"...Huh. That's a very particular scent you got. I've only encountered that scent once before. Congratulations on the baby." Emziko said.
"Wait, how did you know I was pregnant?!" Mrs. Cake asked.
"I know what pregnant mares smell like. I hope you have a very healthy foal, Mrs. Cake." Emziko said.
"Make that foals; we're expecting Twins." Mr. Cake said.
"T-TWINS?!" At that, Emziko fainted.
"...We'll see ourselves out." Spike said, and dragged the fainted Emziko out of the bakery.
The tour had just started for Emziko, and already she had fainted. Spike couldn't help but worry about how she'd react to the rest of where the main six lived.
|
RobtheMorpherPony
|
562231
| 9 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Dragons,Main 6,Spike,Alternate Universe,Adventure,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
What if Emziko was Canon?
|
Please read the long description
|
incomplete
| 13 | 4 |
<p>What if instead of Spike running into Garble during Dragon Quest, Spike ran into a different dragon?</p><p>What if said dragon was actually a dragoness?</p><p>What if instead of being red, she was green?</p><p>And what if, this green dragoness...hit it off with him in a good way?</p><p>What if Emziko was truly cannon?</p><hr/><p><a href="https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2022/11/28/2996571.jpg" rel="nofollow">Emziko Info</a></p><p>Emziko was apparently born from the mind of Lauren Faust's own daughter (which also explains why I didn't put down the "original character tag"), but while Faust says that the character is canonically Spike's girlfriend, she was never actually in the show.</p><p>But what if she actually was in the show? What if she was truly cannon?</p><p>This fic is here to explore the idea of Emziko being truly cannon to the actual show. How will things change with Emziko around? You'll just have to read to find out~</p><p>A fair warning: The prologue has some details that borderline on dark. This is the only time this happens, but I decided to give the prologue a dark warning regardless. The rest of this story is mostly sfw; but I may change that.</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-17T06:52:14+00:00
|
2024-08-17T06:53:07+00:00
| 82 |
"What happened back there?" Spike asked Emziko when she finally came to.
"Sorry, it's just...while I am excited to witness new foals coming into the world for like, the second time in my life; I never expected to witness the birth of twins in my lifetime. Then again, when your a dragon like us, that should've been expected..." Emziko said.
That got Spike's attention. "What do you mean by that last sentence exactly?" He asked.
"Don't you know that Dragons can live at least one thousand years at bare minimum? Average lifespan for a dragon is around two thousand five hundred years in fact." Emziko said.
Spike suddenly went wide eyed. "That's...a very long time..." Spike said.
"Though for some dragons, as they start hitting the big one thousand year mark, they start to take long naps that can span years if not decades." Emziko said. "But some have been recorded to never do that. Depends on the dragon." Emziko said.
"Well, I'll still most likely outlive every pony I've come to know..." Spike said.
"Hey, so long as you keep those memories close to your heart, you got nothing to worry about." Emziko said with a smile.
"That does make me feel better; thanks Emziko." Spike said.
"No problem. It'd be a real shame if you suddenly started going crazy because of that information." Emziko said.
"What?" Spike suddenly was worried.
"Oh I'm just teasing you~" Emziko quickly lied. "Let's focus on the tour for now."
"Right. I think we should go to the Boutique store in town next." Spike said.
"...There's a boutique store here?" Emziko asked; very curious.
"...When you said this was a boutique store..." Emziko said as she and Spike stepped into Rarity's Boutique. "This was most certainly not the kind of place I imagined. But in a good way." Emziko said.
"Oh, pardon me; who are you darling?" Rarity asked, turning away from working on a mannikin.
"Call me Emziko. This all your work?" Emziko asked, as she looked over at some of the costumes.
"Why yes it is, but--" Rarity started.
"Well, that just makes everything more impressive. You got a real knack for this. I'd hate to see this kind of talent stifled." Emziko said.
"Well, that's very nice of you to say, Emziko." Rarity said. She opened her mouth to speak again...
"I'll have to so come by here some other time. Mind telling me your name. Only fair." Emziko said.
"The name's Rarity, and--" Rarity again was interrupted.
"Well it's very nice to meet you Rarity. I hope we'll get along like two peas in a pod later. Right now, I'm in the middle of being shown around Ponyville. Surely, you can understand the need to want to get that done as soon as possible." Emziko said.
"Err...well...I suppose so..." Rarity decided to drop the line of thinking she was thinking as Spike and Emziko left.
"Jeez, was it any more obvious that she's jealous that you're hanging around a female dragon?" Emziko asked.
"Wait, she was being jealous about you being with me?" Spike asked. As if I didn't already have a reason to look away from Rarity enough as it was; if she's going to treat me like a possession, I don't really think there's any love there anymore. He thought to himself.
"Yeah, the mannerism was all there. Be really glad I defused that situation quickly, because she may have escalated it if I hadn't." Emziko said.
"Yeah, good on you for working that out. Nice to see you not wanting to pick a fight with any pony here." Spike said.
"Yeah, could tell she would've gotten mean in a hurry if I didn't defuse the situation quickly. Hope you don't think of me any less for doing that." Emziko said.
"Nah. If anything, it's Rarity I'm thinking less of right now." Spike said.
"What's this about Rarity?" Rainbow Dash's voice rang out.
"...Okay, who just said that?" Emziko asked then got a whiff of the air. "...Huh, that's wierd, I can't smell any new ponies nearby."
Spike chuckled. "Look up." He said.
Emziko did so, and spotted Rainbow Dash on a cloud. "Hiya." Rainbow Dash said.
"Huh. So that explains the mysterious smell of clouds I've been smelling since Sugar Cube Corner..." Emziko said. "But...I didn't smell a pony smell with it. What the heck?"
"So, Twilight informed me that there's a new dragon living in Ponyville. Guess that must be you. Name's Rainbow Dash." Rainbow Dash said.
"I'm Emziko. You're an interesting pony, Rainbow Dash. Don't think I've ever seen a pegasus use a cloud to fly around before now..."
"Oh this thing? I was using it for stealth." Rainbow Dash said before she quickly bursted the cloud.
"Speaking of which, there seem to be a lot of clouds in the sky today. Wasn't the forcast calling for sunny?" Emziko asked.
"Pssh, I can take care of that in ten seconds flat." Rainbow Dash said before she proceeded to do just that.
That caused Emziko's jaw to drop cartoonishly. "Wh-whoa..." Emziko said a little meekly.
"Mind blowing, I know. I really look forward to seeing you around, Emziko." Rainbow Dash said before speeding away.
"...That...was a pegasus...like I've never seen before..." Emziko said slowly.
"Well, we're not done with the tour yet." Spike said.
|
RobtheMorpherPony
|
562231
| 10 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Dragons,Main 6,Spike,Alternate Universe,Adventure,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
What if Emziko was Canon?
|
Please read the long description
|
incomplete
| 13 | 4 |
<p>What if instead of Spike running into Garble during Dragon Quest, Spike ran into a different dragon?</p><p>What if said dragon was actually a dragoness?</p><p>What if instead of being red, she was green?</p><p>And what if, this green dragoness...hit it off with him in a good way?</p><p>What if Emziko was truly cannon?</p><hr/><p><a href="https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2022/11/28/2996571.jpg" rel="nofollow">Emziko Info</a></p><p>Emziko was apparently born from the mind of Lauren Faust's own daughter (which also explains why I didn't put down the "original character tag"), but while Faust says that the character is canonically Spike's girlfriend, she was never actually in the show.</p><p>But what if she actually was in the show? What if she was truly cannon?</p><p>This fic is here to explore the idea of Emziko being truly cannon to the actual show. How will things change with Emziko around? You'll just have to read to find out~</p><p>A fair warning: The prologue has some details that borderline on dark. This is the only time this happens, but I decided to give the prologue a dark warning regardless. The rest of this story is mostly sfw; but I may change that.</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-17T14:48:03+00:00
|
2024-08-20T17:50:56+00:00
| 68 |
"So wait, Rainbow Dash lives in a cloudhouse?" Emziko asked as Spike began leading her towards Ponyville's outskirts.
"You'll probably see it floating around close to Ponyville if you look up. It's not hard to miss." Spike said, as he pointed to a nearby house in the sky that obviously had Rainbow Dash's color scheme to it.
"...Huh. I'll be honest, I've never seen a cloud house before. The Pegasi from my old village; while they did fly around; they had houses on the ground." Emziko said. "...Come to think of it, the place never did receive much cloud cover."
"How am I supposed to know when an unexpected breeze blows my house around?!" Rainbow Dash could be heard exclaiming.
"...That is an admittedly fair point..." A female voice responded.
"...What's going on at this farm?" Emziko asked.
"Oh, looks like Applejack and Rainbow Dash are having a small fued. Again." Spike said. "They do this from time to time, but they are great friends."
"Interesting..." Emziko said. I wonder if Rainbow Dash is one of those kinds of ponies; the ones who are only into the same sex.
The two dragons found Rainbow Dash talking with a female earth pony and a male earth pony. "Oh hey Spike. Did you just catch that whole little tirrade AJ went on?" Rainbow Dash asked, looking embarrased.
"I think we caught the end of it..." Spike said.
"Yeah, some unexpected Breeze blew my house over where Big Mac was trying to plant stuff." Rainbow Dash said. "I hate it when unexpected breezes move my house..."
"Big...Mac? Like, as in Big Macintosh?" Emziko asked.
"Eeyep." The red earth pony said.
"So, yer the new dragon Rainbow seems so gung ho about." Applejack said.
"Yeah that's me. Name's Emziko. It's nice to meet you." Emziko said, extending a claw.
...Only to be shocked when Applejack started to hoof shake her so hard, she was being lifted off the ground. "Pleasure to meet you too; name's Applejack!" Applejack said.
"That's um..." Emziko said as Applejack stopped. "That's some strength you've got there Applejack..." She added. "That's the second thing I've gotten shocked by today..."
"...Beg yer pardon?" Applejack asked.
"Sorry. It's just...I've never seen a Pegasus clear clouds within ten seconds flat, or encountered an earth pony with such upper body strength that they can pick up a dragon." Emziko said.
"You sure you grew up around ponies before?" Spike asked.
"I did. None of them were like Rainbow Dash or Applejack though. And I mean that in a good way." Emziko said. "I find the fact that Applejack here can pick up a dragon an impressive feat. Granted, I'm not all that grown, but it's an impressive feat none the less."
"What are you talking about now?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Well, it's just that a dragon of my age wieghs in at around...I'd say two and half full grown mares." Emziko then looked at Big Mac. "...Or roughly one stallion that's Big Mac's size..."
Applejack suddenly blushed a little in embarrassment. "Ah uh...ah honestly think Big Mac is much stronger then me. It's just he doesn't like to show off." Applejack said. "Also, you can just call me AJ if you'd like, Emziko."
"Noted." Emziko said.
"Plus, if you want odd, you should meet Fluttershy. I doubt you've met a Pegasus that's as quiet as her before." Rainbow Dash said. "...I already told her there'd be a new dragon coming, and that you were nice."
"Wait, where'd you find the time to do that and still be here talking with AJ?" Emziko asked.
"No time for that!" Pinkie Pie said, appearing behind Emziko and then placing a blinfold on her.
"HEY; WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?!" Emziko exclaimed.
Pinkie Pie led the blindfolded Emziko back to the library, where the dragoness was met with a party. "Uh...what..." Emziko was confused.
"Sorry I had to interrupt your little tour; but this couldn't wait. Especially because this is your 'Welcome to Ponyville' party!" Pinkie Pie said.
"Right...I should've said this sooner: One of the rules here in Ponyville, is if your new, Pinkie Pie WILL throw you a party." Spike said.
"But...but we met her for like, ten seconds if that!" Emziko said.
"Well, I had to get this entire party organized! Took me ten minutes to do. Of course, I had to round up all the party guests, bake the cake, and make sure I had your name Right, Emziko." Pinkie Pie said. "Name's Pinkie Pie; nice to meet you."
"...Wait, your telling me you did all that in just TEN MINUTES?!" Emziko was stunned even more.
"One other rule about ponyville: Don't bother questioning the madness that is Pinkie Pie; you'll save yourself a headache." Spike said.
"...Noted..." Emziko said.
"Um...hi?" A yellow pegasus said, nervously.
"Um...hello? Nice to meet you?" Emziko said.
"It's nice to meet you too. I'm Fluttershy." Fluttershy said, though she was doing it nervously.
"...Not a social one are you? Eh, well, don't force it." Emziko said. Why are all of what I'm guessing are Spike's closest friends outside of Twilight so odd?
"Oh um...thank you. No one's really ever said anything that nice to me before." Fluttershy said, now less nervous.
"I'm glad I could help?" Emziko said.
"Hey, don't forget there's a party going on!" Pinkie Pie said.
"Right..." Emziko said. But the oddest duck by far, is Pinkie Pie. Wasn't she at the punch bowl like two seconds ago?
For now, Emziko decided to just enjoy the party. But little did she now at the time, that her second day around these ponies, wouldn't be spent in Ponyville...
|
RobtheMorpherPony
|
562231
| 11 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Dragons,Main 6,Spike,Alternate Universe,Adventure,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
What if Emziko was Canon?
|
Please read the long description
|
incomplete
| 13 | 4 |
<p>What if instead of Spike running into Garble during Dragon Quest, Spike ran into a different dragon?</p><p>What if said dragon was actually a dragoness?</p><p>What if instead of being red, she was green?</p><p>And what if, this green dragoness...hit it off with him in a good way?</p><p>What if Emziko was truly cannon?</p><hr/><p><a href="https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2022/11/28/2996571.jpg" rel="nofollow">Emziko Info</a></p><p>Emziko was apparently born from the mind of Lauren Faust's own daughter (which also explains why I didn't put down the "original character tag"), but while Faust says that the character is canonically Spike's girlfriend, she was never actually in the show.</p><p>But what if she actually was in the show? What if she was truly cannon?</p><p>This fic is here to explore the idea of Emziko being truly cannon to the actual show. How will things change with Emziko around? You'll just have to read to find out~</p><p>A fair warning: The prologue has some details that borderline on dark. This is the only time this happens, but I decided to give the prologue a dark warning regardless. The rest of this story is mostly sfw; but I may change that.</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-20T22:26:01+00:00
|
2024-08-20T22:26:00+00:00
| 54 |
To say that Emziko did not expect her encounter with Spike to end up with her meeting with Celestia who was one of the ruling princesses in Equestria alongside her sister Luna, well that was an understatement.
But again, that just goes to show how Purple Dragons work. And Spike basically being a mail boy for one is something else. Emziko thought to herself.
"So, any idea who this Princess Mi Amore Cadenza even is?" Spike asked.
"I have no idea. I'm sure that she's been with my brother for long enough to consider marriage with him. That's not my main issue with this." Twilight said.
"Oh really now, and just what is your main issue?" Emziko asked, trying not to hide the fact that she personally thought Twilight was just being jealous.
"The fact that my brother waited until the very last moment to tell me; his own sister; that he was getting married." Twilight said.
"...Okay actually, that is something you can get mad at." Emziko admitted; seems her thoughts about Twilight being jealous weren't fully founded.
"I'd still very much like to meet this Mi Amore Cadenza. I didn't even know there were any new alicorns besides the three I do know." Twilight stated.
"Well, that's--" Emziko suddenly caught what Twilight just said. "Wait, three? I thought there were only two because that's what Spike told me: Princess Celestia and Princess Luna."
"Ah, right. Of course Spike wouldn't know about the third I know about. He never met her. I'm talking about my old foalsiter, Princess Cadence." Twilight said.
"...You had a foalsighter?" Applejack asked.
"You mean dragon siter for Spike right?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Nope; I mean for myself. We're also most likely going to run into my parents too because this is my brother getting married." Twilight said.
"Oh...I guess that does make more sense then..." Rainbow Dash said.
"So, there's three alicorn princesses that you know of?" Emziko asked. She then made a realization. "Are you absolutely sure you've never heard of a Mi Amore Cadenza before?" She then asked.
"Trust me darling, news of a new alicorn princess would be hard to not be told about." Rarity said.
"And no, I'm fairly sure that I haven't heard that name before." Twilight said.
"Are you absolutely positive about that?" Emziko said, before she suddenly somehow had two cue cards one with "Cadenza" on it, and the other with "Cadence" on it. "Tell me, are you just that blind?" Emziko asked.
"...What are you doing?" Spike asked.
"Oh please, some pony tell me I am not the only one sees the similarity between 'Cadence' and 'Cadenza'." Emziko said.
"...Wait, what's with the barrier?" Spike asked.
"Not just that, the train's being stopped for some reason." Pinkie Pie said, and the train sure enough came to a stop moments later.
"...How did she...never mind. Think about that later." Emziko said.
Some royal guards scanned each and every one of the main six and the two dragons. They did clear them to go on ahead though. "Well that was wierd. Anyone have any idea what that's about?" Spike asked.
"Your asking us?" Emziko asked. Either the tales about Purple Dragons was highly exaggerated or...
"Wait, I think I figured out what Emziko was on about: Twilight, Mi Amore Cadenza is--" But Spike was interrupted once the train arrived at the station.
Never mind... Emziko thought to herself, noticing Spike picked up on the name thing like she did.
At the station, the group encountered Shining Armor. "Twily, it's so good to see you again." Shining Armor said.
"Well, I know your busy as the guard captain, but did you really become so busy to not give me more of a heads up about getting married?!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Well, honestly, I have zero excuse for that..." Shining Armor said.
"Payback's going to be a bitch Shining, fair warning." Spike mumbled, having gone unheard by most.
Emziko did hear Spike though. ...Purple Dragons can be scary if you get on their bad side. A lesson Shining Armor is going to learn the hard way.
"But not only did you forget to tell me about your wedding, you forgot to tell me that you were even dating some pony I've never even met before!" Twilight said.
"But you have met Cadenza before Twilight; it's Princess Cadence's full name." Shining Armor said.
"FINALLY! Thank the purple some pony mentioned that." Emziko said.
Shining Armor stared at Emziko. "...What's her deal?" Shining Armor asked.
"We haven't been properly introduced, Mr. Shining Armor. Name's Emziko. Pleasure to meet you." Emziko said. "But what I'm on about, is that I figured it out pretty quickly how similar 'Cadenza' is to 'Cadence'. And Spike picked up on it too." She explained.
At that, Twilight face hoofed. "...I have zero excuse for that..." Twilight said.
"...You're not the only one. Faust that's so obvious now..." Rainbow Dash said.
Spike couldn't help but notice what Emziko just said. What did she mean by 'thank the purple'? Spike thought to himself.
"Speaking of the wedding, why were we checked by the royal guards? Security purposes?" Applejack asked.
"Actually, it's because we got a tip that some changelings are planning to sabotage the wedding; but with the barrier up, they aren't getting in." Shining Armor said.
Emziko suddenly was at attention. "...Did you just say changelings?" She asked.
Then, the group was approached by a pink alicorn. "It's Cadence!" Twilight said.
But, just as she got closer... "EW! WHAT SMELLS LIKE BURNT COCKROACH?!" Spike exclaimed, holding his nose.
"OH GOD, IT'S THAT SMELL! BY THE DRAGON LORD, IT'S VERY STRONG!" Emziko practically yelled, also holding her nose.
"O-oh my gosh, did I forget to shower. Um...can we catch up later?" Cadence asked Twilight.
"Sure. Don't want to be smelling like burnt cockroach on your wedding day." Twilight said. "...Not that I can smell it, but apparently, the two dragons can."
Candence did left. "Huh. I guess she must've accidently used the wrong shampoo maybe. Oh well. Hey Twilight, to make up for not telling you until the last minute, how about you become my best mare?" Shining Armor asked.
"Well, that would be very appreciated. Thank you." Twilight said.
Emziko then grabbed Twilight. "The eight of us will have a discussion about how the wedding is going to go; you got nothing to worry about with all of us on the job." Emziko said, but she winked at Spike.
"Yeah. It's all eight of us. You got nothing to worry about." Spike assured his adopted brother.
"See, I knew I made the right call." Shining Armor said and then left.
"...Okay what was that about?" Twilight asked.
"Remember how I was at Zecora's place? Well, there's a story behind the whole reason I was there." Emziko said.
"Better sit tight, this is going to take a hot minute." Spike said.
|
RobtheMorpherPony
|
562231
| 12 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Dragons,Main 6,Spike,Alternate Universe,Adventure,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
What if Emziko was Canon?
|
Please read the long description
|
incomplete
| 13 | 4 |
<p>What if instead of Spike running into Garble during Dragon Quest, Spike ran into a different dragon?</p><p>What if said dragon was actually a dragoness?</p><p>What if instead of being red, she was green?</p><p>And what if, this green dragoness...hit it off with him in a good way?</p><p>What if Emziko was truly cannon?</p><hr/><p><a href="https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2022/11/28/2996571.jpg" rel="nofollow">Emziko Info</a></p><p>Emziko was apparently born from the mind of Lauren Faust's own daughter (which also explains why I didn't put down the "original character tag"), but while Faust says that the character is canonically Spike's girlfriend, she was never actually in the show.</p><p>But what if she actually was in the show? What if she was truly cannon?</p><p>This fic is here to explore the idea of Emziko being truly cannon to the actual show. How will things change with Emziko around? You'll just have to read to find out~</p><p>A fair warning: The prologue has some details that borderline on dark. This is the only time this happens, but I decided to give the prologue a dark warning regardless. The rest of this story is mostly sfw; but I may change that.</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-08-21T17:46:07+00:00
|
2024-08-21T17:46:06+00:00
| 38 |
"So, let me get this straight: Apperently, dragons can smell changelings coming a mile away because they used to want all dragons dead like super long ago, and in the case this last remaining hive ever showed it's face again, all dragons know how they smell by birth, and they specifically smell like burnt cockroach." Rainbow Dash said. "How close am I?"
"While that is a basic summery of what we just told you..." Spike began.
"It's basically correct." Emziko said.
"Okay. So, kind of a stupid question has just came into my mind..." Rainbow Dash said.
"Stupid is kind of an ugly word so please--" Emziko began.
"Can either of you smell burnt cockroach now that Cadence has left?" Rainbow Dash interrupted.
Upon that, Emziko and Spike then realized something. "...Huh. Now that she mentions it..." Spike said.
"So, that wasn't the real Cadence?" Twilight asked. "But she looked just like her..."
"It's most likely one of the changelings. Given Cadence's status as an alicorn Princess, it's likely the queen of the hive." Emziko said. "But since we know she's not the real Cadence, we can use that to our advantage."
"Err, how so?" Applejack asked.
"I think I know: The six of you can distract the disguised changeling; make her think we're going along with the wedding. Meanwhile, Emziko and I can go find the real Cadence." Spike said.
"Err...well...that's...actually a much better plan then I had in mind..." Emziko said. Once again, Spike showcases why Purple Dragons are in such high regard.
"Well, the best part is, because that changeling; queen or not; used Cadence's face, you both know exactly what the real Cadence looks like." Twilight said.
"So, the two dragons are going to go find the real Cadence." Applejack said. "Ah really don't like the fact that ah'm going to have to lie to the changeling's face..."
"You're going to have to make that sacrifice AJ; these Changelings don't play by our typical rules." Rainbow Dash said.
"...Point well made." Applejack said.
"If that is the queen, then I can actually get justice for the ponies she had her changelings kidnap. If it's just some drone, they can be grilled into giving up the hive's location. Either way, that hive's queen is going to be facing the concequences of her actions." Emziko said.
"Your not going to kill her though, right?" Twilight asked.
"Nah. That's going to be up to Princess Celestia if the queen lives or dies. I think it'd be much more ironic that way." Emziko said.
The entire main six blinked. "Remind me not to get on your bad side." Rainbow Dash said.
The Main Six began to distract the fake Cadence with the wedding preperations. Meanwhile, Spike and Emziko somehow found their way into the caverns underneath Canterlot Castle. "I honestly didn't think this place was real. While I was staying with Celestia when I was just born, she told me that there were secret caverns underneath the castle. I honestly believed they were just some myth to scare me into being good, because I thought the dungeons were the lowest part of the castle." Spike said. He then looked up as he and Emziko searched for the real Cadence. "In fact, the dungeons are right above these very caverns."
"Maybe you should suggest Celestia turn these caverns into part of the dungeon once we capture the changeling queen." Emziko said.
"I don't know; part of me thinks that these caverns should remain a secret." Spike said. "How many folk would you say know about these caverns in the first place?"
Emziko opened her mouth to counter, but then she realized that Spike was right. "...That's a surprisingly good point. I think the fact that the caverns aren't well known about is the reason why they work." The green dragoness admitted.
"Is someone there?" A female voice asked. The two dragons found what appeared to be Princess Cadence.
"Are you, Princess Cadence?" Spike asked.
"Mmm...well, the good news is, she certainly doesn't smell like burnt cockroach. She still smells, just not like that." Emziko said. "I'd certainly say this is the real Princess Cadence."
"Sorry, I've been trapped under here for a few days now. We've got to get to the wedding; the Changeling Queen has impersonated me, and plans to use my form to drain Shining Armor of both his strenth and his love." Cadence said.
"So then the other Cadence we met was the queen disguised as you." Emziko said. Suddenly, she noticed a heavy smell. "Ugh...something else reeks down here."
Nearby, was what seemed to be a strange yellow and blue bug-like creature with strange orange antlers. "Dragons...it had to be dragons. Not that that matters right now." He said.
"Huh. You look strange. You don't smell of burnt cockroach like the changelings. What are you?" Emziko asked.
"Actually, I am a changeling." The bug-like creature said. "The smell your probably familiar with for changelings though, is what happens when Changelings are starved for love."
"So wait, then why do you smell so different?" Emziko was now very confused.
"Because not all the changelings were killed in the war. Many hives fled to other regions of the world." The Changeling said. "It was there that we discovered that if we gave love instead of taking it, we'd no longer need it to survive. And when we did, we turned into more vibrently colored forms. To the point, where we would easily be mistaken for a bug-pony."
"So...wait...there's good changelings and bad changelings now." Spike realized. "That must mean, that the changelings that smell like burnt cockroach are the bad ones."
"Well, I guess if your not like the changeling hive that was left behind in Equestria, you got nothing to worry about." Emziko said.
"The last changeling hive that exists in Equestria, is ruled by the very changeling that is responsible for that war happening in the first place." The Good changeling said. "Her name...is Queen Chrysalis."
|
Twilight Sparkle123
|
562232
| 1 |
Twilight Sparkle,Human,Second Person,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Twilight Sparkle gives you hope
|
Twilight Sparkle appears before you, from the real Equestria or not you do not know, all you know is she's ready to give you hope and she feels nice like the galloping of horses in a valley of grass.
|
complete
| 12 | 2 |
<p>Twilight Sparkle appears before you, from the real Equestria or not you do not know, all you know is she's ready to give you hope and she feels nice like the galloping of horses in a valley of grass.</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-24T14:01:08+00:00
|
2024-07-24T14:01:08+00:00
| 295 |
Twilight Sparkle appears before the reader, whoever you are and wherever you are as she quickly wraps her wings around you. She gives you a happy smile as she makes a cute little horse noise before nuzzling into your chest.
You do not know what to think of this Twilight Sparkle, a alien pony has come before you and is now nuzzling you. You are shocked and this Twilight Sparkle seems more horse like than usual.
You are about to ask Twilight a question or maybe freak out when she puts a hoof to your mouth as he stops nuzzling you for a second and you start giggling.
Twilight Sparkle speaks with a horse-like accent, she keeps rolling her ns. "You're not insane silly"
She then blabs at you with her tongue as she goes back to nuzzling you, pointing a wing to go towards the bed.
Twilight Sparkle speaks again. "We can do the detailed talk later, right now I think you need a cuddle, we ponies are hard enough to get used too as it is for humans like you." she then boops you on the nose. "Just tell me if you don't like anything alright?"
You don't know what to say as the pony in front of you seems extremely childlike, so you asked Twilight about her innocence, not moving towards the bed.
Twilight Sparkle speaks again. "Let me tell you a story, to us, it's more like poetry. one day a pony of old, but a pony of young, they grew in balance of harmony in themselves, the harmony being the water of the light, the balance being the strength of Equus and of that specific pony. that is what a pony is, so..."
Twilight Sparkle levitates you over to the bed to cuddle, letting you move into her first this time. "like the horses of our past, all we can do is be childlike in life for the meaning of it."
Twilight Sparkle trots over to the bed, smiling at you as you start crying, feeling all your pain wash away.
Twilight Sparkle speaks again. "but also find a way to balance it with maturity, it is the natural cycle of life for us ponies" she smiles again at you looking hurt thinking about something but then shrugging it off later as she becomes happy again like a advanced form of alchemy. it's amazing.
you. "so, you just live happy everyday, no matter what happens to you?"
Twilight Sparkle goes in the cuddle you, wrapping her wings around you again as she closely hugged you with her body. "it's more a feeling of stability then happiness, so stop thinking it's some shining light or whatever like some silly person, how about we just appreciate the nice things in life and cuddle?"
and so you do cuddle as you feel her wings with your hands, you look at the beautiful creature in front of you, crying in happiness at what it's doing for you, why is she here? when is she going to leave? none of that matters right now in the close embrace of Twilight Sparkle.
|
Twilight Sparkle123
|
562232
| 2 |
Twilight Sparkle,Human,Second Person,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Twilight Sparkle gives you hope
|
Twilight Sparkle appears before you, from the real Equestria or not you do not know, all you know is she's ready to give you hope and she feels nice like the galloping of horses in a valley of grass.
|
complete
| 12 | 2 |
<p>Twilight Sparkle appears before you, from the real Equestria or not you do not know, all you know is she's ready to give you hope and she feels nice like the galloping of horses in a valley of grass.</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-24T14:01:12+00:00
|
2024-07-24T14:01:12+00:00
| 216 |
It's been awhile since Twilight Sparkle mysterious disappeared, you were just gaming on your laptop and watching the news when Twilight Sparkle appears before you again with magical sparkles appearing around the room of the color purple.
Twilight Sparkle hugs you with her forelegs, keeping her wings to the side as she starts nuzzling you as she speaks. "Miss me?" she asked with the brightest smile on her face as always.
You. "Where did you go?" you asked worried about her whereabouts since it has been all you have been thinking about since she left.
Twilight Sparkle smiles awkwardly as she speaks again after getting into a slight frown. "Just stupid politics in getting me here, you have no idea how stupid the multiverse can get...oh! Sorry! I'm supposed to making you feel good and giving you hope.
Twilight Sparkle looks slightly panicked but also relaxed in a weird kind of way like half her body is fighting the relaxation. You go to pet her as she leans her head in relaxed again.
"Just ancient pony instincts, nothing to worry about here...mmm..." Twilight Sparkle melts at your touch as you start stroking her after giving her a nice long boop.
Twilight Sparkle then looks at your computer for a second, her ears moving towards it as her muzzle goes into a weird kind of crooked smile and she asked you something. "Can I play some of your video games as we cuddle, like that one?" she points her hoof at the FPS game and of course you let her play as you move the laptop to the bed.
She starts wrapping her wings around you just like last time as she gets to gaming, but instead of a look of a frown of all the pay to win mechanics, it's just confusing as she loads up a game and starts talking, playing with her telekinesis magic as you cuddle together at the same time.
"Humans are so weird, like, they put all these free things on the store expecting you to buy the other things, but they don't make you? Fascinating, I don't get it."
You couldn't believe your ears at the amount of human manipulation she felt nothing towards. And she was pretty good at the game at that, way better than me.
She notices your sad body language and your frown as she cuddles you more, closing the game right in the middle of a winning streak to continue cuddling with you.
Twilight Sparkle speaks again with a clear smile. "You know life is full of up and downs, ponies like me can take the ups and downs literally as they are unlike humans like you who always want the next best thing, not worrying when they are going to lose something they care about. Ponies is more for actions than words, outside of supernatural factors of course, but that's getting tactical. Hehe." Twilight Sparkle then gives you a nice long boop on your nose with her hoof as she gets to cuddle you once again completely owning your therapist in the amount of healing she's doing for you right now.
You hear her do a soft yes and blow on her horn as she starts nuzzling you again as you can't think of a place that you wouldn't rather be than here.
|
Cinnarowe
|
562240
| 1 |
Starlight Glimmer,Sunburst,Trixie,Dark,Mystery,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Subject 30
|
A camping trip in the woods leads to a horrible revelation.
|
complete
| 31 | 0 |
<p>Starlight convinces Sunburst to come with her and Trixie to experience a night under the stars. What could have been one of the most pleasant nights of their lives turned into a living nightmare.</p><p>A horrible truth rested beneath their hooves.</p>
|
teen
|
2024-07-28T11:03:59+00:00
|
2024-07-28T11:17:24+00:00
| 527 |
The Newland Forest. A largely untouched plot of land in southern Equestria, known to many as a national park for international tourism. It was a very large forest, popular for ponies seeking an adventure, usually in the shape of a camping trip.
Deep, deep into the heart of the forest, bushes rustled as three ponies pushed their way through the foliage. It was dense, and the weather was warm, making it almost hard to breathe in the thick, damp air. Sweat clung to them as they panted.
A pink unicorn mare named Starlight Glimmer had her head buried in a map she was levitating in front of her. Her eyes darted back and forth as she studied it frantically. "According to the map, there should be a clearing around here.... I'm sure of it." She said, trying to match the landmarks on the map with those of the forest around them. She had never been to these parts before, so she was highly unfamiliar with the territory.
"Are you sure?" A yellow unicorn stallion with an orange mane named Sunburst asked. "I don't know, Starlight. We've been walking around here for a while now."
Starlight was drenched in sweat, desperately searching for any landmark she could recognize. "I'm positive. See? There's the path," she said, pointing at the ground. It vaguely resembled a very run-down trail. In fact, this whole forest seemed to be covering up what looked like an ingrown path.
"I don't see any trails on the map," Sunburst said, looking over her shoulder. Starlight didn't see any either, but there clearly was some sort of pathway.
At the front of the group, clearing foliage with her magic, was a blue unicorn mare named Trixie. She happily slashed away at bushes with a swing of her head. "We're fine. I'm sure that Starlight has everything under control." She looked back at the others and grinned. "Right?"
Sunburst shrugged. "I don't know. She doesn't seem to know where she's going."
"I'm pretty sure I can figure this out. Just keep going straight ahead, Trixie," Starlight said, walking forward. She was getting frustrated at her buddy's lack of trust, but she wouldn't give up. She knew Sunburst wasn't used to doing things like this, so she would let it slide for now. She hadn't intended to come this deep into the forest when they first got here.
"Maybe we should turn back," Sunburst suggested. If we retrace our steps, we can probably find our way back to the path we came from. We'll just camp on the outskirts of the forest! Why did you want to go so far in anyway? It's spooky here..."
"I thought it would be more fun if we went somewhere off the beaten path," Starlight said. "Come on, Sunburst. It'll be fun! It's like a little adventure!"
"I don't know..." Sunburst said, his voice trailing off. The bushes and trees were getting more condensed, and it took more time to get through each barrier of overgrowth. Sunburst had reluctantly agreed to come along on this trip in the first place, and he didn't enjoy getting the hardcore experience of outdooring.
Up ahead, Trixie pushed through another wall of bushes and vanished behind it with a yelp. The two others couldn't see past what she had gone through, but they heard her gasp on the other side of it. Dropping the map, Starlight opened the wall of bushes and branches with magic and stepped through it with Sunburst.
Once across, Starlight beamed at the sight as she and Sunburst left the dreary forest behind them. "Look! I told you it was around here somewhere," she said, looking proud of herself.
"Wow," Trixie said breathlessly, looking around. There was a green field covering the clearing and a few flowers grew along the plane. In the center of the clearing was a large tree, its thick branches stretched over most of the clearing. "This is really cool. It's like a hidden oasis! Now this is what camping is all about!"
Sunburst smiled a little and looked around. "It is pretty nice here."
They admired the area in awe. It was like the dreadful forest they were just in had been left behind, and in its place was a totally new world. It was beautiful. They had truly struck gold. The large tree in the middle truly made the landmark stand out from anything they had seen thus far. Starlight lifted her head proudly and puffed her chest out.
"Great!" Starlight said. "So, should we set up camp here?"
Trixie nodded. "Sounds good to me."
Shrugging, Sunburst agreed. He got a bit less nervous once he was out of the density of the forest; it was getting quite claustrophobic for him. They started to unpack their supplies, levitating the tents and other items out of their bags. Starlight started snacking on some pretzels she had brought before helping out, and all three of them chugged some water from their bottles. It was so hot inside the forest that they felt like they were moments away from dehydrating.
Once they were done setting everything up, the three ponies sat around a fire that Trixie had lit. It had gotten colder as the day drew to a close, so a fire seemed nessecary. Three tents surrounded the fire. It was a cozy atmosphere, and the three ponies enjoyed it quite a bit.
"This was such a good idea," Starlight said, feeding her ego a bit as she crunched on pretzels. "I'm so glad you two agreed to come."
Trixie chuckled. "Well, it was either this or I'd be spending my weekend doing a sideshow somewhere. I needed a break from it, honestly. Besides, I've never been camping much before, so this is a new experience for me."
"Me, too," Sunburst said, the fire reflecting in his glasses as he watched the flames crackle. "It's not really something that ever interested me, but I thought I would give it a shot. I'm already enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would, though."
He looked up at the giant tree that sat in the middle of the field and smiled, humoring the idea of having a home inside of a tree.
"I knew you two would love it! Camping is so much fun," Starlight said, looking around. The sky was a beautiful purple as the sun began to set. "We'll be able to see the stars so well when it's dark out!"
Trixie raised an eyebrow. "Don't we always see the stars?"
"It's different when you're in the middle of a forest. Trust me. You can see the stars much better in a place like this," Starlight explained.
It was starting to darken. The sky had taken on such a wonderful hue as the sun slowly dipped toward the horizon. Not that they could see any horizons, they were surrounded by a bunch of mountains. It was almost like the surrounding mountains and trees were protecting this little spot of paradise from the outside world.
The three of them enjoyed some snacks around the fire as they talked for a while about everything and nothing. The smell of a fire pleasantly accented the mood as the skies slowly darkened the valley.
Trixie sighed and breathed in some fresh air. "Well, excuse me. Gotta hit the little fillies room." She got up and took off toward the treeline at the far end. The other two watched her go before Sunburst pulled out a book. Starlight glanced at the cover.
"Oh, you brought a book?" She asked.
"Yeah, I figured that I would do some reading while we're out here," Sunburst said, opening it up. "I don't get out much, but I figured there would be time for some light reading during the evening."
Sunburst lit up his horn to see the text on the pages as Starlight raised an eyebrow. "What kind of book is it? Is it an adventure novel?"
Sunburst shook his head and chuckled. "No, no, just some light history on modern chemistry. Nothing exciting, really."
Starlight suppressed a giggle into her hoof. "Oh, Sunburst. Have you ever read anything that isn't related to learning? Like, any kind of fictional story?"
Sunburst shrugged. "I like non-fiction. I can learn new things, and I enjoy doing it."
"Okay, nerd," Starlight said, playfully punching him on the shoulder. He smiled back, not even looking up from the book.
"You're just jealous that I'm smarter than you," he teased, flipping through the pages.
Starlight gasped, feigning offense. Before she could retort, however, they heard a yelp coming from Trixie's direction. Sunburst looked up from his book, and Starlight joined him in watching the treeline in the distance. A few moments of silence followed the noise. Starlight called out after waiting for long enough.
"Trixie? Is everything okay?"
Silence.
Sunburst leaned over to Starlight. "Uh, is it normal for you fillies to do that while relieving yourselves?"
Starlight laughed nervously. "Eh-heh... She's probably just playing tricks on us. Better go humor her." She got up and started trotting across the field, leaving Sunburst alone by the campfire. He put his book down on his bags and got up to follow, not wanting to be left alone and feeling a sense of dread wash over him.
Starlight and Suburst went past the large tree in the center of the clearing and started heading toward the treeline. It was very quiet; only the sound of crickets and the breeze flowing through the valley could be heard as the two ponies trotted across the grass.
"Trixie?" Starlight called out again when they got to the treeline she had gone into. She looked around once she stepped into the forest, fully expecting her friend to pop out of somewhere any second now. "What's going on, are you oka-"
Starlight stopped dead in her tracks as she rounded the corner. Her eyes widened, and her mouth hung open slightly. In front of her, by the base of a small tree, was a hole in the ground, about the size of a small boulder. Pebbles and pieces of earth were falling from the hole's edges, indicating that it had just caved in.
Starlight snapped out of her stunned stupor, ran over to the edge of the hole to look inside, and shouted, "Trixie!"
It wasn't as deep as she initially thought, perhaps four or five meters deep. When she lit her horn into the hole, she could see Trixie just fine. The blue unicorn looked okay. She was shaking dust off her before she craned her neck to look up at her friend. "Starlight! Thank goodness!"
"What happened?" Starlight asked, looking down at her. A small rock fell from the edge, and Trixie side-stepped to avoid it hitting her head.
"I don't know! I was doing my business right up there, and the ground just opened up under me!" Trixie said, looking around at her surroundings inside of the pit. Realizing she didn't see anything before her, she lit her horn and looked around.
Sunburst poked his head over the hole as well and inspected what little he could see from his position. "Woah, what are the odds of there being a cave right here?"
Starlight watched as Trixie looked around to get a full view of the place she was in before she called out nervously. "Um, guys? You have got to come down here and see this!"
Curious about what she was seeing, Starlight mentally fought a part of her that wanted nothing more than to get Trixie out of there and forget about this, but that was too late now. She realized that if they went back to camping now, they would think of nothing else than to explore this new discovery.
Well, better get it out of the way!
Magic surrounded her horn as she wrapped herself and Sunburst in her glow. Sunburst started flailing as he was lifted gently into the air before he was pulled into the hole with Starlight. "W-wait, I never agreed to this!"
His protests was for naught as he was levitated into the pit with Starlight. It took less than a few seconds before they landed down next to Trixie. Trixie smiled slighty as she was once again in the company of her friends, taking the edge off the scary situation she was just in. Her hindlegs and body were dirty from the landing, but she seemed okay. Currently, though, this didn't worry Starlight nearly as much as her new surroundings did.
All three of them lit their horns and cast some light on their new discovery. Sunburst gasped. "Oh my..."
They found themselves in a long corridor. It was a mix between a cave and a construction of some sort, as there were clearly signs of hoofwork inside. The floors were flat and filled up with concrete, and there were un-lit torches along the walls of the hallway. Additionally, there were doors along the corridor, all of them looking tattered and cracked.
"What is this place?" Asked Starlight as she lit her horn to illuminate the area a bit more. She took note of the amount of damage to this place, and realized this must have been abandoned for a very long time.
Sunburst walked slowly over to the wall and reached out a hoof to touch a torch hanging on the wall. "I don't know. Whatever we just came across, it's clear that somepony were here before us."
"I'm guessing they're long gone by now," Trixie said, dusting herself off some more. As she said that, they all felt a strange sense of fear wash over them. She really wished that what she said was true.
Why was this here? Could this have been a Diamond Dog cave? Starlight brought up the idea to the other two, but Sunburst insisted that they didn't come anywhere near these parts of Equestria. Given the look of the place, Diamond Dogs seemed like the best possible explanation, but the doors were clearly pony-sized.
Starlight increased the power of her light, and the rest of the hallway was illuminated all the way. The light reached both ends of the hallway they were in. The end that was behind them was a dead end, while the other seemed to branch off into two more hallways. They got the feeling they were just scratching the surface of this place.
Once they had a good overview, things fell oddly quiet. Nopony said anything, and an eerie vibe fell over the group as they listened for any sort of sign that there could be something lurking down here.
"Maybe we should head back to the campsite," Sunburst whispered after a short while. He looked back up at the hole in the ceiling, and it looked far away right now.
The two others didn't say anything. They were staring at the end of the hallway, trying to figure out what to make of it. Sunburst was not comfortable at all, and he made sure to keep his eyes behind him at all times, watching the other end of the hallway. There was nothing there but a few doors along the wall and a dead end, but it unsettled him to not have a full view around them. After a long pause, Starlight spoke up.
"We should check it out."
Trixie and Sunburst looked at her with a look of apprehension.
"You can't be serious," Sunburst whispered in a frantic manner. "We don't even know what's down here, Starlight!"
"I know," Starlight whispered back. "But it can't be that dangerous, right? I mean, this could be an abandoned mine or something. It's clearly abandoned, and what if we come across some treasure?"
While the idea of abandoned gold sounded nice to Trixie, Sunburst had other feelings on the matter.
"Exactly!" Sunburst said. "This place has probably been abandoned for a very long time. Which means it's unstable. We shouldn't risk getting trapped down here. You saw what happened to Trixie, it's a miracle she's still standing!"
He pointed at Trixie, and she bit her lip. She was conflicted. On one hoof, she did not want to go down this tunnel any further due to her fear of the unknown. She wanted nothing to do with this, and she thought that Sunburst was right. On the other hoof, though, she had to admit she was curious. A sense of adventure and curiosity overpowered her sense of danger.
"I'm with Starlight," Trixie said. The other two stopped talking and looked at her. "I think that we should at least get a closer look around. It could be something interesting."
Sunburst looked at her like she was a ghost. "Trixie, are you kidding me? What if this place collapses on us? We'd die down here! Besides, what would we even find in a place like this?"
"I don't know," Trixie said, shrugging. "But I want to know. And besides, if anything happens, I'm sure we'll be fine."
"How do you figure that?" Sunburst whispered aggressively.
"Look at us!" Trixie said, gesturing toward herself and Starlight. "We're two powerful magic users, and you're smart! I'm sure that we could find some way out if we got stuck down here."
Sunburst looked at Trixie. He took a few deep breaths and looked around. They waited for him to agree, but he didn't say anything. He scanned the area as if trying to calculate whether or not he gave it a green light. Finally, after a while, he sighed. "Fine, let's get it over with."
Starlight grinned. "Great! Come on, let's go check it out."
Making sure the light in her horn remained strong, she started walking carefully down toward the end of the split-off hallway. She intended to get to the nearest door along the hallway to investigate what secrets it held.
The two others followed her, not wanting to stay behind. The trio moved cautiously down the tunnel, their lights illuminating their way Starlight took some time to properly inspect the doors as she got steadily closer to one. "How old do you think this place is?"
Sunburst cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses. "Old. Wood doesn't get worked down like this over a short period of time. Just look at the doors. They're practically falling apart."
He gestured around to the other doors, and it was the same case for all of them. Some doors were falling from the hinges, while others were wide open.
"So what does that mean?" Trixie asked, whispering. For some reason, she felt like they were being watched. "How long could it have been abandoned, you think?"
Sunburst thought about it for a moment. "Hard to say. This place has been dug out, from the looks of it. From what I can tell, this is not a natural cave. If I were to guess, it's been at least fifty years since anything was in use down here."
Not only were the doors falling apart, but there were some puddles along the corridor as well as spiderwebs absolutely everywhere.
"That's just creepy," Trixie said, looking around. It was hard to imagine a group of ponies, or whatever they were, living down here. She looked at the old, closed door they were approaching, wondering just what in the world could be behind it.
Starlight, being an adventurous soul, went for the handle once she got to the door. She tried to open it, but it didn't budge. "Huh. Locked."
She thought the door would just fall as soon as she touched it, but strangely enough, it held firm.
"What are you doing?" Sunburst asked, looking over her shoulder.
Starlight shrugged. "I don't know. Curiosity, I guess." She kept fiddling with the handle. "It's definitely locked, though. I wonder why."
"Probably because they didn't want somepony to get inside," Sunburst said, deadpan. Starlight rolled her eyes.
"Well, I've got an easy solution for that." She said as she stuck her tongue out and focused her magic on the lock of the door. They heard a 'click,' and the door slowly creaked open. Trixie and Sunburst shared a nervous look before she opened the door any further.
When the door opened, the trio was immediately hit by a stench of rot and decay. Starlight covered her muzzle, and she heard the other behind her heave as they covered their muzzles as well. "What's that smell?!"
Casting light into the room, they saw a large office with chairs, desks, walls littered with notes and papers, and in the far back was a bookshelf with more papers and notebooks. However, what really caught their attention was the large... thing, in the center of the room. There was a massive glass cylinder that had been broken, and there seemed to be a pool of black water at the bottom of it.
They didn't take long to examine it as the stench was too overwhelming. Starlight closed the door so they would be able to breathe. "Ugh, that was disgusting!"
Trixie fanned her face with a hoof and looked around her again, not feeling very comfortable. Sunburst turned around, about to get sick.
"Okay, so what the hay is this place?" Trixie asked, trying to clear her nose by blowing air out of it.
"It looked like an old lab," Sunburst said after recovering. "Or an office, I suppose. Did you see all the papers and notes?"
The others nodded, still trying to get rid of the stench in their nose. It was definitely some sort of office, but what was that large tank? And the smell... what was that?
Sunburst briefly thought about how this could have been a research facility for potions and mixtures before he saw another door just across from them, which was wide open. He lit his horn some more and was able to see some sort of machinery inside.
Now feeling slightly curious, due to the nature of what this place could potentially hold in terms of knowledge, he took the initiative.
"There's another room down there," he said, pointing at the door.
Trixie looked at it, squinting. "Oh, good. It's already open. Hopefully, I won't get a big smelly surprise by going in there."
The two others nodded, wanting to get as far away as possible from the stench of the other room. They could still feel it lingering in the air, and they started moving away from the door to head to the other room. None of them wanted to admit what they had all thought about.
Something slowly became clear to all of them. They didn't like leaving any corner of this place in shadow. They all had their horns at the brightest they could, making sure to illuminate absolutely everything in view. The fact that the room they looked inside had shadowy areas unsettled them greatly.
As they approached the other door further down the corridor, the realization that this place was hiding something sinister started creeping into their minds. They all peeked into the room to get a better look once they got closer but didn't like what they saw once it was properly illuminated.
Being on the safe side, Starlight shot a ball of light into the room. It flew into the ceiling and increased in strength. Feeling like it would be safe to go in, and seeing as no rotten smell came from the room, they ventured inside.
"What the..." came the breathless voice of Starlight as they slowly entered. It was a room filled with those cylinders, lined along the walls. The room was quite large and circular in shape. The glass window on the pods was filled with dust, so they couldn't see inside. Not that it would help, as the liquid floating inside was black as night.
"This is getting weird," Sunburst said, looking around at all the pods. "What is all this?"
There were tables in the middle of the room, along with a large blackboard on wheels. It had been wiped clear, but notes and folders were scattered on the floor, as well as all over the tables.
Beakers and vials littered the tables, and some broken ones were strewn around on the floor. Starlight stepped over some of the broken glass. "Watch your step."
"Do you think they were making something in here?" Trixie asked. She reached out a hoof to touch one of the pods along the wall.
Starlight shook her head. "I have no idea. But whatever they were doing, they sure kept it secret. How did anypony enter this place? It's underground, too."
She made a good point. They only found this place by accident, so how did ponies get inside of here? Was there a way to the surface nearby, or did these sets of tunnels connect to somewhere far, far away?
They looked around the room, and found a large metal table at the center with some kind of device on it. Sunburst went over to inspect it. "Oh my, I've never seen anything like this."
He lit up his horn to look at it closer, and the others gathered around. It was a complex mechanism, with levers and switches on the side. It looked like it had been untouched for years, and he didn't want to touch it.
"What does it do?" Trixie asked.
Sunburst shrugged. "No idea. It's hard to tell; I don't really recognize most of these parts. There are a lot of foreign components in there."
"Well, you're the smart one," Starlight said.
Sunburst began a full examination of the device, trying to make sense of it. He didn't quite understand how to make sense of its usage due to its complicated components.
Trixie examined the pods again, trying to get rid of the dust so she could see what was inside of them. It was useless, as the black liquid revealed nothing inside. She tapped the glass, but it did nothing. Lifting her head, she saw a plate with some scribbles on it just above the glass, and she stood up on her hind legs to try to get a better look at it. Blowing on it, she saw what it read.
"Subject 23," Trixie said out loud.
Starlight looked over at her, currently occupied with gathering the notes littered everywhere. "What did you say?"
"That's what it says here," Trixie said, pointing to the plate. "'Subject 23'. It's written on the plaque just above the glass."
Starlight frowned and looked around the room. Her magic spell lighting it up still strongly illuminated everything, giving them a full view of everything. "Look, there's a bunch of other plaques too. They probably go by number or something."
"How many of them are there?" Sunburst asked, looking away from the contraption.
Starlight focused her attention back on gathering papers and clearing shards of glass from the floor. Trixie counted out loud as she read them and walked along the pods. "One... two... three... four..."
She stopped at the seventh pod. She used her magic to clear away the dust from the plaque which read 'Subject 30'. The pod was empty, but she could see several tubes inside. Looking at the pod next to it, she saw the dirty glass, but she could still make out a small silhouette inside.
No, not a silhouette. A bone pushed against the glass. She screamed and backed away from the pods, bumping into Starlight's backside.
"Trixie!" Sunburst yelled out as he ran over to her. "What's wrong?"
"I-I saw something in there," Trixie said, fear in her eyes. "There's something inside the tubes!"
The other two looked at the pods, looking where she had been. Sunburst tried to calm her down. "What do you mean? What did you see?"
"I don't know! It was a bone or something!" Trixie said.
Starlight had been busy reading the documents she had been collecting when Trixie came bumping into her. She turned around to her two friends. "Guys..." She said. "You have to read this."
They both looked at her, before they hesitantly went over to her to see what she was looking at. "What is it?" Sunburst asked, adjusting his glasses.
Starlight levitated all the papers in her magic and placed them down on the desk in front of her so the others could see them, too. She swallowed hard as she tried to make sense of it all. "I think it's a list of what they were making in here." She showed them some of the notes that she was reading.
Starlight began reading out loud.
"'We've finally gotten a breakthrough. Our experiment has been successful. After much work and many failures, we finally were able to manufacture a being combined with the other races to create a living result. While the other subjects are still awaiting results, only one has accepted the transformation thus far. Subject 30 truly has been a shining example of what hard work can achieve! I am proud of her. She has shown signs of awareness and she is even starting to form words. My colleagues are baffled at the result, and I'm sure that I'm not the only one who is excited to see what more she will become.'"
Sunburst and Trixie looked at each other. "'Other races'?" Trixie said. "What...?"
Starlight swallowed again and kept reading. "Here's another one: 'Our prime specimen, Subject 30, has gone through the transformation process better than expected. She is still undergoing testing, but I have high hopes for the future. While she has not been able to use her new assets, we are working to fix that. The other subjects have started to show signs of life, but not all of them survived. It appears that Subject 30 has undergone physical changes that I did not expect, but I am pleased with the results nonetheless. The subject's body has evolved, and it has even developed regenerative abilities. She doesn't even have to eat to stay alive. This goes beyond any of our expectations.'"
"I don't like where this is going," Trixie said, looking around the room. The open door at the end of the room looked more sinister now than ever. She noticed that Sunburst was standing very close to them now.
"Here's another one," Starlight continued. "'It is with great dismay I must write that Subject 30 is too weak to remain a vessel. Other subjects eventually shut down; it just took her more time to reject the procedure. We are not yet certain why this is the case. The subject seemed to be adapting to its new body, but it is growing unstable. We decided to terminate her. However, that turned out to be quite difficult. Subject 30, simply put, cannot die; she regenerates too fast. However, the regeneration is eating away at her body, so in a way, the very thing that is keeping it alive is also killing it. It's quite fascinating. We will see how far we can stretch that thread; we must also use her blood for further testing. We think she might not even die of old age! Incredible. What this could do for science!'"
Trixie had a look of horror on her face as Starlight read out loud. She kept reading, trying to make sense of the documents. Sunburst felt nauseous. "Why would they do such a thing?" he asked, shaking his head.
"I don't know," Starlight said, sweating.
She put down the papers and looked around. Her two friends were very close now, and she felt very uncomfortable. Starlight took a step back and began to open some of the drawers of the desk they were standing by.
Distracting himself, Sunburst helped her investigate. He found a large folder in the first drawer. He opened it and pulled it out with with his magic. He plopped it down between all three of them, and opened it to see a large text that read...
"Project: Ascension?" He said out loud, reading the words.
The trio stared at the cover of the folder. "Ascension?" Starlight asked. "What does that mean?"
Sunburst opened the page and read the detailed description that followed.
"I-I can't believe it," Sunburst said. He swallowed hard.
"What is it?" Starlight said, leaning in closer.
"This..." he said, starting to shiver. "T-this was some sort of genetic engineering project."
"What?" Starlight said.
"I-It's like a science experiment. They were trying to combine the genes of other ponies, creating... something else." Sunburst said. "It looks like they were trying to create hybrids of different kinds of ponies to achieve a new race that could have all the benefits of all of them." He stammered. "Essentially, they were trying to create... Alicorns."
The others looked at him, bewildered. "Alicorns?" Trixie asked. "Are you serious?"
Sunburst nodded slowly. "I've never heard of anything like this before. These notes... they're insane. It looks like they tried to combine the genes of a pegasus, a unicorn, and an earth pony into a single being. And with what you just read for us, Starlight..."
Chills washed down all their backs as the weight of those words sank in. Suddenly, they had a faint idea as to what was in the tanks behind them.
Starlight's eyes became the size of pinpricks as fear unkindled entered her heart.
"I want to leave," Trixie said, fear evident in her voice. "Please."
"I agree," Sunburst said. "There's no need to stay here longer. We've found all we're going to find. We should report this to Twilight immediately."
Starlight nodded in agreement, not intending to argue. All sense of adventuring had left her soul, only to be replaced by pure terror of what they had just learned. "Okay, let's go."
Eyes wide open, and pupils the size of pinpricks, they slowly and quietly walked to the door of the room. They had all but forgotten that they were all strong unicorns. Right now, they felt like birds trapped in a cage, and the fear of the unknown was crashing down on them like ice cold water.
Starlight led the way, but her two friends were stuck to her hips like glue. She was shaking with dread, and she felt the other two were in the same situation. Nopony said a thing; they spent their energy listening to their surroundings. Poking her head out the door, she listened for some sort of movement.
There was nothing.
She moved out, urging the two ponies behind her to follow. Looking to the right, they remembered that there were more hallways branching off into different sections of this place, but they had no interest in finding out where they went. They couldn't see the hole in the roof anymore, probably due to the fact that the sun had gone down at this point.
Starlight had been thinking of finding a way to a hidden entrance to this place somewhere, but any thoughts she had about those ideas were all gone now. She only wanted one thing now.
She wanted out.
She started walking to where she vaguely remembered the hole in the ceiling but stopped when something shook them all to their core. Trixie and Sunburst had their eyes behind them and froze up, too.
A sound of scraping and hollow breathing followed the silence.
The three ponies stared down the hallway. It was almost pitch black down there, but they saw the faint silhouette of something move further down. Starlight held her breath as if that would stop the thing from finding them. Her legs shook, and her heart beat like a drum in her chest.
Then, a voice. It was barely audible, but she could hear it clearly enough.
"Kill me."
The voice was weak, almost a whisper, but there was an echo that bounced off the walls. Starlight turned her head slowly, and saw the two other ponies stare at her with terror in their eyes.
"Kill me." The voice repeated. It was closer this time. The shadow was approaching them, but Starlight was too stricken with fear to command her horn to shine brighter.
"S-stay back!" She forced out.
"Please." It continued. "Kill me."
It took them everything to stay on their hooves. Trixie whimpered, and Sunburst cried. They heard the breathing again, followed by more scraping.
Then, a faint light illuminated the hallway. A blue light lit up at the end of the hallway, lighting up the silhouette in front of the trio.
What they saw almost made them faint. Shuffling toward them was a pony—a hollow husk of a pony. Its head almost hit the ground as it shuffled, and it breathed as if it was on its last breath.
The trio were stricken with fear as they observed the pony. It had a lifeless look about it. Wings, a horn; an alicorn. It was skinny, way too skinny. How was it standing? The thing opened its mouth and spoke again. "Kill me."
"W-what is that?" Sunburst said, trying not to wet himself.
"Kill me." It repeated louder. It was pleading with them.
Trixie shook her head in disbelief. "I..."
Starlight couldn't speak. She didn't want to believe her eyes. She kept shaking her head as if that would make it all disappear. It was as if something had grabbed hold of her body and was stopping her from running away.
It got closer, and they could see its face. It looked like a skeleton covered in skin. Its eyes were hollow and sunken, and the only thing they could hear was its shallow breathing.
Starlight backed away. It got closer. It was right in front of them now. Trixie screamed, and fell on her haunches. Sunburst was paralyzed. The pony shuffled its way forward, trying to reach the trio of ponies. It was right there. Starlight could reach out and touch it.
"Kill me!" It howled.
Slapped out of her panic by the scream, Starlight turned and ran. The other two were wrapped up in her magic and pulled with her. Starlight didn't know what she was doing, all she knew was that she had to get away from that... thing.
She didn't stop until she realized they were under the hole Trixie had fallen through. Thankfully, moonlight shone into the hole, guiding her way out. Not giving any time for doubt, Starlight levitated them up and out of the hole. Behind them, they heard sobbing.
"Kill me!" It screamed. "KILL ME!"
Starlight dropped the trio on the surface, and they collapsed on the ground some distance away from the hole. She gasped for air as she crawled away for good measure. The other two were in no position to move; they were just lying on the ground, shaking.
Trixie sat up and stared at Starlight, who was sitting against a tree. "I-I'm sorry!" She said, holding back tears. "I'm so sorry, I panicked, I didn't know what to do, I-"
"What was that thing?" Trixie interrupted.
Starlight sat still, not saying a word. Her breath felt heavy.
"Starlight," Trixie continued, tears running down her face. "What was that thing? What was that light?!"
Sunburst wiped his eyes, and he faintly heard the creature's cries from inside the hole in the ground. He looked over to the other two, the grim realization draping over him as he realized. However, not one of them could find the words to explain.
The silence in the trees could make the wisest and most sane pony fall mad with fear. The only thing that broke the silence of the woods was the wailing of an ancient being, long past due to the embrace of death. The moon covered the valley in a beautiful shine, bathing the horrors of the night in a brilliant, white light.
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theOwtcast
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562243
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Daisy,Original Character,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Thief!
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Daisy intended to plant lots of flowers during Winter Wrap Up. A bird had other plans.
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complete
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<p>Winter Wrap Up is almost here, the whole of Ponyville has high hopes to do their work quicker than ever, and Daisy intends to break her personal record for the number of flowers planted in a single day. Too bad a bird didn’t get the memo.</p><p>Inspired by a fanart by Chitin.</p>
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everyone
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2024-07-24T16:50:30+00:00
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2024-07-24T16:50:30+00:00
| 86 |
“...ninety-seven… ninety-eight… ninety-nine… One hundred!”
Daisy grinned as she put the final seed packet into the cart. Everything was ready for tomorrow’s Winter Wrap Up: Princess Twilight’s duty roster was completed to the minutest detail and copies were distributed across Ponyville, a meeting had been held to assign roles and duties, tasks had been rehearsed for maximum efficiency, and the whole town was hopeful to break the new record in how quickly they would wrap up winter once again. Not that long ago, if somepony had told Daisy that winter could be wrapped up in less than five days and without half everypony getting in each other’s way, she would have laughed in their face! How quickly that attitude changed when one had a capable leader who knew how to organize everything like clockwork! As far as Daisy understood clocks and how they worked, of course… it had to be an unbelievably precise mechanism… but that was beside the point. She knew what to do tomorrow, her team vest was cleaned, ironed, and hanging ready over the chair, and her seed supplier had been well on time with the packets she’d ordered. They were all accounted for, great! She couldn’t wait to start planting all the seeds alongside Lily and Roseluck tomorrow!
But there was plenty of the day still left, and Daisy was getting restless with anticipation. Could she, perhaps, start a little early? Maybe just to clear the snow from her backyard? That would allow her to start planting a little ahead of schedule… But snow-clearing was the weather ponies’ job, and they had a schedule too! What if they ended up doing their part too quickly and Twilight’s roster and schedule fell apart and she had to make a new one in a matter of seconds? Oh, the horror! After years of gradual improvement, the town would be miserable to see it all crumble, and it’d all be Daisy’s fault! She couldn’t let that disaster happen!
Breathe… slowly, in, out… in, out… she told herself. It would do nopony any good if she fainted over this!
The breathing helped slow her racing heart and rein in her rising panic. She took a few more deep breaths for good measure, then wiped sweat off her forehead with a whew. Catastrophe averted, at least for now!
Okay, no interfering with the schedule, she decided. What to do, then? Her house could do with a bit of sweeping, but she was too giddy for that. She couldn’t think about anything other than tomorrow’s activities! Well, the flowers would grow soon and she’d be putting them in vases at the market… Were they still in good condition? Undamaged in storage, and nice and clean lest they drive away her customers? She might as well check the storage shed.
The vases were all fine at first glance, but the shed was dark. Daisy decided to take the vases out into the light for a better look, humming the winter-wrap-up chant to herself as she did so.
Between the vases, Daisy’s eyes wandered around her backyard, resting every so often on the cart full of flower seed packets. The cart seemed to have attracted the attention of a bird, too; it was gradually approaching the cart from across the yard, glancing around as it went, until it flew up into the cart itself and devoted its attention to the packets inside.
Silly bird, Daisy thought, those aren’t edible seeds! But how did the bird know there were seeds inside the packets? Could it smell the insides through the sealed bag?
And wasn’t this the kind of bird that Blossomforth was supposed to go fetch from the south tomorrow? What was one of them doing here already?
As if sensing Daisy’s suspicions, the bird snatched a packet from the cart and flew away.
“Oh no, it’s a disaster!” Daisy cried, dropping her vases and launching into a gallop. “A horrible, horrible disaster! Give it back, you thief!”
But the bird only flew faster.
Daisy followed it out of the backyard and into the street, screaming and wailing as she tried to keep up on the slippery snow, nearly crashing into a house or an innocent bystander every time the bird changed course, but somehow regaining her balance every time, never taking her eyes off the stolen seed packet. The nerve that bird had! Stealing stuff right in front of her snout! Ooh, when she got her hooves on it…
She was so tunnel-visioned onto the thieving bird that she almost collided with poor Granny Smith as she strolled by, hopping over her in the best Scootaloo fashion at the last second as attempting to run around her at that speed would have been doomed to fail even on dry ground, leaving the elderly pony spewing complaints in the snowdust. She paid no attention to the stares her impromptu acrobatics had earned her. Rainbow Dash obviously hadn’t been in the crowd to see it, or else she’d have already been on her tail, asking who they were racing against. Too bad; she could have used Rainbow’s fast wings to catch up with the bird! Where was a Wonderbolt when you needed one?!
But Daisy was somehow still keeping up with the bird, and the town outskirts were getting close! Chances were she wouldn’t have to worry about slipping and breaking her legs so much if the bird were to continue flying in a straight line with nothing to break Daisy’s line of sight with it! She could count on her earth pony stamina to carry her in a straight line and hopefully catch the bird before it flew into-
-the Everfree Forest…
Realizing where they were headed, Daisy felt the familiar dizziness of near-fainting and saw the edges of her vision go black, but she shook it off. She hadn’t galloped all this way only to faint! She wasn’t going to let this bird get away with theft! But her moment of weakness had slowed her down, and the bird was almost at the treeline now… she’d never find it if it disappeared in the foliage…
Against her better judgment and suppressing the scream that had been building up in her throat, Daisy pressed on into the forest.
It was dark under the thick canopy, but once her eyes adjusted, Daisy was glad she could see better, what with the lack of sun glare off the snow… except that, she realized, there was no snow on the ground here…
A wave of shivers washed over her at the realization. This was not natural… not normal… Who had ever seen snow fall and thaw on its own? Or trees deciding for themselves when to sprout leaves and when to shed them? Please, Celestia, she whispered, whatever curse commands over this forest, let it not carry over onto me…
At least the ground was dry enough for easy galloping, and the bright packet of seeds in the bird’s beak was a clear beacon to her against the deep green canopy.
The bird suddenly changed course, slowed down, and disappeared behind a collection of rocks.
That’s weird, Daisy thought. That species of bird nests in trees! I’ve never seen it nest in rock piles! What’s it doing here?
With her heart in her throat, Daisy peeked over the edge.
The bird landed next to a group of changelings. One of them approached it, and the bird engulfed itself in blue flames, emerging from them as another changeling, still with the seed packet in its mouth.
Daisy pressed her hooves into her snout to stifle a gasp.
“You were followed,” the changeling told the not-bird.
“I know!” she answered. “I messed up! Wait, how do you know?”
“Because she’s right there,” the changeling said, pointing a hoof at where Daisy was peeking from.
Well, no point in hiding any longer, Daisy decided. She circled around the rocks and joined the changelings in the clearing.
“You’re braver than the reports made you sound,” the changeling said. “Daisy, is it?”
Daisy gave a sheepish smile. “Oh, no, I just wasn’t thinking, and then it was too late. But who are you, and what are you doing here?”
“Right, sorry. I’m Antenna, and this goofball is my sister Elytra. There’s a dozen of us here. Some of us have been wanting to live with ponies again, and Thorax was fine with it, so we formed several groups, and this one came to Ponyville. Or the Everfree Forest, of course. We didn’t exactly have the money to rent a proper house. Maybe sometime in the future, heh… but for now, we’re kind of just setting up.”
“We’ve only been here about a week,” Elytra added. “We still haven’t figured out how we want to approach the town. Our old reputation might still precede us.”
“Even in Ponyville?”
“Well, not so much, probably, but some of us have had it rough in other cities,” Antenna said. “Elytra and I barely made it out of Vanhoover alive early after the reformation! A few others were brave, but the two of us don’t want to go there again anytime soon.”
“Yeah,” Elytra interjected. “Some ponies still can’t get it into their heads that we’re not going to be stealing love anymore!”
“About that,” Daisy said. “Why did you take my seeds?”
“Um…” Elytra fumbled. “Well, Antenna really likes flowers, and she’s been feeling a bit down lately… so I wanted to cheer her up…”
“You could have just asked! I’ve been wanting to outdo myself this Winter Wrap Up, but I could have easily given away a couple of packets if I’d known what was up! I thought you were going to eat them!”
Elytra smiled sheepishly. “Oops… But I wasn’t sure if you’d be okay with giving stuff to a changeling…”
“Then you could have bought it.”
“I couldn’t. Like Antenna said, we don’t have any money.”
Antenna facehoofed. “Elytra, you can’t stop stealing one thing only to start stealing another! Thorax would be so disappointed! Heck, I don’t want anything stolen, even if you wanted to cheer me up! That’s not who we are anymore!”
Elytra deflated. “Sorry…”
Suddenly, Daisy had an idea.
“Antenna, you may keep the seed packet,” she told her. “Yes, I freaked out and chased your sister, but that was when I didn’t know the whole story. Now that I do, consider this my gift for welcoming you to Ponyville!”
“Really?!”
“Yes! And I might even be able to help you with your money issues. Florist business has been really taking off lately, so Roseluck, Lily, and I have been considering expanding. We just haven’t been sure whom to hire, but if you know your way around flowers, we’d be happy to have you.”
“Oh, I spent a couple of years posing as a gardener in Baltimare, and I learn quickly! I won’t let you down!”
“I don’t suppose you know of any other job openings?” Elytra interjected.
“I can ask around, just tell me your skills and preferences.” She gave it another thought. “Actually, why don’t you join us for Winter Wrap Up tomorrow? I’m sure Princess Twilight and the Mayor can find you some way to contribute, and you’ll get to mingle with ponies! You’re sure to meet some new friends, and who knows, maybe some of them can help you find jobs or a better place to stay than an enchanted forest!”
Winter Wrap Up day came, and the changelings were waiting at the town hall bright and early, so early that by the time the ponies started gathering up, Elytra was already worried they were at the wrong place, and Antenna feared the day may have been canceled or rescheduled at the last minute. Their peers had managed to convince them to give it a little more time, but the two drones sensed the entire group’s strung-up nerves, which didn’t help much. Were they sharing their concerns about Winter Wrap Up, or was it more about the uncertainty of how the ponies would react to them? Sure, some of them had followed Thorax to Ponyville for his award ceremony a while ago and everything had gone well, but that had been a one-time visit of a proven ally, and all of Equestria’s princesses had been there; would the ponies be just as welcoming if they knew their former enemies were hoping to make Ponyville their new home?
It turned out that all the fretting had been unnecessary. The earliest of ponies greeted them with warm smiles and eager conversations, and their high spirits burst even brighter upon learning they’d gotten some new neighbors!
By the time Daisy, Lily, and Roseluck arrived, the changelings had already made friends with a few ponies, and all that was left for Daisy to do was a request to the Mayor and Princess Twilight to assign duties to a few more participants than originally planned.
Contrary to Daisy’s expectations, Twilight didn’t have a meltdown at the prospect of alterations to her carefully-arranged roster.
“Of course they can join!” Twilight exclaimed, her wings fluttering. ”I’ll just have to arrange them evenly across all groups to keep the schedule synchronized! Any preferences?”
Antenna and Elytra raised hooves. “Can we plant flowers, please?”
“Yes!” Twilight added their names to the roster. “Next?”
Another drone raised a hoof. “Making nests for the birds sounds interesting, I’d love to try it, if that’s alright?”
“And I’ve always wondered what snow feels like!” another interjected. “Can I help clear it?”
Twilight noted them on the roster. “If two more can help clear the snow, I’ll move Flitter to cloud-clearing, and someling can take her place in ice-breaking. I take it that changelings can’t manipulate clouds?”
The changelings confirmed it, Flitter accepted the new assignment, and volunteers were quickly found for the requested duties.
“Great!” Twilight clapped her hooves together. “That just leaves planting vegetable seeds and fetching the southern birds! Any volunteers?”
The remaining changelings didn’t need long to agree on who would take what.
“Wonderful! Do you have your team vests?”
The changelings exchanged confused glances.
“Oh, shoot!” Daisy facehoofed. “I forgot to tell them!”
“That’s alright,” the nest-weaver drone interjected, morphing a tan vest onto herself. “I think we can improvise.”
The other changelings followed her example.
“That’s settled, then,” the Mayor announced. “Now, as you all know, it’s time to say goodbye to winter and welcome spring, and I’m so proud of how quickly and efficiently you’ve been doing that over the past several years! I have every confidence this year will be no exception, and with a few new friends to help us, I’m sure we can do even better and have the fastest, nicest, and happiest Winter Wrap Up ever!”
Everypony cheered, and the crowd dispersed to tackle their duties. Antenna and Elytra stuck around with Daisy, who introduced them to Lily and Roseluck, and since they had a moment to spare before the first patches of snow were cleared for them to commence planting, the three florists decided to use this time to teach their new apprentices the basics of flower care.
The changelings listened eagerly, and once the ground was cleared of snow, they proved themselves to be quick learners and hard workers. Instructions soon became unnecessary, as Antenna had a bit of prior experience, and Elytra must have either picked up on her sister’s skills over time or had a talent of her own, and before long, the group was singing and dancing in rhythm with their planting efforts.
Close to sunset, Ponyville was looking almost as if winter had never graced it with its presence.
“I can’t believe how quickly we’ve done this!” Daisy exclaimed, looking over the scenery. “This has to be the Ponyville record!”
“We’ve had help,” Lily reminded her.
“We’re not quite done yet,” Antenna said. “There’s still a couple more seed packets left.”
“Yes, of course… it’s still impressive… We couldn’t have done it without you!”
The changelings smiled.
“Alright, let’s officially finish this- Hey!”
A bird had flown in and snatched the last seed packet from the cart just as Lily was about to grab it.
“The horror! The horror!” Roseluck gasped, fainting on the spot.
Daisy facehoofed. “Not again…”
|
Alden MacManx
|
562245
| 1 |
Alternate Universe,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Northbound and Down!
|
For 2018, the Voyager is assigned to head north of Saint Louis, to see what's there.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>The <i>Mississippi Voyager</i>'s mission for 2018 is to explore north of Saint Louis along the Mississippi, to see who's there. Radio contact with a group further north led to the tasking. What will they find along the way?</p><p>Made it to Popular Stories list 7-24-24. Now, how did I manage that?</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-24T19:10:46+00:00
|
2024-07-24T19:10:46+00:00
| 109 |
Captain’s diary, March 12th, 2018, 1200 hours, Captain Howard Crane recording.
“Having finished off-loading two container loads of supplies, as well as twelve crewponies to the LST-325, we are on our way back to the Mississippi River, where we will turn right at Cairo and head north, stopping at Saint Louis for a day or so, to drop off Alice Smith for future transport to Kansas City, and to pick up two new volunteer crew, Paige Olsen, a pegasus from Davenport, and Jim Wood, a unicorn from Minneapolis. Our mission for the spring and summer is to head north, hopefully as far as Minneapolis, scouting for returnees and other sources of habitation. Fortunately, I have plenty of communication gems with me, to set up links.
“Another thing I have been saddled with is an official representative of Her Majesty, Cicely Stokes. She’s an earth pony who, fortunately for me, spends her time either in her cabin reading, or learning how the ship operates. She does have a prickly personality, but she does know what her job is, and more importantly, knows what her job is NOT. Three weeks on board and we have not come to blows. Yet. May that never happen.
“Yet another chore we’ve been handed is to start on setting up a chain of AM radio stations. The crew for that we left in Memphis, to see if they can get WMC 790 AM up and running. We have one technician from that group aboard, Ruth Bader, a former electronics tech now Ornithian, to do quick surveys at our stops along the way. In Saint Louis, she can fly over to see if KMOX can be saved.
“Young Stephanie has settled in well with us here on board the Voyager, helping Jason in the kitchen much of the time, and taking classes from whoever on board wants to teach her something for a while. Her schooling is more like she’ll have a question, and will find someone to answer it. She’s a good student, learns quickly, and is very polite. Rather shy, though. Takes her a while to warm to others. I’m just glad Her Majesty agreed with Lucien and Jessica and allowed her to stay aboard. She needs stability, and we can provide it.
“End diary entry,” Howard concluded before shutting off the voice-to-type, then reading the paragraphs critically. “Practice makes perfect…”
March 19th, 2018 1100 hours
The Voyager tied up at LaFarge pier, with a small reception committee waiting pierside, namely Mayor Suzanne Blakeslee, Vice-Mayor Mark Voltefiore, and to everyone’s surprise on the ship, Candace Smith. In the light of day, it was apparent that Alice and Candace are identical twins, with the exception being Candace’s left fore and hind legs were white instead of gray. Alice, who was topside, took to the air with a joyful squee, as did Candace. The two hippogriffs met head-on in midair before settling to the pier, squealing in joy, hugging each other fiercely.
Captain Crane extended the port side gangplank after the lines were fastened down and welcomed Suzanne and Mark. “Sure looks like those two are glad to see each other,” Howard observed.
“Candace arrived three days ago, having swam the whole way from Kansas City. She did bring a sack full of potions for our larder, as well as five pounds of refined meteor steel,” Suzanne told Howard.
“Got any plans for the steel?” Howard asked.
“Yes. Give it to you to send downstream to New Orleans, eventually. That way, we can’t be accused of ‘holding out’ on Her Majesty,” Suzanne replied honestly.
“Her Majesty appreciates the gesture, and is glad that Jenny MacLaine understood the methods needed to refine the ore without it losing its magic. So far, outside of the Norwegian colony, she’s the only one who has mastered the technique,” Howard said, repeating what Queen Marie said between his ears via gem. Suzanne wore one as well, but it is much smaller than Howard’s, and it’s like using a peephole instead of a window.
“Saint Louis may not join Louisianne, but I realize the need to stay on her good side,” the zebra said quietly, reinforcing her words with intent, hoping the message would make it across. She couldn’t be sure, but making the effort could not hurt. Turns out she was right.
“Everything else going well, Suzanne? The newbies we left here last year settle in?” Howard asked.
“No problem, Howard. The ten chose rooms in the hotel and rapidly figured out what needed doing. Just nominal supervision is all that’s needed. Right now, it’s breaking and prepping the ground for crops that’s taking much of us. The rest are either checking train lines or plundering the city.
“Casimir is helping with the monsters, and collecting potion components, like manticore venom. Once a month, they run their motorboat down this way to do some swapping,” Suzanne explained as Howard led the pair to the Lounge for coffee, leaving the sisters outside to hug.
March 21, 1000 hours
The Mississippi Voyager departed Saint Louis to get started on their real mission, to head north along the Mississippi River to fill in the gaps in their knowledge of conditions. Their first main destination is the Quad Cities area of Iowa and Illinois, because there are some ponies there that are in sporadic contact with the WSU via shortwave radio. Their first obstacle, however, is the Melvin Price Lock and Dam. Howard knew the place well, the main problem being the locks only had one gate, meaning going through the gates will be a chore without hydraulic assistance. Fortunately, the Chief Engineer, Arnie Van Dyke, had spent his winter down time doing research on lock construction, and had figured out a way to power the hydraulics remotely, with a portable generator. By two that afternoon, they were able to put Arnie’s ideas to the test.
Well, that was the idea. By the time Arnie, Liz and Dexter found everything they needed to find, the sun had set and they had to wait until the next day to try it out. “Ah hates waitin…” Arnie drawled at dinner.
“We do, too, Arnie, but best do this during the day, right?” Carroll replied.
“Just cuz it’s logical t’wait don’t mean ah have to lakh it!” Arnie grumped.
“Plenty of tahm to fahnd out if you is a Frack-level genius or a Frack-level idjit. Arnie,” the ship’s doctor, Lucien Macombe, said drolly after a bite of his salad.
“I won’t take bets either way,” Liz Ruiz, the Ornithian engineer’s mate, chirped.
At another table, Howard and Cicely had their dinner. “Just how do you manage to handle your crew so well, Howard?” Cicely asked.
“Simple. I trust them to know their jobs and to get their jobs done without me looking over their shoulders. If I have to, it gets my displeasure and soon after, a crew replacement. Been a year now since I took command of this barge and I never had a crew discipline problem,” Howard said quietly after eating some fried fish.
“If I was in charge, I would have everyone quaking in their shoes about making me unhappy,” Cicely said with emphasis.
“Not smart to do on board a ship, even a converted barge like the Voyager. We all depend on each other to do our jobs, because we all have to work together to keep the ship afloat. For instance, as the only hippogriff aboard, I’m the one who does hull checks as needed. I’ve never asked for another, because Her Majesty uses those she has to clear the ship channels of debris and wreckage, as well as inspecting the boats we use. Just because I’m the Captain does not mean I don’t do my share of the work. Takes all of us to do that,” he explained patiently.
Cicely nodded as she chewed on some corn before speaking. “One thing I have to remember is that there is not a big labor pool to dip into. Finding people with the right skills is not as easy as it was Before.”
“All the more reason to treasure those you find. Like Stephanie,” Howard said, pointing at the black and white Abyssinian, who was busy cleaning the serving line. “We found her in a cold storm in December, alone and frightened. We took her aboard and she bonded with Jason and Esther. She won’t speak much of Before, but she works hard to be accepted here. Lucien thinks it’s because she’s afraid we’ll put her off somewhere and leave her, but I think she knows that won’t happen. I’m thinking it’s because we accept her as is, and guide her along, not run rough on her.”
“Personally, I don’t think an exploration ship is the right place for a child,” Cicely said with an edge in her voice, but then lost the edge as she went on. “Thing is, who could we leave her with? She’s fitted in well with Jason. Even I can see that. She also gets along with everyone, but has not come to speak with me. I wonder why.”
Howard sat straighter in his seat. “I want to think that she’s afraid of you, Cicely. Abyssinians can be extremely empathic, and you have a rather powerful, forceful personality. Jason has his version of empathy in that he always seems to know what is needed, where it’s needed and when someone needs it. It’s what makes him a fine shipmate. Stephanie I feel is empathic as well, but what she went through Before is coloring her feelings now. If you want to speak with her, I suggest you ‘make yourself receptive’ to her, and ask Jason or Esther to sit in on your first meeting,” he told the Crown representative firmly.
“Something I’ll have to keep in mind,” Cicely said before some more of the dinner. Think what she will about being aboard, the table the ship sets is far better than anything she can find back in New Orleans, even at the Queen’s court in the French Quarter.
Early the next morning, Arnie led his team out to see if his lock-picking idea would work or not. The only difficulty they faced was figuring out the right valve lineup to get the lock doors open. Once that happened, Howard applied full power to get the Voyager through and clear of the doors. Getting them shut again was not difficult, but one slight miscalculation did lead to a relief valve lifting, liberally bedaubing Arnie with hydraulic oil. (not that anyone could tell, he normally was a black and gray mix that looked like he was dipped in machine oil to begin with) He let Liz and Dexter break down the assembly while he went back aboard to clean up, sending word ahead to leave some toweling by the gangplank so he would not track oil through the ship.
That afternoon, they encountered their next obstacle, the Winfield Lock and Dam. This lock was different in that it had TWO gates instead of one, and it had a fill and drain system. This time, it only took an hour to get that lock behind them, and Arnie did not have another oil bath.
Two more days of travel had them at their first planned stop, Hannibal, Missouri. Howard and Jason wanted to take Stephanie to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home, to help further her education. The three went there early on the 26th of March, a nice clear day, Cicely and Lucien coming along as well. Much of the rest of the crew went out scavenging, to set up at least one ‘emergency stash’ near where they tied up, and another on a higher point of ground.
The five spent a slow morning at the Twain Boyhood Home, taking a leisurely tour and collecting a lot of souvenirs. One in particular that Stephanie found is an old pen and inkwell set that she found in the house, not the souvenir shop. “When we get back to the ship, ah’ll show you how to make some proper ink to use in that, Stephanie. There’s a reason ball-point pens were invented, but this is the way writing was done back in the old days. Would you like that?” Lucien asked the young Abyssininan.
“I would, Doctor Lucien. I remember reading Tom Sawyer back Before, and I like Mark Twain. Learning to write like he did would be a challenge!” Stephanie said brightly. Jason smiled at his foster daughter’s enthusiasm, an unusual showing of emotion from her, or him for that matter.
Just then, Howard’s radio crackled. “Voyager Lookout to Captain, I’m seeing something moving on the railroad tracks south of town, heading north,” said the new pegasus on the crew, Paige Olsen.
“What can you tell me about it, Lookout?” Howard asked.
“Not much, Captain. I’m over the Wal-Mart, and this is by the river, south of the ship and coming northbound. No smoke visible. Should I investigate?” Paige asked.
“Start making your way there, Lookout. I’ll beat you there and we can check this out together. Captain out.” Howard said before looking at his companions. “Head back to the ship. I’ll check this out. Could be another Returnee.”
“Sounds good t’me, Howard. C’mon, everyone, back to the ship! Step lively!” Lucien urged the group, heading out the door to the gift shop. Howard was the last one out, taking wing once clear.
It wasn’t long before Howard saw the spot moving along the tracks south of town. It was an antique hand-pumped train cart, being worked by what appeared to be a youngish hippogriff, dark pink body fur with a lime-green mane and tail, the mane having a bold white stripe through it. As he closed in, the hippogriff stopped pumping the cart, let out a squeal, pulled a handgun from somewhere and started shooting at Howard with very little skill.
It doesn’t take much skill to hit a target, though. Howard was so startled he didn’t veer off. He took one bullet to the wing and another to the body, sending him spiraling down to the river, unconsciousness claiming him before hitting the water.
|
Alden MacManx
|
562245
| 2 |
Alternate Universe,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Northbound and Down!
|
For 2018, the Voyager is assigned to head north of Saint Louis, to see what's there.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>The <i>Mississippi Voyager</i>'s mission for 2018 is to explore north of Saint Louis along the Mississippi, to see who's there. Radio contact with a group further north led to the tasking. What will they find along the way?</p><p>Made it to Popular Stories list 7-24-24. Now, how did I manage that?</p>
|
everyone
|
2024-07-29T21:12:56+00:00
|
2024-07-29T21:12:56+00:00
| 60 |
Howard woke to find himself in his cabin, bandages wrapped around his barrel and left wing, feeling rather confused. It was dim in the cabin, just one desk light on and the curtains drawn. Once he had enough wit to remember what had happened to him, the door opened. Jason looked in, made eye contact with the Captain, nodded and backed out, shutting the door.
He flopped back, finding his strength lacking and his appetite building, which he remembered as being side effects of healing potions being used on him. He must have dozed off, because he woke when someone knocked on his door before opening it. The someone was his Chief Officer, Carroll Milsap, a genderbent seagull/cougar griffon, followed by his ship’s doctor, Lucien Macombe, carrying a laden dinner tray in his deep red glow. “Glad you’re awake, Captain,” Carroll said as she took a seat in a corner of the room, allowing space for Lucien to put the tray where Howard could get at it.
“Ah had no doubts about him wakin’ up,” Lucien drawled in his thick New Orleans accent. “Nothin’ major got broke, and when ah got the bullet out and healin’ salves on, ah knew it wouldn’t be a few hours afore he woke.”
Howard eagerly dug into the heaping bowl of sausage and grits for a good minute before having some coffee. “Will someone tell me just what happened to put me here?” he asked when his hunger had eased enough to allow him to speak.
“You done got shot by some thirty-two caliber slugs fired from a gun held by a startled thirteen year old hippogriff who uses the name Becky Thatcher. You done splashed down into the river, and Paige dove in after you, keeping your head up until some more help came,” Lucien explained as Howard had some more sausage. “Cicely and Stephanie came charging down alongside the tracks, Aaron hot on their heels.”
Carroll then took up the tale. “While Aaron worked on getting you and Paige to shore, Cicely and Stephanie worked on calming Becky down. To hear Cicely talk, it was Stephanie that got Becky settled down enough to be sensible, Cicely just lending strength by her presence. I arrived a bit later, followed by Harry and Jim in the truck. We got you loaded in the back of the truck and brought here for Lucien to work on you while Cicely and Stephanie brought Becky here on hoof, talking to her all the while.”
“How is Becky doing? How long has she been on her own?” Howard asked after finishing the heaping bowl of sausage and grits, which he had to admit felt good inside him.
“A couple of months, best she could figure,” Lucien said as his red glow scanned Howard. “There was snow on the ground when she woke up the way she is. She’s been hiding out in the Mark Twain Caves, using the old hand cart to go back and forth. She started carrying the gun after being chased by some critters. When you flew at her, she just pulled it and fired out of pure fright. One round was an in and out on your wing, the other one hit you in the left side. Didn’t penetrate any organs, but your side muscles ain’t going to be happy for a while. That’s why you’re on your right side.”
Howard yawned. “How long am I off duty, Doctor?” he asked.
“You should be able to get up and about in the morning. Right now, you get back to sleep and stay that way until you got to get up again, okay? You’ll be sore for another day or so, other than that, you’ll be okay,” Lucien pronounced with all the confidence of a minister speaking from the pulpit.
“I’ll buy that for a quarter…” Howard mumbled as his head hit the pillow again. The two cleared the cabin, taking the tray with them, letting him sleep.
Down in the Lounge, the crew and passengers waited on what Lucien had to say as Carroll put the dirty dishes up. “He’ll be right as can be tomorrow morning, except for some muscle soreness. That should clear up with some exercise. Got to love healing potions, even minor ones,” he told the gathered ponies and whatnot.
Carroll came out of the galley and looked at Jason, Stephanie and Becky. “The Captain will interview you all tomorrow. Until then, Becky, I want you to stay near Stephanie until such time as the Captain or I give you the freedom of the ship. Until then, I want you escorted. Tonight, you’ll stay here. If you want to join us on our expedition, tomorrow we’ll get your stuff from the caves and move you in. Understood?” she said in serious but not angry tones.
“I understand, Miz Milsap. It will be nice to sleep in a real bed and not be alone!” Becky said emphatically.
Stephanie put an arm around Becky’s shoulders. “From now on, you’ll only be alone by choice. I’ll be here for you, as will Papa and the rest of the crew. I know what it’s like to be alone. I don’t wish that on anyone!” she said, adding a gentle hug to the words.
“Thank you, Stef. Can we go back to the cabin and talk some more? I have lots of learning to do!” Becky said with a giggle.
Stephanie grinned back at the pink hippogriff. “Let’s do it!”
As the pair headed to the stairwell heading up, Jason said to Lucien and Carroll, “I’m glad the two are getting along. They both need friends their age.” That was more than he usually said all day.
Lucien nodded in agreement. “Yep. That’s the absolute truth. I’ve seen too many times kids die on the vine because of one reason or another they wouldn’t reach out to have friends. Ah’m glad Stef latched on to you and Esther. You two is doin’ a good job with her. Damn happy to see such happ’nin,” he said solemnly. Jason just nodded in return and went into the galley to clean up and set out the overnight munchie selection before he went to bed. He wakes up promptly at six each morning to prepare breakfast.
27 March 2018
Howard woke about eight in the morning, urged up by severe bladder pressure, which he managed to relieve without undue incident. His left side was sore, but nothing unbearable. Putting on a clean uniform shirt, he headed downstairs for breakfast. He decided on a custom one, pancakes, sausage, fish bacon and three eggs over easy, the eggs coming from the chicken coop installed over the winter up on the top deck by the exhaust stacks. Nobody bothered him while he ate, waiting until he had finished before approaching him, the first of which being his exec, Carroll Milsap.
“Feeling better now, Captain?” she asked as Howard leaned back in his seat, sipping from his coffee mug.
“Better now than before, Chief. Side and wing are feeling a bit tight. I’ll see Lucien about it when he wakes up,” Howard said, referring to the doctor’s proclivity for sleeping until the crack of noon, unless he is truly needed. In that case, he has been known to spend two days awake, crash for six hours, then go another two days. “Where are the girls?”
“Cicely has Becky and Stephanie with her in the big guest cabin, checking how much education they truly have,” Carroll reported. a job Cicely is qualified to do, having been a teacher in her past before moving to administration.
“I’m glad to see Stephanie opening up to Cicely. Looks like my idea worked. Ship status?” Howard asked.
“We could set out today, but tomorrow morning or the next day would be better. We need to take a trip to the caves to get Becky’s gear, and complete the stores load that got interrupted yesterday. That’s under way now, with Harry, Ruth, Jim and Aaron on that working party. Esther has the watch with Paige until lunch, then I’ll take over. Otherwise, the ship is in shape. Care to do a walkdown, Captain?” Carroll asked
“That would be a very good idea, Chief. Some gentle exercise should clear the stiffness,” Howard agreed, slowly getting up and stretching.
The two did a walkdown of the craft, first going upstairs and checking in at the Bridge before heading aft, inspecting the cabins, except the ones who had night watches. They then went up to the roof, checking the chicken coop aft before going forward to the gun emplacements. Finding the guns in order, Carroll then asked her captain, “Fly down to the deck?”
Howard was quick to answer. “Glide to the pier. Small steps first,” he said before unhooking the safety line and leaping off, spreading his wings.
He made it safely down to the pier, but he could feel the stiffness in his left side, especially when his hooves hit the concrete. He didn’t fall, but he did stagger some. Carroll landed expertly nearby, having replaced the safety line before taking off. “You okay?”
“I will be. Need some more workout time. I’ll try again after lunch,” Howard said before leading the way to the gangplank and going back aboard. There, they checked over the deck, noting that bays 1, 2 and 4 were ‘dummy-locked’, meaning the doors were shut and locks were in place, but not sealed. Howard knew that was because the Second Officer had a working party out gathering supplies, and setting a supply dump up. Tomorrow will be soon enough to set up the second, which Howard decided would be in the Mark Twain Caves.
“One idea I have is to take the hand cart along with us and give it to the track crew in Memphis,” Carroll suggested. “Would be a shame to leave it here. We know it works.”
Howard was quick to answer. His body’s soreness was fading, but his mind is as sharp as ever. “Good idea. We have plenty of space for it. Let’s ask Becky first. I think she’ll be agreeable.”
“Going to interview her?”
“After lunch, with Stephanie, Cicely and either Jason or Esther present. I want her to relax. I wonder how much she knows about being a hippogriff,” Howard said as he looked inside bay 6, the refrigerated compartment. All was in place there. Harry Bell and Jason keep it that way at all times. Easier to find what you’re looking for.
“I’m sure Stephanie is busy telling Becky how good a pony you are,” Carroll commented as Howard shut the door to bay 6 and locked it.
“I’m concerned about what Cicely is saying.”
After lunch, and after a going over by Lucien, who said that he needed more gentle exercise but put off flying until tomorrow, Howard gathered Stephanie, Becky, Cicely and Esther in a corner of the Lounge. “Becky, first thing I will say to you is that I will not hold you shooting me against you. Am I right in saying you have never seen a pony flying before?” he said gently to the dark pink hippogriff.
Becky nodded, her mane bouncing some. Howard noticed that it was partially braided, probably by Stephanie during morning lessons. “That’s right, Captain. Seeing you flying at me, well, I got scared and started shooting. I’ve seen flying critters before, but not ponies. I’m glad you’re all right,” she said, her voice only a little shaky.
Howard glanced at Stephanie, who put an arm around Becky’s neck. “Easy, Becky. The Captain’s a very good pony. I’m sure he’s not mad at you. Now, go tell him what you know,” the normally quiet Abyssinian told her friend.
Taking courage from the words and the Captain’s calm expression, Becky told about her waking up at her house the way she was ‘a few months back, when there was a lot of snow’. Having spent her life in Hannibal, she knew all about the Mark Twain Caves, and decided to make it her base, because she knew where she could build a fire to keep warm. Slogging through the snow was a chore, until she found the rail car. She used that to gather supplies, only going out when the sun shone. The pistol belonged to her mother, and she knew how to use it, but was not very skilled with it.
“How many times have you had to use it, Becky?” Howard asked.
“Four times all together, Captain. Twice on dogs, once on something I’m not sure what it was. It came at me, I shot at it, it fled and I have not seen it since. Will you let me stay aboard? I don’t want to be alone again, hoping someone would show up,” Becky said hopefully.
“A couple more questions first. One, Becky Thatcher is not your real name, but one you chose after you woke up, right?” Howard asked.
Becky nodded. “Yes. I never liked my given name, and when I woke up like this, I thought it didn’t fit me any more. No problem with that, is there?”
Howard smiled warmly at the filly. “Not at all. I did the same thing myself. Many ponies do, some don’t. It’s all a matter of choice.
“Now, will you be willing to follow the rules of the ship, do any and all chores assigned to you, and obey the ship’s officers at all times?” he asked with a firm expression on his face.
“Yes, Captain! I will do so! Can Stef and I work together?” Becky said, snapping a sharp salute with both her right arm and right wing, the feather tips of which went into her right ear, making her shake and grimace, spoiling the effect.
“I see no reason why not, Becky. Is there anything you would like to do before we leave? I would like to set up a supply shelter at the caves. Want to help with it?”
Becky grinned eagerly. “Yes, Captain! When?”
“After breakfast tomorrow. One thing we would like to do, when we leave, is to bring your hand rail car with us. We know some ponies in Memphis who would like to have it. Can we do so?” Howard asked.
Becky was startled that they would even ASK her if they could take the hand truck, but recovered fast. “Sure! I’m surprised it even worked. Needed a lot of WD-40 and oil to clear the rust out. If someone can use it, go ahead!” she said, surprise in her voice quickly replaced by eagerness.
“Okay, then! Welcome aboard, Becky!” Howard said, standing and extending a paw to her. After shaking, he said “You work with Stephanie through until after dinner, doing what chores need doing. Tomorrow, I’ll start you on flying lessons, okay?”
“Fly? Me? No way I can fly! Swim, yes. Fly?” Becky said, incredulous.
“I flew at you, right? If I can do it, you can, too! Those wings are not for decoration, they’re meant to be used! Now, to work, crewpony! Stephanie, report to Papa with Becky for duties!” Howard said with an official snap at the end.
Stephanie saluted smartly. “Yes, Captain! Come on, Becky!” she said before heading to the galley, Becky in tow.
Cicely, who had been watching the whole interview with Esther, chose that time to speak. “You’ve raised children Before, Howard. It shows.”
Howard shook his head. “Nope. Lifelong bachelor. Now, I did have bunches of nieces, nephews and little cousins. They soon learned that Uncle Howie was no pushover!”
“You would have made a good teacher, Howard. You handled the girls well. Ready to hear what I learned this morning?” she asked. At Howard’s nod, she went on. “Becky had just graduated junior high school and was looking forward to summer activities with her friends. Waking up in the thick of winter was a sudden surprise, especially being alone and changed into a hippogriff, though she didn’t know that word.
“It took her several days to get herself sorted out. Fortunately, her house has a working fireplace, and she was able to keep warm between foraging expeditions. She knew about the caves, and made her way there. The hand cart was part of a display, and she got it working with a lot of greasing of the gears. It made going to and from town easier.
“She woke up late yesterday, to find the ship tied up here. Excited, she raced to the cart and started heading our way. Esther saw her on the tracks and the rest you know.” Cicely explained.
“What went on yesterday and this morning?” Howard asked.
“After you splashed down in the river, she brought the cart to a stop. Paige had arrived by then and dove in to keep your head out of the water. Stef and I were next, racing down the tracks. Stef immediately went to Becky to calm her down, getting her to put the pistol back into its holster before hugging her. Aaron was next to dive in and get you out of the river. Harry and Jim arrived with the truck, Jim got you loaded in the bed and they drove you here while Stef and I brought Becky to the ship. Carroll offered her a hot meal and companionship, which she detailed to Stef and I,” Cicely described as she had a cup of coffee.
“Do you think Becky is safe and stable?”
“No more and no less than anyone else in this day and age, Captain,” Cicely said firmly, believing in what she said. “It would do her a world of good being aboard. By the time we get back to New Orleans, she’ll be able to decide her path in life, wherever it may be.”
“I’ll buy that for a nickel, Cicely,” Howard said. “Care to walk with me through downtown? I can use the exercise.”
“Sounds good to me!”
The rest of that day, stores load was completed. The next day was devoted to setting up the two ‘survival kits’ they planned on placing there in Hannibal, one up at the lighthouse and the other at the caves Becky holed up at. The last chore was for the unicorns (Lucien, Arnie and Jim) to stow the railroad hand cart in one of the cargo bays and secured down so it would not roll. “Just glad there’s no rough seas on a river!” Harry Bell observed once the hand cart was lashed firmly in place.
“Don’t hold your breath, Harry,” Howard told him. “There’s some big lakes coming up, and when a storm blows, barges are not known to be placid places.”
“Pardon me for saying so, Howard, but I’ll believe that when I see it.”
“You’ll get your chance.”
The Mississippi Voyager made its way upstream, dealing with locks and dams as well as dropping off ‘survival kits’ at the different towns they passed, namely Quincy, IL, LaGrange, MO, Canton, MO, and Warsaw, IL. The next ‘big city’ they approached is the ‘thriving metropolis’ of Keokuk, Iowa. Arnie and his engineering team went into the depths of Lock and Dam 19, where they found something startling. “Cap’n, this place done got power! Everythin’s workin’ down heah! Openin’ the south doors for you!” Arnie sent through the crystals as he worked the lock controls, the doors opening.
“There’s a hydroelectric plant here, Arnie. Somehow, it must still be working to power the hydraulics. Once we’re through, we’ll check it out,” Howard sent as he watched Carroll guide the ship into the lock. Once clear, Arnie shut the south doors and started to fill the lock, getting ready to open the north doors.
“Captain! Activity on west bank! Four diamond dogs, armed!” sent Paige Olsen, who was on lookout duty above the ship.
“I see them, Lookout. Shift your location to over the river and keep watching. Arming weapons,” Howard sent as he powered up the weapons console. “Aaron, make ready to man the upper deck guns.”
“Going to access hatch, Captain. Ready to obey orders,” Aaron Tereshkov, the ship’s newly-minted Fourth Officer sent in reply, getting to the hatch in the upper midship’s passage, undogging it but not opening.
Outside, the four dogs, all big burly puggish-types, set themselves up on the street alongside the lock. Two of them carried rifles, one pushed a covered cart, and the fourth carried a bullhorn. The one with the bullhorn turned it on with a loud squawk before talking. “Ahoy the ship! Stand down and prepare to be boarded! The King of Keokuk orders the ship to be confiscated and all crew members arrested pending trial!” The bullhorn was loud enough to be clearly heard throughout the ship.
Out of sight-line of the dogs, Howard rotated the topside grenade launcher so it pointed in the dog’s direction, but almost straight up. “Carroll, all stop on the engines. Alert Arnie to keep hidden, but be wary of underground passages to the power plant and lock controls,” he ordered as he turned on the outside loudspeakers.
The two dogs with rifles outfitted their guns with RPG’s from the covered cart. Small, but the Voyager is a converted barge, not a warship. No armor plating. “Ahoy the ship! Prepare for boarding! The King so orders!”
Howard keyed the mic. “What did the Harlequin say when the Ticktockman told him to repent?”
The four dogs looked at each other, then the two with rifles got down on one knee and took aim at the ship. “What did he say?” the dog with the bullhorn asked before ordering his gunners “Open fire!”
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