My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Friends from Unexpected Places

Chapter 31

From Bad to Worse

Large dragonic wings flapped, keeping it’s owner afloat above a river with a waterfall. eTu`nes drew a map, leading from Ponyville to here.

“this looks like the best spot.” he muttered, X-ing out other spots he had found. “perfect distance, no monsters; other then me, real romantic.” he folded up the map and put it in a knapsack. He flew down, landing on the river’s edge. He grabbed the longest stick he could find and flew out over it. He stuck it in as deep as he could. “perfect depth.”

He landed back on shore, pulled out a paper with a X, and hammed it into a tree. “there. Now I know where to find the spot.” he tossed the rock he used into the river and took off again. “everyone is going to like this.” he said as he flew back home.

Speaking of everyone else, they were busy trying to find dates for the dance, and were BOMBING! They asked out ever stallion they could find, only to find that they had dates. Even the hunk Big Mac had a date, much to their distress.

Bonbon looked though a catalog in her own room when she heard a knock at the door. “Come in.”

Lyra came in, carrying a large basket on her back. “hey, Bonnie.”

Bonbon groaned at the name. “I told you, the name is Bonbon. I don’t like that nickname.”

Lyra rolled her eyes. “yeah, right. Next you’ll be telling me your Cutie Mark is 3 butterflies instead of those hard candies.”

Bonbon sputtered. “Butterflies? Really? Like that ‘Shy girl who lives out in that shack? I’m not that weird.”

Lyra reached into her basket and pulled out a pop can. “right. She does live up to her name, though. I tried to talk to her once; squeaked liked a rat and locked herself in her house.” she took notice of the catalog and took a look. “a candy catalog?”

“yeah. I’m planning on opening up a candy shop when we graduate.”

Lyra looked at the camera with a raised eyebrow. “why?”

“why?” Bonbon replied. “Why? Because I want to, that’s why.”

“Well, I also want to play a lyre…” she took a drink of her soda and burped. “but you don’t see me going overboard on a flawed idea.”

A vein appeared in Bonbon’s head. Overboard? Flawed? Oh, that was it. “get out.” Bonbon angrily said.

Lyra took another sip and wiped her mouth. “What?”

Bonbon got up and pushed her out. “I said get out!” she slammed the door on a confused Lyra.

“did I say something wrong?” Bonbon’s door opened and Lyra’s basket was tossed into her face. “yep.”

Vinyl curiously looked at a cello laying on it’s side in the school band room.

“Who in their right mind would keep playing cellos?” she asked herself. Octavia walked by the band room, seemingly not noticing Vinyl. A few seconds later, she backed up and looked inside. “it’s such a waste of effort.” waste of effort? Why is she saying that?

Vinyl walked over and lightly touched the cello. It fell over, making a distorted noise when it hit. The sound was so bad, that Octavia covered her ears. Vinyl picked it up and looked at it. “nobody likes classical anymore.” she let it go and let it fall again, not even trying to catch it. It hit a step, causing it to crack and surprisingly break into multiple pieces.

“uh-oh.”

“MY CELLO!” Octavia yelled as she ran in. she pushed Vinyl aside and just collapsed.

Vinyl felt guilty but doesn‘t understand why Octavia is freaking out over a cello. “Tavi. It’s just a Cello. You can just get another.”

Tavi looked at Vinyl with angry eyes. “just a cello?” Vinyl nervously and rapidly nodded. “This Cello was given to me by my uncle, who died the same day he gave it to me.” Vinyl’s heart sank when she heard that. Tears began to form in Tavi’s eyes. “it’s the last thing I have to remember him by.”

Octavia went to try and fix it as a very guilty Vinyl watched. “I… I’m so sorry, Octy…” she distantly said.

Octavia ignored her and tried to put it together. “it’s okay. It’s okay. And this part… I can fix this… I can fix this… I can fix this…” she wiped her eyes. “Stupid tears are blocking my view.”

Berry and Colgate, unaware that the other was in the same market, reached for the last copy of Daring Do and the Sapphire Stone.

“Berry?”

“Colgate?”

They both grabbed it and tried to take it. “un… this is mine.” Colgate said.

“As if. I saw it first.” Berry tried to take it but Colgate had a tight grip.

“but I grabbed it first.”

The two played tug-o-war at the book, inevitably ripping it in half. Both were angry at the other for ripping it in half. “Look at what you done!” they both exclaimed. “me!? This is your fault!”

The librarian heard this and was peeved off at the sight of the torn book. “I don’t care whose fault it was; someone is going to have to pay for this.”

Both Colgate and Berry angrily snarled at each other, then looked away in angry fashion. “well, it’s not going to be for me.”

Roseluck sat by herself, reading a romance novel, when SeaSwirl sat down at the same bench, completely unaware that Rose was there. She reached into her saddle bags and pulled out a granola bar. She took a bite out of it, getting Rose’s attention.

“Swirl?” Rose put down her book. “When did you get here?”

Swirl blushed feverishly and tried to hide it by looking though her bags again. “I, un… I just sat down. I didn’t realize you were here or else I’d have… it’s nothing. Never mind.” she noticed the book. “what is that?”

Rose grabbed her book and opened it again. “a old romance novel. It’s about these two star-crossed lovers whose families were at war with each other. Ends with them both dying.”

The blush disappeared and was replaced with a ‘WTF’ expression. “wow. That’s… quite the story.” Swirl looked at a watch then put it away. “well, I gotta get going. I only had enough time for a quick break.” Swirl pushed off and landed in a puddle of water, which washed all over Rose and her book.. Swirl winced at it. “oh, geez. Rose. I’m so sorry.” Rose just closed her book and walked off without saying a word. “oh, man…” Swirl said in worry.

Time Turner tinkered with a clock at the back of a clock shop. He had inherited it from his aunt, who was a clock maker herself. He heard the door open and ignored it.

“Turner? You in here?” Raindrops called out.

“back here, Rain.” he called out.

Rain walked though the door and saw him. “there you are. You weren’t at the park today so I figured you might be hungry.” she walked in and put down a basket of food.

“thanks.” he stopped what he was doing, looked though it, and pulled out a dandelion sandwich.

Rain looked though the back of his shop and whistled. “wow. You’re… really into clocks.”

Turner took a big bite out of the sandwich. “not really. I just fix them, make them… that would sound like being into it, wouldn’t it.”

Rain giggled at that. “so… what’s new with you?”

“nothing much. Cousin’s coming to visit from Fillydelphia. Other then that, nothing.”

“oh.” Rain tapped a cuckoo clock on the clock face. It reacted by turning on and going, well, cuckoo. Rain yelped and fell back into a table, sending a wrench flying out into the store. She and Turner ran to the door and saw the wrench hit a shelf, causing clocks to fall from that and break on the floor. A clock hand from that hit a rope holding up another shelf, causing that to fall as well. A large clock hit a rack, causing it to tip and fall, causing a domino reaction that made the other racks fall as well.

In the end, all the clocks in the shop were broken and busted. Rain but her hoof in fear, fearful of what Turner is going to do. “Turner, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

“Leave…” he coldly said. Rain didn’t argue or anything. She made a big booboo and maybe leaving Turner alone for awhile is the best thing. She left without saying a word.

“everyone is going to love this.”

By the light of a lantern, eTu`nes read a little ‘romance’ checklist he made, showing the names of his friends and who he considers to be their significant other based on what he saw between them. His and Derpy’s names were on there, but with a Question Mark next to them. They have no one to call their special somebody so he’s gonna have to work on the both of them after everyone else. For now, he’s gonna have to work down the list. And since the dance is just 2 weeks away, he’s gonna have to work fast. He began to record his little findings in his diary;

“let’s see… Lyra and Bonbon look like a good match. Those two look like they belong together; hell, I don’t see them with anyone else. Bonbon is able to put up with Lyra’s odd mannerisms and even finds them funny.

“Octavia and Vinyl. There’s what looks like a good couple, if the term ‘opposites attract’ is true. They both like music, they have music terms in their names, but their tastes. Wow. Vinyl likes dubstep and Octavia likes classical. Hate to see what it would be if they ever get together and have a kid. The child’s gonna be torn.

“but those two… I saw Bonbon by a lyre and Octavia a pair of purple sunglasses. They may not need my help to move on to the next level of their relationships but I’ll keep an eye on them.

“Berry and Colgate, on the other hand, are going to need a WHOLE lot of help. They’re both alpha dogs… eh… yeah, alpha dogs. I can see them competing for dominance in their relations. Better hope this is one where they can get along.

“now for the last 4; Raindrops, SeaSwirl, Roseluck, and Time Turner. Whenever Roseluck and SeaSwirl are alone, they always seem too nervous to be near each other and their hooves get sweaty. Last I checked, that’s the sign of a crush. Same holds true for Time Turner and Raindrops. Same thing as with Roseluck and SeaSwirl.

“But, these 4 are too nervous or too stubborn to make the first move. I think the same holds true for everyone else. As Derpy would say, I’m gonna have to work my charm.

“Speaking of Derpy, she hasn’t shown any feelings for anyone, meaning she’s gonna have to go to the dance alone. Nobody wants to be alone at a dance based around love. I think Time Turner said he has a cousin who lives in Trottingham but if he refuses to come or is too late, I’m gonna have to take her myself.

“and, about that… I’ve been feeling more weird around Derpy lately. I’ve been getting what some of the others are feeling by getting nervous, sweaty hands… and I’ve been dreaming about her lately too, in very seductive and sensual poses. I don’t want this to be true; it would be very weird for everyone; ourselves included, but…

“I think I’m in love with Derpy.”

8 Years Later…

You’d figure, with all the rebuilding and all, that nobody would be back doing their original jobs. Well, in Manni Peddie’s case, you’d be wrong. Manni’s H.Q. has been temporarily located to a tower at Canterlot Castle. What does she do? Well…

“you want to adopt Scootaloo?” she asked, sitting behind a desk she moved to make the place resemble a office.

“Yeah.” Dash said with great intent. She was focused on adopting Scoots. She needs a family and Dash is all she has now.

“right.” Manni looked at the papers then set them down. “you know you’re not the only one looking to adopt a orphaned child, right? There’s plenty of other adults looking to adopt war-orphaned children.”

“I know but… I don’t want Scoots to be alone right now.” she sadly looked to the floor with her eyes watering.

Manni sighed. That always gets her. Plus… “well… since you are one of the heroes that ended the war, I guess I can move you up.” Dash’s heart filled with hope. “but I’m not making any promises that you will be able adopt her. I’m gonna have to look at your background; your history, your medical records, everything.”

“I know. I know. I just don’t want Scootaloo to be alone any longer.” Dash got up to leave. “please, do whatever it takes.” she walked out, leaving Manni to her work.

“Woo-Hoo! This thing is awesome!” Applebloom cheered, swinging off the tail of her new pet Silver Dragon.

“just be careful, Applebloom. I don’t want you to get hurt.” Applejack said as a sister should.

“Trust me sis.” the dragon tossed Applebloom up into the air and caught her in his wings. Applebloom laughed as she slid down. “there’s no way Helios will harm me.”

A.J. never heard that name before. “Helios?”

“yeah. Ash said it was a… greek god of the sun or something like it.”

“Greek? Sounds made up.”

“That’s what I said.” Applebloom petted the Silver Dragon on his chin. “but it fits him.” the Silver Dragon purred as his new owner petted him in his sweet spot. “and he likes it. And he likes me, too.”

“oh, let her keep it, A.J.” Hiccup said. “it’s it one thing I learned, it’s that Dragons can be trustworthy and loyal…” Toothless cooed behind him and nuzzled up to his hand. “…if you let them.”

A.J. looked up from Toothless to the Silver Dragon. Well, it looks trustworthy. But it is a unknown species. Until someone who’s heard about it tells her otherwise, she’s gonna be keeping an eye on Helios.

Helios cooed up next to Applebloom and nuzzled her on the head. Applebloom laughed when she felt something weird on her flank. She looked and saw that a Cutie Mark had appeared; this one in the shape of a Silver Dragon’s head.

Applebloom happily gasped and bounced with glee. “YES! I found my Cutie Mark!” she cheered.

“Really?” Applejack happily said. She walked over and Applebloom showed it to her. “what does it mean?”

“Think it means I’m a veterinarian or something, like Fluttershy. But why is it Helios’s head?”

Applejack quickly came up with a good reason. “well… you are going to take care of him, aren’t you?”

“however I can.” that’s when Applebloom got it. “OH! Now I get ya.”

“so how long till you’re able to leave the hospital?” Twilight asked, visiting her sister-in-law who was still on bed-rest with Req.

“least till tomorrow. I’ll be able to leave then.” Cadence gave a sighing chuckle. “I’m a Alicorn and I’m taking a long time to heal.”

“yeah.” Twi patted her hooves on her lap for a moment. “Cadence?”

“yeah?”

“What’s it like… being immortal?”

Cadence raised a eyebrow in confusion. “immortal? What makes you think I’m immortal?”

“Because… you’re a Alicorn. And Alicorn’s are immortal, aren’t they?” Req asked.

“oh. Oh, no. no, I’m not immortal.” Cadence said with a certain flair.

Now both Req and Twi got confused. How can a Alicorn not be immortal? “but… Celestia and Luna are and…”

Cadence shook her head ‘no‘. “they told me they placed into immortality by Starswirl the Bearded.”

“Why?” Req asked.

“that part, they didn’t tell me. It’s either a threat he foresaw or something that would require their attention. I don’t know, I’m just guessing.”

“So… Alicorns aren’t immortal. Just Celestia and Luna thanks to a spell.”

“yeah.”

Twi and Req looked at each other. That was news to them. But why would Starswirl place that spell on them in the first place? That is a question that’s going to bug them.

Satoshi grunted as he pulled out a little device from Orion’s intricacies. “there. That’s it.” he grunted. He closed a hatch and jumped down from the side of the ship to the ground. Shadow saw him jump down with the device and got curious. He walked over to try to get a better look.

“what is that?” the stallion asked.

Satoshi held up the little device. “a little gift for you and everyone else.”

“A gift? What gift?”

Satoshi snickered. “you’ll find out in a couple hours. Just tell everyone to come to the throne room in at 3.” he walked off, leaving Shadow confused.

“why?” Satoshi called out.

“just come and you’ll see.”

Scootaloo’s eyes lit up as her smile went wide. “You really mean it?” she asked with a gasp.

“really really squirt.” Dash said with a smile. “if everything works out, you’re gonna be my new daughter.”

Scoots had no idea what to say to that. Rainbow Dash, her mother? That was just too cool. Scootaloo laughed as she hugged her potential new mother.

The two heard someone approach them. They thought it was one of their friends when they looked. Turns out it was just Manni. “oh, hey Manni. You brought the papers?” Dash asked. Manni just took a breath as she stared with angry eyes. “un… Manni?”

“I’m afraid that your request has been denied.”

“What?” Dash gasped. “Why?”

Manni chuckled. “where do I begin? For starters, you are selfish, you are stubborn, you are always putting yourself in danger. And, to top it off, you’re a heavy drinker!”

“but that’s because I…”

“I’m not done yet. You’re rude. You never look out for others. And when the time comes, you never help anyone but your own ego!”

“Hey!” Scoots exclaimed. “that’s not true.”

Manni ignored her. “you already have a daughter. Eris, right?” Dash only replied with a nervous nod, fearful about what she’s going to say next. “Social Services will be by later today to take her away.”

That put Dash over the deep end. She got up and snarled at Manni. “You are not taking Eris away from me!”

“See? This is what I’m talking about. You’re only looking out for yourself.”

“I’m looking out for my daughter, you bitch.”

Manni gasped at the language. “my word. Such language. This is what I’m trying to keep Eris and Scootaloo away from.”

“Like hell, you are.” Scoots said. “Dash is who I want to be with.”

“it doesn’t matter.” Manni said in her cold tone. “you’ll be in a better home.”

“I’m going to be in a better home with Rainbow Dash. You can’t take me away from her. She needs me and I need her.”

Manni turned to leave. “you should see the social services ponies around 5.” she walked off, feeling smug with herself.

Scoot snarled. “I swear, she’s gotta be related to Diamond Tiara.”

Dash got a mix of anger and despair. “there’s no way I’m going to let her take You or Eris away!”

“but what are you going to do? She’s got an entire service with her and you’re just one mare.”

Scoots had a point. Fighting to keep them with her by herself would be tough. Luckily, she knew someone who could be a royal help.