The Sleepoverby RoyalBardofCanterlot
Chapters
Bed Surging
Twilight hummed happily to herself as she dusted the shelves. She and Spike had been cleaning the library for an hour. She looked around herself. Every square inch of the library practically shone. The wooden floors had been mopped, Spike had arranged the books and every square inch had been dusted. Everything was ready for tonight.
Twilight clapped her hooves and hopped over to her master list that contained the template for every list she’d ever created and found the list for things she needed to throw a slumber party. She had pillows for the pillow fights, crackers, chocolate, marshmallows and a whole book of scary stories. She continued to hum her happy tune as she checked off each item on her list. Usually Spike would do that, but he was off with the CMC on the Apple farm. Something about spin the bottle cutie marks, but Twilight wasn’t sure how spinning a bottle got you a cutie mark. Those fillies sure were strange at times. Ever since Twilight’s first impromptu sleepover when she’d helped Rarity and Applejack out of that thunderstorm. While the two had quarreled they had later reconciled and ended up having a great time. Ever since then Twilight, Applejack and Rarity had had a sleepover every week to commemorate the event. Eventually, Applejack started inviting Rainbow Dash. Them Rarity invited Pinkie Pie who added to the event just by being herself. It didn’t seem right to exclude Fluttershy so they invited her as well. It had become a tradition and one they all enjoyed.
They’d stay up late, share stories, sing campfire sings courtesy of Pinkie who knew every campfire song there was and make smores together. It was the highlight of Twilight’s week. Sometimes, she wondered how she’d ever made it without friendship. Since there was still a few minutes before her friends were due to arrive she telekinetically pulled a book from the shelf. It was Daring Do and the Lost Sunstone. She’d read it before, but it was one of her personal favorites. Just as she lost herself in the heroic exploits of Daring she heard a rush of wind and the stamping of hooves. A cyan pegasus and an orange earth pony blazed into the library.
“I got through the door first!” The proud pegasus, Rainbow Dash, boasted as she fluttered down to face her rival Applejack.
“You danged liar, I got through the door first!”
“My muzzle went through the entrance before yours did!”
“My left fetlock got through the entrance before your lyin’ muzzle!”
“I’m not lying, you’re lying!” Dash exclaimed lifting into the air with a flap of her wings. Applejack reared up and got her tail, pulling her down to the ground.
“Uh-uh, Sugarcube! I won so pay up!”
Dash groaned. “Fine. I’ll do half your chores. Hey! I bet I can bake s’mores quicker than you!”
“You’re on!”
Twilight trotted up and they all shared a quick group nuzzle. “Hi, Girls! Why don’t we wait for the others to get here before we get started on the s’mores.”
“Ugh. Yeah, Pinkie will kill me if I make s’mores without her.” Dash said.
“Then she’ll come after me. That filly is scary when she gets mad.” Applejack added.
“Try dating her.” Dash muttered under her breath.
“So, you and Dash are competing again?” Twilight asked.
“When aren’t we competing?” Dash responded.
“Well, Applejack’s has been awful busy on the farm.”
“We got all the work done which gives me time to put this featherbrain in her place.”
“As if! I totally ate more apples than you!”
“Yeah, but I threw that rock farther than you could throw it!”
“Well, I still outraced you to town!”
“I outraced you to the library!”
“Ooh…nice and soft…”
She grabbed one and tossed it at Applejack who was taken by surprise. She reared back from the unexpected assault of softness as Dash threw more pillows at Applejack then several at Twilight. Twilight’s horn glowed as she grabbed a pillow in midair and sent it hurtling at Dash. Dash flew up in the air and unleashed an aerial assault. Twilight and Applejack scattered. Twilight’s horn glowed once more with ethereal power as she took up all the pillows at once throwing them at the pegasus. Dash yelped as she was buried under a small mountain of pillows. Applejack pounced on her, tickling her hooves. Dash helplessly laughed and squirmed as Applejack ran her hooves over Dash’s hooves.
“Admit I’m the better runner!” Applejack demanded.
“Never!” Dash shouted back.
“Ooh! Are we having a tickle party?” A pink blur asked as it shot into the library and tackled both Applejack and Dash, tickling them both. They
wiggled and laughed beneath the relentless tickling of Pinkie’s hooves. Twilight smiled as she watched her friends. Then in a rare moment of playfulness she levitated a feather quill and flicked it over Pinkie’s side. Pinkie squealed and fell back onto the floor. Applejack and Rainbow Dash crawled out from beneath the pillows. Twilight continued her tickling of Pinkie Pie who finally used her mouth to grab the quill from Twilight’s aura. Twilight at least had the common sense to look worried before Pinkie pounced at her. Twilight teleported in a burst of arcane power, but the pink enigma took off running after her.
“Come back Twilight and take your tickling!” Pinkie shouted though her voice was muffled by the feather.
“You’re not getting anywhere near me with that thing!” Twilight said as she galloped around the library.
“I gotcha now!” Pinkie leapt. Twilight teleported again and took off in the opposite direction. Pinkie shot off towards her, finally tackling her in a tangle of pony limbs. Twilight tried to throw her off, but it was too late. Pinkie ran the feather along Twilight’s ribs and hooves eliciting wild laughter.
“Good evening, Darlings!” A cultured voice announced Rarity’s arrival. A few seconds later Fluttershy trotted inside.
“Oh are we late? Sorry.” Fluttershy said.
“Nah, the party’s just getting started.” Dash told her. Pinkie bounced up and grabbed Fluttershy and Rarity in a hug which they returned.
“Ooh, now that we’re all hear let’s make some s’mores!” Twilight exclaimed. They all started gathering the graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolates. A shot of magic from Twilight’s horn ignited a fire which they all gathered around. In a few minutes each one had made her own s’more. Rarity and Applejack had long reconciled their differences over how s’mores were supposed to be made and sat side-by-side munching on the tasty treats.
“Hey, anyone wanna sing a song?” Pinkie asked. Her suggestion was met with nods of approval.
Pinkie breathed in some air and began to sing.
“When I was an iddy-biddy filly
my mama would rock me in the cradle
in them cotton fields back home
It was down in Earthcana
just about a mile from Ponyana
in them old rocky fields back home!”
She tapped her hooves to the rhythm, the others beginning to join in. Soon everypony was tapping their hooves and singing along to Pinkie’s chorus. Even Twilight who had never heard the song soon got caught up in the rhythm.
“That was fun!” Pinkie said as she stopped singing. “But I wanna play truth-or-dare!”
“Okay, but I wanna go first!” Dash said.
“No, I wanna go first!” Pinkie said. “Rarity, truth or dare!”
“Dare.”
“I was hoping you’d say that! I dare you to snatch Applejack’s hat!”
“You ain’t touchin’ mah hat.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Darling.”
“But you said dare! You have to!” Twilight told her.
Rarity grinned and her horn glowed. The hat was taken up in a blue aura and lifted from Applejack’s head.
“See? I’m not touching it!”
She brought it towards her. Applejack reached out and got it in her mouth. Rarity immediately released it.
“Darling, you’ll tear it!”
Applejack flipped it back on her head. “I got a whole closet full of’em.”
“Why do you have a closet full of identical hats?”
Applejack shrugged. “Cause I like’em.”
“Then why didn’t you want me touching it?”
“Because.”
“Because is not an answer.”
Applejack only chuckled. “Now it’s your turn. I dare ya to mess up your mane!”
“I most certainly will not!”
“If you don’t I’ll mess it up for ya!”
Rarity gave an elegant sniff. “Very well then.”
She ran her hooves through her mane and rubbed them through, disrupting her carefully combed manestyle. Then she flung her head several times.
“Dang it. It still looks pretty.” Applejack moaned.
Rarity blushed. “You really think so?”
“Yeah. I don’t think you’re mane can’t look pretty.”
“Your mane is very pretty too, Applejack.”
“I dare Rarity to go a day without styling her mane.” Rainbow Dash chirped.
“Um, Applejack already dared Rarity. I don’t think you can to. Can she?” Twilight wondered.
“I’ll go a day without styling my mane if you actually brush yours one of these days.” Rarity said.
“When I fly my hair gets messed up anyway.”
“Um, mine doesn’t.” Fluttershy muttered.
“It’s my turn!” Twilight said. “I mean, I think it’s my turn. I got a little confused. Fluttershy, truth-or-dare?”
“Um…truth. No dare. Wait, truth. No, whatever you pick is fine.”
“Alright. Is there anyone you have a crush on?”
Fluttershy squeaked and hid behind her mane. Dash placed a wing over her protectively and mouthed “Thunderlane.”
“Okay. I think it’s your turn now.” Twilight said, flipping through her copy of Your Guide to Sleepover Games.
“Alright. Truth-or-dare, Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy said.
“Dare.”
“I dare you to um…do something you’re afraid of.”
“But I’m not afraid of anything.”
“What about cat-”
“I’m. Not. Afraid. Of. Anything.”
“You’re scared of cats, RD?” Applejack asked.
“I AM NOT AFRAID OF CATS!” Dash shouted, then curled up. “They just have really beady eyes and they freak me out. I dare YOU to do
something you’re scared of.”
“Um, okay.” Fluttershy tiptoed into the bathroom and flushed a toilet. She yelped and zoomed out. Everypony stared at her.
She sat down. Dash once more placed a wing over her. “That wasn’t too scary was it?”
“N-no, I’m fine.” Fluttershy said curling into Dash.
Next was Pinkie’s turn again. Pinkie dared Dash to dress up like a bunny rabbit. Somehow Twilight actually had a bunny costume and they all decided Dash looked adorable in it especially when Applejack dared her to hop around in it. Strangely, she didn’t seem to mind it too much. Dash then asked Pinkie who her crush was. Pinkie only shrugged and said her heart belonged to chocolate cake. Around midnight Twilight began to nod off. Then Fluttershy began snoring on Dash’s shoulder. Dash’s eyes began to droop and she ended up leaning on Applejack who was napping beneath her hat. Rarity curled up by Applejack. Pinkie was the last one to succumb to the sleeping pony-pile.
…
The great and might Twilight Sparkle, clad in shining armour, galloped upon the field of battle. The sky was black, blotted out by an army of griffons. With a surge of her horn she brought forth a wall of magical energy that the griffons crashed against. They hissed and shouted as they writhed against the shield. Some got through, but Twilight lifted up great stones and swung them against the griffons.
“What hit me? What the hay?!” One exclaimed in what sounded like Dash’s voice.
…
The Elements of Harmony minus a sleeping a purple unicorn woke to an unusual sight. Twilight’s horn was glowing with ethereal power. Books and objects swirled all around them caught up in a swirling blue field of energy. Twilight rolled over and mumbled something about
“For the Princes! Vivat Sol Imperium!” Dash rubbed the side of her head that a book had banged against.
“Twilight?” Applejack asked. “What’re you doing?”
Pinkie poked her. “She’s asleep! Unicorns can use magic when they’re asleep?”
Rarity shushed them. She carefully tiptoed over to Twilight and placed her horn to Twilight’s. She groaned as magic from Twilight’s horn
flowed into hers. She groaned.
“Such power! I’ve never felt anything like it!” She cried, jerking away. Then she placed her horn to Twilight’s again allowing the flow of energy.
Her eyes temporarily glowed purple. The books and objects began to fall, but Rarity quickly caught them. Twilight’s eyes opened.
“What…what’s going on?”
“It’s alright, Dear. Go back to sleep.” Rarity said, giving her a reassuring hug.
“I was bed-surging wasn’t I?” Twilight asked in a strained voice.
“I’m afraid so.” Rarity told her.
“I’m sorry!” Twilight shouted covering her face with her hooves and beginning to cry. “I’m pathetic! I shouldn’t still be doing this at my age!” Her sobs turned to sniffling as Rarity rubbed her back and Dash enveloped her in a hug. “My sister does this sometimes. It’s not something you can control so there’s no need to feel bad about it.” Rarity assured her.
“Your sister’s still a filly. I’m an Alpha-level Unicorn! I could kill someone if I ever lost control.” Twilight stood up. “That’s why I have to always be in control. I can never lose control. Never, never, never!” Twilight said, pacing back and forth.
“Everypony loses control sometimes. It’s not your fault.” Rarity said, continuing to try to assure her.
“Rarity’s right. It was just an accident.” Fluttershy added.
“Maybe, but usually this doesn’t happen. Not since I was twelve! I use magic all the time so that by night my stores are exhausted. I’ve been so
busy studying theory I’ve neglected to practice. I can’t do that! I can’t…”
“Celestia, it was just an accident Egghead.” Dash told her. There was a nasty bruise forming on her head.
Twilight saw it. “I hit you didn’t I?”
“Well, yeah, but you didn’t mean to.”
Twilight started sniffling again. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I ruined the sleepover.”
“You didn’t ruin anything, Sugarcube!” Applejack placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Look, we all have something we’re embarrassed about.”
“Something that could kill somepony?”
“Well…I accidentally hurt Applebloom once.”
“What? How?” Twilight asked. Everyone’s attention was on the farm pony.
Applejack sighed. “I’d never hurt that filly on purpose. But, she was followin’ me around one day and got too close while I was buckin’ a tree. The apples fell right on top of her. She was fine, but I’ve never cried so much in my life. You know what she told me the next day? She hugged me and said ‘I forgive you.’”
“Aw…” Rarity cooed. “To tell you the truth I’ve done a few embarrassing things myself. You’ve been there for a few of them. The most embarrassing thing I’ve ever done was the first time I got drunk and threw up on my dad’s autographed hoofball. He was quite cross with me for a while.”
Twilight giggled.
“I had to clean it. Not. Pleasant. I’ve never touched a drop of alcohol since then.”
“Sometimes I’m afraid I’m the reason Fluttershy’s so scared of everything.” Dash admitted.
“But you used to protect me!” Fluttershy protested.
“Yeah, a little bit too much. Like remember when we had to get rid of the dragon? I didn’t want you to go not because I thought you couldn’t do it, but because I was afraid the dragon would hurt you.”
“Oh, Dashie!” Fluttershy embraced her friend. Dash wrapped her wing around her. “I’m sure it’s not your fault I’m the way I am. In fact, you make me brave. I want to be brave like you.” The two friends separated.
“I’ve done embarrassing things too. Like, once I jumped in a bush to avoid having a conversation with somepony. They saw me and talked to the bush for ten minutes straight.”
“Sorry.” Pinkie said. “I’ve done a few embarrassing things. I want to make everypony happy and smile, but sometimes I just annoy them instead.”
“I used to think you were annoying, but you make me smile. Sometimes, just the thought of going pranking with you is enough to make me happy.” Dash told her.
“I rather like your pranks.” Rarity said. “They’re always in the spirit of fun.”
“I think you have a lovely voice and I love your singing.” Fluttershy added.
“And you make danged good muffins.” Applejack said.
“So, you see Twilight you’re not alone. Everypony has something embarrassing in their lives. Everypony has something to struggle with.” Rarity said.
“So, you guys don’t think differently of me?”
They all shook their heads no.
“Oh, girls. Thank you. I love you all!”
Rarity was the first to hug her. The others soon joined in, offering the distraught librarian the comfort of their presence. For a while they huddled together enjoying one another’s comforting touch.
Balancing Act
Fluttershy sighed in contentment at the breakfast table. Celestia’s sun had just now greeted the world, orange and red flames lighting the eastern sky. Rays of light flooded through her windows. The night creatures were beginning to rest, the Everfree Forest growing still. Only a few moments ago howls and the echoes of scurrying feet had hinted at predators going back and forth, hunting and fighting and killing. That was how Creator had made them, Fluttershy thought. She didn’t judge predators even if she kindly requested that they not look for meals in her yard. For the most part they respected her wish. Only the most rabid or fierce dared defy her. Not that she judged them though. Creator had made the world to be in balance. Predator and prey.
Life and death. The eternal turning of the seasons that Creator had made her race guardians of. While it saddened her to lose an animal friend she was able to accept it. She had watched over entire generations of squirrels and mice and other creatures whose time on Equus was short. A whistling from the stove told her that her tea was done and she floated over to the kettle. After pouring a cup she got comfortable in her chair. Angel Bunny hopped up and went to sleep in her lap. Fluttershy stroked his ears eliciting squeaks of pleasure. Outside the robins and the blue jays, the cardinals and the finches, the hawks and the eagles were lifting up their morning songs to the sun. The tea was a blend of various herbs bought from Zecora. The rich, earthy scent filled the whole room. The taste was strong and pungent, but it was delicious. Many of the other animals were still asleep. Fluttershy would be done with her tea before they awoke and needed their food. Angel stirred in her lap, seeking a more comfortable position.
'So, now you want to cuddle'. She thought. Last night Angel had spent all of his time chasing a female rabbit, Lisa Bunny, who had very forcefully rejected him. Fluttershy had separated the two much to Angel’s annoyance and Lisa Bunny’s relief. Angel had pouted and slept on the couch rather than his customary place at Fluttershy’s bedside. That incident had apparently been forgotten. A few squirrels had woken up and were now chittering, talking among themselves. Fluttershy focused her ears, picking up bits and pieces of gossip. Charlie Chipmunk was still feuding with Kyle Chipmunk after Kyle took his last nut. They were glaring at each other, but wouldn’t fight in the presence of the one they referred to as The Kind One. Sally Chipmunk was still nursing her young who scurried around her. Fluttershy drank the last bit of her tea and went to get some nuts for the woodland creatures, worms and fish for the birds and vegetables for the others. Harry the Bear was already fishing, his paws going back and forth in the water as he searched for a meal. Fluttershy started her chores with putting out a bowl of nuts which the chipmunks gleefully gathered around. Then she put out a few bowls of vegetables. Angel, being the alpha bunny, took the first few nibbles before allowing the other rabbits and to gather around. That completed Fluttershy flew out the window into a bright and warm spring day. She ascended into the highest branches, floating in the air as she gave worms to the birds. From this high up she could survey the lands around her cottage. The brook that separated her cottage from Ponyville was as serene as ever. If she listened close she could hear the rushing sound it made as it flowed across the land. Ponyville was waking up, a few ponies already out for a morning stroll. A few fillies and colts were out, already on the way to school. Most ponies this time of day were trudging along, barely even awake yet.
Fluttershy loved this time of day. It was serene, the sun softly lighting the earth. The air was cool and the drops of dew on the grass tickled her hooves. As she came down to the ground she thought about what she would do today. The animals would need to eat again at noon, but until then they could care for themselves. She might have a few disputes to resolve, but she didn’t have any sick patients. Somepony might come by the cottage, of course. Until then she had nothing to do. Usually, she just played with and watched over her animal friends. There was always something going on. Or she might visit some of her friends. She hadn’t seen Rarity in a while. It had been even longer time since she’d visited Twilight. As for Rainbow Dash…
She sat down and tried to think of the last time she had visited Rainbow Dash. They had seen each other at the slumber party last week, but not since then. And when was the last time they had spent time together as just the two of them? She searched her memory and struggled to find that last time. They had had tea and sweets at Sugarcube Corner. Halfway through Pinkie had joined them and Dash had talked to her about planning some prank or other. Before that they had worked together to bring the birds back home during Winter Wrap-up. That had been a civic duty though, not just spending time together as friends. And occasionally Dash did drop by for tea. And Fluttershy visited her cloudhouse. She couldn’t recall the last time that was, but she remembered doing it a few times.
'Have me and Dash really drifted that far apart?' She wondered, her mind always eager to seize on something new to worry about. She looked up to the sky. Dash loved the sky. She flew more than she walked. Even when in town she flew over the heads of others. If she needed to be found one only had to look to the sky.
Fluttershy rarely even used her wings and never went too fast. Dash was the only pegasus in recent history to pull off the sonic rainboom, a feat in which great speed was required.
Different. They were very different. In taste she was closer to Rarity. In her fascination with nature she was closer to the intellectual Twilight or the farmer Applejack. She often found herself overwhelmed by Pinkie Pie whom Dash spent much of her time with.
Me and Dash are very different. I wonder if the only thing we have in common is our wings…and that’s not all that much.
Yet, Dash was her oldest friend. Dash had been her protector in flight school always driving bullies away from her. Fluttershy recalled one Nightmare Night in particular. While she disliked the holiday Dash had convinced her to come to a party. Dash had dressed up like a royal guard, gleaming silver armour and a sword at her side. Fluttershy had come as a princess. It was the perfect metaphor for their relationship.
But what if she’s grown tired of protecting me? What if she’s grown disgusted by my weakness? Dash is such a strong pony. And I’m so weak.
Her friend might assure her otherwise, but she knew the truth. It was a cloudless day today and the weather pegasii were kicking away whatever stray clouds came in from the Everfree. Among the flock of pegasii she saw a brightly colored rainbow mane. Dash whirled and kicked in the air, making a great show of bucking the clouds. Fluttershy counted. On average Dash knocked away five clouds every second. Fluttershy stared up, watching in amazement. Within minutes the sky was completely clear. Fluttershy spread her wings and flew into the air as the assembled pegasii went off to other duties. Fluttershy hoped to catch up with Dash before she too went off. Luckily, Dash noticed her and stopped her flight. Fluttershy flapped her wings till she floating in front of Dash.
“Hey, Fluttershy. What’s up?” Dash asked.
“Oh, um hi. I was just wondering if well, if you wouldn’t mind, would you like to spend some time together?”
“Sure.” Dash said. “I was just about to go to Sugarcube Corner.”
“I meant some time alone. Just us.”
“You and Pinkie have a fight?”
“No, not at all. I just wanted to spend time with you. We haven’t done that in a while.”
“Well, we both went to that sleepover last week.”
“But everypony else was there. When was the last time it was just us?”
“Well…come to think of it you never come by my house.”
“Yeah, I know. You never come by my cottage either.”
“And I’m always busy with practice or racing AJ or pranking with Pinkie.”
“And there’s nothing you like to do with me?” Fluttershy asked, hoping there was no pout to her tone.
There was. Dash raised an eyebrow. “Fluttershy. Are you jealous?”
'What? No, don’t be silly. Of course I’m not jealous. Why would I be jealous that my oldest friend prefers everypony but me? Wait. That DID sound jealous.' “No, of course not.”
“You sound a little jealous. And like I said how come you never come over to my house?”
Fluttershy blushed. This was turning into a confrontation. She hated confrontations. A mumbling that was utterly incomprehensible came out of her mouth. Not even she was sure what she’d just said.
“Don’t be like that, ‘Shy. If you have something to say just come on out with it.” Dash told her, folding her forelegs.
Fluttershy squeaked.
“C’mon out with it.” Dash encouraged. “I won’t get mad.”
“You sound like you’re mad.” Fluttershy said. Dash placed a hoof on her shoulder. Fluttershy flinched, surprised at the sudden gesture, but
then relaxed.
“’Fluttershy. We’ve been friends since we were foals. Come on out with it.”
“I’m jealous.” Fluttershy muttered.
“What was that?”
“I’m jealous, okay?”
She looked down, refusing to meet Dash’s gaze.
“I’m sorry.” Dash told her.
Fluttershy looked up. “What are you sorry for?”
“I’ve been neglecting you. Look, we can do anything you want today.”
“Well, we could go flying.”
“No, don’t just pick something because you think I’ll like it.”
“I do like flying though. Not too fast, but I do love the way the world looks from the sky. And there’s this place I’ve been meaning to show you. Just follow me, alright?”
“Sure.”
Fluttershy turned and began to glide towards the Everfree. Dash followed. Fluttershy’s flight pattern was as graceful as the butterflies that adorned her flank. She rarely flapped her wings, merely allowing the wind to lift her up as it whistled through her feathers. Dash followed beside her. Her wings nearly rebelled at the thought of going slow, but for Fluttershy she slowed her pace.
Together they soared over the vast and spreading forest. They flew so close their feathers brushed against each other. It reminded Dash of the times that they used to go flying together in flight school. Dash hated going slow, but she would slow down for Fluttershy. Fluttershy had trouble going fast, but she’d speed up for Dash. That way they had flown in in harmony. Fluttershy would show Dash how beautiful the world looked from above, all the wonderful things one could see when one went slow. Dash had pushed her to fly, shown her how thrilling it was to feel the wind whipping your mane, rushing beneath your wings. Then at the end of those long flying sessions they’d rest on a cloud and preen one another’s wings. Dash began to adjust to the slow flight pattern as they continued their glide over the forest.
“So, what exactly did you want to show me?”
“It’s a surprise.” Fluttershy said.
“Is it awesome?”
“I suppose you could say that.” Fluttershy said, adjusting her wings and letting the wind carry her upwards to where the air was becoming thinner. With a flap Dash followed her.
“You know Flutters it’s too bad you never became a flyer. You’re so graceful.”
A blush crept up Fluttershy’s cheeks. “You really think so?”
“Yeah. I could probably learn a few things from you. You never seem to crash into anything.”
“You’re just saying that.”
“No, really. Just don’t let any of the girls know I said that. In fact, I’m pretty sure the only reason I said it was this thin air is making me dizzy. Why are we so high up?”
From here the world was a vast expanse of greens and browns. She couldn’t even make out individual trees or ponies. Up ahead were outcroppings of rock.
“I never even knew you came up this far, Flutters.”
“I used to not, but one of my younger birds got lost. That’s how I discovered the place I’m going to show you.”
She flew towards the mountains, Dash flying alongside her.
“So, what was it you wanted to show me?” Dash asked as she perched on the mountain and turned. Her mouth hung open.
“That.” Fluttershy said, pointing a hoof. Dash’s jaw dropped. The mountains were so high up that a vast field of clouds stretched out from it, constantly swirling, an endless river of mist and fog shining in the light of the sun.
“A cloud forest.” Dash whispered in awe.
While pegasii handled errant clouds there were places in Equestria where wild, untamed magic had left vast forests of cloud and mists covering entire mountain ranges.
“I found it about a week ago. I thought it was really beautiful. And I know cloud forests are great practice. And if you fall you can fall on the cloud instead of a mountain or another pony. Maybe you could try it for training.”
Dash wrapped a wing around her. “Thanks for showing me this place. It is awesome.”
She then withdrew the wing and began to preen an errant feather.
“It’s been a long time since…you know…” Fluttershy mumbled.
“Since we preened each other?”
Fluttershy nodded. “May I?”
Dash spread a wing and Fluttershy took it gently in her mouth. She ran her muzzle through the wings, brushing them slowly. Then she bit and twisted any feathers. Old, broken feathers began to pile around the pair. Dash’s eyes drooped and she visibly relaxed as Fluttershy continued brushing her wings. With a final brush she removed her muzzle.
“You need to preen?” Dash asked.
“Oh, yes.” Fluttershy spread her wings. Dash buried her muzzle into the wings and began to brush the feathers just as Fluttershy had done to her. Most of her feathers were fine, but a few had become twisted or loose during her flight. Dash gently twisted and tugged on them. Like
Dash had, Fluttershy relaxed beneath Dash’s ministrations.
“Why did we stop doing this, Dash?”
Dash placed a yellow feather on top of the pile of feathers that had accumulated around them.
“I’m not sure. I guess I got caught up in other things.”
“So did I.” Fluttershy admitted. “But I want to start hanging out with you again. Maybe next week?”
“Well, next week I’m trying out at the Best Young Flyers Contest.”
“I could come and cheer for you.”
“You’d do that?” Dash asked.
“Of course I would. Though you’ll have to teach me how to cheer.”
“I can do that.” Dash held out her hoof. “Friend.”
They hoof-bumped and stood together gazing out at the expanse of sunlit cloud.
Soul Friends pt. 1
Every Friday morning at around nine o’clock Twilight showed up at Sweet Apple Acres to help Applejack gather apples. This had been going on for a year. Applejack wasn’t sure what the studious unicorn got out of farm work, but she was always happy to have a helping hoof around the farm. The apples were hanging low from between the emerald leaves now, ripe ruby fruit ready to be harvested. The smell of apples wafted through the farm, sweet and tangy and bringing to mind memories of apple pies and apple cider. Applejack stretched and trotted from the kitchen with Big Mac. Just like every Friday Twilight was there. She was beneath an apple tree and smiled at Applejack’s approach. The unicorn already had baskets on her back.
“Good morning, Twi.”
“Good morning, Applejack.” Twilight said, yawning.
“Already had breakfast?”
Twilight nodded as she stretched her hind legs. “Yep. A bunch of pancakes.”
“Feel free to come here for breakfast. You know you’re always welcome.”
“I’ll take you up on that one of these days.”
They began to stroll among the trees. Applejack turned and bucked a tree and Twilight caught them in her basket. The process repeated again and again as they trotted at a brisk pace through the orchard. Applejack was confident that they’d be done by noon. They mostly worked in silence. Twilight seemed to be deep in thought as she trailed along the farm pony. Applejack watched her as she scrunched up her face. Occasionally her muzzle would twitch as if she was going to say something.
“Did you know apples were first cultivated by Akhels in the Rushing Mountains?” Twilight asked, apropos of nothing. She twisted her body to catch a bushel of apples that Applejack had kicked down.
“I did know that. My ancestors were Akhels.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah though it was a group of Akhels that migrated to Dream Valley. One of my ancestor’s was one of Meghan’s companions. She was the first Applejack.”
“Really? My ancestor was one of Meghan’s companions too. Twilight the Warrior.”
“You don’t say?” Applejack said. “A warrior? I could believe it.”
The silence returned. It was now obvious to a painful degree that Twilight wanted to ask or tell her something. Twilight slid the baskets from her back.
“Let’s go get some more baskets.” Applejack told her. Twilight took the old baskets in her magic and followed Applejack to the barn. She placed down the baskets in the hay. Applejack slid two more baskets on her back.
“Twilight is there something you wanted to tell me?”
Twilight didn’t respond.
“We’ve been friends for a long time, Sugarcube. There’s nothing you can’t tell me.”
They stepped from the musty barn into the fresh, fruit-scented air. In the sky the bright sun inched steadily towards noon. She only had a few more apple trees to harvest. She spotted Big Mac in the west field bucking the apple trees with his strong legs. Even here she could see his muscles rippling with each kick. Twilight glanced in his direction then away.
“Do you have a crush on Big Mac?” She asked suddenly.
“No. There’s actually this guard back in Canterlot.” Twilight said. “I think I’m in love with him.”
Applejack patted her shoulder. “Well, congratulations. I ain’t never been with nopony myself. What’s he like?”
“Strong. Intelligent. We met in the library about three months ago. I was visiting looking for this book.”
“Is that you wanted to tell me?”
“How’d you know I wanted to tell you something?”
“Sugarcube, when you can’t get up the courage to say something you blurt out random facts. Like where apples were first cultivated.”
“I do? That’s not what I wanted to tell you.”
“Well then what is it?”
“It’s a little strange.”
“When you’ve been living in this town long enough you get used to a little strange. Can’ be stranger than the time Rarity needed to use my trees to fit her dress.”
“She did?”
“She was making a dress for a dryad.”
Twilight’s eyes lit up. “A dryad? I’ve always wanted to meet one of those!”
“I met her. Nice lady. Got leaves everywhere though.”
“They go through a yearly shedding cycle. There are several varieties. Evergreen dryads don’t lose their leaves. Was she a poplar dryad or a
beech dryad or a birch dryad or-”
“Hickory.” Applejack said. “And you’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
Applejack slammed her back hooves into a tree. “Babbling. It’s what you do when you’re nervous.”
“I do?”
“Sure do. It’s kind of cute actually.”
“Applejack, how much do you know about Unicorn culture?” Twilight asked as she caught the apples in her basket.
“Well, I’ve hung out with Rarity for quite some time. I know y’all have different holidays. Is a holiday coming up?”
“The anniversary of the Battle of Flutter Valley.”
“Should I buy you a gift?”
“No. It’s a day of somber reflection. Though there is a feast in the evening.”
“Sounds nice.”
“My mom makes traditional baked hay casserole every year. It’s really good. Would you like to come this year?”
“I do like hay casserole. Sure I will.”
“You know Unicorns believe family is more than blood? There’s also spiritual family.”
“I believe that too. You girls are like a second family to me.”
“Remember the first time I came here? I really didn’t want to come to Ponyville. I even thought of it as Celestia banishing me here. But you made me feel so welcome. I don’t think I’ve gotten a warmer welcome in my entire life. At first I thought it was just because of my connection to the princess, but you really are that welcoming.”
“Aw, you’re makin’ me blush.”
“There’s more. I love all our friends, but I feel like we understand each other more.”
“You don’t got a crush on me do ya?”
Twilight didn’t answer.
“Oh.” Applejack breathed. “You were just tellin’ me ya had a stallion. I’m sorry, I’m flattered, but my barn door don’t swing that way.”
“It’s not exactly a crush.” Twilight explained. “I just feel a special connection to you. Especially after the slumber party last week. Everyone rushed to comfort me, but somehow you were the one that comforted me the most. I can’t explain it. Do you know what a soul friend is?”
“I heard Rarity’s mom call her dad that. I thought it was just a nickname.”
“It’s more than that. A soul friend is someone a unicorn has joined her magic with. Outside of marriage, it’s the most intimate relationship possible though soul-friending is part of the marriage rite. I want to be your soul friend.”
“But why me? Why not Rarity or Rainbow Dash or any of our other friends?”
“I don’t know. It all clicked for me after the slumber party. I felt terrible. But you telling me that story made me feel better. It made me realize everyone made mistakes. Then everypony else told their own embarrassing secrets or stories and it made us grow closer. I think I need you.”
Applejack raised an eyebrow at that. “I don’t think ya need anypony Twi. You’re a strong, capable mare.”
“Magic needs Honesty. Magic is power and without truth-honesty-power can mislead.”
“Huh. I’ve never thought of it that way. I really don’t know what to think about all this. What exactly does being a soul-friend mean?”
“Our magic, our souls, would be linked during the ceremony. It’s supposed to be very intense.” She shuffled a hoof. “We would see each other’s memories. Soul-friends have no secrets between them.”
“Twilight, you would let me see your memories? All your secrets? Everything?”
“Yes.”
Her tone was serious.
“And you would see all of mine?”
She nodded.
“You trust me that much?”
“With my life. I have trusted you with my life.”
“Twi, I may be the element of honesty, but there are things…deeply painful things…that I wouldn’t want you to see. Not because I don’t trust
you, but because I wouldn’t want to put you through the same pain I felt.”
“I understand. This is a really big deal among unicorns and I would never rush into it.”
“But if you ever did do something like that it would be with me?”
“Yes.”
“Huh. That really makes me feel special.”
They continued their way through the orchard, Applejack slamming her back hooves into trees and Twilight catching them in her basket. They went through three more baskets before they were done. Twilight carried the final basket in her magic, but nearly slipped with it. Applejack caught it the first second she realized Twilight was straining.
“You tired?”
“Yeah. I’m trying to use my magic more so I won’t have any more unfortunate incidents.”
“Ah, I see. Don’t strain yourself though. I did that once and broke my hip.”
Twilight winced. “Sounds painful. I busted my horn once.”
“Sounds painful. How’d that happen?”
“I ran into a stone wall. Got my horn stuck in it. Part of it came right off. It grew back, but for a week I couldn’t do any magic.”
Applejack shuddered. “I couldn’t imagine being cut off from magic.”
Twilight pawed at the ground. “Can I ask you something personal?”
Applejack gave her a good-natured smile. “You can ask me anything you like, Sugarcube. I done told you that.”
“I was studying the soul-friends rite and then I got interested in your kind of magic-Earth Pony magic. What’s it like?”
“What do you mean?”
“Unicorn magic is in our horns. Pegasus magic is in their wings. Earth Pony magic is linked to the soul of nature itself. What’s that like?”
Applejack paused so long that Twilight was afraid she’d offended her. “I’m sorry you don’t have to answer that.”
“Close your eyes.”
“Why?”
“Just do it.” Applejack closed hers. Twilight did the same.
A wind blew through the orchard bringing with it the scent of trees and grass and fruit.
“Can you feel the grass beneath your hooves?” Applejack began. “Do you feel the life coursing through the earth, through the trees, through the grass, the same life that courses through us all? Do you feel the power flowing through the trees? Can you hear the song of the birds and the squirrels and the worms singing to Creator?” She choked up. “Do you feel the bones of my ancestors beneath our hooves?”
Twilight focused. At first she felt nothing. Then she felt something brush up against her senses. Something faint like the throb of a distant drum. It was a heartbeat and she felt it beneath her. She felt the low thrum of power coursing through the land. It was distant and faint, but it
was there.
“That’s what we feel all the time. Like an endless song. You remember Bloomington? How I read him a story?”
“Yeah, I remember that.”
“I really could feel his nervousness. The trees are alive to us. The very soil beneath us is a living thing.”
Twilight felt her horn spring to life as she tuned into the unfamiliar magic that surrounded her. She took control of her native magic, but remained tuned into the strange magic that had always been around her.
“Y’all unicorns have a lot of fancy magic that come from your soul. I think that’s where it’s from.”
“Yes. It is. We pour our chakras-our energy-into every spell. That’s not how Earth Ponies do it I guess.”
“No. We draw our magic from the earth around us. Hence “Earth” Ponies.”
“That’s amazing.”
“But to tell ya the truth the levitation spell you use looks danged useful.”
“It is, but I would love to find a way to incorporate this magic into my spells.”
Applejack chuckled and picked the basket back up. “If anypony can do it it’s you.”
After trotting into the barn Applejack placed the final basket with the others. She picked up an apple and hoofed one to Twilight. They ate in companionable silence.
“You know I’ve never told anypony about how my mama died?” Applejack asked suddenly.
“Oh, I didn’t…I wondered why…I’m sorry.” Twilight finally settled on, placing a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder.
“It’s alright. I stopped cryin’ over it a while ago. All the tears in the world ain’t gonna bring her back.”
Twilight nuzzled her. “I’m still sorry. Wait, only your mom is gone?”
“My lowdown good-for nothin’ daddy ain’t nowhere to be found. If we did this soul-friend thing you’d see them. You’d see how she died.”
Twilight gulped. “I’m sorry. I’m still not very good at boundaries. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought that up.”
“No, no Sugarcube. Don’t be sorry. I don’t think I’m quite ready for something like that, but the fact that you trust me so much as to let me take a peek inside your mind? That means a lot. Makes me realize how much our friendship means.” She took a bite of her apple. “It’s made me realize that maybe I oughta talk to somepony about how my mama died. Somepony with that much trust in me. It might as well be you.”
Twilight nodded. “Okay.”
“My mama was a beautiful mare. Most beautiful mare in the world. When I was a foal I thought my mama was God. Wasn’t quite sure who my daddy was cause he wasn’t around much. She was also the kindest mare in the world. Never got too mad at me, always forgivin’ when I did somethin’ stupid, though she had a firm hoof. When I was upset she’d take me in her lap and sing to me.” Applejack swallowed down a lump in her throat that had nothing to do with the apple she was eating. “Told me stories too. Taught me how to use my magic, how to plant, how to buck a tree, how to bake…everything I know about bein’ a farmer. About bein’ a decent pony.” She shuddered with a suppressed sob.
Twilight rubbed circles in her back. Applejack continued. “When I was ten years old I found out Mama was going to have a baby. A new sister or brother. I was so happy. Mama…something went wrong. She went into labor too early.”
“Oh, Applejack I’m so sorry-”
“Don’t say that. You didn’t cause it. You know I hated Applebloom when she was born?”
Twilight couldn’t help letting out a little gasp then blushing in embarrassment.
“I don’t anymore of course. But back then? There’s a reason I don’t want you to see those memories. I lashed out at everypony. Granny, Big Mac, my friends. I turned into the world’s biggest brat.”
“What changed?” Twilight asked softly, somewhat surprised by the description of a filly so different from the mare she knew.
“One night Applebloom was cryin’ up a storm. Big Mac couldn’t get her to stop. Granny Smith couldn’t get her to stop. Dad had long since high-tailed it. I thought maybe I could do it. I took her in my forelegs, sang to her like Mama had sung to me. I don’t know why, but she stopped crying. To this day I can make Applebloom feel better just by singing. As I held her I realized my mama would be plumb ashamed of me if she saw how I was actin’. I decided I was goin’ to be the mother that Applebloom would never have. The mother she deserved.” She wiped away a few tears and leaned into Twilight’s embrace. Twilight held her until she stopped crying.
“I’m afraid you’ll see the bad part, Twi if you peek in my head.”
“You’ll see all my bad parts too. My snobbishness, my adolescent fascination with black magic. That’s the thing with becoming soul-friends. It’s joining your soul with another pony. Everypony’s soul has good and bad”
“Would you think differently of me?”
“No, not at all.” Twilight said. “Would you think differently of me?”
“Of course I wouldn’t Look, I’ll think about all this. I got to make some deliveries.” Applejack said as she stood up. They shared one last hug
before Applejack went to get her cart and Twilight returned to the library.
…
“She wants to be your WHAT, Darling?” Rarity asked. The prissy, white unicorn gaped at Applejack. True to her word the farmer had gone and done some deliveries before going to Rarity’s store.
“Well, considering you’re a unicorn I figured you’d know more about it. I don’t think Twilight’s being dishonest with me, but I want to know all the facts.”
“Did she tell you that it’s second only to marriage in terms of social importance?”
“She mentioned something like that. She said your parents are soul friends.”
“Yes they are. Disgustingly romantic. Though to tell you the truth I do wish to have a stallion in my life that loves me like Father loves Mother.”
“What’s it like to open yourself up to somepony like that?” Applejack asked before Rarity could start swooning.
“I have no idea. I don’t have a soul friend. It’s supposed to be an incredible experience. The question is are you comfortable with the idea? No unicorn-no ethical unicorn-would force something like this.”
Was she comfortable with it? She had known Twilight for a while now. She was a trustworthy pony. But this would take much more than simple trust.
“I don’t know, Rarity.”
“Then your answer has to be no.” Rarity’s tone became firm. “If you are not comfortable with it, even if you’re not sure if you’re comfortable with it or not, don’t do it. It’s a very permanent bond. It can be broken, but the pain has been described as similar to breaking a bone.”
“But can soul friends read each other’s thoughts?”
“Not exactly, but I’ve seen my parents just sort of intuitively know what the other one is thinking. The benefit is you’ll never be alone, not really. Or that could be a bad thing depending on how you feel about it.”
Applejack nodded. “I’m going to have to think about it. It’s not the thought of joining my soul to hers. I love that filly-platonically of course.”
“Then what bothers you?”
“Remember Applebucking Season?”
“Hmm, I’m afraid I don’t pay much attention to it.”
“I stirred up a bunny stampede. If Twilight hadn’t made me accept help…” She trailed off. “I’m always going to be grateful to her for that. I don’t want her to see all the other stupid things I’ve done.”
“Darling, I’ve known you since we were both fillies. May I tell you something?”
“I reckon.”
“Everypony makes mistakes. But you take mistakes especially hard. You can’t stand the thought of anypony discovering you have equine flaws.”
Applejack shrugged. “I don’t think I’m that bad.”
“Twilight had to hold you down and force you to accept help. Yes, she told me about it.”
Applejack cringed at the memory. “What if Twilight had asked you to do this? Would you want her finding out about your bully years?”
Rarity’s coat turned several shades redder.
“Aw, Rare I didn’t mean it!” Applejack said, putting a hoof on her shoulder. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Twilight already knows about that. I told her about it in a moment of weakness. I’ve been forgiven, but I haven’t forgotten. Apparently you haven’t either.”
Applejack looked to the floor. “I shouldn’t have said it.”
“You did nothing wrong. I did. And, I know you’ve forgiven me more times than I deserve. To answer your question I’m afraid me and Twilight aren’t close enough for that kind of relationship.”
“Is there any of our friends you would be comfortable enough with to do it?”
“I fear it wouldn’t be fair to my other friends. I can’t overestimate how great an honor it is for a unicorn to even ask another pony to go through the rite. It takes complete and total trust.”
“I’m starting to understand that.”
“How about you, Darling? Is there anyone you’d trust enough to do it? I mean, if you were a unicorn.”
“It wouldn’t be fair to my other friend, like you said. But if I had to choose, at first I’d say RD. But knowing her thoughts would mess up our contests. I’m still working on my relationship with you. No offense.”
“None taken. It’s certainly a work in progress.”
“Pinkie Pie’s fun to be around, but at times she can be a little…um…”
“Exuberant?” Rarity offered.
“Yeah, let’s go with that. Fluttershy’s lovely, but at times I feel like she’s my kid sister. I reckon…”
She trailed off as she realized the only logical choice left.
“Twilight. If I had to choose it’d be Twilight.”
Rarity smiled at her. “Applejack, perhaps I’ve misrepresented what being soul friends is like. It is the most rewarding experience possible. If Twilight's the one then I don't think you'll make a mistake in going through the rite with her.”
“I see. Thanks for the talk Rarity.” She said, giving her a nuzzle. Rarity nuzzled back.
“Anytime.”
Applejack left the boutique and found herself heading towards Twilight’s. The library was still open, a candle burning in a window and the silhouette of a librarian hunched over a book. Applejack knocked on the door and it slid open. Twilight remained engrossed in her book.
“Twilight?”
She looked up and stood from her desk. “Oh hi Applejack.”
“Twilight, I want to do it. I want to become your soul-friend.”