MoonShine 2

by Carpe Diem

Chapters

• Arrival
• Flashback
• Summer Sun Celebration
• Nightmare
• Meeting
• Mixed Emotions and Conflict
• (Attempted) Bedroom Shinanigans
• Minuette - Hourglass
• Lemon Hearts - When Life Gives You Lemons...You Say 'Screw You Life, I Don't Want Your Damn Lemons!'

Arrival

"Hurry up Twinkle!  We're gonna be late!"  Moondancer said as she stuffed her makeup bag into her saddlebag.

After Moondancer's birthday party, Twinkleshine asked if Moondancer would accompany her to the Summer Sun Celebration in Ponyville this year.  Moondancer agreed without hesitation, and now the two are packing their things for the trip to Ponyville.

This was also Twinkleshine's last year at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, she graduated a few days ago.  A couple weeks before school let out, Twinkleshine went house hunting and found a nice cottage in Ponyville.  She decided to buy it, and told the realtor pony she would be moving in by the time the Summer Sun Celebration came.

During the course of the party, Twinkleshine hired moving ponies to take all her possessions to her new house.  Since this was a dorm room at a school, there weren't many.  Twinkleshine decided when she got to Ponyville she would buy some more furniture and other things later.  For now, she had a train to catch.

The party lasted longer than the two expected it.  Since the renowned DJ-Pon3 was playing, it took twice the time it needed to end the party and make the crowd of nearly four hundred ponies leave.  The train was scheduled to leave at 4:00, and the time now is 3:51.

"I'm coming I'm coming!  Just need to pay the movers."  The ivory mare magically lifted a checkbook and wrote the amount on it.  She signed it and gave it to a brown pegasus stallion with a blonde mane.  Twinkleshine turned around and picked up her saddlebag, flung it on her back and faced Moondancer, "Ok, ready."  

Twinkleshine's new marefriend smiled at her, but that smile quickly vanished as she looked up at the clock.  Moondancer gasped, "We're never gonna make it now!"

The ivory mare shifted her eyes around the half empty dorm, looking for a quick solution to their problem.  There was no way that they could gallop to the train station in time.  Teleporting would drain too much energy, but there is one solution to that.

"I know how we can get to Ponyville!  Follow me!"  Twinkleshine led Moondancer out of the dorm.  They walked around the halls and out the front door of the castle until they were outside.  There was a large dirt field close by the building, and Twinkleshine led her marefriend over to it.

"You remember what Professor Diem taught us right?" Twinkleshine asked.

"Uh, yea, he does that runecasting stuff.  I never really payed much attention in his class...hehe."  Moondancer scratched the back of her neck and looked to the side.  "His eyes kinda creep me out..."

"He's albino!"

"I know I know.  Still, when we were taking our finals, and the way he stared at all of us...." Moondancer shuddered.  She recalled the way his menacing blood red eyes pierced through her soul.

"Well, you should pay more attention, this runecasting stuff is really cool!  See watch, here's a little spell he tough me how to do."  Twinkleshine flashed her horn and a stick conjured in front of her.  She levitated the stick next to her in the dirt field and began to use it as a pencil.  She moved the stick around and drew on the field, making various lines and symbols with it.  After a few seconds, she tossed the stick aside and stood in the drawing.

"This is called a mass teleportation rune.  It's supposed to amplify my teleportation spell without using too much magical energy.  I can use it to teleport us all the way to Ponyville without getting tired!"  Twinkleshine smiled and motioned for Moondancer to get in her expertly drawn rune.

The light gray mare widened her eyes and looked at the rune, "Wow really?  That's so cool!"  she stepped inside the rune and stood next to her marefriend.  Her demeanor instantly changed as a thought came to mind.  "Is it safe though?  That's a pretty long distance, I'm not gonna end up with, like, your tail and you'll end up with my leg?  I've seen a lot of those things in movies before."

Twinkleshine smiled and stared at her marefriends eyes.  "Don't worry, Moondancer.  I've done it a couple times, and Professor Diem has done it hundreds."  She nuzzled the side of Moondancer's neck.  "We'll be fine."

Moondancer sighed and nuzzled Twinkleshine back, "Ok, I trust you."

Twinkleshine forced herself to hold back a blush.  To compensate momentarily, she started to cast the teleportation spell.  Her horn was enveloped in a light pink aura.  The rune around the two started to glow light pink as well.  Moondancer gulped and moved closer to Twinkleshine.  She sat on her haunches and put her foreleg around the ivory mare.

Twinkleshine kept her focus as she tampered with the ley lines that blanketed the world around them.  She was able to manipulate the lines so that they may warp the particles that are the two mares.  Once Twinkleshine had reached the appropriate amount of magical energy, which wasn't that much considering the rune amplified it, the lines engulfed the two mares and turned them into millions of tiny particles.  The particles warped across the momentary rip in the fabric of reality to transport them from one end to the other.  This, kids, is how teleportation works.

The ley lines stopped transporting the particles and re-materialized them in their own respective forms.  Twinkleshine kept her fluffy pink mane and tail, along with her ivory coat.  Moondancer still had her ruffled maroon mane with the single lavender strip running through it, and her coat remained light gray.  They each had all four of their legs, nothing was out of place or mixed between the two.

Moondancer found herself holding onto Twinkleshine for dear life.  Both her hooves were wrapped around Twinkleshine's neck, and were tightly clinging on.  Her eyes were forced shut, and her body was slightly shaking.  In a normal situation, Twinkleshine would tease Moondancer about the sudden fear.  But, considering the new situation going on between them, she wanted to comfort her marefriend.  

Twinkleshine lightly wrapped her hooves around Moondancer's neck, and softly cooed in her ear.  "Moondancer, we're here.  You can open your eyes now."

Moondancer obeyed, and she slowly opened her eyes revealing the new scenery.  Instead of the school grounds and princess's castle, they stood next to a tree in the middle of a field with small hills and other trees.  In the middle of the grassy field, a small gazebo was found, along with a couple of benches.  She came to the decision that they must be in the Ponyville public park.

The light gray mare turned her attention to the pony beside her.  She looked into her eyes, her soft teal rings that bring out the beauty of her eyes.  Twinkleshine stared back, and lost herself in a sea of tranquility as the two mares locked gazes.  Twinkleshine began to blush as she continued to gaze at her marefriend.  Soon, Moondancer found herself doing the same.  The ivory mare began to slowly push her head forward, ever so slowly attempting to close the gap between them without looking too suspicious.

Moondancer, being ill prepared for an upcoming kiss, tried to sway away without in turn looking suspicious or rude.  So she quickly thought of a way to snap both of them out of their self induced trances.  "Umm, so, where's your house?"  Moondancer said as she took a step back from Twinkleshine.

Twinkleshine's blush had intensified when she realized what was about to happen.  She wanted to apologize to Moondancer, but couldn't make the words out in her mouth.  Twinkleshine didn't even realize that she was about to kiss her, it was kind of like an involuntary action.

  She looked to Moondancer's right and pointed behind her.  The gray unicorn turned around and noticed her partner was pointing at what she assumed to be her house.  It was about fifty yards or so away from where they were standing.  The two stood up from the grassy field and trotted side by side to Twinkleshine's new house.

Twinkleshine pulled out a key from her saddlebag and unlocked the front door, holding it open to allow her marefriend to enter first.  Moondancer entered the home and looked around.  She whistled in amazement.

"Wow, Twinkle, nice place you got here.  So this is where we're gonna live?  I like it."

Twinkleshine was about to reply, but her mischievous thoughts took place in her head.  She found this the perfect opportunity to have a little fun with Moondancer.

"We?  Oh, I don't know about that."  Twinkleshine entered another room to hide her devious smile.

Moondancer followed with a worried chuckle, "What do you mean?"

"It's just that...Living together is a huge step in a relationship....and I don't think we're ready for that yet.  I mean, we just started dating today!"  It took all of her strength to hold back a laugh.

Moondancer gulped, "B-but we've been living in the same dorm room for four years!"

"Yeah, but that's different.  We were friends then...and, well, it's ok for friends to live together.  But now that we're dating....I don't know."

Moondancer couldn't take it, she leaped next to Twinkleshine and fell to the ground, begging and pleading.  "Y-you can't do that!  Please Twinkle!  I don't have anywhere else to stay here!  And I don't want to go back to Canterlot and not see you for, like, a really long time!"

Alright, that's it.  Moondancer seems to be be tortured enough.  Twinkleshine started to laugh like crazy.  She nearly fell over on her back.  "Oh wow, Moondancer!  You're too easy!"

The light gray mare could only stare back in shock.  She found herself being dumbfounded that Twinkleshine easily pranked her.  She needed to get her back, and there was only one devilish thought that itched it's way into Moondancer's subconscious.  

Twinkleshine was still laughing her guts out, not paying attention to Moondancer.  So to take advantage of the moment, Moondancer quickly thought of a spell and casted it.  Her horn glowed a soft maroon, then strands of maroon magic materialized next to Twinkleshine.  The strands moved like snakes, and wrapped themselves around Twinkleshine's arms and legs.  They latched themselves to the floor, making movement from Twinkleshine impossible.

Twinkleshine struggled against the bonds, "W-what are you doing?!"

Moondancer didn't reply.  She just trotted up to Twinkleshine and sat herself right on top of her.  She brought both her hooves up, cracked her neck, and swiftly brought them down on to Twinkleshine's chest and stomach.  Her hooves strategically moved lightly all around her marefriend's body.

Twinkleshine gasped and started to laugh uncontrollably.  She kept struggling against the magical bonds, but it was no use.  Moondancer kept assaulting her with swift and multitudes of tickles, not easing down or letting go once.  This was almost like torture to Twinkleshine, but in a fun, mischievous way.

"M-Moondancer! HAHEHA! Stop, p-please! HEHEHEH!  No fair! I-I can't move!"

"Not until you apologize!"  Moondancer replied with a smirk.

"Ok! Ok! I'm--"  Moondancer strengthened her onslaught of tickles, causing Twinkleshine to laugh harder.

"You're what?"  Moondancer momentarily halted her barrage to allow Twinkleshine to catch her breath.

Twinkleshine started to pant heavily, taking advantage of the momentary cease fire, "I'm sorry that I tricked you."  She said after a moment.

"Oh come here, Twinkle!"  Moondancer lifted the bonding spell off her marefriend and pulled her in for a tight hug.  Twinkleshine gasped, still out of breath from the surprise tickle attack.  Moondancer broke the hug after a few seconds, and the two just stared into each others eyes.  Was this the right moment?  Should Twinkleshine make a move and kiss Moondancer?  The ivory mare kept contemplating these thoughts in her head.  She wanted to, really really badly, to kiss Moondancer, but is she ready?  Twinkleshine didn't want to ruin their relationship over a premature kiss.  What if Moondancer was waiting for it though?  What if she wanted her to make the first move?

She decided against it, "So, we got about half an hour until the movers get here.  What do you want to do?"

Moondancer shifted herself and leaned against the wall of the room.  She patted a spot next to her, motioning Twinkleshine to sit beside her.  "I just want to sit here and spend some time with you."

Twinkleshine smiled and started to blush again.  There was no use in hiding it anymore.  She moved over to the spot next to Moondancer and leaned her head on her shoulder.  Moondancer in return put her foreleg around Twinkleshine's neck.  Twinkleshine couldn't even begin to explain what she was feeling right now.  She had Moondancer as her marefriend, with her arm around her neck.  Nothing could make this moment more perfect.

However, there was one thing that bugged Twinkleshine.  A question that she wanted to ask Moondancer since she agreed to go out with her.  "Hey Moondancer?"

"Yes Twinkle?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course you can."

"I just wanted to know, when did you start liking me?"  Twinkleshine looked up at her marefriend.

Moondancer returned the gaze and chuckled lightly, "Well you see....."

Flashback

A/N: Before you read this, those of you who have not read the first story, MoonShine, go read it.  You will not understand this chapter if you have not read it.

*DRAMATIC FLASHBACK*

The bell rang, and class had just began for the day.  Moondancer and Twinkleshine were in homeroom, and the professor had just sat down at his desk and began to ruffle up a pile of papers.  After a few seconds of sorting them through, the professor got up and began to pass out the papers to the rest of the class.

"You all know the rules." He said, "No talking, no looking at other pony's test, and if I catch you doing any of that your test will be invalidated.  Good luck."  The professor sat back down at his desk and payed close attention to the class.

Moondancer rolled her eyes and lifted her pencil up with her magic.  She began with her name, then the date.  The first set of questions were definitions.  Moondancer found some of them ridiculously easy.  One of them was, 'Define the term Ley Lines.'  Others posed more of a difficult challenge.  

Test taking was such a menial task for her.  She usually lets her mind wander off.  This test was too easy.  The light gray mare shifted her eyes around the room.  She wasn't trying to cheat off another pony's test, her mind was just in a bored state and decided to move her eyes off her paper.  She looked to her right and spotted Twinkleshine.

Here we go again...  Moondancer thought as she caught Twinkleshine in her act once again.  It has been going on for a few weeks now, the same thing over and over again.  Almost every time Moondancer looks over at Twinkleshine, she always catches her staring at her.  

Twinkleshine, however, wasn't looking over at Moondancer's paper to attempt to cheat or anything.  No, she's not that kind of pony to cheat.  Not to mention she's too smart to actually find the need to cheat.  She was staring at something else more interesting.  Her eyes were locked onto Moondancer's cutie mark, she was too focused to notice Moondancer was staring back.

What was going on?  Was this some sort of phase Twinkleshine was going through?  Moondancer had never thought of Twinkleshine as a filly-fooler, she has had her fair share of coltfreinds in the past.  Was it Moondancer that she was attracted to?  The gray mare sighed quietly and slumped down in her chair.  She cleared her mind of Twinkleshine for the moment, maybe eventually it'll just pass and she'll never have to worry about it again.  Once again she enveloped her pencil in her maroon aura and began to finish her test.

<~>

"Twinkleshine, wait!"  Moondancer called out to her friend as she galloped away from her in tears.

It was of no use, the ivory mare was already out of earshot.  Moondancer had found Twinkleshine only moments ago on a bench in the castle's Royal Gardens.  She always comes here when her mind is troubled, or when she needs to sit and think.  Twinkleshine fell asleep on a bench for a couple hours, and Moondancer came looking for her.

When Moondancer found and woke her, Twinkleshine mentioned that she needed to think about something.  Moondancer hoped Twinkleshine wasn't thinking about her.  Ever since Moondancer starting catching Twinkleshine staring at her flank, she became more and more worried that Twinkleshine was falling for her.  Recently, Twinkleshine started blushing whenever Moondancer talked to her.  The light gray mare knew her friend had a crush on her, she just didn't know how to deal with it.

The walk back to the dorm was slow as Moondancer kept contemplating different scenarios in her head.  She wondered if she even could date Twinkleshine.  Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.  Maybe they would be happy together.  The two were friends since they were little fillies, and they did literally everything together.  They shared everything they did, and they practically never left each other's sides.  They could have practically been dating the entire time!

The only question was, did Moondancer feel the same way back?  The gray mare never looked at herself as a filly-fooler.  She had her share of coltfriends in the past, just like Twinkleshine.  The funny thing was, all of her relationships never worked out at all.  Most of them only lasted a couple weeks before ending horribly.

Moondancer's subconscious mind nearly broke out into a civil war.  On one side, Moondancer's feelings told her that she was straight, and to keep going out with other stallions.  On the other, her feelings told her to give Twinkleshine a chance.  Considering they already know each other more than anypony else, they would make a perfect couple.

The unicorn mare sighed in exasperation.  She mentally cursed at herself for not coming up with a solution to her dilemma.  Twinkleshine was a great filly, she was smart, kind, caring, and beautiful.  When they were young, they rarely got into any fights over insignificant things other ponies would fight over.  Maybe this could work out...

Moondancer's thoughts halted as she found herself standing outside the building that housed the multiple dorm rooms.  She slowly made her way to her and Twinkleshine's.  She used her magic to unlock the magical padlock, then proceeded inside.  When she entered, she found Twinkleshine asleep.  Upon closer examination, she found that her pillow was wet, indicating that she had been crying.  Being the caring friend that she was, Moondancer sat at the edge of the bed and stroked Twinkleshine's pink mane.  She sighed.

Oh Twinkleshine, what am I going to do with you?  

<~>

The sleeping gray mare awoke suddenly to the sound of muffled grumbling and moaning.  She lazily rolled to the ladder of the bunk bed and got down next to the still sleeping Twinkleshine.  Moondancer nearly choked out laughing at the sight.  The ivory mare was clenching her pillow in a loving embrace and kissing it.  Moondancer had to bite her tongue to prevent her from laughing and waking her friend.

"Oh Moondancer!"  Twinkleshine said in her sleep as she kept smooching the pillow.  "I love you."

Moondancer blinked.  She took a step back in shock as she heard her best friend involuntarily confess her love for her.  So the truth finally came out, even though it was still unknowingly admitted by Twinkleshine.  Moondancer took a breath as she processed the words.  

So Twinkle's in love with me?  Oh Celestia please help me.  

Two days ago is when Twinkleshine galloped away from her friend nearly crying.  The morning after that she claimed she felt better.  What caught Moondancer's attention was that she said admitted to her that she was a filly-fooler.  Moondancer reacted positively and gave her full support to make sure her friend was feeling better about herself.  Another thing that caught Moondancer off guard was that she said that her 'feelings intensified'.  The whole day Moondancer did nothing but think.  Did she feel the same way?  Could she feel the same way?

Just then, Twinkleshine's eyes shot open.  Moondancer's thought's faded as humor replaced them.  She wanted to mess around with her old friend for the moment.  Who could pass up an opportunity like this?  

"Oh I see!"  The gray mare began, "So it's the pillow you have the crush on!  What's her name? HAHA!"

<~>

"Twinkle, watch out!"  Moondancer called as she quickly formed a magical bubble around her ivory friend.  She pulled the bubble towards her, and away from an oncoming cliff.  Twinkleshine shot forward and impacted Moondancer, bringing them both to the ground and leaving a cloud of dust around them.

It took a few seconds but Moondancer finally came back to consciousness.  She rubbed her head to numb the pain of the impact, then slowly opened her eyes.  This would be considered arguably the most awkward situation she found herself in in a long time.  Twinkleshine stared down at Moondancer from atop of her, blushing deeply and not moving.  She found this just as awkward as Moondancer.  

The gray mare started to feel a blush creeping up on her face as well.  Something about this embarrassing position had somehow made something spark inside her mind.  When she looked up into Twinkleshine's eyes for the briefest second, she felt something inside her.  It was a sense of pure bliss.  She continued to gaze into her teal rings, and the world around them seem to be non-existent.  Time was a mere nothing as the two mares stood in that awkward position for what seemed like the longest of times.

It was tranquility.  Pure tranquility.  Moondancer felt that all her worries, all her fears, all her guilt had just escaped her.  The feeling was euphoric, to be able to lose all stress and tension just by staring into this mare's eyes.  What was this feeling?  Was it...love?

Only a minute went by in the real world before Moondancer snapped out of her state of serenity.  She quickly thought of a way to hide her emotions and make Twinkleshine get off her.  "Umm, Twinkle."

"Oh!  Right, right!"

*DRAMATIC FLASHFORWARD*

"Yep, that's what happened.  After I saved you, I...I don't know, I just...you know, fell for you, hehe."  Moondancer slightly blushed.

Twinkleshine leaned in closer to her marefriend, relinquishing in the moment.  So it seemed Moondancer had some feelings for Twinkleshine all along, it just took some time for her to realize them.  The two just sat on the carpet in one of the rooms of the house, basking in each other's embraces.  The two could sit here for hours, unmoving, not talking, but just enjoying that they are both together.

That, however, was interrupted by a knock on the door.  Moondancer grunted, she didn't want this moment to end.  Twinkleshine sighed and got up, then opened the door revealing the same brown pegasus stallion from the dorm room in Canterlot.

"Here ya' are ma'm.  We got all ya' stuff in that truck over there safe and sound from Canterlot.  I got my boys already startin' to unload.  Jus' tell us were to put all the boxes and we're all set."  The pegasus said while motioning the other movers to get the boxes and other furnishings in the house quickly.

"You can just leave them here in the middle and I'll get to them later, thank you."  She said in a modest tone.

"Comin' through, boss!"  One of the movers said as they struggled to carry Twinkleshine's dresser through the door.  Once they put it down and started catching their breaths, one of them said to Twinkleshine, "I wish we had magic like you, make this job a heck of a lot easier, hehe."

The ivory mare chuckled as she watched the movers unload the rest of her belongings.  Moondancer stood next to her and made sure that they got everything out.  After about a half hour, the movers finished and left Twinkleshine and Moondancer alone again.

Moondancer examined one of the boxes that came open during the transfer.  When she looked inside, a devilish smile slapped on her face.  Inside the box was Twinkleshine's toiletries, tooth brush, mane brush, makeup bag, shampoos and so on.  Moondancer went over to where she dropped her saddlebag off and enveloped three items in her magic:  Her mane brush, tooth brush, and makeup.

"Oh Twinkle." She said in a sing-song voice.

"Yes?"  The ivory mare said as she turned to face Moondancer, noticing the brushes and makeup bag.

Twinkleshine sighed, then smiled, "Alright fine, I'll teach you how to multitask."

Summer Sun Celebration

"You're doing great, Moondancer!  Just keep concentrating!"

Twinkleshine stood beside Moondancer as she guided her marefriend through the process of doing three things at once:  Brushing her teeth, brushing her mane, and applying makeup.  The first time Moondancer attempted it, she ended up doing the same up and down motion as you do with a tooth brush on all three objects.  It was fairly difficult for her, trying to do three different motions at the same time.  Twinkleshine had to stifle a laugh every now and then when the makeup didn't come out right, or when she ended up ruffling up her mane more than usual.

The act has been going on for almost twenty minutes.  Moondancer effortlessly tried to mimic Twinkleshine's multitasking abilities without screwing up.  She tried but failed multiple times.  Twinkleshine told her not to beat herself up about it, considering it took Twinkleshine almost two months to perfect it.  Even now, Twinkleshine still has a trouble concentrating.

Then, it happened.

"Twinkle!  I think I got it!"  Moondancer squealed in delight as she found herself in the mirror successfully doing three different motions.  She was just about to finish putting on the last bit of mascara when a ringing loud noise, like a bell, interrupted her channeling.  The two brushes flung out of her magical grasp and landed on the bathroom counter, and the mascara brush swiftly ran across Moondancer face, leaving a horizontal trail of black from her right eye, across her snout, to her left eye.

Twinkleshine couldn't help but burst out laughing.  She recalled a strangely similar occurrence just a couple days ago that involved her being the one who lost concentration and Moondancer being the one who interrupted her.  "Deja vu huh?"

Moondancer gave her a sneer, "Yeah yeah, whatever." She picked up a wet towel to wash the makeup off.

"I'll go see who's at the door."  Twinkleshine exited the bathroom and made way for the front door.  When she opened it, a blue coated unicorn with a half blue half white mane appeared.  "Oh hello Minuette!  Come in!"  She stepped aside to allow her friend to enter.

"Hey Twinkle!" She said as she stepped inside. Looking around the house and noticing the packed boxes, she thought that she could offer some help to her friend.  "You need any help unpacking?"

Twinkleshine smiled at Minuette's offer, "Thanks, but I think Moondancer and I got it."  As if on cue, Moondancer came out of the bathroom.

"Hey Colgate how's it going?"  She said as she came up next to the two.

"Hey Moondancer!"  She chuckled, "Is there ever a time when you two aren't together?"

Twinkleshine felt a blush coming on, Oh Celestia!  Does she know?  She darted her gaze around the room, avoiding eye contact, and failing to avoid suspicion.  Moondancer noticed this quickly and intercepted Twinkleshine.

"Ya know, best friends since we were, like, what three or four years old?  It's just weird to not be apart."  Minuette seemed to buy it, and she shrugged.  Moondancer mentally sighed.

"So anyways, you two coming to the party?" The indigo pony switched her gaze between the two with envious eyes.

The two mares looked at each other, then back at Minuette.  "Party?" Moondancer replied.

"Yea, Lyra, Amethyst, and Hearts told me that there's a party at the library tonight for the Summer Sun Celebration."  Minuette looked outside a nearby window, "We might want to hurry, they told me it starts at dusk."

Moondancer groaned, "I just had, like, the biggest birthday party ever!  I don't think I can stand another one today."  She lied.  She just wanted to spend more time with Twinkleshine.

Minuette looked offended.  "Nonsense! C'mon girls It'll be fun!  It is the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration, we're all supposed to stay up to watch Princess Celestia raise the sun at dawn.  You don't want to fall asleep again like last year, do you?"  She turned to Moondancer with a smirk.

The mare in questioned rolled her eyes.  Last year at the Summer Sun Celebration she fell asleep mere minutes before Celestia rose the sun.  It was so embarrassing for her.  Everypony she knew picked on her about it for a long time before they all forgot.  Yet they still use it against her to keep her under control.

Minuette noticed the disgruntled look on Moondancer's face and suppressed a giggle.  "Oh don't be such a grump!  Anyway, so you two in or out?"

The two marefriends looked at each other.  They metaphorically discussed the matter telepathically, reading each others facial expressions.  Moondancer held a dull look of exasperation, almost as if she was telling her partner that she wanted no part of this party.  Moondancer didn't feel like going to another party, she already had her birthday party today.  Besides, she wanted to spend more time with Twinkleshine at the house anyway, and watch the sunrise together.  She quietly groaned and rolled her eyes.

Twinkleshine silently pleaded to her marefriend.  Her eyes vibrated slightly as she stared into Moondancer's soft grey rings.  She held that face for a few more moments, attempting to get Moondancer to give in and attend the party.  As a bonus, she threw in a quivering lip and fluttered her eyelids.  Who knows, maybe the party might be the perfect oportunity to tell all their friends about them being together.  

The gray mare sighed in defeat,  "Alright fine, but don't expect me to do anything."

A squeal of delight escaped from the indigo unicorn.  She hopped into the air and smiled at the two mares.  In return, Moondancer groaned again and Twinkleshine giggled lightly to herself.  The three mares walked out of Twinkleshine's new house and headed for the direction of the Ponyville Library, to the best that Minuette can remember.  The gray mare trotted to the right of Twinkleshine, while the indigo mare was on the left.  Every now and then, Minuette would stop and look around, trying to remember where exactly the library was.  Lemon Hearts, another one of their friends who they call by her last name, Hearts had mentioned something about the library being...what was it?  Next to a big tree in the middle of town or something?      

They finally spotted the tree that their three friends had mentioned.  They looked around it, trying to spot a sign or something outside a building that said 'Library'.  After not being able to locate anything, Minuette gave up and decided to ask one of the residents.  Lucky for them, a white unicorn with a beautifully curled purple mane was close by.

Minuette came up to her, "Excuse me ma'm, do you know where the library is?"

"I most certainly do, darling."  The mare lifted her forearm to point to the large tree.  "It's right over there."

The three unicorn friends all looked at her with confusion.  

"The...tree... is the library?"  Moondancer questioned.

The purple maned mare scoffed, "Oh yes I know, tacky isn't it?  I'll never understand why anypony would go about to hollowing out a tree to house a library.  I assume you three are visiting for the celebration this year?"

"Actually," Twinkleshine spoke,  "The three of us and a couple other friends all just moved here from Canterlot."

The mare gasped in delight and her eyes glistened.  "Canterlot?!"  She said while jumping in delight,  "Oh Celestia, how many Canterlotians am I going to run into today?!"  She took a deep breath and stopped herself from jumping in excitement, "The name's Rarity by the way."

"I'm Twinkleshine."

"Moondancer."

"Minuette, but you can call me Colgate, everypony does."  

"Well, it was delightful to meet you all.  Anywho, I assume you three are attending the little soiree going on there?"

Moondancer shot a confused look at Twinkleshine, and Minuette turned to her with a raised brow.  Twinkleshine returned the confused look to both of them, then realized why they seemed uncertain.  She sighed.  Apparently Moondancer wasn't the only one who didn't pay attention in language class.

"Yes, we will be at the party."  Twinkleshine said while looking back at her friends while rolling her eyes.  

Rarity smiled, "Oh, good!  Just wait until you get there!  A dear friend of mine, Pinkie Pie, throws some of the greatest parties you'll ever see!"  Moondancer mentally chuckled, Try getting DJ-Pon3 to play at one of her 'parties'.  "Well," she continued, "Shall we make an appearance?"

The three mares all nodded and silently agreed among each other.  They all trotted for the library, which still struck them as weird for being inside a large tree.  Along the short walk, Rarity kept rambling on about how she always wanted to live in Canterlot, and how she simply adored the wondrous lifestyle of the capitol city.  

Twinkleshine playfully rolled her eyes.  Canterlot wasn't that much to brag about.  Sure it housed the royal palace, some of the most powerful unicorns in Equestria, and the most uptight at that matter.  It would make a safe place to live, Royal Guards are tripled in that area for security issues, thus making crime rate low.  The only problem is, it's on top of a mountain.  The air is thinner and colder, even in the summer it only gets as high as 78 degrees.

As soon as the four mares entered the library, a pink hoof reached out and forced them into a crowed of other ponies, "SHH!  She's coming!"  The lights became black as sounds of scuffling and struggle echoed throughout the darkened library.  Moondancer wanted to speak, but somehow the voice of the same pink pony was over heard telling her to shush.

Seconds later, the door opened and a quick flash of faint light entered the room.  Twinkleshine could just make out a purple pony entering the building, along with another smaller purple creature.  A couple more seconds later, and a male voice could be heard.

"Rude much?"  The tone sounded exasperated.

"Sorry, Spike."  A feminine voice chirped in.

Spike?  So Twilight Sparkle is here too?

"But," She continued, "I have to convince the princess that Nightmare Moon is coming and we're running out of time!  I just need to be alone to study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time!  Now, were's the light?"

With that said, the room illuminated and nearly forty ponies were shown in the new light.

"SURPRISE!"

Startled, Twilight jumped into the air and gasped.  After a few seconds, she allowed what had just happen to be absorbed into her head.  She sighed in annoyance, and looked behind her where Twinkleshine, Moondancer, Minuette, Lyra, Amethyst Star, and Lemon Hearts stood.  They all smiled back and chuckled, finding it humorous to annoy the lavender mare.  

"I...hate...you...all."  She said through gritted teeth.

"C'mon, Twilight.  What's the harm in a little party?"  Lyra asked.

"The 'harm' is that I needed to be alone to study!"  She replied, each word getting more and more packed with rage.

"Tsk Tsk Tsk," Amethyst piped in, "Twilight, hon, please, do us all a favor; Stop studying so much!  Lay back once in a while!  Besides it's summer vacation!  You don't need to study!"

Twilight was still unconvinced, she knew Nightmare Moon was returning, and she will do everything in her power to make sure the princess is warned.  This could- No, this is the most important news a pony can get, and it will decide the fate of Equestria!

Before anypony else could comment on Twilight's attitude, she walked away sighing.  Maybe if she closed the door to the upstairs part of the library, and stuffed her head under a pillow, she could probably find some quiet study time.  Those plans were cut off as the same pink pony from earlier came up and faced her.  She started rambling on about who knows what.  The six unicorn friends didn't mind to pay attention.  Instead, they all mingled amongst each other, telling them about the houses they got and where they will be living.  

Moondancer, however, was uninterested.  Her mind wandered off elsewhere while the party went on behind her.  She thought about her relationship with Twinkleshine.  Mostly about how their friends would take the fact of them two dating.  It was a thought that was worth the time contemplating, and she was pretty sure that they would be ok with it.  Lyra has had one marefriend before, when she was about fourteen.  Minuette's first kiss was with a mare at a 'truth or dare' game when she was thirteen.  Amethyst and Lemon Hearts, however... They never really had a problem with filly foolers.  In Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, seeing two mares in a relationship was more common than most ponies think.

Moondancer's adventures into her subconscious came to a halt as she felt somepony poking her shoulder.  Lightly shaking her  head, she turned to see who it was.  Twinkleshine stood beside her, with a look of worry on her face.  She motioned for her to follow, and she led her partner to a corner in the library.

"What's wrong, Twinkle?"  Moondancer asked, concerned for her marefriend.

Twinkleshine sighed, "It's just that....should we tell our friends about....you know...us?"  A slight blush formed on her creme coat.

Moondancer took a deep breath, "I was just thinking the same thing.  We should tell them, I'm sure they'll be accepting."  She placed her hoof on Twinkleshine's shoulder and looked her dead in the eye, "They are our best friends, trust me."  The creme mare still seemed unconvinced.  As a final act to cheer her up, Moondancer stole a kiss on the cheek from her.  A deep scarlet blush suddently appeared on Twinkleshine's face, as well as a slight one from Moondancer.  The former stood in the same spot, shocked.  Moondancer just kissed her!  Even though it was only a small peck on the cheek, Twinkleshine still cherished the moment for a little longer before smiling and returning back to the party.    

Nightmare

The party had come to a halt a few hours later.  That pink pony had announced that it was time to watch Princess Celestia raise the sun and declare it to be the longest day of the year.  The ponies occupying the library had quickly made their way to the town hall, where their honorable leader will be making her appearance to bring the light of day.

The gang made their way through the crowd of ponies to get a front row view of the traditional event.  All six of them waited at the front, eager and anticipating the raising.  Moondancer let out a yawn and leaned against Twinkleshine.  Minuette giggled and poked at her, telling her not to fall asleep again.  Being reminded of last year gave Minuette a death glare, but she again just laughed at her friend.  

Lyra looked around the large room of town hall.  She noticed something that caught her eye at the party before they all arrived here.  She subtlety left her friends and made her way over.  

Lemon Hearts let out an annoyed sigh.  She had the look of displeasure on her face.  Lemon was never really the 'cheery' type, but more of the boring, let down pessimist.  There are times though, rarely, that she does crack a smile or a chuckle.  It is a feat of strength to make that pony in the least bit happy.  When Amethyst questioned what's gotten into her this time, she just replied 'I just don't really want to be here' and grunted.  Even though Lemon is always a downer, she comes around most of the time for the others.  When she's not being sarcastic, she usually helps them with anything.

Amethyst Star was almost the opposite of Lemon.  Lemon was as patient as they came, but Amethyst always wanted things to quicken their pace.  She had little to no patience when it came to things that even remotely caught her interest.  Lemon was calm and steady, but Amethyst was jittery and all over the place.  She also has sort of a motherly instinct in her, caring for almost everypony as if they were her children.  She does, however, get annoyed very easily.  Unlike Lemon, who can just sleep through even the most annoying things, like one of the professors at the school scratching the chalkboard with a horseshoe.

Minuette, or Colgate as almost everypony calls her by, was similar to Amethyst in many ways.  She has that care free type of attitude, always doing fun things and acting like there's not a problem in the world.  She was usually the one who cheers everypony up, and she herself never gets in the least bid sad or put down.  She's the optimist in the group, always finding something good in any situation.  The end of the world will come if that pony ever has a tear flow from her eyes.  

Then there was Lyra, she was kind of the middle ground between Lemon and Amethyst.  She has her up and down sides, but they're not as extreme as Lemon's dark moods and Amethyst's over-exaggerated super hyper ones.  As a musician, and one that plays the lyre, a calm and simple one, she has to be calm and open minded.  Emotions and feelings run through her very often, not once has she hid a single emotion behind the walls of her mind.  She is a very open pony, and always a good friend to the others.  

Moondancer yawned again and sat on her haunches while still leaning into Twinkleshine.  In return she also sat down to allow her tired marefriend a more comfortable position.  Moondancer rested her head in the crook of Twinkleshine's neck.  In any other situation, Twinkleshine would rest her head on the top of Moondancer's, but seeing that all her friends are surrounding her, it would be best that she kept it to looking mostly like a friendly gesture.

However, it didn't go so well.

"Awww isn't that just so cute?"  Amethyst said in a tone that sounded like she was talking to a baby.  

Twinkleshine froze up stiff as a statue.  The still half asleep Moondancer just waved her hoof up to the direction of Amethyst without even looking up, "Shut up, Amy."

"Oh lighten up, hon.  I'm only teasing."

Moondancer just mumbled something inaudible and continued to be half asleep.  Twinkleshine allowed her tensions to ease up a bit.  

Amethyst laughed, then turned to Lemon, "Don't you think they look cute together, Hearts?"

Lemon shifted her gaze to Amethyst, "Adorable."  She said with absolutely no emotion hinting whatsoever.

Twinkleshine sighed in relief.  Her friends don't seem to mind them two being together, even if they were just joking around.  Maybe it wouldn't be so hard telling them?  She hoped so.  It seems though as if all her friends somehow secretly know, but are trying to tell her as subtlety as possible.  Minuette commented on how they are always together earlier, and just now Amethyst said that they looked 'cute' together.  Lyra is the last one that hadn't made a comment yet, where is she anyway?

Her thoughts were interrupted as a choir of birds started to play a song.  The room got silent immediately, awaiting what will happen next.  Spotlights shined on the stage in front of the crowd of ponies.  A tan mare with a silver mane wearing glasses stood in the spotlight.

"Ladies and gentlecolts," She began, "As mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!"

The ponies roared in delight.  After a few seconds, it died down and the mayor spoke again.

"In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this: The longest day of the year!  And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land.   The very pony that gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria.  Princess Celestia!"

With that said, the mayor gestured to the balcony above her, and Rarity, the white coated unicorn they met before the party started, pulled a rope to open a pair of curtains.  When the spotlight hit the balcony, nopony was there.  Bickering started among the ponies.  Most of them had the same question on their minds, 'Where is the princess?'

"Remain calm everypony, there must be a reasonable explanation."  The mayor piped in over the bickering.

Twinkleshine turned to her friends, "Is this supposed to be happening?"

"I don't know, maybe, is this how Ponyville works?  I've never seen this before, the princess is always on time."  Amethyst started, worry in her voice.

"Let's just calm down, maybe something came up and she's a tad bit late?" Minuette chimed in, still smiling and acting like there's no problem whatsoever.

A second later, Rarity came back from behind the curtains, "She's gone!"

The entire room echoed with loud gasps.  Then fell silent.

Lemon Hearts grunted, "Such drama queens, all of you!"

Suddenly, and out of nowhere a royal blue haze appeared on the balcony, it swirled and intensified until a mass appeared inside it.  A large, onyx pony appeared.  The haze swirled around her until it connected and became her mane and tail.  The pony wore blue armor that matched the haze, and she had both wings and a horn.  The mere sight of her sent chills down a pony's spine.  Her sinister gaze was enough to freeze you stone cold.

Twinkleshine gently nudged Moondancer, "Umm, it's time to wake up now, Moondancer."  Her voice was shaky and filled with fear.

Moondancer lazily opened her eyes, trying to keep them fully opened until they found a comfortable position half lidded.  "Wh-what?  Is the sun here yet?"  She looked up on the balcony where the menacing winged unicorn stood, "That doesn't look like the sun, Twinkle.  What's going on?"  

"I...I don't know."

The onyx alicorn spoke in an eerie voice that chilled to the bone, "Oh my beloved subjects, it's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces!"

Another voice yelled out, "What have you done with our princess?!"

The dark alicorn chuckled, "What?  Am I not royal enough for you?  Don't you know who I am?  Does my crown no longer count that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?  Did you not recall the legend, did you not see the signs?"

"I did."  Twinkleshine turned to see who would stand up against this monster.  Surprisingly she saw that the voice belonged to Twilight Sparkle, "And I know who you are.  You're the mare in the moon, Nightmare Moon!"

Another collective gasp was heard.  Twinkleshine nearly trembled at the sound of that name, so the legend was true after all.

"Well well well." Nightmare Moon said, "Somepony who remembers me.  Then you also know why I'm here?"

"You're here to....to..." Twilight was too scared to finish her sentence.

Nightmare Moon chuckled, "Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last.  From this moment forth, the night...will last...forever!"  The blue haze swirled up in a maelstrom above her head while she let out a sinister laugh.  Electricity crackled from the swirling haze.

Once the mayor had recovered from her shock, she ordered the guardsponies to seize Nightmare Moon.  They charged at the dark alicorn, only to be met by lighting strikes.  Nightmare Moon continued her evil laughing as she vanished into a blue haze and escaped out the front door.

"What just happened?"  Lyra said as she made her way back to her friends.  

Lemon Hearts was the one to answer as the others were too frightened to do so.  She spoke in an emotionless monotone voice,  "It's obviously a coup d'état.  This Nightmare Moon is obviously attempting to overthrown Princess Celestia in order to regain control of the Kingdom of Equestrian.  She started with the kidnapping of Celestia, then invaded this town to announce her arrival.  Now I believe she will be going to the other towns to announce her arrival and the bringing of eternal night.  Hmmm, eternal nighttime... I like it.  No more forsaken sunlight to blind me every day."

"Do you really think so?" Amethyst asked, ignoring her last comment on the sun.

Lemon shrugged, "Eh, probably."

"So what do you suppose we do?"  Lyra asked.

Once again, Lemon shrugged, "I'm gonna go home and sleep.  Night all."  She turned and made her leave.

Moondancer yawned, "I agree with her, let's go home Twinkle."

Twinkleshine, still in shock from the events that took place moments ago, stared wide eyed at the group.  "Aren't any of you worried?  This...Nightmare Moon...could've killed Celestia for all we know!"

Minuette chimed in with her always cheery voice, "Oh don't say that, Twinkle!  I'm sure the princess is fine and she's just waiting for the right moment to strike back at Nightmare Moon.  I'm gonna have to go with Hearts and MD on this one.  Let's just wait till morning and we'll figure something out then."  

"Umm, hon, there isn't going to be a morning.  Remember what she said 'The night will last forever!'?"

Minuette's face dropped "Ohhhh..." Her smile quickly returned back though, "We'll how about we all just set our alarms at some time in the am and meet up at Twinkle's place at 9?"

The five close friends all nodded in agreement, save for Moondancer, who just mumbled and continued leaning into Twinkleshine.  

"I'll go catch up with Hearts and tell her the plan." Lyra said as she made her leave.

Twinkleshine once again nudged Moondancer, "Alright Moondancer we're leaving now, wake up."

Moondancer jerked and shook her head to further wake herself up, to no avail.  "I'm....I'm comin'.  Just...just...could you carry me?  Please?"

"Awww, poor baby's exhausted." Amethyst piped in and chuckled.

Moondancer crawled onto Twinkleshine's back slowly so that she was laying on her stomach and half her body was drooping over Twinkleshine's left side, and the other half on her right.  "Twinkle...could you...could you slap Amy for me?"  

Twinkleshine chuckled and headed out the door with the others.  They went their separate ways a little further down the road to their own respective houses.  Minuette's advice seemed to certainly lift their spirits, as always.  Even when something as bad as a corrupted alicorn that kidnapped the princess and is threatening to never reveal the sun again comes out of nowhere.  

Minuette should of came with them, once that thought came back, Twinkleshine started to panic again.  She always loved watching the sunrise every morning, and now she may never see another one.  As she approached her house and unlocked the door, she dropped Moondancer on to her bed, tucked her in, then went inside the bathroom.

"Hey...wait."  Moondancer said in a soft tone due to her exhaustion.

"Hmmm?" Twinkleshine said as she turned around.

"Where're you going?  I...I want to snuggle with you..."  

"I'll be back in a few minutes, I need to use the bathroom."  Twinkleshine walked out of the bedroom.

"Hurryyyyyyyyy."

Twinkleshine went down the hallway until she ended up in the bathroom.  Once her business was done, she splashed some water on her face and all she did was stare at herself in the mirror.

She was too worried and stressed out to sleep, but she knew that she couldn't do anything about it.  What will happen now?  Without the sun, crops will not grow.  Food will not be harvested and all of ponykind will die from famine!  Without the sun, heat will not be given to the world.  The weather factory in Cloudsdale cannot bring the seasons without the heat, nor can it rain without heat.  The world will be in complete chaos!

What to do what to do?!  This was supposed to be the best day ever for her!  Moondancer had accepted Twinkleshine's love, and there she was in bed waiting to be cuddled up beside her.  Why had this day gone so horribly wrong?!  Why did it have to be this day that this...this...tyrant alicorn came down to overthrow Celestia or whatever Lemon had said?!  Twinkleshine nearly cried as she finally got out of the bathroom and slipped into bed.

Moondancer, using the last of her energy, inched her way closer to Twinkleshine and put her arms around her.  "Mmmmmm..."  With that she passed out right there and started to finally get some sleep.  Twinkleshine returned the hug and wrapped her arms around her marefriend.  The two lay embraced until Twinkleshine's fatigue finally afflicted her, and she too finally found rest.

<~>

*BANG BANG BANG*

"Twiiiiiinkle....make it stop!"  The half asleep Moondancer called out to the mentioned pony.  She nudged her to wake her up.

Twinkleshine groaned into her pillow, "Whaaaaaaat?"

*BANG BANG BANG*

"Twinkleshine, Moondancer, get your lazy flanks up and get outside."  That voice was all too familiar and monotone.

Finally, Twinkleshine got up and pulled the blanket off of Moondancer so that she'd get up too.  Moondancer disapprovingly  groaned, but still stayed in bed unmoving.  When Twinkleshine decided she had enough, she used her magic to grip Moondancer's tail and forcefully yank her off the bed.  She yelped and landed with a thud on the floor.

"Alright I'm up!  Jeez what's gotten into you?"  Moondancer said as she rubbed her rump and got up standing.

Twinkleshine ignored the questioned, "Let's go see what Ms. Sunshine wants." She said with heavy sarcasm.

Twinkleshine made it to the door and opened it, and of course Lemon was standing there in all her pessimism with a surprisingly amused expression on her face.  She had the slightest smile on and her eyes glistened with....something.  Twinkleshine couldn't put her hoof on it, was it...joy?  

Blasphemy.

"What's the matter?  Did Nightmare Moon do something?  Is Celestia still missing?"

Lemon rolled her eyes, "Well if you cared to open your eyes and look around you..."  She waved her hoof up in the air.

Twinkleshine still wasn't catching the drift.  She shot a confused look at Lemon.  Nothing seemed wrong, it was warm, sunny, and---

Sunny.

She gasped when she realized it, "The sun!  It's back!"

"And the captain obvious award goes to-drum roll please-Twinkleshine!  Woopty doo."

Twinkleshine turned and called for Moondancer.  Once she had come out and noticed the light of dawn, she too gasped in joy.  The three unicorns all walked to a large group of ponies, where their other friends were standing.  In the middle of the group, a chariot could be made out.  On top of the chariot, two winged unicorns sat.  One was instantly recognized as Princess Celestia.  The other was announced as her little sister, Princess Luna.

The crowd of ponies roared in delight!  Joyfully cheering for the return of the princess of the night.  Harmony once again had returned, and all fear of everlasting darkness had quickly escaped their minds.  Twinkleshine sighed happily like she never sighed before.  Maybe the day wasn't so bad.

She was wrong.

Moondancer tapped her shoulder and Twinkleshine turned around.  She quickly wrapped her hooves around the white mare's neck and lunged forward.  At first, Twinkleshine was completely surprised.  But it didn't take long until her heart completely melted and she pushed back against Moondancer's kiss.  For the brief moment they shared, nothing in the world existed.  Time was an illusion, reality a myth.  For the moment their lips touched, they were in heaven.  

"Oh....my....Celestia."

The sudden realization came to light as Twinkleshine broke away from the kiss with her entire face a deep shade of scarlet.  She slowly turned her head to face her friends.  Moondancer did the same, but she looked more...calm than her partner.  Amethyst looked mortified for a brief second, but a smile slowly crept into her mouth.  Lyra had that look she always had when she got excited: Large toothy grin, eyes were wide and her pupils were small, and she started jumping up and down.  Lemon, well she was...nothing happened to her she just looked like she always did: Unamused.  And Minuette was...not here?

"Enjoy the show?" Moondancer said with a smirk, which only made Twinkleshine's blush somehow intensify.

Lyra and Amethyst squealed in delight and ran up to hug the two mares.  They both started babbling words that neither of them could clearly make out.

"I'm so happy for you two!"

"How long has it been?"

"How did this happen?"

"You two are soooo cute together!"

"Totally called it."  That monotone voice belong to Lemon who cracked the slightest smile.

Every single worry left Twinkleshine's body at that moment.  Her friends accepted her for loving Moondancer, and she shared her first kiss with her love on the same day they got together.  Lyra and Amethyst stopped bone-crushingly hugging the two and allowed them some privacy.  Once again Moondancer brought her lips to Twinkleshine's, and once again her heart melted.

This truly was the best day ever.

<~>

The indigo unicorn slammed her door open and immediately jumped into bed.  She started to sob loudly into her pillow, smearing her makeup all over it.  What was once the most care free and happy pony they ever knew, was reduced to a broken puddle of tears.  This was probably the first time she had ever cried in her life, excluding when she was a foal and couldn't control it.

This had to be the worst day ever.

Minuette looked to her right on her nightstand where a picture frame stood.  She pulled it over to her and stared at it with sorrow.  The picture portrayed a white unicorn, with a fluffy pink mane.

"Twinkleshine...I will always love you."

Meeting

It has been a day since the incident with Nightmare Moon, and that all of Twinkleshine and Moondancer's friends had found out that the two were together.  Even though they kept hounding the two unicorns for information that day, eventually they all figured that all of the six needed a day of rest to catch up on their internal clocks.  Staying up all night for the sun to rise, and having to face a fearful corrupted alicorn put a number on them.

Now, that day has passed and it is the third day all six of them moved to Ponyville.  Well, five in technicality.  Moondancer still had to go back to the school and complete the last year before she can permanently stay with Twinkleshine.  Curse her for being a year younger than the others.

Back at the school, the six would usually pick a secluded spot on campus and have a 'meeting' so to say every now and then.  Usually it was at night by a small bonfire.  They would mostly talk about how things are going for them at school, and gossip and whatnot.  Since they never have the same classes together, or the same lunch periods, this was the best way for all of them to chat together.

This time, the 'meetings' were held in Lyra's basement.  Two reasons:  One, she lived in the middle of town and all of the others' houses were almost the same distance to hers.  Two, her basement was the largest and cleanest.  Twinkleshine nor Amethyst had a basement, Lemon's basement was small and filled with old antiques.  Minuette's house was on a hillside, so half her basement was above ground, making it less....basementy.

Now we find our favorite unicorn couple walking beside one another to the meeting at Lyra's house.  Twinkleshine leaned gracefully into Moondancer as they trotted along.  Twinkleshine had almost no fear left of being all mushy next to Moondancer.  Luckily, the small town that they moved to was accepting to fillyfooler relationships, showing no disgust or even so much as giving them a weird glance when the two walked by other ponies.  Some other towns in Equestria are not like that, however.  They seem to want to brutishly reject them, and find them disgusting and unnatural.  Now that all of her friends are aware, and now that Ponyville was an accepting environment, the two can happily be open out in public.

Ever since their first kiss yesterday, Twinkleshine found herself in a state of pure bliss.  Her grasp on reality was hanging by a thread, not really paying much attention or caring about anything else around her except Moondancer.  Even though she is not mentally attached to the world, so to say, she still is aware of her surroundings.  Moreso or less when she isn't in this state.  It really all depends on the situation.  In the past, she seemed to go into this state once after casting a very complicated spell that sort of gave her 'shell shock'.  Her grip on reality was thin, the world around her seemed to be a continuation of her dreams, but her alertness had heightened greatly.  This state of euphoria that she was in now was similar.  Her awareness had been greater then usual, but everything around her seemed so peaceful and non-existent.

Twinkleshine leaned further into the gray mare next to her and allowed her marefriend to guide her through the streets.  Eventually, they came to Lyra's house.  Moondancer looked between two houses and couldn't quite remember which one was hers.  She gently nudged Twinkleshine.

"Which one is Lyra's place again?"  Moondancer asked.

Twinkleshine blinked a few times and turned her head between the two houses.  After a few seconds, she pointed to the one on the left, "That one."

Moondancer shot her a quizzical look, "You sure?  You've been sort of...out of it since yesterday."

Without saying another word, Twinkleshine left her position and trotted up the pathway to the house she assumed was Lyra's.  Knocking on the door and waiting a few seconds, a mint green unicorn answered.  Twinkleshine gave Moondancer the 'I told you so' look, Lyra didn't notice.

Lyra squealed in delight upon seeing the two of them, "Come in, girls, come in!  Amy and Hearts are already here.  Don't know where Colgate is, though."  The two entered the house and Lyra led them down to her basement.  Lyra's basement was larger than a normal one.  It was almost as if a copy of her house was placed underground.  The staircase down was in the corner of the room that was decorated with white carpet and a bookshelf was located on the right side across from the staircase.  In the middle of the room was a circular table, behind it, a bar and a fridge.  To the left of the bar was a hallway leading to two more rooms, one was a spare bedroom and the other one a 'gaming room' with slot machines and a pool table, and the bookshelf to the right of the bar opened up to a secret room that Lyra used as storage.  Lemon had advised that she use that room as a shelter in case a war hits.  Lyra simply chuckled at Lemon's suggestion and kept it as a storage room for her instruments.  

Lemon Hearts and Amethyst Star were already down there waiting.  Amethyst instantly got all riled up as soon as Twinkleshine and Moondancer came down, and Lemon just nodded her head, acknowledging their presence.  The two sat at the round table across from the others.  Lyra sat to the right of Moondancer, and to the left of Amethyst.  

"Now we gotta wait for Colgate."  Lyra reminded them.  Amethyst was already giddied up like a young schoolfilly, but she struggled to hold down her excitement until their last friend arrived.  It wasn't easy though, Minuette seemed to be taking her time.  The five had light conversations to keep from having silence in the air, and to keep Amethyst from pulling her mane out.

The conversations were nothing major, just normal stuff friends talk about.  Some of them were about the new houses they bought, some were about what jobs they wanted to get later.  At some point they teased Moondancer for having to go back to school for her last year, she just shrugged it off.  

After what seemed like hours, a knock at the door came.  Amethyst let out a breath she was holding in and Lyra got up to answer the door.

"Finally, Colgate, " Lyra said with a smirk, "Got lost? ha!"

Minuette forced a grin, "Yea, hehe.  I was just doing some.... last minute stuff at home..."

"Well come on in, everypony else is already here."  Lyra motioned for her to enter.

"Great.." Minuette said under her breath.  She followed Lyra down to her huge basement, where the others were having light conversations.  Amethyst started to loose control of herself again and nearly broke the chair she was sitting in with all her over exaggerated fidgeting.  As soon as Minuette took her seat between Lemon and Twinkleshine, Amethyst leaned over the table and stared at Twinkleshine and Moondancer.

"Alright everypony's here, now tell me EVERYTHING!  Do not leave one detail!  If I find out you're hiding something by Celestia I will FORCE it out of you!"  At this point, Amethyst's body was sprawled on the table and she was face to face with Moondancer, nearly centimeters from her muzzle.  

Moondancer used her magic to conjure an invisible force field and slowly pushed Amethyst away and back to her seat.  "Amy!  Calm yourself!  Why are you so obsessed with me and Twinkle dating?"

Amethyst looked offended at the statement.  "Well of course I would be overreacting!  This is AMAZING!  I'm soooo happy for you two!"  She sighed happily and stared into space with a goofy grin on her face, "You two finally found somepony special to love and care for.  And that's the best thing a pony could have.  Love is such a beautiful thing."

Twinkleshine and Moondancer exchanged glances and blushed at each other.  Minuette winced, Lyra smiled, and Lemon just scoffed.  Seeming to be offended by Lemon, Amethyst turned to the yellow unicorn with an annoyed expression.

"And what's your problem?  Just because you never had a special somepony doesn't mean you can just be all negative towards others."

Lemon cleared her throat.  "First of all, I am Lemon Hearts, negativity and pessimism is who I am.  Second of all, you sound ridiculous with your 'love is such a beautiful thing'.  Third of all the only reason I never had a coltfriend is because I don't want to be in any sort of relationship, not that that matters.  Fourth of all I am not hatting on Twinkle and Dancer's relationship, personally I could care less about anything.  Also, just to point this out, I sort of saw it coming."

That statement got everypony's ears quirked.  "Saw it coming?"  Asked Lyra.

"Yes." Lemon replied, "What?  You never noticed Twinkle making googly eyes at Dancer for a few months?  And you never notice how much time they spend together I mean really!  Either you got to be blind, a dumbass, or an Amy to not realize it."

Amethyst perked at her name, "Hey!  What's that supposed to mean?!"

Lemon rolled her eyes, "You know exactly what that means."

Amethyst scoffed.  "Anyway" She turned her attention back to the couple, "So tell us already!"

"What exactly do you want to know?"  Twinkleshine piped in.

If looks could kill, Amethyst would have committed genocide, "Ev-ery-thing."

Twinkleshine gulped, then cleared her throat, "Well, I guess it started a few months ago.  Whenever I was around Moondancer, I started getting all nervous and shaky.  I didn't really know what was happening for a few weeks.  I just kept finding myself staring at her."

"Well it's hard to not stare at this genuine figure."  Moondancer smirked as she ran her hoof down her body.

Lyra and Amethyst giggled, Lemon sighed, and Minuette rubbed her temples as if she just received a brainfreeze.  Twinkleshine rolled her eyes, "Yes you do have a nice body,"  She leaned in and whispered to her with a seductive tone, "but we'll save that for later."  

What followed next was a bone chilling wave of cold that phased through Moondancer.  Her eyes became microscopic, and her ears erected.  Did she just hear that correctly?  Did Twinkleshine just....seduce her?!  That was a whole new side of Twinkleshine she didn't even know about.  Usually the white unicorn is timid and innocent.  

"Anyway,"  She continued, "It took a few weeks to realize I had romantic feelings for her.  It's kind of ironic though, the one who helped me realize that I was in love was Moondancer!  Except, of course, I never used a name."

"You never really had to, it was kind of obvious."  Moondancer remarked when she snapped out of her state.

"How so?"  

"Well, when I noticed you were acting strange, then you came to me for advice, I thought 'hey, she's falling in love with somepony, and coincidentally she started acting weird around me at the same time....hmmm'  You're too easy to read Twinkle."  She finished her statement with a giggle and a ruffle of Twinkleshine's fluffy mane.

Once Twinkleshine fixed her mane up, she rebuttled to Moondancer's accusation of being 'easy to read'  "I am not easy to read!"

"Yes you are."  Everypony in the room said in unison.

Twinkleshine blushed and tried to hide underneath the table.  Moondancer continued the story of how the two came to be as the white unicorn tried to overcome her embarrassment.  All the while, Lemon watched everypony in the room very closely.  It was a habit of hers, to be aware and alert of nearly everything around her.  She noticed the indigo unicorn acting quite different  than her usual cheery self.  Minuette sat haunch-backed in the chair and stared at the table, looking very deep in thought.  

Lemon leaned in and whispered, "Hey, you ok Colgate?"

Minuette perked up at her nickname, "Hmm?  Oh...yea...I'm fine.  Just a little headache...."

Lemon was still suspicious.  Over-analyzing the current situation, she seemed to come with a reasonable conclusion, but decided against questioning her with it.  Another 'gift' as it may, that she was graced with:  The ability to analyze every possible situation and scenario.  Lemon was always a good mystery solver, putting together even the least amount of pieces to solve the puzzle.  "Alright, you just seem a little down, and that's my job.  You're supposed to be the happy pappy prancy in this group."

Minuette forced a giggled that sounded all too fake, "Hehe, right."

"--  Ok, I'll admit I was a little easily read when I had a crush on Blaze...and with Rocky....and....Alright FINE!  I am an open book I admit it...happy now?"

"No."  Lemon remarked.

"Can we just continue the story?!"  Amethyst nearly screamed.

"All right!"  Twinkleshine began, "Anyway, so last week is when my feelings were peaked.  I couldn't stand them anymore and I just had to tell her.  So on the day of her birthday, I confessed everything, and to my surprise, she knew all along!  Part of me was overjoyed, and part of me was angry that she never even hinted that she knew!"

"Because I wanted you to be brave and tell me yourself."  Moondancer objected.

"Why?!"

"Two reasons: One, it was funny.  Two, I wanted you to build some self confidence up for yourself."  Moondancer allowed her foreleg to stretch across the back of Twinkleshine's neck.  "I like it when you're brave."  She nuzzled her marefriend.

Then, Minuette let out a fairly loud groan.  The five unicorns turned to look at her with raised brows.

"Something wrong, Colgate?"  Moondancer asked with a hint of annoyance, thinking that Minuette had a problem with her and Twinkleshine being together.

Minuette had her head between her front hooves, clenching her temples.  "Nothing, nothing.  I just have a headache."  Unlike Twinkleshine, Minuette was a lot harder to read, making her story believable.

"Would you like me to get you some aspirin?"  Lyra asked.

This time, Minuette lost her temper, "No!  I'm fine ok?  I don't need anything....just leave me alone.  AUHG!"  She stood up and stomped out of the basement, up the stairs and headed for her house.  Lyra, Amethyst, Twinkleshine, and Moondancer were left in shock.  This wasn't the Minuette they all know and love, this was not her at all.  The normal Minuette was happy and cheery, completely ignorant to negativity.  This Minuette, seemed very disgruntled.  Weather it be from the headache, or something else.

"Jeez, I thought her period was next week."  Lemon commented.

Mixed Emotions and Conflict

The indigo pony slammed the front door of her house with extreme force that nearly knocked over every picture frame that rested on nearby counters and the walls.  The small old house shook lightly from the shock, but settled down easily.  The door suffered a large crack, and a broken hinge, but she'll deal with that later.

Minuette heavily trotted through her house to her bathroom, kicking away empty booze bottles and shot glasses on her way.  Minuette didn't like to drink, drinking was for depressed alcoholics.  The word 'depressed' didn't even exist in her dictionary.  But ever since the day after the Summer Sun Celebration, and the kiss that devastated the blue mare, the only thing that she could do to try to keep her from tearing apart her house was downing as many shots of scotch as she could before passing out.  Once there, she opened up the mirror to her medicine cabinet, and grabbed a dozen tablets of aspirin for her throbbing hangover.  

Minuette looked into the mirror, and just stared at herself for a few long minutes.  Her mane was ruffled up and partly faded, she had bags under her bloodshot eyes.  All she could do was contemplate at her reflection, and overview the horror of what she became.

Get a hold of yourself, Minuette!  This isn't you!  You're not depressed, you're not sad, you never get like this.  Snap out of it!

This was not your fault.

Minuette perked up and looked around like a wild animal that was being stalked by a predator.  She looked around her bathroom, in the shower, and even outside to the bedroom.  Nothing was found, not a soul was in the house but her.  She quietly and slowly went back to her position at the mirror.  "What was that?"  She thought aloud.

Do not be alarmed, I am only you.

Once again, she jerked as if she was being hit.  "Who's there?!"

I am your conscience, the voice in the back of your head that helps us when we get troubled.

Conscience?  Was..was she talking to herself?  Was she going crazy?  The indigo unicorn widened her eyes.  She can't be going crazy!  

You are not crazy...trust me...

Apparently this 'Conscience' can communicate through thought.  What was it that it said before though?  That it can help her.  That idea sounded like just what she needed.  So...you can help me?

Of course, I am here to guide us through this darkness and get us back on our hooves!

What should I do?

Simple, get rid of her from your mind..

Twinkleshine?!  I can't do that!  I...I lover her!

Of course you do, but we know for a fact that deep down you know that you will never have a chance with her

I...But I...

See?  You know it, I know you know it.  You do want Twinkleshine, correct?

I...I do want Twinkleshine...

But you can't, because she is in love with Moondancer!

But...what do I do?  I'm so sad, I can't stand having the love of my life taken away by one of my best friends.

First, clean yourself up.  The others will surely get suspicious of your actions and attitude.  You must learn to control your emotions and stash them behind The Wall.

The...Wall?

Yes, The Wall is a metaphorical barrier that traps in every emotion, thought, hope, fear, vision, and feeling.  The Wall is as strong as one makes it.  Some ponies build their Wall up so high and sturdy that they barely have any character to them.  Lemon Hearts is an excellent example, she has a wall the size of Manehatten in her head.  You need to do that.  We need to build up this wall and stuff all our sadness and frustration behind it.  Only then will we know happiness again.  Shall we begin?

It didn't take long for Minuette to come up with an answer.  She wanted to feel joy again, she wanted to know what it was like to be happy and carefree, completely ignorant to negativity.  She pleaded for those feelings to come again.  

Yes.

Excellent!

<~>

"For the last time..."  Lyra said while giggling, "No, you can't live in my basement!"

"But C'moooooooon!  It's so coooool!"  Moondancer pleaded.

After Minuette's random outburst, the others just decided to end the meeting there and continue it at a later time when Minuette was no longer grumpy.  Before they all left Lyra's home, the green unicorn gave them a 'grand tour' of her house.  She showed them the bar in the basement, the spare bedrooms, the game room with the pool table, and the secret room behind the bookshelf.  Moondancer kept asking her how in the name of the Light was she able to afford all this.  'Simple' Lyra had said, 'I'm a musician, and I saved the money from all those performances I did in Canterlot.'

It was true, Lyra was a somewhat mentionable pony in Canterlot.  Word has gotten around at her abilities to play the lyre, and more recently the harp.  Though, she is no Octavia, and has always dreamed of meeting that mare one day, she still has done some performances at fancy restaurants or Canterlot up-style parties.  One day, Lyra will have everything.  She will be a famous composer like the renowned Octavia, and maybe even have the honor of performing on stage with her!  That thought always made Lyra giddy.

"What about you, Twinkle?"  Moondancer turned to her marefriend, "You think it'd be totally awesome to live in Lyra's basement?"

Twinkleshine rolled her eyes, "I have to admit, it's a wonderful basement, and I do love to play pool, but no.  Living in her basement would just be silly."

Lemon piped in to the conversation at this point.  "And I'm pretty sure Lyra doesn't want to hear you two fucking all night."

With that said, all the unicorns around Lemon started blushing furiously.  Twinkleshine and Moondancer parted gazes, and Lyra slowly backed away from the two.  Amethyst put her hoof to her mouth and looked down.  There was a few minutes of awkward silence, but Moondancer finally broke it.

"We...um...actually haven't.... gotten there....yet...."  The last word was mumbled almost inaudibly, but Twinkleshine still understood, which made her blush even more and left her wondering how her face could even get more red without painting it.

"Anyway!" Amethyst piped in, "We need to see what's up with Colgate.  I have never seen her yell like that at us.  Something must be wrong."

"Obviously." Lemon added.

Amethyst facehoofed, "Let's just go..."

That being said, they all pushed away Lemon's comments from their dirty subconsciousness and trotted down the road to Minuette's house.  The indigo unicorn lived a couple blocks away from Lyra's house, and right across the street from that bakery, Sugarcube Corner.  It wasn't a long walk, about five minutes.

However, it was a rather awkward walk.  As much as they tried, Lemon's inappropriate comment somehow kept sneaking its way back into their minds.  Amethyst and Lyra couldn't even look at the two for the time being, and Twinkleshine kept blushing redder every five seconds.

Twinkleshine's thoughts led her to a more serious one, but still on the same subject.  Was she ready to make such a step in her relationship with Moondancer?  It has been, what, three days?  Twinkleshine has never been with anypony before,and has...not much knowledge on the matter.  The only thing she knows is what her parents told her about it.  'Sex is a very sacred form of love.  It is only to be done with a very special pony and only if you truly love them.'  And also what Moondancer said stuck in her head, looming and taunting her.

"yet"

She stole a glance from the gray mare next to her, wondering what she was thinking about the subject.  Would Moondancer know anything about it?  Twinkleshine knows Moondancer is not a virgin, so maybe.  However, when would be the appropriate time to do...it.  Was Moondancer comfortable with it?

All of her questions were put on hold as they arrived.  Something was amiss as they came to the door.  Twinkleshine looked around and noticed two of her friends were missing.

"Where did Amethyst and Lemon go?"  Twinkleshine asked.  She never really was fond of using the nicknames they called each other.  Instead, she uses their full names.  She could never really explain it, it just sounds better to her.  All of them knew this, and never really cared about it.

"Hearts said that we should leave Colgate alone and let her cool off, then she left.  Amy went back to talk her out of leaving."  Lyra replied.

Moondancer shrugged, It was probably better that Lemon was not here, due to the fact that her negativity might just agitate Minuette more then she seems to be.  Lyra knocked on the door and waited a few seconds.  Indistinguishable sounds of struggled could be heard behind the door.  Some of it sounded like banging, one sounded like as if Colgate slammed a door inside, opened it, and slammed it again, and another sounded like glass being banged against glass.  And after a few seconds of weird noises, she finally answered the door...

....With a smile.

"Oh, hey girls!"  Minuette said in her usual cheery tone.

The three mares exchanged confused glances.  Less then twenty minutes ago Minuette was irritated and disgruntled.  Now she's acting as if that never happened.

"You ok, Colgate?"  Lyra asked carefully.

Minuette giggled, "Of course!  Why wouldn't I be?  C'mon in!"  Minuette stepped to the side and allowed her friends entry.  The three mares slowly entered Minuette's home.  Nothing really seemed out of the ordinary.  Her home was very up-kept and clean, and her living room was graced with a plethora of photos from her friends and family.  The three unicorns sat on the couch, and Minuette made her way over sitting on the chair adjacent from them.

"So," Minuette started, "What brings you here?  Not that I don't want you here, I'm always happy to see my friends, but anywho, what's up?"  

Yes....yes and yes.  Everything checked out completely.  Minuette was acting like she always does, cheery and optimistic.  A permanent smile slapped on her face.  The only confusing thing was, what happened at the meeting?  That normally wasn't the Minuette they all know and love.  The last time the indigo unicorn ever got that upset was when the school bully and his friends pulled a prank that went a little too far.  

Their screams were bloodcurdling, and none of them slept for a month.

A beast lies inside Minuette, dormant but not easily awoken.  The others were well aware of this fact.  Behind the cheery eyes of the indigo unicorn, a flicker of light stays lit.  When fueled enough, it will rage into an inferno.  She has only done this three times:  Once with the prank, once when one of her coltfriends tried taking advantage of her and ditching her when she refused, and then there was the meeting nearly ten minutes ago when she almost raged out.

Minuette doesn't like this side of her.  She despises hate and vengeance.  It goes against her morals to be spiteful, even to those who deserve it.  She does all she can to avoid letting the fire grow too big, but when the inferno blazes to high, the only thing that can put it out was to let it loose.  

After none of the others wanted to answer, Twinkleshine was the only one to speak out, "Well it's just that, is there anything troubling you?  You seemed a little irritated at the meeting."

Minuette sighed, but retained her smile, "Yea, I'm really sorry, I just had a long night last night, and I have a headache now."  She slightly blushed, "Really sorry."

"Long night?"  Moondancer questioned, "What were you doing?"

Minuette risked a glance over to a cabinet in her kitchen that was dangerously hanging open.  "Oh nothing---"   She was cut off by the sound of crashing glass.  She winced and slowly turned over to see the destruction of an empty bottle of scotch, a few beer bottles, and multiple shot glasses.--"really."  As quickly as she could, she surrounded the broken glass with a indigo aura and stuffed it in the trash can.  "Silly me, I must have put the glasses in wrong.  I'll have to get more later.  Anyway, yes I'm fine, just a headache."

"Just one last thing."  Twinkleshine said with overloading seriousness.  "Are you ok with me and Moondancer being together?"

Minuette blinked.  This is where she had to listen to her conscience.  It yelled at her to stay calm and remember what it said.  She tried to, she concentrated as much as she could to force her emotions behind her Wall.  All her sadness, all her frustration, all her agitation, was battling against the Wall to tear it down and spill themselves out.  

They kept pushing against the mental barrier, not letting up once.  Some of them told her to admit her feelings to Twinkleshine.  Some of them wanted to lash out in an aggressive way, and others just wanted to cry.  Just cry and confess everything.  Just to throw her hooves around her three friends and let it all out.  These ones had the smallest voice.

But no, she didn't give in, she fought back and commanded her emotions.  They cowered behind her Wall like a scared puppy.   She was in control, not them, not anyone.  She smiled at her friends, tilted her head and closed her eyes, "Of course I'm ok with you two!  Why wouldn't I be?!"

All three let out a sigh of relief, knowing that their last friend approved lifted the final weight off their shoulders.  Now that all that was sorted out.  The three mares said goodbye and took their leave.  Minuette waved them off while Amethyst and Lemon came back to the scene.  Lyra, Moondancer, and Twinkleshine all explained what happened.  Amethyst seemed relieved, and Lemon furrowed her brow, then shrugged.

Minuette closed the door and leaned heavily against it.  "That wasn't so bad I guess."

You did good.  Not many ponies can just ignore their emotions and stuff them away that easily.  It usually takes a few years and a strong mind.  How do you feel?

"I feel...not so bad actually.  I kind of just feel like...shrugging it off and ignoring it."

Good....Step one is complete.

(Attempted) Bedroom Shinanigans

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS BORDERLINE CLOP  

Nothing worth blowing your loads over

The sun had risen and set four more times since the first of their meetings.  Inactivity reigned throughout said days, save for much contemplation from a certain light gray mare.  The words her partner had shared those four days ago had invaded the fortress of her mind and was attacking her subconscious.  It wasn't a good thing, nor was it a bad thing, not at all in fact.  At least, she didn't think it was a bad thing.  No, it wasn't.  Moondancer wanted Twinkleshine.  She wanted to love her, and to make love with her.

Discussion over the topic had been a contingency.  Not once had it been resurrected and stabilized in a mutual conversation.  Whether it be from embarrassment, whether it be from discomfort, or whether it be from a misconception, Moondancer did not know.  It was possible, but hopefully not the truth, that she had misheard her marefriend during the meeting.  What could have been an invitation to a courtship might as well be able to have been another thing.

Or so maybe not.  Her hearing could have still been loyal to her that day.  She knew this to be true.  She had heard what she thought was so.  And all throughout the four days she had been thinking, contemplating how to execute her needs.  Perhaps Twinkleshine will go for it?  Perhaps the two could be intimate tonight?  Moondancer will do all in her power to convince Twinkleshine.

She was like a gentle flower that swayed ever so slightly with the summer breeze.  Allowing the elemental winds to rock her back and forth.  Twinkleshine was gentle, calm, and fragile.  Moondancer would never think of the possibility of shattering her fragility.  The poor mare would be broken, and hard to repair.  Twinkleshine, however, despite common knowledge, was not ignorant.  She knew all the mischievous little dirty jokes her friends tell, as well as their mishaps and she can also pick up hints very quickly.   She might even know about the desires of Moondancer.  It was all possible, and it was all set in stone and forever immortalized in the confounds of Moondancer's mind.  She would think and worry about it when the time comes.  

Which just so peculiarly happened to be now.  For dinner was finished, and the leftovers either discarded or preserved.  Usually, Twinkleshine would settle in her room for some television or a movie.  The latter was chosen for the night.  Moondancer lay cuddled up to her partner, basking in her warmth and feeling every small move she makes from either breathing or the now and then stir.

It came all too suddenly, the change in scene.  They were quiet, comfortable, and contempt.  It was broken by this change.  The room was illuminated in light from the television screen, which itself displayed intimate actions.  Oh the irony.  Moondancer risked a glance to Twinkleshine, only to find her eyes locked with the actions displayed with a blank face.  

So the two watched, and not a sound was heard other than the moan or groan of the ponies acting out on the screen.  Neither risked a word to the other.  Moondancer being to afraid to, and Twinkleshine waiting to see if Moondancer would say anything.  She knew as well as the other that this day would soon come.  The light in the room faded to darkness.  The last flicker on the screen dulled to black.  Moondancer slowly turned her head, and saw Twinkleshine was looking back.

She took a deep breath.  How was she to go about this?  Just open out blurt it?  Or settle for a subtle way of exposing it?  Their eyes were locked by a metaphorical latch that seemed to not allow their heads to be turned, or their eyes for the matter.  The only light in the room was the luminescent moon that shone through the window.  Twinkleshine's coat and mane seemed to have a sort of iridescence in the lunar light.  

They don't know how long, nor did they seem to care.  Just staring into the others' eyes seemed contempt enough.  Even through the dim light of the moon, two large ovals of crimson on Twinkleshine's face drew the attention of Moondancer, who in return herself suffered a similar effect.

It happened slowly.  It took a few seconds for Moondancer to realize it, but slowly, she noticed Twinkleshine's head was getting closer to her.  Their lips met, soft and lovingly.  Moondancer wrapped around her lover's neck, pulling her in closer.  A sense of calm, soothing serenity passed through them as they locked lips.  It wasn't a heated lust, but more of a passionate, loving sensation.

Moondancer leaned forward in bed, and gently rolled over on top of Twinkleshine.  Their lips still locked together, enjoying every tiny feeling and basking in the passion that coursed through their blood.  Suddenly, Twinkleshine felt a sudden absence of a certain pair of lips on hers.  She opened her eyes to see soft maroon rings looking back at her.  

"Are you sure you're ready for this?"  Moondancer asked.  "It's ok if you're not, I don't mind."

She took a deep breath, "N-no.  I-I'm ok.  Just...really...nervous.  Her voice was just above inaudible.

"I don't want to make you uncomfortable, if you're too nervous--"  Her voice was cut off by Twinkleshine's lips gently pressed against hers.

As soon as they broke apart, Twinkleshine whispered into her ear.  "I can do this.  I want to do this.  For you, Moondancer."

Moondancer smiled lovingly.  She closed her eyes and dove in for another kiss, only to feel a hoof instead of soft, sweet lips.

"Wait wait!"  Twinkleshine said.  "Could you, um, give me a minute?"  The scarlet hue on her face began to redden even more as she lightly sqee'd.

"Oh, um, sure.  Take as much time as you need."  Moondancer rolled back over to her original position on the bed, letting Twinkleshine get up.  The white mare slowly backed out of the room while saying “I’ll just be a few seconds.”  Before hitting her rump against the door frame and yelping on surprise.  She nervously chuckled again, then made her leave.

In the kitchen is where she went.  There, using telekinesis, the door to a cabinet opened up.  From there, a bottle containing a dark brown liquid was pulled out, along with a small shot glass from a different cabinet.  Twinkleshine poured the whisky into the shot glass, then emptied the glass with a single swig.  

You can do this, Twinkleshine!  No more being nervous and timid!  Get in there and show her how much you love her!

She slammed the glass on the table and made her leave from the kitchen.  Looking back at the whisky over her shoulder, a thought came to mind.  

Maybe just one more.

Back inside the bedroom, Moondancer twiddled with her mane, anxiously awaiting her marefriend’s return.  Her mind ran a mile a minute.  Various thoughts and illusions of the future filled her head.  What would or what could happen.  Twinkleshine was so gentle and fragile; she didn’t want to hurt her.  It had to be slow and soft.

Twinkleshine came back into the bedroom, with a newfound determination, she immediately got into bed and embraced Moondancer in another passionate kiss.  This one was a little bit rough, and more stern that normal.  Moondancer enjoyed it, Twinkleshine was getting some confidence in her.  Once again, while still locking lips, Moondancer rolled back over on top of Twinkleshine.

“Wait wait!”  Twinkleshine said again.

“Yes?”

“Can, um, I, uh, be on top?”

Moondancer blinked.  “Um..o-ok.”  The two quickly repositioned themselves so that Twinkleshine was now on top of Moondancer.  They once again kissed for a long while.  Twinkleshine slowly kissed down her cheeks, then her neck.  While she was doing that, Moondancer lightly nibbled on her ear.  Twinkleshine was actually enjoying herself!  For days she kept worrying about how good or bad she would do.  She was afraid that her ignorance would make the situation more awkward.

Out of nowhere, a sharp, loud ‘Owww!’ sound was heard.  Twinkleshine gasped and looked down at Moondancer, who was rubbing her right eye.

“Oh my gosh!  Did I hurt you?!  I’m so sorry!”  Twinkleshine pleaded.

Moondancer continued to rub her eye for a few more seconds, “No, don’t worry about it, I’m fine.”  She smiled to reassure her.  “Let’s just skip the neck kissing.  Not that I don’t like it or anything!  Just…ya’ know.”  She not-so-subtly pointed to Twinkleshine’s horn.

“Oh..ok.”  Twinkleshine stared at Moondancer for a few seconds.  “Wh-what am I supposed to do?”  It pained her to ask it, but she really was clueless.

Moondancer chuckled, “Here, I’ll show you.”  She rolled back over so that Moondancer was now on top, the only bad thing was they rolled in the same direction every time.  Resulting in reaching the edge of the bed, and falling off with a thud.

“Oww.”  Moondancer said, “Ok, that was my fault.  Sorry.”  She helped her lover up from the floor and got back into bed.  Once again Moondancer being on top.  “Alright, let’s try this again.”  Twinkleshine nodded.  Kissing scene, take three; action!  Moondancer moved her hoof down Twinkleshine’s slim body slowly.  It stopped midway to draw little circles on her stomach.  She could feel Twinkleshine chuckling behind the kiss.  Her hoof continued its voyage, until its final destination came into sight.  Ever so slowly, Moondancer moved her hoof in until it made contact with—

SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND

The loud sound made both mares jump and yelp insurprise.  Twinkleshine hid herself under the covers, assuming somepony broke into their house.  Moondancer, on the deffensive, redied her horn.  A wave of relief washed over as there was no intruder in their home, but only the TV.  Somehow, one of them must have hit the on button by mistake.

Moondancer sighed and turned the TV off.  Looking to the alarm clock next to them, she noticed they'd been attempting for almost an hour.  Twinkleshine slid the covers off her head and looked to Moondancer, who graced her with a gentle smile.  "Why don't we pick this up tommorrow.  It's getting late, and all these...incedents...kinda killed the mood."

Twinkleshine felt her heart sink.  It was her fault, all of it, and she knew it.  Why was life so cruel!  One minute, you have the mare of your dreams with you in a loving relationship, then it's all screwed up by lowsy bedroom shinanigans.  She had to think of something to save her relationship!

"No wait!  I'll try harder!  Please!  I promise I won't mess it up this time!"

Moondancer patted her on the back, "Don't worry about it, Twinkle.  We can do it tomorrow, or whenever you feel comfortable."

Moondancer layed down on her side and tried to get some sleep.  However, that was stopped by the sounds of light sobbing.  She quickly turned over and sat up, rubbing Twinkleshines back.  "What's wrong Twinkle?"  She said sympaticly.

She sniffled, "I'm sorry that I'm so bad at this.  Please don't hate me!  I don't--"

"Woa woa woa!  Didn't I already tell you that I could never hate you no matter what?  Stop saying that Twinkle!  Do you really think I would break up with you over sex?  C'mon!  We have a bond that's stronger than anything I can think of.  Nothing will make me want to leave you.  I love you Twinkleshine."

Twinkleshine gasped.  Did Moondancer just say 'I love you'?!  Along with saying her full name?!  That was the most touching thing she ever did!  Twinkleshine turned to face Moondancer.  The gray mare quickly seized the oppurtunity and kissed Twinkleshine again.

"I love you too."  Twinkleshine said.

Minuette - Hourglass

"Amy!  AmyAmyAmyAmyAmyAmyAmy!"

The purple unicorn in question scanned the area for the source of her name.  She gazed like a burrowing owl at the marketplace, looking for the pony calling her.  When nopony was found, she simply shrugged it off and continued her business.  As soon as her head locked in the forward position, large sapphire eyes blotted her vision.  She took a step back to find a jittery, smiling, bouncy Minuette in front of her.

"Amy!"  She yelled out again as if Amethyst wasn't there.

"Yes yes what is it, Colgate?"  Amethyst asked, slightly recovering from a heart attack.

The indigo unicorn bounced up and down with every word, "Guess what guess what guess what guess what!"

"What?  What happened?"  Amethyst didn't know if she should be excited or scared.

Minuette took a deep breath before emptying out a large paragraph, "So I was at the flea market today and I was looking for some cool stuff for all my friends!  I found some really cool knick knacks for Lemon's antique collection and found a new lyre for Lyra and found a really really pretty dress that I know you will love!  Anyway!  So when I was looking through some old dusty knick knacks, I saw this brown coated stallion and guess what?  He had the same cutie mark as me!  I was like 'woa that's so cool!' So I went up and said hi and he said hi and we started talking and his name is Doctor Whooves and he's super cool and funny!"

Amethyst blinked, did she even take a breath?  She quickly dismissed the thought.  The main thing was that it seems as if Minuette has found an interesting stallion.  Amethyst smiled.  "Oh my, that's fantastic!  Tell me more about this 'Mr. Whooves'  Is he cute?"  Amethyst fluttered her eyelashes.

Minuette looked at her with confusion for a quick second, then it made sense a few seconds later.  "Oh no no no!  Silly Amethyst!  He's 23 years older then me and he's married and he has a daughter."

"Oh, what a shame."  Amethyst muttered under her breath, "Anyway, so what was so significant about him?"

"Oh yea!  I almost forgot!  So Doctor W was at the flea market cause he was looking for a anniversary gift for his wife, Ditzy when I ran into him.  After talking a little, he said that he was gonna go out for dinner on his anniversary and needed a foalsitter for his daughter and I was like 'Pick me! Pick me!' So I'm gonna be a foalsitter tonight!  Eeeeee!"

Amethyst Star chuckled.  No matter what kind of mood you're in or how bad your day has been, Minuette was always there to make you laugh.  Although Amethyst wasn't having a bad day, it was still nice for Minuette to brighten it up just a little bit more.  "That sounds wonderful!"  She gasped. "Would you like some advice?  I'm great with foals!"

Minuette also gasped as her eyes grew wide, "Yes!  Yesyesyesyesyes!"

"Ok ok," Amethyst said, trying to calm herself down, "From my experience, what you want to do is always keep the foal occupied.  If not, they will get bored very easily.  Another thing, if you want them to like you, try to spoil them a bit, but not too much.  Ya know, let them watch a movie or play a game that their parents won't allow them to.  Or give them some extra sweets or something."  She nudged Minuette's shoulder.

"Ohhh, I see what you mean."  She winked.  "Anything else?"

Amethyst brought her hoof to her chin, "How old is she?"

"Nine."

"Oh good!  She's young and full of energy.  Have fun with her a little bit, like..play dress up or something with her."

Minuette started bouncing in place from excitement.  "That sounds like so much fun!  I can't wait!"  Without another word, Minuette zipped off in a blue blur towards who knows where.  Amethyst chuckled.  Sometimes Minuette can be a hooffull.  That energetic indigo pony seems to never run out of energy.  Minuette kind of reminded her of that pink pony that hosted the party before the Summer Sun Celebration.  She, too, was crazy and full of energy.  Perhaps the two could be good friends.

(\/);,;(\/)

Good good.  You are starting to act like your normal self again.  Our friends are starting to believe that there is nothing wrong.

Minuette allowed her head to drop.  That voice in the back of her head was actually making her worry about her mental health.  How many times have you heard of a pony who didn't go insane from hearing some kind of voice in their heads?  The indigo pony was having thoughts about seeing a psychiatrist before this gets out of hoof.

Ha ha!  No no Minuette, you are not going insane.  Everypony has a conscience, I'm just...stronger than most...

For a brief period, she completely forgot that her conscience can read her mind.  Considering it was her mind.  Can there ever be a point where Minuette can think without her conscience listening?  Was that even possible?  Can it even hear her right now?

Yes...

Minuette huffed, Can you leave me alone?  I don't feel comfortable thinking I'm insane.

For the last time, you're not insane.  Besides, don't you want help with your little...situation with a certain gray mare?

Minuette felt her face flush, I..yes..

Exactly.  To do so, you must--wait where are we going?

The not-insane indigo pony stopped before a small house on the western part of Ponyville.  It was two story, with a balcony and a red roof.  This is the place where I'm foalsitting, remember?

Wait, you were serious about that?

Yea!  It sounds like fun!

Listen, I'm here to help you with your Moondancer problem.  I don't need--oh never mind.  If only I can control your movements...

Minuette ignored her conscience and proceeded to the door.  At the porch, she stopped to gather her thoughts before knocking.  Remembering everything Amethyst told her, she took a deep breath, smiled, and gently knocked on the door.  A second or so later, a brown earth pony with a hourglass cutie mark answered.  He wore a red tie with a collar.  

He smiled when he saw Minuette, "Minuette!  You're early!"  He checked his watch, "Fourteen minutes and twenty seven seconds to be precise."  Doctor Whooves always had a knack for time.  Even though his cutie mark is the same as Minuette's, they both share different special talents.  Minuette builds and repairs clocks and watches, while Doctor always somehow knows what time it is, and he can estimate precisely the time it would take to do anything.  He works at City Hall for Ponyville.  He's the time keeper when it comes to almost everything.  He marks the dates of events that take place, city repairs, or something else, and estimates the times when it would best fit.  "Just enough time for me and Ditzy to give you some instructions for Dinky.  Come in, please."  The stallion stood aside to allow her entry.

"Sounds great!"  Minuette exclaimed.  She entered the home.  Inside, the first thing she noticed was a large grandfather clock in the living room, along with a rug in front of a sofa and recliner chair.  The kitchen was to the left of the living room, and a set of stairs was directly placed by the front door.  Doctor's wife, Ditzy Doo, a grey pegasus with a blonde mane, had just came downstairs wearing a simple dress.

She smiled at Minuette, and looked at her with crossed eyes, but blinked to quickly fix them.  "Oh you must be Minuette!  My husband's been talking about you since he came home!  So you'll be foalsitting our little Dinky?"  She asked in a motherly tone.

Minuette nodded, "Yes ma'm!"

Ditzy smiled and led Minuette to the other room.  There, a small foal shaped object sat on the couch while enjoying a television show.  She was a faded purple unicorn filly with a blonde mane.  "There's a couple things you should know about Dinky before we leave."  Ditzy said.  "We don't really have much rules for her, she's always just a sweet little muffin, but there's just one or two things I have to point out.  It's Friday so have her in bed before midnight.  She's already had dinner and a bath, so all you need to do really is just have fun!  Oh and one more thing, she's allergic to peanuts, so don't feed her any of the nutty snacks in the pantry."

"Mooooooooooom."  The filly said, looking away from the TV at her, "I'm not a dog, I'm not going to purposely eat them..." She started to mumble.

Ditzy giggled and kissed Dinky on the base of her horn, "Of course, muffin, I know you're a smart little filly."  She turned to Minuette, "Well, that's about it.  If you need to call us the phone is in the kitchen and our number is on a paper next to it.  Have fun you two!"  With that said, Ditzy and Doctor headed for the front door.  They were about to leave when Doctor stopped her and looked at his watch.

"Wait for it..."  He said.

A few seconds have past.

"Ok if we leave in the next nine seconds, which is about enough time for me to explain why I stopped, we will be exactly five minutes and twelve seconds early for our reservation.  Let's go!"  With that, the two left.

Minuette turned back to the filly watching television.  She mentally ran through everything Amethyst had told her about foalsitting, then trotted over to Dinky and sat next to her.

"Hey!"  Minuette said cheerfully.

"Hey."  Dinky replied, less cheerfully.  A small silence passed.

"Soooo."  Minuette said, trying to strike a conversation.  "Watcha watching?"

"A movie."

Minuette furrowed her brow, apparently this filly isn't the talkative type.  She tried a different approach.  "Wanna play a game?  Liiiiiike, hide and seak?"

"Nah."

This is going nowhere.  Minuette bit her hoof, quickly trying to think of something else to do.  She tried to remember what Amethyst had told her, but nothing that she said seemed to be helping.  Hide and seek was out of the question, this filly doesn't seem to want to play childish games so dress up is also eliminated.  

Seeing how tensed the indigo pony was, Dinky mentally sighed and figured they'd do something together.  Lest she be annoying her all night trying to do something.  "I got video games,"  Dinky said, "We could play one of those."

Minuette gasped and smiled brightly, "I love video games!  What kind do you have?!"

Dinky got up from her spot on the rug and trotted to the television stand.  She pulled open a drawer and pulled out a small game console, some controllers, and a stack of DVD cases.  She sprawled the cases on the floor in front of Minuette, showing their titles to her.  A few of them were racing games, most of them were rated E.  Then there was this one that caught her eye.  She picked up the case in her magic and examined it further.

"Haylo: Reach."  She knew of this game, it was a violent, ruthless, and thrilling first person shooter.  Although she's never played the game before, she has heard the colts at school talk about it a lot.

"Oh that one."  Dinky said, "My mom says I'm not allowed to play that one because it's too violent.  My brother used to play it a lot before he went to join the army."

"Hmmm."  A light bulb appeared above her head as an idea came to mind.  The conversation she had with Amethyst earlier popped into her head.  Another thing, if you want them to like you, try to spoil them a bit, but not too much.  Ya know, let them watch a movie or play a game that their parents won't allow them to.  Perfect.

Minuette smiled, "Tell ya what."  She leaned in close to whisper to her, "I'll let you play the game with me, just don't tell your mom."  She winked.

Dinky smiled, "Really?!  Awesome!"  She then began to set up the game by placing the DVD inside the console, turning it on, and handing a second controller to Minuette.  After a few brief instructions on how to play the game, the two faced each other in a match one on one.

About ten minutes into the game, Minuette has been killed nearly seventeen times, and Dinky still stands with zero deaths.  After a lucky shot with a sniper rifle, Minuette started to get cocky.  It didn't take her long to adapt to the concept and strategies.  Fifteen minutes into the game, Minuette had a bazooka and started camping in a corner of a room.  After much 'gamer talk', as Dinky liked to call it, Minuette eventually learned that camping was for 'noobs' and soon left her position, not wanting to agitate the filly.  All in all, the two laughed the whole way through the game.  Minuette mentally sighed, this foalsitting thing wasn't so hard!  

Their gaming ended after about an hour of ruthlessly killing themselves.  Dinky placed the console back into the drawer of the television stand, along with the DVD cases and controllers.  Minuette leaned back on the couch with a smug smile, amused by how she was able to have some fun with Dinky.  The only problem is, can she keep the fun going on the rest of night?

"So watcha wanna do next, Dinky?  Hey where'd you go?"  Minuette scanned the living room that showed no signs of a blonde maned filly.  Minuette started to worry a bit.  Did Dinky ditch her?  Did she run away in anger or rage from their recently played video game?  She started to panic, was she a bad foalsitter?  No.  Minuette was more positive then that.  Dinky probably left to get a drink or something.

Her ear twitched as she heard a muffled sound coming from behind.  Her head swiveled around at the source of the voice.  It came clearer as she entered another room.  The muffled sound almost sounded like giggling now.  Putting all the pieces together, she smiled devilishly and decided to play along.

In a mock tone, she started calling out for Dinky, "I wonder where Dinky is?  Gee, I sure hope I can find her."  Without warning, she ignited her horn and pulled open the door of a cabinet under the sink, revealing a faded purple pony shaped object.  And so started their game of hide and seek.  Minuette quietly cheered the entire time.  All she had to do was get Dinky interested, and show her that Minuette was a fun pony, and she was all for any game now.  The game lasted for about an hour and a half.  It took excruciatingly long for Dinky to find Minuette when she remembered an invisibility spell and decided to have some fun.

When the game was done, the two were exhausted and just decided to relax on the couch.  Minuette levitated two glasses of water for her and the exhausted filly.  All the while, Dinky stared at the magical arcane aura enveloping the glasses.  She furrowed her brow and lowered her head.

"Hey, Minuette?"  Dinky asked.

Minuette giggled, "I told you, silly filly, you can call me Colgate, everypony does!"

"Alright then, Colgate, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, go ahead!"  She replied cheerfully.

The blue aura dissipated from the two water glasses, but the question Dinky had still remained.  "When did you learn to use magic?"  The filly looked at the older mare expectantly.

Minuette smiled, "Well lets see,"  She put her hoof to her chin in thought, remembering the times when she was a filly.  Remembering when she levitated her first object, and the looks on her parents faces.  "I was about seven years old when I first levitated something.  I think it was a ball.  It was one of the happiest moments in my life.  Well, every moment is a happy moment for me!  My parents were so proud of me, a few months later I got accepted into Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns!"

Dinky looked at the floor, sighing.  "Seven huh?  I'm almost ten and I can't do more than make a spark.  It's also hard when both your parents aren't unicorns, so really I have no one to teach me.  Oh well."  Dinky laid on her back on the couch and stared at the ceiling.  

Her vision was soon obscured by ocean blue eyes.  Two indigo hooves scooped her up into a light embrace.  "Hey don't say things like that!  You sound like my friend Lemon, and she's a complete down downer.  Don't worry, soon the spark will come to you, and before you know it, you'll be able to teleport!"

Minuette broke the embrace and set Dinky down.  The filly seemed unmoved by her speech.  "Teleport?  Doubt it.  That spell is way too hard, and the only pony I know who can teleport is that new librarian.  What's her name...Twilight Twinkle?"

"Twilight Sparkle."  She corrected, "Yes, she is a pretty talented unicorn, but any unicorn can learn any spell!  Look at me!  I turned invisible!  My friend Twinkleshine teleported to here from Canterlot!"

"Woa woa wait!"  Dinky said, completely taken aback.  "Teleported from Canterlot?  How is that possible!  Starswirl the Bearded couldn't even do that alone!"  Dinky exclaimed, remembering the archmage from her history class.

"Well yea.  She used a thing called a 'rune' that's supposed to make spells a lot stronger!"

Dinky shrugged, "I guess that makes sense."

Suddenly, Minuette gasped and once again squeezed the younger unicorn in a bone crushing hug.  "I just had the bestest most amazing idea ever!  I could teach you how to do magic!  Oh it'll be so fun!  I can tell you about ley lines, and about magical atonement, and, don't tell your mother about this, I can teach you how to shoot lazers!"  Minuette stared at Dinky with saucer sized eyes and a mile long smile.

Dinky's eyes also went wide at her proposal, "Really?  You could teach me how to do magic?"

"Absolutely!  It's going to be so fun!"  All the excitement has finally gotten to Minuette, and she slumped down on the couch, ready for some sleep.  She yawned to show her exhaustion, and laid back on the couch.  Dinky, too, yawned and made for her bed, but found it easier to not climb up those dreaded stairs.  Instead, she just laid on the couch next to Minuette.  The indigo pony curled up.  Her entire body made a perfect circle with a hole in the middle.  She held Dinky in the middle of her like a mother dog protecting her puppy.  Dinky rested her head above Minuette's stomach, and almost instantly drifted to sleep.

(\/);,;(\/)

Ditzy 'Derpy' Whooves and her husband, Doctor Whooves, came through the door of their house after a long evening celebrating their anniversary.  It was almost one AM, and expected their daughter, Dinky, to be asleep already with Minuette awaiting their arrival.  However, what they found was completely different, and heart warming.  

The indigo pony was curled up like a doughnut, sound asleep with an equally sound asleep filly curled up inside the perimeter she made with her body.  The married couple smiled upon seeing it.  Their daughter had certainly made a new friend.  Ditzy quietly went over and kissed her daughter on the base of her horn, while Doctor pulled a blanket over the two before returning to bed himself.

Lemon Hearts - When Life Gives You Lemons...You Say 'Screw You Life, I Don't Want Your Damn Lemons!'

Rays of bright sunlight cascaded through the open window.  In a particular house, a particular pony with a particular indigo coat laid wrapped up like a dog on a couch.  The light reached the indigo ones' eyes, causing her to wake.  Minuette yawned and checked her surroundings.  The first thing she noticed was that there was a foal shaped object missing from the hole that her curled up body made.  After a few seconds, her vision cleared and she noticed that Ditzy was in the kitchen washing dishes.

Ditzy turned her head and smiled at Minuette, "Good morning, Minuette!  I take it you slept well?"

The unicorn yawned and stretched her limbs.  The bones in her joins popped and cracked.  "Yes I did, Mrs. Doo."

The pegasus gestured to a plate on the counter.  Her eyes went in two different directions, but a quick blink fixed them back to normal.  Minuette would ask why her eyes are the way they are, but she figured it would be rude.  "Would you like some breakfast?  I made pancakes!"

Minuette perked up and smiled.  "Would I?!"  She quickly rushed to the plate and immediately poured syrup on the golden delicacies.  Ditzy smiled and returned back to washing dishes from an earlier breakfast.  "Hey, Mrs. Doo,"  Minuette said, "Where did Dinky go?"  Remembering that Dinky was not with her when she woke up.

"Oh she wakes up early.  She's probably up in her room playing on her computer....like always."  Ditzy rolled her eyes and continued to wash some dishes.

"Well you know what?"  Minuette said.  "That's going to change!  We were talking last night, and I agreed to give Dinky magic lessons!"

Ditzy nearly dropped the plate in her hooves and turned to Minuette.  "R-really?  You'd do that for her?"

Minuette smiled and tilted her head.  "Of course!  It'll be fun!"

Ditzy gasped and smiled, almost squealing in delight.  Her and her husband have been discussing when to find a magic tutor for their daughter for some time.  As expected, Ditzy was overjoyed in hearing that Minuette would be that tutor.  And who more would be a better tutor than a student from Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns?

"Thank you so much, Minuette!  I'll pay you for all--"  The unicorn interrupted her with a shake of her hoof.

"No no no no no!  I don't want your bits!  I'm doing this because I want to, and because I want to be Dinky's friend!  In fact..."  The indigo pony turned towards the stairs.  "I think I'll start right now!"

"Minuette wait!"  Ditzy called out.  The blue pony trotted backwards back to the gray mare.  "Thank you.  Thank you for not just teaching my little muffin, but for being her friend."

With that said, Minuette smiled, nodded, then proceeded up to Dinky's room.  Even as it seemed that life took a toll on the indigo unicorn, and even though it seemed that all hope was lost, Minuette still found a way through it.  Yes, she still is grieving over the loss of Twinkleshine to Moondancer, but the feelings of regret and sorrow are fading away to just mere pinpricks.  Life had tried pounding on Minuette, but once again she bested life.  She found Dinky, and she even gets to teach her magic!  The grey filly will be like...Minuette's little sister.

All in all, life is good.

(\/);,;(\/)

Life was not, in any way shape or form, good.  In fact, life sucks through and through.  Every aspect of life is just meant to be hated.  Life was a simple game, forged by the gods for their amusement.  They play and watch us as we lay waste to each other in acts of violence, war, famine, disease, hatred, greed, and corruption.  These dark aspects of life haunt us till our dying breaths, looming over us and laying dormant in our souls, waiting to be released and defiling the small minuscule threads of life that are actually remotely worth living.  Only those who are still ignorant to life's treacherous ways do not notice this important fact.  Those who have opened their eyes to the truth of life see life in its true form.  Lemon Hearts has opened her eyes.  She knows the truth of life, and she knows how to counter it.

Life only wants to see you fall.  The gods created life for their amusement, and they are amused by the sufferings of their creations.  Life will do what it does to break you, to best you, and to force you to succumb to its undying will.  The will of fear, hatred, regret, violence, greed, corruption.  Oh yes, Lemon is very aware of these things, but she knows how life works, and she knows how to stop them from ever coming.  

It's simple really; all you have to do is let go of your pitiful emotions.  Emotions are the key that life turns to control you.  Emotions can be the bane of your existence, the rise to your power, or the straw that broke the camels back.  When the ties to your emotions are strong enough, life will take advantage of that and use them to your downfall.  Your mind is naturally weak.  Everyponies mind is.  Your emotions can grasp you and control the easily weak minded pony.  You will become sorrowful, weak, pitiful, not knowing when to choose what is right and wrong, or even knowing what is right or wrong.  You will hesitate, become slow, and worst of all, your descent into insanity will be accelerated.

Insanity.  The worst thing to ever cross Lemon's mind, besides corruption.  Insanity is the checkmate in life's game.  Life's goal is to break you to the point of beyond repair.  To make your emotions become so much of a burden that they will be the ones in control of your mind, not you.  Your emotions will be so racked, so powerful that your mind will be in an endless civil war with itself for dominance.  Once you have fallen into this darkness, there is no more light to save you.

Then, there is the Wall.  The Wall is a metaphorical barrier that traps in every emotion, thought, hope, fear, vision, and feeling.  The Wall is as strong as one makes it.  Some ponies build their Wall up so high and sturdy that they barely have any character to them.  Once every emotion is safely locked and guarded, you can finally be free knowing that life cannot control you.  The Wall will keep your emotions in, and keep life's grasp out.  However, the wall is fragile.  It takes a strong will to even compose a wall, and an even stronger, ever flowing will to keep it standing.

You know what they say, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.  However, what Lemon Hearts says is:  When life gives you lemons, you say 'Screw you life, I don't want your damn lemons!  They're probably poisoned!

Lemon Hearts continued to stare into empty space.  The only thing preoccupying her mind was her philosophy.  It kept her strong minded to constantly meditate about life's many twists and turns.  The grandfather clock in her home dinged eleven times, marking it eleven AM.  Time for the meeting at Lyra's place.  Lemon got up from the carpet and prepared herself for departure.  She made sure to grab her leather jacket before locking up and leaving.  Some of the most simple things in life are the things that actually make Lemon happy.  Just because life sucks doesn't mean you don't have to enjoy the little things.

As the yellow unicorn made her way down the giddy streets of Ponyville, she couldn't help but notice all the prancy ponies that passed her by and bid her a good day.  Insolent fools.  They are blind to life's true ways.  They are too attached to their emotions that when disaster strikes they will hesitate to do unheard of things to survive.

It didn't take long for Lemon to get to Lyra's house.  She knocked on the door a few times until Lyra answered it.  "Hey, Hearts!  Come on in."  The mint unicorn led the other to her basement.  Lemon was always the first one there, but this time, Amethyst got there before her.

The two sat adjacent from each other at the table, while Lyra sat next to Amethyst.  The lavender mare noticed Lemon's leather jacket and raised a brow.  "Why are you wearing a leather jacket?  It's summer!"

"Because screw the rules!  Leather jackets are badass."

"Aren't you hot in that?"

"No."  Lemon shrugged.

A few minuets of silence passed.  Never caring for silences, Lemon sat back and stared at the wall.  Amethyst, however, was always talkative.  "So what's been going on new with you?"

Lemon shrugged.  "Nothing much.  Wrote some more philosophy, stared at the wall in contemplation, plotted revolution, and got a new job."

Ignoring the third comment, Amethyst perked up at the last one.  "Really?  A new job?  What do you do?"

"Chef."

Lyra seemed interested.  "Hmm, that's cool!  What restaurant do you work at?"

"Paprika's."

"We should all go there sometime!"

Lemon shrugged.  "Maybe."

Within a few more minutes, Minuette entered the basement.  The four friends chatted among each other until Twinkleshine and Moondancer came along about ten minutes after Minuette.  The two sat next to each other on Lemon's right.  Twinkleshine shot a glare at Lemon that told her she was crazy for wearing a leather jacket.  Moondancer simply bumped hooves with the yellow mare and declared the jacket to badass.

"About time you got here."  Lemon stated once everyone was situated.  "Couldn't wait to rut each other until after the meeting?"

At that, the remaining five mares blushed until all the blood in their bodies occupied their heads.  Twinkleshine ducked below the table and Moondancer crossed her arms and looked down.  Even though Lemon is a downer and a die hard pessimist, it's always nice to make a dark or blunt joke every now and then.

"Hearts!"  Amethyst yelled.

"Yes'm."  Lemon replied.  

"Could you not be so...so blunt with your jokes?!"

Lemon smirked.  "I could...but nah it's funny seeing you all get all worked up over a joke."

"Ok then!"  Lyra said.  "Let's just steer the conversation AWAY from....you know..."

"Sex."  Lemon bluntly stated.

"Moving on!"  Lyra continued, blushing furiously and getting more agitated each second.  "Let's talk about Lemon's new job!"

Soon the basement was filled with the five other ponies all talking at the same time.  Saying things like 'oh that's cool!' and 'what is it?' 'you got a new job?!' etc.

"Yes yes I got a job now quiet down."  Lemon abruptly stated.  "I'm a chef at 'Paprika's' a lil' 'ol place downtown.  They were hiring, I was in the area, badaboom."

"Well, that's wonderful."  Twinkleshine said.  "You know what they say."  She couldn't help but giggle while saying this next statement.  "When life gives you lemons--"

"No.  Just....no.  You know what?  When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade!  Make life take the lemons back!  GET MAD!  I don't want your damn lemons what am I supposed to do with these?!  Demand to see life's manager!  Make life rue the day it thought it could give LEMON HEARTS LEMONS!  Do you know who I am?!  I'm the mare who's gonna burn your house down...with the lemons!  I'm gonna use my magic to make a combustible lemon that burns your house down!"

Amethyst, Lyra, Twinkleshine, Moondancer, and Minuette all exchanged glances before bursting out into laughter.  Lemon stayed neutral the entire time, silently being amused by her friends laughing their flanks off.  Even though she knew that none of her friends opened their eyes to the true meanings of life, she still hoped that these mares will be the salvation to life's corruption in the near future.  That one day these ponies will be the only sane ones left.  For now though, she just enjoys screwing with them.