Author's Notes:

This chapter was a bit of a struggle and it does jump around a bit. I wanted it about the same length as everything else, but needed to make it work. So I don't know. Could be better for sure.

It all started off perfectly. She woke excited as could be and as happy as ever. She could hardly contain her glee! The school day was perfect, no bullies to deal with, friends to talk to, and everypony was happy to talk to her. The day had been perfect!

It wasn’t until the party that everything had gone downhill…

First, the location was not where she wanted it. She wanted it to be at the castle with her friends, not the local arcade with several of her classmates. They said that this place was perfect! But in all reality, it wasn’t. It was loud, the kids were obnoxious, and none of the games were of any interest to her.

Twilight Sparkle was not a happy filly.

If proven by the fact the she had run out of the building in tears. The little purple filly had been sitting on the front step of the building for who knows how long, sobbing loudly into the night. Her brother couldn’t come didn’t help in the slightest, neither could Cadance when she came down ill. Celestia really tried, but she was pulled aside for emergency negotiations. She was angry that her parents didn’t listen to her, but she was also sad that they didn’t notice that she was gone…

Twilight’s birthday was a miserable failure.

When the door opened, the little filly looked over her shoulder as watched as Raven, her best friend, exit the building and sit down next to her. Twilight was both so happy and so depressed at the same time. She cried into her friend’s shirt as the princess held her, speaking soft coo’s and words of encouragement to her. After several minutes, Raven convinced Twilight that they could salvage the night. With a new sense of determination, the pair entered the building.

It was at that moment, a poor, unsuspecting waiter, carrying a large order for one of the children slipped on an empty soda can that had fallen on the floor sending his tray into the air.

The contents sailed through the air, its burning hot, sticky filling landing atop Twilight’s head. The poor little filly screamed at the top of her lungs in both shock and searing pain. Raven acted quickly, removing the quesadilla from her friends head, but the sticky -and rather disgusting- cheese got onto everything. It was in Twilight’s hair, her fur, her clothes and only continued to burn her further.

Twilight would go on to spend the rest of her birthday in the hospital…

”I’m so sorry sweetie,” a female doctor apologized as she wrapped the final few bandages around her patient’s arm. Twilight sniffled as she continued to hold out her arm for the kind doctor. Luckily, all she had were minor first and second degree burns thanks to that unfortunate mishap, but that wasn’t what truly scared her.

The poor little thing had to be shaved…

For the areas where she had been burned, it was understandable and they were hidden by the medical bandages anyway, it was her hair that had taken the worst hit…

The cheese was so bad, that doctors were unable to get the goo out effectively. In order to clean and dress the wounds atop her head, they made the executive decision to shave all her mane from atop her head, leaving her bald and ashamed. The poor doctor could feel the sadness radiating off her little patient. But she still did her best to salvage the situation. After telling a very sympathetic nurse about what happened, the nurse had returned with a gracious bowl of ice cream and was even kind enough to bring a small chocolate cake for the filly.

Which lifted her spirits some.

”Twilight!”

The fillies ears perked before she sat up a little straighter and looked to the door expectantly. The sounds of a familiar pair of shoes padding down the hall kept the filly on edge. She heard her name being shouted a second time, this time much closer to the room. She knew exactly who it was but was too exhausted and depressed to respond. She continued to watch the door expectantly as the sounds of her friend’s approach got closer.

”Twiligh-” Raven appeared rapidly but disappeared just as fast. “Shit!” Raven cursed as her shoes lost traction, making a loud squeaking noise against the floor. The girl slipped hitting the ground with a meaty thud as the side of her head knocked loudly against the floor. She grunted and moaned in pain as she rolled onto her back, clutching her now throbbing skull. Raven ignored the throbbing in her side and head and pushed herself onto her hands and knees. Initially she struggled to get her feet under her for several seconds before she did finally stand up and limp her way into the room.

“Raven!” Twilight squeaked at the sight of her best friend. The two teens embraced each other in their arms, the filly sobbing into her friends’ collar. Hugging her friend tighter, Raven soothed her pony friend as she cried. Behind them, Frost entered the room and stood by the door.

Ignoring him, the female doctor gently grasped Twilight’s arm and finished bandaging the girl’s wounds. Just as the doctor was finishing up her work, Twilight’s parents entered the room. The frantic parents openly panicked over their daughter as Raven silently glared at the pair. This was their fault and she knew it. Twilight had expressed to Raven for days that she wanted to just have a small party with her actual friends at the castle. Twilight also wanted her brother and Celestia there as well, but neither made it…

When the doctor pulled the parents aside to explain the situation, Raven and Twilight embraced yet again in another hug. “Raven…” Twilight said softly into her friend’s shirt. “I… I just wanted to have a party with you and Celestia…”

Raven blinked as an idea came to mind before she hugged her friend tighter…

Twilight was a miserable pony…

The poor thing did her best to hide her shame. The entire event had spread around the school like wildfire. Forced to wear one of her hoodies to hide her bald head and long clothing to hide her bandages, she just went through the motions.

Sit down, take notes, next class, repeat.

Thankfully no pony dared to harass her and there were ultimately two reasons for that. The first being that insulting anypony suffering from some sort of wound or disability was highly frowned upon and it was an unspoken rule to harass somepony like that. Second and probably the most important, was that Raven was liable to beat the ever-living shit out of them…

And no pony was going to dare stop her…

And would probably silently agree to said beating.

On any normal day, Twilight would be excited to see the Princess for her personal studies. Today though, she barely lifted her hooves as she mindlessly stumbled towards the castle. As she approached the gates, the two guards at the front gate gave the little filly a look of sympathy as their hearts ached for her.

“The Princess is in her quarters, Miss Twilight…” one of the guards informed the girl as he opened the gates. The little filly didn’t respond, opting to hide further into the hood of her sweatshirt. Unfortunately, the rest of the walk into the castle was a blur. Before she knew it, she made it towards the Princess’ quarters.

She didn’t enter… not at first, at least…

She stared at the handle for who knows how long, un-moving.

She didn’t want to go in there, but out of all the ponies that would understand her situation, it would have been Celestia. Taking a deep breath, Twilight sighed as she rested her hand on the door handle and pushed the door open and stepped inside.

“SURPRISE!”

“EEP!” Twilight yelped as the lights flicked on and multiple ponies jumped out from behind a couch from within the room. The startled filly stared at her assailants. Princess Celestia, Shining Armor, and Raven smiled happily at the filly. “What… what is going on?”

She clearly failed to notice the table of goodies, cake, and large banner saying, ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY TWILIGHT!’ in big bold letters. Stepping out from behind their hiding place, the Princess approached the filly.

“Twilight, first off I want to apologize for not coming to your party the other day,” The mare apologized before she sat down on her knees in front of the much smaller filly. Grasping her students’ hands, Celestia gave them a gentle squeeze. “I should have been there for you.” With one last reassuring squeeze, the mare offered one last equally reassuring smile.

Standing behind the mare, Cadet Armor smiled down at his little sister. “I’m so glad you’re safe Twily,” he said, relieved as he rubbed the top of her bald head. When Captain Bronze heard about what happened to the young cadet’s sister, he immediately relieved the stallion and told him to go be with his family. Celestia released her young prodigies’ hands and let the purple filly hug her older brother.

The greatest reaction was when Raven stepped forward. The filly gasped in shock, holding both hands to her mouth as tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. “R-Raven… your mane!” The human teen smiled widely as she approached her friend. The girls bare head glistened in the light.

Running a hand over her bald head, Raven blushed and giggled sheepishly. “I didn’t want you to be alone, heh…” Reaching out, the two friends embraced each other. “You like?”

“Raven… you didn’t have to… but I do appreciate it…” she said the last part softly as they released each other. “Is Cadance coming?” she asked Celestia.

“She still has her cold,” Shining answered. “She really wanted to come, but better if she didn’t”

“Raven? You okay?” Twilight asked as stepped forward. “You look kinda bored.”

The girl in question lifted her head. “Huh? What no!” Standing up from her chair, the girl grasped her drink and smiled. “Just reminiscing.”

“On what?”

“That one birthday,” she smirked, making Twilight’s smile fade as that memory came to mind. Groaning, Twilight rolled her eyes. “Ugh… I’d rather not…” Raven laughed in response to her friend’s annoyance. “I’m still scarred by that night!”

“I know!” Raven chuckled at her friend’s expense. “Which is why I got you a quesadilla for your birthday!” Tipping back her drink, she slapped an angry looking Twilight on the back. “Happy sixteenth birthday Twi!”

Twilight glared at the back of her friend’s head.

Approaching the snack table, Raven leaned forward and examined her options before she opted for a cupcake. Peeling the wrapping from the confectionary delight, she popped the entire thing in her mouth, moaning at its wonderful taste. In the center of the room, Cadance and Private Shining Armor danced away. Off to the side, Celestia clapped her hands to the beat of the music as she watched her niece dance with her coltfriend.

Celestia glanced at her daughter out of the corner of her eyes. In the last five and a half years since she found the girl, she had wondered where the time went. Gone was that little filly, now, standing before her was a gorgeous young mare. Her long dark hair had grown back in full since the day she shaved it for her friend and was now tied up in a long ponytail. Now almost twice as tall, the nineteen-year-old had filled out wonderfully.

She was the epitome of femininity.

She had a pair of wonderful, pert teats, a nice, hourglass waist that lead to wide, childbearing hips. She was going to make some stallion very happy one day. While not as big as Celestia, Raven still looked great in a bikini.

If that one photoshoot is anything to go by…

Of which Celestia did not approve of…

As the song came to an end, Shining and Cadance finished with a dip. Standing tall the pair beamed as Twilight, Celestia and Raven applauded. “When are you going to get a coltfriend sweetie?” Celestia asked her daughter with a cheeky tone.

“When I feel like it!” the girl in question dismissed with a smile.

It had taken a while for things to finally calm down. The attacks had come to an end after the events of the Umbaran kidnapping. Both Twilight and Cadance still suffered from the occasional nightmare and jumped at loud noises. Cadance also had problems with unknown ponies, especially stallions, getting too close to her. Raven was just glad that things were more relaxed.

None of them would have it any other way.

Although Celestia would probably enjoy less paperwork.

But that was a different tale, and a boring one at that.

As the rest of the part went on, Twilight was so appreciative of her family and friends. “Hey Raven?” the teen asked, approaching the young princess. Raven turned towards her friend, munching on a cupcake. “You going to the upcoming dance?”

Like a hungry gorilla, Raven shoved the remaining half of her treat in her mouth, swallowing it whole. “I would if somepony invited me,” she said, wiping the crumbs from her mouth with the back of her sleeve. “Otherwise I I’ll just hang out at the castle, maybe harass the guards a little bit.” She shrugged her shoulders, grabbing another cupcake. “I don’t know. But what about you?” Raven asked as she bit down on her treat. “You going?”

Twilight shrugged, closing her eyes. “Maybe if you go? But there isn’t anypony that I’m interested in going with.”

“What are you talking about?” Both teens turned to see Cadance as she approached, grabbing a glass of soda as she passed the table.

“Oh nothing,” Raven dismissed her elder cousin with a shrug. “Just your love life,” she smiled slyly.

Cadance snorted, scrunching her nose, which as cute to both Shining and Raven. "Funny," the pink princess said sarcastically. "But what about you two? When will you two get in a relationship hmmm?" Cadance countered.

"I didn't tell you when we met and I wont tell you now!" Raven replied with a smile and a laugh. Twilight found it best to avoid this conversation as whole and opted to go and talk to her brother.

"What about the upcoming dance?" Cadance asked before she tilted her head back to take a drink.

Raven shrugged and mirrored her cousins actions, but spoke before she took her sip of her drink. "Unless someone asks me, I probably wont go..."

Raven groaned, rolling her eyes as her latest batch of bullies attempted to garner a reaction out of her. Apparently, they had never heard of what happened to the last ponies that harassed the girl. Or how badly they had ended up in the hospital. She couldn’t believe that now as an adult and into her college years, the fact that this crap continued to happen only served to piss her off. Ignoring the laughing trio of morons, she sipped from her milk carton in silence. The entire dining hall was silent as they watched in silence. No pony dared to step in and intervene out of fear of what might happen.

Both for them is the third party and for the bullies.

Twilight and Moondancer watched, annoyed as they silently munched away at their own meals. Pursing her lips in anger, the one-eyed girl finished her drink and crushed the carton in her hand, slammed it against the table and started to stand up.

“L-Leave her alone!” Raven was halfway out of her seat when she froze. Standing not too far away, was a light bronze unicorn stallion with a blonde mane. He wasn’t very impressive as far as physical structure went. He wasn’t gangly or awkward, but he wasn’t built like an athlete either. But he was shorter than Raven by a few centimeters. But he had this look of determination on his face that made the girl take notice.

The three aggressors stared at the smaller stallion in confusion before they stood up. “Or what skinny boy?” the lead stallion threatened as he loomed over his shorter challenger. Her savior however wilted under the glares of the three stallions.

The tan stallion gulped as he hugged the textbook he had been holding, tighter to his chest as he continued to wilt out of fear. “I… it’s not nice to bully a young lady like that…” he squeaked, his tone three octaves higher than normal.

“How about I-AH!” the stallion yelped in pain when Raven grasped his wrist and twisted it at an awkward angle. There was a loud cracking sound as his shoulder strained to stay in its socket.

“You guys truly are idiots, I swear,” Raven stated as she forced the lead tormentor to the floor. Off to the side, one of the other bullies stepped forward. She caught his movement out of the corner of her eye. Thrusting her foot forward, she caught the stallion in the crotch, sending him to the ground in a ball of agony. Turning to the last guy, she raised her brow at him as he took a defensive stance. His shaking knees gave away how he truly felt. “Really? After that?” she said, referring to his down friend palming his crotch. Tilting the other guys arm forward, there was a mighty crack as she dislocated his shoulder.

Releasing the poor stallion, she let him drop forward, clutching his shoulder. Turning towards the remaining stallion, Raven took her defensive stance. She was well trained before coming to Equestria and now, she had spent almost everyday training to get where she was now. But luckily for him, the remaining stallion opted to take his chances, turning tail, and made a run for it out of the room. Relaxing her stance, Raven approached her savior.

“Thank you for standing up for me!” she smiled at him. “And your name is?”

The stallion blushed as he shied away from the Princess. “C-C-Cop-p-per…” he swallowed nervously. “Coin…”

“Nice to meet you Copper!” she greeted him. Leaning forward, she pecked the stallion on the cheek. “Thanks for standing up for me,” she whispered in his ear, causing the stallion’s blush to deepen into near blood red. “I hope to talk to you more.” Patting him on the shoulder, Raven headed back towards her friends, taking her pack from Twilight’s grasp and heading for the door. Just before she left the room, she looked over her shoulder and winked at the stallion.

“She kissed me…” Copper said near incoherently. "She kissed me… I feel light headed…” he swayed before falling backwards with a dreamy expression on his face.

I can do this… I can do this…

He couldn’t do this.

Copper had been staring into one of the bathroom mirrors in the school for several minutes now. It had been just over a month since he ran into the princess and in that time, the young stallion had fallen for her. Not he was not a pervert, but he did find himself admiring her more often than not. He would stare longer than socially acceptable. He also…

Glanced at her butt…

More than once…

The poor guy whimpered as his ears splayed back. “I’m not a bad pony… and I’m not a pervert…” he said to himself in a hushed tone. He just, really like her and he was desperately hoping she would say yes to his offer for her to be his date to the upcoming dance. He craved for a relationship. His mother in particular, constantly pressed for him to find a fillyfriend, but he was always too scared to ask anypony.

That and he hardly knew any girls.

But he was resolute with this one! Tartarus be damned!

He just really hoped she’d say yes...

Glancing at his watch, it read noon. It was time for lunch, and this was his beat opportunity to talk to his wayward crush. Now this wasn’t the first time he had talked to her, oh no. He had run into her in passing, and she did sit with him on occasion, but he found himself fumbling more and more as this tight feeling in his chest made him even more nervous than usual.

He was in love and Copper knew it.

After taking a deep breath and saying one last line of encouragement, the stallion grasped his invite and held it to his chest as though it was the most important item in the world. After exiting the bathroom, he headed towards the dining area. He felt confident when he left the bathroom.

When he entered the dining area however, Copper lost all his confidence. The poor boy locked up at the door. He went pale, his body convulsing violently in shakes of terror. From a distance, one might have thought Copper was having a seizure.

I can’t… I can’t… I CAN’T!

Tears welled up in the corners of the stallion’s eyes. Panic started to set in as Copper started to feel light headed, his breathing became shallow as he started to hyperventilate. Sweat started to drip down his forehead like a river as he started to panic more.

“Hey buddy? You alright?”

“Sir, are you okay?”

The only part of the tan stallion that moved were his eyes. Nearby, a mare and a stallion stood by, concerned looks pointed right at the poor guy. His knees went weak and his vision began to blur. He was losing consciousness. He needed to sit down. When he lifted his leg, it felt like a ton of bricks as he started working his way to the nearest chair, mumbling near incoherently that he needed to sit down. The two concerned ponies helped aid the poor stallion to the table, the mare easing him along and the stallion grabbing the chair. Copper reached out with his hand, failing to notice how violently it was shaking. He made it about two more steps before his legs gave out fully.

There was a loud crashing sound as Copper Coin smashed into the nearby table, tipping it over. Every head in the room turned in the direction as several ponies stood up reflexively.

“Somepony get a doctor!” the mare aiding him shouted.

To all the onlookers, the poor stallion on the floor looked like a ghost. He had gone terribly pale, his eyes started to glaze over, and he was shaking violently.

She would never go to the dance with him now…

“Copper?!”

No, she couldn’t see him, not like this!

Through his blurry vision he recognized that shape, those colors and that beautiful face. As he stared up at the unique mare, his vision cleared just long enough for him to see that look of utter fear upon her features. Without even thinking, he lifted his left hand. He wanted to reassure her that he was fine… honest! The girl glanced at his shaking hand before she took it in her own and gently rested it back towards his side.

“Stay with me Copper!” she yelled at him. Even in her panic, her voice was like honey. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a knife and clicked it open before cutting at the bottom of his shirt.

No… third date… third date…

The sounds of fabric tearing filled the air as she tore away at his clothes. She’s strong too! “He’s soaked in sweat!” He felt her wrap her tender hand around his neck, and it was as soft as the finest of silks! “His heart rates through the roof!”

“R-R...aven…”

“Save your strength Copper!” she told him. “Dammit where is that doctor?!”

“R-Raven?”

“Copper don’t! Just stay with me!”

The poor boy gingerly lifted his shaky head looking the girl square in the eye. “I… love… you!”

With that, everything went black…

Copper Coin’s eyes fluttered open just before he groaned. His head was killing him, he felt kinda sticky, and was all around miserable. Grabbing his eyes with one hand, the young stallion rubbed them before he blinked his vision back into focus. He quickly deduced and figured out that he was in a hospital room. Slowly lifting his head, he winced when his head throbbed.

“Here,” a female voice said softly as a pair of hands grabbed his head and eased it back onto the pillow before pressing a cool glass of water against his lips. He sipped at it softly for some time until the entire glass was empty. Panting, the young stallion slowly opened his eyes. They went wide when he saw the beautiful face of his crush staring back. He squeaked before he felt his face begin to go warm. “You okay?” she asked softly.

Copper didn’t respond, opting better to sink a little bit farther under the blankets as he nodded his head ever so slightly. “Wait?” he perked up and lifted his head, looking down at the blanket. Confused, he lifted it and looked at the light green gown. He still had his pants on, but his shirt was missing.

“I cut it off,” Raven said as she stepped away from the bed and sat down in a nearby chair. That brought forth a flood of memories. “You had a very severe panic attack,” she continued to explain.

Copper sighed, then groaned as he dropped the bed sheet and flopped back against the bed. Well, not only was his day ruined, but so were his chances of going to the dance with the girl of his dreams. Raven, for her part, just sat silently, resting her elbows on her knees as she watched as the young stallion seemed to be at war with himself.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, concerned.

Copper shook his head. “Nothing…”

“It’s clearly something!” she said a little more firmly, inching forward in her seat slightly. She had been around enough ponies now to be able to read body language. Something was clearly wrong. “Copper, please tell me.”

“I love you!” he spontaneously shouted, glaring at the teen before he wilted and avoided eye contact. Raven for her part didn't react as he closed his eyes and started to sob quietly. Raven, for her part, still sat silently, letting the words settle in as he sobbed lightly before her. She heard his declaration the first time when he was on the floor back in the school. But right now, it confirmed what he was actually thinking.

Raven glanced at the floor for a second. “I know you didn’t walk in there to just say that… did you?”

The poor stallion felt sick now. Here was his crush, he declared his love to her, and she probably thinks that he’s some sort of pervert. Or maybe she thought he wanted her for her power and nothing more. He shook his head. “No… I… I wanted to ask you to the upcoming dance…. But… I guess I panicked. Now it's ruined..." he said the last part under his breath.

No one said anything for some time. Copper sat there and sobbed softly, that being the only noise that was made within the room. He couldn’t dare to look the princess in the eyes, well… eye, and she opted to just sit there and think. She tossed the idea of dating back and forth within her head for a little while. Her mother, and Void forbid, her cousin, had been pestering her for some time to find a coltfriend.

“...okay.”

Copper’s head immediately snapped towards the teen girl. “W-What?”

She shrugged her shoulders and canted her head slightly as she sat up. “I said okay.” She smiled warmly down at the stallion that continued to give her this look of shock. “I’d love to go to the dance with you!” she stood up and stepped up to the bed. Reaching down, she grasped one of his hands and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “But first things first, my favorite color is red, if you want to go to dinner there is a little place not far from the castle that is very good for very inexpensive. I’ll get my own dress, so all you have to worry about is your clothing. And, last but not least, mom will want to meet you when you feel better!” she slapped his chest twice as she released his hand and headed for the door. “Oh, and I’m free tomorrow if you want to hang out! Bye!”

Confused, Copper’s mouth opened and closed like a fish before he finally just closed his mouth. “What the heck just happened? Do I have a marefriend now…?”