It’s Only Routine

The sun rose over the horizon slowly and lit the small town of Ponyville, climbing over the many shops and houses. Long shadows cast across the clearing of the center of the town. Birds chirped in song and squirrels poked out of their dens to start the day. The sun’s rays peered through the large round window of the town’s library, filling the room with light across the many shelves of books and scrolls. It reached across the colorful walls and high ceiling until it filled the whole room.

The purple colored unicorn lay curled up in her untidy bed. She squinted as the sunlight spread across her face. Her purple colored eyes opened slowly. Getting up on four hooves, she stretched and let out a long yawn. “Spike,” She called her friend. The unicorn gazed around the room to find a small purple scaled dragon with green spikes lining his spine huddled up in his bed. The unicorn slowly made her way over to him, trying not to step on any of the books and papers she left out from the night before. “Spike come on.” She said louder. “Today is a big day, you have to wake up.” She said, nudging Spike’s warm body.

“Just five more minutes Twilight.” Spike groaned as he flipped around to escape the bright light and his loud friend.

“No, we have to get up now.” Her voice was sterner now. She pushed the bed with her hoof. Spike lay still.

Aggravated, Twilight grabbed his bed with her teeth and flipped it over. The dragon let out a squeak of surprise as he hit the cold floor. “Come on.”

Spike crawled out of his blanket, got up of two legs, and staggered towards his friend. He leaned on her leg and looked up to her. “That wasn’t very nice.” He complained.

Twilight grinned at the dragon. He grinned in return. Twilight picked him up by the scruff and placed him on her back. “Let’s get ready.” She let out a small laugh and bounded off to the bathroom. Spike turned on the faucet and grabbed his toothbrush.

“My mane is a mess.” Twilight retorted looking at the tangled black mess that sat upon her head. She brushed through the short hair making sure the pink and purple strips were straight and neat.

“At least you have hair.” Spike said, toothpaste overflowing form the corners of his mouth. He swallowed and burped out a tongue of green fire.

“Ew!” The unicorn couldn’t help but laugh a little. Spike smiled and laughed.

The two friends did their normal morning routine; organizing books, cleaning up whatever mess was always on the floor, and dusting the shelves until they were sparking with cleanliness. Twilight used her magic most of the time to move things around. Grabbing the watering can, Spike reached out to the plants. His short arms stretched out as far as they could, it was no use. He could reach. Suddenly he felt a cold wind wash over him as he was lifted in the air. He looked down to notice he was wrapped in Twilight’s pruple colored magic. He looked back to see her hard at work with other things. “Thanks Twilight!” He yelled. She nodded and smiled back in acknowledgment. Spike then turned his gaze back to the plants and watered them.

“Can you get the ones over there too?” She asked, flinging him across the air.

“Whoa.” Spike glared at Twilight. “Could you not throw me next time?” He exclaimed.

“Sorry.” She apologized. Spike did as he was told. “And there,” Whipping him around, Twilight made him stop in front of another plant. Spike let a low groul ballow from his throat.

"Sorry." Twiligh sheepish said. She set him back down and continued on with her cleaning. Twilight Sparkle looked around her home. “All done,” She smiled with pride.

“Hey, Twilight,” She heard the dragon from behind her. He was holding a heavy book of spells. “We could practice the mind spell now if you want.” He suggested

“Are you sure?” Twilight’s voice sounded worried. “What if something goes wrong?” She asked.

“Everything will be fine.” He encouraged her.

Twilight thought for a moment. “Fine” She said hesitantly. “But I’m only trying once!” She looked at the dragon, he looked worried too. The two of them had only tried the spell once. It nearly killed twilight as she got lost in Spike’s mind. This time though, they were determined to make it work.

Twilight exhaled sharply as she readied herself. She closed her eyes and concentrated. She lets down the walls of her mind and crept into Spike’s. She felt him try to resist her mind entering his, but he let her go anyway. Twilight couldn’t see anything. She tried to push past his thoughts and towards his memories. Poking around in the darkness of Spike’s mind, she started to her voices of Spike’s thought. They sounded like they were getting closer. Twilight felt a shiver run down her spine as she felt the familiar warmth in her. She was getting lost again. Spike’s voice echoed in her head louder this time. Thoughts that only came and went for a moment was booming in her head like a drum. Louder and louder, her ears started to ache at the extremely loud sound. Pressure began to exert itself on Twilight’s head. She felt like her mind was going to collapse. Twilight could feel the sweat beginning to form on her soft skin. Her breath began to thin as the voices started to consume her every being.

“Twilight?” A smaller voice said. Twilight could barely hear the voice. She felt herself losing consciousness but she held on to herself as long as she could. “Twilight,” The voice spoke again, this time louder than before. Slowly, Twilight felt the pressure ease, and the voices dim down as she slipped back into her own mind. She closed her eyes and passed out.

“Twilight, get up!” She heard Spike clearly now. Jumping up, Twilight gasped for air. She looked around, everything was cloudy. Twilight blinked her eyes open. Dizzy, got up and walked around. She saw out of the corner of her eye a purple blob following her.

“I wouldn’t try walking if I were you.” Spike informed her. She ignored him and took another step. Her legs wobbled and her hooves fell under her and she toppled to the ground. “Told you.” Spike rushed over to her and helped her up.

She got off the cold, hard floor and leaned on a nearby book shelf. Twilight felt relieved that she found herself in a familiar place instead of lost in the darkness of Spike’s mind. Her vision cleared up as she fixed her gaze to the small dragon.

“What happened?’ She asked her friend.

“Um,” Spike started as he tried to think of a way to explain. “You went into my mind and I don’t know what happened but you started sweating and fell over. So I tried to wake you up, but it wasn’t working so I bit you and you passed out.” He smiled sheepishly.

“You what?!” Twilight glared.

Spike flinched at the anger in Twilight’s voice. “I was only trying to help!” He explained.

The unicorn calmed down and touched her muzzle to his head. “Thank you.” She smiled. “I wouldn’t be here if you didn’t do that.”

Spike let out a little smile. Suddenly, a rumble erupted from his belly. He looked to the unicorn with big eyes. “Can we go get some food now?” He asked.

“Sure.” Twilight agreed. “I’m kind of hungry myself.” Spike hopped up on Twilight’s back and the two of them left the library and headed off into the town.

The sun was high in the blue afternoon sky. Ponies were bustling about, getting ready for the night’s celebration.

“Everypony must be getting ready for the Wishing Night.” Spike said.

Twilight stopped as a pony ran past her in a hurry. “Yeah, I didn’t think the Wishing Night was as popular here as it was in Canterlot.”

“I guess they are just as excited for it as we are.”

Galloping through the center of Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle and Spike looked around for somewhere to stop. “How about the café?” Twilight suggested.

“No,” Spike answered. “They don’t let me back in there.” The unicorn gave her friend a questioning look. He shrugged his shoulders. “It’s not my fault! The chairs really did look like food to me.” He smiled awkwardly.

“Well then how about Sugar Cube Corner?” She said ignoring Spike’s answer.

“Oooo!” Spike jumped off of Twilight’s back in excitement. “That’s perfect!” He said, drool dripping off of his lips.

They walked to Sugar Cube Corner, its gingerbread ceiling and cupcake design was easy to spot from across the town. Twilight walked through the door to the crowded colorful candy cane and cupcake room. An aroma of delicious smells wafted through Twilight’s nose. She felt her mouth watering from the smell alone. A blue mare with dark pink hair stood behind the counter placing newly made cakes in the glass case. Her orange and pink apron was covered with flour neatly tied around her waist. She then placed a dozen cupcakes in a bag and handed it to the pony at the front of the long line. A yellow stallion was preparing dough for a batch of cupcakes. His orange mane was covered with a white baker’s hat and his neck was long with an orange striped bowtie. His white apron was also covered with flour from making the shop’s sweet confectionary delights.

Spike stared at the long line of ponies waiting for their ordered to be taken. “Everyone must be getting food for today.”

“Well,” Twilight started. “No choice but to wait.”

After a long while they got to the front of the line. “Good afternoon Mrs. Cake.” Twilight said as she walked up to the counter.

“Why hello there dearie,” She started, “What can I do you for today?” She asked with a polite and welcoming tone.

“I would like two cupcakes please.” Twilight stated.

“Right away.” She grabbed two pink frosted cupcakes and placed them on the counter. Spike picked his up and immediately shoved the treat into his mouth. He sighed in fulfillment as he swallowed and burped up a flicker of fire.

Twilight enveloped her treat in her magic and lifted it into the air. “Thank you.” She said as she headed for the door.

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"Ah!” Twilight exclaimed as the bright pink pony with round, bouncy pink hair jumped in front of her. The magic on her cupcake broke and it fell to the floor, spattering frosting on Twilight’s hooves.

“Hey there Twilight!” The pink pony squeaked, grinning from ear to ear. Her big blue eyes stared at Twilight, waiting for a greeting in return.

“Pinkie, you made me drop my cupcake.” She complained.

“What did we tell you about scaring the costumers Pinkie Pie,” Mrs. Cake scolded her, handing Twilight a new treat. “There you go.”

“Thanks.” She said. Looking back to Pinkie, she glared.

“Sorry.” Her ears drooped.

“It’s okay, now what do you want.” Twilight forgave her, smiling.

“I was just going to say how excited I am about the Wishing Night tonight!” She sprang back and forth. “It’s going to be so much fun!” Pinkie stopped back in front of Twilight. “I’m bringing the food so don’t you get any, you hear me!” She ordered.

“Alright,” Twilight chuckled.

Pinkie smiled widely in return. “Well then, see you tonight!” She pushed past the crowd of ponies and returned to her work.

“Bye.” Twilight said, walking out of the bakery.

“She’s so crazy.” Spike commented. “But man does she make good food.” He rubbed his belly in joy.

Twilight rolled her eyes jokingly and took a bite of the cupcake. After she finished she lick her lips in satisfaction and the two of them continued on back to the library.

   “Hey, is that Rarity?” Spike pointed to a white unicorn wearing red sunglasses and a blue, feathered white hat. Her back was stacked with bags and boxes. Fabric and measuring tape was falling out of most of them as she tried to balance them and walk at the same time.

“Whoa!” Said the unicorn as the boxes started to fall to one side. Spike ran over and settled the side that was tipping over. “Thanks Spike.” The graceful pony said in a calm tone. She pushed her curly purple hair to one side as she looked to the purple pony that was walking over to her.

“No problem Rarity.” Spike said with googly eyes.

Rarity cleared her throat and tried to ignore the love struck dragon next to her. “Hello Twilight.” She greeted her friend. “Just getting some things for an upcoming fashion line,” She explained.

“Do you need any help?” Twilight asked.

“No thanks. I still need to go to some other stores before I go to the party.” She steadied the once again falling bags. “Well then what are you up to today?” She asked.

“Well Spike and I were practicing this amazing spell this morning were you can read someone’s mind and memories.” She smiled in pride of her knowledge.

“Eh.” Rarity said back, not knowing what else to say. “That’s…nice.” She gave her best fake grin.

“Um, we’d better get going.” Twilight didn’t want to bore her friend any longer with her talk of magic and spells. “I’ll see you tonight.” Twilight said. “Let’s go Spike.” She turned her gaze to Spike. His eyes refused to turn from the elegant white unicorn. Twilight took the tip of his tail in her teeth and dragged him away.

“Uh…farewell Twilight,” She said, staring at the strange scene in front of her

Nighttime fell quickly. The stars shined bright in the black and blue sky while the quarter moon hung high. Twilight and Spike were getting ready for the party. They set out tables outside in the back for food. Spike carried several candles in his hands and placed them neatly on the center of the tables. Twilight used her magic to hang some lanterns in the branched of the tree that the library sat in the middle of.

Spike’s head perked up “I think I hear somepony coming.” He informed Twilight.

She nodded and walked through the archway that separated the outside and inside. A knock sounded at the wooden door. “Coming,” Twilight called. Before she could even get to the door a pink pony burst through without warning.

“I’m here!” Pinkie Pie said cheerfully. She held a large bag of foods in her mouth and gripped a large pink cannon in her hooves. “And I brought the PARTY CANNON!” With a loud unexpected boom, confetti erupted from the opening in the cannon. Colorful paper landed in Twilight’s neatly combed hair.  Setting the bags down on the ground Pinkie Pie hopped over to Twilight. “Let’s get this party started” She sang with enthisasum.

“There is a such thing as a door.” Twilight said. Pinkie just smiled black, excited. “You can put the food outside.” Twilight stated as she flicked her tail towards the back door.

“Okie dokie lokie!” She smiled and did as she was told, rolling the cannon out the back and humming a gleeful tune on the way. Twilight rubbed the paper out of her hair and ran one hoof through it to make it tidy once again. She then used her magic to repair the broken door, she turned around only to be stopped a light tapping.

   Twilight opened the door to see the shy, yellow pegasus kneading the ground in her hooves. “Hello Twilight.” Her long pink hair moved in front of one of her blue-green eyes. Another yellow pony was standing next to her. Her hair tied to one side with a cowboy hat that rest on the top of her head.

   A boom sounded from the back, Twilight felt the ground shake beneath her. She looked to the back door to see the pink pony jump around as the confetti rained down onto tabled and in tree branches.

“Howdy there Twilight.” She said with a southern accent. “Sounds like quite a ruckus you have goin’ on.”

“May we come in?” Fluttershy said in her usual soft and quiet voice.

“Sure Fluttershy, Applejack.” The two trotted in. Applejack turned back to Twilight. “Pinkie and Spike are in the back.” Twilight told them. Fluttershy grinned and the two made their way to the back.

A whip of rainbow flew past Twilight like a bullet before she could close the door. “Alright! Where is everyone?” The blue pegasus yelled in excitement as she flew around the room. Books and papers fell out of place from the rush of the mare’s speed.

“Rainbowdash!” Twilight Sparkle yelled. “Stop messing up my stuff.”

“Right.” Rainbow fluttered closer to the ground and floated in front of Twilight. “So where is everypony?” She asked impatiently.

“Honestly, do you even have the slightest bit of manners?” A calm voice said from the door way. It was Rarity. “You don’t live in a barn, keep the door closed.” Rarity closed the door with her back hoof and trotted over to the two ponies.

“What’s wrong with livin’ in a barn!” Applejack shouted, overhearing Rarity’s comment

“I was just about to when-.”Twilight started to explain.

“Where’s the food?!” Rainbowdash interrupted. She flew to the center of the library and scanned the room.

“Well I-.”

“I was about to ask the same thing.” Rarity added. Twilight let out a low growl of annoyance. “You need to be a better host Twilight.” Rarity scoffed.

“It’s out back.” Twilight said, holding back her anger.

“Thank you.” The unicorn said following Rainbowdash out the back door.

Twilight helped Rarity and Applejack set up a blanket as Fluttershy, Spike, Rainbow, and Pinkie stood near the table and ate. Using magic, Rarity flattened the checkered blanket and lifted the food over to it.

Twilight looked around. She saw other ponies setting up behind their houses. Talking and getting ready to watch the show in the sky.

“So I zoomed past the clouds and beat him to Cloudsdale before you could even blink an eye.” Rainbowdash boasted, finishing a story he was telling the five of them.

“That’s amazing Rainbow.” Fluttershy complimented her.

“Spike and I tried a new spell today.” Twilight started enthusiastically. The others looked uninterested.

“So what did the other pony say about that?” Spike asked Rainbowdash, food filling his mouth.

Twilight sighed as they continued their conversation.

The night went on and everyone shared their stories of the day. Fluttershy talked about her animals and her pet, Angel’s bad case of the hiccups. Rarity bragged about her new fashion. Applejack told them about Big Macintosh, Applebloom and Granny Smith. While Pinkie Pie spoke about the new foods they were going to sell soon. Spike stuffed his face with the candy, punch and sweets Pinkie had put out. Twilight occasionally joined in on her friends stories and laughed as they did.

Twilight looked up, a jet of white shot across the black sky. “Hey!” She called her friends.” It’s starting!” All of them quickly turned off the lights and sat on the blanket, watch the stars fall. Twilight could hear the awe of other ponies around them as the stars danced in the sky, falling past the horizon.

“Make a wish.” Fluttershy said softly. As she did they all closed their eyes and though hard about what they wanted more than anything.

Twilight’s round purple eyes gazed up into the night. As she closed them she thought of her wish. I wish I could meet somepony that understands and enjoys magic as much as I do. She hoped her wish would come true with her whole being. A soft breeze blew by her cheek making her body shiver. Twilight felt something brush past the walls of her mind. She could sense the emptiness of whatever it was. In the spilt second as it passed, she felt something more from it, but couldn’t make out what it was.

“What’s that?” Twilight heard Rainbowdash say, interrupting her thoughts. Twilight looked to see her friend staring up in front of them. Her friends were all staring at it too. Curious, Twilight turned to the sky to see what the commotion was about.

A beautiful, bright white star was descending to Equestria. The tail of the falling light seemed to glitter and gleam all sorts of blues and purples. Its magnificence baffled Twilight, she was speechless. Next to the star was a jet black looking star falling at the same rate. It looked like it was oozing some kind of black liquid behind it. “What is that thing?” Twilight finally spoke.

“Some kind of black slug that’s racing the white one,” Pinkie immediately responded.

“Then how are they that big and flying?” Rainbowdash retorted.

“They’re super slugs, duh.” Pinkie informed her with a childish tone.

“Oh I really hope it’s not a giant slug.” Fluttershy added and a squeaky voice.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Applejack stated. “No way is a slug that big.”

Twilight laughed at her friend’s argument over what the lights were. As the five of them left, Twilight cleaned up the mess and collapsed onto her bed upstairs. Spike sat down next to her, leaning on her side. Twilight could feel with warm dragon scales pressing against her.

“Man Pinkie really can party hard.” He sighed. “I ate so much!” Spike burped. Twilight heard the loud noise Spike’s belly made as he patted it with fulfillment.

“I’m glad they all had a good time.” Twilight said as she huddled up to her friend and drifted into a deep sleep.