Slice of Velvet and Pear

by David Silver

First published 5th of June, 2020

We walk down our long roads of life, but what of the roads not taken? Twilight and Applejack are carried along a different path, where their fates were bound in new ways.

We walk down our long roads of life, but what of the roads not taken? Twilight and Applejack are carried along a different path, where their fates were bound in new ways. Fresh sorrows and avoided crisis gives friendship's flower a new shape.

This story will make an alternative universe, but will start grounded in the world we know. Have you read my other works? I love canon. I will respect canon, but we are also changing a core fact, and its effects will ripple outward. Our beloved ponies will be changed, as they must. The stream of fate carries them on tides we never witnessed before.

Twilight, Applejack, I hope you're both ready. Come, the water's fine, and I invite you to swim with me. Let us see what would happen if Applejack's mother survived where fate had once demanded her end.

Done for a patron, will update 1/month with 4k chapters.

Cover art by Jowybean!

1 - Considering

The last page read, the book closed. With the power of a finished story, it moved to rest on a shelf with other equally important tales, but it never made it. A will took hold of it, gently caressing the tales of friendship, struggle, and triumph. It was a good story, this force decided, but...

It drew a second book from the first, a copy. The first, unharmed by this interference, was allowed to take its place on the shelf, to be read again some other day. But the attention of this formless being was on its duplicate, bidding it open towards the first page, then beyond the first page, flipping backwards to things the first book had simply assumed to be. The story would begin long before the first, and this edit would cause other changes.

The being couldn't wait to behold the altered flow of the words, to see how the characters it had grown fond of would react.

It would save a life, and change the world.

Twilight bounced on her seat. "We never went this far before," she gushed excitedly at the mare beside her.

Velvet rest a hoof on the far shoulder of her daughter, keeping her close. "We really should get out more often. You deserve a little more exposure to what makes Equestria great. Do you know where we're going?"

Twilight put a little hoof to an equally small chin. "Um, yes." She turned in place to her mother. "To try something sweet and tasty."

"Even more than that," spoke her mother with a gently agreeing tone, a smile on her face. "I'm told this can really knock your taste buds off, it's so delicious. I always wanted to try some myself, but it's almost impossible to get outside of one little sleepy town."

Twilight clopped her hooves with growing excitement. "That sounds fun! Why isn't Shinie with us?"

"Because your father and he went off on an adventure too." Velvet looked past Twilight to the scenery flying past the train window. "Two exciting adventures for our family. Later, we'll get back together and get to tell each other all about what we were up to. Doesn't that sound fun?"

Twilight rapidly got out a little notebook and held a pencil in her mouth, scribbling busily. She was not yet very good at writing, so a lot of pictures made up the slack in her note taking, but she was well-prepared to document their adventure, to share later.

"Ponyville," announced a conductor.

The train was drawing up into a small station. Some ponies rose to depart, and Velvet was with them. Twilight bounced down without being asked, following her mother with a huge smile. "Where are we?"

Twilight had never visited Ponyville before. She wasn't supposed to for many years yet. This was the one change forces unseen to her had set in motion. One change was all it took, sometimes. "This is where they make that tasty treat I was talking about. They call it Zap Apple Jam, and only the Apples make it," explained Velvet as she trotted, Twilight dashing forward in little galloping bursts to keep up.

Her eyes went wide when they exited the station. There was a town, a real town, not like the city she was born in and raised in. "Wow! There's so much... space!" She waved her hooves wildly, trying to get a grasp on just how much there wasn't compared to what she was used to. "And barely anypony's wearing anything."

"You're not wearing anything either," reminded Velvet with a little smile. "But it's true, dressing up is less popular out here, and they have a lot more room." She willed her child up, grabbing Twilight in her magic and setting her on her own back to get a ride. "Now, you know your mom. I'd rather gallop. You want a fun ride?"

Twilight dutifully tried to keep up her note taking, but Velvet took the lack of a complaint as a yes and began to gallop, making that task more difficult. Despite that, the scrawling continued as they rapidly crossed through the town and burst free into a new level of open space.

Twilight dropped her pencil from a slack jaw. They had left Ponyville and were approaching the orchard of the Apple family farm. Trees, so many trees, spread out in all directions, with so few ponies in sight. "Wow," she had to say, before she realized she had dropped her pencil. "Oh no! Mom, my pencil!"

"Here you are." A new pencil floated free of a little bag she wore, moving within range for Twilight to grab hold of it with her mouth. "I'm trusting in you to keep good notes." Not that she looked terribly worried about Twilight failing to do that.

"Howdy there," greeted a mare that was about the same age as Velvet. "You don't look like a local. Ah'd know a familiar face." She wasn't looking at Velvet with suspicion. The earth pony mare was approaching with a welcoming smile. "The name's Pear Butter, but mah friends call me Buttercup. What brings such fancy unicorns this way?"

Twilight leaned out from behind Velvet's neck. "Where'd her horn go?"

Velvet turned one ear back at Twilight, the other on Pear Butter. "Pleasure to meet you, Miss Pear Butter--"

"Missus," corrected Pear Butter, looking proud. "Mah hubby's helpin' run the Zap Apple stand right this second."

Velvet raised a hoof to her chest. "Twilight, this nice mare is an earth pony. Just like us, but less horn. I'm Twilight Velvet, but just call me Velvet when Twili here's around so we don't get confused."

Pear Butter circled around Velvet to get a better look at the little filly. "Aw, isn't she just the cutest. Well, second to mine. Speakin' of that. Why don't you play with her while I help your mom?"

"I'm takin' notes!" Twilight tapped at her notebook to emphasize it.

"Hon, we're here to adventure." Her magic took hold of Twilight and set her on the ground, casually snatching the book. "No notes for an hour, so you'll have to write it down in there." Velvet gently tapped Twilight on the head. "Go have fun."

"Mom!" but it wasn't Twilight that had cried it. Another filly came in a great galloping. "What'ya doin'--" She pulled up short, seeing new strange ponies. "Who're they?"

"Don't be rude, Applejack. These are new friends." Pear Butter gestured at Twilight. "This one's Miss Velvet--"

"--My turn," interrupted Velvet with a grin. "Missus."

"That one's on me," admitted Pear Butter with a little laugh. "And this little one--"

"I'm Twilight Sparkle," announced Twilight, looking at Applejack curiously, but also hiding a bit behind her mom. There were so many new things going on.

"Well, howdy there," started Applejack, looking over the strange pony. "Ya got something in yer mane." She hurried forward and moved to brush it aside, but Twilight's horn did not brush away as expected. "What the..."

"Applejack," sighed out Buttercup. "Now, that ain't the first unicorn ya ever saw."

"Jus' surprised me, is all," defensively spat out Applejack as she patted her breast clear of dust that wasn't there. "Uh, hey there."

"Hi..." Twilight looked up to Velvet, but her mom wasn't saving her. "I'm..."

"Twilight Sparkle, ya said that." Little Filly Applejack bobbed her head. "Wanna help get some apples down from a tree?"

Twilight blinked owlishly at that. "How do you do that?!" She craned her head to look up at the nearest tree and its apples so far up. "They're... so far away..."

"Ah'll show ya!" And Applejack broke into a trot. Soon the two fillies were wandering off together.

Velvet and Pear Butter both watched them go with the gentle smiles only a mother could have at seeing their young be wonderful. Velvet broke the silence first, "Oh, you mentioned Zap Apples, that's exactly why we're here. We were hoping to try some of that jam."

"Well, shoot. Ya done came to the right place fer that." Pear Butter turned in place and began to walk off. "Ya ever had any before? It packs a powerful punch."

"You are speaking exactly my language," complimented Velvet with a hopeful expression. "Is it safe for foals? I'm grown enough to make my own mistakes."

"And ya sound like ya don't regret it none," laughed Pear Butter. "A right pleasure to meet you, Twilight." With the other Twilight gone, she went with her new friend's first name.

"I'll agree to that, Buttercup." She accelerated to be at Buttercup's side, their flanks touching in their trot. "I'll be honest, I can't wait to try it. I'm a bit... Well, let's not mince words. I'm a daredevil. If it's new, I want to try it. If it's exciting, I want to try it maybe twice."

"Well, we'll satisfy that thirst for adventure for today," confidently assured Buttercup as they cleared the trees, their farm house ahead. A small table had a stallion sitting behind it, with a few other ponies in a line. They were getting jars of brightly rainbow colored somethings and trotting off with smiles. "There he is. Bright!"

"Buttercup!" he replied, a smile instantly erupting on his face at the sight of his wife. "Who's yer friend there?"

"Another customer, but we got to talkin'. Speakin' of that, where ya from? Oh, did I mention, her daughter's runnin' round somewhere with Applejack."

Bright chuckled softly at that. "She's in good hooves then. Still, Big Mac?" He turned to the left even as a colt in his young teens poked his head free. "There ya are. Go find yer sister and be sure she's not gettin' herself or her new friend into any trouble."

"Yes'ir." Big Mac saluted and charged off into the orchard like an Applejack-seeking missile.

Bright turned his attention onto Velvet. "Now, ya didn't come here just ta say hi, I reckon. Ya came to enjoy a treat." He grabbed a jar and set it on the table in front of him. "The kind of treat ya can only get here, once a year."

Velvet licked over her lips, her tongue suddenly so slippery. "Is it as good as they say it is?" She came closer, drawn by the magnificent power of zap apple jam. "You know so much more about it than I do... How do you enjoy it at its peak?"

Buttercup circled around to be at Bright's side. "Ah can help with that. You buy a jar and ah'll make you and yours a little feast. Somethin' fit for a filly, and somethin' else for a mare that wants to be bucked right in the face with taste." She finished the statement with an almost growl, a playful smile on her face.

It was working on Velvet, her head bobbing quickly. "Yes! Please, yes, exactly that. I'll take two!" With a glowing horn, a bag came free, jingling with bits. Soon she paid for what was to come, cantering in place with excited little giggles. "Oh, I can't wait, but I will!" She plopped down on her haunches. "This is going to be such fun!"

Twilight thrust out her hind hooves, kicking a tree. The tree did not yield. She did, falling forward as if she had jumped off the tree instead of kicking it. She landed on her belly and slid away several feet from the force of it.

Applejack barely restrained the laughter trying to escape her. "Ah... did that a few times ma'self the first couple a tries. Don't feel bad."

Twilight sat up with a frown. "I must have had the angle of approach wrong..." She stood up and shook off, dirt flying free of her. "Maybe if I..."

Applejack inclined her head as the smart-talking unicorn went back for another try. "That's the spirit. You'll be a proper apple bucker in no time!" Of course, one of them was an earth pony, and the other a unicorn. The odds were against Twilight.

"Sis?" Big Mac emerged from the trees. "There ya are!"

"Hey Mac!" She put out an arm and the siblings soon shared a fond little hug. "This here's Twilight. Twilight Sparkle. Ah'm teachin' her how to buck an apple."

"Howdy." He tipped his head towards the new filly. "Ya alright?"

"I will be when I figure this out." Twilight lined herself up and thrust a hoof out, feeling the wind as if that was making a big difference. "Alright..." She squared herself and was just about to kick when a hoof came down on her left rump. She looked over to see Big Mac had a hoof on her. "Excuse me?"

"Yer stance is off." He sat down next to her and began adjusting her footing. "It's all about where ya start, not where ya wanna go."

Twilight looked to Applejack, but Applejack seemed confident. "Do as he says. He showed me how to buck, and ya see how good ah do it now."

With the assurance of her new friend, Twilight accepted the lesson given. Once she was in proper apple-bucking position, She let out a little breath, then thrust out her hind hooves. The tree vibrated. One lone apple fell to the grassy ground, rolling away. She hadn't fallen.

"Now that's a buck," noted Big Mac with a satisfied nod.

Applejack brought her forehooves together in an enthusiastic clopping. "Congratulations, yer first! And ya get a prize."

"A prize?" Twilight blinked, not even realizing a prize was involved.

"Sure, right there." Applejack pointed to the downed apple. "Ya bucked it, ya can have one."

"Oh!" Twilight practically pounced on the apple and took a big bite out of its side. "Mmm!" An apple fresh from the tree was a whole different thing than the apples she got in the city. "It's... so different." She began crunching away, devouring the helpless fruit.

Big Mac moved over to Applejack's side. "She seems nice. Ah saw her mother, up by the house."

"Oh yeah, saw her too, nice mare." Applejack waved at Twilight. "Speakin' ah that, we should probably get back to them. Ya want to write this all down, right?"

"Correct." Twilight dashed over, leaving the apple behind, and receiving a boop on the nose.

Applejack pointed back at the abandoned apple core. "Ya throw out trash, not just leave it layin' around."

"Oh, right." Twilight willed the apple up with some effort, bringing it over to herself with uncertain magic and much hesitation. It reached her hooves, only to be taken by Big Mac.

He tucked it in a saddlebag. "Got it."

All three of them began walking back towards the farmhouse through the orchard. "So," he spoke. "What brings ya here?"

"My mom says there's this extra special jam." Twilight put a hoof to her cheek, the other three carrying her forward. "I'm supposed to take notes for my brother and father."

Applejack nodded at that. "Right proper, keepin' yer kin in mind. What're they like?"

So Twilight gladly began to gush about her Big Brother Best Friend Forever.

Applejack put a hoof on the side of Big Mac walking with her. "Ah got one of those m'self! Ain't they nice t'have?"

"Uh huh!" quickly agreed Twilight, her tail wagging rapidly as she looked up at the larger form of Big Mac. "Hello, not my BBBFF. Thank you for taking care of Applejack."

Big Mac began to blush at the attention the two fillies were raining on him. "Aw shucks, jus' doin' mah job, as the big brother."

"And that is exactly why I am thanking you." Twilight bobbed her head with a smile. "Good big brothers are the best, right?" She met Applejack's eyes and the two nodded, unified in their belief of the benefit of quality big brothers.

Later, the entire Apple Family had gathered around the table, with two guests. Granny Apple nodded towards them. "A right welcome to ya both. Now, ah year this is yer first taste of Zap Apple Jam, so sit back, relax, and prepare for an experience." She hooted with wicked joy at what was to come.

Velvet giggled a little to herself, rubbing her hooves together in giddy expectation of the new experience. "Thank you for being such lovely hosts, for Twilight and myself," she got out despite that. Good manners were not to be entirely forgotten.

"Thank you!" chimed Twilight, reaching a little hoof across the table.

Down came a ladle, knocking Twilight's hoof back. "Ya get back there, ya little whippersnapper." Granny was smiling despite her admonishment. "We'll serve ya up somethin' tasty, don't you worry none."

Pear Butter came trotting in, a tray on her back. "This one's a special one, just fer yer mom. I made it with her tastes in mind. I present, the Wild Mare Zap Special!" She turned to the side, presenting the tray.

Velvet squealed, her glowing horn lifting the top off to reveal a brightly colored ring of little doughnut-shaped jello rings. "Oooo. Now, while I cannot wait to sink my teeth into this, I'm not greedy. You're all welcome to give it a try... after me."

Bright Mac chuckled softly at the enthusiasm. "From the way the missus is actin', ah figure that'll be a treat even for us old-hooves."

Applejack nudged Twilight silently. When Twilight looked over, Applejack popped an apple fritter on the plate that had been empty a moment ago. The two shared a wink and a grin, and they began to eat while the adults dealt with boring adult things.

Velvet brought over a quivering ring to her snout. "It's never as good as the first time," she said as almost a little prayer, then popped it right into her unprepared mouth. "Mmm, tasty, but not--" Her words died. She went still, a little shiver starting at the end of her tail and creeping up over her, her fur changing colors to match rainbow hues as it worked up over her. As it hit her bottom and rolled up over her, she let out a huge holler. "Woo!"

Pear Butter inclined her head a little. "Do ya like it?"

"Like it?" gasped out Velvet, a rainbow puff of smoke escaping her even as the rainbow colors began to fade. "That was worth the entire trip. Twilight, how are you liking yours?" She looked over to see Twilight contently chewing on a fritter.

Twilight thrust a hoof up in approval before leaning back, licking her lips clean. "It's tasty!" Sure, she hadn't had nearly a concentrated blast of flavor as her mom, but it was delicious and she approved. "And I made some new friends."

"Me too." Velvet gestured at the platter. "Now let's not let this go to waste. I challenge you all to try at least one."

Bright Mac laughed at that. "City unicorn's thrown down the horseshoe, in my house? It won't stand." He leaned over and grabbed up two jiggly rings in his teeth, sucking them down with loud chomping bites. "Think I can't... handle..."

"Oh, hon, I..." Pear Butter looked on with concern at her husband's bravado.

It was too late, rainbow hues exploding across Bright Mac from his dear wife's concentrated offering made especially for the daredevil unicorn. He coughed out little puffs of rainbow as he sat back, beating on his own chest with a hoof. "Woo! Alright, that's... some powerful stuff."

"Y'all a bunch of foals," laughed Granny, reaching over to claim one for herself. "Been enjoyin' this for more years than ah can count." And down it went. The colors tickled at her greying hide, but she was not overwhelmed, just smiling and content with it. "Yer a mighty fine cook, Buttercup."

"Aw, thank you, Mother." Pear Butter leaned in and kissed Granny on the cheek, looking ready to turn and go, but a hoof found her first.

Velvet was grinning at her. "You have to have one too. I challenged you too."

Pear Butter knew exactly what she had made. "Oh, I couldn't..." She twisted in place, trying to hide her blushing cheeks.

"Don't be shy," shouted her husband. "One won't hurt you."

"Ya can do it!" called Applejack. "Don't let her show ya up!"

"Yup." Big Mag bobbed his head. "Ya can do it!"

Pear Butter let out a little sigh, a wry smile on her face. "Just one..." She coiled on herself and snatched one off her own back. It vanished between her lips as she chewed on it. "Mmm, the cherries were just con--" She didn't get to finish her statement, shivering as the intense concentration washed out over her. It wasn't as powerful as Velvet's first time explosion, but she let out a gust of rainbows, laughing lightly. "That wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be."

Velvet hopped to her hooves and helped Pear Butter put things away. "You shouldn't be afraid of a little adventure," she gently counseled as they moved away. "Half the fun."

Granny Smith had her eyes on Twilight. "Twilight was it?"

"Yes ma'am," politely agreed the little filly, smiling up at the much larger adult mare. "Nice to meet you, Grandma Smith."

"Aw shucks, ponies call me granny. Grandma sounds way too formal-like." She waved it away. "Ah hear ya bucked yer first tree."

Big Mac nodded firmly. "Saw it myself."

"Me too," piped in Applejack.

Twilight was blushing. "It wasn't my specialty. I prefer reading books, but that was fun too." She threw out a leg and soon had an Applejack snared with it. "I'm glad I had the chance."

"Shucks, me too." Applejack returned the hug, then pointed to her brother. "Looks like this one's a real expert at training fillies to buck right."

Granny suddenly laughed, though she never said at what. "Yer a right good colt, Big Mac. Thanks fer lookin' out."

It would be the first, but far from the last meal the family would have together. Twilight Velvet and Pear Butter became fast friends, the two influencing each other, encouraging more compassion and empathy from Velvet while nudging Pear Butter from her little shell.

More often than not, Velvet arrived with Twilight in tow, and Twilight got to play with Applejack and Big Mac eagerly.

"BBBFF?" asked a white unicorn colt.

"BBBFF," agreed the red earth pony colt. The two nodded at one another with understanding.

They broke into laughter and threw an arm around one another's necks, accepting one another as kindred spirits. "You ever have to save yours from throwing herself off a roof?" asked Shining.

"Yep." Big Mac rolled his eyes. "You ever have to stop yours from getting run over?"

"Oh yeah." Shining laughed all the harder. "Hey, Twilight, go have fun. I want to compare notes."

"Notes?" Twilight looked less sure about leaving. "Can I see them?"

Shining reached out and booped his little sister on the snout. "They're boring colt notes. You have fun with Applejack."

"Oh, okay!" She hopped away and scrambled to find Applejack, leaving Shining to talk with Big Mac.

Big Mac watched her go before looking back to Shining Armor. "We're real lucky."

"Sometimes I need to remind myself." Shining Armor sat on his haunches with a little nod. "But, yeah... we are. They look up to us."

"Oh! I didn't even tell Applejack this yet." He leaned in, raising a hoof to whisper conspiratorially, "Mom's gonna have another foal. I'll be a big brother twice."

Shining's eyes widened. "W-what?! Wow! Congratulations!" He offered a hoof and it was met with a loud clop. "Did she already pick a name?"

Big Mac nodded firmly. "Apple Blossom. Ain't that the cutest name?"

Shining smiled gently, considering it. "Yeah, that is pretty cute. I bet she'll be a great little filly. She has to be, with a big brother like you around."

The two shared a laugh of brotherhood and their conversation moved on to other things. Little colts could only speak of their little sisters for so long in a day.

Author's Notes:

Welcome to a new story, but it's also an old story. We travel back as unseen forces, all of us, to watch what happens when you change one little thing. I really enjoyed writing this episode and hope you liked reading it. Comments are super welcome!

Want to get early chapters, or even your own story written? atreon!

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2 - Consequences

It couldn't be. The force set the book down a moment, its essence coiling in a knot. It wasn't close to the time when that would happen, but already it could feel a great mistake, a terrible consequence to its actions. Twilight's course was already diverting off its path.

"Most of her friends are durable," it spoke without witness. "They will adapt. Friendship can survive this."

But one, just one. It was too small, too unformed. It needed Twilight to come into being. What would happen to it?

It was too late. The events were unfolding. To make another alteration would be to admit abject failure. "I will require faith." Not faith in some higher being, but in the lesser ones, in the fictional characters the being held so dearly.

They would have to figure it out... or not. It would not dishonor them by losing that faith. It would read on.

The page turned.

"Did you try it out?" Velvet was smiling at her dear friend. "I got it from my own mother, but you seem to have so much more of a hoof at cooking. How'd it come out?"

Pear Butter walked casually towards the fridge. "I certainly did that, but did ya think ah'd do that and not save a taste fer the pony what gave me the recipe?" She nosed the door open with a sweep of her face and reached inside, grabbing a small plate in her teeth. "Which I now present, so ah hope ya brought yer tastebuds."

Velvet began clopping her hooves with excitement, clearly ready to try the treat. "Now, I did make it myself once before, but I can already see the chef makes a difference!" When the plate was set before her, her horn began to glow, grabbing a fork and plunging it in, cutting off a portion. "Down the hatch."

"It's about time to go," noted a deeper male voice.

"Oh, honey." Pear closed with her husband, giving a gentle nuzzle of his cheek. "Ah told ya today was a visit day."

"And ah told ya moons ago we had to deliver today." Bright Mac pointed towards the door. He sighed almost instantly. "Sorry, ah shouldn't get testy like that. It's right good ya found a friend." He returned the nuzzle he had just been given. "Ah can haul a wagon."

"You are a strong stallion," agreed Pear with a complimenting tone. "Hurry on back, ah'll miss ya while yer away. She watched him walk off and looked back to Velvet. "Now then, how a--" She trailed off, noticing the plate had been reduced to just a few smudges of the food. "Well, guess ya liked it?"

"It's like it was a different thing altogether." Velvet licked her lips clear with an appreciative mmm. "Now where did our fillies run off to?"

"Applejack's a good little filly. Bet she and Big Mac are off showin' Twilight how to do a chore, if ah had to guess." Pear grabbed the plate in her mouth and carried it easily to the sink to join a few other dirty plates, but she never got to clean it.

Velvet was already next to her, glowing horn grabbing at the abandoned dishes. "I won't stand for it. Cleaning these is the least I can do for you. You go relax and let a friend lend a hoof."

Pear looked uncertain, but also didn't stop Velvet, backing up a step. "If yer sure? Doesn't feel like good hostin'."

"Cleaning a few dishes won't hurt me," assured Velvet. "I have two foals of my own, they make plenty of dishes to clean, just like your family." She began tending to them, the water running and sudsing action starting. "I'll have this done in a jiff."

"You take care of yerself now, and watch your sister." Bright Mac nodded with appropriate gravity at Big Mac. "Yer the stallion of the house while ah'm gone."

Little Big Mac inclined his head. "Yes'ir! Mom ain't goin' with ya?" They usually went off together.

"Her friend stopped by." He walked into the hitch and wriggled into place, attaching the wagon properly. "Ah'll let her have fun and get this delivery done pronto."

Twilight waved a little hoof at the stallion. "Where are you going?"

Bright smiled at the little unicorn filly. "Just makin' a delivery. There are ponies a fair bit away that need some good apples, and ah'm gonna get some to 'em."

A small book circled around Twilight's head into view and she began taking notes, a bit better at words than that first time. "I see." She wandered off, apparently satisfied with the answer.

Applejack shook her head. "Ain't she a curious one? Gonna show her how to barrel thin's up." She took off at a dash. "Good luck with the delivery!" she called on the way.

Bright nodded one final time at his family and trotted along the road, soon lost to sight on his work trip.

It was only one change, such a small one. It would upend Equestria's favored in countless ways.

It would save one life, but only one. That delivery still had to be made. Before, both had gone, walking side by side. When the ground gave way on that narrow path, they had fallen together, their flames extinguished just as they had lived, together, unified in even that moment.

There had been a poetry to it. That was no longer the case. Bright Mac was extinguished alone, broken as surely as the wagon he had been pulling.

"I'm sorry ma'am," reported a pony, their hoof held against their breast, their eyes down turned.

Pear staggered back, her vision swimming with tears. "It can't be... Tell me yer fibbin'! He... Is this his way of gettin' back at me fer makin' him walk alone?!" She suddenly advanced on the deliverer of bad news, a scowl on her face. "This ain't funny!" She raised a hoof, looking ready to hit the pony.

Granny's hoof was suddenly in the way, drawing her daughter back. "Shhh, shhh, no use beatin' the messenger like that." She looked past Pear Butter, nodding at the messenger who took the cue to flee. "Come on inside... we got some plannin' to do..."

Pear broke down into inconsolable sobs, collapsing against Granny. There were things to do, for her husband, who was gone. "Apple Bloom ain't gonna have no pa," she sniffled out. "No pa a'tall!"

The name had altered between conception and birth. Granny nodded with soft comforting shushes. "She'll have a family. She has a right fine mother, and a brother, and even a granny if she'll have 'er." She snorted with a half joke. "She won't be alone, not alone."

Granny led Pear to her room and soon had the distraught mare tucked in. "Now, ya just... relax a moment. Ah need to go talk." She turned away. "Ya still got me, baby girl."

"Thank you," she whispered out, curling on herself miserably.

Granny set off on a determined march, peeking into rooms as she strode past them. There was Applejack. "Get yer brother and meet me out front, pronto," she ordered, marching past her.

Applejack jerked upright. That tone was not one granny used without a reason. "Yes ma'am!" She dashed off to find her brother.

Soon they were all gathered in front of the house, the two Apple siblings side by side, looking at their grandmother curiously and cautiously. Big Mac rubbed a hoof behind his head. "Is somethin' wrong?"

Granny shook her head slowly. "This ain't easy. What ah'm about to tell ya ain't no joke. Ah got some really bad news, but ya deserve to be told it straight." She took a slow breath, wrinkled folds undulating in the heavy motion. "You two know what it means to... die?"

Big Mac nodded first. "When somethin's too hurt and it never moves no more." He pointed at Granny. "What happened to yer stallion."

Granny cringed softly, but a little smile appeared. "That's exactly right... and I got powerful sad when that happened... But ah had to keep walkin'. Ya get me?"

Applejack inclined her head. "Are ya feelin' bad about grandpa? We're here for ya!" She bounced upright with a big smile, offering a hoof to her grandmother. "We're Apples to the core!"

A tear escaped Granny. "You are just such a treat... No, this ain't fer me, not exactly... My loss is old... This is a new thing." She looked between them. "I'm 'fraid to say your pa won't be comin' back." She had wanted to say it softly, somehow, but there was no sugar coating that.

Both stared at her. Big Mac broke the silence first, "What happened?"

Applejack began to bob her head furiously in agreement. "It was jus' a delivery! Ain't nothin' to get hurt over! Ya sure he's hurt so bad? Maybe ya just need to shake him a little. He's a deep sleeper ya know."

Granny took a hissing breath. "We're sure... sure as ya can be... he's... he's not comin' back." She shook her head with a slow finality. "But he ain't gone."

Bright Mac inclined his head. "If he ain't comin' back... how ain't he gone?" Suddenly there was something pressing into him. Applejack was leaning against him, shaking like a leaf in the breeze. He reached an arm around her, holding her firmly.

"Because of you two." Granny smiled wanly at the two foals. "You two and little Apple Bloom. He's right inside ya. Now... yer mom's in an awful state, and if ya need to cry, go on, get it out... but we have to be strong, for her. It hurts... but we have to walk."

Applejack buried her face in her brother's side. "Like ya did, for grandpa, for us? Gotta... keep movin'... What if ah'd rather have pa back?!"

Big Mac gently patted his sister. "Ah'm the stallion of the house now... Ah won't let ya down."

Suddenly he was bopped on the head by granny. "Now ya don't go doin' that. Ya got two perfectly able ponies that love ya to pieces. Ya still got a ma, and a granny. We're here. So, go on, cry, get it out."

It was a heavy day for the Apple family, but they would endure, together.

Twilight trotted along with her book floating nearby. "Applejack? Big Mac?" she called, patrolling the apple orchard in search of them. There! That back end of a pony was right. "Applejack, there you are." she scurried around the tree to see Applejack's face and skidded to a halt. Applejack was looking... down. "What's wrong?"

"My pa..." She rose up to her hooves with a shaking breath. "He ain't comin' back."

"He moved away?" Twilight inclined her head, confusion written clearly on her face.

"Somethin' like that..." Applejack shook her head. "Gone off somewhere ah can't go..."

"Oh..." Twilight silently approached her friend and reared up, putting both arms around Applejack and sinking against her in a firm hug. Applejack tensed, and Twilight felt something wet. Applejack was crying silent tears in the embrace and Twilight squeezed harder, as if she could just hug the pain right out of her friend.

She sure tried, and soon Applejack was returning the gesture for a moment before pushing Twilight back. "That's enough ah that." Applejack rose and turned. "Plenty of chores ta be done." She refused to talk more about it, leading Twilight on a round of apple bucking (which Twilight was a little better at, but still a pale shadow compared to the Apples).

As they moved to deliver the harvest to the barn, Twilight glanced around, musing. "My grandfather... passed away," she suddenly admitted.

Applejack turned an ear towards Twilight, but her face was forward and her steps certain on the task of delivery. "Ya huh?"

"I was really sad," explained the filly unicorn as she walked alongside her friend. "He was so nice... He'd always bring a treat."

Applejack faltered, the wagon wobbling with her unsure steps. "Did he now?"

"I really... loved him." She suddenly reached out an arm, hugging her friend. "I still do."

Applejack didn't respond, but didn't shove Twilight away again, walking along with her draped over her.

"It's my fault." Pear had her face in her hooves. "I shoulda been there! Ah coulda saved him!"

Velvet slowly shook her head. "It doesn't always work that way." She reached for her friend but slowed her hoof before touching. "You couldn't have known."

"But what ah did know was that I wasn't there, and ah normally woulda." She thumped one hoof down on the dining room table. "I would have."

"Except I happened," awkwardly admitted Velvet. "I can't even put into words how sorry I am."

Pear sniffed softly, but her eyes suddenly opened wide. "Oh, Dear Celestia! You're blaming yourself!" Her own sorrow was thrown aside in that instant. "No! No no no no!" She leaped at her friend, the two crashing to the ground in a painful heap of affection. "You didn't do it!"

Velvet smiled faintly, ignoring the new aches for the time. "I'll believe that if you agree. This... was a terrible thing... but terrible things, they happen sometimes." She wrapped her hooves around Pear, hugging her firmly. "But we can't go around blaming ourselves."

Pear sat up on Velvet, pinning her to the floor. "Ah see how it is. Holding me hostage. Ah can't be sad or you'll be sad." She poked Velvet, hoof on her nose directly. "What a friend you are."

"I try," sang out Velvet. "Now let me stand up. We're gonna make lunch, together. Tears make for horrible condiments."

Pear rolled her eyes as she slid off Velvet, offering a hoof of assistance. Soon they were cooking together. "I'll come by more often," promised Velvet as she worked. "You need a little company."

The tragedy did not break them apart. Twilight had plenty of opportunity to get closer to Applejack.

Twilight waved a letter excitedly in her magic. "Look! I've been accepted!"

Applejack reached up a hoof as she leaned in to examine it, eyes sweeping left and right. "Ya been allowed to apply, not quite the same thing as 'accepted', Sugarcube."

"Not every pony even gets this far," explained Twilight, bouncing in place. "I'm so excited! But also nervous... Do you think I'll pass?" She pointed at the floating paper. "It'll be a test of magic!"

"Then you'll pass," stated Applejack bluntly. "Ya may not be the best apple bucker around none, but when it comes to magic, ya got that." She nodded with firm confidence. "Shoot, maybe you'll give the teachers a few tips."

Twilight burst into giggles at the idea. "That is very unlikely. I still have so much left to learn." She threw her fore hooves wide to encompass the enormity of the thing she spoke of. "That's why I'm going!" It hit her then. "Oh... we won't be able to see each other as often."

"Why not?" Applejack hiked a brow. "Yer mom's not stoppin' by?"

"I suppose she would do that." Twilight bobbed her head. "But I'll be at school. It's a biiig thing. I'll be busy! Just like you're busy with the farm." She waved a hoof in a slow circle. "You don't visit Canterlot much, right? It's the same thing."

"Huh..." Applejack sat and frowned at the thought, puzzling it through. "Well then. Ah figure it's time I made an exception."

"Huh?" Twilight inclined her head. "You'll start visiting?"

"Just once." She held up a lone hoof. "Ah'll be there when ya do yer test. Ah'll root for ya so hard they'll just have to accept ya!"

Twilight grabbed her friend with a joyful giggle. "You're the best, Applejack! I have so much to prepare for, but with you there, I'm sure I can do this." She nodded firmly and brought the paper closer to review it. "I just need..."

"What a big moment," appreciated Pear with a little smile on her face. "Ah just sent Applejack to the local school. She goes there most days." She pointed in the direction of the schoolhouse. "We don't have no specific school fer apple farmers or nothin' like that."

Velvet nodded in agreement. "They did raise you just fine," she assured. "And I'm sure they're treating your foals well too, but Twilight's such a smart little filly, and I want to help her reach as high as she can." She extended a hoof upwards to imitate the act. "I couldn't say no when it came up. Celestia's school is practically made for her! We're going with her, of course. It's traditional for parents to be there on exam day."

Pear put a hoof on her breast. "I'd love to come right along, but somepony's gotta keep an eye--"

The front door slammed, Applejack charging in. "Ma! Oh, hey Miss Velvet." She nodded at their guest respectfully enough. "Actually, guess it's good yer here." Not that there was much chance little Twilight would be there without Velvet. "I wanna go, for Twilight. I want to be there when she does her test."

Pear trotted over to her daughter and pressed her lips to the top of Applejack's head. "We were just talking about that. Ah can't go on account of things needin' done, but ah'd be delighted if you could go in mah place." She looked over her shoulder at Velvet. "Would ya mind takin' care of Applejack fer a few days?"

"It would be a delight." Velvet slid from the chair to her hooves. "It'll be a little sleepover. Have you ever been to Canterlot?"

"No, ma'am," she confessed, looking suddenly nervous. "Are they... all unicorns?"

"Reckon most of 'em?" Pear looked to Velvet.

"Most of them," she easily agreed. "But don't you worry about that at all. You're a pony, and my guest." She closed with the nervous filly with a kind smile. "You and Twilight will have so much fun."

Applejack smiled timidly. "Yeah! Tons ah fun." But she had made promises, and Applejack would not back away from them. "Ah'm ready!"

Applejack sat at a new table. "Uh, nice to meetcha." She was looking at the stallion she hadn't met before.

Night Light inclined his head at Applejack, smiling kindly. "And nice to meet you as well. So, you're the elusive Applejack. I had so many ideas, but seeing you is so much better."

Twilight leaned over to whisper to Applejack, "He loves his charts."

Applejack smiled at that. "Ya got that from your pa," she noted, looking amused. "So, what's fer dinner?"

Night pointed towards the kitchen. "Velvet insisted she handle it today, but it sure smells good."

Applejack inclined her head. "Today? Who cooks it the other days?"

Night turned his hoof back on himself. "Well, I do, of course. We take turns. Sometimes little Twilight has a turn."

Twilight sat up proudly. "I studied several books on culinary techniques so I could participate competently."

A hoof came down, Shining Armor giving Twilight a noogie. "You just like showing off so you can be sibling supreme."

Twilight squealed with laughter, the two wrestling a moment with joyful laughs, their competition a lighthearted thing between them.

"Sure sounds like someponies out here are sure eager." There came Velvet, a tray floating along in her magic, covered and full of mystery. "But are you ready to chow down?" All eyes were on her as she lowered it into place and twisted her magic to grab the top and now the bottom of the tray, pulling up the cover out of the way. "I present, a peach cobbler with radish hints."

The unicorns gave an appreciative Ooo of a sound at once, already reaching with magic grips to serve themselves.

Applejack looked at it with less certainty. "Peach?"

Velvet nodded as she slid up into her own seat and began serving herself with a glowing horn. "A lovely fruit. Do you not like peaches?"

"They're alright, ah guess." She rubbed behind her head and forced a smile. "Time to try somethin' new." She had been looking forward to just that, new things, in a new place. She reached out towards the tray, the only hoof out there. It was hard to miss, and she hesitated, feeling awkward. "Uh..."

Suddenly some landed on her plate, Twilight grinning hugely. "There you are!" She served herself another portion. "Eat up!"

Another trick of unicorn houses. All of their cutlery assumed you had magic to pick them up and use them. None of them had hoof attachments. Applejack tried vainly to get a fork to attach to her hoof, but there just wasn't any way to force the stubborn tool to do so. When Twilight leaned over, AJ thrust up a hoof. "Ah got this!"

She muttered to herself as she worried with the fork a moment longer, sighed, and decided to do it like earth ponies always could. She buried her face in the food and began chomping. "Mmm." Even if she was the only one chowing down all personal-like, Applejack had to admit it didn't taste awful.

Twilight inclined her head left and right curiously before she set her fork down in her magic. She glanced over and saw Shining Armor looking back at her with understanding, both of their forks then set down.

"Now chil--," started Night Light, but it was too late. Both of them buried their faces in their food and began to eat just like Applejack was, giggling at how naughty they were being.

Velvet chuckled softly. "It's my fault. I'll get some earth pony things for you, Applejack. That was rude of me."

Applejack sat up, her snout smeared and stained with the sweet dinner. "Ya don't have to go outta yer way jus' fer me."

"Nonsense."

Night nodded quickly. "I'll bring some home tomorrow on the way back. It's not a problem, we promise."

Velvet nodded firmly. "But, for today." Her fork hit the table with a clatter. "Let's eat together." And down went her face, splatting wetly on the food and chomping as her children were.

That left Night Light out, looking increasingly uncertain. "This just isn't how it's... supposed to be done..." But he was one vote, outweighed by the rest of his family enjoying themselves. He did not join them, but he did not try to convince them either, accepting that he had a weird family. And he loved them.

A clopping came from Twilight's door. "The folks say they're heading out in half an hour," called a muffled Shining Armor. "You ready in there?"

"Ready!" called back Twilight, her eyes scanning the same paper, reviewing what little information had been given to prepare with.

"Ready," echoed Applejack, who had been bunking with Twilight during her stay. "Ya got this."

"I have this," agreed Twilight, nodding with firm conviction. "Let's go."

"Yer brother said half an' hour. We still got some time." She sat down and let out a breath. "I'll be honest... kinda glad we're almost done."

"Hm?" Twilight looked away from her paper. "Why's that?"

"No offense or nothin'..." She rubbed one leg with the opposed hoof. "But ah think ah like it better, you know, home..."

The paper slipped from Twilight's immature grip. "Were we bad hosts?!" She scrambled to grab a book of etiquette. "We'll get better!"

Applejack set a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "You ain't done not a thin' wrong. Ah just... It's me, alright? Pretty sure it's just me." She leaned in to press her nose to Twilight's cheek. "Now let's get you into that there school."

"Thank you." Twilight hugged her friend briefly before standing tall, her magic setting the book where it had come from. "Let's go take a test."

Together, they marched out of Twilight's room, ready to face the challenge of the day, and hopefully get Twilight into Celestia's school for gifted unicorns.

Author's Notes:

And we advance. A life was saved. A life was lost. Friendships grow closer. Please, do leave comments. This chapter was an interesting challenge as my emotional state slid right into theirs and I was quite sad for our ponies.

Want to get early chapters, or even your own story written? atreon!

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3 - Manifest Destiny

There were many other fillies and colts there, awaiting their turn. In another world, or much the same world with one little change, Twilight had been out of breath with worry, shaking and nervous against her mother. But in that view of things, she was seated with Applejack who was already cheering her on. "Ya got this," she reminded, holding up a paper for Twilight to see.

There were arcane symbols on the paper and Twilight called them out, playing flash cards with Applejack to pass the time and looking far calmer for it. "Whatever the test is, I am ready."

She had been delayed, once before, in another world. They let her gather herself, far from the only student that wasn't quite ready when they were called on. That didn't happen. One little change beget another, and Twilight arrived before the testing ponies far earlier than the plans of the universe had allowed for.

Applejack was beside Twilight Velvet and Night Light, looking around nervously. Unicorns, so many of them, and even if most of Twilight's family was warm and welcoming, most of the rest were so... snooty. Even the ones giving the test gave off a thick air of self-righteousness that rubbed Applejack the wrong way. Even as she hoped for Twilight's success, thoughts of home crashed on her like building waves.

"The test is simple," explained the mare that towered over Twilight. "We know you can perform basic magic, but we need something a bit more complex to gain entrance into this school." A cart was wheeled in with her glowing horn. A spotted egg rested on a bed of straw. "Hatch this egg."

Twilight gasped. Of all the spells, that was surely not one she had learned! "I'll... do my best." She walked up to the egg and frowned before directing her magic at it. "Hatch... hatch," she began muttering to herself, pouring her magic harder and harder. But there were ponies around her. She didn't forget that. If she went too much higher, she knew she couldn't keep a hold of it completely.

She could hurt somepony, and she didn't know how to do it gracefully.

She sank down onto her haunches. "If I knew the spell, I feel confident I could do this," she stated. "But I don't, and trying any harder could hurt somepony. I'm sorry."

The mare smiled gently even as three others took notes rapidly. "I see. Forget that then, let's test something else."

Twilight hadn't made it past that test before, excluded on account of Celestia's intervention, but in that world, she advanced along other tests, showing she was a talented little filly. Not entirely outside the realm of the expected, but talented enough to belong in that school.

Twilight bounced giddily along with a paper floating over her head, announcing that fact. "I'm in I'm in I'm in," she repeated without time for commas. "Applejack, I'm in!" She threw her arms around Applejack, hugging her friend, but that was when she noticed the little apple-farming filly looked a bit strained. "Are you alright?"

"Think ah need a little air. Right proud of ya, don't get me wrong." She moved to escape the stifling halls, Twilight trailing right after her. "Yer parents probably want to celebrate," noted Applejack along the way. "Ya don't have to come with."

"They can wait a moment. My friend needs me." Twilight softly thudded her side against Applejack's. "What's wrong?"

They emerged onto the streets of Canterlot. Though neither were paying full attention, Twilight's parents were behind them, keeping an eye as mindful parents were known to do. Applejack took a deep breath of the fresher air, but it still smelled of a city, of the place that wasn't where she wanted to be. "Just... ain't the same."

A great explosion shook the ground beneath them as bright colors washed through the sky, bedazzling the fillies. Applejack's eyes went wide as everything became a rainbow. It was wonderful, majestic, like a big warm hug from her mother. "Home," she whispered, her rump tickling as they were adorned with apples. "Time to go home."

Twilight rocked back with the force of the display, her own thoughts carried to her magical displays of the day. There was no egg to unload on anymore, but she had something even better, at least from her perspective. "Home!" She jumped at Applejack and the two vanished from sight with a bright flash and leaving a scorched circle behind.

Velvet and Night Light rushed to the spot where the fillies had been, but no amount of looking around would find much of a hint of either of them. "This was not in the schedule," noted Night Light, tone tense with worry. "Where could they have gone?!"

Velvet danced from hoof to hoof, having a moment of panic before it came to her. "Home. She said that, you heard her, right?"

"She did say that," he easily agreed. "Do you think she's home then? That wouldn't be so bad." He began trotting off towards their abode. "Let's see if she's there waiting for us."

Moon Dancer took a slow breath and refocused herself, hurling her magic at the egg. "Come on..." she grunted herself, then the ground shook. Bright colors washed over her. Last time, she had still been in the waiting room, so flustered she had gone after Twilight. Twilight hadn't been there to be behind, nor caused delays with grand displays of magic, so she had moved up just enough to be there when the rainbows came for her.

The rainboom swept over her in a brilliantly overwhelming display and her magic flared brightly. The little life found a way, its destiny perhaps too bright to be denied on account of one little change. The egg cracked, and a new form exploded from it.

Spike entered Equestria, and Celestia emerged to welcome a very special student, certain that Moon Dancer had many great things ahead of her.

Twilight hit the ground with Applejack serving as a pillow, both of their forms sizzling with magic that lacked greatly for grace in that moment of wild abandon that had sent them hurtling across Equestria.

"Sis?"

Applejack cracked open an eye to see Big Mac looking down at the two of them. "Bro!" She squirmed out from under Twilight and hurried to hug him with a bright smile, feeling complete again. "Ah'm so glad to be home!"

"Uh, yeah. Is she alright?" He pointed past Applejack to the prone form of Twilight.

Applejack tripped over herself in her rapid turning about-face. "Twilight!" She was on her friend in a flash, shaking her. "Wake up! What did you do?!" That was she noticed a new addition to her friend, a cutie mark of a big star with several smaller stars around it. "What's that mean?"

"Yers is pretty clear," he noted with a confident nod, inclining his head towards her rump.

She twisted her head back to see she did have a cutie mark. She smiled gidilly in the moment of realization before the situation crashed back on her and she twisted back to Twilight. "This ain't funny, wake up!" She slapped Twilight with her hoof right across the face.

"Ack!" That had succeeded at rousing her. She scrambled to her hooves, holding one of them to her bruised face. Her eyes swept over the area rapidly. "Sweet Apple? How..."

"How?" Applejack hiked a brow up. "Reckon you're how! Ya did magic, real real big magic." She pointed at Twilight's back end. "Big enough to get a mark, and leave us both all ashy." She shook herself vigorously, freeing herself of the bits of ash and soot. "Landsake! Did we just, what, telemaport from Canterlot?" She pointed way up at the city on the castle, so far away.

"Twilight, Applejack?" Pear Butter was approaching, pausing to pat her son on the back before closing in on the fillies. "Yer early, and ah woulda figured Twilight woulda stayed back up there. Ya got in, didn'ja?"

With a glowing horn, Twilight produced the paper. "I did!" she squealed. "And I got a cutie mark." She turned to display her rump to the older mare. "And I might have did a big spell..."

"Big Mac, get these two fillies inside and into a bath if you have to throw them in." Pear was marching right past them, towards town. "I haveta borrow a phone right quick." The Apples didn't have a phone, but Ponyville was not so small that no phones existed, they just tended to be in specific places.

Twilight's eyes folowed Pear as she stormed off. "Is she... angry?"

Big Mac chuckled as he leaned down and grabbed Twilight, his teeth closing on the nape of her neck and plucking her up like the little bundle she was. "Nope. She's just takin' care ah business. Bath time." He headed inside, confident that Applejack would follow without such extreme measures.

Trotting firmly into Ponyville, Pear Butter's eyes wandered over the faces of other ponies before one she recognized as potentially having an answer came into view. "Chiffon!" She raised a hoof to wave and soon was hugging the baker. "Good to see you, but--"

"Something's wrong?" interrupted Chiffon Swirl, who preferred to be called Cup Cake. "You look upset."

"You know me too well." Pear waved it off with a bright smile. "I need a phone, of all things. I have a filly."

Missus Cake blinked owlishly. "A third?!" She raised a hoof to her chin. "Did you... find a new stallion? I mean, congratulations!" She threw up both of her forehooves.

"Don't even joke!" Pear punched her friend's shoulder with a dull thud. "She's Twilight Velvet's, you remember her, right?"

"Oh! That unicorn, yes. I remember the dear. How did you end up with her filly?" She glanced around as if the answer could have been hiding in the area if she just looked hard enough. "Never mind, listen to me go off on a tangent. You need a phone? I bet Mayor Mare has one ready to go."

"Mayor Mare!" exclaimed Pear as she swatted herself on the head. "How silly of me to not think of her. You are a treasure." She hugged Cake with one arm before trotting off towards the town hall with a mission.

Mrs. Cake watched her hurry off. "Poor thing. Not sure I'm ready for a filly just yet." She couldn't know when she would have one, or that a colt would come along for the ride. For that day, she had baked goods to deliver.

Pear Butter ascended the steps of the town hall and grabbed the circular loop, pulling back to open the door. "Phone, please, I need to borrow one," she got out even as she went around the still-opening door. "I have a mare's filly and she's probably worried sick."

The secretary at the front looked up as Pear Butter came in. "The phone is for official use only," she sternly rebuffed.

"Don't be like that," gently chastised another voice as Mayor Mare came trotting out from the back. "Pear Butter, a pleasure. I'm so sorry what happened to you."

Pear flipped an ear back at that. "I'm gettin' by..." It had been long enough to not still be a bleeding wound, but it still hurt to have it reminded of. "Mayor Mare, you've been there, for us... This is another filly, not mine. She's a long way from home. Ah know her dam's number." She coiled on herself and pulled a small book from a saddlebag. "Got it jotted down right here. Didn't figure ah'd need it fer this, but the wee thing jus--"

"Slow down," gently advised Mayor Mare, setting a hoof on Pear's shoulder. "Is anypony hurt?"

"No, thank Celestia." Pear let out a slow relieved sigh. "I just 'magine she's quite a bit worried. Ah'll make it fast, just ta let her know her filly's alright."

"Let me see that." She leaned in, getting a view of the phone number. "You're not allowed to use the phone." The secretary looked so smugly pleased. "But I am." Mayor Mare circled the desk and bit into where the handle met the base, pulling up the phone and setting it down.

"Now let's see..." She began pressing and swirling the circle, letting it roll back with each selection to dial up the number she had been shown. "It's ringing." She propped the receiver to her head, listening with a little nod of her head.

"Hello?" came the confused sound of a stallion.

"Hello," chimed Mayor Mare with less confusion. "I've been informed that we may have your filly--"

"Twilight Sparkle," spat out Pear Butter, hearing Mayor Mare's side of the conversation. "She's safe!"

Mayor Mare chuckled softly. "You heard her. She's in good hooves."

A thunderous sigh came over the line. "Oh... good... good. Hon!" his voice raised in a shout. "Twilight's alright!"

"Where is she?!" came a concerned mare's voice, clip-clops rapidly approaching. "I will kill her! After I hug her to pieces."

Mayor Mare nodded lightly. "She's here, in Ponyville. I have to go, long distance bills, you know."

"Oh, yes, thank you," blurted out Night Light before the click of him setting his receiver down.

Mayor Mare set down the phone gently with a coy smile. "They don't charge us long distance bills," she admitted to Pear Butter. "Don't tell anypony." She held up a hoof with a little shh of a noise.

Pear let out a short laugh. "You are a wicked thing. Still, thank you. They know she's safe. That's all ah needed to do. Poor thing will probably come at a full gallop. She might not even need the train none." She tucked her little notebook away. "I picked this from that little filly."

"Mm?"

"The habit of carryin' somethin' to write in, fer notes and things." Pear patted the bag with a hoof. "A habit she has, and passed right onta me. Kinda glad right now. No way ah woulda remembered that number for a phone ah don't got. Maybe she would had it, but ain't no fer sure there."

"It worked out," gently assured Mayor Mare. "Now, you go on home and take care of that filly, and yours too. Is she back?"

"They came together." Pear put a hoof to her head. "Even if ah still don't right get how it happened. Ah'll go ask 'em. Thanks again!" She twirled in place and got to walking out, less frantic than her entry by a considerable amount.

Twilight was snatched up by Night Light, surprising Pear Butter. He thanked her and Granny for keeping an eye on Twilight, then the two unicorns vanished back to their strange city up on the mountain.

It wasn't long after that the local school-foals put on a show with glittering costumes created by a neighborhood filly. A shy pegasus teenager landed and moved into a cottage on the border of town. As reserved as she was comely, she was an instant hit, but she was so withdrawn that attempts to get closer to her soon dwindled away. Only the animals and those who understood them had a chance around her.

A bright pink earth pony became apprenticed to the Cakes, cheerfully helping around their shop and learning how to make all manner of delicious treats while spreading joy throughout the town.

As if following the yellow pegasus, a more brightly-colored rainbow mare appeared, joining the local weather team. She was one of the only ponies in town that could approach the yellow one easily, but her presence served to loosen up Fluttershy enough to at least admit her name to the curious others. A party was thrown in celebration, a habit Pinkie would never shake.

Twilight was only mutely aware of these things, with exchanged letters with Applejack. She had school to do! There was one student that had earned the attention of Celestia directly, but even that didn't save her from normal classes with the other students. "What's it like?" Twilight asked with a bright smile. "Learning directly from the Princess Celestia."

"It's alright..." Moon Dancer ran a hoof up and down the opposite leg. "She knows a lot. I like that..." A little smile spread on her face. "She doesn't read as much as us though." She pointed then to the book spread out in front of them. "Did you get the spell on page ten down?"

"How could I not?" challenged Twilight. "With that spell, my study time will be improved by at least 33%, with rounding. How did you find an indexing spell?" She clopped her forehooves with obvious excitement. "No more fumbling to find a passage!"

"Isn't it just the best?" gushed Moon Dancer in agreement, glad to have changed the topic.

"Hey, wanna play?" There was Minuette, grinning. In another world, Twilight had sent her packing in favor of study.

"Sure," she said, not realizing the deviation on her own timeline, how could she? "Moon Dancer, come on. Afterwards, I'm going to show you a cool spell. I have one that'll knock your socks off."

"I am not wearing socks," noted Moon Dancer, but she was already rising. She had little interest in the game, but Twilight's tempting offer was enough to spur her into action. Besides... "I call dibs on being on your team."

A ball was kicked around wildly by the collected fillies. Twilight would perhaps press her nose less firmly into books, even if she remained quite the avid reader. The wonder that her friends could bring would not be alien to her.

Huffing for breath, Minuette kicked the ball back towards its resting place. "Whew, what a game! Hey, Moon Dancer, right?"

"That's me." Moon Dancer inclined her head, not yet adorned with glasses. "We won."

"You sure did." Minuette bounced in place, not looking at all upset for having lost. "I was curious, how did you hatch that dragon? I tried really hard, but I couldn't figure it out!"

Twilight clopped a hoof to her cheek. "You hatched it?! I felt like I was way off. Please, share your secret."

Moon Dancer sank to her haunches and crossed her arms. "I refuse." Both fillies gaped at her with shock and disappointment. Moon Dancer pointed at Twilight. "You promised a spell after the game was done."

Twilight blinked rapidly. "Oh yeah!" With a glowing horn, a book popped into existence over her head. "Right here. After my, uh... the way I got my cutie mark, I just had to research more on transportation and translocation magics."

"Oooo." Moon Dancer reached for the book as the color of its magic shifted, her own taking control and bringing it over. "May I?"

"Of course." Twilight clopped her hooves together from the side, still standing on them. "What are friends for?"

"The exchange of favors?" proposed Moon Dancer with a raised brow.

Minuette burst into giggles, a sound that drew other fillies over, Lyra and Twinkleshine. "What's going on over here?" asked Lyra, eyes sweeping over the others.

Twilight pointed to the floating book. "I was just giving a gift, not an exchanged favor, to a friend." She put an arm around Moon Dancer, hugging the awkward filly. "Now, about hatching that dragon?"

"One favor for another." Moon Dancer tucked the book away, looking smugly justified in her initial thought. It didn't seem to put her off. She didn't flee, instead explaining the story of the sudden rainboom in the middle of her attempt.

"That happened to me!" squeaked Twilight, all eyes moving to her. She blushed and laughed a little. "Sorry, I just mean... when that big explosion happened, I was caught in it too. I teleported all the way to Ponyville."

"I have a friend there," gushed Lyra.

"Me too!" echoed Twilight, her smile deepening. "We have so many things in common."

"Well, while you were teleporting, I was hatching an egg." Moon Dancer inclined her head. "And now there's a baby dragon named Spike. Celestia agreed to watch over him during his first few years, then he becomes my responsibility."

Twinkleshine nodded sagely. "My mom told me about that. If you make a foal, you have to take care of them. That's how it works. She made me, so she had to take care of me, and she did a good job." She put a hoof at her chest. "Thanks mom!"

"Thanks, Mom," echoed all the other fillies except Moon Dancer.

Twilight noticed the silence of her friend. "Everything alright?"

Moon Dancer stood up. "I should review the book." She trotted off without another word.

Lyra watched her go before looking back to Twilight. "Who's your Ponyville Buddy? Mine's a nice earth pony mare."

"Mine too," laughed out Twilight. "It isn't Applejack, is it?"

"Applejack? Well, um..." Lyra tapped at her chin. "She is also named after food. Bon Bon! Sweetest filly ya ever met! She's gonna grow up to be a big candy maker." Lyra threw her forehooves wide. "Now lemme guess. Applejack... She makes fun drinks?"

Twilight considered that. "She can do that, but she's good at everything Apple, from seeds right up to getting them out of trees in a single buck." She bucked the air with the form she had learned from her visits to the Apple farm. "She's amazing."

"Sounds like a good pony." Lyra bobbed her head. "Next time, how about we both visit! Then I can meet yours and you can meet mine and they can meet each other if they haven't already. Bet they have, everypony knows everypony in Ponyville; kinda nice."

"That does sound nice," admitted Twilight before spotting a rolling ball approaching them. "Bet you have a chance with Moon Dancer taking a break."

Lyra clopped her hooves together. "Oh, you're being a hotshot? You heard her. Everyone on Twilight!"

The game resumed. Twilight would not win that match, but she was still smiling by the time it was over.

During those formative years, Applejack grew larger. Big Mac was a teenaged colt, returning with her from town.

In the kitchen, Pear Butter and Granny were working on tidying things. Pear perked an ear as the door opened. "Did they have some spray for the Apple Blight? The sooner we get the orchard treated, the better."

Granny nodded in grave agreement. "Not somethin' we can afford ta let wait. How'd it go?"

Several cans of the treatment were set down on the dining room table. Applejack looked to Granny nervously. "I made a deal with Filthy Rich, we saw 'em in town."

Pear raised a brow. "You sound a might nervous. What were you promisin'?"

"What she said," agreed Granny with a nod. "We're friends a long ways back, just tell me what ya said."

"I offered three barrels of apple cider." She spread her hooves to show how much. "Fer him t'sell at his store."

Granny stomped a hoof down. "Now that was right foolish. Apple cider goes sour a lot faster than the jam he usually sells fer us. That's why we sell it fresh. No sir, you just go tell him we can't do that." Big Mac nodded with satisfaction at being proven right.

"Let's not be too hasty," demurred Pear. Big Mac's face fell. "If we make it clear how quickly it goes, and make him pay upfront, it can be a quick sale to make up for the apple blight cure we had to buy. If he can't move it, well, he already paid, and we told 'em clear up front."

Granny grumbled with dissatisfaction. "That ain't how we usually do it."

Pear gently touched her nose to Granny's. "It ain't, but we gotta make ends meet, so long as we don't lie none."

"You're a wicked little mare," snorted Granny, though she also had a little smile. "That's what he loved aboutcha... If yer sure, we'll give it a try. But ah'm ready to give him a right earful about how careful he needs to be. He better be sellin' it by the time we get it to him."

She stormed off. "And get to dousing the trees! None of this will matter if it all goes to blight!"

Author's Notes:

One change, one little change. The ripple reaches ever outwards. Spike's safe! Yay! The cast is coming together now.

One change.

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4 - Preparing For Destiny

Applejack trotted along with a soft hum, a wagon being pulled with her motion. "Trade ya," offered a mare as she passed. The mare was holding a bundle of carrots.

Applejack considered that before nodding, "Sure, one bundle fer two big apples." And the deal was sealed, the mares both getting something they could use. "How're things?"

"Well, you just saw bit of it," noted the orange maned mare. "My carrots grew!" She turned to present her rump. "And so did I!"

Applejack applauded for her friend, clopping her hooves. "Congratulations. Reckon that means we'll be rival farmers from now on."

Carrot Top grinned. "Friendly rivals, I do hope."

"You know it." They touched noses, but Applejack had places to be, trotting onwards until she ran into her mother. "Here ya go." She pulled the cart up and soon they had them emptied into the sale's stand that was looking a little empty. "Wow, business' good?"

"It's as much about how you ask ponies to buy something," explained Pear Butter with a soft nod. "Just hollerin' at them only gets you so far." She dipped her head and came up with a fresh apron, tossing it with a flick of her head towards Applejack. "Wanna try?"

Applejack soon had the wagon parked out of the way and joined her mother for some one-on-one sales lessons, ready to help the farm how she could. "Buy some apples!"

Pear Butter smirked softly, gently patting Applejack on the head. "You need to come at them a bit gentler. Think of that time ah wanted you to try that spicy-glazed parsnip." Applejack's ears flipped back. "Ya weren't eager to give it a try, remember?"

"Hard ta forget," admitted the teen filly. "But it weren't so bad."

"And you never would have learned that, if I just put it in front of you and told you to eat it." Her eyes half lidded. "So I had to be a bit more clever..."

"Subtle-like," mused Applejack, thinking of the time she had been convinced to give it a try. "Yeah..." She would have finer salesponyship for the presence of her supportive mother, even if she would have developed her own rough methods when she was forced to alone.

"Hiya!" The pink filly tumbled over herself, coming to a half sitting upright in front of Applejack. "You work on the apple farm, right?" She pointed past Applejack, to the farm in the distance.

Applejack inclined her head faintly. "Sure do."

"Great!" Pinkie clopped her hooves excitedly. "We need apples, for treats. I told the Cakes I'd get a bunch of apples."

Applejack smiled at that. "Well, ya done found the right pony fer that. Cakes?" She twitched an ear. "Oh, Miss Swirl's new name. How's she doin'?"

Pinkie paused a moment before it clicked. "Oh, Misses Cake's doing great, but they need apples."

"And apples they will have." She turned in place, starting back towards her farm, only to pause. "Actually, mah brother's at the stand. That's a lot closer." She pivoted and started in a new direction. "How much do ya need?"

"A whole lot." Pinkie threw a hoof wide. "At least one big bag to start though."

"One bag." Applejack nodded softly. "In the future, ya should come straight here." They arrived at the stand, Applejack pointing the way. "Ah was off duty an' all."

"Oh, sorry." Pinkie saluted before bouncing to be in line. "See you tomorrow!"

For better or worse, Applejack would not be quite as eager to spend all her time working. She never had to press her nose against the stone for the sake of the farm.

Moondancer looked in the mirror, admiring her new manecut. It looked just like Twilight's. The only pony worth taking a moment for. Would she like it? It wasn't really for Twilight... It was for herself. Moondancer nodded slowly, reasoning with herself.

She trotted through the vaulted hallways of the palace, allowed by merit of being Celestia's personal student. Ponies rushed past her on their various projects, and she ignored them all. They weren't important. Few ponies were. She willed her magic and created a knock on the door she approached. "I am prepared for today's lessons."

The door opened, glowing with golden light. There was Celestia, smiling gently. "Oh, you have a new mane cut."

"Are we studying that?" Moonlight stepped in, her magic closing the door behind us. "I completed your assignment."

Celestia inclined her head at her book-saavy student. "I didn't imagine you would have a problem with it. Spike?" A small face popped out from around the corner of the table. "There you are. Spike will be spending time with you now."

"Hi." He waved at the new pony with immature hands. "Um... I'm... Spike."

"I am Moondancer," she replied, pointing to herself, then pointing at him. "And you are a dragon I am not studying."

Celestia considered chastising Moondancer on what she had said, but a better idea came to her. "You are now." She lowered her head to be next to Spike. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn how dragons develop, and how best to see to their needs. Study him and how ponies can interact with dragons to form longterm relationships."

"A field assignment?" Moondancer tapped her chin thoughtfully, considering Spike. "I prefer reading."

Spike tried to approach her, but toppled off the table and flopped to the ground in a display of infant coordination. Celestia's magic gently glowed around him, turning him upright so he could resume his waddling towards her. She smiled at the act. "Already you're making progress. To support you in this task, I will allow you to visit the dragon wing of the library."

Moondancer's eyes shined with desire. New books? Any new book was worth reaching for. She delighted in the pure act of study, in learning, for the sake of learning, and no other intent. "I accept this assignment." A book appeared beside her, a quill floating and taking notes. "Spike, how do you feel? Have you been fed sufficiently? Is your diaper in need of replacement?"

Spike smiled at the little filly that seemed so much more interested in him than just a moment ago. "Hello," he greeted, still not doing words very well. He grabbed her closest hoof and squeezed firmly, just establishing that she was there, and so was he, and that was pretty neat.

"You're off to an excellent start." Celestia considered a moment. "Consider him more of your little brother, rather than your child. I will be glad to assist, if you feel overwhelmed."

"A dragon can't be a pony's child," she agreed. They couldn't usually be their little brothers either, but she didn't argue that point. "Spike." He looked towards her. "Brother." She pointed at him, then turned the hoof at herself. "Sister."

"Sis!" he cried with joy, hugging one of her hind legs.

Moondancer smiled a little, unsure, but not entirely put out. "We have studying to do." Her magic gently picked him up and put him on her back as she started for the door, just to pause, looking at Celestia. "Were there other topics for today?"

"No. I've given you quite the research project." Celestia gently waved Moondancer off. "Learn what you can, and be kind."

"Be kind?" Moondancer turned an ear towards Spike on her back, just to have it grabbed. The little dragon was tugging and then it got wet. He was mouthing her ear without hesitation.

Celestia slowly nodded. "You will see, with large research tasks, patience and a soft touch is required."

"I... see." She didn't see, but she trotted off with Spike, perhaps ready to learn.

Twilight inclined her head at her tired-looking friend. "You alright?"

"No."

Twilight rolled a hoof awkwardly in the air. "Wanna... talk about it?" She circled around Moondancer. "You look really tired."

"I am." Moondancer thunked her forehead against her desk. "Princess Celestia gave me a research project and I think I'm failing at it."

Twilight sat beside her friend. "Can I help?"

Moondancer peeked up above her folded fore leg to see Twilight. "What do you want in return?" That is what friendship was, of course.

"To see you less tired?" offered Twilight with a nervous smile. "We're friends. If I can help...?"

"You are..." Too good for their world, she left unsaid. "Thank you. Remember that dragon?"

Twilight stepped into Moondancer's dorm room for the first time. "Spike?" A little dragon face peeked out from behind the bed. "There you are! I'm going to be your foalsitter for today. Doesn't that sound fun!"

Spike responded well to her excited greeting and waved his hands. "Hello!" That was one word he had down. He pointed at himself. "Spike." Then he pointed at Twilight, looking at her questioning.

"Twilight," she answered, moving to sit next to him. "And we're going to be good friends."

A pattern began. Moondancer was his primary caretaker, his 'big sister', and Twilight stopped by a few times a week to give her a break. Twilight wasn't family, he knew, and Moondancer knew, but Spike grew close to her, always happy when she stopped by.

"Here's your book." He held out a book towards Moondancer.

"Thank you." Moondancer's magic wrapped around it, bringing it over to flip over and peer in. "You are becoming an accomplished scholar's assistant."

"Aw, ain't nothin'" Spike waved it off as he plopped down and pulled out a comic to read himself. They had developed a pattern that had extended, not that different from that other when, though with less family. "You're almost done, right?"

"With this book?" Moondancer gestured to it with a tilt of her head. "I just started."

Spike shook his head firmly. "With school, I mean."

Moondancer sat up with surprise. He wasn't wrong. She had just... forgotten that. "I'll still be Princess Celestia's student." Her daily life wouldn't change that much. "But, yes, this is the last year."

"We should have a get together, you know, with your school chums." He clapped his hands together. "I already know what Twilight will like."

Moondancer shook her head. "Maybe just Twilight. I'll ask her..." Her chest tightened, realizing something else. "She... won't be at class anymore."

Moondancer and Spike shared a look, both coming to that dreadful realization. "Oh no," he whispered out. "Will she still be in Canterlot?"

"I'll... ask." Moondancer's magic closed her book. Her attempts at study were dashed. She couldn't even consider reading right that moment, which itself felt alien and horrible. "I hope so," she said in a small voice.

Spike hugged her around the neck, and the two were quiet a moment, unified in their want to have Twilight around.

Twilight inclined her head. "I found a library that was closed, and not because it didn't have books, or didn't have people who wanted to go. How horrible is that?"

Moondancer blinked softly. "That does sound less than ideal." She rubbed one leg with the opposing hoof. "But i was asking if you--"

"I was accepted for the job," completed Twilight. "I'll be a librarian! I'll get to help ponies learn and discover, and, wait for it, best part, I'll be near a foal-friend of mine, Applejack!"

Moondancer's ears began to fall. "Near Applejack? Didn't you mention she lives in... not Canterlot?"

"Ponyville," provided Twilight with a firm nod. "I'll be the best librarian they ever had." She cantered in place with a proud smile. "I'm ready!"

"I'm not," echoed Moondancer far more quietly. "That's so far away."

"Yeah..." Twilight reached and soon had Moondancer in a one-legged hug. "I'll come to visit, promise. It's just a train ride away. Lyra showed me how easy it is to get back and forth."

"I present, Bon Bon!" Lyra waved eagerly to the young earth pony mare that was exiting her house.

Bon Bon raised a brow at Lyra, then looked past her to Twilight. "Hello. Did Lyra drag you along?" She smiled a little. "She does that."

Twilight smiled at the new pony. "Nice to meet you. I came willingly, promise. Say, do you know Applejack?"

Bon Bon seemed surprised. "Someone from Canterlot knows Applejack? Sure I know her. Her family's the source of my apples for my apple candies." She coiled on herself, getting out a wrapped bit of candy and holding it towards Twilight.

Twilight's magic wrapped around it, undoing the wrapping and popping it in her mouth. "Mmm! Sweet and sour. I like it!"

Bon Bon smiled brightly at that. "I'm opening a candy shop."

"It'll be the best in Equestria," gushed Lyra. "I'll help!"

Twilight looked over Lyra, focusing on her rump. "I figured you'd be more interested in playing music."

"What? Pfft." Lyra waved it away. "I can do both! For Bonnie, I'll make time."

Bon Bon nudged Lyra away a step. "Stop that! Still, nice to meet you." She nodded at Twilight. "I'll pencil you down as a potential customer."

Twilight burst into light laughter. "With pleasure. Tell me when and where you set up and I'll join the line."

Moondancer sagged. There would be no great new books in that little town. "I hope you... come often." She glanced away and back. "I was... thinking of a little party, for the end of school..." She rubbed her fore hooves together nervously. "If you'd like to be there?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Twilight agreed without hesitation. "Will all the girls be there?"

Moondancer glanced across the class. She had developed some small affinity, but... There was only one mare she really wanted to be there. "Consider it... a family thing. Spike wants to say bye too."

Twilight's eyes widened. "Oh, of course." She brought a hoof to her face. "How dumb of me! Poor thing, he'll probably be in tears, little guy..." She smiled gently, thinking of Spike. "I'll let him down gently." Just like that, it made perfect sense it wasn't the whole class involved. "I'll be there."

He wasn't alone, both of them united with tears they were holding back to the best of their ability. "Hi..." Spike wriggled a few fingers at Twilight. "Oh, got you something." He reached behind himseld and pulled out a box with a big bow. "Just for you."

"Aw, you didn't have to." Twilight's magic wrapped around the box, drawing it close and opening it along the way. Inside was a teddy bear that made her giggle. "Aw, it's adorable. I'll treasure it." she parked the bear on her own back, then noticed there was more. Inside was a picture of Spike, Moondancer, and Twilight, each with an arm around each other, Twilight in the middle. "Aw..." Twilight brought it up to touch her nose to the picture, nostrils flaring. "It's... This is just perfect, Spike..."

Spike pointed to Moondancer. "She picked the frame... Uh, glad you like it." He rocked on his feet awkwardly. "You... moving away, huh?"

"To Ponyville," explained Twilight. "But I will visit, and, if Moondancer is up for it, you could visit me too. Think of it, I'll be in charge of an entire library. It'll be a task, but I feel ready for it!"

Spike shot a thumbs up that didn't match the conflicted look on his face. "That's great!" he lied with middling skill at best. "I... hope you have fun with it."

Moondancer thumped against Twilight suddenly. "Let's not think about that. Twilight, I've been studying new magic."

Twilight laughed at that. "You're always studying. It's what makes you 'you', Moondancer." She inclined her head. "But I do like new magic. What did you learn?"

Moondancer's horn glowed, a book appearing. "Celestia gave me access to the draconian research wing." She lowered her horn towards Twilight, zapping her without delay, or permission.

Twilight let out a startled squeak, her form rapidly reformed under Moondancer's studied touch. By the time she next blinked, she was a small young-adult dragon, surprised and dizzy. "What?"

Spike blinked owlishly. "Wow..."

Twilight rose up, finding bipedalism to come naturally to her new form. "Huh..." She took slow unsure steps, getting her balance. "Transformation magic is very advanced, Moondancer. No wonder Princess Celestia choose you to be her student!"

Moondancer smiled thinly at that. "Impressed?"

"Very." Twilight closed in, hugging Moondancer with altered arms. "But, please, turn me back. I'm a pony." She tapped Moondancer with a new finger. "Besides, I think it's making Spike territorial."

Even as Twilight was being turned back, Spike glanced away. He had been feeling things, but territorial was not one of them. "Good luck, Twilight. I'll see you again, soon, alright?"

"Soon," agreed the re-ponied Twilight. She hugged Spike, and was just as suddenly hugged by Moondancer. They remained in that moment of contact. "Please don't cry," she whispered. "This isn't goodbye, it's just a see you later," she assured. It had become impossible to miss how both were being affected. "My door will always be open, to both of you."

Twilight set off to Ponyville, leaving Canterlot behind.

All the students moved on, in their varied ways. Most of them remained in Canterlot. They were better than nothing, but they were usually loud distractions, never the peaceful co-scholar that Twilight had been. At least she had Spike. He knew how to enjoy a book, and how not to be noisy.

"Golden Oak Library," announced Twilight to herself, bringing a glowing key to the door and unlocking it with a satisfying click. "You'll be open for business in two shakes of the tail." She trotted inside, closing the door behind herself and getting to work.

A knocking came from the window and she looked up. There was Applejack, grinning at her. "Applejack?" Twilight hurried to the door and had it open shortly. "What are you doing here?"

"Now that's a daft question if ever ah heard one." she stepped inside with a small cart attached, filled with cleaning supplies. "Ah'm here to help. What are friends fer?"

"Aw." She put a leg over Applejack's neck, hugging her friend and closing the door with her magic. "If you're not too busy?"

"Sugarcube, ah'm already here." She unhooked herself from the wagon and turned around, grabbing a bucket and setting it on the ground. "With everythin' we need. Let's get this place shinin'."

The two got to work, dusting off the unused shelves and sorting the books. It took quite a bit of effort, but they were both ready for the task. Applejack wiped her forehead with an arm. "Phew, lookin' mighty good."

"Hey, if you know." Twilight inclined her head. "What happened to the old librarian?"

"Hmm?" Applejack shrugged softly. "Look, ah know ya love yerself a book more than much anypony else." She wobbled a hoof. "But that ain't usually mah thin'. Ah'm here for you."

"And I do appreciate that." With a glowing horn, she began placing Applejack's supplies back in her cart. "We're neighbors now!"

"We are," she agreed with a smile. "Can't wait to show you off around town. There are new ponies fer you to go meetin'."

"I imagine I'll meet some of them on my own. I'll be opening the library tomorrow since it's all cleaned up. It'll do good for the town to have a working library." Twilight nodded with budding pride. "I saw a few books on farming, they have something for everypony."

Applejack cocked a brow. "I could do that... or I could invite my flly-hood friend over fer dinner. Only one though, which'll it be?".

Twilight licked over her lips. "Is... your mom?"

"She's making yer favorite," taunted Applejack. "Which'll it be?"

Twilight groaned at the situation. "You're not playing fair!" She nudged Applejack on the shoulder though she was laughing at it all the while. "I'll be there."

"Darn right ya will." Applejack grinned as she stepped back into the harness of the cart. "Just at sundown. See ya there." And off she went, looking mighty pleased with herself.

Celestia penned a book quietly, well, not the entire book. She was just adding a chapter. "I hope... no, I know you can come through with this." She had to have faith. Her faithful student had so much more growing to do, but it was coming upon time for her to spread her wings.

Figuratively, of course. Moondancer was a unicorn.

For the time being.

Moondancer leaned forward to study the sky in a telescope that had come with the wing she had been allowed to live and work in. "Mmm..."

"What's up?" asked Spike, looking up from his book.

"A troubling set of incidents," replied Moondancer, not prone to panic attacks in the same way Twilight once had been. She turned to Spike and slid a book towards him. "Look at that, then this." she pointed to the viewfinder of the telescope. "Similar, is it not?"

Spike did not know what new chapter of his life was fast approaching, but there would be no going back. "Woah, strange..." he agreed, peering at it, the harbinger of his future.

Moondancer began striding from the room. "Spike, with me. We must conduct additional research."

As they crossed the bridge, Moondancer saw three ponies she knew, classmates, former classmates. "Pardon me." She nudged past them, occupied. They had no answers for what she was dealing with.

No matter where she looked, it seemed Celestia was busy, or just not there. She was forced to send a letter. "Spike?"

Spike blew fire on it, sending it off towards Celestia. "Hope she gets back to us soon."

It didn't take long for that fateful letter, and its encouragement to make friends, to arrive.

"I must say, it's fabulous that this place is open again." Rarity nodded with appreciation as her magic plucked a few books off the shelves. "They have some books I've been just dying to get my hooves on and I couldn't. No librarian, no books. Isn't that a crime?"

Twilight inclined her head from behind her little desk. "Understandable, and yet unacceptable. That's why I'm here." She pointed at herself. "To keep the books straight and ready for your reading."

"I truly appreciate that, darling." She trotted towards the desk, setting the books down. "I'll be careful with them, but these techniques on mane care simply will not wait another day to be read."

Twilight smiled gently at the fashionista that was also her client. "Of course." Her eyes wandered over the books and a floating quill took notes, recording who had borrowed what. "There you are, enjoy yourself. They're due in a week."

"A week is more than enough time, dear. I'll have devoured them in a day or two, I feel certain." Her magic plucked them up and placed them in saddlebags. "Oh, welcome to town! It's nice to have another pony of style around. Have you considered a new ensemble? Librarian has a potent look, we could capture it, in cloth."

"I'll consider that," allowed Twilight uncertaintly. "You offered that at the big 'welcome to town' party."

"And you still haven't answered," defended Rarity with a pout. "Have some faith in me. I'll have you looking your absolute best."

"Rarity?"

"Hmm?" She paused her retreat at Twilight's question.

"You're a unicorn... So... Do you know much magic?" Twilight smiled hopefully.

Rarity inclined her head. "I fear not, darling. My specialty is gem finding." She inclined at her cutie mark. "I know almost nothing else, besides the usual. You know, grabbing things? I'm quite good at that." She shrugged as she resumed her trot outside. "Why, are you, darling? You'll have to show me sometime." And she was gone.

"Twilight!"

Twilight smiled brightly. There was Lyra, a unicorn she knew knew magic. "Lyra! What perfect timing." She inclined her head. "I doubt you're here for a book though."

"Guilty," admitted Lyra. "Well, there is one, really rare. In fact, I hear there's only one of this book in all of Equestria." Lyra threw her hooves wide. "Can I check out Twilight Sparkle, first edition? I'll be really careful with it."

Twilight snorted a half-laugh at Lyra's antics. "It's good to see you."

Author's Notes:

We are approaching the first episode here. I was asked to linger a bit on school but I choked. I couldn't think of much important going on besides Twilight and Moondancer being adorable! What did I miss out on? Chastise me! Or not.

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Join my discord to chat!

5 - Episode 1

Moondancer and Spike both sat on a golden chariot, drawn by royal guards. "There's more to a young mare's life than studying," read Spike from a scroll he was holding.

Moondancer inclined her head. "And she wants us to... oversee a ritual observance, here?" She waved a hoof over the small town they were approaching. "in ponyville?" her voice dropped at its name, looking increasingly uncertain.

"Not exactly the reaction I expected," admitted Spike. "But, hey, we get to see Twilight!" He clasped his hands together, hearts in his eyes. "I bet she's even more--"

"--studious," interrupted Moondancer with a nod. "It will be good to compare notes again."

Spike blinked awake. "Huh? Oh, yeah, studious," he lied, tucking the scroll away. "We're supposed to help with the festival, the Summer Sun, yeah. They need someone to help plan it."

Moondancer raised a brow. "We should start with Twilight. She's far better at planning things."

"Well, since we're in agreement. First step, Twilight Sparkle!" He hopped down from the chariot as it touched the ground.

Moondancer stepped down a moment later when it slowed down. Neither said goodbye to the guards, but they dismissed themselves, galloping/flying back towards Canterlot. "Here it is... Ponyville." She looked left and right slowly. "Such a small town... They have a library? It can't have many books..."

Spike rubbed behind his head. "I'm wondering how making friends got on your assignment list. She shut down your idea pretty hard though."

"It wasn't an idea," huffed Moondancer. "It's a simple, credible, threat that we should be responding to. This could throw off my studies completely." She huffed and began marching forward. "Whatever, let's say hi to Twilight." She almost bumped into a pink earth pony. "Oh, hello."

The pink mare gasped as if she had witnessed some great and astounding beast before she took off at a dead gallop.

"That was... odd." Moondancer inclined her head at the spot that once held the pink pony. "The ponies of this town are peculiar."

Spike was pointing excitedly. "Look look!" There, a house, and a tree, at the same time. Golden Oak Library a sign read. "I found Twilight!"

"Excellent work." Moondancer nodded in acknowledgment of Spike's skills. "She'll understand my concerns, and probably knows her way around this municipality better." She trotted, Spike jogging beside her. The door was open a crack, and moondancer willed it the rest of the way open, trotting inside. "Twilight?"

"There's a voice I haven't heard in a while." A book thumped lightly as a purple unicorn slid down a ladder with that smile they both knew. "Welcome!"

"Twilight!" they both said at once, rushing to approach their friend.

Twilight sat and offered her hooves, getting either of their heads under her arms shortly to hold close. "It's good to see you two. You should have warned me you were coming or I would have prepared something for you. Goodness, at least I could have planned a fun day together."

Spike suddenly stepped back, dusting off his scales. "No! Have no fear, faithful librarian. I'm here for you." He pointed at her directly. "I have extensive experience with book upkeep."

Moondancer snickered softly, but was nodding. "It's true, he does."

"I'm on the case!" And off he ran to help getting the books where they should be.

Moondancer tapped Twilight on the back. "While he's distracted, I'm here with two important missions, one because Celestia said so, and well, you know how that goes."

"I haven't had personal experience," admitted Twilight. "But I can imagine. What's the other?"

"A calamity is approaching us." Moondancer frowned softly. "Have you heard of the mare in the moon?"

"An old pony's tale, sure, I've read it." Twilight nodded along to the thought of it. "What about it?"

"Evidence indicates that is is progressing to a terminal stage." Moondancer pointed at Twilight in the chest. "It will be difficult to read books in eternal midnight."

Twilight gasped softly at such a dreadful thought. "I should think so! How do you plan to... I mean, how do you even approach something like that? It sounds impossibly huge." She spread her forehooves wide. "Giving Nightmare Moon a citation for overdue books is unlikely to change things much."

Moondancer smiled a little, imagining Twilight trying that. "I hazard not, still... it's good to have a friend. Perhaps you can help with the first. I'm to assist with the Summer Sun celebration, with a subgoal of 'making new friends'. I am uncertain how that last part assists with anything, but it is the order I have been given."

Twilight inclined her head left and right, then pointed at herself. "Well, you made one."

Moondancer smiled at that. "I am delighted you consider me a friend."

"Am... I a friend to you?" she asked with a raised brow. "It's not a proper friendship if it goes one way only."

"Hm? Of course." Moondancer raised a hoof to her chest. "We have exchanged favors frequently. We trust one another to make good on agreements made. We share a love for books and learning new magic." A smile grew on her face. "We are dear friends."

"That's more like it." Twilight went in for a two-armed hug, drawing Moondancer tight. "But, you're to make more friends, hmm? You know, some friends don't share all your hobbies."

"Hm?"

"Some of them may not even read many books."

Moondancer hiked a brow at that. "Ridiculous. How could such a pony be a friend to me?"

"Hey!" Spike was hurrying back to them, heavy book in his hands. "You have one too."

Twilight took the book in her magic, flipping it open. "Ah, the legend of the mare in the moon, yep." She gently set it aside though. "For now, I will introduce you to a friend of mine, who's also working on the Summer Sun celebration. I put her in charge of food preparation." She rose up to her hooves and started for the door. "This way."

All three of them headed out onto the roads of Ponyville, heading out towards the tree lands. Spike took his place on Moondancer's back, riding along as he looked around. "Wow, I didn't think we could get much wilder, but here we are."

"Don't be like that," gently chastised Twilight. "This is the home of one of my best friends, App--"

"--Applejack," finished a mare that was approaching them with a grin. "Hey, Twilight. Who're yer friends?"

Moondancer approached Applejack without delay, peering at her skeptically, but silently, a moment.

"Uh... Somethin' the matter?" Applejack asked, reaching up to fuss with her hair in a nervous moment. "She alright?"

Moondancer shook her head. "What is the last book you read?"

"Oh, uh..." Applejack put a hoof behind her head, considering it. "There was that one Twilight gave me, right, 101 tricks to a better harvest. Orchard raising made easy!"

"Taking after the family way?" Another earth pony had arrived, Pear Butter. She was about the same size as Applejack, but also a little older. "Shoot, ya didn't mention ya were studyin' up. Ah coulda given ya a few hints."

Applejack began to blush brightly, caught. "Twilight said I might get somethin' good out of it, felt ah owed her a browse through."

Moondancer shook her head a bit more firmly. "I don't get it." Her eyes went off Applejack to her mother. "Hello, are you also involved in food preparation?"

"Mm? Oh, of course." She tipped her head lightly. "The whole family's here to give a hand, c'mon and I'll introduce you." She turned and began pointing at ponies, calling out their many apple-themed names as she went. "And they brought food." Food that matched many of their names were assembled for their guest. "Are you here to make sure things are goin' right?"

Twilight put a leg over Moondancer from the side. "That is exactly right. Moondancer here is on orders from Princess Celestia herself." All the others gave a collective Ooo of wonder.

Applejack nodded. "Well, we got the food covered, just like ya planned, Twilight." She inclined her head faintly, hat tilting with it. "Shoot, with you as our planner, I doubt a thing even could go wrong, and you'd fix it if it were."

"Stop it," deflected Twilight with colored cheeks. "Go on, try some." She gestured at the gathered food, glancing towards Moondancer.

"I am uncertain that is strictly required..." Despite that, she sampled an apple pastry and licked her lips. "It's... pretty good." And she tried a candied apple, and another little morsel. Each led to the next, leading her down a black hole of apple-themed gluttony.

Pear Butter tittered softly. "It's a funny thing, but this seems to happen any time a city unicorn tries some real Apple family food the first time. Well, that's a seal of approval right there." She looked to Twilight. "We'll have everything ready on time."

Twilight nodded with confidence. "I'll save my share for the festival itself."

Spike took a few finger treats for himself, chewing on an apple a moment before he dug out his scroll. "Alright, next up." He balanced himself on Moondancer. "You alright?"

"I, perhaps, overindulged," admitted Moondancer as she staggered forward. "What's next on the list?"

Twilight gently nudged against Moondancer. "You got to meet the Apple family. Not every day they're all in town."

"Mmm? Fascinating." Here interest levels did not meet her words. "Spike?"

"A pegasus should be in charge of clearing the skies."

"Oh, Rainbow Dash," provided Twilight without delay. "She's a curious one. A bit of a braggart, but not a bad pony. Her interest in books is... zero."

Moondancer scowled. "And, let me guess, you want me to meet her too."

Twilight chuckled softly. "Please? She really isn't a bad po--"

In a rainbow streak, a new pony crashed into Moondancer, knocking her into a puddle of mud and leaving Spike hovering a moment before he thudded to the ground with a soft grunt. "What?"

"Sorry," declared Rainbow, standing up atop her victim. "Oh, wow, really, sorry, lemme help." She sprang up and flew away, returning a moment later with a cloud.

Moondancer danced to the side, avoiding the cloud. "No, thanks. I have a spell for this emergency."

Rainbow tilted her head. "You do?"

"Several," assured Moondancer. "Come here, you're covered in mud as well. I can assist us both."

Rainbow inclined her head. "Nothing a little rain won't fix." She bounced on the cloud, encouraging the rain free and darting under it, allowing the rain to rinse herself clean. "Ta da!"

Moondancer waved it away. "Twilight, watch this. I never had a chance to show it to you." Twilight didn't need to be informed to behold a new spell in action. Moon's horn began to glow brightly as the mud lifted free of her, becoming smaller and smaller bits until it seemed to just disintegrate away, leaving her clean and dry. "As you said, 'ta da.'"

Rainbow squinted at the display of unicorn stuff. "Huh, friend of yours?" She was looking at Twilight and pointing at Moondancer. "She's kooky. I like her."

Spike waved up at the pegasus perching on her cloud. "Hey, I'm Spike."

"Yo."

Twilight inclined her head. "She's here to ensure the Summer Sun celebration proceeds smoothly, which includes making sure the sky is cleared."

Moondancer looked to the cloud-spotted sky. "That appears to be a negative."

Rainbow threw a hoof, waving the problem away. "Please, I can clear it when we need it. What's the rush?"

Moondancer raised a hoof to adjust her glasses that had been knocked askew in the impact. "Are you certain you are capable of the task?"

"Please!" Rainbow rolled off the cloud, hitting the ground on all fours, trotting towards Moondancer. "I can handle it in, what, ten seconds, flat."

"I demonstrated my trick." Moondancer inclined her head. "Your turn."

"I dunno, ten seconds seems kinda fast," noted Spike, looking to the clouds that dotted the sky.

"Oh, it is so on!" Rainbow thudded Moondancer. "Kooky unicorn, you wait here. Watch." And she was gone in a blur of rainbows, smashing clouds in rapid darts across the sky, kicking and punching when she wasn't just plowing through them, clearing the sky.

Twilight was counting slowly. "Eight... nine... ten." Rainbow landed as the last word was said. "Wow. The timing is the more impressive part, if you ask me."

"Flat," repeated Rainbow, looking smugly satisfied. "Happy now?"

"Quite. Thank you." She turned to Spike. "What's the next on the list?"

Spike dug out the scroll, eyes scanning. "Uh, next..."

Twilight moved around to Rainbow. "Thanks for the help. Moondancer's still getting to know ponies, don't--"

Rainbow pushed Twilight's hoof away. "Your friend's weird, and I got Wonderbolts training." And she flew off without further delay.

They proceeded towards the town hall. "Decor," spoke Twilight. "Rarity has this, and I trust her when it comes to making things pretty."

"This should be fast." Moondancer nodded appreciatively. "Then we can go over the facts and figures. I know, with your help, we can solve this problem."

A unicorn was comparing ribbons. "No... no. No... Oh! goodness no."

"That is Rarity," announced Twilight. "A community figure, and the head fashionista of the town."

Moondancer inclined her head. "She's a unicorn, does she--"

"--no," answered Twilight before Moondancer could finish. "She has some mild interest, but no particular magic talent."

"Darling!" Rarity noticed them and trotted towards there. "Twilight and... friends?"

Twilight gestured at Moondancer and Spike. "They're here to make sure everything's up to code."

"Well, as you can see." She slowly turned. "This is under control." She finished her turn to face Moondancer. "But you. You are untouched clay."

"Pardon?" Moondancer adjusted her glasses. "Is something off?"

"How to put this delicately... You could be so much more! Allow me a moment and I'll get you into something that will let you shine with the light inside." She was around Moondancer, nudging her along. "It took me a while to convince your friend, but Twilight came around."

Twilight chuckled as she followed. "Just let it happen, she knows her fashions."

Spike followed at Twilight's side, watching Moondancer being nudged along. "She's a bit pushy, isn't she? Not at all... a delicate flower, like some mares I know." He sighed gently, admiring his beloved book pony. "So... how are things going?"

"It's been nice." She turned an ear towards the dragon, trotting alongside him. "Though it's nicer now that I have my favorite dragon around."

Spike floated with joy, his tail circling to propel him along. "Your favorite?"

"Well, honestly, also the only one I actually know?" She inclined her head. "Still my favorite." She grabbed for him with a leg, drawing him close in a gentle hug he accepted with a blush. "Now let's keep up, Moondancer may need our help."

They hastened their steps to find Rarity hurriedly swapping poor Moondancer from one ensemble to the next, critiquing each in a flash before rushing to the next. Moondancer saw Twilight enter and shot her a hopeful look.

Twilight advanced with a little smile. "Rarity! You've outdone yourself."

"I have?" She turned to regard the sunny outfit Moondancer was in. "I can do better than this."

"You're kidding." Twilight waved it away. "She looks fantastic, and it's all your fault. Oh, Moondancer, you're late."

"I am? Oh, yes, very late, thank you." She hurried away, fleeing boutique with Spike, grabbing him up and tossing him up on her back. She was leaving Twilight to Rarity's clutches. Some ponies were true friends.

"What's the last one?" asked Moondancer as she trotted along uneasily. "At least... the last one."

"Music," announced Spike, waving the scroll.

They heard birds tweeting melodically, though one of the line was clearly singing off key.

Moondancer approached, one bushy brow rising as she beheld the yellow pegasus trying to instruct the birds. "You know birds can't understand ponies, right?" The birds took off at her speech, apparently unbothered by Fluttershy's previous conversation with them.

Fluttershy turned to see the source of the unexpected voice. "Oh, my."

"Do you know who's in charge of the music?"

Spike nudged Moondancer from above. "Pretty sure that's her right there."

"Is that a baby dragon?!" gasped out Fluttershy, realizing what she was looking at. She zipped in close to Spike. "Aw, look how adorable you are!"

Spike pawed at her hooves, trying to win some space. "Uh, hi, that was a really nice song."

"Excuse me." Moondancer turned and raised into view. "Are you in charge of the music for the festival?"

With Spike removed, Fluttershy fell back, looking suddenly very unsure.

"Excuse me?" Moondancer adjusted her glasses, perplexed. "I'm Moondancer, sent by Princess Celestia. Who are you?"

"Oh, um... I'm..." Her name was lost to mumbles.

"Repeat that, louder?"

"I'm fl..."

Moondancer's bushy brows came together as her horn began to glow, as did Fluttershy. "One more time."

"Fluttershy!" boomed out, her voice amplified several times over. She squeaked and fell back, hooves to her mouth.

"That's better. Fluttershy, are you in charge of the music?" Moondancer looked smugly certain of her actions.

Spike waved. "Don't worry about her. She gets really focused on her jobs."

"The dragon can talk? I didn't notice before, and now I feel silly, you said something else at me before. What's your name?" she gushed, her shyness forgotten in the face of the adorable baby animal.

"I'm Spike." He waved at her lightly even as Moondancer was walking away. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, oh, gosh, what do dragons talk about?"

"Your birds are back," noted Moondancer. "You can go back to talking to them."

But that wasn't happening, with Fluttershy flapping along after them, chatting animatedly with Spike. Moondancer sighed, but pressed on, listening to Spike give his entire life story to Fluttershy. He was about to launch into the day's activities when Moondance twirled to face her. "We're here." She pointed at the library they were beside. "No talking allowed in there. See you later."

Without giving Fluttershy much time to reply, Moondancer hurried inside away. It was strangely dark inside. "Huh, did I get the timing off?" Moondancer reached a hoof about, trying to find some manner of light. "At least now we have chance to study and approach the real problem at hoof."

With a loud click, the room was revealed. Ponies were all around them, smiling and shouting, "Surprise!" Party favors were blown and confetti dropped as they closed in to greet the two newest visitors to Ponyville. They saw a few familiar faces, like Lyra, in the mix of mostly strangers.

"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you!" She thrust a hoof at Moondancer with a huge grin. "Were you surprised, huh, were you!" She bounced in place, then right over Moondancer's head with obvious joy radiating from her in all directions.

"This is a library," noted Moondancer. "I expected silence, so this is quite surprising indeed." Her voice was low with a mix of anger and annoyance.

"Well, that's just silly." Pinkie shook her head, dismissing the idea. "What kind of party would it be if it were quiet? A boring one! I saw you before, remember, and I got all excited because I remember ponies and I didn't remember you, so you had to be new! Which meant I had to throw a party!"

Moondancer spied someone she recognized, Twilight, by the punch bowl. She began walking in that direction, trying to avoid the many other ponies. Pinkie just followed along, still talking. "So, Pinkie... Are you involved in the Summer Sun celebration?"

"Am I? Are you for real?" Pinkie bounced up next to Moondancer. "Of course! I am the party planner of Ponyville. I'll have all kinds of games and fun to be had once all the boring stuff is out of the way. I can't wait!"

Moondancer decided to tune out Pinkie for a moment, getting close enough to Twilight to approach her properly. "Twilight, good to see you."

"Moondancer." Twilight came in and the two exchanged a brief hug. "Did you find everypony else? When I got out, you were gone."

"Found them," she reported with a nod. "They're all ready, so that's done, now about..." She glanced aside at the loudly partying ponies. "How are we going to get anything done with all of them here."

"They're here for you," reminded Twilight. "They're really excited to get to know you, and to have you as a friend."

Moondancer's brows fell together. "Do they need something specific? Tell me what it is so I can give it to them and they can go."

"Moony!" Lyra landed next to Moondancer, an earth pony walking up easily next to her. "Wow, it's been so long. How's it been since school?"

Bon Bon raised a brow. "You two went to school together?"

"Oh, yeah!" Lyra threw a leg over Moondancer's withers, turning her towards Bon Bon. "Meet a pretty mare I happen to like... a ton. She's Bon Bon, she makes candy, but she still can't make them half as sweet as she is."

Bon Bon suddenly shoved Lyra away. "Stop that! That was corny the last ten times you used it."

Twilight and Lyra laughed, and Moondancer was the odd one out, laughing fakely to fit in a bit. "Yes, well... I have study to do, so..." She began walking away.

"Not interested in the party?" There was Applejack to the side. "Ah ain't big for real huge hootananies after a while either."

"Yeah..." Moondancer advanced past Applejack to find another pony in her way, Rainbow Dash. "Good job." She just walked around Rainbow.

"You can sleep upstairs." Twilight hurried to catch up, pointing. "I set up two extra rooms with me. Just grab one of the larger ones and get a nap."

Moonlight smiled. Twilight knew what she needed... of course. Twilight was the best pony she knew. "Thank you," she whispered before fleeing up the stairs. She was in Twilight's room! There were three beds. Two of them were big enough for a mare, and one smaller one she imagined Spike could occupy without issue.

She wandered up and sniffed gently. One smelled like Twilight. Moonlight felt a temptation to collapse on that one, to sleep surrounded by Twilight's presence...

But it was hers. She wouldn't intrude on Twilight. She flopped onto the other and closed her eyes, but she could hear thumping and loud music from below. The party was still going full speed, without her there. "Nng." She glanced at the clock. Surely the party would be done in just a few hours, right?

She tried to get some sleep. She tried to wait it out. She was doing pretty badly at both. The party was still going on and on with no pause in sight.

"Hey, Moondancer!" It was Spike. "Wanna come --"

"No!" She threw her pillow over her head, trying to muffle all the noise fruitlessly. "The ponies of this town are crazy! Why aren't they going to bed?"

"Everypony has to stay up for the Summer Sun celebration," explained Spike. "That's right at dawn, when Celestia raises the sun, remember?"

Moondancer applied a hoof to her face, realizing her error. "Ugh, right..."

"You could... come have fun with us?" He gestured back downstairs. "Twilight's there."

She was not feeling like even Twilight's presence could turn things around. She burrowed her head and Spike fled back to the party. "I need to find out more about the elements of harmony, and they're partying like nothing's wrong. Stupid parties are a waste of energy anyway. Celestia, this is the worst research project you've ever given!" She rolled over and thumped the bed in frustration.

She could see out the window. She could see the stars, and the moon. It was perfectly... terrible... "Oh no... Princess, you'd better be right..."

Author's Notes:

Yay, new Slice chapter! Welcome to episode 1. I... liked it overall, but I thirst for your opinions.

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