The tiny heartbeat of the filly sped up as her consciousness finally started to work its way back to the forefront of her mind.  Freshly cut grass and paper, it was an odd combination that the filly was smelling to the contrast of sweets.  Her home being the primary hard candy maker in Ponyville; Twist tried to open her eyes only for the weight to them to cause them to shut.

She tried to move her body; she succeeded and moved her head a whole inch. Soft was the first word to come to her mind as her snout bumped into something that felt like a pillow.  The scent of the paper and fresh cut grass only got stronger, to the point of it being almost overwhelming.  Although she didn’t mind it, she grew to like the smell. It was oddly intoxicating…

Again she attempted to open her eyes, this time she succeeded.  As the data from her vision finally started to click to her surroundings.  Much to dismay however, anything beyond a foot out of her vision range was a blur without her purple frames.  She was close enough to finally see the source of the aroma.

A stallion or more precisely his mane, was sitting on the ground prompted up against the wall.  His head was laying on the edge of the pillow top mattress, eyes shut and his breathing was slow and steady.

Who is he and where am I? There was that weird gang of stallions, then I hit the ground and… She felt her cheek, the large gash was missing and in its place was smooth fur.  Was it all a dream? Then why am I here? Immediately to derail her train of thinking, her eyes focused on the whistle that was still perched around her neck.

So it was real… why can’t I remember what happened after I blew the whistle?  She eased forward on the bed, taking a closer look at her bedside companion. With a gentle hoof, she moved the crop of mane that was covering his face.

The reaction was instant, as she felt all the blood in her body rush to her face. He is so… pretty. Wait that’s not the word. What is it, gorgeous? No… What was it that mom called dad? A pain?   She felt a warm shiver run down her spine as she took another hit of the musky smell of his mane. Oh, Celestia does he smells so good.

As hard as she tried, she couldn’t look away from the sleeping stallion.  Maybe this is all just a dream and I’m still sleeping.  My cut is magically gone and waking up in a bed next to a stallion, there is no way this can be real. No real stallion looks that pretty, wait… that really isn’t the right word.

Then a stray thought hit her, If this is my dream, I can do what I want… right?  Nopony can judge me for having a dream with an older stallion, that’s normal.  The books mom gave me said so.  So if nopony knows I can do whatever I want!  It won’t hurt if I take a small peek…

She could feel the heat in her face, as she leaned over the side of the bed. Much to her dismay, the object of her curiosity was covered in shadows thanks to the stallions odd positioning.  It was mildly sated as a shift in his glossy black tail revealed his cutie mark –more importantly- the flank it was on.

Darn it, I guess my imagination can’t make up what it hasn’t seen before.  Why did mom blot out all the male parts from those books? Her eyes trace the outline of his body, impressed by the detail her imagination had created for her.  His coat had a shiny to it, almost a luster that was otherworldly.  The smell still sent an oddly pleasurable shiver down her spine. She couldn’t make out what it was, but she enjoyed it nonetheless.

Maybe this isn’t a erotic dream and its actually a fairy tale fantasy. That would explain the pretty stallion by the bedside. Mom did say anything is possible if you dream it.  Wait, in the story books the prince is supposed to kiss me to wake me up.  Why is he the one sleeping? Twist leaned in again, this time with a keen trained eye… that faded away when she got another with of the musky aroma. Well it’s a dream, who cares about logic.

She scooted closer next to the sleeping stallion, enjoying the aroma and his soft breath tickling her coat as it drifted over her. Maybe, I can wake him… it is my story.  She leaned in, and stopped a centimeter away from her new target. If only this were real,  she closed her eyes and finally moved in.

She pushed her lips against the sleeping stallion. It was different than the envisioned fantasy that she had drummed up inside her mind. It was far, far better.  They were as soft as velvet cloth, lightly damp and warm to the touch.  For a moment of pure bliss, and unlike the stories this single kiss didn’t end with until the filly wanted it too.  Sadly, she could only taste her cherry chap-stick.

The filly stayed there in her euphoric state for well over three minutes. When she finally pulled back her breath was heated, along with other parts the filly knew well. Alas though, she laid there next to her prince and he did not awaken. Nor did he take her away to his castle for the erotic part of every fairy tale that was always left out of the books. Or so she thought.

Clink.

The filly turned her head around, only to see a mixture of blurred colors.  A new smell join the air however, it smelled of stale coffee and ginger.

“Oh, you’re awake Twist. Glad to see you’re already recovered,” said the disembodied voice. “Seems Gary does have a lot of tricks up his sleeve, I really need him to show me that blue flame trick again.”

“Twilight, why are you here?” Twist looked in the general direction. Why is my tutor in my dream… wait what if I am a fillyfooler! Wait that doesn’t make sense, I should have known by now, shouldn’t I?

Twilight rolled her eyes as she placed the purple fames back onto their owner, “You’re in my basement silly. Gary brought you down here after a group of stallions tried to attack you.   What where you’re doing in the northern side of Ponyville Twist?”

Her vision came into focus; it was indeed the Golden Oaks Library basement. Although, the room used to be a lab if Twist remembered correctly, in the corner of the room was several large boxes that looked to house the machinery and chem labs. The familiar smell of burnt gun power was recognized as she focused on the scent, although she did get a stronger shot of the stallion as well.

“I was going to return Thethie’s withile. They hit me really hard, and I remember what mom tolth me about making noiceth. After that ith really fuzzthy, although I think I remember fire, I think.” Twist said as she held her head trying to recall the memories from the night before.

Twilight put a hoof on the resting stallion, “Hey Gary, you’re sleeping beauty has finally awoken.” She teased.

Twist’s whole body went scarlet as the stallion still slumbered away. Sleep Beauty, why did she say that? Did she see me, oh my Celestia this isn’t a dream. Then I….  She touched her lips. I had my first kiss… and he wasn’t even AWAKE. I forced myself on him. What am I going to do? It’s the pony pokey for me for sure.  Or worse, Celestia will send me to the moon.

Twist leapt on Twilight foreleg, nearly in tears. “PLEATHE TWILIGHT DON’T THAY ANYTHING PLEATHE! I DON’T WANT TO GO TO THE MOON. ITH COLD AND THCARY AND I DON’T MEAN TO DO IT, I THOUGHT IT WATH A DREAM. I PROMITH!” she could barely hold back the tears.

Twilight raised a brow, “Twist, what are you talking about?” she said in a monotone voice.

Gary was next to move as he lurched forward. His glossy mane fell to its side as he focused in on the odd scenario in front of him. His eyes drifted lazily over to Twilight, “You’re really bad with fillies aren’t you?”

“I didn’t make her cry, I don’t even know what she is talking about.” Twilight said defiantly.

Gary wanted nothing more than to lay his head back down and fall asleep. Thanks to the events of the evening, he had only been running on a few hours of sleep over the past four days. “Yah I know, I’m just kidding.” He looked back to the young mare that was now sniffling away.  “So Twist how did you come by my sister whistle?  She isn’t the type to lose something I gave her.”

This is Selfie’s brother? I thought he was an alicorn. I… I kissed her brother. What am I going to do?  Does this make me a bad pony?  Twist sighed in defeat; she realized her best to put her transgressions behind her. Hoping they would fade away into the back of her mind.  She sat back and told her tale of what happened.

- - -

Gary moved to the chair as the filly reenacted the whole day to her audience. The coffee Twilight had brought down for Gary now started to take effect.  From Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon to Selfie tearing a hole in time and space.  To her sneaking and getting confidential information to her bumping into the group of stallions. “That’s all I know, I promith.”

Gary and Twilight both looked at each other and then back at their charge. It was quiet an amazing tale, Twist had a natural flair for words. What was catching Gary’s attention more than anything was the actions of these two minor bullies, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

Most of information was standard to Twilight; she had long been Twist’s tutor and mentor.  If the filly ever needed a shoulder to cry on she was there, Twist had few friends to talk too. She opened up more to Twilight than anypony.  She was more than happy to hear she had made friends with Gary’s sister Selfie. What did come as a surprise was the parts where she is a Alicorn and Gary was the author of Daring Do. This was something she had to check out for herself immediately. Curiosity and the hunt for knowledge were a powerful thing.

“If you two don’t mind I am going to go check something really quick, I’ll be back in a moment,” Without as much as a word more, she teleported away, leaving the stallion alone with the filly, something she unconsciously wanted.

Twist couldn’t move under the warm gaze of Gary’s watchful eye. Her pink eyes met his green, and she looked away almost instantly.  This odd pairing had very little to talk about. Everything Twist wanted to ask would have turned the conversation away from what she really wanted to talk about, him. The sweet musky aroma didn’t help the filly; she was eagerly clutching the blue blanket trying to cover her own musk from the stallion.

“I want to thank you, you did a brave thing.”  Gary said.

“Ith nothing, I would do ith for anypony.” Twist said with her smile, it was cute and innocent.

“I know, you seem like a very kind filly.  I want you to do me a favor ok, can you watch over Selfie in school a little?  She has never been to a school before and never really had any real friends.” Gary repositioned himself on the bed inches away from the filly.

What is he doing, is he trying to hit on me?  Twilight’s only been come for less than a few seconds. No, he can’t be.  He has got to be almost seven or eight years older than me.  Mom did say fillies mature faster; do I even have sex appeal? Maybe he really likes me?

“I really like you Twist—“

OH MY CELESTIA HE CAN READ MINDS.

“From what I can gather you are kind and honest pony.  Selfie is lucky to have made a friend like you. Twist you know if there is anything I can do to help you with anything. Just ask and it will be my pleasure to serve you the best way I know how.” He leaned in closer,and she nearly lost it.

For being a filly with in her situation, nopony would have blamed her for the things going around inside her head; she was a mare in bloom.  She didn’t know how it worked very well, but she knew the basic mechanics of it. Her body was more than willing to try its hoof at whatever it wanted.  Even if she barely knew what it was. Where she got the courage from nopony knows.

“Well actually, if you wanted, I wouldn't mind a kith—“

A dim purple light exploded in the center of the room, Twilight appeared Gary felt that same involuntary twitch when he saw watch appeared with her. All fifty seven of his books, “Gary I never knew you wrote these. I have to say, I am one of your biggest fans.”

“Oh… Twilight I didn’t think you read Daring Do… yes I am the author.”

Twilight raised a brow, “Why wouldn’t I read them, I have been reading then since book seven.”

“Well nothing really, just normally only little colts and fillies read my work.  I never knew mares of your age liked to read them as well.”

“What’s wrong with me liking them?”

“Nothing, really, I heard of adult mares liking my book before. Even some more of my eccentric fans have even sent me fan-fiction.”

Twilight waved a dismissing hoof, “No I never would write fan-fiction. I heard only weirdoes write that stuff.”

Gary nodded, “Yes, your right. Some of it is good though.”

Just as fast as it came, the courage that Twist built up faded at the presence of her mentor.  She loved Twilight and respected her, right now however she wish nothing more than for her to fall off the nearest cliff.

“Are you ok, Twist you look a little flustered?”  Gary said with a raised brow.

Twist chuckled nervously. “Oh ith nothing… Tho Gary, you never thaid how you thaved me,” Twist said half interested.

Gary was really hoping she wouldn’t ask, he hoped that she be happy that she got out and never was the wiser.  When he brought back the unconscious filly he told Twilight the story and not to tell her if she asked.  The stallion where currently in intensive care at the Ponyville hospital due to massive blood loss. Then it clicked.

Gary beamed with pride, “I gave them a stern lecture.”

Twilight almost choked on the ginger cookie she was eating.

“You see those stallions that attacked you never had proper guidance as little foals. So I sat them down and told them the proper way to treat a lady.”

Twist sat there with childlike amazement –and slightly flattered he thought she was a lady-“ You’re a real gentle colt.” The filly beamed.

“Thank you, but you see they were so moved by my speech that they all want to become mares.  I also was touched by them wanting to change their ways and since I had medical knowledge I helped them with right then and there.  I also healed that little gash below your eye,“ He quickly added to avoid the line of question on how he turned them into them mares without surgical tools in the middle of the street.

Twist felt her cheek again, it was true.  Nothing was amiss, if anything it was better than before. He really is a nice pony… a small smile worked its way to her face.  There was something else there as well, it wasn’t affected by hormones or anything of that sort.  I cord was struck within the filly, that warm feeling that sent pure bliss throughout her body.

“So after I helped them with their request and they decided to volunteer at the hospital, doing… hospital volunteering things.  Before they left though they wanted to give you a gift, as a way of saying sorry for the wrongs they committed.”

Twist’s ears perked up, ”Really, what did they want to give me?” Gary couldn’t help smile at the little mare at the sound of a present. She reminds me of Mary when she was little.

Gary lifted a large sac of bits onto the bed that he had been using as a back rest, “They wanted to donate every bit they had on them to you. They said they wanted you to save it for a rainy day and spend it wisely on something special just for you.”

Both Twilight and Twist almost fell over at the sight of massive pile of bits that now littered Gary's bed. It was almost seven hundred bits, a staggering amount for any filly to possess. Twist now imagined everything she ever want now was in her reach.  Who says being kind to others doesn’t pay off?

“I thould thank them, thith ith a lot of money.  I hope they are at the hothptle thill.”

“Oh no, no, no, no, that wouldn’t be wise Twist. See umm… they didn’t want to see you after.  Because that… did I say Ponyville hospital. I meant they went to BUILD hospitals, in Saddle Arabia.  That’s right, they left this morning.”

Twist raised a brow, “Didn’t you just say—“

“Twilight how about we get some breakfast, I am starving and I am sure that Twist could eat as well so how about I go upstairs and make us some eggs and muffins. “ Gary didn’t take a second longer before he bailed out of the basement at full gallop up that stairs leaving the two mares alone to their thoughts.

- - -

Twist sat at her desk in the classroom, her belly full of flaky muffins and eggs from the breakfast Gary had made.  Inside her saddle bag was a large purple pouch filled with bits. Sitting next to two set of whistles, one that he had given her for her own use.  The thought of having a stallion on call was far more tantalizing for the young blooming mare.

Although she was slightly torn to the fact that she had kissed him against his will.  She could have lived her whole life without him wondering why his lips tasted like cherry chap-stick during breakfast. Still there was this feeling, one not driven by the thoughts of her prepubescent loins.  She had never felt this way, like waves of shifting sand.  Her mind kept falling on the stallion that had saved her from the gang of now-mares.

Her ears kept getting heated at the thought; a crush was not the word.  She knew what a crush was, and thanks to almost every colt in her class, she knew what rejection was.  The thought confused the young filly; she thought to ask Twilight later.  She chuckled to herself at the thought of Gary coming in to help when she was studying with Twilight.

Still the thought of Gary persisted, Twist wanted to ask Selfie more about Gary and tell her of the events of the evening. But Selfie, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon where all absent from school.  She couldn’t even focus on the topic that Ms. Cheerilee was teaching.

The day past by slowly, she started to get more and more excited for the evening, her afternoon study session with Twilight. Right now more than anything she wanted to know more about the stallion, nothing else really mattered at the moment in her mind. Just before the bell was about to ring.  The magical forces of the universe smiled on the filly yet again.

Cheerilee passed out the flier for each of her student, on it was a well dress colt and a filly wearing a pink dress. “Now class, remember this weekend is the Foal Ball, please remember to have your parents to sign your permission slips if you want to go.”

The paper that rested on her desk seemed to glow in her mind, as the words from the morning now rang in her ears. ‘Twist you know if there is anything I can do to help you with anything. Just ask and it will be my pleasure to serve you the best way I know how.’ A wide toothy grin grew instantly on the filly’s face.

“I know what I want.”

Next Chapter: Daring Do and the Mystery of the Glass Heart Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 37 Minutes