Chapter 14: True Feelings

Von and Rainbow Dash walked back into Ponyville together, an awkward feeling hanging over there heads. But nopony would be able to blame them after what Von said. He, like the rest of the girls, were fated to meet and form a bond. And this was all thanks to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash and Von stopped in front of Twilight's house and Von opened the door slightly. "I had fun spending time with you today", He told her. "I hope we can hang out more." Rainbow Dash smiled nervously, scratching her mane with her hoof. "Um...sure. I'd love to hang out again. I...uh...may need to check to see if I have anything to do." Von's smile faded a bit. "Oh. OK...I'll see you tomorrow then. Later." "Yeah. See ya later, dude." Rainbow Dash said as she flew back home.

Von went inside and closed the door behind him. "Von? Is that you?" A voice called to him. He looked up and he saw Twilight, who looked as though she had just woken up. Von laughed nervously and scratched his head. "Sorry, Twilight. I didn't mean to wake you. I just got back from hanging with Rainbow Dash." He said. Twilight smiled. "Oh? What did you guys do?" Von laughed a bit. "I'll tell you in the morning", he told her. "It's late right now and we both need our rest." He laid down by the stairs in his bed and curled up. "OK. Good night, Von." Twilight said, as she yawned and they both went to sleep.

The following morning, Von asked for Twilight to gather the rest of the girls and they all showed, except for Rainbow Dash. "I guess Rainbow Dash couldn't show. Sorry we couldn't ALL be here, darling." Rarity said, hoping to cheer Von up. Von just shook his head. "No. It's ok. She already knows anyway." The girls looked at him as he breathed in and out steadily. Von was sure how they'd react, but he knew that they had the right to know. Once he calmed down enough, he told them what he remembered and as he expected, they were quite shocked.

"What in tarnation?! So...yer sayin' that we were all meant to meet you?!" Applejack asked. It seemed like she wasn't going to back down until she got an answer. And judging by how it seemed, neither would the others. Von nodded his head. "Yes. I suppose that somehow, based on the story Rainbow Dash told me about how you guys got your Cutie marks, that I was meant to meet you guys one day. But still...it seems like just a coincidence." Twilight lightly jabbed Von in the shoulder with her hoof and smiled. "If it's just a coincidence, then how would you know about Rainbow's signature trick? If this friendship between us and you was meant to be, then we should embrace it. Right, girls?" They smiled at him and he smiled back. "Thanks. That means alot."

Just then, Spike came outside and looked at Twilight, but glared when he saw Von. "Oh. Is there something wrong, Spike?" Twilight asked, giving him a suspicious glance. He shook his head and looked back at her. "Huh? Oh right. There's a letter for you from Princess Celestia. It seems important. She wants us to come to Canterlot." Twilight's face became serious upon hearing this and proceeded to go back into her house. "Sorry, girls. But I have to go see the princess. I'm quite worried. But don't worry. I'll be back soon." Twilight said as she ran outside and past her friends. Everypony laughed. "Well, I have to go and design some new dresses. I have some new gems that I'm just DYING to add to my wardrobe. Excuse me." Rarity said. She flipped the front of her mane and walked off. "And Ah gotta git on back to the barn and help Big Macintosh with his applebucking. See y'all later." Applejack said and she went her own way.

A whistle was heard from up in the air. Von looked and saw Kamen waving at them. He flew down and landed by Pinkie's side, smiling. "Hey guys. What's goin' on?" He asked. Von laughed. "We were just discussing something. You're a little late because you deserve to know, too."Von told him. Kamen laughed. "No thanks. I'm not into--" "Aww come on, Kammy. It's a really interesting story." Pinkie said, cutting him off. Kamen blushed and Von laughed to himself. "Kammy?" "S-shut up." Kamen said, blushing. Fluttershy giggled. "Oh my. I never knew that you two were so close. Is he your coltfriend, Pinkie?" "Yup. He's a really good coltfriend, too. You won't believe the kind of things he can do. Especially when we're--" "That's enough, Pinkie...sweetie." Kamen interrupted.

Fluttershy blinked. "Hmm? Um...when you're what, Pinkie? Oh...you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Pinkie giggled. "Well, since Kammy-whammy doesn't want me to say it outloud..." She bounded over to Fluttershy and whispered in her ear. Kamen blushed, but Fluttershy's face was completely flushed with red. "Oh...my...." She said. Von had an idea of what it was, but he didn't want to think about it. "Well, I'll tell you what I told the girls. I just remembered a piece of my past. You see..."

Over in Canterlot, Twilight and Spike made their way into the audience chamber to find Princess Celestia and Princess Luna waiting for them. Twilight bowed her head in respect, as did Spike. "You wanted to see us, princess?" She asked. Princess Celestia rose from her throne and walked over to Twilight. "Yes. It is a matter of grave importance. Twilight Sparkle, it has come to our attention that there is a dark presence located near Ponyville." Twilight gasped in shock. "Is it Nova again?" "Nova?!" Spike cried out as he hid behind Twilight, clinging to one of her hind hooves. Luna then rose from her throne and came down to her sister's side. "No. It is not Nova. At least, I pray it is not. For both the sake of us ponies and Von as well. But no, it is a different presence." Celestia looked at Luna and back to Twilight. "I believe that it is a presence we have felt before. Twilight Sparkle, I would ask that you and your friends be wary. Take any precautions necessary to defend yourselves." Twilight bowed. "I will, princess." And with that, she left.

Celestia looked at Luna after Twilight departed. "Even if it was Nova, Von is still in danger." Luna looked at her sister with worry in her eyes. "If that is the case, then we must--" "No, Luna. Twilight and her friends can handle her. They have done it before, dear sister. Though...it may be quite difficult now that Chrysalis has grown in power since last we saw her."

Back in Ponyville, Von kept wandering the streets. "Ugh. This is boring. Fluttershy is tending to her animals, Applejack's applebucking, Pinkie and Kamen are baking or doing other stuff, Rarity is making dresses, Rainbow Dash...i'm not quite sure and Twilight's--" "Von! There you are." The voice said interrupting him. Von turned to look and saw Twilight running towards him. "Twilight! That was fast. What did the princess want?" He asked. "Huh? Oh. She just wanted to tell me that she thinks somepony is going to invade Ponyville, but I told her I'd keep an eye out. Anyway, I need to go get some supplies from Zecora." She told him. Von tilted his head. "Did you need me to come with you?" Twilight smiled. "Of course. Now come on. Her hut is this way." She said, leading him out of Ponyville. But at that moment, Twilight and Spike had made it back home.

"Von! We're back. ...Von?" She called out to him. Spike looked at her. "Maybe he went flying or something." He said. Twilight sighed and went upstairs but she heard a sudden knock on her door. Twilight went back downstairs to open it and when she did, Rainbow Dash was standing there. "Oh! Twilight. I'm glad you're home', she said. "Um...there's something I need to talk about." She was kicking the floor with her hoof and Twilight noticed a hint of red on her cheeks. "It's about Von. Can we...um...get the others, too? I want to know what they think." Twilight giggled. "I can get them, but I think Pinkie is busy right now. Come on. Let's go." Twilight said and they left together.

In the Everfree forest, Von and Twilight kept walking together. A question came to mind and he looked at her. "Where's Spike?" Twilight looked at him nervously. "Oh. Um...he...went off to Rarity's. Yes. That's it. He went to go see Rarity for awhile." Von blinked. "What for?" "Look, forget about that runt for a minute and let's get this done, ok?!" Twilight snapped. Von gave her a suspicious look and backed away from her. "You...you aren't Twilight!" The fake Twilight smiled at him. "It took you quite some time to realize it. And here I thought dragons were supposed to be smart." She said. Her horn began to glow a brilliant green as flames rose up around her and when they dispersed, Queen Chrysalis stood in place.

"I am Chrysalis, Queen of the changelings." She said, smiling evilly. Von backed away more until he backed into a tree, unable to go anywhere else. Chrysalis walked foward and looked down at him. "Hmph. You aren't even full grown. Why would my changelings inform me of such a child?" She sneered. Von growled and stepped forward. "I am not a child! I don't know what you are, but I'm taking you down!" Chrysalis laughed. "What an absolutely ridiculous sentiment. Let us put that to the test, shall we?" When she finished, she fired a magical blast at him and he dodged. Von never fought against somepony like Chrysalis before, let alone anything that was different from Nova, but he knew he couldn't back down.

Von charged at Chrysalis, but she moved aside. When he turned around, she fired another magic blast. He dodged it, but she started firing volleys of magic at him and he kept dodging. Suddenly, one of his legs fell into a hole created by her blast. Seeing her chance, Chrysalis fired a more concentrated blast at him. His eyes widened, realizing that this time he couldn't avoid it. He closed his eyes and braced himself as the blast hit him dead on. The force knocked him into one of the trees and his back hit against it hard. Von moaned in pain as he tried to get up, but he stopped when he saw Chrysalis standing over him. "Your courage and determination is admirable, but you are still a youngling. ...But younglings must know when to give up. Aren't there ponies who love you? Or...is there somepony you love?" She asked. Von blushed, with Chrysalis smiling in response now that she knew she hit the mark.

She looked at him and got closer. "Does that pony love you? Or..." Von looked away. Chrysalis knew instantly what was going on. "I see. So your love is one-sided. So tell me. Who is it?" She changed forms as she continued speaking, starting with Twilight and spoke with her voice. "As a changeling...I can become anypony I choose..." She then changed into Pinkie, then Applejack. "I could even become the pony you heart desires. I'll do whatever you like." She kept changing until she reached Rainbow Dash and the moment she did, Von's heart started racing. She smiled at him and got closer. "Oh. So it's THIS pony that has you smitten. And she won't love you back?" Chrysalis asked. Von knew that this was fake, but she was speaking in Rainbow Dash's voice. To him, it was as though he was talking to the real Rainbow Dash...despite her colorful way of speaking. "If she can't love you, then I can love you in ways she never could." She said. She stuck her tongue out and started to trail it up his neck, causing him to blush and she just giggled.

Back in Ponyville, Twilight had gathered her friends together in her home. "Alright. Is everypony here?" "Present and accounted for darling", Rarity said. "But why in Equestria did you call us?" "Because I asked her to." The girls looked and saw Rainbow Dash come downstairs. "Is something wrong, Rainbow Dash?" Asked Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash blushed and looked at her. "Well...it's about Von." They gasped. Rarity was the first to ask. "Is he hurt?" "Well...no." Rainbow Dash answered. "Did he run away?" Fluttershy asked. "Well...no. Not that either, but--" "For clamsakes, Rainbow. Why don'tchu just tell us what's the matter already!" Applejack said, growing impatient. Rainbow Dash sighed and looked at all her friends. Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy and Applejack stared at her, waiting for an answer.

She breathed in slowly and looked at them. "When I first met Von, he seemed like just a kid. Until I realized that he's just like us: he loves making friends, he loves helping others, he's honest and kind. He always knows how to make us laugh. He even loves a good challenge. But back at Canterlot, when the princess summoned us...he confessed to me." They all gasped and looked at her. "You mean he wanted to be your special somepony? Oh Rainbow Dash, you must simply tell us how he did it! Don't hide anything from us." Rarity said, giggling. Rainbow Dash smiled, but it quickly turned into a frown. "I didn't like thinking about it, but I have been now. When he confessed, I rejected him. I just didn't see him that way. Plus...I had feelings for Kamen. So I told him that I just wanted to stay friends." "Well...I reckon that makes sense. If y'all wasn't feelin' it, then it's right that you say no. At least you let him down easy." Applejack said, putting her hoof on Rainbow Dash's shoulder. She smiled and continued with her story.

"Then when we went to Cloudsdale, I got Kamen alone when we were about to go home. I confessed...and then he turned me down. Turns out, he already had a marefriend. I just wish I knew who it was." The girls looked at each other and back at her. "Um...it's Pinkie Pie." Fluttershy said meekly. Rainbow's eyes widened. "Pinkie?!" She calmed herself down and laughed a bit. "Well, I can see that. She does seem like more of his type than me..." She looked down and Fluttershy frowned. "Oh! Don't worry, Fluttershy. I'm over it. Now where was I? ...Oh yeah. After Kamen left, Von showed up. And...I let him comfort me. I cried and cried until no tears came out. While we were together...he told me that no matter what, he'd always stick by my side. Even after I rejected him, he still wanted to be around me. Since then...I've started to feel...weird. My heart races and my mouth starts to dry, too. And sometimes when I'm around him...my wings kinda...um..." Rainbow Dash stopped talking and her face was flushed with red.

She stayed silent the whole time, leaving the girls concerned. Suddenly, Twilight and Applejack smiled and went to her side. "Aw shucks, Rainbow. That just means you're in love with him." Rainbow Dash looked at her friend with shock. "What?" Twilight giggled. "Well I don't know much about it, but that seems to be the case. If it is true, then you should go tell him. I'm sure he'll be happy." Rainbow Dash looked around at her friends and they all smiled at her. "Aw girls." She said as they all got together and hugged. Once they broke the hug, Rainbow Dash went outside and took off. She hadn't felt this happy in quite some time. But it made her smile knowing that this happiness was brought on by one of her friends.

In the Everfree Forest, Chrysalis continued to have her way with Von. She licked one of his fins and looked him in the eyes. "These are the kind of things you want done to you by this Pegasus, correct? You can't hide it. You love having these thoughts about her. Am I right?" Von looked away and knocked her off of him. "That's not it at all! I mean...I have thought it every now and then, but..." Von started to blush and closed his eyes and whispered Rainbow Dash's name. Chrysalis gave him a stern glance, but her eyes trailed down to Von's legs and she noticed his member. She smiled and went over to him. "Well, it seems you quite enjoy having those thoughts. You enjoy it VERY much..." She nudged his penis with her hoof and he flinched. "What are you doing?!" He yelled. He backed away from her and fell in a bush.

Chrysalis laughed and got closer and looked down between his legs. "Oh my. You're quite a big one for such a child. Allow me to hel--" Just then, a female voice from above shouted, "Get away from him!!!" In that moment, a rainbow blur swooped down and crashed into Chrysalis and sent her flying through two trees. Von smiled and got up. "Rainbow Dash!" Rainbow Dash looked over at Von and smiled. But she quickly glared at him and punched him with her hoof. "Ow! What was that for?" "Well for one, I can't believe you actually fell for such a trap! And two, were you actually going to let her do something to you?!" She screamed. Her face was red with not only anger, but embarrassment as well. She kicked one of her hooves against the ground and looked at Von, who was eyeing her with confusion. "You told me that you wanted to just be friends. What are you getting jealous over?"

Rainbow Dash felt a stab in her back as she quickly blushed and looked away. Von opened his eyes wide, noticing her reaction. "Wait. You're....jealous?" Rainbow Dash nodded her head, baffling Von even more. Rainbow Dash is jealous? But she wanted to be friends only! She even confessed to Kamen, my old friend. Wait...could it be that-- Von's thoughts were interrupted as Rainbow Dash stepped closer to him and looked him in the eyes. Her cerise eyes sparkled and Von thought she looked cuter than before. Von stepped closer and looked at her. The way he looked to her with his magenta eyes, made him look cuter, maybe even more handsome, than she thought he was. As their mouths got closer, Chrysalis burst out from the rubble and looked at them. She reverted back to her true form and smiled. "You could have chosen to go with me. I would've done anything you desired." She said, her tongue hanging out seductively.

Von shivered and she quickly regained her regal stature. "But your love is more valuable than what you want. If not for this Pegasus..." She hissed, scowling at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash glared at her and steo forward. "Hey! There's no way you're taking anything from him. He's MY stallion, got it?!" She yelled. Von's face turned completely red hearing what Rainbow Dash said, and she had the same reaction when she noticed what escaped from her lips. Chrysalis hissed and took flight. "Whatever. I drained enough from him to feed myself anyway. But I will be back next time, once my changelings are well-fed." She declared and she flew off. Everything fell silent, an awkward air lingering around Rainbow Dash and Von.

Von and Rainbow Dash cleared their throats before they looked back at each other. "So about...oh." They both said. They laughed and smiled at one another. "You go first, Dash." Von said. She smiled and blushed again. They stepped closer to each other. "You called me 'your stallion'. Does that mean..." Her eyes started to wander as he questioned her. She looked him in the eyes as she answered. "Y-yeah. I mean...well, even after I said no before, you still wanted to be by my side. You still wanted to be friends, you still wanted to support me. You even comforted me at a time when I was really hurt. And...I realized that I..." She stopped and started to sweat. Von got nervous and got closer. "Do you...really feel that way?" He asked. She looked at him and smiled. "Well, yeah. I want you...to be my coltfriend. I mean...unless you don't--" Her sentence was cut off as Von kissed Rainbow Dash's lips. Her eyes widened in surprise by his sudden action. Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and started to lean more into the kiss. It was embarrassing, but Dash could feel Von's tongue running against hers, but she enjoyed every second of it.

They finally broke the kiss, their faces turning red and they laughed a bit. They stayed silent for a bit until Von was the first to break the ice. "Hey Dash?" "Yeah?" She asked. "...I love you." He said. Rainbow Dash's eyes widened and her wings shot straight out from her sides. Von gave her a confused looked, managing to keep himself from laughing. But Rainbow Dash could see it on his face and she playfully stuck her tongue out at him and nuzzled her head against his neck."I love you too." Once the two of them calmed down, they spread their wings and flew back to Ponyville.

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Queen Chrysalis continued to flee, working her way through Froggy Bottom Bog. "To think that I would have to flee. Have I grown weak?" She hissed to herself. As she continued her brooding, she happened to notice something. She saw reptilian footprints in the damp ground. She examined them more and realized that they were dragon footprints. But there wasn't just one set. There were multiple sets of footprints leading further into the bog. She followed them for a short while and came across a group of dragons. There were many teens and only a few adults. But the one that stood out the most was their leader, a black dragon. "Nova, how long are we gonna keep this up? I'm sure we've trained enough." A yellow teen dragon said. Nova glared at him. "Are you serious?! Axel. Out of all of us, I had expected YOU not to complain. But then again, Arcius does a better job of that than you." He declared angrily. "Oh well. At least Crackle doesn't complain." Nova said, sighing. He looked in Crackle's direction to find him scratching himself with one of his legs.

Nova looked at the rest of the dragons and saw that they were all tired. It irritated him, but he knew that he would not be a true leader if he didn't tend to them. "Very well. That is enough for today. All of you head back to the mountains. ...And somebody help Crackle get back." The dragons cheered as they opened their wings and flew back, Axel and Arcius carrying Crackle back with them. Nova stood still as the silence surrounded him. He suddenly grinned and glanced back. "You know, sneaking up on a dragon such as myself can often get one killed." He said, addressing Chrysalis. She gasped silently, but she smiled and revealed herself to Nova. Nova turned to her and looked her up and down. "You look like one of those accursed ponies. Yet, there is an evil air about you. It intrigues me. Identify yourself." He demanded.

Chrysalis smiled, admiring his attitude. "I am Chrysalis, queen of the changelings. At the moment, I am in need of finding more love for my changelings. But in addition, I am looking for additional aid for my army." She declared. Nova laughed. "Good luck finding one. What do you need aid for anyway?" "I am going to exact my revenge on Celestia and take Equestria for me and the rest of my kingdom." She said. Nova laughed harder. "That seems foolish. Trying to take Equestria over. Only us dragons have the strength to do something like that. And I have no intentions of aiding anyone. Now leave my presence!" He hissed. Chrysalis knew that trying to win him over wouldn't be easy. An idea came to mind and she smiled at him. "What if I offer anything that you desire in exchange for helping me?" She asked. Nova's tail swished softly against the ground. The black dragon grinned, turning to face her and smiled. "NOW you're speaking my language..."

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