//------------------------------// // Chapter LXVI // Story: The Group Chat // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// Diamond Tiara I laid on the floor of my room I was being allowed to use, idly examining the doll of a unicorn Trixie had given me when the door opened, glancing back at Raindrops standing there. “Hey. Your mom asked me to check on you and make sure you’re packed. We’re leaving in a few hours,” Raindrops said as she trotted closer and tossed me a bag. “Sunset said this is enchanted to protect anything you bring from here into the human world.” “Oh thanks,” I hummed and examined it before glancing back at my flank. “Why does it have my butt tattoo cutie mark thing on it?” “To help you know it’s yours, I suppose. She’s gathering up her stuff and the others, told me to tell you to say goodbye to anyone you want to. And uh, fair warning, the movie club is at the portal with two royal guards, twins or something because the three kids are being sent home for Christmas and then they’re coming back,” Raindrops said as I grimaced and she nodded. “I feel the same, don’t worry. Just don’t look at them. It’s why Sunset is making herself busy so she doesn’t have to be near them.” “Okay thanks for the warning.” “Welcome. Blossomforth is currently keeping an eye on them,” Raindrops shrugged and rolled her eyes. “Because the two guards can’t do that themselves.” I hummed as she quietly left the room and I started packing, leaving the doll out on the bed so I could continue my careful examination of it. I didn’t entirely know what to do with it except put it on my shelf in the room back home. I’d die if I accidentally broke it. I pushed some wooden stairs to the edge of the bed and fluffed the pillow before I started placing it back where it goes. “Would you like some help?” Twilight asked behind me and I jumped, glowing pink as Twilight held me in the air. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. Spike and I normally make the beds of guests rooms after our guests leave. It’s appreciated you thought to do so. Based on what I know about Trixie and Cloudkicker, I’m going to have to make their beds once you all leave.” “It’s okay,” I muttered as she set me down gently and smiled fondly. “I must say, you’re a good kid. I’m glad Sunset has someone like you in her life,” Twilight ruffled my mane with a hoof. “I’m just glad I have her in my life. It’s kinda weird having a nice mo- caregiver,” I corrected myself as she tilted her head curiously. “I see. Well, anytime you wish to visit, the castle will always be open to you. With Sunset’s permission of course,” Twilight winked at me. “Just let me know ahead of time so I can stock up the fridge and some games. Maybe next time you all can meet Cadence, Shiny and Flurry Heart.” “Who?” “Members of my family. You’d all really get along with them. Flurry Heart is am adorable filly but can cause some chaos,” Twilight admitted as I continued packing and grunted, trying to force the bag closed. “Don’t forget this.” Twilight levitated the doll to me and I blushed. “I would hate for you to accidentally leave it behind, it’s obvious it means a lot to you.” “Thank you Princess Twilight,” I bowed my head slightly as she lifted my chin with a hoof. “None of that. I don’t really feel comfortable with my family or friends calling me by my title. You can can call me Twilight and I have a gift for you,” Twilight chided and she levitated a book to me. “It’s enchanted so you can write to me whenever. And I’m also hoping you can keep me updated on Sunset.” “About what?” “Everything,” Twilight answered as she wrapped a wing around me akin to how Cloudkicker does occasionally. “I want to know how she gets along with her new friends and her marefriends. Consider it a friendship report from you to me.” “I’m twelve, not five,” I scoffed and folded my forelegs. “But I suppose I could for you. You did help turn Sunset into a nice person, after all.” Twilight gave me a warm smile as she nuzzled me and I blushed again. “Thank you. Now come on, my little pony. It’s time for you all to go back home-” Twilight started to stand up as Pinkie swung the door open, flinging a hoof at Twilight. “She said the thing!” Pinkie screamed as she continued pointing at Twilight as we gave her confused expressions and she disappeared with a pop. “I’m not even sure what to say,” I muttered finally and Twilight shook her head with a smile. “It’s best to not try to think about to too much.” I stood in front of the mirror with a yawn as Sunset finished hugging Fluttershy, watching the other ponies leave the room. I didn’t know where Apple Bloom, Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle were but I didn’t care frankly. I gave a quick glance to the black royal guard mares as one gave me a faint smile before she looked away. “I’m gonna miss my wings,” Raindrops sighed as she fluttered them. “Me too,” Blossomforth admitted as Sunset shrugged. “Actually, we have something for yo0u,” Luna said casually as she and Celestia stared at Blossomforth. “Please don’t move or else the spell might go poorly.” “What are you doing?” Sunset asked nervously as Cloudkicker and Lavender raised eyebrows. Blossomforth glowed black and yellow briefly before she quit glowing, the two bigger ponies stepping away. “Walk,” Luna waved a hoof and pushed her forward gently with her magic. “She can’t remember, she’s paralyzed,” Lavender pointed out as Carrot Top hugged Spike. “Not anymore,” Celestia answered as Blossomforth took a hesitant step. “I-I can walk again?” Blossomforth gave her a stunned look before she spun around. “Cloudkicker, I can walk again?” In the short time I’ve known them, I’ve never seen Cloudkicker or Lavender Lace cry before. “How is that possible?” I asked Sunset as the three hugged and Raindrops eyes widened. “It takes a lot of magic for an alicorn to heal physical disabilities like that. I assume Twilight helped out too,” Sunset answered as I leaned against her as Trixie smiled faintly. “I assume you knew,” Trixie nudged Sunset who blushed and shrugged. “I knew they planned on giving Blossom something but I didn’t know it was this. They usually try to stay out of ponies lives like that because then everyone would be begging them and well, that’s not just realistic unfortunately.” “We’d love to help everypony but we have limits to our magic as well. We won’t be casting any real complex spells for a long time,” Luna answered. “You still speak Old Ponish? You’ve done it three times in one sentence,” Sunset smirked as Lavender kissed Blossomforths cheek. “You’re a feisty one,” Luna noted dryly. “I like that. I wonder where you get that from?” “You,” Celestia said flatly. “I vaguely remember you being exactly like her when you were a teenager Celly, not me,” Luna shot back with a grin. “This conversation is not over,” Celestia huffed as she rolled her eyes before focusing on Sunset. “I hope you’ll come back in the future. I’m very proud of the mare you’ve become. You’d have made a fine princess.” Sunset turned red as I watched quietly. “Thanks,” Sunset scuffed a hoof on the ground. “And yeah, we will be back. We still have Wallflower, Redheart and Fuchsia to show Equestria to. And uh thanks again for this.” “Anytime,” Celestia said as she sighed. “Be safe.” “You too.” “This is gonna be a bit hard to explain to Redheart,” Cloudkicker mused as Blossomforth nodded. “Don’t even get me started on your boyfriend. They are going to freak the heck out.” “I’m freaking the heck out,” Blossomforth shot back as she faceplanted and laid on her stomach. “Damn legs.” Twilight hid a smirk before she levitated her up, dusting her off as Carrot Top and Raindrops stepped through the portal. “I think it’s best if you go get acquainted with it in your human body first,” Twilight sug’ gested and Blossomforth nodded. I inhaled and stepped through the portal, squeezing my eyes shut as I slammed into what felt like two other people. I opened my eyes as Carrot groaned, the three of us stuck in a pile. “Ow.” “Are you three okay?” Wallflower asked and we jumped. I hadn’t seen her standing in front of us and apparently nor had the other three. She stared down at us with a confused expression before stretching out a hand. “Fuchsia asked me to keep an eye out while she’s stuck in the hospital.” Wallflower helped me out and handed me a backpack that I guess my saddlebags turned into? I’m not entirely sure how it works but I’m just glad nothing in it is broken. I didn’t remember it matching my hair though with my cutie mark emblazoned proudly on one of the shoulder straps. “We should probably move,” Carrot notes dryly as I raised an eyebrow. “Why?” I asked as I took a shaky step away from the statue. “Woah!” Wallflower caught me and straightened me with a small smile as Cloudkicker, Lavender and the other two shot out onto the ground. “When I said I wanted to be tangled up with you two, this is not how I pictured it,” Cloudkicker groaned as Trixie rolled her eyes and Sunset snickered. “Keep it pg. Diamond is here and hey Wallflower,” Lavender grunted as she pushed herself up. “How’s Fuchsia?” “Tired, high as a kite on pain meds, bored of being in a hospital room,” Wallflower answered. “But good. I practically live at the hospital right now. Hospital chairs aren’t comfy to sleep on now that I’ve done it for almost two weeks or so.” “We can visit her tomorrow but I need a bottle of Advil right now,” Sunset rubbed her forehead with a grimace. “Come on Diamond, I’ll see you all around.” I gave a wave as I started following her to the car, kicking some of the snow out of my way. “I’m hungry. I’m thinking McDonald’s. You in?” Sunset asked as she looked around at the large snowbanks on the curb. “Never been to McDonald’s before. I guess so.” “Oh the shakes are the best. Strawberry is my favorite.” “Okay. I like chocolate,” I commented as she opened the car door. “I know. You’re obsessed with chocolate. Kinda like Rarity is,” Sunset mused as I sat next to her. “Oh seatbelt on. Safety first.” “True,” I muttered as I complied and set my backpack in the back seat. “Thanks by the way.” “It’s nothing. If we get there in a fast time, I’ll even give you the toy,” Sunset smirked as I gave her a confused look. “They come with toys? What kind of restaurant is this?” I asked as she laughed. “Oh, I have so much to show you. This is gonna be cool.”