//------------------------------// // Chapter 24 // Story: Halcyon Hearts // by TheMyth //------------------------------// “Twilight, you gotta relax.” “How can I relax?! Today, everything has to be perfect!” Twilight was flipping over her checklists for the preparations of the cutieceañera and cute-mitzvah that was happening tonight. She was sitting in the library at the table drinking coffee to keep herself up all night, something that Pinkie Pie never should have introduced her to. Blaze groaned and flew over to his marefriend, taking the cup out of her hooves. “First of all, lose the cup.” He quickly entered the kitchen and flew up to her side. “Second of all, breathe. All is prepared for the party now, you going ballistic isn’t helping you or your foal…” he trailed off and decided to give Twilight a massage on her shoulder. Twilight’s eyes fluttered as she groaned. “That’s good…” she whispered to him, before breathing slowly. “I just want my son to have a perfect party,” she told him as she slowly went through the checklist. “I want my boy to have one, too,” Blaze said as his hooves continued to work on the tense shoulders. “But now is not the time to panic.” He squinted over her shoulder and saw the invite list. “Shining Armor and Cadance…” he thought out loud. “Are they coming?” “Hmm,” Twilight nodded and turned to her coltfriend. “Cadance specifically asked me to invite them when all the foals got their cutie marks.” Blaze whistled, amazed that she and her husband would travel all the way from the Crystal Empire to Ponyville just for one party. “Now that’s dedication…” “Family always comes first for Cadance,” Twilight told him as she placed her checklists on the table. “That’s why she’ll be a great mother.” “Just like you are.” Blaze gently pecked her cheek, receiving a giggle from Twilight as her face blushed. “Flatterer…” Blaze grinned and looked into Twilight’s eyes. Both his and Twilight’s flustered before closing when their lips were touching each other’s. Blaze felt Twilight’s hooves encircling him and bringing him in closer to her. He had done the same, before the door of the library opened. “Say Twiligh’, do ya hav-” Big Mac froze when he saw the couple holding each other before letting go. “Ah’m sorry, Ah’ll com’ back later.” As Big Mac turned back Twilight called out to him. “Wait! Big Mac, what is it?” “Uh, well...” he said awkwardly, “I just wanted to see th’ party checklist, see if there was anythin’ else that needed doin’.” “It looks like everything’s taken care of,” she explained. ‘But I guess you could visit Sugarcube Corner and see if Pinkie has everything ready.” “Thanks, I think I’ll do that,” he said quickly, darting out of the room before anything could get any more awkward. The couple was silent for a moment. “Do you think that maybe we get too affectionate sometimes?” Blaze asked. “No.” “Me neither,” he said, kissing her again. Rainbow Dash was rather glad she could talk her fellow recruits into this, and quite surprised when her higher-ups agreed to it as well. Which is why the normally uneventful field just outside of Ponyville was currently playing host to Spitfire, Soarin, and a dozen other Wonderbolts. “So, you think right here would be good?” Spitfire asked. “Ma’am, yes...” “Rainbow Dash, you’re the one who hired us. For the next few hours, we take orders from you. There’s no need for that.” “Well.. I didn’t really hire you. You volunteered.” “Details. Do you think the foals be able to see us well enough from here?” “According to Twilight’s calculations, it should be a good enough view, and she always has everything down. Right here would be good.” “Then we’ll set up. All right, you bums, get your flanks in gear! Come on, hussle, hussle, hussle!” The pagasi all jumped, running and flying around to get information. Satisfied, Spitfire turned back to her trainee. “You just give us the signal, and we’ll begin.” “Now that’s something you don’t see everyday.” Spitfire and Dash’s head turned to the new voice. Coming from behind Dash, her father Rainbow Spectrum trotted towards them. The other wonderbolts peaked over their captain’s back to see the living legend. Rainbow Dash smiled at the new arrival. “Hey, Dad,” she waved at him. “I was just getting Spitfire up to date with the plans for tonight.” “So I saw,” Spectrum replied, looking to the other wonderbolts who were staring at him. “Thanks for doing this for us.” Spitifire waved her hoof at him. “It’s nothing, really. From what those foals have been through they deserve a proper show. Isn’t that right, guys?” she called out to the others. “Yes Ma’am!” All the Wonderbolts answered to her in unison, except one. Soarin was not looking at Spectrum like the others were, but rather at his daughter. He couldn’t help but stare at how beautiful Rainbow Dash was when she was smiling. Dash’s eyes met his and he quickly turned away, failing to see the light tint of red on her cheeks. “What about you, Soarin?” “W-what?” Soarin shook his head, coming back to reality. Spitfire groaned and planted her hoof on her forehead. “Nevermind,” she mumbled and turned her attention to the other Wonderbolts. “Alright, guys! Let’s get into formation! In the air now!” With that, the Wonderbolts were all in the air, Soarin going in last stealing a glance at Rainbow Dash. Spectrum, having noticed what was going on, looked to his daughter. “Amazing how the team is helping out with this?” “Sure is…” “Especially that stallion.” “Huh?” Rainbow turned her head confused to her father, cocking her brow. “Does he have a name?” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Duh! He’s Soarin, he’s like one of the best Wonderbolts ever…” she trailed off remembering the past. “He was also one of the two junior-police ponies who found me; him and Spitfire,” she whispered, the memory still fresh. In secret, she was extremely grateful that he helped her out all those years ago. “Well then, I think I need to give him my thanks then,” he said. “Did you know him well growing up?” She shook her head. “He didn’t exactly get a lot of time to hang out back when I was growing up. I hardly saw him after he found me.” Spectrum looked over at the stallion, and a split second later realized the stallion was looking in their direction. When he noticed the older pony watching he suddenly looked nervous and returned his eyes to his work. Spectrum realized he had been staring at Rainbow Dash. I see… Sugarcube Corner had been working nonstop since that morning, pumping out cakes and pies for the party that afternoon. It wasn’t everyday that a six-pony cutieceañera happened, and so the Cakes were making the most out of it. That meant Pinkie was stuck working overtime on the stoves. She loved baking, but even she had limits, and she was starting to reach hers. Still, the thought of the six little foals enjoying their special day kept her going. Which is why she put on a smile when Big Mac walked through the door. “Hey Big Mac! Come to check on the goodies? We got cake, cupcakes, pound cakes, shortcake, sponge cake, and...” “Uh, no, that’s quite alright,” Big Mac said quickly. “Truth be told, I wanted to talk to one of you, an’ you’re the last one left.” “What’s wrong?” “Nothin’ wrong... it’s just...” “Ohmygosh! Did Apple Bloom get in an accident?” “Eenope...” “Did Applejack lose another rodeo?” “Eenope.” “Did--” “Miss Pinkie, please,” Big Macintosh said. “I wanted ta ask ya... about Miss Rarity.” Pinkie’s eyes blinked before she tilted her head sideways. “Rarity?” She asked the towering stallion who nodded. “What do you want to know Biggie?” Big Mac shuffled his hooves nervously before speaking again. “Ah was wondering, what kinda cupcakes she likes?” “Oh!” Pinkie jumped to the variety of cupcakes and proceeded to put some in a box. “Here you go! She loves this flavour!” She passed the box to Big Mac, placing them on his back. “Thank ya kindly.” Big Mac reached out for his saddlebag, pulling out a coin pouch. He was stopped when he saw Pinkie shake her head. “Nopey dopey! They on me!” Big Mac was stunned for a second before he smiled broadly. “Thank ya again. Really!” He told Pinkie as he nodded to her and headed out the door. “Just be sure to give her a kiss on the cheek! Then you’re in!” Almost dropping the box, Big Mac halted abruptly before catching the cupcakes with his hooves. Sighing in relief, he readjusted the cupcakes. His ears perked when he heard Pinkie giggling in the background. He furrowed his brow, though a bead of sweat was present. “Ah don’t know what ya thinkin’, Miss Pinkie.” “Aww, don’t be like that Biggie! Just go for it!” “Bye!” Big Mac called out before exiting the Sugarcube Corner with all haste, leaving Pinkie Pie laughing. “Pinkie, what’s going on in there?” Pinkie’s laughter stopped slowly when she heard Mrs Cake enter from the back of the building, her two foals on top of her back. “Oh, it’s just Big Mac being funny is all.” Mrs. Cake cocked an eyebrow at her apprentice, but decided to simply let it drop. She returned to cooking, hoping Pinkie wouldn’t do anything too crazy. Everypony yelled Surprise, but it wasn’t much of one. The six foals that made up the previous Cutie Mark Crusaders knew that their parents, or sisters, in some cases, wouldn’t allow an occasion such as this to go uncelebrated. The entirety of their class was all crammed into the bakery, with the Apple Family, Shining Armor and Cadance, Twilight Velvet and Night Light, Princess Celestia and her sister, and Rainbow Spectrum to boot, making for perhaps the biggest party Pinkie had put on in awhile. Six mounds of presents... large mounds of presents, they were all pleased to see... were sitting on the tables, their cutieceañera gifts. First were the greetings. Nearly everypony had something to say to them. From Princess Celestia telling Spike how she had loved seeing him grow up in Canterlot and Luna adding that she wished she had been there to see it, to Fluttershy’s gentle coddling of Pip, to Featherweight and Namby Pamby giving Light a hoofbump for getting Scootaloo, to the entire Apple family lifting Apple Bloom up in celebration, it was a packed event. Even among everything, Spike didn’t miss Sweetie’s look of disappointment at her parent’s not being there, nor Rarity’s assurance that they must have had good reasons to that would have been more effective had her anger not tinged her voice. The cake was one of the biggest Pinkie and the Cakes had ever made, nearly dwarfing the MMMM. It took all six of them blowing to snuff out the candles. The cake was sliced, and after an hour of socializing, it was time to open gifts. Spike felt awkward. Having Princesses as his party guests meant he ended up with some expensive things: A real sword from his uncle (which Twilight immediately snatched away until stallionhood), an expensive pen and ink set, a new writing desk, and enough parchment to last the next four years. Apple Bloom got an entire library of carpentry books, thanks to a discount rate from Twilight, and a new set of tools. Pip got a brand new artist’s set and his own library of books. Scootaloo got a scholarship to a dancing academy. Light got his own flight suit and goggles, and a promise of enrollment into the Wonderbolt Academy in a few years. And Sweetie was offered the finest dress Rarity could sew, with gems and good fabric, plenty of sheet music to learn, and a microphone to practice with. They were then led outside to see the Wonderbolt show put on for them, ending with the team writing their names in the sky. Finally, Princess Celestia presented them all with fine gold medals, dubbing them honorary knights and giving them her blessings in any future endeavor. Apple Bloom sighed with a sad smile on her face. “Ah guess this is the end of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, huh?” “Not necessarily," Celestia trotted towards the foals and lowered her head to Apple Bloom’s level. “What you and your friends started is something that gives hope to other foals out there still lacking cutie marks.” The foals looked to each other, blinking before looking back at Celestia. “What’re ya saying, Princess?” “What I’m saying is that maybe you could make this group of yours well known to other towns and cities out there, branch out to the foals who are lacking cutie marks and friends.” Apple Bloom and the others looked again to each other, smiling and nodding their heads. “Sure, we can do that!” Apple Bloom replied to Spitfire, who saluted the little filly. Spitfire raised her head with a smile. “Good to hear, let me talk to the Princesses and see if-” “Now hold yer horses there.” Applejack chimed in, overhearing the conversation. “Ain’t ma little sis’ too youn’ to be leadin’ a group across Equestria?” “You’re quite right, yeah,” Spitfire nodded in approval. “I guess we’ll have to find somepony else until this filly is of age to lead the group.” Applejack also nodded and raised her eyes to the sky in thought. “Works fer me.” She then turned her attention to the foals. “So ya’ll enjoying the party?” “We are!” All of them shouted out in unison, laughing merrily. Just as the foals answered Applejack, Cadance came out from the crowd of ponies. “Well, this was fun,” she said to Applejack and looked to the group of foals with a tender smile. Her head raised up suddenly as she gasped and placed her hoof to her mouth. “Oh my gosh! I almost forgot!” She walked fast towards her husband and whispered something to his ear. Shining nodded and walked with Cadance to the company of foals. “We have just have some last presents to give to you all.” “Really?” Pip asked curiously, surprised that anypony besides his mother got him a present. Shining nodded and concentrated his magic. When his horn glew bright, a flash of light blinded the foals for a second before six large gifts in wrappings were laid before them. The former Cutie Mark Crusaders stared in awe before looking up the married couple, who nodded and gave them the go-ahead to unwrap their new presents. Carefully, the six foals unwrapped the last of their gifts. Inside each was a gift that Cadance had commissioned for the finest designers in the Crystal Empire. For the colts, three of the finest suits that the tailors could design, and for the fillies, three dresses of the same quality. They all shone like they were made of crystal, despite the fact that they could all tell that it was strictly fabric. Spike’s was black with red trim, very similar to the suit he wore at the Grand Galloping Gala, long ago when he was still in the shape of a dragon. Pip’s was green with silver lining, while Light’s was gold with a white trim. The fillies were reminded very much of their flower-filly dresses from the Royal Wedding. In fact, they seemed to be very much based on them. However, there was certainly more variety to their color. Apple Bloom had one of dark green and earthy brown, Sweetie’s retained the colors of her old dress, and Scootaloo held one of the best sky blues she had ever seen. “What do you think?” Cadance asked. “We love it!” the fillies exclaimed. “I’m glad you do,” she smiled. ‘I’m hoping to see the six of you again soon, so I thought you might like something nice to wear for whatever Royal Event you get to go to next.” “Thank you!” they said in unison. It was at that point that they were swarmed by their parents, each wanting to see their child in their new clothes. Pictures were taking, and fun was had by all. That night, Pip was tucked into Fluttershy’s bed once more. The little colt tried to take the couch, saying it wasn’t fair his mum have to sleep there instead, but she insisted. Soon she would have that new room finished. As the last verse of “Hush Now, Quiet Now” was finished, Pip snuggled further into the blankets. In the back of his mind, he knew he was a bit too old for this, but he had never experienced the love of a mother in this way, so he bit it back. As Fluttershy leaned down to kiss him goodnight, he sprung up and wrapped his forelegs around her. “I love you, Mum.” Fluttershy hugged back. “I love you too, Pip.” “Goodnight, Scoots,” Rainbow Dash whispered to her daughter, leaning down to give her a gentle kiss on her forehead. Almost immediately, Scootaloo was fast asleep and snoring lightly as lay in her cloud bed. Rainbow Dash flew out of her daughter’s room and saw her father staring at the pictures displayed at the bottom floor. Dash glided down to where Spectrum stood and walked up towards him. “Something wrong?” she asked curiously, cocking her brow as her father continued to look at all the pictures. Spectrum only smiled and shook his head. “Nothing is wrong. Everything is good now.” He pointed to three newly added pictures; one depicting him and Melody who was pregnant, another with him and a filly Dash. The last one was him, Rainbow Dash and his granddaughter Scootaloo at her cutieceañera. A single tear escaped his eye, though he quickly wiped it away. “You make me proud, Dashie.” Rainbow Dash’s eyes turned most as a soft smile and blush appeared on her muzzle. She stood next to Spectrum and rested her head on his shoulder, with her eyes half-hooded as she began to look at the pictures too. “I love you, Daddy.” Inside the library, Twilight was sitting in front of the fireplace with her coltfriend Blaze. The latter’s son having a sleepover with Spike upstairs. Both ponies wore a tender smile as they looked into the inferno before them. Twilight turned her head to face Blaze’s. She let out a sigh of happiness before speaking. “A lot has happened since you came here.” She told him, moving in closer to her stallion. “Got that right,” Blaze replied, slowly draping his wing over Twilight’s back and pulling her in closer. “I’m happy that all this happened.” Twilight giggled and nuzzled Blaze’s cheek with her eyes closed. “So am I,” she responded and gave him a gentle peck on his cheek. Blaze turned to Twilight and looked her right in the eye, leaning his head closer to her his filly friend’s. “Twilight, you want to know something?” “Yes.” Twilight nodded her head beaming at Blaze. “I love you.” He leaned in and kissed her softly on her lips before departing. “Got it memorized?” Twilight reached a hoof to his cheek, caressing it gently. “I love you too,” she replied and leaned into him, returning the kiss as she wrapped her hooves around him.