Pinkie sighed. “I don’t know, baby. Keep in mind it’s me saying this, and you remember what I went through with Cranky, right? I just feel maybe it might be a good idea to take it easy, try not to expect…” Continue reading
Trixie Lulamoon’s head hung low. Blood dripped from her nose, and her eyes crossed a little, but she forced them straight and gritted her teeth, willing her magical ward to hold for another few seconds as the maddened townsponies charged it. Continue reading
Lyra’s hooves pounded the road in a desperate, mad clattering, her nerves accelerating her pace every minute. What if she was too late? That would be a terrible irony, if she of all ponies couldn’t make it in time. It wasn’t for nothing that she’d won Running of the Leaves three times in a row. She was young, toned and healthy, and her tendency toward nervous energy had always translated to the most natural activity for a pony: to run. Continue reading
“How are you feeling, honey?” crooned Fluttershy, bending solicitously over Pinkie Pie who lay in bed, looking ragged and exhausted. Continue reading
Fluttershy fully intended to be the first pony awake at Sweet Apple Acres, so she could speak to Rainbow Dash about what she’d seen. She’d risen before dawn, and flown alone through the last minutes of night so she could arrive at the farmhouse before even the Apples were awake. Continue reading
Rainbow woke. It was dim. She wondered if it was morning, or just afternoon. She wondered what sort of horrible pony would ask herself a question like that. It was no wonder Applejack had given up on her and wandered away. She’d have given up on herself, with relief. It was strange that Applejack had, though… Continue reading
“Well, there they go,” said Trixie. Continue reading
“Well, if I can’t have a cape, you should at least let me have a mask!” protested Lyra. Continue reading
“Do you still think we should… you know?” whispered Sweetie Belle, peering around the Crusader clubhouse. Continue reading
It had been a quiet afternoon, elsewhere in Ponyville. Continue reading
“Applejack!” Continue reading
The moonlight, filtering through the trees south of Ponyville, cast a feeble, blue, dappled light on the ground. Continue reading
Twilight Sparkle beamed in great, horribly feigned delight. Continue reading
Princess Celestia smiled. “It is such a blessing to share your lives in this way, my little ponies. I must express again my deepest gratitude for the indulgence. I know it must seem quite silly, but I assure you, it is anything but.” Continue reading
A hoofbeat sounded, in the hallway. Continue reading
“Aw, sugar, you don’t gotta settle on it right this instant…” Continue reading