"Thank you again, Moon Bright," Twilight Sparkle said as she was walking out of the hut. "I can't wait to get everyone else together so we can go over these plans we came up with. I'm sure they'll be as happy with the plans as I am."
"Thank you, Twilight," a beaming Moon Bright said. "I'm glad you're like what we came up with. I honestly wasn't sure if I could keep up with you, but I'm happy with how things progressed, too. "
"Never doubt yourself," Twilight Sparkle said. "You're a resourceful pony. I knew it the first time we talked and I was proven right here."
"Aww, you're such a sweetheart," Moon Bright said.
"I'm going to go find the others," Twilight Sparkle said. "Maybe we'll gather and do something fun before we all come back and go over these plans together."
"That sounds fine to me," Moon Bright said. "Ponies above know we could use all the good times we can get right now."
"Why don't you come with us?" Twilight Sparkle suggested.
"Oh, no, I can't," Moon Bright said. "I'm so old now, I would never be able to keep up with all you younger ponies. Plus, I'm the village chief and a chief's work is never done. In other words, I need to be here to do some chiefing. It's okay, though, you'll will have more fun without me."
"I doubt that, but I understand where you're coming from," Twilight Sparkle said. "I guess we'll see you later then?"
"You can count on it," Moon Bright said. "Goodbye, Twilight."
"Bye, Moon Bright," Twilight Sparkle said with a small wave.
Twilight Sparkle had just barely begun to walk away when a group of ponies walked passed her. She turned and watched as they knocked at the entry way of Moon Bright's hut. Shortly afterwards, Moon Bright herself invited them all in.
I see what she means about a chief's work never being done, Twilight Sparkle thought to herself. I get how you feel, Moon Bright. Sometimes I feel that way with my princess duties.
Eventually, Twilight Sparkle turned away and proceeded towards her hut. When she got there, though, she found that none of her friends were around.
All of them must be up now and are probably walking around somewhere in the village, Twilight Sparkle thought to herself. She decided to go out and find them. Only problem is she didn't know exactly where to start looking. They could literally be anywhere from the monsters' den to Firefly's hut, and so on. That was when Twilight thought of a place she was pretty sure that at least some of her friends might be.
Twilight Sparkle recalled telling Muse, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie she'd meet them at the field at some point.
Maybe they're already there, Twilight Sparkle speculated. Deciding it was a safe bet, she flew into the air and took off in that direction. She also decided she would check the kaiju's den since it was in the same direction. Fluttershy at least was almost guaranteed to be there. Besides, even if nopony was present, Twilight could at least say "hi" to Godzilla and Anguirus.
She wouldn't have to wait that long to find some of her friends, though. As Twilight Sparkle took a brief look down at the ground, she instantly spotted Applejack and Firefly talking to each other side-by-side. Twilight Sparkle changed her trajectory and slightly sped up, her excitement sort of getting the best of her. She manged to get control of herself, though, and safely landed on the ground close by to where her friends were.
"Hey!" Twilight Sparkle called out happily as she waved.
Applejack and Firefly looked to the excited alicorn. They greeted her with smiles and waves of their own as Twilight walked up to them.
"Hey, Twilight!" Firefly called back.
"Howdy, Twi!" Applejack called.
When they were all close enough, Twilight and her two friends exchanged a quick hug.
"You're all up early," Twilight Sparkle said.
The two mares gave their princess friend confused expressions.
"What are you talking about, Twilight?" Applejack asked.
"Yeah, it's only three minutes before ten," Firefly said.
"Really?" Twilight Sparkle asked in disbelief. The two mares simply nodded their heads. "Huh... Guess that meeting took longer than it felt."
"What meeting?" Applejack asked.
"Oh, I met up with Moon Bright earlier this morning to go over plans of attack against the minotaurs," Twilight Sparkle explained.
"Is that so?" Firefly asked with great interest. "How did that go?"
"Great, I think," Twilight Sparkle said. "I think we came up with some really good strategies that may just win us this thing."
"That does sounds great, Twilight," Applejack said.
"Yeah, sounds like you came up with some real winners," Firefly said. "Then again, you got a winning combination of you and Crescent coming up with the plans. Anything you two come up with can't possibly fail."
"Well, I won't go that far, but I'm fairly certain these plans we made won't," Twilight Sparkle said.
"Your words say maybe, but that smile on your face is more confident than the Lone Pony at a shoot out," Applejack said.
Twilight's smile only got bigger despite her friend pointing it out.
"I can't help it," Twilight Sparkle said. "I really think what we wrote down will guarantee the liberation of the ponies of Pony Tale Island."
"That's the best news I've heard in a long time," Firefly said. "Maybe even a lifetime. Did the two of you write the plans down on paper?"
"Yes, Moon Bright's got them back at her hut," Twilight Sparkle explained. "We agreed we wanted everypony gathered together when we go over them."
"That makes sense," Firefly said. "So are you gathering up everypony so we can do that?"
"Yes, but not until later," Twilight Sparkle said. "Moon Bright has some chief duties she has to take care of first. So I figured in the meantime that I could gather everypony so we could do something fun together."
"I like the sound of that," Applejack said, sounding extra enthused.
"Me, too," Firefly said. "I'm in."
"Same," Applejack said.
"Great!" Twilight Sparkle said. "Now I just need to find everypony else."
"Well, ya don't have to look far for TJ," Applejack said.
"What do you mean?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
"Oh, he went out with a group of ponies earlier today," Firefly said.
"Yeah, to help with a shipment from Sea Hoof's ship," Twilight Sparkle said. "Moon Bright told me about it when I was at her place."
"Bet you were pining over him the entire time you were there, weren't ya?" Applejack said.
The southern Earth pony and Firefly both gave Twilight teasing smiles. She responded with her own, somewhat bashful smile.
"I was not," Twilight said, though her face was turning red.
"Uh-huh, sure," Firefly and Applejack said together.
"Anyways, we were just watching his group coming back from picking up the shipment," Applejack said.
Twilight Sparkle's face instantly lit up, an excited charge going through her.
"You mean TJ's here right now?!" Twilight Sparkle exclaimed excitedly. "Where is he?!"
"Whoa, whoa, take it easy, you poor, colt crazy filly!" Firefly said.
Twilight Sparkle caught herself and tried to get a handle on her emotions. It was obvious, though, that she was still a little embarrassed. Despite that, she was still excited as well.
"We haven't seen him yet," Applejack said. "But that's his group over there pulling the wagons full of food and metal."
Twilight Sparkle looked and saw that there was, indeed a big group of ponies pulling several large wagons. All of them were filled with all sorts of supplies in addition to the ones Applejack mentioned. What they seemed to have the most of, however, were baskets filled with all sorts of food and large bricks of metal. Twilight, Applejack, and Firefly watched them go by, scanning the crowd in hopes of even getting a glimpse of Thunder Jack. They were joined by several other ponies who watched the newly arrived wagon ponies walk on by carrying their large, heavy loads.
"I see him!" Firefly let out.
"So do I!" Applejack agreed.
Twilight Sparkle saw TJ, too. He was further back a ways than the ponies they had been watching go by before. There were still several more ponies pulling wagons behind him, as well. The trio of mares watched and waited as TJ slowly, but surely got closer to them. As he kept getting closer, it became clearer to see that he, like many of the other ponies pulling the wagons, was as tired and exhausted as could be.
They had all gotten up in the very early hours of the day and were just now getting back to the village. On top of that, they were pulling along heavy, wooden wagons the entire time that only became heavier when they picked up their cargo. Still impressive, though, was that TJ managed to pull his wagon all by himself. The other wagons had two or more ponies pulling them, but TJ had elected to pull his wagon alone. His wagon wasn't the biggest of the bunch, nor the smallest, being somewhere more in the middle.
Twilight Sparkle and the others followed the band of wagon ponies to their intended destination. That ended up being one of the bigger huts on the ground. While the metal unloaded from the wagons was taken into the hut, the rest of the supplies were sent elsewhere. Applejack, Firefly, and Twilight Sparkle waited patiently for the moment when TJ was told he could be done for the day. They were right there to greet him the moment he turned around.
A big smile crossed TJ's obviously tired face as he and the mares around him greeted one another. He even managed a half hug with Firefly as everypony talked amongst themselves.
"Whoa," Firefly said after sniffing the recently returned stallion. "TJ, did you take a bath this morning?"
"Why, is there one missing?" TJ asked in a tired breath.
The mares all laughed with genuine amusement.
"We make that joke all the time," Firefly explained.
"Runs in the family," TJ said. "Except when Firefly tells it that is. Then it flies." For a moment everypony was silent as they just stared blankly at TJ. "Tough crowd."
"Nah, you're joke just didn't really... take off," Firefly said.
"We got two bad jokes for the price of one," Applejack said.
"You really are brutally honest, aren't you?" Firefly asked.
"In my defense, I'm pretty tired," TJ said.
"You look it, too," Applejack said.
"You sound like it, too," Twilight Sparkle said. "Every word you say sounds like a gasp of breath hanging on for dear life."
"Well... don't let that fool you, Twilight," TJ said. He cleared his throat and tried his best to talk normally. "I can still go if I have to. I see a minotaur in front of me and I can still take him on."
"Yeah, sure," Firefly said. "We were wondering more if you could still hangout."
"We were all gonna get together and do something as a group," Applejack said. "But we can see you're in serious need of some r and r."
"It's okay, TJ, we understand," Twilight Sparkle said.
"No!" TJ blurted out, eyes wide as could be. He saw the surprised look on the mares' faces and got control of himself. "I mean, no, that's okay. I'm still cool to hangout."
"Are you sure?" Twilight Sparkle asked. "You look like you're about to drop."
"No, no, I'm fine, I'm fine," TJ assured. "I can go for a little while longer so long as I can be with you."
Twilight Sparkle's eyes flickered for only a moment, but with a strong sense of emotion. She seemed to be very touched by TJ's words.
"Uh, that is, all of you!" TJ let out quickly. "Yeah, I'd be more than willing to keep going today so I can hangout with all you and the other ponies today."
"Oh, I see," Twilight Sparkle said. "Of course, we'd all be happy to have you, I'm sure."
"Oh, sure," Firefly said as she tried to stifle back her snickering.
Applejack, on the other hoof, was having a bit more trouble doing so.
"I'm sure we'd all love to have you join us," Applejack said. "But nopony more than Twilight."
Twilight and TJ tried at first to ignore the two snickering mares. They ended up shaking their heads, though with amused smiles on their faces.
"Is that true, Twilight?" TJ asked.
"Well... yeah," Twilight Sparkle answered.
"Oh... well... thank you," TJ said.
"You're welcome," Twilight Sparkle responded.
For a very brief moment, the two of them found themselves getting lost in each others gaze. There seemed to be a glimmer in each pony's eyes that neither could get passed, nor did they really want to. Still, they managed to catch themselves and snap out of their near trance.
"Oh, uh!" TJ let out in a panic.
"Yeah!" Twilight Sparkle said in the same manner.
"So, uh... we're gonna grab the others, I guess?" TJ asked.
"That's right," Twilight Sparkle said.
"Cool, cool," TJ said. "Where are they exactly?"
"I think Muse, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie are out at the field," Twilight Sparkle said. "I told them I wanted to meet up with them there and they said, 'okay'."
"I guess that just leaves Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash," Applejack said.
"Well, if you're looking for Rainbow Dash, look no further," TJ said as he turned and pointed a hoof.
The three mares looked to see he was pointing back at the crowd of returning wagon ponies. They quickly spotted Rainbow Dash helping unload metal slabs out of the back of a wagon with four or five other ponies assisting. While Firefly looked on with motherly pride, Twilight Sparkle and Applejack were more so flabbergasted. This was mostly because they knew how early TJ had to get up for the job. They also knew how early Rainbow Dash had to of gotten up so she could go with him.
Getting up early to work just seemed so unlike Rainbow Dash. That was what made it so shocking to them that she did it. TJ saw the look on the two shocked ponies' faces, which made him let out an amused chuckle.
"Hey, Rainbow Dash!" TJ called out after the blue pegasus was done unloading the metal. Instantly Rainbow Dash looked to see the Earth pony waving her over. "Come on over, our friends want to see us!"
Rainbow Dash's face lit up when she spotted Twilight Sparkle and Applejack. Her happy expression was slightly dimmed when she saw Firefly with them. She ended up just shrugging it off and flew over.
"Hi, guys, what's up?" Rainbow Dash asked as she landed amongst her friends.
"Not you anymore," Applejack said.
Everypony shared a laugh, though Rainbow Dash cut hers off when she noticed Firefly had joined in as well.
"Hi... Firefly," Rainbow Dash just barely managed to force out.
Though the contempt was clear, Firefly was just happy to see it had gotten to the point where her daughter was at least talking to her.
"Good morning, Rainbow Dash," Firefly said. "Or should I saw early morning."
"Really," Twilight Sparkle agreed. "I never would've thought you'd get up that early to do..."
"Anything," Applejack finished.
"Why would you think that?!" Rainbow Dash asked with mild outrage. Both mares gave their rainbow maned friend sideways smirks in reply. "Okay, I get it. I don't know, I... I can't explain it. I got up really early this morning for some reason and couldn't get back to sleep.
"I tossed and turned, but eventually gave up and decided to go flying outside, also for some reason. Then I spotted TJ meeting up with all these other ponies, asked what was up and decided I wanted in. I guess I just... wanted to help, ya know?"
"Now that sounds like you, Rainbow Dash," Twilight Sparkle said.
"Makes much more sense now," Applejack agreed. "Not you getting up early, but going out and helping despite how early it is."
Rainbow Dash responded only with an aggravated frown. This got a laugh from most of the other ponies, though Firefly tried to hold back hers.
"Well, she fooled me," TJ said. "She seemed like a natural being out and about so early. I was thinking to myself, this is definitely Firefly's kid."
TJ realized too late that he probably should've worded that differently. It was obvious Rainbow Dash didn't like being compared to her mother. Because of that, an awkward silence came quickly after.
"What I meant was, Firefly gets up early to start work, too," TJ said. "She's even better about it than I am. It honestly felt like you were better about it than me, too, Rainbow."
"Thanks... I guess," Rainbow Dash said.
"No, thank you!" TJ said. "You helped make that cargo run much easier."
"I make everything easier," Rainbow Dash boasted.
"I don't doubt it," TJ said. "We were all glad to have you're help, Rainbow Dash. Thank you very much."
"It's all good, TJ," Rainbow Dash replied.
"By the way, we were all gonna get together and do something," TJ said. "You're gonna join us, right?"
"Of course!" Rainbow Dash said. Her enthusiasm quickly subsided, though, as a frown crossed her face. "Wait a second, is she coming with us?"
Rainbow Dash pointed a hoof to Firefly, who clearly had an upset look on her face.
"Well... yeah," Twilight Sparkle said.
"Of course she is, Rainbow," Applejack said. "She's one of our friends now." Rainbow Dash started to grumble something, but was cut off by Applejack. "Well, she's a friend to the rest of us at least and we want her with us! You got a problem with that?!"
"Maybe I should just sit this one out," Firefly said.
"Nonsense!" Applejack said. "I won't here of it. The rest of us want you there and so long as you wanna go, you're more than welcomed. Now, I'll ask again. You got a problem with that, Rainbow Dash?"
The ponies all looked to Rainbow Dash with hopeful eyes. None, though, were as hopeful as Firefly's. This was one of the few times Rainbow Dash didn't like being the center of attention at all. She groaned and rolled her eyes as the others around her hung on what she would say next.
"No, I guess not," Rainbow Dash said. Everypony else gasped as either smiles or surprised looks crossed their faces. Rainbow Dash then looked to her mother as she said, "Firefly... you obviously make a lot of ponies happy by being around... I don't want to get in the way of that. That's why I'm personally asking you... to please come with us."
"You still gonna join us, too?" TJ asked.
"Well, of course I am!" Rainbow Dash said. "I'm not gonna let anything get in the way of me having a good time with my friends. So let's just do it already!"
"I'm for that," TJ said.
"What did you have in mind, Twilight?" Applejack asked.
"Well, I had planned something out earlier today," Twilight Sparkle said. "But for the life of me, I can't remember what that was now."
"Probably used up all your brain juice making those other plans with Moon Bright," Applejack said.
The other ponies shared a quick laugh with each other.
Maybe," Twilight said in amusement. "Anyways, I figured we could meet up with everypony else and think of something together."
"Sounds good to me," TJ said.
"You said you thought they were at the field, right?" Firefly asked.
"Either that or the monsters' den," Twilight Sparkle said.
"Well, that's perfect," TJ said. "They're both in the same direction."
"Then let's go already!" Rainbow Dash said.
"To the den then," Twilight said.
"To the den!" the others agreed.
The group began to make their way towards the outer rim of the village. As they walked, Firefly managed to make her way next to Rainbow Dash, much to the latter's annoyance.
"Pss, hey, Rainbow Dash," Firefly whispered.
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, but rather than ignore her mother, she surprisingly answered her.
"Yeah, what is it?" Rainbow Dash whispered back.
"Thank you for letting me come along and not leaving," Firefly whispered.
"Yeah, sure, whatever," Rainbow Dash said.
Firefly turned her head away, but didn't leave her daughter's side. Instead, she leaned in close to Applejack when she saw the Earth pony staring.
"I think you're getting to her," Applejack whispered.
Rainbow Dash groaned as she ever so slightly sped up her walk. The group got to the dwelling area of Godzilla and Anguirus only to find that none of their friends were there. Even more surprising to them was that the monsters themselves weren't there either.
"Hey, they're gone," TJ said. "Anguirus and Godzilla, they're not here."
"Duh, we see that," Rainbow Dash said.
"But where do you think they went?" Applejack asked. "Do you think they were captured somehow?"
"Highly unlikely," Twilight Sparkle said. "I think wherever the rest of our friends are, that's probably where we'll find Godzilla and Anguirus, too."
"And I'm guessing you're still thinking it's the field?" TJ asked.
"It would make sense," Twilight Sparkle said. "There's enough room out there for ten Godzillas to dance the rumba if they wanted."
"Which, for the record, I'd pay a lot of money to see," Firefly said.
"Yeah, me, too," Rainbow Dash said with a laugh.
While everypony else was laughing, Rainbow Dash realized what just happened and silenced herself.
"It may be a sight to see, but I'd rather it not happen," TJ said. "You know, considering, it would cause an earthquake probably strong enough to rip the island in two. The rumbling monsters cause when only two or three are fighting is bad enough. Just imaging ten of them trying to dance!"
"Well, I guess that means we're heading for the field then?" Applejack asked.
"I'd say that's a safe bet," Twilight Sparkle said.
"What if they're not there?" TJ asked as everypony started walking.
"Then I'll fly around, find them, and get them to come out to the field," Rainbow Dash said. "Simple as that. Easy, peasy, one, two, threesy."
"I can dig it," TJ said.
With that, all five ponies made their way through the dense forest terrain in a trek for the wide open spaces ahead.
It wasn't long before the ponies were out in the fields of Pony Tale Island. The memories of the last two days, which they spent in the field training Muse, were very fresh in everypony's minds. Even though it was technically only two days, everypony involved felt like it lasted much longer. It felt like they had gone through many long months of military boot camp in trying to teach Muse. But just like during the training itself, they had no regrets at all.
While Muse may not have became an elite military soldier, at least she could just live her life normally. Or at least as normally as possible on an island full of monsters and evil minotaurs. At that moment, the group consisting of Twilight Sparkle, TJ, Firefly, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack were having some trouble finding some of those monsters. Most of them thought they'd would instantly spot the giants in the wide open plains. Such was not the case as they all looked around, but found no trace of the kaiju.
"I though you said they'd be here, Twilight," Rainbow Dash said as she flew above.
"I honestly thought they would be," Twilight Sparkle said.
"Well, I can't see them," Rainbow Dash said.
"Me neither," Firefly said, having joined Rainbow Dash in the air.
Upon realizing this, Rainbow Dash flew back to the ground below. It had gone on like this a lot on the way to the field. Rainbow Dash would be somewhere in the air or on the ground and Firefly would be there, too. While it annoyed Rainbow Dash, it was clear Firefly saw it more as a game. Whenever Rainbow Dash would move to avoid Firefly, she would follow her daughter.
While it angered Rainbow Dash, the other ponies actually got a laugh out of it. They did start to feel Firefly was going a little too far near the end, though. Firefly must've thought so, too, because she had stop following Rainbow Dash around. It wasn't until that point she began flying with Rainbow Dash yet again. This time, though, it was specifically to look for Godzilla and Anguirus.
"I can't see them anywhere," Firefly said.
"Well, it is a big field and we literally just got here," TJ said. "I'm sure the others are somewhere around here. We just got to keep looking is all."
"I'll fly up higher and see what I can find," Twilight Sparkle said before taking to the air.
"Me, too," Rainbow Dash said.
As Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash flew, they soon found themselves joined by Firefly. Rather than get agitated, Rainbow Dash decided to just ignore her and focus on the search. The two Earth ponies the flying ponies left behind stood and watched them go for a moment or two.
"So... do you ever wish you had wings and could fly?" Applejack asked.
"You have no idea," TJ said. "I guess we'd better start after them, right?"
"Good thinking, TJ," Applejack said.
"Lead the-" Before TJ could finish, Applejack was already off and running. "Well, that's just cheating."
TJ ran after Applejack as fast as he could. Even though he managed to keep up good enough, TJ was never able to pass Applejack. In the air above, meanwhile, the team of Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Firefly looked for their friends. It came more naturally to both Firefly and Rainbow Dash to do an aerial search. They flew like hawks with just as precise vision and awareness of their surrounding environment.
Thus it was only natural the two mares both spotted two of the friends they were looking for at the exact same time.
"There they are!" Rainbow Dash and Firefly said at the same time while also pointing.
The two pegasi looked to each other with blank expressions. While Firefly's turned into a smile, Rainbow Dash's turned into a frown.
"Where?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
"You'll see them in a little bit," Rainbow Dash said.
Twilight Sparkle soon saw they were getting closer to two specks on the ground. As they flew closer, the objects became easier to see. Twilight Sparkle was able to make out more details on the objects because of this. It didn't take her long to realize her friends were correct.
"You guys are right!" Twilight Sparkle said. "That's Godzilla and Anguirus down there!"
"Let's go down for a closer look," Firefly suggested.
The three ponies lowered themselves closer to the ground as they continued their approach.
"It looks like they're sprawled out on the ground," Twilight Sparkle said.
"They're sleeping," Rainbow Dash and Firefly said at the same time.
They looked to each other. While Firefly laughed, Rainbow Dash growled.
"Could you stop doing that?!" Rainbow Dash said.
"I'm sorry, I'm not doing it on purpose," Firefly said, though she was clearly still laughing. "You just happen to start talking when I do."
"Or maybe you're beginning to talk at the same time I do!" Rainbow Dash retorted.
"Isn't that the same thing?" Twilight Sparkle asked in confusion.
Rainbow Dash was silent for a moment, for she had to think on an answer.
"No," Rainbow Dash said, though her tone was uncertain. "I- It's not... Totally different."
"Right," Twilight Sparkle said, stretching the word.
"Hey, look, there's Muse and the others!" Firefly said as she pointed.
Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash looked and instantly spotted the four mares Firefly spoke of. Muse, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity were off to the side where Godzilla and Anguirus slept.
"They're altogether just like I said they'd be," Twilight Sparkle said.
"Wonder what happened here," Rainbow Dash said. "It looks like a huge number was done this area. I mean, look at it, the field's all tore up."
For a moment, concern overtook the three flying ponies as they examined the area. It was plain to see that the field had suffered serious damage. It almost looked like a tornado or an earthquake struck the area.
"Do you think there was a battle?" Firefly asked.
"I don't think so," Twilight Sparkle said. "Godzilla and Anguirus wouldn't be sleeping if there had been a fight. They'd be on high alert."
"So what do you think happened?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I think Godzilla and Anguirus were just rough housing," Twilight Sparkle said.
"I could see that," Firefly said.
"If so, I bet G's been waiting a long time for someone to do it with," Rainbow Dash said.
"I think we should go find TJ and Applejack then come back here," Firefly said.
"Agreed," Twilight Sparkle said.
The three ponies turned back in the direction they had just come from. They all looked down at the ground to try and spot TJ and Applejack as they flew. It wasn't long before they spotted the two Earth ponies running as fast as they could across the plains. The trio then flew down, not stopping until they were hovering only a few feet in front of their Earth pony friends.
"Oh, hey, guys," TJ said sarcastically. "Nice of you all to drop in."
"Don't be like that just because you couldn't keep up with us, TJ," Firefly said.
"Actually, you two kept up better than I thought you would," Twilight Sparkle said.
"Well, we weren't really flying all that fast," Rainbow Dash said.
"I swear I'll get faster," Twilight Sparkle said.
"Well, don't do it at our expense," Applejack said jokingly. "Anyways, I take it you found the others?"
"Yeah, you can see Godzilla and Anguirus just over this rise," Rainbow Dash said as she pointed behind herself.
"Fluttershy and everypony else are there, too," Twilight Sparkle said.
"Awesome," TJ said.
"No need to call me, I'm right here," Rainbow Dash said. Before anypony could say anything, the light blue pegasus was already in the air flying away. "Don't any of you ponies start slacking on me! Move, move, move!"
Everypony moved as fast as they could to catch up with the blue pegasus. While most of them had trouble doing so, Firefly easily flew up to her daughter's side. Rainbow Dash looked to see her mother's smiling face, much to her irritation. Rainbow Dash growled as she pushed herself to go faster. She started to pull ahead, but suddenly, to Rainbow's shock and further agitation, Firefly blew right passed her.
Rainbow Dash growled even more as she boosted her speed to the point where she not only caught her mom, but managed to pass her. The cocky blue pegasus' laugh would be short lived, for Firefly caught up to her and made it seem effortless. Still Firefly had her smile, one both playful and competitive. It was as if she were challenging Rainbow Dash, who became more and more furious with each passing second. How dare this pony who had the gull to call herself Rainbow Dash's mother also be so bold as to challenge her to a race?
Well, Rainbow Dash had every intention of showing this pony she felt abandoned her who the best flier was. Unfortunately, that would have to wait because-
"Hey, look, we're here!" Firefly said joyfully.
Rainbow Dash looked in shock to see the two of them were coming up on Muse, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie. Godzilla and Anguirus looked just as giant as ever in the background, even though they were laying down for a nap. They made pretty much everything they did look mighty. All Rainbow Dash could think about, though, was how quick her mom and her had arrived.
"It feels like it only took us seconds to get here," Rainbow Dash said in disbelief.
"It did," Firefly said.
"But that means..." Rainbow Dash was unable to finish her sentence.
"What?" Firefly asked.
"Nopony can keep up with me like that!" Rainbow Dash said. "But... you kept up with me neck and neck... And you made it look easy!"
"Well, it wasn't, I can promise you that," Firefly said as she let out a heavy breath.
"Don't patronize me!" Rainbow Dash demanded.
"I'm not," Firefly said. "I'm being honest, I swear. Cross my heart... h- hope to fly... Uh..."
"Stick a cupcake in your eye!" Pinkie Pie let out happily as she hopped over.
"Yeah, that's it," Firefly said. "Trust me, Rainbow Dash, you are as good a flier as you think you are. You'll be smiling even bigger than I was at that speed in no time if you keep up with your flying."
"Well, for now, I'm gonna catch my breath," Rainbow Dash said.
"Or you could say hello," Rarity said.
Firefly and Rainbow Dash turned to greet the ponies they had been looking for. At the same time, Twilight, TJ, and Applejack were just making their way over. Everypony spoke happily and excitedly as they greeted each other. They carried on like this for several moments before finally calming down enough to talk normally.
"So what's with Godzilla and Anguirus?" TJ asked.
"Yeah, why did they trash the field?" Applejack asked.
"Oh, they were just sparring," Fluttershy explained.
"As big tough guys tend to do," Muse added on.
"You called it, Twilight," Firefly said.
"Told ya," Twilight Sparkle gloated.
"Yeah, yeah, we're all impressed," Rainbow Dash said. "I would've been more impressed if I got to see the smackdown between G and Anguirus! Bet it was epic, right?! I'm also betting Godzilla won!"
"Actually, as far as monster fights go, nothing really huge happened," Muse said. "Well, they are huge, but... you know what I mean. There wasn't really a winner either. They just tussled for a while and then laid down for a nap. They've been sleeping ever since."
"Well, we certainly don't want to disturb the poor, tired darlings," Rarity said. "So I'm guessing we'll have to do whatever Twilight had planned somewhere else in the field. You did have something planned, didn't you, Twilight?"
"Yeah, I remember you saying so this morning," Pinkie Pie said.
"It's true, I did say that," Twilight Sparkle said. "But I've honestly forgot what it was. I was hoping I'd remember by the time we all met up again. Guess that didn't end up happening."
"Then what are you gonna do?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I don't know, whatcha wanna do?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Hmm," everypony hummed as they tried to think of something.
Pinkie Pie suddenly went over to TJ, reached into her mane, and pulled out a light bulb. She held it over TJ's head, which somehow caused the bulb to light up.
"I've got it!" TJ exclaimed. "I know what we can do!" The other ponies gathered around excitedly as they waited for the stallion's suggestion. "There's a lake not far from here. We could down there, maybe have a dip, splash around, relax on the shore, whatever."
"Don't know about y'all, but that sounds like a mighty fine idea to me," Applejack said.
"I could use a day relaxing on the lakeside," Rarity said. "I haven't had any real rest since we got to this island. No offense."
"None taken," TJ, Firefly, and Muse said together.
"I'd like to try to have some fun and relaxation myself honestly," Firefly said. "Going to the lake sounds about as close as I'll get to it."
"So do we all agree that the lake is what we want to do?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
"Yeah!" the other ponies all exclaimed happily.
"Then let's go!" Twilight Sparkle exclaimed.
"Follow me, everypony!" TJ said as he ran off for the lake.
The other ponies all fell in line behind the stallion, whether they were running or flying, and followed TJ as he led them to the lake.
For the last four hours, everypony had been enjoying their time at the lake in one way or another. At one point, they had all either been swimming around, splashing in the lake, running around on the shore, playing some sort of game, and several other lake going activities. Whether they did it in separate groups, by themselves, or as one unit, everypony did it all and had a great time doing it. It truly felt like everyone involved was getting a huge relief from the hardships they've all had to endure. To think a simple trip to a lake was like one big release from everything would sound silly to some.
But it was true in this case and everypony was enjoying it. Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Muse, Rainbow Dash, and TJ were all messing around in the lake. Rainbow Dash would switch between just letting herself float on the water's surface to flying up into the air and splashing back down to then swimming around at high speeds. Muse and Pinkie Pie would take turns stepping a back hoof into TJ's front hooves and letting him launch them up and backwards into the air before splashing back down. Twilight Sparkle occasionally took breaks from swimming to look around at the beautiful scenery the lake had to offer.
While nature's natural beauty was breath taking enough, Twilight was more so happy to see all her friends there enjoying themselves. It truly felt like she was in paradise watching all her friends living life and enjoying the lake to their fullest extent. Twilight's sight seeing was sometimes interrupted, however, when a wave of water would suddenly splash her. She would look to see a sly grinning TJ looking back at her, to which she responded with her own splash. In between launching ponies into the air, TJ got into several splash fights with Twilight Sparkle and they always had fun doing it.
At one point, however, Twilight Sparkle suddenly lost her balance and fell forward. She ended up falling against TJ's chest as he put his front legs around Twilight to try and catch her. It was an awkward moment for both ponies, who's faces blushed like crazy. It was made even worse when they noticed everypony else looking at them. Most of the other ponies were relaxing on the lakeside.
They had all had their turns in the water, but were all tuckered out after nearly four hours of activity. Rarity, who hardly ever went in the water, was resting in a long beach chair as she let the sun's rays dry her. Applejack and Firefly sat together on the ground talking with each other. Fluttershy was happily chatting with several ducks, otters, and other animals.
"Hey, Fluttershy, how about you come give this a try?!" Pinkie Pie called after popping up out of the water.
The yellow furred pegasus looked away from her little animal friends and to the ponies in the lake with a questioning look.
"Yeah, come on, Flutters, you gotta try this?!" Muse encouraged. "Pinkie and I have been launched at least fifty times each and we both wanna go fifty times more!"
"Part of it is because we want to go for an even hundred," Pinkie Pie said. "But mostly it's because it's so much fun!"
"So what about it, Fluttershy?" Muse asked.
The pegasus mare seemed rather uncertain about whether or not to do it.
"Yeah, Fluttershy, come on," TJ joined in. "You think you can stand the launch of Thun-dar?!" Everypony looked at the stallion with befuddled expressions on their faces, to which he responded with a sheepish look. "You know... b- because my name is Thunder Jack."
"Actually, Fluttershy, darling, I agree you should try it at least once," Rarity said. "I did it a few times and found it rather fun."
"B- b- But... it's so..." Fluttershy sputtered out. "Are you sure?"
"Who could be unsure about this?" Pinkie Pie asked.
She went over to TJ, who laid his front hooves together, allowing Pinkie Pie to step into them. Then, with all his strength, TJ hoisted Pinkie Pie into the air.
"Whee!" Pinkie Pie called out as she flipped backwards and splashed into the water. She popped out seconds later. "See, Fluttershy? Fun, right? So will you do it?"
Everypony looked to Fluttershy curiously, though she still looked somewhat unsure. Part of her didn't like idea of being launched like that by somepony else. But another part of her thought it actually looked like a lot of fun and everypony seemed to think so. Fluttershy finally made a decision as she smiled and nodded her head.
"Sure, why not?" Fluttershy said. As the other ponies cheered, Fluttershy looked to all her new animal friends. "Would you all please excuse me for a little bit?"
The group of animals agreed they would wait for her.
"Thank you all for being so kind and so patient," Fluttershy said. "I'll be back."
Fluttershy then slowly made her way towards the lake. During her trot over, she was joined by a drenched Rainbow Dash running in the opposite direction. They both greeted each other with warm smiles without ever stopping. When Rainbow Dash reached the group on land, she began shaking herself like a dog trying to dry off. The other ponies all started screaming and complaining to Rainbow Dash, who smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, everypony," Rainbow Dash said. She then caught sight of her mother sitting next to Applejack, giving her a dark look. "Well, almost everypony at least."
"You meant everypony, Rainbow Dash," Applejack said angrily.
"Whatever," Rainbow Dash said as she trotted away. She took a seat a little further away from Firefly, though she did seem to have a disappointed look on her face. "Yes... I am sorry... to all of you... Especially you, Firefly."
Everypony smiled, though none as brightly as Firefly.
"Thank you, Rainbow Dash," Firefly said. "Apology accepted."
Everypony else agreed.
"Good..." Rainbow Dash said. "That's... That's good."
Everypony looked out to the lake and saw TJ about ready to launch Fluttershy into the air. The yellow coated pegasus still seemed a bit hesitant, but more so willing overall. That was when her ears picked up the cheering of all the ponies on land. She looked so her eyes could confirm what her ears already told her. At first old fears of stage fright and public anxiety began to take hold of Fluttershy.
But just as quickly, they were fought back by feelings of warmth, safety, and love from the friends she had formed such deep bonds with. Because of this, Fluttershy was able to smile as she nodded to TJ, giving him the okay to launch her. TJ did just that, lifting Fluttershy as high into the air as he could. Fluttershy actually found herself enjoying her trip through the air, even flapping her wings to aid it. The other ponies cheered even harder when they saw this.
Once the splash happened, the cheering was accompanied with applause. When Fluttershy popped out of the water and took a gasp of air before her ears picked up the cheers of her friends. This time, she had a smile on her face the whole time and even held her front hooves in the air like she just won some competition. This solicited amused laughs from both the ponies on the land and in the lake with Fluttershy even joining in.
Applejack was the first pony to stop laughing as she looked over to Rainbow Dash. The southern mare quietly thought to herself for a moment. Even when she looked from Rainbow Dash to Firefly, she was still deep in thought. She thought harder and harder until she made a decision.
"Would you excuse me for a moment, Firefly?" Applejack asked.
"Of course, Applejack," Firefly said pleasantly. "Go ahead and do your thing."
Applejack smiled and tipped her hat in gratitude before walking over to Rainbow Dash. The blue pegasus caught sight of her Earth pony friend and happily greeted her with a smile and a hoof bump.
"S'up, AJ?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Hey, Rainbow," Applejack said as she sat down next to her friend. "Can we talk?"
"Of course we can," Rainbow Dash said. "You know I always got time to talk to my buddy about anything." Suddenly Rainbow Dash's whole mood changed as she looked to Firefly, having realized Applejack had been sitting next to her and talking for a while. "Is this about her?"
Rainbow Dash's voice had been full of contempt as she pointed to her mom. Applejack just rolled her eyes in frustration.
"You know what, Rainbow Dash, yes!" Applejack said forcefully. "Yes, this is very much about her! I want to talk with you about your ma!"
"Well, if it's about us making up, forget it!" Rainbow Dash spat as she crossed her forelegs.
"Look, Rainbow Dash, I understand you're having problems with Firefly," Applejack said. "But is it really worth holding onto a grudge against her this long?"
"This long?" Rainbow Dash asked in disbelief. "We've only been on this island for a few days now."
"Yeah, but you've been angry with your ma for much longer, haven't ya?" Applejack demanded. "You've felt this way about her long before we got here! Why you've probably felt this way since as long as you were old enough to!"
"Climb off my back, Applejack!" Rainbow Dash demanded angrily. "This has nothing to do with you! This is between me and my mom! So I would appreciate it if you'd see your way out of my family business and mind your own!"
"Well, you know what, your family business is getting in the way of our team's unity!" Applejack said. "So I'm making it my business! Look, I know things are shaky between you and your ma-"
"That's putting it lightly!" Rainbow Dash scoffed. "You don't know everything that happened between her and me. That's why I don't expect you to understand how I feel. Just back off, Applejack!"
"I'm well aware of everything, Rainbow Dash," Applejack said. "Firefly told me everything that happened; why she left, everything."
"Then how can you be so cool with her?" Rainbow Dash demanded. "And how could you expect me to be fine with her, too?!"
"Because it sounds to me like she was doing what she thought was right, what she thought was best," Applejack said. "You've gotta admit, Rainbow Dash, it was a really complicated situation. Heck, in a lot of ways, it still kinda is."
"No, it isn't!" Rainbow Dash said. "She decided to abandon me so she could go run and hide to protect herself!"
"Now, you know that's not how it was!" Applejack said. "If that were so, it wouldn't matter to Firefly if you were here right now like you are. She'd treat you like any other so and so, maybe even worse. She was just doing what she thought was the right thing. Granted, there may have been other ways to deal with the situation, but Firefly has owned up to that both with us and you!
"But she's here now trying to apologize, trying to fix things, trying to make things right, trying to reconnect with you and you won't even give her a sniff! That's just wrong, Rainbow Dash! Don't you feel even the bare bits of wanting to maybe even try to reconcile with your ma?"
"Heck, no!" Rainbow Dash said.
"Not even a little bit?" Applejack asked. Rainbow Dash simply shook her head. "What about you agreeing to letting Firefly come with us then? Why even talk to her or acknowledge her at all? Ya can't tell me it's just to make her feel bad with your words.
You're starting to get better at saying nice things to her, too. And what about those little flight competitions you got into with Firefly? You can't tell me you weren't enjoying yourself just a little bit. Otherwise you wouldn't have gotten into them with her."
"I only got into it with her because she basically challenged me with those smiles of hers," Rainbow Dash said. "Whenever I tried to do something, she'd try to do it better than me or do an even better trick."
"You don't think she was just enjoying the playful competition with her daughter?" Applejack asked.
"No!" Rainbow Dash said. "Well... maybe- I mean... Look, I only agreed to let her come because you all seem to like her so much. You all seem happy to have her around for some reason, so I decided not to mess with that."
"So that's it?" Applejack asked.
"Yep," Rainbow Dash said.
"You don't enjoy the attention she gives you?" Applejack asked. "You don't even kind of like how nice she tries to be to you? It doesn't make you feel good inside that she's doing her absolute best to try and make that mother and daughter connection with you? I know she desperately wants it and I'm sure deep down, you want it, too?"
There was a moment of silence where Rainbow Dash just had her back turned to Applejack. Her forelegs were crossed and her eyes were shut. But then suddenly Rainbow Dash's eyes opened as she looked to her friend. While Applejack's expression was questioning, Rainbow Dash's conveyed deep, but uncertain thought. What someone else might think they saw was that for the first time Rainbow Dash was in a truly emotional conflict about how she felt.
Was she truly starting to warm up to Firefly? Did she really want to form a new mother and daughter connection with her if any connection at all? At that moment, nopony had the answers. not ever Rainbow Dash herself. Rainbow Dash continued to think about it as her eyes looked away, her mind still deep in thought.
"I see you got to think about it for a little bit," Applejack finally said. "Well, I won't act like I can't understand that at least. I'll admit, it's still a fragile situation. I'm just a friend on the outside looking in, trying my best to help anyway I can. Honestly, I really think the best way to help is to try and steer you into making up with your ma.
"All of us think so; you and Firefly are both fine ponies that we're happy to be friends with. To see you both become a family again, it would... why, it would make us all feel just great. But I know it won't compare to how great you would feel if it happened. I hope you can get passed this old grudge you have with your ma and be a family with her again. Sure she may have made an impulsive decision and acted only on emotion, but you've got to admit, that kinda reminds you of a certain pony.
"Perhaps a certain pony who had a run-in with a... Mysterious Mare-Do-Well?"
"Huh?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Just food for thought is all," Applejack said. "Look, basically what I'm saying is, I want you to be happy with your ma and I hope it happens soon... Because you don't know what ya got... until it's really gone. Trust me, I know."
Rainbow Dash's eyes widened as she realized what Applejack meant. When she turned to her friend, the orange coated Earth pony was already walking away. Rather than go after her or try to call her back, Rainbow Dash just watched as Applejack took her place back by Firefly's side. Then the highly conflicted Rainbow Dash was left alone with her own thoughts as she tried to figure out how she felt going forward.
"Thank you for trying, Applejack," Firefly said.
"It was my pleasure, Firefly," Applejack said sincerely.
"Probably didn't do much good, though," Firefly said. "No matter what I do, I can't get her to get over the past and love me the way I love her."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that," Applejack said. "I think we might be finally getting through to her."
"You really think so?" Firefly asked, her eyes wide with both surprise and a light tint of hope.
"Well, sure, I mean, just look at her," Applejack said as she pointed a hoof.
Firefly saw that Rainbow Dash was turned away with her head hung low.
"I just assumed that was more of her angst towards me," Firefly said. "Not that I blame her, mind you. I was just saying."
"No, I actually agree with Applejack," Rarity said. "Rainbow Dash is deep in thought right now. That's her usual posture when she's thinking very hard about something, especially if it's something emotional."
"I don't know," Firefly said.
"We do," Rarity and Applejack said together.
"Don't give up on her just yet, Firefly," Rarity said. "Though she may be stubborn, among other things, Rainbow Dash in generally a good pony."
"Oh, I know that," Firefly said. "Even if she never forgives me, I'll always know that. I see so many of her father's good qualities in her... and maybe even some of his... lesser ones, too."
"I also see a lot of the same from her ma in her, too," Applejack said with a wink.
"As do, I," Rarity said. "That's part of how I know that Rainbow Dash is a good enough pony that she'll eventually forgive you, Firefly. She's just a little stubborn is all. That's something I admit I know about."
"So do I," Applejack said.
"Me, too," Firefly said. "Thank you both. Rainbow Dash truly has the best of friends."
"Well, now, so do you, darling," Rarity said.
The three mares embraced at the same time Twilight and Muse were making their way over. Both of them had decided they finally had enough of the water and needed a rest. They were both certainly wet enough that was for sure. The two alicorns were laughing and smiling the whole time they walked, though. Though they were both tired, they had a wonderful time overall.
Twilight Sparkle and Muse sat down and watched as Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy climbed on top of TJ like he were a tree. All three of them laughed with the two mares letting out short screams as TJ started walking around. He still managed to hold them both up before they all eventually went tumbling into the water. When they came out again, all three ponies were thankfully unharmed. The sight of all that happening amused the two alicorns a great deal.
"That brother of yours is quite the strong, playful kind, isn't he?" Twilight Sparkle said.
"He's pretty smart, too, ya gotta admit," Muse said. "Coming to the lake today was a great idea."
"Oh, I know; such a great idea!" Twilight Sparkle strongly agreed. "We got to have so much fun."
"It felt like nearly all of our troubles were washed away," Muse said. "We needed a distraction... Even if we still have to-"
"No, Muse," Twilight Sparkle said. "Right now is all about fun."
"Yeah, I know," Muse said. "But you still gotta keep it in the back of your head, right?"
"I'm sure everypony is, especially the village ponies back in Willowbrook," Twilight Sparkle said. "But today is the last day before we actually start getting stuff done. We can worry about everything else tomorrow when that starts. Right now, it's all about fun."
"Then I'm gonna have some fun with you," Muse said with a devious smile on her face.
"What do you mean?" Twilight Sparkle said, her voice showing concern by Muse's tone and facial expression.
"Oh, I'll tell you what I mean," Muse said. "I got a question for you, Twilight, and I want you to be totally straight with me this time. Everypony's asked you in one way or another, by now I want a definitive answer. Do you dig my brother?"
"Huh?!" Twilight Sparkle said with alarm.
"Do you like Thunder Jack?" Muse asked. "And I don't mean like as in friends. I mean, do you like-like him... Well, Twilight, how about it?"
"Uh..." was all Twilight Sparkle could stutter out at first.
She kept trying to find the right words to say, but her mind was drawing blanks. The look on her face would convey this if it weren't expressing the extreme nervousness that choked her up and made her stutter more than speak. Nervous twitches were running through Twilight's whole body before she tensed up like crazy. She always knew there was a chance this would be put in front of her in the most blunt of ways, but she also knew she'd never be ready for it.
"It's... a bit more complicated than that," Twilight Sparkle said.
"No, it isn't," Muse insisted. "Either you dig my brother or you don't. I know that's how he feels about you."
Twilight Sparkle's eyes twitched to Muse, gazing with a new light.
"He does?!" Twilight Sparkle asked. "How do you know that?!"
"I've seen the way he looks at you," Muse said. "A sister can tell these things. I've seen the way you look at him, too. I'm pretty sure you have feelings for him, but I want to hear it from you, Twilight. So what is it?"
"Well... I..." This time, Twilight's initial body numbing nerves were gone. However, it was still easy to tell she was uncomfortable talking about this. "I'm honestly not sure," Twilight Sparkle finally said.
"Why not?" Muse asked.
"Because... well, we haven't really known each other that long," Twilight Sparkle said. "I'm afraid to say I really feel that way about him. I mean, what if it isn't a real emotional connection and it's only... a physical attraction?"
"Ah," Muse sang out. "So you do feel something for TJ? Get a good look at that stallion bod and it sends you all to pieces, does it?"
"Alright, he's cute," Twilight Sparkle finally said with an embarrassed smile. "But relationships need to be built from more than just something like that. There needs to be... an emotional attachment, you know?"
"Well, you're already friends, aren't you?" Muse asked.
"Oh, no doubt about it," Twilight Sparkle said.
"Then clearly there's a connection somewhere," Muse said.
"Being friends is different, Muse," Twilight Sparkle said. "Anypony can be a friend, but a pony you want... that sort of relationship with that can possibly turn into... a long term deal is very different."
"I guess I can understand that," Muse said.
"I won't act like I haven't thought about it, though... not anymore," Twilight Sparkle said.
Muse's face lit up like a Hearth's Warming tree.
"Then there's hope?" Muse asked.
"Well... maybe," Twilight Sparkle said as she looked out to the lake. "I just want to make sure the way we feel about each other is real. I've known for a while now, the way TJ feels about me and I'm pretty sure he knows the way I feel about him. He hasn't rushed the situation yet, which I'm both thankful for... and a little scared of."
"Why be scared?" Muse asked.
"Well, because if neither of us are trying to rush it, does that mean our feelings aren't real?" Twilight Sparkle said. "Other ponies always try to rush into things with these kinds of situations and-"
"But how often do those last?" Muse asked.
Twilight Sparkle silently thought about it before finally saying, "Good point."
"You're both smart ponies," Muse said. "You're both just trying to make sure you're not fools rushing in, which is really respectable. If anything, it's the rest of us who are trying to rush you guys. We honestly feel like you both would be the perfect power couple in our circle."
"You... guys really think so?" Twilight Sparkle asked with a blushing smile.
"Absolutely," Muse said. "You're both very talented, very kind, very loving, and overall good ponies. You can talk to each other in ways the rest of us can't even talk to you guys. Even though you're both very different, you're able to get pass the differences and enjoy what you have in common and even some things you don't. The point is, all of us think you two would be really good together; great even."
The pair of alicorns looked on and watched happily as TJ continued playing around with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.
"He really is a good guy, isn't he?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
"Darn right he is," Muse said. "And I can say that without a doubt, because well, sister and all."
"Right," Twilight Sparkle said. She then stood up and called out, "Hey, everypony!"
All eyes were on the princess.
"What's up, Twilight?" Pinkie Pie called out.
"I think we should head back now," Twilight Sparkle said. "I'm beat."
"Yeah, me, too," TJ agreed. "It's probably a good idea of we head out and get back home."
Everypony agreed that they were pretty tired and wanted to head home as well.
"But do you think we could go over the plans you and Moon Bright made together sometime before the day's done?" Applejack asked.
A thought filled look was on Twilight Sparkle's face.
"Does everypony else feel the same way?" the violet alicorn asked.
Some of the ponies agreed right on the spot while others took longer to decide. In the end, though, everypony agreed it was best to go over the plans as soon as possible.
"The sooner we discuss the plans, the sooner we can use them!" Firefly said.
"Yeah, then we can show these minotaurs who's the boss around these parts!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
Firefly and several other ponies looked to the rainbow maned pony in surprise, to which she replied with a neutral expression.
"Well, okay, then," Twilight Sparkle said. "After we get back to Willowbrook and have a chance to gather ourselves, let's say we meet at TJ and Muse's hut, then?"
"Yes," everypony agreed.
"Then let's get going," Twilight Sparkle said.
"I officially declare this lake party over!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. She then stopped for a moment. "Oh, wait! Wait a minute! Wait just a second, everypony!"
The pink pony then pulled out her trademark party canon, seemingly out of nowhere, (which is another Pinkie Pie trademark). Pinkie Pie then fired off a large blast of confetti and streamers into the air, which then seemed to spontaneously disappear.
"Now it's over!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed.
Just want to take the time to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I promise you all after this chapter and starting with the next... we're gonna kick 2017 off with a bang and finally start getting down to the nitty gritty. I'm The Guy Who Likes To Write Stuff, signing off.