Twenty-Four – Beauty, Books, and Butterflies

It had taken some coercion from Cherry Berry—whom Twilight had paid well in advance for the effort—but they'd finally convinced Fluttershy that, yes, riding a hot air balloon back to Ponyville was perfectly safe. Of course, Twilight still had to use her magic to pull her wife out from under the bed and hug her until she stopped shivering.

But now, up in the air, with only the clouds and the warm sun for company, Twilight understood her fear. It was too easy to relive the trauma of running into the storm, falling forever, crashing…

At least Twilight had been unconscious during the worst of it. She ached to think what poor Fluttershy was feeling as she tumbled out of the sky and landed in the Everfree Forest.

And then she had to pause and ask herself: why did Fluttershy always seem to end up falling and screaming all the way down? The day of her cutie mark, the near-crash at the Wonderbolts Academy, the trip to Fillydelphia—she was always doomed to freeze up and fall. But why?

Because Sky Sonnet put the bar too high, a snide little voice inside her head answered.

Twilight understood that as well. That terror of failing to meet her elder's expectations. That was why she leaned over in the basket—careful not to hit Cherry Berry as she navigated the balloon—and rubbed at Fluttershy's shoulder.

"Eep—Twilight!" Fluttershy blushed when she spun around, summoning a courageous smile. "Oh, goodness, you startled me."

"I'm so sorry about that," said Twilight, meaning every word of it. She took her sweet pegasus into her forelegs, holding her close. "I feel bad I didn't tell you about the balloon, but honestly it's part of the next surprise."

Fluttershy sighed and nuzzled Twilight's neck. "You're right. I've always trusted you when I needed you the most. Like remember that time you did your juggling trick with my animals?"

Twilight giggled. "Or what about that time I helped sabotage your runaway walk with Photo Finish?"

"Thank goodness you did! I don't think I could've ever come clean with Rarity if not for that!"

They laughed and Twilight bent down to kiss her cheek. So far, this balloon ride was going a lot better than the last one she'd organized. No more magic storms lay ahead—at least, she hoped not. But even if they did, Twilight's confidence had been reinforced. She knew that, whatever happened, they'd face it together. Between Twilight's magic and what she liked to think of as Fluttershy's emergency flying skills, they'd persevere.

As she leaned into Twilight, Fluttershy poked her head up and glanced over the rim of the basket. Below them, the thick white clouds began to part as Cherry Berry steered them closer to their destination. It was midmorning, so the sun was high, illuminating every inch of the land beneath them. Twilight turned around, immediately picking out familiar details like the summit of the town hall, the schoolhouse, the stately exterior of Carousel Boutique, and the plowed fields of Sweet Apple Acres.

"What'd I tell you?" said Cherry Berry. Her hoof twisted a gauge around, bringing the balloon into a controlled descent. "Made it to Ponyville in one piece!"

Twilight grinned. "Yes, you definitely earned your bits today!"

"Goodness!" Fluttershy pointed at the town. "I wonder what's going on there?"

Those words made Twilight's heart skip a beat, but she took a deep breath to settle herself. She needed to keep on track for this next part, just like she'd planned.

When she looked down from the balloon, Twilight saw the familiar leafy top of the Golden Oaks Library. Her heart sang at the sight of her home—even more of a home than her palatial rooms in Canterlot. But what caught Fluttershy's attention was the commotion going on behind the library.

Ever since Twilight had moved in, there had been a small vacant lot behind the treehouse, with enough space to fit one or two small houses comfortably. When she'd asked Mayor Mare about it, the city official had mentioned something about residential zoning rules and a logistical error that had never been settled. The lot had stayed empty, as had the library, until Twilight had come to stay. A flat brown space that she'd never used, except for that one week she'd tried to start a garden and ending up uncovering a whole batch of Discord's plunderseeds.

Twilight still relished the look of embarrassment on his face when Fluttershy had flown up and demanded an apology from him. In front of the entire town.

But now, an entire crew of stallions and mares in hard hats and orange vests swarmed the lot. Twilight watched them pour in the concrete foundation and erect a wooden framework for a wide and curving building. The balloon was too high up for her to hear any hammers or drills, but she liked to imagine the sounds anyway. It was impressive enough to see so many locals hard at work, bringing one of her ideas into fruition.

"Twilight, are they supposed to be doing that?" asked Fluttershy. Her curiosity had overtaken her fear, as she now leaned out over the basket to watch the construction take place.

"Yes, Shy. Yes, they are." Twilight pulled her back from behind, wrapping her into another hug. "They just laid the foundation for the Golden Oaks Zoo."

"Th-th-the what?" Fluttershy spun around so fast that Twilight's forelegs were almost ripped out of her sockets. "The what?"

Twilight smiled, unable to keep from blushing now that the moment had finally arrived. "While I was still in the hospital, I exchanged a few letters with the Mayor. She agreed that Ponyville would benefit from all the tourists and revenue we'd get for an open-air petting zoo." She leaned in and pecked Fluttershy right on the nose. "Your zoo, to be precise. Princess Fluttershy."

Fluttershy couldn't speak, except to let out a tiny adorable squeal. She squeezed Twilight in a near-lethal embrace, crushing all the air from her lungs despite the magic barrier she threw up at the last second. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! Twilight, this is the best thing ever!"

"You're… welcome…!" It hurt to laugh, but Twilight did so as she gently pushed her wife free. "And that's not all. I sent an additional request for an extension to the library. Specifically to the bedroom."

Cherry Berry laughed, but Fluttershy didn't. She was searching Twilight's face, her smile fading to a concerned frown. "Th-the bedroom? Why would—?"

"Because of the other set of papers I sent to Mayor Mare just before the wedding." Twilight's stomach was suddenly filled with butterflies—king-sized butterflies, if she had to guess. She could see the words perfectly in her mind, but as she looked at Fluttershy's anxious face, she was starting to wonder if the poor dear could handle so much news in one go. Hadn't she taken a big risk with the zoo? Couldn't this have waited?

No. Fluttershy deserved the whole truth. She'd proven to Twilight that she was strong enough for anything, provided her one true love was there at her side.

"Twilight?" Fluttershy prompted. Her hoof rested on her wife's shoulder. "What other papers did you send?"

Letting out another deep breath, Twilight steeled herself. To forestall another hug attack, she drew Fluttershy into her hooves and kissed the top of her head.

"Nothing too big," she said into Fluttershy's ear. "Just a standard packet of adoption papers."

Fluttershy went absolutely still. Twilight went almost as quiet, except she could feel her heart pounding inside her ribcage, demanding an early release.

"Adoption…" Fluttershy blinked. Then her lips curved up into an enormous, heart-melting grin. "Oh, my…"

Twilight smiled back as she squeezed Fluttershy's hooves into her own. "You didn't think I'd forget about Phoenix because of our honeymoon, did you? When you told me about the promise you made to your aunt, I knew I had to do whatever it took to help you keep it."

"But it's such a big responsibility—"

"I know." Before Fluttershy could offer another protest, Twilight leaned in and kissed her square on the lips. Then she pulled back, letting her wife gasp for air while she added, "But I think I'd like to try it anyway. And I'm positive you're going to be a fantastic mother."

Another joyful squeal was all Fluttershy had to say about that. Twilight was starting to wonder if her new wife was going to be permanently glued to her belly from all the hugging when an air current rocked the balloon from side to side.

"Hold on!" said Cherry Berry. She stood on her hind legs, twisting gauges left and right. "We're coming in for a landing!"

The newlyweds held on tight to each other as the basket swayed back and forth. But watching Cherry Berry's quick and precise motions kept them confident. With sandbags deployed, the balloon came to a slow halt a few yards away from the library. Twilight breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that the balloon hadn't caught on any of the branches growing out from the massive tree.

"Woo hoo!" somepony cheered. Twilight glanced out the basket in time to see Pinkie Pie bounding down the road for them. "I told ya guys they'd be here! Pinkie Sense strikes again!"

And there they were. Spike, Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash came running up after Pinkie, all smiling and cheering as Fluttershy helped Twilight out of the balloon. She grinned when she felt Spike's scales rubbing into her coat and hugged him back.

"I hope your vacation was worth it," Spike said in a teasing growl, "because we've been busy!"

"Yes, I can see!"

Rarity trotted forward, looking so very fashionable in her new scarf. "Oh, my dear Fluttershy! Congratulations! I can't believe your dream's finally coming true!"

Fluttershy nuzzled her. "I can hardly believe it myself!"

As she watched the two mares continue to chatter on, Twilight turned and saw Applejack smiling at her with half-shut eyes. "And what's that look supposed to mean, A.J.?"

"Ain't nothing, sugarcube." The farm pony tipped her hat back as she walked alongside Twilight, moving toward the pile of luggage that Cherry Berry was unloaded from the balloon. "I'm just mighty proud of ya, though. Taking in little Phoenix like that. I just know she'll be in good hooves."

"Yeah." Twilight was tempted to ask how Applejack had felt when she had to help raise her little sister after losing their parents, but she decided against it. Somehow, it felt wrong to disturb that warm and caring expression on her friend's face.

"So," Applejack continued, "when's that sweet little filly coming to town?"

"Not for another three months." When Twilight paused, she could finally hear the thwack of hammers and the shouts of ponies hard at work nearby. She and Applejack turned toward the rising wooden structure that would one day become a zoo.

"Fortunately, we'll be busy enough that it'll seem like no time at all."

While it wasn't her first train ride, Phoenix Dawn was pretty nervous as she rode the Friendship Express to Ponyville. For one thing, it was her first trip without her Aunt Nimble or any of her other relatives. Instead, she was sitting in the Children's Car near the middle of the train, surrounded by a bunch of other fillies and colts. The compartment was noisy with their chatter and a few of them—mostly pegasi—were literally bouncing off the walls as the train chugged forward.

"Everypony!" Their supervisor, a chocolate brown mare with a pink mane, lifted her hoof up for silence. "I know you're all excited, but please take your seats. We'll be arriving in Ponyville very soon!"

Ponyville! The name sent a chill through Phoenix and she shifted deeper into her seat. She looked down at the flowery pair of saddlebags sitting on the floor beneath her. Everything she had brought from Fillydelphia was in there: her favorite blanket, a picture of Nimble Thimble, the hat she'd gotten from the zoo, some fruit snacks, and a scarf that her Aunt Posey had given her at the train station. She knew she wouldn't have to worry once she got to town, but that still made her uneasy.

She loved her cousin Fluttershy. How could she not, when Shy was so sweet and so awesome at flying? And now that she was married, she was a princess, too! And Phoenix was more than eager to be living with the one and only Twilight Sparkle. But it was the change that had her worried the most. Would she ever see her friends from Fillydelphia again? Would the ponies in Ponyville like her? Or would they only like her because she was living with two Princesses? And what if she was the only filly who still hadn't gotten her cutie mark—?

Her thoughts dried up when she heard the train whistle's piercing shout and felt the Children's Car began to slow down. Phoenix grabbed her saddlebags like the other fillies were doing and stayed in her seat. She tucked her legs together to keep them from shaking, but that didn't stop her wings from doing the same.

As the train came to a grinding halt, the brown mare smiled and pushed the front door open. "Good job, my little ponies! Watch your step, make sure you take all your belongings with you, and welcome to Ponyville!"

Fillies and colts burst out into a loud cheer as they dashed for the exit. Phoenix was swept up into their midst, trying to keep herself part of the crowd. She didn't want a big spectacle for her arrival. All those grown-ups smiling and pointing at her in Canterlot had made her feel nervous.

I wonder, she thought, right before taking her first step off the train, if that's how Fluttershy feels all the time.

As her hooves touched down on the platform, Phoenix looked around her new hometown. She saw ponies of every color here, all wearing big smiles and talking in loud, friendly voices to one another. She saw fillies and colts running up to their waiting parents, who didn't look embarrassed when they hugged them in front of everypony. So far, Ponyville seemed to be one big happy place, full of smiles and sunshine.

Phoenix sniffed. Even the air was better out here. None of that icky smog from back home.

"Phoenix!" a familiar voice squealed. "Phoenix, over here!"

Turning around, the filly grinned and dashed toward the other end of the platform. "Fluttershy!"

She embraced her cousin in a flying leap, burying her face deep into her shoulder. Fluttershy giggled and twirled her around, holding her close.

"Are you okay?" asked Fluttershy, still carrying Phoenix as she flew up into the air. "How was your trip? Did you have fun? Were you scared? Did you make any new friends—?"

"Fluttershy!" Phoenix laughed as she tried to slip out of her hooves. With a determined flap of her wings, she hovered alongside her cousin and looked her in the eye. "I'm fine, really! I'm just happy to see you!"

"And we're happy to see you," said another pony, whose voice was less familiar. Phoenix gasped and spun around, looking straight at Twilight Sparkle. Twilight giggled and pulled the filly in for another hug, but using less force than Fluttershy.

Phoenix blinked, trying not to cry like some little foal. But she'd never felt this happy before, not even on her best flying days. Now she had two of the things that she'd wanted the most: more time with her favorite cousin and a chance to hang out with a real-life princess.

She guessed living in Ponyville wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Come on," said Twilight as she put Phoenix back down. "Let's show you our new home. We've got plenty of surprises in store for you there."

When Twilight mentioned the word "surprise," Phoenix thought back to their time in Fillydelphia. Her eyes widened. "Ooh, like a whole stack of Daring Do novels?"

"Well, yes, but that's only one of the surprises!" Twilight ruffled her mane—careful not to upset her bow—and guided her and Fluttershy down the platform steps. "But first, you deserve the grand Ponyville tour!"

Everything in Ponyville was a lot more colorful and exciting than Phoenix had expected. She marveled at the fine orchards of Sweet Apple Acres and loved the smell of fresh baked goods at Sugarcube Corner. Even the clouds overhead were big and fluffy, not wispy like back home. And there were lots of pegasi, too! Way more pegasi and earth ponies than back home! And so many fillies and colts, out in the streets, laughing and playing freely. It was like the whole town was made for fun!

"And it's not just ponies who live here either!" Twilight was saying, completely lost in her role as a tour guide. She pointed her hoof toward a small café, where a pair of older mules were sitting outside, sharing a drink and making lovey-dovey eyes at each other. "We've got mules, griffons, and even a zebra!"

"And don't forget a very cute baby dragon!" Fluttershy chimed in. Phoenix laughed and hugged her cousin while they walked.

Twilight laughed, too. "That's right! And don't worry, Spike's a very tame dragon—except when he's cranky about being hungry or missing a nap." She grinned as they turned the corner and left the marketplace. "Which he does often, to be honest."

"Getting cranky?" asked Phoenix.

"No, eating and sleeping! But he really is the best assistant I could ask for and I'm sure you two will get along just fine!"

Phoenix hoped so. She'd thought the little guy was cute when she first saw him, but then she'd gone to the library with Nimble Thimble after the wedding. Her aunt had helped her with her first time checking out a book: The Big Book of Mythical Creatures and Critters: Children's Edition. While looking up phoenixes, she'd learned about other beasts like hippogriffs and dragons. It had scared her to think that somepony as small and cute as Spike could grow up to be a giant fire-breathing monster rampaging through town.

But maybe, Phoenix hoped, he'd grow up into a nice, non-destructive dragon who went around saving trapped ponies and lost critters, just like Daring Do or Fluttershy did. Then he'd be the coolest housemate ever!

As they came toward the Golden Oaks Library, Phoenix found herself checking out all the other ponies in town. Most of them smiled and waved when they saw Twilight and Fluttershy, which meant they weren't singling out Phoenix as a new arrival. She liked that, but she also wondered why she didn't see any of Fluttershy's other friends, like Rarity or Rainbow Dash. Her letters to Nimble Thimble had always described in great detail what they were like and what adventures they were having.

Twilight stopped at her front door and glanced over her shoulder. "Fluttershy, do you mind taking her bags?"

"Sure!" Phoenix felt her cousin remove the pair of saddlebags. She wiggled her flank, savoring the weight taken off her back and trotted up toward Twilight as she pushed the door open.

"Surprise!"

Everything was a blur as something pink and fast grabbed Phoenix and tossed her into the air. She went sailing through the library, now wearing a party hat that hadn't been there before, and landed on a huge pile of red velvet pillows. Then a herd of ponies were crowding around her, smiling and laughing as they picked her up again and tossed her into the air again.

"Welcome, Phoenix!" said Rarity. She leaned down and nuzzled the girl. "Oh, you're every bit as adorable as your cousin!"

"Howdy, little filly!" said Applejack. "Welcome to Ponyville!"

"Heya!" Rainbow Dash flew over Phoenix, shaking her hoof and then sticking a small white card into it. "I'm sure Fluttershy told you all about me, but just in case she hasn't, I'm the one and only Rainbow Dash. And this card entitles you to a lifetime membership in the Rainbow Dash Fan Club, which only the coolest club in town!"

Phoenix grinned as she watched the older pegasus loop around in the air. "Aww, yeah! I can't wait to watch you fly again!"

Rainbow Dash laughed and ruffled the filly's mane. "Totally. And don't you worry! Flight camp is gonna be a blast. I guarantee it!"

"And you know what else is a blast?" Pinkie Pie bounced into view. "My party cannon!"

Something exploded to her right and then Phoenix was showered with confetti and streamers. She giggled as Pinkie Pie somersaulted along the floor, pulling out a music player from behind one of the many bookshelves in the room. This crazy pony reminded her of the clowns she once saw at a traveling circus with her aunt—except she remembered seeing the clowns grab their props from a box onstage, instead out of thin air.

"Come on, Phoenix!" Pinkie cried, pulling the little pony up onto her hind legs. She shouted over the fast-tempo music. "Shake that flank! Get groovy with that booty!"

"Pinkie, I think she'd rather—" Twilight was cut off when Pinkie shoved a cupcake into her mouth. Fluttershy giggled and appeared behind her, now wearing a party hat just like Phoenix.

"Twilight, she's new in town!" Pinkie smiled down at Phoenix. "And her Auntie Pinkie Pie's gonna show her a good time!" She pointed her hoof into the air. "Look, we even got fillies your age to play with!"

When she heard a trio of high-pitched giggles, Phoenix looked up the stairs and saw three fillies racing down to meet her. She blinked. For a moment, she thought she was looking at some of Twilight's friends, somehow gone back in time.

"Howdy, Phoenix!" said Apple Bloom. She hopped over to the filly and shook her hoof. "Hey, I really like your bow!"

"Uh, thanks! I like yours, too!"

"It's tre cutie!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed, leaning over to examine the accessory from different angles. "I told Rarity they were gonna be fashionable this year!"

Phoenix didn't have the first clue about fashion, but she was glad somepony liked her style. She blushed and whispered, "Thanks!" but it was hard to hear her over the other fillies' chatter. They were way friendlier than the ponies she knew back home.

"Hey, nice wings!" Scootaloo prodded Phoenix right in the flank. "I bet you get some great mileage outta those!"

Again, Phoenix blushed. "I wish I did! Then I'd be able to keep up with Fluttershy!"

"Whaddaya mean, Fluttershy?" Scootaloo frowned. "Nopony's faster than Rainbow Dash!"

"Yeah, right! Have you ever seen my cousin?" Phoenix floated off the floor, kicking her hind legs as she spoke. "When there's a big dragon or a manticore on the prowl, she's all 'Hyah!' and 'Wham!'"

Fluttershy materialized beside her, patting her cousin's shoulder. "Oh, dear. That sounds pretty dangerous. I'd much rather be safe at home, snuggling up with a nice cup of tea."

It was obvious to Phoenix that her cool older cousin was only putting on a brave face for everypony else. She knew beyond all doubt that Fluttershy was much stronger and faster than Scootaloo realized. But that was okay. She looked forward to the day when her new friend would see it for herself. Oh, how she'd be gloating then!

"Aww, I don't have tea!" Pinkie bounded over, balancing a plate full of sweets on one hoof. "But what I do have is chocolate cake with raspberry filling! I hope you like it, Phoenix!"

"Raspberry's my favorite!" she replied, clapping her front hooves together.

Pinkie gasped. "Mine, too!"

"Really?"

"Well, it is now!" Pinkie laughed and handed a piece of cake to the filly. "Dig in!"

The party lasted for another three hours, during which Phoenix danced, ate plenty of cake, and played two rounds of Pin the Tail on the Pony. She'd never had such a good time before, not even among her family back home. But when she kept seeing the loving smiles that Fluttershy and Twilight kept giving her, she knew they were her family now and that was okay by her.

Pinkie Pie cleaned everything up when it was time to say goodbye. Phoenix gave her new friends, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, a tired wave as they left with their big sisters. She was looking forward to seeing them all at school on the next Monday. And then she stopped and realized that she was actually looking forward to being at school.

Phoenix Dawn, she said to herself, that is so not like you!

As Fluttershy closed the front door, she turned around and smiled. "Okay, Phoenix! It's time for bed!"

"Mm 'kay," Phoenix mumbled. She tried to get up from her spot on the floor, but the fatigue was setting in. Not even her wings wanted to work anymore. She dropped back down and curled up like a kitten. "Uh, in a minute…"

Fluttershy chuckled and reached down to scoop the tired filly into her hooves. She cradled Phoenix against her chest, sighing with joy. "I can't believe you're really here now. You don't know how much I've wanted to see you again, sweetie."

"Mm-hmm." The words registered in her ears, but all Phoenix cared about was the warmth from her cousin's hug.

"Tomorrow, I'll take you to my cottage and show you all the cute little animals there! Oh, I just know you've love the birds and the bumblebees!"

"Sure, I will…"

Fluttershy chuckled again and bent down to kiss her on the cheek. "Well, I should get going, too. I can't leave all those critters alone tonight. But I'll be back for breakfast tomorrow, okay?"

Phoenix felt her eyelids drooping shut. She'd rather have a bed than think about breakfast. "Mm 'kay, Shy…"

Fluttershy kissed her again and then let go. For a split second, Phoenix was jolted awake as she felt herself fall, but then something caught her from below. She blinked and stared at the magical aura that surrounded her.

Twilight emerged from upstairs, her horn glowing and her face bright with a smile. "There you are, dear. I've got the guest bed all set out for you."

"Thanks," Phoenix mumbled, now floating in orbit somewhere around Twilight's shoulder.

Fluttershy leaned over and kissed Twilight on the cheek. "I'll see you two tomorrow, then."

"I can hardly wait," Twilight answered and returned the kiss on Fluttershy's lips. Phoenix wasn't a fan of the kind of smooching that grownups did, so she hoped that she'd fallen asleep and was only dreaming this part.

As soon as Fluttershy left, Twilight moved Phoenix to rest on her back. That freed up her magic to turn down the lights inside the library. She did it methodically, without even pausing as she trotted back upstairs. Phoenix was amazed at how smooth the ride was for her. She knew unicorns could control their magic—like her old classmate Juniper—but she'd never seen precision like this before.

This dream kept getting better and better.

"I can tell you want to go right to bed," said Twilight as they entered the upstairs bedroom. "But first things first! Let's brush our teeth!"

The next minute or so was a blur to Phoenix. She foggily remembered wet bristles and some strong minty liquid being shoved and gargled in her throat before she had to spit it back out. Scenes of cold white tile, an owl on a perch, and a sleeping baby dragon in a basket flashed through her mind, all seen through the magenta haze of Twilight's magic.

She became more conscious of the soft bed in which she laid down. Twilight smiled as she tucked Phoenix into bed and reached over to fluff up her pillow. The alicorn was younger than Nimble Thimble, but she had the same quiet and caring smile as Phoenix's aunt.

"There you go," said Twilight. She leaned down and kissed Phoenix on the cheek. "Sleep well, my little pony. You've quite a day."

"Mm-hmm…" Phoenix's eyes drifted shut. She felt herself beginning to fall asleep, drifting off into one of those nice flying dreams…

"But," Twilight said suddenly, "I guess you might be too sleepy for a bedtime story."

Phoenix's eyes snapped open and she sat up at once. "Really? Like a Daring Do story?"

Twilight giggled and sat down on the guest bed. "Of course!" As she spoke, a familiar book floated up from her nightstand and onto Twilight's lap. Her horn was bright enough that she could probably read by that light. "We never got to finish Daring Do and the Legendary Firebird. Do you remember where we left off?"

Squeezing her eyes shut, Phoenix thought hard. It had been a long time and she usually wasn't too good at recalling facts, especially in school. But imagining Twilight's voice while she read made it easier. She remembered that bit about the mountain peaks, and then Daring Do fighting those spear-throwing ponies in that one village, and then there was—

"Yes!" she cried. "Daring Do was just about to find the phoenix nest!"

Twilight giggled and scooted over to the filly, wrapping one hoof around her shoulders. "That's right!" She cleared her throat. "Now, let's begin…"

Phoenix leaned into Twilight's side while she read. She really enjoyed this story and could totally see herself in Daring Do's place, flying up mountains and chasing giant birds made of fire. One day, she'd do just that. Once she got into flight camp and made Fluttershy proud, she'd have all kinds of adventures.

One day…

She didn't remember how the story ended because she fell asleep, but in her dreams, Phoenix was Daring Do, soaring through the endless skies.

While it wasn't quite so glamorous as Canterlot, Rarity had picked up on the essentials to what—for her—was a perfect day in Ponyville. It began with making breakfast for Sweetie Belle and ended with tucking her into bed at night. Throughout the rest of the day were reviews of her latest designs and completing whatever dress orders she had on her Priority List. But the best part about the day was the middle, when she visited the spa with Fluttershy and often took lunch with her afterward.

Today, however, was extra special. Rarity was wearing her finest summer hat, sitting at a table inside Le Abreuvoir. She sipped her strawberry wine from a silver glass that had been polished to perfection and ate dainty bites of foin au poivre—a dish she had slowly come to enjoy ever since that failed attempt during her first date with Spike. But it wasn't the food or the cool spring air passing through the restaurant that made her happy.

Rather, it was her fellow guests.

Sitting across the table from her were Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, and their precocious filly Phoenix Dawn. After watching them grow together over the last four months, Rarity doubted that she would ever see a more adorable family. The way Fluttershy wiped off her foal's cheek was heartwarming, but not as much as the way Phoenix and Twilight chatted about what she was learning in school.

Seeing that excited smile on Twilight's face meant the world to Rarity. She considered making her friend so happy a personal triumph. Perhaps one of her greatest feats yet.

Spike sat closer to Rarity, giggling like a truant school-pony as he sprinkled fragments of diamond and sapphire onto his salad. Not the most genteel thing to do in plain view of Garçon, but she admired his enthusiasm nonetheless. Besides, the little dragon was such a help to her in the boutique that she knew she had all the time in the world to teach him the art of politesse—if only to match his passion, which she enjoyed and indulged every time they met now.

"…It's all on a number line," Twilight was saying. Her hoof traced out patterns on a napkin beside her plate, plotting points that only an intellectual would appreciate. "If you go back ten, and then down seven points here, you get seventeen. Make sense?"

Phoenix nodded and Rarity's heart soared once again. She still remembered the dubious look that the filly had given when she was brought to Carousel Boutique. But all doubts had melted when Rarity presented her with a newly-made bow for her mane. It was worth it to see the joy in her eyes when Rarity fitted the new accessory on her head. Good heavens, to think that she hadn't replaced hers in over a year!

And of course, Rarity had been generous enough to give Fluttershy a whole collection of the dainty bows for Phoenix to keep. The last image she recalled from that day was Phoenix flying over to hug Rarity, grinning from ear to ear in a way that reminded her of Fluttershy's smile.

"Well, I imagine you've been quite busy," said Rarity. She took another sip from her wineglass and smiled over the rim at Fluttershy. "I hear the interior of the Golden Oaks Zoo is nearly finished."

"Yes, there's only a few weeks more to go!" Fluttershy replied with a grin. "Oh, Rarity, you don't know how excited I am! I just… I want to jump up and down on the table, I'm so thrilled!"

The mental image of Fluttershy bouncing off the walls like Pinkie Pie made Rarity chuckle, but she knew the pegasus wasn't capable of that. Not unless a sonic rainboom occurred or a swarm of Breezies showed up.

"It's really something," Spike chimed in, pausing to swallow his mouthful of gems. "Would you believe we've already got animals showing up at our doorstep, ready to move in there?"

"Really?"

Fluttershy smiled again, lost in her own little world. If Rarity had to guess, her happy place was a sunshine-covered meadow full of hopping white rabbits. "Oh, yes! We had the cutest, cuddliest raccoons show up yesterday!" Her voice trailed off into a whiny of joy.

"Yeah!" said Phoenix, looking up from her study session. Her chic bow twitched. "They were really playful, too!"

While she questioned the wisdom of playing with dirty creatures that wandered in off the street, the girl's enthusiasm was quite precious. Rarity chuckled and patted the filly's hoof. "I'll bet they were, darling."

"And what about you, Rarity?" Twilight looked up from her gourmet hayburger, still licking her lips from another tasty bite. "I imagine you've been busy with orders from Canterlot ever since the wedding."

Rarity blushed. She'd been expecting this question for a while and steeled herself. "Well, darling, to be honest, my business hasn't picked up that much. No, no, don't be alarmed. Spike can tell you that I'm not hurting for customers or the occasional order from Sapphire Shores." She gave a quick wink to the dragon; once her walking pincushion, now her part-time personal assistant, on loan from Princess Twilight Sparkle herself.

"But the truth is that I have more time now to devote to my new line of work," she continued. When she heard Garçon's voice in the background as he welcomed in a new round of guests, Rarity leaned back in her chair to glance at the restaurant's waiting area. The sight of two familiar-looking ponies made her smile. "As a matter of fact, you may witness my latest project. It just walked in."

Twilight and Fluttershy shared a confused glance, then began to look around the restaurant. Phoenix, however, didn't seem the least bit interested; she was more focused on the hayburger on her plate, which she devoured with all the wild abandon of a child.

It was Spike, that observant little fellow, who stood up in his chair. He pointed one claw toward the newcomers, then ducked down to avoid being spotted. "Over there, guys. I thought I recognized them from how often they've come around Rarity's shop."

Rarity watched with anticipation as her friends observed the two new ponies. Garçon was leading a pair of mares to their table near the center of the restaurant. The one on the left had a golden coat and a curly orange mane; she giggled as the head waiter pulled out a chair for her. To her right was a mare with a deep blue coat and a white-streaked mane. She had a quiet confidence in her step and her smile, an attitude that matched the genteel grace of the waiter who now handed her a menu.

"I know that one," Twilight said, pointing her hoof discreetly under her napkin. "Golden Harvest, right? I forget the other one's name, but I know I've seen her before."

"That's Minuette," said Fluttershy. She turned to Rarity. "But I thought Golden Harvest was dating a stallion?"

"She was, darling." Rarity smiled, watching the wheels turn in her friend's head. "Past tense, I'm afraid. Their passion sizzled out much too soon."

Twilight rubbed her hoof under her chin. "Huh. I didn't think Golden Harvest was into mares."

"She confessed to me that she had her doubts, but after the bitter breakup with Written Script, she wanted to try a new direction." Rarity paused to take a sip of strawberry wine, letting the sweet flavor linger on her tongue. Then she grinned. "Sound familiar to you, Twilight?"

Though she would never have tried it on Celestia, Rarity felt a slight tingle of pride in making a princess like Twilight blush. "You're back to matchmaking, I see."

"Like you wouldn't believe." Rarity pressed a hoof to her chest as she looked over at the smiling couple sharing lunch, completely oblivious to the scrutiny they were receiving. She was elated when she saw them receive their own bottle of strawberry wine to share. "At your wedding, once word got out about how you and Fluttershy became an item, everypony wanted an audience with the Royal Matchmaker."

Twilight's ears drooped. "Do they really call you that?"

"It's only a nickname. And if I can help a princess find her true love, then why not anypony else?" With a batting of her eyelashes, Rarity added, "There are other ways of being generous, my dear Twilight."

"Well…" Twilight glanced at Fluttershy, whose only response was to smile and nod. Then she glanced at Golden Harvest and Minuette, who now were drinking wine and laughing over some joke. Rarity sat back and watched her grapple with her thoughts. Only Spike and Phoenix stayed out of the conversation, being more focused on their meals.

Finally, Twilight cleared her throat. "I guess, so long as you're not breaking anypony's heart, you're doing something good…"

"Quite so." Rarity took another sip of wine, still savoring that sweet and surprising flavor. It reminded her of the warm feelings she got from watching friends like Twilight and Fluttershy become a couple. "But, you see, darling, I can't take all the credit. If it were not for your interest and Fluttershy's enthusiasm, I wouldn't be celebrating my success as a matchmaker today."

"Oh, but Rarity…" Fluttershy protested, offering an adorable pout. "You did so much to help us!"

"My dearest Fluttershy, I only put the two of you where you needed to be." Rarity smiled and slid her hoof around Spike's shoulder, laughing as he stiffened and then melted under her touch. "And then, as I'm doing now, I let love take its course. And voilà! Something magical is born!"

THE END