My Little Pony Monthly Issue 33
(December 1, 1999)
My Little Pony Monthly
Established June 1997
This Newsletter is Safe for All Ages
If you would like to be removed from the My Little Pony Monthly mailing list, simply
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Issue 33
December 1999
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Letters to the Editor
Gigalove27@aol.com-- Hey, all the stories were cute and interesting; the riddles were
amusing, too.
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Learning To Love
#11 in the Shining Series
by Shining (ddonnell@iserv.net)
Author's Note: I am so sorry for the delay! I had this one in the making before I
had
even finished my last story, but then writer's block decided to make residence in my brain for an
extended stay. Combined with an extremely hectic schedule, this story remained neglected for
quite some time. I did not disappear off of the face of the planet (too bad for some of you).
Hopefully the next story will write itself more quickly. I am faced with a dilemma; should I start a
thread for Mira? I have one in mind, and I think I've exhausted Adagio, who wasn't supposed to
be a main character when I created him. Hints, suggestions, and chocolate chip cookies are
welcome here.
Can't Miss A Classic grinned broadly as he bowed in front of the nearly-packed arena,
the
crisp blue ribbon clasped in his hoof. The bay colt turned to find his trainer and mentor, On My
Honor, in the stands, finding the slim bay mare applauding loudly, a bright grin on her pretty
face.
The colt bowed again, and exited the dirt arena, meeting Honor at the gate. "Adagio,
that
was wonderful!" the mare cried jubilantly.
"Thanks," Adagio smiled easily. Casually, he flipped his thick black forelock out of his
eyes. "I wasn't sure if I did the capriole high enough at the end, but, I guess the judges thought it
was okay." Adagio shrugged, letting his tension ease away.
" ‘Dagio!" a child's voice cried. The colt looked down to see Honor's precocious filly
staring up at him with wide dark eyes.
"Hey Mira," Adagio greeted the silvery-gray filly. "What do you think? Are you going
to
do this when you get older?" Playfully, he ruffled her dark mane.
Mira frowned, deep in thought. Decisively, she shook her head.
Adagio raised an eyebrow. "What are you going to be, then?" he asked. In reply, the
filly
merely shrugged.
Adagio held up a small leather pouch that hung from his neck. "Thank you for the
good-luck charm, Mira," he said. "The hopscotch stone worked again!"
Mira nodded in agreement. When he had first started showing, Adagio had felt unsure
about his abilities. Mira had helped him overcome his fear by giving him her favorite hopscotch
stone as a good-luck charm.
Honor intervened the two young horses' stimulating conversation, "C'mon, guys, we
have
to get going so that we can make it home in time to unload everything from the trailer. I haven't
gotten used to these narrow British roads yet."
Honor had recently moved to Harrogate, England from Dream Valley. Her parents, the
celebrated pair of Shining and Signature Required had returned from a world tour, and Honor,
still grieving the loss of her deceased mate, Caesar, had decided that she was going to move to
England. Mended Hearts Farm was an excellent facility where Honor taught students and raised
her small daughter.
Adagio made a face, but obliged, lifting Mira high onto his shoulders, grinning when he
heard Mira's delighted laughter. "Last one there sweeps the barn for a week!" he cried, trotting
slowly and sending Mira into peals of laughter.
" ‘Dagio!" Mira managed through her giggles. "The trailer is the other way!"
* * *
When Adagio entered the barn office, he was surprised by a paint mare waiting patiently
in
a wicker chair. Quickly, she rose to introduce herself, tripping over her own hooves. "Oh,
sorry!" she cried as she fell into Adagio's forelegs. The paint blushed and righted herself. "I
guess I haven't made a very good first impression," she smiled self-depreciatingly, a light British
accent making her voice lilt melodically. "My name is Aurora's Afterglow, Arrow for short."
She extended a colorfully splashed foreleg, shaking Adagio's hoof firmly.
"Nice to meet you, Arrow," Adagio said politely. "What can I do for you?"
Arrow cleared her throat and took a deep breath. "I was wondering if it would be
possible for me to train and board here," she began.
Adagio opened his mouth to speak, but Arrow rushed on, cutting him off. "I've never
tried showing before, and I'm a complete klutz, but it would really mean a lot to me." She looked
at the bay colt with dark brown eyes.
Adagio's eyes widened in surprise, but he regained his composure. "Honor hasn't turned
a willing student away, so if you think--"
Arrow nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, yes," she exclaimed. "I'm hoping that I'll be able
to
overcome my clumsiness."
Adagio smothered a yawn; it had been a long day. He nodded his head thoughtfully.
"I'll
contact Honor and see what she says," he offered. "I think that stall number forty-eight is vacant,
so you can spend the night there."
The paint filly smiled widely and shook Adagio's hoof again. "Thank you so much!" she
exclaimed. "This means so much to me."
Adagio nodded sleepily and left the filly, who was glowing with pleasure, to his own
stall
where he promptly fell asleep, not even noticing when a small, lonely, silver filly quietly snuggled
into his warm, strong form. "G'night, ‘Dagio," she whispered.
* * *
The next morning dawned into a sunny spring day. Adagio woke early, being careful
not
to disturb his sleeping visitor, and hurried to reserve a space in the large outdoor arena. Honor's
reputation had helped her acquire many students, and the practice arena was sure to be crowded
on such a nice day.
Adagio waved to Honor as he entered the dirt arena, who was standing in front of a
group
of green foals. He observed that the paint filly, Arrow was with her. Her splashy color made her
stand out in the group of young beginners.
He raised his head in acknowledgment when Arrow waved to him, and picked up a lope.
Fluidly, Adagio moved, warming up for the massive jumps that would follow.
Taking a deep breath, Adagio closed his eyes, visualizing himself soaring over the
jumps.
He found that relaxing even before training limbered him and got him into a better state of
mind.
"Adagio!" Honor called, breaking the bay's concentration. Adagio blinked and craned
his
head to frown at his teacher. "Sorry," Honor apologized, walking toward him. "I need to ask
you a favor."
"What?" Adagio asked, absentmindedly scratching a long black-tipped ear.
"You've met the new filly, Arrow, haven't you?" Honor asked. "She's got potential, but
I
think she needs some extra help."
"I'll say," Adagio commented, remembering the previous night's shenanigans.
"Well, I thought that maybe you could tutor her," Honor suggested, a pleading look in
her
dark eyes.
"But Honor," Adagio grimaced, finding a tinge of whine in his voice. He cleared his
throat. "The show season's just starting up and I'm going to be really busy. And besides,
Arrow's a paint. Paints don't usually do too well on the circuit."
Honor shrugged. "So? Moment taught me how to draw, but that doesn't mean I'm
going
to make a living from it. And I'll have Smoothie take care of Mira so you'll have more time to
teach," Honor offered, referring to her trusted friend, Smooth Movin'.
Adagio sighed. "All right," he relented. "But this is just temporary."
Honor furrowed her brow. "Keep an open mind, Adagio." Honor turned
suddenly,
sending her silky black mane flying. "Arrow! Can you come over here?" she called to her group
of students.
The paint filly cautiously left her protective group, shuffling her hooves in the deep
sand.
Twice, she tripped as she walked over to the two bays. Adagio cringed.
Honor cleared her throat. "Arrow, this is one of my students, Adagio." She looked
pointedly at Adagio.
Adagio smiled hesitantly and held out his hoof. "We sort of met last night," he informed
Honor, noticing the blush creep up into the paint's cheeks. He guessed she was embarrassed
about her fall. "Nice to see you again, Arrow."
Arrow stuck out a long foreleg and smiled. "Sorry," she said apologetically.
Adagio shrugged easily, the tension rolling off like rain with her quirky smile. "I have to
go back to my class now, so I'll leave you two to get to know each other," Honor suggested,
elbowing Adagio. "If you want a lesson, Adagio, I have a free space around two o'clock." With
that final comment, the slender mare walked back across the arena to her awaiting students.
Honor left leaving an awkward silence between the two young horses. Finally, Arrow
spoke up. "I really am a klutz," she insisted. "When I was little, I used to get teased all the time.
Honor's mom, Shining, and then Honor herself--they were my heroes growing up. I know I'm
never going to win a world show. I'm probably not even going to show at a tiny open show, but I
have to pursue my dreams somehow..." She trailed off when she realized that Adagio was staring
off into space.
The bay colt blinked and turned to face her. "It's good to pursue your dreams," he
agreed
firmly. "No matter what."
Arrow smiled, her painted face perfectly contrasting the white and chestnut. "So what
should I do first?" she asked eagerly, emphasizing her British accent.
Adagio thought for a moment and tossed his head to get the stray strands of his forelock
out of his eyes. "Why don't you go out to the rail so I can analyze your gaits. Then we'll know
what to focus on," he suggested.
Arrow nodded agreeably and stumbled out to the rail, tripping over her hooves every
other step. Adagio cringed. "Try a trot," he called.
The paint hesitated, but set her jaw. Abruptly, she lurched forward, tangling her
color-splashed legs around themselves. For a tense minute, Adagio thought she might topple
over, but at the last possible moment, Arrow righted herself and took off at choppy gait, her
hooves dragging, and her nose stuck out ungracefully.
"Arrow, your trot is a little uneven," Adagio called, smiling wryly at his understatement.
"Try tucking your nose in a little more. That will help you see where your feet are landing."
Arrow's brow furrowed in concentration as she tried to do as she was bade. Slowly, her
neck curled and arched. "Good!" Adagio encouraged. "Now try picking the exact spots where
you want your hooves to step and carry it though. Extend your stride and lift your knees a little
higher." Adagio grinned as his student's stride became more fluid and confident.
Arrow turned her head to grin triumphantly at Adagio. But quickly, her smile turned
into
an expression of distress. Her stride jerked and she stumbled, emitting a short cry of surprise.
Quickly Adagio came to her aid, catching her in his strong forelegs before she fell.
Arrow blushed. "I think I lost my concentration," she said in a small voice. Carefully,
she
extracted herself from Adagio's long forelegs.
Adagio laughed out loud. "At least we know what to work on now," he pointed
out.
"Everything!" Arrow cried, rolling her eyes.
"We have time," Adagio consoled. "We'll just take it one step at a time." He blinked,
and
then grinned at his pun. "That's good for today," he said conclusively. "I need to work on my
jumping form before my lesson with Honor."
"Thanks for putting up with me, Adagio," Arrow smiled ruefully. "I know I'm not a star
student. I'm hardly a student of any kind."
Adagio patted Arrow's cream and chestnut shoulder. "We'll make it," he said. He
turned
away and walked toward the barn, not noticing the puzzled look that Arrow cast his way.
* * *
For weeks, Adagio coached Arrow, making progress ever-so-slowly. Arrow's trot
smoothed out and she could manage cantering without stumbling every fourth stride. But after a
while, Adagio was surprised to find that he didn't mind that his first student wasn't a hands-down
success. Just being with someone who could relate was reward enough.
Adagio enjoyed the paint's company. He learned that she came from a large family,
unlike
his own, and was a very devoted family member. "If they don't love me, who will?" she asked
him one day. Adagio laughed as she nearly spilled a whole bucket of water on herself, but her
comments always made him think.
Eight weeks into Adagio's impromptu training program, the bay colt, nearly a stallion,
found Arrow weeping in the dimly-lit tack room over a pile of splint boots. Adagio's ears perked
in alarm, and he froze in the doorway, not sure whether he should console her or walk away
unnoticed. Arrow made the choice for him.
Looking up, she saw her teacher and friend in the doorway. She cast him a watery
smile,
her face smudged with the dust of the small room. "I was cleaning tack and I..." she trailed off as
another wave of tears hit her. She buried her face in her hooves.
Without thinking, Adagio was at her side, wiggling to find room next to her on the tack
trunk. He cradled her in his strong forelegs resting his chin on her soft mane. He didn't fail to
notice that she smelled of sunshine and daffodils.
Arrow wrapped her forelegs around Adagio's neck, burying her face in his shoulder.
"Sometimes I miss my family so much," she whimpered, her tears leaving dark tracks on Adagio's
glossy coat. He noticed that her accent became more prominent when she was upset. Adagio
said nothing, but held her tighter, squeezing his eyes shut. If only I had a family who loved me, he
mourned.
Adagio lost track of time, sitting there in the dusty tack room, surrounded by splint
boots.
He moved his head when he felt Arrow stir; he had thought that she had fallen asleep. Slowly
Arrow righted herself. She leaned over to peck Adagio on the cheek. "Thanks," Arrow
whispered, her voice hoarse from crying.
Adagio's dark eyes widened, surprised. "What for?" he inquired.
"For being here for me, for not laughing, for being okay with me not being okay,"
Arrow
smiled crookedly. "Most horses would have bolted the other way." Adagio made a mental note
not to tell her about his earlier dilemma.
Adagio smiled shyly. "Do you want to go walk on the bridle paths?" he asked kindly.
"It
helps me clear my head sometimes, and I know Honor's a firm believer in the medicinal properties
of the woods."
Arrow grinned. "Don't you have a lesson with Smoothie?" she reminded him. She
nudged him in the ribs with her foreleg.
Adagio made a face. "Smoothie's such a fanatic about flatwork. It gets so boring," he
complained halfheartedly. He leaned over Arrow to grab two newly-cleaned splint boots.
Quickly, he strapped the boots on just above his fetlock.
The paint snorted. "Think of how I feel, you bloke," she exclaimed. "For the past two
months, all I've been doing is walk/trot flatwork."
Adagio started, realizing, and blushed. "Oops." He stood and stretched, freeing the
kinks
out of his long neck. Arrow stood as well and looped a foreleg through his.
"But that's okay," she added belatedly. "I'm just glad I've gotten this far." She patted
his
foreleg in mock condescension.
Adagio snorted through his long nose. He paused in thought; and surprising his
companion, he smacked his forehead in disbelief. "I should have thought of that earlier!" he cried.
"We'll start you tomorrow on cavelettis. They'll help you regulate your stride and they'll help
you later on with jumping. Plus they're fun." He winked.
The bay horse was surprised to see Arrow hesitate before rewarding him with her smile.
"I can't wait." Adagio strained to hear if her tone held some distance that hadn't been present
before. Afraid of what would happen if he had, he quickly brushed the notion away.
Glancing at the clock, Adagio moved toward the door. "I have to meet Smoothie for
my
lesson," he announced regretfully. "Will you cool out with me on the trails, though?" He was
surprised to hear a pleading tone in his deep voice.
"I'd love to," Arrow smiled.
Impatiently, Adagio flew through his lesson. He knew that his anxiousness showed in
his
form. Frustrated, he tried breathing deeply to relax.
"Adagio, stop fidgeting!" Smoothie, usually easy-going, cried in exasperation. "You'll
tie
your tail in knots in no time!"
"Sorry," Adagio called to the roan stallion. "My mind wandered." And it had. He had
been thinking about a certain new student, one who was out of the ordinary. A goofy smile
unconsciously appeared on his face.
"...what do you think, Adagio?" Smoothie's British accent floated in through his
musings.
Adagio blinked. "Uh," he groped for an answer. "Probably a serpentine alternating
leads
every other stride." Intelligent, suave, good save.
Adagio's face fell as Smoothie burst out laughing. "I asked you how many bananas it
would take to mail a goat."
Adagio blushed and then grinned. "Oops. What I meant was alternating every four
strides."
Smoothie, still in his mirth, shook his head. "It's a figure eight half halting every third
stride. You had a good lesson, Adagio. Let's cut early."
The bay smiled his thanks and headed toward the barn. He entered the barn, blinking,
letting his eyes adjust to the dimmer light inside the stable. A gray blur whipped past him, making
him jump.
" ‘Dagio!" Mira cried. "Want to explore the racetrack with me?" The filly grabbed
Adagio's large hoof in her small ones. The previous owners of the facility, before Honor, had
trained racehorses, and Mended Hearts boasted a mile-long racetrack.
Adagio shook his head regretfully. "Sorry, Mira. I'm sort of busy right now. I have to
go over to the wash racks." He gave his small friend a quick hug and twirled her around, sending
her into peals of laughter before continuing on his way.
After his shower, Adagio went in search of Arrow. He frowned as he scanned the barn,
finding no trace of her. "Arrow?" he called, peering into the tack room. But to no avail.
Finally, he found the paint in her stall, packing her belongings. "Arrow? What are you
doing?" he asked, alarmed. He reached over to touch her shoulder, but she evaded him, sliding
away, but stumbling.
Arrow kept her back to Adagio, not meeting his eyes. "I have to go home," she said
shortly. "I miss my family."
Adagio felt his heart constrict. "You can't leave," he protested, uncomprehending. "We
haven't done cavelettis yet."
"Too bad for cavelettis," she retorted.
The bay furrowed his eyebrows in sorrow. "Why are you doing this?" he asked
quietly.
Arrow froze for a moment. "Because I miss my family. I'm homesick. I don't belong
here." She set her jaw stubbornly.
"What can I do to make you stay?" Adagio asked hoarsely, understanding that this was
a
turning point. Waiting for an answer, he brushed away his dark forelock, looking the paint
straight in the eyes.
Arrow blinked tears out of her eyes. "Nothing," she whispered.
Adagio closed his eyes to try to bear the pain, feeling his heart sink.
"I'm sorry," Arrow said remorsefully. And with a kiss on the cheek, she was
gone.
* * *
For weeks after Arrow's departure, Adagio moped. Although he was still active on the
show circuit, the blue ribbons he earned meant little to him now. It struck him as ironic that he
could miss a horse who he had thought to be such a burden in the beginning.
He took to the trails, trying to escape loneliness like his mentor, Honor. But Honor's
absence was sown into the soil, and she found comfort from it. Adagio, on the other hand, felt
lost and disoriented.
The day that Eva's manuscript was approved, Mended Hearts Farm celebrated. Honor's
twin brother, Moment, was a world-renown artist, and his mate, Eva, was a New York Times
best-selling author. The two had moved to Harrogate with Honor because the atmosphere was
perfect for the two to wax poetic together.
Squished in the cramped barn office, Eva's smile radiated, making the room seem
lighter.
Adagio managed to give Eva a peck on the cheek and say "Congratulations," before he was
pushed out of the way by other friends who wanted to praise Eva's outstanding work.
For the rest of the celebration, Adagio stood quietly in the corner with a sad smile on his
face, watching the gathering as an outsider. Life is good here, he decided. Then why do I feel so
miserable?
As dusk fell on Mended Hearts, Adagio slipped away and found himself on the
racetrack.
A foal's laughter pierced the air, and Adagio craned his neck to watch Mira racing her shadow a
half-mile down the track.
He smiled as he watched the silvery blur run along on still-spindly legs, and had to laugh
aloud when Mira's speed finally caught up with her, sending her toppling into the soft dirt. Mira's
ears pricked and she met Adagio's eyes with a bright smile that lit the evening skies.
" ‘Dagio!" she cried. "Come run with me!" With a small hoof, she beckoned to
him.
Adagio jogged to his small friend. "Go!" he cried, and took off down the track. For a
while, Adagio's long legs gave him an advantage, but soon, despite her small size, Mira caught up
to him and passed him. Adagio laughed as he realized that he could not compete with Mira,
whose father had been an impeccably bred Thoroughbred.
With a burst of speed, Adagio caught up to the filly and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"You mystery foal!" he exclaimed. "This is what you were born to do, isn't it, Mira?" he asked,
looking into her dark eyes that held such wisdom for one so young.
"I will race the wind!" Mira declared confidently. "What will you do, ‘Dagio?"
Adagio loosened his embrace. "I don't know, Mira," he sighed.
"Mira!" a voice cut through the air. "Time for bed!"
With an apologetic shrug, Mira turned and jogged to Honor, who was waiting by the
rail
of the racetrack with Eva. Adagio followed more slowly.
"I didn't get a chance to talk to you, Adagio," Eva said when he was close enough to
hear.
"You seemed a bit busy earlier," Adagio admitted with a smile.
The chestnut Arabian laughed and handed him a copy of her new book. Its cover was
glossy, enhancing the beauty of the black stallion dashing across the dust jacket. "For you, my
dear." Eva grinned. "I know you don't read stuff like this, but it's a first edition copy."
With a wave, she turned and walked back to the barn. Eva paused and turned back to
face
Adagio. "Check page three hundred forty-eight," she suggested.
Adagio settled himself on the grass beside the now-abandoned racetrack. "Tea at
Midnight," he read the cover aloud. "By best-selling author, Happy Endings." Curious now, the
bay colt flipped to the designated page. Eva's words danced before him, creating a picture of a
place he had never seen, but which felt familiar.
Dusk fell on the two weary travelers, giving them a final show of lights as the sun
said
goodnight to the sky. "Such a pretty sunset," June observed.
"Yes," Splendor agreed, tired from the endless journey.
June turned to face her companion, blinking sudden tears from her dark eyes. "Why do
you follow me?" she demanded. "I did not ask you to come. I know you are tired and sick of
traveling. Why don't you leave? My quest burdens you; you have your own dreams to follow."
With each question, June jabbed her dainty hoof into the dark stallion's strong chest.
Splendor gently took June's hooves in his own, lightly restraining her. "I would follow
you to the ends of the earth, June," he whispered urgently.
"But why?" she sobbed, not understanding.
"Because I love you more than anything in this world," came his reply.
Adagio sat upright with a jolt. Quickly he ran to the barn, searching for Eva. He found
her in the office, thoughtfully chewing on the end of a ball-point pen. He thrust the book into her
hooves. "Read this to me," he demanded anxiously.
Eva smiled knowingly and cleared her throat. Then she began to read the passage.
As Eva read, Adagio became still. The melodic rhythm of the words stirred something
within him; a realization of some kind that he could finally understand. He blinked slowly, staring,
seeing only the colors the words painted in another world. And he knew.
"I love her," he asserted suddenly. Startled, he blinked.
"Yes," Eva acceded.
Adagio turned to stare at the chestnut mare. "You knew," he accused her, still dazed by
the realization.
Eva nodded. "So did you," she pointed out. "You just had to admit it."
Adagio stood suddenly. "Excuse me," he said politely. "There's something I need to
take
care of." He exited the office quickly nearly tripping over a stray chair.
Eva watched the bay colt go. She sighed and smiled. Then inspiration hit her and all
other thoughts left her.
* * *
Adagio stepped off of the train into the bustling station. The ride to Harrogate had tried
every ounce of his patience. He couldn't wait to see his paint filly. The village of Harrogate was
quaint and had a comforting feel to it. Rolling farmland and busier city life melded into one.
Nervously, Adagio walked into a small cafe. The horse at the counter raised her
eyebrows
with interest when the handsome black colt entered. "Can I help you?" she asked, batting her
eyelashes.
Adagio cleared his throat and shifted his weight. "Do you know a paint filly named
Aurora's Afterglow?" His peripheral vision caught movement in the corner booth and he turned
to peer into the dark shadow.
"Adagio? What are you doing here?" the voice came like music to Adagio's ears.
"Arrow," he smiled. His long legs brought him to her table.
The paint's pretty face still held traces of surprise. "Why are you here?" she asked
again.
Adagio took Arrow's hooves in his own. "Let's take a walk," he suggested.
Wordlessly,
Adagio led Arrow out of the cafe, ignoring the penetrating stares of the waitress. Slowly, they
made their way to a small park. Adagio seated himself on a green bench and patted the spot next
to him, beckoning Arrow to sit with him.
When Arrow hesitantly sat, Adagio turned and kissed her. " ‘Dagio," she murmured,
picking up Mira's sobriquet. Tears filled Arrow's dark eyes, and Adagio gently brushed them
away.
"I love you," Adagio whispered.
Arrow jerked away. "Don't you understand?" Arrow exclaimed. "You can't love me! I
don't love you." The distraught filly refused to meet Adagio's eyes.
"That's a lie," Adagio said evenly.
Arrow's shoulders lowered. "I know," she admitted. "I do love you, Adagio. That's the
problem."
Confused, Adagio cautiously touched Arrow's chestnut shoulder. This time instead of
pulling away, Arrow leaned into Adagio's touch. "Why can love be a problem?" he inquired,
wrapping his forelegs around her frame.
Arrow met his eyes now. "You have so much going for you. I'm just a filly from a little
British village. You can be a world-class star. I'd hold you back." Arrow's eyes filled with tears
again.
"Come with me," Adagio murmured.
Shaking her head, Arrow wiped away her tears. "I can't leave here. Even staying at
Mended Hearts with you couldn't put homesickness at bay. This is where I belong."
"Then I'll stay here with you," Adagio reasoned.
The paint gasped. "No!" she cried. "You have your whole career ahead of you. I'm
holding you back."
The bay colt shook his dark head. "I would give everything up for you, Arrow," he
whispered. "I love you that much."
Arrow's shoulders shook with sobs she refused to allow to escaped. "I'm not asking you
to do this," she whimpered.
"But you need me to."
"I don't need you to do anything," Arrow lied.
"I'm staying," Adagio resolved, holding Arrow tightly. "I love you."
Realizing that this was a lost battle, Arrow wept. Eventually through her tears,
comprehension replaced despair and she laughed. Her laugh was the most beautiful sound Adagio
had ever heard, and he kissed her soundly.
"You know that what you taught me was the greatest lesson of all," Adagio brought up
off-handedly.
Arrow looked at him with a confused expression. "What I taught you? I didn't teach
you
anything. I was the student, remember?"
"Yes you did," Adagio contradicted. "You taught me how to love." He hugged her in
gratitude. "Thank you."
"I love you, Adagio," Arrow sighed happily, returning his embrace.
The clumsy paint filly and the elegant bay colt were complete opposites, sitting together
as
dusk brought a radiant sunset. But together, love was a bond that could never tear them
apart.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baby Noddins Discovers a Quest
by Tabby
"Mommy Fallin' Leaves, Baby Fallin' Leaves just nearly died causa me but she didn't
wanna come in so I went to tell ya only now she's mad at me," Baby Noddins explained rationally
as she ran in the front door of her friend's house.
Mommy Falling Leaves blinked slowly as she digested this information. "Baby Noddins,
what happened?"
"We were playin' in the leaves, you know, because she said we could, only then I
jumped
on top of her when she was hidin' under some of ‘em and I didn't see her and she screamed but
she said she ain't hurt but I had to tell you," Baby Noddins elaborated in about ten seconds.
"Well, if she didn't come inside, I don't think she's injured," Mommy Falling Leaves said
soothingly. "Why don't you go back out?"
"Nwope, I don't wanna," Baby Noddins shook her head.
"Do you want to go home?"
"Nwo. Me gotta conduct research. Can me conduct research with you?" Baby Noddins
queried, her playmate completely slipping her mind.
"Oh, research?" Mommy Falling Leaves said with interest. "What kind of research? Is
it
for school?"
"I dwon't think so," Baby Noddins said after a pause. "I just cwame up with it."
"Ah!" Mommy Falling Leaves said curiously. "What are you going to do?"
"Okay, me gonna question you now, ‘kay?" Baby Noddins crawled up into the chair
around the kitchen table, across from where Mommy Falling Leaves was sitting. "Why are your
names so generic, hmm?"
"Well... umm... elaborate, please," Mommy Falling Leaves requested.
"You is Mommy Fallin' Leaves, and Daddy Fallin' Leaves is Daddy Fallin' Leaves, and
Baby Fallin' Leaves is Baby Fallin' Leaves," Baby Noddins explained. "Why, huh?"
"That's a very large question for a pony your age," Mommy Falling Leaves said.
"Maybe
you should wait until you're older to do this research."
"Nwope." Baby Noddins shook her head. "Me gonna do it now, else I forget, ya know.
My mommy says I forget a lot. So if me don't research now, me will forget. Me might forget by
the time I get home, even. So I gotta do it now. You gotta help me. You're the first one who's
gonna help me now."
"If you're sure about that," Mommy Falling Leaves said slowly.
"Me sure. Now, tell me," Baby Noddins requested.
"Okay, Baby Noddins. When I married Daddy Falling Leaves, I simply took his name.
And we named our daughter that as well," Mommy Falling Leaves explained.
"Why?" Baby Noddins persisted. "Ain't that borin'?"
"No, it's actually quite easy to remember everyone's name that way," Mommy Falling
Leaves went on.
"But couldn't you have kept your original name? What was your original name? Can
you
tell me?" Baby Noddins said, wide-eyed.
"The name my parents first gave me was Magenta Daffodil," Falling Leaves
explained.
"But why didn't you keep it?" Baby Noddins sighed in exasperation.
"Because... because some of us ponies have more old-fashioned ways, and I decided to
become Mommy Falling Leaves," Mommy Falling Leaves said. "Now, are you sure you don't
want to play more outside with Baby Falling Leaves? She may want--"
"No, no," Baby Noddins said in dismissal. "I must finish my research. It is very
important
research. I have to get it to Miss Hackney already in the morning. At two o' clock in the
morning. So I have to finish it."
"Two o' clock in the morning, is that right?" Mommy Falling Leaves said, amused.
"Didn't you just come up with the idea?"
"Yes, but I still have to get it to Miss Hackney by two o' clock in the morning," Baby
Noddins said impatiently.
"Is there anything else you need to ask me?" Mommy Falling Leaves questioned.
"Yes. Just let me think." Baby Noddins sat in silence for several moments. "Yes, here
be
a question. Another one. How come some ponies have last names and middle names and first
names? Do they get generic names like yours when they get married? Huh? Why's that?"
"Well... some ponies just have multiple names," Falling Leaves responded slowly. "But
some, like my family, don't."
"How'd they get multiple names? Like Tabby? She's got a middle name and a last name
and a first name, ya know. She's Tabby ‘Waine Fershund or somethin' like that."
"You'd just have to ask her about that."
"Okay, cwan me call her?"
"She's at work now, Baby Noddins."
"I know that. She's there from eight to five. I'll call her there."
"I don't think she wants to be bothered at the Pokèmon Center."
"Oh, no. I call her there all the time."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. She hangs up after I say hello, but I call her there every day."
"You must really idolize Tabby, Baby Noddins."
"Oh, yes, def-nit-ly. I idol-- idoley-- idoli-- whatever-you-just-said her. Me gonna be
just
like her. Me gonna be a Pokèmon nurse," Baby Noddins nodded furiously. "Or maybe a vet. Or
maybe a voice actress. Me don't know. But me gonna tap my hoof like this--" She tapped her
hoof on the table for effect. "--and me gonna say ‘For Pete's sake!' all the time. For Pete's sake!
Oh. And me gonna get three names like she got. That's how me decided on this research. To
find out how to get more names. I think I will have to ask Tabby."
"Perhaps you'd be better to leave her alone," Mommy Falling Leaves said
soothingly.
"But to find out how to get lots of names, I must find someone with lots of names,"
Baby
Noddins explained. "Does anybody besides Tabby have a last name and a first name and a middle
name, hmm?"
"I don't really know, Baby Noddins," Falling Leaves said, at a loss. "Shouldn't you be
heading home--"
"Oh, no. Mommy swaid I could stay here ‘till... ‘till awhile yet. So I still got awhile
yet,"
Baby Noddins corrected. "But Tamara has more names, too. Is there anybody besides Tabby and
Tamara that have many names?"
"Perhaps you'd just better ask their mothers," Falling Leaves said in exasperation.
"Okay," Baby Noddins said seriously. "I have Tabby's mother's phone number."
"You do?"
"Yes. Tabby gave it to me once when I was callin' her. She said, ‘Here, just call my
mother, and maybe that'll keep you off this line for awhile.' I'm not swure what that meant, but it
sounded important. I wrote the number down, but I never called it yet. I think I will. Then I'll
get more names. I never called it ‘cause I've still been trying to talk to Tabby and I never get to
do that."
"Baby Noddins, your mother gave me strict instructions to have you home half an hour
ago. I don't know where the time went. We'd better get you back there right away. She's
probably worried sick. Now, come on, say goodbye to Baby Falling Leaves and I'll walk you
home..."
* * *
Later that evening, Baby Noddins was writing up a report for her current findings in her
research:
Momy Fallin Leves says her name was diffrent before she got maried. Said somethin
about oldfashion. Some ponys have multipull names like Tabby. My momy says that she kept
her name and she and daddy named me somefin diffrent. But still only one name, me will call
Tabby's Mom now, she will know.
Next, she found the scrap of paper she had scribbled the phone number of Tabby's
mother
on and ran downstairs to the phone, furtively making sure none of her family members were
around.
"Hello, who is calling?" a voice queried from the other end of the line after what seemed
like an eternity to Baby Noddins.
"Bwaby Noddins," the baby unicorn said promptly.
"Oh..." There was a pause. "Who are you calling for?"
"I must speak to Tabby's mom for some research," Baby Noddins explained. "It is of
utmost importance. Are you Tabby's mom?"
"Ah, you mean Miss Agatha! Just a moment, please."
Baby Noddins appropriately tapped her hoof on the counter while she waited. "For
Pete's
sake!" she muttered. "I'm conducting research of utmost importance and they're not at their
phones."
In reality, Baby Noddins only had to wait approximately half a minute until the voice of
Tabby's mother came through the receiver. "Hello! I was informed that there is a certain baby
pony wanting to speak to me?"
"Yes, I think so," Baby Noddins said slowly. "I am conducting important research that
must be done by... one o' clock this morning. One o' clock, def-nit-ly. Are you Tabby's
mom?"
"Oh! You know my Tabitha? Yes, I'm Agatha Fershund."
"I know her very well," Baby Noddins affirmed. "I can copy her tone exactly of how
she
says, ‘Not you again!' I ido-- ideo-- idea-- whatever-Mommy-Fallin'-Leaves-said-earlier
her."
"Are you calling from Dream Valley? Do your parents know you're on the
telephone?"
"Oh, they always let me use the phone," Baby Noddins said absentmindedly. "I am
Baby
Noddins and I must ask you a question of utmost importance."
"That's fascinating!" Agatha said politely. "Go on."
"I need to find out about... about... how does me phrase it... oh! How come some
ponies
have more than one name and some only one and some are really generic? ‘Cause I was talking
to Mommy Fallin' Leaves today and her name is boring and so is the name of Daddy Fallin'
Leaves and Baby Fallin' Leaves but I got a diffrent name only it's still one name but Tabby has
three names and how'd that happen, hmm?"
"Ah... you are researching names?" Agatha said slowly.
"My report is due to Miss Hackney by tonight at midnight," Baby Noddins clarified.
"Why does Tabby get three names? And Tamara has three names too, right? How about you?
Do you have three names?"
"Well..." Agatha began. "Most of the families that originated in Dream Valley have only
a
first name, but there are some that come from different regions who had different naming
traditions."
"O-o-oh!" Baby Noddins breathed. "Did you come from a different region?"
"Well, yes, my ancestors did," Agatha said vaguely. "Baby Noddins, did you know this
is
a long distance call?"
"No, but that don't matter," Baby Noddins said quickly. "How can I get a bigger name
like Tabby's? I only got one. Two, if you count the ‘Baby' part, but that don't count."
Agatha paused. "I suppose you could marry someone with a last name."
"Can you find someone with a last name to marry me?"
"Aren't you a bit young for that?"
"How else will I get a bigger name?"
"Well, come back to me on the matter when you're older, then."
"Okay, I will keep your number. I will put it under Tabby's. Are there any ponies in
Dream Valley that have a first name and a last name and a middle name?"
"I'm sure there are, Baby Noddins. Now, if I let you go, you could devote more time to
local research and find them."
"Me got a quest now!" Baby Noddins squealed. "Goodbye, Mommy Tabby."
"Oh, please, call me Agatha."
"Okay. Goodbye, Agatha." With that, Baby Noddins carefully put the receiver down
and
brought out her report to add to it.
Awhile later. Tabby's mom, her name is Agatha, that's what she told me to call her,
says its ponys from diffrent regions that have three names like Tabby. But my family ain't from
a diffrent region, so I only got one. Now I have a quest to find the other ponys around here with
long names from diffrent regions. I will show my findings to Tabby. Maybe I will be famos. I
will find hystories of all the long names around here. I will report more later on my findings.
Goodbye.
Baby Noddins set down her pen and yawned. She would continue on her report
tomorrow. Maybe she would ask all the kids in her class about their names. And she would call
Tabby at the Pokèmon Center after she got home. And then...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invento Ponies
by Cinnamon Sugar:
Name: Rena
Breed: Earth Pony
Body Color: Pastel Blue
Hair Color: Pastel Pink
Eye Color: Aqua
Symbol: A Flashlight and Magnifying Glass (crossed to form an X)
Personality: Rena is a young detective. She's smart, and has quick wits and courage! Her two
best friends are her cousins, Hijack and Caramel.
Name: Caramel
Breed: Earth Pony
Body Color: Pastel Pink
Hair Color: Sky Blue
Eye Color: Blue
Symbol: A Hershey's Chocolate Bar
Personality: Caramel is a slightly plump cousin of Rena's. She loves to eat-- and she's picky
about it, too. She enjoys window-shopping, and she's a bit of a scaredy-pony. However, she's
also very reliable and sweet.
Name: Hijack
Breed: Pegasus
Body Color: Forest Green
Hair Color: Jet Black
Eye Color: Pale Blue
Symbol: A Tom Cat Holding a Chisel
Personality: Hijack is a tomboy. She hangs out with boys, does stunts of all kinds, and amazes
everyone. Hijack has a feminine side, too, though. She likes to be with her cousins, Rena and
Caramel. She's a courageous pony, the "harass-a-hurricane" type.
Name: Baby Seaside
Breed: Baby Earth Pony
Body Color: Pale Blue
Hair Color: Deep Aqua
Eye Color: Dark Blue
Symbol: A Starfish and Clam
Personality: Baby Seaside is a very mysterious baby pony who hangs out at the beach. No one
is sure of where she came from, but she apparently is able to survive on her own.
Name: Cinnamon Sugar
Breed: Unicorn
Body Color: White
Hair Color: Red with Pastel Blue Streak
Eye Color: Pale Blue
Symbol: A Lump of Sugar and a Peppermint
Personality: Cinnamon Sugar is married and has several children.
by Ally:
Name: Love
Breed: Unicorn
Body: White
Hair: Blue (Curly)
Symbol: Pink Heart
Name: Sparkle
Breed: Unicorn
Body: Purple
Hair: Red
Symbol: Confetti Surrounding a Balloon
Name: Birthday
Breed: Earth
Body: Pink
Hair: Brown
Symbol: Cake
Name: Daffodil
Breed: Pegasus
Body: Yellow
Hair: Green (Curly)
Symbol: Daffodil
Name: Joy
Breed: Earth
Body: Yellow
Hair: Red
Symbol: Angel in a Blue Dress
Name: Santa
Breed: Pegasus
Body: Red
Hair: Green with White Streak
Symbol: Santa in Sleigh
Name: Magic
Breed: Unicorn
Body: Purple
Hair: Blue with White Streak
Symbol: Top Hat and Magic Wand
Name: Mystic
Breed: Earth
Body: Green
Hair: Pink
Symbol: Star
Name: Miss America
Breed: Earth
Body: White
Hair: Red and Blue
Symbol: USA Flag
Name: Direction
Breed: Earth
Body: Gray
Hair: Pink
Symbol: Compass
Name: Sailor
Breed: Earth
Body: Blue
Hair: White
Symbol: Sailboat
Name: Bubbles
Breed: Sea Pony
Body: Blue
Hair: Green
Symbol: Fish (on chest)
Name: Princess
Breed: Sea Pony
Body: Pink
Hair: Yellow (Curly)
Symbol: Kiss (on chest)
Name: Maple
Breed: Earth
Body: Brown
Hair: Green
Symbol: Green Leaf
Name: Baby Gap
Breed: Baby Pegasus
Body: Yellow
Hair: Blue (Curly)
Symbol: Flared Jeans
Name: Sleepy (with closed eyes)
Breed: Unicorn
Body: White
Hair: Bright Green and White (Curly)
Symbol: Night Cap
Name: Mouse
Breed: Earth
Body: Gray
Hair: Blue (Curly)
Symbol: Mouse
Name: Blaze
Breed: Pony Friend (Dragon)
Body: Blue
Belly: Pink
Symbol: Fire
Name: Tickle
Breed: Pegasus
Body: Orange
Hair: Pink
Symbol: Smiley Face
Name: Jack
Breed: Earth
Body: Black
Hair: Orange and Yellow
Symbol: Black Cat
Name: Bookworm
Breed: Pegasus
Body: Orange
Hair: Brown
Symbol: Dictionary
Name: Stripes
Breed: Unicorn
Body: Rainbow Stripes
Hair: Purple, Blue, Green, and Red
Symbol: Shooting Stars
Name: Tux
Breed: Big Brother Unicorn
Body: Black
Hair: White
Symbol: Bowtie
Name: Teacher
Breed: Earth
Body: Brown
Hair: Orange
Symbol: Apple
Name: Rosie
Breed: Pegasus
Body: Pink
Hair: Green
Symbol: Rose
Name: Garden
Breed: Earth
Body: Green
Hair: Pink and Purple
Symbol: Bunch of Flowers
Name: Prancer
Breed: Pegasus
Body: Blue
Hair: Purple
Symbol: Tap Shoes
Name: Angel
Breed: Unicorn
Body: White
Hair: Yellow
Symbol: Harp
Name: Music
Breed: Earth Pony
Body: Pink
Hair: Purple
Symbol: Piano
Name: Baby Sandy
Breed: Baby Pegasus
Body: Yellow
Hair: Yellow
Symbol: Sun
Name: Market
Breed: Earth
Body: Green
Hair: Orange
Symbol: Assortment of Food
Name: Butter
Breed: Pegasus
Body: Yellow
Hair: Pink and White
Symbol: Stick of Butter
Name: Serena
Breed: Earth
Series: Sailor Moon Ponies
Body: Pink
Hair: Yellow (done in two hairbuns with long tails trailing down)
Symbol: Moon
Name: Amy
Breed: Earth
Series: Sailor Moon Ponies
Body: Blue
Hair: Blue (short)
Symbol: Mercury
Name: Raye
Breed: Earth
Series: Sailor Moon Ponies
Body: Red
Hair: Black (long)
Symbol: Mars
Name: Lita
Breed: Earth
Series: Sailor Moon Ponies
Body: Green
Hair: Brown (done in a ponytail)
Symbol: Jupiter
Name: Mina
Breed: Earth
Series: Sailor Moon Ponies
Body: Orange
Hair: Yellow (long)
Symbol: Venus
Name: Luna
Breed: Earth
Series: Sailor Moon Ponies
Body: Black
Hair: Black
Symbol: Crescent Moon
Name: Artemis
Breed: Earth
Series: Sailor Moon Ponies
Body: White
Hair: White
Symbol: Crescent Moon
by Moonjumper:
Note: I've already made customs of most of these, so please don't use them in a story
without asking. ;)
The Shadow Family (all have their symbol on only one side, since shadows don't
have two sides)
Name: Phantom
Breed: Big Brother Unicorn
Body Color: Prussian Blue
Hair Color: Dark Blue
Symbol: Dark Gray Pony
Name: Silhouette
Breed: Unicorn
Body Color: Prussian Blue
Hair Color: Dark Purple with Light Blue Streak
Symbol: Light Gray Pony
Name: Baby Shadow
Breed: Playtime Baby Brother Unicorn
Body Color: Prussian Blue
Hair Color: Light Purple with Dark Blue Streak
Symbol: Dark Gray Pony Head
The Fire Family (brothers and sisters)
Name: Firebolt
Breed: Big Brother Unicorn
Body Color: Orange
Hair Color: White
Symbol: Fiery Yellow Lightning Bolt
Name: Flicker
Breed: Pegasus
Body Color: White
Hair Color: Rainbow
Symbol: Orange and Yellow Flame
Name: Baby Blaze
Breed: Newborn Playtime Baby Brother
Body Color: Orange
Hair Color: White
Symbol: White Fire
Name: Baby Starlight
Breed: Newborn Twin Unicorn
Body Color: White
Hair Color: Rainbow
Symbol: Silver Star
Name: Prince Silver
Breed: Big Brother
Body Color: White
Hair Color: Sparkly White
Symbol: Silver Crown
by Princess of the Stars a.k.a. Starr a.k.a. Marissa:
Name: Gobbler
Body: Brown
Hair: Red with Orange Streak
Symbol: Turkey
Personality: Gobbler is a chubby pony who ate to much on Thanksgiving. Besides always
groaning, "Oh, my stomach hurts!" she's a rather nice and very considerate little pony.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rena and Friends
The Black Thief Syndrome
Chapter 1: Black Jack
by Cinnamon Sugar
(based on the Nancy Drew series by Caroline
Keene)
Rena, a pale blue earth pony with pastel pink hair, was relaxing on her couch. The
teenage pony was with her two cousins, Caramel-- a pastel pink earth pony with sky blue hair--
and Hijack-- a forest green pegasus with blue hair.
Rena smiled as she read the letter in her hoof. It was from her father, Flashlight, who
was
away in New York. "Dad says that he's coming back on Saturday," she said. "He's just finished
his mystery case."
Caramel giggled. "I bet it was exciting!" she exclaimed.
"Sounds like it was," remarked Hijack, noting the look on Rena's face. "Or else Rena
wouldn't be looking so excited!"
"Mmm..." agreed Caramel, munching on a chocolate cookie.
"Oh, Carmel, don't you think you've eaten enough?!" Hijack asked the plump
Caramel.
"I'm not fat, like you're always implying! I'm perfectly fit," Caramel retorted
promptly.
"Whatever," Hijack replied. She rested her front hooves on her waist.
"Hmph," Caramel sniffed. "Oh, Rena, what else did your father say?" she asked.
"He said he'll tell us more, and that a surprise is coming," said Rena, grinning. "Oh-- his
case was okay. He's got a few bruises, though, because not all the bad guys were the
I'm-not-for-hurting-you type."