My Little Pony Monthly Issue 13 (April 1,
1998)
My Little Pony Monthly
Established June 1997
If you do not want to be on our mailing list, e-mail Tabby at TabbyMLP@aol.com and
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Issue 13
April 1998
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All The Pretty Little Ponies
(A Revisionist Interpretation of the MLP Mythos)
Chapter 2
by
C. Alan Loewen
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
For Candice and Allison
Synopsis: Megan, an eleven-year old orphan lives with her kindly, but emotionally distant Aunt
Constance. One Saturday morning, Megan receives a package in the mail, a globe encasing a
beautiful fantasy castle. In her bedroom, Megan is magically transported into the castle where she
meets seven talking ponies including two unicorns and two ponies with wings. Passing a test of
character, Megan is given the role of guarding the ponies and being warned that the ponies are in
danger she is given the advice to "walk the Wood of the Worlds." Transported back home, she
frees the ponies from the globe much to the dismayed surprise of her aunt. Comments and
constructive criticism may be sent to cloewen@juno.com
At Megan's urging, the ponies had retreated back to her upstairs bedroom. Aunt
Constance sat on the sofa wringing her hands.
"The ponies will have to go to a farm," she wailed. "Our house is too small for ponies.
We
only have a tiny back yard."
Megan sat on the couch next to her aunt, confused as to how to help her over the shock
of
meeting the ponies. "Aunt Constance," she said gently, "they're not normal ponies. They
talk."
"And we have no extra money to feed them."
"Aunt Constance, two of them are unicorns."
"And what will the neighbors say?"
"And two of them have wings. They can fly."
Aunt Constance turned and looked at Megan as if seeing her for the first time. "Wings?
Fly?" Suddenly, she burst into tears.
Megan was beside herself with anxiety. It had never been her wish to cause her aunt so
much dismay. She felt tears coming to her own eyes. "I'm sorry, Aunt Constance. I didn't think.
I'll see if I can send them back."
Megan swallowed hard and left her aunt sitting on the couch. Reluctantly, she made her
way back up the stairs to her small bedroom. As she made her way to her door, she could hear a
babble of excited voices.
All the ponies had crowded themselves to where as many as possible could look out her
window to the backyard below and chattering amongst themselves. "What's the matter?" Megan
asked.
"Oh, look, Megan," Applejack said, laughing. "It's beautiful."
The ponies moved aside to allow Megan near the window. Megan lifted the curtains to
the
side and gasped in wonder. The small suburban backyard had undergone a miraculous
transformation. Instead of a fenced-in plot of manicured grass, the backyard now bordered an
ancient forest, each individual tree so huge that even an adult would not be able to fully wrap their
arms around them.
"That's not my backyard," she said, not knowing exactly what to say. "My backyard
doesn't have any forest."
Firefly, one of the winged ponies had squeezed next to Megan to look out the window.
"That is no ordinary forest. I've read stories about it. It's the Wood of the Worlds."
"In my backyard?" Megan asked.
"Why not?" Firefly replied with a gentle laugh. "You'd be surprised how many people
look for wonder all their lives and never know it was there all the time in their own
backyards."
Megan paused for a moment remembering. "Before I left the castle, Dubricius told me
to
walk the Wood of the Worlds." She looked at the ponies expectantly.
"An adventure!" Ember cried, her dark eyes blazing. "We're going on an adventure!"
The
other ponies started chattering excitedly again, but Megan firmly asked for them to be quiet.
"I can't go on an adventure," she said. "I have to take care of Aunt Constance. I have
chores and responsibilities here."
"But, Megan," Ember said sadly. "Didn't Dubricius say that we were your
responsibility?"
Megan sighed sadly. "It's just not that easy," she said at last.
Megan plopped down on her bed and hid her face in her hands. She felt ponies nuzzling
her for comfort. Eventually looking up, she saw that not all the ponies were present.
"Where's Twilight?"
None of the other ponies knew. In fact, none of them clearly remembered Twilight ever
actually coming upstairs with them.
Leaving the ponies in her bedroom with a promise she would let them out soon, Megan
rushed downstairs and paused near the doorway where she had left Aunt Constance. She could
hear Twilight talking.
"A test is not a trial," the little unicorn was saying. "The true purpose of any test is not
to
punish, but to discover what we have truly learned and where we need to learn or grow more.
You've needlessly punished yourself for so long, not knowing that in your test you learned
honor and faithfulness and love. You proved that by taking Megan in and giving her a
home."
Megan, unable to control her curiosity, entered the doorway. Twilight was standing in
front on Aunt Constance, her aunt sitting still on the sofa a look of puzzlement on her face.
Twilight turned and saw Megan in the doorway and turned back to Aunt Constance.
"Why
don't you tell Megan what happened all those years ago? I'll go get my sisters. And remember.
There is very little in this world that is done that can never be undone."
Without another word, Twilight trotted out of the room leaving Megan with her aunt.
Megan heard the little unicorn walk up the stairs.
"Aunt Constance?" Megan asked.
Aunt Constance blinked and shuddered, not from emotion, but as if a large load had
drooped from her shoulders.
"Megan," she said, patting the cushion next to her, an invitation for Megan to join her
on
the sofa. "I have a story to tell you."
Many years ago, her aunt began, when I was a little girl of eleven, a large, flat package
arrived on our doorstep with my name on it. My parents had no idea where it came from and we
never found out.
Inside was a watercolor painting of a castle.
I was a dreamy little girl in those days. I loved castles and horses and tales of knights
and
ladies. I fell in love with the picture right away and insisted it be hung in my bedroom
immediately.
And that night I dreamt I was in the castle, surrounded by ponies and unicorns and
ponies
with wings. And because I had legs and arms, they asked me to climb a ladder to the top of the
tallest windowless tower to solve a mystery, but I refused. I was too scared and I wouldn't climb
the ladder.
The next morning when I awoke, the painting was still on my wall, but whatever magic
there had been was gone. I never dreamed about the castle and the ponies again. I felt so badly. I
felt that I betrayed the ponies with my fear.
And I forgot. I made myself forget the castle and the tower and the ponies until they all
came into my foyer just an hour ago.
"The funny thing," Aunt Constance said in closing, "is that to the ponies, the little
unicorn
told me all this happened just yesterday."
Megan sat on the sofa next to her aunt listening to the ponies come down the stairs.
Twilight stuck her head in the door. "Megan," she said. "It's time to go."
Megan took her aunt's hand and looked up into her face. Her aunt was smiling. Megan
couldn't remember when she had ever seen her aunt smile. "She told me about the Wood and that
you have to go on a day trip," Aunt Constance said. "Your friends are waiting for you, but they
can wait long enough for me to prepare a lunch for you."
A few minutes later, Megan and Aunt Constance walked out the kitchen door followed
by
the ponies where they stood in awe before the forest. A well-worn path led deep into the shadows
underneath the canopy of ancient trees.
"My, my," Aunt Constance said laughing. "The strange things you find in your
backyard.
What will the neighbors think?"
"I doubt if the neighbors see anything," Twilight said, laughing also. "There are some
wonders that have to be believed to be seen."
Aunt Constance put her hand on Twilight's shoulder. "Please take good care of Megan,"
she asked.
Twilight nuzzled her hand. "I think that Megan will take good care of us and help us
answer all our riddles."
With Twilight leading the way, Megan, Bowtie, Applejack, Ember, and Starlight walked
into the forest. With a spread of wings, for the old trees were so large that there was more than
enough space for a winged pony to carefully fly between them, Firefly and Medley took to the
air.
Aunt Constance watched them walk off into the forest until they disappeared. Suddenly,
she sighed and shook her head as if waking from a dream. The image of the forest quivered and
faded until once again, it was once again a small suburban back yard.
She entered her house and started on the dishes, humming to herself when she was
interrupted by a knock on the door. Drying her hands, Aunt Constance went to the door and
opened it to find a young girl on her front porch. Her head framed by curly gold locks, she wore a
pink T-shirt, bright blue jeans and wore a day pack over her back. She didn't seem much older
than Megan.
"Yes?" Aunt Constance asked politely, looking down at the smiling child. "Can I help
you?"
"I've come for the ponies," she said brightly. "They're mine and I want them
back."
Aunt Constance cocked an eyebrow and looked at her puzzled. "I don't think anybody
owns the ponies. I think they own themselves."
The girl clapped her hands in delight. "Wonderful! That means they're here." With that
she ran by Aunt Constance into the house.
"Really, child! Where are your manners?" Aunt Constance protested loudly.
"My name is Sarah," the girl said, walking down the hallway looking in the various
rooms.
"They're not here. Did they go outside?" With that she ran through the kitchen into the backyard.
Aunt Constance, following closely behind and still protesting, suddenly stopped in surprise. The
Wood had returned. Seeing Sarah stride boldly toward the Wood, Aunt Constance ran ahead of
her and straddled the entrance path, her hands on hips.
"Sarah," Aunt Constance said firmly, "you are trespassing on my property. You will turn
around and go home or I'll call your parents or the police."
Sarah sighed and slipped her day pack off. Opening it, she pulled out a tiny hoop no
bigger
than her hand that contained a lacework of an intricate spider web design.
"This is a dream catcher," she said smiling. Sarah twirled it around her finger where it
sparkled and glittered. "It catches ponies, but it can be used for other purposes as well." With that
she spun it into the air over Aunt Constance's head where it suddenly increased in size to a large
net, which dropped over her head, entangling her in its folds.
Ignoring Aunt Constance's surprised cries for help, Sarah pulled out what appeared to
be
a tiny toy carousel from her pack. Seven posts stood empty where carousel ponies would
normally stand. "The ponies are mine," Sarah said. "And when I catch them, they will be mine
forever." She spun the carousel with her finger and a sad, melancholy tune tinkled through the air.
Putting the toy carousel back into her pack, she waved at Aunt Constance still
struggling
in the net and walked into the Wood.
It took a while before Aunt Constance could release herself from the entangling folds of
the net. When she finally got free, the net glittered and sparkled and shrunk back to its original
size.
After catching her breath, Aunt Constance picked up the dream catcher and examined it
with interest. Shoving it into the pocket of her dress, she turned and looked at the Wood and its
path weaving among the ancient trees until it disappeared in the darkness underneath the
thick forest canopy. The forest seemed old and lonely. And Megan and the seven ponies were in
that wood not knowing they were being pursued by a strange little girl who viewed the ponies as
personal property. Aunt Constance had an idea about the purpose of the carousel and its seven
empty posts and it made her shudder.
Aunt Constance gritted her teeth and walked boldly into the Wood. If this was a second
test, this time she was determined to pass it.
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Mystery Pony
Who is this pony?--
white adult Earth pony with dark pink hair; bouquet of magenta tulips on green stems tied with a
magenta ribbon symbol
E-mail Tabby (TabbyMLP@aol.com) your guess; if you're correct, you'll be mentioned in the
next issue!
Last month's:
The correct answer was Sweet Lily!--
jiricek@stlnet.com-
I think that this month's mystery pony is the Perfume Puff Pony Sweet Lily.
Michelle
KimHMLP@aol.com-
I say it's Sweet Lily, ‘cause I have her! :)
mdaling@silverlink.net-
The Mystery pony is... Perfume Puff Sweet Lily.
(First Perfume puff pony I had, never could figure out what was wrong with her hair till I found
Dream Valley and found out that nothing was wrong at all)
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Brightblade Warpony
An Epic
Recorded by Clipper as Dictated by the bard Ramon
Chapter 6
That afternoon, Brightblade Warpony and flame-maned Epona continued their trek;
Brightblade was silent. "Why do you not continue your tale?" Epona asked.
"I need some time to gather my thoughts," he replied.
Before Epona could respond, a raven flew out of a nearby tree and perched on the
Warrior's Horn. "Khaar! It is good to see you again, Warpony!" the raven kawed. "Are we
nearing the end of our quest?"
"You'd have to ask Epona," Brightblade replied. The raven was silent. "Epona," said
the
Warpony, "I'd like you to meet Breeks." Breeks looked away from Epona, trying to look like he
was simply admiring the scenery.
"Not very talkative for a raven," Epona commented.
"He clams up like this every time I mention you," Brightblade explained. "He seems not
to like you; have you two met before?"
"No, of all the birds I've known, none have been this disagreeable. How is it you came
to
know him?"
"That will be revealed when I continue my tale. I met Breeks shortly after Ramon and I
left the village of the rats."
The rats had replenished our provisions with dried fruits and nut cakes. Our water
bottles
were full and the wine bottle filled with the bitter herbal brew that was administered to me during
my illness in the valley. The rats had also given us directions to the Temple of Light. It lay
southwest of their village, beyond the Pack Lands where the wolves dwell. Though most wolves
are peaceful, the rats warned us of the pack led by the one calling himself Kerberus. They also
warned us not to stray too far to the west, for the lands west of the Pack Lands are ruled by
Death and should be avoided at all costs.
The contrast between the green hills of the rats and the dry plains of the Pack Lands was
sharp. At the base of one hill the soft green grass abruptly gave way to tall, brown, sharp-bladed
grass growing in clumps. Much of the ground was bare; and many rocks, some of great size,
projected from the ground. The rocks were more numerous than trees, but the trees that did
grow in the Pack Lands were impressively tall and gnarled.
As we progressed further into the Pack Lands, Ramon began to grow nervous. "I think
we should have asked Cassandra to send some guards with us," he said. "Those wolves could be
right on top of us before we even knew they were there." I was about to agree with him when we
heard from behind us, as if on cue, a threatening growl. We turned and found ourselves facing
two large wolves with their fangs bared. I turned to run-- Ramon was riding on my back at the
time-- but found my path blocked by three more wolves. I heard a vicious bark from my left and
instinctively turned to my right and ran. Strangely, there were no wolves blocking my way.
Ramon kept me informed of the status of our pursuers, who numbered six in all. They
kept an even distance from us, even when I put on an extra burst of speed or slowed from fatigue.
It was as if they did not intend to catch us but instead drive us to some unknown fate.
Before I realized where I was running, Ramon and I found ourselves in a shallow
canyon
between two broad outcroppings of rock. In front of us the outcroppings came very close
together; I had to slow my pace to avoid running into the cliff. It was then that I noticed that the
tops of the outcrops were lined with wolves; we were surrounded.
A large, dark-furred wolf stepped forward from the pack. "Greetings, my victims," he
began to speak but was cut off suddenly.
"KHARRRR!" cried a raven as he dove at the large wolf. The wolf, Kerberus, leapt
back
and ducked to avoid the raven's razor sharp beak. The entire pack seemed frightened, or at least
nervous. (Breeks' chest seemed to swell with pride as Brightblade related these events.)
After his dive, the raven circled around and perched on my head. "Kharr! Flee, while
you
still have the chance!" he kawed in my ear. "Quickly!"
I trotted as rapidly as I could through the narrow of the canyon. The canyon floor rose
or
the cliffs dropped, I couldn't tell which, but we soon found ourselves in open country again. We
could hear the angry shouts of Kerberus as he tried to marshal his pack against us. "Quickly,
toward those rocks!" the bird kawed.
As I galloped toward the rocks, I asked the raven, "Who are you and why did you help
us?"
"I am Breeks," he replied, "and I helped you because you are the Warpony."
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The Only True Love
By Shining (ddonnell@iserv.net)
"Why?" Shining cried quietly. "Why did this happen to me?" The delicate dark bay
mare
limped painfully around her roomy box stall. Six months had passed since she had crashed into
the jump standard, shattering her right foreleg.
"Baby, are you okay?" Signature Required, Shining's handsome jet-black mate, poked
his
dark face in the stall.
Shining hastily brushed her tears away. "I'm fine," she said quickly.
Signature frowned. He knew that she had been crying, he knew that she was resentful,
and he knew that she didn't want him to worry about her; but he loved her so very much. He
pulled her to him. "We're going to be okay, Shining-girl. Trust me," he whispered tenderly.
Tears began once again to cascade down Shining's beautiful face. "But it's so hard,
Signature," Shining murmured.
Signature comforted Shining as best he could. "I know, Baby. But you promised me
that
you wouldn't give up. Who'll sing to Honor and Moment at bedtime?" Signature asked, referring
to the couple's twins.
Shining gave Signature a teary smile. "I suppose I'll have to go on just to sing to Honor
and Moment. You have such a terrible voice, Signature," Shining teased him. In reality,
Signature had a wonderful baritone, but nothing could compare to Shining's exquisite
soprano.
Signature kissed Shining lovingly. "I have a good voice," he chuckled. "I'll prove it."
Signature began serenading Shining, but his ballad was interrupted by a knock on the stall
door.
Signature got up and walked over to the entrance of the stall. There stood a pretty
palomino filly. She offered Signature a bold smile. "Hi! My name's Sheza Classic Jewel. But
everyone calls me Classy."
Signature raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Nice to meet you, Classy, but--"
Classy interrupted, "I read in the Pony Post that Shining would never walk
again--"
"She'll walk again," Signature said quietly.
"Yeah, whatever. Anyway, I've been practicing really hard on my performances, so I
thought that maybe you'd need another partner to show with since Shining can't," Classy
finished.
Taken aback by Classy's bold behavior, Signature took a step back. "Well, um, I hadn't
really thought about shows lately--"
Classy interrupted again, "Look, I know that you're really concerned about Shining and
all, but don't you want to show again, even if she can't?"
Signature sighed. He admitted that he had thought about showing again, but he couldn't
leave Shining now. "I'm sorry, Miss... Classy, wasn't it? Yes, well, we're not looking right now
to find another performer." He began shutting the door, but Classy blocked it with her
hoof.
"Aw...c'mon! Can't you just watch me? If you still don't want me, I'll leave. I
promise,"
Classy looked up at Signature, batting her long eyelashes.
"No, I really don't think that....." Signature declined.
Shining had slowly and painfully limped over to the door and now stood beside
Signature.
"Signature, I've watched you for the past six months. You always get that far-off dreamy look
when I mention showing. You need to do this," Shining said quietly.
Signature turned towards the elegant mare at his side. "But Shining, I can't leave you. I
don't want to show without you."
"Oh, of course you can!" Classy butted in. "You did when she was pregnant."
Signature sighed, finally giving in. "All right, we'll try one show together."
Classy squealed girlishly and surprised Signature by leaping towards him to plant a kiss
on
his noble nose. Signature quickly glanced at Shining. She had turned away, pretending not to
notice. Signature felt his heart sink.
"Shining-girl, do you want to come down and watch? I can carry you over to the
arena,"
Signature offered.
Shining smiled wryly. "No thanks. I should stay here to sing to the twins. Have
fun."
Signature knew that what she really meant was, "No, if I go down to the arena, it'll
break
my heart." He frowned. "I can stay up here with you, if you want."
"No! You're not going to stay up here any longer like an old crippled invalid! You
need
to get out of here for a while," Classy shrieked.
Shining blinked. Classy's words had hit her like a slap in the face. An old crippled
invalid;
that's all I am anymore, Shining thought sadly.
Signature and the attractive filly made their way down to the Olympic-sized working
arena. All the while, Classy chattered on and on about her previous trainings. Signature listened
politely. ".......and then, I trained with this very prestigious mare named Lacey--"
"What was that name?" Signature had her full attention now.
"Lacey. Her full name was Bit A Lace, or something quaint like that," Classy
responded.
"Do you know her?"
Signature nodded grimly. "Unfortunately," he said. Lacey had been the one that had
caused Shining to careen into the huge triple oxer. Lacey had been banned from Glorified
Acres.
Signature reached the arena and smoothly changed to a trot. He circled and began
warming up. "This feels great. I haven't done this in a long time," he told Classy.
Classy winked. "See? What did I tell you?" She grinned smugly.
Throughout the workout, Signature was surprised at how well-schooled the young filly
really was. She moved fairly elegantly, and had a sort of aristocratic air about her.
Signature slowed and trotted to the center of the ring. Classy followed. "You're pretty
good," Signature told her.
"I know," Classy said confidently. "I'll bet I'm as good as Shining, aren't I?"
Taken aback, Signature shook his head quickly. "No one could ever compare to
Shining's
capabilities. Not even me."
Classy rolled her eyes. "We'll just see about that. I'm sure I can be even better than that
mare. I've had better training."
Signature didn't say anything, but turned and walked back toward the barn. Classy
tagged
along. "Should we practice tomorrow? I think that if we work hard, we can be ready for a show
in a month."
Signature stopped and stared at her. Slowly he nodded his head. "Be here at seven
o'clock."
Classy nodded agreeably. "I was thinking that since we're training together, I could stay
at Glorified Acres."
"Yes, there's an extra stall in the fillies' training barn. You can stay there," Signature
told
her.
"Why can't I stay in the main barn? It'd be closer to you, in case I needed anything,"
Classy pouted.
"Classy, that's mine and my family's private quarters. You'll stay in the fillies' barn or
find other lodgings," Signature said firmly. Classy stomped off toward the training barns.
Signature entered the main barn and was toppled over by his two adorable foals,
Moment
and Honor. "Hi, Daddy! Guess what we learned in Ms. Hackney's class today?" Honor greeted
him.
Signature grinned at his daughter. "I dunno. What did you learn today?"
"Well, we learned about this wizard-guy who helped save Ponyland. He gave Megan a
piece of rainbow. His name was Mr. Moochick," Honor told him matter-of-factly.
Signature raised his eyebrows. "And what did you learn, young man?" he asked
Moment.
"I learned that girls gots cooties!" Moment declared impishly.
"We do not!" Honor defended herself. She stuck her tongue out at her brother.
Signature
chuckled and left the twins to sort our their "disagreement." When he walked into the stall, he
snuck up behind Shining.
She was looking through a photo album. One picture showed the two of them with a
first
place trophy. Another showed Shining leaping over an immense water jump, a look of pure joy
upon her face. A single tear fell on the page, blotting the caption of the photos. "Signature?"
Shining said.
"What, Shining-girl?" Signature asked softly.
Shining look up at Signature. "Signature, I want to walk again."
With all the truth in the world, Signature looked Shining in the eyes. "I know you will,
Shining-girl."
"But it's not just that, Signature. I want to compete again," Shining looked up at
Signature, teary-eyed.
Signature hesitated. Both he and Shining knew that chances were slim that she would
be
able to compete again. "Shining, you can do whatever you want if you believe."
"Okay," Shining smiled. "How did your practice go?"
"It felt great to practice again," Signature said. "Classy's better than I thought, but way
too confident. Nothing like you."
"You two will do well on the show circuit this year," Shining pronounced, perhaps a
little
wistfully.
"Next year we'll show together," Signature assured her.
* * *
Over the next few weeks, Signature and Classy practiced more and more to get ready
for
the show season and spent more and more and time together. So far, they had won several major
classes. Classy flirted constantly with Signature.
"Oh, you look so cute when you leap so valiantly over those fences, Signature," Classy
batted her eyelashes.
Signature rolled his eyes. "Classy, that jump was two feet off the ground."
"But you're so handsome," Classy cooed.
Signature unconsciously blushed. Classy caught on to his uncomfortable moment and
took advantage of it. "We do, you know, make the perfect pair. Black and cream go together so
much better than black and bay. It's like we were meant for each other," Classy winked.
While Signature and Classy continued training, Shining had formed her own physical
therapy program. Each morning, she would walk the mile over to Dream Valley with Moment
and Honor.
She'd drop them off at her young friend, Baby Gusty's house, and go to the Dream
Valley
Swimming Pool. At the pool, Shining could build her muscles without putting any pressure on
her foreleg.
After her swim, she'd walk over to Baby Bonnet's School of Dance and practice leg lifts
on the barre. When she had finished, Shining would pick the twins up and take them to Lickety
Split's Ice Cream Shoppe for a sundae before heading back to Glorified Acres.
Shining was well on her way to recovery. She could walk with only a trace of a limp
and
her legs were getting stronger every day. She longed to jump again, but wisely decided to wait
until she was completely back in shape again.
* * *
By the end of the summer, Shining was fully fit again. Signature and she made plans to
start practicing again. But first, Signature had to tell Classy that she wasn't needed anymore.
Classy was waiting for Signature in the arena. "Hey, big guy, what took you so long?
I've been waiting here forever."
Signature looked around uncomfortably. "Shining's in top form now. So, from now on,
I
don't think that you need to be here."
Shining had strolled down to the barn after Signature, but stopped when she figured out
that they were having a conversation.
Classy sighed. "Signature, run away with me."
Signature's eyes widened. "Classy, I--"
Classy stepped closer. "Leave Shining. She's holding you back. If you came with me,
you could be the best in the world," she whispered urgently.
Shining's heart skipped a beat. No! How could she? Take her Signature away?
Shining
choked back a sob and took off. She knew she was going too fast, but she couldn't stop.
Hearing Shining's flee, Signature whirled around. Cringing, he watches helplessly as
Shining tripped on a hidden rut in the ground. Shining fell to the earth with a gasp.
Terrifying memories ran wild through Signature's mind of Shining's fall six months
before
as he rushed to her side. "Classy! Call Dr. Rosedust! Her number's in the office," Signature
called.
When he reached Shining, she had sat up, but was cradling her right foreleg. "It's not
broken," she informed him.
Signature blew out a breath of relief. "What happened, Shining?" He brushed a stray
lock
of hair out of his eyes.
"I-I was walking up to the barn and I overheard your conversation with Classy....."
Shining didn't finish. A look of sorrow came over Shining's pretty face.
Signature hugged Shining gently. "Shining, I would never never leave you. Especially
not
for Classy. You're the only one I'll ever love."
Shining smiled quietly and looked up into Signature's handsome face. "Really,
Signature?"
"Always," Signature whispered. He bent down and kissed Shining, smelling her sweet
aroma. "So, how's your leg?"
Shining wrinkled her nose and sighed. "It hurts," she said simply.
Signature laughed. "I could have guessed that."
"Then you're a good guesser," Shining teased.
Dr. Rosedust, the friendly doctor of Dream Valley, arrived with her comforting black
medical bag. She shook her head and clucked her tongue. "Tsk. Tsk. What have you gotten
yourself into now?"
Shining smiled shyly. "I tripped."
Dr. Rosedust gently palpated Shining's sore leg. Shining winced when Rosedust
touched
her fetlock. "It's a sprain," the doctor diagnosed. "RICE it for about a month. You do know
what RICE is, don't you?" Rosedust asked.
Signature nodded. "Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation. We learned that the first day
of
first aid."
"Okay," Dr. Rosedust approved. "After about a month, come in to my clinic and I'll
take
a look at it again." With that, Rosedust left with a wave of her hoof, on to care for her other
patients.
"Do you think that you can make it up to the main barn okay?" Signature asked with
concern.
"I'll be fine," Shining assured him.
"Okay, I'll be right up," Signature said.
As Shining made her way up to the main stable, Signature turned to search for Classy.
He
found her around the corner of the indoor arena, leaning against the sturdy wall.
"Hi," he said cautiously.
"Hi," Classy replied. "I heard you guys over there. You really love her, don't
you?"
Signature nodded. "I really do. And I love Honor and Moment. I wouldn't-- I
couldn't--
leave them. Not for anything. I hope you understand that."
"Yeah," Classy nodded, "yeah, I do. I'll be on my way then. I'll see you around."
Signature waved, "Bye."
Classy and Signature each turned and each began walking in opposite directions. Classy
was walking away from Glorified Acres, in search of another dream. But Signature walked
towards the dream he had already found. His true love.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey
If your Loving Family ponies each had a name besides Baby Apple Delight, Mommy
Bright Bouquet, etc., what would they be?
E-mail Tabby (TabbyMLP@aol.com) what you think. Look in the next issue for the
results!
Last month's-
How much do you think a foreign MLP is worth?
olivia@wardrobe.dircon.co.uk-
I think the most a foreign pony (in auction) would be worth is $120, but in general out of auction
I guess $60.
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PONY OF THE MONTH
Tex
(yellow big brother with dark pink/dark blue hair and cacti on rump)
Editor's note-- As most of you know, I despise Tex; you may be wondering why I chose him to be
Pony of the Month. Well, it's not my fault. Friendly the Bushwoolie forced me into doing
it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April Antagonist
by Tabby
It was nice, sunny April 1st in Ponyland. Tabby and Sugarberry were at the Satin
Slipper
Sweet Shoppe. Then Tex walked in.
"Mind if I join you two?" he asked, walking over to their table.
"Actually, yes..." Tabby started, but Sugarberry kicked her from under the table and
interjected, "Oh, yes, sit down!"
"SUGARBERRY!" Tabby screeched.
So, Tex sat down. "I've been wanting to talk to you girls about a mystery I have." He
set
a piece of paper down on the table. "I got this note last night."
Sick pet?
See the vet
When you leave
Proceed twenty paces
For further traces.
"Ooh!" Sugarberry exclaimed. Tabby was staring boredly up at the ceiling.
"I thought it might refer to your vet clinic, Tabby," Tex said.
"Well, OBVIOUSLY!" Tabby rolled her eyes. "Any idiot could figure THAT
out."
"I guess I'll go check it out now," Tex said, standing up. "You can come with me if you
want," he added, glancing at Sugarberry and Tabby.
"Come on Tabby, let's!" Sugarberry said. "It'll be fun!"
Tabby snorted. "I knew you'd force me into it, Sugarberry. Fine, I'll go. But only
because you're making me."
* * *
The three has just gotten to Tabby's vet clinic. Tex was walking twenty paces from the
door; he came to the lamp post in front of Pony-Mart.
"There's a paper duct-taped to the post!" he exclaimed.
"What does it say?" Sugarberry asked.
Tex unfolded the paper:
Clothes and games
Shoes and frames
Computers and bikes
Something doesn't fit?
Do the refund bit.
"Maybe it means Pony-Mart," Sugarberry suggested.
"That must be it," Tex said. So they went inside, Tabby trailing along behind
unwillingly.
"How'll we possibly find it? This is a big store, ya know," Tabby pointed out.
"That's right," Sugarberry said.
"The note says ‘Do the refund bit,' so they probably left it at the courtesy counter," Tex
said. He walked up to it.
"Oh, Tex!" Starflower, who was working behind the counter, exclaimed. "I bet you're
looking for this!" She pulled out an envelope from under the counter.
"Thanks, Starflower," he said, taking the envelope from her.
Starflower smiled at him. "Bye!" she called as he walked away.
"So what does this one say?" Sugarberry asked anxiously.
"Let's see..." Tex opened the envelope.
Up and down
Circle around
I'm getting dizzy!
Back and forth
Back and fourth!
The three ponies pondered over this one for awhile. At least, Tex and Sugarberry
did.
"This one's harder," Tex commented.
"Yes," Sugarberry agreed. "I wonder why ‘fourth' is misspelled.
After a few more minutes with no ideas, Tabby appeared to be getting bored. "It must
mean the playground at the grade school!" she burst out.
"Good thinking, Tabby," Tex said.
"So let's try it!" Sugarberry exclaimed.
* * *
At the playground, the three spread out to look for the next clue. Tabby, of course, was
being uncooperative, though, so she really wasn't looking at anything.
"I think I found it!" Sugarberry called out. "It's taped to this tree over here!" She
pulled
it off and handed it to Tex:
Feeling smarter?
Getting older?
Ready to go on?
Time yet to roam?
Get on home.
"These rhymes sure sound stupid," Tabby remarked.
"But what could it mean?" Sugarberry asked.
"Maybe something at the high school, since it talks about getting smarter," Tex
suggested.
"That would make sense," Sugarberry said. Suddenly her eyes lit up. "I'll bet it's in the
baseball diamond! On home plate!"
"What's a baseball diamond?" Tabby wondered as they went off.
* * *
"Yes, here it is! On home plate!" Tex exclaimed after they got to the baseball diamond.
Sugarberry ran over to see what the clue was. Tabby continued to wander around
aimlessly.
It read:
Drop in your jangle
Hold out your hand
White, green, pink,