Happy New Year and Story Updates (Slight Spoilers)

Hello and happy Holidays all. To contribute to the deluge of Holiday blog posts is... me.

Patroison.

Um, awkward silence.

Anyway, along with tidings of good cheer, the ending of a year brings us thoughts of the previous months and all the accomplishments that we attained.

Well, since, with the exception of "In Memory Of", I haven't done anything.

So, in the spirit of looking forward, I bring you some excerpts of the upcoming AppleShy and PinkieShy.

Keep in mind that these are still pretty rough. Really rough. As in, you'll need protective eye wear, rough.

With that out of the way, I give to you Trials and Tribulations Part 8:

Dexter waved a hoof, “Okay okay I get it, but think about it. Rainbow Dash is your best shot. She was in harms way, and you did what you had to. There isn’t a jury in Equestria that would fault you for that.”
Fluttershy’s cold stare halted any further argument he had. He cleared his throat and said, “You got spirit. Gotta respect that.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it,” Dexter said as he continued to look over his notes.
“Um, if you don’t mind me asking, how did you become a lawyer?”
Dexter laughed, “You don’t want to hear it, it’s boring.” He smiled at Fluttershy and said, “I have your file here, and let me tell you I certainly didn’t fall miles to the ground only to be caught by a cloud of butterflies and find my special talent.”
“Then...”
Dexter sighed, “Fine. I got a job and I was good at it. The end.”
Fluttershy shifted in her seat, “That’s it?”
“Yeah, it’s not always dramatic. Sometimes it’s just a light bulb goes off, and you know what you’re meant to do.”
Fluttershy nodded.
Dexter smiled, “How are you holding up?”
“I’m scared, but I’m worried.”
“About?”
“Rainbow Dash.”
“Why?”
Fluttershy looked out the window and said, “Well, Rainbow Dash has a hard time not being able to help. If she can’t save the day, she feels lost.”
She cast her eyes down to her shackled hooves, “I just don’t want her to do anything... brash.”
Dexter smiled and said, “Why don’t you worry about yourself for now and let Rainbow worry about Rainbow?”
Fluttershy nodded, “I’ll, I’ll try.”
“It’ll have to do,” Dexter said with a laugh.
He looked out the window and said, “Well it’s about time.”
Dexter smiled and asked, “Are you ready?”
“I hope so.”

And now is the following part currently titled "Storming the Mansion". Terrible title I know. I'll think of something better.

Rarity ran through the exit of the tunnel Zephyr used, and a slight hiss escaped her lips when the cold night air hit her coat. She kept the bow help within her telekinetic grasp as her eye scanned the area.
She took a few cautious steps and whispered, "Where are you?"
"Why, I'm right here," Zephyr said.
Rarity spun around a leveled the bow at him. The arrow firmly notched and drawn she said, "You are not going anywhere."
Zephyr smiled, "Really Miss Rarity, must we go through this? I am quite aware of your work."
He chuckled and continued, "My clients often ask that I be aware of what interests those in high society. Do you really want for them to know of your, shall we say, less than noble upbringing?"
Rarity narrowed her eyes and said, "I'm in no mood for games. You will pay for your crimes and you had better pray that Trixie and Twilight are able to save Applejack."
Zephyr rolled his eyes, "My dear Rarity. I have been through all this before. I have committed many crimes, and yet I remain free. There is no force more powerful in this world than money, and I have access to the deepest coffers."
He bowed and spread his wings, "I shall leave you now, but don't be surprised if certain opportunities arise for you."
A smirk appeared on his lips as Rarity closed her eyes and lowered the bow. Without hesitation, he took the sky unaware that she hadn't surrendered.
Rarity focused her magic into the bow and raised to the fleeing Zephyr. She tracked his movement and steadied her breath.
A smile appeared on her lips as she whispered, "For you, Fluttershy."
And she let the arrow fly.

And finally, we have Into the Depths Part 2:

A book materialized before the group before falling with a solid thud on the carriage floor.
For a moment, nopony dared to breathe. All eyes remained locked on the tome, until a lavender glow surrounded it.
"It's alive," Pinkie shouted as she jumped from her seat.
She tried to run, but Fluttershy held onto her.
"It's alive and it's got me," Pinkie cried.
"Pinkie," Fluttershy said, "I have you."
Pinkie turned and smiled at Fluttershy, "Oh, that's much better than a book."
She smiled at Twilight, who had the book within her grasp, and asked, "You okay, Twilight?"
Twilight's eye twitched but said nothing.
"I think she's upset about what you said about books," Fluttershy whispered.
"Oh that," Pinkie said, "But it's true."
She held up a sign with a drawing of Fluttershy drinking from a juice box on one side and a stack of books covered in cobwebs on the other. In between was a drawing of Gummy in the shape of a greater than sign.
"See," Pinkie said, "Flutters is greater than books. It's just math."
"But-"
"Twilight," Pinkie said, "You can't fight math."
"Still-"
"Math. You can't fight it."
Twilight sighed, placed the book in her lap, and said, "I like books."
"And we like you, too," Pinkie said.

And there we have it. I hope you enjoyed these little tidbits, and I look forward to seeing more awesomeness from all of you in the next year.

As always, stay awesome!