Pals and Poniesby steel soulChaptersPrologueChapter 1Chapter 2PrologueA metallic hiss echoed through the desolate halls as ancient yet clearly technologically advanced doors opened. Stepping into the dimly lit room were two figures. The first, an orange haired young man, his features soft yet determined, clad in intricately crafted tribal-like armor fashioned from scraps of metal salvaged. His emerald green eyes, keen and alert, scanned the surroundings with a mix of caution and wonder. Beside him trotted a rather peculiar creature, a diminutive and round bipedal being resembling that of a sheep but clearly it was something more. Its fluffy form bounced with each step, emitting a soft bleat every so often that conveyed something akin to excitement. The sheep-like monster, bounded forward ahead of the man with unrestrained enthusiasm, as if eager to explore the long-forgotten chamber. Its woolly coat brushed against the dusty ground, leaving a trail of hoofprints in its wake with each step it made. "Don't stray too far Lamball."’ The young man’s voice carried through the silence, soft but with an edge of authority he had to learn in his days of surviving and commanding. Lamball paused mid-bounce, tilting its head back with a curious bleat before hopping back toward him, its round eyes twinkling in the dim light as if it hadn’t a care in the world. The young man couldn't help but chuckle under his breath as he watched Lamball’s carefree frolic through the eerie chamber. There was something about the little creature’s boundless curiosity that both comforted and worried him, especially in a place like this. Who knew what lay dormant in these ruins? With his buddy now on a diminishing preverbal leash, they pressed on. The room seemed to stretch on, filled with towering columns of metal and glass, their surfaces coated in years of dust, yet glimmers of light hinted at machinery within that hadn’t yet surrendered to time. Strange symbols were etched into the walls, symbols that the young man couldn’t decipher, though something about them stirred a sense of familiarity he couldn’t place. Lamball, already having left the man's side, sniffed curiously at one of the nearest consoles, its wool glowing faintly against the light blue glow as it pressed a button with its tiny hoof. A series of low hums and distant clicks echoed in response, and the man tensed, reaching for the bowgun strapped to his back. When nothing more happened, he breathed a sigh of relief before giving the sheep a deadpan look, "Dang it buddy…What did I just tell you?" The creature, in response, tilted its head, completely unbothered by his exasperation. If anything, Lamball seemed delighted by the attention, its eyes sparkling as it gave another excited bleat. Shaking his head, the young man sighed, a resigned smile tugging at the corner of his mouth soon after. He was used to Lamball’s antics by now—no amount of caution would ever truly hold back the creature’s curiosity. The little sheep-like monster had a knack for getting itself into situations, especially when technology was involved. It was as if Lamball saw each strange button and switch as a puzzle to solve, much to his dismay. "Just… try not to touch anything else, alright?" he said, casting a wary glance at the console as its hum settled, leaving only the flicker of a few dim lights. Lamball responded with a bob of its fluffy head, though the twinkle in its eyes told him it was a promise the creature didn’t fully intend to keep. It bounced in place, clearly eager to keep exploring, but it at least remained close this time, letting the man take the lead as they ventured deeper into the ancient chamber. "To think that this was here all this time...I thought I explored nearly everything on this island...but every day it sruprises me more and more," he murmured, glancing around at the forgotten relics. “They have the same glow as the one's above grown but they look different...Maybe even more advanced? And that's saying a lot...” Lamball, of course, was more interested in the immediate mystery of each flickering light and polished metal surface. The creature hopped ahead, its tiny hooves clicking softly as it nudged at another console, emitting a curious bleat as if trying to communicate with it. “Lamball,” the young man sighed, his tone a mix of caution and resignation. “I just said not to—” But before he could finish, the console flickered to life just like the last, responding to Lamball’s touch with a series of holographic displays that hovered in the air. Diagrams, symbols, and what looked like maps blinked into view, casting the room in shades of blue and green. He froze, staring wide-eyed at the display as it cycled through images of machinery, landscapes, and something that looked suspiciously like an intricate schematic of the island he was on itself before it paused on one screen. His breath caught as he studied the image intricate details. This was no simple schematic; it was a vast, sprawling representation of a world much like his own, yet distinctly foreign. Mountain ranges, rivers, and cities were marked with symbols he didn’t recognize, and, unlike any map he had seen before, there was something almost… alive about it. The holographic landmasses shifted subtly as if reflecting the real-time movement of this mysterious world. Two prominent symbols hovered above everything else—a radiant Sun and a crescent Moon, each positioned over different regions. The Sun symbol pulsed warmly, its light illuminating one half of the map, while the Moon cast a cool glow over the other. Together, they seemed to embody a delicate balance, as though each side of the map was in a constant, harmonious cycle with the other. “And I thought just landing on these islands were wild enough…this…This is a whole new world…” He gasped before turning towards the one beside him. “You think…this might even be your world?!” Lamball blinked up at him, its wide, round eyes reflecting the soft glow of the holographic display. The creature tilted its head as if pondering the young man’s question, then let out a soft, almost thoughtful bleat. It seemed as intrigued as he was, though its innocent gaze held no answer—only wonder. The young man crouched beside his woolly companion, running a hand thoughtfully over the console’s edge. “Hehe…guess it wouldn’t be your world exactly if you were born here, huh buddy?” he murmured, glancing between the map and Lamball. "Still…if anything, it might be where your ancestors were born. That, in itself, is a very big discovery, right?” Lamball leaned into his hand, a soft, pleased rumble escaping from deep within its fluffy form. The man figured his buddy didn't seem to care either way. Though he also knew Lamball was a very, very, simple being. A place to eat and a bed to sleep and you had a friend for life. Standing up, he blushed his fingers against the console, a faint, distorted voice crackled through the air and catching him off guard, reverberating through the silent chamber like an echo from a forgotten era. "Yo....it....gain...." He froze, his heart pounding, and instinctively placed a protective hand over Lamball, who gave a surprised bleat and looked around with wide, startled eyes. The voice continued, wavering in and out, each word wrapped in static and barely discernible. “...ch… ren… anc… call… ba…” They waited, both with baited breath. Where thee was no signs of danger, the man would stand before leaning closer to the console, staring at the screen as if flickered. After a small while he worked up the courage to speak, “Who… who’s there?" No answer. "Can you hear me?” The console flickered once more, and then the distorted voice returned, its tones eerie, fragmented, but undeniably real. “...return…” A shiver ran down his spine. The voice carried a weight of ages, an urgency that bypassed the barriers of language and time. It was a plea, a call, but to whom, he couldn’t tell. “Return…” he repeated, his voice barely audible. He glanced down at Lamball, who blinked up at him, sensing the gravity of the moment but unable to understand its meaning. “What the heck is that supposed to mean…” The young man’s gaze darted toward the wall beyond the console, where a series of lights flickered to life, casting an eerie glow over the ancient chamber. The lights formed a clear pattern, tracing along the edges of what looked like a doorway—a large, imposing archway etched with strange symbols that pulsed in time with the faint hum of energy building in the room. He took an instinctive step back, keeping Lamball behind him. The creature gave a curious, if nervous, bleat, its round eyes fixed on the growing mass of energy coalescing in the center of the arch. The air was thick with anticipation, a crackling tension that made the hairs on his arms stand on end. He could feel something powerful gathering within that archway, as if the very room was alive and responding to the voice’s plea for “return.” The energy in the arch flared, forming a swirling, ethereal portal that pulsed with a spectrum of colors. It shimmered like liquid light, its surface rippling with hues of deep violet, icy blue, and warm gold. The young man felt his heartbeat quicken as he watched the portal solidify, each pulse tugging at him like a magnetic pull, an invitation—or perhaps a summons. "Return, huh?" He swallowed, looking down at Lamball, who stared at the portal with wide, unblinking eyes. “Well, buddy… looks like we’ve got our answer,” he murmured, voice barely steady. “I think… I think that’s where it wants us to go.” He couldn’t explain why, but he knew, deep down, that this portal was connected to the voice, to the Sun and Moon symbols, and to the mysteries of this world. It felt like a doorway not only to a new place but also to answers that had been hidden for ages. “Its…a good thing I packed the others inside storage…and brought along some emergency supplies…” He looked towards Lamball. “Something tells me…this isn’t going to be just a simple one and done exploration…Right, buddy?” ~~~ Twilight Sparkle stirred from her slumber in the middle of the night, sitting up as self felt...something? At least her horn did. The purple pony princess placed a hoof against the purple bony parturition from her forehead, gently rubbing it as it tingled with energy. She furrowed her brow in confusion, the tingling sensation in her horn intensifying as she tried to make sense of the strange energy coursing through her. She cast a wary glance around her dimly lit bedroom, the familiar surroundings offering no explanation for the mysterious sensation that had just washed over her. With a soft sigh, Twilight pushed aside the covers and swung her hooves over the edge of the bed, her mind racing with questions. “What the hey was that? It’s been a while since I felt a magical surge like that…” As she stood up and stretched her wings, the young alicorn made her way to the window, her horn glowing softly as she peered out into the night. The moon hung high in the sky, casting its gentle glow over the sleeping town of Ponyville, but aside from the usual sights and sounds of the night, there was nothing out of the ordinary. Frowning slightly, Twilight turned away from the window and made her way to her desk, her hooves echoing softly against the Crystal floor. She lit a candle with her magic, bathing the room in a warm, flickering light as she settled down to ponder the strange occurrence. With a quill held in her magical aura, she began to jot down her thoughts and observations, the tingling sensation in her horn, while dull now, serving as a constant reminder of the strange energy that had awakened her in the middle of the night. As she wrote, Twilight couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the back of her mind. The sudden surge of magic felt too deliberate to be a mere coincidence, and yet...maybe it was nothing? Maybe it was just a passing anomaly, a burst of magic that held no deeper significance. A side effect of her becoming an alicorn. Despite such words from her inner mind, Twilight knew better than to dismiss such occurrences without investigation. After all, her previous experiences had taught her that even the most seemingly insignificant events could hold great importance. As Twilight continued to ponder, she heard a soft knock on her door. Startled, she set down her quill and turned her attention to the entrance of her study. "Come in," she called out, her voice tinged with curiosity. The door creaked open slowly, revealing Spike, her faithful dragon assistant. He glanced at the candle-lit room, his eyes filled with concern. "Twilight, are you alright? Was coming from the restroom and saw that your light was on. I know for a fact that today isn't your all night study session day so...wanted to check up on you." Twilight offered Spike a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Spike, just had a little surge in my magic. Nothing to worry about." She gestured to the parchment and quill on her desk. "Decided to jot down some notes about it." The little dragon raised an eyebrow, his concern evident in his emerald eyes. "Are you sure you're okay, Twilight? You seem...unsettled." Twilight sighed softly, her gaze drifting back to the window where the moon still hung high in the sky. "It's nothing, Spike. Really. Guessing I'm Just...adjusting to being an alicorn, I suppose. Sometimes my magic acts up unexpectedly." She offered him a reassuring smile. "But I'm sure it's nothing serious. Probably just a passing anomaly." Spike nodded, though he still looked unconvinced. "Well, if you say so, Twilight. But you know you can always talk to me if something's bothering you, right?" Twilight's smile softened, touched by Spike's concern. "I know, Spike, and I appreciate it. But really, I'm fine. Just need to get used to this whole alicorn thing, that's all." Spike nodded again, his expression easing as he took her words to heart. "Alright, if you say so. Just don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything, okay?" He smirked as he pointed towards the hallway. "I'm down the hall, ya know." "I know Spike." Twilight chuckled softly. "I'll keep that in mind, thank you." She watched as Spike turned to leave, his footsteps fading into the distance. Once alone again, Twilight turned her attention back to the notes on her desk, but the unease she had felt earlier still lingered. "Geeze...I might just be overreacting...but..." She shook her head. "Ugh...I'm too tired for all of this." Looking upwards at her horn, the tingle sensation was already gone, and the mare was already feeling sleep wanting to kick back in. With a sigh, Twilight decided to trust her instincts and get some rest. Maybe in the morning, she would be able to make better sense of the strange surge of magic. She blew out the candle, plunging the room into darkness, and climbed back into her bed. Closing her eyes, she sunk into the soft sheets of her bed, a smile of content forming on her face as she felt herself drift back into slumber. "Maybe...tomorrow will just be a normal day like any other." Chapter 1The young man didn’t know what he expected when he stepped through the swirling portal back at the underground ruins. Maybe a barren wasteland, a cityscape of towering spires, or even a fiery inferno teeming with hostile creatures. What he didn’t expect was to find himself in a forest, eerily similar to the ones back on the island. Towering trees with twisted branches loomed above him, their leaves a deep green that seemed to shimmer faintly under the soft light filtering through the canopy. The air smelled fresh but carried an underlying tang of something unfamiliar, a subtle hint that this forest wasn’t quite like the ones he knew. Still he couldn't help but release a long breath, shaking his head as he adjusted his bowgun back across his shoulder. “Of course…All that buildup, and it’s just another forest,” he muttered. “Figures.” Lamball bounded forward, undeterred by the man’s disappointment. The little creature sniffed at the ground and occasionally pawed at fallen leaves, its fluffy body bouncing with its unrelenting enthusiasm. “Nothing ever gets you done, huh, buddy?” the young man called out, his voice softer this time. “Still be careful. New area means new Pals after all.” Lamball gave a cheerful bleat in response, as if to say, Don’t worry, I’ve got this. The man couldn’t help but smile despite himself. He crouched low, brushing his fingers against the forest floor. The soil was soft and damp, and the occasional footprint—none of them human—hinted at the presence of wildlife. Standing again, he scanned his surroundings. The trees stretched endlessly in every direction, their dense trunks obscuring any clear path forward. A faint mist clung to the ground, swirling lazily around his boots as he took cautious steps deeper into the woods. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves and Lamball’s soft bleats, creating an almost serene atmosphere that was equal parts calming and unnerving. “Alright,” he said aloud, his voice cutting through the quiet. “If this place is anything like the islands, there’s got to be something important nearby. Ruins, maybe? Or some kind of clue about where that portal came from.” Lamball paused mid-bounce, tilting its head back to look at him. It let out a soft, questioning bleat before hopping to his side. “You’re right,” he said, scratching the creature behind its ears. “First things first: Setting up a new base.” The young man’s earlier complaints about the forest faded as he got to work. Despite the challenges, he always found a spark of excitement in setting up camp in a new place. It was part of the adventure after all—establishing a foothold in the unknown and making the unfamiliar feel just a little more like home. He reached into his pack and pulled out a sleek, handheld device, its metallic surface cool to the touch. Clicking the screen, it came alive with a soft hum, displaying a grid of icons and information. Tapping through the interface with practiced ease, he located the command he was looking for. “There you are,” he muttered to himself with a grin. “First things first. A Palbox.” With one final tap, the back of the device lit up, projecting a shimmering grid of light onto the ground. Slowly but surely, like a high-tech 3D printer, the light solidified into a structure—a compact computer console that gleamed faintly under the canopy’s dim light. Its design was practical yet sophisticated, with smooth edges and a modular interface. Tiny blinking lights indicated that it was booting up. Lamball watched the process with wide, fascinated eyes, bouncing in place as the console took shape. When it finally finished, the little creature let out an excited bleat and sniffed at the machine. “Hold on, buddy,” the man said with a chuckle, gently nudging Lamball aside. “Let me make sure it’s working first.” He crouched in front of the console and began typing on the interface, his fingers dancing across the holographic keyboard. The Palbox hummed to life, its screen displaying a series of readouts and diagnostics. It was designed to be a portable hub for survival, equipped with tools for communication, mapping, and resource management. Perfect for exploring uncharted territory. He smirked as he turned towards his buddy. “Shall I call a friend or two?” With Lamball’s enthusiastic bleat of approval, the man grinned and tapped a few more keys on the Palbox’s interface. The air behind the console shimmered with energy, rippling as another figure began to materialize. Bit by bit, the light coalesced into a small pink creature, its round body and stubby limbs giving it an adorably plump appearance. Three tufts of hair stuck up from its forehead, and its expressive eyes blinked curiously as it took in its surroundings. The creature stood on its hind legs, swaying slightly as if adjusting to its sudden arrival. Its little nose twitched, sniffing the air. When its gaze landed on the man, recognition lit up its features. With a delighted meow, it launched itself forward, forcing the man to react quickly and catch it mid-air. “Whoa, hey!” he laughed, wrapping his arms around the exuberant creature. “Missed me, huh?” The pink feline-like being clung to him, nuzzling its round face against his chest with unabashed affection. Its purring vibrated softly, a sound that was as soothing as it was endearing. Lamball, not one to be left out, hopped excitedly around them, bleating as if to welcome the new arrival. “Hehe,” the young man laughs, setting the pink creature down beside Lamball. “I take it you’re happy to be here, Cattiva?” The pink feline-like creature, now identified as Cattiva, puffed out its chest with exaggerated confidence, closing its eyes as it meowed in response. The sound was equal parts proud declaration and melodramatic flair, as though it was assuring the man of its unwavering loyalty—or demanding his undivided attention. The man couldn’t help but smirk at the display. “Alright, alright, I get it,” he said, patting her head. “Good to see you too.” Lamball, ever the optimist, hopped over to nuzzle against Cattiva, bleating happily. But Cattiva’s eyes snapped open, narrowing as she side-stepped with a sharp meow, allowing the little ball of wool to topple over onto its face. “Now now. Be nice Cat,,” the man spoke, already sensing the brewing tension. He had seen this before—Cattiva’s possessiveness over him was as predictable as the sunrise. She clearly viewed Lamball as an unworthy rival, one who somehow threatened her claim to his attention. Lamball, oblivious to the rivalry, decided to smile and have fun elsewhere, his attention grabbed by that of a small yellow flower, much to the pink cat’s charging. Cattiva let out a low, exasperated growl as she watched Lamball hop away with the picked flower, entirely unbothered. Her fluffy tail twitched with irritation, and with a dramatic sigh, she raised a paw to her forehead, pressing it against her fur in a comically exaggerated facepalm. Her expression would change, however, as she felt the man’s hand rub the top of her head. She tilted her chin upward, the exasperation melting from her face as her purring resumed almost involuntarily. His voice was calm and reassuring, cutting through her lingering irritation. “Come on, Catt,” he said, crouching beside her. “I need your help if we’re gonna get this place shipshape before nightfall. Think you can look for some edible berries around here while I clear a bit of this land for rocks and wood?” She blinked up at him, her tail flicking thoughtfully. Her first instinct was to protest—why should she be the one to go foraging? That sounded like a task beneath her stature. But the warm look in his emerald green eyes made her pause, and she let out a reluctant but understanding meow. “Atta girl,” he said with a grin, giving her a final scratch behind the ears before standing up. “You’re the best, Cattiva.” That did it. Her chest puffed out again, her pride returning in full force as she meowed in agreement. Of course, she was the best. Who else could he rely on to handle such a crucial task? Cattiva strutted off toward the edge of the clearing, her tail held high as if to show Lamball—who was still happily nosing the flower—that she was the one doing something important. Her sharp eyes scanned the underbrush, searching for any signs of berries. The man nodded before rolling up his sleeves. “Right! Time to get to work!” ~~~ Starlight Glimmer stretched as she approached the kitchen area, her horn sparking faintly with residual magic from her sleepy state. Her usually neatly styled purple and blue mane was slightly disheveled, a few strands sticking out in various directions. The light purple unicorngave another yawn, her eyes half-lidded as she took in the familiar sight of Spike at the stove, a cheerful hum escaping him as he worked. “Morning, Spike,” she mumbled, her voice groggy but warm. “Morning, Starlight!” Spike replied, glancing over his shoulder with a grin. The dragon was already in his element, flipping a flat bread with expert precision. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and something sweet and cinnamony wafted through the air, instantly making Starlight feel a little more awake. “Pancakes?” she guessed, perking up slightly as her nose twitched. “You betcha! And not just any pancakes—cinnamon swirl pancakes with a dash of vanilla!” Spike declared proudly, holding up the spatula like a victor brandishing a trophy. “Thought I’d try something new today.” Starlight’s stomach growled in response, and she chuckled sheepishly. “Sounds amazing. I could use something like that after the kind of night I had.” Spike raised an eyebrow as he poured another ladle of batter onto the sizzling pan. “Rough night?” Starlight frowned as she slid into a chair at the table, resting her head on her hoof. “A little. My horn was kind of flaring up for some reason. It was weird—like little magical sparks just kept buzzing out of it all night.” Spike frowned as he turned back to the stove, his brow furrowing in thought. “That is weird. Twilight was kind of up late last night too. She looked like something was bothering her, but when I asked, she just waved me off. Said it was nothing.” Hmm…” Starlight frowned, her hoof tapping on the table. “If it was just me, I’d say the same thing. But if Twilight was acting weird too…” She trailed off, her gaze drifting toward the door. “Maybe I should go check on her. Is she up yet?” Spike shook his head, flipping another pancake with a quick flick of the spatula before answering her. “Not that I’ve seen. She was still in her room when I came down. I figured she’d need some extra rest after whatever kept her up.” “I’ll go see if she’s awake then.” Starlight responded with a sigh, slipping from the table. “If something’s bothering her, it’s better to talk it out sooner rather than later.” “Good idea. Twilight’s good at handling a lot on her own, but sometimes she needs a little push to open up. You know how she gets.” Starlight gave him a wry smile. “Don’t I ever.” She headed toward the hallway, glancing back over her shoulder. “Save some of those pancakes for me, okay?” “You got it.” Spike gave the mare a salute with his spatula. “Good luck.” With new mission at hand, Starlight made her way down the hallway toward Twilight’s room, her mind raced with possibilities. Was this just a coincidence, or was there something bigger going on? She couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling lingering in her chest, but she pushed it aside as she reached Twilight’s door. Knocking gently, she called out, “Twilight? Are you up? It’s Starlight.” There was a pause before a muffled voice answered, sounding tired. “Come in.” Starlight pushed the door open and stepped into Twilight’s room. The first thing she noticed was the faint scent of parchment and ink mingling with the morning air. Twilight sat at her desk, surrounded by an organized chaos of open books, scrolls, and loose notes. Her mane was slightly frazzled, and there were faint shadows under her eyes, but nothing out of the ordinary for a late-night study session. Still, Starlight offered a small smile, hoping to put her at ease. “Morning, Twilight. Sorry if I’m bothering you or anything.” The young Alicorn smiled as she turned towards her friend. “You’re not bothering me, Starlight. Is something wrong?” “No…well…maybe…” Starlight stepped further into the room, her eyes briefly scanning the mess of papers on Twilight’s desk. “I just wanted to check in on you. Spike said you were up late, and, well…” She hesitated, rubbing the back of her neck. “See, my horn was acting up last night—sparking randomly, and I couldn’t get it to stop for a while. I thought it was just me but then Spike mentioned you seemed a little off today as well so….” Twilight’s smile faltered slightly before a frown crossed her features. “Your…horn was sparking?” “Yeah, it was weird. It felt like it had a mind of its own, just buzzing and sparking at random intervals all night. I couldn’t sleep for a while because of it.” Twilight leaned back in her chair, her brow furrowed in thought. “...Not just me then…” “Uh… Twilight? You okay?” The lavender alicorn’s ears twitched before rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. “Sorry, I just… was thinking. When did you start feeling your horn spark?” Starlight furrowed her brow, trying to recall. “It was sometime after I went to bed. Maybe around midnight? It wasn’t strong at first, just a tingle, but then the sparks started and kept waking me up. Why?” Twilight’s eyes darted back to the mess of papers on her desk. She picked up a scroll, unrolled it, and scanned the contents with an intensity that made Starlight shift nervously. After a moment, Twilight spoke, her voice steady but edged with concern. “That’s around the same time mine started as well.” Starlight's eyebrows shot up, her unease deepening. “That's what I was afraid of…And you thought it was just you as well, right?” Twilight sighed, setting the scroll back down on the desk with a quiet thud. “Indeed…I thought it was just an Alicorn thing, honestly. I woke up with a tingle in my horn and it did last a little bit but…and stopped after a while, maybe fifteen minutes?. I wrote how it felt and everything like that before falling back into bed though. I was going to bring it up with the Princess.” “Mine went on for a bit longer… maybe an hour?” Starlight said, pacing the room. “It eventually calmed down, but not before it kept me tossing and turning. ” She grumbles a bit. “And I hate having my ten hours oof sleep interrupted.” Twilight’s brow furrowed. “An hour? That’s significantly longer than what I experienced. And if it’s lingering that much longer for you, it could mean your magic is being affected differently—or more intensely—or my Alicorn magic subdued my own flare up after a while…” She shook her head, “Still, no matter how you look at it, two unicorns having a magic flare isn’t exactly unheard of. Magic can be unpredictable, especially at night when our minds are more vulnerable to subconscious thoughts. It could be a coincidence—something minor that caused an overload in both of us.” Starlight could concede at her point. “True. Rare but not that rare.” There was a gentle knock at Twilight's door, interrupting their conversation. “Twilight, darling, are you awake? It’s Rarity. I hope I’m not intruding, but I thought I’d check in on you.” Twilight exchanged a quick glance with Starlight before calling out, “Come in, Rarity.” The door creaked open, and Rarity stepped inside, her pristine purple mane perfectly styled as always, though her expression carried the faintest hint of unease…and a bit of tiredness. She stopped just inside the room, her gaze flickering between Twilight and Starlight. “Oh, good, you’re both here. I wasn’t sure if you’d be up yet, but I thought it best to speak with you sooner rather than later.” She paused, her tone growing softer. “Have either of you felt… Well, off since last night?” Twilight and Starlight exchanged surprised looks before Starlight asked, “Did you magic flare up?” Rarity blinked, momentarily taken aback by Starlight's bluntness, but quickly composed herself. “Why, yes, actually. It was the oddest thing! I was working on a new design—something utterly fabulous, of course—when my horn began sparking out of nowhere. It wasn’t dangerous, thank Celestia, but it was certainly distracting. I simply couldn’t concentrate after that.” Starlight’s expression turned serious, and she glanced at Twilight. “Two is a coincidence. But three…” “Three makes a pattern.” Twilight finishes. Rarity blinked, her gaze darting between Twilight and Starlight, her tone laced with growing concern. “Oh dear, this isn’t just some passing oddity, is it?” Twilight shook her head, her eyes narrowing with a mix of curiosity and concern. “No... I think we might just have a mystery on our hooves.” ~~~ Cattiva’s little paws moved swiftly, though every movement was laced with seething irritation. Her fluffy tail flicked wildly behind her as she picked the berries, her face contorted in a mixture of annoyance and disbelief. How dare she, a creature of grace and dignity, be reduced to this kind of demeaning work? She huffed in frustration, her soft paws delicately plucking the ripe fruits and setting them aside in a small pile, each berry more of an insult than the last. Her ears flattened in a silent protest, and her eyes glared at the task before her as if it were a personal betrayal. She could never voice her discontent out loud, not with her master standing nearby, offering nothing but endless praise and the occasional scratch behind her ears at a job well done. As much as she hated the work, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.. The praise, the affection—it was more than she could ever resist. Yet, that didn’t stop her from grumbling inwardly as she worked, each berry she picked a small rebellion in her heart. As she plucked the ripe fruits and placed them into a growing pile beside her, her mind began to drift toward simpler, more satisfying thoughts. She imagined herself perched proudly on her master’s lap, her pink fur glowing under the soft light as his hand gently scratched behind her ears. Lamball, of course, would be nowhere in sight—banished from the scene entirely. Maybe she’d swat him away with a single, calculated flick of her paw. Yes, she could see it clearly now: Lamball trying to hop up, only for her to nudge him off with effortless grace. Her master would chuckle, his emerald green eyes filled with amusement as he praised her. “Good girl, Cattiva,” he’d say, his voice warm and adoring. “You’re the best, you know that? Always so reliable.” The thought was so pleasant, so vivid, that Cattiva’s lips curled into a smug little devious smile. A smile that faltered as her ears flicked upwards, catching the faintest sound from deeper within the forest. It was distant at first, muffled and unclear, but unmistakably a yell. Her paws froze mid-pick, and her tail stiffened as her wide, round eyes scanned the shadowy trees around her. Being the coward she was, her first thought was to bolt straight back to the safety of the base. Let Master handle this, she reasoned. He’s the brave one, not her after all. Her paws shifted uneasily, and she turned halfway back toward the camp, ready to flee. But the yell came again—closer this time, clearer. It echoed through the forest, louder and more desperate She didn’t know what to do. To stay? Run? Oh, why did she have to wonder so far from the base in the first place? The little cattiva gritted her teeth, glancing anxiously back and forth between the direction of the yell and the safety of her master’s camp. With a resolute and tired sigh, the pink cat grumbled under her breath, muttering a string of colorful insults directed at her master. She rushed through the underbrush, her tiny paws kicking up dirt and leaves as she followed the sound. The yell came again, guiding her path, and her irritation was quickly joined by a growing sense of urgency. Bursting through a dense patch of foliage, she skidded to a halt in an open clearing, her eyes widening at the scene before her. Not too far away, a small, white creature with black stripes—what looked like a young horse—was pinned to the ground, struggling beneath the weight of a massive creature. The hulking beast looming over them was something akin to that of an alligator-like monster, its body seemingly made of jagged, dark-gray rocks. Its glowing yellow eyes fixed on its prey, and its sharp, stone-like claws dug into the ground around the striped horse. “Beast of stone, release me now, Or face the wrath I will allow!” It struggled to lift the weight of the leg, pinning them to the ground. “This zebra’s life is not your feast—Turn back and leave, you stubborn beast!” Cattiva’s paws trembled as she watched the scene unfold, her wide eyes darting between the zebra struggling beneath the rocky beast and the monster itself. She wanted to run—every instinct screamed at her to bolt back to the safety of the base. Her claws flexed against the ground, and her ears flattened as she groaned softly, an annoyed, almost growling meow slipping from her throat. Her tail lashed wildly, frustration and fear battling within her. Another cry from the zebra snapped her focus back to the clearing. Cattiva let out a sharp, irritated yowl, shaking her head as if to banish her hesitation. Her master’s teachings gnawed at her—kindness, compassion, all that nonsense. She clenched her tiny fists, her small form trembling. Finally, with a resigned sigh, the little cat called out, hoping to gain the beast’s attention. And Attention she did grab, the monster’s glowing yellow eyes immediately shifting toward her, narrowing in confusion. Cattiva crouched low, her fur bristling and her tiny paws raised defensively in front of her face. She inhaled sharply before opening her maw wide. She leaned forward and from her mouth erupted a powerful blast of condensed air, the force rippling visibly through the clearing. It struck the rocky beast squarely on its side, sending it reeling with a deep, guttural roar. The impact toppled the monster over, its massive frame crashing onto its back and sending shards of stone flying. The black and white horse gasped as the crushing weight pinning it down was suddenly lifted. It scrambled to its hooves, panting, its wide eyes as the pink cat ran in front of it grabbing their leg. "W-What manner of creature saves the day, with power that keeps such a beast at bay?" Cattiva didn’t acknowledge the words, her focus entirely on the monster as it shifted and began to rise. She began to pull the white and black pony with her and away from the area. If it was just another silly human then she would have fought but she wasn’t taking any chances with things twice her size and her master no where around to help. The black and white horse…or Zebra as she called herself…stumbled slightly as Cattiva tugged at its leg, the pink cat’s small frame deceptively strong as she urged the zebra away from the clearing. The zebra’s wide eyes darted between the towering rocky beast and the determined feline dragging it toward safety. “Wait—what are you doing to me? We cannot flee!” the zebra cried out in rhyme, its voice frantic yet resolute. “This beast must fall, or more will die—Why do you pull me, small ally?” Cattiva ignored the zebra’s protests, letting out an impatient, demanding meow as she tugged harder. Her focus was singular: getting this striped thing out of harm’s way and getting the heck out of dodge. She wasn’t about to risk her life anymore then she already had. The rocky alligator roared again, now fully recovered from the blast. Barely any damage could be seen upon it, though that was a given. Without hesitation it began to charge right at the odd pair, closing the distance fast. The ground quaked beneath Cattiva’s tiny paws as the massive rocky monster grew closer, its jagged claws tearing into the earth with each thunderous step. She froze for a split second, her wide eyes locking on the glowing yellow orbs of the beast bearing down on them. Letting out a panicked squeak, she did the only thing her instincts allowed—she curled herself into a tight, trembling ball, her fluffy pink tail wrapped protectively around her and prayed for a miracle. Her small form quivered as she braced for the inevitable impact. Why, oh why, did I try to play hero? she thought miserably, her mind racing with regret. This wasn’t her fight! She should’ve just stayed back at the base where it was safe and predictable. With a fierce snort, the zebra planted her hooves firmly into the earth, standing in the way of the advancing alligator’s path. Her body was braced, and her wide eyes narrowed with resolve. “I shall not let this beast proceed!” she cried, her voice ringing out with a clarity and strength that belied the terror she must have felt. “So stand tall, I shall, and you will never succeeded." The cattvia groned despite herself. At least she wasn’t going to die alone. Small comforts. The roar of the charging monster grew louder, and she squeezed her eyes shut, her heart pounding in her chest as she readied for the end. Any second now, the blow would come… Instead of pain, however,, there was a sudden thud followed by an ear-splitting bellow of rage. Cattiva hesitated, one eye cracking open as she uncurled just enough to peek at what had happened. To her astonishment, as well as the black and white zebra’s, a very familiar figure was standing in front of them. “Saw the battle alert on my system! Sorry I’m late, Cat.” Cattiva blinked, her wide eyes locking onto the figure standing protectively in front of her and the zebra, a large sword in hand. Relief flooded her as she recognized the familiar silhouette: her master. She was even happy to see that dummy Lamball as he bounced in front of master, taking up it's only stupid battle position. Only a little bit though. And no way she would tell him that to his face! The black-and-white zebra, still in shock and wide-eyed, stared at the unexpected duo that had leapt into the fray. “What manner of creatures are all of you—Who leaps to fight with strength so true?” the zebra asked. The man froze mid-motion, blinking at the zebra in surprise. He yelped as he pointed a finger at the striped figure, his tone incredulous. “Holy crap, you talk!” Cattiva let out an exasperated meow, rolling her eyes. She padded forward and gave his leg a sharp bat and pointed, her way of reminding him there was a giant monster still looming over them. The man snapped out of his surprise, shaking his head as if to refocus. “Oh… right! Deal with that later,” he muttered, a sheepish grin flickering across his face. He reached into his pack and pulled out a blue, glowing sphere-like object that shimmered faintly in his hand. Holding it up, he cast a determined glance toward the roaring rocky alligator. “Right now... it’s time to capture a new Pal!” Chapter 2The jagged, rock-skinned crocodile bellowed once again, its glowing yellow eyes narrowing as it sized up the one standing in its path. Its massive tail slammed into the dirt, shaking the very ground underneath it. Cattiva, for her part, slinked behind her master’s leg, her tail wrapping around herself in fear but her expression betraying a glimmer of relief. Lamball, as eager as ever, bounced forward with reckless enthusiasm, bleating loudly at the creature. The little fluffball pawed at the ground in defiance, as if it were a seasoned warrior ready to take on a towering foe. “Easy there, buddy,” The man spoke as he held out another ball, a beam of light gently hitting the lamb and making it vanish. “You’re a few battles too early for something like this. Sit this one out, okay?” The zebra, who the man had fully forgotten about there for a second, widened its eyes in shock, their striped frame stiffening as they took a cautious step back. “What trickery is this, what did I see? That sheep was there—now it ceased to be!” “I…” The young man glanced down at the Pal Sphere in his hand before letting it phase into the tablet at his side. “Don’t worry. Lamball is is just resting. Didn’t want the little guy to get hurt after all.” he tapped a button at upon the tablet and yet another sphere popped into existence and into his hand. “Now this one on the other hand…Might be itching for a fight.” He raises the sphere high into the air and from it, a beam of light short forth, hitting the ground in front of him. When the light died down a new figure was standing before them—a striking sight, tall and sleek and standing on two legs. Her fur, a blend of tawny brown and deep black. Piercing blue eyes gleamed with intelligence as she surveyed the land before her, the mysterious black veil covering the top half of her head swaying softly in the breeze behind her, giving her an almost royal yet intimidating presence. Her long, pointed ears twitched slightly, and the black and golden bands wrapped around her wrists glinted under the dim forest light. The creature rolled her shoulders, cracking her neck with a practiced ease before turning her gaze towards the one behind her. She stared, her arms crossed over her chest, her expression unreadable. Then, with a flick of her tail, she let out a single, unimpressed scoff. The man sighed, recognizing the attitude instantly. He clapped both of his hands together bowing low. “Sorry, Cleo! You were probably meditating or something, right? I know it's a bad time but we’ve kind of got a bit into a little bit of trouble,” He stood straight up and pumped his fist “Still! You never turned down a battle, right?” The one named Cleo allowed her sharp gaze to shift towards the rock-skinned beast still looming before them, growling even harder at the newest beast to block it from its meal. She clicked her tongue, her arms dropping to her sides as she subtly shifted into a ready stance. No words were needed—her body language said it all. She was more than ready. The little zebra, who had barely recovered from the shock of seeing one creature vanish into thin air, found herself once again stunned by the emergence of another. Her cyan eyes traced Cleo’s form with growing intrigue and heavy—Heavy confusion. “Another beast, a warrior no less, so quick to show. Despite it looking familiar, this one I do not know…” Cleo, ignoring all, shot forward like a blur, her arms drawn back as her powerful legs propelled her across the battlefield in an instant. The towering rock-skinned beast barely had time to react before Cleo’s fist struck its jagged hide. The impact was deafening, a thunderous crack echoing through the trees as her knuckles met stone. The rock crocodile staggered, its massive frame shuddering from the sheer force of the blow, but it was far from down for the count. Instead, it roared in fury, its tail whipping around with terrifying speed. “Cleo, move!” the man called out. She didn’t need to be told twice. In a fluid motion, she twisted her body, barely dodging the beast’s retaliatory strike. The tail smashed into the earth where she had stood moments before, sending up a cloud of dust and debris. Cleo landed gracefully, her paws skidding slightly on the dirt as she readjusted her stance. The rocky beast snarled, shaking off the damage from the first blow as its glowing yellow eyes locked onto Cleo with renewed fury. It slammed one massive claw into the ground, sending a tremor through the earth. Shards of stone erupted from the ground in jagged spikes, racing toward Cleo in a wave of destruction. Her arms had barely come up in preparation for the oncoming assault when the man, the one who summoned her, moved. There was no hesitation, no second-guessing. One moment he was in one place, and the next, he was in front of her, his hands raised as if to shield her from the incoming attack. A device on his belt—sleek and metallic with glowing blue circuitry—came to life with a sharp hum. Energy surged outward from it, forming a shimmering dome of translucent light that enveloped both himself and Cleo. The jagged stone spikes slammed hard into the barrier with brutal force, each impact sending ripples across the surface of the dome. Despite that, the shield held firm, deflecting the rocks as they shattered harmlessly against it, though even then, one could see cracks slowly forming against its surface. The rocky beast before the two of them snarled in frustration, its anger growing even more. It raised its the claw again, ready to release another bout of spikes. The man’s eyes flickered to the barrier’s surface with the little time he had, his mind working overtime as he assessed the damage. He released a quite curse. He never did get a chance to upgrade his shield and knew that another blow like the one before would be more then enough to chew through the rest of the energy reserves. Cleo wasn’t giving the beast a chance to do so however. With a sharp exhale, Cleo surged forward, slipping past his side in a blur of motion. She quickly closed the gap between herself and the rock crocodile. Her body gleamed with golden energy as she moved, light trailing in her wake like the afterimage of a lightning strike. The rocky monster barely had time cast its attack before Cleo was upon it, twisting mid-air to deliver a devastating spinning kick to its head. BOOM! The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, the force so great that the beast staggered back, its jagged feet digging deep trenches into the dirt. A fresh set of fractures spread across its hardened exterior. “Anymore like that and it's done for!” The man called out. "It's my turn Cleo! Get back!" Cleo landed gracefully, skidding to a halt just in front of the man. She shot him a sharp glance—clearly unimpressed by the idea of backing down—but with a twitch of her tail, she obliged, flipping backward and out of his immediate line of fire. The man’s emerald eyes gleamed as he reached for a Pal Sphere at his side. The orb pulsed with energy, shimmering between colors before landing upon a yellow hue. “Alright,” he muttered under his breath, his fingers tightening around the orb. “Let's wrap this up.” The rocky beast let out a pained snarl, shaking its head as more cracks splintered along its stone-like hide. Its glowing yellow eyes darted toward the man, narrowing in suspicion. It knew something was coming. It needed to act, and it needed to be now. It released a roar before charging forward—one last attempt, winner take all. The man wasted no time meeting the challenge head on. With a flick of his wrist, he launched the Pal Sphere towards the beast and, with a satisfying strike, it hit the top of its head. The moment the Pal Sphere made contact, a brilliant beam of energy erupted from its core, engulfing the rocky beast in a swirling vortex of light. The massive creature let out a final, defiant roar before its form began to break apart, dissolving into shimmering particles as it was pulled into the orb’s depths. The sphere hovered in place high in the air and began to shake. Once. Twice. Three times. And then a jingle played before it vanished, shooting high into the sky. The capture was complete. A breath of silence followed the capture. The forest, once alive with the chaos of battle, now sat in an eerie stillness. Faint wisps of energy lingered in the air where the rock-skinned crocodile had stood just moments before, dissipating like mist in the morning sun. The man exhaled, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the weight of tension. His emerald eyes flickered skyward, watching the last traces of the Pal Sphere disappear beyond the canopy. “Gotcha,” he muttered, a triumphant smirk curling at the edge of his lips. He smiled before sighing, placing both hands on his hips. “Well that was fun. First battle and first Pal? Just what else can happen today?” A rustling sound broke the quiet, drawing their attention back to the zebra who had been spectating in stunned silence up until now. The small creature hesitated before stepping forward, her cyan eyes still wide with disbelief. “Gone, just like that—the beast of stone… now bound in a sphere, no longer alone,” she murmured, almost to herself, she turned towards the mane before her. “A sight most strange, a trick most grand… yet still I fail to understand.” “Oh yeah the talking little zebra.” he frowned as he turned to face her. “And she rhymes. Didn’t catch that at first but now I can’t miss it.” Getting a good look at her now, he couldn’t help but whistle softly. The man took a step back, finally getting a proper look at the strange zebra before him. She was small—reaching just about his waist—but despite her size, there was a quiet confidence in the way she carried herself. Her sleek coat was a striking pattern of black and white stripes, bold and symmetrical, swirling around her legs and back in an almost hypnotic fashion. A thick mohawk-like mane, stiff and proud, ran down the length of her neck, the silvery strands catching the dim forest light. Golden bands adorned her front legs just above her hooves, glinting faintly as she shifted in place. Around her neck rested a heavy golden collar, the metal smooth and well-worn, hinting at years of travel and wisdom. But it was her eyes that held his attention the most—bright cyan, sharp and observant, filled with both curiosity and caution. The man smiled and bent down, to her level. “Look at you. Just as cute as a Ribunny on a sunny day. Do all Pals talk here? That other one seemed to not so…” Zecora’s ears flicked back slightly at his words, her expression unreadable. Then, with a slow blink, she tilted her head. “Cute, you say? A term so light… yet I am more than just a pleasant sight,” she mused, her voice carrying its usual rhythmic cadence. “As for others, I cannot say—if speech they lack, it is their way.” The man chuckled, resting his hands on his knees as he studied her. “Alright, alright, fair enough. Didn’t mean to offend.” He gave her a playful grin. “But you gotta admit, talking zebras? That’s not exactly normal where I’m from.” Zecora narrowed her eyes slightly, but there was no real malice in her gaze—only curiosity. “A place unknown, a land so vast… yet you arrive, so sure, so fast.” She took a step closer, her cyan eyes sizing him up and down. “Strange devices, beasts contained… speak the truth—what is your name?” He blinked at the sudden shift in tone but quickly composed himself,. “Oh wow…been a while since someone even asked me that…” He stood up straight and placed a hand on his chest. “Name’s Ryan. A Pal Tamer.” Zecora studied them both before speaking again, her tone measured.“There is much to ask, much to know, But here’s not safe; come, let’s go. The trees have ears, the winds may speak—In shadowed depths, dangers sneak.” Ryan raised a brow at her cryptic warning, but he knew better than to dismiss local wisdom, especially from someone who clearly knew the land. He glanced at Cleo, who gave him a pointed look before tilting her head toward the trees, silently agreeing that staying in one place too long wasn’t a great idea. “Alright, fair enough,” Ryan said, standing tall and dusting himself off. “Lead the way, oh wise, rhyming guide.” “My name is Zecora,” She spoke as she turned away from them, “of wisdom and brew, A healer, a guide, with knowledge true.” “No fooling?” He was about to follow her when he felt something grasp his leg, nuzzling it. Ryan sighed, rolling his eyes with a half-smirk as he looked down at Cattiva, still clinging to his leg like a terrified child. “You are so needy, you know that?” he muttered, though there was no bite in his words. Gently, he pried her off his leg, her little paws reluctant to let go. As soon as she was free, he scooped her up into his arms, cradling her close against his chest. “Not gonna forget about you, little lady,” he murmured, giving her a reassuring pat on the head. Cattiva let out a soft, contented hum, burying her face into his jacket, her tail curling securely around his forearm. Cleo, who had been watching the exchange with mild disinterest, snorted and flicked her tail, as if unimpressed by the display of coddling. Ryan caught the look and raised a brow. “What? You jealous?” he teased. Cleo scoffed, crossing her arms. Zecora, now a few steps ahead, cast them a glance over her shoulder before continuing forward.“Keep your pace, do not delay, For lurking eyes still watch our way.” Ryan tightened his hold on Cattiva, his smirk fading slightly. Right. As much as he enjoyed teasing his Pals, now wasn’t the time to get comfortable. He cast one last glance toward the shadowed treeline before moving forward, keeping pace with Zecora. ~~~ Twilight’s Castle – The Cutie Map The grand halls of Twilight’s crystalline castle shimmered with the soft glow of enchanted torches, casting flickering light across the polished floors. At the heart of the castle, the throne room was alive with voices—some concerned, some excited, and at least one sounding suspiciously like it was there just to show off. The Cutie Map sat at the center of it all, its magical surface humming faintly as it projected a detailed image of Equestria. However, something was wrong. A pulse of wild magic crackled across the map, distorting its usual pristine display. The familiar geography flickered, shifting unnaturally as an unfamiliar aura rippled outward from the Everfree Forest—unstable, foreign, and completely unlike anything the ponies had ever seen before. Twilight frowned as she looked down at the map. Before they had gathered around it, she had called her friends to the castle to discuss the strange magical disturbance she had detected earlier. But the moment they were all together, each of their cutie marks had begun to glow, shimmering brightly upon their flanks. Applejack, sitting in her chair with her hooves crossed over her chest, was the first to break the silence. "This can't be a coincidence, right? What with the unicorns’ magic actin’ up and now the Cutie Map callin’ all six of us?" Twilight nodded, eyes narrowing as she examined the flickering projection of Equestria. "I don’t think so. The timing is too perfect. First the fluctuations in unicorn magic all across Ponyville if Trixie’s report is to be believed. And—” “The Great and Powerful Trixie does not fabricate tales of magical distress, Twilight Sparkle!” she huffed, lifting her nose into the air. The show mare, having been a few steps away from the Cutie Map stopped forward, slamming both hooves on the table as she continued. “She merely provides a dramatic recounting of events, as is befitting of one as magnificent as herself!” Twilight sighed, rubbing her temple. “I didn’t say you were lying, Trixie. I’m sorry if I made it come off that way.” The show mare’s expression shifted slightly at Twilight’s apology, though she still held her nose high. “Hmph. As well you should be! The Great and Powerful Trixie has seen firsthand the chaos this strange magic is causing! It’s most unnerving! One moment, Trixie is sleeping and then the next her horn has her up all night.” She frowned. “Trixie did not get her usual eight hours of sleep like she is supposed to!” Rainbow Dash snorted, the prismatic maned mare leaning back in her chair with an amused smirk. “Oh no, the horror. Trixie lost some beauty sleep. Clearly, this is the real crisis here.” “You may mock, Rainbow Dash, but Trixie’s well-being is of utmost importance!” The show mare shot back. “How can one be Great and Powerful if one is also exhausted?” She tossed her mane dramatically. “Trixie cannot dazzle audiences or properly maintain her aura of mystique on anything less than a full eight hours of uninterrupted rest!” “If I could get back on topic.” Twilight cut in, standing from her seat. “I would like to continue.” She looked between everyone within the room before sitting back down, sighing. “The second problem is what we have now. The Cutie Map activating and pointing to, of all places, the Everfree Forest.” Rarity tapped a hoof against the table, eyeing the erratic pulses of magic rippling across the map. “And not just any part of the Everfree, darling. That part.” She gestured to the area on the map where the disturbance was concentrated—deep within the forest, far beyond Zecora’s hut and into the wild, untamed and unknown…even more then usual. Fluttershy gulped. “Oh dear… that part of the forest is even more dangerous than usual. The creatures there don’t usually come near Ponyville, but if the magic is acting up…” Her ears drooped. “They might be frightened, or worse… aggressive.” Pinkie Pie tilted her head, her expression unusually serious. “What if they’re not just scared? What if something new is in there?” She leaned in, lowering her voice. “Something that shouldn’t be?” The room fell into silence at her words, the implications sinking in. Twilight took a deep breath before speaking, looking between all her friends. “That’s exactly what we need to find out. If there’s something in the Everfree that’s throwing magic into chaos, we need to stop it before it spreads further.” “Well, if the map’s callin’ all six of us, I reckon that means whatever’s out there ain’t somethin’ we can handle alone.” Applejack spoke. Rainbow Dash pounded a hoof against the table. “Then let’s stop wasting time and get moving! We won’t figure anything out just sitting here.” Trixie sighed dramatically, flipping her cape. “Yes, yes, Trixie supposes she has no choice but to accompany you all on this perilous expedition.” “Ha!” Rainbow scoffed as she turned her attention towards the show mare fully. “Pretty sure the map didn’t call you, Trixie.” Said mare gasped, placing a hoof over her chest as if Rainbow Dash had just struck her with a mortal wound. “How dare you! Are you suggesting that Trixie—The Great and Powerful Trixie mind you—is not an essential addition to this quest?” She scoffed, flipping her mane. “Why, without my vast magical expertise and unmatched problem-solving skills, you would surely all be lost!” Applejack rolled her eyes. “Trixie, ya do remember what happened the last time ya decided to ‘help’ with a magic problem, right?” “That was an experiment—and besides, Trixie recovered most of her original size before things got too out of hoof!” Twilight sighed. “Look, I appreciate the enthusiasm, Trixie, but this could be dangerous. The Cutie Map only called the six of us for a reason. If something’s affecting magic, then I don’t want anypony getting caught in the middle of it.” “Oh, please.” The show mare spoke, her nose stuck in the air. “If Trixie were to be ‘caught in the middle’ of anything, it would be solving the issue before any of you could even lift a hoof! I refuse to be left behind while some grand magical mystery unfolds before me!” Rainbow Dash smirked, hovering just above the table with crossed hooves. “Oh yeah? Then what are you gonna do if we run into a giant magic-eating monster?” Trixie faltered for half a second before straightening her cape. “Simple—I shall distract it with my breathtaking illusions while the rest of you… do whatever it is you do.” She gestured vaguely at Twilight. “I assume it will involve some kind of tedious magical analysis.” Twilight frowned, rubbing her chin in thought. “Actually… illusions might be useful, depending on what we find.” Trixie’s ears perked up. “Aha! So you do need me!” “We didn’t say that, Trixie.” Applejack spoke in a deadpanned tone “I heard it,” Trixie said smugly. “The Great and Powerful Trixie shall accompany you all, whether the map likes it or not!” Starlight, who had been quietly observing the conversation, finally sighed and stepped forward. PinkS“Alright, if Trixie’s coming along, then I’ll stay back and keep an eye on things here.” She glanced toward Twilight. “Those magical disturbances may have calmed down for now, but there’s no telling if it doesn’t happen again. Somepony needs to be here in case things take a turn for the worse.” Twilight gave her a grateful nod. “That’s a good idea, Starlight. If things escalate, you can make sure Ponyville doesn’t fall into chaos.” She glanced at Spike. “And you’ll be staying here too, Spike.” “Aww, c’mon, Twilight!” The little drake complained, crossing his arms “What if you need to send a letter to Princess Celestia? Or—” he gestured at the Cutie Map, “—what if it gets even weirder and you need backup?” “I know, Spike, but I need somepony I trust to help Starlight manage things here,” Twilight reasoned. “If unicorn magic does act up again, even simple spells might cause problems.” Starlight nodded. “She’s right, Spike. If something happens, I’ll teleport straight to you all, no problem. But we do need to make sure Ponyville stays safe too.” Spike huffed but nodded. “Fine. But if you guys do run into a giant magic-eating monster, I totally called it.” Rainbow Dash snickered. “Yeah, yeah, we’ll make sure to give you credit.” Trixie, still basking in her triumph, flicked her cape dramatically. “Yes, yes, wonderful. Now that that is settled, Trixie shall make her grand preparations for this perilous journey.” She struck a theatrical pose, her head held high. “No need to worry, Ponyville! Trixie shall ensure Equestria’s continued safety!” Applejack smirked. “Just don’t trip over yer cape before we even get there.” Trixie shot her a glare. “Trixie does not trip.” As the others filed out of the room, chatting amongst themselves about what to bring, Twilight lingered by the Cutie Map, her eyes still fixed on the flickering disturbance over the Everfree Forest. The moment the last hoofstep faded beyond the castle doors, a familiar voice broke the silence. "Twilight?" Starlight’s tone was softer as she spoke. She stepped closer, her gaze studying Twilight’s expression. "You okay?" “I don’t know…” The lavender mare hesitated for a moment, her wings twitching slightly. "Have you ever had the feeling that something is going to change?" Starlight blinked, tilting her head. "Change? Like… in what way?" Twilight exhaled, shaking her head. "I don’t know. It’s just… this magic, whatever it is, it feels different." She tapped a hoof lightly against the edge of the map. "The Cutie Map has called all of us before, but this time, I can’t shake the feeling that whatever we’re walking into isn’t just another friendship problem or magical mishap." "You think it’s something bigger?" Twilight nodded. "Maybe. Or maybe I’m just overthinking it.” Starlight studied Twilight for a moment before tilting her head slightly. “You sure you don’t want to tell the other princesses yet?” she asked, her voice gentle but firm. “If you really think this is something big, shouldn’t Celestia and Luna at least know about it?” The princess of friendship hesitated, her eyes flickering toward the Cutie Map again. The magical distortion pulsed faintly, as if responding to her unspoken doubts. She exhaled, her ears twitching. “I’ve thought about it, but… I don’t even know what I’d tell them yet.” “That magic is unstable,” Starlight suggested. “That the Everfree is acting up, and your gut is telling you something’s coming?” She gestured toward the map. “I’d say that’s a pretty good reason to give them a heads-up. You haven’t been wrong before” Twilight’s wings shifted at her sides. “I know, but if I call for them too soon and it turns out to be nothing—” Starlight gave her a flat look. “You really think this is nothing?” Twilight sighed. “No. But I also don’t want to cause unnecessary panic. If I tell Celestia, she might send guards or even take action herself before we understand what’s happening. The Cutie Map chose us—and until we know why, I think it’s best we handle this first.” “Alright, I get that. But Twilight, if this gets worse, promise me you will reach out to them. Don’t try to handle it all on your own.” Twilight giggled softly, a flicker of warmth breaking through the tension in her expression. “And here I thought I was supposed to be your teacher.” “Hey, somepony’s got to make sure you don’t overwork yourself into another magical meltdown.” Starlight arched a brow. “Besides, I’d say I’ve learned enough from you to know when you need a reality check.” “Alright, alright. You win.” Twilight placed a hoof over her chest. “If things start getting worse, I promise I’ll let Celestia and Luna know.” Starlight eyed her carefully, then nodded in approval. “Good. You better keep that promise.” Twilight gave a reassuring smile before turning toward the door. “I should finish getting ready. The others will be back soon.” As she trotted toward the exit, Starlight stayed behind for a moment, casting one last look at the flickering Cutie Map. The distortion over the Everfree shimmered ominously, the unstable energy crackling faintly. She didn’t know what was coming. But she had a feeling Twilight was right. Things were about to change. And once they did, there would be no going back. ~~~ Ryan adjusted Cattiva in his arms, the little pink cat creature, following his gaze as the looked upon the strange dwelling the zebra had led them to. His eyes scanned the house before him—or rather a tree—twisted and gnarled with age, its thick roots gripping the earth like claws. Carved masks, painted in striking patterns, hung from its branches, watching like silent sentinels. Strange bottles and herbs dangled from the boughs, swaying gently in the forest breeze, filling the air with an earthy, exotic scent. Ryan released a low whistle. “Well… that’s certainly a house.” Lamball, having long replaced Cleo on the outside due to there being very little need for her, bounded forward with boundless energy, the little ball of wool letting out a loud, enthusiastic bleat as he landed at the base of the twisted tree. His stubby legs scrabbled at the dirt as he hopped around excitedly, inspecting the strange masks and trinkets that adorned the tree’s branches. His black little tail wagged with uncontainable curiosity, his round, beady eyes gleaming as he let out another cheerful baaa! Ryan couldn’t help but smirk, watching his little companion bounce about without a care in the world. “Well, at least someone’s excited.” Zecora glanced at the tiny, wool-covered bundle of enthusiasm as she pushed open her door, amusement flickering in her cyan eyes as well. “A spirit so light, a heart so free—yet in such a place, caution should be.” “Yeah,” Ryan couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped him, “he doesn’t really do ‘caution’ per say.” Lamball, oblivious to the conversation, attempted to headbutt one of the hanging masks that were lower to the ground. Unfortunately for him, the mask barely budged, while he himself stumbled backward with a surprised bleat, shaking his head to regain his balance. Ryan winced before giving the zebra an apologetic smile. “Case in point.” Zecora let out a soft chuckle as she stepped inside, motioning for them to follow. “Then enter now, and still your mind. For knowledge sought, one soon may find.” “Thanks again.” Ryan gave Lamball a pointed look. “And, you. No breaking things, no eating things, and definitely no headbutting things.” Lamball responded with an innocent bleat before bouncing happily after them into Zecora’s home, his wool fluffing up with every hop. Ryan sighed, stepping inside with Cattiva still snug in his arms. “This is gonna be an experience, I can already tell.” Stepping inside, he took a moment to let his eyes wander across the interior of Zecora’s home. The walls were lined with shelves filled with carefully arranged vials, herbs, and various peculiar trinkets, each item giving off an air of mystery and purpose. Carved wooden masks, similar to those hanging outside, adorned the walls, their painted features watching silently from the dim candlelight. The scent of incense and dried herbs lingered in the air, mixing with the faint bubbling of the cauldron in the center of the room. Something about it all felt... familiar. Ryan furrowed his brows, his gaze lingering on one of the masks, its design intricate and symmetrical, resembling the ones he had once seen in old textbooks back before he came to those Pal infested islands. His mind flickered back to his school days, lessons about distant lands across the sea—vast savannas, towering baobab trees, and cultures rich with oral traditions, crafts, and spirituality. He turned his head, his gaze settling on the large, bubbling cauldron in the center of the room. The liquid within swirled lazily, glowing faintly under the dim light, sending soft plumes of steam curling into the air. He raised a brow, lips twitching into a smirk. Oh… My Katress would have a field day if she knew you had something like that. He could almost hear the amused chuff Katress would have let out, her sharp fangs flashing in a knowing grin. Her tail would flick back and forth with unrestrained glee, her ears perking up as she paced around the cauldron, soaking in every detail. If she were here, she’d already be nudging him with that smug look in her eyes, practically demanding he figure out a way to bring one of these back with them. It still amazed him how, even without being able to talk just like the rest of the Pals, she really was quite expressive when they put she mind to it. Ryan’s thoughts were abruptly cut off as Zecora turned to face him fully “Welcome, traveler, to my abode—a place of rest, where wisdom’s sowed.” He blinked before smiling.. “Ah—yeah, thanks,” adjusting Cattiva slightly in his arms as she leaned her head back. He cast another glance around, still taking in the intricate details of the place. “Gotta say, it’s got a certain… atmosphere to it.” Zecora chuckled, stirring her cauldron with practiced ease. “A weary mind finds solace here, where troubled thoughts may soon grow clear.” She gestured toward the bubbling mixture, the soft glow reflecting in her eyes. “For strength of body, warmth of soul—such blends bring balance, make one whole.” Ryan raised an eyebrow, stepping a little closer. “So… what exactly is that? Some kind of magic tea?” “Not quite tea, though close you tread. It soothes the limbs and clears the head.” She retrieved a wooden bowl from a nearby shelf, ladling a portion of the liquid into it before offering it to him. Ryan hesitated for a moment, glancing at the glowing concoction. He’d drunk his fair share of questionable things over the course of his adventures—some turned out to be revitalizing tonics, others… well, less so. Still, something told him he could trust this. With a sigh, he took the bowl, tilting it slightly in his grip. “Well, here’s to not waking up with an extra tail or something.” He took a careful sip. The taste was earthy, slightly spiced, with a faint sweetness that lingered on his tongue. Almost immediately, a warmth spread through his chest, easing away the tension in his shoulders. His muscles relaxed, his thoughts settled, and for the first time in a while, he felt steady. He lowered the bowl, exhaling softly. “…Okay, I'll take it back. This is way better than tea.” Zecora gave an approving nod. “The roots of old, the herbs so fine—they weave together, strong entwined.” “Yeah… I think I really needed that.” He cast her a grateful smile before settling onto a mat across from Lamball, who was now snoozing peacefully. “Had been traveling for a while before I came wandering into this forest.” A knowing smile formed on Zecora’s lips before she took a seat across from him. She lifted her own cup of the warm brew to her lips, taking a slow, measured sip before speaking. “First, allow me to thank you true, for facing danger, standing through.” Ryan raised a brow, shifting slightly where he sat. “Thank me? For what?” Zecora set her cup down gently on the wooden floor, her cyan eyes watching him with quiet gratitude. “The beast of stone, fierce and wild—it threatened all, yet was beguiled.” She gestured toward him with a nod. “Your hand was steady, your stance was sure—you fought with heart, not force impure.” Ryan blinked, then let out a quiet chuckle. “Huh. You mean the rock croc, right?” He leaned back on his hands, smirking slightly. “Didn’t really do it for any grand reason. Just… kinda what I do.” Zecora tilted her head, watching him closely. “To fight is one thing, but choice is key—restraint and care are what I see.” Her gaze flickered to the Pal Sphere at his side. “Still…not all would seek to end a fight with bonds of light, not strength of might.” Ryan followed her gaze, glancing at the sphere before shrugging. “Yeah, well… I do choose my battles carefully. Gotta with how things are usually ran around me.” His voice carried a note of quiet certainty. “Also, I did get a new Pal out of it so it wasn’t just all for you, ya know. Still I was happy to help. Always am.” Zecora arched a brow, her eyes drifting back to the strange device secured at Ryan’s side. “That beast so large, now bound so small… Tell me, tamer, is the cragadile really within that ball?” Ryan glanced down at the tablet before reaching for it, summoning one of the strange balls he had used. Rolling it idly between his fingers, he gave her a smile. “Yeah, it’s in here. You called it a Cragadile. Heh…fitting name.” A name most old, from tales of lore—a beast of stone from days before.” Her cyan eyes flickered back to Ryan, studying his expression. “Yet you know not what you have caught? A traveler blind, or knowledge sought?” “A bit of both on that front.” He admitted. “Most of the creatures I’ve caught are like…” He pauses, trying to come up with how to explain himself. “Okay, see, like with you, I know you’re a Zebra cause I’ve seen them in books. But none of them could shoot lightning…or talk like you. I knew most of the counter parts of the pals way found the islands so…” Zecora turned her gaze toward Lamball, who was still sprawled out on the woven mat, his stubby legs twitching slightly as he let out a soft, contented bleat in his sleep. Her expression remained thoughtful as she observed the small creature. “I see a sheep, yet not the same—this form one one I know not where it came.” She looked back at Ryan, her cyan eyes gleaming with understanding. “So too, you see what seems to be, yet strangeness lingers, much like me.” Ryan blinked at her words before tilting his head slightly. “Wait… you’re saying you have normal sheep here?” He leaned forward, nearly cause Cattiva to topple over if he wasn’t holding her so tight. “Like, actual, regular, fluffy sheep?” Zecora gave a slow nod. “Indeed, we do, they graze and roam—no sparks, no tricks, just fields their home.” “Huh. Alright, so that’s a first.” She leans back in his chair. “Looks like questions keep piling up for me.” The zebra nodded, her expression contemplative. “For me as well, these thoughts now grow—of things once heard, of truths unknown.” She paused, her gaze drifting over Ryan, as if seeing him in a new light. “A friend once spoke, with wisdom clear, of creatures strange across a mirror near.” Ryan arched a brow, sitting up slightly. “A mirror?” Zecora’s eyes lingered on him, a flicker of realization crossing her face. “A portal vast, of glass so bright—where forms do change yet stay in sight.” Her gaze sharpened. “And now I look, and now I see… the shape they wear is much like thee.” “Wait, hold on” Ryan frowned “Are you saying I look like those creatures? The ones from the mirror?” He gestured to himself. “Like, this?” The zebra shook her head, her expression thoughtful. “My eyes have not seen through the glass, but wisdom shared still comes to pass.” She tapped a hoof lightly against the wooden floor. “A friend of mine, with mind so keen, has walked that path and knows what’s seen.” The young man leans back, his eyes unfocused. "Geeze...and I thought the portal I went though to get here was weird..." The zebra’s ears perked slightly at his words, her sharp eyes narrowing with interest. “A portal strange, a path unknown—yet here you stand, yet not alone.” She studied him carefully. “Then tell me, traveler, if you may—what kind of road led you this way?” Ryan let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his head. “It's a long story…you got time?” Zecora gave a knowing smile, settling herself onto a cushion across from him. “The night is young, the fire bright—so speak your tale, and share your plight.” "Alright…” The man leaned back “So…everything kinda starts with me sailing on the deep blue sea…”
PrologueA metallic hiss echoed through the desolate halls as ancient yet clearly technologically advanced doors opened. Stepping into the dimly lit room were two figures. The first, an orange haired young man, his features soft yet determined, clad in intricately crafted tribal-like armor fashioned from scraps of metal salvaged. His emerald green eyes, keen and alert, scanned the surroundings with a mix of caution and wonder. Beside him trotted a rather peculiar creature, a diminutive and round bipedal being resembling that of a sheep but clearly it was something more. Its fluffy form bounced with each step, emitting a soft bleat every so often that conveyed something akin to excitement. The sheep-like monster, bounded forward ahead of the man with unrestrained enthusiasm, as if eager to explore the long-forgotten chamber. Its woolly coat brushed against the dusty ground, leaving a trail of hoofprints in its wake with each step it made. "Don't stray too far Lamball."’ The young man’s voice carried through the silence, soft but with an edge of authority he had to learn in his days of surviving and commanding. Lamball paused mid-bounce, tilting its head back with a curious bleat before hopping back toward him, its round eyes twinkling in the dim light as if it hadn’t a care in the world. The young man couldn't help but chuckle under his breath as he watched Lamball’s carefree frolic through the eerie chamber. There was something about the little creature’s boundless curiosity that both comforted and worried him, especially in a place like this. Who knew what lay dormant in these ruins? With his buddy now on a diminishing preverbal leash, they pressed on. The room seemed to stretch on, filled with towering columns of metal and glass, their surfaces coated in years of dust, yet glimmers of light hinted at machinery within that hadn’t yet surrendered to time. Strange symbols were etched into the walls, symbols that the young man couldn’t decipher, though something about them stirred a sense of familiarity he couldn’t place. Lamball, already having left the man's side, sniffed curiously at one of the nearest consoles, its wool glowing faintly against the light blue glow as it pressed a button with its tiny hoof. A series of low hums and distant clicks echoed in response, and the man tensed, reaching for the bowgun strapped to his back. When nothing more happened, he breathed a sigh of relief before giving the sheep a deadpan look, "Dang it buddy…What did I just tell you?" The creature, in response, tilted its head, completely unbothered by his exasperation. If anything, Lamball seemed delighted by the attention, its eyes sparkling as it gave another excited bleat. Shaking his head, the young man sighed, a resigned smile tugging at the corner of his mouth soon after. He was used to Lamball’s antics by now—no amount of caution would ever truly hold back the creature’s curiosity. The little sheep-like monster had a knack for getting itself into situations, especially when technology was involved. It was as if Lamball saw each strange button and switch as a puzzle to solve, much to his dismay. "Just… try not to touch anything else, alright?" he said, casting a wary glance at the console as its hum settled, leaving only the flicker of a few dim lights. Lamball responded with a bob of its fluffy head, though the twinkle in its eyes told him it was a promise the creature didn’t fully intend to keep. It bounced in place, clearly eager to keep exploring, but it at least remained close this time, letting the man take the lead as they ventured deeper into the ancient chamber. "To think that this was here all this time...I thought I explored nearly everything on this island...but every day it sruprises me more and more," he murmured, glancing around at the forgotten relics. “They have the same glow as the one's above grown but they look different...Maybe even more advanced? And that's saying a lot...” Lamball, of course, was more interested in the immediate mystery of each flickering light and polished metal surface. The creature hopped ahead, its tiny hooves clicking softly as it nudged at another console, emitting a curious bleat as if trying to communicate with it. “Lamball,” the young man sighed, his tone a mix of caution and resignation. “I just said not to—” But before he could finish, the console flickered to life just like the last, responding to Lamball’s touch with a series of holographic displays that hovered in the air. Diagrams, symbols, and what looked like maps blinked into view, casting the room in shades of blue and green. He froze, staring wide-eyed at the display as it cycled through images of machinery, landscapes, and something that looked suspiciously like an intricate schematic of the island he was on itself before it paused on one screen. His breath caught as he studied the image intricate details. This was no simple schematic; it was a vast, sprawling representation of a world much like his own, yet distinctly foreign. Mountain ranges, rivers, and cities were marked with symbols he didn’t recognize, and, unlike any map he had seen before, there was something almost… alive about it. The holographic landmasses shifted subtly as if reflecting the real-time movement of this mysterious world. Two prominent symbols hovered above everything else—a radiant Sun and a crescent Moon, each positioned over different regions. The Sun symbol pulsed warmly, its light illuminating one half of the map, while the Moon cast a cool glow over the other. Together, they seemed to embody a delicate balance, as though each side of the map was in a constant, harmonious cycle with the other. “And I thought just landing on these islands were wild enough…this…This is a whole new world…” He gasped before turning towards the one beside him. “You think…this might even be your world?!” Lamball blinked up at him, its wide, round eyes reflecting the soft glow of the holographic display. The creature tilted its head as if pondering the young man’s question, then let out a soft, almost thoughtful bleat. It seemed as intrigued as he was, though its innocent gaze held no answer—only wonder. The young man crouched beside his woolly companion, running a hand thoughtfully over the console’s edge. “Hehe…guess it wouldn’t be your world exactly if you were born here, huh buddy?” he murmured, glancing between the map and Lamball. "Still…if anything, it might be where your ancestors were born. That, in itself, is a very big discovery, right?” Lamball leaned into his hand, a soft, pleased rumble escaping from deep within its fluffy form. The man figured his buddy didn't seem to care either way. Though he also knew Lamball was a very, very, simple being. A place to eat and a bed to sleep and you had a friend for life. Standing up, he blushed his fingers against the console, a faint, distorted voice crackled through the air and catching him off guard, reverberating through the silent chamber like an echo from a forgotten era. "Yo....it....gain...." He froze, his heart pounding, and instinctively placed a protective hand over Lamball, who gave a surprised bleat and looked around with wide, startled eyes. The voice continued, wavering in and out, each word wrapped in static and barely discernible. “...ch… ren… anc… call… ba…” They waited, both with baited breath. Where thee was no signs of danger, the man would stand before leaning closer to the console, staring at the screen as if flickered. After a small while he worked up the courage to speak, “Who… who’s there?" No answer. "Can you hear me?” The console flickered once more, and then the distorted voice returned, its tones eerie, fragmented, but undeniably real. “...return…” A shiver ran down his spine. The voice carried a weight of ages, an urgency that bypassed the barriers of language and time. It was a plea, a call, but to whom, he couldn’t tell. “Return…” he repeated, his voice barely audible. He glanced down at Lamball, who blinked up at him, sensing the gravity of the moment but unable to understand its meaning. “What the heck is that supposed to mean…” The young man’s gaze darted toward the wall beyond the console, where a series of lights flickered to life, casting an eerie glow over the ancient chamber. The lights formed a clear pattern, tracing along the edges of what looked like a doorway—a large, imposing archway etched with strange symbols that pulsed in time with the faint hum of energy building in the room. He took an instinctive step back, keeping Lamball behind him. The creature gave a curious, if nervous, bleat, its round eyes fixed on the growing mass of energy coalescing in the center of the arch. The air was thick with anticipation, a crackling tension that made the hairs on his arms stand on end. He could feel something powerful gathering within that archway, as if the very room was alive and responding to the voice’s plea for “return.” The energy in the arch flared, forming a swirling, ethereal portal that pulsed with a spectrum of colors. It shimmered like liquid light, its surface rippling with hues of deep violet, icy blue, and warm gold. The young man felt his heartbeat quicken as he watched the portal solidify, each pulse tugging at him like a magnetic pull, an invitation—or perhaps a summons. "Return, huh?" He swallowed, looking down at Lamball, who stared at the portal with wide, unblinking eyes. “Well, buddy… looks like we’ve got our answer,” he murmured, voice barely steady. “I think… I think that’s where it wants us to go.” He couldn’t explain why, but he knew, deep down, that this portal was connected to the voice, to the Sun and Moon symbols, and to the mysteries of this world. It felt like a doorway not only to a new place but also to answers that had been hidden for ages. “Its…a good thing I packed the others inside storage…and brought along some emergency supplies…” He looked towards Lamball. “Something tells me…this isn’t going to be just a simple one and done exploration…Right, buddy?” ~~~ Twilight Sparkle stirred from her slumber in the middle of the night, sitting up as self felt...something? At least her horn did. The purple pony princess placed a hoof against the purple bony parturition from her forehead, gently rubbing it as it tingled with energy. She furrowed her brow in confusion, the tingling sensation in her horn intensifying as she tried to make sense of the strange energy coursing through her. She cast a wary glance around her dimly lit bedroom, the familiar surroundings offering no explanation for the mysterious sensation that had just washed over her. With a soft sigh, Twilight pushed aside the covers and swung her hooves over the edge of the bed, her mind racing with questions. “What the hey was that? It’s been a while since I felt a magical surge like that…” As she stood up and stretched her wings, the young alicorn made her way to the window, her horn glowing softly as she peered out into the night. The moon hung high in the sky, casting its gentle glow over the sleeping town of Ponyville, but aside from the usual sights and sounds of the night, there was nothing out of the ordinary. Frowning slightly, Twilight turned away from the window and made her way to her desk, her hooves echoing softly against the Crystal floor. She lit a candle with her magic, bathing the room in a warm, flickering light as she settled down to ponder the strange occurrence. With a quill held in her magical aura, she began to jot down her thoughts and observations, the tingling sensation in her horn, while dull now, serving as a constant reminder of the strange energy that had awakened her in the middle of the night. As she wrote, Twilight couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the back of her mind. The sudden surge of magic felt too deliberate to be a mere coincidence, and yet...maybe it was nothing? Maybe it was just a passing anomaly, a burst of magic that held no deeper significance. A side effect of her becoming an alicorn. Despite such words from her inner mind, Twilight knew better than to dismiss such occurrences without investigation. After all, her previous experiences had taught her that even the most seemingly insignificant events could hold great importance. As Twilight continued to ponder, she heard a soft knock on her door. Startled, she set down her quill and turned her attention to the entrance of her study. "Come in," she called out, her voice tinged with curiosity. The door creaked open slowly, revealing Spike, her faithful dragon assistant. He glanced at the candle-lit room, his eyes filled with concern. "Twilight, are you alright? Was coming from the restroom and saw that your light was on. I know for a fact that today isn't your all night study session day so...wanted to check up on you." Twilight offered Spike a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Spike, just had a little surge in my magic. Nothing to worry about." She gestured to the parchment and quill on her desk. "Decided to jot down some notes about it." The little dragon raised an eyebrow, his concern evident in his emerald eyes. "Are you sure you're okay, Twilight? You seem...unsettled." Twilight sighed softly, her gaze drifting back to the window where the moon still hung high in the sky. "It's nothing, Spike. Really. Guessing I'm Just...adjusting to being an alicorn, I suppose. Sometimes my magic acts up unexpectedly." She offered him a reassuring smile. "But I'm sure it's nothing serious. Probably just a passing anomaly." Spike nodded, though he still looked unconvinced. "Well, if you say so, Twilight. But you know you can always talk to me if something's bothering you, right?" Twilight's smile softened, touched by Spike's concern. "I know, Spike, and I appreciate it. But really, I'm fine. Just need to get used to this whole alicorn thing, that's all." Spike nodded again, his expression easing as he took her words to heart. "Alright, if you say so. Just don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything, okay?" He smirked as he pointed towards the hallway. "I'm down the hall, ya know." "I know Spike." Twilight chuckled softly. "I'll keep that in mind, thank you." She watched as Spike turned to leave, his footsteps fading into the distance. Once alone again, Twilight turned her attention back to the notes on her desk, but the unease she had felt earlier still lingered. "Geeze...I might just be overreacting...but..." She shook her head. "Ugh...I'm too tired for all of this." Looking upwards at her horn, the tingle sensation was already gone, and the mare was already feeling sleep wanting to kick back in. With a sigh, Twilight decided to trust her instincts and get some rest. Maybe in the morning, she would be able to make better sense of the strange surge of magic. She blew out the candle, plunging the room into darkness, and climbed back into her bed. Closing her eyes, she sunk into the soft sheets of her bed, a smile of content forming on her face as she felt herself drift back into slumber. "Maybe...tomorrow will just be a normal day like any other."
Chapter 1The young man didn’t know what he expected when he stepped through the swirling portal back at the underground ruins. Maybe a barren wasteland, a cityscape of towering spires, or even a fiery inferno teeming with hostile creatures. What he didn’t expect was to find himself in a forest, eerily similar to the ones back on the island. Towering trees with twisted branches loomed above him, their leaves a deep green that seemed to shimmer faintly under the soft light filtering through the canopy. The air smelled fresh but carried an underlying tang of something unfamiliar, a subtle hint that this forest wasn’t quite like the ones he knew. Still he couldn't help but release a long breath, shaking his head as he adjusted his bowgun back across his shoulder. “Of course…All that buildup, and it’s just another forest,” he muttered. “Figures.” Lamball bounded forward, undeterred by the man’s disappointment. The little creature sniffed at the ground and occasionally pawed at fallen leaves, its fluffy body bouncing with its unrelenting enthusiasm. “Nothing ever gets you done, huh, buddy?” the young man called out, his voice softer this time. “Still be careful. New area means new Pals after all.” Lamball gave a cheerful bleat in response, as if to say, Don’t worry, I’ve got this. The man couldn’t help but smile despite himself. He crouched low, brushing his fingers against the forest floor. The soil was soft and damp, and the occasional footprint—none of them human—hinted at the presence of wildlife. Standing again, he scanned his surroundings. The trees stretched endlessly in every direction, their dense trunks obscuring any clear path forward. A faint mist clung to the ground, swirling lazily around his boots as he took cautious steps deeper into the woods. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves and Lamball’s soft bleats, creating an almost serene atmosphere that was equal parts calming and unnerving. “Alright,” he said aloud, his voice cutting through the quiet. “If this place is anything like the islands, there’s got to be something important nearby. Ruins, maybe? Or some kind of clue about where that portal came from.” Lamball paused mid-bounce, tilting its head back to look at him. It let out a soft, questioning bleat before hopping to his side. “You’re right,” he said, scratching the creature behind its ears. “First things first: Setting up a new base.” The young man’s earlier complaints about the forest faded as he got to work. Despite the challenges, he always found a spark of excitement in setting up camp in a new place. It was part of the adventure after all—establishing a foothold in the unknown and making the unfamiliar feel just a little more like home. He reached into his pack and pulled out a sleek, handheld device, its metallic surface cool to the touch. Clicking the screen, it came alive with a soft hum, displaying a grid of icons and information. Tapping through the interface with practiced ease, he located the command he was looking for. “There you are,” he muttered to himself with a grin. “First things first. A Palbox.” With one final tap, the back of the device lit up, projecting a shimmering grid of light onto the ground. Slowly but surely, like a high-tech 3D printer, the light solidified into a structure—a compact computer console that gleamed faintly under the canopy’s dim light. Its design was practical yet sophisticated, with smooth edges and a modular interface. Tiny blinking lights indicated that it was booting up. Lamball watched the process with wide, fascinated eyes, bouncing in place as the console took shape. When it finally finished, the little creature let out an excited bleat and sniffed at the machine. “Hold on, buddy,” the man said with a chuckle, gently nudging Lamball aside. “Let me make sure it’s working first.” He crouched in front of the console and began typing on the interface, his fingers dancing across the holographic keyboard. The Palbox hummed to life, its screen displaying a series of readouts and diagnostics. It was designed to be a portable hub for survival, equipped with tools for communication, mapping, and resource management. Perfect for exploring uncharted territory. He smirked as he turned towards his buddy. “Shall I call a friend or two?” With Lamball’s enthusiastic bleat of approval, the man grinned and tapped a few more keys on the Palbox’s interface. The air behind the console shimmered with energy, rippling as another figure began to materialize. Bit by bit, the light coalesced into a small pink creature, its round body and stubby limbs giving it an adorably plump appearance. Three tufts of hair stuck up from its forehead, and its expressive eyes blinked curiously as it took in its surroundings. The creature stood on its hind legs, swaying slightly as if adjusting to its sudden arrival. Its little nose twitched, sniffing the air. When its gaze landed on the man, recognition lit up its features. With a delighted meow, it launched itself forward, forcing the man to react quickly and catch it mid-air. “Whoa, hey!” he laughed, wrapping his arms around the exuberant creature. “Missed me, huh?” The pink feline-like being clung to him, nuzzling its round face against his chest with unabashed affection. Its purring vibrated softly, a sound that was as soothing as it was endearing. Lamball, not one to be left out, hopped excitedly around them, bleating as if to welcome the new arrival. “Hehe,” the young man laughs, setting the pink creature down beside Lamball. “I take it you’re happy to be here, Cattiva?” The pink feline-like creature, now identified as Cattiva, puffed out its chest with exaggerated confidence, closing its eyes as it meowed in response. The sound was equal parts proud declaration and melodramatic flair, as though it was assuring the man of its unwavering loyalty—or demanding his undivided attention. The man couldn’t help but smirk at the display. “Alright, alright, I get it,” he said, patting her head. “Good to see you too.” Lamball, ever the optimist, hopped over to nuzzle against Cattiva, bleating happily. But Cattiva’s eyes snapped open, narrowing as she side-stepped with a sharp meow, allowing the little ball of wool to topple over onto its face. “Now now. Be nice Cat,,” the man spoke, already sensing the brewing tension. He had seen this before—Cattiva’s possessiveness over him was as predictable as the sunrise. She clearly viewed Lamball as an unworthy rival, one who somehow threatened her claim to his attention. Lamball, oblivious to the rivalry, decided to smile and have fun elsewhere, his attention grabbed by that of a small yellow flower, much to the pink cat’s charging. Cattiva let out a low, exasperated growl as she watched Lamball hop away with the picked flower, entirely unbothered. Her fluffy tail twitched with irritation, and with a dramatic sigh, she raised a paw to her forehead, pressing it against her fur in a comically exaggerated facepalm. Her expression would change, however, as she felt the man’s hand rub the top of her head. She tilted her chin upward, the exasperation melting from her face as her purring resumed almost involuntarily. His voice was calm and reassuring, cutting through her lingering irritation. “Come on, Catt,” he said, crouching beside her. “I need your help if we’re gonna get this place shipshape before nightfall. Think you can look for some edible berries around here while I clear a bit of this land for rocks and wood?” She blinked up at him, her tail flicking thoughtfully. Her first instinct was to protest—why should she be the one to go foraging? That sounded like a task beneath her stature. But the warm look in his emerald green eyes made her pause, and she let out a reluctant but understanding meow. “Atta girl,” he said with a grin, giving her a final scratch behind the ears before standing up. “You’re the best, Cattiva.” That did it. Her chest puffed out again, her pride returning in full force as she meowed in agreement. Of course, she was the best. Who else could he rely on to handle such a crucial task? Cattiva strutted off toward the edge of the clearing, her tail held high as if to show Lamball—who was still happily nosing the flower—that she was the one doing something important. Her sharp eyes scanned the underbrush, searching for any signs of berries. The man nodded before rolling up his sleeves. “Right! Time to get to work!” ~~~ Starlight Glimmer stretched as she approached the kitchen area, her horn sparking faintly with residual magic from her sleepy state. Her usually neatly styled purple and blue mane was slightly disheveled, a few strands sticking out in various directions. The light purple unicorngave another yawn, her eyes half-lidded as she took in the familiar sight of Spike at the stove, a cheerful hum escaping him as he worked. “Morning, Spike,” she mumbled, her voice groggy but warm. “Morning, Starlight!” Spike replied, glancing over his shoulder with a grin. The dragon was already in his element, flipping a flat bread with expert precision. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and something sweet and cinnamony wafted through the air, instantly making Starlight feel a little more awake. “Pancakes?” she guessed, perking up slightly as her nose twitched. “You betcha! And not just any pancakes—cinnamon swirl pancakes with a dash of vanilla!” Spike declared proudly, holding up the spatula like a victor brandishing a trophy. “Thought I’d try something new today.” Starlight’s stomach growled in response, and she chuckled sheepishly. “Sounds amazing. I could use something like that after the kind of night I had.” Spike raised an eyebrow as he poured another ladle of batter onto the sizzling pan. “Rough night?” Starlight frowned as she slid into a chair at the table, resting her head on her hoof. “A little. My horn was kind of flaring up for some reason. It was weird—like little magical sparks just kept buzzing out of it all night.” Spike frowned as he turned back to the stove, his brow furrowing in thought. “That is weird. Twilight was kind of up late last night too. She looked like something was bothering her, but when I asked, she just waved me off. Said it was nothing.” Hmm…” Starlight frowned, her hoof tapping on the table. “If it was just me, I’d say the same thing. But if Twilight was acting weird too…” She trailed off, her gaze drifting toward the door. “Maybe I should go check on her. Is she up yet?” Spike shook his head, flipping another pancake with a quick flick of the spatula before answering her. “Not that I’ve seen. She was still in her room when I came down. I figured she’d need some extra rest after whatever kept her up.” “I’ll go see if she’s awake then.” Starlight responded with a sigh, slipping from the table. “If something’s bothering her, it’s better to talk it out sooner rather than later.” “Good idea. Twilight’s good at handling a lot on her own, but sometimes she needs a little push to open up. You know how she gets.” Starlight gave him a wry smile. “Don’t I ever.” She headed toward the hallway, glancing back over her shoulder. “Save some of those pancakes for me, okay?” “You got it.” Spike gave the mare a salute with his spatula. “Good luck.” With new mission at hand, Starlight made her way down the hallway toward Twilight’s room, her mind raced with possibilities. Was this just a coincidence, or was there something bigger going on? She couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling lingering in her chest, but she pushed it aside as she reached Twilight’s door. Knocking gently, she called out, “Twilight? Are you up? It’s Starlight.” There was a pause before a muffled voice answered, sounding tired. “Come in.” Starlight pushed the door open and stepped into Twilight’s room. The first thing she noticed was the faint scent of parchment and ink mingling with the morning air. Twilight sat at her desk, surrounded by an organized chaos of open books, scrolls, and loose notes. Her mane was slightly frazzled, and there were faint shadows under her eyes, but nothing out of the ordinary for a late-night study session. Still, Starlight offered a small smile, hoping to put her at ease. “Morning, Twilight. Sorry if I’m bothering you or anything.” The young Alicorn smiled as she turned towards her friend. “You’re not bothering me, Starlight. Is something wrong?” “No…well…maybe…” Starlight stepped further into the room, her eyes briefly scanning the mess of papers on Twilight’s desk. “I just wanted to check in on you. Spike said you were up late, and, well…” She hesitated, rubbing the back of her neck. “See, my horn was acting up last night—sparking randomly, and I couldn’t get it to stop for a while. I thought it was just me but then Spike mentioned you seemed a little off today as well so….” Twilight’s smile faltered slightly before a frown crossed her features. “Your…horn was sparking?” “Yeah, it was weird. It felt like it had a mind of its own, just buzzing and sparking at random intervals all night. I couldn’t sleep for a while because of it.” Twilight leaned back in her chair, her brow furrowed in thought. “...Not just me then…” “Uh… Twilight? You okay?” The lavender alicorn’s ears twitched before rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. “Sorry, I just… was thinking. When did you start feeling your horn spark?” Starlight furrowed her brow, trying to recall. “It was sometime after I went to bed. Maybe around midnight? It wasn’t strong at first, just a tingle, but then the sparks started and kept waking me up. Why?” Twilight’s eyes darted back to the mess of papers on her desk. She picked up a scroll, unrolled it, and scanned the contents with an intensity that made Starlight shift nervously. After a moment, Twilight spoke, her voice steady but edged with concern. “That’s around the same time mine started as well.” Starlight's eyebrows shot up, her unease deepening. “That's what I was afraid of…And you thought it was just you as well, right?” Twilight sighed, setting the scroll back down on the desk with a quiet thud. “Indeed…I thought it was just an Alicorn thing, honestly. I woke up with a tingle in my horn and it did last a little bit but…and stopped after a while, maybe fifteen minutes?. I wrote how it felt and everything like that before falling back into bed though. I was going to bring it up with the Princess.” “Mine went on for a bit longer… maybe an hour?” Starlight said, pacing the room. “It eventually calmed down, but not before it kept me tossing and turning. ” She grumbles a bit. “And I hate having my ten hours oof sleep interrupted.” Twilight’s brow furrowed. “An hour? That’s significantly longer than what I experienced. And if it’s lingering that much longer for you, it could mean your magic is being affected differently—or more intensely—or my Alicorn magic subdued my own flare up after a while…” She shook her head, “Still, no matter how you look at it, two unicorns having a magic flare isn’t exactly unheard of. Magic can be unpredictable, especially at night when our minds are more vulnerable to subconscious thoughts. It could be a coincidence—something minor that caused an overload in both of us.” Starlight could concede at her point. “True. Rare but not that rare.” There was a gentle knock at Twilight's door, interrupting their conversation. “Twilight, darling, are you awake? It’s Rarity. I hope I’m not intruding, but I thought I’d check in on you.” Twilight exchanged a quick glance with Starlight before calling out, “Come in, Rarity.” The door creaked open, and Rarity stepped inside, her pristine purple mane perfectly styled as always, though her expression carried the faintest hint of unease…and a bit of tiredness. She stopped just inside the room, her gaze flickering between Twilight and Starlight. “Oh, good, you’re both here. I wasn’t sure if you’d be up yet, but I thought it best to speak with you sooner rather than later.” She paused, her tone growing softer. “Have either of you felt… Well, off since last night?” Twilight and Starlight exchanged surprised looks before Starlight asked, “Did you magic flare up?” Rarity blinked, momentarily taken aback by Starlight's bluntness, but quickly composed herself. “Why, yes, actually. It was the oddest thing! I was working on a new design—something utterly fabulous, of course—when my horn began sparking out of nowhere. It wasn’t dangerous, thank Celestia, but it was certainly distracting. I simply couldn’t concentrate after that.” Starlight’s expression turned serious, and she glanced at Twilight. “Two is a coincidence. But three…” “Three makes a pattern.” Twilight finishes. Rarity blinked, her gaze darting between Twilight and Starlight, her tone laced with growing concern. “Oh dear, this isn’t just some passing oddity, is it?” Twilight shook her head, her eyes narrowing with a mix of curiosity and concern. “No... I think we might just have a mystery on our hooves.” ~~~ Cattiva’s little paws moved swiftly, though every movement was laced with seething irritation. Her fluffy tail flicked wildly behind her as she picked the berries, her face contorted in a mixture of annoyance and disbelief. How dare she, a creature of grace and dignity, be reduced to this kind of demeaning work? She huffed in frustration, her soft paws delicately plucking the ripe fruits and setting them aside in a small pile, each berry more of an insult than the last. Her ears flattened in a silent protest, and her eyes glared at the task before her as if it were a personal betrayal. She could never voice her discontent out loud, not with her master standing nearby, offering nothing but endless praise and the occasional scratch behind her ears at a job well done. As much as she hated the work, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.. The praise, the affection—it was more than she could ever resist. Yet, that didn’t stop her from grumbling inwardly as she worked, each berry she picked a small rebellion in her heart. As she plucked the ripe fruits and placed them into a growing pile beside her, her mind began to drift toward simpler, more satisfying thoughts. She imagined herself perched proudly on her master’s lap, her pink fur glowing under the soft light as his hand gently scratched behind her ears. Lamball, of course, would be nowhere in sight—banished from the scene entirely. Maybe she’d swat him away with a single, calculated flick of her paw. Yes, she could see it clearly now: Lamball trying to hop up, only for her to nudge him off with effortless grace. Her master would chuckle, his emerald green eyes filled with amusement as he praised her. “Good girl, Cattiva,” he’d say, his voice warm and adoring. “You’re the best, you know that? Always so reliable.” The thought was so pleasant, so vivid, that Cattiva’s lips curled into a smug little devious smile. A smile that faltered as her ears flicked upwards, catching the faintest sound from deeper within the forest. It was distant at first, muffled and unclear, but unmistakably a yell. Her paws froze mid-pick, and her tail stiffened as her wide, round eyes scanned the shadowy trees around her. Being the coward she was, her first thought was to bolt straight back to the safety of the base. Let Master handle this, she reasoned. He’s the brave one, not her after all. Her paws shifted uneasily, and she turned halfway back toward the camp, ready to flee. But the yell came again—closer this time, clearer. It echoed through the forest, louder and more desperate She didn’t know what to do. To stay? Run? Oh, why did she have to wonder so far from the base in the first place? The little cattiva gritted her teeth, glancing anxiously back and forth between the direction of the yell and the safety of her master’s camp. With a resolute and tired sigh, the pink cat grumbled under her breath, muttering a string of colorful insults directed at her master. She rushed through the underbrush, her tiny paws kicking up dirt and leaves as she followed the sound. The yell came again, guiding her path, and her irritation was quickly joined by a growing sense of urgency. Bursting through a dense patch of foliage, she skidded to a halt in an open clearing, her eyes widening at the scene before her. Not too far away, a small, white creature with black stripes—what looked like a young horse—was pinned to the ground, struggling beneath the weight of a massive creature. The hulking beast looming over them was something akin to that of an alligator-like monster, its body seemingly made of jagged, dark-gray rocks. Its glowing yellow eyes fixed on its prey, and its sharp, stone-like claws dug into the ground around the striped horse. “Beast of stone, release me now, Or face the wrath I will allow!” It struggled to lift the weight of the leg, pinning them to the ground. “This zebra’s life is not your feast—Turn back and leave, you stubborn beast!” Cattiva’s paws trembled as she watched the scene unfold, her wide eyes darting between the zebra struggling beneath the rocky beast and the monster itself. She wanted to run—every instinct screamed at her to bolt back to the safety of the base. Her claws flexed against the ground, and her ears flattened as she groaned softly, an annoyed, almost growling meow slipping from her throat. Her tail lashed wildly, frustration and fear battling within her. Another cry from the zebra snapped her focus back to the clearing. Cattiva let out a sharp, irritated yowl, shaking her head as if to banish her hesitation. Her master’s teachings gnawed at her—kindness, compassion, all that nonsense. She clenched her tiny fists, her small form trembling. Finally, with a resigned sigh, the little cat called out, hoping to gain the beast’s attention. And Attention she did grab, the monster’s glowing yellow eyes immediately shifting toward her, narrowing in confusion. Cattiva crouched low, her fur bristling and her tiny paws raised defensively in front of her face. She inhaled sharply before opening her maw wide. She leaned forward and from her mouth erupted a powerful blast of condensed air, the force rippling visibly through the clearing. It struck the rocky beast squarely on its side, sending it reeling with a deep, guttural roar. The impact toppled the monster over, its massive frame crashing onto its back and sending shards of stone flying. The black and white horse gasped as the crushing weight pinning it down was suddenly lifted. It scrambled to its hooves, panting, its wide eyes as the pink cat ran in front of it grabbing their leg. "W-What manner of creature saves the day, with power that keeps such a beast at bay?" Cattiva didn’t acknowledge the words, her focus entirely on the monster as it shifted and began to rise. She began to pull the white and black pony with her and away from the area. If it was just another silly human then she would have fought but she wasn’t taking any chances with things twice her size and her master no where around to help. The black and white horse…or Zebra as she called herself…stumbled slightly as Cattiva tugged at its leg, the pink cat’s small frame deceptively strong as she urged the zebra away from the clearing. The zebra’s wide eyes darted between the towering rocky beast and the determined feline dragging it toward safety. “Wait—what are you doing to me? We cannot flee!” the zebra cried out in rhyme, its voice frantic yet resolute. “This beast must fall, or more will die—Why do you pull me, small ally?” Cattiva ignored the zebra’s protests, letting out an impatient, demanding meow as she tugged harder. Her focus was singular: getting this striped thing out of harm’s way and getting the heck out of dodge. She wasn’t about to risk her life anymore then she already had. The rocky alligator roared again, now fully recovered from the blast. Barely any damage could be seen upon it, though that was a given. Without hesitation it began to charge right at the odd pair, closing the distance fast. The ground quaked beneath Cattiva’s tiny paws as the massive rocky monster grew closer, its jagged claws tearing into the earth with each thunderous step. She froze for a split second, her wide eyes locking on the glowing yellow orbs of the beast bearing down on them. Letting out a panicked squeak, she did the only thing her instincts allowed—she curled herself into a tight, trembling ball, her fluffy pink tail wrapped protectively around her and prayed for a miracle. Her small form quivered as she braced for the inevitable impact. Why, oh why, did I try to play hero? she thought miserably, her mind racing with regret. This wasn’t her fight! She should’ve just stayed back at the base where it was safe and predictable. With a fierce snort, the zebra planted her hooves firmly into the earth, standing in the way of the advancing alligator’s path. Her body was braced, and her wide eyes narrowed with resolve. “I shall not let this beast proceed!” she cried, her voice ringing out with a clarity and strength that belied the terror she must have felt. “So stand tall, I shall, and you will never succeeded." The cattvia groned despite herself. At least she wasn’t going to die alone. Small comforts. The roar of the charging monster grew louder, and she squeezed her eyes shut, her heart pounding in her chest as she readied for the end. Any second now, the blow would come… Instead of pain, however,, there was a sudden thud followed by an ear-splitting bellow of rage. Cattiva hesitated, one eye cracking open as she uncurled just enough to peek at what had happened. To her astonishment, as well as the black and white zebra’s, a very familiar figure was standing in front of them. “Saw the battle alert on my system! Sorry I’m late, Cat.” Cattiva blinked, her wide eyes locking onto the figure standing protectively in front of her and the zebra, a large sword in hand. Relief flooded her as she recognized the familiar silhouette: her master. She was even happy to see that dummy Lamball as he bounced in front of master, taking up it's only stupid battle position. Only a little bit though. And no way she would tell him that to his face! The black-and-white zebra, still in shock and wide-eyed, stared at the unexpected duo that had leapt into the fray. “What manner of creatures are all of you—Who leaps to fight with strength so true?” the zebra asked. The man froze mid-motion, blinking at the zebra in surprise. He yelped as he pointed a finger at the striped figure, his tone incredulous. “Holy crap, you talk!” Cattiva let out an exasperated meow, rolling her eyes. She padded forward and gave his leg a sharp bat and pointed, her way of reminding him there was a giant monster still looming over them. The man snapped out of his surprise, shaking his head as if to refocus. “Oh… right! Deal with that later,” he muttered, a sheepish grin flickering across his face. He reached into his pack and pulled out a blue, glowing sphere-like object that shimmered faintly in his hand. Holding it up, he cast a determined glance toward the roaring rocky alligator. “Right now... it’s time to capture a new Pal!”
Chapter 2The jagged, rock-skinned crocodile bellowed once again, its glowing yellow eyes narrowing as it sized up the one standing in its path. Its massive tail slammed into the dirt, shaking the very ground underneath it. Cattiva, for her part, slinked behind her master’s leg, her tail wrapping around herself in fear but her expression betraying a glimmer of relief. Lamball, as eager as ever, bounced forward with reckless enthusiasm, bleating loudly at the creature. The little fluffball pawed at the ground in defiance, as if it were a seasoned warrior ready to take on a towering foe. “Easy there, buddy,” The man spoke as he held out another ball, a beam of light gently hitting the lamb and making it vanish. “You’re a few battles too early for something like this. Sit this one out, okay?” The zebra, who the man had fully forgotten about there for a second, widened its eyes in shock, their striped frame stiffening as they took a cautious step back. “What trickery is this, what did I see? That sheep was there—now it ceased to be!” “I…” The young man glanced down at the Pal Sphere in his hand before letting it phase into the tablet at his side. “Don’t worry. Lamball is is just resting. Didn’t want the little guy to get hurt after all.” he tapped a button at upon the tablet and yet another sphere popped into existence and into his hand. “Now this one on the other hand…Might be itching for a fight.” He raises the sphere high into the air and from it, a beam of light short forth, hitting the ground in front of him. When the light died down a new figure was standing before them—a striking sight, tall and sleek and standing on two legs. Her fur, a blend of tawny brown and deep black. Piercing blue eyes gleamed with intelligence as she surveyed the land before her, the mysterious black veil covering the top half of her head swaying softly in the breeze behind her, giving her an almost royal yet intimidating presence. Her long, pointed ears twitched slightly, and the black and golden bands wrapped around her wrists glinted under the dim forest light. The creature rolled her shoulders, cracking her neck with a practiced ease before turning her gaze towards the one behind her. She stared, her arms crossed over her chest, her expression unreadable. Then, with a flick of her tail, she let out a single, unimpressed scoff. The man sighed, recognizing the attitude instantly. He clapped both of his hands together bowing low. “Sorry, Cleo! You were probably meditating or something, right? I know it's a bad time but we’ve kind of got a bit into a little bit of trouble,” He stood straight up and pumped his fist “Still! You never turned down a battle, right?” The one named Cleo allowed her sharp gaze to shift towards the rock-skinned beast still looming before them, growling even harder at the newest beast to block it from its meal. She clicked her tongue, her arms dropping to her sides as she subtly shifted into a ready stance. No words were needed—her body language said it all. She was more than ready. The little zebra, who had barely recovered from the shock of seeing one creature vanish into thin air, found herself once again stunned by the emergence of another. Her cyan eyes traced Cleo’s form with growing intrigue and heavy—Heavy confusion. “Another beast, a warrior no less, so quick to show. Despite it looking familiar, this one I do not know…” Cleo, ignoring all, shot forward like a blur, her arms drawn back as her powerful legs propelled her across the battlefield in an instant. The towering rock-skinned beast barely had time to react before Cleo’s fist struck its jagged hide. The impact was deafening, a thunderous crack echoing through the trees as her knuckles met stone. The rock crocodile staggered, its massive frame shuddering from the sheer force of the blow, but it was far from down for the count. Instead, it roared in fury, its tail whipping around with terrifying speed. “Cleo, move!” the man called out. She didn’t need to be told twice. In a fluid motion, she twisted her body, barely dodging the beast’s retaliatory strike. The tail smashed into the earth where she had stood moments before, sending up a cloud of dust and debris. Cleo landed gracefully, her paws skidding slightly on the dirt as she readjusted her stance. The rocky beast snarled, shaking off the damage from the first blow as its glowing yellow eyes locked onto Cleo with renewed fury. It slammed one massive claw into the ground, sending a tremor through the earth. Shards of stone erupted from the ground in jagged spikes, racing toward Cleo in a wave of destruction. Her arms had barely come up in preparation for the oncoming assault when the man, the one who summoned her, moved. There was no hesitation, no second-guessing. One moment he was in one place, and the next, he was in front of her, his hands raised as if to shield her from the incoming attack. A device on his belt—sleek and metallic with glowing blue circuitry—came to life with a sharp hum. Energy surged outward from it, forming a shimmering dome of translucent light that enveloped both himself and Cleo. The jagged stone spikes slammed hard into the barrier with brutal force, each impact sending ripples across the surface of the dome. Despite that, the shield held firm, deflecting the rocks as they shattered harmlessly against it, though even then, one could see cracks slowly forming against its surface. The rocky beast before the two of them snarled in frustration, its anger growing even more. It raised its the claw again, ready to release another bout of spikes. The man’s eyes flickered to the barrier’s surface with the little time he had, his mind working overtime as he assessed the damage. He released a quite curse. He never did get a chance to upgrade his shield and knew that another blow like the one before would be more then enough to chew through the rest of the energy reserves. Cleo wasn’t giving the beast a chance to do so however. With a sharp exhale, Cleo surged forward, slipping past his side in a blur of motion. She quickly closed the gap between herself and the rock crocodile. Her body gleamed with golden energy as she moved, light trailing in her wake like the afterimage of a lightning strike. The rocky monster barely had time cast its attack before Cleo was upon it, twisting mid-air to deliver a devastating spinning kick to its head. BOOM! The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, the force so great that the beast staggered back, its jagged feet digging deep trenches into the dirt. A fresh set of fractures spread across its hardened exterior. “Anymore like that and it's done for!” The man called out. "It's my turn Cleo! Get back!" Cleo landed gracefully, skidding to a halt just in front of the man. She shot him a sharp glance—clearly unimpressed by the idea of backing down—but with a twitch of her tail, she obliged, flipping backward and out of his immediate line of fire. The man’s emerald eyes gleamed as he reached for a Pal Sphere at his side. The orb pulsed with energy, shimmering between colors before landing upon a yellow hue. “Alright,” he muttered under his breath, his fingers tightening around the orb. “Let's wrap this up.” The rocky beast let out a pained snarl, shaking its head as more cracks splintered along its stone-like hide. Its glowing yellow eyes darted toward the man, narrowing in suspicion. It knew something was coming. It needed to act, and it needed to be now. It released a roar before charging forward—one last attempt, winner take all. The man wasted no time meeting the challenge head on. With a flick of his wrist, he launched the Pal Sphere towards the beast and, with a satisfying strike, it hit the top of its head. The moment the Pal Sphere made contact, a brilliant beam of energy erupted from its core, engulfing the rocky beast in a swirling vortex of light. The massive creature let out a final, defiant roar before its form began to break apart, dissolving into shimmering particles as it was pulled into the orb’s depths. The sphere hovered in place high in the air and began to shake. Once. Twice. Three times. And then a jingle played before it vanished, shooting high into the sky. The capture was complete. A breath of silence followed the capture. The forest, once alive with the chaos of battle, now sat in an eerie stillness. Faint wisps of energy lingered in the air where the rock-skinned crocodile had stood just moments before, dissipating like mist in the morning sun. The man exhaled, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the weight of tension. His emerald eyes flickered skyward, watching the last traces of the Pal Sphere disappear beyond the canopy. “Gotcha,” he muttered, a triumphant smirk curling at the edge of his lips. He smiled before sighing, placing both hands on his hips. “Well that was fun. First battle and first Pal? Just what else can happen today?” A rustling sound broke the quiet, drawing their attention back to the zebra who had been spectating in stunned silence up until now. The small creature hesitated before stepping forward, her cyan eyes still wide with disbelief. “Gone, just like that—the beast of stone… now bound in a sphere, no longer alone,” she murmured, almost to herself, she turned towards the mane before her. “A sight most strange, a trick most grand… yet still I fail to understand.” “Oh yeah the talking little zebra.” he frowned as he turned to face her. “And she rhymes. Didn’t catch that at first but now I can’t miss it.” Getting a good look at her now, he couldn’t help but whistle softly. The man took a step back, finally getting a proper look at the strange zebra before him. She was small—reaching just about his waist—but despite her size, there was a quiet confidence in the way she carried herself. Her sleek coat was a striking pattern of black and white stripes, bold and symmetrical, swirling around her legs and back in an almost hypnotic fashion. A thick mohawk-like mane, stiff and proud, ran down the length of her neck, the silvery strands catching the dim forest light. Golden bands adorned her front legs just above her hooves, glinting faintly as she shifted in place. Around her neck rested a heavy golden collar, the metal smooth and well-worn, hinting at years of travel and wisdom. But it was her eyes that held his attention the most—bright cyan, sharp and observant, filled with both curiosity and caution. The man smiled and bent down, to her level. “Look at you. Just as cute as a Ribunny on a sunny day. Do all Pals talk here? That other one seemed to not so…” Zecora’s ears flicked back slightly at his words, her expression unreadable. Then, with a slow blink, she tilted her head. “Cute, you say? A term so light… yet I am more than just a pleasant sight,” she mused, her voice carrying its usual rhythmic cadence. “As for others, I cannot say—if speech they lack, it is their way.” The man chuckled, resting his hands on his knees as he studied her. “Alright, alright, fair enough. Didn’t mean to offend.” He gave her a playful grin. “But you gotta admit, talking zebras? That’s not exactly normal where I’m from.” Zecora narrowed her eyes slightly, but there was no real malice in her gaze—only curiosity. “A place unknown, a land so vast… yet you arrive, so sure, so fast.” She took a step closer, her cyan eyes sizing him up and down. “Strange devices, beasts contained… speak the truth—what is your name?” He blinked at the sudden shift in tone but quickly composed himself,. “Oh wow…been a while since someone even asked me that…” He stood up straight and placed a hand on his chest. “Name’s Ryan. A Pal Tamer.” Zecora studied them both before speaking again, her tone measured.“There is much to ask, much to know, But here’s not safe; come, let’s go. The trees have ears, the winds may speak—In shadowed depths, dangers sneak.” Ryan raised a brow at her cryptic warning, but he knew better than to dismiss local wisdom, especially from someone who clearly knew the land. He glanced at Cleo, who gave him a pointed look before tilting her head toward the trees, silently agreeing that staying in one place too long wasn’t a great idea. “Alright, fair enough,” Ryan said, standing tall and dusting himself off. “Lead the way, oh wise, rhyming guide.” “My name is Zecora,” She spoke as she turned away from them, “of wisdom and brew, A healer, a guide, with knowledge true.” “No fooling?” He was about to follow her when he felt something grasp his leg, nuzzling it. Ryan sighed, rolling his eyes with a half-smirk as he looked down at Cattiva, still clinging to his leg like a terrified child. “You are so needy, you know that?” he muttered, though there was no bite in his words. Gently, he pried her off his leg, her little paws reluctant to let go. As soon as she was free, he scooped her up into his arms, cradling her close against his chest. “Not gonna forget about you, little lady,” he murmured, giving her a reassuring pat on the head. Cattiva let out a soft, contented hum, burying her face into his jacket, her tail curling securely around his forearm. Cleo, who had been watching the exchange with mild disinterest, snorted and flicked her tail, as if unimpressed by the display of coddling. Ryan caught the look and raised a brow. “What? You jealous?” he teased. Cleo scoffed, crossing her arms. Zecora, now a few steps ahead, cast them a glance over her shoulder before continuing forward.“Keep your pace, do not delay, For lurking eyes still watch our way.” Ryan tightened his hold on Cattiva, his smirk fading slightly. Right. As much as he enjoyed teasing his Pals, now wasn’t the time to get comfortable. He cast one last glance toward the shadowed treeline before moving forward, keeping pace with Zecora. ~~~ Twilight’s Castle – The Cutie Map The grand halls of Twilight’s crystalline castle shimmered with the soft glow of enchanted torches, casting flickering light across the polished floors. At the heart of the castle, the throne room was alive with voices—some concerned, some excited, and at least one sounding suspiciously like it was there just to show off. The Cutie Map sat at the center of it all, its magical surface humming faintly as it projected a detailed image of Equestria. However, something was wrong. A pulse of wild magic crackled across the map, distorting its usual pristine display. The familiar geography flickered, shifting unnaturally as an unfamiliar aura rippled outward from the Everfree Forest—unstable, foreign, and completely unlike anything the ponies had ever seen before. Twilight frowned as she looked down at the map. Before they had gathered around it, she had called her friends to the castle to discuss the strange magical disturbance she had detected earlier. But the moment they were all together, each of their cutie marks had begun to glow, shimmering brightly upon their flanks. Applejack, sitting in her chair with her hooves crossed over her chest, was the first to break the silence. "This can't be a coincidence, right? What with the unicorns’ magic actin’ up and now the Cutie Map callin’ all six of us?" Twilight nodded, eyes narrowing as she examined the flickering projection of Equestria. "I don’t think so. The timing is too perfect. First the fluctuations in unicorn magic all across Ponyville if Trixie’s report is to be believed. And—” “The Great and Powerful Trixie does not fabricate tales of magical distress, Twilight Sparkle!” she huffed, lifting her nose into the air. The show mare, having been a few steps away from the Cutie Map stopped forward, slamming both hooves on the table as she continued. “She merely provides a dramatic recounting of events, as is befitting of one as magnificent as herself!” Twilight sighed, rubbing her temple. “I didn’t say you were lying, Trixie. I’m sorry if I made it come off that way.” The show mare’s expression shifted slightly at Twilight’s apology, though she still held her nose high. “Hmph. As well you should be! The Great and Powerful Trixie has seen firsthand the chaos this strange magic is causing! It’s most unnerving! One moment, Trixie is sleeping and then the next her horn has her up all night.” She frowned. “Trixie did not get her usual eight hours of sleep like she is supposed to!” Rainbow Dash snorted, the prismatic maned mare leaning back in her chair with an amused smirk. “Oh no, the horror. Trixie lost some beauty sleep. Clearly, this is the real crisis here.” “You may mock, Rainbow Dash, but Trixie’s well-being is of utmost importance!” The show mare shot back. “How can one be Great and Powerful if one is also exhausted?” She tossed her mane dramatically. “Trixie cannot dazzle audiences or properly maintain her aura of mystique on anything less than a full eight hours of uninterrupted rest!” “If I could get back on topic.” Twilight cut in, standing from her seat. “I would like to continue.” She looked between everyone within the room before sitting back down, sighing. “The second problem is what we have now. The Cutie Map activating and pointing to, of all places, the Everfree Forest.” Rarity tapped a hoof against the table, eyeing the erratic pulses of magic rippling across the map. “And not just any part of the Everfree, darling. That part.” She gestured to the area on the map where the disturbance was concentrated—deep within the forest, far beyond Zecora’s hut and into the wild, untamed and unknown…even more then usual. Fluttershy gulped. “Oh dear… that part of the forest is even more dangerous than usual. The creatures there don’t usually come near Ponyville, but if the magic is acting up…” Her ears drooped. “They might be frightened, or worse… aggressive.” Pinkie Pie tilted her head, her expression unusually serious. “What if they’re not just scared? What if something new is in there?” She leaned in, lowering her voice. “Something that shouldn’t be?” The room fell into silence at her words, the implications sinking in. Twilight took a deep breath before speaking, looking between all her friends. “That’s exactly what we need to find out. If there’s something in the Everfree that’s throwing magic into chaos, we need to stop it before it spreads further.” “Well, if the map’s callin’ all six of us, I reckon that means whatever’s out there ain’t somethin’ we can handle alone.” Applejack spoke. Rainbow Dash pounded a hoof against the table. “Then let’s stop wasting time and get moving! We won’t figure anything out just sitting here.” Trixie sighed dramatically, flipping her cape. “Yes, yes, Trixie supposes she has no choice but to accompany you all on this perilous expedition.” “Ha!” Rainbow scoffed as she turned her attention towards the show mare fully. “Pretty sure the map didn’t call you, Trixie.” Said mare gasped, placing a hoof over her chest as if Rainbow Dash had just struck her with a mortal wound. “How dare you! Are you suggesting that Trixie—The Great and Powerful Trixie mind you—is not an essential addition to this quest?” She scoffed, flipping her mane. “Why, without my vast magical expertise and unmatched problem-solving skills, you would surely all be lost!” Applejack rolled her eyes. “Trixie, ya do remember what happened the last time ya decided to ‘help’ with a magic problem, right?” “That was an experiment—and besides, Trixie recovered most of her original size before things got too out of hoof!” Twilight sighed. “Look, I appreciate the enthusiasm, Trixie, but this could be dangerous. The Cutie Map only called the six of us for a reason. If something’s affecting magic, then I don’t want anypony getting caught in the middle of it.” “Oh, please.” The show mare spoke, her nose stuck in the air. “If Trixie were to be ‘caught in the middle’ of anything, it would be solving the issue before any of you could even lift a hoof! I refuse to be left behind while some grand magical mystery unfolds before me!” Rainbow Dash smirked, hovering just above the table with crossed hooves. “Oh yeah? Then what are you gonna do if we run into a giant magic-eating monster?” Trixie faltered for half a second before straightening her cape. “Simple—I shall distract it with my breathtaking illusions while the rest of you… do whatever it is you do.” She gestured vaguely at Twilight. “I assume it will involve some kind of tedious magical analysis.” Twilight frowned, rubbing her chin in thought. “Actually… illusions might be useful, depending on what we find.” Trixie’s ears perked up. “Aha! So you do need me!” “We didn’t say that, Trixie.” Applejack spoke in a deadpanned tone “I heard it,” Trixie said smugly. “The Great and Powerful Trixie shall accompany you all, whether the map likes it or not!” Starlight, who had been quietly observing the conversation, finally sighed and stepped forward. PinkS“Alright, if Trixie’s coming along, then I’ll stay back and keep an eye on things here.” She glanced toward Twilight. “Those magical disturbances may have calmed down for now, but there’s no telling if it doesn’t happen again. Somepony needs to be here in case things take a turn for the worse.” Twilight gave her a grateful nod. “That’s a good idea, Starlight. If things escalate, you can make sure Ponyville doesn’t fall into chaos.” She glanced at Spike. “And you’ll be staying here too, Spike.” “Aww, c’mon, Twilight!” The little drake complained, crossing his arms “What if you need to send a letter to Princess Celestia? Or—” he gestured at the Cutie Map, “—what if it gets even weirder and you need backup?” “I know, Spike, but I need somepony I trust to help Starlight manage things here,” Twilight reasoned. “If unicorn magic does act up again, even simple spells might cause problems.” Starlight nodded. “She’s right, Spike. If something happens, I’ll teleport straight to you all, no problem. But we do need to make sure Ponyville stays safe too.” Spike huffed but nodded. “Fine. But if you guys do run into a giant magic-eating monster, I totally called it.” Rainbow Dash snickered. “Yeah, yeah, we’ll make sure to give you credit.” Trixie, still basking in her triumph, flicked her cape dramatically. “Yes, yes, wonderful. Now that that is settled, Trixie shall make her grand preparations for this perilous journey.” She struck a theatrical pose, her head held high. “No need to worry, Ponyville! Trixie shall ensure Equestria’s continued safety!” Applejack smirked. “Just don’t trip over yer cape before we even get there.” Trixie shot her a glare. “Trixie does not trip.” As the others filed out of the room, chatting amongst themselves about what to bring, Twilight lingered by the Cutie Map, her eyes still fixed on the flickering disturbance over the Everfree Forest. The moment the last hoofstep faded beyond the castle doors, a familiar voice broke the silence. "Twilight?" Starlight’s tone was softer as she spoke. She stepped closer, her gaze studying Twilight’s expression. "You okay?" “I don’t know…” The lavender mare hesitated for a moment, her wings twitching slightly. "Have you ever had the feeling that something is going to change?" Starlight blinked, tilting her head. "Change? Like… in what way?" Twilight exhaled, shaking her head. "I don’t know. It’s just… this magic, whatever it is, it feels different." She tapped a hoof lightly against the edge of the map. "The Cutie Map has called all of us before, but this time, I can’t shake the feeling that whatever we’re walking into isn’t just another friendship problem or magical mishap." "You think it’s something bigger?" Twilight nodded. "Maybe. Or maybe I’m just overthinking it.” Starlight studied Twilight for a moment before tilting her head slightly. “You sure you don’t want to tell the other princesses yet?” she asked, her voice gentle but firm. “If you really think this is something big, shouldn’t Celestia and Luna at least know about it?” The princess of friendship hesitated, her eyes flickering toward the Cutie Map again. The magical distortion pulsed faintly, as if responding to her unspoken doubts. She exhaled, her ears twitching. “I’ve thought about it, but… I don’t even know what I’d tell them yet.” “That magic is unstable,” Starlight suggested. “That the Everfree is acting up, and your gut is telling you something’s coming?” She gestured toward the map. “I’d say that’s a pretty good reason to give them a heads-up. You haven’t been wrong before” Twilight’s wings shifted at her sides. “I know, but if I call for them too soon and it turns out to be nothing—” Starlight gave her a flat look. “You really think this is nothing?” Twilight sighed. “No. But I also don’t want to cause unnecessary panic. If I tell Celestia, she might send guards or even take action herself before we understand what’s happening. The Cutie Map chose us—and until we know why, I think it’s best we handle this first.” “Alright, I get that. But Twilight, if this gets worse, promise me you will reach out to them. Don’t try to handle it all on your own.” Twilight giggled softly, a flicker of warmth breaking through the tension in her expression. “And here I thought I was supposed to be your teacher.” “Hey, somepony’s got to make sure you don’t overwork yourself into another magical meltdown.” Starlight arched a brow. “Besides, I’d say I’ve learned enough from you to know when you need a reality check.” “Alright, alright. You win.” Twilight placed a hoof over her chest. “If things start getting worse, I promise I’ll let Celestia and Luna know.” Starlight eyed her carefully, then nodded in approval. “Good. You better keep that promise.” Twilight gave a reassuring smile before turning toward the door. “I should finish getting ready. The others will be back soon.” As she trotted toward the exit, Starlight stayed behind for a moment, casting one last look at the flickering Cutie Map. The distortion over the Everfree shimmered ominously, the unstable energy crackling faintly. She didn’t know what was coming. But she had a feeling Twilight was right. Things were about to change. And once they did, there would be no going back. ~~~ Ryan adjusted Cattiva in his arms, the little pink cat creature, following his gaze as the looked upon the strange dwelling the zebra had led them to. His eyes scanned the house before him—or rather a tree—twisted and gnarled with age, its thick roots gripping the earth like claws. Carved masks, painted in striking patterns, hung from its branches, watching like silent sentinels. Strange bottles and herbs dangled from the boughs, swaying gently in the forest breeze, filling the air with an earthy, exotic scent. Ryan released a low whistle. “Well… that’s certainly a house.” Lamball, having long replaced Cleo on the outside due to there being very little need for her, bounded forward with boundless energy, the little ball of wool letting out a loud, enthusiastic bleat as he landed at the base of the twisted tree. His stubby legs scrabbled at the dirt as he hopped around excitedly, inspecting the strange masks and trinkets that adorned the tree’s branches. His black little tail wagged with uncontainable curiosity, his round, beady eyes gleaming as he let out another cheerful baaa! Ryan couldn’t help but smirk, watching his little companion bounce about without a care in the world. “Well, at least someone’s excited.” Zecora glanced at the tiny, wool-covered bundle of enthusiasm as she pushed open her door, amusement flickering in her cyan eyes as well. “A spirit so light, a heart so free—yet in such a place, caution should be.” “Yeah,” Ryan couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped him, “he doesn’t really do ‘caution’ per say.” Lamball, oblivious to the conversation, attempted to headbutt one of the hanging masks that were lower to the ground. Unfortunately for him, the mask barely budged, while he himself stumbled backward with a surprised bleat, shaking his head to regain his balance. Ryan winced before giving the zebra an apologetic smile. “Case in point.” Zecora let out a soft chuckle as she stepped inside, motioning for them to follow. “Then enter now, and still your mind. For knowledge sought, one soon may find.” “Thanks again.” Ryan gave Lamball a pointed look. “And, you. No breaking things, no eating things, and definitely no headbutting things.” Lamball responded with an innocent bleat before bouncing happily after them into Zecora’s home, his wool fluffing up with every hop. Ryan sighed, stepping inside with Cattiva still snug in his arms. “This is gonna be an experience, I can already tell.” Stepping inside, he took a moment to let his eyes wander across the interior of Zecora’s home. The walls were lined with shelves filled with carefully arranged vials, herbs, and various peculiar trinkets, each item giving off an air of mystery and purpose. Carved wooden masks, similar to those hanging outside, adorned the walls, their painted features watching silently from the dim candlelight. The scent of incense and dried herbs lingered in the air, mixing with the faint bubbling of the cauldron in the center of the room. Something about it all felt... familiar. Ryan furrowed his brows, his gaze lingering on one of the masks, its design intricate and symmetrical, resembling the ones he had once seen in old textbooks back before he came to those Pal infested islands. His mind flickered back to his school days, lessons about distant lands across the sea—vast savannas, towering baobab trees, and cultures rich with oral traditions, crafts, and spirituality. He turned his head, his gaze settling on the large, bubbling cauldron in the center of the room. The liquid within swirled lazily, glowing faintly under the dim light, sending soft plumes of steam curling into the air. He raised a brow, lips twitching into a smirk. Oh… My Katress would have a field day if she knew you had something like that. He could almost hear the amused chuff Katress would have let out, her sharp fangs flashing in a knowing grin. Her tail would flick back and forth with unrestrained glee, her ears perking up as she paced around the cauldron, soaking in every detail. If she were here, she’d already be nudging him with that smug look in her eyes, practically demanding he figure out a way to bring one of these back with them. It still amazed him how, even without being able to talk just like the rest of the Pals, she really was quite expressive when they put she mind to it. Ryan’s thoughts were abruptly cut off as Zecora turned to face him fully “Welcome, traveler, to my abode—a place of rest, where wisdom’s sowed.” He blinked before smiling.. “Ah—yeah, thanks,” adjusting Cattiva slightly in his arms as she leaned her head back. He cast another glance around, still taking in the intricate details of the place. “Gotta say, it’s got a certain… atmosphere to it.” Zecora chuckled, stirring her cauldron with practiced ease. “A weary mind finds solace here, where troubled thoughts may soon grow clear.” She gestured toward the bubbling mixture, the soft glow reflecting in her eyes. “For strength of body, warmth of soul—such blends bring balance, make one whole.” Ryan raised an eyebrow, stepping a little closer. “So… what exactly is that? Some kind of magic tea?” “Not quite tea, though close you tread. It soothes the limbs and clears the head.” She retrieved a wooden bowl from a nearby shelf, ladling a portion of the liquid into it before offering it to him. Ryan hesitated for a moment, glancing at the glowing concoction. He’d drunk his fair share of questionable things over the course of his adventures—some turned out to be revitalizing tonics, others… well, less so. Still, something told him he could trust this. With a sigh, he took the bowl, tilting it slightly in his grip. “Well, here’s to not waking up with an extra tail or something.” He took a careful sip. The taste was earthy, slightly spiced, with a faint sweetness that lingered on his tongue. Almost immediately, a warmth spread through his chest, easing away the tension in his shoulders. His muscles relaxed, his thoughts settled, and for the first time in a while, he felt steady. He lowered the bowl, exhaling softly. “…Okay, I'll take it back. This is way better than tea.” Zecora gave an approving nod. “The roots of old, the herbs so fine—they weave together, strong entwined.” “Yeah… I think I really needed that.” He cast her a grateful smile before settling onto a mat across from Lamball, who was now snoozing peacefully. “Had been traveling for a while before I came wandering into this forest.” A knowing smile formed on Zecora’s lips before she took a seat across from him. She lifted her own cup of the warm brew to her lips, taking a slow, measured sip before speaking. “First, allow me to thank you true, for facing danger, standing through.” Ryan raised a brow, shifting slightly where he sat. “Thank me? For what?” Zecora set her cup down gently on the wooden floor, her cyan eyes watching him with quiet gratitude. “The beast of stone, fierce and wild—it threatened all, yet was beguiled.” She gestured toward him with a nod. “Your hand was steady, your stance was sure—you fought with heart, not force impure.” Ryan blinked, then let out a quiet chuckle. “Huh. You mean the rock croc, right?” He leaned back on his hands, smirking slightly. “Didn’t really do it for any grand reason. Just… kinda what I do.” Zecora tilted her head, watching him closely. “To fight is one thing, but choice is key—restraint and care are what I see.” Her gaze flickered to the Pal Sphere at his side. “Still…not all would seek to end a fight with bonds of light, not strength of might.” Ryan followed her gaze, glancing at the sphere before shrugging. “Yeah, well… I do choose my battles carefully. Gotta with how things are usually ran around me.” His voice carried a note of quiet certainty. “Also, I did get a new Pal out of it so it wasn’t just all for you, ya know. Still I was happy to help. Always am.” Zecora arched a brow, her eyes drifting back to the strange device secured at Ryan’s side. “That beast so large, now bound so small… Tell me, tamer, is the cragadile really within that ball?” Ryan glanced down at the tablet before reaching for it, summoning one of the strange balls he had used. Rolling it idly between his fingers, he gave her a smile. “Yeah, it’s in here. You called it a Cragadile. Heh…fitting name.” A name most old, from tales of lore—a beast of stone from days before.” Her cyan eyes flickered back to Ryan, studying his expression. “Yet you know not what you have caught? A traveler blind, or knowledge sought?” “A bit of both on that front.” He admitted. “Most of the creatures I’ve caught are like…” He pauses, trying to come up with how to explain himself. “Okay, see, like with you, I know you’re a Zebra cause I’ve seen them in books. But none of them could shoot lightning…or talk like you. I knew most of the counter parts of the pals way found the islands so…” Zecora turned her gaze toward Lamball, who was still sprawled out on the woven mat, his stubby legs twitching slightly as he let out a soft, contented bleat in his sleep. Her expression remained thoughtful as she observed the small creature. “I see a sheep, yet not the same—this form one one I know not where it came.” She looked back at Ryan, her cyan eyes gleaming with understanding. “So too, you see what seems to be, yet strangeness lingers, much like me.” Ryan blinked at her words before tilting his head slightly. “Wait… you’re saying you have normal sheep here?” He leaned forward, nearly cause Cattiva to topple over if he wasn’t holding her so tight. “Like, actual, regular, fluffy sheep?” Zecora gave a slow nod. “Indeed, we do, they graze and roam—no sparks, no tricks, just fields their home.” “Huh. Alright, so that’s a first.” She leans back in his chair. “Looks like questions keep piling up for me.” The zebra nodded, her expression contemplative. “For me as well, these thoughts now grow—of things once heard, of truths unknown.” She paused, her gaze drifting over Ryan, as if seeing him in a new light. “A friend once spoke, with wisdom clear, of creatures strange across a mirror near.” Ryan arched a brow, sitting up slightly. “A mirror?” Zecora’s eyes lingered on him, a flicker of realization crossing her face. “A portal vast, of glass so bright—where forms do change yet stay in sight.” Her gaze sharpened. “And now I look, and now I see… the shape they wear is much like thee.” “Wait, hold on” Ryan frowned “Are you saying I look like those creatures? The ones from the mirror?” He gestured to himself. “Like, this?” The zebra shook her head, her expression thoughtful. “My eyes have not seen through the glass, but wisdom shared still comes to pass.” She tapped a hoof lightly against the wooden floor. “A friend of mine, with mind so keen, has walked that path and knows what’s seen.” The young man leans back, his eyes unfocused. "Geeze...and I thought the portal I went though to get here was weird..." The zebra’s ears perked slightly at his words, her sharp eyes narrowing with interest. “A portal strange, a path unknown—yet here you stand, yet not alone.” She studied him carefully. “Then tell me, traveler, if you may—what kind of road led you this way?” Ryan let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his head. “It's a long story…you got time?” Zecora gave a knowing smile, settling herself onto a cushion across from him. “The night is young, the fire bright—so speak your tale, and share your plight.” "Alright…” The man leaned back “So…everything kinda starts with me sailing on the deep blue sea…”
