Diffrent Paths

Ownership to My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is credited to Hasbro only.

Fair.

What is fair?

Is it a set of scenarios that go with what you think is right?

Is it a set of  things that are reasonable for you?

Or maybe something that would abide by rules that were told to you?

I’m unsure of how anything could be fair at times, as it’s a given for certain situations. In truth, nothing is truly fair or unfair, as things just happen.

that’s how I’ve taken my life, with understanding. Or, as much understanding as one could have. Even if it’s beyond my understanding, I still try to grasp what I can and use that to further my take on such things. If I cant, then I’ll move on with what little findings I have and hope something will present itself to show me what it means to understand it.

But sometimes, there’s just no reasoning with how something is fair or not, because you cant be sure if it is.

Or, that’s how I see it at the moment.

The reason behind this comes in the form of me finding a mirror and do the supposed impossible.

Fall thru it and into somewhere else.

-(Different Paths)-

Pain wasn’t the first thing that greeted the figure laying on the ground, but confusion. Questions of where, how and what rushed thru his head at a fast speed, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

He struggled to sit up, feeling more off then he should have. What ever concerns he had of the past were soon gone with this new -and rather odd- feeling.

Legs, arms, neck, chest, head, feet- it all felt off. It was hard to explain, but he knew something was off about it.

‘Fingers.’ That lone thought seemed to echo in his mind and cause alarm.

‘Why cant I feel them? Or move them?’ He asked himself, moving his arm up to check one of his hands.

Only they weren’t hands. In fact, they were far from being hands. More like a stump. With outlines. And rather colorful.

His breathing hitched in his throat at the sight before him, using what logic he had to figure out why his hand was a…a…

‘Hoof?’ Was the conclusion in his mind ‘My hand, is now a cartoon drawn Hoof?’

The first thought he had was to look over himself, but decided to hold off on that and took a deep breath with closed eyes while thinking ‘Alright, keep calm. don’t panic. And keep an open mind’.

With new focus he turned his sights down his…new body reminiscing to a cartoon horse. His coat was a nice brown, with thicker outlines being a darker brown. Around his neck and dangling around his chest was his plaid tan and black scarf, still in a cartoon like look. Just beyond his new hind legs was a almost black tail. That only left one concern left.

With a quick glance up, he spotted the brim of his grey Irish cap. Granted, it was cartoonized too, but that was a small detail. With a content sigh he begin to look around and take note of his surroundings.

Dark and foreboding forest was the first thing to greet him, with fog impairing his sight and trees to further block any way of seeing further, he felt…unnerved. But at the same time, it was less threatening then most horror based movies and shows as this place had a very peaceful cartoon look to it.

“Well,” He started, glancing about the strange forest surrounding him “This is pleasant.”

Rolling to his stomach with some effort and arranging his legs under himself, he carefully begun to stand.

All four legs shook with some effort, as he began to rework his balance in his head. His forelegs were the most easiest, being similar to his arms, and hooves being hands curled into fits. It was his hind legs that gave him the most difficulty. It took him a few seconds to figure out how to relate hind legs to a human body.

‘Alright…I’m thinking this the wrong way.’ He calmly stated puzzling out his idea ‘I need to find similarities between a human leg and a horse leg.’ The only question was how?

After all the horse has three solid points and three jointed spots, while a human had two solids and two joints,  it wasn’t the-

‘No, wait!’ Was a sudden thought.

‘There is a similarity, a small one, but similar!’ And with that he ran it thru his minds eye.

‘If I were to think of my toes as the hoof and my foot as the extra leg part…’ Slowly he ran the image thru his head and carefully felt his hind legs by making them tense.

In all reality, this was just to help understand how to use the leg. But the likely hood of him walking off all right and dandy was not there. So it wasn’t a real surprise that when he started walking, he stumbled a lot. At one point the actually tripped and fell a bit because his hind leg caught a rock. Or he would almost fall because he didn’t put enough strength into one of his legs correctly.

‘At least I didn’t try standing like a normal person.’ He thought with a chuckle, imagining himself falling on his face from trying that.

From there he wandered the forest around him, trying to find a path or way out as he did. He never truly had a good sense of direction, and would more then likely get crushed under something rather then find a way out.

Almost suddenly did his ears twitch and move around, a sensation he was still trying to get use too. He could hear something, but where? Looking around he couldn’t see anything, but it was getting louder. Sounded like…rumbling?

Then his last comment about stuff falling came back to him.

Glancing up quickly, he spotted rock and dirt falling towards him, and more quickly then he liked. Thinking quickly himself, he rushed away from the impact sight and behind a nearby rock before they crashed on the ground he was at.

“That was close…” He remarked, while trying to calm his beating heart and rushing adrenalin. Only for it to pick back up with a sudden scream breaking thru the air. Glanced back up, he could make out a purple…body, falling from the cliff side he was almost crushed under. His first thought was to rush and help, but his Logical side very much told him it wouldn’t survive a fall that high, or he would be crushed from trying to catch said thing.

Thankfully, he didn’t need to worry much further as two other things, both butter-yellow and cyan in color rushed in and caught the purple thing.

Being so distracted by this, he didn’t notice the two visitors making there way to him.

“Excuse us.” Was what the first said, surprising him. Normally he would turn around quickly to look at who was calling to him, but quickly forgot he had an extra pair of legs. This only sent him falling to the ground, as he tripped over his own hooves.

“…Ow…” He stated a bit dryly, not being in any real pain. It was only a small trip after all.

This was quickly met with some giggling that was soon cut off by a scolding voice, both sounding feminine  in nature.

“Pinkie, it’s not nice to laugh at others misfortune.” The voice itself sounding refined.

“I know, but the way he said it was funny!” This time a higher pitch and bubbling voice came in “Oh, and sorry for laughing at you like that.”

“No, no. It’s fine.” He said, trying to get back up “My fault for not paying any attention. Or being careful.”

Any further embarrassment he would of made was cut short when a pair off hooves, both white and pink helped him up.

“Thanks.” He muttered, not to happy with struggling on the ground like some infant. It was now that he looked up to the new comers did him mind almost lock up.

Before him were two horses, just like him. Well, almost like him.

“Not a problem dear.” Said the white Mare before him, holding the same refined voice from before. Besides her being able to talk, she had a stylized purple main and tail that both curled, as well as eye shadow with blue eyes hiding right under the eyelashes. Oh, and she had a horn on her forehead.

‘She’s a Unicorn…no, correction, she’s a cartoon Unicorn.’ He blinked, trying to keep his mind moving.

“Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie!” The other one by her side was a pink Mare, with a darker pink mane and tail that proofed up like cotton candy. Her face showed a brilliant grin and shinning blue eyes that were a lighter shade then her friends.

“And this is Rarity!” She pointed to the Unicorn who looked at Pinkie Pie a bit irritated for not letting to introduce herself, but let it go.

“Mark.” He said simply, still in shock a bit.

With a smile “Rarity” brought her hoof up saying “It’s a pleasure to meet you Mark.”

Mark himself mentally shook his head to just forget logic for now and go with what going on and brought his hoof up too. “Same here, although it could have been better considering the circumstances.” He replied surprised her hoof griped to his for a Hoof-shake.

Any further introductions were cut off when four more horses came trotting up to them, with the exception of one cyan colored one with rainbow mane and tail that was-

‘There’s Pegasi here too! What’s next Pegacorns?’ Mark thought with slightly wide eyes that soon relaxed into a more controlled state. This was all confusing, but he would figure it all out latter. Right now these lot would maybe help with his little dilemma.

“Hey, who are you pal?” Asked the Pegasus that had rushed right up to Mark as soon as she saw him, pressing her nose to his and making him sit on his hunches.

His balance was still being calibrated in his brain however, making him tumbled onto his back.

‘Great, now I feel like a turtle.’ He thought as the scowling Mare landed above him, effectively pinning him down.

“Well, are you going to answer me?” She harshly asked putting her face up to his again.

“Rainbow Dash! What in Equstria are you doing!?” Rarity yelled at “Rainbow Dash” Who only looked back at her with surprise.

“What am I doing? What were you doing!” She shouted back “Who knows who this guy is, he could be working for that Nightmare Moon Pony!”

Mark looked at her confused, but didn’t say a word. Now was a good time to keep quiet and hear what was going on.

Rarity looked surprised before Pinkie said “Why’d you say that Dashy?” Looking at Mark with her own confusion.

Rolling her eyes she explained “Why else would he be out here in the Everfree?”

It was at this moment the others finally came up with another Unicorn, being purple with a dark purple main and tail with pink highlights walked up to Dash. “Rainbow Dash, why’d you- oh, who’s this?”

As if remembering he was there, Rainbow looked back down to Mark with a glare and almost yelled “Well, who are you?”

Before Mark could open his mouth with a response, an orange Mare with golden straw colored mane and tail tied in pony tails and stetson on her head yelled “For lan’s sakes Rainbow, no need t’ go an’ pin the Pony down like some wolf!”

Again, ignoring Mark for another, Rainbow Dash turned towards the other “Pony” getting off Mark a bit and argued “AJ, he could be working for that Mare in the moon for all we know!”

“An’ fer all ya know, he could be just some traveler lost!” She countered while Mark scooted away quietly before struggling back up.

“Since when does anypony travel at night? In the Everfree Forest!” The Pegasus shot back. In the background, Mark just watched them continue before catching sight of another Pegasus, this one being a butter-yellow with long graceful pink main and tail.

‘You know, now that I think about it, those things I saw earlier could have been them.’ He thought, deciding to go and say hi while he waited for them to finish there little squabble.

“Girls, Girls!” The purple Unicorn shouted “Need I remind you that the longer we stand around, the more time for Nightmare Moon has to beat us to the Elements!”

By now Mark had made it to the other Pegasus who was looking between her bickering friends and the Stallion that was getting closer.

‘WhatdoIdo?whatdoIdo?WhatdoIdo!!’ Was her frantic thoughts as he got closer. When her was just a few hoof steps away, he looked to her, then to the others, and back to her. Then smiled a bit with a small  wave. And almost fall from standing on only three legs.

“Twilights right, Rainbow. So stop with this foalish behavior and be nice!” Rarity chide to her wigged friend, who only glared at her.

Still outside the shouting brigade, Mark and the other Pegasus stayed silent, the former trying to think of what to say and the latter trying to keep calm.

“So…” Mark tried to say, only to get a sudden “Eep!” from the now reveled to be shy Pegasus who lowered herself a bit and almost hid behind her mane.

‘Wow she’s skittish.’ He noted, lowering himself a bit. He could tell she relaxed a little at that. “Hi, I’m Mark.” Mark smiled while using a more softer voice “What’s yours?”

Both his ears perked as she softly answered “I’m flu..hy.” Backing away slightly.

Frowning a little he sighed a little and said “I’m sorry if I frighten you.” Getting a response in the form of her ears perking up “Would it help if I didn’t stand up so high?” He asked softly, as he stood about a hoof or two higher then her. She nodded a bit, more out of surprise then anything.

With her answer given, he decided to go on and lay down and relax a bit. He still didn’t know her name, but that didn’t matter at the moment. But he had to ask just to be sure “Please don’t take this wrong but, you’re a Pegasus right?”

She nodded, not trusting her voice at the moment, while looking up more and revealing her bright blue eye to him that shined with innocence.

‘ADORABLE!!’ Was the loud blaring noise in Marks head, but restrained his body from hugging her. He doesn’t know what it is about adorable things and humans at times. It confused him.

“I’ve never seen a Pegasus before.” He told her as confusion showed on her face “You could say there’s none where I come from.”

“Nice? don’t you find it suspicious he’s right here after the cliff fell apart?” Came another shout from the group.

“RD, don’t go pointin’ hooves at others cuz’ ya don’t know th’ full story.” AJ said.

Tapping her chin Twilight said “I don’t know…Rainbow brings up a point…”

“Ha, told ya!” Rainbow hooted, pumping her hoof.

Only to deflate with what the Unicorn said next “But Applejacks right too. We don’t know his side of the story.”

“Alright then…” Rainbow began before whirling around “Then tell us why your-” And pointed a hoof at a now empty space where the Stallion was a moment ago.

“Where’d he go?” She asked dumbly, before franticly looking around with her friends who did the same. When they spotted him, they were slightly surprised.

There he was, laying in the grass and talking with Fluttershy and holding a conversation…somewhat. He would say a few sentences, and she would say a few words. She still stuttered a little, but besides that, wasn’t overly scared.

“I know, do you like jokes?” He asked her before getting a nod to continue “What sort of flower kisses you when you go to smell it?”

For a moment she thought before shaking her head. It was a simple joke, but he still got a kick from it “A tulip!”

She soon giggled into her hoof at the joke and was joined with Pinkie, who was laughing next to her suddenly scaring her “HAHAHA! A Tulip! I got to remember that one!”

Blinking a few time he asked “How’d you get there so fast?” It made no sense, it was just the Pegasus one moment. Then you blink she’s there. Just there!

“I walked here, duh.” Pinkie said as if it was the most simplest thing. Then again, he considered the whole place looking cartoonish, so maybe some of them would act cartoonish? It would make sense.

“Anyways.” The purple Unicorn said getting Marks attention “My name is Twilight Sparkle.” She introduced herself.

“Over there is Applejack.” She gestured to her right, with said farmer tipping her hat in a friendly gesture, that Mark returned with his own hat.

Gesturing to her left she introduced “This is Rainbow Dash.” As the Pegasus continued to glare suspiciously at Mark “And you seem to already know Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy.”

Looking around at each friendly face, besides Dash, Mark gave a small bow “Names Mark.” And descended into silence.

“And…” Twilight pressed.

“And…?” Mark questioned tilting his head slightly and cocking a brow.

Blinking for a moment she continued “Why are you out here in the Everfree?” Gesturing around them “Are you lost or something?”

“Lost, pff~” He huffed playfully before getting up and posing suddenly by all legs out wide and right fore hoof pointed up into the sky saying “I was Exploring!”

Silence once more descended upon them all, working this new bit of information.

“Then got lost.” Only to slightly lose there footing at the last bit.

“So ya’ll are lost?” Applejack confirmed with him as he nodded.

Flying closer to him, but not as close as before, Rainbow ventured “What about Nightmare Moon?”

Looking to her and giving another confused look he responded “Nightmare who?”

“Nightmare Moon. The Mare in the moon, evil ruler of the night that wants to plunge the world into everlasting night, the boogie mare herself?” Pinkie sufficed cheerfully.

“Ah.” He curtly nodded. “Never heard of her.”

“WHAT!?” They all shouted, though you couldn’t hear Fluttershy.

Mark, at there shout, had covered his ears after they glued themselves to his skull and muttered “No need to yell in unison, Geez!”

“How could you not know who she is?” Rainbow questioned, only to get a shrug as if he didn’t know, and in a way say he didn’t really care.

“Just don’t.” He stated before adding “Not from ‘round here anyways.”

“Well, if that’s the case then it wouldn’t be surprising if you didn’t know her. She was imprisoned for a thousand years.” Twilight reasoned, getting Mark to remark mostly himself “Hope she wasn’t stuck with cable.”

They all heard him and looked at him strongly before explaining “Joke from back home.”

They only nodded to that a bit before he asked “You said something about eternal night or other?”

This time Dash flew right up to him “Yeah, she somehow took the Princesses place and started to say she was going to never let the sun rise again so she can have eternal night!”

“And this is a good idea…why?” He asked.

“It’s not, that’s why we’re making our way thru here. To find the Elements and stop Nightmare Moon before she gets them.” Twilight stated with the others nodding.

For a moment he stopped to look at each while thinking ‘Alright, apparently I am in a world inhabited not by horses, but Ponies of three spices. Also, these six Mares are waltzing thru a dark forest that is probably filled with perils of doom, to stop a tyrant bent on world domination by making night time, all the time.’ He summarized in mere moments ‘Did I miss anything?…oh yeah! I’m also a Pony and have been in said body for a short time and a history that would land me in the loony bin.’

With his thoughts sorted out he asked “Mind if I come with?”

Before any objections could be made, Pinkie jumped in rather excitedly “Oh, oh, oh! Are you coming to help us to!”

“Truthfully.” He said calmly, trying to push the impossibility of her moving so fast out of his mind “No.” Making her stop mid bounce. He made no comment on that.

But did smirk and say “But I’m sure if you ask nicely I would.”

On an instant she was on her knees with both hooves together and saying in the most sweetest voice and combining it with the dreaded “Puppy eyes” that seemed to have more effect with her being a Pony with big eyes “Would you pwease help us?” And now she was baby talking too.

‘Must…resist…urge…to…HUG!’ With a sigh he responded calmly with “Considering you asked so nicely, sure.” And got trapped in a powerful hug.

“Thank you!” She cheered.

Mark, however, was going blue in the face wheezing “Ribs…breaking…air…need!” While thinking ‘Perhaps I should rethink this course of action before it coasts me.’

His thoughts were soon cut off as he was dropped like a sack of potatoes, as she bouncing away happily.

For a time five Mares and one recuperating Stallion stayed where they were before Mark got up with a few more greedy breaths.

“Wowzers, she has a grip!” The victim of the hug exclaimed, brushing off bits of dirt.

A chuckle came from his right as Applejack made her was past his saying “Ya, tha’ filly certainly does. I’d say they’re as strong as ‘er Cupcakes are sweet!”

“I’ll take your word for it, because I don’t want to risk comparing the two.” He said fallowing beside her.

“An’ why’d you say tha’?” She asked with a smile that seemed to scream neighborly.

“Lets just say I would like to keep my rib cage from imploding.”

-(Different Paths)-

For a while nothing really eventful happened as they made there way thru the Everfree Forest. Mark did find it a little strange for the girls to almost jump at everything or suddenly keep there eyes on one spot before moving. To him it was like another peaceful nature hike. Sure at the beginning it was foreboding, but he got use to that after an hour or something. After all, the only thing he knew of that would worry them would be Bears.

It was also at this time they all stopped at Twilights gasp an alarmed “A Manticore!”

*RRRROOOOAAARRRR!!!* It held itself up on its hind legs, spreading its forelegs out in a threat display.

“You’ve got to be kidding me…” Was all Mark could mutter before Twilight said “We’ve got to get past it!”

“What!” He wasn’t pleased with the idea himself.

At that moment the large cat with bat wings and scorpion tail jumped at them, swinging one of its paws at Rarity, who ducked quickly and retaliated with a quick buck to its jaw.

“Take that you ruffian!” She boasted with confidence.

The beast soon rounded back on her and roared in her face, forcing her back a bit from the force. When she returned to a stable stance, her mane puffed up into what could be described as a badly combed afro.

“My hair!” She wined looking up to it before the big cats growl brought her back to reality and sent her running back to the rest, passing Fluttershy who quietly said “Wait!”

The Manticore didn’t stay still, opting to chase after the Unicorn. It was stopped as some extra weight made itself known, as Applejack gripped the bright red mane after jumping on its back.

“YEEEEHAAW!” She wooped as the Manticore tried to force her off “Get along, lil’ doggy!”

Another quite, but more louder “Wait!” Was sounded by Fluttershy, who held her hoof out.

“What are you trying to say?” Mark asked, crawling to her, trying to stay under the Lion-bat-arachnid- thing’s radar.

Before she could respond, the Manticore finally tossed the orange Pony off. Seeing this Mark turned around saying “Sorry, be right back!” going in to catch her. He did say he would help after all.

He watched as she flew by Rainbow, who saluted to her and flew to the Maticore next. He didn’t bother looking around, only stop at the crash zone and catching AJ before she crashed.

“Few…thanks partner.” She smiled down to semi crushed Mark.

“No trouble.” He squeaked before getting up.

When he did, he was greeted with a vortex of a rainbow, holding the beast within. Or, it did, until it raised its tail and swatted it down, sending the speedster into a crash course with the ground.

“Rainbow!” Twilight alarmed cry rang at the hit, while Mark was already on an intercept course, making his way thru- and being crushed by a Pegasus this time. Both muttered an “~ow~” at the same time.

‘I know I said I’d help…but I didn’t think I’d be playing landing pad for them…’ Was his lone thought as she got up, gave a quick thanks and charged off.

Lifting his head he took note that she, and four other charging at the Manticore-

“WAIT!!” Fluttershy shouted between both sides leavening both in utter shock.

“Girl has a pair of lungs…” He quipped from where he sat, trying to clear his ear with his hoof.

Feeling he could hear again, he got up and made it over to the rest right as they fletched away, expecting for something messy to happen to the shy Pegasus. Mark only kept looking on, watching in fascination as she soothed it with quite words and soft movement.

It soon turned its left paw over, reveling a rather large thorn in its paw.

‘Must of made it agitated.’ He thought.

“Oh, you poor little baby!” She cooed and making Rainbow rhetorically ask “Little?”

Mark had to agree with her. The thing was three times there size!

Soon enough she pulled the thorn out, making it roar and causing the others alarm, shouting out the Pegasus’s name in shock. The worry was soon quickly quelled at her giggles and cooing as the big-cat gave her affectionate licks while purring.

Feeling it was safe enough, the others quickly made there way passed, only for both Twilight and Mark to stop to wait for Fluttershy, who was now sporting a new hair style, courtesy of her new furry friend.

“How’d you know about the thorn?” Twilgiht asked as the shy Pegasus made her way past her.

“I didn’t.” She stated “Some time we just need to be shown a little kindness.”

Leaving a thoughtful Twilight and a smiling Mark, who couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Whats so funny?” She asked, feeling a little better with his amusement showing as he said “She’s something special. I was scared of the fur bag, and what does she do?”

Looking to the unicorn he grinned “She just walks right up to it like nothen’ and helps it out.” He chukled again while walk back to the others, Twilight close behind.

“I tell ya…it’s astonishing with what she did.” Twilgiht smiled at that and nodded in agreement.

After joining back up with the others, and Mark complementing a now blushing Mare hiding behind her mane, they continued to trek on thru the wooded area with a new calm with Fluttershys unique skill.

“Ugh, my eyes need a rest from all this icky muck!” Rarity groaned, squinting her eyes as if the forest was a bright orange.

Almost as if to grant her wish, or stop her whining, it began to get more darker and denser, making it harder to see.

“Well I didn’t mean that latterly.” She spoke while the rest went on alert.

“That ancient ruin could be in front of our faces and we wouldn’t even know it!” Twilight said with worry.

Worry that was squashed with “If that was true, we’d run into it.” Mark said, feeling a glare on the side of his head. He only shrugged it off as no big deal as they continued on.

For the briefest moment, he felt something touch him, and apparently the others too, seeing as they were trying to tell the other to watch were they were stepping before a squish was sounded.

“Oh, wait…” Getting them to all stop at AJ’s voice “I think I stepped in somethen’…”

‘I didn’t think she’d complain about something like that. Then again, if it was Rarity she might have screeched…’ Mark thought with an eye roll. Then proceeded to screw his eyes closed as Fluttershy screeched right next to him.

“It’s just mud…DUGH!!” Came AJ’s panicked voice.

When Mark did open his eyes he was met with the sight of lots of faces made of glowing red lines with sharp teeth, all imbedded in the trees. Somehow, they were all growling and snarling, scaring the girls anew and making Mark put his fore legs over his ears from the girls sonic bombardment.

This was surprising, and maybe a tad unnerving, but not scary at all. Not with the horror films he’s seen, and has yet to be scared by any. Thankfully there screams soon cut off, letting him remove his ear protection to hear…laughter…

Turning there attention to there left they could find Pinkie Pie…making faces at the “Terrifying” tree in front of her, giggling and laughing as she did.

“Pinkie, what are you doing? RUN!” Twilight exclaimed to her friend, trying to get her to move away from it.

The pink pony only laugh replying “Oh, girls don’t you see?” Starting to trot in place and-

‘Wait…’ Mark began to look around a bit confused ‘Is that music i hear?'

“When I was a little filly and the sun was going doooowwn~” Pinkie sung.

‘And she’s singing.’ It didn’t take a genius to figure this out ‘That concludes it, a Musical number.’

“Tell me she’s not…” Twilgiht dragged off as pinkie popped above there left “The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frowoown~” And popping above there right. upside-down.

“She is…” Rarity confirmed.

Hopping behind them she continued to sing “I’d hide under my Pillow, from what I saw~”

“But Granny Pie said that wasn’t the way, to deal with fears at all~”

“Then what is?” Rainbow asked, suddenly getting a close view of pinkie who sung “She said “Pinkie, you got to stand up tall! Learn to face your fears. You’ll see, that they cant hurt you, just laugh to make them disappear!”~”

Then facing one of the trees she gave three basic “Ha, Ha, Ha.”

And like that, it proofed away. With pink smoke and some springy sound effect.

“SO~” As she sung on Mark walked up to one of them curiously.

“Giggle at the ghostly~” Fluttershy went up nervously at first before giggling, making it poof away with yellow smoke, while Mark observed.

“Gupple at the grossly~” Rainbow was next, laughing at the tree that proofed her color and back to normal.

“Crack up at the Creepy~” Rarity was after her, with the same result.

“Whoop it up with the weepy~” And again it worked with the whooping Applejack that had spring boarded off of Pinkies back.

“Chortle at the kooky~” He could hear Twilight laughing to herself as Pinkie pushed her to a tree to try too. Mark turned back to the tree before him, not finding it amusing enough to laugh at. Good thing he had an imagination.

“Snordal at the spooky~” With his mind at work, he placed the tree in a green spandex, gave it a salmon nose, two eyebrows made of confetti and a goatee before barking out in laughter from the absurdity of it. And with a rather large brown poof, the face was gone.

“And to tell that big, dumb, scary,facetotakeahikeandleaveyoualoneandifhecanscareyouhe’sgotanoutherthingcomming- and the very idea of such a thing wanna…HAHAHAHAHA…OH~HAHAHAHA!!!” She laughed, somehow saying all those words.

With one last gasp of air, she let out her final “LLLLLAAAAAAUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHH~”

From there all of them, excluding Mark who had gotten himself under control of his rampant imagination, fell to the ground laughing to themselves. All the earlier pent up stress and worry seemed to wash way as they just let the contagion known as laughter run thru them.

Watching them just lay there laugh, Mark couldn’t help but chuckle a bit himself and silently think that they may not need him for any sort of help.

“Alright you lot!” He called to them, stifling there laughter a bit “Now that Capt. Giggle-me-might here,” He pointed to Pinkie who just laughed at her new nickname “Is done getting us to unwind, I suggest we get moving.”

With all around nods, and hardly contained laugh, Capt. Giggle-me-might took the lead and bounced ahead with the others fallowing in an orderly line.

That was until they stopped again, with Pinkie holding up the suddenly stacking ponies behind her as she asked “How are we going to cross that?”

This question was met with six head popping up from behind her to get a look at the violent water turning before them in the river.

‘I hate water.’ Mark shivered slightly, already looking for another way around.

“Do you hear that?” He asked suddenly, getting the others to listen. Fallowing the noise back up the river, they could quickly tell the noise was weeping. And from the new sight before them, the rapidly turning water was being caused by a large purple water serpent that had a full head of orange and half a mustache.

“What a world, What a world!” He cried in despair, slamming his fists into the water while the rest of his body failed about, keeping the water in its violent state.

“Excuse me sir!” Twilight called, making her way out of the bushes they had just come thru “Why are you crying?”

Looking down at them, making Mark slightly nervous, he responded “Well, I don’t know! I was just sitting here, minding my own business.”

“When this…tacky little cloud of purple smoke just-” And with a quick motion with his arm, he made the air make a zip noise further explaining “Wiz past me and tore off half my beloved mustache, clean off!”

Mark lifted a brow along with Applejack, while the others save Rarity looked a bit more…confused.

“And now, I simply look…” Going straight up, he put out his arms and fell back yelling “HORRID!” Sending a title-wave at them.

Mark, seeing the signings, ran to the furthest point, leavening a confused AJ before she and the others all got soaked.

Peeking around the tree he took cover behind, he found five rather angry Mares, and one concerned one. Although, only four of them were glare at the serpent, Applejack was sending hers at Mark who only gave a week smile while trotting back.

“Oh give me a break…” Rainbow grumbled while an equally annoyed Applejack asked “That’s what all the fuss is about?”

“Well of coarse it is!” Rarity exclaimed “How could you be so insensitive?”

Walking up between the two, Mark look between the two, who looked equally confused and asked “Think there related somehow?”

While Applejack looked at him blankly, still angry from him not telling her of the super soaking. Dash however, couldn’t help but sinker into her hoof.

It was then a surprise to the Stallion when Both Unicorns seemed to light there horns for a moment and disperse some of the water off themselves.

“Well, ain’t tha’ a neat trick?” AJ commented as Twilight help dry her and the others off a bit while hearing Rarities little speech.

“Oh, just look at him.” She walked right to and ran her hoof over his chin “Such luminescent scales!”

With a sniffle, he replied “I know…”

“Your expertly quant  mane.” She continued, perking Marks interest at her use of words that seemed to get him to straighten up.

“Oh, I know, I know!” He agreed, brushing the thick orange hair back, putting some lose strains back into place.

Looking up with admiration, she went on “Your fabulously manicure.”

He gasped rather happily saying “It’s so true!”

Mark was getting the feeling the drama queen had some skill in manipulation. Either that or she was a lawyer before all this.

“All ruined without your beautiful mustache!” She finalized with critical eye, and sending him back into a wail fest.

“It’s true I’m hideous!” Covering his head with his lanky arms with a level of shame.

“I simply cannot let such a crime ageist fabulosity go uncorrected!” Rarity proclaimed and rather harshly tore out one of his scales.

He yelped at the sudden removal of one of his scale and shed a tear asking “What did you do that for?”

Again Mark looked on in interest with the others joining in with Twilight questioning “Rarity what are you-” Her words were cut off when Rarity brought the surprisingly sharp scale back down in a cutting motion.

Right then the water serpent wail and fainted onto the ground as the last strains of  Rarity’s tail fell to the ground.

‘Alright, why was I intimidated by a large aquatic serpentine creature that faints when some hair gets cut?’ Mark questioned himself, feeling a bit silly.

Again, Rarity’s horn glowed a light blue before her cut off tail was enveloped in the same aura and floated to the serpent, merging with the section that was cut off. Looking it over, he could not help but express his gratitude to Rarity.

Twilight didn’t stall in showing the calm waters and begin traversing one of more shallow areas. Mark only got up to the ridge, glaring at the seemingly harmless liquid before there new serpent friend made himself as a bridge, letting them both cross and keep dry.

It was when he reached the other side with Rainbow before he asked “Hey Dash.”

“Yea?” She responded with a slight edge in her voice.

“You’re a Pegasus right?” He inquired.

“Yea…” She dragged on while they fallowed the group and asking a question herself “What do you think these babies are for?” Flaring her wings.

Looking them over he shrugged and said “I guess for fly over things like violently turning water.” With a straight face.

“That’s right, there-” She tried to brag, only to stop as she realized what he said and face-hoofed and asked herself ‘How did I miss that?’

Mark took note of her realizing what he said and chuckled to himself again. ‘These Ponies are more lively then the lot back home.’ He noted with a smile ‘If this isn’t really a dream I’m in, then I don’t need to worry about boredom.’ He hated getting board, as it caused him to do…rather drastic things that he would prefer not to name.

It wasn’t long before they finally reached there destination “There it is!” With Twilight exclaiming happily “There’s the ruins that hold the Elements of Harmony. We made it!” and rushed off towards it.

“Twilight, wait for use!” Applejack called, as both her and the others rushed. As they did Mark got a curious look on his face and asked “That chasm has a bridge right?”

“Well of course it dose. Why wouldn’t it?” Rainbow asked.

With a shrug he stated “Just asking, because I don’t see one, do you?” He told her before yelling “Twilight, Slow down!”

“We’re almost there!” She called back excitedly, right before her eyes widened in fear as her next steps touched nothing but air.

“Whoa!” She cried, just barely dangling off the edge and trying to backpedal away from the very long drop. She didn’t have to worry to long as Rainbow understood what Mark said and rushed up to pull the Unicorn back by her tail.

With smirk she asked “What’s with you and falling off cliffs today?” But didn’t get a response from a slightly in shock Pony.

“Maybe ol’ Murphy decided to mess with her survival rate today instead of mine.” Mark theorized, patting and rubbing the Unicorn on her back to help ease her nerves.

Walking up to the edge and down it, Pinkie asked “Now what?”

Looking to the pink Pony, Dash opened her wings, using them and getting her attention say “Duh.” Flexing them to emphasize ad taking off.

“Oh yea.” Pinkie smiled, watching RD go up and arc downwards and flying under the cloud cover before resurfacing with the other end of the bridge.

They all brightly smiled as she pulled what she could and readied to tie it fast, but stopped before looking around. At the same moment the surrounding fog and clouds began to haze over the area more and more, cutting there vision.

‘Alright, first they fall from a cliff. Then a Manticore attacks. Illusionary Trees…A nitpicky Sea Supant, now cloud cover as…’ There was a saying back home. There’s no such thing as a coincidence. And Mark had a sneaking feeling this was one of those times a saying was to spot on.

Focusing his eyes as much as he could, he could hear Twilight shouting next to him in her own concern “Rainbow, what’s taking so long?”

“Twilight?” He started still squinting “Do you know why there’s three more Pegasi over there?”

Looking more carefully herself, she muttered a quick “Oh, no.” Before franticly shouting “Rainbow, Rainbow!”

The smaller of the three glared at them and on an instant the fog began to rush before them to cut off there view as Twilight yelled one last “Don’t listen to them!”

From there they waited. Exchanging worried looks with one another wondering what was happening beyond there sight.

And thankfully not to long, Dash flew thru the fog, parting it away from the bridge, making the others cheer and pile onto there new way over. With Twilight taking the lead, Rainbow glided next to her with a smile told her “See, I never leave my friends hangin’.”

It didn’t take any longer to walk in and find a pedestal with five spheres made of stone and gems carved into there sides.

“Come on Twi, isn’t this what your wai’n for?” Applejack asked as she and the others stared at it.

“The Elements of Harmony. We’ve found them!” She happily said know she was only a few hoof steps away from stopping Nightmare Moon and bringing back Celestia.

Carefully, Both Fluttershy and Rainbow flew up and gathered each one, presenting it before Twilight as Pinkie counted them out.

“One, two, three, four… there’s only five? Where’s the six?” She frowned in confusion with the others join in.

“You mean there’s suppose to be six?” Mark asked before saying to himself “It better not be in another castle.”

“No, according to the book: the sixth element will reveal itself when it’s given the spark.” Twilight iterated while expecting the Element before her.

With a scrunched up face Applejack asked “What the hay, tha’ suppose ta mean?”

“I’m not sure but I have an idea.” Twilight told them while laying before one of the Elements that Mark was looking over too.

‘What are these Elements suppose to do? From what I gleaned form them, it was to eradicate this Moon character.’

Looking to each one he tried to puzzle out the meaning ‘The sixth would show when a spark is used. But is this a metaphor or an actual spark of fire or thunder?’

“Stand back.” Twilight warned, breaking him out his thoughts “I don’t know what will happen.”

‘Those words usually are fallowed by a explosion.’ Mark thought, rushing away and saying “Twi, maybe you should make a little distance between you and them?”

She looked up to him with a questioning gaze as he elaborated “Incase of explosions?” And rolled her eyes and focus at what she was doing, igniting her horn a brilliant shade of violet.

“Come on Ya’ll. She need to concentrate.” AJ ordered, before grabbing Marks scarf and pulling him with.

“Hey, why am I being tugged along, shouldn’t at least one of us stay and keep an eye on her?” He protested.

“No. Sh’ll bh figh.” She muffled thru the cloth, still dragging the surprisingly light Stallion along with little trouble. Maybe she should invite him over to get some meat on his bones.

“But isn’t this the part where the Villain or in this case, Nightmare Moon, would take advantage of her being alone with the Elements found for her and rip for the taking?” With that said, all the Mares stopped and looked back at him surprised asking an unasked question of “How would you know?”

“If your wondering, I’ll put it simply. From what I’ve seen with you lot so far, there has been to many obstacles aimed at us. First was that land slide that I saw you all fall from, and almost crush me. Then battling a big ol’ furball-”

“Manticore.” Fluttershy whispered.

“Correction, fought a Manticore. get thru some strange trees with what I think were illusions. get past water that would have been a hazard to our health to cross. And finally…” At this he looked to Rainbow for her explanation as she said “They offered me a chance to become the leader of there group, the Shadow Bolts, if I went with them and left all of you.”

“That further proves my thoughts then.” He stated.

“What do you mean, surly you don’t suggest…” Rarity started, but was cut off by Mark “That Nightmare set each one up to slow us down. Then yes.” He nodded.

“And if I was the bad guy, always being ahead of my opponents, then I would have the chance of getting what there after. But instead here we are, where she’s suppose to be already. Why didn’t Nightmare take the Elements?”

From there they seemed to understand what he was saying and turned back running to her. Mark, was soon dragged along by the strong farm Pony, sliding and skidding a crossed the ground.

They came in just in time to see Twilight jump into a shadowy vortex made of smoke with all five Elements caught in it before vanishing.

“Twilight!”

Immediately they all panicked for her safety and began to search around the area, with AJ dropping Mark who painfully thumped on the ground with his face. Getting up and shaking his head, he glanced about the room himself before locking onto a tower.

“One of you, please tell me that tower is lit up, or that’s just my concussion talking.” His unintentional joke aside, all eyes looked to the only tower in the area and began to run to it.

With Fluttershy lagging behind to help Mark up. “Are you alright?” She asked as he shook his head.

“Yeper…just a headache.” He murmured before focusing on the others that were making there way out

“This way, Hurry!” Applejack shouted taking the lead.

Taking one last look at the Tower and Fluttershy’s worried face as she took of in a low flight, Mark took a few deep breaths and charged.

Applejack and the others were almost half way to the tower when Mark began to pass her up ordering “Tipple time girls, I wont settle for a slow double time!” and began to speed up. And stop.

“Why haven’t they invented an elevator yet?” He asked no one in particular before making his way up the steps very clumsily. Just when walking, and in turn running were established, that Nightmare Moon had to go and whisk herself away to the top of a tower!

Oh, he was going to have some choice words for her.

“What happed to Tipple time, huh Mark?” Rainbow smirked, flying up the steps.

“As much as I would like to banter with you.” He panted, not use to long runs, but short and quick sprints “I have to say, save it for latter. Twilight needs help now.”

With a huff, Dash looped her hooves around his thin waist and lifted his more then should be light body.

“What the hay! Do you eat anything?” She asked while flying up at the same pace the others were climbing.

“Only when needed.” He replied before adding “Oh, and thanks for the lift.”

When they reached more then half way up did the girls begin to shout to Twilight, letting her know they were coming. It was also around this time Mark was dropped back down and continued his climb with them. After hearing there calls to Twilight, he decided to pitch in.

Taking a deep breath and readying his voice, he bellowed with a slightly deeper vice “HOLD ON TWI, THE CALVARY’S A’ COMMIN!”

While they still rushed, they all stared at him as if he grew another head for a moment before continuing there calls.

“You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony just like that?” They heard Twilight say while coming to the final steps and seeing her face a-

‘Pegacorn…there’s a black, blue armored Pegacorn…’ Mark thought, remembering a stray thought from when he met this little group hours ago.

“Well your wrong!” Mark shook that thought aside as he and the girls made there way to Twilight who was now Preaching to a surprised Pegacorn.

“Because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony, are right here!” She proclaimed, as shards that were at the armored feet of Nightmare Moon shook and glowed before rising off the ground and around her, shocking her further.

“What?!” Alarm and fear showed on her features and her silted eyes darted about each shard began to make there way towards them.

“Applejack: who reassured me during my time of doubt, represents the Spirit of Honisty!” Shards soon floated to Applejack, orbiting her and glowed with power as they moved.

“Fluttershy: who tamed the Manticore with her compassion, represents the Spirit of Kindness!” As the next set of shards wizzed towards her, Fluttershy floated away out of fear before relaxing as they softly floated around her.

“Pinkie Pie: Who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the Spirit of Laughter!” Pinkie herself became excided, standing on her hind legs with a goofy grin before hoping up with pink shard cercal her and land on all four as if posing for an audience with the shards around her.

“Rarity: Who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the Spirit of Generosity!” Rarity herself Looked down at the dark Purple shards, admiring there beauty as they shined in the darkened room they stood in.

“And Rainbow Dash, who could not Abandon her friends for her own hearts desire, represents the Spirit of Loyalty!” Dash Flew in place Calmer then how she acted then before, letting the crimson shards dance around her as she sized up her opponent.

“The spirits of these Five Ponies got us thru every challenge you threw at us!” Twilight finished before a “Hey!” sounded in the background by Mark.

“What about me?” He quickly added.

“You’re a hitch hiker, you don’t count.” She called back to him leisurely before looking back to the black Pegacorn.

‘Ouch, burn…’ He thought with a small grimace at the cold shoulder she was giving him.

“You still don’t have the Sixth Element!” Nightmare hastily countered, looking around franticly for it “The Spark didn’t work!” She reasoned to Twilight.

“But it did.” She countered “A different kind of Spark. I felt it as soon as I was happy to hear you.” She said turning to the group that traveled with her. Even if she didn’t what them to, she glad in the end “To see you…How much I cared about you!” Looking at each one of them. Even Mark who thought he was getting the cold shoulder, but quickly grind back seeing that soft smile of hers.

“This spark ignited in me when I realized that you all…” She turned back sharply back to Nightmare Moon with a strong voice “Are my Friends!” And just like that, a bright light shone from above them all, letting a spear with a star shaped carving floated down towards Twilight who looked up to it, as if expecting its arrival before it came.

With a Smirk, Mark looked Nightmares horror filled face as the Element neared it welder more faster then she would like before needing to shield her eyes from the brilliant light with her wing.

“You see Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the…” She dragged off, looking for the right word.

“Spark?” Mark offered while he mentally cheered for metaphors.

Glancing back to him for a moment she nodded and continued “The Spark, that reside in the heart of us all, it creates the Sixth Element.” By now, Mark was sure the little sparkly things around Moon wasn’t her power, but cold sweat.

“The Element of, Magic!”

And with a great flash, each shard fused into a necklace made from gold and held a gem inside, lighting there wielders with there power. Twilight was the last, as hers turned not into a necklace, but a crown with a six pointed star gem at its peek. With all the elements powered up, there wielders floated off the ground, white energy flowing around them rapidly before shooting into two streams that readied to fuse.

Mark could not pass it up this opportunity.

“Oi Nighty!” He teasingly called, getting her eyes to focus on him “Taste the Rainbow!” He pointed up just in time for both streams to blind into one another and come crashing down to her.

“NNOOOOOOO!!!” Was her last panicked word as she reared up and flapped her wings to try and escape, but find herself only stuck in place.

“NNOOAAAGGGHH!!!” Soon her screams were washed out by the powerful twister of colors that made Mark wish he had some shades. But he improvised by squinting, not wanting to miss a moment, and muttering about “crazy spin cycles.”

The show didn’t last much longer as the room illuminated into white, blinding him completely.

-(Different Paths)-

Time from there was a blur as Twilight slowly woke to somepony calling…her?

“Twilgiht, Twilight! Wake up!” There were then rushed steps close by as the voice started again “Rarity, can you hear me?” Again clops could be heard before stopping “Come on AJ, wake up!” The voice pleaded. She couldn’t tell who it was, it her hearing was off.

“RD! RD! wake up or else I will try CPR!” Scratch that, it’s only Mark.

A grown could be hear as a voice replied “Do that and I’ll punch out your lights.”

“Yea that’s not possible. You’re the one who can light up like a fire work.” He said while the speedster groaned again.

“Mark…shut up…my heads killing me…” She growled.

Finally opening her eyes, Twilight could see Mark backing away with a mock surrendering hooves up, softly saying “Alright, alright. I’ll be quieter.”

“Is everypony okay?” Called Applejack who was getting up slowly and trying to look at each member to see how they are.

“I think there all fine AJ. Just have some killer headaches from your little lightshow.” Mark said helping a dazed Fluttershy to her hooves.

“Oh thank goodness!” Rairty gleefully spoke, making Rainbow winch a bit from the headache still present.

“Oh Rarity, it’s so lovely” Fluttershy said happily.

Swishing her tail around, Rarity said “I know, and I’ll never part from it again!” Nuzzling it close to her and confusing Fluttershy.

“Um, Watson, I think Sherlock meant your new Element around your neck.” Mark remarked as Fluttershy nodded “It looks just like your cutie mark.”

That made him and Rarity blink, as she glanced down to the Gem and then to her hindquarters were three blue gems lined up horizontally.

‘I did not notice those on there rumps this whole time. How?’ In fact, now that he was looking around, he began to notice them very much. That, and there elements matched there marks. He needed to find out about those latter, but not now.

As the girls continued there chatting Mark looked to where Nightmare was and- Felt his eyes widen.

There beside all the scattered armored, was another Pegacorn, smaller, lighter colored and younger looking, out like a light. He was going to say something like “That beam was to be an eraser to the ink spot, right?” But didn’t get the chance when another bright light shown thru the window near them, fading away and showing-

‘Another Pegacorn? First there’s none, now there coming out of the wood work!’ He thought while looking over her white coat, floating pastel main and tail, wearing golden yolk and shoes and a golden crown behind a rather impressive horn. Oh, and her wings were large and graceful like an eagles.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight gasped, almost rushing up to the-

‘Whoa, hold up!’ With a quick snap of his head, he looked over to the others, all bowing, then back to Twilight, who was being nuzzled by a princess and barely catching what she said “My faithful student.”

“I knew you could do it.” She praised her student who now stood before her.

“But, you told me it was just a old Ponies tail.” Twilight, Student of a Monarchy, stated in confusion.

With a smile she said “I told you, you needed to make some friends. Nothing more.”

Turing away from the scene before him, he looked back to the mini Moon that was showing signs of wakening and felt it needed to be addressed.

“Um, I don’t mean to interrupt your moment Twilight,” He started before remembering “Or your Highness. But I need to ask about her.”

Every Pony in the room turned there head to Mark at first before looking at the smoking remains of Nightmares armor and the Pegacorn in it.

“Princess Luna…” Celestia called softly, wakening the now awake “Princess” who looked up to her larger half. “It had been a thousand years since I last saw you like this…”

Getting down onto the stone floor and laying before the smaller one who could only hung her head in shame for reasons unknown to the others but the two. Celestia soon softly said “It’s time to put our differences aside. We were meant to rule together little sister.”

“Sister?” The peanut gallery said in astonishment with one oddball feeling confused a bit. Cutie marks, Elements, being a Pony, Evil dictator actually possessed little sister to another sister that is princess, and both are older then him by a lot and look young still.

Tilting his head side to side he thought ‘good…my brains not mush yet.’ It was a lot to take in, in a few hours.

Standing up the white Pegacorn asked “Will you accept my Forgiveness?”

Beside Mark, all six Mares leaned forward, anxiously waiting  for the younger sisters replay. Mark only stood to the side impassively before seeing Pinkie find herself front heavy and fall forwards, making him chuckle at her antics.

“We’re sorry!” Luna cried, rushing up to Celestia who was shedding tears “We have missed the, so much Sister.”

This sweet moment was something that could not be ruined.

*PPFFFFFFFFF!!!*

Correction, Pinkie pie’s in the room, and she has tissues and bawling at the drama. ‘So much for a kodak moment.’ Mark chuckled again, watching as the Pink pony caused the classic “Water fountain tears”.

Then cut off abruptly looking all happy “Hey you know what this calls for?!”

Thinking in a quarter of a second Mark answered “Ten pounds worth of cupcakes with a full night of watching the Star Wars movie saga?”

All he was met with was silent room before sighing and saying “Alright, ten Pounds of cupcakes and a parade.”

Pinkie instantly started to laugh saying “No silly, I was going to say a PARTY!”

“Oh…” He said in a shocked tone before asking “But we still get to have the ten pounds worth of cupcakes right?”

“Twilight, who is this young Stallion? I don’t see an Element on him, and I don’t recall there being seven Elements?” Celestia asked, approaching them all.

“Well Princess…” Twilight tried, twiddling her hooves “We sort of met him in the Everfree on our way to get the Element. He sort of…tagged along.”

Looking at Twilight confused he said “I thought you said I was the hitch hiker?” Making her flush in embarrassment in front of her long time teacher.

Celestia could not help but feel amused at him. He wasn’t one of the Elements, but he seemed just as lively as them.

Perhaps things will get interesting in her life with him being Twilights friend.