Chapters Polaris, the Missing Star
Twilight ran through Canterlot Castle wondering what could've gone wrong. Did Discord escape? Are there parasprites around? Does somepony have the Cutie Pox? Many questions ran through Twilight's head. She pushed through the giant doors that led into the throne room. Princess Celestia was sitting at her throne looking as worried as ever.
"Princess Celestia, I came as fast as I could!" Twilight said as she ran to the throne.
"Twilight, thank goodness your here." The princess said. Her voice sounded more worried than she looked.
"What happened? Why did you need me? What's going..." Twilight asked until Princess Celestia put a hoof up to stop her.
"Come with me"
The princess got up and walked past Twilight. Twilight ran after her as they came out of the throne room. They walked down a hallway that had many doors.
"Where are we going?" Twilight asked still confused.
"We are going to see Princess Luna." Celestia responded.
"Princess Luna?" Twilight asked now even more confused. "What does she have to do with this?"
"The way I see it, she may have everything to do with it."
They came to a door that was dark blue. A crescent moon was carved into the door. Princess Celestia's horn glowed a bright green aura and it opened the doors. They both stepped inside to see Luna laying on a bed, by the looks of it, it seemed as if she was in pain.
"Princess..." Twilight gulped. "Luna?"
"Little sister, I have brought Twilight just like you asked." Celestia said as she walked over to Luna's bedside.
"Thank you, big sister." Luna said. Her voice sounded weak. It sounded as if she'd been this way for a while. "Twilight, please come here."
Twilight did as she was told. She sat down at the opposite bedside as Celestia, but when she saw Luna, her heart dropped. Luna could barely keep her eyes open, and, was it just Twilight, or did the color in Luna's coat look dimly faded?
"Thank you for coming all the way here." Luna said.
"Anything for the princess, but what happened to you?" Twilight asked.
"Allow me to explain." Celestia said. "A few days ago, Luna came to me saying something is wrong with the stars. She didnt know what it was, so if she didn't know, I wouldn't know."
"Is that why you asked me to study stars all of a sudden?" Twilight asked.
"Yes. I wanted you to study and examine them to see if you found anything wrong, but it appears you haven't found anything have you?" The princess asked.
"I'm sorry, but I haven't." Twilight responded sadly.
Princess Celestia put one of her hooves on Luna's shoulder. "But late last night, Luna came to me in pain. She kept on saying 'its gone'. She then passed out. Once she regained conceisness I asked what she meant by 'it', but she refused to tell me until you got here, Twilight."
Twilight looked at Luna, then back at Celestia. What could be so important that Luna wouldn't even tell Celestia, her own sister.
"Luna, now that Twilight's here, what were you talking about?" Celestia asked Luna.
Luna slowly opened her eyes. She looked at Twilight and said, "Polaris."
"Polaris? You mean the North Star?" Twilight asked.
"Yes. The North Star is what I meant. It has gone missing."
Twilight didn't know what to say. She looked at Celestia for help, but she looked just as confused as Twilight.
"What do you mean by 'missing' little sister?" Celestia asked.
"I don't know how to explain it, but last night I had a feeling that it wasn't there anymore." Luna answered.
"But wait, why do you look like you're in serious pain?" Twilight asked.
"You see, long ago, I created the stars and placed every single one of them in the night sky. I made the stars so that every one of them would have equal brightness, but once I was banished into the moon for a thousand years, I guess the stars grew brighter and dimmer on their own. Once I was freed, I thought it wasn't going to be a problem so I just left them. Since I created the stars, they give me power. Polaris, or the North Star, is the brightest star, therefore it is the most powerful to me. Now that its gone missing, my power has been drained by an excessive amount. I can barely walk, even eat or sleep." Luna explained.
Twilight couldn't believe what Luna was telling her. She knew that Luna placed every star in the sky, but stars giving Luna power? Twilight didn't know what to say. She turned to Celestia to see what she had to say, but she was speechless too.
"I...I don't understand, what am I suppose to do?" Twilight asked once she found her words.
"I...I need you to..." Luna started. Her voice sounded like it was getting weaker every time she spoke. "I need you to see if you can get Polaris back into the sky. Find out what happened to it and fix it. No matter what it takes." Once Luna finished, she closed her eyes.
"Pr...Princess?" Twilight said shocked, thinking that the unthinkable has happened.
Princess Celestia put a hoof to Luna's heart.
"She's still with us, but I don't know how much longer she can be this way. You must hurry and find the star, and somehow put it back where it belongs." Celestia said.
Suddenly, the castle started to rumble. The ground started to shake.
"What...what's happening?" Twilight shouted over the shaking.
Books and pictures fell off the shelves. The shaking got worse, but then...it all stopped. Twilight and Celestia looked around to see if anything else happened. Then, all of a sudden, there was a loud crashing noise that seemed to be coming from outside the castle.
"What was that all about?" Celestia asked even though she wouldn't get a good answer.
"I...I don't know, but you stay here with Princess Luna, I'll go see what it was." Twilight said.
Twilight started to walk out, but felt a hoof on her shoulder. She turned and saw Princess Celestia standing behind her.
"Be careful, Twilight." she said.
Twilight nodded and ran out of the room and towards the doors that led to the Canterlot Labyrinth.
Twilight ran through the Canterlot Gardens. Past here was the entrance to the labyrinth. She could already see the smoke before she got to the entrance. She turned the corner and had to stop immediately. A giant crater had appeared in front of the entrance. The smoke was too thick to see through. She closed her eyes and her horn glowed a bright purple aura. Then she headed down into the crater. Even with her horn lit, it was still hard to see, but it was enough to get by. She made her way to the bottom of the pit and still saw nothing. She walked a little further, and tripped on something.
"Ugh!" she said as she hit the ground.
She turned, wondering what she could've tripped on, but what she saw made her think this was a dream. She leaned in closer. There, a purple stallion with a fire-colored mane, who appeared to be a Pegasus, laid unconscious.
Twilight closed the door to the spare room where they put the purple Pegasus, who was still unconscious. As she walked back to the throne room, she wondered how that pony got there. She wondered why he was in the middle of the crater. And most of all, she wondered who he was. She was so focused on the pony that she totally forgot about the North Star. Was this pony somehow connected to it? Multiple questions ran through Twilight's head, some she may not get the answers to.
She opened the doors to the royal throne room and saw Princess Celestia pace around the room. Twilight came in and stood by her.
"The pony? Is he safe?" Celestia asked.
"Yes, I put him in one of the spare bedrooms." Twilight responded.
Princess Celestia nodded.
"Princess, I was wondering, do you know this pony?" Twilight asked.
"From the way you described this pony, I'm sad to say I've never heard of this pony." Celestia responded. "Once he regains consciousness, we will ask him some questions to hopefully find out who he is and where he came from."
They were both silent for a few minutes.
"Is he just gonna live here? I mean, we can't let him go off on his own, right?" Twilight asked, breaking the silence.
"Of course we're not gonna let him go out there on his own, but let's get to know him before we decide things like that." Celestia responded.
"Your Highness!" A royal guard rushed in and bowed in front of Celestia.
"Yes." she said.
"He's awoken." the guard said.
Twilight knew he meant the purple stallion. Time to get to the bottom of this.
Two royal guards walked in with the purple stallion behind them, but something was odd about the stallion. He seemed...confused. He looked around the castle and was puzzled at the scenery. 'Hasn't he seen a castle before?' Twilight asked in her head.
Princess Celestia walked up to meet them. "Hello there." she said once she got to them.
"Um...h...hi." the stallion said. He sounded worried, scared even.
"My name is Celestia, and you are?" she asked.
"I...I don't know, but..." the stallion started.
"But what?"
"You're a..." he gulped. "A pony."
Princess Celestia looked at Twilight. She was even more confused as she was. First he didn't know his own name, now he's just realizing that the princess is a pony. What's with this guy?
"Why yes, I am a pony," the princess said looking back at him. "So are you."
"N...no I'm not."
"Well if you're not a pony than, what are you?"
"I'm a...human." he said.
Celestia and Twilight's eyes widened. 'He has to be joking.' Twilight thought. 'There's no way a human could be here, let alone exist at all.'
"A...a human?" Celestia asked. "But you look like a normal Pegasus to me."
The stallion looked down and gasped. He held up one of his hooves and wiggled it around. He turned and saw his tail. Suddenly, something spread out of his back. Wings! 'I...I really am a pony, but last night I went to sleep as a human. How...how could this be?' the stallion thought to himself. He continued to examine himself when Princess Celestia leaned over to Twilight.
"So do you think he's telling the truth?" Celestia asked.
"Well, by the way he's reacting to everything about him, I would have to say yes, but how could this happen. How could a human come to Equestria? How could humans exist at all? I've read about them before, but I thought they weren't around anymore." Twilight answered.
"I don't know how all of this could've happened, but he doesn't know his name either. I don't think we can get anything out of him."
"Maybe somepony in Canterlot or Ponyville can help us." Twilight suggested.
"No. We can't have anypony knowing that he's a human, but we also can't let him roam free in Equestria. Not when he doesn't know where or who he is. For the time being, we must help him act like one of us. A pony." Celestia said.
"How are we suppose to do that?"
"Well I need to stay here and take care of Princess Luna, so that means, you, Twilight, need to help him see our ways. Help him learn how to be one of us. Teach him about Equestria. Maybe one of your Pegasus friends can help him learn how to fly. Just, make sure you be careful. Don't let him go talking about being a human to anypony." Celestia explained.
"Me? But...what if I can't..." Twilight started.
"You can Twilight. I believe in you."
Twilight tried to wrap her mind around all that just happened, but once she regained her senses, she walked up to the Pegasus and said, "Well..."
The stallion stopped inspecting his wings and turned to her.
"...It seems like you'll be staying with me for a while."
The mysterious pony and Twilight arrived in Ponyville about an hour later. Ponies on the train asked about the stallion with Twilight, but Twilight lied to them saying that it was her cousin visiting from Manehatten. On the train ride to Ponyville, Twilight explained to him that he was in Equestria, and that where they just were was Canterlot. She told him about the princesses and about Ponyville, how they will be staying there for the time being. She also told them about her friends. She told him that she would try to let him meet them soon.
On the way to the library, Twilight thought it was a good chance to see what the stallion looked like. She already knew he was a Pegasus, but what caught her eye was his cutie mark. It caught her eye because he didn't have one. 'What pony doesn't have their cutie mark by now?' she asked herself. 'Then again, he did say he was human. I guess humans don't normally have cutie marks.' He asked questions about Equestria and the princesses. Twilight assumed, by the sound of his voice, that he was probably a teenager, maybe about the same age as Twilight and her friends.
They arrived at the Ponyville Library a little bit later. Twilight told him that this is where he was going to be staying until they found out what happened to him. They were about to walk in the door until a scream was heard across the path. They both near the scream and only Twilight gasped when she saw what was happening. Granny Smith, Applejack's grandmother, was fighting over her purse from being stolen by a pony in a black costume. The pony yanked the purse out of Granny Smith's hooves and took off. The robber ran past Twilight and the stallion. The stallion looked around. 'Why isn't anyone doing anything?' he asked himself. He turned to Twilight and said, "Shouldn't we do something?"
"Don't worry. The Ponyville Police will get him, I hope." Twilight said.
"That's not good enough!"
The stallion turned and ran towards the direction of the robber.
"Hey! Where are you going?" Twilight shouted after him.
But he was already to far away to hear her.
The robber turned a corner down an alley, but the stallion was right behind him. The robber realized he was being followed. The alleyway came to a dead-end. The robber turned to meet his pursuer. The stallion stopped a few feet behind him.
"Ok man, give me the bag, and I'll let you go." the stallion said.
"Hah yeah right. You want it, come and get it." the robber said.
The robber was the first one to charge. Soon, the stallion charged him too. They were both about to collide until the stallion slid on his back, tripping the robber. The robber fell on his face, but instantly go back up. The robber turned to attack again, but was shocked to see the Pegasus charging at him. The Pegasus was about to ram him, but instinctively turned on his front hooves and kicked back with his back hooves, sending the robber flying into a wall. The robber crashed into it and fell down. The stallion walked over to him and picked up the purse and walked out of the alleyway. He was glad to see Twilight running to him with the old lady that gotten her purse stolen on her back. He was really glad to see her because he had no idea how to get back to the library.
"What were you thinking?" Twilight said as soon as she got to him.
Granny Smith climbed off of Twilight's back and took her purse from the stallion.
"Aw thank you sonny. I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't been there."
Once she had her purse back, she slowly walked away.
Twilight looked down the alley and saw the robber on the ground.
"How did you? Where did you learn to...?" Twilight started.
"I used to do a lot of these kinda things back where I'm from. People say that I have a 'brave heart', but I don't think it's anything special." the stallion said.
Twilight's eyes widened.
"That's it!" she shouted.
"That's what?" the stallion said confused.
"That's what we'll call you, Braveheart."
"You really think so?"
"Of course, cause that what that symbol is."
Twilight pointed to the stallion's 'flank' as they call it. He turned to see what she meant. His eyes widened when he saw it. A red heart surrounded by flames had somehow appeared on his flank. He turned and didn't know what to say.
"So, Braveheart, lets get you to your new home." Twilight said smiling.
Once they got inside the library, the stallion, or Braveheart, looked around amazed.
"What is it?" Twilight asked, noticing him looking at shelves filled with books. "Please tell me you've been to a library before."
"I've heard of one. I'm not the type of person who goes to the library in my free time, but now I have to live in one." Braveheart said.
"Trust me, you'll get use to it. I didn't mind living here since, well 'ya know, I like to read a lot."
"As long as you don't bug me with all that sciencey book stuff, I think I'll enjoy staying here." Braveheart said.
"You remind me so much of Rainbow Dash." Twilight said.
'Rainbow Dash?' Braveheart thought. 'Oh yea, she told me about her friends on the train. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Applejack if I remember.'
"Hm, that's the blue Pegasus right?" Braveheart asked.
"Yea, she's also the one whose going to be teaching you how to use your wings, well, I hope anyways." Twilight answered.
Braveheart walked a little further. He was about to head up the stairs until something stopped him. He noticed a glass casing with six shiny objects inside. He walked a little closer to it. He saw that there were five necklaces and one giant crown. Braveheart didn't know what these were, but Twilight said if he had any questions then he should ask her.
"Hey Twilight, what are these things?" he asked her.
Twilight didn't even have to get close to the glass casing to know what was inside.
"Those are the Elements of Harmony. Me and my friends wielded them last year to defeat Discord, I told you about him right?"
Braveheart nodded and examined the elements.
"So which one is yours?" he asked.
"That one in the middle." she as she pointed to the crown.
"Oh, so your like, the leader or something?"
"I wouldn't say I'm the leader. Maybe it's because my element, Magic, is the most powerful in a way."
Braveheart looked confused. "Magic?" he said. 'I thought magic doesn't exist. Well I guess when you've been turned into a pony then I guess anything can happen." Braveheart thought to himself.
"Yea, all six of these elements resemble things that are needed for friendship. Mine is Magic. Applejack is Honesty. Rarity is Generosity. Fluttershy is Kindness. Pinkie Pie is Laughter. And Rainbow Dash is Loyalty." Twilight pointed out each one as she said them.
Braveheart realized that he hasn't even met one of her friends yet.
"So, when will I be able to meet your friends?" he asked Twilight.
"Maybe tomorrow, it's been along day so I, and especially you, need some sleep." Twilight's eyes widened. "Oh hayseeds! I haven't thought about where you're gonna sleep while you're here."
"Well, do you have a couch or anything?" Braveheart asked.
"C'mon Braveheart, do you really think a library would have a couch in it?" Twilight asked sarcastically.
"Well sorry, I don't know how pony society works." Braveheart answered.
"Lets see, there's not enough room on my bed for two ponies." Twilight thought out loud.
"What am I gonna do, sleep on the floor?" Braveheart said sarcastically.
"Yea I guess so." Twilight said.
"I...I was kidding." Braveheart said.
Braveheart got to Twilight's bedroom where Twilight had already set up his bed. It seemed to be made of two pillows and a blanket. Nothing special. Braveheart climbed into his 'bed', if you would like to call it that, and laid his head down. Twilight climbed into her bed as well. She was about to turn the light off until she said, "Goodnight."
"Night." Braveheart said.
She turned out the light and everything went dark. The only light was coming through the moon, which could be seen from outside the window. Braveheart kept staring at the ceiling.
"Hey Twilight." he said.
"Hm." she said looking down at him.
"Thanks for everything. Taking me in and all."
"Oh, don't worry about it. To be honest, it wasn't my idea at all. Princess Celestia asked me to help you act like a pony since you supposedly became a human, and I didn't really like that idea at first, but now that you're here, I think everything's gonna be just fine. I mean what's the worst that could happen?" Twilight laid back down. 'I can think of a few things.' Twilight thought to herself.
Braveheart woke to the sound of knocking at a door. He heard hoofsteps, probably Twilight's. He heard the door open and Twilight sat, Oh hey Applejack." Braveheart's eyes widened. "Applejack? Isn't that one Twilight's friends she told me about yesterday?" Braveheart asked himself. Braveheart got up out of bed. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and rushed downstairs. He got halfway down the stairs when he saw her. Her coat was orange and she had a yellow mane. She had a cowboy's hat on, and her cutie mark, as Twilight called it, was three red apples, which made sense because of her name. They seemed to be talking about a pony named Granny Smith. Applejack stopped talking when she noticed Braveheart staring at her.
"Hey, there he is." Applejack said as she pushed by Twilight.
Braveheart came to meet her at the bottom of the stairs, but once he go down, she grabbed his hoof and shook it.
"I just wanted to come on over here and thank ya for the way you got Granny Smith her purse back to her. That was mighty kind of ya." Applejack said.
She let go of his hoof, but it was still shaking. Twilight came over and grabbed his hoof to stop it.
"Braveheart, this is Applejack." she said.
"Ah, the Honesty one right?" Braveheart asked.
"Yep, that's right. Applejack, this is Braveheart." Twilight said.
"Braveheart huh? I thought you lived alone Twi."
"Oh, he's my cousin, he's visiting from Manehatten." Twilight explained.
"Ah I see. Nothing beats visitin' your family." Applejack said.
"Uh, yea. Heh heh, right." Twilight said nervously.
"So how long ya gonna be here for Braveheart?"
"Uh..." Braveheart didn't know what to say. He turned to Twilight for help, but she just nodded towards Applejack.
"Uh...a few months, I guess."
"A few months? Won't your parents be worried about ya?" Applejack asked.
"Uh, they said I needed to get out of the house for a while, so they sent me here with Twilight." Braveheart said. 'Please believe it, please believe it.' Braveheart begged in his mind.
"Hm, alright then." Applejack said.
Braveheart and Twilight sighed, relieved that it worked.
"Hey Applejack!" a voice called out.
They turned and saw three smaller ponies running towards them.
"Oh, hey Applebloom, whatcha need?" Applejack asked.
The pony with the bow in her hair went up to Applejack and said, "Me, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were wondering if we could have another sleepover at Fluttershy's house."
"Have you asked Fluttershy if ya'll could yet?"
"Um...well....no, but..." Applebloom started.
"Go ask Fluttershy if you can, then come back to me." Applejack said.
"Oh, ok. Be back later."
Two of them took off, but the orange one with a pink mane stayed where she was. She seemed to be staring at Braveheart. Braveheart looked behind him to see if there was anything else she could be staring at, but it was certain, she was staring at him.
"Uh, Scootaloo, what are ya doin'?" Applejack asked the pony.
She didn't say anything.
"Scootaloo what are ya doin'? C'mon."
The two other ponies came back. She didn't respond to them either.
"What are you staring at?" the white pony said. She seemed to have a squeak in her voice.
The two ponies turned at noticed Braveheart.
"Hey whose that?" Applebloom said as she pointed at Braveheart.
"This is Braveheart, Twilight's cousin. He's gonna be staying here for a while." Applejack said.
"Hey there Braveheart, my name's Applebloom."
"Hi, I'm Sweetie Belle." the white pony said.
The orange pony...was still staring at Braveheart.
Sweetie Belle nudged the pony and she said, "I uh...gotta go."
Then she turned and took off. Was it just him, or did Braveheart see her blush before she took off.
"That's Scootaloo, I don't know what's gotten into her though. Oh well, we're gonna round up Scootaloo and then go ask Fluttershy. See ya'" Applebloom said.
Then, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle ran off into the direction that Scootaloo went. Before they left, Braveheart had time to realize that they didn't have cutie marks. Why did he, Twilight, and Applejack have cutie marks and those three didn't? There was still so much about this world that he didn't understand.
"Well, I best be gettin' back to the farm. Oh, and Spike will be along shortly. I still need his help burning some more firewood, but it won't be long before he's back home." Applejack said.
"Don't rush, take all the time you need." Twilight said.
Applejack walked out and Twilight closed the door with her magic.
"So...Spike?" Braveheart asked.
"Oh, right. You still need to meet him. He's my assistant. I've had him since he was an egg." Twilight explained.
"An egg?"
"Yea, he's a dragon."
Great. Ponies who talk, and now dragons! What's next? Bugs that can eat almost anything?
Sometimes, Laughter Can Be Generous
"Hey Twilight, can I ask you something?" Braveheart asked coming down the stairs.
Twilight was standing at her podium looking at the star book she found two days ago. She's totally been neglecting Princess Luna's request. She had to focus on figuring out what happened to the North Star, but she also had to show Braveheart around Ponyville. There was just to many things to do, she just didn't have the time to do them both.
"Yeah sure, what's on your mind?" Twilight said closing the book.
"Well, when those three smaller ponies were here..." Braveheart started.
"Those are called fillies by the way." Twilight interrupted.
Braveheart nodded. "When those three fillies were here, why didn't they have cutie marks? I mean, you have a cutie mark. Me and Applejack both have cutie marks. What makes them different from us?"
"Well ya see, cutie marks are received when you finally realize your special talent. My special talent is magic, and that's what my cutie mark represents. You like saving people, so you have a brave heart, and your cutie mark is a brave heart symbol. The reason those three haven't gotten their cutie marks is because they haven't found their special talents. But don't worry, I'm sure they will in time." Twilight explained.
Braveheart nodded. He was learning so much about this world. It's hard to believe that this place is so different from his world. He's been trying to remember his real name, and anything else about his world, but he hasn't had any luck. Maybe he wouldn't remember anything at all. Maybe he... He was snapped back to reality when there was a knock at the door. Twilight went over to it and opened it using her magic. A white pony with a beautiful purple mane was standing at the door. She had some sort of small, purple creature on her back.
"Oh hey Rarity and...Spike?" Twilight said confused.
"Sorry to bother you, darling, but little Spikey Wikey here was at my door saying he was lost and didn't know how to get home. So I decided to bring him here myself." The pony, Rarity, said.
The creature climbed off of Rarity's back and with a closer look, Braveheart realized that the creature was a dragon! Maybe this was Twilight's assistant, Spike.
"He was lost? But Spike, you've walked home from Sweet Apple Acres alone a bunch of times, how in the world could you have ended up at Rarity's?" Twilight asked the dragon.
"Uhh...bad luck?" The dragon answered.
Twilight rolled her eyes and remembered that Braveheart was here.
"Oh, you two come in, quick." Twilight said.
She rushed in and Rarity and Spike followed her.
"What is it, darling?" Rarity asked while she closed the door with her magic. Rarity must be a unicorn too. Twilight told Braveheart about the three types of ponies, unicorns, pegasus, and earth ponies. Twilight ran over and stood next to Braveheart. Rarity and Spike came behind her. Once they saw Braveheart, they stopped.
"Uh Twilight, whose this?" Spike said pointing to Braveheart.
"Rarity, Spike, I'd like you to meet my cousin, Braveheart. He's visiting from Manehatten." Twilight said.
"MANEHATTEN!" Rarity screamed.
She ran up to Braveheart and got close up to his face.
"I can't believe your from Manehatten! What's it like there? What are the ponies like? How do they dress? Oh, I wanna here all about it." Rarity said.
"Uh..." Braveheart didn't know what to do. He looked at Twilight, but she didn't know what to do either.
"Uh...good?" Braveheart said.
"Ooooo, a city attitude, I like it. I think you and I are gonna be great friends, but if you must excuse me. I have a really important design I'm working on for a very important client. So I must be off."
Rarity turned and started towards the door and opened it. Spike started to follow her, but Twilight levitated him off the ground.
"Oh no you don't, you have some explaining to do." Twilight said.
Spike crossed his arms and sighed.
Twilight, as quietly as she could, trotted down the stairs.
"Is he in bed?" Spike asked at the bottom of the stairs.
"Yea, he is, and you should be heading there to." Twilight answered.
"Not until you tell me what's going on." Spike said.
Twilight stopped walking.
"Wha...what do you mean?" Twilight said nervously.
"C'mon Twilight. I know when you're lying. That isn't your cousin. Who is he?"
Twilight sighed. She knew there was no getting by Spike. She had to tell him.
"Fine, but you have to promise not to tell anypony." Twilight said.
"I promise I won't tell anypony." Spike said as he lifted his claw up.
"No, you gotta Pinkie Promise."
Spike sighed.
"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." When he said the last part, he raised one of his claws to one of his eyes.
Twilight nodded.
"Ok, you see.." Twilight told Spike everything that happened since Princess Celestia called for her to come to Canterlot the day after their one year anniversary. She told him how the North Star had gone missing and how she found Braveheart. She told him about how Celestia told her to teach Braveheart how to be a pony and to not tell anypony about how Braveheart is actually a human.
"So do you believe it?" Spike asked once she was finished.
"Believe what?" Twilight asked.
"Do you believe he's actually been transformed into a pony from a human?"
Twilight thought for a moment.
"To be honest, yes. He's so confused about everything here. Nopony could fake it for this long. He has to be telling the truth." Twilight said.
"Do you think he has anything to do with the star?" Spike asked.
"Well, he doesn't seem to show any connection to it, but I haven't even begun to search for the star. I have to get somepony to show Braveheart around Ponyville while I study."
Twilight's eyes widened.
"And I think I know just the pony."
The following morning, Twilight took Braveheart to a place called Sugarcube Corner. She told him that it was a place a place to get tasty treats. Before they even walked inside, Braveheart could already smell something delicious. They walked in and the aroma got stronger.
"Oh, hey Twilight. Ya need something." The pony at the cash register said.
"Nothing really, I just need Pinkie Pie. Is she here?" Twilight asked.
"Hang on let me see." Then she turned around walked into the kitchen.
"That was Mrs. Cake. Her and her husband, Mr. Cake run this place. Pinkie Pie works here too. She can be a little crazy at times, but she's still an amazing cook." Twilight explained.
Then, a pink pony with a crazy mane stepped out of the kitchen.
"Hey Twi...." Then she gasped. Twilight has heard that gasp before, it sounded like the same gasp that Pinkie gave her when she first arrived in Ponyville.
"Hi. What's your name?" Pinkie asked Braveheart.
Suddenly, she was right in his face. 'How did she dio that?' Braveheart asked himself.
"Uhh...my name's Braveheart. I'm guessing you must be Pinkie Pie?"
"Yup. Sorry if I scared you. It's just that I know everypony in Ponyville, but I didn't recognize you, so that means you must be new, and if you're new then you must not have a lot of friends here, and that made me..."
'Aw great here she goes.' Twilight told herself.
"Pinkie, Pinkie, calm down. I need a favor." Twilight said.
"Sure, what do ya need?" Pinkie asked.
"Can you show Braveheart around Ponyville? Princess Celestia asked me to study something important, and I can't find time to do both. So can you, please?"
"Twilight, you came to the right pony. Of course I'll show him around, but first let me do one thing."
She rushed back into the kitchen. She came back out with a batch of cupcakes, but the smell was the exact same smell as when they walked in.
"How does she make them smell so good?" Braveheart whispered to Twilight.
"It just doesn't smell good." Twilight responded.
Braveheart got worried. He'd never been alone with a pony besides Twilight before, but if Twilight trusted Pinkie Pie, then he could too. Pinkie showed him around Sugarcube Corner first. She showed him the kitchen and then where most of the parties were held. She even mentioned that most parties were her idea. She then introduced him to the Cakes. She decided that she's shown him everything in Sugarcube Corner, so she decided to show him around outside of Sugarcube Corner.
There wasn't many things to see in Ponyville. Now that he's walking through it, Braveheart realized that Ponyville was really small. It seemed like the town where everybody knew everyone. If something happened, word would get around just like that. Anyways, Pinkie showed him about every house in Ponyville, and named the ponies that lived in each house. There was no way Braveheart could do something like that. How could Pinkie Pie know every single pony here? Is she really that friendly?
"Next I'll show you the market next." Pinkie told him.
They walked on for a few feet until Braveheart stopped. He noticed what seemed like a forest on the outside of Ponyville.
"Hey Pinkie Pie, come here." Braveheart said.
She turned and saw that he stopped walking.
"What is it?" she asked when she got to him.
She looked in the same direction he was and saw the forest.
"Oh that's right, I haven't showed you that yet. Lets go!"
Pinkie started towards the forest, but Braveheart stayed put. Pinkie turned and said, "What's the matter?"
"Don't you think we should stay out of there? I mean, it looks a little creepy, don't ya think?" Braveheart asked.
"Don't worry, everything in their is completely hilarious. C'mon!"
She grabbed his hoof and dragged him towards the forest.
They stood at the entrance to the forest, staring into complete darkness. It was so dark, you probably couldn't even see your own hands-or hooves for this matter.
"This is the Everfree Forest. This is the place where me, Twilight, and everyone else found the Elements of Harmony." Pinkie explained.
'The Elements of Harmony were found in here? How could something that could bring peace and harmony be hidden away in a place so dark and spooky?' Braveheart thought to himself.
They heard a stick snap. They jumped when they heard it. They turned and saw a tiny squirrel running across the field. Braveheart followed it until it went behind a tree. Braveheart tried to move to see it again, but he saw something else. He saw a tiny house in the middle of a field, but that's not all that surprised him. Animals, of all sorts, surrounded the house. Rabbits, birds, and ,was Braveheart crazy, or did he just see a bear? Pinkie noticed him looking at it.
"You sure are observant, that's Fluttershy's house." she said.
"Fluttershy?" Braveheart said. He remembered Twilight mentioning her. She said that Fluttershy liked animals, but she didn't say that she liked them this much!
"Yea, ya know her?"
"Well, I've heard of her. From Twilight, of course." Braveheart answered.
"C'mon, I'll introduce you to her, but she is kinda shy though." Pinkie said.
She led him across the tiny bridge that led to her house. They got to the door and Pinkie knocked a couple times. No answer. She knocked again. No answer.
"Hm, she must not be home. Oh well, I guess Twilight can introduce you to her some other time, but for now, lets go to the market area." Pinkie said.
They made their way back into town, but this part of town looked different. A lot of carts were set up with various food items. Ponies were everywhere. Some were buying things, others were talking to the shop owners. They were walking through when Pinkie asked, "So how did you and Twilight meet?"
"Oh um, I'm her cousin. I'm here visiting." Braveheart answered.
"Oh ok. Where are you visiting from?"
"Um, Manehatten."
"Oh, the big city. It must be fun there." Pinkie said.
"Uh, yea. Heh, heh, fun."
They kept walking through when Pinkie stopped.
"What is it?" Braveheart asked.
She didn't say anything for a few seconds. She then grabbed Braveheart's hoof and pulled him towards a cart. Braveheart made out that it was an apple cart. He recognized the shop owner. It was Applejack, but she had a customer at the moment. Applejack pushed some apples over to the customer when she realized the two of them running to her cart.
"Oh hey Pinkie Pie, I see ya met Braveheart." Applejack said.
The customer turned to see who Applejack was talking to. She had a yellow coat and a long pink mane.
"Hey Applejack, but we came for Fluttershy." Pinkie said as she pointed toward the customer.
"Oh, m...me?" Fluttershy asked.
"Of course you. I wanted to introduce you to Braveheart." Pinkie said.
"Good timin' too, I was just tellin' Fluttershy about the way Braveheart got Granny Smith's purse back from that burglar." Applejack said.
Braveheart came beside Pinkie and introduced himself to Fluttershy. She did the same.
"So Fluttershy, is this all ya need?" Applejack asked her.
"Oh yes. If I'm gonna have the three little fillies over at my house tonight, I want to make sure that they have something to munch on." Fluttershy answered.
"Say, where are they anyways?" Applejack asked.
"Oh, there right over there." Fluttershy pointed to the three fillies. If Braveheart remembered correctly, their names were Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. The one who was staring at him, Scootaloo, seemed to be on a scooter. Made sense.
"Hey, what's that pony selling over there?" Sweetie Belle asked her friends.
"I don't know, but lets go check it out." Applebloom said.
Applebloom and Sweetie Belle ran while Scootaloo had her scooter. She rode off after them, but she noticed that Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and...Braveheart looking at them. Her face went blank again, and stared at Braveheart. She could've kept staring until she ran into a watermelon stand. Watermelons rolled everywhere. The store owner looked at her.
"Uh..." Scootaloo started.
She realized that everypony was looking at her now, Braveheart was still staring too. Her face got red. She picked up her scooter and drove off as fast as she can.
"I wonder what's gotten into that pony. She's been actin' weird lately. I wonder why?" Applejack said.
"Oh, well, I best be off. I'm gonna round up the fillies and get going." Fluttershy said.
"Hey, what was that all about!" a voice screamed from behind the apple cart. All four of them went to see what happened. They saw a young filly hunched over scared from what was above her. A blue pony was standing above her, screaming at her.
"I...I'm sorry it was an accident." the filly said. You could hear the fear in her voice.
"How do you accidentally throw a tomato at me, you did it on purpose!" the blue pony said.
"No, me and my friends were just playing and.."
"Yea right, wait until I tell your parents!"
"N...no please." the filly said. She started to cry.
"Oh, man up! Don't cry! Crying is for wimps!" the pony yelled.
"Oh great, what's she goin on bout now?" Applejack asked.
"It doesn't matter, but I'm going to put a stop to this." Braveheart said.
"Uh, sugarcube, I don't think its a great idea to stand up against..." Applejack started.
But Braveheart was already on his way. He had no idea what he was getting himself into. He wished he could turn right around and go back to his friends, but that was after he said, "Hey!"
The pony turned to see him and she said, "What do you want?"
Her coat was blue and she had a mane of many colors. She seemed to be a Pegasus.
"Leave. Her. Alone." Braveheart said.
The pony's eyes widened.
"Who are you to tell me what to do?" she said.
"Who are you to scream at someone smaller than you? You should pick on someone your size!" Braveheart said. Now he was raising his voice. 'This isn't exactly the way to be making friends, but I couldn't just stand there.' Braveheart thought to himself.
"You mean like you?" The pony poked Braveheart's chest with her hoof. By now, a crowd of ponies gathered around to see what was happening. Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Fluttershy were in the front of the crowd. Fluttershy and Pinkie were looking in another direction, and Applejack covered her face in her hat. It seemed like Braveheart was on his own on this one.
"I'd rather you pick on me than pick on her." Braveheart finally said.
The pony seemed amazed at all this more than Braveheart. She seemed like the pony that no pony would stand up to. Did Braveheart make a huge mistake?
"You shouldn't pick on ponies that are younger than you, you here me?" Braveheart said.
The crowd of ponies cheered and stomped their hooves. The pony looked around and realized they weren't cheering for her. Braveheart went to the younger filly. He lent out his hoof to help her up. The filly lent her hoof out too. They were about to grab hooves when the pony rammed into Braveheart, knocking him to the ground. The crowd gasped. Applejack put her hat back on and ran out to Braveheart.
"Ok that's enough. Braveheart, you ok?" she asked.
"Ugh, yea, I'm good, but..." He stood back up to face the pony, but Applejack held him back.
"So that's your name? Braveheart? Hah! What a pathetic name for a pathetic pony." the blue pony said.
"What!" Braveheart shouted.
The blue pony smiled when Applejack went up to her.
"Hey, you shouldn't be doin' these kinda things. You're better than that." Applejack said.
"Oh yea, and what are you gonna do to stop me?" the pony said.
"Hang on...who are you?" Braveheart said.
"My name's Dash, Rainbow Dash." the pony said.
Braveheart's eyes widened.
"Rainbow Dash?" he said.
"Yea, what's it to ya?" she said.
"Uh...it doesn't matter who you are. Say you're sorry to this little filly." Braveheart said.
"You know what, I'll make a deal with you. I'll say I'm sorry if, you beat me in a race." Rainbow Dash said.
"Fine, I'm a pretty fast runner." Braveheart said.
"I'm not talking about hooves. I'm talking about..."
Suddenly, two feathery wings spread out from Rainbow Dash's back.
"Wings!" she finished.
They both took their marks at the starting line. The race was a straight path. Just two miles away. Braveheart thought it would be far away, but with wings, you could get around faster. Speaking of wings, Braveheart barely even noticed his wings while he's been in Ponyville. He only noticed him on his first day as a pony, but he hasn't really had any use for them, up until now. A crowd of ponies were all around the starting line. Braveheart's friends were in front again, but then he realized another pony coming up to them. He knew he was going to get a talk after this.
"Hello everypony, what's going on?" she asked.
"Oh hey Twilight. Nothing much, just a race." Applejack said.
"Oh." Twilight looked around Pinkie. "Uh...Pinkie...where's Braveheart?" Twilight asked.
"Out there." She pointed towards the starting line. Twilight finally realized who was racing. Rainbow Dash and Braveheart.
"No, no, no, no, no, no, no! He's not ready!" Twilight said.
"On your marks..." a pony near the starting line said.
"What do you mean?" Fluttershy asked.
"Get set.."
"He can't..." Twilight started.
"Go!"
Rainbow Dash soared forward, but Braveheart went straight up. Ponies had confused look on their faces.
"Fly." Twilight finished.
Rainbow Dash looked behind her to see her competition, but realized that there was none. She started to slow down, but there was still no sight of him. She sighed and started to head back.
"Braveheart get down!" Twilight shouted up at him.
"Uh...how?" he shouted down.
He had no idea what he was doing, but he continued to go up. He knew this was a bad idea. He didn't know how to fly, so why did he accept a race when that's all it was? Suddenly, Braveheart was pulled down at a great amount of speed. He landed on the ground on his stomach. Four, blue hooves landed in front of him. He looked up and saw Rainbow Dash over him.
"I thought you were a bad flier, but I didn't know you were that bad. What kind of Pegasus is dumb enough that they don't know how to fly right?" Rainbow Dash said, but then she noticed Fluttershy. "Uh...no offense." she told her.
"Braveheart!" Twilight said running up to him. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine." he said getting up.
"Hang on, Twilight, you said he can't fly, all pegasi can fly, well most all of them, why hasn't he learned?" Applejack said.
The four of them surrounded Twilight and Braveheart. The two of them looked at each other and sighed.
"Ok, you see. Braveheart isn't my cousin. He isn't from Manehatten. He isn't from..." she gulped. "This world."
The ponies had confused look on their faces.
"C'mon Twilight. Somepony from another world." Applejack said.
All four of them laughed, but Twilight and Braveheart weren't.
"Heh, heh. Uh, why aren't you laughing?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Because it's true. The day after my one year anniversary, Princess Celestia called me to see her. While I was there, we heard a crash outside in the Canterlot Gardens. I went to see what happened and their was a huge crater in front of the entrance to the labyrinth. Inside the crater, Braveheart was there, laying unconscious. I took him back into the castle where we waited until he woke up. When he did, he had no memory of his name, or past life, the only memory he had was that he was a human."
"A...a human?" Rainbow Dash said, amazed at what she was hearing. All the ponies were amazed.
"Yes. Princess Celestia asked me to teach him how to be a pony until we figure out what really happened to him. I had Pinkie Pie show him around Ponyville today, I thought it wouldn't be a big deal, but I guess I was wrong." Twilight said. "I shouldn't have let you go, I somehow knew you would get into trouble. Why did you even accept a race when you knew you couldn't fly?"
"Because Rainbow Dash was picking on this filly and I couldn't stand there and watch it happen. I had to stop it, know matter what." Braveheart answered.
"Uh, yea, about that. Listen Braveheart, I'm sorry for the way I acted. I guess I did over-react just a little bit." Rainbow Dash said.
"A little?" they all said.
"Ok a lot, but if you'll excuse me, there's someone else I need to say sorry to." Rainbow Dash said.
She spread her wings and took off into the sky, off to find that young filly.
Braveheart ran up ahead to be next to Twilight.
"Hey, I'm sorry ok. I never should've done that race with Rainbow Dash. I knew I couldn't fly yet. I just..." Braveheart whispered so the other ponies wouldn't hear.
"Braveheart, don't worry about it. If Princess Celestia finds out, I'm sure she'll understand. If she doesn't I'll take the consequences." Twilight whispered back.
"But it's not your fault. It's mine."
"Braveheart, it's ok, really."
Braveheart sighed. They continued down the path towards the library. After the events of earlier, Fluttershy had to call of the sleepover, so the fillies were right behind Fluttershy, well, almost all of them. Scootaloo had trailed off all the way in the back to avoid eye contact with Braveheart. After she embarrassed herself today, she didn't know what Braveheart would think of her.
"Hey Scootaloo." a voice said.
Scootaloo snapped out of her mind and saw that Applebloom and Sweetie Belle stopped to wait for her.
"Oh, h-hey." she said.
"What's the matter? You seem kinda down." Sweetie Belle asked.
"Huh? Oh, uh, nothing." Scootaloo said nervously.
"Is this about what happened earlier today?" Applebloom asked.
"What? No! Why would I care about that? Why would I care what Braveheart thinks of me? Heh, heh."
Applebloom and Sweetie Belle looked at each other and giggled.
"W-what is it?" Scootaloo asked.
"We see what's going on?" Sweetie Belle said.
"You have a crush on Braveheart, don't you?" Applebloom said.
Scootaloo's face turned rose red.
"What? Don't be ridiculous. How could I like him? I mean, that mane is just...ugh. And those pesky wings, c'mon. And those eyes are just...just....beautiful. And that wicked awesome cutie mark." She then noticed that they were both staring at her, smiling. "I mean, I.....I don't like him." Scootaloo pulled forward to be ahead of them. She didn't want to talk about this anymore. She heard Applebloom and Sweetie Belle laugh. She walked on, and blushed the whole way.
"So..." somepony said behind Braveheart.
He turned and saw Rainbow Dash coming up beside him.
"So what?" Braveheart asked.
"How did you do that back there? You know, stand up against me. I mean, you don't even know that filly, barely know me, but you did it anyway, why?" she asked.
Braveheart thought about that for a while. How did he do that? How did he have that much courage to stand up for something that wasn't his business. In fact, he did the same thing when that robber stole Applejack's grandmother's purse.
"I've been thinking about that too, and I don't know where all that courage came from. Maybe it's just that if somepony is in danger, and nopony else is going to do anything, it has to be me to put a stop to it." Braveheart said.
"Gotta say, it takes a lot of guts to stand up for something, even when you don't know how the results will be. You're pretty brave, I like that."
They both smiled at each other.
"I guess I should say I'm sorry to. I shouldn't have yelled at you." Braveheart said.
"Don't worry about it, the way I acted, I would've yelled at me too." Rainbow Dash said. "But hey, if you can't fly, and you don't have a flying instructor, I could probably help you out with that."
"You could, that would be..." Braveheart stopped himself. "Wait, I have to make sure its ok with Twilight first. After what happened today, I don't think she'll be letting me make my own decisions for a while."
"It's cool, just let me know what she says after you ask her." Rainbow said.
"Will do."
They finally reached the library. By then, all the ponies had gone home. Rainbow Dash stayed behind with Twilight and Braveheart.
"Hey Twilight, hold up." Rainbow Dash said before they went in.
Twilight turned and said, "What is it?"
Braveheart and Rainbow looked at each other.
"Me and Braveheart were wondering, well, since he doesn't know how to fly, I figured I could teach him."
Twilight thought about it for a moment.
"Please Twilight, this could be our only chance." Braveheart said.
Twilight was silent for a few seconds. Then she finally said, "If I here anything of you two causing trouble..."
"You won't, I promise." Braveheart promised her.
"Then it's all right with me."
"Yes!" Braveheart and Rainbow both said together.
"Now c'mon, it's almost completely dark out, we should get inside." Twilight said.
She opened the door with her magic and left Rainbow and Braveheart out there alone.
"So, we can start tomorrow if you'd like." Rainbow said.
"Yea, that'd be great." Braveheart said back.
They both stood there in silence for a few seconds, making the moment really awkward.
"Well uhh...it was really nice meeting you." Braveheart said, breaking the silence.
"You too." Rainbow said.
Braveheart turned and walked through the door while Rainbow Dash took off. He closed the door and locked it. He climbed the stairs to the bedroom. Twilight had already climbed into her bed. Braveheart did the same. He layed down in his bed and closed his eyes.
"They really like you." Twilight said.
"What?" Braveheart asked.
"My, or, our friends, they really like you. They think you're a really nice pony, even if you are suppose to be human. And I do too."
Braveheart didn't know what to say. Even though he's human, he's been accepted amount these ponies. And now, there his friends. Braveheart couldn't ask for anything more. And on that note, he closed his eyes and drifted off into sleep.
The sun was shining the next day, perfect to learn how to fly. Rainbow Dash took Braveheart to an open field so that they could be alone and that there would be no interruptions. She first showed him the basics. Getting off the ground, but Braveheart already knew how to do that. His hooves came off the ground. Braveheart felt proud of himself, until he kept on going straight up. Luckily, he had Rainbow there with him to keep him on the ground.
"Relax. Try and focus your energy into your wings." Rainbow told him.
Braveheart nodded, closed is eyes, and breathed in and out a few times. Once he felt like he was ready, he started to flap his wings. He opened his eyes and realized he was only a few feet off the ground, and he stayed where he was.
"There ya go! That's how its done!" Rainbow cheered.
"And its all thanks to you, Rainbow." Braveheart said.
They were both silent for a few seconds.
"Well, anyways, get back down here, we still have work to do."
Two weeks have gone by since Braveheart got to Ponyville, and he really thinks he's starting to fit in. He's been leaning a lot about the ponies, much more than he already did. He's been spending more time with his friends. They usually like to hang out at Sugarcube Corner, but it didn't matter to him as long as they would be together, that and the food there is absolutely delicious. He got to learn a lot more about his friends. He's still going to flying lessons with Rainbow Dash, which he has really improved on. He can get off the ground and not go to space easily. He can make turns in any direction. Rainbow Dash told him that she would try to find a stretch of land for him to fly on to see how fast he can go, but she hasn't found any luck. One day, Rainbow decided to teach Braveheart how to do flips in air, but when he spread out his wings...
"Ow!" he screamed. His wings went back down.
"What is it?" Rainbow asked.
"I don't know, but when I spread my wings my back just started hurting."
He slowly raised his wings, but instantly put them down when he felt pain. He could only get his wings half way up.
"Why would your back be hurting?" Rainbow asked.
"Maybe because I've been sleeping on the floor in Twilight's house." Braveheart guessed.
"Why in Equestria are you sleeping on the floor?" Rainbow asked shocked.
"Because there isn't anywhere else for me to sleep. She doesn't have a couch or anything." Braveheart explained.
"Oh..." Rainbow said.
She looked down at the ground. Braveheart noticed that she was looking nervous.
"Well, do you wanna stay with me? I have a couch you could sleep on. It's not much, but it sure does beat the floor." she said.
Braveheart's eyes widened.
"Me? Stay with you?"
She nodded.
"Of course I wanna...!" he stopped himself. He didn't want to sound to excited. "I mean, I have to tell Twilight first."
"Well lets go ask her now." Rainbow suggested.
"Ok lets go."
They started back to the library when Rainbow said, "You sure did sound excited about staying with me."
"Oh well...I uhh.....was excited about the couch." he said nervously.
"Uh huh." she said.
Braveheart looked at her, but she turned away. Maybe because she didn't want him to know she was blushing, but it didn't matter to Braveheart, because he was blushing too.
Twilight was just coming out of the library when Braveheart came up to her.
"Hey, where ya headed?" he asked when he got to her.
"Princess Celestia wants to talk to me about something, its probably about the star and how you're doing, but what are you doing here. Is practice over already?" she asked.
"Um, we didn't have practice today." Braveheart answered.
"Why's that?"
Braveheart explained to her about how his back has been hurting because of sleeping on the floor.
"So, Rainbow asked me if I wanted to stay with her. She has a couch I could sleep on. I thought it was a good idea, but I wanted to see what you would say first."
"Oh." Twilight said. She looked down after she said it.
"Is...something the matter?" Braveheart asked.
"N-no, its nothing. It's just....I think its a good idea." Twilight said.
"So...you're ok with it?"
Twilight nodded.
"Sweet! Thank you Twilight. I promise I'll come visit you. Maybe we can hang out at Sugarcube Corner tomorrow." Braveheart said.
"That'd be fine." Twilight said.
"Ok, well I'm gonna go find Rainbow Dash. See ya!"
As Braveheart ran off Twilight had a weird feeling in her. It almost felt like her heart was breaking, but why was she feeling this way? She didn't like Braveheart, she knew that much. Then what was it?
While she was walking through Canterlot Castle, and during the train ride, she still felt the same. Ponies waved at her when she was traveling through Canterlot, but she ignored them, hardly noticed them. Her ears drooped down as she entered the throne room.
"Why hello Twilight, so good it is to..." Princess Celestia started, but she stopped herself when she realized that Twilight was looking real sad.
"Why, whatever is the matter, Twilight?" she asked.
"I...I don't know. I mean...I..." she felt a tear run down her cheek.
"Twilight..." Princess Celestia took her hoof and wiped the tear away. "Please, you can tell me anything."
Twilight sighed.
"Before I left to come here, Braveheart came to me and said that he wanted to move out and live with Rainbow Dash." Twilight started.
"Why would he want to do that?" Princess Celestia asked.
"Because I didn't have anywhere for him to sleep. He told me that his back was hurting before him and Rainbow Dash started practicing his flying. Rainbow said he could stay with her since she has a couch he could sleep on. That doesn't bother me, I don't want him to be in pain when he's flying. I truly thought it was for the best, but I don't understand why I feel so heartbroken."
"Do you...maybe have feelings for him?"
"I thought that myself, but I don't. I only think of him as a friend, nothing more, nothing less." Twilight said.
"Well if you don't like him, then, Twilight, you miss him." Celestia said.
Twilight looked up at her, surprised.
"Wh-why would I miss him?"
"Maybe it's because you've grown to him. You've been watching over him ever since you found him. He's stayed with you for a long time, and now that he's leaving, well...you know the rest." Celestia said.
Twilight couldn't believe what she was hearing, but Princess Celestia may be right. It does make perfect sense. Twilight had loved having Braveheart stay with her. It seemed like Braveheart was a brother to her. And now that he's gone... Another tear ran down her face. Then, multiple tears came out. Princess Celestia put her hoof behind Twilight's back and slid her so that she could hug her.
"It's ok Twilight. Moving doesn't mean gone. He will still be around, and I'm sure he'll come and visit you many times, but you have to let him go. He's not the same pony he was a few weeks ago. He'll be safe, I promise you that." Celestia said.
Twilight knew everything the Princess had said was true. She didn't know what to do now, but accept the fact that Braveheart has grown up.
Braveheart turned away from Twilight, and took off to find Rainbow Dash. He was hoping she would still be at the field. He couldn't believe how easy that was to get Twilight to let him do this. He just hoped she would be ok without him there. Twilight wouldn't lie to him, would she?
It didn't take long to get to the field. Braveheart has memorized this path since he'd been coming here almost everyday. Sure enough, Rainbow Dash was still there, waiting for him. She noticed him before he got to her. She met him halfway and once she got to him she asked, "So?"
"She said it's alright." he answered.
"Yes! That's so awesome!" Rainbow Dash shouted.
Out of nowhere, she hugged him. Braveheart was so happy that he hugged her back. They both realized what just happened and pulled away from each other. They both laughed nervously.
"Um, anyways. Let's get you to your new home." Rainbow Dash said.
Rainbow Dash's home looked like a tower on a cloud. The tower itself was the same color as a cloud, and...was that a rainbow coming out of the top? Rainbow Dash noticed him staring at it and laughed.
"You like it?" she asked.
"Like it? I love it!" Braveheart answered.
"Well c'mon, I'll give you the house tour."
Rainbow Dash started to fly up to her home when she realized that Braveheart wasn't next to her. She looked down and saw that he was still standing there. She floated back down and said, "Oh yea, I forgot, your back."
"So if I can't fly, then how am I suppose to get up there?" Braveheart asked.
"Hm." Rainbow Dash said.
It took about 20 minutes, but Rainbow Dash finally pulled Braveheart up onto the cloud. She collapsed on the ground once she got him up.
"You ok?" Braveheart asked.
"Yea, just give me a minute. It's not easy pulling a full grown stallion up on a cloud." Rainbow answered.
"Well I hope my back will be better by tomorrow so I can fly on my own."
Braveheart turned toward the house and his jaw dropped. It looked even better than when they were on the ground.
Rainbow Dash stood back up and said, "Ok, now we can have the house tour. Lets go ahead and go inside."
They first walked into the living room.
"There's the couch you'll be sleeping on." Rainbow Dash said as she pointed to a couch in the middle of the room. The couch was a light blue. On the back of it was a picture of a cloud.
"Anyways, the kitchen is through there and my bedroom is upstairs. There's not much in here as outside, but its worth living in." Rainbow said.
Braveheart looked around. "It's perfect. Thanks for letting me stay here by the way." he said.
"Oh it's no big deal really, don't want you to be hurting when you're flying, do we?"
They were both silent for a minute. They seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
"Oh! Wait here. There's someone I want you to meet."
Rainbow soared up the stairs to her bedroom to get something. Braveheart didn't really see the need for stairs when they could just fly up them, but oh well. Rainbow came back down with something in her hooves. She set it down in front of him and knocked on the thing, which looked like a shell. Suddenly, a head popped out of the hole in the front of the shell. It...it was a turtle.
"You...have a turtle?" Braveheart asked.
"Actually, this is a tortious, and he's my pet. His name is Tank. Tank, this is Braveheart. He's gonna be staying with us from now on." Rainbow said.
The tortious slowly moved his head towards Braveheart.
"Hang on, let go get his thing." Rainbow said as she flew back up the stairs.
Braveheart looked at the tortious, and it looked at him.
"Hey, how's it going?" he asked it.
Rainbow flew back down with something else. She put it on Tank's head and Tank started floating off the ground.
"He can fly?" Braveheart said shocked.
"Well not without that. I gave him that so he can fly with me." Rainbow said. "Oh watch out!"
Suddenly, Tank slammed into Braveheart's head.
"Ow!" he screamed.
Rainbow laughed.
"That means he likes you." she said.
"Does it?"
"I don't know, but he does that a lot. Anyways, we should be getting on to bed. I'll go get you a blanket. You can go ahead and get settled in."
Rainbow flew upstairs again while Braveheart sat on the couch. He wondered what they would be doing tomorrow, but then he remembered that he was suppose to meet Twilight at Sugarcube Corner. Rainbow flew back down with a blanket and a pillow.
"Here ya go. Anything else ya need?" she asked.
"Not now, but hey, I'm meeting Twilight tomorrow at Sugarcube Corner. Is that alright with you?"
"Yea of course. I'm sure we can all hang out, I can ask the others if they..." Rainbow started.
"Um, no offense or anything Rainbow, but I kinda wanna be alone with Twilight one more time. You know, kinda like a goodbye thing." Braveheart said.
"Oh, ok. I understand."
"You're not mad?"
"Of course not. You need to be alone with Twilight. I'm sure she'll like that since she's been with you for a while."
"Thanks for this. I'll bring you something home tomorrow if you want." Braveheart said.
"That'd be awesome." Rainbow said.
She flew over to the light switch and said, "Goodnight."
"Goodnight." Braveheart said back.
She turned off the light and flew upstairs.
Braveheart went inside Sugarcube Corner the next day, expecting Twilight to be there already, but she wasn't.
'Hm, maybe she's just running late.' Braveheart thought.
But that wasn't it. Twilight would never be late. To anything. Especially late to hang out with a friend. He saw Pinkie Pie walk by the counter and stopped her.
"Hey, Pinkie!"
Pinkie turned and saw him. She smiled.
"Oh, hey Braveheart. You need anything?" she asked.
"Has Twilight come in today at all?" Braveheart asked.
"I haven't seen her. Why? You need her?"
"Well we were gonna meet here and just hang out, but....she's not here."
"Are you sure she didn't forget?" Pinkie asked.
"If I know Twilight, no. She never forgets anything." Braveheart answered.
"Well you should check out her house, maybe she'll be there." Pinkie suggested.
Braveheart thought for a moment.
"Ok, thanks Pinkie."
He turned and walked out. What was going on? Maybe there's something wrong with Twilight. Braveheart didn't want to think about that. Twilight was fine, but he didn't want to take any chances. He started to run to library, just to make sure.
He got to the library almost out of breath. He knocked on the door a couple times before it opened. Spike was standing there with an apron on. Braveheart knew that Spike loved to cook, and he knew he were an apron when he does, and he always makes a joke about it, but now he didn't care about the apron.
"Braveheart, what are you doing here?" Spike asked.
"Hey Spike, is Twilight here?" Braveheart asked.
"Yea, she's upstairs in her room, why?'
"I need to see her."
"Well come right on in." Spike said.
Spike stepped aside and opened the door for Braveheart.
"I don't know what's with her. She's been in her room all day. I haven't gone to check on her because she locked the door. Maybe you'll have more luck." Spike said.
"I'll see what I can do." Braveheart said.
Braveheart made his way to the stairs and walked up them. What's going on? Why's Twilight acting this way? He was about to get his answer when he knocked on her door.
"Twilight, are you in there?" he asked.
"Go away!" a voice on the other side shouted.
"Twilight its me, Braveheart. Open up."
"I don't want to talk to you." she said.
"Why? What's the matter?"
"Nothing. Just go away!" she screamed.
What happened to her? He was gone for one day and something has already happened. Braveheart knew there was no hope in trying to make Twilight open the door. He went back down the stairs where Spike was waiting for him.
"So?" he asked.
Braveheart shook his head.
"I don't know what it is, but it's like she hates me. Did something happen yesterday? Anything at all?' Braveheart asked.
"Not that I'm aware of, but she did go and she Princess Celestia yesterday, but why would she hate you for that?"
"I don't know, but I think I should go see the princess, she may know what's wrong."
Braveheart was about to walk out the door when Spike said, "Hey wait! I can send a letter to the princess if you want to save the trouble of going there."
"You'd really do that?" Braveheart asked.
"Of course, I want to know what's going on too." Spike said.
It didn't take long for the letter to be complete.
"Ok, lets see. Dear Princess Celestia, me and Braveheart have been wondering what's wrong with Twilight. She was fine when she went to go see you last night, but now she seems all depressed. Do you by any chance know what happened? If you do, then could you please let us know so we can help her? Thanks. Spike. How's that sound?"
"It sounds good, go ahead and send it." Braveheart said.
Braveheart knew Spike could send letters to the princess, but he's never seen him do it. To him, it looked like Spike blew fire on it and it disappeared in a trail of green smoke, but he guessed that's how it worked.
"Do you think Princess Celestia will know what happened?" Spike asked.
"I sure hope so. If she doesn't, then, it didn't sound like Twilight was willing to talk." Braveheart said.
Suddenly, Spike's cheeks puffed out.
"Whoa, are you ok?" Braveheart said shocked.
Then, Spike burped out a letter. Braveheart was so shocked that he jumped back.
"Don't worry. That's how I receive letters from the Princess." Spike said.
"Oh, well, ok then. What does the letter say?"
Spike picked up the letter and unrolled it. He read the letter and gasped.
"What? What is it? What's wrong with Twilight?" Braveheart asked him.
"I...I can't believe I didn't guess this?" Spike said.
"What?" Braveheart said getting impatient.
Spike turned the letter over to Braveheart and he read it. His eyes widened when he read the three small words, 'Twilight misses Braveheart.'
Braveheart left after that. He thanked Spike for everything. He didn't try to talk to Twilight again. All he could think about was that letter. Was it really true? Did Twilight miss Braveheart? A lot more questions ran through Braveheart's head, some he didn't know he would get the answer to. He didn't bother to fly back home, he wanted more time to think. He had no idea that he was hurting Twilight by moving out. But Twilight said it was a great idea to move in with Rainbow Dash, why would she lie to him? He was walking through the market area when he heard somepony call his name.
"Oh, hello Braveheart!"
He turned and saw Rarity coming up to him with what looked like a bag on her back.
"Oh, hey Rarity." Braveheart said. Sadness filled his voice, and it seemed Rarity knew.
"Why whatever is the matter darling?" Rarity asked.
"Um, n-nothing." But Braveheart knew that wouldn't work.
"C'mon darling. You can tell me anything."
Braveheart sighed. He might as well tell somepony. He told Rarity about what happened today at the library. Rarity was calm during the whole thing. She didn't look confused at all, she just nodded occasionally. When Braveheart finished, Rarity said, "Well I couldn't imagine why she would be sad about you leaving, she has taken care of you for quite a long time. I tell you, if I was in her hooves, I would probably feel the same."
"Well, what do you suppose I do? She's not talking to me at all." Braveheart asked.
"Darling, to tell you the truth, there's nothing I can do. This is between you and Twilight. You have to find a way to fix this on your own." Rarity answered.
"How can I fix it when she's locked away in her room all day?"
"Well, let me put it this way. Do you miss her too?" Rarity asked.
"Do I miss her? Well, yea I miss her, but what does that have to do with anything?"
"Then you should tell her that. Tell her your feelings. She'll feel your pain when you let her."
Braveheart thought about that for a moment. Would that really work? He didn't have many options though, so it was worth a try.
"Thanks Rarity." he said.
"Don't mention it darling. And Twilight will come around, I'm sure of it." she said.
Rarity turned and started to walk off when Braveheart said, "Hey Rarity."
She turned.
"Why did you do that?" Braveheart asked.
"Do what darling?" she said confused.
"Why did you help me? I mean, you should've known that this wasn't any of your business. Why would you want to help?"
Rarity walked back up to him.
"Darling, if there's one thing you should know about me, is that I hate when my friends are in pain. If my friends are in pain, then I'm in pain, if that makes any sense." she said.
Braveheart nodded. What Rarity said made perfect sense. He thanked her once again and started home. He knew what he had to do, and he had to do it soon before it was too late.
Braveheart thought about all that Rarity had said. She suggested that he had to tell Twilight his feelings. He'll admit it, Braveheart did miss seeing Twilight every morning, but the way things have been, it's nothing compared to how much Twilight misses him. He had to tell her that he missed her too, but what would come of it? Would it fix everything? There was only one way to figure out. He knocked on the door of the library. Once again, Spike came to the door.
"Oh, Braveheart. What are you doing back here?" he asked.
"I think I know what to do to help Twilight." Braveheart answered.
"Really, you've only been gone for a few minutes. How could you possibly come up with a plan that fast?"
"I uh...had a little help."
"Well we could use all the help we can get, go on up."
Spike let him in and followed him to the stairs.
"I'll wait down here, good luck Braveheart." he said.
Braveheart nodded and climbed the stairs. He got to Twilight's door which was still locked. 'I really hope this works.' Braveheart thought. Then he knocked on the door.
"Go away!" Twilight screamed again.
"Twilight listen, I know you're upset, and I know why." Braveheart said.
She didn't say anything. Braveheart heard hoofsteps coming towards the door. The door unlocked and opened. Twilight stood there with many tears running down her cheeks. She wiped them off and said, "You do?"
"Yes, me and Spike both know. And...I want to say I'm sorry. I didn't know me moving out was gonna be this much of a problem." Braveheart said.
"Then why would you do it. Don't you like me?" Twilight asked.
"Of course I like you, don't let anypony tell you anything different, but if you want me to move back in then..."
"No. I don't want you in pain when you're flying." Twilight said.
"Then what do you suppose we do? But if you have to know, I miss you too. I miss seeing you every morning. I miss having breakfast with you. And I miss spending time with you." Braveheart said.
"You...you do?" Twilight asked as another tear ran down her face.
"Yes." Braveheart said as he wiped the tear away. "And if there was a way, I would move back in."
Twilight smiled. She rubbed her eyes to get any other tears and then hugged him.
"I'm glad you told me that." she said.
"Me too. It looks like Rarity was right about this." Braveheart said.
"Wait." Twilight said shocked.
She pushed him away and said, "Rarity? Rarity told you to come tell me this?"
"Yea. What's the big deal?" he asked.
"Oh I get it, you were just trying to make me feel better, you didn't mean all that stuff!" she said, starting to raise her voice.
"What? Of course I did. Can't we just..." Braveheart started.
"Never speak to each other again. Sure!"
She slammed the door and locked it again.
"Twilight. That's not what I..." But he knew there wasn't any getting through to her now. Braveheart put his back against the door and slid down. He covered his face with his hooves and said, "Braveheart, what did you do?"
Braveheart came down the stairs with his ears down. He was even more sad when he left the first time. Spike saw him come down and said, "Hey, you were up there for a while, and I heard Twilight's voice. Did you get her to be happy again?"
Braveheart didn't say anything. Instead he just walked past him.
"Um...Braveheart, what happened up there?"
Braveheart stopped and turned to him.
"I made it worse." he said.
He continued towards the door. Neither him nor Spike said another word.
Braveheart walked through Ponyville feeling depressed than ever. Some ponies shouted his name, but he ignored them. He didn't want to talk to anypony. He just wanted to get home, and think about what he just did. He could've just ruined his and Twilight's friendship forever, one thing that he didn't want to happen. How could he fix this now? There was no way he could do this on his own, but the way he was feeling, he didn't feel like doing anything. Through the time he's lived in Ponyville, this is the first time that he felt truly alone. While all these thoughts were running through his head, he almost didn't hear his name being called. Usually he would just ignore the pony who called him, but he recognized this voice. He turned and saw Rarity coming up to him.
"Hey darling, I knew you would be coming through here on your way home, and I wanted to stay here and wait for you. So how'd it go, did you get Twilight to talk to you?" she asked.
Braveheart nodded. Rarity finally saw the sadness in his eyes.
"Oh, Braveheart, I'm...so sorry. I can't help but feel responsible for all this." Rarity said.
"No Rarity, its not your fault. Twilight said she doesn't want to talk to me ever again. It's over. There's nothing else we can do." Braveheart said. He continued to walk on, but Rarity came up right beside him.
"Why don't we head on down to Sugarcube Corner and I can by you a drink or something?" she suggested.
Braveheart did want to get home, but he also didn't want to be alone. Maybe talking to Rarity will help, or maybe it'll just deepen his pain. They walked together to Sugarcube Corner in silence. Both of them lost for words. When they got to Sugarcube Corner, Braveheart thought that the place was abandon. Usually when he walks by Sugarcube Corner, voices of ponies could be heard, but now, it seemed like nopony was there. Rarity opened it for him, which was odd because Rarity seemed like the pony that other ponies open the door for her. He walked in and saw that the whole restraunt was completely dark.
"Why's it so dark in here?" Braveheart asked.
Suddenly, the lights flicked on.
"SURPRISE!"
Then, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash popped out of nowhere. Rarity joined them. Braveheart was defiantly surprised, but he sure didn't show it.
"Oh my, you seem really sad." Fluttershy said in a soft voice.
"Yea, what's the matter, sugarcube?" Applejack asked.
Braveheart was about to speak when Rarity put her hoof up.
"Maybe, I should tell them." she said.
Braveheart nodded, and still didn't say anything. Rarity told their friends about the story Braveheart told her when she bumped into him at the market. She explained to them the advice she gave him and how he came back. She said that he didn't have to say anything because the look on his face said it all. Once she was finished, the other ponies were speechless too.
"Well...are you gonna be ok?" Applejack asked, breaking the silence. Braveheart nodded even though he wasn't sure if he was telling the truth.
"Braveheart, if you wanna go home and be there instead, we can have your party some other day." Rainbow Dash said.
Braveheart was about to say he would really like to, but something stopped him. Something about what Rainbow said.
"This is...my party?" he asked.
"Yea, I realized that you've been in Ponyville for a long time and I haven't thrown you a party yet. I've had a party for everypony and I didn't want to leave you out." Pinkie explained.
Braveheart wondered why she would do that, but he didn't want to think about that right now.
"Oh, ok. I'll stay here, but I want some time to think." Braveheart said.
"Well, darling, we'll let you be alone. If you need anything, you let us know." Rarity said.
Braveheart nodded.
Braveheart was sitting in a chair in the corner all alone while the other ponies talked and danced. For twenty minutes, Braveheart was thinking of a way to get Twilight back, if there even was one. Braveheart was deep in thought when Pinkie jumped up from under the table making a silly face. Braveheart didn't even crack a smile. Pinkie frowned, went back under the table, and made another face. Braveheart didn't budge.
"Wow. I've never made a pony not laugh with one of my faces before. You must be really bummed out about this." she said.
Braveheart shook his head 'yes'.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"If you got a plan on how to get Twilight to talk to me again then I'm all ears." Braveheart said.
Pinkie stood there, looking from the floor to the ceiling. After a few seconds, she frowned.
"Yea, I don't have one either, but don't worry about it, you should get back to the party."
"But Braveheart..." she started.
"Pinkie, please, I just want to be alone." Braveheart said.
Pinkie nodded and started to walk away.
"Hey wait." Braveheart called out.
She turned and walked back over to him.
"Why would you throw a party for me? For anypony?" Braveheart asked.
"I don't know why I do it, but I just like making my friends smile. And I'll do anything to make them do it." she answered.
Braveheart thought about that for a minute. She'll do anything just for a smile? Braveheart didn't get it, but he did know something, Pinkie was a true friend, and that...made him smile.
It took a few days for Braveheart to be himself again. Of course he still thought about Twilight, but he kept his emotions to himself. He hasn't seen Twilight since he went to talk to her. He constantly wondered if she was alright. He asked his other friends and ponies around Ponyville if they've seen her lately, but no luck. Braveheart was laying on his couch, lost in his thoughts, when Rainbow Dash flew down with Tank behind her.
"Hey Braveheart, what are you doing today?" she asked.
"I'm not really doing anything important, why?" Braveheart said.
"I was gonna ask you if you could take Tank outside for some fresh air. You can walk with him around Ponyville if you want."
Braveheart didn't know that tortiouses needed to be walked, but he didn't ask why.
"Yea I can do that, but how do I keep him from flying away?"
"I have a leash you can tie around his shell, if he does get loose then you could catch him. He's not really fast with that thing, but just to be safe, I'll go get the leash." Rainbow said.
She flew upstairs, but was back down in a second. She had a red leash around her hoof. One of the ends was tied in a big circle. She took that end and put it around Tank's shell. She handed the other end to Braveheart.
"Ok, he should be good." Rainbow said.
"Where should I walk him?" Braveheart asked.
"Just around Ponyville, just make sure that he doesn't get into trouble." she answered.
"I think I can manage that."
Braveheart and Tank were heading for the door when Rainbow said, "Hey wait."
He turned.
"Do you, uh, have anything planned for tonight?" she asked.
Braveheart shook his head.
"Oh, well, if you want, we could go somewhere and hang out, if you want."
Braveheart couldn't believe it. Was Rainbow Dash asking him out?
"Uh...yea, that would be great." he said. He could feel himself blush.
"Cool." Rainbow Dash said. Braveheart heard the excitement in her voice. "Well, I guess I'll see you when you get back."
"Yea I guess so."
Braveheart took Tank out the door. Once he closed it, Rainbow Dash said with extreme excitement, "YES!"
Braveheart had no idea where he was going or how long he'd been gone. All he could think about was Rainbow Dash. She actually asked him out, who would've guessed. He'd never been more excited about anything. He wanted time to hurry up so he could be hanging out with her already. He had some time before that would happen though. He was walking near the market area when he heard a strange noise. He looked around when he saw the pony that was making it. He saw Applejack coming out of the market area with a few baskets on her back. One of them fell off.
"Ah hayseeds." she said.
She went to pick it up when another one fell. Braveheart wanted to help her, but what time was it? Would he be back in time? From the looks of things, it seemed as if it was mid-afternoon. He had time. He pulled the leash and Tank followed him. Applejack was trying to pick another basket off the ground when she heard, "Need some help?" She looked up and saw Braveheart coming towards her.
"Oh, howdy Braveheart. I could sure use some." she said.
Braveheart picked the basket off the ground and got two more off of her back.
"What are you doing with all these baskets?" Braveheart asked.
"This is the time of year that the apples back home are growing like crazy. I'm getting these baskets so we can collect 'em all." Applejack answered.
"Are you sure that you, Big Mac, and Applebloom will be able to handle that?"
"Well, Applebloom and her two friends are collecting apples around their clubhouse, and Big Macintosh can't buck them out of the tree 'cause his back hooves are sore from bucking trees all day. So it's pretty much up to me to clear out the orchard." Applejack said.
"You can't do that by yourself, I've seen that orchard and it's huge. Are you sure your up for it?" Braveheart asked.
"Me and Big Mac already cleared most of it except for a couple trees, but all that's really left to do is collect 'em."
Braveheart didn't know what to do. He really wanted to help Applejack out, but would he be risking his time with Rainbow Dash? This may cost him, but he couldn't just stand around and know that Applejack is working hard all on her own. He knew what he had to do, even if it did mean his time with Rainbow will be jeopardized.
"You know what, I'll help you with that." Braveheart said.
"Oh no Braveheart, I couldn't ask you to do that." Applejack said.
"Applejack, I can't do nothing while you're working. I want to help you."
Applejack didn't say anything for a minute. Braveheart had figured out the Applejack is a pony who doesn't want help at times. She doesn't want to trouble ponies with her work, even if it was too much for one pony.
"Ok Braveheart you can help out, but just this once." she finally said.
"Thank you, but uhh.. What are we gonna do with him?" Braveheart asked as he pulled the leash and Tank flew up beside him. Applejack hadn't even noticed Tank until now.
"What are you doing with him?" she asked.
"Rainbow Dash wanted me to take him for a walk, I was actually getting ready to head back, but you need some help so I guess I have to take him with us." Braveheart answered.
"Well I guess we can tie him up to a tree so he won't get away. I'm sure he'll be fine."
"You sure?"
"I hope so."
Braveheart didn't like the sound of that, but he trusted Applejack, and he knew nothing was gonna happen to Tank. What could possibly happen?
Braveheart now understood when Applejack said that it was the time for the apples to grow. They got to Sweet Apple Acres to find that the apples had been knocked off the trees and onto the ground. Only a few trees still had apples on them, but it would be a while until Braveheart got done here, but it didn't matter to him. Applejack still needed help, and he was determined to stay here until they were completely done.
"Well now that you've seen the big job we gotta do, you can go ahead and turn around and leave since you don't want to do it." Applejack said.
Braveheart looked around the farm. Sure it was covered with apples, but he was still gonna stay and help.
"Well... where do we start?" he asked.
After two hours of picking up apples and putting them in baskets, Braveheart was starting to regret that he ever did this. Applejack had kicked all the apples out of the remaining trees. When she found Braveheart in the middle of the orchard, he had already filled up almost half of the baskets.
"We'll I'll be Braveheart, it was mighty kind of you to help me out. I don't know how I could've gotten this done on my own." Applejack said.
"Well don't thank me yet, there's still a whole lot more to go." Braveheart said as he put more apples into a basket.
"'Ya got that right. If we keep the speed we're going, I bet we'll be done by sundown."
"Sundown?" Braveheart asked. He sounded more nervous than he wanted to.
"Yea, why is there someplace 'ya gotta be?" Applejack asked.
Braveheart knew that Applejack was too smart for him. One way or another, she'd get it out of him. Might as well go ahead and get it over with. Besides, he's been anxious to talk about this all day.
"Well, before I left to take Tank for a walk, Rainbow Dash asked me if I wanted to do something tonight. I don't know what she's got planned, but I gotta be there before its too late." Braveheart explained.
"So what you're saying is that you've got a date with Rainbow." Applejack said.
"I wouldn't call it a date, it's just two friends hanging out." Braveheart said. 'Definitely a date.' Braveheart thought.
"I don't know. I've seen the way y'all look at each other."
"Whoa hold on there partner. Are you trying to say I like her?" Braveheart asked even though he already knew the answer.
Applejack just smiled.
"C'mon Applejack, how could I possibly like her?"
"How could 'ya not? I mean, y'all are perfect for each other." Applejack said.
"Don't be ridiculous." Braveheart said.
"Braveheart..." Applejack started.
She reached into the basket and pulled out an apple.
"You're blushin' brighter than this apple." she finished.
Braveheart didn't even realize he was blushing. He looked down at the ground in embarrassment.
"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me." Applejack said.
Braveheart felt relieved. If there was one pony who knew Braveheart's secret, he was glad it was Applejack. Braveheart knew that Applejack would never tell anypony. Once Applejack makes a promise, she keeps it.
"Hey Applejack!" A voice screamed from inside the orchard.
Braveheart recognized that little country voice. Applebloom.
"What is it Applebloom?" Applejack shouted back.
"What do 'ya want us to do with these baskets?"
"Just bring 'em over here and set 'em with the rest."
"You got it. We'll be bringing them out now." Applebloom shouted.
Hoofsteps were heard in the distance. They soon faded away in a matter of seconds.
"Those fillies, I tell 'ya, they've been working hard all they. I don't know if they can take anymore." Applejack said.
"Maybe they were like me, couldn't let you do this alone." Braveheart said.
"You may be right." Applejack said.
Then, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo came out of the orchard, each holding a basket by the handle in their mouths.
"Oh, hey Braveheart." Applebloom said.
"Hi Braveheart." Sweetie Belle said.
And of course, Scootaloo said nothing, but stared.
"Here she goes again." Applejack said.
"What?" Braveheart asked.
"Every time you're around, Scootaloo acts weird. I haven't been able to find out why."
Suddenly, they heard a thump sound. They looked back and saw that Scootaloo had tripped on a root and had fallen. The handle had come out of her mouth and the basket fell to the ground. The apples scattered everywhere. Braveheart and Applejack rushed over to her. Scootaloo rubber her head and saw a hoof extended out to her. She looked up and saw Braveheart standing over her.
"Are you ok?" he asked.
"Uh...yea." Scootaloo said as she took his hoof. He helped her up and she said, "I am now."
It only took a few seconds to get the apples back in the basket.
"Here 'ya go Scootaloo." Applejack said as she pushed the basket towards her.
"Th-thanks." Scootaloo said.
"You be careful, ok?" Braveheart told her.
"Um...yea. Ok." Scootaloo said. As soon as she said that, she blushed. She realized she was blushing and said, "Uh...I guess I should take this and get out of your hair."
She grabbed the basket with her mouth and took off in the direction of her friends. Applejack's eyes widened.
"Heh, looks like you're not the only one with a crush on somepony." she said.
"You really think that Scootaloo likes me?" Braveheart asked.
"It makes sense, doesn't it?"
"Yea I guess so, but c'mon, lets get back to work."
Braveheart was starting back towards the apples when Applejack stopped him.
"What?" Braveheart said confused.
"You wanna have a little fun with this?" Applejack asked.
Now Braveheart was even more confused. Applejack walked over to the baskets and picked one up. She headed back towards Braveheart and put the basket on top of his head.
Apparently, this is some kind of game that Applejack and Applebloom made. Braveheart and Applejack were back in front of the barn so they wouldn't lose any apples in the trees. Tank was tied to a post next to the barn doors. Applejack's dog, Winona, was sitting by him, sniffing him. Applejack had brought a ton of apples to play with.
"All righty, 'ya ready?" Applejack called out to him.
"Ready for what?" Braveheart said, still with the basket on his head.
Applejack placed an apple in front of her. She turned around and, with her back hooves, kicked the apple towards Braveheart. Braveheart closed his eyes and awaited the collision of his face and the apple, but the apple landed in the basket.
"Hey good job!" Applejack said.
Braveheart opened one eye, and then the other. Braveheart now knew what was going on. Applejack kicked another apple, but this time it was a little off to the side. Braveheart ran for it and it landed in the basket.
"Man Braveheart, you're pretty good at this. I'll step it up a notch if you think you can handle it."
"Try me." Braveheart said.
Applejack smiled. She put more apples in front of her, probably five, and kicked them, one by one, towards Braveheart. It was difficult, but Braveheart somehow did it.
"You're a pretty good catcher, lets see how you do at kicking." Applejack said.
They switched places. Braveheart started with one apple. He didn't want to push his luck just yet. He kicked it and Applejack caught it.
"Nice!" Braveheart said.
"Nice yourself." Applejack said.
Braveheart put two in front and kicked them one at a time. Of course, Applejack caught them. Braveheart had to step it up. He put four in front of him and kicked them. Applejack caught the first three, but the fourth one was sailing over her head. She jumped for it and missed. Braveheart's smile faded when he realized what was about to happen. The apple sailed towards the barn, and, of course, where Tank was. It seemed as if time had slowed down. Braveheart knew exactly where this was going. The apple slammed into Tank's head and knocked his flying hat off him. Tank brushed it off like it was nothing, but the flying hat didn't really do that. It fell to the ground and the propellers broke off. Applejack and Braveheart rushed over to Tank, made sure he was ok, and picked up the broken hat.
"Oh man, what am I gonna tell Rainbow?" Braveheart said.
"You have to tell her what happened. She'll know what to do." Applejack said.
"What if she doesn't? What if she kicks me out and never speaks to me again? I can't go through that pain again Applejack, I just can't."
Braveheart sat down on the ground and Applejack sat next to him.
"Listen sugarcube. I know its tough, but you have to tell Rainbow what happened. If you don't, then you'll be living with a lie for a while, and she'll find out sooner or later. Either way, you're gonna have to tell her. Might as well do it now before things get worse."
Applejack had a point. If he didn't tell Rainbow, the consequences would be worse. This may cost him his night with Rainbow, but he knew what he had to do.
"Hey, go on. I'll finish up here. It seems you have something more important to do." Applejack said.
"Are you sure?" Braveheart asked. He didn't want to leave her to finish, but he also needed to tell Rainbow Dash.
"Yea, thanks for your help. Don't know what I would've done without 'ya."
She put out her hoof, and Braveheart pounded it with his. He got up and grabbed the leash and Tank. He said goodbye to Applejack and ran off for home, hoping what Applejack said was true.
Braveheart stood outside the door of his home, hesitating to go in. He was trying to find the words to say. 'Sorry I broke your pet's ability to fly.' Braveheart thought. That probably wouldn't get him by. How could he tell this to Rainbow? Would she still like him when she found out? Would she still let him live here? Braveheart didn't know what to do. Maybe he should just turn and walk away. He started to turn when the door opened.
"Oh, there you are Braveheart. I was just about to come looking for you." Rainbow said.
Braveheart knew he was done for. It's no use hiding it. Once she saw Tank, she would know something happened.
"Um, we'll I'm back. Heh heh." Braveheart said nervously.
"Where's Tank?" she asked.
This was it. He knew it was time.
"Rainbow..." he started.
He reached behind him and pulled out Tank. With his other hoof, he pulled out the broken hat.
"I'm so sorry." he finished.
Rainbow didn't say a word. Instead she just stood there, looking at the broken contraption.
"Rainbow I'm so, so, so sorry." Braveheart said again.
Rainbow Dash was still speechless. She spread her wings and flew off to the side of the cloud they were on. She stuck her hoof out and dropped the pieces over the ledge. She flew back, but she flew past Braveheart and into the house. Braveheart followed her in. He noticed her fly upstairs when he closed the door.
"Rainbow c'mon!" He called.
No answer. Braveheart sighed. His ears drooped as he walked to the couch. He sat down and covered his face with his hooves. 'What have I done?' Braveheart asked himself. How could this happen to him? First Twilight, now Rainbow! How many more friendships can he ruin? Braveheart sat in silence. What would Rainbow do? Braveheart had a good idea. She was gonna kick him out and never speak to him again. Braveheart was fixing to pack up his things and get out when she came back downstairs.
"Don't worry. I'm just getting ready to pack up my things." Braveheart said when she came down.
"What are you talking about?" She asked.
She went over to Tank who was still near the doorway and started messing with his head. She backed away and Tank was lifted off the ground. Braveheart's mouth hung open. Tank had another flying hat on his head.
"How...how did you..." Braveheart started, but he couldn't find the words.
"I don't know what the hay you were freaking out about. I thought that you were smart enough to know that I have more of those. This kinda thing happens all the time." Rainbow said.
"How in the hoof would I know that?"
"We'll sorry you're not that smart." Rainbow said sarcastically. "Anyways, you sounded like you were about to cry back there."
"Well I didn't know what to do, I was super scared." Braveheart said.
"Why would you be scared?" she asked.
"Well..." Braveheart started. Braveheart wasn't gonna feel comfortable talking about this. "I thought you were gonna kick me out. I thought you were gonna stop being my friend, and that you were gonna stop talking to me, just like... Twilight." he said.
Rainbow sat down next to him on the couch.
"Hey, let me tell you something. First, there is nothing that can break apart our friendship. That's a fact. And about Twilight..." she stopped herself.
It was clear to Braveheart that Rainbow Dash didn't want to talk about this either.
"I'm sure she'll come around, just give her time." Rainbow finished.
"How much more time do I have to give her? It's been almost a week, and none of us have heard anything from her." Braveheart said.
Both of them were silent. It was obvious that neither of them knew the answer to that. Nopony would.
"Hey," Rainbow Dash said breaking the silence . "I know what'll cheer you up."
"What?" Braveheart asked.
Braveheart couldn't believe he forgot about this! He was so worried that he totally forgot that he and Rainbow Dash were gonna hang out tonight. How could he forget something that he's been waiting for all day? They first went to Sugarcube Corner. Braveheart had told her about what happened after he left the house once they got there. Rainbow laughed throughout the whole story. They both got milkshakes to drink. Pinkie Pie brought them their milkshakes. She smiled when she noticed them.
"Hey you guys." she said as she set the drinks on the table.
"Oh, hey Pinkie Pie." Rainbow Dash.
"Are our other friends coming?"
"Nope, it's just me and Braveheart tonight."
"Oh, I see." Pinkie said. Her tone sounded as if she had something on her mind.
"What's that suppose to mean?" Rainbow asked.
"Oh, nothing. Well enjoy your shakes."
Pinkie turned and bounced off into the kitchen. Rainbow rolled her eyes and turned back to Braveheart.
"Anyways, I was thinking that before we go home, we could stop by somewhere first." Rainbow told him.
"Sure, where are we going?" Braveheart asked.
Rainbow Dash didnt say anything. She only smiled.
Braveheart had been trying to figure out where they were going, but no luck. He only had to wait and find out, and, man, was he surprised. Once they left Sugarcube Corner, Rainbow Dash took him to the field where they practiced flying, but it looked different. Usually there wouldn't be a cloud in the sky, but there was a single cloud. It was high in the air and it was extremely fluffy.
"We'll c'mon." Rainbow said.
She spread her wings and started to fly towards the cloud. Braveheart didn't have a clue what going on, but he didn't have a choice but to follow her. He flew up behind her as they approached the cloud. They both landed on it and Braveheart noticed the view. There were a few mountains in the distance and a forest. Not like the Everfree Forest where it was all dark and spooky, but bright and full of life. The sight was great, but what really caught his eye was the sunset. The reddish-pinkish light shone through the land. It was surely beautiful.
"Do you like it?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Braveheart was so focused on the view that he could've forgotten she was there. When he looked at her, he knew he would never forget again. The way the light reflected off her was ...amazing! Her mane shined like never before. Braveheart never realized it before, but Rainbow Dash was really beautiful.
"I love it. It's really beautiful." But Braveheart wasn't talking about the view.
"I'm glad you like it. I spent all day working on this."
She sat down on the cloud and patted her hoof next to her, meaning for Braveheart to sit next to her, which he gladly did.
"Why would you do that?" He asked once he sat down.
"Well we do go to Sugarcube Corner and hang out, but I wanted us to have a place where we could be alone for once." She answered.
Braveheart nodded, but something was going on in his mind. Rainbow did this so they could be alone. Maybe Applejack was right. Maybe they did like each other a lot more than he though, but he wasn't gonna say that and make things awkward if she didnt like him. They didnt say anything else. They laid back and watched the sun go down. It may have been Braveheart's imagination, but he seriously thought that Rainbow Dash cuddled up next to him. Braveheart didn't mind one bit.
Braveheart didn't remember going to sleep, but he awoke to a knocking at the door. Since he slept downstairs, he figured he would get it, and it didn't seem as if Rainbow Dash was up yet. He got up out of the couch and walked over to the door. He got to it and opened. A yellow pony with long pink hair was standing there with a scared look on her face.
"Fluttershy? What are you doing here?" Braveheart asked, rubbing the sleep out of his eye.
"Oh Braveheart, you have to come with me. Something terrible has happened." She responded.
It didn't take long for Rainbow Dash to get out of bed. Once Braveheart told her that Fluttershy had a real problem, she instantly jumped out of bed. The three of them ran through Ponyville at top speed. Other ponies had to move out of the way to avoid getting run over by them.
"Fluttershy! Wait up!" Braveheart called out.
He ran up next to Fluttershy who was leading them. Something really bad must have happened for Fluttershy to be running faster than Braveheart Rainbow Dash.
"Can you please tell us what's up? You weren't really clear when you came to us." Braveheart said once he got next to her.
"Oh, I'm sorry Braveheart. You see, I was fixing breakfast for all of my animals when Angel got mad at me. He wanted me to make something else and..." Fluttershy started.
"Wait a second. Who's Angel?" Braveheart asked.
"Angel is a bunny. More importantly Fluttershy's pet." Rainbow Dash said.
"Yes. And once I tried to make him eat his food, he took off out of my cottage and into the Everfree Forest." Fluttershy finished.
"So we're only doing this for a bunny?"
"It's not just a bunny. Angel is my pet, and most importantly...my friend." Fluttershy said.
Tears welled up in her eyes. Braveheart knew how Fluttershy felt. It feels awful to lose a friend. It doesn't matter what kind of creature it is, a friend is a friend, and Braveheart will do anything to get them back together again. If only he could only do that with him and Twilight. No! Not now! Braveheart can't start thinking of Twilight at a time like this. This is for Fluttershy, and Braveheart can't let anything get in the way of that.
They were walking by Fluttershy's cottage when they heard tiny hoofsteps coming towards them. They turned to see and saw the three fillies, Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle running towards them.
"Hey Fluttershy, we kept the house cleaned like you asked." Applebloom said.
"Yea, and we looked after your animals too." Sweetie Belle added.
They turned to Scootaloo, who was staring at none other than Braveheart. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle both nudged Scootaloo with their hooves.
Scootaloo shook her head and said, "Oh yea."
"Thank you girls, but can you look after the house for a little while longer, please?" Fluttershy asked.
"Of course!" Applebloom said.
Applebloom and Sweetie Belle turned and ran after the house, but stopped when they realize that Scootaloo was still there staring at Braveheart. They both walked back, grabbed Scootaloo by the back hooves, and dragged her to the cottage.
"Ok, so where's the forest?" Braveheart asked.
"It's right over here." Fluttershy said.
They all turned and started for the forest. While they were walking, Braveheart had a feeling. A feeling that told him that this is probably not gonna be a good idea at all.
Twilight's told Braveheart stories about the Everfree Forest before. Though Braveheart's never been inside, those stories made him feel like he knows what its like. Being up close to it was just like being far away, scary. It was completely dark throughout the trees. Many creatures could be heard in the distance. Something told Braveheart that those animals weren't kind and cuddly like the ones Fluttershy has at her house.
"So uhh...ladies first?" Braveheart said.
Rainbow and Fluttershy both looked at him like he was stupid.
"No? Ok." he said.
He started into the forest, more scared about it than anything in his life. The light behind him dimmed quickly. He was starting to freak out.
"So uhh...Fluttershy, you're completely sure that Angel ran in here?" he asked, nervousness in his voice.
"Y-yes, I'm completely sure." Fluttershy answered. She sounded just as scared as Braveheart.
Braveheart could feel his hooves shaking. The ground felt cold underneath his hooves. He stepped on a twig and it snapped. Both him and Fluttershy jumped. Rainbow Dash walked by both of them.
"Oh c'mon, don't be such scaredy-ponies." she said.
Then, from the tree nearby, an owl "hoo'ed"
"Gahhh!" Rainbow Dash screamed.
She looked back and saw that Braveheart and Fluttershy were looking at her.
"Uhh... Just getting some exercise." she said.
"Uh huh." Braveheart said sarcastically.
"It's true." Rainbow said.
The three of them continued into the forest, not knowing what lies ahead.
About 20 minutes went by and nothing happened. Not a sign of a bunny or anything.
"Fluttershy, how in Equestria are we gonna find a small little bunny in a huge forest?" Rainbow asked occasionally, but Fluttershy answered, "We have to keep looking." Braveheart was starting to think this was hopeless. To admit it, Rainbow was right. This forest is gigantic. There's no way only three ponies could find a small bunny in here. But then... They all turned. Something rustled in the bushed near them. They were all silent, waiting for something to happen. Then, a small white creature came running through the bushes. Fluttershy's eyes widened.
"Angel!" she said.
She ran towards it, picked it up, and held it in her arms.
"Oh Angel, I'm so sorry." Fluttershy said.
Something about that warmed Braveheart's heart. Just seeing them two make up made Braveheart feel like he could get Twilight back. Maybe someday, he and Twilight could be friends again. Maybe... His thoughts were interrupted by Rainbow Dash.
"Ok you two. You can have your friend fest back at the cottage, but now we have to get out of here."
"You're right, c'mon Angel, lets..." Fluttershy started.
Suddenly, Angel jumped out of Fluttershy's hooves. It started jumping up and down, and pointing in the direction it came.
"Why, what is it?" Fluttershy asked, confused about all this.
Suddenly, a growl came from the trees. The ponies looked around, curious as to what it was. Suddenly, Braveheart smelled something awful. It smelled like some animal that has been dead for a long time. It seemed like Rainbow and Fluttershy smelled it too. Then, they heard some trotting, but it wasn't hooves. It didn't even sound like a normal walk. It sounded as if it was running. Charging, even. Suddenly, out from the trees, came what looked like a dog made of a tree itself. It stopped right in front of them and looked at them. It growled in their faces. Braveheart finally knew what that smell was. It was this thing's breath.
"Nopony move." Rainbow Dash said. "It's a Timberwolf. It reacts to sound."
They were all silent, as was the Timberwolf. They looked at it. It's eyes stared at them, almost as if it was looking into their souls. Then, of course, Fluttershy sneezed. It was a soft sneeze. One of the softest sneezes Braveheart has ever heard, but it wasn't soft for the Timberwolf. The Timberwolf roared again. Louder than the first one.
"Run!" Rainbow Dash yelled.
Fluttershy scooped up Angel and took off. Rainbow and Braveheart were right behind her. The Timberwolf howled and ran for them. Braveheart turned, thinking that they got some distance, but their running was nothing compared to the Timberwolf's. It didn't matter how far they got, the Timberwolf was incredibly faster than them.
"Left!" Braveheart shouted.
The three ponies took a sharp left. Braveheart hoped that the Timberwolf wouldn't be able to make a sharp turn like that, but he thought wrong. The Timberwolf came barreling around the corner with no problems what so ever.
"Rainbow, Fluttershy, there's no way we can out run this thing! It's way to fast!" Braveheart shouted.
"We have to keep running or this thing will catch us!" Rainbow shouted back.
"Well we can't bring this thing into Ponyville, who knows what it'll do." Fluttershy said.
Braveheart inspected around him. Nothing but trees, bushes, vines, and grass. Wait! That's it! The vines! Braveheart had no idea what this would come of, but he saw a vine that had fallen off the tree on the ground. He grabbed it when he ran past and yelled, "Rainbow!" She turned to him and saw that he had a vine in his hooves. He threw one end to Rainbow and she caught it in her mouth.
"Fluttershy, keep running, and don't stop!" Braveheart told her.
"Don't worry." she said back.
The Timberwolf was gaining on them.
"Ok, 'ya ready?" Braveheart asked.
Rainbow nodded.
"Ok...one!" he started.
The Timberwolf was almost to them.
"Two...!"
The Timberwolf was in range to bite at them now. It opened its mouth and was about to chomp.
"Three!" Braveheart screamed.
Braveheart and Rainbow both jumped to the side and the vine stretched out. The Timberwolf couldn't react fast enough. It's front legs were stopped on the vine, but the whole body wasn't. It's body fell over and slammed into the ground. Pieces of the Timberwolf flew everywhere. A loud crash was heard when it hit the ground. There was also a lot of dust. Rainbow Dash got up and looked around, but she could barely see anything from the dust.
"Braveheart!" she shouted.
Suddenly, she heard something move in the debris. It sounded like moaning. She moved towards it slowly. She got close enough to make out what it was.
"Braveheart!" she said.
She ran towards him and saw something that made her gasp. A huge piece of the Timberwolf's body had fallen onto Braveheart's left wing.
"R-Rainbow?" he said.
"Yea it's me."
"Great job." he said.
"You too, but now's not the time."
She got up and tried to push the log off him. It didn't budge.
"Rainbow." Braveheart said.
She ignored him and kept on trying.
"Rainbow!" he said.
He pulled her down.
"I can't leave you here." she said.
"Yea, I don't want you to leave me, but that log isn't gonna move. We have to try something else."
They both thought for a moment. Rainbow Dash stood up and said, "Give me your hoof."
Braveheart didn't know what she had planned, but he knew he wasn't gonna like it. He put his hoof in hers and she put one of her back hooves on the log. She closed her eyes, and yanked. Braveheart screamed in pain.
"Braveheart, I need you to help me with this. I can't do this alone." she said.
Braveheart nodded. Still in pain, he put both of his back hooves on the log.
"Ok. One, two, three!" Rainbow shouted.
Rainbow pulled on his hoof and Braveheart pushed on the log. Braveheart could feel his wing coming loose. They did it one more time, and Braveheart was free, but his wing was all scratched up. Rainbow fell on the ground once they pulled him out. Both of them, gasping for air.
"Well... We did it." Rainbow said.
"Yea, we did." Braveheart said as he rubbed his wing.
"C'mon..." Rainbow Dash started. "Lets get you back home. Maybe Fluttershy can help with that." she said as she pointed a hoof to his wing.
Rainbow helped him up and Braveheart put his hoof around her back. If Braveheart wasn't in agonizingly pain, he would've liked this, and Rainbow felt the same.
They both hobbled out of the woods to be met by Applebloom and Sweetie Belle.
"There they are!" Applebloom shouted.
They both got up and ran towards them.
"Oh, hey guys. Where's Scootaloo?" Braveheart asked.
"That's just it. Scootaloo left to go find you guys." Sweetie Belle answered.
Both of Braveheart's and Rainbow's eyes widened, and they both gasped. Hoping that what Sweetie Belle was joking, but the sound in her voice and the look on her face said otherwise.
"We tried to stop her, we really did, but she didn't listen to us." Applebloom said.
Braveheart was trying to process all of this. Why would Scootaloo go into the Everfree Forest alone?
"Do you know why she even went in there in the first place?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"She didn't say anything. She just said that she had to go find you three." Sweetie Belle said.
Sweetie Belle looked around.
"Hey, where's Fluttershy?" she asked.
"We don't know. We were getting chased by a Timberwolf and we told her to not stop running. I'm thinking she made it out of the forest, but we haven't seen her." Rainbow Dash said.
Braveheart looked back into the forest, disregarding what the others were saying. Scootaloo was in there, alone. He couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
"Anyways, I have to get Braveheart back to the house, but we will go and get some help to find Scootaloo." Rainbow continued.
She grabbed Braveheart's hoof, but Braveheart yanked it away.
"Braveheart c'mon."
"No." he said.
He turned towards her to meet her eyes. She looked shocked. Neither she nor the fillies said anything.
"It's our fault that Scootaloo is in there right now. Since it's our fault, we're gonna get her out. No matter what." he said.
He started towards the forest again, but stopped when he realized that Rainbow wasn't next to him. He turned back and saw that she was still standing in front of the fillies. He came back to her.
"Rainbow, aren't you coming?" he asked when he got to her.
"Braveheart, you're really hurt, and we don't know what else is in there. It's best that we don't go back in there and go get some help." she responded.
"By then it'll probably be too late."
Rainbow looked to the ground, knowing Braveheart was right.
"Look, you don't have to come with me, but I'm going back in there to find her, with or without you."
He turned back and started sprinting for the forest again. He looked back and saw that Rainbow wasn't following him. He kept looking until the trees blocked his view. He looked down and sighed. Suddenly, he heard something. It sounded like... wings flapping. He looked back and saw her flying towards him. She landed next to him and started sprinting next to him.
"You came." Braveheart said.
"You're crazy, you know that?" Rainbow said.
"Absolutely, but I'm really glad you're here."
"You didn't think I was gonna let you go in here alone did you?"
"Well..." Braveheart started.
"Don't answer that. Now lets go find Scootaloo." she said.
Braveheart nodded as they broke into full speed into the forest. They ran into the darkness as raindrops started to fall through the trees.
It was now pouring down rain, and Braveheart and Rainbow Dash had seen no sign of Scootaloo or anything. Braveheart had a thought of turning back around, but he couldn't for two things. One, he couldn't leave Scootaloo out here alone. And two, he had no idea where they were. Water ran down his face. His mane was soaking wet from the rain, and from the looks of it, it seemed Rainbow Dash was the same way. Braveheart looked around. Nothing.
"Braveheart, it's getting late, and we're gonna get sick if we keep this up! We gotta get home!" Rainbow shouted over the pouring rain.
Braveheart didn't want to admit it, but she was right. They would get a cold if they stayed out here, but so would Scootaloo. Who knows what time it was, but Braveheart didn't care. He had to find Scootaloo. Rainbow took his hoof in hers.
"Braveheart, please." she said.
Braveheart sighed. His ears drooped down and he looked at the ground.
"You're right." he finally said. "I mean, what was I thinking. How could we possibly find a small pony in a huge forest?"
"We found Angel." Rainbow Dash said, trying to cheer him up, but it didn't seem to work.
"More like he found us. Besides, Angel is a tiny rabbit, he can hide from creatures easily. I'm worried that Scootaloo won't be able to do that."
Rainbow came up beside him and put her hoof around his back.
"Hey listen, we'll find her, but not today. I'm pretty sure that she can survive a night." Rainbow said.
"Rainbow, we could barely survive an afternoon because of that Timberwolf." Braveheart said.
"Well what are the chances that a Timberwolf could find Scootaloo?"
On cue, a roar was heard in the forest. Braveheart's and Rainbow's ears both perked up. After the roar died down, they heard a scream right after it. It sounded like a filly scream.
"That's her!" Braveheart shouted.
He took off behind them, Rainbow flying right behind him. Braveheart tried to see through the rain, but it was getting difficult. He tried to remember where the scream came from, but his instincts told him exactly where it was. In the distance, we could hear the trees shaking, and it wasn't because of the heavy wind. It was because of something much stronger. He heard stomping, and it soon turned into a run.
'Please. Please, no.' he thought to himself.
His hoof slipped out from under him, but he was stopped instantly. He turned and saw that Rainbow had grabbed onto his tail with her teeth. He looked forward and saw that he was looking straight at the ground. He gasped. Rainbow pulled him back up and said, "Braveheart slow down, we can do this together."
"C'mon!" he yelled.
Then, Braveheart jumped straight down the hill.
"Braveheart!" Rainbow yelled.
She spread her wings and soared straight down after him. It didn't take long to figure out why he suddenly jumped. Her eyes widened. Scootaloo was at the bottom of the hill, but that wasn't all. A big creature was walking up to her. It seemed to be made out of trees and branches. A Timberwolf.
"Scootaloo!" Braveheart called out.
He saw Scootaloo look up at them. Braveheart was relieved to see her face again. Braveheart pushed his back hooves off the hill and landed next to her. Rainbow Dash continued to fly straight towards the Timberwolf's head and slammed into it with her back hooves. The Timberwolf roared in rage. Scootaloo, on the other hand, ran up to Braveheart and into his hooves. A tear ran down her cheek.
"Are you ok?" Braveheart asked her.
"I am now." she responded.
Her voice sound terrified, but Braveheart was just glad that she was ok.
"Um...guys!" somepony shouted.
Braveheart snapped back into reality.
"Can we have our little reunion later? Run!" Rainbow yelled.
Braveheart picked up Scootaloo with his teeth and threw her on his back. He then started to run full speed, away from the monster. Rainbow Dash was behind them, flying as fast as she could. They heard the Timberwolf howl, and then it started after them.
"Where are we going?" Scootaloo shouted over the rain.
"Anywhere where that thing isn't!" Rainbow answered.
They ran by the side of the mountain. They didn't see any way for them to get up it. If only Braveheart could fly. Braveheart looked the other way and gasped. The hill was coming to an end, but they were headed for a dead end. The walls started to slowly close in as they continued to run. They couldn't turn or the Timberwolf would get them. They jumped in between two trees, and the Timberwolf followed, but it got stuck in between the trees. Braveheart thought that would buy them some time, but they came to the dead end. They looked around, but the was no way out.
"There's only one thing we can do. Fight!" Rainbow said.
Braveheart looked around. He looked at Rainbow, then at Scootaloo, and then at the Timberwolf.
"No." he said.
"What do you mean no? There's nothing we can do." Rainbow said.
"There's nothing I can do. You're gonna take Scootaloo and get out of here."
He took Scootaloo off his back and set her on Rainbow's.
"No way Braveheart, I'm not leaving you!" she said.
"Neither am I." Scootaloo said.
"Look, you two have to leave. That Timberwolf won't be able to climb up that hill. Rainbow, fly up there and take Scootaloo home."
"What about you? That Timberwolf will get you." Rainbow said.
Braveheart didn't say anything for a moment. Instead he just looked at the ground.
"I know." he finally said.
"No. That is not an option. I'm not leaving you here to die."
"I'm not asking you Rainbow." he said.
He looked at her, and saw that tears were forming in her eyes. He grabbed her and pulled her in close and hugged her.
"It'll be ok. You need to take Scootaloo and get away from here. Just promise me you will get her to safety." Braveheart said.
The Timberwolf struggled to get free. The trees didn't seem they would hold up much longer.
"Promise me Rainbow." Braveheart said.
Tears ran down Rainbow's cheek. She nodded. Braveheart did the same.
"Now go."
Braveheart took a step back. Rainbow spread her wings and took off. He watched them go. Both Rainbow and Scootaloo looked down at him until he was out of sight. Braveheart turned back towards the monster and waited for his doom.
Braveheart remembered his first day in Ponyville. He chased after that robber who stole Granny Smith's purse. Where was that courage now? Maybe it was the fact that there was a monster standing before him about five times as big as him. The robber was much easier to deal with. The Timberwolf pushed through the trees until they finally snapped in half. The Timberwolf eyed Braveheart. Braveheart knew that there was nothing he could do. He never thought he would die to a monster made out of trees. The Timberwolf slowly started to walk towards him.
"Hey you!" somepony shouted.
The Timberwolf looked up, but instantly got smacked with a branch.
"Rainbow Dash? What are you doing?" Braveheart asked shocked.
She couldn't answer since she was holding the branch with her teeth. The Timberwolf shook it off like it was nothing. Rainbow tried to hit it again, but the Timberwolf striked back. It grabbed the branch from her mouth with it's mouth and flung it off to the side. Rainbow's eyes widened as she fluttered down next to Braveheart.
"What are you doing here?" Braveheart asked again.
"Saving you." she answered back.
"And this was your plan?"
"It was worth a shot."
"What about Scootaloo?"
"Don't worry, she's fine, but I couldn't leave you down here." Rainbow said.
"Rainbow, I told you..." Braveheart started.
"I know what you said, but I just couldn't. If you're going down, then I'm going down with you. You would do the same for me." she said.
Braveheart realized that what Rainbow was saying was true. If he was put in the same situation, he would do all to his ability to get Rainbow out of there. That's just what friends do. And he knew Rainbow was a true friend, and that she would never abandon one of her friends. No matter what the cost. Braveheart smiled.
"You do know what's gonna come of this don't you?" he asked.
"As long as I'm with you, it doesn't matter." she answered.
They both blushed, but snapped out of it when the Timberwolf roared. They turned to face it, knowing that this was the end of them both. They both closed their eyes as the Timberwolf began to charge them. Suddenly, when they thought it was all over, they heard a loud SMACK! Braveheart was the first to open his eyes. The Timberwolf was shaking its head. Little bright yellow stuff flung off its face. A bit of it landed in front of Braveheart. He bent down and sniffed it.
"Apples?" he said confused.
Both him and Rainbow Dash looked up, but they couldn't see anything. Then, another apple came soaring down. It hit the Timberwolf in the head too. Then they heard something that sounded like sliding. They looked up again and gasped. Both Applejack and Rarity were sliding down the hill. Applejack looked like she was ready to fight, but Rarity looked as if she wanted to be at home rather than sliding down a muddy hill.
"There they are!" Applejack shouted.
Braveheart couldn't have been more happy to see any other ponies. When they both landed next to Braveheart and Rainbow Dash, Rarity's horn instantly glow a bright blue aura. A tree right beside the Timberwolf suddenly appeared to be the same color as the aura. It was lifted out of the ground and was slammed into the Timberwolf's side. The Timberwolf stumbled to the ground, but instantly regained its senses.
"Iiiiiiincoming!" a high pitched voice yelled.
The four ponies looked up the hill to see Pinkie Pie rolling down on a... cannon?
"Ev'rypony get down!" Applejack shouted.
Braveheart and Rainbow Dash dove to one side while Rarity and Applejack dove to the other. Pinkie zoomed passed them on her cannon. She was about to collide with the Timberwolf until she pulled up on the cannon. Suddenly, she was airborne. The cannon made a loud BANG! Confetti and streamers flew out of the cannon and onto the Timberwolf's face. It didn't do anything, but the Timberwolf was staggering backwards, surprised from the noise. Applejack ran passed Pinkie and up to one of the Timberwolf's legs. She turned and put her hind legs up. She kicked the Timberwolf's leg and it snapped off of the body. The Timberwolf cried out with pain. It started to lean sideways until it tipped over. It tried to bite at Applejack, but she got away from it just in time. It cried out again. Braveheart almost felt bad for it.
"Woo we. That was somethin'. Alright Fluttershy! Let down the rope!" Applejack called up the hill.
It took a few seconds for something to happen. One end of the rope was falling down the hill. Applejack caught it with her mouth. She walked over to Braveheart and set the end of the rope in front of him.
"You're up Sugarcube." Applejack said.
Braveheart was about to grab the rope until...
"Move!" Rarity yelled.
She pushed passed Braveheart, grabbed the rope in her mouth, and started to climb the hill. She was probably going the fastest she could go.
"Well..." Applejack started. "I guess you're next then."
There was a squeaking noise coming from behind Braveheart and Rainbow Dash. They both turned and saw Pinkie pushing her cannon towards them. She was breathing heavily.
"You alright Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow asked her.
"Y-yea. That was so much fun!" she shouted.
"What is that thing anyways?" Braveheart asked.
"This is my Party Cannon. I'd figured we would need it since we were coming to save you guys." Pinkie answered.
"Ah I see. Wait. How did you guys find us?" Braveheart said confused.
"Fluttershy came and told us that ya'll were fightin' a Timberwolf. She said that she heard a loud crash and she was deathly worried about ya'll." Applejack answered.
"Fluttershy?" Braveheart said.
He looked at Rainbow Dash.
"Where is she?" Rainbow asked before Braveheart could.
"She's up there." Applejack said as she motioned up the hill.
Braveheart didn't waste any time. He ran to the side of the hill and grabbed the rope in his mouth. He started to climb up the mountain, but it was a little slippery. No matter how long it took, Braveheart would get up that hill. Rainbow flew beside him, making sure he wouldn't fall. As he was climbing the hill, the rain seemed to be slowing down. He saw light shine through the trees, and from that moment on, he knew that everything would be alright.
Rainbow helped Braveheart up onto the top of the hill. Braveheart stood up, almost out of breath.
"Braveheart!" somepony yelled.
He looked up and saw Scootaloo running towards him. He spread his hooves and she jumped into them.
"I'm so glad you're ok." she said.
A tear ran down her cheek as she said it.
"I'm glad you are too, but where's Fluttershy?" he asked her.
He set her down and she pointed behind her.
"Right over there, talking to Rarity." Scootaloo answered.
Braveheart and Rainbow walked in the direction that Scootaloo pointed. Braveheart's spirits were lifted when they saw her.
"Fluttershy!" he called out.
She turned and gasped. They all ran towards each other.
"Oh, I'm so glad that you two are..." she started.
She was stopped by Braveheart's hug. He hugged her tight.
"Thank you." he said.
"Oh, you're welcome." she said back.
Once Braveheart let go, Rainbow hugged her too and said the same thing.
"Oh my, what happened to you" Fluttershy asked, noticing Braveheart's wing.
"This thing? It just got scratched." he answered.
"Braveheart, that's more than a scratch." Rainbow said.
"Does it hurt?" Fluttershy asked.
"Well...yea a little. It hurts enough for me to be unable to fly, but..."
"Oh dear. Come with me. Scootaloo, tell the others to meet us at my cottage!" Fluttershy called out, but it was more of a speaking voice, but Scootaloo as still able to hear her. Fluttershy grabbed Braveheart's hoof and dragged him into the forest. Rainbow was right behind them.
"Why are we going to your cottage?" Braveheart asked.
"So I can fix your wing up." Fluttershy answered.
"Fluttershy, you don't have to do that."
"I'm not doing it because I have to, I'm doing it because I want to."
Braveheart didn't say anything after that. He just let her drag him all the way to her house.
It took a while, but they eventually made it back to Fluttershy's cottage. They burst through the door of her home. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were in there, sitting on the couch. Their ears perked up when they came in.
"Ya'll are back!" Applebloom said.
"Is Scootaloo behind you guys?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"They'll be along shortly, but right now I have to help Braveheart." Fluttershy said.
The three of them ran passed them.
"C'mon Sweetie Belle. Lets go wait for them." Applebloom suggested.
The two fillies bolted out of the cottage and shut the door behind them. Fluttershy directed Braveheart to the couch.
"Wait here." she told him.
She flew off into the house, leaving Braveheart and Rainbow Dash alone.
"Hey..." Rainbow started.
Braveheart looked at her.
"You acted really brave back there in the forest. I guess your name doesn't lie. You really do have a brave heart." she said.
Braveheart never really thought of him having a "brave heart". He just wanted to do what was right.
"Thanks. You were too." Braveheart responded.
"How was I being brave?" Rainbow asked.
"You didn't leave me alone out there, even though you knew that it would be the end for us. I've never seen so much bravery than that."
Rainbow blushed.
"Oh, just that huh?" she said.
They were both silent.
"Hey, there's something I wanna tell you." Rainbow said.
"Sure, what is it?" Braveheart said.
Braveheart noticed that her face was going red.
"It's uh, something I've been wanting to tell you for a long time." she said.
"Ok"
Braveheart had a good idea where this was going. It was something he's been waiting for ever since he met Rainbow.
"I just wanted to say that I..."
She was cut off by screaming. They both looked out the window to see the other ponies walking out of the forest. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle ran up to Scootaloo and hugged her. After they hugged Scootaloo, they each went to their sisters and hugged them, and then back to Scootaloo.
"So anyways, what was it you were gonna tell me?" Braveheart asked.
"Huh? Oh, its nothing. Nevermind." she said.
'Dang it!' Braveheart said to himself. 'So close.'
Fluttershy flew back in with a silver case.
"Sorry it took so long." she said.
"No worries. What's that?" Braveheart asked.
"It's a med-kit. It should have the materials I need to fix your wing." Fluttershy responded.
"Well lets get started." Braveheart said.
It took about twenty or so minutes until Fluttershy was done. She sprayed his wing with some kind of liquid. Whatever it was, it made his wing sting. She said it had to sit for a few minutes. Once it settled in, she wrapped his wing in bandages. By now, the other ponies have made their way inside the cottage.
"There we go. You're gonna have to let it rest for a day or two before its fully healed." Fluttershy said once she tied the last bandage.
"Thanks Fluttershy. I don't know what I would've done without you." Braveheart said.
"No worries. It's the least I could do. After all, you saved Angel and myself. We really do appreciate it."
"Thanks again for calling everypony to come and find us too." Rainbow said.
"Don't worry about. What are friends for?"
"Hey I have an idea." Pinkie Pie said.
Everypony looked at her.
"Lets have a party!" she shouted.
While they were all walking to Sugarcube Corner, Braveheart and Rainbow Dash told them about everything that happened starting from where Fluttershy came to them in the morning.
"Shucks. Looks like ya'll had run wild day." Applejack said.
"It must feel divine to just sit back and relax." Rarity said.
"Oh it will. Trust me." Braveheart said.
They got to the entrance to the shop. Braveheart ran up in front and opened up the door for the others.
"Oh, look who's being a gentlepony." Rarity said.
They all went in one by one. Braveheart was about to go in when he heard a THUMP! He turned and saw a pony in a brown cloak on the ground. A basket rolled near the pony, and apples spilled everywhere. One of the apples rolled over to Braveheart's feet. A few of the apples glowed a bright purple and was levitated back into the basket. Braveheart picked up the apple that rolled over to him and walked over to the pony.
"Um...here ya' go." he said as he handed it to the pony.
The pony looked up and backed up, but instantly scooted back up to him.
"Um...t-thanks." the pony said.
It appeared to be a girl pony. The apple in Braveheart's hoof and it floated over to the basket. Braveheart didn't even realize it left his hoof. Something seemed familiar about this pony's voice.
"Do I know you?" he asked the pony.
"Um... I don't think so, but I really have to get going so goodbye."
She turned fast. When she turned, Braveheart's eyes widened.
"Hey wait!" he called out to her.
The pony slowly turned around. Braveheart walked up to the pony and stood right in front of her. He got a close look at her head and gasped. He stared into the pony's purple eyes. He didn't know a lot of ponies with purple eyes. He only knew of one.
"No." he said.
The pony started to back up.
"Hey Braveheart, c'mon!" Rainbow Dash called out to him.
Braveheart ignored her. Instead he moved closer to the pony.
"T-Twilight?" he asked.
He heard the pony gasp, and saw that her eyes widened. The pony turned around and bolted in the opposite direction of Braveheart.
"Twilight, wait!" Braveheart yelled.
He started after her. Rainbow was still in the entrance of the shop.
"Girls c'mon!" she shouted.
She spread her wings and chased after Braveheart and the pony.
Braveheart chased her throughout the entire town. He wasn't gonna stop. There was no mistaking it. This was indeed Twilight. He couldn't believe that he couldn't recognize her voice. He was lucky he knew her eyes. He followed her through the market.
"Twilight stop!" he yelled out to her.
Other ponies turned and looked to see what was happening, but all they did was move aside for them. Twilight made a sharp left and Braveheart followed. This was it. He had chased her into an alley. She ran to the end and looked around. She turned to see that Braveheart was walking up behind her. Braveheart saw a small spark appear in the hood.
"No!" he shouted.
But it was too late. A flash of white light appeared where Twilight was. When it cleared, Twilight was gone. Only her cloak remained. He heard something strange behind him. He turned just in time to see Twilight reappear behind him. She saw him looking at her and started to run back out to the market area. She turned back to see if Braveheart was following her, but she was stopped when she slammed into something. She looked up and saw Applejack standing over her. She got up and tried to push through her and the other ponies.
"Applejack move!" she shouted.
It's been so long since Braveheart has heard her voice. He pretty much forgot what she sounded like.
"No can do sugarcube. It's time that you and Braveheart work things out." Applejack responded.
"There's nothing to work out. I don't want to talk to him." Twilight said.
"But he wants to talk to you, darling. Give him a chance." Rarity said.
Twilight ignored her, but instead she kept on trying to push through her friends.
"Twilight." Braveheart said walking up to her.
No answer. She still tried to escape.
"Twilight!"
Braveheart grabbed her hoof and spun her around.
"Let me go!" she shouted.
"No, not until we talk." Braveheart said.
"There's nothing to talk about." Twilight said, struggling to get free.
"Maybe for you, but I have something to say."
Twilight didn't say anything. She stopped struggling and looked up at him. 'Ok Braveheart, don't screw this up.' Braveheart told himself. Braveheart took a deep breath.
"Look Twilight. I screwed up. When I moved out to live with Rainbow, I didn't know that our friendship would end. That's the one thing I didn't want to happen. I was selfish. Selfish of your feelings. I know you said it was alright to move out, but I should've made certain you were telling the truth. I was just to excited to live with Rainbow. When I came to talk to you a while back, Rarity pretty much told me what to say, but this time, there's nopony telling me what to say or do. It's just me. I truly mean it when I say it, but I miss you Twilight. I miss hanging out with you. I miss talking to you. I miss seeing you everyday. I miss our friendship, and I want it back. If there's anyway you can forgive me, please do, or you can walk away now and never talk to me again." Braveheart said.
A tear ran down Twilight's cheek. It seemed a tear ran down the other ponies cheeks as well.
"Well, you have to let me go first." Twilight said.
"Twilight, I let you go right when I first started talking." Braveheart said.
Twilight looked down and realized she was free. She looked back up to Braveheart. That's when she broke down into tears. She threw herself into Braveheart's hooves.
"I'm so, so sorry." she told him.
"No Twilight, I'm sorry." Braveheart said.
A tear ran down Braveheart's cheek now. At that moment, he felt as happy as ever. Because he knew that he had just won Twilight back.
"Hey you know what?" Pinkie asked breaking the silence.
Everypony looked at her.
"It's time for that party!" she shouted.
After about two hours of partying at Sugarcube Corner, everypony started to head back home. Braveheart walked back home with Twilight. While they were walking to the library, Braveheart told Twilight all the things he's been doing since he moved out. Twilight laughed at the part where he was freaking out about Tank's flying hat being broken and how he had to tell Rainbow. Braveheart thought it would be uncomfortable talking about his and Rainbow Dash's first date in front of Twilight, but he did anyways. He knew he didn't like Twilight like that, and he guessed she didn't like him like that... at least he didn't think she did. They got to the library when Braveheart started explaining what had happened that morning.
"C'mon inside, you can finish when we get in." Twilight said.
Her horn glowed a purple aura and the door opened. Braveheart followed her inside. It didn't seem that anything has changed from what Braveheart could see. It's been so long since Braveheart was here last. It was just like Braveheart remembered. Books all across the shelves and a few on the floor. Papers scattered on her desk. And the Elements of Harmony were still in their glass casing.
"Sorry about the mess." Twilight said.
"Ah, don't worry about. Anyways, like I was saying..." Braveheart started.
"Twi...light." a voice called from the top of the stairs.
They both turned to the stairs and saw Spike slowly walking down them with three scrolls in each hand. Braveheart noticed that he looked really awful. Like he was...sick.
"Spike, you look horrible, what happened?" Twilight asked.
Spike's cheeks puffed up and he burped out another scroll.
"Princess Celestia has been sending these scrolls all night, and they all say the same thing." he said.
Twilight's horn glowed and a scroll floated up in front of her. It unrolled itself, and Twilight read it aloud.
"Dear Twilight, You must come to Canterlot at once."
Twilight turned the scroll backwards to see if there was any more writing on the back. Nothing. She took another scroll and it said the same thing as the last. She checked one more. Same.
"I don't understand. What could be so important?" she asked herself aloud.
"I don't know, but you should get on over to the train station quickly." Braveheart suggested.
"You're right. Sorry about this, Braveheart. We can catch up some more tomorrow." she said.
"I'll be waiting."
Twilight opened the door and ran outside, shutting the door behind her. Spike walked up to Braveheart.
"So...you finally got her back, huh?" he asked Braveheart.
"Yea, I did. Wasn't easy." Braveheart answered.
"You should tell me about it some time, but not now. I'm to exhausted from all these letters. I'm going to bed." Spike said as he started back up the stairs.
"Hope ya' feel better." Braveheart called out to him.
"Me too." Spike answered back.
Braveheart started out the door. He opened it, and the last thing he heard was Spike burping and moaning.
It wasn't easy, but Twilight got a train to Canterlot. The train ride seemed to take forever, but she finally arrived in Canterlot. She rushed through the city. There were only a few ponies out walking around. Probably they were closing up their shops for the night. She didn't stop running for anything. Two guards were standing at the castle gate, guarding the entrance. They saw Twilight coming and they stepped aside.
"Ms. Sparkle." one of the guards said.
She ran right past them, not saying a word. She opened the doors to the castle and continued on. It was silent in the castle. There were no guards. No anything. Something weird was going on, but Twilight couldn't let herself get distracted. She continued running down the halls and up stairs until she came to the throne room. The doors were strangely half-way opened already. They were usually closed. She came up to them, caught her breath for a moment, and pushed the door opened with her head. She saw Princess Celestia pacing around the room. She was mumbling something under her breath. Twilight couldn't make out what she was saying.
"Princess..." Twilight started as she walked towards her.
The Princess looked up and said, "Twilight, you're here."
"Yes. I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner. I was caught up in something, but when I saw that you needed me, I instantly came here." Twilight said.
"Its alright Twilight, but you must come with me."
The princess walked past Twilight. Something about her seemed rushed. Twilight couldn't know why. All she could do was follow.
The Princess led her down a long hallway filled with doors. They soon came to a dark blue door with a crescent moon on it. Twilight knew what this was. She saw it the day Braveheart appeared.
"Princess, I don't understand. Why are we at Princess Luna's room? Is she feeling better now?" Twilight asked.
"No Twilight." the princess said.
Instead of using her magic, Celestia pushed the door open with her hoof. When it was completely opened, Twilight gasped. The room was completely clean and the bed was perfectly made. The only problem was that Luna was nowhere to be seen.
"Luna's gone." Celestia said.
Braveheart slowly opened his eyes. He looked around. Trees surrounded him in every direction.
"Rainbow Dash?" he called out.
No answer. It felt like the Everfree Forest, but it looked different. The trees were darker, so were the leaves. Braveheart was sure that he didn't fall asleep, especially he didn't fall asleep in a forest. He was really starting to freak out. Where was he? He looked around for anything that could help him. Nothing.
"Braveheart." a voice said.
Braveheart looked in every direction. It was hard to tell where the voice came from because it was almost a whisper.
"Braveheart." it said again.
The voice was a tiny bit louder now. When the pounding started, Braveheart thought he was crazy.
"Braveheart. Braveheart."
The voice kept calling his name faster and louder. The pounding, almost like a drum beat, was getting louder and faster too. It may have just been fear, but Braveheart thought that the forest was getting darker on every beat. He started to back up until his back hit the trunk of a tree. He slid down the tree and covered his face with his hooves.
"Who are you?" he yelled through the sounds.
He could barely hear himself think. His hooves started to shake.
"What are you?" he called out.
It was starting to seem like a scene in a horror movie with him as the main character.
"Where are you?" he shouted.
The beat rang in his ears. The voice seemed as if it were getting closer. It probably was.
"Stop!" he screamed.
Suddenly, everything stopped. It was silent. Braveheart lifted his head. It was completely dark. He could barely see his hoof in front of his face. He picked himself up off the ground and looked around. He saw something in the distance in front of him. He squinted at it. Even though he couldn't really see it, he knew exactly what it was. It was a small blue spec with a few colors around it. Braveheart's eyes widened.
"Rainbow...!" he started.
He was cut off with intense light blue flames coming up around him. He was so startled he backed up. A little but of the flames got on his tail and he jumped.
"What's going on?" he asked out loud.
Then a wicked laugh was heard around him. He looked everywhere. In the trees, on the ground. He couldn't see through the fire, but from what he could see, he didn't see anything.
"So...you're this Braveheart I've been hearing about." the voice said.
It appeared to be an older mare's voice.
"Who are you? What do you want with me?" Braveheart asked the voice, still looking for where the voice came from.
"I go by plenty names, but only some to a few. But that isn't important. I need you to do something for me."
"Why in Equestrian would I do something for a pony I don't even know?"
"Oh Braveheart. I see that you've accustomed to the pony language. Oh how you used to talk. You wouldn't care about all this if you were who you really are." the voice said.
"What do you mean? I've talked like this forever." Braveheart told the voice.
"Oh really now?"
The flames disappeared. Suddenly, gigantic blueish-green eyes appeared in front of Braveheart. Braveheart stumbled back.
"Because if I recall, you're not even a pony!" the voice shouted at him.
Braveheart's eyes widened.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh please Braveheart. Don't play stupid with me. I know that you were once human. I know you more than you know yourself. Now listen to me. You being in Equestrian has caused havoc in places that will be remained unnamed."
"How could me being here cause havoc?" Braveheart asked confused.
"You don't belong here, and thus it's disrupting the balance of Equestrian and wherever you're from. I don't know much about you're world, but what I do know is that you have to get back before you completely destroy both our worlds." the voice continued.
"What if I say no? How do I know you're not lying?"
There was silence for a moment.
"The Timberwolf." the voice finally said.
"Excuse me?" Braveheart asked confused.
"That Timberwolf attack that happened to you. Timberwolves are naturally peaceful, but now that you're here, all animals are going insane. In time, they will make their way into cities and towns and destroy everything and everypony. If you don't get back to your own world, everypony here will be eliminated from existence, and it'll be all because of you."
Braveheart thought for a moment. It pains him to be thinking this, but the creepy eyes mare may be right. Even though Timberwolves don't look nice and peaceful, Braveheart still doesn't know a whole lot about the creatures of this world. He planned on getting together with Fluttershy and learn a few things, but he's been busy running from monsters lately so he never got the chance.
"I'm sorry, but I can't believe you." Braveheart finally said.
"What? Don't you care about your friends? They will be killed!" the voice yelled.
"Of course I do, and I will do anything to protect them. But this doesn't add up. Nothing strange has happened before that Timberwolf attack. I'm sorry but I'm not going back until you give me a good reason to." Braveheart said.
It was quiet. The voice started to chuckle a little.
"What's so funny?" Braveheart asked it.
"Oh Braveheart, you don't know what you just did."
The ground started to shake beneath Braveheart's hooves.
"If you don't go back, this world will perish. That Timberwolf was just the beginning. And I'm up next. And I'm gonna start with what you care most for!" the voice shouted at him.
The eyes closed and disappeared.
"Hey! Wait! What do you mean by that?" Braveheart yelled.
The laughter coming from the voice faded off into the distance. Braveheart started to run in the general direction he thought it was going. The ground shook harder.
"Wait!" Braveheart called out to the voice.
The ground shook viciously until it gave out right underneath Braveheart's hooves.
"No!" Braveheart screamed as he fell through an endless pit of darkness.
"No!"
Braveheart sat straight up on the couch. He looked around. He was in his home, safe and sound. He was breathing heavily. He looked towards the window. The sun was just about to rise. He got up out of the couch and walked towards the window. When he got to it, he started to think about the dream he just had.
"And I'm gonna start with what you care most for."
Those words kept on playing in his head. What did that mare mean? What he cares most for. His eyes widened. He instantly pushed away from the window and ran as fast as he could towards the stairs. He didn't take time to fly up them. He got to the top to be greeted by a door. The door was bright blue with Rainbow Dash's cutie mark painted on it. He burst through the door and into her room. He expected to see Rainbow still sleeping, but she wasn't there. Her bed sheets were a mess, so was her room.
"No." Braveheart said.
He turned and rushed back down stairs. How could that mare do that? She took Rainbow! Now Braveheart understood what she meant by 'care most for'. He headed for the front door. He had to get help. Maybe Twilight would know what to do. He got to the door and pushed through it. He was now on the ground. Little envelopes flew by his face as he groaned.
"Dang Braveheart. What are you doing?" a voice said.
Braveheart's eyes widened. He looked up and saw Rainbow Dash picking herself up off the cloud.
"Rainbow!" Braveheart screamed in delight.
He instantly got up and hugged her.
"Man am I glad to see you." he said.
"Um, thanks. What's going on? Why were you in a hurry?" she asked.
"Cause I thought she took you." Braveheart answered.
"Took me? Who? What are you talking about?"
Braveheart was about to tell her about his dream until he was stopped by the calling of his name.
"Braveheart!"
Both Braveheart and Rainbow Dash looked over the ledge of the cloud to see Spike running towards their house.
"Oh hey Spike. What's up?" Rainbow called to him.
"I need you both to come with me right now!" he shouted up to them.
"What's wrong?" Braveheart asked.
"Twilight! She's gone!" Spike answered.
Braveheart, Rainbow, and Spike all got on the train to Canterlot just in time before it left the station. They went to the library earlier. Spike was right, Twilight hasn't been there since last night before she left. What could've happened to her? Did she spend the night at Canterlot Castle? If so, she would've sent Spike a letter telling him where she would be, but this isn't what happened.
"Braveheart?" somepony called out.
Braveheart snapped out of his thoughts about Twilight. He saw both Rainbow and Spike looking at him.
"What?" Braveheart asked.
"I asked you what do you think happened to Twilight." Rainbow told him.
"Oh, sorry. I don't really know what to make of it. I know Twilight, and this isn't her. She wouldn't just not tell anypony where she was going." Braveheart answered.
"Yea, you're right. This doesn't add up." Spike said.
"Has Twilight had any reason to leave? Anything at all?" Rainbow asked.
"Not that I know of, unless something happened with Celestia last night, but she would've sent a letter by now." Spike answered.
Braveheart and Spike had told Rainbow all about what happened last night when Braveheart and Twilight first got there.
"How do we know if she made it there safe or not?" Braveheart asked.
"Oh she did. The princess would still be sending letters if she didn't."
"Good point. So it must've been when she left. If she ever did." Rainbow said.
They were quiet for the rest of the trip. Rainbow and Spike must've been thinking about what could've happened to Twilight, but Braveheart had a pretty good idea. His dream. The older mare said she would take what he cared most. He cared for Twilight, but he didn't think that she was what he cared for the most. Braveheart didn't understand. This could've been just a mere coincidence. Maybe he could've had a dream that could fit into this situation so well. Braveheart thought that to himself, just trying to cheer himself up, but it didn't work. He just got her back. Why did this have to happen right after Twilight and him just get back to being friends? Why? So many questions were running through Braveheart's head at the moment. Questions he wished he had the answers to. Something wasn't right, and Braveheart, right then, made it his goal to find out what it is. Whoever, whatever, that mare was in his dream... She will pay for this. No matter what, Braveheart was going to find her, and make her pay for taking Twilight away.
The train pulled into the Canterlot station soon afterwards. Braveheart instantly got up out of his seat and ran towards the train's door. He pulled it open and ran out. Suddenly, he was met with a hoof in his face.
"Halt!" a castle guard said.
"C'mon man, move!" Braveheart told the guard.
"I'm sorry. Nopony is allowed into Canterlot until he figure this out." the guard told him.
"Braveheart, what's going on?" Rainbow asked coming up behind him.
"This guard isn't going to let us through until they figure out what happened." Braveheart answered.
"Figure what out? What's going on?"
"I'm sorry, but we can't tell you. Princess Celestia told us not to let anypony into Canterlot or let them know what's going on. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
The guard started to push them back into the train. Braveheart struggled to get by him.
"No! You don't understand!" Braveheart screamed.
Then two more guards came running up and tried to help push Braveheart back in.
"Braveheart, stop. It's no use." Rainbow said.
"No! I'm not stopping until we find out what happened to Twilight!" Braveheart called to her.
"Wait." one of the guards said.
All three of the guards stopped pushing Braveheart and backed up. All three of the guards' eyes were widened.
"Did you say Twilight? Twilight Sparkle?"
"Y-yes." Braveheart said confused.
The guards looked at each other. Two of them stepped aside. The last one turned his back on them and said, "Come with me."
The guard started to walk out of the train station. Braveheart looked back behind him and Spike and Rainbow. They looked just as confused as he was.
"Come!" the guard called out.
The three of them snapped out of their confusion. Spike climbed up on Braveheart's back and all three of them ran after the guard, and towards Canterlot Castle.
Braveheart has only been in here once, but he remembers it fondly. His first day in Equestria. His first day as a pony. His first day as 'Braveheart'. This is where it all began. He recognized the huge doors that lead into the throne room. Two guards standing on each of the doors were silent. Once they saw the four of them coming, their horns glowed. One was light blue, the other was lime green. The doors opened. That was when Braveheart saw her. The huge mare. Her long muti-colored mane and tail. Her shiny, enormous crown. It was the princess. She was pacing around the room. Her expression wasn't what Braveheart wanted to see. They entered the room and started down the aisle.
"Your Highness." the guard spoke up.
The princess looked up and her eyes widened. She stopped her pacing and walked towards them.
"These three say that they have some connection to..." the guard started.
"Twilight. Yes, I know. I was just about to call for them." the princess said.
Even though it was clear that the princess didn't know what happened to Twilight either, her voice was calm. She could easily persuade him into thinking nothing was wrong.
"Leave us." Celestia said.
"As you wish." the guard said as he bowed in front of her.
Celestia waited for the doors to fully close before speaking.
"I'm guessing you're all here because of the same reason?" she finally asked.
"Um...yes, princess." Spike answered.
"Princess, where did Twilight go? Why didn't she tell anypony?" Rainbow asked.
The princess was silent for a moment.
"Braveheart..." she said.
Braveheart was shocked. What did he do?
"Yes, princess?" he said.
"Has Twilight ever told you anything about Princess Luna?"
Braveheart thought for a minute.
"Not much. All she told me was that she was the Princess of the Night, that she raises the moon and stars every night, and that she's your younger sister. That's all she told me." Braveheart finally said.
"Is that all she told you?" Celestia asked.
Braveheart was quiet. He hated to admit it, but he didn't know much about Luna, the princesses even.
"Yes. That's it."
The princess only nodded.
"Um, Princess Celestia?" Spike asked, coming up to them.
"Yes, Spike?"
"Do you know what happened to Twilight?" he asked.
Princess Celestia sighed.
"Last night, when Twilight came to see me..." she started.
"I...I don't get it. What happened to Princess Luna? Why isn't she in here?" Twilight asked the princess.
"Princess Luna left sometime between this morning and now. I don't know why or where she is going. That's why I called you. I need your help to find her and bring her back." Princess Celestia answered.
Twilight walked inside Princess Luna's room. Her bed sheets were completely straight like she hasn't even gone to bed. Twilight walked around the room. She didn't see anything that would give her a hint to somewhere Princess Luna would go.
"There wouldn't be anything in here, Twilight. I already have had the guards check around and I've checked myself." Princess Celestia told her.
"This doesn't make sense. Has Princess Luna ever said anything to you that would make you think she was gonna leave?" Twilight asked.
"No. She rarely talks to me since she's been sick. I just don't understand why should leave."
"Of course you wouldn't." somepony said.
Twilight jumped. Celestia didn't budge, but it was clear that she was shocked. The voice sounded like an older mare's voice. About the same age a pony would speak if she was Celestia's age.
"Who goes there?" Celestia said.
She looked around the room. Nothing. She poked her head out of the door into the hallway, but there was nopony there.
"Who am I? You want to know who I am? Well, I guess it has been a while. You haven't seen me for so long. I've missed you Celestia. And you..." the voice paused. "Twilight."
Twilight's eyes widened. Who was this mare? Twilight swore that she's heard this voice before, but its been so long since she's heard it that she couldn't remember who it was.
"Who-who are you?" Twilight asked the voice, extremely scared.
"You will soon find out, my dear Twilight Sparkle, but for now, I need you."
"Why in Equestria do you need me?" Twilight asked.
"Well, specifically I need you so that some other pony will come for you. You may know him, Braveheart." the mare said.
Twilight's heart dropped and her eyes widened even more.
"Don't you dare hurt him!" Twilight shouted.
The mare laughed.
"Oh please Twilight. I'm not going to hurt him. I just need him for something that won't involve you. Once I have him in my grasp then you can forget that he ever existed."
"No! I won't let you! Braveheart won't come to you because I'm not going with you!" Twilight yelled.
"It always has to be the hard way doesn't it? But you make me laugh Twilight Sparkle, because you're wrong." the mare said.
"No. I'm not. You won't even be able to capture Braveheart. Ever!"
"I already have. Now come. Lets go pay your family a visit."
That's when the room went dark.
"Twilight! Don't move!" Princess Celestia shouted.
There was no answer.
"Twilight?"
Princess Celestia's horn glowed a lime green. The light shone throughout the empty room. Everything was there, except Twilight.
"Who?" Braveheart asked the princess.
"I think the one that took Twilight was my sister, Nightmare Moon." Celestia answered.
"Wait, I thought Luna was your sister. You have two sisters?" Braveheart asked confused.
"No. You see, the day Twilight came to Ponyville, my sister, Nightmare Moon, had planned to shroud the world in eternal darkness. Twilight and her friends defeated her by using the Elements of Harmony. I have no idea how she could be back. I thought that once she was defeated she wouldn't return. Obviously, I was wrong. I'm afraid that she has bigger plans in store. Rainbow Dash..." Celestia explained.
Rainbow Dash looked up. Braveheart noticed a tear running down her cheek. She wiped it off immediately.
"Yes, princess?" she asked.
"I need you and the others to go grab the Elements of Harmony and find Nightmare Moon. Defeat her again, and save Twilight." Princess Celestia said.
"I will, but how can we? We don't even know where she is." Rainbow said.
All four of them were silent.
"Hang on. Didn't Nightmare Moon say something about Twilight's family?" Spike asked.
"Yes. She did." Celestia answered.
"I got it! I know where Twilight's parents live. We can head over there and..." Spike started.
"No need Spike. I already visited them, and they were perfectly fine, but they don't know what happened either. We have no leads. If her parents wasn't what Nightmare Moon was talking about, then I don't what she was..." Celestia stopped.
"What? What is it?" Spike asked.
"Rainbow."
"Yes, Princess Celestia?" Rainbow asked.
"I need you to take your friends and the Elements of Harmony to the Crystal Empire. I am almost certain that Nightmare Moon took Twilight there." Celestia answered.
"Of course! Don't worry princess, I'm on it."
"You must go at once."
Rainbow took a few steps back and spread her wings. She took one final look at Celestia, Spike, and then Braveheart. Before she took off, she ran up to Braveheart and gave him a big hug.
"Don't worry Braveheart. I'll come back. With Twilight." she said.
Both of them had tears in their eyes. Rainbow let go and flew off. Braveheart watched as she flew out the doors. Once she was out of his vision, he turned to Princess Celestia.
"With all due respect Princess Celestia, I think..." he started.
"Go." she interrupted.
Braveheart's eyes widened. He nodded his head and spread his wings.
"Braveheart, wait!" Spike called out.
Spike ran up to him and hugged his hoof.
"Bring her back. Bring everypony back." he said.
"Don't worry Spike. I will." Braveheart responded.
Braveheart floated off the ground.
"Braveheart..." the princess started.
Braveheart turned towards her.
"Be careful." she finished.
Braveheart nodded. He then flew, full speed, towards the doors, and after Rainbow Dash.
It started out as an icy wasteland, but then it started to get beautiful. The train roared through the valleys at top speed. Rainbow filled everypony in on what's happening and what they were supposed to do. The Elements of Harmony were sitting on the seat beside her in a chest. The other ponies had tons of questions that Rainbow could barely answer. Noise filled the train car. Braveheart was sitting in the back, looking outside the window.
"Hey." somepony said.
Braveheart turned and saw Rainbow standing behind him.
"It'll be ok. We'll get her back." she assured him.
"I know we will. It's just..." Braveheart started.
"What? It's just what?"
Rainbow sat down next to him. Braveheart knew what he had to do. He had to tell Rainbow about the dream he had. He took a deep breath and started to explain the dream. He tried to put in every detail possible. Once he was done, Rainbow leaned back.
"So, she took what you cared most for huh?" she finally asked.
"Look, I care for Twilight, but she's not the one I care for the most. To be honest, I don't know what I care most for." Braveheart answered.
"Oh, I see."
They were both silent for a while.
"Anyways, where are we going anyways? What is this Crystal Empire, and how does it relate to Twilight's family?" Braveheart asked, breaking the awkwardness.
"You see, Twilight's brother and his wife live in the Crystal Empire and..." Rainbow started.
"Wait a second. Twilight has a brother?" Braveheart asked shocked.
"Yea, she never told you?"
"Nope."
"Oh, well his name is Shining Armor and his wife is Princess Cadence." Rainbow said.
"Geez, how many princesses are there?" Braveheart asked.
"Three, as far as I know. Anyways, they live in the Crystal Empire. It's a place where everything is made of crystals, even the residents. Its a real beautiful place and..." Rainbow said.
"Uh, hey. Ya'll may want to come look at this!" Applejack called from the front.
Braveheart and Rainbow both got up and walked down the aisle. Applejack moved out of her seat to let them see. They both looked out the window and gasped.
"That doesn't look very beautiful." Braveheart said.
The train doors opened. Braveheart was the first to step out. This place didn't match Rainbow Dash's description at all. The dirt path was a darkened blue, and the grass was a faded brown. All the ponies walked down the dirt road until they came to a gate made out of crystals. Braveheart would've been amazed if the crystals weren't black. They got to the entrance and they all gasped. The once beautiful, magnificent Crystal Empire was now a dark, crystal wasteland. The entire empire was completely dark. So dark that it looked abandoned. The biggest building that Braveheart could see came to a point at the top. Thunder clouds surrounded the top of it. Lightning struck, and all the ponies jumped.
"C'mon y'all, we have to find Twilight." Applejack said.
"Right." the rest of them said.
Braveheart took the first step outside of the gate. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Braveheart saw a white blur next to him. Next thing he knew, he was on the ground. A horn was pointed at his face and it glowed bright blue.
"Who are you and what have you done with my sister?" the pony yelled.
Twilight slowly opened her eyes. It took her a minute to take in all this at once. Just a second ago she was inside Princess Luna's bedroom, but now she's... She didn't even know where she was. The room was dark. The walls looked damp. Cobwebs hung in every corner of room. She tried to walk forward, but couldn't. She looked down to her hooves to realize that they've been bound to the floor by ropes. She tried to pull her hooves out, but the ropes were to strong. She closed her eyes and her horn started to glow. A second later, a short, purple laser shot out from the horn and hit the rope. She tried to pull away again, but the rope looked as if it hadn't been touched. Twilight looked across the dark room once again.
"Hello?" Twilight called out. Her voice echoed throughout the room. "Princess Celestia? Anypony?"
There was no answer. Twilight hung her head down. A tear started to run down her cheek.
"No pony can hear you." a voice responded.
Twilight's eyes widened. It was that voice. The old mare's voice.
"You. Who are you and why did you bring me here?" Twilight yelled at the voice.
"Oh Twilight. Didn't you hear me last time? I don't need you for anything except getting Braveheart here." the voice answered.
"Didn't you hear me? I told you not to hurt him."
"Don't worry Twilight. I'm not going to hurt him. I just need him out of the way for my plans."
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked confused.
"Your little friend has an amazing power that even I can't compete with. All I'm going to do is send him back." the mare said.
"Send him back? Back where?"
"To his own world of course. He doesn't belong here, and you know that."
Twilight was silent for a moment. She did know that. Braveheart wasn't a pony and he was never meant to be. But it doesn't matter to her. Braveheart was her friend and he always will be. Pony or not.
"No. You're wrong. Braveheart may not have been a pony from the start, but no pony doesn't belong anywhere. Braveheart has been my friend for a very long time and there is no pony that can take that away, and not even you can take Braveheart away at all!" Twilight screamed.
"Oh Twilight. Just wake up already. Once you do, everything will be back to normal. No Braveheart. None of this. Just wake up."
Suddenly there was a loud noise ringing in Twilight's ears. She saw something at the end of the room. A little blue dot. Over a few seconds, the dot grew bigger and bigger. That's when Twilight realized that the dot wasn't getting bigger, it was coming at her. Twilight closed her eyes and waited for the impact of the end.
Twilight instantly shot up. She looked around and was completely confused. Books by the window. Papers scattered along the floor. A tiny bed across from her. She was in her bedroom back in Ponyville. But... how could this happen? Did she get teleported? No, no unicorn's magic could teleport that far. Not even an alicorn. She heard a knock at the door. The door slowly opened.
"Twilight?" Spike said peeking his head in. "You up yet?"
"Sp-Spike?" Twilight said confused.
"Oh good, you're up. I guess we better get started on that list then." Spike said coming into the room.
He walked across the room towards the window. Once there, he picked up a rolled up piece of paper that was lying next to a book. He unrolled and picked up a pencil that was near by.
"Alrighty, lets get started." he said.
"Spike wait!" Twilight said hopping out of her bed.
Spike looked up from the list at her.
"What is it?" he asked her.
"What month is it?" Twilight asked him.
"Umm... August." Spike asked. His voice sounded even more confused then Twilight was.
That wasn't right. It was the middle of February.
"What's the date?" she asked him.
"The 23rd." Spike answered.
'The 23rd?' Twilight thought to herself. 'This is the day after mine and Spike's one year anniversary of coming to Ponyville. This is the day I met Braveheart.'
"Uh, Twilight. I think you partied a little bit too much last night." Spike said interrupting her thoughts.
"What, no! That party was months ago Spike." Twilight said.
"I think you need a bit more rest Twilight." Spike said as he started to push Twilight back towards her bed.
"Spike, where's Braveheart?"
Spike stopped and looked up at her.
"Who?" he asked.
"Braveheart. Our friend." Twilight answered him.
"Yeah, you definitely need more sleep." Spike said.
He started to push her back towards the bed. Twilight spun around him and ran out the bedroom door.
"Twilight wait!" Spike shouted at her.
But Twilight was already down the stairs. She burst through the door and started to run full speed through the town. Something wasn't right. Why didn't Spike know who Braveheart was? Twilight had a crazy feeling, and she didn't like it one bit.
"Rainbow Dash?" Twilight called up to Rainbow Dash's house.
She was out of breath. She ran, non stop, from the library to Rainbow's house. She didn't know what was wrong with Spike, but Rainbow Dash had to know where, or even who, Braveheart was.
"Rainbow Dash? Are you home?" Twilight called again.
Then the pegasus's head popped up from the cloud.
"Oh, hey Twilight." Rainbow started. "Some party last night. It was so awesome. We should definitely..."
"Rainbow, where's Braveheart?" Twilight asked interrupting her.
"Where's who now?" Rainbow asked confused.
"Rainbow stop messing around. You and I both know who Braveheart is. He lives with you for crying out loud!" Twilight shouted, now getting frustrated.
"Um, Twilight, everypony knows that I live alone. Well, except for Tank of course, but there is no other pony that lives with me. Who is this 'Braveheart' anyway?"
"Gaaah! Forget it!" Twilight yelled.
She turned away and started to run back.
"Hm, weird." Rainbow said.
Twilight was coming up to Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie Pie was her only hope. She knew everypony. She has to know Braveheart. Twilight had no idea what was going on. First Spike, now Rainbow Dash. What's happening? Twilight was running out of options. She was hoping that Pinkie Pie would tell her something useful. If not, then... She didn't even want to think of what she would do. She walked up the steps of Sugarcube Corner. She pushed the door open to be met by Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie. All sitting at a table, talking and laughing. Twilight started to walk towards them. This was good. Now she could ask them all about Braveheart. Surely not all of them could be in on the joke that she was being played on. Rarity noticed Twilight first.
"Oh, Twilight." she called out to her.
The rest of the ponies turned and greeted Twilight with a smile. Twilight sat down with them.
"How ya doing sugarcube?" Applejack asked her.
"I don't know yet." Twilight answered.
"Oh, is something that matter?" Fluttershy asked.
"Is something the matter? Is something the matter!?" Twilight repeated.
"Um...yes?" Fluttershy said.
"Of course something's the matter. Spike and Rainbow Dash are playing some kind of joke on me and it's making me very angry."
"Ooooo! I love jokes. What is it about?" Pinkie Pie asked all excited.
"They're acting as if they don't know who Braveheart is." Twilight answered.
The four ponies looked at each other and back at Twilight.
"Um, who?" Fluttershy asked.
Twilight looked up shocked. How? How couldn't they know who Braveheart is either? Twilight stood up and put one hoof on the table.
"No! Stop it! Please! All of you are starting to scare me! I know that you guys know who Braveheart is, so just stop!" Twilight screamed throughout the restaurant.
Other ponies started to stare at her. Applejack got up and walked towards Twilight.
"Twilight, are you alright? You seem a little bit... weird." Applejack said, struggling to get the right words out.
"I'm acting weird. All of you are acting weird. How don't you know Braveheart, our friend?"
"Twilight, I know everypony in Ponyville, and there isn't a pony named Braveheart." Pinkie Pie said.
"No, you're all lying!" Twilight shouted.
She then turned and ran out the restaurant. Applejack was about to go after her, but she was already out the door.
"What do you suppose that was all about?" Rarity asked.
Twilight ran out of the train station in Canterlot. Ponies moved out of her way as she ran through the city. Twilight needed help. And only Princess Celestia could help her. She was there when Twilight found Braveheart. She had to know something about him. She was coming up on the castle. 'This is it' Twilight thought to herself. She burst through the castle doors, ignoring the two colts standing guard. She rushed through the castle hallways. Light streamed in through the windows as the sun was setting. She ran passed the windows and down the hallway as fast as possible. She glanced out the last window and ran by it, but she instantly stopped in her tracks. She was completely shocked. She slowly walked back to the window, just hoping that what she saw wasn't there. She looked out the window and saw nothing, just what she was afraid of. From the window she could she the Canterlot Garden. It was perfectly fine. There was no crater where Braveheart had landed. Everything was just like the way it was. Twilight was beyond scared now, she was absolutely terrified. She continued down the hallways as fast as her hooves could carry her. She could see the throne room doors. 'Oh please.' Twilight thought to herself. 'Please.' She burst through the doors and saw Celestia sitting at her throne, writing something on a piece of paper. She looked up at her and smiled.
"Why hello Twilight. What brings you to Canterlot at this hour?" Celestia asked.
Twilight walked down the red carpet towards the princess.
"Princess Celestia, I need your help." Twilight said.
"Oh, what is it my dear?" Celestia asked as she got up out of her throne and met Twilight on the carpet.
"I need you to help me find Braveheart." Twilight answered.
The princess looked at her for a moment. Twilight looked up at her. Twilight was afraid of what was going to come out of her mouth, but something already told her what the princess was going to say.
"Who is this 'Braveheart'?" the princess asked.
Just as Twilight had feared. There was absolutely no pony that knew who Braveheart was. No pony, except her. A tear started to run down Twilight's cheek, but she wiped it off immediately.
"No..." Twilight started.
"No what?" Princess Celestia said confused.
"You're lying."
"Excuse me?" Celestia asked shocked.
"Princess Celestia, you know that I admire you and I have all respect for you, but I just can't believe you. Braveheart is my friend. You were with me when he crashed into the garden. You assigned him to me so that I can teach him how to be a pony. You..." But Twilight was stopped by the sound of doors being opened.
"Sorry I'm late." a mare's voiced said.
"It's alright. Just go ahead and take your shift." Princess Celestia responded to the mare.
"Oh, hello Twilight."
Twilight slowly turned her head around. What she saw made her gasp and her eyes widen. A blue Pegasus was flying toward her, but this mare had a horn too. An alicorn. It...it was Princess Luna.
"No." Twilight said.
Twilight slowly started to back away from both of them. Luna landed next to Celestia. She looked just as confused as Celestia.
"Twilight, what is it?" Celestia asked.
"You're not supposed to be here." Twilight said, looking at Princess Luna.
"Whatever do you mean?" Luna asked.
"No. You're sick. You're supposed to be in your room. No, wait, you vanished. We didn't know where you went. Why are you here?" Twilight said, starting to raise her voice.
"Sister, is there something wrong with Twilight?" Luna asked, looking at Celestia.
"I don't know. Twilight, come with me. I think a good night rest will help you get your mind straight."
Princess Celestia was about to put her hoof around Twilight until Twilight started to run away.
"Twilight wait!" Luna yelled.
"Let her go." Celestia said. "This is something she has to deal with on her own."
Twilight ran back through the castle, not sure what to make of anything. She got out of the castle much quicker than she realized. She was now crying. She closed her eyes as she ran through Canterlot. Many thoughts were running through her head. She didn't know what was happening. She didn't want to accept it, but it seemed as if Braveheart had disappeared. No, that wasn't it. Braveheart hadn't even existed at all. She looked up to see that she was running towards the Canterlot fountain. She slowed down as she approached it. She leaned in and looked at the water. Her eyes widened. She saw Braveheart looking up at her.
"B-Braveheart?" she said.
She reached her hoof into the water and touched it. The water rippled away and she saw her own reflection. Twilight closed her eyes again. Tears started to come out again, and Twilight let them. That's all she wanted to do now was cry. Braveheart would've been there to comfort her, but he's gone. Everything about him was gone, except for her memories of him. No pony knows him or knows of him. It seems as if their friendship has just faded into oblivion. The only thing Twilight did was stare at her reflection, thinking back to all the times she had with Braveheart. All though there were ponies around that she knew, and ones that she could talk to about anything, this is the one time that Twilight truly felt alone.
Ever since Twilight Sparkle and her friends turned Discord back to stone, nothing major has happened in Ponyville since. Everypony lived in harmony and peace. Everypony smiled everyday, and it seemed as if nothing could make them frown, especially when Pinkie Pie is getting ready for what she calls "The Best Party of All Parties in Party History!"
Pinkie came bouncing towards Town Hall where the party was taking place. Balloons of many colors have been hung around Town Hall, as well as streamers. Pinkie inspected the decorations, making sure everything was perfect.
"Hey! Pinkie Pie!" a voice called out.
Pinkie looked up and saw a streak of blue soar past her. Suddenly, there was a blue Pegasus with a multicolored mane floating in front of her.
"Oh, hey Rainbow Dash. You need something?" Pinkie asked still bouncing.
"I just got word from Rarity that the banner is done and ready to be hung in front of Town Hall." Rainbow Dash said.
"Great! Can you bring it over here for me?"
"Sure thing!"
Rainbow Dash was getting ready to take off until Pinkie Pie stopped her.
"Oh, but be careful!"
"Don't worry I will."
She was about to take off again, but she was stopped again.
"Don't let it touch the ground, or torn, or messed up, or...."
Rainbow knew where this was going. Pinkie would go on forever unless she was stopped. Rainbow figured she may as well stop her now before things get out of hand.
"Pinkie calm down! Why are you so concerned about this banner?" Rainbow asked.
"It's not just the banner, it's the party. I just want things to be perfect for when Twilight gets here." Pinkie answered.
"Don't you think Twilight will feel appreciated no matter what party we throw for her? I mean, she already knows we appreciate and love her being here." Rainbow said.
"Yeah, but this is different. This is Twilight's first full year in Ponyville, and I want to make it an anniversary that she'll never forget. She's probably excited about her anniversary as we are. Why, she could be bouncing off the walls right now."
Twilight ran around the Ponyville library, desperate to find a book Princess Celestia asked her to find for her studies, but Twilight had a feeling that she wouldn't be able to find the book at all. Twilight gritted her teeth and decided to take her search to another level. She closed her eyes and her horn glowed. Then, one by one, books floated by her face so she could read the titles.
"No, no, no, no..." Twilight said as books passed by.
Spike, her baby dragon assistant, came down the stairs with a smile on his face, but it immediately vanished once he saw the pile of books forming next to Twilight. It was always like this. Princess Celestia asks Twilight to study something, and then Twilight goes crazy, but this time was different. It seemed as if Twilight was extra crazy this time. Twilight's mane was messed up so that hair was sticking up in every place possible. Her eyes were blood shot red, which made Spike wonder if she even slept last night. He walked down the rest of the stairs and went over to Twilight. By then, the pile of books were as tall as Twilight standing on two hooves and Spike standing on her head.
"Twilight, you gotta give it a rest. It's just another book the princess asked you to study, what's the big deal anyway?" Spike asked.
Twilight turned around to meet him, and she looked even more crazy then when she was turned around.
"It's not the book, it's what the book is about. For some odd reason, Princess Celestia wants me to study the stars." Twilight said confused. "If she wanted to, she could've just gone to the Canterlot Archives and find some books on pony astronomers or books on the stars. I don't know why she wants me to study them, I already know all the constellations and where to find them from here."
"Ok know-it-all, but don't you think you should take a break from the books. I mean, it's our first year in Ponyville and you know Pinkie Pie is gonna be putting things together to celebrate." Spike said.
"Maybe you're..." Twilight started, but her eyes widened. "Ah, here it is."
Her horn stopped glowing and all the books fell to the floor.
"Spike could you clean this up?" Twilight asked.
Spike looked around the library and sighed.
Twilight levitated the book beside her and walked over to her podium. She laid the book down and opened it up to the first page. It was filled with contents. She decided to turn to "Chapter 8: Constellations". The opening page was filled with pictures of a few constellations. Under the pictures were names of constellation and the page number where you could find them.
Twilight started on the first constellation which was the Big Dipper. It showed many images or it. It showed where to find, which Twilight already knew how. She turned to the next constellation which was the Little Dipper. Just like the Big Dipper, it had many images of the constellation. She was about to turn to the next constellation, but something caught her eye. There were many pictures of this star, but Twilight felt the urge to read about.
"'Polaris, also called the North Star, is the brightest star in the night sky. Polaris is located and the end of the handle of the Little Dipper'" she read. "You know, I never really got that."
"Got what?" Spike asked as he put books back on the shelves where they belong.
"I never got how a star could be brighter than others. What makes that star different than any other star?" she asked.
"You're asking me this? I didn't know the name of the North Star, much less know where it was." Spike answered.
Twilight let it go and kept reading. The book showed locations of the North Star, but Twilight already knew where it was, as usual.
Twilight finished reading the last page and closed the book. She looked out the window and saw that the sun was going down. She hadn't realized how late its gotten. She left the book on the podium and was about to go upstairs when she heard a knock at the door. She trotted over to the door and opened it. Once she opened it, streamers flew in. Twilight didn't know how to react. She was pulled out the door and was greeted by her five friends, Pinkie Pie, who pulled her out of the doorway, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy.
"Happy first year in Ponyville, Twilight!" they all screamed.
Twilight stood there, mouth opened, not sure what to say.
"Well how 'bout that, she's speechless." Applejack said.
"Twilight, we need you and Spike to come with us to Town Hall right now!" Pinkie Pie said.
"For...for what?" Twilight asked even though she already knew the answer.
"Just come with us and you'll see." Pinkie answered.
Once Twilight, Spike, and the others arrived at Town Hall, they were met by every pony in Ponyville. Every pony cheered when they arrived. Balloons and streamers were hung all around, and a banner that said in huge letters, "Congratulations Twilight and Spike!", was hung in front of Town Hall. Twilight knew a lot of ponies liked her, but for them to throw a party for her. She tried taking this all in, but it was impossible to do it at once. Music started playing a few minutes after they had arrived. Twilight was welcomed by many ponies, but was pulled aside by Pinkie Pie.
"C'mon, the buffet table is right over here. We got cupcakes with icing mixed with hot sauce, cause I know how much you love that!" Pinkie Pie said.
The party went on until midnight. Twilight opened the door to the library and didn't even hesitate to go upstairs. She climbed into her bed and laid her head down on the pillow. She looked at the ceiling and thought of all the things that happened tonight. She still couldn't believe that her friends threw that party for her. She finally decided to go to sleep. She glanced out the window to see the stars. She would've fallen asleep right there, but she noticed something in the sky. The two Dippers. Her eyes followed the Little Dipper's handle until it got to the tip. Then she saw it. Polaris, the North Star, shining brighter than the other stars. She closed her eyes after examining them and fell asleep.
"Twilight! Twilight wake up!" a voice called out.
Twilight opened her eyes to see Spike standing over her.
"Spike, what do you want? I'm trying to sleep." Twilight said rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"Princess Celestia sent a letter." Spike said as he raised a scroll up.
Twilight instantly jumped out of bed and took the letter using the levitation spell. She unrolled it and read, "Dear Twilight, you must come to Canterlot right away. I must speak with you about something devastating that happened last night. I await your arrival. Princess Celestia".
Twilight didn't know what this was about, but when Princess Celestia says something has happened, she isn't kidding. Twilight instantly put the scroll down and ran down the stairs. She burst through the door and ran as fast as she could towards the train station.
Why? Why would Scootaloo come in here even though she knew she would be scared? And now she had no idea where she was. She scurried around the forest, looking for any sign of Braveheart, Fluttershy, or Rainbow Dash. There was no sign of any color, only darkness. Scootaloo could barely see where she was going. She occasionally ran into trees and stumbled on tree roots because it was so dark. Every sound she heard she felt the urge that somepony, or something, was behind her. She often heard growling from far away, but, as scared as she was, she felt as if it was right next to her. Scootaloo had been in the Everfree Forest before, but not by herself. She usually had older ponies and Applebloom and Sweetie Belle with her. Not this time. She was truly all alone. Not a pony in sight. Scootaloo had started to regret this idea when she started walking in. She really wanted to get out that moment. She could easily fly out, but there were two problems with that. One, the trees were too thick for even a Pegasus like Rainbow Dash and Braveheart to fly through. And two, she couldn't fly. She hasn't realized why she wasn't able to fly yet. Most of the younger pegasi could fly, but why couldn't she? Flying was the least of her worries. Right now she had to find a way out. She's been in the forest for ten...twenty minutes? She hasn't even known how long, but it felt like forever. It was mid-afternoon, Scootaloo knew that much, but it was so dark that it seemed like it was in the middle of the night. She continued to walk on, but she was starting to think she was going in circles.
'That's not possible.' Scootaloo thought to herself.
She was starting to get really scared now. How is it that she hasn't come across Braveheart and the rest yet?
'It is a big forest." she thought. 'And they're looking for a small rabbit. That must be even harder.'
She wondered if they had already found Angel. Maybe they already left the forest. Maybe they went out another way from when they came in. Scootaloo would never be found. She would have to live in the forest forever! Her thoughts were cut off from a loud roar that could be heard even from Ponyville. She looked around terrified. There was nothing around her, but she felt the urge to run. She ran as fast she could, circling around trees, trying to confuse the thing behind her that didn't exist. She heard big thumping sounds. She was afraid to turn to look behind her, terrified that whatever that noise is, wouldn't be behind her. She kept running. The noise got louder. She still couldn't see anything, except... Wait. It may have just been Scootaloo, or did she seeing a small blue and purple spec in the distance. It was no doubt, it was them. Scootaloo was so relieved.
"Brave...!" she shouted, but she was stopped. Air rushed through her mane before Scootaloo realized that she was falling. She started to flip as she fell. She hit her head on the ground and then she landed in a large bush. She laid there dizzy, confused at what just happened. A loud crashing noise snapped her out of it. The crashing noise lasted for a few seconds, but once it died down, Scootaloo got the courage to look up. It seemed as if she had fallen down a gigantic hill, more like a cliff. She rubbed her head. She then remembered what she saw right before she fell. She got up out of the bush and sprinted to the base of the cliff.
"Braveheart! Rainbow Dash!" she yelled.
No answer. She tried again. It was no use. They would never be able to hear her from where she was. She looked both ways. It didn't seem as if there was a way to get back up the hill from what she could see. Her ears drooped down. A tear fell from her eye. She turned her back on the hill and walked the other way. She was so close. So close to being with Braveheart and Rainbow Dash again. She didn't bother to look up to see where she was going. This was the end for her. In all her life, she would've never guessed that she would die in the Everfree Forest alone. A droplet of water fell on her nose. She looked up and more droplets fell to the ground.
"Rain." she said. "Of course."
She continued on. The rain poured down heavily. Scootaloo's hair got in her face. She blew it out of the way, but it kept on falling down. Her stomach growled. Where would she find food here? If there was any. Lighting stuck the sky. She knew she had to get out of this weather, but Scootaloo didn't think that there would be a random house in the middle of the forest. Well, except for Zekora, which Scootaloo had only met a couple times, but what were the chances of her finding her house? Very slim. She trudged on through the muddy ground. She thought that she could take shelter under one of the trees, but it didn't seem as if any trees didn't have any puddles around it. She looked around and, once she thought all hope was lost, her eyes widened. From behind the trees, she could see the best thing she's seen all day. A cave. She ran towards it. She got to the entrance and saw that it was completely dry. Scootaloo sighed in relief. She shook herself to get some of the water out of her mane and coat. She went a little deeper into the cave, but not to deep, just enough to still be able to see the cave entrance. She laid down on the cold cave floor. She thought about making a fire, but because of the rain, Scootaloo figured that there would be no stick that wouldn't be wet. She shivered. She closed her eyes, even though it was in the middle of the afternoon, Scootaloo was exhausted. She could've taken a nap right there, but her nose winced. She smelt something. Something awful. She looked around, but the cave was just as dark as the forest. She got up and decided to go deeper into the cave. It could've been just the cave smell, but Scootaloo didn't think it would smell this bad. The odor got stronger the more deeper she went. She bumped into something and jumped. Probably just a rock, but wait... Whatever this was, was too smooth to be a rock. The stench was way too strong. Scootaloo started to back away, but was stopped when she heard a growl from behind her. She stopped in her tracks and her eyes widened. She slowly turned around to be met with two glowing, green eyes staring at her. And these eyes were ginormous. Scootaloo's mouth dropped. She knew exactly what this was. She learned about it in school, and from what she read, these things don't take kind to visitors.
"T-tim..." she mumbled.
She couldn't find the words to say, but she didn't need to. From the dark, a roar came known, and it was right in front of Scootaloo. The smell was finally known. It was the Timberwolf's breath. The smell was so strong that Scootaloo had to close her eyes. She realized that she was still standing there. She ignored the smell and took off running. The Timberwolf let out a howl and ran after her. The stomping of the Timberwolf sounded familiar. Kinda like the sound she heard before she fell down the hill. Speaking of the hill, Scootaloo could see it in the distance. She didn't realize that she didn't go that far away, but now she was running out of land to avoid the Timberwolf. The Timberwolf was catching up to Scootaloo. If only she had her scooter, she may have a better chance at out running this thing. She didn't turn to see how close it was to her. She knew there was no time to do that, she could only run.
'Well, I'd rather die quickly than die from starvation.' she thought.
She knew there was no way to out run the Timberwolf. She was coming to the base of the hill. This was the end for her. The hill was too steep to run or climb up, but she tried anyway. She failed at it. She turned to see the Timberwolf slowly walking towards her. It seemed that both of them knew that there was no escape. Scootaloo closed her eyes and waited for the end.
"Scootaloo!" somepony shouted.
Scootaloo reopened her eyes.
"Princess Celestia? Is that you?" she asked the voice.
She figured that she was already dead, but nope. The Timberwolf was still there, but it looked up behind Scootaloo, confused as to what that voice was. Scootaloo turned behind her as well, and her eyes widened. She had never been more happy to see these ponies in her entire life. The two ponies were sliding down the hill. One of them pushed off the hill and started flying down. The other kept on sliding. The flying pony put her back hooves in front of her and slammed into the Timberwolf's head. The other pony landed next to Scootaloo and Scootaloo ran up and hugged him. She felt a tiny bit of his fiery mane on her head. His purple coat felt wet, but warm. She didn't even care that she was hugging the pony of her dreams. She was just so glad that she was in the hooves of Braveheart.
