The Legend of Zepplin Tales in Equestriaby Zeta DragonChaptersPrologue The Big Finish Chapter 1 A Horse With no Name Our House, Its in The Middle of The SkyChapter 3 Back in the Saddle Chapter 4 Train Kept a RollinChapter 5 WonderstruckChapter 6 Tree Fallin Chapter 7 We Built This Tree House Chapter 8: Long way to the top if ya wanna Rock Chapter 9 Cause This is Thriller Prologue The Big Finish Prologue The Big Finish “I’m in too deep. I’m in way over my head.” The dark blue pony gazed out over the massive crowd from behind the stage. He was hyperventilating. His knees shook as his wings rapidly twitched in and out. “This is way too much. I can’t… th-there’s no way…” He began backing toward the exit. “I’ve gotta go.” “Where in Tartarus do you think you’re going?” He turned around and his golden eyes found a lanky, hawk headed griffon glaring at him with a pair of piercing blue eyes. “I can’t do this Hawk. There’re way too many ponies out there. There’s no way I can…” The griffon grabbed him, a talon directly under each ear. “Zepplin, look at my eyes, and calm. The buck. Down. We went through this same thing at Hoofstock, and remember? That show launched your career. There is nothing to be worried about. You know the music, the band is ready, I triple checked all the equipment personally, and there’s a small army of roadies standing by in case something goes wrong.” Zepplin pulled away from his grip and started pacing back and forth. “What if something does go wrong? What then? This is the biggest group we’ve ever played for. There are thousands of ponies out there!” Hawk placed a claw on Zepplin’s back, halting him. “You’re right. Thousands of ponies are sitting out there. Do you know who they are? Those ponies are your fans, each and every one of them. There are thousands of ponies who love you and traveled all the way to Cloudsdale to hear you perform. “How does that make it any better!?” “Because they don’t care if you mess up. All they want is for you to show up.” Zepplin’s wings stopped shaking and he looked down at his hooves. “Come on bro. The Cloud Dome is packed, the show is starting, and it’s time for you to go on. Get out there and shred.” The two hoof-bumped and Zepplin turned around to face the stage. He took a deep breath, ran a hoof through his long, unkempt, black mane, and rushed onstage to meet the roaring of his fans. “Hello my Zepplinites! Are you all ready for an awesome concert?” He paused to listen to the uproar of screaming fans. “That’s what I like to hear! Before we begin, I’d like to give a special shout out to all of you who’ve been following us throughout the whole tour.” As he talked his horn was wrapped in a golden glow. The band behind him readied their instruments and as a guitar of pure light formed in front of him. It’s been a crazy couple of weeks. But for those of you who’ve been living under rocks. We are Maretallica, and we are about to prove… That you can still ROCK IN EQUESTRIA!” The room was filled with ear pounding music as the stage was covered in brilliant light. The light was drawn toward Zepplin as he and his band mates rocked and the volume continued to grow. His horn gleamed brighter as the music grew louder and the crowd worked themselves into a frenzy. Mares were screaming, stallions were pounding their heads, and the music raged on long into the night. As the concert carried on small cracks began to appear in the cloud dome above them. With each song they grew longer, wider, and more numerous. They scaled down the walls as the structure weekend and began to crawl along the floor. At the apex of their grand finally Zepplin began to play his solo. His horn’s glow became a blinding beacon as the sound was pushed to new volumes. The building began to rumble. The cloud making it up began to break away and dissipate. The crowd’s cheering turned to screams as those without wings evacuated to safer ground. Still, Zepplin played on. His music traveled upward into the heavens until finally the song ended, and he collapsed. Zepplin’s head was pounding. He was lying on a hard surface and his head hurt like Tartarus. He opened his eyes to find himself staring at a white tiled ceiling. He smelled ammonia and heard a faint beeping from a distance away. “Hospital” he mumbled to himself. Turning his head he saw Hawk pacing back and forth muttering, his wings tucked tight against his body. After watching him for a moment Zepplin decided to speak up. “I knocked myself out again didn’t I?” The griffon stopped in his tracks and jerked his head toward Zepplin. “I’ll take that as a yes. So, did my ears bleed this time?” Hawk tentatively approached the bedside. “It’s a little worse this time.” “Was I bleeding out my eyes to? I must have been playing pretty loud to…” “The Cloud Dome is gone.” Zepplin shut his mouth and stared at his friend in silence. “There’s nothing left of it. No one was hurt, but the media is in a frenzy.” The griffon left the bedside and began pacing once more. “They’re out there right now demanding an interview. The band is demanding a massive pay increase for dangerous work charges. You’re in the hospital again and I have to clear all of this up and start planning the next tour! Dang it! Okay, first thing’s first. We need to get you in front of those reporters as soon as you’re feeling well. You’re probably going to have to make some sort of apology as well as…” “Hawk!” The griffon clamped his beak shut and halted in his tracks. “You’ve been my manager for as long as I’ve been in this business. You’ve been my best friend for even longer. The stress is almost killing you and it is killing me. I’m starting to get tired. Don’t bother planning the next tour. Just deal with the band and I’ll handle the rest.” “We still need to have that press conference.” “I’ll deal with it. I think I know exactly what I have to say.” Zepplin stood in front of the audience. He was sure he’d been more nervous, but he couldn’t really remember when. His first concert? Hoofstock? Not even the Cloud Dome prepared him for what was about to happen. He looked out over the crowd and began. “Hello every pony. There was a terrible accident at my last concert. Thankfully no pony was hurt. I’d like to begin by stating that this occurrence has nothing to do with what I am about to say. My Zepplinites, you are all the most incredible friends. You’ve stuck with me and it’s your cheers that drive me onward. However this tour is going to be my last. I may return someday, but for the moment it doesn’t seem likely. I know that it hurts. You are all the most amazing friends, but this is the end.” Reporters clamored toward the stage as Zepplin walked off, his head held low. “I’m pretty sure that was the hardest thing that I’ve ever done.” Zepplin was sitting on a large black chair in his hotel suite, holding his head in his hoof. Hawk was reclining across from him on a long red sofa. “I guess we’re gonna have to find some way to tell the band. Not to mention figure out a place to settle down. Damn, I really didn’t think this through.” “That’s already taken care of.” Zepplin looked over at him. “What do you mean?” Hawk stretched out and then sat up on his haunches. “I took care of it. The band has been paid off and sent off to new employers with dazzling recommendations. I sold the equipment to a buyer I lined up for top dollar. The collapse was blamed on a sudden ‘air quake’ and I even lined up a residence for you to stay at while you’re living the easy life.” Zepplin stared at him with an incredulous look. “How the buck did you have time to set all that up?” “I started arranging things at the beginning of the tour. You haven’t been yourself lately. The stress was making you freak out and I knew you were gonna have to take a break eventually, so I made preparations. The new house is the best part. I had all your stuff shipped out and it’ll be there by tomorrow morning. It’s in a real quiet area a little outside of the main population. I paid to have the place magically sound proofed so you can rock to your hearts content without disturbing the neighbors. No stress, just fun and music.” The griffon gave his friend a lopsided smirk. “And even better, you’ll be living with the world’s greatest roommate.” “I’m living with Big Robert Ivy?” “Ha ha, forget rock, you should be a comedian.” “So where is this little shack of yours?” “It’s in a little town called Ponyville.” Chapter 1 A Horse With no Name Chapter 1 A Horse With no Name Episode one A Horse With No Name It was another warm summer day in Ponyville and everypony was going about their daily business. Applejack was in the town square working the market stall with her little sister Applebloom. “One red apple that’ll be one bit, next, two green apples that’ll be six bits, next.” After working the stall all morning Applejack was feeling business slow down, her little sister Applebloom tugged at her leg. “Applejack I’m gonna be late for the crusaders meeting.” She said. “We’re gonna try and get our cutie marks in weightlifting.” “Well you don’t wanna be late for that now do ya?” Applejack said shooing her off. “Yeehaw” said Applebloom as the little filly galloped away. Applejack, watching her little sister run as fast as she could to meet her friends, didn't even notice a customer approach her stall. “Well how can I hel…” her words stopped as she saw standing before her a large, dark blue alicorn. “One red apple please.” The mysterious stallion said. “Uh ye-yeah one red apple uh that’ll be one bit partner.” The blue alicorn used his magic to reach into his saddlebag removing a small golden bit. “There you are.” He said. “Have a nice day.” “Yeah you too partner.” The mare responded. As the alicorn turned, flapped his wings and flew away, the silent and stunned Applejack, eyes wide as can be, thought to herself. “I better go tell Princess Twilight.” Princess Twilight Sparkle, who had just recently ascended to the throne and became an alicorn, still lived in the tree house library in Ponyville, as she wanted to be close to her friends. She still devoted most of her time to studying the magic of friendship but was now also occupied with many royal duties. Twilight was reading one of her many dusty old tomes when her friend Applejack burst through her front door panting. “Applejack what’s wrong?” Twilight asked. “Twilight I done saw me an alicorn, he was down at the market.” Applejack explained. “What?” Twilight responded “AJ are you alright?” “Of course I’m alright.” “It’s just” Twilight began “Applejack I’m the only alicorn in Ponyville. You probably saw a Pegasus standing behind a unicorn.” Twilight remarked. Applejack glared at the purple alicorn.“I AM THE ELEMENT OF HONESTY AND YOUR FRIEND!” she shouted “NOW I KNOW WHAT I SAW AND I NEED YOU TO BELIEVE ME!” Applejack was panting now, more anger than exhaustion. “Ok, ok calm down.” Said Twilight. “We should investigate this before jumping to any conclusions.” “Well you can sit here and investigate then!” yelled Applejack. “But I’m going to go find this alicorn.” Applejack stormed out of the tree house knowing that she wasn’t going to get anywhere with Twilight. Rarity was hard at work in her boutique snipping and sewing fabric as she hummed. Ding ding ding the bell over her shop door rang alerting her to a customer. “Cooooooommmmmmeee iiiiiiiiinnnnnn.” She shouted. As she walked out to the show floor to investigate the customer she calmly said “now how may I help you… oh ….my….” a look of disbelief came over her. “Why you’re an alicorn.” She said. Sure enough it was the same large blue pony from earlier “I’m looking for a suit.” He said “I assume this is the local boutique?” he glanced at Rarity. “Why why yes it is, uh welcome to Rarity’s Boutique.” She stated proudly. “Now let’s see what we have.” The white unicorn stepped toward the stallion with a measuring tape wrapping it around him and taking all sorts of measurements. She almost choked the blue stallion when she wrapped the tape tightly around his neck. “Hmm, no no this won’t do at all. I’m so sorry but I’m afraid I don’t have anything in stock that would fit you. If you like you could check back later or I could whip something up for you.” “Well I would like it if you could make me a suit of your finest design.” Once again he reached into his saddlebag with his magic, this time pulling out a small brown pouch filled to the brim with golden bits. The pouch made a heavy ca-chink as he plopped it on the counter. “Ten Thousand bits.” He said. “I want the finest design you have.” Rarity’s eyes rolled over to hearts as she scanned the pouch. “T-t-t-ten th-thousand bits.” She exclaimed “why-why I’ll make you a whole wardrobe. I don’t know how to thank you.” The alicorn responded “hahaha. Well I look forward to doin business with you then. Oh shoot I gotta zip. Catch you later Rarity.” Rarity watched as the mysterious pony once again flew away. Rainbow dash was soaring through the skies over Ponyville clearing the clouds away while demonstrating her super speed to her fans both in the sky and below on the ground. The Pegasus grinned as she picked up speed doing loops and barrel rolls through the air. She confidently flying until a voice said “Not bad.” Rainbow dash stopped dead in her tracks and turned toward the voice. “Not bad?” she said looking at the blue pony resting on a cloud. “Ahahahahaha” she burst out laughing. “Not bad aha, it’s only like a million times better then you could do.” The blue alicorn smirked. “You think I’m joking?” Rainbow dash glared at the pony “Listen you. I don’t know who you are or what you think you’re doing but I’m the fastest flyer in Equestria. I’m Rainbow Dash and I’m 20% cooler than you could ever be!” She exclaimed proudly. “Well I’m 21 % cooler than that” the stallion responded. Rainbow’s eyes narrowed as she was furious. “NOBODY is COOLER or FASTER than ME!” she yelled. “You wanna prove it lets go blue boy” The alicorn yawned stretching his legs out from the cloud. “Well if you’re so eager to loose I guess I can challenge you to a race.” Rainbow dash, shocked, laughed “you- you want to challenge ME, to a race.” She then suddenly burst out laughing. “I don’t know if you’re the bravest pony I ever met or the stupidest.” She said. The blue alicorn now stood up on the cloud and faced Rainbow. “First one around the mountain and back here wins. If you win I’ll never bother you again. But if I win, you have to get a hooficure.” Rainbow dash glared at him.“You have to promise not to use magic.” “Deal” the stallion said. The alicorn spread out his wings which had a dark orange color in the middle almost depicting a sunset. His wings were huge almost bigger then he was. He flew over and landed on another nearby cloud which was to serve as the start line. Rainbow landed next to him and they both flexed their wings. The blue pony gave a little nod signifying he was ready to go. Rainbow Dash said“ya know you don’t have to do this. It’s already not that fair for you.” To which the alicorn responded“Ha. Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you.” The two started flapping their wings, generating huge gusts of wind behind them and kicking up cloud dust. (Note: this part comes with a soundtrack copy and paste the address http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzQ3eBerHfM ) Their wings looked like blurs as they counted down 3…2….1….Go*, and both of them shot off the cloud, nearly knocking off the Pegasus ponies standing behind them. Rainbow dash instantly took the lead streaming toward the mountain. The alicorn was not far behind though. Dash blazing her rainbow trail across the sky while the stallion blazed a celestial trail of stars and lightning. Dash and the alicorn reached the mountain at about the same time. Dash realized that the blue pony wasn’t playing around. Straining as hard as she could she picked up speed and launched herself into a sonic rainboom. “Haha yes whoohooo!” she yelled excitedly. The blue stallion smirked. A bright flash of light suddenly burst from his body as he shot toward rainbow dash. The noise from his speed was deafening as he was now fully engulfed in light blazing a trail of light across the sky. “Yeah now were rocking” he exclaimed. The mystical stallion zoomed past the prismatic Pegasus. Dash screamed in astonishment.“Impossible! Nothing’s faster than a sonic rainboom!” The blue alicorn swooped past the finish line leaving a trail of fire to mark his landing, soon after Dash’s rainbow trail shot in and it was over. The blue pony being the victor stood up proud as Rainbow Jumped at him, pressing her head against his. “YOU CHEATED!” she yelled, her voice seething with anger. “Just admit you lost” said the stallion. All of a sudden the alicorn used his magic to teleport behind Rainbow Dash which sent her face first into the cloud. “I must say Crashie, I didn’t think it would be that easy. I barely broke a sweat. Ya know, I think you need to practice your basics, but good flight. Enjoy the hooficure". The blue alicorn zoomed away as every Pegasus looked in shock first at him then at the defeated Rainbow Dash who finally managed to pull her head out of the cloud and utter a low growl before breaking down and sobbing. As she watched the victor fly away at his super speed a thought came over her. “Why does he seem familiar?” Rarity decided to head over to Twilight’s house to share her newfound wealth with her friend. As she walked in the door Twilight was still sitting at her table, this time scribbling on a piece of paper. Twilight turned around. “Um, Rarity what is that on your head?” Atop the white unicorn’s head was a giant blue hat that Rarity looked like she was struggling to hold up. “This darling is a sapphire silk hat. Imported from Prance.” “Goodness Rarity how in Equestria did you manage to afford something like that?” Twilight asked. “Oh that’s thanks to my newest customer.” Rarity let out a giddy chuckle. “He paid me ten thousand bits to make him a suit.” Rarity smiled. “TEN THOUSAND BITS? TEN THOUSAND BITS!?” Twilight yelled “That’s more money than I have in my section of the royal treasury. Do you know how hard it is to balance this economy? Do you have any idea what I could do with that kind of money? Honestly who would pay that much for one suit?” “Oh he was so charming. He was a big blue alicorn. Why he looked like royalty himself.” Rarity said. “An alicorn?” Twilight inquired. “AN ALICORN!?” Her eyes widened. “What was his name?” Rarity responded sheepishly, “umm. Well you see uh, I didn’t really get his name. I mean it’s not like I wouldn’t recognize him if I saw him again…” Twilight huffed and puffed.“You … Didn’t … Get …. His ….. Name?” a psychotic grin came over Twilights face as Spike walked over and said “heh. Looks like somepony’s jealous.” “IM NOT JEALOUS!” Twilight yelled, sending Spike flying head over heels into a bookshelf. Just then Rainbow Dash burst through the door with chunks of cloud still in her mane from earlier. “My goodness darling what happened to you?” Rarity asked. “I lost. That’s what happened.” “Lost, lost at what?” Twilight asked. Rainbow Dash, trying to hide her tears by keeping a stiff upper lip, finally burst out sobbing “I lost the race!” (Crying) “A race? But you’re the fastest flyer in Equestria.” Twilight proclaimed. “She’s right darling who could beat you at a race?” Rarity asked. “I didn't get his name.” Rainbow said. “All I know is that he was a big… blue… stupid alicorn.” “Oh dear” Rarity remarked softly. Twilight, grinding her teeth and growling, burst out screaming “WHAT IS IT WITH YOU PONIES, DOESN’T ANYPONY ASK FOR A NAME ANYMORE. THAT’S LIKE THE FIRST RULE OF FRIENDSHIP PEOPLE!” Rainbow dash looked at rarity. “Wait, you know this joker?” “Why yes he bought me this hat. Well he didn’t buy it but his money-” “Shut up Rarity!” Twilight yelled. “Well it’s getting late.” Rarity said. “I suggest we head home and get a good night’s rest.” Rarity and Rainbow dash left for home, still thinking about their mysterious new friend. Meanwhile, Fluttershy was out late tending to her animal friends. “There you are little angle. Don’t worry, Fluttershy will take good care of you.” Just then Mr. Beaverly Beaverton limped over toward her with a cast on his leg. “Wha! Oh no what have you done? You’re hurt.” As the kind Pegasus pony looked around for help she spotted something walking past the road to her cottage. “Oh um… excuse me ….. Sir …… um …. Could you please…..help me...?” The passing pony could barely hear her soft voice but managed to make out the words help me. He came running over to the kind Pegasus.“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” “Um no sir…b...but my friend the beaver here has a broken leg.” The blue pony leaned over and inspected the beaver that was in pain from the broken bone. “I see. Hmm I don’t like the looks of this.” The blue pony said. “Scalpel” he remarked. From out of nowhere Fluttershy grabbed a small metal scalpel and handed it to the alicorn repeating “Scalpel.” The alicorn bent over again and made small movements with the scalpel. “Had to get that cast off. Only way is to cut it” he said. “Wipe” he remarked. Fluttershy grabbed out of nowhere again a cloth and dabbed the forehead of the blue alicorn again repeating “Wipe.” “Thanks” he said before pressing his horn to the broken leg of the beaver. His horn began to glow with a faint light. Like magic the beaver’s leg retained its shape before the accident. The beaver got up slowly and cautiously put weight on it before shaking the hoof of the alicorn who had fixed his leg and then running off into the woods. “Oh you were amazing sir. Thank you soooo much” “Please, it’s the least I can do for a mare in need. What’s you’re name?” he asked. “I’m fl…fl…flut…flutter” “Fluttershy” the alicorn finished for her. “But but how did you?” Fluttershy asked. “Your mailbox” he motioned with his head to a bright red mailbox marked Fluttershy. “See you around Fluttershy.” He said as he flew away once again. “Wait, what’s your name?” Fluttershy pleaded. It was too late, he was gone. The next morning, Twilight was re-organizing the library when she heard a knock at her door. She jerked her head toward the door and trotted over to answer it. When she opened the door she found all five of her friends in a group with Applejack leading them. “What are you doing here girls?” Twilight asked. “Well shoot” Applejack said “I thought you’d be out looking for the alicorn.” “Alicorn?” Pinkie spoke up from behind the other ponies. She quickly hip hopped her way up front. “Ooh ooh what does he look like?” Pinkie asked. Twilight responded “Well from what I’ve heard he’s dark blue.” “Ooh ooh I know him” said Pinkie pie “tee hee. He’s so nice.” Pinkie said. “What? You know him?” Rainbow dash flew up. “Pinkie all this time you knew him and didn’t say anything?” Pinkie smiled.“Well of course I know him silly. I threw a welcome party last week for him and his griffin friend.” Twilight spoke up.“Well… do you know his name?” “Well of course!” Pinkie said “Jeez Twilight that’s only like the first rule of Friendship, you of all ponies should know that!” Twilight’s eye began to twitch. “Well, what is it?” A look of deep thinking came over Pinkie.“Well I don’t remember, ooh but I know where he lives.” Rainbow dash flew over twilight “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” Our House, Its in The Middle of The SkyEpisode 2 Our house, it’s in the middle of the sky Zepplin the blue alicorn lied in his bed at his new residence in ponyville soundly sleeping and not worrying about his past calamities. “Wake up” a voice pierced Zepplin’s sleep. “I said wake up!” the voice came again. Zepplin jerked out of bed “aah. What is it?” he asked as his gold eyes met with the hawk headed griffon. “What is this?” the griffon asked holding up a receipt. Zepplin, still half asleep, scanned over the piece of paper “uh. I bought a suit” the pony said. “YOU PAID TEN THOUSAND BITS FOR A SUIT!?” shouted the griffon. “Big deal” Zepplin said, “We have like, a billion more.” He smiled looking at the griffon. “You’re missing the point Zepplin! You need to lay low. Who knows if any of these ponies are your fans or if the media knows you’re here.” Hawk exclaimed. “Okay okay. Calm down Hawk. It made that mare happy. She’s never seen that much money in her life and probably won’t again.” Zepplin laid his head back down. Hawk glared at him, and then sighed. “Just please try not to draw attention to yourself.” “Why yes mother!” Zepplin replied sarcastically. The griffon rolled his eyes “Im going out. Please, please, please stay here and try not to do anything that could get you noticed. We really don’t need the stress.” Zepplin sat up in his bed. “Where the hay do you think you’re going?” Hawk smirked. “I got a date.” “THE BUCK!?” exclaimed Zepplin. “Hawk we’ve been here a day, how do you already got a date?” “What can I say? I’m a ladies Griffin. Not to mention she’s a metal groupie and I’m your manager. Haha. You’re a better wingpony then ever when you’re not around.” “Buck you” Zepplin said as he turned over head hitting the pillow. “I’ll be back tonight.” “Yeah yeah I’m fine don’t worry about me” Zepplin said waving him off with his hoof. Hawk left the house as Zepplin fell back to sleep. Twilight, along with her friends, sauntered along through the market in Ponyville. Pinkie pie was leading the group as Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy hovered overhead. “Are we there yet?” complained Rainbow Dash. “Almost” Pinkie replied. As they walked along a little further Pinkie stopped and pointed a hoof. The other ponies looked with excitement but saw that she was pointing at nothing. Pinkie then raised her hoof to the sky, and as the others looked up they saw a large home plopped on top of a big fluffy cumulous cloud. “Pinkie, how in tarnation did you get up there?” Applejack asked. “I used a trampoline duh!” remarked Pinkie. “You bounced?” “Yep” “To the sky” “Checkaroonie” Twilight butted in “Look it doesn’t matter. Now we have three flyers and three non-flyers so everypony pick a partner.” Twilight’s horn yielded a purple pink glow as she cast a spell on her three non-flying friends to allow them to walk on the cloud. Each pony selected a non-flyer and carried them up to the front door of the house. As soon as all were safely on the cloud they approached the small mansion. Rarity held a hoof in front of Twilight. “Wait what if he’s home.” To which Rainbow Dash responded “Well I guess will find out.” She pounded on the door so loud half of ponyville must have heard. For good measure she also rang the doorbell several times as it produced a loud chime. “There. Nopony home.” She said as Applejack reared up her back legs and kicked open the front door of the house. “W-w-wait.” Said Fluttershy. “A-are you sure we should be just entering like this? M-M-Maybe we should come back at another time.” “Oh Fluttershy” Twilight said. “Don’t worry we’ll be in and out before anypony notices.” And with that they entered the house. The house was simple on the outside but remarkably fancy on the inside “Well I certainly know where he gets his money.” Rarity said. The couches and chairs were laced with gold, and white swirls upholstered the trim. A cozy sandstone fireplace filled as the centerpiece of the room as a grand red rug stretched out before them welcoming any guests into the home as it draped off down a small step into the dining room. “Alright girls” Twilight announced “Let’s see if we can find out any clues about this pony.” The group fanned out to make sure they cover the whole house. Fluttershy went with Rarity to search the kitchen off to the right of the dining hall. The rest went to search upstairs. The second floor contained a hallway that branched off to several rooms. Applejack and Pinkie Pie took this section of the house. Twilight and Rainbow Dash continued up the stairs until they came to a landing which provided a small hallway leading to two doors. “That’s strange” Twilight said. “What is?” Rainbow answered. “This place seems smaller than the rest of the house. Let’s look around.” Rainbow and Twilight proceeded down the small hallway. Rarity and Fluttershy were finished searching the kitchen and proceeded down the hallway on the opposite side of the dining room. “Well this isn't creepy at all.” Rarity said uncaringly. “Y-y-yeah w-w-what so s-s-scary about a d-d-dark and c-c-c-creepy house?” Fluttershy responded. Rarity, opening the doors, found a small bedroom with a picture of a Hawk headed Griffon on the wall over the bed. “This must be the other who lives here.” Rarity began to look around going through the drawers and closets finding nothing of suspicion. All of a sudden she heard Fluttershy scream in terror “eeep” “Fluttershy, Fluttershy are you alright?” Fluttershy stumbled back from the open door as Rarity arrived to comfort her. “Darling what is it?” “d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-dragon” Fluttershy barely got the word out. Rarity ran into the room arming her horn with magic as she looked upon a painting of a huge white dragon with golden eyes proudly standing on top of a mountain with a hurricane swirling above him. “Oh Fluttershy it’s just a painting.” Rarity took a deep breath, relieving herself of the fear that an actual dragon was in the house. Pinkie Pie bounced alongside Applejack as the two ventured down the second floor hallway. Not finding anything of interest, the two pressed onward until Pinkie hopped into an iron door at the end of the hallway. “oof” She exclaimed. Applejack remarked “Now what do ya suppose is behind this?” Applejack again raised her hind hoofs and bashed them into the iron door. The door proved too strong and sent Applejack face first into the floor. “oof. ouch. Dag nabbit, that there doors tougher than apple in a pig’s mouth!” “Um Applejack, maybe you should try the door first instead of trying to knock it down.” “Do you really think that…” As she turned the knob with her hoof the door swung open. “oh… well I probably broke the lock off it is all.” Pinkie smiled and they both proceeded in. “What is this stuff?” Pinkie asked as she looked over the contents of the room. There were screens and buttons and switches and a box that said “recordings” next to another black box. “What does that say?” Applejack asked Pinkie who read the word written under a big button on the black box. “PLAY” she said “Play yeah I wanna play ooh ooh what game?” “Pinkie don’t!” exclaimed Applejack, but it was too late Pinkies hoof hit the button and the whole console lit up.The loudest music they ever heard shook the room as Applejack and Pinkie both bounced up and down with the beat both putting their hooves over their ears. “What is this magic” Applejack screamed. “ooh ooh. Good choice box I love the bouncing game!” Pinkie cheerfully said. Twilight and Rainbow Dash entered the room on the left side of the top hallway a huge set of double doors swung open, revealing a room with either side lined with books and other odds and ends and a desk at the far back of the room. “Looks like some sort of office.” Twilight said “Yeah but there’s nothing here just some quills and ink.” Rainbow said, examining the desk. The two ponies looked around as Twilight browsed the books. “hmm I have most of these in my library at home, but some of these I’ve never even heard of.” She used her magic to pull one of the books off the shelves and opened it on the desk. The paper was lined and an unknown language of dots and circles with lines blotted the paper. “I can’t even read this.” Said Twilight. “yeah” Rainbow dash said. “I mean look at this one, Stairway to Harmony.” She pulled the book off the top shelf with her hoof, when she heard a click. A secret door opened at the back of the office near the desk unveiling a secret room. “whoa Twilight come check this out!” Dash exclaimed. “It’s a secret room.” Twilight said. “And where there’s a secret room there must be a secret.” Twilight and rainbow walked into the room where another more elaborate desk sat behind it a window. Alongside the walls instead of books there were golden discs and pictures, dozens of pictures, but all of them shared one thing in common. They were all of a Blue Alicorn with golden eyes on a stage in front of hundreds of thousands of ponies. As Twilight and Rainbow Dash studied the Pictures a loud thumping of drums came from downstairs followed by an explosion of music. “w-wha-huh” The blue Alicorn awoke to the sound of the music. “oh Hawk must be home hah I wonder how his date went?” He looked out the window and saw the sun shining high in the sky. “huh He said he’d be back at night. Probably got shot down. haha That’s what he gets for not taking me as his wingpony.” He stretched and got up out of bed cocking his head back and forth as his neck cracked. He brushed back his mane with his hooves a couple of times before just shaking his head like a wet dog and letting his hair settle naturally. “Why is there totally AWESOME EPIC MUSIC PLAYING” as he walked out of his bedroom. He stopped shortly after “Well now, why is my office door opened?” he said to himself. As he walked in he gasped “Wha- why is my secret room open?” Rainbow dash was urgently explaining to Twilight “Oh My Gosh I can’t believe it Twilight do you know who this is?” Twilight responded “uhh” Rainbow dash broke in “Only the coolest, most epic, most awesome pony to ever walk Equestria.” “Well Rainbow spit it out about this coolest, most awesome, most epic pony. What’s his name?” “His name is…” “Zepplin” The blue alicorn said standing in the doorway. Chapter 3 Back in the Saddle Chapter 3 Back in the Saddle Episode 3 Back in the Saddle “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!” Rainbow dash exclaimed dancing in place. She then shot over to Zepplin, hugging him around his neck. Zepplin pulled his head back as he looked to Twilight “Who are you and why are you in my house?” “Zepplin is it? Look we are so sorry to just intrude like this, but we heard that there was a new alicorn in town and we wanted to meet you. I know this seems like a strange greeting but please believe me that it’s pretty common for other ponies to barge in.” Rainbow Dash unwrapped her hooves from Zepplin’s neck and backed away. “Ya know, if you just wanted to meet me you could have asked Rainbow here to introduce us.” At this point Pinkie Pie and the others burst in through the doorway. “We heard Rainbow scream!” Applejack started. “I uh oh…” She stared at Zepplin. Zepplin, turning around and seeing the small army of ponies that had invaded his home, began “Wait I know all of you. Ahahaha.” He burst out laughing “Just because I’m an alicorn? Ahahahaha.” “Girls this is Zepplin.” Twilight introduced everypony. “Well Zepplin you don’t know how special that makes you, I mean every alicorn I’ve ever heard of has been royalty. Why even our own Twilight here is Princess of Ponyville.” Rarity explained. “Royalty?” Zepplin questioned “So you thought I was some sort of prince or something? hahaha.” “Well, considering the way you paid me for your suit, yes I did.” Rarity responded. “Well I may not be royalty, but I am famous. Isn’t that right Dashie?” “Famous? That’s like, the understatement of the century. Ooh no no. The understatement of the millennium.” Twilight butted in “Umm no offense but well… Zepplin who are you exactly?” Zepplin pondered the question for a moment putting his hoof to his chin, then grinned “I guess you could call me a successful musician.” “Are you kidding?!” Rainbow said “You’re like the most famous hardcore rock-star in all of Equestria!” “You can barely get through half your set list before you play so loud you knock yourself out!” Zepplin grinned. “Well at least I’ve got one fan in this town.” “That’s another thing.” Applejack said “If you’re some big celebrity, then just what exactly are you doing in a little town like Ponyville?” “Why yes.” Rarity said. “A celebrity like you should be performing in big cities like Cloudsdale or Canterlot. Zepplin closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Ok look, nopony is supposed to know that I’m here. Alright? I’m going to be honest with you. That accident in Cloudsdale that the papers blamed on an air quake? That was my concert. I played too loud and the cloud dome… it just, it just came crashing down. I had to cancel the tour. My manager Hawk set me up with this place and if he found out ponies knew I was here he’d be furious. So please, all of you need to promise me not to tell anyone about me until this whole thing blows over.” “Why of course Zepplin.” Twilight smiled “We’ll keep your secret right girls?” “Mmhmm” they all replied. “Thank you everypony!” Zepplin said. “I won’t forget this. I’ll see if I can talk some sense into Hawk and maybe we could all hang out sometime.” “Yeah!!!” everypony said. “Aw, buck Hawk!” Zepplin said. “I’ll be at sugarcube corner tonight around nine!” “Yeah!!! Let’s do it” they all said. That night Hawk returned. “Zepplin, Zepplin are you here? I swear if that stallion ran off again I’m gonna!” he stopped and looked in at the Master bedroom and saw the covers raised as though someone was sleeping in the bed. “Oh for Tartaurus sake Zepplin, are you going to bed or have you not even woken up yet?” The griffin smirked as he walked over to the side of the bed. “Well?” Hawk said. “Aren’t you going to ask me how my date went?” no response came from the lump in the sheets “What, are you jealous? You’re not speaking to me now is that it?” still no response from the figure in the bed. “Listen dude, I know you’re bummed about not being able to leave, but this is only temporary. Okay?” The lump on the bed still didn’t move. “Hey, wake up ya lump!” Hawk said as he gripped the sheet with his talon and ripped it back. Under the sheet was a fancy suit stuffed with pillows to mimic the shape of a body. Hawk’s eyes widened. “Why that motherbucker.” he whispered to himself before he raced back downstairs and out the door. Meanwhile down at sugarcube corner Zepplin and his new friends were celebrating their friendship. “I got another batch of my special Rainbow flavored cupcakes!” Pinkie yelled holding up a baking pan. Rainbow Dash took one and started munching on it “Mmm these sure are good Pinkie what’s the secret ingredient?” “Oh don’t worry Dashie I’m sure you’ll find out someday!” Pinkie happily smiled. As the party raged on Twilight and Zepplin sat in a booth chatting. “So Zepplin, do you know how you became an alicorn?” “Nope. I mean, all I know is that I was born this... like this. I was born like this. Sadly, I can’t remember anything about my parents. I was abandoned in the Everfree Forest when I was just a colt. A passing wonderbolt was making a fly over and spotted me. He took me back to Cloudsdale where I went to Flight School. Growing up in Cloudsdale I was never really trained in magic. I picked up a few spells over the years but nothing as advanced as you I’m sure.” “That’s a fascinating story.” Twilight said. “But I’m so sorry about your family.” “Ah, it’s okay. I mean, I never would have gotten to where I am today. I might have never met you and your friends.” “So how did you become a rock star?” Twilight asked. “Well it’s a long story but basically one day I found out that my horn had a special power, to summon a guitar made of pure light. My horn is directly in tune with the guitar. The louder I play the brighter my horn glows. Anyway I started using this power to practice and I played small shows for ponies everywhere. Then one day I got a letter asking me to perform at Hoofstock. I took my friend Hawk who has been with me since flight school to the performance but they wouldn’t let us in because I didn’t have a manager. So, I told them my manager was Hawk and they bought it. I’ve been rocking ever since.” “Wow!” Twilight said. “That’s a cool story” “I hope you don’t mind me asking.” Zepplin began, “But are you the same Twilight that stopped discord and queen chrysalis?” Twilight looked away with a sheepish blush. “Oh! Yep that was me. I couldn’t have done it without the help of my friends though. Together we used the Elements of Harmony to stop Discord as well as Nightmare Moon. Actually, my brother and his fiancée at the time were the ones who really defeated Chrysalis.” Twilight said. “Wow so you really are the wielders of the elements. That must be so cool, being heroes.” Zepplin said solemnly. “Well Rainbow Dash might think so but to tell you the truth it’s really just another responsibility.” Twilight said. Zepplin looked at her with his golden eyes and Twilight saw that he was hiding something, a thought or a feeling about what she just said. As she was about to ask him about it loud music came pounding from just outside in the town square. “What in tarnation?” yelled Applejack. “ooh T-t-that’s really loud.” Said Fluttershy. All the ponies ventured outside Sugarcube corner to investigate the commotion. Outside a large group of ponies were gathered by the fountain around a small stage with big letters that said DJ PON3. On the stage was Vinyl Scratch herself, the blue haired, white unicorn with her trademark beat bug glasses. “OH YEAH IT’S A PONY PARTY TONIGHT!” she screamed over the microphone. “Is there anypony out there who wants to come up on stage and rock with Vinyl Scratch!” A frenzy broke out as nearly everypony in the audience raised their hooves high. “hmm You there, the… alicorn!” she pointed her hoof at Zepplin. “Wh-What?” Zepplin said reserved. Vinyl giggled “Yeah. You get your butt up here on the stage blue boy!” Zepplin started to back away but was blocked by a wall of cheering ponies including his newfound friends. Zepplins golden eyes looked over the stage as a serious look came over him, and he marched towards the stage. Zepplin walked up on stage as he heard the roar of the ponies from below. His eyes scanned the crowd eventually working their way over to Vinyl Scratch who was leaning up against a speaker with a turntable on top of it. She had her arms crossed. “So hehehe you think you got what it takes to share the stage with Vinyl Scratch, eh?” she asked in a cocky tone. Zepplin nodded his head. “Ya know your mane looks like it was from three decades ago!” Vinyl said as the ponies in the audience burst out laughing. Twilight looked around at them “That wasn’t very nice of Vinyl to say” Twilight said. “What do ya say to a little rock off?” Said Vinyl. “I think the audience would make perfect judges.” She said. Zepplin again nodded his head. “What’s your name?” “Zepplin” the alicorn responded. “Zepplin everypony.” Vinyl reiterated. Zepplin gestured with his hoof. “Ladies first.” “Why thank you!” Vinyl giggled “This way it’ll be over before you even begin.” She said to Zepplin. Zepplin rolled his eyes as Vinyl Scratch brought out her base cannon. The beats pulsed and shook the ground the speakers pounded in and out as the white unicorn spinned the discs on the turntable creating a new species of sounds. Zepplin was covering his ears with his hooves. He couldn’t stand it, but the other ponies could, and they loved it. Vinyl bounced up and down on her hind legs with the music as sparks started to fly from the discs as she was scratching. When it was over the crowd went wild cheering and chanting “Vinyl, Vinyl!” “Well your turn, if you even want to try and beat that.” Zepplin approached the center of the stage and took a deep breath. He ran a hoof through his long unkempt mane and took another breath. The audience waited in suspense. What could possibly follow, let alone beat Vinyl’s performance? Zepplin closed his eyes as his horn again wrapped in a golden glow and summoned a guitar made from pure light in front of him. The air was silent as the lone stallion stood on the stage, Vinyl smirking in the corner. Zepplin then readied himself as he stood up on his hind legs, using his wings to balance, and clutched the guitar in his hooves. His horn was now a dim glow, resembling that of a candle in the dusk. Then he started to play and sing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_1hLiqwq7c) Hawk was coasting over the town when he heard the roaring music coming from the town square. He focused his gaze at the stage, but as he did the heavens were lit up with golden light. Blinded by the intense glare he stumbled in the air and began to fall. Hawk growled and began to right himself, squinting through the glare, when the sound from the speaker blasted to life, the vibrations sending him spiraling once again toward the ground. Hawk crashed into the sea of ponies and struggled as the frenzied mosh pit pulled him into an unwanted crowd surf away from the stage. His desperate protests dwarfed by the music and the roaring voices of the crowd shouting “Heavy Metal!” over and over. Vinyl took off her glasses, revealing her colorful eyes as Zepplin entered his solo. She then immediately put them back on as the light from his horn flared even brighter. Finishing his song, Zepplin struck a final, epic cord, and then collapsed into blackness. “Aww… my head.” Zepplin awoke in a room made entirely of wood with hundreds of books lining shelves on the walls. As he sat up he saw that he was in a bed and his forehead was wrapped in gauze. He looked around, seeing a bed across from him and another, dog like bed on the floor. Zepplin moaned, putting a hoof to his head. As he slammed his head and hoof back down on the pillow he heard voices coming from downstairs. Zepplin looked over to the side of the loft he was on where he could get a clear view of where he was at. The place was a large tree that must have served as the town library. He saw another area below him with even more books on the shelves. He could also see Twilight, along with her friends talking with a hawk headed griffon. “Hawk?” Zepplin whispered to himself. “Oh no.” Hawk was talking with Princess Twilight. “I’m telling you he’s out of control!” Hawk yelled “Please Mr. Hawk calm down.” Twilight said “I know Zepplin is supposed to lay low but honestly he didn’t hurt anything.” Hawk looked at her with piercing eyes, like he thought she had no business meddling in their affairs. Which was exactly the case. “Didn’t hurt anything? He not only lied to me and broke his promise, he knocked me out of the sky! Not to mention the damage he’s doing to himself! I brought him here to keep this kind of thing from happening. Imagine what the media will do if they find out about the Cloud Dome incident. Plus, he told all of you about all of this stuff after knowing you for how long? He’s too reckless.” Rainbow dash burst through the front door slamming it shut behind her and bracing herself up with it to hold it closed. “Uh you guys… we may have a tiny, tiny problem.” She said pinching the clefts of her hoof together. “What is it Rainbow?” Twilight asked. Rainbow responded “I think Zepplin might have a few… fans.” She strained to hold the door shut as they began to hear pounding on it from the outside. Hawk looked out the window “Horsefeathers.” He muttered as he looked out the window at the sight of practically all of Ponyville chanting ”We want Zepplin, We want Zepplin!” Hawk flew back down near Twilight. “They found us. We need to move him. Applejack go see if Zepplin’s awake and feeling better either way we need to get him out of here.” “NO!” Zepplin said, standing at the base of the stairs as everypony in the room turned. “Zepplin what the hay do you think you’re doing! I told you to wait in the house!” Hawk shouted. “I was doing what I do best Hawk! I was entertaining.” Zepplin responded. “Zepplin do you know what would happen if ponies found out you were responsible for the collapse of the Clouddome? You’d never be allowed to perform ever again and you would probably be banished back to the Everfree forest. You don’t want to live that life again do you?” Hawk said. “No Hawk, I don’t. But we can’t keep running away from our problems. I’m tired of wandering around looking for where I belong.” Zepplin said. Fluttershy spoke up “Umm e-excuse me b-but what about princess Celestia?” Twilight spoke up “Fluttershy you’re a genius Celestia is the high princess of Equestria. We can go to her and have her pardon you. She would forgive you for the Cloud dome. It was an accident after all.” “But how are we going to get Zepplin all the way to Canterlot without anyone noticing? It’s too far to fly and he’s still week from that performance.” Hawk said. “hmm I can teleport us outside the back of the Treehouse.” Twilight continued. “But we’ll have to take the train to Canterlot.” "And just how in tarnation do we sneak a celebrity like Zepplin onto a train?” “I think I might have an idea” Rarity said. Zepplin looked back and forth between all of them. “I’m not going to like this am I?” Chapter 4 Train Kept a RollinEpisode 4 Train Kept a Rollin The Six Ponies along with Hawk walked to the train station. They were wearing hats and sunglasses and various other disguises. “Ok remember the plan girls.” Twilight said. All the ponies and Hawk nodded their heads. “Let’s do this.” Said Hawk with a determined scowl. “How you holding up Zepplin?” he asked as he looked towards Rarity’s enormous suitcase. “First of all I can’t breathe. Second of all my tail feels like it’s been shoved right up my a..oww!” Rarity removed her back hoof from the bag. “Shhh. You mustn’t give yourself away!” “You really think this is gonna work?” Zepplin asked, his voice muffled by thick cloth bag. “It’s worth a shot.” Said Twilight. They approached the train station. Rainbow Dash flew up to the ticket counter and said “Eight tickets to Canterlot please.” Pinkie Pie punched her in her arm. “Oww. What was tha… oh uh I mean seven. Seven tickets to Canterlot please.” She finished with a cheesy grin. “Yes Ma’am.” The ticket cashier handed her seven golden slips of paper. “Thanks.” Rainbow replied. “All aboard for Canterlot!” the conductor said as one by one Hawk and the ponies boarded the train. Rarity struggled with all her bags and was approached by the conductor. “Excuse me Ma’am, would you like some help with those?” he asked. “NO!” Rairity shouted “uh I mean NO thank you ahaha. I can manage.” She said as she used her magic to lift the bag with Zepplin on to the train. Hawk took the bag and followed Twilight to the royal cabin where they put the baggage down. The royal cabin was slightly larger than the other standard cabins. Here there would be more room for all eight of them. “Tickets please.” The passing conductor announced. Applejack met him at the door to the cabin and handed him the tickets. “And seven makes seven.” He said as he punched the paper and continued on. A few minutes later a voice came in over an intercom. “Good evening mares and stallions and welcome aboard the Friendship express nonstop to Canterlot. We should be arriving at our destination by morning so relax, get a good night’s rest, and enjoy your ride.” “Zepplin you can come out now.” Twilight said as Hawk closed and locked the door to the cabin. Fluttershy gently opened the zipped bag and Zepplin came tumbling out right into the wall gasping for air. “Oh thank Celestia.” He gasped. He then stood up and brushed himself off. “Sorry that was uncomfortable darling but I didn’t know how else to sneak you on.” Rarity said. Rainbow Dash yawned “Anypony else ready to hit the hay?” she asked. “mmhmm!” they all agreed except Rarity. “Wait!” she yelled, as everyone looked at her with her eyes wide. “Zepplin is in no state to meet the high Princess. We need to get him freshened up. I mean what is he supposed to wear?” “Good thing I grabbed this.” Hawk said reaching into his bag pulling out the suit that Rarity had made. Zepplin looked “ Hawk how did you know we would need that!” “Hey being your manager for as long as I’ve been, I know to be prepared.” Hawk smirked. That night Zepplin lied awake in the lower cot. As he looked around he saw Hawk Sleeping in the bottom bunk across from him and Rainbow in the upper bunk above him. Zepplin then looked up on his side and saw Twilight sleeping soundly in the bunk above him. Zepplin sighed and turned over when he heard a voice. “Trouble sleeping eh sugar.” It was Applejack. Zepplin rolled back over and found her laying up in the bunk behind him. “That obvious?” “Well shoot, you’re makin more noise than poor ol granny smith when she done broke her hip.” Applejack responded. “So, what’s bothering you Zepplin? Gotta be something on a stallions mind if he’s up at this hour.” She said. “I was just thinking.” Zepplin said “About the cloud dome. What if somepony got hurt? What if… (sigh) I cause more harm than good.” Zepplin shed a tear. Applejack looked at him. “What were you talking about with Twilight?” she asked “Back at sugarcube corner?” Applejack clarified. “How did you?” Zepplin began. “I hear a lot of things.” Applejack said. “You asked her if we were the real wielders of the elements of Harmony, and she told you yes. She also told me, you seemed like you had something on your mind about that.” Zepplin’s tears came more steadily. “ You have no idea what it’s like, when you walk out on stage, when you gaze upon an army of beings, when you hear them roar louder than the loudest thunder. You have no idea what it’s like, when thousands you don’t even know scream your name and worship you like you’re some kind of king. You have no idea what it’s like to not have a home, to live on the road or in the sky. And why? All I do is play music, all I do is sing. All I do is get up on stage to play and sing my music and ponies treat me like I’m Celestia herself. You save the world twice and you know when you go to sleep that you made a difference. You know that without you and your friends Equestria wouldn’t exist. The ponies treat me how they should treat you and your friends, but all I am is a fake, I’m nothing but a no good useless fake.” “Zepplin you make ponies happy. They enjoy your music.” Applejack said. “(sniff) What good is being happy if you aren’t around to enjoy it? Now you and all your friends are going through all this trouble smuggling me aboard a train to Canterlot to get an audience with the Princess. What did I do to deserve this?” Applejack got out of her bunk and went over next to him. “You’re our friend. This is what friends do. I know you’ll find where you belong someday, but know that you are always welcome among us. No matter what happens.” Zepplin turned to her and stared at her as his tears stopped. “Thanks Applejack” he said “I f-feel better now.” “Well I’m glad partner. Now you get some shut eye, you got a busy day tomorrow.” She turned and crawled back into her bunk. “Yeah, goodnight Applejack.” Zepplin said as he rolled back over. The next morning the sun’s rays shot through the small window near Zepplin’s bunk as his eyes fluttered open. He sat up and stretched as he looked around and saw everypony else do the same. Hawk looked over at him. “Well today’s the big day, let’s see if we can get this mess cleaned up.” Zepplin responded to him. “Yeah I’d really like that!” They passed a sign that said, ‘Now approaching Canterlot.' Fluttershy was keeping watch out the window on the door to the cabin. “O-ooh the c-c-c-conductors coming.” She said in her soft voice. “Ok Zepplin back in the bag” Twilight said. Zepplin sighed as he squeezed himself back into Rarity’s bag. “All off for Canterlot!” the conductor shouted as he passed by tapping on the doors of the cabins. “Princess Sparkle.” He greeted as Twilight nodded her head. Hawk once again helped Rarity carry the bag off the train and down to solid Canterlot ground. Hawk carried the bag over to a nearby ally, secluded from the rest of the public and let Zepplin out. Zepplin looked around and entered the main street without anypony noticing. “Wow Hawk, remember when we did that benefit concert here?” Zepplin said. “Oh don’t remind me. Benefit my fluffy tail! I remember that stupid mare with her flare gun she shot off in the place. There was so much fire I’m surprised the water didn’t start smoking.” “Didn’t we write a song about that?” Zepplin questioned. “Hay if I know, I just keep you out of trouble.” Zepplin and Hawk walked with Princess Twilight and her friends with Zepplin in the middle surrounded by all of them so as nopony would recognize him. “The castles just up ahead. Princess Celestia knows we’re coming. I had Spike send a letter before we left.” Twilight said. “oh I do hope this all goes s-smoothly.” Said Fluttershy. “I’m not worried. Zepplin’s talked his way out of worse if you can believe it.” Hawk said. “I have not!” Zepplin shouted. “Oh really? Remember the riot in St. Luna Maresourri?” Hawk asked. Zepplin’s eyes widened. “Let’s not talk about that.” He said as he smiled embarrassed. “Here we are!” Twilight said as the group stopped in front of the grand palace gates where two pegasus ponies in royal armor guarded the gate with their wings crossed like swords. They stood at attention “Princess Sparkle” the saluted and uncrossed their wings. “Thank you” she said as they allowed the group to pass into the palace courtyard. As Zepplin looked around he saw tremendous gardens and majestic fountains. He had never seen a more beautiful place. “This place is amazing!” He said to which Twilight gave a smile. As they approached the stairs leading up to the grand hall and the throne room they stopped. “I think I should go in first and then you follow when I say to. Alright Zepplin?” Twilight said. "Sounds good to me I just want to get this mess put behind me.” Zepplin said. “Splendid I’ll be right back!” as Twilight trotted up the stairs and entered Celestia’s throne room. “My faithful student.. op.. I mean Princess. Twilight how are you!” Celestia said as Twilight looked and saw the Princess sitting on her throne with a grin on her face. “I’m doing great your highness.” Twilight said. “I came to clear up a matter involving the rock star Zepplin.” “Why of course Twilight, I received your letter last night. I have Zepplin’s pardon for the cloud dome all ready, I just need him to sign it.” “Great. Thank you so much your Highness. I’ll go get him.” Twilight ran back out and told Zepplin he could come in. Hawk and the other ponies wished him luck as Zepplin turned and followed Twilight up the stairs. As Zepplin entered the throne room his golden eyes met with the pony Princess Celestia. He knelt down and bowed his head slightly shaking as he was unsure what his punishment would be or if there would even be one. “Arise young Zepplin.” Princess Celestia said. “Tell me Zepplin were you always an alicorn?” she asked. Zepplin stuttered but responded. “W-why yes I was born like this your highness.” “Curious, I thought I knew all the alicorns in Equestria.” Celestia said. “Where do you hail from?” She asked Zepplin. “W-well your highness I, uh don’t know. I was abandoned in the Everfree forest when I was just a colt. I was saved by a passing Wonderbolt.” Zepplin said. “I see I apologize, I had no idea.” Celestia said. “Please your highness, there is no need to apologize.” Zepplin spoke out. “You are very kind. I am enjoying our little chat. Tell me, you have magic yes?” Celestia smiled at Zepplin. “Yes your Highness I don’t know that much but I summon a guitar out of thin air and I started performing.” Zepplin said. Celestia spoke “hmm From what I’ve heard you play pretty loud, sometimes you pass out onstage?” “Yes your highness I just feel exhausted all of a sudden and I collapse usually my horn glows brighter the louder I play.” Celestia looked at him “Please, would you mind giving me a display of your music.” Zepplin looked shocked. “W-w-why of course your majesty.” Zepplin’s horn grew bright as his guitar formed out of light in the air in front of him. He then readied himself and began to play as magic light embraced him. Celestia and Twilight watched as his horn grew brighter as his music became louder and saw as small orbs of light started to appear around him. “Beautiful” said Celestia “just beautiful. Thank you.” Zepplin took a few breaths “No no your majesty thank you.” Celesitia used her magic to lift a small piece of paper and a quill from a small table beside her throne. She scribbled on the paper. “Your Pardon.” She said. “This will completely excuse the cloud dome incident and let the city know that the royal treasury will cover the cost of repairs.” Zepplin fell to his knees “Thank you so much your highness.” Celestia looked at him “Think nothing of it. Now if you’ll excuse me I have some things I need to attend to.” Zepplin once again thanked her and bowed his head as he followed Twilight out of the throne room. Once they were outside Zepplin held up his Pardon and he and the group shared a hug. “We knew you could do it.” Fluttershy exclaimed. Hawk put a claw on Zepplin’s back giving him a congratulatory hoof bump as they walked back to the train station. As the train rolled off into the sunset Everypony on board along with Zepplin was thinking where they would go next. Chapter 5 WonderstruckEpisode 5 Wonderstruck Zepplin walked through the smoking remains of Ponyville. He looked around and saw buildings stripped of their brick and dust blowing like a lifeless cloud through the town. Twilight’s treehouse, once a verdant icon of friendship and knowledge, now was dead and bare. Piles of papers and torn out pages were flung about on the ground. Zepplin continued to walk through the deserted town all alone. None of his Pony friends were there. Even Hawk was nowhere to be seen. “Hello!” cried Zepplin. “Hello!” he cried again. He pressed onward, moving to the center of town. Zepplin looked upon the remains of Sugarcube corner, once filled with laughter and conversation. Now it was filled with silent screams. “Pinkie Pie! Are you in here?” Zepplin called out for the pink pony. Suddenly he heard a low growl behind him. Zepplin whipped around to see a pile of branches growling at him. The branches soon moved and he realized that he was staring at a timberwolf. The timberwolf barked ferociously as Zepplin galloped away. It was no good. The timberwolf was too fast. As the beast gained on him Zepplin spread his wings and took off. He looked back and saw the timberwolf as it issued a blood cringing howl. Zepplin kept flying as he crossed the ghost town of ponyville he saw Sweet Apple Acres, Applejacks home as the orchards burned as fire spread from tree to tree. “No… What’s happening?” Zepplin said as he continued to fly He looked up into the sky and saw a monsturous cloud swirling over the land. This cloud soon opened up in the center as Zepplin could look straight up into space and see a large black sphere orbiting Equestria. Zepplin, now petrified with fear, shook his head in denial. When his vision faded he saw two piercing red eyes staring at him in complete darkness. Zepplin felt the cold sweat run down his spine and up through his wings. He closed his eyes but it did nothing, he could see the two red eyes getting closer! All of a sudden total darkness enclosed him. Zepplin gasped sitting up in his bed back at Ponyville. He looked around the room, which seemed normal enough. He then opened the curtains and looked out upon another peaceful summer day in Ponyville. The sunshine nearly blinded him as he saw fillies and colts playing and mares and stallions going about their routines. “Oh… it was only a dream.” Zepplin sighed. “It was only a dream haha.” He repeated to himself laughing a little. Zepplin ran a hoof through his mane and got out of bed. He opened the door and went downstairs where he found Hawk sitting on the sofa in the living room “Good morning Hawk.” Said Zepplin. “Well you’re up early. Usually you don’t even think about waking up for another four hours.” Hawk responded “Well in any case you’re a free stallion now!” Hawk continued “Zepplin, you can do anything you want.” “It feels great!” Zepplin said as he munched on some oats for breakfast. “So when do you want me to make the next tour?” “Don’t bother Hawk. I think I am in need of a little vacation.” Hawk’s eyes widened as a smile broke out on his face.“OH HAPPY DAYS!!!” he yelled at the top of his lungs, so that it rattled the house. “No more looking out for you! No more having to manage the finances and all that collateral! No more cleaning up after the wild parties! No more Headaches and stress! No more…” “Ok Hawk you made your point.” Zepplin deadpanned. Hawk smiled “Oh Zepplin, before I forget. Rainbow Dash stopped by earlier and was asking for you.” Zepplin looked up “What did she want?” Hawk shrugged “Didn’t say. All she said was she wanted you to meet her above sugarcube corner when you got up.” “Well then I guess that’s where I’ll head.” Zepplin said. “Oh I forgot Twilight wanted to see you too you’d better head to her tree house.” Hawk added “Ok, Twilight first then Rainbow. Looks like I got a busy day.” Zepplin said. Twilight was dusting her books back in the tree house. She wanted to reorganize the Library and Spike was helping her. As they pulled books off the shelves Twilight heard a knock at the door. “Come in.” she said. It was Zepplin. “Hey Twilight, how’s it going?” “Oh, good. Thanks for asking. I’m just reorganizing the library.” Twilight responded. “Need any help?” Asked Zepplin. “Sure I can always use some help. Why don’t you start with those books over there.” She gestured with her head to a shelf. “Sure thing!” Zepplin said as he went pulling books off the shelf with his magic. “Oops!” He grabbed at the book he dropped as six golden pieces of jewelry spilled out on the floor. Twilight looked over and gasped. Zepplin studied the pieces. Twilight looked at Zepplin. “Wow” Zepplin said. “ha ha… The elements of Harmony. Applejack’s, PinkiePie’s, Rainbow Dash’s, Rarity’s, Fluttershy’s and yours.” He picked up the crown with his magic and handed it to Twilight. “Im sorry Twilight I should have been more careful.” “Think nothing of it Zepplin. It was an accident. …Actually I wanted to ask you something. When I first mentioned the elements you gave me a weird look, like you were thinking of something.” Zepplin sighed. He then told her what he had told Applejack back on the train. “I see, you think… But Zepplin you make…” Twilight began. “Ponies Happy I know. I just wish there was more I could do. This world’s been good to me and I may not have been very good to it.” “We all make mistakes Zepplin. Part of friendship is learning from them.” Twilight spoke as she flew up to the second floor. “Thanks Twilight. I wish I could help more but Rainbow Dash is waiting for me.” Zepplin said. “Oh yes go ahead. I can finish up here.” Twilight responded. Zepplin trotted out the door before flying away. “Well spike let’s put the elements away and get back to work.” Spike looked up at her. “Hey Twilight, I think the book might be broken. Look.” Spike picked up the book revealing the six hollow pockets that the elements fit in and then he turned the page revealing another seventh pocket that was empty. Twilight stared at the book puzzled. “But that doesn’t make any sense, that book was given to me by Princess Celestia. Why would she put a seventh compartment if there are only six elements… unless…” Twilight thought hard her eyes darted back and forth between the mysterious compartment and out into space. “SPIKE TAKE A LETTER!” she yelled. Zepplin was cruising through the skies over the center of town. As he approached Sugarcube corner a light blue entity raced by him leaving a multi-chromal trail. Zepplin grinned and picked up his speed as he caught up with Dashie. “I didn’t think you’d show.” Rainbow dash said. “You know me. I’m always awesomely late.” Zepplin said as he did a barrel roll. “So why’d you ask me here?” “I thought we could have ourselves another race.” Rainbow said “Oh yeah. How was the hooficure?” Zepplin said laughing. “Shut up!” Dash replied. “I was going easy on you last time. Now it’s time to really kick it up a notch.” She boasted. “What’d you have in mind?” Zepplin questioned. “A race through the gorge. First one to the end wins. Whoever loses has to do whatever the other says for a whole day.” Zepplin laughed. “You really thought this out didn’t you Dashie?” Dash glared at him. “Deal?” she asked. Zepplin thought about this for a moment as Rainbow extended her hoof. “Deal!” he said. The two lined up at the bottom of one end of the gorge. Rainbow was flexing her wings as Zepplin landed and brushed his long, dark, unkempt, mane back. He cracked his neck a couple of times and readied himself for flight. “This gonna be as easy as the last time?” He asked. “Ha you’re gonna wish you’d never agreed to this!” Rainbow counted down “3…2…” Suddenly she shot off. “HEY! NO FAIR!” Zepplin yelled as he took off after her creating a loud boom in the process. He instantly caught up with Rainbow dash as they swerved to avoid the low hanging rocks of the gorge. “Not gonna be that easy!” Rainbow said as she once again shot ahead. Zepplin zigged and zagged to avoid the eels bursting out of the rock. Rainbow was now laughing as she picked up more speed. “He’s not gonna beat me this time!” she said to herself. As she looked back and saw Zepplin far behind she chuckled. Suddenly she heard a loud ping. A flash of light burst from Zepplin. She watched as he flew right at her like a bullet. Zepplin, nearly gold instead of blue, caught eyes with Dashie. As she saw him grin a little he rocketed past the light blue Pegasus. Rainbow now strained to keep up but the force from Zepplin’s Celestial trail created shockwaves throughout the gorge. As he slid into the finish line, a trail of fire blazed on the ground behind him. Rainbow dash soon landed panting out of exhaustion. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How do I KEEP LOOSING” Rainbow Dash yelled as Zepplin approached her with a boasting grin. She sighed. “What do you want me to do Zepplin?” Zepplin looked at her with his golden eyes. “Nothing!” he said. “Nothing?” Rainbow repeated. “Nothing. Why don’t we go grab something to eat, my treat.” “Sure!” Rainbow said happily. Rainbow and Zepplin went to Sugarcube Corner where Zepplin ordered up a batch of cupcakes to be split between them. “So you’ve been flying for a long time?” Zepplin asked. “A long time? Only like forever. Since I went to flight school all I have ever wanted to do is fly!” Rainbow Dash responded. “What about you Zepplin, I mean I know you’re a rock star and all. But clearly you have tons of flying experience.” Zepplin nodded. “Thanks. haha I suppose it started when I was saved by a passing Wonderbolt. He found me on the edge of the Everfree forest and took me up to Cloudsdale.” Zepplin said. “You were saved by a WONDERBOLT!? I’ve been training to get in with them ever since I graduated flightshcool! I was so mad when that one colt got in. The wonderbolts came right up to him and asked him to join when he was just a colt! I remember everypony called him Wondercolt for that… but it should have been me!” Rainbow said. Zepplin put his head down and sighed. Holding back tears he told Rainbow “I’m sure you’ll make it someday.” Rainbow looked at him and thought real hard. “…Wait…Zepplin…are you …wondercolt?” Zepplin looked up at her and began to explain. “It was amazing. The Wonderbolts asked me to join their order. I was just a young colt. They took me back to their command center far from Cloudsdale. I went through some of the most vigorous training in my life; nothing like flight school, this was serious. I was the youngest there was. I raced with the best of them. One day I broke Lightning Strike’s speed record of 9000 wingpower, but it came at a cost. My mentors, noticed that I was having trouble keeping balance while in flight. They took me into the Wonderbolts doctor, who said that the sheer speed I was doing deformed my still developing wing. Over time my left wing grew slower than my right. The Wonderbolts said I might be a danger in flight. They revoked all my privileges and banned me from the team. I went back to the Cloudsdale orphanage and that night I ran away. haha I cried for days, my dream was in the cleft of my hoof and then bam… gone just like that. That same night I made a promise, a promise that I would keep flying no matter what they said. I flew faster than I ever had before. I learned to compensate for my wing and I kept flying. The light you see, I don’t know where it comes from. It came to me that night too. I felt it take me over and I felt like I could fly forever. The next thing I knew I was up past the clouds then up past the sky. I looked down on Equestria as the entire planet presented itself before me. I’ll never forget that sight. There I was flying out in total darkness with millions of tiny lights watching me. I looked down on Equestria and then I got this.” Zepplin turned to show his flank. There was a mark of a steely orb unfurling golden wings wrapped in a pink aura Rainbow Dash stared at the mark. “I-I had no idea. I’m sorry Zepplin. All I’ve told you is how bad I wanted to be a Wonderbolt. How I want your broken dream.” Zepplin smiled. “Don’t worry about it. Just because that dream didn’t come true for me doesn’t mean it can’t come true for you. I know someday you’ll be the best Wonderbolt ever, better than I could have ever been.” Rainbow dash started to tear up. “Thanks Zepplin.” Zepplin’s warm smile turned into a wide grin. “And when that day comes and you become a Wonderbolt, you can tell ‘em Zepplin sent ya!” Author's Note Dear God I am so Sorry, I had this whole thing written a long time ago before I even knew what a forum or fanfic site was. I didn't know about the concept of OP characters. I apologize for the "unique qualities" that Zepplin has (ahahaha over 9000 as if that hasn't been overused) sorry, this was my first attempt at writing a fic and I know it's not great but I thank all of you who read it you guys make me happy and I hope I can make you happy. I am working on a bunch of new projects but I don't know when I'll get those out, so I hope you enjoyed. Might get a new story out on Halloween! Chapter 6 Tree Fallin Chapter 6 Tree Fallin Episode 6 tree-FALL-in “Spike what’s wrong?” Twilight asked as she looked at the dragon cringing in his bed. “Twilight, I think I’m gonna-” before he could finish his sentence he belched up a fiery scroll. “Woo. That was a doozie.” Spike said. Twilight ran over and picked up the letter. “It’s from the Princess.” The letter read “Dear Twilight Sparkle, I am writing back to you about your recent letter about there being a seventh hidden compartment in the book I gave you to store the elements. I honestly have never seen a seventh compartment, given that there are only six elements of harmony. I don’t know what it would be doing in the back of the book but I’m sure you will find out. Keep it up Princess. Sincerely Princess Celestia of Equestria.” Twilight read over the letter a few more times. “She doesn’t know. How could she not know; she made the book? Why would she put in a seventh unless…” Spike broke in. “Twilight you don’t honestly think?” Twilight yielded a look of confusion. “No, we defeated Discord; we took down nightmare moon. We used the elements together…ALL OF THEM!” She thought a little more to herself before she said “Ah forget it, I’m sure it’s just a coincidence." “Hey Twilight it’s the running of the leaves today! Applejack said she was gonna make some of her famous cider.” Twilight gasped. “Oh my gosh! Spike, I totally forgot. We need to get down there quick!” She frantically galloped out the door. Twilight, with Spike on her back, galloped down to sweet apple acres where she saw her friends. She felt the wind as it kicked some leaves off the trees. She saw Zepplin and Hawk standing in the cider line. “Hey Hawk, Zepplin” “Oh, hey Twilight.” Hawk said. “How goes it?” Zepplin asked. “Pretty good!” Twilight smiled. “Are you two gonna be in the running of the leaves?” “Maybe, but right now Hawk insisted we get some cider.” “As soon as I down this I’m off to Canterlot. Now that Zepplin’s settled down I’m gonna do some shopping.” Hawk said. “I hear Applejack made a really good batch this year.” Zepplin said.” The line moved forward. “Well hey there y’all want some cider?” Applejack smiled. “That’s why we’re here.” Hawk grinned, handing her some bits. “Thank ye kindly. Here you are Zepplin, enjoy your first Apple family cider.” Applejack said as she handed a mug to Zepplin who grabbed it and took a drink. He smacked his lips together and licked them a bit. “Wow! That’s really good!” Hawk and Zepplin thanked her for the cider as they flew away. Hawk said his goodbyes and headed toward the train station. Zepplin grasped his cider in his hoof. He then used his magic to pull out a small flask and pop open the top. After looking around to make sure nopony saw him he poured the liquid into the cider. He then put the small flask away and took another drink, smiling contently. Zepplin made his way back to Twilight and Spike who were chatting with the mayor about opening the running. Soon after, Twilight took the podium. “Hello everypony, and welcome to the annual running of the leaves.” She paused as the crowd of runners stomped their hooves in applause. “Thank you. As you know the running of the leaves is not just an event but a part of our lives as we as citizens of Ponyville must make the leaves fall in preparation for Winter.” The crowd of ponies once again applauded by stomping their hooves. “Now I would like to introduce two of the best commentators in the business. Spike and Pinkie Pie!” Pinkie Pie popped out of a basket attached to a giant purple balloon. “hehe. Hey everypony! I’ll be joined by Spike and we’ll be covering all the action down on the track.” “That’s right Pinkie and just like every year everypony’s eyes are on our two Iron Ponies Applejack and Rainbow Dash who are sure to deliver another spectacular performance in the run!” Spike added. Applejack and Rainbow dash approached Zepplin. “So… Zepplin… What team are you on?” Rainbow dash asked. Zepplin stared at them. “I’m not sure what you mean.” He said. “Every pony picks either team Applejack or team Rainbow Crash.” Applejack said. “HEY!” Rainbow burst out. They both looked at each other and giggled. “So partner what’s your team?” Zepplin thought “Umm… I don’t have one.” he smiled sheepishly. “That’s ridiculous! Obviously I’m the one you want.” Rainbow yelled. “No way. He wants to be on my team.” Applejack retorted. “I’ll decide after the race.” Zepplin said. “Fair enough!” Said Applejack. “Yeah. That way you can see who the best is. hehehe!” Rainbow dash said. Just then Spike announced “Runners to the start line!” Applejack and Rainbow trotted over to the start. Zepplin saw Rarity and walked over to her. “Rarity?” What are you doing here? I mean no offense but this just doesn’t seem like your type of thing.” “Oh darling I hate it. (sigh) I’m only here because my little sister Sweetie Bell wanted to watch the leaves fall.” A small white unicorn filly poked her head around Rarity’s foreleg. “Hello” She said in a high pitched squeaky voice. “Well hey there you must be Sweetie Bell. My name’s Zepplin.” The blue alicorn said to her. “Nice to meet you Mr. Zepplin. Ooh ooh Rarity It’s starting.” Spike and PinkiePie in the hot air balloon floated over to the start line. Pinkie announced over the microphone. “Runners start your engines.” Spike looked at her “I don’t think ponies have engines Pinkie.” The pink pony looked at him queerly. “Well sure they do. Where do you think horsepower comes from silly?” Spike rolled his eyes as Pinkie began the countdown. “5…4…3…2…1…” (WHOOOOOOSH) All of a sudden a huge gust of wind knocked the balloon over sideways as the runners dug their hooves in and shut their eyes as most were screaming. “WHATS GOING ON!!!” Zepplin yelled. “IT’S WIND DARLING, OH SWEETIE BELL STAY CLOSE.” Rarity shouted to her little sister as thousands of leaves came raining off the trees. Rainbow dash along with some of the other Pegasus ponies couldn’t hold on and were swept into the sky. Twilight’s mane was streaming in the gust. The wind was so loud she could barely hear any of the other ponies screaming. “EVERYPONY RUN, GET INSIDE NOW.” Twilight shouted. Zepplin looked around but his sight was soon crowded by a storm of leaves of all reds and oranges that covered him so thick he could barely see. He shielded Rarity and Sweetie Bell with his wing and walked them from the sight as their manes were caught flapping in the wind. Everypony started to run from the start line as the Banner overhead peeled off and shot off with the wind. Rainbow dash was able to eventually pull herself out of the winds grasp. She finally landed near Applejack who had a hoof on her head to keep her hat from blowing away. She looked over at Rainbow, then motioned with her head towards Zepplin and Rarity almost limping away toward town. Rainbow Dash knew they should stick together and follow them so she grabbed Applejack by her other hoof and led her, following behind Zepplin. Dirt from the dry ground now started to kick up and form a dust cloud which nearly blotted out the sun and made it look like it was close to sunset. Twilight raced to the sight of the balloon crash Where Spike grabbed Pinkie’s hoof and pulled her out of the basket. “Come on you guys Zepplin’s leading a group to safety we have to move.” Twilight exclaimed. “Uh Pinkie are you alright” Spike asked. “WEEEEEEE!!! This is fun! hehe Look I don’t even have to walk!” Pinkie stood up and let the wind slide her over toward Twilight. Twilight grabbed her by the neck as Spike lept on her back they trotted fighting the wind toward Applejack and the rest. Zepplin and Rarity along with Sweetie Bell reached town and Rarity yelled at the top of her lungs “Zepplin… in the boutique!” Zepplin nodded his head. Still shielding Rarity and the young filly from the dust and wind, he turned right and led them into the boutique. “I gotta get back out there and help the others!” Zepplin said. “Be careful darling” Rarity started to sob as she looked up at her mane which was frizzled every which way. Zepplin ran back out and met Applejack and Rainbow Dash. “Get in the Boutique!” Applejack nodded and took Rainbow Dash in as they struggled to close the door which was nearly being blown off its hinges by the sheer force of the wind. Zepplin, fighting the wind, eventually ran into Twilight, Spike, and Pinkie Pie. “Are you all ok!” “Yeah where are you held up at?” Twilight asked hastily. “THE BOUTIQUE!” Zepplin shouted. “GOT IT!” Twilight grabbed Pinkie and made her way toward the boutique she called out “ZEPPLIN!” Zepplin turned his head “THE ELEMENTS!” Zepplin looked at the library, then back at Twilight and nodded his head. He used all his force to gallop toward the Treehouse where the elements were kept. Back at the boutique the ponies were massing. “Oh I hope Big Macintosh got Granny and Applebloom into the storm shelter!” Applejack said worried. “Darling I’m sure they’re fine.” Rarity said to comfort her. All the ponies in the boutique shared a group hug. Zepplin burst through the door of the library as a few leaves followed him in. Even still he was having trouble navigating with the wind. Twilight had reorganized the library and Zepplin didn’t know where she had placed the book containing the Elements. One by one Zepplin flew up to the top shelf and started pulling books out and opening them. All he was finding was text scribbled on to paper and no golden trinkets. He pulled another out, nothing, another, nothing. He had gone through about two of the twenty or so bookshelves in the library. Zepplin then heard a loud crack. He looked over toward the wall of the tree and saw that a three foot crack had formed near the base. His eyes widened and he clenched his teeth together and started flinging books off shelves. The books piled up behind him as the floor was now covered. The golden bust of the pony Twilight had as her centerpiece fell over and smashed against the floor. Zepplin whipped his head back and saw the broken bust then whipped his head back around and kept flinging books. CRACK he heard the sound again, this time even louder than the first. He looked over and this time saw about another ten foot crack in the wall just to the right of the smaller first one. “Buck me” he uttered. He continued throwing book after book into the pile behind him. CREEK, CRACK, CRACK, he heard the wood split again as he gulped in fear his hooves moving fast as lightning, books flying off shelves. Chink, Chink, Chink. Zepplin’s eyes widened he knew what he heard. Quickly he again whipped his head around and saw the big brown book with a small piece of gold sticking out the side of the spine. He quickly flew down to the floor and turned the book over as the elements spilled out. “BUCK!” he yelled as he started to pick up the elements and put them in the compartments in the book. CRACK, SNAP, SNAP, POP. The noise was terrifying as he looked over and saw the entire base of the wall in the tree fractured with cracks. He then saw the wall shift towards him a little. Quickly he returned to picking up the elements as fast as he could finding what compartment they went to. Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, He turned the page and saw another empty compartment, “Oh Buck Am I missing one!? I thought there was only six!” CRACK, SNAP, POP “Ah there’s no time!” Zepplin shut the book and again fought the wind as he raced out of the library. As he looked back he heard one last deafening series of cracks as the tree leaned to its side and fell over making a loud BOOM as the entire town shook. Back at the Boutique Fluttershy arrived escorted by Big Macintosh and Granny Smith “Well we ran into this youngster on the outskirts of the farm!” Granny Smith said. “EEEYUP” Big Mac replied. “AppleJack! Sweetie Bell!” Two small squeaky voices shouted. Applebloom and Scootaloo stepped out from between Big Macintosh’s front legs. “Oh Applebloom I was so worried!” Applejack screamed with delight. “Wh-What’s going on out there. I thought the weather in Ponyville was controlled by the Pegasus.” Fluttershy stated. “It is!” Said Rainbow Dash. “This shouldn’t be happening.” Dash said. “Well like it or not it is! And we got ta do something about it!” Applejack yelled. “Oh but what can we do darlings” “ooh ooh. Let’s play a game. It’ll be just like a sleepover!” Pinkie Pie yelled. The door swung open as Zepplin burst in panting. “Zepplin are you alright, did you get the elements?” Twilight exclaimed. “I’m fine and I got them , but Twilight… There’s something you need to know.” Author's Note Wow a 7th compartment I wonder where this is going. Well guys like I said this whole thing was written before I even knew what an OC was, or the unsaid rules of Fimfic. I really thank those of you who are still reading as it helps a lot. I hope you continue to enjoy this story as I will release the entire thing regardless. 4 Chapters may be released tonight. For those who want to read a better demonstration of my writing skills I encourage you to go to my new story "Concord of Destiny" Which you guys have seemed to enjoy and Chapter 2 for that should be coming soon. I thank all of you and wish you all the best if your still reading this story. Thanks, -Zeta Chapter 7 We Built This Tree House Chapter 7 We Built This Tree House Episode 7 We built this Tree house “My home is… gone?” Twilight asked in disbelief. “Twilight I’m so sorry. I wish this wasn’t happening.” Zepplin said, his head hung low. “It doesn’t matter. So long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters.” Twilight said. Zepplin gave her a faint but reassuring smile. Applejack pulled Zepplin over. “Zepplin I’d like ya to meet ma family. Big Mac, Applebloom and Granny Smith.” Zepplin went up to Big Mac and extended a hoof “Nice to meet you.” “Eeeeyup” Big Mac grabbed Zepplins hoof and shook it so hard that it flung Zepplin up and he hit the ceiling. “Oof” he said as he landed. “Are you alright?” a squeaky voice asked as Zepplin stared up at a small red maned filly. “Yeah I’m fine. Thanks.” He responded. “Well super. I’m Applebloom. And this here’s Granny Smith.” The old green mare stepped forward and pulled out a magnifying glass and began inspecting Zepplin. First spreading him out and lifting his wings and then she finally said. “Well shoot he no good. I mean look at him I bet even I could buck apples better than him.” Granny smith shook her head trotting off. Rarity cleared her throat. “Applejack, Twilight just lost her home.” “Huh. Oh right. Well I just didn’t know when Zepplin would get to meet the family here.” Applejack said looking at her hooves. Spike tugged at Twilight’s foreleg. “What are we going to do Twilight, I-I don’t wanna live out in the street.” “We’ll figure something out Spike, don’t worry.” Twilight tried to reassure him. As the small purple dragon started to tear up Fluttershy spoke. “o-oh W-why is this happening. Why won’t the wind stop?” “I don’t know Fluttershy but I suggest we all stay here tonight, if that’s alright with Rarity.” Twilight said. “Oh why of course darlings- let me fetch some blankets from upstairs and we can set up some beds.” (KABOOM) A huge flash lit up the sky. Everypony jumped to the ceiling. “Was that lightning?” Zepplin asked. “I think so.” Rainbow responded. Applejack looked around “Hey where’s Big Mac?” Everypony looked around when Pinkie yelled out “Found him, found, him, found him. Somepony’s scared of the thunder hehehee.” She lifted up a tablecloth and there was the big red pony hiding under the table. Startled and embarrassed he quickly shot out knocking over the table as he stood up. “What is going on out there?” Rainbow asked as she flew to the door to go outside to investigate. “No Rainbow!” Applejack shouted as the ponies grabbed her to prevent her from opening the door. “Aahh! I have to get to the Rainbow Factory and see what’s causing this! Let me go!” The Pegasus screamed. “NO! We wait here for the night. Whatever you need to find out you can find out in the morning when this storm stops.” Applejack shouted back at her. “Fiiiiine” Rainbow whined.” Rarity went upstairs and came back down a few minutes later with a bunch of blankets. “I-I think we should just wait for the storm to stop.” Fluttershy said. Rarity passed out the blankets. “I’ll go cook us some dinner.” “I’ll help ya” Applejack jumped up and followed Rarity to the kitchen. About an hour later Rarity and Applejack came out with plates loaded with food. Everypony dug in and scarfed down the meal. The wind had finally calmed down outside but was replaced with a massive rainfall. The drops pelted Rarity’s windows. Everypony laid down to bed. All was quiet, no words to be spoken. The next morning Zepplin awoke to a calm day as he pulled himself up from the floor of the boutique. He quietly stepped outside the front door while everypony else slept. Zepplin gazed upon the damage. Twilight’s library was lying on its side with most of the branches fallen. More branches covered the streets, and the ground and houses were still wet with the raindrops which sparkled in the sunlight. “So it’s true then.” A voice said. Zepplin tuned around to see Spike standing there in a puddle. “Twilight and I are homeless.” Zepplin sighed. “I’ve lived there almost all my life. It’s the only place where I belong.” Spike said. Zepplin walked over to the broken tree. “It’s always something…isn’t it?... No not this time. Twilight’s been so good to me… now it’s time I return the favor!” Zepplin fired up his horn. His magic glowed gold. He took a few deep breaths and then strained as he wrapped his magic around the entire tree. Straining, he barely moved the gigantic tree. Sweat was now trickling down his forehead, he tried again. For a moment nothing happened, but after while, nothing continued to happen. The tree was far too heavy to lift. Rarity trotted out to see what Zepplin was doing. “Darling are you trying to-” “YES I HAVE TO!” Zepplin shouted, panting as he tried to lift the tree a third time. Rarity wrapped her magic around the tree. Zepplin looked at her as she gave him a small nod. They both grunted and managed to lift the tree about two inches off the ground. The tree landed with a small boom that shook the ground. Rarity was now panting and Zepplin was about to collapse. "That's heavier then it looks!" Rarity said. “Zepplin!” Zepplin turned around to see a hawk headed griffon fly in and land a short distance away from him. “Hawk what are you doing here?” “I came as soon as I heard the news that Ponyville got hit by a storm. Is everypony alright?” Hawk asked. “Yeah everypony’s fine but Twilight’s house blew over in the storm.” Zepplin explained the situation to him. Hawk inspected the tree. He gave a long whistle. “haha. This reminds me of when that tower on stage collapsed. Remember in Las Pegasus? I remember we had to tilt that thing back up but we needed a small army of roadies to do it.” Zepplin stared at him. “Hawk you’re a genius!” Hawk gave him a confused look “Well yeah, but what do you mean?” Zepplin grinned. “Do you still keep in contact with our support staff?” “Of course. Why do you ask?” Hawks eyes widened “I’m on it--- A thundering of hooves awoke Twilight and the others “uuunnhh. What in Equestria is going on out there.” Spike burst through the door skipping in place “Twilight, Twilight, you have to come outside quick.” Twilight and the others raced outside Rarity’s boutique. “I…Don’t….believe it.” She and her friends gazed upon an army of hundereds of ponies. Unicorns, pegasus, earth ponies. All wearing cloaks with a large golden Z on the back. A large rope and pully system was hooked up to the top of the fallen tree and tied onto a large metal bar. The earth ponies grabbed the rope in their mouths and began to trot. The Pegasus ponies pushed upward on the top of the tree. “Unicorns, now!” Zepplin shouted as he and a platoon of unicorns charged their magic and fired it at the fallen tree. The tree began to rise off the ground then sink again. “Come on put your backs into it!” Zepplin shouted again. Big Macintosh and Applejack charged over and grabbed the rope. “Let’s raise us a tree house Big Brother!” Applejack said. “EEYYUUP” Big Mac replied. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flew over and began pushing skyward. Straining and pushing with their hind hooves on nothing but air. Twilight’s eyes lit up as she spun around and gazed upon everypony who wanted to help. The tree nearly got halfway up, sweat was pouring down everypony using all their strength. The tree pointing at about a 50 degree angle started to crack and stretch, before it started to slide again. Zepplin looked and saw the top of the tree pushing back down toward the ground. “COME ON EVERYPONY GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT!!!” He shouted at the top of his lungs. The Unicorns again charged their magic and fired it right at the tree, as it lit up all the colors of the rainbow. Twilight rushed in next to Zepplin and charged her magic and joined it with theirs. Rainbow yelled. “Come on let’s show ‘em what Pegasus can do.” All the Pegasus began to push as hard as they could as they flapped their wings faster and faster. Big Mac spit the rope out and cleared his throat. In the most booming voice you ever heard he yelled “ALRIGHT YOU APPLE MAGGOTS GET YOUR FLANKS IN GEAR AND PULL!!!!!!” He then picked up the rope as everypony pulled galloping past Big Mac. The tree creaked as everypony was going full force on the gigantic building. The tree kicked and lifted back up higher and higher. Zepplin kept firing his magic along with everypony. Higher the tree leaned into the air. It rose like something returning from the grave. The massive trunk loomed as it cast a shadow over the ponies who were pulling with everything they had. It sounded like a train chugging by as the tree, now straight up and down, snapped into place with the small piece of the trunk with a huge boom. The fractured cracks were healed by the magic as the bark slid back into its former shape. Soon every crack at the base was gone and you could never tell it had been knocked over. The pegasus ponies stopped pushing and hovered in place gazing in disbelief upon the massive structure. The earth ponies spit the rope out and looked in awe, finally the unicorns dimmed their magic as most, including Zepplin, collapsed from exhaustion. Twilight ran over to Zepplin as he barely spoke. “Did… Did we do it?” Zepplin asked in a weak voice. “Yes. Yes you did it” Twilight said crying tears of joy. Zepplin chuckled “Ow my head hurts.” “We’ll get you some medicine, rest for now.” Twilight told him. Twilight took the podium “I just wanted to say a few words. I want to say thank you to everypony who came here in mine and Spikes hour of need. Thank you for giving us a home again. Thank you for giving us a second chance!” The ponies all applauded by stomping their hooves Twilight grinned “And the running of the leaves is still on… even though there’s no leaves.” Quick as lightning everypony shot off on the beaten track. Zepplin dismissed his roadies and received a hug from Twilight thanking him for his help. Chapter 8: Long way to the top if ya wanna Rock Chapter 8: Long way to the top if ya wanna Rock Episode 8 Long way to the top, if ya wanna rock Zepplin awoke in his bed on another crisp fall morning. Even after the windstorm plenty of leaves were still attached to the trees. The air was starting to get cold as winter was coming to Ponyville. Knock, knock, knock, Zepplin heard somepony pounding at his door. He rushed out of bed and downstairs where he then flung open the door to see… nothing. Zepplin looked around when a small voice shouted “Hey! Down here!” Zepplin with a puzzled look on his face looked down and saw three little fillies, Applebloom, Sweetiebell, and Scootaloo. “Oh geez uh look…uh I don’t want any filly scout cookies…alright, I mean to be honest they taste like crap, not to mention you mark up the price.” Zepplin proceeded. “NOO!” Sweetiebell said in a whiny tone. “That’s not why we’re here.” Scootaloo said. Zepplin cocked his head “Well, um why are you here?” Applebloom wrapped her arms around Zepplin’s front leg “hee hee. Because you’re gonna help us get our cutie marks!” “What, girls I don’t think…wait how did you get up here?” “BOUNCED!” all three responded in unison. “Well then how are you standing on a cloud?” Sweetiebell spoke up “Princess Twilight enchanted your cloud so that all your friends can come visit.” Zepplin put his head in his hoof letting out a sigh. “Well how in Equestria am I supposed to help you get your cutiemarks?” Scootaloo’s eyes widened “You’re like the most talented pony in all of Equestria… except for maybe Rainbow Dash.” Zepplin rolled his eyes. “Yeah you got to help us. With all you know about talent it’ll be a piece of cake.” Applebloom shouted. “I don’t know…” he said as the three fillies looked at him tearing up with a sort of puppy dog look. “Pleeeeaaaassee?” They all said together. Zepplin looked disappointed as he sighed “Fiiiiinne, we’ll start tomorrow.” All three’s eyes sparkled “Really? YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! They screamed as they ran into Zepplins house and started jumping around. Zepplin turned around and looked at them as he was now feeling overwhelmed. “Well… at least they got energy.” Applejack was walking back from the fields at Sweet Apple Acres when she saw Zepplin trotting toward the farmhouse. “Well hey there Zepplin now what are you doing around here?” Zepplin responded, “Oh hey Applejack. haha I’m on my way to the Cutie Mark Crusaders club house.” Applejack looked at him. “uhh I don’t think your elegable to join that club.” She said staring at his flank and his gold and pink cutiemark. “Hahaha. I’m not looking to join, your sister and her friends said I can help them get their cutiemarks. According to them I’m the most talented pony in Equestria, except for Rainbow Dash” Zepplin grunted. “You’re gonna… aha…aha…ahahahahahahaha” Applejack burst out laughing “You’re gonna help… them get their cutiemarks,ahahahaha” Applejack fell over on her side holding her stomach laughing so hard she was nearly at tears. Zepplin knelt his head down near her “Uh are you alright?” Applejack, still laughing, “Ye…yeah I just, Zepplin you’ll never get those ponies their cutiemarks.” Zepplin took this as a challenge. “Oh really I bet I could get them their cutiemarks by the end of the week. That gives me three days.” Applejack looked at him and smiled. “heehee Well shoot if you’re that confident, let’s make a bet on it. Now I got a whole new field that I need plowed for the winter Zap apple season. But Big Mac threw out his back again, so if you can’t get my little sister or one of her friends their cutiemark by the end of those three days, You gonna be my work horse.” Zepplin glared at Applejack as she took her hat off. “And what if I win and I do get them their cutiemarks?” Applejack scratched her chin and thought “hmm… I tell you what, if by some miracle you do manage to pull this off I’ll clean your house for a month, I’ve seen you rockstars partying then livin' like pigs!” Zepplin extended his hoof. “Deal!” he said as Applejack shook his hoof. “Well then I got to go get some fillies their cutiemarks.” He said boastfully as he trotted off. Applejack yelled “Good luck!...Work Horse hehehehehe.” as she waved goodbye with her hat. Zepplin trotted along till he finally entered a clearing with a small tree house perched in a large oak tree. It was fixed up to look like a small humble cottage and had a sign that said CMC HQ over the front door. Zepplin climbed up the ramp leading to the front door. “Hello. Is anypony home?” The door swung open and Scootaloo looked out and welcomed him. “Come on in we’ve been expecting you.” She said. Zepplin entered greeting Applebloom and Sweetiebell. “SO… do you have any idea what your cutiemarks might be?” Zepplin asked. “Nope we’ve tried everything and the stupid marks just don’t appear.” “Hmm” Zepplin thought to himself when Scootaloo shouted. “Hey Zepplin you’re a Rock Star, we can get our cutiemarks in rocking.” “No way Scootaloo.” Applebloom shouted. “Don’t you all remember when we entered the talent show?” Zepplin looked at her “You were in a talent show?” Sweetiebell trotted up to him. “Yeah and we sucked, ooh but we didn’t have a real Rock Star to train us.” Zepplin again stared at all three of the little fillies. “Well why don’t you all show me what you got.” The CMC set up a stage out behind the clubhouse as Zepplin flew up and grabbed a cloud to act as a chair. “Ok you three get into your costumes or whatever and then hit me with your best shot.” The three shouted “OK!” as they ran back stage. A few minutes later the stage lights dimmed and they started to perform. Zepplin Eyes widened. When it was over Zepplin did a… slow clap as he processed what he just witnessed. He thought to himself “Well… it’s still better than that one show I did back in St. Luna.” “Yay” he said out loud, subtlely sarcastic. “You really thought it was good?” Scootaloo said running up to him. Zepplin, not wanting to hurt their feelings, complimented their performance. “I think you three did a fantastic job!... But there’s some room for improvement.” Sweetiebell shot over towards Zepplin “Do you really think we can get Rock Star cutiemarks?” Zepplin looked at the three little fillies running a hoof through his mane and flipping his forelock back he sighed and said “We’re gonna try.” Inside the club house Zepplin paced back and forth in front of the three fillies “Now look.” Zepplin said “The basis for all rock is the headbang. If you do not master this you will not be a rocker.” Zepplin turned on some music and started banging his head up and down to the beat. The music blared from the boombox next to him as the little ponies covered their ears. Applebloom looked up at Zepplin with her hooves over her ears and started banging her head along with his. Sweetiebell and Scootaloo looked at their friend and followed her lead. As all were headbanging Applebloom along with the other members of the CMC’s eyes started to swirl from dizziness soon they all collapsed on each other seeing stars. Zepplin shook his head. Outside the clubhouse on the makeshift stage Zepplin proceeded with his instruction. “Now any rocker will tell you that what really makes a show… is…TOTALLY SICK TWISTED PYROTECHNICS!!!!!!” Zepplin stomped his hoof as his horn lit up and a column of fire rose on each side of him “I outfitted your stage with flame jets just stomp on this red button to activate them. Here Scootaloo try it.” Scootaloo cautiously stepped up on stage. She was scarred of the fire jet Zepplin stood near it as he directed her to the button “Now when I say hit it, you hit it” Phoosh The fire jet shot up and gave Zepplin a facefull of suit and singed his mane. Scootaloo looked at him “You said hit it.” She said bashfully. Zepplin coughed up black smoke. Zepplin lied in the clearing with the three fillies “Now music is great because you can make it your own. You can have lyrics that are meaningful in more ways than one and even make you realize your dreams.” The three fillies eyes brightend. As they smiled Zepplin continued. “But that’s the crappy way to do it…YOU GOTTA SCREAM YOUR HEART OUT!!!!! (GASP)YYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” The three fillies gave an awkward smile and backed away slowly while Zepplin was still screaming at a tree. Later in the day Zepplin took Applebloom Scootaloo and Sweetiebell for cupcakes at sugarcube corner. “Don’t feel bad Zepplin” Sweetiebell said patting him on the back with her hoof. “Yeah so we’re not meant to be rockers.” Scootaloo said. Applebloom spoke up “Hey I know what’ll cheer us up. CMC slumber party! We can have a sleepover in the clubhouse and brainstorm other ways to get our cutiemarks.” “Oh yeah that’s a great idea!” Scootaloo said hoof-bumping Applebloom. “Yeah and we can invite Zepplin!” Sweetiebell announced. Zepplins eyes widened “Uh… no thanks I actually have stuff I need to do.” The three ponies moaned. “Maybe some other time.” Zepplin said trying to reassure them. “Well it’ll still be the three of us. What ya say we meet at my house at around seven.” Applebloom shouted. “Sounds great.” Scootaloo and Sweetiebell agreed. “I should go pack” Scootaloo said. The three fillies got up from the booth and went to go prepare for the slumber party. Zepplin sat alone thinking about how many hours he would have to work to plow that field. He put his head in his hooves. All of a sudden a wet piece of paper slapped him on the arm. “AHH” startled he looked over and saw Pinkie Pie staring him in the face smiling. “heehee Got ya!” She said as she removed the piece of paper revealing a yellow star shaped ink mark on Zepplins leg. “Pinkie what is this?” Zepplin asked. Pinkie looked at him “Hee hee. They’re rub-on tattoos silly. Aren’t they neat it? Looks just like a cutiemark. I’ve been tatting myself all morning.” She raised her other foreleg displaying a gallery of different colored shapes and symbols. Zepplin looked at the star on his arm. “A rub on tattoo eh, that’s pretty cool, say… Pinkie you don’t suppose I could borrow a few of those do you?” Pinkie grinned “Of course. I got like a million of em, here.” She handed Zepplin three rolls of sealed paper each containing a pair of different colored marks. “Thanks Pinkie, so I just rip the paper and press?” “Yeparooni” She skipped off back to her business. A wide smile came over Zepplin. “I’m tellin you we are not going to be cutiemark rocket scientists!” Applbloom shouted. Her and her two friends were pacing around in the clubhouse. There were three sleeping bags scattered on the floor. “Oh why not? Think. We could go to space where no pony has ever gone before.” Scootaloo said throwing her hooves up in the air. “Do you even know how to build a rocket?” Sweetiebell questioned. “Let’s just hit the hay girls maybe we’ll think of somthin tomarra.” Applebloom said as she yawned. The small fillies trotted to their sleeping bags as the sun set into the night. One by one they collapsed in sleep as their heads hit the pillow. Except for Sweetiebell, who hit her head on the floor. “OW!” she exclaimed. With that the cutiemark crusaders turned in for the night, eager to work tomorrow on getting their marks. Zepplin approached the clearing and gazed upon the clubhouse. The moon was riding high in the black sky shining a brilliant light down through the trees. Zepplin being dark blue was nearly impossible to see at night. His golden eyes were the only beacons of his presence. He tip-trotted toward the clubhouse, being careful not to step on any loose branches on the ground. He hugged the tree with his back taking a final look to make sure nopony followed him. He then very carefully made his way up the ramp, where he then peeked in through the window and saw the three fillies sound asleep. He smiled as everything was going according to plan. Gently he grabbed the doorknob and slowly twisted as each tumbler turned and the door swung open. Zepplin stood in the doorway grinning and standing imposingly. His golden eyes lit up the night. Ever so easy he snuck in to the clubhouse right up next to Appleblooms sleeping bag. The little filly smiling as she slept on her side. Zepplin pulled the flap back, revealing her flank that was still blank as the day she was born. Zepplin carefully ripped open the pack and removed the piece of paper with the tattoo. As he was about to press it to the fillies flank, he stopped. Zepplin looked around in the dim light of the moon as the walls nearly came to life with child’s drawings. Sketched in crayon there were hundreds of drawings covering the walls of the clubhouse. Each one depicted three small fillies showboating their flanks, and each one had a different mark on it. Life guards, dancers, musicians, librarians, firefighters, bakers, house cleaners, doctors, party throwers, everything. Zepplin took a step and felt something under his hoof. Quickly he pulled it up and looked down. At his feet were some crayons including a dark blue one. Next to them was a piece of paper with three little fillies and in the center a large blue alicorn. Zepplin leaned in to examine the drawing. All of the ponies had smiles on their faces As the crayon versions of Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetiebell, all had a cutiemark related to rocking. Drumsticks a guitar and a microphone. Zepplin stared at the drawing for a moment before gently smiling. He then glanced around the room at the sleeping fillies of which sweetiebell’s head was on the rock hard wood floor as she had a very uncomfortable facial expression. Zepplin then looked at the tattoo and thought. He glanced at the now faded mark on his arm. “If they were to find out these weren’t real.” He whispered to himself. He threw the tattoos out the door as he turned around and walked out of the clubhouse. At the end of the week Zepplin went to Sweet Apple Acres. Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetiebell were sitting in the dirt near Applejack who had a smug look on her face. Zepplin went into the barn as Applejack hooked him up to the heavy plow. “Now get ta work!” She said. Zepplin, straining heavily, trotted out to the field with the heavy iron tool on his back. The day of plowing came to an end and Zepplin wasn’t even halfway done with the field. The Cutiemark Crusaders ran up to him as he strained to finish the row. “Zepplin, Zepplin!” They all shouted. “What is it you guys?” Applebloom went up closer. “Hey-uh you wouldn’t have happened to have seen a drawing floating around would ya.” “No sorry, can’t say that I have.” Zepplin replied. “Oh- well thanks anyway.” The three fillies galloped off. “We’ll just have to draw it again!” Sweetiebell yelled as they all ran off. “Yeah” the two friends replied. As Zepplin watched them he thought of his home, and in his bedroom on the wall near his desk, where a new drawing hangs in a wooden frame, of him and three of his new friends. “heh heh heh” he chuckled with a smile. Author's Note Thanks for reading as always. For those of you special people who though that Zepplin was going to do something.......different when he went to the clubhouse at night, I would say you should check another section of this site as I remind you this fic is rated Teen :) I really wanted more of a D'aaaaawwwww moment instead of a................clop..........thanks for reading! Chapter 9 Cause This is Thriller Chapter 9 Cause This is Thriller Episode 9 Cause this is THRILLER A/N (The music is completely optional) Once again it was Nightmare Night in Ponyville. Twilight, dressed as an evil enchantress with her mane combed down and dark eyeshadow, beckoned to Spike who once again went as a purple dragon. “Hurry up Spike the guests are going to be here any minute.” Spike finished putting on his costume and looked at Twilight. “I can’t wait for the slumber party, great idea to have it on Nightmare Night Twilight.” Twilight smiled. “I hope Zepplin can make it. It’s his first Nightmare Night in Ponyville.” A knock came at the door. “ooh That’s them.” Twilight said as she ran over to the door. Standing there was Rarity dressed in a stunning luxurious dress with a bride of Frankenstallion wig. “Nice hair Rarity.” Twilight said inviting her in. “Oh why thank you darling it sure scared me that’s for sure.” Rarity said as she trotted in. Applejack then appeared at the door with her nose painted black and a set of whiskers drawn on her cheeks. “Cool cat costume Applejack.” “Why thank ya Twi but don’t forget the kittens” Behind her came trotting in three fillies of the CMC all with the same style makeup. Sweetiebell playing with a ball of yarn. As Twilight pushed her inside Pinkie Pie jumped out of the darkness in a black cape with fangs “Hsssss” She shouted as Twilight jumped. “Oh Pinkie. Lemme guess vampony?” “Candy Vampony” The pink pony replied “now gimme candy” Twilight stared at her. “You know we’re gonna have a candy bash in the-” “CANDY NOW!!!” Pinkie shouted as Twilight pulled out a candy bag and dumped its contents into pinkies hooves. “Thanks” She squeaked as she trotted in. Twilights head followed her in as a pony with a white sheet draped over her head stood behind Twilight. “uh…excuse me” Twilight screamed as did the ghost who also jumped so the sheet flew off. Underneath was Fluttershy “Oh It’s just you Fluttershy, please come in.” Twilight said still catching her breath. “Oh Twilight… you shouldn’t scare me like that” Fluttershy said as she gracefully trotted into the tree house. “I-I’m not late am I?” she asked Twilight “No Fluttershy not at all. Rainbow and Zepplin aren’t here yet.” Another knock came at the door and Twilight walked over and opened it. Nopony there… “That’s weird I could’ve sworn I heard a knock.” All of a sudden a chilling howl came from inside. Twilight and the rest started shaking As Twilight turned and faced back inside the library a look of terror came over her “T-T-T-Timberwolf!” She screamed. On the loft near an open window was a Timberwolf. Everypony screamed and clamored for the front door. “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA” Rainbow laughed as she pulled a Timberwolf mask off her face. “Rainbow I shoulda known” Applejack shouted up at her. “You guys should’ve seen your faces. Ahahahaha” Rainbow fell over laughing. “Well now that we’re all here-“ Twilight said shutting the door. “-we just gotta wait for Zepplin.” So they waited, and waited, and waited. “Where the buck is he?” Rainbow asked. “He’ll be here. He probably had to find a costume.” Twilight said. A knock came at the door “There he is now” Applejack said. “I’ll get it.” Said Rarity as she trotted over to the door and opened it. Her face instantly turned to one of quizzical shock “Oh merciful Celestia” She said as she fainted. There was Zepplin; Dawning hair metal attire, in bright yellow furry boots, a cheetah pattern v-neck with a pink jacket, and white tiger striped pants on his hind legs. On his face a Star was painted over his right eye. His mane was frizzled out everywhere and he had a large star shaped earring on his left ear. Draped over him was a light blue cape with a yellow Z on the back. Another large golden ring hung from his horn. Everypony looked at him in shock. “I couldn’t find a costume so I decided I’d wear my old stage outfit.” Zepplin said as everypony burst out laughing. “Hey I’ve made legends in this outfit.” Everypony continued to laugh “Well at least I scared Rarity” Zepplin chuckled as he looked down at the floor at the white unicorn passed out and twitching. “Well now that we’re all here we can begin the slumber party!” Twilight announced, Rarity had finally regained consciousness, and everypony grabbed their sleeping bag and settled around the center of the room in a tightly knit circle. Twilight stood up and said “Hey I know let’s play truth or dare.” Everypony except for Zepplin agreed. “Truth or dare. That’s a mare’s game.” Applejack nudged him “Well then you can go first since you’re dressed for it.” She said laughing. “HEY” Zepplin shouted back. Pinkie Pie jumped up. “Ooh ooh I got one. Zepplin truth or dare?” Zepplin sighed. “uhh truth.” “Who here do you like? hehehe” Pinkie asked. “Oh geez really?” Zepplin questioned. “You have to answer, it’s the rules.” Twilight said. Zepplin looked around “Hmmm, oh wait that’s an easy one, I like me.” He said with a cocky smirk. “No fair!” Pinkie screamed. “You said who here, you’re here and I’m here therefore I like me.” Zepplin said confidently. Twilight stood up. “Ok I got one. Rarity, truth or dare?” “Truth.” Rarity responded. “Who would you rather have do your mane Applejack or PinkiePie?” “Oh shoot…” Rarity thought for a moment as everypony stared at her. “uh Dare” Rarity finally said. “Ok you have to put on Zepplins outfit for one hour!” Twilight said. Zepplin burst out laughing as did everypony else. “I-I-Absolutly not-I… I’m out!” Rarity shouted as her little sister pointed and laughed “Oh go play with your yarn.” Rarity said rolling her eyes and tossing the ball of yarn as the little filly pounced after it. After some more truth or dare and some candy treats Rainbow Dash was getting bored. “Ok that’s it. It’s nearly midnight and you know what that means.” Everypony looked at her quizzically. “It means it’s time for a ghost story. Mwah ha ha ha” She laughed evilly. Fluttershy exclaimed “Ooh uh I’m going to bed.” She pulled the sheet over her head and coward in her sleeping bag. Rainbow started in “Now everypony knows the rainbow factory and how it’s responsible for all the beautiful rainbows in Equestria. But what most don’t know is that rainbows are made from the blood of Unicorns and Earth Ponies.” Everypony got a scared look on their face, except Zepplin who rolled his eyes. “Now it was back during the days of the Iron Pegasus. He and his regime would swoop down on unsuspecting ponies and nab them and bring them up to the factory where they were NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN.” Applejack and her three little kittens were all huddled as was everypony else who could find a partner. Zepplin yawned. “Please Rainbow I heard that one while I was still in Flight School. It’s as fake as the one about the psycho baker who made her cupcakes with live ponies.” Pinkie Pie laughed. “Hee hee. That one’s funny.” Rainbow looked angry “Fine you tell one better!” Zepplin looked around “I don’t need to tell one… we’re in a library there must be a hundred horror stories here.” He looked at Twilight. “Yeah I think I got some up on the top right shelf.” She said. Zepplin flew up and found the horror section. It contained about thirty books all relating to horror stories ranging from classic to gore fest. Zepplin grabbed a hooffull of books and flew back down and made a stack which the ponies started searching through. Nothing looked especially good and scary when Pinkie picked up a large black book with an etching of a horses skull on the front. “The Nay- They Nay-… crnomphiecon” Pinkie read the tongue twisting title “The Naycronomicon. This is sure to have some Scary stories in it” Zepplin said. “I didn’t know I even had that book.” Twilight said. “Written by Samantha, aka the Mare Witch.” She said reading the author citation. Rainbow Dash suddenly flew in and snatched the book. Flipping through the pages she finally stopped near the end. “Oh I can’t even read this it’s just some scribblings.” She whined, “I mean listen to this, “Daed eht esiar lliw ti diputs siht daer tnod.” What no pony knew was what was happening over at the cemetery. An old rotten hoof punched up through the ground with a low moaning. Soon every corpse in the graveyard was standing and facing Ponyville. “Well that was a bust.” Zepplin said as he and the other ponies went back looking through the pile. Twilight continued to examine the book. “Hey listen to this. ‘The foulest stenches in the air. The funk of forty thousand years and grissly ghouls from every tomb are closing in to seal your doom. And though you fight to stay alive, your body starts to shiver cause no mere mortal can resist the evil of the… Thriller.’ Oh no this might be a book of Curses.” “WHAT?!” Everypony said with a shock. “Rainbow what did you read?” Applejack screamed when all of a sudden PinkiePie called them over to the window. “Hey guys check this out… looks like theres a Nightmare parade going on.” She said as everypony gazed out the window and saw hundreds of Shuffling ponies dressed as corpses. “Wow those look like they’re real. Whoever did those costumes is a master.” Rarity exclaimed. One of the corpse beings moaned and sauntered over to a passing pony as a group had gathered around to watch the Parade. He extended his hoof and lunged at her as she screamed in terror. The corpse being bit her on her neck and almost instantly she changed color and started behaving like the corpse biting those around her and spreading the infection. “I…Don’t think those are costumes.” Zepplin said. Pinkie screamed “ZOMBIE PONIES EVERYPONY RUN!!!” as the group all screamed and ran about the library. The horde of Zombies began ransacking Ponyville and its Nightmare Night festivities. “Quick Twilight what do we do?” Zepplin shouted. “I’m thinking, I’m thinking.” She said frantically flipping through the pages. “Here. It says that to undo the spell all it needs is to be said backwards by the MARE WITCH IN THE EVERFREE FOREST?!” She glanced at the page. “So we need to get her to do it?” Zepplin asked. “It appears so.” Twilight said. “But the Everfree Forest is HUGE how are we gonna find this mare?” Zepplin asked. "Z-Zecora might know.” Fluttershy squealed. “Good idea Fluttershy it’s the only lead we got.” Said twilight. Applejack perked up. “Now wait just a gosh darn minute. How are we gonna get past all those Zombies out there without getting bit. I don’t know about you but I wanted to be a cat for Nightmare Night, not a real Zombie!” “She has a point darling.” Rarity said. Zepplin thought for a moment “You leave the Zombies to me.” Rainbow Dash flew in near him. “And what are you going to do huh? Rock them to death.” She said sarcastically. A large grin came over Zepplin’s face. Rainbow stared at him thinking how this was gonna go down. “Oh man this is gonna be sooo awesome!” she said with a cute smile. Twilight spoke up “I have a bad feeling about this.” Twilight stood up and unfurled a piece of paper “Ok let’s go over the plan one more time. The stage is set up out back Zepplin. You and Rainbow Dash will distract the Zombies, I enchanted the stage with a barrier that will draw from the magic of the library so it should stay up, if it doesn’t run!” Zepplin and Rainbow Dash nodded their heads, “GOT IT!” Twilight continued. “The rest of us are going to sneak to the Everfree Forest and Find Sabrina and get her to undo this curse.” Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Fluttershy all nodded in agreement. “Hey what about us.” A squeaky voice said as Twilight looked down and saw the CMC staring back at her. “I want you to stay here and guard the Library.” Twilight said with a supportive smile. “awww But I wanted to fight some Zombies.” Scootaloo said. “Yeah I been workin on this here move.” Applebloom jumped up and took a karate pose. “Oh no you don’t Applebloom, No little sister o mine is gonna be turned into some mindless drooling Zombie.” Applejack stated with dominance, as the little filly frowned and sighed. “Ok” Twilight said, “everypony ready?” Zepplin took flight. “Come on Rainbow” he said as he flew out the window. “Right behind ya” Rainbow said as she followed. “Alright girls, let’s do this. We go on Zepplin’s mark.” Everypony put their hoof in the middle and gave a hoorah. Zepplin landed at the small makeshift stage Twilight set up. Rainbow wasn’t far behind. They both landed and walked through the Zombie barrier that Twilight had erected. “You know how to drum?” Zepplin asked looking at Rainbow. “Drum… are you kidding I’m only the best drummer in Equestria!” She said proudly hovering and putting her hoof to her chest. “Good then lay me down a four beat snare stroke.” Zepplin said looking at her smugly. “Uhh remind me which one that is again.” Rainbow said bashfully. Zepplin walked over to a small drum set “Just hit this one an then that one like this 1…2…3…4…Like that” He said demonstrating to Rainbow. Rainbow approached the drums and grasped the sticks in her hooves “1…2…3…4 Got it!” She said confidently. Zepplin’s horn lit up as his guitar formed and he clutched it in his hooves. Flapping his wings to take a standing position he looked back at Rainbow. “Alright lay down that beat.” He said as Rainbow saluted him with one of the drumsticks. The Zombie ponies turned toward the music and began sauntering over to the stage. Inside the treehouse the ponies watched as a way to the Everfree forest cleared. “Alright girls, it’s show time!” Twilight said as she and the others snuck carefully outside and then bolted toward the Everfree forest. The zombies bumped into the forcefield and grunted while moaning, they began to lift their front hooves and beat on the barrier. Twilight’s group had just reached Fluttershy’s cottage on the edge of the Everfree forest, galloping as fast as they could. Zepplin’s music was faded but still able to be heard even all the way out here. Fluttershy was flying above them. “We need to find Zecora. She wasn’t at the festival so she must be home.” Fluttershy said. The ponies galloped into the dark Everfree forest. As fear got the best of them they slowed down to a moderate trot. Hearing all kinds of strange, scary, unknown sounds as they progressed. Pinkie pie was the light in the dark providing laughter and just her general cheery self that comforted the others. Twilight leading the group motioned for them to hold up as they all hid behind a bush. “What is it Twi?” Applejack asked. Twilight looked back and whispered. “Timberwolf, up there, see him?” Applejack carefully poked her head out. There was the beast a Timberwolf… but something was off about it. It looked like no ordinary Timberwolf. It was white with a red leaf mane and had a black ring around its neck. “Twilight, that doesn’t look like an ordinary Timberwolf.” Fluttershy spoke up. “H-Hey that’s one of my collars.” She pointed to the black ring around its neck. “I use them to help tame my animals. I lost one a long time ago.” Rarity poked her head out. “Are you saying that thing is someone’s pet? Who in Equestria would want a pet Timberwolf?” Twilight shooshed them and pointed, the beast clawed at the ground and sniffed around as Twilight and the others ducked down behind the bush. The Timberwolf trotted off deeper into the forest. “We should follow it.” Twilight said. Pinkie jumped up “Follow a Timberwolf?!” Pinkie shouted “Okie dokie Loki!” she exclaimed joyfully as she and the others took off in pursuit. Zepplin and Rainbow dash were still holding the stage. The zombies were still knocking at the shield with their hooves. “Tough crowd, I mean I know I had groupies but damn!” Zepplin said trying to ease the mood as Rainbow kept pounding away on the drums. Inside the library the CMC paced back and forth. “It’s not fair I mean look at all those zombies out there. Zepplin and Rainbow Dash aren’t gonna be able to hold that stage forever.” Applebloom said. “Yeah I mean we should help them.” Scootaloo said. “We could get monster fighting cutiemarks.” Sweetiebell exclaimed. They all put their hooves in. “CMC to the rescue.” They all shouted as they opened the door and charged out. Zepplin put his guitar down and Rainbow halted the drum beat. “Twilight and the others must have made it by now we shouldn’t have to play anymore.” Rainbow said. “I agree but I don’t think we can get out of here.” Zepplin said gazing around at a horde of zombie ponies surrounding the stage. Rainbow looked around and then glanced up “Wait we can just fly out.” She said as the two readied for takeoff a cloud of zombie pegasi swarmed the upper part of the shield and started bashing it. “Nope” Zepplin said as he and Rainbow halted takeoff. Out of the corner of Rainbow’s eye she saw three little fillies running over toward the stage. “ZEPPLIN!” she shouted and pointed out into the horde of zombies. Zepplin squinted. “What in Tarturus are they doing out here? They’re going to get eaten!” Zepplin yelled. Rainbow dash yelled “Zepplin can you clear me a path?” “I can try.” Zepplin responded. Firing up his horn he shot out a beam of light that pushed the zombies out of the way “GO NOW!” He yelled at Rainbow. “I’m on it” She said zooming out through the opening and grabbing the CMC. As she looked back Zepplins magic had worn off and the hole in the horde suddenly closed again with hundreds of zombies beating on the barrier. “Zepplin is… trapped.” Rainbow said to herself in worry. Back in the Everfree Forest Twilight and the gang had followed the Timberwolf to a small clearing. “Where do ya think he’s goin?” asked Applejack. “I don’t know, but I’m gonna find out.” Twilight replied. They heard a twig break off in the distance and everypony gasped and hid behind another bush. The timberwolf heard the twig snap as well and turned his head. Twilight poked her head up and looked over and saw the silhouette of a pony walking down the path towards the timberwolf. “She’s gonna get eaten!” Pinkie pie exclaimed in a sharp whisper. “Oh we have to do something.” Fluttershy said. “Oh buck it” Twilight uttered as she flew up and charged with her friends toward the pony. “Look Out!” Twilight screamed as she tackled the stranger to the ground. Rolling into the light of the moon she looked down and saw… “Trixie?” Twilight exclaimed. “Ow. What are you doing to the great and powerful Trixie?” “What in Tartarus are you doin out here?” Applejack said lookin down at the pinned Trixie. The Timberwolf came running over snarling “Rex! Down boy!” Trixie commanded. “Rex? Wait he’s your pet?” Twilight looked in shock as the Timberwolf obeyed and sat down on his haunches. “Now if you would be so kind as to release the Great and Powerful Trixie I have a mission I am on.” “What mission? Is it a secret mission? ooh ooh Top secret?” Pinkie pie interrogated. “Some pony used Trixie’s reanimate the dead spell.” “YOU’RE THE MARE WITCH?!” Everypony exclaimed. “Trixie’s my stage name my real name is Samantha!” Trixie said as Twilight flew up off her and helped her up. “Thank Celestia we found you. We need you to undo the spell.” Rarity said. “OH so it was YOU who used my spell. oh ahahahahaha And why should the Great and Powerful Trixie help those who ruined her career and got her kicked out of every major city in Equestria so that now she’s stuck performing for tips in a place so foul it doesn’t even have a name and living out in a forest? Hmmm why should I help them?” Twilight looked at her sympathetically “You’re right, you shouldn’t help us.” “WHAT?!” All the other ponies exclaimed. Twilight continued “You should help everypony else back in Ponyville, two of our friends are right now trying to contain the zombies, and there are countless scared little fillies and colts. Don’t do it for us, do it for them.” Twilight said. A tear came to Trixie’s eye. “Very well! But don’t expect any more pitty favors. Rex go home boy” She said as she walked toward Ponyville. Twilight and the others smiled as Twilight took off and followed Trixie back to Ponyville with her friends. Rainbow Dash had now entered the library with the CMC as she set them down on the floor she scolded “What were you thinking you could’ve got hurt and now Zepplin is trapped.” The three’s faces were swallowed by a sad look. “We’re sorry Rainbow Dash” they all said. "We Just wanted ta help" Applebloom added. Zepplin was trapped in the dome. “Ok Zepplin calm down buddy.” He said to himself as he gazed at the horde of zombies bashing on the shield, which he could see was getting weaker. “Come on you played Buck Ops 2, you can do it.” He again said to himself nervously as he backed away from the edge of the stage. Some of the zombies hooves were starting to break through the shield reaching in. “Come on Twi where are you?” he said impatiently. “RIGHT HERE!” A voice came roaring from a short distance away. Twilight and Trixie along with the others raced up toward the horde. “Don’t worry we’re gonna get you out o there.” Applejack yelled. Some of the Zombies turned and went for the group “Trixie now!” Twilight yelled. Trixie cleared her throat and read “Don’t Read This Stupid It Will Raise The Dead.” A light shined from the book and shot out in multiple directions as the book began to float in midair. Trixie smiled as the light made its way over and turned the zombies to dust, and those who were infected began to revert back to their normal selves. “Thank you Trixie.” Twilight said contently. “My pleasure…Princess.” Trixie replied back. After all the zombies had been returned to their graves or to normal the sun began to rise on another day. Zepplin, along with Trixie and the others were standing around in Twilights tree house. “Well” Zepplin said “I gotta tell you. As a rockstar I have been to some of the most bizarre parties out there. But THIS ONE… eh fourth or fifth.” Applejack spoke up “Well I best be gettin the lil ones ta bed. Latest they’ve ever stayed up.” She said as the three fillies were zonked out on her back. “Well Zepplin I can’t say that I approve of your costume… but hey it’s who’s in it that counts.” Rarity said. Fluttershy flew over “I’m just glad that everypony is safe.” Twilight looked over at Trixie. “Thank you again Trixie. We couldn’t have done it without you. You truly are a wiz with magic.” “Well Twilight, keep practicing and maybe you’ll be as good as me someday.” They both laughed. All of a sudden Pinkie Pie slid on her knees in between them. “So… same time next year!” she said raising her hoof in the air, as everypony else rolled their eyes and groaned. Author's Note Sorry I couldn't get this out in time for Halloween, some things came up and I got busy. I thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it. Wish you the best! -Zeta
Prologue The Big Finish Prologue The Big Finish “I’m in too deep. I’m in way over my head.” The dark blue pony gazed out over the massive crowd from behind the stage. He was hyperventilating. His knees shook as his wings rapidly twitched in and out. “This is way too much. I can’t… th-there’s no way…” He began backing toward the exit. “I’ve gotta go.” “Where in Tartarus do you think you’re going?” He turned around and his golden eyes found a lanky, hawk headed griffon glaring at him with a pair of piercing blue eyes. “I can’t do this Hawk. There’re way too many ponies out there. There’s no way I can…” The griffon grabbed him, a talon directly under each ear. “Zepplin, look at my eyes, and calm. The buck. Down. We went through this same thing at Hoofstock, and remember? That show launched your career. There is nothing to be worried about. You know the music, the band is ready, I triple checked all the equipment personally, and there’s a small army of roadies standing by in case something goes wrong.” Zepplin pulled away from his grip and started pacing back and forth. “What if something does go wrong? What then? This is the biggest group we’ve ever played for. There are thousands of ponies out there!” Hawk placed a claw on Zepplin’s back, halting him. “You’re right. Thousands of ponies are sitting out there. Do you know who they are? Those ponies are your fans, each and every one of them. There are thousands of ponies who love you and traveled all the way to Cloudsdale to hear you perform. “How does that make it any better!?” “Because they don’t care if you mess up. All they want is for you to show up.” Zepplin’s wings stopped shaking and he looked down at his hooves. “Come on bro. The Cloud Dome is packed, the show is starting, and it’s time for you to go on. Get out there and shred.” The two hoof-bumped and Zepplin turned around to face the stage. He took a deep breath, ran a hoof through his long, unkempt, black mane, and rushed onstage to meet the roaring of his fans. “Hello my Zepplinites! Are you all ready for an awesome concert?” He paused to listen to the uproar of screaming fans. “That’s what I like to hear! Before we begin, I’d like to give a special shout out to all of you who’ve been following us throughout the whole tour.” As he talked his horn was wrapped in a golden glow. The band behind him readied their instruments and as a guitar of pure light formed in front of him. It’s been a crazy couple of weeks. But for those of you who’ve been living under rocks. We are Maretallica, and we are about to prove… That you can still ROCK IN EQUESTRIA!” The room was filled with ear pounding music as the stage was covered in brilliant light. The light was drawn toward Zepplin as he and his band mates rocked and the volume continued to grow. His horn gleamed brighter as the music grew louder and the crowd worked themselves into a frenzy. Mares were screaming, stallions were pounding their heads, and the music raged on long into the night. As the concert carried on small cracks began to appear in the cloud dome above them. With each song they grew longer, wider, and more numerous. They scaled down the walls as the structure weekend and began to crawl along the floor. At the apex of their grand finally Zepplin began to play his solo. His horn’s glow became a blinding beacon as the sound was pushed to new volumes. The building began to rumble. The cloud making it up began to break away and dissipate. The crowd’s cheering turned to screams as those without wings evacuated to safer ground. Still, Zepplin played on. His music traveled upward into the heavens until finally the song ended, and he collapsed. Zepplin’s head was pounding. He was lying on a hard surface and his head hurt like Tartarus. He opened his eyes to find himself staring at a white tiled ceiling. He smelled ammonia and heard a faint beeping from a distance away. “Hospital” he mumbled to himself. Turning his head he saw Hawk pacing back and forth muttering, his wings tucked tight against his body. After watching him for a moment Zepplin decided to speak up. “I knocked myself out again didn’t I?” The griffon stopped in his tracks and jerked his head toward Zepplin. “I’ll take that as a yes. So, did my ears bleed this time?” Hawk tentatively approached the bedside. “It’s a little worse this time.” “Was I bleeding out my eyes to? I must have been playing pretty loud to…” “The Cloud Dome is gone.” Zepplin shut his mouth and stared at his friend in silence. “There’s nothing left of it. No one was hurt, but the media is in a frenzy.” The griffon left the bedside and began pacing once more. “They’re out there right now demanding an interview. The band is demanding a massive pay increase for dangerous work charges. You’re in the hospital again and I have to clear all of this up and start planning the next tour! Dang it! Okay, first thing’s first. We need to get you in front of those reporters as soon as you’re feeling well. You’re probably going to have to make some sort of apology as well as…” “Hawk!” The griffon clamped his beak shut and halted in his tracks. “You’ve been my manager for as long as I’ve been in this business. You’ve been my best friend for even longer. The stress is almost killing you and it is killing me. I’m starting to get tired. Don’t bother planning the next tour. Just deal with the band and I’ll handle the rest.” “We still need to have that press conference.” “I’ll deal with it. I think I know exactly what I have to say.” Zepplin stood in front of the audience. He was sure he’d been more nervous, but he couldn’t really remember when. His first concert? Hoofstock? Not even the Cloud Dome prepared him for what was about to happen. He looked out over the crowd and began. “Hello every pony. There was a terrible accident at my last concert. Thankfully no pony was hurt. I’d like to begin by stating that this occurrence has nothing to do with what I am about to say. My Zepplinites, you are all the most incredible friends. You’ve stuck with me and it’s your cheers that drive me onward. However this tour is going to be my last. I may return someday, but for the moment it doesn’t seem likely. I know that it hurts. You are all the most amazing friends, but this is the end.” Reporters clamored toward the stage as Zepplin walked off, his head held low. “I’m pretty sure that was the hardest thing that I’ve ever done.” Zepplin was sitting on a large black chair in his hotel suite, holding his head in his hoof. Hawk was reclining across from him on a long red sofa. “I guess we’re gonna have to find some way to tell the band. Not to mention figure out a place to settle down. Damn, I really didn’t think this through.” “That’s already taken care of.” Zepplin looked over at him. “What do you mean?” Hawk stretched out and then sat up on his haunches. “I took care of it. The band has been paid off and sent off to new employers with dazzling recommendations. I sold the equipment to a buyer I lined up for top dollar. The collapse was blamed on a sudden ‘air quake’ and I even lined up a residence for you to stay at while you’re living the easy life.” Zepplin stared at him with an incredulous look. “How the buck did you have time to set all that up?” “I started arranging things at the beginning of the tour. You haven’t been yourself lately. The stress was making you freak out and I knew you were gonna have to take a break eventually, so I made preparations. The new house is the best part. I had all your stuff shipped out and it’ll be there by tomorrow morning. It’s in a real quiet area a little outside of the main population. I paid to have the place magically sound proofed so you can rock to your hearts content without disturbing the neighbors. No stress, just fun and music.” The griffon gave his friend a lopsided smirk. “And even better, you’ll be living with the world’s greatest roommate.” “I’m living with Big Robert Ivy?” “Ha ha, forget rock, you should be a comedian.” “So where is this little shack of yours?” “It’s in a little town called Ponyville.”
Chapter 1 A Horse With no Name Chapter 1 A Horse With no Name Episode one A Horse With No Name It was another warm summer day in Ponyville and everypony was going about their daily business. Applejack was in the town square working the market stall with her little sister Applebloom. “One red apple that’ll be one bit, next, two green apples that’ll be six bits, next.” After working the stall all morning Applejack was feeling business slow down, her little sister Applebloom tugged at her leg. “Applejack I’m gonna be late for the crusaders meeting.” She said. “We’re gonna try and get our cutie marks in weightlifting.” “Well you don’t wanna be late for that now do ya?” Applejack said shooing her off. “Yeehaw” said Applebloom as the little filly galloped away. Applejack, watching her little sister run as fast as she could to meet her friends, didn't even notice a customer approach her stall. “Well how can I hel…” her words stopped as she saw standing before her a large, dark blue alicorn. “One red apple please.” The mysterious stallion said. “Uh ye-yeah one red apple uh that’ll be one bit partner.” The blue alicorn used his magic to reach into his saddlebag removing a small golden bit. “There you are.” He said. “Have a nice day.” “Yeah you too partner.” The mare responded. As the alicorn turned, flapped his wings and flew away, the silent and stunned Applejack, eyes wide as can be, thought to herself. “I better go tell Princess Twilight.” Princess Twilight Sparkle, who had just recently ascended to the throne and became an alicorn, still lived in the tree house library in Ponyville, as she wanted to be close to her friends. She still devoted most of her time to studying the magic of friendship but was now also occupied with many royal duties. Twilight was reading one of her many dusty old tomes when her friend Applejack burst through her front door panting. “Applejack what’s wrong?” Twilight asked. “Twilight I done saw me an alicorn, he was down at the market.” Applejack explained. “What?” Twilight responded “AJ are you alright?” “Of course I’m alright.” “It’s just” Twilight began “Applejack I’m the only alicorn in Ponyville. You probably saw a Pegasus standing behind a unicorn.” Twilight remarked. Applejack glared at the purple alicorn.“I AM THE ELEMENT OF HONESTY AND YOUR FRIEND!” she shouted “NOW I KNOW WHAT I SAW AND I NEED YOU TO BELIEVE ME!” Applejack was panting now, more anger than exhaustion. “Ok, ok calm down.” Said Twilight. “We should investigate this before jumping to any conclusions.” “Well you can sit here and investigate then!” yelled Applejack. “But I’m going to go find this alicorn.” Applejack stormed out of the tree house knowing that she wasn’t going to get anywhere with Twilight. Rarity was hard at work in her boutique snipping and sewing fabric as she hummed. Ding ding ding the bell over her shop door rang alerting her to a customer. “Cooooooommmmmmeee iiiiiiiiinnnnnn.” She shouted. As she walked out to the show floor to investigate the customer she calmly said “now how may I help you… oh ….my….” a look of disbelief came over her. “Why you’re an alicorn.” She said. Sure enough it was the same large blue pony from earlier “I’m looking for a suit.” He said “I assume this is the local boutique?” he glanced at Rarity. “Why why yes it is, uh welcome to Rarity’s Boutique.” She stated proudly. “Now let’s see what we have.” The white unicorn stepped toward the stallion with a measuring tape wrapping it around him and taking all sorts of measurements. She almost choked the blue stallion when she wrapped the tape tightly around his neck. “Hmm, no no this won’t do at all. I’m so sorry but I’m afraid I don’t have anything in stock that would fit you. If you like you could check back later or I could whip something up for you.” “Well I would like it if you could make me a suit of your finest design.” Once again he reached into his saddlebag with his magic, this time pulling out a small brown pouch filled to the brim with golden bits. The pouch made a heavy ca-chink as he plopped it on the counter. “Ten Thousand bits.” He said. “I want the finest design you have.” Rarity’s eyes rolled over to hearts as she scanned the pouch. “T-t-t-ten th-thousand bits.” She exclaimed “why-why I’ll make you a whole wardrobe. I don’t know how to thank you.” The alicorn responded “hahaha. Well I look forward to doin business with you then. Oh shoot I gotta zip. Catch you later Rarity.” Rarity watched as the mysterious pony once again flew away. Rainbow dash was soaring through the skies over Ponyville clearing the clouds away while demonstrating her super speed to her fans both in the sky and below on the ground. The Pegasus grinned as she picked up speed doing loops and barrel rolls through the air. She confidently flying until a voice said “Not bad.” Rainbow dash stopped dead in her tracks and turned toward the voice. “Not bad?” she said looking at the blue pony resting on a cloud. “Ahahahahaha” she burst out laughing. “Not bad aha, it’s only like a million times better then you could do.” The blue alicorn smirked. “You think I’m joking?” Rainbow dash glared at the pony “Listen you. I don’t know who you are or what you think you’re doing but I’m the fastest flyer in Equestria. I’m Rainbow Dash and I’m 20% cooler than you could ever be!” She exclaimed proudly. “Well I’m 21 % cooler than that” the stallion responded. Rainbow’s eyes narrowed as she was furious. “NOBODY is COOLER or FASTER than ME!” she yelled. “You wanna prove it lets go blue boy” The alicorn yawned stretching his legs out from the cloud. “Well if you’re so eager to loose I guess I can challenge you to a race.” Rainbow dash, shocked, laughed “you- you want to challenge ME, to a race.” She then suddenly burst out laughing. “I don’t know if you’re the bravest pony I ever met or the stupidest.” She said. The blue alicorn now stood up on the cloud and faced Rainbow. “First one around the mountain and back here wins. If you win I’ll never bother you again. But if I win, you have to get a hooficure.” Rainbow dash glared at him.“You have to promise not to use magic.” “Deal” the stallion said. The alicorn spread out his wings which had a dark orange color in the middle almost depicting a sunset. His wings were huge almost bigger then he was. He flew over and landed on another nearby cloud which was to serve as the start line. Rainbow landed next to him and they both flexed their wings. The blue pony gave a little nod signifying he was ready to go. Rainbow Dash said“ya know you don’t have to do this. It’s already not that fair for you.” To which the alicorn responded“Ha. Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you.” The two started flapping their wings, generating huge gusts of wind behind them and kicking up cloud dust. (Note: this part comes with a soundtrack copy and paste the address http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzQ3eBerHfM ) Their wings looked like blurs as they counted down 3…2….1….Go*, and both of them shot off the cloud, nearly knocking off the Pegasus ponies standing behind them. Rainbow dash instantly took the lead streaming toward the mountain. The alicorn was not far behind though. Dash blazing her rainbow trail across the sky while the stallion blazed a celestial trail of stars and lightning. Dash and the alicorn reached the mountain at about the same time. Dash realized that the blue pony wasn’t playing around. Straining as hard as she could she picked up speed and launched herself into a sonic rainboom. “Haha yes whoohooo!” she yelled excitedly. The blue stallion smirked. A bright flash of light suddenly burst from his body as he shot toward rainbow dash. The noise from his speed was deafening as he was now fully engulfed in light blazing a trail of light across the sky. “Yeah now were rocking” he exclaimed. The mystical stallion zoomed past the prismatic Pegasus. Dash screamed in astonishment.“Impossible! Nothing’s faster than a sonic rainboom!” The blue alicorn swooped past the finish line leaving a trail of fire to mark his landing, soon after Dash’s rainbow trail shot in and it was over. The blue pony being the victor stood up proud as Rainbow Jumped at him, pressing her head against his. “YOU CHEATED!” she yelled, her voice seething with anger. “Just admit you lost” said the stallion. All of a sudden the alicorn used his magic to teleport behind Rainbow Dash which sent her face first into the cloud. “I must say Crashie, I didn’t think it would be that easy. I barely broke a sweat. Ya know, I think you need to practice your basics, but good flight. Enjoy the hooficure". The blue alicorn zoomed away as every Pegasus looked in shock first at him then at the defeated Rainbow Dash who finally managed to pull her head out of the cloud and utter a low growl before breaking down and sobbing. As she watched the victor fly away at his super speed a thought came over her. “Why does he seem familiar?” Rarity decided to head over to Twilight’s house to share her newfound wealth with her friend. As she walked in the door Twilight was still sitting at her table, this time scribbling on a piece of paper. Twilight turned around. “Um, Rarity what is that on your head?” Atop the white unicorn’s head was a giant blue hat that Rarity looked like she was struggling to hold up. “This darling is a sapphire silk hat. Imported from Prance.” “Goodness Rarity how in Equestria did you manage to afford something like that?” Twilight asked. “Oh that’s thanks to my newest customer.” Rarity let out a giddy chuckle. “He paid me ten thousand bits to make him a suit.” Rarity smiled. “TEN THOUSAND BITS? TEN THOUSAND BITS!?” Twilight yelled “That’s more money than I have in my section of the royal treasury. Do you know how hard it is to balance this economy? Do you have any idea what I could do with that kind of money? Honestly who would pay that much for one suit?” “Oh he was so charming. He was a big blue alicorn. Why he looked like royalty himself.” Rarity said. “An alicorn?” Twilight inquired. “AN ALICORN!?” Her eyes widened. “What was his name?” Rarity responded sheepishly, “umm. Well you see uh, I didn’t really get his name. I mean it’s not like I wouldn’t recognize him if I saw him again…” Twilight huffed and puffed.“You … Didn’t … Get …. His ….. Name?” a psychotic grin came over Twilights face as Spike walked over and said “heh. Looks like somepony’s jealous.” “IM NOT JEALOUS!” Twilight yelled, sending Spike flying head over heels into a bookshelf. Just then Rainbow Dash burst through the door with chunks of cloud still in her mane from earlier. “My goodness darling what happened to you?” Rarity asked. “I lost. That’s what happened.” “Lost, lost at what?” Twilight asked. Rainbow Dash, trying to hide her tears by keeping a stiff upper lip, finally burst out sobbing “I lost the race!” (Crying) “A race? But you’re the fastest flyer in Equestria.” Twilight proclaimed. “She’s right darling who could beat you at a race?” Rarity asked. “I didn't get his name.” Rainbow said. “All I know is that he was a big… blue… stupid alicorn.” “Oh dear” Rarity remarked softly. Twilight, grinding her teeth and growling, burst out screaming “WHAT IS IT WITH YOU PONIES, DOESN’T ANYPONY ASK FOR A NAME ANYMORE. THAT’S LIKE THE FIRST RULE OF FRIENDSHIP PEOPLE!” Rainbow dash looked at rarity. “Wait, you know this joker?” “Why yes he bought me this hat. Well he didn’t buy it but his money-” “Shut up Rarity!” Twilight yelled. “Well it’s getting late.” Rarity said. “I suggest we head home and get a good night’s rest.” Rarity and Rainbow dash left for home, still thinking about their mysterious new friend. Meanwhile, Fluttershy was out late tending to her animal friends. “There you are little angle. Don’t worry, Fluttershy will take good care of you.” Just then Mr. Beaverly Beaverton limped over toward her with a cast on his leg. “Wha! Oh no what have you done? You’re hurt.” As the kind Pegasus pony looked around for help she spotted something walking past the road to her cottage. “Oh um… excuse me ….. Sir …… um …. Could you please…..help me...?” The passing pony could barely hear her soft voice but managed to make out the words help me. He came running over to the kind Pegasus.“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” “Um no sir…b...but my friend the beaver here has a broken leg.” The blue pony leaned over and inspected the beaver that was in pain from the broken bone. “I see. Hmm I don’t like the looks of this.” The blue pony said. “Scalpel” he remarked. From out of nowhere Fluttershy grabbed a small metal scalpel and handed it to the alicorn repeating “Scalpel.” The alicorn bent over again and made small movements with the scalpel. “Had to get that cast off. Only way is to cut it” he said. “Wipe” he remarked. Fluttershy grabbed out of nowhere again a cloth and dabbed the forehead of the blue alicorn again repeating “Wipe.” “Thanks” he said before pressing his horn to the broken leg of the beaver. His horn began to glow with a faint light. Like magic the beaver’s leg retained its shape before the accident. The beaver got up slowly and cautiously put weight on it before shaking the hoof of the alicorn who had fixed his leg and then running off into the woods. “Oh you were amazing sir. Thank you soooo much” “Please, it’s the least I can do for a mare in need. What’s you’re name?” he asked. “I’m fl…fl…flut…flutter” “Fluttershy” the alicorn finished for her. “But but how did you?” Fluttershy asked. “Your mailbox” he motioned with his head to a bright red mailbox marked Fluttershy. “See you around Fluttershy.” He said as he flew away once again. “Wait, what’s your name?” Fluttershy pleaded. It was too late, he was gone. The next morning, Twilight was re-organizing the library when she heard a knock at her door. She jerked her head toward the door and trotted over to answer it. When she opened the door she found all five of her friends in a group with Applejack leading them. “What are you doing here girls?” Twilight asked. “Well shoot” Applejack said “I thought you’d be out looking for the alicorn.” “Alicorn?” Pinkie spoke up from behind the other ponies. She quickly hip hopped her way up front. “Ooh ooh what does he look like?” Pinkie asked. Twilight responded “Well from what I’ve heard he’s dark blue.” “Ooh ooh I know him” said Pinkie pie “tee hee. He’s so nice.” Pinkie said. “What? You know him?” Rainbow dash flew up. “Pinkie all this time you knew him and didn’t say anything?” Pinkie smiled.“Well of course I know him silly. I threw a welcome party last week for him and his griffin friend.” Twilight spoke up.“Well… do you know his name?” “Well of course!” Pinkie said “Jeez Twilight that’s only like the first rule of Friendship, you of all ponies should know that!” Twilight’s eye began to twitch. “Well, what is it?” A look of deep thinking came over Pinkie.“Well I don’t remember, ooh but I know where he lives.” Rainbow dash flew over twilight “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go!”
Our House, Its in The Middle of The SkyEpisode 2 Our house, it’s in the middle of the sky Zepplin the blue alicorn lied in his bed at his new residence in ponyville soundly sleeping and not worrying about his past calamities. “Wake up” a voice pierced Zepplin’s sleep. “I said wake up!” the voice came again. Zepplin jerked out of bed “aah. What is it?” he asked as his gold eyes met with the hawk headed griffon. “What is this?” the griffon asked holding up a receipt. Zepplin, still half asleep, scanned over the piece of paper “uh. I bought a suit” the pony said. “YOU PAID TEN THOUSAND BITS FOR A SUIT!?” shouted the griffon. “Big deal” Zepplin said, “We have like, a billion more.” He smiled looking at the griffon. “You’re missing the point Zepplin! You need to lay low. Who knows if any of these ponies are your fans or if the media knows you’re here.” Hawk exclaimed. “Okay okay. Calm down Hawk. It made that mare happy. She’s never seen that much money in her life and probably won’t again.” Zepplin laid his head back down. Hawk glared at him, and then sighed. “Just please try not to draw attention to yourself.” “Why yes mother!” Zepplin replied sarcastically. The griffon rolled his eyes “Im going out. Please, please, please stay here and try not to do anything that could get you noticed. We really don’t need the stress.” Zepplin sat up in his bed. “Where the hay do you think you’re going?” Hawk smirked. “I got a date.” “THE BUCK!?” exclaimed Zepplin. “Hawk we’ve been here a day, how do you already got a date?” “What can I say? I’m a ladies Griffin. Not to mention she’s a metal groupie and I’m your manager. Haha. You’re a better wingpony then ever when you’re not around.” “Buck you” Zepplin said as he turned over head hitting the pillow. “I’ll be back tonight.” “Yeah yeah I’m fine don’t worry about me” Zepplin said waving him off with his hoof. Hawk left the house as Zepplin fell back to sleep. Twilight, along with her friends, sauntered along through the market in Ponyville. Pinkie pie was leading the group as Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy hovered overhead. “Are we there yet?” complained Rainbow Dash. “Almost” Pinkie replied. As they walked along a little further Pinkie stopped and pointed a hoof. The other ponies looked with excitement but saw that she was pointing at nothing. Pinkie then raised her hoof to the sky, and as the others looked up they saw a large home plopped on top of a big fluffy cumulous cloud. “Pinkie, how in tarnation did you get up there?” Applejack asked. “I used a trampoline duh!” remarked Pinkie. “You bounced?” “Yep” “To the sky” “Checkaroonie” Twilight butted in “Look it doesn’t matter. Now we have three flyers and three non-flyers so everypony pick a partner.” Twilight’s horn yielded a purple pink glow as she cast a spell on her three non-flying friends to allow them to walk on the cloud. Each pony selected a non-flyer and carried them up to the front door of the house. As soon as all were safely on the cloud they approached the small mansion. Rarity held a hoof in front of Twilight. “Wait what if he’s home.” To which Rainbow Dash responded “Well I guess will find out.” She pounded on the door so loud half of ponyville must have heard. For good measure she also rang the doorbell several times as it produced a loud chime. “There. Nopony home.” She said as Applejack reared up her back legs and kicked open the front door of the house. “W-w-wait.” Said Fluttershy. “A-are you sure we should be just entering like this? M-M-Maybe we should come back at another time.” “Oh Fluttershy” Twilight said. “Don’t worry we’ll be in and out before anypony notices.” And with that they entered the house. The house was simple on the outside but remarkably fancy on the inside “Well I certainly know where he gets his money.” Rarity said. The couches and chairs were laced with gold, and white swirls upholstered the trim. A cozy sandstone fireplace filled as the centerpiece of the room as a grand red rug stretched out before them welcoming any guests into the home as it draped off down a small step into the dining room. “Alright girls” Twilight announced “Let’s see if we can find out any clues about this pony.” The group fanned out to make sure they cover the whole house. Fluttershy went with Rarity to search the kitchen off to the right of the dining hall. The rest went to search upstairs. The second floor contained a hallway that branched off to several rooms. Applejack and Pinkie Pie took this section of the house. Twilight and Rainbow Dash continued up the stairs until they came to a landing which provided a small hallway leading to two doors. “That’s strange” Twilight said. “What is?” Rainbow answered. “This place seems smaller than the rest of the house. Let’s look around.” Rainbow and Twilight proceeded down the small hallway. Rarity and Fluttershy were finished searching the kitchen and proceeded down the hallway on the opposite side of the dining room. “Well this isn't creepy at all.” Rarity said uncaringly. “Y-y-yeah w-w-what so s-s-scary about a d-d-dark and c-c-c-creepy house?” Fluttershy responded. Rarity, opening the doors, found a small bedroom with a picture of a Hawk headed Griffon on the wall over the bed. “This must be the other who lives here.” Rarity began to look around going through the drawers and closets finding nothing of suspicion. All of a sudden she heard Fluttershy scream in terror “eeep” “Fluttershy, Fluttershy are you alright?” Fluttershy stumbled back from the open door as Rarity arrived to comfort her. “Darling what is it?” “d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-dragon” Fluttershy barely got the word out. Rarity ran into the room arming her horn with magic as she looked upon a painting of a huge white dragon with golden eyes proudly standing on top of a mountain with a hurricane swirling above him. “Oh Fluttershy it’s just a painting.” Rarity took a deep breath, relieving herself of the fear that an actual dragon was in the house. Pinkie Pie bounced alongside Applejack as the two ventured down the second floor hallway. Not finding anything of interest, the two pressed onward until Pinkie hopped into an iron door at the end of the hallway. “oof” She exclaimed. Applejack remarked “Now what do ya suppose is behind this?” Applejack again raised her hind hoofs and bashed them into the iron door. The door proved too strong and sent Applejack face first into the floor. “oof. ouch. Dag nabbit, that there doors tougher than apple in a pig’s mouth!” “Um Applejack, maybe you should try the door first instead of trying to knock it down.” “Do you really think that…” As she turned the knob with her hoof the door swung open. “oh… well I probably broke the lock off it is all.” Pinkie smiled and they both proceeded in. “What is this stuff?” Pinkie asked as she looked over the contents of the room. There were screens and buttons and switches and a box that said “recordings” next to another black box. “What does that say?” Applejack asked Pinkie who read the word written under a big button on the black box. “PLAY” she said “Play yeah I wanna play ooh ooh what game?” “Pinkie don’t!” exclaimed Applejack, but it was too late Pinkies hoof hit the button and the whole console lit up.The loudest music they ever heard shook the room as Applejack and Pinkie both bounced up and down with the beat both putting their hooves over their ears. “What is this magic” Applejack screamed. “ooh ooh. Good choice box I love the bouncing game!” Pinkie cheerfully said. Twilight and Rainbow Dash entered the room on the left side of the top hallway a huge set of double doors swung open, revealing a room with either side lined with books and other odds and ends and a desk at the far back of the room. “Looks like some sort of office.” Twilight said “Yeah but there’s nothing here just some quills and ink.” Rainbow said, examining the desk. The two ponies looked around as Twilight browsed the books. “hmm I have most of these in my library at home, but some of these I’ve never even heard of.” She used her magic to pull one of the books off the shelves and opened it on the desk. The paper was lined and an unknown language of dots and circles with lines blotted the paper. “I can’t even read this.” Said Twilight. “yeah” Rainbow dash said. “I mean look at this one, Stairway to Harmony.” She pulled the book off the top shelf with her hoof, when she heard a click. A secret door opened at the back of the office near the desk unveiling a secret room. “whoa Twilight come check this out!” Dash exclaimed. “It’s a secret room.” Twilight said. “And where there’s a secret room there must be a secret.” Twilight and rainbow walked into the room where another more elaborate desk sat behind it a window. Alongside the walls instead of books there were golden discs and pictures, dozens of pictures, but all of them shared one thing in common. They were all of a Blue Alicorn with golden eyes on a stage in front of hundreds of thousands of ponies. As Twilight and Rainbow Dash studied the Pictures a loud thumping of drums came from downstairs followed by an explosion of music. “w-wha-huh” The blue Alicorn awoke to the sound of the music. “oh Hawk must be home hah I wonder how his date went?” He looked out the window and saw the sun shining high in the sky. “huh He said he’d be back at night. Probably got shot down. haha That’s what he gets for not taking me as his wingpony.” He stretched and got up out of bed cocking his head back and forth as his neck cracked. He brushed back his mane with his hooves a couple of times before just shaking his head like a wet dog and letting his hair settle naturally. “Why is there totally AWESOME EPIC MUSIC PLAYING” as he walked out of his bedroom. He stopped shortly after “Well now, why is my office door opened?” he said to himself. As he walked in he gasped “Wha- why is my secret room open?” Rainbow dash was urgently explaining to Twilight “Oh My Gosh I can’t believe it Twilight do you know who this is?” Twilight responded “uhh” Rainbow dash broke in “Only the coolest, most epic, most awesome pony to ever walk Equestria.” “Well Rainbow spit it out about this coolest, most awesome, most epic pony. What’s his name?” “His name is…” “Zepplin” The blue alicorn said standing in the doorway.
Chapter 3 Back in the Saddle Chapter 3 Back in the Saddle Episode 3 Back in the Saddle “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!” Rainbow dash exclaimed dancing in place. She then shot over to Zepplin, hugging him around his neck. Zepplin pulled his head back as he looked to Twilight “Who are you and why are you in my house?” “Zepplin is it? Look we are so sorry to just intrude like this, but we heard that there was a new alicorn in town and we wanted to meet you. I know this seems like a strange greeting but please believe me that it’s pretty common for other ponies to barge in.” Rainbow Dash unwrapped her hooves from Zepplin’s neck and backed away. “Ya know, if you just wanted to meet me you could have asked Rainbow here to introduce us.” At this point Pinkie Pie and the others burst in through the doorway. “We heard Rainbow scream!” Applejack started. “I uh oh…” She stared at Zepplin. Zepplin, turning around and seeing the small army of ponies that had invaded his home, began “Wait I know all of you. Ahahaha.” He burst out laughing “Just because I’m an alicorn? Ahahahaha.” “Girls this is Zepplin.” Twilight introduced everypony. “Well Zepplin you don’t know how special that makes you, I mean every alicorn I’ve ever heard of has been royalty. Why even our own Twilight here is Princess of Ponyville.” Rarity explained. “Royalty?” Zepplin questioned “So you thought I was some sort of prince or something? hahaha.” “Well, considering the way you paid me for your suit, yes I did.” Rarity responded. “Well I may not be royalty, but I am famous. Isn’t that right Dashie?” “Famous? That’s like, the understatement of the century. Ooh no no. The understatement of the millennium.” Twilight butted in “Umm no offense but well… Zepplin who are you exactly?” Zepplin pondered the question for a moment putting his hoof to his chin, then grinned “I guess you could call me a successful musician.” “Are you kidding?!” Rainbow said “You’re like the most famous hardcore rock-star in all of Equestria!” “You can barely get through half your set list before you play so loud you knock yourself out!” Zepplin grinned. “Well at least I’ve got one fan in this town.” “That’s another thing.” Applejack said “If you’re some big celebrity, then just what exactly are you doing in a little town like Ponyville?” “Why yes.” Rarity said. “A celebrity like you should be performing in big cities like Cloudsdale or Canterlot. Zepplin closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Ok look, nopony is supposed to know that I’m here. Alright? I’m going to be honest with you. That accident in Cloudsdale that the papers blamed on an air quake? That was my concert. I played too loud and the cloud dome… it just, it just came crashing down. I had to cancel the tour. My manager Hawk set me up with this place and if he found out ponies knew I was here he’d be furious. So please, all of you need to promise me not to tell anyone about me until this whole thing blows over.” “Why of course Zepplin.” Twilight smiled “We’ll keep your secret right girls?” “Mmhmm” they all replied. “Thank you everypony!” Zepplin said. “I won’t forget this. I’ll see if I can talk some sense into Hawk and maybe we could all hang out sometime.” “Yeah!!!” everypony said. “Aw, buck Hawk!” Zepplin said. “I’ll be at sugarcube corner tonight around nine!” “Yeah!!! Let’s do it” they all said. That night Hawk returned. “Zepplin, Zepplin are you here? I swear if that stallion ran off again I’m gonna!” he stopped and looked in at the Master bedroom and saw the covers raised as though someone was sleeping in the bed. “Oh for Tartaurus sake Zepplin, are you going to bed or have you not even woken up yet?” The griffin smirked as he walked over to the side of the bed. “Well?” Hawk said. “Aren’t you going to ask me how my date went?” no response came from the lump in the sheets “What, are you jealous? You’re not speaking to me now is that it?” still no response from the figure in the bed. “Listen dude, I know you’re bummed about not being able to leave, but this is only temporary. Okay?” The lump on the bed still didn’t move. “Hey, wake up ya lump!” Hawk said as he gripped the sheet with his talon and ripped it back. Under the sheet was a fancy suit stuffed with pillows to mimic the shape of a body. Hawk’s eyes widened. “Why that motherbucker.” he whispered to himself before he raced back downstairs and out the door. Meanwhile down at sugarcube corner Zepplin and his new friends were celebrating their friendship. “I got another batch of my special Rainbow flavored cupcakes!” Pinkie yelled holding up a baking pan. Rainbow Dash took one and started munching on it “Mmm these sure are good Pinkie what’s the secret ingredient?” “Oh don’t worry Dashie I’m sure you’ll find out someday!” Pinkie happily smiled. As the party raged on Twilight and Zepplin sat in a booth chatting. “So Zepplin, do you know how you became an alicorn?” “Nope. I mean, all I know is that I was born this... like this. I was born like this. Sadly, I can’t remember anything about my parents. I was abandoned in the Everfree Forest when I was just a colt. A passing wonderbolt was making a fly over and spotted me. He took me back to Cloudsdale where I went to Flight School. Growing up in Cloudsdale I was never really trained in magic. I picked up a few spells over the years but nothing as advanced as you I’m sure.” “That’s a fascinating story.” Twilight said. “But I’m so sorry about your family.” “Ah, it’s okay. I mean, I never would have gotten to where I am today. I might have never met you and your friends.” “So how did you become a rock star?” Twilight asked. “Well it’s a long story but basically one day I found out that my horn had a special power, to summon a guitar made of pure light. My horn is directly in tune with the guitar. The louder I play the brighter my horn glows. Anyway I started using this power to practice and I played small shows for ponies everywhere. Then one day I got a letter asking me to perform at Hoofstock. I took my friend Hawk who has been with me since flight school to the performance but they wouldn’t let us in because I didn’t have a manager. So, I told them my manager was Hawk and they bought it. I’ve been rocking ever since.” “Wow!” Twilight said. “That’s a cool story” “I hope you don’t mind me asking.” Zepplin began, “But are you the same Twilight that stopped discord and queen chrysalis?” Twilight looked away with a sheepish blush. “Oh! Yep that was me. I couldn’t have done it without the help of my friends though. Together we used the Elements of Harmony to stop Discord as well as Nightmare Moon. Actually, my brother and his fiancée at the time were the ones who really defeated Chrysalis.” Twilight said. “Wow so you really are the wielders of the elements. That must be so cool, being heroes.” Zepplin said solemnly. “Well Rainbow Dash might think so but to tell you the truth it’s really just another responsibility.” Twilight said. Zepplin looked at her with his golden eyes and Twilight saw that he was hiding something, a thought or a feeling about what she just said. As she was about to ask him about it loud music came pounding from just outside in the town square. “What in tarnation?” yelled Applejack. “ooh T-t-that’s really loud.” Said Fluttershy. All the ponies ventured outside Sugarcube corner to investigate the commotion. Outside a large group of ponies were gathered by the fountain around a small stage with big letters that said DJ PON3. On the stage was Vinyl Scratch herself, the blue haired, white unicorn with her trademark beat bug glasses. “OH YEAH IT’S A PONY PARTY TONIGHT!” she screamed over the microphone. “Is there anypony out there who wants to come up on stage and rock with Vinyl Scratch!” A frenzy broke out as nearly everypony in the audience raised their hooves high. “hmm You there, the… alicorn!” she pointed her hoof at Zepplin. “Wh-What?” Zepplin said reserved. Vinyl giggled “Yeah. You get your butt up here on the stage blue boy!” Zepplin started to back away but was blocked by a wall of cheering ponies including his newfound friends. Zepplins golden eyes looked over the stage as a serious look came over him, and he marched towards the stage. Zepplin walked up on stage as he heard the roar of the ponies from below. His eyes scanned the crowd eventually working their way over to Vinyl Scratch who was leaning up against a speaker with a turntable on top of it. She had her arms crossed. “So hehehe you think you got what it takes to share the stage with Vinyl Scratch, eh?” she asked in a cocky tone. Zepplin nodded his head. “Ya know your mane looks like it was from three decades ago!” Vinyl said as the ponies in the audience burst out laughing. Twilight looked around at them “That wasn’t very nice of Vinyl to say” Twilight said. “What do ya say to a little rock off?” Said Vinyl. “I think the audience would make perfect judges.” She said. Zepplin again nodded his head. “What’s your name?” “Zepplin” the alicorn responded. “Zepplin everypony.” Vinyl reiterated. Zepplin gestured with his hoof. “Ladies first.” “Why thank you!” Vinyl giggled “This way it’ll be over before you even begin.” She said to Zepplin. Zepplin rolled his eyes as Vinyl Scratch brought out her base cannon. The beats pulsed and shook the ground the speakers pounded in and out as the white unicorn spinned the discs on the turntable creating a new species of sounds. Zepplin was covering his ears with his hooves. He couldn’t stand it, but the other ponies could, and they loved it. Vinyl bounced up and down on her hind legs with the music as sparks started to fly from the discs as she was scratching. When it was over the crowd went wild cheering and chanting “Vinyl, Vinyl!” “Well your turn, if you even want to try and beat that.” Zepplin approached the center of the stage and took a deep breath. He ran a hoof through his long unkempt mane and took another breath. The audience waited in suspense. What could possibly follow, let alone beat Vinyl’s performance? Zepplin closed his eyes as his horn again wrapped in a golden glow and summoned a guitar made from pure light in front of him. The air was silent as the lone stallion stood on the stage, Vinyl smirking in the corner. Zepplin then readied himself as he stood up on his hind legs, using his wings to balance, and clutched the guitar in his hooves. His horn was now a dim glow, resembling that of a candle in the dusk. Then he started to play and sing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_1hLiqwq7c) Hawk was coasting over the town when he heard the roaring music coming from the town square. He focused his gaze at the stage, but as he did the heavens were lit up with golden light. Blinded by the intense glare he stumbled in the air and began to fall. Hawk growled and began to right himself, squinting through the glare, when the sound from the speaker blasted to life, the vibrations sending him spiraling once again toward the ground. Hawk crashed into the sea of ponies and struggled as the frenzied mosh pit pulled him into an unwanted crowd surf away from the stage. His desperate protests dwarfed by the music and the roaring voices of the crowd shouting “Heavy Metal!” over and over. Vinyl took off her glasses, revealing her colorful eyes as Zepplin entered his solo. She then immediately put them back on as the light from his horn flared even brighter. Finishing his song, Zepplin struck a final, epic cord, and then collapsed into blackness. “Aww… my head.” Zepplin awoke in a room made entirely of wood with hundreds of books lining shelves on the walls. As he sat up he saw that he was in a bed and his forehead was wrapped in gauze. He looked around, seeing a bed across from him and another, dog like bed on the floor. Zepplin moaned, putting a hoof to his head. As he slammed his head and hoof back down on the pillow he heard voices coming from downstairs. Zepplin looked over to the side of the loft he was on where he could get a clear view of where he was at. The place was a large tree that must have served as the town library. He saw another area below him with even more books on the shelves. He could also see Twilight, along with her friends talking with a hawk headed griffon. “Hawk?” Zepplin whispered to himself. “Oh no.” Hawk was talking with Princess Twilight. “I’m telling you he’s out of control!” Hawk yelled “Please Mr. Hawk calm down.” Twilight said “I know Zepplin is supposed to lay low but honestly he didn’t hurt anything.” Hawk looked at her with piercing eyes, like he thought she had no business meddling in their affairs. Which was exactly the case. “Didn’t hurt anything? He not only lied to me and broke his promise, he knocked me out of the sky! Not to mention the damage he’s doing to himself! I brought him here to keep this kind of thing from happening. Imagine what the media will do if they find out about the Cloud Dome incident. Plus, he told all of you about all of this stuff after knowing you for how long? He’s too reckless.” Rainbow dash burst through the front door slamming it shut behind her and bracing herself up with it to hold it closed. “Uh you guys… we may have a tiny, tiny problem.” She said pinching the clefts of her hoof together. “What is it Rainbow?” Twilight asked. Rainbow responded “I think Zepplin might have a few… fans.” She strained to hold the door shut as they began to hear pounding on it from the outside. Hawk looked out the window “Horsefeathers.” He muttered as he looked out the window at the sight of practically all of Ponyville chanting ”We want Zepplin, We want Zepplin!” Hawk flew back down near Twilight. “They found us. We need to move him. Applejack go see if Zepplin’s awake and feeling better either way we need to get him out of here.” “NO!” Zepplin said, standing at the base of the stairs as everypony in the room turned. “Zepplin what the hay do you think you’re doing! I told you to wait in the house!” Hawk shouted. “I was doing what I do best Hawk! I was entertaining.” Zepplin responded. “Zepplin do you know what would happen if ponies found out you were responsible for the collapse of the Clouddome? You’d never be allowed to perform ever again and you would probably be banished back to the Everfree forest. You don’t want to live that life again do you?” Hawk said. “No Hawk, I don’t. But we can’t keep running away from our problems. I’m tired of wandering around looking for where I belong.” Zepplin said. Fluttershy spoke up “Umm e-excuse me b-but what about princess Celestia?” Twilight spoke up “Fluttershy you’re a genius Celestia is the high princess of Equestria. We can go to her and have her pardon you. She would forgive you for the Cloud dome. It was an accident after all.” “But how are we going to get Zepplin all the way to Canterlot without anyone noticing? It’s too far to fly and he’s still week from that performance.” Hawk said. “hmm I can teleport us outside the back of the Treehouse.” Twilight continued. “But we’ll have to take the train to Canterlot.” "And just how in tarnation do we sneak a celebrity like Zepplin onto a train?” “I think I might have an idea” Rarity said. Zepplin looked back and forth between all of them. “I’m not going to like this am I?”
Chapter 4 Train Kept a RollinEpisode 4 Train Kept a Rollin The Six Ponies along with Hawk walked to the train station. They were wearing hats and sunglasses and various other disguises. “Ok remember the plan girls.” Twilight said. All the ponies and Hawk nodded their heads. “Let’s do this.” Said Hawk with a determined scowl. “How you holding up Zepplin?” he asked as he looked towards Rarity’s enormous suitcase. “First of all I can’t breathe. Second of all my tail feels like it’s been shoved right up my a..oww!” Rarity removed her back hoof from the bag. “Shhh. You mustn’t give yourself away!” “You really think this is gonna work?” Zepplin asked, his voice muffled by thick cloth bag. “It’s worth a shot.” Said Twilight. They approached the train station. Rainbow Dash flew up to the ticket counter and said “Eight tickets to Canterlot please.” Pinkie Pie punched her in her arm. “Oww. What was tha… oh uh I mean seven. Seven tickets to Canterlot please.” She finished with a cheesy grin. “Yes Ma’am.” The ticket cashier handed her seven golden slips of paper. “Thanks.” Rainbow replied. “All aboard for Canterlot!” the conductor said as one by one Hawk and the ponies boarded the train. Rarity struggled with all her bags and was approached by the conductor. “Excuse me Ma’am, would you like some help with those?” he asked. “NO!” Rairity shouted “uh I mean NO thank you ahaha. I can manage.” She said as she used her magic to lift the bag with Zepplin on to the train. Hawk took the bag and followed Twilight to the royal cabin where they put the baggage down. The royal cabin was slightly larger than the other standard cabins. Here there would be more room for all eight of them. “Tickets please.” The passing conductor announced. Applejack met him at the door to the cabin and handed him the tickets. “And seven makes seven.” He said as he punched the paper and continued on. A few minutes later a voice came in over an intercom. “Good evening mares and stallions and welcome aboard the Friendship express nonstop to Canterlot. We should be arriving at our destination by morning so relax, get a good night’s rest, and enjoy your ride.” “Zepplin you can come out now.” Twilight said as Hawk closed and locked the door to the cabin. Fluttershy gently opened the zipped bag and Zepplin came tumbling out right into the wall gasping for air. “Oh thank Celestia.” He gasped. He then stood up and brushed himself off. “Sorry that was uncomfortable darling but I didn’t know how else to sneak you on.” Rarity said. Rainbow Dash yawned “Anypony else ready to hit the hay?” she asked. “mmhmm!” they all agreed except Rarity. “Wait!” she yelled, as everyone looked at her with her eyes wide. “Zepplin is in no state to meet the high Princess. We need to get him freshened up. I mean what is he supposed to wear?” “Good thing I grabbed this.” Hawk said reaching into his bag pulling out the suit that Rarity had made. Zepplin looked “ Hawk how did you know we would need that!” “Hey being your manager for as long as I’ve been, I know to be prepared.” Hawk smirked. That night Zepplin lied awake in the lower cot. As he looked around he saw Hawk Sleeping in the bottom bunk across from him and Rainbow in the upper bunk above him. Zepplin then looked up on his side and saw Twilight sleeping soundly in the bunk above him. Zepplin sighed and turned over when he heard a voice. “Trouble sleeping eh sugar.” It was Applejack. Zepplin rolled back over and found her laying up in the bunk behind him. “That obvious?” “Well shoot, you’re makin more noise than poor ol granny smith when she done broke her hip.” Applejack responded. “So, what’s bothering you Zepplin? Gotta be something on a stallions mind if he’s up at this hour.” She said. “I was just thinking.” Zepplin said “About the cloud dome. What if somepony got hurt? What if… (sigh) I cause more harm than good.” Zepplin shed a tear. Applejack looked at him. “What were you talking about with Twilight?” she asked “Back at sugarcube corner?” Applejack clarified. “How did you?” Zepplin began. “I hear a lot of things.” Applejack said. “You asked her if we were the real wielders of the elements of Harmony, and she told you yes. She also told me, you seemed like you had something on your mind about that.” Zepplin’s tears came more steadily. “ You have no idea what it’s like, when you walk out on stage, when you gaze upon an army of beings, when you hear them roar louder than the loudest thunder. You have no idea what it’s like, when thousands you don’t even know scream your name and worship you like you’re some kind of king. You have no idea what it’s like to not have a home, to live on the road or in the sky. And why? All I do is play music, all I do is sing. All I do is get up on stage to play and sing my music and ponies treat me like I’m Celestia herself. You save the world twice and you know when you go to sleep that you made a difference. You know that without you and your friends Equestria wouldn’t exist. The ponies treat me how they should treat you and your friends, but all I am is a fake, I’m nothing but a no good useless fake.” “Zepplin you make ponies happy. They enjoy your music.” Applejack said. “(sniff) What good is being happy if you aren’t around to enjoy it? Now you and all your friends are going through all this trouble smuggling me aboard a train to Canterlot to get an audience with the Princess. What did I do to deserve this?” Applejack got out of her bunk and went over next to him. “You’re our friend. This is what friends do. I know you’ll find where you belong someday, but know that you are always welcome among us. No matter what happens.” Zepplin turned to her and stared at her as his tears stopped. “Thanks Applejack” he said “I f-feel better now.” “Well I’m glad partner. Now you get some shut eye, you got a busy day tomorrow.” She turned and crawled back into her bunk. “Yeah, goodnight Applejack.” Zepplin said as he rolled back over. The next morning the sun’s rays shot through the small window near Zepplin’s bunk as his eyes fluttered open. He sat up and stretched as he looked around and saw everypony else do the same. Hawk looked over at him. “Well today’s the big day, let’s see if we can get this mess cleaned up.” Zepplin responded to him. “Yeah I’d really like that!” They passed a sign that said, ‘Now approaching Canterlot.' Fluttershy was keeping watch out the window on the door to the cabin. “O-ooh the c-c-c-conductors coming.” She said in her soft voice. “Ok Zepplin back in the bag” Twilight said. Zepplin sighed as he squeezed himself back into Rarity’s bag. “All off for Canterlot!” the conductor shouted as he passed by tapping on the doors of the cabins. “Princess Sparkle.” He greeted as Twilight nodded her head. Hawk once again helped Rarity carry the bag off the train and down to solid Canterlot ground. Hawk carried the bag over to a nearby ally, secluded from the rest of the public and let Zepplin out. Zepplin looked around and entered the main street without anypony noticing. “Wow Hawk, remember when we did that benefit concert here?” Zepplin said. “Oh don’t remind me. Benefit my fluffy tail! I remember that stupid mare with her flare gun she shot off in the place. There was so much fire I’m surprised the water didn’t start smoking.” “Didn’t we write a song about that?” Zepplin questioned. “Hay if I know, I just keep you out of trouble.” Zepplin and Hawk walked with Princess Twilight and her friends with Zepplin in the middle surrounded by all of them so as nopony would recognize him. “The castles just up ahead. Princess Celestia knows we’re coming. I had Spike send a letter before we left.” Twilight said. “oh I do hope this all goes s-smoothly.” Said Fluttershy. “I’m not worried. Zepplin’s talked his way out of worse if you can believe it.” Hawk said. “I have not!” Zepplin shouted. “Oh really? Remember the riot in St. Luna Maresourri?” Hawk asked. Zepplin’s eyes widened. “Let’s not talk about that.” He said as he smiled embarrassed. “Here we are!” Twilight said as the group stopped in front of the grand palace gates where two pegasus ponies in royal armor guarded the gate with their wings crossed like swords. They stood at attention “Princess Sparkle” the saluted and uncrossed their wings. “Thank you” she said as they allowed the group to pass into the palace courtyard. As Zepplin looked around he saw tremendous gardens and majestic fountains. He had never seen a more beautiful place. “This place is amazing!” He said to which Twilight gave a smile. As they approached the stairs leading up to the grand hall and the throne room they stopped. “I think I should go in first and then you follow when I say to. Alright Zepplin?” Twilight said. "Sounds good to me I just want to get this mess put behind me.” Zepplin said. “Splendid I’ll be right back!” as Twilight trotted up the stairs and entered Celestia’s throne room. “My faithful student.. op.. I mean Princess. Twilight how are you!” Celestia said as Twilight looked and saw the Princess sitting on her throne with a grin on her face. “I’m doing great your highness.” Twilight said. “I came to clear up a matter involving the rock star Zepplin.” “Why of course Twilight, I received your letter last night. I have Zepplin’s pardon for the cloud dome all ready, I just need him to sign it.” “Great. Thank you so much your Highness. I’ll go get him.” Twilight ran back out and told Zepplin he could come in. Hawk and the other ponies wished him luck as Zepplin turned and followed Twilight up the stairs. As Zepplin entered the throne room his golden eyes met with the pony Princess Celestia. He knelt down and bowed his head slightly shaking as he was unsure what his punishment would be or if there would even be one. “Arise young Zepplin.” Princess Celestia said. “Tell me Zepplin were you always an alicorn?” she asked. Zepplin stuttered but responded. “W-why yes I was born like this your highness.” “Curious, I thought I knew all the alicorns in Equestria.” Celestia said. “Where do you hail from?” She asked Zepplin. “W-well your highness I, uh don’t know. I was abandoned in the Everfree forest when I was just a colt. I was saved by a passing Wonderbolt.” Zepplin said. “I see I apologize, I had no idea.” Celestia said. “Please your highness, there is no need to apologize.” Zepplin spoke out. “You are very kind. I am enjoying our little chat. Tell me, you have magic yes?” Celestia smiled at Zepplin. “Yes your Highness I don’t know that much but I summon a guitar out of thin air and I started performing.” Zepplin said. Celestia spoke “hmm From what I’ve heard you play pretty loud, sometimes you pass out onstage?” “Yes your highness I just feel exhausted all of a sudden and I collapse usually my horn glows brighter the louder I play.” Celestia looked at him “Please, would you mind giving me a display of your music.” Zepplin looked shocked. “W-w-why of course your majesty.” Zepplin’s horn grew bright as his guitar formed out of light in the air in front of him. He then readied himself and began to play as magic light embraced him. Celestia and Twilight watched as his horn grew brighter as his music became louder and saw as small orbs of light started to appear around him. “Beautiful” said Celestia “just beautiful. Thank you.” Zepplin took a few breaths “No no your majesty thank you.” Celesitia used her magic to lift a small piece of paper and a quill from a small table beside her throne. She scribbled on the paper. “Your Pardon.” She said. “This will completely excuse the cloud dome incident and let the city know that the royal treasury will cover the cost of repairs.” Zepplin fell to his knees “Thank you so much your highness.” Celestia looked at him “Think nothing of it. Now if you’ll excuse me I have some things I need to attend to.” Zepplin once again thanked her and bowed his head as he followed Twilight out of the throne room. Once they were outside Zepplin held up his Pardon and he and the group shared a hug. “We knew you could do it.” Fluttershy exclaimed. Hawk put a claw on Zepplin’s back giving him a congratulatory hoof bump as they walked back to the train station. As the train rolled off into the sunset Everypony on board along with Zepplin was thinking where they would go next.
Chapter 5 WonderstruckEpisode 5 Wonderstruck Zepplin walked through the smoking remains of Ponyville. He looked around and saw buildings stripped of their brick and dust blowing like a lifeless cloud through the town. Twilight’s treehouse, once a verdant icon of friendship and knowledge, now was dead and bare. Piles of papers and torn out pages were flung about on the ground. Zepplin continued to walk through the deserted town all alone. None of his Pony friends were there. Even Hawk was nowhere to be seen. “Hello!” cried Zepplin. “Hello!” he cried again. He pressed onward, moving to the center of town. Zepplin looked upon the remains of Sugarcube corner, once filled with laughter and conversation. Now it was filled with silent screams. “Pinkie Pie! Are you in here?” Zepplin called out for the pink pony. Suddenly he heard a low growl behind him. Zepplin whipped around to see a pile of branches growling at him. The branches soon moved and he realized that he was staring at a timberwolf. The timberwolf barked ferociously as Zepplin galloped away. It was no good. The timberwolf was too fast. As the beast gained on him Zepplin spread his wings and took off. He looked back and saw the timberwolf as it issued a blood cringing howl. Zepplin kept flying as he crossed the ghost town of ponyville he saw Sweet Apple Acres, Applejacks home as the orchards burned as fire spread from tree to tree. “No… What’s happening?” Zepplin said as he continued to fly He looked up into the sky and saw a monsturous cloud swirling over the land. This cloud soon opened up in the center as Zepplin could look straight up into space and see a large black sphere orbiting Equestria. Zepplin, now petrified with fear, shook his head in denial. When his vision faded he saw two piercing red eyes staring at him in complete darkness. Zepplin felt the cold sweat run down his spine and up through his wings. He closed his eyes but it did nothing, he could see the two red eyes getting closer! All of a sudden total darkness enclosed him. Zepplin gasped sitting up in his bed back at Ponyville. He looked around the room, which seemed normal enough. He then opened the curtains and looked out upon another peaceful summer day in Ponyville. The sunshine nearly blinded him as he saw fillies and colts playing and mares and stallions going about their routines. “Oh… it was only a dream.” Zepplin sighed. “It was only a dream haha.” He repeated to himself laughing a little. Zepplin ran a hoof through his mane and got out of bed. He opened the door and went downstairs where he found Hawk sitting on the sofa in the living room “Good morning Hawk.” Said Zepplin. “Well you’re up early. Usually you don’t even think about waking up for another four hours.” Hawk responded “Well in any case you’re a free stallion now!” Hawk continued “Zepplin, you can do anything you want.” “It feels great!” Zepplin said as he munched on some oats for breakfast. “So when do you want me to make the next tour?” “Don’t bother Hawk. I think I am in need of a little vacation.” Hawk’s eyes widened as a smile broke out on his face.“OH HAPPY DAYS!!!” he yelled at the top of his lungs, so that it rattled the house. “No more looking out for you! No more having to manage the finances and all that collateral! No more cleaning up after the wild parties! No more Headaches and stress! No more…” “Ok Hawk you made your point.” Zepplin deadpanned. Hawk smiled “Oh Zepplin, before I forget. Rainbow Dash stopped by earlier and was asking for you.” Zepplin looked up “What did she want?” Hawk shrugged “Didn’t say. All she said was she wanted you to meet her above sugarcube corner when you got up.” “Well then I guess that’s where I’ll head.” Zepplin said. “Oh I forgot Twilight wanted to see you too you’d better head to her tree house.” Hawk added “Ok, Twilight first then Rainbow. Looks like I got a busy day.” Zepplin said. Twilight was dusting her books back in the tree house. She wanted to reorganize the Library and Spike was helping her. As they pulled books off the shelves Twilight heard a knock at the door. “Come in.” she said. It was Zepplin. “Hey Twilight, how’s it going?” “Oh, good. Thanks for asking. I’m just reorganizing the library.” Twilight responded. “Need any help?” Asked Zepplin. “Sure I can always use some help. Why don’t you start with those books over there.” She gestured with her head to a shelf. “Sure thing!” Zepplin said as he went pulling books off the shelf with his magic. “Oops!” He grabbed at the book he dropped as six golden pieces of jewelry spilled out on the floor. Twilight looked over and gasped. Zepplin studied the pieces. Twilight looked at Zepplin. “Wow” Zepplin said. “ha ha… The elements of Harmony. Applejack’s, PinkiePie’s, Rainbow Dash’s, Rarity’s, Fluttershy’s and yours.” He picked up the crown with his magic and handed it to Twilight. “Im sorry Twilight I should have been more careful.” “Think nothing of it Zepplin. It was an accident. …Actually I wanted to ask you something. When I first mentioned the elements you gave me a weird look, like you were thinking of something.” Zepplin sighed. He then told her what he had told Applejack back on the train. “I see, you think… But Zepplin you make…” Twilight began. “Ponies Happy I know. I just wish there was more I could do. This world’s been good to me and I may not have been very good to it.” “We all make mistakes Zepplin. Part of friendship is learning from them.” Twilight spoke as she flew up to the second floor. “Thanks Twilight. I wish I could help more but Rainbow Dash is waiting for me.” Zepplin said. “Oh yes go ahead. I can finish up here.” Twilight responded. Zepplin trotted out the door before flying away. “Well spike let’s put the elements away and get back to work.” Spike looked up at her. “Hey Twilight, I think the book might be broken. Look.” Spike picked up the book revealing the six hollow pockets that the elements fit in and then he turned the page revealing another seventh pocket that was empty. Twilight stared at the book puzzled. “But that doesn’t make any sense, that book was given to me by Princess Celestia. Why would she put a seventh compartment if there are only six elements… unless…” Twilight thought hard her eyes darted back and forth between the mysterious compartment and out into space. “SPIKE TAKE A LETTER!” she yelled. Zepplin was cruising through the skies over the center of town. As he approached Sugarcube corner a light blue entity raced by him leaving a multi-chromal trail. Zepplin grinned and picked up his speed as he caught up with Dashie. “I didn’t think you’d show.” Rainbow dash said. “You know me. I’m always awesomely late.” Zepplin said as he did a barrel roll. “So why’d you ask me here?” “I thought we could have ourselves another race.” Rainbow said “Oh yeah. How was the hooficure?” Zepplin said laughing. “Shut up!” Dash replied. “I was going easy on you last time. Now it’s time to really kick it up a notch.” She boasted. “What’d you have in mind?” Zepplin questioned. “A race through the gorge. First one to the end wins. Whoever loses has to do whatever the other says for a whole day.” Zepplin laughed. “You really thought this out didn’t you Dashie?” Dash glared at him. “Deal?” she asked. Zepplin thought about this for a moment as Rainbow extended her hoof. “Deal!” he said. The two lined up at the bottom of one end of the gorge. Rainbow was flexing her wings as Zepplin landed and brushed his long, dark, unkempt, mane back. He cracked his neck a couple of times and readied himself for flight. “This gonna be as easy as the last time?” He asked. “Ha you’re gonna wish you’d never agreed to this!” Rainbow counted down “3…2…” Suddenly she shot off. “HEY! NO FAIR!” Zepplin yelled as he took off after her creating a loud boom in the process. He instantly caught up with Rainbow dash as they swerved to avoid the low hanging rocks of the gorge. “Not gonna be that easy!” Rainbow said as she once again shot ahead. Zepplin zigged and zagged to avoid the eels bursting out of the rock. Rainbow was now laughing as she picked up more speed. “He’s not gonna beat me this time!” she said to herself. As she looked back and saw Zepplin far behind she chuckled. Suddenly she heard a loud ping. A flash of light burst from Zepplin. She watched as he flew right at her like a bullet. Zepplin, nearly gold instead of blue, caught eyes with Dashie. As she saw him grin a little he rocketed past the light blue Pegasus. Rainbow now strained to keep up but the force from Zepplin’s Celestial trail created shockwaves throughout the gorge. As he slid into the finish line, a trail of fire blazed on the ground behind him. Rainbow dash soon landed panting out of exhaustion. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How do I KEEP LOOSING” Rainbow Dash yelled as Zepplin approached her with a boasting grin. She sighed. “What do you want me to do Zepplin?” Zepplin looked at her with his golden eyes. “Nothing!” he said. “Nothing?” Rainbow repeated. “Nothing. Why don’t we go grab something to eat, my treat.” “Sure!” Rainbow said happily. Rainbow and Zepplin went to Sugarcube Corner where Zepplin ordered up a batch of cupcakes to be split between them. “So you’ve been flying for a long time?” Zepplin asked. “A long time? Only like forever. Since I went to flight school all I have ever wanted to do is fly!” Rainbow Dash responded. “What about you Zepplin, I mean I know you’re a rock star and all. But clearly you have tons of flying experience.” Zepplin nodded. “Thanks. haha I suppose it started when I was saved by a passing Wonderbolt. He found me on the edge of the Everfree forest and took me up to Cloudsdale.” Zepplin said. “You were saved by a WONDERBOLT!? I’ve been training to get in with them ever since I graduated flightshcool! I was so mad when that one colt got in. The wonderbolts came right up to him and asked him to join when he was just a colt! I remember everypony called him Wondercolt for that… but it should have been me!” Rainbow said. Zepplin put his head down and sighed. Holding back tears he told Rainbow “I’m sure you’ll make it someday.” Rainbow looked at him and thought real hard. “…Wait…Zepplin…are you …wondercolt?” Zepplin looked up at her and began to explain. “It was amazing. The Wonderbolts asked me to join their order. I was just a young colt. They took me back to their command center far from Cloudsdale. I went through some of the most vigorous training in my life; nothing like flight school, this was serious. I was the youngest there was. I raced with the best of them. One day I broke Lightning Strike’s speed record of 9000 wingpower, but it came at a cost. My mentors, noticed that I was having trouble keeping balance while in flight. They took me into the Wonderbolts doctor, who said that the sheer speed I was doing deformed my still developing wing. Over time my left wing grew slower than my right. The Wonderbolts said I might be a danger in flight. They revoked all my privileges and banned me from the team. I went back to the Cloudsdale orphanage and that night I ran away. haha I cried for days, my dream was in the cleft of my hoof and then bam… gone just like that. That same night I made a promise, a promise that I would keep flying no matter what they said. I flew faster than I ever had before. I learned to compensate for my wing and I kept flying. The light you see, I don’t know where it comes from. It came to me that night too. I felt it take me over and I felt like I could fly forever. The next thing I knew I was up past the clouds then up past the sky. I looked down on Equestria as the entire planet presented itself before me. I’ll never forget that sight. There I was flying out in total darkness with millions of tiny lights watching me. I looked down on Equestria and then I got this.” Zepplin turned to show his flank. There was a mark of a steely orb unfurling golden wings wrapped in a pink aura Rainbow Dash stared at the mark. “I-I had no idea. I’m sorry Zepplin. All I’ve told you is how bad I wanted to be a Wonderbolt. How I want your broken dream.” Zepplin smiled. “Don’t worry about it. Just because that dream didn’t come true for me doesn’t mean it can’t come true for you. I know someday you’ll be the best Wonderbolt ever, better than I could have ever been.” Rainbow dash started to tear up. “Thanks Zepplin.” Zepplin’s warm smile turned into a wide grin. “And when that day comes and you become a Wonderbolt, you can tell ‘em Zepplin sent ya!” Author's Note Dear God I am so Sorry, I had this whole thing written a long time ago before I even knew what a forum or fanfic site was. I didn't know about the concept of OP characters. I apologize for the "unique qualities" that Zepplin has (ahahaha over 9000 as if that hasn't been overused) sorry, this was my first attempt at writing a fic and I know it's not great but I thank all of you who read it you guys make me happy and I hope I can make you happy. I am working on a bunch of new projects but I don't know when I'll get those out, so I hope you enjoyed. Might get a new story out on Halloween!
Chapter 6 Tree Fallin Chapter 6 Tree Fallin Episode 6 tree-FALL-in “Spike what’s wrong?” Twilight asked as she looked at the dragon cringing in his bed. “Twilight, I think I’m gonna-” before he could finish his sentence he belched up a fiery scroll. “Woo. That was a doozie.” Spike said. Twilight ran over and picked up the letter. “It’s from the Princess.” The letter read “Dear Twilight Sparkle, I am writing back to you about your recent letter about there being a seventh hidden compartment in the book I gave you to store the elements. I honestly have never seen a seventh compartment, given that there are only six elements of harmony. I don’t know what it would be doing in the back of the book but I’m sure you will find out. Keep it up Princess. Sincerely Princess Celestia of Equestria.” Twilight read over the letter a few more times. “She doesn’t know. How could she not know; she made the book? Why would she put in a seventh unless…” Spike broke in. “Twilight you don’t honestly think?” Twilight yielded a look of confusion. “No, we defeated Discord; we took down nightmare moon. We used the elements together…ALL OF THEM!” She thought a little more to herself before she said “Ah forget it, I’m sure it’s just a coincidence." “Hey Twilight it’s the running of the leaves today! Applejack said she was gonna make some of her famous cider.” Twilight gasped. “Oh my gosh! Spike, I totally forgot. We need to get down there quick!” She frantically galloped out the door. Twilight, with Spike on her back, galloped down to sweet apple acres where she saw her friends. She felt the wind as it kicked some leaves off the trees. She saw Zepplin and Hawk standing in the cider line. “Hey Hawk, Zepplin” “Oh, hey Twilight.” Hawk said. “How goes it?” Zepplin asked. “Pretty good!” Twilight smiled. “Are you two gonna be in the running of the leaves?” “Maybe, but right now Hawk insisted we get some cider.” “As soon as I down this I’m off to Canterlot. Now that Zepplin’s settled down I’m gonna do some shopping.” Hawk said. “I hear Applejack made a really good batch this year.” Zepplin said.” The line moved forward. “Well hey there y’all want some cider?” Applejack smiled. “That’s why we’re here.” Hawk grinned, handing her some bits. “Thank ye kindly. Here you are Zepplin, enjoy your first Apple family cider.” Applejack said as she handed a mug to Zepplin who grabbed it and took a drink. He smacked his lips together and licked them a bit. “Wow! That’s really good!” Hawk and Zepplin thanked her for the cider as they flew away. Hawk said his goodbyes and headed toward the train station. Zepplin grasped his cider in his hoof. He then used his magic to pull out a small flask and pop open the top. After looking around to make sure nopony saw him he poured the liquid into the cider. He then put the small flask away and took another drink, smiling contently. Zepplin made his way back to Twilight and Spike who were chatting with the mayor about opening the running. Soon after, Twilight took the podium. “Hello everypony, and welcome to the annual running of the leaves.” She paused as the crowd of runners stomped their hooves in applause. “Thank you. As you know the running of the leaves is not just an event but a part of our lives as we as citizens of Ponyville must make the leaves fall in preparation for Winter.” The crowd of ponies once again applauded by stomping their hooves. “Now I would like to introduce two of the best commentators in the business. Spike and Pinkie Pie!” Pinkie Pie popped out of a basket attached to a giant purple balloon. “hehe. Hey everypony! I’ll be joined by Spike and we’ll be covering all the action down on the track.” “That’s right Pinkie and just like every year everypony’s eyes are on our two Iron Ponies Applejack and Rainbow Dash who are sure to deliver another spectacular performance in the run!” Spike added. Applejack and Rainbow dash approached Zepplin. “So… Zepplin… What team are you on?” Rainbow dash asked. Zepplin stared at them. “I’m not sure what you mean.” He said. “Every pony picks either team Applejack or team Rainbow Crash.” Applejack said. “HEY!” Rainbow burst out. They both looked at each other and giggled. “So partner what’s your team?” Zepplin thought “Umm… I don’t have one.” he smiled sheepishly. “That’s ridiculous! Obviously I’m the one you want.” Rainbow yelled. “No way. He wants to be on my team.” Applejack retorted. “I’ll decide after the race.” Zepplin said. “Fair enough!” Said Applejack. “Yeah. That way you can see who the best is. hehehe!” Rainbow dash said. Just then Spike announced “Runners to the start line!” Applejack and Rainbow trotted over to the start. Zepplin saw Rarity and walked over to her. “Rarity?” What are you doing here? I mean no offense but this just doesn’t seem like your type of thing.” “Oh darling I hate it. (sigh) I’m only here because my little sister Sweetie Bell wanted to watch the leaves fall.” A small white unicorn filly poked her head around Rarity’s foreleg. “Hello” She said in a high pitched squeaky voice. “Well hey there you must be Sweetie Bell. My name’s Zepplin.” The blue alicorn said to her. “Nice to meet you Mr. Zepplin. Ooh ooh Rarity It’s starting.” Spike and PinkiePie in the hot air balloon floated over to the start line. Pinkie announced over the microphone. “Runners start your engines.” Spike looked at her “I don’t think ponies have engines Pinkie.” The pink pony looked at him queerly. “Well sure they do. Where do you think horsepower comes from silly?” Spike rolled his eyes as Pinkie began the countdown. “5…4…3…2…1…” (WHOOOOOOSH) All of a sudden a huge gust of wind knocked the balloon over sideways as the runners dug their hooves in and shut their eyes as most were screaming. “WHATS GOING ON!!!” Zepplin yelled. “IT’S WIND DARLING, OH SWEETIE BELL STAY CLOSE.” Rarity shouted to her little sister as thousands of leaves came raining off the trees. Rainbow dash along with some of the other Pegasus ponies couldn’t hold on and were swept into the sky. Twilight’s mane was streaming in the gust. The wind was so loud she could barely hear any of the other ponies screaming. “EVERYPONY RUN, GET INSIDE NOW.” Twilight shouted. Zepplin looked around but his sight was soon crowded by a storm of leaves of all reds and oranges that covered him so thick he could barely see. He shielded Rarity and Sweetie Bell with his wing and walked them from the sight as their manes were caught flapping in the wind. Everypony started to run from the start line as the Banner overhead peeled off and shot off with the wind. Rainbow dash was able to eventually pull herself out of the winds grasp. She finally landed near Applejack who had a hoof on her head to keep her hat from blowing away. She looked over at Rainbow, then motioned with her head towards Zepplin and Rarity almost limping away toward town. Rainbow Dash knew they should stick together and follow them so she grabbed Applejack by her other hoof and led her, following behind Zepplin. Dirt from the dry ground now started to kick up and form a dust cloud which nearly blotted out the sun and made it look like it was close to sunset. Twilight raced to the sight of the balloon crash Where Spike grabbed Pinkie’s hoof and pulled her out of the basket. “Come on you guys Zepplin’s leading a group to safety we have to move.” Twilight exclaimed. “Uh Pinkie are you alright” Spike asked. “WEEEEEEE!!! This is fun! hehe Look I don’t even have to walk!” Pinkie stood up and let the wind slide her over toward Twilight. Twilight grabbed her by the neck as Spike lept on her back they trotted fighting the wind toward Applejack and the rest. Zepplin and Rarity along with Sweetie Bell reached town and Rarity yelled at the top of her lungs “Zepplin… in the boutique!” Zepplin nodded his head. Still shielding Rarity and the young filly from the dust and wind, he turned right and led them into the boutique. “I gotta get back out there and help the others!” Zepplin said. “Be careful darling” Rarity started to sob as she looked up at her mane which was frizzled every which way. Zepplin ran back out and met Applejack and Rainbow Dash. “Get in the Boutique!” Applejack nodded and took Rainbow Dash in as they struggled to close the door which was nearly being blown off its hinges by the sheer force of the wind. Zepplin, fighting the wind, eventually ran into Twilight, Spike, and Pinkie Pie. “Are you all ok!” “Yeah where are you held up at?” Twilight asked hastily. “THE BOUTIQUE!” Zepplin shouted. “GOT IT!” Twilight grabbed Pinkie and made her way toward the boutique she called out “ZEPPLIN!” Zepplin turned his head “THE ELEMENTS!” Zepplin looked at the library, then back at Twilight and nodded his head. He used all his force to gallop toward the Treehouse where the elements were kept. Back at the boutique the ponies were massing. “Oh I hope Big Macintosh got Granny and Applebloom into the storm shelter!” Applejack said worried. “Darling I’m sure they’re fine.” Rarity said to comfort her. All the ponies in the boutique shared a group hug. Zepplin burst through the door of the library as a few leaves followed him in. Even still he was having trouble navigating with the wind. Twilight had reorganized the library and Zepplin didn’t know where she had placed the book containing the Elements. One by one Zepplin flew up to the top shelf and started pulling books out and opening them. All he was finding was text scribbled on to paper and no golden trinkets. He pulled another out, nothing, another, nothing. He had gone through about two of the twenty or so bookshelves in the library. Zepplin then heard a loud crack. He looked over toward the wall of the tree and saw that a three foot crack had formed near the base. His eyes widened and he clenched his teeth together and started flinging books off shelves. The books piled up behind him as the floor was now covered. The golden bust of the pony Twilight had as her centerpiece fell over and smashed against the floor. Zepplin whipped his head back and saw the broken bust then whipped his head back around and kept flinging books. CRACK he heard the sound again, this time even louder than the first. He looked over and this time saw about another ten foot crack in the wall just to the right of the smaller first one. “Buck me” he uttered. He continued throwing book after book into the pile behind him. CREEK, CRACK, CRACK, he heard the wood split again as he gulped in fear his hooves moving fast as lightning, books flying off shelves. Chink, Chink, Chink. Zepplin’s eyes widened he knew what he heard. Quickly he again whipped his head around and saw the big brown book with a small piece of gold sticking out the side of the spine. He quickly flew down to the floor and turned the book over as the elements spilled out. “BUCK!” he yelled as he started to pick up the elements and put them in the compartments in the book. CRACK, SNAP, SNAP, POP. The noise was terrifying as he looked over and saw the entire base of the wall in the tree fractured with cracks. He then saw the wall shift towards him a little. Quickly he returned to picking up the elements as fast as he could finding what compartment they went to. Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, He turned the page and saw another empty compartment, “Oh Buck Am I missing one!? I thought there was only six!” CRACK, SNAP, POP “Ah there’s no time!” Zepplin shut the book and again fought the wind as he raced out of the library. As he looked back he heard one last deafening series of cracks as the tree leaned to its side and fell over making a loud BOOM as the entire town shook. Back at the Boutique Fluttershy arrived escorted by Big Macintosh and Granny Smith “Well we ran into this youngster on the outskirts of the farm!” Granny Smith said. “EEEYUP” Big Mac replied. “AppleJack! Sweetie Bell!” Two small squeaky voices shouted. Applebloom and Scootaloo stepped out from between Big Macintosh’s front legs. “Oh Applebloom I was so worried!” Applejack screamed with delight. “Wh-What’s going on out there. I thought the weather in Ponyville was controlled by the Pegasus.” Fluttershy stated. “It is!” Said Rainbow Dash. “This shouldn’t be happening.” Dash said. “Well like it or not it is! And we got ta do something about it!” Applejack yelled. “Oh but what can we do darlings” “ooh ooh. Let’s play a game. It’ll be just like a sleepover!” Pinkie Pie yelled. The door swung open as Zepplin burst in panting. “Zepplin are you alright, did you get the elements?” Twilight exclaimed. “I’m fine and I got them , but Twilight… There’s something you need to know.” Author's Note Wow a 7th compartment I wonder where this is going. Well guys like I said this whole thing was written before I even knew what an OC was, or the unsaid rules of Fimfic. I really thank those of you who are still reading as it helps a lot. I hope you continue to enjoy this story as I will release the entire thing regardless. 4 Chapters may be released tonight. For those who want to read a better demonstration of my writing skills I encourage you to go to my new story "Concord of Destiny" Which you guys have seemed to enjoy and Chapter 2 for that should be coming soon. I thank all of you and wish you all the best if your still reading this story. Thanks, -Zeta
Chapter 7 We Built This Tree House Chapter 7 We Built This Tree House Episode 7 We built this Tree house “My home is… gone?” Twilight asked in disbelief. “Twilight I’m so sorry. I wish this wasn’t happening.” Zepplin said, his head hung low. “It doesn’t matter. So long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters.” Twilight said. Zepplin gave her a faint but reassuring smile. Applejack pulled Zepplin over. “Zepplin I’d like ya to meet ma family. Big Mac, Applebloom and Granny Smith.” Zepplin went up to Big Mac and extended a hoof “Nice to meet you.” “Eeeeyup” Big Mac grabbed Zepplins hoof and shook it so hard that it flung Zepplin up and he hit the ceiling. “Oof” he said as he landed. “Are you alright?” a squeaky voice asked as Zepplin stared up at a small red maned filly. “Yeah I’m fine. Thanks.” He responded. “Well super. I’m Applebloom. And this here’s Granny Smith.” The old green mare stepped forward and pulled out a magnifying glass and began inspecting Zepplin. First spreading him out and lifting his wings and then she finally said. “Well shoot he no good. I mean look at him I bet even I could buck apples better than him.” Granny smith shook her head trotting off. Rarity cleared her throat. “Applejack, Twilight just lost her home.” “Huh. Oh right. Well I just didn’t know when Zepplin would get to meet the family here.” Applejack said looking at her hooves. Spike tugged at Twilight’s foreleg. “What are we going to do Twilight, I-I don’t wanna live out in the street.” “We’ll figure something out Spike, don’t worry.” Twilight tried to reassure him. As the small purple dragon started to tear up Fluttershy spoke. “o-oh W-why is this happening. Why won’t the wind stop?” “I don’t know Fluttershy but I suggest we all stay here tonight, if that’s alright with Rarity.” Twilight said. “Oh why of course darlings- let me fetch some blankets from upstairs and we can set up some beds.” (KABOOM) A huge flash lit up the sky. Everypony jumped to the ceiling. “Was that lightning?” Zepplin asked. “I think so.” Rainbow responded. Applejack looked around “Hey where’s Big Mac?” Everypony looked around when Pinkie yelled out “Found him, found, him, found him. Somepony’s scared of the thunder hehehee.” She lifted up a tablecloth and there was the big red pony hiding under the table. Startled and embarrassed he quickly shot out knocking over the table as he stood up. “What is going on out there?” Rainbow asked as she flew to the door to go outside to investigate. “No Rainbow!” Applejack shouted as the ponies grabbed her to prevent her from opening the door. “Aahh! I have to get to the Rainbow Factory and see what’s causing this! Let me go!” The Pegasus screamed. “NO! We wait here for the night. Whatever you need to find out you can find out in the morning when this storm stops.” Applejack shouted back at her. “Fiiiiine” Rainbow whined.” Rarity went upstairs and came back down a few minutes later with a bunch of blankets. “I-I think we should just wait for the storm to stop.” Fluttershy said. Rarity passed out the blankets. “I’ll go cook us some dinner.” “I’ll help ya” Applejack jumped up and followed Rarity to the kitchen. About an hour later Rarity and Applejack came out with plates loaded with food. Everypony dug in and scarfed down the meal. The wind had finally calmed down outside but was replaced with a massive rainfall. The drops pelted Rarity’s windows. Everypony laid down to bed. All was quiet, no words to be spoken. The next morning Zepplin awoke to a calm day as he pulled himself up from the floor of the boutique. He quietly stepped outside the front door while everypony else slept. Zepplin gazed upon the damage. Twilight’s library was lying on its side with most of the branches fallen. More branches covered the streets, and the ground and houses were still wet with the raindrops which sparkled in the sunlight. “So it’s true then.” A voice said. Zepplin tuned around to see Spike standing there in a puddle. “Twilight and I are homeless.” Zepplin sighed. “I’ve lived there almost all my life. It’s the only place where I belong.” Spike said. Zepplin walked over to the broken tree. “It’s always something…isn’t it?... No not this time. Twilight’s been so good to me… now it’s time I return the favor!” Zepplin fired up his horn. His magic glowed gold. He took a few deep breaths and then strained as he wrapped his magic around the entire tree. Straining, he barely moved the gigantic tree. Sweat was now trickling down his forehead, he tried again. For a moment nothing happened, but after while, nothing continued to happen. The tree was far too heavy to lift. Rarity trotted out to see what Zepplin was doing. “Darling are you trying to-” “YES I HAVE TO!” Zepplin shouted, panting as he tried to lift the tree a third time. Rarity wrapped her magic around the tree. Zepplin looked at her as she gave him a small nod. They both grunted and managed to lift the tree about two inches off the ground. The tree landed with a small boom that shook the ground. Rarity was now panting and Zepplin was about to collapse. "That's heavier then it looks!" Rarity said. “Zepplin!” Zepplin turned around to see a hawk headed griffon fly in and land a short distance away from him. “Hawk what are you doing here?” “I came as soon as I heard the news that Ponyville got hit by a storm. Is everypony alright?” Hawk asked. “Yeah everypony’s fine but Twilight’s house blew over in the storm.” Zepplin explained the situation to him. Hawk inspected the tree. He gave a long whistle. “haha. This reminds me of when that tower on stage collapsed. Remember in Las Pegasus? I remember we had to tilt that thing back up but we needed a small army of roadies to do it.” Zepplin stared at him. “Hawk you’re a genius!” Hawk gave him a confused look “Well yeah, but what do you mean?” Zepplin grinned. “Do you still keep in contact with our support staff?” “Of course. Why do you ask?” Hawks eyes widened “I’m on it--- A thundering of hooves awoke Twilight and the others “uuunnhh. What in Equestria is going on out there.” Spike burst through the door skipping in place “Twilight, Twilight, you have to come outside quick.” Twilight and the others raced outside Rarity’s boutique. “I…Don’t….believe it.” She and her friends gazed upon an army of hundereds of ponies. Unicorns, pegasus, earth ponies. All wearing cloaks with a large golden Z on the back. A large rope and pully system was hooked up to the top of the fallen tree and tied onto a large metal bar. The earth ponies grabbed the rope in their mouths and began to trot. The Pegasus ponies pushed upward on the top of the tree. “Unicorns, now!” Zepplin shouted as he and a platoon of unicorns charged their magic and fired it at the fallen tree. The tree began to rise off the ground then sink again. “Come on put your backs into it!” Zepplin shouted again. Big Macintosh and Applejack charged over and grabbed the rope. “Let’s raise us a tree house Big Brother!” Applejack said. “EEYYUUP” Big Mac replied. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flew over and began pushing skyward. Straining and pushing with their hind hooves on nothing but air. Twilight’s eyes lit up as she spun around and gazed upon everypony who wanted to help. The tree nearly got halfway up, sweat was pouring down everypony using all their strength. The tree pointing at about a 50 degree angle started to crack and stretch, before it started to slide again. Zepplin looked and saw the top of the tree pushing back down toward the ground. “COME ON EVERYPONY GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT!!!” He shouted at the top of his lungs. The Unicorns again charged their magic and fired it right at the tree, as it lit up all the colors of the rainbow. Twilight rushed in next to Zepplin and charged her magic and joined it with theirs. Rainbow yelled. “Come on let’s show ‘em what Pegasus can do.” All the Pegasus began to push as hard as they could as they flapped their wings faster and faster. Big Mac spit the rope out and cleared his throat. In the most booming voice you ever heard he yelled “ALRIGHT YOU APPLE MAGGOTS GET YOUR FLANKS IN GEAR AND PULL!!!!!!” He then picked up the rope as everypony pulled galloping past Big Mac. The tree creaked as everypony was going full force on the gigantic building. The tree kicked and lifted back up higher and higher. Zepplin kept firing his magic along with everypony. Higher the tree leaned into the air. It rose like something returning from the grave. The massive trunk loomed as it cast a shadow over the ponies who were pulling with everything they had. It sounded like a train chugging by as the tree, now straight up and down, snapped into place with the small piece of the trunk with a huge boom. The fractured cracks were healed by the magic as the bark slid back into its former shape. Soon every crack at the base was gone and you could never tell it had been knocked over. The pegasus ponies stopped pushing and hovered in place gazing in disbelief upon the massive structure. The earth ponies spit the rope out and looked in awe, finally the unicorns dimmed their magic as most, including Zepplin, collapsed from exhaustion. Twilight ran over to Zepplin as he barely spoke. “Did… Did we do it?” Zepplin asked in a weak voice. “Yes. Yes you did it” Twilight said crying tears of joy. Zepplin chuckled “Ow my head hurts.” “We’ll get you some medicine, rest for now.” Twilight told him. Twilight took the podium “I just wanted to say a few words. I want to say thank you to everypony who came here in mine and Spikes hour of need. Thank you for giving us a home again. Thank you for giving us a second chance!” The ponies all applauded by stomping their hooves Twilight grinned “And the running of the leaves is still on… even though there’s no leaves.” Quick as lightning everypony shot off on the beaten track. Zepplin dismissed his roadies and received a hug from Twilight thanking him for his help.
Chapter 8: Long way to the top if ya wanna Rock Chapter 8: Long way to the top if ya wanna Rock Episode 8 Long way to the top, if ya wanna rock Zepplin awoke in his bed on another crisp fall morning. Even after the windstorm plenty of leaves were still attached to the trees. The air was starting to get cold as winter was coming to Ponyville. Knock, knock, knock, Zepplin heard somepony pounding at his door. He rushed out of bed and downstairs where he then flung open the door to see… nothing. Zepplin looked around when a small voice shouted “Hey! Down here!” Zepplin with a puzzled look on his face looked down and saw three little fillies, Applebloom, Sweetiebell, and Scootaloo. “Oh geez uh look…uh I don’t want any filly scout cookies…alright, I mean to be honest they taste like crap, not to mention you mark up the price.” Zepplin proceeded. “NOO!” Sweetiebell said in a whiny tone. “That’s not why we’re here.” Scootaloo said. Zepplin cocked his head “Well, um why are you here?” Applebloom wrapped her arms around Zepplin’s front leg “hee hee. Because you’re gonna help us get our cutie marks!” “What, girls I don’t think…wait how did you get up here?” “BOUNCED!” all three responded in unison. “Well then how are you standing on a cloud?” Sweetiebell spoke up “Princess Twilight enchanted your cloud so that all your friends can come visit.” Zepplin put his head in his hoof letting out a sigh. “Well how in Equestria am I supposed to help you get your cutiemarks?” Scootaloo’s eyes widened “You’re like the most talented pony in all of Equestria… except for maybe Rainbow Dash.” Zepplin rolled his eyes. “Yeah you got to help us. With all you know about talent it’ll be a piece of cake.” Applebloom shouted. “I don’t know…” he said as the three fillies looked at him tearing up with a sort of puppy dog look. “Pleeeeaaaassee?” They all said together. Zepplin looked disappointed as he sighed “Fiiiiinne, we’ll start tomorrow.” All three’s eyes sparkled “Really? YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! They screamed as they ran into Zepplins house and started jumping around. Zepplin turned around and looked at them as he was now feeling overwhelmed. “Well… at least they got energy.” Applejack was walking back from the fields at Sweet Apple Acres when she saw Zepplin trotting toward the farmhouse. “Well hey there Zepplin now what are you doing around here?” Zepplin responded, “Oh hey Applejack. haha I’m on my way to the Cutie Mark Crusaders club house.” Applejack looked at him. “uhh I don’t think your elegable to join that club.” She said staring at his flank and his gold and pink cutiemark. “Hahaha. I’m not looking to join, your sister and her friends said I can help them get their cutiemarks. According to them I’m the most talented pony in Equestria, except for Rainbow Dash” Zepplin grunted. “You’re gonna… aha…aha…ahahahahahahaha” Applejack burst out laughing “You’re gonna help… them get their cutiemarks,ahahahaha” Applejack fell over on her side holding her stomach laughing so hard she was nearly at tears. Zepplin knelt his head down near her “Uh are you alright?” Applejack, still laughing, “Ye…yeah I just, Zepplin you’ll never get those ponies their cutiemarks.” Zepplin took this as a challenge. “Oh really I bet I could get them their cutiemarks by the end of the week. That gives me three days.” Applejack looked at him and smiled. “heehee Well shoot if you’re that confident, let’s make a bet on it. Now I got a whole new field that I need plowed for the winter Zap apple season. But Big Mac threw out his back again, so if you can’t get my little sister or one of her friends their cutiemark by the end of those three days, You gonna be my work horse.” Zepplin glared at Applejack as she took her hat off. “And what if I win and I do get them their cutiemarks?” Applejack scratched her chin and thought “hmm… I tell you what, if by some miracle you do manage to pull this off I’ll clean your house for a month, I’ve seen you rockstars partying then livin' like pigs!” Zepplin extended his hoof. “Deal!” he said as Applejack shook his hoof. “Well then I got to go get some fillies their cutiemarks.” He said boastfully as he trotted off. Applejack yelled “Good luck!...Work Horse hehehehehe.” as she waved goodbye with her hat. Zepplin trotted along till he finally entered a clearing with a small tree house perched in a large oak tree. It was fixed up to look like a small humble cottage and had a sign that said CMC HQ over the front door. Zepplin climbed up the ramp leading to the front door. “Hello. Is anypony home?” The door swung open and Scootaloo looked out and welcomed him. “Come on in we’ve been expecting you.” She said. Zepplin entered greeting Applebloom and Sweetiebell. “SO… do you have any idea what your cutiemarks might be?” Zepplin asked. “Nope we’ve tried everything and the stupid marks just don’t appear.” “Hmm” Zepplin thought to himself when Scootaloo shouted. “Hey Zepplin you’re a Rock Star, we can get our cutiemarks in rocking.” “No way Scootaloo.” Applebloom shouted. “Don’t you all remember when we entered the talent show?” Zepplin looked at her “You were in a talent show?” Sweetiebell trotted up to him. “Yeah and we sucked, ooh but we didn’t have a real Rock Star to train us.” Zepplin again stared at all three of the little fillies. “Well why don’t you all show me what you got.” The CMC set up a stage out behind the clubhouse as Zepplin flew up and grabbed a cloud to act as a chair. “Ok you three get into your costumes or whatever and then hit me with your best shot.” The three shouted “OK!” as they ran back stage. A few minutes later the stage lights dimmed and they started to perform. Zepplin Eyes widened. When it was over Zepplin did a… slow clap as he processed what he just witnessed. He thought to himself “Well… it’s still better than that one show I did back in St. Luna.” “Yay” he said out loud, subtlely sarcastic. “You really thought it was good?” Scootaloo said running up to him. Zepplin, not wanting to hurt their feelings, complimented their performance. “I think you three did a fantastic job!... But there’s some room for improvement.” Sweetiebell shot over towards Zepplin “Do you really think we can get Rock Star cutiemarks?” Zepplin looked at the three little fillies running a hoof through his mane and flipping his forelock back he sighed and said “We’re gonna try.” Inside the club house Zepplin paced back and forth in front of the three fillies “Now look.” Zepplin said “The basis for all rock is the headbang. If you do not master this you will not be a rocker.” Zepplin turned on some music and started banging his head up and down to the beat. The music blared from the boombox next to him as the little ponies covered their ears. Applebloom looked up at Zepplin with her hooves over her ears and started banging her head along with his. Sweetiebell and Scootaloo looked at their friend and followed her lead. As all were headbanging Applebloom along with the other members of the CMC’s eyes started to swirl from dizziness soon they all collapsed on each other seeing stars. Zepplin shook his head. Outside the clubhouse on the makeshift stage Zepplin proceeded with his instruction. “Now any rocker will tell you that what really makes a show… is…TOTALLY SICK TWISTED PYROTECHNICS!!!!!!” Zepplin stomped his hoof as his horn lit up and a column of fire rose on each side of him “I outfitted your stage with flame jets just stomp on this red button to activate them. Here Scootaloo try it.” Scootaloo cautiously stepped up on stage. She was scarred of the fire jet Zepplin stood near it as he directed her to the button “Now when I say hit it, you hit it” Phoosh The fire jet shot up and gave Zepplin a facefull of suit and singed his mane. Scootaloo looked at him “You said hit it.” She said bashfully. Zepplin coughed up black smoke. Zepplin lied in the clearing with the three fillies “Now music is great because you can make it your own. You can have lyrics that are meaningful in more ways than one and even make you realize your dreams.” The three fillies eyes brightend. As they smiled Zepplin continued. “But that’s the crappy way to do it…YOU GOTTA SCREAM YOUR HEART OUT!!!!! (GASP)YYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” The three fillies gave an awkward smile and backed away slowly while Zepplin was still screaming at a tree. Later in the day Zepplin took Applebloom Scootaloo and Sweetiebell for cupcakes at sugarcube corner. “Don’t feel bad Zepplin” Sweetiebell said patting him on the back with her hoof. “Yeah so we’re not meant to be rockers.” Scootaloo said. Applebloom spoke up “Hey I know what’ll cheer us up. CMC slumber party! We can have a sleepover in the clubhouse and brainstorm other ways to get our cutiemarks.” “Oh yeah that’s a great idea!” Scootaloo said hoof-bumping Applebloom. “Yeah and we can invite Zepplin!” Sweetiebell announced. Zepplins eyes widened “Uh… no thanks I actually have stuff I need to do.” The three ponies moaned. “Maybe some other time.” Zepplin said trying to reassure them. “Well it’ll still be the three of us. What ya say we meet at my house at around seven.” Applebloom shouted. “Sounds great.” Scootaloo and Sweetiebell agreed. “I should go pack” Scootaloo said. The three fillies got up from the booth and went to go prepare for the slumber party. Zepplin sat alone thinking about how many hours he would have to work to plow that field. He put his head in his hooves. All of a sudden a wet piece of paper slapped him on the arm. “AHH” startled he looked over and saw Pinkie Pie staring him in the face smiling. “heehee Got ya!” She said as she removed the piece of paper revealing a yellow star shaped ink mark on Zepplins leg. “Pinkie what is this?” Zepplin asked. Pinkie looked at him “Hee hee. They’re rub-on tattoos silly. Aren’t they neat it? Looks just like a cutiemark. I’ve been tatting myself all morning.” She raised her other foreleg displaying a gallery of different colored shapes and symbols. Zepplin looked at the star on his arm. “A rub on tattoo eh, that’s pretty cool, say… Pinkie you don’t suppose I could borrow a few of those do you?” Pinkie grinned “Of course. I got like a million of em, here.” She handed Zepplin three rolls of sealed paper each containing a pair of different colored marks. “Thanks Pinkie, so I just rip the paper and press?” “Yeparooni” She skipped off back to her business. A wide smile came over Zepplin. “I’m tellin you we are not going to be cutiemark rocket scientists!” Applbloom shouted. Her and her two friends were pacing around in the clubhouse. There were three sleeping bags scattered on the floor. “Oh why not? Think. We could go to space where no pony has ever gone before.” Scootaloo said throwing her hooves up in the air. “Do you even know how to build a rocket?” Sweetiebell questioned. “Let’s just hit the hay girls maybe we’ll think of somthin tomarra.” Applebloom said as she yawned. The small fillies trotted to their sleeping bags as the sun set into the night. One by one they collapsed in sleep as their heads hit the pillow. Except for Sweetiebell, who hit her head on the floor. “OW!” she exclaimed. With that the cutiemark crusaders turned in for the night, eager to work tomorrow on getting their marks. Zepplin approached the clearing and gazed upon the clubhouse. The moon was riding high in the black sky shining a brilliant light down through the trees. Zepplin being dark blue was nearly impossible to see at night. His golden eyes were the only beacons of his presence. He tip-trotted toward the clubhouse, being careful not to step on any loose branches on the ground. He hugged the tree with his back taking a final look to make sure nopony followed him. He then very carefully made his way up the ramp, where he then peeked in through the window and saw the three fillies sound asleep. He smiled as everything was going according to plan. Gently he grabbed the doorknob and slowly twisted as each tumbler turned and the door swung open. Zepplin stood in the doorway grinning and standing imposingly. His golden eyes lit up the night. Ever so easy he snuck in to the clubhouse right up next to Appleblooms sleeping bag. The little filly smiling as she slept on her side. Zepplin pulled the flap back, revealing her flank that was still blank as the day she was born. Zepplin carefully ripped open the pack and removed the piece of paper with the tattoo. As he was about to press it to the fillies flank, he stopped. Zepplin looked around in the dim light of the moon as the walls nearly came to life with child’s drawings. Sketched in crayon there were hundreds of drawings covering the walls of the clubhouse. Each one depicted three small fillies showboating their flanks, and each one had a different mark on it. Life guards, dancers, musicians, librarians, firefighters, bakers, house cleaners, doctors, party throwers, everything. Zepplin took a step and felt something under his hoof. Quickly he pulled it up and looked down. At his feet were some crayons including a dark blue one. Next to them was a piece of paper with three little fillies and in the center a large blue alicorn. Zepplin leaned in to examine the drawing. All of the ponies had smiles on their faces As the crayon versions of Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetiebell, all had a cutiemark related to rocking. Drumsticks a guitar and a microphone. Zepplin stared at the drawing for a moment before gently smiling. He then glanced around the room at the sleeping fillies of which sweetiebell’s head was on the rock hard wood floor as she had a very uncomfortable facial expression. Zepplin then looked at the tattoo and thought. He glanced at the now faded mark on his arm. “If they were to find out these weren’t real.” He whispered to himself. He threw the tattoos out the door as he turned around and walked out of the clubhouse. At the end of the week Zepplin went to Sweet Apple Acres. Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetiebell were sitting in the dirt near Applejack who had a smug look on her face. Zepplin went into the barn as Applejack hooked him up to the heavy plow. “Now get ta work!” She said. Zepplin, straining heavily, trotted out to the field with the heavy iron tool on his back. The day of plowing came to an end and Zepplin wasn’t even halfway done with the field. The Cutiemark Crusaders ran up to him as he strained to finish the row. “Zepplin, Zepplin!” They all shouted. “What is it you guys?” Applebloom went up closer. “Hey-uh you wouldn’t have happened to have seen a drawing floating around would ya.” “No sorry, can’t say that I have.” Zepplin replied. “Oh- well thanks anyway.” The three fillies galloped off. “We’ll just have to draw it again!” Sweetiebell yelled as they all ran off. “Yeah” the two friends replied. As Zepplin watched them he thought of his home, and in his bedroom on the wall near his desk, where a new drawing hangs in a wooden frame, of him and three of his new friends. “heh heh heh” he chuckled with a smile. Author's Note Thanks for reading as always. For those of you special people who though that Zepplin was going to do something.......different when he went to the clubhouse at night, I would say you should check another section of this site as I remind you this fic is rated Teen :) I really wanted more of a D'aaaaawwwww moment instead of a................clop..........thanks for reading!
Chapter 9 Cause This is Thriller Chapter 9 Cause This is Thriller Episode 9 Cause this is THRILLER A/N (The music is completely optional) Once again it was Nightmare Night in Ponyville. Twilight, dressed as an evil enchantress with her mane combed down and dark eyeshadow, beckoned to Spike who once again went as a purple dragon. “Hurry up Spike the guests are going to be here any minute.” Spike finished putting on his costume and looked at Twilight. “I can’t wait for the slumber party, great idea to have it on Nightmare Night Twilight.” Twilight smiled. “I hope Zepplin can make it. It’s his first Nightmare Night in Ponyville.” A knock came at the door. “ooh That’s them.” Twilight said as she ran over to the door. Standing there was Rarity dressed in a stunning luxurious dress with a bride of Frankenstallion wig. “Nice hair Rarity.” Twilight said inviting her in. “Oh why thank you darling it sure scared me that’s for sure.” Rarity said as she trotted in. Applejack then appeared at the door with her nose painted black and a set of whiskers drawn on her cheeks. “Cool cat costume Applejack.” “Why thank ya Twi but don’t forget the kittens” Behind her came trotting in three fillies of the CMC all with the same style makeup. Sweetiebell playing with a ball of yarn. As Twilight pushed her inside Pinkie Pie jumped out of the darkness in a black cape with fangs “Hsssss” She shouted as Twilight jumped. “Oh Pinkie. Lemme guess vampony?” “Candy Vampony” The pink pony replied “now gimme candy” Twilight stared at her. “You know we’re gonna have a candy bash in the-” “CANDY NOW!!!” Pinkie shouted as Twilight pulled out a candy bag and dumped its contents into pinkies hooves. “Thanks” She squeaked as she trotted in. Twilights head followed her in as a pony with a white sheet draped over her head stood behind Twilight. “uh…excuse me” Twilight screamed as did the ghost who also jumped so the sheet flew off. Underneath was Fluttershy “Oh It’s just you Fluttershy, please come in.” Twilight said still catching her breath. “Oh Twilight… you shouldn’t scare me like that” Fluttershy said as she gracefully trotted into the tree house. “I-I’m not late am I?” she asked Twilight “No Fluttershy not at all. Rainbow and Zepplin aren’t here yet.” Another knock came at the door and Twilight walked over and opened it. Nopony there… “That’s weird I could’ve sworn I heard a knock.” All of a sudden a chilling howl came from inside. Twilight and the rest started shaking As Twilight turned and faced back inside the library a look of terror came over her “T-T-T-Timberwolf!” She screamed. On the loft near an open window was a Timberwolf. Everypony screamed and clamored for the front door. “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA” Rainbow laughed as she pulled a Timberwolf mask off her face. “Rainbow I shoulda known” Applejack shouted up at her. “You guys should’ve seen your faces. Ahahahaha” Rainbow fell over laughing. “Well now that we’re all here-“ Twilight said shutting the door. “-we just gotta wait for Zepplin.” So they waited, and waited, and waited. “Where the buck is he?” Rainbow asked. “He’ll be here. He probably had to find a costume.” Twilight said. A knock came at the door “There he is now” Applejack said. “I’ll get it.” Said Rarity as she trotted over to the door and opened it. Her face instantly turned to one of quizzical shock “Oh merciful Celestia” She said as she fainted. There was Zepplin; Dawning hair metal attire, in bright yellow furry boots, a cheetah pattern v-neck with a pink jacket, and white tiger striped pants on his hind legs. On his face a Star was painted over his right eye. His mane was frizzled out everywhere and he had a large star shaped earring on his left ear. Draped over him was a light blue cape with a yellow Z on the back. Another large golden ring hung from his horn. Everypony looked at him in shock. “I couldn’t find a costume so I decided I’d wear my old stage outfit.” Zepplin said as everypony burst out laughing. “Hey I’ve made legends in this outfit.” Everypony continued to laugh “Well at least I scared Rarity” Zepplin chuckled as he looked down at the floor at the white unicorn passed out and twitching. “Well now that we’re all here we can begin the slumber party!” Twilight announced, Rarity had finally regained consciousness, and everypony grabbed their sleeping bag and settled around the center of the room in a tightly knit circle. Twilight stood up and said “Hey I know let’s play truth or dare.” Everypony except for Zepplin agreed. “Truth or dare. That’s a mare’s game.” Applejack nudged him “Well then you can go first since you’re dressed for it.” She said laughing. “HEY” Zepplin shouted back. Pinkie Pie jumped up. “Ooh ooh I got one. Zepplin truth or dare?” Zepplin sighed. “uhh truth.” “Who here do you like? hehehe” Pinkie asked. “Oh geez really?” Zepplin questioned. “You have to answer, it’s the rules.” Twilight said. Zepplin looked around “Hmmm, oh wait that’s an easy one, I like me.” He said with a cocky smirk. “No fair!” Pinkie screamed. “You said who here, you’re here and I’m here therefore I like me.” Zepplin said confidently. Twilight stood up. “Ok I got one. Rarity, truth or dare?” “Truth.” Rarity responded. “Who would you rather have do your mane Applejack or PinkiePie?” “Oh shoot…” Rarity thought for a moment as everypony stared at her. “uh Dare” Rarity finally said. “Ok you have to put on Zepplins outfit for one hour!” Twilight said. Zepplin burst out laughing as did everypony else. “I-I-Absolutly not-I… I’m out!” Rarity shouted as her little sister pointed and laughed “Oh go play with your yarn.” Rarity said rolling her eyes and tossing the ball of yarn as the little filly pounced after it. After some more truth or dare and some candy treats Rainbow Dash was getting bored. “Ok that’s it. It’s nearly midnight and you know what that means.” Everypony looked at her quizzically. “It means it’s time for a ghost story. Mwah ha ha ha” She laughed evilly. Fluttershy exclaimed “Ooh uh I’m going to bed.” She pulled the sheet over her head and coward in her sleeping bag. Rainbow started in “Now everypony knows the rainbow factory and how it’s responsible for all the beautiful rainbows in Equestria. But what most don’t know is that rainbows are made from the blood of Unicorns and Earth Ponies.” Everypony got a scared look on their face, except Zepplin who rolled his eyes. “Now it was back during the days of the Iron Pegasus. He and his regime would swoop down on unsuspecting ponies and nab them and bring them up to the factory where they were NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN.” Applejack and her three little kittens were all huddled as was everypony else who could find a partner. Zepplin yawned. “Please Rainbow I heard that one while I was still in Flight School. It’s as fake as the one about the psycho baker who made her cupcakes with live ponies.” Pinkie Pie laughed. “Hee hee. That one’s funny.” Rainbow looked angry “Fine you tell one better!” Zepplin looked around “I don’t need to tell one… we’re in a library there must be a hundred horror stories here.” He looked at Twilight. “Yeah I think I got some up on the top right shelf.” She said. Zepplin flew up and found the horror section. It contained about thirty books all relating to horror stories ranging from classic to gore fest. Zepplin grabbed a hooffull of books and flew back down and made a stack which the ponies started searching through. Nothing looked especially good and scary when Pinkie picked up a large black book with an etching of a horses skull on the front. “The Nay- They Nay-… crnomphiecon” Pinkie read the tongue twisting title “The Naycronomicon. This is sure to have some Scary stories in it” Zepplin said. “I didn’t know I even had that book.” Twilight said. “Written by Samantha, aka the Mare Witch.” She said reading the author citation. Rainbow Dash suddenly flew in and snatched the book. Flipping through the pages she finally stopped near the end. “Oh I can’t even read this it’s just some scribblings.” She whined, “I mean listen to this, “Daed eht esiar lliw ti diputs siht daer tnod.” What no pony knew was what was happening over at the cemetery. An old rotten hoof punched up through the ground with a low moaning. Soon every corpse in the graveyard was standing and facing Ponyville. “Well that was a bust.” Zepplin said as he and the other ponies went back looking through the pile. Twilight continued to examine the book. “Hey listen to this. ‘The foulest stenches in the air. The funk of forty thousand years and grissly ghouls from every tomb are closing in to seal your doom. And though you fight to stay alive, your body starts to shiver cause no mere mortal can resist the evil of the… Thriller.’ Oh no this might be a book of Curses.” “WHAT?!” Everypony said with a shock. “Rainbow what did you read?” Applejack screamed when all of a sudden PinkiePie called them over to the window. “Hey guys check this out… looks like theres a Nightmare parade going on.” She said as everypony gazed out the window and saw hundreds of Shuffling ponies dressed as corpses. “Wow those look like they’re real. Whoever did those costumes is a master.” Rarity exclaimed. One of the corpse beings moaned and sauntered over to a passing pony as a group had gathered around to watch the Parade. He extended his hoof and lunged at her as she screamed in terror. The corpse being bit her on her neck and almost instantly she changed color and started behaving like the corpse biting those around her and spreading the infection. “I…Don’t think those are costumes.” Zepplin said. Pinkie screamed “ZOMBIE PONIES EVERYPONY RUN!!!” as the group all screamed and ran about the library. The horde of Zombies began ransacking Ponyville and its Nightmare Night festivities. “Quick Twilight what do we do?” Zepplin shouted. “I’m thinking, I’m thinking.” She said frantically flipping through the pages. “Here. It says that to undo the spell all it needs is to be said backwards by the MARE WITCH IN THE EVERFREE FOREST?!” She glanced at the page. “So we need to get her to do it?” Zepplin asked. “It appears so.” Twilight said. “But the Everfree Forest is HUGE how are we gonna find this mare?” Zepplin asked. "Z-Zecora might know.” Fluttershy squealed. “Good idea Fluttershy it’s the only lead we got.” Said twilight. Applejack perked up. “Now wait just a gosh darn minute. How are we gonna get past all those Zombies out there without getting bit. I don’t know about you but I wanted to be a cat for Nightmare Night, not a real Zombie!” “She has a point darling.” Rarity said. Zepplin thought for a moment “You leave the Zombies to me.” Rainbow Dash flew in near him. “And what are you going to do huh? Rock them to death.” She said sarcastically. A large grin came over Zepplin’s face. Rainbow stared at him thinking how this was gonna go down. “Oh man this is gonna be sooo awesome!” she said with a cute smile. Twilight spoke up “I have a bad feeling about this.” Twilight stood up and unfurled a piece of paper “Ok let’s go over the plan one more time. The stage is set up out back Zepplin. You and Rainbow Dash will distract the Zombies, I enchanted the stage with a barrier that will draw from the magic of the library so it should stay up, if it doesn’t run!” Zepplin and Rainbow Dash nodded their heads, “GOT IT!” Twilight continued. “The rest of us are going to sneak to the Everfree Forest and Find Sabrina and get her to undo this curse.” Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Fluttershy all nodded in agreement. “Hey what about us.” A squeaky voice said as Twilight looked down and saw the CMC staring back at her. “I want you to stay here and guard the Library.” Twilight said with a supportive smile. “awww But I wanted to fight some Zombies.” Scootaloo said. “Yeah I been workin on this here move.” Applebloom jumped up and took a karate pose. “Oh no you don’t Applebloom, No little sister o mine is gonna be turned into some mindless drooling Zombie.” Applejack stated with dominance, as the little filly frowned and sighed. “Ok” Twilight said, “everypony ready?” Zepplin took flight. “Come on Rainbow” he said as he flew out the window. “Right behind ya” Rainbow said as she followed. “Alright girls, let’s do this. We go on Zepplin’s mark.” Everypony put their hoof in the middle and gave a hoorah. Zepplin landed at the small makeshift stage Twilight set up. Rainbow wasn’t far behind. They both landed and walked through the Zombie barrier that Twilight had erected. “You know how to drum?” Zepplin asked looking at Rainbow. “Drum… are you kidding I’m only the best drummer in Equestria!” She said proudly hovering and putting her hoof to her chest. “Good then lay me down a four beat snare stroke.” Zepplin said looking at her smugly. “Uhh remind me which one that is again.” Rainbow said bashfully. Zepplin walked over to a small drum set “Just hit this one an then that one like this 1…2…3…4…Like that” He said demonstrating to Rainbow. Rainbow approached the drums and grasped the sticks in her hooves “1…2…3…4 Got it!” She said confidently. Zepplin’s horn lit up as his guitar formed and he clutched it in his hooves. Flapping his wings to take a standing position he looked back at Rainbow. “Alright lay down that beat.” He said as Rainbow saluted him with one of the drumsticks. The Zombie ponies turned toward the music and began sauntering over to the stage. Inside the treehouse the ponies watched as a way to the Everfree forest cleared. “Alright girls, it’s show time!” Twilight said as she and the others snuck carefully outside and then bolted toward the Everfree forest. The zombies bumped into the forcefield and grunted while moaning, they began to lift their front hooves and beat on the barrier. Twilight’s group had just reached Fluttershy’s cottage on the edge of the Everfree forest, galloping as fast as they could. Zepplin’s music was faded but still able to be heard even all the way out here. Fluttershy was flying above them. “We need to find Zecora. She wasn’t at the festival so she must be home.” Fluttershy said. The ponies galloped into the dark Everfree forest. As fear got the best of them they slowed down to a moderate trot. Hearing all kinds of strange, scary, unknown sounds as they progressed. Pinkie pie was the light in the dark providing laughter and just her general cheery self that comforted the others. Twilight leading the group motioned for them to hold up as they all hid behind a bush. “What is it Twi?” Applejack asked. Twilight looked back and whispered. “Timberwolf, up there, see him?” Applejack carefully poked her head out. There was the beast a Timberwolf… but something was off about it. It looked like no ordinary Timberwolf. It was white with a red leaf mane and had a black ring around its neck. “Twilight, that doesn’t look like an ordinary Timberwolf.” Fluttershy spoke up. “H-Hey that’s one of my collars.” She pointed to the black ring around its neck. “I use them to help tame my animals. I lost one a long time ago.” Rarity poked her head out. “Are you saying that thing is someone’s pet? Who in Equestria would want a pet Timberwolf?” Twilight shooshed them and pointed, the beast clawed at the ground and sniffed around as Twilight and the others ducked down behind the bush. The Timberwolf trotted off deeper into the forest. “We should follow it.” Twilight said. Pinkie jumped up “Follow a Timberwolf?!” Pinkie shouted “Okie dokie Loki!” she exclaimed joyfully as she and the others took off in pursuit. Zepplin and Rainbow dash were still holding the stage. The zombies were still knocking at the shield with their hooves. “Tough crowd, I mean I know I had groupies but damn!” Zepplin said trying to ease the mood as Rainbow kept pounding away on the drums. Inside the library the CMC paced back and forth. “It’s not fair I mean look at all those zombies out there. Zepplin and Rainbow Dash aren’t gonna be able to hold that stage forever.” Applebloom said. “Yeah I mean we should help them.” Scootaloo said. “We could get monster fighting cutiemarks.” Sweetiebell exclaimed. They all put their hooves in. “CMC to the rescue.” They all shouted as they opened the door and charged out. Zepplin put his guitar down and Rainbow halted the drum beat. “Twilight and the others must have made it by now we shouldn’t have to play anymore.” Rainbow said. “I agree but I don’t think we can get out of here.” Zepplin said gazing around at a horde of zombie ponies surrounding the stage. Rainbow looked around and then glanced up “Wait we can just fly out.” She said as the two readied for takeoff a cloud of zombie pegasi swarmed the upper part of the shield and started bashing it. “Nope” Zepplin said as he and Rainbow halted takeoff. Out of the corner of Rainbow’s eye she saw three little fillies running over toward the stage. “ZEPPLIN!” she shouted and pointed out into the horde of zombies. Zepplin squinted. “What in Tarturus are they doing out here? They’re going to get eaten!” Zepplin yelled. Rainbow dash yelled “Zepplin can you clear me a path?” “I can try.” Zepplin responded. Firing up his horn he shot out a beam of light that pushed the zombies out of the way “GO NOW!” He yelled at Rainbow. “I’m on it” She said zooming out through the opening and grabbing the CMC. As she looked back Zepplins magic had worn off and the hole in the horde suddenly closed again with hundreds of zombies beating on the barrier. “Zepplin is… trapped.” Rainbow said to herself in worry. Back in the Everfree Forest Twilight and the gang had followed the Timberwolf to a small clearing. “Where do ya think he’s goin?” asked Applejack. “I don’t know, but I’m gonna find out.” Twilight replied. They heard a twig break off in the distance and everypony gasped and hid behind another bush. The timberwolf heard the twig snap as well and turned his head. Twilight poked her head up and looked over and saw the silhouette of a pony walking down the path towards the timberwolf. “She’s gonna get eaten!” Pinkie pie exclaimed in a sharp whisper. “Oh we have to do something.” Fluttershy said. “Oh buck it” Twilight uttered as she flew up and charged with her friends toward the pony. “Look Out!” Twilight screamed as she tackled the stranger to the ground. Rolling into the light of the moon she looked down and saw… “Trixie?” Twilight exclaimed. “Ow. What are you doing to the great and powerful Trixie?” “What in Tartarus are you doin out here?” Applejack said lookin down at the pinned Trixie. The Timberwolf came running over snarling “Rex! Down boy!” Trixie commanded. “Rex? Wait he’s your pet?” Twilight looked in shock as the Timberwolf obeyed and sat down on his haunches. “Now if you would be so kind as to release the Great and Powerful Trixie I have a mission I am on.” “What mission? Is it a secret mission? ooh ooh Top secret?” Pinkie pie interrogated. “Some pony used Trixie’s reanimate the dead spell.” “YOU’RE THE MARE WITCH?!” Everypony exclaimed. “Trixie’s my stage name my real name is Samantha!” Trixie said as Twilight flew up off her and helped her up. “Thank Celestia we found you. We need you to undo the spell.” Rarity said. “OH so it was YOU who used my spell. oh ahahahahaha And why should the Great and Powerful Trixie help those who ruined her career and got her kicked out of every major city in Equestria so that now she’s stuck performing for tips in a place so foul it doesn’t even have a name and living out in a forest? Hmmm why should I help them?” Twilight looked at her sympathetically “You’re right, you shouldn’t help us.” “WHAT?!” All the other ponies exclaimed. Twilight continued “You should help everypony else back in Ponyville, two of our friends are right now trying to contain the zombies, and there are countless scared little fillies and colts. Don’t do it for us, do it for them.” Twilight said. A tear came to Trixie’s eye. “Very well! But don’t expect any more pitty favors. Rex go home boy” She said as she walked toward Ponyville. Twilight and the others smiled as Twilight took off and followed Trixie back to Ponyville with her friends. Rainbow Dash had now entered the library with the CMC as she set them down on the floor she scolded “What were you thinking you could’ve got hurt and now Zepplin is trapped.” The three’s faces were swallowed by a sad look. “We’re sorry Rainbow Dash” they all said. "We Just wanted ta help" Applebloom added. Zepplin was trapped in the dome. “Ok Zepplin calm down buddy.” He said to himself as he gazed at the horde of zombies bashing on the shield, which he could see was getting weaker. “Come on you played Buck Ops 2, you can do it.” He again said to himself nervously as he backed away from the edge of the stage. Some of the zombies hooves were starting to break through the shield reaching in. “Come on Twi where are you?” he said impatiently. “RIGHT HERE!” A voice came roaring from a short distance away. Twilight and Trixie along with the others raced up toward the horde. “Don’t worry we’re gonna get you out o there.” Applejack yelled. Some of the Zombies turned and went for the group “Trixie now!” Twilight yelled. Trixie cleared her throat and read “Don’t Read This Stupid It Will Raise The Dead.” A light shined from the book and shot out in multiple directions as the book began to float in midair. Trixie smiled as the light made its way over and turned the zombies to dust, and those who were infected began to revert back to their normal selves. “Thank you Trixie.” Twilight said contently. “My pleasure…Princess.” Trixie replied back. After all the zombies had been returned to their graves or to normal the sun began to rise on another day. Zepplin, along with Trixie and the others were standing around in Twilights tree house. “Well” Zepplin said “I gotta tell you. As a rockstar I have been to some of the most bizarre parties out there. But THIS ONE… eh fourth or fifth.” Applejack spoke up “Well I best be gettin the lil ones ta bed. Latest they’ve ever stayed up.” She said as the three fillies were zonked out on her back. “Well Zepplin I can’t say that I approve of your costume… but hey it’s who’s in it that counts.” Rarity said. Fluttershy flew over “I’m just glad that everypony is safe.” Twilight looked over at Trixie. “Thank you again Trixie. We couldn’t have done it without you. You truly are a wiz with magic.” “Well Twilight, keep practicing and maybe you’ll be as good as me someday.” They both laughed. All of a sudden Pinkie Pie slid on her knees in between them. “So… same time next year!” she said raising her hoof in the air, as everypony else rolled their eyes and groaned. Author's Note Sorry I couldn't get this out in time for Halloween, some things came up and I got busy. I thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it. Wish you the best! -Zeta
