It was a bright and sunny morning. The air was clean and full of life as most ponies headed out for the day. Smash had just awoken. He yawned as he stretched himself out and proceeded to put his braces on.

"Pinkie sure can throw a party huh?" Ace questioned Smash walking into his room.

"I'll admit it. That party was better than most of my birthday parties." Smash said as he finished stretching.

"Anyway. There's nothing on the to-do list today but Criilos said he wanted to see you at his house as soon as possible." Ace said leading him to the door of the house.

"What for?" Smash asked going through the door way and then turning around.

"I dunno. But...as long as you're interacting I don't care." Ace said quickly shutting the door behind him. Smash grunted as he turned back towards the outside world. He felt the warm relaxing air hit him as he took a deep breath. He felt invigorated as he walked down the stairs and to Crilos's house that was beside his.

He moved up to the door and knocked twice. The knock was quickly answered by Crilos quickly swinging the door open and motioning Smash to step inside. The door shut behind him and inside was Speedy, Metal Mouth, Jerry, Lightning, and Crilos wearing their usually attire.

"Oh, hi everybody." Smash said. They all said "hi" back except Jerry who waved. The house was a laboratory. There were four main tables bunched in the middle of the room with various test tubes and other equipment.

In the upper right corner, there was a desk with papers and files all over it. There were medical tables and pill bottles in the upper left corner. The lower corners both held various needles and more papers.

"Over here everybody." Crilos said levitating his desk off the ground and a little back. He then levitated a piece of the floor off and on his desk. The group approached Crilos and saw a metal cellar door with a handle and keyhole. Crilos levitated a key out of his lab coat and into the lock. He twisted it until he heard a clicking sound and then removed it. He pulled the hatch open and as he did, a flight of stairs sprang out leading into a dark tunnel with a faint light barely in sight.

Crilos started traversing the stairs along with the other five in a single file line. Within seconds, they reached an oddly inscribed, wide, flat stone. When they got close enough to it, the empty trenches of the inscription suddenly lit up blue startling everyone. Crilos stepped into the middle and beckoned the others to step on it. They all cautiously stepped on it one at a time. When the last one stepped on it, a large blue flash surrounded them and they vanished. They all reappeared on top of a similar stone but in the back of a different tunnel. Crilos led on ahead through the lit up passage.

They eventually reached a section where the ceiling was way more above them than before and the passage much wider. In this section also stood a huge metal vault door. There was a huge wheel in the middle with two metal tubes protruding from the left and right side and curled all around until an open end was at the ground.

"This door will need unicorn magic or energy bending, even though it has not been used in centuries, but nonetheless everyone back. And Metal Mouth, hold my bag and do not lose it." Crilos said levitating his bag over to Metal Mouth and then posing himself in front of the middle of the vault. He then shot out a green ball of magic out of his horn which split into two beams. The two beams went into the metal tubing and went through all the tubing before reaching the handle. The outline of the vault then turned the same green color before slowly sliding open to the left.

The view inside was jaw dropping. It was a short and wide glistening green field with a shining gold alter in the middle. Farther back in the middle was an upward slope that led to a round green field with a campfire. Below and beside the slope was a lake teaming with life beside the incline. Behind was also a small beautiful waterfall. The most astonishing feature was that up high was the shining sun.

"Wow this is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen next to the Hall of Akanth." Lightning said with his jaw hanging taking in the atmosphere.

"It's so serene and separated." Smash said also taking in the atmosphere. Jerry also shook his head in agreement.

"This place is part of an unknown network tunnel named Sanctuary. What you're seeing is actually not the real sky. There is an ancient magic about Sanctuary that brings this together." Crilos said in his normal quick pace. "The only reason I know is because I've been here many times on my own occasions."

"So. What brings us all here?" Speedy asked.

"Well since we're all friends, I'd like us to make permanent bonds. In the hopes that we can all get to know each other better." Crilos said. "Come here." He walked over to the altar. They all followed and surrounded the altar. Crilos then pointed at Metal Mouth. He looked at Crilos with a confused stare.

"What?" Metal Mouth asked.

"My bag." Crilos said still pointing.

"Oh...I was supposed to bring that in here?" Metal Mouth asked. Crilos then suddenly looked towards the vault door and saw it was quickly shutting.

"No!" He shouted trying to reach it in time. It was too late however as it slammed shut with a loud bang.

"Whoops." Metal Mouth said eyes wide open and ready for the worst. He then let out a nervous giggle. "You have a way to get out like a fail-safe, right?"

"I do...or at least I did in my bag." Crilos said letting out a sigh glaring angrily at Metal Mouth.

"Way to go idiot!" Speedy said looking away from Metal Mouth.

"Well you know I'm sorry that I didn't understand. Maybe I could have understood if we didn't have a unicorn that constantly rambles on and leaves out details!" Metal Mouth said looking at Crilos angrily.

"Or if we had a reliable friend that isn't mouthy and wasn't a blockhead of a jerk." Crilos said relatively calmly compared to the other two.

"Wait...Which one are you talking about?" Smash asked moving his right foreleg to Speedy then Metal Mouth.

"Listen to yourselves! Quit fighting over something that cannot be helped! We all need to get along in here and wait until help comes. Do you agree right Jerry?" Lightning asked turning his head to the pegasus. Jerry looked emotionless then shrugged his shoulders and then nodding his head.

"They're right. Let's just keep calm. Now what was this bonding stuff?" Smash asked.

"Yes uh the bonding. In this alter, you must place an object of value to you. Then we sit and wait for how ever long it takes." Crilos said.

"That's it?" Speedy asked.

"Yep. Alright take your object and place it in the altar bowl. Smash took off the brace on his front right hoof and placed it in. Jerry hesitated but pulled off his satchel and placed it in. Lightning was the next to follow as he levitated his necklace off and into the altar. Speedy hesitated but reached his hoof into his fur and pulled out a pin that was in his skin. It was the real golden wings of his cutie mark. He then placed it in the altar. Metal Mouth removed his glasses and put them in revealing his usual glowing orange eyes. Crilos took off his golden watch and placed it in finally.

Nothing happened.

"Well. Is it working?" Smash asked.

"Yep but it'll be a while. So why don't we get to know each other some more while we wait?" Crilos asked.

"That doesn't sound all bad. Heck I don't even think I know where you guys are from." Lightning said.

"Alright well why don't you start about yourself Smash?" Speedy asked.

"Alright I guess." Smash said as they all sat down on the ground.

Flashback along with a current POV thingy...You'll understand

I was born in the big city of Tall Tale. A big, still jumping, city. My family has always had a very...violent history on both sides. My mother's side came from a group of mercenaries dating way back. I was never really told about those mercenaries. I only knew they existed. Of course though my mother was never a mercenary. My father's side comes from a long line of ring fighters in different ways. My ancestors were slaves who joined competitions for freedom. They fought in a coliseum to the death with whatever they could get their hands on. After they had gotten their freedom, they kept fighting anyway. After that fighting became banned for hundreds of years, a knew form of fighting sprouted. The EFL formed by Smitty's father.

My grandfather was a pioneer in fighting in the ring. For five years it had been less physical and entertaining than it ever was in the future. Then my grandfather exploited new ways of fighting. Fast-paced close-up fighting came into play. The original style was to stay close and keep pounding faster than what was done before. He also introduced Equestria Games sport, wrestling, into the EFL since there was no rule against it. Many tried to replicate the success my grandfather had gotten with the techniques but, no one could have ever done it as good. His final record after fifteen years of fighting was 278-22 only ever losing by mistakes he made when fighting but was always the champion for every year he fought. He was also the first fighter to ever be inducted into the EFL Hall of Fame.

Not long after retirement, my grandfather got married and had two offspring, my dad and my uncle. They were always excited and fascinated by fighting. When they were old enough, they entered the TPC. My grandfather taught them everything he knew about fighting. When it came down to the end of the TPC, the final match was my dad verses my uncle. Smitty always told me that he had never seen someponies fight at such a high level. My uncle turned out the winner by one score. Both were invited into the EFL for such a great fight and joined. Upon request, they also moved to Ponyville to represent the town.

It was clear in the first year that they had mastered every technique. Even some that they're father couldn't seem to get down right. They did get beaten a lot by other ponies their first year and missed the tournaments. Second year however, they both made it. My father got eliminated in the semi-finals by the current champion at the time. However my uncle ended up beating the champion in the championship match. My father worked harder and harder and next year it showed. Being both from Ponyville they never got to face each other unless they both made it to the championship round. And that is exactly what happened. Next year they both had met in the ring officially for the first time in the EFL.

My father had won for the first time against my uncle in what was known as the greatest fight to ever happen. And fights like these happened for the rest of their careers, my dad winning most. My dad's record after twenty years was 347-53 and my uncle's was 354-46. They were also inducted into the Hall of Fame. After their retirement, they moved back to Tall Tale because my grandfather finally passed away. About a year later I was born. I was never really a social pony. I had no friends growing up and not because ponies didn't want me as their friend but because I didn't want friends. I always thought I got more done without friends.

I wanted be just like my dad and uncle. I always trained. Even at a young age. My dad didn't like it though. He grew restless over the years and I never knew why. I thought it was because I didn't listen. But I figured that if I meet my goal that my dad would be proud and happy. I was around thirteen when I actually made a friend unintentionally. I was walking around when I noticed a mare being bullied by older male ponies. I took action.

"Hey leave her alone!" I shouted at the bullies. They all laughed at me. The biggest and oldest walked towards me. He towered over me but I could feel his weakness. It was like there was a twig that grew a little too big.

"What are you going to do about it?" He asked shoving me with his right foreleg. No more words came out of my mouth as I grabbed his right foreleg with my right one and struck in the middle of his with my left foreleg. A loud snap emulated from his limb as it bent in a way a leg shouldn't. Tears came streaming out of the afflicted pony and soon came screams of pain. He quickly broke my grip and ran away as fast as he could on his other three limbs. I glanced at the other bullies and they ran on sight. I walked over to the young mare. She was maybe two years younger than I was. She held her forelegs over her head, as to conceive.

"Are you alright?" I asked reaching out my hoof to help her up. She uncovered her head revealing her deep green eyes. She grabbed hold of my hoof and I helped her on her hooves.

"I'm fine. Thank you-uh...What's your name?" She asked flipping her blue mane back.

"My name is Smash. What's yours?"

"Ace."

"Nice to meet you...I guess."

"Something wrong? Is my mane not kept and even? Ugh! I hate it when that happens! Is that the problem?"

"No no! Your mane is fine. I'm just not very...social." I said rubbing the back of his head with his right foreleg's hoof.

"Hey you!" A voice shouted. It was a guard in his standard armor and all. "Did you harm this pony?" He must have referred to me. Yes he was. I saw the bully come out from behind the guard.

"That's him!" The bully shouted with tears still streaming from his eyes. At least his arm was wrapped up now.

"You're coming with me to the guard station!" The guard said.

I was dragged to the station and put in a lone room with a single guard. I waited for hours until I was finally called out.

"Alright well you're free to go. These kind folk bailed you out." The guard said pointing to Ace and a tan-colored earth pony with a brown slicked back mane. He had deep magenta eyes and a fighting ring cutie mark. They walked me out without saying a word and led me into a carriage.

"Now where do you live?" The tan pony asked.

"Over on Jerro street, first house on the left." I answered.

"Ya got that Richi?" The tan pony shouted.

"Yep I got it." A voice answered back as the carriage started moving.

"So Ace here tells me that you're one of her new friends." He said. I looked at Ace who was sitting beside him. She smiled and nodded.

"Yes sir." I responded.

"And she was getting bullied and you helped her?"

"Yes sir."

"Alright son. My name is Joseph Smith. You can just call me Smitty. Thank you for helping my niece out. She's new here and doesn't know many other ponies her age. It's good you're making friends sweety" Smitty said looking to Ace.

"Uncle Smitty you know I don't like it when you call me sweetie!" Ace said a bit embarrassed as her cheeks blushed.

"Hehe alright Ace." Smitty said rubbing his niece's mane. We soon reached my house. And Smitty knocked on the door. My mother answered.

"Oh Mr. Smith! I wasn't expecting visitors so I di-Smash?" She abruptly stopped in the middle of her talking. "Why are you with Mr. Smith?"

"Well...I sorta got...in trouble." I said. In all my time of living, I learned that my dad and I CANNOT lie to mom. She knows.

"I'm sure Mr. Smith will be more explanatory. Stay out here Smash." My mother scolded.

"I will explain. Ace, stay out here an' give your friend some company." Smitty said before going inside and shutting the door behind him. I sat on the ground and Ace joined me.

"Sounds like you're in trouble." Ace said.

"For helping somepony. This only adds to me not wanting to talk to other ponies." I said ignorantly. I was upset about my actions and trying to prove it.

"No...for breaking somepony's foreleg." She said. In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have broken it.

"You're right." I gruffed.

"I'm sorry if it means anything."

"No don't be. You have nothing to be sorry about. I'm just upset. I got carried away."

"How did you even mange to break his arm though?"

"Most of my time is spent getting stronger and better at fighting. I want to be just like my dad."

"Hey maybe you can fight in the EFL someday! My uncle is the commissioner of the EFL and maybe he could let you in someday."

"No. I need to grow old enough and good enough to fight in there."

"Oh...hey can I ask you something though?"

"What is it?"

"We are friends...right?"

"..." I didn't know what to say. I never had a real friend. Friends usually just meant a distraction to getting better. But my mom always pushed for me to go outside and make friends. Usually I just went out and walked around pointlessly. But something had hit me about Ace. There was such a feeling about her that was friendly. It just hit me in all the right places.

"Yeah. We're definitely friends." I said with a small smile on my face.

We became the best of friends. An almost inseparable friendship. For several years, I kept my routines up while making time to hang out with Ace. Along the way I earned my cutie mark for such hard work. But I have to give credit to Ace for pushing me past my limits. Soon, I became eligible to enter the TPC I beat out everypony along with the cheating Iron Hull. I had to wait a year to enter the EFL after winning due to the rules of entering. And then it's pretty straightforward from there.

Back to the group

"Sure I had plenty good memories but other than that life was normal for me." Smash said.

"That sounds awesome though!" Speedy said excitedly. "Being the grandchild to one of the best fighters ever and the son to another great fighter."

"It wasn't all that great and it wasn't bad either. I had a mostly normal life." Smash replied. "Why don't you go next Speedy?"

"I guess if you want me to." Speedy replied.

Flashback stuff

I was born in Cloudsdale. When I was born, my parents were told that I would never fly with my wings. That they would grow but would be in a state of closed paralysis. Growing up, I was always told to never try to fly. I could never open my wings so I thought they would open in the air. I thought I was different from the other pegasi to where I couldn't open them on footing. I was always stubborn and inherently I became somewhat of a jerk. I know better now though. I got tired of being different. When I was fourteen, I decided to change and fly.

I had always been bullied because of my inability to take flight but I learned to take it. But one day something just snapped inside of me.

"Alright class, today just do your normal fly routine." My gym teacher instructed. Why I had to take this class I never could understand. The most of the class took off to not get scolded. But three bullies stayed behind.

"Hey wing dysfunction what are you doing?" One of the bullies asked. I usually exercised my legs as much as possible in gym because of my disability.

"None of your business now leave me alone." I replied.

"Wow what a lame-o." The second bully said.

"I know right. 'None of your business'" A third bully said mocking my tone.

"Here you are making fun of me because you have nothing better to do. Who's the lame-o here?" I replied.

"Listen here smart mouth. We could be out there flying like cool kids but we're being charitable and giving you our undivided attention." The first bully said trying to prove his insults.

"Then why aren't you out there flying when I openly said to leave me alone.?" I asked getting impatient.

"Because we don't have to." The third said.

"Plus I can do this." The second said. Spreading and then closing his wings over and over just to antagonize me. The other two joined in. I had finally snapped.

"I can fly and I'll show you all!" I shouted. I sprinted towards the end of the cloud I was on.

"Don't do it!" Some of the other ponies shouted. My teacher flew after me. I dived off of the cloud headfirst and tried to open my wings. I knew my wings were there but they just wouldn't open.

"Open already!" I shouted starting to fall even faster. I kept trying as hard as I could. I could see buildings starting to form in front of me. A signal to where the ground is. I struggled and struggled. But just before I hit the ground, I gave one last hard push. And it happened. My wings finally opened. My course of direction went from head down on a good level. My speed was unbelievable from the falling. Everything I learned from observation filled my mind as I started flapping and going upwards. It took a good ten minutes but I finally reached the cloud again.

The whole class had gathered around with the teacher. They looked at me trying to believe what had just happened. It had finally hit me though. I did it. Despite all the negative feelings about it from every pony, else I had done what was thought to be impossible by me.

My life changed that fateful day. My cutie mark came along as a prize for claiming what was mine to claim. The ability to fly. I had honed my flying skills and became better than most of anypony who could fly. The feeling of doing something I thought was impossible is indescribable. I entered races. I won most of them. Years passed and I figured I was old enough to go out on my own. I didn't travel far. I went to Ponyville. I always keep these memories close to me.

Back to the group

"Yeah. Every time I think about those seconds of fate, I just feel happy. No greater feeling than what I felt that day." Speedy said with a small smile on his face. "Well I've went on long enough. I guess I get to choose. Hmm. How about you Jerry?"

"I don't think he's gonna talk." Lightning said. Jerry shook his head and walked over to the altar and grabbed his satchel. He dug through and got out a notebook and a pencil then put his satchel back. He started writing furiously. It only took twenty seconds. He filled up two pages in a low amount of time. He then opened up to where it started and showed it to them all.

Flashback Jerry POV

My life. I can remember when I came into existence. I know that I was not born. I came into life just like a flash like I am now. But why I do not know. I feel connected with things that are real and things that are not. Over time I managed to differentiate between them. Although I'm not sure how when both were so similar. In fact, I think I guessed. They were close together. I will never know truly which one is the real one. I was created in the cold north where it never ceases to snow. I left my mark there. An object that links me to why I came to be. I then walked. I couldn't tell what direction I was going but it must have been south. I ended up in the early city of Manehatten.

I was shy. I didn't know what to think of other ponies. I accepted them as individuals like me but they weren't like me. I started talking after a while. I've never been fond of talking but through years of silence you learn more than ever about others talking. I talked occasionally like every pony else. I was always kind. I never back talked to anyone. I never gave insults or any dialogue of negative manner. I was considered as one of the kindest ponies around.

I always had a knack for building things. I felt like someone must have ingrained it in me. All I could feel were faint memories of someone creating toys. No names, no sights, and barely any sound. I got a job in Manehatten building houses. I earned lots of bit-coins but I only spent it on food and other necessities. I had saved up thousands. There was only one time I spent bits on something I wanted. A wandering salespony came through Manehatten often. I loved looking at all the various treasures and wonders he held. I can't quite remember his name but I remember him saying he was from a clan called "The Undergrounders". He was a nice pony but most of what he sold were just cheap tricks.

There was one thing he sold though that was real. It was a brown leather satchel. Something was just so hypnotic about it. He told a story about how the "king of old" made this satchel with a magic charm that it would be as deep as the owner believed it could be. A fire lit up in my eyes. He charged five thousand bit coins for it but I didn't care. I had it. Most laughed at my foolishness. He chuckled himself as he drove away. I came to a realization that it was probably a scam. I reached in it and sure enough, it wasn't very deep. I felt mad and got angry. I left the satchel to stay in my house forever. I wouldn't destroy it but I wouldn't wear it either.

I actually lashed out from the anger. I vandalized a house I was building. I got restrained and was struggling to break free. The guard threatened me with execution. I was going to die because I broke the house I was building. I got visited by the representative of Manehatten. He told the guards to let me go and told me to rebuild the house. My anger cooled after some days. Years later I actually started using the satchel. One day I just got an idea to believe it had no end. I believed with all my heart and it became bottomless like the merchant said. I would wear that satchel up to now.

For what seemed like a hundred years, I repeated the process of my life everyday. I actually stopped talking altogether during that time as to not get in trouble by any means. I eventually moved to Ponyville and now live as I do now.

Back to group

"I don't honestly think I can believe any of that." Metal Mouth said shaking his head. Jerry simply shrugged then pointed to him with his hoof. "What? Me? There isn't much to tell." Jerry pointed at him again. "Alright fine."

Flashback POV

I grew up in Baltimare. I had a well-known talent for singing and I was in a band. We were pretty well-known all around. Then I got kicked out for reasons I can't remember. I lost all bits in a case against them. But then karma kicked them in the face as all their new music sucked because I wrote all the music before and this was they're first time actually writing. Kind of ironic if you ask me. So stuff happens and I end up ripping ponies off for a living by selling "magical" stuff. I don't care what's going on I just do it. Of course I didn't rip off Jerry though. I didn't even know him at the time. So more stuff happens then I end up in Ponyville because most of them believe anything they're told.

Back to group

"There story time is over." Metal said. "You go Doc."

"Alright then." Crilos said rolling his eyes.

Flashback POV

I was born in what was known as a unicorn territory. Mind you, I'm very old. I was always interested in medical sciences. Whenever the unicorns went to war with the earth ponies or pegasi, I usually patched ponies up. My medical skills were unbelievable to some. I had healed ponies with mortal wounds. I was regarded as one of the greatest doctors of that time. For years I kept this up, but I started slowing down. I wasn't as good as I once was. When I was 112 years old, it hit me that I won't be around forever. I started searching for the answer to immortality. An answer that Akanth and Gigilith hated. I found leads and I chased them down. These leads were to groups of Nosferatu. Vampires in short.

I developed ways to track and kill them. But all I needed was one. I finally got it. I killed one unlucky vampire barely. I took his blood and injected it into my bloodstream. It all came to me. My aging ceased and even reverted. I eventually went back to the young age of twenty-five. I became a vampire myself. However, I soon learned that it was a bigger problem than I once thought. It became a burden. A constant pain in sunlight, the wish to drink blood, and trying to hide my fangs resulted in me developing a way to control my new-found powers and burdens. I had to kill the original count himself.

With my powers, it was easy to find him. All I had to do was beat him in battle and kill him once. He would come back but he would have my respect and would do my bidding as told by the stories of other vampires. I over-came his strength and beat him. I now had command of him. I told him to relinquish his power and let me truly kill him. By his code he did. In this way, all other vampires perished as he did. They all ceased to live at once. I took the count's blood and put it into a potion that I would drink. I became able to control my appearance and thirst. I also became the new count.

I didn't revel in this power though. I reveled in the gift of never aging. I continued my medical work for thousands of years without end. In this span, I became known as the world's greatest doctor. I still am today. I've stopped three different plagues, cured fifty-seven diseases, and treated so many injured and sick I've lost count. But the best reason for it is that I care for the health of others. I am always regarded as a brilliant pony but I'd rather have them say I'm the nicest doctor they've ever had. I've been around so long though it can be devastating. I've had so many friends. They all die eventually though and I'm stuck here to live through it. We all did this same thing as well. Any normal pony would go insane but I stayed strong. It was a curse of being never able to age.

I've witnessed racism run a continent and I've seen it fall to start unions. I've seen bloody wars between these unions. I've seen them form together to fight a war against the griffins as a continent. I've seen rulers rise and fall. I've seen a true king rise and bring together millions to live in peace and harmony. I've seen the birth of the alicorns who would rule us now. But without my old friends, I had nothing to show for it. To show that any of it happened or if it was even worth it.

Back to group

"Wow. I never knew." Speedy said in a mellow tone.

"That's rough." Smash said. "You have that vampire stuff under control though right."

"You learn to move past. I honestly wouldn't have brought any of it up if I knew I couldn't handle it." Crilos said. "What's your story Lightning?"

"Well there's not a lot to tell but I might as well go." Lightning said.

And POV...again but for the last time

I come from a religious family in Dodge City. My dad was the pope of the religion. Our religion is based on a belief that there is a kind god named Akanth and an evil demon named Gigilith who rule their own realms opposite of each other with our realm in-between. It is also believed by us that the alicorns were made by Akanth to be in place of a single race king or queen. Many do not like to hear this since it also goes against the belief of many other ponies that Celestia does not move the sun or moon. Our church isn't really all that big. But it's big enough to be known about.

Recently my dad passed away and gave me the responsibility of leading the church and religion. I only live in Ponyville now to wait until more writings or other evidence is found then investigate it. Our whole religion isn't like a serious cult. We just mostly sit back and hold on our beliefs and find evidence. This is why I stay in Ponyville. It's a pretty relaxed town.

End of POV

"Like I said, not much to talk about." Lightning said. A silence filled the area. Everybody glanced around at each other smiling.

"Hey Crilos...I'm sorry." Metal said.

"It's okay. We all make mistakes." Crilos said.

"I have to apologize." Smash said.

"Why is that?" Lightning asked.

"I honestly didn't really think of you all as friends before. I mostly talked hoping it would get you all to leave me alone. I realize how rude I was now. I also realized that it's not all as bad as it seems. I'm sorry and I would like to be your friend." Smash said standing up off the ground.

"I'll be your friend." Speedy said getting up.

"Me too." Crilos said standing up.

"Why not?" Metal said getting on his hooves.

"I as well." Lightning said already up. Jerry got up and nodded his head in agreement. They all started smiling and then just laughed for a bit. Suddenly, the altar had a glowing light emerging from it.

"It's complete." Crilos said beckoning the others to it as he went towards it. They all peered in to see their objects glowing. It kept up for a minute then the light from them faded. They all stood in shock. "Well. Let's get them out." Crilos said shaking the amazement off. They all pulled out their items and put them back on. A feeling of happiness filled them as they put their items on.

"So what now?" Smash asked.

"Well we wait for some pony to open the door which could take anywhere from now to a couple of years." Crilos said. Everyone became a bit money. But then a giant clank was heard. A giant creaking sound came from the vault door as it started to open. Once it was open the tunnel could be seen along with Ace and Crilos's back.

"There you all are. It's been hours since you all left." Ace said in a worried tone. "Also, wow!" She said looking at the room.

"We got stuck in here because we forgot the fail safe key in the bag." Crilos said.

"Well you're lucky I was here to open this door." Ace replied sternly.

"Yeah. Wait. How did you know how to open it?" Crilos asked stunned.

"It was pretty easy to guess. I've seen puzzles like these before. Now come out. I'm sure you guys must be starving." Ace said.

"You bet." Smash said leading the way out. They all followed behind and shut the vault. Then they all went to go eat.

Later that day

"You know the Summer Sun Celebration is in an hour right Smash?" Ace asked Smash while the two were walking home.

"Yes. But I don't plan on going." Smash replied. "Too many ponies." He shuddered at the thought.

"Oh come on. You can always make new friends." Ace said back with a little annoyance in her voice.

"I have eleven friends, Crilos, Speedy, Jerry, Metal Mouth, Lightning, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and you and I'm happy with that." Smash replied sternly. "I'll just go to sleep. Tell me about what happens in the morning." They reached the house and Smash went to his bedroom and went to sleep.

"I can't believe how stubborn he is about social interaction." Ace said to herself as she prepared for the summer sun celebration.

Author's Note

I should say that I obviously skip parts between chapters for the story.

I hope you guys and gals enjoyed this. Please give feedback.