Chapters Mysterious Meeting, Part One
“Your name is Twilight, too? This can't be a coincidence.”
"Who's saying this? Hello? Is anypony there?"
“With the power of the Chaos Emeralds, the Crystal Empire, no, all of Equestria is mine!”
"Who are you? What are these 'Chaos Emeralds'? What's going on? I demand an answer!"
"Never fear, Princess Twilight of Friendship," spoke a voice familiar to the younger alicorn's ears, "for I can reveal the meaning behind these perplexing images."
"Oh thank goodness, it's you, Princess Luna," Twilight replied, a hint of relief in her voice. "I'd like to know what's going on here."
"I would too, alas, I do not have the answers you seek. Just know that when the time comes, all will be revealed at the Crystal Empire."
"Wait," called Twilight and Luna dissipated from existence. "What do you mean? What do I do? Who do I talk to?"
It was a normal day in Ponyville, the first since Lord Tirek was banished back to Tartarus. Princess Twilight and the others were traversing the town square, helping the citizens rebuild. Most ponies were waiting for Twilight to assign to them their usual routines, except that the alicorn was not all there, especially since what had happened the previous night.
"Twilight, you feelin' okay?" queried Applejack.
"I'm fine," replied the alicorn, stifling another yawn. "I couldn't sleep at all last night. I had a weird dream last night, and I have no idea what it meant. To make it worse, Princess Luna said she didn't know either, just that 'when the time comes, all will be revealed at the Crystal Empire'."
"I wouldn't worry about it too much, Twilight," said Spike, "It's probably nothing. Hey, I've got an idea: after were done here and anywhere else that needs our help, how about we go to the beach? I hear Los Caballos is beautiful this time of year."
“I don't really see the reason why we're here,” said Hoyden. The light gray Earth Pony, along with his wife Sundance were at Los Caballos beach foal-sitting the Manehattan Cutie Mark Crusaders.
“Because,” replied Sundance, “this will be a perfect chance for us to practice for when our foal will arrive.”
“Oh, yeah. Hey, girls, how are you holding up?”
“We're doin' fine,” replied Babs Seed, “'cept Moon Flash and Checker Flag can't decide where ta put our sand castle.”
“How about over there?” asked a familiar voice.
“Cousin Applejack!”
Applejack, along with Nyx, Rarity, Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, Spike, Fluttershy and Princess Twilight had just arrived at the beach.
“Princess Twilight!” exclaimed Sundance. “What manner of royal business brings you to Los Caballos?”
“None whatsoever,” replied Twilight. “I'm just here to relax with my friends and….”
“Excuse me,” called out an unknown voice. “Can you help me out?”
“Sure,” replied Fluttershy, “what can we help you with?”
The figure who had asked for the Mane Six's help was what looked a bipedal blue hedgehog wearing red sneakers and white gloves. With him was a female figure that looked like a black and red-furred, red headed tabby cat.
“Well, we're looking for someone named Twilight.”
“Present,” said Twilight.
“Your name is Twilight, too? This can't be a coincidence.”
“Wait, who are you exactly?” asked Rarity.
“Oh, right, let me explain. My name is Sonic, Sonic the Hedgehog and this is Pele; we're looking for someone with the same first name as your friend.”
“Well, what do they look like?” Sundance inquired. “Maybe we could help you find them.”
“Thanks," said Afia. "The Twilight we're looking for is a cat girl around eight years old and a little taller as your lizard friend.”
“For your information,” an indignant Spike told Sonic, “I am a dragon , not a lizard. There is a difference, you know.”
This is weird , thought Twilight. This is happening just like my dreams. Could it be more than just a dream? “Sundance, can you and Spike make sure Babs and the others get to Ponyville safely? We've got some work to do.”
“…And that was the second time I got my head stuck in that tree,” related Checker Flag. “Fortunately, somepony was there so see if I was okay and…”
“Yo, I hate to interrupt,” said Babs, pointing towards Ponyville, “but d'you see what I see?”
Babs and the others were in Ponyville, headed to Sweet Apple Acres to place the Manehattan Crusaders under the care of Granny Smith and Big Macintosh, when they couldn't believe what they saw: there, in the middle of town was Megan Richards their friend from Earth, escorting an orange-haired cat girl and what looked like a brown, teddy bear like creature.
“Yeah,” replied Spike, “I see it too. Hey, Megan!”
“Spike?” replied Megan, recognizing her dragon friend. “It is you!”
“Oh, that's right,” said Spike. “Megan, I'd like you to meet Hoyden, Sundance, Nyx and the Cutie Mark Crusaders: Babs Seed, Moon Flash and Checker Flag.”
“Oh? They're not like the Cutie Mark Crusaders here in Ponyville,” Megan remarked.
“That's because we're the Manehattan branch,” said Babs. “Who's the feline?”
“Hello,” greeted the cat girl. “My name is Twilight Katswell, and this is my pet, Pooky. Say 'hello', Pooky.”
“Teddiursa!” greeted the bear creature.
“Wait,” realized Sundance. “Did you say your name was Twilight?”
“Yes I did," replied the cat girl to the Earth Pony. "Why do you ask?”
“Because friends of yours was looking for you and I think they might be at the Everfree Forest.”
To Be Continued…
Next Time: More visitors from another world join our heroes for the adventure of a lifetime. Find out who they are in Mysterious Meeting, Part Two. Don't miss it!
Mysterious Meeting, Part Two
Last time…
“My name is Sonic, Sonic the Hedgehog; I'm looking for someone with the same first name as your friend.”
“Did you say your name was Twilight?”
“Yes I did. Why do you ask?”
“Because a friend of yours was looking for you in the Everfree Forest.”
“What's the Everfree Forest?” asked Twilight Katswell.
“It's the one place nopony dares to enter” replied Sundance. “There are monsters aplenty and nature takes care of itself.”
“I ain't worried,” said Babs, “my cousin Applejack's been three times b’fore. Heck, if anythin', she'll make it out okay.”
“Been there, nothing,” Nyx bragged, “I was born there.”
“Girls,” chided Sundance, “there's no need to brag. Twilight, your friends might be in grave danger. Who knows what they might encounter in there.”
“I'm not worried,” replied Twilight, “I'm sure that whatever's in there, my friends can handle it.”
“Dat's th' spirit,” complimented Babs. “Now c'mon, you guys. I'm sure Granny an' Big Mac are waitin' for us.”
Canterlot, the next day. Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Twilight were at a meeting, Twilight having explained everything that happened earlier that day.
“It certainly seems you had quite the experience,” Celestia commented.
“But if what you told us is true,” added Princess Luna, “then your new friends might be here for a reason. I suggest looking into the matter as quickly as possible.”
“You have my word,” said Twilight, “I'll try to find some way to figure this out…”
“'… and that's why we're going to the Crystal Empire. Sincerely, Twilight Sparkle',” recounted Spike, reading a letter he had received. Noticing the postscript, he added, “'P.S.: Nyx is coming with me because she wanted to visit Cadence and Shining Armor.' Well, guess I'll have to tell Apple Bloom and the others that…”
“…Twilight Time is canceled for the day?” asked Sweetie Belle.
“Not necessarily,” said Spike, “just until Twilight and Nyx get back.”
“Speakin' of Nyx,” said Apple Bloom, “Ah'd think she'd want to join us for a Twilight Time session.”
“Even if Twilight said yes,” replied Scootaloo, “what do you think she'd want to study, botany or something?”
“This looks interesting,” mused Nyx. She and Twilight Sparkle were in the Crystal Empire's library, reading up on whatever events had caused Sonic and friends to appear in Equestria.
“What looks interesting?” asked Twilight, looking up from one of the many books strewn about the table.
“There's a record of a strange plant called Bandora repulsus. I've never heard of it.”
“Never heard of what?”
“Auntie Cadance, Uncle Shining Armor!”
Princess Cadance, along with Shining Armor, walked to the two alicorns, Shining Armor and Nyx sharing a hug. “What brings you girls here?”
“Well, some people have just shown up and I have no idea why, so I’m just doing some research. Anyway, Nyx found records of this Bandora repulsus plant, and neither of us have heard it.”
“Well, maybe we could ask somepony who knows about it better than us,” replied Cadance. “In the meantime, why don’t you and Nyx take a break and we can figure something out from there.”
“Well, I am getting hungry,” admitted Twilight. “That sounds like a good idea.”
As the four headed out of the library, several scrolls gathered together to form a paper dragon with glowing, yellow eyes.
Ponyville Schoolhouse, the next day. After Babs, Moon Strike and Checker Flag left for Manehattan, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Nyx were talking to Button Mash, Twist and Pipsqueak.
“You went to the Crythtal Empire?” Twist queried. “How wath it?”
“Well, I was in the library for most of the trip,” Nyx replied, “but it was amazing. The Crystal Ponies were really nice.”
“Okay, everypony, time for class,” Cheerilee called.
As the septuplet entered the schoolhouse, the CMC and Nyx noticed a certain ginger cat girl sitting in a seat next to Twist.
“Hi, Cat Twilight,” greeted Sweetie Belle.
“Please, just call me Twilight,” replied Twilight with a giggle.
“But we need some way to tell you apart from our Twilight.”
“Like the way she looks isn’t enough?” asked Apple Bloom.
“Okay, class, settle down,” Cheerilee instructed. “As you all know we have a couple of guests with us today. Everypony, say hello to Twilight Katswell.”
The foals and Twilight all greeted each other. Afterwards, Cheerilee introduced the class to Princess Cadence.
“Good afternoon, my little ponies, and kitten,” greeted Princess Cadence. “Today, and I are going to talk to you about witch weed and the dangers of its abuse. As you may or may not know, Princess Celestia had banned the growth and use of witch weed after what was known as the ‘Catrina Incident’. Yes, Nyx?”
“What’s the Catrina Incident?”
“That’s a good question, and to answer that, here’s the other guest: Catrina herself.”
The class turned towards the entrance, where walked through an orange-haired cat woman in a maroon and lavender dress.
“Hello, everypony. My name, as the princess mentioned, is Catrina. If any of you have any questions, please, don’t hesitate to answer.”
Several hooves shot up as the class had many questions about Catrina and why she used the witch weed. Once the school day had finished, the CMC, Nyx, Catrina, Princess Cadence and Twilight Katswell were on their way to the Friendship Rainbow Kingdom for Twilight Time.
“So,” Cadence said, “I heard Megan is here. How is she?”
“She doing fine,” Scootaloo replied. “She’s over at Pinkie's family's rock farm right now. Maybe we can go visit some time.”
As the septet entered the castle, to their surprise, they saw Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie with a kangaroo girl and a chipmunk girl .
“Oh, girls, thank goodness you’re here,” exclaimed a relieved Twilight Sparkle. She then turned her attention to Twilight Katswell and said “Oh, so you’re Sonic’s friend Twilight Katswell. I have so much to ask you.”
“I’m afraid those questions will have to wait until later,” said the chipmunk girl.
“Yeah,” added the kangaroo girl. “If we don’t discuss what Sally and I found in your library, Equestria won’t stand Buckley's at surviving bein’ covered in lava.”
To be continued…
Off To A Rocky Start, Part One
Last time…
“Today, and I are going to talk to you about witch weed and the dangers of its abuse. As you may or may not know, Princess Celestia had banned the growth and use of witch weed after what was known as the ‘Catrina Incident’.”
“I’m afraid those questions will have to wait until later.”
“Yeah. If we don’t discuss what Sally and I found in your library, Equestria won’t stand Buckley's at surviving bein’ covered in lava.”
“Wait, what do you mean we ‘won’t stand Buckley's’?” asked Rainbow Dash. “Are you a spy? Whoa!”
“Hang on a tick, we’re getting’ to that,” Trixie said, pushing Rainbow Dash aside. “You see, we’ve reading up on Equestrian history in this library, and, well, take a squizz at this.” Trixie produced an ornate book from her pouch and laid it down on the table.
“Pony Land History, Volume One,” Princess Twilight read aloud. “What does this have to do with us?”
“We have a relevant page bookmarked, just in case,” replied Sally.
“‘Lavan, a malevolent lava demon who kidnaps the Princess Ponies and steals their magic wands, since they contain all the magic in Ponyland,” Princess Twilight began. “He tried to use them to transform himself into an all-powerful crystal being. At first it didn't work, instead upsetting the balance of Pony Land. Once the Princess Ponies recovered and repowered their wands with the Heart of Pony Land, The Princess Ponies, along with Megan, destroyed Lavan. That was an interesting read, but what does that have to do with us?”
“I have reason to believe that Lavan may return at some point in the near future,” Princess Celestia related to a brown-haired pig woman, an emperor penguin, Princess Sally, Trixie and Princess Luna. “Princess Acorn--”
“Sally.”
“Excuse me, Princess Sally, you mentioned that your friend said that these ‘Chaos Emeralds’ are the only things that may be the key to Lavan’s revival?”
“Yes. If we had a lead on where one might be located, we could theoretically keep them in a safe location.”
“Even if we had all seven,” said the pig woman, “Let’s not forget that, if Lavan were to return, would you be able to stop them without the Princess Ponies? Now that they have, um gone to greener pastures?”
“All in due time, Porcina dear,” said the penguin. “We’ll just have to wait it out for now.”
“If you say so, Charlatan.”
“…What if there’s an Autobot that sounds like Cheese Sandwich?” asked Pinkie Pie? [1] “Wouldn’t that be super-duper awesome?”
“Almost as awesome as a seal speaking French,” replied Sonic. [2]
“In all my time here,” said Megan, “I’ve never met your family, Pinkie.”
“Yeah,” added Kalena. “I bet they’re as awesomely fun as you.”
“Yeah, about that. Y’see…”
As the train pulled up to the rock farm station, the sextet were greeted by Pinkie’s parents and sisters.
“Hi, Pinkie!” greeted Limestone.
“Hi, girls. Hi, mom and dad!”
“Good tidings, Pinkamena,” greeted Cloudy Quartz.
“Pinkamena?” questioned Leslie.
“Yup, that’s my name: Pinkamena Diane Pie,” stated Pinkie, as if it were a fact to be proud of. She turned to Limestone and asked “Did Maud get her rocktorate yet?”
“Not yet,” replied Limestone, “at least according to the reply to the hundreds of letters you mailed her asking about it.”
“Mm-hmm,” added Marble.
"Hey, aren't you going to introduce us?" asked Sonic.
“Oh, yeah,” said Pinkie, “I’d like to introduce you to, in no particular order: Sonic, Marina, Leslie, Kalena and Megan.”
After the quintet said their hellos, Sonic turned to Cloudy Quartz and Igneous Rock and said, “We need your help.”
“What is it?” asked Limestone.
“We’re looking for… how do I put this lightly… rocks called Chaos Emeralds,” replied Sonic, the location did not endear him to the quest at hand. “Have you seen any?”
“Now that you mention it,” said Cloudy Quartz, “Marble did find an odd colored stone a few days ago. We didn’t know what it was, but we’d be glad to give it to you.”
“That’s exactly the answer I’ve been waiting for,” said a disembodied voice.
“Who said that?” asked Megan
“I did.”
The owner of the voice revealed itself to belong to the paper dragon from the Crystal Empire’s library, only now it took on a form not unlike Discord’s covered in the writings of centuries long gone.
“Greetings,” said the dragon. “I am the Pagemaster, master of the written word and harbinger of your doom. If you value your lives, you will bring me the Chaos Emerald without any problems.”
“Fat chance, bookworm,” taunted Sonic. “The only way you’re getting that Emerald is over our dead bodies.”
“If you insist,” Pagemaster retorted. With a snap of his quill claws, assorted rocks assembled themselves into a humanoid figure with demon horns. “You know what to do, Haniwarrior.”
With that, the paper dragon teleported away to let the heroes deal the rock monster.
“What do we do, guys?” questioned Pinkie. “We can’t let that thing hurt my family.”
“And we definitely can’t let it get the Chaos Emerald,” added Megan.
“Chill, guys,” said Leslie, “we got this.”
“Are you sure?” Kalena asked. “Shouldn’t we call Sally and Trixie?”
“It’d take too long for them to get here in time,” said Marina. “Time to follow the sun?”
“And catch the sun? Let’s do it!”
“Wait are you sure they won’t mind?” asked Megan.
“Sure we’re sure. You girls ready?”
“Let’s do it to it. Natural Source, Solar Force!”
The trio summoned three hand-held devices, one red, one blue and one yellow and changed them into similar devices, the red bearing the image of an eagle, the blue one a shark and the yellow one a panther. They then leapt up into the air, whereupon a spinning person and flash of light morphed them into a trio of superheroes .
“Solar Force: Red Eagle Ranger!”
“Solar Force: Blue Shark Ranger!”
“Solar Force: Yellow Panther Ranger!”
“Follow the Sun! Catch the Sun! Power Rangers Solar Force!”
As the Rangers and Haniwarrior rushed into battle, Mr. and Mrs. Cake over in Ponyville are about to get a surprise of their own.
To be Continued…