The Long Road

Chapters

chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3

chapter 1

Thirteen hundred and fifty seven years prior to present

"But what if you get in trouble?" asked the dark blue alicorn filly as she trotted along.

"You worry too much Luna." responded the white alicorn filly as she trotted even faster.

"But father and mother!" Luna argued as she did her best to keep up with the pace.

"Won't know." the white alicorn mare stated as she finally stopped much to the surprise of Luna, "Or are you going to tell on me like a foal?" the white alicorn callously questioned without turning around.

"We are not a foal!" Luna declared, "You are Tia!" Luna accused as she turned and galloped back from whence they came, her faint crying echoing into the darkness.

"It's Celestia! Not Tia!" Celestia yelled down the hall where Luna had galloped before doing the same in the opposing direction.

Coming to a set of large doors she used her magic to shove them open, dust and grim falling about from years of neglect. Wasting little time she started to wade through parchment after parchment mumbling to herself until her face lit up as much as her golden magical grasp.

"Finally!" Celestia gasped with glee, "Luna can spend all her time learning those silly little spells. As for me," she grinned, "I'm going to prove that I'm not afraid to jump ahead" as she almost pranced deeper into the dusty library.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the castle, little Luna was galloping with all her might through the new brightly lit and decorated hallway with dried tears and new found determination, but not neglect. Even as she whipped back and forth between other, bigger, ponies she made sure not to cause any ruckus until one startled maid dropped a brimming hot teakettle.

Catching it with her dark blue colored magic Luna sat it onto the floor as she yelled back, "Pardon us!". Never slowing down until she reached a pair of large brightly golden doors, she almost slammed into them before sliding to a halt next to a guard in white pearly plate armor.

"We seek council! Please let us enter!" she called out with her voice almost breaking up in high pitch.

"Of course, my princess." The guard gruffly answered, before tapping his left hind hoof against the door, signaling those inside as the door slowly opened inwards revealing a grand lavish throne room. "You may enter."

Doing a light trot, she came up before two ponies who towered over any and all others before and around, as she knelt. "We seek...!" before being yanked in a crimson glow up to the thrones.

"Lulu how many times have I told you not to kneel?" The large alicorn mare gently chastised, "It's a form of submission that we would never ask of any pony."

"But we seek...!" Luna once again tried to addressed in vain as she was brought into a wing enclosed hug.

"Indeed." said the alicorn stallion, "If one wishes to show respect, then one is only to bow." as he seems to ignore the epic muffled battle of a filly against the feathers of his mate, as he looks only ahead.

"mmf mfmm mff!"

The two large alicorns can only chuckle/giggle at the muffled distraction.

"mmf mfmm mff!"

"Okay okay." The alicorn mare finally conceded, "What in equestria could be so dire?" she asked just as a sudden vibration rippled through the entire castle causing her wings to lose their pressure.

"We said Tia is in trouble!!" Luna screamed.

"I'm in so much trouble!!" Celestia grimaced as she now stood not among parchments or marble, but hay.

"W-where am I?" she fumbled out as she haphazardly jumped about in her new foreign environment, before screaming.

"M-m-m-monster!!!" the alicorn filly screamed as she dove into one of piles of hay, only to clank her horn off a large block, "Owwwwww..." she drew out as she rubbed her horn before smelling some material still on her horn now on her hoof, "salt?", only to be drawn out of her stupor by the bellow of the monster.

"Get back or I'll!" she threatens as she pops her head out of the hay only to gasp as nothing happened. "I'll...why can't I" she cries out as she rolls her large eyes up to her horn, not amassed in golden glow, much to her protest. "Work!" and then not so silent before ducking back into the hay after the monster once again erupts in an unholy roar.

Celestia wrapped her forelegs over her head and hunkered down with her tail wrapped along her side as she started to cry. "I wanna go home now" she mumbled to herself just as the noise from a creeping door startled her into wide eyes, the sound of paws coming ever closer into slamming them shut, and the calm voice speaking in an foreign dialect somewhere in between.

Peaking through the hay, her eyes widened at the sight before her. A much smaller monster had ventured into the structure, perhaps alerted to her presence by the almost equine like behemoth that had let forth the terrible roar earlier.

Please don't eat me please don't eat me. Was all she could think as the smaller monster ceased trying to docile the other only to look her way, causing her to shiver even more as it seemed to just stare in her general direction before it seemed to speak something under it's breath.

As she sat there, shivering but otherwise frozen while under the gaze of the monster before her, it's attention was suddenly taken by shouting outside. Now's my chance! She thought as she shot out from under the hay. Failing to even rationalize how bad going up stairs might have been, she never heard behemoth's roar followed by shattering wood, a scream, and breaking glass.

“Got to find a way out!” she cried out as she tripped and banged her legs as she climbed onto the second level of whatever complex she was stranded in, only to be confronted with more hay. As she galloped to and fro she started to cough lightly. “Why did I have to run up!” she chastised herself as her coughing slowly increased along with her eyes starting to sting.

“If only I could use my magic then-aah!” she came to a screaming conclusion as she tripped and went muzzle first into the floor, following by rapid coughing as she tried to steady herself. “Whats *cough* wrong with me!” she yelled out of frustration as her eyes clenched shut in irritation, the running snot in her nostrils causing further alarm and confusion.

“ahhhhhh!!!” she screamed with all her fright as whatever grabbed around her barrel gave a grunt as it heaved her up. “It's got me It's got me Let me go!!!” she cried even as her lungs and throat were doing the same. Flashes of light hit her eyes as if she'd lost control just as a soothing voice forced all of it to a halt.

She wanted to keep screaming. She wanted to force her eyes open and she especially wanted to be able to breath. But what she didn't want, but instead got, was a warm breath against the inside of her ear as the voice from before seemed to be trying to vex her. It spoke in a calm, but an ever growing raspy, voice. It wanted to elude her into a false sense of safety, and for it's part, it was succeeding.

It held her not too tight but aloft off the ground as she still flailed her legs a bit in vain until the calm voice, growing fainter, kept talking to her. She began to relax out of exhaustion as she felt rushed around, her legs now dangling. She barely registered the the free fall while still being held but jumped when something impacted the ground instead beneath her.

“I don't want to die” she almost blubbered out as tears of fear and sadness mixed with that of burning irritation. The voice had ceased, replaced only by wheezy breathing, as the grip around her started to loosen. But as she could do nothing other than instinctively wrap her forelegs around whatever was attached to the only thing that didn't make her afraid, the grip in turn tightened just enough to feel more secure.

The sudden rise and nausea that quickly followed only served to force her grip to tighten even more just as her entire body seemed to heat up as if bathing in the sunlight, following by the voice of her mother.

“Celestia!” an alicorn mare cried out as she held her, nuzzling her as she embraced her even tighter.

“Mother?” Celestia questioned as she opened her eyes a sliver, before they shot open wide, “Mother!” as if on cue, her cheeks demanded that they match those of the alicorn mare holding her.

As she nuzzled right back with abandonment she noticed a myriad of colored feathers not just of her mother's. “Father!” she craned her neck to pressed against his own, “Lulu!” she yelled as she pulled her sister in with her free foreleg even closer. “I'm sorry!” was all she could, or would, say as she held onto her family for her dear life, and them the same.

“We almost lost you.” her mother solemnly whispered with tears still fresh, “If Luna hadn't gotten to us when she did we would of not arrived in time to anchor your residual energy and pull you back.”

“Pull me back?” Celestia's eyes circled about, “Where is it?!” she then screamed causing the others embracing her to jump in surprise as she finally realized where she was, “Why am I in the royal infirmary?”

“You were badly burned and suffering from severe smoke inhalation,” a unicorn doctor spoke up from behind her father, “Had you not been brought to us when you were...” he left hang as he moved in to check up on the princess at the behest of the King and Queen.

“What did you mean by that Tia?” Luna asked her sister, who while not in love with the nickname, was more than accepting after such an event. “Did you see a monster?!” as she shrunk down.

“It was huge!” Celestia made sure to emphasize for her sister who was less than thrilled, “It was even bigger than mother or father and while it looked a bit like us it was really scary looking!” much to the dismay of her parents who watched as the fillies acted like night and day to the tale.

“But then an even smaller monster came and tried to tame it.” she continued on as the annoyed doctor kept trying to get her vitals to only some success, “It looked a lot less scary but I hid in some hay and it didn't see me.” she gave a self accomplished grin as she plopped down on her flank.

“Hay?” Luna asked with a tilted head, “You teleported to another dimension's barn?”

“Another dimension?” Celestia asked with wide eyes before looking to her parents, “I only”

“Only went against our wishes, attempted to cast an experimental spell that was forbidden for this very reason, and” her father deeply breaths in and out, “and I need to know in exact details what transpired before I confirm the rest.” he said with stern but not cold eyes. “Please.” as they soften.

“W-well I..” Celestia tried to speak as tears started to form under the parental gaze of her father as her mother moved closer and wrapped a wing over her for comfort, “I couldn't understand what they said but something yelled from outside distracting the smaller monster inside so I ran up some stairs.”

“Do you remember anything now that at the time you may have not acknowledged?” Her father inquired, to what end only he and from the worried look the Queen wore, knew.

Squeezing her eyes shut and scrunching up her muzzle, “I think when I ran the big monster roared, I heard wood shattering along with glass breaking?” as her muzzle tipped downwards, “a-and I...I think the smaller one screamed!” she shouted as her eyes shot back up in realization of the memory.

“I ran as fast as I could and got trapped on the second level. Then I started coughing real bad and my eyes burned.” she recalled as the doctor nodded from behind her, “I fell!” as the wing applied a bit more pressure, “and I couldn't get back up” as the tears started to well up again from the fear returning.

“Then what happened?” Luna asked, entirely engrossed in the tale, but moving close enough to move a front hoof to touch one of her sister's.

“I don't know.” she answered as her ears dropped and her stance faltered.

“Don't know or don't understand?” Her father gently asked. “Only one cannot be helped.”

“Something grabbed me and I kicked and flailed with all my might!” she recalled with some misplaced anger, “Then the same voice as the smaller monster was right next to my ear!” causing Luna to shrink down and her parent's eyes to widen, “and it started talking to me like when you did that time I fell off your throne!” she accused as she pointed to her father.

“I was trying to calm you down and let you know you would be alright.” the king deadpanned.

“Yeah that's exactly what it was trying to do!” she stated with a scowl before reality slapped her across the muzzle, causing the scowl to turn into something entirely opposite, “Oh no...”

“Celestia honey, calm down” her mother cooed near her ear to no avail.

“Where is it!?” Celestia started to panic, “You..you were able to save it right?” as more tears started to fall, “I-i...it was holding me and I think it fell! It kept talking to me but it's voice was getting dry and raspy...” her breathing increasing rapidly as both her parents tried to soothe her, yelling for the doctor.

“Where is it!” she finally demanded as tears shot out from her cheeks.

The queen said nothing, but embraced her daughter just a bit tighter as she was the only one close enough to make out the muffled words of dying innocence.

“I'm sorry!" was all that could be said to no pony that needed to hear it.

Fourteen years prior to present

Nestled deep in the Everfree there are many types of creatures of many different sizes. Whether hunter or the hunted, tooth of claw, scale of fur, they all followed the only rule of the Everfree. Survive. As such normalcy was towards the pack or colony where numbers mattered on whether one ate or was eaten each night. Anything unlucky enough to find itself isolated and alone, regardless of tier in the ecosystem, never lasted long.

Of the pack mentality, there was little above the sheer efficiency that the Timber Wolves could bring forth. Move together, sleep together, kill together. Much like the pack just shy of a dozen enjoying their fresh Manticore kill, drug to the river for easier consumption for the two month old pups at the den. They too follow the rule of the Everfree.

"ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" something screams as impact brings not easy dinner, but wet timber.

As pups scatter back and elders forward, all keen eyes of the night peer towards the rippling water waiting on the first signal to fight or flight. The night feathers high in the willow trees give way to the upcoming event, letting their night songs dwindle into the breeze just as blips of air burst through the calming water in rapid succession.

"gah!!" screamed a small colt as it burst through the water with little grace, much to the sudden delight of the awaiting Timber Wolves at the water's edge who stilled themselves in wait.

"What the heck!" yelled the colt as it kept struggling against nothing, "Something's got me!" before smashing one of it's front hooves right on the muzzle, "Pa!" it called out in crying panic, "It's got me!" before gurgling as he went back under.

The alpha crept forward as a youngling would be an easy kill even alone, and for all it knew, it was escaping. But just as it started to move faster right up to the water's edge it was jolted still by a single blip in the water. Letting out a growl only the pack understood, more of the elders ventured forth but stopping every time a blip popped.

Snapping at one of the younger elders, the Alpha growled and snapped again, as if to command the more expendable pack member to move in. A whimper and a dash later, the influx of many blips severed any resistance to the young elder's natural instincts as it stopped with only one wet paw.

Bursting once more through the water the colt seemed content being only partially submerged. Floating there with wide eyes, the colt seemed utterly frozen in fear as breathing was slow and erratic. Whether by nearly drowning or shock it was of no care to the Timber Wolves as the Alpha was about initiate the kill, when an roar erupted from the opposing river bank.

"Whats happening to me?" the water around the colt rippled as it pulled up one of it's forelegs as if foreign, "Did it curse me or something?" as it splashed the foreleg back down the water mixing in with that which fell from his eyes as it looked upwards.

"Ah'm sorry!" the colt cried out to the stars, "Ah'm sorry okay?!".

As if expecting an answer, the colt just continued to stare up at the clear night sky, "Can ah please go home now?" his voice on the verge of wobbly near the end as he hung his head, muzzle partially submerged.

"Gosh darnit what else gonna to go wrong!" the colt lifts his head in anger as he is doused under the water by the mid air collision of a manticore and several timber wolves. A wayward paw slicing down his side as his gargled cry was eclipsed by the roar and growls on the surface, scrambling through the pain to move with the undertow to anywhere but there.

Whether it would be by luck or damnation, there was one thing that both the colt's old home and the Everfree shared like long lost brothers. One rule that the colt knew well having grown up on the bleeding edge of the frontier. Survive.

"Work darn you work!" the colt yelled at it's very body in frustration as his hind legs seem to fight his every instinct while only having his front to try and swim to the shoreline. "Ah ain't dying to no mangy coyotes or over sized cougars!"

Climbing to dry ground, the colt struggled to keep steady on all four hooves. "Gotta *cough* run!" stumble as he would, he started to make headway to the treeline just as a wayward timber wolf, the younger elder, snapped it's jaws down on his tail. "Maybe ah can't run but ah still know how to kick ya furless critter!" as the crackling of wood and yelp of pain was met with freedom once more.

"Gah! Stupid critters!" the colt grumbled as he limped along the underbrush before circling a few trees, doubling back and then limping off into a new direction. "Just gotta do what Pa told me to do if I ever got lost and hurt." before letting his muzzle drop along with his voice, "Now ah just wish I listened to them osage about them angry spirits..." as he drudged along.

Present day

"But I'm a baby dragon!" Spike argued as he held his blanket entrapped in his talons in the air.

"Spike we've been over this. The Summer Sun Celebration is today!" Twilight Sparkle countered with yanking the blanket from spike's grasp with her magic, "We're asked to stay up all night in order to all be awake for the rising sun."

"Asked, not ordered." he reaffirmed with a frown, "I don't see why we can't sleep in just this once after all that's happened the last couple of years." as he starts counting with his talons, "Nightmare Moon, Discord, Sombra, Discord all the time".

"Exactly Spike." she nodded as she approached her number one assistant, "We've been through quite a lot together and this will be the first celebration that we can fully enjoy!" as her muzzle hinged on an grin, "Plus Rarity was asking if you would be there".

Interlocking his talons, his eyes started to shift before narrowing, "Then I'll do it!".

Sighing with a roll of her eyes, "I knew you could." before nuzzling him.

"Yeeehaw!" was all the door screamed as it was shot inwards. "Whats happening everypony!" Applejack said with just as much oomph as she did knocking on the door.

"AJ I told you to knock not buck my door!" Twilight yelled with half annoyance half amusement.

"Aww don't mind me none. Ah'm just coming to help make sure both of ya'll are up and proper!" as a wide grin started etching across Applejack's muzzle. "Should'a seen what ah done to Rainbow".

"Applejack!!!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she landed with a poof of dust right outside the doorway. "That went through my freaking shower you jerk!" as she flared her wings and hoofed the dirt.

"Aww, did the purdy nappin pony forget what cotton picking day it was?!" Applejack taunted even against the seeming impact the balled end of her tail made as she swung about, "Sides ah only returned the ball ya'll kicked through mah bedroom window!" as she hoofed the wood below her.

"Well at least you were halfway there?" Rainbow said with a snicker forgetting just who she was dealing with, "Oh crud!" as she tried to leap into flight, sky becoming earth along with an orange eclipse sealing her fate.

"Stop that this instant!" as a light blue magic enveloped and separated the two confrontation ponies, "That is no way for a lady to behave." Rarity said with a disapproving glare to two of her best friends. "Whatever has gotten into you two?"

"They're fighting over some balls." Twilight deadpanned towards a slightly pink cheeked Rarity.

"Well, I um," Rarity stuttered while trying to best respond, "Maybe one day they will finally learn to share?"

"What?!" growled AJ and Rainbow, still enveloped by the magical glow.

"Rar---raaaarity?" came the groggy voice from the fresh hole in the wall. "Rarity!"

"Spikey -wikey!" Rarity gave an genuine smile, "You're awake. Good good." she said as she trotted over, releasing the two onto the hard ground, "Would you be ever so kind and assist me in decorating the auditorium?" getting a bit of debris in her mane from the sudden movement before her.

"Would I!" Spike exclaimed with ambition, "Can I go?" he asked to his right, getting an nod before cheering and dashing to the door, bowing with his arms pointing out, "After you M'lady."

Giggling, "Such a proper gentlecolt you are." she said as she trotted out the door, "Sweetie Belle will be so excited!" in passing.

"Wait. What?" he questioned scratching the underside of his chin, "Hey wait!" Spike called out as he disappeared into the night.

"He still don't get it" Twilight deadpanned past the hole that her door at one time sealed before letting out an ear piercing scream as something jumped at her through the darkness.

"Hi Twilight!!" as the pink blur tackled the still screaming lavender unicorn, "You'll never guess what just happened!" Pinkie beamed a wide smile, "Take a guess!"

"I give up." Twilight mutters as the pulse in her ears dissipates.

"Awww. That's no fun at all. But neither will this!" as the pink party pony jumps back onto the wooden floor.

"Wait. What do you mean by that?" she asked as she got back onto her hooves as the broken door is lifted by a deep pink glow, "Don't tell me!"

"Oh it wasn't a doozy." Pinkie elaborated as a somepony lets out a deep sigh off to her right, "Much much worse!" as any escaping air is sucked back in.

"Wait. There's something worse than a doozy?" Applejack shrunk back as Rainbow put on a confident smirk.

"She's just messing with Twilight AJ. Nothing to worry about." Rainbow nudged AJ's side as the smirk straightens, "Least I hope."

"This is supposed to be the first Sun Summer Celebration where nothing goes wrong!" Twilight vents as she cyan and orange fur is pulled through the gaping hole of her once covered doorway, "Now you're telling me that something worse than a hydra in the bog is going to happen?" as she slumps down.

"Ah uh, ah don't think it was the hydra that was the" Applejack directed out before being shoved to the side.

"Yeah wasn't the doozy Twilight finally admitting she was clueless?" Rainbow recanted with a grin towards Applejack that quickly retreated once she swiveled her head towards the pony in question. "I mean, when you uh..."

"Admitted that I was wrong to not believe something that I couldn't disprove?" Twilight arcs her left brow, "Or am I still clueless?" before furrowing them.

"Ain't nothin wrong with admitting yah might be clueless Twi." Applejack tilted her head, "Sides when dealing with Pinkie here, ah think we're all guilty of it."

"Even me!" Pinkie cheerfully added as Applejack gave a long hard stare to Twilight who merely sighed. "Especially when whatever is coming gets here." as three sets of eyes dart her way.

"When what gets here?!" The three other ponies ask/demand.

"Well if I knew that I wouldn't of come here to tell Twilight now would I?" Pinkie gave an rather befuddled return stare, "All I know is that I know nothing else at all!" as the she switched to her signature smile.

"Maybe we should warn the Princesses?" Twilight suggests with nodding approval from the others.

"Warn us of what?" as three determined ponies let out a surprised cry over the new but familiar voice behind them.

"Princess Celestia!" The four ponies knelt before addressing the other beside her, "Princess Luna!" giving the princess of the night the same courtesy.

"W-we weren't expecting you until morning" Twilight observed. "and we need to warn you about something coming!"

"What might be coming save for the rising sun, young Twilight Sparkle?" Princess Luna stepped forth after giving her sister a side glance, "While we observe the unfamiliar that the element of laughter at times represents, we are not sure what to make of such a foreboding declaration."

"However," the solar princess interjects with her approaching presence, "We are inclined to listen to whatever warnings any of you wish to inform onto us regardless." as she notions with her head for Pinkie to step closer.

"Wellatfirstithoughtitmightbeadoozybutitfeltmorelikethetimebeforenightmaremoonarrived" as gasps rang out all around, "butthenirealizedthatitfeltlikenightmaremoonbutalsotheonetimewheniwasunsurehowanewcupcakerecipewouldturnout!"

"What in sam hill did she just say?" Applejack questioned.

"Nightmare moon and cupakes?" Rainbow drew out from the corner of her muzzle.

"So you think that something big is coming but unsure if good or bad?" Princess Celestia condensed for all to follow as the Pink party pony gave an energized smile and nod, "Do you know when?" as the noise of clopping from behind turned heads.

"Now who could that be." Twilight huffed as she trotted over and flung the door open with her magic. "I'm sorry but we're aahhhhhhh!".

"Twilight!" as a yellow blur flew through the door, "Oh excuse me..." she fluttered past the princesses and landed before the assembled group.

"Fluttershy whats wrong?" Twilight pushed past orange and cyan to butterscotch as she noticed the fear in her eyes.

"Oh Twilight it's terrible! Angel told me that something had come to this side of the Everfree!" as the others shot her looks of full attention and concern, "When I asked him what it was all of the other animals went crazy with chatter about it."

"Pinkie was right!" Twilight shot Pinkie a look who returned a blank one, "again."

"Well what did the critters say?" Applejack tried to push forward the important but missing details.

"They said terrible things!" Fluttershy said with concern, "Stuff like how it's alone and always injured! That it's been wandering since it was as small as a timber wolf pup and now it towers over Alphas. They think that it's cursed!" as tears begin to well up, "I was wanting to find the poor animal and help it." as she lowers her muzzle.

"Did the animals mention anything that could help us locate this unfortunate creature my little pony?" Celestia softly inquired as Fluttershy's eyes widened.

"Princess Celestia! Princess Luna!" Fluttershy knelt down with some embarrassment.

"Please rise, our little pony." Celestia gently advocated as Princess Luna approached.

"Did you mention that the animals of the Everfree think that this creature is cursed?" Luna inquired with concern, "Then perhaps there is more to Laughter's foretelling than previously considered."

"Hah! Like some animal from the Evefree could be a match for us." as the corner of Rainbow's muzzle etched up, "I say we go over there and show that we aren't afraid of it."

"Ah'm with Rainbow on this one." Applejack quickly added, "Don't like meddling in other's affairs none but ah also don't like something like that being so close to mah home and family."

"But we haven't even established if it's a threat." Twilight folds her ears down as flashbacks of Zecora emerge, "Just because something is different on the outside doesn't mean it's up to no good." stomping her hoof down, "Plus Fluttershy is well known through the Everfree for helping any animals in need." as butterscotch ears flare up.

"Now hold on there sugarcube." Applejack trots forward with her ears pivoted the same, "Nowhere did ah say that I wanted to go and harm it. Ah just don't like something that we don't know if meaning us harm being so close."

"Well I might not be some egghead," cyan proclaims as lavender frowns,"but if it was here to see Fluttershy then why didn't it?" as ears pivot towards Rainbow Dash, "Sounds like it's roughed it all it's life on it's own and just happened to wonder too close to Ponyville to me."

"OH!" something pink yells as a cyan blur shoots into the air, "You might be right Dashie!"

"See!" Rainbow points an cyan hoof to pink, "Even Pinkie agrees..."

"You sure ain't no egghead!" as a wide smile appears on Pinkie's muzzle.

"ugh..." Rainbow slowly runs her hooves down her face.

"Report!" causing all of the ponies to jump.

"Nothing out of the ordinary was found around the entrance to the Everfree, my Princess." said an unnamed and kneeling lunar guard, "Magical scrying was also performed resulting in no abnormalities."

"Very well." Princess Luna glances to her sister who nods in return, "Please inform the Solar Guard that that something may be afoul and to post guards near Fluttershy's cottage and Apple Acres, along with additional patrols throughout."

"Yes, my Princess." the lunar guard confirms before leaving the Library.

"What ya all supposed we do now?" Applejack openly questioned.

"We continue on with the planned celebration." Celestia announced, "If anything comes of this then our royal guards will inform us immediately." as she scans the ponies before her, "The course of action will depend entirely on what, if anything, comes from the everfree and of it's intentions." before a faint smile spreads across her muzzle, "Also please assure that all of the elements of harmony have gathered at the grand hall of Ponyville as soon as possible for rehearsal."

"Rehearsal?!" Twilight and company all yell out in surprise or shock.

"We may have forgotten to inform all of you that this year we are also celebrating all that you've accomplished for the Kingdom." Princess Luna casually informed to the ever growing surprise of the ponies before her, "Each of you shall be asked to pick one friendship report sent to our dear sister and read it aloud for all gathered." as looks of surprise becomes mixed with that of anxiety.

"Will do Princess Luna!" Applejack says with not to subtle pride.

"You can count on us Princess!" Rainbow Dash boasts with a cocky grin.

"oh my gosh.." ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh "oh my gosh..." Fluttershy barely flutters out.

"oooo can we bring props?!" Pinkie asks with unabated excitement that is met with an resounding shake of Princess Luna's head, "Oh fiddle sticks!" good thing my cannon isn't a prop as Luna's eyes borrow into Pinkie's unfocused ones.

"Wha... How am I going to pick just one?!" Twilight asks to no pony in particular before a pink glow latches onto her saddlebags as she gallops out of the library.

"Ah swear that pony is gonna have more wrinkles than Granny at half the age..." Applejack shakes her head as she and company shut the library door behind them.

Everfree;

Of the many things to be said of the Everfree, quiet would not be one of them. Yet not far inside the Everfree even the sounds of crickets have succumbed to a deathly silence. Just as clouds at the behest of the full moon move, casting lunar light through the thinning tree cover, the silhouette of a pony's hoof scratching on the worn path between herbalist and caretaker takes shape.

Chapter 2

"Remember this day little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth the night will last forever!" a dark blue pony clad in cold steel cackles out before the amassed ponies below. They cry out in fright and shock, cowering or running away. Satisfied with one last look, the dark blue pony clad in steel becomes enveloped in mist.

"Luna?" Princess Celestia gently calls out from behind the entrance to the balcony.

"Here, dear sister." as the mist fades away, leaving behind a dark blue pony clad not in cold steel but soft adornments, "We seemed to have been caught up in a fit of brooding."

Princess Celestia slowly steps out onto the balcony, coming to a rest beside her dear, but troubled, sister. Yet no words come from her mouth. In her stead she merely looks forth from her perch as white feathers nestle against dark blue.

"They were too quick to forgive." was all Luna whispered out.

"And you are far too slow." Celestia slightly turns her head towards Luna, "Our little ponies adore you Luna. As do I."

"One need only thank the passage of time for such an unearned boon." Luna replies back.

"I would prefer to thank the naturally forgiving nature of our subjects" Celestia carefully objects.

The closing of her eyes signals the unnerving silence as her sister patiently awaits at her side, "They would judge us based on what might be read to misbehaving foals before bedtime." slowly opening her eyes once more, "How can one truly accept that which no longer has proper council to make judgement?" Luna internally unable to displace the irony of the empty assembly before her against such declaration.

"Do I not count?" Celestia almost pouts.

"You are our sister." Luna casually quips, "Of course not."

"What of the bearers?" Celestia notions as she notices Luna slightly jump, "One could say that they felt the full force that which was Nightmare Moon, and yet they were the very first to offer their hooves in friendship to you."

"We...that is to say..." Luna attempts to stagger out before the sister's attention is drawn towards the stage.

"So you didn't learn anything huh?"

"Rainbow Dash!! That's private!" as galloping hooves echo about "Stah ahna mah pal!"

"Applejack don't talk with your mouth full. For one it's unlady like and none of us could understand what you said."

"Yeah!" echos from the stage, "Besides it's not my problem that your letter got put on my side of the line."

"Wah ly..." as the sound of a raspberry rings out, ""What line?!"

As sigh and snort couldn't help but escape from the sister's muzzles, neither could the faint creep of a smirk.

"That is to say, that we are forever grateful." Luna whispers.

"While mere words may soothe our ears they truly make poor remedy for a broken heart." Celestia slowly steps to the front of the open balcony, "For even our own eyes may deceive if we rely on only them to guide or judge." Scanning the not the empty podiums but the lively stage, "Sometimes it is actions not intended to be known that encompass that which we seek the most ourselves."

"What we do we do not for self redemption sister." Luna slowly travels as well to the front of the balcony, "For just in of itself being brought back into the light cannot grant." She too stares down upon the stage, "But it does grant something just as precious."

"And what might that be, my dear sister?" Celestia gently inquires.

"A chance." Luna whispers in return before a deep breath and ruffling of feathers shoos away the heavy cloud around her, "What we have now is a chance." relaxing her posture, "We have family. Friends. Subjects who know not of war or suffering where nightmares come from imagination and not from experience. Do we yet deserve forgiveness? Nay. But that is because we feel that we have not earned it." letting one eye look into her sister's own, "Yet."

Celestia glances to her side as a soft smile begins to form.

"Hey is that Pinky's party cannon?"

"Laughter!" Luna shouts over the balcony banister, causing Celestia to shroud her ears.

"Fiddlesticks!"

"I do so hope this day goes well." as the softness of Celestia's voice spread across the balcony, "This small community has been through so much and they always put forth so much effort."

"You worry of the Everfree?" Luna looks back to her sister.

"How can I not?" Celestia draws out with an solemn tone, "Predators of timber, scale, and stinger. Beautiful flowers of trickery. Begotten remnants of a time that had wrongly given me strength during the day, but doubt in the night." taking a moment to ruffle her feathers, "All of which can be dealt with has it has been for almost a thousand years. Yet..."

"Yet nothing." Luna's words cut through the haze of doubt filling the balcony, "You are alone no longer. Regardless of what may or may not come, good intentions or not, you will have not only have a kingdom behind but also a sister at your side."

"And here I thought I was the big sister." Celestia proclaims as a faint laugh escapes her muzzle, "Since when did we switch places?" as she turns about sporting an earnest grin.

"Since we became wise enough to know when to." Luna states with a hint of pride.

"And when was that?" Celestia playfully inquires.

"When everything was lost." as pride becomes entangled in sadness, and white feathers.

As lavender hooves begin to move back from whence they came, "You need not go my dear Twilight." the words of her mentor giving her pause and just enough time to try and dry the fresh tears, "O-oh okay!" yet not enough to conceal the rasp in her voice.

"What brings you to our balcony aside from a bout of curiosity?" Celestia playfully chastises her favorite pupil.

"I-i-i...I'm sorry I ease dropped!" Twilight jitters out entirely oblivious to the playful.

"You have no reprisal to fear Twilight Sparkle," Luna states as she puts on her poker face, "Less you've forgotten to share the cake." earning the look of shock and deadpan in one fell swoop.

"Luna!" Celestia almost growls out between her teeth.

"Ah! I'll be right back!" Twilight yells out as she gallops away leaving two very contrasting reactions from the princesses.

"Wha...wait we have cake?" Celestia's face contorted between pleasant surprise and slight annoyance.

"We...well that is to say..." Luna slightly covers her muzzle with her foreleg.

"Pinkie! We have an emergency!" Earning the attention of the princesses as they stare at each other.

"Oh I know! Miss Moonie saw my cannon!" As Luna's eyes narrow and Celestia's is unable to hold back a snicker.

"Forget that! We need cake!" Causing expressions to reverse.

"Whoever would have cake at this hour deary?" As Luna's nod causes Celestia's frown to grow.

"Princess Luna said that unless I get cake Princess Celestia will be upset!" as double facehooves commence.

"Y'all hear that?"

"If I get you cake can I keep my cannon?" As a deep growl emanates from the balcony.

"Ah know y'all heard that!" Causing Celestia to purse her lips to quiet her sister.

"All I heard was your stomach."

"Dear Applejack you simply cannot eat such unhealthy deserts in the middle of the night!" Luna nods.

"Ah don't intend to but who are you to tell me what ah can or cannot do Rarity?" Celestia nods.

"The advocate pleading on behalf of you're soon to be over plump flanks." As Celestia looks at her flank.

"Soon to be?" Luna's inability to keep from nodding sending Celestia aghast.

"They call it muscle Rainbow Dash." Celestia nods with narrowed eyes.

"Quiet! Eh-hehe...I mean please settle down. Now Pinkie if you give me some cake I promise to ask Princess Luna if she might permit the party cannon if it is only filled with confetti for the celebration." A huff and drawn out groan proceeds.

"So did you ask her?" Before the balcony becomes deathly silent.

"I didn't get the chance yet but I plan to don't worry." Luna leading as both princesses lean their ears towards the edge.

"Do you think she will say yes?"

"I'm sure she will at the behest of our invitation, dear Fluttershy."

"Yeah. If it wasn't for Princess Luna we never would of went into the Everfree together." Causing Luna to droop her ears.

"Never would'a fallen off cliffs." Followed my sagging eye lids.

"Never fought a manticore." Until they begin to shut.

"Or become bestest best friends!" Sending Luna's growing dismay to the moon, as ears perk and eyes become alert.

"Got to see what we're made of!"

"Save the our homes several times over after becoming the bearers."

"I think we can all agree that without Princess Luna we wouldn't be the ponies we are today. So I promise that after I deliver the cake that I will ask her if she would be on stage with us when we read out friendship letters." As Luna's mouth runs agape while Celestia's is engulfed in the warmest of smiles.

"But what if she can't because she needs to stay beside Princess Celestia?"

"Hey she may be the Princess but she's our friend too!" Followed by dark blue feathers trying to rub an irritated eye.

"Rainbow! All we can do is ask."

As the sound of echoing clops disappear past the stage Princess Luna attempts to quickly hide any signs of emotion, only to whirl about and meet muzzle to muzzle with the wide smile of Princess Celestia.

"Don't say one word..." Luna continues her attempt to rub her eyes.

"please say yes please say yes please say yes please I brought cake!"

"Why thank you Twilight." Princess Celestia graciously gives thanks while hiding linger annoyance.

"You're welcome Princess Celestia," bowing as Twilight recedes her pink magic as golden takes hold of the saucer holding the slice of cake, "I brought some for...Princess Luna?" as she takes notice of eyes of discomfort in the Lunar Princess.

"Fear not, Twilight Sparkle. We merely have garnered something from the air onto our eyes." As Luna straightens her posture.

"Oh Let me go get you some something!" as lavender gallops off before dark blue could protest, and only sigh.

"We hope you enjoy your cake" Luna adds with a slightly childish undertone.

"Mmmhmm." Celestia hums out with a not so slightly childish undertone.

"kkkkkhssss" Luna almost hisses back with narrowed eyes.

"This should help your eyes Princess Luna." Twilight returns with a wet washcloth, letting light blue overtake pink.

"Thank you, Twilight Sparkle." Luna tabs the eyes of her eyes, not failing to take notice of the tip of Twilight's hoof grinding into the floor, nor her sister.

"Is something the matter Twilight?" Celestia asks as she ignored Luna dropping the wash cloth as her eyes go wide, "Perhaps you have something you wish of us?"

"W-well, I..." Twilight stumbled about before taking a deep breath, "Princess Luna." stepping closer to the Lunar Princess, "At the behest of the bearers of friendship, we extend an formal request for the Princess of the Night to stand alongside us during our part of the ceremony." as a small droop of water tingles down along the short hairs of her face.

"We..." Princess Luna was about to accept before entangled hooves erupted from behind the entrance.

"That's how you asked her?" Rainbow Dash sticks her head out from under Rarity.

"Eek!" Rarity screams as she is forcefully rolled off the pile landing upside down before a now red in the face Twilight, "Well deary it isn't how you asked but whom you asked."

"Darn tootin." Applejack fumbles with her stetson, "You asked Princess Luna." causing Princess Luna and Princess Celestia to tilt their heads in silent confusion.

"We...omph!" Fluttershy tries to stumble off Pinkie Pie, "We wanted you to ask Luna."

"There be a difference?" A now slightly annoyed Princess Luna addresses.

"Of course Silly!" Pinkie giggles out a snort, "Princess Luna is our princess!" as the Luna deadpans, "But Luna is our friend!" until widening eyes almost give way to compromise once more as resounding conformations ring out from the other bearers.

"Laughter..." Luna begins to soothe out.

"And maybe Luna won't be a miss meanie pants about cannons!" Pinkie lets her goofy, and slightly intimidating muzzle wide grin, blind all around her.

"Ugh..." Luna moves her hoof right below her horn, "Fine! You may have your cannon but only shall it be filled with confetti!"

"Yay!!" Pinkie yells out as she hops around, stopping right in front of a smiling Fluttershy, "Yay fluttershy!" as she starts to tickle the butterscotch pegasus until she snorts in a fit of laughter.

"Pinkie!" a read faced Fluttershy calls out in embarrassment as the hoping pink pony starts chasing Rarity around the Balcony.

"I...gladly accept your invitation." Luna concedes with slight embarrassment pushing through her cheeks as resounding yays and one scream ring out.

"Why aren't any of you helping meeeeee!!"

The Everfree;

The stallion dredges his hoof into the bare soil of the well worn path. Not hard or fast enough to dig down, but just enough to make subtle contact. Water He was sure of it.

"Water..." The stallion mutters in a terribly raspy voice, "Ah wonder." as he slowly turns his head to and fro as if to gather his bearings on which way on the herd path to take. "Gut's telling me to git...to git.." hesitation comes as he begins to sway, the plentiful assembly of glowing insects in the air suddenly expanding several fold, before falling onto the soft soil.

"..M-must stay..." as the ensemble of crickets and night birds start to shift from distant to almost ear rattling, "Ah gotta...gotta..." as the once soft soil around him begins to harden and crack in fiery glow. His breathing, once slowing, begins to quicken in anxiety as the soft blue hue of the mid summer night moon shifts to blood red.

So there you are

He begins to kick and flail about, as if submerged in an ocean, the hairs on his backside beginning to smoke and singe.

You will never escaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!" the stallion screams through the foreleg now painfully held in his own mouth as rapid breaths slow into deep and hesitant ones. Slowly releasing his foreleg, he gives no reprieve as he brings himself onto three hoofs.

"First, drink until ah can't drink anymore." slamming his now injured front leg onto the disturbed soil below as dark liquid seeps down his hoof, "Second, take a bath!" spitting profusely as he begins his gallop down the path.

Back in Ponyville;

"Report!" Princess Luna addresses a pair of guards beside Princess Celestia and the bearers.

"Nothing out of the ordinary my highness." the guard on the left rises from how bowing, "The only activity from the Everfree have been animals from the Element of Kindness's cottage."

"What kind of activity?" Princess Celestia is quick to inquire.

"A bear went into the Everfree, but none have ventured fro." The guard on the right quickly answered.

"Oh no, Harry!" Fluttershy cries out in distress, "I told him not to go into the Everfree until morning!"

"Fluttershy Harry is a bear." Rainbow Dash deadpans, "That lives in the Everfree."

"Yes, but he told me that he wouldn't go in unless he sensed something was wrong." before Fluttershy gasps, "That means something is wrong!" as she lifts herself into the air only to be pulled back down by her apple friend.

"Now hold on there sugarcube." Applejack leaves a hoof on her tail in case, "Maybe Harry just got bored of being stuck in your cottage and went out to play?" mouthing words to the others who began to give less than motivated agreements.

Raising her hoof to just below her horn, "Guard. Did...Harry the bear show that he was in distress in any shape or form?" Luna inquires if only to quell the element of kindness from possibly venturing into the Everfree under the cover of darkness.

"Negative your highness. When observed, the bear seemed to roll around in front of the Everfree and then slowly walk inside." the guard on the left quickly replies as the guard on the right slowly shuts his muzzle.

Fluttershy gives a halfhearted nod but never lets her gaze leave the floor.

"Oh for the love of..." Rainbow drags her hoof down her face, "After the celebration we will go with you and make sure Harry the bear is okay." as Fluttershy perks up to the promise, "Okay?"

"Okay." Fluttershy replies with her normal demeanor.

Everfree;

Ah can smell it! as the stallion gallops through the thick underbrush just off the beaten path. With each harsh clop of his foreleg pain ushered up until it was if he could hear the pain in his ears, only to cause his gallop to hasten. Ah can hear it! as he veers off, letting the pivot of his ears guide him just as the clouds give way to the full glow of the moon. "Now ah can seeeeaaaaaah!!!" the stallion screams as he gallops right off a 20 foot cliff into the small river below.

"gah!!" yelled the stallion as he burst through the water with little grace, much to the great annoyance of the awaiting Bear at the water's edge who stilled itself in wait.

And into the magnificent mind of Harry the Bear;

The promise Harry the Bear thinks, shall be tested! as the water continues to run down his once dry and well groomed fur thanks to the caretaker. Does this feral creature even understand?! Harry the Bear enrages within his mind, his eyes widening as his muzzle curls. When the caretaker finds out that I snuck out after she left, shaking his head at the thought of all the murderously boring tea parties. But it's not my fault! his muzzle curls once more, How am I supposed to survive on three fish a day!? as his eyes widen with crazed hunger.

Then, as the creature who would dare intrude onto Harry's late night fish snack run turns to the shoreline, they both lock eyes. Yet as the moonlight fully illuminates the creature before Harry, the latter is the first to react, by taking a step back.

Harry not understand! as his face is one no longer of anger, but surprise. Why is one of the protected here? as he stiffens into a more upright posture, Why does one of the protected not smell like one of the protected! as his nostril's take in yet another. The protected smell too good, eat too much, and too well groomed! as his claws begin to dig into the wet soil, Harry not understand.

"" the protected asks Harry, who while unable to understand the words can feel the intent, ""

Harry understand now. as he begins to relax but continues to stare. The protected are stupid tilting his head, stupid enough to get lost in the Everfree. As a grin begins to creep across his muzzle, Harry will return stupid to the other stupid and demand tribute! Almost as if to laugh only to himself, Then Harry will get five fish a day!

Back to the Smelly Stallion;

The stallion attempts to make neither heads or tails of the hysterically laughing bear on the shoreline, as he himself proceeds to climb onto shore having cleaned up to his considerably low standards of Everfree hygiene. The lifting of an uninjured foreleg and one lick later gives the stallion all the confirmation he needs. "Is enough."

Giving himself a good shake over, he then walks towards the water's edge as the current retakes any disturbances left in his wake. Peering over the edge, he can do little more than stare with blood shot eyes at the reflection. "Ain't never getting clean enough..." as a yawn escapes his muzzle, "Aw now don't go starting that again!" as a quick smashing together of forelegs brings reprieve once more.

Upon returning his gaze on his watery reflection, he couldn't help but kick a small pebble near his hoof into it. He held little comfort in the world he now found himself in, and for such a time when first arriving, just the distortion of his reflection was enough to take him back. Back to a place he now questions if ever existing, to beings with blank faces, and to a name that he can no longer remember.

Even in futility, he clenches his eyes shut for just a moment as he slams his hoof in the water. Giving it but a few moments, he opens them only be met with the same muzzle as before. Even as a low growl escapes from his clenched teeth, he closes his eyes once more giving more time between splashing the water to opening his eyes. The skin between his eyes becomes rigid as he stomps his front hooves, hinging on leaping into the reflection as if it was deserving of all blame.

But as quickly as it came the anger left as a solemn expression takes it's place, his gaze still fixed upon his reflection.

"Looks like it's just the two of us again, stranger." slightly tilting his head with a faint smirk, "With just the red..." causing him to look up in the night sky.

Heh

"Aw no..." as he is hit with enough force to drive him into the nearby rock face.

Miss me?

The stallion spits crimson onto the now flaking ground as he struggles back onto his hooves, never taking his narrowed eyes off the creature before him.

Did you forget what I told you when you first fell into my kingdom?

The stallion takes a superficial graze as he dashes between several stalagmites like rocks thrown towards him like spears in his desperate attempt to close the distance between him and his assailant.

Of how lucky I was to have found you in time?

Nearly upon his attacker, the stallion dashes just past the creature towards the rock face behind it. Leaping at full speed towards the wall of rock, the stallion uses the his momentum to push himself up the rocks and then spring off towards it's blindside just as the creature soars up into the air.

That I could only knock one of you out of the temporal stream?

"How many dang times ah gotta tell ya I ain't kin to that witch?!" the stallion yells out towards the creature far above as it flaps it's wings. "This ain't even what ah am!" as a blast before his hooves launches him backwards.

What you are, is weak!

He is barely able to shake off the earlier attack as the ground before him cackles and crushes from the sheer force of four obsidian hooves slamming down, but not enough to avoid the incoming rear hooves to his muzzle.

Not even the blood in your veins deems to you worthy of your birthright!

Given not even enough time to cry out in pain as the hard and jagged radius of the attacker's wing makes contact, he can only allow himself to go limp as he is sent skidding across the hard ground.

But it does for my retribution!

The stallion staggers to his hooves only to slammed back down by the razor edged face of the creature connecting with his own.

For I have tasted your blood in the mortal realm.

Struggling once more to stand, the same jagged face cuts into his own as he is sent back down.

So run where you may. Tempt madness in fear of closing your eyes too long.

The slamming off a hoof upon his neck all but sealing his fate, once again.

But never forget the one thing that you truly are.

The sleek obsidian faced alicorn begins to crack with glowing red spider like veins.

mine

Author's Note

Just to reaffirm that no, the oc is not nor will he ever become an alicorn.

Chapter 3

Princess Celestia began to rise into the dawning sky, the assembly of ponies having gathered to just outside the grand hall. Her horn begins to glow as she raises her forelegs upwards, letting golden radiance erupt henceforth to usher in the rising sun over the distant mountain ridge. Luna was right she thought as a soft smile crept across her muzzle, her ears perked to take in the sound of happiness through the whistling and cheering below. I worry too much.

Yet with the back of her wings to the rising sun and her vision never hindered, she is the first to acknowledge that which gives her pause in her self indulgence, but haste in her pursuit.

"Where is Princess Celestia going?" Twilight whispers as she is forced to crane her neck up and over backwards, much to the same as the other ponies gathered all around.

Luna! Something has happened near Fluttershy's cottage. causing Princess Luna's physical reaction to garner the absolute attention of the bearers all standing near as worried expressions begin to form.

"Princess Luna did something happen?" Twilight speaks for her gathered friends as the sparkling crown adorned on her head, along with the shiny jewels across the other bearer's necks, are not so easily concealed from the contemplating eye of Luna.

Leaning in as to not cause panic, "We know only that our sister has found something of great concern and has requested our presence." as she lets her eyes meet each of theirs, "Come." as she begins to take her leave.

"But where are we going?" Twilight with bearers following in her wake asks in confusion.

"Fluttershy's cottage." as one couldn't help but gasp much louder than the others in fear, "Make haste!" as Luna unfurls her wings and takes to the sky, followed either by sky or ground towards outside of Ponyville.

Allowing herself only enough speed to not visually draw attention, Princess Luna begins to descend as she finally approaches the cottage in question, landing just behind her sister. "Sister?" she calls out as she begins to move closer only to take notice to the en mass of guards coming from all directions. We will discuss this later in the barracks as she comes to stop along her sister, only to be brought to a breathless stare.

"Princess!!" comes the calling of the several of the bearers not out of breath as they are almost knocked over by the rapid speed increase of yellow and pink. "Harry!!" as the yellow and pink blur latches onto the already annoyed bear's neck.

"Princess...?" Twilight cautiously calls out and approaches in the same, "We...we brought the elements with us.."

"They will not be needed, my dear Twilight." Princess Celestia replies without turning around, "You may approach but please do not venture too close." as the assembled guards forming a parameter separate to allow the bearers entry. Allowing each bearer save for Fluttershy, still attached to Harry the Bear, to come into view of what lay before the princesses, with varying reactions.

"A stallion?" Twilight tilts her head at such a thing causing such ruckus until she takes notice, "Who would do such a terrible thing!" as her feelings fluctuate between anger and concern.

"We came out all this way just for...?" Rainbow Dash begins to complain before silence over takes her as the form of a dark goldenrod stallion with a beige mane laying in the grass comes into view.

"What in tarnation's got everypony so.." Applejack leans with wide eyes before jumping back, "What could'a done.." before she snorts and aims her now anger filled eyes towards the entrance of the Everfree. "No good low down varmits!"

"Applejack!" Rarity chides, "What in equestria could warrant such unlady like eek!" as she jumps back behind applejack, who while too angry to care, snorts again towards the Everfree. "Well...I...perhaps we...." before just placing her hoof over her mouth, her brain still trying to process all the scars her keen eyes had surveyed.

"Oooo a new pony?" Pinkie bounces forward with glee, "That can only mean...!!" as both the bounce in her hooves and mane evaporate into thin air. "..n-new friend.." much to the watery irritation forming in her eyes, "party."

Fluttershy releases Harry the Bear having noticed the reactions of her friends to whatever lay before them and the princesses. Was it a monster? Perhaps something just as scary! she thought as against her better judgement she moved up to alongside her friends. "I-is it...a m-m-m..." she shakily peeks past Pinkie before the volume of her own gasp is enough to pull the others out of their stupor as they begin to call out to her as she flies towards her cottage.

"Fluttershy wait...!" Rainbow calls out to no avail as she watches her butterscotch friend nearly take her own door off the hinges, "Well there she goes for the next several weeks..." before her ears perk up to the sound of loud crashing and ruckus.

"Fluttershy?!" the others call out, fearing something had happened inside the cottage before the yellow, pink, and red blur speeds out and over them all only to land right next to the fallen stallion.

"Fluttershy get away from..." Twilight frantically calls out to her friend before being interrupted by something rarely seen.

"Whats wrong all of you?!" Fluttershy nearly screams through tears as she nearly rips the lid to her emergency medical kit off, "He's hurt and all you can do is stare!" she quickly pulls out some ointment with her teeth to spread over the stallion's foreleg.

"Please do not judge them in haste, little Fluttershy." Princess Celestia softly speaks with a kind smile as she looks down at the bearer of kindness, "I asked them to keep their distance as we do not know anything about this unfortunate stallion."

"But...!" Fluttershy, at the wide eyed stare of her friends and guards for essentially yelling at the princess.

"Dear Fluttershy please," Princess Luna moves forth to help nestle the element of kindness into backing away, "Our sister is currently using her magic to make sure this stallion's life is not in immediate danger." making sure the bearers all take notice of the soft golden glow constantly emitted from Princess Celestia's horn, "But if our concerns are met then this stallion may have been lost for a very very long time in the Everfree." as the element of kindness gives the stallion a long hard stare.

"If he were to suddenly awaken then such closeness may cause panic, and in turn, injury to those within reach." Princess Celestia almost coos to Fluttershy who has slightly lowered her muzzle, "You know I speak the truth." and finally nods in understanding.

"I'm sorr..." Fluttershy attempts to apologize.

"Never," Princess Celestia interrupts with a smile riddled with pride, "apologize for the instinct to help those in need."

The once more timid pegasus returns to her fellow bearers while whispering apologizes nonetheless only to receive the same, much to the brief amusement of the princesses.

"If this one deeply slumbers, then perhaps we are the one best suited to the task of awakening him." Princess Luna volunteers much to the surprise of all those around.

"But my princess...!" came the same objections from bearers and guards.

"And if you run into something unexpected?" Princess Celestia moves her eye towards her sister.

"As Princess of the Night we are prepared for anything that may present itself in the dream scape." Princess Luna looks towards her sister, "But we will be careful nonetheless." as a nod and discontinued golden glow signals her light blue to take over.

"Ah wonder what the guy dreams of if he calls the Everfree home" Applejack openly asks what many others wanted to.

"That dreary place could never be a proper home." Rarity is quick to point out.

"Hey." Rainbow asks while entirely focused on the stallion, "You thinking this is that cursed creature the animals told Fluttershy about?" causing the others to go wide eyed and also focus on the stallion.

"Luna?" Princess Celestia loudly calls out into the ear of her sister much to the growing distress of the ponies around as they all notice the strain on the Lunar Princess's face, "Luna!" Celestia outright yells as Luna's eyes flare open.

"Oh I'm so glad..." Princess Celestia gives pause as she watched Princess Luna sprint towards the nearby trees and seemingly hurl the contents of her stomach, "Luna?!" as she herself gallops over to her sister. "What happened? What did you see?"

"N-nothing...!" Princess Luna continues to spit as Fluttershy rushes over with a cloth from her emergency medicine kit, "Thank you Fluttershy" the princess of the night quickly thanks while doing her best to wipe her muzzle clean.

"What do you mean nothing?" Rainbow Dash quickly asks amid the shushing of her friends.

"That, Rainbow Dash, is exactly what we mean." Princess Luna turns to address the ponies before her. "When we ventured into the mind of this befallen stallion we were eclipsed in nothingness." as her stomach begins to churn once more, "We became disoriented from the sheer vertigo associated with such an experience and were unable to concentrate on returning."

"Meaning he's not asleep?" Fluttershy quietly asks.

"It means," Princess Luna steels herself, "That there no longer exists any pony inside to wake up."

As realization gives way to slight hysteria, Princess Celestia's gaze hardens as she looks into the Everfree. Where before concern existed for a wayward subject, actual fear emerged at the prospect now laid before her. "Who found him?" her voice so stone cold that even the birds nearby refrained from chirping.

"The Bear brought him from inside the Everfree my princess." one guard quickly answers, even if with some cracking.

"Fluttershy," Princess Celestia's voice relenting the hardness for a brief moment, "We need to know what happened."

"I...um...okay." Fluttershy wipes beads of water forming in her eyes before moving over to Harry the Bear, followed by the princesses and bearers.

"Harry." Fluttershy spoke to the bear, "Harry we need your help." the bear finally looking up to the caretaker, "We need to know how you found him." as she points behind her toward the stallion laying in the grass.

As the bear began to growl, moan, and make other noises the ponies relied on Fluttershy to recant for them. "You went to the river...and he fall off a cliff?!" as gasps rung out behind her, "Oh he came up on his own? And also talked to you?" quick to look behind her at the ever hungry eyes of the princesses for more information.

"What happened next Harry?" tilting her head as she listened "Then he stood at the water and started to splash at it? He was angry?" as her own eyes shifted to and fro as the information was digested, "and then he just fall down so you carried him here?"

Princess Celestia says nothing as she turns about and walks to just before the stallion. At first she stares down upon the breathing but in all regards lifeless pony before her, and then up to the dark entrance to the Everfree. No pony emits even a word as they are also overtaken by the dense haze that seems to envelope the clearing in which they now reside.

"Luna." Princess Celestia calls for her sister, and her alone, to venture forth to her side.

"Yes sister?" Princess Luna asks as she fidgets at having to stand before the body of the pony that still breaths.

"We cannot allow any to risk their safety within the confides of the Everfree until we know what attacked this poor stallion." Princess Celestia states with a solemn tone, "Are you in agreement?"

Princess Luna turns about, "The Everfree, until further notice, is now forbidden entry." as the bearers and guards dare not interrupt, "We have reason to believe that this pony was murdered by something that cannot be so easily detected." as gasps and murmurs begin to ring out. "We shall be sending a small escort to offer temporary relocation for the one known as Zecora within the hour."

"What are we going to do with the stallion?" Twilight musters the courage to ask what many wondered. "We can't just bury him while he's still breathing!" causing the unseen eyes of her mentor to squeeze shut in discomfort.

"Twilight we..." Princess Celestia begins to turn to address the innocence of her favorite pupil when the cry of pain and tearing of grass and soil erupts from before her forelegs, "Luna!" causing her to jump back in surprise as Luna leaps away the same.

The stallion seems to stretch, like after a long nap of discomfort, giving slight jerks of his head and forelegs.

"Impossible..." Princess Luna can barely mutter as she watches in amazement and horror.

"Ah thought you all said he was gone?!" Applejack yells out in disturbed confusion.

As the stallion's stretching seems to turn into spasms and groans of pain.

"Oh my...oh my....oh..." Fluttershy, having already been stressed so much in one day, passes out from the strain from an instinctual need to help and sheer fright of what needed help colliding without relent on top of a already passed out Rarity.

"Am I the only pony here who thinks this stallion coming back from the dead is pretty badflank?" Rainbow Dash asks much to the utterly disapproving stares of her still conscious friends and guards, save for the subtle tip of the hat from Applejack.

"Dang nabbin loony good for nothin vermin!" The stallion yells out in rage and discomfort as he springs to his hooves like nothing abnormal had happened, causing at least a few guards to jump back in fright.

"Dude totally sounds like you too." Rainbow whispers to Applejack who quirks a brow. "Guess that means you're related huh." as Applejack's brow then furrows at her cyan best friend.

Princess Celestia, however, was quickly brought out of her bewilderment as the stallion spits crimson onto the grass below. He wasn't internally injured before as she straightens her posture and emits a gentle cough.

"Guessing ah ain't alone now am I." the stallion speaks with his backside still turned to the gathering behind him, lifting his head as he begins to slowly turn about.

"Greetings. My name is Princess..."

They found me! the stallion internally screams as he etches back into a very aggressive stance, and in turn, causing most of the ponies gathered before him to do the same by instinct save for the two princesses, Twilight and Pinkie.

"Calm yourselves." Princess Luna commands with a shallow tone.

"...Celestia." She slightly relaxes her posture as a carefully slow step forward is met with an equally slow step back. Though not the first time she has brought forth the same reaction, something churning in her stomach causes her doubt if of the same origin. Fear of her disappointment. Fear of her strength from those of less than noble causes. Fear of many things that one such as her, even if born out of ignorance, can bring.

She takes another step, if ever so slow and gentle, as another step back robs anything possibly gained. Yet even in fear of reprisal or shame those backing away often looked away. However the stallion before her, if of one constant, had never taken his eyes off her own. Dilated and focused, they bore into her and told her the words that he would not. He fears us. But why?

"May I have your name, young stallion?" Princess Celestia asks in a motherly tone.

The stallion merely narrows his eyes.

"When you were found, you had been attacked." Princess Celestia, satisfied with hostility through words only, continues to speak in her soothing motherly tone in the hopes of calming the situation further. "Do you remember what happened?"

The stallion etches back a bit more, flicking his ear back towards the Everfree entrance. "Ya can't fool me no longer."

"Fool you?" Princess Celestia tilts her head at the strange, if rude, choice of words.

"Ah ain't small no more." as his ear now flicks towards the sound of splashing water and shrieks, "Done learned ah'm better off on my lonesome." taking another slow step backwards, "So let me go and ya ain't gotta worry none."

"We just wish to help you." Princess Celestia soothes out, "What kind of ponies would we be if we just walked away?"

"Better than the rest of your kind." was all the stallion etches out.

As the princesses traded one eye glances the other ponies were still trying to process what they had heard. However the silence could no longer resist the urge for information finally got the better of one lavender unicorn.

"Why do you hate us?" Twilight asks not in anger or sorrow, but in seemingly vocal numbness.

"Ah don't hate y'all." Frustration slowly getting the better of the stallion, "Ah'm just trying to get away from ya!"

"But why?!" Twilight, out of frustration of each answer raising more questions, yells in mounting confusion.

Cause ah don't wanna die as he straight up turns and bolts for the open entrance of the Everfree.

"Princess he's...!" As some ponies begin to panic at the display the princesses seem to disregard the turn of events and merely watch with expressions void of emotions, even if in truth it is anything but. Some of the ponies begin to give chase just as the stallion seems to slam into an unseen barrier, knocking him back.

"While we wish for him to come of his own violation," Princess Luna addresses the mostly disturbed bearers along with the unnerve guards, "Neither can we allow him to go back to where..." before her speech is interrupted by the sound of another impact on the barrier.

Princess Celestia can only stare wide eyed as she watches the stallion, time and time again, slam into the barrier causing damage only to himself.

"Stop..." her words are almost a whisper under the crackling backlash of each collision.

"I said stop...!" her voice seems to find itself but not yet able to overcome the ever growing thunder before her.

"Stop this at once!" her royal canterlot voice overcoming the thunder but not the willpower causing it. Her horn ripples with golden glow, encasing the now darker stallion as he was just about to collide once more with the dripping barrier.

"Ah..can't.." the stallion barely growls out as he continues to struggle in futility under the encasing grasp, "Ah...won't..." the volume increasing only to be met with the ever increasing strength of that which binds him.

"I know not what has instilled this madness into you but I will let you harm yourself no..." Princess Celestia proclaims in anger just as the emanating sound of a grinding pop shatters both the anger and her magical grasp. In their demise small beads of water begin to form in the corner of her eyes.

His breathing ragged with pain and his movements hindered by the dragging of his left front leg, the stallion makes yet one more charge into the barrier. The gentle touch of a dark blue horn signals the end of his struggle. As he begins his fall to the ground, the impending impact is denied by the light blue eclipsed around his body.

Back so soon I see.