Chapters Nebula was born an Equestrian citizen, like any other pony. He grew up in Ponyville for the first few years of his life, and then things changed.
On March 17th, 2750 A.N.M (After Nightmare Moon), the first space shuttle was launched into orbit.
Only 10 years after, the first probe made it past the moon.
Soon enough, ponies were exploring the universe.
"And that, class, is how the Elements of Harmony sealed away Nightmare Moon forever."
"If you don't mind me saying, mam' but that is complete and utter bullshit."
"Of course you think so, blank flank. You even doubt that alicorns exist." The classic hater retorted, almost snorting each word out.
"I have a name, you know."
"Oh, right, Nebula. Why'd your parents even call you that?"
"They were both astronomers, that disproved the theory that Nightmare Moon ever existed."
"Yes, Nebula. There is scientific proof that Nightmare Moon never could have lived on the moon. But historical records show-" The teacher was cut off by the persistent student.
"About 20% of history is made up."
The teacher let out a deep sigh.
"Oh, well, I guess you have a point, Nebu-"
BBBRRRIIIIIIINNNGG
The teacher was once again cut off by the sharp ring of a school bell. The students shuffled out the door and into the schoolyard.
"Hey, mom, I'm home." Nebula said halfheartedly to the empty house.
Why do I even pretend? They're gone.
Nebula shouldered off his bag and sat down to do his homework. He completed it, all 30 pages, in about 20 minutes.
I'm getting a bit slow. Concentrate, damn you!
After doing his homework, he went outside and to the market stand for groceries. On his way, one particular vendor caught his eye.
She was a beautiful crimson mare, with a blonde mane styled in a persontail and freckles.
"Hey pal! Would ya' like to buy some apples? We're lookin' to sell the whole crop this time 'round!"
"Sure, Apple Shine! Always a pleasure to see you. I'd like 10 Red Delicious."
"That'll be 20 bits. Thank you for stoppin' by. I been meanin' to see you." She dropped a few perfectly red apples into a bag and exchanged it for some bits.
"What do you mean?" Nebula was slightly puzzled at Apple Shine's latest remark.
"Ah' was wonderin' if you'd want to come to dinner with me sometime."
"Wait, what? Oh, ummm, sure! Okay, I mean. Yes, I'll go!" Nebula stammered.
Is she asking me out?
Did he just say yes?
Apple Shine beamed at Nebula and spoke.
"'Kay then! How 'bout tomorrow?"
"I'm open!"
Nebula prepared hurriedly for his date with Apple Shine.
It's not a date! It's just a sort of get-together.
Nebula combed his mane, brushed his teeth, and then took out through the door.
Passing the statue of the six ponies who were the supposed bearers of the Elements of Harmony, he tried to remember what he had planned for the night.
Okay, so we go to The Gilded Horseshoe, and then I lead her back to Sweet Apple Acres. This will be easy.
But what if she doesn't like the food and leaves? Then what? His thoughts were interrupted by somepony crashing into him head on.
"Oh, ah'm so sorry! Let me help you up!" He opened his eyes and found a pair of deep blue eyes looking into his.
"Apple Shine! Why were you in such a hurry? I was just running to pick you up at Sweet Apple Acres."
"And ah was just going to pick you up!"
"Oh! Well, this is awkward. I guess you planned a whole night for us as well."
"Spot on. Ah'm sorry, what were you plannin'?"
"Dinner at 'The Gilded Horseshoe'"
"Ugh. Ah hate that place I was plannin' a picnic up on a hill."
"That sounds lovely. Let's go!"
"'Kay then! It's right this way."
Nebula now noticed that she was carrying a picnic basket in her saddlebags. He facehooved for not realizing. They made their way across Ponyville and came upon a small hill that provided a great vantage point from which to watch the moon rise.
"Wow... this place is beautiful. How come I've never noticed it before?"
"Not many ponies have. This was where my mom found her first coltfriend. And her mom before that. And her mom."
"I'm glad we didn't go to the Gilded Horseshoe. This is so much better. Aww, wait! This would be the perfect place to see the Flarflar Galaxy be eclipsed by Wangadoodle 02751! And I didn't bring my telescope!"
(Quick author's note: Yes, the "Flarflar galaxy" and the star "Wangadoodle 02751". I still have pride.
"Ah figured something all spacey was gonna 'appen tonight, so ah brought this." Apple Shine reached into the picnic basket and pulled out a telescope and separate tripod.
"You really know me, don't you?"
"Ah sure do."
They set up the picnic and the telescope and started eating.
"Ah thought you'd be all over that tel-ey-scope."
"While a galactic eclipse may be beautiful, I am sitting directly next to something infinitely more."
"You're pretty easy on the eyes too, Neb."
"Why, thank you."
The sun lowered below the horizon and the moon peeked out from behind the mountains to the east.
Apple Shine and Nebula slowly made their way closer together, until Nebula's front hoof was around Apple Shine's neck, and their sides were touching. They watched the moon rise over the mountains and soon enough the night surrounded them.
"You know, I had a really nice time tonight. Thank you for inviting me."
"Ya know what I said 'bout my mom meetin' her first coltfriend here?"
"Yeah. It must be a nice story."
"Well, this is where ah met mine."
"Really? Who was he?"
"Well, he was an astronomy buff, really smart, but he didn't have a clue."
"I'm not so sure about that." Nebula leaned down and kissed Apple Shine on the lips. She returned it.
After a few moments, they pulled away.
"He wasn't entirely stupid."
Nebula woke up in the morning and got out of his bed.
Best night ever.
He ate breakfast, got himself into some decent state of cleanliness, and a knock emanated from the front door right as he was about to open it. He opened it and a pegasus pony gave him a letter with the stamp of ENASA (Equestria National Aeronautics and Space Association). He opened it and was shocked at what the letter said.
Dear Nebula:
As you know, ENASA is having a shortage of volunteers for space exploration teams, and you seem to have an exceptional understanding of outer space and what lies within it. Therefore, we are drafting you into service with permission from the Council of Equestria. Your service begins April 10th, 2797 A.N.M.
Yours truly, Chief Star Fire
A loud knock broke the silence of the Apple Family's home. Apple Shine opened the front door.
"Who is it- Oh, Nebula, nice to see ya! Sleep well last night?"
"Yes, I did, but I need to show you something very important." He handed her the letter.
"What's goin' on, sis?" Buckley, the Apple family colt, had made his way down the stairs and heard two voices at the door. Naturally, he investigated.
"It says here that... aw shucks no... Nebula has been drafted into service by the ENASA! They're gonna ship him off into space!" Apple Shine looked at Nebula and wrapped her hooves around his neck. "This is horrible! Ah'm so sorry!"
"It's not your fault, Shine. They have been drafting people for a while, I should have seen it coming. I have no parents, nopony to stop them. I'm sorry."
"What is going on between you two?" Buckley wqs honestly wondering why they were so sad.
"Well, ya see, Buckley, me and Nebula here are... well..."
"Dating." Nebula finished her sentence.
*GASP*
"OmtgoshthatreallyreallyREALLYdeservesapartyandIhavetogomakeone!" A pony in the room said in one breath.
"Baby Blue, how'd you get in here?"
"I just climbed in the window, silly! Have you never eavesdropped before?"
"Guys, I'm really hungry. I'm going to make some cereal."
"CEREAL? ARE YOU CRAZY?"
"You're right. I need a poptart."
"GUYS! NEBULA'S LEAVIN' THE PLANET AND YOU CAN ONLY GIVE A BUCK ABOUT BREAKFAST ?"
Baby Blue's normally curly mane flattened a little bit before restoring natural puff.
"Wait, you're leaving the planet? Like, leaving the planet? "
"Yes, Baby Blue. Nebula has been drafted by the ENASA to be sent into space."
"But... he'll never go to my parties again..."
"No, Blue. I won't."
"Well, we have to throw a goodby party! Right?"
"Yes, we should. Ah think it's the best way to say bye."
"Guys, I still have a week in Equestria. We can have a party later. I just want to say goodbye to all my friends."
"Well, we'd better get goin'. Most of 'em are at school already."
The three ponies trotted out the door leaving a thoroughly confused Buckley behind.
"Class, today we have an announcement. Nebula has been drafted into service by the ENASA. This is his last week in class with us."
"Good riddance, blank flank!"
"See you in hell, plothole."
"Okay then! Enough farewells, I'm sure you'll be able to say bye at the party."
"How'd you know I was gonna throw a party?"
"Because you're Baby Blue."
Nebula sat down in the desk next to Apple Shine. She gave him a folded up piece of paper, which he read.
Hey. man! Why didn't you tell me you were leaving? I'm so jealous! Do you know how many piloting simulations I've been in just to get to the boot camps? Roy
He wrote a note to the pegasus in question saying that he could simply volunteer.
Later that day, Green Petal approached Nebula shyly and asked him a question.
"Is... Is there life on other planets?"
"What?" Nebula turned to look at the mare and shot her a puzzled look.
"I was wondering if there was life on other planets."
"Yes, ponies have discovered plant life on some planets."
"If you don't mind, would you, maybe... bring back some plants for my garden? I want to breed some new orchards, and I may be able to use alien genes for that."
"That is a brilliant idea, Green Petal. If you did that, we could see if they are up to evolutionary par with us!"
"Thank you!"
"My pleasure!"
"Welcome to Nebula's going away party! Be sure to say bye to him!" Baby Blue greeted guests as he sat on a chair near the entrance. In the back of the room, Nebula sat next to Apple Shine.
"You know, this is probably one of the biggest parties I've ever been to."
"Not true! There was that one where all the fancy Canterlot ponies came!"
"That was a memorial, not a party."
"Well, ah remember there being cake and music."
"That was organ music and houre'douvres."
"Why are you such a downer?"
"Why, hello there! I'm in your class. My name is Sapphire. I was wondering about those wonderful uniforms the ENASA have ponies wear. Do you have yours?" A blue unicorn mare broke the conversation and spoke directly to Nebula.
"No, I don't. Why?"
"They are simply delightful! The design is streamlined yet stylish, and the material is so soft and breathable! I simply must have one!"
"Well, then you can sign up for the program."
"Hmm... A fashion designer who has taken inspiration from the universe... I think I just might!" She walked off and started talking to other ponies.
Nebula woke up in the morning in bed with a red mare next to him. He smirked and then suddenly remembered the date. He shook the mare awake.
"Apple Shine! Apple Shine! Wake up!"
She turned over and opened her eyes.
"Hello, handsome."
"Apple Shine, I have to go today."
Her eyes shot wide open once he said this and seemed to stare into his face with a mixture of fear and sadness.
"I better get up."
Everypony in Ponyville watched as Nebula climbed aboard the helicopter and said a few parting words to his hometown.
"I have lived here my entire life. You ponies have helped me through thick and thin, and never once refused to assist me in my times of need. It feels bad to say it, but I must. Goodb-"
"WAITWAITWAITWAIT FOR ME! " A shout rang out through the crowd as a crimson earth pony dashed her way through the masses. As she approached the helicopter, the crowd parted and the red mare galloped straight into the helicopter.
"Ah couldn't let you go. Ah just couldn't. Ah'm comin' with ya."
A large "Awwwww..." rang out. The two figures held each other in longing.
Another shout rang out.
"Hey, If she gets to go then I get to go!" A pegasus stallion with a short rainbow mane flew up over the crowd and landed beside the helicopter.
"I am Roy Gerald Biv and I am the best pilot in all of Equestria!"
Another pegasus, this time a mare, came up to the front.
"I want to come. I want to see all the animals and plants the universe has to offer." The green mare slowly walked up to the helicopter and boarded.
"I will come too! I must gain fashion knowledge with a pilgrimage across the stars!" The blue unicorn from the night before strode up and climbed aboard the nearly full helicoter.
"I'm in too! The universe needs party throwers like me!" Finally, a saturated blue stallion bounced onto the helicopter.
"If that's all the ponies getting on, then we need to get on our way to Canterlot!" The annoyed pilot called out before turning the engines on and taking off.
And so, the six ponies set off on an adventure that would forever change their lives and the universe as we know it.
The six ponies climbed out of the helicopter. During the ride, they had gotten to know each other. Apple Shine and Nebula explained that they were dating, and how that came to be. Baby Blue was bouncing around the interior, not paying attention, mainly because he was there when it happened.
"Come on, Nebula! Mommy and daddy have to get groceries!"
"Okay mom. Can it please be fast though?"
"Sure, honey. It'll be as fast as possible. We'll be done before you can say solar flare."
Three ponies trotted down the path to the market place.
"Aww, come on! Why can't ah sell the apples?"
"You're too young! You'd mess it up, Apple Shine."
The young red filly stalked away, angry at her big brother for not letting her run the stall. She was so lost in her sulkiness that she did not notice the colt standing directly in front of her.
"Ah'm old enough! What does he kno- OOF!" She let out a poof of air as she collided with the small colt. Apple Shine tried to get up but found the colt on top of her, staring directly into her eyes with an embarrassed look on his face.
"Oh... ummm... Hi?" The colt stammered, and Apple Shine giggled.
"Hi there! Mah name is Apple Shine!"
"Nice to meet you, Apple Shine. My name is Nebula." The colt managed to get off of Apple Shine as his parents urged him to hurry up. He walked off and Apple Shine thought about the new pony.
Nebula entered the one-room schoolhouse and walked up to the teacher. He handed her some papers and she stood up and pushed him to the front of the class.
"Hello there, class! We have a new student today! Class, meet Nebula."
A chorus of "Hi, Nebula."'s rang out and the teacher ushered the new colt to an empty seat next to a certain red filly.
"Hey, you're that colt I ran into yesterday! Nice to see you!"
"Hey there, Apple Shine." he replied, and then sat down.
"You're new! Ah hadn't seen you around before yesterday. Where'd you move from?"
"Canterlot."
"Waitifyou'reanewponythenhatmeansthatyouhaven'tbeentoanyofmypariesand GASP!" Suddenly, a blue colt behind them spoke, but finished just as he started.
"What the hay?" Nebula looked around the room, shocked.
"Aww, don't mind him. That's just Baby Blue. He throws a party for all the new foals in town. Family tradition, I suppose." Shine reassured Nebula as he spotted the colt and, true to his name, he was entirely a shade of pale blue. He had a big, puffy mane with curls in it.
"Okay, let's get class started."
"And that's how Equestria was made." Baby Blue rolled back with laughter at a joke only he understood. They all regarded it as Blue being Blue.
"Hello, and welcome to the E.N.A.S.A. training center. You must be Nebula, and... who are they?" A large pegasus stallion stood in front of them. His legs were very disproportionate to his overly muscled body.
"These are my friends. I, as you know, was drafted. My friends decided to... tag along. They have volunteered. There names are-"
"Apple Shine, farmer and friend of Nebula's.
"Baby Blue! ObmygoshthisplaceisperfectforpartiesIcantwaittothrowaMILLIONBILLIONOFTHEM!
"Roy Gerald Biv, fastest pilot in all of Equestria!" Roy announced with a haughty expression.
"Sapphire Cut, fashion student." Sapphire announced with an aura of sophistication.
"Green Petal, sir." Petal whispered timidly.
"Well, I guess that just gives us more HORSE POWER!!!!!!!!" The last two words were spoken with such enthusiasm that Petal nearly fainted. "Now, I need to introduce you all to your new commander/teacher/parent." The stallion turned around and led the group into a hallway.
"Well, Captain Horse Power really needs to quit on the steroids. He's freaking me out." Nebula whisperd to Shine, who snikered a bit.
"By the way, my name is Ice Pop." As if he had heard them, the stallion spoke. Nebula straightened up and blushed a bit.
After a few more moments in the hall, they stopped at a collection of doors, one labeled "Stallions", one "Mares" and one "Counsellor".
"So, I take it this is where we'll be staying."
"Yes. Now, when you see the counselor, don't freak out. Really." Pop opened the door marked "Counselor", and behind it was a changeling.
