Moonburst Chronicles

Chapters

Moonlight Stories P2
The Ticket Master
Tipping The Scales
A Mile In Her Hooves
Arcane of Ice Winter Blossom
Arcane of Metal Code Breaker
Arcane of Flame Fire Seeker
Boast Busters
Bridle Gossip
Call of the Cutie
Fashion Dilemma
Sonic Rainboom
The Enraged Sun
Silver and Gold
Knowledge of Fears
Kindess and Naivety
Moonlight Stories P1
Chasing the Past

Moonlight Stories P2

Moonlight Stories Part 2

After leaving the cliff side behind the gang gets further and further into the forest which seemed to get darker every 20 or so feet until the group could only see what was in front of them or near them.

“I’m not liking this one bit.” Coco said hiding behind Cheerliee.

“Its going to be okay we just need to figure how to get out of here.” Cheerliee reassured patting her on the head.

After the several minutes of walking the entirety of the group stopped as they seemed to come in front of a cave. Coco shivered as she looked inside seeing the vast darkness that encompassed the inside of the cave.

“D-do we h-have to go in th-their?” Coco asked stuttering in her sentence pointing to the cave.

Trixie took a few glances about to see if there is any other means of going forward, but there didn’t seem to be any. She let out a deep sigh and looked back to the girls.

“Well it seems we have no choice but to go straight through this cave to the other side.” Trixie says as almost all of them prepare to go through.

Coco’s legs were trembling when she said that they had to go into and through the cave.

“Are you feeling okay Coco?” Lightning asked.

“Well it’s just that… I don’t exactly do well in dark places.” Coco admitted as Trixie groaned in response to this.

“Did anypony bring anything for light?” Sunset asked.

“I thought we wouldn’t need it since we got two unicorns here that can light up an area for us.” Rainbow said with a shrug.

“UGH! You should always pack the necessities when there needed!” Trixie yelled.

“Plus using an illumination spell and keeping it lit takes both energy and concentration, and if we overuse our magic we run the chance of over-channeling.” Sunset finished.

“Oh, hehe. I actually didn’t know that.” Dash says rubbing her neck with a hoof which could barely be seen.

Trixie only sighed “Well unless we find another light source we are out of luck.” She said.

Then they hear a sound coming from the cave that sounded like a roar of a lion or something that send chills down everyponies spine

“What in the name of Equestria was that?” Dash asked trying not to sound scared.

“I don’t know and don’t want to know.” Coco said cowering behind Cheerliee, but they were shortly answered by a figure coming out of the cave.

The figure appeared to be an actual lion that had a dark blue lion mane and its mouth open drooling as it looked at the meal that was in front of it.

“A lion in the Everfree, I heard of manticores but a lion!” Trixie exclaimed taking a step back along with the others. Every time the lion moved toward them it was slow and limp.

Cheerliee took notice of its behavior and instead of moving backwards she started to approach it cautiously

“CHEERLIEE!” they all yelled to her.

“Something isn’t right here, if it were to eat us it would have already have done it minutes.” Cheerliee said and continued to move closer to it.

When she got close enough to check on the lion it began to roar in her face, at first Cheerliee was worried thinking she was going to be a midnight snack but instead she kept her cool and began inspecting the lion.

She found the source of the lions sudden limp leg after a few seconds close inspection.

“Let me have a look at that paw there.” She said with a calming voice trying to calm its raging behavior.

The lion stopped roaring and lifted its paw so it would meet her at eye level. She saw that lion had stepped on some thorns and was slightly bleeding. Cheerliee took a breath

“Now this may hurt a bit but bear with me.” She said and began pulling each of the thorns out of the lions paw, each time she pulled one out the lion roared.

“She’s going to get herself killed out there if she keeps this up.” Trixie said worried.

“Well I’m not going to sit here and let her get eaten!” Sunset said and began charging at the lion.

Cheerliee just finished pulling the thorns out and started placing disinfectant that she brought with her on its paw and bandaging up.

“There, now doesn’t that feel better.” Cheerliee said and the lion began licking to death.

“Now hey that’s quite alright. I just couldn’t leave you out here with all thorns in you.” Cheerliee began to walk away.

“Everything’s okay everypony!” She called out making Sunset stop skidding forward and hitting a tree.

Sunset looked up and at Cheerliee.

“What, but that thing was going to eat us.” Sunset said pointing at the lion.

“I think I figured out why this lion was acting this way in the first.” Cheerliee said taking out the thorns she kept and everypony gathered around.

“These are paranormal thorns.” She states in a knowing tone.

“Wait…aren’t Paranormal Thorns responsible for causing personalities to change if someone is even pricked?” Trixie questions as Cheerliee nods.

“Yes, but these ones were only causing the poor dear pain.” Cheerliee finished. The lion approached the group and began licking Cheerliee again.

“But how were you able to handle it?” Coco asked not as frightened anymore.

“Well I help out around Ponyville and I had to take over for Fluttershy when she was sick. You have to be nice and it goes to show, kindness can go a long way.” Cheerliee said.

The lion went back to its normal self and seemed to point with its tail in another direction before walking back into its cave grateful for the pain being gone.

“She was so kind to it even though it looked so frightening and tried to eat us even I didn’t have the courage to even walk up to it, somehow I think I’ll get along with her just fine.” Trixie thought as they continued onward to the castle of the two sisters.

Instead of going through the way Trixie thought was the correct path, the girls were now traveling down a rocky path. Everypony was silent until Trixie broke the silence clearing her throat.

“Well I forgot to say this earlier but thank you Cheerliee for handling that lion back.” Trixie said making Cheerliee blush a little.

“Yeah I mean you handle it without a hitch!” Dust complemented

“Well I was scared at first from looking at it, and then I realized that it had to be in pain or something and I couldn’t just leave it there hurting itself.” Cheerliee pronounced.

The girls continued on but they were stopped when they heard a loud squeal of excitement coming from Coco

“What in the wide world of the Equestria was that for Coco!?” Dust asked as they all turned around to find Coco… clenching a wing shape gem in her mouth.

She spat the gem out of her mouth and began to squeal like a little filly and was hopping in place.

“Don’t you know what this is?” she questioned pointing to the gem and they all just blinked in confusion and she just facehooved and then continued in utter glee.

“This is a Yellow Sapphire, they are a very rare gem.” Coco said taking a breath as she looked at the gem.

“This would make a wonderful gift for Rarity.” Coco said picking it up and placing it in her saddle bag.

“So you’re just going to take it?” Sunset questioned.

“Better me than some rotten overgrown thief who would sell it on the black market.” Coco pointed out as they all turned back around and continued on their path to the castle.

What they didn’t know that they were watched by a dark blue smoke and it traveled along until it found what looked like a giant tortoise but with varieties of gemstones on its back and one on its head.

The smoke came up to the tortoise and removed the gem on its head cause it to yelped wildly. It looked at its head in the reflecting river which showed an empty spot and thus began to cry over the loss of its precious gem.

As this happened Trixie and the others exited coming to a clearing in the forest and were now face to face with a raging river.

“Unless somepony feels like building a raft for the none flyers I don’t think were crossing anytime soon.” Trixie concluded and the rest of the girls frowned at it and after a few seconds of silence they heard something that was in the water crying.

“What’s that?” Coco asked

“Who knows.” Dash replies

“Well it can’t be worse that Nightmare Moon.” Trixie said taking lead as they walked in the direction of the crying eventually coming across a giant tortoise.

The girls walked over to see what the problem.

“Excuse me Mister but is something the matter?” Trixie asked but it was still crying as he looked to Trixie.

“Well if you must know my beloved gemstone was taken from me that sat atop of my head. This…This empty spot makes me look hideous!” The tortoise said still crying up a storm and causing the water to rage on instead of flowing nicely.

“Well I’m dreadfully sorry for your predicament…” Trixie started as an idea crossed her mind and she grinned widely.

“Excuse me Mr. Tortoise, but would you mind allowing us a ride to the other side of the river?” She than asks.

“You expect me to allow a ride when I’m in such a state? Have you no shame?” he whined as the rain of tears continued this time the tears seeming to land on Trixie drenching her.

Trixie went back to the girls “Well there goes that idea out the window.” Trixie stated as Dash flew over to her.

“What about me and Dust? We could fly you over.” Dash suggested as Trixie shakes her head.

“Not to be offensive Dash, but I don’t think you and Dust could handle it.” Trixie said

“WHAT!” Dash and Dust exclaimed as Sunset face hooves.

“What she means to say is that it would be two trips across a long distance, and neither of you have the stamina to carry three grown mares and a slightly younger mare.” Sunset states and looks to Trixie.

“I suppose that also puts teleporting out as an option to right?” She then adds as Trixie nods

“Yeah. Without a clear view as to where to go we could end up teleporting right into the middle of the river. Also we need to conserve our magic a bit in case we run into Nightmare Moon at the castle.” Trixie states

As they were talking Coco went closer to the tortoise and got a look at the shape of the gem that is supposed to be on its head. She let out a small gasp noticing its shape. Coco than brought the Yellow Sapphire out of her bag and looked between it and the tortoise.

“It’s such a rare gem…I might never find one again, but…” Coco began to ponder but it didn't take long for her decision.

She walked up to the crying tortoise and cleared her throat catching both the tortoise and her friend’s attention.

“Excuse me? But I was wondering if you would accept this as a replacement gem?” asked Coco and tortoise stop crying for a minute and looked at the gem that was laid before him and his whole demeanor change

“Oh my. It’s such a lovely gem, and the perfect color to.” he began to lean down to pick it up.

“Please allow me.” Coco says placing the gem in which was a perfect fit.

“Well I must say you look rather handsome for a tortoise of your stature.” Coco complemented.

The raging water returned to normal as the crying stopped.

“Your generosity is kind young mare. Allow me to repay you.” The tortoise said as he lowered himself deeper into the water allowing his shell to come closer.

“Now please get on, but do be careful not to dislodge any of my gems.” He said.

“Coco while I’m glad you did that, but weren't you going to give that gem to Rarity?” Trixie asked

“Yeah, you know you’ll never find another Yellow Sapphire for a long time.” Sunset added.

“There is much more to life than just taking things, and at some point you must give back so others can enjoy the same things you have.” Coco stated.

“So she’s meaning to say you get more if you give, and by taking you only lose.” Trixie pondered as their journey continued on.

After reaching the other side thanks to the tortoise, saying there goodbye and hope to meet again sometime, they have finally what seemed forever reach the bridge that will take them across to the castle of the two sisters.

“Well this’ll be a piece of the cake.” Trixie said with confidence

“All we have to do is cross this…” before she finished she almost fell off the cliff if it weren’t for Dash catching her first and dragging her tail back up.

“You sure do like cliffs Trixie.” Dash states sarcastically. Sunset looked at the edge of the cliff.

“Well sign me up and call me freckles, the bridge is out.” Sunset said.

“How are we going to get across now?” Coco asked, but Dash cleared her throat and fluttered her wings a little to show she could go across.

“Oh.” Coco responds embarrassed a bit.

“I’ll go across and retie the bridge, Dust you stay here okay this won’t take long.” Dash ordered and Dust saluted as Dash took to the air grabbing the vine that was below the mist.

As she made it to the other side and she began tying the knot for the bridge where her friends could see her she started to hear a voice calling her name

“Rainbow Dash.” Said the voice in a soft feminine tone, this surprised Dash making her body go on the defensive as she stood her ground and wings flared out.

“Alright who’s out there, come out! What do you want?” Dash called out raising her front hoofs waiting for any incoming threat.

The voice continued “We want you Rainbow Dash.” Said the voice again but it was getting closer.

“You do, who are you?” Dash questioned still maintaining her defensive stance.

“Who are we? We…” the voice that she was hearing became three figures in what seemed like an athlete flying suit.

All three of them were pegasus ponies like Dash, two of them were stallions that seemed to be the bodyguards, and the other was a mare that was the leader of the pack, there suits matched all three of their mane and tail which dark colors ranging from black to gray, the eye lenses were a bright yellow

“Are the Shadowbolts. The fastest aerial stunt team in the Everfree Forest, and soon to be all of Equestria.” The mare announce with pride. Dash could only hop in glee.

“So you guys are like the Wonderbolts right?” Dash question

“We recent the Wonderbolts, and we are currently looking for new recruits.” She began flying and circling Dash.

“Who have stamina.” She said

“Check.” Dash replied.

“Skill.” She said again

“Check and Check.” Dash replied back

“Somepony like…” She flew in close to Dash’s ear.

“You” she whispered and Dash immediately jumped in the air.

“OH YEAH SIGN ME!” she yelled out and then she went back to what she was doing.

“Just give me a minute to tie this up and then…” before she could say another word.

“NO!” The female shadowbolt barked out getting in Dash’s way along with her companions.

“It’s either them or us.” The mare said letting Dash make the decision while on the other side Trixie and the other could see what she was doing.

“DASH DON’T YOU LISTEN TO THEM!” Trixie called out. The leader of the Shadowbolts look back at the group, her lenses glowed for a second and the fog became too thick to look through.

“Well Dash what’s it going to be, them or us?” she asked again. Dash thoughts went haywire as she was asked again.

“What do I do, do become a Shadowbolt and forget my friends or stay with my friends and forget the Shadowbolts.” She thought, then a thought came to her mind.

“What a minute I never heard of the Shadowbolts in the first place. What a bunch of phonies.” Dash thought finally making a decision

“Thank you.” Dash says as the female shadowbolt grinned darkly thinking she won her over.

“For the offer I mean.” She adds getting close the female shadowbolt before going back the bridge and finishing tying it.

“But I never leave a friend hanging.” She finished as she flew off to meet back with her friends.

As for the Shadowbolts they turned into three separate balls of dark blue smoke and then merging together and flee into the nearby path. The fog cleared and came from it Dash reappeared raising her front hoofs for a pose when she landed. Everypony cheered when she came back and then they continued onward.

“I thought you were going to go with them for a minute there you know.” Trixie said with a concerned look.

“Hey I never leave my friends hanging ever, and besides I can’t leave you girls. Who will save yah next time you fall off a cliff.” Dash joked as she flew ahead doing a few small stunts as Trixie watched her.

“A friend that you could always rely on. I could never she could be so… loyal.” Trixie thought her head low as she lead on.

A few minutes pass in silence as the daunting site of the castle grew ever closer.

“Are you sure we’ll be able to fight her?” Coco said looking down her voice no higher than an audible whisper.
“Oh come on, yeah she may look scary at first but I’m sure we can manage even if we are a little scared.” Lightning assured her.
“I’m sure we can take her on!” Dash said puffing out her chest.

“Yeah. As long as we are together we can handle anything she throws at us.” Dust said with a sly grin.

The girls walked what seemed like ten or twenty minutes when they finally arrived at the gates of the Castle of the Two Sisters but to their dismay the drawbridge was up, that provided a dilemma for the girls.

The castle itself was intimidating, some of the cement blocks have been either knocked out of place or half destroyed, the two towers were either missing a lot shingles from and the third destroyed. Dash and Dust took to the skies to see if there was a way to release the drawbridge.

“I think there’s a way in but it’s going to take some time to actually find any lever in their!” Dash called out.

“Okay just you two be careful in there you hear me!” Trixie called back.

“Hey careful is my middle name.” Dash boasted.

“I thought your middle name was Aurora.” Dust said with a chuckle.

Dash face hoofed “It’s a figure of speech Dust, now come on let’s go!” Dash said before shooting off toward the big hole in the roof and Dust follows.

They both entered inside the castle and just as bad as the outside it was bad on the inside too. The walls color had faded over time, most of the banners have been torn down or in a condition that would make Rarity faint. Several destroyed pillars were scattered about.

The two mares looked around for a switch or a lever that would bring the drawbridge down.

“This place is too scary for my taste. Let’s find whatever we’re looking for and get out of here.” Dust said in a more worried tone, which Dash nodded in agreement. They began flying around for a while.

“Dash we’ve been looking around this place for like eternity.” Dust saying breathing a bit heavy.

Dash was still looking and then saw something that looks like a statue and flew over too it. It was a statue of an alicorn with the horn straight and pointing at them. The statue looked identical to Celestia.

“Hey isn’t this statue a little crooked.” Dust said and began turning the statue to the right until there was a click sound.

The drawbridge descended down to the rest of the girls that were waiting outside. The girls walked in where Dash and Dust were.

“Man this place is messier than my house after a magic overload.” Sunset replied looking around at the mess.

“I would agree. Though this place is a castle and its quite old if I don’t say so myself.” Cheerliee agreed.

“Girls now is not the time to admire this place we need to find the elements and Nightmare Moon, so time is wasting.” Trixie said moving forward. The rest nodded in agreement following her.

“Well do you know where Ms. Nightmare Moon is in this place?” Dash questioned raising an eyebrow making Trixie stop in her tracks. She rubbed her chin for a bit then a small sweat drop came across her face.

“Uh…hehehe… no.” Trixie bluntly said causing the others to trip over themselves.

“WHAT!” was what Dash said and flew up into Trixie’s face.

“You said you knew how to get here and yet you don’t know where she is in this place!” Dash yelled out causing Trixie to backpedal a bit.

“Hey, this is Trixie’s first time in the castle and Trixie wouldn’t know this places layout.” Trixie ranted, and then paused at what she was saying.

“Thank you very much Dash, now you got Trixie speaking in third pony!” She yelled out and walked off to calm down and the others followed.

Meanwhile in the throne room of the castle stood Nightmare Moon was on an old throne as she used her magic to watch the girls. She let out a sly grin.

“So somponies think they can stop me. No matter by the end of this they will be bowing before me.” Nightmare Moon says as she began casting a spell.

“Come my subjects of the night, come and dispose of these intruders from my sight.” Nightmare Moon chanted and six puffs of smokes appeared.

Each buff of smoke began to transform into six darker ponies. Two unicorns, two earth ponies, and two pegasus ponies came out. The first one looked like Rainbow Dash but its coat was a darker cyan and its eyes were dark green, another was like Cheerliee but its coat and mane were very dark colored opposites of the original Cheerliee even the eyes were a dark magenta. The pony that looked like Lightning Dust, it’s mane was a dark purple with a streak of dark blue in it, coat is a dark turquoise, and her eyes were darken gold.

The fourth transformed into a dark version of Coco Pommel with her mane two shades of gray, a dark amber tan coat; its eyes were a darker cyan. The fifth became a dark version of Sunset Shimmer with her mane a dark crimson with a dark gold in it, and its coat was dark brilliant amber with its eyes of a light cyan. The last had a dark azure blue coat with dark platinum mane, with dark magenta eyes.

All of them appeared and were ready “Now go my subjects show these guests a good time.” Nightmare Moon commanded.

“Yes. All hail to the nightmare!” they chanted and ran off to find the intruders that were within the castle. As they past there was another room that contained five stoned spheres unknown of what they do.

In another part of the castle the girls stayed close together with Cheerliee, Sunset, Coco, and Trixie staying on the ground while Dust, and Dash stayed in the air in case to alert them of anything coming their way. The girls saw two big blue doors that looked like it led to another area of the castle.

“Should we open it?” Coco asked hesitant as Trixie lets out a sigh stepping up to the doors.

“Well I don’t see any other doors around and this looks like the only way we can go right now.” Trixie concluded as all the girls began opening the doors. The doors creaked open and revealed was a large area that looked like the ballroom of the castle. Along the entrance was a staircase, and two other doors; one leading straight ahead and another to the right.

The girls were in awe of the sight when they entered. Sure the ballroom was empty but there was a hanging chandelier above them which lit up the room with six candles lit with purple flames.

“This place is so gorgeous, patch it up and redo the walls with a little old hoof grease and it would look good as new.” Coco commented as the others looked at her with questioning glances.

Coco blushed a little embarrassed at her own antics.

“What you thought fashion had to do with just clothing?” Coco said in a deadpan voice.

Trixie let out a giggle “Okay girls now all we have to do is figure out which way to take it either: the doors or the stairs?” Trixie looked at the girls to see if they could make a decision.

“Well the stairs would make more sense, I mean if I were Nightmare Moon and want to make sure the elements were never found; I would hide them at the highest place possible.” Sunset deduced

“Well it could be that simple, but if it was me I would hide the elements within this maze of a castle behind one of these doors.” Dash argued then Cheerliee chimed in.

“Well both do sound good choices but we would have to find out for ourselves.” She added.

“Well I could find out and if there is anything interesting upstairs.” Dust chimed in and sped toward it, but before she could get close she ran smack into… nothing. Dust pealed back and shook her head in surprise.

“Huh?” was the only thing came from her mouth when a ripple effect came from what she hit. Trixie approached it and tapped her hoof causing it to ripple.

“What in Celestia’s name is this?” Trixie said shock of this development.

Then they heard what seemed like echoes of laughs from a group of mad mares that seemed to be coming from everywhere “So are you surprised about our force field spell little innocent pony.” A voice said.

“Oh aren’t we going to have some fun today!” said another

“Easy there, they are the intruders and they must be punished as such.” Adds a third voice

“Can we just get this over with they look and seem boring to the sight.” A fourth chimed in bored.

“I’m going to enjoy ripping them apart limb from limb.” A fifth said rather sadistically.

“I think it’s only fair that we introduce ourselves to them shall we.” The final voice adds in a rather polite tone, but still sounded dark.

“YEAH!” the other five voices shouted in glee.

After that, six smokes came from the chandelier above them as the six candles flickered causing them to go out. It wasn’t completely dark but it wasn’t bright enough either but just enough to see. The six smokes took on theirs forms and as they did one by one the girls were stunned as what they were seeing in front of them.

“But that impossible.” Trixie said taking in a breath.

“What in the hay is going on?” Dash says stunned, Dust just hovered in place at the sight before Cheerliee spoke up scared to death.

“B-But h-how” She stuttered a bit. Coco was too scared to even move. While Sunset got into a fighting stance.

As the smoke cleared the dark versions of the 6 had finally taken physical form.

“Are you surprised? Why of course you are.” The leader who looked like Trixie remarked before continuing

“We are the servants of the Moon deity herself. I am Shadow Moon.” She introduced

“I’m Shadow Dash.” Said the other

“I’m Shadow Dust.”

“Call me Shadow Shimmer.”

“I am Shadow Liee”

“And finally I am Shadow Pommel as in I’m going to pummel you into dust.” She laughed in sadistic tone.

The leader spoke up “We only serve the mare of the night and those who oppose her will be…” Shadow Moon made an imaginary line below her neck with her hoof.

“Eliminated.” She finished with a sadistic grin as S. Pommel clapped her hooves in delight.

The girls were still stunned at what they were looking at basically themselves in a way, but twisted to suit the mare of the night and serve as the best shot at possibly stopping them.

“Well this is a predicament.” Trixie thought sweating.

“And don’t think of running away this forcefield we keep you here as long as we wish it.” Shadow Sunset said and got into her fighting stance which was similar to Sunset’s.

“So who would like to go first eh?” Shadow Pommel asked as the rest of the dark counterparts got into their own fighting stances.

That got the rest of the girls out their trance they were in after she said that. Sunset stepped forward and looked back to the other girls.

“Okay girls if we’re going to get to Nightmare Moon we are going to get past these fakers first. As a friend of mine said ‘It’s time for an applesauce kicking hoedown!’” Sunset stated as she began running toward her fake self.

“Yeah come on let’s show these fakers who the real ponies are!” Dash stated as sped toward her fake self.

Cheerliee regained her composure “Well if it must be done, then so be it.” She said as she charged at her dark self.

Trixie, Coco, and Lightning Dust nodded as Dust and Coco charged at the other while Trixie fired a blast of magic at her dark half.

The battle began between the originals and their dark halves. Shadow Dash and Rainbow Dash were already having a knockout drag out fight with their hooves going back and forth trying to hit each other. Dash took a right hoof to the side of her jaw causing her to spin and land on the ground. Dash rubbed her jaw to make sure it wasn’t broken.

“C’mon is this all that the so called fastest flyer in all of Equestria can do?” S Dash taunted hovering over RD.

Dash got back up and cracked her neck as she looked at S Dash and gave a sly grin.

“Nope I’m just warming up!” She shouted and took to the air again.

While her fight was happening Sunset and S. Shimmer fight was heating up as both were literally horn to horn at each other.

“Do you think that we could be beaten easily? Well you have another thing coming!” S Shimmer taunted pushing back making Sunset walk back.

“I’m…not giving…up…yet.” Sunset said as she tried to push back, but it was not working at all.

“She’s just too strong.” She thought.

While Sunset continues her strength match Lightning Dust was focusing dodging S. Dusts hooves from hitting her.

“Slacker. Clown. Party Freak.” S. Dust said these with every hoof she thrown only to miss Lightning until her forth hoof punch made contact with the right side of her jaw.

“Do you think that anypony is actually going to like you because of your fooling around? You’re nothing but an annoyance to all ponies.” S. Dust replied and LD answered back quickly with a counter hoof to her side of her skull.

“Everypony loves me back home. All I’m doing is being me and nopony is going to tell me otherwise.” She stated and began her counterattack on S. Dust.

Cheerliee was having difficulty fight off Shadow Liee which the only thing that see was outmatch was Shadow Liee speed on the ground and striking Cheerliee with quick but accurate strikes causing her to fall on her side with S. Liee standing over her.

“Now do you see it is pointless to fight us and now this castle will become your tomb.” S. Liee stated but Cheerliee quickly got back up and bucked her with her hind legs in the dark mare’s teeth.

“Not yet, I’m not going to die today.” Cheerliee stated calmly with a glare at her dark half.

Coco was backed into the force fields corner and scared out of her wits trying to get away from her dark half after sustaining some blows from her all to her lower and upper body but all what Shadow Pommel did was just grin wildly.

“Well are you finally going to give in yet?” S. Pommel smiled and licked her lips at the scared pony.

“What do I do, I can’t fight to save my own flank, I’m just too scared to fight back.” She thought

“Should I give up?” she questioned herself shaking in fear.

Another moment passed as she closed her eyes in defeat as she closed her eyes to let her mind wonder off only for her mind to recall something that had been told to her in the past.

“We all can’t control our fears but only you can conquer your fears than there is nothing that you can’t do.”Coco eyes shot back open from what the voice said.

“Well I guess it’s time to put you out of your…” Before S. Pommel could finish her sentence she was full on head tackled by Coco with surprising strength enough to throw S. Pommel to the ground.

“Do you ever shut up?” She said now standing above her dark self despite the splitting headache she just gave herself.

Trixie was having a duel of magic with her dark half and both of them were even in both power and technique but the only thing that Trixie was lacking is stamina so she could only able to make small bursts of magic. Shadow Moon saw this as an opportunity for her to strike at her. S. Moon increased the output of her magic to push Trixie back a ways toward the force field.

“You are only delaying your end little pony. Why don’t you make it easier on yourself and surrender to the Nightmare.” She taunted as she increased her magic output more pushing Trixie now to the edge of her shield.

“She’s too strong even for me to handle but I need to create an opening or I’m going to be knocking on the gates of the afterlife.” Trixie panic at her thought as she looked around at everypony who were having their own trouble.

“Everypony is counting on me to get through and everypony is doing their best too, so I can’t let them down.” Trixie thought as she slowly walked her way toward S. Moon.

“Well it seem you still have some fight left in you after all, but you effort will be all for naught. You are nothing but a weak pony who doesn’t deserve to live.” S. Moon said.

“You’re saying like you know me.” Trixie stated.

“Oh we the servants of the moon know all of you before you even know about yourself.” S. Moon said with a wild grin.

“Did she really just...” Trixie thought then came up with an idea.

“If you know me well…” Trixie began as she broke the connection with their magic which now hit the shield and sprinted toward Sunset and S. Shimmer who were still locking horns and Trixie tackled S. Shimmer.

“Let’s trade partners!” she finished and Sunset picked up on what she was doing and sprinted toward S. Moon. As soon as Trixie and Sunset traded places everypony got the same idea the others.

Dash went after S. Dust; Lightning Dust went after S. Dash, Cheerliee went after S. Pommel, Coco sprint and proceed to head butt S. Liee. With the tables turned it was only a matter of minutes before the Shadows were pushed back towards their own force field.

“Hey this is no fair!” S. Pommel shouted out as she was getting forced back by Cheerliee

“How could they?” S. Dash getting literal aerial tackle by Dust.

“We got to retreat everypony!” S. Moon stated surprised by this turn of events and all of them turned into six puffs of smoke and disappeared.

After they have retreated there was the sound of glass shattering as the force field that had been put up shattered with the ones who put it up now gone.

“Is everypony alright? No injuries?” Cheerliee asked limping a little.

“I’m good but my horn is going to be sore for a month after this.” Sunset stated. Coco slowly walked up but was favoring her front right hoof and rubbing her skull.

“I’m little beaten but it’s could’ve been worse.” Coco said.

Trixie was just panting probably tried from her fight with her dark self and with S. Sunset.

“Just…need…to rest.” Was all she could say before collapsing, luckily Lightning Dust was there to support her so she didn’t fall on the solid ground.

“I’m alright, even though that mean me definitely gave me a sore jaw.” Dust said as she popped her jaw back into place stifling a scream.

“Same here, but it doesn’t hurt as much.” Rainbow Dash said until her jaw was poked by Sunset’s hoof.

“OW OW OW! SUNSET WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!” Dash shouted putting a hoof on her sore jaw.

“Doesn’t hurt as much hmm?” She raised an eyebrow at Dash.

“Okay so it hurts doesn’t mean you have to go poking at it!” Dash replies frustrated as Sunset only giggled at her.

“Okay girls with Trixie out of it and Coco’s hoof we may have to carry them, Dust you carry Trixie and Sunset will carry Coco.” Cheerliee said still limping a little from her back left leg

“And what about you, you don’t seem in best condition either you know.” Dash stated pointing at Cheerliees limping hoof.

“Oh it’s nothing really.” Cheerliee fake smiled as she tried putting pressure on her back hoof only for her to retract it back.

“AH! Looks like it is a little more tender than I thought.” She blushed in embarrassment.

“I guess you can carry me Dash for a little while until the aching in my hoof stops.” She said as Dash scoped her up on her back along with Dust carrying Trixie and Sunset carrying Coco.

“Okay everypony let’s get going.” Sunset announced as they began walking straight ahead to hopefully to confront Nightmare Moon.

Meanwhile in the throne room of the castle where Nightmare Moon stood along with her six servants

“Thou have asked of you to do one simple little job and yet… YOU FAILED AND HAVE DONE QUITE THY OPPOSITE.” Nightmare Moon shouted at her servants.

“We beg of you mistress to give us another chance and we will destroy them.” S. Moon pleaded.

“SILENCE!” She shouted again as she cast a spell that returned them back into puffs of smoke.

“ONLY THE GATES OF THE AFTERLIFE AWAIT THOSE WHO FAIL ME!” Nightmare Moon then proceed to blast all of them with six lightning bolts to make they would never to be given a second thought and with that they were gone.

She sighed “It’s really hard to find good servants these days.” She states extremely annoyed as she prepares for her backup plan(s).

With the girls 10 minutes had passed and despite injured hoofs and recovering from what could only be described as a major headache in the case of Sunset and Trixie all of them were moving onwards. Trixie woke up to notice that she was being carried by Lightning Dust.

“Wh-What’s going on?” She asked “You kinda passed out Trixie so I’m carrying you for a bit.” Dust explained. Trixie looked around to see that Coco and Cheerliee were also being carried and looked at them with concern.

“They were injured during the fight but they’ll be okay.” Dust reassured her only for Trixie to let out a sigh of relief.

“Well you don’t have to carry me anymore Lightning Dust I can walk just fine.” Trixie said as she got off her back, stumbling a bit but was okay.

“Just call me Dust or Lightning that I’d prefer.” She said as they were getting closer to their location.

After everypony recovered from their wounds the group came across a large room that wasn’t all ruined like the other rooms they’ve came to, there was also a large tree statue having five stone spheres on each branch.

“Five stones, these have to be the Elements of Harmony I just know it.” Trixie said to herself as she saw them. Dust and Dash went to grab each of the stone spheres.

“Gently we don’t won’t them to bust to pieces.” Trixie says cautiously as all the spheres were placed in front of her.

“Have any bright ideas?” Cheerliee asked

“Well now I have to see if I can cause some sort of reaction.” Trixie stood by the stones.

“But it will take time for to work.” She added and began casting a spell on the stone elements.

“C’mon girls let’s give Miss Trixie some space so she can concentrate.” Coco said motioning to every other pony to move away.

Trixie continued casting her spell to maintain it trying to remake the elements.

A giant flash interrupted her seemed like a hoof hit her knocking her back a few feet. What appeared in front of her was none other than the dark alicorn Nightmare Moon.

Trixie grind her teeth together looking at Nightmare Moon who looked rather displeased.

“Naughty pony don’t you know it’s rude to enter ones home without permission.” She said shaking her hoof in disapproval.

“And do you know that it is rude to bring eternal night to Equestria.” Trixie countered. Nightmare Moon began to stir up a small tornado with her mist and lifted the five spheres up to her and began to teleport.

When Trixie realized what she was doing she jumped into the small tornado teleporting her with Nightmare Moon. When the girls saw the flash they came rushing only to find that Trixie had disappeared from the room.

“Where’d she go?” Sunset asked looking around for Trixie.

“Well c’mon then let’s get a move on girls!” Dash roared as they all ran or flew to find Trixie as fast as they can.

The small tornado appeared in the throne room; Trixie was thrown from the tornado and was knocked back a few feet while Nightmare Moon stood next to her throne and behind her was the five stone spheres that she was guarding. All that Trixie could do was stare her down

“Ooh ponyfeathers now what I’m I going to do when she has to elements over there? What would Dash do right about now?” Trixie thought it over then came to a single crazy decision.

“Looks like I got no other choice.” She concluded.

Trixie took a charge position and lit up her horn.

“You have got to be kidding me.” Nightmare Moon said as if she was joking, but got her answer when Trixie began to charge at her, and Nightmare Moon responded by charging at Trixie horn pointed toward her.

Before Trixie and Nightmare collided, Trixie had teleported behind Nightmare and ran straight toward the elements and continued where she left off.

“C’mon just one little spark please.” Trixie practically begging her spell to work.

Nightmare Moon realized what Trixie did and glances back and her eyes flash in anger.

“You imprudent mare how dare you trick me!” Nightmare scoffs and teleports in front of Trixie knocking her away from the elements, but it seemed that her spell did have an effect on the elements because they were starting to spark in light.

“NO! That is impossible!” Nightmare said in fear of the elements reawakening.

Unfortunately the spark of the elements didn’t last long as it faded from them. That made her grin in joy.

“Well it seems that you have failed my little pony. The darkness is here to stay!” she laughed as she reared up her front hoofs and brought them down on the elements, shattering them into pieces.

Trixie could only look on in horror as they were destroyed. Nightmare laughed in glee as the only thing that could defeat her was now far out of reach.

The rest of the girls came running in having finally managed to find her.

“Trixie!” they all shouted then they all froze when Nightmare Moon was in there sights.

“You’re too late my little ponies.” Nightmare Moon states as Trixie looked at the broken pieces of the elements.

“The Elements of Harmony are no more, and the moon shall stay as I rule over all!” she added. All hope for them were lost without the elements there was no chance.

Trixie thought it over about the elements and the book she read about them “There are six elements of harmony: laughter, kindness, generosity, honesty, and loyalty. The sixth elements is unknown but it only reveals itself when one is worthy of it.” Trixie recalled

“Worthy?” she whispered as a small spark within each element began to react as Trixie recalled the events of tonight. How she felt about the ones who she first thought of unnecessary baggage.

A bright light erupted in the room from where the elements were at.

“What is the meaning of this trickery?” Nightmare Moon said in confusion shielding her eyes from the bright light.

“I think I’m starting to understand the meaning of the elements, and…of what they really mean!” Trixie states as shards of the elements began to circle about the everpony except for her.

One turned into a brilliant orange sun “Sunset an honest pony who is willing to give up her life to save another.” She began as Nightmare howled in anger and tried to get at them, but a strong barrier seemed to be protecting them repelling Nightmare Moon.

Another transformed into a light blue lightning bolt accompanied with a star “Lightning Dust always keeps everypony happy and smiling in the face of fears itself.”

Nightmare Moon continued to bash at the barrier as a sense of fear began to take hold. What she feared most was coming to pass.

Another began to take shape of a pink daisy “Cheerliee, she showed that nothing big or small is to always show a little kindness because kindness can always go a long way.”

The barrier held firm at this statement and let out a small shockwave knocking her onto her flank.

The forth transformed into a purple feather “Coco Pommel she showed that generosity can sometimes come at a price but you always feel good inside knowing that you helped somepony no matter who they are.”

The dark alicorn rose and let out a blood curdling scream as she charged the barrier with all her might.

The fifth one turned into a red lightning bolt “Rainbow Dash, her loyalty to her friends means the world to her and she would never…” she looked towards Dash

“Ever leave a friend behind.” She says as Dash puffs out her chest proudly.

Another shockwave stronger than the last repelled Nightmare Moon at this statement. It was strong enough to render her to the ground.

The five shards were placed in the shards but then there was a sixth flash, and in the flash appeared a crown embedded with a purple five pointed star with a crescent moon around it.

“The spark...the spark is friendship itself! It is something that is inside all of us.” Trixie stated as herself and the others floated in midair. Trixie’s eyes began to glow as a double helix rainbow shot up and shot down towards Nightmare Moon hitting her.

“NOOOO! I AM NIGHTMARE MOON, THE PENICLE OF DARKNESS! YOU WILL NEVER BE RID OF ME!” She yelled trying to fight back but it was no use as a dark smoke began to leave Nightmare Moon’s body and vanish without a trace.

The bright rainbow vanished and the six ponies landed on the ground. All of them were huffing after that event with the necklaces they were wearing.

“Did… it… work?” Coco panted between words. Her question was answered by a slight groan coming from where Nightmare Moon stood except it wasn’t Nightmare Moon.

The pony that was unconscious was about a little bit bigger than the rest of them, her horn was about half as long as a regular unicorn, her eyes were no longer green catlike but more dark cyan with normal pupils as a normal pony and her wings were that of a normal pegasus instead all vampire like, and her cutie mark was a white crescent moon surrounded by a night scene. She also wore a small armor piece in front of her with a crescent moon mark as well, her mane and tail was that of night itself, and her coat was a dark sapphire blue.

The ponies were shocked at first seeing this new pony in fact an alicorn pony.

“Do not worry, she is not a threat anymore.” A motherly voice said from behind them, when they looked behind them, a pony that was three time there size with a horn that was also three times longer than an average unicorn, wings that were that expanded longer than a pegasus, her coat is a silk white, her cutie mark was almost similar as Sunsets but with a yellow and a brilliant orange color, her mane was mixed with light magenta, light green, and light blue and seemed to flow whenever she walks, her eyes were a dark pink color and wore a armor piece in front that covers her chest with a crest of the burning sun.

“P-P-Princess Celestia!” Trixie yelled out in surprise.

“Yes.” She answered.

“Are you okay Princess?” Sunset asked.

“Yes I am, but thank you for worrying.” She answered in a motherly tone.

“Whoa hold everything, what do mean she can’t harm us anymore?” Dash questioned

“Because when you used the Elements of Harmony it purified her from her darkness.” Celestia said as she looked toward the pony

“Isn’t that correct… sister.” Celestia said catching everypony off guard.

The pony flinched as if she was going to be hurt or worse by her sister who was standing over her. What came as a surprise to her was her elder sister to her hoof and wrapped it around her neck

“I’m glad that you are not hurt Luna.” She said as she comforted her confused sister.

“But dear sister it was thy that was blinded by jealousy and rage that thy couldn’t stand living in the shadows of thou dear sister of the sun.” Luna said.

The others were both shocked and confused at the same time.

“Whoa! Whoa! Hold it!” Dash shouted making everypony look toward her.

“So all this time we were fighting your sister!” Dash exclaimed.

“And you didn’t tell us!” Trixie finished getting only a nod from Celestia.

“Yes my dear student, I’m afraid that if I would have told you who Nightmare Moon was you would be to focused on stopping her, and not realize the true reason I sent you here.” Celestia said.

Trixie was speechless from Celestia’s words but could only give a slight nod in agreement. Celestia turned back to her sister.

“Rise up dear sister, let us return to Canterlot and prepare properly.” Celestia said, but her sister still confused

“Dear sister what about thy judgment sister, after all transpired today, would thy deserved forgiveness from thee, good sister?” Luna questioned

“All can be forgiven dear Luna; Though my council will be wanting to know about the events that transpired today.” She says with a chuckle as Luna chuckles.

“Thy is surprised that thou still keeps a council.” She states.

Celestia and Luna returned to Ponyville to resume the celebration where it was interrupted. After Celestia raised the sun, she and her sister were prepared to leave back to Canterlot.

Trixie watched as Celestia and Luna walked in the chariot with the guard pegasi preparing to take to the skies.

“What troubles you my dear student?” Celestia asked.

“Well princess, I don’t know what to do I mean your letter that you sent me.” Trixe starts as she brings out the letter.

“And this troubles you how?” Celestia asked.

“Well… it’s just that… it doesn’t say about staying here.” Trixie said. Celestia pondered what Trixie was trying to tell her and then realized.

“If I’m not mistaken you are wanting to remain here in Ponyville, is that what your trying to ask me.” Celestia said only to make Trixie bolt up in surprise.

“Well yes, and it’s something else that was said in your letter. For me to make some friends, and well I don’t want to leave them now that I’ve meet them. I would like to request to stay here in Ponyville.” Trixie asked waiting on her decision.

She pondered that question for a minute and noticed out of the corner of her eye the five that had been with Trixie.

“So you have made some good friends here I see.” She said looking towards the other five.

“Yes I have. They maybe unorthodox, and maybe strange, but that’s what makes us a unique group.” Trixie stated.

“Then you have my permission to stay in Ponyville, but of course there is a small condition.” Celestia said with a small smile.

“I would like you my dear student to send me reports about your discoveries on the magic of friendship as you stay here.” She says.

Trixie nods while bowing “Thank you thank you thank you! Trixie is most grateful.” She said as Celestia chuckles

“You are doing it again my student.” She says as Trixie blushes in embarrassment.

Nearby her friends watched this and let out a good natured laugh.

“You know with Trixie here I think things are going to be more exciting.” Dash states as the others nod in agreement.

“Yeah, but everything will be just fine.” Sunset says.

-Meanwhile Somewhere Else-

“All they want out of me is some trophy. Nopony actually loves me.” A pony thought

“That can be changed…” A dark voice says in the pony’s head.

Hours later a dark laughter echoed throughout Canterlot.

The Ticket Master

Trixie yawned as she woke up in her bed in Golden Oaks and prepared herself for the coming day that was to happen. She looked to her night stand and sitting there was a photo taken with her and the friends that she has made.

“I can’t believe it has been almost a week since that happened.” Trixie says aloud as Spike pokes his head out of the basket he sleeps in.

“Yeah, best thing the princess did was sending you here.” Spike agrees getting out of the basket and stretching out to wake up.

“Though I really think she could have made better living arrangements. I mean it’s enough we lived in a tower filled with books.” He adds making Trixie glare at him.

“What’s wrong with a library?” Trixie asks as Spike gulps and tries to think of something to get her mind off what he just said as there is a knock at the front.

Before Trixie can say anything Spike runs to it and opens it revealing Sunset Shimmer.

“Good morning Spike. Are you and Trixie ready?” She asks confusing the dragon who scratched his head making Sunset sigh.

“You and Trixie promised to help me sort out my books since today’s my day off from tutoring.” She reminded as Spike give a sheepish smile rubbing a claw behind his head.

“How do I always get myself into these things?” he wonders.

The Ticket Master

Trixie and Spike followed after sunset to her home which she also doubled as a tutoring class. Her home in size could be compared to that of Fluttershy’s cottage, and was painted colors matching that of the mare who owned it.

They stepped inside and was slightly amazed. The inside of the place actually looked bigger that the appearance from the outside. Shelves aligned the back wall and were filled to the brim with a variety of books, but well of three fourths of them were littered on the floor.

Immediately the two mares and one baby dragon set off to work on this project.

“Wow just how many books do you here?” Trixie asked levitating a book to an empty shelf.

“Several.” Sunset replies as she decided to show a few to Trixie.

“These ones here are for some of the younger colts and fillies I tutor. Pretty much contains the basics from how to connect to their mana and use their magic, and how to cast the most basic of spells.” She says before shelving it and grabbing another.

“Books like this are for some of my more advance students and teens. Give a bit more of an in depth explanation to the spells and how to use them in other ways.” She continues and puts them away before grabbing a few more.

“And these ones are more for ponies like you and me Trix. Very complex spells, and since they are complex I don’t let my students touch them.” She says before shelving them and cast her failsafe spell meant to give a small shock to those who don’t have the same level of magic as herself or Trixie.

As Spike was beginning to put away another book he burped up a puff of green flames that nearly hit a set of books, but missed and a scroll formed landing on top of a book case.

Spike sighs and grabs a ladder going up the book case and grabbed the letter. He slid down the ladder and cleared his throat before unrolling the scroll and read it.

“Here ye, Here ye. You have been invited to attend the annual Grand Galloping Gala being held at Canterlot with a plus one. You must wear formal attire for the Gala or you would not be able to attend. Sincerely, Princess Celestia.” Spike finished pulling out two gold tickets for the gala and Spike raising them up.

“Two tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!” Trixie and Sunset said in unison.

“I could only see it right now” Sunset began to picture an image in her head.

Sunset imaged herself in at the gala in a dress as she talked and laughed with a few others “Just me having a great time not having a care in the world…” she starts

Sunset saw herself talking with a few nobles who had foals “I could also get some publicity for my tutoring.” She said with a smile and looks to Trixie.

“Oh Trix you got to take me along.” Trixie could only look at her and rub a hoof behind her neck.

“I don’t see why no…” She starts before something else happened.

And that some else came crashing through a window with a shout from above and a rainbow trail following close behind “LOOK OUT BELOW!”

Trixie and Sunset avoided the blur known as Rainbow Dash who crashed right into the book shelves ruining a hours worth of organizing.

“Dash! Can’t you watch were your going?” Sunset yells with a glare when Dash pokes her head out of the books piled on top of her.

“Sorry about that Sunset. Look I’m not hurt, though you could do something about those stupid books of yours. Ruined a good trick I was working on.” Dash said as Sunset’s fur began to turn bright read in anger.

“Did I hear something about tickets?” Dash then adds recalling the secondary reason that she had crashed in the first place.

“Yeah. Trixie here got a spare ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala, and she is thinking of taking Sunset with her to it.” Spike said holding up the tickets.

“Tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!” Dash leaped up in the air in excitement at this news.

“Oh please take me, I’ll do your chores for a week!” Dash begged grabbing Trixie who along with Sunset looked utterly confused at this action.

“Whoa, hold it Dash, why do you want to go? I thought you didn’t like fancy parties?” Trixie questioned getting out of the hug.

“It’s not the party I look forward to, it’s mainly seeing the Wonderbolts.” She said proudly.

“Okay I’ll bite. Who are the Wonderbolts?” Trixie asked with a sigh as Dash gasps like Pinkie.

“You don’t know who the Wonderbolts are?!” Dash exclaimed as Trixie who give a sheepish smile and nods.

Around Canterlot three pegasi in blue suits with yellow lightning like trimming and yellow rimmed goggles flew about doing tricks and stunts of various kinds “There just the best stunt team in all of Equestria and they perform at the gala every year” Dash starts.

Dash imagines herself flying in doing stunts of the same caliber as them “So if I go I’ll be able to show them what I’m made of, and have a shot at joining them.” Dash proclaimed standing proudly spreading her wings wide.

“Well you’ll have to wait next year because Trixie is taking me to the gala right Trix?” Sunset asked getting in Dash’s personal space before glancing back at Trixie.

“Um… well.” Trixie responded nervously sweat starting to form.

“No! She’s taking me!” Dash argued glaring as she tried to push Sunset back.

“No! ME!” Sunset countered as they continued to argue and attempting to push the other back.

Trixie let out a sigh before turning towards her little assistant who was resisting the urge to laugh at the scene.

“Spike let’s get out of here while there busy arguing.” Trixie as they tipped hoofed out of Sunset’s house.

“ME!”

“M…Wait a second…” Sunset starts and looked around.

“Hey! Don’t be trying to change things Sunset.” Dash said.

“Where’d Trixie go to?” Sunset questioned and that made Dash start to look around to.

“Maybe you scared her off?” Dash suggested making Sunset look back to her with a glare.

“Did not!” Sunset said

“Did so!” Dash countered and more arguing ensued.

Even though Spike and Trixie had left the general area of Sunset’s home the arguing was echoing so they could be heard.

“Those two sure have a set of lungs on them.” Spike notes from atop of Trixie’s back.

“They sure do. I’m surprised the two of them have gotten along for as long as they claim.” Trixie adds.

“So have made a decision yet?” Spike asked looking down to her.

“No I haven’t yet.” Trixie’s stomach began to growl in hunger not having had breakfast that morning.

“And I don’t think I’ll be able to make one until I have lunch.” As she said this a fast turquoise and yellow object came hurdling at the two which resulted in a collision.

The results where one frazzled and annoyed unicorn mare, a disgruntled baby dragon that was face down on the ground with two tickets on his head, and a rather embarrassed turquoise pegasi who was on top of the azure unicorn.

“Lightning Dust could watch where you’re going?” Trixie said using her magic to lift Dust off her who let out a light hearted laugh.

“Really sorry about…” Dust started until she then noticed what was on top of a mumbling Spike.

“Are those what I think those are?” Dust asked grabbing one and let out a squeal of delight at the sight.

“They are! They tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala and you got two of them!” Dust began jumping with joy.

“Oh please please please take me!” She said flying around Trixie.

“Now hold on their Dust.” Trixie says to Dust who stops flying when she hears this.

“I don’t know who I’m giving the extra ticket to, plus why do you even want to go?” Trixie asked.

“Well…It is a party. Alright I was thinking if I went I’d get the opportunity to maybe liven things up.” Dust admits.

“I’ve heard lots of things about it, and one word not associated with the gala is fun. Snore feast is more like it.” She adds.

“Now that I think about Princess Celestia is always unnaturally irritable after the gala.” Trixie thought recalling the times Celestia unintentionally snapped at her and then apologized later for her behavior.

“Don’t worry Dust. I’ll make my decision soon.” Her stomach started growling again making Trixie blush a bit.

“After I get some lunch” She adds as her and Spike trotted off to a nearby restaurant.

“So… that’s a maybe.” Lightning asked tilting her head to the side

The two made their way to an outdoor restaurant and when they arrived they were already looking over the pre placed menus on the table they sat at.

“So have you decided yet to give the extra ticket to.” Spike asked.

She only responded by looking at the menu deciding on both what to eat and who she should bring with her. To say she was frustrated at the moment was a rather big understatement.

“Uhh…Trixie didn’t you hear me?” Spike asked getting a groan from Trixie who looked to the dragon.

“Trixie doesn’t know who to bring, they all have a good point, but Trixie just can’t decide!” she yelled out grabbing everyponies attention including the waiter who was now at her table.

Spike cleared his throat and indicated to the crowd around them. Trixie looked about than blushed in embarrassment at her outburst.

“Um… Trixie will have a daffodil sandwich and some hayfries.” She said quickly as the waiter took her order

“Trixie.” Spike starts as Trixie sighs realizing what she was doing…again.

“I know I was speaking in third pony again, I’ve got to stop doing that.” Trixie deadpanned herself as the waiter came back with her order and return to the building.

“Finally!” Trixie exclaimed as she lifted the sandwich to meet her mouth, she was about to take a bite when the waiter called out.

“Um miss, are you going to eat in the rain?” the waiter asked as several other ponies came rushing past him taking shelter.

“Rain? It’s not raining.” Trixie looked around and then noticed it was indeed raining everywhere except for one small circle which was the table Trixie was sitting at.

“Hey Trixie up here!” a voice yelled out from above.

Trixie looked up and saw near the edge of the hole looking down on her sweetly was Rainbow Dash.

“Rainbow did you make that hole in the clouds?” Trixie asked her voice having a twinge of annoyance laced into it.

“Why yes, couldn’t let my bestest best friend in all of Ponyville have her lunch ruined by a bit of rain.” Dash said in a more gleeful tone.

That only made Trixie facehoof as she realized the only possible reason Dash would do something like this.

“Dash is this about getting that extra ticket isn’t it?” she questioned with a more of an annoyed tone than thankful.

“Whatever do you mean?” Dash said actually seeming to play dumb.

“Dash this isn’t helping my decision at all and I would be grateful if you did your job so could you please CLOSE UP THAT CLOUD!” Trixie shouted the last part.

Then Dash dropped the act “Alright I was just trying to help sheesh don’t need to get snippy at me.” Dash said and with that she literally zipped up the cloud hole.

“Now that’s more like…” Trixie resumed to try and take a bite of her sandwich but was interrupted by a down pour of rain that in seconds drenched her mane, coat, and her sandwich.

She growled a little bit at what happened and that her lunch was ruined. Then another voice spoke from a distance.

“Um…Miss Trixie what are you doing in the rain?” said the voice, Trixie turned around to see Coco Pommel with an attached umbrella on her back.

“Trying to eat or at least I was.” Trixie replies her narrowed eyes glaring at the ground as Coco walked over to her.

“Well if you stay out here too long you’ll definitely catch a cold.” She says covering Trixie with her umbrella before looking at the heavy downpour all around them.

“You and Spike can stay at the boutique until this rain stops.” Coco offered and the trio were on their way to the boutique.

When they got there Trixie was able to dry off properly and Coco then proceeded to fix up Trixie’s mane to which she then looked in a nearby mirror to check Coco’s handy work.

“Thanks a lot, I needed that.” Trixie says her earlier anger at Dash finally fading away.

“It was nothing really, but I have to ask; why were you eating in the rain?” Coco asked curiously.

“Well I was eating then everpony started running in. Dash had opened a hole above me to keep me dry, but I asked her to close it seeing as how she was only doing it as a favor to try and get my extra ticket to the Gala.” Trixie said and Coco’s ears perked up.

“Did you say the Gala, as in the Grand Galloping Gala?” Coco said and Trixie nodded nervously that made Coco squeal causing her to jump up and down.

“Please not you to Coco.” Trixe pleaded in her thoughts as Spike mumbles under his breath about how that was a bad idea.

“I heard that place is filled with nobles and even designers from all around Equestria are going to be there!” Coco exclaimed.

“Oh please Trixie you got to take me along with you, this could be a chance of a lifetime for me pleeease!” Coco begged.

Trixie stared at her for a minute “Not you to Coco, great how can this get any worse.” Trixie thought.

“I’m very sorry Coco but I still haven’t decided who I’m bringing, but if I do make a decision it will be my final word.” Her stomach growled yet again.

“But first I need to get some lunch or something before I pass out.” Trixie and Spike started to walk out of the boutique since the rain finally died down.

“Oh alright. Good luck Miss Trixie!” Coco called out as the two left.

They both were now walking toward the library rather quiet and awkward.

“Well today been quite an eventful day huh.” Spike said optimistically breaking the silence as Trixie glared at the ground again and groaned in response.

“Eventful. If you mean my friends doing favors for me just to get the extra ticket I have then yes it has been eventful.” Trixie said in annoyance as they began approaching the library.

“You can at least try and look on the bright side Trixie.” Spike suggests as Trixie glares at him.

“And what could possibly be a bright side to today’s events?” Trixie asked slightly angered.

“Not all of your friends have asked about the ticket.” Spike points out making Trixie stop in place and thought about this a moment.

“Don’t count on it Spike. If I know that loud mouth Lightning Dust she’s probably told the rest.” She says and then they walk into the library.

When they entered they saw somepony cleaning the shelves with a feather duster. To their dismay the pony that was in the library was Cheerliee who was humming a tune in her head.

She looked at Trixie and Spike that just walked in and gave them a bright smile.

“Oh hello I didn’t expect you back so soon.” Cheerliee said keeping the same smile.

Trixie looked to Spike giving him a look that screamed ‘I told you so.’

“Cheerliee… may Trixie ask you something; what are you doing in Trixie’s library!?” she asked in annoyance that caught Spike by surprise, but not Cheerlie who had brushed it off.

“Well I thought your library could use a little bit of dusting, and after all isn’t what friends to for each other, you know help.” Cheerliee stated.

Spike and Trixie looked at each other before she turned to look back at Cheerliee.

“Who told you?” Trixie said bluntly already pinpointing the reason for this kind gesture.

“Why Lightning Dust of course. Who else would have told me?” Cheerliee said with a small chuckle.

“Trixie knew that loudmouth would tell the rest.” Trixie thought in annoyance putting it down in her head to have a talk with Dust sometime later about keeping her muzzle shut.

“And Trixie you were doing it again.” She then added.

“Trixie is aware of it, but Trixie would have to ask you to leave until tomorrow then Trixie will decide, and besides don’t you have a foal to look after?” Trixie notes in extreme annoyance.

“It’s alright. Applejack volunteers to take care of her while I’m gone since her sister and Emm are such great friends. Sorry if I disturbed you Trixie.” Cheerliee said as she left.

Trixie sighed in relief as the day was coming to a close “Hey Spike think you fix something up for us?” she asked.

“Two hayburgers coming right up Trixie.” Spike said as he went toward the kitchen and began cooking. Trixie took a seat at her desk.

“Trixie just don’t know who to take, Rainbow wants to go to show off in front of the Wonderbolts, Lightning Dust wants to party down and liven things up, Sunset wants to promote her tutoring classes, Coco wants to impress the nobles, and Cheerliee…Trixie doesn’t know why Cheerliee wants to go! It’s so frustrating to make a decision like this!” Trixie slammed her head on the desk.

“And even giving Trixie’s own ticket up will leave three broken hearted!” She adds groaning.

Spike came out the hayburgers “Don’t think on it too much or you’ll give yourself a headache.” He said bringing one to Trixie placing it next to her.

“Thank you Spike, I so needed this.” She began wolfing it down without using her magic to pick it up. After finishing it she was relieved that she finally had something in her stomach. She gave out a yawn signaling her it was time to hit the hay.

“I’ll see you in the morning Spike, I’ll figure something out.” She said groggily as she walked up the stairs toward her bedroom.

“See you tomorrow Trixie!” Spike called out as he also went to bed right behind her. It was going to be a long day for them tomorrow morning.

Trixie slept, but her sleep was almost a nightmare as she and Spike were being chased by a mob who were shouting things and after the tickets that she has.

The next morning was as usual, Trixie got up and went through her usual way of starting the day.

“Morning Trixie. Did you sleep well?” Spike asked to Trixie who gave a small nod.

“Other than having a nightmare about ponies chasing me everywhere around Ponyville for that extra ticket I slept well.” Trixie states

After a large breakfast her and Spike set out to try and have a pleasant morning walk and possibly check up on the others, but only found Rainbow Dash still snoozing on a cloud nearby.

“Leave it to Dash to be as lazy as ever.” Trixie thought with a small smirk as she glanced over to Sugar Cube Corner and saw Sunset coming out of it.

“Sunset! Over here!” Trixie calls out getting the mare’s attention that noticed them and walked over to greet them.

“So anything new Sunset?” Spike asked as Sunset just shakes her head.

“No just another day of magic tutoring for me today.” Sunset said a bit exhausted and glanced at Trixie.

“Oh yeah, have you decided to give the extra ticket to?” Sunset inquires as Trixie groans.

“Sunset I don’t want to start the day off about that ticket, so let’s just enjoy the day like it is.” Trixie said turning to stare at Sunset.

“Right gotcha. Not even going to talk about it.” Sunset said in a knowing tone of voice.

Sunset soon left the duo who continued on their walk. Every now and then they would get some looks from ponies and there were a few whispers.

“Spike question; why are all those ponies staring at me?” Trixie asked with a nervous smile causing Spike to turn his head to see them staring at him as well as Trixie.

“It’s not just you, there staring at me too.” Spike said sweating a bit at the strange occurrence.

Then out of nowhere a pink blur showed up.

“Hiya Trixie!” the voice cheered catching the two off guard.

“WHAA!” Was Trixie’s response as Spike leaped in the air and land on Trixie’s flank.

Trixie turned and was greeted with the face of a certain party pony.

“Augh, Pinkie please don’t do that, my heart nearly jumped out!” Trixie yelled out still trying to figure out how Pinkie just pops out of nowhere.

“But that’s impossible cause then you’ll be dead if it did, and your heart doesn’t have any limbs or anything.” Pinkie said in one breath.

“Only Pinkie Pie would interpret things like that.” Trixie thought.

“So any luck with the extra ticket for the gala?” Pinkie cheered out. Trixie placed a hoof over Pinkie’s mouth preventing her from talking further.

“Shhh! Pinkie quiet I don’t want anypony else to know about it. How do you even know about it?” Trixie silently exclaimed but it was already too late as several ponies started to gather around Trixie.

“Did somepony say ticket?” a stallion called out.

“Ticket? Too what?” a unicorn mare asked.

“Oh just that Trixie has an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!” Pinkie cheered out.

The entirety of that part of town suddenly went dead quiet as all eyes were on Trixie and Spike as several glanced at each other than at them.

They just stood there wide eyed at the crowd “Oh, you’re in trouble Trixie and Spike, you better run run, from the mob mob.” Pinkie suggested.

“Aww buck.” Trixie thought when Pinkie said this.

“Spike… RUN LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER RUN BEFORE!” Trixie shouts and ran as fast as she could along with Spike.

“Oh, I love this part.” Pinkie said bringing a stereo system out of her mane and it began to play a particular bit of music.

Trixie and Spike ran into the nearest place which was a clothing store. The mob followed and looked about. Barely noticed was a mannequin wearing a robe with a chest nearby.

The group left and the mannequin removed its hood showing it to be Trixie and Spike pops out of the chest. Both sighed in relief before they were noticed and ran out the back way of the store.

They turned a corner and found an empty barrel that would be large enough for the two of them. Trixie signals for them to jump in to hide but Spike shakes his head no.

Trixie than signals behind them which was the shadows of the mob getting closer which makes Spike sweat and Trixie signals to the barrel again and Spike jumps in followed by Trixie who puts the top of it on them.

The mob passes by the barrel as the two sigh thinking they are rid of them before a small knock is heard on the barrels side.

Trixie peaks out and sees that it is just Emm who waves at Trixie when she peaked out. Trixie makes a motion to keep her quiet which she nods, but the mob doubled back and one saw Trixie and played a trumpet signaling that Trixie was spotted.

The mare and dragon jumped and were out of the barrel quicker than they got in leaving behind dust cloud versions of themselves.

The mob passed by an elderly woman walking a stroller. Trixie looked up from her disguise and at Spike who was dressed up as a baby. One of them saw Spike and signaled the others.

They ran off abandoning the stroller they came to the bridge and hid under it. It seemed to work than Spike slipped and groaned giving them away.

They continued to run and eventually they were cornered at a dead end.

[End Music]

“Were trapped, now what Trixie!?” Spike yelled.

“Let Trixie think okay!” She said now sweating bullets as the crowd of ponies getting closer shouting favor they would do for her in exchange for the extra ticket.

“What do I do now? We’re trapped like a mouse in a cage.”Trixie thought for a minute as they kept getting closer the favors sounding more ridiculous the more she listened to them.

“Looks like Trixie don’t have a choice.” Trixie thought as her horn lit up sparking of magic.

Grabbing onto Spike, she teleported both teleported away from the crowd of ponies that were now in shock of where she could’ve gone to.

Trixie manage to teleport them back to the library but Spike had a few burn mark on his scales after the sudden teleportation. He glanced up to Trixie with a slight glare.

“Warn me next, before you do that.” Spike swayed back and forth before collapsing.

Trixie’s horn was fuming smoke from it as she peeks outside the shades of her window. She saw nopony and gave a sigh of relief as her horn stopped smoking.

“Well at least we got away from that crowd.” Trixie said before turning around to see her friends were there and Dust waved at her.

Her eye twitched at seeing them and she let out a cry of anguish at the entirety of this situation.

“UH, Trixie can’t decide who to take, Trixie doesn’t want to disappoint any of you, and you’re my friends and, Trixie just can’t figure out what to do anymore!” She shouted.

With that she collapsed and tried hiding herself with her hoofs. Sunset looked to the others and then proceeded forward and put a comforting hoof on Trixie.

“Trixie if it’ll make you feel any better. I don’t want the ticket anymore, so you can keep it.” Sunset says in an apologetic tone.

“Yeah I guess it wasn’t right of us to give you a hard time about it.” Lightning said lowering her head.

“I agree, I even begged you to give me it, but it wasn’t my place to do so.” Coco stated in agreement hanging her head down.

“I agree, I thought cleaning up around your library would work; it was wrong of me to think so.” Cheerliee lowered her head in disappointment.

“AW YEAH!” Dash shouted in victory.

“I got the ticket! I got the ticket!” Dash said and dancing in the air until she was stopped by four very stern looks

“Hehehe.” She laughed landing back on the ground.

“Actually my moves could use a little work. So I guess you can keep it Trixie.” Dash said rubbing the back of her neck with her hoof.

Trixie got up from the floor and give a small chuckle “Spike, take a letter for me.” Trixie says with a smile.

“Already got it ready Trixie.” Spike said readying a paper and quill having apparently recovered from collapsing.

Trixie cleared her throat before beginning “Dear Princess Celestia, I’m grateful for the gift that you have provided but I’m afraid I must respectfully decline your offer. The things with gifts that if there aren’t enough to go around then what the point of having them if you can share them with friends those you care about. So I’m returning the tickets with this letter. If my friends can’t go, neither should I. You can’t pick favorites between your friends and that what really matter. You’re faithful student, Trixie Lulamoon.” Trixie finished and in a puff of green smoke was sent to Celestia.

“You didn’t have to do that Trix.” Sunset said as the others nod.

“Yeah. You didn’t have to give up yours.” Dash added

“I guess we all can’t get what we want huh.” Trixie said with a laugh.

A few second after having said that Spike let out a burp producing another scroll.

“Dear Trixie, Why didn’t you say so in the first place. If I knew this would be an issue, I would have reacted sooner. I have enclosed enough tickets for you and your friends to go now. Signed Princess Celestia.” He finish reading and pulled out six tickets.

“Six tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!” he shouted holding them up. The girls cheered and walked over to get one.

“How come I didn’t get a ticket?” Spike questioned then he burped up another letter, opened it and read it.

“Oh and one for you as well Spike.” Finishing as he too got a ticket.

“You know I’m starting to wonder something?” Trixie asked Sunset

“Where did Pinkie get that stereo system?” she questioned as Sunset chuckled seeming to recall several events involving the local party pony.

“What you don’t know, can’t hurt you Trixie.” Sunset answered.

“Yeah as the saying goes around here; its Pinkie Pie don’t question it.” Dash added making all of them laugh.

-Meanwhile in Ponyville-

A white unicorn mare with blue and light blue fizzled hair with purple shades and a music note cutie mark returned home. After a few minute of being home she yelled “I’VE BEEN ROBBED!” It was loud enough to echo across the entire town.

Tipping The Scales

It was early afternoon in Ponyville. School was getting ready to let out, the sun was high, and as usual a certain cyan coated rainbow mane mare was preparing herself for something as she jogged in place on a cloud.

Soon enough she was joined by her fellow worker and close friend Lightning Dust, and the local farm mare (and member of the Apple clan) Applejack.

“It’s about time! I didn't think you two would show up.” Dash said as she landed on the ground.

“Now yah listen here Rainbow Dash. Ah have tah get back the farm soon. So one race is all ah can do.” AJ says as she adjusts her Stetson hat.

“Alright AJ. Just don’t cry when you and Dust lose. I’ll even give you a five second head start” Dash says with a confident smirk as her, Dust, and AJ lined up.

“Finish lines the school house right?” Dust asks which Dash nods.

“On your mark…” Dash starts

“Get set…” AJ continued

“GO!” All two of the them take off then Dash followed catching up with ease.

Tipping the Scales.

At the school house Cheerliee bearer of the Element of Kindness was working on grading the latest homework assignment that was turned in.

“Emerald Jewel…81%, Pendragon Quill…80%, Scootaloo…69%.” She says and as she was about to continue a strong gust of wind caught the rest of her papers sending them into the air and making her groan.

“Can’t that mare make the finish line somewhere other than the school.” She thought with extreme annoyance at the cause her afternoon getting ruined.

She quickly gathered her papers back up and looked at the school entrance. At the entrance the three racing mares stood/flew in place.

“Aw yeah point to the Dash!” Dash declared raising a hoof in the air as she hovered off the ground while AJ and Dust panted out of breath.

“Nice… race… Dash.” AJ said between breaths.

Rainbow looked back at the tired earth and pegasus ponies with a smirk.

“Nice race; I gave you girls a five second head start and I still won the race, you mares are slow with a capital S.” Dash boasted.

Lightning Dust got her breath “Just because of that stipulation you made doesn't mean you’re the best.” Lightning Dust interjected

“Your right maybe I should have gave you a fifteen second head start.” Dash boast again laughing a bit at the other ponies expense.

As Dash boasted the school bell had rung and students were starting to come out. Several stallions and mares had also come to pick up their foals while others had just come knowing where Dash always ended the races she and the others had at.

Cheerliee’s expression hardened at the comment Dash had just made. That did it; Cheerliee was going to put an end to Dash’s boasting one way or another.

She approached the well that the three were at “Rainbow Dash I would like to talk to you for a moment.” Cheerliee stated in a more serious tone.

“Sure, what about Cheers?” Rainbow asked with a half smile/smirk on her face.

“You attitude that’s what, you’ve been boasting like no tomorrow and it’s very uncalled for.” She starts

“I would like you to apologize to both of Applejack, and Lightning Dust for your unfavorable boasting.” Cheerliee ordered her eyes narrowed.

Dash looked at Cheerliee as if what she just had grown another head.

“You want me to do what now?” Dash said rubbing her neck with her hoof in confusion and just staring at Cheerliee.

“You heard me; your boasting can really hurt someponies feelings.” Cheerliee said pointing to the exhausted AJ and Lightning Dust.

“I’m just expressing myself okay so chill out.” Dash retorted in slight anger.

“I’ll ‘chill out’ once you apologize.” Cheerliee said not giving her any ground to counter.

Dash was stuck and she knew it. She wasn't going to get away from her unless she does give them an apology.

That was when she got a very Dash like idea. “Alright Cheerliee I’ll apologize…” Dash starts.

“You will.” Cheerliee stated coldly with a slight hint of confusion.

“On one condition, you beat me in a one on one race.”Dash finished which made Cheerliee stiffen up at what she said. Now it was Cheerliee’s turn to be confused.

“Um… what did you say?” she said her tone change from a serious to a one of worry as several students and parents alike and stragglers had stop to watch this rather interesting development.

“A race you and me if I win you have to wear a chicken costume the rest of the day, and if I ‘lose’ I’ll gratefully apologize to AJ and Lightning Dust afterwards. So what’s it going to be, you accept or are you to chicken.” Dash finished making chicken sounds toward Cheerliee.

The ponies that were around started to circle around them and mummers here and there about Cheerliee racing Dash. Cheerliee now started to get even more worried about this as AJ then went up stepping between the two.

“Dash really doesn’t need tah apologize Cheers.” AJ said trying to break it up, but Cheerliee was taking a step back from Dash’s challenge.

“Is she nuts, she knows as well as I do that I can’t beat her in a race even if she’s not using her wings, I’ll lose for sure” she thought already knowing what the end result would be. Her being humiliated by Rainbow Dash and wearing that chicken costume all day long.

She continued to back away “Well all that big talk and your back away like a filly at her first day of school. You might talk the talk, but can you walk. The. Walk.” Dash said poking Cheerliees chest with those words causing her to push through the crowd of ponies and run from the crowd and Dash.

“I’m guessing that’s a no then!” Dash called out to the running pony in a slight tone of victory and pride.

After running away she instantly went back home and locked the door so that nopony could get in.

She was sweating up a storm after running from Dash and the crowd of ponies.

She lets out a relieving sigh knowing she was safe in her home “Dash is right maybe all I do is talk big, but I can’t back it up with actions.”Cheerliee thought looking downcast.

“Momma is everything okay?” a fillies voice said that instantly cheered Cheerliee up.

Her home consist of a living room with a radio and the usual furniture, a normal kitchen with an oven, a refrigerator. The upstairs had two bedrooms, one for her, and one for her adopted daughter Emerald Jewel.

Said filly is now at the top of the stairs sniffling from the slight cold that she had caught.

“Yes my little Jewel, just mommy was having rough day.” Cheerliee said with a cheerful smile trying to hide her sadness from her.

“Hopefully by tomorrow everpony will forget this every even happen.” Cheerliee thought only thinking about what tomorrow would bring.

The next day was a weekend for her, and Emerald didn't have to go to school so she headed off to see Applebloom having recovered from her cold. Today was also shopping day for her; she would make a list of what’s needed and head out to the shopping markets. First on the list were apples and she knew just where to get them since she knew the pony quite well.

She approached a made shift wooden stand that had an trio apple sign on it and a small sign that said ‘OPEN’ in big letters.

“Good morning AJ.” Cheerliee announced to the mare in a cheerful tone.

“Well, howdy Cheers, the usual ah suppose.” AJ said in a knowing tone.

“Yes please.” She answered as AJ dropped three apples in her saddlebag.

“Look Cheers, sorry ‘bout Dash yesterday she can be quite uh hoof full if yah ask me.” She said

“I just would want her to taste her own medicine for once.” Cheerliee answered slightly angered.

“Now ah know you would want to, but that just won’t solve anything yah know.” AJ advised putting a hoof on hers.

“But she made me look like a complete fool yesterday, and I still think you and Lightning Dust deserve something for the way she has treated you.” She countered and walked away from the stand

“Why to ah get the feeling this ain't going tah end well.” AJ says under her breath before continuing on with her usual work.

About a half hour later gathering most of the things on her list the last thing she need was seed for her garden back home and the only pony who had them were Daisy the local seed shop owner on the other side of town.

When she entered the shop she found nothing but flowers and seeds everywhere and at the counter was an earth pony mare with light grayish lime green, and moderate green eyes, her coat is a pale magenta, and her cutie mark were two daisies that almost reassembles Cheerliees with the exempt of the smiling faces.

She approached the counter “Hello Daisy, it seems you have a larger variety here today.” Cheerliee said impressed with how the shop has grown much like the owner.

“Well we have been getting more shipments of seeds lately, but the more the merrier right.” Daisy said and gave her the usual, paid the bits and before Cheerliee was about to leave she was stopped by Daisy

“Oh and by the way, hopefully you don’t decide to race Rainbow Dash, because that would be almost hysterical if you know what I mean.” Daisy said trying to hold back a chuckle but failed miserably. To put it simple she added logs to a burning fire.

“Wouldn't dream of it.” Cheerliee replies sarcastically and walked out slamming the door.

“The nerve of the pony, she knows it, I knows it. Even on her worst day I wouldn't be able to even keep up with Rainbow Dash even if I tried.” She thought as she walked through town and recalled what Dash had said to her the other day.

“You talk the talk but can you Walk. The. Walk.” That phrase only annoyed her to no end and she knew just who to talk to about this.

“I only hope she hadn't heard about that incident.” She thinks annoyed as she headed for Golden Oaks.

At the library Trixie was practicing a new spell she found in one of her books. It allowed her to turn a rock into almost anything she can think of. She getting ready to cast it when there was a knock at the door, and she stopped her casting.

“Spike could you get the door and show whoever it is in please?” Trixie asked turning back to what she was practicing.

“Got it Trixie.” Spike said and dashed off to the door opening it only to find cerise coated pony at the door.

“Oh hello Cheerliee.” Spike greeted happily.

“Sorry to bother but is Trixie here?” Cheerliee questioned trying to look past him hoping to spot the azure mare.

“Yes she’s upstairs at the moment I’ll go get her.” Spike went up stairs to tell Trixie that Cheerliee was downstairs waiting for her.

Cheerliee glance around the library that there was a stack books on her desk that were filled with pages that were an easily three hundred plus pages. After looking she saw Trixie coming down from her room.

“Hi Cheerliee what brings you here?” Trixie asked wondering why Cheerliee was visiting at such early hours.

“Good. Looks like she doesn't know about yesterdays incident.” Cheerliee thought

“Well you see Trixie I kinda need some help with something. It’s about Rainbow Dash.” She said letting out a sigh as Trixie let out a gasp.

“What about her? Did she get into an accident or something?” she asked in a hurry then Cheerliee’s expression changed completely from a cheery smile to a more angered expression.

“I am frustrated with her! Do you know what she did yesterday!?” she asked and Trixie shook her head in surprise that her friend and the Element of Kindness was angered.

“Well when I was just grading some papers for the teacher, I saw Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Lightning Dust racing, and after the race was completed she when on a rant saying that she was better than everypony in Equestria, and me being the peacekeeper tried to calm her down.” Cheerliee said as a very patient Trixie listened as she continued.

“And that’s not all when I tried to ask her to apologize to them, she said she would if I beat her in a race, and I’m not the racing type for that matter, but I just ran off already knowing the outcome, and today Daisy thought it would have been funny if I raced her! Argh I just want to give Dash a piece of her own medicine!” Cheerliee ended her ranting huffing after she finished only leaving a stunned Trixie and Spike with an open mouth.

Trixie put a hoof to her chin in thought “Well Dash is an excellent athlete, but I might have something that could even the odds so to speak.” Trixie says hesitantly.

That perked her ears up right away and in a matter of seconds she was extremely close to Trixie’s personal space.

“You do?” she said frantic but realize she lost her composure and quickly gain her bearings.

“I mean, you do?” She asked in a sweet tone backing off.

“Yeah it’s a pretty difficult spell but I should be able to use it no problem.” Trixie said as she and Spike went to the bookshelves.

“Now where did I put it?” Trixie said scanning the shelves for the right book as Spike got up a ladder and eventually found it.

“Got it right here Trixie. You put it in the non-fiction section by accident.” Spike said coming down and bringing it to her.

“Thanks Spike, what would I do without my ace assistant.” Trixie said rubbing his head.

“Awe shucks Trix.” Spike said blushing a bit embarrassed as Trixie looked through the book stopping at a particular page.

“You know the only way to allow me to be on par with her would be to become just as fast as her.” Cheerliee states from behind as Trixie nods.

“That is true, but are you sure you want to do this Cheerliee? I mean spells like this usually have some kind of side effect.” Trixie states a bit nervous.

“I can handle any side effects dear. Now get on with it please.” Cheerliee states.

“Alright I believe this spell should do it, all it requires is a DNA sample of an extremely fast creature.” Trixie said as she also tried to read the smudged title, but from what the details told it seemed like a simple speed up spell.

“Does Rainbow Dash count as one?” Cheerliee asked sarcastically.

“Well she is the only fastest pegasus that I know, but you would need to get a sample of her DNA.” Trixie explained.

“But how am I going to do that?” Cheerliee pondered that question then an idea came to her remembering one of the students she helps.

“Scootaloo! Of course she idolizes Dash. Maybe she can somehow get a bit of her mane.” Cheerliee smiled at the idea and already came up with an idea that would work to get her to help recalling the low grade she had on the assignment.

“Well I guess that would have to do then, you go find Scootaloo and I’ll prepare the rest okay.” Trixie said but Cheerliee was already gone.

Cheerliee knew Scootaloo well enough to know she would be around town, but the tricky part is actually finding her. Luck must have been on her side that day because as she neared Sugar Cube Corner she saw a pegasus filly with cerise mane, light brilliant gamboge coat, and grayish purple eyes, she was also wear a purple helmet with a light shade of purple goggles and riding her scooter.

“Oh Scootaloo!” She called to the filly in a sweet tone as she walked over.

“What’s up Miss. C, please don’t tell me I’m trouble again?” questioned the filly looking back and forth as if she had done something.

Cheerliee shakes her head “No no no. You’re not in trouble, but would you mind if I ask you something?” Cheerliee said as the filly looked at in her in confusion.

“I heard that you are a fan of Rainbow Dash are you not?” She asks

“Yeah Rainbow Dash is probably the coolest pegasus in the all of Equestria with Lightning Dust close second!” Scootaloo ranted.

“I was wondering if you could get a bit of her mane for me if that’s okay?” Cheerliee asked which confused the filly.

“Why do it?” she asked in her confusion.

“Well… it’s for… uh Trixie!” She said quickly.

“Yeah she needs it for an experiment she’s performing and she needs something from the fastest creature here or in her case Rainbow Dash.” She said with the cheeriest of smiles.

“Well I don’t know. What’s in it for me if I help?” Scootaloo said looking at her with a stern look.

Cheerliee sighed “I’ll gladly help you with your homework for one week.” She said which instantly put a smile on the fillies face

“Thank you thank you! I knew you were a kind pony right from the get go, and don’t worry I’ll see that I get a piece of Dash’s mane.” Scootaloo cheered and zoomed off to find Rainbow Dash.

“No problem!” she yelled out as the filly zoomed off.

“I hope this doesn't come back and bite in the flank.” She thought think of the possibility of this being of a bad idea.

After about three hours Scootaloo did find Rainbow Dash and told her that she needed to get a piece of her mane to give to Cheerliee to give to Trixie but didn’t mention what it was for. While back at the library with the acquired hair from Rainbow she was preparing the spell.

“Are you certain you what to do this Cheerliee?” Trixie questioned again only to get a firm stare back from Cheerliee.

“Yes, Dash has been boasting for so long I can’t stand it, somepony needs to take her down a peg.” She stated without hesitation.

“Okay, you might feel a slight pinch but it shouldn't hurt a bit.” Trixie said as she lit up her horn. The aura surrounded the piece of hair and fired a small light beam toward Cheerliee which encased her in a sphere.

The magic surged through Cheerliee’s body for about a few minutes but then it began to subside and then she was down on the ground and Trixie was sweating from using the spell. She got up from the ground and looked at herself which she was still the same.

“I don’t feel any different or anything. Are you sure you had the right spell?” Cheerliee questioned apparently angered.

“I’m sure it was the right spell, maybe it’s not a physical change I’ll have to make sure.” Trixie looked back at her spell book. Cheerliee sighed examining herself again. She didn't physically look different, but to Cheerliee herself she felt different.

“Maybe.” She thought opened the door and ran out. The scenery had suddenly begun to pass her by as she maneuvered around other ponies and eventually she skidded to a halt.

Before she knew what happened she ran to doorstep of her house and stopped. She then looked back where the library was which was halfway across town and then down at her hoofs.

It was then she realized the spell had actually done its job.

“It worked.” She whispered in astonishment.

“It worked.” She said again but in a normal tone it starting to sink in.

“IT WORKED!” she yelled and zoomed back to the Trixie’s library.

She zoomed in with a gust of wind knocking some of Trixie’s stuff over.

“Trixie it worked it actually worked. Now I am faster, ways faster, I’m practically the fastest earth pony ever!” she squealed jumping cheerily.

“Well I hope it doesn't cause any problems for you.” Trixie said looking up from her book and closing it.

“Well I’m off to find Rainbow Dash. And I’ll show her a thing or two.” Cheerliee stated calmly and zoomed off.

Rainbow was doing her normal thing; napping in the afternoon at the park after her job was finished on the only cloud that wasn’t busted. She was snoring till she heard somepony calling her name.

“Rainbow Dash!” the voice yelled waking her up from her pleasant dream of flying with a certain group of pegasi.

“Ugh, who is it?” she said groggily getting up and stretching from her nap. She looked down from her cloud only to see a magenta colored pony standing there.

“What do you want Cheerliee, can you see I’m napping here.” She said rubbing her eyes to get awake

“I accept your challenge!” She said bluntly to Rainbow and with pure confidence.

Hearing this Dash went clear some ear wax out of her ears thinking that she heard wrong.

“Sorry but I thought you said you accepted my challenge.” Rainbow repeated.

“I did, you and me, or is Rainbow Dash awfraid of a wittle pony like me.” She mocked with a childish voice and she knew Dash wouldn't like.

Angered at being mocked and annoyed at being deprived of her afternoon nap Dash zoomed down in front of Cheerliee wings flared.

“Be careful teach or you may not like the outcome.” Dash warned gritting her teeth and eyes narrowed.

“Then let’s race, we’ll start from your cloud to the Ponyville fountain in town, first one to touch it wins.” She explained as Dash started to land.

“Oh and one more thing, you can use your wings if you want to.” She then adds as Dash stop giving her a puzzled look.

“Then let’s stop chatting and get racing.” Dash smirked and marked off the starting line

“Still time to back out.” She said to Dash in a similar tone Dash herself would use.

“No way, and same to you!” Dash retorted back as her and Cheerliee got into a starting stance.

“Ready.” Cheerliee started

“Set.” Dash continued

“GO!” both said and zoomed off. Dash took to the air and Cheerliee ran on the ground and slowly moving ahead of Dash.

“How is she already ahead of me like that, no matter I’ll just give it all I got at the last mile.” Dash thought as she was a little behind her.

“Is this really all she’s got? Talk about slow.” Cheerliee thought as they began to approach Ponyville.

“I can almost see the fountain in sight time to get it up a notch” Dash thought flapping her wings as fast as she could to get ahead of Cheerliee.

“No way I’m losing Cheers but it was a good race!” Dash shouted to her below already declaring her victory.

“Yes it was, but now for me to end this!” she shouted back and started to pick up the pace and now she was two pony lengths in front of her.

“Today’s lesson is now over.” She whispered as she ran full sprint toward the fountain.

Dash noted how she was pulling way ahead now five or six lengths ahead of Dash.

“No way! C’mon wings don’t fail me now!” She flapped harder to try and keep up but it was no use as soon as she flapped even harder.

The fountain was in view and zoomed toward it, and touched the tip of the fountain. She was sweating up a storm when she touch it but it seemed like no pony else was around.

“What took you so long slow poke?” Cheerliee said holding a stop watch.

“I’ve been here for a minute and thought that I left you behind, oh wait I did!” Cheerliee mocked. Dash was stunned with her mouth gapped open and her left eye twitching.

“I lost, but how? I demand a rematch!?” Dash said angered stomping a hoof on the ground as she landed.

“Let me think, hum… no.” Cheerliee saying bluntly but still had a smile on her face.

“What do you mean no?!” Dash even more furious about to get up in Cheerliee’s face, but Cheerliee had already moved and was behind her.

“Let me put it simple to you Dash. There’s a new speedster in town, and now you are only second rate.” Cheerliee said and left leaving Dash in her dust.

Cheerliee walked around Ponyville proudly as if a weight just had been lifted from her but little does she know that her mane and tail gained a new color, a blue stripe appeared on her mane and tail that replace a bit of her pinkish grey.

Meanwhile with Dash her blue streaks had been replaced with a pinkish grey streak as she went off mumbling and angry. Dash went to find a place to blow off some steam when Scootaloo was passing by.

“Hey Rainbow Dash do you think that you can take me for a flight?” she asked very excited, but failed to see Dash was rather angry.

“Sorry Scootaloo but I need some alone time today.” Dash said as she flew off.

“Okay no…” She paused a second taking in what Dash had just said.

“Wait a second did she call me Scootaloo, its normally Scoots or something like that.” She thought in realization.

A day passed and Dash challenged Cheerliee again. She accepted and it started off much like how it use to, but at the end Cheerliee zoomed right passed her and Dash was left with a frizzled mane that would result in a visit to Rarity and lost its cyan streaks while Cheerliee’s mane gained a cyan streak in her mane and tail.

Another race occurred and Dash was desperate to win that she had them race through muddy terrain. She was close to winning when Cheerliee passed her by jumping from tree to tree as fast as she could passing Dash and winning.

Dash stomped a foot in frustration as Cheerliee was cheered on by a crowd. A green streak appeared in Cheerliee’s mane and tail while the green in Dash’s mane and tail went.

Deciding to show that she had more stamina when it came to racing the next Dash challenged her to a race from Ponyville to the gates of Canterlot and back.

Cheerliee accepted and both were off they avoided anypony on the ground or air trying not to make contact. Both tapped the gates at the same time and were off back to Ponyville.

Cheerliee pumped up her speed pushing herself to go faster as the air around her seemed to condense in a cone. She kept pushing and a loud boom was heard as Cheerliee broke the sound barrier leaving behind a gust of wind that threw Dash back.

Cheerliee dubbed that technique the Sonic Boom. Dash grew annoyed as her yellow streak vanished and Cheerliee gained it in her mane and tail.

Having one last trick up her sleeve Dash interrupted the class the next day and challenged her to a no holds bar race from Ponyville to Dodge Junction.

Cheerliee gladly accepted. The news of this race was put out to all of Ponyville and several went to Dodge Junction in order to be there to see who would win.

That night the race started with AJ firing a pop gun to start the race. As it went on Dash took all the opportunities she could to try and slow down the assistant teacher.

The attempts did work somewhat, but at the end Cheerliee stepped it up and was ahead of Dash by 5 pony lengths. Dash gritted her teeth in anger than her eyes widened in surprise at what happened next.

Cheerlie was standing on her back hooves running backwards with her front hooves crossed giving a sly smirk at the mare in the sky. She blew a raspberry at Dash before doing a somersault and landed forward running off.

Angered Dash put all she had catching up with Cheerliee at the end and it looked like Photo Finish’s camera would decide who won.

Several pictures came out, but what surprised them was what was shown on the photos.

The first showed Cheerliee way ahead near the finish line, the next her jumping over the finish line, after that she was in front of the camera, the next she was waving, and the final photo was her coming back crossing the line before Dash.

Dash fell on her haunches when she saw these photos as her orange streaks vanished and appeared on Cheerliee. Dash flew off as fast as she could crying while other congratulated Cheerliee on her impressive victory over the former fastest in all Equestria.

[End Music]

The next day Cheerliee was zooming about Ponyville and zoomed into the library which the door was open.

“Hey Trixie!” she cheered causing Trixie to lose hold of the glass that was in her magic, but not very as she quickly regained focus her magic grabbing the glass quickly.

She turned around to see Cheerliee and her almost complete rainbow mane.

“Um… hi, what are you doing here?” Trixie questioned and also looked confused still staring at the mane and tail of her friend.

“Oh just wondering if I could chat with you for a bit okay.” She said. Trixie blinked a few times before she answered.

“Okay… say how’s Rainbow Dash?” she questioned as she returned to put things away.

“Rainbow, I haven’t seen her since the Dodge Junction race. Have to admit racing her has gotten pretty boring.” She emphasized the boring to a stretch. That caught Trixie’s attention about what she said

“Well she is a competitive athlete that’s for sure, but that doesn’t mean you should discredit her.” Trixie stated.

All that Cheerliee did was raised an eyebrow at that statement then just shrugged it off.

“Well whatever, Dash isn’t going to beat me and that is a fact.” Cheerliee said as she zoomed off to who knows where.

Trixie became puzzled at Cheerliee’s new attitude and finished what she was doing which was adding the liquid that was in the glass to a vile that contained a solution that in theory make damaged, ruin, or generally unreadable scrolls and such other parchments readable.

Trixie added the liquid to the vile and after it settled she decided to test it. She took out the book she had read almost a week ago and opened to the page containing the spell she had cast on Cheerliee. She put a few drops on the potion on the page and the smudged writing started to become more readable.

When it finally was readable her eyes became as wide as the dragon egg she hatched Spike from and she slammed the book shut.

“This isn’t good.” Was the only thing she able to say.

She trotted back and forth in the lobby of the library as Spike woke up from a nap hearing Trixie pacing.

“Everything will be fine Trixie.” She kept muttering over and over.

“Uh Trixie your…” Spike starts as he watches her from the steps.

“Trixie knows she’s speaking in third pony!” She yelled.

“Then what’s the problem?” He asked.

“Just look on Trixie’s desk at that book page 135 and you’ll see what Trixie means.” She said pointing to her desk as Spike went to it.

He opened to the page and it read saying ‘Molding of Minds’ on the page.

“Molding of Minds, what is that anyway?” Spike asked rubbing his head which only made Trixie groan.

“It goes like this: If you have DNA of somepony like say a piece of there mane and you cast it on a pony it will not only give you the traits of that pony but your mind will start acting like that pony over time while the same happens to the other.” Trixie explained.

“So I’m guessing that would explain why Rainbow Dash over there has Cheerliee’s mane.” Spike pointed out the window and Trixie saw a cloud with the cyan pony on a nearby cloud whose mane and tail now resembled how Cheerliee’s was except for a red streak on both.

Dash seemed to be mopping and mumbling something about her ruined reputation.

“Spike could you please find the others except Cheerliee?.” Trixie said and with a salute Spike was off to find the others.

“This is my fault, and I really wish I could fix this…” she starts and looks at the book reading what it says needs to be done to fix it.

“But only Dash can fix this.” She finishes with a sigh closing the book.

It took awhile but Spike managed to everypony up except for Cheerliee. They were now standing near the cloud that Dash was mopping from.

“Dash can we talk to you for a minute!” Sunset called out in worry.

“Go away; I don’t want to be bothered.” She called back as the others look to one another trying to figure out what to do.

“Please Dash we just want to see how you’re doing.” Coco pleads.

“Yeah, c’mon down from there.” Dust flew up and grabbed Dash by her back and brought her down.

When she was brought down, the girls were shocked to see what she looked like now. Her normal rainbow mane and tail were about gone except a small red streak on both, her eyes were half opened and bloodshot from crying. The usual swagger and smugness she had was replaced with depression.

“Are you okay Rainbow?” Sunset asked

“NO! No I’m not okay!” Dash sobs in response.

“I-I use to be cool. I use to be the fastest there is, but now…now I’m a nothing.” She continues between sobs.

“And what’s worse there is practically nothing I can do about it!” she finishes and curls up into a ball continuing to sob.

Trixie steps up putting a hoof on her shoulder in an attempt to try and comfort her.

“Rainbow I’m sorry.” Trixie finally said but Dash was still crying.

“F-For w-what.” She sniffled looking up at the azure mare.

“I performed a spell on her that allowed her to be as fast as you but I didn’t expect it to actually change a ponies mind and to act to like them for that matter.” She said lowering her head then lifted her head back up.

“But I do know something that can work to return you back to normal.” Trixie stated with a somewhat happier tone.

“Well what is it?” Lightning said looking at her.

“According to the book the only way to reverse the effects is to cause a strong mental shock while acting like your true self before the spell was cast.” Trixie said.

“Any suggestions on what could cause a strong mental shock?” Lightning asks.

“…The only possible idea that might work would be a race.” Trixie says.

But in response to that Dash cringed “But I can’t I’ll just lose again like the last time. I just… just can’t.” Dash began muttering incoherently.

After a few minutes Sunset finally spoke up “C’mon RD I don’t know any other pony with the courage you have.” She commented and gestured for the rest to follow suit.

“Yeah, plus your fast, brave and probably the better athlete out of all of us here. You can’t just give up on yourself.” Lightning said.

“And your proud of who you are and plan to keep it that way to, but you can’t put yourself down because of a little set back.” Coco said with confidence.

“I may not have been here long, but if you need some support I’ll be there no problem.” Trixie stated.

Dash picked herself off the ground and dried her tears as she looked over at her friends.

“So you really think I can win?” Dash asked them.

“We don’t think, we know you can win.” Sunset declared

“Now how about it Dash?” Lightning started

“You ready or what?” Coco added.

With all that her friends say she couldn’t let them down “Okay I’ll give it another go.” She said nervously.

They all went to find Cheerliee which wasn’t hard, she was outside the school house grading papers and doing some sit up exercises until she spotted Rainbow.

“Oh hello, coming back for me to embarrass you again.” Cheerliee smirked causing Dash to walk backwards a little.

Dash looked back at the others who encouraged her with a smile. She took in a breath to calm her nervous before letting it go and trying to gain her old confidence.

“Yes I want another race.” She replies firmly trying to show some of her old confidence.

“Well somepony is confident in herself today but the outcome will still be the same as always.” Cheerliee stated getting up from her sit ups.

“But if you must insist on embarrassing yourself, be my guest.” She added with a sly smirk.

“First one to the town hall of Ponyville wins and you’ll start from that cloud up there while I start below it.” She said pointing to a cloud above them.

“You can do this Dash.” Sunset said

“Don’t let her beat you.” Lightning continued

“Stay strong.” Coco added with a firm nod.

“Go get her.” Trixie finished. Dash nodded as they both lined up at the starting line.

“Ready.” Cheerliee began.

“S-Set” Dash continued nervously.

“GO!” Both side in unison. They both zoomed off leaving a trail of dust behind them.

Dash of course was flying while Cheerliee was on the ground pulling ahead of her by three pony lengths with relative ease.

“Come on Dash are you even trying?” Cheerliee teased.

“No I can’t lose again, not again.” Dash thought flapping her wings to try and to close the gap between them.

“How is it going Dust?” Trixie asked while Lightning was holding a telescope as they watched from the school house.

“It looks like Cheerliee’s leading but Dash is slowly closing in but there already half way there it’s going to be close girls.” Dust said.

Dash was trying her best to keep up with her but it still wasn't enough as Cheerliee kept up putting Dash farther behind.

“Looks like I’ll win again huh Dash.” Cheerliee commented already declaring victory as she put more of a distance between them

“No, not again, I blew it again, I’m the worst flyer ever.” Dash thought as flashes of her previous loses flashed, but then what her friends had said flashed in her mind.

“You can do this Dash, Don’t let her beat you, Stay strong, Go get her, We don’t think we know." Her friends comments echoed making a small smile spread across her muzzle.

“No, I still have a chance, there’s no way I’m going to be beaten! AGAIN!” Dash’s thoughts screamed as she flapped her wings to the max catching up and passing Cheerliee.

Cheerliee was at first shocked to see that she was pulling away from her and they were approaching the town hall. Dash gave a great hard flap of her wings pushing herself to the max and touched Town Hall first. It took her a second to realize what she did.

“I won.” She whispered.

“I WON!” she yelled out and Cheerliee just a few seconds behind her.

“I don’t believe it, you beat me.” Cheerliee admitted. Just as quickly all of Cheerliee colors that she gained from winning faded and went back to her normal grayish pink and Dash got all her colors back.

The rest of the girls got up with them “Did it work?” Trixie asked looking at both of them.

“Looks like it did.” Lightning concluded. Cheerliee looked at Rainbow Dash and at herself.

“Oh dear what a foal I’ve been.” She thought ashamed at her recent actions.

“Rainbow Dash can I say something to you?” Cheerliee asked as she approached Dash who looked at her when her name was mentioned.

“I apologize for the way I’ve been acting toward you, I guess it I got carried away by it that I didn’t considered your feelings, I was wrong.” Cheerliee admitted lowering her head.

“Well I guess I’m sorry too, I guess I finally got to see first hoof that bragging does have rather negative effects on other ponies.” Rainbow admitted rubbing her head with her hoof.

Trixie smiled at the both of them “I guess we both learned something today have we.” Trixie said as Cheerliee and Rainbow nodded in agreement.

Seeing this Trixie turned to Spike who had also been watching the whole time.

“Spike. Take a letter please.” She asks watching the two as Spike took out a quill and scroll.

“Dear Princess, Celestia; I discovered something very important today. Sometimes when a pony brags about something and somepony else take it into their own hoofs can have consequences, but not everypony is perfect. Sometimes bragging can have some negative effects on others causing them to rethink about themselves but it also takes your friends to give you some support when things are down, and even after everything is over it will only tighten the bond between friends so that they can understand each other more. Your faithful student, Trixie Lulamoon.”

Trixie wrote “Send it Spike I’m sure she’ll be expecting it.” Trixie ordered as Spike puffed it away to Celestia

“I’m just glad everything is back to normal with those two.” Spike commented

“I think things will turn out just fine.” Trixie says as she watches Dash fly to the sky with Cheerliee running below after her as they had a small race back to the school house.

A Mile In Her Hooves

Author's Note

I know that I shouldn't have to say this again, but Pendragon Quill belongs to me. If you want to use her in a story on this site please send me a message.

A Mile In Her Hooves

It was a regular Sunday morning in Ponyville as inside a certain tutoring house an ash grey filly was reading from a beginner’s magic book. She closed the book and got into a position to brace herself in case what she is about to do goes wrong.

“Okay here we go.” She said in a determined tone.

She focused magic into her horn which glows a red-orange and it had begun to spark a bit as she attempted to lift the flower pot located near a window

“Come on just a bit more.” Pen said still determined to lift the object off the ground but what she didn’t know was that she was concentrating too much magic which was building in her horn, and without warning…a loud boom had occurred.

When she woke up from the boom, the place was in shambles, everything was out of place and in a state that would possibly make Trixie faint.

“Oh ponyfeathers.” Pen whispered as she tries to clean up the place and make it try and look like nothing had happened.

“This is not going to end well. I just know it.” Pen thought as she hurried to fix up the damage she unintentionally caused.

A Mile in Her Hooves

Elsewhere before the loud boom Sunset Shimmer was at Sugarcube corner getting herself and her sister a breakfast snack; that is if she can stay awake to get it. She was nodding off every now and then but still barely awake.

In order to keep her mind occupied and possibly awake she had brought a book with her that she had begun to read.

“Arcane. A sub-species to three of the four known pony species. From birth they have the ability to control one of a various numbers of elements (Fire, Water, Wind, etc), but only control one. Only one of each element is ever born, but the amount of elements and variations on similar ones are numerous. So it is actually unknown how many Arcane’s there are.” Sunset read in a whisper and let out a small weak chuckle.

“Are you alright dear?” asked a pony coming out of the kitchen. The pony was Mrs. Cake an earth pony mare with a light cerulean coat with a light crimson and pale, light grayish crimson mane with rose colored eyes and three cupcakes as her cutie mark.

Sunset perked up to meet the mare eyes “Yeah… just a rough week that’s all.” She said weakly but still able to be heard.

“You wouldn’t believe all the tutoring I’ve had to do. I was able to help Snips and Snails get control of their magic and it took about three days to get Dinky’s magic to develop when she’s not running around all day long, plus there is my sister to deal…” Before Sunset could finish she was interrupted by a loud boom that shook the ground.

“What was that?!” Sunset now fully alert the sound having woke her up completely.

“I think that came from your house dear.” Mrs. Cake said as Sunset quickly paid for her breakfast, placed the snacks and book in her saddlebag and ran with speed that would impress Rainbow Dash.

When she got home she burst through the door only to reveal her home was a wreck. When looked around most of her spell books for the fillies and colts were all scattered and over half of them were burnt. Her furniture was all flipped over on its sides.

And too top it all a filly was standing there with suet over her mane and coat with a nervous smile “Um… hey sis… um welcome back.” She said sweating bullets.

Sunset just looked at the scene her eye twitching slightly as she looked back to Pen.

“So… may I ask… what caused this?” Sunset said trying not to lose her temper as her saddle bag fell off her. Pen took in a deep breath before reluctantly answering.

“I was practicing a levitation spell from one of your books and it kind of went out of control and I might have accidently caused this mess from a magic overload.” She said it all in one breath, taking in a breath after she finished.

Sunset felt herself about to explode in anger but restrained herself “Easy Sunset, she’s your sister. I’m sure she wasn’t doing this on purpose.” She thought before letting out a deep sigh.

“Well at least you’re not hurt. Now how about you help me clean up this mess?” She said with a smile getting straight to cleaning.

After about a half hour of cleaning, reorganizing, and polishing of everything Sunset had decided walked upstairs to lay down for awhile her exhaustion from the previous days tutoring catching up to her.

“Pen before I go lay down your breakfast from Sugarcube Corner is in my saddlebag, it’s your favorite blue cupcake with sapphire sprinkles.” She called down.

“Okay thank you sis!” Pen says happily with a smile.

“And please for Celestia’s sake don’t cause any trouble while I’m asleep.” Sunset pleaded rubbing her head.

“Alright, now go rest up.” Pen said in annoyance as she rolled her eyes too, and with that said Sunset had gone up the stairs and the sound of a door opening then closing was heard.

Pen got into her sisters bag and got the cupcake to start munching on.

“She worries too much. How much trouble can a filly like me cause?” She thought as she finished and then looked towards the book she had been looking at earlier before the explosion. She gave a silent nod to herself determined to try and master simple levitation.

“Alright time to get back to practicing, but what should I practice on?” She asks looking around and saw the flower pot, but shook her head the recent overload still fresh in her mind.

Then something caught her eye, it was an gold medallion with three amber suns circling a medium size topaz gem hanging on a small hanger above a few photos so she couldn’t reach it unless she used levitation.

“That’ll work” she thought and began to concentrate on the medallion with her magic. The medallion began to glow in Pen’s red-orange aura beginning to levitate the object from where it was hanging.

“That’s it just a bit more.” She whispered as it was now eye level with her. She was so focused that she didn’t hear a door open then close from upstairs.

“Wow.” She said in aspiration, and it was at that moment that Sunset decided to come back down the stairs.

“I almost forgot my breakfast.” She said. Her voice surprised Pen so much she yelped tossing the medallion up in her levitation before the aura disappeared from around it.

All was heard next was a loud crash as the medallions gem was shattered when it hit the floor. A silence filled the room, both sisters staring at each other, and then Pen broke the silence.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” she pleaded but Sunset walked past her in an almost trance like state toward the broken medallion which the gem was nowhere to be seen on it only small fragments laid around it.

“Pen I’m only going to say this once. What did you do?” she asked coldly not looking at her.

“Um…I was practicing my magic.” She answered with a nervous giggle.

“And what in Tartarus possessed you to do so?” Sunset continued her voice cold as ice.

“Well I…” Pen began before she was interrupted by her sister.

“Did you even think about why it was on the hanger up there!?” She raised her voice.

“Well I wanted to get a better look at it, what’s so important about it anyway?” she asked cocking her head a bit.

Sunset’s horn began flashing in anger “This belonged to my elder brother before you were even born!” She yelled turning to Pen who was shaking a bit.

“And another thing if you want to learn levitation why didn’t you come to me about it!” Sunset yelled in frustration as bits of her mane began to stick up.

“Well I would’ve…” Pen began looking at Sunset sternly

“IF YOU WOULD ACTUALLY MAKE TIME FOR ME!” Pen yelled.

“Watch your tone little missy, that’s no way to talk to your older sister!” Sunset says her tone as her own voice began to rise along with her temper.

“Well excuse me but when you are available it was already; nine times out of ten LATE IN THE EVENING!” She raised her voice to Sunset.

“WELL IF YOU COULD SEE HOW I GO THROUGHOUT MY DAY YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND!” Sunset yelled

“ALL OF WHAT I DO BRINGS BITS INTO THIS HOME!” Sunset continued angered.

“WELL IF YOU TEACH OTHER FILLIES AND COLTS THERE MAGIC WHY NOT ME? DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL OR EVEN USE YOUR MAGIC FULLY?!” Pen shouts back

It became a screaming match between the two siblings until Sunset trotted out the door leaving her sister in the house.

“She doesn’t understand one bit what I do to keep this place I’ve got here.” Sunset said still holding the medallion in her hoof.

“Does she brother?” She said looking down at the broken medallion holding it closer to herself.

After their little shout fest she was stopped by Trixie who was watching as Lightning was eating a bag of popcorn on a bench nearby.

“Did you really need to scream?” Trixie said taking corks out of her ears. Sunset blushed in embarrassment.

“You two heard all that?” she asked sheepishly, they both nodded in response

“Sorry about that but Pendragon was being a bit unbearable.” Sunset continued sounding extremely frustrated.

“Well it’s not like all of Ponyville heard you two if know what I mean.” Lightning said while tossing popcorn in the air before catching it with her tongue to pull it into her mouth then swallowed.

“But I’ve never seen you yell at your sister before.” Lightning finished.

“Maybe I’ll give her some time to cool off before I even think about stepping back in there.” Pointing her hoof to the door of her home and barely seen inside was Pen pacing in anger and possibly muttering.

“That would probably be for the best.” Trixie stated then came up with something to help try and lessen the tension.

“Hey to get our minds off things how we have a picnic with the others to calm things down a bit.” Trixie suggested which they both agreed.

“I’ll start packing.” Trixie said as she teleported away.

After gathering the rest of the girls they found a spot near a small pond for them to swim which Dash and Lightning enjoy which started up a water breathing competition to see who can hold their breaths the longest as an awkward silence fell over the others.

“So Trixie told us you had a squabble with you sister today, I hope nothing happened?” Coco asked. Sunset shook her head franticly.

“Nope! Nothing happened!” She said nervously shooting a small glare towards Trixie.

“You’re are a very bad liar Sunset.” Cheerliee stated

“So what is that you are trying to hide?” Cheerliee questioned pointing her hoof toward the object Sunset was trying to hide under her hoof.

She gave a defeated sigh “I guess I can’t hide anything from you.” She said in a dead pan tone.

“No.” Cheerliee replied giving a sly smile at the sun colored mare.

Sunset brought out the broken medallion from below her hoof to show them.

“Wow, what a beautiful medallion, is that actual gold?” Coco asked with a look of awestruck in her eyes.

Sunset shook her head lightly “No sorry it’s only Pyrite. Fool’s gold if you want to know.” Sunset said with a small chuckle.

“Aww shoot, I would’ve gone well with the new set of dresses Rarity and I have been working on.” Coco pouted only to receive stares from the other three.

“Ehehe please continue.” Coco said apologetically seeming to shrink in size.

Sunset gave a small smile toward her friend “It alright there girl, but this is very important to me.” She said with much sorrow.

“It belonged to my brother once.” Sunset finally said which caused the other to go wide eyed.

“Your brother! I didn’t know you had a brother at all!” Trixie said with surprise.

“What happened to him?” Cheerliee asked with concern.

“He died when he was in the guard, but I’ve learned to accept the loss and this medallion was a reminder of him.” Sunset said with only a tear escaping.

Sunset quickly wipe it away “He was the one who had taught me magic, and one of the reason’s I have the place I do. He also knew mom was sick and had asked me to take care of our baby sister if anything should happen.” Sunset stated than remember what happened today at home and her mood quickly changed from one of reminiscence to an annoyed glare at the ground.

“And if it weren’t for Pen I wouldn’t have to shovel out the bits it’s going to take to get it repaired!” she nearly screamed hitting the ground hard with a front hoof.

Her scream caused both Rainbow and Lightning to pop there head out of the water in surprise.

“Hey what’s the yelling for?!” Dash exclaimed giving Sunset an annoyed glare for interrupting the competition.

“Yeah, I was about to win!” Lightning complained as Dash looks at her.

“In your dreams Dust.” She replies with a smirk.

“Rainbow Aurora Dash, what did I tell about that bragging habit of yours?” Cheerliee said staring at her only to receive a groan from her before she answered.

“To keep it down to as little as possible.” She chanted in annoyance.

Cheerliee smiled “Very good. Now how about you two come over here and sit down.” Cheerliee waved them over and they sat down on their haunches.

“If only Pen understood what I have to go through everyday then maybe she would have a bit more respect for what I do.” Sunset said with a yawn her eyes drooping.

“You girls don’t mind if I take a small nap do you?” She asks her eyes starting to close already.

“Go right ahead it looks like you haven’t slept in a good while.” Coco gave a reassuring smile.

And before they knew it Sunset Shimmer was sleeping soundly with her ears pressed against her head.

“Well what should we do?” Lightning whispered.

“Well I could take her home before she wakes up.” Trixie whispered as she began to lift Sunset gently with her magic.

“And maybe I can get her side of the story about this problem.” She adds in a whisper as she began walking back toward Sunset’s place.

It took Trixie about ten minutes to get back to Sunset’s home and when she opened the door it was to her surprise there was no Pendragon in sight.

“I wonder where she went off to.” Trixie thought but continued upstairs to try and find Sunset’s room. After about the third door she finally was able to find her room which was indicated with her cutie mark on the door.

Sunset’s room consist of teal green colored walls with a queen size bed up against the wall with three book shelves filled with magic books for the young and a study desk that made Trixie impressed, but her room isn’t well organized as there was books scattered open on the ground and piled up on the desk.

Trixie gently put the sleeping Sunset on her bed and covered her with the blanket carefully so that she wouldn’t wake.

“Now to get Pen’s side of the story.” She thought as she walked out of the room and teleported outside the house.

When she got outside she spotted the ash grey filly walking out of Carousel Boutique, and she looked rather miffed.

“Well no time like the present I guess.” Trixie said as she began approaching Pen, and she got closer she notice a few things about her.

One her eyes were narrowed as if she was mad at something or somepony, second her pace was quicker which is normally a sign that she was going somewhere in a hurry or she was extremely mad, and third she kept muttering something to herself which Trixie took as another sigh of frustration.

Trixie cleared her throat to say something to Pen as she passed, but the filly stopped and looked at her.

“What do you want Trixie?” Pen states annoyed staring at Trixie.

Trixie was surprise at her attitude at first “Well I was just about to ask you about what happened between you and Sunset?” She asked quickly.

Pen gave a quick huff at the question “All because I broke something of hers she blows up in my face, and then she asks me why I don’t ask her about teaching me magic! I would, but she NEVER PLANS ANY TIME JUST FOR US!” Pen shouted out huffing by the end of her explanation.

“And that’s not all, do you know how hard it is for a filly like me to barely be able to use or control magic, its infuriating to say the least, and it just burns me up inside, and she doesn’t even understand how I even feel! I strain myself trying to learn simple levitation!” she ranted huffing by the end.

After the small outburst and Trixie listening to what she said Pen ran off in a fit of rage toward her home.

“So that’s what this is all about. The inability to understand one another.” Trixie pondered about it.

“So Sunset wants Pen to understand her work helps keep their home in order, and Pen wants Sunset to understand how useless not knowing almost no magic makes her feel.” Trixie thought and sat on her haunches as she closed her eyes to think a moment. She then opened them wide as something came to mind.

“To quote Rarity: IDEA!” Trixie screamed in her thoughts and clapped her hooves together.

“I just know what to do, they may hate me for it but it’ll be for the best… I hope.” Trixie said as she teleported back to the library in order to prepare for her plan.

Hours past and Luna’s night has covered the sky with her beautiful night with all the stars above. But in the mist of this gorgeous night a figure roams the streets of Ponyville quietly entering a neighboring house.

The figure avoided the valuable objects that would fetch plenty of bits and began to walk up the stairs. Her pale blue tail and magenta eyes could be seen.

The figure tripped and fell backwards a loud crash echoing all about the house, but no one awoke.

“Ugh…That’s it. I’m using an Illumination spell.” Trixie’s voice said as her horn lights up and she went back to the stairs.

As Trixie followed the staircase to the rooms above she passes a mirror show she is wearing a black burglar suit that kept her mane in it and that covered most of the body except her head, horn, and tail.

“Why Pinkie Pie has them stored all throughout Ponyville I will never know.” She thought as she got to the second floor.

She approached what seemed like Pen’s room. She slowly entered without waking the sleeping filly. Her room was more organized than Sunset’s, but it was hard to tell any colors due to it being nighttime.

Trixie began to approach the filly “Well surely hope I know what I’m doing.” She said internally as she cast the spell on the filly which flashed a bright magenta.

She went to Sunset’s room and proceeded to do the exact same thing. In both rooms they proceeded to glow teal for Sunset and red-orange for Pen in a manner of seconds the glow seemed to change as Sunset glowed red-orange and Pen teal.

With what she wanted to do done Trixie teleported herself outside the house and looked back.

“Oh pray Celestia that my plan goes right.” Trixie thought as she walked back to the safety of her library.

Pen began to stir as Celestia’s sun rose as the start of Monday morning came meaning the start of school.

Pen let out a yawn and fully opened her eyes which then widened as she saw she was not in her own room like she should be.

“Um…why am I in my sister’s room?” Pen thought as she began to scan the room, and she spotted a mirror that was on the door.

She got out of bed and walked over to it, and what stared back was a pony with brilliant yellow and vivid crimson mane and cyan eyes with a horn with a brilliant amber coat.

Her eyes nearly popped out of her head when she looked at what she saw. “What in Celestia’s name is going on here and why am I in my sisters body?!” She screamed internally and was externally screaming in fright. The scream was loud enough that it could heard all the way to Rainbow Dash’s cloud house.

Dash jumped out of the cloud bed in surprise and hit the ceiling before hitting the floor. She groaned getting up.

“That tears it! I’m investing in a pair of ear plugs!” Rainbow shouted out then looked to her left and right and face hooved.

“Why am I talking to myself? *Sigh* Great now I’m turning into Pinkie Pie.” She climbed back on her bed and planted her head in the pillow and went back to sleep while Pen was still yelling.

The yelling was enough to wake Sunset up who didn’t look at her surroundings and headed straight for the source of the yelling who she thought was Pen.

“Could you please quiet…down?” Sunset asked when she got in and stopped for two reasons: One she was talking in her sister’s voice, and two she was staring at her own body which was staring back at her.

“Give me a mirror.” Sunset says trying to sound stern, but with Pen’s voice it only came off as demanding and whiny. Pen closed the now open door and turned her around to face the mirror in the room and looking back at her was Pen’s body.

Sunset raised a hoof, and the image did the same at the same time. Suneset’s eyes became pinprick size as she realized what was going on.

“I’m… I’m a…I’M A FILLY!” She finally screamed.

“Excuse me but I don’t think I appreciate being you either you know.” Pen said as Sunset began pacing the room with a look of panic on her face.

“What could have caused this anyway?” Sunset said in a panic.

“Well maybe it could have been a POV spell.” Pen answered after a quick moment of thought making Sunset stop and stare at her.

“A POV spell?” Sunset asked tilting her head to the side.

“Really, you don’t know what the POV spell is?” Pen asked.

“Uhh…no. I’ve never heard of it until today.” Sunset admits.

“And I thought you were the tutor of spells?” Pen questioned.

“Just because I’m a tutor doesn’t mean I know every spell there is.” She countered annoyed.

“Anyways a POV spell is well basically you get to look at ponies POV and swap bodies with any other ponies in the area.” Pen explained.

“Except it’s extremely complicated so only a high level unicorn could possibly cast it.” She adds a hoof under her muzzle as she thought.

“But who could have cast it? I most certainly didn’t, and wouldn’t even think of doing that.” Sunset said as Pen gave her a quizzical look.

“And we know Rarity wouldn’t be able to either because she doesn’t have any experience with spells this complicated.” Pen continued.

“Uh Pen. Over half the town’s unicorn population couldn’t possibly pull it off.” Sunset pointed out as Pen just rolled her eyes.

“And those capable would probably have a good headache for a while as well as dangerously low mana.” Pen added.

“So in other words we are thinking of a high level unicorn with a large mana reserve capable of casting a difficult spell without possible backlash.” Sunset says

“But that means it would have to have been…” Pen starts

“Trixie!” they said in unison Sunset sounding a bit more annoyed.

“I’ll go talk to her.” Pen said as she began walking out of Sunset’s room as Sunset gets in her way trying to stop her from leaving.

“Whoa hold on why you? I can talk to her just as well.” Sunset protested a bit annoyed.

“As you can see I’m you and you’re me and today is a Monday so that mean it’s a school day so you’ll have to go to school little missy.” Pen said with a sly smirk at Sunset pouts.

“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?” Sunset said bluntly.

Pen’s response was to grab her with levitation, take her out of the room, put a saddlebag on her, and then throw her out of the door all while having a smile plastered on her face.

Sunset blinked as she looked back to the door of her home “How did she…she can’t even…oh never mind. We might as well just get this over with.” She thought and then got up in a huff walking off.

Sunset walked down the street to the school house where the other fillies and colts were going to with her saddlebag in tow.

“I can’t believe this, what would drive Trixie to do this? Oh when I get my hoofs on her…” her train of thought was interrupted when she pumped into somepony ahead of her.

“Watch where you’re going idiot!” said the filly.

She looked at who she bumped into, this filly was an earth pony and her coat was a pale magenta, with a light grayish violet with white streaks and her eyes were a brilliant cornflower blue, her cutie mark was that of a tiara which she was also wearing one on her head.

“Who is this again? Oh right Diamond Tiara I think.” She realized after a moment of thought.

“Sorry for that just wasn’t paying attention.” Sunset/Pen apologized sheepishly.

“Oh it’s just you blank flank.” Diamond says in an annoyed tone.

“Blank flank?” She thought in confusion as she then looked at the back of her flank.

“Oh that’s what she meant…Wait a minute!” She thought realizing what Diamond Tiara said to her and was a bit annoyed.

“So what if I am a blank flank that means I get to enjoy myself to find out what my destiny is.” She retorted.

“C’mon Di we better get going before we’re late again.” Called out another voice, the one was another earth pony filly with a cornflower bluish gray coat with a cerulean gray with cornflower bluish gray streaked mane braided into a pigtail and with grayish violet eyes with a cutie mark of a spoon adorned with a heart in it and wore big cyan glasses along with a cyan beaded necklace. This filly is known as Silver Spoon who is friends with Diamond Tiara.

“When it isn’t one it’s the other.” Sunset thought with a frown as she saw the two of them together

“Well I guess I’ll see you I class then.” Sunset/Pen said and proceeds towards the school house before the two could say anything else to her.

“This is going to be a long day.” She muttered under her breath.

While Sunset was dealing being in Pen’s body; Pen was still getting used to being in her sisters’ body, and unfortunately realized she wouldn’t be able to talk to Trixie about the POV spell she casted on them.

She looked at a calendar next to the refrigerator checking for anything important she had put on it.

“What does Sunset do all day anyway?” She questioned with no pony to answer her as she looked at the calendar with the date September 16th circled in red marker which said ‘Appointment with Dinky Doo at 12 o’clock’ on it which was today.

“At 12 o’clock with Dinky Doo that shouldn’t be a…” She looked at the clock which read 11:55 a.m.

“Problem.” She finished then realized what the time read and her eyes became pin prick size.

“GAH I’M GOING TO BE LATE!” Pen yelled running about in a circle then stopping after a few seconds.

“I better get moving then!” She said as she zoomed out of the house grabbing a few things as she went to meet her sister’s youngest student.

“This is going to be a long day.” She muttered running down the street passing many others in her hurry.

While back at the school Sunset was already bored out of her gourd but she could manage as study period began. She sat near the back of the class which she knew a few of the ponies there; like Emerald who was sitting on the right of her, and Applejack’s little sister Applebloom sitting just in front of her, Diamond Tiara sitting on Applebloom’s left and Silver Spoon on her right.

During middle of class Diamond Tiara began to pass a note to Applebloom but after taking a look at it she notice the paper was blank. Applebloom was hesitant at first but began to grab the note with both hooves which caught some attention.

“Applebloom, are you passing a note?” the assistant teacher which was Cheerliee at the time caught her as Applebloom dropped the note which was blank on the inside

“And why is it blank?” She asked with a bit of surprise.

“Remind you of anypony?” Diamond asked in a mocking tone at AB and began laughing at her along with Silver Spoon and most of the class except Sunset/Pen and Emerald who was afraid to counter them.

“Applebloom I’m very disappointed in you. I guess you will just have to stay in for today.” Cheerliee said with disappointment.

Having enough Sunset/Pen decided to finally jump in a bit tired of these bullies, and there constant antics of picking on others.

“Why didn’t Pen ever tell me these two were causing trouble at school?” She thought for a moment before remembering what she was about to do.

“I don’t that will be necessary Ms. Cheerliee.” Sunset/Pen answered with a sly grin on her muzzle.

“Why would that be?” Cheerliee asked blinking at the filly a bit surprised by her outburst.

“If we take a close look at the note you will find something very interesting.” Sunset/Pen started with a smirk.

“There is a bit of saliva on the right side of the note. Sure Applebloom grabbed the note, but she is currently holding it in both hooves like she was taking it from somepony else, and since it’s on her right that means the one who was passing the note was Diamond Tiara.” She continued smirking at the filly who was between sweating and glaring at Sunset/Pen.

“Well did you see Diamond Tiara pass the note?” Cheerliee asked.

“Yes I did, and I think a few others did as well.” She answered and Cheerliee looked over to Diamond Tiara which was nervously fidgeting with her hooves but was saved by the recess bell and quickly ran out along with Silver Spoon right behind her.

“Well this turning out just fine. Now I know what Pen would feel like.” Sunset/Pen muttered from her desk then realized what she just said.

“How she would feel.” She muttered and stopped a moment and sighed recalling earlier.

“Maybe I need to be a little bit nicer to her next time.” She muttered as she walked to join the other younger ones on the playground. Before she was able to leave a hoof blocked here way.

“Excuse me Pen but can I talk to you for a minute?” Cheerliee asked as Sunset/Pen looks at her in confusion.

“Um… sure.” Sunset/Pen said

“I wonder what she wants to talk about?” She thought as they stepped outside the classroom.

“That was a very nice deduction Pen, but I’ve never seen you act like this, normally you’re quite. What’s with the sudden outburst?” Cheerliee asked.

“Um… well you see… I just wanted to help AB you know.” Sunset/Pen said sweating bullets.

“Oh ponyfeathers, Sunset you should have known that Cheerliee would probably put two and two together. Stay calm. No way she could possibly find out anyways.” She thought as Cheerliee began to ponder something before she answered

“Pen do you remember when Sunset made that crater outside Sugarcube Corner?” Cheerliee asked the made Sunset/Pen eyes went wide eyed

“That was an accident and it was Pinkie party cannon doing that and…!” She paused realizing what she had pretty much spilled the beans as Pen had been sick the day of that particular incident.

“Oh ponyfeathers.” She muttered.

“Is that you Sunset?” Cheerliee questioned knowing full well the only other who knew of that incident was Sunset and she nodded in response.

“What happened?” Cheerliee asked holding back a chuckle.

“Well I think somepony cast a POV spell on me and Pen, but right now I can’t go into full detail.” Sunset/Pen said and started to trot out before looking back to Cheerliee.

“But I’ll explain later, right now can you keep this secret?” She asked in a pleading tone and Cheerliee nodded in response promising to keep it secret.

Meanwhile where Pen/Sunset arrived where she meet Dinky and her mother Ditzy Doo. Dinky in a unicorn filly with light gray coat and light blonde mane her eyes were amber gold, she also has yet to gain a cutie mark. As for Ditzy Doo she is a pegasus mare with a darker gray coat with blonde mane with yellow eyes that seem to be crooked, her cutie mark consist of seven bubbles.

“Thank you for teaching my little muffin Sunset.” Ditzy said chewing on a muffin.

“Don’t worry she’s in good hoofs.” She said taking a few calming breaths.

“I know I have a grip on her magic. Just using it right is going to be the problem.” She thought as she was already sweating bullets.

“I have to go on a delivery run for an hour or two but it shouldn’t take too long for me.” Ditzy said preparing to take off.

“Well I’m off; make sure you behave for Ms. Shimmer okay.” She said to Dinky.

“Yes mamma!” she said with a assuring smile as her mother took to the air only seconds later to crash into a tree nearby.

“I’m okay!” she yelled back and took off again. They both giggled at her antics before Pen/Sunset spoke up.

“Alright Dinky can you tell me where we left off?” she asked

“I think it was learning levitation magic.” Dinky said happily.

“Levitation it is then.” She confirmed.

“Like that shouldn’t be hard to pull off!” She screamed internally as she began to scan the area of something easy for Sunset’s student to levitate then spotted a small rock that could easily be moved.

“Let’s start out small okay.” She pointed to the small rock nearby and walked over to it picking it up before setting it on the table.

“Let’s start off simple. Please try lifting this rock Dinky.” She asks.

“But I want to lift something bigger than just a rock.” Dinky whined giving Pen/Sunset the puppy eyes.

“Right now it is best that you start small you may think that your good with magic, but you must learn you limits first.” She said wisely.

“Great now I’m sounding like Sunset.” Pen/Sunset thought after that moment.

“Okay.” Dinky whined pouting as Pen/Sunset chuckles. In this situation Dinky reminded her of herself.

“Okay first you want to concentrate.” She said and Dinky obeyed with wide eyes staring at the rock.

“Then you want to feel your mana channeling through your horn and lifting the object, but don’t use too much or it could backlash.” She said as Dinky closed her eyes tightly.

At first nothing happened then Dinky’s horn started to emit a small yellow aura at the tip of her horn and began sparking. The rock started to ascend up but quickly brought down barely five centimeters off the ground. Dinky opened her eyes and noticed it didn’t move at all which made her sad.

“Hey you almost had it. It takes time a practice to get a hang of it I’m sure just a few more tries you’ll have it down in now time.” Pen/Sunset encouraged.

“You think I can do it.” Dinky said her smile showing she was cheering up.

“Positive, now let’s try that one more time.” She said giving rubbing Dinky’s mane with a hoof.

“OKAY!” Dinky cheered and went through the steps again to try and make it happen. Pen/Sunset gave a few small suggestions to try and help along the way.

After about the fifth time four breaks and an hour later, Dinky was slowly improving the amount of distance she was able to lift the rock this time it was about four and a half inches off the ground.

“How am I doing?” Dinky asked her eyes still closed.

“Open your eyes and find out.” Pen/Sunset said looking at her as Dinky slowly opened her eyes. When she did she was both shocked and happy to see the rock was surrounded in a yellow aura up on eye level with her.

She smiled the widest of smiles and began hopping up and down at her accomplishment, but the rock then fell back to the ground as Dinky had lost her concentration.

Meanwhile back at the school house playground, Sunset/Pen was sitting on a small bench under a tree reading a book. She thought it would get her mind off things after the whole fiasco with Diamond Tiara and being found out by Cheerliee.

She had also attempted earlier to lift the book via her magic, but found it extremely difficult to lift anything heavier than a rock or medallion.

All the others fillies and colts were playing all around, some by the jungle gym, some by the sandpit, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon picking on AB near a mud puddle.

“Ugh, not again! Those two didn’t learn their lesson the first time then I’m just going to have to make it clear to them.” She thought as she placed the book on a nearby bench and slowly trotted over to where they were as she then saw them push AB into some mud.

“Leave her be you two right now!” she shouted out to the two bullies.

The both looked back at who shouted at them coming almost muzzle to muzzle with a rather angry looking ash grey filly.

“And what do you want Pendragon?” Diamond asked with a stern glare directed at the ash grey filly.

“I would like it if you stop picking on Applebloom.” She said coldly returning Diamond’s glare with a glare of her own.

“And who’s going to stop us, you?” Silver Spoon said with a mocking tone. She shook her head with a bit of a smile seeing a certain pony out of the corner of her eye that was coming their way.

“Nope not me…her.” She pointed her hoof toward the assistant teacher that was coming their way and stopped in front of the four fillies.

“What is going on here?” Cheerliee asked looking at the scene then at Sunset/Pen.

“Pendragon do you know what happened here?” she asked with a calm tone.

“No but I think some of the others here saw what happened.” She pointed out to some of the others in the area a few backing away not wanting to be involved.

Emerald stepped up “Umm…I might have seen Applebloom get pushed into the mud by Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. They then started laughing at her.” Emerald said nervously as Cheerliee looked at the two fillies.

“Is this true you two?” Cheerliee said raising an eyebrow at them. They both stuttered to say anything as they looked at each other.

“Perhaps I should write a letter to your parents about your behavior.” Cheerliee threatened causing DT to flinch a little.

“But if you two don’t want me to I suggest you two attend detention for the next few days.” She adds as both nod walking off, but not before Diamond Tiara gave a glare at Sunset/Pen who was smirking a bit.

The rest of the school day went pretty smoothly avoiding all the taunts from DT and SS. After school let out for the day Sunset/Pen walked with AB.

“Thank yah kindly Pen. Though never knew yah tah be courageous.” Applebloom said as they neared Sweet Apple Acres.

“It wasn’t a problem Bloom. I couldn’t just stand there let them keep doing that kind of stuff to you.” Sunset/Pen said a bit embarrassed by the praise.

“See yah tomorrow Pen!” She says running off for her home as Sunset/Pen walks off towards town.

“Talk about a day, I didn’t know Pen would have to go through this every time she goes to school.” She pondered as she walked through town.

After a few minutes walks she was in front of her and Pen’s home. She let out a sigh as she opened the door.

“I need to make it up to her big time for being such an idiot to her.” Sunset/Pen muttered as she saw the broken medallion on the countertop

“And for snapping at her.” She muttered and remembered what Pen said to her yesterday

“WELL IF YOU TEACH OTHER FILLIES AND COLTS THERE MAGIC WHY NOT ME? DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL OR EVEN USE YOUR MAGIC FULLY?!” That rang in her mind.

She began to think about what to do for her sister then it hit her like a freight train and smiled a huge grin as she zoomed off to Pen’s room.

Meanwhile where Pen/Sunset was after teaching Dinky levitation and gave her the basics about her new acquired skill, she was paid for the hour with Dinky and went to find other clients to help. It was about five o’clock and she was tuckered out from her other clients she had that day.

“Now I know how Sunset feels after all these clients. My horn feels like somepony dropped an anvil on it.” She thought as she rubbed her horn and was even sore to the touch.

She winced as she touched it. She looked at the amount of bits she made today “Hm fifty bits today that isn’t so bad I guess.” She said then pondered something that happened yesterday at what her sister said.

“WELL IF YOU COULD SEE HOW I GO THROUGHOUT MY DAY YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND!” “ALL OF WHAT I DO BRINGS BITS INTO THIS HOME!” Those words rang throughout her mind

“So that’s what she meant by at what she does. I guess I’ve been pretty bad as a sister.” She whispers to herself.

She managed to get back home and noticed that most of the lights were out but before she entered she heard a shaking in the bushes nearby that made her stop in her tracks.

“Who there?!” she shouted ready to fight off whatever was in the bushes, but the only thing that came out was a squirrel. She let out a relieving sigh and entered the house.

Most of the houses lights were off “Maybe she’s in her…my room.” She trotted upstairs to find a slightly open door and inside the room was Sunset who seemed to be reading something.

“What are you doing?” Pen asked. Then sudden voice made Sunset lose her concentration as she let out a yelp of surprise and turn around to face Pen.

“Oh hey Pen I didn’t know you were home already.” She said with a hint of embarrassment.

They both didn’t say anything for a few minutes both unsure what to say to the other.

“I want to apologize for what happened.” They both said in unison which surprised them both.

“You first sis.” Pen said motioning her to talk.

“No you first, I insist.” Sunset returned.

“Alright. Let me just start by saying being you isn’t easy, and now I can see why you never really have time for me. You make our living out of what you do by teaching others there magic. I’m sorry if I’ve seemed ungrateful Sunset.” She says her head low after she finished and put her saddle bag down along with the fifty bits she made, and began to exit the room.

“I’m sorry too.” Sunset said which made Pen stop in her tracks.

“I shouldn’t have lashed out at you, and I really was stressed to the point I couldn’t think straight. I just wanted to live up to the promise I made that I forgot that looking out for you means taking the time to be with you and understand how you feel. After going through a day of school and having pretty much zero magic and being made fun of for it…I just want to say I’m sorry for how I’ve acted.” Sunset says as she went up and hugged Pen.

Tears welled up in their eyes as a chuckle echoed around them.

“About time. I was thinking it would be a few days before you two came to an understanding.” a familiar mare’s voice then said from behind Pen.

“Huh!” the duo both look at who it was that spoke.

“TRIXIE!” the yelled in unison with a slight undertone on anger in they’re voice.

“Who did you think it was the Easter bunny?” Trixie joked.

“It was you who casted that POV spell on us huh.” Pen said her eyes slightly narrowed as one of Sunset’s was twitching in annoyance.

“Guilty as charged but it looked like my idea worked did it not?” Trixie asks with a sly smile.

“Huh?” the both said with confusion as they tilted their heads

“My whole idea was to get you two to understand each other, so what better way than switching each other mind for the day.” Trixie added

“And I’ll be glad to switch you back.” She added with a cheery smile

“PLEASE!” They said in unison.

Trixie recast the spell to turn the POV back to normal on both of them.

“You know this would make a good letter to the princess.” Trixie thought out loud.

“Gee…you think?” Sunset said sarcastically, but it was lost on Trixie.

“Well I must be off now Spike will be over to take a letter. Bye now.” She teleported away, as they both blinked a few times.

“You know something. I think I’m starting to dislike Trixie now.” Pen said bluntly glancing at Sunset.

“I agree.” Sunset added as they both look at each other then let out a laugh.

Later that same day Spike came over with paper and quill ready

“Trixie really doesn’t understand sarcasm does she?” Sunset asks Spike who nods.

“Trust me. If she did understand sarcasm then she would mistake them as something else entirely and try writing a theory on them.” Spike replied as the sisters just grin and shake their heads at the drake.

“I think we’re ready Spike.” Pen said

“Ready.” Spike said readying his quill as Pen and Sunset clear their throats ready to say what they think needs to be said.

“Dear Princess Celestia, At times siblings can be a little bit overbearing to handle, but it is also a great responsibility to take care and teach them.” Sunset started looking to Pen who used a bit of levitation to put a book up.

“But thinking that your sibling has nothing to worry about can make things get out of hand and lead to disagreements between them.” Pen added as she watched Sunset take a marker and mark out the date.

“By taking a step back and understanding what the other has been through, you can understand what is happening with the other.” Sunset continued as her and Pen sat down next to each other.

“Even to the point it’s like you’ve lived from the others perspective. From your loyal subjects, Pendragon Quill.” Pen added

“And Sunset Shimmer.” Sunset finished. Spike sent the finished letter and then left.

“Well Pen what to you want to do now?” Sunset asked.

“Well I still want to pay Trixie back for the POV spell…” Pen stated and then got an idea rubbing her hooves together.

“Oh I got a killer of an idea!” Pen said and whispered it to Sunset.

“Uh Huh.”

“…”

“Uh huh.”

“…”

“Oh hehe, its payback time.” Sunset said after Pen finished whispering her idea as they both ran off to the library.

The next morning Rainbow Dash was snoring loudly having a nice dream involving a certain group of pegasi.

“Yes I accept the title of wonderbolt…” She said lazily until her dream was interrupted by two loud and shrill screams making her jump out of her bed and hit the ceiling and landed on the floor.

“CAN’T I GET SOME SLEEP AROUND HERE ANYMORE!” she bolted up and took the earplug out of her ears and stomped on them a few times, got back in bed and went back to sleep.

Arcane of Ice Winter Blossom

Author's Note

Uhh...*Gulp* Winter Blossom belongs to me and my brother Fire Seeker12, but this character is heavily based off of our sibling who does not have an account on this site. Now excuse me while I find a good place to go and hide.

Arcane of Ice Winter Blossom

It was a quiet day for the residents of Ponyville who seemed to be going along with their everyday lives. Several talked about their day or recent events coming up.

All except for Rarity Belle and Coco Pommel who were in the boutique as Rarity was preparing to give her an in depth lesson on making dresses.

“Are you sure you’re up for this darling?” Rarity asked preparing a several fabric rolls.

“I’m pretty sure.” She said nervously to her friend and employer as she grabbed a few things with her hooves.

“I’ve always wanted to try making my own designs and I’ve had plenty of inspiration lately.” She added quickly.

“Well that is always good to have darling. Now then let us begin with dress making 101.” Rarity began.

“First off you need to picture in your mind what you want the dress to look like first.” Rarity spoke as she and Coco closed their eyes to picture what their idea would look like.

“Once you got that picture in your mind then I would draw what you have thought of.” Rarity continued as levitated a paper and pencil over to her and began drawing on it.

After she was done Coco did the same thing using her hoof to hold the pencil. What Coco drawn was a mare wearing a dress that covers the back hooves, flank, and tail covered; the head wore a small head piece that hooked around the ears, along with small boots on the hooves.

“Okay I think I’ve got it so far.” Coco said as she put her writing tool down and showed it Rarity.

“Well that is some imagination now to move on to…” Before she could finish there was a knock at her door.

“Hmm? Now who could that be?” Rarity questioned having closed up shop for the day in order to give Coco her lesson.

“Well umm…we shouldn't leave a possible customer waiting.” Coco said with curiosity as they both walked toward the door as the pony that knocked entered hearing the sounds of bells chiming.

“Indeed Coco.” Rarity says and walks towards the front.

“Welcome to the Carousel Boutique where everything is chic as it can be. How can I be of service?” Rarity says introducing herself as she always does with each customer.

“Two hours on a train and all I get is ‘How can I be of service’ you haven’t changed one bit Rarity.” A tomboyish female voice says with a chuckle as Rarity goes wide eyed seeing the pony in front of her as Coco peeked out behind some curtains.

“Who is this mare?” she thought.

Arcane of Ice Winter Blossom

The pony she saw in front of her was a unicorn mare with a Cyan White coat, a purple mane with a three streaks of blue going through it tied into a nice pony tail, her eyes were a dark purple color, and her cutie mark is an ice crystal snowflake with thread going through it. A very predominate feature was the small black rimmed reading glasses on her muzzle that was secured was a piece of string in the back.

Rarity stood there with her mouth gaped open looking at her “You do know it’s rude to stare at somepony like that Rares.” The mare said magically closing Rarity’s mouth as Coco looked to Rarity.

“Um Rarity who is this pony, do you know her?” Coco asked in curiosity coming out from behind the curtains.

“… Winter… Blossom.” Rarity finally said after said mare took her magic hold off Rarity’s muzzle.

“Who else could it be girl?” Winter said as she went over to give Rarity a hug.

“Do you know how long I was on that train or better yet how long I’ve been in Canterlot?” She said as Rarity returned the hug.

“Still have some of the tompony in you don’t you” Rarity stated with a chuckle as Coco stood there completely clueless to the situation.

“Um is this a friend of yours Rarity?” Coco said with a questioning stare.

“Oh where are my manners. Winter Blossom meet Coco Pommel.” She said as gestured her to come closer.

“It’s a pleasure.” Winter says extending a hoof to shake which Coco took.

“She my assistant here at the boutique and she is quite handy with her hoofs and she learning how to be a good seamstress like me.” Rarity explained with a bit of pride

“Any friend of Rarity’s is a friend of mine.” Coco smiled.

“Well that’s good to hear coming from the Element of Generosity.” Winter said with a wink.

Coco was surprised at this “How did you know that?” she asked as Winter rolls her eyes but smiling.

“You and the other element bearers have been the talk of Canterlot for a while now. So I thought why not kill two birds with one stone; meet an element bearer and catch up with my oldest friend.” Winter explained

“And I’m quite the seamstress myself you know.” She then adds.

“Coco how about you show her that picture that you’ve just drawn?” Rarity suggested but Coco took a step back in surprise at the suggestion.

“Um… I don’t know if I should.” Coco said nervously unsure what to do as she glanced down to the ground.

“I don’t mind really I’m good at giving suggestions if need be.” Winter said.

“Well if you would have a look at it.” Coco said as she fetched her picture. She returned with her drawing in mouth and placed it on the table for her to look at. Winter approached it and levitated the drawing to her eye view. She began looking at it with strange looks.

She put it down before she spoke “Do you want my honest opinion about it?” She asked and Coco nodded.

“To be blunt, some of it could use some adjustments. The length is fine, the boots could change, and the head piece needs to go, along with the style of fabric you’re thinking of using.” She stated

“Now see here Winter Blossom, Coco is only starting out and I thought her piece was very riveting for her first time.” Rarity commented.

“We can talk about it a little more…after say a small tour?” Winter says to Rarity who nods and runs off to grab her saddlebags.

Winter then looks to Coco “There is going to be a small Fashion Show that will be held in a few days. You are welcome to come, but you must really work on your design if you wish to enter it.” She says in a calm tone and then Rarity came back in with her saddlebag on.

“Well I must be off Coco I know I promised to help you today.” Rarity says with a bit of guilt as she glances to her friend.

“Don’t worry about it. You show Winter Blossom around town and I’ll look after the boutique till you get back.” Coco said with a genuine smile.

This caused Rarity’s smile to return “Well if that’s what you really want.” She said as her and Winter left leaving Coco alone.

Only then Coco smile went away and turned into a frustrating look “Ugh! Some adjustments ‘The boots could change, and the head piece could go’ she says and there’s nothing wrong with the fabric I’m going to be using! It’s like to her the whole style needs a change!” She pouted.

“Well I’ll show her a thing or two.” She said as she went back to Rarity’s inspiration room.

She entered Rarity’s inspiration room and began to think about her next idea for a dress to impress Rarity’s friend. She went through the steps Rarity gave her this morning. First she thought of the dress she wanted to make then went ahead and draw it out on a piece of paper.

The drawing was a dress that rides a little high on the flank but enough so that the pony wearing it doesn’t look like a tank along with a small choker that went around the upper neck. Also on the dress it had diamonds on the left and right side of the dress.

Instead of boots like the last one she drew on slippers. She also manage to fit in a small saddle on the back to give it a more rustic charm.

After she drew the dress that she thought up it was time to begin seeing which colors would fit the dress. She went and began to color with yellow, pale green and pale blue for the dress and brown for the saddle.

“Okay now just a little touch up here and…done.” Coco said with a great smile.

“Now for the fabric.” She said walking over to a cabinet which was all disorganized with all the fabric going all over the shelves. She looked at the mess.

“How does Rarity ever find things in here?” She says questioning Rarity’s organization system. She grabbed the green and yellow fabric from below and as soon she did the whole fabric rack came falling on top of her.

After grabbing them she proceeds to cut what she needed out of each fabric like the fabric diamonds and the collar from the yellow one. Though this took awhile because she couldn’t use magic like Rarity; so she had to do things the old fashion way with scissors with the handle able to fit the size of her hoofs.

After a long ten minutes she was able to cut all three diamonds and the collar she was going to use for it. As for the pale green she made a small fitting strap so the pony could fit it around its waist and she made sure that it was adjustable like a belt and made a belt loop just in case for any extra left over.

As for the saddle she cut out she took the pale green and made a strap to go around the pony that would wear it. Next was the dress itself she had to sow on each individual part of the diamonds on the sides of the dress.

With the sewing machine she shares with Rarity she was able to do so. All three diamonds on each side were placed carefully and next was the choker.

“Now I know Rarity keeps some gems around here somewhere.” She began looking around for Rarity’s gem case which was obviously a small wooden treasure chest. As she opened the chest she was amazed by the amount of gems Rarity has collected. The gems ranged from simple quartz to sapphires and rubies

“Wow now I see one reason why her cutie mark is three diamonds.” She says awed as she looked through the chest to find the right gem to fit the choker.

She looked in it about a good three minutes until she finally found what she needed. An amethyst gem she held in her mouth and took it over to the hoofed made choker and tied the gem to it. Now with everything in order she place the pale green dress on a modeling pony dummy and made adjustments if needed. She also found a pair green dress slippers and placed them on the model and then the dress, the saddle, and then finally the choker.

She stepped back from what she made and was proud of it; sure it might have taken her about five hours and probably a few sore hoofs after work but it was so worth it in the end. After what happened she looked at the time.

“Holly Celestia I've been work that long.” She looked at the clock and it was 1:30 P.M.

“Well I guess a visit to Sugarcube corner is in order.” She said as she stepped out with her chin held high only to look back at her creation in awe and a bit giddy.

Meanwhile at the same time that happening Rarity and Winter were walking down a dirt path “I’m so glad that you could come Winter.” She said with a smile.

“But may I implore you why you’ve come here, I’m sure it’s not just for friendly chit chat.” She said with a questionable look causing her friend to let out a slight giggle

“Nothing escapes the ‘Gossip Hound’ of Ponyville.” She says poking fun as Rarity’s ears flatten against her head.

“You know quite well that I despised that nickname you know.” Rarity whined.

“But then you must have heard that I’m going to be one of the judges in the upcoming fashion show.” Winter said making Rarity gasped in surprise.

“Along with a few others from Canterlot are going to be judging the show.” Winter finished.

“Oh my sweet Celestia! Oh only if I was that lucky then I would be joining you but I of course have my business to attend to and plus my young sister.” Rarity whined

“I know what you mean; I’ve got my own siblings after all…which I’m looking for one in particular.” She stated with an annoyed tone.

“Oh…My it is hard to forget those two. Always causing mischief no matter where they went to.” Rarity says with a giggle as Winter groans.

Rarity let out a giggle as he recalled how she first met Winter and her siblings. It was before she had come to Ponyville.

-8 Years Ago-

In a small town a 10 year old Rarity was walking and eating a bit of ice cream.

“Watch out!” A male voice called out as a ball came out of nowhere and hit Rarity making her fall to the ground and lose her concentration

The owner of the ball walked over and young Rarity looked up at him. It was a unicorn colt of 8 that had a steel grey coat with a black mane that had a silver streak going through it and blue eyes. He didn’t have a cutie mark.

Another unicorn colt followed who looked to be a year younger followed him. He had a crimson red coat and a mane that was a mix of blond and brown that was spiked in the back and had brown eyes. Much like the other he didn’t have a cutie mark.

“I told you that you were kicking it to hard Fire.” The grey colt said to the crimson who he called Fire.

“How times do I have to say I’m sorry Code?” Fire replied to the grey coat he called Code.

“Ah she’s awake.” Code said and then helped Rarity up.

“W-What happened?” Rarity asked as Fire rubbed a hoof on his neck.

“I-It was my fault. I kind of kicked the ball to hard and missed hitting what I was suppose to and hit you instead.” Fire says his head low.

“I’m really sorry about my brother…” Code says trailing off as Rarity realized she hadn’t introduced herself.

“Rarity. I’m Rarity.” She replies.

“I’m Fire Seeker, but everpony just calls me Fire since well…” He starts but trails off as Code rolled his eyes.

“I’m Code Breaker, but please just Code.” He adds as Rarity smiles.

“Fire and Code. I’m guessing you two are brothers?” She asks as Code nods.

“Sorry about your ice cream. How about you come over to our house and we make it up to you?” Code asks nicely.

“Alright, but if this is some sort of trick…” Rarity said in agreement and warning.

Both looked at her with puzzled looks “Why would we trick you?” Fire asks before he and Code took off leading the way to their home.

The two colts and one filly walked into the house “Sis we’re home!” Code shouted as the sound of hooves running down the stairs was heard.

Soon enough a 10 year old Winter Blossom stood at the bottom of the stairs. Her mane was the same, but not kept in a ponytail showing that it cut off right above her hooves and she wasn’t wearing her glasses. She looked at the two colts in anger.

“Where have you two been? I was worried when I woke up and saw both of you gone from your room!” Winter yelled scaring the two as Rarity watched on feeling a bit awkward.

It was at this time Winter noticed Rarity “And why did you bring a filly here? You know mom and dad are going to be back soon?” She questioned.

“Umm…uhh…well…” Code sputtered as small ice crystals began to form under Winter’s hooves.

“It was an accident really.” Rarity spoke up as the three turned their attention to Rarity.

“I was walking and eating a ice cream, and these two were playing hoofball…” Rarity started as Winter glared at the two.

“Ugh! That’s why you two woke up and left?” she yells as Rarity clears her throat.

“Right. Continue.” Winter said with a sigh trying to relax.

“Apparently Fire kicked the ball so hard missing Code, but instead hit me.” She continued as Winter grew wide eyed.

“WHAT!” Winter yells in intense anger glaring at Fire.

“Accident! Accident! Complete and total accident!” Fire exclaimed.

“It was and they have already apologized for it.” Rarity said hastily not wanting to see the two colts in trouble with their older sister.

“Alright, but Fire kicks really hard. So while they get you something I’m going to check you over for anything.” Winter says glaring at her brothers who went off to the kitchen as Winter used a spell to check her over for any sort of broken bones.

A few minutes later the two came back with four ice cream bars as Winter finished checking Rarity over for any problems.

“Alright you look completely fine.” Winter said as an ice cream bar in a blue aura was levitated over to her and another to Rarity.

“Thanks Code.” She says as Rarity takes a bite of the bar.

“Hmm…It’s salty, but sweet at the same time.” She says with wide eyes.

“Yeah. It’s one of our favorites.” Code says taking a bite.

The next few hours were spent talking among the four even as Winter, Code, and Fire’s parents came in. They shared many secrets among one another including the secret of them being Arcane Unicorns. Rarity promised to never tell causing Fire to make a joke about her being the town gossip hound resulting in Winter freezing him an it taking a few hours for him to thaw out.

As they moved on they were going they were slowly approaching a wide open orchard filled with apple trees. Winter adjusted her glasses to get a better look.

“Wow.” She looked around and saw nothing but how wide the orchard of apple trees was.

“Who owns all this land?” She questioned but at the same time she was in awe of the sight.

“That would be the Apple family that lives here.” She pointed her hoof down toward the path.

“Down this way you’ll find a large red barn along with a rather kept up house and you’ll find a mare named Applejack Apple.” Rarity stated which made Winter Blossom jump with glee.

“Oh I know about the Apple family they are rather famous for their cider. Do you think they might let me try some?” Winter jumped with glee.

“I believe so if you only ask.” Rarity said as they approached the home. As Rarity knocked on the door; at first nopony answered then she knocked again and this time a small yellow filly with a pink bow and red mane opened the door.

“Howdy Miss Rarity what yah doin out this way?” Applebloom questioned

“An’ who is this pony?” She pointed to the pony next to her.

“This is an old friend of mine Winter Blossom and I’m showing her around.” She introduced Winter to the little filly.

“I have a question is your sister around by chance?” Rarity asked.

“Enope. Yah just missed her; she headed toward town fer something along with another pony.” She answered

“Well do you think I could have a drink of some of that apple cider your family makes.” Winter said her eyes beaming.

Applebloom shook her head “Sorry miss, but sis has the key tah the cellar, ‘Haps another time.” Applebloom said. Winter was a little disappointed but gave a sigh.

“Well I guess, maybe next time I’m in town then. It has been good meeting you.” She said putting a smile back on her face as she turned to leave.

“C’mon Rares, it’s been a few hours so how about we go check on Coco and see how she’s doing.” Winter said as she began to walk off only to look back at the filly and gave a wave.

Applebloom waved to Winter and Rarity as they began their walk back to Ponyville. As they re-entered Ponyville they were still chatting about several things like Canterlot, the fashion show, etc.

“So Winter what to think of Ponyville? Not quite what you expected hmm?” Rarity asked

“Not it’s not. In face it reminds me of our old home before both our families moved.” Winter admitted.

“I miss it to darling, but I still do visit my parents every now and then when I do get homesick.” Rarity said with an all knowing tone but then was interrupted by what seemed like noise coming from town and ponies screaming and running in which every direction.

“What in the wide world of Equestria is happening here?” Rarity wondered as they looked onward at what was causing this uproar.

Machines of various kinds were going out of control. Some guards who were town were trying to sort things out and get things back under control including two unicorn stallions. The first had a turquoisish white coat and sapphire blue mixed with cerulean blue mane and tail from what she can see and his cutie mark was a purple shield with a six pointed star imbedded in it with three other stars hanging above it.

The second one had a crimson red coat and a dark blonde and brown mixed mane and tail, his cutie mark was a shield lit on fire with a sword imbedded on the front.

Rarity let out a faint gasp of surprise recognizing Fire Seeker.

“My he has certainly changed in eight years. Though I never expected him to become a guard.” She thought

During the uproar and panic from the citizens something that looked like a propeller was heading their way.

“DUCK!” Winter yelled as they both ducked their heads to avoid getting it chopped off.

The propeller stuck itself into the ground preventing it from going anywhere. Winter went inspect the object to see if it had an owner.

“Why does this looks familiar somewhere?” she thought as she inspect it further.

The she came across a cutie mark symbol on the propeller blade with two bronze gears that were mashed together and a book on it. Her eyes immediately went wide causing her to readjust her glasses she was wearing and clean the lenses to see if she was seeing what she was seeing was correct. After doing that she looked at the initials again and it still had the same cutie mark symbol.

She giggled at her conclusion “Well that’s interesting to say the least.” She heard a scream coming from the crowd and came running towards them.

It was Coco her mane and tail all disoriented and her coat was all covered with dirt from falling over a few time. She stopped right in front of them short on breath from running.

“Are you alright dear?” Rarity asked in worry putting a hoof on her friend and assistants shoulder.

She spoke in a rapid rate “Sales ponies…inventions… not working… uproar.” She said rapidly. The other two tried to steady her

“Whoa there girl, let’s get her to the boutique so she can wash up and get her mind straight.” Rarity concluded as Winter and Rarity took both sides of Coco as they walked to make sure she doesn’t fall over herself.

They managed to get to the boutique without a problem, and after cleaning her up and calming her down Coco was ready to talk.

“Okay now start at the beginning Coco, what happened?” Rarity questioned

“Well it started when I was heading toward Sugarcube corner to get a snack after finishing the dress I’ve made. Everything was fine until what seemed like two sales ponies rolled into town with some kind of machine.” Coco started

“Sales ponies. Did you get a chance to look at them?” Winter asked her curiosity peaked as well as a suspicion to who it was.

“Well all I could get that they were two stallions and they were unicorns, they had red and white manes and one had a mustache on one of them. After I went in and came back out of Sugarcube Corner everypony was going berserk and were running around all over the place.” Coco finished.

“Of course then that’s when one of the machines inside Sugar Cube Corner that Pinkie just got started to act up as well. I ran off like a mad mare as more of the machines went crazy. I then bumped into this stallion who told me to get to safety. After that I bumped into you two.” She said huffing by the end of her explanation.

Winter brought her hoof to her chin to think “Two unicorn stallions, red and white mane and one with a mustache on him and they are sales ponies.” Winter thought.

Then her eyes became wide in realization and in a quick motion her eyes instantly turned into a cold angry stare.

“The Flim Flam brothers.” She said in realization.

“The what and who?” Rarity and Coco asked in unison.

“Flim and Flam there con ponies wanting to con you out of every bit that you have just so they can make a profit off of what their selling or have stolen.” Winter stated coldly as her horn glowed and began forming small patches of ice underneath her.

“I had an experience with them two and I’m never going to forget it and let’s leave it at that.” She stated.

“Winter darling you’re umm…magic is acting up.” Rarity pointed out pointing at the floor.

“Oh. Sorry about that.” Winter says sheepishly calming herself which made the ice stop.

“Ugh. I had better get myself under control. I don’t want to undergo the training to keep my emotions in check again.” She thought as the room fell into complete silence.

After a few minutes of silence “Oh um… Winter.” Coco began shyly

“I was wondering if you could look over the new dress I’ve made?” Coco asked

“Oh you made something new dear what is it.” Rarity said in excitement

“Well sure let’s have a look shall we.” Winter answered and Coco guided them to Rarity’s inspiration room that they both share. When they entered the dress was revealed to them.

“Well what do you think?” She questioned

“I was thinking to go with something more of a glamorous charm while still keeping some of the rustic look and the boots did change for dress slippers instead and the belt for the dress would almost seem like it’s floating on its own and some flare from the choker so I borrowed one of the gems.” Coco smiled hoping to get some approval from Winter.

“Well darling it does bring out some flare of its own I might say. Even with the amethyst gem choker was a thought.” Rarity commented she looked toward Winter who was deep in thought.

“What do you think of the dress?” Rarity asked as Winter went to inspect it who circled around it inspect every aspect as close as she could. She hummed in what Coco hoped would be approval.

“Well… to start, the saddle is a good idea and so was the belt plus and the fabric choice was excellent, but the only thing problem I see is with the choker.” She stated as Coco dropped down in disappointment.

“The gem is fine but it would have been best to use a brighter color for it so it would… oh what’s the phrase I’m looking for… ‘stick out more’ as they say.” She adds as Coco looked up a bit surprised by this nugget of advice.

“But despite that little detail, I do see potential in this. It might not be a winner but most surely a top three.” Winter finished which brought a smile to Coco

“So you think it’s good even if my last one didn’t go so well.” Coco said and Winter nodded.

“Well one thing my friend knows about dresses is that she knows where to find good potential.” Rarity said causing Winter to blush a little.

“A small piece of advice though whenever I make a dress is to picture myself in what I want to wear then make that idea into a reality.” She said wisely. They heard the clock strike six o’clock

“Well time flies when you’re having fun I guess, and I must thank you Rarity for showing me around.” Winter said.

“Aw do you have to leave now.” Rarity whined.

“Unfortunately I do, even though Ponyville is a charming place with its rustic design, Canterlot is still my home and I must return to home to prepare for the fashion show in a few days, but don’t think I might pay a visit when I get the chance.” Winter bowed as she left, but not even a few seconds out the front door she was instantly plowed to the ground by two unicorn stallions.

The first stallion was the one that she saw was the crimson coated royal guard Rarity had identified as Fire Seeker, and the second one had a steel gray coat with black mane and silver streak going down the middle with the cutie mark being two bronze gears and a book between them.

“Uh what where you’re going you…” Before she could finish she stared at the two stallions as Rarity’s own eyes widened seeing Code Breaker.

“Code, Fire!” She yelled in surprise as Rarity let out a small smile.

“Hello darlings. It’s been a long time.” Rarity said.

“Sis! Rarity!” the two stallions said in unison.

That night a party was held for Code, Winter, and Fire being new to town as well as Code having stopped the rampage of the machines.

As the party was going on Coco was busy writing a letter at the suggestion of Trixie.

“Dear Princess Celestia; at some point when you have a great idea or in my case a great dress you think you have it just the way you like it. But sometimes when somepony wants to help you, you don’t know if what their saying is helpful or not. Only to realize that even someponies opinion can help improve on your past mistake. Signed; Coco Pommel.”

Coco handed the letter off to Spike and sent it how he always did.

“Come on Coco! Your missing out on all the fun!” Pinkie says appearing near her. Coco chuckles and follows the mare out.

Arcane of Metal Code Breaker

Author's Note

Code Breaker belongs to well...me, and this character is slightly based off of me. In what way I cannot say.

Arcane of Metal Code Breaker

A train whistle blew as the Friendship Express pulled into Ponyville on an early morning. Many of them began to exit as coming in near the station was Applejack Apple with her cart attached to her.

“Next time ah make ah delivery tah a cold place like Trottingham tell Rares to make yah a vest.” She notes to herself begrudgingly as she trotted a slow pace back to her home Sweet Apple Acres

Before she took another step she heard a groan coming from somewhere and she whipped her head around looking for the source. The train whistle went off signaling it was taking off again. After it left AJ was greeted to the site of a pony in the dirt on the other side of the train tracks.

The pony in question was a steel gray coated unicorn stallion about her age with a black mane with a silver streak going through it. She could make out the stallions eyes even though they were near closed but his eyes were blue. His cutie mark was two bronze gears mashed together with a book over them. From what he looked it looked like he didn’t eat for days or weeks because she could see his ribs showing from lack of food.

“Now where did yah come?” She whispered as she unhooked herself from the cart to get a better look at him as she walked over to him.

Arcane of Metal Code Breaker

When she approached him; his eyes were now closed and his stomach grumbled, again from lack of food. He also had a saddle bag on him which was pretty old with what seemed like a screwdriver coming out of the hole it made.

AJ placed a hoof on him and then took it off rather quick. His body was ice cold.

AJ knew she just couldn’t leave the stallion here to possibly die. It just wasn’t right. She picked the stallion and put him on her back then proceeds to carefully place him in the cart and covered him up with the cloth she had in her saddle bag.

She also placed the stallion’s saddlebag in the cart with him. She hooked herself back up to the cart and quickened her pace to get home and food for the pony.

When she entered town she notice the town was busy as usual with everypony doing their own thing but she took notice of a few ponies, like Trixie who was talking to two other ponies more like two other stallions outside the ice cream shop.

One had a sapphire blue mixed with cerulean blue mane and tail from what she can see and his cutie mark was a purple shield with a six pointed star imbedded in it with three other stars hanging above it and his coat was a turquoise white.

The second stallion had blonde with a brown mane and tail and had a shield that was on fire with a sword embedded in it for his cutie mark. He seemed not taking a slip of the smoothie he had in front more watching everyponies move and watching out for trouble. He had an orange coat.

But that didn’t deterred her for a second whatever there were talking about wasn’t her business and continued her route to get the stallion some care. When she walked pass the town square fountain she pumped into a pony that was heading toward the boutique.

“Whoa nelly!” AJ yelled out falling back.

“Gah!” the pony cried out. From the sounds of it the pony was a mare.

After gathering her bearings she looked at who she pumped into. The pony with a cyan white coat, a purple mane with a three streaks of blue going through it tied into a nice pony tail, her eyes were a dark purple color, and her cutie mark is an ice crystal snowflake with thread going through it wearing a saddle was slowly picking herself up from the ground.

“Sorry ‘bout that miss.” AJ said offering a hoof up, but the mare didn’t seem to see it.

“Oh now where did they go, note to self: consider contact lenses when you visit the eye doctor.” The mare said looking around for something.

“Do yah need some help there?” AJ asked as the mare in question looked back at her

“If you could since you pumped into me.” She said with a hint of annoyance then she let out a sincere sigh.

“Sorry, but I’m searching for my glasses as it seems I lost them during our stumble.” She said as she continued to search aimlessly at the ground. AJ looked around for the missing glasses even though she was still attached to the cart.

She looked around the grass in all directions and when she couldn’t find them on the ground; she looked toward the fountain.

“Did yah try the fountain?” AJ asked as she pointed in its general direction to which the mare looked barely making out the shape of a fountain.

“No.” She said bluntly then trotted over to it carefully and with luck she found her missing glasses, which had a black frame around the lenses with a snapped string on the rims and was dripping wet.

“Oh shoot, well at least there not broken to say the least.” She said as she took a cloth from her bag and levitated it toward the glasses lenses and wiped them clean and then placed them back on her head before fixing the string by tying both ends with her magic.

“Ah much better thank you miss…um?” The mare asked looking at AJ carefully.

“Names Applejack.” She said tipping her old Stetson on her head.

“Winter Blossom, it’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Applejack.” She said politely giving a small bow as well as pondering the name thinking she heard it somewhere before.

“Yah can drop the misses’ part and just call me Applejack or just AJ is fine to.” She said rubbing her neck in embarrassment at the over respectful mare.

“Where yah headed?” AJ asked in an attempt to change the subject.

“I’m looking for a place called ‘Carousel Boutique’, you wouldn’t happen to know where it is do you?” She questioned.

“Yah standing right in front of it.” She pointed her hoof at it; the boutique was a two story building with a mixture of purple, white and a shade of light pink with a pair of two windows right in front of it which from Winters perspective it looked like a small mansion than a boutique. Her glasses slightly shifted as her mouth was gaped open at just the sight of it.

She was silent for a few seconds then she closed her mouth and readjusted her glasses before she spoke.

“Well at least I’m not lost well thank Applejack.” She said politely only to receive a confused look from AJ.

“Why are yah going in there fer anyhow?” She asks Winter as she tilted her head.

“To visit an old friend.” She said bluntly.

“Well I must be off then and thank you again for helping me find my glasses dear, I don’t quite see well without them.” She said as she proceeds toward her destination.

“No problem.” She tipped her hat and quickly remembered she had a passenger in her cart and instead of trotting home she went straight into a gallop toward home.

Once she got home she detached herself from the cart again and carefully placed the stallion on her back with his saddlebag in tow below him sitting on Applejack’s shoulder blades.

She entered the house in a hurry which both her brother Big Macintosh or Big Mac who was teaching her younger sister Applebloom how to play chess which was failing miserably and the apple grandmother Granny Smith sleeping in her rocking chair.

Applebloom was the first to notice her sister enter the room and quickly ran over to her.

“Welcome back sis!” She yelled happily with a big smile on her face then as quickly as her smile appeared was gone only to be replaced with a look of confusion.

“An’ who is that on yah back?” she questioned looking at the stallion

“No time fer that, Mac take this guy off my back an’ put him on the couch there, an’ wake Granny up to some food for ‘em. Don’t ask why but do it quick.” She ordered.

“Eyup.” Big Mac said as he took the stallion in question off AJ and placed him on the couch carefully so not to wake him.

“Applebloom go an’ grab some blankets he was cold as ice when ah found him.” She ordered again.

“Got it sis!” Applebloom chirped giving her a quick salute and bolted up the stairs. Applebloom apparent yelling woke up the elder pony from her nap.

“Now what in sam hay is goin’ on here?” She said as she awoke and she noticed the stallion that was already on the couch.

“An’ who is that?” she asks pointing her hoof at the stallion.

“No time Granny but yah think yah can make up some food up for him?” AJ said with a concerned tone in her throat. Granny took note of the stallion and got up out of her chair and headed for the kitchen.

“Well if yah put it that way.” She said as she entered the kitchen.

Applebloom came back with a few blankets and placed on the stallion that was unconscious and seemed to be snoring now.

“How yah find em’ sis?” AB asked as Applejack put the blankets on him.

“I was just coming back from mah delivery and found him lying there in the dirt; Ah couldn’t just leave him there. Especially is his condition.” AJ said hoping he would be okay.

In about five minutes he woke up only to be greeted by a few blankets over him, and that he was laying on a couch.

“What they hay?” he questioned as he looked around the room not noticing the mare and filly in the room along with a rather large red stallion.

“More like where in the hay am I?” He questioned not expecting to get an answer.

“You’re at Sweet Apple Acres partner.” Said a voice he quickly turned his head to notice of an orange mare with a blond mane and a stetson hat. It was at this time he also noticed the other ponies that were also in the room.

“Yah been out for ah while there partner nearly scared my halve tah Tartarus cause of you.” The orange mare responded

“But yah lucky ah found yah otherwise you’d be dead from starvation fer sure.” The filly said next.

“Eyup.” Was the reply from the red stallion.

“So you said I’m at this Sweet Apple Acres?” The stallion in question said.

“Quite a place you have here.” He complemented with a smile.

“Thank yah kindly. Names Applejack one of the proud owners of this fine orchard.” AJ introduced as she pointed to the filly.

“This here’s Applebloom.” She said.

“Howdy mister.” Applebloom said with a smile.

“And this is Big Macintosh.” AJ pointed to the stallion and he just nodded toward him.

“My name is…” Before he was able to introduce himself all four of them heard a loud bang coming from the kitchen

“Curse this lousy no good doohickey!” Was all that was heard throughout the household. Applejack, Big Mac, and AB rushed toward the kitchen to make sure their granny was okay.

When they entered all they could see was Granny Smith bucking away at the oven, well trying to buck anyway.

“Looks like the old thing finally gave out on us youngens.” She said with a sadden look

“Great just something else we need replacing!” AJ shouted with anger.

“An’ we don’t even have funds to go out an’ get a new one.” Applebloom adds sadly looking to the floor.

“Enope.” Big Mac said in disappointment.

Hearing the commotion the grey stallion walked into the kitchen in order to find out what was going on.

“Is everything okay in here?” He asked then saw the oven and the condition it was in.

“Sorry about that sonny just that old Lucy here gave out.” She gestured toward the oven. The stallion then walked toward it opening the oven door and peaked inside.

“Uh what are yah doing?” Granny Smith questioned.

He lifted his head out of the oven door and rubbed his chin with his hoof before he spoke.

“Did I happen to have a saddlebag on me when you found me Applejack?” he asked looking at the mare.

“Uh yeah it’s by the couch. Why?” She replied with a confused look.

“Could somepony grab it for me?” He asks

“I’ll get it!” Applebloom said as she zoomed off toward the living. Not a few seconds later they heard sounds of crashing and banging from the living room.

“Got it!” Applebloom let out a reassuring yell which made them let out a giggle from the little ones antics.

She came back in with saddlebag in tow on her back which proved to be quite heavy for her.

“What are yah packing in here, bricks or something?” Applebloom said slowly making her way toward him and sat the bag down.

“Thank you Applebloom.” He said as he levitated out a pair of small wire cutters out of the bag which revealed that inside the bag was a waste amount of tools and some wires.

He then turned back toward the oven and placed his head inside it again.

“Now let’s see what we have here?” he stated and proceed to look at various things eventually noticing the old wiring.

“Ah ha here we are.” He took notice as he clipped the wires and took them out.

“Here your problem the wires in here are old and failed to transfer any electrical energy to the oven.” He stated as he levitated the old wires towards a trash can.

“Um transfer what tah the what now?” AB asked tilting her head in confusion.

“Basically they wore out and it won’t get any heat from it.” Applejack said in translation.

“Oh got it!” AB said in a cheerful tone.

“Could one of you grab a set of wires that are in the bag.” He stated as Big Macintosh dug inside the saddlebag and pulled out the ones the stallion needed and gave them to him.

“Thank you.” He said taking the wire from the pony and quickly replaced them, took his head out of the oven and closed the door of the oven. He wiped the sweat from his head before speaking.

“Alright let’s see if that did the trick.” He said has he turned the dial on the oven top. The oven burst to life when the dial was turned.

He turned the dial off and looked back at the four ponies who were and still have been silent this entire time.

“Well looks like your good to go.” He cheered.

The four famers awestruck at what he did. Applejack was the first pony to speak up.

“That’s mighty impressive there partner. Ah almost thought we would have tah replace it.” Applejack commented

“Jus’ who are yah anyway?” she adds.

“Oh right. Names Code Breaker, but my friends call me Code or CB for short. Inventor and traveler.” CB introduced.

“Code Breaker eh, now where did ah hear that name ‘fore?” Granny pondered her question.

“Cousin Braeburn mentioned him visiting Appleossa in his last letter.” Applejack answered before turning to face CB.

“But how did yah know tah replace what was needed?” AJ asked as CB just gives a slight smirk.

“Well as a matter of fact this was one of my few inventions I came up with and you can tell it’s one by the symbol on the dials.” He said pointing toward the dial.

They all looked at one of the dials and it had two bronze gears that were mashed together and a book above them, and then looked at his cutie mark which matched.

“It a perfect match.” Applebloom stated

“Eeyup.” Big Mac said.

“Well ah can now make some food fer yah so you can get your strength back.” Granny Smith said shooing him out of the kitchen and back into the living room. AJ and AB went to join Code in the living room while Big Mac helped Granny in the kitchen.

“But I got to say thank you for helping me out, or who knows what would have happened.” Code said letting out a relieved sigh

“Well it isn’t like ah was going to let yah go hungry. That just not like me tah do that.” AJ said.

“How did yah end up there anyhow Mister Breaker?” Applebloom asked getting a chuckle out of the Inventor

“Well you see…” Code starts.

-2 Weeks Ago- -Filledalphia-

“That will be 60 bits.” Code said as he sold off an oven he made to an energetic pink pony that was somehow perfectly balancing it on her back.

“That is one strange mare…” He whispered to himself and sighed glad the day was almost over.

“Hello again my good sir.” A male voice rung out that annoyed Code to no end.

“Can’t these guys take a hint?” Code thought as he turned to face the voice coming almost muzzle to muzzle with two of the most annoying ponies he has ever faced in his life.

Both ponies were unicorn stallions with pale, light grayish olive coat, moderate red with white stripes mane, both have moderate pistachio eyes. Both wearing a blue and white stripe vest with a black bow tie, but one of them with a red mustache.

He never pays any more attention than that to them so he never saw their cutie marks, but her knew these two anywhere since they always somehow seemed to follow him.

“What do you two want? Can’t you see I’m busy?” Code asks them annoyed.

“Now listen here good sir you are being quite rude.” Says the mustached stallion.

“You don’t see us with the attitude.” The none mustached stallion added on making Code groan in annoyance at both them and the rhyme.

“I know why you two are here. It’s the same answer I gave you two months ago. Which is the same answer I gave you a month ago. Which is the same as the one I gave you a week ago. Which is the same I gave you yesterday!” Code shouts in annoyance at them.

“Are you sure you won’t reconsider. We could make a haul together.” One says as the other eyes all the machines that are lined up around including a train like thing that could self propel itself.

“Yes I am sure. I have no interest in making a bunch of bits.” Code says defiantly stamping a hoof on the ground.

“Well then what could be better than making bits dare say.” One says as Code rolled his eyes.

“Bits I have plenty of. What helps me to keep going is seeing other ponies prosper and help others thanks to my inventions.” Code says at the two older unicorn stallions laugh.

“Laugh all you want, but I will say it one more time to make it clear…” Code states getting the stallions attention as Code took in a deep breath.

“NO MEANS NO SO BUCK OFF BEFORE I GET THE ROYAL GUARDS ON YOUR FLANKS!” He yells loud enough the two stallions hats went flying off.

“You will come to regret this I say good sir. Come along brother of mine.” One said to the other as both walk off.

Code sighs glad to be rid of the two con ponies. He looked and saw the sun begin to set and he let out a yawn.

“Today’s been a good day Code.” He tells himself as he uses his magic to lock down his devices. He then set himself up a small tent and got comfy falling asleep as Luna’s moon rose.

Little did he know that as he slept that two certain unicorn stallions had returned, and to make sure Code didn’t wake one went into the tent and knocked on the head good to insure that he would be out till they were gone.

They thing pulled large magnets out of there saddle bags and placed them around the inventions. The mana barrier around each began to dissipate and vanish.

They worked fast and without interruption taking what they considered they needed which was everything and Code’s food somehow loaded it up on the self propelled train before taking off with it.

The next morning Code woke up with a headache and touched his head feeling a bruise.

“Ugh…must have slept on a rock.” He says with a yawn and walks out which the site before him woke him up quick.

Besides his tent there was nothing else there, and that’s what surprised him. His lockdown spell was meant to keep everything tagged with his mana in a special barrier that would result in a jolt to a pegasi or earth pony or a severe shock if it was a unicorn using magic.

The only way around the spell was magnetic wave as it is the only way to disable his particular brand of magic as he specialized with various metals and other metal based minerals along with standard magic.

“W-Who could have possibly…” He starts as he walked about and spotted something on the ground. A hat…a hat he only knew two ponies who wore it.

His horn lights up in a silver aura as a nearby pole began to twist and then snapped.

“Why those no good dirty rotten apple bucking…” He says in anger and goes to his tent taking it down and going to get his saddle bags and saw only the one with his tools in it.

“UGH! Those guys are going to get it when I get my hooves on them!” He says in anger his bag in a blue aura as he put it on his back and took off following the tracks of his self propelled train.

“Two weeks have passed since then, and since I was low on food supplies it wouldn’t be long until I finally collapsed from exhaustion.” CB states with a sigh.

“I thought I was hot on their tail when I tracked them to Canterlot, but I was hours late and they had already left and I was soon on my way to another town to find clues.” He says sighing as he slams a hoof on the ground.

“Which lead me to here, and you know the rest. Still haven’t found out anything either.” He adds.

“But when I do find those two, they’re going to be in a world of hurt.” He sternly finished.

His rant was interrupted by his stomach grumbling loudly. His cheeks blushed when he heard his stomach.

“Right after I get something to eat.” His said extremely embarrassed making AJ and AB giggle.

After ten minutes Big Mac came in with a plate of two apple pies in his mouth. He placed them in front of Code for him to eat. Within five minutes he already ate both pies and now looks like he got his strength back.

He wiped off the remaining crumbs off his mouth before he spoke up.

“Now that’s what I call an apple pie. Have to say it’s the best I’ve ever had.” He said as he got up and walked over to his saddle bag.

“No need for flattery, but thank yah for the complement.” Granny Smith says walking in as Code began to head for the door.

“Now hold on their partner just where in Equestria do yah think yah going?” AJ said blocking his way out.

“I thank you for helping me but I’ve already spent most of your time, but I have to get back on the road.” He said simply trying to be polite.

“Can’t let yah do that, beside I think yah hardly know this part of Equestria. Why don’t yah let me show yah around town for a spell?” AJ suggested in a tone that reminded Code of his sister.

“And plus you owe me for saving yah back there at the station.” AJ added.

That statement made Code consider her offer. He was never one to leave a debt…especially to a mare who had helped him.

“Well since she put it that way.” He thought before he answered.

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to check out the town for a bit.” He says with a nod.

“Well c’mon then let’s get going since your new around these parts.” She said then looked back toward her family which Big Mac was giving her a stern glare.

“Don’t yah worry none, if he tries anything I’ll knock him to next Tuesday.” She said with an assured smile that calmed her brother down.

As they both left Sweet Apple Acres with Code waiting outside as he waited for Applejack to come out.

“I don’t think your brother likes me that much.” He said with a worried tone having caught a glimpse of his glare when AJ came out.

“Don’t yah fret none he’s just somewhat protective of me and Applebloom that’s all.” AJ reassures and he gave a nod

“I know the feeling. If anypony messed with my siblings I would beat them flat.” He stated firmly.

AJ was taken aback by this statement “I didn’t know you had a sibling. From the looks of it ah thought yah were a lone wolf type of pony.” AJ pointed out as Code lets out a small laugh.

“Well I have two siblings actually, a sister and a brother.” They continued their walk as he explained.

“My brother is the youngest and the athletic one out of the three of us. He does have a temper on him that can probably roast a marshmallow in seconds. Yeah he can be a bit annoying and brash, but despite that he is a tough pony and is quite the listener despite his position as a Canterlot Royal Guard.” He stated.

AJ only nodded encouraging him to continue.

“Then there’s my sister. Oh my sister…” He starts giving a small laugh that was a mixture of fear and nervousness.

A younger Code accidently dropped some water it landing on a mare. The mare turned to him as he gave a nervous laugh, and next instant he was frozen like an ice cube.

A slightly older Code and another colt were quickly trying to put back together a vase before a mare came in a gasped. She then glared at Code and the other and before they could say anything they had to start dodging icicles that were being shot at them.

“Sis is a fashion designer as well as a judge for a variety of fashions shows around Equestria. She never beats around the bush and will tell you straight if she doesn’t like something.” He states with a chuckle once recalling a time she called Sapphire Shores newest song ‘nothing but a tirade of shouting and yelling with the only good part being when it was over’.

“Though beneath all of that is a mare that cares deeply for other and if she knows you well enough she will easily guess what you are thinking or going to do like she is reading a book. But you make her made and she will give you a glare that will freeze you on the spot.” Code adds rubbing his neck with a hoof in embarrassment.

“But without those glasses of hers she is as blind as a bat.” He chuckles finishing what he was saying.

AJ stopped walking a second “What a minute did yah say glasses? They wouldn’t happen tah be black rimmed glasses would they?” she questioned with the reoccurring memory of this morning

“Yeah. Why?” he replies a bit curious as to how she guessed this fact.

“Cuse’ ah think ah saw your sister this morning.” AJ answered only for CB’s eyes to go wide and start sweating a bit.

“White cyan coat, with a purple mane in a ponytail, three streaks of blue, purple eyes, and with a cutie mark of a snowflake with a thread going through it?” He asked quickly.

“Eeyup.” AJ answered.

This made Code’s eyes go pinprick size and he really started to sweat badly as he began pacing.

“Oh ponyfeathers, ponyfeathers, if she finds me she’ll freeze me like a statue.” He panicked as Applejack watched this unsure what to do about the panicking unicorn stallion.

“She thinks I’m still in Canterlot with our family but if she sees me here she’ll kill me.” He said trying to find a place to hide and climbed into the nearest tree.

Applejack blinked and went over to the tree and looked straight up at him as leaves fell indicating he was shaking violently probably in fear.

“Now hold yah horses there partner, ah saw her going into the towns boutique so ah don’t think you have nothing to be scared of so how ‘bout yah come out of that tree, were almost there to Ponyville.” AJ said as Code came down his slight panic attack over as he took deep breaths to calm himself.

After about ten minutes of walking they’ve finally arrived into Ponyville the town was busy as usual nothing out of the ordinary well nothing yet anyhow.

“Now this is what I call a peaceful place to live in, you are so lucky AJ.” CB commented at the sight of the town. It was a little known fact that despite living in the capital of Equestria Code was keener to small towns.

“Well it ain’t much but we ponies here call it home alright.” She tipped her hat.

Before they took another step toward town something pink and fluffy came toward them

“HI THERE!” a cheerful loud voice cheered.

“GAH!” CB jumped about five feet backwards landing on his back as Applejack simply looked in front of them unsurprised by this.

“Right on cue.” She thought chuckling a bit at the downed inventor pony.

“WHAT WAS THAT!” CB responded as he got back up to see who scared him.

When he did he could see an earth pony mare with a light pink coat, and a dark pink puffed up mane and tail with light blue eyes, and a cutie mark of three balloons, two blue and one yellow.

“Whoops sorry about that normally ponies see that coming.” The pony said very fast.

“Normally?” He questioned before his began shacking under the ponies hold and thinking he had seen this pony somewhere before.

“Hi I’m Pinkie Pie, party pony extraordinaire, never seen you around here before!” she said and then gasped.

“I have to throw you a party to welcome you to Ponyville!” she said

“Whoa hold on there you don’t have to throw me a party.” That caused Pinkie to stop right in her tracks and brought out a list from her mane.

“You see this list; I have everypony on here including their birthdays, anniversaries coming to Ponyville, or a birthaversary and I never miss a single one of them. So do you think I’m going to miss this one!” Pinkie shouted making CB taking a step back and consider changing his mind

“Well I guess I could stay for the party.” He concluded and Pinkie smiled like a lit up light bulb.

“Great all I need is your name please.” Pinkie said happily.

“It’s Code Breaker.” He said and Pinkie jotted down his name on the list placed back in her mane and zoomed off.

“SEE YOU AT THE PARTY!” Pinkie yelled as she ran off.

“That is probably the craziest pony I’ve ever met.” CB simply said.

“Yah haven’t seen the half of it there partner.” AJ stated as she began giving CB the tour. There first stop was the Carousel Boutique

“This is the local boutique but ah don’t prefer going in there unless yah want tah live.” AJ shivered a little

“Who runs it?” he asked.

“It’s actually run by two ponies here; Rarity Belle and Coco Pommel ah think it was.” She said as CB blinked hearing Rarity’s name as he gave a sly smile in the direction of the boutique before they moved on.

The tour continued on a few hours as Applejack showed him all around town and introduced him to several of the ponies there, and the tour ended at Sugar Cube Corner.

“So tell me Code how yah like Ponyville thus far?” AJ asked.

“Well beside the weird start of it with Pinkie Pie, a very nice place like I said before. Too bad my place is set up in Canterlot.” He said as he enjoyed the snack, but was interrupted by what seemed like a crowd of ponies was gathering around at the town hall.

“What in the world is going on now?” He questioned.

“Yah got me, let’s check it out.” AJ said as both of them got out of there seat and walk to where the crowd of ponies gathered.

When they both arrived there was a medium size cart and some kind of other strange device on wheel with a lot of lights and other gadgets. Then two ponies took the stage, and instantly Code knew who these two were. Flim and Flam, and it were only now that he got a look at their cutie marks.

The first stallion cutie mark had an apple slice while the other had a whole apple except with it sliced on one side.

“There you are; now it’s payback time.” He whispered to himself as he paid attention to the stage. Around them a few poles began to twist as Code’s horn was lit up in a silver aura.

“Uh yah okay there partner.” AJ said looking at him with concern.

“Oh just fine.” He replies slowly as if he was plotting something.

While back on the stage the stallions were beginning to start “Come one, come all! TO THE FLIM FLAM BROTHERS GADET SELL OFF!” the first one shouted

“I’m Flim and he’s Flam and we are the FLIM FLAM BROTHERS!” Flim said

“THERE IS NO OTHER PLACE IN EQUESTRIA FOR YOUR CHANCE TO OBTAIN THESE MAGNIFICENT GADJETS!” Flam shouted cheerfully

“You need a flying carriage, we got!” Flam stated

“A quick apple picker and cider maker we got it!” Stated Flim as he and Flam showed off the various devices that Code had worked on for a long time.

Back in the crowd with AJ and CB “What a minute the Flim Flam brothers, didn’t you say those are the jokers that took all your gadgets and doohickeys?” She stated and he nodded.

“Oh yeah now it’s payback time, for stealing my inventions, taking my food supplies, and a few other things I don’t want to mention.” He says starting to walk to the front of the crowd.

But as he did so something began to happen. The inventions started to making strange sounds as a nearby oven burst into flames, a small copter like thing began to spin rapidly, and a toaster starting to shake violently was only a few of the things that suddenly happened.

Code ducked low avoiding a spinning blade “Ponyfeathers! These things weren’t even fully tested yet! Now it’s going to be a good few months before I can sell them after this.” He thought.

All the ponies were yelling and screaming as some of the gadgets were almost following them and try to almost hurt some pony.

“Hit the dirt!” AJ yelled jumping on Code forcing them both down as a large propeller flew at them narrowly missing and almost turning the stetson on the farm pony’s head to swiss cheese.

Code got up quickly followed by AJ as they looked at the panic that was happening.

“Now I have over two hundred reasons to buck those two to tartarus.” He thought annoyed at them before turning to Applejack.

“We got to get up on stage and hit the master safety switch on that machine!” CB said pointing toward the SP Train in the back which had a large green button.

“Gotcha, yah take care of that, while ah get some help!” AJ shouted as she ran to find help. While Code was making his way toward the stage, he was about toward the stage until he tripped on somepony.

The pony he tripped over was an earth pony with a light amberish gray color and her mane was a combination of light grayish cyan and light opalish gray and the tip of the mane curled while her eyes are light cyan, her cutie mark was a lavender floppy hat with a scarlet feather in it.

She looked rather dirty from the ground and her mane was in all disarray as she looked up at him.

“I wouldn’t be lying there you need to get out of here.” He said calmly as he helped the mare up.

“Um… right.” Was all she said as she zoomed off as Code returned to the task at hoof as he managed to get to the front of the stage and climbed onto the device and pressed the button stopping all other devices in the area.

“It’s a good thing I install the Emergency Safety Switch on all my big inventions…just in case something like this happens.” He thought with an annoyed sigh.

He then turned slowly to face the Flim Flam brothers who looked at each other nervously and at Code who was staring them down in annoyance as his horn glowed blue and silver as objects were picked up and nearby metal began twisting.

“Remember me boys.” He said his stare turning into a death glare. The brothers looked at one another then took off fast enough leaving dust copies of themselves behind.

“GET BACK HERE YOU NO GOOD CHEATING CON PONIES!” He yelled and began chasing them through the small town.

He chased them all throughout Ponyville then he heard another set of hoofs that were right next to him.

“Mind if I join the chase?” Asked the voice in a sarcastic tone; he looked next to him only to find a crimson red unicorn stallion with a blonde and brown mixed mane, brown eyes, and a cutie mark with a shield on fire with a sword embedded in it. Code gawked at the pony next to him not having seen him his brother in months.

“FIRE SEEKER! What in the hay are you doing here?!” He asked his attention still on the con pony brothers in front of him.

“Well if you must know I was on vacation with the captain, but it seemed to have got interrupted by a situation.” Fire said in annoyance.

“So who are you chasing?” Fire said. CB pointed his muzzle toward the Flim Flam brothers ahead of them.

“Aren’t those the…” He started.

“Uh huh.” CB stated simply. Fire quickly put things together, the machine mayhem, his brothers appearance, and the Flim Flam brothers.

“I take it they took a few of your inventions?” He asks as Code nods.

“And have probably been selling them without a permit to, and you know how dangerous some of my inventions are.” Code adds.

“So much for that Safe Sales Permit, but at least Fire is here now.” He thought.

“I’m guessing they don’t have a SSP?” Fire asked as Code glances at him.

“What do you think?” Code replies.

“Let’s get them.” Fire stated firmly as they both quickened there pace.

Unfortunately they ran into somepony in front of the boutique and they were sent tumbling to the ground.

“Why don’t you watch where your…” the pony started as the other two were getting up from there tumble.

Only to look upon the gaze of a unicorn mare with a white cyan coat, a purple mane and tail with three streaks of blue it in wrapped into a ponytail, purple eyes with black rimmed glasses, and a cutie mark of a snowflake with a thread through it.

“Fire! Code!” the mare yelled.

“Hello darlings. It’s been a long time.” Rarity said.

“Sis! Rarity!” they both said in unison. The mare turned her head toward Code with a cold stare at him.

“Um… I can explain.” Code said sheepishly knowing all too well what going to come next.

“Where have you been! Did you really think I wouldn’t figure out that you had left Canterlot and hadn’t come back from you last sell-off!” She yells at Code who was sweating as ice began to form.

“Do you know what you’ve put me through these last few weeks?! Do you?” She exclaimed.

“Now darling please calm down.” Rarity said nervously trying to calm Winter who sent a ice cold glare back at Rarity who scooted back along with Coco.

“Y-Yeah sis, you don’t need to act like such an ice queen.” Code says before closing his mouth realizing what he had said.

“Aww pony…” Was his last words as a tundra of snow and ice clouds his vision.

AJ came back with Dash and saw Code with Rarity, Coco, and two others in front of the boutique. From the look of his sweating the mare could only have been his sister he had been talking about earlier.

And it was then and there that they saw Winter’s horn shine white like her coat, and seconds later Code was encased in a block of ice.

“When he said his sis had a glare that freeze yah…ah didn’t think he meant literally” AJ whispers as Fire sighs his own horn shines and begins melting the ice with a burning flame.

“Uhh…remind me to never make her mad.” Dash said nervous at the sight.

Arcane of Flame Fire Seeker

Canterlot. Capital city of Equestria and the symbol of peace and harmony for the world, and run by two all-powerful alicorn princesses. The castle guard is there to serve and protect these two princesses as well as all citizens from any and all types of threats.

At this time of day two members of the royal guards were out of there armor and leaving the castle grounds. Today was a rare day for the both of them as it was insisted by several others in the guard that the two should take a day off.

The two were both unicorn stallions of differing age. The first one who would appear to be in his late teens early twenties had a moderate sapphire blue mane and tale that was streaked with cerulean blue and dark blue. His coat was a turquoisish and cerulean eyes. The cutie mark adorning his flank was a three pronged shield that had three five pointed grey stars above it while inside the shield was a pink six point starburst. He is the captain of the royal guard and is named Shining Armor.

The second stallion who is in his middle teens had a coat of crimson red while his mane was a mix of blonde and brown while he had brown eyes. His cutie mark was a flaming shield with a golden blade crossing over it. He is just below Shining in ranking and goes by the name Fire Seeker.

“I still think taking this vacation is a bad idea. It just gives the new recruits the perfect excuse to slack off.” Seeker said annoyed and concerned because it could also mean the older recruits would have the opportunity to hassle the new recruits.

“You are worrying too much Seeker. I’m sure everything will be just fine.” Shining said to him. Little did he know as he said this a new guard had just been locked in a room that had Celestia’s secret cake stash.

“But what if there’s an attack?” Seeker asked as Shining rolled his eyes at his friend’s jumpy attitude.

“Seeker there hasn’t been any real trouble since the Nightmare Moon incident.” Shining said

“And even then our guards there were trampled on in a panic while six mares claimed a set of ancient relics and purified her turning Nightmare Moon back into Luna.” He counters with a pointed glare.

“There is just no pleasing you is there?” Shining jokes with a chuckle.

“So where did you say we’re going again?” he asked

“Ponyville. It’s the small town that hosted the Summer Sun Celebration this year.” He replied as they passed by a few shops.

“Ponyville huh… never heard of it but I’m willing to give it a shot.” Seeker says with a small smirk as a train whistle blows and both look at each other.

“Well we better get going we don’t want to miss the train.” Shining said as they both made haste for the Canterlot station as quick as they possibly could. They barely managed to buy the tickets and got on the train as quick as possible with the doors sliding close behind them.

“Talk about close.” Shining said

“So how long will it take for us to get to this Ponyville?” Seeker questioned

“About three hours at best.” Shining answered as Seeker gave a loud yawn and lays down on the nearest seat his eyes struggling to stay open.

“Good wake me we get there okay.” Seeker replies as Shining sweat drops and decided to take a seat and brought out a photo album and began looking through it.

Arcane of Flame Fire Seeker

Three hours passed and the whistle blew waking up Seeker and signaling that they were now in Ponyville. Just leaving the train was enough to give a view of the small town. Seeker looked about in awe from the sugary coated building, two large mansion located about, the town square, and most surprising was the tree library.

A small tear came down his cheek “This feels like my families old hometown.” He thought recalling his hometown with admiration.

“Hard to believe that such a sweet little town is a few hours train ride from Canterlot.” Shining said getting his attention.

“Yeah, and also hard to believe this place could host such a large celebration.” Fire added a smile plastered on his muzzle.

“So…you said you have an old friend that lives here right?” he then asked as Shining nods.

“Yes. She should be living at the library.” Shining states as he then started to walk off in the direction of the Golden Oaks Library as Seeker gave him a look of surprise.

“She?!” Seeker states as he then follows after Shining.

Meanwhile inside the library Trixie and Spike were cleaning up a large mess that was a mix of scattered books, papers, and food after a spell Trixie tested went out of control.

“I knew that spell was bad news.” Spike said placing several books on the shelves.

Trixie only groaned as she scrapped a few pancakes off of the floor.

“Well at least you didn’t feel the recoiling effect of it afterwards; my horn is still aching from it.” Trixie groaned as she then picked up a book with her mouth instead of her magic and placed it on a shelf.

A knock interrupted whatever Spike was going to say as both turn to look at the door and Trixie gave the door a look of annoyance.

“Ugh…That had better not be Pinkie Pie.” She says under her breath before turning to look at her assistant.

“Spike could please get the door?” she asked before scrapping a few more food items off of the floor.

“Got it.” Spike said running towards it and opening it and Spike let out a loud gasp of surprise.

“Well who is it?” She questioned looking up from her scrapping.

“Really Trixie? Is that anyway to greet an old friend?” A male voice asks with a small laugh.

Trixie froze instantly dropping the scrapper the moment she heard that recognizable voice.

“That voice… is it.” She said turning around to gaze her eyes on the pony at the door who was smiling down at Spike patting his head.

“Shining Armor.” She finally said as Shining glanced over at her.

“It’s been a long time huh little Trix.” He said with a playful tone.

“Don’t call me that! It’s Trixie not little Trix okay!” She yelled with a blush of embarrassment.

“Hey what does that make me chop liver over here.” Another male voice spoke out as Fire Seeker came into view as both stepped into the library.

“And who is he?” Trixie asked staring at the other stallion.

“Oh right this is my lieutenant, Fire Seeker.” He introduced

“Seeker this is Trixie my old friend that I used to play with when she a little filly in Canterlot.” He chuckled

“Oh the memories of those days.” Shining adds his eyes gleaming with nostalgia.

“Okay Shining just what’s going on here and more importantly why are you here?” She asked looking at him with a glare.

“I’m actually on vacation and I thought Ponyville was the best place to relax.” He said.

“I just tagged along wanting to get this place out and plus incase somepony tried to assassinate him I’ll roast them.” Seeker stated to emphasize his point by lighting his horn as it sparked some fire but was quickly put out when Shining stared at him.

“With us being in the royal guards you never know where you’ll find enemies.” He finished.

“Sorry he can be a little over protective and serious Trixie.” Shining apologized

“Well it helps when you have two other siblings that are at home.” Seeker said proudly

“Says the youngest of them.” Shining pointed out.

Trixie just stared at the two before interrupting them “Well it’s glad for you to come but you came at a bad time, right now I’m cleaning the library at the moment after a late night lesion and it didn’t quite go as planned.” Trixie said as she pointed out toward the mess in the library.

“Well if it’ll help, we can help you clean that way we can talk afterwards.” Shining offered

“I would appreciate that greatly.” Trixie and turned to Spike.

“Spike were going to have help show them where everything goes.” Trixie happily asked as Spike salutes from the ladder he is on.

“Sure thing.” Spike said hoping down from a ladder he was on

“Right this way you two.” Spike said gesturing them to move. Seeker looked at the dragon with a puzzled look.

“You keep a baby dragon here?” he said looking at Trixie

“Well he’s my assistant since I hatched him a few years back.” Trixie stated. Seeker was taken aback at what she said

“You hatched him?” Seeker said again with a puzzled look.

“Well hatching a dragon egg was part of my entry exam when I was a little filly.” Trixie stated as they began cleaning up the library.

It took about a half an hour to get the place all cleaned up and another ten to make sure every book was in the right place where it belonged.

“Well since now that’s all done how about we go somewhere nice and maybe reminisce for a spell.” Trixie said which the others nodded. She turned to face Spike.

“Spike I’m heading out for awhile; you’re in charge of the library till I get back, me and Shining have a lot to talk about.” Trixie ordered which he gave a pleasure salute as the trio left the library.

The three arrived at a small ice cream shop which was a good thing since it was a scorcher of a day. Trixie ordered a strawberry smoothie, Shining a vanilla with whipped cream smoothie and Fire Seeker a chocolate coco smoothie.

“So how’s Canterlot treating you?” Trixie asked wanting to get information for him taking a sip of her smoothie.

He gave a slight sigh before answering “Well it has been tough I’ll tell that much ever since Princess Cadence went missing.” He said as Trixie does a spit take to the side and looks at Shining with wide eyes.

“What do mean Cadence is missing!?” She shouted.

“Trixie please calm down, we don’t know what exactly happened and we’re still trying our best to find her.” Fire said.

A few moments of silence came across the trio until Trixie broke the silence

“Besides Cadence…any luck finding… your sister?” She asked nervously and probably knowing the answer to what he going to say. Shining shook his head

“No, we searched everywhere and to no avail we couldn’t find Twily.” Shining answered as he looked down in sadness.

Seeker looked a little confused at what his captain said “Okay this must have been way before I joined the guard, you mind catching me up to speed about this ‘Twily’?” Seeker asked

“Her actual name is Twilight Sparkle and she is my sister. She was the personal student of Celestia before Trixie.” Shining answered.

“She was also a good friend of mine when I was still a filly, and she was my first true friend before the ones I made here.” Trixie said remembering as memories started flooding back to her.

Canterlot eight years ago, Princess Celestia just raised the sun over Equestria to declare it was morning. A small unicorn filly with an azure coat and a pale blue with pale blue stripes with dark grayish violet eyes her horn isn’t as big as a full grown pony and had yet obtain a cutie mark stirred and finally woke up from the sunshine that pierced through her eyelids. She jumped out of bed and fixed her mane.

This small filly was Trixie Lulamoon eight years ago and at age four.

“Trixie are you up dear?” a voice called from downstairs which sounded like a mares voice.

“Yes momma!” Trixie cried back as she quickly galloped down stairs before she tripped on the bottom step. Along the wall of the stairs were assortments of pictures of Trixie and ancient stuff that was on the wall.

“Are you alright dear?” The mare said again but in worry.

“I’m okay momma.” She said as she entered the kitchen. The mare that called to her was in there; she was a unicorn mare with a bright azure coat, and her mane was a slight dark grey that curled at the end of her tail; her eyes were a deep red and her cutie mark resemble that of an ancient staff with an eye above it.

This mare name was Vedis Moon and mother to Trixie Lulamoon. She was busy making breakfast for them.

“So you ready for school little Trixie.” She said turning toward her daughter only to receive a pout from her

“Do I have to momma, I’ll just get picked on like the last time.” The little filly complained

“Is it because you can’t use magic yet dear?” The mother question and Trixie nodded in response.

“I know you really want to learn but your horn needs time to grow and so do you my dear, I promise in time your magic will come to you.” She said only for Trixie put her head on the table

“But I wish it would happen now.” She muttered but still able to be heard. The mother didn’t take it to mind and slid her daughter a bowl of oat cereal

“Eat up now you can’t learn anything on an empty stomach.” She said with a playful smile.

Trixie lifted her head and smiled back and began to eat her oat cereal. After that she backed up her saddle bag and headed out the door toward a large school for fillies and colts.

She entered the classroom and found her seat which was in the second row out of nine rows in total which there was five seats in each row. As all the fillies and colts took their seats as the bell rang. The teacher came in afterwards.

The teacher was an earth pony stallion had a dark tan coat and a silver puffed up mane; his eyes were dark brown with glasses and a cutie mark that was a mathematical problem

“Good morning every pony.” He said

“Good morning Mr. Neigh.” Everypony said.

He cleared his throat be speaking

“I’m happy to report that we have a new student that is joining our class.” He announced as he went back to the door while other ponies were muttering over at who was the new pony was.

Their answers were quickly answered when the teacher came back in with the new student in tow. The pony in question is an unicorn filly, she had a sapphire blue with moderate violet and brilliant rose streak mane and a lavender coat; with violet eyes, and too top it off, her cutie mark was a pink six pointed star surrounded by four smaller stars carrying a small saddlebag with a book on each side of her.

She was staring at the class with wonder before she introduced herself

“Hello, I’m Twilight Sparkle, or just Twilight would be fine too.” Twilight introduced and found a seat in front of the class to face the good teacher.

As class continued Trixie pondered about this new student and maybe she could make friends with her and noticed how smart this new student was when she answered about half the questions from the teacher.

Hours went on and the teacher just let the students out for recess period. Trixie was playing by the titter totter with all the other fillies and colts. She was having a blast playing with them, but her fun shortly ended when a hoof was placed on it causing her to tumble backwards and land on her back.

“Well, well. Having fun are we?” A small voice said. Trixie froze instantly when she heard the voice. She immediately got up and looked at the pony that did it.

The pony was a unicorn filly who about two years older than her with a musty emerald coat and a teal blue mane with a bright yellow through it; the filly had bright cyan eyes and her cutie mark was that of a pair of crossed magician wands.

“Um… hey Mage Sparks… how you doing?” Trixie asked nervously

“Oh just wondering what a filly like yourself with no magic is doing today?” She said sarcastically to Trixie.

“Just watch, someday my magic will come to me and then we’ll see who gets the laughs.” Trixie proclaim but continued

“And someday I’ll even get my cutie mark to, so look out!” Trixie shouted.

Mage only laugh evilly “You get your cutie mark? Now that will be the day; I wonder what it’ll be maybe a pot with a crack in it or maybe a big red L for loser.” She continued to laugh

“Face it Trixie you’ll be a blank flank till the end of time and it won’t surprise me one bit.” Mage laughed as Trixie began to tear up as Mage continued to laugh at her.

Her laughing was stopped suddenly by a purple aura around the fillies’ mouth and Trixie could see that it was closed shut.

“Do you mind, I’m trying to read here thank you?” Twilight said as she approached the two fillies’ with an open book she was levitating. She finally released the spell that was hold Mages mouth shut.

“This doesn’t concern you newbie so do me a favor and scram.” Mage said staring at Twilight trying to look intimidating to her.

But Twilight wasn’t fazed by her at the slightest “So you think because you have a cutie mark and others don’t means you can go and bully them.” She shook her head

“You should be ashamed of yourself.” Twilight concluded only to make Mage retort

“So what? Who’s going to stop me? You bookworm?” She looked at Twilight.

Others began to gather around them as if they were going to fight. Twilight stared at the filly with an emotionless glare and closed the book and place back in her saddle

“How about this, since you love to pick on the weak, and you’re a unicorn with magic and cocky; how about a magic match, you and me. If I win you leave that filly and every other filly and colt without cutie mark alone.” She pointed toward Trixie.

“But if you win I won’t bother you anymore and you can continue what you’re doing and I’ll forget the whole thing.” Twilight declared both holding her hoof out towards the filly

“Deal?” She said with that emotionless stare as the other mare hoof bumped Twilight.

“Deal.” She said with a smirk on her face

“What are the rules?” she asked still keeping that same smirk

“The first one to get hit by anything involving make loses. We’ll face opposite ends of each other and then we can begin.” Twilight said as they both began to walk to their positions.

Once there Mage was ready to zap Twilight where she belongs and readied in a striking position. Twilight got to her position and sat on her haunches staring at Mage. A pony signaled for them to begin and Mage didn’t waste any time but fired a small blast not as effective as a full grown unicorns but still it worked. The blast sped toward Twilight and was about five feet away until her horn glowed just a brief moment but nothing happened at first.

The blast hit but not Twilight a barrier she used to block the attack. The barrier faded but Twilights horn was still glowing, she yawned at Mage’s display of magic

“Is that all you got?” Twilight said bluntly

“Tell me that’s not all you got.” She said with a playful smirk.

That only enraged Mage more to fire a few more small magic blasts. The barrier reappeared to defend its master from the blasts and quickly faded away until it would be called again

“Why don’t you attack me or are you scared of me?” Mage taunted as she continued her tiny onslaught on Twilight

“There’s more than one way to defeat you opponent instead of using blunt force attacks.” Twilight stated.

The fight went on for another five minutes and Mage was getting tired unable to fire another magic blast. As for Twilight she hardly moved and she seemed like she was still ready to go. Twilight didn’t even look she was showing any fatigue. Her horn glowed again and created a tiny ball of magic over Mage and dropped it on her head dispersing into many sparkling lights.

“I win.” Twilight said simply and all the fillies and colts cheered for her victory over the bully. The bully was shocked and dumbfounded at what just happened, she was beaten and she knew it. Twilight walked up to the filly

“Lesson 1: Never underestimate you opponent and lesson 2: Brute force never gets the job done.” Twilight stated and walked away from the filly who just ran off.

Twilight went back to her usual spot which was under a shaded tree in the playground and continued reading her book. Trixie nervously walked up to her not wanting to disturb her reading

“Um… thank you.” Trixie said hesitantly. Twilight looked up at the filly that had a wide smile on her face.

“Could you stop that, you smiles freaking me out?” Twilight asked slightly unnerved by Trixie’s smile.

“Oh sorry I was just so glad that you stuck up for me back there.” Trixie said

“That was great the way you handled that bully without actually hurting her, how’d you do that?” Trixie said all giddy with her hoofs to her cheeks.

“That was nothing just simple magic that I’ve learned.” Twilight said focusing back on her book.

A few minutes of silence past between the two until Trixie spoke up again. She took a breath for speaking

“Wouldyoupleasebemyfriend?” She said rather quickly which caught the book reader off guard as she looked back up at the filly

“What did you just say?” Twilight questioned with a wondering look. Trixie took a breathed in and she let it out slowly

“Would you please be my friend?” Trixie repeated but much more clearer.

“You want to become friends with me?” Twilight said with a confused look

“Why?” She then asks.

“Well you seem nice, plus the way you stood up to that bully back there was really cool and they way you used your magic, what kind of spell was that? I’ve never seen it before.” She said bouncing up and down going around the filly

“It was a barrier spell that I used and it’s a medium level magic that I’ve learned back at… WOULD YOU STOP JUMPING AROUND!” she yelled and Trixie stopped right in front of her.

“So you want to be friends with me because…” She started

“Well it seemed like you never had a friend before and you look rather lonely over here all on your own.” Trixie finished. They stared at each other for a few seconds before Twilight spoke again

“I guess… I could give this… friend thing a shot.” She said slowly and all Trixie could do is jump up and cheer and bounce around Twilight making a new friend.

Two years came and went by since that day. Trixie and Twilights bond was strong and they both knew it. But as days went by there bond was slowly but surely diminishing one day at a time. Trixie tried to go over to visit Twilight every day but every time she went over Twilights parents always say that she was busy studying. But one day changed everything for Trixie, when she went over to see if Twilight could play; it was Twilight that answered the door.

“Hey Twi I was hoping we could play at the park today and have some fun.” She smiled carrying her saddle bag full of toys and stuff. Then that’s when Twilight told her

“Look Trixie you’re a really nice filly and all but I got my studies to do so I don’t have time to play with you so you’ll have to find somepony else to play with.” Twilight stated sternly

“But aren’t we friends Twi, and I thought you loved playing games like how we always do.” Trixie said.

“Friends? Games? Is that all you care about Trixie and you can quit using that stupid nickname or can you call me be my full name and not Twi.” She said making Trixie back up a bit

“But I-I thought…” She stuttered

“We were friends. HA! I only became your friend because I felt sorry for you because you looked so pathetic back there, I should have let that bully do worse to you but no I had to step in and defend you, and now just because of that were friends. I never wanted to be friends with you in the first place!” She shouted.

At what Twilight said made Trixies insides hurt and she was on the verge of tearing up “Y-you don’t mean t-that?” Trixie stuttered

“Well I do and from here forward considered our friendship…” She began to shut the door on her

“Terminated.” She finished and shut the door in front of Trixie. With what happened next well Trixie ran back home tears running down her face, went up the stairs and cried.

The trio stayed silence for a while until Seeker broke it “Well… your sister was not the friendly type was she.” He stated and received a hoof to the back of the head from Shining

“Ow! Okay I get the picture, touchy subject.” He said rubbing the back of his head.

“Well Twily wasn’t always great with friends since she mostly stayed to herself most of the time.” Shining replied. Trixie gave a sigh

“After that it hit me hard at what she said just because she took pity on me. Then when I heard she went missing I thought she was really gone, and well that’s when me and you met Shining because we both shared something in common; that we were worried about Twilight and that gave you incentive to join the guard to find your sister.” Trixie stated. Then she realized something for a minute.

Then she looked toward Fire Seeker “Wait if you said you lived in Canterlot, then you should have been at the school I went to? How come I didn’t see you there in the first place?” Trixie questioned. Fire only chuckled

“Well there’s a very good reason for that, if that’s okay with the captain if I show why?” He said looking toward Shining.

“I guess it couldn’t hurt to show her.” Shining with a nod and Fire proceed to make his horn glow red like his coat. Then in a few seconds his horn burst into flames. Trixie jumped back a little from the display.

“Whoa, what the hay?” Trixie said looking at his horn with was still on fire.

“Well it’s a little talent I have.” He explained as he distinguished the flames.

“I can manipulate fire at will using it for all sorts of things like a literal fireball, or a fire shield if I can.” He explained

“But I’m not the only one, my older sister can control ice with her magic and my older brother can twist metal with his too.” He continued.

“So that the reason why I wasn’t at your school Trixie because I was being taught how to control my fire magic, and the same can be said for my sister too. My brother always did though have the most control over his so he ended up in a normal school.” He said rubbing his hoof on the back of his neck with a smile on his face.

Trixie still looked at him “Wow controlling an actual physical element and being in the guard no doubt.” Trixie said in amazement. There meeting was interrupted by a loud banging sound coming from the center of town

“Now what in Celestia was that about.” Shining said as they saw ponies panicking all over town. Seeker spotted a pony in the mist of the chaos a unicorn stallion.

The stallion had a steel gray coat with a black mane with silver streak running through it; with blue eyes and a cutie mark with bronze gears mashed together and a book on top of them. Apparently the stallion was chasing something or somepony for that matter and was very angry for that fact with his horn blasting at whatever he was chasing.

He recognized that stallion from anywhere.

“No way, that couldn’t be, could it?” Seeker said and took off running toward the pony. He ran past the chaos of ponies and joined the pony that was running.

“Mind if I join the chase?” He asked sarcastically at the pony which he recognized as Code Breaker AKA his big brother.