The Lost Lesson

by PFT

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Original Character, Apple Bloom, Big Macintosh, Princess Celestia, Main 6, Cheerilee
Length: 12852

The Elements of Harmony could be weakening... all due to their owners' treatment of one colt.

From 1005 until 1008, more than 2,000 griffons were imprisoned in Equestria due to rumors of conspiracy against Princess Celestia. Most "disappeared" during their imprisonment, and only 4 were released in 1008. Their leader, a griffon named Glyder, was the only one to be executed. Shortly before death, he made a prophesy. Referred to as "Glyder's Prophesy," many stallions and mares have puzzled over it for centuries.

What is it referring to? And will they be able to heed Glyder's warning before it is too late?

Image by me. Colt created using generalzoi's Pony Creator (on DeviantArt).
My Little Pony is copyright Hasbro.

Published 2011-11-07 03:15:28 UTC
Last updated 2012-01-12 02:27:09 UTC

Unique at Birth

The night of June 6, 1994 had proven to be a stormy one. The weather over Everfree Forest had gotten out of control, and the weather pegasi could do nothing about it. Instead, they encouraged ponies to get out of the town and surrounding areas.

On a farm not too far from Ponyville, a young colt looked up at the sky. He was about a month from being 6 years old.

“Something big’s a-happenin’ tonight.” He began to trot back to the house, passing several panicking ponies, running out of Ponyville. Rumor had it that the storm’s effects were already being felt in Ponyville already.

As he entered the house, he encountered his little sister. The little filly was trembling under the dining table. “Hey, sis.” The little filly looked up at her big brother. Smiling slightly, she came out from under the table. She was orange, unlike her brother, but she shared the same golden yellow hair.

“Hey Mac. Big storm, huh?”

“Eeyup. Apparently it’s being felt in Ponyville, and it’ll be in Fillydelphia by midnight. It’ll reach Manehattan not too long after, but it’ll be weak by the time it gets there.”

“What about Canterlot?”

“It might reach there, too.”
________________________________________

In Cloudsdale, a light blue Pegasus filly cradled her Wonderbolt doll as her mother tucked her in. “You okay, Dash?”

The filly nodded.

“How about your Wonderbolt?”

“Mom, it’s James! He’s not afraid of anything!” Rainbow Dash had recently gone to a Wonderbolts fan event. Though they hadn’t done any stunts, she had gotten to meet one. His name was… James… she couldn’t remember his last name. Not that this had bothered the young filly- he wasn’t bothered by her being where she wasn’t supposed to be, and instead gave her his address- he had to rush back home.

Sure enough, when Rainbow Dash wrote to him, he wrote back. She had gotten his message just that morning, and had stowed that under her pillow.
________________________________________

The storm did indeed reach Fillydelphia by midnight, but it stretched to Manehattan about 20 minutes later. The pregnant Unicorn bolted up. “He’s coming.” Quickly, she buzzed for the doctor.

Frank Stablehaus (pronounced Stablehouse) was born at 1:43, on June 7, 1994 in Manehattan Hospital.

When the doctors took him and began cleaning him, one noticed something… peculiar about his side. “Hey, Dom!”

“Yeah?” Dr. Dominic looked up from the paperwork he was filling out from Frank’s birth.

“Could’ya come here? I want to make sure I’m not dreaming.”

Dom got up. He had just put down that Frank was a Unicorn. As the other doctor pointed what she noticed, his eyes widened. “But that’s impossible…”
________________________________________

The note was sent from Dom himself. The assistant thought that waking up Princess Celestia was not a great idea, but it was what she had told her to do.

Celestia groggily walked out of her bedchamber. When she read the note, however, her eyes widened to the size of saucers. “For over 1000 years… and only the third ever…”

Frank was neither Unicorn nor Pegasus.

He was both.

Rainbooms and Rejections

“Ah. Mister Stablehaus. We have reviewed your application and chosen to decline.”
Frank blankly looked on. How fitting. Why did Mom think that they were going to let me in now, a year after they rejected me the first time?

And thus began the 1997 application marathon. The Manehattan Magic Academy had rejected him again. Not to worry- Celestia’s Magic School had offered him a try. Unfortunately, due to his Dad’s schedule, they would be there… tomorrow. The Elementary Flight School of Cloudsdale had rejected him again as well.
________________________________________

He peeked in at the applicant before him. She had just gone into Magic Overdrive when the Rainboom had occurred. Chaos ensued, and Frank's glasses turned purple. At least I'm not a cactus... he thought, glancing over at where Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle had been standing. Shortly after, Princess Celestia came out and undid all of the magic. Only then did Frank stop peeking through the door.
________________________________________

Frank's task was not to hatch a dragon, but to move as many items as he could at once. To do this, he asked to do so in the library, and the judges obliged. He passed several other colts and fillies who were enrolled, and several of them looked at him with a glint of curiosity. Some hid snickers under their breath, while others made no attempt to hide their amusement, laughing loudly at Frank. James was scowling. He had half a mind to tell the next one to shove their face into a couch.
Anna, however, hadn't said a thing. Nor did she let it known that it bothered her.

When they got to the library, they found Princess Celestia there, talking to Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle, who were still a little wary of applicants (even their own).

The judges looked embarrassed. "Sorry, Princess. We'll move elsewhere if you want us to."

"No, it's my fault. You're running the Movement Test, I presume?"

"Yes, we ran out of dragon's eggs with young Ms. Sparkle."

"Understandable." Turning to Frank, she asked, "And what is your name?"

Frank replied softly, "Frank Stablehaus."

Celestia looked pensive for a moment. "Stablehaus... Stablehaus...but they're a long established Maresland Pegasi family... is your father James?"

"Yes, your highness."

It was like a lightbulb went off in Celestia's head at that moment."Are your parents here?"

"Yes, Tia." Mrs. Stablehaus had been the one to reply. With a smile on her face.

"Anna? Is that really you? I forgot you had a son! And is he really...?"

"Yes."
________________________________________

As he took off, the remnants of the Rainboom were spread across the sky. He knew that his dad wanted him to search for the creator, as he thought that they might be a good fit for the Wonderbolts. Typical Dad. Frank had been to most of the Wonderbolts’ events since his birth… as his Dad knew them personally, and since no 2 events were ever the same, it never got boring.

The results were in. The judges had been impressed. He started there in a week. Celestia and Mrs. Stablehaus were still talking, reminiscing... of course, Celestia thought that Twilight Sparkle had more potential, and so she remained Celestia's assistant. No big problem for him, of course.

A few minutes later, he noticed a pale yellow filly with light pink hair trying to fly. He slowed down. “Hi there.”

The filly’s voice was quiet. “Hi.”

“Is something the matter?”

“I’m trying to get back to Cloudsdale, but I’m not a very good flier.”

“Do you need help?”

“That would be great.” Frank helped her up and began to fly next to her. She put a foreleg around his torso for support as they began to travel back. “By the way, I’m Fluttershy.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Frank.”

"It's nice to meet you too, Frank. Where are you going to school? I haven't seen you at Elementary Flight."

"Oh. They -uh- rejected me. Believe me, my dad was ticked off. He said, 'What makes him so different to other Pegasi? He just has a glorified bump on his head.' My mom smacked him for that."

"Wait. A glorified bump? Does that mean..." Her voice trailed off as her eyes trailed to the top of his head. "But how... There's only been Princess Celestia..."

"There's been 3- me, Princess Celestia, and Nightmare Moon. Though I am the first born in over 1000 years..."

"So how good are you at Flying? and Magic?"

"I'm good at both, I guess. Probably 'cause it runs in my blood."

"Well, I suppose that I should thank you, so... how 'bout I show you around the school?"

"Sure." Frank was smiling. "That would be lovely."
________________________________________

They were almost done when they came upon a filly being lifted by a multitude of her peers. "Hey Fluttershy! You'll never guess what I did!"

"You completed the Sonic Rainboom." Frank was cutting in, but his excitement was barely contained.

Rainbow Dash was puzzled."Who are you?"

"Frank Stablehaus. From Maresland."

Just then, a blue and purple colt cried out, "Freak!" Everyone turned to him. "He's got a unicorn's horn, but Pegasus wings!"

The group turned to complete laughter. Several were chanting "Frank the Freak! Frank the Freak!"

Head between hooves, and his tail drooping low, Frank left silently, as Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy looked on in semi-horror, semi-sadness. But neither said anything.

Reminiscing on Prophesies

"Well, considering your impressive heritage, experience, and abilities, I don't see why Elementary Flight Cloudsdale rejected you."

It was September 1999, and the sun was setting, turning the clouds into the same impressive reds, yellows, and oranges as the leaves of the trees below. Frank was meeting with a recruiter from the Advanced Flight Academy. It had been over 2 years since the day that the Rainboom was completed... and no one had completed it since. Even his dad had tried to complete it, and he had injured himself in October '97.

"And from what our inspectors told us, you scored 94 on your flight test, and 95 on your theory test." The recruiter leaned forward. "You did better than most of this year's incoming class. And they're 2 or 3 years older, and finished Elementary Flight. Why are you different?"

"My parents both taught me. My dad would be up in the air with me, my mom below. Even if my dad couldn't catch me, my mom could- she used magic to create a shield under me. I never feared the ground, whereas many of my peers did."

"How have you been improving recently? I mean, I heard that your father got injured about 2 years ago." It was true. James Stablehaus nearly completed the Rainboom, but a crosswind caused him to spin out of control.
________________________________________

1997

"An investigation is ongoing into why these crosswinds are occurring."

"Today, James Stablehaus was injured in an attempt to recreate the Rainboom. Reports say that he nearly had it, but the crosswinds spun him out of control. It is also claimed that James will not be flying again for a good long time, if he ever does again..."

"Air traffic has been ordered to slow down as the crosswinds worsen..."

"Frank..."

"Today, Spitfire was announced to be the third Wonderbolt for the 1998 season, following the sudden end of the former captain's career. Soarin' was announced as the new Captain. When asked to comment, both declined."

"Ma'am, he's been in a serious accident." Mom hadn't looked so scared in her life. All the color in her normally light purple face drained out. Tears stained her cheeks, the only places where she looked roughly normal."It's probable that he may not make it through the night. Maybe he won't fly again. But they say that there's only a 2% chance that he'll fly again..."

Make it stop. Please.

"Stablehaus!" Frank fell off of his chair in front of the class. His wings stopped him from hitting the floor. He looked up to see the angry face of the teacher looking at him from the front desk. "I've had it! You think that you're just entitled to be here?"

"No, sir. Not at all, sir."

"Well, get out." Frank started to leave. "No, no. Take your books. I'm never teaching you! NEVER! Your Mother was one problem, but then she married a Pegasus! AND CREATED YOU!"

Frank's face, normally a calm light blue, had turned a grotesque shade of red. "My mother is a greater unicorn than you will ever be! EVER!"

The teacher's face got redder and redder, until it matched Frank's. "How dare you! Get out!" And he bucked Frank right through the door. He then continued on with his lesson, 29 trembling colts and fillies remaining in the room.

The teacher across the hall saw him fly through the door. She was a theory teacher- being an earth pony, she had no magic. When she got out, she gasped. He lay, unconscious, motionless, and badly gashed. Quickly, she brought her students out, and after having them magic him onto a rolling desk, she and several of her students wheeled her to the front office. "Miss Cheerilee, do you know who this colt is?" Asked one of the students.

"No I don't."
________________________________________

The knocking came at the office door. Princess Celestia, being there, opened the door. In came a breathless Cheerilee, wheeling an unconscious student in. "Is something the matter..." her voice trailed off as she noticed the student on the table. "What the... Whose class was he in?"

"Griffith. Theory 202."

The Princess' face contorted into a snarl. "I will personally kill him. I WILL KILL HIM!"

At that moment, Frank began to stir. "Where am I?"

Cheerilee responded. "Safe."

Frank looked around, grasping what he was seeing. "I'm in the office. I blew it."

"Frank..." Celestia looked over the colt with a slight tint of anger in her eyes. Not towards him, but towards Griffith.

"I knew I shouldn't, but I lost it with Griffith... he insulted my mother... after I lost track of time... and then, he bucked me... The door..." Frank's eyes suddenly crossed and he began to spout gibberish.

Celestia looked down in horror. The first signs of Dementia... "Guards! Get him to the hospital! And you two! Come with me! I have a stallion to arrest!"
________________________________________

"I would really prefer not to talk about that, If it's okay with you."

"Of course. That's very common to not want to answer a question or two. Now, let's see... They expect you to graduate from Magic School... 2 years early?"

"Yes. I tested out a good deal of the curriculum in late '97. Possibly for the better- my horn was never the same."
________________________________________

November 1997

"In again, Frank?" asked Princess Celestia of the light blue colt in front of her.

"I couldn't focus. Miss Cheerilee's a good teacher, but I just am having trouble concentrating. Is that normal?"

"Usually, no. But given what's happened to you in the last month, it's not."

"Did I... go mad that day?"

"Only temporarily." Celestia looked beyond Frank, to where a small portrait of she and Luna was. The portrait was painted in 990, as stated by a small bronze plaque under the portrait. "Good stallions and mares have been drawn to the absolute brink by a multitude of things. Even my sister. Our parents died in 996. She became depressed and soon contracted Melancholia. It eventually worsened into Dementia."

"What are those?"

"Melancholia is when somepony is so sad that they get sick. Dementia is when a pony goes mad for one reason or another. In Luna's case, she had nopony to turn to. I was never there for her. Hardly anypony was awake at night, and she needed to see joy in her life."

"What happened?"

"She weakened. Her inner evil- we all have it in us- overpowered her, and transformed her into Nightmare Moon." Celestia sighed. "Sometimes, I wish I could have gone back and stopped it all. It would've saved me a lot of grief, and a lot of work. But it also meant that I've missed having that younger sibling." She turned to look out the window, over the golden rows of wheat and Farmponies harvesting. "In 5 years, the cosmos will align, freeing her. She will most likely break free as Nightmare Moon, and it will take the combined force of the Elements of Harmony to free Luna."

"But, why are you telling me this? Do I have some role to play?"

"No. You will not be one of the bearers. The 6 have already been chosen. There is a related prophesy. 'In the early days of 21, the Elements will dull. The Lost Lesson must be retaught to the 6, or Equestria falls forever.' I want you to be on the lookout for them, and hopefully, the teacher."

"I see." The admissions officer shifted in his seat. "Well, given your impressive abilities, I have no choice but to offer you a position at our school. But are you sure that you can do it?"

"I will have very few times that I will have to be at the Magic Academy over the next couple of years, so it shouldn't be too hard."

Apple Encounter

The hot summer sun beat down as the lone colt trudged along the path from Canterlot. Of course, I HAD to put it off to today. I should've gone yesterday, it was only 95...

The thermometer had read 94 as he stepped into the early morning sun. By now, it was about 100, and stood a chance to be 105 easily by the time he reached his destination. The path ran through a forest, which although usually overflowing with little woodland creatures, seemed as still as the winter tundra. Not even a solitary tiny breeze blew through the forest.

He would have waited another day, but the Magic Academy was nearly out. So they had sent him urgently to their supplier. They were already nearly overdue on their next shipment, and he was going to have to sweet-talk them into getting them done a little early. Frank hated it. He'd never been good at trying to talk people into doing something. He was either too quiet, or too hyper. Luckily, or maybe unluckily for him, Princess Celestia was going to be working with him and a hooffull of other students on doing so.

The school's supplier was the only farm large enough to produce Apples in the quantity needed- within a half day journey for a Unicorn. Had he been able to fly... He'd have been a LOT cooler and faster. But as of yet... he was pulling an old apple-wagon. Rumor had it that it was a usual test to make the ponies do menial tasks to facilitate problem solving at the Academy... many of the tasks could be solved by magic, they said...

Frank looked up at his horn. Ever since the incident, it had been hard to do even the smallest magic tasks. Not that he held a grudge against Griffith- he had been suffering from Dementia for a while before, and he hadn't thought straight for a while. His mind had given out shortly after, and he was currently in Canterlot Mental Hospital, where he would most likely spend the rest of his life.

The woods suddenly cleared and he saw a sign that read: PONYVILLE 8 (SWEET APPLE ACRES- NEXT RIGHT).

"Finally," sighed Frank. "I can get this off my back." The farm was huge- the apple orchards sprawled from the treeline of the forest for about a mile or so until he reached the turn. The farmhouse was just there, where a resting red stallion sat on the porch, gulping down a glass of cold apple cider. Next to him was a small, energetic filly, yellow with red hair and a pink bow. She couldn't have been much over a year old.

The small filly noticed him first. "Hey, Mac! There's somepony here!" She already had developed a southern accent.

The large red stallion set down his apple cider and came off the porch. "Howdy there. Name's Big Macintosh. Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres."

"Hey. Name's Frank Stablehaus. I've come from Canterlot."

"Canterlot, eh? Why ya travellin' so far?"

"We've run out of apples. Well, nearly. But our shipment's due in 2 days. We were kinda hopin' to get it maybe a bit early?"

Big Macintosh looked apprehensive for a minute."We are a little behind on the pickin' of dem apples... We've got about half of them ready to ship. Almost."

"Well, I could help you." Wait, did I just volunteer? Shoot. I'm supposed to be back tonight...if I can...

"Yah sure? I mean, we wouldn't be able to start until later. It's too hot. Most of our workers were forced to stay home due to the heat. By Granny Smith's orders." Big Macintosh's eyes darted around for a second, then he whispered, "Sometimes I think she wasn't exactly cut out for runnin' a farm. I mean, she's nice an' all, but she's a little soft."

"I'm sure. It shouldn't take too long, right?"

"Only 3 or 4 days. So, yeah, we might be late."

"What are yeh talkin' 'bout?" The little yellow ball of energy showed up, jumping between the 2.

"Oh yeah. Frank, this is Applebloom. Newest addition to the Apple clan. Turned 1 'bout 2 months ago."

"Hi!"

Frank chuckled. "She's a handful, isn't she?"

"Absolutely. But worth every minute of it." He said, mussing her hair affectionately. "Applebloom, this is Frank. He's here to get the apple shipment to the Magic School."

Applebloom started bouncing up and down."You go there? Does that mean you can do magic? Can you please do some? Please? Please? Please?"

Frank shrugged. "Sure." And he started by looking at a tree, then he grimaced as the magic began to flow through his horn. Sparks flew out as it did so, but sure enough, he had plucked every apple off of that tree. He then found an empty bucket, but he physically pulled it over (which puzzled Big Macintosh- Rarity had no trouble doing multiple different-sized objects) before gently setting the apples in the bucket.

As he turned back to them, his horn was still sparking. This worried Big Macintosh, but not Applebloom, whose jaw still hung open in amazement. Knowing what Big MacIntosh was going to say, Frank answered. "I had an accident about 2 years ago. It makes it harder for me to do magic now, but it is possible to go around that. Not easily, though."
________________________________________

Naturally, Big Macintosh invited Frank to stay for lunch and use the guest bedroom until they were done. Frank graciously accepted, but quickly flew into town to use the library. Rumor had it that there was a healing potion or spell that could help repair Frank's horn.

The library was dark, cold, and messy. Stacks of books littered the floor as Frank meandered through. The floorboards creaked and groaned under his hooves, and Frank was sure that the floor was going to break under him. So he quickly used a spell of his mother's discovery to find what he was looking for, and the book floated down gently to him. Unicorn Horn Medicine. 1938. Trottingham. Perfect.
________________________________________

Frank got back a little late, apologized, put the book in his room, and went out to help in the fields.

Author's Note: Please comment on how I can improve or what I'm doing right! 0.5 stars is a little embarrassing, even if it is from only 1 person!

Leaving Canterlot for Ponyville

A lone spider crawled across the dark, metallic floor of the locker. A few old crumpled up pieces of paper sat in one corner, and an old Wonderbolts flyer hung at the back, carefully laminated to prevent it from falling apart. The colors remained as vivid as the day that he had first made that. Sure, he’d made more since that one, since it was for the 2000 season, but he felt the greatest pride with this one. Carefully, he set it in his binder, in a special folder.

Frank looked at what remained in his locker. It had been his since shortly after he had started attending school. Normally, he wouldn’t have had a locker for this long, but since he had been placed in Celestia’s care before he got it… they saw no reason for him to have to give it up. This was common for students placed in his position. Though it was quite tiring to get to these lockers, it was well worth it. Not only was it safe and secure, but it also had a great view of Canterlot and the hills around. Plus, there was usually a tray of assorted baked goodies, piping hot right out of the oven in the mornings, and there was usually a pitcher of Apple Cider and a large container of Hot Chocolate along with the treats. And just like any other morning, it stood there.

Frank picked up the crumpled pieces of paper, and then tossed them into the recycling bin next to him. When he closed the locker, he was surprised to find Cheerilee there. “Hi! What brings you up here?”

“Not much… a little birdie told me that you’re graduating.”

“Hmm. That wouldn’t happen to be a certain Applebloom, would it?”

“Well, there’s that, and the fact that I still talk to my former employer.” Cheerilee was sent to Ponyville in 2002, a smaller town of maybe 2,000 ponies, where she taught at the local grade school.

“How is Ponyville?”

“Well, it does make a change from Canterlot. It’s much smaller and quieter.”

“I’ll have to come visit someday.”

“That you will. How’re you doing?”

“Well, the horn’s still broken, and I don’t have my mark yet, but otherwise, good.”

The graduation went on without a problem. Frank had been chosen as Valedictorian, and he had made a short speech on his time at Magic School. Granted, he was graduating in 6 years, 2 years less than most of his class, so it was to be expected.

After the ceremony, the graduates went to their respective rooms to pick their stuff up and head to their next stop in life. Not Frank, however. He and the other graduates in Celestia’s care were going to head back up to the room, where they would have their own party together.

The pony in charge of this was Cheerilee. She’d gone all the way with this party, from hanging the streamers and balloons, to putting together an embarrassing slide show of the group, and even to getting Ponyville’s local bakery, Sugarcube Corner, to provide food for the event.

In one corner, the Apples (minus Applejack) were meeting the Stablehauses for the first time. They were definitely enjoying their conversation. Big Macintosh had even had to leave for a short period as he just couldn’t stop laughing. In another was Celestia talking with Cheerilee, but it looked like they were having a serious conversation, as Cheerilee’s normal smile had become a concentrated frown, and Celestia And in a third, was Applebloom, getting bigger and bigger. Wait… she’s not getting bigger. She’s getting closer. And… she’s heading right for me.

Applebloom had gone straight for the legs, hoping to tackle him. Frank, on the other hand, knew of this tactic, and instead, dropped suddenly. Applebloom ended up sprawled on his back. “How’d ya know I was doin’ that?”

“Unoriginality on your part,” replied Frank.

“Drat.” Applebloom, now 4, was still as rambunctious as the day Frank had met her. “Yeh figure out what yer gonna do, now that yer outta school?”

Frank paused for a minute. “I’m going to see Equestria. I’ll go from Manehattan’s skyscrapers to the Whitetail Woods, and then, when I’m done, I’m going to go to the Moon and meet the Mare in the Moon. Then, maybe if there’s time, I’ll come back and write about everything I did.”

Applebloom’s eyes lit up. “Really? That’s so cool! But how are yeh gonna get to the Moon?”

“I’m not sure yet. To be honest, I’m not even fully sure what’s going to happen.”

Yet, two weeks later, Frank had decided to see Ponyville, like Cheerilee had suggested. Part of this was from his idea to see Equestria, but it was mostly because he was still searching for the full cure to his broken horn. Yes, the book had remedies to make using magic less painful, but his problem was that his magic had weakened since the accident. If he could get it to work by using the normal passages without any problems again, then he’d be back to his normal self.

As he entered Ponyville, Frank had the strange feeling that he was being watched by a good number of them. But, he kept on trotting, past the crowds in the square. He knew that they’d probably be talking about the strange colt magically drawing a large suitcase. And he knew that they’d talk about how his horn was shooting sparks as he entered.
Unknown to him, a stall in the square was manned by a familiar face. “Well, well, well. Looks like somepony’s back, an’ I presume fer an extended visit.”

Frank had gone to the local real estate agent, and he was looking to buy a place near the square. Luckily for him, one of the lots on the main square had been vacant for over a year, and the place was going to need to be torn down in the near future. And due to its disrepair (and the negative effect on local land values), the agent was willing to sell it cheaply. Without hesitating, Frank bought it, and the agent handed over the keys to the property.

Upon entering the house, Frank found it unlivable. Sure, the front façade was in good shape, but when the stairway is a waterfall, carting plaster, wood and dirt down to the basement… you’ve got problems. It’s even worse when the roof is an open-air skylight.

He exited the house, shutting the door gently behind himself. At the bottom of the steps leading from the house stood Big Macintosh. Behind him was a cart, and it held the stand, several empty barrels, and a barrel of unsold apples. Also sitting in the back was Applebloom, who was curled up and happily napping. Frank guessed that it had been a long day for her, even though the sun still stood reasonably high in the sky.

“When were ya plannin’ on tellin’ us you was comin’ back to Ponyville?”

Frank, smiling, replied, “It was a bit of an off-the-hoof decision. Yeah, I was planning on finding a house somewhere and living there for a bit, but then I found…” Frank looked back at the house with a grimace on his face. He’d just spent half of his life savings on a plot of land in a good location, but with a dangerous structure that had to be torn down faster than anyone realized. And it left a sour taste in his mouth. “…this.”

Big Macintosh was surprised. “You bought this place?”

“Yeah. I thought that it would be livable, but I guess I’m wrong on that.”

“Where are ya stayin’ ‘till ya gotta place to stay?”

“I’ll probably camp out near Whitetail Woods.”

“Do you realize how long something like this takes?” Frank shook his head, causing Big Macintosh to nearly swallow the straw hanging from his mouth. “You could easily spend months! At least a week just to tear down the structure, and another just to get the debris out of Ponyville!” Big Macintosh shook his head. “C’mon. We can get you a place to stay until you can move into your own place."

Lunch

The tree swayed violently, dropping its load of ripened Summer Crop Apples into the buckets placed around it.

“Not bad.”

“Thank you.” Frank bowed, albeit jokingly. He had decided to help with the applebucking, as a way to thank the Apple family. Even though Granny Smith and Applejack had not been pleased with the idea, Granny Smith decided to let him help some (after all, he did offer).

Trying to buck the tree next to his was Applebloom. Though she had perfect bucking form, not one single apple fell. But that didn’t stop her. She repeated her form quickly. Big Macintosh rushed over and stopped her. “Whoa, Applebloom. You’re still probably too small to knock any off.”

Applebloom sighed. “Yeah. Still too small.”

“Hmmm… I wonder…” Big Macintosh looked at Applebloom, then looked towards the other end of the field. “I don’t think she’d mind…” He muttered to himself.

“Who?”

“Y’know, when Applejack was your age, she had a treehouse. I think it’s mostly damaged, though.”

Applebloom started bouncing around again. “Maybe we can repair it!”

“That’s for Frank to decide, I have to buck these trees, and I’m too big for that old tree. And Applejack’s in town… again. For the entire day.”

Frank knew that Applebloom would beg and grovel for him to help, even if he said no. Not that he really minded. “Sure. But we’re gonna need a lot of lumber.”

“Right next to the treehouse.”

“Business is really slow right now. I mean, it’s the dead middle of summer, and nopony can even think of going outside, let alone think of wearing clothing!”

Applejack nodded. “By the way, where’s Pinkie?”

“She couldn’t come. Sugarcube Corner is packed with ponies wanting Ice Cream. They’ve been at it almost non-stop since breakfast.”

“Hmm.” Applejack looked down at the salad that she was preparing. Needs more Tomatoes.

Rarity turned towards Applejack. “You’re awfully quiet today. Something bothering you?” She looked out the window towards Sugarcube Corner… there was an awful lot of dust there. “And when are they going to be done there? I heard that somepony bought it and is tearing it down to build something new there.”

“A house,” muttered Applejack softly, “a house.”

Rarity nearly dropped the pie she was carrying. “How do you know this, exactly?”

“I know who bought it. And he’s at Sweet Apple Acres until it’s done.”

“You make him sound like a terrible pony.”

“It’s Stablehaus.”

Rarity’s face contorted into a frown. “Oh.” Applejack had told her all about him. And from what she heard, she didn't want to meet the colt.

Applebloom carried the toolbox in her mouth. It was small, red, and rather light.

Frank, meanwhile, was underneath the treehouse, examining the beams and floorboards of the old structure. While doing this, his horn was sparkling like a fire, as he was casting a shield to make sure that he didn’t get injured. As he heard Applebloom approach, he called out “Don’t come under here! I’m not sure if it’s safe!”

Applebloom set the toolbox down a good distance away from the structure, and she stood next to it, waiting as patiently as she could. However, patience wasn’t her strong point, and Frank knew this. “All right,” he stopped casting the spell as he walked out from under it, “The beams are in good shape, but the floor was too thin in the first place, and it probably couldn’t have held me up, even when it was new.”

“So we’re gonna make a thicker floor?”
Frank grinned. “We’re gonna make a floor so strong that it could hold even Big Macintosh up. And also maybe add a couple more columns around the tree, to make sure it’ll be around.for a good, long time.”

“And what can I do?” Applebloom was eager to help in any way that she could.

“Could you go get us something to drink?”

Applebloom was slightly disappointed at the nature of the job, but she happily bounded off towards the Farmhouse.

Frank laughed. Then he climbed the staircase carefully, and entered the treehouse, making sure to gently step where a beam was. A small magic spell later, and all the floorboards had been turned to dirt, leaving the outer walls, roof, and basic structure intact. He flew out shortly after that.

A knocking came from the door. “It’s open!” shouted Rarity. In walked Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.

“Hey!” shouted Rainbow Dash.

“Hay is what we eat, Rainbow. It is not a proper greeting.”

“So?”

Rarity facehoofed and was about to begin a long lecture about how she'd told her over and over. Applejack laughed nervously and stepped between them. “Why don’t we go eat? Ah bet you guys are hungry!”

“Yeah! Let’s eat!” Rainbow Dash sat down. Rarity sat across from her, and Fluttershy and Applejack sat between the pair. “I hear there’s a new colt in town. Any of you heard?” While Fluttershy shook her head, Applejack and Rarity looked at each other and then nodded. “You do? Is he cute?”

“Rainbow, you’ve asked that about every guy who shows up in town. And it’s usually been me you’ve asked!”

“That’s because they’re usually making a beeline for Carousel Boutique!”

Rarity was about to respond, but she realized just how true that statement was. Applejack, sensing that Rarity was uncomfortable, responded on her behalf. “True, but he made a bee-line straight fer Sweet Apple Acres.”

“So you know him? Where’d he live and go to school?”

“Maresland, went to Cloudsdale and Canterlot.”

Fluttershy’s eyes grew wide, and she nearly spit out the bite of salad that she had taken. But she swallowed it before speaking. “Is he an Alicorn?”

“Yeah, why?”

“His name’s Stablehaus, isn't it?”

“Yeah… that’s right… say, Fluttershy, how do ya know him?”

“He helped me get back up to Cloudsdale once.”

“And how did you thank him?” Rarity asked, suddenly showing interest in the direction the conversation had gone.

“I took him on a tour of the school…” Fluttershy’s voice trailed off, and she hoped that Rarity wouldn’t think that she was omitting something.

“Unconventional, I suppose. But then what? Your voice trailed off at the end.” Yes, Rarity had noticed that Fluttershy was hiding something.

Fluttershy’s mind went into overdrive as she desperately searched for an excuse to leave. “I… um… I’m going to say hi.” And she quickly stood up and started trotting toward the door.

“Fluttershy, darling.” Rarity had risen up too, and had quickly stopped Fluttershy from exiting. “There’s something you’re not telling us.”

Fluttershy stood there quietly, unwilling to speak. The silence grew, and eventually, Rainbow Dash couldn’t take it anymore. “We just watched as he was laughed off campus!”

Rarity was so surprised that she failed to notice that Fluttershy had secretly snuck out. When she did, all she saw was a light yellow and pink streak leaving Ponyville.

A/N: Please Comment! I would REALLY like to know what you think so far!

Thanksgiving in Ponyville

The Summer had flown by faster than she’d realized, and she’d still not talked to Frank.

“Darling, it’s been 6 years since you last talked to him.”

“Honey, he’s gone. This ain’t Baseball, no 3 strikes an’ yer out. If yer lucky, ya get 2. An’ you’re already there.”

“You let them laugh him out of Cloudsdale. I mean, no proper mare gives him a tour of a school! The thing to do would have been to give him a small kiss on the cheek.”

“Rarity, she was 3. Ya wouldn’t have done that till ya was 8.”

“Well, I WOULD have done that at that age, if the need had ever arisen!”

Fluttershy instinctively covered her ears, but then quickly realized that, since they were in her head, doing that actually made them louder.

She trotted over to the window, where she saw the animals laying out a feast for themselves. Any pony who was served what the animals had laid out would inwardly chuckle at how quaint it was. It was touching to Fluttershy, however, and for many, it was going to be their last meal before hibernation.

Oh, how she wished to be there, and not going to Pinkie Pie’s Thanksgiving party. She didn’t exactly want to see Rarity and Applejack at the moment. They already are inside my head, so they’re still with me, right? She knew, though, that it wasn’t a good enough excuse.

Frank wrapped the scarf around his neck again as he trudged through the breezy square. The first snow of the season had come already, and though it was only an inch deep, it had made the country roads muddy and the town icy. Only one other pony dared venture out, and she was pink and (Frank expected) sugar-powered. She was dealing with the square in front of Sugarcube Corner. A messy combination of salt and shoveling, and though the area in front of her looked impeccable, her mane, though usually messy, was another story. But she ran inside just as quickly as she had come out.
Frank chuckled, then resolved to fly carefully over the roads.

“But, Granny Smith… he’s not family.” Applejack was in the kitchen, pleading with Granny Smith to not let Frank spend Thanksgiving Day at Sweet Apple Acres.

“Applejack, yer not even goin’ to be here for half of it.”

“And how does this relate to Frank, exactly?”

“Applejack, Ah’ve told ya several times, we don’t take back invitations, save fer illness.”

“Perfect. Then we’re all sick!”

“Applejack Apple, I thought I raised ya better than that. We don’t lie. It just ain’t in our blood, honey.”

“Why can’t he spend it with his parents?”

“His dad’s currently travelling to the big Hoofball game in Canterlot, his mom’s currently off with the Princess, helping feed folks in Appleoosa. Apparently someone underpacked and the group ain’t on good terms with the buffalo.”

Applejack, knowing that she wasn’t going to sway Granny Smith, stormed up to her room.

“Um… hi.”

Applejack turned around to see Frank walking out from the house. Not the pony that she wanted to see now. “Howdy.”
“How’s the season going?”

“Terrific.” The lone word of that reply was laced with bitter sarcasm. Applejack’s tactic for dealing with Frank was to try to speak with him as little as possible. It had worked only to stop him from talking to her much, but it hadn’t stopped him from coming back each summer since they were 5.

Applebloom bounded out of the house. Still as energetic as ever. “Hey Applejack! Frank an’ I are goin’ to see if we can find my cutie mark! You wanna come along?”

Applejack scoffed at the then 3 year-old. “I have better things to do than spend the day with the two of you!”

“Okay then!” Applebloom seemed unfazed by her sister’s lack of interest in what they were doing.

Frank felt out of place walking up to the Sweet Apple Acres Farmhouse. Sure, Big Macintosh and Applebloom were his friends, but he’d never spent Thanksgiving with anyone other than his parents and family friends. There’s always going to be firsts, I guess.

He was beaten to the door by Applebloom, who was ecstatic to see him. Shortly after came Big Macintosh and Applejack. Big Macintosh was nearly as happy as Applebloom, but Applejack was clearly forcing a smile. Frank ignored this and continued on, following Applebloom and Big Macintosh in.

Dinner had been quite an event. Nearly any item that could be made using apples was there, as was a good number of the extended Apple Family.

But that hadn’t been the highlight of Frank’s day. Not content to just watch the Hoofball game in Canterlot, the stallions and colts went out for their own game, which Applejack took as an opportunity to slip out for Pinkie Pie’s party. Normally the captains had been Braeburn and Red Delicious, but Braeburn was currently in Appleoosa, so Big Macintosh stepped in for him. Big Macintosh selected him with his 1st pick of the new players, much to the surprise of most watching. Braeburn/Big Macintosh’s team hadn’t won since Christmas 1997, when Big Macintosh had intercepted a pass from Red Delicious and ran it back up the field for a touchdown.

Frank started off poorly, dropping 2 of his 3 passes and missing a pair of easy tackles. In fact, nopony on the team was doing well, and they were down 14-0 entering the second quarter. Frank would finally start to perform, and prevented a Red Delicious touchdown with an interception to end the half. They were still down 21-10 at the end of the first half, but Frank’s interception had added a spark of life to the team.

They started the 3rd quarter off with the ball, but they couldn’t quite reach the end zone. 21-13. Neither could Red Delicious, and it was 24-13 late in the 3rd quarter. Just before the 3rd quarter was over, Big Macintosh sent a pass into what looked like open field. But out of nowhere came Frank, who was sprinting. He caught it and easily outran the defenders. 24-20.

Leading by only 4, Red Delicious led his team close to the end zone early in the 4th quarter, but was stopped not 2 feet from the goal line. They took the field goal. Big Macintosh had similar problems at their end of the field, and also settled for a field goal. 27-23. With 15 seconds left, Red Delicious held the ball on the midfield line. It was 4th down, and they needed to move the ball only 4 yards for the first down.

The ball was snapped, and Red Delicious took a few steps back. From the sides came Big Macintosh and Frank. 14.13.12.
Red Delicious chuckled to himself. There would be no problem avoiding Frank… 11… But he had missed Big Macintosh coming from the opposite side, which he would find out shortly. 10.

Big Macintosh made contact with Red Delicious, knocking the ball out of his hooves. Fumble! 9.
The ball bounced quietly in front of Red Delicious, just as the first receiver turned around. “Fumble!” Red Delicious’s team tried to turn around, but the stallions closest to the fumble did not hear. 8. 7.

Frank picked up the ball as Red Delicious hit the ground. 6. And they began to run. 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… 0. Frank crossed the goal line for the Touchdown. Shortly after, he found himself on the shoulders of several of his teammates, who were celebrating. They had won for the first time in nearly 6 years. 30-27.

Frank was flying home, the game having been over for several hours. As he flew, his thoughts kept going back to the game, and especially the last 15 seconds. It’s a shame Applejack missed it, He couldn’t help but think. Big Mac led them to the victory. She should have been there, celebrating with him.

As he flew through Ponyville Square, he passed by Sugarcube Corner, and noticed the party on the second floor. He flew over to the center window and watched. Several fillies and colts were in there, and he peered on in. Yes, the Apples were friendly, and he honestly loved being with them, but… few were his age, and those few weren’t there. Applebloom was still too young to know what being that age was, and Big Macintosh had passed that age a while ago.

As he watched, he noticed Fluttershy walk by while looking that way. She continued on momentarily, and he ducked his head below the window. For a minute, Frank stayed like this, then he poked his head above the ledge again… right into Fluttershy’s view. Embarrassed, the 2 just stood there, until it looked like Fluttershy was going to tell someone else that he was there.

Then, panicking, Frank leapt off the roof and flew away as quickly as he could.

Fluttershy wasn’t about to get someone, she was about to go to the door and join him, but she was shocked when he left. Suddenly, a bright flash of light filled the room as several of the windows in the room seemed to explode. The Unicorns in the room quickly shielded the rest of the room from the shards, casting a spell to turn them into sand.

They all looked at Rainbow Dash, searching for an explanation. She herself was lost for words, knowing what it was, but not who or what.

Watching the Rainboom spread over the countryside, Fluttershy looked on, a mixture of shock and happiness washing over her.

Author's Note: Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

The Gears are Set in Motion

Fluttershy looked at her reflection in the mirror. Back at her stared a mare not satisfied with herself. She’d made excuses for far too long, and she was going to talk to him TODAY, even if it killed her. Sure, it would annoy the heck out of Rarity and Applejack, but they would get over it. Plus, she’d had enough of hearing them complain about him almost non-stop, and her conscience was tearing her apart- partially for not leaving when they turned the conversation in that direction, but more for having continued to make excuses as to why NOT to see him.

The chilly January air swirled around Fluttershy as she stepped out of her house. Stifling a shiver, she started towards Ponyville. It wasn’t too long before she passed by the frozen pond, where Pinkie Pie was skating. Klutzy on land, Pinkie seemed to be best out of her element, whether that was the sky or on ice, a fact that never ceased to puzzle all those that knew her.

Pinkie jumped, pulling off a triple pirouette with a backflip perfectly. Then, she skated towards Fluttershy. “Hey! You wanna join in?”

“No thanks, Pinkie. I’m going into town.”

“What for?”

“I’m going to see if someone’s in town, at home…” Her voice trailed off momentarily, as she second-guessed herself again.

“Is it a colt? Maybe who lives across from my place? And who has a huge house but lives all by his lonesome and is complained about by Rarity and Applejack and is best buds with Big Macintosh and just left yest-”

“Slow down, Pinkie.” Fluttershy uncharacteristically stopped Pinkie Pie in the middle of her tirade. “Do you know where your neighbor is?”

“I was just in the middle to telling you that, silly filly. He left yesterday morning.”

Fluttershy facehoofed. Of all the times for you to work up the courage, Fluttershy, you do it too late. “Do you know when he’ll be back?”

“There was a note on his door which said that he may not be back for a while.”

Inwardly, Fluttershy was angry, but none of her inward expressions came out, and she calmly thanked Pinkie Pie before walking back to her cottage.

Applebloom sat quietly in her treehouse, reading the stack of books that she had borrowed from Frank the day before, just before he had left. He claimed that he had read most of them when he was her age, and Applebloom decided that she probably wouldn’t have anything better to do. Same with Big Macintosh.

Applebloom looked over at her big brother, and she was surprised to see that he was pale and sweating. She couldn’t see just what he was reading, but he was really getting into his book. Then, nearly screaming, he threw the book across the room, and it hit the wall with a small ‘thud!’

Applebloom turned to her brother. “What was it?”

“It’s called Cupcakes.”

“That don’t sound like it should scare ya.”

“I know. But the main character is a crazy baker who takes ponies, cuts off their cutie marks, an’ then turns them into cupcakes! An’ she made a coat of their cutie marks! I’m gonna have nightmares for WEEKS!”

“Does she do that to her friends?”

“Eeyup… though they don’t suspect anything until she tries to do it to one of her friends- because why would such an innocent, happy filly do that?”

Innocent, happy… Baker? That sounds like… “Pinkie Pie? Why does that sound like her?”

“Ah don’t hear anythin’.”

“No, no. I mean, the character. Look at Pinkie! She’s happy, innocent, and she’s a baker.”

“But she’s not psychotic. An’ the book’s only fiction… it’s fake.” He glanced around before speaking again. “An’ don’t go repeatin’ that. You know what AJ’d do.”

“Ah don’t remember the last time that ya could climb into the treehouse, Big Macintosh.” Applebloom and Big Macintosh turned to face the speaker. There stood Applejack. “An’ ah don’t remember lettin’ ya come up here again.”

“We had it fixed up so’s Applebloom had a place to play. An’ if ya want to play the ownership game, AJ, ya’d best remember that the treehouse was mine, even when ya were Applebloom’s age.”

Applejack HATED it when Big Macintosh managed to outwit her. There was a reason why Granny Smith trusted him with the farm’s management more than her. “Who’d ya have fix it up?”

“Does that really matter? Ah mean, when was the last time you actually went into the treehouse?”

Applejack, sensing that the battle was lost, ran out.

“Naturally, darling, it means that they had Frank fix it.”

It was the friends’ dinner night at Sugarcube Corner. Normally, it was held at Rarity’s house, but an unfortunate incident involving Opalescence, a wind-up mouse, and a bucket of paint had led Rarity to cancel it, or at least, until Pinkie Pie offered to hold it at her place.

Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie rolled their eyes. For months, the 2 had talked non-stop about Frank, mostly complaining about him; and so their patience for the topic was nearly as thin as Fluttershy’s.

“Yeah, but he’s got himself embedded in the Apple family now.”

“He has?”

“He was at Thanksgivin’, remember? Well, Big Mac became captain of Braeburn’s team, and he picked Frank- with permission from Red Delicious, of course- and Frank was instrumental in helpin’ the team win for the first time in almost 6 years.”

“It’s not all due to one-” Rainbow Dash tried to chip in, maybe getting Applejack off of this conversation trail. But it was to no avail.

“Well, Applejack, they did agree.”

“Ah know! But he’s not an Apple, an’ he will never be an Apple! Neither blood nor adoption will make him an Apple! But yet most of ma family loves him an’ wants him to join in the family events!”

“What’s his last name?” whispered Rainbow Dash to Fluttershy.

“Stablehaus.”

Rainbow Dash looked pensive for a moment… “Do you know what his dad’s name is?”

“I don’t-”

They were interrupted by Applejack slamming a hoof on the table, making everypony’s drink jump into the air and spill.

“Ah’m tellin’ ya, Rarity, I don’t care if Big Macintosh or the rest of my family wants him, he is mingling too much in Apple affairs!”

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash both saw red at this point, both for different reasons- but it would be Rainbow Dash who joined in first. “He helped your Brother win at Hoofball! Can’t you be happy for your brother instead of grumbling about HOW he won?”

“Well-”

Fluttershy added, “He has helped your family out! He rebuilt the treehouse that you used to adore, and he’s the only pony that will talk to Big Macintosh or Applebloom for an extended period of time… other than an Apple!”

Applejack angrily stood up. “Ah didn’t come all the way out here to be told this. Ah now it ain’t right. He ain’t an Apple, he will never be an Apple, and the Apples DON’T NEED no charity!” With that, Rarity and Applejack left, leaving the others.

Pinkie Pie sat down, her hair rapidly deflating. “But… my parties… they don’t hurt anypony…”

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy both sat next to her, and both put a hoof on Pinkie’s shoulder.

With shining eyes, she turned to both of them in turn. “Why did you have to bring this up now? Why?” Getting angrier, she continued, “Couldn’t this have waited until after the party? What difference would an hour or 2 have made? Just, please, get out! GET OUT NOW! BOTH OF YOU!”

Rainbow Dash was about to speak, but she was stopped by Fluttershy, who was on her way to the door. Rainbow Dash joined in, somberly leaving.

In the halls of the royal Palace in Canterlot, Celestia was quietly laying in her bed, reading the most recent letter from a former assistant when a bright light appeared. She immediately set the letter down, and gazed at the light. The aura then began to take the form of… a griffon…

Glyder. Celestia screamed. “WHAT DO YOU WANT?”

“Is that really necessary, my lady?”

“Umm.. sorry.” Celestia laughed nervously. “It’s just… well… most ghosts are out for vengeance when they show up.”

“But I’ve actually been at peace for a while. I come bearing no ill towards the one who ordered my execution. You were caught up in the post-Nightmare Moon Panic. We all were. It was either to be us or Equestria that was sacrificed. But I do not seek to talk of long-lost things, my lady. I come to speak of the future.”

“The Glyder prophecy?”

“I am honored that it was named after me. But I come to warn you that the gears have been set in motion tonight.”

“What do you mean? Equestria’s going to fall?” Celestia asked, worry creeping in on her normal tone.

“No. On this night, Early in year 5 of the century 21, friendships are strained. Logic and reason were too- and these lead to the lesson being lost. These belong to 5 fillies. These 5 are 5 of the element bearers, who have the power to both save and destroy Equestria.”

“How? What happens to Equestria when… IT happens?”

He sighed. “I cannot tell you, my lady. Time is not simple. It is like a chain- but that chain can be both broken and twisted. Few things are written in stone- and those that are sometimes have asterisks. This is one of those things- only the asterisks are the potential outcomes.”

The Birthday Surprise

Once again, he found himself dragging his hooves through the dirt on the paths outside of Ponyville, taking the same path that he had all those years ago, when he first met the Apple family. Only this time, the cart that he brought along already had its load.

He had sent more carts before him over the previous months, and the precious cargo had been all squared away after delivery. The load in this last one was no more precious than the ones before.

As he passed by Sweet Apple Acres, a loud squealing came from right next to him. As he turned towards the source of the sound, he saw several books flying into the cart behind him. He then saw Applebloom with a huge smile across her face. “Ah knew you’d come back soon! AJ weren’t so sure, though.”

“You seen Mac anywhere?”

“Yeah, he sprained his side the other day, applebuckin’. Doc said he should rest, ‘cuz he could do worse if he tries buckin’ again before it’s healed.”

Frank rolled his eyes. “He would do that. Honestly, does he ever take a break?”

Applebloom jumped into the cart as Frank began pulling. “No, not really. Hey, on the topic of books, we gotta new pony in town!”

“Oh really? What’s their name?”

“Twilight Sparkle, but AJ calls her Twilight. Fer short, ya know?”

“Hmmm…” I know I’ve heard that name before. “Where’s she from?”

“She’s Celestia’s assistant.”

“Hmm…” Frank pretended not to know who she was, but inwardly he couldn’t help but think Ah. As long as she doesn’t turn my glasses purple again.

His birthday came about a week and a half later, in early June.

He woke to find Applebloom moving towards his bed with a bucket of water held haphazardly over her head. Peeking in the door was Big Macintosh, who was suppressing laughter. Neither had noticed Frank wake up. This being the case, he chose to turn their prank back on them.

Applebloom was getting closer, but awkwardly- it was a difficult task to balance the bucket on her head. She managed to get to a decent position to soak him… the bucket was held high over her head, and she was about to dump it on him when he bolted upright.

“You’re going to have to do better than that.”

“Wha-” The surprise caused the bucket to slip out of her hooves, and it promptly landed upside down next to Applebloom, soaking her from head to hoof. Big Macintosh couldn’t help but laugh at the situation. “Dang it!”

“How did you two get into my house?” An expression, combination annoyance and worry, crossed his face.

“Well, it would help if you locked your door.”

“And if ya didn’t keep the spare under the flowerpot.” Applebloom spun the keyring around her hoof.

Frank laughed nervously and facehoofed. “Point taken. I’ll have to create a magical security system, then I can let in only those who I want to. And I’ll only have to open and close the door.”

Both Big Macintosh and Applebloom were a little confused as to how that could work, but they shrugged it off, but not before Big Macintosh added, “If you figure that out, maybe you could do it to the farm? It would keep them thieves out of dem apples.”

“I don’t think that it would be possible, except for the Princesses. It would most likely be too large to be sustainable.”

“Could ya stop with the big words? Cause ah’m gonna need to take Frank to get his present.” While pulling Frank, she secretly winked at Big Macintosh. He returned the wink, knowing that the other 2 Cutie Mark Crusaders were hiding in the kitchen, waiting for Applebloom to drag Frank out.

“But what about Breakfast?”

“Don’t worry, ah’ve got it waiting.”

After a pit stop at Sweet Apple Acres for a quick bite to eat, the pair continued, with Applebloom leading the way. As they got closer to Everfree Forest, Frank started to get a little worried. “Are you sure that we need to go in there?”

“Relax, ah know what ah’m doing.”

It would only be once the house appeared that Frank got what Applebloom was doing. Somewhat. What she had planned was a mystery to him.

Applebloom knocked, and the door was quickly opened by a pony-shaped figure. she beckoned for him to follow her in, and so he did. What awaited him was a total shock.

Ingredients (he presumed) hung from the ceiling and the walls, and there were several cabinets chock full of more.

Out appeared Zecora and Applebloom. “Now, friend of young Applebloom, what is it that gives you gloom?”

“My-my horn…” he stammered.

Zecora laughed. “Worry not, young Stablehaus, son of James. I can make your horn nearly the same.” She began to pull ingredients out, throwing them into the pot as she went along. Each was absorbed into the mixture with a multicolored flash. Frank was sure it was about to overflow, but it then began to bubble nicely. “The kettle will boil, and we will fix with some toil.” She then handed him a flask of the bubbling mixture. “Drink this.”

While Frank eagerly gulped down the medicine, Applebloom decided to read the warning. “Do not operate power tools while drinking potion. May induce drowsiness, hunger, temporary dementia, and/or explosive magic discharge. But what if he’s, ya know, an alicorn?”

“He is what?! Then we may be in for some bruises and cuts.”

Frank was about to open his mouth to speak when his horn glowed a bright gold light. Somehow, standing up on his hind legs, Frank began to glow- all the same golden color as his horn. Applebloom and Zecora ducked behind an overturned table, hoping that it would reduce their likelihood of injury.

Frank continued to glow gold until a strong beam of magic flowed out of his horn. After bouncing off of a mirror, it streaked through the forest, down the road, and into the town library, where it proceeded to knock all the books off of the shelf, Burying Twilight Sparkle and Spike in a landslide of books. Other than knocking books off of their shelves, nothing happened, which was a LOT better than what Zecora had expected.

Frank was walking on air the whole way home. Literally and figuratively. Even with Applebloom on his back.

But the surprise continued- when he got to his house and entered, he found Big Macintosh, Cheerilee, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle all hiding in wait. Well, they weren’t hiding anymore, because they had jumped out to surprise him.

Frank smiled and muttered to himself, “Best birthday, ever.”

The Magician's Game, Part 1

The crowd jeered as he just looked on, stunned. Stunned at what he had just done. An accident, yes, but try telling that to the families of the assistants.

The fillies lay there unconscious as medical teams rushed out, followed quickly by their families and the cameras. Soon came the police, cordoning off the area.

But he was gone. The images of Sweetie Belle and Applebloom flowed through his troubled mind. Their chests, seared and near motionless. Rarity and Applejack, crying, comforting each other… Big Macintosh- shocked, standing exactly where he was when it happened…

Frank woke up in a cold sweat. For a week, he had panicked due to these nightmares- always ending the same way. Not that he believed that they were real… yet…

As he trudged into the kitchen, he became vaguely aware of not being alone. Frank just rolled his eyes. He knew exactly who they were. “Hang on, Sweetie Belle made breakfast!”

He turned to face the speaker. “That’s great, Scootaloo. Thank you, Sweetie Belle,” he added, facing her, “What is it?”
“Cornflakes and sugar!” Sweetie Belle beamed. “Rarity always has at least 2 bowls at breakfast when she has a long day ahead of her!”

Frank took a bite. Immediately, he was awake. He quickly looked down into the bowl. Cornflakes… Milk… and a heap of Sugar in the center. He quickly looked over at the sugar bowl that he had just filled before bed the night before. It was empty. “Umm… who did you get the recipe from?”

“Pinkie Pie. Rarity wouldn’t tell me how much she uses.”

“That explains a lot.” muttered Frank as he continued working through the excessively sugared cereal.

Applebloom, however, had missed the full exchange- she came in, dragging the chalkboard from the living room while balancing a thick book on her head. It had been Applebloom who had seen the potential goldmine waiting for them in assisting Frank- just as it had been her to talk him into entering the competition and plan the entire strategy.

“Right. So there’s nuthin’ in the rules ‘bout havin’ more than one assistant, but sumpony’s gonna throw a fit. Jes’ thought it’d be important fer yeh ta know that.”

Frank was only partially paying attention at this point, though. Secretly, he had been worried about the dreams, and was still debating telling anypony. Cutie Mark Crusaders? No. Big Macintosh? Yeah, right. ‘Yeah, I keep having dreams where I nearly kill your baby sister at an event that I’m going to be at, despite being worried enough to tell you.’ Applejack or Rarity? Are you KIDDING ME?

The Magician Games were being held in Ponyville this year, in the field across the road from Sweet Apple Acres- the natural bowl shape made it ideal for a performance venue. Though not necessarily a large event, it usually brought a large number of tourists and was a boon for the local businesses. But today, the streets of Ponyville were packed. It was rumored that the Wonderbolts would be there, along with the Princesses and other prominent members of Equestrian society. Outside the makeshift stadium stood stands selling food, clothes, and other souvenirs; others housed bands, some well-known, some not, providing entertainment for the crowds; still others housed the press and media.

As Frank flew over the crowd, hardly anypony noticed- those who did assumed that he was just another Pegasus, simply flying over the crowds.

Behind the stadium, VIP boxes, and broadcast booth was where the contestants were supposed to check in. As Frank checked in with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, he couldn’t help but notice just how many unicorns were there from all over Equestria. Each town had a tent, it seemed. He and the Crusaders trotted over to Ponyville’s tent. There they ran into the Mayor, who was pleased to see them- even more so, as this was the first time that Ponyville had sent more than one Magician to the games in over a century.

Frank went out into the center ring for his turn to warm up. All of the competitors were given a chance to get prepared for the day’s events, and Frank was going to be last competitor to do so. As the events were about to start, the public announcer, press, media, and Wonderbolts were all getting ready for the opening ceremony to begin promptly at 10. Up in the broadcast booth, the cameras began rolling, and the announcers began their introductions.

There was a little problem on field shortly before Frank’s warm up was to start. Everypony in the stands looked towards the field to see what was happening.

In the broadcast booth, the announcers had also become fascinated with what was going on. “Sorry for the delay, folks… It appears as though there’s a dispute between the referees and two competitors. Now,” said the first commentator to his co-commentator, “It’s not unusual for this to happen before the Games, but there does seem to be a legitimate dispute down there.”

“Yes, and what makes it slightly more confusing is that the charge is against a Ponyville competitor, by the other. If I’m seeing this right, then Stablehaus has 3 assistants?”

“Presuming that is the charge against Stablehaus, then this should be over quickly, right?”

“Ah, no. The referee’s calling for the rulebook. It looks as though Sparkle wants him out, and may be trying to appeal to ignorance. Or she didn’t read the rulebook fully.”

“Either way, it just strikes me as odd that this would happen- I mean surely the Ponyville coach discouraged this?”

“Well, although Ponyville is fielding both their allowed competitors for the first time since 1900, there really is little co-ordination between the pair. Sparkle has competed in this several times before, and nearly won the Juniors Competition in 2001 and 2002, while with Canterlot. Stablehaus, however, is making his first appearance, and so we’ll see how well he does.”

“Indeed. There’s more action down there, and it looks as though Stablehaus is all clear as long as he only has one assistant out at a time. But could the loss of his warm-up time affect him?”

“We’ll have to wait and see.”

The opening ceremony took place without a hitch, albeit a little later than expected. The first challenges involved splitting the competitors into groups to complete small tasks. The magicians were given 3 chances to try and get the fastest time. From this, they would be ranked and the top 32 would go to the play-off.

Twilight Sparkle had breezed through her tasks, and Spike’s help had been invaluable to her. Her best time, 2 minutes 18 seconds, put her in 10th.

Frank was in the last group to go. The group also contained the pair of Unicorns from Manehattan, and one of the Maresland representatives. The Manehattan unicorns were somewhat hostile towards Frank, but he struck up a conversation with the one from Maresland.

On each of his three tries, a different Crusader was by his side as assistant. First was Scootaloo. Naturally light for a filly (thanks to the Pegasus skeleton’s natural design), Frank had no problem levitating her over the “bottomless pit,” which was just a 20 foot long, 3 foot deep hole. However, she had immense difficulty finding the book in the library, and they were heavily behind entering the target section, which involved Frank shooting a target held up by his assistant. She held it mostly steady as Frank fired the necessary 3 blasts to end the trial. 2 minutes 48 seconds. 45th.

Next up came Sweetie Belle. Frank was slightly slower this time, but Sweetie Belle found the book much faster than Scootaloo, and they entered the final section faster than Twilight and Spike had. However, while holding the target, Sweetie tripped and didn’t regain her balance, causing the target to move every which way. Frank, scared by the nightmare, missed several by shooting over the target. When he did finally hit, they were all on the upper part of the target. 2 minutes 46 seconds. 41st.

Frank’s third try was with Applebloom. It was also the last trial in the Qualifying round. To make it, they would need to beat 2 minutes 38 seconds. “Think we got this?”

“Ah know we do.”

BANG! The timer began to count up as the pair bolted off the starting line.

“Stablehaus and Apple off the mark quickly!”

“It’s a better start than his other 2 tries, but keep in mind that Apple is an Earth pony, and it’ll take more to get her over the bottomless pit!”

“Why do they call it the bottomless pit?” Frank was now slightly struggling to carry Applebloom over the pit.

“Rumor has it that the founder of the Games liked the idea. Originally, the first task required carrying a young Pegasi over a much deeper pit, but that was changed over 50 years ago, when he was retroactively sued by parents of the colts and fillies used in the task. There was some settlement for them, but not much. But he realized that he had messed up his reputation, and he proceeded to try to become a hermit, claiming that he wanted to raise cheese and grow cupcakes. That was about the time they carted him off to the asylum…”

It had taken about a minute, and Frank and Applebloom realized that they were behind. However, they continued on into the library section.

“Now entering the library. On that note, did you know that Stablehaus’ mother is a librarian in Maresland?”

“Really? Then why did he take so long last time?”

“I have no idea.”

Applebloom climbed up the bookcase to the top shelf. “Ah got it!” As she pulled it out, the pages all fell out. The referee shrugged and made a motion for the pair to continue. They exited with pages stuck to their feet. “Looks like there was a little trouble in there.”

“He’s behind. Apple is just getting to the target… they’ve got to make this quick!”

The first two shots were off rapidly. And as he fired his third, he slipped on the pages stuck to his feet. As he looked up, he saw the shot, speeding towards Applebloom’s face.

Applebloom’s eyes grew huge momentarily, but instead of freezing in fear, like most ponies would, she instinctively brought the target in front of her face… and it hit.

The stadium was silent as everypony stared at the clock and the replay… 2 minutes…
…34 seconds. 28th place.

He'd made it.

Introduction

They used to say that Alicorns were non-existent. Then Celestia and Luna came along in 970. When that happened, it changed to being a sign of royal birth. No pony before had been born like this, and they believed that no pony after would either, unless they were the offspring of a princess.

In 1104, 100 years after the banishment of Nightmare Moon, the first science textbook was published, and it claimed that only one had ever been born. But despite being off, this would remain the communal scientific claim for several hundred years. A small minority remembered Princess Luna, but these ponies were usually shunned by their counterparts, barred from leadership posts, and some were even exiled- not by the princess, but secretly by their peers.

For nearly 900 years, the consensus only stated that there had only ever been one born. No such scientific agreement could be reached on how they were created.

In 1987, in DeTrot, a 20-year old Unicorn named Anna Unihart and a 21-year old Pegasus named James Stablehaus fell in love while attending different schools. Anna was at Librarian College; James, who was affectionately known as Jack to some of his friends, was at DeTrot Academy, gaining expertise in medicine for the job he had held for 8 years.

2 years later, they moved to Maresland, shortly after they married, where James' family lived. The Uniharts, Anna’s family, had never been pleased with their daughter’s actions. Not even at age 3, when she left home to attend school- a path she left 16 years later to pursue her dream of being a librarian.

In November 1993, Anna began to feel… unusual. It would turn out that she was pregnant. James was thrilled- he secretly hoped that the filly would be a Pegasi, and he would teach him to fly, to write in the sky, and to go to Wonderbolts events with. Anna was too- though she secretly hoped that the filly would be a Unicorn- preferably a girl, she’d always liked the name Elizabeth- and that she would become the next great Royal Assistant- Celestia was having trouble with assistants as her longtime assistant had left in 1986, and she had had 10 different assistants since- none of them had been nearly as good as the one who left in ’86.
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The colt was to change not only their lives, but would overturn an 890-year theory and cause significant change in Equestria.