Search for the spectrum

Rainbow sits on Relok's back, careful not to step on his bandages "So... how does doing this help you?"

"I need to keep my body in peak form for when I return to duty" Relok answers.

"And lifting rocks will help that?"

He nods and throws one into the air "There is no other way to maintain it. I need to exert myself to the limit and then push beyond that."

Rainbow nods "I guess that makes sense. I'm always pushing myself to become better at flying and being awesome. Speaking of awesome, are you hungry?"

Relok shakes his head "No, why are you here? To keep watch over me?"

"That and I have nothing better to do. I mean, I could go hang with Pinkie but she's working today so... you're stuck with me, big guy"

Relok catches the rock he threw and sets it on the ground with a satisfied grunt "How is it that your kind have not attempted space travel?"

Rainbow shrugs "Never really thought about trying. I think Luna would've told us about anything she saw on the moon. And you don't look alien... except for the minotaur torso bit. So how does your fancy ring work?"

Relok wipes his forehead "I am not quite sure myself. I know that the major function is to protect lanterns and create constructs of energy."

"Sounds like magic to me."

Relok shrugs "It may be that way on your planet. I also notice that the presence of an alien does not... cause havoc."

Rainbow grins "Trust me big guy, not a whole lot scares us Ponyville ponies. Well, unless you're Fluttershy, in which case, nearly everything scares you."

"Hm. It's ironic, your friend is yellow and yellow is the color of fear on the emotional color spectrum."

"The what now?"

Relok starts walking down the hill "Emotional color spectrum. There are beings made up of pure emotion and they manifest in colored light. There are the red lanterns of anger, orange of avarice, yellow of fear, green of willpower, blue of hope, indigo of compassion and violet of love."

"Cool... so you have a willpower powered ring?! That's so awesome! Can I try?!"

"I don't thin-" Rainbow swoops around his hand, removing the inactive ring "Yoink!"

She inspects it, holding it between her hooves"Uh... how am I supposed to put it on? It's tin- Awk!"

Relok removes the ring from her grasp, holding her by the tail "Only I can use this."

Rainbow glares at him, upside-down "Why does everypony grab me by the tail?!"

He drops her, putting the ring back on "You could have just asked me to let you hold it."

Rainbow rolls onto her hooves "Would you have said yes if I did?"

"No."

Rainbow flies onto his back "Well there you go."

Relok rolls his eyes "You are very rude."

Rainbow shrugs "I prefer 'Awesome'"

Relok rolls his eyes and points to the castle of friendship "Why is there a large crystal tree in the middle of your town?"

"That's the fortress of friendship. It's some kind of gift from the tree of harmony. I don't know, I was kinda trapped when it happened."

"Hm." Relok's ring glows and he flies towards the castle, Rainbow still sitting on his back "Can't you go any faster?!"

Relok lands in front of the door "Why would I need to?"

Rainbow huffs "Nevermind... stupid alien ring."

The door opens "See you later Twi! I'm going to go-oof!" Spike rubs his head "What the-"

Relok looks down and helps Spike stand "Are you okay young reptile?"

Spike rubs his nose "Dragon, and yeah, just a bit stunned. I'm guessing you're Relok Tag?"

He nods "I'm assuming that the one inside is the local warlord or ruler?"

"Warlord? Nah, we have a monarchial system. I was going to go help a friend but I guess I have to be here in case Twilight's brain goes to silly putty. Again."

Rainbow flies onto Relok's shoulder "Hi Spike!"

Spike waves and motions for Relok to follow.

Twilight stares down at her notes "So... let me see if I have your story straight. You're an intergalactic police officer, otherwise known as a 'Green Lantern'. You crashed in the outskirt's of Ponyville where Rainbow happened to be and she had Fluttershy help bring you to the hospital. You healed due to the effects of your ring which utilizes a store of willpower-based energy to also create constructs, allow you to fly, and protect you from the vacuum of space. Is that the gist of your story?"

Relok nods.

Twilight sighs "I understand it all, but another part of my mind is telling me that it can't be true."

Rainbow grins and reaches behind her chair, pulling out a solid green trainlatern-esque object "I've seen it! I've seen it happen! I even have the lantern right here!"

Relok takes the lantern "How did you-"

"I had Pinkie Pie put here."

Relok sighs "It matters not. I must recharge my ring anyway."

He places the lantern in front of himself, points his ring at the opening and inhales

In brightest day, in blackest night,

No evil shall escape my sight

Let those who worship evil's might,

Beware my power

GREEN LANTERN'S LIGHT!

The room fills with brilliant green light as the oath leaves Relok's lips, fading into the lantern as he finishes.

Rainbow stares dumbfounded "So... awesome..."

Twilight shoots from her seat and grabs the lantern "SCIENCE TIME!"

Relok removes Twilight with ease "No, the secrets of the lantern are to remain secrets. Thank you for returning my lantern Rainbow."

She salutes "My pleasure officer Tag. So... do you think you could get me one of those rings?"

Spike scoffs "They aren't like collectables Dash, they require strong will, an unbreakable desire to protect, and the ability to overcome fear. You have those things, yeah, but that doesn't mean you can be one."

Relok nods "It is as he says, and there are already two lanterns assigned to this sector."

Rainbow sighs "Fine."

Twilight huffs "I need to know how it works!"

Rainbow shrugs "There are secrets we aren't meant to know. Like how many licks it takes to get to the center of a squishy roll pop. Or why Luna can't use control the sun but can control other stars."

Spike rolls his eyes "She controls the light that comes through the atmosphere and the moon's orbit. That's it."

Relok looks around the castle "I wonder..."

Twilight turns to him "What?"

He points his ring at the wall and scans it "It's alive... and surging with energy..."

Rainbow cocks her head "Yeah, It's connected to the tree of harmony."

Relok nods "It acts similar to the central power battery and this is... a giant lantern battery."

Rainbow nods then pauses "Wait, then does that mean that you can harness the power?"

He shakes his head "Not I. Maybe one who is connected to it?"

Rainbow pauses and shoots out the door, leaving a spectral trail behind her.

Spike watches her fly away "Wonder where she's going?"

Rainbow lands in front of the tree of harmony and bows "Hi... I'm not sure if you can hear me or not, but I was wondering... could you give me a way to... use your power? Magic?"

Do you truly desire the burden of being Equestria's defender? To undergo a transformation that could turn you to stone? Is that what you truly desire? a distant voice asks from within the tree.

Rainboiw nods "I want to be a lantern like Relok. I may be the fastest flier in Equestria, but I know that's my only strength... I want to be able to do things. Applejack has her strength, Pinkie can do the impossible, Fluttershy can talk to animals, Twilight and Rarity can use magic... all I can do is fly fast and I crash too much..." She shakes her head "I mean, being awesome only gets you so far."

You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. You do not need more power, you are stronger than most, Rainbow Dash. I believe in you.

Rainbow nods "But... what if I'm not strong enough? What if everypony is too hurt to help me? What if we're... changed like what happened with Discord? I still have nightmares about that, by the way... and even though he's proven to be trust worthy I... I can't shake the feeling that he pulled something from the bottom of my heart. Please, I need to be able to protect my friends.

The tree stands silent, as if contemplating.

"Hello?"

You already protect them. You are always by their side, if not in body then spirit and mind. You are as strong as your friendship Rainbow Dash. Do you doubt the strength of your friendships? Were the actions of an enemy turned friend able to shake your resolve? Your faith in yourself and your friends?

"What?! No! I- I'm just afraid..." she hangs her head, her mane obscuring the forming tears "I'm always saving my friends by the skin of my teeth. A split second too late... and then they're gone."

The tree glows, filling the clearing with light You fear being alone, to have no one to stand by your side. You are a lonely soul Rainbow Dash, but friendships, true friendships are stronger than death, time, or space. You will never be alone so long as you have your friends in your heart. Now go back to your friends Rainbow Dash, you have a new friend to make and maybe... maybe you'll get your wish.

Rainbow wipes tears away and takes flight, grinning "Thanks Tree. I needed that."

After she takes off A long, serpentine body slinks out from behind the tree, a grin on its mismatched features "you're very welcome Rainbow Dash."