Rune Factory: Friendship is Magic

Chapter 1

A Little Hope

It has been a difficult time in Equestria lately. In the Everfree Forest, strange creatures began to appear. It didn't seem to be a problem at first, but when the ponies of Equestria tried to speak to them when a small group was blocking a trade route, the creatures attacked. Since then, whenever the ponies and the "monsters" got close, the monsters would attack, leaving a pony or three injured.

With the fear of the monsters growing, trade between cities and towns began to cease, leaving the ponies in each community with little resources. This problem eventually reached the kingdom's rulers: Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Ever since the panic began, the two princesses had combed the Royal Library to find a solution.

They've searched deep into the vast corridors of the library from top to bottom, but have found no records of these strange beasts. That is…until one night, when the younger of the two sisters, the Mare of the Night: Princess Luna spotted a small group of the creatures just outside of the Everfree forest. They were small and wooly, resembling bipedal sheep. Even she thought these creatures were cute, but she also knew that appearances can be deceiving.

Luna returned to the library later that night to continue the search that she and her sister had started. After several books, she came across a book called "Encyclopedia of the First Forest." Luna's interest peaked as she opened the unfamiliar tome. She didn't need to go through fifty pages to find all of the monsters that had appeared in Equestria lately in the book, including the bipedal sheep, which were called "Woolys."

As she read, Luna learned something interesting. The creatures, including the Woolys, can be used not only as livestock, but they could also help out with the farm work on certain farms in a world that the encyclopedia kept mentioning: Rune. She also read that the best people to tame such monsters are a kind of human known as Earthmates, who are well known not only for taming and befriending monsters, but the majority of Earthmates are gifted farmers, growing high quality crops with the aid of monsters.

As Luna read on, she realized that the best answer for the crisis in Equestria was to find an Earthmate and have them control the mass of free-ranged monsters until their origin in the Everfree Forest is discovered. And so that the Earthmate wouldn't be lonely, from time to time, she will bring a human or two to live in Equestria.

Taking the encyclopedia with her, Luna raced off to the study, where her sister was. She found Celestia concluded reading a letter from her protégé in Ponyville by the fire. The elder of the two sisters looked at Luna with concern.

"Luna. What is the matter?"

"Sister, I believe I have found the answer to the crisis at hand."

Luna explained what she had found in the library and explained her plan to Celestia. The elder princess gave this some critical thought. If these creatures were common in the world of Rune, then the perfect Earthmate for this predicament must be there as well. But…in order to find the Earthmate, they must cross the borders between the worlds. A dangerous tactic.

As Luna finished, Celestia then inquired her sister.

"Are you certain that this plan of yours will work?"

Luna then answered, her face saddened.

"In honesty, I am unsure. But I see that there's no other way. I know that crossing the borders between worlds is a dangerous task, but it's our only hope…" She then looked on at her sister. "…and my redemption."

Celestia frowned at her words. Even when her protégé, Twilight Sparkle, helped Luna adjust to the new era and helped the other ponies see that she had changed, the younger sister still felt that her actions as the villainous Nightmare Moon was far from forgiven. Now, Celestia sees that Luna really wanted to do this. Not just for Equestria, but for herself as well.

Sighing, Celestia gave her answer.

"Very well, Luna. Use the crystal to find the right Earthmate. One with not only in tune with nature, but has a pure heart as well."

Luna smiled gratefully at her sister and left for the Scrying Chamber, where the Dimensional Crystal was kept. While Celestia began preparations for the Earthmate's arrival.

Three days passed, and there were still no signs of the perfect Earthmate. Luna's search seemed to be hopeless as she looked on an on at the crystal. But, as she began to think that this was the end, her search bore fruit. With a hopeful smile, Luna used her magic to pick up the crystal and went off in search of her sister. When Celestia heard the news, she readied the spell.

Meanwhile, on a farm in the world of Rune…

A human girl of sixteen was finishing up with her chores as the last of her family's monsters were entering the Monster Huts for the day. After watering the last of the crops, the girl wiped the sweat off her brow, moving her blond bangs aside.

As she put her tools away, she called out to her father, who was going inside their house, which was carved into a giant Sharance Tree.

"I'm going out for a walk, Papa."

"Alright. Just be back before dark, Hope."

With a smile and an "I will" called out, the girl, who was called Hope, left the farm and began to walk on the path that was next to the farm, unaware of the winds of destiny that were blowing.

As Hope walked down the path, she began to think of her future. Having being born and raised on a farm, she was the kind of girl who wanted to start a farm on her own, have one of the best crops in the kingdom, and start a family. But even with her big dreams, she still worried about her father. After her mother died when she was young, it had been her and her father for ten years. Now, with the next stage of her life approaching as well as her father's, Hope began to think that maybe having her dream farm nearby so that she could help her father when he needed it.

But little did she know that her destiny lied farther away than she knew.

As she had turned back to head home, a fierce gale caused Hope to stop walking, bracing herself against the fierce wind.

"Ugh! Must be a storm coming. There's no other explanation why the wind is strong today."

"True, young Earthmate. But I am not a storm."

In an instant, Hope turned on her heel gaped in shock as she came across a creature she had never seen before.

It was none other than Princess Luna. But she didn't even know who or what the creature is, readers. All Hope thought she was a type of undiscovered monster and was nervous. Luna saw this and understood why the Earthmate feared her.

"Do not be afraid, young one. I am not your enemy."

Luna's reassurance managed to calm Hope down a little, but she was still nervous.

"Wh-who are you? What are you?"

"I am Princess Luna. One of the two rulers of Equestria and I am a pony. And I have come to ask for your aid."

This only confused the girl as she was still trying to figure out what on Rune was going on.

"What do you mean by 'needing my aid'? And what is Equestria?"

Luna, knowing how confused the girl was, explained.

"Equestria is a land of magic that mainly consists of three types of ponies: the Earth Ponies, who tend to the land and provide food for the land; the Pegasai, who see to the skies and the weather; and the Unicorns, who are skilled in magic. We have been a peaceful kingdom mostly, with only a few incidences, but that changed when unusual creatures began to appear in a specific location rarely anypony visits: The Everfree Forest. My sister, Princess Celestia, and I combed our libraries for a way to control the ever-growing chaos when I found a book about your world. That is where I learned that the best way to change the tides in this crisis is by having an Earthmate come to Equestria and start a farm in a town that is nearest to the Everfree Forest. He or she can use their power to stop them."

Luna then answered Hope's internal question.

"And the Earthmate my sister and I have chosen…is you."

Hope was in shock at the princess' story and reason for meeting her. Hope was an intelligent girl and it didn't take much for her to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

"S-so you're saying that…I have to come with you to this Equestria, start a farm, and control the monster population until the matter is solved?"

Luna nodded. She was impressed by the girl's intellect, but she was concerned on her willingness. She needed to get the girl to Equestria as soon as possible, but she wanted the girl to go on her own free will.

"I know it seems to be overwhelming, so I will give you a day to think it over. I will not force you to come to Equestria, but many ponies have been hurt because of those monsters. And if you are pure of heart and we figured, you'll know what to do."

Back on the Farm...

When Hope got home, she met up with her father inside their house, where he was cooking dinner with some of the produce the two of them had collected that day. Hope's father, Micah, spotted his daughter coming inside with a pondering look on her face, which caused him concern as well.

"Hope? You ok, sweetie?"

Hope sat down at the dining table as she began to dish up dinner.

"Sort of."

She then looked at her father.

"Papa? What would you think of me moving and starting my own farm?"

Micah was confused at what his daughter was saying.

"Well, whatever you want to do is fine by me. But what's the story behind this?"

Hope told her father about Luna and what she had said. Everything from Equestria to its crisis.

"Then, she told me that I was Equestria's last hope against the monsters because I'm an Earthmate. She told me if I accepted, then I would have my own farm near a town in Equestria, but that meant leaving here. Right now, I don't know what to think."

Micah could see the conflict in his daughter's eyes.

"You want to help them, but don't want to be far from home."

He then placed a hand on Hope's shoulder.

"Do what your heart says. If you want to go to this other world, then do so. Don't worry about me. I can take care of everything and if I need help, I can ask one of the villagers. Don't let me be the anchor on your ship of life."

His words managed to make Hope smile. Even though she didn't want to leave, he was encouraging her to go.

"Thanks, Papa."

She then got up and put her empty plate in the sink.

"I'll be right back. I'm gonna tell the princess that I'm going."

Micah smiled as he spoke.

"Alright. I'll get your things together. See you later, Sweet Pea."

Hope ran out of the house and made her way to the tool shed, where she grabbed her sword. Just in case. She then got a lantern, lit it, and ran down the path until she was at the spot where she met Luna. Once there, she called out her name.

"Princess Luna? It's me, Hope. I've made my decision and decided to help you and settle in Equestria."

Hope was half expecting to hear Luna's voice, but was startled when she heard a new, serene voice speak to her.

"We are pleased that you agreed to come on your own free will, young Earthmate. But my sister is tending to the night in Equestria as we speak." It was then that another alicorn appeared, a different one compared to Luna. From the description that Luna had given her, Hope got down on one knee.

"You are Princess Celestia?"

Celestia smiled as she motioned the girl to rise.

"I am. And I have heard plenty about you, Hope. I cannot tell you how grateful Luna and I are in your coming to Equestria. The crisis has escalated since my sister's visit here and I am unsure of how long we can hold the creatures back."

"What do I need to do to get started?" Hope asked, eager to get started.

Celestia smiled at this young Earthmate's courage to do the right thing and explained.

"Very well. I will let you and your father pack and give you time to say your good-byes to him and to your village. Luna will return in the morning and will take you to your farm near Ponyville, since that is where the creatures are most frequent. After you get settled in, I will have my student, Twilight Sparkle, and her assistant, Spike, give you a tour of Ponyville. It may be a little rough at first, but Luna and I have faith that you can do it."

Hope smiled as she thanked Celestia before the princess returned to her kingdom. As Hope made her way back home, she looked up into the starry night sky and sighed.

"This is it. I'm really doing it. I'll miss Rune, but I have no doubt that I will make myself at home in Equestria just fine."

Credits

Tara Strong…..…Twilight Sparkle

Ashleigh Ball…..…Applejack and Rainbow Dash

Andrea Libman…..…Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie

Tabitha St. Germian…...…Rarity and Princess Luna

Cathy Wesluck….….Spike

Nicole Oliver….….Princess Celestia

Britt McKillip…Princess Cadance

Andrew Francis…..Shining Armor

John de Lancie…...Discord

Laura Bailey…..…Hope

Vic Mignogna….…..Romano

Neil Patrick Harris…Dusk Shine/Serpentine

Simon Templeman…...Vipiro