"EEEEEEEE!" Sweetie Belle screamed as she awoke from a terrible nightmare. Shaking and beaded with sweat, she began to walk down the hallway to Rarity's room, when the ground beneath her hooves began to shake. Blue light shone through the windows and a loud cracking noise could be heard. Rarity opened her door to find the source of the disturbance, but instead found Sweetie Belle, curled up in a ball and screaming, the ground still shaking and cracking, blue light pouring through the windows of Carousel Boutique. Rarity took Sweetie Belle into her room and the sat and waited out the unexpected phenomenon.
When the shaking and cracking had subsided and the light had faded, Sweetie Belle went to tell the rest of the CMC about the strange incident that had occurred during the night, but the same thing happened to them!. "What do you mean you saw the light too? And you heard the sounds? And then the ground started to shake for you too?"
"Yes, Sweetie Belle," Replied Scootaloo, her voice sarcastic. "Everypony in Ponyville, maybe even Equestria heard, felt and saw what happened."
"But what WAS it?" asked Sweetie Belle. "If everypony knows that it happened, why does nopony know what it is?"
"I think I can help with that!" said a voice from atop a cloud
"Rainbow Dash!" Screamed Scootaloo, "what are you doing here?"
"I saw a bright blue light and heard a weird cracking sound last night, so I came to investigate. Apparently it came from somewhere in the Everfree Forest. So, who wants to go with me?"
Almost Immediatly, Scootaloo's hoof shot up into the air. Sweetie Belle also raised her hoof, but on one condition:
"We need to get Applebloom!"
And so the Group of three headed to Sweet Apple Acres to get Applebloom
"No way."
"But Applejack, I'll be with them!"
"Too dangerous"
"But I can handle ANYTHING that comes at us!"
"I'll let her, but on one condition."
"And that is?"
"I have to go too."
Rainbow weighed the options in her head, with each side having ups and downs, before giving in to the begging of the Crusaders.
"Fine, but don't slow us down!"
As they trekked through the dense Everfree forest, the fog was getting thicker. Applejack kept noticing weird going-ons in the fog, but didn't mention it because there were fillies around. Rainbow Dash was trying to clear the fog with her wings, but to no avail. when they finally stopped, it was not because they found what they were looking for. It was because a tree had a hole blasted in it.
"Whadda Ya'll think this is from?" Applejack asked the group. They all just stared in wonder, with RainbowDash whispering "coooool..."
"We must be getting close then! Said Scootaloo, her puny wings flapping excitedly.
With that statement they continued upon their journey to find the source of the disturbance. Along the way they kept noticing more holes in trees. Then, they began appearing in different places, like rocks and even the fog. upon discovering the fog holes, the group said nothing and just stood in amazement. Eventually they continued onwards into the fog (and the fog holes) but stopped for a final time when they arrived at what looked like an asteroid crater. Inside the crater were 2 ponies, but the group couldn't tell who they were.
"WHO GOES THERE?" Screamed one of the two, with a female sounding voice.
"I'm Rainbow dash, This is Applejack, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle!"
There was silence for a few moments then "Come down, but be very quiet," Answered the mysterious mare. The 5 reluctantly went forward into the crater, with scootaloo tripping on a branch and being caught by Rainbow Dash. After a good minute of downhill climbing, they stopped near the center of the crater, where, out of the fog stepped Princess Luna.
"Does Anypony else know you are here?
"Not that I know of," Replied Applejack, still confused as to what was going on.
"I want the five of you to come here,"
As they walked forward, the crater became darker and smoke was drifting amidst the fog. A faint snoring could be heard, and when they reached the source, all 5 ponies gasped at the sight before them. A pony was lying on the ground, on fire. Fast asleep.
"Where am I?" said the mysterious Stallion, the fire dying down once he awoke.
"He's awake!" Screamed Scootaloo, before hurriedly covering her mouth with her hoof in an effort to keep quiet.
"What do you mean by, 'Where am I?'" Asked Luna, suspicious of the newcomer's immunity to fire.
"I mean, I don't know where I am!" Said the Stallion, his temper rising quickly.
"You're in The Everfree Forest, and you were just on fire. EXPLAIN."
"Look, Horse-Lady, all I know is that I'm in a forest surrounded by talking horses."
"I must consult Celestia on this matter. You five, find him a place to rest for the night. I sense that times are changing. Tell nopony about this." And with that, Luna flew off to Canterlot.
* * *
Ponyville was bursting with activity when the group re-entered the town. Fillies were heading off for school, Pinkie Pie was talking to Carrot Top about a party she was planning and Twilight was probably reading. Rainbow Dash and Applejack decided that the best place for the stallion was Rainbow Dash's Cloud, because he was a Pegasus and didn't belong in a barn.
"Before you enter my house," began Rainbow Dash, "You have to tell me your name."
"My name is Squishy Puddles. I don't know why I'm here, so you can stop asking about that!"
replied Squishy, whose temper seemed to be getting worse.
"Look, Squishy, You showing up out of the blue (literally) wasn't cool. you woke me up from my sleep and now I have to give up a part of my house for you!"
"I'm sorry that I have to bother you, but you could at least treat me with some respect!"
"Well then, Mister Puddles. Prove that you deserve my trust. What do you remember before your arrival?"
At this the conversation seemed to stop for a good minute or two, before Squishy gave his answer.
"I remember a lot of blue light, and voices. They were talking about Dimensions. I don't know what else."
"..." Rainbow Dash was silent, pondering what to do next. She could tell the Princess, or keep it to herself for fear of being punished for causing him trouble.
"Make yourself at home. You might be here awhile.
* * *
