Friendship Is Magic: Canterlot Style
At this very moment, something is occurring within Canterlot in where we find events taking place. A unicorn pony by the name of Moondancer was seen walking from the library to carrying some books in her little bag. As she was walking, she saw three other unicorn ponies that were seen waiting for her; they were Minuette, Lemon Hearts & Twinkle Shine. It’s been a couple of days that Moondancer has been feeling very good with which she has friends in her life compared to before, just after Twilight visited & help settle things.
“Hey Moondancer, how are you today?” Minuette called out to greet her friend that was coming out of her little home.
“Great, I’ve studied a new book, “Tales of Magic Crafts 1011”. I couldn’t believe Twilight had such a copy.” Moondancer smiled off to state what she was catching up in reading.
“Feels like it’s been almost a week since Twilight came to visit us.” Lemon Hearts stated off in knowing how long it’s been that they had this talk since Twilight was last to visit them.
“Her, and not just Spike, but her family too.” Twinkle Shine smiled off in pointing out who else was seen with them during such a time.
“I can remember the first time I got to know Ben Mare, & that wild Dragon he called when we were talking about a new study technique before making it back to Twilight’s old home.” Moondancer stated off in fixing her glasses to recall this as something from memory.
Many heard this to become interested to listen in how such a story began from before. The scene begins to fad & blur out as something was beginning to happen now of scenes from….the past play out.
THE PAST
The scene opens around the motion in Canterlot during the day, where we see Twilight chatting with Moondancer as they cross a bridge, with Ben & Nyx following behind them after having left the library.
“I've been studying a new studying technique. I can only do it for a few minutes, but you'd be amazed how much you can pick up when you're actually in a book!” Twilight was explaining what she learn that allowed her to be in a book to help study…by digging into one’s studies, per-say.
“It's one of Hayscartes's methods.” Moondancer smiled off in commenting such a method.
“You know Hayscartes?” Twilight asked off surprised by what Moondancer knows.
“Of course! He's a genius!” Moondancer replied off to comment such a stallion who made such a method.
“I have a copy of his Treatise on Ponies, you know.” Twilight pointed this out in stating what she has about Hayscates.
Moondancer gasped in amazement in hearing this as Twilight continues to move ahead, the mare didn’t know Twilight had a copy. While distracted, Ben & Nyx were seen approaching to which they are Twilight’s family, so….maybe she should get to know them since she was rude to the Alicorn from before.
“So, uh...Ben Mare, right?” Moondancer slowly asked off to talk to the guy.
“Yeah?” Ben slowly replied back in seeing the mare was sounding more…sociable than being nonsocial.
“Exactly…How long have you & Twilight been together?” Moondancer rub her left hoof in being curious about this topic.
“All my life.” Ben replied off with his own option, known Twilight from colt years to now; that’s about his life, right.
“Oh, well…Twilight told me about a colt who was spirited away by a Demon Pony long ago, he had the same name as you.” Moondancer pointed out in mentioning how Ben here sounds just like the colt that got spirited away by the Demon Pony years ago.
“Well, you're talking to him.” Ben smiled off in issuing this factor to surprise the mare.
“Wait a minute. You're that colt she was talking about?” Moondancer asked off surprise which Ben Mare nods for a ‘yes’ response. “Then the scar on your chest? Did the Demon Pony give that to you before or after escaping?” She points to the scar on Ben's chest which the guy looked down at the scar; that was the one Fafnir gave him during the final battle in the human world during the Battle of The Bands.
“Actually, daddy got that from a Dragon. His name was Fafnir.” Nyx spoke up to mention this matter of topic to Moondancer before mentioning the name…which shocked Moondancer to almost lose balance.
“You don’t mean, Fafnir of Mount Thunderflame?” Moondancer asked off in trying to ask for more details on the subject.
“You've heard of him?” Twilight asked from looking back in hearing her friend mention that villain’s name.
“Sort of…I read about him in a book about Eatinburgh & Trottingham Legends.” Moondancer stated off in mostly having heard about a guy from scary stories.
“Trust me, he’s not a legend…we just managed to beat him last time before coming back home before some holiday events.” Twilight stated to say this in knowing they seen Fafnir.
“Speaking of which, I've got something to show you.” Ben smiled off to say, as he whistles up into the air. Then without warning, from a roaring sound, something lands between the group as Moondancer yelp upon staring at….Nightclaw, who Ben rode on to Canterlot, along with Nyx and Phobos.
“Is…that a…Fury Dragon?! Dragons said to be rare and fast that I read in books!” Moondancer asked off the question.
“Yep, meet Nightclaw. A buddy I call from certain time to time moments.” Ben issued off to say this with a nice response.
“Ben got him as a gift from another pony named Wild Maniac, who taught him the ropes of Wild Winter Wrap Up and Dragon Riding during a….falling out, which is all we’ll say about it.” Twilight lightly stated to mention the little facts while not going any further into detail.
“And he turned out to be a Dark Mystic Pony, but…not REALLY all that crack-up kinda evil.” Nyx slowly stated off to mention the last parts, just as Nightclaw sniffed Moondancer a bit, then licked her face in surprising her. “I think he likes you!” She smiled off to say this in seeing the surprise look.
“Yeah, Nightclaw's nice once you get to know him.” Ben pointed out another factor to be noted.
“Amazing.” Moondancer stated to say in fixing herself from the licking to look at this Dragon.
“Come on, I want to show you something.” Twilight insisted that they should hurry, she wants to show the mare something.
Heading along the way, wasn’t long before Twilight brought Moondancer along with Ben & Nyx into her old tower. This place was still dusty from when the group was here, however…
“What is this place?” Moondancer asked off in being amazed by this place filled with…so many books.
“This is where I used to live.” Twilight stated off in where she used to live here, back in the day.
“Yeah, mommy already showed us around here.” Nyx nodded off in stating they been around from when they arrived earlier.
“So wait. Moondancer? Do you mean to say, I never had you over?” Twilight asked off in feeling like she never invited her old friend over before.
“Wow! A first edition of Principles of Magic!” Moondancer exclaimed off with a smile to have her horn levitate a book to read the title, but then had a second thought. “Hey, didn't I give this to you?” She look to Twilight in recalling she gave this book to the mare long ago.
“Maybe.” Twilight had a nervous expression in knowing that she did have that book, but…she hasn’t check it out in a long time.
“I did! Look, I even wrote something!” Moondancer stated to check the book’s contents to point at a certain page. “'To my friend, Twilight Sparkle. Thanks for introducing me to the classics'." After having read the book, it made the mare feel a little…upset. “I can see by the fact that you LEFT it here that it meant a lot to you.” She sarcastically stated in an upset tone that Twilight left a book she gave to her friend, only for it to collect some dust.
“Look, we didn't bring you over here for even more poignant reminders of what a bad friend I was.” As Moondancer deviated the book back into place, Twilight was speaking to state out facts about what she did in the past. “We brought you here to give you this.” She smiled, as Twilight levitated a golden key with an hourglass-shaped handle over to Moondancer who saw it curiously.
“What's that for?” Moondancer asked off lost by this.
“The tower, of course.” Ben smiled of in stating what the key is for.
“You can come here whenever you want & study to your heart's content.” Twilight stated forth in showing that Moondancer can come to this place, & read as many books to study as she likes.
“Really?” Moondancer replied off in feeling a bit…speechless, & happy by this gift as she used her magic to levitate the hour-glass key.
“But first, you've gotta do something for me.” Twilight spoke off in which Moondancer heard this to arrow her eyes.
“What?” Moondancer asked off in a bored blank expression in what she needs to do first.
“Have dinner with our old friends tonight.” Twilight smiled in asking that Moondancer come with her so they can gather together with their old gang from school.
“Twilight made some reservations for the finest restaurant in Canterlot. What do you say?” Ben smiled off in stating what his love did to prepare such a thing.
“I can't. I'm reorganizing my biology scrolls.” Moondancer cut off to say this to look away in saying in a snobbish tone that she is doing something else tonight.
“Ben, Nyx and I have been spending a lot of time with Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lemon Hearts since we've been back. They really miss you.” Twilight approached Moondancer to rest a hoof on her friend to smile in stating how she got a chance to meet with old friends from here in Canterlot, & that they missed Moondancer.
“Look! I already told you!” Moondancer suddenly swatted Twilight's hoof away from her to speak this off in an upset moody tone. “The last thing I need is a bunch of ridiculous friend-making, keeping me from studying!” Having said this, she begins walking down the stairs while Twilight and Ben looked at each other in concern; this was not bolding well.
“Moondancer, wait! A wise pony once taught me that there's more to life than dusty old books!” Twilight ran to the stairs to try to reach out to Moondancer to hear the words of wisdom.
“Right, & that wise pony was my mother, Princess Celestia!” Ben pointed this off that made the unicorn mare stop.
“Wait, Princess Celestia is your mother?” Moondancer asked off to look at Ben lightly surprised to which the guy nods to the question. “But you're an Earth Pony & she's an Alicorn. How does that fit in?” She asked off another question that baffled her mind at this moment.
“I was adopted by her, & she made my relationship with Twilight a possible factor throughout our foalhood.” Ben explained the matter in which Moondancer can understand who he is & what he & Twilight share.
“Right, and I like to refer to Celestia as my grandma. She even sent mommy to make friends in Ponyville. If you could give friendship a chance...” Nyx stated off in about to suggest this, but was cut off.
“I tried friendship & it's just not for me.” Moondancer stated off to say this to shake off the fact that friendship, well, it’s just not for a pony like her who just wants to be alone to read her books. “Now, if you'll excuse me…” She was walking off in about to leave the spot now.
Twilight was worried & had to come up with something fast as she rubbed her head to think. All she could gather out of Moondancer so far was that she enjoyed studying. Then suddenly, Twilight struck an idea in realizing something.
“What if I taught you Hayscartes's method?” Twilight made a sly smile in promising something that would catch someone’s attention that wanted to know about the study technique.
Just as she was about to walk out the door, Moondancer stopped in her tracks. She looked up to Twilight & her family in interest about such an offer. Perhaps within her mind, maybe one dinner with her friends wouldn't be so bad before being taught Hayscartes’s method.
Everything blurs out around now from what happens next…
BACK IN THE PRESENT
The scene returns to where the group are seen having had a moment of absorbing such a thing that occurred that was both surprising & strange to have occurred at all; oh well.
“I still couldn’t believe that even happened!” Lemon Hearts stated off in thinking it over of how such things went off.
“Me neither, and I heard much from Pinkie Pie.” Minuette exclaimed to say this with a smile on her face.
“So, anyone got any plans of what we do next?” Twinkle Shine asked off in what they can do next here.
“Well, we’ve done most of the things you girls wanted to do, and well, we could try to read some books at my place, but…I don’t wanna bore you with those.” Moondancer narrow off the things done that everyone here liked, except for her own which maybe a little boring…
“Maybe what you all should do is think about what is best for your friendship.” Spoke out a new voce that belong to a strange mare that was seen approaching from the corner of an alley, dressed in a black cloak.
“Who are you?” Twinkle Shine raised an eyebrow in not knowing what this pony was to them.
“Let’s just say, I’m a mare that knows about helping those to better understand friendship.” The mysterious mare exclaimed this as a way to state of who she is, while not really going into any details.
“You are?” Minuette asked off in not sure if one could follow that kind half statement.
“Why yes indeed, and did you know that the hardest thing in keeping friendship with us…all happens from what could likely tear them apart?” The mysterious mare exclaim off in stating a fact in which it tells how easy friendship can be broken apart of the scene.
“Oh my goodness, what’s that?” Lemon Hearts yelps in fearing what sort of thing could do something like that.
“It is from none other than….that!” The mysterious mare pointed to the four other mares right at Moondancer’s….cutie mark?
“Our….cutie marks?” Twinkle Shine raised an eyebrow in having heard this right to be completely lost over the subject.
“Yes, I’ve seen it before….once friends with flanks that were blank, but treated the other as equally & fairly.” The mysterious mare stated how when those at such young innocent ages do not mistreat another differently. “But when one gets a cutie mark that states a talent, it can very well be harmful & change a pony.” She stated this off i sounding super serious over the matter of how such a thing could indeed change a pony.
“Change them….how?” Minuette asked off in feeling like this story has gotten her attention wrapped into it.
“Everything. Have you ever experienced one’s change when they focus more on their talent than on their friendship?” The mysterious mare stated off in claiming how when a pony gets a cutie mark, sudden changes begin to take effect.
“Well….” Lemon Hearts was gonna say something about that in recalling how most cases, that’s true, but…
“And wasn’t Princess Twilight changed from when she obtain her cutie mark for that entrance exam; that many have heard….she was too much into learning magic under Celestia to hang with her friends?” The mysterious mare issued off in having brought the subject down to Twilight Sparkle as if she too changed on the day she got a cutie mark.
Moondancer suddenly feels blue in remembering such a moment, Twilight was at their school, but then she became more closer to Celestia & then….when the events leading to Nightmare Moon’s return happened; she even didn’t come to the girl’s birthday party. The other three saw Moondancer looking down, they had to try to change the subject, somehow.
“But….it’s okay, we were never bothered by it.” Twinkle Shine stated off in trying to not let such a thing bother them even now.
“And Twilight came back after so long to apologize.” Minuette pointed off in knowing how Twilight wanted to say sorry after this whole time.
“And our friendship was born anew, all was forgiven!” Lemon Hearts exclaimed of how in the end, their friendship was easily fix.
“Really, from all of you, or did Twilight’s action cause one problem that ruin you?” The mysterious mare raised an eyebrow in suddenly looking from the others to…Moondancer all of a sudden.
“I…..admit that there was something when she was too busy to come to my party, but…” Moondancer spoke in knowing that there was problems that she suffered from what changed Twilight, but… “But she really wanted to help me, despite my behavior, she…” She knows that Twilight was doing everything to fix what made her feel miserable, but was cut off…
“But all that hurt is still there, isn’t it? The sadness, the heartbreak, all of that & more. You may say you got over it, but is it over you?” The mysterious mare spoke off in talking this out towards Moondancer in asking if the mare was truly over such a thing. “Let me help you all join a cult I’m creating to help rebalance lost friendship in where we are all equal.” She explained forth in offering to help many rekindle their friendship in ways to make sure such despairs don’t happen.
“All are equal?” Moondancer raised an eyebrow in becoming strangely curious about such a claim.
“Yes, no one is better, no one is beneath; we are all equally happy…” The mysterious mare pointed out in offering a way that will help those be equal in every way. “I can help you….all of you, make certain yourself never falls apart.” She stated that from this method of work, those that wanna be equal in their friendship will never fall apart of who’s beyond or above.
The group felt like this was a tough call to decide upon right away, as things stood, usually the matter of who’s above & below never matter….but did they? And would their friendship be at risk if they deny such a thing by living in ignorance?
“Well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to check it out.” Lemon Hearts slowly spoke off in trying to decide something that maybe they should see what they are hearing about.
“Right, it’s not like anything’s wrong, right?” Minuette replied off in being lost between if this was either bad, or it could be good, they aren’t sure yet.
“But maybe, well…we did feel neglected about Moondancer & how we all acted, so…” Twinkle Shine stated off in knowing that if they helped their friend that time, then she would have been happier even before things were fixed.
“Can you really help us…?” Moondancer slowly asked off in wondering, if this strange mare can do what she says.
“Of course….just follow….me…” The mysterious mare stated in touching her hood in about to lower it down.
“Just who are you?” Moondancer raised an eyebrow in being lost of who was this pony that talks about ‘equality’ for one’s friendship.
“My name, dear new friends….is Starlight Glimmer…” The revealed mare soon had her hood down as she was revealed to be none other than…Starlight Glimmer.
The scene darkens at this time as many questions are leading to things of what is happening here? Right now, it looks like Starlight Glimmer is in town & she’s in the recruiting business…starting with four of Twilight’s old friends! How will things go down, the scene changes at this moment….
The next scene opens up to where we find Lyra Heartstrings walking from across town in looking around. She was looking at a piece of paper that had written instructions on it as she had a bag & with it carried anything that she needed to have on hand here.
“Okay…..so I’m given my first solo mission, so…where do I start?” Lyra stated off in trying to figure something out here. “Well, are there any monsters or enemies around….no, but….if I ran into one, then…” She was pondering this question that was on her mind at this time, until…
“Excuse me?” Spoke a male’s voce at this time that was behind the distracted mare.
“Eeek!” Lyra screeched a bit in surprise in hearing some unknown voice. “Whackfruvhm….” Then with a swift swung of her weapon on hand, which happened to be a levitating harp from the use of her magic glowing horn, she whack the target that was coming from behind.
“Ow…..What was that for?” Then the one who was approaching Lyra was yelping in pain from the sudden act.
Lyra opens her eyes to find that the stallion she hit was none other than…Flash Sentry! And appearing near the guy was Sunset Shimmer, the Human Version from Canterlot High that is staying in their world.
“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry! I thought you were a monster or an enemy sneaking up behind me!” Lyra apologized for the sudden action here.
“Flash Sentry, a monster, now that is just sounding silly.” Sunset Shimmer stated off to simply say this in having seen what was done.
“Alright Sunset Shimmer, we get it. So, who are you?” Flash Sentry replied off to say this while pondering who the pony was that she thought he was an enemy,
“Lyra Heartstrings, I’m on my first task job as a part of the new monster-hunting agency.” Lyra spoke off in having mentioned this off without a second thought.
“Wait, you’re an agent?” Flash Sentry asked off surprised to suddenly here this news.
“Oops, I wasn’t supposed to reveal that! Now I’ll get scolded by Bon-Bon for making a rookie mistake!” Lyra stated off in realizing her mistake & may get in trouble for it.
“Um, if it’s all the same to you, we’ll just let you do about your business.” Sunset Shimmer smiled off in trying to make it seem like there was no harm done.
“Okay, thanks a million…” Lyra smiled off to simply say this in being glad those here are understandable.
“Hmm….” Flash then looked in a direction of where the sun was setting as he spotted….something, “Um, you said your here on a job, right?” He asked this question off to Lyra in recalling what she said before.
“Yes, looking for any signs of a monster or a villain activity.” Lyra nods off in stating this was her assigned little task.
“What about something unknown?” Flash Sentry asked off this sudden question that was off the top of his head.
“Um….I don’t follow.” Lyra raised an eyebrow in being lost by this new subject.
“For example, do you know what anyone dress in a cloak & hood would be doing here?” Flash Sentry pointed to where he saw Starlight Glimmer in her cloak & hood over the face look leading a group of four lost mares.
“Hugh….you don’t think that…she’s with the Apocalypse Ponies? The same ones that manipulated my pony self here & got to take my place in my own human world?” Sunset Shimmer gasped off in thinking that could be one of the three major enemies making an evil act.
“Woah, first day on the job, and there’s a big villain’s group member here.” Lyra yelps off in feeling that her simple task just became a lot harder than it seems.
“Lyra, let us accompany you, we’ve had some experience in facing those that work with the Three Lords.” Flash Sentry requested this permission as he & Sunset Shimmer once dealt with the Dark Mystics when they wanted the human turn pony mare beside him for any Intel info.
“Well, I think this might be breaking protocol in allowing non-members to aid, but….seeing your more capable in hard fights, I’ll accept this help.” Lyra thought this out carefully as to not do something that wasn’t right, but knew that those here could help out. Plus, the mare was thinking of asking these two to join the agency before so may as well get the chance to do so, right?
“Then we better hurry, she seems to be leading those mares somewhere!” Sunset Shimmer stated off that they need to hurry, whatever act is about to happen, those four ponies with the stranger might be endanger.
“This could be bad. Right now, we were only on our way to visit the Royal Sisters, but while we just got done delivering some errand for Cadance to Celestia, Luna has been more active lately that we have not seen her.” Flash Sentry explained off the matter that as things look, they need to alert the Royal Sisters, but they are both out doing their task, well one they know is & the other…has been majorly distracted.
“Really, then what about Twilight & the others?” Lyra asked off in why this group can’t get Twilight’s pals to help out.
“No time, we have to stop this before it begins.” Flash Sentry stated that as it stands, they are the only ones to stop this action before it begins.
“Come on, let’s go before those ponies get suckered into something they may regret!” Sunset Shimmer stated in thinking they need to quickly get moving if they wanna save those that are gonna become victims.
Now the group of Flash Sentry & Sunset Shimmer joins Lyra Heartstrings as they begins to rush off after some suspicious character. The scene darkens as more things are gonna be playing out of what else shall happen…next.
Within a certain area during the near end of sunset, we find Starlight Glimmer leading those that may soon become a part of her new cult into an old abandon building. As the others entered, they felt like maybe they were getting in over their heads, but they followed Starlight Glimmer who said she can help make their friendship never falter.
“Have you come to a decision?” Starlight Glimmer smiled off to her so to be ‘friends’ that will become equalize.
“Yes, and….well, we just want to know…how can our friendship be perfectly fine,” Moondancer slowly was asking this question in being curious about what they are doing.
“By giving up one’s cutie mark, you will become equal to be the same. It’s that simple.” Starlight Glimmer pointed out in simply stating the fact of how it’s better for friendship to be easier where judgement will not ruin things.
“But our cutie marks make us who we are.” Lemon Hearts stated off in stating how their cutie marks are who they are.
“It’s what we discovered are the talents we have.” Twinkle Shine pointed out in knowing how they are who they are from their cutie marks.
“What will happen if we don’t have them?” Minuette asked off in what will become of them if they lose their cutie marks now.
“You have nothing to fear, you’ll still be you, but the talent itself will be removed with the cutie mark taken away.” Starlight Glimmer said with a secret smile behind her hood.
“But then….how would we use magic?” Moondancer asked off the next big question, would they be unable to use magic if they gave up their cutie marks.
“It will be fine, trust me….this is the path to making sure you do not lose your friendship if one feels better than the other.” Starlight Glimmer patted Moondancer’s shoulder to came the mare in trying to slowly understand how things are gonna be when all are equally one.
The mares were seen looking at one another in wondering the same thought; will this really be alright, are they doing the right thing to save their friendship. But to do so, they need to make a big sacrifice, namely giving up their cutie marks that represents who they are for their special talents.
“Do you not want to be free from the pain & cruelty a cutie mark gives, do you feel happy that in this world, others either look down to you or smear at you for being higher than normal folks?” Starlight Glimmer asked forth this tough question if those here wanted to live with such folks giving them such a look when their eyes cross.
“No, of course not, it’s just…” Moondancer shook her head off in not wanting to ever go through something like that. “Well, Twilight helped us.” She quickly added this factor of who already helped them solve their friendship problem.
“She taught us about friendship even if we started from scratch.” Minuette stated that from how things were, they did start all over again from scratch.
“And that from there, we got along much better.” Lemon Hearts smiled a bit that Twilight felt better of being a good friend to her old friends before she moved to Ponyville.
“So, if we all were to become equal, what would happen with Twilight?” Twinkle Shine asked off that if they were to become equal in their friendship, what about Twilight who is still their old pal?
“Oh, I’m certain I can pursue her to join…” Starlight Glimmer slyly remarked off to say while looking away to not show a strange ‘upset’ yet pretend happy face to not let it bother anyone. “After all, she needs to understand things ‘my’ way then ‘her’ way…Just because she’s called the Princess of Friendship, doesn’t mean she knows it all.” She pointed off in remotely claiming over the matter that she has better knowledge about how to keep friendship then that mare who ruined her whole cult.
However, Moondancer had been paying attention to every detail she heard while the others were still lost & uncertain. But there was one thing that any good friend would know, never to belittle a friend who was doing so hard to make things right.
“You’re wrong….” Moondancer spoke off this as if sounding…serious in a quiet-like tone.
“Hmmm?” Starlight Glimmer raised an eyebrow in having heard this pony say something until…
“You’re wrong!” Moondancer spoke up firmly to state something against what she’s hearing. “Twilight doesn’t force others to see her view of friendship, but only wants one to accept fit if a friend is truly sincere!”
“Really, what about the moment she left you?” Starlight Glimmer raised an eyebrow in trying to push some old guilt back on this pony.
“That was before…I was blinded about the fact she had to help save Equestria and I used that as an excuse.” Moondancer protest off in stating she used the excuse of Equestria being saved by Twilight. “I acted as much a bad friend to those that wanted to help me, but Twilight…she made things right. I didn’t wanna experience another friendship disaster, but….Twilight & everyone kept trying because….that’s what true friends do in not giving up on someone.” She explained this out in knowing that Twilight is a good friend for having come to fix their old friendship, instead of her living a miserable life without friends.
Starlight Glimmer was beginning to lose her patience here, Moondancer was not letting go of what Twilight did to her in the past, just because she fixed it now of a recent event. The others were also beginning to have second guesses as well, Starlight Glimmer may have to resort to another tactic here if the situation becomes unfavorable to her.
“No one move!” Then without warning, Flash Sentry came in followed by Lyra & Sunset Shimmer in an authorized position manner to make sure no one moved.
“Alright, you in the cloak & hood, give up nicely, Apocalypse Ponies member!” Lyra issued off in demanding this enemy give up without causing any trouble as they were not gonna let Starlight Glimmer getaway.
“What!” That caused Minuette, Lemon Hearts & Twinkle Shine to yelp, Moondancer stared in silence as they know about the second ranking member of the Three Lords of Equestria, but to think one of them was near them.
“Way to keep a low profile!” Sunset Shimmer rolled her eyes in seeing someone needed to know how to not cause a scene.
“Sorry, still new at this.” Lyra sheepishly stated in this being new to her, she doesn’t have much know-how.
“I’ll have you know, I am not in league with Equestria’s worse villains!” Starlight Glimmer sternly issued off in making this stated claim that she is, and is NOT, a member working for the Three Lords. “I’m only here to help give those that are unhappy & to build a better friendship in where one is equal in equality.” She issued forth in explaining the case in how she is trying to help better one’s friendship in where they are equal.
“By giving up our cutie marks?” Moondancer raised an eyebrow in stating what this mare was after that they had to make a big jump which they didn’t, & may not do now more than ever.
“Wait-a-second here. Give up cutie marks, equality, Friendship….these sound like that case Ben told me about a mare that was misguiding a town of ponies by giving up their talents. Her name was….Starlight Glimmer!” Flash Sentry exclaims, recalling an adventure that Ben once told him about weeks ago.
Then gasping were heard coming from Minuette, Lemon Hearts & Twinkle Shine, even Moondancer felt shock to hear this. Starlight Glimmer deceived a town full of ponies to have them remove their talents from their cutie marks, how can this be….?
“Judging by their reaction, you are here, aren’t you? So you are trying to start up trouble here?” Sunset Shimmer stated off in seeing the gasp from the others lead them to see that this strange unicorn mare in question was indeed Starlight Glimmer up to some old tricks it seems.
“Wrong! I’m here to bring equality since my plans & hard work got ruined by Twilight Sparkle! I saw that these four were her old friends, so….who better to start then by recruiting those she knew that are not fully happy.” Starlight Glimmer issued off in having plan to only recruit Twilight’s old friends under her new ‘friendship’ program.
“But wait, I remember what you did from an old report…you were the only one with a cutie mark unlike everyone else in town! You lied to them when you said they were equal!” Flash Sentry stated off in remembering who Starlight Glimmer is, he saw old reports & heard from Ben about a unicorn that was taking cutie marks that change to equal signs, everyone but the mare that started such a cult were all the same & many found such living difficult while one was not the same as them.
“Because without my cutie mark, I can’t do magic!” Starlight Glimmer exclaimed forth in stating that without a cutie mark, one cannot use magic.
“Wait, that means if we gave up our cutie marks...” Minuette yelps in realizing what this could have meant.
“We wouldn’t be able to do magic either?” Lemon Hearts stated in shock of what this all means now.
“You never said anything about that happening!” Twinkle Shine stated off that Starlight Glimmer didn’t say anything about losing their magic.
"I also heard from the reports that you told Twilight Sparkle to shut up when she was about to give a friendship lesson, even insulted my best friend, Ben Mare about his scar!" Flash Sentry added off that quote that he wanted to make it be heard & clear.
"Those two are just pathetic excuses for a prince and princess of Equestria! While Ben may seem like quite a catch for Twilight, that's beside the point!" Starlight glimmer retorted off to say this issue of what to say here.
"Funny, I also heard that Pinkie Pie called you a Troll one time." Sunset Shimmer snickers off to say in which Lyra snickered as well in having heard that.
"Hehe, that is kinda funny." Lyra snickered a bit under her breath while Starlight Glimmer gave an annoyed frown on her face.
“Give up now Starlight Glimmer, as of right now, you’re not listed as a major villain, more around a minor. If you give in now, then you can still make it up for your mistakes & misunderstandings of friendship…” Flash Sentry issued forth in wanting the mare that caused trouble from misunderstanding & teachings about friendship that perhaps the mare needs help understanding things.
“NO! I refuse to accept it! The true meaning of obtaining friendship is if we are all equal, so long as that exist, then nothing will be done. As long as they are around, cutie marks cause nothing but trouble.” Starlight Glimmer snapped off in refusing to give in to such nonsense & to stick to her principles no matter who anyone says. “And I intend to fix it.” She issued off in knowing just how to fix this little dilemma here.
Then without warning, something was seen stomping across the backside of the next turn spot. Then a largely base Horus size creature appeared in which none had ever seen. This Horus was brown feathered, yellow talons with two & one red-violet nails in front toes to a back, & the front talons were three toes, a white feather head with a yellow beak. The strangest thing was that it almost looked like a large size griffon, but it was clearly a Horus type, but it also wore a silver helmet with wing edges off the side for flight.
“What the heck is THAT!?” Lyra yelps off as she, Moondancer & everyone was surprised to see such a creature.
“It’s called an Armor Horus, said to be strong a breed that are specialized in flight travels & using the wind. I had to spend a lot of money to even obtain at least ONE of these, but it should be enough for the likes of you!” Starlight Glimmer explained about this creature, as she had it kept here in case she needed it for a special task in which case…she was right in what was happening here. “Use your Mach Impulse on them!” She then gave the order to the creature in what attack it should use.
Armor Horus soon releases blades or pressurized wind from the wings on his helmet to slash into enemies. Flash Sentry braced himself from to hold his sword, the attack collided &imploded a force that skid him backgrounds. The others were shocked to see that & the stallion was seen shaking his hooves a bit.
“Okay…..simple problem just became difficult!” Flash Sentry stated off to say this in seeing that dealing with Starlight Glimmer is not their concern no more.
“Now, use Tempest Wing!” Starlight Glimmer yelled out in giving out the next order to attack with.
Soon what happened next was that Armor Horus fly to the air, spins around, creating a tornado with which to attack his enemy or enemies. Flash Sentry could only stand his ground, but neither he, nor Sunset Shimmer & Lyra were match for this wind that pushed them across the area to crash against some stock crates that broke their fall, but also hurt a little.
“Urrrrraga…..somehow, I wish we were better prepared for this!” Lyra struggled to get up in wishing that they were more prepared against such an opponent.
“Let’s see how this thing handles being attacked back!” Sunset Shimmer exclaimed to say this in preparing her magic horn to fire a magic beam.
Now Sunset Shimmer was firing a few magic beam shots, but the Armor Horus seem very maneuver to soar as fast as Rainbow Dash. But then something else happened as he fires two glowing energy arrows from his eyes which Sunset Shimmer couldn’t dodge before it hit her, but when it faded, she appeared…paralyzed.
“It’s useless, once its Eagle Eye hits, it’ll either smite an opponent or paralyze them. Lucky for you, it’s the latter.” Starlight Glimmer explained off what it was that Armor Horus used on poor Sunset Shimmer there.
“Oh man, this looks pretty bad!” Lemon Hearts stated in seeing this from afar.
“Moondancer, we have to something!” Minuette stated in what they have to be doing.
“Right, at this rate…they won’t stand a chance!” Twinkle Shine nods off in also agreeing on the topic, but how?
“Then let’s try to focus on magic to help distract that thing from them…it might be effective with all four of us. I’ll show you how.” Moondancer explained this off in what plan she has that may just help them out here.
Now without warning, Moondancer began to explain how even a simple citizen unicorn can charge up a beam with their horn. Armor Horus was moving around in circles around Flash Sentry & Lyra that tried to keep a paralyzed Sunset from being attacked. Then without warning, four magic beams impacted Armor Horus that made it squawk a bit from the surprise. Starlight Glimmer saw this to know who attacked, only to find it was from Moondancer & her friends.
“What…..you’re trying to oppose me? After I’m trying to help your friendship?” Starlight Glimmer asked this off in shock to see what these four are doing when all she wanted was to help them.
“Our friendship doesn’t need help being fixed.” Lemon Hearts issued off to say matter.
“That’s right, we’re friends because we care about our differences.” Twinkle Shine stated off this claim about difference.
“Even without a cutie mark, we were friends without them, & we’re staying friends with them.” Minuette stated in referring to they are friends from start to finish.
“Twilight may not have known about friendship, but she clearly knows more than you ever will.” Moondancer concluded about their decision of what their choice is as they will not follow Starlight Glimmer’s path of being equal.
“Grrr….Armor Horus, use the Udjat Gaze!” Starlight Glimmer growls off in becoming mad before giving out the next order.
Having heard the order, the Armor Horus sudden unleashed a cursed beam that was fired from a sharp glance of its eyes, it impacted Moondancer’s group in which left them….in a stoop state.
“This was the reason why I took an interest in an Armor Horus…hypnotizing the enemy from it’s curse beam will make you listen to reason.” Starlight Glimmer smiled off in seeing that this will help her settle matters of acquiring more cult members that will listen to her logic in friendship.
“Forget it….even with such a trick….when they come to realize it…what you did was lie to them…again.” Flash Sentry snapped off to say this in using his sword to push himself up more to make this claim.
“It’s better this way, the truth is always hurtful, I know about it….which is way if we were all equal, no one would become victims of the order of chaos happening around!” Starlight Glimmer remarked off in having understood such a pain about friendship, as such without them all being equal, they cannot be truly friends to one another.
“But your forcing this on them, what about talking it over, this isn’t right? And so now, we have to stop you.” Lyra stated off to say this in knowing this was wrong, so they have to put a stop to it.
“You all just don’t get it. Armor Horus, get them!” Starlight Glimmer remarked off in seeing that those here need to be beaten by this Horus creature once more.
Soon Armor Horus was about to prepare another Tempest Wing attack as it spins to create another tornado that was blowing against the others. Lyra had pinned Sunset Shimmer down so they could withstand this…but Flash Sentry was not budging from his spot, as he was trying to see where the foe would strike. But then suddenly from the loud wind, there was something that felt…soft & like…a whisper in the ear.
“What the…what’s this I’m feeling?” Flash Sentry stated off in suddenly feeling something around him as he was seeing a wind pattern of…what the target is about to do before it happens. “It’s like I know what is coming from….the direction of the wind. Why’s that?” He was very much confused, how was it that the wind was alerting him of something like this?
“Flash! Watch out!” Sunset Shimmer yelled out to warn the guy she loves of what was coming while getting out of her paralyzed state.
Then Flash Sentry looked to the right direction within the tornado as Armor Horus was making a dive to tackle him. But Flash Sentry used his training to not only dodge, but landed an attack on the creature’s left front talon. The tornado disburse as both fighters are seen across another.
“Okay….too close for comfort!” Flash Sentry stated off in feeling that was a close shave, but how did he know how to dodge just from…feeling the wind of the creature’s path; weird.
Soon the Armor Horus lifted off into the air as it was preparing for another of its attacks, Flash Sentry was bracing for whatever would come and pray that maybe a voice in the wind could clue him in like before while not knowing how it happened. But suddenly without warning, something else happened instead.
“It’s Showtime!” Spoke a voce from the air that no one heard, however…what came was something else. “POWFRUVHM-POWFRUVHM-POWFRUVHM-POWVRUVHM-POWFRUVHM-POWFRUVHM…./BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-KABAM!” Then at that moment through an open window, six grenades were shot off from there that impacted to explode right on the Armor Horus. The Armor Horus let off a painful cry in what was hurting it, before six more grenades came through the same open window, exploded to knock the Horus creature down to smash through a wall that created lots of smoke, but also an opening….
“What the…..but….how could you have defeated it? I didn’t see any of you move!” Starlight Glimmer exclaimed off in shock, there was no way those that were having such a hard time could have defeated an Armor Horus, so then what caused this?
Off sight from where things were, someone was seen holding a ladder & using what looked like a Grenade Launcher; none other than Solid Snake. Apparently, he was watching Lyra Heartstrings from afar & seem to have decided to take action from a good view & with the right ‘tools’ for the job.
“Good job there Snake, you attacked it from its expose moment of when its guard was less active.” Otacon’s voce was heard on Snake’s com-link as he was praising the guy for the rescue aid.
“Brother, why did you have to make me step in when this was supposed to be the new rookie’s chance to get some experience?” Solid Snake motioned off to complain in seeing he had to do some cleanup when Lyra is supposed to be getting experience in this kind of monster-hunting work.
“Because we’re taking it slowly, besides, the situation called for it when a hostage matter came into play.” Otacon explained the case over the com-link while pointing out a hostage crisis needed to be done as quick as possible.
“Alright Otacon, so let’s see how they play out now that one wall is gone.” Solid Snake nods off to simply give in & let things roll out on their own.
Back with the earlier moment of where some were facing off against the Armor Horus, before a surprise ally from off the sight aided in its defeat. Now many that were coughing from so much smokescreen were coming into the picture from Flash Sentry, Sunset Shimmer, Lyra, even Moondancer & her three friends.
“I don’t know what saved us, but I’m not complaining!" Flash Sentry stated off in being thankful in whoever helped them knock the Armor Horus down.
“Are you girls okay?” Lyra asked off to the others in making sure no one was hurt.
“I…think so. Ugh, so that was how it felt to be hypnotized?” Moondancer rub her head in being a bit sore at this time.
“Wait a second, where’s Starlight Glimmer run off?” Sunset Shimmer asked off in noticing that someone wasn’t here.
That made many look around the abandoned building, there was nothing by empty space, crates to even a busted hole where Armor Horus was seen lying under piles of.
“She must have escaped when we were all mostly blinded by the smokescreen of so many explosive grenades.” Flash Sentry stated in what could have happened during such a short time.
“Well, maybe we’’ll another shot someday.” Sunset Shimmer shrug off to simply say this about the case at hand.
“Aaaaughh….” A moaning male voice is heard from the distance just now.
“Wait, did anyone hear moans?” Minuette asked off in what she just heard now.
“I heard them too.” Lemon Hearts nods off in having heard the sound too.
“But the only guy here is Flash.” Twinkle Shine pointed out in who was the only one here.
“Aaaaauuggh….” Then the moaning male voice is heard again, coming from the rubble pile which was…
“Hugh! The Armor Horus!” The three mares gasped in seeing where the male sound voice came from.
Soon the Armor Horus pushes the rubble piles off, but then falls back down, looking pretty bang up. Everyone seem to be on edge, not approaching the creature that may attack them again. However, one of them seem to be moving towards the danger…
“Lyra, what are doing?” Flash Sentry spoke off in seeing what the mare was doing was crazy.
“It looks hurt, I’m going to see what’s wrong.” Lyra stated off in what she was gonna be doing here.
“Of course it’s hurt, it took twelve magical grenades in whoever attacked it.” Flash Sentry pointed out that anyone would be hurt from such a damage count.
“Easy boy, no one’s gonna hurt you, I’m here to help…but only if you let me.” Lyra gently spoke to approach the creature, showing she was not hostile, but…showed a friendly face that had no evil intention.
“Hmmm…alright.” Then in a surprise twist, the creature spoke like an adult man’s voice.
“Wait, you can talk? I wasn’t even aware that Horus types can talk!” Moondancer exclaimed in shock to see what has just happened in what they saw.
“Armor Horus are different, we know how to speak your language…” The Armor Horus explained off this matter for the rest to follow through.
“So, what’s your name?” Lyra asked off in pondering a question.
“I…don’t have one. I was only meant to be useful in battles…I was tame, sold to the pony that knew about my hypnotic power that she wanted to help form better friendships.” The Armor Horus responded off in not having a name, he was bought to work for Starlight Glimmer, & that was it.
“Well as one friendship learner to the next, friends don’t leave you behind like she did.” Sunset Shimmer pointed out that Starlight Glimmer left this guy behind, so he owes her nothing in return.
“I suppose this is the end for me.” The Armor Horus sighs off to say this in knowing this might be his end moment.
“Well, maybe not…how’s about this…if you like, we could use someone of your strength to help in hunting down monsters?” Lyra suddenly went off to ask a question if this guy would join the monster-hunting agency, they could use someone like this guy.
“Would you really give me aid after I tried to do you harm?” The Armor Horus raised an eyebrow in asking this trick question.
“Well second chances are what friends do, so….seeing your not such a bad guy….why not?” Moondancer smiled off to simply say this out over the matte rat hand.
“I agree!” Twinkle Shine nods off to say this.
“Me too!” Lemon Hearts replied off in what she heard.
“Me three!” Minuette also responded in the same agreement.
“Oh, and I got a good name for you…how about Halse!” Lyra spoke off in suddenly having a name to address this guy.
“Halse?” The Armor Horus repeated the name as it took some moments before…it sank in. “Yes, I like it. You are very compassionate.” He nods in being thankful to the mare for the new name.
“Well Lyra, looks like your first task is accomplished.” Flash Sentry smiled off in seeing that Lyra did her first task of finding a monster to hunt, & she did in a way.
“Well….I couldn’t have done it alone.” Lyra smiled off to give credit where it was due.
“Still, thank you all for the save….but is that the last we’ve seen of Starlight Glimmer?” Flash Sentry was pondering this thought about seeing Starlight Glimmer again.
“I have a feeling, we’ll see her again…if not sooner.” Sunset Shimmer stated to say this much in a firm tone, before everyone was picking themselves up to leave.
"BTW, I asked this to a friend of mine not too long ago...Flash, Sunset, how about you join our little group?" Lyra ask the couple with a hopeful smile.
The couple paused, pondering on the question and if they should answer. And with that, the scene begins to get darken around now….
Meanwhile outside of Canterlot borders just as nighttime was starting to begin, we see that Starlight Glimmer was making her escape from when she used the smokescreen as cover. She lost another battle and the Armor Horus that costed her a lot to purchase. Now she’ll have to come up with a new plan to recruit those into her cult to spread her meaning of friendship from afar.
“Hugh-hugh….curses…..I’ll have to plan everything from scratch!” Starlight Glimmer cursed off to say this in seeing that she was stopped again, first by Twilight’s group, now some group members that know Twilight & the Mane Six.
The mare was making her way through a small hidden crack side in the mountain, as she knew it would be a perfect place to cut across to the other side while avoiding any pursuers.
“I won’t rest until I’ve shown them, that without equality, no one is an equal friend….no one.” Starlight Glimmer stated this off in sounding upset, mad, furious that what happened only fuels her resolve to accomplish her task.
And soon the mare rushes through more of the crack openings to vanish from sight. The story about Starlight Glimmer seems to be over for now, but who’s to say in where or when she’ll strike again? Everything goes dark around now, as the questions of what’s to happen in the future…lies ahead for us to see when the time come…
The End
Author's Note
Cast list
Kazumi Evans: Moondancer
Rebecca Hussain: Minuette
Ashleigh Ball: Lemon Hearts, Lyra Heartstrings
Tabitha St. Germain: Twinkle Shine
Vincent Tong: Flash Sentry
Rebecca Shoichet: Sunset Shimmer
Kelly Sheridan: Starlight Glimmer
David Hayter: Solid Snake
Christopher Randolph: Otacon
Tara Strong: Twilight Sparkle
Jason Marsden: Ben Mare
Daveigh Chase: Nyx
Neil Kaplan: Halse the Armor Horus
Frank Welker: Nightclaw
There we go, another story done. Did you enjoy this? I hope so.
Okay, normally I would do a fic not in the timeline or a origin story...but since I did that already with the Twilight's Kingdom Adaptation, I will go on with the next fic...
"Old Friends Meeting New Friends: (set shortly after "Friendship Is Magic: Canterlot Style" as well as just a couple of days after "Do Princesses Dream Of Magic Sheep?") After Moondancer and her friends beat the temptations and schemes of Starlight Glimmer with the help of Lyra, Flash and Sunset, the four mares head to Ponyville to pay a visit to Twilight and the rest of the Mane 6, just a couple of days after THEIR most recent adventure."
Okay, I should be getting closer to catching up before the Season 5 resumes this Saturday. Until next time, read, review and suggest!
Halse of the Armor Horus is based off of Halsemon from Digimon Adventure 02 TV Series.
This starring moment of Starlight Glimmer is mostly a ploy in where she was hidden during the restaurant scene when Twilight was sitting with her old friends. For the most part, this one's character of what will happen to her is still a mystery as she's not behaving like a real villain, but just someone that wants things done different. Till then, we'll treat her as a out-of-the-loop type of where her fate will be explained in a future episode.
