Chapter 1: Dearly Beloved

The scorpion let out an aggressive hiss as it raised its tail, showing off the deadly point that was ready to pierce any pony brave enough to come near it. Applejack took the challenge. She rushed towards the monster and jumped on its back. Startled, the scorpion staggered back and forth as it tried to shake the orange pony off. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy seized the opportunity Applejack had given them. With a length of rope in their hooves, the pegesi dove down on the incapacitated scorpion. The deadly tail was caught by the rope and pulled down until it is flat against the scorpion's back. Applejack leaped off of the monster's back to avoid the falling tail.

"Go, Fluttershy! Get under its legs!" Rainbow Dash barked as she did the same.

The pegesi looped underneath the terrified scorpion, and they tied the monster's tail down. Twilight lowered her horn and launched several concentrated bolts of magic at the scorpion's head. The magic harmlessly deflected off of the monster's shell, causing several trees off to the side to explode into splinters.

"Hey, you!" Twilight taunted. "Come and get me!"

It wasn't her brightest idea, taunting a giant, killer scorpion. Twilight almost regretted the plan all together, but it was too late. It worked, just as she had planned, and the scorpion took the bait. Its tail may have been defeated, but the monster's two front pincers were still fully operational. Twilight took a couple of nervous steps backwards, but she held her ground. The scorpion was falling right into her trap. The scorpion realized this all to late, and it hit a trip wire set up by Rarity. The monster is instantly bagged in a mesh net and hoisted into the air. It tried to cut through the net, but the silk was too strong.

"Oh, I wouldn't try that, darling..." Rarity said. "That silk is specially crafted. It is made from the finest and strongest fibers in Equestria. I promise you, it will not tear so easily."

The scorpion ignored her and continued anyway. To finish the monster off, Pinkie Pie blasted the beast in face with her signature air-powered confetti cannon. After that, the scorpion gave up, and its claws hung loosely as it sadly scraped the dirt.

"Twilight, I do hope you aren't planning to leave this creature dangling like this forever." Rarity said, sympathetically.

Twilight shook her head.

"Of course not, Rarity. We'll let him go when we can find a way to get him back to the Dead Lands."

The scorpion shifted in the net excitedly at the mention of his home.

"That is a mighty good idea, Twilight." Applejack agreed. "Besides, those crazy villagers will be be even more relieved to find out that this fella wasn't trying to terrorize them. He just got a little lost."

"A little 'lost'?" Rainbow Dash scoffed. "The Dead Lands are, like, a thousand miles away! How in Equestria are we going to get him there?"

Twilight smiled at the blue pegasus.

"Rainbow Dash, when you know the princesses like we do, everything is possible." Twilight said with a content sigh.

It was a job well done. A lost 'monster' was incapacitated, and a village was saved. All they needed to do now was return to the village, give the villagers the good news, and return to Ponyville. That was the plan, anyway. Unfortunately, things don't always go according to plan.

***

The silence was broken instantly by the return of the mane six. The villagers bursted into cheers and stomping hooves. They threw hay and grass along the dirt road as the 'Equestrian Outsiders' approached. The village chief, flanked by his daughter, stepped forward to greet them. Twilight and her friends stood before the chief, now. They lowered their heads as a greeting gesture, and the chief lowered his head in return. Then, he raised his right hoof to quiet the roaring villagers. When they were quiet, he turned his attention to the mane six to speak.

"My little ponies, when you first entered our village, you were outsiders. You claimed a magical 'map' had guided you here to solve a friendship problem. We were skeptical, at first, and we were afraid. We have always though of outsiders as evil and selfish ponies, but you have proved us wrong. Not only did you help our blacksmith and his wife come past their ridiculous feud, but you went out of your way to stop the certain destruction of our village at the claws of that scorpion. You are no longer outsiders, my little ponies, you are now friends of the Blackstar Tribe!"

The village erupted into cheers once again. Twilight couldn't help feeling good about herself. Her chest pounded with a sense of pride she had rarely felt. She felt accomplished, and she felt like she could do anything the world threw at her. The chief raised his hoof again to quiet the villagers.

"As new friends of the Blackstar Tribe," He said. "We request that you celebrate these victories with us. It is only fair that we fill your bellies with food and drink before your long voyage home."

Twilight was blushing even harder, now. A celebration wasn't a part of her plan. They were going to head back to Ponyville. She looked back at her friends.

"What do you gals think? Ponyville doesn't need us right this second, does it?" Twilight asked them.

They shook their heads eagerly. They wanted to party with the Blackstar Tribe just as badly as Twilight did. The purple alicorn grinned from ear to ear as she turned back to face the chief.

"We would be honored to celebrate with you, your grace." She said with a gracious bow.

"Ha!" The chief roared. "This will be a day long remembered! We will sing songs of you for generations to come! The stars in Princess Luna's sky will paint your pictures above to watch over us during the night! Come! Let us waist no time. Pink mare, let loose your cannon of parties!"

Pinkie Pie didn't need to be told twice. She pulled her party cannon out of thin air and gave it a swift kick, launching confetti into the trees. The villagers lost their minds at the sight of the colorful paper strips raining from the trees. They cheered wildly as they welcomed the mane six into their hooves. The celebrations had begun. A makeshift bar was erected by the pond in the village's center. Tables were set up and filled to the brim with salads, breads, and beautiful sculptures of hay and bark. Honorary rose petal necklaces were given to the heroes as tokens of friendship.

"This party is wild!" Rainbow Dash yelled as inhales a plate of green leaves.

"I'm in mind with Rainbow." Rarity agreed giddily as a couple villagers offer her a bouquet of flowers. "These ponies are just to kind."

Twilight smiled. She was glad her friends were enjoying themselves, but she needed a drink. The battle with the scorpion had left her parched and quite hungry. Twilight excused herself, and she made her way to the bar. The villager serving drinks gave her a gracious bow.

"Good evening, friend!" He said excitedly. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Twilight nodded her head eagerly as she thirstily eyed the sparkled waters and fruit-flavored beverages. Just as she was about to point her hoof at a tasty-looking red liquid, some pony tapped her shoulder. Twilight spun around. It was a golden unicorn. Her coat was brighter than a dragon's hoard, and her silver mane twinkled like the stars on a clear night. She was the chief's daughter. In the cloud of her magic, she held a clear beverage. The golden mare offered Twilight the beverage. Thirsty beyond all belief, Twilight took it without a second thought. The chief's daughter watched with intensity as Twilight gulped down the soothing drink. It wasn't water. It looked like water, but it tasted like sweet honey and chocolate. It warmed her throat and chest to an unknown level of comfort.

"W-Wow..." Twilight moaned as she eyes the empty glass. "That stuff was... great..."

"I am glad you liked it, Twilight Sparkle." The golden mare said happily. "W-Would you care to... dance with me?"

Twilight looked around her. The festivities were just beginning. Villagers, plus a few of her friends, were dancing in large circles around the pond. After drinking that strange beverage, Twilight felt compelled to join them.

"Of course I'll join you, uh..."

"My name is Sadri." The golden mare reminded  her with a sweet laugh.

"Right..." Twilight said as she tried to hide the red hue in her burning cheeks.

Before she knew it, Sadri was pulling her away from the bar and into the dancing rings. Twilight was instantly caught in the moment. The festive music and laughter lifted her spirits until she twirling in circles with Sadri in her hooves. Sadri laughed gleefully as she tightened her grip around Twilight. The two mares spun in circles until they fell down. They continued to laugh. Sadri tried to stand, but her hooves were tangled in Twilight's, and they both fell again. This time, Sadri crawled on top of Twilight. The purple alicorn watched as she pulled a silver broach off of her neck. It was laced with gold trimmings, and a bright emerald was shining in the center. Sadri offered it to Twilight.

"This is for you..." Sadri said softly. "If you'll take it... If you'll take... me..."

Not wanting to be rude or upset Sadri, she took the gift, and she put it around her own neck. Sadri beamed with joy.

"Oh, Twilight Sparkle, t-this makes me so happy..." She stuttered.

Then, she leaned forward and kissed Twilight full on the lips. Twilight simply looked back at Sadri, her face full of confusion and wonder. Then, she passed out.

***TO BE CONTINUED***