After everyone reached Ponyville via train, the time was already afternoon, with the sun nearly setting but enough light for ponies to be out. Everyone went their separate ways back to their homes, with Twilight, Spike, Burnice and Atlas back to the library. Heading back, all the residents of Ponyville, gawking the same as those at Canterlot at Atlas. However some seem to mind their own business like Atlas wasn’t there. Finally reaching the door to the library, Twilight unlocks the door and enters inside. Once in, she closes the door and talks with Atlas on the punishment that Celestia had picked for him. “Okay… considering that nopony in town knows of what you’ve done the day you appeared, it’s safe to say that everypony probably has a neutral opinion on you. So I think we should start off the day by helping out at Applejack’s farm, Sweet Apple Acres. Then maybe we can help out the rest of my friends,” said Twilight. “Spike could you write down a list of things that Atlas can do to help out in Ponyville.”

“Sure Twilight, what should I add on the list?” asked Spike.

As Twilight and Spike talked what sort of things Atlas can do, Burnice and Atlas decide to leave the two to their ideas and thoughts. Waiting outside, Burnice asks just what happened between him and Celestia when they talked alone. “What happened when you were alone with Celestia anyway?” asked Burnice, still curious.

“Again, I can’t remember. All I know is that she asked me some questions about my world, and all of a sudden I blacked out and she asked me to leave,” said Atlas.

“I don’t know, it kind of sounds strange that you suddenly can remember like that. I don’t think anyone would simply nod off in front of the princess,” said Burnice.

“Trust me… I gotten into far worse situations than nodding in front of royalty,” said Atlas. Atlas has gotten himself in tons of trouble, either caused by him or someone else. Either way, Atlas ends up surviving or nearly left for dead.

After Spike and Twilight were done with whatever ideas they had for Atlas, they headed off to Sweet Apple Acres. Walking down to a path which would lead them there, they pass the town square. Once crossing there, they come across a few familiar residents of Ponyville. “Oh hey Twilight!” said Vinyl, wearing her signature purple shades.

“Oh hello Vinyl, what are you doing today?” asked Twilight, happy to meet one of Ponyville’s known residents.

“You know, going here and there. Say who’s the big guy with you?” asked Vinyl.

“About that, this here is Atlas… his an explorer from another land. Celestia has given me the responsibility to show Atlas around Ponyville,” said Twilight. Since nopony knew where Atlas had come from, Twilight had to make false stories about Atlas’s sudden appearance in Ponyville. Luckily, the pony she spoke to was… how you say, “calm” with meeting Atlas.

“That’s cool. Say, did you hear what happened at Sweet Apple Acres. Ponies said that some strange creature nearly caused a forest fire, do you figure out what caused it?” asked Vinyl.

“All we could find were timberwolves,” said Spike, lying.

“Timberwolves? How in Equestria did timberwolves start a fire?” said Vinyl.

Everyone shrugs, pretending not to know how the incident at Sweet Apple Acres happened, when Atlas was the one who caused it. After speaking to Vinyl Scratch, her friend Octavia comes toward the group. “Vinyl, I thought I told you to go buy some groceries when you were out. It’s been an hour now and you haven’t back since,” said Octavia. Octavia notices Atlas and the first thought to come through her mind… was fear. “WHAT IS THAT THING!?”

“Jeese Octavia, rude,” said Vinyl. “Just because Atlas is different doesn’t mean you can scream at him and call him a thing.”

“BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS EVER IN MY TRAVELS AS A MUSICIAN! JUST WHAT IS THIS THING!?” shouted Octavia, continuing to speak loudly.

“If I were to get one gold coin for every time I was called a thing… I’d be rich,” said Atlas.

“Hey! It’s rude to talk to my friend like that! You should apologize,” said Spike, defending Atlas.

“Yeah, Tavi,” said Vinyl, in agreement.

Octavia sighed and breathed in and out slowly. After understanding that what she did was rude, she tried apologizing... still she was a tad frightened by Atlas’s appearance. “I’m… sorry,” said Octavia, trying to not make eye contact.

“See, there’s no need for anypony to be fighting each other. So let’s get along and be pals,” said Vinyl, putting her hoof over Octavia. “Say, how about I buy you and your friends some drinks Twilight.”

“That’s find, we need to head to AJ’s to help out at her farm,” said Twilight. “But thank you for the generous offer.” After Twilight and company continue their way to Sweet Apple Acres, Octavia stares at Vinyl.

“You just wanted an excuse to buy a drink for yourself… didn’t you,” said Octavia.

“Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat… okay maybe, but it would have been worth it,” said Vinyl, chuckling.

The gray mare lightly face-hoofed herself, after trotting beside her companion. Elsewhere, Applejack returns to her family farm and continues with replanting the destroyed apple trees, when Atlas had a tussle with the timberwolves before. With the help of her brother, Big Mac, the siblings plant tree after tree, for every hole they dug.

“Whew! Today sure is hot… say Big Mac, want to do a short break for now, I think we planted enough for the time being,” said Applejack.

The big red stallion, grunts and responds with a simple “Eeyup,” back at Applejack. The two head to a big red barn. Inside, is an old mare, with a green coat, baking what seemed to be pies. “Ah AJ, I wantid to ask you if you know where Applebloom is. I haven’t seen that filly since this mornin… have you seen er?” asked Granny Smith.

“No Granny, I haven’t. She must be at the treehouse with her friends,” said Applejack.

The old mare nods, continuing with her baking. “I see… By the way, how’s the apple planting doing. I don’t know what caused that fire, but whatevar it twas, it’s gone now,” said Granny Smith, keeping an eye on the oven.

“Eeyup,” said Big Mac, agreeing.

While relaxing, Applejack spots a few familiar faces outside. Taking a closer look, she sees it’s Twilight, Burnice, Spike, and Atlas. “Hey guys, what brings you here?” asked Applejack, a straw in her mouth.

“Well, since Celestia has given Atlas to help out with any problems in Ponyville, I thought it be a good idea to bring him here and help out,” said Twilight.

“It was my fault that this happened in the first problem,” said Atlas, a bit guilty for causing the fire.

“Nonsense… well it sort of is because of you, but if those timberwolves just minded their own business, they wouldn’t have wandered in my family’s farm,” said Applejack. “Now I guess you can help us plant some apple trees.”

While Applejack’s break was still on, she introduced Atlas and Burnice to her family. “Big Mac! Granny Smith! There’s some friends of mine I like to introduce to you!” said Applejack, getting her family’s attention.

Stepping into the living room, the first thing the two ponies spotted was Atlas. For the first time ever, there was someone bigger than Big Mac, other than the princesses. Taking a careful look at Atlas, Granny Smith and moves up closer to Atlas. “It’s nice meetin you Atlass,” said Granny Smith.

“My name only has one ‘s’,” said Atlas, correcting how Granny Smith said his name.

“Well anyway, why don’t you relax with us, and then we’ll continue with planting some apple trees,” said Applejack. Everypony enjoyed relaxing in the living room, it was Burnice’s first time visiting Sweet Apple Acres, even though she only been in Ponyville for a few months or so, she has been mostly minding her own business. When Burnice first saw Atlas, she was sure he wouldn’t make in the injuries he was in… but after absorbing her flames… Burnice has never seen such magic or anything like that ever in her long years of learning fire magic, and she was sure that fire couldn’t be used for healing purposes. Especially in the way that Atlas used it for, back at the ruined castle.

“Say Atlas, this bothered me but… when I first met you back at the ruined castle… how were you able to heal your own wounds with my flames?” asked Burncie, still dumbfounded about the idea.

“Oh, right… I guess I should explain that. Well, my people have the abilities that are exact to that of the regenerative process of a phoenix… just no egg and more like wounds being healed. The more major wounds require fire, it doesn’t matter where it came from, as long it’s fire… I can use it,” said Atlas.

Before Burnice got the chance to continue with her question, Twilight interrupts the two. “WAIT, YOU CAN DO WHAT!?” shouted Twilight, spitting out some juice she was drinking.

“Inside voice Twilight,” said Spike.

“R-right, ahem… as I said, what do you mean you can use fire to heal yourself?” asked Twilight.

Burnice and Atlas, looked at one another and began about the incident back at the ruined castle. It seems Atlas has the ability of mass-regeneration, giving him nearly something close to immortality. However, Atlas can still die… however this fact has rarely proven in Atlas countless deadly jobs. “Say, how about we not talk about Atlas, and maybe more about his world. I always wanted to know if there was more out there,” said Applejack, pleasant with the idea of traveling to unknown lands.

“You can continue with your conversation, but now it’s best we continue plantin some trees,” said Granny Smith.

Everyone headed out and began planting trees, since Atlas is more bigger than anypony else, he can carry two tree saplings. With the extra help, they were able to complete most of the destroyed apple orchard. Seeing that it’s getting dark soon, Applebloom has not returned back the slightest, worrying for their younger sibling, Applejack decides to go find her. “I got to go everypony. Applebloom hasn’t been seen ever since we came back from Canterlot. It’s getting dark and were not sure if the timberwolves will stay in the Everfree this time or not,” said Applejack.

“Why don’t we help too,” said Twilight.

“Thanks, but Applebloom is probably at the treehouse with her friends. You helped out enough with planting the trees, I couldn’t ask you with this,” said Applejack. “Well have good night, everypony.”

After the group went back to the library through the town hall, they encountered four familiar faces. It was Fluttershy, and with her were the CMC, Applebloom, Applejack’s sister, and her two friends, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. “Oh there you are Applebloom, Applejack has been looking for you all day. Where were you?” asked Twilight, surprised to find her here.

“They were helping with me Twilight. After I left to Canterlot, I forget to feed all my animals before I left. So when I came back, a lot of the animals were a bit… antsy. I asked the CMC to help with calming them down… especially Angel,” said Fluttershy. “I’m sorry that I didn’t told anypony I was borrowing them.”

“It’s okay Fluttershy, but you three should of probably told your folks were you were. It’s late already and you could be deep trouble now,” said Twilight.

The CMC quickly realized how late it’s been now, and rushed immediately home. “Thank you for the reminder, Twilight. And we’re happy to help you again Fluttershy,” said Applebloom, rushing back to Sweet Apple Acres.

“YEAH!” said Sweetie and Scootaloo, heading to their respective homes.

The CMC went their separate ways back home, while Fluttershy was about to leave, a sudden figure appeared before everypony. The figure at first was a shadow of a giant creature, but after turning to see who it was, it only made Fluttershy smile. “Oh, hello Discord,” said Fluttershy, happy to see her strange friend.

“Fluttershy, I heard you went to Canterlot about some,” said Discord, leaning in to whisper. “Super secret… mission. Now what exactly was it all about, and why wasn’t I invited too?”

That’s when Atlas and Discord met eye to eye. From each one’s perspective, the first thought that came out from each one was, “Who or what in the world is this thing?”. After being introduced by Fluttershy, is when things gotten… slightly interesting. “Oh Discord, this is my new friend, Atlas. His a being from another world who ended up in ours,” said Fluttershy. “And Atlas, this my friend Discord. He used to be the ‘Spirit of Chaos’ but we helped in reforming him. So now his good… well… sometimes.”

After being pulled away by Discord, Fluttershy and him talked alone, but close enough for the others to still hear… I believe this was done on purpose. “Fluttershy… just, what is that hideous thing?” asked Discord.

“OY! WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME!?” shouted Atlas, his temper starting to increase.

“I’m sorry, Discord can be… sometimes protective when I’m around someone he hasn’t met before,” said Fluttershy.

“THAT STILL DOESN’T MEAN HE CAN JUST CALL ME THAT!” shouted Atlas, agitated.

“Well I’m sorry, but I’m not the one who’s equipped with weapons,” said Discord, placing both his claw, paw, on his sides. On Discord’s claw was one of Atlas’s Phoenix Pistols. Seeing how Discord magically haves his weapon, Atlas takes it back.

“I swear… I’m going to...” said Atlas, grinding his teeth together.

“OKAY THEN! I think it’s best we get going. It was good seeing you Fluttershy, bye!” said Twilight, quickly leaving.

After Twilight and company left and reached the library, Twilight quickly opened the door and closed it. “IF I THINK WHAT YOU WERE ABOUT TO DO, DO NOT DO IT… even if it is Discord! I have enough issues to deal with, I don’t want you to have a fight with the spirit of chaos for Celestia’s sake,” said Twilight, her mane poking out a little.

“I faced worse opponents in my life… which reminds me. Discord actually reminds me of another… ‘strange’ fella I met before…” said Atlas, recalling his memories. Atlas beings to compare Discord with another person Atlas knows of. This other person, has green hair, and is equally powerful and insane… someone who’s been a bothersome to Atlas for as long he could remember.

Suddenly, the door began to knock, thinking it was Fluttershy, Twilight opened the door, only to realize it was Rainbow Dash, with her was Pinkie. The two mares quickly entered inside and looked as if something spooked them. “TWILIGHT!” said Rainbow, trying to breath from running. “THERE’S SOMETHING… YOU GOT... TO SEE!”

“What’s going on Rainbow?” asked Twilight, confused from the sudden visit. “It better not be another prank.”

“It’s not... Twilight! We were in... Sugarcube Corner, and... Derpy came in... with today’s mail!” said Pinkie, also exhausted.

“Late as usual,” said Rainbow, properly beginning to breath and talk. “But anyway, when we received it, we saw something really REALLY interesting! Here take a look!” Rainbow shows Twilight today’s newspaper, on it shows a few ads and news topics… except there was one topic in particular… well actually two that were shocking and interesting to everyone present in the room. The first talked about the incident in Sweet Apple Acres, which wasn’t a surprise that it be mentioned in the news. The other however… was far more interesting, this topic talked about… ATLAS! Apparently, Celestia has revealed about Atlas from being from a faraway land, but nothing about him being involved in the fire at Sweet Apple Acres. What it says is that Atlas is the first foreigner representative from his world to be presented towards Celestia. It seems when Twilight and company were at Canterlot, some paparazzi must of saw them and assumed Atlas… was an ambassador.

“You have got to be kidding me,” said Atlas, also reading the newspaper.

“This isn’t your kind of day… is it Atlas,” said Burnice, staring at Atlas.

“If everypony starts thinking Atlas is some kind of ambassador, there will be a lot more commotion here in Ponyville. We had enough crazy newsponies coming here ever since I became a princess, but imagine! A princess and an ambassador living under the same roof, the sheer number of rumors!” screamed Twilight. While Twilight began to panic from the number of ideas and thoughts that everypony could be thinking, a sudden scroll pops out of Spike’s mouth.

“Is that normal?” asked Atlas, pointing at Spike’s mouth.

Twilight nods toward Atlas, and picks up the scroll. Opening it and reading to see what it’s about, it’s from Celestia and she says...

Dear Twilight,

If you have not seen today’s newspaper, you should, but if you have then you must of seen the terrible news it has accompanying it. Indeed now everypony will misjudge Atlas’s role in his stay in Ponyville and probably all of Equestria, but do not fear… for this might be more of a blessing than you think. A number of newsponies will come to Ponyville tomorrow, and I and Luna will come in case things become… overwhelming. The idea is that we will make a stage for Atlas to talk about his world… other than the unsavory parts of course, but more on his life, his home, his friends and family, anything that will appease the crowd. If we make sure Atlas’s image is only good, we may be able to help the citizens to be more trusting to Atlas, this will help him in the future. I ask you to prepare this small event as soon as possible.

From, Princess Celestia

P.S. Atlas must wear something… more suitable when he is going to talk in public.

“So let me get this straight. The princess… wants me to go with this,” said Atlas.

“Apparently so… but we can’t say no. We should have been careful when we were in Canterlot. Well… we might as well do this, but for now we should rest,” said Twilight, exhausted from the sudden news.

Once everypony went to sleep, time has passed more quickly for everypony and it was already morning. Heading toward Sugarcube Corner, Twilight discussed this with all her friends. “Oh my… this is an interesting predicament. However, I always wanted to make clothes for Atlas, it be an interesting challenge for me,” said Rarity, thinking of new designs for Atlas.

“Good, now Applejack, I need you to make a stage ready for Atlas. Pinkie will prepare any snacks for ponies, and seating. Rainbow will focus on security, we’re not sure what kind of ponies will think of Atlas. Fluttershy… you can watch,” said Twilight.

“I’m okay with that,” said Fluttershy, not arguing.

“THIS WILL BE THE BEST PARTY EVER!” shouted Pinkie.

“Uh Pinkie, this isn’t a party,” said Rainbow.

“Oh… right,” said Pinkie, giggling.

“What about me and Spike?” asked Burnice.

“I suppose you two will be by Atlas’s side in case he needs any help. I will see who’s coming, and make sure there will be no interferences of any kind. Now, let’s do this girls!” said Twilight, putting her hoof in the center or the table.

“YEAH!” said everypony, putting their hooves, claw, and hand together, proceeding with them all rising their appendages to the air.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” thought Atlas.

With the sudden arrival of ponies across Equestria, here to see and ask Atlas questions, both realistic… and not so realistic. He must survive the most greatest threat he has ever faced… the paparazzi. Elsewhere, in Canterlot Castle, Luna speaks to her elite guard. “Now, I have asked all of you to watch this specific character called, Atlas. Celestia and I do not trust Atlas, even if he seems to be popular among the populace. Nevertheless, we know of his true abilities… as for his intentions, that is unknown. That is why you six will be sent to Ponyville with me, your mission is not to protect me and Celestia. Your mission… is to find any evidence that has any correlation that could, no WILL threaten Equestria. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!” said Luna, her voice loud as if she were commanding an army.

Before her were standing six elite commandos, all from several different races. Out of the six, was one in particular that has been loyal to Luna to the end. She and her family’s bloodline are the very rare few pure batpony families. Her family, known for following Luna, even when she became Nightmare Moon, have never doubted her. Now given the task of keeping an eye on this… strange being called, Atlas… she will do anything for her princess of the moon. “As you wish… I will look every creek and cranny for anything remotely strange in Ponyville… and when I’m done… I’ll bring this Atlas, TO JUSTICE!” shouted the batpony, resolve in her voice.

Luna smiled toward the ferocity in the batpony’s voice, and made her way, with her six elite commandos in tow, toward Ponyville. A storm is brewing… and it’s not stopping anytime soon.

Author's Note

You smell that... smells like the antagonist is finally about to show their face(s).

Let's hope no fires happen again.