Meanwhile-

On the edge of the Everfree, just on the border of Sweet Apple acres, a lone warrior grapples with a fearsome beast!

A large lumbering black beast swatted away at the the young earth pony mare as she danced and weaved between its hulking mass. No matter how many punches the earth pony mare landed in return, the beast seemed to only become more annoyed by her presence.

The mare backed off, skidding away as she flicked her amber mane out of her eyes. With a smirk, she addressed her savage opponent, “Not bad Monster. You’re pretty strong.”

The dark beast roared in fury as it spun in place with the intent of sweeping its tail at her. It missed by a mile as she slid right under it and back into striking range. Kicking off the ground, she took to the air and delivered a stunning uppercut to the jaw, “But, I’m still stronger than you!”

|HP|\\\\\\\--_____| -> |HP|\\\\\\\\______|

The quadrupedal creature fell over, much to the mares delight. She adjusted her stylish scarf and stated, “Sorry it has to be this way, but we’re halfway there. Won’t be much longer now.”

The earth pony took an aggressive stance once more as the monster righted itself upon its sharp claws, “Don’t you worry, I guarantee it’ll only get better from there, or my name isn’t LJ.”

The beast charged forward, lunging forward with its claws outstretched ready to ensnare the mare in it’s large maw. She was simply too fast! LJ was able to sidestep the creature and rushed to it’s back side where it would be vulnerable. She leapt up into the air, spring boarding off it’s tail so she could get a better angle on it’s exposed back. However, as fate would have it, the beast had other plans in mind.

It craned its head to the side, lining up with her mid air and to her surprise, a second mouth shot out of the first! This mouth clamped down on LJ’s right foreleg, managing to get a grunt of pain from her, “A-a new attack?”

Before she could wrench herself free from its grasp, the beast spun her around like a yo yo, it was trying to tear her arm off!

Once, twice, three times she went round, quickly picking up speed. Fourth, fifth, sixth, there wasn’t anything she could do before -RIP- she went flying off into a nearby apple tree, knocking a few loose as she slid down to the ground on the newly slanted tree. Groaning, the mare picked up her head and examined her surroundings, trying to get her bearings once again.

LJ exclaimed, catching sight of something nearby, “Hey! There is where my stuff went.”

The creature roared, letting her torn limb fall to the floor below before it attacked again with its mighty claws. She was able to avoid it despite her damaged limb, narrowly avoiding becoming a flat pancake like the tree that had caught her.

“Ahh, you done it now.. If Ma were here, she’d be pissed. Luckily for you, she’s not.”

She reached up and slipped a glove off her… Hands!? While one would think she had lost a leg just now, that wasn’t the case. No, she merely lost her protective covering for her real weapons, her fists! The real fight begins now!

“You showed me your moves... Now let me show you mine.”

LJ grinned as she plunged her hands into her previously found saddlebags. And out of them came a set of metal gauntlets, gauntlets that affixed themselves to her arms within mere seconds. Pounding her metallic fists together, she exclaimed, “Round 2… FIGHT!”

Right out of the gate, the monster attacked her with its second mouth once again, but she wasn’t going to get hit with that thing a second time. She caught it mid strike and when it had no choice but to pull it back in, she was primed for one heavy punch.
|HP|\\\\\----______| -> |HP|\\\\\\_______|

She smirked, looks like things were going to go even- Oh no…

LJ’s smirk was slapped right off her face by what appeared to be hair like tentacles sprouting from the beast’s back. The force of the darn thing knocked her flat on her back. As she tried to stand up, the tentacle primed themselves for an attack and struck.

Lj would have been a goner if not for a certain pegasus swooping in and saving her flanks, “Hey Lil AJ, ya’ll tryin to take on a monster without lil ol’ me, are ya?”

‘Nice fake accent…’ LJ snarked to herself as she found herself in the safe hooves of her friend Ariel Ace.

“What are you doing here?”

Ace smiled as she sat the earth pony(?) mare on the ground, “Oh, I just happened to be in the neighborhood, thought i’d stop by and save you from your imminent doom.”

LJ smirked, raising an eyebrow at her, “Really?”

Ace grinned in return tossing her a bottle of a strange blue liquid, “Nah, just pulling your leg. Here, drink this.”

As Ace set her bags down, the pendant around her neck glimmered brightly. It was then that she could see just how bad things were for LJ and the monster. She was glad she arrived when she did…

LJ took a swig of the potion. The stuff tasted like onions and banana juice mixed with liquid blue berries. Nasty stuff, but it gets the job done, “I know you don’t like it, but it should let you get back into the fight a little longer. Need an extra hoof?”

The earth pony waved a hand at her dismissively, “No thanks. I got this!”

“I can beat it with one arm tied behind my back!”

Ace muttered, “Uhh, aren’t you doing that already?”

Shrugging, she reached into her bag and pulled out a book that she had planned on reading later that evening, but no sense wasting time by doing nothing, right? She sat down at a nearby tree and waved her friend off, “Alright. If you’re sure, i’ll let you fight your own battles. Just don’t forget i’m here if you need me.”

The battle raged on for about another hour or and judging by the look of it’s health bar, Ace knew that LJ wasn’t making much progress. She just barely had enough time to pull away from combat to return to the reading mare and pant, “Okay… Okay! I need your help.”

Closing her book with a smug grin on her face, Ace asked, “Okay… What power do you want from me? My Hoof, my wings, or my heart~<3.”

LJ rolled her eyes at the last option, extending a hand out towards her, “Your hoof should be plenty.”

Ace’s smile somehow widened as she clasped her hoof into LJ’s hand, “Alright… Use me as you please.”

Suddenly, Ace was alit with blue flames and burnt away in a blinding light. The spent energy rushed forth, finding it’s way into LJ, taking form and granting her a greater power.

Junction LV1: Blade of Generosity

This energy formed itself into a blade, about as long as LJ was tall. Moreover, LJ’s appearance had changed as well. Her mane and tail grew longer, more shaggy, and now she wore a set of leggings similar to that of her scarf. It was as if she was trying to be more intimidating than the sight of her normal attire was. Results may vary.

Her blade glowed with a holy light as a voice spoke out to her. It belonged to Ace, “We have thirty seconds this time… Let’s show this beast what it is like to be the prey.”

LJ gave a solemn nodded and took a combative stance once more as the dark beast roared, clearly peeved. The two clashed briefly, though it was quick to see who would triumph in this fight. The Monster’s claws were sharp, but Ace was sharper.

|HP|\\\\\________|
|HP|\\\\_________|

Two swings and it was already almost over, but the time it took to get those hits in was nearly all they had. It was trying to stall them… Clever, but even the strongest of defense can crack with the right amount of force.

“Let’s finish it…”

“On it!”

LJ jumped back and prepared for their final strike, an all or nothing attack. As the beast reared up to strike at them once more, LJ struck first resolutely, cleaving through it a multitude of swipes from her blade.

TSUBAME GAESHI!

One of their many combined finishing attacks, but quite possibly their most flashiest one. Gotta end in style right?

|HP|_____________|

HARMONY!

And with that, the two let out a sigh of relief, their battle was won. With the darkness dispersed, the monster returned to it’s original form and the two ponies could share a laugh as they separated. However, they weren’t laughing long, as LJ collapsed suddenly, unconscious. Gasping in surprise, Ace shouted, “LJ? Dang it, not again… Hang on, I got you.”

Back on the eastern end of Equestria, with the mysterious cloaked Pegasus and his squire. The two of them stood at the port on the edge of the township, waiting for the next boat to arrive to ferry them to the mainland. The silence between them was thick. Even among the chatter of a bunch of tourists and traveling ponies alike, the two of them remained silent. The silence was broken however as the boat came into sight. Soon they would be on it and on their merry way, “Milord Raiden. Pray Tell, why are we procuring a ship rather than a train?”

The Pegasus, known as Raiden, lifted his cloak briefly to reveal a fairly ornate sword sheathed upon his side, “Do you recall the last time this blade has been on a train, Lady Quercus?”

She nodded, “I-... I do. I just thought that if we went by train, we would arrive on the mainland sooner.”

“Time may be of the essence, but with the darkness encroaching, we cannot afford to risk another hijacking.”

That’s right… The last time the sword was to be delivered via train, some bandits wielding powerful magics took over the train trying to steal it. In such close quarters, fighting with blades proved to be ineffective. She sighed, “Right… If it weren’t for those two ponies, we would have lost both the sword and everypony on that train.”

Raiden had a brief moment of recollection flash in his eyes, “Aye… The young one had much promise with a blade, and the elder had a way with holy magics. What strange fellows... I wonder what they are doing now.”

As the train came to a halt at the port, the squire noted, “Well, whatever they are doing, I am certain they wouldn’t be taking this darkness lying down if they knew about it.”

“Agreed… But first things first, we must assemble the Knights. I shant complain if our paths were fated to cross again, but for now we have bigger things to think about.”

“Just set her down over there.”

Lil’ AJ didn’t look like she was too banged up on the outside as Alternate Dawn lead both her and Ace into his lab, but he knew that LJ had more problems on the inside then out. While Alter liked having his friends over, he just wished it wasn’t oft under bad circumstances like these. He levitated some miscellaneous stuff off one of his inpatient beds and Ace sat the injured earth pony down.

“I’m telling ya, i’m fine doc!”

‘Doc’, Alter rolled his eyes at that. Just because he has had some training in medical magic, he was by no means a doctor. Even so, he did possess one of the most advanced technological marvels in the medical field, the Save Point. That thing was more doctor than he was, he just hoped that he wouldn’t need to use it, ever. Sighing, he levitated a few bandages out of a nearby cabinet and stated bluntly, “No, you are not. Since when does a pony’s arm bend the other direction?”

Before he addressed her wounds, he turned to Ace and gave a slight nod, “Thanks for keeping an eye out for her. I’d have sent more ponies to back the two of you up, but I don’t know where the others are today…”

The pegasus gave a mock salute as she motioned towards LJ who tried getting up from her prone position, “It’s no big deal, really. I just happened to be in the neighborhood when this knucklehead decided to pick a fight a monster. Speaking of which, are you sure we should have just left it with your mom like that?”

Alter placed a hoof on LJ’s chest and gently pushed her back into bed, “Mom? She’ll be fine. She’s handle plenty of monsters in her own day, what is one more?”

“Let me go!”

LJ’s futile squabbling beneath Alter’s hoof, trying to remove it got a chuckle out of her pegasus friend, “Want me to get your ma’s rope?”

The Unicorn stallion pitched a glance in her direction, “Surely you jest?”

“Nah… I can get to the farm and back in no time at all, though, I probably will need to go through your mom to do it.”

The thought of her mom finding out about this sent chills down Lil’ AJs spine, “N-no, don’t worry, i’ll stay still. Just don’t tell mom.”

The Unicorn chuckled as he ushered Ace out the door, “Go on. I’ll handle things from here. You just make sure stock up before you go.”

“Will do boss!”

He rolled his eyes. As if he could be the boss of their little outfit. Leading simply wasn’t his thing. No, he preferred working in the lab, coming up with new ways to help his friends as they deal with threats on the front lines. Support! That was his goal. Like now for instance, he had to check up on LJ’s body to see just how badly she tore it up.

“Ow-ow!! Watch it, it hurts,” LJ exclaimed as Alter examined her broken arm, “Can it kill you to be gentle?”

Alternate dawn sighed, lifting up his examination goggles to make sure they were properly calibrated, “Well, it is normal for fractured bones to hurt AL. What were you thinking?”

When he was sure they were ready, he replaced them on his muzzle and grimaced, “You should know better than to take on a tough monster without your party backing you up. If Ace didn’t show up you could have died out there.”

LJ spat through gritted teeth, “Why do you always lecture me all the time? It’s not like you’re my dad.”

“Because I have to, for your mother’s sake. Do you honestly think I would want to have to sit down with her and tell her why her daughter isn’t coming home? She already lost your father, do you think she wants to lose you too?”

The mentioning of fathers always riled up the stallion. Sometimes, he wished that he could even remember his father’s face, but he can’t. And his mother isn’t willing to talk about him either… Alternate Dawn had a hole missing in his heart, one which he spent years filling with academia. Even after all this time, the prospect of leaving his mother all alone terrifies him.

He took a moment to breath, silently meditating and letting his anger vent. Once done, he levitated a roll of bandages over to the two of them and stated, “Alright… Your prognosis is fine. Just a broken Radius and Ulna. I’ll need to put them in a splint for a while…”

As he unraveled it, he continued, “Who knows, it might be a good idea to let it heal a while on it’s own. It’d give you plenty of time to think and not cause any trou-”

Lil’ AJ pulled science stallion close to her by the hem of his labcoat with her good hand.Judging by her expression, a splint would not be an option for her, “Not so fast egghead. I already paid the price with my arm… I didn’t let you kiss me for nothing! Use that ‘save point’ of yours and fix me.”

Tossing him back, the smaller, younger mare showed a surprising amount of strength. Sighing, Alter relented. As he went for the machine, he stated, “You know, this is the third time this week you have used it, and this isn’t even the worst injury you had… The materials needed aren’t cheap you know. I may just have to start charging you to use it.”

“Oh? You’re a prince aren’t you. Can you just buy more?”

He sighed, setting the healing machine over her as he next went for her magic card, “While money isn’t always an issue, it would show you just how much it would cost if somepony really needed to use it like you do.”

As he sat the needed materials down, she laid back on the bed and sighed, “I’m sorry… I just really need to get stronger on my own.”

“I know you do. Just don’t forget that you have friends willing to help you before it gets to this point.”

LJ closed her eyes and gave up, letting the healing waves of the machine wash over her, “I will get stronger… After all, how else will I find the one who killed my dad?”

And that was one of the reasons why Alter let her use the machine as often as he did. She too knows what it is like to not have a father around. Though the reasons behind it may be different, he’d be lying if he didn’t want to see her succeed in dispensing justice, like the heroes of old that they both idolized. He may never find out what happened to his father, but he’d be sure she could find out what happened to hers. The path of a hero is a long and treacherous one, but it is how she fills the hole in her heart.

Some time later, Lil’ AJ had finished recovering and sat up at the edge of the bed, slipping on her protective hoof-like slippers. Her little nap in the Save Point did wonders for her weary mind and body, but now she wanted to get back out into the field. Alter levitated her bag over to her, offering her a small smile, “Here. While you were out I took the liberty of repairing your gauntlets and recharging their magics.”

She took her bag out of his magical grasp and looked inside. Finding everything to be in order, she asked, “Thanks but… Do you think you could make them stronger too? Just enough so I can handle something on my own? As it is, I’m hardly doing anything at all.”

The Unicorn stallion sighed, shaking his head in the negative, “I’m afraid I have done all I could for you.”

He pointed to the pendant on her neck, “Harmony damage depends on a pony’s latent magic power, and yours is always in flux… If I had to put a number to it, i’d say it is below average compared to others.”

“Care to guess why I gave you those gauntlets?”

She shrugged in response. Regardless of her answer, she was certain he was going to explain it anyway, “Because i’m the only pony with hands that could wear them?”

A smartass answer, but she was technically correct. Sighing, he answered his own query, “It’s because you are not whole.”

There was a mix of anger and confusion in LJ’s voice, as if she took his statement as an insult. She pointed hoof at him, “What do you mean i’m not whole. I’m all here, aren’t I?”

Alternate Dawn raised an eyebrow at her, a little confused himself. Didn’t he explain this before. Moreover, didn’t her mother? Oh well, time for another lecture, “In a physical sense, yes, but… Magically, no. Your father wasn’t Equestrian.”

The Unicorn levitated a pitcher of water over to them and an empty cup, “Perhaps this will help. Imagine this cup is you and this water is magic.”

He started to pour water into the cup, filling it to about half way, “Your mother is a pony, a being of magic, so of course you get magic inherently from her. Your father however.”

He stopped, letting the water settle before continuing, “He wasn’t… So half of you is empty. You are whole in body, yes, but there is much ‘missing’ from it too.”

She crossed her forehooves, “Okay… And the Gauntlets?”

Alter continued to pour water once more, letting the cup fill up till it overflowed. Thankfully, he spared the floor a mess by catching the water in his magic, “They make it easier for you to take what magic your friends are willing to give you and become ‘whole’. What is left is forged into gear that you need to survive whatever trial you are facing. Take you and Ace for instance. If you need a weapon, you get a sword, if you need speed or mobility, you get wings, and if you need-”

“Okay, okay! I think I get it…”

She blushed softly, trying to get the thought of the last Junction out of her mind. He sat the pitcher down and levitated the cup over for her to drink, while he merely sent the extra water back to its container, “Right… Anyway, you have the power of friendship within you. These gauntlets help funnel and channel it into a force that can make you stronger than anypony out there. You just need to trust us to watch your-”

“Hey! Get back here!”

Lil' AJ has gulped down the offered water and tried leaving before he could even finish. How rude…

She waved him off, “Sorry Doc. Your five minute lecture is up. I’m out of here.”

He grumbled, “I need to learn how to make these things shorter…”

As she headed out the door, he could hear her muttering to herself, “Friendship or no, I need to become stronger on my own too… I can’t always count on you to save me. I need to be ready for that day…”

Alter sighed as he returned to his work, setting up his lab for the next time he’ll need to use the Save Point. Once finished, he decided it would be best to check up on his mom and their new ‘guest’. As he went, he couldn’t help but wonder when LJ will learn to trust them. It’s been years since they started this darkness fighting gig, but they haven’t seemed to have made much progress, and it is showing on all of them.

If this keeps up, it won’t be long before even he snaps. Soon he caught sight of the sleeping creature beside his mother, “Ah, there you are. Owly mentioned you were busy, so I didn’t want to bother you.”

He nodded, “Thanks… I take it things have been well with our little visitor?”

Twilight looked down upon its sleeping form briefly before her gaze returned to her son, “It has… I assume this little one is from another world, right?”

He nodded, “Indeed. That makes the seventh this month.”

The elder alicorn gasped, raising a hoof to her muzzle, “Oh dear… Has it been that much already? It seems like our fourth wall is getting weaker again, even more so than when Applejack fell through so long ago.”

Placing it back on the ground, she noted, “At the very least, we have a working portal to send the creatures that come forth back where they belong.”

As Alter looked on, clearly deep in thought, his mother continued to ask him questions, “What is this thing anyway? Have you pinpointed what world it is from?”

He nodded slowly in response, looking back up at her again, “While finding it’s home wasn’t too much a problem, there are… Complications.”

“Such as?”

As the now smaller creature stirred beside them, he answered, “It’s from a place known as LV-426, but going off of my initial scans, it doesn’t appear to be as simple as just sending it home. It’s nowhere near the original form it used to know… It’s… Changed.”

Changing form wasn’t all that strange to her, so she would need a little more elaboration than that, “Changed. Isn’t that normal for creatures that travel to other worlds? Like when I went to that Human world with the mirror?”

“Well of course but… According to my scans, this thing should have been the equivalent of a changeling queen. Dark and majestic it is, but it’s no queen I know.”

The two of them looked back down at the creature briefly as it yawned, showing off it’s impressive maw, “It would appear that multiple creatures must have fallen through the same hole. Not sure what to do with all that mass, our world simply turned it into a chaotic being, an amalgamation of it’s many parts. Traveling between worlds is dangerous if one doesn’t take all the factors into account. This thing was just a poor unfortunate byproduct the world trying to ‘fix’ what breaks.”
He shuddered, “Like most things that come through this way, it is corrupted beyond belief. If it weren’t for the Elements, I have no doubts it would have continue on a rampage till nothing was left.”

As if that wasn’t a terrifying though as it is, what he said next could have just as dire consequences.

“When Ace and LJ harmonized it, like most other cases, it restored some form of intelligence to it. But… Whether it is sapience or sentience, I can’t tell just yet. It seems… Young.”

-Chomp-

And like any young child, it bites. Alter had to resist the urge to cry out in pain as the black creature nibbled on his tail before spitting it out.

-bleck-

He chuckled softly as he levitated a bag of textured vegetable protein over to the little scamp. Judging by the way it scarfed down the bag, it was a meat eater. Oh boy…

Twilight asked as she gently petted the creature, “I assume you can’t just send this little one back to it’s own world?”

“I can’t… Who knows what would happen!”

Deflating, he continued, “I am not even sure what to do with it right now. So much is still unknown and- Hey!”

Twilight had levitated the small creature and placed it down on his back, “Well… You said the elements gave it some intelligence, correct? It can be taught?”

“I suppose so?”

He had a feeling he knew where she was going with this, but he didn’t like it, “Good. Then I think it is time for you to have a personal assistant of your own. Who knows, perhaps it shall end up like Spike has, big, strong, and friendly.”

Yep, totally went where he thought it would, “B-but.. I don’t even know how to train a dragon. Besides, what about Owly?”

She chuckled, ruffling his mane with a hoof, “Owly is my assistant. Do take care to remember where you both live. And as for how to raise this young one, I trust you to do your best.”

“A friend, pet, partner, sister or brother… I will respect your choice.”

This… This is a lot to take in, and the fact that the black dragon was tugging on his mane didn’t help matters, “Ow-okay… kay, i’ll do it. Just one last thing. Spike. What was he to you?”

Twilight grinned mischievously as she turned away, “I’m afraid I have been held here far too long. I have somewhere to be right now. Bye son.”

Alter grumbled, “But what about my question?”

“Sorry Alternate Dawn, but your family need me to help them get settled in. I suggest you prepare to do the same”

He groaned as his mother left him all alone with the young drake. Sighing, he simply started to head for his lab once more, “Thinking about this is giving me a headache. Perhaps I need a minute to cool off.”

He paused, “But first, let’s make your ID card. The sooner I have better data on you, the better.”

Almost as soon as the peck on the lips happened and the card was in hoof, the loud sound of a train echoed through the halls of the castle.

“A train? Here… Impossible!”

He looked around, slowly becoming more panicked as it grew louder. He had never doubted a pinkie promise carried weight, but he never expected it to actually be this serious! Suddenly, he felt something tap him on the hoof. Looking down, it was a small model toy train, whistle and all. He quickly broke down laughing, realizing just how silly he had been just moments prior. Right… As if he could get ran over by a train inside a castle…

That was when he got taken off his hooves by a larger train, headed by three little ponies playing trains… What playful little scamps. Too bad they didn't even bother to warn him about his ‘impending doom’.

Outside the castle, somewhere in Ponyville, a peppy party pony bounded down the street as she called out to her companion, “Come on Eden, hurry up!”

Apple Eden, the grey mare that trailing behind the alabaster pegasus, was dragging a large cart behind her full of party ‘supplies’ and various equipment that they would need to set up a party at the Boutique, “Um… Surprise, can you please slow down… Do we really need to rush so much?”

It was almost as if Eden was intentionally taking it slow. It’s not like she was going to damage any of the stuff in the cart. Super Surprise would not have any of it. Rushing back, she got in the timid mare’s face and put extra emphasis in her words, “Of course we do! We wouldn’t want to have the party set up before the new ponies arrive, don’t we?”

She nodded, “Right..”

She was still apprehensive about moving so fast, but she understood the importance of making a good first impression, especially considering her first impression with Rarity earlier.

“Okay! Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!”

Nopony could fault surprise on her enthusiasm. A true party pony she is.

As Surprise bounded off once again, singing a little song to herself, a little filly wandered up to Eden, prompting her to stop, “Excuse me… May I ask a question?”

The kind mare smiled, kneeling down a bit as she asked, “What do you need to know little one?”

Chills ran down the older mare’s spine as the child asked, “Where do the dead go?”

Putting on a brave face, she stood up and pointed up to a spooky looking tower in the distance, “Just go along this road here until you reach that tower. Go inside and the receptionist will help you from there.”

The spookier filly pouted slightly, looking a little concerned, “But, but... Mommy said I am not supposed to play over there.”

“That’s because it is a place for spirits to rest. It is safe for you to go there now.”

The gentle mare removed her hat and peered into it, “Oh Angel~ Can you be a dear and guide this little girl to the haunted tower for me?”

And out of her hat came a white rabbit, however it was far from a normal rabbit. No, it was a familiar. A spirit. It floated up and out of the hat before heading off towards the tower, the little filly following behind. Eden waved them off, smiling, “Good luck in your next life!”

The child smiled, chasing off after Angel bunny, “Thank you miss!”

And with that, Apple eden let out a breath she didn’t know she had been holding. Years of practice, but seeing somepony so young being a lost soul still catches her off guard.

As she waved the filly off, Surprise came up from behind her and placed a hoof on her shoulder, “Talking with spirits again? Was it scary?”

Eden nodded, turning towards her friend, “Yes.... And no… It was a little filly this time. They looked so young.”

“It wasn’t as bad as that brave dragon that came to me for help last time.”

She shuddered, “That, was scary.”

The white and yellow pegasus chuckled as she playfully punched her friend’s shoulder, “Yeah, I remember you ran through the town like made mare when he came around.”

The grey mare frowned, “Hey! That was really scary, okay?”

Her friend stuck her tongue out at her, “I know… Come on, we’re almost there.”

Sighing in relief, Eden followed her to the home, “Good…”

The next half hour was spent setting up all the tables to their proper places, both for cover, and for decoration placement. The next was all on Surprise and her Seven barreled all purpose party cannon. The boom could be heard all throughout Ponyville, a sign that only meant one thing. It was nearly party time.

Apple Eden grimaced as she covered her ears, still reeling from the shots, “I swear, it gets louder every time.”

With the decorations in place, another little filly came in carrying a plate of gourmet marshmallows trotted up to the two, “Are the decoration all in place Ms Eden? Ms Surprise?”

Eden beamed, happy to be able to help, “All set Marshmallow. Now it’s time to wait for our special guests…”

As the filly sat the plate down on the one of the tables, she had to swat Surprise away who was trying to take one of them, “No! These are for the sister of my great great grandmother.. No touching.”

“Awww.”

Sometimes the party pony is a little too excited about sweet. She just can’t help herself.

Before the lights were turned off, the white coated filly mused to herself, finding it still hard to believe that Rarity, the elder sister of her great great grandmother, was still alive. It was as if it were something out of a fairytale.

Abruptly, the lights were shut off, much to her shock, “What’s happening?”

“Shh, they are here!”

After a few tense moments, the door creaked open, revealing the three guests of honor. As they stepped inside, the lights turned back on and a rain of confetti and party streamers rained down from above.

“SURPRISE!”

Their reactions didn’t seem all that enthused, or shocked for that matter.

“What’s wrong, didn’t you like the surprise?”

Each of them had a pretty surprising answer for her, but each one hurt all the same.

Spike went first, “I saw you in the window turning off the lights.”

Then Rarity, “I expected a party since the moment we met.”

And lastly Sparity, who has yet to put on her glasses, “I can see in the dark...”

It was a three hit combo that knocked the party pony right into a corner, cowering from the onslaught of words.

“My surprise party… Failed?”

They decided it would be best to let her mull this over for a bit and simply enjoy the festivities. Thankfully, Surprise was able to get over the ‘surprise’ and join in on the fun. Eventually Rarity paused, taking note of Marshmallow who had been standing beside her, staring at both her and a photo for quite some time. It looks like she had something to say, but couldn’t find the words.

Taking the initiative, Rarity asked, “Are you alright, little one? You have been staring at that picture for a while now.”

Marshmallow frowned, presenting her the picture and pointing to the mare on the right, “Are you really this mare?”

She recognized that picture anywhere. It was of her and Sweetie Belle after she had accepted a first place medal in a singing contest. Rarity was so proud of her that day…

She grinned nervously, realising she had yet to answer the young filly’s question. Such a complicated answer, so she summed it up in brief, “Well, yes… I just had to change my appearance a bit. Such is the cost of immortality.”

“Really?”

She beamed, hardly at all surprised, “Wow! That’s exactly what my great great grandmother tells me!”

Her curiosity rising, she slowly knelt down to Marshmallow’s level, “Oh? And who might that be?”

She laughed, as if Rarity already knew the answer, “Yeah! Great great grandmother Sweetie Belle. She told me a story about a beautiful princess that fell in love with a dragon. Knowing her time in the world was shorter than his, she made a covenant with a demon so she could keep living with her love forever and ever!”

“Sweetie Belle…”

It took her a moment for the words to actually sink in, but when she did, he asked, mouth agape, “She’s alive?”

Marshmallow smiled, pointing off in the direction of the kitchen, “Yes. She wanted to surprise you… She’s in the kitchen!”

Surely this was too good to be true! She simply had to know, she HAD too. Marshmallow’s word echoed in her head as she got up and bolted out for the kitchen, “She waited and waited, knowing that one day you’d return.”

“Sweetie Belle!”

That was all she could exclaim as she reached the threshold of the kitchen. There, in the dark, a figure stood operating a blender that appeared to be malfunctioning.

“Oh fooey… There goes the orange juice again. Looks like somethings never change.”

The figure turned around, seemingly to address her, “Isn’t that right?”

A smile crept up on her face, coming on far slow than the tears that welled up in her eyes.

The figure that one could assume was Sweetie Belle smiled, “Welcome home... Sister.”

Author's Note

And here it is, another chapter after months of inactivity. I'm terribly sorry about that. I've been so busy as of late, finding time to write is a pain in the rear. Luckily, I got a short break before things get serious in schooling. Only a few months left till graduation, so wish me luck, I'm going to need it if I am going to become a fully fledged game designer.

In the meantime, I have something to ask of each of you, my readers. Tell me what you would like to see next. Seeing as Chaos future is still in the works, I was thinking of writing up a few different stories to help flesh out this crazy future.

Here are a few titles to go one, and you can probably guess who is involved. Comment down below for what ones you want to see done first.

"Terror on a train, innocense lost."

"Aces wild."

"A new Dawn is breaking."

"A slice of Eden."

"Feeling Super."

"Heated Drakes."