Sun Rise: A new dawn

Chapters

Chapter 2: Ground Zero
Chapter 3: A Stitch in time
Chapter 4: The seal
Chapter 5: Lost in translation
Chapter 6: An alien solution
Chapter 7: Earthling
Chapter 8: My name is ...
Chapter 9: Forgiveness
Prologue: Request
Chapter 1: Orion's Belt

Chapter 2: Ground Zero

"So what do you want us to do, Twilight?" Spike asked apprehensively.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and analyzed the situation to come up with an effective plan of attack. "Spike, you and the Cutie Mark Crusaders meet up with Mayor Mare and advise her what's going on. Once you have done that, I want you and her to go to everypony in town and to tell them to stay indoors for the time being."

"And what exactly are we supposed to do?" asked Rarity.

"We will go into Everfree Forest to investigate the crash landing site," replied Twilight.

"Alright!" Rainbow Dash shouted in triumph. "Now that's what I'm talking about!"

"We should get supplies first," suggested Applejack, "case we run into any trouble."

Twilight nodded in agreement. "Yes, we should meet outside of town just outside Everfree Forest in two hours time. That should give everypony time to prepare."

"Sounds like a plan!" bounced Pinkie Pie.

"Alright, see you all in a couple of hours."

"Right," the group said in unison.

As the three fillies and dragon left to the Town Hall, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie Pie each sped off home, gathering the necessary provisions as they prepared for the journey into the forest.

A couple of hours later, Twilight was on her way to rendezvous with her friends. She was carrying a saddlebag on her back filled with all sorts of supplies, including a first aid kit, books about astronomy, a map of Everfree Forest, and water. Despite her efforts to show a brave face, however, Twilight was terrified. She was usually nervous whenever embarking on a new adventure with her friends, but generally, she knew or had some idea what she and her friends were going to be up against. Even Princess Celestia would give her advice in times of crisis that helped Twilight lead her friends to victory against often-impossible odds. This time was different, however.

There was no advice.

No book she could rely upon.

No information.

It was this fear of the unknown that scared her the most, especially when she was asking her friends to put their lives at risk as well.

Daylight would soon be approaching, a little earlier than expected. Princess Celestia was deeply worried about any possible dangers her friends may encounter, so she had advised Twilight that she will be raising the sun earlier to aid them in their journey. She had to be careful though as not to alert the general populace and send everypony into a panicked frenzy. Whilst the sun was yet pierced the early hours of the morning, it was the thought that Princess Celestia was watching over them that warmed her heart in the crisp chilly air.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack were the first amongst her friends to wait at the rendezvous point. Rainbow Dash was battle ready. She chose to travel light, not wanting anything to impede her movements should the situation call for a fight. Applejack's was also carrying a saddlebag, which was full and abundant with apples, ready to buck them into her opponent and provide a tasty snack if the girls got hungry.

Rarity was just behind Twilight. Like Rainbow Dash, she was also travelling light. However her reasons were vastly different. She had no idea what to bring on this mission. Rather than risking her entire wardrobe or countless hours deciding, she chose to wear a stylish beret hat in green camouflage material with a beautiful red feather sticking out to one side. Twilight smiled at the fashionista as they trotted closer to the others waiting just ahead.

Fluttershy appeared slowly from the direction of her tree cottage. She was trembling in fear and was wearing a mixture of pillows and padded armour from a variety of different contact sports. She was terrified, her heart pounding heavy. Nevertheless, she was brave enough to venture with her friends.

"Hurry up, Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash shouted out to the scared yellow pegasus. She squeaked but promptly picked up the pace.

Once she had arrived, Twilight nodded, "is everypony here?"

"Not everypony," Applejack replied looking over her shoulder. "Pinkie Pie is still not here yet."

The girls joined Applejack in her search of the pink party mare, when all of a sudden a voice came from behind the bushes, startling the girls. "What are you talking about, I've been here the whole time!" it had stated incredulously.

Fluttershy shrieked and dashed behind Twilight trembling as the bushes moved closer to the group, but relaxed once Pinkie had revealed herself, wearing a black ninja outfit.

"I stand corrected," chuckled Applejack.

"Alright, girls," Twilight stood gallantly whilst addressing her friends. "Princess Celestia has asked us to go into the Everfree Forest to uncover the cause behind the falling of a star from Orien's belt. She can't send any of the palace guards as they are investigating other crash sites, so it'll be up to us-

"We get it, Twilight. It's dark and dangerous. Come on, let's get going already," interrupted Rainbow Dash before darting down the path in mid-air.

The others followed leaving Twilight flabbergasted and alone momentarily. "- to ahh forget it," giving up on her prepared motivational speech and rejoining her friends.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the destruction caused by the falling star was becoming more apparent with each step they took. Broken tree branches and fallen leaves scattered all over the path leading to the crash site just up ahead. Twilight and Rainbow Dash were leading the way with the former squinting and struggling to read the map. Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy were sticking close together at the rear, whilst Pinkie Pie darted between the bushes and tree with incredible stealth and flexibility.

"Wow look at the damage done to this place," said Rainbow Dash amazed by the extent of the damage around her.

"Well, Everfree Forest certainly could have done with a makeover," joked Rarity carefully stepping to avoid any broken sticks.

"The only problem is that now I can't read the map!" exclaimed Twilight. "All the major landmarks have been destroyed."

"Don't worry Twilight," said Pinkie Pie appearing just beside Twilight. "I'm leaving a trail of cookie crumbs so we can find our way back." She then grabbed one of the cookies on the ground, brushed off the dead leaves and took a bite before darting back into the nearest bushes. "Also they'd serve as a delicious snack on the way home!" said Pinkie Pie, munching away happily.

"Eeeww, Pinkie Pie that is absolutely abhorrent," said Rarity with disgust.

Twilight doesn't even dignify that with a response, shook her head and continued to look at the map frustratingly. Rainbow Dash and Applejack giggled at the party mare's antics. "Yeah, I can't see a problem with that whatsoever," said Rainbow Dash sarcastically.

It had been a few minutes since they started their journey into Everfree forest. Twilight still hadn't given up on using the map and decided to add some notes to help navigate their way through the mess and ensure a safe pathway home.

"S-s-o what do you think it is?" Fluttershy asked nervously.

"I wonder if it’s a spaceship?" suggested Pinkie Pie, appearing from a set of broken branches causing Fluttershy to shriek, jumping onto Applejack for dear life.

"You can let go now," Applejack mumbled, the yellow pegasus still holding onto the country earth pony's face and neck. Blushing sheepishly, she hops down and continues walking beside her friends.

"Oh! Pinkie Pie, please. There are no such things as aliens," Twilight said incredulously, laughing at the implausibility of the idea.

"What if this spaceship has a tiny baby inside?" Pinkie Pie continues ignoring Twilight's disbelief. Twilight groaned whilst the others gave each other questionable glances, curious as to where her theory could lead and eager to hear more. "No seriously, this baby will be like from this super nasty warrior race, and it'll be programmed to destroy the local population of the planet it lands on and then auctions that planet to other aliens at the highest price!"

"I-I -d-d-don't like the s-s-sound of th-th-th-at," Fluttershy said, her voice trembling with fear.

"And what if it's meant to be a superpony that flies around in a big fancy red cape?" Twilight snorted sarcastically.

Pinkie then gasped loudly in wonder and excitement. "What if this baby hits its head though, scrambling his programming like a scrambled egg sandwich, and then becomes super friendly and kind, and becomes a real hero! He can go on sorts of adventures, fighting all kinds of nasty bad guys and saves the world."

"That'd be kinda cool," Rainbow Dash admitted, warming up to the idea.

"So long as he's nice," Fluttershy murmured in agreement, feeling somewhat reassured.

"Pinkie! Seriously, an alien?" asked Twilight derisively at Pinkie's suggestion.

"What? I'm just sayin'," Pinkie Pie replied defensively.

"You really shouldn't be so dismissive, Sugarcube," said Applejack, defending the pink party mare. "I don't think we should discount any possibilities until we know for certain."

"It has been very strange night, after all, Darling," stated Rarity.

"Anything is possible," Fluttershy murmured under her breath. "So long as they're nice," adding a caveat to her previous statement.

"Yeah Twi, I mean come on we literally saw a star fall from the sky, and you want to tell us that there isn't the remotest possibility that it could be aliens?" Rainbow Dash asked incredulously.

Outvoted, outwitted and outmaneuvered, the magical mare had to admit that she too had seen her fair share of the stranger things, so it shouldn't have been too far of a stretch to allow the possibility of alien life amongst the stars. "Fine, I'll somewhat acknowledge, the teeniest, tiniest, faintest possibility that aliens may or (but most likely) not exist causing a star to fall," conceded the lavender mare. "There. Happy?"

"Acceptance is the first step," grinned the party mare as she bounced and placed a reassuring hoof on Twilight's back. Twilight groaned audibly, regretting her decision to cave so quickly as the others continued giggled.

"So Pinkie, you reckon this alien will be a werepony that changes into a giant beast with the sight of a full moon?" Applejack joked.

"Now that's just being ridiculous," Pinkie Pie responded. "He'll need a tail to do that."

The first beams of sunlight had come over the eastern horizon. The conversation between the group of friends had long since died as they reached closer and closer. Despite the snapping sound of stick and twigs underneath their hooves, it was eerily silent, the woodland creatures having long abandoned the area.

"Woah," escaped Rainbow Dash lips as the girls slowed before coming to a near complete stop.

Their eyes and heads move around as they absorb the incredible and horrific sight before them. Bark and wood chips scattered the forest floor. Trees had tumbled over like dominoes stripped of their leaves laying bare. Most had snapped like twigs, but others had their roots exposed as they lay onto their side.

"Oh my..." gasped Rarity was taken aback at the horror.

"Holy applesauce," said Applejack at a loss for words.

The destruction of the forest was overwhelming for poor Fluttershy who was feeling light headed and struggling not to faint.

"Come on girls," Twilight gulped, putting on a brave face. "Let's keep going."

The girls nodded in unison, but they didn't feel any braver. At the centre of it all, a tall mound of dirt appeared abruptly over the landscape. The size of the crater was immeasurable from this view.

"Look at the size of that thing," Rarity exclaimed pointing a hoof at the mound.

"D-d-o we have to climb over?" asked Fluttershy.

"It'll be a'right Sugarcube," Applejack said reassuringly. "The mound is tall, but it's a gentle descent to the peak. Shouldn't have any trouble reaching the top to get a good look-see."

Rainbow Dash looked fiercely just above the crater's edges as she shifted her hooves preparing to make a good leap.

"Applejack is right," Twilight added, "if we stick together, we should be safe."

"I'm going up," she proclaimed having not heard her friends andascended quickly.

"Rainbow Dash, wait-" Twilight yelled hoping to stop the pegasus but failed to do so.

"What is that darn fool think she's doin?" exclaimed Applejack.

The girls called out to Rainbow Dash, begging her to return but by then it was too late. Rainbow Dash was already high enough to see the full extent of the damage.

When she reached the top, her mouth was agape. The dirt beneath her hooves collapsed under her weight as she landed. She stared into the abyss and whistled in wonder. The morning sun had finally broken through exposing the impact caused by the fallen star. The crater was very wide and was much deeper within. Interestingly there was no object center of the crash site, only smoke.

"Rainbow Dash," thundered Twilight, interrupting the pegasus's train of thought. Twilight landed right beside her and was prepared to reprimand the multicoloured pegasus for her impulsive and reckless behavior. "What were you- " but her anger dissipated as she overlooked the crater in awe herself. Like her friend before her, she too finds herself unable to speak.

Their friends soon came galloping from behind with Applejack leading the charge. "Rainbow bloomin Dash! What in tarnation were you thinkin, girl?" roared Applejack. "We were supposed to go up together!"

"Yeah, Dashie, what gives?" demanded Pinkie Pie.

"Is everypony alright?" Fluttershy asked, desperately attempting to catch her breath.

"Honestly, Rainbow Dash," sneered Rarity appearing next to Applejack. "We appreciate your courage and willingness, but your brazen attitude and carelessness are not admirable qualities that inspire heroism."

"You could have endangered us all," Twilight added, regaining her composure.

Rainbow Dash was taken aback. Could they not see the giant crater in front of them? The destruction of the forest? There were much bigger things at stake than her behavior, and surely her friends understood this, so why get mad at her? She was about to retort and defend herself, but the glares from her friends, as well as the tone, anger, and concern in their voices, had cut Rainbow Dash's ego, humbling her. Pouting her lips, she looked down sheepishly, acknowledging her foolhardiness. Before she could apologize, however, the smoke cleared, and something caught the corner of her eye causing her to be alarmed.

"Hey guys, look there's somepony over there!" Rainbow Dash said, pointing a hoof to the other side of the mound. The girls turned their heads to the direction of Rainbow Dash's hoof to see the outline of a pony faint in the distance coming out from the shadow of the crater. It was struggling to stand as it reached the peak however it collapsed on its front hooves, tumbling forward and rolling down the other side escaping from view. A large thud could be heard in the direction of the fallen pony, causing the girls to gasp out loud. Before the others have a chance to react, however, Rainbow Dash beats her wings giving her lift and soars over without a second hesitation.

"Rainbow! Ahh buck," cursed Applejack.

Upon reaching her destination, she hovered over the debris scouring any sign or tracks of the fallen pony. Her ears perked up at the sound of an audible groan just a few meters to her right. She dashed forward and was horrified to see an earth pony, in between the cracks of two logs, his body lying in a deep hole. His eyes were partially open revealing two deep black irises, matching the color of his tail and mane. He looked up briefly at the mare just above him. "... Gk- ... Gk- ... Gk-..." he grunted in pain.

"It's okay, you’re safe. My friends and I are here to help," said Rainbow Dash reassuringly, despite the unsettling feelings of trepidation growing within her. "We'll save you. I promise,"

At these words, the stallion seemed to have understood. He smiled weakly and then fainted, his head resting peacefully on the floor. As the sun rose higher, light pierced in between, illuminating the hole just enough to glimpse at the severity of his injuries. Blood was gushing from his head, dying his light tan coat a dark shade of red.

Rainbow Dash was in full panic. She tried desperately to push and lift the logs, but their immense weight and size were too heavy for her. Giving up on the futile effort, she instead attempted to pull the stallion out, but he was just out of reach. Tears of frustration grew. "Come on. Come on," she grunted at the unconscious pony, pleading to anypony that he was still alive. "No! No! No, don't you dare die on me ... Come on ... I just need a hoof."

"RAINBOW!"

Voices could be heard from a distance.

"RAINBOW DASH!"

The outline of five ponies could be seen just above, on top of the crater's edge. It was her friends. Thank Celestia.

"GUYS COME HERE QUICK! THERE'S A PONY UNDER THESE LOGS," she shouts. "I THINK HE'S CRITICALLY INJURED."

"We're coming, Rainbow Dash," one of them replies.

The mares rush over to join their friend, jumping over logs that were blocking their path. "Rainbow, what in Equestria is going on?" demanded Applejack.

"There's a stallion underneath these logs," she trembled, struggling to remain calm. "I tried to reach him but-"

"Alright," commanded Twilight interrupting the pegasus. "Stand back. I'll see if I can't move it with my magic." Upon receiving their orders, they moved aside to watch the alicorn to work. "Alright here goes," she said as a purple light surrounded the entire log.

Using every ounce of magical ability, she struggled to lift the log but to no avail. Her magical abilities were vastly superior when compared with the average unicorn, and these logs should have been easy work for somepony as powerful as her; however, something was wrong.

It was terribly wrong.

Although she couldn't understand it, something was interfering with her magic. It had a dark and sinister presence, unlike anything she felt since her last battle with King Somba. She kept at it for a little bit longer as sweat collected along on her brow and a headache developed. She gave one last effort but then her magic suddenly dissipated as her friends' watched on, anxious and scared.

"What do we do now?" cries Rainbow Dash.

Twilight wipes her forehead and regains control of the situation. "Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack and Rainbow Dash grab onto the end of that log. Rarity, you and I will use our magic to try and lift the other side. We'll push and roll the first log into that clearing over there together. If we still can't reach him, we'll do the same to the second. Right?"

"Right," they replied. With a plan in mind, the girls quickly got into position.

"I'll count to three, and on three we will push. Ready?" asked Twilight a determined look on her face.

"Ready," they replied. All six mares shifted their body to prepare to lift the heavy object. A purple and blue magical light surround the end of the other side of the log.

"One. Two. THREE!"

On three, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy pushed and heaved the log on their end whilst Twilight and Rarity concentrated hard, focusing their magic on lifting the other. Within moments, they had succeeded as the first log was lifted and rolled just a short distance clearing the way to the stallion below. But it still wasn't enough to reach him.

"Okay girls, one more time. Get into position."

"Right."

"Ready?"

"Ready!"

"Here we go again. One. Two. THREE!"

On three, the girls attempted lifted the second log. Tired and exhausted, they toiled under the weight of the second, however it was heavier than the first, and refused to budge. "Come ... on..." Applejack grunted, "put your ... aarrghh ... backs into it".

"We're trying," retorted Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie groaned in agreement.

Sweat was collecting on Rarity's brow as she was suffering from an immense headache. "Keep ... it ... UP!" struggled Twilight whilst trying to encourage her friends to push through.

"We've ... got ... thisss~" shrieked Rarity, the pain becoming almost unbearable.

It wasn't enough at first, however, at the possible last second, a miracle happened. As though their prayers had been answered, the second log shifted, giving them the momentum to finally able to lift and move it off. Their strength and magic soon gave way but luckily they had rolled it over enough distance to creating a clearing to the stallion below. Their collected efforts had paid off.

It took a few seconds for everypony to catch their breath. Rainbow Dash was the first to recover, as she made her way down the hole to the pony waiting below. Before she could move him, however, she stopped to examine his body, wanting to ensure her and her friends' efforts had not gone to waste.

She leaned her head against the pony's chest and smiled. "Thank Celestia, he's still breathing." She patted him down and looked over his body for any other injuries. There were no broken bones or at least none that had pierced the skin. She continued to pat his muscular frame once more, just to be sure. Brushing his unkempt mane to one side, she looked at his face once more admiring his features somewhat. He looked young, maybe a bit older than her, and though bloody and worn, his face appeared warm, kindly, almost innocent. Apart from the odd cut and bruise, the head wound was the worst injury that she could see.

"How's he lookin Rainbow?" Applejack called out from above.

"He looks fine," she replied, relieving the trepidation amongst her friends of the earth pony's state. "He's got a severe head wound, but there doesn't appear to be any other serious injuries. Applejack, I'm going to lift him out of this ditch."

"Gotcha Rainbow," Applejack responded, gesturing a hoofs up. "Pinkie and I'll be here to pull him out."

Rainbow Dash positioned her body underneath the stallion and prepared to lift him. She took a foreleg and gently pulled him over her shoulder

“Wow you’re a lot bigger than you appear,” she grunts with a smile. “But not as big as Big Mac,” she joked. Once he was secured, she wipes the sweat from her brow and takes one more second to gather her strength. She swallows and then grits her teeth, beating her wings as she hard as she can, lifting them off the ground into the waiting hooves above.

Together, Applejack and Pinkie Pie grabbed onto the stallion, and successfully managed to pull him to safety. Rainbow Dash reached the edge but was left alone as the two mares moved the stallion to a safe clearing. Thankfully Fluttershy was there, wearing a warm smile and extending her hoof. She grinned, accepting her friend's helping hoof.

"TWILIGHT!" Pinkie Pie shouted, "Something's wrong!"

The girls rushed over to Applejack and Pinkie Pie. Applejack had placed her head on his chest and was listening hard.

"What's wrong?" asked Twilight, as she pulls out the first aid kit from her saddlebag.

"He's lost a lot of blood," Applejack replied. "He's breathing for now, but his heart beat is getting faint."

Fear and trepidation had returned, as the girls solemnly gazed at the stallion. Wasting no time, Fluttershy grabbed the first aid kit from Twilight and kneeled down before him. Watching his chest rise and fall intently she opened the kit, taking the cotton balls and soaking them in disinfectant.

"I think I should be able to patch him up somewhat," Fluttershy said sternly. She then uses the cotton balls to clean the wound, wiping away any blood, earning a surprised but thankful look from her friends. After leaving the gash exposed for a few seconds, she proceeded to wrap his head with the bandages.

"That should slow the bleeding down," Fluttershy said, but a hint of worry remained in her voice, "but there could be some internal bleeding. We need to get him to the hospital soon."

"How much time does he have?" asked Rainbow Dash.

Fluttershy shook her head. "I'm not a doctor, but I don't think he has much time. Maybe 30 minutes. An hour possibly at most. I'm sorry I just-"

Without any further prompting, Twilight used her magic to lift the earth pony into the air just behind her head.

"Can you teleport him to the hospital?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"I'll try, but I'm not sure," Twilight replied hesitantly. "Those logs took a lot out of me, and I think something is interfering with my magic."

"You too?" asked Rarity with a concerned look on her face. Twilight was baffled by this revelation but returned Rarity's concern with one of her own.

"Do you think you girls make your own way back?"

"We'll be okay," said Rainbow Dash reassuring her friend. "Go."

Twilight nodded and summoned a light around her and the stallion. She levitated momentarily, as she focused on the Ponyville Hospital, with the stallion on her back.

It was happening again.

She tried to focus but again the dark, sinister feeling from before interferes, and she abruptly stops, huffing and puffing in exhaustion. "I'm sorry.." Twilight began, her voice breaking. The girls looked at each other baffled by the lavender mare's apology.

"What do you mean?" asked Rainbow Dash, her voice shaking.

"Something's wrong... I can't teleport him ... Something is interrupting my magic ... I'm sorry."

Rarity shook her head in disbelief. "No, it can't be. Surely there must-"

"Rainbow, it took us about an hour to get here alone, with an injured pony, I'm not sure how long it'll take ... I'm sorry...." Twilight sobbed.

The five mares stood despairingly. Rarity and Pinkie Pie slumped as tears begin to form in their eyes. "No..." cried Fluttershy into Rarity's shoulder as she places a reassuring hoof around her.

Applejack turned her head away shamefully and removed her hat, a tear rolling down her cheek. "AHH BUCKING HORSE APPLES!" shouted Applejack slamming her hooves bitterly into the ground. "And we were so close..."

Rainbow Dash, however, continued to stare at her friends, watching their pouring of emotions as they prepared themselves to watch this stranger die. Her eyes watered.

She told him that he was safe. She promised him that he'd be saved.

...

And she was determined on keeping that promise.

"No," Rainbow Dash says defiantly.

"No?" asked Twilight sobbing.

"What did you say?" asked Pinkie Pie weakly.

"I'll take him. I'll fly him to the hospital," explained Rainbow Dash confident but her voice shaken.

"But Rainbow-"

"Give him to me!" she repeats. She trots next to Twilight and attempts to lift him up onto her back. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie's wipe away their tears and run to their friend to help her raise the stallion.

"Rainbow, are you crazing?" Applejack asked. "You could barely lift him out of a hole and now you’re goin to fly over Everfree to get him to the hospital."

"I promised him that we'd save him," Rainbow Dash retorted glaring stubbornly at the country earth pony. "I promised."

Applejack was taken aback by her declaration. She looked deeply into her friend's face and could the tears in the corner of her own eyes. Applejack couldn't say anything to deter her stubborn friend from attempting to accomplish the impossible. "Fine but you be careful ya'hear."

She nodded firmly, wiping away her tears before smiling confidently. "You bet!"

A new found sense of hope returned, raising the girl's spirits. "Rainbow, I'm not sure this is going to work, but I do know a simpler weight reduction spell that should be strong enough to help lighten the load," Twilight offered.

"Yeah, I'd appreciate that Twi," Rainbow Dash said truthfully.

"You'll need to stand back."

She placed the stallion back down onto the ground gently, giving space for Twilight to perform her magic. Twilight focused her magic as light surrounded the stallion's body once more. Once again, she could feel something dark attempting to break her concentration and prevent her from casting the spell. This time, however, hope replaced fear, and she prevailed, successfully casting the weight reduction spell. A light blue aura surrounded the stallion.

"There it's done," Twilight said weakly, her knee shaking as she struggled to remain standing.

Rainbow Dash moved hesitantly over to the stallion's body. She placed her hooves around him and attempted to lift him. The spell had worked, the stallion's weight had been reduced by four-fifths.

Pinkie Pie was jubilant as she sang. "We did it! We did it! We did it! Oh! Oh! Oh! We did it!"

Fluttershy was dancing merrily into the air along with her, while Rarity smiled on. Twilight's fatigue was finally reaching its tipping point, and she collapsed onto her knees. The spell (as simple as it was) took whatever energy she had left. She looks up and sees Rainbow Dash standing above her. She smiles weakly.

Rainbow Dash kneels down on one hoof and uses the other to extend a hug around Twilight, grateful for her efforts.

Applejack didn't say anything and instead grabbed a rope from her saddlebag. Using one end, she tied the rope around the barrel of the stallion's body before doing same to Rainbow Dash using the other end. The two mares shared an acknowledging glance before they pull each other into a warm embrace.

"You best get going," Twilight murmured weakly. "The spell will only last about a minute. I'm sorry I couldn't give you more time."

"It's fine Twilight; I can make it," Rainbow respond, dispelling any fears from the lavender alicorn. "I'll drop him off and come back for you."

"It's fine, Rainbow, here take the map," Applejack said reassuringly, forcing the map upon Rainbow Dash. "We'll catch up with you."

"Take good care of him," shouted Rarity.

"Good lu-"

"JUST GO ALREADY" Pinkie Pie screamed interrupting Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash nodded curtly and then flew off at full speed, carrying the earth pony in her hooves.

The girls gathered around, Applejack helping Twilight up as they watch their friend fly off back to Town. For a few moments, there was silence, which was unfortunately broken by Pinkie Pie, whom suddenly had a stark realization. "Soooo~... Anypony know the way back home?"

They had looked at each other before Applejack smacked a hoof on her face. "Oh, applesauce. I gave Rainbow the dang map."

The others stared blankly at the country earth mare. They got so caught up in their goodbyes and well wishes to Rainbow Dash that they didn't stop to think about pointing out something so painfully obvious.

Rainbow Dash can fly.

She can see where Ponyville was.

Therefore she didn't need a map.

"Oh, Applejack," Rarity moaned incredulously.

"A-a-are we (gulp) lost?" asked Fluttershy.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Applejack, I figured something could happen. So I left a literal trail of cookie crumbs to shows us the way home, remember. See!" the pink party mare chirped pointing out the trail of cookie crumbs she had left, including signs to leading the way.

The girls' jaws dropped. They looked at the party mare who was grinning from ear to ear. They returned her smile with their own before breaking into roars of laughter, so grateful to have a thoughtful (and bizarre) friend that was Pinkie Pie. It had been a very eventful morning, and Twilight would have quite the report to write to Princess Celestia upon her return.

"Let's go home," Twilight smiled knowing they had completed their mission. "Rainbow Dash is sure to be sitting impatiently in the waiting room."

"Absolutely, Darling," said Rarity.

"I can't wait to meet the new pony," Pinkie Pie jumped merrily before singing, "I hope he likes surprise welcome parties!"

"I hope he's nice," said Fluttershy.

"I'm sure he will be the nicest pony around," Rarity said reassuringly.

The three girls had gone ahead a little, but Applejack and Twilight remained, looking back at the sky where they last saw Rainbow Dash in the distance. "I wonder who he is though?" asked Twilight, "and what was he doing at the crash site?"

"I'm sure we'll figure it out later when he comes to," answered Applejack merrily.

Twilight stares into the sky once more, thinking back on the events over the past 12 hours. What would the future have installed for them and her friends?

"Applejack, you can let me down now, I can walk the rest of the way," chirped Twilight.

"Are you sure, Sugarcube?"

"I'm good thanks, Applejack."

Applejack let Twilight down, allowing the alicorn to stand on hooves, walking slowly towards her friends just up ahead.

Applejack was about to make her way too but steals on last glance at that open sky.

"Godspeed, Rainbow Dash," said Applejack. "Godspeed."

And with that there was hope.

Author's Note

I had a lot of fun in writing this chapter :pinkiehappy: . Here's a quick game, how many easter eggs and puns did you spot? :twilightsmile: = me; :facehoof: = everypony else.

Chapter 3: A Stitch in time

60 seconds

"Take good care of him," shouted Rarity.

"Good lu-"

"JUST GO ALREADY" Pinkie Pie screamed interrupting Fluttershy.

Rainbow Dash nodded curtly and then flew off at full speed, carrying the earth pony in her hooves.

55 seconds

"You know, for a big guy, you sure are light," Rainbow Dash joked. The stallion was groaning, as if in agreement. She chuckled to herself as a rainbow trail lead behind her. She stopped abruptly above Everfree Forest, hovering momentarily and squinted into the distance. "Now where's Ponyville ..."

50 seconds

Inside Ponyville Town Hall, Spike and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were waiting for Twilight and the others to return with Mayor Mare. The light brown pony was anxiously pacing up and down the room, impatiently waiting to hear any news to calm her raw nerves.

"Spike, I know Twilight has asked us to stay indoors until they have finished their investigation, but how much longer are they going to be? I have to tell everypony something."

"That's what I've been trying to tell you, Mayor Mare," Spike groaned, pulling his face with his claw at having to repeat himself once more. "Not even-

"Is that Rainbow Dash?" Applebloom blurted out loud, squinting at a small figure outside the window.

"She's heading towards the hospital," Scootaloo pointed out, rushing towards the window. Her eyes widen in shock, and she gasps, "and she's got somepony with her!"

35 seconds

The light blue aura around the stallion was beginning to fade. The spell was weakening, and he was starting to get heavy.

Really heavy.

"No! No! No!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash as she struggled to maintain altitude. "Just a little bit longer. Dang it, I thought Twilight said I had a minute. Sorry buddy, but this may get a bit rough."

Rainbow Dash fell into a dive, clutching the stallion tightly to her body.

"We are going to make it!" said Rainbow Dash, scrunching her face with fierce determination.

25 seconds

"She's coming down pretty fast..." observed Sweetie Belle, slowly backing away towards the exit.

"Where are the others?" said Mayor Mare in alarm, as she joined Scootaloo to get a closer look.

"Everypony, quick, we've got to meet up with Rainbow Dash," asserted Spike, beckoning the others to follow. "It could be one of the girls."

15 seconds

Rainbow Dash pulls out of her dive, just inches above the ground but is able to maintain her trajectory.

"Whoa," escaped Mayor Mare's lips as she watched the multicolored pegasus zip past them.

"Come on! There's no time to lose," shouted Spike as he and the others ran towards the hospital.

10 seconds

The blue aura was now flickering. The stallion now weighed as much as Rainbow Dash. Sweat was pouring out of every orifice as she fought to maintain her current speed. Gritting her teeth, she closes one of her eyes, beating her wings as hard as she could

5 seconds

"We're ...."

4 ...

“al ... “

3 ...

“most …”

2 ...

“Arrrgh,” Rainbow Dash yelped in pain, clipping her wing against a tree branch.

1 ...

“THERE!” she screamed as she closed her eyes and braced herself.

0 ...

The spell had finally faded. Unable to carry their combined weight any longer, Rainbow Dash and the stallion skidded along the ground.

“Hold on!” she screamed.

Rainbow Dash tried to use her body to shield the stallion, hoping to prevent any further injuries, but failed. The momentum caused them both to roll uncontrollably until they collided into a tree, the stallion taking the brunt of the force. The trees shook, and a few leaves fell on top of the two ponies who were laying helplessly underneath.

Panting heavily and exhausted, Rainbow Dash struggled to rise but collapsed in defeat. She turned to her side watching the stallion beside her groaning and twitching in pain. She looked at him sadly and clenched her eyes as she felt tears forming. Did I fail? she thought to herself.

“Oh my gosh! Are you alright?”

Startled by the voice, she opened her eyes and smiled. Standing above her was Doctor Stable, Nurse Redheart and Nurse Snowheart; behind them was Ponyville Hospital. Her heart was joyfully singing as she gazed at the sight. She made it.

“Yeah, I should be okay,” she responds between breaths. She swallowed and pointed her hoof at the stallion, “but this guy needs help.”

Doctor Stable nodded as two orderlies arrived with a stretcher. The orderlies reached down and picked up the stallion carefully as the Doctor examined his body briefly.

“He’s lost a lot of blood, possible internal bleeding” noted Doctor Stable. “Get him to the E.R. immediately.” The stallion groaned and squirmed in pain, but didn’t resist as they carted him towards the hospital with Doctor Stable following closely behind.

Once they were out of sight, and the stallion’s safety guaranteed, Rainbow Dash tried to stand up, grunting along the way. “I have to get back to my friends,” she declared.

“Rainbow Dash, I am sorry, but I will need you to hang around and answer some questions,” commanded Nurse Redheart as she watched Rainbow Dash struggle.

“Oh my,” gasped Nurse Snowheart in alarm. “Rainbow Dash, your wing.”

Rainbow Dash looked at one of her wings, which has drooped down to one side. Unable to move it back into place, she moaned in discomfort. “It’s probably dislocated,” she muttered, “just need to pop it back in there.”

“Still, we’re going to have to look at that,” insisted Nurse Redheart sternly.

“Rainbow Dash, I’ll get a wheelchair,” said Nurse Snowheart. “Please wait patiently here.”

“I’m fine. See,” protested Rainbow Dash as she tried to stand on her back legs, but collapsed in pain, “ow-ow-ow.” In addition to her injured wing, she had also sprained one of her back legs. She rubbed the back of her head, chuckling sheepishly as Nurse Redheart raised an eyebrow. “Ha, maybe that wheelchair would be a good idea,” she admitted.

“Indeed,” sneered Nurse Redheart sarcastically as Nurse Snowheart arrived with a wheelchair in hoof.

“Here let us give you a hoof,” offered Nurse Snowheart, crouching down.

“Thanks,” smiled Rainbow Dash accepting the hoof. Once she was properly seated in the chair, Nurse Snowheart pushed Rainbow Dash inside with Nurse Redheart following beside them.

The unpleasant smell of disinfectant hit Rainbow Dash’s nose like a tsunami as the three entered the hospital. Rainbow Dash wasn’t fond of hospitals despite having been a regular visitor; more often as a patient. She was pushed past the two or three sick ponies in the waiting room and taken to a private consulting room.

The curtains were drawn back, and the two nurses assisted Rainbow Dash onto the bed.

“Please wait here, one of the other doctors will be here shortly” ordered Nurse Redheart as she left Rainbow Dash and Nurse Snowheart closed the door behind her. Nurse Snowheart retrieves an icepack and immediately applies it to Rainbow Dash’s sprained back leg.

“Ouch,” exclaims Rainbow Dash. “Will you be careful with that!” she snapped.

“Oh, don’t be such a filly,” joked Nurse Snowheart, “you’ll be fine.”

Rainbow Dash pouted her lips in defiance. She winced in pain as more pressure was applied to her injured leg. She looks around sheepishly, before gathering the courage to ask the Nurse her concerns that were plaguing her mind. “So is he going to be alright?”

“The stallion? We won't be sure at this stage,” Nurse Snowheart grimly replied as she continued to press the ice pack.

“But it’s a very good thing you brought him here when you did,” said the Doctor optimistically as he greeted the two, raising Rainbow Dash’s spirits. “Your actions today may have just saved his life.”

“Doctor Horse, are you sure?” asked Nurse Snowheart.

The doctor chuckled and nods. “Yes, Doctor Stable is in the operation room with your stallion friend. I’ve just checked on them, and it is looking good.”

“Thank Celestia,” sighed Rainbow Dash.

“Now let’s take a look at that wing,” said Doctor Horse.

At that moment, however, Nurse Tenderheart knocked on the door and entered. “Nurse Snowheart and Doctor Horse, I’m sorry, but I need both of you to help me outside. It’s pretty urgent,” she begged biting her bottom lip.

“No worries, We’ll be there in a moment,” Doctor Horse responded merrily. “I’m sorry, Rainbow Dash. Just keep applying pressure. We’ll be back in a minute.”

“Sure, I'll be all right,” smiled Rainbow Dash.

As the two nurses left, Rainbow Dash was alone. She rolled onto her back to rest, absorbing the events that have just occurred.

She made it.

She saved him.

She could relax knowing that the stallion was in good hooves. She closed her eyes and decided to take this opportunity to get herself a little sleep. Unfortunately, she would have to wait as there was a heated argument just outside. Rainbow Dash groaned as the voices got louder and louder.

“Oh! For Pete sake, don't they realize there were some ponies here who were trying to get some sleep,” she groaned as she covered her ears using a pillow to block out the sound.

“Rainbow Dash!” shouted Spike bursting into the room causing Rainbow Dash to yelp in shock.

“Are you okay?” asked Scootaloo.

“Where are the others?” asked Mayor Mare searching frantically around the room. “And who did you bring to the hospital?”

“Was it Applejack?” asked Applebloom desperately.

“Was it Rarity?” cried Sweetie Belle as her eyes began to water.

“Woah - woah -woah, everypony chill out!” Rainbow Dash shouted on top of the worried cries.

“I’m sorry, Rainbow,” said Nurse Sweetheart.

“We tried to stop them, but they insisted,” grumbled Nurse Redheart.

“Please, Rainbow Dash, tell us what is going on?” pleaded Mayor Mare.

“Everypony, please wait outside whilst we attend to Rainbow Dash’s injuries,” ordered Nurse Redheart. “Once we have finished, she can have visitors, but at this moment in time, please wait outside.”

The intruders were down-hearted. They were all concerned for their friends and family members who were yet to return from their adventure in Everfree Forest. Rainbow Dash sighed at the distressed and pleaded faces looking at her. I guess that nap is going to have to wait, she thought to herself.

“Hey, Nurse Redheart, will you give us a couple of minutes?”

“Fine,” groaned the nurse. “Three minutes, but then no visitors for two hours. You need rest.”

“No problem,” replied Rainbow Dash gesturing a hoofs up.

“So what happened?” asked Scootaloo as she crept near the bed edge.

Rainbow Dash cleared her throat. “So where do I begin ...

After an hour of Rainbow Dash explaining this morning’s events, the group were finally hustled out of the room by a bemused Nurse Redheart giving Doctor Horse the opportunity to fix her dislocated wing.

“Alright Rainbow Dash, you ready?” he chuckled sadistically with Nurse Sweetheart and Nurse Redheart behind him.

Rainbow Dash gulped. She always hated this bit. “Yep,” she trembled as Nurse Redheart and Nurse Sweetheart held her down.

“Here, bite down on this pillow if it gets too painful,” suggested Nurse Sweetheart.

Without any further prompting, she snatches the pillow from Nurse Sweetheart with her mouth.

“Okay, I’ll pop it on three, hold still,” he said focusing his magic on his wing.

She winced in anticipation of the pain.

“One,” counted Doctor Horse.

POP

“MMMNHMM” she cried in pain. “Bleh, you said on three!” shrieked Rainbow Dash with tears in her eyes.

“Now, Rainbow Dash,” said Doctor Horse dismissing her complaints as he wraps her wing in a sling, “I’m afraid that you’re going to have to be grounded for the next week while your wing heals.”

“WHAT!” she bellowed, “but I have to go back to training tomorrow.”

“Well, I’m afraid that is going to have to wait. Unless you want me to inform Captain Spitfire?” he asked rhetorically.

“Stupid Stallion,” she muttered bitterly to herself as she folded her forelegs and dropped her ears.

“I’ll write you a medical certificate excusing you from Wonderbolts training for the next week,” said Doctor Horse as the two nurses excuse themselves.

“Fine,” she grumbled.

Knock, knock, knock

“I’m sorry, Doctor Horse, may we come in?” said a familiar voice.

“Of course, Princess Twilight,” smiled the Doctor, “I’ve finished with Rainbow Dash here.”

Rainbow Dash’s mood perked up as Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Spike entered the room as Doctor Horse prepares to leave.

“How you doin Rainbow?” asked Applejack, winking at the injured mare.

“Oh my gosh! This is so awesome! When did you guys get back?” asked Rainbow Dash gleefully.

“Just now,” giggled Twilight. “Thanks for telling everypony what has happened. Spike wrote your story down, so it saves me having to write a full report to Princess Celestia.”

“Yeap, gotcha covered,” boasted Spike, holding the scroll for Princess Celestia.

“I had a quick read of it, but there are a few extra details I want to include,” added Twilight, “for now could you ask Princess Celestia meet us here at Ponyville Hospital?”

“Yes, Ma’am!” saluted Spike as he goes to work on the scroll.

“My Goodness, darling,” gasped Rarity, “your wing.”

“You look like you’ve been through a cake mixer,” remarked Pinkie Pie.

“Or a barrel of apples pushed down a hill during applebucking season,” added Applejack.

“Does it hurt? Maybe we should come back tomorrow - that is if you want us to?” asked Fluttershy nervously.

“Now remember, one week,” said Doctor Horse to Rainbow Dash as he closed the door behind him.

“I’ll be fine if it wasn’t for this stupid wing,” grumbled Rainbow Dash. “Any news on the stallion?” she asked hoping to change the subject.

“Yes, I’ve just spoken to Doctor Stable along the way here. He’s in a stable condition, and it appears that most of his wounds were superficial,” explained Twilight merrily. “He has a few cuts and grazes, some internal bruising, and a nasty gash to his temple when he fell, but he should be up in a few days, if not tomorrow.”

“So looks like you saved him,” chimed Applejack.

“I do believe congratulations are in order,” smiled Rarity.

“Well done, Dashie!” bounced Pinkie Pie and throwing confetti into the air. “You’re a hero!”

“Hip! Hip! Hooray!” sang Spike.

“Yay!” cheered Fluttershy silently.

Rainbow Dash grinned at the news and praise. “Oh shucks, it was nothing,” she chuckled, waving a hoof dismissively. Rainbow Dash looks around the room and notices some missing visitors. “Hey, where’s Scootaloo and the others?”

“They went back home,” answered Twilight.

“After all the ruckus they caused earlier, Nurse Redheart insisted,” chuckled Applejack. “Plus I reckon they all had enough excitement for one day.”

“I will admit that Nurse Redheart wasn’t too thrilled to see Pinkie here either,” smirked Rarity. “Can’t possibly understand why?”

“Neither can I,” shrugged Pinkie Pie, as she prepared her party cannon. “How about a party to celebrate!”

At the precise moment, she fires her cannon the hospital shakes violently. The girls shrieked and braced themselves as the earthquake intensified. Picture frames fell from the walls and vases smashed onto the floor, and nearly every pony was panicking. As quickly as it came, the earthquake stopped giving the ponies a chance to breathe.

“What in the hay?” asked Applejack looking over at Pinkie Pie.

“It wasn’t me I swear-

"IIIIIIYYYAAAAAHHHH!" screamed a voice, as the hospital shook a brief second time.

“Who was that?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Spike, send that letter to Princess Celestia now!” Twilight shouted.

“But you said-

“Spike, hurry!”

At her command, Spike blew the scroll, sending it off to Princess Celestia. To their shock, however, the puff of green smoke stopped abruptly and transformed back into the scroll.

"Princess Celestia!" Spike blurted outloud as the sun alicorn stood tall, holding the scroll with her magic. Princess Luna stood beside her. They gazed at the stunned faces who were all surprised to see their sudden appearance. “What? How?-

“We came as soon as we could,” replied Princess Celestia.

“I’m sorry, but we must go,” declared Princess Luna.

“I’ll come with you,” said Twilight bravely.

“No,” Princess Celestia replied sternly, but her voice softened as she watched the sadden expression on her former student. “Twilight, you have been through enough this morning,” she explains. “Please stay here with your friends. Luna and I will deal with this.”

“Okay,” says Twilight weakly.

The hospital room shakes again and screams could be heard. Princess Celestia steals a quick glance at Princess Luna, who nods in silent agreement. The two leave the room calmly and go to the front desk.

"Where is he?" Princess Celestia asks coolly.

"W-w-ho?" stammered Nurse Tenderheart stupefied.

Princess Luna revealed herself from behind Princess Celestia's hair. "My sister has asked you a question. It would be wise to answer."

"IIIIIIYYYAAAAAHHHH! YAAAAADDDAA!" the stallion bellowed once more, followed by more tremors.

Nurse Tenderheart shakily pointed a hoof to the stallion’s room.

Despite the building shaking around them, the two Princesses calmly entered. Inside the room, Nurse Sweetheart was trembling in fear as she tried desperately to wake Doctor Stable who had been knocked unconscious. Meanwhile Nurse Redheart and Doctor Horse were attempting to sedate the screaming pony with little success. Relief, however came as they saw the two Princesses.

“We tried to sedate him-

“Everypony, out,” Princess Luna commanded as she interrupted Doctor Horse’s explanation.

No further prompting was needed as they all rush out, Nurse Sweetheart and Doctor Horse carrying the unconscious Doctor Stable with them. Once everypony had left, the Princesses magically locked the doors behind them.

Chapter 4: The seal

The tremors had finally ceased. It seemed that the two Princesses had managed to contain the source of the earthquakes, much to the relief of everypony.

“Phew, Ah’m glad all this do-shakery has stopped,” said Applejack, sighing with relief.

“What do you suppose this could all mean?” asked Rarity.

“You don’t suppose it was the stallion?” inquired Fluttershy hesitantly.

The Princess was not ready to dismiss any possibility at this point. So much has happened within the last 24 hours that it was almost too much for anypony to bear. It all escalated so quickly that she hadn’t anytime to work out any theories. She was just grateful to have Princess Celestia and Princess Luna here, but wondered at what cost? I wish Starlight was here, she thought to herself.

“Twilight?”

Before she could answer, however, there was knocking on the door.

“Princess Twilight,” said Nurse Tenderheart, clearly still disturbed by the recent events.

“Yes, Nurse Tenderheart?”

“Nurse Redheart has asked all visitors and non-critically ill patients to leave the hospital for the time being,” she began to explain. “She said it while we assess the damage, and ensure everyponies safety.”

“What about Rainbow Dash?” asked Twilight.

“Doctor Horse wanted to keep her overnight for observation, but he’s busy attending to Doctor Stables at the moment. So until I am told otherwise … I guess she will have to stay here then,” she answered hesitantly.

“Don’t worry about me,” said Rainbow Dash with a brave face. “You guys go home and get some rest.”

Despite Rainbow Dash’s reassurances, Twilight looked at her friends as they nodded in silent agreement. “We understand Nurse Redheart’s concern, but-

“We’ll stay to help clean up this mess,” proposed Rarity.

“Ah can give the place a quick gloss over until the professions come,” offered Applejack.

“I don’t know much, but I do have some basic first aid training,” stammered Fluttershy.

“Plus, Dashie could use the company,” winked Pinkie Pie.

“I do not,” huffed Rainbow Dash in self-denial. Truthfully, she was glad her friends decided to stay.

“Are you sure?” asked Nurse Tenderheart, feeling her spirits rise.

“Yes, we can help organize the clean-up, help handle the public and arrange some contractor ponies to overlook the hospital.”

“Thank you, Princess Twilight,” beamed Nurse Tenderheart as leaves to report to her superior.

“Better get started,” chuckled Rarity.

“You guys go on ahead, I want to write a quick letter to Starlight and Cadence,” said Twilight.

“Sure thing, Twi,” said Applejack.

“Spike?”

“No problems, Twilight, I’ve got you covered,” grinned the dragon, quill and parchment in claw.

Meanwhile, inside the hospital room, Princess Luna wasted no time as was circled the room casting dampening spells to contain the tremors, and magical barriers to prevent outside interference, eavesdropping and anypony from entering.

Princess Celestia sat beside the bed where the stallion lay watching him intently as he groaned and cringed in pain. Even though she had cast her spells to restrain him and ease his physical pain, every so often the stallion’s body would spasm and contort.

Her attempts to sedate him with lesser spells had failed. His suffering was deeper than she could imagine. She continued to watch as he breathed slowly.

“I’ve just finished casting the last of the containment spells,” said Princess Luna wiping the sweat off her brow.

“Thank you, Luna,” she replied as she continued to observe the stallion.

She circled the two before sitting on the opposite side.

“What do you think, Sister?” asked Princess Luna.

“I am not sure, Luna,” replied Celestia. “All I know for certain is that we are not alone.”

Princess Luna eyes widened in shock as she looked around the room. “Discord, reveal yourself,” she demanded.

“Oh my,” said the draconequus as he appeared seemingly out of nowhere. “How did you know I was here?”

“You weren’t exactly subtle,” chuckled Princess Celestia.

“Why are you here?” sneered Princess Luna.

“For the exact reason you are,” replied Discord nonchalantly. “Curiosity and tremendous power.”

Princess Luna scoffed. She turned to her sister, who gave her a reassuring nod. “I’m glad you are here, Discord,” agreed Princess Celestia without a hint of irony in her voice. “Your magic may be necessary.”

“At least somepony appreciates me,” he huffed incredulously, earning a disdainful glare from Princess Luna.

“Have you seen anything like this?” asked Princess Celestia.

Discord conjured a doctor’s coat and began intently examining the stallion. “Hmmm,” he began, “I must admit that there is something familiar about him, but I can’t quite put a claw on it.”

“You don’t suppose-”

Suddenly, the stallion arched his back and groaned loudly, silencing the room as the three watched him. He struggles violently, before kicking the blankets off with his hind legs. His naked body was now on full display.

He holds his pose for a half a minute before collapsing back onto the bed and panting. He turns to one side and assumes a fetal position revealing his cutie mark. Seven orange balls covered his rump. Each ball had a different number of red stars ranging from 1 to 7. The balls glowed and pulsated every few seconds, matching the intensity of his breathing. Eventually the glowing subsides as the stallion starts to relax.

“What are those?” asked Princess Luna as she examined the cutie mark carefully. “What do they mean?”

“Discord?”

Discord floats at the end of the bed with an oversized magnifying glass as he examines the stallion’s rump intensely. After finishing his analysis, he nonchalantly throws the magnifying glass behind him, before shrugging his shoulders. “Your guess is as good as mine,” he replied as a matter-of-factly. “Rather than horsing around the possibilities, may I suggest taking a peep into his head? You are a nosy pony aren’t you, Luna?”

Princess Luna threw him a dangerous glare. The Mare of the Night took her responsibilities seriously and only entered the dreams of those she knew needed her wisdom and guidance. She snaps her head away from him before trotting towards to the stallion.

He seemed calmer than before, but this didn’t give her any reassurance. Princess Luna lowers her horn just above the stallion’s head. A dark magical light surrounds her horn as she prepares herself.

“Be careful,” warned Princess Celestia.

“I will, Tia,” replied Princess Luna as she closes her eyes and enters into his dreams.

Princess Celestia and Discord watched carefully as Princess Luna dives deeper into the stallion’s subconscious. It had seemed that everything was going well, but then a second later their faces cringe in sync. The stallion begins to stir, and trouble was brewing, but this did not discourage Princess Luna.

She was determined to learn more about this mysterious pony. His past. His origins.

But all she saw was pain, suffering and isolation.

Countless battles that resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocents civilians.

As the nightmares resurfaced, a dark aura started emitting from his body and began to pull Princess Luna in towards him. The stallion rolled onto his back started shaking his head violently from side to side, gasping for air.

Princess Luna screamed. His agony was too much to bear. His suffering was beyond measure.

His death.

“LUNA!” screamed Princess Celestia as she pulled her sister away with her magic.

The strength of her magic was too great, however, and she was thrown across the room slamming into the wall behind her. Discord and Princess Celestia rushed to her aid as she struggled to regain her senses.

“By the moon,” she gasped.

“Luna, what did you see?” asked Princess Celestia.

“No dreams,” she stammered, shivering in fear as she stared at the stallion. “Nightmares. Only nightmares.”

Princess Celestia and Discord glanced at each other questionably, shifting their gaze to the stallion, before turning to face Princess Luna.

“Is there anything else?” probed Discord.

“I don’t know,” swallowed Princess Luna. “It took a lot of my magic to reach as far as I could, and that was just the tip of it. I couldn’t delve any deeper.”

Princess Luna then shifted her gaze at her sister with a stern and foreboding warning. “Tia, I sensed a powerful evil force. It was blocking my way as I tried to get closer.”

Princess Celestia contemplated her sister’s answer for a moment. A powerful evil force? What could this mean?

“And a monster,” she added, shivering at the memory. "A terrible monster."

Princess Celestia turned her head to look at the stallion, who had his back towards them and was still cringing in agony. Could what her sister said be true? Could he really be a monster? She wasn’t sure, but something seemed amiss. She couldn’t help but think there was something more.

He turned allowing her to focus on his face as he breathed heavily. At that precise moment, her eyes shot open in shock. There, in the corner of his eyes, a tear.

A single, sad tear.

“Tia, what are you doing?” stammered Princess Luna.

“I am going to take a look for myself,” declared Princess Celestia as she walked towards the stallion.

“Tia, no don’t it’s too dangerous,” begged Princess Luna reaching a hoof out.

The sun alicorn ignored Princess Luna, lowering her horn over the same position as her sister did before her.

“Discord,” called Princess Luna as she struggles to stand, “you must stop her.”

Discord shook his head and remained silent, watching Princess Celestia as she closed her eyes. Magical energy now surrounded her horn.

“Please, Tia, I beg you sto-”

But it was too late. Princess Celestia had cast the same spell and entered the stallion’s psyche.

Princess Celestia opened her eyes. She was now inside the stallion’s mind. She shifted her head left and right to get her bearings, but all she saw was ominous clouds blocking her path.

Using her magic, her horn shines brightly illuminating the darkness. Soon the dark clouds dissipated, and she proceeded forward, diving deeper into his subconscious. Every so often she was able to catch glimpses of his memories.

Flashes of epic and fierce battles between good and evil.

She dived deeper searching for more.

Friends.

Loved ones.

A teacher.

She dived deeper still. There had to be more.

A moon?

Suddenly the image of an enormous monkey-like monster materializes. She pulls back, as the creature turns to look at the white alicorn. It’s large red eyes glared at her baring its fangs menacingly. Raising its arms high above its head, it roared at her, stunning her into position.

Bending his legs, it then launched towards her at shocking speeds. She shifted her body to the left just in the nick of time, dodging its right arm as it tries to grab her. But the monster changed the direction of its attack and slams her body with its backhand.

She smashed into the ground below. Grunting in pain, she gasped as the creature roared and lunged for her once more. She raises her hooves to defend herself, but the image dissipates as quickly as it came. Panting, she swallows. A new memory was forming around her.

She was on an island now. The sky was dark and cloudy. The sound of terrifying thunder and lightning raged near and afar as the waves came crashing irregularly into the shore. She didn’t know how or why but she knew that the planet was dying. Was that monster responsible?

It was getting too much for her. She had seen enough. Her sister was right. The stallion posed too much of a threat and needed to be removed.

Brushing away the dirt on her coat, she stood up and shakes her mane. As she prepared to leave, however, her mouth dropped agape as she stared at the sight before her. A white alien creature stood on top of a mound as its tail wavered about. The creature was panting, and its tail had been abruptly cut. It was glaring at her with murderous intent. Its face was full of hate and rage.

She had never been so frightened in her life.

She stumbled backwards, trying to distance herself but then stopped as she came to a realization. This creature wasn’t looking at her per say, but rather past her. She turned her gaze in the direction the white creature was facing. She gasped, her eyes shot open as her irises shrink.

Beside her stood another bipedal creature. It had the same hatred fill glare, but it stood defiant and stoic. A beautiful golden aura surrounded its body, and its long golden hair waved with the wind. Bruises, blood and scars covered his body, but it didn’t scare her.

Her attention was diverted however to a different sight. A short distance behind this golden creature, a child stood, petrified whilst it held onto a green alien wearing purple clothes. This green alien was bleeding profusely and had a hole in its chest. The child was obviously stunned and amazed, but it smiled, tears on its dirty and bloody face. This child’s smile was full of hope.

Hope.

Despite these fearsome circumstances in which he lay, and in the midst of what was sure to be a terrible battle, the child had smiled with hope.

Hope.

Princess Celestia begged to learn more, but all of sudden, the two beings lunged for each other, screaming. Before she could see any more, her corporeal body was pulled from the memory unable to finish.

“CELESTIA” screamed Princess Luna.

“Oh,” escaped the Mare’s lips as she tumbled backwards.

“My word, are you alright?” asked Discord offering his paw.

“Yes,” she swallowed. She wiped away the sweat from her brow, accepting his paw rising. “I’ll be fine.”

“What did you see?” asked Discord, but Princess Celestia refused to answer. Her mind was still absorbing the memories and images that she had just witnessed. Piecing together whatever little she had.

Unsatisfied with her silence, Discord instead turned to Princess Luna. “So what did you want to do with him?”

“It is simple,” proposed Princess Luna with her back turned. “We must banish this creature.”

“No,” came a defiant voice.

“What did you say?” asked Princess Luna cautiously as she shifts her head.

“No,” repeated Princess Celestia sternly and unreserved.

“Have you gone mad?”

“No. I am serious. We will not banish.”

“Surely you have seen what I saw. He is dangerous, Tia, we must send him away,” Princess Luna warned. “Please, Tia, listen to reason.”

“He is indeed powerful,” Princess Celestia began sternly, but the tone of her voice changed becoming softer. “But there is something more. Underneath that rage and hurt, there is a gentler, softer side. A warrior who has lost his way. He has been dealt a great suffering.”

Princess Luna could not believe what she was hearing. “Tia, he has the power to destroy us all,” she argued. “His powers surpass our own. And he’s asleep!”

“Or save us,” retorted Princess Celestia. “He came from one of the stars. Not only that but from Orion’s belt. Orion the Warrior.”

“A mere coincidence” dismissed Princess Luna.

“Or perhaps something more,” suggested Princess Celestia.

“He’s a monster, Tia,” she responded incredulously. “I can’t believe you would take this issue so lightly.”

“Did you see the child?” asked Princess Celestia.

“Child?”

“It was in one of the memories. A colt child. He was looking at the golden warrior.”

“I did.”

“Did you not see his face?”

“What of it?”

“It was filled with hope.”

Princess Luna turned her face and scoffed. “I’m sorry, but I was too occupied with the two monsters prepared to fight on a dying planet, and an even larger ape creature prepared to destroy me.”

Princess Celestia sighed. “Luna, I understand how you feel,” she said reassuringly.

Walking towards the dark alicorn, Princess Celestia turned her sister’s face towards hers. Princess Luna’s face remained rebellious; however, uncertainty filled her eyes at Princess Celestia’s warm and loving gaze.

“My dearest sister,” Princess Celestia began with gentility, “past the sadness and anger, there beat’s a heart of a warrior. A hero. We can not afford to dismiss this so readily. We mustn’t lose hope.”

Princess Luna contemplated her elder sister’s words for a moment but shook her head defiantly. “No, he’s too dangerous.”

“There is a darker force at play,” concurred Discord interrupting their conversation. His paw was resting on top the stallion’s forehead.

“Discord, what are you doing?” asked Princess Luna.

“Coming to my own conclusions,” he said as he removed his paw. Turning to face the two Princess, he coughed into his claw and cleared his throat. “I think you both raise some valid points.”

Placing his claw and paw, behind his back, he turned to glance at the stallion before looking at them once more. The tone of his voice and body changed, and was no longer his jovial self. “I will be honest with you both for a moment. His power is truly beyond measure. Nothing in Equestria could stop him. Not even Cerberus could contain him.”

Princess Luna’s eyes widened in shock as Discord continued.

“His mind has been twisted and tortured by an outside influence. I can’t place a claw on it but it does feel very familiar.”

“I do, however, have another solution that may save him and allow us to gain a very powerful ally.”

“What do you propose?” asked Princess Celestia.

He glances at the stallion before turning answer. “Seal his memories-”

“That’s too much / That’s not enough,” interjected the two Princesses.

“… for now,” he finished. “It’s a compromise between your different viewpoints. It will allow us to contain his powers whilst at the same time learn about his true origins and nature.”

“But-

“Listen to me, both of you. He terrifies me. Not just his powers, but where he came from and who sent him here. I am the spirit of chaos and disharmony. I do not relish in mindless destruction. If there is a higher power at play here, we need to be prepared. The elements of harmony may not be enough,” he warned.

He sighed, turning to them and bowing his head to summarize his case. “There is more to this pony than we can image,” explained Discord. “And, I can’t explain it, but I know it so.”

The room fell silent on these words. The two sisters glanced at the stallion. He had finally managed to calm, but the tears did not.

“I agree with you,” said Princess Celestia, breaking the silence.

“What, how could you-”

“Luna. Everypony deserves a chance,” argued Princess Celestia. “Even if they succumb to darkness.”

Princess Luna thought about the arguments raised for a moment. His proposition didn't entirely convince her, and there were more questions than there were answers. Her solution, was now far too simplistic, which confused her.

“Need I remind you both,” piped Discord, interrupting Luna’s train of thought. “The star broke into eight pieces. One of those pieces lies on the bed here, so what and where are the other seven?”

By the moon. How could they have forgotten? This seemed only to solidify Discord's proposal even more so. She desperately tried to come up with a counter argument, but was unable to do so. She groans in exasperation.

“Fine,” sneered Princess Luna. “I understand.”

“So we agree then?” smirked Discord.

“No, we don’t,” snapped Princess Luna. “I don’t like this plan at all, and I don’t trust this thing to be anything more than a monster.” She turns her head in shame and sighs. “But even I can’t deny the fact that I too was a monster once.”

“Luna,” said Princess Celestia remembering her sister’s former alter-ego, Nightmare Moon.

“Were it not for Twilight Sparkle and her friends, I would not be standing here beside you dear sister. Henceforth, I demand that she and her friends will be responsible for watching over him.”

“What?”

“You underestimate the powers of the Elements of Harmony, Discord,” she smirked. “They are stronger than you could possibly imagine. And now that the Elements have been restored to the Tree of Harmony, Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends have become more powerful than ever before. This pony may be just another challenge for them to overcome.”

Princess Celestia smiled and hugged her sister. She was so proud of her. “I know Twilight, and her friends will succeed no matter what happens.”

Discord merely shrugged. For him, this was all a moot point as he had already assumed that this was going to be the case anyway. Rather than fight the point, he’d let Luna have her victory ... for now at least.

“Sound fair,” said Discord, resuming his usual provocative self. “Shall we get started then?”

The two alicorns nodded, as Discord watched summoning a large bag of chips and a couch. The two Princesses stood on either side of the stallion. Another nightmare was resurfacing as the stallion’s breathing hastened.

Lowering their heads once more, their horns glowed in unison. A mix of solar and lunar energies was released and surrounded the stallion. His body was lifted above the bed, as his face continues to cringe. The dark aura returned, threatening to stop them but Discord snapped his fingers, containing the energy.

The room began to illuminate as the two Princesses focused more magical energy into their spell. The spell was working. His face started to relax, replaced with a blissful smile. His cutie mark begins to glow, indicating a new and inconsequential development. The bright red stars on the seven balls disappear, losing their orange color before becoming grey stone like orbs. His body starts to fall as the spell was nearing its completion. As soon as he lands safely on top of the bed, the magical energies dissipate, and the two princesses collapse.

“There,” said Princess Celestia, whilst panting in exhaustion and smiling. “It is done.”

Princess Luna nodded in acknowledging their efforts.

“Thank you, Discord,” added Princess Celestia to the Draconequus floating above.

“Don’t even need to mention it,” he smiled. Glazing at a sundial, he gasps. “Well must be off. I’ve got to catch Trixie’s show in Los Peagasus before it ends. Oh, and please don’t mention my involvement in this. I have a reputation to uphold you know. I’ll catch you sister’s next time.”

After a moment's rest, the doors of the hospital room are opened, startling the ponies on the other side. The two Princesses exit nonchalantly into the hallway, tired and a little sore. The sun was setting, and it would be Princess Luna’s turn to watch the night.

“Princess Celestia. Princess Luna. Is everything alright?” piped Nurse Tenderheart.

“Everything has been taken care of,” smiled Princess Celestia.

“It appears the tremors and the stallion’s screams were just a coincidence,” added Princess Luna.

“Oh thank, Celestia,” escaped her lips.

“And Luna too,” smiled Princess Celestia.

“What is everypony doing?” asked Princess Luna.

“Oh, Princess Twilight and her friends stuck around and had been helping us clean up,” beamed Nurse Tenderheart.

“Really?” asked Princess Celestia, though she was hardly surprised.

Making their way through the hall, Princess Celestia halts for a moment as she watches her former student diligently working. “Twilight?” called Princess Celestia.

“Yes, coming,” answered Twilight, a little startled. “Yes, Celestia?”

“I thought I told you to go home,” smirked Princess Celestia.

“Actually, you said I should stay with my friends,” corrected Twilight. Princess Celestia chuckled.

Twilight turns her face away for a moment before looking back at her former mentor. “Celestia, do you know what’s going on? Do you have any more information on the stallion?”

“Funny that you mention it,” smiled Princess Celestia. “Tomorrow, Twilight, I would like to talk to you and your friends.”

Twilight threw a questioning glance, eager to hear more.

“I have a new mission for you.”

Chapter 5: Lost in translation

It was a warm afternoon, and a voice could be heard stirring.

"Dono yōna akumu. (what a nightmare)," groaned the young stallion, as he awoke from his deep slumber. Lying in bed, he felt woozy and sore. The intense rays of sunlight blinded him as they beamed onto his face. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and blinked around furiously. "Koko wa doko? (Where am I?)," he said with a hoarse voice.

As his vision slowly cleared, he took a good look around. To his left on top of a bedside table was a cup of water on top of a stack of magazines. His throat was dry and aching as he smacked his dry lips.

“Mizu (Water),” he croaked. He reached for the cup but knocked it over along with the magazines underneath.

“Ottotto! (Oops!) Shimatta! (Crap!),” he cursed. He attempts to retrieve the magazines and cup that had scattered across the floor, but slipped out of bed, bumping his head against the corner of the table along the way.

"Ite-e! Ite-e! Ite-e! Ite-e! (ouch!)" he complained rubbing his sore head. He felt disorientated and wet; the fall causing him to have double vision.

It didn't matter either way. He needed to get back to bed.

He climbed to the edge of the bed and tried to pull himself up. Unable to secure himself and slipping on the wet floor, he silently screamed falling to the ground once more pulling the bed sheets and the woolen blanket. He struggled to free himself but became even more entangled as the blanket unweave and the sheets wrapped themselves around his limbs. Exasperated, he shortly gave up on the futility of the exercise and groaned in defeat. He rolled onto his back, spreading his limbs out and breathed in deeply. After a few seconds of rest, he rubbed his eyes once again.

His vision was clearer this time around. He sits up and crawls past the end of the bed with the sheets still tangled around him and over his head. The room was rectangular; its walls painted a light blue color. The door had been left open revealing a long hallway. Those magazines were still on the floor, as well as his empty cup. In the corner, next to the window, there was a picture frame with a photo of a lake, and a vase with fresh flowers on a table next to a couch.

"Eh? Nani ko re? (What's that?) Soreha... umadesu ka? (Is that a ... horse?)" He said as he rubbed his eyes furiously, hoping to remove any doubt what his brain was failing to register. Lying curled up on a blue three seat couch was what appeared to be a small horse, with yellow wings and pink hair. Once the brain had confirmed what the eyes were indeed seeing, he stared at the creature in disbelief.

"Koko de uma wa nani o shite imasu ka??" (What is a horse doing here?)" he said to himself as he slowly crawled closer to the sleeping creature. An adorable smile was on her face as she was sleeping soundly. He looked over her body and enjoyed watching her chest rise and fall with each passing second. It was strangely pleasant, and he felt safe. "Kawaīdesu ne (Isn't it cute)."

He snapped to attention, however, as the sound of a hospital bed rattling towards his room could be heard outside. Shifting his head slightly, he peeked outside and was shocked to see a bright pink horse wearing a nurses uniform, pushing the empty bed past the door down the hallway.

"Ehhh..." he said slack jaw to himself. "Watashi wa uma byōin ni imasu ka?”(Am I in a horse hospital?)"

He crawled over to the door, where he observed two more horses across the way. He saw what appeared to be another nurse holding a clipboard with her hoof, and the other with a horn on its head, wearing a white coat and a stethoscope. "Sugoi. (Amazing.)"

He closed the door to his room, the small yellow horse with wings still asleep on the couch. He sat on the floor and folded his arms, closing his eyes to analyze the situation. Thinking about it closely, the situation was pretty obvious.

He was in a hospital that was being run by small horses, and he was there in order to heal from his injuries that he had somehow obtained. This horse probably was visiting him, and he should know who this was ... except he didn't. He didn't recognise her nor how he got his injuries in the first place. Figuring it was best to get answers, he decided he would wake her and ask her calmly what the heck was going on. He nodded curtly and silently agreed with himself. Yep that would be the best idea.

Using his sheet covered hand, he gently nudged her shoulder. " Unno ... Sumimasen. (Umm ... Excuse me.)"

She stirred and groaned in protest falling back to sleep. He tried again, however a bit more assertively this time. "Sumimasen, uma-san? (Excuse me, Ms. Horse?)"

He appeared to have succeeded, as the small horse opened her mouth and yawned widely. She turned her head to find the pony that had awoken her ... only to find a deranged ghost-like creature, with blood seeping from its head. The color from her face drained, as she trembles in fear of her life.

He opens his mouth to speak but instead a low audible growls from his stomach. "Hehe… Sumi - (Excu-)"

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH" screamed the yellow horse in terror.

Alarmed, the stallion tried desperately to calm the terrified horse, waving his limbs about frantically and smiling apologetically. "Waaahh!! Ochitsuku you ni shite kudasai! Daijoubu! Anata wo kizutsukeru kotoha arimasen. (Please calm down. Don't worry. I won't hurt you.)"

But it was no use. She just looked at him frightened. "Please stand back," she cried.

At that moment, the door was kicked open, and three horses burst into the room. He recognized the doctor and nurse that were outside his room earlier, but the other one was different. This one was a light blue colored horse with rainbow hair and one of her wings wrapped in a sling. The three horses looked at the tall bloodied creature and the yellow pegasus trembling below. The multi-colored horse glares at him.

"Unno (Ummm)," muttered the creature but ducked as a clipboard was thrown at him. "OiOiOiOi! Nani wo- (Hey! What are-)"

"GET AWAY FROM FLUTTERSHY, YOU MONSTER!" she shouted as she continued her assault, picking up random objects and throwing them at him.

“EEEEK!” squealed the creature as the doctor and nurse rushed to Fluttershy's aid, pulling her to safety.

"Cho - tto - Ma - tte (Wait a minute)" he pleaded as he barely dodged the objects thrown. Despite his best efforts however, he slips over the bed sheet falling hard on his back. The large stallion's face exploded in surprise as he felt the cyan mare jump onto his bag, and grabs on as tight as a cowboy at the rodeo. Hastily he began to shake his body in a futile attempt to dislodge the smaller mare from his back.

"EEEEK!"

Rainbow Dash hastily rained down blow after blow on the mammoth stallion with her new found weapon. The pillow in her mouth going, "thweet... Thiiissss" as it did little more than deflate, and kick up a snowstorm of feathers as it hit the much sturdier stallion's head.

"Yameru! (Stop!) Onegai! (Please!) Yameru! (Stop!)," he begged between muffled cries as he repeatedly tried to surrender.

Suddenly a purple light surrounded the multi-coloured horse and she stops in her tracks.

"Rainbow Dash! STOP!" bellowed Twilight. Rainbow Dash was then seemlessly lifted off the stallion's body, where he was finally able to breathe again and relax. "That is enough."

Although frozen, Rainbow glared menacingly down at the creature and growled like a rabid dog preparing for round two.

"Yokatta. (Thank goodness)," he sighed, turning his head to find his saviour, only to find four more horses. He removed the sheet from his head, blood still pouring from his head. The four horses gasped as he smiles weakly at the purple horse with wings and a horn. " Arigatōgozaimashita (Thank you)!"

"Pinkie, go get a doctor and nurse," ordered Rarity.

"Okey Dokey Lokey!" she sang merrily with a salute and darted off.

"Uh, Rainbow. Why were you attacking the stallion?" asked Applejack with a raised eyebrow.

"He hnmn flueershy," Rainbow Dash mumbled under gritted teeth, the pillow still in her mouth.

"Oh sorry, let me get that for you," Twilight said sheepishly releasing her spell.

"Bleh! I said he attacked Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash answered pointing down at the stallion angrily. "I saw the whole thing!"

"Is this true?" asked Rarity. The girls looked at the stallion questioningly, but before he could respond, the Doctor Stable and Nurse Sweetheart pushed past them to attend to his injuries.

After a minute of checking him over, the doctor let out a relieved sigh. "It's fine, just a stitch popped out. We'll just clean this, stitch it back up and put a new bandage on. Then you'll be fine," said Doctor Stable reassuringly. The stallion smiles dumbly back but doesn't respond. The doctor hesitated for a moment. He then looks at the Nurse Sweeheart before turning back to his patient with a baffled look on his face. "You do understand, don't you, son?"

The stallion continued to stare unsure how to respond. Suddenly, the room starts watching the stallion intently, expecting him to speak or at least acknowledge the doctor. Shifting his eyes about to everypony looking at him, he chuckled nervously before dropping his head and sighing. "Gomen'nasai ... wakarimasen (Sorry ... I don't understand),” as he bowed apologetically.

The room fell silent as jaws dropped.

"Ummm... Twilight ... did you understand what in the doohickey this fella is trying to say?" asked Applejack.

"I don't know. I've never heard a language like it," Twilight responded in amazement and curiosity.

"Um, Princess, if you don't mind, can I ask you all to leave whilst we finish up?" Doctor Stable asked curtly. "He's still technically a patient."

"Huh, oh, of course, Doctor," Twilight chuckled sheepishly. "Come on girls."

The girls walked out of the room with the exception of Rainbow Dash who glared menacingly at the stallion refusing to budge. The same purple light that stopped Rainbow Dash before surrounded her body once more, and she is carried out of the room against her will. "Come on, Rainbow," moaned Twilight.

"Now that we are alone," Doctor Stable began knowing the stallion couldn't understand him. "Would you like a mirror? Mirror? We can get you a mirror. MIRROR. That way you can see what I am doing."

Unsure what to make of this strange creature's language, he grinned and nodded politely. Assuming he was understood, Doctor Stable nodded to Nurse Sweetheart who looked for a small mirror in the room, allowing the stallion to see his reflection for the very first time ...

"WHAT, IN ALL OF EQUESTRIA, WERE YOU THINKING?" boomed Twilight at Rainbow Dash under a magical cone of silence outside. "WHY WOULD YOU HARM AN INJURED PONY?"

"He attacked Fluttershy, duh! Just ask her," she retorted pointing at the meek yellow pegasus. "When I went to check on them, I heard screaming in the room, so I bucked the door and entered the room. I saw Fluttershy was crying on the couch and him standing over her looking like a monster. Isn't that right Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash asked, hoping her friend would collaborate on her story.

Fluttershy squirms uncomfortably under the questioning gaze of her friends. Sensing her distress at the traumatic experience, Applejack places a hoof around her shoulder and looks at her meek friend reassuringly. "Fluttershy, did he attack you?" asked Applejack gently.

"Umm... I'm ... sorry but ... I'm not sure," she confessed.

"WHA-

"Would you like to explain what exactly happened then sugarcube?" asked Applejack interrupting Rainbow Dash’s outburst.

"Umm ... well ... I was sleeping," she replied looking away shamefully.

"Gone on, darling, it's okay," Rarity said reassuringly.

"And he - he must of ... woke me up ..."

"Yes, and?" Twilight asked who was starting to feel a little impatient.

"I - umm, I - I -

"WILL YOU SAY IT ALREADY!" shouted Pinkie Pie. "The suspense is killing me."

"Well ... umm ... he-

"NNNNNNNNNNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII?" (What?)

"That came from the stallion's room," said Twilight in alarm.

"He must be in trouble," shouted Rarity.

"Pfft or more likely causing it," sneered Rainbow Dash.

Without a moment's hesitation, Twilight released her spell, and the mares rushed back into the room. Doctor Stable and Nurse Sweetheart are on the ground shivering at the sudden outburst as the stallion clutches the mirror in between his hooves.

Hooves. Not his hands. Hooves.

"What in Tar Nation?" asked Applejack.

"H-he just s-started screaming when we showed him the mirror," stammered Nurse Sweetheart.

His eyes widened and his body trembled as he stared intensely at his reflection in the mirror.

"Watashi wa uma desuka?” (I am a horse?) he asked touching his face in disbelief.

His reflection revealed a pony with a long black mane and a light tan colored coat. His eyes were black, and red shot. No horn on his head. No wings on his back. Just a regular pony.

“Uma. Watashi wa uma desu (Horse. I am a horse)," he muttered repeatedly.

The girls watched on perplexed at the situation nor understanding what he was trying to say. Breaking away from his reflection, he turned to look at the girls, startling them. His mouth cringes and tears form in his eyes as he looks at them pleadingly, "Nani ga okotte iru no ka setsumei shite kudasai? (Please explain what is going on?)"

Author's Note

I hope you all enjoyed this grand introduction. Many thanks to my editor and these websites for the translations.

http://romaji.me/
https://www.jref.com/articles/japanese-slang.210/
http://users.tmok.com/~tumble/amfaqs/101glos.html

And of course, to Lavendarregards for the rodeo scene.

Chapter 6: An alien solution

“No, that’s not going to help,” grumbled Twilight as she glimpsed through the contents of the book levitating only inches from her muzzle. Tossing it aside, she grabbed another, then another with increasing speed and frustration. “No that one’s not going to help either. This one doesn’t even come close. SPIKE! SPIKE!” she bellowed calling for her assistant.

It had only been a few hours since her last visit to Ponyville Hospital and Twilight was busy researching alone in the castle library. The otherwise tidy and ordered room had become an organized chaotic mess with ancient scrolls littering the floor and books heaped in large piles. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy as she continued to scour them in no particular order.

Spike entered the room with a serving tray of sandwiches, cakes, and a cup of warm coffee. “How are things going?” he asked.

Twilight let out an exasperated groan. “Well I managed to find a translation spell,” she began raising the dragon’s spirits, “but in order for it to work, I need to have some basic understanding of his language or at least the origin of his language.”

“So … did you find it?”

“No. It’s a language I’ve never heard of before, and I don’t even know where to start,” she complained loudly. “I’ve looked in Modern Languages and Dialect over the past century, different foreign language books, and ancient languages but I can’t find anything. ‘Ohyao’. ‘Uma-san’. ‘Arigato’. What do these words even mean?” she screamed throwing up her arms in defeat.

Spike hesitated in his response, and instead waited for Twilight to calm down as she took deep breaths. “Any word from Starlight? Did you get any response from our letters?” Twilight asked hopefully.

Spike shook his head. “Sorry Twilight. I haven’t got any word from Starlight, and every other pony appears to be as stumped as you.”

Twilight’s shoulders slumped as her head dropped defeatedly at his response. “What am I going to do?” she whimpered and feeling a little teary, “what am I going to do? Everypony is counting on me”

Placing the tray of food down, he pulled her face towards his. “Cheer up, Twilight. You’ll figure it out,” he said reassuringly. “Everypony knows you’re the best pony for the job, and we believe in you. You just need to relax.”

Twilight smiled weakly as Spike wrapped his arms around her neck. She felt comforted as her troubles seemed to melt away. The moment however was short lived as her stomach growled hungrily and loudly.

“And a bite to eat,” added Spike as he pulled himself away. He turns to pick up the tray of food once more and presents it to her. “Here have something to eat, I made you a snack,” he said.

“Thanks Spike,” Twilight said smiling weakly. She took a glance at the tray before grabbing one of the sandwiches and taking a large bite. Twilight hummed happily as she chewed the tasty treat. She felt re-energised and much better after having vented her frustrations and satisfying her appetite. Taking another sandwich from the tray, Twilight continued her research.

Feeling rather pleased with himself, Spike took a few steps back and watched the alicorn enjoying the light meal. “You know, if only there was a stone that had lots of different languages on it all saying the same thing,” joked Spike.

“Not helping,” mumbled Twilight between bites. She swallowed hastily and looked at the dragon. “Seriously, Spike, the fate of Equestria could be in jeopardy!”

“When is it not?” he muttered sarcastically under his breath as he picked up a nearby book from the floor. Twilight glared quickly at Spike’s cheekiness, but ignored it for the most part as she continued her tireless search. Spike shrugged his shoulders. “Hey, you know it was weird,” mused Spike as flicked through its pages.

“Hmm?” replied Twilight.

“That he screamed at his own reflection,” said Spike. “I wonder what that was all about?”

At those words, the clogs in Twilight’s head began turning. It was weird, thought Twilight. Why would he scream at his own reflection … unless. “He’s not a pony,” she uttered. A wide grin began to form on her face confusing the dragon.

“Huh? What did you say, Twilight?” asked Spike.

“Spike you’re a genious!”

“I am?”

“Yes! Why didn’t I think about that before! It’s so obvious!” squealed Twilight merrily as she pranced around whilst throwing the dragon up and down into the air in celebration. “He’s not a pony. He’s not a pony!” she sang gleefully.

Spike was baffled by her statement but before he could ask for further clarification, his thoughts turned to fear as he gained more altitude with each throw. His eyes widened as he realised that Twilight was no longer celebrating. Instead she sat with her forearms folded and eyes slammed shut as her horn continued to glow and her head bobbing along to Spike’s ascent and descent. “Hehe, you can put me down now, Twilight,” he requested nervously as he began to creep ever so close to the ceiling above. “Twilight? Twilight!”

Twilight was too deep in her thought process however couldn’t hear her assistant’s as she soon came to conundrum. “So how should I do it then?” she muttered to herself. “How am I going to test my hypothesis?”

“Put me down, Twilight!” screamed Spike waving his arms and legs about as she threw him much higher than before.

Suddenly she was hit with an epiphany and the magical energy surrounding the purple dragon disappeared as he begins to fall. “That’s it! I know what I need to do,” she shouted as Spike came crashing down onto the floor landing flat on his face. “Oh sorry, Spike,” blushed Twilight.

“Do you want to tell me your grand plan then?” he asked as he rubbed his sore snout.

“I’ll tell you along the way,” she replied as she picked up the dragon and put him on her back.
“Come on! We need to go to Ponyville Elementary.”

“Okay?” he asked slowly and still confused. “Why?”

“For a book, of course,” she answered with determination.

“A book?” he replied more baffled than ever. “You have a ton of books here,” he exclaimed pointing to the mess around them. “What book could you possibly need?”

“A specific book! One I know we don’t have,” she asserted. “I’m sure Cheerilee won’t mind.”

“Okay then,” he said still somewhat unconvinced.

“Also, when this is all over,” Twilight smiled as they exited the library and began to walk down the hallway, “I’m going to need your help to clean up the mess.”

Spike peered over his shoulder at the mountainous task. His shoulders slumped and groaned in response as the library doors closed behind them.

“Ah ha ha ha … uma … ka? (A horse, huh?)” muttered the stallion underneath his breath as he stared out of the window.

It had been a couple of days since the stallion woke. The medical staff at Ponyville Hospital had tried everything to communicate to the strange earth pony, but to no avail. With no way to effectively communicate to the creatures that cared for him, the stallion quickly fell into a depressed state.

They continued to observe and monitor his physical progress but were quite concerned about his mental well-being. Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie Pie had offered to keep the stallion company, whilst Twilight and Spike were busy finding a translation spell, giving the medical staff some relief. For the stallion, their presence was welcomed and appreciated despite being unable to convey these feelings. These horses seemed nice enough, with the exception of the rainbow coloured one who also visited him but appeared more reluctant to do so.

“Is that all he really says?” asked a bemused Rainbow Dash as she entered his room. “Uma this, and Uma that, why don’t you say something else already!”

The stallion panicked at the sound of her voice and retreated into a defensive position. This happened every time she entered. After all, their first meeting had been quite traumatic. The memory of Rainbow Dash riding him like a cowmare on a bucking bull at a rodeo was still fresh in his mind, and he wasn’t keen on repeating it. At first, Rainbow Dash had enjoyed his terrified reactions, but it got tiring very quickly, especially as her friends began to tease her.

“Well, unless Twi can up with some sort of translation spell, Ah guess this is as good as we’re going to get,” replied Applejack nonchalantly.

“You always could try riding on his back again, darling, and force the answer out of him,” proposed Rarity with a smug look on her face, as she continued to knit. “He had quite a bit to say after that.”

“I don’t think Nurse Redheart would like that though,” said Fluttershy sincerely. “She wasn’t too happy having to pick up all the feathers.”

“Ah don’t think that’s going to help anyways, Rarity,” chuckled Applejack. “After all, it appears the poor fella is already broken.”

“Hey, I know, Dashie should totally join the rodeo,” Pinkie Pie proposed with a wide grin.

“That’s a fantastic idea, Pinkie,” smirked Applejack. “With Rainbow on our side, Ponyville will win first prize fer sure.”

“YEEEHAA!” sang Pinkie Pie as she re-enacted the entire scene.

Rainbow Dash pulled her face down with her hoof. “Will you guys just drop it already. I still get an ear full from Twilight whenever he and I are in the same room, and he reacts like that,” she complained as she pointed to the stallion who responded by cowering under his blanket. “WILL YOU KNOCK IT OFF!” she barked to which he replied, “eeeek!” further aggravating her.

“There, there it’s okay,” said Fluttershy in her sweetest voice as she tried to calm the terrified pony.

He pulled the blanket down and looked at the yellow pegasus. Since the incident, Fluttershy had gone to great lengths to make him feel welcome and comfortable. Her gentle feminine voice and sweet nature soothed him. Although they couldn’t properly talk to each other, her ability to understand all animals, allowed them to communicate on an almost primordial level. It was a welcome relief for the stallion. He looked at her serenely and smiled.

“That mean old Rainbow Dash is not going to hurt you anymore,” she said sweetly.

“What! I’ll show you mean!” Rainbow Dash threatened with a raised hoof, causing the stallion to cower in fear once again.

“Quick somepony hide the pillows,” joked Pinkie Pie.

“Already on it,” responded Applejack.

Her friends broke into roars of laughter as Rainbow Dash glared at the shivering stallion. Her friend’s constant teasing was all his fault. If he hadn’t scared Fluttershy, she wouldn’t have reacted like that. Rainbow Dash had decided that once they were able to communicate, she would hope to clear up their misunderstanding. Alternatively, if he wasn’t prepared to listen to her, she would give him a good wallop instead and thereby giving him a genuine reason to fear her.

“Where’s Twilight? Wasn’t she supposed to be here by now?” asked Rainbow Dash, hoping to change the subject.

“She’s still in her library,” answered Pinkie Pie wiping a tear from her eye.

“I hope she gets here-

“AH-HA!” shouted Twilight, as she burst into the room with a proud look on her face. Spike appeared just behind her with an equally wide grin on his face.

“Twilight!” said the girls in unison.

“You’re back,” beamed Applejack.

“Whatever took you so long, darling?” inquired Rarity.

“Did you find a translation spell?” asked Fluttershy hopefully.

“No, I didn’t,” beamed Twilight. The girls, however, were perplexed as they looked at the proud purple alicorn.

“So that’s it. You came bursting in here just to tell us you failed?” remarked Rainbow Dash.

“Nope,” she replied still holding her beaming smile.

“So what then?” asked Applejack hesitantly.

“Do you have a plan?” asked Fluttershy.

“You bet she does,” boosted Spike.

“Well, do you girls remember what I said before?” asked Twilight rhetorically.

“Oh, I do! I do!” jumped Pinkie Pie before taking over the conversation. “Applejack was like -” she began to explain mimicking Applejack’s mannerism - “‘Say, Twi, do you have a way we can understand what in the doohickey he is saying?’ to which you replied” - now mimicking Twilight - “ ‘I’m not sure, but I will need to do some research.’ ”

“Yes -

“But no matter how hard you looked you couldn’t find anything, with the exception of one spell, however for that spell to work you needed a basic understanding of his language or at least the origin of his language.”

“Yes, and -

“You and Spike kept searching through the library becoming increasingly frustrated, until Spike said ‘Hey, you know it was weird that he screamed at his own reflection. I wonder what that was all about,’ which got you thinking.” Pinkie paused for dramatic effect. “What if he was recently changed into a pony!?!”

“What?” gasped Rarity, raising her hooves to her mouth.

“Yes, but then I -

“Came up with a brilliant, clever plan to see whether he could recognize any other creatures, and possibly find out exactly what language he speaks so that the translation spell would work!” shrieked Pinkie Pie unable to contain her excitement.

The girls paused for a moment allowing the pink party mare to catch her breath.

“So what’s the plan then?” asked Rainbow Dash smacking two hoofs together.

Pinkie Pie bounced up and down with her hoofs up in the hair, seeking permission to answer the question. Twilight sighed. Pinkie had already stolen her thunder, may as well let her finish. “Go ahead,” she sighed dejectedly.

“Her plan is to show him a bunch of pictures of different creatures from all over the world that are able to speak. Through a process of elimination, she will be able to find out. So you had Spike get a few simple picture books from the school to show the stallion. Oh my gosh, it’s so brilliantly, amazing! You are one clever pony.”

“Thank you, Pinkie.”

“But how is he going to understand?” asked Applejack finding a flaw in her plan.

“What’s the one word he keeps say?” asked Twilight with a confident smile.

“Uma?” replied Applejack hesitantly.

“Yes. When he looked at his reflection, he kept on saying it over and over again. Whenever we come into his room, he always says it. It must mean pony. He keeps saying pony,” she explained.

“I guess that makes sense,” said Fluttershy thinking Twilight’s theory over.

“I will first show him a picture of a pony, and say ‘Uma’. Then I will show him different pictures of the other creatures. Hopefully, he understands and can give us some sort of yes or no signal. What do you think?”

She looked to her friends hopefully. They had glanced at each other before Applejack was brave enough to assert her concerns.

“Ah dunno? This is all assuming he’s not a pony," Applejack said hesitantly. "What if he is, and he still doesn’t understand.”

“Applejack, I know it’s a long shot, but it’s the best we can come up with for the time being,” asserted Twilight.

“May as well give it a try,” said Rarity. “Well it’s not like we have anything to lose, darling.”

“I say go for it,” cheered Pinkie Pie.

Twilight turned to Spike and nodded. Understanding the gesture, he grabbed a picture book from the bag and gave it to Twilight. She accepted the book with her magic and approached the stallion. The stallion had been listening to their conversation, albeit he didn’t understand them.

Now sitting beside him, she opened the book with her magic, revealing a picture of a pegasus, a unicorn and an earth pony. Using her hoof, she pointed to the picture and then herself.

“Uma?” asked Twilight.

The stallion’s eyes widened, realizing what she was trying to do. Nodding feverishly, he does his best to communicate as clearly as possible. “Hai! Uma des. (Yes. That’s a horse).”

Twilight turned to Applejack and smirked.

Applejack scoffed. “It doesn’t prove he wasn’t a pony in the first place.”

“Okay then, here we go,” said Twilight as she prepared herself. Pointing at the picture of the earth pony, she looked at the stallion and repeats. “Uma. Pony. Uma. Pony.”

“Hai” nodded the stallion.

“I guess ‘hai’ means yes,” proposed Rarity.

Twilight pointed to herself. “I am a Uma. I am a pony.”

The stallion nodded, “hai. Uma-san.”

“Twilight.” She pointed at herself again. “Twilight.”

“Towairato?”

“Twilight” she repeats. “Twi. Light”

“Twi … lighto ...”

“Hai,” she replied which seemed to get the stallion quite excited.

She pointed at the stallion. “Uma?”

He shook his head. “Iya.”

“That must mean ‘no’,” proposed Rarity.

“Chikyūjin,” he responded pointing at his chest.

“Chi - kyū - jin?”

“Hai.”

She turns the page to the next creature. “Griffon.”

He looked at the image of the strange creature. He had never seen this creature before. “Gurifon?”

“Griffon,” she repeats pointing at the picture. “Griffon.”

“Hai.”

She then points to him. “Griffon?”

He shakes his head. “Iya. Chikyūjin.”

“Do you really think he understands us?” complained Rainbow Dash who was starting to have doubts.

“I think he does,” muttered Fluttershy as she observed them intensely. Her eyes sparkled as she had an epiphany. “Twilight.”

“What is Fluttershy?”

“He said he was a Chikyūjin. What if you pointed to every picture and asked if it is a Chikyūjin," Fluttershy proposed. "It is probably the name of his species.”

“That sounds like a great idea. Let’s give it a try.”

Five minutes later.

Twilight and the girls had pointed to every picture in the book and repeatedly asked, “Chikyūjin”, to which his answer was always “Iya.” Whilst they were making progress, the constant “Iya” response was disheartening to say the least.

“This is hopeless,” groaned Rainbow Dash as she collapsed on the couch.

“Not really,” said Pinkie Pie.

“What are you talking about, he said no to everything,” said Applejack.

“Exactly, he said no to every creature on this planet. But he came from the stars, right? So what if he’s a different species altogether,” proposed Pinkie Pie. "He's an alien!"

“Hmm … I wonder,” muttered Twilight, pondering at Pinkie’s words.

“You know, given the current circumstances that doesn’t sound quite as ridiculous,” contemplated Rarity.

“What do you mean ridiculous? It’s a totally valid point,” shrieked Pinkie Pie incredulously.

“Come on, let’s be realistic. He either doesn’t understand, or he’s lying,” added Rainbow Dash. “Either way it didn’t work.”

“It’s not either,” said Fluttershy in the stallion’s defense.

“Oh, yeah? And how would you know?” snapped Rainbow Dash.

“I think I can … understand him ... somewhat,” muttered Fluttershy sheepishly.

“Rainbow Dash! Whilst I quite understand your feelings of frustration over the matter that does not give you permission to take it out on poor Fluttershy,” reprimanded Rarity.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well-

“GIRLS” shouted Twilight interrupting the fight and stunning her friends. Without any further explanation, she disappeared in a flash of light startling the stallion before magically reappearing next to Spike.

“Sugoi (Amazing),” escaped the stallion’s lips as he watched the event unfold.

“Spike, I’m going to need your help for a moment,” said Twilight and offering him her hoof.

“Okay, Twilight,” he said hesitantly before accepting her hoof.

“Where are you going, Twi?” asked Applejack.

“We’ll be back in a moment,” said Twilight cryptically before she and Spike disappeared and teleported away.

“Where do you think she went to?” asked Rarity.

Before anypony could answer, however, Twilight reappeared holding onto a photo album.

“What you got there, Twilight?” asked Pinkie Pie.

Ignoring the question, Twilight opened her book and grabbed a picture to show it to the stallion. The stallion’s jaw dropped as he stared at the picture intensely. “Chikyūjin?” asked Twilight hesitantly.

“Hai! Chikyūjin. Chikyūjin des!” shouted the Stallion in excitement and pointing his hoof between the picture and himself. The girls looked at each other baffled by the sudden development.

"No way," muttered Spike with amazement.

Twilight stared at him for a moment but then shook her head. "Come on, Spike, we’ve got to go.”

Spike nodded and jumped onto her back.

“Wait, what? You figured it out?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“So what is he?” asked Rarity impatiently.

"Yeah, tell us, Twi," the others begged.

“No time to explain. I'll be back as soon as I can," and with that, she and Spike teleported away.

“Where’s she off to in a hurry?" said Applejack annoyed with the lack of an explanation.

“Hey, this looks like me … only weird,” said Pinkie Pie as she picked up the picture. Pinkie looked at the photo and pointed to one of them. “And this one looks like you Rainbow Dash. You too, Applejack.”

“Let me see,” said Rainbow Dash.

“By golly, they really do look like us,” said Applejack as she, Rarity and Fluttershy joined them. The five ponies stared at the photo with immense curiosity.

“What do you suppose that creature is?” pondered Fluttershy.

“I don’t know, dear. But I do love those dresses.”

Chapter 7: Earthling

“Homo Sapiens,” droned the teacher as he wrote the word down on the chalkboard, “is the binomial or scientific name for human.”

It was Friday afternoon at Canterlot High, and about half an hour remained on the clock. As luck would have it, the last class of the day was a biology one with the boring Professor Stein, and Sunset Shimmer, like the rest of the class, was painfully waiting for it to end.

“The full term is Homo Sapiens Sapiens,” he continued in his usual monotone voice. “Can anyone tell me who coined the term? Anyone? Anyone?”

Professor Ben Stein was a dreadfully tired and somewhat bitter old man. He cared not for the students or the subject he taught, but rather the paycheck that came at the end of each month. His apathetic manner and long lectures reverberated a lethargic tone with the students who struggled to remain interested and/or awake. Rainbow Dash, however, had long lost that battle and was snoring openly in plain view.

Even Sunset Shimmer, one of CHS’s brightest and most diligent students, was equally frustrated and bored with his slow pace and tendency to drag questions. She glanced at her friends, wondering what each of them was up to. Pinkie Pie was surrounded by a wall of books which she used to hide the large chocolate cake she was now decorating. Applejack was writing invitations for the next family reunion whilst Rarity was designing a new evening frock for next year’s ball formal.

Fluttershy sat at the back, appearing alert and a little guilty. Every so often (when the Professor had his back turned) she would sneakily open her bag and give a tasty treat to whichever one of her pets was residing inside. Although Twilight had finished the textbooks for that class, she remained vigilant in case the Professor decided to talk about any additional information not already covered in the course outline. Like Fluttershy, Twilight was hiding Spike in her bag but had to kick it whenever the dog was snoring too loudly.

Sunset couldn’t help but smile admirably at each of them. She was so lucky and proud to have met and befriended such wonderful girls.

“The term was coined by Carl Linnaeus in 1758,” said Professor Stein flatly, answering his own question and momentary interrupting Sunset’s train of thought.

She glanced up at the clock and groaned inwardly. Only a few minutes had passed. Placing a hand on the journal in front of her, Sunset began to stroke the cover affectionately, circling a finger around the emblem of the combined cutie mark. It was Sunset’s only remaining connection to her homeworld and to a very special pony that made her new life possible. Princess Twilight. As time ticked ever so slowly, Sunset couldn’t help but think about the past major events that led her to become friends with the six girls.

The CHS Ball Formal.

The Battle of the Bands.

The Friendship Games.

And their most recent adventure: Camp Everfree, which was especially memorable and profoundly more significant.

Earlier that month, Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna had taken a class of students to Camp Everfree as a reward to those who had participated or helped organize the Friendship games. It had been a magical experience, both figuratively and literally as the girls discovered their extraordinary new powers. The prospect of these new abilities both excited and frightened Sunset Shimmer as the divide between the two worlds seemed to blur as evermore Equestrian Magic seeped into the human world.

The ‘wild’ magic (as Applejack called it) appeared random at times but had a corrupting influence on any unfortunate soul it came into contact with. Gloriosa, the camp manager and owner of Camp Everfree was the most recent victim of such powerful magic after finding seven mysterious geodes in a nearby cave.

Originally Gloriosa had intended to use the magic to keep the campers happy and satisfied, hoping to raise enough money to repay her debts. Despite her best efforts, however, she was unable to control the magic, which lead to disastrous consequences. Her brother, Timber, tried desperately to convince Gloriosa to give up the geodes and surrender the land, but his cries fell on deaf ears. She stood, arrogantly confident that she could control the magic and find a solution to their financial woes, but the ever-growing likelihood of losing her family’s legacy coupled with the overwhelming power of the geodes corrupted her and ultimately transformed her into the giant tree monster, Gaia Everfree.

Thankfully, however, Sunset and her friends were able to defeat Gaia Everfree using their newfound powers. Whilst no one got seriously hurt, the results were devastating and costly. The money they had raised to repay some of the outstanding loans was not enough to also cover the damages that had occurred during their epic battle with Gaia Everfree. Feeling somewhat responsible, the girls decided to meet up at the library after school to brainstorm some fundraising ideas.

“Now, can anyone name another type of ancient human species?” asked Professor Stein. As per the norm, the room was dead silent. Picking up the attendance sheet, Stein glossed over the names to select an unwilling, random student. “Ms.-

At that exact moment, however, Sunset’s journal vibrated and chimed loudly on her desk, setting off a chain reaction of events. Fluttershy’s pet jumped out of her bag, knocking into Pinkie Pie which caused her to activate her powers as she was spreading the last of the sprinkles onto her lavish cake. The cake then exploded, splattering all over the nearby students, including Applejack’s finished invitations and Rarity’s sketchbook. Spike awoke barking at the commotion but was silenced abruptly by a swift sweep of Twilight’s leg. All of which had rudely awakened the sleeping teen, who stood to attention shouting, “5! No, wait, 16.”

In the midst of the commotion, a layer of chocolate frosting and pink sprinkles now covered Professor Stein’s face and glasses. He remained motionless and silent.

Taking this opportunity, Sunset quickly slipped the offending journal into her bag, whilst Fluttershy snatched the pet bunny in mid-air with her empty bag. Applejack hurriedly hid the soiled and unsoiled invitations in her pockets whilst Rarity shut her book, cementing the cake into every page and ruining her new designs. Twilight hushed and apologised to the whimpering dog in her bag and Pinkie Pie miraculously licked her books, desk and self-clean.

This left poor Rainbow Dash to stand out alone, dazed and confused. Before she could gather her wits, however, Professor Stein glared angrily at her, as some of the frosting dripped off his hook nose and onto the attendance sheet.

“This is not math, lunch, or nap time, Ms. Dash,” he said grumpily causing some of her classmates to snicker at her misfortune. “This is Biology.”

“Hehehe,” Rainbow Dash laughed nervously before lowering her head shamefully, “sorry Professor.”

BRRRRINNNGG

The school bell had finally rung. Chairs shuffled and creaked as the students left as quickly as they could, with the exception of Sunset and the five other girls who felt somewhat responsible for Rainbow Dash’s predicament.

Wiping the cake from his mouth, he said in no uncertain terms, “Detention. After school. Two weeks. Monday.”

“My designs. Ruined,” wailed Rarity as she tried to salvage the pages from her sketchbook. “I’ll have to start all over again. All. Over. Again.”

“Shoot, and I just finished the invitations to the Apples on the east coast,” groaned Applejack. “Now I have to go to the store and get some more.”

“Yeah, thanks a lot, Pinkie,” Rainbow Dash grumbled as she slammed her locker door. “I’ve got soccer finals in a month. Just why the heck did you have to make a cake in class?”

“It wasn’t me,” Pinkie Pie mumbled as she took a bite of another cupcake, “Fluttershy’s rabbit surprised everyone and knocked over my triple layered chocolate cake. I was going to share that with everyone after school.”

“Instead, you had to share it with everyone in class,” screamed Rarity.

“In my defence, it was a good cake.”

“It wasn’t Angel’s fault,” Fluttershy said whilst hugging the oblivious bunny. “He got spooked, that’s all, the poor thing. Someone should have turned off their phone during class. It’s against the rules and really inconsiderate to have them on,” she said in a chastising tone.

“So is having a pet on school grounds,” Rainbow Dash retorted, causing Fluttershy to blush in response.

“Whose phone was it anyway?” asked Twilight as she gave Spike an apologetic dog biscuit.

“It wasn’t a phone,” peeped Sunset sheepishly. “It was my journal. Sorry everyone.”

“Couldn’t Pon-Twi have waited till after class,” grumbled Rainbow Dash.

“Pon-Twi?” asked Applejack.

“Yeah, it’s my nickname for her. That way we don’t get the two Twilight’s confused.”

“So what did Princess Twilight want?” asked Fluttershy.

Sunset shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. With everything that happened in class, I haven’t had a chance to read it yet.”

“Hey everyone, Sunset’s book is ringing again!” Pinkie Pie announced.

The others gathered around Sunset as she removed the offending, vibrating object out of her bag. She turned to the last entry eager to read her friend’s message.

“Wow, Twilight’s handwriting is really terrible,” Rainbow Dash remarked.

“My goodness, it's absolutely awful,” agreed Rarity. “Is that an ‘A’?”

“Something must be wrong,” said Sunset Shimmer as she began to worry. “She must be frazzled. Her writing is usually much neater than this.” Sunset squinted her eyes as she moved the book closer to her face hoping to bring the words into focus. Struggle as she might, however, it didn’t work and instead she became increasingly frustrated. She let out an exasperated groan. “I can barely read it.”

“Why not get Twilight to read it?” said Spike as he scratched his ear. “If anyone can read Twilight’s bad handwriting, it’d be Twilight.”

“Hey, my handwriting is not that bad!”

“Only when you’re writing to Timber,” snickered Spike earning an elbow jab from Twilight.

“That makes sense,” nodded Pinkie Pie in agreement. “Have Twilight read Twilight’s letter.”

“Fine,” grumbled Twilight. “Give it here, Sunset.”

“Sure, go ahead,” giggled Sunset as she passed the book over to Twilight. Twilight nudged her glasses into place, concentrating on the message written by her Princess counterpart. “So what does it say, Twilight?”

“She saying there’s a human in Equestria?”

“WHAT!” shouted the girls in unison.

“A human?” asked Pinkie Pie.

“In Equestria?” stammered Rarity.

“Did someone go through the portal?” wondered Sunset with great concern.

“Wait, there’s more... Can’t speak English … Language unknown … Uma san ... Hi … Ear …Sorry, this last one is a bit tricky. Chi … ku wait no cue ... gin?”

“I recognize a few of those words,” responded Sunset Shimmer. “I work at a sushi bar on the weekends. Those words are Japanese. “‘Hai’ mean ‘yes’ and and ‘Iya’ means ‘no.’

“What about that uma word or the other one … Chi-something or other?” asked Applejack

“Sorry but I don’t know what the others mean.”

“Chikyūjin. I am pretty sure that it is pronounced, Chi-kyū-jin,” muttered a voice out loud to herself, earning the attention of the six girls whose jaws dropped as they all stared at the most unlikely translator.

“Yes, now I know ‘Uma’ means ‘horse’ and if I am not mistaken ‘Chikyūjin’ should mean ‘earthling’. Hmmm … It’s rather interesting that she wrote ‘Chikyūjin’ as opposed to ‘Ningen’ which means ‘hum-’. Wait why are you all staring at me like that?”

“How in the heck did you know that?” asked Rainbow Dash dumbfounded.

“Wow that was amazing, Rarity,” said Fluttershy in awe. “I didn’t know you spoke Japanese.”

“I don’t,” stammered Rarity as her cheeks began to burn a light crimson red. “Ah - I mean, well yes, I am very interested in international fashion trends and Tokyo has some leading designers. So it’s a good idea to have a basic understanding of Japanese.”

“Really” questioned Rainbow Dash, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. “I didn’t think horses would be a fashion trend?”

“Is that what it was?” asked Pinkie Pie, a little disappointed. “See, I thought that it was because you were hiding some amazingly, deep, dark secret that would be awfully embarrassing to share that would make you feel like you’d lose your social standing among your peers. You know that sort of thing?”

“Why - of course not,” smiled Rarity.

“Are you sure there isn’t something you’d like to tell us?” said Applejack with an evil and almost knowing grin.

“Nope. I have nothing to tell,” dismissed Rarity, “Absolutely nothing at all.”

“Wait a minute,” squinted Pinkie Pie. “Let me see your sketchbook for a second.”

“You can’t!” shouted Rarity, grabbing her bag quickly and holding on to it tightly. “My book? Pinkie, you ruined it with your c-”

“Yoink,” smirked a Rainbow blur. “Here you go, Pinkie.”

“Thanks, Dashie! Now what do we have here?” laughed Pinkie Pie as she began to turn the pages of the incriminating sketchbook.

“No, wait, you can’t. Please stop,” protested Rarity as both Rainbow Dash and Applejack grabbed onto her shoulders, holding the poor girl at bay. “Stop it, Pinkie Pie. I beg of you, no.”

Fluttershy became flustered as Rarity struggled. “Pinkie Pie, I umm … really think you should give Rarity her boo-

“Ah ha! I knew it! These aren’t designs for next years ball formal! They’re cosplay designs for next month’s COMIC-CON!”

“No, it’s not like that! Sweetie Bell-”

“And look here! She is drawing her own doujinshi! It’s Rarity and some hot looking dude ... Who’s Spike-sama? He looks nothing like Spike.”

“So Rarity likes anime and manga?” chuckled Sunset over Pinke’s shoulder. “Who would have thought?”

“FINE! I ADMIT IT! I AM AN OTAKU!” wailed Rarity. “THERE! ARE YOU HAPPY NOW!”

“What’s an otaku?” asked Fluttershy.

“It means nerd or obsessed,” answered Sunset. “Now that word, I do know.”

“No way!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash. “Rarity is a nerd! What’s next! Fluttershy’s on the debate team?”

“The horror! The horror!” gasped Applejack in a mocking tone.

“Just ignore them,” chastised Fluttershy as Rainbow Dash and Applejack continued to roar with laughter, “they’re being a couple of old meanies”.

“Oh, Rarity, everyone has hobbies but it’s nothing to be ashamed about,” reassured Twilight.

“It just took us by surprise,” said Sunset, “That’s all.”

“It was just a joke,” said Rainbow as she wiped away a tear.

“Yeah,” giggled Pinkie Pike, as she continued browsing through the remaining pages. “It’s not like there is anything else in here that would further embarrass-.

But before Pinkie could proceed any further, Rarity pounced. “GIMME THAT!” she shouted, snatching the book back once more and holding onto it tightly. An awkward silence fell onto the group as Rarity’s face went beet red and glared dangerously at her friends.

“Listen Y'all,” began Applejack, “teasin’ Rarity has been fun and all, but shouldn’t we be getting back to the task at hand? You know, Twilight’s message?”

“Huh? Oh yes, of course,” Twilight pushed up her glasses again and continued to read, “please come back to Equestria … Need help … Bring translation book if possible.”

“Would there be one at the library, perhaps?” asked Fluttershy.

“Probably not,” Sunset said with a sigh. “They only teach Spanish, French and Mandarin at CHS.”

“Hey Rarity,” began Applejack. “You don’t suppose-”

“FORGET IT!” snapped Rarity. “You’ve already tainted my good name enough! Must you drag it down even further.”

“Come on, we already apologized,” said Rainbow Dash. “You’re a nerd, who cares.”

“Rainbow Dash,” chastised Fluttershy.

“That’s not helping,” agreed Applejack.

“Just hear me out first,” snapped Rainbow Dash. She walked over to Rarity until she was a few feet away. She rubbed her elbow awkwardly, feeling a bit embarrassed as she prepared to confess. “Listen, before Twilight came here from Crystal Prep, I always thought reading was a thing only dorks and nerds would do.”

Rarity turned away, not wanting to face Rainbow Dash, but she continued anyway. “Reading was never for the cool, athletic types like me but … but then I read a copy of Daring Do when I sprained my wrist. I never realised how much fun it was to read until then… and if it hadn’t been for all of you, I would never have accepted that part of myself ... so I understand … and like I said, it’s okay.”

“Awww,” gushed Pinkie Pie.

“You may have a nerdy side, but you’re still the same fashion queen we know and love … so I’ll say it again. Who cares if you’re a nerd. You’re still awesome and right now, Pon-Twi needs you.”

“That was mighty sweet of you,” chuckled Applejack before elbowing Rainbow Dash playfully in the side. “Who knew you had a mushy side?”

“Shut up,” said Rainbow Dash with a slight tinge of red on her cheeks.

Rarity was moved by Rainbow’s confession but her pride remained stubborn and refused to relent.

“Rarity, Rainbow Dash is right,” said Sunset Shimmer. “I know you’re embarrassed to admit you’re -” Rarity shot a dangerous glare at Sunset as though daring to complete that sentence “- your other hobbies but Princess Twilight really needs our help. If you have a spare translation book or an English-Japanese dictionary that she could use, I know she would really appreciate it.”

Rarity sighed her ego still a little bruised, “Fine, I have a couple of books at home. I can bring an older edition tomorrow.”

“From the sounds of it, Ah think Sunset is gonna need that book now, Rare,” said Applejack.

Sunset nodded. “I know this is a lot to ask but-”

“It’s fine, Darling. Just give me few minutes to freshen up, and I’ll ask dad if he can bring it here.”

Back in Equestria, Princess Twilight was pacing up and down in front of a mirror whilst Spike was busy cleaning up the chaotic mess that was the castle library. Her plan had worked. Twilight had finally managed to unearth some very important information that could lead to the identity of the strange new pony.

Although she should feel some reprieve, she couldn’t help but worry as the discovery now lead to more questions than answers. A human in Equestria! What could all this mean? she thought to herself. Did he really come from the stars? Did a portal open up when the star fell in the Everfree Forest and he just came through by accident?

A very important guest would be arriving soon and one that would hopefully deliver Twilight with some more answers. She glanced out at an open window with eager frustration. Visiting hours at the hospital were nearly over as the sun began to set over the horizon. “Where is she?”

“Ah for Pete's sake Twilight! You need to relax,” said Spike with a broom in claw. “It’s only been an hour.”

“What are you talking about?” Twilight responded all too quickly. “Relaxed? Of course, I’m relaxed. Don’t I look relaxed? I’m so relaxed.”

Spike rolled his eyes. “Twilight, I’m sure she got your message.”

“But what if she didn’t! I mean so much has happened that I haven’t been able to write to her in so long. Maybe she lost the journal, or maybe *gasp* what if she doesn’t think we are friends anymore. What is she became evil again!”

“Becoming Evil? Twilight, that’s ridiculous. Sunset has friends of her own now, plus she adores you. Sunset becoming evil,” scoffed Spike as he shook his head.

But before she could retort, a sudden burst of purple energy emitted from Twilight’s journal. It travelled through the machine before powering the mirror and opening up the portal between two worlds. And for the briefest of seconds, Twilight’s guest had arrived launching into a pile of books that Spike had just finished organising.

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me,” Spike groaned.

“SUNSET!” shouted Twilight as she ran to the aid of her friend. "Sunset, oh my gosh, are you alright?"

“Twilight … is that you?” groaned the voice as she struggled to get up.

“Thank goodness you're here,” smiled Twilight before throwing her forearms around Sunset and squeezing her tightly. “I was worried you didn’t get my message.”

“Of course, Twilight,” replied Sunset who was still a feeling little groggy. “Why would you think I wasn’t coming?”

“Simple,” said Spike nonchalantly as he began to reorganise the book piles, “Twilight was worried that you lost the journal, or thought that you thought that she didn’t care about you anymore because she hadn’t written to you in a while and you’d became evil again- HEY” snapped Spike, as Twilight suddenly teleported and smacked the dragon’s head from behind.

“Evil huh?”

“Ahahahaha. Nevermind him,” interjected Twilight. “Spike’s just a little cranky from everything that has happened over the past couple of days. Nothing that a good nap couldn’t help but fix.”

“It’s fine, Twilight, I’m used to it,” said Sunset as she got up and attempted to stand on her two legs. “Anyway, I have something for you.”

“Do you have any of those awesome biscuits?” asked Spike hopefully. “You know the one that Fluttershy makes.”

“Sorry Spike. Fluttershy did make you a batch but the other Spike ate them.”

“Wait, other Spike?”

“She means the Spike from the human world” snapped Twilight, before turning to Sunset. “Sorry but we’re on a tight schedule. Sunset, do you know what language he speaks?

“We think so,” said Sunset. “Your writing was pretty messy but the other Twilight was able to decipher what you wrote.”

“Other Twilight?” asked Spike.

“Umm… yeah her counterpart,” explained Sunset. “To make things easier, we’ll just call my Twilight, ‘Sci-Twi’. Anyway, getting off track. Rarity believes your mysterious pony is speaking Japanese.”

“Can you speak the language at all?” asked Twilight hopefully. “Japanese, I mean?”

“I know a couple of words, but Rarity knows a lot more than I do. I didn’t think it would be a good idea to bring her here but she did have something that should be able to help.” Sunset turned to the bag on her back. She opened the flap and attempted to grab the book but was magnificently failing to do so. “Now if only I can get this book. Out. Of. My. Bag,” she grunted.

“Ahem, Sunset” coughed Twilight as she pointed to her horn.

“Oh yeah, magic,” chuckled Sunset sheepishly before using her magic to retrieve the book and hand it over to Twilight. “Here you go, Twilight.”

Twilight eagerly took the book, and without further hesitation, began to speed read through its pages as alien characters appeared alongside familiar words. “This is amazing, I’ve never seen anything like this. I wonder if there are any examples of these types of ruins here in our world.”

“Umm... Twilight,” interrupted Sunset, breaking Twilight’s train of thought. “Will this do?”

“Yes, this should be enough. More references books and different points of view would be preferable but this is a great start.”

Sunset was beaming a large smile. She always looked up to Princess Twilight, and was so happy to be able to help. She enjoyed being back in Equestria with her first friend. If only she could stay for a bit longer and be apart of Twilight’s latest adventure. “So, I don’t have to go home right away … maybe I could-”

“Sweet Celestia, Twilight,” shouted Spike as he pointed to a nearby clock. “We better be going. Visiting hours are nearly over.”

“What! Oh no, I completely forgot,” said Twilight. “I’m sorry, Sunset, but we have to go. The others will be waiting. Come on, Spike.”

“Wait-” and with that Twilight disappeared out the door, with Spike following close behind her. The dejected mare dropped her forearm and slumped. “Great! Left behind … again. Guess I better get back home.”

“Hey,” shouted Spike, snapping Sunset out of a stupor. “You coming or not?”

Sunset’s ear perked up. “Huh? Yes, of course.”

Author's Note

Alright everypony, it's guess that meta reference! Today's one is from the 1980's. Take a crack if you think you can get it. If not take the day off. :raritywink:

Also the video clip is from MLP:EQ Mirror Magic. Enjoy!

Edit: Sorry I forgot to mention that dear "Spike-sama" is none other than Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop, an anime from 1998. Anyway thanks for reading :pinkiehappy:

Chapter 8: My name is ...

“Alright, let’s try this again,” said the blue pegasus as she cracked her neck and loosened her shoulders. It’s going to work this time, she thought to herself. I’ve just got to remain firm, awesome, confident, cool, strong and above all awesome. “You ready, goofball?”

The stallion gulped feeling a little nervous, but was fired up with great determination. “Hai. Dozo (Go ahead).”

She closed her eyes and took a long deep breath, holding it in for a moment before letting the air escape slowly through her lips. She slowly raised head until her eyes meet his. Her attention focused solely on the stallion before her as though they were alone. Despite the intensity in her eyes and the fear creeping in his, the stallion remained calm.

“I’ll say it again! Are you ready?”

“Hai,” he repeated.

“You better be,” warned Rainbow Dash as she steadied herself. Clearing her throat, she said in a deep, stern voice, “Rainbow Dash. My name is Rainbow Dash.”

“Hai, Rainbow Dashsu.”

“No, not Dashsu. Just Dash. Rainbow Dash.”

“Rainbow Dashsu.”

“Dash.”

“Dashsu.”

“DasH. DASH. DA-SSSHH.”

“Dashsu.”

“No, no, no. Dash. Rainbow Dash! My name is Rainbow Dash.”

“Dash~su.”

“ARRRGHHH!” she screamed.

“G-G-G-Gomenasai (I’m sorry), Rainbow Dashsu.”

“IT’S RAINBOW DASH!”

“Oh for Pete Sake, Rainbow,” groaned Applejack. “Will you give it a rest, already.”

“Why the poor thing is absolutely terrified,” commented Rarity. “Has he not been subjugated enough?”

“He is trying really hard,” said Fluttershy in a sympathetic tone. “I too ummm think that you should give it a rest.”

“Yeah, Dashie, this is getting boring,” said Pinkie Pie.

“That’s easy for all of you to say,” growled Rainbow Dash at the shivering stallion before turning to face her friends. “Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie. Rarity. He can say all of your names without any problems!”

“That’s not true,” retorted Pinkie Pie. “He hasn’t tried saying Applejack’s name yet.”

Applejack’s ears stood at attention. This didn’t sound good.

“My gosh, Pinkie, you’re right,” exclaimed Rarity, “how thoughtless of us. Applejack, dear, isn’t it time you introduced yourself to our young stallion friend too?”

Applejack glanced at the clock on the wall, and decided it was time to make her exit. “Whoo-wee would you look at the time,” exclaimed Applejack. “I was meant to help Apple Bloom out with some chores hours ago. Hope she and Granny don’t get too upset. Sorry all but I really need to get.”

An evil smile formed on Rainbow Dash’s face as she noticed Applejack’s hesitation. Applejack wasn’t exactly known for her calm temperament, and watching her own attempts to make the stallion pronounce her name correctly would have made the earth pony wary. Rainbow Dash couldn’t let this opportunity slide.

“Oh but my dear, Applejack,” she began in a mock southern accent, “you don’t want to be rude to our new friend now do you? Why, I thought Granny Smith taught you better manners than that.”

Applejack’s ear twitched. “Rainbow, what exactly are you on about?”

“Well, he has learnt all our names now, hasn’t he? Isn’t it only polite to introduce yourself too?” goaded Rainbow Dash. “Or are you afraid he’ll get your name wrong too?”

“Me. Afraid? Why I never,” huffed Applejack. “Of all the -”

“I believe Rainbow Dash is right,” interjected Rarity. “It would be impolite and improper not to introduce yourself especially after we all have.”

“Impolite!?”

“Come on, Applejack, don’t be a party pooper,” said Pinkie Pie. “It’s just your name.”

“But I-”

“I’m sure he’ll get it right,” added Fluttershy encouragingly. “You just need to give him a chance. Please, will you let him try?”

The pressure mounted as her friends gathered around, and forced the poor mare into a figurative corner. Their various glances and stares bore into her resolve, as her stubbornness began to fold. “Well, of course I was going to tell him my name,” she shouted defiantly. “I just thought that it would have been better to wait for Twilight. That’s all.”

“Pfft, yeah right,” smirked Rainbow Dash.

Ignoring Rainbow’s remark, Applejack stamped over to the bewildered stallion. Two two looked at each other awkwardly; one wondering what the heck was going on whilst the other wondered how she got herself roped up in this farce.

“May as well get this over with them,” muttered Applejack. She then cleared her throat, pulled down her stetson hat and gave her most polite courtesy. “Howdy there, I’m Applejack.”

Caught off guard, the stallion suddenly understood what this mare wanted. He quickly stood to attention and sputtered, “Appuruu-jacku”, earning a giggle from all the girls.

Applejack ignored them and focused her attentions back to the stallion once more. “Let’s try that again, Sugarcube. Applejack. App-le. Jack.”

He returned her gaze, this time ready and with greater confidence. “Appel-jacku.”

“One more time.”

“Appel-jacku.”

Rainbow Dash smirked as the country earth pony was visibly beginning to lose her patience. Not wanting to let Dash win however, Applejack sighed and politely smiled. “That’s good enough, Sugarcube.”

Rainbow Dash’s jaw dropped as the stallion’s lips pulled into a triumphant smile. “Oh come on, that wasn’t even close!” she contested.

“He tried his hardest, and that’s all that really matters,” said Applejack dismissively, much to Rainbow Dash’s dismay.

“That’s not the point!”

“Rainbow, if I said it’s good enough, then it’s good enough,” rebuked Applejack.

“But-

“Rainbow Dash! That is enough,” chastised Fluttershy, shaking Rainbow Dash’s resolve.

Rainbow searched between her group of friends for support, but they all shared the same disapproving stare. Rainbow Dash had lost. Applejack had won.

“Pfft, whatever!” sulked Rainbow Dash.

“Arigatou, Appeljacku,” said the stallion gratefully.

“Don’t mention it, Sugarcube,” winked Applejack.

Knock, knock

“The door is open,” Rarity called out, “Oh hello, Nurse Snowheart.”

“Hello everypony,” said Nurse Snowheart as she stepped into the room.

“What can we do for you?” asked Applejack with a welcoming smile.

“I’m just making the rounds. I also wanted to thank you all personally. You have all been an amazing help with our stallion friend over there,” she said before giving attention to one particular mare, “especially, Rainbow Dash.”

Alone and sulking in the corner, Rainbow Dash sat having paid no attention to the nurse or the calls to her name. “Busted my wing. Saved his life. And he can’t even say my name right,” she grumbled to herself out loud. “I mean how hard is it to say Dash?”

Usually Rainbow Dash would relish at the mention of her name, particularly when held in such high praise, which got Applejack wondering. “Rainbow? Really?” she asked in a whisper. “The mare who is about as sour as curdled milk?”

“Yes,” replied Nurse Snowheart who looked as though she was about to share some forbidden, dark secret. “Who else would I be talking about?”

“I’m sorry dear,” asked Rarity who was equally curious, “would you please care to elaborate?”

“Well nothing that significant really,” Nurse Snowheart answered. “She comes to visit when he’s alone eating. She even comes when she’s not meant to, you know, outside visiting hours or during a doctor’s examination. Actually it’s been annoying Nurse Redheart to no end, but the doctors don’t seem to mind. They think he could use the company.”

“Really?” smirked Applejack as she and Rarity slowly turned to glance at Rainbow Dash.

Noticing the extra attention, but still feeling quite salty, Rainbow Dash returns their curious glances with a venomous stare. “What are you looking at?” she snapped.

“Oh nothing,” said Rarity dismissively.

“Nurse Snowheart!”

“Uh yes! Nurse Redheart!” answered the startled mare.

“Why have these ponies left yet?” Nurse Redheart said with a disapproving stare. “Visiting hours finished half an hour ago.”

“Oh, it just-”

“The patients need their rest, and they need to go home,” interrupted Nurse Redheart in a firm undertone. “They can come back tomorrow.”

“Yes ma’am,” said Nurse Snowheart dejectedly, having conceded defeat. “Alright everypony, you heard Nurse Redheart.”

“But we can’t leave yet!” protested Pinkie Pie. “Twilight said she would be coming back.”

“That was over three hours ago,” snapped Rainbow Dash, who rejoined her friends.

“Yes, it’s getting mighty, awfully late, Pinkie,” said Applejack as she looked out the window.

“But-

“Yes, whilst I do believe Twilight would earnestly try to keep her word, it is truly evident that we have outstayed your welcome,” asserted Rarity.

“But-

“We don’t want to get Nurse Snowheart into any more trouble now, do we?” asked Rarity, ending Pinkie Pie’s protests. “Thank you, Nurse Snowheart and Nurse Redheart.”

Nurse Snowheart nodded and smiled gratefully. As two nurses were about to leave, Nurse Redheart quickly added, “And that means you too, Rainbow Dash.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll be there in like two seconds flat!”

“Not with that busted wing you won’t,” Nurse Redheart warned as she closed the door behind her.

Rainbow Dash poked her tongue out in protest. “It’d still take me two and a half seconds,” she muttered indignantly.

“You know,” began Fluttershy, “it might be a good idea to try to teach him other words or phrases.”

“Hey, that sounds like a great idea,” replied Applejack.

“Yeah! We can teach him words like party. Oh! Oh! Or how about chocolate, or cake or better yet chocolate cake with ice cream and cherries on top,” sang Pinkie Pie, who was becoming quite excited at the prospect.

“Really, Pinkie Pie, we should teach him sensible things,” said Rarity. “For example: ‘My fair maiden, your evening gown is looking absolutely divine’, ‘the seams on my trousers need to be cross-stitched’ and ‘pardon me good sir but where is the nearest spa?’.”

“Rarity is your scarf on too tight?” asked Applejack, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Rarity was about to rebuke Applejack’s comments, when suddenly a loud commotion outside just the door diverted her attention. “What in Equestria is going on out there?” wondered Rarity.

“I JUST NEED FIVE MINUTES,” screamed Twilight as she burst into the room, startling everypony in the room.

“Twilight,” they shouted.

“Twilight-san!” greeted the stallion.

“Princess Twilight,” huffed Nurse Redheart. She stamped into the room, snarling at the royal intruder. Her mane and uniform dishevelled from her earlier attempts to prevent Twilight from coming in. “Princess Twilight, this is most-

“I’m sorry, Nurse Redheart, but please we need just another 5 minutes. 10 minutes tops,” she begged.

“No,” said Nurse Redheart as she straightened her uniform. “It’ll have to wait until tomorrow”

“You don’t understand, I have a spell,” she said with a mixture of desperation and excitement.

“It’ll have to wait,” Nurse Redheart said stubbornly. “The patients need their rest, and they need to go home.”

“If you would just listen.”

“No.”

“What is going on?” demanded Doctor Horse, wondering what was causing such ruckus.

“Doctor, Princess Twilight-

“Has just found a spell that could finally allow us to communicate with the stallion,” interrupted a tall white alicorn. She stood proud and firm defending her former pupil and surprising everypony.

“Princess Celestia!” the room shouted.

“Uwa,” uttered the stallion in astonishment as he gazed at the stunningly beautiful, regal horse before him. She dwarfed the other by comparison, and her hair sparkled and waved as though defying gravity. Her coat outshone the whitest pearl and her radiance matched only by the intensity of the sun.

“Why are you here?” asked Twilight, as she looked perplexed at her former mentor.

“I got Spike’s message,” she whispered into Twilight’s ear, before giving a quick wink to the smiling dragon. “I came as quickly as I could.”

Princess Celestia then gazed at the hospital staff who were stunned by her presence.

“Nurse Redheart,” said Princess Celestia sternly.

“Yes,” stammered Nurse Redheart.

After gaining her attention (and every other pony in the room), Princess Celestia’s facial expression softens, revealing a gentler side.

“Nurse Redheart,” she repeated, a warm smile replaced the stern gaze, and her tone of voice changed to match. “I understand the care you have for your patients and I commend that you act only with their best interests at heart. But the circumstances relating to this young stallion are most peculiar and I’m afraid we are all in desperate search of answers.”

“Ah huh,” agreed the stupefied mare.

“I could command you to give Twilight and her friends time to cast the spell against your wishes or to remove this stallion from your care, but that would not be within his best interest. So instead I ask for your permission.”

“Huh?” she responded, her vocal chords raised by several bars.

“I ask you, ever so kindly, that you would allow this transgression to pass just this once?” she said before bowing her head to the nurse. “I would forever be in your debt.”

Her actions caused the mare to blush. “Princess, there really isn't a need to-

Following her mentor’s lead, Twilight bowed. “And so would I.”

“Me too,” said Spike.

“Oh don’t forget about me,” said Pinkie Pie.

“It’d be mighty helpful if you did,” said Applejack as she lowered her hat.

“We would certainly be most ever so grateful,” added Rarity.

“And me,” smiled Fluttershy.

“And me too,” bowed Rainbow Dash though reluctantly. She stole a quick glance at the stallion who, like the others, bowed before the bewildered nurse looking slightly bewildered himself. “I guess,” she muttered underneath her breath.

The hospital staff stood in a stupor as nearly everypony in the room was now bowing to Nurse Redheart whose face burned a bright red. Never had the mare garnished such attention, and from royalty to boot. When the pressure became too much for her, she sighed defeatedly. “I guess we can make this one exception,” she grumbled.

“And what say you, Doctor?” asked Celestia with one eye laid upon him as though challenging his authority.

“Fine by me. We all know Nurse Redheart runs this place,” he joked.

“Indeed,” giggled Princess Celestia as she raised her head and looked kindly at the nurse. “Nurse Redheart is a very kind pony.”

“I better make my rounds,” said Nurse Redheart as she stumbled into the hallway. It was more than her heart could bear. “Come on, everypony let’s get back to work.”

“Thank you,” smiled Princess Celestia as the rest of the hospital staff made their leave.

“Whoo-wee! What a night,” stated Applejack.

“Indeed it has been, Applejack,” smiled Princess Celestia.

“I can’t believe that worked!” said Pinkie Pie. “You moved the unmovable Nurse Redheart. She wouldn’t even let me give Dashie a blueberry and banana chocolate cream pie yesterday.”

“Ah, yeah. No she wouldn’t,” chuckled Rainbow Dash nervously.

“I’ll have to remember to use that technique next time,” noted Pinkie Pie.

“It only worked, because we were all being sincere. Nurse Redheart’s intentions may not always be well understood by everypony, but she does care very much about everypony’s well being. Much like a certain other pony I know,” Princess Celestia added, winking at a certain mare.

“Now on that note,” Princess Celestia smiled before speaking in a slight accusatory tone. “Twilight, isn’t there somepony else that you have brought here this evening?”

“Huh? Who?” she uttered as she stared back at Princess Celestia with utter bewilderment. She paused for several seconds until she suddenly realised who the Princess was referring to. “Spike! Where’s Sunset!?!”

Chapter 9: Forgiveness

Ten minutes earlier, Sunset Shimmer was trailing just behind Twilight with Spike riding on her back. The setting sun blinded their path as they galloped urgently towards the hospital.

“Twilight,” Sunset huffed, nearly tripping over her own leg yet again. Despite being a pony for the greater part of her life, she wasn’t used to galloping and was struggling to keep up. “Wait,” she begged Twilight.

But Twilight didn’t hear her. Instead, her attention was focused solely on reaching the hospital which was now in view. As they came closer to the main entrance, Spike suddenly jumped up and began to panic. “Twilight, the guard,” he yelled, pointing to the door.

Sunset and Twilight looked as one of the security guards was whistling dutifully towards the door. His keys were hanging from his belt as he readied to lock up for the night.

“We’re not going to make it!” shouted Sunset worryingly.

“Oh yes, we will,” Twilight glared as the guard lifted the key to the keyhole. Her horn began to glow a bright purple. “Hold on everypony!” she shouted before summoning a gust of wind and slamming the doors wide open.

“Hey!” shouted the guard in surprise as the three blazed inside.

“Everypony stop!” beckoned one of the nurses at her station. The trio ignored the calls and screams from the hospital staff as they galloped down the hallway. As they turned the corner, their path was suddenly blocked by two security guards.

“Stop in the name of Princess Celestia,” demanded the unicorn guard.

Without saying a word, Twilight and Spike’s bodies disappeared in a flash of light before reappearing just ahead. Spike smirked as the two then darted around the corner and up the staircase. They were swiftly followed by another group of ponies led by Nurse Redheart.

Following Twilight’s lead, Sunset Shimmer tried to cast the same teleportation spell, but before she could cast it she was tackled by a pegasus security guard. “Got you,” he grunted as he held her down.

“Let me go,” she grunted under his weight. Suddenly she was surrounded by a light blue light and was lifted off the ground.

“You go after the others, Nimbus,” growled the unicorn security guard. “I’ve got this one.”

“Thanks, Night Light,” he nodded as he flew after the Princess.

“I’m sorry miss, but you are going to have to leave,” growled Night Light as he escorted her to the door with his magic.

“No wait-” she struggled. His magic is clearly stronger than hers. “Wait, I’m with Twilight. Let me go, the Princess needs me.”

“And she is going to have to leave too,” asserted the guard against her pleas. “Twilight may be a Princess, but in this hospital Nurse Redheart rules the roost. You’re just going to have to come back tomorrow.”

“No please.”

“Sorry Miss,” he said gruffly before dropping her outside and magically locking the door behind him.

Outside the locked hospital doors, Sunset Shimmer sat with her back resting comfortably against the cold, stone wall.

“It certainly is beautiful tonight,” sighed Sunset Shimmer serenely as she gazed up at the stars.

It had been such a long time since she had seen the night sky in Equestria. The moon was different than she remembered. No longer was it defaced with the shadow of the evil mare of the moon. Instead it shone brighter, and was nearly pure white.

She remembered listening to the stories when she was a young filly. The story of when the wise, brave and powerful Princess Celestia was forced to use the Elements of Harmony had banished her wicked little sister to the moon and saved Equestria.

It was that story that inspired her to become like Princess Celestia. A great pony that was able to defeat the ultimate evil of her time. A pony with amazing cosmic powers beyond measure. A pony with more than enough power to move both the sun and the moon. A pony like no other.

A power unlike any other. And she wanted it.

When she was a young filly, she displayed the kind of power and raw magical talent that was considered to rival that of even the greatest sorcerers of legend. Perhaps even better than Starswirl the Bearded himself at that age. No pony could compare to Sunset … or at least that’s what she thought.

Naturally a talented pony such as herself was quickly enrolled in Princess Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns. Her potential was noticed immediately by Princess Celestia, who took the young filly in as her protégé. Under the Princess’s guidance and tutelage she quickly learnt that raw talent did not account for the skills and knowledge that came from hard study.

Every exam was an opportunity to display her efforts, and reap in the praise and awe that came from her teachers, and classmates alike. When they actually wanted to befriend her, she scoffed at the notion and preferred solitude in books and ancient scrolls. The harder she studied, the more skilled she became and the more powers she gained.

Sunset’s isolation and behaviour began to alarm Princess Celestia. Her lessons of powerful spells and great magics were soon being replaced with lessons of humility and sincerity. Unfortunately, Sunset took these lessons as mere distractions for an even greater path. A path that she would later learn that could make her an alicorn.

An equal to Princess Celestia.

She always wanted to be as great as Princess Celestia, maybe even greater. But just like the human fable of Icarus the winged man; fly too close to the sun, and you get horribly burnt. Her selfishness, arrogance and ambition drove her too far. Pushed her too far. And before she knew it, she was banished to the human world … like Nightmare Moon before her.

Sunset sighed shamefully as she stared warily at the moon. She couldn’t help but think about the story of Nightmare Moon and how similar they had become to her own. How they both had desperately sought power. How they both wanted greatness. How were they willing to do anything to achieve their goal only to fail as Princess Celestia bested them both. The story of Nightmare Moon had become a mirror of her own heart. A reflection of her past ... and even now her present.

The new moon that glowed brightly in the sky now symbolised the defeat of Nightmare Moon and the return of Princess Celestia’s beloved sister, Princess Luna.

She had often seen Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna eating lunch together merrily as she imagined sisters would do, and wondered if Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were on similar terms too. Did they talk about the funny things that happened that day? Did they fight over the last piece of cake? Did Princess Celestia forgive Princess Luna?

If she did … forgive Luna that is … maybe could she even…

“Forgive me?”

Perhaps, she could even muster the courage to see Princess Celestia and apologise. But before she could think about it further, Sunset’s thoughts were rudely interrupted when suddenly Twilight burst outside, slamming the doors wide open and giving Sunset a fright.

“SUNSET? ARE YOU STILL HERE?” Twilight shouted frantically. She twisted her head from side to side, completely oblivious to the annoyed mare who was picking herself up just behind her.

“SUNSET, WHERE ARE YOUUU~AAAHH,” she screamed as Sunset tapped her on her shoulders.

“No need to yell,” Sunset responded after blocking her ears, “I’m right here.”

“Oh thank goodness, you’re still here,” she sighed with a breath of relief. “What happened? I thought you were right behind me?”

“I was. But then you teleported ahead and got past the guards whereas I uh didn’t. Well to be more precise, I couldn’t,” Sunset admitted shamefully. “Guess I’m a little out of practice.”

“Well I’m glad you’re still here. the others are awaiting with C-C-C-ele-ssSSTIA,” Twilight stammered, nearly crashing into her former mentor. “Wh-Wh-What-are-you-doing-here?”

“I followed you,” responded Princess Celestia, acting aloof. “Spike’s letter mentioned that a certain mare would be returning to Equestria. Given the circumstances of her departure, I don’t suppose you care to elaborate why she has returned?”

Twilight gulped. In her haste to report to the Princess of her findings, she had completely overlooked her past relationship with Sunset. She turned to Sunset Shimmer who stood pale as a ghost.

“Good evening, Sunset Shimmer."

“Hi,” swallowed Sunset nervously as she looked up at the scowl from her former teacher. Whilst Sunset knew she would need to make amends with the solar princess, she hadn’t expected to see her former teacher so soon. "Princess Celestia, I-”

“It’s my fault,” Twilight interjected, stepping between the two. “I asked Sunset to come”

Princess Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Yes, and you see, Sunset figured out that the stallion’s speaking a human language. She has a book.” The Princess didn’t respond, but she didn’t look impressed either. Under Celestia’s intense glare, muttered Twilight as she began to falter. “And-she-uh-well-I-umm?”

Sunset sighed heavily. Now was as good of a time as ever, she thought before looking back at Celestia with a renewed sense of determination.

“Princess Celestia,” she began sternly as she slowly walked towards her. “The last time we saw each other, I was your snide little pupil who betrayed and abandoned you.”

“I wouldn’t have put it that way,” fretted Twilight under her breath.

Sunset ignored her, and continued, “I mean that I come before you a changed pony, humbly asking for forgiveness, guidance, and knowledge,” she ended with a slight bow.

She then turned to look up at Princess Celestia, whose stern scowl remained unchanged. The colour in Sunset’s face began to fade, as did her resolve. She slowly began to back down, her voice a little crackled. “Or I can just go and you never have to see me again-”

But before she could finish, Celestia wrapped her hoof around the young mare and pulled her into a warm hug. “I missed you, Sunset Shimmer,” she whispered with a gentle smile and a tear hidden underneath her wavy mane.

Sunset froze for a moment, as though her icy heart began to melt within her former teacher's forgiving embrace. As tears began to form into her eyes she broke down as a flood of emotions came gushing through. “I - I’m so sorry.”

“I’m sorry too,” Celestia whispered in her ear.

Twilight couldn't help but beam a wide smile at the sight in front of her, however there were more pressing issues and a group of very patient ponies (and possibly a human) waiting for them. Twilight let out a gentle cough, startling both Princess Celestia and Sunset Shimmer. "I'm sorry but..."

"You're right, Twilight," said Princess Celestia. "Let us go inside, and speak with our new friend. After all we wouldn't want to upset Nurse Redheart any further.

Prologue: Request

In the far corners of space, an elderly woman was travelling at astronomical speeds. Perched on top of her crystal ball, she made her way through the remnants of a dead, distant planet. At the center of the debris was a large floating land mass where a Palace stood, grand and defiant against the asteroids that threatened all around.

In a past life, the Palace was a magnificent sight. Today, however, the Palace was in a dilapidated state, smashed tiles, and broken statues lay in crumpled heaps covering the once beautiful and luscious gardens. Weeds were growing through the cracks of the brick pavement. The leaves and stalk were shriveled and appeared as though they were dyed a sickly black color. The stained white marble columns struck high above, looking down upon any lowly mortal that dared enter this forbidden realm.

The old woman shuddered but remained undeterred with her goal kept in mind.

She levitated towards the gate where a sign could be seen high above; its letters were painted in red against a golden circular backdrop. Whilst the paint had faded over the course of time; it was still eligible to those who could read the alien language. The word held a dark, sinister meaning.

堕落

The word had a lot of different meanings, but she simply knew one interpretation.

Daraku (Fallen).

The old woman gulped as she pushed the door, creaking as it opened. Her palms, like her brow, were covered in a cold sweat. The hallway inside was majestic, however, like the courtyard and building's appearance, it too had been left to ruin, compounded by millennia of neglect. At the end of the dark hallway were the main chambers.

She entered the room feeling the immense weight of the dark power that was being emitted from these walls. As she reached the centre of the room, the old woman hopped off her crystal ball and kneeled, lowering her head to the ground. A giant god-like Being sat on a mighty throne at the top of a series of stairs. Unlike the decor, the throne was in immaculate condition. A dark shadow covered the entity however as he settled comfortably into his chair. The outline of his figure was hidden from view, but the smirk on his face could be felt by the foolish creature that kneeled before him.

"What brings you to my domain, Witch?" demanded the dark figure, as he towered over the small, frail old woman.

"I humbly ask a request from you," she said, her voice shaken.

"Do you just?" questioned the Being menacingly, but intrigued.

"Yes," she said with less confidence than before.

"So this is not a social call then, and here I was expecting a tea party," he joked, taking a sip of tea from a large ornamental cup.

"I am sorry your immanence."

"Hmph!" he scoffed. Undeterred in her resolve, she held her position, her body cowering below him. "Well, well. It must be important if you are addressing me so formally," mused the Being, as he stirred his cup. "Fine, I'll play along. So what do you want?"

"The warrior that has fallen ..." she began hesitantly.

"The one from your world ... hmmm ... Ah yes, I remembered such a long time ago. It was an excellent fight, but it could've had a better ending. Tell me, is that warrior's soul still lingering amongst the ruins of that forgotten city?"

She nodded curtly. "That is the reason I am here."

His interest peaked as he leaned closer to listen to the old woman's story. "Oh please, do pray tell."

The old woman cleared her throat. "I've been asked to take his soul to find a new home, where he can be happy and live a peaceful life ... so that he can move on ... before vengeance consumes him and he becomes a demon."

"You want me to interfere in the business of the hereafter? And for such a mundane reason? How absurd! No. It's not my business nor do I care. You may leave now," he said shooing her away like a common stray cat.

"Your immanence, wait," begged the old woman, "please I beg of you."

The Being looked down on her, annoyed she was still there. He bends, bringing his face within metres of hers. His eyes were boring into the very depths of her soul. Sweat was dripping from the witch's brow like melting ice. "Why? What’s in it for me?" he asked with a cold smile.

"I have listed the help of a Namekian," she said hesitantly. "He has offered to make you a set of -"

"Dragonballs ..." he interrupted.

"Yes ... to do as you wish."

"You know I really hate to point out the obvious but why did you not use them yourself?"

She shook her head sadly. "The Dragonballs have limitations. They are only as powerful as its creator ... the warrior's spirit, his vengeance, and anger are far too great for the Namekian, so the dragon has refused."

He smiled. "And those foolish Kai's won't help either?"

"No. They too, also lack the power to do anything."

His grin grew. "So to stop a demon, you make a deal with the devil?" he roared, laughing at the irony.

"Your immanence. If the situation doesn't change, I fear the worst. The warrior must be put to rest, or his rage and vengeance will consume his spirit and destroy us all. I beg of you, please."

He looks down upon the wretched creature once more while stroking his chin. He personally had no need for them, but his own powers were limited subsequent to his banishment. Unable to do much himself, he'd have to be content with watching the mortals of his realm destroy themselves as they sorted the power of these mystical balls and the greater evils that were sure to follow. It was too tantalizing of a prospect to ignore. "Very well we have a deal. Bring the Namekian you spoke of to me at once," he commanded.

The old woman's eyes brightened for a moment, but her joy was quickly dashed. Fear instilled within her as she watched the Being's face turn into a frightening smile. "What are you planning on doing with him, Master Lo-Kai?"

"Nothing you need to worry about," he chuckled before breaking into a menacing laugh. "After all, I know the perfect place for him to set his hooves."

Chapter 1: Orion's Belt

It was a late night at Twilight's castle where an appreciation party was being held for Spike the dragon. A wide range of guests was invited from all across Equestria, from the humble townsponies of Ponyville to the highest levels of royalty. Everypony had come to show Spike their love and support. They all wanted to show Spike that anypony can love a dragon, scales and all.

For Spike, it was an evening like no other. The stories they shared, the speeches that were made and the overall ambiance of love had moved his heart right down to its very core. Although the party was the result of his failed confession to Rarity, he was able to make amends with her and accept her friendship. Much to his surprise, more than any other pony's (with probably the exception of Zecora), Spike was able to find that special somepony, Sweetie Belle. He smiled warmly at the white unicorn as she was talking with her friends. It was truly a fantastic night.

The party was slowly coming to an end, and the number of ponies remaining began to dwindle as they returned to their homes. Pinkie Pie was on the dance floor encouraging any remaining pony to join her. Fluttershy who had had enough dancing for the night decided to take a break instead, walking over to one of the balconies that overlooked the town. She wasn't alone for long as Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Twilight, and Rarity soon joined her. The mares all smiled at each other, congratulating themselves on the evening's efforts.

"This was a lovely idea, Rarity," Twilight said warmly. Looking over her shoulder, she giggled at the purple and green dragon now sleeping on a couch, his claws around a white unicorn's hoof as she too slept beside him. "He looks really happy."

"They do make a very cute couple," Rarity said agreeing with the lavender alicorn. A sad sigh escaped her lips however and was noticed by Applejack almost immediately.

"Jealous," Applejack joked nudging the white unicorn playfully with a mocked raised eyebrow.

"Hmmm ... " Rarity nodded in response blissfully. Her eyes widened however at the belated realization that her response could have been misconstrued as something more. She cleared her throat quickly before any of her friends could say another word. "I mean, I must confess that I am a little jealous that my dear, younger sister has found her special somepony before I have, but " Rarity paused for a moment looking back at Sweetie Belle and Spike, "but I'm happier that they found each other. I just had no idea she felt like that."

"It certainly came to a surprise to us all," added Fluttershy, taking a sip of her apple cider. Looking over the balcony once more, she smiled in satisfaction. "Tonight has been nice."

"It certainly has," Twilight beamed as she walked over to the edge of the balcony, sitting next to Fluttershy. Looking up, she pointed a hoof out to the stars beckoning her friends to gather. "Luna has certainly outdone herself tonight."

"The stars look absolutely magnificent," Rarity said in awe.

"Look y'all can even see the constellations," Applejack said smiling as she looked up, which earned a surprised look from her friends'. "You see that one up there. That one is Equuleus."

Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy looked over to Twilight, who nodded confirming that Applejack was indeed correct. "How do you know what they are called?" asked Rainbow Dash.

Applejack continued to look up, and whilst a hint of sadness could be felt, her gentle smile remained on her face. "My pa used to take Big Mac and me out and point them out. He used to tell us what they were called and the stories behind them," she answered. "Big Mac knows more than I do though."

"I have a few books on star constellations, if you ever want to read more about them," Twilight offered, placing a foreleg around Applejack's shoulder.

"Yeah, I’d like that," Applejack said returning the hug.

"Oh! No fair! You're all going stargazing without me," huffed Pinkie Pie who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, telescope in hoof. "Luckily I brought this along for such an occasion."

The mares would've been shocked, but they all took it in their stride knowing that this is how their friend usually acted. As Pinkie Pie was setting up, Twilight offered a helping hoof whilst Rarity, and Fluttershy watched them with interest. Applejack continued pointing her hoof at a different part of the sky to Rainbow Dash. "You see that one is the Pleiades constellation."

"The what now?" Rainbow Dash asked confused.

Applejack gestured her hoof once again, repeating herself once more."The Pleiades constellation, it's just over there, a bunch of six stars together." After helping Pinkie Pie set up the telescope, Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy joined Rainbow Dash hoping to listen to the rest of Applejack's story. Pinkie Pie took this opportunity to look over her stargazing charts and make final adjustments to the telescope.

"The Pleiades are also called the Seven Sisters. See the story goes that these six sisters were married to royalty. Only one sister decided to marry an earth pony farmer. The family don't like him much cos he ain't a royal 'n' all, so she's hidin away and her father condemned him to stone over at the top of Mount Everhoof."

"Wow, I didn't know that the stars would have such stories," said Fluttershy amazed.

"That's is both romantic and tragic," said Rarity. "We should do this more often. I would love to hear more stories."

"Yes me too," agreed Fluttershy.

Rainbow Dash looked between the star constellation and Applejack confused more than ever. "But there are only six stars. How can there be seven sisters?"

Twilight chuckled. "Rainbow there's more than six stars. It's likely dozens more, but you can only see six with the naked eye. If you use the telescope you'll be able to see them for yourself."

Rainbow Dash huffed. "All I see is a bunch of stars."

"That's cos you got to use your imagination," said Applejack reassuringly.

"All finished," sang Pinkie Pie, confetti and all. "Ready to have a look?"

"Are there any more stories like the last one?" asked Fluttershy shyly.

"Bleh! All this lovey-dovey stuff is getting way too much for me," Rainbow Dash said rolling her eyes and making a vomit like gesture. The five mares glanced over at Rainbow Dash and chuckled to themselves at their friend's expense. She never was the romantic type, and the many demonstrations of affection that had occurred throughout the course of the evening was a bit too much for her to handle. Having had enough stargazing for the night, Rainbow walks back to the party leaving her friends behind.

"Hey look that one is O'Brien," Pinkie Pie squealed joyfully and pointed to another part of the sky not far from the previous constellation. "See the three stars that look like a big old pot."

"I think you mean Orion," said Twilight flatly, correcting the pink party mare. "It's Orion the Warrior, and that's his belt."

Rainbow slowed, her ears perking up with curiosity at the name of the constellation. Orion the Warrior?

"What is the story of that constellation?" asked Rarity. "Is it by any chance related to the Seven Sisters?"

"There are actually many different adventure stories associated with Orion the Warrior," Twilight began but looked over to the country earth pony. "... but I am curious to know your father's versions of these stories, Applejack. Would you like to tell us one of his?"

"Oh shucks, well I would love to Twi," Applejack said. She chuckled aloud and adds, "actually that one, is one of Big Mac's favourites."

A story about the adventures of an awesome warrior? Now that was more her style. Rainbow Dash raced back to her group of friends eager to listen to the story and see the constellation for herself. She squeezed herself in between Rarity and Fluttershy gleefully, much to their amusement.

"My pa said that Orion was a mighty warrior. Big fella, who was strong and protected many creatures and ponies alike. There are many stories, like the time he protected a village against a huge scorpion." As Applejack was telling the story of Orion's heroic adventures, she used her forelegs to emphasize the size of his opponents and many battles.

Rainbow Dash was squealing with excitement. She would have loved to meet a pony like that, or rather she would have preferred to be that pony. "There was even a story of how he fought and won against other evil god-like ponies."

"I hope the Scorpion was alright," Fluttershy muttered softly.

Applejack then paused for a moment, looking down before facing the girls. "I'm afraid that's far as his adventures go."

"No that can't be it," said Rainbow Dash in disbelief. She was eager to hear more of Orion's escapades. "Come on! There's got to be more than that. Please, tell us what happened?"

"Well, you see ... he fell in love with one of the Seven Sisters."

Rainbow Dash smacked a hoof to her forehead, her mood and body deflating. Ahh horse apples. More love stories, she thought to herself. She remained however as her friends, Fluttershy's and Rarity's eyes widened begging to hear more.

"Their pah wasn't havin any of it, so he turned him into the stars where he would forever chase her. Never able to get to the one he loved."

At these words, Rainbow Dash stood up. Fluttershy and Rarity gasped whilst Pinkie Pie jumped in frustration. "That's it?" Pinkie shouted her jaw dropped in disbelief.

Despite not being a romantic herself; even Rainbow would have acknowledged that after all these heroic feats that Orion deserved to be happy with that special somepony. The rest of the mares, however, were still fuming over the ending.

"I can't believe he would do such a thing!" said Rarity incredulously with a hoof placed on her chest. "What a brute!"

"That ... That ..." Fluttershy stuttered failing to find the words to describe her feelings towards this father character accurately.

Applejack smirked, satisfied with her friends' reactions. She shrugged her shoulders apathetically, further aggravating them. "That's the apples he'd be handed."

"What a rotten apple bag," Rainbow Dash lets out accidentally. Her friends gasped out loud. Rainbow Dash looks questionably at her friends' scornful glares. "What?"

"Rainbow," the seamstress retorted angrily, her white cheeks blushing hard. "Such language!"

"But he is!" rebutted the colourful pegasus.

Twilight looked at her friends and felt an explanation was needed to calm the situation before they got too excited. "Girls, relax. Look, you shouldn't take these stories seriously, I mean most of them-."

"Big old meanie!" Fluttershy shouted before quickly covered her mouth, realizing her sudden outburst. Her friends were startled gazing questionably at the yellow pegasus who began squirming uncomfortably in embarrassment.

"Yeah, not the nicest pony," added Pinkie Pie breaking the tension. The girls looked at each briefly and begin to laugh amongst themselves.

"So should we head back?" asked Applejack looking inside to the empty hall, the party having long ended.

"Yes, I do believe we should help clean up this mess," answered Rarity, subtly gesturing to her friends to assist.

As the girls moved back inside, Rainbow Dash opted to stay outside for a bit longer, staring intently at Orion's belt once more.

Poor guy, she thought to herself.

Just as she was about to leave, however, she turned her head slightly to look at the constellation once more. It was barely a glance, but she saw enough to notice that something was amiss. One of the stars on Orion’s belt was shining brighter than the others. She squinted her eyes, focusing on the middle star only to realize that it was not only getting brighter ... but bigger too.

All of sudden it grew from the size of a large pinhead to a tennis ball in a matter of seconds. Shocked and bewildered, Rainbow Dash scrambled to the archway and screamed for the others to come outside. “Twilight! Applejack! Everypony! Come quick! Something is happening to Orion's belt!"

“What is it, Rainbow Dash?” asked a bemused Twilight.

Applejack was just behind Twilight, and rolled her eyes at what seemed like an obvious attempt to get out of work. “If you’re trying to get out of cleaning again-”

“The star - it just -” spluttered Rainbow. Ignoring their questioning glances, she points her hoof frantically at Orion. “Just look will you!"

The three pairs of eyes widened as they followed the star move closer and closer. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy rushed to join them, and watched in astonishment. The star stops abruptly and hovers for several minutes, dominating the night sky. Fluttershy and Rarity grasp onto each, trembling in fear as it begins to pulsate a golden yellow hue.

"W-w-what do you think it means, Twi?" Applejack gulped nervously; her gaze still fixated on the UFO.

"I-I-I'm not sure," Twilight stammered. "I've never seen anything like it."

"LOOK OUT!" screamed Pinkie as the bright object started to twist and enlarge.

Heeding Pinkie’s warning, the girls dropped to the ground, covering their eyes and heads in anticipation of the unknown. All, with the exception of Fluttershy who stood frozen in place, her bottom lip trembling as the object pulsated faster and violently.

"HIT THE DECK!" Rainbow shouted, tackling Fluttershy to the ground and shielding the frighten mare with her body. As the other braced themselves, Rainbow and Twilight glanced back at the object in defiant curiosity.

Suddenly, a ball-like object broke away from the main body of the star, darting across the night sky in a northerly direction. A small, bright explosion of light could be seen as it made landfall near the Crystal Empire. Rainbow stood up and followed the trail of light into the distance, but it dissipated as quickly as it came.

Twilight joined Rainbow Dash as another portion broke away, this time moving in a westernly direction, landing in the mountains. As the third made its way, this time south, Applejack, Pinkie and Rarity opened their eyes watching the spectacle before them. This happened three more times, before Rainbow Dash nudged Fluttershy's side, encouraging the timid pegasus to watch. Fluttershy looked up hesitantly but gathered the courage to do the same as her friends stand beside her.

The final and seventh ball moved directly up before soaring in a northeast direction, landing near Canterlot. Twilight and Rarity gasped, concern raised for the two Princesses and the cities’ residents. The others, however, remained fixated on the last portion of the star which hovered high above.

“Look,” shouted Rainbow Dash as she noticed a change in the pulsating star. Its colors wavering between a mixture of yellow and blue.

Without any warning, it dropped in a free fall over Ponyville. Before the girls could react, however, it suddenly changed direction swooping over the castle just above their heads. It begins to descend, smashing into every tree until it crashes deep into the Everfree forest and shaking the earth violently beneath them.

The tremors, although brief, could be felt for miles around, but it was the deafening sound that awoken the sleepy and bewildered residents of Ponyville. The girls stood there briefly unsure what to make of the events that had just occurred. Pinkie was the first to speak, breaking the silence. "What was that?"

Unable to answer, she turned to face the pink mare slowly. "I'm not sure, but I need to report this to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Perhaps they know something."

"I say we go over there and see for ourselves first," said Rainbow Dash bravely, earning a terrified squeak from Fluttershy. "We can get a bit more information and then report back to the Princess.

"What in there?" shrieked Rarity in disbelief. "I think not!"

Twilight shook her head profusely at the suggestion. "We don't know what we are facing Rainbow," Twilight replied, caution apparent in her voice. "Like I said, the Princesses may have some information, and we had better go in prepared."

"I agree," said Applejack in full support of the lavender alicorn. "It'd be a fool's errand."

"TWILIGHT!"

The girls jump at Spike's sudden intrusion, a scroll in his claw and the Cutie Mark Crusaders behind him.

"It's a letter from Princess Celestia," he huffed. Using her magic, Twilight opened the scroll reading its contents.

My Dearest Twilight,

I have just been made aware of the falling and breaking of the star from Orion's Belt. My sister does not have an explanation as to these unexpected events nor have I ever witnessed such a phenomenon. I have dispatched most of my guards to investigate the closest landing sites, and notified Princess Cadance and Shining Armour as well.

I am sorry Twilight, but I must ask you and your friends to investigate the crash landing in the Everfree Forest and report back to me your findings immediately. We need to establish the cause and find out what is happening. I don't have any reinforcements that I can send you.

I place my trust in you and am confident that you will all be able to accomplish your mission. I wish you the best in your endeavors.

The fate of Equestria may lie in your hooves.

Yours faithfully,

Princess Celestia.

Twilight reread the middle paragraph, again and again, confirming Celestia's request and her worst fears. Impatient, Rainbow tapped Twilight's shoulder. "So what does it say?"

"Yeah Twi? Does the Princess know what's the hay is goin on?" asked Applejack.

She doesn't break away from the scroll, keeping it over her face. She gulped audibly, her voice shaking, "Princess Celestia doesn't know." Everypony gasped, Fluttershy quivering on her hooves. She then dropped the scroll to face the girls, and Spike whom are all eager to hear more. " ... she has asked us to go into Everfree Forest (gulp) to go investigate the crash site."