Flight of the Valkyrie

Mist sighed as she and the sun princess flew. She really had no clue who these “Elements of Harmony” were, nor did she particularly care. Seriously, why did she have to meet with experts on friendship when she could be saving the worlds? But...there was always the possibility of them being able to help in some remote way. Rainbow lasers? Likely. She supposed she should just get it over with, so she followed Celestia to a certain crystal castle in the distance. Impatient, Mist started to pick up the pace.

Pinkie Pie bounced around the interior of Twilight Sparkle’s throne room where the Mane Six were waiting as she said, “Princess Celestia said we’d have a guest? Who’s it gonna be? Huh? Huh? Huh? You think they’re gonna want a chimicherry? Or a cherrychanga? Or a chimicherrychanga? Chimicherry, cherrychanga, chimicherrychanga! Whee! Soooo?”

Twilight put her head on the table. “Pinkie, I don’t know everything!”

“Aww, I thought you did!”

Twilight covered her ears and wrapped her lavender wings around herself to protect herself against the barrage of questions (not that it did any good). “Pinkie, just wait until the princess and her guest get here! Sweet Celestia, they can’t come fast enough!”

Pinkie deflated for a second, then just as quickly popped back up. “Twilight! THEY’RE HEEEREEE!”

“Oh, for the love of— they really are here! Who’s that with her? I’ve never seen anyone like that before.”

Pinkie gasped. "AIEEEE! I THINK— Wait. She looks veeeery different."

Rainbow Dash frowned. “Pinkie? Have you been drinking Twilight’s interdimensional travel potion again? I haven’t seen you this hyped since the day you decided you had to clean out Sugarcube Corner of all the desserts.”

Pinkie snorted. “No, silly! It was a really looong time ago. Like when I was still 12! One of Twilight’s first potions after Flutterbat.”

Applejack shuddered. “Ah still have nightmares ‘bout that.”

Fluttershy sniffled. “P-please don’t get mad—“

Everyone except Twilight groaned, “it wasn’t your fault.”

Twilight started to protest, but Rarity cut her off. “Princess Celestia and her guest are still out in the entryway! Twilight, darling, would you be a dear and go get her? It is your castle.”

Twilight slowly got up and walked out reluctantly. “*sigh*”

Mist had just landed on the crystal stairs and was waiting with Celestia in front of the crystal castle’s golden doors. Suddenly, they flew open, and a disgruntled-looking person walked out. She greeted Celestia, then frowned at Mist. “Umm... I don’t mean to offend you, but who—or what—are you?”

Mist scowled. “I don’t want to explain this more than once. Let’s go meet the rest of your team first.”

Twilight turned around slowly and walked inside, calling over her shoulder, “All right then, if you’ll follow me....”

Celestia smiled down at Mist, then commented, “Give them a chance.” Then she, too, walked inside. Mist followed reluctantly. This was going to be a long day.

Pinkie squealed, “HERE THEY ARE!!!” as they walked in.

Rainbow stared at the newcomer’s wings before remembering her manners and bowing before Princess Celestia.

Rarity took one look at the stranger’s armor before zipping over to take a closer look at the intricate engravings.

Applejack asked, “Who the hay is that?”

Fluttershy zoomed off to hide behind a pillar.

Twilight said, “Princess, could you introduce your...guest?”

Celestia started to speak, but before she had gotten a word out, the person in question interrupted her. “Thank you, but I can introduce myself. I’m Mist, and I’m from another world.”

Pinkie tilted her head and stepped closer.

“I’m only here because a dangerous force is threatening my world.”

Pinkie gasped and scooted even closer.

Rainbow Dash raised her hand. “Why do you have dragon features?”

Twilight groaned. “Rainbow!”

“What? We have the right to know what’s going on!”

Mist rolled her eyes. “It’s going to take a while to tell.”

Pinkie giggled. “Go ahead! Popcorn anyone? By the way, I think I know you!”

Mist muttered something in Ancient Norse, then suddenly looked up at Pinkie, eyes wide. “You WHAT?!”

There was a clamor as everyone in the room tried to ask Pinkie questions. Pinkie said, “I’ll tell you after!” Everyone except Celestia groaned and turned their attention back to Mist as she started to talk.