Quantum Bombshell

“Well, that’s odd,” Rarity looked over the large split in the pants. “I followed the pattern of your old pants. I just made a few adjustments to make it a little more fitting. Stallions usually like things better fitting and mares prefer a little more room.”

“Well, humans like fitting clothing, but the same clothing has to be capable of moving with our bodies so as not to be uncomfortable, or create problems. So usually they are made with a little more space in certain areas, like around our... Uh, between our legs and along the inside of our thighs and such. It’s obvious, I’m not someone who knows much about how to make clothing, but I do prefer comfort.”

“I think I understand, thank you. With that in mind, I will need exact measurements, even though I still have your old pants to go by.”

“Um, exact measurements? From my pants?” JD asked his face turning a bright red.

Rarity chuckled, “No dearie, I need to measure you. Don’t worry, this is the back changing room where I make final adjustments and measurements. No pony comes back here without at least knocking first. Privilege, confidentiality, and whatnot. Now come from behind that curtain please.”

JD did what he was told, his face somehow turning even redder. He turned his head and Rarity approached, tape measure floating with her magic. He was silent as she worked, listening to her hum to herself.

‘Oh please don’t, please don’t do anything.’ JD screamed and begged in his mind. He tried to breathe but it was hard to keep it steady. JD began to feel a little more light headed.

“Hmm, JD, would you mind opening your legs a little, I feel like I can’t get a clear measurement.”

Rarity noticed his shaking and was trying her best to keep from embarrassing him. She started to think about what she could do to help him relax.

JD visibly jumped, and the shaking seemed to intensify slightly. As he moved, his thoughts were jumbled, but one thing came to the forefront. ‘So weird how this is starting to sound like the opening of a porn. OH GOD WHY DID I JUST THINK THAT? Stop. Settle down, if you go down that route of thought it- Ack.’

“Sorry about that, dearie.” Rarity said.

JD suddenly realized that Rarity had gotten closer, and sitting on her flank as she stared at the measuring tape.

After a few seconds she sighed and stepped back and began searching for something.

“Don’t worry dear I’ve dealt with all sorts of things, no need to be nervous. You wouldn’t be the first foal to,” She cleared her throat as she turned her head one way then another, “Accidentally expose himself due to nerves and hormones.” Perhaps it was a bit tactless.

‘This conversation does not help!’ JD screamed in his mind as he closed his eyes.

“I am only explaining this to try and help you calm yourself, and I also need to find my notebook to write down the measurements and some brief sketches. Go ahead and take a few slow deep breathes. Also, if it helps, try to think of something else more pleasant, something relaxing.”

JD silently thanked Rarity for her professionalism as he glanced down and breathed a sigh of relief to see that he hadn’t, as Rarity said, ‘exposed himself’ by accident.

‘What do I find relaxing? Oh, you know the park I walked through felt nice with all the flowers.’ JD closed his eyes and worked to calm himself with a few deep breathes. He began to feel a little better, his body seemed to cease shaking, he was able to focus his mind as he worked to bring up more things relaxing.

With that, JD took one final deep breath and felt his body settle in a relaxed state as he brought up a visual of the park, the stone cobbled path, the lush green grass, and all the flowers that were planted around in various places.

“All done now dearie.” Rarity suddenly sung out.

“What? Oh, uh okay then.” JD said.

“Got lost in a little daydream did you? Don’t worry I’m not insulted. I’m rather glad you took my advice. Very few do.” Rarity explained as she looked over the sketches on her paper. “I think I can see where I went wrong before, well in addition to what you said, and I think I can come up with some more ideas for a wardrobe. Luckily for you, I haven’t started on the previous wardrobe. I was laying it out so I can easily make the changes and get you a more proper wardrobe.”

“Oh, well, I uh-”

“JD, darling, I know you don’t have the bits as of yet. Also you really have no other clothes. I have no problems with lending some help to somepony, or someone, who needs it.”

“Uh, well thank you, but just an outfit here or there as long as I can pay for it is fine.”

Rarity chuckled to herself, “Very well, but you still need at least a few outfits so you aren’t wearing out just the one. I can have these pants done in probably about half an hour or so. Also, I wont be charging you for this replacement since it was my own fault. Not something I really want to admit, but,” Rarity left off the sentence as she began grabbing fabric, needles, and thread.

JD sighed as he shook his head, and walked over to a nearby chair and sat down. Unfortunately, the chair was lower than most he was accustomed to, so his knees were almost level with his chest. He settled his head on his arms and settled on his knees and waited.

After what he could only guess to be a few minutes JD looked up to see a slightly fat white cat walk by. It stopped and looked at him before seeming to have an air as if not remotely interested before leaving.

JD sighed and went back to staring off, it wasn’t long before he felt himself drifting off.

It was the voice of Rarity that brought him back, “Sorry, that took longer than it should have as. Opal ended up getting into something she shouldn’t have and uh, well shredded the fabric. Quite the mishap, but here you are.” She explained quickly as she passed JD his pants. As she opened her mouth to say more there came a voice from the front of her boutique.

“Hello, Rarity? I didn’t see you at the Spa. If it’s too much trouble we can always reschedule for another day, if you want, that is.” Came the demure voice of a mare.

“Oh, Fluttershy, I had to help a customer. I’m on my way, Darling.” Rarity called back before turning to JD again. “I’ll go ahead and leave you to dress, if you could meet me at the front so I can lock up my shop, if you please.”

“Sure thing, Rarity, and thank you.” JD said as he looked over the new pair of pants.

“Oh, don’t mention it, dearie. It’s been my pleasure.” With that Rarity smiled once again and left JD. As he stood, he realized something was a little different. Noting what it was with a red flush, he worked to get his new pants on and readied himself to be presentable. After looking at himself in a nearby full length mirror he took a breath and walked to the front of Rarities shop.

“Oh, then Opal just completely lost control,” Rarity was explaining to a yellow pegasus with long smooth flowing pink mane and tail.

“Oh, my. I wonder what she got into.” Fluttershy was asking herself.

“I don’t know but I’ve never seen her act this way, so, I was hoping maybe you could figure out what happened.” Rarity spoke with deep concern.

“Oh, well I could, EEP!” Fluttershy seemed to spot JD behind Rarity and jumped to put Rarity between her and the stranger to hide.

“Oh, JD, its just you. Fluttershy, its okay, this is the new Human that joined our community, His name is Jake, but he prefers to be called JD. JD, this is my good friend Fluttershy. I think she is the only pony you haven’t met among Twilights many friends. She had a issue with a bear the day you came to live here.”

“Well, sorry to startle you, Ms. Fluttershy, and it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” JD said as he offered a kind smile and a hand to shake.

Fluttershy peeked from behind her and Rarities hair, “I’m sorry, I’m just Fluttershy, but you can call me Ms. Fluttershy, if you want. It’s nice to meet someone as polite as you.” She said as she eyed JD’s hand.

JD in turn looked his hand as well, “Sorry, um, this is a form of greeting where I’m from. Uh, Humans usually offer a hand to shake, and I guess I did it out of habit.” JD explained.

“Oh, it’s true, he did the same to Pinkie, Applejack, and I. He offered Rainbow Dash a, what did you call it?”

“A high five? I guess in your terms it would be a high hoof?” JD said as he scratched his head feeling as though he failed at his attempt to a joke.

Fluttershy raised her hoof and looked at it, before extending it to JD’s hand.

JD took her hand and paused for a split second, before smiling and lowered his head to kiss just above her hoof.

“Oh… my” Fluttershy said as her face blushed and she started to shake slightly.

“Oh, and such manners. I have to say, I’m a little jealous.” Rarity said with a giggle.

“Oh, wait, I didn’t just violate her or agree to marry her or something, did I?” JD asked in a slight panic as he looked at Rarity.

Rarity couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “No, no, darling. I was merely teasing a little. No, something old fashioned as kissing a hoof is nothing that brazen. You see I’m a bit of a romantic and didn’t realize Humans did something like that.”

Once again, for what felt like the umteenth time to JD, his face blushed.

“Um, may I ask for my hoof back please?” Fluttershy stammered out, her long pink mane hiding most of her blushing face as well.

“Oh, right, sorry.” JD said as he gently let her hoof go.

Fluttershy drew her leg and hoof close to her chest before setting it down on the ground.

“Anyways, uh, thank you again, Rarity. I should get back to work”

“Ah, yes of course JD, stop by anytime my shop is open for business. As well, I have no problems if you wish to stop by for a chat or anything. Um, do you go to Spa’s by chance? I know Stallions around Equestria don’t normally take trips to Spa’s except to relax once in a great while.”

“Oh, um, I don’t know. I’ve never been to a Spa before, not even on my world.” JD admitted.

“Oh, well, Fluttershy if you have no qualms, would you mind JD joining us sometime?” Rarity asked as she turned a sly smile on her face.

“Oh, uh, I-if he doesn’t mind, then I d-don’t mind.” Fluttershy seemed just as nervous, but also a bit more relaxed with JD.

“Oh Tre Magnifique,” Rarity sung out, before leaning close to Fluttershy and whispering, “and he’s single.”

Fluttershy’s face turned crimson before she screamed and ran out the door.

“Oh, dear, I guess there is a time and place for everything.” Rarity said with a knowing smile.

“Right, well, Ms. Romantic, please don’t ship us.” JD said after watching Fluttershy run out the door.

“Oh no, I would never, darling. I just merely, mm, shared a private joke with Fluttershy. It will take a little bit to get her out of her cottage.” Rarity explained with a guilty sounding laugh before she stepped out the swinging door.

JD followed and started to make his way back to Sugarcube Corner as Rarity locked up her store.

“Have a good day, Dearie!” Rarity called out.

JD laughed before turning his upper body to wave to Rarity.

“He had to make a quick run, I’m sure he will be back shortly.” Mrs. Cake explained.

With a smile, the large brown pony levitated some bits from a nearby pair of packs, “Thank you Mrs. Cake, and here you go.”

Once the bits were passed over, the pony lifted a large box of pastries and placed them in the bag.

As he closed his bag, the bell to the front door right behind him chimed. Turning he could see JD entering.

“Good morning,” JD offered cheerily. “I’m all set now, Mrs. Cake. Thank you.”

“It’s no problem, JD. Oh, since you’re here, this is Max. He was looking for you.” Mrs. Cake said as she introduced the stallion.

“Oh, hello. Anything I can help you with?” JD asked as he walked around the counter and began to fill out his return time on his slip.

“Well, I can’t say for certain. I just wanted to see if you had some time to talk. I mean, obviously you are busy right now with your job. If you have nothing planned later today, would you mind if we just talked?” Max asked.

JD looked over the pony in front of him. He was tall, almost as tall as Big Macintosh, and certainly well built as well. Despite his appearance, with a careful look, JD could see strange marks along his body mixed in with a few light brown spots.

It wasn’t often JD saw ponies with very any spots, but Max certainly had a few, including one white spot just over the bridge of his nose, or muzzle. JD wasn’t exactly knowledgeable about horse anatomy.

The other thing JD noted was Max was a unicorn, which to him was a bit strange as unicorns were not normally well built at all.

“Well, I don’t know. I don’t normally have anything planned after work except to walk around town.” JD felt uncertain about this pony, but he couldn’t say as to why.

“Well, that’s fine. I will be out with my wives later today. Maybe I’ll catch you. I don’t want you to think I’m pushing you to do something you don’t want to do. But, I will say this. In a world of ponies, I can understand how it is to be different. I used to be from a world of humans.” Max said before he turned to leave, grabbing his bags with his magic and lifting them up onto his back.

“Wait, you used to live with humans? Like a real pony that didn’t talk?” JD asked, curious now.

“No, I used to be human. Again, I’ll leave it to you if you want to talk later.” Max turned and left Surgarcube corner, leaving JD staring after him, mouth agape.

“Uh, Mrs. Cake, how many ponies used to be human?” JD turned, his brow furrowed as if trying to wrap his head around the concept.

“Well, none from Equestria, to my knowledge. You would have a better idea if you talked to Princess Twilight about that. She has had experience.”

Mrs. Cake grabbed a cloth and a small water filled butcket with a few bubbles and walked around the counter where she started to wipe down the table tops, and picking up a few napkins left behind by early patrons.

“Oh, speaking of which, after my shift I do need to go by to see Twilight anyways.” JD said, ore to himself.

“That’s fine. Oh, but before I forget. We are going to have a slight alteration to your schedule.”

“Alteration?” JD asked, curiously.

“Yes, we got a large request for a few parties for this weekend. Carrot and I were thinking of letting you and Pinkie have some time off before this weekend so you can be well rested.”

“Oh, now I see. Okay then, I was a little worried I did something wrong.” JD breathed a small sigh a relief.

“Oh, no. You're fine, JD. We just need the help for this weekend and we usually give you the weekend off. We were going to have you help us with our morning deliveries tomorrow, then once you are done with that you will have the rest of the week off till Saturday morning.” JD nodded as he followed what Mrs. Cake explained.

“Seems simple enough, thank you for letting me know. I’ll go ahead and finish off the inventory.”

Mrs Cake turned and smiled, “Thank you. Oh, and we don’t have much else when you finish that. We’ll have you a lunch prepared when you’re done, and I will also be setting an order to Rarity for an additional apron, hopefully a plain one that will fit you.”

“Alright then, thank you.” JD called back as he started back to the back room.

The rest of the day seemed to go smoothly for JD as he finished up the inventory. Luckily enough as well, Pinkie went on break when he went into the kitchen to take inventory. Due to Pinkie’s exuberant personality the fresh goods were best to leave for last so they can have proper adjustments to their orders and not run low on anything.

Once he finished, JD stepped out of the kitchen and handed the finished list to Mrs. Cake and left his time on the paper once he finished.

Looking up, JD spotted the unicorn stallion from before, seated in a booth with what looked like a milkshake, though he wasn’t alone.

With him were two other ponies, of whom JD couldn’t get a clear view. It was early afternoon right before school let out, and parents were waiting in the lobby and chatting before they picked up their foals.

“Thank you for the work today JD.” Carrot Cake said as he approached JD after helping a white mare with a two tone blue mane that was spiked.

On her was a set of thick shades and a pair of headphones, of which before she left he could just faintly hear a rhythmic beat to which she seemed to bob her head to.

“Sure no problem.”

“Go ahead and let us know what you want to eat and we will get it whipped up for you.”

JD chuckled, “Whipped up.”

Mr. Cake stared at JD quizzically before he started laughing too. “Sorry, pun was not intended.”

“I figured.” JD gave Mr. Cake a wide smile before he told him what he wanted and waked around the counter to take a look.

It was probably still several minutes before the school would let out and the parents hanging around didn’t seem to have any inclination of leaving anytime soon.

All the booths were full, that is until his eyes caught Max waving to him.

With a shrug, JD went ahead and waked over to where Max was sitting.

“Hello again. Sorry, not trying to stalk you, just had a hankering for a milkshake.” Max explained as JD walked up to the table.

“Yeah, chocolate seems to be the best thing to pacify a father.” Said a cream colored pony mare with a large orange mane. It was pulled back with a red band and looked like she had a strange miniature afro glued to the back of her head.

“Oh, JD, this is Adagio,” Max said, introducing the cream colored mare. “And that is Aria. Girls, this is JD.”

The other mare, Aria, was a violet looking pony with purple mane and tail which also had teal streaks in both.

“So, these are your wives? Nice to meet you ladies.”

The mares looked at each other slightly perplexed, before turning to look at Max.

“I haven’t told him much of anything yet. Plus, this isn’t the best time.”

“Maxwell!” Pinkie appeared with a plate of food and set it on the table, strangely seeming to stretch her upper body around JD.

“Hi Pinkie,” Max said before stretching out his forelegs as if asking for a hug.

She indeed gave Max a hug, then offered one to Adagio, and Aria. Adagio laughed nervously and tried to politely decline, while Aria just seemed to try to stare pinkie down.

Pinkie seemed unaffected by the two and shrugged.

“Oooh, Max, can you give Sonata, and the foals some love from me?”

“Sure thing. They will be happy no doubt.”

“Wait, you have another wife?” JD asked, giving Max a strange look.

Just then the bell to the school house began to ring and parents started filing out of Sugarcube corner to walk to couple of blocks to the school house.

Once all the other ponies were gone, Max looked around to make sure there were no curious ears.

“Have a seat, and enjoy your meal, JD. I’ll go ahead and start explaining things, best as I can.”

With a shrug JD sat and started eating.

“Okay, I’m not really all that into polygamy. My actual wife is at home with our children, her name is Sonata. Adagio, and Aria are her,” Max stopped seeming to try and think of the right word. “Pseudo sisters. They have been together for, well who knows how long. We have formed a close knit family since before we even got here to Equestria. Adagio is in fact in a relationship-”

“Long distant relationship. That’s all you need to know.” Adagio interjected.

“As for me, I’m more of a lone wolf.” Aria added as she seemed to eye JDs food.

“Okay…” JD turned his attention back to Max as he continued to eat.

“Anyways,” Max continued, “We used to live in a different world to Equestria. I was originally human, born and bred. I met these three some years ago after they had lost everything they had in my world.”

“Not our best day, I have to admit.” Adagio added with a deep frown.

“Tell me about it.”

“Don’t you start with me again.”

“Ladies, please.” Max interjected.

The two mares seemed to grumble under their breathe before quieting down.

“Well, to cut things short, we ended going through a lot of trouble. People were after us, and we were fortunate that we had some friends who were willing to help. Friends who knew how to give us sanctuary, here in Equestria.”

“So, you’re like representatives from another world and have been put under a sort of witness protection program?”

Max was silent as he thought it through, “yeah pretty much exactly that.”

JD pushed what was left of his plate away from him, and gave Aria an almost imperceptible nod. She gave him a long look before digging in.

Adagio and Max both sighed, but said nothing. In fact, they tried to act like they were oblivious.

“So, you used to be human, and when you came here you turned into a pony?” JD asked for clarification.

“Yep. So, I’m guessing that you either came through some different way than we did, which we used a portal.”

“Well, I came from way of a portal, but one a friend of mine built. It wasn’t stable, but because of it, I found myself here. Still have no idea, and honestly I consider myself lucky to even still be alive.”

“Because of the instability? Wow, wonder how much more advanced your world was than mine.” Max said to himself.

“Well, we had these things called computers and were just starting to develop new vehicles that were supposed to be quieter than the older models. Although I have to admit, I preferred y families station wagon over the look of the shiny cars that were coming.”

“Station wagon? The old Hatch backs? Wait, what year was it before you found yourself here?” Max asked suddenly.

“Uh, Nineteen Ninety Three. Why?”

“Looks like that crack pot theory of yours might be right after all.” Aria said suddenly.

JD looked between the three ponies confused, while max seemed to slump back, eyes wide and distant, his mouth hanging open slightly.

Adagio smiled and turned to JD to explain, “The year when we left was about Two Thousand Fifteen. Max had an idea he thought to offer to Twilight. Basically if there are more than one Universe or Dimension an alternate world could lead you to finding yourself walking among Dinosaurs whereas your home could be already past that age and be advanced. Or you might even find yourself in an opposite world where that place is far more advanced than your own world.”

“Wow, that, uh sounds like a great theory to put into a science fiction story. But I doubt scientists would take it seriously.

“Well, where I lived Scientists were changing.” Max finally added something to the conversation shaking away how stunned he was. “Also, I did submit that thought to Twilight. I haven’t heard anything back from her, so I figured it was tossed aside to one of the many piles of scrolls she gets all the time.”

“Oh, shoot.” JD said suddenly, I need to get over there to see her.” JD stood and started to walk away, “Hey would you all mind going with me? It would be nice to have some company.”

Max looked to Adagio and Aria, who seemed to say with their body language they had nothing better to do.

“Sure, we were in the middle of a walk when we stopped by for something sweet.” Max said as he and the others stood and joined JD as he left.

“So, JD, what’s with the hunks of metal in your arm?” Aria asked.

“Oh, that’s the leftovers from that unstable portal I mentioned.” He added as he led the three ponies towards Twilights castle. “I, uh. I can’t be left around ponies and magic. The metal seems to absorb the energy which hurts me, or becomes unstable and creates a small outward explosion. Twilight and some other ponies created an elixir for me to drink which seems to limit the effects. They are trying to help keep others from getting hurt, while also allowing me to get out and interact with other intelligent and welcoming ponies and not locked away in the dungeons.”

“Wow, sounds like a harsh alternative. How is this not killing you?” Max asked as he looked at the arm with the imbedded metal.

“I’m not sure, Twilight suggested this stuff may have bonded to my body on a cellular level. Which honestly sounds like a way for a comic book character to turn into a villain because he’s misunderstood in a bad situation.”

“Or, the birth of a super hero.” Max suggested with a grin.

“A super hero who explodes? Doesn’t sound right.”

“Maybe, but you are getting Twilight’s help, so. Who knows how things will play out.”

The group came to a silent halt as they now stood at the base of the stairs to Twilights castle. The three ponies moved their heads to look up as far as they could to the crystal tower.

“Think she’s compensatin fer somethin?” Max said suddenly in a strange gravely voice.

Adagio and Aria laughed and shook their heads, “Nope, she would have to abide by the internets rule 34, and you’re not an ogre, Max.” Adagio quipped with a sly grin.

“Aye.”

JD shook is head not quite understanding what they were talking about, before making his way up the stairs and knocking as loudly as he could on the front door.

It took a little bit and at least one more knock before they heard a voice call from inside.

“Just a second.”

Seconds later one of the doors opened to reveal a short purple and green dragon standing, slightly out of breathe looking up at them.

“Oh, it’s you guys, and JD you are just in time. Twilight was waiting for you. Something has come up and she needs to leave.”

Spike backed away from the open door to let everyone in.

Once everyone was in and the door closed, Spike started to make his way through the castle, leading the others to what seemed to where Twilight would be.

“So, what’s going on, Spike?” JD asked.

“Uh, I’m not too sure. Twilight had actually been working on a spell that backfired due to a displacement of magic. She had been trying to track it down when Rainbow Dash showed up saying something about rogue clouds in the West. Twilight was sure that was where the magic displacement was coming from and needs to go check it out before the ponies from Cloudsdale get there and find themselves in trouble.”

“Sounds like trouble, I’m guessing all six are going to take care of it?” Max asked.

“Well, Twilight wants to be on the safe side, but Dash already had orders to get all the girls together. Twilight was getting some stuff together and waiting-”

There came a sound of the front doors slamming open and several voices talking at once.

Spike stopped in front of a door, “Oh, that will be them, go on inside. I’ll be looking after a few other things.”

“Thank you,” JD said, along with the others in unison.

Spike ran off as they entered the room.

Inside, the group found themselves in a concave room. In the middle was a large table with six chairs placed around it, each with a different mark on it. Above it was the largest system of roots of what could have been a tree stump with various colored crystals hanging from it. It gave off a soft light that seemed well spread.

All around the room were dozens of large books, but no sign of Twilight. Until they noticed a book glowing with magic and levitating up to a chair directly in front of them.

“Twilight?”

The head of a purple unicorn popped around the chair and smiled at them. “Hello JD. Lad you made it in time. I’m sorry but I’m a little busy trying to figure some things out.”

“Yeah, Spike mentioned something was going on.”

With a poof, Twilights head vanished from sight before she reappeared out of the chair, wings pulled back to her sides. She grabbed a small box with her magic and brought it over to JD.

“You finished the other vial off I’m guessing right?” She asked as she approached.

JD nodded, and she seemed to visibly calm as she finished approaching the small group.

“Oh, Max, its good to see you. Aria, and Adagio too. How is Sonata and the foals?”

“They’re good. No magic has manifested yet.”

“Oh, I had a thought about that, have you let them try to swim in a pond yet? Or at home? I was thinking, they might have some latent magic since their mother used to be a merpony. Also, have any of you ladies tried going for a swim?”

Twilight looked form one mare to the other, each shaking their heads in response.

“Hmm, I see. Well all things in time. As for you JD, I have to say this batch is a little bit different. I got hep from a zebra named Zecora. She lives in the Everfree forest and has a large knowledge about herbs and natural remedies. We may have come up with a new potion that is stronger than what you had before. Normally one would wait until the first potion wore off, but Id like you to go ahead and take a sip and give it a proper test.” Twilight explained as she opened the box to reveal a small glass bottle with a dark liquid inside of it.

As she removed it and handed it to JD, he saw it was a deep purple color with what looked like something blue and red swirling around in it.

“Are you sure?” He asked giving the potion a critical eye.

“Well, I’ll be honest. We have never dealt with magic or energy build up in this way before. So, no, I can’t say this will work for sure, but we did use the previous potion as a base and increased what it should be able to do.”

JD took another long look, voices outside the room could be heard approaching.

Twilight was doing her best to help him, and sure not everything someone does is going to work one hundred percent the first time everytime. But, he wanted to trust Twilight.

JD went ahead and popped the cork and lifted the potion up and caught a whiff of what seemed to be lavender before he lifted the potion to his lips and took a sip.

As soon as it was in his mouth, his body seemed to convulse, and he accidentally swallowed the contents quickly and started coughing.

Twilight bit her lower lip in concern, afraid something might go wrong.

After his coughing fit, JD was able to get his breath as the door opened and several ponies and a small dragon entered.

“Well?” Twilight asked.

“Takes like really bad cough syrup, but it smells nice?” JD offered.

“Uh, well that is certainly something, I guess.” Twilight said as she mentally took notes.

“Whats goin on?” An orange pony with straw colored mane and tail asked as she approached, a stetson carefully placed on her head.

“Just trying to help JD real quick is all. If you girls could go ahead and have a seat. I’ll be done here shortly.”

“Sure thing Twilight.” Applejack said before turning to the other mares present, each taking a seat around the table.

Twilight, on the other hand, approached JD and looked at his arm before lighting her horn up with magic. “Do you feel anything? Any burning sensations? Chills, shakes, anything at all?”

JD lifted his arm slightly and turned it to look it over, “It almost feels numb and a little cold.” JD noted out loud.

“Hmm, I see. Might be the potion is already mixing. Okay, go ahead and don’t take anymore today. Wait until tomorrow morning. There is another vial in her. It a small leaf. I told Zecora about you having trouble sleeping and the nightmares. She pulled some eaves and added them for you. She said to only take half a leaf and brew it like tea before you go to bed each night. It’s supposed to be a natural sleep aid, as well the added effects of the silkworms and spiders that live in the trees seem to have an effect on ponies to keep them from having nightmares. That’s how some ponies used natural remedies when Luna was gone for so long.”

JD nodded, “Thank you.”

“Its no problem, but would you all mind staying for this? I have a strange feeling about whats going on.”

The ponies and human looked to one another before agreeing to remain.

Twilight smiled and made her way over to the other ponies and started the meeting.

The table seemed to emit a soft glow as she approached.

A gentle warm breeze blew drawing the smell of spring and fresh grass. The breeze continued seeming to swirl in some spots as if looking for someone to wrap itself around like a caressing lover.

A pony sitting at the side of a small stone bridge that spanned a creek turned her head into the breeze, eyes closed, a soft smile on her face as she reveled in the feeling of her fur and mane being moved slightly from the breeze.

She was an Earth pony with dark green fur which sported two particular spots, a white spot that spanned from the base of her neck up under her mane where is rounded out at the top of her nose. The other, a brown spot over her back that reached from her left side to the right. Her mane and tail were a combination of white and purple, though mostly covered with a hoof sewn yellow kerchief. It was something near and dear to her, a gift she received as a foal.

She enjoyed the breeze, as not only did it make her think of the pony special to her heart, it also lifted the scent she had culminated into a very particular perfume, one she knew her friend would absolutely love.

She had been waiting for several minutes, she wasn’t in a rush, as she had been early anyways and simply allowed herself time to daydream. The fantasy she often held was of finally turning to Glistening Mist and telling her how she felt. Indeed, she had been deep within the fantasy, and the warm breeze had left her almost believing Mist had embraced her, finally shedding the dark shadow that seemed to hold her down.

Yet, despite her harboring these feelings, no matter how she felt she knew she couldn’t tell her friend.

Opening her eyes, a single pair of tears streamed down her face, as she brought her mind back to reality.

“Moonflower!” Came a familiar voice, the only voice she would never need to see the face to know who she was.

Cede quickly wiped the streaks away and put on a smile before turning and immediately faltering. Only a few seconds and Cede put on her usual facade of pleasantness as she saw Mist with a stallion she absolutely harbored pure rage against.

The stallion was a charcoal gray with black mane and tail that always looked slicked with thick grease and as always sported one of his many ties. This one looked like a very tacky orange and red plaid.

“Glistening Mist,” Cede said with with joy, “And I see you brought Marl. It’s been so long, a couple weeks?” Cede was able to play her voice as if in surprise as she raged in her mind.

When Mist and Marl had gotten close, Cede quickly noticed a slight puffiness to one of her eyes.

“Yeah, I thought we could use some time out of the house when My baby Glisten said she was going for a walk. Not surprised to see you here,” Marl said snidely.

“Oh you two are always teasing each other.” Mist said with a smile.

“Sorry, Mist, not trying to ,make you feel left out.” Cede quickly abjected.

“Oh, Cede, that is such a lovely smell. Trying a new plant combination again?” Mist asked to change the subject.

“Oh, yes. I was thinking about that suggestion you mentioned before of trying to open my own perfume shop. But whereas it is generally accepted to use scents ponies are accustomed to, I was thinking of also making specialized perfumes as well. What do you think.”

Mist moved closer until she was almost nose to nose with Cede, making the are blush slightly.

“Oh, it’s heavenly, I think Celestia herself would greatly approve of even something like this.”

Cede smiled widely at the compliment, her heart beating faster in her chest. She was simply overjoyed, at least until Marl walked by and made of face of disgust.

“Marl, love, don’t be so rude.” Mist quickly lowered her head and ears when Mar turned and raised an eyebrow, “Sorry.”

‘Psh, bucking cracked egg. No wonder you live alone and have no friends. All you can do is try to go after a stallions mare that doesn’t even want you. I think its almost time for me and my boys to give your out of the way garden home a visit. It would be such a shame if you find those plants of yours destroyed. Well, that’s step one. I think I should think of a way to truly humiliate her so-’

Marl had been turning back when he realized something about Cede he had only suspected before.

‘Hell yeah, the boys can have a fun time with that field of flowers.’

“Marl, is something wrong?” Mist asked hearing him laughing to himself.

“What? Naw babe, just thought of something one of the boys told me. My apologies, it is rather crass to bring something like it up in front of two outstanding ladies such as yourselves.” Marl wanted to move off topic or find a way to distract the mares so he could go back to thinking up a plan. “Say, how about we go ahead and get going on that walk? We were going to White Tail woods, right?”

The two mares smiled and nodded before proceeding with him over the bridge. Mar kept back a little bit, as always, and right by Mists side as they walked letting them talk while he only partially listened in on the conversation.

As they left the bridge behind and started to come up to the edge of the forest, they stopped as they noticed several shadows and a brief gust of wind pass over them. Looking up, they saw dozens, if not close to a hundred pegasus flying overhead. Following the crowd, it appeared the entire town of Cloudsdale was flying over White Tail woods.

“Wonder whats going on?” Mist asked aloud.

The sound of a whistle could be heard from behind them before three streaks of dark clouds with bits of lightning charged by overhead before one split off from the others and made a wide circular turn in the air and few right towards them.

A pegasus pony in a blue jumpsuit with yellow lightning rings around the hooves halted just under the leaves of one of the trees. The mane and tail was orange, and the goggles seemed to slightly blur her eyes, but all three knew Spitfire from the posters and shows.

“Sorry, but as of this time we are looking to cordon off White Tail woods. Something is going on and we are not sure how dangerous it may be. Please return to Ponyville and remain there until we can assess the situation.”

“Why? What’s going on?” Cede asked.

Spitfire looked a them for a few moments silently before sighing, “Please keep this to yourselves. We spotted rogue clouds and what could be a storm on the other side of the woods near one of the Western Mountains. We aren’t sure what is causing it, which is why everypony from Cloudsdale is assisting us to -” Spitfire was cut off as several voices rang out in pain with a faint sound of could only be described as lightning but with buzzing instead of thunder.

Forgetting the three ponies, Spitfire launched herself up into the air as ponies backed away from the woods, a few carrying two of her companions and a few other pegasi.

Their bodies looked to be covered in back marks, where their fur had burned. Even some of their wings looked charred, and a few feathers fell still smoking.

“What in Celestia’s name?!” Spitfire looked up from the ponies, “What happened?”

“The fastest of us that were ahead of the group hit some sort of barrier and were shocked.” Explained one light blue pony with curly white mane and tail.

“Spitfire!” Came a scream, “I can't feel his pulse, we need aide over here.” A pegasus mare was slowly descending to the ground with Soarin in her arms.

His body looked like it had somehow taken an even stronger hit than the others, his body was stiff and smelled awful.

Spitfire did her best to choke back the bile that was rising in her throat as she approached and looked him over.

“Celestia, no, please. Help us.” She begged, as tears began to fill her goggles before leaking out and down along her muzzle. She knelt next to Soarin and did the only thing she could think of. It was something dangerous, but sometimes helped in extreme cases when pegasus were struck by lightning and couldn’t cope with the shock of it.

She clasped her hooves together and began to rub them furiously until bits of electricity started to spark. When she had enough, she placed her hooves on Soarin and watched as his body lifted slightly. His limbs twitched, and she leaned down, and put an ear to his chest. There was a faint thump, but it quickly quieted down.

“No, no, no, no, no.” She repeated silently to herself as she recharged her hooves.

The process wasn’t just dangerous for the recipient, it was also dangerous for the pegasus performing the charge as well as it took some of their own magic and applied it to the heat the create the necessary charge. Depending on the pegasus, the charge could overtake their own life, or if it were Rainbow Dash, a small charge could be an overcharge and definitely kill the pony.

Ponies were gathering, to watch the spectacle unfold, fear evident in their eyes, while others tried to look after the weakened ponies who were still alive, though badly injured.

At the back of the group, a few pegasus were talking before one shot off as fast as they could toward Ponyville Hospital.

Soarins body jumped for a third time, and Spitfire leaned down, eyes closed trying her best to block out all other sounds. She had to listen for a moment to discern whether she could hear his heartbeat, or if she only heard the beating of her own heart since she had no equipment to properly do a check.

She was silent for what felt like forever, and just as she thought it didn’t work, she heard a faint thump, thump.

Her eyes shot open as she heard a moan and felt Soarins body move.

She lifted her head and leaned over to get a better look at him.

His eyes fluttered opened before they closed and he slumped.

Fearing for the worst, she bit back a scream and checked him again. She could hear his heartbeat, slightly stronger.

‘Maybe he just passed out.’ She told herself, hoping she was right.

She turned to see so many ponies standing nearby, “What are you all doing?” She screamed at the crowd, “Go get help, right bucking now!”

She couldn’t see as her eyes were stinging from the tears that had begun to fill her goggles, which upset her even more as she tore them off and threw them to the side.

Spitfire worked furiously to dry her eyes and calm herself, she looked back to see the crowd had pulled back somewhat. Only a single pony approached her.

“We already sent somepony to the hospital for emergency help. They should be able to return sometime soon, with help.”

“Thank you, I’m sorry. It’s just driving me crazy that this happened and I didn’t foresee it, I’ve never had any of my tea this badly injured where they were on the brink of death before.” Spitfire looked back to Soarin who seemed to be breathing lightly and occasionally twitched which led to a pained moan. “I’ve felt fear, but this,” Spitfire said to herself, feeling he body shaking. “I swore nopony would ever be lost under my command and I led so many right into such a dangerous hazard not only could the Wonderbolts been left crippled, but so many civilians as well.”

‘No, they may be injured, but all of them, even Soarin are still alive, though he looks like he might be critical. You haven’t lost anypony yet, and You’ll be damned to make a mistake like this again. Caution is needed her, maybe like how ponies are always talking how careful Princess Twilight is. Shes an intelligent pony, maybe the caution needed here is to think first before rushing in.’

Finished with her thought, Spitfire stood up and looked around, ‘First things first, I need to take account the condition of the others and then figure out the next step.

Spitfire made her way around to check on the other ponies who had been injured.

Apparently, the story went that Soarin was leading them over the woods, and weren’t even halfway over it when he slammed into something they couldn’t see until he made contact. It looked like a wave of energy rippled through the air. Other ponies attempted to halt before making the collision themselves.

Nopony had been able to see the barrier until it was far too late. Fortunately, no other pony was as injured as Soarin, but there were still a few ponies injured.

It was odd, as Spitfire thought things through before lifting herself into the air to look over the treetops.

Normally for the Wonderbolts, their training permitted for heightened sense and instinct to help them in flight. The speed could sometimes allow them to even perceive a potential threat if enough force was in front of them.

So, how was it, they couldn’t even sense a barrier, even if they couldn’t see it, they should have had just enough time to alter their course before collision to avoid it.

It was at slower speeds that they required the assistance of their flight magic to sense where barriers were put up, although foreknowledge usually helped, like making sure to always avoid the airspace around Canterlots School for gifted unicorns.

Twilight and the others arrived sometime later, after the injured ponies had been extracted to the hospital to be properly looked after.

Twilight and Spitfire conversed on what was going on and made a decision to get ponies home and away from the unknown barrier. After which, an area was set up to keep people away from the woods, while Twilight worked to get word to Princess Celestia.

As Luna’s moon rose that evening, Princess Celestia arrived shortly after with two squadrons of guards from both her and Luna’s forces to help keep things under control and keep watch in case something happened.

Twilight, through a few tests, had come to find that while the barrier was energy based, and powerful, it was not connected to any form of magic. She needed time to keep working what to do, and may need some help.

It was going to be a long night for everypony.