The Element of Empathy

Chapters

Mare in the Moon
The Ticket Master
Griffon the Brush Off
Boast Busters
Dragonshy
Look Before You Sleep
Bridle Gossip
Swarm of the Century
Winter Wrap-Up
Fall Weather Friends
Suited For Success
Feeling Pinkie Keen
The Fall of a Friend
The Elements of Harmony
Applebuck Season

Mare in the Moon

Eleanor's POV.
*Sigh* Another day, another study. Oh! Hello, viewers. Long time, no see. Have to say, it's been years. So, I'll take this time to catch you up on what's happened to my study of magic and humility among the Ponies.

Well... same time after what happened with Sunset Shimmer, Princess Celestia gained a new student. Her name is Twilight Sparkle. Her color scheme is a dead giveaway to her name. I became her study partner.

Surprisingly, Twilight is not like Sunset Shimmer.

We don't study at the castle, we study in the castle library. Assisting our studies, Twilight used her magic to hatch a dragon's egg, to become Celestia's student. Once the dragon was old enough, he became our assistant.

Twilight called him Spike, because it sounded cute.

Since it's been quite a while since we've spoken to each other, dear viewers, I should tell you what's changed about me.

Well, my ravenette hair has gotten longer, to my lower back, so I've tied it into a singular braid. I've gotten a bit taller as the years passed. I'm now about 5 foot 10 inches tall.

Since Twilight's older brother and I share similar height, we shared the same wardrobe. He had some female clothes that fit me.

Today, I am wearing a dark green t-shirt under a midnight black sweater. A dark purple beanie over my head, a pair of dark green pants and black boots. I've kept the black and green fingerless gloves Sunset Shimmer gave me, as a memento of my first friend.

On the left side of my sweater, there's a patch of purple, apple seed-shaped wisps. My very own Cutie Mark. I'm not sure what it means yet, but it looks really cool.

I'm wearing a new pair of glasses now. My old glasses couldn't fit me anymore. My new glasses are a bit slimmer and do fit.

The only things that I'm wearing that's still the same are my black choker with a ruby pendant.

Anywho, Spike and I were about to get ready to leave the library, to attend Moondancer's birthday party.

Spike was about a 4 foot tall baby dragon, with purple scales with a green underbelly, ears, spines and eyes. He wore a dark green tank top under a buttoned collar shirt, that was a little darker purple than his scales, and blue shorts.

We finished wrapping our gifts for Moondancer and made our way to the door.

However, the door flung open and threw Spike into me, "Ow..."

The pony that opened the door revealed to be Twilight Sparkle herself.

Twilight was a unicorn mare of 5 foot 5 inches tall. Her mane was well-combed and a sapphire blue with pink and purple streaks. Her coat was a light mulberry purple with gradient indigo forearms and socks. Violet eyes, dark purple hooves and leonine tail with her tuff matching her mane.

https://hioshirunsfw.tumblr.com/post/172693959043/decided-to-make-my-redesigns-of-twilight-maybe
(Ignore the wings and feathers.)

She wore a white collared shirt under a light purple sweater-vest with her Cutie Mark Patch of a pink star and six smaller white stars near the right seam. Dark blue khaki pants and tie.

"Spike! SPII-IIKE!" Twilight called, then she looked down at the floor, "Spike?"

Spike sat up and recovered from the impact, as I rubbed my head.

Twilight smiled, "There you are." She ran past us and started searching through the book, "Quick! Find me that old copy of Predictions and Prophecies." She looked at Spike and asked, "What’s that for?"

Spike looked at his tail and noticed it impaled his gift for Moondancer. He removed it from his tail and answered, "Well, it was a gift for Moondancer, but…"

An impaled teddy bear fell out of the wrapping and dropped to the floor with a squeak. I checked my present and noticed it was crushed by my big fat butt. Aw, man!

Actually, my butt is not big and fat. It's actually small due to me being tall and slender. So, technically, I don't have a butt.

Twilight sighed and resumed searching through her book, "Oh, Spike. You know we don’t have time for that sort of thing."

"But we’re on a break!" I argued, getting back on my feet.

Twilight ignored me and used her magic to grab some book from the top of the bookshelf nearest to her. She searched the books, "No…no…no…no, no, no!" She groaned in frustration and shouted, "SPIKE!!"

"It’s over here!" Spike answered from another high self.

Twilight used her magic to grab the book. But Spike still had hold of it. Spike fell off his ladder and flew toward Twilight.

Twilight looked at the book and smiled, "Ah!" She dropped the other books and walked toward the nearest the podium. I helped Spike back to his feet and we started picking the books Twilight dropped.

"Elements. Elements. E, E, E…" Twilight muttered, then read in a clear voice, "Aha! 'Elements of Harmony'. See 'Mare in the Moon'?"

I raised a brow as Spike spoke up from on top of a ladder, "'Mare in the Moon'? But that’s just an old ponies tale."

"Mare. Mare…" Twilight muttered, as she flipped through the pages, "Aha! 'The Mare in the Moon. Myth from olden pony times. A powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria. Defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon. Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal'."

I closed my eyes and heard an evil laugh echoed through my head. In my black vision, all I could see was a pair of menacing, yet very sad turquoise eyes. Why?

Twilight gasped and asked, "Spike. Ellie, do you know what this means?"

I opened my eyes and quickly nodded my head. I never wanted to know, but I truly do.

"No." Spike answered.

However, he lost his balance and fell off the ladder. I caught Spike in my arms, before he hit the ground.

"Take a note, please." Twilight instructed, handing Spike a parchment and quill, "To the Princess."

Spike smiled and jumped out my arms, "Okie-dokie."

Spike started writing, as Twilight paced and spoke, "'My dearest teacher, My continuing studies of pony magic have led me to discover that we are on the precipice of disaster'..."

"Hold on." Spike spoke up, "Preci… Preci…"

He gives Twilight a lost look. Being a baby dragon, he doesn't understand large words.

"Threshold." Twilight simplified.

Spike tried again, "Thre…" But to no avail.

Twilight raised a brow, "Uh…brink?"

Spike gave her a look. She groaned in frustration.

"Why not just say, 'We're on the edge of disaster'?" I suggested.

Twilight and Spike looked at me. Spike wrote down my suggestion and nodded for Twilight to continue.

Twilight returned pacing and continued, "'For you see, the mythical Mare in the Moon is in fact Nightmare Moon, and she is about to return to Equestria and bring with her eternal night. Something must be done to make sure this terrible prophecy does not come true. I await your quick response. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle'."

"'Twi-light… Spar-kle.'" Spike finished and answered, "Got it!"

Twilight nodded and smiled, "Great! Send it."

"Now?" Spike and I asked.

Twilight nodded, "Of course!"

"Uh…I don’t know, Twilight. Princess Celestia’s a little busy getting ready for the Summer Sun Celebration, and it’s, like, the day after tomorrow." Spike shrugged his shoulders.

"That’s just it, Spike." Twilight replied, "The day after tomorrow is the thousandth year of the Summer Sun Celebration. It’s imperative that the Princess is told right away!"

"Impera…Impera…" Spike tried to write, but, again, didn't quite know how to spell the word.

"Important!" Twilight shouted.

The volume and force of the word threw Spike toward me and we rolled into the nearest bookshelf, "Ow..."

"Okay, okay!" Spike replied, getting back to his feet.

He took a deep breath, rolled up the parchment into a scroll and burned it with his green, magical fire breath. The cinders flew out of the window and toward the castle, "There! It’s on its way."

"But I wouldn’t hold your breath, Twi." I warned.

Twilight smugly smiled at me, "Oh, I’m not worried, Ellie. The Princess trusts me completely. In all the years she’s been my mentor, she’s never once doubted me."

I folded my arms and looked away in thought. Spike let out a burp and his fire breath morphed into a rolled up scroll.

Twilight smirked, "I knew she would want to take immediate action."

Spike opened the scroll, cleared his throat and read, "'My dearest, most faithful student Twilight, you know that I value your diligence, and that I trust you completely'."

Twilight looked out the window and smiled.

"In 3... 2... 1..." I counted down.

"'But you simply must stop reading those dusty old books'!" Spike finished.

Twilight gasped, as I smiled, "There it is."

"'I have given you an assignment for you outside of Canterlot'." Spike continued reading, "'Spike and Eleanor will accompany you. You leave as soon as possible'."

Twilight sighed.

*Later, Flying over the Plains...*
"'My dear Twilight, there is more to a young pony’s life than studying. So I’m sending you to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this year’s location, Ponyville'." Spike continued reading, as we were riding a chariot, drawn by non-morphic pegasi, to our next destination.

I couldn't believe I'm coming back to Ponyville. I've been in touch with my family, thanks to Princess Celestia's promise and Sam and I have been keeping in touch by writing letters to each other via a certain delivery mare named Ditzy Doo.

Sam explained to me that Ponyville is not as old as Canterlot or the Everfree Forest, but it's a heck of a town. Pegasi, Unicorns and Earth Ponies working together and living together as very close friends can get. It's the same town that my family live and work.

"'And I have an even more essential task for you to complete; Make some friends'." Spike finished reading Celestia's letter.

Twilight just sulked and sighed softly.

"Look on the bright side, Twilight. The Princess arranged for you to stay in a library." Spike tried to encourage, "Doesn’t that make you happy?"

Twilight suddenly raised her head, "Yes. Yes, it does. You know why? Because I’m right. I’ll check on the preparations as fast as I can, then get to the library to find some proof of Nightmare Moon’s return."

"What about making friends, like the Princess said?" I asked in a concerned tone.

Twilight shook her head, "She said to check on preparations. I am her student, and I’ll do my royal duty, but the fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends."

The carriage landed and the Pegasi whinnied, indicating we have reached our destination. Twilight, Spike and I exit the carriage. I gave the Pegasi a carrot each, and they returned to Canterlot.

"Maybe the Ponies in Ponyville have interesting things to talk about!" Spike spoke up, as an earth pony mare skipped toward us.

The mare stopped in front of us and smiled. She was 5 foot 3 inches tall. Her fur was a light pink color with dark pink eye shadow and lighter pink neck markings. Her forearms and socks start a darker pink and turn white with light blue nails and hooves. Her mane and tail were a darker shade of pink, with a yellow streak, and were poofy and wild. Her eyes were a light shade of blue.

Like she was made of cotton candy. Or gumballs.

https://hioshirunsfw.tumblr.com/post/172718636273/and-the-last-one-of-main6-sugar-pinks-i-hope

She wore a white t-shirt with light blue sleeves and trimmings, under a pair of dark pink overalls with rolled-up legs. Upon the left side of the hip on her overalls, was a patch of three party balloons. Two blue and one yellow.

"Come on, Twilight. Just try." Spike encouraged Twilight.

Twilight looked at the mare and waved her hand in uncertainty, "Uh…hello?"

The mare jumped into the air with a long gasp of surprise. Then she zoomed off somewhere. That was one odd Pony.

Once calmed, Twilight noted, "Well, that was interesting, all right."

With that, she walked off. Spike and I sighed and followed after her. This is not gonna end well at all.

*Sweet Apple Acres...*
Twilight Sparkle's POV.
"'Summer Sun Celebration Official Overseer's Checklist. Number one, banquet preparations, Sweet Apple Acres.'" Spike read the Checklist, as we entered a large farm, full of apple trees.

"Yee-Haw!!!" A pony shouted, startling Spike, Eleanor and I.

We turned and saw an orange earth pony mare run and kicked an apple tree, with buckets around it. The apples fell in all of the baskets.

Not one missed.

The pony folded her arms and crossed her hooves proudly. She was 6 foot tall. Her mane and tail were blonde and her eyes were green. Her mane and tail were in a low ponytail. Near white socks, forearms, freckles under her eyes and on her shoulders, blaze and underbelly, with dark brown hooves and nails.

This pony has human traits in her ancestry.

https://hioshirunsfw.tumblr.com/post/172718247148/aj

She wore a cowgirl, setson hat, a light green tank top under a denim vest-coat, and a pair of matching shorts with a brown belt. Upon her vest-coat was a Cutie Mark Patch of three red gala apples in a triangular formation.

I sighed, "Let's get this over with." I walked to the pony with a smile, "Good afternoon. My name is Twilight Sparkle."

The mare grabbed my hand and shook it violently, "Well, Howdy-doo, Miss Twilight. A pleasure makin' your acquaintance. Ah'm Applejack. We, here, at Sweet Apple Acres, sure do like makin' new friends." She introduced herself in a very strong Southern accent.

"Frie-e-e-ends? Actua-a-ally-y-y-y, I..." I tried to explain, but she let go of my hand.

"So, what can Ah do yah for?" Applejack asked me with a kind smile.

I was still shaking my hand, so I couldn't speak. Eleanor grabbed my hand and stopped it from shaking. Spike supressed a laugh.

"Well, I am, in fact, here to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. And you are in charge of the food?" I explained and asked her.

Applejack smiled, "We sure as sugar are. Would yah care to sample some?" She replied, then asked me.

"Well, as long as it doesn't take too long." I answered with an raised eyebrow.

Applejack rang a loud triangle bell, then shouted, "Soup's on, everypony!!"

On cue, a large group of ponies charged toward us and carried us to a round table. Applejack appeared beside us.

"Now, why don't Ah introduce y'all to the Apple Family." She said, with a smile.

"Thanks, but we really need to hurry." I tried to explain, but a pony with a plate of apple fritters stopped me.

"This is Apple Fritter. Apple Bumpkin. Red Gala. Red Delicious. Gold Delicious. Caramel Apple. Apple Strudel. Apple Tart. Baked Apples. Apple Brioche. Apple Cinnamon Crisp..." Applejack introduced the ponies, as each gave us their specialty. Leaving us with a large pile a apple related treats.

She took a deep breathe, before she carried on, "Samantha, Big McIntosh, Limelight Suki Ginger, Apple Bloom, Stephen and... Granny Smith." She finished, before putting an apple in my mouth.

Samantha was a young human female. She was a teenager, around a year younger than Ellie. Shoulder-length blonde hair. Light blue eyes and lightly-tanned skin.

She wore a white collared shirt with light blue pants and darker blue sneakers. She reeked of baking and sugar. She must work as a baker somewhere.

Big McIntosh was a large stallion of 6 foot 7 inches tall. His fur coat was a brick red color. Mane and tail were a ginger orange color in neat combed style. Green eyes. His mane reached to his shoulders. His forearms, blaze and socks were a lighter red color. Dark beige hooves with well-kept fetlocks.

He wore a red collared shirt, with pockets over his pectoral muscles, and a pair of denim jeans. On the left pocket of his shirt was a patch of a shining green apple.

Limelight Suki Ginger was a female adult human. Quite a pony name for a human, but I'm not complaining. Her skin was lightly tanned with freckles on her shoulders. Blonde hair just past her shoulders. Light green eyes.

She wore a light green t-shirt under a denim vest coat. Brown khaki pants and working boots. She was covered in dirt and dust, which indicated she has been working on the field.

Apple Bloom was a young, yellow filly, of 4 foot 8 inches, with a pink bow in her red mane. She wore a pale yellow t-shirt and a pair of denim overalls. She had no Cutie Mark yet.

Stephen was a large human male at 6 foot 3 inches tall. Only four inches shorter than Big McIntosh. His skin was light and his head was shaved bald. But, his eyes were a light green, which indicated he was a ginger, like Big McIntosh.

He wore a red shirt with blue jeans and dark work boots. He too was covered in dirt and dust. And his hand showed hard worked in cracks. He must've been helping Limelight out.

And Granny Smith was a female was an elder mare. She stood at least 5 foot 6 inches tall. 5 foot 9 if she stood upright. Her fur coat was a pale green. Her mane and tail were white, due to age, and tied in a bun. Golden eyes of wisdom and life-long lessons. Her forearms, blaze and socks faded to a near white color. Her nails and hooves were a light brown.

She wore an old-fashioned dress with a white apron and a plaid shawl over her shoulders. On her apron was a large patch of an apple pie.

"Up'n'attem, Granny Smith. We got guests." Applejack woke the elder pony.

"Wha..? Soup's on? Ah'm up. Here Ah come, Ah'm coming." She woke up and walked over to us.

Applejack put her hoof over my shoulder, "Why, Ah'd say they're already part of the family."

Limelight looked at Ellie and smiled, "Oh my gosh! Ellie!" She threw her arms around my study partner, "My goodness! How much you've grown. We missed you so much."

Ellie hugged Limelight back, "It's good to see you guys too, Mum."

I spat the apple out, and gave them a nervous smile, "Okay. Well, I can see that the food situation is handled. So, we'll be on our way."

"Aren't yah gonna stay for brunch?" Little Applebloom asked in the same Southern accent, giving us a sad look.

"Sorry, but we'd an awful lot to do." I told her as gently as I can. Everypony sighed in sadness. I looked around, trying to find a way out of this, but I gave up, "Fine."

Everypony cheered.

*Later, in Ponyville...*
"Food is taken care of. Next is the weather." Spike informed me.

"Ugh, I ate too much pie." I moaned over my full stomach of apple pies and cakes.

I'd admit, the food was good, but very filling on the first two servings. Spike and Ellie didn't look as bad as I did. Spike only ate some apple fritters, while Ellie ate two apple straddles and an apple cinnamon crisp. We had to leave early.

"Hmm... There's supposed to be a Pegasus Pony, named Rainbow Dash, clearing the clouds." Spike told us.

We looked up and the clouds were still around.

"Well, she's not doing a very good job, is she?" I asked.

The next thing I knew, Ellie pushed me aside, as something flew into her. The collision caused her to fall into the mud puddle with a Pony. Both human and Pony were covered in mud.

The Pony was a light cyan pegasus mare, with spiky rainbow mane and tail. Her feathers were rainbow-themed as well. Her eyes were a rose pink.

https://hioshirunsfw.tumblr.com/post/172717804468/dashie
I'm guessing she was Rainbow Dash.

She was 5 foot 3 inches tall, like the pink pony, and wore a black tank top under a blue and white sports jacket and darker blue yoga pants. Her Cutie Match patch was a cloud with a rainbow lightning bolt on her left legging.

The pegasus mare got up and looked at Ellie, she giggled, "Um... 'scuse me?"

Ellie got back up on her feet, but didn't look amused. Rainbow giggled again, "Here, let me help you."

She flew off and returned with a small raincloud. She jumped on top of it a few times, making the cloud rain on top of the human. Rainbow looked at her result. Ellie was soaked, skin, clothes and hair. Her expression didn't change, but I bet she felt slightly embarrassed.

"Oops. I guess I overdid it." The mare said, trying not to laugh. Then she suggested, "Umm... How about this?" She flew around my soaked study partner in great speed, creating a small tornado, "My very own, patterned, Rain-Blow Dry. No, no. Don't thank me. You're quite welcome." Rainbow said, as she landed and looked at the results.

Ellie's mane was in a large mess. She looked similar to a sad clown. Rainbow Dash burst into laughter, as Spike followed her, when he saw her 'new look'. I kept my composure.

"Let me guess. You're Rainbow Dash." I concluded, getting Rainbow Dash's attention.

She stopped laughing and stood up, "The one and only." She took off into the air and looked at me, "Why? You heard of me?"

"I heard you're supposed to be keeping the sky clear." I snapped, but I calmed down and smiled, "I'm Twilight Sparkle. And the Princess sent me to check on the weather."

"Yeah, yeah. That'll be a snap. I'll do it in a jiffy. Just as soon as I'm done practicing." Rainbow Dash told me, lounging on a cloud.

"Practicing for what?" I asked.

"The Wonderbolts! They're gonna perform at the Celebration tomorrow. And I'm gonna show them my stuff." Rainbow explained, flying to another cloud.

I smirked, "THE Wonderbolts?"

"Yup." Dash answered.

"The most talented fliers in all of Equestria?" I asked.

"That's them." Rainbow answered again.

"Please. They'd never accept a Pegasus, who can't keep the sky clear for one measly day." Ellie teased with a smile.

"Hey! I can clear the sky in ten seconds flat!" Rainbow defended.

"Prove it." Ellie dared.

Rainbow Dash gave her a look, and began flying around, kicking out every cloud in the sky. She flew very fast, that the wind picked up whenever she fly past us.

"Loop-de-loop around and wham!" She muttered, as she hit the last cloud. "What did I say? Ten seconds flat. I'd never leave Ponyville hanging." Dash gloated with a smile.

Spike and I had our mouths open from shock, while Ellie smiled and clapped her hands.

"You should see the look on your face." Rainbow Dash laughed, as she flew by behind me, "You're a laugh, Twilight Sparkle. I can't wait to hang out some more." With that, she flew away.

"Wow. She's amazing." Spike was able to say with a smile.

I gave him a blank look, as he began playing with the Ellie's messy hair, trying not to laugh.

I looked at Ellie with a genuine smile, "Thanks, for pushing me out of the way."

"It's no problem, Twi." Ellie replied, smiling back at me, then walking to the Town Hall.

I followed Ellie to the Town Hall. "Wait. It's kinda pretty once you get used to it." Spike lightened as he followed us.

As we entered the hall, Spike got the checklist out, "Decorations. Beautiful..." Spike said the last part love-struck. There were banners of ponies, the sun and the moon, colorful streamers and all sorts. It was very beautiful.

"Yes. The decor is coming in nicely. This oughta be quick. I'll be at the Library in no time. Beautiful indeed." I said, as we looked around the hall.

"I agree." Ellie said, with a small smile.

"Not the decor. Her." Spike replied, pointing to a unicorn mare.

She was 5 foot 7 inches tall with an elegant build. Her fur coat was a very pale grey, nearly white. And her mane and tail were purple-blue, wonderfully combed with a natural curl. She wore light blue eyeshadow over her darker blue eyes.

https://hioshirunsfw.tumblr.com/post/172694727108/another-one-it-was-hard-to-work-with-rara-cause

She wore a dark grey turtleneck and a pair of moderate grey pants. Her Cutie Mark patch was three diamonds located on her right hip.

The Unicorn mare was using her magic to pick out a colored ribbon, "No. No. No. Oh goodness no."

"How are my spines? Are they straight?" Spike asked, checking himself. I rolled my eyes, and walked to the unicorn.

"Good afternoon." I greeted her.

"Just a moment, please. I am in the zone, as it were." The unicorn told me, as she continued to looked at the colored ribbons. She smiled, and tied a red sparkly ribbon in a bow, around the pillar in front of her, "Ah, yes. Sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Why, Rarity, you are a talent."

She looked at me, "Now, um, how can we help yo-" She gasped in shock as she saw Ellie's messy hair, "Oh my stars, darling. Whatever happened to your coiffure?"

I looked at Eleanor with slight concern, "Oh, you mean her mane? It's a long story. We're just here to check on the decorations, and we'll be out of your hair." I reassured Rarity.

"Out of MY hair? What about HER hair?" Rarity asked, as she jumped behind me and started pushing Ellie to Carasol Boutique.

Spike and I followed, of course Spike used his tail to fly.

Silly love-struck dragon.

*A Little Later...*
Rarity sorted Ellie's hair. Then got her trying her new outfits for humans, as she judged them on her, "No, no, uh-uh. Too green. Too yellow. Too poofy. Not poofy enough. Too frilly. Too... shiny."

We stopped at a dress that made her look similar to a princess.

"Now go on, my dear. You were telling me where you're from." Rarity encouraged, as she tightened the corset of the last outfit.

Ellie struggled to breath as she spoke, "We've... been sent from... Canterlot... to-" Rarity stopped pulling with a gasp, causing Ellie to fall forward and bump into me, "Ow..."

"Canterlot? Oh, I am so envious! The glamor, the sophistication! I have always dreamed of living there! I can't wait to hear all about it!" Rarity smiled with glee and stars in her eyes. She got a little too close to me and Ellie, as she continued, "We are gonna be the best of friends, you and I..."

Then she looked at the emerald on the chest of Ellie's corset, "Emeralds?! What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!" And she walked off.

I quickly took hold of Ellie's hand, "Quick! Before she decides to dye your hair a new color!" I told her and Spike, dashing out of the boutique.

Spike sighed, as I picked him up and placed him over my shoulders.

*Outside Ponyville...*
"Wasn't she wonderful?" Spike asked, still love-struck and thinking about Rarity.

"It was very generous of her to fix my hair." Ellie smiled. She was back in her casual outfit.

"Focus, Casanova. What's next on the list?" I told and asked Spike.

Spike cleared his throat and looked at the Checklist, "Oh, uh, music. It's the last one."

I smiled, then we heard a group of birds singing. Spike, Ellie and I went to investigate and saw a yellow pegasus mare. Her back was facing us, so we couldn't see her face.

She was 5 foot 2 inches tall with a delicate feel to her build, from what we can see. Her mane, feathers and tail were pink.

She wore a light green sundress and matching fingerless gloves. Her Cutie Mark Patch was three pink butterflies on a light blue sash around her waist. So graceful and gentle.

The pegasus was conducting music with a bunch of birds. A blue jay was a little out of rhythm, so the Pegasus kindly told him.

"Hello." I greeted, accidently startling the pegasus, and scaring the birds away.

The pegasus looked at me and Eleanor. Her eyes were a light blue and were hooded, to add to her delicate figure.

https://hioshirunsfw.tumblr.com/post/172717203633/cute-and-petite-fluttershy

"Oh, I'm very sorry for my friend, here. We didn't mean to startle you." Eleanor apologised, "We're just here to check on the music, and it's sounding beautiful."

The pegasus landed, scuffed her hoof, and avoided eye-contact, not saying a word.

I gave her a nervous smile, "I'm Twilight Sparkle."

The pegasus still said nothing.

"My name is Eleanor." Ellie introduced herself in a gentle tone.

"What's your name?" I asked.

The pegasus spoke in a soft, and very quiet voice, so I couldn't hear her.

Eleanor nodded with a smile, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I'm sorry. What was that?" I asked her, getting closer, so I could her hear her.

She spoke again, but more quietly and backed away a little.

"Didn't quite catch that." I told her.

The pegasus backed away again, and squeaked. The birds came back.

"Well, um, it looks like your birds are back. So, I guess everything's in order. Keep up the good work." I encouraged the pegasus.

She squeaked in reply.

"Okay." I told her, walking off.

Spike walked out of the bushes with a smile.

"Well, that was easy." I told him with a smile of my own.

I heard a gasp from behind me, "A baby dragon."

The pegasus charged from behind me and stopped in front of Spike, making me and Ellie fly a few feet away from them, "Ow..."

"Oh. I've never seen a baby dragon before. He's so cute." The pegasus said, staring at Spike with a sweet smile.

"Well, well, well...!" Spike said with a cheeky smile, and crossed his arms.

"Oh my, he talks. I didn't know dragons could talk. That's just so incredibly wonderful, I just don't know what to say." The pegasus said cheerfully, hovering during the last part.

Eleanor recovered and smiled, "Heh. I didn't know you had a thing for animals."

The pegasus smiled back at her, "Oh, yes. I love all animals. Big and small."

I grabbed Spike's hand, "Well, in that case, we'd better be going."

I began walking off, as Ellie followed me, by my side.

But the pegasus followed to talk to Spike, "Wait, wait. What's his name?"

"I'm Spike." Spike introduced himself.

"Hi, Spike. I'm Fluttershy. Wow, a talking dragon. And what do dragons talk about?" The pegasus, Fluttershy, introduced and asked Spike.

"What do you wanna know?" Spike asked.

"Absolutely everything." Fluttershy answered with a smile. I groaned in frustration and annoyance.

"Well, I started out as cute little purple and green egg..." Spike began telling his story to Fluttershy.

*Later, Outside the Library...*
"...And that's the story of my whole entire life. Well, up until today." Spike finished his story, then asked Fluttershy, who followed us all the way, "Do you wanna hear about today?"

"Oh, yes please." Fluttershy insisted. I quickly turned to face Fluttershy and faked a smile.

"I am so sorry. How did we get here so fast? This is where I'm staying while in Ponyville. And my poor baby dragon needs his sleep." I lied to Fluttershy.

"No I don't." Spike shot back, but I tripped him over with my tail, making it look like he fell.

"Awww... wook at dat. He's so sweepy, he can't even keep his widdle bawance." I said in a baby tone. Spike and Ellie gave me a glare.

Fluttershy picked Spike up, "Poor thing. You simply must get into bed." She flew into the library, but I stopped her and pushed her out.

"Yes, yes, we'll get right on that. Well g'night." I told Fluttershy, as Ellie walked into the library.

I slammed the door closed and locked. It was very dark in the library.

"Rude much?" Ellie asked me with folded arms.

"Sorry, guys. But I have to convince the Princess that Nightmare Moon is coming, and we're running out of time! I just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time." I explained.

I realized how dark it was and began looking around, "Now, where's the light?"

The light was switched on, and everypony was in the library yelling, "Surprise!!!"

I groaned in annoyance.

"Surprise!" The pink mare from before shouted with a large smile on her face.

"Hi. I'm Pinkie Pie. And we threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Huh huh huh?" The pink mare introduced, then asked me, jumping all over the place.

"Very surprised. Libraries are supposed to be quiet!" I told her, saying the last part in extreme annoyance.

"Well, that's silly! What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean, duh, bo-ring!" The pony, Pinkie Pie started chatting, as I went off to get a quick drink. "Y'see, I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all "hello" and I was all... " Pinkie Pie took a deep gasp, then continued, "Remember? Y'see I've never saw you before and if I've never saw you before that means you're new, 'cause I know everypony, and I mean everypony in Ponyville!"

I groaned a little. I stopped at the drink table, and started pouring some juice, from the red bottle, into a cup. I think Eleanor was about to try and say something, because I heard her draw a blank.

Pinkie Pie continued with her story, "And if you're new, that meant you haven't met anyone yet, and if you haven't met anyone yet, you must not have any friends, and if you don't have any friends then you must be lonely, and that made me so sad, then I had an idea, and that's why I went ...!" Pinkie Pie took a deep gasp again, "I must throw a great big ginormous super-duper spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville! See? And now you have lots and lots of friends!"

Suddenly, my throat and tongue felt very hot. I stopped drinking, and turned to see everypony. I tried to say something, but the burning sensation in my throat and tongue got hotter and hotter.

"Are ya alright, sugarcube?" Applejack asked me.

My mane and tail burst into flames, as I jumped into the air, from the heat in my mouth and dashed to the washroom.

"Aww! She's so happy, she's crying." Pinkie Pie said with that huge smile plastered on her face.

*Later, that night...*
I was in my room, trying to get think of a way to convince Princess Celestia that Nightmare Moon is coming. But, Pinkie Pie's party's loud music was too distracting. I looked at the clock and moaned.

I know for a fact that Ellie wasn't participating in Pinkie's party. She hates loud noises and big crowds. Add them all together and you've got a party.

The door opened, making the music louder than it should be, and Spike entered my room, with a lampshade over his head.

"Hey, Twilight. Pinkie Pie's starting 'Pin-The-Tail-On-The-Pony.' Wanna play?" Spike asked, lifting the lampshade so he can see me.

"No!! All the ponies in this town are CRAZY! Do you know what time it is?" I snapped at Spike, then asked him, looking at my clock again.

"It's the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration. Everypony has to stay up, or they'll miss the Princess raise the sun." Spike answered with a smile, then his smile faded, "You really should lighten up, Twilight. It's a party." After that, Spike left.

I mocked his words in a squeaky voice, then sighed in frustration, "Ugh, here I thought I'd have time to learn about the Elements of Harmony but, silly me, all this ridiculous friend-making has kept me from it!"

Then, I heard a voice singing, coming from the balcony,

'Ask not the Sun,
Why She sets,
Why She shrouds her light away.
Or why She hides her glowing gaze,
When Night turns crimson gold to grey....'

I got out of my bed and looked out my window, to look at the balcony. I saw a shadow of a figure singing to the moon. Its voice was soft and pure.

'For silent falls the guilty Sun,
As day to dark does turn.
One simple truth, She dare not speak,
Her light can only blind and burn.'

The figure stopped singing and looked at me. It's eyes were glowing a brilliant scarlet. I gasped, then it ran away. I sighed and looked at the moon. There was a shape of a mare's head, and four stars were circling around it, getting closer to the moon, as they circled.

"'Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about everlasting night.'" I reprised, as I looked at the moon again.

"I hope the Princess was right... I hope it is just an old ponytale." I told myself. The door opened again and it was Spike again.

"C'mom, Twilight. It's time to see the sun rise." He told me. As everypony left the party and ran to the Town Hall.

*Later, inside the Town Hall...*
Everypony gathered around the grand stage, as we waited for the mayor, Mayor Mare, to introduced the coming of the celebration. Pinkie Pie dashed right next to me.

"Isn't this exciting? Are you excited? 'Cause I'm excited, I've never been so excited-- well, except for the time that I saw you walking into town and I went..." Pinkie took a deep gasp, then continued, "But I mean really, who can top that?"

I noticed Ellie was staring at the moon. Like she was entranced by something.

Fluttershy's birds sang their song, as a spotlight shone upon Mayor Mare, an adult, light brown pony with white mane and tail, wearing glasses and a business attire and tie.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts. As the Mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration." The Mayor announced. Everypony cheered in joy.

"In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year." The Mayor continued, as I looked at the moon. I saw the stars enter the moon, and the mare formation disappeared. I held my breath.

"And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria..." The Mayor began the introduction of Princess Celestia.

I saw Fluttershy look at her birds with a smile.

"Princess Celestia." The Mayor finished, as Rarity pulled the rope, Fluttershy's birds sang, and the curtains revealed to show nothing.

"Huh?" Rarity exclaimed, as she noticed and began to look backstage.

"This can't be good." I told myself, as everypony began to mumble to themselves.

"Remain calm, everypony. There must be a reasonable explanation." Mayor Mare told everypony, as they went quiet.

Pinkie Pie jumped in excitement, "Ooh, ooh. I love guessing games! Is she hiding?" She asked, as she began looking around.

Rarity returned with a shocked look on her face, "She's gone."

Everypony gasped in shock and horror.

"Ooooh. She's good." Pinkie said with a smile, until she yelped loudly.

A mist of dark blue and stars appeared on the balcony. Everypony was tense and began muttering. I held my breath in fear.

"Oh no." I grimaced, as the mist took the form of a young adult alicorn.

The alicorn was covered in black fur. Her eyes were turquoise with a menacing glare. Ethereal mane and tail that looked like the night sky. She wore an indigo Greek dress with dark blue armour. Her Cutie Mark Patch was splodge of night sky with a crescent moon on her right hip.

"Nightmare Moon."

Spike gasped and fainted.

"Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious, little, sun-loving faces." Nightmare Moon greeted, with an evil smile on her dark face. Ellie was the only one that didn't show fear. It was like she knew Nightmare Moon, or something like that.

"What have you done with our Princess!!?" Rainbow Dash asked her in a 'demanding to know' tone. She dashed to fight Nightmare Moon, but Applejack was able to catch her by the tail.

"Whoa there, Nelly." Applejack calmed.

Nightmare Moon chuckled. "Why, am I not royal enough for you? Do you know who I am?" She asked with a serious look replacing her smile.

"Ooh, ooh. More guessing games. Um, Hokey Smokes. How about... Queen Meanie? No. Black Snooty. Black Snoot-" Pinkie Pie guessed with a cheerful smile, but Applejack put an apple in her mouth, to stop her from talking.

Nightmare Moon stared at Fluttershy, as she asked, "Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?" Then, she flew to Rarity, "Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?"

"I did!" I spoke up, catching everypony's attention, including Nightmare Moon's.

"You're the Mare in the Moon. Nightmare Moon." I finished. Everypony gasped in shock and fear.

Nightmare Moon chuckled again, "Well, well, well. Somepony who remembers me. Then you must know why I here."

"You're here to..." I tried to answer, but I couldn't bring myself to finish. "To..." I gulped in fear.

"Remember this day, little ponies. For it will be your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!" Nightmare Moon announced, laughing evilly, as thunder and lightning flashed and crashed. Her mane and tail flew upward, forming a small tornado over her head.

To be continued...

The Ticket Master

Eleanor's POV.
It was just before noon, in Sweet Apple Acres, as Applejack, Twilight and I just finished picking for the Golden Delicious apples. Of course, Applejack asked us and Twilight and I had no schedule today.

Spike was looking through the apples, for a snack, "No. Nope. Nope--"

"Thank yah both kindly, Twilight, for helping me out. Ah bet Big McIntosh Ah could get all these Golden Delicious in the barn by lunchtime. If Ah win, he's gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of Granny's girdles." Applejack thanked, giggling on the last part, which caused me to giggle on the thought.

"No problem at all, Applejack. I'm glad the goal is lunchtime. All this hard work is making me hungry." Twilight said with a smile on her face.

"I know, right?" Spike added, accidently throwing an apple over Twilight's head. Twilight glared at him.

"Puh-leez, Spike, you've been lounging on my back all morning while we worked." Twilight pointed out, putting emphasis on the 'we'. As we walked back to the barn.

"Exactly. You three are taking so long, I missed snack-time." Spike explained.

I rolled my eyes at him, in humor.

As Spike continued looking through the apples, Twilight's stomach growled in hunger. She laughed nervously, "Eh, I guess we better get some food."

"Nope. Worm. A-ha!" Spike said as he searched, until he found a large, bright red apple.

Twilight licked her lips at the sight of the apple, "Oh Spike, that looks delicious." However, Spike ate the apple. Twilight glared, "Spike!"

Spike looked at Twilight, and swallowed before speaking, "What?" Then, he put his claws over his stomach and burped out a green flame, which transformed into a scroll.

"It's a letter from Princess Celestia." Twilight identified as Spike opened the scroll.

He clears his throat and read, "'Hear ye, hear ye. Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce The Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st day of, eh... Yadda, yadda, yadda... Cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest.'"

"The Grand Galloping Gala!" Twilight and Applejack shouted in excitement.

I put my hood over my head. I'm not very fond of parties. Including the annual Great Galloping Gala. High society Ponies mingling, talking about businesses, casting down the lower classes. *Shudders*

"Woo-hoo!" Applejack cheered as she and Twilight jumped around together in joy.

Spike silently gagged, then burped up two golden tickets from his fire breath, "Look, two tickets."

"Wow, great! I've never been to the gala. Have you, Spike?" Twilight said, then asked Spike.

"No, and I plan to keep it that way. I don't want any of that girly, frilly, frou-frou nonsense." Spike answered, lying through his teeth.

His lie made me giggle lightly and give him a look, "And who said it was girl-y and frou-frou?"

Twilight smiled, "Aw, come on Spike. A dance would be nice."

"Nice? It's a heap good more than just nice. Ah'd love to go." Applejack told Twilight, before going into her dream land, "Land sakes, if Ah had an apple stand set up, ponies would be chowin' our tasty vittles till the cows came home. Do yah have any idea how much business Ah could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why, with all that money, we could do a heap of fixin' up 'round here. We could replace that saggy old roof, and Big McIntosh could replace that saggy old plow, and Granny Smith could replace that saggy old hip."

Applejack returned to reality, "Why, Ah'd give my left hind leg to go to that gala."

"Oh, well in that case, would you like to--" Twilight began to ask, before I felt tense and pushed her and Applejack back a few steps. "Ellie, what was-"

"Whoa!" We heard Rainbow Dash shout, until she fell from the tree on the other side of the fence, and crashed on top of me. "Ow..."

"Ugh. Are we talking about The Grand Galloping Gala?" Rainbow asked, putting landing on me behind her.

"Rainbow, could you... Maybe... I dunno... GET OFF ME?" I asked Rainbow, struggling to breathe.

Rainbow looked at me and quickly hopped off me, "Oh, I'm sorry. Ellie. You should've said something."

I stood up, dusted myself off and glared at her. I said 'ow' and 'get off'. What else could I say? 'Quack'?

"Rainbow Dash, you told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples. What were you busy doing, spyin'?" Applejack told and asked Rainbow, annoyed from her lying from before.

"No, I was busy napping, and I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket?" Rainbow answered, then asked Twilight with a huge smile on her face. I shook my head, knowing where this was going.

"Yeah, but--" Twilight tried to answer, but Rainbow cut her off.

"YES! This is so awesome. The Wonderbolts perform at The Grand Galloping Gala every year. I can see it now." Rainbow Dash went into her dream world, "Everyone would be watching the sky. Their eyes riveted on The Wonderbolts, but then in would fly, Rainbow Dash! I would draw their attention with my Super Speed Strut. Then, I would mesmerize 'em with my Fantastic Filly Flash. And for my grand finale, The Buccaneer Blaze! The ponies would go wild! The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine, and then welcome me as their newest member."

Rainbow left her dream world and looked at Twilight, "Don't you see, Twilight? This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff. You gotta take me!"

Applejack pulled Rainbow away from Twilight by her tail, "Hold on just one pony pickin' minute here." She let of Rainbow's tail before continuing, "I asked for that ticket first."

Rainbow glared at Applejack, "So? That doesn't mean you own it."

Applejack glared back, "Oh, yeah? Well I challenge you to an arm-wrestle. Winner gets the ticket."

With that said, Rainbow Dash and Applejack went to a tree-stump and locked hands. Both struggled to overpower each other, but Twilight got in between them.

"Girls, these are my tickets, I'll decide who gets it, thank you very much. Whoever has the best reason to go should get the ticket, don't you think?" Twilight told them.

Applejack dashed in front of Rainbow, "Drummin' up business for the farm?"

Rainbow dashed in front of Applejack, "A chance to audition for The Wonderbolts?"

"Money t' fix Granny's hip."

"Living the dream."

Twilight got a little lost, "Oh my, those were all pretty good reasons, aren't they?" Her stomach growled again. She chuckled, "Listen to that, I am starving. I don't know about you, but I can't make important decisions on an empty stomach, so I'll, uh, think about it over lunch and get back to you two, okay?" Spike hopped onto Twilight's back, and we walked off to Ponyville to get some lunch.

"Okay." Applejack and Rainbow agreed with a sad tone. Then, they resumed their arm-wrestle.

I felt Twilight look at me, "Why aren't you asking for the ticket, Ellie?"

I removed my hood and gave her a light smile, "I don't want to go with just one of my friends, Twilight. If all my friends are going, I'm going too." Twilight smiled at me. Then my smile went serious, "But, I must warn you, Twi. Like the Leprechauns of my world, you're holding something everyone wants. Best to keep this quiet, until you make your mind up."

Twilight nodded in understanding, and we continued to walk to the town.

*Later, in Ponyville...*
"So, who you gonna give the ticket to, Twilight?" Spike asked, as we were walking down the town.

"I don't know Spike, but I really can't think straight when I'm hungry, so where should we eat?" Twilight answered, then stated thinking.

I gasped, as I sensed a lot of pink, and pushed Twilight aside. Suddenly, Pinkie Pie dashed out of Sugarcube Corner and crashed into me. However, she caused me to crash into Twilight and Spike. The crash caused Spike to drop the tickets on to Pinkie's nose.

"You really need to stop doing that." Twilight told me.

I gave her an apologetic look, "Sorry. Force of habit."

Pinkie noticed the tickets and screamed, "Gah! Bats! Bats on my face! Help!" She stopped and got a better look, "Wait, these aren't... tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?! It's the most amazing incredible tremendous super-fun wonderful terrifically humongous party in all of Equestria! I've always, always, always wanted to go!"

Pinkie went into her dream world and began singing,

'Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Hip hip
Hooray!
It's the best place for me
For Pinkie...'

She began on the decorations and food, "With decorations like streamers and fairy-lights and pinwheels and piñatas and pin-cushions. With goodies like sugar cubes and sugar canes and sundaes and sun-beams and sarsaparilla. And I get to play my favorite-est of favorite fantabulous games like Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Pony!"

Then, she started singing again,

'Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
'Cause it's the most galarrific superly-terrific gala ever
In the whole galaxy
Wheee!!'

Pinkie returned to reality and began jumping around Twilight and I, "Oh thank you Twilight, it's the most wonderful-est gift ever." Pinkie batted her eyes rapidly.

Spike picked up the tickets, as Twilight began to explain, "Um, actually--"

Suddenly, we heard a gasp from behind Spike. It was Rarity, "Are these what I think they are?"

"Uh--" Twilight was lost for words.

I face-palmed and shook my head in annoyance. Here we go. So much for trying to keep the tickets quiet.

"Yes, yes, yes! Twilight's taking me to The Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot." Pinkie answered with a large grin on her face.

Rarity smiled in excitement, "The gala? I design ensembles for the gala every year, but I've never had the opportunity to attend. Oh, the society, the culture, the glamor! It's where I truly belong, and where I'm destined to meet Him."

"Him!" Pinkie joined, then got confused and asked, "Who?"

"Him." Rarity explained, as she entered her dream world too, "I would stroll through the gala, and everyone would wonder, 'Who is that mysterious mare?' They would never guess that I was just a simple pony from little old Ponyville. Why, I would cause such a sensation that I would be invited for an audience with Princess Celestia herself, and the princess would be so taken with the style and elegance that she would introduce me to him, her nephew: the most handsome, eligible unicorn stallion in Canterlot. Our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt. Our courtship would be magnificent. He would ask for my hoof in marriage, and of course I would say, 'Yes!' We would have a royal wedding, befitting a princess, which is..." She giggled, "What I would become upon marrying him, the stallion of my dreams."

Rarity left her dream world and looked at Twilight, "Twilight, I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie so she can... party, and prevent me from meeting my true love. How could you? Hmph."

"Rarity, are you crazy? Prince Blueblood?" I asked in astonishment, "He's.... He's... He's..." I couldn't bring myself to finish.

"Perfect? Yes, I know." Rarity smiled at me.

"Hey!" Spike shouted, as a white rabbit, Angel, took the tickets from Spike's hand and took them to show Fluttershy.

Fluttershy gasped, "Angel, these are perfect."

Twilight got her voice back and spoke up, "Uh, listen guys, I haven't decided who to give the extra ticket to."

"You haven't?" Pinkie and Rarity asked in unison. Pinkie was frowning, and Rarity was smiling.

Fluttershy spoke up, catching everypony's attention, "Um, excuse me, Twilight. I would just like to ask, I mean, if it would be alright, if you haven't given it to someone else--"

"You? You want to go to the gala?" Rarity asked in disbelief.

"Oh, no." Fluttershy answered. However, Angel thumped her hoof, "I mean, yes, or, actually, kind of." She entered her dream world, "You see, it's not so much The Grand Galloping Gala as it is the wondrous private gated garden that surrounds the dance. The flowers are said to be the most beautiful and fragrant in all of Equestria. For the night of the gala, and that night alone, would they all be in bloom... and that's just the flora! Don't get me started on the fauna. There's loons and toucans and bitterns, oh my! Hummingbirds that can really hum, and buzzards that can really buzz. White-blue jays, and red jays, and green jays, pink jays and pink flamingos!"

Fluttershy returned to reality, floating in mid-air, and hugging Angel. This made me smile.

Twilight looked very unsure, "Gee, Fluttershy, it sounds... beautiful?"

I put my hands together with stars in my eyes, "I'd be more than happy to show you around, Flutters."

"Wait just a minute." Rainbow voice broke the silence. We looked up and saw Rainbow Dash above our heads.

"Rainbow Dash, were you following us?" Twilight asked, in pure annoyance.

"No. I mean, yes. I mean, maybe. Look, it doesn't matter. I couldn't risk a goody-two-shoes like you giving that ticket away to just anybody." Rainbow Dash asked, slightly lying through her teeth.

"Wait just another minute." Applejack spoke up from behind us.

"Applejack, were you following us too?" Twilight asked, as Applejack walked toward Rainbow.

"No. Ah was followin' this one to make sure she didn't try any funny business. Still trying to take mah ticket." Applejack answered, with pure honesty. Of course, hissing the last part.

"Your ticket?" Rainbow asked, putting emphasis on 'your'.

Pinkie Pie joined in, "But Twilight's taking me."

The ponies began to argue over the ticket, and who should get it. Getting louder and more into a riot.

Twilight was starting to feel the pressure. She closed her eyes, put her hands over her eyes and curled up into a ball.

Not wanting my best friend in this state, I shouted at the top of my lungs, "STOOOOOP!!!"

Everypony stopped, except for Pinkie, "And then I said, 'Oatmeal, are you craz--' Oh." Pinkie stopped talking.

"Girls, there's no use in arguing." I told everypony.

"But Ellie-" Rarity began, but I cut her off, "Ah! This is Twilight's decision, and I'm gonna make sure she makes it on her own. And right now, she certainly can't think straight with all this noise..."

Twilight stood up and smiled at me, then her stomach growled again, "Not to mention hunger. Now go on. Shoo!"

Everypony left Twilight and I alone, grumbling a little as they went.

Twilight tried to reassure them, "And don't worry, I'll figure this out... somehow."

*Later, at a restaurant...*
"Thanks for helping me back there, Ellie." Twilight thanked me with a smile.

I smiled back, "That's what friends are for."

Then she sighed, "What am I gonna do? All five of my best friends have really good reasons to go to the gala." Twilight summarized in great confusion, as she started picking petals from a flower, "Applejack, or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy, Rarity... Oh, who should go with me?"

Her stomach growled again, so she ate the petals.

"Have you made your decision?" The waiter asked, in a strong French accent.

Out of frustration, Twilight shouted, "I CAN'T DECIDE!"

"Twilight, he just wants to take your order." Spike clarified, pointing to his menu.

Twilight blushed a little, "Oh. I would love a chicken salad sandwich."

"Do you have any rubies?" Spike asked the waiter, but he got a glare. "No? Okay. I'll have the hay fries, extra crispy."

The waiter looked at me. "Jambon-beurre, s'il vous plait (Please)." I requested.

The waiter nodded his head, took Spike's menu and left our table.

(A/N: To keep up the fact that there were humans in Equestria, among the Ponies, I thought I'd take a page out of EarthSong9405's Book of Gaia. Making the Anthro Ponies evolved into omnivores.)

Twilight sighed, "What do you think, Spike?"

"I think we have to try another restaurant. I mean, I like grass just fine, but would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstones?" Spike answered, then asked in a rhetorical tone.

"I mean about the gala and the ticket and who I should take." Twilight simplified.

Spike pinched the bridge of his nose, "Oh. You're still on that?"

"Spike, listen. How do I choose? And when I do choose, will the other four be mad at me? I mean, I could give up my ticket and give away two, but that would still leave three disappointed ponies. What if I--" Twilight began to panic, until our food arrived.

"Ah, your food." The waiter delivered our orders. Spike began eating his hay fries. I quietly ate my jambon-beurre. I have to say, the food in Equestria is not bad.

"Oh thank you. This looks so good. I'm sure everything will be much clearer once I eat." Twilight said with delight. She was about to take a bite, but paused when she noticed the ponies running inside.

"Em, madames? Are you going to eat your food in ze rain?" The waiter asked.

"It's not raining." Twilight said, until she looked around. It was raining, but not on us. "What's going on?" She asked.

"Hi there, best friend forever I've ever, ever had. Enjoying the sunny weather?" Rainbow greeted, then asked us with a big grin on her face, popping out of the hole, in the large rain cloud, right above us.

"Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?" Twilight asked, getting annoyed.

"Whaddya you mean? I just saw the smartest, most generous pony about to get rained on, so I thought I'd kick a hole in the clouds to keep her dry so she could dine in peace, that's all." Rainbow answered with the grin plastered on her face.

"You've got to be kidding..." I sighed in a deadpan tone.

Twilight raised an eyebrow, "Rainbow, you're not trying to get extra consideration for the extra ticket by doing me extra special favors, are you?"

Rainbow played innocent, "Me? No, no, no, of course not."

"Uh-huh." Twilight nodded.

"Seriously, I'd do it for any pony." Rainbow admitted, but everypony was still running for shelter. "Heh, heh, eh." Rainbow chuckled nervously.

"Rainbow, I am not comfortable accepting unwanted favors, so I'd appreciate it if you close up that rain cloud right now." Twilight told Rainbow in pure annoyance.

Rainbow Dash sighed, "Ugh, fine." With that, she closed the hole. However, the cloud was still dark grey.

Twilight smiled, "That's better." However, rain poured over her, ruining our lunch, and before she could take a bite. Twilight growled in annoyance.

"Twilight, it's raining." Rarity arrived, under one of her umbrellas.

"No, really?" Twilight asked in full sarcasm.

"Come with me before you catch a cold." Rarity insisted, dragging Twilight to her shop. Spike and I followed closely.

As we arrived, Twilight shook the rain out of her coat, but accidently soaked me and Rarity.

"Heh, heh, oops, sorry." Twilight apologised, chuckling slightly. Rarity looked annoyed and cross. I just laughed it off.

Rarity calmed and smiled, "Oh no, it's quite alright. After all, we are... the best of friends, are we not? And you know what the best of friends do?"

Twilight drew a blank, "Uh..."

I flinched in knowing what's going to happen.

"Makeovers!" Rarity called in cheer, as she and Twilight were hidden behind a changing door.

I could hear Twilight mutter from all the noise, "Ugh, Rarity, ow, this really isn't fixing it. I mean, thank you but, ooh, that's too tight."

Rarity removed the door to reveal Twilight wearing a light blue dress with a gem encrusted trim and a blonde lock for detail. "There. Oh, you're simply darling." Rarity smiled.

Twilight looked at the saddle and smiled, "Uh, yeah, it is kinda pretty, isn't it?"

I face-palmed and shook my head, and Spike gagged.

Rarity looked at Spike with smile, "And you. Oh Spike, I have a dandy little outfit for the dashing gent." Then, Rarity called the door again.

"D-ah, ow, oh, hey, wow, watch it, whoa!" I heard Spike shout, from the noise. The door was removed again, to reveal Spike in a purple, Victorian squire uniform. Spike sulked.

"Oh, Spike." Twilight giggled, along with me.

"Now you just need a hat." Rarity added, placing a black hat with golden trimmings. Then she looked at me, "Ellie. I have just the outfit for you."

I backed away and warned with a glare, "You stick one pin in me, and I'll make you wish you've never met me."

Rarity nervously giggled and stepped away from me.

"Ugh, I told you, I don't want any part of this girly gala gunk, see you back at the library." Spike told us, rushing out of the store, leaving the outfit behind.

Rarity laughed a little, "Oh, who needs him anyway." Rarity put a mirror in front of Twilight, before she continued, "This is all about you, and how fabulous you'll look at The Grand Galloping Gala."

"Wait, The Grand--" Twilight began, but Rarity cut her off.

"And oh, my goodness, what a coincidence. I happen to have an ensemble of my own that matches yours to a T. We would be the belles of the ball, you and I. Everyone would be clamoring for our attention. All eyes would be on us, and then everyone would finally know, the most beautiful, most talented, most sophisticated pony in all of Equestria is Rarity the Unicorn."

Rarity realised what she said, and nervously laughed, "Ah, and Twilight Sparkle, of course."

Twilight stared at Rarity with annoyance and anger, "I see what's going on. You're just buttering me up so I give you the extra ticket. Well it's not gonna work. You're going to have to wait for my decision just like everyone else." She took off the dress, before she continued, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've been trying all day just to get some lunch."

Applejack appeared at the door, with a smile on her face, "Did somepony say lunch?"

Applejack grabbed Twilight's hand and lead her outside. Where a large cart of apple treats were piled up in.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Twilight smiled.

"Ah got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, apple dumplings, apple crisps, apple cobblers, and apple Brown Betty." Applejack enlisted, until she realised what she said last, "Uh, the dessert, not mah auntie. What do yah say there, best friend?"

Twilight's stomach growled, and her smile turned into a look of pure annoyance.

"Is that a yes?" Applejack asked. I tilted my head when I realised that Applejack's aura had little to no obsession over the extra ticket.

"No. No. I don't know who I'm giving the ticket to, and all these favors aren't making it any easier to decide. In fact, I'm less sure now than I was this morning. Ugh!" Twilight shouted, and ran off.

"So, that's a maybe?" Applejack asked in slight confusion.

*Later, outside the library...*
"Ugh, I never thought being showered with favors would be so aggravating." Twilight moaned in annoyance.

I nodded my head in understanding. I opened the door, and to our surprise, Fluttershy and some animals were cleaning the library.

"You have got to be kidding me!" I shouted in frustration.

Twilight gasped, "Fluttershy, not you too?"

Fluttershy saw us, "Oh, well, hello Twilight. I hope you don't mind, but we're all doing a little spring cleaning for you."

"It's summer." Twilight corrected.

"Oh, well, better late than never, right? It was Angel's idea." Fluttershy explained, as Angel was mixing a salad.

"You're not doing this for the ticket, are you?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh no, I'm doing this because you're my very best friend. Right Angel?" Fluttershy replied, then asked Angel, who gave her a glare. "Oh, yes, we are just doing this for the ticket." She corrected.

Twilight had enough, "No, no, no! Well, this was all very nice of you and Angel, but I'm not accepting any extra favors until I've made my final decision, so I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Twilight told Fluttershy, opening and pointing to the door.

Outside was bunch of ponies, with Pinkie Pie. This isn't gonna end well.

"SURPRISE!" The ponies shouted, as Pinkie Pie grabbed Twilight and began throwing her into the air.

'Twilight is my bestest friend
Whoopie, whoopie!'

"Pinkie..." Twilight said, trying to get the pony's attention.

'She's the cutest, smartest, all around best pony, pony!'

"Pinkie." Twilight tried again.

'I bet if I throw a super-duper fun party, party!'

"Pinkie!"

'She'll give her extra ticket to the Gala to me!

"PIIINKIIIE!!" I shouted, having enough of everypony harassing Twilight. The ponies let her drop to the ground.

"Yes, Nellie?" Pinkie asked, batting her eyelashes.

I helped Twilight up, as I answered, "At least the other ponies tried to be subtle about the ticket."

"Wait, what ticket? What Gala?" A pony asked. I shiver ran down my spine. Uh-oh...

"Oh, you didn't know? Twilight has an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!" Pinkie Pie told the other ponies.

"The Grand Galloping Gala?" The ponies asked in unison.

All the ponies began giving us extra special favors, out of nowhere.

"Would you like any help with your gardening?" A pony said, holding a plant.

"I have a cartload of extra carrots." Another pony offered.

The offers continued, and Twilight, Spike and I were surrounded.

"What are we gonna do?" Spike asked in a slight panic.

"We're... gonna... run!" Twilight answered, shouting the last part, then we dashed off.

The ponies followed us all over Ponyville. We tried hiding behind Applejack's cart, but the ponies found us in two seconds. Twilight, Spike and I ran half-way through Ponyville, to get disguises to fool the ponies. Twilight was a mid-aged mother, Spike was a baby, in a crib, and I was the concerned, but very proud aunt. The ponies ran past us, without noticing. Twilight gave me a concerned look.

My warning was right. I hate that!

We ran the other directions, but the ponies found out in seconds. Twilight, Spike and I hid under the bridge. The ponies past us again, but Spike lost his grip and fell into the river. Twilight picked him up and we ran again. The splash caught the ponies' attention.

We tried disguising ourselves as mannequins, but the ponies caught on after running past us again. They continued to chase us, until we were caught in an alley.

The offerings just kept coming. The pressure was overwhelming. The pressure caused Twilight to teleport us back to the library, without warning.

When we reappeared, Spike and I were all slightly burnt up, and a tad bit dizzy. Never teleported before.

"Ugh, warn me next time you're gonna do that." He advised Twilight.

"I didn't even know it was gonna happen." Twilight answered, then quickly ordered, "Now quick, lock the doors."

We all did so. Twilight was blowing out the lights, as Spike and I locked every door in the library. Once it was dark and quiet, we relaxed in relief. Until I felt a tense tingle up my spine, as the lights were switched back on and our friends were of the windowsill, smiling.

Twilight snapped under the pressure, "Yaaaargh! I can't decide, I just can't decide. It's important to all of you and I just can't stand to disappoint any of you. And giving me gifts and doing me favors won't make any difference, because you're all my friends and I wanna make you all happy and I can't, I just can't!"

With that, Twilight curled up into a ball, with her hands over her ears, and tears welling up in her eyes. The ponies looked at Twilight in concern.

I stroked Twilight's back and gave them a disappointed stare. They started this, now they fix it!

Applejack was the first to speak up, "Twilight, sugar, Ah didn't mean to put so much pressure on yah." She stroked Twilight's hair, "And if it helps, Ah don't want the ticket anymore. Yah can give it to somepony else. Ah won't feel bad, Ah promise."

"Me too. I feel just awful that I made you feel so awful." Fluttershy apologised.

"And me too. It's no fun upsetting your friends." Pinkie sulked.

Rarity nodded, "Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did."

Rainbow Dash smiled and cheered, "Yes! That means the ticket is mine. Ha ha!" She started dancing and singing, "I got the ticket, I got the ticket-"

Rainbow noticed the rest of us giving her a look. I glared at her, "Rainbow..."

Can she let go of her pride and think about others, for once?

Rainbow thought for a second and spoke up, "You know, I haven't perfected my signature moves for The Wonderbolts anyway. I don't need that ticket either."

Applejack nodded, "We all got so gun-ho about goin' to the Gala, that we couldn't see how un-gun-ho we were makin' you."

"We're sorry, Twilight." The Ponies apologized in unison.

Twilight got out of her little ball and smiled at her friends. She said to Spike, "Spike, take down a note."

Spike got a pen and parchment and started writing Twilight's words,

"Dear Princess Celestia,

I've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there's not enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful." She put the two golden tickets into Spike's scroll, "So, though I appreciate the invitation, I will be returning both tickets to The Grand Galloping Gala."

I smiled, while the other Ponies looked at her in confusion, "What?!"

"Just like what Ellie said to me this morning, if my friends can't all go, I don't wanna go either." Twilight answered with a smile.

"Twilight, yah don't have to do that." Applejack pleaded.

Twilight shook her head, "Nope. I've made up my mind." She looked at Spike, "Spike, you can send the letter now."

Spike opened the window and sent the letter with his fire breath.

Fluttershy looked back at Twilight, "Now you won't get to go to the Gala either."

Twilight smiled, "It's okay girls. I couldn't possibly enjoy myself without my best friends there with me." Overjoyed, the others huddled up in a group hug. "So I would rather not go at all."

I smiled at Twilight, while Spike just silently gagged. Suddenly, he started to look like he was gonna barf.

Applejack glared at Spike, "Well wallop mah withers, Spike. Isn't that jus' like a boy? Can't handle the least bit of sentiment."

My spine tensed in realization, "Applejack, duck!"

As predicted, Spike let out a flaming burp. Applejack quickly ducked out of the way of the flame, "Whoa, Nelly!"

The flamed rolled and transformed into a scroll. Twilight gasped, "A letter from the Princess? That was fast."

Spike unrolled the scroll and read it out loud, "'My faithful student Twilight,
I'm proud you listened to your friend's advise. Why didn't you just say so in the first place?'"

Something gold come to view and Spike showed them to everypony, "Seven tickets to The Grand Galloping Gala."

All the girls gasped, as Twilight smiled, "Now we can all go."

The ponies cheered in excitement, until Twilight's stomach growled quite loudly. Twilight giggled nervously. A whole day of worrying and not a bite to eat. Hehehe.

Rarity put her hand over Twilight's shoulder, "Allow us to treat you to dinner."

Everypony else agreed and began leaving the library. As each pony left the door, they grabbed a ticket each from Spike.

"What a great way to apologize." Rainbow Dash smiled, as she left the door.

"And to celebrate. Come on everyone, the cupcakes are on me." Pinkie cheered, following after Rainbow.

Applejack and I were the last to leave. Applejack grabbed her ticket, then realised I didn't. So, she grabbed it and gave it to me.

Spike pouted in disappointment, "How come I don't get a ticket to the gala?" Then he burped another letter. He unrolled it and read, "'And one for you, Spike.'"

Spike came jogging out of the library, giggling like a little girl, and holding another ticket in his hand. He stopped and noticed Applejack and I folding our arms and smiling at him.

"I mean, gross, I have to go too?" Spike corrected himself, walking past us. Then he dashed after the others and giggled.

Applejack and I chuckled and followed after the others. This year is gonna be loads of fun in Ponyville. I can feel it.

Griffon the Brush Off

Eleanor's POV.
It's a quiet day in Ponyville. A few days since Applebucking Season.

Right now, Twilight, Pinkie and I were in the park, enjoying the day. Twilight was sitting on the bench, reading one of her favorite books. I was sitting up-side down beside her, watching the clouds.

And Pinkie Pie was telling a story of one of Rainbow Dash's flight stunts, "Nail-biting action overload! She was like a stunt superstar, flying higher and higher, and then Rainbow Dash swooped down -- Swoosh -- And right before she hit the ground -- Shoom - She pulled up -- Vrrrmmm!"

"Uh-huh." Twilight nodded, turning a page of the book.

"Then what happened?" I asked, looking at Pinkie.

"And then she looped around and around like - Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo!" Pinkie answered, spinning her head in a circle, then falling on to her back.

"Uh-huh." Twilight nodded again.

"Sounded like a very neat trick." I smiled.

Then Rainbow Dash flew by above the trees. Pinkie Pie got to her hooves and followed after her.

Twilight sighed, "Phew." And turned the page.

Pinkie Pie's POV.
"Rainbow Dash!" I called after the rainbow-themed Pegasus.

She looked at me and then started to pick up speed. I noticed where she was going and chased after her, "Rainbow Dash."

"Not now, Pinkie Pie." She told me, as she continued flying.

"But, but Rainbow Dash–" I tried to speak, but she flew farther from me.

"I'm in the middle of something." Rainbow Dash picked up more speed.

"But–"

"I said not now-"

Then *wham!* Rainbow rammed into a mountain that was right in front of her. She slid down the mountain, to ground level and looked at me.

"I was gonna tell you to look out for that mountain." I told her.

Rainbow grumbled under her breath. Hey. I tried to warn her.

*Later, the next day...*
Rainbow Dash's POV.
I spent most of the day, trying to avoid Pinkie Pie.

That random pony never stops until she gets what she wants. Sometimes it's beyond understanding and it gets annoying.

Anyhoo, I was napping on a cloud above Ponyville's town center, until I heard familiar humming. I picked up two handfuls of cloud and plugged my ears with them.

However, I was able to hear Pinkie ask Derpy, "Hi, I'm looking for Rainbow Dash. Have you seen her?"

I gasped and started digging into the cloud to hide.

"Hi Nellie, have you seen Rainbow Dash?" Pinkie asked.

"Can't say I have, Pinkie. Sorry." Ellie answered.

"Okay, thanks anyway." Pinkie assured, then turned to Twilight, who was on her way to the book store, "Twilight, have you seen Rainbow Dash anywhere?"

"Isn't she right up there?" Twilight asked.

Uh-oh...

"Rainbow Dash."

I quickly took off and flew as fast as I could to the back of Applejack's house. I peeked at the road and did see the pink pony anywhere.

I sighed in relief, "Phew. That was close."

I turned then heard a familiar voice, "Hi!"

I gasped in started, then flew off again, "Aah!"

I into the leaves of the Golden Oak Library. Once I lost sight of that pink pony, I caught my breath and smiled.

"Hi again." The voice smiled from below me.

I screamed and flew off again at top speed, "Aah!"

I flew over the hills and hid behind a cloud, creating a fake speed trail. Pinkie Pie followed after it. I snuck past her and landed near the lake.

Everything was quiet again, until a voice spat something and spoke to me, "I need a favor, Rainbow Dash."

How does Pinkie Pie find me so fast?!

I was about to fly away again, but I sulked, "Oh, forget it."

I gave up and fell to the ground.

"I totally promise it'll be totally fun." She assured me.

I just sighed in defeat, "Okay."

*A Little Later...*
Pinkie told me to grab a small thundercloud and position it close to the town hall.

She measured it and instructed, "Over to the right." I moved the cloud to her instructions, "No no, a little to the left. Oh wait, back to the right. Now a little left-ish while staying right-ly. Stop. Hmm. Maybe a few inches to the south. Now a couple centimeters north. Okay. One more smidgimeter to the--"

Annoyed and impatient, I shouted, "Pinkie Pie!"

Pinkie sheepishly smiled, "Uh, I mean, perfect. Now wait for my signal."

She hid behind the door-way, as Spike exit the town hall with a pile of scrolls in his arms. Pinkie Pie gave me the signal, and I kicked the cloud.

The cloud sparked with lightning and loud thunder. Spike jumped, "D-aah!"

Pinkie grinned and Spike started hiccupping.

Pinkie burst into laughter, "Oh Rainbow Dash, we startled Spike into getting the hiccups."

I giggled. Spike turned to Pinkie and I and laughed, "Good one, Pinkie *Hiccup* Pie. *Hiccup* You're always pulling a fast one *Hiccup* on me." He picked up a scroll, but hiccupped an his fire-breath caught the scroll, "Nnaa--"

"Oh no, you're not hurt are you?" Pinkie asked in concern.

"Ne*Hiccup*eh, don't be *Hiccup* silly, dragons are *Hiccup* fire-proof." Spike answered between hiccups.

Pinkie Pie smiled in relief, "Oh, okay, good."

Then both she and I continued our laughter. Spike picked up half the scrolls, but his fire-breath hiccups burnt them toward Canterlot.

"I wish the same thing *Hiccup* were true with scrolls." He muttered under his breath.

He tried picking another scroll, but the scroll got caught in his fire-breath hiccups. Pinkie and I laughed. Pinkie fell on her back.

"Have you ever seen anything more hilarious?" Pinkie asked, between laughs.

I smirked, "I can think of one thing."

I kicked the cloud and another roar of thunder and lightning cracked.

Pinkie jumped, "Aah!" Then started hiccupping, like Spike. She laughed.

I smiled, "I didn't take you for a prankster, Pinkie Pie."

"Are you *Hiccup* kidding? *Hiccup* I love to pull pranks." She smiled, as I landed to her level, "It's all *Hiccup* in good fun, and Pinkie Pie lo*Hiccup*oves to have *Hiccup* fun!*Hiccup*"

"You know Pinkie Pie, you're not as annoying as I thought." I admitted with a smile. Pinkie hiccupped again, then I asked, "You wanna hang out?"

Pinkie grinned and started to hiccup all over the place, "That'd be-*Hiccup* I'd really-*Hiccup* When do-*Hiccup* I mean-*Hiccup* When would you-*Hiccup*-"

I raised my hand over her mouth, as she zoomed toward me, "A simple nod would do."

Pinkie Pie nodded, "Mmm-hmm."

And so, we got some pranking supplies from the party shop, and began our day of pranking other ponies. Pinkie Pie made sure that the pranks were harmless but still a good laugh.

The first pony we pranked was Rarity. We left a bouquet of paper flowers with sneezing powder on her doorstep. Pinkie rang the doorbell and we hid behind the bushes.

"Is she even home?" I asked in whisper.

"I don't know." Pinkie snickered, "This is gonna be gold."

The top half of the door opened and revealed Rarity looking around.

"There she is." Pinkie Pie alerted, as we hid.

Rarity looked at the flowers. She sniffed the flowers and got sneezing powder all over her nose. She sneezed and Pinkie and exit our hiding spots laughing. I held the sneezing powder in my hand.

I dropped the powder and ran off to do more pranks on our friends. Pinkie zoomed behind me. She got caught by the powder.

The next we pranked was Twilight and Ellie. I was thinking about shocking Ellie with a hand-buzzer, but Pinkie advised against it. Ellie is extremely sensitive, so a buzzer might hurt her more than it normally would a normal pony, due to being human and not having a fur coat.

So Pinkie and I decided a combination prank. Invisible ink and mints.

We pranked Applejack next, buy painting her apples with whacky designs. Not to worry. It comes off after one drop of water. Applejack didn't like our prank, so she threw her apples at us.

Our next prank was a turtle that squirts water at our victim. I use that term lightly, they're still our friends.

I looked over the telescope and snickered.

"Is someone over there? Who're we gonna squirt? Who're we gonna squirt?" Pinkie asked, giddy with excitement.

"Fluttershy." I answered.

"WHAT?" Pinkie exclaimed, dropping the squirter on the floor, "Nononononono, we can't prank Fluttershy, I mean, she's so sensitive. It'll hurt her feelings, even our most harmless prank."

"Yeah, you're right." I sighed with a raspberry, "We need another victim who's made of tougher stuff. So, who's it gonna be?"

Pinkie Pie chuckled, "Oh, I've got someone in mind. The toughest around."

That got my interest, "Oh, awesome." Then asked, "Who? Who? Do I know them?"

She giggled and pointed to the lake, "Oh, yes. You're very close."

I looked at my reflection and saw that there was black ink around my right eye. I smiled at the pink pony, "Good one, Pinkie Pie."

I gave her a 'down-low', but I made her keep missing. She and laughed the sunset away.

*The Next Day, Outside Ponyville...*
Pinkie Pie's POV.
The sun was rising over the mountains, as I made my way to Rainbow Dash's house outside of town. I was wearing a pair of wacky sunglasses, an arrow-through-the-head headband and a party hooter in my mouth.

I arrived just under the house and called, "Rise and shine Rainbow Dash! It's a brand new day and we got a lot of pranking to-"

However, what looked at me wasn't Rainbow Dash. Heck, it wasn't even a pony. It had a beak. White feathered head. Brown body of fur and feathers. Large wings. A leonine tail. Golden talons and back paws.

It wore a red tank top under a black leather jacket, and matching red shorts.

"Ooh." I uttered, stepping back from the creature's stare.

Then Rainbow Dash appeared, "Mornin', Pinks." She flew toward me and spoke to the creature staring at me "Gilda, this is my gal pal, Pinkie Pie."

The creature, Gilda, landed in front of me and saluted, "Hey. What's up?"

Everything on my face dropped to the ground. Gilda stood a tall 5 foot 10 with a strong, tomboyish build. Stronger than Dash's.

"Pinkie, this is my Griffon friend, Gilda." Dash introduced me to Gilda.

"What's a Griffon?" I asked.

"She's half-eagle, half-lion." Rainbow Dash started.

Then Gilda leaped in front of me and hugged Rainbow Dash, "And all awesome." The two shared a secret handshake, "Yeah, that's right."

Something about the Griffon made my stomach turn. Like she's a bad influence on Dash, or something worse...

Dash turned to me, "Gilda's my best friend from my days at Junior Speedster flight camp." Then asked Gilda, "Hey, remember the chant?"

Gilda nodded with a smile, "Sha, they made us recite it every morning, I'll never get that lame thing out of my head."

"Sooo..." Rainbow started, smiling.

Gilda rolled her eyes, "Ugh." Then smiled, "Only for you, Dash."

Rainbow Dash and she lifted into the air and danced,

'Junior Speedsters are our lives,
Sky-bound soars and daring dives
Junior Speedsters, it's our quest,
To some day be the very best!'

I couldn't help but laugh at how funny the dance was. I smiled at the duo, "Oh that was awesome, and it gave me a great idea for a prank." I grabbed my accessories and looked at Gilda, "Gilda, you game?"

Gilda smiled at me, "Huh. Well, I groove on a good prank as much as the next griffon." Then turned to Dash, "But Dash, you promised me we'd get a flying session in this morning."

She took off into the air. Rainbow looked a little uncertain, "Yeah, uh, well..." The she turned to me, "Pinkie Pie, you don't mind, do you? Gilda just got here. We'll catch up with you later."

Then she took off after Gilda.

I gave an uneasy smile, "Oh. Um, well sure, no problem. Have fun you guys, I'll, uh, just catch up with you--" I sighed, "Later...."

*A Little Later, in Ponyville...*
Rainbow Dash's POV.
Gilda and I raced each other across the skies, performing tricks and clearing a few of the clouds along the way. We found a large, stable cloud and crashed into it, laughing.

Gilda got back to her paws and smiled, "Whoa, that was sweet. Just like old times."

I nodded, "Yeah, only faster." We shared a bro-fist, "So now what?"

We aimed for another, but a familiar pink Earth Pony's head peeked through the cloud and smiled, "Hey there."

"Huh?" Gilda and I raised a brow.

"It's later. And I caught up." Pinkie explained, as she appeared and disappeared from the cloud, like she was bouncing off something.

I looked and it turned out she was using a large trampoline to reach us. Wow, talk about resourceful.

I giggled at the pink pony, "Pinkie Pie, you are so random."

Pinkie smiled at me. Then Gilda spoke up, "Hey Dash, think you got enough gas left to beat me to that cloud?"

That got my wings itching, "A race? You are so on."

We crouched, ready to take off. "One, two, three, go." Gilda counted down, then we flew off.

We raced toward the cloud and I smiled, "I win."

Gilda shook her head, "As if. I won, dude."

"No way." I exclaimed.

She nodded, "Yes way."

Then we started arguing over the victory. Pinkie Pie showed up, this time using balloons, "Wow guys, that was really close, but I think Rainbow Dash beat you by a teeny weeny itty bitty hair, or a teeny weeny itty bitty feather."

I smiled, "Hah, see? Good thing Pinkie Pie's here to keep you honest, G."

Gilda looked like she was about to lose her temper, but she calmed and told me, "Okay... Dash, last one to that cloud up there is a gnarly dragon egg. Go!"

I took off and flew toward the cloud. I was there first for real this time, because Gilda showed up a second later.

Pinkie Pie rejoined us, this time in a strange contraption, "Oh wow, you guys almost got away from me that time."

Gilda put her arm over my shoulder, "So, Dash, got any new moves in your trick-tionary, or are you 100% old school?"

I smiled, "New moves? Heh, sit back G, this is gonna take a while."

Then I took off into the air.

Pinkie Pie's POV.
With Dash gone, Gilda turned her attention to me, "Hey Pinkie, c'mere."

I leaned my pedi-coptor a smidgemeter closer to her, "Yeah?"

She grabbed the pole of my contraption, then got really close to my face, "Don't you know how to take get lost for an answer? Dash doesn't need to hang with a dweeb like you now that I'm around. You're dorkin' up the skies, Stinkie Pie, so make like a bee and BUZZ OFF!"

She grabbed the propeller and I span out of control. I flew around the area and crashed to the dirt road, just outside of Sweet Apple Acres.

I recovered from the crash and thought about Gilda's words and actions. That was really mean.

*A Little Later, In Golden Oak Library...*
I decided to tell Twilight and Nellie about what Gilda was about, and what she did.

"So Pinkie Pie, are you sure that this friend of Rainbow Dash is really so mean?" Twilight asked me, her eyes glued on a spell book.

"Um, yeah." I answered, "She keeps stealing Rainbow Dash away, she pops my balloons, and she told me to buzz off. I've never met a Griffon this mean. Well, actually, I've never met a Griffon at all, but I bet if I had, she wouldn't have been as mean and grumpy as Gilda."

"You know what I think, Pinkie Pie." Twilight spoke up, looking at me.

I nodded, "Hmm?"

"Well, I think... you're jealous." She told me.

"Jealous?" I exclaimed.

"Green with envy." Spike nodded, "Well, in your case, pink with envy."

Nellie shook her head, "I dunno. I have a pen-pal that's a Griffon and she's very sweet."

Twilight rolled her eyes, "Well, yes." Then looked at me, "Jealous. Listen Pinkie, I don't want to upset you, but just because

Rainbow Dash has another friend doesn't make Gilda a grump. I mean, perhaps it's you, Pinkie, who needs to improve her attitude."

"Improve my attitude?" I repeated in shock, "But I... D... B.. It's Gilda that... D... Are you seri..."

I couldn't find the words to express how I felt at that moment. I growled, then walked out of the library.

Eleanor's POV.
Pinkie growled and stormed out of the library, slamming the door behind her. Twilight sighed.

I folded my arms at my best friend, "That wasn't nice, Twi."

"Don't tell me you believe her." She looked at me.

"Actually, yes. I do." I answered.

I walked out of the library and found Pinkie just outside of the tree, sulking as she walked.

"Maybe Twilight is right." She spoke to herself, "Maybe Gilda isn't a big, meanie, grumpy, mean-meanie-pants. Maybe I'm just a big jealous, judgmental, jealous-jealousy-pants."

She sighed and resumed sulking.

"Hey, Pinkie." I called after her.

Pinkie turned to me, "What? You're gonna say you agree with Twilight too?"

I shook my head, "Not really. I believe you about Gilda being mean."

Pinkie just sighed and sulked again. Twilight's words must have really got to her.

An idea hit me, and I put my arm over her shoulder, "Hey, how about a good, foamy shake to turn that frown up-side down. My treat."

Pinkie looked at me and nodded with a small smile. With that, I took Pinkie to SugarCube Corner and treated her to her favorite strawberry shake. I had a triple chocolate. She was still sulking.

Then we heard laughter over our heads and the sound of flight. Pinkie gasped and hid close to me.

"That was sweet." An unfamiliar voice chuckled.

Then Rainbow Dash sighed, "Ugh, I gotta take care of a few weather jobs around here. Shouldn't take long. Just, uh, hang out in town and I'll come find ya."

Rainbow landed in the other side of town with a Griffon wearing red and black.

The Griffon smiled, "That's cool, I guess. I'm gonna go chow down."

"Later." Dash flew off to take care of her job.

"That's Gilda?" I asked Pinkie.

Pinkie nodded her head. Gilda looked around and saw a vegetable stand. Granny Smith was walked toward it.

Gilda hid behind the stand. Once Granny Smith was close enough, Gilda moved her tail up to her and moved it like a snake.

Granny Smith shrieked in fear, "Aaah! A rattler, a rattler! Run for the hills!" Then ran away as fast as she could, "Everybody forsake yourselves!"

Gilda smiled, but a mare was looking at her. Gilda pressed a tomato with her tail and shook her head, "This stuff ain't fresh, dude."

"Aw, poor Granny Smith, she didn't know it was a joke. How mean." Pinkie frowned, then shook her head, "No, no, I can't misjudge her. It was kind of a funny prank, I guess."

I shook her head. Then Gilda used her tail to snatch an apple from Applejack's stand, and ate it. Nopony else noticed.

Pinkie gasped, "I did misjudge her. She's not only a meanie, mean-pants, she's also a thief." Then she shook her head, "Nonononono, she might give it back. It's just a joke."

I sighed, "Pinkie, you've got to stop this. Twilight hasn't met Gilda yet. Follow your gut, for Luna's sake."

Fluttershy walked past us, softly walking backward, leading a family of ducks through the town, "Alright little ones, this way, this way. Mama duck, you're free and clear." She didn't notice she was heading for Gilda.

"Fluttershy, watch out for-" I called, but she bumped into the Griffon.

"Hey!" Gilda shouted, as Fluttershy bumped into her.

"Please excuse me." Fluttershy politely excused.

"I'm walkin' here." Gilda glared.

Fluttershy backed away from her, "Oh, um, I'm sorry. I-I-I was just trying to..."

Gilda rolled her eyes and mocked in a soft voice, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Then shouted, "Why don't you just watch where you're going, doofus?"

"B-b-b-but I... I..." Fluttershy stuttered, as the ducks waddled off.

Gilda took a breath and roared at her. Fluttershy ran away, sobbing. My hand balled into fist of anger.

Gilda sighed and rolled her eyes, "Ugh, please, all these lame ponies are driving me buggy. I gotta bail." Then she took off.

I looked at the pink pony sitting next to me, "Still think she's playing around, Pinkie?"

Pinkie shook her head, "She's a grump, and a thief, and a bully. The meanest kind of mean meanie-pants there is. I can take it, but no one treats Fluttershy like that. No. One. This calls for extreme measures, Pinkie Pie style."

*A Little Bit Later, in SugarCube Corner...*
"Welcome, welcome. Welcome!" Pinkie greeted, as the guests arrived.

Pinkie decided to throw a party for Gilda. I'm not a big fan of parties, but hopefully this will better Gilda's attitude with the townsfolk of Ponyville. She's been holding up so much of Dash's time, that Dash hasn't seen her true colors.

"Who's this Gilda I've heard nothing about?" Applejack asked Rarity.

"I hear she's an old friend of Rainbow Dash." Rarity answered, "A Griffon, so rare."

"You've met Gilda, right?" Twilight asked Fluttershy, "What's she like?"

"Oh, um, well..." Fluttershy stuttered, then answered, "I'll tell you later, Twilight."

"Welcome. Welcome." Pinkie continued to greet.

Fluttershy walked over to Pinkie, "Um, Pinkie Pie, about this party for Gilda. Umm... Do you really think it's a good idea? I mean–"

Pinkie patted her head, "Don't worry your pretty little head about mean old Gilda. Your auntie Pinkie Pie's got it all taken care of."

"I'm a year older than you." Fluttershy pointed out.

Then Gilda showed up.

Pinkie Pie smiled, "Gilda! I'm so honored to throw you one of my signature Pinkie Pie parties." She extended her hand, "And I really, truly, sincerely, hope you feel welcome here amongst all us ponyfolk."

Gilda shook Pinkie's hand, the got shocked. Pinkie laughed and revealed a hand-shake buzzer on her palm.

Everyone else laughed with her. The Rainbow Dash showed up, "Oh Pinkie Pie, the old hand-shake buzzer. You are a scream."

"Yeah..." Gilda chuckled nervously, "Uh, good one, Pinkie Pie."

"Come on G, I'll introduce you to some of my other friends." Dash offered, as she walked off.

Gilda smiled, "Right behind you Dash." Then glared at Pinkie, "I know what you're up to."

Pinkie smiled, "Great."

Gilda shook her head and growled, "I know what you're planning."

"Well, I hope so." Pinkie giggled, "This wasn't supposed to be a surprise party."

"I mean, I've got my eye on you." Gilda warned her.

"And I got my eye on you." Pinkie replied.

Then she turned to everypony in attendance, "Everyone, I'd like you all to meet Gilda, a long-time, dear friend of Rainbow Dash. Let's honor her and welcome her to Ponyville."

Everypony cheered. Gilda gave them a forced smile. Rainbow Dash put her arm over Gilda's shoulders.

"Welcome to Ponyville, Gilda." I greeted with a friendly smile.

Gilda just gave me a look, "What are you suppose to be?"

"I'm a human." I answered in a polite tone.

Then Pinkie offered, standing near a bowl of lemon drops, "Please help yourself."

Gilda smiled, "Vanilla lemon drops. Don't mind if I do." She ate one and then she blew fire like a dragon, "HOT!"

"G, the punch." Rainbow directed.

Gilda grabbed a glass and started drinking. However the glass was dribbling over her crest, "Huh?"

"Well, whaddya know, pepper in the vanilla lemon drops, and the punch served in a dribble glass." Pinkie smiled.

Rainbow Dash smiled, "Ha. Priceless. Priceless." Then laughed.

Gilda was starting to take breaths, uncertain to take another glass or cup.

I gave her my glass of milk, "Here. Milk will drown out the pepper in a flash."

Gilda took the glass and chugged the milk down. She caught her breath and smiled at me, "Thanks." Then rolled her eyes, "Yeah, hilarious."

"Hey G, look, presents." Rainbow Dash pointed to a table full of well-wrapped presents.

Gilda grabbed one that was shaped like a can. She pulled on the bow and springy snakes flew out. A burst of air ruffled Gilda's feathers.

Everypony laughed at the prank.

"Spittin' snakes. Hah, somepony pulled that prank on me last month." Applejack laughed.

Gilda rolled her eyes again, "Ha ha." Then glanced at Pinkie Pie, "I bet I know who that was."

"You do?" Pinkie asked with an innocent smile.

After everything calmed down and Gilda smoothed her feathers, the party began and everypony was having a really good time.

Pinkie Pie arrived from the kitchen with a large cake on a cart, "Cake time everypony."

The cake was cased with cream fondant icing and purple-pink butter cream frosting. On top were nine blue and yellow candles.

"Hey, can I blow out the candles?" Spike asked, like a birthday kid.

"Why don't we let Gilda blow out the candles, Spike." Twilight answered, "She is the guest of honor after all."

Gilda moved Spike out of the way, "Exactly."

She took a deep breath and blew the candles out. However they re-lit themselves. Gilda blew them out again, but they re-lit again. Everypony laughed, as Gilda continued to blow the candles out, but they kept re-lighting themselves.

Spike chuckled, "Re-lighting birthday candles, I love that prank. What a classic."

"Now, I wonder who could've done that." Pinkie wondered, rubbing her chin in thought.

Gilder glared, "Yeah, I wonder."

"Mmm, who cares." Spike spoke up, as he literally dug into the cake, "This cake is amazing."

"Spike!" Twilight scolded.

"What?" He asked, then smile, "It's great, try some."

Gilda looked ready to blow a fuse, until Rainbow Dash asked, "Hey G, you're not upset about some silly candles, are you?"

She shook her head, "No way Dash, like I said, I'm down with a good prank."

Rainbow Dash nodded, "Come on then, let's have some cake."

Gilda grabbed Pinkie and took her behind the cake, "Hey, I'm watching you. Like a hawk."

"Why? Can't you watch me like a Griffon?" Pinkie asked.

Then Applejack spoke up, "Hey y'all, it's pin the tail on the pony. Let's play."

Rarity smiled, "Oh, my favorite game." Then asked, "Can I go first? Can I have the purple tail?"

Gilda quickly grabbed the tail, before Rarity could, "Well, I am the guest of honor, and I'll have the purple tail."

Pinkie nodded, "Yeah, Gilda should definitely go first. Let's get you blindfolded."

Spike hopped on to Gilda's shoulders and tied a blue blindfold over her eyes.

"Hey what-- Ugh-- what are you doing?" Gilda asked, as Pinkie grabbed her and span her around.

"We're spinning you around and around and then you can pin the tail on the pony." Then she guided her to the poster, "Now just walk straight ahead and pin the tail."

"Now just walk straight ahead and pin the tail." Gilda mocked, then shook her head, "Hmph, yeah, right. This is another prank, isn't it?" Then she turned around, "I'm going this way."

Gilda made her way to the kitchen.

"Wait. The poster is this-" Pinkie tried to tell her.

I looked at the floor and saw her step, "Gilda, watch out for the-" Gilda stepped on some frosting and lost her balance. She crashed into the kitchen, "Frosting..."

She walking of the kitchen, covered in cake batter and icing. The tail hung from her beak, making her look like she had a mustache.

"Uh, Gilda? You pinned the tail on the wrong end." Pinkie Pie pointed to her nose.

Gilda noticed and everypony started laughing at her.

Gilda lost her temper and roared, "This is your idea of a good time? I've never met a lamer bunch of dweebs in all my life." She glared at Pinkie, "And Pinkie Pie, you! You are queen lame-o with your weak little party pranks. Did you really think you could make me lose my cool?" She put her arm over Dash's shoulder, who was frowning, "Well, Dash and I have ten times as much cool as the rest of you put together. Come on Dash, we're bailing on this pathetic scene." She was on her way to the exit, but Dash didn't move, "Come on Rainbow Dash. I said, we're leaving."

"You know Gilda, I was the one who set up all those weak pranks at this party." Rainbow Dash admitted.

"What?" Gilda exclaimed in shock, then looked at Pinkie.

"So I guess I'm queen lame-o." Rainbow glared.

"Come on, Dash, you're joshing me." Gilda pleaded.

"They weren't all meant for you specifically, it was just dumb luck that you set them all off." She explained.

Pinkie face-palmed, "I shoulda known, that dribble cup had Rainbow Dash written all over it."

I nodded, "So did the re-lighting candles."

Gilda shook her head, "No way. It was Pinkie Pie, she set up this party to trip me up, to make a fool of me."
"Me? I threw this party to improve your attitude." Pinkie explained, "I thought a good party might turn that frown upside down."

"And you sure didn't need any help making a fool of yourself." Rainbow added, "You know, this is not how I thought my old friends would treat my new friends. If being cool is all you care about, maybe you should go find some new cool friends someplace else."

Gilda looked hurt for a second, then covered it up, "Yeah? Well you, you, you are such a, a flip-flop: cool one minute and lame the next. When you decide not to be lame anymore, gimme a call."

With that, she left SugarCube Corner and took off.

"Not cool." Rainbow muttered under her breath.

"Wow, talk about a party pooper." Spike spoke up.

The others muttered among themselves on what just happened.

"I'm sorry everypony, for bringing Gilda here. I didn't know how rude she was." Rainbow apologised, then turned to Pinkie, "And Pinkie Pie, I'm really sorry she ruined that awesome party you put on for her."

Pinkie shrugged, "Hey, if you want to hang out with party poopers, that's your business."

Rainbow smiled, "I'd rather hang out with you. No hard feelings?"

Pinkie nodded, "No hard feelings."

The two shook hands, but ended up getting shocked. Everypony laughed, as they revealed to both have hand-shake buzzers.

I glanced at Twilight, "Twilight, don't you need to say something?"

Twilight nodded, "Okay, Ellie." She walked over to Pinkie, "Hey Pinkie. Sorry I accused you of misjudging Gilda. Looks likes I'm the one who misjudged you."

Pinkie smiled, "It's okay Twilight, even you can't be a super smart, smarty, smart-pants all the time." Then encouraged, "Come on everypony, there's still a whole lotta party to finish."

'Dearest Princess Celestia,
Today I learned that it's hard to accept when somepony you like wants to spend time with somepony who's not so nice. Though it's impossible to control who your friends hang out with, it is possible to control your own behavior. Just continue to be a good friend. In the end, the difference between a false friend and the one who is true will surely come to light.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle.'

Boast Busters

Eleanor's POV.
"Come on, Twilight, you can do it!" Spike encouraged Twilight.

Twilight nodded, "Okay, here goes."

She closed her eyes and her horn glowed in her magical aura. The same aura appeared around Spike's muzzle and a black mustache grew in its place.

Spike smiled, "Ha ha! Ya did it!" He drew a check mark on the list, "Growing magic, that's number twenty-five. Twenty-five different types of tricks and counting."

Twilight smiled bashfully. I clapped my hands with a smile.

Twilight, Spike and I have been spending the day learning new spells and putting them to practice. Ponyville has been well behaved, so we deserve a bit of a break. After what happened with Gilda. Geez, that girl can't take a joke.

Spike checked out his mustache in the mirror, "And I think this is the best trick so far." Then acted suave, "Hello, Rarity. What's that? Aw, it's nothin', just my awesome mustache." Then chuckled in humor.

"Sorry, Romeo. As attractive and enticing as you look, it's just for practice, and it's gotta go." Twilight told the young Dragon, as she closed her eyes and her horn glowed again.

"Wait!" Spike cried. The aura appeared around the mustache and Spike flinched. The mustache disappeared and Spike sighed, "Aw, rats."

Twilight gave a light giggle. With that, we decided to take a break from the practicing and take a walk around town.

"Twenty-five, Twilight. Twenty-five different kinds of tricks and counting." Spike exclaimed, as Twilight smiled proudly, "I thought unicorns were only supposed to have a little magic that matches their special talents."

Twilight nodded, "True, for ponies whose talents are for things like cooking or singing or math." Then wondered, "But what if a unicorn's special talent is magic?"

"Well, there is a reason Princess Celestia made you her protégé." I pointed out, "You know a ton of magic."

Twilight blushed, "Oh, stop it. I'm sure there are lots of ponies right here in Ponyville that know just as much magic as me."

"Are you kiddin'?" Spike exclaimed, "I don't think there's another Unicorn in all of Equestria with your kind of ability, Twilight. Ellie's got a very good point."

Then a goofy-sounding voice shouted, "Gangway! Comin' through!"

Two Unicorn colts came charging toward us. One was tall and skinny, while the other was short and stout.

The tall one's fur coat was a light brown and his mane and tail were a greyish cyan. The short one shared the colors, but reversed.

The tall one wore a sweater vest over a buttoned shirt and a pair of beige khakis. The short one wore a black t-shirt and jeans.

As for their Cutie Marks, the tall one's was a snail and the short one's was a pair of scissors.

The two colts charged into Spike.

"Snips, Snails! What's goin' on?" Spike asked.

Snips and Snails came to a stop, knocking Spike onto his back.

"Wha, haven't you heard?" Snails, the tall one, asked, "There's a new Unicorn in town!"

Snips, the short one, nodded, "Yeah! They say that she's got more magical powers than any other Unicorn ever!"

"Really?" Twilight and I asked.

Spike recovered and shook his head, "Aw, no way, that honor goes to Twilight here."

Snips and Snails turned to Twilight, who blushed. Then she asked, "Where is this Unicorn?"

"Ho, she's in the Town Square. Come on!" Snails answered, then ran off to the Town Square.

Snips nodded, "Yeah! Come on!" Then he ran off, "Whooo!"

Twilight, Spike and I looked at each other, then followed after the colts. Parked in the Town Square, in front of the Town Hall, was a small travelling carriage. Very plain-looking.

"Come one, come all! Come and witness the amazing magic of the Great and Powerful Trixie!" A mare's voice announced, as the carriage unfolded into a colorful, but still plain stage.

In a poof of smoke, a young mare appeared. She was around the same age as Twilight and I. Her color scheme was all blue. Her coat was a light greyish blue. Her mane and tail were almost white with pastel blue streaks.

She wore a light purple magicians hat over her head. A matching cape. A buttoned shirt under a tailed vest coat. And short, black leggings.

The audience 'ooh'ed and 'awe'ed at the mare's presence.

"Watch in awe as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes!" The mare announced, as fireworks launched colorful displays upon the stage.

Rarity rolled her eyes, "My, my, my! What boasting!"

Spike nodded, "Come on, no pony's as magical as Twi--" Then he noticed Rarity next to him, then he acted all shy, "Twi-- Twi-- Oh! Hey, Rarity, I, uh-- Mustache!" Then he dashed off.

"There's nothing wrong with being talented, is there?" Twilight asked.

Applejack shook her head, as Trixie made a bouquet of flowers appear, "Nothin' at all, 'cept in when someone goes around showin' it off like a school filly with fancy new ribbons."

Rarity nodded in agreement, "Just because one has the ability to perform lots of magic does not make one better than the rest of us."

Twilight looked away, doubtful and ashamed.

"There's a big difference between humility and a plain ego." I spoke up, "Showing off just inflates your ego, not make you humble."

"Especially when ya got me around being better than the rest of us." Dash boasted with a smile, jabbing her chest with her thumb. Applejack glared at her and Rainbow corrected her words, "Eh, I mean, yeah, uh, magic shmagic. Boo!"

Trixie must have heard us, 'cause she glared, "Well, well, well, it seems we have some neighsayers in the audience. Who is so ignorant as to challenge the magical ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie? Do they not know that they're in the presence of the most magical Unicorn in all of Equestria?"

Rarity blew a raspberry, "Just who does she think she is?"

Spike nodded, as he returned, "Yeah! Since we all know that Twilight here is--"

Twilight quickly covered his muzzle, "Spike! Shhh!"

She took Spike's hand and snuck to the back of the audience. "What? What's wrong?" Spike asked in a whisper.

"You see the way they reacted to Trixie?" Twilight pointed, "I don't want anyone thinking I'm a show-off."

I shook my head, "Twilight, you're-"

Trixie's fanfare cut me off, as it startled me to silence. Thanks a lot, crazy mare!

Rainbow Dash flew to Trixie, "So, 'Great and Powerful Trixie'. What makes you think you're so awesome, anyway?"

Trixie chuckled with a smirk, "Heh, why, only the Great and Powerful Trixie has magic strong enough to vanquish the dreaded Ursa Major!"

The fanfare went off again and the fireworks drew a picture of a large bear with a star on its forehead.

Everypony gasped in awe.

"What?" "No way!" Snips and Snails gasped.

"When all hope was lost, the ponies of Hoofington had no one to turn to..." Trixie told her story, as the fireworks drew a picture of her fighting the bear, "But the Great and Powerful Trixie stepped in, and with her awesome magic, vanquished the Ursa Major and sent it back to its cave deep within the Everfree Forest!"

Snips and Snails smiled, "Sawweet!"

Snips smiled, "That settles it."

Snails nodded, "Trixie truly is the most talented, the most magical, the most awesome Unicorn in Ponyville."

Snips shook his head, "No, in all of Equestria!"

I folded my arms, "Is that counting Princess Celestia and Princess Luna?"

Snips and Snails looked unsure how to answer.

Then Spike spoke up, "How do you know? You didn't see it! And besides, Twi-"

However Twilight used her magic to morph his mouth into a zipper and zipped his mouth closed.

Trixie laughed, "It's true, my enthusiastic little admirers. Trixie is most certainly the best in Ponyville."

Everyone fell silent.

"Don't believe the Great and Powerful Trixie?" Trixie asked, then smirked, "Well then, I hereby challenge you, Ponyvillians -- anything you can do, I can do better. Any takers? Anyone? Hmm? Or is Trixie destined to be the greatest equine who has ever lived!?"

Her fanfare went off again.

Spike unzipped his mouth and pleaded Twilight, "Please! She's unbearable! Ya gotta show her! Ya just gotta!"

Twilight shook her head, "There's no way I'm going to use my magic now, Spike. Especially since--"

Trixie cut her off and pointed, "Hmm, how about you!"

Twilight gulped in nervousness.

"Well, how about it? Hm?" Trixie asked, "Is there anything you can do that the Great and Powerful Trixie can't?"

"I-- I--" Twilight stuttered...

But Trixie was talking to Applejack, "Well, little hayseed?"

Applejack marched toward the stage, "That's it! Ah can't stand for no more of this!"

"You show her, AJ!" Spike encouraged.

Applejack grabbed her lasso, from her belt, "Can yer magical powers do this?"

She spun the lasso and began performing amazing tricks. She finished by grabbing an apple and eating it without breaking a sweat.

Everypony cheered at Applejack's amazing show of talent.

Applejack crossed her arms and hooves at Trixie, "Top that, missy."

Trixie smirked, "Oh ye of little talent." Then she removed her hat to reveal she was a Unicorn, "Watch and be amazed at the magic of Trixie!"

The rope on the stage started moving under the influence of Trixie's magic.

Simple telekinesis.

It moved in the motion of a snake, distracting Applejack, while the other end grabbed an apple from the same tree. The first end tied around Applejack's hands and tied them to her hooves. The rope threw her to the ground and put the apple into her mouth.

The audience cheered and laugh. Seeing that humiliation made my blood boil. I didn't notice my ruby glowing for a second.

"Once again, the Great and Powerful Trixie prevails." Trixie smirked.

Rainbow Dash up to her, "There's no need to go struttin' around and showin' off like that."

Trixie looked at her, "Oh?"

Rainbow jabbed her thumb to her chest, "That's my job!"

With that, she flew off toward the windmill and used it to gain speed. She took off into the sky and pierced through a group of clouds. She dove through the clouds again, collecting drops of water, then used the mill to the stage. She stopped and the water drops created a rainbow above her head.

Rainbow smiled, "They don't call me 'Rainbow' and 'Dash' for nothin'!"

The crowd cheered at her display.

Trixie scoffed, "When Trixie is through, the only thing they'll call you is 'Loser'."

Her horn glowed and Trixie cast a spell on the rainbow. The rainbow turned on Rainbow Dash and started spinning her around at great speeds. Rainbow flew around in a spin and she landed on the ground.

"I think I'm gonna be sick." Rainbow gulped. Free from the ropes, Applejack helped her to her hooves.

Trixie chuckled, "Seems like any pony with a dash of good sense would think twice before tussling with the Great Trixie."

She created a small thunder cloud and lightning struck Rainbow on her tail. I jumped with a squeak.

"Ow!" Rainbow yelped.

Everypony laughed at Rainbow, along with Trixie. My anger boiled again.

"What we need is another Unicorn to challenge her." Spike spoke up, nudging Twilight, "Someone with some magic of her own."

Rainbow Dash nodded, "Yeah! A Unicorn to show this Unicorn who's boss."

Applejack nodded in agreement, "A real Unicorn-to-Unicorn tussle."

Twilight looked unsure. Then Rarity stepped forward, "Enough. Enough, all of you. I take your hint, but Rarity is above such nonsense.' Rainbow Dash and Applejack may behave like ruffians, but Rarity conducts herself with beauty and grace."

"Ooo, what's the matter? Afraid you'll get a hair out of place in that rat's nest you call a mane?" Trixie taunted.

That triggered Rarity's temper, "Oh, it. Is. On!" She walked onto the stage, "You may think you're tough with all of your so-called powers, but there's more to magic than your brutish ways. A Unicorn needs to be more than just muscle."

Her horn glowed and the curtain from the stage flew around her, "A Unicorn needs to have style." In a flash, the curtain became an elegant dress, her mane styled to match, "A Unicorn is not a Unicorn without grace and beauty."

Everypony was in awe of her work. Trixie scowled, then her horn glowed.

"Rarity won't let Trixie get the best of her!" Spike stood up, "She's strong, she's beautiful, she's--"

In a flash of magic, Spike was stopped short. Everypony gasped over what Trixie has just done. I'm sorry, even I can't describe what has happened.

"Quick! I need a mirror! Get me a mirror! What did she do to my hair? I know she did something terrible to my hair!" Rarity cried.

"Nothing." Twilight quickly answered.

"It's fine." Rainbow Dash smiled.

Applejack nodded, "It's gorgeous."

But Spike was blatant, "It's green."

I glared at the young dragon, "Spike!"

Spike looked at me, "What?"

Rarity gasped, "Ugh, no. Green hair! Not green hair!" She cried and ran off, "Such an awful, awful color!"

That made my blood boil like it was in a kettle. My ruby glowed brightly, but I decided to keep my cool and glared at the Unicorn mare.

Spike turned to Twilight, "Well Twilight, guess it's up to you. Come on, show her what you're made of."

Twilight quickly shook her head, "What do you mean? I'm nothing special."

"Yes, you are!" Spike argued, "You're better than her!"

"I'm not better than anyone." She interjected.

Trixie smirked, "Hah! You think you're better than the Great and Powerful Trixie? You think you have more magical talent?" Then dared, "Well, come on, show Trixie what you've got. Show us all."

Everypony looked at Twilight.

"Who, me? I'm just your run-of-the-mill citizen of Ponyville. No powerful magic here." Twilight quickly defended, "I, uh... I think I hear my laundry calling. Sorry, gotta go."

With that, she ran home.

"Twilight!" I called after her, but she was gone.

Trixie laughed, "Ha! Once again, the Great and Powerful Trixie has proven herself to be the most amazing unicorn in all of Equestria." Then she turned and left, "Huh, was there ever any doubt?"

I glared at Trixie with my anger burning inferno in my heart.

How dare a mare to think she could do measly tricks automatically makes her superior than other talents?! That's not on! Ego crushes confidence! Whatever happened to humility?!

No, Ellie. You can't let your anger control you. Remember what happened last time. You don't want it to happen again.

*Later that night, in the Golden Oak Library...*
"Twilight, would you put down that book and just listen to me?" Spike asked Twilight, who was reading a book on magical creatures.

"Didn't you see how they hated Trixie's bragging, Spike?" She asked, "If I go out there and show off my magic, I run the risk of losing them as friends."

"It's not the same thing, Twilight." Spike argued, "You'll be using your magic to stand up for your friends!"

"No, Spike, it's exactly the same." She pointed out.

"It's not the same, Twilight." I shouted, "Trixie's bragging and boasting. You using magic is humble and modest. There's a huge difference between ego and humility."

"There is no difference." She told me.

"Come on, Twilight. Ellie's right. Any one of these tricks, even the teeniest, would be enough to show up Trixie." Spike encouraged.

"I don't want to be seen as a bragger like Trixie." Twilight insisted.

Then she used her magic to create a door and slammed it in mine and Spike's faces. Ow...

Spike opened the door and argued, "But you're the best!"

Twilight sighed, "Uh. Please, Spike, I said no!"

Spike sighed in defeat, "If that's the way you want to be, then fine."

He slammed the door, but realized which door he slammed and walked out of the library. Twilight sighed and sulked.

"Twilight, sometimes you really gotta listen to me." I told her, "There's a huge difference between you and Trixie. You're not a show-off. You're smart, modest, and kind. Trixie is just a bragger and full of her ego."

"That still doesn't stop me from becoming like her." She pointed out.

I growled in frustration, which merged into my burning anger. I walked into the bedroom and walked on to the balcony to try and meditate my anger away.

It was working, until I heard screaming and roaring. Snips and Snails ran passed the tree and Spike entered in a hurry. I ran into the library to see what this was about.

"Twilight! You've gotta come! Quick!" Spike shouted.

Twilight glared at him, "I already told you, Spike, I don't wanna show up Trixie!"

Spike shook his head, "No, you don't understand, it's--"

A loud roar echoed across town and caught Twilight's attention.

"Uh, is that what I think it is?" She asked.

Spike nodded, "Majorly."

Twilight, Spike and I left the library and entered town. The ponyfolk were evacuating the town. The only ones that didn't leave were Trixie, Snips and Snails.

"What's going on?" Twilight asked.

"We brought an Ursa to town." Snips answered with a smile.

"You what!?!" Twilight and I exclaimed in shock and unison. Are they nuts?!

"Don't worry, the Great and Powerful Trixie will vanquish it." Snails assured.

We looked at Trixie, who was standing in front of us without her hat and cape, and wearing a lavender nightgown.

She sulked, "I can't."

"What!?" Snips and Snails exclaimed.

"I can't, I never have." Trixie admitted, "No one can vanquish an Ursa Major. I just made the whole story up to make me look better."

"Made it up!?" Snips and Snails exclaimed again.

The ground shook. We turned and saw a large blue bear with a starry fur coat approaching us, standing on its hind legs. Twilight hid behind me. The Ursa roared. I narrowed my eyes at it and thought for a second. That's not an Ursa Major, but it is close.

Spike nudged Twilight. Twilight shook her head. She still didn't want to feel like she was showing off.

Aaarrgghh!

My blood reached past the boiling point and I marched forward, "That's it!"

Twilight Sparkle's POV.
Ellie marched toward the large bear.

"Ellie! What are you doing?" I asked her, cautious and worried.

Ellie didn't answer and stood in front of the Ursa. The Ursa roared at her, but the angry human stood her ground. The ruby around her neck started to glow brightly. Ellie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. A spiritual blue, flame-like magical aura surrounded Ellie's body. The wind picked up and music started playing. Ellie sang in a weird language.

The Ursa listened to Ellie's song and began to fall asleep. The aura around Ellie intensified, as it flickered indigo streaks and Ellie levitated into the air. A large bottle of milk appear and the aura levitated the Ursa into the air. The bottle floated toward the bear and the aura transported it back into the Everfree Forest.

The song ended and the aura faded. Ellie landed on the ground and was about to topple over. I quickly ran toward the Bat Pony and caught her, just as soon as she fell to her knees, "Ellie!"

Ellie opened her eyes and looked at me with her hazel eyes, "Twilight?"

I smiled in relief and hugged my best friend. Everypony cheered and applaud at the performance incredible magic.

"Unbelievable!" Rainbow Dash cheered.

Spike smiled at Ellie, "That was amazing!"

Applejack nodded in agreement, "Heavens to Betsy! We didn't know a human can use that kind of magic!"

Ellie smiled in humility. Who knew so much power can be summoned by a human? The weird thing is, throughout my research, I found that humans can't use magic. Never have been able to.

What are you, Ellie?

Then my heart dropped in worry, "Please, please don't hate her." I pleaded, hugging my best friend close.

"Hate Ellie?" Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash exclaimed with smiles.

"Why, whatever do you mean, darling?" Rarity asked.

"Well, I know how much you all hated Trixie's showing off with her magic tricks, and I just thought--" I began my explanation, but Rainbow Dash cut her off, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Magic's got nothing to do with it. Trixie's just a loudmouth."

Rarity nodded, "Most unpleasant."

Applejack nodded as well, "All hat and no cattle."

"So, you won't mind my magic tricks?" I asked in uncertainty.

Applejack shook her head, "Your magic is a part of who you are, Sugarcube, and we like who you are." She smiled, "We're proud to have such a powerful, talented unicorn and a special human as our friends."

"And after whuppin' that Ursa's hind quarters, we're even prouder." Rainbow added.

I regained my smile, "You are?"

The three girls nodded in unison and agreement.

Eleanor's POV.
Twilight smiled and threw her arms around me. I smiled back and giggled with a blush.

"Wow, Ellie, how'd you know what to do with that Ursa Major?" Spike asked me.

"I didn't." I answered.

"What?" Everypony exclaimed in unison.

"I sensed the emotions of the little guy and followed my gut instinct." I explained.

"That's funny. I was reading up on them." Twilight looked at me, "You really are empathic."

"So it is possible to vanquish an Ursa Major all by yourself?" Spike asked.

I shook my head, "That wasn't an Ursa Major, it was just a baby, an Ursa Minor."

"That was just a baby?" Trixie exclaimed from behind the crowd.

I nodded, "And he wasn't rampaging, he was just a little grumpy because someone woke him up." I glanced at the Unicorn colts.

Everypony looked at Snips and Snails. Snips and Snails shrunk themselves in embarrassment.

"Well, if that was an Ursa Minor, then what's an Ursa Major like?" Spike asked.

I shook my head, "You really don't wanna know."

Trixie laughed and walked up to me, "Huh. You may have vanquished an Ursa Minor, but you will never have the amazing, show-stopping ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie!"

My anger reached its peak, "Oh, for the love of..." I walked over to the bragging Unicorn, "I've had just about enough of your boasting, Trixie Lulamoon!" I grabbed the collar of her shirt, "Nopony cares about your magical prowess. Nopony gives a dang about your talents. Ego crushes confidence and that leads to ponies thinking they're nothing but dust!"

"Ellie!" I heard Rarity gasp.

"Until you learn about the meaning of humility, I'd suggest you make like a tree and leave!" I told Trixie.

Scared, she threw a smoke bomb and vanished.

"Remind me to never get on your bad side, Ellie." Rainbow noted.

I returned to my shy demeanor, with my anger gone, "I hope I didn't go too far. That was building up all day."

Twilight shook her head, "Maybe someday she'll learn her lesson." Then turned to Snips and Snails, "Now, about you two."

Snips nervously chuckled, "Uh, we're sorry that we woke up the Ursa Minor."

Snails nodded, "We just wanted to see some awesome magic."

Snips nodded with a smile, "Yeah!" Then turned to me, "And the way you vanquished that Ursa Minor was awesome!"

I folded my arms and gave a disapproving glare at the colts.

Snails and Snips bowed to their knees. "We deserve whatever punishment you give us." Snails told Twilight and I.

"For starters, you can clean up this mess." Twilight started, looking at Trixie's trashed carriage. Then smiled at Spike, "And... What do you think, Spike? Should I give them number twenty five?"

Spike smirked, "Oh, twenty five! Yes!" Then added, "And I think I deserve it, too."

Snips and Snails raised a brow, "Heah?"

I smirked and nodded, "I agree with Spike. It'll be cool."

Twilight closed her eyes and her horn glowed. An aura appeared around Snips, Snails and Spike's muzzles and each of them grew a different styled mustache.

Snips, Snails and Spike smiled, "Sweet."

*The Next Morning...*

'Dear Princess Celestia,

I have learned a very valuable lesson about friendship: I was so afraid of being thought of as a show-off that I was hiding a part of who I am. My friends helped me realize that it's okay to be proud of your talents, and there are times when it's appropriate to show them off... Especially when you're standing up for your friends.'

Twilight finished writing her letter to Princess Celestia.

"So, you finally admit that you're the most talented unicorn in all of Ponyville?" Spike asked, his mustache still on his muzzle.

Twilight thought for a second, then answered with a smile, "Well, yeah, but it's nothing to brag about." Then asked, "So, uh, how did it go with Rarity?"

Spike sulked, "Eh, she didn't go for the mustache."

Twilight smiled at him, "You know, Spike, that mustache has nothing to do with who you really are. Maybe you should just try being yourself."

Spike twisted his mustache in thought, "Or... Maybe the mustache wasn't enough. Maybe if I had a mustache and a beard?"

Twilight sighed in annoyance, "Uh, not this again!"

"Okay, imagine me with a nice, long, Fu Manchu type beard. Or maybe a goatee." Spike started requesting, "Oh, no a soul-patch right on my chin!"

I giggled and sent the letter to Celestia.

Dragonshy

Eleanor's POV.
*Sigh* Finally a quiet day in Ponyville. It's been over a week since Trixie's visit and the attack of the Ursa Minor. Now everything has been fix and everypony is enjoying the day as a normal day.

Well, except a certain shy Pegasus, who was running into the park shouting, "Help. Help! Please? Help? There's-- there's a horrible cloud of smoke." Everypony seemed to be ignoring her, "It's headed this way and--"

Fluttershy squeaked as a red starred ball came flying toward her. She ducked and the ball missed her. Rainbow Dash quickly dashed past her and caught the ball, kicking it into the air.

"Don't be such a scaredy-pony. It's just me, future Equestria Ball-Bouncing Record Holder." Rainbow assured, then resumed counting, "Three forty six, three forty seven..."

Pinkie Pie accompanied Rainbow and smiled, "This calls for a celebration!"

Fluttershy shook her head, "Oh, no, Pinkie Pie, this is no time for celebration. This is a time for panic, for--"

Ignoring her, Pinkie Pie bounced by, "Ooo! I'm going to need balloons! One for every pony in Ponyville!"

Fluttershy followed after her, "There's-- There's smoke. And-- And where there's smoke, there's fire. And--"

Pinkie came to a sudden stop, Fluttershy rammed right into her. Pinkie counted the Ponyfolk present, "Let's see, that's one, two, three, four..."

Rainbow was still counting her bounces, "Three hundred fifty four..."

"Five, six..."

"Three hundred fifty five, no, wait..."

Pinkie cut Rainbow off by jabbing her chest, causing Rainbow to drop the ball, "Seven."

Rainbow took a step back and caught the ball under her arm. She glared at Pinkie, "Pinkie Pie! Now I have to start over."

A small cough caught me by surprise. I looked up and saw a large trail of black smoke sneaking across the sky. A familiar smell reached my nostrils. Fire and brimstone.

Oh no. Not again...

"We're all going to have to start over, in a new village." Fluttershy tried to speak up, "'Cause ours is gonna be--"

But she was cut off by Rainbow Dash flying off somewhere.

Pinkie Pie dashed after her friend, "Hey, Rainbow Dash, wait up!"

Fluttershy started to get desperate, "Oh, please, this is an emergency. I-I need everypony to--"

But, yet again, she was cut off. This time by Twilight Sparkle, on the bridge, "Listen up! Smoke is spreading over all of Equestria."

The other Ponies gasped, "What?" "Oh no!" "That's awful!"

"That's what I've been trying to--" Fluttershy tried to speak up, but Twilight cut her off again, "But don't worry, I've just received a letter from Princess Celestia informing me that it is not coming from a fire."

Fluttershy sighed in relief, "Oh, thank goodness."

"It's coming from a dragon." Twilight finished.

Everypony gasped in dread and panic.

"A... d-dragon?" Fluttershy stuttered.

*A Little Later, in Golden Oak Library...*
Twilight told everypony in Ponyville to go to their homes and stay inside. Then she rallied to rest of us into Golden Oak Library to come up with a plan to stop this dragon.

"What in the name of all things cinnamon swirled is a full-grown dragon doing here in Equestria?" Applejack asked, as Twilight looked over her books

"Sleeping, of course." I answered.

Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie tilted their heads in confusion, "Huh?"

Twilight nodded, packing a backpack with books and scrolls, "According to Princess Celestia, he's taking a nap. His snoring is what's causing all this smoke."

"He should really see a doctor." Pinkie Pie frowned, "That doesn't sound healthy at all."

Rarity shrugged her shoulders, "Well, at least he's not snoring fire." Then asked, "What are we meant to do about it?"

"I'll tell you what we're meant to do." Rainbow Dash spoke up, "Give him the boot." She took off into the air and kicked the library's centerpiece, "Take that." Twilight quickly grabbed the piece before it fell to the ground. Then she lifted it as Rainbow charged through, "And that!"

Rainbow crashed into a bookshelf.

"Violence doesn't always solve the issue, Rainbow." I told her, "We need reason as well."

Twilight nodded in approval, "We need to encourage him to take a nap somewhere else. Princess Celestia has given us this mission, and we must not fail." Rainbow Dash got back to her hooves and saluted, "If we do, Equestria will be covered in smoke for the next one hundred years."

Fluttershy gasped, while Rarity scoffed, "Talk about getting your beauty sleep."

"All right everypony, I need you to gather supplies quickly." Twilight told everypony, "We've got a long journey ahead of us. Let's meet back here in less than an hour."

Rainbow cheered and smiled, "Okay, girls, you heard her. The fate of Equestria is in our hands. Do we have what it takes?"

Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity smiled and cheered in affirmations. They left the library to make their way home and pack some supplies.

Fluttershy was the last to leave. She hesitated, "Um, actually..."

"Is something the matter, Fluttershy?" I asked.

Fluttershy looked at me, "Umm... Well... It's just that-"

But Twilight cut her off, "Fluttershy, we need to get going!"

She pushed the shy Pegasus out of the library and slammed the door behind her. I folded my arms at my friend.

That was rude.

*Less than an hour later...*
Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Fluttershy returned outside the library with backpacks full of supplies and such.

"All right girls, listen up. I'm mapping out the fastest route, but we've all got to keep a good pace if we expect to make it up the mountain by nightfall." Twilight told us, as she marched past us.

"M-m-mountain?" Fluttershy stuttered.

Twilight nodded, as she pointed to the mountain just outside of Ponyville, "The dragon is in that cave at the very top."

"Looks pretty cold up there." Applejack noticed.

Rainbow Dash nodded with a smile, "You bet it is. The higher you go, the chillier it gets."

"You guys are lucky you're ponies." I pointed out, "You girls have thick hides to keep you warm. I'm gonna need a thicker jacket."

Rarity smiled, "Good thing I brought my scarf."

She reached into her backpack and got out a pink stripped scarf. She wrapped it around her neck.

Pinkie Pie smiled, "Ooo! Pretty!"

Rainbow Dash chuckled, "Heh, oh yeah. That'll keep you nice and cozy."

I looked up at the mountain. For some reason, I felt scared and frightened. The funny thing is I'm not afraid of mountains, dragons or heights. I've done this thing before, with Sunset Shimmer. It was actually pretty fun.

I looked to my right and saw that Fluttershy was looking scared and nervous.

"Is something wrong, Fluttershy?" I asked the timid Pegasus. She looked at me, then away in uncertainty. "It's alright. You can tell me anything. I'm your friend." I assured her.

Fluttershy looked at me, and took a deep breath, "I... I really don't want to go up the mountain. I thought... Maybe I can stay here in Ponyville, keep an eye on the others while you and the others are gone."

I raised a brow, "You're afraid, aren't you?" Fluttershy gulped and gave me a small nod. I smiled, "That's okay, Fluttershy. I'm not a big fan of the cold. We just need to tell Twilight. Okay?"

Fluttershy looked uncertain, then looked at Twilight, who was looking over a map of the outside of town.

"Um, excuse me, Twilight?" She spoke up to Twilight, "I know you're busy, but..."

"Uh-huh." Twilight nodded, her eyes glued on the map, "Well, we could go this way."

"Twilight, Fluttershy wants to speak to-" I tried to speak up, but Twilight cut me off, "Uh-huh. No, we want to avoid that."

Fluttershy took a breath and spoke up, "So, um, I was thinking that, um, maybe Ellie and I should just stay here in Ponyville."

Twilight nodded, "Uh-huh." Her eyes were still glued on the map.

Fluttershy smiled, "Oh! Good. Ellie and I'll stay here and--"

Twilight finally heard Fluttershy's words and turned to her, "Wait! You and Ellie have to come! Your way with wild animals will surely come in handy. And Ellie's experience with dragons will definitely help."

"I don't think I--" Fluttershy tried to argue, but Twilight cut her off, "Oh, and don't worry about your little friends in the meadow. Spike's got it covered while you're gone."

Spike nodded, with little critters at his feet and birds and chipmunks perched on his arms, "You can count on me!" Unfortunately Angel Bunny thumped on Spike's head. Spike reacted and the animals ran off. Spike chased after them, "Hey! Hey! Wait!"

"I don't really think he's up to the task. Maybe..." Fluttershy told Twilight, but her words fell on deaf ears, as Twilight put the map back in her backpack and started walking, "But... But..."

"Are you sure you want Fluttershy to come along?" Rainbow Dash asked Twilight, "I mean, that pony's afraid of her own shadow. She's just going to slow us down."

I nodded in agreement, "And you know how much I can't stand the cold." I told her, "Maybe we should stay here."

Twilight just shook her head, "Oh, she's just a little nervous. And you just need your jacket. Once we get going, I'm sure you both'll be fine."

Suddenly, we heard Fluttershy squeak in fright. Twilight, Rainbow and I turned to see Fluttershy jogging on the spot, looking at her shadow. Then she leaped into a bush behind her.

I helped Fluttershy out of the bush, then Twilight announced, "All right girls, move out!"

With that, the girls charged forward, toward Fluttershy and I. "But... But...!" Fluttershy tried to argue, but we were carried with them.

Fluttershy screamed, while I shouted, "TWILIGHT BELLATRIX SPARKLE! YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!"

*A little later, at the Base of the Mountain...*
Twilight, the Girls and I arrived at the base of mountain. The dragon's snore caught everyone by surprise, creating a larger cloud of smoke toward Ponyville. Fluttershy gasped and hid close behind me.

"Whoa. What was that?" Rainbow Dash gasped.

"That is what it sounds like when a dragon snores." I answered.

Fluttershy looked at the mountain and squeaked, "It-- It's so... High!"

"Well, it is a mountain." Rainbow Dash pointed out, then added, "I'm going to fly up there and check it out!"

She was about to dash off, but Applejack stopped her by grabbing her tail, "Hold on, now. I think we should all go up together. Safety in numbers an all."

The others nodded in agreement. Rainbow folded her arms and pouted, "Oh, all right."

With that, the girls and I started climbing up the mountain. Unfortunately, I walked plantigrade, so Applejack helped me keep my footing on the mountain, as we climbed.

"I hear the only thing that sparkles more than a dragon's scales are the jewels they use to build their nests." Rarity spoke up, as we climbed up the mountain, "Ooo, if I play my cards right, I might be able to convince him to part with a few!"

With a growly voice, Pinkie Pie imitated the dragon, "Welcome to my cave, Rarity. Care for a diamond?"

She roared. The rest of us laughed at her joke. The only one that wasn't laughing was Twilight Sparkle.

"Girls, this is no laughing matter!" She told us sternly, then we continued climbing.

I cleared my throat, "I think you might have trouble getting one gem from the dragon's nest, Rarity."

Rarity looked at me, "Why is that?"

I was about to answer, but Twilight marched past me and asked, "Fluttershy, you're the expert on wild creatures. What do you think the dragon will be like?"

Getting no response, Twilight looked behind her, "Fluttershy?"

The rest of us turned to find Fluttershy still at the base of the mountain, hiding behind a bush.

"Hey! What are you waiting for? An invitation?" Rainbow Dash shouted impatiently.

Pinkie smiled, "Ooo, I think I have one in my bag!"

She dug into her backpack and got out a card. Confetti popped out with a party whistle and startled Rainbow Dash.

"I-It's so... So... Steep." Fluttershy squeaked timidly

"Well, it is a cliff." Rainbow pointed out, "You could just, oh, I don't know, fly up here?"

"Come on, Fluttershy, you can do it." Pinkie Pie encouraged with a smile, flapping her hands, "Flap those wings!"

"Oh... Okay." Fluttershy took a breath and flapped her wings.

She made it to our location and we smiled at her accomplishment. However another snore alerted Fluttershy. Her wings snapped closed and she fell into the bush at the base of the mountain. Rainbow Dash sighed in annoyance.

"Fluttershy, you okay?" I called.

"I'm okay." She answered. She tried to open her wings again, but they weren't cooperating with her this time around.

Twilight sighed in impatience, "Uh, we don't have time for this." I rolled my eyes and grabbed her map. "What are you doing?" Twilight asked me, as I looked the map over.

"I'm gonna be needing this, if I'm going to take her around the mountain another way." I answered.

Rainbow Dash groaned, "Around the mountain?" I rode down the cliff to meet up with Fluttershy, "That's going to take them forever."

I made to Fluttershy, she was still struggling to open her wings. Another snore echoed from above the mountain. Fluttershy froze solid and fell on her back.

"Don't worry, Twi. We'll reach you guys as soon as we can." I assured Twilight.

*A Few Minutes Later...*
Twilight Sparkle's POV.
The girls and I were still waiting for Ellie to bring Fluttershy to meet up with us. During that time, I was pacing along the path. Rainbow Dash was trying to keep herself from getting bored by following me. Applejack was sitting down and waiting patiently. And Rarity and Pinkie were playing Tic-Tac-Toe. So far, Pinkie was wining.

"Whoo-hoo! I win again!" Pinkie cheered as she won another game.

Rarity sighed, "Ugh. That's thirty-five games in a row." Then asked with a smile, "Best of seventy-one?"

Then I heard the sound of footsteps and hoofsteps. Finally arriving was Ellie and Fluttershy. Fluttershy was hiding behind Ellie and holding her hand.

"There we go." Ellie smiled at Fluttershy, "Told you, you can do it."

"Told you it was going to take them forever." Rainbow Dash whispered to me.

I gave her a look. They were only gone for eight minutes.

With Fluttershy calmed down and both her and Ellie finally with us, it was time to continue up the mountain. I followed the map up a crooked path and met up with a gap across the mountain. Rainbow Dash wasted no time and leaped over. The other girls and I followed behind her. The only one left was Fluttershy.

"Your turn, Fluttershy." I told her.

Fluttershy refused to move and hugged a nearby rock, "But... It's so... Wide.

"Come on, Fluttershy, we should be much farther along by now." I sighed.

"You could just leap on over." Applejack encouraged.

Fluttershy looked over the gap, "I--" Another dragon snore echoed from the cave. It was louder this time around. Fluttershy squeaked and curled into a ball, "I don't know."

Applejack and I shook our heads. Then Pinkie Pie spoke up with a cheerful smile, "There's nothing to be afraid of. It's just a hop, skip and a jump." She leaped over to Fluttershy with ease, "See?"

Then she broke into song,

'It's not very far,
Just move your little rump.
You can make it if you try with a hop, skip and jump.'

"We don't have time for this." I sighed.

Pinkie resumed singing, leaping back and forth across the gap,

'A hop, skip and jump,
Just move your little rump,
A hop, skip and jump,
A hop, skip and jump,
A hop, skip and jump,
A hop skip and jump,
A hop skip and jump!'

Fluttershy gathered her courage and stood up, "O-okay. Here I go." She hopped over to the edge, "A hop."

Applejack smiled, "That's it."

I nodded, "You've got it."

"Almost there." Rarity cheered.

"Skip." Fluttershy skipped, and leaped over the edge.

"You're doing great." Ellie smiled.

I nodded, "Just don't look down."

Fluttershy opened her eyes and looked down. Panicked, she lost her hoofing. Luckily, the gap was smaller than Fluttershy believed it was. You could've just stepped over with no harm.

Rainbow Dash sighed in annoyance and flew over to the other side. She pushed Fluttershy over, while Applejack and I grabbed her hands and pulled Fluttershy over.

Again, Fluttershy lost her hoofing and tripped over, falling on top of Rainbow Dash. "I guess I forgot to jump." She whispered with a sheepish smile.

*A Little Later...*
Eleanor's POV.
"Let's keep it down. According to my map, we're entering an avalanche zone. The smallest peep could cause a huge rock slide." Twilight whispered, as we arrived to a part of the mountain that looked like it could collapse at anytime.

"An... An ava... Ava..." Fluttershy whispered, as fear began to pick up on her again.

Twilight quickly 'shh'ed her and we walked up the path, as quietly as we could. Fluttershy stayed as close to me as possible. Rainbow Dash flew past a tree, her shoulder brushing over a branch. Two leaves fell and landed on Fluttershy's shoulders.

Startled and frightened, Fluttershy screamed at the top of her lungs, "AVALA--" I quickly covered her mouth and her echo screamed into the air. Luckily, no avalanche.

The girls sighed in unison, and the ground started to shake around us. The wall next to us started to topple over with rocks of shapes and sizes falling toward us.

"Avalanche!"

The girls and I ran around the area, trying to avoid getting crushed by the falling rocks. Rainbow Dash stuck to her flying skills.

"Oh no! Help!" Twilight screamed, as she tried to avoid the rocks.

Applejack tackled her out of the way and the rocks created a huge cloud of dust. All of us coughed the dust out of our lungs, as the cloud cleared and a large hill of rocks blocked our path.

"Everypony okay?" Applejack asked everyone.

Twilight sighed and smiled at Applejack, "Thanks to you I am."

Fluttershy popped out of the dirt with a small sheepish smile. Rarity found herself covered in dust and dirt, from the cloud. She dusted herself off and the dust and dirt attracted itself to Pinkie Pie, who bounced in excitement.

"Whoo-hoo! Let's do it again!" Pinkie smiled, now covered in dirt and dust.

Rarity smiled, "This is why a girl always packs extra accessories." She reached into her backpack and wrapped her pink-striped scarf around her neck. Then her smile fell, "Oh, please tell me I brought the tiara that goes with this."

"Uh, think we got bigger problems than making sure our hair bows match our horseshoes." Rainbow pointed out, pointing to the hill of rocks and stones.

Fluttershy sighed with a sulk, "Sorry."

I smiled and assured, "Don't worry about it, SugarCube." Applejack gave me a look.

Twilight nodded in agreement, "Yeah, we'll just have to..." Her smile fell and sighed, "Climb over."

With that, the girls and I started climbing over the hill of rocks, stones, dust and dirt. It was quite slippery on the up, Rarity helped me this time around. On the way down, Fluttershy lost her hoofing and slid down the hill. She collided into Rarity, me and Applejack, crashing into the foot of the hill.

Rainbow Dash flew over and tried to help Rarity out of the pile. "My apologies." Rarity apologised.

"Not your fault." Rainbow Dash answered, glaring at Fluttershy. I gave the impatient Pegasus.

Not Fluttershy's fault she has been trying to tell us she's scared of dragons. If you just stop an listen, you'll know and help her out too!

Then Rainbow Dash flew off to meet up with Twilight, as the rest of us got back to our hooves.

"Still think it was a good idea to bring Fluttershy along?" She asked Twilight.

Twilight looked ahead, "We're about to find out." Then came to a stop, "We're here."

The rest of us gathered with Twilight, in front of a large cave with the smoke leaking out from the ceiling.

Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash, "Rainbow Dash, you'll use your wings to clear the smoke."

Rainbow Dash nodded and took off into the stream of smoke.

Twilight turned to Rarity and Pinkie Pie, "Rarity and Pinkie Pie, you'll create a diversion to distract the dragon if things get a little hairy in there."

Rarity and Pinkie nodded, as Pinkie got out a rubber chicken from her backpack and started shaking it around like a dog, much to Rarity and Twilight's confusion.

"I don't think that's a-" I tried to speak up, but Twilight cut me off and turned to Applejack, "Applejack, you're ready with the apples in case he decides to attack."

Applejack nodded and threw two apples into the air, kicked them into a nearby tree.

"Twilight, there's no need fo-" I tried again, but Twilight cut me off again, "But it shouldn't come to that, because Fluttershy will do what she needs to do to wake him up, and between both her and Ellie, we should be able to get him to understand why he needs to go." Then she asked, "Is everypony ready?"

Everypony, but Fluttershy and I, nodded in agreement.

Twilight nodded and took hold of my hand, "Okay then, we're goin' in."

With that, Twilight and I entered the dragon's cave. It was getting darker the more we walked in.

"So, what is the best way to wake up a sleeping dragon without upsetting him?" Twilight asked.

"Well, the most efficient way is to-" I answered, but Twilight turned and noticed a certain shy Pegasus wasn't with us, "Fluttershy?"

I quietly growled in frustration. Twilight wasn't asking me about the dragon. She was asking Fluttershy!

Twilight grabbed my hand and we exit the cave, "Oh, come on!"

We found Fluttershy curled in a ball, with her head buried in her knees. Poor lass is scared to death.

Twilight picked Fluttershy up by pulling her wings, "Come on! We have to do this!" Then she started pushing her forward, "Now!" Rainbow Dash joined her, "Every... Second longer that dragon..." Rarity joined in, "Sleeps is another..." Applejack joined, "Acre of Equestria that is covered in... Smoke."

Fluttershy refused to move. Pinkie joined with a laugh. I just folded my arms with anger boiling my blood.

"I-- I--" Fluttershy stuttered, then admitted, "I can't go in the cave."

The girls fainted in impatience.

Rainbow Dash sighed, "Oh, great. She's scared of caves now, too."

Fluttershy shook her head, "I'm not scared of caves, I'm scared of..." She mumbled the last word very quietly.

Applejack leaned closer, "What's that, SugarCube?"

"I'm scared of..." Fluttershy repeated, mumbling the last word more quietly.

Twilight leaned closer and cupped her ear, "What?"

"Oh for the love of..." I growled, then shouted at the top of my lungs, "Fluttershy is afraid of dragons!! There, it's said!! Are you happy now?!"

The dragon snored again. It was very loud that it shook the cave and created another cloud of smoke around us. Fluttershy squeaked and hid behind me.

The girls coughed, as the smoke cleared.

Twilight turned to Fluttershy, "But Fluttershy. You have a wonderful talent dealing with all kinds of animals."

My blood continued to boil, as Fluttershy nodded, "Yes, because they're not dragons."

"Oh come on! We've seen you walk right up to a horrible manticore like it was nothing." Rainbow Dash pointed out.

Fluttershy nodded again, "Yes, because he wasn't a dragon."

"Spike is a dragon." Pinkie pointed out, "You're not scared of him."

Fluttershy nodded again, "Yes, because he not a huge, gigantic, terrifying, enormous, teeth-gnashing, sharp-scale having, horn-wearing, smoke-snoring, could eat a pony in one bite, totally all grown-up dragon!"

The dragon snored again. Fluttershy hugged close to me, shaking in terror.

"But, if you're so afraid of dragons, why didn't you say something before we came all the way up here?" Twilight asked.

I turned to the bookworm Unicorn, "We tried to tell you, but you wouldn't listen!" I told her with a glare and folded arms, "And you have a dragon expert right in front of you. But no!" I walked toward her, "No-one listens to the Human with magic. You have to ask the shy Pegasus, who is frightened out of her own wits!!"

Twilight looked at me, then sheepishly looked away, rubbing her arm.

Applejack helped Fluttershy to her hooves and assured with a smile, "All of us are scared of that dragon."

Rainbow Dash shook her head proudly, "I'm not!"

I raised my hand, "I was my first time to face a dragon, but not anymore."

"Almost all of us are scared of that dragon." She corrected, "But we've got a job to do. So, get in there with Twilight and show her what you're made of."

Fluttershy looked at her friends, 'I-- I-- I just..." Then she sulked and sighed, "Can't."

She turned made her way back down the path. I watched her with a sad look, "Oh, Fluttershy."

Twilight mustered up her courage and marched into the cave alone, "I'm goin' in. He... Probably just doesn't realize what he's doing." She looked back at the entrance, "Right?"

Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie all answered in agreement, but were nervous in their answers.

Twilight walked deeper into the cave and looked around, "Mr. Dragon?" Then she bumped into the muzzle of a large dragon.

His scales shined like red rubies with an underbelly of heliodor. Large wings and sharp spines of rose quartz running down his back.

Twilight cleared her throat, "Excuse me?" The dragon grumbled and rolled on to its back and scratched its underbelly, "Mr. Dragon?"

The dragon opened its amber-golden eyes and looked at Twilight.

Twilight took a step back and smiled, "Oh, good, you're awake. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Twilight-"

The dragon yawned. Twilight got caught in his breath. Twilight gagged a little, then continued, "Sparkle, and my friends and I are residents here in Equestria."

The dragon looked at the entrance of the cave. The girls smiled politely, while Pinkie and I waved.

"Ponyville, to be exact. We've come here to ask that you find another spot to take your nap." Twilight continued, "It's just that you seem to be doing an awful lot of snoring, and every time you do you send out a terrible cloud of smoke."

The dragon blew a small cloud of smoke at Twilight's face. Twilight coughed a bit, before continuing, "Equestria simply can't survive a hundred years in a dark haze. You understand, don't you?"

The dragon stood up and stretched with a yawn.

Twilight smiled, "So, you'll find another place to sleep?"

The dragon collapsed back into his nest and fell back to sleep, blowing another cloud of smoke out of the cave.

Twilight exit the cave, coughing. The dragon blew more smoke our way.

"So much for persuading him." Rainbow spoke up, between coughs.

I folded my arms, "Yeah, adult dragons don't listen to reason. As long as he's comfortable, he's not moving until the next Dragon Migration."

"Now what?" Applejack asked.

Rarity cleared her throat and spoke up, "Obviously, this situation just calls for a little pony charm." So she made her way into the cave, "Allow me, girls."

"Uh, Rarity? I don't think that's a go-" I tried to speak up, but she was already inside. I growled in frustration and kicked a nearby rock off the cliff.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt." Rarity cleared her throat, "But I couldn't possibly head back home without mentioning what handsome scales you have." She started picking up some of the jewelry from the dragon's nest, "And those scales have to be hidden away in some silly cave for a hundred years?"

"Rarity Tabitha Stone? What are you doing?" I whispered.

The dragon smiled in humble pride of Rarity's words.

"Personally, I think you should skip the snoozing and be out there, showing them off." Rarity told him. The dragon got too prideful. Then Rarity said the dreaded words, "Obviously, I would be more than happy to keep an eye on your jewels while you're gone."

The dragon caught her words and growled in anger. He stomped the ground and hugged his nest close. Scared, Rarity dashed out of the cave, leaving all the gems and jewelry behind.

"I was this close to getting that diamond." Rarity complained, lightly pinching the air.

"You mean... Getting rid of that dragon?" Twilight corrected.

Rarity rolled her eyes, "Oh, yeah... Sure."

I folded my arms and blew my bangs out from my eyes, "I tried to tell you. Dragons are also very greedy creatures. Never give up their loot for any reason. Trust no-one either."

"What in tarnation...?" Applejack gasped.

Twilight, Rarity and I looked and saw Pinkie dressed up like a clown inside a present box. With flippers, balloons and large shades.

"Darling, you look ridiculous." Rarity told Pinkie, with hands on her hips.

Pinkie nodded with a smile, "Exactly!" Then made her way into the cave, "Sharing a laugh is a sure-fire way to get someone on your side!"

I quickly reached my hand to her, "Pinkie, no!"

But she was already in the cave, "Hi!"

The dragon growled and there was the sound of something getting beaten up. Pinkie Pie exit the cave, looking like she just lost a battle with a freshly baked cake, "Apparently he doesn't like laughing, heh. Or sharing."

Rainbow Dash lost her patience, "All right, that's it. We tried persuasion, charm, whatever it is Pinkie Pie does. It's time to stop wasting time! I'm going in!"

"Rainbow Dash! Don't!" I shouted after her, but she charged into the cave.

Rainbow Dash met with the dragon and shouted, "Get! Out!"

She kicked the dragon's muzzle, hard. The dragon let out a sneeze, the growled angrily at the rainbow-themed Pegasus.

Rainbow Dash sheepishly smiled, "Heh. Sorry."

The dragon roared at her, throwing Rainbow Dash out of the cave, into us and into a nearby rock. The girls and I recovered from the collision and gasped, as the dragon started to emerge from the cave. The girls huddled with one another in fear.

I jumped in front of my friends, made myself look large and growled at the dragon. Angry and challenged, the dragon attacked with a blast of his fire breath. My ruby glowed brightly and projected a magical shield against the flames.

The dragon withdrew his fiery blast and attacked me with his claws. I was able to dodge some of the attacks, then the dragon mixed combos of his claws, teeth, and fire breath.

"Go get him, Ellie!" Rainbow Dash cheered, as I fought.

I was able to slide underneath, and get behind the dragon. Thinking I was after his gems, the dragon attacked me with his tail. I was thrown into the air and crashed into a nearby rock. It crumbled apart from the impact. A powerful surge of pain shot through my body. The left side of my torso was bleeding, you could see red leaking from my hoodie.

Hiding behind the rock was Fluttershy. I heard blurred voices calling my name before my vision started to go black and silence filled my ears.

Fluttershy's POV.
I jumped in startle, as the rock I was hiding behind crumbled into smaller rocks. I looked on the other side, to find Ellie. She didn't look so good. Her clothes were burnt. Her glasses were cracked and there was a pool of red appearing on her hoodie. I knew that red color.

"Ellie!" I gasped in worry.

Ellie was able to look at me, before blacked out. Anger burned and boiled in my blood, as I glared at the dragon, "How dare you... How dare you!" I rose from my hiding place and flew toward the dragon's muzzle, "Listen here, mister. Just because you're big doesn't mean you get to be a bully." I looked at him dead in the eye, "You may have huge teeth, and sharp scales, and snore smoke, and breathe fire. But you do not-- I repeat-- You do not! Hurt! My! Friends! You got that?"

The dragon lowered his head in shame, his eyes not turning away from me.

"Well?" I asked him, folding my arms.

"But that rainbow one kicked me." The dragon told me, pointing to Rainbow Dash, "And the human-"

"I am very sorry about her." I apologised about Rainbow Dash, then I furrowed my brows, "And Ellie was trying to protect us. But you're bigger than she is, and you should know better. You should also know better than to take a nap where your snoring can become a health hazard to other creatures."

The dragon nodded in understanding, then spoke up, looking away, "But I--" But I cut him off, "Don't you 'but I' me, mister. Now what do you have to say for yourself?" I hardened my tone, "I said, what do you have to say for yourself?"

The dragon's lip started trembling and he started crying.

I regained my smile and stroked his muzzle, "There, there. No need to cry. You're not a bad dragon, you just made a bad decision." I made my way back to my friends, "Now go pack your things. You just need to find a new place to sleep. That's all."

My friends gathered around me, cheering and smiling. Twilight smiled at me, "You did it! I knew you could do it."

With that, the dragon grabbed his things and left the cave to find somewhere else to sleep.

Later, back in Ponyville...
Eleanor's POV.
I finally was able to find the strength to open my eyes. I opened my eyes to find myself back in the Golden Oak Library. Twilight was looking over me.

"Twilight?" I recognised, finally able to find my voice.

The purple Unicorn smiled in relief, "Ellie! Thank goodness. I thought you weren't gonna make it." I tried to sit up, but Twilight put her hands over my shoulders, "Don't get up so fast, you're still recovering."

I looked myself over. My right hand and forearm was bandaged, as well as my torso and my left shoulder.

"What happened?" I asked, "Did we get the dragon to leave?"

Twilight nodded, then turned to Spike, "Spike, take a letter."

Spike smiled and grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill, "With pleasure." He started jotting down Twilight's words.

'Dear Princess Celestia,
I am happy to report that the dragon has departed our fair country, and that it was my good friend, Fluttershy, who convinced him to go. This adventure has taught me to never lose faith in your friends. They can be an amazing source of strength, and can help you overcome even your greatest fears.
Always your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle.'

"Twilight! You gotta come see this!" Applejack's voice shouted from outside. Twilight helped me off my bed and we walked toward the balcony. "She's just five away from a new pony record!" Applejack told us.

Of course, she was referring to Rainbow Dash, who was bouncing the red, starred ball and keeping it in the air.

"Three hundred forty-seven, three hundred forty-eight..." Rainbow Dash counted, then froze at the sound of a loud roar, "Dragon!"

Rainbow Dash froze and fell on her back in a similar fashion that Fluttershy was earlier.

Everyone started laughing in humor and irony.

Rainbow Dash recovered and asked, "Why are you laughing? That awful dragon is back!"

Finally it was revealed to be Pinkie Pie who was roaring. Rainbow glared at Pinkie, "Pinkie Pie, you scared me!" Realizing what she said, Rainbow recollected herself, "I mean, uh, you... broke my concentration."

Fluttershy put her hand over Rainbow's shoulder, "It's okay, Rainbow Dash. Not every pony can be as brave as me."

A small leaf almost landed on Rainbow, until she blew and the leaf flew over and landed on Fluttershy's shoulder. Once it touched her shoulder, Fluttershy squeaked, froze and fell on her back. Laughter broke and I couldn't help but smile.

I'm glad everyone was okay.

Look Before You Sleep

Eleanor's POV.
It's been another quiet day in Ponyville. Just about a week and a half since the events with the dragon. I'm still feeling sore from what the dragon did to me. But I don't blame him. Rainbow Dash made him angry and he was retaliating. I just got in the way, trying to protect my friends.

Twilight and I have just finished preparing for the upcoming storm this evening. Magical lightning rod is in place. Spike is away on Canterlot business. All that's left is to prep the basement room for me.

Yeah... Storms and I really don't get along. Especially thunder and lightning storms. So it's either spend the night in the basement, or spend the evening embarrassing Twilight by freezing up, cowering under furniture, or crying every time lightning claps or thunder roars.

Right now, Twilight's teaching me how to use my magic. Ever since the incident with the Ursa Minor and the Dragon, Twilight thought she could part some wisdom on to me and teach me how to harness the magic inside me.

I've learned a lot since the past few days. Telekinesis. Levitation. Channeling the magic into energy. Even use magic to manipulate the elements in a natural way.

Right now, Twilight is teaching me transfiguration. Turning a teacup into a simple wine goblet.

"Come on, Ellie. You can do it." Twilight encouraged, "Just picture the goblet in your mind and focus your thoughts on it."

I took a breath and closed my eyes. The goblet appeared in my mind, as I focused my thoughts on it.

My right hand started to feel warm. I raised my hand and touched the cup.

Then I heard Twilight cheer happily, "You did it! By Starswirl, you did it!!"

I opened my eyes and looked at the teacup. Standing in its place was a golden wine goblet. Its shine could make Rarity envious. I smiled in accomplishment.

Suddenly, Twilight threw her arms around me and started twirling me in the air, "You're doing awesome in magic, Ellie. I'm so proud of you."

My widen and I tried to pry myself free, "Twilight, wait. Put me down! This is for-"

A bright light encased Twilight and myself.... Too late...

????'s POV.
The bright light faded and I was able to open my eyes with a stretch. The weird thing was that Ellie was nowhere to be found. Only her black sandals.

I picked up a sandal and placed it near my hoof, "Why are your sandals too small for your... My... Feet...?" I asked myself.

I closed my eyes and rubbed them, "Okay... That was weird." Then asked, noticing the sandal, "What in tarnation?"

Curious, I put the sandal down and looked myself over. My fur coat was a pastel violet color with almost white forearms and socks. My nails and hooves were a lavender color and cloven. My tail was leonine and bared a tuff of black, silky hair with violet and pink streaks.

I looked over my clothes. I wore light blue khaki shorts with a white, colored shirt under a grey, sleeveless hoodie. On the hoodie, cut in half by the zipper, was a six-pointed star, surrounded by six wisps.

I recognised the mark and shock came to me.

"Ellie?"

"Twilight!" My gut dropped with panic and apology, "Oh, Luna! I'm so sorry. I tried to warn you, but-"

I shook my head and smile, "No. Don't be. This is incredible. I didn't think this kind of magic actually exist."

I started to stand up, "Of course it exists. I studied this kind of magic a long time ago. It's just I had nopony to test it."

"What is this magic?" I couldn't help but, ask as I looked myself over in awe. My full height stood at Big McIntosh's height. I'm surprised that we haven't hit our head yet.

"Fusion magic." I answered, "It's basically when two beings use magic to became one singular entity. The entity shares traits from the two that created it. There is a catch though."

"Which is?" I asked with a raised brow.

"The two that created the fusion, must be in complete mental and physical balance with each other." I answered simply, then with an uneasy tone, "Aaaand... This magic is forbidden..."

My eyes widened and started to panic, "What! We gotta unfuse, before somepony sees us!"

"Twilight. Calm down. I know how unfuse. Just trust me." I assured myself.

I closed my eyes and started thinking about words of hatred and angry. The feeling started to well up and Twilight's panicked aura was helping making things worse. It hurt, but....

Eleanor's POV.
A poof of smoke and Twilight and I were successfully unfused. And without a mark on us.

"Well... That was fun, huh?" I asked with a small smile.

Twilight looked at me and smiled back, "Yeah, it kind of was." Then she looked at her hands, "For that moment, I could see the world through the eyes of a human. You see Equestria very similar to a Pony." Then she looked at me, "What made Fusion Magic forbidden, anyway?"

I folded my arms and sighed, "It was during the time of the Founders of Equestria, before Princess Celestia and Luna began their duties as Alicorns. A member each of the three tribes discovered a magic that can fuse magic together and make it more powerful. All three used the magic and fused into the first Alicorn. However, something went horribly wrong."

"What? What happened?" Twilight asked, intrigued.

"The Alicorn grew hungry for more power. So it began fusing with other creatures." I answered, "Dragons. Timberwolves. Earth Ponies. Pegasi. Unicorns. Yaks. Minotaurs. Deer. Breezies. Even spirits." I opened my eyes and looked at Twilight, "The creature no longer remembered what it used to be, but it was so powerful, it could bend the very fabric of reality, space and time."

"What became of this creature?" Twilight asked.

"It died, Twilight." I answered, "So much power shouldn't belong to a creature that cannot remember its own humanity. And that's why Fusion Magic is forbidden. Hunger. Abominations. Destruction. Loss. Pain. Dark magic. Everything that can bring doom to Equestria."

"I see..." Twilight sulked, "Where did you read this? I've never found a book on Fusion Magic in the Castle Library."

"The Everfree Forest taught me." I answered casually.

That got Twilight, "What?!"

I shrugged my shoulders, "The Everfree Forest taught me by using magic to fuse two spirits."

"Okay." Twilight replied, "So, if it happens again, what do we name our fusion?"

Thunder clapped loudly, making me freeze with a squeak and the rain started to fall heavily.

Twilight rubbed her chin for a second, then smiled, "Midnight Fuchsia." Then she looked at the weather and gasped, "What are Applejack and Rarity doing outside in this weather?"

I recovered and looked outside. Twilight wasn't lying. Applejack and Rarity were outside, in the storm. Applejack was bunkered down under a bench. But Rarity was in the rain, trying to avoid the raindrops, but wasn't having much luck.

Twilight jogged to the door and called, "Applejack! Rarity!"

The two ponies stopped and tried to find the source of Twilight's voice.

Twilight called again, "Applejack! Rarity!"

Applejack and Rarity looked at Twilight and raised a brow at her.

Twilight beckoned them inside, "Come inside, girls. Quick."

Rarity wasted no time and ran toward the library. Applejack followed behind her. Rarity entered, but Applejack stopped in front of the doorway.

"Whoa, Nelly. Is inside a tree the best place to be in a lightning storm?" Applejack asked in concern.

"It is, if you have a magical lightning rod protecting your home, like we do." Twilight assured, "Come on in."

I nodded, "I'll make some cocoa. Spike says I make the best, but I'm not the type to brag."

Rarity smiled and bowed in gratitude, "We are most grateful for your invitation."

Applejack nodded and entered, "Thank ya kindly for yer hospitality."

But, before Applejack could take another step, Rarity stopped her. It turned out Applejack's hooves were covered in mud.

"Do be a polite houseguest and go wash up, please, won't you?" Rarity asked Applejack, as she entered the library.

Applejack glared at the fashion Unicorn and sighed behind gritted teeth of annoyance, "If Ah'm gonna spend one more second with that bitch, Rarity, Ah am not gonna be held responsible for what Ah'm gonna do."

With that, Applejack headed outside, and I went to the kitchen to make four mugs of my own recipe for hot cocoa.

Once both of us were done, Applejack and I made our way into the library. Applejack noticed something and gasped, "What in tarnation..."

Rarity and Twilight were sitting on the floor, with their faces covered in a pale mint paste. Rarity was rubbing the mask on Twilight's face, getting every un-mudded spot.

"Now wait just a goll-darn minute." Applejack frowned, "Ya make me wash the mud off my hooves, but it's okay for y'all to have mud all over yer faces?"

"Silly!" Rarity replied, wiping her hands from the paste, "This is called a mud mask. It's to refresh and rejuvenate your complexion."

I picked up the bowl of paste and looked it over. "Uh, Rarity? This isn't a mud mask. This is mint paste." I looked at the near-white Unicorn, "You got this from the Aloe Sisters, didn't you?"

"It does the same thing, right?" Rarity shrugged.

I lowered my eyelids into a deadpan expression, "Yes."

"We're giving each other makeovers!" Twilight squeaked with an excited smiled, then she grabbed the open book on the podium, "We have to do it, it says so in the book."

She showed the book to Applejack and I.

Applejack read, "'Slumber 101: Everything Yah...'" Her eyes widened, then she looked at her empty wrist, "Oh hey, heh, would'ja look at the time. Ah gotta skidaddle on home quick." She turned and adjusted her setson, "Ah'm powerful late for, uh, fer somethin'." Then made her way to the door, "Uh, g'night."

"Applejack, wai-" I was about to protest, but thunder roared over us and lightning flashed through the window.

Ice quickly froze my veins and I squeaked, tightly hugging close to the nearest Pony to me. Which was Twilight Sparkle. Applejack yelped and quickly ran back to the library.

"Or maybe Ah'll sit here for a spell." She quickly considered with an embarrassed smile.

Twilight smiled and clapped her hands in excitement, "Hurray slumber party!"

With that, Rarity slapped the mint paste over Applejack and my faces. Applejack wasn't comfortable with it, neither was I. Then Rarity put cucumber slices over our eyes.

"What in the world is this for?" Applejack asked, reaching the cucumbers.

"To reduce the puffiness around one's eyes, of course." Rarity answered with a sigh, and in a 'duh' tone.

"Actually, the cucumbers do nothing." I replied, "They're actually used to keep the paste away from the eyes. Mint irritates the eyes."

Twilight smiled, "Wow, Ellie. You seem to know quite a lot about beauty products, huh?"

I lightly smiled back, "I know my herbs and remedies. It's simple common sense with the cucumbers."

"Puffiness-schmuffiness!" Applejack spoke up. She grabbed the cucumbers from her eyes and ate them with a smile, "That's good eatin'!"

Rarity frowned. Twilight giggled, as she looked over her slumber party book, "Isn't this exciting? We'll do everything by the book, and that will make my slumber party officially fun." She clapped her hands in excitement.

"Did you hear that, Applejack?" Rarity eyed at Applejack, "You certainly would not want to do anything that would ruin Twilight's very first slumber party, would you?"

Applejack shook her head, "Of course not." Then glared at the white Unicorn, "'N you wouldn't either, Ah reckon?"

"So do we have an agreement?" Rarity asked.

I nodded in agreement and performed the 'Pinkie Promise' vow.

The Pinkie Promise is something that Pinkie Pie invented when she was younger. It grew in popularity and now everypony does it.

It's a solemn vow to keep until it's fulfilled. Basically, you cross your heart with your dominant hand, then flap your hands in the air, and finally cover your best eye while saying, "Cross my heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye."

Applejack nodded, "You betcha." She spat into her hand and extended it toward Rarity.

Rarity quickly took a step back in disgust, "Oh! Gross! You know, there's messy and there's just plain rude."

"Ya know, there's fussy, 'n there's just plain gettin' on mah nerves." Applejack shot back.

"Fortunately, I can get along with any pony, no matter how difficult she may be." Rarity pointed out.

"Oh yeah? Well, Ah'm the 'get-alongin'ist pony yer ever gonna meet." Applejack argued.

Rarity glared at her, "That's not even a word."

"Girls, that's enough." I whispered to the two quarrelling Ponies.

Then Twilight appeared in between us, "This is going to be the bestest slumber party ever!" She put her arms over our shoulders and hugged us close, "Yay!"

I smiled in excitement, while Applejack and Rarity just looked away, "Yay..."

*A Little Bit Later...*
And so we resumed with the makeover session. All of us changed into our pjs. Of course, with Applejack and Rarity, we had spares for them. Rarity wore one of Twilight's elegant nightdresses. And Applejack wore one of my tank top and shorts.

We reached to the point of curling our manes and tail. It turns out Applejack and I share quite a bit in common.

"So, how are you getting along over there, Applejack?" Rarity asked Applejack.

"Just fine, Rarity." Applejack answered, slumped over with an embarrassed sulk.

I scratched my head, under the curlers, "These curlers are making my head itch. Where did you get these things, Twilight?"

Twilight ignored me and smiled, "This is so awesome!" She giggled and grabbed the slumber party book and a quill, "Makeovers, check."

She used her magic to poof the curlers away and our mane and tails back to normal. I sighed in relief as the itching subsided.

Twilight looked over her book, "Ooh, it says here we have to tell ghost stories." Then asked, "Who wants to go first?"

Applejack wasted no time in raising her hand, "Me!" Then spoke in a haunted tone, "Ah'd like to tell y'all the terrifying tale of the prissy ghost who drove everypony crazy with her unnecessary neatness." She waved her hands in a ghostly fashion, "Oo-oo!" Then she eyed at Rarity, "Ah'm sure y'all are familiar with that one?"

Rarity shook her head, "Never heard of it." Then smiled, "But I have a much better one." Then she spoke in a weak haunted tone, "It's the horrifying story of the messy, inconsiderate ghost who irritated every pony within a hundred miles!" She waved her hands in a similar fashion to Applejack, "Oo-oo!"

"That's not a real story. Yah made it up." Applejack told her.

"It is a ghost story, they're all made up." Rarity pointed out.

"You know, not all ghost stories have to be about ghosts." I spoke up, clearing my throat.

Rarity glared at me, "That's the whole point, is it not?"

I shook my head, "No. They just have to be scary."

Suddenly, lightning flashed and thunder roared loudly overhead of us and the entire room went into complete blackout! Ice quickly froze my veins again. I screamed, covered my ears, closed my eyes, to stop the tears of fear, and curled into a ball, trying to think happy thoughts and not think about the terrifying storm that was getting worse as the evening continued.

Twilight turned a lamp on and smiled, "I've got one!" Then added in a hushed tone, "This story is called 'The Legend of the Headless Horse'."

Lightning and thunder made the ground shake under my hooves. I closed my eyes tighter and hugged my knees closer to my chest for comfort, but it wasn't helping. Tears started falling down my face, my body was badly trembling and quiet whimpers escaped my throat.

"It was a dark and stormy night, just like this one. And four Ponies were having a slumber party, just like this one..." Twilight Sparkle started her story.

"Uh, Twilight?" Rarity spoke up, "Please pardon my interruption, but I don't think Ellie can take any more of this slumber party." Then she suggested, "Is it okay if I take her somewhere she feels safer?"

Twilight turned to look at me. Her tone changed from enthusiastic to guilty, "Oh, shoot. I got so excited I forgot Ellie is extremely astraphobic."

"Astro-what?" Applejack repeated.

"Astraphobic. Fear of storms." Rarity simplified.

Twilight nodded, "Ellie has a room in the basement, in case of a bad storm. She can go there."

Rarity nodded and helped me to my feet. She lead me downstairs, to my room in the basement. I was able to finally open my eyes and enter my basement room.

"You gonna be okay from here, darling?" Rarity asked me with concern in her tone.

I nodded and made my way to my bed. Luna Song left the room and walked upstairs to the main floor, with Applejack and Twilight.

I laid on my bed, put my glasses on the bedside and rested my head against the pillow. My eyes began to feel heavy, as darkness clouded my vision. My eyes closed and all I could see was snow. Why snow?

*Dream*

*End Dream*

~CRASH~

I woke up with a gasp, hopped out of bed, grabbed my glasses and made my way to the main floor. Applejack was hanging from her rope, which was tied to a pine tree. Rarity and Twilight were on the second floor, where Twilight and my beds were.

What in the name of Luna's moon did I miss?

"I tried to tell you it would come crashing down in here." Rarity shouted from the second floor.

I ran to the second floor. Rarity was protecting herself from the wind with a book. Twilight was on the other side, recovering from the fallen tree.

"Well, ya should'a tried harder." Applejack shouted, as she climbed the rope to the second floor.

"Twilight, are you okay?" I asked in concern.

"I'm... Ok...Ay..." Twilight answered, dizzy from the impact of the tree.

"I'm mighty sorry, Twilight." Applejack apologised.

"It's..." Twilight started, then shook her head, "Well, it's not okay. There's a giant tree branch in the middle of my bedroom, and the book doesn't say anything about having a giant tree branch at your slumber party." She looked over her book, "Or at least I haven't found that entry yet."

I sighed in relief, "Yeah, you're alright." Then asked, "What the heck happened?"

"Well... It was-" Applejack was about to explain, but I cut her off with a glare, "I didn't ask you."

"Where do I start?" Twilight wondered, then explained, "Applejack and Rarity couldn't get along and started fighting over the bed blanket. Then lightning struck the nearby pine tree. Applejack used her rope to pull it steady, but it fell into the library. And here we are now."

"Okay..." Was all I say.

Why am I not surprised? Rarity and Applejack are complete opposites. It's no wonder they're not getting along.

"What in tarnation are y'all doin' over there?" Applejack shouted. I turned and saw that she was shouting at Rarity, who was gently and carefully putting books away.

"Cleaning up this mess somepony made." Rarity answered, then added in a sarcastic tone, "Who was that again? Oh, right, that's you."

"I don't care started this!" I shouted, "Just fix it!"

Applejack nodded in agreement and turned to Twilight, "We gotta do somethin'!"

"Baking... BFFs... Brothers..." Twilight sighed, still looking over her book, "There's nothing in here about branches."

I growled and tried to help Applejack move the tree. However our efforts were to no avail.

Applejack made her way into the tree and toward Rarity, "Rarity, for pony's sake, stop sweatin' the small stuff and help me get rid of this thing!"

However, Rarity was ignoring her and continued to put books back into the shelf.

"Ah said hussle over here and help me!" Applejack shouted, but Rarity ignored her again. Applejack finally gave up and sighed, "Look, Ah'm sorry, alright?"

"What was that?" Rarity asked, turning to the hardworking Pony.

"Ah said Ah'm sorry!" Applejack repeated, then explained, "Ah should'a listened to yah when yah noticed where this here branch would end up. Yer annoyin' attention to detail would'a saved us from this whole mess. But right now, ya need to stop bein' so dang fussy pickin' up all the little things and help me move the one big thing in here that actually matters!" Rarity looked uncertain, until Applejack shouted, "Please!"

Rarity finally turned her attention to the tree, but then looked at the mess, "But I'll get all icky."

"Fer fuck's sake! What the... eh... you..." Applejack shouted, but she tried to keep her temper.

I decided to speak up, "Yes, you will. But getting dirty is the effect of hard work. Nopony can do a job well without getting covered in dust. Applejack and I can't do this alone. We need help. Please, Rarity."

Rarity looked around, then removed the book from on top of her head and smiled, "Let's do this."

With that, Applejack, Rarity and I planned out how to deal with tree. Rarity and I hopped out of the tree and used our magic to turn most of the tree into pretty ornaments. Dust, mud, leaves and splinters covered our fur and pjs, but it was worth it.

Applejack was about to kick the stump out of the window, but noticed Rarity was glaring at her. If Applejack does kick the stump, she could hurt somepony.

Applejack lowered her leg, picked it the stump to drop it close to the base of the library and closed the window. Rarity and I smiled at her.

Then Rarity looked herself over and frowned, "Oh, I look awful."

Applejack thought for a second, then grabbed a couple of sliced cucumbers and placed them over Rarity's eyes, "Better?"

Rarity smiled in relief, "Hmph, thanks."

She reached over to Applejack. Applejack walked closer to Rarity and the two Ponies hugged. I smiled in relief. Another friendship problem solved.

Twilight finally looked up from her book and saw the ornaments, "Oh, pretty! Where did these come from?" Then looked back into the book, "They're not in the book either."

*A Little Later...*
We're finally having fun in the slumber party. Rarity, Applejack, Twilight and I have cleaned ourselves up, with Twilight and Rarity wearing curlers in their mane and tails. And now we're playing a game called, '20 Questions'.

"Is it bigger than a barn?" Applejack asked.

"Nope." Twilight answered with a laugh.

"Is it smaller than a saddle?" Rarity asked.

"Nope." Twilight answered.

"Is it as big as a Pony?" Luna Song asked.

Twilight laughed again, "Yes! Only three of your twenty questions left!"

Applejack sighed, "We're never gonna guess what y'er thinkin' of, it could be anythin'."

"Are we getting warmer?" Rarity asked.

Confused, Twilight asked, "Why? Is it too cold in here for you? I can turn up the heat."

I giggled, "She means are we gettin' any closer with our guesses?"

"Oh!" Twilight smiled with clarity, then shook her head, "No." Then smiled again, "And that technically counted as a question, so only two more left!"

"Is it... a six-legged pony with a purple polka-dotted mane and shootin' stars comin' out of his eyes?" Applejack asked quickly.

"Who flies through the air all over the world to hide magic, sparkly eggs?" Rarity added.

Twilight raised a brow for a second, then smiled, "That's it!"

"It is?" Rarity and Applejack asked with a smile.

Twilight shook her head, "No." Then she chuckled and pointed above our heads, "It's that."

Applejack, Rarity and I followed and noticed the answer was her telescope.

"But it was just so nice to see you two finally getting along, I wanted you to be able to win together." Twilight explained.

Applejack and Rarity started laughing.

"See?" Twilight smiled, "We could have been having fun like this all along."

"If only somepony hadn't been so persnickety." Applejack spoke up, glancing at Rarity.

Then Rarity turned to Applejack, "Well, maybe she wouldn't have been, if somepony else hadn't been so sloppy."

The two glared at each other, then smiled.

"Sorry for being such a pain in the patootie." Applejack apologised.

Rarity shook her head, 'Oh, no, I'm sure I was much worse."

Then the two were at it again.

"That's kind of ya to say, but I'm the one who's sorry."

"Oh, I'm much more sorry than you are."

"Are not."

"Are too."

"Are not!"

"Are too."

Then the two started smiling again.

"Are not."

"Are too."

Applejack and Rarity laughed.

"I declare my first slumber party a success!" Twilight announced.

Applejack and Rarity high-fived and cheered. Everyone was happy.

Twilight grabbed her book and checked, "Have fun, check."

Applejack and Rarity laughed in enjoyment.

I grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill, and started writing,

'Dear Princess Celestia,
Tonight, Twilight and I have learned the it can be difficult to be friends with someone who you have very little in common with. But if you are able to embrace those differences, you might be able to find a friend in the end.
Let's hope this friendship between two opposites lasts as long as two kindred spirits.
Your Student,
Eleanor May Carter.'

Twilight turned to Applejack and Rarity, "So, who's up for another slumber party tomorrow night?"

As a reply, she got two pillows in the face.

"How about a week from Thursday?" Applejack, Rarity and I started laughing, "Oh, how about two weeks from Saturday? A month from now?"

Bridle Gossip

Eleanor's POV.
Another beautiful day in Ponyville. The sky was clear. The sun is glowing with a warm embrace. And it was time for Twilight, Spike and I to talk a walk around town.

"Wow, what a gorgeous day!" Twilight smiled, looking up at the sky.

"Rainbow Dash must have gotten up early for once and cleared all the clouds away." Spike spoke up with a smile on his own.

Twilight nodded, "I bet all of Ponyville is going to be out enjoying the sunshine."

However, when we reached the town square, we noticed something amiss. Nopony was outside.

"What? Where is everypony?" Twilight asked, looking around.

We looked around and were only able to catch ShoeShine, Berry Punch and Berry Pinch retreating to their homes and locking their doors shut. Other than that, the entire town was empty. I've never felt so much fear before, apart from during the Ursa Minor attack. But why is the town so afraid?

"Is it some sort of pony holiday?" Spike wondered, as we walked around town to see anyone else.

"Not that I know of." Twilight answered.

"Does my breath stink?" Spike asked. He let out a small fire breath and sniffed the smoke.

"Not more than usual." I joked.

"Is it... Zombies?!" Spike asked with a scared gasp.

"Uh... Not very likely." Twilight answered, uncertain.

"Not likely... But possible?" Spike asked, starting to get frightened.

Then we heard a familiar, "Psst!"

Twilight, Spike and I turned to SugarCube Corner. Pinkie Pie poked out of the doorway, "Twilight! Nellie! Spike!" She waved her hand, "Come here! Come! Here! Hurry! Before she gets you!"

Wasting no time, Twilight grabbed my hand and we entered the café. It was really dark inside. Pinkie flashed a flashlight in our eyes. Twilight and I recoiled from the brightness of the flashlight.

"Who?! The zombie pony?" Spike asked, hugging Twilight tightly.

"Z-Zombie pony?!" Pinkie stuttered in fear, putting the flashlight under her face.

"Spike! There are no zombie ponies." Twilight told Spike sternly, then looked at Pinkie, "Pinkie, what are you doing here alone in the dark?"

Pinkie shook her head, "I'm not alone in the dark."

Our eyes adjusted to the darkness and saw that all our friends were surrounding us. Fluttershy. Rarity. Rainbow Dash. Applejack and even little Applebloom.

"Okay then, what are you all doing here in the dark?" Twilight corrected her question.

"We're hidin' from her!" Applejack answered, pointing out the window.

Twilight and I looked out the window. Outside, in the middle of the town square, was a lone Pony wearing a hooded cloak. We could tell it was female by her build. She was digging in the ground, as if she was looking for something. The Pony glanced toward us. The others, beside me and Twilight, gasped and hid in the shadows.

My eyes never left the Pony. It felt like she was looking dead in my eyes. A few seconds of staring and the Pony returned to her digging.

"Thank goodness your sense of style allows you to blend in the shadows, darling." Rarity sighed in relief, speaking to me.

"Did ya see her?" Apple Bloom asked, "Did ya see... Zecora?"

"Applebloom! Ah told ya never to say that name." Applejack scolded her little sister.

"Well, I saw her glance this way..." Twilight started.

"Glance evilly this way." Pinkie corrected.

"And then a bunch of you flip out for no good reason." Twilight finished with a raised brow.

"No good reason? Ya call protectin' yer kin no good reason?" Applejack exclaimed, putting her arm over Apple Bloom's shoulders, "Why, as soon as mah sister saw Zecora ridin' into town..." She started shaking her little sister, "She started shakin' in her lil' horseshoes."

"Did not!" Apple Bloom interjected, while getting shaken.

Then Applejack hugged her close, "So Ah swept her up and brought her here."

Apple Bloom tried to pry herself away from her sister, "Ah walked here mahself!"

"For safe keepin'." Applejack added.

"Applejack, Ah'm not a baby! Ah can take care of mahself!" Apple Bloom argued.

Applejack shook her head, "Not from that creepy Zecora."

I cleared my throat and asked, "Who exactly is Zecora to you guys?"

"She's mysterious." Fluttershy answered.

"Sinister." Rainbow Dash added.

"And spoooooky!" Pinkie Pie finished.

I rolled my eyes and looked out the window, to Zecora. The others crowded around me and looked out the window. Zecora stood up, revealing to be no taller than 5 foot 7 inches, and removed her hood. From the back of her head, we could see that her fur was a light grey with darker grey stripes. Her mane was styled in a mohawk and matched her fur scheme. Large earrings hung from her ears and matching golden rings around her neck.

I've met Zecora's people before. A long time ago. She saved my life.

A Zebran. What's a Zebran doing here in Ponyville?

The others gasped and hid in the shadows again.

"Will you cut that out?" Twilight asked in slight annoyance.

"Just look at those stripes!" Rarity noticed, "So garish!"

"She's Zebran." I spoke up.

Everyone looked at me in confusion, "A what!?"

"Zebran." I repeated, then looked at Rarity, "And her stripes aren't a fashion choice, Rarity. She was born with them."

Rarity gasped and fainted.

"Born where?" Applejack asked, "Ah've never seen a Pony like that in these parts, 'cept... her!"

"Well, for one, she's not a Pony." I explained, "Zebrans are native in a land across the seas. In between Saddle Arabia and Collambia. But, I've never seen her from here." Then I asked, "Where does she live?"

"That's just it." Applejack answered, "She lives in... the Everfree Forest!"

Suddenly, there was a loud, thunderous crash. It startled everyone and scared me to yelping and falling to the ground.

Twilight turned to the kitchen and shouted, "Spike!"

Spike was in the kitchen, with a cupcake and candy cane in his hands. He must have knocked over some pans by my mistake, "Uh, sorry."

"The Everfree Forest just ain't natural." Applejack explained, regaining her composure, "The plants grow..."

"Animals care for themselves..." Fluttershy added.

"And the clouds move..." Rainbow Dash included.

Then all three finished in unison, "All on their own!"

Rarity fainted again. Then Pinkie Pie spoke up, "And that wicked enchantress Zecora lives there doing her evil... Stuff! She's so evil I even wrote a song about her!"

"Here we go." Rainbow sighed, as Pinkie broke into song and dance.

'She's an evil enchantress,
She does evil dances,
And if you look deep in her eyes,
She'll put you in trances,
Then what will she do?
She'll mix up an evil brew,
Then she'll gobble you up,
In a big tasty stew,
Soooo... Watch out!'

Pinkie Pie finished standing on top of a table, with her arms in the air and catching her breath from the song.

"Wow. Catchy." Twilight spoke up.

Pinkie smiled, "It's a work in progress."

I shook my head, "This is all just a lot of gossip and rumors." Then asked everyone, "Now tell me; what exactly have you actually seen Zecora do?"

"Well..." Rainbow Dash started, "Once a month, she comes into Ponyville."

I nodded, "Okay. What else?"

"Then, she lurks by the stores." Rarity added.

I nodded again, "And?"

"And then, she digs at the ground." Fluttershy finished.

I sighed and shook my head, "Okay, I've heard enough. That's not what I see. Could it be possible that she's here to pay a visit?"

Apple Bloom nodded in agreement, "Yeah! Maybe she's just tryin' to be neighborly."

Twilight nodded, "And maybe she's not lurking by the stores, maybe she's going to them, lurk free, to do some shopping?"

Apple Bloom nodded in agreement again, "Yeah! Everypony likes to shop. Ya know what Ah think?"

"Apple Bloom! Hush and let the big Ponies talk." Applejack told her little sister.

"Ah am a big Pony!" Apple Bloom muttered under her breath.

"W-what about digging at the ground?" Rainbow Dash pointed out, "You've got to admit that's weird."

"What if she's digging for innocent creatures?" Fluttershy asked with a sad look.

"I'm sure she's not doing that, Fluttershy." I assured, then added, "And I'm sure there is an explanation for everything Zecora does. You know what? I'm gonna go out there and talk to her."

I made my way to the exit of the café, but Applejack stopped me by grabbing my arm, "No way, SugarCube. What if she puts a curse on yah?"

Twilight nodded, "I'm sorry to say this, but Zecora does look a little odd."

"You've got to be kidding me." I pulled my arm out of Applejack's grip, "You Ponies are being ridiculous!"

"Well, I heard that Zecora eats ham." Pinkie Pie told me.

"Pinkie, I eat ham. You eat ham!" I pointed out.

"Yeah, but I heard it's the evil way she eats ham." Pinkie argued.

Then Applejack noticed something, "Hey! Where's Apple Bloom?"

We all turned and saw the back door. "The door's open." Fluttershy gasped.

"She went outside!" Rarity gasped.

"And Zecora's still out there." Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"That silly lil' filly!" Applejack shook her head, "Ah told her to stay put!"

Twilight turned to Spike, "Spike, you stay here in case Apple Bloom comes back."

Spike saluted, "Will do!"

With that, the girls and I chased Apple Bloom and Zecora into the Everfree Forest. We followed them into a large patch of blue plants. They looked very familiar.

Once close enough, Applejack shouted, "Apple Bloom?" Her voice caught Apple Bloom and Zecora's attention, "Ya get back here right now!"

"Beware! Beware, you pony folk!" Zecora told us, in a deep, African-esque voice, "Those leaves of blue are not a joke!"

I raised a brow in confusion. Applejack quickly picked up her little sister and shouted at Zecora, "Y-yah keep yer creepy mumbo-jumbo to yerself, ya hear?"

Everyone started shouting insults at the Zebran. I rolled my eyes and sighed, "Oh brother."

"Beware! Beware!" Zecora shouted, as she disappeared into the mist.

"Yeah, back at ya, Zecora!" Rainbow Dash shouted, "You and your lame curse are the ones who better beware!"

Applejack turned to Apple Bloom, "And you! Why couldn't yah just listen to yer big sister?"

"Ah... Ah..." Apple Bloom tried to explain, but couldn't find the right words.

"Who knows what kind of nasty curse Zecora could have just put on you?" Applejack scolded.

Realization hit me. I looked at the patch we were standing in and quickly jumped out. It might be a bit too late, but I guess we'll have to wait and see.

"Just like in my song!" Pinkie Pie pointed out, then started dancing and singing her song again.

"There's no such thing as curses!" Twilight interjected, matter-of-fact.

"Well, that's interesting to hear coming from 'Miss Magic Pants' herself." Rainbow Dash pointed out, lightly tapping Twilight's horn.

"My magic, real magic, comes from within. It's a skill you're born with." Twilight explained with pride, "Curses are artificial, fake magic. It's conjured with potions and incantations; all smoke and mirrors meant to scare. But curses have no real power, they're just an old pony tale."

But nopony was listening and making their way out of the forest.

"Just yah wait, Twilight. Yer gonna learn that some pony tales really are true." Applejack told Twilight.

*The Next Morning...*
Twilight Sparkle's POV.
"Ugh... what a dream... Curses, schmurses." I woke up with a groan, from my nightmare about what has transpired yesterday. I got out of bed and made my way to my bedroom mirror. My mane was in a bit of a mess, "Whoa! Maybe Zecora cursed my hair."

I chuckled, picked up my hairbrush and brushed my bangs neatly. Once they were nice and neat, I noticed in the mirror something was wrong. I looked at my forehead and gasped, "Or she cursed my horn!"

My horn had blue spots all over it and was limp over my forehead. That's not good!

Then I remembered something. Ellie was very close to Zecora before any of this happened! What if she got infected too?! Only one way to find out.

I dashed out of my bedroom and made my way to Ellie's room. She was still asleep. I quietly leaned and gently poked her shoulder, "Ellie?"

Ellie woke up with a sharp gasped and wide open eyes. Her bangs were hanging over her face, so I couldn't see her face. And her room was dark.

She calmed down and rubbed her eyes, "Twilight? What's wrong?

"Have you noticed anything off, lately?" I asked.

Ellie squinted her eyes at me, then she reached over for her glasses. She put her glasses over her eyes, blinked, then looked at me again.

She looked at my horn and looked like she was about to burst into laughter. But she took a breath and asked, "What happened to your horn?"

"I don't know. I think Zecora might have done something to it." I answered in a slight panic.

Ellie gave me a deadpan look, "Or it could've been something else."

I looked at her, "We better call everyone who was around Zecora, just in case."

Ellie smiled and nodded. She was about to get out of bed, until she lost her footing and fell on the floor.

"Ow..." She muttered in a deadpan tone, rubbing her head, then asked, "What was that all about?"

Ellie removed her blanket and lifted the bangs from her face. I switched on her bedroom light. To our surprise, her lower body was that of a pony. Her lower torso and legs were covered in a ravenette color with charcoal grey socks and underbelly. Full black cloven hooves. Her tail was dragon-like with obsidian scales and a pastel green tuff of fur on the end. The pastel green fur traveled up her spine, fading just to her mid-back.

"Holy Luna!" Ellie gasped.

"D-D-Don't worry, Ellie. We'll fix this." I assured, "I'll call everypony and see-"

Ellie cut me off with laughter. She wasn't in pain or anything. She was laughing in humor.

"This is hilarious! I'm a Satyr." She was able to speak between laughs.

"This isn't funny, Ellie! Focus!" I shouted, getting her out of her laughing fit.

*A Few Minutes Later...*
Eleanor's POV.
With that, Twilight dashed into the library and started looking through her books, "No no no no no! None of these books have a cure!" She sighed and looked at her horn, "There has to be a real reason for this! An illness? An allergy?!"

"A joke?" I shrugged.

"A curse!" Spike spoke up, looking over a book.

"I said a real reason." Twilight told Spike, "Something that points to something real."

"How about this one?" He asked, showing her a dark green book with a plant symbol.

"'Supernaturals'." I read, then smiled, "That's not a bad idea, Spike."

Twilight sighed and rolled her eyes, "The word 'supernatural' refers to things like ghosts, and spirits, and zombies, which are as make-believe as curses." She pushed the book back, "This book is just a bunch of hooey!"

I gave the lavender Unicorn a deadpan look, "Twilight Bellatrix Sparkle, you're doing it again."

"Doing what again?" Twilight looked at me with a raised brow.

"Reading the cover and not reading the book." I answered, folding my arms.

"What if you're wrong, Twilight?" Spike spoke up, "What if this really is a-"

"Ah pfurse!" Pinkie shouted, as she arrived to the library.

Pinkie's tongue was very swollen to the point that it hung out of her mouth, and was covered in blue spots, like Twilight's horn. I covered my mouth to supress a laugh at the irony.

"A purse? How could it be a purse?" Spike asked in confusion.

"She said 'curse', Spike." I translated, regaining my composure.

Twilight turned to the forced mute, "Pinkie? What happened?"

"Pee pah Pthepopa!" Pinkie tried to answer, but ended up spitting all over Spike, "Pe put a curpe on pe!"

"Hey, say it, don't spray it, Pinkie!" Spike told her, wiping the spit from his arms and face.

Suddenly, we heard a loud thud from the window. We turned to see Rainbow Dash trying to enter the library, but seemed to have lost control of her flying.

"Ow!*THUD*Oh! She's*THUD*trying to say-ow!- Zecora*THUD*-oh!-" Rainbow Dash tried to explain, making her way to the door, "She slapped us all with a-"

She charged through the door and charged through the library, crashing into the bookshelf across from us, "Ow- A Curse!"

Once the dust cleared, we saw Rainbow's wings have been altered as well. Her wings were up-side down. No wonder her flying was all over the place.

"I'm afraid I have to agree." Rarity spoke up, as she entered the library.

Even she was infected. Her fur, mane and tail were overgrown, tangled and matted up. She looked like a shaggy dog in desperate need for a grooming. Twilight and Spike gasped, but I tried to keep my laughter under wraps.

"Ah hate to say 'Ah told ya so', Twilight, but Ah told ya so!" A tiny, but familiar voice shouted from the doorway.

We turned to see Apple Bloom enter the library. Sitting on her shoulder was Applejack. Applejack has shrunk to the size of your index finger.

"It's a curse, Ah tells ya!" Applejack shouted.

Then Twilight turned to Fluttershy, who arrived with Rarity, "But Fluttershy... Seems just fine!"

Rarity nodded, "Yes, there doesn't seem to be a thing wrong with her." Then looked at me, "Or Ellie for that matter."

I folded my arms with a glare, "I'm wearing a dress for a reason, Rarity."

I lifted the skirt of the dress, Twilight gave me to hide my legs in, and showed Rarity what this 'curse' did to me. Rarity gasped and fainted from just a glance at my direction.

"Zecora's curse turned Ellie into a satyr." Twilight answered, earning another glare from me.

I turned to Fluttershy, "Fluttershy? Are you okay?"

Fluttershy looked away and refused to speak.

"Is there something wrong with you?" I asked.

Fluttershy nodded her head.

"Would you care to tell us?" Twilight asked. But Fluttershy shook her head, "So... you're not going to tell us?" Fluttershy nodded, "Yes you're not, or yes you will?"

Fluttershy shook her head again. Applejack's patience ran thin. She leaped off Apple Bloom's shoulder, ran across the centerpiece table and shouted at the shy Pegaus, "Good gravy, girl! What's wrong with ya?!"

Fluttershy shook her head with a sulk and finally spoke, "I don't want to talk about it."

The girls and I gasped. Fluttershy's voice has changed from a sweet, soft-spoken female to the deep male voice of a jazz singer. Oh boy...

Finally, Spike burst into laughter, "This is hilarious! Look at all of you!" Then he gestured to each of us, "We got: Hairity, Rainbow Crash, Spitty Pie, EleaSatyr, Apple Teeny, Flutterguy, and..." He turned to Twilight and drew a blank, "Uh... I got nothin'..." He looked at me, "Twilight Sparkle. I mean seriously, I can't even work with that."

I couldn't help but let out a small giggle.

Twilight gave us a sarcastic laugh, then glared at us, "This is no joke, you two." Then told us, "Now start looking for more books so I can find a cure!"

Spike try hard not to laugh at Twilight's horn, as it flapped around her forehead.

"Come on, Twilight. What if this is a joke?" I shrugged my shoulders.

"You're not helping, Eleanor." Twilight glared at me.

Spike sighed and returned to looking though the books.

Rainbow Dash got herself free from the ladder she was tangled in and spoke up, "I think we'll find a cure to this curse at Zecora's place!"

"This isn't a curse!" I shouted at Dash, as she flew into another bookshelf.

Applejack nodded in agreement, "I agree with Dash! We'll go to Zecora's and force her to remove this hex!

I shook my head and shouted, "This isn't a hex either!"

Then the girls started arguing amongst each other, completely ignoring me. I growled in frustration, kicked a book across the room and leaned against a bookshelf.

Then I heard Apple Bloom mutter to herself with a sulk, "This is all mah fault. If Ah hadn't followed Zecora in the first place, none of this woulda happened." Then she started marching to the door, "Ah just gotta fix this."

I stood up and followed after the young filly, "I'll come with you, you'll need my help."

Apple Bloom looked at me, then smiled and took hold of my hand. We quietly exit the library and made our way into the Everfree Forest, to find Zecora. Walking with hooves wasn't easy. Luckily Apple Bloom was helping me out.

We reached into the entrance of the forest, until we heard a familiar voice shout, "Stop right there!"

"Applejack?" I recognised.

In a second, Applejack popped out of Apple Bloom's mane, just from the bow, and shouted, "Turn around right now, missy!"

Apple Bloom smirked and answered, "No."

"No?!" Applejack repeated, then shouted her sister, "Ya can't ignore a direct order from yer big sister!"

Apple Bloom flipped Applejack out of her mane and caught her before she hit the ground.

She put her sister on a branch above a bush of thorns and giggled, "Hehehe. Sorry Applejack, but Ah'm the big sister now."

"Sometimes, you guys really have to listen." I told Applejack, gently poking her nose.

With that, Apple Bloom and continued into the forest.

Applejack shouted after us, "Apple Bloom, ya come back here right this instant! AH'M GONNA TELL BIG MACINTOSH ON YA!"

Given time, Apple Bloom and I made it to Zecora's hut. Zecora's home was a hollowed out tree, like the Golden Oak Library and was decorated like the home of a herbalist from a foreign land.

We walked to the door. Apple Bloom was hesitant to knock, so I knocked instead. The door opened to reveal Zecora on the other side. Without her cloak, Zecora was a beautiful Zebran. She wore a skin-tight, light brown tank-top that reveals her midriff, with golden hemming in a pattern resembling a low neckline and around the edges. Matching shorts under a darker brown, short, sarong-like cloth fastened with a golden ring with the end of the cloth hanging to her front.

"Hello, Zecora. My name is Eleanor, and this is my friend, Apple Bloom. May we come in?" I greeted with a kind smile.

Zecora smiled at me and stepped aside, "Please, by all means." Apple Bloom and I entered the hut. Zecora closed the door and asked, "For a filly and human who I hardly see, why have you come to visit me?"

Apple Bloom tilted her head in slight confusion, so I decided to answer, "You see, Zecora. We believe you might be able to help us." I lifted my dress to my knees, to show her what has happened, "You warned my friends and I about the blue plant we were standing on, but the effects happened over night."

Zecora gave me a small laugh, "So my understanding is not to invoke, you remember the effects of the Poison Joke."

"Poison Joke?" Apple Bloom repeated in confusion.

Zecora nodded, "Very much like poison oak, but the results are like a joke."

"That's why I'm a Satyr, and Applejack is tiny." I simplified.

Apple Bloom nodded in understanding and asked, "So, do yah think yah can help us?"

Zecora nodded in agreement, "Help you I surely will, however I am missing some herbs from Ponyville."

"What for?" Apple Bloom asked.

Zecora grabbed a familiar green book and showed it to us, "This book holds the cure for the joke, all you need is nice soak."

"A herbal bath." I simplified, Zecora nodding in agreement.

Apple Bloom smiled, "Oh, Ah can get the flowers ya need. Just write me a list and Ah'll get them."

Zecora smiled at Apple Bloom and wrote a list of the herbs she needs. Apple Bloom marched out of the hut and made her way safely to Ponyville. At the meantime, Zecora and I got started on making the herbal brew in a cauldron large enough for a Pony to sit in.

I stayed in the hut, keeping an eye and stirring the brew, while Zecora got the herbs from the forest, and put them into the pot.

Once the last herb was introduced into the brew, Zecora started chanting in her native tongue. It sounded like a nursery rhyme.

"I think the brew is almost ready, Zecora." I informed the Zebran.

Zecora looked over the brew of boiling green water. She grabbed a spoonful and tasted it. She smiled in delight, "The perfect temperature for Ponies, I presume." Then wondered, "Now, where is that little Apple Bloom?"

"I'm pretty sure she's on her way back." I assured.

Then I heard a familiar voice gasp in horror, "Or... What if she's put Ellie in one of her trances and making Apple Bloom soup?!"

Then there was screaming, then a familiar tiny voice shouted, "I'm comin' for ya, Apple Bloom!"

The door flew open to reveal Applejack riding Rainbow Dash, flying up-side down, into the hut.

"What the-?!" I exclaimed in surprise.

Zecora exclaimed in her native tongue, as Rainbow Dash flew all over the place.

"Whoa there. Easy, Rainbow Crash." Applejack shouted, as Rainbow Dash crashed everywhere, trashing Zecora's hut.

"Rainbow Dash, stop flying around!" I shouted, as Zecora exclaimed in her native tongue again.

Rainbow Dash didn't hear me and continued to fly around.

"Malaleh!!! Malaleh!!/Rainbow Dash! Stop!!" Zecora and I shouted at Rainbow Dash.

Then Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rarity charged in.

"What have you done with Apple Bloom?" Twilight asked in a demanding tone.

"No! No! Malaleh!" Zecora shouted, her attention on Rainbow Dash and Applejack.

Applejack used her lasso to leap over to Zecora's head and started wrestling with her ear. Rainbow Dash continued to fly out of control.

Then she saw the other four, "Ponies! What is this you..."

Then Rainbow made the biggest mistake. She flew across the cauldron of brew and knocked it over, spilling the brew over the floor.

"No!" Zecora exclaimed in dismay, "You know not what you do! You've gone and spilled my precious brew!"

"We're onto you Zecora." Twilight told the Zebran, "I didn't want to believe that you cursed us, but the evidence is overwhelming!"

"You made me look ridiculous." Rarity pointed out.

"You made me sound ridiculous!" Fluttershy added.

Pinkie tried to speak, but it came out as spits. Luckily I was able to understand. She said, "You made me speak ridiculous!"

Then Twilight finished, "You ruined my horn!"

"How dare you!" Zecora frowned, "You destroy my home, destroy my work. Then rudely accuse me of being a jerk?"

"You put this curse on us, now you're gonna un-curse us." Rainbow Dash shouted, as she landed and joined her friends.

I stepped in between Zecora and Twilight, facing Twilight, "This isn't wise, Twilight Sparkle. You, of all Ponies, should know not accuse until questioned." I balled my hands into fists, "When will you learn to take my word on faith?"

"My fight isn't with you, Ellie." Twilight told me, "My fight is with the one who has you under her spell."

"Will you just listen to me, for once in your life!!" I shouted.

Then Apple Bloom arrived, "Zecora! Ah think Ah found all the things ya asked for." She entered the doorway and saw the mess, "What in Ponyville is goin' on here?"

Applejack saw Apple Bloom and gasped in relief, "Apple Bloom! You're okay!"

"Why wouldn't Ah be?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Because Zecora is an evil enchantress, who cursed us, and was gonna cook you up into soup!" Twilight explained, standing in front of the young filly in a protective manner.

Zecora and Apple Bloom started laughing at Twilight's accusation.

"Oh Twilight. Did those silly fillies finally get in yer head?" Apple Bloom asked, "You know there's no such thing as a curse."

"Apple Bloom, sweetie." Twilight smiled sweetly at the filly, "You can't just stand there and tell me this isn't a curse."

Apple Bloom smiled and walked over to me and Zecora, "This isn't a curse."

"If you will remember back, the words I spoke were quite exact." Zecora explained.

"Beware, beware you pony folk. Those leaves of blue are not a joke." I repeated, then explained, "Zecora was warning us. About the blue plant we were standing in. It's called Poison Joke."

"That plant is much like poison oak. But its results are like a joke." Zecora finished explaining.

Applejack let go of Zecora's ear and asked, "What in the hay does that mean?"

"It means this plant does not breed wrath. Instead this plant just wants a laugh." Zecora answered.

Applejack raised a brow, then asked, "Will somepony please talk normal?"

"Zecora means that when we ran into the Poison Joke, the pollen attached onto us and turned what we most took pride in into a little prank." I translated, glancing at Twilight, "These aren't curses. Just jokes."

"LITTLE JOKES?!" Applejack exclaimed, then muttered, "Very funny."

"But, last time I checked, you have no pride, Ellie." Twilight pointed out, "Why did it turn you into a Satyr?"

I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head, "Your guess is as good as mine, Twi."

"Ok, fine." Rainbow nodded, then asked, "But what about the cauldron?"

"And the chanting?" Fluttershy added.

"And the creepy decor?" Rarity included.

"Treasures of the native land where I am from." Zecora explained, gesturing to her fallen masks, "This one speaks 'hello', and this 'welcome'."

"Not welcoming at all, if you ask me." Rarity noted.

"The words I chanted were from olden times. Something you call a nursery rhyme." Zecora explained about her chanting.

"The language she was chanting is Zulu." I explained, "A foreign language in my world, but the native tongue to Zebrans."

"But the cauldron... The Apple Bloom soup?" Twilight asked.

"Lookie here Twilight. That pot of water wasn't for me, it was for all these herbal ingredients." Apple Bloom explained, pointing to the Supernaturals book, "The cure for Poison Joke is a simple old-natural remedy. Ya just gotta take a bubble bath!"

Twilight looked over the book, "But I tried to find a cure in all my books and couldn't find anything. What book has this natural remedy?"

Zecora closed the book to reveal the cover, "Here is the book you see. Sad that you lack it in your library."

"Actually, I do have this book, but I didn't look inside because the title was so... Weird." Twilight explained, sheepishly. Then she read the title, "'Supernaturals: Natural remedies and cure-alls that are simply super'."

I folded my arms and smiled at the bookworm, "I told you, you were doing it again, Twilight."

Twilight gave Zecora an apologetic sulk, "I...I... I'm so sorry Zecora. I had the answer the whole time, if only I had bothered to look inside."

Zecora chuckled with a warm smile, "Maybe next time you will take a second look, and not judge the cover of the book."

Apple Bloom and I chuckled at the irony.

"Zecora? Would you be kind enough to mix up another batch of the herbal bath?" Twilight politely asked Zecora.

Zecora nodded, "Mix it up I certainly will. Yet I am missing an herb from Ponyville."

"But whenever Zecora comes to town, all the shops are mysteriously closed." Apple Bloom explained.

Twilight lightly smiled, "Oh, well... I think we can help you with that."

*A Little Later, In Ponyville...*
With Zecora and Apple Bloom, the girls and I made it to Ponyville. As expected, upon sight of us and Zecora, the Ponies of Ponyville ran into their houses and locked the doors tight.

Twilight walked over to the flower shop and knocked on the door, "Daisy, we need to talk."

*Later, In the Day Spa...*
Twilight Sparkle's POV.

'Dear Princess Celestia,
My friends and I all learned an important lesson this week: Never judge a book by its cover. Someone may look unusual, or funny, or scary. But you have to look past that and learn who they are inside. Real friends don't care what your 'cover' is; It's the 'contents' of a Pony that count. And a good friend, like a good book, is something that will last forever.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle.'

My friends and I were quickly cured from the Poison joke, thanks to the herbal bath that Zecora brewed up. Thanks to a small explanation, the Ponies of Ponyville were able to accept Zecora as a friend and a member of their community, instead of shunning her like the enchantress they thought she was.

"Miss Zecora." Lotus Blossom spoke to Zecora in a strong accent, "I would love to get the recipe for this bath. It's simply luxurious!"

Zecora was about to speak, but Apple Bloom noticed something, "Applejack! Hey, where's Applejack?!"

The girls and I gasped in panic and started looking in the tub, until a familiar voice shouted from underneath us, "Ah'm right here, little sis."

The girls and I looked and saw Applejack, back in her original size, sitting in a small bucket of water, "Ah ain't tiny no more!"

Everyone sighed in relief and relaxed. Rarity smiled, "I have never felt so lovely in all my life!"

Then Pinkie Pie rose from the water and gasped, "Oh my gosh! I never realized how horrible it is not to be able to talk. I mean I love talking so much and when I couldn't talk 'cause my tongue was all 'ehhhh'. It was the worst!" Then she turned to Fluttershy, "Don't you agree, Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy smiled and nodded, "Yes." Even her voice was back to normal.

My friends and I shared a laugh. It's good to see things back to normal.

Swarm of the Century

Eleanor's POV.
*Sigh* Here we go again. Another visit from Princess Celestia and Twilight is in one of her 'Everything-Must-Be-Perfect' phases. Right now, Twilight, Spike and I are trying to clean up the Library, after Twilight was trying to re-shelf everything, until she got the news.

"Hurry up, Spike! Ellie! This place isn't gonna clean itself." Twilight shouted at Spike and I, as we were picking up books and putting them on the shelves.

"It also didn't mess itself up." Spike muttered under his breath.

"Princess Celestia will be here tomorrow!" Twilight told us, dusting off the empty shelves and windowsills.

"Didn't Princess Celestia say that this was just a casual visit?" I pointed out.

"There's nothing casual about a visit from royalty." She answered, "I want this place to be spotless, and you and Spike have barely made a dent in the clutter."

"Maybe you should, ugh, start reading them one at a time--" Spike spoke up, as he tried to climb a ladder to the upper shelves. But he lost his balance and fell.

"Everything's got to be perfect." Twilight told the young dragon, "No time for fooling around."

I helped get the books of Spike and he recovered from his fall.

"I think this might be easier, if we had a plan, or there weren't three of us getting under each other's hooves." I suggested.

Twilight smiled, "Great idea." She gave me her duster, "You and Spike clean, I'll go see how everyone else's preparations are coming."

"Or maybe I should-" Spike began his suggestion, but Twilight already left the Library. He groaned and looked at me, "Now look what you've done, Ellie. Now we have to clean this entire library ourselves."

"And I also said we need a plan, Spike." I explained, "With Twilight outside to oversee everything else, you and I can finally get a plan to clean this place up."

Spike glared at me, with his arms folded, then clarity hit him and he smiled at me, "Oh..."

I nodded with a smile, then grabbed an armful of books, "I'll take care of the upper shelves. You take care of the lower ones. How does that sound?"

"You sure you're capable to fly on your own?" Spike asked me with his emerald eyes worried.

"I'll be alright. Twilight says I'm a natural." I assured him.

With that, Spike and I started cleaning the Library. I took care of the upper levels, Spike with the lower levels. I struggled to stay steady in flight with my magic, but I was okay. Later, that evening, Twilight returned from her outing.

"Hey, Twilight." I greeted, "How was everything?"

"Everything was doing well." Twilight answered with a smile, "A few minor setbacks, but hopefully nothing to worry about."

Then there was a purring chirping sound coming from her mane. A chill ran down my spine. I knew that chirp way too well.

"What was that, Twilight?" Spike asked.

Twilight smiled and moved her mane from her shoulders. Sitting on her right shoulder was a yellow, small, bug-like sprite. Very cute to the eye with its large eyes and small face. Almost like a chibi creature.

"I'm not sure what it is, but Fluttershy found them at the edge of the Everfree Forest." Twilight explained, "I thought it can make a nice companion for you two."

Spike smiled, "Cool! I always wanted a pet of my own."

Twilight looked at me, "Ellie?"

I stepped back, "Keep that thing away from me, Twilight. It shouldn't be here."

"Why not?" Twilight asked, "These things are adorable."

"Don't be fooled, Twilight Sparkle." I warned her, "Parasprites may be cute on the outside, but on the inside, those monsters are bringers of famine and pestilence!"

With that, I yawned and made my way to bed in the basement. I couldn't take one more second with that creature in my presence. Yeah, I know what Parasprites are. Despite looking cute, those creatures are much, much worse than an Ursa Minor and a Hydra combined. If that thing multiplies overnight, we're in deep trouble.

The next morning, I woke to the sound of crashing and a ruckus. I grabbed my glasses, put on my braces and made my way upstairs to the main floor of the Library.

I was able to catch Twilight dusting a group of Parasprites off Spike and glared at him.

Spike sighed, "I know, I know. 'Stop fooling around'."

"Spike, are you hurt?" I asked, as I walked in and helped the young dragon to his feet.

"Yeah, I'm alright." He assured me, dusting himself off.

I looked around and saw the entire library was covered of Parasprites in multiple colors. I hate it when I do that!

"Ellie, you seem to have a history with this kind of thing." Twilight turned to me, "What do I do?"

I took a breath, "Okay. First off, who else has a Parasprite living with them?"

Twilight rubbed her chin in thought, "Well... There was Fluttershy, who found them, Rarity and Rainbow Dash."

I nodded, "Alright. If I remember correctly, I gave Pinkie my pan pipes yesterday. Maybe she still has them."

"What's this got to do with our problem?" Twilight asked me.

"No, wait. I left my bass guitar at Rarity's boutique." I tried to recollect my memories, "Or was it my tambourine?"

"Ellie, you're making less sense than Pinkie Pie." Twilight told me.

A memory hit me, "Oh, yeah. Now I remember. Sweetie Belle asked if she could borrow my tambourine for practice."

I left the Library and made my way to Rarity's boutique. I bumped into Pinkie Pie, as she charged into me.

"Ow..." I muttered, as I rubbed my head, then I looked at Pinkie. She looked like she's been digging in the dirt, "Pinkie?"

Pinkie smiled at me, "Nellie! Thank goodness. Do you know where I can find a tambourine? I've been looking everywhere for one."

I sat up and dusted myself off, "Yeah. I remember giving Sweetie Belle one to practice with." Then I pointed out, "But I think we have other problems to deal with."

Pinkie Pie nodded, "Yeah. I know. That's why I need your help to find the instruments."

My eyes widened, "You've dealt with Parasprites before?"

Pinkie smiled with stars in her eyes, "You do get me!" Then took hold of my hand, "Come on, we have no time to waste."

With that, Pinkie and I started scouring Ponyville in search of certain instruments. During that, Pinkie came to realise that we needed more hands to help use the instruments, but nopony was listening to her, or think she's being ignorant and her usual random self.

*Sigh* Why do I bother?

With a banjo and an accordion strapped on my back, I found Pinkie just outside of Fluttershy's cottage, pondering, or trying to contain her frustration.

"Pinkie. I found the banjo and accordion you were looking for." I told her, then noticed, "Is something wrong, SugarCube?"

Pinkie sighed, "Why do I bother? Everypony is so caught up their troubles, that they're not listening to what I'm trying to tell them."

I put my hand over my friend's shoulder, "I know how that feels, Pinkie. Ever since I was made Twilight's study partner, I've been ignored, misjudged, shouted at and even overlooked for my actions and words." Pinkie Pie looked at me, "My point being, I keep doing what I'm doing, not because of kindness, not because I'm angry, I do it because it's the right thing to do. Regardless of what the others thought."

Pinkie Pie smiled and picked herself up from the ground, "You're right, Nellie. Let's give these Parasprites a performance of a lifetime."

I nodded, "But first, we need tambourines."

Pinkie's smile grew wider, "You read my mind." Then threw her arms around me, "You know, you should've been Princess Celestia's student. You listen more."

*Meanwhile in Ponyville...*
Twilight Sparkle's POV.
I casted a spell on the creatures, making stop eating the food of Ponyville. The creatures stopped frozen in their tracks. A yellow one sniffed an apple in a basket, on the ground. I held my breath.

The creature looked away from the apple with a pout. The Girls and I sighed in relief. My spell worked.

However, the creature smiled and ate the entire basket, spitting the apple out in the process. The other creatures followed, eating everything else, but the food. Uh-oh...

"Heh. Hey, it worked." Rainbow Dash spoke up, glaring at me, "They're not eating the food anymore."

Rarity gasped in realization, "Oh no... If they get inside my store..." Then she shouted, "Everypony for herself!" Then she dashed toward her boutique.

I quickly charged back to Golden Oak Library. Inside, the sprites have infested the entire tree.

"Help!" Spike cried, hiding under a basket.

I looked at the sprites were eating the books blank, "They're eating the words!"

Within the madness, I was able to grab a red sprite and exit the library, to Zecora's hut. I threw the door open. Zecora lost her balance on the bamboo pole and fell.

"Have you gone mad?" She asked, as she rubbed her head in pain.

"Zecora, these little guys are devouring Ponyville, and the Princess is on her way." I explained to her, as I showed her the sprite, "Can you help us, please?"

Zecora recovered and looked at the sprite, that landed on her muzzle, "Oh, monster of so little size. Is that a Parasprite before my eyes?"

"I don't know! Is it?" I asked, desperate. The sprite flew of her nose and flew toward me.

"Tales of crops and harvests consumed. If these creatures are in Ponyville..." Zecora explained, as the sprite spat out another pink sprite, "You're doomed."

I gulped and left the Everfree Forest. The sprites followed me. I tried to get them away, but it was ineffective. I looked up to Canterlot and noticed a familiar chariot flying across then sky, "Oh no, here she comes."

I quickly made my way back to Ponyville. Everything was pandemonium! The sprites were eating everything in sight. The citizens were in a panic. Ellie and Pinkie were nowhere to be seen. And Princess will be here in less than a minute.

A small smile crept on my face, "Okay, here's the plan." I turned to Rainbow Dash, "Rainbow Dash, you distract them."
The cyan Pegasus flew past me, screaming, "Good. Everyone else, we need to build an exact copy of Ponyville right over there. We've got less than a minute."

I looked around. I sighed in hopelessness, "Zecora was right, we're doomed." Then the sound of music could be heard from the other side of town.

"Oh no, the Princess's procession is here. It's all over." I grimaced.

The music grew louder, as the Pony responsible was arriving into the town. It was Pinkie and Eleanor, playing different instruments at once. Well... Pinkie was playing multiple instruments at once. Ellie was playing her pan pipes.

I raised a brow, "Pinkie? Eleanor?" Then I shouted in frustration, "We're in the middle of a crisis here. This is no time for your..." But then I noticed it, "Nonsense?"

The sprites have stopped eating the town and were dancing to Pinkie's and Ellie's music. Pinkie and Ellie marched around Ponyville and the sprites followed them, until they marched out of town. Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked at me, I just shook my head and shrugged my shoulder.

Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and I followed Pinkie, Ellie and the trail of sprites outside of Ponyville and down the road.

Then I looked up to the sky and noticed, "Look."

Princess Celestia has arrived. The Girls and I quickly marched ahead to the meet with her, while Pinkie and Ellie took care of the sprites.

"Twilight Sparkle, my prized pupil." Princess Celestia greeted with a smile.

"Hello, Princess." I greeted with a smile of my own.

"So lovely to see you again, as well as your friends." Princess Celestia told me, as Pinkie and Ellie marched past with the trail of sprites behind them. Celestia couldn't help but notice what was going on.

I tried to change the subject, "So... How was the trip? Hit much traffic?"

"What is this?" Princess Celestia asked in confusion. A yellow sprite sat on her shoulder and purred. Celestia looked at it and giggled. The sprite returned to its swarm. "These creatures are adorable." Celestia smiled.

"They're not that adorable." Rainbow Dash replied with a silent gag.

"I'm terribly honored that you and the good citizens of Ponyville have organized a parade in honor of my visit." Princess Celestia smiled at me.

I raised a brow, "Parade?" Then a smile appeared on my face, "Oh. Yes, the parade."

Princess Celestia's smile fell, "Unfortunately, that visit is going to have to wait for another time. I'm afraid an emergency has come up in Fillydelphia. Apparently there's been some sort of infestation."

"An... Infestation?" I repeated with an uneasy smile.

Princess Celestia nodded, "Yes, a swarm of incredibly bothersome creatures has invaded the poor town. I'm sorry Twilight, to have to put you all through so much trouble."

"Trouble? What trouble?" I asked with a shrug.

"Before I have to go, would you care to give me your latest report on the magic of friendship in person?" Celestia told me, as she got back to her chariot.

"My... Report?" I repeated with a raised brow.

"Haven't you learned anything about friendship?" The Princess asked me.

I scratched my head, then looked at Pinkie and Ellie. A smile grew on my face and I nodded, "Actually, I have. I've learned that sometimes the solution to your problems can come from where you least expect it. It's a good idea to stop and listen to your friends' opinions and perspectives, even when they don't always seem to make sense."

Princess Celestia smiled and nodded, "I'm so proud of you, Twilight Sparkle, and I'm very impressed with your friends as well. It sounds like you're all learning so much from each other."

I nodded, "Thank you, Princess."

With that, the Princess left and took off into the sky. Ellie and Pinkie were just finished sending the sprites back into the Everfree Forest.

Pinkie stopped playing and noticed, "Hey, what happened to the Princess?"

"Emergency in Fillydelphia." I answered.

"Some sort of infestation." Rainbow Dash added.

Pinkie's smile fell, "Oh no! Have they got Parasprites too?" Then regained her smile, "Well, have tuba, will travel."

She blew into her tuba, but I spoke up, "I think the Princess can handle it."

"So you both knew what those critters were all along, huh?" Applejack asked.

I nodded my head, while Pinkie answered, "Well DUH, why do you think I was so frantic to get my hands on all these instruments? I tried to tell you." Then she put her arm over my shoulders, "You can learn a few things from somepony who listens."

I nodded sheepishly, "We know, Pinkie Pie, and we're sorry we didn't listen."

The other Girls apologised as well, "I'm sorry, Pinkie." "So sorry, Pinkie." "Sorry, Pinkie." "Real sorry, Pinkie."

"You're a great friend, even if we don't always understand you." I smiled.

Pinkie smiled back, "Thanks guys, you're all great friends too, even when I don't understand me."

"You saved my reputation with Princess Celestia, and more importantly, you saved Ponyville." I smiled.

The Girls and I returned to Ponyville. Everyone was inside and the entire town looked like it barely survived a terrible attack.

"Or not." I muttered.

Ellie tilted her head, "Huh. The Great Fire of London..."

Winter Wrap-Up

Eleanor's POV.
"Ellie, wake up, wake up, it's Winter Wrap Up day!"

I woke up to Twilight's excited voice, and her roughly shaking my shoulders. I rubbed my eyes and put my glasses on to look at Twilight, as she shook Spike awake.

Spike opened his eyes, "Huh?" Then sat up to look at the purple Unicorn, "Mommy?"

"Winter Wrap Up!" Twilight corrected.

Spike frowned and laid back into his bed, "You're not Mommy."

"Spike, the first day of Spring is tomorrow, so every Pony in Ponyville needs to clean up winter." Twilight told Spike, "Now help me get ready."

"Clean up Winter?" Spike repeated with a groggy raised brow, "Who cleans up Winter? Don't they just use magic to change the seasons like they do in Canterlot?"

"That's not how things are done here, Spike." I spoke up, as I got my winter pants on, and Twilight got her winter attire ready, "Ponyville was founded by Earth Ponies."

"So, for hundreds of years, they've never used magic to clean up Winter." Twilight finished, as she got her jacket and gloves on and smiled, "It's traditional."

Spike shook his head, "It's ridiculous." Then returned to bed, "No magic... Fuh."

"Okay, let's see." Twilight looked over her checklist, that she made last night, "Scarf: check. Jacket: check. Gloves: check. Waking Ellie up: check. Spike refusing to get up and going back to sleep: check." She smiled, "It's a good thing I'm so organized, I'm ready." She walked over to the door and opened it, "Bright and early."

She looked outside, and noticed the sun hasn't even risen yet. It was still nightfall. I looked at my alarm clock. It was barely 4:45 am. Twilight's alarm doesn't go off until 6:00 am.

Twilight smiled sheepishly, "Oh... Maybe a little too early."

I sighed and made my way to the kitchen, "I'll make breakfast, while we wait for sunrise." I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, "No use going back to sleep for another hour and fifteen minutes."

Twilight regained her smile and looked at me, "Oh, I'll have the traditional Griffish Isles breakfast."

I nodded, then turned to groggy, baby dragon, "Spike?"

"Ugh... Toast with jam and lots of coffee, if you can." He answered with a tired sigh.

*Later, Comes Sunrise...*
The sun was finally in the sky. Twilight, Spike and I finished our breakfast and made our way to the Town Square.

Twilight looked over the other Ponies present. Each of them wore a color-coded vest; Blue. Tan and Green.

"Those must be the team vests Rarity designed." She smiled, "Blue for the weather team, green for the plant team, and tan for the animal team. I wonder which team vest I'll be wearing."

"I'll take a blue vest, same color as my blanket." Spike sighed, not feeling the caffeine from the coffee, "Which I think I hear calling my name." In a low tone, Spike cupped his muzzle and called into the distance behind us, "'Spike! Spike! Come to bed'!" Then he sighed, "Ugh, it's too early."

We arrived to the Town Hall, where everypony was gathered and Mayor Mare was on top of the stairs, ready to deliver her speech, "Thank you everypony, for being here bright and early. We need every single pony's help to wrap up winter, and bring in Spring." Everypony cheered and smiled, "Now, all of you have your vests, and have been assigned to your teams, so let's do even better than last year, and have the quickest Winter Wrap Up ever!"

Twilight couldn't contain her excitement, "Oh, this is so exciting."

"Alright everypony, find your team leader, and let's get galloping!" Mayor Mare finished her speech.

With that, everypony left the Town Square and made their way to their assigned groups.

Twilight looked around, her excitement was replaced with confusion, "Oh gosh, where should I go? I'm not sure where I fit in. What exactly does everypony do?"

Rainbow Dash
Three months of winter coolness,
And awesome holidays.

Pinkie Pie
We've kept our hooves-ies warm at home,
Time off from work to play.

Applejack
But the food we've stored is runnin' out,
And we can't grow in this cold.

Rarity
And even though I love my boots,
This fashion's getting old.

Eleanor Carter
The time has come to welcome Spring,
And all things warm and green.
But it's also time to say goodbye,
It's winter we must clean.

Twilight Sparkle
How can I help? I'm new, you see,
What does everypony do?
How do I fit in without magic?
I haven't got a clue!

Choir
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!
Let's finish our holiday cheer.
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!

Applejack
'Cause tomorrow spring–

Rainbow Dash
–Is here!

Choir
'Cause tomorrow spring is here!

Rainbow Dash
Bringing home the southern birds,
A Pegasus' job begins.
And clearing all the gloomy skies,
To let the sunshine in.
We move the clouds,
And we melt the white snow.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie
When the sun comes up,
Its warmth and beauty will glow!

Choir
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!
Let's finish our holiday cheer.
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!
'Cause tomorrow spring is here.
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!
'Cause tomorrow spring is here.
'Cause tomorrow spring is here!

Rarity
Little critters hibernate,
Under the snow and ice.

Fluttershy
We wake up all their sleepy heads,
So quietly and nice.

Rarity
We help them gather up their food,
Fix their homes below.

Fluttershy
We welcome back the southern birds.

Fluttershy and Rarity
So their families can grow!

Choir
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!
(Winter, Winter.)
Let's finish our holiday cheer.
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!
(Winter, Winter.)
'Cause tomorrow spring is here.
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!
(Winter, Winter.)
'Cause tomorrow spring is here.
'Cause tomorrow spring is here!

Applejack
No easy task to clear the ground,
Plant our tiny seeds.
With proper care and sunshine,
Everyone it feeds.
Apples, carrots, celery stalks,
Colorful flowers too.
We must work so very hard,

Applejack, Cherry Berry, and Golden Harvest
It's just so much to do!

Choir
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!
Let's finish our holiday cheer.
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!
'Cause tomorrow spring is here.
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!

Pinkie Pie
'Cause tomorrow spring is here.

Choir
'Cause tomorrow spring is here!

Eleanor Carter
Now that we know what they all do,
We have to find our place.
And help with all of our hearts,
Tough task ahead we face.

Twilight Sparkle
How will I do without my magic,
Help the Earth pony way.
I wanna belong so I must,
Do my best today.

Twilight Sparkle & Eleanor Carter
Do our best today!

Choir
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!
Let's finish our holiday cheer.
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!
'Cause tomorrow spring is here.
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!

Twilight Sparkle & Eleanor Carter
'Cause tomorrow spring is here.
'Cause tomorrow spring is here.
'Cause tomorrow spring is here!

"Everypony belongs to a team. What should I do? Where should I go?" Twilight wondered, looking around in confusion.

Rainbow Dash, wearing a blue vest, flew past us and told the other Pegasi in the blue vests, "Alright team, you're clear for takeoff." The Pegasi saluted and took off into the skies.

Twilight waved and called, "Rainbow Dash!"

Rainbow Dash looked at us and smiled, "Oh, hey, Twilight. Hey, Ellie. What's up?

"Not much." I answered with a casual shrug.

Then Twilight asked, "What are you doing?"

"Sending off one of my flight crews to retrieve the birds that have flown south for the Winter." Rainbow Dash answered, keeping her eye on the skies.

"Oh, can I help?" Twilight offered, "How about if I help clear out the clouds?"

Rainbow Dash looked at her, "Um..." For emphasis, she flapped her wings.

Twilight noticed and frowned, "Right. No wings."

"Sorry, Twilight." Rainbow frowned, then looked at me and smiled, "Hey, Ellie. How about you joined me and help clear the clouds for the birds? We could use someone who's good with animals, as well as a good flier."

I smiled back, "I'd love to, Rainbow. But I have no wings either. So, I'm gonna help Twilight find her place for Winter Wrap-Up. Okay?"

Rainbow Dash nodded in understanding, then took off into the skies.

"Great, now what do we do?" Twilight sighed, once Rainbow was gone.

"I don't know about you, but I'm gonna be nappin'." Spike answered, falling asleep inside a nearby bush.

I quickly grabbed the collar of his shirt and kept him from wondering off, "Oh, no you don't, Spike. Winter still needs to be wrapped up and ready for Spring."

Twilight nodded in agreement, "And I'm determined to do my part." Then rubbed her arm in uncertainty, "Somehow..."

I thought for a second, then snapped my fingers with a smile, "Rarity have something. I saw her returning to her boutique on her own."

Twilight regained her smile, "That's a good idea, Ellie."

With that, we made our way to Rarity's boutique. Outside, Rarity was sitting on a small desk, covered in a bunch of sticks, straw and ribbons of multiple colors. She was just finished building a small birds' nest with beautiful decorations.

"Rarity, please tell me there's something, anything I can help you with." Twilight asked Rarity, as soon as she finished, and we approached her.

"Well, how would you and Ellie like to help create Ponyville's finest birds' nests?" Rarity offered with a smile.

"Birds' nests?" Twilight repeated with a raised brow.

Rarity nodded, "Why yes. When the weather team guides the birds back north for the spring, they'll need a place to live and lay their eggs."

I looked at the finished nest, sitting on the desk, "They're beautiful, Rarity."

Rarity smiled, "Oh why, thank you most sincerely." Then offered, "Would you or Twilight like to try your hand at a nest?"

I quickly shake my head, "Oh, no thanks, Rarity. I don't have the fingers or talent."

Twilight smiled, "Would I? Yes! Where do I begin?"

Rarity grabbed a basket of straw, sticks and ribbons, and placed it in front of Twilight, "Okay. Now... uh, take some of that straw and hay over there, and a little bit of branch." Twilight quickly organised the equipment, "Now, weave them through there, yes." Then Twilight started building the nest under Rarity's instructions, "Uh, take some ribbon, yes, oh uh, n... Not there, oooh, yes, uh, tuck it in over there, uh but be careful not to..." However, things were getting a little out of hand, "I don't know I guess that would do... Oh dear."

Twilight finished her nest and smiled, "There! It looks just like... Yours." But the nest looked like a bit of a mess, "Oh my." Twilight frowned.

I rubbed my chin in thought. Maybe Twilight could have asked Mayor Mare for finding her place in the groups. Her organising skills might come in handy.

"That nest needs to be condemned." Spike spoke up, pointing to Twilight's nest and snapping me out of my thoughts.

Rarity laughed, "Oh, Spa-ha-hike, it's not so bad, ah, maybe birds can use it as a..."

"An outhouse?" Spike asked blatantly.

"Spike." Rarity glared, then assured Twilight, "It's just fine. It's just a little rough around the edges." Twilight smiled, then stepped aside, so Rarity to could help fix the nest, "Let me lend you a hand. Let's just untie this ribbon, and let me take out these sticks here, we'll shave this..."

Twilight sighed and sulked. Rarity got her eyes glued on the nest.

"I think we lost her." Spike whispered to the forlorn purple Unicorn.

I gave Spike a small tap on the top of his head. Then put my hand over Twilight's shoulder in assurance, "It's okay, Twilight. Maybe we should ask Mayor Mare and see what she says."

Clarity hit Twilight and she regained her smile, "Maybe Pinkie knows something I can do."

With that, she skipped off to one of the lakes. I sighed and followed after her. Another day of being ignored. Great...

As Twilight, Spike and I arrived to one of the frozen lakes, Pinkie was there, wearing a blue vest over her overalls and was skating across the lake.

She saw us approaching and greeted us with a smile, "Hellooooooo Twilight! Hey Nellie!"

"Wow, Pinkie Pie, you're quite the skater." Twilight smiled, as we ran to meet Pinkie, "Probably the best skater I've ever seen."

Pinkie met up with us and grinned, "Thanks, Twilight, I've been doing this since I was an itty-bitty little-wittle Twinkie-Pinkie. Just comes natural." Then she started performing tricky skating tricks, "Which is probably why they designated me the lake scorer. I cut lines in the lakes with my skates. That way, when the rest of the weather team comes here to break the ice, it'll be easy as pie."

I smiled, "Clever. When the thick ice begins to melt, it'll break along the lines." Then I frowned, "Well you sure have a lot of work ahead of you, there's quite a few lakes in Ponyville."

Pinkie nodded with a frown of her own, "Ha, tell me about it." Then she smiled at us, "Hey, you two wanna help me out?"

Twilight smiled in excitement, "Would I?"

"But, Twilight. You-" I was about to point out, but Pinkie cut me off, "Come on, put on those skates over there. I bet you'll be a natural too."

Twilight nodded, "Okay."

With that, she grabbed my hand and we walked over to the two pairs of skates resting in the snow. Since they were made for unguligrade equines, I had to ask Spike to meld the skates to my boots.

Once done, Twilight and I approached the snow. Twilight was having trouble keeping her balance, while I was gliding across the ice with ease.

"Yaaaaay!" Pinkie cheered, as she skated.

"Uh... Maybe on second thought..." Twilight started, as she tried to herself upright.

"What are you talking about?" Spike asked, "You said you wanted to be helpful."

"Yippie!" Pinkie smiled, as she skated past Twilight.

Spike pushed the Unicorn into the lake, "Now get out there."

Twilight glided forward, but was having trouble staying upright and didn't know how to stop, "Oh no! Whoa! Wow..."

She flew past Pinkie and I.

"Twilight, steer! Steer!" Pinkie tried to shout at her.

"Twilight! Pizza! Pizza!" I instructed.

Twilight followed my instruction and made her skates into the form of a pizza slice. However she was leaning too far to the right and steered toward us.

"Oh boy..." Pinkie gasped.

Before Pinkie and I can move, Twilight charged into us and we flew across the ice, into a heap of snow. Once we recovered from the impact, the girls, Spike and I shook the snow off.

Spike burst into laughter, "Ha ha, you are a natural, Twilight. A natural disaster."

Twilight sulked. I hit Spike at the back of his head with a scolding look, "If you can't say something nice, Spikewell, don't say anything at all."

Spike gave me an apologetic sulk, while Twilight gave me a small thankful smile.

"Twilight, you did a great job your first time around." Pinkie spoke up in assurance, "I'm sure my first time was just as wobbly and bobbly and crash-eriffic as yours."

Twilight turned to the pink Pony, "Really?"

Pinkie Pie thought for a second, then admitted, "No." Then she asked, "But did I make you feel better?"

Twilight sulked, but nodded, "Mm-hmm, yeah, I guess."

"I think you'll be super awesome at something that keeps your hoofs on the ground." Pinkie suggested, "I know, Fluttershy could probably use your help with the critters."

Twilight thought for a second, "Well... I'm pretty good with little animals." She regained her smile and nodded, "Yeah, I'll go help her."

With that, I help Twilight on to the snow and we took off our skates. Since my boots were melded with the skates, I had to wear my casual boots. Aren't I smart? Well, sometimes I do wish I was a Pony, like my mother used to be.

*Later, on The Fields...*
Twilight, Spike and I arrived to the fields, dens, warrens and burrows just outside of town, and found Fluttershy with her head buried in a borrow.

"Wake up little sleepy heads." She called, "Hope you had some wonderful dreams and restful hibernation, but it's time to get up now, spring is coming."

Fluttershy stepped back and out of the burrow emerged a pair of young hedgehogs, yawning and rubbing their eyes.

Twilight couldn't help but smile at the critters, "Awww, how cute."

Fluttershy smiled back, "Aren't they? This is my favorite task the whole season, when I get to see all my little animal friends again."

Spike scratched his head in confusion, "Uh, what's 'hibernation'?"

"It's like a long sleep." Fluttershy answered, as she picked up a small bell and walked over to another burrow.

"Long sleep?" Spike repeated, with a small smile growing on his face.

"Keep dreaming, Spike." I spoke up with a teasing grin, "Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in endotherms." I rubbed my chin in thought, "Last time I checked 'Dragon Behavior 101', dragons don't hibernate. But, they do like to take really long naps."

"Same thing, right?" Spike argued.

I shook my head and put my hand over the baby dragon's shoulder, "You have a lot to learn, my young Spikewell."

Fluttershy rang her little bell and spoke to the creatures inside, "Wake up little porcupines." Then she turned to Spike, "Animals often hibernate through the winter to save their energy and eat less food."

Spike nodded in understanding and smiled, "I definitely like the idea of hibernation, uh, except for the 'eat less food' part."

A pair of porcupines exit the burrow and yawned. They looked at each other and hugged happily. Of course, they got hurt by their quills. Hehehe...

Fluttershy's smile fell into a sad frown, "Oh, would you just look at all these warrens and dens, I'm worried that I won't be able to wake up every animal before spring comes."

"Well, Ellie and I'll help, Fluttershy." Twilight offered.

The shy Pegasus turned to us, "You will?" Twilight and I nodded, "Oh, that would be wonderful."

With that, she gave Twilight the bell and flew off elsewhere.

Twilight looked around and pointed to a small warren, "Okay, let's start there."

I noticed its size and warned, "Uh, Twilight? I don't think that's a good one to start with."

Unfortunately, Twilight ignored mengently rang the bell and called, "Hello? Wake up little friends, wherever you are. Spring is coming." She clapped her hands in excitement, "I wonder which cute little furry creatures I've awoken."

Hissing echoed from the warren and a pair of snakes emerged with a yawn.

Twilight's excitement was quickly replaced by fear, as she quickly backed away from the reptiles, "Snakes! Snakes!"

Twilight ran too far back and bumped into a cave. She ran out in a scared hurry. Bats followed after her. Twilight ran into a tree pretty hard. Her impact caused a bee hive to fall on top of her and encased her head. Twilight screamed and ran into another den. From this den, emerged a pair of skunks.

Oh boy...

"Good morning, friends." Fluttershy greeted with a smile.

*Back in Golden Oak Library...*
"All this Winter Wrap Up stuff is a lot harder than it looks." Twilight sighed, as Spike and I cleaned her in a bath of vinegar and tomato juice.

"Right, because there's no magic." Spike pointed out, then suggested, "Why don't you just use magic, Twilight, and get it done the right way?"

Twilight shook her head, "No, Spike, I have to do it the traditional way. Ponyville has never needed magic to wrap up winter."

"Well, they never had you here before, either." Spike argued, "Think how much quicker they could wrap up winter with your magic."

Twilight shook her head again, "No, no, no! I'm gonna find some other way that I can help out if it kills me."

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Twilight." I spoke up.

Later, in the Apple Farm...*
Once we got Twilight cleaned up and free from the nasty skunk smell, it was time to head outside again and find something Twilight can help Winter Wrap Up the Earth Pony way.

Applejack was overseeing the strong stallions pushing dozers to plow the snow, "Keep pushin', Caramel. That's it Bumpkin, I know it's hard work, but you guys are doin' great. Yee-haw!"

"Hey Applejack." Twilight greeted, as we walked up to her, "How's everything going?"

"Oh, just dandy. Little slow startin', but peachy all the same." Applejack answered with a smile, "There's a lot of ground to clear ya hear. We can't even start the plantin' and the waterin' until we git all these heap a' snow high-tailed outta here."

"Well, I'd like to help." Twilight offered.

Applejack's smile fell and a look of uncertainty replaced it, "Well, I... I dunno Twilight."

"Just give me a chance." Twilight pleaded.

Applejack rubbed her chin in thought, "Well, I never turn down a hard worker but..."

Twilight smiled and walked into the field. She entered an empty snow plow and started pushing. However, she was unable to get it to move. She looked at Applejack, Spike and I. Spike and Applejack shook their heads, while I gave her a confident thumbs up. Twilight rubbed her chin in thought, then looked at me. She motioned me over.

I walked over and asked, "What is it, Twi?"

"Fuse with me." She told me.

I took a step back, "What?" Then I whispered, "Twilight, I told you that type of magic is forbidden. And you said you won't used magic due to tradition."

Twilight nodded, "I know. But Fusion Magic is the only way to do this right." Then she pleaded, "Please fuse with me."

I thought for a moment. Like I said, Fusion Magic is forbidden and will break the rules of order. But Twilight is getting desperate. If it means helping her find her place in the groups... Fine.

I looked at Twilight and nodded. She smiled and we both activated our magical auras. I took hold of Twilight's hand and tried to make the fusion as subtle as possible.

Midnight Fuchsia's POV.
I stretched my arms with a yawn and opened my eyes to find myself in the plow. I can feel Twilight Sparkle telling me to pull. Eleanor was agreeing, so I put my hands over the bar and started pushing the plow across the snow. It was tricky at first, but once I got it moving, everything was good.

After a while of pushing, the plow suddenly came to life and picked up speed. Uh-oh... Twilight's magic has made the plow come to life and it's taking the job itself. I tried to keep it under control, but the plow wasn't let me.

With a large boulder of snow, the plow turned its attention to Applejack and Spike. In a collision, Spike and Applejack became part of the growing snowball.

"What's going on? Wha'd'ya do? You used magic, didn't you?" Applejack shouted, as she rolled.

Another collision with a large slope and the snow I collected created an avalanche of snow over the half-finished field. Oops...

Spike, Applejack and I popped our heads out of the snow and caught our breaths.

Applejack turned to me angrily, "Nuts, Twilight, you used-" Then she took a good look at me, "Who are you?"

Eleanor's POV.
Twilight panicked and we unfused in a poof of smoke.

"What the hell was that?" Applejack asked, "Was that magic?"

Ashamed, Twilight and I nodded.

"The nerve." Spike scolded, "Can you believe them?"

I waved my hands, "Hey, in my defence, I said no first. But Twilight insisted."

Applejack turned to Twilight, "That's not how we do it 'round here, Twilight, and especially not on MAH farm."

Tears welled up in Twilight's eyes, "Well, see, I just wanted to..." Then she ran off.

I chased after her, "Twilight, wait!"

*Later, in the Town Center...*
"Come on, Twilight. Come on out." Spike pleaded Twilight, who was hiding in a snow-covered bush.

"I'm a winter mess up." Twilight sobbed.

"Well you're good at a lot of things." Spike smiled, then frowned, "Just not nest-making, ice-skating, animal-waking, snow-clearing."

Twilight glared at the baby Dragon, "Thanks a lot for making me feel so much better."

"Come on, Twilight. I'm sorry I said what I said." I apologised.

"You have nothing to be sorry about, Ellie." Twilight told me, "I should've listened."

"Rainbow Dash, y'all on the weather team need to melt the rest of the snow here on the ground and the trees, pronto." We heard Applejack tell Rainbow Dash.

"Got it." Rainbow Dash nodded, then flew off.

But Fluttershy stopped her, "Wait. My poor little animals' homes will get flooded if the snow melts too fast."

Rainbow nodded, "Got it."

She flew off, but Applejack stopped her this time, "I'm tellin' you Rainbow, you gotta melt that snow now."

Fluttershy shook her head, "No, you simply must wait."

Rainbow sighed, "Okay."

But Applejack told her, "Go."

Fluttershy insisted, "Stop."

"Go."

"Stop."

"GO!"

"STOP!"

"Make up your minds!" Rainbow Dash shouted in frustration and impatience.

"What in Equestria are all you arguing about?" Mayor Mare asked, as she arrived on the scene, "This sort of silliness is why we were late for spring last year. And the year before that. And the year before that."

Twilight popped her head out of the bush, "Did she say late?"

"I was hoping my amazingly inspirational speech would urge everyone to do better than last year, but now it looks like we're going to be later than ever. I mean just look at this catastrophe." Mayor Mare turned to Pinkie and the skaters, "The ice scorers made the ice chunks too big to melt." Then at Rarity, who was crying, "The nest designer is horrendously behind, we need several hundred, and she's only made one." Mayor Mare frowned, "And don't get me started on all the clouds in the sky, the icicles on the trees... This isn't good, not at all!"

"And it's gonna be all to pieces disastrous if we can't get our seeds all planted." Applejack added.

"Chillax Applejack, we're bustin' our chops as fast as we can." Rainbow Dash assured.

Fluttershy shook her head, "No, not fast, we have to wake animals slowly."

Then Big McIntosh walked up with Caramel, "Uh, AJ?"

Applejack sighed and face-palmed, "Oh good gravy, Caramel lost the grass seeds again, didn't he?"

Big McIntosh nodded, "Ee-yup."

Then another Pegasus mare informed Rainbow Dash, "Ditzy Doo accidentally went north to get the southern birds!"

Rainbow Dash growled and face-palmed, "Oh, that featherbrain. Didn't she learn her lesson last year when she went west?"

Everypony started arguing and shouting over each other. This isn't good.

Then Mayor Mare shouted, "Stop this at once! We don't have time to argue! It's almost sundown. Spring is going to be late again." She sighed and shook her head, "Another year of scandal and shame. If only we could be more organized."

Twilight smiled and leaped out of the bush, "Spike! Get my checklist and clipboard, stat!"

Spike saluted, "Eh, yes ma'am." Then he dashed off, returned and gave Twilight her checklist and clipboard, along with a quill.

Twilight turned her attention to the arguing Ponies, "Stop everypony. Stop." But, nopony can hear her over themselves.

I took a deep breath and shouted at the top of my lungs, "QUIET!!!"

Everypony looked at me with raised brows. "Hi..." I waved timidly.

Then Twilight Sparkle spoke up, "I know you all want to complete your jobs on time, but arguing is no way to go about it. What you need is organization, and I'm just the pony for the job."

With that, we all started our jobs with Twilight's organizing skills and teamwork.

The ice scorers kept to a cube-like pattern to keep everything in perfect balance and melt time.

The Earth Teams worked together and kept on top of the snow clearing, plowing the grounds and planting the seeds.

The animal teams helped Rarity with her nests and waking the animals wake up for Spring.

The sky team were able to work together with their sky clearing and gathering the migrating birds.

The next day, everything was finished and Spring was finally here.

Mayor Mare smiled, "I can't believe it. Spring is here! On time!" She turned to Twilight Sparkle, "And we have you to thank for it. If it weren't for your organizing skills we would still be arguing."

Big McIntosh nodded in agreement, "Ee-yup."

We all giggled at the silliness of arguing over such small jobs.

"It was a team effort." Twilight smiled humbly.

"And since you helped every team, we have an official vest for you. We give you the title, 'All-Team Organizer'." Mayor Mare appointed Twilight.

Rarity gave Twilight a vest that held a pattern of greens, blues and tan colors. The colors of all the teams together. This was just the job Twilight was looking for. Way to go, girl!

Twilight smiled in humble pride, "Gosh, I don't even know what to say. Thank you everypony."

"And hereby I declare that winter is... Wrapped up on time." Mayor Mare announced to everypony else.

Everypony cheered and celebrated about the announcement and that their hard work has made a difference.

"Spike's sure gonna be in for a hog-sized surprised when that last piece a' ice melts." Applejack giggled.

*Back in Golden Oak Library...*
With Winter wrapped up and Spring finally arrived. Twilight and I were able to get Spike before that last ice cube melted, and it was time for Twilight to send Princess Celestia a letter on what she learned about friendship.

"Dear Princess Celestia,
Winter Wrap Up was one of the most special things I've ever been a part of here in Ponyville. It helped me to learn we all have hidden talents, and if we're patient and diligent, we're sure to find them, and as always, with good friendship and teamwork, ponies can accomplish anything."

Twilight turned to the baby dragon, "How's that, Spike?" She got no answer, "Spike?"

Twilight and I turned to the baby dragon. He has fallen asleep on the rocking chair, close to the fire.

Did I mention that he caught a cold along the way? Oops. Hehehe.

Twilight and I giggled, "Oh, Spike."

Fall Weather Friends

Eleanor's POV.
"So you two are doing what, now?" Twilight asked as she, Spike and I arrived to Sweet Apple Acres and Rainbow Dash was stretching on the ground.

It's been a few days since Diamond Tiara's Cute-ceanera, Filthy Rich's daughter, and her bullying Apple Bloom because of not having a Cutie Mark. Apple Bloom asked Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle to help her earn a Cutie Mark, but no luck. Thankfully, Apple Bloom was able to find some friends, who didn't have their Cutie Marks, and formed their own group.

They were Rarity's younger sister, named Sweetie Belle. And a young Pegasus filly named Scootaloo.

Where was I during all that? I was in the Everfree Forest, helping Zecora with collecting herbs and flowers safely. The Everfree and I are very well acquainted.

Anywho, today, Applejack called us over for a favor, and Twilight Sparkle needed something to do, due to having a free day.

"An Iron-" "Iron Pony competition." Rainbow cut Applejack off with a smile.

"See, we've set up a bunch of events to decide which one of us is--" Applejack explained, but Rainbow Dash cut her off again, "The most athletic pony ever!"

"And Ellie and I are here to...?" Twilight asked in confusion

Applejack took a breath, then Rainbow spoke up with a shrug, "I don' know." She turned to my cousin, "Why are they here?"

"To be our judge and keep score." Applejack answered, in a deadpan tone.

Rainbow smiled, "Right, heh. Somepony's gotta record my awesomeness for the history books." She resumed stretching.

Twilight, Applejack and I looked at each other. Does Rainbow truly think she was gonna win this event?

"I don't think this is a good idea." I spoke up, "A Pegasus and an Earth Pony in an Iron Pony contest?"

Twilight looked at me, "Did you have something similar in your world?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "Sort of. Humans don't have wings or horns, so it's fair game." I rubbed my arm in discomfort, "I'm just worried about cheating. Rainbow Dash could use her wings anytime..."

"Come on, Elle." Twilight waved her hand at me, "You're being paranoid."

I gave my friend a small glare, but stayed quiet.

*Later that day...*
"Hello everypony, and welcome to the first annual Iron Pony competition!" Spike welcomed, as the events of the competition were just finished.

"Uh, Spike, who are you talking to?" Twilight asked. Spike was holding a stick, like a microphone.

Spike looked around, "Um... Uh..." Then he pointed to our friends arriving, "Them!" Then he cheered, "Let the games begin!"

Everypony cheered, and we started with the first sport.

"Ready. Set. Go!" Twilight called Applejack.

Applejack dashed down the path at great speed. She ran past the barrels in a wave like motion. She narrowly missed one, as she hit it with her tail, "Dagnabbit." She made it to the finish line.

Twilight Sparkle turned to Spike, "Time, Spike?"

Spike looked at his stopwatch, "17 seconds."

Applejack smiled, as she jogged over, "Yer kiddin'! That breaks mah record from last year's rodeo."

I shook my head, "But you got a five second penalty for nudging the barrel. Even if it was your tail, AJ."

Applejack sighed and kicked a stone, "Nuts and chews! Still, that's 22 seconds." She regained her smile, "Not too shabby."

Rainbow Dash looked uncertain. Applejack noticed and assured her friend, "Hey, don't be nervous. Remember, it's all in good fun. Now git on up there."

Rainbow hovered over to the start of the race.

"Ready. Set. Go!" Twilight announced.

Rainbow Dash took off and repeated Applejack's pattern. She perfectly missed every barrel and crossed the finished line.

Applejack cheered, "Woo! That was some fancy hoofwork there, Rainbow!"

Rainbow Dash smiled, as she panted out of breath, "Thanks, but I... Couldn't have been as fast as you."

Applejack turned to Spike, "What was the time on that, Spike?"

Spike looked his stopwatch and gasped, "18 seconds!"

Rainbow smiled. Applejack gasped, "18 seconds." She turned the cyan Pegasus, "Rainbow, are yah sure yer not secretly a rodeo pony?"

"Rainbow Dash wins the Barrel Lead!" Twilight announced, raising Rainbow Dash's arm. Fluttershy put one point on Rainbow Dash's score on the scoreboard.

A cheerful smile grew on Rainbow's muzzle, "Oh, I can't believe I won."

Applejack pulled her down to the ground, "Yeah, well, don't yah go gettin' used to it."

Next event was a back-leg power test. Rainbow Dash went first. She leaned down on all-fours and kicked the target. The cork hit the bell on point. Everypony cheered for Dash, as she soaked it in with a smile.

Applejack smiled, "Mighty respectable..." She spat a piece of wheat out of her mouth and walked toward the new target, "But let me show yah how it's really done."

Applejack leaned on all-fours and kicked the target. The cork shot the bell and the bell flew off the meter. The Ponies cheered. Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped.

I raised Applejack's arm, "Applejack wins the Strength Test!"

"Years of apple buckin'." Applejack smiled, as she walked over and kicked the tree Rainbow was sitting under. Golden delicious apples fell on top of Rainbow's head, but the cyan Pegasus was too shocked to react.

That's one point to Applejack.

"Waa-hoo!" "Go Applejack!" "Woohoo!" "Go get her, girl!" "Eeyup!" My family cheered, as they did The Wave for AJ.

Next game was the Bronco-Bunk. This game is basically whoever can get their rider off their backs the quickest wins the game. I guess these games were during the time Ponies were quadrupeds. They need to change the games to best suit bipeds.

"Why me?" Spike asked.

"Go!" Twilight called.

Applejack leaned on all-fours and started kicking. Spike was able to hang on for a few seconds, by hanging on to her tail, until Applejack gave a powerful kick and knocked the baby Dragon into a nearby hay stack.

Next, it was Rainbow Dash's turn, 'Ready for another pony ride?"

Spike shook his head, "No."

"Go!" Twilight called.

Rainbow Dash started kicking at great speed. With a strong kick, Spike flew off and landed on top of the scoreboard.

"Rainbow Dash wins the Bronco-Buck." Twilight announced, raising Rainbow's arm.

"And I lose." Spike groaned.

Next event is the Lasso Rodeo. Applejack was performing amazingly, while Rainbow Dash was having trouble. AJ caught Spike with her rope and tied him immobile.

"How do I get roped into these things?" Spike asked, as he tried to get himself free.

We looked at Rainbow Dash's progress and she got herself tied up to the nearby tree, "Does this count?"

Applejack earned a point.

As the games continued, Applejack and Rainbow Dash have proven to be tied at every game. Rainbow won the head-ball competition. Applejack scored a victory on the haybale toss. Rainbow scored a point at the arm-wrestle. Applejack gained a point during the hoofball kick.

"Fillies and gentlecolts, at the halfway point our competitors are tied at 5 and 5." Spike announced to everypony, as we reached halfway through the games.

Twilight raised a brow, "Who are you talking to?"

"Them!" Spike answered, as he pointed to the townsfolk of Ponyville. Everypony started gathering and watched while the events were happening. Gotta say, I'm mighty surprised. I gave Twilight a small chuckle, as I adjusted my glasses.

The next event was a push-up contest. First one to 100, or closest wins.

"95, 96, 97, 98, 99..." Twilight counted. Applejack and Rainbow Dash started to look tired. Until Rainbow used her wings to reach the last push-up, "A hundred!"

Rainbow Dash smiled and cheered, "Yes!"

Applejack collapsed to the ground. My smile fell to a worried frown. And so it starts...

"Be a good sport, Applejack." AJ muttered to herself.

The next event was a Long-Jump. Applejack was doing well. However, Rainbow Dash used her wings again to win. Next was the Dirt Cross. The objective was simple; the competitors must reunite the chicks with their mother, by crossing a muddy path. Get the chicks too muddy and you loose.

Once again, Applejack was doing fine, until the chicks flew off her back and joined Rainbow Dash. Rainbow was using her wings as a foothold for the chicks.

Now for the final round, The Tug-Of-War.

"All right, you two. This is the final event." Twilight told the two competitors, "Give it all you've got."

Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash grabbed the ends of the rope and started pulling. Applejack had the lead so far.

Spike smiled, "Looks like the workhorse might come out ahead in this one."

Rainbow Dash was about to fall into the pit of mud, but used her wings to save her life. She flew up and lifted Applejack over the pit. AJ kept a good grip on the rope. Now, it was a contest on who can hold on the longest.

Knowing where this was gonna go, I grabbed the whistle around my neck and blew loudly into it. Everyone stopped cheering and looked at me. Even Twilight, Spike, Rainbow and AJ turned to me.

"Since both competitors are over the mud pit, I'm calling the Tug-Of-War a tie!" I announced.

Everypony gasped. Rainbow Dash let go of the rope, causing Applejack to fall into the pit of mud, and flew toward me with a glare and muzzle touching my nose.

"What do you mean a tie? I was gonna be declared the Iron Pony!" She shouted at me.

"Applejack was at a disadvantage, so I acted accordingly." I answered calmly, pushing the rainbow-themed Pegasus five feet back, "And I'm not comfortable how close we were to me."

Applejack nodded, as she cleaned herself off, "Ah agree with Ellie. You're cheatin'."

Rainbow Dash glared at Applejack, "What?"

Applejack folded her arms, "Yah used yer wingpower to help yah win over half those contests."

"Sounds like sour apples to me." Rainbow spat back.

I scratched my head, "No. Sour Apples is our cousin that lives in Fillydelphia."

Applejack ignored me and asked Rainbow Dash, "Are yah sayin' yah didn't use yer wings?"

Rainbow Dash thought for a second, "Well... No." The pointed out, "But you never said I couldn't use my wings."

"Ah didn't think Ah needed to tell yah to play fair." Applejack replied.

Rainbow Dash folded her arms, "I still would have won even without my wings."

Applejack laughed, "Hah! Prove it."

Rainbow Dash nodded, "Gladly. How?"

I thought for a second, "Well... Tomorrow is the annual Runnin' of the Leaves."

Applejack smiled, "I challenge yah to race me in it."

Rainbow Dash smiled back, "Heh! Easy shmeasy."

"Hold on!" Applejack pulled Rainbow to the ground, "There is one condition: the point is to run, so no wings allowed."

Rainbow nodded, "No wings? No problem."

The two ponies spat into their hands and shook them. Rainbow blew a raspberry and the two smiled competitively at each other.

*The Next Day, at the Running of the Leaves...*
"Twilight, hurry up, we're gonna be late for the race." Spike moaned, as Twilight stopped to admire the butterflies.

"Why are you so excited about the race? It's only for ponies." Twilight asked.

Spike nodded, "Yeah, but I'm hoping I can be the announcer again." He grabbed his twig and cleared his throat, "Just listen: Fillies and gentlecolts, welcome to the annual Running of the--"

But he was cut off by Pinkie Pie's voice, "Welcome to the annual Running of the Leaves!" We looked up to find Pinkie in a hot air balloon and speaking into a megaphone, "This is Pinkie Pie, your official p-eye-in-the-sky announcer."

Spike threw his stick into the ground and pouted.

"Sorry, Spike. I guess that job's already taken." Twilight apologised with a sad frown.

"As everypony knows, the running is a very important tradition, for without it, the autumn leaves of Equestria would never fall." Pinkie explained, as her balloon floated her over the amber-brown trees in the forests, "So get ready, Ponies. The Running of the Leaves will begin in five minutes."

With that, everypony participating made their way to the starting line and began their stretches. Applejack was already at the starting line, wearing her sports attire, which consisted was a sports bra and denim shorts.

I rolled up my sleeves, "Well, I think I'm gonna reorganize the books in the library."

Twilight stopped me from turning around, "Aw, come on, Ellie. Join us in the Running of the Leaves. It'll be fun."

I shook my head, "You said so yourself, Twi. The Running of the Leaves is a pony tradition." I rubbed my arm, "And last time I checked, I don't have hooves... Or a tail..." I frowned, "Or a horn... Or wings..." I lowered my head, "Or a muzzle..."

Twilight lifted my head to look at her, "Ellie. You may look like a human on the outside, but on the inside, you're more Pony than any human I've ever met."

I smiled and threw my arms around my friend. With that, Twilight and I returned to the library to change into our sports attires.

My sports attire consisted of a black tank top, red elbow-pads, a pair of charcoal grey cargo pants and dark green sneakers.

Twilight's was a lavender sleeveless hoodie over a white shirt and olive green 3/4 length cargo pants.

Once we were both ready, Twilight and I left the library, signed into the race and got our numbers. Twilight's was 42 and mine was 13. We both made our way to the starting line. Rainbow Dash had her wings tied up. This will keep things fair.

Applejack looked at me and Twilight, "Twilight? Ellie? What in tarnation are you two doin' up here?"

"We're racing." Twilight answered.

Rainbow Dash burst into laughter and nudge Twilight, "Good one, Twilight."

Twilight shook her head, "I'm not joking."

Rainbow stopped laughing and looked at the studious Unicorn, "What? You're not an athlete, you're a... Well... You're an egghead."

Twilight glared at the cyan Pegasus, "I am not an egghead, I am well read."

"Egghead." Rainbow whispered to AJ with a snicker.

I nudged her in the arm, "I heard that."

"And what are yah doin' here, Ellie?" Applejack asked, "Yer human."

"I'm Pony on the inside, AJ." I answered.

Applejack nodded, then turned to Twilight, "But have you ever run a race?"

Twilight thought for a second, "Well, no." Then she smiled, "But I do know a lot about running."

"And you know this from..." Rainbow started.

Twilight smiled, "Books. I've read several on the subject."

Rainbow fell on her back in laughter. Twilight and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes at the cyan Pegasus.

"What'd you read, 'The Egghead's Guide to Running'?" Rainbow asked between laughs, "Did you stretch out your eye muscles to warm up? Get it? Eye muscles."

Twilight rolled her eyes, "Scoff if you must, Rainbow. But the running of the leaves is a Ponyville tradition, and since I'm here to learn, I've decided I should experience it myself."

I smiled at Twilight's dedication. It's almost like Sunset Shimmer's dedication to learn with her hands.

Applejack smiled, "Well, I think that's just dandy, Twilight. Good luck." Then she snickered, which earned her a glare from me.

Rainbow Dash snickered, "Yeah. See you at the finish line... Tomorrow."

Then Pinkie Pie spoke up, "All right, Ponies, are you ready?"

We all went of all-fours.

"Get set." Spike announced, as we got into sprinting position.

Spike rang the bell and the participants dashed off into the forest.

"And they're off!" Pinkie cheered, as Twilight and I started jogging down the path.

"I don't believe it." Applejack sighed, as Twilight and I caught up with her in the forest. She was laying on the ground, covered in leaves.

"I know, it's beautiful, isn't it?" Twilight smiled, looking at the scenery.

Applejack shook her head, "Not the scenery, Twilight." She picked herself up, "Rainbow Dash just tripped me."

"She did not." Twilight shook her head.

"She did too!: AJ argued.

"She did not, and if you slowed down and looked where you're going, like Twilight and I, you'd see that you tripped over a rock." I spoke up, pointing to a rock behind her.

"What?" AJ looked behind her and saw the rock, "Oh, hayseed!" She sighed, "Now I got a lot of ground to make up to catch Rainbow."

With that, she ran off as fast as her hooves could carry her.

"Just be careful!" Twilight and I called after her, as we continued our jog.

"I don't believe it, Applejack tripped me." Rainbow growled, as she recovered from her fall and getting covered in the fall leaves.

"Don't you ponies ever look where you're going?" Twilight asked, as we caught up with her, "You tripped on a stump." She pointed to a stump in the road, "See?"

Rainbow picked herself up and looked at the stump, "Oh, I see." Then she glared, "A big cheater is what I see."

"Rainbow, Applejack would never cheat." I told her, "It was just an accident."

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes sourly, "Sure it was." I glared at her. Rainbow recollected herself, "I mean, yeah, I'm sure it was."

"Remember, Rainbow, this is just a game." Twilight told her, as she and I continued our jog through the woods.

"Oh my, Whitetail Wood is just lovely." Twilight smiled, as we reached the fork of the road.

I nodded, then saw Rainbow Dash up ahead, "Hey there, Rainbow." Then I raised a brow, "Um... Shouldn't you be up ahead?"

Rainbow laughed and smiled at us, "I'm sure I'll win now."

"Except that the other racers just passed you." Twilight pointed out.

Realization hit the cyan Pegasus, "Oh horse apples..." Then she dashed off, "See ya!"

"Forgive me, girls." Twilight spoke up, as we passed Applejack and Rainbow Dash, who were sitting on a rock, "I know I'm not an athlete, but shouldn't the Running of the Leaves actually involve running?"

"You know, I think Twilight's right." I heard Rainbow Dash reconsidered.

Applejack raised a brow, "You do?"

Rainbow nodded, "Yeah! If you wanna beat me, you better..." Then she dashed past us, "RUUUN!"

Applejack growled and charged after her.

I received my gold medal, as Rainbow Dash and Applejack arrived and started arguing. Both Ponies looked tired and their fur was matted up with sweat. Manes and tails were knotted and mangled from their fighting.

"I won!" Rainbow Dash smiled.

Applejack shook her head, "No, Ah won!

Rainbow glared at my cousin, "I won!"

"You tied!" Spike told them, from the hot air balloon with Pinkie Pie.

"Tied?!" AJ and Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"For first?" AJ asked.

Pinkie Pie shook her head and smiled, "For last."

"Last?" Applejack repeated in shock.

"Then who won?" Rainbow asked.

Everypony turned to me and Twilight, who were wearing our medals in humble pride.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked and gasped in shock, "You?!"

Twilight shook her head, "Oh no, but I did get fifth place, which is rather good considering that I've never run a race before."

"Then who won?" Rainbow asked again.

Timidly, I raised my hand. Applejack and Rainbow stared at me in shock.

"What? How's that even possible?" Applejack asked.

"You were jogging, and looked at the scenery." Rainbow pointed out, "And you're a human!"

I shook my head, "Being human had nothing to do with it. I just paced myself. Nice and easy. Then at the end, when all the other ponies were worn out, I sprinted to the finish."

Rainbow still couldn't fathom the truth before her, "I don't believe it. Twilight and Ellie beat us."

Twilight smiled, "Well, with all your horsing around, it was quite easy."

I chuckled, "You two were so centered on beating each other, you never noticed us."

Applejack sighed and frowned regrettably, "You're right. Our behavior was just terrible."

Rainbow nodded in agreement, "We weren't very good sports."

Then a familiar voice spoke from behind us, "Sounds to me that an important lesson was learned."

Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and I turned to see a tall, regal Alicorn walking toward us.

"Princess Celestia?!" Applejack and Rainbow Dash gasped, as we bowed when she approached us.

"W... What are yah doin' here?" Applejack asked.

"Fall is one of my favorite seasons, so I came to celebrate the Running of the Leaves." Princess Celestia answered with a smile.

Applejack frowned apologetically, "Ah'm sorry yah had to see us being such poor sport, Princess."

"That's all right, Applejack." Princess Celestia assured, "Anypony can get swept up in the excitement of competition."

Twilight nodded, then added, "It's important to remember that the friendship is always more important than the competition."

Applejack and Rainbow looked each other in surprise.

Princess Celestia nodded, "Exactly, Twilight." Then turned to AJ and Rainbow, "Now, unfortunately, because the two of you were busy tricking each other instead of shaking down leaves, many of the lovely trees of Equestria are still covered."

"Why, Princess, Ah bet we can knock those leaves down for yah lickety-split." Applejack assured with a smile, then turned to Rainbow, "Whaddya say, friend? Wanna go for another run?"

Rainbow Dash smiled, "I'd love to stretch my legs."

With that, the two athletic Ponies ran down the road of Whitetail Wood and worked together to finished the Running of Leaves.

Suited For Success

Eleanor's POV.
I chased after Rainbow Dash, as she lost control with her new trick. She asked me to keep referee in case something goes wrong. Unfortunately, she was slingshot off the sound barrier and flew into Rarity's boutique.

I knocked on the door and opened it to see Twilight, Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow. Rainbow was covered in fabric and had a bucket over her head.

I gasped, "Oh Luna's moon, are you guys okay?" Then I walked over and removed the bucket from Rainbow's head, "Rainbow, I told you to try six inches to the left. Not a whole foot."

Rainbow Dash tilted her head, "What's a foot?"

I sighed and simplified, "12 inches, Dash. Twice than what I suggested."

Rainbow nudged me with a smile, "Egghead."

Then Rarity gasped and smiled, "Idea!" She turned to Rainbow Dash, "I'll make you an outfit for the Gala too, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow Dash tilted her head, "Outfit for the what now?"

"The Grand Galloping Gala." I repeated.

Rarity's smile grew brighter, "I'll make one for you..." She pointed to Twilight, "And you..." To Applejack, "And all of you." She gasped in a spark of creativity, "Oh! And of course Pinkie and Fluttershy too." She walked over to her shelf of fabrics, "Oh, and when I'm done, we can hold our very own fashion show!"

Twilight smiled, "What a great idea! If you're sure you can handle it."

"Oh, it'll be a little bit of work, but it will be a wonderful boost for my business." Rarity assured, as she grabbed a few rolls of colorful fabric, "Plus, fun!"

Rainbow Dash smiled in excitement, "Oh, I love fun things!"

Rarity nodded and laid out a roll across her workstation, "Then it's settled. We'll have a fashion show starring us."

Applejack frowned in concern, "So all yah have to do is make a different, stunning, original, amazing outfit for one, two, three, four, five... plus yourself, six ponies and a human? And lickity split?"
Rarity giggled in humor, "Oh, Applejack. You make it sound as if it's going to be hard."

Rarity's POV
With that, Twilight, Eleanor, Applejack and Rainbow Dash left the boutique and left me to my work on the dresses.

(0:00 - 1:40)
Thread by thread, stitching it together,
Twilight's dress, cutting out the pattern snip by snip.
Making sure the fabric folds nicely,
It's the perfect color and so hip.
Always gotta keep in mind my pacing,
Making sure the clothes' correctly facing.
I'm stitching Twilight's dress.

Yard by yard, fussing on the details.
Jewel neckline, don't you know a stitch in time saves nine?
Make her something perfect to inspire,
Even though she hates formal attire.
Gotta mind those intimate details,
Even though she's more concerned with sales.
It's Applejack's new dress.

Dressmaking's easy, for Pinkie Pie something pink.
Fluttershy something breezy.
For Eleanor dark and form,
Do you think it looks cheesy?

Something brash, perhaps quite fetching,
Hook and eye, couldn't you just simply die?
Making sure it fits forelock and crest,
Don't forget some magic in the dress.
Even though it rides high on the flank,
Rainbow won't look like a tank.
I'm stitching Rainbow's dress.

Piece by piece, snip by snip.
Croup, dock, haunch, shoulders, hip.
Thread by thread, primmed and pressed.
Yard by yard, never stressed.
And that's the art of the dress!

Once all the dresses were finished, I invited everypony to the boutique to see my work.

"That's it. Keep them closed. Don't look." I told the girls, as I lead them, with their eyes closed.

I lead them to the center of my workspace and smiled, "Okay, you can look now!"

Eleanor's POV.
The girls and I opened our eyes and gasped at the dresses before us.

Each dress was suited to our personalities and interests.

"These are your new outfits." Rarity smiled.

Applejack's dress showed her workpony duds with a country flair, "What do you think of your old duds now, Applejack? Pretty swanky, are they not?"

Twilights was combined with stars and lovely pastel shades of blues and purples, "And Twilight! I made this dress for you and I designed each outfit theme to perfectly reflect each pony and human's unique personality."

Rainbow's resembled that of a Greek Goddess of the sky and rainbows. Absolutely beautiful. "Oh, it took me forever to get the colors right on this one, Rainbow Dash, but I did it. Oh, and it turned out beautiful, don't you think?"

Fluttershy's dress looked like a wise willow tree made hers. Light, breezy, and just breath taking, "Ooo, and I know you are going to love yours, Fluttershy. It just sings spring!"

Pinkie's looked like a cupcake come to life. Pink all around with candies and bright decorations, "And Pinkie Pie, look! Pink! Your favorite!"

My dress was a gothic formal dress with black leggings and an onyx broach on the collar. Well done, Rarity!

(https://derpibooru.org/1788748?q=fluttergoth)
(Fluttergoth's look.)

"Aren't they all amazing?" Rarity asked.

I was speechless in amazement and the beauty of the dresses. However, the others looked uncertain.

Twilight started with a fake smile, "Wow... They're..."

Rainbow Dash nodded, "Yeah, they're..."

Applejack rubbed her chin, "They sure are... Sumth'n.

Twilight nodded, "Yes! Something."

Pinkie Pie smiled, "I love something! Something is my favorite!"

Fluttershy looked uncertain, "It's... nice.

Rarity's smile fell, "But what's the matter? Don't you like them?"

"They're very nice..." Twilight insisted.

Applejack nodded, "And we're plum grateful 'cause you worked so hard on them."

"Mine's just not as cool as I was imagining." Rainbow blurted, earning a glare from Twilight and Applejack, "She asked."

"I guess what we're all saying is that they're just not what we had in mind." Twilight finally spoke in honesty.

The other girls agreed with nods. I folded my arms.

Rarity looked at me, "Eleanor? You haven't said anything yet. What do you think?"

The girls looked at me in suspense. Rarity looked at me with hope, while the others weren't sure what I was gonna say.

I closed my eyes, took a breath and spoke up, "I..." A smile grew on my face, as I looked at the fashionista Unicorn, "Love them, Rarity. All of them just left me speechless in awe and amazement."

Rarity smiled at me, while the girls looked at me in shock, "Oh, thank you for your honesty, Ellie." Then she looked at the girls, "And there's nothing to worry about. These were only a first pass. You're my friends and I want you to be 110% satisfied. Not to worry, I'll redo them."

Fluttershy frowned, "Oh, Rarity. You don't have to do that. They're fine."

"I want them to be better that just fine." Rarity insisted, as she undressed the mannequins, "I want you to think they're absolutely perfect."

"Are you sure?" Applejack asked, "I mean, we wouldn't wanna impose."

Rarity shook her head, "Oh, it's no imposition. Really, I insist."

"Well, in that case..." Twilight regained her smile, "Thank you again, Rarity."

With that, the girls and I left the boutique to Rarity's work. Once we were out of the boutique and earshot of Rarity, I glared at the girls and shouted, "What the hell did you girls mean 'Not what you had in mind'?!! They were beautiful!"

"Ellie, you can drop the act now." Twilight told me, "We know you didn't like them either."

I glared at my study partner, "I'm not acting, Twilight. I thought those dressed were lovely."

Rainbow Dash looked at me with shock, "You liked them? But, they were so bland! Not cool!"

I gasped, "Bland? You can't be serious! Did you even picture yourself wearing those dresses?"

"But I'm not a cupcake." Pinkie Pie frowned. "I'm not Greek." Rainbow pointed out.

"That's not what I-" Suddenly, Rarity's cat, Opal, walked up from behind me and walked up to Fluttershy. She tapped her hoof and then walked back into the boutique. Fluttershy followed her.

I looked the other girls, growled in frustration, "You're all idiots!" Then made my way to Sweet Apple Acres, to go do some apple bucking, or something to calm me down.

I found a dead tree within the orchard and started beating the leaves off it. However, the more I hit the tree, the angrier and more frustrated I got with my friends and the dresses.

How can they say that they didn't like them?! Those dresses were beautiful. I could see them wearing the dresses and look absolutely stunning. Why couldn't they?

"Ellie? You feeling okay, hun?" I heard my mother's voice speak from behind me.

"I'm fine, Mum. Just let be deal with this on my own." I answered, kicking the tree with all my strength.

My foot landed on a rock and I slipped to fall on my butt in the grass. The frustration continued to build up and tears welled up in my eyes, fogging my vision.

"You're not fine, Ellie. Something's made you very upset and it's still bothering you." Mum sat beside me, "Come on, you can tell me."

I looked at my mother, as she gave me an assuring smile. I sighed and wiped the tears from my tired eyes, "It's Rarity. She made these wonderful dresses for us, for the Gala, and the dresses were wonderful." I looked at the grass, "But everyone else just gave her criticism and asked for her to make new ones."

"Well... That's not too bad, is it?" Mum asked me.

I looked at my mother, "Mum, imagine you offered to make your special spiced cider for a friend. Just out the goodness of your heart. You've made this cider for years and it's a favored drink across Equestria. She tells you it tastes awful, then request you to make it the way her mother used to make it. How would you feel?"

Mum thought for a second, "I guess I would feel very hurt, but make it to make my friend happy."

"That's how Rarity feels." I told her, "Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie are taking advantage of Rarity's generosity."

*The Next Week...*
I woke up to the sound of knocking in my bedroom door. I groggily got out of bed and walked over to the door. I opened the door with a yawn and on the other side was Twilight Sparkle.

"What do you want, Twilight?" I asked with a tired glare.

"We need your help, Ellie." Twilight told me, "Rarity hasn't left her house all week. We need your help with her dress."

I raised a brow, "Why should I help you? Everypony knows gemstones and regal is Rarity's style."

"I've also come to apologize." Twilight frowned, "We should have listened to you. The more we looked at the dresses, the more we realised that the mannequins didn't do them justice. Rarity's dresses were wonderful. Just like you said."

I sighed, "Fine. I'll help."

I closed the door, got myself dressed into my casual attire and arrived to Ponyville, making my way to Carousel Boutique. While walking down the path, I bumped into a tall Earth Pony stallion. His fur was light grey color. White, curly tail and mane and wore a fancy, but obvious upper-class tuxedo, and a pair of shades. His Cutie Mark was of a folded fan.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going." I quickly apologised.

"It's quite alright, little lady." He answered, then he looked at my outfit and smiled, "My, my. Is that 'Drowned' by the infamous Inky Rose."

I looked at my outfit, "Y-Yes, it is. I love her designs. Really speak to me as a person." Then I looked at the stallion, "You wouldn't be Hoity Toity, would you?"

"I am." He nodded, then shook his head, "I'm on my way back to Canterlot. Last week's show was the most horrible show I've ever seen."

"Who hosted it?" I asked.

"Some Unicorn in a grey turtleneck." He answered.

"Rarity!" I gasped, then I extended my hand to him, "Mr. Toity, my name is Eleanor Carter. I'm a friend of the Unicorn you saw last week."

"You're not gonna up-show her, are you?" He asked me, shaking my hand firmly.

I shook my head, "No. I believe you deserve an explanation for the show."

I explained to Mr. Toity that Rarity's show was a disaster due to our friends being too demanding and asked for too much. So, to make up for it, The Girls, Rarity and I decided to give him a private show in Carousel Boutique.

"Take two." Mr. Toity waved his hand to me and Rarity.

I closed my eyes and started focusing my magic to create a stunning display of the night sky, as Twilight presented her dress.

Mr. Toity gasped in awe, "Hello... Oh, this can't be the same designer."

Next was Applejack's dress. I created a display of beautiful apple orchards.

Mr. Toity clapped his hands, "Simply magnificent!" He smiled, "And I suddenly have a fierce craving for some Dutch apple pie, candied apples on a stick, apple turnovers, apple cobbler..."

Next, I made a display of raining candy for Pinkie Pie's dress.

Mr. Toity smiled, "Brilliant!"

With some colorful display of thunder, lightning and the sky, it was Rainbow's turn to present her dress.

"Oh, spectacular!"

Next was Fluttershy's presentation. My magic created a scenery of spring and garden effects. Mr. Toity was speechless.

Then it was my turn to present my dress for the Gala. My presentation was a reflection of Canterlot during the dark of the night.

Mr. Toity clapped his hands, "Now this is a fashion show! All of these dresses are absolutely amazing." Then he asked, "Who is responsible? Step forward, show yourself!"

Next, it was Rarity's turn. Rarity used her own magic for her presentation.

Mr. Toity smiled and clapped his hands excitedly, as Rarity walked toward him, "Brava! Brava! Magnifico! Encore!"

Rarity smiled and bowed, "Oh, thank you. Thank you! Oh, thank you so much!"

"Dear Princess Celestia.
This week my very talented friend Rarity learned that if you try to please everypony, you often times end up pleasing nopony, especially yourself. And I learned this: when somepony offers to do you a favor, like making you a beautiful dress, you shouldn't be overly critical of something generously given to you. In other words, you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth." Twilight reported her lesson to Spike, as he wrote her words.

Once done, Spike used his fire breath to sent the letter to Princess Celestia.

Mr. Toity turned to Rarity, "Rarity, my congratulations to you on a most impressive fashion debut. Would you do me the great honor of allowing me to feature your couture in my best of the best boutique in Canterlot?

Rarity was speechless, but her expression told you her answer.

"Now, I'll need you to make a dozen of each dress for me by next Tuesday." Mr. Toity told her.

Rarity gasped, then her eye twitched.

I giggled, "I'll get the machine warmed up."

Feeling Pinkie Keen

Eleanor's POV.
It's another beautiful day in Ponyville. Today, Twilight was using her magic to create a tuxedo suit for Spike, for the Gala. Rarity wanted to make one for the young Dragon, but Twilight insisted, since she was busy with filling out Mr. Toity's order.

Me? What I doing? Oh, I was in the market place, shopping for groceries and something for dinner tonight.

I was just looking over the oranges of the fruit stall, when I noticed Pinkie Pie dashing all over the place, with a rainbow umbrella hat. She looked like she was avoiding something. She was always looking up in the sky. And her tail was twitching for some reason.

Twilight walked up to her, "Pinkie Pie? What in the wide-wide-world of Equestria are you up to?"

Pinkie looked at Twilight, "Oh! It's my tail! It's my tail!" She turned her tail into Twilight's face, "It's a-twitch a-twitchin'! And you know what that means!"

Twilight removed the Pink Pony's tail and shrugged, "Actually, Pinkie, I haven't the slightest idea."

I rubbed my chin in thought, "Well... If I would have a guess. Judging by your actions. You're expecting something's gonna fall?

Pinkie looked at me, smiled, then nodded, "That's right, Nellie! The twichin' means my Pinkie Sense is telling me that stuff's gonna start falling! You two should better duck for cover."

Twilight just shook her head dismissively, "Oh, Pinkie, it's not gonna rain." She looked up to the sky, "Why there's barely even a cloud in the-"

Suddenly, a frog came falling and landed on Twilight's face. It croaked with a smile.

"He just said, 'Nice catch' in Frog." Pinkie translated.

The frog croaked again.

Then Fluttershy's voice spoke from above us, "Oh, I'm so, so sorry. You okay, Twilight Sparkle?"

We looked up to see Fluttershy hovering above us, carrying bags and baskets full of frogs.

"I just couldn't stand to see the pond getting so over-populated, what with the frogs all hopping into each other and all, so I decided to fly as many as I can on over to Froggy Bottom Bog." The shy Pegasus explained, as the frog started crawling on Twilight's face.

Twilight rolled her eyes, "Of course you did."

Fluttershy smiled and waved, "Bye-bye!" And with that, she was gone.

Pinkie looked at Twilight and noticed the frog, "Um... Twilight? You gotta little somethin' on your face there."

"Oh, really? Did your Pinkie Sense tell you that, too?" Twilight asked in a sarcastic tone.

Pinkie shook her head, "Nah! I could just see it."

Then she skipped off, singing a tune to herself. I removed the frog from Twilight's face, and placed it on the grass, as it hopped off.

Twilight sighed and started walking off, "C'mon, Spike, let's continue our practice session where there's a little less commotion."

Spike quickly followed with a skip, "Wow! That was amazing! Pinkie Pie predicted something would fall, and it did!"

I smiled, as I followed them, "It's really incredible."

Twilight shook her head, "Oh, come on. She said that something would fall, and a frog just happened to fall right around the same time. A coincidence, nothing else to it."

Suddenly, Pinkie dashed toward us and shouted, "My tail! My tail! Twitch-a-twitch! Twitch-a-twitch! Somethin' else is gonna fall!"

Spike gasped and hugged close to Twilight.

Twilight rolled her eyes and resumed walking, "Oh, Pinkie, please. Nothing else is gonna fa-" But she fell into a deep ditch.

I suppressed a giggled, while Spike gasped, "Oh no, Twilight fell!" Then he turned to Pinkie, "Is it... safe to go help her?"

Pinkie nodded, "It's okay, my tail stopped twitching." She removed her umbrella hat and skipped of singing.

Spike smiled and laughed, "Ha ha! That was amazing!"

Twilight dusted herself off and rolled her eyes, "Oh, please."

Then Applejack spoke from behind us, "Uh, Twilight? Why are you hanging out in a ditch?"

"Because, Pinkie Pie predicted it!" Spike answered.

"Honestly, Spike, she did not." Twilight argued, climbing up the ditch, "Two coincidences in a row like this may be unlikely, but it's still easier to believe than twitchy tails that predict the future."

Applejack gasped, then started to look scared, "Twitchy tail? Pinkie Sense?" She quickly seek shelter under the corn stand.

Spike waved his hand and assured, "Don't worry, it's safe. Prediction already came true."

Twilight raised a brow at Applejack, "Oh, wait. Don't tell me you believe in this stuff, too?"

"I know it doesn't make much sense, but those of us who have been in Ponyville a while, have learned over time that, if Pinkie's-a-twichin', you better listen." Applejack explained, coming out of the stand.

Suddenly, Pinkie returned and, instead of her tail twitching, her ears were flapping on their own, "My ears are flopping! My ears are flopping!"

Spike gasped, then quickly hugged close to me.

"What does that mean?!" I asked.

Pinkie turned to Twilight, "I'll start a bath for you."

Twilight's eyes widened, then she laughed, "A bath? This thing keeps on getting more ridiculous by the minute!"

Suddenly, an elder, Earth Pony came running by, with a wagon of hay bales. He stepped in a nearby puddle of mud and it splashed all over Twilight and me. Twilight growled in frustration. I just stared blankly, uncertain how to react.

*A Little Later, in Pinkie's Home...*
Pinkie Pie helped Twilight and I with our baths. I was first in, so it's Twilight's turn. She did not look amused by today's events lately.

"Sooo, basically, it works like this: I get different, little, niggling feelings and they mean different things." Pinkie explained, "Like when my back is itchy, it means it's my lucky day. And, when my knee gets pinchy, that means something scary's about to happen."

"Is your knee pinchy now?" Twilight asked.
Pinkie shock her head, and massaged her shoulder, "No, but my shoulder's achy." She smiled, "That means there's an alligator in the tub."

Pinkie dug her hand into the bathtub and picked up a baby alligator with purple eyes. Twilight screamed and leaped out of the tub.

"How come your knee didn't get pinchy?!" She exclaimed, "That isn't just scary, it's downright dangerous!"

Pinkie shook her head with a smile, putting the alligator on the ground, "No it's not, silly! This is my pet alligator, Gummy." Gummy opened his mouth and started nibbling on Pinkie's hoof, "He's got no teeth. See? Haha!"

I giggled and petted the baby alligator, "He's adorable."

Twilight sighed, "Okay, okay... I get it."

*Later in Ponyville...*
"Well, I still don't believe all this... 'special power' stuff." Twilight told Pinkie, as we walked down the street, heading back to Golden Oak Library, "It's just a bunch of mumbo-jumbo."

Pinkie raised a brow, "What's not to believe? You do magic, what's the difference?"

Twilight gasped and argued, "Huge! For one thing..." She looked around. Twilight stood on a soap box and cleared her throat, "Magic is something you study and practice. It only happens when you decide to do it, and it's meant to make something specific that you choose to happen, happen." She pointed to Pinkie, "With you, uh, it makes no sense at all!"

Pinkie shook his head, "That's so not true, Twilight!" Then gestured to me, "It makes as much sense as a Human capable of Fusion Magic."

I gasped and hugged myself in fear, "Ho-How long have you known?"

"Applejack told me." She smiled, then assured me, "I think is kinda cool. You have gotta fuse with me someday."

I regained my smile, "Maybe after this." I rubbed my arm, "I'm still a little uncomfortable about this gift."

Pinkie nodded in understanding and turned to Twilight, "Sometimes it's a bunch of random things happening to my body at random times that supposedly predict the future. I call 'em 'combos'."

Twilight stepped off the soap box, "Combos?"

Pinkie nodded, "Sure! You know, like, ear flop, then knee twitch, then eye flutter. That means the sky is about to be graced with a beautiful rainbow!"

Twilight rolled her eyes and made her way to the door of the library, "Yeah, sure."

Pinkie gasped, "Uh oh, I feel a combo coming on." Then the combo happened, as she named them, "Ear flop, eye flutter, knee twitch!"

I gasped, as I sensed something coming from the other side of the door, "Twilight, watch-" The door flew open, slamming Twilight into it, "Out..."

Spike was exiting the library, walking backwards, with a pile of books in his arms.

The door closed and Twilight fell on the doormat. She glared at Pinkie, "You said that combo meant 'beautiful rainbow'."

Pinkie shook her head, "Oh no-no-no-no-no. You're thinking of an ear flop, then knee twitch, then eye flutter. This was an ear flop, then eye flutter, then knee twitch. That usually means 'look out for opening doors'." She asked, "You okay?"

Twilight picked herself up and sighed, "I don't believe this."

"You don't believe because you don't understand." Pinkie pointed out.

Twilight raised a brow and rubbed her chin in thought.

*A Little Later, in the Basement of the Library...*
Twilight strapped Pinkie Pie into her analysis machine, "Okay. Now when you get another twitch, we'll have all kinds of scientific information."

Pinkie smiled, "Okie-dokie-lokie!"

Everything went silent for a few minutes, until Twilight asked, "Any twitches yet?"

Pinkie shook her head, "Nopey-dopey!"

Another few minutes, Twilight asks again, "Now? Anything?"

Pinkie gasped, "Wait! Hold on!" She focused for a moment, then shook her head, "Uhh, no."

"Are you kidding me?!" Twilight exclaimed in shock, "After a whole day of non-stop twitching, now that I've got you all hooked up, you're not getting a single one?"

"I don't control it, they just come and go." Pinkie pointed out.

"That makes no sense!" Twilight shouted.

Pinkie shrugged, "Sometimes you just have to believe in things, even when you can't figure 'em out."

Twilight stubbornly shook her head, "I will not believe in anything I cannot explain."

Then Pinkie gasped, "Wait, hold on, I'm feeling something..."

Twilight gasped and smiled, "Oh my gosh, what? What is it?!"

A second of silence, then Pinkie's stomach rumbled. Pinkie smiled, "It's my tummy! That usually means I'm hungry! Let's eat!"

I smiled, "Oh, let's go to SugarCube Corner. I've been craving something sweet all day."

Twilight growled in frustration, "You know what?" She ripped the wires from her machine and shouted, "Just forget it! I don't need to know if this is real or not. I don't need to understand it! I don't even care!"

Pinkie slipped out of the cuffs and smiled, "Okie-dokie-lokie."

Twilight, Pinkie and I made our way upstairs, to the door that lead to the library, until Pinkie stopped skipping and gasped, "Uh-oh."

I gasped, as I saw Pinkie's ears flapped, her eyes fluttered, then her knees twitched, causing her to fall into me and fall down the steps. I felt something fill me, and my body started glowing. Oh, no!

???'s POV.
I landed in the basement again and rubbed my head from the throbbing pain.

"Ow, blast it that hurt!" I muttered to myself. Then I giggled and smiled, "That was fun! Let's do it again!" Then my eyes widened in shock, "Wait. Pinkie Pie?" "Yeah?"

Panic filled my head and I gasped, clutching my head, "Oh Luna, I'm so sorry! I didn't plan this, I swear!" Then I started giggling again, "Don't worry about it, Nellie. This actually tickles."

Then I heard Twilight's voice gasped, "Another fusion!?" Then she smiled, "I have to document this!"

Suddenly, my ears started flapping, my eyes fluttered and my knees twitched. I looked at my knees. My fur coat was a raspberry pink, and I wore Pinkie's overalls, but they were an olive green instead of blue.

I gasped and reached to Twilight, "Twilight, watch out for..." WHAM! Spike opened the door, slamming Twilight into the wall, "The... Door..."

"Pinkie? Ellie?" Spike called, then saw me from the balcony, "Who are you?"

I giggled, "Hi, Spike. It's me. Pinkie and Nellie. We fused." Then I hugged myself in worry, "Pinkie..."

Spike's eyes widened, "A fusion?" But he shook his head and asked, "Have you seen Twilight?"

I nodded, as I stood up and dusted myself off, "Uh-huh." My stomach rumbled, then I smiled, "Oh, yeah. That's right. I promised to treat us to SugarCube Corner."

I was about to take a step, a thought came to me, "Wait... Pinkie, are you sure we should go out like this? Nopony has ever heard of Fusion Magic." I smiled and waved my hand, "Don't worry your little ravenette head about it. I'm sure they'll understand, if they see us."

With that, I skipped up the stairs and exit the library.

*Later that day, in Ponyville...*
After grabbing something to eat, I walked and skipped around the town, just enjoying the day. It turned out Nellie had nothing to worry about. Nopony knew I was a fusion and saw me as a visiting Pony. Heck I was able to gain a name.

I am now known as Rose Quartz, named after Pinkie's grandmother, the fusion of Pinkie Pie and Eleanor Carter.

Pinkie Pie was aware that Twilight has been stalking us, so she advised that I should act natural and see what happens.

While rolling the grass of the school playground, my nose started itching. Pinkie told me what it meant and I quickly ducked for cover. A swarm of angry bees appeared from over our heads and attacked a bush, where Twilight was hiding.

Later, at Sweet Apple Acres, I smelled the flowers, then a combo came on. Ears flopped, then eyes fluttered, finished by my knees twitching. I started looking around, keeping myself cautious from any open doors.

Once the combo was finished, I made my way to the park. Nellie admits that Pinkie's Pinkie Sense is actually fun. It keeps me on my toes, figuratively.

Suddenly, my pale pink curly tail started twitching. I quickly grabbed Pinkie's umbrella hat, then see Applejack walking by, carrying a large bucket of red delicious and granny smith apples.

I smiled and greeted, "Hey, Applejack. Whatchya doin'?"

"Takin' more apples to mah new apple cellar." Applejack answered with a smiled, then narrow her eyes at me, "Who are yah?"

"My name is Rose Quartz." I introduced myself, then whispered into her ear,"I'm the fusion of Pinkie Pie and Eleanor."

Applejack stepped back and raised a brow at me, "Another fusion? Isn't that dangerous?"

I shook my head and assured, "Nope. I've only existed for a few hours and I'm perfectly fine." Then smiled, "Maybe Nellie will fuse with you someday."

Applejack shook her head, "No thanks." Then asked me, "Anyway, whatchu doin'?"

"Oh, letting Twilight secretly follow me all day, without me knowing." I answered simply.

"You mean you knew all along?!" Twilight shouted from behind me, looking like a whole day of punishment, "Why didn't you tell me?"

I giggled, "Silly, that would've spoiled the secret!"

Twilight was lost for words, trying to contain her anger and frustration about the situation.

Spike peeked from behind Twilight and asked, "Tail... Still twitching?"

I shook my head, No need to worry, Spike. Skies are clear from here on in, as far as I can tell--" Suddenly, I started shuddering. And quite violently at that. "Okay, that's new..." I rubbed my arms, "Pinkie, I think we should unfuse now." I grew scared, "I can't. I'm trying, but something is stopping us."

Spike gasped, "Oh no! What does that one mean?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "Dunno. Never gotten any like it before, but whatever that shudder's about, it's a doozy. Something you never expect to happen is gonna happen! And its gonna happen..." I blinked and I saw marsh covered in frogs. And Fluttershy getting attacked by something huge. I gasped, "At Froggy Bottom Bog!"

Applejack gasped, "That's where Fluttershy's headed!"

Spike gasped and hid close to Twilight, "Oh no! Is it about her?"

"Nellie?" I asked myself, I narrowed my eyes, "It has to, if we saw her at the Bog."

"We better go and make sure she's okay." Applejack told us, then ran down the road to Froggy Bottom Bog.

Spike and I followed after her. Twilight followed close behind us.

Spike noticed and slowed down for Twilight, "Hey! I thought you didn't believe in this stuff?"

"I don't." Twilight answered, "I just want to be there to see the look on Rose Quartz's face when we find out nothing's wrong."

I narrowed my eyes at the lavender Unicorn in disapproval, then rolled my eyes. Nellie was muttering something under her breath, I couldn't make out what she was muttering.

As we ran deeper into the forest that lead to the Bog, the more frequent the shudders came and went.

"Cold?" Twilight asked in a sarcastic tone, "Need a jacket or something?"

I just glared at her and said nothing. Another shudder came and went before I could react.

Spike caught up to Applejack and wondered, "So... Whadda'ya think happened to Fluttershy?"

"Ah hope nothin'." Applejack answered in uncertainty.

Spike nodded, "I know, but, whadda'ya think happened?"

Applejack shook her head, "I'm tryin' not to think about it."

Spike nodded again, "Me too." But his confidence faded to worry, "But I'm thinkin' about it, anyway. Like, what if, she exploded?"

Applejack raised a brow, "Just exploded? For no reason?"

Spike nodded, "Yeah, like. boom!"

I raised a brow, "Like spontaneous combustion?"

Spike nodded again, "Maybe..."

I shook my head, "It's possible, but highly unlikely."

I can hear Pinkie Pie wondering all these possible things that can happen to Fluttershy. But, Nellie was keeping her calm with her optimism on what the creature was in our vision. Hopefully it was not dangerous, or nothing Fluttershy can't handle on her own.

Applejack nodded, "I hope you're right, for Fluttershy's sake." Then she alerted, "Look! There's Froggy Bottom Bog!"

We followed her and entered a swamp-like marsh. We began looking around for the shy Pegasus Pony.

"Fluttershy?" Applejack called.

"Fluttershy?" I called, as we looked around every nook and cranny for her.

Then Spike smiled and threw his arms around the Pegasus pony, that was standing on a nearby rock, "Fluttershy! You're okay!"

Fluttershy was taken aback for a second, "Of course."

Applejack sighed in relief, "Phew, what a relief."

I smiled in relief myself, "I'm so glad everything's alright."

Fluttershy looked at me with a raised brow, "Have we met?"

I nodded, then bowed in greeting, "Nice to officially meet you, Fluttershy. I'm Rose Quartz. A fusion of Eleanor Carter and Pinkie Pie."

Fluttershy smiled, "Wow. I didn't know Pinkie Pie can fuse with other Ponies."

Spike shook his head, "Pinkie can't. Ellie can."

Fluttershy gasped, "A Human capable of Fusion Magic? How? When? Where?"

I shrugged, "Nellie says it just happens."

Then Twilight decided to speak up, "Sorry, I know it's not nice to gloat but..." Then she pointed at me and shouted, "AH-HA! I told you there was nothing to worry about and I was right." A strange smoke started forming around us, causing some of us to cough, "Pinkie Pie said whatever she was shuddering about was a *cough* doozy, and *cough* and the only *cough* doozy here is how right I am."

Applejack looked behind her, as something rose from the fog, "Um... Twilight?"

But Twilight resumed, "Pinkie's made a lot of predictions today but- *cough* Ugh, what is that smell? But what we've shown here is that there's no point in believing *cough* in anything you can't see for yourself."

Spike pointed behind her in fear, "W-well t-then s-see what's b-b-behind you, Twilight!"

Twilight looked over her shoulder and gasped at the large creature before us, "I see it... But I don't believe it!"

The creature roared at us, as Twilight backed into us. It was large, reptilian creature with four heads on one body. It was a hydra!

"Is that a hydra!?" I exclaimed.

"Who cares?" Applejack exclaimed, "RUN!"

The other Girls ran down the marsh, but I stayed in place. Pinkie was frightened, but Nellie wanted to fight, or distract the hydra for the others to escape. I closed my eyes and glared at the hydra. I was about to charge toward the hydra, but Twilight grabbed me and dragged me with the others.

We avoided the hydra's attack and ran through the marsh, until we came across a dead end.

Twilight ran right, "Everypony up that hill!"

We were about to follow her, until we heard Spike shouted, "He-e-elp!"

We turned to find Spike trapped in the mud, and he was sinking. Twilight turned around and ran toward his aid, "Coming, Spike! Hang on!"

She grabbed Spike and rejoined us. Applejack, Fluttershy, Twilight, Spike and I ran up the hill. The muddy part of the swamp was slowing down the hydra.

Twilight looked back and smiled, "I think we're gonna make it."

"But Rose Quartz's still shuddering!" Spike noticed.

He wasn't lying. My body hasn't stopped shuddering since we found the hydra. Eventually, it stopped. I smiled, "Hey! It stopped." Then it started again, "O-h-h-h, there it is again."

We continued running up the hill, until we reach the other side. It turned out to the hill was a cliff. Leading to another cliff, were footholds. But, they looked a little unsteady.

We looked back and the hydra was gaining on us.

"Ugh, he'll be up here in no time!" Twilight told us, "Quick, one at a time, cross!"

Spike was the first, but he looked at how deep the casm went and returned to Twilight, "Uh, do you know any spells for turning a hydra into a mouse?"

Twilight shook her head, "No."

"How about a squirrel?"

"No!"

"How 'bout--"

"No small rodents of any kind!" Twilight shouted.

Spike sighed, "That's too bad."

Fluttershy remembered Pinkie's words and jumped first, "A hop, skip, and a... Jump!"

Fluttershy hopped across, followed by Spike, by Twilight throwing him. Pinkie Pie's shuddering was getting worse.

Twilight noticed the hydra and gasped, "He's too close. I'll distract him. You two go, now!"

Applejack grabbed my hand and we hopped across the casm. Twilight charged under the hydra and tripped it over.

I gasped, as the reptile set itself right and attacked again, "T-t-t-twilight!"

Twilight escaped the hydra, but the large reptile knocked over the footholds.

I blinked and saw something. I looked at Twilight, "T-t-t-twilight! You have to jump!"

Twilight shook her head, "I'll never make it!"

"You'll be fine!" I assured her.

Twilight shook her head again, "I will not!"

The hydra roared again, ready to attack, or eat Twilight.

Nellie tried to hold in her frustration, then she just gave up.

"For L-l-l-luna's sake, Twilight! You gotta trust me! JUMP!!!"

Twilight swallowed a lump of air and backed up for a running start. However, before she could jump, the hydra hit the rock of the cliff, launching Twilight into the air. Twilight jumped, but she fell just a smidgemeter short. She fell into the bog, but a bubble caught her and threw her over to the other side.

I smiled and threw my arms around the lavender Unicorn, "I knew you could do it, Twilight!"

"I don't know how it happened; coincidence, dumb luck, or what, but you said there'd be a doozy here at Froggy Bottom Bog, and I'd say we just had ourselves one heck of a doozy." Twilight smiled in relief, "I mean that hydra--"

However, I started shuddering again.

Twilight raised a brow at me, "Rose?"

"That wasn't it." I told her.

Twilight eyes widened, "Huh?"

"What wasn't what?" Spike asked.

Applejack raised a brow, "What are you talking about, Rose Quartz?"

"The hydra wasn't the doozy." I answered.

The hydra blew a raspberry at us and returned to the Bog.

I shuddered again, "I'm still getting the shudders." I stopped myself from shuddering, "You see? There it is again. Whatever the doozy was at Froggy Bottom Bog, Pinkie Pie's Pinkie Sense says it still hasn't happened."

Twilight's eyes widened, "Huh? But I--" Then she shouted, "WHAT?! The hydra wasn't the doozy?! How could it not be the doozy?! What could be doozier than that?!"

I shrugged my shoulders, "Dunno, but it just wasn't it."

Twilight growled and explode into a state of rage and flames. Her fur coat turned white and her mane and tail burst into flames. Then she sighed and the flames vanished, leaving her mane, tail and clothes lightly burned, "I give up..." She sat down an sulked.

Spike walked over to Twilight, "Give what up, Twi?"

"The fight. I can't fight it anymore." Twilight answered, "I don't understand how, why, or what, but Pinkie's sense somehow... Makes sense. I don't see how it does, but it just does. Just because I don't understand doesn't mean its not true."

My eyes widened, as I shuddered, "Y-y-y-you m-m-mean you b-b-b-believe?"

Twilight sighed and nodded, "Eyup, I guess I do."

I shuddered again, but this time it was more violent, my body levitated into the air and started glowing.

Eleanor's POV.
Pinkie and I fell to the ground, from Rose Quartz's violent shuddering. Pinkie and I looked ourselves over.

Pinkie smiled and pointed, "That was it. That's the doozy."

Twilight raised a brow, "What? What is?"

"You believing." Pinkie answered with a joyful smile, "I never expected that to happen. It's what stopped me and Nellie from unfusing. That was the doozy, oh and, oh what a doozy of a doozy it was!"

Then she skipped off singing. I couldn't help but smile at the Pink Pony.

I have to say, it was fun sharing a body with her. I had a better understanding the Pinkie Sense. It was a manifestation of Pinkie's magic. It does make sense as why I have visions and able to fuse with Ponies, without losing sense of who I am.

"So, Ellie?" Twilight spoke up, "How did it feel being fused with Pinkie?"

I rubbed my arms and smiled, "It felt like we were kindred spirits. So similar, yet seem to think the same way."

Then I walked off, making my way to Ponyville.

The Fall of a Friend

Narrator's POV.

'Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday Dear Ellie,
Happy Birthday to you!'

*Sigh* Here we go again. My sixth birthday and nothing has changed. Ever since I turned 2 and started understanding things, I've been feeling that I don't belong in this world. Like I'm meant to be somewhere else. I know it sounds like I'm quoting from Disney's Hercules, but that's really how I feel right now.

You see... I suffer from a neurological disorder known as Asperger's Syndrome. I don't understand much of the outside world. Social activity and other people confuse me very badly. My emotions are quite unstable, so that doesn't help either.

As for my intelligence, I have an IQ of 152. So, I'm very smart. Math, Science, Computer Lab and Languages have always been my strong points in school. However, Social Studies and Literature... Not so much.

Anywho, I'm rambling a bit here. I looked up at the skylight of the bank. The night sky was covered in stars, some of the stars, near the moon, were moving around the moon in a circular motion. And the moon's craters were in the formation of a unicorn's head. I narrowed my eyes at the moon.

The unicorn head turned and seemed to be looking at me. I continued to stare at the moon in curiosity and wonder.

"Come on, Ellie." I heard my mother's voice snapping me back to reality, "Blow out the candles and make a wish."

Placed in front of me was a small birthday cake. It was chocolate with mint frosting. Designed on the cake was a group of animated equines from my favorite show: My Little Pony. Each one was holding a lit candle that indicated my age.

I closed my eyes and thought hard on my wish.

'I wish, I hope, I dream, I pray.
By the Princess' rule, Light my way.
I wish to know what I've been missing so long,
Please take me and my family somewhere we belong.'

I blew the candles out and my family cheered. As if hearing my wish, the ruby around my neck glowed and the moon beamed a light upon me. A whirlwind of silver dust surrounded me and my family. It made me feel sleepy.

The next thing I knew, my eyes couldn't stay open. My eyes closed and darkness clouded my vision.

*Dream*

*Dream End*

"Hey, yah okay? Are yah hurt?" I heard a senior-sounded, female voice ask.

I lightly moaned in pain. My head felt like it was hit by a football. What hit me? I opened my eyes and saw that everything was very blurry, but full of color. I rubbed my eyes and the blurs just got worse. I wasn't wearing my glasses.

"Y'all alright?" The voice asked again.

'All'? That must mean that I'm not alone here.

"We're okay. Just a little sore." I heard my mother answered sweetly.

"Can you help me find my glasses, please? They're black." I asked politely, searching the cool grassed ground around me.

After a few seconds of searching, I felt a pair of furry hands place my glasses over my face.

"Are these yer glasses?" A deep male voice asked.

The blurred images cleared to reveal my family and I were on a large patch of grass, just outside of a town. Helping us were a couple of... Anthropomorphic, unguligrade ponies?

The female was an elder mare. She stood at least 5 foot 6 inches tall. 5 foot 9 if she stood upright. Her fur coat was a pale green. Her mane and tail were white, due to age, and tied in a bun. Golden eyes of wisdom and life-long lessons. Her forearms, blaze and socks faded to a near white color. Her nails and hooves were a light brown.

She wore an old-fashioned dress with a white apron and a plaid shawl over her shoulders. On her apron was a large patch of an apple pie. Just looking at it made me feel light peckish. Hehehe.

The male was a younger stallion. Looked about 13 - 14 years old. Yet being so young, he sure was big. The stallion stood a strong 5 foot 9 inches and he was very strong for his age. His fur coat was a brick red color. Mane and tail were a ginger orange color in neat combed style. His mane reached to his shoulders. His forearms, blaze and socks were a lighter red color. Dark beige hooves with well-kept fetlocks.

He wore a red collared shirt, with pockets over his pectoral muscles, and a pair of denim jeans. On the left pocket of his shirt was a patch of a shining green apple.

My mother couldn't help but smile and hug the senior mare, "Oh, my Celestia! Ma! I can't believe it! It's been so long!"

"Ma?" My sister, Sam, and I repeated in confusion. How can this mare be Mum's mother? Our mother is human. This elder is a... Pony!

The mare pried Mum off and looked at her with a raised brow, "Do Ah know yah from somewhere?"

"Ma, it's me. Limelight Suki Ginger." Mum explained in a hopeful tone, "You remember, don't you?"

The mare narrowed her eyes and looked into my mother's strange, but beautiful, light green eyes. A smile grew on the mare's muzzle.

She hugged my mother tightly, "Mah Little Suki! It has been such a long time."

Mum hugged her back, "Too long, Ma."

"Can someone please explain what's going on?" Sam exclaimed in confusion and frustration, "Where are we? How did we get here? Who are you and how does my mom know you? What the Hell is going on??!!!"

Our step-father, Steve, frowned at my younger sister, "Samantha, language!" Then looked at Mum, "But I agree. What's going on here, Lorraine?"

Mum let go of the elder pony and started scratching the back of her head, "Oh... Well... Steve, remember that I told you that I'm not an ordinary human?"

Steve nodded, "Yes. I thought you meant that you were of Asian ethnicity or African, despite being Caucasian."

Mum shook her head, "Not really. I'm a pony, from the Apple Family." She explained, "I went by Lorraine Susan Gentry because the initials were close to my real name; Limelight Suki Ginger."

I smiled, "Like the apples."

Mum nodded, "That's right, Ellie." Then she raised a brow, "I'm not sure how, but it appears that the magic from your wish brought us to my home."

My eyes widened in shock. My wish did this? Magic? I thought there was no such thing as magic. How could I have done this? And where are we?

"And this place is...?" Sam asked.

The elder pony giggled and smiled, "This is Equestria, mah dear. The home of Earth Ponies, Unicorns and Pegasi alike."

The young stallion nodded, "Ee-yup."

I couldn't help but smile. My wish came true. If Equestria was where my mother was born, then that must mean this is where we belong. Come to think of it, I do feel at home here. It's like a void within me has been filled. I feel whole.

Suddenly, a strange, cyan magical circle appeared below my feet. My body glowed in a cyan color. My mother called out my name before a bright light blinded me. I shielded my eyes and braced myself.

Eventually, the blinding light faded, and I can see again. I lowered my hands to find myself in a large classroom. A university classroom by the looks of it.

Inside were six more ponies. But this time, they all had spiraled horns protruding from their foreheads. Three adults and three foals. They must be Unicorns. I've read a lot about them from the school library. Supposed to be similar to Elves.

One of the Unicorns caught my eye. A female foal. She was around the same age as me, 6 - 7 years old, judging from her height.

Her fur was a vibrant amber-golden color. Her eyes were a normal cyan. Her red mane was mid-back length with a natural curl and yellow streaks. Her tail matched her mane. The color scheme kinda remind me of a sunset.

She wore a light purple tank top with a light orange skirt. Upon her the chest area of her tank top was a design of a yin-yang shimmering sun.

"Uh... Hello." She awkwardly waved.

I timidly decided to stay quiet. My mother told me to never talk to strangers. Also I'm quite shy around new people.

"Sunset Shimmer, what happened?" An older, more regal voice spoke from the other side of the classroom.

The filly, Sunset Shimmer, and I looked at across and saw another anthropomorphic, very pale pink, almost white unicorn with large wings, walking toward us.

An Alicorn....

Judging by its figure, it was female. She was as tall as my father, which around 6 foot 5 inches. Her eyes were a pale magenta. Her mane was lower-back length, pastel-toned and was flowing, like there was an invisible wind. Her tail matched as well.

The alicorn wore a beautiful Greek dress with a golden belt and trimmings. Upon her head was a golden crown with an amethyst in the center. Around her neck was a matching necklace. She also wore golden bracelets around her wrists and golden 'shoes'. On her left hip was a sun-like symbol.

Her whole appearance made her look like she was the Goddess of the day.

"Princess Celestia." Sunset Shimmer gasped, standing still as a statue, "Please, I can explain."

The alicorn, Princess Celestia, looked at me. Her eyes had a gentle, motherly feel to them. She was not cross, but surprised to see me. I guess she's never seen a human before.

Princess Celestia looked at Sunset Shimmer, "There's no need. I just wish to know what happened."

Sunset Shimmer looked at me, then looked at the Princess, "Well, I was casting the growth spell on the vine, and something came to my mind. And the growth spell became a summoning spell." She pointed to me, "Then this creature appeared and well, you came."

I folded my arms and lightly glared. It's very rude to point.

Sunset Shimmer looked at me again, noticed my glare and stopped pointing.

"Do you have a name, young human?" Princess Celestia asked me. I looked at her. She knows what I am, she must have seen one!

I couldn't say nothing to her. I bowed in respect, "Eleanor May Carter, Your Majesty. But I also go by Ellie."

"It's very nice to meet you, Eleanor." Princess Celestia greeted with a smile. She looked at Sunset Shimmer, "Sunset Shimmer, I have noticed that your studying has gotten quite rigorous. How would you feel if Eleanor could help you?"

"Like a study partner?" Sunset Shimmer asked, then she smiled, "Of course. There must have been a reason why Ellie appeared out of nowhere."

"Princess Celestia, wait, please." I spoke up, "I have a family in a small town. I'm pretty sure they're wondering what has happened to me."

Princess Celestia smiled, "No worries, Ellie. I'll send a messenger to locate them and let them know that you are alright."

I smiled in relief. First few minutes of being in this world, I've already made my first friend and became her study partner. Maybe there is a reason why the moon reacted to my wish and sent my family here. Who knows? This place might be not as bad as I thought.

*The Next Day...*
Sunset Shimmer and I got to know each other better, over time. The books she studied with were most fascinating. Magic, laws of physics, rules on how to use magic, even the history of this world, Equestria.

I learned that this world was full of fantasy creatures. Dragons, griffons, and many others. But, mostly, ponies of three main races; Earth Ponies, Pegasi and Unicorns. The city I arrived in, Canterlot, the citizens are mostly unicorns and some can be high-class jerks.

I asked Princess Celestia if humans did exist in this world. She explained they did. Over a thousand years ago, when ponies were quadrupeds with above-human intelligence, humans used to live among them in peace and harmony.

However someone got extremely jealous and banished most of the humans to another dimension. My home dimension, where magic doesn't exist and animals don't talk.

Celestia explained that this 'villain' was not an ordinary pony, but a creature of powerful magic. I think she said his name was 'Disarray'...? 'Dystopia'...? 'Disorder'...? Something around there? Either way.

I came to realise, that to escape this villain's grasp, the remaining humans were transformed into ponies. So, a thousand years later, the pony population evolved into bipedal, unguligrade ponies with some human traits in their DNA. Somehow you can tell between ponies which have the human traits.

I asked Sunset Shimmer about the sun design on her tank top, and she replied that it's her Cutie Mark. She explained that a Cutie Mark is a special mark that appears on the pony's hips when they discover their special talent or who they really are.

Since you can't see their Cutie Mark, the mark also appears somewhere on their clothing. In Sunset Shimmer's case; the sun design on her tank top.

Anywho, I'm rambling too much again. Since I came to this world unprepared, Sunset Shimmer and I had to share clothes. Good thing she and I are the same size.

I was dressed in my signature black-framed glasses, scarlet scarf and my ruby choker. A white shirt with magenta sleeves and trimmings. A pair of green and black fingerless gloves that reach past my elbows. A pair of olive green cargo shorts and a pair of black sneakers with white socks.

Sunset Shimmer wore what she wore yesterday. Turns out to be her favorite outfit.

Today was a nice summer day. Sunset Shimmer and I were sitting on a bench, reading some of the advanced spell books. Around us, unicorns were enjoying the day and having picnics.

Across from us, I saw a teenaged male unicorn and a teenaged female alicorn playing with a young unicorn filly, around mine and Sunset Shimmer's age. They looked like they were having fun. I miss my family...

"Sunset Shimmer!" A voice called.

I yelped in startle, then calmed down. Sunset and I looked over and saw five young unicorn fillies. One was yellow with a curly blue mane and tail. She wore a light green t-shirt and darker blue pants.

Another was in a full blue color scheme and wearing a pale blue dress.

The third was in a pink color scheme with blue eyes. She wore a white shirt and a pink skirt.

The fourth was a shade of mint green. Her mane was the a deeper color, but with a white streak, same with her tail. She wore a yellow shirt and matching light green skirt.

The last one had a combed, red mane and tail, with a two-toned purple highlights and dark purple eyes. Her fur was a light yellowish grey. She wore a pair of black-framed glasses and a very pale grey sundress.

"That vine you made was amazing!" The blue one exclaimed with a smile. Sunset raised a brow.

"Really exquisite." The pink one added.

The green one nodded and asked, "Would you like to come have lunch with us." She looked at me with a smile, "We can get to know your friend."

I smiled and was about to answer, but Sunset Shimmer scoffed and walked off, dragging me along, "Hmph! Ellie and I have better things to do than socialize! I'm going to re-read 'Advanced Elemental Magical Practices', and then Ellie's gonna help me practice for my advanced summoning spells exams. What are you studying for? Nothing, that's what."

I looked back at the unicorns. They looked hurt by Shimmer's words. The light yellowish grey one looked at me. I gave her a sympathetic look then turned to Shimmer.

"Actually, Shimmer. I'd like to get to know some of your classmates. Practice Princess Celestia's lesson on humility." I told her, fiddling with my fingers.

Sunset Shimmer rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Fine. But don't take too long. We're study partners for a reason."

I nodded and joined the other fillies. The light yellow filly regained her smile and we got to know each other over lunch.

The all-blue filly was named Minuette.

Lemon Hearts was the yellow and blue one.

Lyra Heartstrings was the green one.

The pink-schemed Unicorn was Twinkleshine.

And Moondancer was the one in the sundress.

*A Little Later, in Celestia's Castle...*
Princess Celestia has called Sunset Shimmer into the main foyer, so she could talk to her. Shimmer insisted that I'd come along. Just in case something goes wrong.

"Sunset Shimmer, I've heard that you're not getting along well with the other students." Princess Celestia told Sunset Shimmer, "We've talked about the fact that personal relationships-"

Shimmer cut the Princess off, "Personal relationships? Who needs anypony? The most important thing in life is to be the best."

I shook my head, "Shimmer, trying to make friends doesn't make you weak." Princess Celestia smiled and nodded at my words.

Then she looked at Shimmer, "We've talked about friendship and its importance before, and we've discussed that you need to open yourself up to new friends." Then she lightly smiled, "And you remember that talk we had about humility?"

"I remember how boring it was." Shimmer answered.

"I enjoyed it." I answered with a small smile.

Princess Celestia smiled at me, as she lead us to a small room with a strange mirror. There was something about the mirror, that made me feel uncertain.

"Look into this mirror, and tell me what you see." Princess Celestia told Shimmer.

"A beautiful pony that has nothing but power and potential." Shimmer answered, looking at her reflection and touching her face with a smile.

She stepped aside and it was my turn to look. I looked at my reflection and saw a shadow-like vapor surrounding me with glowing red eyes. It gave me chills from the anger I sensed, but I could also feel loneliness from the red eyes.

Who are you, Lonely Shadow? How can I help you?

Then the shadow gained color of a rainbow and separated into 6 colors: Pink. Blue. Purple. Orange. Yellow and White.

The vapor took the shape of a group of 6 fillies; Two Pegasi, two Unicorns and two Earth Ponies. The same ponies from my dreams.

I smiled with tears welling up in my eyes, "I see a group of friends. Happiness and smiles." I answered.

Princess Celestia smiled at my answer, but turned to Shimmer, "Care to try that again with our talk about humility taken to account?"

I stepped aside. Sunset Shimmer growled under her breath and looked at her reflection again, "I see a pony, who isn't powerful enough. Somepony who could be great, powerful... Somepony that could rule Equestria."

I looked at Shimmer's reflection and saw her as an Alicorn. But something felt off. The reflection smirked and morphed into a teenage human girl. Then she was engulfed in fire.

I took a step back in fear, as I saw a pair of menacing cyan eyes and draconic wings sprouting out of the flames.

Princess Celestia must've noticed my fear and moved Shimmer and I away from it, "Maybe we better move on..."

"Wait, what was that? I thought I saw-" Shimmer exclaimed, as Princess Celestia guided us away from the mirror.

"Oh, it was probably a trick of the light. Our lesson is over for today. For tomorrow, I want you to reflect on the discussion we've just had." Princess Celestia answered.

Sunset Shimmer kept her eyes on the mirror. I guess she doesn't know what the meaning of her reflection's actions meant. I shuddered, as the thought came to me.

*A Few Weeks Later...*
It's been a few weeks since the lesson with the mirror. It still worries me that Sunset saw what her reflection did. However, it seemed to have caught Shimmer's attention. Through the past few weeks, Shimmer kept asking Princess Celestia about it, and Celestia kept refusing.

One day, during a windy picnic, Shimmer brought it up again, "You know what's fascinating? Mirrors. About that one in..."

Princess Celestia had enough, "Sunset Shimmer. We've been over this, we will get to the mirror and many other lessons in due time. When you're ready."

The windy weather turned into rain. Worried that this weather will turn into a storm, I cuddled close to Princess Celestia. Celestia saw me, and put her arm over my shoulder and her wing over my head.

Dang it, I hate rainy weather!

Celestia and I walked back to the castle. Sunset Shimmer made her own way back.

With my strong hearing, I was able to catch Sunset Shimmer mutter under breath, "I am ready."

I looked back at Shimmer, as she walked off. My heart sank, she's slowly turning into the demon I saw in the mirror. That's not good.

*Later, that Night...*
I was in my room, in the castle, laying on my bed, staring at the night sky. Unable to sleep. The moon was in the center of the sky. The moon's eye glowed. I heard a voice speak to me.

"Protect your friend. She is following a path not destined for her..."

With that, the moon's eye stopped glowing and continued its duty. I heard a rapid knock on the door. I got out of bed, put my glasses and hoof braces on, walked over and opened the door. It was Sunset Shimmer at the other side. She was wearing her purple pjs and had a large grin on her face.

"Shimmer? It's the middle of the night. We have exams in the morning." I whispered.

"I think I've found something about that mirror. Why we saw what we saw." Shimmer answered.

I sighed. This again? Shimmer is very persistent when she wants something. Whether it be magic or answers.

"There's a section, in the library, that is about certain books on types of magic. I need your help to find it." She explained.

I thought for a second and remembered what the moon told me. I looked at Shimmer and nodded. She smiled, grabbed my hand and lead me into the library. I hope I'm making the right choice in protecting Sunset Shimmer.

Sunset Shimmer lead me to a door, that was locked tightly. The door said 'Dark Magic. No Entry'. A voice inside my head told me to go back to bed. But my gut told me I needed to stay with Shimmer. She needs me. With a simple lock-pick spell, Sunset Shimmer opened the door and we entered the room.

I gotta say, there were a lot of books in this section. Why did Princess Celestia keep this room locked like a secret?

'Dark Magic'......

"Not ready? I'll show her not ready." Shimmer muttered under her breath, then she joked, "You'd think this place would be better guarded."

I suppressed a giggle, then started looking through the books. Sunset Shimmer and read through a bunch of books. 'Crossing Over', 'The First Ponies', all sorts.

"Nothing on the mirror yet, but a few of these spells will come in handy..." Sunset Shimmer said, as we read the books.

I closed my book and set it aside. Then, another caught my eye. 'Canterlot Castle. A History. Vol II'. I picked up the book and started reading it.

I smiled, "Shimmer, I think I found something."

I gave the book to Shimmer and she started reading it. She smiled, "Well done, Ellie. You've got really good eyes."

I smiled and pushed my glasses up my muzzle, "Thanks to these babies."

Shimmer flipped through the pages, "The Crystal Mirror... Every 30 moons, a portal will open to... Another world?"

I shook my head, "I'm pretty sure it's not my world. I would've noticed something."

"That's not really for you two to know, now is it?" A familiar voice asked from behind us.

Sunset Shimmer and I turned and saw it was Princess Celestia and a couple of her guards. How did she know we would be here? Of course, the librarian. She must've slipped past us. The guards grabbed me and dragged me away from Sunset Shimmer.

"Please, let me go." I asked the guard on my left, trying to struggle free.

"I'm sorry. Princess' orders." He answered.

"How dare you keep this kind of magic from me! You know that I'm ready for this, that I can be great!" Shimmer shouted at Princess Celestia.

"You could be great." Princess Celestia corrected in a calm tone, "I thought I saw compassion and sincerity in you, but it was nothing but ambition. The compassion and sincerity came from Eleanor. You're being selfish, you need to step back and reflect-"

In anger, Sunset Shimmer's horn glowed black with a cyan hue. Her eyes emitted a black haze. Oh no.

She cut Princess Celestia off, "I'm selfish?"

Her horn fired a strong beam of black and cyan magic at Celestia. I forced myself out of the guards' grip and pushed the Princess of the Day aside. Shimmer's beam hit me in the chest, where my heart was. A sharp sensation struck my heart and my body was overwhelmed with a throbbing pain. I fell to the ground, holding my chest. It felt like I was shot, but there was no bullet. It burned.

I felt a pair of soft, furry hands over my shoulders. I looked up and saw Princess Celestia's deeply concerned expression.

"That book, right there, says that I could become as powerful as an Alicorn Princess! I could rule here! It's selfish of you to keep me from my rightful place!" Shimmer continued, "I deserve to stand beside you and be your equal... If not, your better. Make me a Princess."

"No." Princess Celestia answered in a low tone, "Being a Princess must be earned. I have been trying to teach you everything you need to know, but you've turned from it. Every time you say you 'deserve' to get something without the effort just proves to me that you're not ready."

Then she announced, standing up and held me close to her, "Sunset Shimmer. I am removing you from the position of my pupil. If we cannot get past this, your studies end here. You are welcome to stay in Canterlot, but you are no longer welcome in the castle."

"We'll never get past this because you aren't seeing how great I deserve to be. Is that really all you have to say to me?" Sunset Shimmer asked with a sharp glare.

"No. The guards will escort you out." Princess Celestia answered.

With that, the guard walked beside Sunset Shimmer and escorted her out of the building, at the doorway Shimmer hissed, "This is the biggest mistake you'll make in your entire life."

Once Sunset Shimmer was gone, Princess Celestia lowered her head with a sad look, "One of many." She turned her attention to me and helped me back to my feet, "Are you hurt?"

I stood up and answered, "A bit sore, but I think I'll be alright." Then I looked at the regal alicorn of the day, "Uh... Princess Celestia? Am I in trouble too? Are you gonna banish me as well?" I asked, as my mind raced with paranoid thoughts.

Princess Celestia smiled and shook her head, "No, Eleanor. Like I told Sunset Shimmer, I see compassion and sincerity in you. You went out of your own way to help her. I even saw you with the other students. You can stay in the castle, and we'll find you a new friend."

I regained my smiled. Princess Celestia and I entered the room, with the mirror inside. To our surprise, the guards were inside and were knocked out. Sunset Shimmer was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh, Sunset Shimmer... No..." Princess Celestia grimaced.

Celestia and I helped the guards back up their hooves. "Sir, what happened?" I asked.

"She took us by surprise and just... Just... Jumped into the mirror. I don't know." One of the guards answered the best he could.

"Shh. It's fine." Princess Celestia assured, then asked, "If you're feeling up to it, would you please help move the mirror to a safer place?"

*The Next Morning...*
While Princess Celestia and the guards were moving the mirror, Princess Celestia advised me to stay in my room and just wait. I laid on my bed and stared at the sky in sadness and wonder.

Will I be able to see Sunset Shimmer again?

Can she be forgiven for what she's done?

Who will be the next pupil for Princess Celestia?

Will she, or he, be as good as Sunset Shimmer?

And what the heck is gonna happen to me?

The Elements of Harmony

Twilight Sparkle's POV.
Nightmare Moon continued to laugh, as her mane and tail floated upward.

"Seize her! Only she knows where the Princess is!" Mayor Mare told the royal guards. The guards took flight and dashed toward the evil, black mare.

I gasped.

"Stand back, you foals!" Nightmare Moon shouted, as her eyes glowed white, and lightning struck in between the guards and herself.

The guards halted their charge, and Nightmare Moon laughed. She morphed into a mist of the night sky, and left the town. Rainbow Dash dashed after her, since Applejack's grip loosened.

I picked up Spike looked at Eleanor, "We have to get back to the library."

Ellie nodded and followed me, as I made my way back to the library.

*At the Library...*
I put Spike on to his bed, he slept for a second, then shouted, "We gotta stop Nightmare..." Then he fell back to sleep. I tucked him into his favourite blanket.

"You've been up all night, Spike. You are a baby dragon, after all." I spoke kindly.

Ellie and I sneaked downstairs, into the library. I began throwing books everywhere as I looked for the book about the Elements of Harmony.

"Elements. Elements. Elements... Ugh! How can I stop Nightmare Moon, without the Elements of Harmony?" I wondered, as I kept looking at more books.

Suddenly, Rainbow Dash flew into my face.

"And just what are the Elements of Harmony?" Rainbow Dash asked, in my face, "And how do you know about Nightmare Moon? Are you spies?"

Applejack stopped Dash from asking anymore questions, by pulling her tail back, "Simmer down, Sally." She let go and looked at me, "They ain't no spies. But, they do seem to know what's going on. Don't yah, Twilight?" She asked me in a calm tone.

I looked at the ponies and the human before us. I looked at Ellie and she nodded.

I sighed, "I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon. Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don't know what they are, where to find them, I don't even know what they do!" I explained

"'The Elements of Harmony; A Reference Guide.'" Pinkie Pie read, looking at a bookshelf, close to the door.

I dashed toward the shelf and stared at the book, accidently throwing Pinkie aside. "How did you find that?" I asked, astonished.

"It was under 'E'..." Pinkie Pie said in a sing-song voice, jumping around.

"Oh." I simply said, as I picked up the book and began reading,

"'There are seven Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, and Loyalty. The sixth and seventh are a complete mystery. It is said, the last known location of the Elements was in the ancient castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. It is located in what is now--'"

*At the entrance of the Everfree Forest...*
"The Everfree Forest." Everypony grimaced in fear. I never understood why. It just looks like an old, dark, swampy forest.

Samantha backed away from the entrance, "Yeah... You girls are on your own. I'm going in there, even if the fate of Equestria depended on it."

Ellie reached out to her sister, "Sam, wait! We need you!" But the blonde-haired human was gone. Ellie pouted, "Stubborn as our mother."

"Wheee! Let's go." Pinkie Pie encouraged, walking into the forest.

"Not so fast!" I said. Pinkie froze in mid-step. "Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'd rather do this on my own." I told them.

"No can do, Sugarcube. We're not letting any friend of ours go into a dangerous place alone." Applejack told me.

I froze, at the word 'friend'. Again with that word.

"We're stickin' on yah like caramel on a candy apple." Applejack finished, as she and the others trotted into the forest. Everypony agreed.

Pinkie Pie un-froze and jumped, "Especially if there's candy apple in there." Ellie and I stared at her in confusion. "What? Those things are good." Pinkie Pie said, as she followed the other ponies.

"I think these Ponies have the right mind, Twilight. Sometimes, you just need to have a little faith." Ellie told me, as she followed the Ponies.

I shook my head, sighed in annoyance, and followed the others, taking a slight lead. The moment I entered the forest, I began hearing voices whisper in my ear.

"Ingonyama nengw' enamabala..." The voices chanted. I couldn't make out what they were saying.

"So, none of you have been in here before?" I asked, as we walked down the forest.

"Ugh. Heavens no. Just look at it, it's dreadful." Rarity answered, with slight fear in her voice.

"And it ain't natural. Folk say it don't work the same as Equestria." Applejack included.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked in curiosity.

"Nopony knows. Ya know why?" Rainbow Dash answered and asked, in a creepy voice, creeping toward Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity.

"Rainbow, quit it." Applejack told Rainbow Dash, but she didn't listen.

"'Cause every pony who's ever come in, has never come OUT!!" Rainbow spooked, jumping and shouting the last word. Suddenly, the cliff we were standing on gave out and everypony fell, except Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash flew to save Pinkie Pie, Samantha and Rarity. Ellie and Applejack saved themselves by grabbing a nearby root, but I continued to fall, until I was hanging on to an edge.

Applejack let go of the root and slid towards me, "Hold on. Ah'm a-comin'."

She grabbed my hands, but she wasn't strong enough to pull me up.

"Applejack, what do I do?" I asked her in a panic.

Applejack looked up, then looked at me, "Let go."

"Are you crazy?" I asked her.

"No, Ah ain't. Ah promise ya'll be safe." She told me with a calm tone in her voice.

"That's not true!" I told her, trying to help myself up a bit.

"Now, listen here. What Ah'm tellin' yah is the honest truth. Let go, 'n' ya'll be safe." Applejack assured me.

I looked into her eyes and there was no lying. As I looked, I felt that I could trust her. So, I let go and fell. I screamed for dear life, but I realized that my falling speed slowed down. I looked and saw Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash carrying me down. I sighed in relief, but suddenly the speed increased again for a second.

"Sorry, girls. I'm not used to holding anything more than a bunny or two." Fluttershy explained.

I watched Applejack and Ellie jump down from the cliff, by cliff-stones.

We continued our way to the ruin, of course Rainbow Dash was telling the story of how she and Fluttershy were able to save me, "And once Pinkie and Rarity were saved, whoosh... Me and Fluttershy loop-de-loop around and WHAM! Caught you right in the nick of time."

"Yes, Rainbow, I was there. And I'm very grateful, but we gotta-" I gasped in shocked. A large Manticore roared loudly to catch our attention.

A Manticore is a large lion with dragon wings, large teeth, and a scorpion's tail. They're very dangerous when disturbed or under attack.

"A Manticore!" I identified, as it roared in anger and rage.

"We gotta get past him." I told everypony.

The Manticore aimed to attack Rarity, but Rarity dodged and kicked him in the chin, knocking him back a bit, "Take that, you ruffian!"

The Manticore roared at Rarity. Rarity's mane was fluffed up and poofy, like Pinkie's but more wild. Rarity looked at her mane in dismay, "My hair!" Then she remembered the Manticore and ran.

"Wait." Fluttershy tried to say, but she was too quiet for everypony to hear her.

The Manticore chased Rarity, until Applejack jumped on to its back. "YEE-HAW!! Get along, little doggy!" She shouted, as the Manticore thrashed around, trying to get her off.

"Wait." Fluttershy said again, but a bit louder. Sadly, she still couldn't be heard.

The Manticore was able to throw Applejack off his head.

"All yers, partner." Applejack told Rainbow Dash, as she flew past her.

"I'm on it!" Rainbow Dash saluted, flying at full speed toward the Manticore.

"Wait!" Fluttershy tried to shout again, but nopony listened.

Rainbow Dashed used her Rain-Blow Dry to distract the Manticore. However, the Manticore used its scorpion tail to attack Rainbow Dash, causing her attack to stop and crash toward us.

"Rainbow!" I called in worry. She landed in front of me and tried to get back up.

I glared at the Manticore. He scuffed his right paw, as Applejack and I got into sprinting position. The rest of us charged toward the Manticore, until Eleanor jumped in front of us, "Stop!!!"

We stopped a few feet from him. She looked at Fluttershy and nodded with a smile, "Go ahead, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy nodded back, turned to the Manticore and smiled. She walked up to him. The Manticore roared and raised his right paw.

"Eleanor, what are you thinking?" Rainbow asked the Bat Pony.

"Watch her." Ellie simply answered.

"Shh... It's okay." Fluttershy told the Manticore in a kind tone.

As she stroked his left paw, she assured him with a smile. The Manticore looked a little unsure, but showed Fluttershy a large thorn in his left paw.

"Oh, you poor, poor little baby." Fluttershy said, showing sympathy to the Manticore.

"Little?" Rainbow Dash asked in confusion.

"Now, this might hurt for just a second." Fluttershy assured the Manticore, as she grabbed the thorn and pulled it out. The Manticore picked her up and roared.

"Fluttershy!!" We called out of worry for the shy Pegasus.

The Manticore purred in happiness, as he licked Fluttershy's face and mane in gratitude.

She giggled, "Aw, you're just a little ol' baby kitty, aren't you? Yes you are, yes you are."

We walked past the Manticore, but I stopped for Fluttershy. The Manticore put her down and she joined the rest of us.

"How did you know about the thorn?" I asked her.

"I didn't. Sometimes, we just need to be shown a little kindness." She answered with a smile.

I thought for a second, then Ellie's words, 'have faith' echoed in my mind. I smiled and followed.

"Ugh... My eyes need a rest from all this icky muck." Rarity whined, as we entered a dark part of the forest. The forest covered the moon, making it hard to see in front of our noses, "Well, I didn't mean it literally."

"That ancient ruin could be right in front of our faces and we wouldn't even know it." I told everyone.

Everyone started shouting at each other, due to the darkness.

"Oh wait. Ah think Ah stepped in somethin'." Applejack spoke up, as she lifted her hooves.

Fluttershy must've saw something, because she screamed in fright.

"It's just mud." Applejack told Fluttershy, until she saw what Fluttershy screamed at.

She yelped and joined us. The trees glowed with scary faces. We screamed in fright, except for Ellie and Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie was laughing at the trees, making funny faces and giggled. Ellie just stared at the trees.

"Pinkie, Ellie, what are you doing? Run!" I asked, then told the two unafraid with pure worry and fear.

"I don't get what's so scary. They're just trees." Ellie answered with a shrug.

"Oh, guys. Don't you see?" Pinkie asked, until she started dancing.

'When I was a little filly, and the sun was going down...'

"Tell me she's not..." I grimaced.

'The darkness and the shadows, they always make me frown...'

"She is." Rarity answered.

'I'd hide under my pillow
From what I thought I saw.
But Granny Pie said that wasn't the way
To deal with fears at all,'

"Then, what is?" Rainbow Dash asked.

'She said: 'Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall
Learn to face your fears
You'll see that they can't hurt you
Just laugh to make them disappear.'

"Ha! Ha! Ha!"

As Pinkie laughed, the scary face disappeared in a poof of smoke. We gasped at the sight, then joined in the laughter.

'So, giggle at the ghostly
Guffaw at the grossly
Crack up at the creepy
Whoop it up with the weepy
Chortle at the kooky
Snortle at the spooky
And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone and if he thinks he can scare you then he's got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna... hahahaha... heh...
Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuugh!'

We laughed the scary faces away, and continued to laugh out of joy and enjoyment. We laughed our way to the river, but we stopped to notice the waves were rapid and wavy. Impossible to swim across.

"How are we gonna cross this?" Pinkie Pie asked.

Suddenly, we heard a distant cry from down the river. We followed the river and saw a purple sea serpent, with an orange, combed mane, and half-a-mustache, crying in sorrow. Thrashing his tail, creating the wild waves.

"What a world! What a world!" The serpent cried, as he threw his fists into the water.

"Excuse me, sir. Why are you crying?" I asked the serpent as polite as I could.

"Well, I don't know. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this 'tacky' little cloud of purple smoke just wisped past me and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off." The serpent explained, before sobbing again, "And now I look simply horrid!!"

He dove into the river, with his head laying on the bank, and the water splashed all over us.

"Oh. Gimme a break." Rainbow Dash sighed in annoyance.

"That's what all this fuss is about?" Applejack asked, not understanding fashion.

"Why, of course, it is! How can you be so insensitive?" Rarity snapped, as she walked to the serpent, and stroked his chin. "Oh, just look at him. Such lovely, luminescent scales."

"I know." The serpent said, sniffing a bit.

"And your expertly coiffed mane." Rarity added with a smile.

"Oh, I know. I know." The serpent smiled, stroking his mane.

"Your fabulous manicure." Rarity continued.

"Oh, it's so true." The serpent continued to smile, until Rarity's smile vanished.

"All ruined without your beautiful mustache." Rarity finished.

"It's true! I'm hideous!" The serpent shouted, covering his face.

"I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected." Rarity said with determination. She ran toward the serpent, and ripped a scale off.

"Ow! What did you do that for?" The serpent asked.

"Rarity, What are you-" I was cut-off by Rarity used the scale to chop off her tail. All of the ponies gasped in shock, as the serpent fainted.

Rarity used her magic to attach her tail to what remained of the serpent's mustache.

The serpent laughed in joy and relief, "My mustache. How wonderful."

"You look smashing." Rarity smiled.

"Oh, Rarity. Your beautiful tail." I said sadly, at the sight of Rarity's new tail.

"Oh, it's fine, my dear. Short tails are in this season. Besides, it'll grow back." Rarity assured me with a small smile.

I smiled back, then Rainbow Dash whispered to me, "So would the mustache."

I rolled my eyes at her, then noticed the river has calmed. I began to cross.

"We can cross now. Let's go." I told everypony. As I reached half-way across, something purple lifted me and the others from the water. It was the serpent.

"Allow me." The serpent insisted. So, we jumped across his back and made it to the other side.

As we trotted through the forest we came to a bridge with the ruin just on the other side.

"There it is, the ruin that holds The Elements of Harmony. We made it!" I said with relief and happiness. I charged toward the bridge.

"Twilight, wait for us." Applejack called, as she and the others followed me.

"We're almost there!" I told everypony, until I felt no bridge under my hooves and I slipped.

The chasm was very misty, so I couldn't see how far it went. I felt somepony grabbed my hand and pulled me back. I looked and it was Ellie.

"What's with you and fallin' off cliffs today?" Ellie asked me with a joking smile.

We all looked over the chasm. "Now what?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Duh..." Rainbow replied, as she twitched her wings, then flew into the chasm.

"Oh yeah." Pinkie Pie said with a smile.

Rainbow Dash's POV.
I flew into the chasm and grabbed the rope. I crossed to the other side, and began to tie the bridge, but a female voice stopped me, "Rainbow..."

"Who's there?" I asked, looking around.

"Rainbow..." The voice said again.

"I ain't scared of you! Show yourself!" I shouted, getting ready for a fight.

"We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flyer in Equestria." The voice told me.

"Who?" I asked. Did it mean me?

"Why, you, of course." The voice answered.

I smiled, "Really? I mean... Oh yeah. Me. Hey, uh, you wouldn't mind telling the Wonderbolts that, would ya? 'Cause I've been trying to get into that group for like... ever." I asked the voice.

"No, Rainbow Dash. We want you to join us." The voice told me, as three pegasi revealed themselves from the fog. They looked like the dark versions of the Wonderbolts.

"The Shadowbolts." The middle, female said. I gave them a confused look. Shadowbolts? Never heard of them.

"We're the greatest aerial team in the Everfree Forest, and soon we will be the greatest in all Equestria." The female explained with pride, until she started flying around me.

"But first, we need a Captain." She continued. I smiled.

"The most magnificent..."

"Yup!" I said.

"Swiftest..."

"Yes."

"Bravest flier in all the land..."

"Yes, it's all true." I chuckled in pride.

"We need... you." She finished, with the 'you' whispered into my ear.

I jumped into the air with joy, "Sign me up!" Then, I remembered the bridge, "Just let me tie this bridge real quick, and then we have a deal."

"No!" The leader shouted, stepping on to the rope. "It's them, or us."

I started to get scared. Until Twilight's voice broke my thoughts, "Rainbow! What's taking so long?"

I looked at my friends, then the fog covered them, and muffled Twilight's words. I was stuck with a dilemma. Either tie up the bridge and save my friends, or fulfill my dream, as a Shadowbolt. As I thought, a voice sang to me.

"Your journey has only begun..." The voice sang. This made me think clearer.

"Well?" The Shadowbolt asked. I made up my mind.

"You..." I answered. She smiled, but she didn't let me finish.

"Thank you, for the offer, I mean." I told her, as I tied the bridge and took flight, "But, I'm gonna have to say no." And I flew to my friends.

They cheered in joy and relief.

Twilight Sparkle's POV.
We cheered in joy and relief that Rainbow Dash tied the bridge, so the rest of us could pass.

"See? I'd never let my friends hangin'." Rainbow told me with a smile. I smiled myself, as voices began chanting again.

We entered the ruin and saw the Elements of Harmony upon the center altar. The Elements were fossilized gems, like they haven't been used for years.

"Whoa." Applejack gasped in awe, as we saw the altar.

"Come on, Twilight. Isn't this what yah been waitin' for?" Applejack asked me, as I looked at the altar.

I smiled, "The Elements of Harmony. We've found them."

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flew and picked up the Elements, one-by-one, and placed them in front of me.

"Careful. Careful." I told them, not wanting to break the Elements.

"One, two, three, four..." Pinkie Pie counted, then she drew a blank a little, "There's only five."

"Where are the other two?" Rainbow Dash asked me, as Fluttershy put down the last one.

"The book says: 'When the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed. The seventh can only be found within the heart of a pure soul'." I answered, as I examined the Elements.

"What in hay is that supposed to mean?" Applejack asked, not understanding riddles much.

"I'm not sure. But, I have an idea. Stand back. I don't know what will happen." I told everypony, as I closed my eyes and focused on a spell.

"Come on now, y'all. She needs to concentrate." Applejack told everypony, as they left the ruin.

As soon as they left, I heard the voice, from before, singing in the forest. It helped me concentrate.

'The night,
And the spirit of light,
Calling.
Oh, oh, iyo.
Mamela. (Listen.)
Oh, oh, iyo.'

I had the spell ready, until I gasped at a blue tornado appeared. I don't remember casting that spell. The tornado picked up the Elements and was about to take them.

"The Elements!" I shouted, as I regained myself and jumped into the tornado.

'And a voice,
With the fear of a child,
Asking.
Oh, oh, iyo.
Oh, mamela. (Listen.)
Oh, oh, iyo.'

A few seconds later, I appeared in another room of the ruin, coughing from the teleportation. I looked up and gasped. Nightmare Moon had hold of the Elements, laughing at me. I glared at her and leaned into a sprinting position.

"You're kidding. You're kidding, right?" Nightmare Moon asked me. I focused my magic and charged towards her.

'Wait!
There's no mountain too great.
Oh, oh, iyo.
Hear these words and have faith.
Oh, oh, iyo.
Have faith.'

She charged toward me. My magic was ready for the teleportation spell, and I activated it as soon as Nightmare Moon was close enough. I reappeared, feeling a bit dizzy, in front of the Elements, and focused my magic again.

"Just one little spark. Come on, come on!" I said to myself, as I focused. The Elements glowed, and sparks flew around them. The sparks shocked me away from them, as Nightmare Moon appeared.

'Hela, hey mamela. (Hey, listen.)
Hela, hey mamela.
Hela, hey mamela.'

"No. No!" Nightmare Moon grimaced, as the Elements glowed. I smiled, but the Elements stopped glowing.

"But... Where is the sixth Element?" I asked, as Nightmare Moon laughed and destroyed the Elements into shards with one powerful stomp.

"You little foal! Thinking you can defeat me!! Now, you will never see your princess, or your sun. The night will last forever!!" Nightmare Moon laughed.

'They live in you, They live in me.
They're watching over, Everything we see.
In every creature, In every star.
In your reflection....'

I felt hopeless, until I heard the voices of the others calling my name. Telling me that they were always by my side, no matter what. I gasped as something inside me sparked to life. It felt warm and magical.

"They live in you..." The voice finished singing.

The Ponies were my friends.

I looked at Nightmare Moon, "You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony, just like that? Well, you're wrong. Because the Spirits of the Elements of Harmony are right here!" I told her, as my friends arrived by my side.

The shards glowed and began to circle around my friends. "What?" Nightmare Moon asked in confusion and shock.

"Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the Spirit of Honesty." I started, as the orange shards circled Applejack.

"Fluttershy, who tamed the Manticore with her compassion, represents the Spirit of Kindness." The pink shards surrounded Fluttershy.

"Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the Spirit of Laughter." Blue shards circled Pinkie Pie.

"Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the Spirit of Generosity." Indigo shards floated around Rarity.

"And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire, represents the Spirit of Loyalty." I finished, as the light red shards circled Rainbow Dash.

"The spirits of these five Ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us." I told her.

"You still don't have the other two Elements. The spark didn't work." Nightmare said, looking around for something.

"But, it did. A different kind of spark." I told her. I turned to my friends, "I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared for you. The spark ignited inside me, when I realized you all..." I turned back to Nightmare Moon, "Are my friends!"

Suddenly, a light shone above my head. A fossilized gem, with a six-point star, appeared, floating above my head. Whilst a glowing, multi-colored light hovered over Ellie's heart, making both her turquoise eyes, pastel green mane, tail and wing-membranes glow in rainbow colors.

"You see, Nightmare Moon. When those Elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the hearts of us all, combined with Eleanor's pure heart of the Elements, it creates the sixth and seventh Elements. The Elements of... Empathy and Magic." I told her, as a bright light consumed me and my friends.

The glowing shards created necklaces around my friends' necks, as the sixth Element created a tiara on top of my head. The magic of the Elements merged with the glowing light, causing Ellie to transform into a rainbow beam and create a tornado around Nightmare Moon. I opened my eyes to complete the spell, and the magic just finished in a flash. Everypony dropped to the ground in slight exhaustion, then recovered.

"Ow. My head." Rainbow Dash said in slight pain.

"Is everypony ok?" Applejack asked, looking around.

Somepony moaned, as she tried to get back to her hooves. It was Ellie. She returned to normal.

"Yer alright, SugarCube?" Applejack asked the Bat Pony, as she helped her up.

Ellie nodded, "Yeah. I'm alright."

"That was awesome! You turned into a rainbow!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed with a smile, "How did it feel? Like the most amazing thing ever?"

"It was fascinating. Mind blowing." Ellie answered, then placed her hand over her throat, "I'm also a little thirsty."

Rainbow Dash sighed, "And just like that, you've lost me." Ellie giggled.

"Oh thank goodness." Rarity shouted, getting everypony's attention. She was smiling, looking at her fully re-grown tail.

"Why Rarity, it's so lovely." Fluttershy complimented with a smile.

"I know. I'll never part with it again." Rarity said, rubbing her head against her tail.

"No. Your necklace. It looks just like your Cutie Mark." Fluttershy simplified.

"What? Oh?" Rarity asked, as she looked her necklace. It was gold with the indigo gem, in the shape of a diamond, just like her Cutie Mark.

"So does yours." Rarity noticed Fluttershy's. Fluttershy looked and gasped with a smile. Everypony's necklace looked like their Cutie Mark. Even Ellie wore a necklace with a green gemstone, peridot by the shade, in shape of the wisps on her hoodie.

"Look at mine. Look at mine!" Pinkie cheered, jumping around, looking at her necklace.

"Aw yeah." Rainbow Dash smiled in pride of her necklace.

I looked at my tiara and noticed, like the necklaces, a gem that looked like my Cutie Mark too.

"Gee, Twilight. Ah thought you were just spoutin' a lot of hoo-ey. But, Ah reckon we really do represent the Elements of Friendship." Applejack smiled at me.

"Indeed, you do." A voice spoke, as the sun rose from the mountains.

From the light of the sun, an adult, very pale pink, almost white alicorn appeared. She had a golden crown with an amethyst in the center. Around her neck was a matching necklace. She also wore golden bracelets around her wrists and golden 'shoes'.

The alicorn also wore a beautiful Greek dress with a golden belt and trimmings. Her mane was lower-back length, pastel-toned and was flowing, like there was an invisible wind. Her tail matched as well. Her eyes were a pale magenta. Everypony bowed, except me.

I gasped, "Princess Celestia." I ran toward her.

"Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student." Celestia greeted me with a hug, "I knew you could do it."

"But, you told me it was all an old pony tale." I reminded her.

"I told you that you needed to make some friends. Nothing more." Celestia reminded me. As I thought back, she did say that. She must've said the 'dusty old books' part as a joke.

"I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart." She explained to me, as I looked at my friends, who smiled at me too.

"Now, if only another will as well." Celestia added in a sad tone.

We stopped smiling and followed her gaze. In Nightmare Moon's place, was a smaller, blue alicorn, with the same Cutie Mark as Nightmare Moon. Her mane and tail were azure blue, her eyes were cyan. And she wore a small, black tiara and a navy regal dress with black trimmings.

"Princess Luna." Celestia greeted. The alicorn, Princess Luna, gasped awake from the sound of Celestia's voice.

"It has been a thousand years, since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister." Celestia told her.

"Sister?" My friends and I asked in unison and confusion.

"Will you accept my friendship?" Celestia asked. We all leaned forward and held our breath.

With tears in her eyes, Luna dashed into a hug with Celestia, "I'm so sorry. I've missed you so much, big sister."

"I've missed you, too." Celestia said with tears in her eyes, and hugged Luna back.

Suddenly, Pinkie Pie's sobs disturbed the reunion, and my epiphany. Then she stopped, "Hey. Do you know what this calls for?"

*Later, at Ponyville...*
"A party!" Pinkie Pie finished, as we began a large celebration upon our return.

Eveypony welcomed us, including Spike, who gave me a large hug. As Celestia and Luna arrived, Luna looked a little upset, until two Pegasi gave her a necklace of flowers around her neck. Indicating that they don't see her as a threat anymore. Luna smiled at Celestia, but I felt very upset.

"Why so glum, my faithful student? Are you not happy that your quest is complete, and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?" Celestia asked me.

"That's just it. Just when I learned how wonderful it is to have friends, I have to leave them." I told her with a sad look.

Celestia smiled, "Spike, take a note, please." Spike got a paper and quill, and began writing Celestia's words, "'I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the Unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, along with the Human, Eleanor Carter, shall take on a new mission for Equestria. They must continue to study the magic of friendship. They must report to me their findings from their new home in Ponyville.'"

My friends gathered around me and cheered in happiness that I didn't have to leave them.

"Oh, thank you, Princess Celestia. I'll study harder than ever before." I promised her with a smile.

Applebuck Season

Eleanor's POV.
It was a very calm sunny day in Ponyville. Everypony was out and about doing their own thing and socializing. Twilight and I thought it was a good idea to get some fresh air. Since the ticket incident, about a week ago, Twilight really needs it to clear her head.

Suddenly, the ground started shaking under my hooves. Everpony else felt it too, and there was a faint rumbling sound. It was getting louder. No, it was coming closer.

Rainbow Dash took off into the air and looked over the other side of town. After a few seconds, she shouted in a very loud voice, "STAMPEDE!"

Everypony looked over and saw what Rainbow Dash was shouting about. A large herd of nonmorphic cows was stampeding toward Ponyville! Everypony panicked and started running all over the town. Some were smart enough to get indoors and shut the doors and windows. But only some.

The only Ponies that weren't running around in a crazy panic were Pinkie Pie and Mayor Mare. Mayor Mare was trying to get everypony's attention, while Pinkie was just... Well... Going with the vibrations of the ground.

"Hey...! This makes my voice sound silly!" Pinkie shouted, with a laugh and her voice reverberating.

Twilight looked at her and shouted, "Pinkie Pie, are you crazy?! Run!"

"Everypony calm down. There is no need to panic." Mayor Mare tried to assure everypony.

Rarity walked over to her, "But Mayor, whatever shall we do?"

"Look there!" Rainbow Dash alerted, getting everyone's attention.

We all looked at the cow herd and saw a familiar orange mare and brown dog running alongside them.

"YEEHAW!" The mare shouted in cheer.

The mare was Applejack. Everypony's panic turned to relief and they cheered for her. We all watched in suspense as Applejack and her dog, Winona, herd the cows into a more orderly formation.

"This is the best rodeo show I've ever seen." Pinkie Pie smiled, munching on a bag of popcorn. Wait, what?

Applejack whistled and Winona ran to the front of the herd. AJ jumped on the back of one of the cows and used a lasso to grab the leading cow. She ran alongside her and used her strength to veer the herd away from the bridge.

The herd calmed down and everypony that watched cheered. The other Ponies got out from their hiding places and gathered at the bridge.

Applejack smiled and twirled her hat, "Yee haw!" Then she made her way back to Sweet Apple Acres.

Once AJ was gone, Pinkie Pie cheered, "Yee haw! Ride 'em, cowpony!"

"Applejack was just... Just..." Mayor Mare tried to compliment, but couldn't find the words.

Pinkie Pie popped out from above us, hanging upside-down, and finished, "Apple-tastic!" Then she fell with a thud.

Mayor Mare smiled and nodded, "Exactly. We must do something to thank Applejack for single-handedly saving the town."

Pinkie Pie recovered from her fall and smiled, "I know. A party!"

Everypony agreed and we started with the preparations.

*A Week Later...*
The preparations for Applejack's 'Thank You' party were almost finished. With the help of everypony in Ponyville, we were able to finish in over half the time it would have took if Pinkie did it all by herself.

Rarity was just finished tying a red ribbon around a tree, near the Town Hall, as Twilight walked up to her and asked, "We all ready?"

Rarity nodded, "Just one last thing." Then she used her Unicorn magic to put up the apple banner over the top balcony of the Hall, "Now we're ready."

Twilight smiled and asked, "Is Applejack all set?"

"Actually, I haven't seen her all week." Rainbow Dash answered, as she returned from her watch.

"Not since the stampede." Pinkie added, as she arrived.

My stomach turned in worry, as I stayed quiet and played with my thumbs.

Rainbow Dash just smiled and assured, "But she'll be here for sure. Applejack is never late."

*A Little Bit Later...*
With all the preparations finished and the invitations sent, the party can start. Everypony gathered around the Town Hall. Twilight arrived at the podium with a stack of speech cards. She cuts the cards in half and straightened them out.

She grabbed the first card and spoke up, "Welcome everypony! Today we are here to honor a pony we can always count on to help in matters great and small." She turned to the next card, "A pony whose contributions to-"

Rainbow Dash dashed in, interrupting Twilight's speech, "Did you see Applejack's slick moves out there? What an athlete. This week she's gonna help me with my new flying trick, and I know it's gonna be so awesome."

Twilight pushed Rainbow off the podium and picked up her cards again, "Exactly. And..."

This time, Pinkie Pie interrupted by popping in front of her, "This week, I get to run Sugarcube Corner for the first time."

"What does that have to do with Applejack?" Twilight asked, stepping aside and folding her arms.

Pinkie stared blankly at Twilight, then answered, "Oh. Applejack, one of the best bakers ever, is gonna help me. Applejack makes everything great, so free samples for everypony!"

Everypony cheered and clapped their hands at the announcement. Twilight pushed Pinkie off the podium, "Oh-kay, that's great." Then picks up her cards again, "Now if I could just make a point without being inter-"

This time again, Fluttershy snuck her way to the podium, "Twilight?"

"-Rupted." Twilight sighed and stepped aside for Fluttershy.

Fluttershy took the podium and apologised, "Twilight, I'm so sorry, but I just wanted to mention that Applejack is also helping me this week with the official bunny census, where we count up all the new baby bunnies that were born this season." Twilight rolled her eyes in impatience, "She's gonna help gather them using her wonderful herding skills."

Twilight glared at Fluttershy. Fluttershy timidly left the podium and rejoined the crowd.

Twilight turned to the crowd and asked, "Anyone else? Anyone? No?" Nopony replied. Twilight smiled, "Well then, as I was trying to say..."

Then she looked to her left and saw Mayor Mare smiling at her and batting her eyes.

Annoyed and lost patience, Twilight growled, threw her cards into the air and left the podium, "Urgh! Never mind."

Mayor Mare took the podium and cleared her throat, "And so, with no further ado, it is my privilege to give the prize, Pony of Ponyville Award..." She gestured to a large trophy, "To our beloved guest of honor, a pony of the utmost trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity. Ponyville's most capable and dependable friend: Applejack!"

Everypony cheered, as the curtains opened. Unfortunately everyone stopped to see that Applejack wasn't present.

Spike however was still cheering, "Cool! Way to go Applejack, that was awesome! I mean--" He realised nopony else was cheering and stopped with an embarrassed blush.

Mayor Mare cleared her throat in uncertainty.

Everything was quiet and still. "Awkward." Spike spoke up, voicing my thoughts exactly.

Then a familiar southern accent called from the back, "Ah'm here. I'm here." We all looked and saw Applejack arriving through the crowd. She yawned and dropped apples along the way, "Sorry Ah'm late--whoa-- Ah was just... Whoa... Did Ah get yer tail?"

Applejack walked in front of us. She looked exhausted. Bags under her eyes. Her walking pace was wobbled and she was carrying two bags of apples over her shoulders.

To be blatant, Applejack looked like she was gonna collapse at any time.

She made it to the stage and to the podium with Mayor Mare, "Miss Mayor." Applejack pushed her aside, "Thank yer kindly for this here... award thingy." She yawned and looked at the trophy, "It's so bright and shiny and..." She looked at her reflection in the award and laughed, "Heh, heh, heh. Ah sure do look funny, heh."

She started making faces in her reflection of her award, "Ooo-ooo."

Pinkie Pie joined her in making faces, "Woo-ooo." "Ooo-ooo."

Twilight walked to the stage and spoke up, "Okay. Well, thank you Applejack for saving us from that scary stampede, and always being there for everypony."

Applejack yawned and smiled, "Yeah. Ah like helpin' the ponyfolks and..." She yawned again, "And stuff." She closed her eyes and started snoring for a few seconds. Then she woke up and shook her head violently, "Oh, uh, yeah. Uh... Thanks."

She took the trophy and dragged it with her back to Sweet Apple Acres. Okay, now I'm sincerely worried.

Once Applejack was gone, Twilight raised a brow, "Was it just me, or did Applejack seem a little--"

"Tired?" Rainbow Dash guessed.

"Dizzy?" Fluttershy whispered.

"Messy?" Rarity guessed, earning glances from the rest of us, "Well, did you see her mane?"

"'Overworked' is a word that comes to mind." I spoke up, folding my arms and tilting my head.

"She seemed fine to me." Pinkie Pie smiled, then repeated, "Woo! Woo!"

A welling feeling of deep concern made my stomach turn. Applejack's overworking herself to the bone and she's badly sleep deprived. Following my gut, I walked to the apple orchard.

Once I was there, I found Applejack bucking a tree full of apples. The apples fell in the baskets and Applejack took a moment to catch her breath. However she violently shook her head to wake herself up. She kicked the air and lost her balance for a second.

"What in Luna's moon is she trying to do?" I asked myself.

Applejack repositioned herself and kicked again, but she ended up kicking one of the baskets over. She sulked, "Whoops."
She walked over to pick up the apples.

"Hey Applejack!" I called.

Instead of answering me, Applejack laid on the ground and fell asleep.

"Applejack?" I repeated with a raised brow.

Applejack didn't answer and started snoring.

I'm gonna hate myself for doing this. I walked over to the sleeping Earth Pony and shouted as loud as I could, "APPLEJACK!!"

Applejack shot awake. She stood up and shook her head violently again.

Applejack looked at me and smiled, "Oh, howdy Ellie."

"What is all this?" I asked, looking around the orchard.

"It's Applebuck Season." Applejack answered, walking over to a nearby tree. She kicked it and lost her balance for a second, "Whoa."

"Applebuck Season?" I repeated, walking beside her.

Applejack nodded, "Neh, it's what the Apple Family calls harvestin' time. We gather all the apples from the trees so we can sell 'em."

She walked to the next tree. I walked beside her, "But why are you doing it all alone?"

"'Cause Big McIntosh hurt 'imself." Applejack answered casually.

"And Apple Bloom?" I asked.

"She's in school. And she's not strong enough just yet."

"Granny Smith?"

"She can't do this anymore."

"Mum?"

"She' busy with her own work. Being human and all, she's not strong enough."

"Steve?"

"Injured his knee tryin'."

"Sam?"

"Busy."

"What about your other relatives? Red Gala? Apple Fritter? Golden Delicious? Can't they help?" I asked in deep concern.

Applejack sighed and kept walking, "They were just here for the Apple family reunion. They actually live all over Equestria and are busy harvestin' their own orchards. So, uh, Ah'm on mah own."

I stepped in front of her, stopping Applejack in her tracks, "Which means, Ah should really get back to work." Applejack looked at me and cleared her throat with a small smile, "Ahem... hint hint? Get back to work?"

I nodded in understanding and stepped aside.

Applejack wobbled for a second then asked me, "Could yah step aside, Ellie?"

"I'm right here." I told her, then asked, "You sure you're alright, Applejack? You're not looking too good."

Applejack violently shook her head again and kept walking, "Eh, don't any of yah three worry none, Ah'm just fine and dandy." She tried to kick the next tree, but missed by an inch, "Whoa."

I walked over to her and put my hand over her shoulder, "Do you... Need some help?"

Applejack raised a brow at me, "Help?" Then shook her head and removed my hand, "No way, no how."

"But there's no way you can do it all on your own." I pointed out.

Applejack glared at me, "Is that a challenge?"

My eyes widen, "What?" I quickly shook my head, "No!"

"Well, Ah'm gonna prove to you that Ah can do it!" She shouted, then walked off to the next tree, "Now if yah'll excuse meh, Ah've got apples to buck."

The worrying feeling in my gut worsened. It felt like I was not worried for a friend, but a close family member. I sighed and made my way back to Golden Oak Library.

Inside, Twilight was reorganising the shelves. And Spike was helping her going through the alphabetical order. I took my journal from my bedside drawer and went to the balcony.

Princess Celestia gave me a journal on my first day in Equestria, to keep track on how I'm settling in. I haven't written in it often, since Sunset Shimmer left. But now, with Twilight Sparkle and her lessons on friendship, it gave me a reason to write again.

Of course, Twilight also forced me to write my thoughts about the lessons we learned as well. She can be very persuasive when she wants to be.

I started writing in my journal, until I was startled by something crashing on the balcony's fence. I looked and it was Rainbow Dash.

"Can I help you, Rainbow?" I asked her.

"I think somepony else needs your help." She told me.

"Let me guess. Applejack?" I guessed.

Rainbow Dash nodded, "Yep."

I closed my journal, put it back in my drawer and made my way back to Sweet Apple Acres. One thing that sticks with Applejack: When she's done her job in Ponyville, she goes straight back home.

When I arrived, Applejack was still bucking the apple trees. Only problem was she had full baskets over her shoulders and she was picking up the apples that fell.

Applejack picked up an apple and hit her head again a branch, "Ow!"

"Applejack, can we talk?" I asked, making my presence known to her.

Applejack stared at me, played with her ear, then leaned closer to me.

"Applejack, can we talk?" I repeated in a slightly slower tone.

"Can bees squawk?!" She shouted, then scratched the back of her head, "Ah don't think so!"

I shook my head, "No. Can we talk?"

"Twenty stalks?" Applejack shouted, "Bean or celery?"

I shook my head again, "No!" Then I shouted, "I need to talk to you."

She raised a brow at me, "Yah need to walk to the zoo? Well, who's stoppin' yah?"

"I said I need to talk to you!" I shouted louder.

Applejack stared at me for a second, then smiled, "Oh! Well why didn't you say so? What you wanna talk about?"

"Rainbow Dash dropped by the library today!" I told her.

"That's quite neighborly of her!" Applejack smiled.

I shook my head, "Not really! She crashed on to the balcony, after you launched her into the air!"

Applejack looked away, "Oh, yeah." She sulked and returned to normal volume, "I wasn't feeling quite myself this morning."

"That's because you're working too hard and you need help." I told her in my normal tone.

Applejack looked at me and shouted, "What? Kelp?" Then raised a brow, "Ah don't need kelp. Ah don't even like seaweed."

"HELP!" I yelled, "I said you need help!"

Applejack glared at me, "Nothin' doin', Ellie. Ah'm gonna prove to yah, t'everypony, that Ah can do this on mah own."
She walked off, only to hit her face against a branch again, "Ow!" Then she looked at me, her eyes like Ditzy's, "Now if you'll excuse me, I've gotta go help Pinkie Pie."

With that, she wobbled off to Ponyville. I took a deep breath to calm my frustration.

*Later that day, in the Ponyville Urgent Care...*
Twilight, Spike and I arrived to the Ponyville Urgent Care center. We got a call about half of Ponyville were suffering very bad.

"We came as soon as we heard." Twilight told the head of the care, Nurse Redheart.

"Oh thank you, Twilight." Nurse Redheart sighed in relief, "We need all the help we can get."

Twilight, Spike and I looked at the patients. Green in the face. Keeled over in pain. Hugging their stomachs. Even vomiting in provided buckets.

"Oh no!" Twilight gasped, "What happened?"

Spike picked up a half-eaten muffin on the ground.

"It was a mishap with some of the baked goods." Nurse Redheart answered.

Pinkie Pie shook her head, "No, not baked goods, baked bads."

I took the muffin from Spike's hand and examined it, "Potato chips." I licked the muffin and smacked my lips in thought, "Soda. Lemon juice." Then a worm poked out, "And worms?"

Realization hit me, "Oh, no. Applejack!"

Applejack's sleep deprivation must've made her misheard Pinkie's instructions!

Spike started eating one of the bad muffins he found on the ground. "Want one?" He asked me and Twilight.

Twilight looked away in disgust, but I made my way back to Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight followed behind me.

*Back at Sweet Apple Acres...*
I found Applejack laying on her back on a tipped over wheelbarrow in a large bucket of apples. She fell asleep.

"Applejack, we need to talk." Twilight spoke up.

Applejack shot awake, "Wha, huh?" Then looked at me, "Oh, it's you, Ellie." She yawned, then frowned, "I know what you're gonna say, but the answer is still no."

I shook my head, "Not to upset your applecart, but you need help."

Applejack struggled to pick herself up, "Hardy har. And no I don't."

I walked toward her and took hold of her forearms, "Here, let me help you."

Applejack looked at me, "Help?" Then slapped me away, "No thanks." Then she forced herself back to her hooves, "A little more..." Her hand slipped a bit, "Little..." She stood up, "There."

She grabbed the wheelbarrow and made her way to another tree, "Ah'll prove that this apple can handle these apples." Applejack went on all-fours and started kicking the tree. But nothing was happening, "Come on apples fall off!"

Twilight decided to speak this time around, "A.J, I think you're beating a dead... tree."

Applejack looked and Twilight was right. The tree had no leaves. And it was Summer. So, the tree was dead.

"Ah knew that." Applejack quickly replied, then walked deeper into the orchard.

Twilight and I followed close behind her.

"Actually Applejack, I had something else to talk to you about." Twilight told the overworked farm girl, "Ellie and I just came back from Ponyville Urgent Care and--"

Applejack cut her off with an annoyed sigh, "Yah know, Ah'm a little busy to get lectured right now, Twilight."

"But if you'd just let us help-" I started.

Applejack cut me off with a growl, "Ugh." Then shouted at me loudly, "No, no, NO! How many times do Ah gotta say it? Ah don't need no help from nopony!"

Then she left in a huff.

I sighed in light annoyance, "Ugh. That girl's as stubborn as Shimmer."

Twilight looked at me with a raised brow, "Who's Shimmer?"

"Uh..." I scratched the back of my head, "No-one you need to know."

I marched my way back to Ponyville. Twilight followed close behind me, humming a tune. My toe tapped the ground and I felt something uneasy surge through me.

I stopped in my tracks, "Twilight, hold up. You feel that?"

Twilight stopped and looked at me, "Feel what?"

"The ground." I answered, removing one of my sandals. I pressed my bare foot on the ground, "It feels heavier than normal."

Then the red-maned gardener mares gasped, "The horror, the horror."

Twilight and I looked and saw the three gardener mares laying on the ground.

"It was awful." The pink one with a blonde mane grimaced.

"A disaster. A horrible, horrible disaster." The pink and green one shouted.

Twilight looked where the pink and green one was looking and the street was calm and quiet, "I don't get it."

The pink and blonde one got to her hooves and ran to the garden of her store, "Our gardens, destroyed."

The red-maned one ran over to the flowers, "Every last flower, devoured."

"By... by... THEM!" The pink and green one shouted, pointing to the other side of the street.

On the other side was a large group of bunnies, eating the leaves and grass of the street.

Fluttershy was having trouble getting them to listen to her, "Oh my. Oh... Please stop, little bunnies. Oh no! Please, let's go home. Oh my goodness."

My temper reached its peak, "Alright. Enough is enough!"

I marched back to Sweet Apple Acres and was able to find Applejack kicking another tree at the top of a hill.

I don't know how I was able to find her so fast. It was like I knew the orchard like the back of my own hand.

"Must... Keep... Buckin'... Just... A few... More. Must finish harvestin'." Applejack mutter to herself, as she kicked the tree.

"Alright, Applejack. I'm not going to take this anymore." I told her, "Your apple bucking hasn't just been causing you problems! It's over-propelled Pegasi. Poisoned half the town. And scared bushles of innocent kittens. I don't care what you say... You! Need! Help!"

Applejack kicked the tree again. The apples fell into the baskets and she smiled, "Ha! No Ah don't. Look, Ah did it." I looked and the orchard was clean from apples, "Ah harvested the entire Sweet Apple Acres without yer help. How d'ya like them apples?"

"Um, how do yah like them apples?" Big McIntosh asked, looking to the other side.

Applejack was only able to clear half the orchard.

Applejack was overwhelmed by the shock, "Where'd all the apple...?" She mumbled in incoherent gibberish and fainted.

"Applejack?" I called, "Applejack!"

Applejack opened her eyes and looked at me, "Huh?"

I smiled in relief, "Oh, good, you're okay." Then turned serious, "Look Applejack, I respect the Apple Family ways." Applejack looked at the other half of the orchard, "You're always there to help any pony in need, so could you let your pride go and let your friends do the same for you? Let them help you in return of helping them?"

She closed her eyes and nodded, "Okay, Ellie."

I smiled and gave the farm girl my hand, "There you go." Then helped her to her hooves, "Now, let's get you some rest."

*The Next Day...*
With Applejack well rested, she and I asked our friends to help with the rest of the orchard. They were more than happy to help.

While the others were working, I wrote into my journal,

Dear Princess Celestia,

Our friend Applejack is the best friend a pony could ever have, and she's always there to help any pony. The only trouble is, when she needs help, she finds it hard to accept it, so while friendship is about giving of ourselves to friends, it's also about accepting what our friends have to offer.

Your student,

Eleanor Carter.

Applejack arrived with a cart of seven bottles of apple juice, "How about y'all take a little break? Ah got some fine apple juice waitin' for ya!"

The others stopped working and gathered around the cart.

"Girls, Ah can't thank yah enough for this help." Applejack admitted, "Ah was acting... a bit stubborn."

"A bit?" Twilight repeated with a raised brow.

Applejack nodded, "Okay. A mite stubborn, and Ah'm awful sorry." Then smiled, "Now, Ah know the town gave me the Prized Pony award, but the real award is having you six as mah friends."

The girls and I grabbed a bottle each and started drinking.

Rainbow Dash sighed, "Phew! That applebucking sure made me hungry."

"And I've got the perfect treat." Spike smiled, lifting an arm-full of the 'baked bad' muffins from yesterday.

"Eeew... Spike, I threw those all away." Pinkie exclaimed in disgust, "Where'd you get them?"

"From the trash." Spike answered casually.

Disgusted, the girls and I stopped drinking our juices and walked away.

Spike followed behind us, "Just a little nibble? Come on."

In unison, we all said no.