A Distant Light, A Close Calling

A Warm Welcoming

            The seven ponies gazed down upon Hoofsdale. It was barely visible, only enough to make out the outlines of the buildings. As they continued to walk down the trail, it started snowing lighter, eventually, it came to a stop. Looking around at the beautiful sights, Twilight fixed her eyes on a blue earth pony ahead who was taking a stroll through town.

            “Excuse me; do you know where we could find a pony named Starstride?” Twilight asked nicely.

            “Of course, she lives on the far edge of town, all you have to do is follow this road here and you’ll come across a big cottage with a red picket-fence.” The mare replied, pointing.

            Nodding in acknowledgement, Twilight motioned to the others to keep moving. She turned back, looking again at the mare.

            “Thank you.”

            “Anytime!” the mare said hastily, then turned, returning to her stroll.

            The seven ponies continued walking through town, noticing a different but very similar life style, just like in Ponyville. Young colts & fillies were playing in the snow; mares & stallions were walking through the streets, either for a stroll, or going to someplace. To all of them, it seemed cozy to know how closely it resembled Ponyville.

            “Wow, now this is just like Ponyville!” Dash said eagerly, adding a loop-de-loop in mid-flight.

            “Yeah, sure is, but ah still miss mah apple bucking, and Applebloom, oh ah wonder what that silly filly is up ta’ this time.” AJ mentioned, adding a saddening sigh.

            “Don’t worry AJ; everything will be fine, I am sure of it.” Rarity reassured.

            “Yeah, maybe yer’ right Rarity, ah just gotta stop thinking about it.”

            Hovering closely to the others, Fluttershy gazed around in wonder as she was in mid-flight.

            “This place is just…wonderful!” The canary colored Pegasus said with a squee.

            “Yeah, but it’s not as cool as the Wonderbolts!” Dash exclaimed.

            “Again with the Wonderbolts, Dash?” Rarity muttered.

            “Yeah Rare, they’re so awesome!” The cyan Pegasus said, clutching her cheeks with both of her hooves, her eyes lighting up, and adding a certain twinkle to her eye.

             “Ooh-Ooh, this snow gives me an idea for Cupcakes! What should I call them? Frostycakes? No wait, Snowycakes, no…OH how abou-“Twilight turned.

            “PINKIE, please, can you not do that at this time, we’re all tired and we need some peace and quiet!” Twilight shouted angrily, stamping a hoof down into the snow.

            Staring directly at Twilight for some time, Pinkie finally replied.

            “Okie Dokie Lokie!”

            “Okay, I think we’re all a bit tired, after what, eight hours of travelling?” Sunspeed pondered aloud.

            “I agree with Sunspeed. I think that we should get to Starstride’s as soon as possible so we can rest.” Rarity noted.

            With all of them agreeing on the subject at hand, they continued walking down the road. After what seemed to be another fifteen minutes of walking, Twilight stopped as they came across a big cottage. It was painted a white tint; windows mapped the first and second floor. Around the house, was a red picket-fence, the wood was chipped and worn, and as expected, the fence gate was closed. They all glanced at one another, glanced back at the fence, then at each other, then adding a “hmmph” in approval.

            Rainbow opened the gate up, as Twilight walked into the snow littered yard, got up to the door, and knocked. At first she heard nothing, but then she heard hooves trotting on the other side of the door.

            “Just a minute!” a voice called.

            After a few minutes of waiting patiently, the door opened, and to everypony’s surprise, an Alicorn appeared before them. She had a sapphire-blue mane, with sparkles that shined in her mane and tail. Her coat was white; her irises were colored a ruby red, making her whole mane stick out. Her cutie mark was a Constellation, with dark Pegasus wings behind it, making it look like a star ridden night.

            “Are you, Starstride?”

            “Yes, I am. You must be Twilight.” Starstride answered, smiling.

Wow, Princess Celestia didn’t say that Starstride was an Alicorn too! Twilight thought. Twilight stood there, speechless. Starstride cleared her throat and added.

            “How about you all come in, you must’ve had a long journey.”

            All taking a deep sigh of relief to hear those words, they all entered her home. Her home was very inviting; the living room had a fireplace, accompanied by an ornate rug, armchairs, and a bookcase. All of the ponies dropped their saddlebags and plopped down, either on the floor, or the chairs, all except Twilight, who was over by one of the windows, chatting with Starstride.

            “Starstride, how did you know it was me?” Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow.

            ‘Princess Celestia wrote a letter to me, telling me that you were coming.”

            “Oh, how did you receive it? By mail?” she pondered aloud.

            “No, by magic of course Twilight.” Starstride said as she was adjusting one of her portraits on the wall.

            “Magic?  Wait, you can do that with magic?” Twilight said, amused.

            “Of course, all it takes is practicing teleportation.” Starstride responded.

            “Ouch…Fluttershy, why do you keep doing that to my wing?” Sunspeed winced in pain.

            Twilight & Starstride turned to the others, surprised to have heard that random outburst.

            “Oh my, I’m sorry Sunspeed; I just need to make sure I keep your wounds clean and check them daily.” Fluttershy said apologetically.

            “Is it a difficult spell to learn?” Twilight asked, turning to Starstride again.

            “A bit, it isn’t easy to master long-distance teleportation.”

            “Quite, I remember the first time I used the teleportation spell, it wasn’t easy for me back then.” Twilight chuckled.

            Smirking a bit at Twilight’s response, she looked at the others and said:

            “I think it’s time you all have something to eat, I will get dinner prepared, you all rest, you have had a long day.”

            They all nodded in agreement, then the seven ponies decided to take a look around the house and pick out where they wanted to sleep while they stayed here.

            “Sunspeed, maybe you should share a room with Fluttershy, your injuries are bad enough and she can help you if you need it.” Rarity said politely.

            “Yeah, I guess you’re right, I am in so much pain, I think I will accept that offer, c’mon Fluttershy, let’s take a look at the spare rooms.” She said, turning to Fluttershy.

            Fluttershy nodded, and then the two pegasi walked upstairs.

            “Umm, hey Twi’? can ah, talk to ya’ outside for a bit?” AJ said quietly.

            “Yeah AJ.”

            After telling the others, the two ponies got outside. Celestia’s sun still shining bright was now in the West. Hmm, must be around 4:00PM. Twilight thought. Turning to AJ, who was standing next to her, Twilight mentioned.

            “So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?”

            “Well, ah was just worried about ya’ Twi’, ah mean, are you still being bothered by that horrible vision ya’ had earlier?” AJ asked, concerned.

            “Well...it is bothering me a bit, I mean, why would anypony want to do this? Especially to me. I am afraid something bad may happen to you all, just like the vision showed me.” Twilight said, getting teary-eyed.

            AJ put a hoof around Twi’s neck, with a soothing touch to her voice, she said quietly.

            “Naw, it won’t happen Twi’, we’re your friends, we love you, we wouldn’t let anything happen to ya’.”

            “Applejack, promise me…you won’t leave me, I don’t want...to carry this burden alone.” Twilight said while she gripped Applejack’s hoof, trying to force back the tears.

             Finally, she gave in and Twilight buried her face into AJ’s chest, sobbing profusely. AJ stroked her mane. Being as sincere as she could, she whispered into her ear.

            “Twilight...we will always be there for ya’…always.”

            AJ rested her head on Twilight’s shoulder, supporting her for every moment she needed it. She continued to stroke her mane and also patted her back. For the next five minutes, the two friends stood there, holding each other.

She...she won’t leave me, Applejack is the Element of Honesty, they will all be by my side. I have to thank her for this amount of support. Twilight beamed happily at the thought.

            “AJ…” Twilight started.

            “Shh…you don’t need ta’ thank me, after all we’ve been through together as friends, ah don’t deserve any amount of thanks, it’s what friends do.” Applejack interrupted, looked into her eyes, and smiled.

            Twilight sniffed, and released from the embrace. She rubbed her eyes, trying to get the tears out. Afterwards, she motioned for AJ to go inside.

            As they got inside, the two ponies gathered their things, claimed their spare rooms, then started to unpack. As they unpacked, Starstride walked into the living room, and called out:

            “Dinner time, everypony!”

            Everypony stopped what they were doing, and headed towards the living room. As they all reached the living room, Starstride was there, waiting for them. Sunspeed and Fluttershy were the last two ponies to arrive in the living room. Starstride looked at them, then closed her eyes, cleared her throat and said:

            “Follow me, I will show you all to the dining hall.”

What? She has a dining hall? This house doesn’t look anything like something of that stature from the outside. Rarity thought. Before following behind the mare, she checked her mane. I have to make sure I look rather smashing; a proper lady cannot walk into a dining hall all ragged, which just isn’t beautiful at all! Rainbow gazed back; she noticed Rarity wasn’t behind her.

            “Rarity!” Dash called.

            Rarity, blinked her eyes multiple times, shook her head, and then trotted into the dining hall. The dining hall was a decent size. Chandeliers coated in some sapphire gems were hanging above the table, giving off a pleasant sight. Candles were lined up across the table. There were salads, apple pies, apple fritters, cupcakes, and others that were lined up on the table.

            “Now I know it isn’t a Proper dinner, but you all were very tired, and I decided that anything goes after a journey like that, I hope you don’t mind.” Starstride announced across the table.

            “Feel free to eat as much as you want, dig in!” She added, after a short pause.

            Almost instantaneously, Pinkie reached for a couple cupcakes, beaming with joy, she gladly shoved them into her mouth.

            “Pinkie, darling! Where are your manners? Haven’t the Cakes taught you anything?” Rarity said, disgusted.

            “No, but if there’s anything I have learned from them, it’s that cupcakes are delicious!” Pinkie replied, licking the icing off of her hoof.

            “So, Starstride, why did you want to accommodate us?” Twilight asked, looking up at her curiously.

            Starstride took a bite of her salad, chewed thoroughly, swallowed, and then replied:

            “Well, for one, Celestia needed a pony that she could trust to keep you all safe, so I was one of her choices almost immediately. Secondly, there is something of an important matter that I must discuss with you and your friends, but we will talk about that after dinner.”

            “Yes, Celestia does have a good reason for that. I wonder what that topic will be later on. But for now, we must enjoy our dinner.” Twilight said cheerfully, then taking a bite out of an apple fritter.

            “Whoo Wee, Starstride, ya’ll sure know how ta’ make a sweet apple pie!” Applejack mentioned joyfully.

            “Yeah, this stuff is great!” Dash noted, taking another bite out of the warm, sweet apple pie slice she had on her plate.

            “Oh, this salad is umm…amazing!” Fluttershy said aloud.

            “I am glad you all like it!”

            “Starstride, do you think you could help me learn that long-distance teleportation spell sometime?” Twilight said slowly.

            “Of course, I would love to; learning about magic is so intriguing! There are many kinds of magic in this world, and there is an endless amount to learn from.” Starstride said, her eyes widening as she faced Twilight.

            “Wonderful! You love learning about magic as much I do.”

            After dinner was over, the eight ponies cleaned up the table. After cleaning, Starstride led them all into the living room. She motioned for them all to sit down, which they all did, as they sat down, all just sitting in silence, Sunspeed broke it with saying:

            “Okay, so I have a question. If the SDEH is after the Elements of Harmony, why am I involved?”

            “I honestly don’t know, but I am wondering why they are after the Elements of Harmony in the first place.” Fluttershy said, looking around the room.

            “Well, they aren’t gonna get me so easily!” Rainbow Dash retorted.

            “Starstride, what do ya’ think about all o’ this?” Applejack asked intently.

            “Well, I don’t know why they are after the Elements of Harmony, but I do know one thing. I will tell you all, I don’t know how you all will react…” She paused, and turned, looking out the window. Celestia’s sun was now setting, giving the sky an orange-blue color.

            “…Yes?” Twilight leaned in.

            “This thing that I am about to tell you, it is about Sunspeed.” She paused again, closed her eyes, and took a long deep breath. The fireplace crackling in the back of the room was the only source of sound. She finally opened her eyes again, and she said her words slowly, and cautiously:

            “Sunspeed…..You…….Are....The….Seventh…Element…..of…..Harmony...”