A Prince and his Princessby Amethyst SparkleChaptersGaion of the EverfreeMysterious FarmerThe Badlands PrinceCommander AlchemyReunionAll-Around and SpyGaion of the EverfreeEquestria is a magical place. Full of wonders and undiscovered mysteries. One such puzzling site is the EverFree Forest. A place rumored to have a mind of it's own, with sentient plants and creatures so deadly if encountered. Sightings of a Hydra, a manticore, a chimera and even Timberwolves prooved the place was on not to be taken lightly. There was one more rumor though, that when told sent a shiver down anypony's spine. About a particular creature, so rare that it was both wished and thought to be extinct, that had been glimpsed among the vines. A creature, called a Gaion. These creatures are massive and strong, almost like the dinosaur T-rex. The only difference was this beast was entirely made of bones. Only animated by their mother's magic, as they were born dead. They are indestructable, nearly impossible to take down. They have teeth as sharp as swords, jaws strong enough to crumple titanium, eyes that can see through the dark, and a tail that can morph into any bladed weapon. Nature wasn't done in making this beast almost undefeatable yet, as it's next quirk was the one most feared out of all others: it's ability to radiate emotion. All ponies and creatures alike that are in it's radius, depending on how strong the Gaion is, immediately feel and act upon the emotion it is giving out. A few cases of a Lustful Gaion found sleeping under a town or village had caused that town's population to erupt ridiculously in a short amount of time. Cases of a gleeful Gaion caused multiple law breaks and daredevil stunts among even Pegasi cities, which are high up the air. Gaions were dangerous, and even as the Princesses drove them away, as they cannot really kill them, smaller Gaions were seen now and then, and seeing one was a big deal. No one has ever defeated a Gaion before, as they are only defeated truly if they are to be dissolved into pure emotion, absorbed into one's heart and overcome that strong feeling. That is why, when it was rumored that the Everfree had a Gaion, everyone steered clear of the forest much more than before. Which was prooved helpful at hiding Jason Sparkle, a juvenile Gaion who wanted to stay close to his mother. He had been hiding in the Caves of Canterlot before when he grew bigger than a raptor, but when he heard his mother was transferred to Ponyville, he was there by midnight, startling the frick out of his mother and brother. He then marked the entire Everfree as his territory, thus making him the top of the foodchain. It gave him the authority to order the other massive beasts around, since he was technically unkillable. It made both Ponyville and the Forest safer than any other place in Equestria, which was another plus since he wasn't alone when he came to Ponyville. On his way to the town that night, His mother's friends met him halfway, with a small swarm of their kind. " They're helpless, Jason." The Prince said. " They are wounded, for they are like us, who are against treating ponies like food." The Spy said. " We were about to waste away in the lower catacombs when Prince Metamorphosis saved us." One little nymph muttered fearfully at Jason. " We are grateful that the Prince was secretly on our side, and ever more when he brought us out of that wretched hole." One soldier said. " You see, Jayjay? They need our help." The Prince concluded. Jason had no hesitation that night, but he had one worry that he had addressed. "Sigurado ka ba na walang traydor sa imohang grupo? " ( Are you sure there are no traitors in your group?) He had asked in native Gaion language, to avoid anyone other than Prince and Spy to understand. Prince nodded with a smile. " Walay traydor, Jason. Akoang gisigurado. " (No traitors, Jason. I made sure of it.) " Sure jud ka? " (Are you really sure?) " Sure kaayo. " (Really sure) That night too, Jason had brought the Exiles with him to meet with his mother. They had strangely no reaction with taking instructions from a pony, and one even went so far to call her " Queen Amethyst". But it had went well, and with a continuous barrage of teleportation spells that still went on to this day, they had emptied a local volcano clean for a new hidden hive. He was currently guarding that hive, quite a strange sight too, as a Gaion like him and changelings like them are natural Prey and Predator. It took a while to gain each other's trust, but slowly they had reached a common point. Nymphs of any age now wanted to crawl all over him, and the parents were trusting of him enough to let him nymphsit their clutch as they worked the hive. Jason trusted them enough to know they wont rattle their hideout to the Evil Queen, and for them to not leech off Ponyville's love too much. It was, once again, a work in progress. Jason yawned as he laid near the entrance/exit of the hive, Head towards the way in/out. He had been noticing nothing but nymphs running in and out since the hive first started, so he felt confident that no one will invade today. Besides, the rest of the forest was under his command, and the massive beasts fear him enough to not snack on anything with his mark on it: a mask of purple magical aura over their own. Jason heaved another sigh as boredom soaked in his bones. He wondered what his mother was doing. Mysterious FarmerIt was a beautiful harvest day in Sweet Apple Acres. A variety of apples hung ripe from every tree. The sun was rising, and the rooster is crowing. A perfect day for applebucking. Yet there was no Applejack nor Big Macintosh around to be seen. Instead, a strange pony in a navy blue cloak with the hood on was gathering the harvest. Each kick dropped every ripe fruit. Each tree filled each basket. Each basket was then sent to the barn, where a hidden Applebloom was watching with wide eyes. This pony had came out of nowhere, appearing right after Miss Twilight had gone back to the library to get some cure for Applejack's magical drain. At first they thought it was Twilight, since the fur that's showing was a similar lavender, but they dismissed it, seeing as the pony in the cloak was really an Earthpony with how hard she/he can kick. The pony had nearly cleared a quarter of the orchard, sending baskets full of apples in front of the barn. Applebloom wondered who was under that cloak. He seemed like a good pony, maybe a Ponyvillian, because he probably heard Applejack's dilemma to come and help. By now Applebloom grew tired of hiding and guessing, so she skiddadled to the pony in the cloak. " Mister!!!" She called hopefully. The pony froze, then slowly turned around. Applebloom could see under the hood that there were two glows of soft lavender light. " Who are ya? Why are ya helping with the harvest?!" She yelled curiously. The pony slowly backed away, then looked at the now finished half of the orchard he had bucked clean. He looked back at Applebloom, and the filly could feel him smile under the hood. He bowed, before turning to run away. " H-Hey!! Wait!!" Applebloom started to give chase. The pony ran a zigzag through the trees, getting faster and faster as Applebloom's little legs went slower and slower. " At least let us thank ya first!!" Applebloom tried again. But as she turned around a tree, the pony was gone with no trace. Giving up after a half-hour search, Applebloom went back to the barn, where she was met with a resurrected Applejack, Big Mac, and Granny smith. " Who... B-Bucked these?" Applejack said, voice still raspy. Applebloom started to explain. " When miss Twilight went out this pony in a navy blue cloak came runnin' in and started bucking them trees! Bucked half of the orchard too! Ah went to them ta ask them who they were and why they were helpin when they bowed then ran away! I chased them, then after a good minute they disappeared!" Applejack frowned. " A pony in a navy blue cloak? Help us? ...Why?" " Ah dunno! Wait, why are ye up?" Applebloom finally noticed. " Twiligh' came back and gave me a cure. Twas a weird juice glowy thing, but it gave me mah magic back." " But ye still have ta rest." Big Mac reminded. " Okay! Ah know! No need ta rub it in mah face, Mac. Anyway, how bout we discuss more bout this pony in a cloak inside, while I-" " Eh hem...." Mac began. " Just haulin them in tha cellar Mac, Jeez!" Far away, hidden in a bush, a pair of eyes with two pupils of galaxy in a cresent moon and a star shape glinted with mischief under a navy blue hood. " D'ya think ya can research bout that pony, Twi?" Applejack asked the day after the impromptu helping mystery pony. Twilight blinked her purple eyes, frowing. " He was wearing a navy blue cloak right? And as Applebloom said, glowing purple eyes?" " Yah, an earthpony too. Strong one. But ah don't think it's a boy." " Oh? What makes you say that?" " From da way Applebloom described his kicks and size, it was a gurl. About your frame too, Twi." " Huh, but why so strong?" " Ah dunno myself- why are you grinning?" Indeed, the purple unicorn was grinning. But when Applejack pointed it out, she just kept grinning. " What? Oh, grinning. I'm just excited to find out more about this mystery pony! She could be a lost wizard, or a friend of StarSwirl's! Maybe even an incognito superpony!" " Superpony? Ah didn't think a mare as bright as you would believe such things." Twilight looked offended. " Hey, superponies are real! Princess Celestia even comfirmed a group of them about a few years ago in Canterlot! I've seen them in action myself." " Wait, really?" Applejack looked intrigued. " Really! See, when that big raid occured in Canterlot, the Raid of AM, it was so widespread that Princess Celestia couldn't handle every bandit. It was getting worse, until five superponies suddenly came out of nowhere." " Five?" " Yeah, and they were sighted in many places, though rarely. They were known as the Unity Squad, since they seemed to be different creatures in a team." " How does that work?" " I don't know, but they managed. The two leaders of the team, Magi and Striker, a unicorn and a... uh, they don't know his kind, helped Princess Celestia up north. All-Around, a dragon, took west. Spy, another like Striker, took east. And Brute, a skeleton dinosaur thing, took south." " Did they drive them out?" " No! The Unity Squad captured them all. But before Princess Celestia even got to know them, they disappeared." Suddenly, Twilight's eyes widened. " Wait! I know who that mystery pony is!" Applejack jumped at Twilight's sudden idea. " Who then?" " It's Magi! That day in Canterlot, many witnesses reported she wore a navy blue cloak and two purple glows were shining from under her hood!" " Why would Magi be here? Why would she help us Apples?" Applejack questioned. " Remember when i said they were seen sometimes but rarely?!" Twilight said excitedly. " It's because they help little towns with simple things, as Equestria is a peaceful place. You guys are lucky that Magi was here when you had a magical drain!" " Yeah, sure was. Now we only have half the orchard ro harvest thanks ta her. Wish we had a way ta thank her." " Oh, you don't need to. She probably already heard this entire conversation." Twilight said with a smile. " What?!" Applejack asked, shocked. " Magi can hear fairly far, and she finds it amusing if she hears the ponies wonder who helped them." "Oh... wait, why do you know so much about Magi?" Applejack said suspiciously. Twilight shrugged. " I'm a big fan, i guess. All fillies in Canterlot, since seeing the Unity Squad, wanted to become like Magi. And all boys wanted to become Striker. ....dunno why?" The Badlands PrinceIn the midst of the wastelands, a barren-looking Castle of obsidian stood strong. Winds of scorching hot dust and small tornados of sand swirled around it's numerous rock spires, and black insect-like creatures patrolled the area day and night. Inside, numerous of the different kinds of black creatures scuttled around, doing and fulfilling each order and task given by the Prince and Queen. The Queen herself was larger than all others, the Prince slightly bigger than the largest soldier. The Queen's quarters is also located at the heart and soul of the hive, making it the most vulnerable or the most safe room in the palace. But in this hive, that is not the case. For the Queen herself is the weapon that the room was keeping safe from her surroundings. " My Queen, please Calm down!" A young stallion equivalent of the insect creatures said to his mother. The Queen would not heed, as she cast spell after spell at a shining object on a pedestal. " Come. On. Break! Shatter! Activate! DIE!" She cast one last massive spell on the amulet, which simply absorbed the spell and continued to sit prettily on the stand. Horn smoking like her temper, The Queen growled and resorted to smashing the red amulet with a bare hoof. It barely even moved. " After all that..." She gasped out. " Nothing?!" The Prince mistakenly judged his mother's temper and started to critique the piece of jewelry. " It is the second most powerful artifact known to Ponydom, Mother. Nothing will be able to break it, other than a spell worth of it's caliber." " I am worthy of it's Caliber!!!" The Queen snarled, shattering the stone under her hoof. The Prince flinched. " Yet I cannot break it!!" She continued. The Prince tore his frightened eyes away from his seething mother and focused instead on the object of frustration. Such a little thing, an alicorn shaped ruby encrusted on a gold amulet. Stolen during the Raid of AM in the archives, near that magical vault. They were never able to measure it's power, which resulted to his Queen's current test of strength. " Perhaps..." The Queen stated quite calmly, a sudden moodshift that drove the Prince's attention back to her. " Perhaps it would be best, if i hold on Project Ruby for now." The amulet floated in the air as it was encased in a green, poisonous glow, and vanished in a pop. " We will never be able to divide our time with what's to come." She snarled. The Prince grimaced inside at the mention of the other plan. The Queen started to calm herself, before looking at her heir. " You do recall Plan Alpha, do you?" The voice was sickly sweet, yet cold and sent shivers up the prince's spine. " O-Of course mother." Prince stammered, mustering his courage and composure. " Good. Then you know in a few days you should be in position." " Yes mother." A long, somber silence. " Recite thy plan." The Queen ordered in a steely voice. On instinct and the Queen's voice telling him to, the Prince recited the plan in hisses, clicks and buzzing sounds. The Queen looked satisfied. " Verrrrryyyy Good, Prince Metamorphosis. Now carry on, my son. Leave the rest to me, and just focus on fulfilling your part. Because if you fail...." She let the threat hang in the air. Metamorphosis bowed low. " Y-Yes of course, dear mother. See you then." As Metamorphosis trudged the tunnel out of the Palace, he pondered on what the heck to do. He never wanted this plan to work, but he had to act, to keep all those allies he had in the hive safe for the time being. He passed a couple secret ally guards, who greeted him in their secret gesture; a hoof on the right chest before bowing. He returned the gesture, and was met by two pairs of solid blue eyes. " Unsa may plano nimo para aning plano sa Reyna?! " (What's your plan for the Queen's plan?!) One guard said in a low Gaion language. " Wala pa ko kabalo, pangutan-on pa nako si Magi. " ( I do not know yet, i still need to ask Magi.) Metamorphosis replied. The other guard nodded. " Sigi. Maghulat rami sa imong signal sa aming mga singsing. " ( Okay. We await your signal in our rings.) Ah, the communicator rings. Little bands of metal that connected his allies by the horn, made by Magi and BattleScar. Only used in an emergency, which will connect the user's mind to the one they wanted to contact, as long as that pony had his ring on. It was also almost undetectable, masked off the Queen's hivemind and from the other lings. Metamorphosis nodded in return. " Tama. Huwata akong signal, unya kamo na'y bahala unsaon ninyo pagtakas gikan diri. " ( Right. Wait for my signal, then it's up to you to figure out how to escape this place.) They saluted, and Metamorphosis went on his way. The changelings in the hidden hive were all their exile allies, exiled because of being weak. Metamorphosis wanted to see the look on his mother's face once she saw the Exiles in the battlefield. On another hoof, despite the confidence that his allies will side him if the need be, he still couldn't set his mind straight. He couldn't find or think of a way to stop this plan without clearly sabotaging it. He needed to stay incognito. Metamorphosis' hoof slowly reached out to his crooked horn. He could clearly feel the ring. Hmm.... one swift thought.... He lowered his hoof. No, he couldn't contact Magi in a mindreader's hive. He needed to be there personally. But his time to come back from 'vacation' have yet to come.... He blinked then smiled. Early returns were a thing these days, though. Commander AlchemyA strong, bulk, powerful but old gray unicorn strode the Canterlot Castle in his golden armor in deep thought. His dusty white eyebrows knit in a thinking fashion as his hoofsteps echoed the halls. He had been like this since morning, and it was because of a tingle that occured in his horn's ring. It had seemed like somepony in his connection wanted to connect, but then cancelled. Was it by force? A surprise attack? Or a second thought? That was what was worrying him, and the fact that he couldn't go to Ponyville like he planned this day. Apparently, security needed to increase this particular string of weeks because of some occasion. He had heard nothing from the nobles for they would stride out of earshot, and the sun princess never told him anything. But before he acted on flying to Ponyville anyway, he was sent a message to come to the throne room, which he was going to this moment. He strode through familiar old halls, looking at the scenery, and the paintings of the old students of the sun. Popping from his mind, a certain troupe of five creatures, had once traversed this very hall. Playing, Training, or just lolly-gagging, they had a blast at cheering themselves up and the very castle itself. Now that they had grown up, memories were still fresh, but the Castle had went back into it's ancient state of foreboding, and because of the lack of foal's laughter, dark and dreary. He sighed. He did not notice he had arrived to his destination tough, causing him him to bump his nose on the throne room door, in a similar fashion as one small purple filly always did. He chuckled, and pushed open the door. A majestic hallway greeted him ominously, stained glass windows portraying Equestria's history shining odd colors of light in his sensitive eyes. The red carpet looked like blood, and the tiles were too shiny and slippery. Perhaps not the best decoration for a throne room? " Commander Alchemy, welcome!" Said a melodious voice. Alchemy looked up and saw a powerful, tall white alicorn, seated on her throne with two ponies in front of her. He squinted, and found it was his subordinate Shining Armor and... the Princess of love? He bowed, despite the still uneasy feeling of bowing to someone not his Queen. " Oh, stop that Al! You're practically family!" Shining Armor teased. " Oh, stop that Captain Armor. You're actually my subordinate." Alchemy shot back. Shining Armor flinched, and both alicorns giggled. " Still sarcastic, aren't we, Commander?" Celestia smiled. " No, Still sarcastic, arent I, princess. Not aren't we." He grinned. Cadence laughed out loud. " You never told me your Commander had a sense of humor, Shiny." " Oh? Is that right, Subordinate? What have you been telling the Princess of Love about me?" Alchemy grinned at Shining. " Nothing bad sir." " Then what was that bit of 'Monster of Quadrant 4' about?" Princess Cadence teased. " That's enough you two. I think Shining Armor is already as red as he can be." Princess Celestia grinned at the two laughing teasers. " Fine, Killjoy Princess. What have you called me for here anyway?" Alchemy asked. Princess Celestia's grin widened. " It has come to my attention that you are clueless on what the security increase is for." Shining Armor flinched again. " And so is Captain Armor's adoptive sister. So i took it upon myself to inform the both of you. Shining Armor, Cadence, if you please." Alchemy looked at the pair expectantly. They stood up, held hooves, and said as one: " We'll be married next week!" ReunionTwilight looked at the forest around her, wondering how much of it has changed since Jason took authority. Ever since her 'son' had moved in, the creatures were more nicer. Or at least they didn't bite your head off on sight. They had pointed her to the right direction in and out of the forest, helped her get across ravines, and one time a hydra even let her ride it's head to cross the Ghastly Gorge. But then she was told that ponies who didn't have Jason's scent were treated like before he moved in, but luckily no one but her, Pinkie, Fluttershy and Zecora ever set hoof in the forest that she knew of. Anyway, it was the middle of the night and she was going in to check on the hive, to see how the builders were doing. They had insisted on turning the slowly emptying volcano like their old home, but more homey than sinister, so she was more than happy to help. It took daily teleportation of the magma to the middle of the ocean to make it livable, but at least Twilight can sleep soundly that no nymphs will go rolling off a cliff straight to lava. Twilight continued her trek, Some monsters peeking out as they smelled a lot of Jason on her. She was his mother after all. Twilight stopped though, and the monster heads shrunk back to their hiding place. It was a fairly good trick if she does say so herself. The purple mare turned, and almost screamed in shock. Two solid green eyes looked back at her from a bush. Calming herself, she tilted her head. The head inside the bush did so as well. Twilight smiled. She then placed her hoof on her right chest, and the nymph in the bush ran out to her and squealed. " Queen -methyst!" The little one gurgled. Twilight laughed, despite still not knowing why they started calling her that. " Hello little one. Wait, oh! That's you isn't it, Nyx?" Nyx the nymph grinned a fanged little smile, and rushed to lay under Twilight's long mane. Funny how both Spike, Jason and then the nymphs loved that spot. " What were you doing out here, Nyx?" Twilight asked as she looked at the nymph on her back. Nyx smiled wider. " Smelled Queen from mile away. Also, wanted to see Queen's eyes!" To a normal pony, that would have been weird, but to Twilight, it was normal. She grinned herself, and looked at Nyx straight in the eyes. Twilight's pupils started to replace the black within with a swirling galaxy, and the pupils themselves turned into a cresent moon and a star. Nyx laughed. " Pretty!!!!" " Indeed it is." Twilight turned at the sound of the new voice, and blushed red. A tall, almost buff male changeling emerged from the bushes on the path to the hive. His wild green hair flitted in the breeze. His eyes twinkled with emerald mischief. And he was blushing green too. " King -merald!!!" Nyx greeted. " Hello Nyx. Hello Magi." He said in his cheerful/serious voice. Twilight smirked, noticing that both of their blushes didn't disappear. " Salutations, Striker. I didn't know we were supposed to have a meeting. Should i call the rest of the Unity Squad?" Metamorphosis chuckled. " Aw, come on Twi. I was trying to be suave." " What? For me?" She teased. Metamorphosis' blush got bigger, but he took it in stride. " Maaaayyyybe. Anyway," He looked at Nyx. "Nyx? Could you tell the other's we're coming over? We'll follow. We just need something to discuss." He said gently. The young nymph nodded and flew out of Twilight's mane, bowing to both before buzzing away. Now that they were alone, Twilight looked at Metamorphosis seriously. " Okay, what's wrong, Morphy?" She asked as they hugged properly. Metamorphosis sighed as they pulled away. " I... It's hard to explain my situation right now." " Would a memory copy work?" "...hmm... Never thought of that. This is why you're the brains leader, Twilight." He said as he lit up his horn. Twilight giggled, but as his horn touched hers and the memories filed in, she frowned. Her weird eyes flared for a bit. " So... Your mother's got this plan that you have to play along to.... and you don't know what to do since you don't know the plan exactly except that you were supposed to come back in Canterlot, befriend me, then work your way so that the Princess trusts you more." Metamorphosis nodded gravely. " That's the gist of it yes." Twilight thought a moment, her eyes scanning Metamorphosis. He felt a little self-conscious at her magical stare. " Well, we need more planning, but would it be okay if.." She touched her horn with his so suddenly, noses an inch away. Metamorphosis' blush flared again, but he analyzed the plan sent to his brain. He managed a smile. " Hey, that could work!" He said. Twilight smiled too. " Great! Now we just need to go to Jason and the changelings of the Everfree and tell them what to do." " Sounds like a plan, Magi." Metamorphosis grinned as he held out his hoof with a blush. Twilight's blush came back too, but she took it and smiled back. " Lead on, Striker." All-Around and SpySpike growled loudly as he struggled to pull the gem filled cart for his pretty unicorn partner. They had been mining the whole day, and was now trying to head back to Ponyville before it got too dark. " Come on Spikey! We're almost there~" Rarity said. Spike grinned weakly as he just nodded. Anything for his friend. From there they trudged on in mutual silence, admiring how pretty the stars were as they come out, the moon as it shone, and the song of the wind. " Say, Spikey...." Rarity said, cutting the silence short. " Y-Yeah, Rares?" Spike replied as he pulled the wagon off a ditch. " Do you know of the famous Raid of AM in Canterlot?" Spike froze. " Where did that question came from?" Rarity shrugged. " It's just it popped into my mind recently. I recall a group of actual heroes and heroines appearing and helping the Princess stop the raid, and i remember one was a dragon, with the name is All-around. I thought-" " That i knew him or something?" Spike finished. " Yes. Something of that sort. " Rarity agreed. Spike smiled inwardly, but frowned in thought outside. " Never knew any other dragon that can tolerate ponies, much less save them, so maybe I'm not alone in this pony eat dragon world." He said dramatically. " Oh Spikey, I'm serious." Rarity giggled. " No you're not. You're Rarity." Spike retorted with a sly grin. " Oh were did you learn those moves?" Rarity asked with a pleasant smile. Spike thought of a certain battlescarred changeling. " No pony." He said in a way that made Rarity hesitate for a second. But she shrugged it off, not noticing Spike's silent laughter. They were reaching the end of the barren field, and Rarity spoke again. " Can't you help but wonder though...." She began. " Wonder what?" Spike asked. " Who the Unity Squad are in real life. I've always wondered how a team of different creatures managed to stay and work together. I mean, i only know of you and Twilight to be the dragon and pony to have a mother son relationship." " That's because she hatched me from an egg. Also, I love her like i love gems. I'm a pretty awesome son." Spike said proudly. Rarity reached over and scratched his scaly head. " Of course you are! Now let's continue on, shall we?" " We shall!" Spike said, less tired after that conversation about his being an awesome son. Spike looked at the library door in confusion, as it was locked and there was clearly no pony inside. He sniffed the air, then chuckled. He was right, No pony. But there was someling in there. Spike looked around, and when was no one in sight, turned his claw into a key. He slipped it inside the knob, opened the door and went inside. Spike locked the door back, and immediately darkness swallowed him. He smirked, then with a single breath, wreathed his hand in flames. He was careful at maneuvering the hand around though, he didnt want to invoke his mother's wrath if he burned the library down. After a few minutes of searching, Spike pin-pointed the scent to be- " D r a g o n....." He froze on the spot. " D o n t y o u k n o w h o w h o g r e e t a n o l d p a l?" Wait, that's a pretty familiar line- " T u r n a r o u n d a n d s h a k e m y h o o f." Spike felt all fear wash out of him, but he played along and turned. He frowned and waited. But nobody came. " Wait, no-" A purple mass of fur and feathers attacked him from behind, rolling them around until the attacker was above him, pinning the dragon to the floor. " You've still got slow reflexes, even after all those years, don't ya All-Around?" She said. Spike widened his eyes at the purple pegasus. If one would look for a second, one would say this was Twilight. But it was not, for they just looked the same except for cutiemark, tribe and mane color. " Spy- er, April! What brings you here?" Spike smiled nervously, tensing his sides to prepare for a tickle attack. Luckily April just flew off him and smiled. " Nothing much. But before i say anything, did you get that reference?" She grinned expectantly. " Y-yeah. For a second there you actually scared me until i realized those lines were from your favorite game... Under... Tail? I think." Spike smiled back, happy to see an old friend. April waved the praise away. " Nah, was nothing. But back to why I'm here in this time of day..." She flew to the spot beside the shaken dragon. " Dya happen to see or know where Magi is? She's obviously not here, unless she can hide within the tree trunk." Spike shook his head. " Not sure. Either she's visiting the hive or somewhere on a misadventure with Jason." April smiled. " Perfect then! I have something to report to the three of you, assuming you didn't get the letter yet." Spike frowned. " What lette- AUDBINXKCJDINF!" Before he even finished that question, he burped out a column of fire and a piece of parchment materialized in the air in front of him. Spike recovered enough though to catch it in his claw before it fell. April smirked. Spike ignored her as he opened and read the scroll, but later it fell out of his clutch and he stood there in shock. April grinned. "So...?" Spike blinked. " Mom will so kill Shining for not telling her in person." April's grin got wider. " Then let's go get that blockhead killed!" Author's Note New chapter... Sorry again for my [REDACTED] writing.
Gaion of the EverfreeEquestria is a magical place. Full of wonders and undiscovered mysteries. One such puzzling site is the EverFree Forest. A place rumored to have a mind of it's own, with sentient plants and creatures so deadly if encountered. Sightings of a Hydra, a manticore, a chimera and even Timberwolves prooved the place was on not to be taken lightly. There was one more rumor though, that when told sent a shiver down anypony's spine. About a particular creature, so rare that it was both wished and thought to be extinct, that had been glimpsed among the vines. A creature, called a Gaion. These creatures are massive and strong, almost like the dinosaur T-rex. The only difference was this beast was entirely made of bones. Only animated by their mother's magic, as they were born dead. They are indestructable, nearly impossible to take down. They have teeth as sharp as swords, jaws strong enough to crumple titanium, eyes that can see through the dark, and a tail that can morph into any bladed weapon. Nature wasn't done in making this beast almost undefeatable yet, as it's next quirk was the one most feared out of all others: it's ability to radiate emotion. All ponies and creatures alike that are in it's radius, depending on how strong the Gaion is, immediately feel and act upon the emotion it is giving out. A few cases of a Lustful Gaion found sleeping under a town or village had caused that town's population to erupt ridiculously in a short amount of time. Cases of a gleeful Gaion caused multiple law breaks and daredevil stunts among even Pegasi cities, which are high up the air. Gaions were dangerous, and even as the Princesses drove them away, as they cannot really kill them, smaller Gaions were seen now and then, and seeing one was a big deal. No one has ever defeated a Gaion before, as they are only defeated truly if they are to be dissolved into pure emotion, absorbed into one's heart and overcome that strong feeling. That is why, when it was rumored that the Everfree had a Gaion, everyone steered clear of the forest much more than before. Which was prooved helpful at hiding Jason Sparkle, a juvenile Gaion who wanted to stay close to his mother. He had been hiding in the Caves of Canterlot before when he grew bigger than a raptor, but when he heard his mother was transferred to Ponyville, he was there by midnight, startling the frick out of his mother and brother. He then marked the entire Everfree as his territory, thus making him the top of the foodchain. It gave him the authority to order the other massive beasts around, since he was technically unkillable. It made both Ponyville and the Forest safer than any other place in Equestria, which was another plus since he wasn't alone when he came to Ponyville. On his way to the town that night, His mother's friends met him halfway, with a small swarm of their kind. " They're helpless, Jason." The Prince said. " They are wounded, for they are like us, who are against treating ponies like food." The Spy said. " We were about to waste away in the lower catacombs when Prince Metamorphosis saved us." One little nymph muttered fearfully at Jason. " We are grateful that the Prince was secretly on our side, and ever more when he brought us out of that wretched hole." One soldier said. " You see, Jayjay? They need our help." The Prince concluded. Jason had no hesitation that night, but he had one worry that he had addressed. "Sigurado ka ba na walang traydor sa imohang grupo? " ( Are you sure there are no traitors in your group?) He had asked in native Gaion language, to avoid anyone other than Prince and Spy to understand. Prince nodded with a smile. " Walay traydor, Jason. Akoang gisigurado. " (No traitors, Jason. I made sure of it.) " Sure jud ka? " (Are you really sure?) " Sure kaayo. " (Really sure) That night too, Jason had brought the Exiles with him to meet with his mother. They had strangely no reaction with taking instructions from a pony, and one even went so far to call her " Queen Amethyst". But it had went well, and with a continuous barrage of teleportation spells that still went on to this day, they had emptied a local volcano clean for a new hidden hive. He was currently guarding that hive, quite a strange sight too, as a Gaion like him and changelings like them are natural Prey and Predator. It took a while to gain each other's trust, but slowly they had reached a common point. Nymphs of any age now wanted to crawl all over him, and the parents were trusting of him enough to let him nymphsit their clutch as they worked the hive. Jason trusted them enough to know they wont rattle their hideout to the Evil Queen, and for them to not leech off Ponyville's love too much. It was, once again, a work in progress. Jason yawned as he laid near the entrance/exit of the hive, Head towards the way in/out. He had been noticing nothing but nymphs running in and out since the hive first started, so he felt confident that no one will invade today. Besides, the rest of the forest was under his command, and the massive beasts fear him enough to not snack on anything with his mark on it: a mask of purple magical aura over their own. Jason heaved another sigh as boredom soaked in his bones. He wondered what his mother was doing.
Mysterious FarmerIt was a beautiful harvest day in Sweet Apple Acres. A variety of apples hung ripe from every tree. The sun was rising, and the rooster is crowing. A perfect day for applebucking. Yet there was no Applejack nor Big Macintosh around to be seen. Instead, a strange pony in a navy blue cloak with the hood on was gathering the harvest. Each kick dropped every ripe fruit. Each tree filled each basket. Each basket was then sent to the barn, where a hidden Applebloom was watching with wide eyes. This pony had came out of nowhere, appearing right after Miss Twilight had gone back to the library to get some cure for Applejack's magical drain. At first they thought it was Twilight, since the fur that's showing was a similar lavender, but they dismissed it, seeing as the pony in the cloak was really an Earthpony with how hard she/he can kick. The pony had nearly cleared a quarter of the orchard, sending baskets full of apples in front of the barn. Applebloom wondered who was under that cloak. He seemed like a good pony, maybe a Ponyvillian, because he probably heard Applejack's dilemma to come and help. By now Applebloom grew tired of hiding and guessing, so she skiddadled to the pony in the cloak. " Mister!!!" She called hopefully. The pony froze, then slowly turned around. Applebloom could see under the hood that there were two glows of soft lavender light. " Who are ya? Why are ya helping with the harvest?!" She yelled curiously. The pony slowly backed away, then looked at the now finished half of the orchard he had bucked clean. He looked back at Applebloom, and the filly could feel him smile under the hood. He bowed, before turning to run away. " H-Hey!! Wait!!" Applebloom started to give chase. The pony ran a zigzag through the trees, getting faster and faster as Applebloom's little legs went slower and slower. " At least let us thank ya first!!" Applebloom tried again. But as she turned around a tree, the pony was gone with no trace. Giving up after a half-hour search, Applebloom went back to the barn, where she was met with a resurrected Applejack, Big Mac, and Granny smith. " Who... B-Bucked these?" Applejack said, voice still raspy. Applebloom started to explain. " When miss Twilight went out this pony in a navy blue cloak came runnin' in and started bucking them trees! Bucked half of the orchard too! Ah went to them ta ask them who they were and why they were helpin when they bowed then ran away! I chased them, then after a good minute they disappeared!" Applejack frowned. " A pony in a navy blue cloak? Help us? ...Why?" " Ah dunno! Wait, why are ye up?" Applebloom finally noticed. " Twiligh' came back and gave me a cure. Twas a weird juice glowy thing, but it gave me mah magic back." " But ye still have ta rest." Big Mac reminded. " Okay! Ah know! No need ta rub it in mah face, Mac. Anyway, how bout we discuss more bout this pony in a cloak inside, while I-" " Eh hem...." Mac began. " Just haulin them in tha cellar Mac, Jeez!" Far away, hidden in a bush, a pair of eyes with two pupils of galaxy in a cresent moon and a star shape glinted with mischief under a navy blue hood. " D'ya think ya can research bout that pony, Twi?" Applejack asked the day after the impromptu helping mystery pony. Twilight blinked her purple eyes, frowing. " He was wearing a navy blue cloak right? And as Applebloom said, glowing purple eyes?" " Yah, an earthpony too. Strong one. But ah don't think it's a boy." " Oh? What makes you say that?" " From da way Applebloom described his kicks and size, it was a gurl. About your frame too, Twi." " Huh, but why so strong?" " Ah dunno myself- why are you grinning?" Indeed, the purple unicorn was grinning. But when Applejack pointed it out, she just kept grinning. " What? Oh, grinning. I'm just excited to find out more about this mystery pony! She could be a lost wizard, or a friend of StarSwirl's! Maybe even an incognito superpony!" " Superpony? Ah didn't think a mare as bright as you would believe such things." Twilight looked offended. " Hey, superponies are real! Princess Celestia even comfirmed a group of them about a few years ago in Canterlot! I've seen them in action myself." " Wait, really?" Applejack looked intrigued. " Really! See, when that big raid occured in Canterlot, the Raid of AM, it was so widespread that Princess Celestia couldn't handle every bandit. It was getting worse, until five superponies suddenly came out of nowhere." " Five?" " Yeah, and they were sighted in many places, though rarely. They were known as the Unity Squad, since they seemed to be different creatures in a team." " How does that work?" " I don't know, but they managed. The two leaders of the team, Magi and Striker, a unicorn and a... uh, they don't know his kind, helped Princess Celestia up north. All-Around, a dragon, took west. Spy, another like Striker, took east. And Brute, a skeleton dinosaur thing, took south." " Did they drive them out?" " No! The Unity Squad captured them all. But before Princess Celestia even got to know them, they disappeared." Suddenly, Twilight's eyes widened. " Wait! I know who that mystery pony is!" Applejack jumped at Twilight's sudden idea. " Who then?" " It's Magi! That day in Canterlot, many witnesses reported she wore a navy blue cloak and two purple glows were shining from under her hood!" " Why would Magi be here? Why would she help us Apples?" Applejack questioned. " Remember when i said they were seen sometimes but rarely?!" Twilight said excitedly. " It's because they help little towns with simple things, as Equestria is a peaceful place. You guys are lucky that Magi was here when you had a magical drain!" " Yeah, sure was. Now we only have half the orchard ro harvest thanks ta her. Wish we had a way ta thank her." " Oh, you don't need to. She probably already heard this entire conversation." Twilight said with a smile. " What?!" Applejack asked, shocked. " Magi can hear fairly far, and she finds it amusing if she hears the ponies wonder who helped them." "Oh... wait, why do you know so much about Magi?" Applejack said suspiciously. Twilight shrugged. " I'm a big fan, i guess. All fillies in Canterlot, since seeing the Unity Squad, wanted to become like Magi. And all boys wanted to become Striker. ....dunno why?"
The Badlands PrinceIn the midst of the wastelands, a barren-looking Castle of obsidian stood strong. Winds of scorching hot dust and small tornados of sand swirled around it's numerous rock spires, and black insect-like creatures patrolled the area day and night. Inside, numerous of the different kinds of black creatures scuttled around, doing and fulfilling each order and task given by the Prince and Queen. The Queen herself was larger than all others, the Prince slightly bigger than the largest soldier. The Queen's quarters is also located at the heart and soul of the hive, making it the most vulnerable or the most safe room in the palace. But in this hive, that is not the case. For the Queen herself is the weapon that the room was keeping safe from her surroundings. " My Queen, please Calm down!" A young stallion equivalent of the insect creatures said to his mother. The Queen would not heed, as she cast spell after spell at a shining object on a pedestal. " Come. On. Break! Shatter! Activate! DIE!" She cast one last massive spell on the amulet, which simply absorbed the spell and continued to sit prettily on the stand. Horn smoking like her temper, The Queen growled and resorted to smashing the red amulet with a bare hoof. It barely even moved. " After all that..." She gasped out. " Nothing?!" The Prince mistakenly judged his mother's temper and started to critique the piece of jewelry. " It is the second most powerful artifact known to Ponydom, Mother. Nothing will be able to break it, other than a spell worth of it's caliber." " I am worthy of it's Caliber!!!" The Queen snarled, shattering the stone under her hoof. The Prince flinched. " Yet I cannot break it!!" She continued. The Prince tore his frightened eyes away from his seething mother and focused instead on the object of frustration. Such a little thing, an alicorn shaped ruby encrusted on a gold amulet. Stolen during the Raid of AM in the archives, near that magical vault. They were never able to measure it's power, which resulted to his Queen's current test of strength. " Perhaps..." The Queen stated quite calmly, a sudden moodshift that drove the Prince's attention back to her. " Perhaps it would be best, if i hold on Project Ruby for now." The amulet floated in the air as it was encased in a green, poisonous glow, and vanished in a pop. " We will never be able to divide our time with what's to come." She snarled. The Prince grimaced inside at the mention of the other plan. The Queen started to calm herself, before looking at her heir. " You do recall Plan Alpha, do you?" The voice was sickly sweet, yet cold and sent shivers up the prince's spine. " O-Of course mother." Prince stammered, mustering his courage and composure. " Good. Then you know in a few days you should be in position." " Yes mother." A long, somber silence. " Recite thy plan." The Queen ordered in a steely voice. On instinct and the Queen's voice telling him to, the Prince recited the plan in hisses, clicks and buzzing sounds. The Queen looked satisfied. " Verrrrryyyy Good, Prince Metamorphosis. Now carry on, my son. Leave the rest to me, and just focus on fulfilling your part. Because if you fail...." She let the threat hang in the air. Metamorphosis bowed low. " Y-Yes of course, dear mother. See you then." As Metamorphosis trudged the tunnel out of the Palace, he pondered on what the heck to do. He never wanted this plan to work, but he had to act, to keep all those allies he had in the hive safe for the time being. He passed a couple secret ally guards, who greeted him in their secret gesture; a hoof on the right chest before bowing. He returned the gesture, and was met by two pairs of solid blue eyes. " Unsa may plano nimo para aning plano sa Reyna?! " (What's your plan for the Queen's plan?!) One guard said in a low Gaion language. " Wala pa ko kabalo, pangutan-on pa nako si Magi. " ( I do not know yet, i still need to ask Magi.) Metamorphosis replied. The other guard nodded. " Sigi. Maghulat rami sa imong signal sa aming mga singsing. " ( Okay. We await your signal in our rings.) Ah, the communicator rings. Little bands of metal that connected his allies by the horn, made by Magi and BattleScar. Only used in an emergency, which will connect the user's mind to the one they wanted to contact, as long as that pony had his ring on. It was also almost undetectable, masked off the Queen's hivemind and from the other lings. Metamorphosis nodded in return. " Tama. Huwata akong signal, unya kamo na'y bahala unsaon ninyo pagtakas gikan diri. " ( Right. Wait for my signal, then it's up to you to figure out how to escape this place.) They saluted, and Metamorphosis went on his way. The changelings in the hidden hive were all their exile allies, exiled because of being weak. Metamorphosis wanted to see the look on his mother's face once she saw the Exiles in the battlefield. On another hoof, despite the confidence that his allies will side him if the need be, he still couldn't set his mind straight. He couldn't find or think of a way to stop this plan without clearly sabotaging it. He needed to stay incognito. Metamorphosis' hoof slowly reached out to his crooked horn. He could clearly feel the ring. Hmm.... one swift thought.... He lowered his hoof. No, he couldn't contact Magi in a mindreader's hive. He needed to be there personally. But his time to come back from 'vacation' have yet to come.... He blinked then smiled. Early returns were a thing these days, though.
Commander AlchemyA strong, bulk, powerful but old gray unicorn strode the Canterlot Castle in his golden armor in deep thought. His dusty white eyebrows knit in a thinking fashion as his hoofsteps echoed the halls. He had been like this since morning, and it was because of a tingle that occured in his horn's ring. It had seemed like somepony in his connection wanted to connect, but then cancelled. Was it by force? A surprise attack? Or a second thought? That was what was worrying him, and the fact that he couldn't go to Ponyville like he planned this day. Apparently, security needed to increase this particular string of weeks because of some occasion. He had heard nothing from the nobles for they would stride out of earshot, and the sun princess never told him anything. But before he acted on flying to Ponyville anyway, he was sent a message to come to the throne room, which he was going to this moment. He strode through familiar old halls, looking at the scenery, and the paintings of the old students of the sun. Popping from his mind, a certain troupe of five creatures, had once traversed this very hall. Playing, Training, or just lolly-gagging, they had a blast at cheering themselves up and the very castle itself. Now that they had grown up, memories were still fresh, but the Castle had went back into it's ancient state of foreboding, and because of the lack of foal's laughter, dark and dreary. He sighed. He did not notice he had arrived to his destination tough, causing him him to bump his nose on the throne room door, in a similar fashion as one small purple filly always did. He chuckled, and pushed open the door. A majestic hallway greeted him ominously, stained glass windows portraying Equestria's history shining odd colors of light in his sensitive eyes. The red carpet looked like blood, and the tiles were too shiny and slippery. Perhaps not the best decoration for a throne room? " Commander Alchemy, welcome!" Said a melodious voice. Alchemy looked up and saw a powerful, tall white alicorn, seated on her throne with two ponies in front of her. He squinted, and found it was his subordinate Shining Armor and... the Princess of love? He bowed, despite the still uneasy feeling of bowing to someone not his Queen. " Oh, stop that Al! You're practically family!" Shining Armor teased. " Oh, stop that Captain Armor. You're actually my subordinate." Alchemy shot back. Shining Armor flinched, and both alicorns giggled. " Still sarcastic, aren't we, Commander?" Celestia smiled. " No, Still sarcastic, arent I, princess. Not aren't we." He grinned. Cadence laughed out loud. " You never told me your Commander had a sense of humor, Shiny." " Oh? Is that right, Subordinate? What have you been telling the Princess of Love about me?" Alchemy grinned at Shining. " Nothing bad sir." " Then what was that bit of 'Monster of Quadrant 4' about?" Princess Cadence teased. " That's enough you two. I think Shining Armor is already as red as he can be." Princess Celestia grinned at the two laughing teasers. " Fine, Killjoy Princess. What have you called me for here anyway?" Alchemy asked. Princess Celestia's grin widened. " It has come to my attention that you are clueless on what the security increase is for." Shining Armor flinched again. " And so is Captain Armor's adoptive sister. So i took it upon myself to inform the both of you. Shining Armor, Cadence, if you please." Alchemy looked at the pair expectantly. They stood up, held hooves, and said as one: " We'll be married next week!"
ReunionTwilight looked at the forest around her, wondering how much of it has changed since Jason took authority. Ever since her 'son' had moved in, the creatures were more nicer. Or at least they didn't bite your head off on sight. They had pointed her to the right direction in and out of the forest, helped her get across ravines, and one time a hydra even let her ride it's head to cross the Ghastly Gorge. But then she was told that ponies who didn't have Jason's scent were treated like before he moved in, but luckily no one but her, Pinkie, Fluttershy and Zecora ever set hoof in the forest that she knew of. Anyway, it was the middle of the night and she was going in to check on the hive, to see how the builders were doing. They had insisted on turning the slowly emptying volcano like their old home, but more homey than sinister, so she was more than happy to help. It took daily teleportation of the magma to the middle of the ocean to make it livable, but at least Twilight can sleep soundly that no nymphs will go rolling off a cliff straight to lava. Twilight continued her trek, Some monsters peeking out as they smelled a lot of Jason on her. She was his mother after all. Twilight stopped though, and the monster heads shrunk back to their hiding place. It was a fairly good trick if she does say so herself. The purple mare turned, and almost screamed in shock. Two solid green eyes looked back at her from a bush. Calming herself, she tilted her head. The head inside the bush did so as well. Twilight smiled. She then placed her hoof on her right chest, and the nymph in the bush ran out to her and squealed. " Queen -methyst!" The little one gurgled. Twilight laughed, despite still not knowing why they started calling her that. " Hello little one. Wait, oh! That's you isn't it, Nyx?" Nyx the nymph grinned a fanged little smile, and rushed to lay under Twilight's long mane. Funny how both Spike, Jason and then the nymphs loved that spot. " What were you doing out here, Nyx?" Twilight asked as she looked at the nymph on her back. Nyx smiled wider. " Smelled Queen from mile away. Also, wanted to see Queen's eyes!" To a normal pony, that would have been weird, but to Twilight, it was normal. She grinned herself, and looked at Nyx straight in the eyes. Twilight's pupils started to replace the black within with a swirling galaxy, and the pupils themselves turned into a cresent moon and a star. Nyx laughed. " Pretty!!!!" " Indeed it is." Twilight turned at the sound of the new voice, and blushed red. A tall, almost buff male changeling emerged from the bushes on the path to the hive. His wild green hair flitted in the breeze. His eyes twinkled with emerald mischief. And he was blushing green too. " King -merald!!!" Nyx greeted. " Hello Nyx. Hello Magi." He said in his cheerful/serious voice. Twilight smirked, noticing that both of their blushes didn't disappear. " Salutations, Striker. I didn't know we were supposed to have a meeting. Should i call the rest of the Unity Squad?" Metamorphosis chuckled. " Aw, come on Twi. I was trying to be suave." " What? For me?" She teased. Metamorphosis' blush got bigger, but he took it in stride. " Maaaayyyybe. Anyway," He looked at Nyx. "Nyx? Could you tell the other's we're coming over? We'll follow. We just need something to discuss." He said gently. The young nymph nodded and flew out of Twilight's mane, bowing to both before buzzing away. Now that they were alone, Twilight looked at Metamorphosis seriously. " Okay, what's wrong, Morphy?" She asked as they hugged properly. Metamorphosis sighed as they pulled away. " I... It's hard to explain my situation right now." " Would a memory copy work?" "...hmm... Never thought of that. This is why you're the brains leader, Twilight." He said as he lit up his horn. Twilight giggled, but as his horn touched hers and the memories filed in, she frowned. Her weird eyes flared for a bit. " So... Your mother's got this plan that you have to play along to.... and you don't know what to do since you don't know the plan exactly except that you were supposed to come back in Canterlot, befriend me, then work your way so that the Princess trusts you more." Metamorphosis nodded gravely. " That's the gist of it yes." Twilight thought a moment, her eyes scanning Metamorphosis. He felt a little self-conscious at her magical stare. " Well, we need more planning, but would it be okay if.." She touched her horn with his so suddenly, noses an inch away. Metamorphosis' blush flared again, but he analyzed the plan sent to his brain. He managed a smile. " Hey, that could work!" He said. Twilight smiled too. " Great! Now we just need to go to Jason and the changelings of the Everfree and tell them what to do." " Sounds like a plan, Magi." Metamorphosis grinned as he held out his hoof with a blush. Twilight's blush came back too, but she took it and smiled back. " Lead on, Striker."
All-Around and SpySpike growled loudly as he struggled to pull the gem filled cart for his pretty unicorn partner. They had been mining the whole day, and was now trying to head back to Ponyville before it got too dark. " Come on Spikey! We're almost there~" Rarity said. Spike grinned weakly as he just nodded. Anything for his friend. From there they trudged on in mutual silence, admiring how pretty the stars were as they come out, the moon as it shone, and the song of the wind. " Say, Spikey...." Rarity said, cutting the silence short. " Y-Yeah, Rares?" Spike replied as he pulled the wagon off a ditch. " Do you know of the famous Raid of AM in Canterlot?" Spike froze. " Where did that question came from?" Rarity shrugged. " It's just it popped into my mind recently. I recall a group of actual heroes and heroines appearing and helping the Princess stop the raid, and i remember one was a dragon, with the name is All-around. I thought-" " That i knew him or something?" Spike finished. " Yes. Something of that sort. " Rarity agreed. Spike smiled inwardly, but frowned in thought outside. " Never knew any other dragon that can tolerate ponies, much less save them, so maybe I'm not alone in this pony eat dragon world." He said dramatically. " Oh Spikey, I'm serious." Rarity giggled. " No you're not. You're Rarity." Spike retorted with a sly grin. " Oh were did you learn those moves?" Rarity asked with a pleasant smile. Spike thought of a certain battlescarred changeling. " No pony." He said in a way that made Rarity hesitate for a second. But she shrugged it off, not noticing Spike's silent laughter. They were reaching the end of the barren field, and Rarity spoke again. " Can't you help but wonder though...." She began. " Wonder what?" Spike asked. " Who the Unity Squad are in real life. I've always wondered how a team of different creatures managed to stay and work together. I mean, i only know of you and Twilight to be the dragon and pony to have a mother son relationship." " That's because she hatched me from an egg. Also, I love her like i love gems. I'm a pretty awesome son." Spike said proudly. Rarity reached over and scratched his scaly head. " Of course you are! Now let's continue on, shall we?" " We shall!" Spike said, less tired after that conversation about his being an awesome son. Spike looked at the library door in confusion, as it was locked and there was clearly no pony inside. He sniffed the air, then chuckled. He was right, No pony. But there was someling in there. Spike looked around, and when was no one in sight, turned his claw into a key. He slipped it inside the knob, opened the door and went inside. Spike locked the door back, and immediately darkness swallowed him. He smirked, then with a single breath, wreathed his hand in flames. He was careful at maneuvering the hand around though, he didnt want to invoke his mother's wrath if he burned the library down. After a few minutes of searching, Spike pin-pointed the scent to be- " D r a g o n....." He froze on the spot. " D o n t y o u k n o w h o w h o g r e e t a n o l d p a l?" Wait, that's a pretty familiar line- " T u r n a r o u n d a n d s h a k e m y h o o f." Spike felt all fear wash out of him, but he played along and turned. He frowned and waited. But nobody came. " Wait, no-" A purple mass of fur and feathers attacked him from behind, rolling them around until the attacker was above him, pinning the dragon to the floor. " You've still got slow reflexes, even after all those years, don't ya All-Around?" She said. Spike widened his eyes at the purple pegasus. If one would look for a second, one would say this was Twilight. But it was not, for they just looked the same except for cutiemark, tribe and mane color. " Spy- er, April! What brings you here?" Spike smiled nervously, tensing his sides to prepare for a tickle attack. Luckily April just flew off him and smiled. " Nothing much. But before i say anything, did you get that reference?" She grinned expectantly. " Y-yeah. For a second there you actually scared me until i realized those lines were from your favorite game... Under... Tail? I think." Spike smiled back, happy to see an old friend. April waved the praise away. " Nah, was nothing. But back to why I'm here in this time of day..." She flew to the spot beside the shaken dragon. " Dya happen to see or know where Magi is? She's obviously not here, unless she can hide within the tree trunk." Spike shook his head. " Not sure. Either she's visiting the hive or somewhere on a misadventure with Jason." April smiled. " Perfect then! I have something to report to the three of you, assuming you didn't get the letter yet." Spike frowned. " What lette- AUDBINXKCJDINF!" Before he even finished that question, he burped out a column of fire and a piece of parchment materialized in the air in front of him. Spike recovered enough though to catch it in his claw before it fell. April smirked. Spike ignored her as he opened and read the scroll, but later it fell out of his clutch and he stood there in shock. April grinned. "So...?" Spike blinked. " Mom will so kill Shining for not telling her in person." April's grin got wider. " Then let's go get that blockhead killed!" Author's Note New chapter... Sorry again for my [REDACTED] writing.
