Equilibrium, Book 1: The First Human.

November 12, 1000 C.E.
7:02 A.M.

Today is finally the big day. Dash's party is tonight. Still not sure about all of this. John paused as he let out a breath. Today is just to important to screw up. Here's praying that all goes well. John closed his journal and slid it in his drawer. Then he got to his feet, got dressed, grabbed his backpack and headed out to the fields to meet up with Hot Shot.

7:17 A.M.

Hot Shot flew alongside John as the two soared through the air.

"Good!" Hot Shot called out over the roar of the wind rushing past them.

"Now bank left!" John abaid as the two pulled to the left. Hot Shot gave him a nod.

"And Right!" He shouted as they did so. Hot Shot smiled as he looked around.

"You'll be flying solo for a few seconds." He yelled as he banked off to the left to go and grab a cloud. John gave him a nod as he focused on the airspace around him. Suddenly his vision was obscured by white.

"Think Fast!" Reacting on pure instinct john drooped one wing while lifting the other. He performed yet another barrel roll this time managing to get around the sudden cloud and come out on the other side not ready to puke.

"Great!" Hot Shot said as he joined John and helped guide him to the landing pad. Once on the cloud close to the ground John took off his helmet and gave Hot Shot a thumbs up.

"Awsome." He said as he caught his breath. Looking out across the sky he wondered as his face contorted from happiness to a frown.

"There's no way I'll be ready for this tonight." He said as he took a seat on the ground. Hot Shot gave John a smile.

"Come on dude you'll be fine." He said slapping John on the back. John flinched but the then let out a sigh as he stood up.

"I just don't know about this." He said as he looked off to see Dash's cloud house on the other side of town.

"She hasn't really stopped by either the spa or sugar cube corner in the past few day's." He looked back to Hot Shot as he cradle his helmet underneath his arm.

"I don't think she wants to see me." He stated as he got back on the cloud. Hot Shot just grinned.

"If you feel like that then why are you going back up there?" He a smug grin on his face. John just shrugged.

"I guess that if this is the last time I get to see her for awhile then I want it to be spectacular you know. Go out with a bang instead of a whimper." Hot Shot shook his head but still ept his grin.

"Trust me dude after this she'll be all over you." John just stood there blushing furiously as he tried to keep his mind out of the gutter. He shook it and got his focus back.

"Let's just keep practicing ok?" Ask as he stood on the cloud and waited for Hot Shot to ferry him up into the air. Hot Shot did so with a devious grin on his face the whole time.

"If only you knew big guy."

8:13 A.M.

Dash paced back and forth as she trotted around Rarity's shop.

"What is taking her so long!" She looked at the art's room and rolled her eyes.

"She can't be that busy. She invited me over saying it was urgant." She looked again and was relieved to see the handle glowing a soft majestic blue.

"Yes, yes, yes, yes!" She pranced around in place as the door opened and out stepped Rarity looking more or less herself.

"Ah Rainbow hello darling." She looked at the clock and smiled.

"Perfect timing." She thought as she trotted ver and gave her friend a hug.

"Now to keep her busy all day." She smiled as finally gave Dash a once over.

"Rainbow daring not to be rude but our first stop for today is the spa." Dash froze as she looked at Rarity with abject horror.

"Uh sorry rarity but I really don't think that's a good idea." She said as she nervously rubbed one hoof with the other. rarity gave her friend a sly grin and grabbed her with her magic.

"Oh don't worry dear I've already got our day planned out and payed for. Off to glorious relaxation we go." Her horn lit up and in a flash she and Rainbow were gone.

Ponyville Spa.
8:15 A.M.

Once the two had arrived they were immediately treated to the V.I.P experience. Dash looked around nervously as she and Rarity were ead throughout the hall's of the spa. Rarity noticed and giggled into a hoof.

"Looking for somepony dear?" She asked causing Dash to jump and give her an anxious grin.

"Who me? Nope. Not looking for anyon-pony." She corrected. Rarity pretended not to notice but her smile told otherwise. She shook her head while giggling. The two were lead to a room in the back that read V.I.P. Dash gave it a look of trepidation while Rarity was ecstatic. Aloe gave them a slight bow.

"Right this way you two." She said leading them into the room. She waved a hoof over to a pair of nearby massage beds. Rarity hopped into her's while Dash began to sweat. Her eye's began to dilate as her breathing intensified. Noticing the oncoming panic attack Dash took a deep breath and forced herself to hold it. When she let the breath go she noticed that the world had stopped spinning.

"Relax. He's not here today." She frowned as she thought about John and her avoidance of him over the past few weeks.

"Rainbow darling are you ok?" Rarity asked having seen the oncoming panic attack. Dash gave her a nod as she trotted over to her bed and got onto her bed and laid down.

"Ok dear's just you wait here and the masseuse will be right in." Aloe said as she left the room. The two layed there in silence for a time until Rarity cleared her throat.

"So Rainbow how've things been going for you and John?" Dash sighed as she tried and failed to think of a good way of going about explaining her current situation. Finally she just sucked up her fear's and chuckled at her childish behaviour.

"Well not to good Rarity." She said as she let out another sigh as she sat there lost in thought.

"we've both kind've been avoiding one another." She said as Rarity smirked.

"Oh so that's what's going on." Rarity giggled as she recalled John's plan for today. Dash gave her a soft glare.

"What's so funny?" She asked feeling her cheeks blush. Rarity fixed Dash with a sultry wink.

"A good old lover's quarrel is what's going on. And the best part is you both don't even know it." Dash's face lit up like a christmas tree at the accusation.

"Wh-ho-th-" She stuttered and sputtered out a response that was less than stellar. Rarity churtled as she waved a hoof to calm Dash down.

"Relax dear. You two haven't even made it to first base yet let alone gotten yourselves out of the dugout." She smiled as continued to blush up a storm. She shook her head to get rid of some rather lewd thoughts that began to surface in her mind. She glared at Rarity who simply smiled. She was about to riposte her words but he door slammed open startling both mare's who whipped there heads to the door and saw a big burly stallion standing there in the doorway.

"Hello to you fine mare's today." The stallion said in a thick Russian accent.

"My name is Roulette." He trotted over to the two and cracked his neck.

"Now if you please I shall now commence with the masseuse work." Dash looked over at Rarity with a look of trepidation.

"Just what did you sign us up for?" She asked as Roulette stalked towards them both. Rarity smiled as she just laid down and smirked.

"Just sit back and relax dear, Roulette is a great stallion for getting out stress." Dash slightly doubted that but she trusted her friend and laid down on her table.

Sweet Apple Acres.
4:45 P.M.

John lounged around on the couch at the farm house as he rested up from his day of training. The family had given him the day off but that only proved to stress him out even more than the past few days of crashing and failed attempts at landing using his parachute. He didn't have anything to distract him from his thoughts. He began to shake as he thought about all the ways tonight could go wrong.

"What if she isn't impressed? What if she's already with somepony else? What if-" His thoughts were interrupted as he felt a weight leap into his lap. he looked down to see Aion sitting there wagging his tail and giving him a big smile.

"Whatcha doin?" He asked as he stared up at him with his big red eyes. John just chuckled as he began to pat his little brother on the head.

"Oh nothing much little dude just resting." He said as he grabbed Aion and held him to his chest. Aion snuggled into his chest as he got comfortable. Aion let out giggle as he looked up at his brother.

"So how are things going with you and Dash?" He flushed slightly as he smiled and shook his head.

"Eh there going." He said as he wiggled around a little bit to get comfy. A chuckle from the doorway caught their attention. they both looked over to see Apple Bloom standing there giving them both a smile.

"So how are you two doing?" She asked as she trotted over and hopped on the couch with them. She snuggled up to John as much as she could with what space was left. She tickled Aion who squirmed around while she laid her head on John's chest.

"So how are you two doing?" She asked again. Aion just shrugged.

"Doing good." He said as he got up and crawled on top of Apple Bloom's head. She giggled as he got himself settled. She then looked over to John who had closed his eyes.

"How about you?" John cracked an eye open and gave them both a grin.

"Doing good." He said closing his eye and huffing. Apple Bloom let out a soft sigh as she rested her head on John's now empty chest.

"Why do y'all colts gotta be difficult?" She asked as both Aion and John laughed.

"Sorry sis but I just don't feel like talking all that much right now." He said as he let out a soft sigh. Apple Bloom jsu huffed as she began to nuzzle John's face. He scratched her behind the ears and she let out a soft hum of contentment. Applejack came strolling in and let out a soft chuckle as she looked at the trio.

"Howdy y'all." She said as she trotted in and sat down at the head of the couch grinning at her family all huddled together. John, Apple Bloom, and Aion all looked over and smiled.

"Hey sis." John said as he tussled her mane with his free hand. She let out a giggle as she leaned into his hand and let out a soft sigh.

"So you ready for tonight slick?" She asked as John sat there pondering. He sighed as he gave her a nod.

"As ready as I'll ever be." He stated as he looked off into space. AJ let a frown drift over her face as she just nodded. With what she and the other's had discussed with Fluttershy it would seem that the phantom's magic while gone had had a lasting impact on the pony or in this case humans mental state. Regardless AJ gave her brother a nuzzle as he lay there. She saw the barest hint of a smile cross over his face. That gave her hope, hope that he could beat this fowl state of mind he found himself stuck in.

"Well when you're out there brother do us all a favor and show Dash why she should pick you over anypony else." She smirked as John blushed and looked away from her staring off into the waning sunset.

5:15 P.M.

John, his family and the girls had set up the barn a little over four hours ago. Now all they had to do was wait on the guest of honor to get here. Rarity said she'd be bringing Dash by at around five thirty. That left John with fifteen minutes to prepare himself and his surprise. John got progressively more and more nervous as the time ticked away. Big Mac just chuckled as he trotted over and gave John a good slap on the back. He winced but gave his older brother a smile as well as a hug. Big Mac gave him one right back as well as a playful nuggie which got some laughs out of his little bro which seemed to calm him down a little.

"Better?" He asked as John nodded and flashed him a thumbs up.

"Much." He said as he looked off into the distance. The orchard looked stunning at this time of day. All of the apples still on the trees gave off a golden glow in the setting sun that mixed beautifully with the pink and purple hue's of the twilight afternoon.

"So you really going to go through with this?" Big Mac asked as he and John stood there. John exhalined a breath he'd been holding. He looked over to Big Mac and gave him a smile.

"Sure I am." He said as he thought about it more and more. Looking over as a snack table he couldn't help but laugh as Pinky Pie got caught up in some shenanigans with the C.M.C.

5:17 P.M.

"Thank's Rarity." Dash said as the two trotted down the road to Sweet Apple Acres. Rarity just scoffed and waved a hoof.

"Oh please darling it was nothing." She smirked.

"After all what are friends for when it's your birthday." Dash stopped and stared off into space.

"Birthday?" She asked as the pieces all fell into place.

"It's my birthday today!?" She shouted as she looked at Rarity who chuckled as she merely shook her head.

"Yes darling it is." She smiled as Dash caught up with her and smiled

"So this whole day at the spa?" She asked as Rarity nodded.

"Was one big relaxing distraction while the girl's and Applejack's family got everything ready." Dash blanched at that.

"So does that mean that?" Rarity smiled.

"Yes dear he'll be there as well." Dash flushed profusely but took a deep breath as she steeled her nerves.

"Ok Dash ou got this." She psyched herself up as she trotted next to Rarity. Rarity let out a giggle as he bumped Dash's fank.

"There's the mare we all know and love. Keep this up dear and you'll win his heart for sure." Dash flushed but didn't back down from Rarity's statement as she held her head high. That nagging voice in the back of her head lessened but it was still there. Still muttering that she was making a mistake and should go back to the one stallion that she'd longed for. she shook her head to clear the errant thoughts and focused on the here and now.

"Ok Rare's let's not keep everypony waiting!" Dash said as she grabbed Rarity and took off into the sky, Rarity letting out a high pitched unladylike scream the whole way.

5:20 P.M.

Spike had his eyes peeled for any sign of there chromatic maned friend and sure enough there was a blue speck on the horizon. He hopped down from his tree and hauled tail to the barn. He got there with seconds to spare.

"She's here!" He shouted as the group all scattered to find a hiding spot. Most of them ended up hiding in the rafters but a few of them found suitable places to hide amongst the bales of hay scattered all over the barn. The whole barn hushed as they heard Dash and Rarity land outside.

"Rainbow Darling if it wasn't your birthday today-." She threatened as Dash laughed her fank off.

"Oh man you should've seen the look on your face!" She said as she leaned against the barn so as to not fall over and ruin her rather pristine coat. Rarity glared at her.

"Glad you can still find amusement in the suffering of others Dash." She said as she pointed to the barn.

"Shall we?" She said as Dash let out a snicker. Once Dash stopped laughing she headed over to the door and let out a deep breath.

"Well let's do this." She said as a smile adorned her muzzle. With a smile on her face and a fire in her heart Dash opened the barn door.

November 14, 1000, C.E.
Ponyville General Hospital.

A soft rhythmic beeping filled the room as John's chest expanded and contracted with each breath he took. At his bedside sat Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and the whole of the Apple Family. Apple Bloom let out a soft sniff as she fought to keep her tear's in.

"H-he-he'll be ok won't he?" She asked as she hugged Big Mac tight. He looked at his brother and sniffed. His eyes never left but his voice quivered with fright.

"Apple Bloom, I-I just-" He let out a snort of anger as he stomped a hoof causing the tile floor underneath him to crack. Meanwhile Dash sat at the back of the group staring off into oblivion, a blank look on her face as her thoughts raced to find out how things had gotten so out of control. Suddenly her body gave out as she hit the floor with a thud. All at once she let out a whale of sorrow as she pounded the tile floor.

"WHY!" She shouted as she burst into tears. She felt a soft embrace envelop her and heard a soft voice in her ear.

"Shhh. It-I-'ll be ok." Fluttershy said as she too began to sob uncontrollably. She looked over at John and winced as she saw all of the bandages keeping his body held together while the medical magic of the nurse's kept him alive. The door flew open startling everypony present. They all turned to see an irait Twilight standing there looking to kill.

"Where is he!" She shouted as she stormed into the room. Granny Smith got up and stopped Twilight from going any further as she held the unicorn mare in place.

"Now looky here young miss yall need to calm down." She said as Twilight struggled against Granny's strength but she soon lost out as her anger subsided instead being replaced by sadness and tears as Granny held the young mare close.

"Shh, shh, now it's going to be ok." She said as she stroked Twilight's mane trying to sooth her troubled mind.

"Where is Soarin?" She asked now thinking more clearly as she looked at John's mangled form. The whole room dropped a few degrees. Fluttershy let out a growl as she looked at her son. Her eye's bore a fire in them that could only be extinguished by the blood of the one who did this. He however was currently locked away in the dungeons of Canterlot. She hated the princess's need for a fair trial but she had agreed to abide by there law's when she took up residence in Equestria.

"Don't you worry Twilight one way or another he'll pay for this." She said as she continued to hold and comfort Dash.

"They'll all pay for this." She muttered as a scowl formed on her face.