Knights of Equestria - Book 1: War of Eternal Night (New Version)

Chapters

Chapter 2 - Cat-Eyed Fledglings
Chapter 3 - A Ditzy Sparkling Encounter
Chapter 4 - Bubbly Balloons and Mirthful Melons
Chapter 5 - Honest Apples and Chipper Blooms
Chapter 6 - Loyal Bolts
Chapter 8 - Kind Butterflies and Timid Angels
Chapter 9 - Magical Crescent Drakes
Chapter 10 - Return of the Queen of Darkness
Chapter 11 - Obduction
Chapter 12 - Tale of the Harbinger of Nightmares
Chapter 13 - Preparation for Danger
Chapter 14 - Rise of the Pony Tribes
Chapter 15 - Shadows in the Darkness
Chapter 16 - Awakening of the Blood Moon
Chapter 17 - The Raider of Thunder
Chapter 18 - A Dinky Visit
Chapter 19 - Talons of Death
Chapter 20 - The Army of Nightmares
Chapter 21 - Vows of the Lamenting Sun
Chapter 22 - Guardian of the Valley
Chapter 23 - The Assassin of Stripes and Scales
Chapter 24 - A Minor Scale
Chapter 25 - Flames of Integrity
Chapter 26 - A Folkloric Departure
Chapter 27 - Canine Vs Reptile
Chapter 28 - The Troop of Wooden Villains
Chapter 29 - Planning for Combat
Chapter 30 - Fangs of Bark
Chapter 31 - Blades of Silver
Chapter 33 - A Blossoming Rescue
Chapter 34 - The Savage Seven
Chapter 35 - The Soldier of Solitude
Chapter 1 - Prologue
Chapter 7 - Generous Gems and Melodious Belles
Chapter 32 - Howls in the Night

Chapter 2 - Cat-Eyed Fledglings

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 3 - A Ditzy Sparkling Encounter

The Solar Guard Pegasi’s wings flapped could be heard gently flapping pulled the golden chariot behind them. Sheton, Goku, Snowflake, and Midnight all sat in the seats, waiting for their ride to get them to their destination. The wind blew in each of their manes as they all took in the sky covered by the cyan clouds. The lush green forests below rustling in the breeze down below, the sigh of Canterlot getting further from them. The beautiful golden sun shined its light down on the chariot and the guard’s armor, causing its light to reflect off of them. A bright yet beautiful rose from the stallion’s armor they powered through the air with seemingly now effort. This was to be expected from ponies like them, since they were Royal Guards who dedicated their lives to protect their ruler.

Goku sat in the front of the chariot, with her forehooves on the front edge as she held her head up high. Her long spikey mane flowed in the breeze as her tail followed closely behind her occasionally hitting her sister’s faces. Sheton giggled continuously as his sister’s tail brushed up against him, getting him in much of his ticklish spots. He rolled onto his back as he pawed at it like a cat would ball of yarn, while Snowflake and Midnight silently fondly watched.

“You look very pretty excited about this little sister.” Came voice Snowflake’s soft from behind the tan thestral. She looked behind her to see the amused faced of her middle sister. “I haven’t seen you like this since mother and father told us that Sheton was going to be born.”

“Can you really blame me, Snowy? This is the first time that I get to see the girls outside of anything related to school or the holidays.” Goku giggled merrily. “It feels like it’s been a lot longer than that though. Now, here I am, going back to the one, and possibly the only place I’ll ever call home. I’m finally getting to see their faces again after so long.” She lowered her head and rubbed her forelegs together. “I have to admit, I’m am a little bit nervous about our reunion. I hope none of them are mad at me for not being able to see them.”

“Oh, don’t worry Goku.” Midnight said soothingly. “You had a lot on your plate since you were at Queen Celestia’s Magic College for Gifted Ponies. so you really didn’t have the time to let them know how you’re doing. You all went to some pretty faraway places when you left Ponyville, so there wasn’t really much chance for them to visit their families, let alone you. I’m sure they wanted to keep in touch just as much as you wanted to.”

“Thanks Middy, that really means a lot coming from you.” Goku replied, smiling up at her eldest sister as she gave the beetle black mare a strong hug. “Now that I think about it, the last letter that was sent to me said that they had all returned a couple of years before I graduated. That was the first letter that had every single one of them in there…and the longest ones too. I also remember the letter that Twilight sent me. It was as long as the Royal Throne Room Carpet…heh, typical bookworm.”

“Yes, that is typical of her, isn’t it? To be honest, it gives me another reason to be happy that we get to see them again on today of all days. I really did miss their antics while we were away, and now we all get to refill those holes once again.” Snowdrop nodded as she turned to Sheton. “Plus, they did have little bundles of joy that we had the pleasure of knowing the last four years before we left home. I wonder how they’ll react they see our wonderful little brother. Don’t you, big sister?”

“Oh certainly Snowflake. I can already picture those sweet little fillies gushing all over him!” Midnight held a hoof to her mouth as she giggled, much to their brother’s dismay. “I almost can’t to see that happen!”

“Oh come on!” Sheton whined in a high-pitched squeak as he squirmed in Snowflake’s wing embrace. “Stop it, you’re both embarrassing me!!”

“Oh we know little brother, we know.” Goku said sweetly, winking at th colt. “We just can’t help it; whenever we think of a filly or fillies, connecting with a little colt as sweet and cute as you, we just can’t help but tease you about it.” She leaned in and whispered in his ear in a warm, tender, yet mischievous tone, “When you meet my friends' little sisters, you’re going to have to endure even more teasing, and we’re gonna enjoy it. Every. Single. Minute.”

“Uuuuuuuugh!” Sheton let out a dreadful groan as cupped his face in his forehooves, hearing the sound of his sister’s laughing. Even though he knew that they weren’t trying to be mean, he was not anticipating being repeatedly teased by his big sisters. Especially if the foals he would be befriending were fillies. He could literally picture himself being swarmed by a large mini herd of them, while his sisters relished watching him go through his ‘torture’.

‘Oh Celestia, why did I have to be born this way? Did the Goddess of Luck really bless me, or did she do it just to mess with me?’ He thought as he rocked back in forth, anime tears flowing from his eyes. All the while, something, somewhere deep in his mind told him what he was thinking was true on both parts. ‘I hate my life! I hate it so so much! Okay, I don’t really hate it all! But I really hate this right now!’

He could almost hear the Pony Goddess laughing hysterically from above.

Just as this thought flew through his mind, he suddenly felt himself being shot into the air, then falling hard on his rump. Before he could even register what happened, he felt his body shaking as the chariot started to become quite bumpy. Goku immediately scooped him up into her forearms and held him close.

“Oh my, the roads gotten a lot bumpier than usual hasn’t it?” Midnight asked as she spread all four of her hooves to the sides of the chariot to keep her balance. “I certainly don’t remember it being this bumpy the last time we were here.”

“Neither do I.” Snowflake murmured, her voice vibrating. “It would seem that the Ponyville Weather Team was pretty busy the last four years.”

“That’s an understatement, Snowy.” Goku dryly snorted as she held Sheton to her chest. “Then again, nothing really lasts forever, and the change in the environment and the climate is no exception.”

Nothing was said between the three Pegasi sisters for the next couple minutes after that last comment. They all stayed silent and waited out the bumpy stop as the Solar Guards pulling the chariot slowly came to a stop, using their wings to decrease the speed. Eventually, after just a few more moments of enduring the constant bumping, the chariot stopped, just outside of the forest. There were a couple of moments of silence as the Shenron siblings all regained their balance on the chariot. Sheton feeling the chariot stop, brought his head out of Goku’s chest fur and looked around timidly, before asking, “Is it over now?”

“Yes baby, it’s all over. Good thing you landed on me when you did, huh?” Goku replied with a comforting smile as Sheton weakly nodded. With a little reluctance, he let her gently set him down on the chariot floor, and the second all four of his hooves hit the ground, he wasted no time leaping out and practically plopping the upper half of his body in the dirt.

“Oh sweet, sweet ground! How I’ve missed you so.” He whispered as his whole body shook with relief. “I am never going on another chariot again!”

“Sheton! Please don’t do that sweetheart.” Midnight scolded in a gentle, yet firm tone as she walked over and picked up the still shaking colt from up off the ground. “I know you were scared that you would fall out of the carriage, but don’t get yourself all dirty like that. You could get cut by one of those rocks, or get dust in your nose and eyes, or worse!”

“Sorry Midnight.” Sheton murmured as he lowered his head with his ears pinned down. "I was just happy to be back down on the ground again. I really don't like flying very high. Or being very high off the ground for that matter.

The beetle black mare let out a soft sigh, her expression softening upon seeing the guilty look on his face. She simply gave him a sweet smile and set him back down on the ground. “It’s alright Sheton, I know you really didn’t mean to.” She cooed soothingly, stroking his back with a wing. “I just don’t want you to get hurt and get all dirty for the Summer Sun Celebration later on. So just let us know before you do something like that, and be more careful next time okay?”

“Okay.” Sheton softly replied with a nod, blushing as his eldest sister gave him a warm kiss on the cheek. “I sure will.”

“Wow, that sure was a long and really bumpy ride isn’t it? It certainly made my rump a little sore.” Goku giggled as she gave her body a few stretches. She walked over to the two pegasi guards, batting her eyelashes as she said sweetly, “Thank you for the ride to our foalhood home my dear gentlecolts. I apologize if we made the trip too tedious due to all of us being in there.”

“It was out pleasure Ms. Shenron. And please don’t apologize. We’ve carried more than one passenger before, and it certainly won’t be the last.” The first pegasus guard replied with a polite nod. Upon close expression, Goku could see just the tiniest of blushes adorning his snow-white cheeks.

“Of course you aren’t, you’re the Solar Guards for the very Queen of our whole land. It’s only natural for you all to be so used to things like this, due to how amazingly strong and endurable you all are.” Goku giggled as she draped one of her feathered bat wings over both of the stallions. “You know, I’m feeling a bit generous with the two of you today. So I think I’ll give you two fine stallions a little reward for going through all this trouble for us.”

Using her right wing claw, she lifted one of the flaps of the saddlebags that was hanging from her barrel, before taking out a small bag. She gave it a few shakes, before she opened it and looked inside. After a moment, she gave nod as she smiled in satisfaction, before handing the bag to the second Pegasus guard.

“There you are, a nice fresh bag of bits! I figured due to the amount of time you were spending carrying us, you should be given a little reward for your services.” Goku chirped as she folded her wing back to her side. Before either of the guards could say or do anything, she walked closer and leaned in between them. She put her mouth between both of their ears as she whispered sensually, “Between you and me, due to the amount of work you do and the amount of time you spend doing it, I feel like you ponies aren’t being rewarded enough. Think of this as a little thank you present as well, but don’t tell the Queen about what I did or what I said. This is a secret between us, okay boys?”

“Of course, Ms. Shenron.” The second Solar Guard replied with a nod, giving her another salute. A second later, both he and the first guard unfurled their wings. “You and your siblings have a nice day.”

“You too!” The tan thestral replied sweetly, running her overextended tail under both of their chins. Without another word they, took off, leaving the four hybrid siblings to themselves at the entrance to Ponyville. Giggling to herself, she turned to her siblings, only to see Snowflake looking at her with a raised cumulus eyebrow. “What? Why're you staring at me like that?”

“Honestly little sister. Did you really have to go and tease those poor stallions like that?” She scolded, though the playful tone. “Those poor stallions looked like they were going to melt like pudding. Besides, that’s supposed to be mother’s job to make ponies all flustered.”

“Oh don’t worry about it Snowy, they both know that I was just teasing them. Besides, neither you or even Middy can deny that you probably would’ve done the same.” Goku replied nonchalantly as she walked past Snowflake and over to Snowflake and Sheton. “Like how we always do to you Sheton~.”

The colt sweat dropped. “Gee, I wonder why…?”

All four hybrid siblings then made their way over the bridge and into the town of Ponyville. The moment they did, they all felt an incredible sense of warmth and joy take over their bodies by the place they used to live in. Every step they took, every breath they inhaled, and each sway of the cool gentle wind brought back wonderful memories of Ponyville that they were all very fond of. It was as if the young mares had never left and they were just returning back to their nice warm nest.

By closer inspection, the town looked more like a larger-than-normal-neighborhood than anything else, with large wooden houses have either small window gardens outside the windows, or large roofs covered in hay. Some of them even had a combination of all the appendages, making them that much more unique. In the distance, they four siblings could even see a few houses that looked like tents, though they knew that those houses were being used for anything but camping. Ponies could be seen in walking about the streets, or selling items behind booths, while foals ran or flew around, giggling and laughing as they chased each other, something that made Goku’s heart melt.

With a gentle content sigh, Midnight gave a toss of her head as she said, “I can see that this town has certainly gotten bigger the last time we were here, hasn’t it?”

“Indeed it has. It’s even bigger than the last time we saw it. Twice as big if what we saw on the chariot was anything to go by.” Snowflake nodded taking in the sight of the brand-new houses, stores, stands, and buildings. There were even a few mansions that she could spot here and there, though that wasn’t really a surprise. “It would seem that our beloved town has gotten more welcoming over the last four years.”

“I don't know how they did it, but whatever happened here, I am loving it!” Goku exclaimed gleefully as she turned her head back to them. “You know what would make this trip even better? If a familiar face or two would happen to show up around here! Hay, I wouldn’t care if they’d happen to fall out of the sky right at this very moment!”

Just as she said this, her hybrid ears picked up the sound of what sounded like loud screaming coming from above her. Looking up, Goku’s sharp golden eyes was able to pick up the very faint of something careening through the sky. Unfortunately, due to it being so far away she could see it as no more than a dot.

“Hey, girls…do either of you see that?” She asked slowly, raising her left tri-stocked foreleg to point up into the air. “What is that?”

“I don’t know. It looks like...” Snowflake replied softly, squinting her teal eyes ever so slightly. “It looks like somepony falling from out of the sky…a pegasus to be exact.”

“Um, Snowflake, Goku…” Sheton said nervously, sinking behind Goku’s mane. “I think that is somepony falling out of the sky.”

Giving their youngest sibling perplexed looks; the three mares looked back up again, and saw that their brother statement was ultimately justified. There was, indeed, a pegasus pony, falling out of the sky and spinning out of control, as if she was a tornado that was about the strike the earth. Goku, Snowflake and Midnight all took a few steps back, obviously taken aback, even more so when they saw who that pegasus was.

“Um, everypony…” Midnight said softly as she started to back away faster. “I think we may want to move…um, now please.”

“Great idea, Middy.” Goku squeaked as she flared her gigantic wings out and took off with a single flap, the speed making Sheton fall off her back. As her elder sisters followed the hybrid tan mare screamed out to the ponies on the streets. "EVERYPONY TAKE COVER!!!"

The diving pegasus made impact with the ground, the impact’s force making it seem like she was comet rocketing from outer space. Cracks and splits appeared in the earth as a shockwave washed across the street. The figure bounced about the ground, making a slightly smaller crater each time before eventually coming to a stop just at the entrance. Ponies that were blown away from the blast could be seein lying across the ground, eyes comically white and faces flushed blue. This included Goku, Midnight, and Snowflake, who found themselves unable to completely escape the blast in time.

“Well that sucked ass.” She half-said, half-moaned, her eyes going in swirls. “I thought we’d be able to escape that, but I guess not.”

“Well, that’s what we get for not heading Sheton’s words in time.” Snowflake said, shaking the dust off her coat as she helped Goku up. “Ponyville definitely has not changed at all, minus the increase in its size.”

“Girls, I don’t see Sheton anywhere!” Midnight cried, looking to be frantic. “I can’t see him anywhere around the street!” Her hooves came to her head as her teeth began to chatter. “Oh no, what if he got too caught up in the blast?!”

Goku held a hoof up, the gesture made in a way that made Midnight’s muzzle snap shut. “Take it easy Midnight, don’t go into too much of a panic. I have a big inkling as to where our little brother is now.” She looked over at the crater, seeing an outline of grey and yellow poking out of the way. “Actually, I take that back. I know who he’s currently under right now.”

Down in the crater Sheton let out a long and agonized groan as he struggled to breath under whoever had crashed into him. Judging by the heartbeat he felt against this face, the pony was still alive, if her own groan didn’t five her away. Whoever this pegasus was, they clearly had an insane amount of durability to be able to survive an impact of this size. It was the only way to explain how they were still breathing, let alone moaning softly.

‘Or maybe this mare may be from one of the Equestrian Clans.’ Sheton thought, using his forehooves to gently move the pony off of him. Upon closer inspection, the pony was shown to be a mare one that was really pretty in Sheton’s eyes. “U-um…excuse me miss? C-can you get off of me please?”

The mare gave another moan in response and shifted her body so her forelegs could prop her up, allowing Sheton to properly breath. Thick locks of sandy yellow mane fell across either side of Sheton’s head as he looked into the bright yellow eyes of the mare. She gasped, the look in her eyes giving Sheton the impression that she didn’t expect to see him there. In a voice that did not fit her mature features, she asked, “Oh no, are you alright little muffin?! I didn’t see you anywhere near the ground at all!”

‘Wow her voice is really high-pitched.’ Sheton thought, wisely deciding to keep that thought to himself. “Oh, don’t worry, I’m okay miss. You just really, really caught me off guard.” He said softly, smiling up at the mare as he pointed at the lump on his head. “You did crash into me pretty hard back there.”

“Pretty hard?!” The mare asked incredulously, lifting herself up off the colt. Her wings spread as she hovered above the colt, her chest fluff bouncing along with her. “I nearly flattened you right into the earth honey! I’m amazed that you’re still breathing right now!” She reached out and cradled him in his arms as if he was a newborn. “I’m so sorry, I really didn’t mean to drive you into the ground like that! Are you hurt anywhere?”

Sheton shook his head, smiling as the mare ran her hooves through his fanged fluffy face. “No, I’m alright ma’am, but thank you. I’m kind of used to getting into crash landings like that, including whenever I’m training, so it doesn’t really bother me.” As he looked into her eyes, he gasped when he saw them derp out of place. “Oh no, you’re eyes! Ma’am your eyes are out of sync! We need to get you to a hospital!”

An amused giggle left the pegasus and she put a hoof to Sheton’s muzzle to gently shush him and calm him own. “Oh, you don’t need to worry about that. My eyes have always been like this since I was a filly. So you don’t need to worry about it getting to me.”

“I don’t?” Sheton asked, his terror giving way to confusion. “You can still see?”

“Mhm! It’s a little condition that I’ve had for as long as I can remember it being, so I’ve gotten used to it.” The mare replied softly, ruffling her eyes. “Thank you for worrying about me though. That was really sweet of you.”

Sheton shied away a bit at the mare’s motherly smile, but he was prevented from saying anything when he heard his sister doing it for him. “I can see you have not changed a single bit there Derpy, still crashing as comically as ever.” She said softly as she and Snowflake flew down toward her and their brother. “Still, you still look as chipper as the day I had met you in the clouds.”

Derpy’s ears went up at the soft silky voice of the tan thestral, and she gasped lightly when her own yellow eyes locked onto Goku. With a slight stutter, she quietly asked, “G-Goku!Is that you?”

The thestral mare nodded, flaring her large wings and grinning widely at cross-eyed pegasus. “In the flesh Derpy, just as much as you are!” She replied, tossing her mane. “Who did you think it was huh? Somepony impersonating as me?”

The shocked look on Derpy’s face immediately morphed into one of joy as she galloped towards the other mare. Throwing her forelegs around her in a near neck-snapping hug, the pegasus mare squealed as they both fell to the ground.

“Goku! I can’t believe it’s really you!" She cried as she hugged the other mare tightly around the neck. "You’re finally back in Ponyville!"

Goku would’ve answered, of even hugged the mare back, if she not were trying to get out of her hold at the moment. She gasped and failed her forelegs desperately as her wings flapped from under her. ‘Faustdammit, not again!’

“D-Derpy, um, don’t you think you should ease up on the hugging right now?!” Midnight asked in a bit of sputter as Snowflake shook her head. When the grey mare didn’t reply, or comply, the larger mare spoke a bit louder. “Derpy, please calm down! I know you’re elated to see Goku again and we understand your excitement, but your crushing her! Please Derpy! She’s going to pass out!”

At last, Derpy pulled back that childishly happy smile still on her beautiful face. It soon morphed into confusion when she saw that Goku’s her head was limp, preventing her from seeing her comically white eyes. A gasp of horror left her as she thought that she may have snapped her neck, and she proceeded to, once again, bring her into a more desperate hug. “Oh no! Don’t die Goku please!”

Now Midnight was visibly sweating. She was seriously considering just ripping Derpy off of her youngest sister, though she didn't know if she'd be able to handle her strength. “Derpy! Y-you’re doing it again! Now she’s really going to pass out! For goodness sake Derpy! Please let her go”

‘Oh wow…’ Sheton thought, a half-lidded gaze on his face. ‘This mare’s as strong as me.’

Thankfully, Goku’s saving grace came just as she was going to be pulled into oblivion, coming in the form of a magical aura. It lifted Derpy and set her on the ground before it vanished, and a magenta purple unicorn mare came from behind her. “Mom, didn’t you hear her when she said to get off of her? You literally looked like you were going to snap her neck like a twig!”

“Oops, sorry about that Amethyst. I guess I didn’t notice my own strength.” Derpy replied sheepishly as she calmed down. She looked over at Goku, who was brushing the dust off of her fur and out of her mane and tail. “Are you okay Goku? I didn’t hurt you too much did I?”

“Well, not really. Apart from almost crushing my damn neck!” Goku hissed, a tick mark forming in her head as she bared her curved fangs. She sighed as she waved a dismissive hoof, smiling warmly at the pegasus and unicorn. “It’s not be deal, I’m just as glad to see you Derpy, and you to Amethyst.”

The unicorn took a surprised step back, her dark purple tail skirt flicking with slight nervousness at the mare’s presence. “Wait, how do you know my name?” She asked, her light violet eyes narrowing a bit as the filly riding her went wide-eyed. “Who are you?”

“You mean you don’t remember her, Amethyst?” Derpy asked, a look of surprise coming to her loopy eyes. “I’m surprised at you honey! How can you not remember me introducing you to one of my best friends in my whole life? You’re seriously telling me that you don’t remember Son Goku Kakarot Nightstalker Shenron?”

Amethyst’s eyes went wide when she heard that name escape from her mother’s mouth, and she again looked at Goku with more recognition than before. With a smile that was more relaxed, but no less happy, she said, “Wait a minute. Yeah, I do remember now! You’re that thestral mare that my Mom raves about all the time and comes over from time to time. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you there.”

“I do have a hard time believing you wouldn’t remember colors like these.” Goku chuckled, gesturing to her sexy frame. “It’s fine. I can understand how you couldn’t really remember me, but I do remember you. The last time I saw you was when you were only thirteen years old. And boy, where you a pretty little filly back then”

“Look who’s talking! With a smoking hot body like that, I’m sure you did not have a lot of stallions and mares trying to get you into bed with them.” Amethyst retorted, snorting in a fit of laughter as her link purple cheeks gained a pink tint. When she calmed down, she looked down and took notice of Sheton standing just next to Snowflake. “Whoa, who’s this little guy?”

“So, you finally took notice, hm?” Snowflake smiled warmly, unfurling a large feathered bat wing and draping it around a shy-looking Sheton. “This is our little brother, Sheton Crimson Flash Nightstalker Shenron. He’s joining us while we’re supervising the Summer Sun Celebration on the fourth day of July, which is, well, today.

“He won’t really be supervising anything at all though.” Midnight said dismissively. “He will be taking a look of the town he’ll be moving into soon.”

“Awww, this is your brother~?” Derpy cooed, clasping her hooves together. “Oh, he’s so cute~! I have never seen a little colt so adorable before! I already just wanna take him in my arms and cuddle him in my chest!”

“Well, you kind of already did that.” Goku said dryly, glancing over at the giant crater. “In your own reckless and dangerous way.”

Sheton smiled shyly, pawing a hoof on the ground as he avoided making direct eye contact with the mares in front of him. His eyes found themselves looking right under Derpy’s barrel, and his sharp eyes caught sight of two large round lumps underneath. The blush on his face grew deeper as he looked away, pulling his fedora over his head guiltily. His hope that they didn’t get caught was washed away when he heard Amethyst and Derpy giggling, causing him to look up. Sheton gulped when he saw them smiling down at him knowingly.

“My my~. Somepony started noticing two little secret muffins of mine~.” Derpy cooed, smirking at Sheton before she looked over at Amethyst. “I wasn’t the only one who noticed it. Was I Amethyst?”

“No you weren’t Mom. I saw him looking too.” Amethyst grinned. “What a bad little colt you are~. Getting a look of my Mom like that~.”

Sheton frantically shook his head, whimpering. “N-no! I did mean to, really! I just happened to n-notice them t-there! R-really! I wasn’t trying to take a peek!”

“There’s no need to be ashamed. I understand baby. No colt can really resist ogling a mare. No matter how young they are~.” Derpy crooned, lowering her head to Sheton’s level. As she did, Sheton picked up the scent of muffins and blueberries in her mane. “You’re no exception baby. I just know that I’m not the only mare you’re going to be ogling.”

Midnight giggled. “You and me both Derpy.”

“Speaking of which…” Amethyst said slowly, casually strutting up to Sheton. “…I couldn’t help but see that you were feeling me up too.” She leaned in close to the colt’s face, keeping just enough distance as to where he wouldn’t feel uncomfortable. “Maybe you’d like to have a look at my, little diamonds, too~?”

Sheton’s jaw hit the ground as his entire face lit up in red, steam now exploding from his head as his hat floated and spun around in the air. Goku, Snowflake, and Midnight did all they could not to burst out laughing at their poor brother’s face as he covered it with his hat. Luckily for him, before the mares could tease him more, somepony unintentionally came to his rescue.

“Oh, my goodness! Derpy!” The voice of a mare cried out as a light grayish amber earth pony mare galloped towards them. Her moderate phthalo blue eyes were wide with concern as they focused. “Are you alright dear?!”

“Oh, hi Miss Mayor Mare!” Derpy exclaimed cheerfully with a cute wave. She turned away from Sheton, allowing her daughter to continue teasing him. “Don’t worry about me! I’m okay! Just got a little off course with the direction of the wind that’s all! And I ran into a couple of old friends along the way, as you can see, hmhmhm!”

“If you had to endure a crash like that, then that must’ve been one strong wing current!” Mayor Mare said, looking slightly less worried. “I mean honestly! Did you see the size of the crater that you left behind?! Or how deep and long that dirt trail you created was?! There’s no way that you should even be moving right now! Let alone standing up! How in the world were you able to survive an impact like that?!”

“Mayor mare, you’ve known me for the last fourteen years since I came here to Ponyville. You should know that I’m able to survive crashes like this!” Derpy proclaimed proudly as she ruffled her messy wings. “Look on the bright side, at least I didn’t crash into any buildings or trees this time! So that means I’m getting better! Slowly but surely!”

"…Yes, you are Derpy.” Mayor Mare sighed with a shake of her head. “Still though, you may want to go to a hospital or a clinic to get yourself looked over. It’s not that I don’t trust your word Derpy. It’s just…well, you never know what could happen.”

If the bubbly grey mare showed any signed of being offended or annoyed by the mare’s words, she either hid it very well, or didn’t feel any. It was only more apparent by what she said next. “You got it Ms. Mayor! I’ll head right over to Ponyville Urgent Medical Care and get myself fixed up in no time!” Her expression turned sheepish as added spread her wings again. “Although…I probably shouldn’t use my wings this time.”

“Of course dear. That's smart thinking.” Mayor Mare nodded, grimacing at the state of the grey mare’s wings. “With tangled wings like that, it’d be best not to go taking off into the air again.”

“Duly noted.” Derpy nodded, before turning to Goku and her sisters. “Sorry you guys, but I gotta go now. My wings need a looking over by the doctor. And I gotta go get Dinky ready for the Summer Sun Celebration. I’ll see you there okay?”

“Sure thing Derps!” Goku replied waving to the air as the grey mare began to trot away. “Be sure to say hi to little Dinky for us, and that we have a new little tag along she’ll love to meet!”

Sheton blushed in embarrassment, knowing what his sister was talking about. “Really sis?”

“I will Goku, see you tonight!” Derpy said, before glancing over at her daughter. “Come on Amethyst, we still got a lot to do before the celebration!”

“Right behind you Mom! Just gotta say goodbye first...” Amethyst said, giving Sheton’s head a gentle, yet playful pat. “Bye-Bye Sheton, I’ll see you later, baby! I can’t wait for when I can introduce you to my little sister Dinky! I’m gonna warn you, she’s quite the hugger, so be prepared for some any affection thrown at you from her way!”

“Y-yeah, sure thing Ms. Amethyst. I-it was nice meeting you too.” Sheton said, blushing timidly waving at the mailmare. “S-see you at the celebration...maybe.”

Mayor Mare then took a couple of minutes to disperse the crowd, having to give more than a few extra reassurances that Derpy would be fine. It was at that moment that the four thestrals realized that they had been closely observed, something that made them feel more the a little embarrassed. After they had gone, Mayor Mare went back to the four, a thankful expression adorning her lips.

“I’m so very sorry that you had to see that girls. You have no idea how many crashes that poor mare had over the past month alone! At this rate the next fall she has is one that she may not be able to get back up from.” Mayor Mare shook her head in dismay, before a smile graced her muzzle. “I would like to thank you for helping her out of that mess and immediately coming to her aid. It’s great to see someone as big hearted and helpful as you are Goku…you and your sisters.”

The look on Goku Snowflake and Midnight’s faces was nothing short of surprised as they looked at the amber Earth Pony with wide eyes. This caused the mare’s expression to go from thankful to that of amusement as she chuckled dryly. “What? Did you really think that I’d forget you three of all ponies after four years away from your own hometown? Please! With colors, looks, appendages, and necklaces like that, I find that very hard to do.”

“Good point.” Goku murmured as the Mayor let out a laugh. “I guess after the amount of time it took for Amethyst to recognize us. Let alone me. I kind of thought you would too.”

“Well, that aside, it’s good to see you all back here in Ponyville! You’ve all certainly grown into beautiful young mares that last time I saw you.” she said with a warm smile, which grew slightly wider as she saw a blush form on Midnight’s face. She was about to say something else, until she noticed the colt standing just next to Goku. “Oh my, who is this little one?”

Sheton shrunk back a bit as Mayor Mare’s eyes landed on him, a nervous whimper escaping his throat. He soon relaxed a bit after Goku gave him a gentle nuzzle, a reassuring smile on her tan muzzle. Reaching a hoof out, she gently pushed him in front of her, keeping one of her wings out as to not let him hide behind her.

“You probably won’t remember this Ms. Mayor, but back in Canterlot, my parents had another foal. This one being a colt instead of a filly while me Midnight and Goku were all staying here in Ponyville.” Snowflake explained. “This is our little brother Sheton, the most adorable and sweetest colt of our little group.”

“Well, he certainly is a cute little colt, isn’t he?” Mayor Mare giggled as she walked over and put a hoof under his chin, lifting his head up to get a better look at him. “Oh, and I see that he’s half thestral just like you three. Though I probably should’ve expected that, since your mother is a full blooded thestral herself.” She leaned in closer, her phthalo blue/violet eyes staring into Sheton’s emerald blue ones. “My, he has such beautiful blue eyes. And that fedora makes him look even more adorable!”

Sheton’s ears fattened against his head as a dark blush made its way to his cheeks. A small smile making its way to his own face as he looked back up at the Earth Pony mare. He rubbed his left wing with his right foreleg as he quietly said, “It's nice to meet you too…Ms. Mayor.”

“Hmhm, such a polite little colt, isn’t he? I think I’m going to have a wonderful time getting to know him~.” Mayor Mare murmured with a sweet smile as she patted the young colt on the head. “I’d like to give you a proper welcoming to Ponyville Sheton. I hope you find your visit, and your permanent stay here to be most pleasant. Especially since you’ll be having your sisters here with you.”

“Oh, I think Sheton will enjoy his visit here quite well Mayor Mare.” Goku said, smiling down at her little brother. “Especially since he’s going to be staying here from now on. Oh I can only imagine what he’s going to get into. The friends he’ll make, the adventures they’ll go on, the things they’ll learn. And all the little fillyfriends he’ll make!”

Sheton flinched, a half-lidded expression coming to his face as he turned to look at the beetle black mare. “One of these days Midnight. One of these days. I am so gonna get back at you for all the teasing you’re all putting me through.”

“Oh, we don’t doubt it little brother.” Snowflake said innocently, batting her eyelashes. “Until then, we’ll be waiting, while you are put through the relentless teasing of your three loving big sisters!”

“Someday…” Sheton whispered, glaring up at the mountain blue mare. “…you will all pay.”

“Anyway, what brings you all back here to Ponyville?” Mayor Mare asked. “While I’m sure you’re planning to move back her, I have feeling that it’s not just for that reason. Am I correct?”

“Always as sharp as ever Ms. Mayor, you haven’t changed a bit, have you?” Midnight smiled with a soft laugh, her navy-blue mane giving the lightest of bounces. “You see, just earlier this morning, we were given a letter by Queen Celestia saying that we were the ones who would be supervising the Summer Sun Celebration the day after tomorrow.” She reached into one of the bags of her saddlebag and pulled out a clipboard with her right wing as she gave it to the Mayor. “We were given this list that had the names of the ponies that she chose would be in charge of the tasks needed for it. And we were wondering if you could help us with something.”

“Why whatever do you need my help for?” Mayor Mare asked quizzically as she looked over the list. “Everything you need to know and do is right here on the list, so I don’t why you would need-” she suddenly gave an abrupt pause as she stared at the list for a few more moments, her expression slowly turning to realization as she murmured, “Oh…I see…”

“We weren’t given a map.” Goku said sheepishly. “As much as we’ve grown fond of the places that we went to when we were foals, I pretty much forgot where those places were.”

“Oh don’t worry. There’s nothing to be ashamed of my dears.” Mayor Mare said with a reassuring smile and a wave of her hoof. “I really didn’t expect you all to recognize your hometown so quickly. Especially due to how much and how fast it had changed in just four years. I’d be more than happy to help you all show you around again.” Just as she said this, she looked back down at the clipboard and a grin slowly made its way to her muzzle. “In fact, since it shows that your first stop is Sugarcube Corner. I think I know one of the ponies on this here list who has more than enough of the resources that you need to get your way around town now that is bigger and more productive.”

“Oh trust us Ms. Mayor.” Snowflake said with a chuckle as she set Sheton on her back. “You’re not the only one who believes so.”

“Well let’s not waste any more time then, let’s get right to it!” The Mayor exclaimed happily as she gave Midnight the clipboard back “None of the other girls have seen you in so long. They’ll be absolutely delighted to see you all again, and I’m sure it’ll be quite the reunion between the nine of you!”

“We do too!” Midnight said happily with an agreeable nod. “We can hardly wait!”

Goku gave a soft and cute giggle. “Not gonna disagree with you on that one, Ms. Mayor, I’ll tell you that. Though something tells me that one of them will make sure that this reunion with be one hay of a blast! I can almost see it happening!” Her whole body gave a heavy shiver of excitement at the thought as she added, “And I have a feeling that somepony else is going to get a nice good dose of sweetness as well!”

At this, Sheton, who was walking in between Snowflake and Midnight flinched, and looked over at his sister. His face became a sweating mess as he saw the smirk that the tan hybrid mare was shooting down at him.

“U-um…what do you mean by t-that sis?” The stormy grey colt asked, gulping. “I-is there something that you want to tell me?”

“Oh nothing!” Goku replied innocently with a wink. “I just can’t help that you’re going to get a new friend in just a short while. And she is going to be sweeter than any of the sweets found at a candy shop!”

“Oh, I see…okay then.” Sheton nodded, giving Goku his best smile as tried his best not to blush again. As soon as the tan mare turned her head away, his entire face burned as he pulled his fedora over his face. ‘Oh Faust, please just bucking take me away right now!

Author's Note

This chapter was quite a bit of fun to write to be honest, mainly because I had decided to change it up a bit to where Goku and her siblings wouldn't just meet Derpy. That, and her little crash would go a big differently as to where she'd met Sheton first before the rest of them, and Amethyst would be there as well :ajsmug: . Some parts this chapter are as the same as the last revision, but like I said, some things would stay the same, while others would be different, so that shouldn't really be a surprise. Those parts are probably the only parts of this chapter being the same, other than the different scenes that I put in with Mayor Mare and Amethyst, and that may be the same with the rest of the girls, but...we'll have to see :unsuresweetie: .

Next Time: Goku, her sisters and brother reunite with their first friend, who is every bit as crazy and unpredictable imaginable :pinkiecrazy: !

Chapter 4 - Bubbly Balloons and Mirthful Melons

It took a bit longer Mayor Mare to get Goku, Snowflake, Midnight, and Sheton to their desired destination and first friend. Mainly because of the increased size in Ponyville since the sisters, minutes their brother, were away from the still and gentle town. They didn’t really mind, since it gave them that much more time to meet new ponies, and even run into a few familiar faces along the way. With each minute that passed, they felt like they were more at home, as if they had stayed even through their magic college years.

Eventually they finally made it to Sugarcube Corner, and the three sisters could not have been happier to see it the one place where they could satisfy their sweet teeth. While a good portion of the bakery was made out of wood, most of it being painted a pale-yellow frosty color. While majority of the building was made out of the sugary sweets that could be found in any other bakery. The roof of the building was that of gingerbread covered in a sugary frosty substance, having a window on the middle left side. A small birds nest resting on the far right, and the shape of a mare holding a candy cane on a far left.

The higher part of the roof was covered in a pink and white cake frosting color, having two windows on either side, with a cupcake at the very top. There were also three purple candles at the top, with a window just below it. The far bottom of the bakery had a cellar looked to be filled with donuts, but were actually flowers. The far lower right side of the bakery had the sign of a pink frosted sprinkled cupcake on it. A mailbox stood just in front of the bakery, with a large purple door having two large pink candy canes on either side.

“Well girls, here’s Sugarcube Corner! The best bakery you can find in this town!” Mayor Mare exclaimed. “I’m so sorry that it took so long…”

“It’s no worries Ms. Mayor. It only took us half an hour to get around the place.” Midnight said reassuringly. “Even if it didn’t, we did leave Canterlot pretty early today anyway. So we had plenty of time to spare.”

“Yes, we did, which makes it much better for us.” Snowflake remarked. “Thank you very kindly for your help Ms. Mayor. It was wonderful seeing you again after so long.”

“Oh it was not trouble at all. I’m just happy that I got to help the wonderful fillies I had known since they came to this town.” The amber earth pony replied warmly. “I must be going now. I have to get ready for the celebration tonight. I hope you have a good day! Oh, and it was so nice meeting you Sheton.

“T-thank you Mayor Mare.” Sheton nodded with a smile. “It was nice meeting you as well.”

“No problem Mayor Mare, it was great seeing you again too! See you at the celebration!” Goku shouted to the Mayor as she trotted off. The tan mare then turned her attention back to her siblings. “Well girls…here we are. I have to say, the place really hasn’t changed that much has it?”

“No, it certainly has not.” Snowflake replied a small smile gracing her pale features. “It exactly how I remember it…how we remember it.”

Midnight took in a long gentle inhale of breath from her flared nostrils. “Hmmmm, whatever is being baked in there, it smells lovely.” She turned back to her younger sisters, an excited smile adorning her muzzle. “I think we can guess who that is, can’t we?”

“I sure can big sis! I can’t wait to get in there and give them the biggest wing hug they’ve ever had!” Goku said gleefully trotting in place, before she turned to look at Sheton. “Here we go Sheton! Because we’re gonna meet some real nice ponies here right in this very bakery! Are you ready honey?”

The stormy grey colt gave a few twiddles of his hooves, not replying for a moment. He then took a deep breath and looked his sister in the eyes.

“Y-yeah…I’m ready. As ready as I’ll ever be at least.” He said softly. "Let's do it."

Smiling warmly, Goku leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss on his cheek and ruffled his mane with a hoof. After then gave him a wink, before turning and opening the door, trotting into the bakery.

The first thing that happened when they all went inside was the scent of sweet sugary goodness. It enveloped all of their nostrils, as if their noses were the only things that were working for them. They all stayed silent, their mouths quivering and their taste buds tingling as their minds were swept into a sea of wonderful imaginary flavor. Nothing else mattered for those few blissful moments. Just that sweet feeling of sweet blissfulness.

Just as quickly as it had begun, it stopped, and the four siblings were brought back to the reality before them. The moment they gained control of their senses; they were greeted with the interior of the bakery. There were many tables that were set up for anypony that wanted to relax with either waiting or eating their snacks. On other, were displays of cookies, cupcakes, and other goods set up for ponies to see. The far right of the bakery displayed drinks liquidly goodness that ponies would want to try, and the upper roof having numerous pictures of cupcakes. At the very front, was the counter for those who wanted to take their orders to go, also having sets of pastries there.

It was also that very same part of the bakery where there was complete and utter chaos.

The four siblings were being graced with a sight that was most certainly not most other bakeries. At the same time, it was something that they had seen before in this type of bakery, and even then, it was only when there was an order placed. One so important, that it would inflict the kind of chaos that was happening right before them. The very same chaos that Goku was trying very hard not to laugh at too.

Two ponies, one mare and the other a stallion, were running about the bakery as if they were farm chickens with their heads cut off. On both of their backs and in their mouths, were the large boxes on what could only be assumed as the very same sweets that were dotting the entire bakery. A glistening shine could be seen from their fur, showing that they were both sweating quite heavily, which indicated just how hard they were working. The three mares and colt could also see, just behind the counter, was a set of large double doors. A thin cloud of grey smoke could be seen emitting from it, something that the mare caught onto right away.

“Carrot! Did you leave my peanut butter cookies in the oven again?!” She indignantly shouted as she set three larger boxes on the floor next to a larger pile. She was a beautiful pegasus, with a very light shade of cerulean fur, with a light crimson mane and tail having pale light grayish crimson stripes in them. Her eyes were shade of brilliant rose red and she wore a bright orange apron with pink feathers adorning the front. The mare’s wings were a wonderful combination of light crimson, light grayish crimson stripes and light cerulean. With three cupcakes as her cutie mark. “I told you not to put them in there for no more than twenty fucking minutes! Last time that happened, we had to use the damn fire extinguisher to put them out! I do not want to have to throw away another fucking batch of burnt cookies again!”

“No Cupcake, I didn’t, don’t worry!” The stallion replied as he levitated several more boxes with some more. The horn on the muscular and handsome stallion’s head showed that he was a unicorn. He had a light brilliant amber yellow coat, and a long, somewhat wild, light brilliant orange mane and tail skirt. His eyes were a moderate shade of pistachio green and light brilliant orange freckles could be seen on his upper muzzle. A plain white apron with a black and white striped neck bow was tied around his neck and barrel, and his cutie mark was of three while frosted carrot cakes. “That smoke was from the last batch of chocolate cookies that I had thrown away! Yours were only in the oven for five minutes!”

“Well, be more careful next time honey! We can’t afford to make a single dam mistake! The Summer Sun Celebration is only hours away, so we can’t afford to waste any time” Cupcake exclaimed, letting a large box slide off of her outstretched right wing. “This isn’t just some damn ordinary order that we’re dealing with here! This is for the event where the very Queen herself graces us with her presence and raises the sun! Right in front of us!”

“Hey…don’t worry honeybun. There’s nothing to be scared of. Remember, we have the girls with us to help out with this.” Carrot said soothingly, wrapping a muscular forehoof around her neck. “This isn’t the first time they’ve helped us find a solution to these problems. Especially Twilight, since she knows the Queen personally. She’s kind, generous, and always happy to see us whenever she can. From what Twilight’s always told us about her, she doesn’t really mind if everything we do for her isn’t perfect. So I’m sure Queen Celestia won’t be upset and understand our plight.”

Cupcake flinched, slowly looking up at her husband with a slightly twitch in her eye. With her eyes flashing a brilliant red, she took to the air and shouted, “Understand? Understand?! Are you insane right now, Carrot?! What in the name of all that is chaotic makes you think that the Queen will understand?!” She leaned in until her muzzle was pressed against the surprised stallion’s own. “I can guarantee you that she’ll be anything but understanding of even a single chocolate chip is out of place! Do you really want to be the center of her wrath?! I sure don’t; and I don’t think you do either!”

Goku jammed a hoof into her mouth to keep from laughing. “Yep, I can see Mr. and Mrs. Cake have not changed a single bit.” She whispered to her sisters, earning her quiet giggles from the other two.

‘Oh wow, that mare is scary!’ Sheton thought fearfully, gulping as he hid himself under Midnight’s legs. ‘I’ll have to remind myself not to piss her off for any reason.’

“Cup…” Carrot said, a hurt look coming to his face as he frowned up at his wife.

The cerulean blue mare paused, cringing at the pained expression on her husband’s masculine face. Closing her eyes, Cup hovered back down to the ground as her wings folded back to her sides. Breathing deeply she said, “I’m sorry Carrot, I didn’t mean to shout at you like that. I-it’s just, I’m worried, like really, really worried. If Queen Celestia doesn’t like what we have, we may get our reputation ruined, or get put out of business, or worse!”

“Oh, now you’re just over reacting.” Carrot said with an optimistic smile, putting a foreleg around his wife. This earned him a mild glare from his wife, causing him to chuckle. “I can tell you without a doubt, that the Queen will love what we baked for her. And I don’t just think it, I know it honeybun.”

“Yeah right…” Cupcake snorted. “I’ll believe that, when I see it with my own eyes.”

“You should listen to your husband, Mrs. Cake.” Goku said softly, finally choosing to jump into the conversation. “I’ve known the Queen since my foalhood too. If I know her, she won’t care what the hell your treats look like. Just as long as they taste good that is.”

"Goku! Language" Midnight chastised with a disapproving frown. “I know your excited to see Mr. and Mrs. Cake again, but you don’t have to use such colorful language!”

Goku smiled cheekily at her sister. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about!”

Snowflake snorted softly. “You are not a very good liar...”

Midnight looked like she was going to speak again, but was cut off by a squeal from Cupcake as she suddenly lunged at them. The pegasus enveloped all three in a hug, with her forelegs and wings, her facing mashing with theirs.

“My goodness Goku, your sisters are back!" She cried as she spun them around. "I can’t believe that you’re already back in Ponyville after so long!”

“Yes we are, Mrs. Cake.” Midnight cooed as she nuzzled the smaller mare. “I can’t believe you didn’t notice us here. Our scent should’ve reached your noses sometime during your little feud with each other.”

“Me neither. But it’s a real treat to have you here again.” Carrot said with an embarrassed blush on his muzzle. “We’re sorry that we didn’t hear you come in the door. We were just so focused on the orders that we hadn’t really had time to take anypony’s orders and what not.”

“Oh, no worries Mr. Cake. You were just completing orders for the celebration.” Snowflake said gently, nuzzling Cupcake. “If anything, we had come in at the wrong time. Had we known you were still working; we would’ve given you a few more minutes.”

“Oh it’s no trouble at all you three. It was worth it to see you all again, even if it is today of all days.” Carrot said with a chuckle, as he looked each of the girls up and down. “You’ve certainly grown fine young mares, haven’t you? I could never forget those tufted ears fangs and bat wings on any of you. You've certainly bigger than all the other fillies when you were younger too Midnight. Then again, you were always big for a filly your age! Just like Big Macintosh~!”

The beetle black mare’s cheeks turned a deep red in response. “Oh, I didn’t really do anything special. I just ate and trained a lot whenever I had the time. A-and during that time, I guess got carried away a little.” Without warning, she swept Carrot into a big, warm, and very, tight hug. “It’s still so very wonderful to see you two again. You don’t know how much we’ve missed you or this wonderful bakery of yours!”

“W-we’ve missed y-you too, g-g-girls…!” Carrot said, his voice strained the mare’s hug. “U-um…M-Midnight, sweetheart, can you let me go? I-I…c-can’t breathe!"

Midnight, upon seeing Carrot’s face start to turn blue, let out a gasp, letting him go. “Oh! I’m sorry, Mr. Cake, I guess I got a little caught up in the joy of them moment. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“N-no, I’m fine. You just caught me off guard as all.” Carrot replied, wheezing. “I haven’t been hugged that tight since the day I asked Cupcake to marry me.” He muttered so low that his wife wasn't able to hear it, “It was quite the hug too…”

“None of you have changed a bit since you left Ponyville.” Cupcake sighed happily as she looked all three mares over. “All of you still look just like how you were as fillies, and now you’ve become beautiful mares. Oh, I really miss those days where I could sweep you in my forearms, smother you senseless, and fill your little cheeks with goods~.”

As soon as she said that, Sheton felt a knot form in his stomach as he saw the look on the cerulean mare's face. It only grew tighter when he noticed Goku looking at him, a small devilish grin forming on her face.

“It’s funny you should say that Mrs. Cake. Because I may have found a certain somepony to help fill that void in your heart.” She said in a cheerful, yet mischievous tone as she pushed her little brother in front of him. “Mr. and Mrs. Cake, I would like the both of you to meet our little brother Sheton! I don’t know if Pinkie or anypony else told you that I was going to be a big sister or not. But, in case you didn’t, well…here he is!”

She the lowered her head to his level and gently nuzzled his cheek, gently saying, “It’s okay baby, they’re not gonna bite. Go on up to them and say hi.”

Shaking slightly, Sheton slowly walked up to the bakers, both staring wide eyed at the young colt. Nonetheless, that didn’t stop him from swallowing his nervousness and politely greeting the two bakers. “H-hello…! It’s nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Cake.”

“Oh my goodness! Just look at him!” Mrs. Cake squealed, a huge grin coming her face as her magenta eyes glittered. She swept the colt up in her wings, smothering his face in her heart-shaped chest fluff. “Aren’t you just the cutest little thing?!” She cooed, nuzzling the top of his head as she shoved his head deeper in her chest.

‘Seriously…?!’ Sheton thought, a muffled moan coming from him as he sweat dropped. His young mind wandered back to when he got slammed into the ground by Derpy, and how his face was in her bouncing fluffy chest. ‘First Ms. Derpy and how…Ms. Cake?! Just how many bucking mares are going to hug me like this?!’

“Whoa there, honeybun.” Carrot said dryly, putting a hoof on his wife’s shoulder. “You’re gonna squeeze the life out of the poor kiddo if you keep hugging him like that.”

Cupcake looked over at her husband, not lessening her embrace. “Now why would I do that Carrot? I’ve hugged foals like this before, and none of them went blue in the face.”

“Because the very last foal that you hugged, you squeezed her so hard you nearly made her head pop like a balloon.” Carrot replied somewhat bluntly. “I’m still amazed that Melon Cake was able to handle that! And still keep smiling throughout it.”

“It’s not my fault that Melon was so adorable that I lost control of my strength!” Cupcake pouted. “And like you’re one to talk Carrot! When you first saw her, you looked very close to glomping her too!”

“True, but…” Carrot grinned, holding a hoof up before Cupcake could speak. “The only difference between thatis because I had more self-restraint. Something that can’t really be said the same about you, honeybun.”

“Yes well, at least I took care as to not actually make her pass out!” Cupcake retorted, her cheeks heating. “And it’s a good thing that I was the first one to hug Melon too! Otherwise, you would’ve seriously hurt the poor dear!”

“Yeah, like I’d be able to crush a fully who’s body is like rubber.” Carrot chuckled, giving a little shrug. “Real smart honeybun. Real smart.”

Cupcake then felt a light tap on her shoulder, and she looked down to see Sheton looking back up at her. With another smile, she set the colt back down, allowing him to take in precious gulps of air and recover from the tight hug.

“Sorry baby, I didn’t mean to squeeze you so tight!” Cupcake said sheepishly. “It’s just oh! You just look so adorable like that~!”

“Oh, no. It’s fine Mrs. Cake.” Sheton said kindly. “You didn’t hurt me or anything. You just, um…kind of caught me off guard with the sudden hug. I know you didn’t mean anything bad by it.”

“Thanks kiddo.Glad you’re not holding it against my wife for acting so adorably energetic around new foals.” Carrot said gently. “So, you’re the youngest out of your three sisters huh? I can see why. With those canines, webbed wings, and fluffy ears, it’s hard not to. That hat looks a bit big for you to wear on his head though.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. The inside is small enough for him. There’s also cuts inside for his ears to poke out and hold it in place. Our Mom made sure to do that so it wouldn’t hide his face, since she was the one who gave it to him.” Goku replied, smiling reassuringly. “Even if it wasn’t, I’d still make him wear it. Because it still reminds me how adorable he looks!”

“It certainly is.” Snowflake nodded. “For both us and our dear mother.”

“So, what’re you three doing back here in Ponyville?” Cupcake asked curiously. “We didn’t think we were going to see you here today of all days. You know, with the Summer Sun Celebration happening today and the Queen coming to visit the town.”

“Actually that’s exactly why we’re here Mr. and Mrs. Cake, and not just to partake in the celebration either.” Goku replied, grinning widely. “We're really here because Queen Celestia chose us to be the supervisors for this year’s Summer Sun Celebration, mainly because we know every part of this town. That, and just how much of a fun place that I can be for those that come here.”

“You’re the supervisors for the Summer Sun Celebrations?!” Cupcake gasped as Carrot’s eyes widened. The three sisters nodded, and the cerulean Pegasus suddenly found herself falling to her haunches, letting out a huge relieved sigh. “Oh, my goodness, that’s…that just wonderful to hear! Now we don’t have to worry so much about getting criticized for our cooking! Especially since you three tried it lots of times before!”

“Well of course Ms. Cake. we would never ever criticize your cooking in any bad way! You and Carrot best pastry makers here in Ponyville.” Goku said with a shake of her head. She reached into her saddlebag with a hoof and held out a clipboard. “This list holds all the ponies that were given tasks for the event by the Queen. As you can see, your place was the first on our list of places to see. No offense Mr. and Mrs. Cake but, you weren’t exactly the ponies we needed to see today.”

“None taken dear, we’re hardly get chosen for anything this important anyway.” Cupcake said as she looked over the list. Her rose eyes widened as she gasped, “Oh my, it says here the first pony that you’re supposed to see is…Pinkie Pie!!”

“That it does Mrs. Cake! The Queen could not have picked better ponies to be in charge of the Summer Sun Celebration tasks than those on that list! Goku giggled. “We’ve all been dying to see them again after four years away. It's been way too long since I've seen that infectious little smile of her's. How is she doing anyway?”

“She’s doing great! Lending us a helping hoof in keeping the bakery in balance and running like she always does.” Carrot said cheerfully, before he gave a gentle shake of his head. “I swear, I don’t know how that filly does it, but she just does it! With the work schedule that we have, I didn’t think could get anypony would want to be our apprentice.”

“So did I, Carrot. I remember the first time she walked in here!” Cupcake cooed, putting both of her forehooves to her cheeks. “Those big blue eyes, that adorable curly and poofy mane and tail, that infectious little smile, oh! Everything about her just screamed party pony!”

“You can say that again.” Carrot added with a nod of agreement. “Sometimes I think she’s on a continuous sugar rush or something whenever she parties.”

“That may be the case as to why she has so much energy. She's high on sugar.” Snowflake remarked, earning a laugh from the Cakes. “Or maybe it’s just Pinkie being Pinkie in her own unique way. Which would explain how she’ s able to plan all the exciting events the way she does.”

“That would make more sense.” Carrot murmured with a nod of agreement, before his eyes lit up in recognition. “Oh, that’s right, you were here to see Pinkie, weren’t you?”

“Ugh, I can’t believe I forgot about that!" Cupcake cried, nearly slapping herself for her own stupidity. "Wait right here dearies, I’ll go get here right now! I just know she’ll be absolutely thrilled to see you again!”

A cheerful, bubbly, and sugar-sweet voice suddenly popped all around them. “No need to Mrs. Cake! I’m already here!”

A blur of pink suddenly appeared in between the six ponies as a large and wide pair of blue eyes staring right into Cupcakes rosy ones. The baker couple, Midnight, and Sheton let out shrieks of surprise as they leapt back a full ten feet. This allowed the mare fell from the ceiling and did a side flip, before landing on her hooves in a rather graceful manner.

“Pinkie Pie! How many times have I told you not to jump out of nowhere like that?! Especially so close to ponies?!” Mrs. Cake said hotly, becoming slightly upset with her apprentice as she put a hoof to her chest in an attempt to calm her rapidly beating heart. “That’s got be the fifth heart attack that you’ve given me this month!”

“Sorry Mrs. Cake, I admit I got a little carried away there!” Pinkie Pie, giggled cutely, her mane bouncing slightly. “I just got so excited when I hear you say that there was somepony here that I would be ‘absolutely overjoyed’, to see again.”

Now that she was given proper viewing, it could be seen that she was an earth pony; somewhat on the chubby side, but in a way to still look attractive. She had a pale light grayish raspberry pink coat, like that of bubblegum, all looking to be very fluffy. A mass of feathers adorned her chest and the base of her tail, making it look like she had at least one generation of pegasus blood in her. She had a long brilliant raspberry mane and tail, done up in the curliest and poofy style ever seen by anypony. It looked to be just millimeters from touching the ground, hanging over one side of her face, framing it rather attractively. Her eyes were a bright cerulean blue color, shining with such brightness, innocence, and mirth that it would be on par with that of a newborn foal. Imprinted on either side, just above her shoulder blades, were symbols that symbolized that of chaos, with one of a ten-tailed lycanthrope on her back. To top her appearance off, her cutie mark was of three balloons the middle one being yellow and the other two being blue.

“Honeybun, you should know by now that Pinkie doesn’t give anypony any warnings when it comes to situations like this.” Carrot said softly, shaking his head. “We will never be able to keep ourselves from nearly jumping out of our fur and screaming like monkeys.”

Cupcake sighed. “Yes…I know. You’ve got a point there, Carrot. Still, Pinkie, please don’t do that! I can’t take another jump scare like that again! Next time I might actually faint!”

“Don’t you worry Mrs. Cake! I Pinkie Promise that I’ll give you and Mr. Cake a nice big super-duper extra-large heads-up of where I’m going to pop up!” Pinkie replied happily with a salute, as if she were a soldier standing in front of a military officer. Then her eyes lit up, letting out a gasp of realization as she exclaimed, “Oh! That’s right, you said that there was someone here to see me! Well who is it? Is it my family?! My friends?! Oh, Oh! Or maybe it’s the-”

Whatever the mare was going to say next caught right into her throat as she turned around to the entrance. Her whole body freezing the moment she laid her eyes onto the three hybrid mares in the room. The pupils within her eyes expanded very nearly causing her cerulean irises to disappear and leave them as orbs of black. Her jaw slowly fell open, going well beyond the length that any other pony’s jaw should, making Sheton nervously step back. She remained like that for a few long silent moments, before her jaw snapped back into place and she gave a hard blink. Just a few seconds later, her lower lip began to quiver as her eyes glazed over and grew misty, and the faintest hint of a smile on her face.

“G-Goku...S-Snowflake...M-Midnight.” She said shakily, once she finally found her voice. “I-is that really you?”

Goku’s face lit up with a small smile as she took a couple of steps closer to the bubblegum pink mare. “Hey there Pinks…it’s certainly been a long time, hasn’t it?” She asked sweetly. “I could never forget that bouncy mane and that infectious smile of yours, even after all this time.”

An over extended gasp left pinkie’s mouth, before an unnaturally wide smile slowly grew on Pinkie’s face. She bit her lip as her eyes squeezed tight, her mane covering her eyes as she lowered her head. Then, abruptly, a loud ear-piercing squeal erupted from her throat as she leapt high into the air, causing Sheton’s eyes to widen in surprise. Before the hybrid colt could do anything, Pinkie brought all three of his sisters in a strong grasp. She stood on her hind legs and spun around in the air, laughing merrily.

“Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh! OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!” She squealed as she hugged the three hybrid mares with all her might. “I can’t believe it I can’t believe it! I can’t believe it! I can’t believe it! it really you girls!! I haven’t seen any of you in SO LONG!”

“Can’t really say we can’t say the same Pinkie. It feels like it’s been forever since we last seen each other.” Goku said with a soft laugh, wrapping her feathered bat wings around the bubblegum pink mare. “Regardless, it’s great to see you again. I could never forget that cute infectious little smile of yours. No matter how many times I close my eyes.”

“And I can never forget those cute little fangs and those super-duper cool wings either!” Pinkie retorted slightly, booping the tan mare on her nose. “Oh, I am SOOOOOO happy that you’re all back! You came a just the right time, too! I have treats that I’ve wanted somepony to try, and you happen to be just the first ponies here! Trust me, you will love it!”

“Is that so? Well thank you Pinkie, it really means a lot to us that you’d save your delectable treats for us!” Snowflake replied thankfully. “Though, we’re going to have to correct you on something, sweetheart. About there being only being three of us here.”

“What do you mean? There’s you, Goku, and Middy here, so that means all of you are here, doesn’t it?” Pinkie Pie asked as she gave a cute tilt of her head. Her eyes then widened before, a she smirked and asked, “Unless you have a, special guest, with you?”

“Funny you should ask that, Pinkie. As a matter of a fact, we do!” Midnight chirped, gently pushing Sheton forward. Despite his shyness, the colt slowly gave Pinkie the same cordial smile he gave the Cakes. “You may not remember this Pinkie, but Goku, Snowflake and me, had told you and the rest of the girls that we were all going to be big sisters. You had call come to Canterlot to see our brother, Sheton, the way he was born to-”

A squeal that nearly made the four hybrid ponies eardrums explode cut Midnight off. Everypony in the bakery jammed their hooves into their ears, trying to block out the volume as the while bakery shook and the windows rattled. Then, just as quickly as it had begun, the squealing stopped, before Pinkie Pie lunged at Sheton and hugged him tightly. Or at least, she would’ve, had he not jumped out of the way and flown out of the door at the last second.

“Sheton, wait! Where are you going?!” Midnight cried. “Pinkie Pie’s not going to hurt you, I promise!”

“No, no way! No way in tartarus” Sheton cried, flapping his wings frantically. “There is no way I am going to be smothered again!”

“Oh goodness. He really shouldn’t have done that.” Snowflake murmured. “I already know what’s about to happen next.”

As if to show what was going to happen, Pinkie suddenly whipped her forelegs backward, doing so as to not let Sheton’s sisters see what was about to happen. “Hey, where are you going you little cutie?! Come back here and cuddle with your Auntie Pinkie Pie!”

With a heave, Pinkie’s forelegs shot forward, reaching passed the door and stretching all the way across the street. Sheton’s who had been flying in the midst of it, heard the sound of whooshing wind, and he looked back to see two incoming pink forelegs. His blue eyes bulged in complete shock, and he was given just enough time to go slack jawed before they wrapped around him. A terrified squealed emitted from his throat as he was pulled back, until he began flapping his wings again.

‘Oh my Faust! Are her forelegs actually stretching towards me?! How can they be bucking stretching?!’ He thought as he struggled in a futile attempt to get away. “Help, help! Somepony, anypony, help me please; get me away from here!”

Sheton looked around frantically at the ponies walking around the street. They either turned their heads away, started laughing, or gave him looks of amused sympathy. Those expressions were more than enough to make him pause, giving Pinkie the opportunity to pull him back. He braced for the impact of the doors hitting his face, but instead felt the warm fluffy chest of Pinkie as she hugged him. Sheton was given no chance to struggle again before the mare began to spin around on one leg.

“I definitely remember this little cutie! How could not remember a colt with the most adorable face ever?!” Pinkie replied as she nuzzled the colt. “I’ll never forget when the girls and me went to Canterlot Hospital and saw him for the first time! Oh, he was so adorable back then! I could’ve eaten him up, heeheehee!”

‘Horseapples, I knew it! I was gonna get smothered…!’ Sheton thought sweat dropping again as the sides of his face flushed blue. ‘I ask you again Faust! Why do you do this to me?!’

“Oh don’t remind me Pinkie. We all remember all too well the reactions that you all had when you saw my brother.” Goku said dryly. “I can very vividly remember your reaction. Not did you only shatter every single one of the windows, but you also woke up every single foal in the nursery.”

“That and you also left most of us, including the girls, partially deaf.” Snowdrop added. “Not the best move if you ask me, dear…”

The bubblegum pink mare rubbed the back of her head with a hoof. "I know. I did get pretty carried away back there. I just can't help but get excited when I meet new ponies of for the first time, especially of their foals, hmhm!"

“You sure do Pinkie Pie.” Snowflake murmured. “As you have made so plainly obvious just a moment ago.”

Pinkie Pie giggled into one of her hooves, before she then looked at Sheton, who was staring rather intently at her with his head tilted. That action sparked something that peeked Pinkie’s curiosity, leading her to ask, "What is it, lil cutie? Is there frosting somewhere on my face?"

The stormy grey colt snapped out of his stupor, before quickly shaking his head. "Oh, n-no Ms. Pinkie Pie, it’s was nothing, really. I-I was just, um...looking at, um...your mane." He gulped, choosing his next words carefully. “It’s um…r-really…p-poofy and…curly.”

"Yeah! it is really poofy isn’t it? It’s been like that since I was like, eight, ever since I saw a huge rainbow that nearly shot me away from my farm!” Pinkie Pie giggle wrapping a little curl of her mane around her hoof. “I wonder if it still has some extra flower from when I baked those triple chocolate chip cookies? If it does then you have a really good eye there, Tony!"

"Hey! Don't steal my brother's nickname Pinkie!" Goku chastised playfully. "Only I'm supposed to call him that!"

Sheton paused momentarily, and blushing at the nickname. "Oh, no! It’s not that! Its clean, so you don’t have to worry about that. It’s just..." He looked back up at Pinkie's mane as it gave a few more bounces before going still once more. "I've never seen a mane like that before...it’s the curliest one I've ever seen."

"Awwww! that is so sweet of you to say!" Pinkie cooed. "Nopony's really given me very much compliments on my mane before! Most of them think that it doesn't really suit me, except for my friend Rarity! She was the first pony to complement me on my mane style and say that it really suits my character! Not only that, but she was also a foal like you Sheton! So that makes you the second foal to like the style of my main and tail!"

"Really? I'm only the second?" Sheton asked curiously as he tilted his head. "Who was the first?"

"That's for me to know, and for you to find out!” Pinkie giggled as she poked his belly, earning a few little giggles form the colt. “And just for that little compliment about my mane, you're gonna get a special treat!" Facing Sheton’s older sisters once again, her eyes widened as she shouted "Oh right, I almost forgot! You haven't seen or tried out the treats that me, Mr. and Mrs. Cake made for the Summer Sun Celebration starting tonight! Ok, wait right here Tony! Don't go anywhere! I'll be right back!"

With that, the bubblegum pink mare zoomed back into the kitchen, leaving a pink blur in her wake as Mrs. and Mrs. Cake felt their manes being blown form the wind created by Pinkie's unnatural speed. All six ponies could hear the sound of the double doors to the kitchen being banged open, before the whole bakery became silent once more.

"Well, I can see that she hasn’t changed a bit." Snowflake said fondly. "She's just as jovial as she was when we were fillies."

“Yes, she certainly is, as much as the first time she came to this shop.” Cupcake nodded, flicking her tail as she let out a soft sigh. “Which reminds me…she’s not the only one who we had taken in during the time you were away.”

Midnight tilted her head. “She’s not? You mean you have somepony else working here?”

“They sure dooooo!”

The little sweet voice caught all four of the hybrid siblings off guard, sounding like a foal version of Pinkie Pie. They began to look around for the source of the voice, only to find nopony in sight anywhere in the bakery. Before they could question the cakes, a green blur shot descended out of nowhere and landed right in front of the four ponies and the cakes. As they got over their shock, they found themselves looking into the large multi-colored eyes of an earth pony foal. It was a filly, with a shade of soft green fur that was as green as different colored apple. She had a large spikey mass of a mane and tail that were even a darker shade of green. The filly’s eyes were heterochromic, the right one being a ruby red and the other being deep emerald green, and she had no cutie mark on her flank.

“Gah! What the hell?!” Goku shouted, reeling back. “Where the did she come from?!”

“I don’t have a clue.” Snowflake replied, looking far less surprised. “She just…came out of nowhere.”

“Hey there! I’ve never seen you four ponies before!” The filly said excitedly. “Are you guys new here to Ponyville?”

“Um…y-yes. We are honey.” Midnight replied, getting over her surprise first. “How did, um…you do that just now?”

The soft green filly tilted her head. “Do what?”

“Do that…thing you did just now.” Goku replied. “Y-you just…came out of nowhere! Snd I didn’t even sense a damn trace your magic!”

“Oh, that’s something that I do pretty much all the time!” The earth filly replied, giving a little shrug. “One minute I’m right in front of you, and the next minute, I’m behind you, and the next minute, I’m not anywhere at all! like I’m some ghost or figment of your imagination! It’s kind of something that Pinkie Pie is known for, just like me ya know?”

“That…doesn’t really make any sense dear.” Midnight said, sweat dropping a little. ‘Then again, what Pinkie does makes no sense either.’

“Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t, but hey! That’s just how me and Pinkie Pie roll!” The filly shrugged. “Anyway, enough about me, I wanna know more about you guys! I’ve never ever seen ponies like you here before? Are you all friends of Pinkie Pie like I am?”

“Er…yeah, we are sweetie.” Goku said, sighing. “Anyway, my name is Son Goku Kakarot Nightstalker Shenron. These are my siblings Snowflake Icestorm Nightstalker Shenron, Midnight Thunderstorm Nightstalker Shenron, and Sheton Crimson Flash Nightstalker Shenron. It’s really nice to meet you miss...”

“Oh, right! Sorry! I was so caught up in the fact that I was meeting new ponies that I didn’t tell you my name!” The soft green filly giggled. “My name is Lycan D. Melon Cake Ryūko Konton! But most ponies just call me Melon! I’m the resident Fun Filly, in Ponyville, Sugarcube Corner, and in Ponyville Elementary School!”

All three mares paused, inadvertently thinking the same thing. ‘Lycan D.?’

Sheton gave a pause, looking at the filly with slight surprise. “Wait a minute, Ryūko? Doesn’t that mean ‘Draconic Tiger?’ in Neighponese?”

“Sure does~!” Melon replied cheerfully, giving a couple of bounces. “I am a member of the all famous Draconic Tiger clan that are masters of the powers of a tiger and dragon, and is oh so super-duper secretly hidden from most of pony society!” She spun around allowing the four ponies to see a draconic tiger on her back, in a ying yang symbol with a ten-tailed lycanthrope. “See? The big guy’s right there! Looking as fierce as he always does!”

“Wow! That looks so cool!” Sheton breathed, his eyes shining as he stared at the symbols. “I’ve never seen a tattoo like that before. I’ve heard of the Ryūko clan before, but I’ve never met one in pony.”

Melon giggled, spinning back around to face the colt. “Well, luckily for you, I happen to be one of those ponies! I have the tattoos! And the powers to prove that I am a member of a family that holds the power of the biggest strongest Big Cat in the world!” She leaned in until their noses were nearly touching. “If you want, I can show you just how strong I can be!”

“Uh n-no thank you! I-I think I’ll pass on that if you don’t mind!” Sheton replied, backing away as Melon’s flattened teeth began to elongate. ‘Wow this filly is scary! I’m gonna have to watch myself around her along with Pinkie and Ms. Cake!’

“Alright Melon Cake.” Carrot said, putting a hoof on the soft green filly. “Don’t wanna scare the poor colt on his first day here in Ponyville. You okay there Sheton?”

“Y-yeah, I’m fine, M-Melon just took me by surprise as all.” Sheton replied, taking a breath to calm himself. “I-It, um…it’s really nice to meet you by the way M-Melon Cake.”

“You too Sheton!” Melon replied, winking at the stormy grey hybrid colt. “You know, I’ve never seen a colt like you around Ponyville before. Do think you and I could be friends?”

“W…what? R-really?” Sheton asked in shock. “You…w-want to be friends with me? E-even though I’m half thestral?”

“Of course I do! I know we’ve only just met, but I don’t like it when nopony has any friends, even in a friendly place like this! Plus, you don’t really see a lot of thestrals around anywhere like this place, so it’d be super-duper swell if ponies learned to like them now!” Melon replied, nodding rapidly. “And you seem like a really sweet and awesome colt! I can totally see it in those big adorable emerald blue eyes of yours!”

‘Well this little filly has the sharp eyes, doesn’t she?’ Goku thought to herself, watching the scene with a smile. ‘She kind of reminds me of Pinkie Pie.’

“So whaddya say Sheton?” Melon Cake asked holding a hoof out. “You wanna be friends with Ponyville’s Fun Filly?”

For a moment, Sheton stayed where he was, glancing down at the soft green filly’s hoof, before looking into her multi-colored eyes. He stared into the twin orbs for some time. As if trying to see whether Melon’s intentions were true, or if she was just pulling his leg. Hesitantly, he raised his hoof up and wrapped it around Melon’s own, blushing slightly at how warm and soft it felt.

“Sure Melon Cake, I-I would like that a lot. Y-you seem like a really nice filly too. A-and I hope that we can be friends too.” Sheton said, smiling softly at the soft green filly. “O-oh, and, you have…really, p-pretty eyes. I-I don’t think I’ve ever seen anypony with eyes that were two different colors. Other than my Dad's.”

“Awww! You really think so?” Melon Cake asked, her expression softening. “My eyes are really pretty to you?”

“Mhm, I really do, honestly. T-they’re really pretty to look at.” Sheton replied, looking away shyly. “I…I’m a real sucker for different colored eyes. B-because…it makes them look that much more, um…u-unique.”

The next thing that Sheton knew, he found the life being squeezed out of him as Melon Cake brought him into an incredible tight hug. The soft green filly squealed loudly as she bounced on her hind legs spinning in the air not to different form that of a ballerina.

“Oh thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you Sheton! That is one of the nicest sweetest things that anypony has ever said to me!” Melon Cake cried, happily, her eyes watering with anime tears. “Nopony has ever said that my eyes are pretty before! Nopony except the ones who didn’t really mean it! I think this is the first time anypony has said my eyes are pretty and really did mean it!”

Goku frowned at this, an unpleasant thought coming to mind. 'Seems like this filly here was bullied because of her eyes...' She thought, giving the filly a pitying look.

“Really? Well, I guess I’m the first pony your meeting to say that.” Sheton giggled, blowing some of his mane away. “And the first pony to really mean it.”

“Hmhm, that you are Sheton!” Melon Cake nodded, giggling as she let out a little snort. “I think we are going to be the bestest of friends from here on out!”

“Y-yeah, I do too.” Sheton nodded. “A-and I promise, that I’ll be the best friend that you’ve ever had too.”

“Same here! And that’s not just any promise! that is a Pinkie Promise!!” Melon Cake declared, holding a hoof in the air. “Or, in my case, a Melon Promise!”

All eight ponies laughed at the promise made from the earth pony filly, and Cupcake and Carrot looked to be ready to make a remark on it. They did not get the chance to as they and the Shenron Siblings all jumped back in surprise as a gigantic plate filled treats landed in front of them. They all gave off a scent of goodness so strong it was almost painful, and for the thestral siblings, it was quite a lot to take in. Pinkie suddenly appeared from above them, hanging upside down from the ceiling bat-style, her hind hooves clutching the boards of the ceiling having the many engraved pictures of sweets on them.

"There we are! All of the super duper extra special delicious foods that I could find in the whole entire bakery!" Pinkie Pie said as she bounced in place. "I do want to say one itsy bitsy little thing. The treats that we are taking to the celebration tonight are not to be eaten until after Queen Celly raises the Sun and gives of her super-duper extra important speech! These treats on the other hoof, are samples, so you can have as many as you want! Or well, as many as your body can handle, because we don't want any of you to get a tummy ache!"

"Hmhmhmhm, don’t worry Pinks, we'll all keep that in mind. I also appreciate how your being considerate about my little brother’s safety when it comes to eating too much sweets, but something tells me he'll be just fine." Goku giggled as he looked over at the stormy grey colt standing next to her. "In fact, since this is his first time at Sugarcube Corner, I think it’s only fitting if he tries the samples first."

Sheton looked up at his elder sister, his eyes going wide with surprise. He then felt himself being gently pushed forward, until he was less than a foot away from the large plate. He stared at the pile of sweets for a few moments, before looking back at his sister, who have him a consensual nod in return. Sehton then looked over at Pinkie, who gave a more vigorous nod, gesturing with an eager hoof.

"It’s alright dearie. Try as many as you like." Cupcake cooed with a gentle smile. "You don’t even have to worry about paying us."

"Yeah, these ones are on the house." Carrot added, giving the colt a firm nod. “Knock yourself out!”

“Go on Sheton! Take a bite already!” Melon Cake urged, smiling sweetly. “They’re really good! we promise! Just one bite, and your taste buds will go straight to paradise!”

Having now gotten consent from the Cakes, his sisters and Melon, Sheton smiled back at them before staring back down at the pile of treats laid out in front of him. His emerald eyes scanned each of the different foods stacked on top of each other, trying to see which one would taste the best. He finally settled one large strawberry frosted sprinkled vanilla cupcake, which was slightly glistening in the light of the Sun. Making his decision, Sheton reach out and took the cupcake in his right hoof. After staring at it for just a few more moments, he brought over to his mouth, took a rather large bite, and started to chew.

The reaction the everypony in the bakery got from the little colt came with major positive results. The second the cupcake touched his tongue, Sheton's blue eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets and began to sparkle. His feathered bat wings flared out involuntarily as his whole body froze on the spot. It was as if he had been blasted and encased in a large block of magic, the cupcake still held in his grasp. For a long moment, he didn't say a word nor make a single move. He just stood in that same motionless position. After a few more seconds, Snowflake finally broke the ice.

"Um, Sheton?" She asked gently, her worried tone matching her expression. "Are you okay, dear?"

"So…oood.” He mumbled as he bowed his head low.

"What was that, sweetie?" Midnight asked, flicking her right ear as she lowered her head to hear better. “Could you speak up please?”

"SOOO GOOHOHOHOHOOOD!!!" He repeated as he lifted his head, his cheeks flushing red as his eyes shut tight. His wings ruffled as they folded back to his sides, anime tears flowing from his eyes as everypony watched on in amusement. “They’re so good~!”

"I'll take that as a yes..." Goku said, supporting the colt as he stumbled about. "A very overly dramatic yes."

Snowflake side-eyed her youngest sister. “Oh don’t you even start…”

"Oh, I know you'd love it! That expression told me you did the second that it came on your cute little face!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed happily,. "I mean why would you like it, let alone live it! They are the bestest most sure spectacular treats that you can't find anywhere here in Ponyville, made by yours truly!!" Right as she said this, she suddenly stopped hopping and pulled both the Cakes into a hug from either side of them. "Of course, I couldn't have done it without the help of the two most bests bakers in all of Ponyville!”

"Don't worry Pinkie Pie, we know what you meant!" Cupcake said giving her a loving motherly nuzzle. "Though you really should give yourself some more credit. We're not the only talented bakers here in this building."

“Mrs. Cake is right Pinkie Pie, you’re just as much of a talent baker as the cakes are!” Melon Cake nodded. “And maybe someday, when I’m big and strong like you, I’ll be a super-duper awesome baker like all three of you!”

"Melon's right Pinkie...with treats like that, the ponies at the Summer Sun Celebration will certainly have their taste buds on fire from just the sheer flavor." Goku added with a nod of agreement. She then felt her nostrils flare and giving a little sniff of the air, before she grimaced a bit. "Speaking of which, does anypony else smell smoke?"

As soon as those words came out of her mouth, Cupcake and Carrot both froze on the spot, looking to each other with wide eyes and contracted pupils as they screamed, "OH BUCKING SHIT! THE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIEEEEEES!!!" Before they both zoomed into the kitchen with lightning speed almost blowing the double doors off of their hinges by their sheer force alone.

“Hold on Mr. and Mrs. Cake I’m coming!” Melon Cake shouted, zooming after the two bakers at the same speed Pinkie Pie had when she left. “I’ll get the fire extinguisher”

“Oh those three. I told them that if they left the cookies in the oven for even a second longer than necessary that they would start to burn. "Pinkie Pie said, shaking her head. " Good thing they have me and Melon Cake to take care of that! Looks like they still got a few lose ends to tie up, and Melon’s there to help them."

"Yeah, it looks that way...” Midnight said with a gentle laugh. “It looks like you got your hooves full quite bit, huh Pinkie?"

"Yepperooni! I sure do. But, luckily for me, I have a sweet little filly here to keep not only the Cakes, but me in high spirits!” The bubblegum pink mare replied as she lowered her head and closed her eyes. “Oh, I don’t know they’d do without me! Or me without Melon Cake!"

“Probably run themselves even more ragged than they already are.” Snowflake joked. “Then again, they already do that. So I guess it doesn’t really make a difference. Good thing they have somepony to help them keep their spirits up.”

“Totally.” Pinkie Pie said, laughing softly as she brushed her mane away. "I'm not gonna lie. I really missed you guys over the last four years that we were apart. Me and the girls all missed each other a lot, but we never missed anypony more than we did you four." Her eyes then locked onto Sheton, who gave her a shy smile on return. "Now you're all here again, we can all be together! Plus, you've brought your little brother here too. Which makes it even better! For both me and for Melon Cake! When the Summer Sun Celebration rolls around, we can all celebrate being together again! And Melon Cake can celebrate getting a new friend! Ooooh, I can hardly wait!"

"Neither can we Pinkie. I am looking forward to when we can all see each other in the same place. Plus, I'm wondering how a few...particular members of their families are doing." Goku replied with a genuine smile. The hybrid mare looked down at her brother for a split second before looking back up at Pinkie. "And I'm sorry that I wasn't able to keep in contact with you girls most of the time. I had a lot of college and magic training to deal with while I was gone, so I didn’t really have all that time to visit.”

Pinkie Pie walked up to all three mares and pulled them all into a tight hug. She used her tail to pull Sheton in as well, and bring him into the now complete hug.

"Oh Goku, there's nothing to be sorry for. I'm just so happy that I get to see you guys again, and that's all that matters. I am looking forward to catching up, and Melon getting to know your little brother more, and I think it’s gonna be a blast." Pinkie Pie replied sincerely, looking down at the colt before she gained a gentler, warmer smile. "Just promise me one thing, okay?"

"What would that be Pinkie?" The tan hybrid mare asked gently.

"If you ever plan to be away that long again, try keep in touch more often." She said looking up at them with eyes that were like that of a sad puppy’s “I know that we really couldn’t do it, but still. It felt so wrong that we didn’t get to hear too much from each other. So, promise me okay?”

Goku responded by wrapping her feathered bat wings around the bubblegum pink mare, pulling her even closer. She nuzzled her right cheek with Pinkie's left on as the mare began to shake. "Of course Pinkie. We promise you, that we will keep in touch as much as we possibly can, with both you and the girls." She said softly, letting Pinkie Pie cry into her shoulder. "That is a promise, and not just any promise. But a Pinkie Promise.”

Pinkie Pie sniffled, smiling into Goku’s shoulder as she nuzzled it. “Thank you, I’m really happy to hear that. I know that this year’s Celebration is going to be one hay of a blast. Especially with all of you here.”

“Oh, I know it will be!” Goku chirped, pulling away from Pinkie. “And with you and Melon there, it’s bound to be!”

A crash from inside the kitchen made all five ponies jump, and an angry voice followed soon after. “Faustdammit Carrot, what the fuck did I just say?! Don’t leave the cookies in the fucking oven any longer than necessary?! What do you go and do?! Do you fucking do it anyway! I told you we can’t afford any mistakes today, shit!”

“I thought that you were supposed watching them?!” The voice of Carrot asked. “Didn’t you say that you would watch the time while I took care of making the batch?! When did we suddenly switch rolls?!”

Melon Cake’s voice came shortly after. “Yeah! When I came to Sugarcube Corner this morning, you both said whose turn it was to take over the cooking and the baking! Don’t tell me that you guys forgot that already!”

“Oh dammit, we got so caught up about being happy about seeing Goku again that we completely forgot about that!” Cupcake swore. “Sorry honeybun, I didn’t mean to snap at you like that.”

“It’s alright honey, let’s just take care of this smoke before it-” Whatever Carrot was going to say when a blasting sound emitted from the kitchen. “THE STOVE IS ON FIRE! MELON CAKE, QUICKLY, GET THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER!”

“ON IT!!!” The voice of Melon shouted from within the kitchen. “DO YOUR WORSE FIRE, YOU’LL NEVER TAKE US ALIVE!”

“OW OW OW OW! MY TAIL! IT’S ON FIRE!!!” Cupcake screamed. “MY TAIL IS ON FIRE!!! SOMEPONY PUT IT OUT NOW!!!”

“MELON, BRING THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER ALREADY!”

“I’M GOING AS FAST AS I CAN!!!”

“WELL GO BUCKING FASTER!”

“CUP! CALM DOWN PLEASE!”

"SHUT UP! I'M NOT THE ONE WHO'S TAIL IS ON FIRE LIKE ITS IN AN OVEN! NOW PUT IT OUT BEFORE I PUT THE BOTH OF YOU OUT!"

"Y-YES MA'AM!"

“Oh my.” Snowflake said. “It looks like they’re really going crazy aren’t they? I knew they were this worked up, but my word.”

A huge sweat drop appearing on the back of Pinkie’s head and she blushed. “Yeah, sorry about that you guys. The Summer Sun Celebration is only hours away. So it’s only understandable that they’re…a little stressed.”

“Just a little.” Goku deadpanned. “Right.”

“Um, do any of you, um…want us to help?” Midnight asked timidly. “I know we’re supposed to be on a schedule, but we’re not really in any rush. Plus, there’s still plenty of daylight left, and the Celebration isn’t till later on tonight, so…”

“Actually, you know what? I think that’d be great.” Pinkie Pie asked with a relieved exhale. “The Cakes are really stressed out right now, and I think it’d be best for all of us if we have a few extra hooves to alleviate it.” She glanced down at Sheton with a small smile. “As well as a extra little ball of fluff to help keep them smiling.”

“Well, in that case, lead the way Pinkie Pie.” Goku said, spreading her hybrid wings and taking to the air. “You come on too Sheton! Let’s go!”

“R-right! I'm coming” Sheton nodded as he and the other four mares stormed into the kitchen.

Author's Note

Heh...not really much to say here other than I sort of changed Pinkie's family name and gave him a name similar to that of Luffy's and One Piece :twilightblush: . Also, before you guys ask, yes, I have Pinkie Pie the actual ability to stretch as Luffy did when he ate the Gum-Gum Devil Fruit form Shank's safe back in Makino's bar. However, while this will have just the slightest bit of a One Piece crossover because of that, Pinkie has not eaten a Devil Fruit...sort of...I have that ability mixed up with another main power that she has that I plan to show later on in her and the rest of the girls adventure. If the Lycan D. part of Pinkie's name was any indication, which was the same name I gave little Melon Cake :ajsmug: . Now, you guys may be wondering if there's some kind of connection between Pinkie and Melon because of that, and for that I would like to say I am not revealing anything yet, but I am planning something pretty surprising in the future :pinkiehappy: .

Next time: The thestral siblings get a buck full of apples :ajsmug: .

Chapter 5 - Honest Apples and Chipper Blooms

After helping with the unexpected fire in Sugarcube Corner, the thestral siblings all left the bakery with infectious laughter and wide smiles. The fire was a bit more than Goku, Snowflake, and Midnight had suspected, but none of them minded helping the Cakes pit it out. Even Sheton was happy to lend a hoof, especially since his new friend Melon Cake, seemed happy that he’d be there for a bit longer. As a way to thank them for their generous offer to help, the Cakes let the four siblings take a single box away with them. Even though they said that it was free of charge, Goku was very insistent on giving them some amount of payment, that being in a large bag of bits.

Once everything was taken care of, they all left for their next route, with Pinkie Pie promising them they'd have some more fun as soon as possible. The party pony also mentioned that she had a big surprise for them later on at dusk. Goku had a sneaking suspicion as to what it could be, but knew she’d find out eventually. She was just not prepared for what kind of reunion that it would be.

"Oh boy! The cakes have not been slacking off in their baking of goods ever since we were away~." Goku moaned as her tongue ran across her lips. "I almost forgot what it tasted like on my own tongue.”

"Same here with us little sister." Snowflake said with an amused smirk. "Then again, I did miss being able to taste those. I will admit, the deserts that we had after dinner while living in Queen Celestia's castle were delicious and her maids are experts. It’s just that Pinkie's make it seem like we're still home, like we never left in the first place and stayed here all our lives."

"Oh yes! She's certainly good at making ponies feel like that." Midnight chirped as she gave a slight nod. "I still remember that heartbroken look that she gave us when we said we had to leave. I’m getting emotional just thinking about it!”

"We both feel the same way big sis, trust me. None of us liked saying goodbye to our friends any more than you did" Goku said looking over at her eldest sister’s comically teary eyes expression. "It doesn’t matter anymore now; it’s all in the past, and it’s high time we ahead. Besides, I'm really looking forward to catching up with each of them." The tan hybrid mare looked over to Sheton, who was resting on Midnight's back. "Not only that, I'm eager to see how many more friends our little bro can make than the one he just made."

At these words, Sheton, locked his eyes with Goku’s own, his expression one of confusion. Once Goku’s words fully sunk in, he lowered his head and poked his forehooves together.

“Oh, um…about that sis...I’m still a bit nervous about that. I-I know I was successful in getting Melon Cake as my friend, and she seems like a really sweet girl.” He admitted, still keeping his eyes on the beige thestral. “Do you really think that I’ll get along with all the other foals? I know I did with Melon Cake, but…w-what if I mess up on the next one?”

“Honey, that is not going to happen, okay? You’ll be fine, I have a hard time believing that all foals won’t want to have you as a friend. Especially since you got along so well with Melon Cake in the short time that you’ve known her.” Goku said, her tone filled with sincerity. “Besides, even if you mess up and make a mistake that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. You just gotta learn from those mistakes so you’ll know what to do next time, that’s all. I’ll be honest when I say you won’t go through some hardships with your friends. Still, if you really value that friendship, then it’ll all be worth it in the end.” Her expression turned slyer as she gave her brother a mischievous smile. “Even more so if your best friends are a bunch of cute little fillies.”

At those last words, Sheton’s body went rigid on the spot as a hard blush formed on his cheeks. He put his forehooves on his large fedora and pulled it down hard over his head, muffling the groan that escaped him.

"Sis, will you please stop bringing that up?!" the stormy grey colt whined cutely, feeling his stormy grey cheeks heating up again. "You've been doing this ever since we left the city! How long are you gonna keep doing this to me?!"

"When I have a nice good bunch of nieces and nephews." Goku replied slyly. "Of course, if you decided you only want to go with a bachelor group I won't mind. Though I think it'd be better if you had some filly friends with you."

The stormy grey hybrid colt frowned. "What so you can tease me more?"

"Maybe, maybe not. Either way, you'll have to find out for yourself sweetie." Goku replied sweetly as she gave her little brother a wink, giggling as she saw him lower his head, pulling his fedora over his eyes. "Anyway, can you be a little sweetheart and see who we're supposed to see next on the list? I sort of forgot who we're supposed to be seeing next."

Grumbling under his breath, Sheton flew over to the left side of Goku's barrel reaching onto her left saddlebag and pulling out the list. After scrolling through it for a few moments, he softly replied, "It says that our next stop is Sweet Apple Acres, with the mare in charge needing to bring a large feast to the celebration. And the mare in charge is going by the name...Applejack Sweet Apple Titan..!"

“Now there’s a name that I know close to home. Given that she’s part of the core of Ponyville, along with her family.” Snowflake murmured as she started going on a path up a hill that led outside of Ponyville. “That means that we’re going in the right direction!”

“Uh, why are we leaving Ponyville and going up this hill?” Sheton asked, looking back over his shoulder at the slowly shrinking town behind them. “Are we done with the supervising there already?”

“No we’re not, Sheton. We’re just going outside of town because the next pony we’re meeting lives s little less farther from home.” Snowdrop replied, patting the Pegasus on the head with a wing. “It’s just up this hill and we’ll be there.”

“Up the hill? Why would she be-whoa!” Sheton asked, but stopped mid-sentence as a Goku suddenly flared her wings and took off. “Hey, wait up there, sis!”

Spreading his own wings, the colt took off after his sister, Midnight and Snowflake following soon after as they soared up the hill. It was only in the span of several seconds that they caught up with Goku, landing on either side of her. Following the line of the tan mare’s wide-eyed gaze, they looked ahead of her and gasped up seeing that they were at Sweet Apple Acres. From inside the white gate stretched far down on either side of the hill, they could see a well and a field of corn on the left side of the farm. There was also a chicken coop and tool houses on the right side of the large red barn at the very center. Behind the tool houses, there was a large field of large hay piles that stretched down to the far right.

A gigantic fields of apple trees stretched across both sides of the barn seeming to go on vastly. A carrot storage building could also be seen stretching at the far back, with a little field of carrots accompanying it as well. At the front, there were two large pots of plants and flowers and a large sign have an apple shaped hole in the center, with the label below saying, ‘Sweet Apple Acres’. The last thing that they noticed, was the large symbol that was just above the apple shaped whole. It was one of two large white and blue wings morphing in the shape of an ‘x’, both shining brightly in the Sun’s light.

“Whoa…it’s huge!” Sheton exclaimed, his eyes wide at the farm’s size. “I can’t believe that Sweet Apple Acres is this big!”

“It certainly is, sweetie. If you thought that the farms were big in pictures and photos, then they’re absolute behemoths when you see them up close and personal.” Midnight said as they all made their way onto the farm. “Although, ponies do run smaller ones, but they tend to do larger ones, so they can make bigger profits.”

“Yeah, I’ve read a lot about that. Earth ponies are always the ones the plant the foods while the pegasi are the ones who bring the clouds of water needed to help those plants grow.” Sheton murmured, looking back at his own hybrid. “I guess that’s why farmers have such a high respect and fondness for pegasi. Is it…is it possible for pegasus ponies to be farmers, too?”

“Of course! Nopony has to really be an earth pony to be a farmer. I was just saying that since earth ponies are more fit to be farmers.” Goku replied. “It’s really not common for pegasi and even Unicorns to be farmers, but I think it’d be really beneficial. Plus, all three pony tribes would use their skills to keep the farm running and maybe make bigger profits than any other family of farmers.” A thought then struck Goku, and she looked back at her brother. “Why do you ask sweetie? Do you want to become a farmer when you grow up too?”

“Oh, no! I was just curious if there ponies besides Earth Ponies who were farmers.” The stormy grey colt replied looking down at the ground in thought. “Though, now that I think about it, it probably wouldn’t be so bad. Well, besides all the numerous chores and whatnot.”

“Well, you’re not wrong about that sweetheart. It is a lot of hard work with long hours to boot, but if you have plenty of friends, it can ease the burden somewhat.” Snowdrop chuckled softly. “Still, we can talk to Applejack’s family at some point about giving you a part time job here when you’re older. Well, if you’re actually interested…”

All of a sudden, an orange and yellow blur shot passed the four siblings leaving a large cloud of dust in its wake. They all coughed and snorted hard as they as they saw the blur shot past them, their noses burning from the dust in their nasal cavities. When it cleared, they pick up the sound of hooves beating against trees, and they looked over to see who it was.

Galloping from tree to tree, was an earth pony mare, with deep tangerine fur that looked to be from darkest and smoothest of oranges. A long golden yellow mane and tail flowed from her neck and tailbone, as if it they were both kissed by the sun, and her eyes were beautiful orbs of emerald green. She had snow-white stockings on the lower half of her legs, stopping just above her golden yellow hooves, with a red bandana around her neck. The mare had a large stetson hat resting on her head, with little white freckles adorning her face; her whole muzzle being snow white. Feathers adorned her shoulders, chest, and the base of her tail, indicating that she had the blood and magic of a Pegasus in her veins. She had the white and blue wing symbol tattooed to her back, and three red apples made her cutie mark.

The four thestrals all watched as the mare galloped towards one last apple tree, her hooves pounding against the ground as if she were trying to buck somepony off of her back. At the last second, she whirled around and raised her hindlegs and launched her back hooves forward towards the tree. They slammed into the tree trunk the force of the kick so powerful that it made the giant thick tree shake violently. The apples hanging from the tree easily gave to the force, and fell right into the basket waiting below.

“Woo! That’s the fastest that Ah’ve ever bucked more than one tree on this here clearin’! That is definitely goin’ in mah record book!” The mare said proudly as she crossed her forelegs together. She gave a flick of her tail, which just touched the ground, with her mane brushing against it, held together by red hair bands. Her ears suddenly flicked, picking up sound of hoof steps making their way towards her. When she turned to greet who had come onto the farm, her eyes widened in surprised shock at who she saw.

“Oh mah stars…do mah eyes deceive me?” She blinked a few times to make sure what she was seeing was real. “Goku, Snowflake, Midnight...is that really you three?”

“Well howdy there, Applejack! Long time no see girl!” Goku, giving the tangerine mare a tip of her imaginary hat. “I can see that you’ve certainly grown into quite the strong experienced mare.”

Applejack’s surprised expression turned to that of utter joy as a wide grin made its way to her face, showing her shining teeth. She reared up on her hindlegs and let out a happy whinny before shed enveloped the tan hybrid mare in a powerful hug. Goku coughed a bit form the sudden action, but soon composed herself as she returned the hug, breathing in Applejack’s scent of apples.

“Sweet Celestia’s flowin’ mane and tail, it really is you ya’ll! Land sake’s, Ah haven’t seen any o’ y’all in forever!” The farm mare said, pulling away from Goku. “Mah stars, ya’ll have certainly grown into a beautiful lookin mares, haven’t you?” Her emerald eyes then trailed up to Midnight, and she took a few steps back in surprise at the sheer size ad height that the beetle black mare was at. “Look at y’all! None o’ ya have changed a bit since Ah last saw ya! Still have them fancy lil’ features o’ yer’s as ever!”

“We sure do Applejack, and trust us, we know we’ve always had these. We’ve gotten plenty of compliments on it from the Cakes and Pinkie Pie, we can say that for sure.” Midnight said, giving Applejack in a warm smile. She then spread her hybrid wings and enveloping her in a warm, yet tight hug. “Even so…it’s wonderful to see you again! I can’t watch to catch up with you and the others on all the fun times that we missed.”

“M-me too, sugarcube. A-Ah’m happy to see ya’ll again as well…’’ the tangerine mare replied, trying to breathe through the mare’s impressively, strong wing hug. “M-M-Midnight, h-hon’…y-yer squeezin’ too tight there!A-Ah…c-c-can’t b-breathe!”

“Oops! I’m sorry!” Midnight cried, letting the mare fall to the ground in a coughing fit. “Goodness, I really gotta stop doing that…”

“So, what’re y’all doin’ back here?” Applejack said, taking a moment to catch her breath. “Ah can tell that ya’ll aren’t jus’ here fer a warm reunion, are ya?”

“You always had a good eye Applejack dear; using yout pegasus magic wisely is see.” Snowdrop remarked. “Well, for starters, Queen Celestia chose us to be the supervisors for the Summer Sun Celebration happening later on tonight. We already went to Pinkie Pie for the treats that she’s brining, and now, we’re here to see the adequacy of the food that your family is planning to bring. After this we’re also planning to move back to Ponyville shortly after the Celebration.”

“Wait a minute, Queen Celestia chose you all t’ be the supervisors?” Applejack asked in surprise. “Well shoot, figures that she would choose you of all ponies with this. Since y’all are from Ponyville like th’ rest o’ th’ girls.”.

“You can say that again.” Midnight giggled. “I guess since it was being held one of Equestria’s most peaceful towns, she wanted somepony who was from there to supervisors.”

Applejack nodded. “Yeah, that would make sense. Ah honestly don’t think Ah could’ve handle all o’ those stuck nobles back in that fancy city. Ya know, with them bein’ all high in expectations an’ all.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt it. You probably would’ve bucked them all to th’ other side of Equestria if they did that.” Goku said slyly, earning a laugh form the farmer. “Or probably make them into that all-time famous apple cider of yours.”

“Hey now, Ah wouldn’t go that far. They may deserve some good ol’ fashioned apple buckin’ for anything they may say ‘bout mah family, but they don’t deserve that.” The tangerine mare said, rolling her eyes. “’Sides, Ah bet they probably wouldn’t have tasted all that good anyway, given how snooty an’ stuck up they are.”

“Eeyup, they most certainly would not have!” Goku said, putting a hoof to her chest. She looked back up to say something else to Applejack, only to see that the farmer’s eyes were no longer directly locked onto her. Almost immediately, she knew exactly who she was looking at, as evident by the feeling of her brother shifting underneath her.

“Well now, who’s this lil’ sugar-foot?” she asked kindly as she lowered her face down to Sheton’s. “Don’t think Ah’ve ever seen him with any o’ y’all b’fore?”

“Really? Are you seriously saying that you don’t remember meeting this lil’ cutie?” Goku asked, raising an eyebrow at Applejack. “This is my little brother, Sheton Crimson Flash Nightstalker Shenron. He was born back in Canterlot city while I was still living here with you guys. I had invited you all to Canterlot to come and see him while my Mom was still on the hospital remember?"

Applejack mulled over in her mind, trying to recall that day that she had seen Sheton back in her own foalhood days. A moment later it clicked, and she looked back up at Goku with recognition in her eyes. “Oh yeah! Ah was takin’ a day off o' work with y’all along with th’ rest o’ th’ girls when ya got that later.” She acknowledged. “Ah also remember excited everypony was t’ see yer brother. Heh, Pinks was jus’ goin’ on an’ on ‘bout how cute he’d looked, while Fluttershy couldn’t wait t’ see another foal an’ hold ‘im.”

“Heheh, yeah. If anything, I think my Mom was the most comfortable with Fluttershy being around my brother.” Goku nodded back. “I’m, uh…sorry about how my Mom was towards most of you at first. It’s just, thestrals can be quite protective of their offspring, even around their own mates. It certainly didn’t help that Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Rainbow Dash didn’t ask before they could get so close to him. Let alone hold him. Would’ve gotten their throats ripped out in the process if it hadn’t been for my Dad and Fluttershy calming her down.”

“Uh-huh, Ah remember that day alright. Yer Ma was a real scary one she was. Though Ah can’t really blame her. RD, Pinks, an’ Rares weren’t really helpin’ a lot. Too damn impatient t’ see th’ baby an’ wait till yer Ma was comfortable enough with ‘em.” Applejack sighed, remembering the little conflict between Goku's mother and a few of their friends She could still see the rage-filled look on Gine's face when Pinkie tried to take Sheton in her embrace. It was only thanks to Fluttershy intervening that she didn't have her muzzle bitten off. And even then, it took some extra reassurance from both her Applejack, and Goku to convince her they weren't going to harm Sheton. “Ah’m amazed that she let me, Twilight, an’ Fluttershy see yer brother. Even more when she them hold ‘im.”

“I guess it’s because since all three of you are used to being around children, you didn’t pose a threat to Sheton in our mother’s.” Snowflake commented. “Or maybe it’s because Fluttershy has the best way with foals out of all of you. And our dear mother could sense it in her.”

“Or it’s probably because Fluttershy, along with Derpy, come from a clan that’s not too similar to the Nightstalker Clan.” Goku shrugged. “If any of you know what I mean.”

“Oh, don’t worry G. We all know what ya mean.” Applejack chuckled. “Anyway, it’s real nice t’ meet ya Sheton. Mah names Applejack Sweet Apple Titan, and Ah’m the owner an’ manager o’ this entire farm.”

“Um…hello Ms. Applejack.” The stormy grey thestral colt said shyly, giving the farmer is best smile. “It’s really nice to meet you.”

“Hey now. No need fer that 'Ms.' bullshit there, sugarcube.” Applejack snorted with an eye rool. “We apples are known for out hospitality ‘round ‘ere. Anypony that comes here an’ wants t’ be a part o’ th’ family, isa part o’ th’ family, an’ that means no formalities. Y’all can jus’ call us by our regular names, or nicknames, ya hear?”

“Yes ma’-I mean…A-AJ.” Came the colts soft reply, before feeling his face planted into the ground when Applejack gave him a hard pat on his head. “Ow…”

“Good. Glad we’re on the same page.” She said as the colt struggled to get his face out of the ground. “Anyway, Ah don’t wanna keep you guys waiting here, Ah’ll go an’ get th’ rest o’ th’ family. Ah know they’ll be dyin’ to see ya’ll again, our youngest member o’ the family.”

Sheton, who had finally managed to get his face out from the ground, was just able to catch what Applejack had said, and a knot formed in his stomach. Before he could say anything else, he gave a cry as the sound of a dinner bell tore through his sensitive ears.

“RISE AN’ SHINE EVERYPONY!!!” Applejack called out in a loud voice, stretching far outside of the farm. “WE GOT SOME NEW GUESTS ‘ERE!!!””

Immediately afterword, the four hybrid siblings all heard galloping hooves, feeling the ground shaking under their own like an incoming earthquake. They only had enough time to turn around and see a huge heard of earth ponies before they were all swept off of their hooves. Before they knew it, they were all seated in in front of a large table, having a green white and red cover on it, with the earth pony herd crowding all around them.

“Now, I know that ya’ll been to our Apple family reunions while y’all were still livin’ here, but our families grown quite a bit since you last saw us, G.” Applejack said, wrapping a strong foreleg around the tan hybrid mare’s shoulders. “So Ah’m gonna introduce ya’ll, an’ yer brother, t’ every last pony an’ youngin here! Oh, an’ Ah’m sure ya won’t mind, but they all brought food here with ‘em in case ya’ll were hungry.”

“Well…we did have a nice big breakfast with our parents before we came here.” Goku said slowly, waving a hoof around. “But, if you insist, we’ll clean off every last plate of this food with our bare teeth!”

“Always thinking with your stomach whenever you see food.” Midnight sighed. “Why does this not surprise me?”

“Because our dear little sister has the stomach of an airship.” Snowflake replied slyly, smiling up at her eldest sister. “As do we, my dear sister, so I don’t think we have any room to talk.”

“No, we sure don’t!” Sheton chirped, staring up at the food with a watering mouth. “Come to me, you delicious food!”

With that, each of the Apple Family introduced themselves, or reconnected, with the Kirin siblings. They gave some special attention to Sheton, since most of the Apple family there were mares. Some of them couldn’t not help but fawn over the little colt, and there were even a few foals that went to greet him. The hybrid colt was nothing short of surprised upon just how open and friendly they were, and that they didn’t seem to be bothered by his hybrid appearance. He assumed that they had run into thestrals before, and were used to seeing a few hybrid ones, but that didn’t stop him from greeting them back. Sheton was however, on the receiving end of endless amounts of affection from the mares, and even a few fillies couldn’t help but be a little physically affectionate with him.

At some point, the table soon begun to get overcrowded with food, obscuring Sheton’s vision of his sisters and Applejack. Undeterred, he stood up on his stool and tried to see what was going on from behind the piles of food. It was to no avail, and before he knew it, he found himself slipping from his stool, and he fell.

“Whoa!” He cried, bracing himself for the impact of the cold hard ground. Instead, he felt something smooth soft and feathery touch his rump instead. He squeaked as he fell into it, his fedora falling over his head as he tumbled across the soft mass. After some rolling around, he adjusted himself and sat upright, letting out a little sneeze. He lifted his fedora out of his eyes and looked up to see who had caught him, only to freeze at what he saw.

Towering over him like a giant apple tree, was the biggest stallion Sheton had ever seen in his entire life. He was a Pegasus, with fur that looked as if it was painted in a bowl of deep scarlet paint, with a long, thick, slightly wild and untamed tangerine mane and tail that went all the way to the ground. His whole body was very buff, absolutely bulging with muscles, even more so than any guard that Sheton had seen ever seen. A massive wingspan adorned his shoulder blades, making him look even more intimidating, along with his scars. The stallion’s wings were a combination of scarlet red and tangerine orange and he had fetlocks of just atop his golden yellow hooves. There was a huge mass of feathers and fluff also covered his broad his chest, and a large yolk was hanging around his thick muscular neck. The winged symbol could be seen planted on his back like a tattoo, and his cutie mark was of a large green apple cut in half.

Sheton continued to stare wide eyed at the massive stallion above him, even as he set the young colt down. It was only when the stallion let out a deep snort that Sheton snapped out of his trance, and his expression went from that of shock to terrified awe.

“W-ow...y-you’re...huge m-mister.” He finally said shaking slightly as he took a step back. “I…I-I don’t think I’ve ever seen a stallion as big as you before.”

“Ya haven’t?” Another voice said, sounding softer, more mature somewhat high-pitched. “Well, Ah can say the same fer you sugar-bun. Neither me nor Big Macintosh here have seen a lil’ colt like you ‘round here.”

Sheton jumped at the new voice, before looking around to see a pegasus was mare that was just as big as the stallion, now name Big Macintosh, in front of him. She was quite the cute one too, looking like a female version of the giant muscular stallion next to her. Had it been for her gender, her more slender frame, and flaming half-apple with the star shaped seed in the middle, she would've been mistaken for being the stallion's identical twin brother.

“What’s the matter hon’ bun? Apple slice got yer lil’ tongue?” The mare asked, smiling at the colt in front of her and Big Mac. “Or are ya that shocked that ya can’t even form single word outta yer lil’ word hole there?”

Sheton, realizing he was staring again, snapped his mouth shut. A blush erupting onto his cheeks as he looked way from the mare's gentle green eyes. “I-I-I…n-no ma’am, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to stare, I-I was just…”

The scarlet red mare cut him off with a giggle. “Well shoot hon’, don’t tell me that Ah look old enough fer y’all t’ be callin’ me ma’am. Ah’m only twenty-one right now, so y’all don’t need t’ waste yer time bein’ all formal an’ all that stuff.”

“O-oh…right, Applejack mentioned that to me.” Sheton murmured, bashfully looking away. “I guess I forgot that for a minute there.”

Big Mac chuckled. “Eeyup.”

“So, what’s yer name sugar?” The mare asked, tilting her head at the hybrid colt. “Ah get the feelin’ from them lil’ fangs and bat wings o’ yers, that you’re one o’ Goku’s kin.”

“O-oh, um…y-yeah, I am.” Sheton nodded, smiling shyly up at the two hulking ponies. “M-my name is Sheton Crimson Flash Nightstalker Shenron, Goku’s little brother. A-are, um…d-do you two also live on the farm here like Applejack?”

“Eeyup, we sure are sonny.” Big Mac replied, nodding slightly. “Me, Anna, Applejack, our Granny, an’ our four other sisters live here on th’ farm with us. Even though AJ’s the owner here, we all run th’ farm together an’ keep it intact. It’s a kind o’ tradition that we apples like to stick to, ‘specially with a family as big as ours.”

“Yeah, I can see the sense that makes.” Sheton murmured, looking over the two ponies’ hulking frames. “A-anyway, i-it’s really nice to meet you…uuuh.”

“Anna Blaze.” The mare kindly finished for him. “Anna Blaze Sweet Apple Titan. And this is my twin brother, Big Macintosh Sweet Apple Titan. We're th' eldest two outta our bunch o’ siblings.” She smiled as she leaned down and nuzzled the stormy grey colt. “It’s real nice t’ meet ya too Sheton. Welcome t’ Sweet Apple Acres, an’ t’ Ponyville.”

Sheton giggled, smiling and blushing at Anna’s display of affection towards him. “T-thank you…”

“There y'all are! Ah was wonderin’ where you two were.?” Applejack said as she trotted over to her eldest siblings. A small grin etched onto her face as she watched the two scarlet twins interact with Sheton. “It looks like Sheton’s getting’ t’ know ya pretty well ain’t he?”

“Mhm, we sure do.” Anne Blaze nodded, wrapping a wing around Sheton before she looked eyes with the three hybrid mare’s behind Applejack. “An’ I can see a few familiar faces with ya too!”

“Your damn right you can! And we can never forget the two strongest ponies in the Apple Family! Goku replied as she trotted over to the two twins and hugging them tight. “I can’t believe how much you two have grown over the last four years! You’ve certainly done a lot of work along the farm and packed on the pounds haven’t you?”

“Eeyup.” The Big Macintosh replied, his voice deep and rumbling as he nuzzled the tan mare.

“Mhm.” Anna Blaze replied, doing the same with her right wing.

“We can also see that you two are still ponies of few words.” Snowflake commented. “You two have not changed one bit, have you?”

“Eenope.” Big mac replied with a grin as he hugged Midnight.

“Mm-mm.” Anna Blaze giggle, nuzzling the mountain blue mare’s cheek.

“I can also see that you two are enjoying meeting my little brother, hm?” Goku asked, giving both twins a sly smile, most especially Anna. “Isn’t he just the most adorable little colt that you’ve ever seen?”

Both twins nodded, with Anna Blaze nuzzling Sheton again and even lightly nibbling at one of his ears. The stormy grey colt, trying to push the scarlet mare away as Big Mac watched form the side in amusement.

“Still as quiet and affectionate as ever.” Goku murmured shaking her head fondly. “You are still the same as you always were.”

“Hey now, don’t forget about us, Goku!” A new voice from behind her said. “They’re not the only ones here t’ see ya! There are a lot more than jus’ Mac an’ Anna!”

Goku jumped in slight surprise at the voice that made its way to her ears. Curious, she turned around, only to see three other mares making their way towards her. When they came within tails reach, Goku could tell that just by their appearance that they were other three siblings of the Apple family.

“Of course they’re not, Jubilee.” The tan hybrid mare said slyly. “How could I forget all seven apple family members after only four years apart?”

“B’cause y’all have known us ever since we were fillies, that’s why. Even if we’ve only known your family for a month, we’d never forget all those fangs and bat wings on ya.” Jubilee replied with a grin. She was a rather short Earth Pony mare, with a shade of pale orange fur, and a long extended scarlet mane and tail having golden yellow streaks in both. Scarlet red stockings could be seen on her forelegs, with snow white ones adorning her hindlegs, and beautiful sunset orange eyes. A mass of feathers covered her chest, and her face and upper legs had jet-black freckles, with a large jet-black Stetson atop her head. A large winged symbol shone on her back, and her Cutie Mark was of an Apple with a lasso around it.

“That reminds me why haven’t ya’ll kept in contact with us, sugarcube? You’ve hardly sent us any letters at all except for th' holidays.” The second mare, a Pegasus mare, asked perplexedly with a raised brow. Her hide was a pale shade green, and she also had mane and tail the color of scarlet, both braided and tied by red hair bands. Scarlet red stockings were on three of her legs, with one snow white one on her left foreleg. The mare also looked to have heterochromia, the left eye being emerald green, while the other being a sunset orange color. She had a large feathered mass of them adoring her chest, with wings were a combined color of her mane, fur, and eyes. On her back was adorned with the blue and white winged symbol, and a trio of prismatic pies made up her cutie mark. “We were all beginning to think that somethin’ bad happened to ya’ll while you were away.”

“Oh come now Scarlet, no need to get upset.” The third mare who was also a pegasus, said softy, giving the three mares a warm smile. Her body was covered in deep scarlet red fur, and a long braided pure golden yellow mane and tail feel down her neck and rump. A shining shade of sunset orange made up her eyes, with her wings and chest fluff having the colors in a trio. A pair of snow-white stockings covering the lower half of her legs, and her cutie mark was a golden apple with a blooming flower above it. “Ah’m sure Goku and her sisters have a reasonable explanation. Don’t ya honey bun?”

“Yeah, we’re sorry about that, Honey Blossom. We got caught up a lot on college work and magic training and bullshit.” Goku replied as a pink tint made its way to her beige cheeks. “We did the best we could though, besides it’s not like we had a whole lot of time on our hands anyway.”

“Yeah well, it certainly didn’t look that way to me, sugar pie.” Scarlet frowned crossing her forehooves. “It seemed like ya’ll were stallin’ till the last moment, makin’ this lil’ meetin’ a surprise for all of us.” Her expression softened to a wide toothy grin. “Still, it’s great to see you girls again. Y’all bein’ back here on th’ farm with th’ family after all this time is a blessin’ in itself.”

“Yeah, I bet it is, and it’s the same for us too.” Goku giggled as she returned the hug. “Now we’re back, and we’re not going anywhere.”

“You’d better honestly mean that, hon.” Jubilee said, giving the hybrid mare a playful jab in her barrel. “Or else me ‘n’ Annie Pie ‘r’ gonna show you just how strong we’ve gotten since we last saw ya.”

“No worries, I won’t!” Goku replied with a giggle. “Even though we were born in Canterlot, Ponyville is our true home! There won’t be any other place that comes even remotely close to being as homey as this one”

Suddenly, the tan mare felt a few gentle tugs on her mane, making her head jerk to the right side. Figuring that it was Sheton, she looked to where she thought he was, only to see that it wasn’t her brother. It was an adorable little earth filly, with yellow fur that was pure golden in color. She had a long fiery red mane and tail that both had four beautiful pink bows. One atop her head, another on the end of her tail, and two in her twin ponytails. Her little hooves had snow white stocked, wiht her chest and tale base having feathers, all the same color as her body, and her flank currently had no cutie mark.

“Well, hello there little one.” Goku said sweetly, lowering her head to the filly’s level. “I didn’t see you there, what’s your name?”

“Howdy there! Mah name’s Apple Bloom! Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres!” Apple Bloom replied with a sweet southern drawl. Holding out her hoof to shake the older mare’s, who paused momentarily when the filly said her name. “Are you another one of Mah sisters’ and brother’s friends?”

“Why yes, I am! You really wouldn’t remember me since you weren’t that much older than you are now, but I certainly remember you!” Goku replied, scratching Apple Bloom behind her ear, making her giggle. “In case you’re wondering, I was one of the ponies that was there when you were born, before me and my sisters left.”

Apple Bloom’s ears perked as recognition. “Oh yeah, now Ah remember that! Mah big sis told me ‘bout meetin’ ya sometime after Ah was born. She also told me that you were also part, uh…” She trailed off as a thoughtful look came to her face. “You were, um…part…what was that word pronounced again?

“Thestral?” Goku asked patiently. “As in part Bat Pony?”

“Yeah, that one, that’s the word!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, smiling. “Ah could tell that you were one when a saw them fangs on ya. Along with those membranes stickin’ outta those wings o’ yers!”

“Is that so? You have a good eye there, don’t you Apple Bloom?” Goku asked impressively. “I have to say though…I didn’t really expect you to be so relaxed about the fact that me, my sisters and brother are all half-thestral. Not to be mean or anything, but I was more or less expecting you to be having your tail between your legs.”

Apple Bloom giggled, blowing her bang out of her face. “Yeah, that probably would’ve been the more expected reaction at seein’ somepony that looks like a vampire.” She said casually, giving a shrug of her shoulder. “Ah really don’t mind; me an’ AJ have a couple o’ friends that’re more or less Thestrals themselves. At least, they kinda do, since they have looks that’re a lot like yer own.”

“Really now?” Goku asked, with a little head tilt. “Well then, I take it that means you won’t be too bothered about meeting another foal that’s half thestral?”

Apple Bloom tilted her head. “What do ya mean?”

The larger mare chuckled, looking over her shoulder at Sheton and gesturing him to come over with a wing. Silently, he obeyed, and stood just in front of his sister as he looked eyes with Apple Bloom, who was staring right back at him curiously. He couldn’t help but take in the filly’s beautiful countryside appearance, as well as how big she seemed to be.

‘Wow, she looks so pretty, and she has so many white patches on her legs and face. And she smells a like apples too.’ He thought as he looked her up and down, taking in her entire frame. If Apple Bloom took any notice of him looking her over, she didn’t mention it. ‘She looks pretty big too…she looks like she could pack a good wallop on me if she wanted to...’

“Apple Bloom…” Goku began bringing Sheton out of his thoughts. “This is my little brother Sheton Crimson Flash Nightstalker Shenron. He’s here with us to supervise the Summer Sun Celebration. And to meet any foals that’re his age and see if he can get any friend before moving back here with us.”

“Wow! So he’s half-thestral too?!” Apple Bloom asked, looking in between the brother and sister. A bright smile came to her face as she looked back down at Sheton taking in his nocturnal features. “Wow, that’s so amazin’! Who would’ve thought that Ah would meet somepony that’s actually half bat pony!”

“Wait a minute…” Sheton began softly, giving the filly a look of surprise. “Y-you’re…not bothered by my appearance?”

“Bothered? Didn’t ya hear what Ah had said t’ yer big sis?” Apple Bloom snorted dryly, taking a step closer. “Ah said that Ah have another friend that looks like she’s half-thestral, so Ah’m not bothered by your appearance. Ah admit that it did make me a bit nervous at first, but Ah grew used t’ it over time. Now, Ah actually think that it’s pretty fascinatin’ that there are ponies whe look like you.”

“You do? Wow.” Sheton murmured, looking down at the ground. “I didn’t think that I’d hear anypony say something like that before. Most of the foals at my school say that’s either weird or even creepy.”

“Seriously? Well that ain’t a very nice thing t’ do.” Apple Bloom frowned. “It doesn’t sound like ya have a lotta friends back where yer from do ya?”

“N-no, I really don’t. O-other than another thestral a kirin, and another filly that’s um…unique in her own way.” Sheton replied, rubbing his forehooves together. “I really would like to have more friends, but, it’s been hard. And it’s not like any I haven’t tried to make friends with those that weren’t Thestrals or Shenrons.”

“Well, in that case…” Apple Bloom began as she smiled warmly. Her sunset orange eyes gleaming in a way that made Sheton feel like he was being warmed from the inside. “Why don’t Ah be yer friend then?”

Sheton paused, looking up at Apple Bloom with surprise as he asked, “W-what? You want to be friends with…me?”

“Well, yeah! Why wouldn’t Ah? Everypony needs a friend here an’ there! Even if it’s a pony that’s known fer suckin’ th’ juice right outta an apple!” Apple Bloom said, giggling slightly as Sheton blushed. The filly winced upon seeing the embarrassed look on his face. “Sorry, that hit a lil’ too close t’ home, didn’t it?”

“No, not really. It’s just that I’m not used to somepony saying things like that about thestrals and bat ponies. Though we do love drinking apple juice…and apples are our favorite fruit of all fruits.” Sheton said, laughing apprehensively as he rubbed the back of his head. “So…you really want to be my friend Apple Bloom?”

“Uh, duh! Ah jus’ said that nopony should be without a friend! ‘Specially ‘round these parts, and definitely not in Ponyville!” Apple Bloom replied, blowing out a raspberry as she slapped Sheton’s shoulder with her tail. “So, whaddya say Sheton? Ya wanna included int’ mah lil’ friend group? ‘R are ya gonna spend all day ponderin’ over th’ fact that somepony’s offerin’ friendship to a pony who looks like they’re gonna suck yer blood?”

Sheton blushed again, letting out a sheepishly bashful laugh as he looked back up at his sister, and down back at the golden yellow filly. After getting a light nudge from her, he looked down at a smiling Apple Bloom and her outstretched hoof. He took a deep breath and exhaled, before reaching his hoof out and shaking it with his own. No sooner did he do so, he found his back meeting the ground as Apple Bloom tackled him into a hug.

“Oh yes yes yes yes YES!” She squealed, hugging the colt tightly around his neck. “Thank you thank you thank you Sheton! Ah promise, ya won’t regret this! You an’ Ah are gonna be th’ best friends ever!”

“H-happy to hear it!” Sheton gasped, wheezing as he struggled to breath. He tried to gently pull himself out of Apple Bloom’s hold, but the filly had an iron grip. “Apple Bloom, I-I-I c-can’t breath!”

Fortunately, or unfortunately for Sheton, his savior came just in the nick of time before he passed out from Apple Bloom’s hug. The next thing they both knew; they were in the warm embrace of Honey Blossom as she spun them around in the air.

“Oh, mah gosh! This is just th’ cutest darn thing Ah’ve ever seen!” She cooed. “Ah don’t think Ah’ve ever seen anything this cute since lil’ Apple Bloom was born!”

“Honey Blossom! Don’t embarrass me!” Apple Bloom cried, her face going as red as her beautiful red mane. “That was a long time ago, and Ah’m not a baby anymore! Ah’m already seven years old fer corn’s sake!”

“It don’t matter one lick to me, honey-bun!” The scarlet mare gushed. “No matter how old you get Ah’ll always find it so adorable t’ see ya hoggin’ yer friends like this”

Apple Bloom sighed dejectedly. “Oh, Faust help me now…!”

“Yeah, I know.” Sheton softly and sympathetically as they were squeezed tightly. “Trust me, I know what you’re going through. It's okay, you can lean on me if you feel like you're going to break.”

“Thanks, Sheton.” Apple Bloom said, smiling at the stormy grey hybrid colt. “Yer so gosh darn sweet…”

“Hey now Honey! Don't go hoggin' 'im all to yerself!” Scarlet said, tugging on Honey’s tail. " Me and Jubilee want to meet th’ lil’ sugar pie too!"

"Yeah, let us get a look at th' lil' darlin'!" Jubilee huff, stomping her hoof down. “An’ let ‘im go b’fore ya squeeze him t’ death! Ah can already see his face turnin’ blue!”

Honey Blossom frowned at her two sisters, but nonetheless relented to their request and set both foals on the ground. After giving him one last gentle squeeze, she allowed Scarlet and Jubilee to come up to the colt and inspect him.

‘Oh wow…these mares are really pretty too….’ Sheton though, his ears flattening. ‘A-and scary…all of those scars they have…they must’ve gotten into a lot of fights.’

“So…yer Goku’s lil’ brother, are ya?” Jubilee asked, leaning her head close to the colt. “Ah gotta say…wasn’t really expectin ya t’ look anythin’ like this. What’s yer name hon’?”

“Um…S-Sheton.” The stormy grey hybrid colt replied. “Sheton C-Crimson Flash Nightstalker Shenron.”

“Nightstalker…Ah have t’ be honest, it suits ya, given yer appearance.” Scarlet said, smiling a little. “This yer first time here in Ponyville?”

“Y-yes ma’am. it is.” Sheton replied as his wings ruffled. “I’m here with my sisters while they run the Summer Sun Celebration. T-they also wanted me to come here s-so they could see i-if I could make friends.”

“Hmhm, well, you’re certainly passin’ in that regard Ah can tell.” Jubilee chuckled, wrapping a foreleg around the colt’s neck. “Ah have t’ say, yer a might lucky t’ have somepony like Apple Bloom as yer friend. An’ ya better believe us when ya say that yer real lucky. There aren’t many ponies here that’re accetpin’ o’ ponies that can suck an apple dry in th’ blink of an eye, so consider yerself very lucky sugar.”

“Um…o-okay?” Sheton murmured, looking at the pale orange mare through her scarlet forest of a mane.

“Let’s jus’ get one thing straight here sugar pie.” Scarlet said, her multi-colored eyes locking right onto Sheton’s. “Each an’ every single one o’ us here are very protective of one another, especially our little sister here. While we may be hospitable, we don’t take no bullshit form anypony wantin’ t’ bring harm t’ one o’ our own. So ya better treat our lil’ AB here as kindly as we do you. ‘R else these apples ain’t the only things that’re gonna be sucked dry, ya hear?”

Sheton gulped, giving a hasty nod as he sweated bullets. “Y-y-y-yes ma’am, I perfectly understand! I-I’ll be sure to be v-very nice, a-a-and kind and g-g-gentle to Apple Bloom!”

“Good, glad that we’re on the same page.” Jubilee said with a smile. “It’s real nice t’ meet ya Sheton, Ah think you an’ Ah ‘r gonna get along jus’ fine.”

“Same here Lee.” Scarlet nodded, patting Sheton hard on his head. “An’ if anypony picks ‘r bullies ya, y’all can come t’ us an’ we’ll deal with ‘em lickety split!”

“Uh, y-yeah…” Sheton nodded, his cheeks burning as Scarlet kissed his cheek rather roughly. “S-sure thing.”

“Well, now that we’ve got yer introductions outta th’ way, Ah got one more pony Ah want ya t’ meet sugar-foot.” Applejack, said, wrapping a strong foreleg around Sheton. “Goku, Snowflake Midnight, Ah know that ya’ll remember our dear old Granny Smith, don’t you?”

“Of course we do, Applejack!” Midnight replied fondly. “How could we forget the leader of the whole Sweet Apple Titan Family?”

As if to show why they shouldn’t, a loud snoring suddenly cut through the atmosphere, making all turn to an earth pony sitting in a rocking chair. She mint-green fur that looked aged and pale, having lost some of its rich color over the years. Which made it all the more shocking to the newcomers that it shined brightly, making her look even younger. The mare a mane and tail of ghostly yellowish white, both of them tied up in large long braids that reached the ground in a pile. Both of them were held together by orange hair bands, with two very long bangs framing her face, shadowing her presumably closed eyes.

White stockings adorned her legs, the fetlocks just above her hooves lengthened due to the passing of time. An orange collar with miniature apples was wrapped around her neck, which did very little to conceal her huge mass of white chest fur. A huge brown Stetson with a red stripe could be seen hanging on the back of her head. The winged symbol was imprinted onto her back, and large apple pies were imprinted on her flank.

“Wow, she looks so beautiful. And...and ancient.” Sheton murmured with wide eyes, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anypony look like her before.”

“Sugarcube t’ say mah Granny is legendary would be a major insult. If ya ask me she’s more of a legend given how long she’s lived.” Applejack chuckled as she patted the colt’s head. She then before walking over to her grandmother and gently shook her. “Up an’ at ‘em Granny Smith! We got some special guests here!”

The elderly mint mare’s eyes slowly opened, revealing two sunset orange irises that that glowed beautifully in the sun’s light. With a yawn, she stretched out her legs, blowing out a loud hard snort from her nostrils. She soon locked eyes onto the ponies in front of her, and a smile broke out into her face.

“Well, well, well, isn’t this a mighty nice surprise, this is?” Granny Smith asked, gazing lovingly at the thestral sisters. Her voice sounded like it belonged to somepony who should've been dead, yet at the same time sounded vigorously youthful. It held an impossible amount of warmth, love, power, and wisdom in it. Like some hundred year old legend that was still alive and kicking. “It looks like more o’ mah dear grandchildren have finally returned t' th' nest after so long."

“It’s wonderful to see you too Granny Smith.” Snowflake said warmly to the young-looking elderly mare. “We can see that you haven’t changed a single bit the last time we saw you.”

“Well, I can certainly say the same fer all o’ ya’ll sugar foot!” Granny Smith gushed as spread her forelegs out. “C’mere an’ give yer ol’ Granny a hug! Ah wanna feel how strong ya’ll got!”

“Only you would want that Granny Smith. Only you.” Goku murmured with a chuckled as she and her siblings all hugged her simultaneously. “And we can see that you’re still the same strong resilient mare we’ve always known.”

“My my my, y’all have certainly gotten a might tougher. I can feel it in these ol’ bones ‘o’ mine.” Granny Smith breathed. “Takes me back to when Ah was that young an’ strong. Oh, those were th’ good ol’ days they were. Yes they were indeed.”

“Trust me Granny Smith, there are many elderly ponies of our kind who know exactly how you are feeling.” Midnight smiled sweetly. “All joking aside, we didn’t just come here for a big family reunion. Not when you haven’t meet all of us.”

At these words, Granny Smith raised a snow-white eyebrow, giving the beetle black hybrid mare a perplexed look. Before she could ask anything, she felt something bump into her forelegs. She looked down, only for her sunset yellow eyes to widen upon seeing Sheton there.

“Granny, I know that this is sudden, but we really couldn’t wait for this moment to come any sooner.” Snowflake said as she draped a feathered bat wing over the colt’s back. “Meet our little brother Sheton Crimson Flash Nightstalker Shenron. You weren’t really there when he was born in Canterlot, but I’m sure at least one of your granddaughters told you about him, didn’t they?”

The smile on Granny Smith’s face could not have gotten anymore wider than it did at that moment. “Ya think Ah have hay in mah ears?! O’ course Ah remember! Now Ah get to have more youngin’s on th’ farm!” She exclaimed as she gently gathered the hybrid colt in her forelegs, holding him like a mother would her newborn. “Oh, this day jus’ keeps getting better ‘n’ better! More grandfoals jus’ keep comin’ to me on after another!”

‘She…she called me her grandfoal.’ Sheton thought in bewilderment, looking into the mare’s deep orange eyes. Without even knowing what he was doing he was nuzzling into the elderly mare’s chest fluff, inhaling her apple scent. ‘I’ve just met her, and she’s calling me her grandfoal. Why does that make me...happy?’

“It looks like he has them fancy bat features on him too.” The Apple Matriarch said, spreading one of Sheton’s feathered bat wings. Her eyes ran through the blue membranes as one of her hoofs gently brushed at his tufted ears. “Only other foal that Ah’ve seen with fangs is that rainbow maned mare an’ her lil’ sis, along with that librarian’s lil’ assistants o’ her’s. Only his is longer and visible, almost like them Timberwolves in that gigantic creepy forest they live in.”

“Well, he is half thestral.” Goku pointed out. “Plus, our mom is a thestral herself, so you really shouldn’t be surprise that he has all of those features. The only thing you should be surprised his how many apples he can suck dry.”

“Sis!” Sheton cried, whipping his head around to the tan hybrid mare. “I thought that we agreed that we’d nevertell anypony about that!”

“I’m not!” Goku giggled as her brother’s face flushed red. “I’m just telling Granny Smith that whenever she decides to show you around the farm, that she should watch out for how many apples you can suck. I mean seriously, you definitely suck a mean apple little brother, no matter how big!”

Snowflake and Midnight sweat dropped. ‘Why did she put so much emphasis on the word suck?’

“Heheheh, Ah don’t think Ah need t’ worry ‘bout that. We have plenty o’ Fruit Bats here that drain our apples dry. Though its usually the ones that’re bad or goin’ bad, so Ah don’t really have t’ worry ‘bout it too much.” Granny Smith chuckled, brushing one of her bangs away. “Still though, since ya like suckin’ apples so much, be sure t’ ask me before ya suck any o’ mah apples dry. Don’t wanna have t’ find a bunch o’ dry apples an’ piles o’ seeds whenever Ah’m takin’ mah mornin’ stroll through th’ orchard.”

Sheton smiled up at the elderly mare, giggling a bit as he said, “Not to worry, I’ll be sure to always ask before I drink your apples. Especially if it's at night. The last thing I want is to be lassoed and hogged tied like a calf at a rodeo.” He shut his eyes as Granny Smith let out a snort of laughter. “It’s really nice to meet you and everypony else Granny Smith. ’m starting to like my visit here to Ponyville more and more right now.”

“Well you should be. Given that this town is one o’ th’ best places fer anypony to live in.” Granny Smith chuckled, bringing the hybrid colt’s face into her chest. “An’ if yer plannin’ t’ move here with your sisters, lemme jus’ say that anypony that comes here t’ this town, is welcome here on th’ farm. We apples pride ourselves in our honesty, hospitality an’ desire t’ help others. No matter what their race. So ya don’t need to worry ‘bout many o’ us judgin’ ya ‘cause yer a apple suckin’ bat pony. Anypony that does, Ah’ll take care o’ them. 'Kay sugar foot?”

‘Did she hear what Scarlet and Jubilee said to me? I could have sworn she was asleep before I even saw Applejack wake her up?’ Sheton thought, feeling slightly confused. He eventually let that thought slide as he replied, “Yes Granny Smith, I’ll let you know if there’s anypony that’s bothering me about my appearance.”

“Good. Ah’m glad t’ here it sugarfoot.” Granny Smith nodded, bringing the colt in her chest again. “And it’s real nice t’ meet ya too.”

“Thank you…” Sheton said softly, breathing the sweet scent of apples on the mare’s fur. He sighed as his eyes closed, and he nuzzled deeper into Granny Smith’s chest fluff. ‘She smells just like apples…and she’s so warm, like mama.’

Everypony in the crowd, Apple Bloom included, let out little ‘awww’s at the tender scene between Sheton and Granny Smith, with the latter holding back a squeal. It was soon shattered when the sound of a stomach rumbling loudly snapped the mare and foal out of their hug. The Apple Matriarch slowly pulled away and looked down at the colt, whose eyes were squeezed shut and face redder than an apple.

“Tell me that Ah did not jus’ hear yer stomach growlin’ like a Timberwolf stalkin’ through the Everfree Forest.” She said bluntly, gazing at him with a half-lidded gaze. “Cause Ah’m pretty sure that Ah’m hearin’ things right now.”

“N-n-no, you didn’t Granny Smith, that was totally my stomach!” Sheton squeaked, pulling his fedora over his head. “I-it looks like all of that breakfast that I ate earlier this morning got digested faster than I thought it would.” A whimpered bashfully as he thought, ‘Motherfucker, why do I have to have such a giant stomach?!’

“This wouldn’t happen t’ be ‘cause o’ th’ fact that yer also draconic, would it?” Granny Smith asked, knowingly. Another timid nod confirmed her suspicions, and she let out a long sigh. “O’ course it does! One o’ th’ things that Ah learned from yer sisters when Ah first fed ‘em here on th’ farm. Should’ve known that it would happen again, ‘specially with their little brother. Alright then, come on!”

“W-whoa!” Sheton cried as Granny Smith grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and began carrying him off. “G-Granny Smith! W-what’re you doing?!”

“Goin’ t’ get that little stomach o’ yers filled up.” Granny Smith said through a mouthful of stormy grey fur. “No way in Tartarus Ah’m gonna let any youngin’ on this farm come in an’ go outta here without their lil’ barrel stuffed till they pop like a fritter. Jus’ you wait’ hon’. Ah’m gonna fill ya up so much that ya actually very well may actually pop.”

A shiver went down the bat winged colt’s spine, his eyes going comically white.

“Uh, what do you mean by that?” He fearfully asked as he was set down on his stool. “Why did you say I might pop?”

“You’ll see.” The mint green mare replied, a scary glint in her eyes as she grinned down at the colt. Ignoring the terrified look Sheton gave her, she turned to his sisters and said, “Hey Goku, are you an’ yer sisters gonna join us? Or are ya gonna let yer poor brother hog all o’ the food fer himself?”

“Tch, as if we’d let our brother eat all of that food my himself!” Goku replied, her mouthwatering as she galloped over to the table. “Come on girls, let’s chow down!”

“Are you sure we have time for another breakfast Goku?” Midnight asked. “We still have a schedule we need to stick to, and it won’t really be good for us if we start slacking off.”

“Oh don’t worry dear sister. We have plenty of time. It still morning. And we don’t really need to worry about our schedule until sundown, which is the time our job will be over.” Snowdrop said, smiling reassuringly at her eldest sister. “Besides, I’ve been getting rather hungry myself. Despite the wonderful breakfast mother and father prepared for us. And I know that you are too.”

As if to prove the mountain blue mare’s point, Midnight’s stomach growled painfully. She moaned softly as her feathered bat wings drooped and her expression became crestfallen.

“Y-you know what, I-I think I could go for a few more bites.” Midnight whined. “L-let’s just try to stay on schedule, alright? The sooner we get this done, the sooner we get to hang out with our friends and relax, along with Sheton interacting with his new friends more.”

“Don’t worry big sister, we’ll remember.” Snowflake said, watching as her youngest sister wolfed down several fritters. “Though with how big our stomachs are, our dear sister and brother’s stomachs included, that may take a while.”

“Not just a while big sis…” Goku said humorously. “A long while.”

Author's Note

Again...not really much to say here, other than taking out the description of the OCs and Main Characters selves and their clans powers and abilities. Other than those minor changes, I had pretty much left this chapter the way as it is. As I was looking back at these chapters, I could see that making such long descriptions about the characters personalities and backstories were one of the biggest flaws that were in this story. The more it took out, the more I saw how unnecessary that it was, and how it was getting in the way of someone enjoying the chapters :ajsleepy: . So, that's one of the things that I'm going to be fixing as I continue onto this fic, and maybe even while I begin to write the adventure. Some chapters I may post immediately after I get the last one done, while others may be balanced out...either way, this one, will surely be changed in ways that it should've been in the last one :raritywink: .

Next time: The thestral siblings meet a bolt of loyalty, a mare of blossoming beauty, and a kicker that demolishes clouds.

Chapter 6 - Loyal Bolts

Goku could not remember a time where her stomach was fuller than when she was at Sweet Apple Acres. The Apple Family’s cooking easily some of the best she ever had, except with the tangerine mare she was more a breakfast, lunch and dinner type. Still, that didn’t make the brunch they made any less delicious, and they all enjoyed every bit of it. Just as Goku predicted, the four siblings, literally stuffed their faces to the point where they were inflated like balloons, like how Granny Smith believed they would. That time wasn’t just spent eating though, for Sheton spent some of that time playing with Apple Bloom and the rest of the apple foals that were there. Two of them happened to be a couple of Apple Bloom’s cousins, something that delighted his sisters and Granny Smith to see.

By the time they were done, they remembered that they still had the rest of the supervision to do. So, they quickly bid the Apple Family farewell, promising that they’d up again, and not just at the Summer Sun Celebration. This made Sheton’s heart flutter in excitement, having quickly grown to like Apple Bloom in their short time knowing her. Something that, much to his chargin, all three of his sisters took great pleasure in teasing him in.

“Wow! That was the second-best breakfast that I’ve ever had all bucking day!” Goku exclaimed, licking her fangs. “Of course, no offense to them, but your breakfast making talents will always be the best that I’ve ever tasted Midnight!”

“Thank you little sister, that means a lot to us.” Snowflake said gently. “We know what you meant though, we didn’t take any offense to it. There are just some ponies out there who have better cooking talents than us.”

“Snowflake’s right Goku. It's okay if you like Applejack’s food more than mine.” Midnight said with an understanding nod. A jolt of pain suddenly went through her stomach, and she gave a moan of pain. “Oooooooh, I think I ate way too much apple pie…”

“What’s wrong big sister? Has your large appetite finally reached its limit?” Goku asked in a teasing voice. “Come on, I thought that since you were the biggest that you could handle the most food in your stomach? Since Kirin stomachs are known have bottomless stomachs?”

“Just because I’m b-bigger than all of you d-doesn’t mean that even I can’t get s-stomach aches from time to time.” Midnight replied with a stutter. “Besides Goku, you can eat more than any of us c-combined! I’m amazed that you don’t l-look like you’ve gotten f-filled to the brim after being f-fucked by a random stallion!”

“Well, I sure feel like my whole body was inflated by a damn helium machine meant for balloons.” Sheton whined as he rubbed his belly in pain. He rested atop Goku’s back, his fedora covering most of his face. “Uuuugh, why did I have to eat so many of those apple fritters?!"

“Because they’re the best fucking things that you've ever tasted in the whole entire fucking world.” Goku replied slyly. “It’s alright though, you’re not the only one who eats that much. You certainly won’t be the last either! There will be plenty more Shenrons and Nightstalkers who’ll probably eat more than all of us combined. I know there will be.” The tan hybrid mare looked over to Snowflake and asked, “Hey Snowy, we’re supposed to be seeing Rainbow Dash next right?”

The mountain blue thestral mare reached into one of her saddlebags and pulled out the list. After flipping through the pages and looking down at the names, she softly replied, “Yes, we are. Rainbow Dash Wisp Stargazer, captain of the Ponyville Weather Team. It says that she’s supposed to be in charge of clearing the skies so Celestia can raise her sun without anything blocking it."

“I don’t really see much clouds being cleared in sky. Or any clouds at all.” Sheton replied softly. “Do you think she’s having trouble?”

At these words, all three of her sisters paused, before they all gave off little giggles. Sheton was briefly taken aback by this, raising an eyebrow at his three sisters in confusion.

“What’s wrong?” he asked innocently. “Did I say something funny?”

“Oh, little brother. We find it rather adorable that you’d think that Rainbow Dash would have trouble clearing this many clouds.” She said in amusement. “Had you known her as long as we have, you would think the opposite.”

Sheton tilted his head. “What you do mean?”

“In all the times that I’ve known Rainbow Dash, there is one thing that she is known for is her speed.” Goku explained patiently. “Rainbow is all about flying, and one thing that she hates more than anything, besides math, science, and treachery, is going. Which is why she hates being confined somewhere where she won’t be able to stretch her wings. And before you ask, thank includes being in a classroom. To her, going slow is like not wanting to fly, and that is one thing no pegasus wants to experience. That’s why, as head of the Weather Team, she encourages and pushes all pegasi to be everything that they can be. The only reason why something like this hasn’t been done sooner is if she's absolutely capable of doing it quickly and efficiently. That’s why Rainbow holds things out, because if she believes she can do it quickly, she can do it quickly.” She chuckled. “That’s not to say that she would abandon her duties, because she wouldn’t. If there’s one thing that I also know, is that she would never leave anypony hanging. Be it me, her friends and family, and any other pony that she believes needs help.”

“You’ve got that right, G.” A raspy yet feminine voice said from behind her. “I find it pretty flattering that you’d say all that awesome stuff about me. Especially since it’s all right on the bat.”

All four siblings jumped at the sound of the raspy, yet feminine voice speaking to them from behind them. Before they could even make an attempt to turn around, they felt themselves being blown off of their feet. A prismatic trail shot out from in-between them, causing them to spiral across the air due from the sudden speed and force. Luckily, they were able to catch themselves in the air, before hovering back to the ground. Sheton took a bit longer to gain control of his own body, due to him having not been prepared for the sudden flying. He was eventually able to prevent himself from crashing face first into the ground, having not been caught off guard enough.

Once they all landed, they looked up to the pony, only to see them zooming through the sky at speeds that’d make even the most agile of royal guards jealous. All they could see of the pony was a large prismatic rainbow trail darting through the sky. The watched as it zoomed across the sky; exploding through the clouds and disintegrating them into nothing.

“Um, is that Rainbow Dash?” Sheton asked, whispering into Goku's ear.

“Obviously.” Came Goku’s snort of reply as she watched the rainbow trail tears its way through the sky, letting the wind from the force of the pony’s speed make her mane and tail blow.

When the last of the clouds were out, the rainbow trail slowed to where the pony in it could be seen. It was a full-blooded one that Sheton had ever seen in his entire life, not just in size, but also in appearance. So much so that even if this were the only time that he would ever see her, he would never be able forget any part of her features. The mare had a pale light grayish cerulean coat, as if the cyan sky had painted her in its bright endless color. She had a long and gorgeous mane and tail that had all colors only found in that of the rainbow, which seemed to shine in the light of the sun, despite its messy state. Her eyes were stunningly beautiful, her irises a moderate cerise magenta pink color, one of the rarest eye colors to ever been seen on a pony.

Her wings were very large, looking sharp, curved and sleek, like the wings of a falcon, having feathers that were the same colors as her mane and tail. All seven in them could be seen make up most of the feathers, making a beautiful combination of cyan and prismatic colors. Right where her wing thumbs were supposed to be, were long cerise dagger like wing thumb claws that jetting out of her wings, looking ready to slice somepony up. Her for hooves were definitely the same color as her eyes, and her chest had prismatic feathers covering it. A prismatic ring could be seen shining on her back, with a slitted draconic twilight eye glittering right in the center, and her cutie mark was of a cumulus white cloud. It also had a lightning bolt jetting out of it, having the colors moderate blue, sun yellow and ruby red.

“Hello Rainbow Dash, I see that you’ve decided to show and grace us with your alluring speed and precision.” Snowflake murmured. “Still, did you really have to give us that kind?”

“Eh, I could’ve done that too! But, that was just too good to pass up!” Rainbow Dash said with a raspy laugh. A set of draconic fangs could be seen gleaming from her mouth, much to Sheton’s surprise. “You should’ve seen the looks on your faces! You were like a flock of headless ducks flying out of control!”

“Yes Dash, you certainly nearly scared the cutie marks off of us with that trick.” Midnight said dryly, gently bopping the cyan mare on the nose. “Still, try to hold back next time alright? You almost seriously injured us back there.”

“Ah shit. I guess I did go a little overboard with that last trick.” Rainbow Dash said, giving off a little shrug. “I’ve spent so much time honing my speed and abilities that I didn’t really have time for something so…not fucking fast.”

“Yeah, sure you did. I’m damn sure that you’ll get a lot better with Pinkie Pie helping ya.” Goku snorted dryly, giggling as Rainbow’s face paled. The tan hybrid mare spread her left wing and pulled the cyan mare into a side hug. “Either way, it’s totally awesome to see you again Rainbow Dash. We can’t tell you how much that we missed you.”

“Yeah well, I sure didn’t. At least not as much as you did me.” Rainbow Dash replied, draping a wing over Goku, a fanged grin making its way to her own face. Also, that’s my line by the way you sly fanged smartass.”

“Yes, it is, but I decided to take it anyway.” Goku cooed, making the cyan mare rolled her eyes.

“So what are you guys doing here in Ponyville?” Rainbow Dash asked, pulling away from Goku. “Other than the Summer Sun Celebration that’s going on tonight, there’s not really anything awesome happening at the moment.”

“Well if you must know Rainbow Dash.” Snowdrop began, “We’re actually planning to move back here to Ponyville right after the Summer Sun Celebration. Though the reason why we’re hear so early isn’t because we finished moving. The Queen had chosen us to be the supervisors for the celebration, with my sister taking the lead. We had already checked off Pinkie Pie and Applejack, and we would’ve gotten to you and the others sooner, had we not decided to stay for brunch with the rest of her family.” She sighed as her feathered bat wings ruffled. “Oh, why did they have to make all that food so good?”

“I can see that you three haven’t changed a single but. Still having those big dragon-sized bellies I see.” Rainbow Dash chuckled flashing a grin at the three sisters. Before she could say anything else, she noticed Sheton, who was right next to Midnight. “Hey, who’s the kid you have with ya?”

Goku’s hoof met her face so hard and so fast that it was amazing that she didn’t knock herself out. Slamming her hoof back down, she looked up at Rainbow Dash with a rather annoyed expression. “Are you bucking kidding me right now Dash? First, it’s Applejack and now it’s you?! Seriously, you have to have at least some inking of seeing my little brother at some point and time! At least Pinkie Pie made some attempt to remember that I had at least one more sibling with me!” She gave a sigh as a hard snort blew from her nostrils. “I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised. This sort of thing happens with you often but seriously, if you remember all of our, you could also remember my brother’s name too!”

“Wait…oh yeah! He’s that colt that we all went to see back at Canterlot when you told us he was due that day!” The cyan mare’s cerise eyes widened as recognition came to her expression, looking down at the colt with a little grin as she flew over and ruffled his mane. “I can still remember when we all saw him for the first time, couldn’t get over how big his wings were, or that he was even half thestral. Even more than the fact that your own mom was a full blooded thestral too!”

“Yeah, you totally made that shit obvious with asking my Mom twenty times if she was really a thestral.” Goku deadpanned. “Every time I think I’ve seen just how patient she can be, she went and pulled that move. Then again, I tend to do the same thing whenever I’m in her position. I really am rubbing off of her along with Sheton, aren’t I?”

“Damn straight you are Goku.” Rainbow Dash replied, patting Goku on her back. “Still, it’s nice to see your little bro again. Gotta admit, he’s pretty cute…almost as cute as my little sister Firestreak…almost.”

Sheton didn’t really say anything on that, just staring at the cyan mare with a somewhat fearful look in his eyes. He shrank away from her as he retreated behind Midnight, his ears flattened against his head. Rainbow Dash raised a prismatic eyebrow, a little taken aback by the colt’s behavior, not yet knowing what had frightened him.

“Uh, what’s the matter with him?” she asked, looking over at the three mares. “Is he afraid of me or something?”

“I wouldn’t say that he’s afraid of you, necessarily. But it's what’s on you that he's afraid of.” Midnight replied, pointing to the cyan mare’s wings. “Look at your wings sweetie.”

“My wings? What’s wrong with my-” Rainbow Dash asked, but stopped short when she took a look at her wings. A set of large long cerise claws could be seen jetting out from where her wing thumbs were. The prismatic maned mare jumped in surprise, involuntarily flared her wings out as she backed away from the four siblings.

“Whoa! What the fuck are those doing out?!” A large fanged sheepish smile made its way Rainbow’s face as she rubbed the back of her head, “S-sorry! I didn’t know they were visible this whole time, shit! I thought they were tucked into my wings when I left my cloud house today. Dammit!”

“No, it’s alright dear.” Snowflake said in an assuring tone. “We just wanted to let you know that you had a little problem with your wings, that’s all.”

“Damn it, no wonder the Weather Team was on edge around me today. Ugh, I really gotta learn how to control these things when I don't need them.” After retracting her wing claws, Rainbow folded her wings as if they were swords being put back into their sheaths. Once they were secure, she looked down at Sheton and gave him an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that squirt, I didn’t mean to scare you like that. I promise that I won’t happen again.” She asked a sweat drop forming at the back of her head. “Forgive me?”

The stormy grey colt, seeing that the wing claws were no longer present, nodded slowly. Lifting shaky hoof to shake her’s for just a one solid second, before quickly retracting it. Rainbow Dash’s sheepish smile fell flat as she hung her head, a gloomy expression on her face as a gloomy cloud hovered over her. That was quickly banished when she felt Goku drape a wing over her back and smiled at her.

“It’s okay, Dash. We know you didn’t mean to scare out little brother.” She said with a soft smile. “He was just a little taken aback by the claws he saw come out of your wings that’s all. He doesn’t hold it against you. Though I think you should take yourself advice and making sure those claws of yours don’t show up at times where it isn’t needed.”

“Yeah, I can do that.” she nodded, her expression brightening a little. “Though it’s probably gonna take a long as time. Since I never really had any proper control over it since I was a filly.”

“So, Rainbow Dash,” Midnight began getting the cyan mare’s attention. “I heard something about you having a cloud house, what did you mean by that?”

To the mountain blue hybrid mare’s relief, Rainbow’s mood became positive again as she replied, “Oh yeah that’s right! I totally forgot to tell you guys! You know when we were fillies and teenagers that I always said that I’d get myself a nice big cloud mansion?”

“Oh yeah, we remember.” Goku nodded. “We remember how you went on and on about how you were going to get a house that was as cool as Rarity’s one day. Even cooler since it was going to be high in the clouds.”

“Well guess what?” Rainbow Dash asked, grinning excitedly. “When I moved her to Ponyville after getting a job on the Weather Team, I went to see Mayor Mare about any cloud houses that were for rent, and you will not believe what she showed me!”

Fighting back a squeal, she pointed out to the southeastern part of Ponyville, where a forested area could be seen. “That right there, right where I’m pointing is the awesomest most radical cloud house you’ll find! I mean, I knew that I’d get an awesome house, but I totally wasn’t expecting something like this!”

“Hmmm…yes, we can see it even from this far away. I can even see some structure to it, along with some rainbow waterfalls adorning it.” Midnight murmured as her sharp navy-blue eyes looking off into the distance. “Um, do you mind if we, um…take a closer look at it Dash? We have some time on us, and I think we can afford to take a little break before we have to do see the next pony.”

“That’s cool with me, I can totally take you guys if you want. All the more worth it to see the look on your faces when you when you actually see it.” Rainbow Dash giggled. “Plus, I have a couple other good friends of mine that’re watching it; ones that I think you’re gonna be real happy to see.”

With that, the cyan mare whirled around and shot off into the air, leaving a trail of prismatic colors in her wake. The Kirin siblings were not even a second behind her, as they too took off to the air, hot on Rainbow Dash’s trail.

All except for one that is.

Sheton was blown back by the combined force of all three of his sister’s used to take off into the air. He tumbled across the ground more than twenty feet away but managed to quickly recover and took back to here air. He noticed his hat lying only a foot away from him, and quickly grabbed it, before looking back up to see his sisters flying off.

“Hey, wait for me you guys!!” He yelled out, spreading his own wings and taking off to the air after the other four. “Bucking dammit you guys! Slow down!”

“Wow Rainbow Dash…you’ve really outdone yourself, haven’t you?” Goku asked as she stepped across the exterior of Rainbow Dash’s cloud house home. Each step she took made the cloud floor beneath her hooves give in somewhat and then inflate back into place. It made her feel like she was on a gigantic trampoline. “I haven’t seen a cloud house like this since those times we were at your parents’ house.”

I have to agree.” Snowflake nodded, giggling in amusement as Sheton bounce around on the front yard of the cloud house. “I’ve never felt a softer pair of clouds in all of my life.”

“It’s so big! Almost as big as your Mom and Dad's house!” Midnight said, looking around the cloud house exterior. “I can’t believe that you were even able to afford a house like this!”

Indeed, Rainbow Dash’s cloud house was quite a sight to behold, which wasn’t surprising due to her family being quite the wealthy one. The exterior of the cloud house looked more like a large towering mansion, and very wide in length. It had a large long cyan trail leading out to the large front yard of the cloud house, the left side having a little prismatic waterfall coming out of a large gaping hole. There was also a giant piece of cloud, which had a prismatic pond on top of it, the same color as Rainbow’s mane. The right side of the cloud house had another waterfall from a cloud that fell into one that was down below, connected to the house.

The block-like tower of the cloud house was cyan in color, with many windows carved into the house for all to look outside, having white pillars connected by large chunks of cloud that swirled both above and below the tower. The very top of the cloud house had the sculpture of a white stallion with a large magnificent pair of wings spread out for all to see. On the right side behind the cloud house, was a large prismatic rainbow that flowed right down to the large backyard of Rainbow Dash’s home.

“I know, it’s a pretty radical place isn’t it? What’d you expect? Did you honestly I’d get a house like the one’s in town?” The cyan mare asked, putting a magenta hoof to her chest. “As if! I need a place that’ll let me move around as much as I like!” She flared her wings out for emphasis as she extended her wings claws. “Plus, I need a place that doesn’t have deep slash marks in them if I accidentally slice the walls while doing my morning workouts.”

‘For some reason I feel like that’s the second biggest reason why she bought this place, so she won’t have to pay as much.’ Goku thought dryly. “Well Dash, it looks like you got a rather exquisite looking house here, just like you said you would.”

“Yep, I sure did! And you should’ve seen the look on Rarity’s face when she first saw me new home! She looked like she was going to fall on one of those dumbass fainting couches that she has!” Rainbow Dash nodded, holding back a fit of laughter. “Oh, it was so good! I’ve never seen anything more hilarious in my bucking life!”

“Of course you’d enjoy seeing flabbergasted looks on ponies faces when you prove them wrong and prove yourself right Dash.” Snowflake sighed. “You certainly have not changed a single bit dear…”

“Nope, you bet your sweet damn fanged ass I haven’t!” Rainbow Dash nodded proudly. “And as long as I’m still in this awesome town, I’m still going to be known as the most awesomest hottest, and sexiest ass Pegasus anypony has ever seen!”

All of a sudden, there was a crash from the interior of the cloud house, making all four mares flinch and turn to the door. The sound of screaming and laughing could be heard from inside the house, along with some muffled indignant talking. Sheton, who had been bouncing on the clouds, stopped when he heard the sound, and looked up at Rainbow Dash.

“Uh, Miss Dash.” He began timdly. “What was that sound? Did it come from inside your house.”

Rainbow Dash groaned, a hoof coming to her face as her ears flattened. “Ugh, yeah squirt, it did, and I think I know what, or rather, who, it is that’s causing it!”

Before anypony could ask, Rainbow Dash turned around and bucked her door open before zooming inside, a very pissed off look on her face. Goku, Snowflake, and Midnight all looked at each other in perplexation, before flying into the house. Sheton, after a moment’s hesitation, followed after them, and all four of their jaws dropped at what they saw take place.

The interior of the Rainbow Dash’s cloud house looked to be just as glamorous as the exterior of it, with a cloud floor also inside of it. On the left side of the house was a red couch having a pillow and a pink blanket, with a few books a guitar, and a closet a few feet away from it. Next to that very same closet, was a large cloud staircase that led up to Rainbow Dash’s bedroom, with a hanger having a white coat and hat. Next to both appendages, was a large hallway leading into a rather large looking kitchen. On the right side of that hallway, was a large screen T.V. with a game system, and a huge purple family couch, having white clouds adorning it, with a large matching desk. At last, there a few or so posters adorning either part of the portion of the room on either side of the kitchen. Along with a symbol of the Moon hanging from the entrance of Rainbow Dash’s kitchen.

Despite all of the rather awesome things that was being presented in Rainbow Dash’s home, that was not what had the Kirin siblings gawking. Nor was it the thing that had Rainbow Dash looking like she was going to ring somepony’s neck. What had them in such states was the fact that two Pegasus mares were flying around the cyan mare’s house. One of which looking scared out of her mind, while the other had a hungry and mischievous look in her eyes.

“Cloud Kicker, for the last time, we are not going to bang each other right here in Rainbow Dash’s home!” The first mare said, her tone filled with fright as she flew frantically around the cloud house. She had a pinkish grey coat that looked to be mostly white with closer inspection, and a brilliant cerise and grayish emerald green mane and tail. Her eyes were a beautiful brilliant cornflower blue, and her wings and tail feathers were a combination of her mane and eyes. Around Blossomforth’s neck, was the same dog-like collar and roseray that Derpy had, , and her Cutie Mark was of a red and blue flower. “We told her that we’d look after it while she was away, not stain the clouds even whiter than they already are!”

“Awww don’t be such a party pooper Blossomforth! It’s just gonna be a quickie that’s all!” The other pegasus mare, Cloud Kicker said slyly a predatory grin plastered onto her face. She had a pale persian blue coat, with an amber yellow mane and tail that had a light-yellow streak in them. Her eyes were a grayish cerise color and she had the same color and chain hanging from her neck like Blossomforth. Only with her, it was in the shape of a dragon winged wolf, and her Cutie Mark was of a cloud with a sun in front of it. “And you and I both know what a quickie is!”

“Of course I do! At least for you! It means pinning me down and plowing me plowing senseless until the sun comes up! With a banana of all things!” Blossomforth retorted, hovering above Cloud Kicker. “Do you seriously wanna take the risk of Rainbow slicing us to bits because you wanna use me as your fuck toy?!”

“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t.” Cloud Kicker chuckled, twirling the banana in her hoof. “Either way, it’d be worth the risk to see that cute face of yours go into a tomato!”

Blossomforth’s face erupted into a massive blush. “Faustdammit Cloud Kicker! Why do you have to be so sexually driven all the time?!”

“’Cause I’m one of the most sexually active ponies alive, that’s why.” Cloud Kicker giggled, flashing Blossomforth mare a toothy grin. “I proved it to you when we were teens, in Magic College and long before we started working for Dash. And I’ll prove it to you again right here right now if you want.”

“Uh, c-could it at least wait until we get back to your place?” Blossomforth asked timidly as she slowly hovered away from Cloud Kicker. “R-Rainbow said that she’d be bag in twenty minutes, a-and it’s almost that time. S-she could even be arriving at half the time!”

“That’s fine with me. You know how I love it when somepony’s watching me get it on.” Cloud Kicker said, pressing her forehead directly against Blossomforth’s. “Who knows, maybe Boss will want to join us. I certainly wouldn’t be against it. And I know deep down, you wouldn’t be either.”

“In that case, why don’t I do just that and join you two in a threesome then?”

Both mares went as still as clouds in the air, the only thing on them making any sort of movement being their wings. Slowly turning around, they found themselves staring into the gleaming magenta eyes of Rainbow Dash, who looked like she was going to slice their throats open.

“Oh uh…h-hey Rainbow Dash!” Cloud Kicker said, her sensual mischievous tone turning to into one of terror and timidity. “W-welcome back home…w-we…we were just-”

“About to bang each other into my couch until its painted white?!” Rainbow Dash shouted baring her fangs. A growl left her throat that made her sound like she was about to turn into a giant enraged dragon. “Seriously, what the is wrong with you two?! I go away for at least twenty minutes and this is what I find?! You two about to grind each other’s pussies until you couldn’t fucking walk!”

Blossomforth’s mouth fumbled for words. “N-now Dash, i-it isn’t what it looks like-!”

“Shut, up! Both of you just shut up!!” Rainbow Dash shouted, rubbing her forehead as if somepony hit it with a dodgeball. “Just…warn me the next time you guys are gonna pull some shit like this, alright? I seriously don’t wanna come home and see my couch whiter than I’d like, and covered in a funky smell.”

“What does she mean by that?” Sheton asked, looking up at his older sisters. “The couch is on top of the cloud floor, and I don’t smell anything funky.”

“We’ll tell you when you’re older sweetie.” Goku murmured, smiling slightly at her little brother. “Trust me. The wait will be worth it.”

“We’re sorry Rainbow Dash.” Blossomforth said, hanging her head dejectedly. “I tried to stop her, but she just wouldn’t listen. She was so insistent on taking me that she didn’t think about how you would take this.”

“Didn’t you hear what I just said?!” Cloud Kicker shouted, glaring daggers at the pinkish grey Pegasus. “I said that she could join us whenever she wanted! I was trying to make sure that she didn’t feel left out if she wanted to have a go with both of us!”

“Yes, except we’d be doing it in her home without her permission!” Blossomforth retorted, pouting at the persian blue mare. “I know that Dash can be hospitable and all, but even she’d like us to ask her before we do something like...this”

Cloud Kicker giggled. “Well, we did ask her if we could crash over at her place. So…that kind of counts.”

“No it doesn’t!” Rainbow Dash shouted, a tick mark appearing on her forehead. A sigh escaped her throat as she snorted. “Anyway, if you two are done trying to eat each other’s asses out, I have a few new guests. I was going to find you sometime before the Summer Sun Celebration to introduce you to them, but since you’re here, I might as well-”

A squeal got Rainbow Dash’s off as Blossomforth soared passed the cyan mare and tackled her to the floor in a hug. Goku laughed as the pinkish grey mare hugged her tightly around her barrel and nuzzled their cheeks together.

“Well, I see the Flower Filly of Cloudsdale is happy to see me again.” The tan hybrid mare said, chuckling a bit as she hugged Blossomforth back. “Still, you could’ve held back a bit though. You almost shot me out of the door.”

“I’m sorry Goku. I’m just so happy to see that your back here!” Blossomforth giggled, nuzzling her nose against Goku’s. “I haven’t seen you Snowflake, or Midnight in the last four years! It feels like it’s been forever!”

“Same here, we were wondering how long it would take before we’d get to see you and Cloud Kicker again.” Snowflake chuckled as her sister and Blossomforth both got up. “You two are looking quite well. I can see that you’ve become quite the lookers since we last saw each other.”

“We could say the same to you too Snowflake.” Cloud Kicker said sultrily as she walked up to the three mares. Her greyish cerise eyes scanned each other bodies, taking in the slenderness and curves on top of the well tone muscles they had. “All three of you have become quite the hotties ever these last four years. Even more so than even I thought possible.”

“Well, we are members of the Secret Magic Clans of Equestria Cloud Kicker.” Blossomforth giggled. “Along with intense amounts of magical power, we also gain looks that would make other mares and stallions envious. So, we more or less should’ve been expecting it. But ,I admit, they do look very beautiful.”

“And you’re saying that you two don’t look the same?” Goku asked, wrapping a foreleg around Blossomforth. “I seem to recall you saying that you were going to become as beautiful as any other Rosario in your family.” She ran a hoof across Blossomforth’s cheeks a sultry look coming to her eyes. “And it looks like you succeeded my dear Blossom.”

Blossomforth blushed, smiling bashfully as Goku slowly and sensually rubbed her cheek against her own. “W-well…I-I was always insecure about my looks, a-and I always wanted to feel at least a little bit pretty. So I did all I could to make sure that I did, and, well…here I am.”

“Oh Blossom, you don’t need to fell so self-conscious about your looks.” Cloud Kicker said, coming on the pinkish grey Pegasus’s side and brushing her tail under her chin. “Even if you don’t have a whole lot of outside beauty, you still have it inside of you. And it’s what’s inside that truly counts.”

“Y-yeah, I know.” Blossomforth said timidly as Midnight draped a wing over her. “Thanks Cloud Kicker.”

“Ahem! If the five of you are done being all mushy towards each other.” Rainbow Dash said, letting out a big cough. “There’s somepony else that I think you should meet.”

The cyan mare tilted her head to the side, making the two Pegasus mares look in that direction as well. A gasp escaped Blossomforth as she and Cloud Kicker took notice of Sheton, who was busying himself with bouncing on the cloud floor. He didn’t take notice of the two mares staring at him, due to how much fun he was having, but when he did, he froze.

“O-oh, um…hello there.” He said, his timidity taking over as he shrunk away. “I-I’m sorry I didn’t say anything. I was, um…distracted.”

“Well hello there, sweetie!” Blossomforth cooed, walking over and crouching down in front of the colt. She made sure to keep just far away from Sheton, so he wouldn’t feel nervous or scared by her. “What’s your name?”

Sheton poked his hooves together, his mane spilling over his face as he smiled shyly at the pinkish blue mare. It took him a moment to reply, since was so transfixed at the gentleness in Blossomforth’s eyes and the sweetness in her tone, but he managed to reply back. “M…m-my name is Sheton. S-Sheton Nightstalker Shenron. I-I’m Goku, Snowflake, a-and Midnight’s little b-brother.”

“Oh, you’re their brother, are you?” Blossomforth cooed softly, sitting on her haunches in front of Sheton. The colt blushed as the mare’s chest fur puffed out and bounced as she tucked her forelegs in between her hindlegs. “Well you certainly do have the appendages that show it…and you are an adorable little one!”

“Y-you really think I’m cute?” Sheton asked, looking up at Blossomforth. “You’re not scared of how l look?”

Blossomforth shook her head, her smile as gentle as ever. “No! Of course I’m not baby. I’ve known your sisters ever since I was a filly! I’ve long since gotten used to the fact that they’re Thestrals, so I’m not bothered that you’re one too.” She giggled, her watermelon mane bouncing slightly. “What I am surprised by the fact is that they have a little brother. One I had no idea about!”

“Same here. Not one time did I get any mentioning that Goku’s Mom and Dad were going to have another kid.” Cloud Kicker said, looking down at the colt for a moment before looking over at his three sisters. “In fact, for a second there I thought that he was one of her foals.”

A look of bemusement came over Goku’s bat-like features. “And what, may I ask, gave you any indication that Sheton was my son?” She asked, the back of her head gaining a few sweat drops.

“Well, why wouldn’t I think that?” Cloud Kicker asked, tilting her head. “I mean look at him; the overly long mane and tail, the way he was standing beside you, and the fact that you look old enough to be his mom. It’s not too hard for ponies to think that you two are mother and son.”

“Okay, first of all Midnight and Goku both have extended manes, a habit that G may have picked up from her.” Rainbow Dash deadpanned, a tick mark appearing on her light blue forehead. “Second of all, Goku is twenty-two years old! way too young to be the kid’s mom! Third, how does the way Sheton was standing next to G give any hint that he is Goku’s son?!”

“Well, you never really know Rainbow Dash.” Cloud Kicker replied giving a little shrug. “There are many foals that hang around adult ponies in a way that makes it seem like they’re parent and child. I took notice of with him and Goku a few moments ago and they looked to be with each other in a way that made it look like she was his Mom. Not that I was saying that Goku was the little cuties mom, but…just a hunch.”

“A hunch.” Snowflake muttered, giving a half-lidded stare at the persian blue mare. “…Right.”

“Either way,” Cloud Kicker continued, looking back down at Sheton. “I have to say one thing, he’s certainly a little sight to see. I think this is the second time that I’ve seen somepony that looks like a Thestral, even if they are half of it.” She hovered closer and stopped just in front of the colt, slightly closer than Blossomforth was. A small grin came to her face as she looked him over, her eyes taking in all of his features. “Hmmm…yeah, he’s totally a cute one. And he looks even more so with that large hat on his head. And those fangs! They look pretty long and sharp too…interesting…”

Blossomforth glanced over at Cloud Kicker, her blue eyes narrowed. “Cloud, if you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking-”

“No I’m not! Relax there Blossom! I was just having a look at him that’s all.” Cloud Kicker said, patting the pinkish grey mare on her head. She then turned back to Sheton, a sultry, yet gentle smile on her face. “So little cutie, whatcha doing here with your big sisters in a big town like this? You lookin’ for any cute little fillies ya wanna hook up and spend a night with?”

“Cloud!” Blossomforth chided sharply.

‘Oh great, another mare who wants to fucking tease me about fillies! Just my luck!’ Sheton thought dejectedly as he internally whined. “U-um, no, not really. I’m actually here with my sisters to help them supervise the Summer Sun Celebration." A cough from Goku made him continue. "A-and…see if I can make any friends.”

“Make friends?” Blossomforth asked, blinking in surprise. “Are you meaning to say that you don’t have any friends back where you’re from?”

Sheton shook his head sadly, looking up at Blossomforth with a look of gloominess. “I do, but it’s only two friends. One is a kirin like me, while the other is a hybrid of two of the three Pony Tribes. Other than those two, I don’t have any friends at the school that I go to, a-and those that do talk to me are either bullies or those that tell me to stay away from them.” Tears built up in the colt’s eyes as he sniffled. “N-nopony else wanted to be my friend, and no matter how hard I try, it never worked. B-because…because they’re too afraid of p-ponies like me!”

A gut-wrenching whimper left Sheton as he closed his eyes, one of his hooves making its way to his face to brush away his tears. His three sisters and Rainbow Dash all looked down at the colt with sympathetic eyes, feeling their hearts break at the sight. Blossomforth, unable to take seeing the colt sad any longer, reached over and pulled him into a warm hug.

“Oh…you poor baby! It’s okay. There there, don’t cry.” She cooed softly as she rubbed his back, letting him cry into her shoulder. “It’s okay, I know how hard it is to be befriended by somepony because of what you are. Don’t worry, you’ll find somepony who’ll be your friend! You just need to search for the right ones who will.”

“Blossom’s right kiddo.” Cloud Kicker said, gingerly brushing the colt’s tears away. “Trust me, we know how you feel. We were the same way when we were your age, having trouble finding ponies who’ll accept us for who they are. It sucked big time, and we had those lame moments where we thought we wouldn’t find any friends. We didn’t let that stop us, though. We both managed to tough it out, and soon enough, me and Blossomforth found each other. So don’t worry! It may not seem like it will now, but trust me, you’ll get friends who’ll be just fine with ya. And if they don’t, well, then it’s their loss for judging ponies by their appearance.”

“That’s a good point there Cloud.” Midnight. “Speaking of which, you did happen to meet a couple of sweet little fillies earlier this morning, didn’t you little brother? They saw that you were a half thestral and neither of them were bothered by it. In fact, they seemed to be rather fascinated by it! You didn’t forget that, did you?”

Sheton sniffled, pulling his head away from Blossomforth’s shoulder as he shook his head. “N-no, I didn’t. I’m sorry sis. I-I was just reliving some bad memories of when I was going to the school in Canterlot that’s all. I’m sorry that I lost it back there.”

“That’s okay sweetheart. Everypony needs a good cry every now again.” Blossomforth said kindly, kissing the colt on his forehead. “It always makes me feel better in the end, even if it leaves you with itchy eyes and a nasty headache. But still, Cloud Kicker’s point still stands; in time you’ll gain a lot of friends who’ll except you for who you are. And if they can’t get over their fear of what you are, then too bad for them. They’ll have no idea what they’re missing out on.” Her ears perked as her smile widened slightly. “Hey, me and Cloud Kicker could be your friends if you want!”

“Y…you do?” Sheton asked, sniffling slightly. “Y-you want to be my friends?”

“Yeah, if you want. Like Blossom said, the friends that do count are the ones who’ll get past the bat fangs and scaly skin.” Cloud Kicker said casually, smiling at the stormy grey colt. “Luckily for you, we’re one of those ponies, especially since we share the same pain. So whaddya say little cutie? You want these two beautiful hot sexy assed mares as friends for a cute handsome little stud like you?”

“Did you really have to say sexy asses you?” Rainbow Dash asked, raising an eyebrow at the persian blue mare. “What’re you trying to do, seduce the poor kid into getting him to fuck you?”

“Yeah Cloud! He’s embarrassed enough already!” Blossomforth scolded holding the colt close to her chest. “Don’t make it any worse by teasing and flirting with him.”

“Oh, like you’re one to talk.” Cloud Kicker snorted dryly, playfully punching the pinkish grey mare on his shoulder. “I wasn’t the one whose chest popped out when you greeted the kid.”

“Nor was I the one who made it look like I was coming onto him!” Blossomforth retorted. “I mean, honestly Cloud Kicker! Were you trying to make the poor baby die of embarrassment?!”

“No, I just wanted to let him know that he can always come to us whenever he wants to hang out.” Cloud Kicker replied, grinning slyly as she looked back down at Sheton. “And if he wants, maybe spend a night over with us and have some fun together.”

“Okay, now I know you are trying to seduce him you, fucking horndog!” Rainbow Dash snapped, another tick mark appearing on her forehead. “I can see it all over that dumb bitchy sly ass grin of yours!”

The persian blue mare batted her eye lashes innocently. “I don’t know what you mean. Why dumb bitchy sly ass grin are you talking about? I’m not planning anything even remotely inappropriate or embarrassing for our new little friend here whatsoever~. Just telling him he’s always got friend in me and Blossom anytime! Nope, nothing mischievous here~!”

“Inappropriate? No. Embarrassing? Absolutely.” Goku snorted, smoke flying from her flared nostrisl. “Either way, you are such a bad fucking liar.”

“Actually, you know what? I think that’d be kind of nice.” Sheton replied, gaining both mare’s attention again. “I-I know I should have friends my own age, but it’d be nice to have a few adult friends too. P-plus, I’ll have somepony to go to and keep me safe if none of my sisters are around or if I’m in danger or something.”

“Wonderful!” Blossomforth gushed, her expression brightening. “I’m so happy that you’re letting us be your friends Sheton! I promise, I’ll treat you like any other pony would treat another here in this town!”

“That’s right.” Cloud Kicker said, booping Sheton on his nose. “And if anypony give you any trouble, give us the signal, and we’ll rip their little throats out with our bare teeth.”

Sheton gulped, his face flushing blue. “Is that supposed to be your own way of promising you’ll keep me safe or that anypony who tries to hurt me is dead meat?”

“Both.” Cloud Kicker winked. “And a sign that any little filly or mare that tries to take advantage of you in some way, they’re dead meat too.”

“Like how you try to seduce me in bed and plow me until your bed is covered in different types of juices?” Blossomforth asked, raising a watermelon eyebrow at the persian blue mare.

Cloud Kicker deadpanned. “You know what I meant.”

“Anyway, now that we’ve got all of the seducing and banging talk out of the way…” Rainbow Dash sighed, flying over to the trio and landing next to them. “So, kiddo, you said you’re here with your big sisters to see if you can make some friends huh? Well, I think I may know somepony who’ll be the perfect fit for you.”

“You do?” Sheton asked curiously. “Who’s that?”

Wordlessly, Rainbow Dash zoomed off up the stairs and into the left hallway leading further upstairs. Just two seconds later, she came back down holding out a picture of what looked to be here giving a foal a noogie. Upon closer inspection, he could see that the foal was a pegasus, a filly, with the reddest fur that he had ever seen as if it was that of blood. She had a mane and tail with a combination of orange, yellow, and red, giving of a fiery look to it, given a big contrast by her deep indigo eyes. No cutie mark was adorned on her flank, though she did have some bandages wrapped around her forehooves.

“Is this her?” Sheton asked putting his hoof on the picture.

“You bet, squirt! This is Firestreak! The bestest little sister that I could ever ask for!” Rainbow Dash asked, beaming proudly as she turned the picture around and hugged it to her feathered chest. “I always wanted a little sis who not only looked up to me, but wanted to be just like me too! I couldn’t have asked for a better family or sister than my own!”

“Well she certainly is an adorable little one, isn’t she?” Midnight asked, smiling at the cyan mare’s reaction. “Something tells me that she’s gonna be a beautiful mare someday.”

“Well, I wouldn’t really say beautiful. Because that just sounds girly, and you know how I hate mushy and girly things, unlike Rarity, Fluttershy and Scootaloo.” Rainbow Dash said, putting a hoof to her mouth and faking a gag. “I would say, she’ll be totally awesomely hot and radically sexy! With an even sexier ass to boot! That’s what I would say at least.”

“Oh, is that so?” Cloud Kicker chuckled. “And you’re saying that I don’t have a sexy ass? One so good that it can take a shit ton of spankings?”

“Shut it you.” Rainbow Dash hissed, eyes flashing as she glared at the other pegasus mare. With a huff, the cyan mare turned to look back down at Sheton, only to see him staring at the picture with wonder. Her scowl slowly turned into a smirk as she put a foreleg roughly around the hybrid colt’s shoulder.

“What’s up there, little guy?” She asked teasingly. “You thinkin’ about hookin’ up with my awesome little sis when you’re older? ‘Cause of what I said about her bein’ hot and all?”

Sheton’s head snapped up so fast that his hat flew off. “No, that’s not true in the least!” he replied with a totally unconvincing smile on his face. “In fact…she’s not really my type. Like, at all.”

“Oh really?” Goku asked with a chuckle. “Then why were you constantly blushing around Apple Bloom and Melon Cake and giving them a dreamy expression when they weren’t looking?”

Sheton whipped his head around and glared hard at the tan mare. “Don’t you dare bring that up!” He shouted with a hiss, before turning back to Dash. “A-anyway, like I said, she’s totally not my type! I-I’m not really into the um…fillies that are feisty and full of s-spunk!”

“Uh-huh, sure you’re not.” Rainbow Dash nodded as she grinned widely, not buying the colts denies for one bit. “It’s okay, I don’t really blame you. She’s just too awesome, I know, which should be expected coming from a family like mine. Don’t worry, It’s totally cool with me if you want to date her when the time comes. Because with how hot she’s gonna get when she’s my age, I find it hard to believe you wouldn’t want to.”

Her expression suddenly became serious and stern as she leaned in closer to the colt. “I will say this though, if you are planning’ to hook up with my sister, then you’d better work yourself to the bone to make her feel like the happiest filly alive. Firestreak made some awesome friends since going to school here. Ones that I know will stick by her. If there’s one thing that she won’t forgive so easily, is any of them betraying her. I love Firestreak even more than I do my own mom and pop, and I won’t let anypony get away with that.” She said, lightly probing her hoof into his chest. “Not even cute fire breathing little colts like you.”

A cough made Rainbow Dash look over, and felt herself inwardly quivering at the piercing gazes directed at her by Sheton’s sisters. They didn’t even need to say anything to let the mare know that she should chose her words carefully, least she get burned to a crisp. Heading the warning, she looked back down at the colt with a softer look, and continued more calmly. “What I mean is, be by my sister’s side to the bitter end, as friends should do, okay. Or else you and I are gonna be having a very uncool talk, are we clear?”

“Crystal.” Sheton squeaked, nodding furiously. “I-I promise that I’ll-”

“That being said…” Rainbow Dash continued, making th colt pause. “I’ll be expecting the same thing from Firestreak when she meets you too. Meaning she’d better stick by you as much as you’ll do for her in the future, or else she’s gonna be getting it from me. To put it more simply, you both had better be there for each other and be by one another’s side. Or else you’re both gonna be getting an uncool talk for me. You got that?”

Sheton, after getting over his surprise at what Rainbow Dash had said, nodded slowly. “I…yes Dash. I promise, on my Shenron and Nightstalker honor, that I’ll always be there for F-Firestreak. Especially when times get tough! Even when we’re in battle.”

“Good, glad to hear it.” Rainbow Dash said, brightening as she gave the colt a noogie. “I think you and I are gonna be really cool from now on.”

“Real cool, huh?” Cloud Kicker murmured to Blossomforth. “I wonder what she means by that~.”

Blossomforth slapped her shoulder with a wing. “Hush…”

Rainbow Dash stood back up and gave a little stretch, before sighing and looking back out at the window. Her eyes widened when she saw the sun was almost halfway down the horizon. “Oh drill me in the ass! You guys gotta go! The sun’s almost halfway across the sky and you still have like, two more ponies to meet before your supervision is complete!”

Goku gasped as her feathered bat wings flared out. “Dammit! I completely forgot this time! I really need to stop getting so sidetracked!” Running over, she pulled Sheton into her forelegs before making a beeline for the door. “See you later one tonight, Rainbow Dash! Say hi to your folks for me!” The tan hybrid mare yelled over her shoulder as she and her siblings flew out the door. “Bye Blossomforth, Cloud Kicker! See you at the Summer Sun Celebration too!”

“See ya!” Rainbow Dash called back. “We totally will!”

“Bye Snowflake, Midnight, Goku! See you all later tonight!” Blossomforth called out, waving an enthusiastic hoof. “By Sheton! It was nice meeting you sweetie!”

“By Blossomforth, Cloud Kicker!” Sheton squeaked back. “It was nice meeting you too!”

“Oh those three, they haven’t changed one bit.” Cloud Kicker sighed, shaking her head. “Still the same old ponies they were four years ago. Especially that Goku. The scary part of her too.”

“Nope, they have not.” Rainbow Dash said, shaking her head. “It sure brings back memories doesn’t it? Having those three here with us all the time back in Cloudsdale. Ugh, I’m getting all mushy just thinking about it!”

“Come on Rainbow! You know you love those memories~.” Blossomforth giggled fondly. “All those times you used to race Goku and her sisters and go to all those special flying events. It makes you feel as if you were just a filly yourself again doesn’t it?”

Rainbow Dash stared at the pinkish grey mare before eventually chuckling. “Eh…yeah, I does. I admit those were some awesome times those were. Looking back on all that, I don’t think I have any regrets either. Those were the days they were…being able to fly wild and free, race all of those punks, and show why the pegasi are the masters of the skies!”

“Yeah yeah Dash, we know. You were the awesomest filly in Cloudsdale. You don’t need to keep rubbing it in every time you talk about it.” Cloud Kicker said rolling her eyes. “Jeez, Firestreak really does take after you.”

“You better believe she does! She is one awesome little filly, and the both of you know it!” The cyan mare boasted, puffing her chest out. “And by the time both she and G’s little bro meet each other he’s gonna think it too! Along with how incredibly drop dead hot she is! I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he sees-”

Rainbow Dash stopped abruptly as her sister’s name came back to her, her cerise eyes widening as a horrified expression came to her face. All the color left her face as the bottom of her stomach dropped like a Pegasus shot out of the sky.

“Um…Rainbow Dash?” Blossomforth asked worriedly. “Is there something wrong?”

The next words that came out of Rainbow’s mouth were said with such intensity that Blossomforth and Cloud Kicker jumped back a full ten feet. “Oh FUCK ME! FIRESTREAK! I was supposed to pick her up two hours ago! Son of a bitch! She’s gonna be so pissed at me for making her wait, I gotta dash there NOW!”

Flaring her falconoid wings, she took off into the air, creating a powerful shockwave that blew back the clouds on her front yard. She only got twenty feet away before she stopped, and looked back down at Blossomforth and Cloud Kicker. “Blossom! CK! sorry about cutting this short, but I have to go and pick up my little sis! You guys mind watching my house until I get back!”

“You got it boss!” Cloud Kicker replied, giving the cyan mare a salute. “Take all the time you need! Me and Blossom will keep it nice and clean!”

‘That is if you don’t try to bed me in her home first and fuck my brains out.’ Blossomforth thought a with a slight blush. ‘Again…’

As if reading Blossomforth’s mind, Rainbow Dash bared her fangs and growled, “You’d better, cause if I come back and find even and inkling of you two fucking each other on my couch, I can assure you that it’s gonna take a major cut out of your paychecks! And you’ll be lucky if I do just that instead of going to Manager Silver Speed and telling her about what I caught you guys doing back at the Weather Factory! You got that?!”

“Y-yes ma’am!” Blossomforth squeaked, nodding rapidly as Cloud Kicker paled. “We promise, we don’t do anything sexual in your house while you’re away!”

“Good.” Rainbow Dash said nodding in satisfaction. “Alright, gotta go! Catch you guys later! I’ll be back in ten minutes flat!”

“See ya boss, we’ll be waiting right here!” Cloud Kicker shouted as the cyan mare zoomed off towards Cloudsdale. “Well, that was a rather pleasant meeting wasn’t it? Blossom?”

“Yeah, it sure was…never thought I’d see Goku and her sisters on a day like this.” Blossomforth nodded, sighing pleasantly. “Still, it’s great all the same to see them again. Including on this day. I can only imagine what the party will be like.”

“I bet that it’s going to be one hay of a fuck-fest.” Cloud Kicker laughed as they walked back in Rainbow Dash’s house. “Speaking of which…you wanna release any pent-up energy you may have before tonight? It’s gonna be really early that we have to wake up, and we’re gonna need all the relaxation we can get.”

Blossomforth paused, looking at the persian blue mare with a nervous expression. “What do you mean by ‘relaxation’?”

Cloud Kicker said nothing, that same predatory grin from earlier coming to her face as her eyes gleamed. Immediately, Blossomforth got the hint, and she took off inside the house before Cloud Kicker could even grab her.

“NO! NO! WE WILL NOT BANG! I TOLD YOU THAT IS OFF LIMITS RIGHT NOW!” She screamed as Cloud Kicker shut the door behind them. “DIDN’T YOU HEAR WHAT DASH SAID?!”

“Oh I heard her loud and clear Blossom.” Cloud Kicker said sweetly, locking the door behind her. “She specifically told us that she’d better not catch us bucking each other on her couch! Or else she’d go to Speedy!”

“E-exaclty!” The pinkish grey mare squeaked as she backed up against the wall. “S-so why are you risking that right now? E-espescially when Rainbow Dash knows what we were up to during our break two weeks ago?”

“Because, while boss said that we couldn’t buck each other on her couch…” Cloud Kicker replied as she sensually stalked. “…she said nothing about is banging on the nice soft cloud couch.”

Blossomforth paled in fear. “Oh no…”

“Oh yes.” Cloud Kicker giggled, her grin growing wider. “…and while Dash is gone, we can take those ten minutes that she’s a way, nice…and…slow.”

“Cloud Kicker I swear to Faust Mother Moka herself, if you don’t get that fucking banana away from me, I will give you a full dose of the Solar Stare!” Blossomforth hissed, her hind legs shaking as her face went beet red. Her brilliant blue eyes flashed a golden orange for a split second, her teeth bared as they seemed to elongate. “I’ll do it!”

“Go on and do it then Blossom, it won’t matter to me. It’ll make you all the hotter when I take you as my own!” Cloud Kicker said, her own eyes flashing as she got within bouncing distance of Blossomforth. “Now, come to Mama Kicker and let me hear you scream as I fuck you to the moon and back!”

Blossomforth wailed, anime tears spraying from her eyes like sprinklers. “NOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

Author's Note

I think those of you that read this chapter already were knowing what to expect from it in its entirety. Excluding the description of the character and their background with the OC and all of that stuff. As I looked back through these, I felt that these would be more appropriate to put in when we get into the actual adventure itself, which will start once we see the return of the Goddess of the Red Moon, Nightmare Moon herself :raritywink: . One other change that I made in this was changing Rainbow Dash's little sister's name form Fire Flash, to Firestreak, because honestly, we pretty much have enough ponies who're named Flash, like Flash Sentry...looking back on that I felt that I was only making things that much more complicated by doing that...I mean, wow :applejackconfused: . So don't worry, you won't have to worry about too many OC introductions having a name similar to that, because I think some of the ponies in Equestria really need more unique names, like...seriously, they do :facehoof: .

Next time: The Thestral siblings meet a pony that is of divine beauty, along with a melodious belle that is the very epitome of sweetness :twilightsmile: .

Chapter 8 - Kind Butterflies and Timid Angels

Rarity wasn’t kidding when she said the thestral sisters were going to have a marvelous time in her Boutique, and by Celestia’s shining Sun did they. The alabaster Unicorn them try on every single dress that she could fine in her shop, from dresses that were the same colors as their manes, to ones showing color and style in all the right places. Each of the dresses felt like they had been made from the finest of silk, and with many of them speaking to each the girls, especially with the colors that Goku had. Then again, it didn’t really surprise them, since Rarity would only go for the best kind of material. Especially since she did want to make the best dresses, for those that walked into her shop.

All three sisters praised Rarity for the amazing job she did on her designs, something that the alabaster unicorn took with great happiness, unable to keep herself from bragging about her talents. It really seemed to be exactly what Rarity needed, since she felt like releasing some stress made from today’s labor, and it gave sometime for the mares to bond before they had to leave. By the end of their little girl time, the sun was already setting a good deal, telling the girls that they had spent a good portion of their time at Rarity’s home. When Goku realized how much time had passed, she wasted no time getting her siblings brother out of there, so they could go and meet the last pony they needed to see. Although she was sad to see them go, Sweetie Belle was no less excited at seeing Sheton again at the celebration. A fact that made Sheton blush she verbally expressed it to him.

“Eeyup, I knew it! I fucking knew that I was going to regret making that offer!” Goku grumbled. “I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! I could feel it right in the very pit of my gut!”

“Yet you ignored that warning to spend some time with our dear fashionista.” Snowflake said teasingly. “We’re not mad at you for that don’t worry. You just wanted to do something nice for Rarity and spend some time with her. I probably would’ve done the same thing if we were in your position.”

“Yeah, well, I wanted to make up for all that damn time that we didn’t get to see her during these four fucking years away from her.” Goku sighed. “I promised her that I was going to do all that I can to do it, and I’m not going to break it. We Shenrons and Nightstalkers never go back on their words, as our dear daddy taught us when we were fillies.”

“Oh we know, Goku, the same thing applies with us.” Midnight said softly, giving Sheton a sweet smile. “Though, I do agree with Snowdrop; we still have plenty of time before the Summer Sun Celebration starts. The Queen did mention in her that we have until it actually starts before our supervision is done, which is early at dawn.”

The tan hybrid mare stopped so suddenly that she almost fell off of her hooves, planting face first into the ground. She stayed as still as a statue as a reign of silence washed over the area for a few moments. Slowly Goku turned her head around, a deadpan expression drawn on her face as she looked as a creepy purple aura surrounded her.

“Really? You saw it in the letter exactly how much fucking time we had and didn’t even bother to tell me about it?” She asked darkly. “Wouldn’t it have made sense to tell me about this shit sooner? So, I wouldn’t have spent all that fucking time running around like ad damn hatchling that’s only halfway fucking hatched?”

“Um, w-well…I uh, sort of forget to tell you about that. You had scanned through the letter so fast and were so focused on getting to see the girls again. It didn’t really cross my mind anyway.” Midnight replied weakly. “P-plus…you did look pretty cute when you were acting all panicky like that. L-like how you were when we went to go see Rainbow Dash, Blossomforth and Cloud Kicker.

“Uh-huh, and it took a pile of fucking leaves and twigs in my mane and tail, along with a mess of tangled feathers, for you to tell me that.” Goku said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes. “Plus, a fly through the forest…”

“Yeah, that was kind of um…mean, Midnight.” Sheton murmured with a nod of agreement. “I mean, Goku’s beatin herself up over that twice now. It would’ve saved us a lot of trouble of you had just been upfront with her sooner.”

“Oh, I’m sorry Goku! I didn’t mean to make you upset!” Midnight cried, her eyes flowing with anime tears. “I was just so happy that you got a chance to see your friends again! It just slipped my mind! I’m so, so, sorry, please forgive me!”

Goku sighed, running a hoof down Midnight’s back. “It’s alright big sis, I’m not mad…I’m just a little irritated that neither of you didn’t bother to tell me about this. If you had, Rarity wouldn’t have had to go through all that trouble cleaning my mane and tail, and you wouldn’t have to do the same with my wings.”

“Oh trust me little sister, me and Midnight know better than anypony that you love getting your feather’s preened.” Snowflake chuckled. “Still, we really didn’t mind at all. We actually kind of enjoyed it. It reminded us of all the times we used to preen each other’s wings as fillies.”

“Mhm, it was worth it, too. We got to hear you make those little squeaks every time we touch a sensitive spot.” Midnight nodded, her cheeks going red. “Oh, you just sounded so adorable!”

“Hmhm, yeah, I did sound pretty cute, didn’t I? Though, something tells me you two did that intentionally, just to get that rise out of me.” Goku said dryly. “Alright, I suppose I can let this slide once. Just remember to tell me something as important as this next time, okay? Or I’ll do to you what you did to me back at Rarity’s Boutique, got it?”

“Don’t worry honey, we won’t~.” Midnight chirped. “We promise~.”

“What are you, our mother?” Snowflake joked.

“No, but I sure do feel like I am your mom sometimes, including Sheton’s.” The tan thestral replied, giving the mountain blue mare’s shoulder a playful punch. “No offense, little bro.”

“None taken.” The stormy grey colt replied, smiling softly. He suddenly stopped in place as his ears perked up, making his sisters stop as their curiosity raise up.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Midnight asked gently as she walked up to Sheton, lowering her head and putting a wing on his back. “Do you hear something?”

“Yeah…I think I do.” Sheton replied softly. He turned his head to the right side and letting his left hear stick out. “Hmmm…yeah, yeah I definitely hear something. It sounds like there’s singing.”

“Singing?” Snowflake repeated, tilting her head to the side. “Who in the world could be singing all the way out-”

“No, that’s not it.” Sheton suddenly said. “I do hear singing, but it doesn’t sound like a pony is singing.” Closing his eyes, he inwardly channeled magic into his left ear to strengthen his hearing senses. “It’s getting louder, and it’s definitely not a pony singing. It sounds like…like birds singing!”

“You hear birds singing? How can you hear birds singing all the way out-” Goku began to ask, stopping as something entered her mind. ‘Wait…’

“Are you sure that’s what your hearing?” Midnight asked, having not figured it out yet. “Or is it something else?”

“Uh-huh! Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m hearing! You know what that means, don’t you?!” he asked as he began jumping up and down. “Where there’s birds, there’s also animals!”

Before anypony could stop him, the stormy grey colt spread his feathered bat wings and took to the air. The three mares watched as he flew off with a giggle, leaving his three older sisters in bewilderment.

“Sheton, where are you going?! Come back!” Snowflake shouted, but was too late to stop him as he flew further away “Where is he going?”

“Where do you think?” The tan hybrid mare replied, spreading her own wings. “Come on girls, after him!”

Nodding, the other two mares chased Sheton with Goku through the forest, making sure to keep him on their line of sight. They made sharp turns across the trees and doing their best not to run into any branches, while keeping pace with their bother. At some point in the chase, Sheton had made an unexpected left turn into a grove of trees and out of the three mare’s sight. Fortunately for them, they were able to catch up, and soon spotted the young colt about thirty feet away. His sisters stopped and landed only a several feet away from the Sheton, before all three walked up to him.

“Sheton! Why did you go running off like that?! You know how worried sick we get when you just take off unexpectedly without telling us where you’re going?!” Midnight chastised as she came next to the stormy grey colt. “You’re lucky that there are no dangerous animals around here, or else you would’ve gotten attacked!”

The stormy grey hybrid colt said nothing, just staring ahead at whatever was in front of her with wide eyes and a gaping mouth. Midnight seeing the expression on the Thestral colt’s face, gained an expression of concern on her own.

“Um, Sheton…?” She asked, her tone gentler than it had been a moment ago. “Is there something the matter sweetie?”

“Oh my goodness.” A slow, soft gasp escaped from Snowflake as her greenish blue eyes widened, a hoof coming to her mouth. “It…it’s here…”

“What? What is it, Snowflake?” Midnight asked, looking up at her younger sister. “Is there somepony here?”

“Yes, Midnight there is, somepony I think you’ll recognize all too well.” Goku said as she came up to the right side of the beetle back mare. “Though you might want to take a look in front of you, to see what I mean.”

Curiosity peeked, Midnight looked in front of her, wanting to see what had her siblings so blown away. The moment she did, a loud gasp escaped the giant hybrid mare’s mouth, her pupils shrinking to pinpricks. Her huge feathered bat wings flaring upward at the sight before her jaw dropped, indeed blown away by what she was seeing.

Just a few feet away from the four siblings, was a large oak tree; the leaves on its long wooden branches swaying ever so slightly in the breeze. Perched on every single branch from top to bottom were various species of all kinds of birds. All of them were lined up on each of the branches with the species of bird they belonged to. Each of them were swaying and singing un unison, their tweets echoing throughout the small clearing. It sounded absolutely beautiful, unlike anything the four siblings had ever heard from the animals they saw back in Canterlot. As beautiful and entrancing as the musical flock were, however, that’s not what had the four siblings so shocked. It was the pony that was with them, letting both them and the birds see that they were not alone.

it was a mare, one that was the very epitome of beauty and grace. If anypony else were to come into the clearing in see her, they would have an extremely hard time looking away from her. They would also admit that she looked even more beautiful than Rarity was, despite her own looks. She was a pegasus, one that could only be described as an angel in equine's clothing, maybe even more than that. Buttermilk yellow fur that looked to be polished in the finest of gold made up for her body. It seemed to glow brightly under the sun’s beautiful light, giving anypony a clear view of her rather voluptuous hourglass figure. She had a long silky cherry blossom mane and tail that cascaded down her neck and face like a waterfall; her tail rivaling even Goku’s in length.

The mare also had an absolutely breathtaking pair gentle teal blue eyes that could’ve melted the ice and snow of an entire forest. When the four siblings looked into them, it felt like they were staring into an endless sky or sea of warmth, kindness, love, and indescribable power. Her wings were a combination of her mane, fur and eyes, with her eyes shadowed a darker pink, giving all four thestral siblings the impression that she got the makeup from Rarity. A roseray with a blood red eye right in the center of it, hanging from a chain and a collar around her neck. The mare also had a pair of pure white angel wings on her back, having a ferocious lioness in the middle. Cherry blossom lipstick could be seen adorning her lips, and her cutie mark was of three pink butterfly’s having little flowers scattered around them.

The three mares and one colt did not approach the mare to give her a hug or even a warm greeting. They were too taken aback by the absolute angelic beauty that the pony in front of them held, allowing her to hover in silence. Sometime into the singing, the mare noticed that one of the birds sounded off key, seeming to have trouble keeping up. Frowning in slight dissatisfaction, the pegasus slowly spread her wings, allowing the four siblings to see the jaw dropping size and shape. Had her wings been colored white, and a halo floating at the top of her head, she would’ve easily been mistaken for being a real angel.

With a gentle flap, the mare flew to the tree and stopped at the branch that had the bird that was having trouble singing. Her flapping was so quiet that it rivaled even the silence of an owl’s wings whenever they were flying. She gently cleared her throat, and the other birds went quiet, before the bird noticed her hovering right in front of him. The moment he saw her he immediately stopped singing as he stood to attention. He is lifted his small head to meet the gentle eyes of the beautiful Pegasus, who looked down at the smaller winged creature the same way a mother would her foal.

“Excuse me Mr. Sparrow, I’m sorry to interrupt you, but I couldn’t help but noticing you were just the tiniest bit off key.” She said, some of her silky mane falling in front of her gorgeous face. “Now, remember what we discussed earlier. Keep that note just a little bit longer; at least three minutes okay?”

Her voice was very soft, carrying a sweetness that seemed to flow like the warmest of jarred honey. It also had a tenderness that could sooth even the most frightened of ponies and any other creature showing the least bit of anxiety and stress. There was also a gentleness to her words that could only belong to that of a mother. Something that made the Kirin Thestral siblings just want to close their eyes and listen to it.

Underneath that motherly voice however, laid a powerful undertone of assertiveness and authority and command. It was so powerful that it would’ve made even those of the royal guard seem like a simple cadet in training. That was the kind of voice that was found in all drill sergeants in training camps, and would make them proud to hear. It was certainly more than enough to make the sparrow stand to attention, who have a light tweet of reply as it ruffled its feathers. This earned an approving smile from the Pegasus mare, who patted the birds head before hovering away.

“Good boy! Now, let’s all start from the top, shall we?” She asked sweetly. “Here we go! Is everyone ready? A one, and a two, and a-”

Just as the mare was about to give off the signal, an unexpected tweet cut her off. At first, she though it was the male sparrow that she had spoken to only moments ago about his singing. A tweet from below her let her now that it was not the Sparrow, but a female Swallow. Curiously, she flew over to the fork-tailed bird, listening as to the bird as she continued to tweet.

“What is it Ms. Swallow? Are you having some trouble with your line, too?” She asked gently, giving the bird a worried expression. The female swallow gave few tweets, and the mare’s eyes widened. “What, there’s somepony else here? Where?”

Just as the Pegasus had asked that question, she was already fully turned around, and locked eyes with the four ponies behind her. She was so taken that she nearly lost control of her wings and fell to the ground. For what seemed like forever, not a single sound was made, and nopony moved either. Not even the birds, who were all wondering whether they should fly off, or stay and see what their master would do. They didn’t have to wait long as the buttermilk Pegasus slowly hovered down to the ground, her overextended tail being the first to touch the soft green grass. Slowly folded her angelic wings to her side, a gentle smile planted on the mare’s face, staring kindly at the newcomers.

“Well, isn’t this a surprise?” She giggled softly as she put a hoof to her mouth. “I certainly didn’t expect to get an audience so early before it was actually needed.”

This seemed to snap the four siblings, the shock of the Pegasus’s beauty finally wearing off as they began to regain their senses. They all fumbled for words, except for Sheton, who was still captivated by the buttermilk mare. Right at that moment, the tan hybrid mare was finally to speak, her words coming out in a large sputter.

“I…I-I…c-can’t b-believe it…” she whispered, her lip quivering as she took large slow, yet quiet breaths. “Fluttershy…i-is that…you?”

Fluttershy giggled again before she began to slowly walk towards her fellow winged ponies, her gentle teal eyes locking straight onto Goku. One she was within reach, she leaned in and tenderly nuzzled the other mare with all the care in the world. Goku gasped lightly as a warmth spread through her body, her eyes becoming half lidded as Fluttershy brushed her herself against that bat winged mare. Her gentle smile never once faltering for a second, even after she pulled away and looked back into the blushing face of the tan mare.

“I don’t know Goku. You tell shy little me. Am I the same Fluttershy you remember? The very same Fluttershy that always hid behind you as a filly?” She asked playfully, her mane falling gracefully over her face. “I think you both know the answer to that sweetie. After all, who else could you remember having a roseray and a pair of angel dragon wings attached to their back?”

Goku said nothing as she continued staring into those warm eyes that looked straight back at her with kindness that no words could describe. She then slowly looked Fluttershy up and down, taking in each and every one of her jaw dropping features. Her golden eyes then locked right on the cross-like rosary with the large blood red eye that gleamed back at her. Its iris glowing for three whole seconds, as if to tell her and her siblings, ‘welcome home’.

A light gasp escaped the tan mare’s mouth as she looked back up at Fluttershy, who’s smile was somewhat wider. Goku felt a smile of her own make its way to her face as she began to shake on the spot, her excitement getting the better of her. Fluttershy’s forelegs were already open before threw herself at the buttermilk Pegasus, knocking her right off her hooves. Just before they hit the ground, Goku’s feathered bat wings flared out and shot them into the air the latter laughing mirthfully.

“Oh my fucking Faust I can’t believe it! I cannot believe that it’s you!” Goku squealed. “I almost didn’t even recognize you! Seriously! I mean, you look so…s-so…”

“Exotic? Exquisite? Alluring? Angelic?” Fluttershy guessed, her smile widening with each word she said. “I know, I really get that a lot from everypony that sees me. Or when they come to my cottage with a sick animal in tow or want to buy some flowers from me.” Her cheeks gained a tinge of pink as both she and Goku hovered to the ground. “I also get a lot of compliments form the stallions in Ponyville, as well as, um…t-the mares.”

“Well, what did you expect, going into town looking like that? With a mane, eyes, chest fluff, a figure, and a fuckable ass like that, you’re bound to get attention from both sexes baby.” Goku snorted. “I’d say you looked even more stunning than Rarity! A theory that I know that even she’ll agree with.”

“Now Goku, you shouldn’t say that out loud. Rarity might hear you and get upset.” The buttermilk Pegasus giggled, her wings giving a little ruffle. “You know how the poor things is about ponies judging her for her looks. If she hears you saying that, she may faint on the spot.”

“Oh please! As if Rarity would get angry at you for holding more beauty than her.” Goku replied dryly, earning another giggle from Fluttershy. “Though, I wouldn’t just say that you’d look extraordinary. No, I’d say that you look…” She moved her head to the side as she put her lips next to Pegasus’s ear and whispered quietly, “…absolutely angelic.”

A light gasp escaped Fluttershy, and a pink blush came to her cheeks as the tan mare looked at her with a wide grin. A moment or two passed with neither of them speaking, before a grin of her own came to Fluttershy’s face. Without warning, she walked closer to Goku and put a hoof under her chin, her expression becoming half lidded once more.

“So…you think that I look angelic huh?” She asked, her gentle tone gaining a slight sultry edge to it. She tilted her head slightly, her silky mane slightly obscuring one of her teal eyes. “And who’s to say that you and your sisters don’t look as attractive as I do?”

“I never said that none of us were attractive.” Goku giggled, her own eyes becoming half lidded as her left tufted ear twitched. One of her tri-colored hooves ran down the mare’s back, getting dangerously close to her rump. “I just said that out of the four of us, you seem to take the cake, along with any other member of any other clan that has any remote connection with nature.”

“You mean like Blossomforth and Derpy? Or even Cloud Kicker and Amethyst?” Fluttershy asked sultrily, running a hoof down Goku’s large fluffy chest. “Yes, admit, that they’re all attractive in their own way. Well, all of them except for dear Amethyst…I admit she’s a very pretty young mare, but she still has a bit of a ways to go before she reaches that of her mother’s. She is making progress, slowly mind you but surely. With you three however…well, you seem to have gotten a head start with that if you don’t mind me saying.”

“We could say the same for you dear.” Snowflake said, a little chuckle escaping her. “The years have done you well along with Blossomforth and Cloud Kicker. You’re all sure to have many mares and stallions chasing after you and claim you as their own.”

“Oh, now that would be just wonderful!” Midnight gushed giggling merrily. “The thought of so many young stallions and mares wanting to have somepony as special as Fluttershy. Oh that would be just so adorable!”

“That is if they don’t try to get under her tail the minute they see her.” Goku muttered, looking off to the side. “One of the major downsides of being so beautiful…”

“We heard that.” Her sisters dryly said in unison, earning a little laugh from the tan hybrid mare.

“Now now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves girls. While I do have some thoughts on getting a special somepony, I’m taking it slow and biding my time.” Fluttershy said, running a gentle hoof up one of Goku’s tufted ears. “Besides, I have my animals and my little Loo-Loo that I need to take care right now. I may decide to go looking for a special somepony that I believe is suitable, but for now, I’m comfortable with being single and having you all instead.”

“Whatever you say Flutters. We’re just saying that you may not have a lot of time before a stallion or mare that catches your eye is snatched away.” Goku crooned as she ran a hoof down Fluttershy’s cheek. “Though, if you’d rather stick with us instead…we don’t have any objections.”

Fluttershy giggled, the sound having a pleasant ring to it that made the other mare’s hearts warm up. “Oh, I know you don’t. From the families you come from, you wouldn’t have any objections with being a bit closer with ponies. Though I think we should take some time to catch up before we start doing to each other the things that Blossomforth and Cloud Kicker like to do with one another.”

‘Why do I get the feeling it’s something I’m not supposed to know yet?’ Sheton thought, his tufted ears flattening. ‘And why the hell am I fucking blushing at this?!’

“Yes, we probably should.” Midnight giggled merrily. “We should take things slower before thinking about banging each other senseless. I really don’t wanna get into as many incidents as those to get whenever those two get into one of their lewd escapades. No matter how or exciting it may be on a sexual matter.”

“Yes, that’d be a good idea.” Fluttershy giggled, running a hoof down Goku’s mane. “I’m so overjoyed to see you all again, it wasn’t really the same here without you.” She lowered her head, her smile faltering. “It was hard for all of us without any of you here…especially on me.”

“Hearing that come from somepony like you, I can completely understand why.” Goku said gently, pulling Fluttershy into a tight hug. “Don’t worry Fluttershy, you don’t need to feel that way anymore. Like we told the others, we’re staying, and we’re not going anywhere.”

“Thank you, you have no idea how happy that makes me.” Fluttershy said softly as she leaned into the hug. “I am so happy you girls back.”

“We are too.” Midnight cooed as she and Snowflake hugged both mares on either side. “And we’re happy that were back here with you too.”

As the four mares hugged one another, Sheton watched from the side, his eye still absorbed onto Fluttershy’s angelic appearance. No matter what he tried to do, he just could not look away and focus back on anything else, let alone his sisters. It was as if Fluttershy’s mere presence alone was keeping him from looking away from her; like she wanted him to take in every inch of her beautiful body.

‘If that’s what she’s doing she is doing a real good fucking job of it.’ He thought, feeling his face growing redder with each second. ‘I mean she’s…she’s even more beautiful than Rarity!’

“So, what brings you all back to town?” Fluttershy asked curiously. “I didn’t know that you were going to be back so soon. I thought you were just getting everything packed up and ready.”

“Well, we woke up this morning and were planning to start packing after breakfast, but the Queen seemed to have other plans for us. She had given us a letter saying that we were to supervise the Summer Sun Celebration.” Goku replied casually. “In case you’re wondering why we got here so late. It’s because we made a few stops at Applejack Rainbow Dash and Rarity’s place for brunch, chillaxing, and…” A pink blush came to her tan cheeks as her mane fell over her face. “…trying out new designs.”

“Oh, not at all. I was actually at my cottage taking care of my little sister and my animal most of the day. I came out here with some of my birds to practice their singing.” Fluttershy replied softly, glancing at her birds. “You came at just the right time…we were just about ready to finish. Though I suppose I can take a break since you’re all back here. Besides…” She looked down at Sheton, who was standing behind the other three hybrid mares. “…I can tell your little brother is curious about me.”

Blinking in recognition, Goku spun back around to her brother, who was still in his semi-shocked state. When he saw Fluttershy’s teal eyed gaze locked onto him, he snapped out of it and resumed to just looking at her curiously. They held that gaze for some time, and before he even knew what he was doing, Sheton found himself walking over to Fluttershy. The pink maned mare let him come to her, their eyes never separating even as he stopped within hoof’s length from the larger winged pony.

“Oh, my goodness. He has such lovely eyes Goku~.” Fluttershy said in a soft gush. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen such beautiful blue eyes before.”

Goku chuckled softly. “Well, he did get them from my Dad…in his own way…his family has eyes that are always so mesmerizing. Probably one of the reasons why my Mom was so attracted to him. I really don’t know how it’s possible, but it always happened…”

“Well, they certainly make him look more adorable, I must say.” Fluttershy giggled, looking down at the stormy grey hybrid colt. She knelt down so she was at eye level with the colt, her smile even sweeter than before. “Hello there, sweetheart, my name is Fluttershy Tenshi Kindheart Rosario. I’m one of your big sister’s friends in case she didn’t tell you…what’s your name?”

“S…Sheton…Sheton Crimson Flash Nightstalker Shenron.” Sheton replied softly. “It’s very nice to meet you Ms. Fluttershy.”

As with most of the others, Fluttershy brushed off the formalities and politeness. Doing so in such a graceful way that it would make a swan proud. “Oh, there’s no need to be so formal Sheton. You can just call me Fluttershy, my friends and most of ponies and foals that I know refer to me my that, so you don’t need to treat me as if I’m somepony important or anything.”

“U-um…okay.” Sheton said a little sheepishly. “It’s nice to meet you…F-F-Fluttershy.”

“That’s better!” Fluttershy gushed, standing back upright with a beaming smile. It softened as she walked closer to the colt, her long mane hanging just in front of his face. “Now, what’s handsome little colt like yourself doing here with your sisters?”

Sheton fidgeted slightly, a sweet flowery scent filling his nostrils as Fluttershy’s mane hung just in front of his face. Tearing his eyes away from her chest fluff, and the mammaries under her barrel, he locked eyes with her and replied, “W-well, um…to put it simply, I-I’m here with me sisters to have a look around Ponyville. W-we’re going to be moving back here soon, a-and they wanted me to get a look at the place. A-and see if I can make some friends while I’m here.”

“Oh, so you’re moving here with your sisters, are you?” Fluttershy asked, tilting her head as the colt nodded. “I see…and they want to see if you can make some friends here? How’s that going for you?”

“Surprisingly well actually.” Sheton replied, beaming. “I actually met three fillies today, Apple Bloom Sweetie Belle, and Melon Cake. There was also another filly named Fire Flash that I think I was supposed to meet today, but wasn’t able to.” He looked down at the ground, his mane spilling over his face. “I didn’t think that I’d make that number of friends in such a short time…especially ones that’re so accepting of me.”

Fluttershy chuckled. “Well, from the names of the fillies that you told me, I’d say that you made quite the wise decisions when trying to make friends. I happen to know each of those fillies myself, along with the one that you weren’t able to see. They can be rather energetic and rambunctious at times, Firestreak especially, but they really are sweet little fillies when you get to know them.”

“You really think so?” Sheton asked hopefully.

“Oh yes, they’re wonderful little fillies for anypony to be around, once you get to know them!” Fluttershy nodded, smiling in assurance. “Most ponies just see them as naïve fillies that don’t really know anything, and are more of a hindrance. However, if you really take the time to see what they’re like, you can see that they’re special fillies inside.” Her smile softened even more as she wrapped one wing around the colt. “And I can tell just by looking at you, that you’re quite the special little colt.”

“H-how can you know that?” Sheton asked, his stormy grey cheeks flushing pink. “You just met me, Fluttershy.”

“Maybe so, but I have this knack for seeing just how special ponies are, even if I met them only once.” Fluttershy shrugged. “I don’t know why, but it’s just something I can do, and like all of my friends’ sisters. I can tell that you look quite special~.”

“Oh, w-well…t-thank you M-Fluttershy.” Sheton murmured, looking off to the side. A moment or two of silence passed before he looked back up at her. “Um, can I ask you something.”

“What is it sweetie?” Fluttershy asked, tilted her head curiously.

“D-do you, um…” Sheton began poking his forehooves together as he struggled with his next words. “…do you have a younger sister?”

Fluttershy blinked a couple of times in surprise, before a small sly smile came to her face. “Why yes, I do have a younger sister. Her name is Scootaloo Tenshi Kindheart Rosario, and see is the sweetest, gentlest filly you could ever meet! Oh, and I case you’re wondering, yes, she does live with me like the rest of her friends. Why do you ask?”

“I-It’s nothing…” Sheton replied. “It’s just, um…since I’ve been doing so well in gaining potential friends in the f-future, m-m-maybe I could try my luck again, w-with your sister. If um, if that’s okay with you that is.” He finished, looking off to the side as he hid his face behind his mane.

“Okay with me? Okay with me?” Fluttershy repeated, looking at the Thestral colt as if he had asked something that he believed she wouldn’t agree to. “I would love for you to meet my little sister! Who wouldn’t want to meet such a sweet little filly like her? Especially since you and her both come from similar families?”

Sheton paused, looking at his large feathered bat wings and then back at Fluttershy. His eyes locked onto her roseray seeing the blood red slitted eye in the center, before his face flushed in embarrassment.

“Uh, yeah…you make a good point there Fluttershy.” He said quietly, one of his hooves running through the membranes of his wings. “I guess I was just a little worried that she may get scared at seeing colt that looks eerily like that of a Vampony.”

Fluttershy’s gaze softened, a look of understanding coming to her face. “Oh…is that all honey? You’re afraid that my little Loo-Loo will be afraid of you because your half Bat Pony even though you don’t drink blood?”

“Well…” Sheton said hesitantly. “…kind of.”

“Well, if that’s the case then I don’t think you really have anything to worry about.” Fluttershy said, smiling gently at the colt. “I’ll be honest, Scootaloo can be a bit, um…terrified of ponies that she’s never met. Even those that come from a species, pony or not, that she’s never seen before, but that doesn’t mean that she’s scared of them...most of the time.” She blushed sheepishly, looking down at the ground. “If there’s one thing Scootaloo’s not known to do, is judge others based on their appearance and race, even if they scare her to know end. Nor is she one to believe any rumors spread about said species, mainly the bad ones. She likes to see for herself if that individual really is what others say they are before making a conclusion. And even then, she’d rather be friends, or at least acquaintances with that individual, instead of enemies, as is the way of the Tenshi and Rosario clans.”

“Wow, really?” Sheton asked, his eyes wide with awe. “So, you really think that she’ll like me?”

“I know so, and I’d sound like a liar of I said she wouldn’t.” Fluttershy replied. “And I know for a fact that she’ll love you.”

The stormy grey hybrid colt blushed upon hearing the word ‘love’, but, brushed it off as the beautiful playfully teasing him. “W-well, if you say so Fluttershy. I’ll take your word for it.”

“Wonderful~!” Fluttershy gushed, kissing Sheton his forehead. “Well then, are you ready to go to my cottage?”

“We sure are Fluttershy.” Goku nodded, giving a fanged smile. “Lead the way.”

Fluttershy smiled sweetly at the tan hybrid mare, before looking over at the birds still perched on the tree. They were all watching the scene intently, looking more relaxed that before.

“That’s all for today everyone! Keep practicing alright?” Fluttershy said, her motherly tone holding that same authoritive tone. “Remember, the Queen is the one that we need to please, do make sure you’re at your best!”

All of the birds gave off various sets of tweets, before flying off in different direction, leaving the tree they were perched on bared. Nodding in satisfaction, she looked back over at the Thestral Kirin siblings, who were all looking back at her.

“Well everypony,” She said sweetly, spreading her angelic wings. “Let’s go!”

The flight to Fluttershy’s cottage didn’t take as long as the siblings thought that it would. As a matter of a face her house was just outside the skirts of Ponyville, which wasn’t too far of a walk or fly from it. Like Applejack’s farm, Fluttershy’s home was just outside the town, except that Applejack’s farm was on the southern side of the town. Fluttershy’s was on the southeastern edge, and was much closer for anypony visiting her. Sheton couldn’t help but wonder why she would choose to live outside of town. Upon coming to her home a little while later however, he soon understood why.

Fluttershy’s cottage looked like it was built for living with or inside nature, with possibly every other creature doing the same. It was big, rivaling even Rainbow Dash’s home in size, with various little bird houses either hanging or sitting on the roof of the cottage. Small windows poking out from various spots, with a double door right in the center of the house, and another few bird houses perched near it. All the way down the dirt trail that led to the cottage a small bridge was perched over a small stream. It had a little platform under the bridge, and on the far end of it as well. There were a couple more bird houses were perched near it, with a nested log and tree only ten feet away.

“Well, here we are everypony. Welcome to my home!” Fluttershy said happily as she warmly greeting the birds and animals that living near her cottage. “I’m sorry if it’s a bit crowded here for you. It tends to be that way when your caring for so many animals.’’

“I can see why.” Goku chuckled softly, taking in the beautiful sight of the cottage. “Honestly, I’m not surprised that you would choose to live in a place like this. Since you loved being around nature, even as a filly. Ever since you got your Cutie Mark, there was always this little part of me that knew that this would be what you would do. And that this is what you were destined to do as well.”

“Wow…you sure do have a lot of animals here, Ms. Fluttershy.” Sheton said softly, watching as the little woodland creatures peeked at him from inside their burrows. Some of them retreated back slightly upon seeing the thestral colt, a little bit intimidated by his bat like appearance and fangs. Others however, gathered up the courage to approach him, finding themselves relaxing almost immediately after. One bunny even climbed onto his back and sniffed at his mane, earning a giggle from the young colt as he scratched at her ears.

“Of course, she does, dear. Why wouldn’t she? Even when we were in high school, she always had some type of animal with her.” Snowflake said, watching as some birds nestled into her white mane. “Remember that time when she brought in those adorable little bunnies in biology class?”

“Oh I sure do! I noticed one of them pop their heads out of her saddlebags!” Midnight replied with a little squeal. “They were so cute! I just wanted to hug them and snuggle with them all!”

“I don’t doubt that you wanted to. You made that quite clear when you almost shattered the windows and made half the class go deaf.” Fluttershy stated slyly. “Though there was a good chance that fi I let you do that, you would’ve crushed the poor things to death.”

“No, I wouldn’t have! I promise you, I was going to be very gentle with them! Midnight cried, holding a hoof to her feathered chest. “I’ve gotten a lot better with controlling my strength the past for years!!”

“Really? Because I’m sure that you almost crushing Mr. Cake and Applejack to death would beg to differ.” Goku pointed out blowing a raspberry at the beetle black mare. “The poor stallion was going as blue as Mrs. Cakes fur, good thing you had the common sense to let him go, otherwise you really would’ve crushed him to death.”

“S-shut up Goku!” Midnight stammered, her face heating up as her younger sisters both laughed.

As Fluttershy opened her cottage door, the thestral siblings took a moment to take in its interior, and they were impressed at what they saw. On the floor was a large deep red rug having a large flower sewn in the middle with a grey chimney to the left of it. In that chimney, was a large fireplace inside, and a birdhouse to the right of the rug. Far down the rug, there was a large couch and chair having a little tea table in the center, and books shelves containing various books behind them. A picture of a rainbow with butterfly’s framed on the wall, and a window containing doors that had pots engraved on them. Above them, there were a couple more birdhouses, with a large doggy bed next to the couch, where a staircase could be seen behind it, leading upstairs to where the bedrooms were supposed to be. To the left of the stars, a large opening could be seen where the kitchen was, as evident due to the dining room at the far left. To end the display, there was a refrigerator next to it on the other side of the wall.

“I gotta say Fluttershy, you’ve outdone yourself here.” Goku said, smiling slightly. “I figured you were going to settle down somewhere quiet, and it looks like you have. I can practically feel the quietness in this place” Her nostrils flared as she sniffed the air. “Along with a lot of different animal scents.”

“I figured you would, especially since you’re half thestral and have a higher sense of smell.” Fluttershy chuckled. “You’ll have to excuse me for that, a lot of the animals tend to make their own homes here with me. Some of them don’t really like being outside for many different reasons.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that dear, we don’t mind you having so many animals here.” Snowflake said, waving a hoof dismissively. “To be honest we were pretty much expecting it. You did like being around animals more than ponies, and those that weren’t normal ponies.”

Fluttershy smiled gently at the mountain blue mare. “Yes well…animals do tend to get me a lot more than ponies that don’t. That’s one of the reasons why I love being around them so much; they’re quieter, they don’t judge, and they’d never hurt or betray you, even if it means giving their lives.” Her expression softened as listened to the animals outside. “It’s also ponies like you that get me so much, because you’re treated like my animals. Feared for something that ponies don’t understand and judged just for what you are, and not doing anything to really see what you’re like. It’s why I don’t mind ponies like you, and want you to be more understood.”

“We know Fluttershy, we all feel the same way sweetie.” Midnight said, softly. “Unfortunately, there aren’t many ponies like you that are so tolerant and accepting of ponies like us. Which makes it all the more wonderful that we’re friends, right Sheton?”

“U-uh-huh…” Sheton replied, smiling at Fluttershy. “A-and since I’m here, you get to have another Thestral as a friend. O-of course, I’m only half Thestral, but…you get the point I’m trying to make right?”

“Yes honey, I do.” Fluttershy nodded, winking at the stormy grey colt. “And I’m glad that get to have another friend like the ones I have now. That friend being in the from of you.”

With those words, Fluttershy planted another kiss on the colt’s cheek, running her tail along the underside of his chin. Sheton promptly blushed and looked away, gingerly rubbing at his cheek as a giggling Fluttershy walked over to the back door of her cottage. With the four siblings close behind her, they all walked out and into the backyard of the animal caretaker. It was quite large, seemingly as large as Rainbow Dash’s, having a large field that had groups of flowers planted here and there. There was also a large chicken coop on the far left, and a large pond that was sure to contain fish on the right, with lilies and frogs there as well. Just next to the cottage, was a large wooden table containing a few or so chairs, and a few large trees that had a few bird’s nests in them. All around them, they would see various other birds and animals roaming around the backyard, all of them being many different species. Mice, rabbits, and squirrels, and chickens, sheep, goats, deer and moose...the list went on, and they all seemed to be quite at home.

“Woooow…” Sheton breathed as he looked around the backyard of Fluttershy’s cottage. “It’s so beautiful Fluttershy.”

“Why thank you Sheton. It’s really a sight to see, isn’t it?” Fluttershy asked, giggling in at the colt’s reaction. “Many ponies wouldn’t expect to find something like this where I am. Especially if it has exotic animals such as these. That is, unless you’re a member of the Ponyville Critter Crew!”

“Oh we know that! I can totally see why you would choose a job like that.” The tan hybrid mare said. “It looks like my little brother is liking it a lot.”

“Oh, that’s right!” Snowflake exclaimed as she looked over at Fluttershy. “Fluttershy, dear, didn’t you say that your sister was here?”

“Oh, yes I did! I almost forgot about that, thank you for the reminder Snowflake.” Fluttershy said thankfully at the mountain blue mare. She then began to look around the backyard, her teal eyes squinting in concentration. “Now, if I can just find her. She said she would be here in the backyard while I was gone, so I don’t-oh! There she is!”

All four siblings followed the line where Fluttershy’s hoof was pointing and came across a sight that made their eyes widen. There, sitting in the field of flowers on the far-left side of the cottage backyard, was a young Pegasus filly that looked to be about Sheton’s age, possibly a year older. She had bright orange fur that was a shade lighter than Applejack’s, with a long indigo mane and tail that hung all the way to the ground. Her mane completely obscured one of her eyes, the other being a captivating and gentle violet color. Her wings were folded neatly at her sides, all being a combination of her mane and tail color, along with that of Fluttershy’s eyes, and her Cutie Mark was nonexistent.

Sheton felt all the breath leave his body as his emerald blue eyes widened, the oval shaped pupils dilated as he stared at the filly. His heartbeat quickened as a pink tint appeared on his cheeks, his bat wings twitching slightly. As he continued to stare in awe at the filly before him, one thought crossed his mind. ‘So pretty…!’

“Is that her Fluttershy?” Goku asked, looking at the filly with a raised eyebrow. “Is that your little sister?”

“It sure is Goku!” Fluttershy gushed, her cheeks going as pink as her mane. “Doesn’t she look just precious?”

“She most certainly does dear…I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more adorable filly before.” Snowflake replied, smiling fondly at the filly. “Then again, I’ve seen many cute foals in my lifetime, especially just today, but still…I think she takes the cake.”

“I think we can all agree with that.” Midnight said, letting out a little giggle. “I mean, just look at that beautiful mane and tail, and those eyes! Oh, I bet she’d look absolutely beautiful in one of Rarity’s dresses!”

“If you think she looks sweet now, just wait until you actually here her talk.” Fluttershy said, smiling in excitement at the three sisters. She then looked back to where Scootaloo was and cleared her throat, before saying, “Oh Scootaloo! Come here sweetie, we have some guests!”

Scootaloo’s ears perked at the sound of her older sister’s sweet voice, and her single visible violet eye locked onto her and the four siblings. Her eye widened slightly in surprise, but it soon beamed into a sweet smile that made Sheton’s heart skip a beat. Wordlessly, she got up from her spot in the flowers and galloped over to Fluttershy, her mane and tail flowing gracefully behind her. She slowed to a trot when she got within forelegs length, before stopping in front of Fluttershy, closing her eye as the older mare nuzzled her lovingly. Scootaloo then nuzzled into Fluttershy’s huge chest fluff, earning an coos from the three thestral sisters, before she pulled away.

“It’s wonderful to see you two against Scootaloo.” Fluttershy said sweetly. “I’m sorry that I didn’t get back here on time. I hope that I didn’t keep you waiting for too long.”

Scootaloo shook her head, and, in what had to be the sweetest gentlest voice Goku had ever heard, she said, “N-no…y-y-you didn’t keep me w-waiting for very long b-big sister. I-it was only half an hour ago w-when you left, s-so I wasn’t too worried.”

“Well, that’s good to hear.” Fluttershy said softly. “Did you stay in the backyard with the animals like I told you too?”

“Y-yes, I did.” Scootaloo nodded, smiling timidly. “I-I also didn’t let anypony that wasn’t your friends or mine in the cottage while you were away. I-I did see a few of them pass by here b-but, I didn’t really recognize them.”

“Good girl~!” Fluttershy praised, planting a soft kiss on Scootaloo’s forehead. “What a good little filly you’ve been today! I knew I could count on you to look after the house while I was gone!

“W-well, I was only doing what you t-told me to do. I s-spend my time l-looking after the animals and the cottage.” Scootaloo said bashfully. “I-I couldn’t disappoint you, a-and I did want to d-do my part, s-so…t-t-that’s what I did.”

“Well, you certainly did a better job at doing that.” Fluttershy said, nuzzling Scootaloo on her cheek. “I’m so proud of you Loo-Loo; you’re growing up so fast!”

Scootaloo giggled. “B-big sister…I-I’m only e-eight years old, I have at least f-five years b-before I b-become a mare.”

“I know, but you’re already becoming a mare in your own special way. And I think the same can be said about your friends.” Fluttershy winked, letting out a little giggle of her own. “That reminds me, I have a few new faces that I want you to meet. Ones that I think that you’ll find quite pleasant.”

Scootaloo tilted her head curiously, her violet mane swaying slightly as she followed the line of her sister’s gaze. Her single violet eye widened upon seeing the other three mares just next to Fluttershy, the last of which looking away when she looked at him. A soft gasp escaped her lips as she locked in place, her ears flopping back as a shy nervous look came across her face.

“It’s okay Scootaloo, they’re not going to hurt you.” Fluttershy said soothingly. “These are my other friends that I’ve been telling you about.”

“Y-you’re other f-friends?” Scootaloo asked, looking back at her sister. “Y-y-you mean they’re the…”

“Mhm, they’re the three mares that I used to tell you about from time to time after I had come back to Ponyville.” Fluttershy replied, nodding as she looked back at the three mares. “This is Midnight Thunderstorm Nightstalker Shenron, Snowflake Icestorm Nightstalker Shenron, and Son Goku Kakarot Nightstalker Shenron. All three of them are part of the Nightstalker and Shenron clans in the Grove of the Kirins and in the Empire of Lunar Bay. You know, the ones that can turn into thestral and dragon pony hybrids.”

“Y-yeah, I know…I-I’ve heard that. They also have the, um, necklaces to show t-that they have that k-kind of power.” Scootaloo replied, looking back over at the bat pony mares. “I-its, um…v-v-very nice to meet y-you all. M-my name is S-Scootaloo Tenshi Kindheart R-Rosario.”

“Oh, we know that dear; your big sister told us who you were already.” Snowflake said, her fangs gleaming as she smiled. “Still, it’s very nice to meet you, your sister wasn’t kidding when she said that you were quite adorable.”

“Now Snowflake, don’t go teasing the poor thing.” Midnight chided lightly as Scootaloo blushed deeply. “She’s only just met us, and besides, she’s not the only adorable little one that we have here with us.”

“You’re right Midnight; I think it’d be best if we introduce them right now.” Goku said as she pushed Sheton forward in front of the filly, who went wide eyed once again at seeing him so close to her. “Scootaloo, sweetie, I’d like you to meet our little brother, Sheton Crimson Flash Nightstalker Shenron. He’s here with us for the Summer Sun Celebration while we supervise it, and we felt that it’d be good for his social health if he made friends with ponies his age in the place we’re planning to move back to.”

The stormy grey hybrid colt gulped, his little heart beating fast as his cheeks flushed a deep pink red. With as much courage as he could muster, he managed to stutter out, “Um…h-h-hi Scootaloo…m-my name is S-Sheton…i-it’s really nice to m-meet you.”

Scootaloo didn’t say anything for a moment, her lone eye staring right into Sheton’s emerald blue orbs as the blush on her face grew even darker. The pupil in her eye dilated as her mouth hung open in a cute little ‘o’ shape. ‘So…cute!’ she thought internally.

“Scootaloo…” Fluttershy said firmly, yet gently. “It’s not polite to stare at others like that. I know Sheton looks cute and all, but could you at least respond to him honey?”

This snapped Scootaloo out of her daze as she glanced in between her sister and Sheton a couple of time, before settling back on the latter again. “S-sorry big sister…h-hello Sheton…i-it’s really nice t-to meet you t-too.”

‘Oh, look at those too!’ Goku thought, biting her lip to keep from giggling as she watched two foals act shyly towards one another. ‘I can already tell that these two are gonna get along quite well in the upcoming years. Oh, I can almost see the future cute moments coming…and the little steamy passionate ones too!’

“S-so, um…Sheton?” Scootaloo asked, looking back up at the colt. “I-is this y-you’re first time here in P-Ponyville?”

“Um, y-yeah it is.” Sheton replied, smiling slightly. “I came here just a few hours ago, mainly because my sister wanted me to see if I can make any friends. I’ve actually been pretty successful so far…”

“Oh, y-you have?” Scootaloo asked, one of her ears flicking. “S-so they weren’t scared of the f-fact that you were a h-hybrid?”

“No, they weren’t.” Sheton said, smiling slightly. “I really thought that at least one of them would be at least a little nervous about seeing a pony with bat wings and fangs. I mean, Thestrals don’t exactly have a sunny reputation around Equestria, and neither do the Kirins, or anypony like them for that matter.”

“Y-yeah, I can see that.” Scootaloo nodded sympathetically, looking at the colt’s fangs, tufted ears, and his wings. “F-for the record, I’m not really bothered by your fangs or your bat wings, i-if you want m-my honest o-opinion.”

Sheton’s tufted bat ears perked. “You’re not?”

“Mm-mm. M-me and my big sister h-have a lot of b-bats at the c-cottage, though they don’t really l-like being out in the d-daytime.” Scootaloo nodded, smiling softly. “I admit, i-it can be a l-little n-nerve wracking seeing creatures with f-fangs. S-still, they can actually be pretty cute and sweet once you look past the, um…scary, appearances. T-the same can be said for the t-thestrals too, i-if ponies are willing to do the s-same thing.”

“Yeah, I hear you there…if only it were that easy.” Sheton nodded dejectedly. “Too bad there are a lot of ponies who see them as monsters, no matter how much good they’ve done. They’re just too overcome by fear and rumors to really see it.”

Goku sighed, a frown coming to her face. “Sad, but true…” She said, her voice low enough for only Fluttershy and her sisters to hear.

“So…a-about that…” Sheton continued. “W-what do you think of it?”

“H-huh?” Scootaloo asked. “W-what did you say?”

“My thestral form.” Sheton specified. “What do you think of it?”

Scootaloo jumped, the question throwing her in a bit of a loop as she looked at Sheton in surprise. Once it sunk in, a thick blush spread across her face as she shrunk away, forehooves poking together in a gesture of hesitance. She closed her eye, inhaling deeply and exhaling rather shakily before looking back into the eyes of the stormy grey colt.

“D-do…do you want an h-honest a-answer?” She asked, her lower lip trembling slightly. “Y-you may be a little e-embarrassed by what I have to s-say."

“It’s okay, don’t worry. I won’t be upset or embarrassed by your answer.” Sheton said reassuringly, reaching out with a hoof and putting it on Scootaloo’s. She gasped at the contact, but didn’t pull her hoof away, although her blush did grow slightly darker. “Go on, just tell me and get it off your chest. I promise I’m not going to hold it against you.”

“W-well…okay then.” Scootaloo said, hiding behind her mane a bit. “I-I, um…I think that you’re Thestral appearance is…r-really…c-c-cute!”

Sheton froze, his eyes widening slightly as his wings twitched. “You think it’s what?”

“M-mhm…” Scootaloo nodded, biting her lip. “…I t-think you t-thestral form is r-really c-cute.”

“You…you do?” Sheton asked, a deep blush of his own coming to his cheeks. He pulled his shaking hoof away from Scootaloo’s, making the filly frown slightly. “Y-you really think that I look…cute like this?”

“Y-yes, I-I do.” Scootaloo nodded again. “I-I haven’t really seen that many thestral ponies or foals before, since most of them live in the Luna Bay Empire. B-but, from all the photos that I’ve seen of their kids, t-they looked really, um…adorable. W-with those little fangs, the webbed wings, the t-tufted ears, and that f-fluffy fur, like what you have now.” Her smile grew slightly wider as she played with her mane. “It just makes you all look so…huggable.”

Sheton’s lips pursed, his pupils dilating as his blush grew even darker. “It…it does?”

Scootaloo nodded, pawing at the ground as her mane lightly swept at it. “Y-yes…a-and I also love the way that y-your wings are m-made. F-fearsome, yet b-beautiful at the same time, w-with the wing claws and the membranes, used for f-flight and f-fighting. I-I don’t think I’ve really s-seen wings like t-that before. E-especially ones t-that’re feathered.”

“Well, that’s probably because you haven’t seen thestrals with feathered wings before.” Snowflake, spreading her own wings partially. “That is until now…”

“Hmhm, yeah, you make a good point.” Scootaloo said giggling a bit. “B-but…y-yeah, t-that’s what I think about you’re Thestral form S-Sheton. I-I don’t think that it’s scary at all I t-think it’s c-cute, and…f-fascinating to look at.”

“W…wow Scootaloo! I-I…don’t know what to say.” Sheton said, blinking a few times. “Thank you. That’s…one of the nicest things anypony’s said about my form.”

“I-It was nothing S-Sheton…I-I mean that w-with all my h-heart, and not just cause I’m b-being nice.” Scootaloo said, her smile turning gentler. “After all, w-what kind of f-friend would I b-be if I e-ever said that j-just to make you f-feel better?”

The stormy grey colt looked at Scootaloo in slight surprise. “F-friend?”

“Uh-huh.” The bright orange filly nodded as she walked a bit closer to Sheton. “I-I know that this is, u-um…out of the blue, a-and I’m n-normally not the f-first one a-ask it…but…um…” She looked away, mustering up the courage to say what she wanted to ask. “D-do you and I…think we could b-be…f-friends?”

“R…really?” Sheton stuttered. “Y-you really want the both of us to be friends?!”

“I…I-I really would.” Scootaloo replied, stepping just a bit closer to the colt. As with Fluttershy, her mane hung just in front of him, and even more frequent scent of flowers filled Sheton’s nostrils. “T-this is the very first-time t-that I’ve ever had any r-real encounters with T-Thestrals…l-let alone T-Thestral foals. P-plus, y-you seem like a r-really nice c-colt Sheton, and, y-y-you’re one of the f-first foals I’ve meet o-outside of Ponyville that’s been n-nice to me, a-and hasn’t thought of me as w-weird, a-and I’m happy f-for that.” Slowly and tentatively, she reached out and placed her hoof on Sheton’s, making the colt tense up. “S-so…what do you say Sheton? D-do you w-wanna be f-friends? Um…please?”

For once, Sheton didn’t have to really look into Scootaloo’s eyes to see if she really was being honest in her approach. He could tell it just by focusing on her body language alone and the shy, yet sweet and gentle tone in her voice. The filly herself even looked like thought that he wouldn’t accept her offer in friendship. At that moment, Sheton had made his decision, almost without even having to think it over, and he made it clear, very openly.

“Scootaloo,” He said happily, taking Scootaloo’s left hoof into both of his own. “I would love to be your friend!”

The bright orange filly gasped, the blush on her face returning tenfold. “Y-you would?”

“Uh-huh! I admit, I was really apprehensive about how you’d react to first seeing me, being a thestral and all.” Sheton nodded, glancing over at Fluttershy. “But your sister assured me that you wouldn’t be afraid of me because of my heritage, especially since you both held some admiration and respect for thestrals, so I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.” He blushed a bit at the winking face of the buttermilk pegasus, before turning back at the bright orange filly. “Plus, you were never really bothered by my appearance, or that I looked like a foal version of…you know. N-not only that, you seem like a really sweet filly. Even if I just met you right now. So…yeah! I’d love to be friends with you.”

The surprised look on Scootaloo’s face slowly shifted to a small that steadily grew larger. It was nowhere near as wide as Pinkie Pie’s, but was enough to show just how happy she was. Her eye glazed over as tears built up in it, her lower tip trembling as she stammered, “S-Sheton…I…I don’t know what to say. I…I really thought that you really wouldn’t want to be friends with me. Especially since, since your family is so…”

“Hated and feared?” Sheton finished, laughing a little. “Yeah, I can see how that may be the reason why you were so nervous about me wanting to be your friend or not. But you don’t need to worry about that, I’m not gonna let that be a reason to not be friends with me, no matter how true it may be. Sure, there are lots of ponies who fear us, but there are at least a few of us that’re willing to look past it, like you and your sister. And all the other ponies that I’ve met today.” He laughed sheepishly as Melon Cake, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and all of the other mares he met came flashing back to his mind. “That just shows that there are many ponies like you out there who don’t believe all the things that are said about thestrals and kirins. Which makes it all the more swell to have ponies like you as friends for ponies like me. And I think anypony would be pretty stupid not to be friends with a sweet and pretty filly like you.”

A pregnant silence washed over the entirety of Fluttershy’s backyard as the four mares standing behind the foals let out soft gasps. Scootaloo’s smile abruptly morphed into mini triangle as her single eye went comically purple, her whole body going as stiff as a board. Sheton, who had just realized what he had said, got the same expression as Scootaloo, and slowly looked over at his and her sister. All three of them looked like they were going do either double over in laughter or glomp the ever-living shit out of them out of the sheer sweetness of the scene. Blushing profusely, he slowly turned back to Scootaloo, only to see her staring back at him with what looked to be the reddest blush he had ever seen.

“Y-you…you think I l-look…” The poor filly stammered, shaking like a lead as she stayed locked in place. “…pretty?!”

“U-um…I-I…u-uh…” Sheton stammered, trying desperately to come up with the with a response to get himself out of the clear. As the quiet giggles of the four mares behind him registered in his ears, he found himself only able to say one thing. “Y…yes, I do…I-I think that you’re r-really p-p-pretty Scootaloo.”

“O-oh! I…um…uh…t-that’s…” Scootaloo stuttered, words forming and evaporating in her throat as she attempted to speak. Steam flew out of her ears as her face burned red, a small, shaky smile forming on her lips. Finally, after much fumbling, the Pegasus filly managed to pull herself together to form a proper sentence. “D-d-do…do you r-really mean t-that?”

Sheton gulped, giving a timid nod. “Y-yeah, I do mean it! And I’m not just saying it either. Y-you look really r-really pretty…o-one of the prettiest fillies I’ve s-seen.” He looked up at her, his blush as dark as her own. “A-and you’re also…r-r-really cute too.”

Scootaloo squeaked, both of her hooves coming to her mouth as she blushed even harder than before, her single eye squeezing shut. A tiny squee left her throat as she tried desperately to calm the rapidly rising heat in her face. Nopony said anything, with Fluttershy, Goku, Snowflake, and Midnight all still standing off to the side as they all waited for the filly’s next response.

‘Cute…he said that I was cute! A-and really pretty too; one of the prettiest fillies he had ever seen! Did he say that just to be nice to me?’ Scootaloo thought, looking back into Sheton’s eyes through her mane. ‘No…he’s not…I can see it in his eyes, he’s not just saying that. He really does mean it…he really does thing that I’m pretty! This is the first compliment I’ve ever gotten form a colt about my looks that’s not from Ponyville! Oh, he’s such a sweet colt!’

“I-I’m sorry…t-that just came out! I didn’t mean to startle you like that!” Sheton said, letting out a little squeak of his own. “S-s-so, um…do you wanna still be f-friends?”

‘He…he’s apologizing for saying that I’m pretty?’ Scootaloo asked, pulling her hooves away from her face. Her single eye widened slightly upon seeing the guilty look on his face, and her lips pursed in panic. ‘Oh no! He must think that I didn’t like it, and that I’m silently judging him! Come on Scootaloo, say something quick before you make the poor thing cry!’

“Y…y-y-yes! I-I do! I’d like that a lot too!” She practically squeaked out. Taking a deep shaky breath, Scootaloo smiled at the colt and a held a hoof out in front of her. “T-thank you for saying t-that I was p-pretty b-by the way. T-t-that was r-really nice of you to s-say.”

“Yeah. N-no problem.” Sheton nodded, reaching out with his own hoof and shaking it with Scootaloo’s.

At that moment, a curtain of spikey black mane fell next to Sheton, and he found himself being nuzzled by Goku. Her forehooves planted themselves on his shoulders as she cooed into his right ear. “My my, look at you Sheton…not even twelve years old and you’re already getting it on with the fillies! I am so proud of you!”

“Goku, you shouldn’t be saying such things!” Fluttershy chastised, though she too was smiling. “Like you said the poor dears aren’t even that old yet. Is now really the time to be going on about how much they like each other?”

“B-big sister! I-I-I, w-we don’t…i-it’s not t-that…I-I don’t…!” Scootaloo stammered, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to diffuse the situation. “We…we don’t f-f-feel that w-way about e-each other!”

“Doesn’t mean that you don’t sweetie.” Midnight chirped, winking at the little filly. “It’s perfectly natural to be in denial about how you feel for one another, but that it’ll eventually go away. And soon, neither of you will be able to keep your hooves off of each other, and you’re going to both pour your hearts out!”

“Nu-uh! We totally do not feel that damn way!” Sheton cried, huffing as his cheeks puffed. “We’ve only just met and became friends twenty fucking seconds ago!”

“True, but hey…” Goku shrugged, gently flicking Sheton’s nose with her tail. “You just may never know when those feelings will change~.”

Both foals paused at this looking over at each other and seeing each other’s embarrassed faces, before looking away again immediately after. They both rubbed their forelegs together and mumbled under their breaths, both of their faces as red as cherries.

Fortunately for them, Fluttershy intervened, having had her fill of the teasing of her little sister and her new friend. With a gentle giggle, she walked up to both foals and wrapped her wings around them, pulling them to her. “Alright girls, that’s enough. I think our little sweeties have their fill of our little torment for one day. If we keep on going the poor things may just die of embarrassment!”

“Oh, but that’s what we were aiming for!” Goku protested, her pout looking very familiar to Pinkie’s own. “I mean, it is a siblings’ job to tease the other isn’t it? Even if it involves a potential love interest in the future? Or maybe…a potential hare-”

“Don’t even finish that bucking sentence!” Sheton said sharply, eyes glowing as he glared up at his older sister. “I swear, don’t you even go there! It’s bad enough that you constantly tease me about liking Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and the other fillies I’ve met, but there’s no way that would happen! Especially with us!”

“Keep telling yourself that dear.” Snowflake said, smiling gently at the colt. “You just may never know what fate may have in store for you.”

“I was just about to say the same thing.” Fluttershy giggled, before looking down at the two deeply blushing foals. “Sheton, that was very nice of you to say that my sister was pretty. Not many colts at her school compliment her on her looks, so I’m sure that must’ve made her feel wonderful.”

“Y-you’re welcome F-Fluttershy.” Sheton stammered, using one of his bat wings to fan his red face. “I-I meant what I said…y-your sister does look really p-pretty…”

Fluttershy chuckled lowly, leaning down and whispering into Sheton’s ear. “If you think that she looks pretty now, you’re gonna think she’s beautiful when you see her at the school you may be going to. My little Loo-Loo does like to keep herself presentable, even if she doesn’t really need to. I won’t spoil anything, but…let’s just say you’re going to need a big fan to keep your face cool.”

Sheton’s ears perked at this, looking into Fluttershy’ smirking face and then at Scootaloo, only to see her looking back at him. They held that gaze for a moment, and it was soon broken by the sweet smile that Scootaloo gave Sheton, one that he timidly returned. The foals eventually broke away from the gaze, only to hear the giggles of their sisters around them.

“Alright then, I think we’ve gotten enough of a laugh out of our adorable little siblings for one day.” Goku chuckled, ignoring the glare Sheton sent her. “What do you guys say that we head on inside and have a nice big batch of lunch, eh?”

“I think that’d be swell little sister.” Snowflake nodded. “It has been sometime since we last ate, and all of the stuff that we did with the rest of the girls has given me a rather ravenous appetite.”

“Me too…” Midnight moaned, holding her stomach as her hunger pains stabbed at her abdomen. “Fluttershy, I hope you don’t mind, but could we-”

“Absolutely.” Fluttershy said happily. “I’d never deny my friends the chance of sating their hunger, especially in a place like mine. Hunger one of the worst things anypony can go through, and I’d never wish that upon anypony or any animal. Not even the ones that live under the roof of my cottage!” Pushing both Scootaloo and Sheton forward, the animal caretaker trapped the other three mares in her wings and pushed them back towards the door of her cottage. “Now come along everypony, I’ll cook up a nice batch of whatever you’d like, and after that, we’ll all go and visit Twilight! I’m sure she’d love to see the three of you again.”

“Ha, I could never forget that little bookworm of a mare Flutters! I was planning to go find her after we finished up here, and I think that I have a pretty good idea on where to look.” Goku laughed, before looking down at her little brother. “Plus, something tells me that there’ll be a couple other familiar faces there waiting for us.”

Author's Note

As with the last one, this chapter focusing on fluttershy was the one that I had the most fun trying to edit and to fix :scootangel: . I honestly really don't know why, but Fluttershy really has an effect on me that makes me feel like I am having so much fun writing her, and I really do enjoy writing about her :yay: ! This chapter on War for Eternal Night is probably the one that I had the least amount of stuff to edit, other than adding a few more...vulgar sentences and shortening overextended sentences in the end :twilightblush: . For the next one, I know that I am going to have plenty to take out before we get back to the adventure at hand...or hoof, but I don't think it'll be too hectic. What will be hectic is the editing and the additions that I will need to make when I get to Nightmare Moon, but I can tell you that it'll be far more dramatic than I made it last time...especially with what the girls will have taken away from them :pinkiecrazy: .

Next Time: The Thestral siblings met a mare that represents magic in all its forms, a colt with the powers of a drake, and a filly that could very well pass off as a princess :raritywink: .

Chapter 9 - Magical Crescent Drakes

Against the four siblings’ expectations, Fluttershy had managed to whip them up a delicious lunch to somehow satisfy all of their hunger. She wasn’t exaggerating when she said that she’d be able to feed all of them all, and she had plenty of ingredients in store to make what they liked. Fluttershy’s batch of food wasn’t quite as numerous, but the food size very well could’ve been. The veterinarian had gotten quite few giggles in watching the four hybrids stuff themselves, and even Scootaloo couldn’t help but laugh a bit at Sheton’s need to eat. They eventually got ahold of themselves though, and delved into a rather pleasant conversation with each other. Scootaloo and Sheton also took some time for more bonding as well, along with some more teasing by their sisters.

At around the beginning of dusk, the three mare and two foals decided that it was time to go and pay a visit to another one of their friends. Though not before the Nightstalker Shenron siblings all offered to help Fluttershy with feeding her animals. The veterinarian happily accepted the offer, and Scootaloo and Sheton were given even more time to spend with each other, along with helping with the animals as well.

“So Sheton, did you enjoy your stay over at my cottage?” Fluttershy asked sweetly, looking over at the young colt, who was walking alongside Scootaloo.

“Uh-huh, I sure did! It was a lot of fun being around so many animals!” Sheton replied, walking with a light skip in his step. “I’ve never seen so many animals in one place before; there were so many I couldn’t even count! Are you a veterinarian Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy paused, a slight blush coming to her face as she chuckled in embarrassment. “Well…yes dear, I am, but I’m not exactly you’re typical vet, and I’m certainly not one of the old-fashioned ones either. See, I’m not one of those vets who works at an office or inside an animal clinic or anything like that. I like to work in a place where I can both feel at home and allow the animals to come and go.”

“What do you mean?” Sheton asked, tilting his head. “If you’re a vet then shouldn’t you be going to one of the downtown ones and seeing the animals there?”

“Well, if I was like any other vet, I would, but that’s not how I do things.” Fluttershy explained patiently. “You see, the reason why I have so many animals with me isn’t just because I take them in at random. It’s also because my cottage is well, more or less a workplace in itself. It’s a place where I can both work and be at home at the same time.”

“Whoa, seriously?” The hybrid colt asked. “So, you’re saying that your home is just like Rarity’s boutique? A home and a workplace both combined into one?”

“Well, if you want to put it like that, then yes.” Fluttershy giggled, smiling in amusement. “I had come up with the idea when I had first come here to Ponyville. There are plenty of paces here that have plenty of jobs regarding training and caring for animals, and they all seemed quite wonderful for me to try. The problem with that is…well, I don’t really do so well in crowds, plus I don’t really like living in places where there’s so many ponies and um…noises.” She ran a hoof down her mane as her blush grew deeper. “I like to be in places where it and the ones in it are much quieter, and allows me to really think and move at my own pace. Plus, I like to be around animals more than ponies anyway…t-they’re easier to deal with.”

“Are you sure it’s not because they’re a lot cuter and not anywhere near as annoying?” Goku asked teasingly. “With the exception of our little brother and sister?”

“N-no, of course not!” Fluttershy defended, frowning at the tan hybrid mare. “Don’t get me wrong, it can get a little overwhelming having to watch both my sister and her friends at the same time. That doesn’t mean the reason why I don’t like be around so many ponies and foals is because they can be difficult to deal with! It’s just that’s what I’d rather prefer other than most ponies, okay? I do like socializing from time to time, but at the same time, I do like my privacy, and so does Scootaloo! We’re not like Derpy, Dinky, Pinkie Pie, or even Melon Cake!”

“I-I don’t do s-so well in l-l-large crowds e-e-either.” Scootaloo murmured, shaking her head. “A-at least not in o-ones where there are s-o many grown ponies…m-my s-sister and her f-f-friends a-re enough. I-I like being around foals my age t-that think m-more like I-I-I do, a-and don’t l-look s-s-so i-intimidating. M-Melon Cake’s r-really s-s-sweet, a-and she’s a lot of f-fun to b-b-be around, b-but…s-she can be a l-little, um…t-too energetic to k-keep up w-with.”

Sheton nodded sympathetically. “Yeah, I think I can see why. Me and my sisters were just over at Sugarcube Corner meeting with Miss Pinkie and the Cakes, and I got a taste of just how energetic she can be. Needless to say, it was, erm…a really, really scary sight to say the least!” A slight shiver went down his spine. “If Miss. Pinkie’s that energetic, then I can only imagine how much Melon will be when we grow up…ugh, I bet that’s gonna be a nightmare!”

“M-hm-h-h-hm…” Scootaloo whimpered, her own body shaking a little. “A b-b-big one…eep!”

“Yes dear, we know…we were just messing with you as all.” Snowflake nodded as Fluttershy pouted. “However, we can see you’re point on one thing. Everypony does like there dose of privacy in more ways than one. You just happen to choose it where it’s closer to the precious little lives that you love and care for Fluttershy.”

“And that’s exactly why I’m known as Mother Natura’s Personal Vet of Ponyville.” Fluttershy nodded, holding her head up. “Because I’m the mare to go to for any animal, wild or domestic, that’s in need of help!”

“That’s true.” Midnight chirped, before turning to Snowflake. “Though, you do realize that not all of the animals Fluttershy has are little, right Snowflake? There are some big animals there too…like Elk, Deer, Moose…there was even a bear that lives in a nearby cave!”

“Yes, big sister, I am aware of that.” The mountain blue mare nodded, patting the larger mare’s shoulder. “I’m just making a little expression about Fluttershy looking after so many lives that many won’t even think about doing. Especially the way that she does it…or rather, how we all do it.”

“Oh, right.” Midnight murmured, blushing a bit. “Sorry about that…I thought for a moment that you didn’t notice all the other animals on the outskirts of Fluttershy’s cottage.”

“That’s alright Midnight.” Snowflake smiled. “Even I had some trouble noticing them. There were just so many that I couldn’t really count…even with our eyes, it was pretty hard to see them though the shadows of the trees.”

“Heh, yeah, I bet it was.” Goku chuckled, flicking both her sisters with her tail. “And speaking of which, I think we’ve made it to another tree that looks more than a little cozy.”

At these words, all five other ponies stopped walking and looked in front of where the hybrid mare was pointing, and two of them felt their eyes widen in surprise. Just twenty or so feet away from the six ponies, was the biggest and thickest tree that they had ever seen. It looked like it would be found somewhere in far woods instead of in the middle of a town like Ponyville, and it was definitely wider than most trees. A large majority of the try was typically covered in large masses of leaves, with a few lavender windows on the upper left and right corner, all being covered in a roof of leaves. They could also see to balconies, one on the high left-hand corner, for reading and looking out into town, and the other at the very top, with an extendable telescope pointing out into the sky, giving anypony the ability to see stars up close at night. At the very bottom, right in the center of the tree, was a triangular set of double doors with a scroll at the very top, and a few feet away from the tree, was he painting of a book, with an engraving that said, ‘Golden Oaks Library’.

“Wait, this is a library?” Sheton asked as he read the sign. “There’s a sign on it that says that it is.”

“It sure is Sheton, this is where Twilight Twinkleshine Sparkle lives, and she’s Ponyville’s resident librarian.” Fluttershy replied softly, looking back over at the stormy grey colt. “She moved here about four years ago, so she could be to be closer to us, and this has been her home ever since.”

“I see…I thought that she’d come to a place like this to away from all of the drama back in Canterlot City. Although, I never really expected Twilight to actually live in a tree of all things.” Goku murmured as she took in all the tree buildings features. “Then again, she did always want to live in place where there were plenty of books around, even if it was in a tree. Heh, it looks like she stuck to her vow and did just that, and it really shows too.”

“Well, I think that’s rather adorable, and quite smart of her. Trees are found all the way out into forests and jungles, and come in numerous shapes and sizes.” Snowdrop said chuckling with amusement. “In a way, it makes sense that she would pick someplace like this, and not just because she’s a ‘bookworm’.” She let out a giggle. “Since ponies like Twilight like to study or read in places that are nice and quiet, I wouldn’t expect Twilight herself to pick a home that was anything less than how she liked it. And it looks like she’s found that in this ideal place, even if it is in the form of a tree.”

“Me neither. I think the home she picked is lovely. With the way it’s structured, I bet she’s had a lot of fun in their since she first moved in with it” Midnight cooed softly, her face lightning up into a small yet warm smile. “I wonder how she’s doing, along with Spike and Crescent Shield…we haven’t seen any of them in a quite a while.”

Scootaloo’s ears perked as she looked over at Goku. ‘W-what did she say?’

“Well, there’s only one way to find out.” Goku said as she trotted over to the door. She lifted her right foreleg and gently rapped on the door. “Helloooo? Twilight, are you in there? It’s me Goku! I have my sisters and brother her with me, along with Fluttershy and her sister too. Is it okay if we come in? We wanted to pay you a little visit, we haven’t seen you in forever.”

For a few moments, there was no response through the other side of the door, giving the tan Pegasus and the others the impression that she was in the middle of studying something. Before they could decide on whether or not to come back later, a mare’s voice suddenly rang from inside the library, making them jump slightly.

“Goku?” A sweet and intelligent voice said from behind the door. “Oh, my Celestia, is that really you?!”

“It sure is Twi!” Goku replied, her voice equally as sweet as the other mares. “Your one and only favorite Thestral Kirin mare of Ponyville and Canterlot! I’m not the only one here either, I also have Midnight, Snowflake, and Sheton here with me too!”

Fluttershy softly coughed a couple of times, raising an eyebrow at the tan mare.

“Oh, and uh…” Goku murmured sheepishly. “…Fluttershy and Scootaloo are here too.”

“Well this is quite the surprise.” Twilight said, a muffled giggle coming from her as the sound of hoofsteps went towards the door. “I wasn’t expecting you guys to come visit here today. I thought that you were all still back in Canterlot City.”

“Well, we were, but we had a little message given to us by the Queen, she picked us for a special little job, and, well…we found ourselves here.” Goku shrugged. “Of course, even if she didn’t, we still may have come here anyway. Since tomorrow is the Summer Sun Celebration, and it’s going to be held here of all places.”

“Well, given that this is the place where you used to live with the rest of the girls, I’m not surprised.” Twilight said, the sound of a laugh escaping her from behind the door. “Anyway, do you guys wanna come in? I just have a few books that I need to reorganize and then I’ll be done for the day. Feel free to come inside, the door’s unlocked!”

Goku’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion at Twilight’s words as she took a step back from the doorway, her ear lowering. Despite Ponyville having a very little crime rate, there was still the occasional break in of ponies’ homes, even though Ponyville was relatively one of Equestria’s safest towns to live in. That was why Twilight always kept her home nicely secured, having watched many episodes of crime when she was a teenager. The fact that she actually decided now to throw her caution aside and leave her door unlocked immediately set off red flags in Goku’s mind. Flags that she knew did not fit Twilight’ character, especially due to the city that she was born and raised in.

She looked back over at her three siblings, who looked to be just as surprised and concerned as she was. Even Scootaloo looked somewhat frightened, having hidden behind Fluttershy, who, surprisingly, didn’t look the least bit worried or concerned. This confused Goku more, and could not stop herself from narrowing her eyes at the calm expression on the veterinarian’s face.

‘Fluttershy knows something’s up here…I can see it in her eyes,’ She thought as Fluttershy’s eyes locked with her’s, before flashing her a gentle smile. ‘She and I both know that Twilight would never leave her door unlocked for anypony, not even us. She’s too much of a cautious mare to do something like that, even in a town like this. So why is she doing it now of all times? And why is Fluttershy not looking worried at all at the potential of something having happened?’

“Um, sis?” Sheton asked softly, snapping the mare out of her thoughts. “Are you okay? You’re looking a little spaced out there.”

“Uh, y-yes Sheton, I’m alright…I was just thinking as all.” Goku replied as she quickly collected herself, still looking into Fluttershy’s eyes. Deciding to question the mare about her strange behavior later, she turned back to the door and said wearily, “Um…are you sure that it’s okay Twilight? I mean…you’re usually the one letting us in instead of vice versa…no offense, but you don’t normally do this, even for us.”

“Oh, I don’t mind at all!” Twilight replied, her voice never losing its sweet edge. “Please, don’t let yourselves stand outside out there in the cold. Come inside while its nice and warm and cozy, don’t worry! There’s plenty of space!”

Goku’s her lips formed an arrow-straight thin line, mulling over Twilight’s words and wondering if she should take her chances. She looked back over at the other mares and two foals again, before turning back to the door, gulping slightly. A moment later, she breathed out a soft sigh and put her hoof on the doorknob. “Alright...if you say so. W-we’re coming in now, okay?”

The door creaked loudly as the tan mare pushed it open, her foreleg lowering to touch the ground as she slowly walked inside. After a moment’s hesitation, her sisters, Sheton, Scootaloo and Fluttershy all went after her. As the door slowly closed behind them, the first thing that they all noticed was that it was very warm inside the tree. The slight cold that they all felt outside seemed to whisk away like leaves being blown in the wind in fall. All of them felt their bodies begin to relax slightly under the gentle heat that radiated all around them, brushing off against their soft coats. The second thing that they noticed was that it was completely and utterly pitch-black dark. It was so dark that they couldn’t even see their own hooves, even with most of their enhanced night vision. It was also deathly quiet, so quiet they the four mares and two foals heard nothing but their own breathing, and feel nothing but their own magic.

“Um…Twilight…are you in here sweetie?” Goku asked uneasily as she looked around her. Her cat-like eyes scanned around her for any sign of the libraries interior, but was unable to see anything instead of the inky blackness. “Why are the light’s off? We can’t see you or anything else in here.”

“She probably didn’t hear you dear.” Snowflake said, her tone uneasy. “She’s probably upstairs somewhere in her room maybe.”

“I don’t think so” Midnight said as she pressed herself close to Snowdrop. “I can definitely sense her magic power here somewhere. I just can’t see where she is right now…it’s too dark even for our night vision”

“B-big sister…I don’t like this…” Scootaloo whimpered. “I-i-it’s so dark…I c-can’t see a t-t-thing…I’m r-r-really s-scared.”

“It’s okay, Loo-Loo…I’m here.” Fluttershy said calmly, reaching out with an angelic wing to bring the filly close to her. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you…I’m not going to let anything hurt you.”

“Alright Twilight, this isn’t funny anymore. You are really starting to creep me out right now with all of this, and it isn’t even close to Nightmare Night yet!” Goku said more firmly, her ears pinning back as she heard Scootaloo whimper behind her. “And you’re also scaring to foals too; seriously this is so not like you at all!”

“I can’t see a thing.” Sheton whined. “Normally I’d have no problem seeing in the dark at all but…I really can’t see anything-ow!” He cried out as he collided into something, only to feel something else fall on top of his head. “Ooooh, now that hurt.”

“Are you alright Sheton?” Snowflake asked, her voice etched with concern. “What happened?”

“I…I think I ran into a bookshelf and a book fell on top of my head.” The colt replied as he rubbed at his head. “And it felt really heavy…I seriously can’t see anything in here! Can any of you please find a light switch?!”

“Alright Twilight, enough messing around! If you wanted to scare Sheton shitless, then you definitely succeeded! Now it’s time for it ti stop right fucking now! If you turn the lights on and tell us where you are, I may be willing to let this little thing slide.” Goku snapped, starting to feel annoyance and irritation rise up within her. She waited a few moments for the other mare to respond, but was once again met with the eerie silence of the darkness. Hissing softly, Goku stomped her hoof down, the sound of wood cracking echoing about the library. “Twilight, I swear to Faust, if you don’t knock this off and come out right now, I promise you, I will light this place up with a fireball so powerful, that it will look like I’m bringing the very Sun down onto this library and incinerate it from the inside!”

“Goku, please, calm down!” Midnight protested, trying to ease her sister. “I know that your upset right now, but burning down Twilight’s home isn’t going to solve anything!”

“You have until the count of three Twilight; I am not fucking kidding!” Goku stated firmly as she flared her wings ignoring her eldest sister’s pleas. “One…”

“Wait…what is that smell?” Midnight asked herself as she took a sniff of the air. “Do all of you guys smell that too?”

“Yes, I do.” Snowdrop replied, the smell flowing into her nostrils. “It smells…very familiar.”

“Two…” Goku continued as she started to suck in air.

“Scootaloo…are you spelling what I’m smelling?” Sheton asked having also caught on. “It smells really…sweet.”

“Y-yeah…I-I s-s-smell it t-t-too.” the tangerine filly replied quietly, taking in a smell of the air, before her indigo brows furrowed in confusion. “i-it’s…c-cupcake f-f-frosting?”

“Two and a half…” Goku said, feeling her chest starting to swell.

“Cupcake frosting? Why would there be-” Snowflake asked before she stopped dead as a thought hit her. The memory of their meeting with Pinkie Pie, Melon Cake, and the Cakes themselves swam back into her mind, and she began to connect the dots. “Wait a minute…!”

“Oh no…” Midnight whispered as she too she realized what was going on. “Goku sweetie wait a second-!”

“Two and a quarter…” Goku said, her voice strained, sounding like she was ready to blow.

‘Come on Pinkie Pie, what are you and the other girls waiting for?’ Fluttershy thought as she bit her lip in worry. ‘Goku and her siblings are here, so you can make the signal now! If you guys don’t come out now, she’s going to burn the entire library do-’

“THREE!!!”

Just as Goku was starting to release her fire, a loud chorus of voice suddenly rang out throughout the dark library. The sudden sound caused everypony inside to jump at the nearly falling onto their haunches or colliding with each other. Upon hearing the other voices, Goku’s hooves flew to her mouth as she released her breath through her nose. It felt as if thick streaks of smoke were shooting out of her nostrils like water form a sprinkler, and it made her hypersensitive nose burn. She winced slightly when she felt the fire in her mouth scorch the bottom of her hooves, but she was able to keep them in place. Only when she was sure that the fire was completely gone, did she pull her hooves away from her mouth. At that second, a bright white light flared out of nowhere in front of her, shining so bright that Goku had to shield her eyes with her wings.

“What the hell is going on?!” She shouted. “Where the fuck is that light coming from?!”

“I don’t know, Goku…but whatever it is, we definitely weren’t prepared for it.” Snowflake replied, covering her sensitive eyes with a hoof.

“It’s so bright…I can’t see anything else!” Midnight moaned painfully as she squeezed her eye shut. “My eyes…they hurt really bad!”

“Mine too!” Sheton cried, rubbing at his eyes. “My eyes hurt so bad, make the light go away!”

“D-d-don’t worry S-Sheton, I-I got you!” Scootaloo said, using one of her wings to cover the colt’s face. “H-here, t-that should h-help w-with you e-eyes!”

“Girls, look…I think it’s dimming now.” Fluttershy murmured as she shielded Sheton and Scootaloo with her own wing. “The lights are coming on too, and…oh…oh my!”

“What is it, Fluttershy? What do…you…see…?” Goku asked as she slowly lowered her wings. She blinked a couple of times, trying to get rid of the blurriness that swam around her eyes like waves. After giving her eyes a few more rubs, her eyesight adjusted as she looked ahead of her, only for her eyes to pop at wha she saw.

The interior of the library was almost as large as the exterior, with large gaping holes engraved in the wood of the tree, having shelves that contained multiple books. On the far left and right corner of the library, they could see two large standing desks meant for either reading or writing something. Right in the center, was a large table having two open books displayed and the head of a golden horse with a mow hawk mane. A large painting of the sun was on the roof above the table, and at the far left, was a set of stars having the paintings of hearts to the upstairs bedrooms.

As beautiful as all of these qualities were, it was not these things that made into such a state of shock. It was the fact that there was a herd of a hundred or more ponies in the library, belonging to all three tribes. Numerous balloons could be seen floating up in the air around large tables that had soft drinks and pastries laid out, confetti seeming to fall down from out of nowhere. Up above them, on an enormous white sheet of paper, where the words ‘Surprise! Welcome back to Ponyville!’, painted in numerous and elegant looking cursive words. Finally, standing in front of it all, with warm smiles on their faces, where Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity.

“SURPRISE!!!” They all shouted, as Pinkie Pie leapt in the air, a large party cannon in her hooves as it shot out streams of confetti. The three sister and their brother all squealed as they leapt back, and it was only thanks to years of experience that they were not affected by the party pony’s random act. Sheton, however, was not prepared, and immediately hit behind Scootaloo, who silently looked back at the colt with a slight blush.

“I…I…what?!” Goku sputtered, unable to find anything else appropriate to say. “Wha…what the fucking hell is going on?!”

“Silly filly, what do you think it is?!” Pinkie giggled as she bounced over to them. “It’s your ‘Welcome-Back-to-Ponyville’ party! A party to celebrate you all coming back to the most awesomest and fun filled town for anypony to live in!”

“A…a party?” Goku blinked as the shock of the surprise wore off. “You four planned a party for me and my sisters?”

“Make that six.” Fluttershy corrected gently as she walked up to the other mares. “Before you, had come to see me, I was told by Pinkie Pie that you were all back in town. She wanted me to bring you all here when you did come to see me, so we could throw you the party. She had a feeling that this would be the last place that you all would come by the end of the day. So I was planning to have you guys come with me if I ever did run into you guys last.” She let out a soft giggle, her mane bouncing slightly. “And it looks like the plan worked better than I thought it would.”

“So it would seem…good job there Fluttershy.” Goku deadpanned, giving the other mare a look that was blanker than a sheet of paper. It soon morphed into a somewhat forced smile as she looked up at Rainbow Dash, one of her eyes twitching. The cyan mare had a wide fanged grin on her face as she stared back down at the three hybrid mares. “So, I’m assuming that you were the one to keep them quiet for so long?"

“Yep, that was totally all me G! You probably thought that it was Pinkie Pie doing it, but you know how surprises work with her! She lets it out the second ponies walk in and close the door, but that is so not my style!” Rainbow laughed, holding her stomach as she flew belly up. “I decided to go for something a little spookier, and it totally fucking worked! You should’ve seen the looks on your faces, you looked like your fucking eyes were going to fall out of your damn head!”

“Actually Rainbow, I didn’t think it was Pinkie. We all thought that it was Twilight doing this to us on purpose, though now, I think we definitely should’ve seen this coming.” Goku said bluntly, not looking the least bit amused. “Though you do raise a good point, Pinkie is not the type of mare to hold out on surprises for this long.”

“Eenope, she most certainly is not.” Applejack nodded, shaking her head. “Which is exaclty why Dash wanted to do the surprisin’ fer once, and she did a might good job o’ it.” She then gave Rainbow a sideways glare. “Even if we did nearly get Twi’s whole place burned up in the process.”

“Yes well, our dear Twilight did mention that she put up a fireproof spell around her library to prevent any of her books, possessions or anything else from getting burnt.” Rarity pointed out, winking at the tangerine farmer. “So, there was that to be kept in mind.”

“Maybe, but there wasn’t anything protecting you all from getting burnt and everypony else in here.” Goku countered, gesturing to everypony else in the room. “I mean, seriously what the hay were you all thinking?! Did you seriously think that surprising us like this was the best way to welcome us back?! I kept calling you, and none of you were answering! You scared us half to death, including Scootaloo! The poor think sounded like she was going to fucking wet herself on Twilight’s floor!”

“A-actually…I had gone to t-the bathroom j-just before we left.” Scootaloo pointed out shyly. “So, I don’t think there was any need to worry.”

“Oh. Well, regardless, that wasn’t okay Rainbow Dash. You held out on this surprise a lot longer than you should have.” Goku chastised sharply, before letting out a soft sigh. “The again, I really shouldn’t be surprised, since this is something that your known to do from time to time. You also tend to get carried away with it a lot.”

“Hey! I do not get carried away with this! I just wanted to give you guys a little bit more of a scare that’s all.” Rainbow Dash protested with a hard snort through her nostrils. “Besides, it’s not like you guys were going to do anything over the top, right?”

This time, it was Snowflake’s turn to scold the speedster. “Dear, do you not recall my sister’s earlier comment on setting the inside of Twilight’s house on fire? You and I could both tell that just by the tone in her voice that she was not joking around. I was only seconds away from searching for you girls and pulling you all out myself.”

“Actually Snowflake, Goku said that she was gonna light up th’ tree house with a fireball powerful enough t’ make it seem like she was bringing th’ sun upon us.” Applejack said softly, politely correcting the alabaster unicorn. “She didn’t really say that she was goin’ ‘t’ burn th’ tree house down, an’ you an’ I both know that she wouldn’t do that. ‘Specially with other ponies, foals included, inside sugarcube.”

“Still, she does have a point there, Dashie…did you really think that this plan was going to work?” Pinkie Pie asked, frowning at the athlete. “I sure didn’t! My Pinkie Sense told me that this plan of yours was going to go waaaaaaaay down the drain, and I tried to warn you, but you didn’t listen! I mean, did you feel the amount of power that G was spreading?! It felt like I was being cooked inside Mrs. Cake’s oven!”

“Seriously? I didn’t seem all that hot to me.” Rainbow Dash murmured, running her hooves through her cyan fur. She felt some unusual warmth from within it, but not enough to be painfully hot, though she could still feel it. “Oh wait, I take that back…I do feel it.”

“Oh good grief…” Rarity murmured as she facehoofed, before she looked down at Scootaloo with a softer expression. “Scootaloo, darling, we’re so sorry that we scared you like that. I swear, we were going to show our surprise for Goku as soon as you came inside.” She gave a side glare at Rainbow for a few seconds. “Unfortunately, one of us got a little too carried away…”

“More like a lot.” Sheton snorted, frowning up at Rainbow Dash. “What a big meanie.”

“I-It’s okay M-Ms. Rarity. I-I’m not made it you. Y-you just wanted to give M-Ms. Goku, her sisters and Sheton a n-nice welcome back present, that’s all.” Scootaloo said softly, as Sheton rubbed her back comfortingly. “B-besides…it’s not like you and Rainbow Dash were really trying to scare me. R-r-right?”

The tangerine filly suddenly found herself encased in an aura of magic and levitated into the awaiting forelegs of Rarity. “Be that as it may, Scootaloo, we still managed to get quite a fright out of you, and that is absolutely inexcusable. I swear to you, I never ever wanted to scare you, darling.” She pulled the filly away to give her a comforting smile. “I promise you that will never happen again, and to make up for my behavior, I’ll design you any type of dress you want for your birthday! I’ll even do a dress for when your old enough to go to the Grand Galloping Gala!”

“T-that…that’s not r-really necessary, Ms. R-Rarity…” Scootaloo protested weakly, smiling timidly at the alabaster Unicorn. Her cheeks then flared up as Rarity gave her a deep kiss on the forehead.

“Ah-Ah-Ah, not another word! I’m designing a dress for you, and that’s that!” Rarity stated firmly. “Also, how many times do I have to keep telling you, dear? You don’t need to add the ‘Ms.’ every time you see me! You can just call me Rarity! I’ve known you since you were just a little baby, so you don’t need to be so…formalwith me, okay sweetie?” she closed her eyes as she shook her head, mumbling, “Good heavens, you really are too much like your sister.”

“W-what was t-that?” Scootaloo asked innocently as she tilted her head to the side. “D-did you s-say something R-Rarity?”

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it, darling.” She replied, stroking the filly’s mane. “Just drifting off into space as all.”

“Any who, do you guys like the surprise the we all made for you?! I’m sure you do, since it was planned by yours truly! Ponyville’s best party pony in all of Equestria!” Pinkie Pie asked as she prodded a hoof to her chest. “Oh, and just so you know, scaring you all willy nilly was not my idea since, well, I’m a party pony, not a spooky pony! I’m reeeeeeeally sorry if I scared the jeepers out of all of you, especially you Sheton! I just really wanted to surprise you guys and show you all a good time, that’s all!”

“No need to worry Pinkie Pie, we’re not mad at you.” Snowflake said gently. “To answer your question, yes, we do like the surprise that you and the other planned for us. In fact, we think it’s very, very lovely.”

“So do I.” Sheton said softly, smiling up at the pink mare. “I gotta admit it’s really…lively. A lot livelier than the parties that I’ve been to back at Canterlot City, and I really do mean that.”

“Awww, I knew you’d love it! I’m so happy to hear you say that!” Pinkie Pie squealed, hugging the mountain blue mare before kissing the stormy grey colt on his forehead. “Twilight will be extra happy, too! Since she’ll know that my surprise party went off without a single hitch!”

“Oh I’m sure she will be, because whenever she or all of us are in situations like this, she’d want everything to go exactly as planned. Even if she feels like she has to go over things repeatedly to the point where she nearly works herself to death.” Midnight said with a giggle. “Speaking of which, I haven’t seen her since you showed us all this party. Do any of you know where she is right now?”

At that moment, the four siblings all noticed a bright orb of pale light grayish orchid light appear in between them and their friends. It slowly grew into a large ball as small clouds of dust and wind began to appear form the wooden floor, swirling around it. The ponies all squinted their eyes from the brightness as small white crackles of electricity danced around the orb. With a loud crack the ball exploded into an almost painfully bright shining light, causing everypony turned their heads away. All closest to it waited until the light died down, before coming across one of the last members of the party.

It was a beautiful unicorn mare, with a pale light grayish mulberry lavender fur coat. She a long flowing moderate blue mane and tail, having moderate violet and brilliant rose streaks in them, blending rather smoothly. Her eyes were two moderate violet irises, which were a much darker shade of purple than her own coat. On her back, was the tattoo of a large pure golden white star, having two pitch black bat wings half folded on either side. On her flanks were the Cutie Marks of two purple stars, having six points protruding from the sides, with several smaller stars hovering around them.

“You called?” The Unicorn asked sweetly, smiling slightly at them trio of mares in front fo her.

“Twilight!” Sheton squealed as he leaped forward and collided into the lavender Unicorn, hugging her tightly around her neck. Twilight giggled and embraced the young colt nuzzling the top of his head. “It’s really you! For a second there I thought that you were some other pony when I saw that bright orb of light!”

“How could you have possibly theorized that I was somepony else Sheton? When you see a wave of magic that bright and powerful, I find it pretty inconceivable that you didn’t know that was me.” Twilight in a mock incredulous tone as she set Sheton down. “Though, I’m even more surprised that you managed to remember me, since you were so young the last time that I saw you.”

“Yeah, well…he has a pretty good memory though.” Goku admitted sheepishly as she rubbed the back of her head. “Still, it’s great to see you again Twi.”

“You too Goku, all of you.” Twilight said warmly as she brought the tan Thestral mare into another warm hug. “I’m glad to see all of you are back.”

“Anyway, what in the hay took you so long to answer me?” Goku asked, her eyes narrowing at Twilight. “You made me pretty suspicious when you actually said that your door was unlocked and that we could let ourselves into your home, which looks beautiful by the way.” Twilight smiled warmly at the compliment. “And you really gave me a scare when we saw that the whole place was completely dark, so much so that our enhanced Thestral vision couldn’t help us see what was in front of us. I was going to ask you why you did that after, uh…threatened to light this place with a giant ball of fire. Though it seems its already been given, so there’s that.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry about that Goku. Pinkie Pie told me that she was going to get the party going as soon as you walked in.” Twilight explained, glancing over at Rainbow Dash. “Unfortunately, somepony had to drag it out for the sake of wanting to scare you three and Sheton, along with Fluttershy and Scootaloo.”

“That’s okay Twi…I’m also more or less at fault for thinking you’d do something so mean, especially since you don’t really like pranking anypony. ” Goku said, flashing the lavender Unicorn an apologetic smile. “Now that I think about it, I should’ve known that Dash was the one who would do something like this.”

Goku’s gaze flickered up to Rainbow Dash in a small glare, followed by Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Twilight a second later. The cyan mare laughed nervously and rubbed the back of her head, sweating a bit at the tan hybrid mare’s look. After a moment, she looked back at Twilight, who was also giving Rainbow a stern glare, looked back at Goku with a softer expression.

“Thank you Goku, I’m glad that you’re not too mad at us.” The magic mage said softly. “I swear, that was not how we were planning to surprise you all, especially you Scootaloo.”

“I-I-I know.” Scootaloo nodded, looking up at the lavender Unicorn. “I-I already forgave R-Rarity, and I said that I’m not mad at you guys for d-doing it. S-so you don’t have to worry about me b-being mad at you or a-anything.”

“Thank you, I’m glad that you’re not holding it against us.” Scootaloo said softly, smiling gratefully at the tangerine filly. “Anyway Goku, the reason why I didn’t couldn’t here sooner is because I was getting some special guests ready. A couple of ponies who I’m sure that you, Snowflake, Midnight Sheton will be very happy to see again.”

“Some ponies that I’ll be happy to see again?” Sheton asked curiously. “Who?”

The lavender unicorn simply smiled sweetly and gave him a wink, igniting her horn for a split second. A flurry of emerald green flames suddenly appeared in the right side of the lavender Unicorn, while an orb of teal magic appeared on the left, much in the same way that Twilight had appeared. The increasing flames swirled around the floor causing large clouds of smoke to join it in its dance, white the teal orb of magic grew larger and shined brighter. The flames and magical orb eventually materialized and disappeared in bright electrical sparks, leaving a bright shining light and a thick cloud of smoke in their wake. Once the light and the smoke dissipated, everypony’s eyes widened upon what they had saw next.

Standing in between the smiling lavender unicorn was a young foal and cat-like reptilian, both of which looking to be about the same age as Sheton. The reptilian was a young dragon cub, pony-like in appearance, with a deep purple coat that sparkled and shined like a gem glinting in the daylight. His spines, going form his head to his tail, were a beautiful emerald shade of green, which seemed to shine even brighter than his scales. The young drake's eyes were an even more stunning emerald green, along with the emerald membranes of his large clawed wings. On both of his shoulders was the black tattoo of a winged dragon, wings flared with flames surrounding its attack positioned frame.

The foal was an adorable little filly with a coat that reminded the mares of looking out into the beautiful and vast ocean. Her mane and tail skirt were the same indigo color as Rarity’s, just barely touching the ground, styled in thick gentle waves. Her eyes looked to be made from the finest of gold, both of them seeming to glow with mirth and excitement. As extraordinary as she looked, there were two features that made her stand out, and took each of the girls, minus Goku, by surprise. Atop the young filly's head was a horn, looking to be slightly longer than that of Sweetie Belle’s, as well as pointer. Her flank also bore no cutie cark adorning her flank, showing she hadn’t found her special talent.

“Hello~!” Both children said in unison, bright smiles adorning their faces.

A huge gasp emerged from the mouth of Sheton, making those around him turn towards him in curiosity. The colt’s jaw was agape, his emerald blue eyes wide with shock as he stared at the filly and drake in front of him, who both looked right back. A moment later, they too went wide eyed as Sheton stepped closer to them, his lower lip beginning to quiver.

“S…Spike? C-Crescent Shield?” He asked, his voice just barely above a whisper. “I-Is…is that r-really…y-y-you?”

Spike and Crescent Shield gasped quietly, looking at each other for a moment and then back at the stormy grey hybrid thestral colt. Taking a step forward, the ocean blue filly asked in a soft, almost silky voice. “Sheton?”

Sheton’s pupils dilated, his mind freezing up for a moment as the filly’s voice made something click into his mind, before recognition came to his face. Before anypony knew what was going on, a squeal left the colt as he ran at the unicorn filly and amethyst dragon. Spreading his arms out, he tackled them in a hug, taking them both to the floor, and, after a moment of surprise, both of them hugged him back.

“Oh, wow it’s really you Sheton!” Spike said, his voice sounding somewhat raspy, yet just as cute. “I almost didn’t recognize you there!”

Sheton giggled, pulling both his friends back up to their feet as he smiled widely at them. “Well, I certainly did recognize you too! Out of all the ponies that I expected to run into, you two were not on that list! I seriously thought you had moved somewhere else like Appleoosa or Manehatten; I didn’t expect you to be here!”

“Well Sheton, we are, in the flesh and in the magic!” Crescent Shield said, giggling as her main flowed and bounced. “And it’s really great to see you again!”

“I think so too~!” Spike said cutely, holding a paw up as Twilight giggled at the display.

“Yeah, same here you guys!” Sheton smiled, laughing merrily. “I’m so happy all three of us are together again!”

At that moment, Scootaloo slowly trudged up to the three foals. “U-um…Sheton? I-I don’t m-mean to i-interrupt, but…do you know C-Crescent Shield and Spike?”

“Um…yeah, they’ve been my friends ever since we were both infants.” Sheton replied, blinking at the tangerine filly. “Why? Do you know them too?”

“U-um…yes, we are.” Scootaloo nodded, smiling slightly. “W-we’ve been f-f-friends s-since S-Spike and C-Crescent first came to Ponyville. I-I think we were about f-four years old at the time.”

“Four huh? I think…I remember being told something like that...” Sheton murmured, looking down at the ground. “I think it was my big sister that told me that you guys were moving away, and I was maybe about five too.”

“I can see that your memory is as strong as it’s always been.” Twilight said, booping Sheton on his nose. “You haven’t changed a single bit since the last time I saw that adorable little tufted eared self of yours!”

“We could say the same to you.” Goku snorted dryly, flicking her tail at the lavender mare. “Still that chipper little bookworm we all love to bits.”

“Wait, so Scootaloo…” Spike said, gently tapping the filly on her shoulder. “Do you happen to know Sheton too?”

“Um…w-w-well, not all t-that p-p-personally.” Scootaloo replied, blushing slightly. “I-I only just met h-him today when my b-big sister g-got back from practicing singing with her b-birds. I-it was later today, along with the rest of his sisters. T-they were all r-really nice, and Sheton was really sweet to me.”

“You bet he is dear.” Snowflake said sweetly. “Sheton’s one of the sweetest colts that you’ll ever meet, and somepony that I know that you’ll love to have as your friend. My sisters have all seen how you and him have interacted with each other, and we’ve had quite a wonderful time observing it. Besides Spike, Crescent Shield, and even Moondancer, Sheton doesn’t really have any other friends back in Canterlot City. So, it pleases us greatly to know that he’s making even more friends in a place he’s never been at before.”

“O-oh, i-it wasn’t r-really anything special…” Scootaloo said, looking off to the side as her blush darkened. “S-Sheton just s-saw somepony who he t-thought n-needed a f-friend…s-so…he d-did just that.”

“Hmhm, he sure did honey.” Midnight cooed, smiling gently at the tangerine filly. “And just after that, he was even sweeter to say that you were one of the prettiest little fillies he ever saw!”

Sheton glared up at the much larger thestral. “DAMMIT MIDNIGHT!”

“Wait, what?” Rainbow Dash asked, looking up at Midnight. “He really said that?”

“He most certainly did Dash.” Fluttershy nodded, smiling at Sheton and her blushing sister. “He looked my sweet little sister right in the eyes and said just how much of a beautiful filly she was. Oh, you should have seen the look on Loo-Loo’s face, she looked like she was going to faint right on the spot from all those compliments!”

“B-b-big s-sister!” Scootaloo whimpered, her lower lip trembling. “P-please don’t t-talk to t-them about t-that! I-It’s embarrassing!”

“Now why should you be embarrassed by being complimented?” Fluttershy asked, smiling slyly at her little sister. “He was only being honest and sincere about you’re looks; plus you never really get a lot of compliment from the boys at your school. So I think that it should be let known that you’re finally getting noticed for your adorable looks and your sweet heart.”

“That’s exactly why it’s embarrassing!” Sheton whined. “Because other ponies are finding out about it when we don’t want them to! Because they’re use to embarrassing the fuck out of us so much!”

“Awww, well ain’t that just precious.” Applejack cooed, smiling down at the two foals. “Not even a full day and they’re already given each other them lil’ goo-goo eyes. They’re growin’ up so gosh darn fast~!”

“SEE?!” Sheton all but yelled, jabbing a hoof at the farmer. “POINT PROVEN!”

Crescent Shield giggled, walking over to Sheton and nuzzling his cheek. “Oh, there’s no need to be embarrassed Sheton! There’s nothing wrong with noticing more than one pretty filly here and there, not even me! I know I’m not the only cute and pretty filly here, and I know for certain that you and Spike aren’t the only cute boys around here either!”

Spike nodded, smiling toothily. “I think so too~!”

“I-If that’s true, then why do you keep sticking around me, let alone Spike?” Sheton asked, blushing as the ocean blue filly smothered him with affection. “Why not b-befriend another foal?”

“Because you two aren’t just cute, but sweet and genuinely care about others.” Crescent replied, hopping onto the colt’s back. “I admit, there were some cute colts back at our old school, but none of them really stood out. That’s either because they were too snobbish or mean, or they didn’t look like they could be friend material. You two on the other hoof, were exceptions, and I have not regretted my decision ever since!”

“Yeah, you are making that so clear right now.” Sheton whimpered as Crescent nuzzled him. “So please get off of me…”

Scootaloo giggled at Crescent’s display of affection, before addressing Sheton. “W-well, I’m glad that y-you s-still managed to f-find friends i-in the rest of m-mine.”

“Yeah, I am…” Sheton nodded, smiling at the bright orange filly. “I’m even more glad that I found a friend in you too.”

Fluttershy bit her lip, fighting back the urge to give a girly squeal. ‘So adorable!’

“Yaaaaay! New friends everywhere!!!” Pinkie Pie hollered as she leaped into the air. “Oh, this day is just turning out better and better every single time! First, I see my bestest friends in the whole wide world again after four long boring years, then I get to meet their cutie of a little brother, then Loo-Loo makes even more friends?!” She suddenly stopped bouncing as her body started to shake as if she had a vibrator implanted in her. “My Pinkie sense is really going absolutely super-duper crazy today! I don’t think I’ve ever felt my back tingle this much in forever! This really is the best day of my LIFE!”

“Your what sense?” Sheton asked innocently, looking at the bubblegum pink mare perplexedly.

“Her Pinkie Sense, sugarcube.” Applejack repeated, her tone soft and patient as she walked over to the stormy grey colt. “It’s a little trait that she inherited from her family, the Pies, a lil’ gift that was passed down from countless generations of Pies. It’s a real handy one too, if ya ask me.”

“Really? What does it do?” Sheton asked softly, his curiosity peeked.

“Uh, what doesn’t it do?!” Rainbow Dash asked, as if the ocean blue filly had asked the most ingenuous question in the world. “It gives Pinkie Pie the ability to actually predict things that will happen before they do happen!”

“Whoa! Seriously?!” Sheton gasped, looking at the cyan mare with wide emerald blue eyes, before turning to Pinkie Pie. “Is that true? Can you really see into the future? That's so amazing!”

Pinkie Pie gave a little pause as she looked off to the side, a thoughtful expression coming to her face. “Weeeeeeeell…I wouldn’t necessarily say, ‘see into the future’. More like getting a really super-duper strong gut-wrenching feeling that something’s going to happen, be it good or bad, and most of the time it’s actually bad.”

Upon seeing the perplexed looks on Sheton’s face, the mare decided to explain. “Okay, let me give you a little example of how it works. About a month ago, I was getting up early to get Mr. and Mrs. Cake their morning coffee since hey start their shifts really, really, really, early in the morning. Before I could even make it two steps down the stairs, I got this big deep aching feeling in my gut that was churning really badly, like I had recently eaten a cupcake that was really moldy.”

She stuck her tongue out as a vulgar expression came to her face, shivering as Fluttershy gently patted her on the back. For a split second, it looked she was turning green, but no one was really able to get a good look before it vanished. “Anyway, I didn’t know why, but something told me that something really bad was going to happen to Rarity, and if I didn’t get to her, I’d be all my fault! So, I zoomed over to her Boutique, and found her on her display stage, showing off a beautiful dress to Dashie and the others, standing right below a light that looked like it was about to fall! So, I yelled out to Rarity to look out, and right at that moment, the light fell!”

Her cerulean eyes widened, and a look of terror came across her face. As she was going this, Sheton could’ve sworn they saw her coat turn lavender and her mane start to become a deep shade of purple for a few seconds. “Rarity saw it coming, but she didn’t have enough time to dodge, and the others weren’t able to react in time because they didn’t see it quick enough! I did though, and I practically leapt across that stage and rammed into her like a freight train, knocking her out of the way! I could also tell just be hearing that giant light crash to the ground that it would’ve ended really badly for Rarity had I not gotten there in time! She could’ve gotten a seriously injured back or a fractured skull, or worse!”

“Indeed I could have, and I am eternally grateful for what you did Pinkie Pie.” Rarity said gratefully. “I can’t even describe to how just how terrified I was when I saw that light coming down on me. I saw my life flash before my eyes, and for just a fleeting moment, I actually thought I was going to die!”

“Well, it’s a good thing that my Pinkie Sense went off at that time, didn’t I?” Pinkie Pie asked, wrapping a foreleg around Rarity’s back. “Oh…and I’m really sorry that I interrupted your fashion show. It’s just that I really thought something bad was going to happen to you and-”

Pinkie Pie was cut off when Rarity gave her a big warm kiss on the cheek. “Oh darling, you don’t have to apologize! I don’t care if you tore up a whole line of dresses that I made! I’m just so glad that I’m alive and intact, and not in the Ponyville Urgent Medical Care Center, hanging by a thread!” The alabaster unicorn hugged Pinkie a bit tighter as she stroked her long poofy curly mane. “I simply cannot thank you enough for what you did for me that day…”

“Awww, no need to thank me! I was just following my gut and doing what I had to do!” The bubblegum pink mare giggled. “Isn’t that what friends do?”

“You bet it is Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash smirked, giving Pinkie Pie a hard pat on the back. “And that is the main reason why I think you’re Pinkie Sense is the most awesomest thing in the world!”

“So ya see, Sheton? Pinkie Pie’s Pinkie Sense is the one thing that helped Ponyville stay relatively safe fer so long. Well, at least for some o’ th’ normal things.” Applejack said with a smile as she put a hoof on Pinkie’s back. “That’s not ‘t’ say that Ponyville hasn’t suffered any big attacks over the years, but Pinkie Pie’s Pinkie Sense is able ‘t’ help us be somewhat prepared for anythin’ even remotely dangerous happenin’. Even if it’s somethin’ as little as a flower pot fallin’ on top ‘o’ yer head.” She rubbed her forehead as a grimace formed on her face. “It’s best if you stay clear of any high place that has a flower pot that looks like it’s about to fall. Trust me… ya how have no idea how much it hurts when it hits ya on the head. Seriously, you will have a big ass headache for at least a week.”

“Woooooooow…that’s amazing!” Sheton breathed, his pupils going wide as he stared at Pinkie Pie with newfound awe. “Will I ever see it?”

“Ya sure will, sugarcube. Though, allow me to offer you one small piece of advice.” The large cowpony replied, walking over to the colt and pulling him close with a powerful foreleg. “This is something that Ah’ve told countless ‘o’ ponies whenever they experience Pinkie Pie’s Pinkie Sense, an’ most o’ th’ time they ignored it, only t’ regret it later on. Now, it’s completely up t’ you if you chose to take it or not, but Ah highly suggest that you do: when Pinkie’s a twitchin’ you’d better listen. It’ll do ya a lot of good in the long run if ya do that, no matter what situation that yer in, ‘kay?”

“Um…okay Applejack, duly noted.” The stormy grey colt murmured giving a firm nod of his head. “I’ll keep that in mind.

“Wise choice, little brother...very wise choice.” Goku said as she put a hoof in Sheton’s back, giving the colt an approving smile. “Now, what do you say we all get down to the beat and enjoy this party huh? I see that our guests are eager for us to join, and I’d hate to let Pinkie Pie’s party go to waste.” She turned to Twilight, who seemed to be talking with Spike and Crescent Shield. “I’d also hate to not take this time to catch up with Twilight’s adorable little sister and her Number One Assisstant after four long years away! And maybe after that, we can help our little bookworm of a friend with cleaning up all of Pinkie’s decorations.”

Twilight looked over to Goku and blinked a couple of times, having her what the tan hybrid mare had said, but not really paying attention. Once her words caught up with her, she gave her friend a smile and wave a hoof dismissively. “Oh, that’s okay Goku. You don’t need to do that for me. I can’t even begin to tell you the amount of times a party was thrown here, or the times that Pinkie Pie cleaned it up all by herself. You know how she is, she can clean up a party as quickly and as adequately as she can throw it.”

“Be that as it may, I still think that I’d be fair for all of us to pitch in and help out.” Goku insisted, looking at the other five mares. “After all, you did all take part in planning this, so wouldn’t be right to play a role in cleaning up after yourselves as well?”

“Of course it is dear. What kind of friends would we be if we didn’t help in some way shape or form?” Rarity asked, giving her mane a graceful toss. “It would be most unbecoming of us, especially me, since I am a lady.”

“Ya got that right Rarity. Ah’m not Ponyville’s most dependable civilian fer nothin’.” Applejack stated, giving a tip of her hat. “Ah’m always there fer anypony in need whenever they need me to. Always have, always will, as is th’ way o’ th’ Sweet Apple Titans.”

“Hey! Don’t forget about me, AJ! You’re not the only loyal pony around here!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, pushing the farm mare’s hat over her face. “I’m a Wisp! Part of the most loyal family of ponies there are! I don’t leave anypony hanging, and I’m certainly not going to start now!”

“We’d be more than happy to help Twilight clean up. Besides, we’d do a much better job and get it done faster if there was more than one of us.” Fluttershy added softly, draping an angelic wing over the lavender Unicorn’s back. “No offense to you Pinkie Pie.”

“Heeheehee! None taken, Flutters! I totally agree with you, Dashie and the others! I think it’d be super if we all lend a helping hoof and clean up the super-duper fantastic party that we had all planned for Goku! That way, we can have even more super-duper fantastic parties in the future!” Pinkie Pie said, bouncing around the mares and foals. “We can worry about that later though! For now, let’s shake our groove fangs and PARTY!!!”

With another chorus of laughs, Goku, her sisters, and her friends all followed the energetic mare into their party, where the rest of their guests were eagerly waiting for them to join. They partied well into the night, playing games, joining in dance offs, and having some friendly competitions. The whole group shared quite a lot of laughs, none of them remembering a time where they had so much fun in all of their lives. Not even at the going away party that Pinkie Pie had planned for all of them the night before they all went to earn their degrees. They didn’t let that bother them though; they were just happy that they were all reunited once more. And they eagerly awaited what adventures that they would soon face in the future together.

They were so focused on the party, they didn’t notice that the moon had risen into the sky, casting all of Ponyville in a beautiful white glow. Had they been paying attention, they would’ve noticed a giant blotch of black in the shape of a unicorn head, painted over more than half of the Moon. Not only that, but they would’ve also noticed that that very same pony-shaped black blotch was nowhere anywhere in sight.

Author's Note

Okay, something that I forgot to mention here, any chapters that I happened to not need to do much editing on, will be posted almost immediately after the last ones. That is, if there is nothing that is need to be done on those chapters. I apologize if it looks like I'm posting these chapters a bit too fast for anyone's liking :twilightsheepish: . Now, while I get to the chapter having Nightmare Moon returning, I'll leave it down until tomorrow morning, that way, those who haven't seen the other updated chapters will see it so they can read those chapters before reading that one :twilightsmile: . Trust me when I saw, it will be a bit different from how I wrote it last time, with a bit more...dramatic effects :pinkiesad2: .

Next Time: The Goddess of the Red Moon returns to take her revenge...with a few involuntary guests tagging along :raritywink: .

Chapter 10 - Return of the Queen of Darkness

Goku could not understand why, she had a very unsettling feeling in her gut that made her stomach turn uncomfortably. It was just a little unsettling feeling that formed, one that she had just brushed off as simple anxiety. As the party went on however, it slowly grew to the point where she could not ignore it at all. It was a big ache that had formed in her stomach, as if somepony took her intestines, and tied them in a giant knot. One that was so painful, that it almost felt like she was getting sick from insane food poisoning.

At first, she had just assumed that she was anxious to get to the Summer Sun Celebration on time, after all the times that she had lost track of when it was going to happen. However, a little voice in the back of her head was telling her that it was something far worse. Something that neither she nor her friends would be prepared for if they were not warned about it soon.

“Goku?” Fluttershy softly and suddenly asked, making Goku turn to her. “Are you alright, darling?”

“I…I don’t know…” She replied uneasily. “Why do you ask?”

“Well…you have this…worried look on your face. One that you’ve had it ever since we began helping Twilight clean up her library.” Fluttershy replied, dumping her pile in the trashcan. “Is there something bothering you, sweetie?”

Goku closed her eyes. “Well…yes, there is…I don’t know what it is. There is something telling me that something horrible is going to happen tonight.” She replied softly. “Ever since the party you all planned for us ended, it’s been bothering me nonstop. It’s been growing and…I just…I just can’t ignore it.”

“Goku honey, listen to me.” Fluttershy said, putting her forehooves on the mare’s shoulders. “I know that you like to follow you gut whenever you believe something bat will, and I admire you for that. Even so, I can assure you that nothing is going to happen tonight. Even if something does happen, it’s not like it’s going to be anything major. Before you came back to us, me and the rest of the girls have always been there to protect the town from any sort of danger. And so far, we’ve been successful. With a few little mishaps here and there.”

She looked off to the side as a blush formed on her face. “Anyway, what I’m trying to say is, I don’t think we have anything to worry about. In fact, I think the Summer Sun Celebration will be just what we need to make those worries flutter away. Speaking of which, the Queen will be there to protect us from any danger. Not that I believe that she’ll need to, but, you understand what I’m trying to say don’t you, dear?”

“Yeah, I do.” Goku replied, giving the pegasus a grateful smile. “Thank you for telling me that Fluttershy. And I’m sorry for acting so worried.”

“Oh don’t be!” Fluttershy cooed, pulling Goku into a motherly hug. “I completely understand how you feel. Though, I don’t think that you need to worry about anything tonight. Besides, this is supposed to be a time of happiness and joy, not of worry and anxiety! Mother Natura knows I’ve had more than enough of my fair share today.”

“Well, when you put it like that, it does sound pretty helpful.” Goku replied, remembering that Sheton was there with her and her elder sisters. The thought that this was going to be his first Summer Sun Celebration was just enough for her mood to brighten again. “Okay Fluttershy, I’ll do it. I don’t know if I can ignore all of it, but…I’ll do my best. After all, this is my little brother’s very first Summer Sun Celebration, and I do want him to have as much fun as possible, since that is my top priority today.”

“There you go dear!” Fluttershy said sweetly, kissing the thestral on the forehead. “Now, why don’t you go wake your little brother and the other fillies up, hm? They’ve been sleeping upstairs in Twilight’s room for quite a while after partying their little hearts out. So I’m sure that they save up quite a lot of pent up energy to run around and play with our sisters.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt it. I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when they see my little brother again.” Goku chuckled. “I can tell they all took a real liking to him when they first met him. Well, with the exception of Rainbow Dash’s little sister, Firestreak.”

“That’s only because they haven’t meet yet, Goku.” Fluttershy said dryly. “Though, I don’t doubt that she’ll take a liking to him, too…in more ways than one.”

“Me neither Flutters, me neither.” Goku giggled with a nod of agreement, walking to the staircase. “Then again, Sheton can get pretty much anypony to like them, no matter how spunky they are.”

It took a few minutes for the thestral mare to get to Twilight’s room, and she took the time in taking in the pictures hanging on the walls. They all ranged from Twilight, to her being with Crescent Shield and Spike, and finally all three of them with her friends. They all brought a warm feeling to Goku’s chest, so much so that she almost didn’t notice the smell of her brother in the next room. Snorting for letting her mind wander off, she opened the door to the bedroom, and was greeted with a sight that made her coo.

The interior of Twilight’s bedroom was eerily similar to the interior of what it looked like downstairs. It had several bookshelves around the room, with drawers right at the bottom containing what Goku could only guess were things like flashcards, pencils papers, which also had a large flowerpot. A large bed having a large blue blanket with the symbols of the sun moon was set next to a large bed, with a desk that had a unicorn horse head resting on it. A telescope next to it, and an alarm clock house implanted in the wall on the right side of the curtains, all sitting on the right side of the bed. Sitting on the bed, with the Moon shining down on them in a warm comforting glow, were her little brother, were all four foals, cuddled together in a large ball of fluff.

Goku could not stop the wide smile that spread across her face, her heart swelling with warmth, as she stared at the sight. She fought back a giggle that threatened to flow from her throat as she slowly walked over to the bed, making sure not to startle or scare them awake. As she got within range, she slowly reached out with a hoof and gently shook each of them awake.

“Kids...kids, it’s time to wake up,” The thestral mare said gently. “Come on you lil’ cuties…wake up.”

After a few more shakes, the foals finally woke up for their slumber, Sheton being the first. His emerald blue eyes blinked as he slowly opened them, rubbing the sleepiness out of his eyes. Upon seeing his sister his eyes widened as he quickly sat up, causing Scootaloo, who was resting her head on his back, to fall off and jolt awake. She was quickly followed by Crescent Shield, who had been resting on the left side of Sheton and finally Spike, who had been resting on the colt’s right side.

“S-s-sis?!” The stormy grey colt squeaked as he shook his head to clear the remaining sleepiness out of it. “W-What are you doing here?”

“Rarity told me to and wake you four up, the party’s over.” Goku replied softly, gigging softly at the foals’ bed headed manes. “Me, her, and the rest of the girls are helping clean Twilight home before we head of to the Summer Sun Celebration.”

“Oh…the Summer Sun Celebration.” Scootaloo mumbled softly as she scratched the back of her ear. It was a few moments later before the bright orange filly’s indigo eye widened as she shot to her hooves. “The Summer Sun Celebration! Oh, Fluttershy's going to be so upset! She’s probably wondering where I am and-”

“Easy there Scootaloo, no need to get so worried. Fluttershy knows that you’re here, so you don’t need to worry about her getting upset about you not being down there.” Goku said softly, her golden eyes flicking over to Crescent Shield and Spike. “Twilight knows that you three are here as well, so you don’t have to worry about her going into one of her overactive fits.”

"Really?" Crescent Shield asked as she calmed down. “That’s good…”

“Well…that’s a relief…” Spike sighed as he flopped back down on the bed onto his back. “For a second there I really thought I was dead.”

“However,” Goku continued, her sly mischievous tone catching all four foals off guard. “You will have to worry about me telling them about how I found you all cuddling my little brother if you don’t get your cute little rumps off this bed, and get down stairs and help out.”

At this, the one dragon and three foals eyes snapped open wide as they shot up into sitting positions, looking at the tan mare as if she was crazy. Scootaloo and Sheton seemed to be the most scared of them all, as evident by their shaking form and the fierce blush on their cheeks.

“You wouldn’t.” Sheton whispered, lowering his head slightly. “You wouldn’t dare tell them!”

“Oh I assure you baby, this is no idle threat.” Goku said her grin allowing her canines to flash in the darkness. “Now, are you gonna go down and help? Or am I going to have to get you subjected to the relentless fucking teasing of your big sisters?”

None of the children dared to reply to her question. They all just sat there, eyes wide as all the color seemed to drain from each of their faces. This only served to make Goku grin even wider, and, just to see them get scared out of their wits, she decided to make do on her “threat”.

“Alright then, suit yourselves,” Goku chirped sweetly with a light shrug. Before the foals could stop her, she turned her head and began yelling from upstairs. “Twilight, Snowflake, Midnight, Fluttershy! Spike, Scootaloo, Crescent and Sheton are-”

“WE’RE GOING!!!” They exclaimed as they leaped off the bed, dog piling over each other as they raced towards the door in a frenzy. They nearly stumbled over each other as they galloped towards the stairs, leaving a giggling Goku in Twilight’s bedroom.

‘Hmhm! They are just too adorable!’ She thought giddily as she trotted down out of the room and gently closed the door behind her. ‘They are just so fun to tease I can’t wait to see how many more friends my brother will make so I can tease them!’

It didn’t take as long as the girls thought that it would to clean Twilight’s library, especially with their added guests lending a helping hoof. That, and Pinkie Pie used a whacky vacuum tool of hers to help speed up the process when it seemed like nopony was getting anywhere. Sheton, Crescent Shield, Scootaloo, and Spike were all especially helpful, grabbing whatever piece of trash they could, and lending a hoof to anyone that seemed to be having trouble. Thanks to the sleep they decided to get sometime during the party, they were more awake didn’t have to worry about sleeping on the job.

After putting Twilight’s home in tight knit shape, they then began their trek to the Town Square, to which quite the surprise greeted them. It was so crowded that they could barely see the tables and food stands others were standing or sitting by, and the stage didn’t have anypony on it. The girls could however, see the beautiful decorations that Rarity had put up earlier that day. Including the beautiful red glittery ribbons that she had put up, which seemed to sparkle in the light of the moonlight from the windows above.

“Wow, there are so many ponies here.” Sheton whispered softly as he looked around the large building. “I’ve never seen this many ponies all in one place before…”

“Of course you haven’t Sheton. Why would you?” Goku giggled as she looked over at the stormy grey colt. “At special events such as this, you never expect to see a whole town population of ponies all in one place.”

“A whole population of ponies? What you do mean-” Sheton began to asked, but cut himself off as it clicked only two seconds later. “Wait, you mean…a-all of Ponyville is here at the Town Square?!”

“Yes, every last one of them.” Snowdrop replied softly, an amused look on her face as she watched Sheton’s jaw drop. “There’s really no reason to be surprise, little brother. This is how it’s like at every Summer Sun Celebration. The whole population where it’s going to be held comes to celebrate the event specifically made for the Queen herself. It doesn’t matter how big that one town is. They will drop anything and everything that they’re doing and go to that event.”

“Oh wow…I knew that Queen Celestia was loved and respected but…wow.” Sheton murmured, looking around at the giant fabric pictures. As he did so, a thought then came to him, and he spoke again, his next words were chosen very carefully. “Wait a minute, what about…Queen Luna?”

His three sisters, who were all preparing to sit at a table they had found, stopped upon hearing their little brother mention the Lunar Queen’s name. They all looked over at him with surprised looks on their faces, which immediately caused him to shrink under them.

“Queen Luna?” Midnight asked, having not expected her brother to bring up the long-lost Goddess of the Night. “What about Queen Luna?”

“Oh…um…n-n-nothing…I’m sorry.” He stuttered, hiding his face behind his mane. “F-forget I said anything…”

“No, it’s okay sweetheart. We’re not mad at you.” Goku said reassuringly. “What is it about Queen Luna that your curious about?”

“W-well…um…I-I was just wondering. If Queen Celestia is this loved and respected by everypony…t-then Queen Luna had to be too, r-right?” Sheton asked, climbing onto one of the seats at a table. “I-I mean…they’re both goddesses of the Sun and Moon after all. Both of them having come down from the very heavens themselves along with their whole family to protect all of pony kind. Though, Queen Celestia and Luna seemed to be the special ones…a-and I can understand that, since they rule over the day and night.

The stormy grey colt lowered his head, poking his hooves together as his expression became solemn. “Despite all of that that, it seemed like Queen Celestia was getting all of the attention, while Queen Luna…wasn’t. Because…Queen Celestia’s the older…and more powerful of the two sisters than Queen Luna was. Still…she had to have some admirers…right?” He asked, looking up at his sisters with a hopeful expression.

For a few minutes, none of the mares said anything, silently contemplating on what their brother had said. After another moment or two of silence, Goku letting out a soft sigh as she looked bat her brother, before she finally spoke.

“Honestly little bro, I really don’t have any clue. Me, Snowy, and Middy were never really told what the relationship between the Royal Sisters was like a millennium ago.” She sighed, resting her head in one of her hooves. “We’ve only heard bits and pieces of what their relationship was like from the ponies back in Canterlot when we were just fillies. A lot of which I think is a bunch of fucking bullshit if you ask me…except for this” She sighed as her eyebrows furrowed. “Some of them say that she gave into whatever voices that were inside her head, due to her having dark powers, and turned into some demonic equine and tried to kill her sister. Others even say that Queen Luna got jealous and tried to overthrow her, with her comrades, the bat ponies, or thestrals; as they like to be called, at her side.”

“You mean the thestrals and bat ponies like us?” Sheton asked, spreading his feathered bat wings.

“Yes, ones exaclty like us.” Goku nodded lightly. “Unfortunately, ponies who say that aren’t necessarily wrong. I’ve read the story about the Queens, how Queen Luna had turned, and the bloody battle that transpired afterward. As much as I hate to admit it, I can see that most of what they’re saying is true. Though, you wanna know what I think about all that, Sheton?”

The stormy grey thestral colt tilted his head. “What’s that big sis?”

She asked as she looked up at him with a sweet smile. “Even though many ponies feared Queen Luna, I honestly believe that that she had those who respected and loved her. Unfortunately, thanks to the pain many ponies had put her through, she wasn’t able to see it.” Her expression became solemn again as she said the last part. “I’m positive there are out there who still do, and the beautiful night she ruled, once of which I know very well.’’

“Really?” Sheton asked as he leaned in, his interest peaked. “Who?”

Without warning, Goku lunged forward and hugged the stormy grey colt tightly, causing him to squeal as she pulled him into her chest. He giggled and flailed his hooves as she nuzzled his neck and belly, giving him little kisses on his nose and cheeks. Her sisters both smiled as they silently watched their younger sister smother their little brother with boundless affection, ignoring the odd looks sent their way.

“You are, you lil’ cutie pie!” she cooed, giving Sheton another big kiss on the nose. “I think it’s very sweet of you to think that Queen Luna deserves as much respect as her sister does, and I completely agree with you! It doesn’t matter who’s the older or the younger sibling, especially in Queen Celestia and Queen Luna’s case. In my eyes, all siblings are equals! No matter how old or young they are! As is the way with us kirins and thestrals!”

“Took the words right out of my mouth, G.” A familiar voice rasped from behind the four siblings. The four siblings all turned to see Applejack and the rest of the girls, most of them having their sisters with them. “That’s the same thing that I always tell Firestreak whenever she’s down in the dumps and needs words of encouragement.”

“Oh, hi girls! You all finally made it!” Midnight said. “We didn’t even here any of you come in.”

“Well, that’s cause there’s a whole audience o’ ponies here in th’ Town Square talkin’ louder than a bunch o’ chicks squabblin’ over a bunch o’ seeds.” Applejack replied with a chuckle. “Not only that, but we jus’ found y’all sittin’ here at this table. Though, it looked like ya’ll were gettin’ in some extra siblin’ time before celebration started, so we decided ‘t’ wait.”

“It was certainly worth the wait, too!” Rarity cooed sweetly, her eyes sparkling. “Watching you smother that darling adorable little brother of yours was just too precious! Almost as precious as him playing with my little sister!”

“Speaking of which? Where is the little squirt?” Rainbow Dash asked, looking at the three siblings. “I want him to be here, so he can meet super awesome little sis!”

“My, you’re really eager for Sheton to meet Firestreak, huh?” Goku asked as she turned around in her seat. “Well, to answer your question, he’s right here!” she said, gesturing over to her brother sitting in the seat next to her.

“Sheton, it’s you!” Sweetie Belle squeaked as she tackled the stormy grey colt in a hug. “Oh, I’m so happy to see you again! I missed you so much!”

“H-hi, Sweetie Belle. I-I missed you too.” Sheton murmured as he tried to sit back up, only for his front hooves to slip against the floor. He fell back with a cry, allowing Sweetie Belle to literally fall on top of him. “Um…Sweetie Belle…can you get off me? P-please?”

Sweetie Belle didn’t reply. She just let out another giggle and continuing to hug the Pegasus, causing him to blush deeply. A few seconds later, the alabaster filly felt herself encased in an aura of magic before being set back down onto the ground.

“Sweetie Belle! Did you not here what Sheton had said?” Rarity asked, staring disapprovingly at her little sister. “He had politely asked you to get off him, but you didn’t do as he asked! You could’ve crushed the poor dear with all of that over excitement!”

“Oops! Sorry Rarity. I kind of got carried away.” The alabaster filly murmured, a blush forming on her cheeks. “I’m sorry Sheton, didn’t mean to startle you like that. I didn’t hurt you did I?”

“No, it’s okay…I’m not hurt anywhere.” The stormy grey colt replied, ruffling his wings. “Just warn me next time you’re going to hug me like that, alright? I already got more than enough of that from Apple Bloom and her family.”

“...Yeah. Sorry ‘bout that.” The golden yellow earth filly said with a sheepish smile of her own. “Ah, tend t’ get a little overexcited mahself, along with Melon Cake…Ah’m sorry if Ah accidentally hurt ya anywhere too.”

“Um, Sheton…girls?” Spike asked innocently, one of his hybrid ears flicking. “I don’t mean to interrupt but…has anypony seen Firestreak?”

“Oh, t-that’s right!” Scootaloo gasped as her ears perked up, before looking back over at Rainbow Dash and asking. “Um, R-R-Rainbow Dash…d-didn’t you s-say that y-y-you were g-going to b-bring F-F-Firestreak here t-too?”

“Yep, I sure did! Did you think that I wasn’t going to bring my little sis here to an event as fucking awesome as this?” The cyan mare asked, smirking widely. “Heh, like hell I would do that! Especially when she hasn’t met the little brother of one of my most awesomest friends there is!”

“Oh, okay. I-I was just w-wondering why we h-haven’t really s-s-seen her around a-as all.” Scootaloo murmured with a soft nod. “S-so, um…w-w-where is she?”

“Right here!” The voice of a foal yelled out with a slight rasp as a fiery streak suddenly shot down from above the group of ponies. It soon circled around them, as if trying to envelope them into a large flickering gate of fire and heat. It then died down as a fiery bolt shot down right in the middle of the mares and foals. Everypony let out loud coughs in an attempt to get the dust out of their throats, having not been prepared for their new guest to make such a landing. When it vanished, they looked down at where the pony was, ready to give them a sharp scolding, only to stop short at what they saw.

Standing in the middle of the small group of ponies, smoke swirling around her in a perfectly round circle, was a pegasus filly. She had a deep red hide, redder than any other color that was ever seen by anypony, which was rare for anypony to have. She had a flowing fiery mane and tail that had all the colors expected to be found; tangerine orange, golden yellow, and crimson red, all making for a stunning combination. The filly’s wings were a combination of her coat and mane, while her hooves were a pure golden color, giving a slight gleam. Her eyes, which were closed, slowly opened, revealing two pure indigo irises that glowed like fire. Just as with Sheton and the rest of his friends, old, and new, no cutie mark was embedded on her flank.

“Hey there everypony…” The filly said with a feral grin. “What’d I miss?”

“Howdy there, Firestreak.” Apple Bloom said nonchalantly. “Mighty fine seein’ you here on this fine night tonight. I see you’ve made quite the fiery entrance there.”

“Yep! Nothing else is expected from your number one best friend!” Firestreak replied, throwing a foreleg around the sun yellow filly’s neck. “Of course, that doesn’t mean that you or the girls don’t make any fiery entrances of your own mind you.”

“Yeah, yeah…we know what you meant, Firestreak.” Sweetie Belle giggled. “Though…was that landing necessary? You did leave a rather big mark in the floor over there.” She emphasized this point by pointing to the pony-sized crater under Firestreak’s hooves.

“Oh, right…sorry.” Firestreak murmured, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. “Probably should’ve watched how hard I was landing…”

“You think?” Spike deadpanned as he snorted some dust out of his nose.

“Hey, don’t give her such a hard time, you guys; she didn’t mean any harm by it.” Rainbow Dash said coolly. “Besides, its’ not like that hole can’t be fixed, and it’s not like Mayor Mare’s going to care. We’re at the Summer Sun Celebration, the one celebration where the Queen of Equestria is going to be. With such any important pony coming, a hole in the floor is going to be the least of anypony’s worries.”

“Hmmm…I suppose you have a point there, Rainbow.” Twilight murmured, inspecting the crater. “Still, I hope you have enough in your budget to fix it. And a good explanation for Mayor Mare for why there is a hole in the Town Square.”

“Eh, we’ll get to that later!” Rainbow Dash said dismissively. “Firestreak, I’d like you to meet some very special guests! This Goku, Snowflake, and Midnight; three of my nine awesomest friends in the world!”

“So…you’re the famous thestral trio I’ve heard so much about?” Firestreal asked, looking the three mares up and down. “I gotta say, I didn’t really think that you’d look like actual Thestrals, since I don’t really seem them all that much. Now though, I can totally see how you can be Thestrals, and…it looks pretty cool, along with those necklaces there.”

“Why thank you, dear. They’re actually one of the two symbols of our clan, except with this one, we have to wear it all the time.” Goku said sweetly, reaching her hoof to shake the younger flyer’s. “It’s very nice to meet you Firestreak. I didn’t see you over at your sister’s place…I figured you’d be there with your sister, but you weren’t.”

“Oh, I was over at our Mom and Dad’s house.” Firestreak replied casually as she inspected her hoof. “I was waiting for my big sis to come and pick me up, but it seems like she was caught up in some other business that was obviously more important.” She murmured, her eyes flickering up to meet Dash’s magenta ones in a small glare. “Besides meeting up with her friends again.”

“Sorry, little sis…I lost track of the time.” The cyan mare chuckled in embarrassment. “I’ll make it up to you after the celebrations over. Hay, I’ll take you out for some hayburgers if you want.”

“Oh, I think I’ll be getting a lot more than some hayburgers by the time all of this is over.” Firestreak murmured as she shook her head with a snort. As she turned around to converse with her friends, she noticed Goku’s little brother among the group, which gave her a pause. “Who’s he? I’ve never seen him around her before?”

“Oh, t-this is G-Goku Snowflake a-and M-Midnight’s l-little brother S-Sheton.” Scootaloo replied. “He h-dad c-c-come to P-Ponyville with t-them while t-they were s-supervising the S-Summer S-Sun C-Celebration today. H-h-he had come over to A-Apple Bloom, S-S-Sweetie Belle, S-Spike, and m-m-my house earlier today a-and played with all of us. H-he’s really nice, a-and he’s great with a-animals too.”

“Fo real?” Firestreak asked as she began walking around Sheton, freezing when he saw the size of his wings. “Whoa! Look at those wings! I’ve never seen wings his big before!” She exclaimed as she reached over and yanked Sheton’s right wing out, spreading it to its full span.

“A-AH! P-please don’t pull it so hard!” The stormy grey colt cried as he jumped away from the other filly. “M-my wings aren’t like normal Pegasi…t-they’re r-r-really sensitive to somepony’s touch…t-they’ll stiffen up if you touch or pull them like that.”

“Really? Well why didn’t you tell me this before?” Firestreak pouted as she let go of Sheton’s wing. “If I knew your wings were that sensitive, I wouldn’t have tried to pull it!”

“Yeah, sure you wouldn’t have.” Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Like you didn’t do th’ same with Scootaloo, even after she had told you to be gentle with ‘em.”

“Hey, none of us didn’t think that Firestreak were gonna go and pull on his wings like that Apple Bloom” Spike replied with a snort. “Besides, why are you acting so surprised by their size anyway? It’s not like his wings are any bigger from yours or Scootaloo’s!”

“Actually, my wings are kind of bigger than Firestreak and Sheton’s.” Scootaloo murmured softly, slowly unfurling her wings to emphasize her point. Sheton was left gob-smacked at their size, seeing they weren’t just ‘kind of’, bigger.

“Yeah, like we didn’t know that already.” Firestreak said bluntly, turning back to Sheton. “Sorry about that by the way; didn’t mean to cause you any pain there, pal.”

“Oh, n-no, it’s okay…y-you just took me by surprise.” The stormy grey colt replied, fighting back a purr as Scootaloo helped tried to sooth his wings. “A-anyway…it’s really nice to meet you, Firestreak. I-I hope that we can be friends.”

“Friends?” The crimson filly repeated flaring one of her wings and wrapped it around Sheton, pulling him close. “Sheton, I can guarantee that you and I will be the bestest friends there is here in this town! There are lots of foals who would go to the Moon and back to be friends with me, and not once have they ever regretted it! Trust me, you and I are going to make an awesome friend group, more than any other foals here in Ponyville.”

“Okay then…” Sheton said softly as the crimson filly gave him a fanged grin. “…I-If you say so Firestreak.”

“Hey now, don’t forget ‘bout us!” Apple Bloom chirped as she, and the other fillies, forming a large group hug. “We’re all in this too Flash, an’ don’t ya dare forget it!”

“I think so too~!” Spike chirped, snuggling deep into the group. “We’re all friends together!”

“Well, isn’t this just an adorable little scene this is.” Twilight cooed sweetly. “Not even a whole day and you’ve already made four new friends, Sheton! Luck and fortune must really be smiling down on you, aren’t they baby?”

“Um…w-what do you mean by that…e-exactly?” The stormy grey colt asked, nervously.

“Oh nothing. just the fact that all the friends you’ve made are fillies instead of colts. Not that there’s anything wrong with that mind you.” Fluttershy replied innocently, joining Twilight at her side. “The fact that none of the friends you’ve made are colts has to mean something.” she asked with a wink. “Shouldn’t it?”

It didn’t even take Sheton three seconds to realize what the buttermilk Pegasus meant, and his cheeks erupted red for the seventh or eighth time that day. As he yanked his hat over his head, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Firestreak, Crescent Shield and Spike all sported equally deep blushes. Before Sheton even had the chance to open his mouth and protest, Scootaloo beat him to the buck.

“F-Fluttershy! Can you please stop doing that?!” She squeaked desperately. “There’s n-nothing going on between me, the girls and Sheton! S-sure he’s c-cute but we’ve only just met and-” that was all she was able to say before her hooves flew to her mouth, her emerald green eyes going wide with horror at what just came out of her mouth.

“Y-you…t-think” Sheton sputtered as he lowered his head, his mane and hat nearly covering his eyes. “…I’m…c-c-cute?”

Scootaloo said nothing to the stormy grey colt in response, her whole face going into a bright shade of pinkish red. She just looked up at Fluttershy, who was looking back down at her and her friends with sly smirks on their faces. The same thing could be said for the rest of their friends, one prismatic mane pegasus in particular trying, and failing, to hold back her laughter.

“Ya’ll were sayin’, sugarcube?” Applejack asked with a smug grin.

“I…erm…n-nothing…I-I was just…!” Scootaloo cried, giving up on trying to say anything and covering her face with her hooves and wings. “…eep!”

“Heeheehee! There’s no need to be all embarrassed Loo-Loo!” Pinkie Pie giggled, bouncing over to the filly. She ignored the glare Fluttershy sent her for using Scootaloo’s signature nickname, acting as if she didn’t even notice it. “It’s total okay if you think somepony is cute, or sweet, or whatever super-duper fun thing there is!” As Sweetie Belle slowly lifted her head from out of the Earth Pony’s chest fur, the bubblegum pink mare gained a more thoughtful expression as she added. “Just do me and your sister one small teeny tiny favor: hold in all that lovey dovey sweetness for when your older, okay? You’re are nowhere near ready for that kind of stuff yet kiddies. We can always make arrangement for a party to celebrate yours Sheton’s, and your other friends’ newfound love! In the next several years that is!”

“Thanks for the advice Pinkie Pie, but I’m positive that that’s not going to transpire anytime soon.” Crescent grumbled. “Besides, like Scootaloo said, they’ve only just met! I highly doubt that there is any way that Sheton would like any one of them like that, let alone me!”

“Mmmmm…” Twilight mumbled, her eyes looking to the side in thought. “I don’t know about that.”

“Hmhmhmhm, whatever you say, squirt.” Rainbow Dash chuckled as she ruffled the ocean blue filly’s mane. “Why don’t you Sheton and the other go off and play for a bit? I’m sure you all have plenty of energy stored up from that nice long nap that you had at Twilight’s tree house.”

“Can I sis?” Sheton asked, looking back up at Goku. “Can I go play with them? Please?”

“Sure sweetie, just make sure you’re all somewhere where we can see you, okay?” The tan mare replied gently, yet firmly. “With a crowd this big, you’re bound to get lost somewhere in it.”

“Okay…I will, thank you.” The stormy grey colt said softly, nodding to Scootaloo, Spike, and the other fillies as they all galloped off.

“Ya know Goku, Ah have to give yer lil’ bro credit.” Applejack murmured walking over to the tan Pegasus. “He won over mah lil’ sis pretty fast, faster than any other foal she’s met. Even more so that Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Amethyst.”

“Yeah, I know…he was like that back in Canterlot too. Winning over the hearts of any mare that came into his path, even if he wasn’t trying to.” Goku chuckled as she watched the foals play with each other. “Remind you of a certain sister of yours back at the farm, huh Applejack?”

“Er…um…uh…yeah, heheheh.” The tangerine mare laughed nervously, her cheeks turning a bright pink. “Sorry ‘bout that by the way…y-you know how mah big sis can get. Treatin’ each ‘n’ every foal an’ Ponyville as if they’re her own kin.”

“Oh don’t worry, its totally fine with me. Not the first time that a mare’s smothered my little brother with affection every now and then.” Goku said, patting Applejack on the shoulder before she turned to the other mares. “Though…I have to say, I am pretty impressed.”

“Impressed?” Rarity asked quizzically, tilting her head to the side. “Impressed by what, dear?”

“By the fact that your little sisters accepted my little brother so quickly.” Goku explained, making each of her friends’ eyes, minus Twilight’s, widen in surprise. “Back in Canterlot, my little brother had a very hard time making friends who not only wanted to be with him, but would accept him for who he was. Mainly because of him being so shy and being harassed because of that.” she held up her hooves to keep them from saying anything. “Now, don’t take this as me accusing your little sisters or anything, especially yours Fluttershy, but all I’m saying is that I expected them to be a bit more reluctant to be friends with my brother, and think that he was a little weird in the process.”

For a few moments, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash didn’t say anything, just staring at the tan Thestral mare. blankly, before looking at one another. After another minute of silence passed, they all burst into fits laughter, making the three sisters jump in surprise.

“Um…is something funny?” Snowflake asked, blinking a few times as she regained her composure. “Why’re you all laughing?”

“Y-you honestly think, ha-ha…that those fillies, would even think, about bullying somepony, let alone calling them weird?!” Rainbow Dash asked between laughs,. “Are you, are you fucking shitting me, G?!”

“Why that is just absolutely absurd darling!” Rarity added, brushing some strands of her indigo mane. “My little Sweetums would never think about doing that to anypony! That would simply just be unbecoming of her as a lady!”

“The same goes fer mah lil sis!” Applejack nodded curtly. “The day that she even thinks about bein’ mean t’ somepony, is the day that Ah tell her that she can have extra apple fritters b’fore dinner, an’ she doesn’t act like she’s on a sugar rush. That’s not Ah was raised, that’s not how Big Mac, Anna Blaze, Annie, Jubilee, an' Honey Blossom were raised, an' that’s certainly not how Apple Bloom was raised either. ”

“The same goes with me; my little Loo-loo is the kindest, sweetest little filly ever.” Fluttershy declared softly, yet firmly, as she put a hoof to her feathered chest. “I’ve known ever since she was a baby, and I know for a fact that she would never say or do anything mean to anypony.”

“Yepperooni! If I know those fillies, I know that they are some of the bestest most fantastic little fillies that anypony could ever meet!” Pinkie Pie said happily, popping up from above as she looked at each of the three mares with wide cerulean eyes. “I can Pinkie Promise you that your cutie of a little brother has found friends that will be with him for a lifetime!”

“Oh…is that so…?” Goku asked as she blinked a few times. She looked back at the foals, who looked to be playing a game of tag. “Then I suppose that my brother’s in good hooves with those fillies then?”

“Absolutely!” Five out of the six mares replied, giving firm nods.

“Totally!” Rainbow Dash grinned. “If anypony dares give your brother trouble, he just has to give the signal and she will incinerate their asses in ten seconds flat!”

“You know, due to her coming from your family and having a big sister like you, I wouldn’t put it past her to do just that.” Midnight murmured softly “Then again, it may not be a good idea to have her give third degree burns to ponies that try to be mean to our little brother.”

“Don’t worry she wouldn’t actually set them on fire if that’s what you’re wondering.” Rainbow Dash said reassuringly. “She would just give anypony who tries to mess with her friends beating of their lives if they rile her up just enough.”

“Yeah…that ain’t exactly helpful information, RD.” Applejack said bluntly, deadpanning. “And, frankly…that’s basically th’ same thing ya jus’ said jus’ a moment ago…”

“Yeah well, you understand the point I’m trying to make right?” Rainbow Dash asked, glancing over at the farmer. Applejack just rolled her eyes in response, muttering something under her breath as she flicked her tail out.

“Well, either way, if you say that he’s in good hooves with them, we’ll take your word for it.” Midnight shrugged, giving Rainbow Dash a soft smile. “After all, I’m eager to see just what kind of trouble they’ll get themselves into…”

“So am I, and something tells me with a group of friends like that, they’re bound to get into a lot of adventures.” Goku said as she looked over at the foals once again, seeing Sheton playing patty cake with Scootaloo. “And they are going to be big.”

At that moment, all nine mares’ ears perked up to hear the sound of loud thumping that seemed to echo about the Town Square. They all turned to see Mayor Mare standing at the top of the stage stomping her right hoof down continuously to get everypony’s attention.

“Looks like Mayor Mare’s ready to announce the start of the celebration.” Twilight murmured softly, her voice an undertone of excitement as she silently observed the scene from afar.

“Wait, she’s starting?! Now?!” Fluttershy cried, her wings flaring out. “Oh my goodness, my bird friends! They’ve been waiting for me to come all this time! They must be wondering where I am! I gotta get up there right now!”

With that, she took off into the air, soaring across the Town Square and dove in between one of the curtains above the stage. A couple of minutes went by, before the pegasus popped out with her birds in tow, all of them hurriedly getting into position, and just in time. Just as Mayor Mare finished her hoof stomping and everypony went silence the sound of horn instruments and the birds harmonized. When that went silent, Mayor Mare finally began her announcement,.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, as the Mayor of Equestria’s most peaceful town, it with great pleasure that I announce the start of the annual, Summer Sun Celebration!” She said happily, her voice echoing throughout the large building as everypony cheered. “In just a few short moments, we will all witness the glorious magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this day! The longest day of the entire year, on the Fourth of July!”

‘Isn’t that the truth absolute truth.’ Goku thought with a chuckle. ‘I don’t think I can remember a day that was longer back in Canterlot. Then again, those days did sometimes feel like they had dragged on forever. Not that I ever really complained about that…’

“Now, I could love to introduce to each and everypony here, the ruler of our whole entire land and nation!” Mayor Mare continued, looking about ready to burst with excitement. “The very pony that raises the sun and the moon every single day, the good, the kind, the generous, the wise, Goddess of the Sun and Moon herself, and the very bringer and keeper of harmony! Fillies and gentlecolts, please stomp your hooves for the one and only, Queen Celestia Daybringer!”

With that, the birds all began to singe again as a golden yellow aura slowly pulled back the curtain. As the deep magenta cloth slowly pulled back, a pure white light shone out from behind the small space behind them, shining as bright as the stars outside. Everypony shielded their eyes from the incredible brightness that the light emitted from the small air booth, waiting for it to dime. Thankfully, they didn’t have to wait for very long, as the light slowly dissipated, until it disappeared completely. When it did, each and every pony was met with a sight that took their breaths away.

To say that the newcomer was a sight to behold would’ve been saying that the very sun that shined all across Equestria was nothing more than a simple bulb of light. Or that or that the streams of water that flowed through the forest was but a mere trickle of water running down a rocky dirt path. The mare that stood before everypony in the Town Square could only be described as a goddess in a mortal pony’s clothing. She was an alicorn, with a white coat that practically glowed in the light of the moon through the window. It was as if she was a star that had come down to the earth, wanting to bask all in its glory. Her mane and the skirt of her tail literally flowing like gentle waves crashing onto the shore of a beach. Both of them sparkling in a way that made it seem like she had little stars planted in them.

If that wasn’t enough to leave ponies gawking, her mane and tail were changing colors every few seconds; the colors of the rainbow. Each and every color was there; ruby red, sunset orange, soft yellow, sea green, cerulean, midnight blue, indigo and violet. A stash of magenta and pale lavender pink, the latter possibly being what her mane and tail color was before it gained its additional colors. The irises of her eyes were pale pinkish magenta, shining like glitter, both shadowed a very strong cerise.

Another part of the alicorn that looked to be just as breath taking as her hairstyle and facial features were her, not two, but four majestic wings. As they slowly opened, they all stretched to a vast wingspan that made everypony’s jaw drop to the floor as if somepony unhinged them with a screw. They took in each and every single feather that was perfectly groomed and preened, with not a single one out of place, holding the same colors as her mane. There were also deep reddish orange ones at the very bottom and her tail feathers, just above her tail base. They could also see, right next to where her wing thumb claws were, what looked like to be two large pure golden circles that would’ve been mistaken for eyes shadowed black.

She was dressed in a magnificent suit of regalia, a large portion of it implanted on her chest, have a glinting mulberry purple diamond-like gemstone in the very center. A set of golden horseshoes adorned her hooves, doing nothing to stop the mare’s long flowing fetlocks from dragging behind her. There was also a large crown that was nestled at the top of her head, having the same gemstones as the one on her chest. Form the center of the crown, her regal horn stretched out longer than a mare’s spine. To add to the finishing touch, the cutie mark of a golden Sun glowed on both of her pure swan white flanks. Both of them looked like they were real suns, as if the very Sun itself had decided to bless her with its symbol. There was no doubt that the mare in front of everypony was Queen Celestia Daybringer. The Solar Queen Goddess of the Sun, Guardian of the Day, the Alicorn of Light, and the Ruler of all Equestria.

The cheers that exploded throughout the Town Square would’ve made even a dragon go temporarily deaf as everypony went crazy. Earth pony’s stomped the ground with all the strength their four sturdy legs would allow. Unicorns ignited their horns light up the whole interior of the building, and pegasi looped around in the air, going at speeds that left colorful trails in their wake. All the while Celestia watched with a smile on her face, that kind expression never leaving her. It wasn’t even three seconds after she raised her hoof that everypony abruptly went quiet, as if the sudden outburst that they had didn’t even occur. When she spoke, her voice carried an air of kindness, warmth and motherliness that was could only be described as heavenly.

“Hello my little ponies, and thank you all for having me here.” She said happily closing her wings. “It’s so wonderful to see so many of my subjects’ precious little faces this time of night.”

Everypony began to cheer again, albeit much more quietly this time as they gave more stomps to the ground with their hooves. They soon stopped as quickly as they did the first time. Not wanting their Queen to have to waste a single moment of her time by silencing them once more.

“I have to be honest with you everypony, when I was told that the Summer Sun Celebration was going to be held in a place like this, I was nothing short of surprised. I never would’ve expected for something as important as this to be held in a place so, well…none-glamorous.” Celestia continued, making everypony laugh at her little joke. “Still, that doesn’t make the town that you’re all living in now any less of a wonderful place. To be honest, I could use some relaxation in a town such as this…heaven knows that I need it.”

“With the amount of duties that she has, she definitely needed it.” Goku whispered quietly to Twilight, her tone dripping with humor like jam from a opened jar. “Am I right Twi?”

The magical protégé giggled back. “Mhm.”

“Well, I’m not going to spoil the moment by talking about my daily stresses.” Celestia said with a light snort as she gave a wave of her hoof. “I can’t wait to spend this glorious day with all of you! Now, without further ado, the Summer Sun Celebration begin!”

With that, a pure golden magical aura that shined as bright as the Sun enveloped the Queen’s horn, as her head rose. As he horn sparked to life, a blast of magic burst all throughout the room, covering everypony in a type of aura that made it feel like they were all being covering in a warm blanket. At that moment, all eyes caught the sight of the Moon lowering over the horizon as the sky began to lose its inky black color. It soon began to change and slowly gain a deep sunset orange, which slowly grew brighter with each second that passed by.

Everypony watched in awe as an all too familiar light began show slowly grow over the horizon, making the sky go brighter and turn from its temporary sunset orange. It then morphed into a dark blue that was slowly growing paler, making the clouds pop out and become visible. Golden light shined the through the windows of the Town Square, filling the whole building with glorious brightness that could not be put in words. As the Sun finally appeared, It let all eyes inside the Town Square see it in all of its radiating glory.

For the longest moment, everypony just stared wide-eyed at the very object that gave Celestia her name. It was as if the very sun welcomed each and every one of them to the even that had now begun. Then they went into another loud burst of cheering as they stomped their hooves, lit their horns, and flew about the air, very much like they had just a few minutes ago. This time, Celestia did not stop them, for she too felt like joining her subjects in it. It was only thanks to a millennia’s worth of training that she was able to restrain herself from acting like foal who had gotten their cutie mark. She stretched their wings out to their fullest span as she preparing to fly down to her subjects.

Then, everything went back.

“Hey! What the hell gives?!” Rainbow Dash shouted angrily as she shot into the air, her wings giving angry flaps. “Who turned out the fucking lights?!”

“Ah don’t know RD. Ah don’t know why everythin’ went so dark all of a sudden.” Applejack replied, squinting her eyes as she tried to see all around her. “Ah don’t think Ah want to know, either.”

“It’s magic girls.” Twilight said suddenly causing Goku, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie to turn to her. They all reeled back slightly when they saw the somewhat nervous and fearful look in the librarian’s eyes. “An incredibly large amount of it, too; I can feel it all around the Town Square, it’s easily parring with even Queen Celestia’s.”

“R-really?!” Rarity gasped, gulping in audibly. “D-do you know who’s doing it?”

“I don’t know, but one thing I’m certain of.” A feeling of dread formed in the pit of Twilight’s stomach as she flattened her ears against her head. “It can’t be good.”

“Oh! Oh! Is it a guessing game?! I love guessing games!” Pinkie Pie squealed. “Is there somepony hiding outside?! Are they waiting to give us a nice big surprise?! Oh, if they are I’m sure that it’s going to be BIG!”

“Pinkie Pie, I hardly think that whoever made the whole Town Square go as dark as night would want to surprise us at this very moment. Especially when they have also have the Queen herself to face if they were just trying to scare us.” Goku deadpanned, her keen eyes and ears picking up the sound of whimpering and ponies beginning to shake. “Still, you do make a pretty valid point right now. I have feeling that whoever is doing this is going to give us quite the scare…and we are not going to like it.”

“I don’t think any of us will.” Snowflake murmured, as she took a protective stance. “Honestly, I’d like to meet the pony who’s doing this and give them quite the talking to about why he decided to interrupt the biggest event of the year.”

“We can think about that later, Snowflake.” Midnight said tentatively. “For now, let’s just let Queen Celestia handle this. I’m sure that whoever is doing this will come quietly and this whole mess will be over.”

“Remain calm, everypony. There must be a reasonable explanation for this.” Mayor Mare said, doing her best to calm down the crowd of ponies. At that moment, she caught a glimpse of light out of the corner of her eye, causing her to look up and see Celestia igniting her horn. “Queen Celestia, can you please tell us what is going on?”

“Hmmm…I’m afraid that we have an uninvited visitor here in our midst, Miss Mayor.” The swan white Alicorn replied, making everypony down below gasp in surprise and slight fear. “Fear not my little ponies, I will not let anything happen to you. Follow Mayor Mare’s and remain as calm as you can, I will make sure you are all safe.”

It seemed that this assurance was all that everypony needed from their Queen, for they all ceased their murmuring and went silent. Even with everything quiet again there was no mistaking the nervousness, fear and anxiety hanging in the air. The foals were especially scared, and everypony felt their hearts ache when they heard their terrified whimpers and cries.

“W-w-what’s g-going on?” Scootaloo whimpered, looking around the darkness with fear in her eyes. “W-why is everything so dark?”

“Ah don’t know, but Ah don’t like it one bit.” Apple Bloom replied as she pressed herself up against her friend. “Queen Celestia raised the Sun just a minute ago! There’s no way that night could’ve came back that fast! Her horn wasn’t even lit!”

“Do you think that there’s somepony trying to attack us?” Spike asked worriedly. “Could that be the case?”

“Pffft, please! As if there would be somepony wanting to fuck with us right now!” Firestreak snorted confidently. “Even if there were, they’re not going to get the damn chance! Queen Celestia’s right here, and anypony who tries to mess with us will get their fucking asses kicked!”

“I wouldn’t put it past her do just that.” Sweetie Belle murmured nervously, leaning into Sheton as he rubbed her back comfortingly. “Still, who do you think it is?”

“I don’t know, but I think we’ll be safe.” Sheton said softly, trying to comfort his new friends as best as possible. “The Queen said it herself, she would keep us all safe and I believe her. She’ll find whoever’s doing this and deal with them like any Queen would. For right now…just stay close to me and don’t move.”

“Yeah, you’re right Sheton. Queen Celestia will be able to fix this.” Crescent Shield said with a nod of agreement. “I hope…"

There was suddenly a loud thumping sound, followed by wood cracking as the Town Square gave a violent shake, as if there was an earthquake happening. Cries of surprise at this came as a result, and were about to question, only to jump as they heard small bits of debree falling to the hard-sleek floor. This caused everypony to shoot their eyes up to the ceiling, realizing that whoever had trapped them inside was right above their heads. Queen Celestia had also seemed to have heard the falling bits of wood much faster than they did. Her gaze immediately snapped up to the roof, now knowing just where her uninvited guest was.

“Who is there?! By order of the Queen of the Equestria, I command you to show yourself at once!” She shouted, her warm motherly tone all but tossed aside. It was replaced with a more commanding and authoritive one, one that didn’t fail in making Twilight cower under it. When Celestia got no response, her pale lavender eyes narrowed as she gave a stomp of her hoof, before speaking again. “I will not ask again, fiend!Who are you, and why have you interrupted such a wonderful event such as this?! If you do not show yourself this very instant, I will come and seek you myself!”

Her command was answered by the sound of the roof giving another, much louder crack. This time, instead of just small splinters and dust, a large piece of wood fell and landed on the floor with a loud clank. Ponies closest to it, gave cries of surprise as they shuffled back, some of them bumping into one another as they attempted to get away from the spot. It was at that moment, that Celestia decided that she would have to make the intruder reveal themselves. Seeing as how they weren’t going to come and show their faces, she would take matters into her own hooves.

“Very well then.” She said calmly as she spread her wings once more and prepared to take flight. “It seems that I have no other choice but to find you myself.”

Then, everything abruptly went to tartarus.

Celestia had barely taken a full flap of her wings, before there was a loud explosion that nearly made her ears ring. The Queen covered her eyes with a foreleg as clouds of debree, looking as thick as the large chunks of roof falling from above, filled her vision. All of which effectively blocking her view from what was going on down below. It certainly did nothing to block her hearing however, for the debree was falling down as if they were large boulders coming down from a mountain top. She felt her heart fill with fear at the cries and screams of terror, and pain of everypony down below, making her realize that there were some unlucky victims to the destroyed roof.

“What in the name of-?!” Goku began, only to stop as she began to cough up dust. “What the fucking hell just happened?!”

“Ah think the entire roof jus’ caved in!” Applejack replied, using her Stetson to fan the dust out of her face. “Are any o’ y'all okay-WHOA!”

The farmer was cut off when she felt somepony slam into her, causing both of them to fly through the air and crash to the ground. The action came just in time to avoid a large chunk of roof from landing on them. Applejack scrambled to her hooves, and once she got her footing, she looked down to see Goku and Twilight lying on the ground just in front of her.

“Whew, that was a close one!” Pinkie cried, her voice shaky as she looked at Applejack, Twilight and Goku with wide eyes. “Are both of you alright?! That was one big rock!”

“Yeah…we’re okay…thank you for saving us Pinkie Pie.” Goku replied slowly, giving her wings a ruffle. Her eyes suddenly widened, as she looked around the dust-covered area, unable to see her sisters or Twilight anywhere. “Wait where are Snowflake, Midnight?! I don’t see them anywhere!!”

“We’re here!” The voice of Midnight cried out as she and Snowflake suddenly flew into the scene. “Are you three okay?!”

“Yes, Pinkie shoved us out of the way before we could get flattened.” Twilight replied, lighting up the area with her horn. “Do any of you know why the roof caved in all of a sudden?”

Before any of the mares could reply, the thick clouds of dust surrounding them suddenly picked up speed as it blew all around them. They all shielded their eyes with their wings and hooves in an attempt to keep it from getting into their eyes. This went on for a few moments, all of them hearing the cries and screams of everypony inside the building. Then, just as quickly as it had started, it stopped, and the everything suddenly went deadly silent.

Slowly and cautiously, the six mares opened their eyes and pulled away from each other, and were greeted a sight that made their stomachs lurch. The whole Town Square being littered with large piles of debree, and ponies left and right crying and screaming in agony. While some of them most of them looked to be just disheveled and shaken up, a majority of them had been unlucky victims to the destroyed roof. They were either lying on the ground injured, or where trapped under the large pieces of the wooden roof. Some were trying to lift them up and pull the ponies out from under them, though they weren’t having much success. Goku felt a shiver go down her spine as she saw pools of an all too familiar red liquid form around some places where ponies could be seen laying. The stench carried in the air and filled her sensitive nostrils with its metallic stench, letting her know that some were gravely injured.

A loud per-piercing neigh caused everypony to covered their ears, at the sheer volume of it so powerful, as if somepony was carving into their eardrums. This went on for several agonizingly long moments, which seemed to go on for a millennium, before it receded, leaving a loud ringing in everypony’s ears. They looked up to the source of the sound, and saw a sight that made all the color drain from their faces.

The being that hovered above all the mayhem and destruction could only be described as the stuff of the darkest and most terrifying nightmares. Not only that, but they were an alicorn, just like their dear Solar Queen. One that was absolutely monstrous-looking, and the complete opposite of Queen Celestia. Even though she was very high up in the air, everypony could see, just by her physic alone that it was a mare. She had a coat that was blacker than the very pits of Tartarus itself, as if she had been dipped into a whole pond of inky blackness. Her mane and tail skirt were ethereal in appearance except hers looked as if they were cut from the very essence of outer space itself.

Her mane and tail skirt had blue auras that had blue white, and pink and red twilights shining from it, with the edges and tips being inky black, trailing behind her in one giant ethereal tornado. Her four wings were stretched out in an unbelievable wingspan, and while they were covered in feathers, there was no mistake that her wings were that of a bat’s. They all held the same ethereal color of space having long dagger-like claws at the end, with the membranes going all the way down to her tail fins. Her cloven hooves also looked ethereal, having the same flowing fetlocks, except longer. Lastly, she had the cutie mark of a large indigo blotch that ran all the way down to her knees, with a beautiful crescent moon in the middle of the blotch.

The demonic looking alicorn let out another neigh as her hybrid wings slowly flapped, her glowing eyes boring into the petrified eyes of everypony down below. They watched in silent terrified and fascinated shock as the sun completely vanished in the ethereal tornado leaving only the moon floating in the air. The mare shot down towards the crow of ponies, who all screamed and galloped away as she slammed into the ground. Large chunks of earth were sent flying through the air from the giant crater that she left in her wake, enveloped by thick dust clouds. The dust completely obscured the alicorn from view for a moment, before it was blown away by a single flap of her gigantic wings. When it was gone, she just stood there, letting everypony see her in all her naked, yet terrifyingly beautiful glory.

Nopony said a word as the mare looked around, meeting the eyes of each and everypony in the building. They all stared straight back at her, bodies quivering as if they were being frozen over in ice on the coldest of days. After sixty whole seconds of unending silence passed, she finally spoke.

“Well, well, well…if it isn’t my dear beloved subjects of Equestria…it’s been so long since I’ve seen all of your precious little sun-loving faces.” She said, her voice incredibly silky, yet filled with iciness that made everypony shiver. “I’m so glad that I got rid of that cursed sphere…I had forgotten how much I hated just seeing that thing.”

“Twilight…” Goku began, her voice surprisingly calm and level despite the situation that they were in. “Is that who I think it is?”

“Yes…i-it is!” Twilight replied her legs shaking like leaves blowing in the wind as she stared at the large Alicorn. As much as she didn’t want to believe it, there was no mistaking who the pony before them was. “It’s the Dark Queen, Nightmare Moon Nocturnis!”

“Wait, that’s the ‘Mare on the Moon’ that everypony keeps talking about?” Rainbow Dash whispered. “I thought that she was just fucking some urban legend or some shit!”

“So did Ah, sugarcube.” Applejack nodded, her own eyes as wide as the cyan mares. “Honestly, when Ah heard ‘bout Nightmare Moon, Ah didn’t think that there was any way that a pony like that could exist.” She gulped, trying to keep the tremor from her voice as she said, “It looks like Ah was wrong…all o’ us where.”

Rarity gulped. “Indeed...”

‘No…no, no no no no! This can’t be happening!’ Fluttershy thought in panic, rooted to the spot in her place on the balcony. ‘The legend…it was true! Sweet Lauren Holy Faust! It was real! The Goddess of the Red Moon does exist after all!’

"Aww, what’s the matter, everypony? Too scared to say anything your Queen of the Night after a millennium on the Moon?” Nightmare Moon cooed in a voice that was so sweet it was sickening, as she took in the terrified faces of all the ponies and foals in the Town Square. “I’m hurt…I expected all of you to be a little bit more excited to see me again…I guess it was a foal’s hope to wish for that…”

Suddenly, the sin black Alicorn noticed a flash of color out of the corner of her eye, and she looked over to the left only to freeze at what she saw. Her turquoise draconic eyes caught Celestia standing on the booth above the stage down below, her lavender eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. Nightmare Moon froze as her eyes widened in shock, having not expected to see the swan white Alicorn in the Town Square. Eventually, the shock passed just as quickly as it had come, before the darker Alicorn’s lips curled back, fans glistening in the moonlight as her face twisting into a snarl.

“Well…if it isn’t Queen Celestia Daybringer herself.” Nightmare hissed in a barely audible whisper, her voice carrying unfathomable contempt. “I must admit…I didn’t expect to see you here. Then again, I really shouldn’t be surprised, since this is the one day where everypony gets to spend the day with you and bask in your precious light.”

“Nightmare Moon…the Goddess of the Red…so you’ve finally returned from your prison at last.” Celestia said slowly, her own eyes narrowing as she regained her composure. “Tell me…what brings you here this time of day? Or to be franker, this time of night? That is what you want me to say, isn’t it? Since this is the nighttime?”

“Oh spare me your false pleasantries, Celestia!" Nightmare Moon snapped as she stomped her hoof, leaving large cracks in the crater beneath her hooves. “You and I both know why I’m here! Or have you been so swept up in all of these ponies basking in your precious light that you’ve forgotten what happened that day so long ago?!”

‘That day? Is she talking about the night Queen Celestia banished her?’ Goku asked, watching the confrontation from afar with narrowed eyes. As soon as that thought crossed her mind, she almost facehooved herself. ‘What am I thinking?! Of course they are! It was said just a second ago that Queen Celestia was the one who banished to the Moon! It’s no wonder why she’s so pissed off at her!’

“No, I haven’t. I have not forgotten that day at all. Even after a thousand years, I can still remember that day as if it was only yesterday.” Celestia murmured as she lowered her head, her pale magenta eyes closing for a moment. “ I still remember the screams of the ponies that transpired during that battle, even now. I can hear them as clear as day, even after I had defeated you in battle…and I will no doubt continue to hear them for the rest of eternity.”

As quickly as her grief filled expression came, it vanished as the swan white Alicorn opened her eyes, looking down at Nightmare Moon with fiery determination. “Some say that it was a miracle that I managed to defeat you at all, and it probably was. Either way I was still able to stop you from forever plunging this word into darkness and ruling it with an iron hoof, a cruel heart, and blood and horror!” She flared her vast wings as her horn ignited. “You may have finally escaped from the Moon, but that does not mean I will let you continue on your plan of Eternal Night! I have defeated you one before and saved countless of innocent lives, and I can most certainly do it again Nightmare Moon!”

Rather than being scared or intimidated, Nightmare Moon gave a low, yet sinister laugh. It slowly grew in volume, the icy sound echoing Square and making everypony tremble with fear. “Dear sweet Faust, the years of being the only Queen in Equestria really driven you insane, haven’t they? I’m not surprised, since you are the one who everypony adores the most, and the only one who’s really known to finish off your enemies. Despite the stories saying that both you and dear little Luna both fought to protect this land from evil doers like me.” The grin on her face gained a twisted edge. “However, you forgot on little thing, Celestia.”

“Oh?” The swan white alicorn asked, raising a color changing eyebrow. “And what is that, Nightmare?”

Without warning, Nightmare Moon suddenly morphed into an ethereal stream of smoke and shot towards Celestia. Going at a speed that not even Rainbow Dash would be able to keep up with taking everypony completely off guard. Celestia only had time to widen her eyes and gasp, before she felt Nightmare Moon collide with her, sending both of them flying up into the air and crashing into the wall. Immediately afterword, Celestia felt a sharp searing enter her chest burst out her back, causing her to let out a hard cough and a metallic taste flowed into her mouth. Confused, she looked down, only for her eyes to slowly widen as she saw the entire length of Nightmare Moon’s horn impaled straight through her chest.

“You don’t have your precious Elements here to help you against me.” Nightmare Moon finished with a whisper. Ignoring the blood that dripped down her horn as Celestia coughed up more blood, she added, “And since they’re not here to help you against me, that means you won’t be able to withstand this.”

Before Celestia could even attempt to say a word, Nightmare Moon’s horn ignited as she sent a powerful surge of magic coursing through her. Celestia screamed was her whole body was charred form head to hoof, as if somepony had put her in an electric chair and turned the power up to full capacity. Pure white volts of electricity could be seen dancing all around her body as the Nightmare Moon continued pouring her magical energy into Celestia. Nightmare Moon laughed loudly, relished in the cries of agony emitting from the mare as she did so, along with the screams of horror from everypony down below as she did so. After a few more moments, the mare stopped, letting Celestia slowly slide down her horn and fall to her side with a resounding thud.

“Awww, you poor thing…couldn’t take the thunder, could you?” Nightmare Moon asked in a sickeningly sweet voice. Her snake-like tongue ran across her lips as she tasted the blood that flowed down her face. “My my…what delicious blood you have.”

“QUEEN CELESTIA!!!” Twilight screamed as she watched her mentor fall. Midnight, Snowflake, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Goku were not too far behind her as they adorned similar reactions. Any screams or cries they let out were drowned out by that of everypony in the Town Square, adding to the anguish and terror they felt.

“Oh no…”Sheton whispered, his blue eyes widening with fear as Nightmare Moon turned around to face all the ponies in the building. Behind him, Scootaloo and the other fillies were all crying and wailing at what they had seen, while Spike watched in silent shock.

“Well, that takes care of that.” She said with a satisfied smirk as she gave a ruffle of her wings. She then held out a covered hoof, giggling as a single drop of blood fell off her horn and fell on it. “Oh dear, it appears that I’ve got Celly’s blood all over my horn.”

“WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO OUR QUEEN, YOU FUCKING BITCH?!” Rainbow Dash roared, her wings flared angrily as electricity danced through her body. She took to the air, only for a quick-thinking Applejack to grab her tail at the last second.

“Whoa there, RD! Now’s not the time ‘t’ be losin’ yer head!” The cowpony shouted through a mouthful of prismatic tail. “If ya try t’ fight her, she’s gonna take ya out as fast as she did th’ Queen!”

“I don’t care! She just fucking killed the Queen, and I’m not gonna let that damn bitch get away with that!” Rainbow Dash shouted, flapping her wings even harder. “You hear me?! When I get up there, I’m going to rip that damn horn off your head and shove it right up your slutty black ass!”

“Oh what’s the matter? Afraid that your dear Queen is dead?” Nightmare Moon cooed, giving the cyan mare a small smirk. “Don’t worry, I just…relieved her or her duties, so I can take her place as the next and only Queen of Equestria.”

“Relieving Queen Celestia of her duties? Is that what you really think that you’re doing right now?” An angelic and angry voice said, making the larger mare pause in place. Nightmare Moon looked to the source and meet the gaze of two blazing golden orange eyes. Both eyes seemed to burn through Nightmare Moon's like two raging twin fires, courtesy of Fluttershy. The pegasus glared at her with all the rage that she had, hovering in front of Nightmare Moon like an enraged Honeybee. “What kind of a Queen would stab an innocent pony in the chest and pass it off nothing? You should be ashamed of yourself! What would your mother say if she saw you like this?!”

Nightmare Moon’s face twisted into another snarl, her eyes blazing in as she glared right back at the mare in front of her. Before Fluttershy knew what was happening, she found herself hitting the floor above as a large covered hoof slammed into her barrel. The blow knocked the wind out of her as she coughed up a small bit of blood, a scream of pain leaving her as her eyes bulged. Fluttershy’s eyes returned to their normal teal color as the dark Alicorn drove her right hoof deeper into her barrel, causing even more pain. Nightmare Moon then reached out and yanked on her necklace, making Fluttershy look into the other mare’s freezing blue eyes.

“You foolish little foal…you dare talk like that in the face of royalty? You dare try to scold me as if you’re my own mother? Who I have not seen for millennia?” She hissed through clenched serrated teeth, smiling in twisted satisfaction as Fluttershy looked back up at her in fear “If I weren’t so happy to finally be freed from by prison, I’d have frozen your little bird friends and shattered them into thousands of little pieces!”

After giving her a rather hard stomp on the chest, Nightmare Moon took flight and hovered a few feet above the buttermilk Pegasus. “As for your earlier comment, of course that’s what I’m doing. After making me live in her shadow, taking the pony that I loved, and imprisoning me on the moon for countless centuries, it’s the least that I could do for my dear sister.” Her eyes narrowed. “Oh right, she probably didn’t tell you exactly who I am did she? Would you like to take a guess?”

“Hokey S-S-Smoke?” Pinkie Pie squeaked, her voice just above a whisper. “W-w-what about Q-Q-Queen M-Meanie? O-o-or B-B-Black S-S-Snooty? M-Maybe t-t-those n-names?”

The Nightmare Moon’s ears perked up, and her eyes looked down to meet the terrified white ones of the part pony. Pinkie let out a squeal of terror and hid behind Midnight, who draped a bat wing over her protectively as she bared her fangs at Nightmare Moon. Relief washed over Pinkie like helium air being let out from a deflated balloon when the other mare’s gaze moved away from her.

“Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for an entire millennium?”Nightmare Moon asked, looking back over at Fluttershy. “Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs clearly painted on the moon before I came back?”

“I DID!”

Nightmare Moon, Fluttershy, and just about everypony else in the Town Square jumped in surprise at the unexpected shout that had mitted from somewhere in the crowd below. All eyes looked over to see Twilight standing in front of her friends, looking up at the mare with defiance in her eyes. “I was the one who saw the signs, and I know exactly who you are! You’re the legendary Mare on the Moon!”

“In other words, Nightmare Moon Nocturnis!” Goku added, baring her canines. “The Ruler of Nightmares, the Queen of Darkness, and the Goddess of the Red Moon!”

The moment those words were said, everypony let out gasps of shock and disbelief, looking back up at Nightmare Moon with more fear than before. Rarity looked to be just as terrified, as she now realized just who she was dealing with. She inwardly chastised herself for trying to mouth off to the goddess just a minute ago. Only now could she see just how utterly stupid and foalish that would’ve been.

“Oh my…looks like there’s somepony who does remember me.” Nightmare Moon said as she looked down at the lavender unicorn with interest. “I suppose you also know why I’m here then?”

“You’re here to shroud all of Equestria into Eternal Night!” Goku replied, stepping right next to her friend as she flared her bat wings. “Well, we’re not going to let that happen! If you think that you’re going to succeed in this giant scheme of yours, you have a whole other thing coming Nightmare!”

Nightmare Moon let out a cold and spine chilling laugh, amusement clear on her face as she looked down at the tan thestral. “Is that so? Well, you’re welcome to try, though I don’t think you’ll get very far. You’ll be lucky if you manage to take even one of my attacks and survive it, let alone live from it.” With another chuckle, she flared her wings as her mane and tail began to grow and expand in size and length. “Know this little pony! There will be changes around here now that I’m back! Even more so, now that your dear Solar Queen is no longer able to continue her duties! I certainly hope that you all enjoyed this day young ones, for it will be very last day you’ll ever see! From this moment forth, the night, will last, forever!!!”

With that declaration, Nightmare Moon’s mane and tail shot up into the air, forming a giant ethereal tornado that shot into the night sky, expanding over the town. It also struck down from below, slicing and stabbing into the floors and buildings along with large bolts of ethereal magic. This was enough to send anypony who was too close flying across the building, along with the debree that accompanied them. Groups of ponies finally regained control of their bodies and began to wildly gallop around and try to find a safe place to hide or escape to. Foals screamed and cried as they huddled close together, doing all they could to avoid the dark Alicorn’s wrath.

If that wasn’t horrifying enough, fire suddenly ignited from some spots where the lightning had struck. It spread all around like a wildfire travelling across a falling forest or jungle. It trapped anypony that tried to get out of the building, and caused clouds of smoke to rise up from the flames. The smoke slowly made its way out of the Town Square, allowing anypony outside to see that the building was now on fire. Through it all, Goku her sisters, and friends all stared on in mounting terror, each of them sharing on undeniable thought.

The Queen of Darkness had returned at last. And she was after one thing and one thing only: revenge.

Author's Note

I'm pretty sure that you guys saw that the chapter is significantly shorter than when it last time, and that was because I was doing some editing on the overextended sentences. I also changed one of the nicknames that Nightmare Moon was give to by me...something that I should've done the last time. Instead of calling her the Goddess of the Black Moon, I'll have her be called the Goddess of the Red Moon, just like the picture that you guys can all see in the cover art :raritywink: . Speaking of which, I have something eerily similar planned after the next few chapters that I know you guys are really going to like in regards to the Red Moon :pinkiehappy: . While I won't say what, let's just say that will be the start were things start to get bloody :pinkiecrazy: ..

Next time: Nightmare Moon heads off to finish her plan to overthrow Celestia, with a few involuntary guests joining her. During that time, the girls will learn some shocking revelations about Nightmare Moon :pinkiegasp: .

Chapter 11 - Obduction

Fear was not something that Goku felt often, even in situations where it was appropriate to feel. Even when she was just a little filly, there hardly any times where Goku felt such emotions in her life . This would come off as pretty unusual for most ponies that knew her, unless they were Kirins like her that is. All her life, there was close to nothing that could scare the tan Pegasus in any way. Even the scariest and most scarring of all horror stories would get nothing more than a shiver from Goku. Other times, she would be left more fascinated than terrified by the things she would be told by ponies. The only times where Goku felt even the slightest trace of fear was when any members of her family, or anypony else, was in danger, her little brother included.

This happened to be one of those times.

Nightmare Moon’s malicious laugh could still be heard echoing throughout the Town Square as it continued to roar with fire and smoke. It took out large chunks of earth as ponies all around tried to get away from the infamous Dark Queen. The flickering flames on the ground below danced all around them, threatening to burn anypony idiotic enough to get too close. Smoke seeped into the mouths of ponies that got lost on its thick grey mist, causing them to go into a huge coughing fit as they tried to soak up fresh air. It only made their lungs fill up with even more smoke as if floated out of the building and out into the atmosphere.

The sounds of foals near the front stage screaming and crying could barely be heard over the thunderous strikes of lightning, but Goku could hear them clearly in their ears. She wanted to run over and get them all away from the mare in front of them, but she couldn't muster up the will do do so. The swirling tornado of Nightmare Moon’s mane and tail looming over them and cast them in its ethereal shadow. All the while, the thestral sisters and their friends all watched in transfixed horror and fear. They would’ve been the next victims, had it not been for reinforcements suddenly arriving, coming in the form loud roaring suddenly bursting through the air, and the sound of a Royal Guards voice yelling.

“GUARDS! PUT THAT FIRE OUT! DON’T LET IT CONTINUE TO SPREAD THROUGH THE BUILIDNG!” Zephyr ordered to the Solar Royal Guards behind him. “THE REST OF YOU, COME WITH ME SO WE CAN SUBDUE NIGHTMARE MOON!”

Goku, who was the first to snap out of her terrified state, swung her head this way and that at the familiar voice. “Zephyr?!”

“What is it Goku?!” Snowflake asked. “Who do you see?!”

“I-it’s Zephyr! I heard his voice form somewhere in the crowd!” Goku replied. “He’s inside the Town Square!”

“He’s what?!” Midnight shouted; her cat-like eyes widened. “What is he doing here?!”

“He must’ve been sent here with the other guards that were here in the Town Square by the Queen.” Twilight guessed, staring up at the stallion as he flew through the air. She suddenly let out a gasped as she watched him stop just feet away from Nightmare Moon. “Oh no…I…I think he’s gonna try and fight Nightmare Moon!”

“He’s WHAT?!” Rarity yelled, her eyes bulging. “Is he insane?! Does he really believe that he stands a chance against the Red Moon Goddess?!”

“I have no idea, but whatever he’s planning, I’m not going to let that fucking bitch get away with stabbing the Queen!” Rainbow Dash shouted, snorting hard through her nostrils as her eyes flashed angrily. She tried to fly at her enemy again, but Applejack was able to keep her from doing so. “Goddammit, let me fucking go already Applejack! I wanna give this mare the fucking what for after what she did to Queen Celestia!”

“That ain’t gonna happen Rainbow Dash!” Applejack growled. “Ah understand yer anger, but loosin’ yer noggin’ an’ jus’ rushin’ in ain’t gonna help right now! So take a breather an’ calm down b’fore a drive mah hooves int’ yer skull an’ knock ya out!”

Rainbow Dash was about to retort, but the sound of chirping lightning cut of whatever comment she was going to make. They all looked up to see four Solar Guard Pegasi hovering in the air, all of them just feet away from Nightmare Moon. Multiple colorful auras surrounded their bodies as their eyes glowed the same color, lighting, wind and fire surrounding each of them. Zephyr hovered in between them, his own eyes glowing as he raised his right foreleg, waiting to give his soldiers the signal.

“Oh, how cute. My dear sister’s precious lovers of the Sun are going to try and stop me.” Nightmare Moon smirked as she hovered in the air. “Well, you’re welcome to try, but I doubt that you’ll get very far.”

“FIRE!” Zephyr shouted, swinging his foreleg down as the other guards unleashed their attacks on Nightmare Moon. A swirl of fire, lightning, and wind burst out from their wings, coming together in a unified attack that seemed to make the attack all the stronger. It dove down towards Nightmare Moon, who continued to smirk even as the attack hit her head on. A loud explosion rocked the Town Square as those closest to the five guards looked up at the scene in front of them, wondering what had happened. Zephyr and his fellow stallions stayed in the sir, waiting for any sign of Nightmare Moon to attack them from the smoke.

“Is that it?” One of guards asked after a moment of silence. “She didn’t even try to stop the attack. Did she seriously think that she’d be able to withstand an attack of that caliber?”

“Of course not, you little foals!”

All five Pegasi jumped at the silky and icy voice that made itself known through the smoke, before it was suddenly blown away. Zephyr and the rest of his guards’ eyes widened upon seeing Nightmare Moon still hovering in her spot, not looking to have any injuries on her whatsoever.

“What in the hell?!” Another Solar Guard gasped. “She doesn’t even have a single scratch on her!”

“That’s impossible!” A third one exclaimed, hovering back a bit. “How was she able to withstand an attack of that caliber?!”

“How you ask? Simple, because it is not the first time that I’ve been hit with an attack like that you meddlesome foals!” Nightmare Moon replied. “I’ve been hit with moves like that so many times, they no longer even phase me! However, I was almost expecting you all to make a unified attack like that! Now that I’ve been hit with it, I think I can say that was probably the least painful attacks that I was hit with!”

“Dammit…!” A fourth guard hissed. “I thought for sure that would take her down!”

The fifth and final guard turned to Zephyr. “What do we do know, Captain?”

Zephyr opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off when turquoise blue aura suddenly exploded around Nightmare Moon, swirling around her in thick wisps of magic. The swords hovering behind her began to glow brightly, all of them giving off frightening amounts of magical power. The cross-dragon wearing stallion and the rest of his soldiers all froze upon feeling the overwhelming magical power emitting from the sin black Alicorn and her weapons.

“Here’s one thing that you all can do…” Nightmare Moon replied, softly. “Stay right up there and DIE!”

Faster than anypony could blink, the azure swords nightmare Moon had created all shot off towards the five Solar Guards. Zephyr’s keen senses allowed him to dodge the attack before the swords connected, though he was cut in his armor a few times. The other stallions with him, weren’t so lucky, and the royal blue stallion suddenly found his ears being filled with the agonized screams of his troop. He watched in horror as they all got stabbed in random places, and while none were hit in the necks or heads, Zephyr could tell some of the injuries they sustained would be fatal.

“Oh no!” Midnight gasped, a horrified look in her eyes. “She just every last one of those soldiers down!”

“And with just one strike…” Snowflake added, her voice lower and calmer but by no means any less terrified. “…just how strong is she?”

“I…I can feel her power level. It…it’s absolutely crazy!” Goku replied, her golden eyes peering right up at Nightmare Moon. She took in the sight of the turquoise aura surrounding her, and could not stop the shiver that went down her spine. “It’s even higher the Queen Celestia’s own!”

“Whoa, seriously?!” Pinkie Pie gasped, snapping her head over to the tan Thestral. “Queen Moonie is really that strong?! How can you even tell?!”

“We can all detect one another’s magical power levels Pinkie.” Twilight replied, keeping close to the party pony. “We don’t even need to use things like our horns to do it. We just have to use our own inner magical power to do it…and I can feel Nightmare Moon’s too. Its’ so high that I can’t even describe it in the most accurate of words. I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I do know one thing…Zephyr is in big trouble right now!”

‘No way…she took out all of those soldiers, just like that! With just one attack!’ Zephyr thought to himself, staring at the down at the fallen guards. He shivered upon seeing the growing pools of blood surrounding them, even as they tried to rise to their hooves. ‘I’m gonna have a harder time with this than I thought…!’

“Well, now that I’ve gotten them out of the way,” Nightmare Moon said, locking her eyes right onto Zephyr. “There’s just you to deal with little hatchling!”

“Wrong Nightmare Moon.” Zephyr growled, the draconic armor on his body gleaming. “It is me who will be dealing with you!”

With a burst of blue lightning, Zephyr shot blast of it at Nightmare Moon, to which she used a powerful shield to block it. When it vanished, she suddenly saw Zephyr in front of her, and a set of claws suddenly burst out the holes in his armored hooves. He used these, along with the blades on his wing armor to claw and slash at Nightmare Moon. His adversary hissed and let out a bat-like screech, using her wings to counter Zephyr’s attacks, while lunging for his neck. Zephyr saw the curved fangs heading towards his neck, and reeled back as he sent another slash at Nightmare Moon’s face.

The attack got her across her face, leaving a slash across her left cheek, eye, and even her armored forehead. Nightmare Moon yelled out in pain as one of her hooves came to press against the bleeding wound. One of her eyes opened, and saw Zephyr flying at her again, his armored claws extended to try and slice her up more. This time, Nightmare Moon was ready for him, and they engaged in a midair battle of blades, claws and hooves. All while his friends, the spectators and the foals watched from down below. At some point, Zephyr landed a lucky blow by slamming his back hooves into Nightmare Moon’s face, making her spiral through the air. When she got control of her flying again, she looked up to see Zephyr descending down towards her, mouth again with lighting forming in it.

“Oh no, not this time!” Nightmare Moon shouted, spreading her wings ascending higher, just as Zephyr was about collide with her. Zephyr flapped his wings hard, the training he did with them making him stop just as abruptly as he wanted. He spun around, only to gag and gasp loudly as felt a hoof collide with his lower stomach. Ribs cracked from inside of his body as Zephyr’s head snapped to the side, courtesy of Nightmare Moon’s right hoof colliding with his face.

He spat out some blood and teeth, and was about to look at her again, only to feel a searing pain in his neck. Zephyr wasn’t even given the chance to scream before he felt his blood, along with something else, being drained. Looking off to the side, he saw that Nightmare Moon had her fangs pierced into his neck, with blood flowing from his neck and down his shoulder.

‘Oh Faust…sweet Faust above, she’s sucking my blood!’ Zephyr thought in between gasps. He tried to struggle out of her grip, but Nightmare Moon’s magical and supernatural physical grip rendered him all but immobile. ‘Is she a fucking vampire or something?!’

The feeling of Nightmare Moon’s fangs ripping out from his neck ceased all other thought in Zephyr’s mind, and he cried out as his blood spurted from his neck. She then stabbed him in his stomach with one of her wing claws before throwing him into the air. With a graceful spin, she kicked him in his armored chest, sending him spinning through the air and crashing to the ground.

“Zephyr!” Twilight and Goku shouted as they rushed over to the fallen guard. Twilight shied away upon seeing the blood on the stallion, but Goku ignored it completely as she cradled Zephyr in her arms. “Zephyr, are you alright baby?! Come on, say something!”

Zephyr coughed up more red fluid, one of his hooves coming to the piercings on his neck, just below his Adam’s apple. “Faustdammit…I can’t believe she just went and sucked my blood like that. I was so not expecting her to pull that kind of trick.”

Goku grabbed Zephyr’s hoof and pulled it away from his neck to get a good look at the piercings on them. Her eyes narrowed when she saw them, and couldn’t help but notice that there was something off about it. The puncture wounds were pretty jagged, with the two holes barely visible with more meet showing than blood. It gave her the sneaking suspicion that Zephyr’s blood wasn’t quite what Nightmare Moon was aiming for.

“Um, Zephyr…” She said softly. “I don’t think it was your blood that Nightmare Moon was aiming for when she bit you.”

“W-why do you ask that?” Zephyr asked perplexedly. “S-she had gotten me in my neck, so what reason would she have not to drink my blood?”

“Who cares why the fuck she wanted to drink from you like you were whiskey?!” Rainbow Dash asked, flying above the two flyers. “We need to get Firestreak and the other foals the hell out of here before Nightmare Moon decides to bury us alive!”

“R-rainbow is right!” Rarity nodded as she fought to compose herself. “We need to get the foals away from here! It’s no longer safe; the sooner we get them somewhere that is, the better!”

Snowflake nodded. “Right, let’s go-”

A high-pitched scream suddenly stabbed its way into the girls’ ears, and they looked to the source to see Fluttershy still on the balcony. She was currently looking over it, a look of terror and fear that only a parent or older sibling could have looked down below her. Following where her gaze was, they all found themselves screaming as well when they saw where Nightmare Moon was now. She was currently hovering in front of the stage, right in front of miniature herd of foals that looked to be trying to get behind the curtains. That, however, was not the only that had Goku, her sisters, Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie looking like they were gonna have heart attacks.

It was the fact that Sheton, Spike and the fillies were at the very front of the group.

Zephyr’s inside’s twisted. “Oh no…oh hell to the no!”

All eight foals could be currently seen hugging each other, fear plastered on their little faces, with some of them openly crying. Only a couple of them, those being Spike and Firestreak, showed some bit of defiance, but even their fear could not be unmasked. The only one who looked to be composed was Sheton, who stood at the very front of the group. His large feathered bat wings were spread out in front of them, acting like a shield to keep them from the mare in front of them. His eyes stared straight into Nightmare Moon’s, doing his very best not to waver of falter into her piercing gaze, although he was absolutely petrified.

Nightmare Moon’s gaze bore right back down at thestral colt with a look that could only be described as curiosity. She didn’t know why, but there was something about Sheton that irked something within her. Something that made her feel as if there was something familiar about him, even though she was literally seeing him for the first time. Unbeknownst to her, Sheton was thinking the same thing, but was unable to think on it for too long before the alicorn finally spoke.

“Well, look at this…I wasn’t expecting a little thestral to be here tonight.” Nightmare Moon crooned, looking over each and every tear-eyed foal. “I had assumed that there were all still resigning in their beloved forest. It looks like I was wrong…then again, I did see another thestral here…not that I’m upset by that.”

“WHAT TH’ HELL DO YA THINK YER DOIN’?!” Applejack shouted, rage filling her as her nostrils flared. “YA GIT AWAY FROM THEM RIGHT NOW!”

“Applejack, stop!” Midnight yelled, but was too late in stopping the farmer as she charged at Nightmare Moon from behind. Without even turning to look back at her, Nightmare Moon’s tail skirt lashed out and struck her across her chest, leaving a vicious slash. Applejack cried out as she was sent flying and colliding right into Midnight, who immediately caught her and set her back down. Looking back up at Nightmare Moon, her eyes widened with fear when she saw Nightmare Moon encase herself and the foals in a large forcefield of magic.

“NO!” Fluttershy screamed out desperately, flying down and pounding her hooves against the shield. “Scootaloo!”

“P-p-please, d-don’t hurt us!” Sheton squeaked, finally finding the strength to speak. “W-we won’t do anything to y-you, j-just p-please, please don’t kill us!”

“Kill you? Now what would give you such an idea like that, young one?” Nightmare Moon asked, her tone both playful and incredulous. None of the other foals answered, but they didn’t need to, for they were too scared to say anything else at the moment. “Oh wait, I know…it’s because you saw what I did with that stallion back there. That’s what this is about isn’t it?” She chuckled, the sound doing nothing to match with her dark appearance. “Don’t worry my precious little children, I’m not going to lay a hoof on any of you~.” She reached out and gently stroked Sheton’s cheek, and his shivered from the cold feeling of her horseshoes. “You’re all far too innocent for me to do something like that, and besides…I’m not one to cross a line like that.”

“Not one to cross the fucking line? Are you fucking shitting me right now you bitch?!” Firestreak demanded lowly, growling heatedly. “We just saw you go up to Queen Celestia and stab her right through the fucking stomach! How can you look us in the eyes and saw you didn’t cross the line?! Huh?!”

“You misunderstand me, my feisty little dear.” Nightmare Moon corrected calmly, pulling her hoof away from Sheton. “What I meant, is that even if I was going on a murderous rampage, I’d never bring myself to harm a helpless foal. I may be a monster, but even I have my limits when it comes to eradicating certain unwelcome individuals.”

“Tch, not from where I’m standing I don’t.” Firestreak hissed. “And speaking of which, why don’t I give you another line like that guard gave you!”

“Firestreak, NO!” Apple Bloom cried, leaping through the air and grabbing the enraged crimson filly by the tail. Firestreak cried out as she collided into her friend, feeling her forelegs wrap around her barrel tightly. “Are you insane?! Git yer hide back down here and clam down!”

“No! Let me fucking go Apple Bloom, before I burn you to ashes!” Firestreak yelled, glaring down at the farm filly. She pulled herself away from Apple Bloom harder, but the filly had an iron grip on her. “Dammit, is said let me go you ass!”

“She said no, Firestreak!” Spike protested hotly. “We’re not going to let you get yourself killed! The only way we can even attempt to get out of this is if we don’t make her angry!”

“I’d listen to your little scaly friend if I were you.” Nightmare Moon suggested, making the foals look back at her immediately. “You wouldn’t want to make your dear Lunar Queen angry and have her drink from you, or give you her famous glare, would you?”

Sheton paused, looking at the alicorn with a bit of confusion and shock. ‘What…did she just say?’

“Nope, nope! Absolutely not, nope! We really, really, really don’t!” Melon Cake squealed, shaking so violently it looked like she was having a seizure. “Because we know that you’ll blast us into oblivion if we tried that! O-or even freeze us to death!”

“…Well, maybe if you were actual threats I may, but, like I said, you are only mere foals, so I could never do that.” Nightmare Moon said dryly, smirking in amusement as she looked back down at Sheton. “I must say, I am quite surprised to see a little fledgling here in a town as sun-adoring as this one. I would’ve expected your family to have stayed within the darkness from which you originated. It would seem that changed over the past thousand years.”

By his own bravery, or naivety, Sheton gulped and said. “W-well…m-me and my family w-weren’t really b-born in any d-dark places. At least…n-not my sisters and my f-father…m-my mother w-was born s-somewhere kind of dark though. H-hollow Shades, I-I think it was called…”

“Hollow Shades…now that is a place that is quite familiar to me indeed.” Nightmare Moon murmured, memories of that population filling her mind. “And I take it that you’ve never been to that place before? Or rather…the place where it originated long before my banishment.”

“Y-you mean where Hollow Shades is?” Sheton asked, his confusion slowly beginning override most of his fear. “I-I know where it can be found, b-but I’ve never been to where it was found, along with any of the other bat ponies. I haven’t even really heard of it until recently w-when my Mom told me about it.”

“Is that so…?” Nightmare Moon said quietly, hanging her head and mulling over the colt’s words for a second or two. “In that case…why don’t you like to accompany me on a little…trip?”

Crescent Shield shivered, a horrible thought entering her mind. “A…t-t-trip?”

“Yes, a little adventure to a place that I am soon planning to claim as my own. Where many of this little fledgling’s kind can be found.” Nightmare Moon nodded, calmly landing in front of the foals, still looking pointedly at Sheton. “If you agree to come with me, I won’t dare harm a single hair on any of your little heads, that I can promise you.” She leaned in close so they could see the glinting power in her slitted eyes. “Should you resist…well, I still won’t physically harm them, but they will face quite dire consequences, and I can see that you don’t want that.”

“What makes you think we’ll let him go anywhere with you?!” Firestreak shouted, hovering up to press her muzzle against Nightmare Moon’s. “After what you did, you think we’re going let you take our friend away from us?! I have the mind to take that helmet and shove it up your fucking-”

That was all Firestreak was able to say before Sweetie Belle encased her with her magic and slammed Firestreak into the ground. “Firestreak, stop it now! You are this close to getting us all drained of our blood, our horns broken, and our wings torn off! So, unless you want all of us to become shriveling husks, please don’t say anything else!”

“Very good little filly…you know exactly when to hold your tongue, even in the face of divine royalty. Whoever is your guardian or relative raised you quite well…” The sin black alicorn chuckled, looking to be impressed. Her eyes once again locked onto Sheton’s, who had not looked away from her the entire time. “So, I take it that you’ve agreed to my terms, little fledgling?”

Sheton sucked in a breath, feeling his fangs pierce his lower lip to the point where it nearly made them bleed. On one hoof, he did not want to go anywhere with the legendary mare he believed to be real the second he had heard about her, and her origins. He wanted nothing more than to go to his sister, encase himself in her arms, and let her take him away from this nightmare. On the other hoof, he was deeply concerned for the safety of his friends, even if some of them had only met just hour prior to all this. Although he was fearful of his fate, the fate of his friends was even greater than that, and the last thing he wanted was for Nightmare Moon to harm them in any way.

‘If I go with her, she’ll get to have me, but she’ll leave Crescent Shield, Spike, and the others alone here with their sisters. If I don’t, she may leave me alone, but the same won’t be said for the rest of them.’ He thought, glancing at the angry, scared, and sobbing fillies behind him. ‘Either way, I don’t really know if I’ll be okay, but if it means keeping them safe, then…’

Just as Sheton was coming to his decision, Spike suddenly stepped in front of him and growled at Nightmare Moon. “Oh no, like hell we’re gonna let you take Sheton anywhere! You even think of trying to take him from us, and I’m going to-”

“Alright…I’ll come.” Sheton’s soft voice stopped Spike in his tracks. As if it completely rendered him from speaking anymore. “If…i-if you promise not to harm my friends, t-then, you can take me.”

“Sheton…n-no!” Scootaloo cried in protest. “You can’t go! If you do, then you might never be brought back her again!”

“And if I don’t, she might do something to the rest of you guys too!” Sheton countered back, looking back at the purple maned filly. “L-look just…trust me on this okay, I’ll be okay! A-and besides…” He looked over at the sphere, where his sisters were looking at him with fear and concern. “…I-I know that I’ll be saved eventually, by the best sisters in the world.”

“B-but Sheton…w-what if…” Sweetie sniffled. “What if you…”

“I won’t.” Sheton stated, holding a hoof out, but not looking at the alabaster filly. “I’ll be okay…I know I will. What matters to me is that you all are okay, and that you’re not put through what I may be put through, okay?”

Melon Cake whimpered, her lip quivering as her soft green fur gained a bluer shade. ‘He’s so brave…!’

Spike and the rest of the fillies looked like they were going to protest themselves, but were kept from doing so they heard Nightmare Moon laugh. “My, isn’t this just a touching sight? You willing to go with me to keep the rest of your dear friends safe? I must say, that is quite…noble of you to do…wise even, for a colt so young.” She flared her wings as she towered over the foals, her wingspan almost completely obscuring them from view. “Such an act like that cannot go unrewarded in my eyes, not at all. And for putting such an act of bravery, I will allow your sweet little filly friends to accompany you on your quest with me!”

“WHAT?!” The six fillies, minus Spike, screamed.

“W-wait a minute, hold on!” Sheton shouted, holding his hooves out. “Y-you said that if I came with you, y-you wouldn’t do anything to my friends! D-don’t tell me you’re going back on your promise!”

“You’re misunderstanding me my dear, don’t jump to conclusions so quickly. I specifically stated that if you did as I ordered, then I wouldn’t do anything harmful to them. You agreed, so I am keeping merely my promise is all.” The Dark Queen stated calmly and patiently. “All I was merely stating was that I would allow your friends to join you and I on my journey to my old home. Since you’ve shown quite the admirable act of bravery and nobleness that no other foal would’ve been able to do, I feel it is only right that I show you some how much I commend you on that.”

‘No…no no no no no no! This is not how I wanted it to go!’ Sheton thought fearfully, feeling his legs about to give out from under him. ‘T-they were supposed to stay here, w-while I went with her! I-if she takes them with me too, then…oh Faust what do I do now?!’

“Well, it looks like we’ve about wrapped up this little arrangement.” Nightmare Moon said, giving a satisfied nod. “I say we should go on and leave this accursed place now. Just a little warning, you may want to hold on tight, for this right may get a little bit…bumpy.”

“You’re the one who’s going to feel bumpy when I’m through with you!” Spike said as he leapt in front of the others, flaring his massive wings. “Take this!”

Opening his fanged mouth wide, he shot a blast of green flames the same color as his eyes right at her, aiming for her face. Nightmare Moon smirked and simply ignited her horn, letting her magic clash with Spike’s flames and swallow them up. The mulberry dragon cried out in pain as he was sent flying, going abruptly silent as Nightmare Moon kicked him into her shield.

“Spike!” Sweetie Belle cried, her stomach churning as Spike fell to the floor with a wet thud.

“There, that takes care of the involuntary interruption.” Nightmare Moon murmured, blowing at her horn. “Now then…shall we get going?”

With an echoing hiss, Nightmare Moon morphed into a stream of twinkling mist that wrapped around the screaming foals. This action caused the shield to dissolve, and Nightmare Moon wasted no time in making her escape from the Town Square. The girls, who were banging themselves against the shield the entire time, found themselves blown back when the shield was no longer activated. They quickly recovered, and turned to see their crying siblings reaching out to them as they flew out into the sky.

“GIRLS!” The five other mares screamed, scrambling to their hooves.

“SHETON!” Goku bellowed, feeling her heart stop and shatter at the same time. She felt herself nearly reduced to tears upon seeing her brother, crying and reaching out to her desperately. It was so overpowering that she found herself spreading her wings and flying after them. “YOU GIVE THEM BACK NOW!”

Her hoof reached out to grasp at Sheton’s, and the colt eagerly held his own out, praying silently that she’d be able to reach him in time. Goku was mere inches form him, when an ethereal bolt of magic suddenly slammed into her, making her go bug-eyed and gasp in pain. Then, she felt herself zooming through the air and crashing into Zephyr, who screamed when he felt his wounds react to the impact.

“No, big sister!” Sheton wailed as he and the fillies all vanished into the twinkling black sky. “Help us!”

Goku coughed and wheezed violently, one of her hooves reaching out to her brother’s fading figure. “No…S-Sheton…!”

Just behind the tan thestral mare, her five friends were going through their own phases of shock, still trying to take in what they had just occurred. They stood there, trapped in their stupor for what seemed like hours, before they finally let their swirling emotions be known.

“Dammit…Faust-motherfucking-dammit!” Rainbow all but screamed as lightning burst out from her body. “That bitch…she took Firestreak, she fucking took Firestreak!”

“Melon…Melon…Melon, Melon, MELON!” Pinkie wailed loudly, running around the group on her hindlegs, while her forelegs held her head. “MELON CAKE IS GONE! MY SWEET LITTLE MELON CAKE IS GONE! WHAT DO WE DO, WHAT DO WE DO, WHAT DO WE DO?!”

Applejack growled, repeatedly slamming her forehooves into the ground. “Apple Bloom…Apple Bloom…” She said through clenched teeth as her eyes slammed shut. “Sweet Faust, APPLE BLOOM!”

“Sweetie Belle…my little Sweetie Belle…she has been foalnapped! Stolen from me!” Rarity whimpered softly, her lower lip quivering as her tears stained her face with mascara. She began to hyperventilate, and her hooves came to her chest as her breathing quickly escalated. “This isn’t happening, this isn’t happening, this isn’t happening, this isn’t happening! This. Is. Not. Happening. To. Me!”

“No…no…no no no no no, please no!” Twilight whispered as she looked up into the sky, Spike cradled in her forelegs. “C-C-Crescent Shield…is…g-g-gone! S-s-she’s…she’s gone!”

Spike sniffled quietly, a pained and anguished cry leaving him as he gripped one of Twilight’s forelegs. He said nothing, but the look on his face spoke volumes, more so than any other words that he could’ve said.

As the other mares verbally expressed their rage and sadness at what had transpired, Fluttershy fell to her haunches, her wings falling to her sides. Her long pink mane covered the tears falling from her horror-filled eyes as they dropped onto the floor in a puddle. The mare’s entire body shook as if she was in the middle of a blizzard, trying to comprehend what had just happened to her…to her friends. Their sisters…they sweet beloved little sisters were all foalnapped, even Goku’s little brother, who she had just met. It happened right before her very eyes, and she couldn’t do anything to stop it. She could only watch as her sister and her friends cried and cowered under the Dark Queen’s presence, before she whisked them all away.

‘Scootaloo…my sweet baby sister…I’m so sorry!’ She thought, her breath hitching in her throat as her eyes slammed close. She tried desperately to keep the sob in her throat form escaping, but it got out anyway. ‘I-I…I couldn’t save you! I couldn’t protect you from Queen Luna-no…from Nightmare Moon! I just watched as she took you away from me!’ She beat the floor with a pink hoof as she buried her face in her hooves, her tears running down her eyes faster. ‘What kind of a big sister am I?! I…I’m such a disgrace; an absolute disgrace!’

All of the girls suddenly heard the sound of a hoof meeting the floor, followed by the chirping of lighting, making them look up. They all gasped up seeing Zephyr up on his feet, with Goku using one of her wings to support him.

“Girls…get ahold of yourselves, please.” He all but begged, ignoring the blood dripping from his neck. “I know you’re all upset right now, but we can’t waste time in-”

“Upset, upset?!” Rainbow Dash yelled furiously, her magenta eyes blazing. “We’re more than fucking upset, Zephyr! We just saw our fucking sisters get kidnapped in front of us! After seeing some shit like that, we are more than fucking upset, dammit! We are fucking scared out of our minds, you fucking dumbass!”

“I just say my darling little sister get taken right before my very eyes!” Rarity hissed, a snarl morphing on her muzzle. “You really expect me not to freak out?! I think not!”

“I know that, and that’s why you need to calm down! All of you!” Zephyr shouted, his tone becoming firmer and more powerful as his brows furrowed. Goku paused when she felt the authoritive tone make its way into her friends’ voice, one that can only be gained by a leader of an army. “Are you really going to get anywhere by beating yourselves up over not protecting your sisters?! If you do that, then you’ll only waste more time in our efforts to try and save them! I’m not saying you shouldn’t be concerned, but I am saying to not let that overwhelm you! If you do, you’ll only increase the chances of your sisters and Sheton getting hurt, or worse!”

This made the six mares pause as Zephyr’s words of wisdom implanted themselves in their minds, making them stop in their emotional tirade. Before they could say anything, Fluttershy suddenly appeared in front of them, having managed to regain her senses again.

“Z-Zephyr’s right girls, we cannot afford to freak out right now!” She said firmly, flaring her wings as if to keep them from harming the stallion. Her face still streamed with tears, but her eyes burned with a determination that made the other mares reel back a bit. “W-we need to calm down and think this through, and not do anything reckless! We’ll only make this harder for us than it already is, so please…” She bit her lip as she whimpered. “…please, calm yourselves.”

Those words, combined with the authoritive tone and heartbreaking expression on Fluttershy’s face was all that was needed to make the others clam down. Although they now had more control over themselves, their faces were still contorted into rage and sadness. Fluttershy could hardly blame them, and she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t scared out of her mind right now.

“Good, that’s much better…I’m glad you got yourselves back under control.” Goku sighed, not breaking away from Zephyr. “Now, first things first…we need to get to Celestia. Odds are she’s still up on that balcony laying in a pool of her own blood, so we need to get her some medical attention, quickly.”

Twilight gasped in realization, her tears flying from her eyes as she whipped her head to face Goku. “Oh no, I completely forgot about that! Do you think she’s okay?!”

“W-we don’t know…” Applejack replied lowly before Goku could respond. “She did get hit pretty hard by that varmint, not t’ mention she was electrocuted. Ah don’t anypony could git up from somethin’ like that.”

“Well, I ain’t gonna sit around and wait!” Rainbow Dash said, turning to the balcony where Celestia lay. “I’m going up!”

None of the other girls tried to stop her as they and zephyr made their way to Celestia, temporality ignoring the commotion down below. When they came upon her form, they all gasped upon seeing her body on top of a pool of her own blood. She looked completely unresponsive, and were it not for her rising and falling barrel, she would’ve surely looked dead.

“H-how…” Pinkie gulped. “…how bad is it?”

Fluttershy slowly hovered down in front of Celestia, paying no mind to the blood that covered her mane, tail, and hooves. Leaning down, she gasped when she saw the state of the wound, along with where it really was.

“I…I can see the injury.” She said, her soft voice carrying a hint of surprise. “It’s…not in the spot where we had all presumably thought it was. It’s actually in the upper part of her stomach, and not her chest where we had assumed.”

“W-wait, really?” Twilight asked with a pause, hope filling her. “S-so she didn’t get stabbed through the heart?”

“If she was then her chest regalia would’ve been shattered to pieces.” Zephyr replied, gesturing to Celestia’s golden regalia. “Nightmare Moon must’ve known she’d never be able to get Celestia in her head, so she resorted to another tactic that was within her reach. Along with adding a devastating electrical shock in the process.”

“That…makes sense Ah guess.” Applejack murmured, looking at Zephyr, and back down at the swan white alicorn. “So…whose gonna try t’ wake her up?”

A wet cough made all of them flinch, and they looked down to see Celestia slowly shifting in the blood she currently lay in. Their shock and disbelief kept them from keeping her down as Celestia slowly shifted herself onto her side, her eyes struggling to open.

“Oh…by the creator herself…that’s going to leave quite the mark.” She said to herself as her vision finally came into focus. When she looked up, she found herself looking into the misty violet eyes of her protégé. “T-Twilight…is that…?”

“Queen Celestia!” Twilight wailed, racing over and wrapping her forelegs around Celestia’s neck and hugging tight. “You’re alive…thank goodness your alive!”

“Twilight, please, don’t just jump on her like that!” Fluttershy cried, gently pushing the unicorn off of her mentor. “You could aggravate the hole in her stomach by making her move around so much…”

Twilight’s ears went back, realizing her mistake, but Celestia spoke before she could try to apologize. “No, it’s fine girls, I was not hurt too much, but I thank you for being so concerned about me.”

“Your Majesty, we need to get that wound looked at right away!” Rarity urged frantically. “You’re losing so much blood by the minute, and you could die if you lose more!”

“I am aware of that Rarity; you do not have to worry.” Celestia said, raising a hoof. “I…I-I have a healing spell that will help me recover from the strike Nightmare Moon inflicted on me. Despite the graveness of it, my magic will be more than enough to heal it.”

Without another word, her horn lit up in its golden yellow glow, and enveloped her body in its beautiful aura. The alicorn jumped at the feeling, but soon relaxed, finding the sensation to be very soothing and comforting, as if she was being held in the loving embrace of her mother. She closed her eyes as the magic did its work, feeling the pain where Nightmare Moon had struck her slowly begin to recede. The tightness in her chest and stomach slowly began to disappear, allowing her to breath more easily. A minute later, the magical aura disappeared with a sharp ‘poof’, allowing the girls to look at her stomach. Their eyes widened in amazement when she saw the hole in her stomach were gone, with nothing, not even a scar remaining.

“There we are…that should cover it.” Celestia said mainly to herself, not looking the least bit winded. She looked over at the girls, and frowned a bit upon seeing the looks of fear and the tears staining their faces. “What is the matter my little ponies? You all look like you had seen spirits.”

“Queen Celestia…if all we saw was a fucking ghost, then we’d be nowhere near as scared as we are now.” Goku said softly as dark tone lacing her voice. “No…what we just saw happen in front of us is worse than anyghost that could scare us!”

Celestia tilted her head, confusion lacing her regal face. “I’m afraid that I don’t understand Goku.”

“Q-Queen Celly…i-it was our sisters…!” Pinkie whimpered, her whole body turning a deep blue, her similarly colored eyes gaining a darker shade. Her mane and tail dropped as well, to the point where they had become gentler waves. “Nightmare Moon…s-she…she foalnapped our sisters!”

“N-not just them either.” Twilight gasped, taking quick breaths as her eyes shook. “Sheton was also taken with them too!”

“She what?!” Celestia gasped, shock and terror filling her lavender eyes as she looked each of the mares in their faces. “Is…is this true?!”

“Ya better believe it’s true…we saw it happen with our own two eyes.” Applejack muttered, the bang of her golden mane shadowing her eyes. “That…bitch took Apple Bloom, Sheton an’ th’ rest o’ them lil’ fillies right in front o’ us! We heard them all screamin’ an’ cryin’ an’ beggin’ us t’ help them, a-and…we couldn’t do nothin’.” Her hindlegs lifted into the air and slammed into the armrest of balcony, destroying it. “We couldn’t do a damn thing about it!”

“It’s not that you couldn’t, it’s that Nightmare Moon didn’t let you do anything.” Zephyr stated softly, putting a claw on Applejack’s shoulder. He turned to his Solar Queen as his muzzle morphed into a serious glare. “What they’re saying is true your Majesty, Nightmare Moon had taken all seven of the foals and took off into the night. I don’t know where she took them, but I know that where she’s taking them, cannot be safe…at least not for them.”

“Wait…seven?” Celestia asked, looking over at Zephyr. “Don’t you mean eight?”

“N-no, he means seven.” Fluttershy replied before Zephyr could. “Spike was with them as well, but he tried to defend them against Nightmare Moon, but she overwhelmed him. A-after that, she…s-she took S-S-Scootaloo a-and the rest of her f-friends w-with her.” One of her wings wrapped around the aforementioned dragon as he cried into her chest. “H-he’s…not taking it very well.”

“I-I tried…I tried so hard to d-defend them.” He said angrily through clenched his teeth. “B-but…s-she was just too strong. S-she threw me off…l-like I was a damn ragdoll!”

Twilight frowned sympathetically at him, feeling herself about to cry again. ‘Oh Spike…’

“I never imagined things would escalate to that level.” Celestia said, staring at the ground, the reflection in her pool of blood looking back at her. “I expected Nightmare Moon to have me as her first target, but for her to take innocent young ones as well…” She snorted lightly and shook her head, spreading her wings as she looked at the girls again. “I’m afraid that this situation as gotten more dire than I thought it had become.”

“Understatement of the fucking century.” Rainbow snorted, glaring up into the direction where Nightmare Moon had gone. ‘Just you wait Nightmare Moon…when we reach you, I’m going to sonic rainboom you to kingdom come!’

“Your Majesty, what ever shall we do?!” Rarity cried, looking ready to break down again. “That dastardly mare took our darling little sisters, and Goku’s sweetheart of a brother! How ever are we going to get them back?!”

“…I believe I may know how, but I will need to confirm something first.” Celestia replied, locking her eyes with Goku. “Goku, do you know which direction that Nightmare Moon went when she escaped from the Town Square?”

Goku raised an eyebrow. “Um…well, from what I’m sure off, since Ponyville is south of Canterlot, and the Town Square is north of here, Nightmare Moon went off in the eastern direction.” A deep feeling of dread suddenly wrapped itself in her gut. “W-why do you ask?”

‘Nightmare Moon went east? That’s the direction where-’ A look of horrified realization washed over Celestia’s face as her pupils contracted. ‘Oh…oh no. She’s going there, isn’t she?’

“Q-Queen Celestia…?” Fluttershy asked sensitively, noticing the pale look on Celestia’s white face, and not looking it one bit. “Is…everything alright?”

Celestia shut her eyes, breathing slowly as she resisted the urged to stomp a hoof onto the bloodied balcony. “No…everything is not alright my dear Fluttershy. In fact, now that I have some inkling as to where Nightmare Moon has gone, the direness of this situation as worsened tenfold.” She finally replied, her eyes gaining a steel edge to it as she looked over an injured Zephyr. “Zephyr, what is the state of your fellow guards?”

“From what I could see before I engaged Nightmare Moon, it looked as though she may have gravely injured many of them.” Zephyr replied, fighting back a wince. “However, due to the lack of bodies I found where they were taken down, they were still able to get themselves out of harms away before Nightmare Moon got to them. Odds are they’re down their trying to reclaim piece in the Town Square.”

“In that case, go down and try to help them in any way that you can.” Celestia said, gesturing to the crowed down below. “I have some important matters I need to discuss with my faithful student and her comrades. Once I have that cleared up, I’ll come back and get you for a matter more important.”

“At once your Highness.” Zephyr nodded, giving a salute with his wing before diving down to the floor. As the Solar Royal Guard began to aid his fellow guards in the chaos below, Celestia stepped up to her student.

“Twilight, would you be so kind as to show take me and your friends to your treehouse?” She asked calmly, yet urgently. “I have some urgent manners that I’d like to discuss with you, about both Nightmare Moon, and where she’s headed.”

“Um, s-sure, I can take you there.” Twilight replied weakly, hoisting a crying Spike onto her back before wiping away her own tears. “B-but why? W-why do you want us to t-talk there?”

“For one, I feel as I owe you and your friends a bit of an explanation regarding the Dark Queen Nightmare Moon.” Celestia replied, her expression both urgent and grave. “Two…if what Goku told me about Nightmare Moon heading east is true, then I fear that you are all in for the longest, most dangerous night of your entire lives.”

Author's Note

Well...what did I tell you guys huh? What the hell did I tell you all? This chapter was going to be pretty dramatic, at least from my point of view, given what I just made happen :fluttershyouch: . Now, this chapter is one that was more changed than the others, and the induction of Sheton and the fillies was what made me change it. One big reason for this, is because I don't believe I gave Nightmare Moon as many scenes as I did in the last version...or two versions, and that was one of the biggest flaws that I had :facehoof: . So, with the foals being her new guests to her castle however involuntarily, as well as some of her other army that I'm planning to re-include, I'm hoping that I'll be able to fix that part of this new rewrite with this new plan. The second reason is because I felt that combining both this and the explanation about Nightmare Moon was really botch up on my part, and I was also hoping to fix that with this too :raritywink: . I hope you all don't mind that, because that's one of the many brand new changes I'll be making to this, along with their being as much darkness and drama as there is adventure :pinkiecrazy: . Next few chapters will be the second part of the last version of this chapter, along with reinforcement being called and preparations will be made :raritywink: .

Next time: The Main Seven learn of Celestia and Nightmare's history...along with how truly close they are.

Chapter 12 - Tale of the Harbinger of Nightmares

The silence that reigned in the Golden Oaks Library, was only broken by the ticking of the clock able the doorway entrance to its interior. No sound could be heard from within the treehouse, not even the sound of ponies talking could be heard, since there was none in inside at all. Nothing except the sounds of screaming and roaring fire coming from outside the treehouse could be heard. That was soon broken by the sound of echoing magic making itself known inside of the library, followed by it popping moments later. All at once, ten ponies, even of them mares, one a stallion, and the last one an alicorn, appeared inside of the library. Most of them looked winded, evidenced by the fact that six of them looked ready to pass out right there. The last three on the other hoof, the alicorn included, didn’t look to be bothered, but it was not the reason for why they looked to be so distressed.

“Oh fuck, that was one hell of a teleportation spell.” Rainbow Dash gagged, stumbling about as she tried to keep herself form throwing up. “Had I known that it was going to do this to me, I would’ve just opted to fly over here instead.”

“If we let you do that, Twilight wouldn’t have been able to let us all in.” Fluttershy pointed out, using a foreleg to support the other pegasus. “Plus, more time would’ve been wasted trying to come up with a plan to get our sisters back from Nightmare Moon.”

“Ah honestly feel like we’re wastin’ time doin’ this in th’ first place. Ah jus’ wanna go t’ wherever Nightmare Moon is an’ burn her fuckin’ hide for takin’ mah sister.” Applejack grunted, lashing her tail out as it smacked the ground. “Still, if it’ll help us in defeatin’ that mare, then Ah’m jus’ gonna have t’ like it an’ love it. An’ ‘sides, we’ll be able t’ git her faster th’ sooner we git this explanation over with.”

“As much as I feel the same way as you, I’m afraid that we may want to refrain on that Applejack.” Rarity said. “Like Fluttershy said earlier, we can’t afford to be freaking out at a time like this. The best solution is to come up with a plan that will help us in what we’re so anxious to do.”

“You just said what I was about to say Rarity.” Twilight commented, holding Spike with one foreleg as they sat on the floor together. Rarity blushed and was about to apologize, but the other unicorn spoke up again. “Though I do agree with you, so…thanks for speaking up for me I guess.”

“T-thank you for getting us out of there Queen Celly.” Pinkie said, her voice gaining some its cheer back, but not entirely. “I really thought that we were going to be cooped up in there forever. You know, with a super-duper scary scare like that, the last thing I want is to be anywhere near the place where I got that jump scare.”

“Yes, I too am still a bit shaken up by what happened. However, I believe I’ve collected myself enough to explain.” Celestia replied gently, giving the party pony a sympathetic smile. She let out a deep sigh, before slowly sitting herself down on her haunches. “Now before I begin, let me ask you all something…how many of you know the tale of the Mare in the Moon?”

“The tale of the Mare in the Moon?” Applejack repeated quizzically. “What the hay kind of story is that?”

“It’s the ancient tale that dates back to the earlier centuries of the Duo Queen’s rule.” Goku answered, her academic side kicking. “Me, Snowflake, Midnight, and Twilight used to read it sometimes whenever we went to the Canterlot Library when we were fillies.”

“Yeah, it tells of how a mare named Nightmare Moon had threatened to overthrow Celestia and shroud Equestria into everlasting darkness.” Twilight added, memories of the story flashing back into her mind. “Along with Queen Celestia was able to defeat her and bring peace to Equestria once more.”

“Seriously?” Applejack asked, blinking a few times as her thoughts went back to Celestia getting stabbed so quickly and brutally. “Did that really happen t’ th’ Queen?”

“Yes Applejack, everything that Twilight and Goku have read about the story of the Mare on the Moon was true.” Celestia nodded to the farmer. “However, there is one detail that was left out form it. One that I believe will give you all a better understanding of what’s going on.”

“Well, what the hell is it?” Rainbow Dash said impatiently. “If you know why that freak came here and tried to bury everypony in the Town Hall alive, then just come out and say it already!”

“Rainbow! Don’t be so rude to the Queen!” Fluttershy scolded firmly. “We all want to know more about this, but we’re not going to get anywhere if we keep pressuring the Queen! Now sit down, take a breath, and calm down. You will get your answers if you just be patient, alright?”

Rainbow recoiled at the stern glare given to her by the gentle pegasus, seeing a faint flash of orange dance about her eyes. After a moment, she let out a sigh as she sat on her rump, crossing her forehooves as she furrowed her brows. “Fine…”

“Thank you.” Fluttershy said softly, before turning back to the Queen. “I’m sorry about Rainbow Dash your majesty, she’s just a little stressed at the moment.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry for Fluttershy; I wouldn’t expect any of you to not at least be somewhat anxious and stressed out by something like this.” Celestia replied, giving both mares a forgiving smile. “Now, I’m guessing you all know that I’m known as the only the ruler of Equestria, and the raiser of both the sun and the moon, correct?” At almost everypony’s nod, minus Twilight and the thestral, she let out another breath and said, “Well, that’s not entirely true…at least not the last part.”

“What do you mean, Queen Celly?” Pinkie Pie asked innocently, her sadness and fear giving way to inquisitiveness. “You’re the most powerful pony in all of Equestria! You have the power to raise the sun and the moon all on your own! How can anypony else accomplish something like that?!”

Applejack nodded in agreement. “Pinkie Pie has a point; fer as long as me, mah brother an’ sisters can remember, th’ only one Alicorn who’s ever been known t’ do that is you.” She scratched the back of her head as she let out a sigh. “No offense, but Ah have a real hard time believin’ that anypony other than you can do somethin’ like that.”

“I’m not surprised that you think that, Ms. Applejack. Due to how long I’ve ruled Equestria on my own, it would only make sense that ponies would find it hard to accept that there was another pony just as powerful as me.” Celestia nodded. “The sad truth is, there was, and still is, another pony who is on par with my strength. Somepony that I failed to save a long time ago.”

“Whatever do you mean, your highness?” Rarity asked perplexedly with a tilt of her head. “Who could you have possibly failed to save during your extended reign?”

“While it is true that I did raise the Sun and the Moon for over a millennium, at the same time, I wasn’t the only one to do so. Nor was I the only ruler of Equestria since the first day it happened.” Celestia explained, gaining everypony’s attention. “For those of you who don’t know, before I stepped up and took my title as Queen, I had a sister.”

A quiet gasp escaped Fluttershy as her left forehoof lifted off the ground to cover her mouth, her teal eyes widening in shock. Most of her friends weren’t that far behind her, letting out gasps of their own while their jaws dropped. The only ones who didn’t seem shocked were Twilight, Goku, her sisters, and Spike, though even he hd a look of surprised realization on his scaly voice. Celestia noticed this, but before she could question the colt on his lack of shock, Rarity broke the silence.

“I…I’m sorry your majesty. I’m not sure if I heard you right.” She stuttered, regaining her composure after a few seconds. “I could’ve sworn that you just said that you had…a sister.”

“That’s exactly what I said.” Celestia said softly, never once losing her composure. “I had, and still have, in a way, a sister. Going by the name of Luna Nightstalker, the Goddess of the Moon, Protector of Dreams, and Slayer of Nightmares.” Celestia’s eyes closed for a moment, her face becoming somewhat hopeful. “Perhaps if things go as planned tonight, you all may be able to meet her and possibly become friends. Although, you may be quite shocked by why she was banished, and how Nightmare Moon came to be.”

Twilight’s lips pursed in preparation. ‘Here we go…’

“For the last few millennia or so, Luna and I were the ones to rule all of Equestria, keeping any enemy forces from trying to take over the land. As the Queen of the Sun and the ruler of the day, I was in charge of watching over the ponies during the day. While Luna, being the Queen of the Moon and ruler of the night was in charge of watching over the ponies in the realm of dreams.” Celestia said, pointing to the sun symbol on her flank. “Luna and I were both quite efficient in doing these tasks, and sometimes we even took the liberty of doing each other’s royal duties if the other was not able to. There were many trials ahead, and many foes that we had to defeat to make it to where we did. We even felt like we couldn’t continue on, me being the main one; you do tend to think that after a whole three thousand years of ruling.”

She gave a chuckle at these words, followed by the other mares. “Despite our doubts and insecurities, we managed to push through, creating a land of true peace and harmony. We loved our subjects, and they loved us, and for a time, life was perfect. So much that my sister and I didn’t think that it could get any better.” Her smile slowly fell. “Alas, it was not meant to last forever, for darkness came and reared its hideous head once again, coming in the form of my own subjects.”

“Your own subjects?” Applejack asked, taken a back a bit. “What do ya mean by that, your highness?”

“As I have said before, thanks to the many victories we’ve gained, the ponies of Equestria looked to us for protection and guidance. They loved us more than anypony that they’ve ever meet in their own lifetimes.” Celestia explained, looking over at the farmer. “However, there were some who loved one Queen more than the other, possibly a bit too much.”

Fluttershy blinked. “Why is that your majesty?”

“For as long as I can remember, all the ponies of Equestria have loved one part of our roles more than the other. While they basked in the day, they despised my dear sister’s beautiful night. Never once did they stay up to see the moon, or the stars she brought out when the night began.” Celestia said, looking out the window. “Because of this, my sister felt that she was not loved, even with both of us working together to make Equestria into what it is today.”

“Oh my goodness…that sounds positively dreadful.” Rarity said gravelly. “I’m assuming that didn’t bode well with your poor sister.”

“Yes. It also didn’t help that there were ponies whispering behind her back about her, even when they knew she could hear them.” Celestia said, pain flashing gin her eyes. “They saw her as somepony not worthy of being called a Queen, since they usually didn’t see her unless she was with me. They called her a monster, a menace, an unholy manifestation of an equine, every vile thing you can think of…both to her and her guards” Her eyes as her brows furrowed, her voice had a slight undertone of darkness. “Some even said how she was a demon from Tartarus working in the shadows, planning to overthrow me. With her, “abomination of guards”, by her side, so she could take the throne for herself as the only Queen in Equestria.”

Everypony, safe for the thestral trio, all let out shocked gasps, their eyes going wide at this revelation. She could practically feel the disbelief and horror radiating off of them thanks to their combined magic, due to them all being in the same room. For a few moments, none of them spoke, silently taking in what the Queen had said to them about how her sister was treated by their subjects. When the information finally sunk in, a soft and timid voice spoke up to express their horror.

“I…I can’t believe it. All those ponies, they really said all those horrible things about Q-Queen Luna?!” Fluttershy asked disbelievingly. “T-that’s just so…so horrible! Why would anypony say something so cruel?!”

"Yeah! It's not like Queen Luna did anything to them. She didn’t give them any fucking reason to be afraid of her!" Rainbow Dash shouted indignantly with a stomp of a hoof as she snorted through their nostrils. "What the hell gives them the fucking right to treat to her like that?!"

“They were afraid of her, simple as that.” Celestia replied simply. “Ponies fear thins that they cannot understand, and can act on that fear in many ways. My sister just so happened to be the victim of it, and what came along with it. It ate away at her, tore at her heart, and caused her so much pain. It soon came to the point where she practically shut herself out from the world and everypony in it. Every time me, or anypony tried to help, she would push them away and demand them to leave her alone. It went on for months on end, with no stop in sight. I didn’t think that it could get any worse than that.” Her face suddenly darkened again, causing Twilight and a few of her friends to take a few steps back. “That is until it appeared…the foul creature, the Miasma.”

“Miasma?” Rarity asked, tilting her head to the sight. “Your majesty, if I may ask, what is this…Miasma?”

“I-it’s not exactly a what, Rarity. Twilight said softly. “I-it’s more of a who.”

“You know what this Nightmare thing is, Twi?” Applejack asked. “Can ya tell us what ya know about it?”

“Miasma is known to have a form just like that of a pony, having the abilities of all three pony tribes.” Spike explained, a light shiver going down his spine as she hugged herself. “The reason she’s called a nightmare, is for a much more…well, scarier reason.”

“Miasma is known to draw power and feed off of the negative emotions of ponies. Ones like anger, hatred, sadness, depression, and jealously. All those types of emotions and more.” Twilight said quietly. “In other words, the stronger those emotions are, the more powerful it becomes. It continues to feed off of the pony that’s suffering and being tormented by those same emotions, until their nothing more than a shell of their former shelves.” She looked at each of her friends, letting them see the seriousness in her indigo eyes. “However, there’s still one more thing that Miasma needs to do to become completely whole."

“W-what’s that?” Pinkie asked, afraid of what she was going to hear. “W-w-what else d-does she n-need.”

“In order to reach the full height of her power, she needs the body of the pony she’s trying to take control of." Spike explained. "So, she tries to coax them into letting her use their body, filling their minds with lies, false promises that their pain will stop.”

“After that, the victim is no more.” Twilight concluded, her mane shadowing her eyes. “They’ll be forever lost in the very darkness that they gave into, while Miasma uses their body how they see fit.”

The sound of most of the girl’s slow, quiet, yet audible breathing as the only thing that broke through the suffocating silence in the library. None of them said a word as they did their best to comprehend what they had said about the creature Miasma. After another long moment of nopony speaking, sudden burst of laughter broke it, causing everypony’s heads to turn and see that it as Applejack.

“T-that was a good one, ya’ll. That was a real nice joke ya pulled on us there, heheheh.” She said with a smile that was clearly forced. “There’s no way that somethin’ like that could exist, right yer highness?” She asked, hoping that the Solar Queen would agree with her. When her expression didn’t change, the farmer’s smile faltered. “R-right?”

“I’m sorry Ms. Applejack, but I’m afraid that it is anything but a joke.” Celestia replied, looking the Applejack right in the eyes as they widened with horror. “Miasma can feed off of ponies negative emotions, and take control of their bodies. Many ponies have fallen victim to it. And Luna just so happened to be one of them.”

She bit her lip, squeezing her eyes shut tight as she tried not to cry. “She tried, oh how she tried to force Miasma away from her. Sadly, it was a battle that Luna could not win. Her negative emotions were too much for her to handle. By that point, she was willing to do just about anything to stop the pain and the heartache. She eventually became a creature of nightmares. The very same monster in the legend of the Mare on the Moon. The one that I banished to the moon of one thousand years. And the one that you all saw at the Town Square.”

By the time she was finally finished, nearly everypony in the tree house had looks on their faces that ranged between shock, horror, and sadness. They were at a complete loss for words, unable to come up with anything that could properly explain what they were feeling. Nor could they explain the deep seeded pity and sympathy that they felt for their Queen. They didn’t need to, for Celestia could see it by merely looking into their eyes, and she felt her heart fill with sympathy for them. She wished that she didn’t have to dump her sister’s history onto them like that. Still it was necessary in order for them to fully understand why everything had happened, and for her plan to work.

‘Not only that, but I want to see if I have found the right ones to defeat Nightmare Moon.’ The Solar Queen thought, looking pointedly at Goku. ‘That, and see if I have finally found…the one.’

“W-wait a minute.” Pinkie suddenly said, her face making it look as if she had come to a disbelieving realization. “…W-we saw Nightmare Moon foalnap Melon Cake, Sheton, and the rest of our sisters. Q-Queen Celly…a-are you meaning to tell me that…t-t-that…”

“No, no fucking way.” Rainbow Dash breathed, her gaze snapping up from the floor and up to Celestia. “Your Highness, you cannot possibly be telling us that-!”

“Yes. Se is.” Goku said, her soft voice cutting the wide-eyed cyan mare off. “The mare that you saw take your sisters away, was the very same mare that took Queen Celestia’s sister as well. And now, she’s using Queen Luna’s body and her powers to drag them to wherever she’s taken them, so she can instigate her revolt against Celestia, and all of Equestria.”

Applejack fell to her rump, this new revelation robbing her of the strength to stand, her mind swimming as she struggled not to pass out. “Mah Faust an' Father Harvest Saplin' Almighty. This is…this is jus’…Ah can’t believe what Ah’m hearin’ right now.”

“I can’t either Applejack. I’m honestly just as shocked as you are.” Fluttershy said, putting a comforting wing around her. “At this point though, after what we saw just a few minutes ago, I'm willing to believe just about anything right now. Even with the explanation we were given just now.”

“Yes, that was quite the explanation that you gave us, your majesty. I never would’ve thought that you of all ponies would actually have someone related to you at all.” Snowflake said softly. “I will agree with the others either way. It wasn’t fair that your sister had to go through, and it was just downright inexcusable.”

“I’d also like to thank you, for explaining how Nightmare Moon came to be.” Twilight added, her expression morphing into determination. “Now that I’ve heard the tale, and how Nightmare Moon came to be, I know how important it is to not only stop her, but save Luna too! Especially after we saw Nightmare Moon take our sisters away!”

“Sheton as well.” Midnight added. “Don’t forget Sheton too.”

“Um, Twilight darling, not that I don’t admire your determination, but how in Equestria’s name are we supposed to do that?” Rarity asked quizzically. “For one, we don’t know where that dreadful creature that’s taken control of Luna is. Even if we did, we don’t have any of the resources needed to defeat her. You do realize that we are all going against a somepony who is both a creature from Tartarus and an alicorn, do you not?”

At this statement, Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and gave a ruffle of her wings. “Yeah, I think we all fucking got that, Rares. What happened at the Town Square can definitely back up that fucking claim. Still, o you realize that we come from six of the awesomest, most powerful kick ass clans in all of Equestria?”

Goku looked over at her with a raised jet-black eyebrow, causing the cyan mare to recoil and quickly correct herself.

“S-sorry…” Rainbow stammered. “M-make that seven.”

“I suppose you have a point there, dear.” Rarity murmured, her face flushing. “Still, this isn’t some ordinary danger that we can deal with on our own! It will take all the combined power we have just to slow Nightmare Moon down! Even then, we still won’t know how to cure Queen Luna of the monster that plagues her being!”

“Ms. Rarity does have a point. It is going to take all of your combined power to have even the slightest chance of stopping Nightmare Moon in succeeding in her plan.” Celestia said. “Which is why I know of the perfect backup tool that you can all use at your disposal.”

“You do?” Twilight asked, having a feeling that she knew what her immortal mentor was talking about. “What is it?”

“Twilight, I’m sure that upon reading the story of the Tale of the Two Sisters, you, Goku and her sisters all know of the weapons that I used to defeat my younger sister.” Celestia said, looking at her student and the three Kirin sisters expectantly. “The very same ones that I used to banish her to the moon, do you not.?”

“The Elements of Harmony…” Goku whispered as recognition clicked into her eyes. “The Six Gemstones of Harmonia.”

“Th’ Elements ‘o’ what now?” Applejack asked, a look of perplexation on her face.

“The Elements of Harmony. Also known as the Elements of Friendship.” Snowflake said, looking over at Applejack. “They are six legendary weapons that were created by Lauren Faust herself, long before the pony tribes united, each of them representing one aspect of friendship. They are the most powerful weapons in all of existence, completely on par and able to match any dark forces of evil that are thrown at it. Legend has it that they were made specifically for vanquishing all evil and keeping peace in Equestria, no matter what it is.”

“I see. And it’s these weapons in life that keep Equestria free from strife?” Rarity asked, earning a nod from the mountain blue thestral. She blushed a bit at her unintentional rhyme, but she brushed it to the side as she added another thought that entered her mind. “Wait, if these weapons were made by Faust, then why can’t you use the elements yourself, your majesty? Can’t you use it yourself since you are a goddess as well?”

“Well, yes, the Queen can do that if she so pleases. That way, she can save Equestria on her own without us needing to assist her very much if things get too dangerous. Unfortunately, there’s one big problem with that.” Midnight said. “While it’s true that a goddess, can use the Elements of Harmony at will, there is a major setback to that. In order for them to work and reach their full power, there has to be a pony that each represents one of the aspects of friendship. Furthermore, there has to be at least one other pony in order to make the Elements work, and that pony has to be a god or goddess themselves. No single pony can use the Elements of Harmony on their own, even if they are an alicorn. Finally, they have to represent one or more of the Elements as well.”

“That is the number one weakness of the Elements that I did not learn until it was too late when I banished my sister. That they would be rendered useless if just one pony used them, especially by force. It was a lesson that I had to learn the hard way the night that I fought with my sister.” Celestia sighed, backing up Midnight’s story. “Now that Luna and I are no longer connected to the Elements, I’ve had to defend Equestria without their power to help aid me. All the while trying to find ponies that would take my place as Elements’ new bearers.”

“Let me guess.” Goku asked, her expression calm, cool, and collected. “You want us to be new the bearers of the Elements of Friendship?”

“Y…yes, I am.” Celestia replied, lowering her head for what seemed like the fifth or sixth time that night. “I know that I am asking a lot from you all. Believe me, I’d be in the same position if I were any of you and one of you was the ruler instead of me, but... you must understand.”

She looked at them with pleading eyes. “My sister’s life, and fate of all of Equestria hangs in the balance now that Nightmare Moon is free. It is crucial that the Elements of Harmony are found by those who both have the tributes to friendship, and are willing to be their new wielders. It is the only way that they can work against the evil. I won’t force any of you into this if none of you feel that you can do it yourselves, but time is of the essence right now. Just know that if you do, me and everypony else would be eternally grateful to all of you for it. So, I ask not just as the Goddess of the Sun, or Queen of Equestria, but as a fellow pony, will you help protect everypony, help me save my sister, and all of Equestria?”

The whole room went totally silence after that, one that none of the mares in the room replied to immediately. They all stayed where they were looking at one another, silently contemplating whether or not they should accept their Queens offer of helping her stop Nightmare Moon. As well as being the new bearers of the most powerful sources of magic ever known to pony kind, Goku especially. One on hoof, she knew that if she and her friends did accept their Queen’s offer, they would also run the great risk of potentially not only losing the fight, but also their lives as well.

On the other hoof, if they didn’t accept Celestia’s hoof in aiding her in taking down the infamous Mare of Darkness, then she would have to deal with her all on her own. Sure, she may have the help of her Solar Guards, but that probably wouldn’t help much. Plus, if the battle between Celestia and Nightmare Moon was anything like the Tale of the Two Sisters said it was, then they would stand little to no chance against the dark Alicorn’s might. Not without their own powers and the powers of the Elements at their side.

As these thoughts raced through Goku’s mind, it became all too apparent to her what she and her friends had to do in order for all to be safe. Upon seeing the thoughtful looks on her friends and her sisters’ faces, they were all thinking the same thing as well. While none of them new what the future held for them if they agreed to the Queen’s offer, they certainly knew one thing; their lives would never be the same again.

“Queen Celestia…” She began slowly. “We’d be honored to help you save Equestria from Nightmare Moon’s terror and save your sister.”

Celestia paused, her pale lavender eyes growing wide as she stared at the tan Pegasus with her jaw slightly agape. “You…you will?”

“You bet yer royal boot’s we will yer Highness!” Applejack nodded, coming up to the swan white Alicorn with a wide grin. “Ah admit, Ah was a little apprehensive about steppin’ in an’ helpin’ in th’ way that yer askin’. Once you explained everythin’ in full though, Ah can now see just how important it is t’ do so.” A stern expression of determination came to her face as she adjusted her hat over her eyes. “As a member of the Apple family, and the Titan clan, Ah’m willin’ to do whatever it takes t’ ensure that mah family is safe. If that means helpin’ you in savin’ yer sister, Equestria, an’ becomin’ th’ new bearer of these Elements, then Ah’m willin’ t’ do jus’ that! Besides, she ain’t th’ only one that needs savin’ anyway.”

“Yeah! Me too, your highness!” Rainbow Dash said confidently. “Nopony’s gonna just come into Ponyville, attack our Queen, and expect get off without a ass kicking! The least those assholes deserve is a nice good sock across their fucking face, and that Nightmare Moon is no exception! Which will be amplified even more of they mess with Firestreak!”

“As vulgar as the way Rainbow Dash had put her rather loyal statement, I completely agree with her.” Rarity said, a warm expression on her face. “I can’t even begin to imagine all of the pain and heartache that you went through after losing Luna. I certainly wouldn’t how I’d feel or what I’d if that were to happen to my dear little sister…” She winced as the screams of her sister replayed in her mind like a record. “Queen Celestia, I too will assist you tonight. Both in the safety of Equestria and freeing your sister and my own form the monster that has Luna in its vile clutches. If it means that means resorting to more...hooves on tactics, especially when it comes to getting my sister back, then so be it.”

“Hey! Don’t’ forget me, girls! I’m in coming to this party too!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed her body completely turning back to pink. “I want save the day, the sun and Queen Lulu too! This party can’t be complete without Ponyville’s number on party pony in it, let alone Ponyville’s Fun Filly!”

“I’m not usually one for fighting, not when there are other options at hoof for us to settle disputes.” Fluttershy admitted softly as she looked at the ground. “Still, if it’s the only way that I can protect my friends, my family, and save Scootaloo…then I’ll do it!” She said firmly, the crimson eye on her roseray giving a momentary glow. Her own eyes gave off an fiery orange glow, making Celestia freeze for just a moment. “And I will see to it personally that anypony who harms the ones I love will face Faust’s divine judgement!”

“So will I, your highness.” Twilight said as she joined. “As a member of the Sparkle clan, and the slayer of kishins, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep Equestria is safe from evil!” Bursts of electrical magic pulsed around her horn as her irises glowed as bright as the lights in the library. "Even if it means being the next bearer of the very weapons that the Goddess of Ponies herself created to protect this word!"

“Whatever you want us to do, we will do it.” Snowflake said as she and Midnight all came to stand beside their youngest sister. “As members of the Kirin clan, it’s our duty to make sure that our family and all other inhabitants of our land are safe. That includes any other places that is not of the place that our clan and everypony else’s came to be.”

“Mhm!” Midnight nodded, giving Celestia a gentle smile. “No matter who it is, we’ll always be there to keep them from harming the innocent!”

“Yeah!” Spike shouted, bashing his claws together as if they both contained brash knuckles. “I’ll burn them allto crisps!”

Celestia didn’t say anything, just staring silently at all the ponies that were all looking back at her warmly. Throughout her entirely explanation, she honestly thought that they would be too afraid to be up to the task. Even more so, since this was somepony with power that was very easily on par with her own. Against all her expectations, what she was seeing where not ponies who were wanting to hide away inside her homes to avoid the wrath of Nightmare Moon. All seven of these were ponies who were willing to fight to ensure Equestria was safe along with all in it. Ponies that would change all of Equestria for the better, including the one who she saw leading them.

“T...thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me. For you to put your lives on the line like this to save all of pony kind. No words can express my gratitude to you.” Celestia said her face one of gratitude. “If you make it through this, I swear to you, I will do everything within my power to make sure that you are all repaid in full.”

“That won’t be necessary your highness.” Goku said casually with a wave of her hoof. “We’re just doing what anypony would do in a time of crisis. That’s a good enough reward for us.” She giggled, the adorableness behind it melting everypony’s hearts. “Besides, we still have the Summer Sun Celebration to look forward to after this after we save my brother and all of his new friends. I’d say that’s an added bonus to our hard work, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Hmhm, yes. I suppose you do have a point there. Still as with the many other heroic ponies I have meet in my lifetime, I don’t allow any good deed to go unrewarded.” Celestia advised with a chuckle as she rose to her hooves. “I believe that we’ve spent enough time here, and it is time to take action. I trust that you know what to do now that I have explained everything to you?”

Everypony nodded, and Celestia let out a relieved sigh. “Then I wish you all the best of luck on your quest for the Elements of Harmony.”

“Wait, you’re not coming with us your majesty?” Twilight asked in bewilderment. “None of us?”

“I’m afraid not, my faithful student.” Celestia said sadly, looking at her protégé. “I must make a trip to Canterlot, back to my castle so that I can prepare for the upcoming battle that is soon to come. I will also be sending my Royal Solar Guards here to watch over the residents of Ponyville while you’re gone, for I have a feeling they’ll need all the protection they can get. I’m sorry, but you will have to search for the Elements of Harmony yourselves...still, even you will be having protection as well.”

“We will?” Twilight repeated, her violet eyes widening in realization a second later. “Oh, you mean Zephyr?”

“Yes, I most certainly mean him.” Celestia replied with a wink. “I did say that I was planning to bring him back here, mainly so he can help to keep you safe. I know that may seem a bit unnecessary, but trust me, it will be vital for where I believe you will be going.”

“Uh, are you sure about that your Highness?” Rainbow asked skeptically. “No offense, but that guy didn’t really seem all that strong to me. I mean, sure he was able to last longer than all of those other guards, but like, he was taken down with just a couple of hits. Is he really the one that you want to come with us to let us know of any danger?”

The next thing Rainbow knew, Goku’s tail was lashing out and wrapping tightly around her neck, as if it was a lasso around a bull’s neck. She was then yanked down to the ground and forced to look right into the eyes of the tan thestral.

“Rainbow Diana Dash Wisp Stargazer, I will have you know that Zephyr Dragon Shield Shenron is one of the most elite Solar Guards in the entirety of Queen Celestia’s Day Branch.” She said firmly, her cat like golden eyes burning into the cyan mare’s frightened ones. “There is a reason why he is named Third in Command of that very same branch! Because he has what it takes to lead, to fight, and to do all that he can to protect his comrades and the innocent! He has the skills, and the brains and the level head to do it, and more than enough power to protect both himself, and those around him. Besides my parents, me, my sisters, and eventually, my brother, he has more power than any of us combined than you have in your own two hooves, and if you saw the power than he shows during training, you wouldn’t dare say what you did just now.”

Goku towered over Rainbow Dash, her ears pinned as she bared her fangs. “He may have been taken out with just one or two hits, but that was only because Nightmare Moon lucky! I can guarantee you, that the next time he meets Nightmare Moon, he’s going to stand a much better chance against her, even if she is an alicorn! Now, I’ll let what you just said about Zephyr slide just once, but only because your first impression wasn’t the best. However, the next time you have anything to say about him, save it until after you’ve seen him in action! Or else your fur is going to be a much lighter color of blue. Is that clear?!”

Rainbow Dash paled. “C-crystal!”

After giving her another hiss, Goku unwrapped her tail from Rainbow Dash’s neck, allowing her to go free as the latter backed away fearfully. Taking a deep breath, she turned to Twilight and the others with a far softer expression. “Anyway, I agree with Celestia; Zephyr should be the one to come with us and protect us on our quest. No offense to the other Royal Guards but, I’m not exactly as comfortable around them as I am around him. I’d feel a lot safer if it was him and him alone that went in with us while we find the Elements.”

“Same here; besides Goku, her family, my parents, Crescent Shield, Spike, and Moondancer, Zephyr was one of the only r friends that I ever had while living in Canterlot.” Twilight nodded firmly. “No other pony besides them has made me feel safer and more protected, and I feel like it will be really essential in this situation.”

“Are you sure that it’s not because you wanna have your coltfriend around you more?” Rainbow Dash teased, smirking at the lavender Unicorn. “Or maybe because you wanna use this hear adventure so you two can have a little night of-”

“Don’t you dare finish that damn sentence!” Twilight cried, her cheeks rapidly heating up as she glared daggers at the pegasus. She took a deep breath to calm herself before turning to the others, ignoring Rainbow Dash’s snickering. “Anyway, is there anypony here that objects to this idea?”

“Of course not, darling.” Rarity replied, smiling comfortingly at the librarian. “You’re just taking every measurable precaution to ensure that we all survive the dreadful adventure that’s about to take place. So, if you feel that we should have one of the Queen’s Royal Guards come with us, then we shall not object to it.”

“Ah don’t either.” Applejack nodded. “Th’ more help we have, th’ easier this here quest will be for us all. Ah believe having a member o’ Queen Celestia’s Guard helpin’ us will be a might dandy.”

Snowflake smiled in approval. “With Zephyr with you, I know it will.”

“I’m on board with having a guard with us too, but there’s still one thing we don’t know at the moment.” Fluttershy said hesitantly. “We have no idea where those Element things are, let alone where Nightmare Moon is. Though, if I didn’t know no any better, she’ll be heading for the very place were the Elements are being kept so she can keep us from finding them.”

Pinkie gasped loudly. “You don’t think that’s where she’s heading do you?!”

“There’s only one way to know for sure dear Pinkie Pie…and I think I know just the pony who may know the answer.” Celestia replied, looking over at Twilight. “Twilight, if I remember correctly, I let you take the book telling about the Elements of Harmony the day you went to Ponyville about four years ago, do you not? That’s another even more useful tool that you can use at your disposal, since it also explains where the Elements are, wouldn’t you agree?”

Twilight didn’t reply to her mentor’s question. Instead, her ears flattened as she lowered her head and nervously pawed at the ground with her hoof. This took everypony by surprise, and they couldn’t help but voice their curiosity on it.

“What’s matter, Twilight?” Fluttershy asked softly, her face morphing into one of concern. “Is there something troubling you?”

“Um…no…I mean—well…yes. Y-you see, your Majesty…” Twilight began nervously. “I…don’t know where the book is.”

Celestia blinked, wondering if she had heard the lavender Unicorn correctly. “I’m sorry?”

“I don’t know where it is.” Twilight repeated, her voice slightly louder. “I know that it’s somewhere in these bookshelves, but I can’t really remember exactly which shelf I put it in. I’ve looked in every last one of them, even before you guys came, but haven’t really been successful, as you can see.” She motioned her hoof to the large piles of books that littered the floor. “It’s somewhere in these shelves, I know it is. But…I just don’t know which one.”

“Is this what your looking for Twilight?” Pinkie Pie’s cheerful bubbly voice asked before Celestia could say anything. The moment she laid her eyes in the earth pony, she felt them nearly bulge out of their sockets. Her whole body whipped around along with her head as her jaw dropped in complete disbelief at what she saw the book in Pinkie’s hooves.

“The Reference Guide to the Elements of Harmony!” She cried, joy, happiness, and relief filling her voice all at once as she galloped over the Pinkie. Twilight moved so fast she slammed into the Pinkie, sending her into one of the bookshelves. “This is the book that we need to help us find the Elements of Harmony!” She snapped her head over to Pinkie, who was picking herself up from off of the ground. “How in the world did you find it?!”

“Heehee, silly filly! Didn’t you look up at the letters above the shelves?” Pinkie Pie giggled as she bounced back over to her friends. “It was under E~!”

Twilight looked up at the bookshelves, taking notice of the large letters that were engraved in each of them. Once Pinkie’s words fully sank into her mind, an embarrassed blush made its way to her face as she weakly murmured, “…Oh.”

“So, this is the book that will help us find what we’re looking for?” Rainbow Dash asked as she flew up next to Twilight and looked at the cover of the book. “Those Element things that the Queen was talking about?”

“Indeed, Ms. Dash. It will tell you everything that you need to know about the Elements of harmony” Celestia nodded as relief washed over her at the book being found. “Though I must warn you, you may a bit taken aback by exactly where the Elements are located. The very place that I fear that Nightmare Moon is going to now”

Fluttershy suddenly froze, a large knot forming in the bit of her gut as she slowly looked over at the Queen. A bead of flowed down her face as her heartbeat quickened in rate as her pupils contracted slightly. ‘No…she can’t mean…that place, can she?!’

“Whaddya mean by that, yer highness?” Applejack asked perplexedly.

“I’m sorry Ms. Applejack, but I am afraid that I cannot explain any further. I have wasted too much time doing so already. I must get back to the Town Square to get Zephyr and bring him here, before I head off to Canterlot to prepare my division for battle.” Celestia said as she ignited her horn. She looked down at Goku, Twilight and everypony else with a smile and eyes full of faith. “Son Goku Kakarot Shenron…I leave the search for the Elements of Harmony in you and your friends’ capable hooves. Good luck, and please…be careful.”

With that, she closed her eyes as the magic around her horn glowed to the point where it covered her whole being. Then, in a flash of pure golden yellow, the Queen was gone, leaving Goku and her friends alone in the library.

“Well…that was quite the regal exit the Queen graced us with, wasn’t it?” Rarity asked after a short silence.

“Well, she is the ruler of all of Equestria. Everything about her is regal, including the way she exits.” Snowflake giggled. “I’d expect no less from the most powerful pony in existence.”

“You’ve got that right, Snowy!” Pinkie Pie giggled. “I gotta admit though. I am reeeeeeeally excited to see Queen Celly go into battle! I’ve heard stories about her fighting in all the battles and wars in the past by my parents, but I never thought I’d actually get the chance to see it with my own eyes!” A rather adorable squeal escaped her lips as she trotted in place, her mane and tail giving little bounces as she did so. “Ooooh, I just know that’s gonna be so AMAZING!!!”

“Ain’t that the truth.” Applejack chuckled as she gave an amused shake of her head at her cousin’s antics. “Anyway, what does the book say ‘bout where these Elements Twilight?”

“Oh, right! Hold on, just give me a couple of seconds.” Twilight replied, snapping out of her embarrassed and returned her attention to the book. Igniting her horn, she encased the Reference Guide in a brilliant raspberry aura and began to frantically flip through the pages. A few seconds later, she stopped in a specific part of the book and began to read. “Ah, here we go! The Elements of Harmony are known to be the most powerful weapons in all of existence, made by the Goddess of the Ponies, Lauren Faust herself. It is said that they are the most powerful sources of magic known to all pony kind, containing power unlike anything ever seen by anypony anywhere, other than the Creator herself. They are the one and only weapons known to withstand against any source of evil. Along with that specific purpose, they’d also keep everlasting peace and harmony in the world.”

“As if we didn’t just find out about that already…” Rainbow Dash murmured dryly

“Don’t interrupt her darling, she’s trying to read.” Rarity said quietly, holding a hoof to her lips. “We are in a library after all…more specifically Twilight’s library.”

The cyan mare snorted softly, but said nothing as she looked away while Twilight continued to read. “According to the Creator herself, there are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known to exist, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty. Nopony knows where the sixth Element, the Element of Magic is, but it is said that it can be activated if the rest of the Elements are there with it. There has also been a saying that, while not officially proven, there is seventh Element of Harmony existing as well.”

‘A seventh Element? Now that’s something even I wasn’t expecting…’ Goku thought, both her and everypony else’s eyes widening at this revelation. A bit of a warm feeling suddenly pumped its way through her, but it was so small that Goku barely noticed it. ‘I wonder, does the Queen know there’s a seventh Element? I’ll have to ask her about it once this is all over…’

“The last known location of the Elements of Harmony was said to have been in the Castle of the Two Royal Sisters, which was abandoned after the War of Day and Night. They have been known to still remain there, unused and undisturbed for the last thousand years, and still to this very day.” Twilight said as she went on reading. “While nopony has ever been there before, other than a select few it is said that abandoned castle is located in what is known as-”

As her eyes trailed down to the last few words, Twilight abruptly stopped reading as her voice caught in her throat. Her eyes slowly widened as the color in her face slowly began to drain, her pupils shrinking to mere pinpricks.

“Twilight, what’s the matter darling?” Rarity asked, pulling herself out from under Fluttershy’s wing and putting a hoof on her friends’ shoulder. “You were about to tell us the location of the Elements. Why did you stop?”

“Yeah, you look like you’ve seen a Windigo or something.” Rainbow murmured, earning her a glare from Fluttershy. “What? She does!”

“No, no…! It can’t! It just can’t be!” Twilight cried as she backed up, her magic going out and letting the book fall to the floor. She only stopped when she felt her rump bump against one of the bookshelves, looking as if she had remembered something horrible. “It’s not possible! It’s just not possible! There’s no way that the Elements can be located there of all places!”

“Now what in the hay or ya talkin’ ‘bout, sugarcube?” Applejack asked quizzically, looking at the lavender Unicorn with a raised golden eyebrow. “Ya jus’ said that the Elements ‘o’ Harmony ‘re located in the two Queen’s abandoned castle. What could be so scary ‘bout it’s location that it makes ya look like yer ‘bout ‘t’ be trampled by a herd ‘o’ fightin’ bulls?”

Goku, who was also curious and concerned about Twilight’s sudden change in demeanor, walked up to the book. Her eyes scanned through the pages, rereading what Twilight had, before coming to the bottom. When she read the last few words, she couldn’t help but let out a gasp as her eyes slowly widened, letting out a low, “Oh dear...”

“What is it, Goku?” Midnight asked gently, taking notice of her youngest sister’s grimacing look. “Did you find what Twilight was looking at?”

“Yeah, think I did. Along with the reason why Twilight is so freaked out.” Goku replied, looking up at the others with a grave expression. “It’s true that the last known location of the Elements of Friendship is in the Castle of the Two Sisters. However, the location of the castle itself is what scared Twilight. According to the book, Queen Celestia and Queen Luna’s castle is located in the one place that nopony’s ever gone to, or ever come out of, if the rumors are true.” She closed her eyes and took a long, slow deep breath, her face one of utter seriousness. “The castle is in…the Everfree Forest.”

Author's Note

Just in case some of you were wondering, this is the second half of the last edited chapter that has been split up from the last version of it. As with all the other times, extended sentences have been shorted, unnecessary paragraphs have been taken out, so the chapter will run much more smoothly than it did before. The biggest, and most obvious change that I've made to this is the fact that I had Sheton and the Cutie Mark Crusaders taken out, with the exception of Spike, since I had them be obducted by Nightmare Moon and taken west of Ponyville, to the Everfree :raritywink: . Still, if anyone sees any of their names inside of there, please let me know, because the last thing I want is for this new chapter is to have one of those foals speaking even though they're clearly not there this time :twilightblush: .

Next time: Zephyr does some last minute saving in the Town Square, and the girls prepare for their adventure into the Everfree Forest :rainbowdetermined2: !!!

Chapter 13 - Preparation for Danger

Derpy Hooves Kindheart Rosario let out a near inaudible groan as she felt herself slowly beginning to come to. The first thing she felt when consciousness returned to her, was that her entire body was screaming. White hot agony washed over her, as if it was a giant wave slowly gathering form the essence of an ocean, ready to crash down into the sandy beach below it. It was so overwhelming that she wasn’t even able to scream, to overcome by the shock of the pain. It started from her head, going all the way down to her legs, her wings feeling like they would snap at any moment. Derpy bit her lip as she cried to keep herself from crying out, and as she attempted to get up, she found herself being pinned to the floor.

“W-what the hell…what is this?” Derpy asked herself, trying to feel for whatever she was laying upon. Or, what was lying upon her at the moment. “I-I can’t move…I can feel something bearing down on me-ow!” She cried when she felt her wing get pierced by something sharp, feeling like it could pierce through it at any moment.

As Derpy did her best to keep herself from getting her wing broke, she looked around in the darkness for any search of anypony. “H-hello? Is anypony out there somewhere?!”

A tiny gasp answered the grey mare’s question, before a filly’s voice cried out. “Mama?! Is that you?!”

“Dinky?!” Derpy cried, her shock making her forget about her pain for a brief moment. “What in the name of Faust herself are you doing here?! Wait, no scratch that, what even happened?!”

“You mean you don’t remember what happened?” Dinky asked, her voice getting closer as she tried to find her mother. “You save me from getting crushed!”

“Save you? Honey, I don’t know what…you’re…” It was at that moment that the events of ten minutes ago began to come back to Derpy. One minute, she was trying to keep her youngest daughter safe from whatever had darkened the Town Square. The next, some of the roof was falling down towards them, heading right for Dinky. Derpy recalled how everything slowed when she saw this happen, how everything seemed to go in slow motion as she went to save her daughter from being crushed. She had succeeded, but not in the part where she could get herself out, not that she was really thinking of herself at the moment. all Derpy was thinking about was saving her little muffin and keep her from getting squashed. While she managed to do that, it didn’t look like she’d be able to get them out of their other predicament.

“Oh…now I remember! You were under those falling chunks of the Town Square, and I tried to save you from getting crushed.” Derpy said as the pieces finally clicked in her mind. “Are you alright muffin? Where are you now?”

“I’m trying to find your voice mama, hold on!” Dinky said, the clopping of her hooves taking her voice’s place a second later. Derpy waited for what was nearly a minute of patience before she began to see a small figure walk towards her in the faint light. When it got close enough to where she could properly make it out, she brightened upon seeing a grayish violet unicorn filly.

“Muffin!” Derpy cried happily as the filly ran over to her. “You’re alright! I thought that you had been hit by one of these wooden chunks!”

“I wasn’t Mama, really, but from my point of view it was pretty lucky that I wasn’t.” Dinky replied, her mother as her amber golden eyes bore into her mother’s. “You look pretty beat up there…are you able to get up?”

“No…from where Mommy is sitting right now sweetie.” Derpy replied sadly as she tried to move herself, and barely succeeding. “It looks like Mommy is stuck between a rock in a hard place. Or, between a destroyed roof and a hard place that is.”

“Well, there’s gotta be some way to get you out!” Dinky cried, holding onto one of her mother’s forelegs. “You can’t stay down here forever! You might get buried or crushed under hear if a broken wing isn’t the only thing you’ll get! We’ve got to get somepony here to get you out of here now!”

“As much as I’d like to do that, I don’t think that’s the best option right now.” Derpy protested with a slow headshake. “I’ve been trying to feel my way around here a few moments ago after I woke up. From the way I think this pile of roof is made, if I make so much as one wrong move, I may make the pieces fall on top of one another with the rest following. I may end up crushing both of us in the process, and I really don’t want that, especially for you.”

“T-then what do we do?!” Dinky whimpered, looking like she was going to burst into tears. “We can’t just sit down here forever! There has to be somepony here that can help us get out of here b-before that happens!”

“Well…the best way we can do is try to see if somepony is nearby.” Derpy said softly. “That’s the only thing we can do right now. Unless there is somepony trying to look for us here at this very moment, Amethyst being one of them.”

Suddenly, the due felt the broken roof creak and crack, small splinters falling to the ground and all around a frightened Derpy and Dinky. They shrieked and huddled close to one another, thinking that they were close to getting smothered. That fear was quickly washed away when they heard a voice, one that almost made it seem that Derpy’s earlier theory was current.

“Mom, Dinky! Are you guys in there?!” Amethyst shouted form outside of the broke roof, sounding to be panicked and frantic. “Mom, Dinky, please…please answer me! Can you hear me?!”

Dinky wasted no time in answering. “Big sis! Big sis Ame! We’re here, we’re both here!” She cried, her golden yellow tail skirt whipping back and forth. “Please, you gotta help us, we can’t get out of here!”

“It’s alright guys, don’t worry, I’m going to get you out!” Amethyst said, sounding calmer. “I have somepony who can help me get you back up while I hold the opening!”

Dinky and Derpy exchanged looks to one another at this little piece of information, but before they could reply back, Zephyr’s voice cut through. “Ms. Hooves?! Ms. Hooves I need to you tell if you can hear me?! Are you able to hear me?!”

“Y…y-yes, I am!” Derpy replied, recognizing the voice as one only a guard would use. “Who are you?!”

“I’m Zephyr Dragon Shield Shenron, the third in command of the Solar Division, and I’m here to help you get your daughter out!” Zephyr replied, wasting no time in getting to business. “Now, I need you to tell me where exactly you are right now!”

“I…I can’t really tell. I guess I’m somewhere where there’s a really big space around here.” Derpy replied, looking around the space as Dinky lit it with her horn. “Yeah, that’s it I’m in a big space from under here, and I’m pretty sure I’m close to where you are!”

“You think I’m close?! Okay, hold on and let me do something!” Zephyr replied back, the stomping of hooves following a couple of seconds later. “Can you hear that?! If you can, can you tell me how close it is?!”

“Y-yes, I can you’re really close to me and Dinky!” Derpy replied, her expression brightening as she nearly tried to sit up. “You and Amethyst are just above us, maybe just several feet away from us even!”

“Oh, thank Faust…” Amethyst’s sigh of relieved could be head from out of the fallen roof. “Now we don’t have to waste any more time looking for them.”

“That came a bit sooner than I thought.” Zephyr said lowly, his voice sounding softer. Muffled conversing went between Amethyst and Zephyr for some time, leading Dinky and Derpy to think that they were trying to formulate a plan. “Alright, Ms. Hooves, Dinky, whatever you do, don’t move okay? Me and Amethyst are going to try to find some way to get inside so we can try to get you out! If you’re in a compromising position, then don’t move in any way that may make the roof give way, alright?!”

Derpy found herself blushing, the last sentence making her embarrassed for some unknown reason. ‘C-compromising…position? Did he have to make it sound like that? That sounded like I was opening my legs for him to see!’ She fought the blush of her face before responding, “Y-yes, we understand! We don’t go anywhere; we’ll wait for the two of you down here!”

“Alright, just wait for just a minute Mom, little sis!” Amethyst shouted from above. “We’ll get you out of there as soon as we can!”

“Oh don’t worry sweetie, take your time, relax!” Derpy said as she waved her hoof, despite knowing Amethyst couldn’t see it. “We have it under control here; we have everything, completely under control!”

No sooner did Derpy say these words, as if to prove her wrong, larger, more fatal looking pieces of wood fell from within the pile. One of them ended up getting so close that it almost punctured the top of Dinky’s head, and it was only thanks to her leaping away that she did not get a fractured skull. Derpy’s crossed eyes bulged at what she had just seen, and that was all that it took for Derpy to change her mind.

“Um, on second thought there, Ame…” She said fearfully, laughing nervously as Dinky clung to her. “…you may wanna pick up the pace a little bit!”

“M-mama…I’m scared.” Dinky whined as the wood began to creak and crack even more around them. “A-are we going to get buried alive?”

“No baby, we’re not; there’s no way I’m gonna let that happen to us.” Derpy stated firmly, holding her daughter close. “Neither me or your big sister Amethyst will let that happen.” She looked up into the darkness as Dinky buried her face in her chest. ‘And especially not that sexy sounding guard up there.’

It didn’t any more than a minute for a bright magenta aura to encase a section of the crumbled wooden roof before it was slowly pulled apart. A hole suddenly made itself known as soft moonlight night touched the floor and expended. Looking up, Derpy and Dinky could see the figures of Amethyst and Zephyr, the latter’s horn ignited while the former gleamed in his armor.

“Mom, Dinky!” Amethyst cried, her face creasing with joy. “You’re okay!”

“Not from where I’m standing where not!” Derpy retorted, her ears going back. “Still, I’m glad to see that you’re alright!”

“You may not be for long unfortunately.” Zephyr said, his eyes glowing as he peered into the large gape. “There’s still fire in some parts of the Town Square, and where you guys are right now may run the risk of you getting burned alive! I’m gonna need to get you guys out of there now, so hold on tight!”

Folding his armored wings, Zephyr leapt down the hole while Amethyst stayed above to keep the opening secure. He twisted his way through the fallen debree and got over to Derpy and Dinky in just a few seconds, the latter of which was staring up at him in awe.

“Sweet Faust, you’re in even worse condition than I thought!” Zephyr gasped, taking Derpy’s condition with horror. “Can you move?”

“A little bit…though I think my wings are in the worse condition.” Derpy replied, staring up at the stallion with a bit of a pink face. ‘Holy shit this stallion is hot…!’

“It looks like it…those wooden ends are digging into them pretty good.” Zephyr murmured as he examined the appendages. After mulling over his options, he looked over to Dinky and said in a gentle voice, “Alright honey, I’m going to need you to step back. I’m going to get your Mommy out from under here, but I don’t want you in the midst of it.”

“A-are you gonna try to lift it off of her?” Dinky asked, holding back a sniffle. “I-it looks like it’ll be too heavy for you mister.”

“It’s okay, I’ll be able to do it; I’ve lifted heavier things before.” Zephyr said with a wink as he walked over to the pegasus mare. Without another word, he put his claws under the wood he was able to properly grip and prepared himself. “Are you ready Ms. Hooves?”

“Y-yes, go for it honey.” Derpy replied as she bit her lip. “And please, just call be Derpy-agh!”

The silvery grey mare clenched her teeth as the royal blue stallion slowly lifted the wood off of her, his own teeth clenching at the strain. He gave no mention of it as he slowly raised the hoof higher and higher, as to not try to aggravate any wounds she had. Once she was sure she could move, Derpy scurried away from her spot on the floor, leaving a small trail of blood and droplets behind her. As soon as she was out of the immediate danger, Zephyr let the wood fall back down to the ground, and watched as Derpy staggered to her hooves.

“Well, it looks like you’re able to get yourself up miss.” Zephyr commented as he walked over to her. “Are you able to fly?”

Derpy spread her wings, taking in the damage and blood that covered their grey features. “No, it doesn’t look like I can. You may have to carry me out of this hole sweetie.” She replied, glancing over at the larger flyer. “You don’t mind that, do you?”

“No, course I don’t miss.” Zephyr said, shrugging as he chuckled. “Besides, my Mom always said that armor like this meant that I’d have beautiful mares drawn to me in some way or another. Of course, that’s not to say I’m trying to draw you to me.”

“Don’t worry, I know what you mean.” Derpy said, walking over and hoisting herself on her back, Dinky following a moment later. “And I have to admit, you do look pretty sexy in this armor…looks like your mother was right about you attracting mares like that.”

“Indeed, she was.” Zephyr smirked, spreading his wings and taking off out of the hole. Amethyst, who had been watching the exchange the entire time, finally let go of the gape in the wood, leaping off of it just as it began to fall. Luckily for the unicorn, she leapt off just in time, and she raced to her mother and little sister the second Zephyr set them on the ground.

“Dinky, Mom, thank Faust, you’re finally back!” Amethyst cried, hugging both the filly and mare around their necks. Her eyes closed as she struggled to hold back a sob of relief. “I…I-I thought I was never going t-to get you out. The smoke...i-it was spreading…and it was entering where you guys were trapped…I…I-I thought you would’ve.”

“Shhhhhh, it’s okay my little Ame. We’re alright now. Well, mainly Dinky, but we’re both okay now.” Derpy soothed, running a hoof down her eldest daughter’s back. She looked over at Zephyr, who was nursing the wound on his neck. “Thank you for that Zephyr, I’m so glad that you saved me and my little girl from dying under there. If not by the fire, but by the inhalation of smoke, and that would’ve been just as bad.”

Zephyr shook his head, holding armored claw turned hoof up to Derpy and ignoring the blood that stained it. “Think nothing of it, Ms. Derpy; I was only doing what needed to be done. Saving civilians that are in need of saving…as is my duty as a Solar Royal Guard.”

“Well, aren’t you the humble young stud?” Derpy crooned, her thankful tone gaining a sweet and sensual edge to it. “Exactly what I’d expect from a young stallion like you. I’ll have to remind myself to give you a proper thank you for saving me and my daughter from certain death~.” She giggled softly as she reached out and ran a hoof under his chin. “You deserve no less, especially from somepony like me~.”

Zephyr blushed at the mare’s tender and motherly touch, feeling himself getting worked up where his inner thighs were. Before he could say anything, he felt a powerful surge of magic burst out from behind him, causing him to spin around instinctively. His look of defiance turned into one of embarrassed shock when he found himself looking into the eyes of Celestia herself.

“Your Majesty!” He said, fighting down the urge to bow, for he knew it was not the time. “Y-you’re back, a-and so soon!”

“Yes, I am, and not a moment too soon.” She replied, glancing momentarily at the Hooves Family, and then back at Zephyr. “I take it that you got everything under control here?”

“Well, other than still needing to put the fire out, and helping a few more civilians, things have begun to calm down here, finally.” Zephyr said, giving a quick glance at Derpy. “Are you back here because you need me for that other urgent assignment?”

“Yes, I do.” Celestia nodded, one of her wings spreading to wrap around Derpy and her daughter’s much to their surprise and elation. “Here, allow me to assist you some, you’ll need all your strength for what you’re about to.”

Zephyr gave a pause, sensing something about his Queen’s words that made his stomach clench a bit. “Forgive my straightforwardness my Queen but…what is it your implying?”

“Let’s just say that by the time this night is finally over…” Celestia said, looking the Solar Division third in command right in the eyes. “…you’ll probably have all of your powers used to their limit; basic, and main.”

“I…I-I’m sorry darling, b-but could you r-repeat that p-please?” Rarity asked, looking at Goku as if she didn’t hear what she had said. “I could’ve s-sword that you s-said that, t-the Elements a-are in the…E-E-Everfree F-Forest…”

“Yes Rarity, that’s exactly what I said.” Goku said firmly, her expression not changing. “The Elements of Harmony are indeed in the chaotic wilderness of the Everfree Forest.”

Before anypony could speak, Goku flipped the book around and showed the open pages over to the rest of the mares and foals. All of them, minutes Fluttershy and Twilight, gathered around and took a deep look on the page that said the Element’s location. Each of their eyes widened further, and they all backed away, lost in their own thoughts.

“I…I-I can’t believe it.” Twilight squeaked, her whole body shaking on the spot. “T-the Elements of H-Harmony a-are really i-in t-the Everfree forest? The wildest, untamed, most unpredictable and dangerous forest known to all pony kind?! Said to have been created by the Savage Queen Estelle Earthbender herself?!”

“The very same one, Twilight.” Goku replied softly. “In case you all didn’t know, I had read about the Everfree Forest before, sometime while I was still living in Canterlot as a filly. It told of how the Everfree Forest had emerged sometime after the defeat of Discord, and how it grew around Celestia and Luna’s old castle. It also told of the many wild beasts and creatures that all appeared in it sometime after the forest was given life.”

“Ah…can’t believe it. Who would’ve thought them Elements would be located in…there o’ all places.” Applejack breathed, a lost look on her face. “Out of all the places that I expected them to be, the Everfree Forest was the last place that I would expect them to be.”

“Yeah, same here.” Rainbow Dash nodded, still trying to get over the shock herself. “I mean, who would think to look there?! I didn’t even know that the Queens had even been in that there, let alone lived in it until now!”

“Well, Queen Celly did warn us that we probably wouldn’t like where the Elements were last left behind.” Pinkie Pie pointed out. “Although, I have to admit; even I wasn’t expecting the Elements to actually be there!”

“I was.” Fluttershy pipped up, making everypony turn to her. “I got a, um, sinking feeling in my gut that the Everfree Forest was the place that we were going to be searching for the Elements. I even suspected it when the Queen said that we may not like where we were supposed to look for them.”

“Y-you did?” Twilight asked, shakily getting back to her hooves. “H-h-how did you m-manage to guess t-that?”

Fluttershy looked over at the lavender unicorn. “I could tell just by her body language, that the place that she was going to tell us where the Elements were, was one that we were not going to like. I developed a knack for reading ponies body language to a certain point, where I can tell what they’re feeling. So, I had a pretty good idea as to what Queen Celestia was going to say about the Elements location. I could even sense it coming from you Twilight, while you were panicking, and it told me that we’d have to search in the Everfree Forest.”

Snowflake narrowed her sea green slitted eyes. “Fluttershy, darling, not that I’m trying to accuse you of anything, but…I get the feeling that there’s more to it.” She said softly, yet skeptically. “Is there something that you’re not telling us about all of this?”

“Snowflake!” Midnight chastised, glaring sternly at the mountain blue thestral. “How could you say something like that? Fluttershy would never hide something from us about the one thing that our sister and her friends are supposed to be looking for! Especially in a place that none of us have ever been into before!”

“No Midnight it’s okay.” Fluttershy said, holding up a hoof to stop the beetle black Thestral in her scolding. “You see, I had a feeling that Queen Celestia was going to say that we should look in the Everfree Forest for the Elements of Harmony. Because…it’s not entirely uninhabited by ponies.”

A look of confusion made its way to Goku’s face. “What do you mean by that Fluttershy?”

The veterinarian paws at the ground, her mane spilling over her face. “I…I never really told anypony this, because I didn’t really want to get rallied with questions and accusations. But, since you’re all here, I-I feel like I can tell you.”

“Tell us what dear?” Snowflake asked. “What is about the Everfree Forest that you want us to know?”

“W-well…you see, I…I, um…” Fluttershy said, running a hoof down her mane as she attempted to form words into her mouth. She glanced over at Scootaloo, who was gave her a silent gesture to continue, before she finally spat it out. “I…I-I live in the edge of the Everfree Forest.”

“You…you do?!” Midnight asked, her eyes widened in shock as both her sisters gasped. “You actually live on the edge of the words most dangerous wildernesses?”

“Eeyup, she most certainly does.” Applejack replied, giving a little snort. “Ah’ll be honest, when Ah first saw Fluttershy again, Ah didn’t really believe that she’d have the guts to set up a home in a forest as crazy as that one. No offense t’ her, but somepony would have t’ be crazy to even think about livin’ anywhere near someplace like that.” The farmer rubbed the back of her head. “When she took me t’ her home and showed me her backyard, she took me through the woods in it and…well, Ah saw it. All o’ them giant trees and that freaky magic it forest gives off. After that, Ah, uh…never really went that far int’ Fluttershy’s backyard again.”

“Well I for one, did believe our dear Fluttershy.” Rarity said curtly. “I did not see any reason as to why she would lie, let along joke about something as big as living near somewhere as horrid as the Everfree. Anypony that would be brave enough to admit something like that, and be so serious about it can’t possibly by lying through their teeth.” The alabaster Unicorn shrunk back a bit at Fluttershy’s stern glare. “N-not that I’m saying that the Everfree really is horrid, nor are any of the creatures in it. But, it just makes me feel that way. B-but you understand what I’m trying to say right darling?”

Fluttershy said nothing, just continuing to frown at Rarity with that stern disapproving look in his eyes. At some point it hardened even further as her eyes gave a faint bright orange glow, making Rarity flinch.

“R-right of course.” She said weakly, looking off to the side. “I’ll just…be silent now.”

“Wow Fluttershy. I…I never thought that you’d chose to live near the Everfree Forest of all places.” Goku said, regaining her composure. “Then again, considering you’re a mare that likes to keep her privacy and likes to be around animals, I can see why.”

“Well, I sure can’t!” Rainbow Dash said crassly, frowning down at Fluttershy. “I know you like your little animals and being around nature and all Fluttershy but come on! Don’t you think that this is stretching shit a little bit? You’re living right next to what has to be considered the most dangerous place in the fucking word! The Everfree Forest spans from here, all the way to the edge of Foal Mountain, over that into Hallow Shades, and even further across Baltimare and Fillydelphia! There are so many different animals in there that can pop out of there and snag one of your animals and even your sister! What if something happens over at your place and Scoots is there in the middle of it and you’re not able to keep her safe?!”

“Dash, I am well aware of the risks that I’m taking in living so close to a forest that can kill a pony before they can really venture into it.” Fluttershy said firmly, locking her stern glare right onto the cyan mare. “I am also aware of what the animals in that same forest that pose many different dangers should Scootaloo be caught in the middle of it. I’m not stupid, nor am I naïve in what I’m doing, and I know exactly what I’m getting myself into.”

“I didn’t say you were-”

“Let me finish please.” Fluttershy cut in, her authoritative tone cutting the athlete off like she had been struck by lightning. “It is also because of those same reasons that I’m living so close to the Everfree Forest. So, I can learn all that I know about it, and the animals that live there, and what dangers they may possess. That way, when I do confront front them, I’ll be more prepared for those same dangers, so the chances of me surviving will be heightened. I’m also passing on those very same things onto Scootaloo, so she’ll also be prepared to face them on her own, should that day come that her friends won’t be able to, should they not be able to.”

Twilight blinked, a look of surprise coming to her face. “You…you are?”

Fluttershy nodded. “I am. I admit, I did decide to live near the Everfree Forest, so I can learn about the animals that live in it, rather than the ones we already know. However, the other reason was the one that I just explained, because these animals are on an entirely different level than the ones that I’m sure all of you know.”

The yellow pegasus stepped away so she could look all her friends in the eyes. “There are lions the size of Appleoosan Buffalo, with the wings of a dragon and tails of a scorpion, able to breath fire like an actual dragon if they wanted. Draconic cats that live in clans bigger than any lion pride, with the teeth of a Saber Tooth Cat, happy to eat the meat of any living creature. Raptors the size of houses, that have the ability to control weather like pegasi do, and are able to snatch large animals off of the ground. Rhino-sized bears with long muscular tails, wings of bats, and mouths full of acidic poisonous saliva that will melt the very meat off your bones. Multi-headed snake like sea beasts, that’ll happily gobble you up after they’ve drowned you, lurking deep beneath the seas, along with so many other aquatic predators. Large cave dwelling wolfish bat-like creatures ready to snatch you up the second the sun sets and strip you down to bone until every last bit of flesh is gone. Wolves made of wood that will gladly chase you down to the ends of the Everfree itself, able to go into another form entirely. Felines that run and fly across the vast plains and skies, looking for prey to chase down, and don’t even get me started about the dragons that live there.”

“D…d-d-dragons?!” Rarity shrieked, her tail skirt tucked between her legs. “T-there are r-really dragonsinside of the E-Everfree Forest?!”

“Yes, there are. Many of them than even I can care to count.” Fluttershy nodded, frowning at the alabaster unicorn. “The Dragons in the Dragon Lands, Dragon’s Lair, North and South Polar Lair are scary enough, but the ones in the Everfree…are on in an entirely different level. So much so that you really don’t want to meet them unless you know for sure that they won’t harm you, which is highly unlikely.” She looked away, doing so that made her look like she no longer had the courage to stand up to her friends. ‘And that’s not even getting started about all of the creatures that’re in the continent of Marelaska, and the creatures in the Undiscovered West. I’m so glad that we don’t have to find the Elements in either…now that would be really bad.’

Zephyr shot a look at the pink maned mare. 'She has no idea...'

“Gosh…Ah knew that we’d would be facin’ a few critters here an’ there when we get int’ that forest, but…land sakes!” Applejack exclaimed said, looking to be getting dizzy. “We’ll have t’ face that many critters, from th’ ground, water, an’ in th’ air?! Ah’m feelin’ dizzy jus’ thinkin’ ‘bout all o’ that, an’ we ain’t even in th’ forest yet!”

“Same here darling.” Rarity nodded said, using a hoof to fan her face. “It looks that we have our work a lotmore cut out for them than we thought it would be.”

“Yeah, we sure do, and it only adds to just how much danger my brother and all of your sisters are in right now.” Goku said, baring her canines slightly. “Still, as dangerous as the animals in the Everfree Forest are, we really shouldn’t let that deter us. Don’t forget, that all nine of us come from the Secret Seven Clans of Equestria, so that means that we have a much bigger chance in the Everfree than anypony that’s not. Another thing is that one of us has plenty of knowledge about the animals in it, and can tell us what we need to do to ensure nothing to grave happens. One more thing, is that I’m a Nightstalker and a Shenron, two of the top ten most powerful of the seven clans. So, there’s an even bigger chance of us to emerge from the Everfree alive, as long as we use our powers to work together.”

“That’s a very well speculated thought there Goku.” Twilight said quietly. “Seven of us are from clans, one of us has adequate knowledge of the Everfree, and three of us are thestrals with the powers of dragons! If we combine all of those traits and accessories, the we may have a chance to save our sisters and defeat Nightmare Moon!”

“Yeah, we just might be able to!” Pinkie Pie nodded. “You know, I’ve never actually been inside the Everfree Forest myself. I’ve only been told stories by my parents back when I was living on the farm, and Mr. and Mrs. Cake when I moved to Ponyville. So, I never really knew for sure what it was like being inside there.” A wide grin made its way across her face she started bouncing in excitement. “Now I get to experience it for the very first time, and after everything that Fluttershy said about it, I’m even more excited! So many places and animals that I’ve never seen before in my life with all of these super-duper crazy abilities?! Oh, it’s gonna be so much fun!”

“Pinkie Pie, I can hardly see what’s going to be fun about getting eaten by so many different creatures in a forest that nopony would dare set hoof into.” Rarity said flatly, sending a deadpan look to the bubblegum pink Earth Pony. “Still, I do agree with what our dear Twilight has said. With the power we have, and what Fluttershy knows about the Everfree Forest, I think it can be said that we do have a chance at getting back here as soon as possible.”

“Oh yeah! I’m so ready to kick some Nightmare Moon ass to the end of Equestria!” Rainbow grinned cockily, shooting her right forehoof into the air. “Come on everypony, let’s do this thing!”

“Wait a minute!” Twilight shouted, encasing the mare in an aura of her magic and stopping her in midair. “We can’t go off now, there are still so many things that we haven’t done to prepare for our quest!”

“Like what?!” Rainbow demanded, starting to get annoyed. “We’ve already been told what we needed to know and what we have to do. So why can’t we just go into that damned forest already and get our sister’s back?!”

“Well, fer one, that Zephyr stallion ain’t here yet, and we’re gonna need at least one guard to help protect us!” Applejack replied, stomping a hoof. “Second, we ain’t got nothin’ with us that’ll help us make our way through that forest! We ain’t got no maps, no food, no extra items, none o’ that except th’ powers we were blessed with! Do ya really think that jus’ that is gonna help git t’ that Nightmare Moon varmint?!”

“Why wouldn’t it?!” Rainbow asked, turning to face Applejack. “I mean, it’s just a forest with a bunch of bloodthirsty fucking monsters that only want to eat us, right? All we have to do is just blast through them and that will be it!”

Spike, who was silent all throughout the girl's conversing, suddenly leapt up to Rainbow, slamming a clenched claw on the back of the cyan mare’s head. “That’s not how it works you damn idiot!” He shouted, watching as Rainbow fell to the floor, a lump growing on her head as her eyes swirled. “Those so called, ‘bloodthirsty beasts’, as you called the are a lot smarter than you’re giving them credit for! Aside from the different species, those animals can be just as smart as we are! They’re not just mindless souls that evolved to live in the forest that Estelle Earthbender created so many centuries ago! They can think, they can plan, and, if given the fucking chance, they can use our powers and strengths against us in ways that will ensure that they can make a meal out of all of you!”

Spike took a few deep breaths as he put a claw to his face, running them across the scars on it. “If anypony knows that, I do…I experienced first claw, just what those animals are capable off, and the power they possess.” He growled and glared down at Rainbow Dash. “You cannot take them lightly for even a moment, not once! Just one slip up and you will be dead, dragged into the darkness of that forest, never to be fucking seen again!”

“Spike is right. That forest is not something you should underestimate Rainbow, let alone its inhabitants.” Goku nodded as Twilight walked over and hugged the draconic colt. “Which is why we need all that we can get so we can be as prepared for anything that may come at us from within there. In a place like that, survival is crucial. There is absolutely no room for error, or recklessness.”

“Precisely.” Rarity said curtly, staring disapprovingly at Rainbow. “To top it off, that reckless of yours will only serve to get you killed. If that happens, who will be there to save your sister and ours, let alone Goku’s brother? The rest of us may be still alive, but we’ll also have one less pony to help us, thus decreasing the odds stacked in our favor.”

“And before you know it, our party will be over before you know it.” Pinkie whimpered, her fur turning a bit blue. “Along with Melon Cake and the rest of the foals’ own party…”

At this, Rainbow Dash winced, a look of guilt coming to her face as she slowly hovered down into the ground. “Yeah…yeah, you guys are right.”

“Good, I’m glad you understand now Dash.” Fluttershy nodded calmly. “We’ll get to the children soon. I know we will. We just can’t do it without using our heads first.”

“True, which is why we should prepare some…at least until Zephyr gets back, or Queen Celestia brings him back.” Goku said as she turned to Twilight. “Twilight, is there anything that you have in your stock that will help us in our journey in the Everfree?”

Twilight was already heading towards the bookshelves before she even knew what she was doing, her horn igniting to open the bottom drawers. In her magical grasp, came a multitude of items, be it maps, basic medical equipment, and even a few weapons. She floated them to the center of the room and set them down in front of her friends. “I had asked Celestia some time ago if I could have some of her equipment from her travels. She gave me things like a first-aid kit, weapons for anything or anypony that may try to harm me, and even some maps she had made in her own journeys into the Everfree forest. They each shows which routes that we can take while we’re there, but I don’t want to take my chances in taking just one. So, I’m taking a few extra just in case.”

Snowflake and Midnight took a few steps closer, curious as to what the maps looked like while the others discussed which route to take. Both of them were taken aback by just how big they were, even more so by forest that was imprinted on the map itself. “Oh my…it is far bigger than I thought that it would be. When you look at it like this, you can only imagine just how big it is when you actually enter it.”

“Uh-huh…and just look at all the different spots here. The Death Raptor Hilltops, the Everfree Boneyard, the Aqua King Sea, the Farukonchītā Plains...and that’s just only some.” Midnight said as she took in the different red circled spots on the map. As she looked within the center of the map, and gasped at what was shown. “Oh, my goodness! Girls, look!”

“…What th’ hell?” Applejack asked, her eyes narrowing when she saw what looked to be civilization circled in green. “What in tarnation are those places?”

Goku took a closer look at the spots on the map that looked to be villages, and she gasped in surprise. “Huh…so those places are there two huh?”

“What places?” Rainbow asked, looking up at the tan thestral. “What is it you see there?”

“…Girls, I’m not sure if you guys heard about this, but Queen Celestia had ended up discovering some more populations somewhere in the Everfree sometime ago. Both of which are populated by bat ponies, and I’m pretty sure some of them are from my mother’s branch. Though my mother was born in Lunar Bay, and not in the Everfree Forest.” Goku replied, looking at each of her friends. “It was only confirmed about four years ago by the thestrals in Hollow Shades, but there are actually a couple of other villages stretched around the forest.”

“Really?! There is more than one town in there?!” Pinkie gasped, planting her face right inside one of the maps, her eyes moving around like microscopes. “No way, how in the heck is that even possible?! I thought only Hollow Shadows was the only one!”

“Well, it looks like many of you had thought wrong about that.” Fluttershy said, looking far less surprised than the other girls. “I have to say, even I was pretty shocked when I found out there were more populations in the Everfree. But after I did some searching and…confirming, I could no longer doubt that they existed anymore.” She blew a strand of mane from her face. ‘Not that I really doubted that more towns and villages could be found there, especially with ponies like Goku in them. There is only one pony tribe that can survive in a place as dangerous as this.’ Her eyes trailed over to Goku, locked eyes with her for a brief moment. ‘And it looks like I’m not the only one who knew either…’

“I’m, afraid that I don’t understand darling.” Rarity said, frowning at the gentle mare. “How is it that you know there were more towns in this forest? If there are even any more villages in there at all aside from Hollow Shades? I’ve never seen you once anywhere near that place, other than the fact you live on the very edge of it.”

Fluttershy hung her head, her pink mane falling in front of her eyes. “That…is a conversation I’d like to save for another time, please.” She stated, lifting her head to look at Twilight as the unicorn was about to speak. “And before you ask, no, Twilight, I won’t to go into detail about it right now. I understand that you’re curious, but please…not now.”

Twilight blushed at how Fluttershy was so quick to know what she was going to ask before she even had the chance to say it. Before she could apologize, they heard the doors to the library creak open, allowing them to see Zephyr trotting inside, his armored hooves clanking against the floor. The blood on his neck and armor were gone, as was the bite mark, but a scar could clearly be seen over it, showing where he had been struck.

“I’m here everypony. Sorry that I’m late. I have some last-minute saving that I needed to do.” He said as he adjusted the draconic helmet on his head. “Are you guys ready to head off now?”

“Oh, Zephyr, you’ve made it.” Snowflake replied, smiling happily. “You’re just in time dear. Twilight and the girls were just preparing to head out. We just need to get a few more items with us before we go. Did the Queen tell you where we’d be going?”

Zephyr cringed at this, the look on his face telling Snowflake all that he needed to know. “Yeah, she said…we’ll be going into the Everfree Forest to search for Nightmare Moon.” He shuddered as he fought to keep his body from shaking. “Of all the places I was expected to help you look, that was the last place that I was expecting to do so.”

“Yer not th’ only one t’ think that hon’.” Applejack said, shaking her head like she still couldn’t believe where they would be going. “Still, there ain’t no goin’ back now…we’re jus’ gonna have t’ like it an’ love it, given why we’re goin’ there in th’ first place.” Her ears perked up. "Oh, an' we may also need to stop my our own places t' get some extra gear...well, if any of us have it that is."

"Oh yeah, that's right!" Pinkie exclaims, her eyes nearly bulging. "I need to go back to Sugarcube Corner to get my battle vest and straw hat! Shoot, why didn't I remember it at a time like this?!"

Rarity side-eyed Pinkie. "Why, if I may ask, do you need something like that, Pinkie Pie?"

"You'll see~." Pinkie winked, giggling slyly.

"While I do think that may put us a little behind, I won't object if any of you want to make quick stops to your homes." Zephyr said, pulling at the armor encasing him. "We'll have to make it quick though; time is off the essence, and we won't get anywhere by wasting it."

“Just don’t try to slow us down buddy.” Rainbow stated, crossing her forelegs as she hovered above the stallion. “You may be a guard, but that doesn’t mean that we’re some bunch of fucking damsels in distress that need to be saved every single second. So don’t even think of treating us as such, or your ass is gonna get left behind. That is, after I slice you up with my three swords, ya got that?”

Goku growled, lashing her tail out and letting it wrap around the mare before pulling her to the ground. “Knock it off Dash!”

“Duly noted, I know that you girls can handle yourselves. I’m not one of those stallions who things that mares the ones that always need protection.” Zephyr stated dryly, giving a little snort. “Still, if I feel that I need to step in, I will, no ifs, ands or buts about it.”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

“Okay, it looks we’ll have what we need to help us if we get lost or attacked by one of the animals.” Twilight said, putting the maps, the medical kit, and the combat weapons in some saddle bags she had taken out. “Now the only thing we need is…food!”

“Oh yes, we totally need food.” Goku said, giving a firm nod. “There’s no telling how long this night will be now that Nightmare Moon’s brought it back again. So, we’re going to need plenty of protein to keep us going along the way.” Her tongue ran across her lips as a feral grin came to her muzzle. “I may also do some hunting if I get the chance…something tells that I’ll need plenty of meat.”

“So, you might go out hunting hm?” Zephyr grinned as well, walking closer to Goku. “Mind of I join you there, G?”

The tan thestral giggled. “Knock yourself out Zephie…I know we’re both going to have a wonderful time doing it~.”

“Oh, those two…” Midnight sighed with a gentle head shake.

“Well then, why don’t we help ya with makin’ some fritters Twi?” Applejack offered. “We may want to make it quick though. Th’ more time we waste, th’ longer it’ll take fer us t’ git t’ our sisters away from that monster.” A cough from Fluttershy made her hastily add, “a-and free Queen Luna.”

“I appreciate the offer AJ, but I’m afraid I’ll have to decline.” Twilight said, waving a hoof. “Besides I already have somepony who can cook faster than you can buck the apples of your trees.”

As she said this, she slowly looked over at Spike, who was being held by Snowflake as he pawed at the ground. When he felt he was being looked at, he saw that everypony’s eyes on him, with Twilight giving him a smile that was just a bit too sweet to be her usual one. Already knowing what she was going to ask, the purple dragon cub sighed and gave her a deadpan look.

“I know what you’re going to ask…” He said, holding a claw up. “…you want me to set up the snacks and lunch for you right?”

“If you would be so kind to do so, Spikey-Wikey?” Rarity cooed seductively, batting her eyelashes at him. “Oh pretty, pretty please? I’ll give you a nice big basket load of gemstones if you do~.”

Spike stared blankly at Rarity, Twilight, and the other girls for a moment or two, seeing Fluttershy look at them disapprovingly before looking at him more sympathetically. With another sigh, he nodded and turned tail for the kitchen, ignoring the sweet thank you's he got from Twilight and Rarity. Along with the scolding that they got getting from Fluttershy just a few seconds later.

“Sweet Lauren Holy Faust Lifegiver…” He said to himself, running a claw down his face. “The things I do for love...”

Author's Note

I have to admit, I had a bit of fun writing the second half of the chapter, mainly describing what the girls would expect to find when they went into the Everfree Forest. Now, the change that I made to the first part is where Nurse Redheart would be alerted by Zephyr to head to Ponyville, something that now, looking back...wasn't the best thing to do. Now, I will give some hint of him telling her to do so if I'm able to include her in one of the chapters, if I'm able to. For now, we'll just take that part out and replace it with Zephyr saving Derpy and Dinky from being crushed to death and dying of smoke inhalation :raritywink: . I also enjoyed having Derpy acting a little flirtatious afterwards, not a dull moment with our favorite muffin loving cross-eyed pegasus huh :derpytongue2: ?!

Now, as for the Everfree itself, yes, I had decided to at a couple more populations in my AU version of the Everfree Forest, aside from Hollow Shades, where I will have the bat ponies living in this timeline. I'm also going to be changing the location of the Castle of the Two Sisters to somewhere in the center the Everfree Forest, just behind Rambling Rock Ridge. Mainly because I'll be changing location of one of the many populations that I'll have inside of the Everfree Forest be at the same section where the abandoned castle is in the canon timeline on the Equestrian map. Don't worry, I'll be worth the wait when I go end up going to those places, for I am already planning something really big :scootangel: !!!

Next time: Queen Celestia Daybringer called for the Solar and Lunar Division to come together :rainbowdetermined2: !!!

Chapter 14 - Rise of the Pony Tribes

Far within the interior of Canterlot Caste, in one of its many hallways, laid a room bigger than any other section in the building. It had enormous windows that looked to be made from the shiniest and most beautiful of crystals, all of which having art pictures and paintings dating back to ancient times. A large row of pillars lined both sides of the hallways, with the ceiling having beautiful ancient fabric cloths hanging from above.

At the far end of the room, stood an enormous chair with a small stairway leading to it, the lower parts of the chair having little waterfalls and pots of purple flowers on either side. Behind the throne, were two large blue clothes, one having the picture of the land, while the other had that of the air and the sea, with a large glass symbol of the sun hanging from above. This room was known as the Royal Throne Room, the largest room known to be located inside the Royal Castle of Canterlot City. It also belonged to that of the Sun Goddess Queen Celestia Daybringer herself.

The Throne Room wasn’t like any of the other rooms in the Castle; this was a room where everypony would get to see the Queen herself whenever she had the time to. It was for just about anything, be it business, discussing things like trade, peace treaties or alliances. Or it could even simply be for some one on one time with Celestia, something that very few ponies had the luxury of doing.

Or course, that wasn’t to say that there weren’t any guards here, like the countless others set up around the castle. Although, there were usually one or two lined up at the doors, with a long line of them set up down the hallway. There were rarely times where Celestia had the guards all lined up in the exact same place, ready to obey their Queen’s every command. The only times that this happened was during times of a major crisis or when danger was lurking just around the corner. Those time was where every ounce of their strength would be needed to face a deadly foe threating their beloved land. This, much to a certain Sun Goddesses’ dismay, was one of those times.

Queen Celestia loomed over her throne like a bald eagle perched over a treetop as each of the gathered guards looked back up at her. All of them were split into groups that allowed them to be told apart, with their armor helping a great deal. The first of them were the Solar Guards each set in what looked to be the heaviest set of armor and. All of them were sported with swords and spears that looked to be made from the sharpest of metal. Those that were stallions looked buff and muscular, while the mares, looked to be more lithe, slender and feminine. Even so, they looked to be just as strong and intimidating as the stallions, looking as deadly as they were elegant. A fearsome combination of strength and speed that would only be expected from the most elite forces of Equestria.

The second group of guards looked to be even scarier, than the ones on the left, and for very good reason, given that they were bat ponies. Their armor was a darker shade of black and purple, looking to be sharp and pointy, especially on the heads, which had what looked to be fins, while the horseshoes had blades. Some of their coats were a shade or two darker, and cat-like slitted eyes that seemed to shine in the darkness like a firefly buzzing in the night. Their wings were twice as big as their pegasi brethren, looking to be leathery, yet very muscular and sharp. Fluffy looking tufts of fur could be seen on the tips of their ears, adding some semblance of cuteness to their rather frightening appearances. Poking out from the corners of their mouths, looking to be sharper than kitchen knives, were a set of curved fangs. All of them looked to be more than capable of piercing into and ripping out the throat of any living being, eve that of a pony, should they be provoked.

Celestia stared down at all them all with an unreadable expression, while they all stood to attention, lookin directly back at her. Despite their still postures, their curiosity, confusion as to why they were called here could be sense by the Solar Queen. She could understand why, for this was something that she would not normally do unless it was an emergency, and after what happened at the Town Square, this was the case for one. Despite their nervousness, Celestia knew that she didn’t have any other choice on the matter, and that it needed to be done. This was a matter of the utmost importance, and she could only hope that they would not lose their nerve.

‘Not just them either.’ Celestia thought to herself, looking down at two particular ponies in both groups. Her frown deepened slightly when she saw the armored forms of Bardock and Gene standing in front of both of their armies. Their postures were a perfect as the day they were both listed as captain of their guards, their faces as stern and serious as could be, awaiting their orders. Despite how intimidating they both looked despite having once retired from the guard, Celestia could see the worry flashing within their eyes. A type of worry that could be only found in a parent concerned for their children’s safety. ‘I can see that what I told them is still weighing heavily on their minds…not that I blame them.’

Celestia’s mind briefly wandered back to roughly an hour ago after she had left Twilight, Zephyr and the rest of the girls to their treacherous journey. She made it to Canterlot in record time thanks to a teleportation spell she perfected to help travel vast distances. It gave her ample time to call every single guard in her castle, for something that would require them all, and not a single guard less. Gene and Bardock were the first ones that Celestia went to, and wasted no time in letting them know of what had transpired in Ponyville.

Bardock and gene were firm believers in the legend of the Mare on the Moon, and so it didn’t take much effort in getting them to believe that Nightmare Moon had returned at last. The hard part of that was telling them of the fate of their three daughters and one son, something that Celestia dreaded having to tell them. As much as she didn’t want to, she knew keeping it from them would only make it worse. So, with a heavy heart, she recounted everything that Goku had told her that happened with Sheton. From her discovery of him, to their converse, up to the sin black alicorn foalnapping him and the tan thestral’s friends’ sisters.

Celestia never saw or heard Gene cry and scream so loud and so hard in the time she knew her, or Bardock look so scared in his life.

It took the efforts of both her and Bardock to keep the thestral mare from passing out from horror and fear, and even then, Gene still continued weeping in sorrow. Celestia gave them sometime to collect themselves, but told them that it was crucial that they get to the throne room as quickly as possible. The sound of Gene’s crying and Bardock’s cursing rung in her ears even as they left them in their room. Even no she could still hear it coursing through her head, the sounds that could only come from ponies that had children. That combined with how they looked like they were going to break down on the floor…Celestia could not imagine what they were thinking now.

‘To think that just hours ago they were feasting together without a care in the world…and now to have what I told them thrust upon them. I would not wish such a thing on even the worst of my enemies…’ Celestia thought sadly, watching as the couple glanced at one another every few minutes. ‘I can only hope that they can forgive me once they find out just who I sent to retrieve their son before them...it did seem like a plausible option at the time. Not to mention the other season that I sent their youngest daughter and her friends into the Everfree.’ She shook her head to clear those thoughts, knowing now wasn’t the time to. ‘No time to dwell on that…for now, just focus on the now…and what you’re soon going to do.’

With a soft sigh, Celestia raised a hoof, ceasing any murmuring from down below. Once she was sure they were all quiet, she finally began to speak. “Thank you all for coming my little ponies. I must admit, I did call you all on such short notice, and I apologize if I was interrupting anything that you were doing. To be honest, I wish that I could’ve called you all here on less than urgent circumstances.” She lowered her head as her ears pinned back against her head. “Alas, it seems that fate has other plans for us today…”

At these words, another chorus or murmuring broke through the crowd, all of them wondering just what all the fuss was about. This lasted for a few more minutes before one Solar Guard, this being a Unicorn with greenish brown fur and a silvery mane and tail raised a hoof.

“Um, your Highness…if I may ask, with your permission of course?” The stallion said, earning a nod from the Sun Goddess. “Why is it that you have called all of us here today here today? You normally don’t do this unless it’s something of that much of a magnitude.”

“I have called each and every one of you here for a matter that is of the greatest and utmost importance. One that is possibly greater than any other time that I have called you here.” Celestia replied her lavender eyes scanning each Guard inside the Throne Room. “Before I get into that, I must ask you that you keep as calm and composed as you possibly can. What I am about to tell you may get you all a bit…anxious, if not fearful for your very lives.”

The swan white Alicorn paused, taking a moment to let everypony voice their confusion at these words to one another, before she spoke again. “Not too long ago, while I was in Ponyville, I was just about to begin the annual Summer Sun Celebration and celebrate with my little ponies. Unfortunately, I was not able to, for somepony invaded the Town Square, and attacked me without warning, nearly eliminating me.”

As soon as those words left the mare’s lips, the group of Solar Guards let out loud gasps as they stared at up their Queen. Their eyes widened, and their jaws unhinged, unable to believe what they had just heard her say. The Lunar Guards on the left looked just as taken aback, having obviously not expected to hear this, but they were much more composed than the Solar Guards. The Shadowbolts looked to be the most shocked even though didn’t look like in their goggled and masked faces, though their captain looked a bit more composed.

At first, they believed that she was pulling a humorous prank on them, since, to them at least, it was virtually impossible for somepony as powerful as Celestia to fall so easily at the hooves of somepony else. Upon seeing her solemn expression however, they could see that what their Queen had said was anything but a joke, but something told them that that wasn’t the only shock they were going to get.

“Y-your Majesty…is this true?” Another Solar Guard, this one being a mare, asked tentatively, a disbelieving look on her face. “W-were you really attacked by somepony?”

“Yes, I’m afraid that you all heard me correctly. I was attacked without any provocation at the Town Square in Ponyville.” Celestia said sadly as she put a hoof to her chest. The memories of being stabbed through the chest, electrocuted, flew through her mind, but she cleared it form her head. “As much as I’m ashamed to admit it, I wasn’t able to do anything to stop it, or the destruction that she unleashed afterwards. Believe me when I say this, she left quite a bit of it in her wake, more than I can probably even count. I assume that you are all wondering just who it was that attacked me, are you not?”

None of the guards responded, though many of them did give small nods. Celestia closed her eyes, letting out another sigh as she opened her eyes and addressed everypony once more.

“I will tell you, but before I do, let me just say that the pony who attacked me is the reason why I have the Lunar Guards here. For I feel that they will all be much needed for what is to come, and where we will be going.” The Queen replied. “First off, how many of you are aware of the event that took place over one thousand years ago? The day of the of the fall of my sister and the rise of the Blood Moon War?”

Visible flinches came from each of the guards, the Lunar Division as well, as they all started to shift uncomfortably. Celestia could tell that they knew all too well what Blood Moon War was, and what it meant. It was the day that Queen Luna, the Moon Goddess and the leader of the Lunar Division had given into her pain and surrendered to the demon that plagued her mind. Thus, leading her to become one of the most terrifying villains ever to be known to pony kind. Along with the fight between her and Celestia that became legend along with Nightmare Moon herself.

It was also the day that both forces were divided, be it under Nightmare Moon’s will or their own accord, and forced to fight one another and instead of alongside the other. A day that was considered the most destructive, brutal and bloody battle ever to be known in Equestrian history, one that would forever scar the face of Equis. The day the Goddess of the Moon was imprisoned onto the very orb that gave the mare her name. The very same one that she had now escaped and was planning to control once more.

“Yes your Majesty, we do...many of my fellow thestral brothers and sisters know all too well of the terror that Scarlet Moon war had brought.” Another pony, a thestral stallion, said softly. “It was the day that our dear beloved Queen of the Night was taken from us by that…blasted nightmare monster. Who had turned our Queen into that monster known as Nightmare Moon Nocturnis, the Goddess of the Red Moon.” After taking a moment to collect himself, he looked back up at Celestia curiously. “Why is it that you ask? Is there something about it that we don’t know?”

Celestia gave a slight pause, before eventually replying. “Yes, as a matter of a fact there is. I’m sure you all have heard how I had defeated Nightmare Moon Nocturnis with the Elements of Harmony. Of how I had banished both her to the Moon for all eternity, correct?” She watched as many of the ponies, excluding Gene and Bardock nodded. “Well, that’s not entirely true my little ponies. There is actually an old saying involving Nightmare Moon; that ponies believe is only a myth. It is said that one the thousandth day of the thousandth year, Nightmare Moon’s time on the Moon will come to an abrupt end. The stars scattered all about the cosmos would gather together and aid her in her escape from the Moon. They will take her all across the fragments of outer space, and back to Equis. Where she will extract her revenge and try to take over the land once more.” She looked down at her front hooves. “I am here to tell you all, with the deepest of regrets, that prophecy has come true.”

The moment those last words left her mouth, each of the guards went as still as the very castle they were in. For a minute that seemed to stretch on forever, they stared at their Queen as if she had said the world was about to end. That Lunar Guards looked even more flabbergasted, and they wondered if they had heard Celestia right. The alicorn said nothing, just looking down at her guards with a composed expression, showing them that she was not exaggerating in what she was saying. Eventually, a Lunar Guard mare spoke, sounding like she had seen the one thing she feared in her nightmares.

“The…the prophecy has…c-come true? M-my Queen, are you meaning to tell is that N-Nightmare Moon Nocturnis has…r-returned from her imprisonment?” She with a weak voice and a tremor in her hooves. “By Faust...if that’s true…then that means…!”

“Yes; the Dark Queen has returned.” Celestia said as she raised her head and spread her vast wings, already knowing what the guard was about to ask before he even asked it. “And she is planning on concluding what she had started so many centuries ago.”

Complete and utter silence was all that could be heard throughout the room as the guards exchanged various looks, speaking in hushed tones and quiet whispers. Only their leaders looking be in control, yet even they looked to be scared, Bardock and Gene being only a couple of them. Celestia took in all their terrified expressions as she lifted her head and folding her wing, taking a second to breath before speaking again.

“I know you’re very terrified of this, since it’s been over a thousand years since it had last happened. I do not blame any of you in the least for feeling what you are feeling now. Anypony would, especially when the one pony who took my sister had threatened to shroud all the land in Eternal Darkness.” Celestia said understandingly. “As scared as you all must be, I am afraid that I must ask you all to bury that fear away deep inside your hearts. It is not just your lives that are at stake her, but also the lives of your supposed families, me, and just about every other pony here.”

The Solar Queen slowly rose form her throne and walked down the stairs, her mane and tail skirt flowing behind her like curtains in the wind. “Are you all prepared to contain whatever fear you have, and rise up together? To be prepared to protect not only yourselves, or the ones you love, but this very land itself? So that you may all live to see and fight another day, and right to free my sister from the darkness that plagued her and bring her back into the light?”

As she made her way to the bottom of the stairs, Celestia flared her majestic wings taking regal, and rather intimidating, posture. “Are you prepared to face what may be the most powerful, dangerous, and deadliest foe that has ever come to pass? So that they can all live to see the day awaken once more, even at the potential cost of our own lives?”

None of the guards said anything, apprehensive expressions on their faces as they fidgeted on the spot. Celestia could practically feel it radiating off of them, along with what she thought was a small sense of hope, as she waited for their response. A small part of her expecting them to decline the offer, to back out of what she was assigning them to do, instead of agreeing to fight. It was the same thing she asked Goku and her friends to do back at the Golden Oaks Library when she offered them the choice to becoming the next bearers of the Elements of Harmony. This theory was proven wrong, Bardock suddenly spoke, his words helping to alleviate any fear the other guards had.

“Queen Celestia, we’d be more than happy to assist you into bringing down the monster that took your sister. We’re also more than prepared to fight by your side if that’s what it takes.” He said with sharp salute. “That is what you trained us for after all.”

“I believe you mean, what her and her sister have trained both divisions for?” Gene asked dryly, looking over at the Solar Guard. “All misinterpretations aside, I do have to agree with you. As loyal as my fellow thestral brethren are to our beloved Queen Luna, that does not mean that we’re not prepared to fight alongside her sister should the moment call for it. Isn’t there a rule stating in the Royal Guard Rule Book that no group of soldiers should obey the other Queen unless one of them is out of commission or unable to take charge?”

“You’ve got that right, big sis Gene!” The slightly raspy, masculine voice from a young bat pony stallion said as he hovered in the air. “It doesn’t matter which one we’re following! Anypony who messes with either of the Queen’s, is going to have to answer to us! Nopony messes with the Queens when we’re around! Am I right guys?!”

“Yes Star Chaser, you are right.” A calmer, smoother sounding mare as the guards all gave nods of agreement. “Now please get down from there.”

Celestia looked over at all the ponies in front of her, a small, relieved smile plastered on her face. She slowly folded her majestic wings back to her sides as her lavender eyes shone with gratitude.

“Thank you all… I figured that you would be discouraged when I told you just what we’d be up against. It seems I underestimated just how dedicated and loyal you all are. Who knows? If things go according to plan, my sister will be saved, and many of you will get the chance to meet her for the first time.”. Taking another deep breath, her expression became serious once more as she gave her first order. “Solar Division Captain Bardock White Fang Shenron and Lunar Division Gene Nightstalker, please step forward!”

Once those words were spoken, the two ponies from both divisions stepped forward, their second in commands following behind them. All four of them stood within a few hooves’ length of the Queen, giving brief bows to her, before holding their heads held high, waiting for her orders.

“How may we be of service, your Highness?” Bardock asked, his voice filled with respect despite how anxious it sounded.

“As the two of you are already aware by now, you are by far the two strongest of both your divisions. More than capable of handling even the toughest of foes. Because of that, I have chosen you two to be the ones to lead your fellow soldiers and have them help you follow the task that I am going to assign you with.” Celestia replied, looking at the duo intently. “I want you both to have your second in commands have half of your troops to head to Ponyville and keep the ponies there safe from any harm coming to them by Nightmare Moon. If there are any that are wounded and in need of help, feel free to have your best medics assist those that needed. You two and the other half of the Solar Division will come with me into the Everfree forest to assist another group that I have sent after Nightmare Moon.”

Bardock nodded curtly. “As you command, your highness.”

“As you wish, your Majesty.” Gene said softly. “We will see to it immediately.

“Does everypony understand what they are now supposed to do as well?” Celestia asked, looking around the room. She was given a chorus of nods, leading her to let out an exhale of breath. “Good. You are to leave immediately, for there is no time to waste. The sooner we get to my old, the better, now go!”

Not needing to be told twice, the Guards, led by Bardock and Gene, all filed out, leaving Celestia to stand in the giant room. After another few minutes, she let out a sigh as she looked out the window at the moon floating in the night sky. She stared at it for a time, as she was if trying to see the black blotch that used to be there, before making her way towards the exit.

'I hope the letter that I sent to Captain Violet Fire will be able to get to her in time before the girls get in too much danger when they finally do leave. If only Spike was here to help me do it, it'd get there in no time. It looks like I'll have to do it with my own magic instead.' Celestia thought, frowning in worry as she thought back to the letter she rote one of the two Ariel Flight Teams she knew. ‘So…it’s finally happened, hasn’t it, Luna? The day that you would return and try to take over the land once again…and extract your revenge against me.’ The swan white Alicorn thought as she closed her eyes for a few moments in reminiscence, before it morphed into one of determination. ‘Fear not sister, I may have failed to save you a millennium ago, but that doesn’t mean that I will fail a second time! I’ve taken all the necessary precautions I needed to ensure that history does not repeat itself.’

She looked up at the ceiling at the many symbols of the sun and the moon made for her, feeling a small stab of pain go through her chest. ‘It won’t be long before Elements are reawakened, and new wielders are found, including for that one. When that comes, you will finally be freed from the Nightmare’s grasp at last. After that, I’ll finally have you back by my side once more.’

With that goal set in mind, Celestia exited out of the throne room, encasing the giant entrance doors in an aura of golden yellow magic. With a loud resounding slam, she shut the doors behind her, leaving the Royal Throne Room in complete silence.

Author's Note

Eh, this chapter hardly went through any editing, other than changing just who was going to be leading the Solar and Lunar Divisions, these being Bardock and Gene instead of Shining Armor and Moon Blade Although Moon Blade and Shining Armor will be the Second in Commands...well, at least for now, from where I'm standing :raritywink: . One of the first major things that I changed was the fact that the Shadowbolts would not be joining the Solar and Lunar Guards, and Queen Celestia, in their plan to go into the Everfree Forest. That, and I also had a little summary of Celestia talking with Goku's parent about what happened at the Town Square and what had happened to their only son. You can only imagine how scared and terrified they both were when that happened, and you all know damn well they'll do all they can to get their little Sheton back :pinkiecrazy: . Oh, and as for that last part with Violet Fire being sent a letter, that will fill in some part in the next chapter that is already partially done when I get back to it, and I know that some of you may be pretty surprised as to where they live :raritywink: .

Next time: Reinforcements are called for the girls...in the last place that they ever expected it to come :pinkiegasp: !

Chapter 15 - Shadows in the Darkness

As the Solar Queen prepared her armies for the destructive battle soon to come, another was soon about to be called. The message going in the last place that anypony would ever expect to get help for a case like this. Unlike in Ponyville or Canterlot City however, it was in a place that nopony had ever inhabited for the last millennium. It was an environment that nopony dared to step inside, due to the many dangers that it held. Unlike the many towns and cities that adorned Equestria, this was a forest, and not just any type of forest either. It was a forest unlike any other that had ever been discovered before, one that only the brave, or the foolish, or the experienced would dare set hoof in. One that would make any other wilderness, other than one, look like a wonderland in comparison.

The savage forest of the Everfree.

This forest was not like any of the other found in any other part of Equestria, or in any other place beyond that. It was a wilderness unlike any other, filled with many different creatures, that would more than likely kill a pony on first sight. It was a forest with trees looking bigger than they should be, with dense bushes and woodlands that could easily be used as a bade. The animals roaming through its earth, skies and waters had many different strengths and abilities that made them fiercer than the other. The forest’s weather was unpredictable, changing in ways that would be catastrophic for any towns and cities that would be in it. Topped off by the wild and chaotic magic that the whole forest gave off, making anypony in the forest feel that they were being watched. It was for these reasons alone that nopony entered, and had their children stay away from it as best they could. Least they be eaten or lost, or potentially die in this forest of death.

It was also why the ponies that did inhabit this environment called it their home.

Somewhere nestled deep within the towering trees and protective bushes, lay a secret, yet very populated civilization none would expect to find. A town that was just as nocturnal and secretive as the ponies that lived and kept themselves safe within, going by the name of Nocturne Nation. Its ponies were not of the ones that lived outside the deadliness of the forest, but ones that could pass of as supernatural beings of folklore. Ones that were very much like that of the ones in the Empire of Lunar Bay, only much fiercer and far more adapted to where they lived. Unlike the thestrals in the north, the ones in the east were perfectly adapted for life in the forest like the Everfree. Making them all the more valuable assets and comrades to have on any team in any time of turmoil.

Nestled somewhere in the middle of this unknown town, laid a large guild that towered over nearly every other dark building from within Nocturne Nation. It was made from the strongest of wood, by the very trees that protected it in its ebony shadows. Various dark colors lined all around the guild in ways that made it looked like it was designed specifically for the darkness of the night. The symbol of a red-eyed ten-tailed black wolf at the very center of the building only further confirmed it, along with the sign that said, ‘Black Wolf’, right above the wolf. On the door itself was the same wolf, except it was smaller, more centered and the bright red knobs on the door that made up its eyes.

From within inside the guildhall, things were far less quiet than outside of the town, even though fanged equines could be seen roaming about. A majority of the guildhall had row upon row of tables, with one side having a bar at the far left, and a stage at the very front. Each of them had forest dwelling thestrals of all sizes, colors, and ages, all looking fearsome, with a few of them being feathered hybrids. Some of them were dining, others drinking, a few were dancing, while others were just casually chatting. The foals ran and flew around the guild’s interior, not having a single care in the world while the elder ones looked on fondly. This left them all blissfully aware of the terror that was soon to grace them all on this calm and peaceful night. Or at least, the ponies that would soon be called to stop that same horror from growing.

At the right side of the guild, where the bar was, two mares could be seen conversing, one serving drinks and food while the other dined. Judging by their colors and features, it was clear that they were related in some way, with slight differences to their appearances. From their expressions, it was clear they were enjoying themselves, both in the guild and each other’s company. It made it all the more vital for them to be doing so, for every ounce of their strength would be needed for what was to come.

“The guild sure is lively tonight, isn’t it?” The first mare asked jovially, looking around at the interior of the guild at the rowdy at ponies. “Everypony seemed to be having such a good time tonight; even the foals here look to be more energetic than usual.”

“Can you blame them Blue Skies? It’s only understandable and expectant that everypony’s a bit more excited than normal.” The second mare giggled, washing one of the cups that had been previously filled with a drink. “Today is the night of the annual Nocturnal Nighttime Celebration, where the thestrals from all four towns in the Everfree Forest go Nocturne Nation to celebrate the rise of the Full Moon. Why wouldn’t they be excited to celebrate something about that?”

“I know that Crimson Skies, I’ve been to it more than a hundred times since I was eight!” Blue Skies replied, blowing her tongue out at Crimson Skies. “It’s just that I can’t help but be marveled at how happy they all seem for this particular day.” She giggled as she used a palomino hoof to brush away some of her chocolate brown mane. “Then again, it is the month of July, and it’s the Fourth of July too, so it shouldn’t really be that much of a surprise.”

“Exactly sis, and you really shouldn’t be wondering why they and all of the little cuties are acting like they’re birthdays are today.” Crimson replied, reaching over with a palomino hoof of her own, and booping Blue on her nose. “Besides, you’re going to be going with them too, along with me, Fast Tracks, Lightning Shadow, Storm Shadow, and Captain Violet Fire! We are in charge of doing the flashy colors and fireworks when we arrive to Nocturne Nation~.”

“Yeah, we are! One of the many quirks about being a member of the Shadowbolts!” Blue replied sweetly, her face sparkling as her wings ruffled excitedly. Her face then became downcast as it was covered in a deep shade of blue. “It’s also a big contrast to the hellish training that Captain Violet Fire puts us through whenever were in the Underground Headquarters. Oh, why does she always have to train us like she’s trying to kill us?!”

“Well, you know how Captain Violet Fire is Bluey, along with the others.” Crimson said sympathetically, her smile becoming gentler. “She wants to make sure that we are prepared for any type of situation that is as dangerous as this very forest. It does make sense, since we do literally train inside of the Everfree, and not just underground under this entire town.”

“I know that Crimson but still! It always seems like the Captain is trying to fucking kill us whenever we do train, even though I know that’s not her faustdamned intention!” Blue whined, holding herself as she shook in her bar stool. “It’s worse when she doesn’t even attempt to yell and scream in our fucking faces while she does it! She acts like she’s just playing a game with us, a-and is so…calm and m-motherly about it too! Totally unlike an actual drill sergeant that spends all day screaming, cursing and insulting you!”

“And you think that somehow makes it worse?” Crimson asked, setting the cup down on the table. “Captain Violet being all motherly and seductive towards you while she tried to break your bones to make them stronger?”

Anime tears flew down Blue’s face. “It always makes it worse!”

A slight giggling could be heard from behind the two sisters, and they looked over to see two pegasus mares walking over to them. Both of their fur was a solid shade of grey, with one of the mare’s coats being lighter than the other. Their manes and tails were an equal shade of inky black, and their legs had sharp looking stripes, as if they were that of zebras. The only difference between them was the fact that first mare’s eyes were deep ruby red, while a gentle glow of ocean blue made up the other mare’s eyes.

“Oh, Blue Skies, you poor little thing.” The first mare cooed, as she patted the other mare, an amused smile coming to her face. “Even after several years with on the team, you still haven’t gotten used to Captain Violet’s training. To this very day, you still haven’t stopped getting scared of whenever you did have to keep your strength up. You have not changed a single bit since the day you first enlisted yourself on the team.”

A tick mark appeared on Blue’s forehead, and she slapped the other mare’s striped hoof away out of embarrassed. “Oh, shut up, Lightning Shadow! It’s not my fault that I feel like I’m going to get scared out of my wits every time Captain Violet puts me through the training through hell! I am not like you or Storm Shadow, or even Fast Tracks! You guys have absolutely no problem with getting buried six feet under if it means you’ll get stronger!”

“That’s because we’re not adorable little scardey cats like you are, baby.” Storm Shadow stated calmly. “It’s okay, we’re not going to judge you for that. We don’t expect everypony on the team to have the same iron exterior that Crimson, me, Lightning and Fast Tracks have. Everypony has their own views and opinions about what the team does, so you have all the room to cry and hide behind us.”

“Was that an insult?” Blue asked, looking at the dark grey mare with suspicion. “That sounds like it was an insult!”

“Of course it wasn’t Blue, and you know it!” Crimson replied with a little headshake. “Storm Shadow is never one to insult somepony, whether she meant it or not. She’s just playing with you is all…”

“Well it really doesn’t look like that to me!” Blue frowned, crossing her forelegs. “It really sounded like she was humiliating me, and I don’t like it one bit!”

“I see...I’m sorry Blue, I didn’t really mean it like that.” Storm said softly, putting a more comforting hoof on her head. “I probably should have put that better, that was a mistake on my part. Can you forgive me for hurting your feelings?”

Blue looked over at Storm, seeing the apologetic expression that matched the look in her eyes, and she sighed. “Well…alright, sure. I guess I may have overreacted a bit there…I’m sorry for acting like a jerk Storm.”

“That’s alright Blue…Storm was kind of being one herself, so it’s all good.” Lightning said, elbowing her sister’s side as she gave her a sideways look. “Anyway, have either of you seen any sign of Captain Violet Fire or Vice-Captain Fast Tracks?”

“Um…yes, we have.” Crimson replied, lowering her head and making her orange and brown toned mane fall in front of it. Despite a majority of it covering her face, it did nothing to cover the red glow on her cheeks. “T-they’re in the back of the bar having one of their…p-private training sessions.”

“On a more basic note, they’re fucking each other’s brains out.” Blue asked bluntly, her face looking just as red. “And they’re doing it hard.”

“Really? Right now?” Lightning asked, tilting her head as she gained a thoughtful look. “Huh, that explains all of the banging and creaking that I heard from outside.”

“Honestly those two…I swear their sex drives are through the roof, it’s almost like they’re both thestrals even though Captain Violet is a pegasus.” Storm Shadow murmured, sighing deeply as she flicked her tail. “They just cannot keep their hooves off of each other can they, Captain Violet most especially when it comes to Fast Tracks.”

“W-well, it’s not like we really have any room to talk Storm.” Lightning said, a tint of pink coming to her grey cheeks. “Last time I checked, none of us have our V-Cards anymore, not since we joined onto the team and we all had that fuck fest with Captain Fast Tracks after celebrating one of our mission completions.”

“Heh, I remember that.” Crimson said, chuckling slightly. “We were tasked with capturing some animals that wandered out of the Everfree and were making their way to Baltimare. We had gotten a considerably large amount of payment from the ones who posted the missions, and as a reward, Captain Violet Fire wanted us to have a, um…s-special, reward.”

“Y-you mean that big orgy we had a few months ago?” Blue asked delicately, her face getting redder. “I haven’t forgotten that…C-Captain Violet was pretty insistent that we’d participate, and that we’d enjoy it to the end. I-it was embarrassing, b-but…I-I did have fun~.”

“Oh, we know you did sis!” Crimson giggled, her embarrassment dissolving into amusement. “I remember you squealing so loudly when Vice-Captain Fast Tracks continuously drove himself into your little cave! I’m pretty sure the bats that resign in the other caves could hear you too!”

Blue’s tail swing forward and slapped her sister’s muzzle. “S-shut up Crimson Skies!”

“See? What did I tell you Blue?” Storm cooed sweetly. “Simply adorable~.”

Lightning Shadow nodded. “And irresistibly cute~!”

“Don’t you start too!” The palomino mare shouted, going comically white in the eyes.

The sound of a door opening suddenly drew the groups attention, and they looked to see an ebony black pegasus and light brown thestral stallion staggering out. The mare’s black and violet streaked mane covered her eyes as she panted, while the stallion beside her smiled victoriously, looking like he had one a race. Once the mare had collected herself, she shook her mane out of her eyes, revealing to sparkling yellow irises.

“Oh wow, that was incredible Fast Tracks!” The mare said, looking into the thestral stallion’s violet eyes. “That was even better than the last time we did it!”

“You bet it was Captain V! Of course, you’d expect no less from the fastest stallion on the Shadowbolts!” Fast Tracks replied victoriously, putting a cloven hoof to his chest. “I may be fast in the air and on the tracks, but that doesn’t mean the same in the bedroom baby! Even I know there some things that don’t always require speed…”

“You mean things like you railing Captain Violet Fire until she practically scorches whatever bed you two are in?” Crimson asked dryly as the duo came to the table. “Because that is something that you may actually doneed to be fast for, Fast Tracks.”

“I do not set fire to the beds that I lay in!” Violet Fire said, giving Crimson a sideways glance. “At least, not the ones that I think are still useful. The only time I even use my fire, is for whenever I’m training you adorable sweeties, or when we’re performing.” Her face suddenly lit up as shock washed over it for just a split second, before it became giddy. “Oh, that’s right! Tonight is the annual Lunar Moon Celebration at Nocturne Nation! Shit, I can’t believe I forgot about that!”

“Well we’re not surprise…I mean, you were just getting your flames extinguished by Vice-Captain Fast Tracks.” Lightning teased, watching as Violet froze and blushed. “By Luna you were making quite the ruckus from outside Captain Violet…me and Storm Shadow could hear you form all the way outside!”

“Whoa, really? You could actually hear here through these walls?” Fast blinked in surprise, looking back at the entrance, and back at the rest of his team. “Wow…I must’ve drove you wilder than I thought, huh Captain V?”

“I…I-I’m sorry about that everypony, I didn’t mean to cause that much of a ruckus.” Violet replied in embarrassment, resisting the urge to cover her face with her wings. “I hope I didn’t disturb you too, Crimson Skies, Blue Skies-”

“No, you didn’t Captain; it’s fine really.” Blue said, cutting her Captain off. “We couldn’t really hear you from outside the bar anyway, so it’s fine with us.” She looked over at the other thestrals at the guild’s table, none of them paying attention to where they were. “Though, I don’t think I can say the same for the others though. Their hearing is pretty sharp, just as sharp as the fangs in the mouths, just like Vice-Captain Fast Tracks’, so I’m sure they heard you too.”

“Eh, well, it’s not like it’s anything new for them.” Fast Tracks shrugged, scratching at his red streaked light brown mane. “A good majority of the mares, stallions, and even some of the foals in this guild have taken some of the rooms to indulge in their own little fuck sessions. None of them have even bothered to keep quiet, not that it would really matter. No matter how rowdy this guild is, nothing can get past the ears of a thestral.”

“Funny you should say that Vice-Captain.” Storm Shadow said, one of her forelegs raising to point behind the light brown thestral. “Because I think you just missed that messenger bat that’s hovering just behind you, Captain Violet, Crimson, and Blue.”

Fast Tracks’s mouth turned into a small comical triangle, before he turned back and looked up into the line of Storm’s vision. Sure enough, hovering in front of the four pegasi and one thestral, was a snow white Everfree bat, a large scroll wrapped around its back. Its pale white fur made it stand out brightly against the dark texture of the, its big baby blue eyes looking down at them patiently. As soon as Violet Fire saw the bat, she gasped and flew up towards it, squealing and giggling foalishly.

“Chenoa!” She cried, bringing the bat into her violet chest fluff as she nuzzled the top of its head, spinning in the air. “How’s my little fluffy bat puppy? Did you come to say hi to your Auntie Violet Fire?”

“Um, I’m pretty sure that’s not just why he’s here Captain.” Fast replied, the back of his head containing a big sweat drop. This earned him a heated glare in return, making several more sweat drops appear. “What?! He literally has a scroll tied to his back! It’s obvious that he has something important to tell us!”

“Yes, I know that Fast, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t give him a little love every now and again!” Violet pouted, using a black hoof to pull the red-eyed roseray hanging from her neck to the side. “He lives all the way out in Canterlot City in the underground town Foundation Fang! I can only imagine how hard it is for him to travel all the way from there to here! The poor thing must be exhausted!”

“Captain, Chenoa is an Everfree bat. He’s not like all of the other bats that you’d find like in the Undiscovered West.” Crimson Skies pointed out, setting some drinks on the table. “Besides, he’s gone on flights even longer than this one and is hardly even winded! No way that something like that is going to make him go splat on the ground.”

“Whether he’s a regular bat or an Everfree bat, it doesn’t mean jack shit to me Crimson! Either way, he’s still a pup, and animals as young as him need plenty of protein to keep going.” Violet retorted, patting the pup on his head as she pulled the scroll off of Chenoa. “Speaking of which, be a sweetie and give him a few fruits, will you? He’s got to be really thirsty after traveling such a long way over here…and yes, that’s an order.”

“…yes Captain.” Crimson sighed, rolling her eyes and she walked over to the far end of the bar to get a couple of fruits. With a kiss to Chenoa’s nose, Violet flew down to the bar stand and sat on one of the stools as she prepared to open the scroll. When she saw the ribbon keeping it in place, she paused, a look of worry coming to her face as she inspected it closely.

‘This wrapping…it’s red, and there’s a symbol of the sun on the center of it.’ The ebony mare thought, a frown coming to her face. ‘There’s only one reason for this kind of wrapping to be on Celestia’s scroll...that means that something urgent is about to happen or is happening right now.’

Over the years that she had been serving under Queen Celestia, Violet had received a multitude of scrolls with colorful wrappings that had many different meanings. Through time, Violet had come to learn what they meant before she even looked into the scroll. With orange, it meant that she had a standard mission that Celestia needed them for. Green meant that there was special occasion going on in the city of Canterlot, or at least in its underground city of Foundation Fang. There was even a blue color, and that told Violet that a tragedy had taken place, be it with her own team, or with the Wonderbolts of Cloudsdale. Another Ariel Flight Team and military force that helped to protect Equestria from any threats inside or outside the nation. One more color made up the last three, and the one she was seeing now was the rarest of them all, the sun symbol even rarer. When she saw even one of them, it told Violet only one thing.

The entire nation of Equestria was in mortal danger.

‘That’s impossible…today is the Fourth of July! When Queen Celestia Celebrates the Summer Sun Celebration and the five nations together to celebrate the Lunar Moon Celebration on the same day in the Everfree Forest!’ Violet thought in disbelief, feeling her heartbeat quicken a bit. ‘How can anything even remotely bad happen today of all days?!’

Swallowing the growing lump in her throat, Violet unfurled the wrapping around the scroll, letting it fall to the ground as she opened the parchment. She reached out with a wing and grabbed one of the drinks Crimson had set out, and took a few frantic gulps. Feeling a bit calmer, but no less nervous, Violet took a deep breath, and began to read.

Dear Captain Violet Fire Kindheart Rosario Kyuketsukiōkami

I would first like to say that I apologize for sending you a letter on such an unexpected notice, especially one that has red wrapping and the symbol of my cutie mark on it. I normally wouldn’t call you for urgent matters such as the one that I am about to tell you know, but please understand that I had no choice in the matter. The last thing that I want is to put you and your team in danger on days where you should be able to indulge in each other’s company, and that of the ponies that live in the Everfree. Even more so since tonight is the night that you will all be celebrating the annual Lunar Full Moon Celebration in honor of my dear sister. Alas, I say with my deepest regrets that you will have to put that on hold. For what I am about to tell you may make the flames of the phoenix go wild with anger within your heart.

About one hour and thirty minutes ago, I was in the town of Ponyville about of participate with my subjects in the Summer Sun Celebration. It was cut short when somepony invaded the Town Square, all but demolishing it and the ponies as well. I was unable to fend for myself, for the foe caught me by surprised, and I ended up getting beaten rather quickly, much to my shame. That, however, is not the worst part of this letter that I am writing to you now; that will come in the next paragraph.

Out of all the ponies that were with me in the Town Square, there were seven mares, two of which I happen to know personally. One of those two that I know, and one of them that you happen to be very close friends with. She was there when this adversary attacked us all, and is one of the seven mares that I sent after the one that tried to kill me. A thestral hybrid mare going by the name of Son Goku Kakarot Nighstalker Shenron. I am telling you the identity of this mare, not just because you know just who is going after this attacker. It is because the pony that we encountered has foalnapped somepony very near and dear to her and you. Along with six other little ones, due to what Goku and the rest of her comrades informed me about. A young colt who is also a hybrid thestral, going by the name of Sheton Crimson Flash Nightstalker Shenron. Someone that I’m sure you remember Goku introducing you to sometime ago. That, however, is nothing compared to who it was that took Sheton the rest of Goku’s friends’ loved ones. The one who broke into the Ponyville Town Square, attacked me, and took Sheton…was none other than my corrupted sister, Nightmare Moon Nocturnis.

I know that’s a rather tough pill to swallow, but please believe me when I say that it is the complete and honest truth. My sister has finally escaped from the moon she lay imprisoned in, and is now planning to take her revenge on all who wronged her. If my hunch is correct, she is headed towards the Everfree Forest, and towards the castle that we once shared together. This is also why I’m writing this letter to you know, because you are the closest ponies that I know can get to her quickly enough before something bad happens.

Another reason for this is because the ponies that I’ve sent after Nightmare Moon are more than likely in the Everfree Forest. It’s in the western direction of the town I was with them in. So, I believe they are heading there right now, towards the first town of Gaia Galley. If your fast enough, you can catch them before they get into too much danger and provide them with extra help. I hope that you are able to, for they will need as much strength saved as possible for the battle ahead of them.

Best of luck to you and your team Captain Violet Fire, for I feel this will be the hardest battle you will all ever face.

Sincerely

Queen Celestia Daybringer

A loud shattering sound drew the attention of every single thestral mare, stallion, and foal inside of the Black Wolf Guild towards the bar. The entire interior of the building was so quiet that they could hear a mouse squeaking and it would’ve had the impact of a screeching eagle. All of their eyes were on Violet, who had her back facing them, not moving a single muscle, a shattered glass bottle laying underneath her. Immediately they could tell that something was wrong, judging by the aura of fear that they could sense emitting form the Shadowbolt Captain.

“U-um…Captain Violet?” Blue asked quietly, the silence of the guild allowing her voice to be heard by all. “I-is…is there something wrong?”

“Yeah, what is it Captain V?” Fast Tracks asked, coming to his Captain’s side. “You’re sitting stiller than a Battookuma hibernating during the winter.”

Grabbing onto her stool, Fast turned Violet around to face him and other Shadowbolts, and they, along with every single thestral in the guild gasped. The look on Violet’s face was one that a pony could only have when somepony precious to them was in danger. Her lower lip was shaking as hard as her hooves were, which barely looked to be holding the letter in front of her. The pupils in her gleaming yellow eyes were the size of pinpricks, making her eyes look almost pupiless, and tears were silently falling down her black cheeks. Whimpers and soft cries escaped her every second or two, and the way she was shaking made it look like she was about to pass out.

“C-captain...!” Lighting Shadow cried, growing worried. “W-what’s the matter?”

Upon hearing Lightning’s voice, Violet snapped out of her gaze, gasping as she ripped her hooves away from the letter, as if it had caught on fire. They came to her muzzle as her breathing slowly began to increase, her tears coming down at a quicker pace.

“No, no no…. no no no no no no NO! NO! NO!” She chanted, her voice becoming increasing louder until she was full on screaming. Her hooves came to her head as she hunched forward, her wings bristling in response to her emotions. “No, this isn’t real! This cannot be real; this cannot be fucking happening to me!”

“Captain, what is wrong?!” Storm asked urgently, coming in front of the other pegasus and grabbing her by the shoulders. “Tell us what’s wrong! Why are you crying?!”

“This is a dream, this is all a dream, this is all a dream!” Violet yelled, her eyes shutting in a futile effort to keep the tears from flowing. “This has to be a fucking dream! There is no fucking way that this shit is happening! Not now, not to me dammit!”

“Captain!” Crimson cried, the volume of her voice making the ebony mare jump and turn to look at her. “Please, calm down; your scaring me and the rest of the guild! For the love of Faust, please, tell us! What is the matter?!”

Realizing what she hadn’t told her team what she had heard, Violet inhaled sharply, taking some seconds to try to settle her raging emotions. Once she did, Violet reached behind her and grabbed the letter from the floor, ignoring the looks of fearful concern from the rest of the guild. Wiping some of her tears away, she held the letter out in front of her, making them all look at her in confusion.

“E-everypony…y-you need to read this right now.” Violet ordered shakily; her ears firmly flattened against her skull. “I-it’s a letter of urgency form Q-Queen Celestia…and i-it…i-it…oh sweet Luna, it’s horrible!”

“Queen Celestia sent a letter?” Blue asked, her brows furrowing slightly. “What does it say? Did something-”

“Guys, please!” Violet begged desperately. “P-please just…read it…now.”

At the commanding tone in Violet’s voice, Fast Tracks took the letter from her and let the other mares gather around him. Violet sniffled and continued to try to wipe away the tears that was continuously falling from her face. As the whispers and murmurs of the guildhall thestrals filled her sensitive ears, she looked back at her teammates, and saw their pale faces.

“Are…are you shitting me right now?” Fast whispered as he too dropped the letter in the same manner that Violet had done. “No…no way…no fucking way did I read what I just read! T-this…this has to be some sick fucking joke!”

“I have a very hard time contemplating that Fast Tracks.” Lighting said softly, her own voice laced with worry. “This is clearly Celestia’s hoofwriting, or magic writing to be precise. I can even feel her magic flowing through these words…there is no way that this is a false letter, or a prank.”

Storm shook her head, her calm facing contorting into a growl. “No, it’s definitely not. Do you see how quickly this was written? This letter was clearly written as fast as could be, and that tells me just how urgent this letter is.”

“N-not only t-that.” Crimson stammered, picking up the red strap which held the sun symbol. “It also had this ribbon around the scroll…we rarely even get this letter. I-it can only mean that…t-that…!”

“Yes, all that Celestia wrote in that letter was t-true…” Violet replied, holding back a sob as tears continued to fall. “S-she was attacked in the town hall, and Sheton was foalnapped! He was foalnapped right in front of Goku’s very eyes!” She wailed as her hooves collided with the bar table, making the drinks shake and nearly fall over. “All done by the hooves of the one pony that we thought wouldn’t return tonight of all nights! I-it’s all true! Every single word written in there is fucking true!”

“Dammit…dammit, dammit, FAUSTDAMMIT!” Fast screamed, kicking one of the bar’s stools it flew across the guild floor. His tails skirt struck the floorboard, causing it to split on impact. “I cannot fucking believe this! Sheton…my little buddy was foalnapped, fucking foalnapped by the MARE ON THE FUCKING MOON!” He took deep hard breathes through his nose and hissed, making a few nearby thestral foals step back. “Of all the damn times that this had to happen, why did it have to fucking happen now?! Better yet, did it have to be Sheton of all ponies that was in danger now?! Why dammit, why?!”

“I…I-I don’t know!” Blue gasped, fighting back her own waterworks as she clenched her teeth and ground them together. “I…I-I can’t believe this is happening! N-Nightmare Moon’s come back?! W-why is this happening to us?! T-to Goku?! To Sheton?! W-why…why here?! Why now?!”

Crimson threw her forelegs around her sister’s neck, stroking her mane as the latter’s tears stained the former’s shoulder. “It’s okay Blue, it’s okay…don’t cry, please don’t you dare cry right now. Don’t worry, we’re going to save him. We’re going to find Goku and anypony else she’s with and help them on their quest to get Sheton back. We will get to him you, hear me?” She pulled back so her bright blue eyes could look back into Blue’s matching ones. “We will save him.”

“You’re damn right we will. Which is why I have a plan in order.” Violet replied, standing up from her bar stool. “Lightning Shadow, I want you to find the nearest quill, ink, scroll, and thestralcorn and write a letter back to Queen Celestia. Tell her that we’re on our way to the Everfree’s western border, and we’ll also be sending a message to Evergreen Valley to let them know that they’ll soon be having visitors. Make sure to tell Master Gaia who these visitors are, because I don’t want to have to go there and find Goku’s group all beaten and bloody.” Her ears perked as something clicked in her mind. "Oh, and while you're doing that, be sure to copy that same letter and send it to Master Venture Vine, Master Moon Blade, and, if you can, Master Hiyori as well. If what I fear is true, then we'll need all the help we can get tonight."

“At once Captain!” Lightning nodded, saluting before she vanished in a lightning swirl.

“Chenoa, honey, come here.” Violet said as she turned to the bat pup, who was currently hanging from the edge of the bar table. “Once Lightning is done with the letter, I want you to head straight back to Canterlot as fast as you can and sent Celestia our letter. The sooner she knows that we’re heading for Goku, the better. I don’t want to have her worrying if we’re even starting to get ready or not.”

Chenoa spat out the now shriveled mango he was drinking from and gave a squeak of affirmation, giving a cute little salute of his own. Nodding in satisfaction, Violet turned to the rest of her team and gave a final order.

“Blue Skies, Crimson Skies, Storm Shadow, I want you all to head to HQ underground and inform the rest of the Shadowbolts of what’s going on.” She said, keeping her tone gentle but firm at the same time. “I want as many reinforcements as we can get for where we’re going to be heading, and who we’re about to face.”

“O-okay.” Blue nodded, cleaning her face of any remaining tears. “W-what are you going to do?”

Violet’s eyes narrowed, before they looked to where the stage was, her gaze going higher until she saw the large Lunar Moon symbol at the top. She stared at the midnight black bat wined alicorn head for a moment while it stared back her, its soft royal blue gemstones for eyes gleaming.

“I’m gonna pay a little visit to Master Luffyko and inform her of what I just learned, before I notify the villagers of the same thing. Though not before I pay a little visit to Queen Luna's Moon and verify something on my mind.” Violet finally replied, looking down at the black and indigo phoenix on her flanks. “After that, I’m going to go prepare to release the flames of the immortal bird within me. And trust me when I say team, that when I release them…they. Will. Burn.”

Author's Note

I'm pretty sure that you guys weren't expecting me at all to actually have a guild nestled somewhere in the Everfree Forest, did you :derpytongue2: ? Well surprise; I did, and I don't regret it a single bit, nor do I reset putting in the towns that will soon be presented later on in the series :raritywink: . Now, one of the reasons why I did this was because I wanted to find some place to put Shadowbolt Headquarters, since I didn't really that do that back in the old version of this story, and wanted to fix it :ajsleepy: . Another reason for that is, well, since I added the Fairy Tail tag to it, I felt that I should go more along that route...at least when it comes to the guilds coming into play. Though I couldn't really see myself putting guilds in anywhere like Ponyville, Baltimare, Fillydelphia, Manehatten, Appleoosa, or even in the places beyond the boarders of Equestria...except maybe for the Undiscovered West and the underground City in Canterlot :applejackunsure: . I'll just stick to keeping the guilds inside of the much larger Everfree Forest for now, and unless I see myself putting in more guilds elsewhere besides that...all just keep it how it is :coolphoto: .

Speaking of Ariel Flight teams, I would like to inform you all that the Wonderbolts will not be joining the incoming fight between Nightmare Moon's newly edited Dark Army with the Solar and Lunar Division :ajsleepy: . Looking back on that now, I can see that was completely unnecessary and was just a complete waste of time and effort on my part. Not to mention I could've save their appearance for sometime later in my series, especially when it came to Spitfire's utter disdain towards Violet Fire. As stated in the last two versions, that will be addressed later one and...let's just say you'll see that Spitfire may or may not have a pretty good reason to hate Violet Fire :applecry: .

Next time: Sheton and the Cutie Mark Crusaders witness the rise of Nightmare Moon's dark reign...as well as the moon's bloody awakening :pinkiecrazy: .

Chapter 16 - Awakening of the Blood Moon

Nightmare Moon Nocturnis’s dark voluptuous frame melted into that of the sky above her, her armor making her look like she was a soaring star. Her misty mane and tail billowed behind her as her bat wings flapped silently through the air. The draconic eyes in her head shone brightly in the near pitch-black darkness of the forest, the Moon being the only thing giving any light to the forest whatsoever. Her fur, blacker than any sin, seemed to merge perfectly with the shadows of the Everfree as she glided her way through them. The mare’s bat-like ears took in any sounds of any animal that was sent her way, from roars, bellows, and screeches, and chirps and bleats of any nearby plant eaters.

“I can see that this place hasn’t changed in the slightest the last three thousand years I was away.” Nightmare Moon said to herself in a reminiscing tone. She closed her eyes and let herself feel the magic flowing throughout the jungle-like woodlands. “Hmmm, yes, the magic in this forest feels quite nice indeed...and its shadows make me feel like I’m at home. I can certainly see why that little Lunar Queen of a mare liked being around it and why her meddlesome sister didn’t. It’s just so black, so raw, and so…dark and bloodthirsty. Exactly my cup of tea if I do say so myself. No wonder Celestia couldn’t stand to be anywhere near it whenever they did travel through here. Hmph, only goes to show just how much of a weak mare she was become, just her dear little sister.”

Laughing to herself, Nightmare Moon gave another few hard flaps of her wings, pulling herself higher into the air and going past the giant trees. It didn’t take very long before she found herself at the very top of the forest of giant trees, allowing her to see the fast number of trees and the mountains beyond. As she looked up, she could see the night sky glittering with the stars that were twinkling above her. Right in the middle of the sky, the moon cast her in it’s pure white glow, bringing a warm comforting feeling to the alicorn. A peaceful expression made its way to her face, a content sigh leaving her as she closed her eyes in relief. It didn’t leave her face, even as the sound of screeching birds and the clapping of thunder echoed about the sky above her.

“My my, this forest has grown as much as it has become lively.” Nightmare Moon murmured to herself as she looked around the air. “It wasn’t quite this big when I was still here, with nowhere near this number of animals. Of course, with a magical and chaotic forest like this, I suppose I can’t really expect it to not grow at least a bit bigger. It would seem that these dear creatures have gotten quite busy after me and my sister had left.” She let out a laugh, the sound flowing out of her like smooth silk. “Well, they’ll get even busier when I begin to take back my rightful power and extinguish the dawn and my sister for good. With a few wonder-eyed precious little spectators there to witness it all.”

Looking behind her, Nightmare Moon smiled in amusement as she watched the seven foals encased within her ethereal mane and tail. Each of them were floating in various parts of them, bearing looks of fear and anxiety and their young adorable faces. Their legs flailed about in the see-through mist, as if they were first time swimmer, trying to get back to the surface of a vast ocean. Even though they could still breath, this did nothing to cease their struggles as they scrambled about within the starry smoke.

“Awww, what’s the matter, little ones? Not enjoying our little right?” Nightmare Moon asked, chuckling at the frightened expressions on the foals’ faces. “No wait, I know. Are you afraid that you may suffocate in there, is that it?”

“P-please, please don’t drop us!” Scootaloo pleaded, her cries coming out in short and ragged breaths as she sobbed with fear. “This is too high! I-I don’t like being this high at all! I’m scared, I don’t wanna fall!”

“Not to worry my dear, my dazzling is mane is specifically designed to encase things, living or not without any harm to it.” Nightmare Moon said sweetly, winking at the hysterical bright orange filly. “So, you don’t need to worry about anything like losing air or even falling out into the forest below you.”

Firestreak snarled, glaring heatedly at the mare that took them hostage. “Dammit, you won’t get away with this you moon assed bitch! Just wait, Rainbow Dash and the rest of her gang are going to come and save us! But not before they kick your ass first!”

“Ha, I am very much doubting that will happen young one.” Nightmare Moon said casually, looking more entertained than upset by the filly’s defiance. “I do have to admire your faith in those measly seven ponies though. It makes me wonder if it’ll be even worth my time of confronting them when we meet. That is, if they’re even coming after me at all.”

“Okay, I know that you are a dumbass now.” Firestreak said with a huff, snorting roughly. “You really think that our sisters are going to just stand idly by and not do anything?! You have no idea who you’re badmouthing off to about right now!”

Nightmare Moon chuckled, marveling at Firestreak’s naïve hypocrisy. “This coming from a filly that’s using words that are not fit for somepony her age.” She said, turning her head a bit more so she could look at her. “It appears that your parents and your big sister failed to discipline you accordingly. I can certainly see why your little friends were trying so hard to keep you from doing anything foolish. It looks like I’m going to have to help your poor family in teaching you when to mind your tongue.”

“Come and try it! I dare you!” Firestreak challenged as her little body began to produce flames that matched her mane. “You even think of trying to touch me, and I’m gonna burn your tongue right out of your mouth!”

“Is that a challenge, my feisty little filly?” Nightmare Moon asked coyly, turning her whole body around so that Firestreak had her full attention. “Why don’t you come and make true on that vow, if you think you have what it takes…”

“Oh, don’t think so! I fucking know I-GAH!” Firestreak cried out in pain when she felt pain burst on the back of her head. She rolled around in Nightmare Moon’s mane and tail for a moment, before whipping around to glare at the guilty party. “Dammit, who the hell did that?!”

“Ah did, ya fire-brained idiot!” Apple Bloom shouted, glaring at Firestreak. “Ah don’t know if yer jus’ playin’ a tough front ‘r just bein’ plain stupid, but ya need to simmer down! Ya do realize who yer talkin’ to, right?! This is Nightmare Moon buckin’ Nocturnis, th’ Dark Queen an’ th’ Goddess o’ th’ Red Moon for land’s sake!”

“I don’t care if she’s the queen of the entire fucking universe!” Firestreak shouted, flapping her wings despite knowing she couldn’t fly at the moment. “Nopony bad-mouths Rainbow Dash and gets away with it! Especially if somepony does it in front of me! If they do, they’re going to find themselves in a world of hurt!”

“Funny you should say something like that, Firestreak! Because you looked like you were about to get all of us hurt just a couple of seconds ago!” Sweetie Belle cried, her own face streaking with tears as she hugged herself within the mist. “Seriously, are you trying to get our blood sucked and leave us as husks! Like how Nightmare Moon did to that guard’s pony when he was trying to keep Nightmare Moon from getting away?!”

Melon Cake stuck her tongue out in disgust at the unpleasant memory. “Please don’t remind me of that Sweets!” She gagged, shaking in midair as she scrunched her eyes shut. “The last thing that I want to think about is somepony getting their own blood sucked out of them like a lollipop!”

“Yeah, well Nightmare Moon’s skull is gonna looked like a crushed lollipop by the time I’m don’t with her!” Firestreak said as she glared back at Nightmare Moon. “Ya hear me?! You are mine as soon as we find some way to get out of here!”

“Believe me, I’ll be eagerly awaiting when I can give you that chance little one.” Nightmare Moon said, not bothering to look back at her this time. “For now, I’d suggest you quiet down so I can focus on my flight. I wouldn’t want any of you to fall out of my mane and tail before we’ve even gotten sight of our new destination.”

“Are you fucking shitting me?!” Firestreak yelled, making the other foals wince. “You talk shit about my sister, foalnap us out of the Town Square, and you’re telling me I should shut up! I think you’re the one who shou-mph!”

“Firestreak, stop it!” Crescent Shield hissed desperately, using her magic to seal the other filly’s mouth shut. Firestreak struggled to get her lips free, but was held firm by the magic the winged unicorn used. “I understand that your angry right now, but will you please give it a rest?! I am just as scared as you are, and I know the others feel the same way, just like you! Even so, we’re not going to get anywhere if we do what you’re doing right now! We are in the clutches of the most powerful pony in the world, and the last thing we want is for her to vaporize us because you don’t know when to stop talking! So please, for our sake, and Rainbow’s sake, calm down! Or else I’ll keep your mouth sewn until we’re at wherever we’re heading!”

As Crescent tried to keep the lid on Firestreak’s boiling temper, Sheton remained quiet, not even paying attention to any of the fillies. His thoughts were nothing but a giant whirlwind right now, and it wasn’t just his friends he was thinking about. The colt’s thoughts were mainly on his sisters, and what they could be doing at the moment. He knew that she, along with Goku had to be looking for her, along with the rest of the mares he had met that morning. There was no way she couldn’t be, not after what transpired back in the Town Square. Goku had even tried to get them back before Nightmare Moon had taken them all out of Ponyville. Something that he believed she would’ve succeeded at had Nightmare Moon not blindsided her at the last second. Sheton could still see the look of horrified fear on her face, even as she was sent flying by the Dark Queen, a sight that made him want to cry thinking about it.

‘I wonder of big sis will be able to make it through this forest before Nightmare Moon decides to do anything really bad to us.’ Sheton thought, imaginations of his sister’s fate in the Everfree worming their way into his mind. The colt flinched and shut his eyes, one of his hooves coming to slap his cheek hard. ‘No, don’t think like that Sheton! You’re making it seem like she’s not going to make it and save you! Goku will save you! You know she will, along with the rest of your friends too! Just keep Scootaloo and the fillies safe until then and keep your chin up high!’

Yet as much as he tried to tell himself that, Sheton know that was a lot easier said than done, especially on the latter.

Even though he was, rightfully, scared out of his mind, he couldn’t help but be transfixed by what he was currently seeing. That sight being the giant forest that they were all currently flying over, presenting itself to him in all of its natural glory. He was unable to keep his innocent eyes from taking in the giant trees and dense bushes that covered the area, the shadows covering the bottom. Sheton could see no animals on the earth’s floor, but he could hear them loud and clear, on the ground and in the air. At one point, he heard the screeching of what sounded to be a bird of prey that sounded to be up close to them. Yet as he looked around, he couldn’t see the bird anywhere in sight, making him think that may have been hearing things. Except…he couldn’t have; his ears were sharper than any of the other pony tribes. There was no way he could’ve misheard something as loud and piercing as that.

‘Well, we are in the Everfree Forest right now, and the animals here are very much different than the ones found in any normal wilderness.’ Sheton thought to himself, looking up into the direction of where they were flying away from. ‘At the very least, that could’ve been the famed Death Raptor, or Shinomōkin I’ve read about. Oh, I really, really hope it doesn’t find us, I do not want us to get eaten!’

A soft hoof then made contact with his shoulder, and he looked over to see Scootaloo next to him, looking at him with concern. As Sheton stared at, he could see the outlines of tried tears staining her white cheeks, making them a crusty grey. The sight of seeing such a pretty filly and tears broke Sheton’s heart, and he turned to give her his full attention.

“Are you okay Scootaloo?” The thestral colt asked softly. “What’s the matter?”

“I-I could b-be asking you t-the same t-thing.” Scootaloo replied, her voice just as gentle as she moved closer to the colt. “Y-you’ve been a-awfully q-quiet for this entire trip…i-is everything alright?”

Sheton sighed, letting his head slump as his mane fell over his face. “No…everything isn’t alright Scootaloo. In fact, what kind of a question is that? Just an hour and a half ago, were nearly crushed to past in the Town Square, we stood face to face with the Dark Queen, and now, we’re being foalnapped and taken to only Faust knows where! How can anything about that be alright?! Well, let me tell you, it’s not!”

Scootaloo winced at the outburst, but didn’t shy away, her desire to comfort the colt outweighing her fear of his anger. “Y-you’re right, t-that was a stupid question. I’m sorry about-”

“No, I’m sorry for shouting at you, that wasn’t very nice of me.” Scootaloo shyly interrupted, shaking her head. “I-I’m just…really scared about what’s going to happen t-to us.”

“You and be both Scootaloo.” Sweetie said, sniffling as she continued to cry. “I-I’m really scared of what Nightmare Moon will do to us now that she has us. I-I mean, I know she said she wouldn’t hurt us, b-but, I-I’m still scared! I don’t wanna b-be one of Nightmare Moon’s p-puppets, I-I wanna be with my sister again!”

“I do too!” Melon Cake cried, pouting deeply. “This is not a party that I wanna be a part of! I know that it will be dark, scary, spooky, and frightening, and not even the good kind! This is gonna be the bad kind that is going to make us never participate on Nightmare Night ever again!”

“I think that’s the least of our worries right now Melon. It’s only July, and Nightmare Night is another three months away!” Apple Bloom frowned as she crossed her forehooves. “I can still see yer point, Ah don’t wanna have any part o’ this! Ah jus’ wanna git away from this mare, outta this forest, an’ back t’ where Applejack is!”

“I wanna be reunited Twilight and Spike too, but we don’t have that option right now.” Crescent replied solemnly, looking back at Nightmare Moon. “From the way I see it, Nightmare Moon isn’t going to let us go. And if we try anything, we’re going to be getting more than just a fright, so it’s best if we just comply with her for now.”

“Are you crazy?!” Firestreak shouted incredulously. “There is no fucking way I’m doing anything for this bitch! If anything, she should be letting us before I-OW!”

Apple Bloom shook her white-stocked hoof, steaming rising off of it as Firestreak nursed the lump on her head. “Shut yer trap b’fore ya git us all zapped!”

“Well, you seven seem to be having quite lively the conversation back there.” Nightmare Moon murmured, causing the foals to look over at her. “Have you all calmed down a bit now that you’ve alleviated some of your stress?”

Scootaloo gulped, her politeness and fear of getting vaporized making her speak up. “U-um…not really M-Ms. Q-Queen Moon. I-I do feel a l-little better n-now that I’ve gotten over b-being so f-frightened, b-but…I am still p-pretty scared.” She ignored the annoyed glare Firestreak shot her as she poked her hooves together. “I-if you would b-be so kind…c-could you please maybe, t-take us a bit lower? I-if, um…if that’s okay with you?”

“Really? You don’t like being this high above this beautiful forest?” Nightmare Moon cooed, giving her wings gentle flap. “Poor thing…well, since you asked so nicely, I suppose I could take you all a little lower. Though I do have to go deeper through the trees and move around a bit more. I don’t want to damage my wings by hitting one of those thick branches, and that would probably lead me dropping you.”

“Oh, r-really?” Scootaloo asked, her ears perking. “W-well, never mind then, y-you can just keep going at the p-pace you’re going. F-forget that I said anything…”

“Actually wait. There’s no need to do that.” Nightmare Moon suddenly added, catching the other foals off guard. “It would appear that we’ve finally found our destination.”

“Wait, we made it already?!” Firestreak shouted, looking around. “I don’t see anything! All I can see are these damn trees!”

“Oh, I’m sorry my mistake; I forgot where you couldn’t see from where you are.” Nightmare Moon said absentmindedly. “Here allow me to adjust my flight pattern.”

With a sudden flap upward, Nightmare Moon flew even higher above the trees, ignoring the cries and squeals from the foals as they were pulled along. It didn’t take them very long for them to finally be above the trees, allowing them to see beyond that and ahead. Looking to the left, a few of them could even see the outlines of Foal Mountain, looking to be on the north side of the Everfree. What most of the foals didn’t know, was that there was also where Hallow Shades was, a revelation that left Sheton in a silent shocked stupor. He didn’t have time to dwell on it long, for Nightmare Moon’s smooth, yet powerful voice drew his attention back to her.

“Well, here we are little ones! We’ve made it to me and my sisters old him! The sin black alicorn said as she observed the building in front of her. “Or at least…what is left of it, which will soon be mine, and my home alone.”

As Nightmare Moon flew closer to the ruined building in front of her, she lowered herself a bit, allowing the youngsters to see it. The chorus of gasp she heard come from them let them know just how taken aback they were as to where she had brought them. So much so, that Crescent Shield could help but verbally express it.

“No…no way, t-that…it can’t be!” The ocean blue filly shouted, instinctively flying back within the alicorn’s fused mane and tail. “There’s no way that can be the place where you’re taking us!”

“Indeed, it is my little filly, this is the castle that I will soon take as my own, and use to rule once I get rid of my retched sister.” Nightmare Moon declared, laughing at the filly’s expression. “Of course, I can’t do it with the way that it is. I’m sure you and I can agree that it does needed a little redecorating to make it more fit for a Queen.”

Redecorating was probably not the right word to use for the building that the mare and foal hostages were currently flying towards. The castle looked, for the lack of a better word, in utter ruins, yet still looked to be standing, despite most of it being gone. One two smaller towers could be seen on either side, looking to still be in peek condition, even after all the time it was left behind. Thick coats of algae were growing on random parts, and a few or so trees could be seen growing around it from the inside. Some distance away from the old ruins, was a large dirt trail that led to a fallen bridge no longer connected to where the castle was. The far end of the bridge looked to be hanging right into the pit that separated the castle form the rest of the forest surrounding it, looking all but ready to snap.

“Redecorating?! That place looks like it needs to be built from the ground up!” Melon exclaimed, her jaw slightly hanging open. “It looks like a stack of a hundred birthday cakes ready to topple over and splatter the ground with frosting and…and cake!”

“That’s a very…tasty way of putting it, little filly.” Nightmare Moon mused, mulling over the filly’s comment before shrugging. “But you are right, it does look like it’s going to fall with just the slightest blast. Luckily, I just happened to know just how to get it back in proper condition.”

“Oh really, you’re going to but that entire castle back together all by yourself?” Firestreak asked in a snarky tone. “Yeah, like even somepony like you can accomplish that.”

Sweetie Belle glared at her friend. “Are you trying to get yourself bitten?!” She snapped sharply.

“Don’t underestimate the power of an alicorn my little filly.” Nightmare Moon said smugly, completely ignoring Firestreak’s remark. “You should especially not underestimate my power either. I haven’t spent the last thousand years just sitting on my moon doing nothing but staring out into my endless starry universe.”

Sheton suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable by that statement, “What…are going on about that?”

The bat winged alicorn glanced behind her, giving the colt a feral grin. “Just wait and see my little fledgling…just wait and see.”

None of the other foals were able to ask Nightmare Moon about that, for they found themselves landing right in front of the old castle. Her mane and tail finally released the younger group, and they fell to the ground with soft thumps. Some of them landing on each other as they struggled not to inhale the dust cloud surrounding them. Scootaloo ended up falling right on top of Sheton, and they blushed upon feeling themselves pressed against one another.

“Owww…did ya have t’ let us fall so carelessly like that?” Apple Bloom asked, rubbing at the side of her head. “Ya could’ve at least given us some warning b’fore ya did that!”

“Hmhm, I’m sorry about that young one, it appears I was a bit more excited than I thought.” Nightmare Moon chuckled as she turned to face the apprehensive foals. “Now, how about we go inside and-”

“TAKE THIS!” Firestreak suddenly yelled out leaping in front of Nightmare Moon with her indigo hooves outstretched. The next thing Nightmare Moon knew her vision was enveloped in a sea of yellow, red and orange as the filly blasted a stream of fire right into her armored face. The fire went right past her, striking the doors with a such a force that it made them slam open with an echoing bang.

“Ha! How’d you like that you bitch?!” Firestreak smirked taking a couple steps back. “Can’t take the heat can you?”

“FIRESTREAK!” Crescent screamed, looking at her friend in absolute horror. Was she seriously that idiotic?

Scootaloo fell to her rump, looking like she was going to have a heart attack. “Y-you d-d-did not j-j-just d-d-d-do t-t-t-that…!”

“Oh, hell yeah I did!” Firestreak smirked, turning to look at her friends as the fire continued to roar around Nightmare Moon. “And it was fucking awesome! Bitch just stood there and took it like she actually could!”

“YOU IDIOT!” Apple Bloom screamed, running over and tackling Firestreak to the ground. The farm filly began repeatedly slamming her into the ground, her orange eyes wide with panic. “DO YA HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YA JUS’ DID?! YOU SERIOUSLY CANNOT BE THAT STUPID!”

“Oh, relax Apple Bloom! Now’s our chance to escape from here.” Firestreak said once Apple Bloom stopped throttling her. “Sure it may not be much, but my flames will definitely be enough to slow her down! So whaddya say we go ahead and make a break for it?”

Sheton stared in absolute fear at Firestreak, completely at a loss for words at her stupidity. ‘This filly is a complete idiot!’

“What, you seven are leaving already?” Nightmare Moon’s voice silky voice asked from within the flames. “We haven’t even gotten to explore the castle yet.”

If the situation hadn’t been so petrifying, Sheton and the fillies would’ve laughed at the comically terrified expression on Firestreak’s face. Every single trace or bravado and toughness seemed to have been ripped from her face by Nightmare Moon’s words. Beads of sweat bounced off her face as she slowly looked behind her to see Nightmare Moon smiling down at her. Her fur was slightly burnt along with some of the feathers on her wings, but otherwise looked fine. Although that didn’t mean the other foals were scared of what would happen next.

“Dang it…” Sweetie whimpered. “Now you did Firestreak…”

Nightmare Moon exhaled deeply, as if trying to suppress the rage building inside of her. “Hmmm, I guess I was kind of cold there, thanks for warming me up.” She said, ruffling her wings as she looked down at a trembling Firestreak. “To be honest, it was rather cold back up on the moon, so it feels very relieving that I’m finally able to feel something other than freezing cold.”

Firestreak backed away slowly, her heart beating uncontrollably in fright at the aura of authority Nightmare Moon was giving off. She suddenly realized that she may have recklessly signed both her and her friends’ death warrants.

“Of course, that wasn’t quite the best move to pull…not to mention you interrupted me when I was speaking.” Nightmare Moon continued, her tone not changing as she stepped closer to the foals. Her turquoise eyes gave a faint flash of red, something that Sheton picked up on as the alicorn closed her eyes. “It looks like I have to discipline you, my feisty one.”

“W-w-wait a second, why don’t we take a step back and talk about this!” Firestreak said as she began to stagger back, running right into Apple Bloom. “I-I was just kidding! Yeah, that’s right kidding, I wasn’t really trying to-”

Flashes of red were the only thing that Firestreak could see as Nightmare Moon’s eyes snapped open, revealing two large orbs of crimson. It didn’t take up the entirety of her eyes, for her slitted pupils were a bright orange, with an iridescent yellow ring around them. They pinned the crimson filly in place, burning away every single ounce of toughness she may have had, leaving her a whimpering mess. She wasn’t the only one though; the rest of the fillies were feeling the heat as well in their own way, some more scared than others. Crescent’s wings were fluttering madly wanting desperately to take her away in flight, while Sweetie whimpered and whined, fighting to look away. Apple Bloom’s mouth opened and closed, trying to utter out some form of apology, unable to thanks to the power behind Nightmare Moon’s stare. Melon’s eyes were as wide as balloons, looking like they were going either pop our burn right out of her head. While Scootaloo sobbed violently, looking like she had just woken up from a nightmare.

The only one who was managing to maintain himself was Sheton, yet even had had a few tears racing down his eyes. As he stared into Nightmare Moon’s glowing eyes, he couldn’t help but sense that there was something…familiar about them, along with her. It was the same sensation that he got when he saw Nightmare Moon for the first time, one that made him feel as if she was familiar to him as well. He knew there was something off about Nightmare Moon, something that almost made him feel as if she was a part of him somehow…but what was it?

Nightmare Moon’s gaze of red eventually receded back to their normal color, breaking the spell she had on the foals and allowing them to break free. She watched as they collapsed on the ground, panting, sweating and crying as they tried to recover from the horror that Nightmare Moon had glared upon them.

“There, I think I’ve gotten the message across loud and clear.” She said, smiling in satisfaction as watched them struggle to stand. “Now, have we all learned our lessons?”

“W-what? B-but we didn’t do anythi-” Sweetie stuttered, but was cut off when Scootaloo’s hoof clapped over her muzzle.

“Yes, we have learned our lesson, we swear Queen Moon!” Scootaloo wailed, legs still shaking as she stared straight into Nightmare Moon’s eyes. “We won’t ever go against you like that again, we promise!”

“Scootaloo, we didn’t-!” Melon said, but she too was cut off when Crescent shut her mouth with her magic. At that moment, both she and Sweetie got the message, and they went quiet, along with the others.

“Good, I’m glad that you remember your places.” Nightmare Moon nodded as she turned around, gesturing for them to follow. “Now, shall we proceed?”

The seven foals knew that it wasn’t a question, and they obediently followed after the sin black alicorn as she went through the open doors. Each of their eyes were greeted with the sight of the large hallways, and the multiple rooms adoring the sides of it. There was also old paintings and ancient art of the sun and the moon hanging off of the sides of the hallway. At the far end of the hallway, was a set of stairs, going to two ways with a tapestry hanging in the center wall, above a window.

“So…I was right after all; this castle is what I thought it was.” Crescent said as she looked around the hallways. “This is…the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters.”

Apple Bloom glanced at the ocean blue filly. “The what now?”

“Oh, you you’ve heard of this castle before, have you?” Nightmare Moon looked over at Crescent. “I take it that this was form some sort of history lesson?”

“U-um…yes, something like that.” Crescent replied with a blush. “I go to a pretty advanced school in Canterlot City, so the teachers there are pretty knowledgeable. With teachers like that, it’s not all that hard for foals like me to guess places like these.”

Nightmare Moon raised a brow at this explanation, before it clicked. “Oh, so you are, what other may affectionately call, a bookworm?”

“Er…yes.” Crescent said bashfully. “I come from a whole family of b-bookworms. So, it’s easy to pick up on their habits.”

“Hmmm…yes, I can certainly it. Your eyes and body language alone let me know that you are quite knowledgeable.” Nightmare Moon nodded, her eyes trailing over to Sheton. “And it looks like you’re not the only one of this little group who is either.”

The stormy grey colt flinched, covering his head with his large fedora. ‘How the hell did she guess something like that?!’

“Wow…this castle is in much better shape than I thought! I really did think that it was going to fall like stack of pancakes!” Melon gasped as she looked around the hall. Her multi-colored eyes took in the sights of doors that he was pretty sure were headquarters. “Um, Queen Moonie, are uh…do these doors lead to bedrooms?”

“Why yes they are my sweet-toothed filly.” Nightmare Moon replied as they began walking up the stairs. “Me and my sister’s old castle used to have plenty of rooms for our guests, even those of the Lunar and Solar Division when we were both in power. It looks like those haven’t been entirely destroyed. It makes things all the easier for me for what I’m about to do.”

Sweetie looked at the larger mare curiously. “W-what’s that? What’re you gonna do?”

Nightmare Moon smiled anticipatingly at the alabaster filly. “Just wait and see my little melodious filly…just wait and see.”

As the group went up the right stairs, Scootaloo noticed something out of her peripheral vision, and found herself looking into a beautiful tapestry. Judging by how it was made, along with the pony inside of it, it was clearly one made for nature, something that surprised her. From what she was able to gather of the castle, it was something made for both the day and the night, so she wasn’t expecting any other symbolic items to be in it. Which made her curious as to how something like this ended up in a castle that completely contrasted with it.

As the filly good a closer look at the tapestry, there was something that she noticed about it, an aspect that left her wide-eyed. Unfortunately, she didn’t have any more time to think on what she had seen, for Sheton’s voice called her over.

“Scootaloo?” He asked, making the filly turn over to where the colt was. He blushed upon seeing his, and the rest of the group’s eyes focused on her. “Are you coming?”

“O-oh, yes, I’m sorry!” Scootaloo apologized as she rushed over to where her friends and the foalnapper were waiting for her. She took a quick glance at Nightmare Moon, but the alicorn said nothing as she continued to lead the group up to the throne room. Unbeknownst to the foals, Nightmare Moon knew just what Scootaloo was looking at, something that made Nightmare Moon frown on sorrow.

‘Get ahold of yourself Nightmare Moon, now is not the time to be worrying over such things.’ The sin black Alicorn firmly thought to herself, giving a slight shake of her head. ‘You have far more important matters to attend to. First you must get rid of those meddlesome mares that my sister sent to stop me, eliminate her, and taking my place as the rightful Lunar Queen of Equestria.’ She looked back at where the tapestry was, making sure that the foals could not see the frown on her face, or the pain in her eyes. 'And then, you can find someway to undo that.'

The trek up to the old throne room wasn’t very long by the foals account, since it was just above the hallway that they were recently in. They found themselves looking into a room, that was just as long as the last one. Multiple mirrors and statues and tapestries could be seen dotting the sides of the throne room, with a deep red rug, just like the one in Canterlot Castle. At the very end, were two aged chairs that had symbols of the sun and moon on each of them. With the moon hovering from behind them through a large glass window.

“Hmmm…my old room my sister and I used seems to also intact as well.” Nightmare Moon said, mostly to herself than the observers behind her. “Looks like this castle was just as intact on the inside as well as outside…even if it is mostly destroyed.”

“T-this is yours a-and Queen C-Celestia’s old t-throne room?” Scootaloo asked observing the scenery around her. “T-the one you used to share?”

“Indeed, it is my sweet one. The one that I had also blindly wrecked in my rage against my sister…something that I regret to this day.” Nightmare Moon shook her head, that part of her memory she was not fond of. “It matters not now, for I plan to fix any bit of damage that we both did to our old home that will soon my mine.”

Sheton, with all of the fear he was currently feeling, could not help but make his curiosity about that known. “U-um…n-not to sound rude or anything, b-but…how do you plan to do that Ni, er…Q-Queen Moon? N-no offense, but…you don’t really have a-anypony to help fix t-the whole castle to how you want it…a-and we’re not exactly construction material.”

Nightmare Moon burst out laughing, the sound so sudden that it made the foals jump back. “Well of course you can’t help me! You are only foals; I don’t expect you to suddenly know how to rebuild an entire castle!” She let out a few more giggles before she regally regained her composure. “And even if you did, you wouldn’t need to. As I stated before, I have not been sitting around on the moon for the last millennium.”

Crescent’s ears perked. “W-wait, so…you mean to imply that you’re going to have this entire castle reconstructed?! A-all by yourself?!”

“You’re seriously going to try to do that?” Firestreak asked, only now realizing just how serious Nightmare Moon was the last time. Once that realization sunk in, the only thing she could find herself asking was, “H-how?!”

Nightmare Moon smirked, walking up to the stairs and stopping just in front of them as she ignited her horn. With a flash of her eyes, she shot a large beam of magic straight through the windows behind the throne chairs. It shattered on impact as the beam flew through the air, straight towards the moon as its glow washed over the room. Turning back around Nightmare Moon flared her wings, she sent a powerful gust of wind rushing over the foals as they stared dumbfounded.

“W-what did you do that for?” Sweetie asked, the tone in her voice showing that she was not preparing for that to happen.

The smirk on Nightmare Moon’s face grew slightly wider, the fangs from within her mouth becoming more existent. “For this~.”

Closing her eyes, a turquoise aura of magic surrounded her, lighting up her glittering set of armor, as well as the old throne room. It grew larger and more powerful in strength, the same streaks of it flowing about the room as clouds of dust swept all over. Some of them even went out the window, floating around in the air and up into the sky where the moon was gleaming at the largest window. This went on for a few moment, Nightmare Moon’s aura growing in intensity as she prepared to unleash the power behind it. Suddenly, her draconic eyes snapped open, and with a neigh that echoed about the entire castle, she reared up and slammed her forehooves down.

The effects were immediate.

The millisecond Nightmare Moon’s hooves touched the ground, a wave of magic washed over the floor, along with the entire room. The colt and fillies squealed as it raced towards them but quieted down once they saw they wouldn’t be frozen. The dusty stone-grey grounds and walls of the old throne room turned into a beautiful icy blue color that glittered as brightly as the stars in the sky. Cracks in the floor vanished, replaced by smooth and cool floors, made in a way that would allow somepony to look at their reflections. Broken and demolished windows were replaced by new ones having pictures of a nocturnal nighttime landscape, with the moon hovering high above them. Behind the sin black alicorn, a brand-new throne was being made, replacing the two ones that she had just destroyed. Or rather, fusing the two chairs together into one massive one made to Nightmare Moon’s liking.

Rooms, hallways and other areas of the castle’s interior were going through magical repairments as well outside of pony eyes. Old fabric and imprints of the sun and moon were obliterated, leaving ones of only the latter while the former was demolished and disintegrated. Even the floor was given light and dark blue color, with a giant crescent moon in the center of the hallways. Outside, the towers, both big and small, as well as what looked to be sheds, were going through the same effects from the Dark Queen’s magic. Even the castle itself was growing in size, becoming twice, no, four times as big as Canterlot castle. It consisted of different twilight colors, ranging from pink, purple, and even green, with a few parts of it being blue and black. It was so large that it could easily be seen across the wide-open golden plains, and the glow emitting from the moon made it easily noticeable. As a finishing touch, a long icy white trail slithered across the ground. It went all the way down to where the bridge was, where a new icy bridge formed, while the old went merely fell into the pit below it.

Back inside the newly reformed throne room, Nightmare Moon stood in place, marveling at her work while the foals stood gob smacked. She made no other movements, nor did she speak a word as the aura of power around her slowly vanished. Her mane and tail floated behind her as her eyes slowly opened, taking in the newly made sight of her castle. Another smile came to her face as she took in her new home’s beauty, everything looking to be to her liking.

“Oh my…that turned out even better than I thought that it would!” Nightmare Moon said jovially, as she ruffled her wings. She looked up at the newly fixed roof, and smiled up at the large blue chandeliers having crescent and full moons on it. “I’ve that picture in my head for so long of what I wanted my own castle to look like. Now, after a thousand years, I’ve finally done it at last, and it looks positively divine!”

“H-holy shit…s-she did it!” Firestreak exclaimed. “She actually managed to rebuild this whole place…all on her own!”

“A-and she did it all with just her magic.” Crescent fell to her haunches, her wide golden eyes shaking in awe at what she had witness. “I…I-I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

“Whoa, this floor is so…flat!” Melon cried as she slid along the floor. “I can actually slide on it, and I’m not even wearing ice skates!”

“Uh-huh, a-and it’s so…so…pretty.” Sweetie breathed, walking around in circles as her green eyes ran over the windows, ceiling, and chandeliers. “I don’t think even Queen Celestia can do something like this.”

“Of course she cannot!” Nightmare Moon guffawed humorously as the foals took in their new surroundings.“At least, not anything like this that I can recall. Of course, I really don’t need to for I’m sure that my sister has not even come close to increasing her magic to do something like this! Unlike me, who spent century after century mastering my magic for my inevitable return to this world on the thousandth day of the thousandth year!”

“Um…t-that’s v-very n-nice, Q-Queen M-Moon, a-and you’ve d-done a w-wonderful j-job in m-making it.” Scootaloo said softly, giving a polite bow to the Dark Queen. “S-still, I have t-to ask, i-if I may…w-why d-did you d-destroy t-the um…t-the window?”

Nightmare Moon’s grin was the only thing that Scootaloo was able to see before she and the rest of her friends were blindsided by a flash of red. It was so sudden that the foals cried as pain flashed within their eyes, making them cover them out of fear of getting blind. Just as quickly as it came, it was gone, allowing the foals to try to adjust their eyesight again. When they did, the first thing they looked at was the moon…or what was the usual moon. Their eyes slowly grew to the size of paper plates, as they saw that the moon was no longer its soft white color.

It was a burning scarlet red.

“Does that answer your question, my sweet?” Nightmare Moon cooed, taking delight in the younger ponies faces. “That was a little upgrade that I wanted to give to the moon…and it would see that it has worked.”

“W-wait, are you saying that you turned the moon into…t-the…Blood Moon?!” Sheton asked, paling as he saw Nightmare Moon softly nod. “Oh no…oh no, no, no, no! If she did that…t-then that means that-!”

“Indeed, my little fanged pup! Tonight, this castle and the Everfree will truly come alive all those who thrive in its shadows and worship its darkness!” Nightmare Moon declared, gesturing to the moon with a sin black foreleg. “And what better place for that to take place then in the one forest that foolish nopony has touched for the last thousand years?! Last I was here, it was full of creatures who cherish the darkness in all its glory, so there’s no doubt they’re still here now!”

“C-creatures of the n-night?” Crescent gulped, her pupils shrinking within her eyes. “Y-you c-can’t mean…t-those creatures…d-do you?”

“Oh, but I do mean those creatures my wonderful little princess. The very same creatures that your dear sisters will be facing when they enter this forest.” Nightmare Moon said gleefully, whipping her tail skirt back and forth. “They did seem rather determined to go in their when we visited them inside of that little library, did they not? I’m sure they’d be more than eager to get to me more than ever once they face those beautiful beasts…if they can get past them that is.”

“They can, and they will!” Firestreak shouted, stomping a hoof on the newly fixed floor. “You just wait Nightmare Moon! It doesn’t matter what our sisters go up against; they’ll burn it all to ashes and then some when they finally get to you! No matter what you throw at them they’ll overcome it and throw it right back at you, and you’ll be sorry!”

“T-that’s right!” Sweetie nodded as she glared sharply at the alicorn. “They’ll make you sorry that you ever took us, especially Sheton! Since his own sister is a bat pony, just like him!”

“Hmmm…indeed, she is a bat pony…and a rather fine looking one at that. It would appear that things with my night children have changed little while I was gone.” Nightmare Moon mused, gaining a thoughtful look. “In fact, it would seem that they have learned to adapt while still maintaining the power I bestowed upon them so long ago. I am so…” She paused to savor the word as she looked pointedly at Sheton. “…happy, that they are still as resilient as ever…at least my sister hasn’t let that change. I can’t wait to see just how resilient and battle-hardened they gotten for the last ten centuries.”

Sheton whimpered nervously, pressing himself against Scootaloo, who wrapped a wing around him in comfort. Even as she shook, she did her best to comfort and sooth him under the piercing gaze of the mare who may as well have been a demonic godly founder of his clan.

“That reminds me…I’ll need to see to it that I have my own army up and ready for battle.” The sin black alicorn said quietly. “I do hope that they’re resting beds are still within this forest. That would make it so much easier for my plans to regain power. If not…” A wicked smirk strewed across her face. “Well, I can always improvise…but first…” She looked at the foals with a softer expression. “…I need to get you situated.”

Suddenly, the seven foals were encased in soft aura of blue magic that glowed brighter as they floated higher into the air. Their expressions grew fearful as they looked back at the Dark Queen, terrified of what was going to happen.

“W-what’re you doing to us?!” Melon cried, flailing her forelegs wildly. “A-are you gonna turn us into cherry frosting?!”

“Oh no, don’t worry dear, just relax.” Nightmare Moon replied in a surprisingly sweet tone, knowing what Melon was implying. “I’m just going to show you to your new headquarters; give you all sometime to take it easy after everything that’s happened.” A tinge of excitement came into her voice as she added, “I will be back for you though, and when I do, I’ll give you a little tour of what will soon be your new home.”

Sheton’s heart froze in his chest. “N-new…h-home?”

“Yes…after I rid myself of my sister, and have fun with yours, I’ll swiftly dispose of them for good, and have you all be a part of what will soon be my kingdom. You will grow under my care, and I will teach all the ways of the night and the darkness.” She chuckled upon seeing their horrified faces. “You won’t worry, you will get a chance to say a final goodbye to them before I drain them of their blood and their magic. I’m sure they’d love that to be the last thing they see, though probably not while they look like shriveling husks. Oh well, we’ll come to that route when we get there.”

With that, all seven foals vanished in a whisk of sparkling blue light, their cries of protest being the last thing Nightmare Moon heard. She watched as the remnants of her magic floated to the ground in twinkling particles of light, before they vanished before her eyes completely.

“There, now I’ve gotten my adorable little guests situated.” Nightmare Moon sighed, turning back around and walking back to her throne. “It’s about time I wake my millennium old army from their long overdue sleep. I do wish that I could let them rest more, but I need them for what will no doubt be coming for me. I wonder, just how much stronger will they be once I’ve given them each a piece of my power." She looked down at her beautiful form, running a hoof through her chest fluff. “One thing though, I must dress myself in proper attire fit for a Lunar Queen of my stature.”

A bright light engulfed her entire body, vanishing a second later as Nightmare Moon was revealed once more. Her once naked form was now adorned with azure blue armor going down to her lower stomach, which also adorning wing blades. Her hooves were adorned in azure horseshoes, while her horn had a pure white crown having a crescent moon at the top, with a smaller blood red one right in the center of her head. To top the new attire off, a long indigo cape flowed about, attached itself to either of her shoulders.

“Now then, all that’s needed to do is gather my army and prepare them for the battle that is soon to come. Oh, how happy they’ll be to see me again…” Nightmare Moon said to herself. “I swear to you Celestia, I will finish you off this time, and make you pay for what you did to me. Once you’re gone, your sun will fall, my Moon will rise, and the night will last…forever.”

Author's Note

Alright now, I want to make something very clear, because I am sure a lot of you guys are going to be going ham on me for this. Why did I have Nightmare Moon reconstruct the Castle of the Two Sister single-hoofedly? It's because it was an idea that I had gotten after watching the movie Frozen, where Elsa had created that beautiful icy castle after running away from her home. It was the one thing that could really make sense to me for Nightmare Moon to start to take back her reign and try to win within a within hours of her returning to the moon...with a few reluctant guests along the way :twilightsheepish: . Also, I apologize if I didn't make this chapter very dark or dramatic on my part with the foals and Nightmare Moon, couldn't really see much of that happening :twilightblush: . I do hope that you all liked that little red moon addition I put, because things are totally going to get real bloody as the girls go on their trek through the Everfree Forest :pinkiecrazy: . Not gonna give out just what creatures the girls will face, but based on the Blood Moon...I think you guys have a hint of what they'll be :raritywink: .

Next time: Zephyr and the girls begin begin through journey into the immortal forest...and get a fateful of feathers and thunder from the mother of all raptors⚡!!!

Chapter 17 - The Raider of Thunder

The sound of leaves being crunched were the only things that the seven mares and Zephyr could hear as they trekked through the Everfree Forest. The only thing that they could see was thick foliage, and large trees that practically crowded all around the girls as they walked in its thick density. The moon was the only light to guide them through, yet even that was somewhat obscured by the thick greenery surrounding them. They could hear the sounds of different animals all around them, putting most of them slightly on edge. It filled their minds with the thought that they may run into one of them and get attacked at any moment, even though they had a guard with them. The humidity and misty, almost foul air could be felt each of the mares, with Zephyr being the only one not bothered. It seeped its way into each of their nostrils like a skunk’s spray that it uses for defense, causing their noses to scrunch up do to how painful it felt.

There was one thing about the Everfree that really unnerved them, more so than any of the unsettling sounds filling their ears. Even Goku was unable to keep her fluffy fur from standing on end and her instincts to go a bit out of control. Raw, untamed, and wild levels of magic could be felt all around them, coming up in amounts that were so large and so powerful that it made the thestral feel out of place. Wild was the only way to describe it, and the environment they were in made that word very fitting in more than one sense. It made Goku feel a bit jealous that the thestrals that live here were able to survive in such a forest like this. Along with making her briefly wondered if she could get some sort of upgrade should she ever return again.

If another group were sent to retrieve the Elements of Harmony, then they’d feel like they were being suffocated and unable to continue on. That was what the rest of the girls were feeling right now, and wanted nothing more than to leave this forest as quickly as possible. Had it not been for their own large amounts of magic, their resilient guard, and their desire to save their siblings, they would’ve done just that. As much as they didn’t want to face it, they knew that they’d have to face the creatures of this forest eventually, and that it’d take their strength and brains to do so. They had yet to realize just how dangerous they’d be, and how many times they’d be one step away from being claimed by death.

“So...girls?” Zephyr asked tentatively after a long stretch of silence, deciding that he should try and break the tension. Much to his relief, it seemed to do the trick, for the girls seemed to relax somewhat, with a couple of them even turning to him curiously. “I know that this may seem like a stupid question, but…have any if you been inside the Everfree Forest before?”

“Not a day in mah life sugarcube.” Applejack replied bluntly as she trudged along the dirt path. The sounds of her hooves were somewhat muffled by the black boots she was wearing. All four of them having imprints of orange and yellow flames swirling around them. “This place gives off a really, really bad vibe that Ah jus’ can’t but mah hoof on fer some reason. Ah’m amazed that Granny Smith an’ th’ others even let me go in her with y’all, even though she seemed pretty against it, despite th’ Queen orderin’ us to.”

“I have actually.” Fluttershy murmured. “It wasn’t for anything major really. The only times I ever went into the Everfree was when one of my animal friends got lose and wondered off too far from my cottage, leaving me to follow their tracks and get them back out before they got eaten or lost.” She explained, looking up at the trees surrounding them, seeming to be lost in thought at the moment. “During those time, I did encounter some of the animals in here, and while things didn’t escalate to violently…let’s just say we both parted ways with more than a few scratches and bit marks.”

“Is that the only reason?” Goku asked contemplatively. “Or is that something else?”

“Whoa, wait a second there.” Zephyr said, looking back at Fluttershy before she could answer the thestral. “You mean to say that you actually went inside the Everfree Forest?”

“Yep, she sure has Zephyr! I never would’ve expected Fluttershy of all ponies would be brave enough to go in a place like this! That’s just not something that I see her usually doing!” Pinkie replied, bouncing in the very middle of the group with a skip in her step. She was currently adoring a red and yellow battle vest, while a large straw hat with a red ribbon could be seen sitting atop her head. “Then again, her cottage is just on the edge of the Everfree Forest, so it’s not all that surprising! I haven’t been inside it, but I always did wonder what it’d be like to be in a spooky forest such as this!”

“Well I for one, have never even set hoof in here!” Rarity replied hotly with a graceful toss of her head. She cringed in disgust when she stepped into a pile of mud, before proceeding to try to shake it off. “I mean, look at this place! This is not place that I would even consider living in for whatever reason! It’s too humid, too dark, and just too…too…icky! I could not stand to spend even a single day in a place like this, ugh!”

“For some reason, I believe you.” Zephyr murmured dryly. “I can tell just by looking at you that this is the last place you want to be in. That, and you’d rather be in a spa soaking in a nice steam room while getting a back massage and a facial.”

“Precisely!” Rarity all but wailed, running her hooves down her face. “Finally, somepony knows what I’m going through!”

“I’m pretty sure you all know what my answer is going to be.” Twilight said, her magic to lit their way through the forest. “I’ve lived in Canterlot for most of my life, and while I know about the Everfree, I’ve never set foot in it before, even during my visits here to see you all. I’ve only heard stories about it from my parents, brother and teachers. Like what kinds of creatures inhabit it and how it was created. So far, everything I was told about this place is pretty bad…especially about the type of magic it holds.”

“That’s an understatement of the century, Twi.” Rainbow Dash said, rolling her eyes as she balances the blue and white word strapped onto her back. “The things about the Everfree Forest aren’t just bad, they’re absolutely crazy! Everything about it is just completely unnatural, the way it looks, the animals, the amount of magic…even the weather itself! I’m all for going on awesome adventures and pulling off dangerous stunts, but seriously! Even I wouldn’t wanna do any of that here!”

“I don’t blame and of you for not wanting to come here.” Fluttershy said quietly. “This place holds many dangers that ponies that aren’t of our caliber are not able to handle. It’s so unpredictable and unreal in so many ways, that some ponies just can’t even comprehend how a forest like this can even exist. Of course, everypony knows that it was created by Discord, though it’s not really known for sure whether or not he, or somepony else created the animals that lived in here. I know one thing…each and every single creature here is dangerous in their own right, and this forest alone is dangerous enough as it is, with the animals only adding to it.” Her wings ruffled as she brushed some foliage out of her face. “And I have the scars to prove that theory.”

“So, you were actually attacked by the beasts here?” Zephyr asked, watching as Fluttershy nodded silently. The royal blue stallion looked the mare up and down, unable to see any markings on her buttermilk yellow fur. “I don’t really see any scars on you. Have they just faded overtime?”

“Oh, that’s because my furs grown over them over the years. None of them have been severe enough to be permanent anyway.” Fluttershy explained. “Why? Do you wanna see them?”

Zephyr quickly shook his head. “Oh no, no! That’s fine! I don’t really want to see the scars! I was just, um…wondering why you didn’t have any scars if you had any run ins with any animals here.”

“Are you sure aren’t just wanting get a look at Fluttershy’s curves and ass?” Rainbow asked, grinning teasingly at Zephyr. “You don’t have to be ashamed. It’s alright to be interested in a mare, especially ones that’re as hot as Fluttershy, especially me.”

“Y-you know that was so not what I was talking about!” Zephyr replied as his cheeks turned red with embarrassment. “I-I was just wondering what kind of scars Fluttershy had, is all.”

“Uh-huh, sure you were Zephyr.” Rainbow said, no buying Zephyr’s truthful statement. “That just sounds like an excuse to cover up you wanting to get a look under Fluttershy’s tail and see what kind of package she has.”

Zephyr froze, his ears pinning, growling, “It…it is not!”

“Alright, that’s enough Rainbow Dash.” Twilight said firmly. “Zephyr’s on mission to protects while we’re in the Everfree. The last thing he needs is you teasing him and filling his thoughts with ones of wanting to rut us into the ground.”

“What?” Rainbow Dash asked, raising a prismatic eyebrow. “What’s wrong with stallions like him having thoughts about mares like us? I just said there’s nothing wrong with him thinking that, since we’re all pretty hot as hay.”

“I never said that Zephyr was never allowed to have such…fantasies about mares.” Twilight said, her own cheeks gaining a red tint. “I’m just saying that now isn’t really the time to be prying in that particular subject. We have a mission to do right now, and we can’t have anything distracting us from it.”

“Awww, come on Twilight! No need to be such a party pooper.” Pinkie cooed. “Everypony needs to a good laugh every now and again to all of those icky feelings out of the way. All Dash is doing is trying to lighten the mood that’s all. What’s so wrong with that?”

Twilight glanced over at the party pony. “There’s nothing wrong with that Pinkie! I just…don’t want us to get too far off track. The more time we waste goofing off, the more time that Nightmare Moon has to come up with some sinister plan to succeed in her original plan in bringing Eternal Night to Equestria. Not to mention she has all that more time to do whatever she wants to Sheton and the rest of our sisters!”

This made the rest of the group flinch on response, their pained looks telling Twilight that they had not forgotten about that. They each looked at the lavender unicorn with eyes that ranged from sadness, to guilt, and even ones that were offensive. A twist knot of guilt suddenly washed over Twilight, and she quickly looked away, her ears falling limp.

“Yeah, we kind hadn’t forgotten ‘bout that Twilight, thanks.” Applejack said somewhat bitterly, her hat covering her eyes as she lowered her head. “As a matter o’ fact, that’s been on our minds since we even started this journey. Ya really thought that we had forgotten what Nightmare Moon did in the Town Square? Th’ looks o’ fear Apple Bloom an’ th’ rest o’ them youngin’s had when they were taken away? Th’ screams we heard ringin’ in our ears like a pony-runnin’ cider machine?”

“N-no, of course not!” Twilight replied quickly, waving her hooves. “I-I was just-”

“Well you made it sound like we did forget about why were’ here.” Fluttershy cut in, frowning at Twilight. “I know you don’t want us to forget about why we’re here Twilight, but we can’t just be thinking about our sister’s safety right now. If we’re constantly reminded about that, we won’t be able to focus or function on anything else, which includes our own survival. As confusing as it may sound, we need something to help clear our hears and keep a sound mind so we can do just that! If we don’t, we’ll be this forest’s next victims, and all our efforts will have been for naught!”

“Yeah exactly!” Rainbow nodded, gesturing to her fellow pegasus. “That’s what I was trying to do Twi; keep everypony from going nuts! It’s not like I’m not going to not give Nightmare Moon a face full of my hooves when we see her.”

“Y-you’re right, you’re both right.” Twilight backed off, turning back in front of the group. “I’m sorry.”

“No, we’re the ones who should be sorry dear, we weren’t quite thinking with our heads at the moment.” Rarity said gently as she shook her head. “Though I do agree with our dear Fluttershy, we do need somepony or something to keep ourselves sane while we’re in this forest.”

Goku glanced at Rarity. “Um, don’t you have that in me?”

“Well, yes, but you do tend to a little crazy if you’re in a fight, be it with a pony or animal.” The fashionista pointed out. “So, we’ll need somepony with a tell trained and disciplined mind to be level-headed enough to keep you from going too crazy.”

Zephyr shook his head, realizing what, or who, Rarity was obviously talking about. “You’re talking about me, aren’t you?”

“Yes darling~.” Rarity cooed, raising her tail skirt and brushing it under the stallion’s chin. “I mean you exactly~.”

“I do not go crazy when I’m in a fight Rarity!” Goku huffed as Zephyr blushed from Rarity’s sensual action. “Compared to a normal pony brawl, a Shenron going crazy in a fight is relatively normal, especially since we live for the thrill of battle. So, from where I see it, it’s actually a good thing if I get wild, because that way, that’ll ensure that none of you are fucked by anypony that decides to fuck any of you.” She giggled as she threw a foreleg around Rarity. “Because they’ll have to fuck with me first~.”

“I feel so sorry for anypony that Nightmare Moon’s going to get if that happens!” Rainbow laughed mirthfully. “It doesn’t matter how many ponies you have with you! You mess with Goku, she’s going to burn you, but not before she sucks you dry!”

Pinkie suddenly burst out into a fit of giggles. “Uh, Dashie, I don’t think that Goku’s going to be sucking any stallion’s whipped cream shooters when we get to Queen Moonie.”

A tick mark appeared on Rainbow’s head. “Not that kind of sucking Pinkie!” She shouted as she bonked Pinkie on her head. “I mean the kind of sucking that vampires do when they’re going to drink someponies blood! You know, since Goku does have fangs and all, even though she’s not a vampire herself!”

“Yeah, I know!” Pinkie nodded vigorously as a steaming lump appeared on her head. “That’s what I was saying! Because if Goku did that, she wouldn’t be able to suck any cream from any stallions that you say she’s gonna suck from!”

“Not that either!” The cyan mare screamed with shark teeth and comically white eyes. “I mean, when Goku sucks them dry of their magic when she bites them!”

“That’s what I mean!” Pinkie said, pointing a hoof at Rainbow. “If Goku did that, then she wouldn’t be able to really suck those ponies dry of their cream! And she wouldn’t be able to know how tasty it is!”

“NO! I…DAMMIT PINKIE!” Rainbow screamed, lightning bursting around her. “Are you trying to fucking piss me off?! Or do you seriously not get what I’m saying?!”

“Of course, I get it!” Pinkie huffed. “Your saying that it doesn’t matter who Goku goes up against, and that she’ll cook them into ponified cupcakes! But before she does that, she’s going to suck them dry, of every single drop of their whipped cream! And that wouldn’t be far to them, because I know everypony likes to get a taste of each other’s cream.” A half-lidded look came to Pinkie’s face as her tongue lolled out. “I know I do~…”

Rainbow’s face flushed a slightly bluer color, her right eye twitching. ‘She is fucking hopeless.’

By this point, most of the others were straight up laughing as the two mares unintentionally made Fluttershy’s earlier point be proven. Even Zephyr was chuckling as he tried to keep his focus and composure in the environment around him.

“Well, look who’s trying to lighten the mood now?” He murmured, adjusting the draconic helmet on his head. “You really got yourself an interesting group of friends here Goku.”

The tan thestral nodded merrily, wiping the tears from her eyes as she calmed down from her giggling. “Yeah, I really do, Zephyr. even though they are sometimes as annoying as all living fuck, Rainbow Dash especially, but that’s fine.” She sighed as she shook her mane from her face. “Because there aren’t any other mares that I’d chose to have to be my friends.”

“And we wouldn’t choose any other mare to be our friend aside from you either.” Fluttershy cooed. “Besides, who’d be there to keep Rainbow Dash, or even Twilight, and the rest of us from going insane?”

“Someone who has to have a head as levelled as mine.” Goku replied with a chuckle, draping a wing around the other mare. “Which, by the way, is something that I do not see happening any time soon.”

Rarity nodded in agreement, letting out a melodious chuckle. “Neither do I darling, neither do I~.”

“Hey now,” Applejack countered. “Ah’m one o’ th’ most levelheaded ones o’ this here group, so Ah should be able to keep everypony from actin’ like chickens.”

“Yeah, but that’s in very rare occasions with you AJ.” Goku said, side-eyeing the farmer. “While I don’t doubt that you’d be able to keep the girls in line, given you are a Sweet Apple Titan, you are not known for being particularly patient, like Dash. As much as you may not like to admit it, you temper is just as short as her’s, only by slightly less, but still pretty bad. Before very long, somepony will have to keep you from turning some unlucky pony into applesauce…or keep you from getting smothered by another thestral.” A frown came to her face. “Plus, you do tend to judge appearances and situations far too quickly by the first look, and that’s another innocent flaw you have.”

Applejack went red in the face. “Ah do not! There has not been one time that Ah have ever been so quick to assume things, even if they are what they seem!”

“Oh, really now?” Goku asked daringly, leaning her head in so close that her nose nearly touched the earth pony’s. “So, you’re saying that you didn’t accuse me and my sisters of stealing your apples from the orchard after you caught us napping in one of the trees?”

Applejack winced, her green eyes shooting to the ground as the embarrassing, yet fluffy, memory played in her head. She had indeed innocently accused Goku and her sisters of drinking from her trees after she found them in the orchard while taking a stroll. Truth be told there wasn’t really any evidence that they were really taking the apples, but Applejack had somehow got it into her head that they were stealing from them. It took the sight of Midnight cracking the ground with a hoof stomp to keep the farmer from trying-hence trying, to pummel them.

Of course, looking back on that, Applejack could freely admit to herself that Goku didn’t need her siblings help to defend herself against her. She had seen plenty of examples of just how strong Goku was, even whenever they sparred together to increase their clan powers. At the same time, in her defense, the thestral trio were technically trespassing on Sweet Apple Titan Property, so she really had no reason not to think they were just to find a quiet place for napping. Even if the way that they did it did not fit her standards of sleeping.

“Okay, ya got me there…Ah did jump t’ conclusions kinda.” Applejack sighed. “Still, ya can ya really blame me? Ya were roamin’ our property without our permission, and none o’ mah family had seen yers around there b’fore. So ya can’t really be that upset with me for bein’ upset that you were there without our knowledge.”

“Yes, we know, and we apologized for that, but that’s not what I mean.” Goku said, holding a hoof up. “What I’m emphasizing is that even if you run into somepony you’ve never seen before you should not be so quick to assume that they’re there for any harmful intent. Not that you should be wary, just…not to the point where you believe without a doubt, they’re on your property for that reason. Especially when you haven’t even heard their side of the story.”

“Y…you’re right, that was a might foolish o’ me.” Applejack muttered, remembering the scolding she got from her parents, grandmother, and older siblings for what she tried to do. “Ah guess Ah’m jus’ so protective of th’ farm that didn’t care who came on it. Anypony that even tried would have t’ answer t’ me, ‘r any o’ mah brothers an’ sisters. Lookin’ back on that, Ah can’t help but find it kinda funny…”

Goku giggled adorably. “Me too…you looked like you were going to pop a blood vessel and make one of your eyes as red as the apples on your flank.” She said, watching as Applejack unconsciously rubbed at her cutie mark. “But seriously, try not to do that again, especially since we’re in a place where the civilization is knownfor living dangerously. You pull what you tried to pull with me, Snowflake, and Midnight, with any of them, and you’ll find yourself looking a much brighter orange than you are now.”

Applejack paled, a shiver going down his spine. “Are…a-are the ponies here really that tough?”

“If they’re anything like me, yes.” Goku replied, looking back ahead of her and missing Applejack’s face going whiter. “Either way, I’m sure we’ll find out eventually.”

“You know, I find it pretty funny that you’re saying that without you, the rest of us would virtually go crazy if you’re not here to keep us together.” Twilight murmured, lookin cover at Goku. “As much as I do agree that you’d make a great peacemaker, don’t forget that I can be leader material as well. I admit, I do tend to kind of freak out from time to time-”

“Kind of? Really?”

“Okay, okay, I really tend to freak out sometimes.” Twilight glared up at a snickering Rainbow Dash, before turning back to the thestral beside her. “Still Goku, you can’t deny that I can help keep a group together to. I’ve done it plenty of times, even when you came dangerously close to burning someone up for threatening to beat me up while we went to school together.”

“Yes, you do.” Goku said giving a shrug. “Although your little freak outs are still pretty common, and boy are they fucking crazy! Hell, you are still absolutely petrified of eating cheese quesadillas, and you’re not even allergic to them!”

“Yes, they are still pretty scary.” Twilight sighed, before frowning at the tan thestral. “And I do not freak out over cheese quesadillas! T-they’re just so…” A chill went up her spine. “Cheesy...”

“Which is exaclty why you shouldn’t be so scared of them.” Zephyr said humorously. “They’re nothing but delectable sweet tasting crust covered sandwiches full of smooth creamy cheese that spread all over your tongue when you bite into them.”

“What’re you trying to do, make us hungry Zephyr?” Goku snorted softly, letting out melodious giggle. “Because if you are, then it’s starting to work.”

“Oh no, I’m just pointing out why there’s no reason to be scared of such foods.” Zephyr said, winking at Goku. “And why there the one of the best things that you could ever eat!”

“Maybe for you, but it’s not that way for me!” Twilight huffed. “I find it absolutely inconceivable that I would like something that I have a phobia of; let alone eat! It’s just…impossible! It’s scientifically impossible for that to have even a remote possibility of happening!”

“Whatever you say Twilight.” Goku shrugged, letting out a little giggle. “Still, you never know; maybe one day you’ll finally get over your phobia and gather enough bravery to try a quesadilla and find it to be quite satisfying~.”

“The say that I try a single one of those…cheesy items,” Twilight said, cringing in disgust. “…is the day that Spike tells me not to freak out over big tests and I don’t threaten to burn the scales off of his body.”

Pinkie Pie laughed out loud. “I can totally see something like that happening! Especially since I’ve seen it happen over a dozen times before!”

“Same here Pink.” Applejack nodded, letting out a chuckle of her own. “I’m amazed that Spike hasn’t tried t’ get away from Twi ‘cause o’ her lil’ episodes! Ah swear that boy has th’ patience of a saint!”

“That’s an understatement.” Rarity snorted dryly. “No offense to you Twilight, but I don’t think I could handle that many episodes with you. Even if it meant that I could get in contact with one of the most successful nobles in Canterlot City.”

“None taken Rarity.” Twilight sighed. “Honestly, even I’m impressed that Spike hasn’t decided to just kick the bucket with me yet. I really expected him to snap and let me know that he had enough.”

“Yeah well, you, me and Zephyr all know Spike, Twilight.” Goku giggled. “He’s too much of a sweetheart to let you know something like that. Especially since he’s been subjected to it all of his life, along with your own little sister. Plus, with how many times that’s happened I’m pretty sure it’s not really bothering him…at least nowhere near as much.”

“Yeah, you make a point there.” Twilight said, letting out a giggle of her own. “It’s funny, I’m the eldest one there and I’m supposed to be the one keeping them calm, yet they’re the ones keeping me calm.”

“I can literally smell the irony there.” Zephyr chuckled. “While some ponies would find it weird or funny, we’re not surprised. He is your Number One Assistant after all; as for Crescent Shield, she is…well…”

“Twilight’s Number One Crescent Moon?” Pinkie Pie guessed innocently. Upon seeing all of her friends raised eyebrows, she pouted. “What? The first part of her name is Crescent, and there is such a thing as a crescent moon, isn’t there?”

“Yeah, sure Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash shrugged, chuckling. “Sure there is.”

“You know what? I think that has a nice ring to it.” Twilight said, thinking over Pinkie Pie’s words. “I think I’m gonna start calling Crescent that from now one whenever she and Spike are together. Something tells me that she’ll like that nickname a lot.”

“Oh, Ah bet she will.” Applejack smiled. “An’ Ah bet that Spike’s gonna be even more thrilled, cause he’s not going t’ be th’ only one being called something having ‘Number One’ in it.’”

“I think so too~!” Goku concluded, doing her best childish imitation of Spike. This earned her multiple fits of laughter form just about all of her friends, including Zephyr, the tension lifting from the group the more they did. By the time the laughter ended, the eight ponies suddenly found themselves outside the thick tree grove, and onto a long flat cliff edge. They could not stop the awe enveloping them as they took in the vastness of the wilderness, from the trees. To the mountains in the distance, to the endless sky that, that was dotted with countless stars.

“Wow…” Zephyr breathed in awe. “This place is just…just beautiful!”

“And fucking huge! Don’t forget huge!” Rainbow added with a gob-smacked expression. “I knew that it’d be big but…holy shit!”

“Ah’ll say sugar.” Applejack nodded. “Ah don’t think Ah can properly explain th’ size o’ this place…then again, this is mah first time bein’ in it.”

“Well, Rainbow Dash did say that the Everfree Forest spans from Ponyville, all the way to Foal Mountain, Fillydelphia and Baltimare, along with Hollow Shades.” Twilight pointed out, observing the landscape carefully over the cliff edge. “Still I have to agree, even I wasn’t expecting this place to be so large.”

“I did.” Goku said softly, walking ahead of the group to get a closer look. She closed her eyes and flicked her ears back and forth, inhaling the open air around her. “I have to say one thing though, even though this forest is supposed to be scary and chaotic, I can’t help but be amazed by just how beautiful it is.”

“Me neither.” Goku said softly, walking ahead of the group to get a closer look. She closed her eyes and flicked her ears back and forth, inhaling the open air around her. “I have to say one thing though, even though this forest is supposed to be scary and chaotic, I can’t help but see just how beautiful it is.”

“Oh, I’m so happy you think so.” Fluttershy said, smiling sweetly at the tan Thestral. “Many ponies that haven’t entered think that it’s horribly to look at, but I don’t see it that way. All wildernesses are beautiful in their own right, and the Everfree Forest is no exception.”

“You…actually find this place beautiful Fluttershy?” Rarity asked, aghast. “But…this is the Everfree Forest! A place full of vicious beasts, untamable weather and vegetation that is dangerous in their own way! How can a place like this have any kind of divinity or semblance of beauty?”

“I know it may seem difficult to understand Rarity...” Zephyr said gently. “…but ponies like me, Goku and Fluttershy just have this eye for noticing things about nature that we can help but find amazing. Sure, it may seem brutal, scary, and even violent and bloody at times, but…despite that, we can’t help but find an inner sense of beauty about nature that we can’t help but find captivating.” He looked back out at the forest, takin giant trees, streams of water, listening to the sounds of the animals roaming about. “To us Shenrons, Rosarios, Nightstalkers, and anypony that has an eye or love for nature, it’s just the most amazing things we can discover. Something we just can’t help but see over and over again.”

“Well…I can’t really see anything cool about it, but…if that’s how you guys feel, then I guess it’s cool with me.” Rainbow Dash said as she shrugged. “Still, I really don’t wanna waste all of this time sight-seeing; I wanna kick some Nightmare Moon ass! And we’re not going to get anywhere with that if we stay here looking at the trees all day! Hey, Twi, you’ve got that map there with you?”

“Yes Dash, I do…just give me a couple of seconds.” Twilight replied as she to rummaged through her left saddlebag. A moment later, she pulled out the map, and spread it out for everypony to see as she scanned over the map where the Everfree was. “Alright, we’re on the spot where the trail to the Castle to the Two Sisters is supposed stop here.” She pointed to a trail that was marked in the western part of the Everfree. “where we started and is supposed to go all the way up to…this place called Gaia Evergreen Galley.” Her hoof went up to a small town that was in the far western part of the forest. “If I’m positive, then that’s where we should be some of the bat ponies that live here.”

“Wait a sec, lemme stop ya right there.” Applejack asked stopping Twilight from speaking any further. “Are ya meanin’ t’ tell me that there are actually ponies livin’ here? In this forest?”

“Yes Applejack, there are.” Fluttershy replied softly. “Goku did say that there are thestrals living in different parts of here. Midnight and Snowflake even showed the different cities and villages here on the map. Or did you forget them telling us that?”

The farmer blushed. “Ah…it looks like Ah did.”

“Yes, I do recall Goku and her darling sisters telling about…three or four other populations in this…terror of a forest.” Rarity nodded, putting a hoof to her chin. “That is what you said, wasn’t it dear?”

“Yes, it was.” Goku confirmed. “Although I did kind of forget that there was a third little civilization on the southern part of the Everfree.” She looked up into the sky as another contemplative thought entered her mind. ‘Not only that, but if what my Mom told is correct, then there’s a fifth one as well. Nestled somewhere in the last place anypony would expect in a place like this.’

“Well that’s some unexpected news. If they actually do exist here, then I’d really like to know just how they can manage to live her.” Zephyr murmured quietly, looking at the four different circled civilizations circled on the map. His two-toned blue eyes went up to a fifth one that was circled, standing under a large patch of clouds, something that piqued his curiosity. The stallion raised a brow at that but chose to think on it later. “So, how long do you think it’ll take us to reach that part of the Everfree Twilight?”

“Well, from what I can see of this map, it may take a little while. Plus, after we leave Gaia Evergreen, we’ll find ourselves trying to cross the Aqua King Ocean; something that I’m sure we’ll need a ship for.” Twilight replied, looking at the map inspectingly. “It’ll also may take us some time to get down from here by simply walking, so we can save it if we run. Or we can even carry each other in flight, that way we can save some time trekking down this mountain and get to Nightmare Moon quicker.”

“I think that sounds like a good idea darling.” Rarity said, smiling at the other mare. “I certainly wouldn’t want to waste all that time walking down form this mountain. All that will accomplish is getting my poor hooves getting covered in more icky muck.”

Rainbow Dash sighed heavily. “Of curse you’d want to go flying for that reason. Seriously Rares, what is so wrong about getting your hooves covered in dirt?”

“Because Dash, there is nothing more revolting then getting your well hooves, or any part of your beautiful frame covered in such a disgusting thing such as dirt.” Rarity replied, frowning at the cyan mare. “I know you’ll never be able to understand this darling but, it’s just the way it is for mares like me! Having even a single speck of dirt anywhere our bodies that carry any beauty is just simply the worst, possible, thing for us!”

“Which is exactly why you’re so up for us going by air and by land down this mountain.” Goku said teasingly. “Anyway, if all of you are down for it, then that’s what we’ll do. Like Twilight said, time is of the essence, and we’ll need to get to the Castle of the Two Sisters as quickly as we can.”

“Exactly what I said.” Twilight said, folding the map and putting it back in her saddlebag. “Hey Zephyr? Are you up for this plan to?”

“Just as long as you guys don’t mind holding onto me while I wear my armor set.” Zephyr replied, gesturing to the gleaming golden armor. “But, yeah, let’s go ahead and-”

The sound of loud clapping thunder struck down the rest of Zephyr’s sentence as a flash of white burst from into the sky. They all looked up just in time to see more thunder crash from within the clouds for a split second before they vanished, as if they weren’t even there.

“W…what was that?!” Applejack asked, calming down a bit. “Is there a storm comin’?!”

“I hope not, I really, really do.” Rarity frowned, one of her hooves going to grab her mane. “That is the last thing my poor mane and tail need right now. If they get soaked in any kind of rain or get burnt by any lightning, I’ll be ruined!”

“It doesn’t really look like there’s a storm coming.” Rainbow Dash replied as she squinted her eyes. “At least, not form where I’m standing. What do you think Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy didn’t say anything, but she did go up to where Zephyr was and look out into the sky with him. As she did so, another stronger clap of lightning resounded across the sky, and a gust of wind began to pick up. Just a second later after that, a loud bird-like call resounded across the air, one that made Fluttershy’s neck fur stand on end.

“What…in the world was that?” Goku asked, picking at one of her ears. “That sounded like a raptor of some sorts.”

“I don’t know, but I’ve never heard a sound like that before!” Pinkie Pie replied, her body shaking a bit. “That sounded like a gurgling of some sort, you know when somepony’s about to spit out a huge mouthful of mouthwash?”

“Yes Pinkie, we know what that sounds like.” Twilight said, her face scrunching up slightly. “Still, you make a good point, that definitely sounded like a bird of some sort. Fluttershy, you said that you know many of the animals here and what kind they are? Do you know what we heard just now?”

“…Yes, I know exaclty what kind of bird that we heard just now.” Fluttershy replied, backing away from the edge of the floored cliff. “And we need to get out of here, quickly!”

“Why?” Rainbow Dash asked. “What sort of bird is coming here?”

“There’s no time to explain!” Fluttershy suddenly shouted, making Zephyr and the rest of her friends jump. “We just need to get off of this cliff edge as quickly as possible!”

Suddenly, a third burst of thunder, followed by the crack of lightning exploded in the air, both of them coming in almost perfect synchronization. Not even a second later, a powerful gust of wind picked up as a loud ear-piercing screech echoed about the atmosphere. All eight ponies looked up and froze when they saw a gigantic cloak of dark blue clouds heading their way, bolts of lightning striking down from it.

“Whoa, there really is a storm coming!” Pinkie Pie shouted holding a foreleg in front of her face. “How did it get here so fast?! I’ve never seen any clouds move that quick before!”

Zephyr, who was staring at the approaching ‘storm’, noticed something on it that made it seem off to his keen eyes. When he was able to make out what he was seeing, he let out a fearful gasp, and turned back to the others. “Girls, we need to get out of here now! Fluttershy’s right; whatever that is, that is not a storm!”

“Y-you know what it is too?!” Fluttershy asked as the wind grew even stronger. “How did you guess?!”

“No time to explain!” Zephyr replied as he grabbed Twilight’s hoof and pulled her along. “That storm that’s coming for us isn’t a real storm! It’s really a-”

That was as far as the royal blue stallion was able to get before another terrifying screech sliced through the air. Then, in a flash of white, a huge bolt of lightning descended down towards the girls at speeds that not even Rainbow Dash was able to anticipate. Rubble and chunks of earth exploded all about as it struck just inches away from the ponies, scattering them about the air before they landed in a heap.

“…Is everypony ok?” Twilight asked with a moan, sitting up as she looked at her friends. “What was that just now?”

“I-it was the b-bird that I saw just now!” Zephyr grunted. “It shot a bolt of lightning at us the second it saw us!”

“It did what?!” Applejack shouted. “How in th’ hay was it able t’ do somethin’ like that! It wasn’t anywhere near us for it t’ be able to!”

“Um…Applejack…” Goku said slowly, her voice tinge with slight apprehensiveness . “…I think you may wanna save that question for later.”

Following the line of the tan thestral’s gaze, Applejack, Twilight, Zephyr, and the other mares all looked up in the sky, and found themselves screaming at what they saw. There, hovering in the sky with lightning dancing about its body, was the biggest raptor any of the mares have ever seen in their entire lives. It was easily the size of one of the houses in Ponyville, maybe even twice that size, with a wingspan to match. It was mostly a mixture of dark green and blue in color, with its legs, stomach, and base of its tail and neck being a deep sandy yellow. Just a few inches above the base of its neck, was a deep orange stripe, with a greenish blue mask going vertically across it’s piercing yellow eyes. Its talons were twice the size of a full-grown stallion, and it had a wingspan stretching over fifty feet long. Its tail feathers reached over twenty-five feet, and it had a large thick feathery crest atop its head, the upper half being the same greenish blue color as its face markings.

“What the…” Rainbow Dash stammered, her eyes bulging. “What in the fuck is that?! Is that some kind of raptor?!”

“Not just any raptor!” Fluttershy replied fearfully, scrambling to her hooves. “It’s a Shinomōkin!”

Rarity frowned at the buttermilk Pegasus. “That thing is a what?”

“A Shinomōkin, Rarity.” Goku translated slowly. “It’s type of bird of prey that takes residence in the skies and the trees of the Everfree Forest and is the biggest raptor to ever exist on Equis! It’s the size of an airship with a wingspan of over fifty feet long, with a twenty-five-foot-long tail span to boot! It has claws that are capable of carrying a full-grown stallion away, and any animal even bigger than that! Not only that, but its jaws are strong enough to be able to snap their spines with a single chomp of its beak!”

“Shit, it can really do that?” Applejack asked, a shiver going down her spine. “But…it don’t even have any teeth!”

“It doesn’t need any teeth Rarity.” Zephyr said grimly, his wings spread in preparation. “All the Shinomōkin needs is its powerful jaw muscles and the sharp edges of its beak to snap the spine of their prey. Its curved upper beak is also designed for ripping and stripping the meat of their prey from their bones, and once they get you in their mouths or beaks, they’ll never let go.” His eyes glowed as his ears flattened. “Not unless you make them that.”

“Oh wow, that sounds like a really scary bird!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Then again, it looks scary already, and everything you just said makes it even scarier!”

“If you think that’s scary, then it’s nothing compared to just what else the Shinomōkin is capable of.” Fluttershy said gravelly. “Its main power is the Everfree weather that’s known to cause the Everfree Forest to go out of control. It can control the lightning within the clouds, and caused wild drills of wind that can wipe out an entire clearing of trees. On occasions, they can even cloak themselves in lighting infused clouds destroying and burning everything in their path as they do so.”

“Are you fucking serious Fluttershy?” Rainbow shouted, her magenta eyes wide with disbelief. “This overgrown chicken can really make itself into a giant lightning filled cloud?”

A fourth burst of thunder cut off whatever Fluttershy was going to say as the Shinomōkin let out another screech, giving its wings a violent flap. Another roar of wind emitted from its wings, the force so strong it sent the group tumbling back more than a few hundred feet. It’s golden eyes gleamed as it glared down at Applejack scornfully, lighting dancing around its entire feathered body.

“I don’t think he liked you calling him that Applejack.” Pinkie whispered to the farmer. “This is why you shouldn’t keep calling animals something that they’re not. I always did tell you that it was going to come back and bit you in your apple covered tushy later.”

“Not if I can help it.” Zephyr declared firmly. “Listen girls, I want you all to get away from here as quickly as you can. I’ll take in this raptor while you guys get down to the cliff.”

“Are you fucking nuts?!” Rainbow Dash shouted incredulously. “There is no way that you can take this thing on your own! Let us help you!”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t let you do that.” The royal blue stallion said sternly, shaking his head. “I’m a member of the Royal Guard, and it’s my duty to protect those in danger. Right now, you’re the ones that’re in danger, and I need to keep you all safe.”

“As chivalrous and selfless as that is darling,” Rarity began. “We’re not damsels in distress that need to be saved by a white knight. We are just as much as capable of fighting and defending ourselves as you are.”

“That’s exactly why I want you all to leave!” Zephyr retorted, his voice growing louder. “If you all waste your time trying to fight this raptor, you’re only going to be wasting the energy that you’ll need to fight Nightmare when you meet her! If that happens, she’ll have the advantage over you, along with whatever other creations that she has waiting in store for you.” He looked back at them sternly. “Now get out of here girls, that’s an order!”

“But Zephyr-” Twilight began, only to flinch when Zephyr slammed his hoof on the ground.

“I SAID, LEAVE NOW!” He yelled out, the explosive authoritative power in his voice making them all. Goku was the only one who remained composed, but even she broke into a bit of a sweat. “THAT’S AN ORDER OF A ROYAL GUARD! WHEN I GIVE YOU AN ORDER, YOU’D BETTER FOLLOW IT!”

A short stretch of silence reigned over the cliff edge for a moment as Zephyr stared hard at the seven mares behind him. Goku looked her fellow Shenron right in his eyes, seeing the unwavering resolve in his eyes, along with the hidden pleas behind them. A moment later, she nodded, before she turned around and began to gallop off, using her wings to push the girls along.

“You heard the stallion girls.” She said firmly. “We’ll leave this raptor to him!”

“You can’t be serious Goku!” Rainbow Dash shouted frantically. “You’re really going to let him fight that fucking thing?! Why don't you just let me slice him up?!”

"If I didn’t think he’d be okay, I wouldn’t.” Goku replied sharply. “Besides, there’s no convincing Zephyr when he goes into a state like this. Once he sets his mind on something, nothing we say or do will get him to change his mind."

“But if we leave him behind, he’ll-” Twilight began, only to be cut off again when Goku placed a hoof to her mouth.

“Look, we’re not going to be able to stop him, Twilight!!” Goku snapped harshly. “Besides, he makes a good point, if we waste our time here, we’ll have less of a change to stop Nightmare Moon! It’s just like you said, we can dilly-dally while Nightmare Moon is regaining her power, and has my brother and your sisters all hostage!” She watched as Twilight’s eyed went wide at this reminder. “He’s giving us a chance to do that for as long as we can, and I’m not gonna let any of you waste it!” Turning away from the lavender unicorn, she spread her wings and flew off. “Now let’s go!” She ordered, the tone in her voice leaving zero room for argument.

The rest of the mares stayed where they were, torn on whether to stay and help Zephyr fight, or follow Goku and continue their journey. They once again locked eyes with Zephyr, and one look in his eyes told them he wasn’t going to let them stay here. Reluctantly they followed Goku, and Twilight, after giving Zephyr one last worried glance, took off after her friends.

Smiling in relief, Zephyr looked back at the Shinomōkin, only to see the bird flying past him and soaring straight towards the eight mares. Thinking quickly, he flew in front of the giant raptor as a garnet orange aura surrounded his body. Spreading his wings, he summoned lightning all around his body before he shot a large bolt at the Shinomōkin. It struck the bird right in its chest, sending it flying back as it screeched out in pain. Zephyr then flew up to the bird and bucked it right in its large face, sending it crashing into the ground and causing a large dust cloud to envelop it.

As Zephyr landed on the ground, the Shinomōkin burst out form the ground and took to the air, screeching in rage as it glared down at Zephyr. Its whole body chirped with lightning as its golden eyes burned into the royal blue stallion’s, who stared back unflinchingly.

“Sorry, but I’m not going to let you get to these girls so easily!” He shouted as he lashed his tail out. “If you want to get to them, you’ll have to go through the one and only Golden Azure Dragon himself!”

Screeching in retaliation, the Shinomōkin screeched at the Solar Royal Guard and dived down towards him, fully intent on him impaling him with its beak. Zephyr snorted and ascended into the air, his cloak of lighting chirping loudly as he let out battle neigh. The raptor and pegasus both met in a midair clash, their screeches and whinnies echoing about the mountain edge.

Author's Note

I'll say this right now, that this chapter is a combination of both the old one and this somewhat newly revised one of the beginning of the girls journey into the Everfree Forest, with some glaring differences added to it. This is taking place an hour and a half after Zephyr and the girls had left the Golden Oaks Library, so they are just beginning to get started on their adventure through the world's most dangerous forest. I've also added some extra things like a couple of the girls looking back on fond memories as well as how they're gonna get through the forest, and where they're going to be going and even stopping at should it be some of the civilizations that I've put in the Evefree :raritywink: . I won't be showing all of them, because honestly, that would be dragging this out, even though I plan to make this story even longer, but I may show one more after the two that the girls will be going to, I'm not really sure yet :applejackunsure: .

Next Time: We'll be getting a look back into the Town Square with Derpy, Dinky and Amethyst, we well as some interaction between Snowflake and Midnight :twilightsmile: .

Chapter 18 - A Dinky Visit

Things in Ponyville were finally starting to calm down after the scare they had gotten just an hour and a half prior. Even though Nightmare Moon was no longer there to attack the citizens, there was still some panic and mayhem going on back in the Town Square. Smoke could be seen still rising out from inside the destroyed building at rather high quantities, even though the fire inside the building was long put out. Rubble and debris either clung feebly or fell from some parts of the building every few minutes. All of them looked ready to fall down on ponies that were unlucky enough to be standing under them, least they’re too scared to notice. The large hole that was blasted through the front center of the roof was still present, allowing all to see the lighting the interior.

The sounds of panicked ponies could be heard all over interior of the Town Square as they tried take in all that had happened, along with helping those that were still in dire need of assistance. Some ponies were still doing their best to help the injured get out from under the weight of the destroyed roof, some of which looking to be a lot worse for wear. Doctors and Nurses could be seen running left and right, trying to tend to those needing help. Foals were huddled closely to their parents, watching the events as their young minds tried to desperately to understand it. Despite the dramatic atmosphere there were those few who managed to keep a level head in the turmoil.

“How’re you doing there, Mom?” Amethyst asked, her face creased with worry. “Are you doing okay?

Derpy let herself lay on the medical stretcher that was provided for her, doing her best hold back a wince as she looked up at her daughter. Behind her, Nurse Redheart continued to apply the medicine, ointment, and bandages to her injuries, focusing mainly on her wings. “Yes Ame, I’m doing okay…well, I am now at least.” She replied, giving the unicorn her best smile. “It’s a good thing that Zephyr stallion was there to save me and Dinky. If he hadn’t, I don’t know what would’ve happened to me, let alone to your sister.”

“Y-yeah…I was really scared!” Dinky whimpered, hugging her mother around her neck. “I’m so glad Mr. Zephyr was able to get you out in time! You’re winged looked so mangled when he was able to get you out; I thought they were broken for good.”

“Me too little sis, and I’m so glad that I was wrong.” Amethyst nodded, sitting down next to her mother and sister. “Who would’ve thought that a Pegasus stallion was strong enough to life something as heavy as a giant mass of wood.”

“Heh, yeah...who would’ve thought indeed.” Derpy chuckled alongside her. “Still though, I’m really thankful that he was able to get us out of there. Faust only knows what would’ve happened if we had gotten there any later.”

“I don’t want to think about it either.” Redheart murmured, wrapping one of Derpy’s legs in gauze and more bandages. “I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw the state that your wings were in Ms. Derpy. I was honestly thinking that you’d never be able to fly again.”

“As if a bunch of wood falling on me is enough to break these wings of mine.” Derpy said humorously, grinning in amusement. “I’ve had more crashes than I can even care to count since the time I was a filly. More than a few a few times that happened, I did land on my wings, but none of them were the point where they were permeantly damaged. I also happened to have obtained a pretty high pain tolerance thanks to it.”

“You sure did, and I was literally there to see it.” Amethyst nodded. “I remember one time when you were helping Rainbow Dash and the Weather Team, you had barreled through a crowd right into the Town Square. When I went inside to see you, you literally had your head into the floor…I seriously thought you were in a coma.”

“So, did I…I still can’t believe I was able to feel that.” Derpy said as she rubbed at her forehead. “Oh well, it’s all good! I survived and that’s all that matters in the end! I even managed to develop and even tougher skull, which is even better!”

Dinky giggled. “You sure did Momma! Nothing can break that big bad noggin of yours!”

“Isn’t that the truth Dinky.” Amethyst agreed with a chuckle. “Seriously Mom, it’s like you’re made of metal, or steel or something. Every time you crash, you don’t act like you’re in pain or anything. Is it some kind of side effect you’ve developed or something?”

“I wouldn’t say that sweetie.” Derpy replied with a playful eyeroll. “I may come from the most feared family in Equestria, but that doesn’t mean that I’m made of the same iron steel as I am in my normal form. It’s just a tolerance of pain that I’ve developed with each crash that I’ve managed to recover from, nothing more.”

Amethyst raised a brow at that but decided to drop the subject. “If you say so.”

“And speaking of pain tolerance,” Derpy continued on, redrawing Amethyst’s attention back to her. “Did you see the way that Zephyr stallion went against that mare? She was wiping the floor with him and he hardly even flinched…at least until she suddenly bit him out of nowhere.”

“Don’t remind me about that.” Redheart shivered lightly as her face turned blue. “I’m still trying to contemplate how he was even conscious after all of that. With the amount of blood that he lost, and the wound he gave, he’d need at least thirty stitches…along with a blood transfusion. I don’t know where he’s gone, but I do hope he’s gotten some help…along with some treatment.”

Dinky frowned. “Somehow, I doubt that’s going to happen anytime soon Nurse Redheart. Queen Celestia had come to get him more than a couple of hours ago, so but I don’t think it was to get him treatment. She may have wanted him for another mission that needed him as quickly as possible...she did look pretty urgent.”

“That is true dear…still, at the very least I hope he got bandages.” Redheart murmured quietly. “Even if he was a guard, and they’re trained to withstand pain, they can’t fight properly with a wound like that.” She instinctively rubbed at her own neck, as if it suddenly had fang piercings on it. “Not to mention the pain.”

“I wouldn’t be too worried Nurse, that stud looks to be a tough stallion. If he can survive getting drained of his blood, and still be able to fight, he’ll be fine.” Derpy said reassuringly, even as her own voice gained a twinge of concern. “Besides, how else am I going to repay him for saving me and my daughter’s life from nearly getting buried alive~.”

With the exception of Dinky, Redheart and Amethyst were able to pick up on the sultry sensual tone in Derpy’s voice. That was all that they needed to know exactly what she meant, and Amethyst made it known by sighing heavily in response. Redheart was far more composed than the younger unicorn, but she did blush and look away.

“Let me guess, you’re planning on take him back to your home and fucking him, aren’t you?” The magenta purple mare asked, although she already knew the answer. “That’s what the plan is, isn’t it? To make him fuck you until you’re turned into a creampie?”

“Amethyst, language! Not in front of Dinky!” Derpy scolded, covering Dinky’s ears and giving a sharp glare to her eldest daughter. As quickly as it has come, it soon morphed into a giggle. “Well, wasn’t that obvious from the very start? What did you think I was going to do? Just give him a basket of muffins and send him on his merry way? Oh no baby, I want him to leave fully repaid, especially after he gets a nice taste of my other muffins~.”

Amethyst facehoofed while Redheart blushed even harder, her tail giving a bit of a flick as she closed her thighs together. She knew her exactly what her mother was referring to and it made her want to go into a blushing mess just thinking about it. Other than a few close friends, along with Amethyst herself, it was no secret throughout Ponyville that her mother tended to get pretty frisky with some of the ponies in town. It was usually a kiss here, and little bit of chest fluff face smothering there, but there were occasions where Derpy decided to go all the way with anypony she happens to be drawn to. Of course, she didn’t do this all the time; just to those ponies that Derpy felt really deserved mating with her, or did something so heroic that she had to do it with them.

This earned her a bit of reputation around town as the Dutiful Ditzy Mare, one that wasn’t made out of malicious intent, but of deep affection for the mailmare. And Amethyst knew that after Derpy gave Zephyr his “extra muffins”, that nickname would probably be even more known, unless Zephyr decided not to spread it. While she doubted it would happen, Amethyst felt that she should at least let him know, if she ever saw him again, let alone with her mother. She had enough problems to deal with already with her eyes, and Amethyst wasn’t going to let anymore be added to that list. Even if the whole romping with another pony thing was made out of love and not any ill intent.

“Well, if you’re gonna have him screw you into the ground, could you at least try to do it somewhere that isn’t our house?” Amethyst suggested. “I’ve had enough sleepless nights listening to you whinnying and screeching into the night until the windows shattered. And I seriously don’t want to have Dinky walking in on you and any lucky stallion you have.”

“You don’t need to worry my little sparkler, my little muffin won’t be hearing, let alone know, any of that for at least another five years.” Derpy winked, watching as her youngest daughter conversed with Redheart. “I am excited for when it comes though, and my little Dinky finds her special somepony, and take that step! Ooooh, I know it’ll be so adorable!”

Dinky glanced back at her mother. “What’ll be so adorable Momma?”

“Oh, nothing, nothing baby; Mommy’s just rambling.” Derpy replied quickly, giving Amethyst a wink, to which the elder unicorn rolled her eyes at.

“Alright Ms. Derpy, that should about wrap it up now.” Redheart said as she finally finished in tending to Derpy’s wounds. “It doesn’t look like you’ve suffered much damage to your legs, and your back is still in stable condition. The only damage that you’re initially suffered is that to your wings, so try not to us them too much. I don’t want you to run the risk of you causing internal bleeding, so I’d advise against using them.”

“Thank you, nurse, I appreciate your help.” Derpy nodded as she slowly got off of the medical bed, carefully folding her wings. “And thank you for tending to my little Dinky too; thank goodness she only got herself a cut to her head.”

The pale white mare nodded softly, smiling serenely as she patted Dinky on the head, her forehead having some bandages wrapped around it. “It was my pleasure; you know how I love seeing little Dinky. Just like how I enjoy seeing Scootaloo, Prickle Berry, Melon Cake and many of the other foals here. Anything I can do to put a smile on their adorable little faces, I’ll be happy to do.”

“That’s why you’re the best nurse ever Redheart!” Dinky squeaked, hugging the nurse around one of her leg. “There’s no other Nurse like you here!”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that dearie.” Redheart cooed, letting the filly nuzzle into her chest fluff, pushing her cross-like roseray out of the way. “But thank you for being so cooperative with me, you did very well. You watch that head injury of yours, okay? Both you and your mother have injuries that can get infected easily, so please to make sure they tended to properly.”

“Don’t worry Nurse, I’ll make sure that they both keep themselves as clean as the diamonds on my flank.” Amethyst said, looking pointedly at her mother and sister, mainly the latter. “Provided that my Mom doesn’t get into another accident.” She added dryly. “Or get my sister into one.”

Derpy chuckled sheepishly but said nothing in retortion. After coughing into her throat, she hoisted Dinky into her back and said, “Alright, I think that about clears everything up here. You two want to go now so we can try to rest from this?”

“Yeah, I just wanna get the fuck out of here and put all of this bullshit of a terror behind us. The Queen can handle it, so we shouldn’t be too worried.” Amethyst replied eagerly, ignoring the reprimanding glare Derpy sent her. “Although, it’s a pretty long walk from here to your house Mom, and I don’t want you going that far while walking with those legs.” She pointed to the bandages laced around Derpy’s four limbs. “I think we should go somewhere closer to here; that way we can come back over here, just in case.”

“…Actually, you know what, I think that’s a good idea.” Derpy concluded. “I can tell just by standing right now that I’m not going to get very far from here. Don’t wanna aggravate my wounds any more than they are.”

“In that case, let’s stop by Twilights library.” Amethyst suggested. “I’ve been there more than a couple of times, and I do have a job there besides my jewelry job. Plus, Twilight has plenty of medical kits, so if you tear up the bandages, we can always apply more.”

“Good idea sis!” Dinky chirped. “Ms. Twilight is always prepared for anything no matter what, and you two are the best organizers in town! If there’s anypony here who’s always prepared for anything, it’s her!”

“Hit the magic target home there, little sis.” Amethyst chuckled, gently flicking Dinky with her tail skirt. “Alright then, let’s go. The sooner we can get there and get you rested, the better.”

“Alright then, lead the way Ame!” Derpy giggled, gently ushering her daughter forward. “I’m sure that Twilight will be kind enough to let us stay at her treehouse a little bit! She has let Dinky stay over for her sleepovers with Crescent Shield, so I’m sure she’ll be more than understanding about this!” She looked over at Dinky, who was clinging to her back. “Who knows? Maybe she’ll even let me make some of my signature muffins so you can both stuff your faces with them~.”

Dinky’s eyes glinted like glitter “Yummy!”

Spike couldn’t for the life of him figure out why, but he had really unsettling feeling inside of his gut. A type of feeling that something was afoot, and that something bad either was going to happen very soon. Spike had felt this feeling before, and each time he confirmed his suspicions, he was always correct, even when he wished he wasn’t. Whether it was Twilight being harassed and bullied by other ponies and members of higher class, or him getting in that kind of trouble as well, he always got that feeling. In recent years, whenever Spike got it, it was nowhere near as bad as what he was feeling right now, allowing him to think of something else. Now, he had no such advantage, and this knot in his stomach was making him feel very uncomfortable at the moment.

The young dragon didn’t know how long he was going to have this feeling, but he hoped that it would go away soon. Otherwise, it would drive him insane to the point where he might burn Twilight’s books, and he knew his foster sister would not like that. Luckily, a distraction came to help Spike take his mind off of his anxious state, that form being in the form of a mountain blue bat winged mare.

“Spike?” Snowflake asked gently, coming up behind the indigo Kirin. “Is there something the matter darling?”

Spike, who had been sucking on his right foreclaws, gave a somewhat girlish cry of surprise. He jumped so hard that he shot up a good eight feet, before landing face first on the pillow that he was sitting down on. He whipped around to see the mare towering over him, her fangs gleaming as she looked back down at him worriedly.

“Snowflake, for fuck’s sake, don’t scare me like that!” Spike whined. “For a second there I thought you were somepony trying to jump me!”

“Now why would you think that?” Snowflake asked calmly, ignoring Spike’s profanity as she raised a brow. “Me, Midnight, and you are the only ones here, and the girls and Zephyr have already left. There isn’t anypony else here but us, so why would you think that there’s somepony here about to jump you?”

“I…I-I don’t know!” Spike stuttered out. “I don’t know why I thought that b-but…well, I did. I’m sorry, y-you just really took me by surprise.”

Snowflake’s eyes softened, and she reached over and pat the dragon on his head. “I’m sorry Spike, I didn’t mean to scare you. You looked really uneasy over by the window over there, and I wanted to know if you were alright.”

“No, I’m not okay actually.” Spike replied, his draconic ears falling limp. “In fact, I’m really…scared right now.”

“Scared?” Snowflake asked. “Of what?”

“Of everything that’s happened!” Spike suddenly yelled, making Snowflake jump. “I was so happy about what was going to happen today! Just this morning, I was hanging out with Twilight and Crescent Shield, while getting ready for the Summer Sun Celebration. Then, this afternoon, I was helping Twilight and Crescent with their magic down in the Combat Magic Training Basement! Then, you, Goku, Snowflake, and Sheton came back, we have a big reunion party, and we got to the Town Square to have an even bigger one with Mo-er, Queen Celestia,” He took a moment catch his breath as he sucked in a lungful of air. “I really thought that this was going to be a fun day, especially with all of you here, and the Queen there most of all! I don’t remember a time where I’ve ever been this excited in my life, until…u-until…”

“Until Nightmare Moon came and, um…” Snowflake bit her lip as she tried to find the right words to finish. “Interrupted the party?”

“More like nearly crushing everypony and painting the ground red with all their blood.” Spike said bluntly. “Of all the things I expected, this was not it! I never thought that Nightmare Moon would actually be real; let alone attack the town! Not only that, she had also stabbed the Queen…right in front of us all! A-and…to top it off…s-she f-f-foalnapped Sheton, Scootaloo, Firestreak, Melon Cake, Crescent Shield, and Sweetie Belle!” A shiver went down his spine as he let out a whimper. “Nightmare Moon foalnapped them and I couldn’t do a thing to stop her, even with my flames! Now Twilight, Zephyr, and the girls are going into the world’s most dangerous wilderness, to find the weapons that Queen Celestia used to stop Nightmare Moon! After all of that, who wouldn’t be terrified of something like that happening?!”

Snowflake frowned, walking over and draping a wing around Spike. She pulled him close, nuzzling the top of his head. “Yes, all of that would be enough to frighten somepony of even your exterior, and I don’t blame you one bit for what’s happened. Me and Midnight were absolutely terrified, and that’s saying something, given we rarely get scared.” She put a hoof to Spike’s chin and made him look her in her slitted eyes. “But that’s not the only thing that’s bothering you, is it darling?”

Spike sniffled, fighting back the tears welling up in his reptilian eyes. “No…remember how I said that Zephyr and the girls were going into the Everfree Forest. The Everfree Forest? The most dangerously labeled forest to ever exist on the face of Equis?”

“You’re worried that it’s going to be too much for them, aren’t you?” Snowflake asked knowingly, not taking her eyes off of Spike. “That none of them will be able to make it out of the Everfree, despite the extra aid sent their way?”

“Isn’t it obvious.” Spike admitted weakly. “I-I know that Twilight has her friends to help her, a-and some of the guards that Mo-Queen Celestia sent to aid them. But…but I…”

“But what?” Snowflake asked, ushering Spike to continue. “It’s alright sweetie, you can tell me.”

“It’s not just them that I’m worried about.” Spike continued. “I’m…I’m also worried about me…a-and all of us too! I…I-I just have this bad feeling in me that something’s gonna happen. Something even worse than what happened in the Town Square. And a hell of a lot worse than what happened when I came to Ponyville for and a half years ago.” One of his claws moved over to his left side, were three nasty scars in the form of claws rested against his side and stomach. “T-that we’re going to be ones in the midst of it, a-and we may not m-make it.”

“So, you think that we’re going to be the next victims in whatever that Nightmare Moon has planned?” Snowflake asked, getting no response from Spike. “I can understand what’s making you think all of these thoughts, and made quite a few accurate points. To be honest, I’d be surprised if you weren’t even the least bit worried about your friends, let alone your sister.” She smiled down at the dragon. “Still, I don’t think you really have to worry all that much about us, let alone yourself all that much.”

Spike looked up at her in confusion. “What makes you say that?”

“Oh, come on honey! The answers right in front of you!” Snowflake beamed. “Even if we were to get attacked now, we wouldn’t be that far off. Did you forget that each of us are all from extremely powerful clans?”

“No, of course I haven’t, but what does that have to-” Spike stopped short of his question as Snowflake’s own sunk into his mind. “Oooooh…”

“Mhm, exaclty.” Snowflake nodded, grinning slightly. “Now, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t be worried, because you have every right to be. At the same time, you shouldn’t forget that we’re not entirely defenseless anything that might be thrown at us. There’s reason we’re from the Secret Seven Clans of Equestria, because we are able to do many things that ponies that aren’t from our families won’t be able to do.” A blush came to her face as she said this, before she shook it off and continued. “That also includes you Spike, and you can use both our powers, and the powers of the most powerful being in all the land. So, there’s not really that much of a chance for us to get jumped or anything like that.”

Spike looked down at his front claws. “Yeah…you have a point there. Though, I don’t think it’d be a good idea for me to turn into a dragon here of all places. I mean, there are a lot of books here, and the last thing I need, is to have this entire library go up in flames.”

“You may not have much of a choice there, baby.” Snowflake shrugged. “Don’t worry though, with the power you have, you shouldn’t have any problem with anypony messing with you. And if they even try to, we’ll be there to have your back, even if you won’t really need it.”

“I know you will.” Spike giggled. “Because I very may well incinerate anypony that gets caught up in the line of my fire, right?”

“No, no, of course not.” Snowflake replied playfully. “I’m not worried that you might burn anypony to a crisp. I’m just afraid that you’ll send them on an unexpected trip to Canterlot, that’s all.”

Spike burst out laughing, putting his claws to his muzzle to stifle it. “Yeah, that too! I bet the Queen wouldn’t really be very happy with me if I did that! Hell, I wouldn’t be surprise if she came back here and warned me about that right now!”

Just as this was uttered, the door was knocked on, making Snowflake and Spike’s eyes both flickered over to the door. Snowflake’s eyes narrowed; a frown formed on her face as she stood just a couple feet away from the door. Before she could say or do anything, a very familiar voice rang through the door.

“Twilight? Twilight are you in there? The voice of Amethyst. “It’s me Amethyst! I’m here with my Mom and Dinky! Can you please open the door?

“Wait a minute…” Spike said as his eyes slowly widened. “I know that voice. That sounds like…Amethyst!”

“Amethyst?!” Snowflake took a step back in surprise. “What’s she doing here at this hour?!”

“I have no idea.” Spike replied, getting to his feet. “Whatever it is though, she sounds really urgent.”

“I’d better let them in.” Without another word, Snowflake trotted over to the door and opened it, revealing the trio outside. When her eyes landed on Derpy, she gave a gasp of shock. “My goodness, Derpy what happened to you?!”

“The roof fell on me, that’s what happened.” Derpy replied casually as she and her daughters both walked inside. “We had a little something happened to me in the Town Square, and we needed a bit of help in getting out of it.”

“Yeah,” Amethyst muttered. “A little something.”

“Hi Spike!” Dinky squeaked, leaping off her mother and rushing over to the surprised dragon. “It’s so good to see you!”

“Oh, hi there Dinky.” Spike murmured softly, regaining his composure and hugging the filly as she reciprocated the act. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

“I was with my Momma and my big sister at the Town Square.” Dinky murmured. “We…sort of got stuck under a bunch of wood after, um…Nightmare Moon came.”

“Stuck under wood?” Spike blinked, looking at Amethyst for an answer.

“What she means, is that after Nightmare Moon came, my sister and mom got stuck under the roof’s broken pieces.” Amethyst emphasized. “My mom tried to get her out of the way in time but ended up getting trapped under there instead.”

“Oh…” Spike said, his ears going limp. “Is that why she has those bandages on her wings.”

Derpy nodded. “Yeah, the Nurse put them on them and said I shouldn’t use them, least I snap them or even cause internal bleeding.” She replied, her smile faltering a bit. “It’s no big deal, that handsome stud of a stallion Zephyr managed to say me and my little muffin. So I didn’t have to worry about it being much worse.”

“Wait, Zephyr?” Spike asked as he faltered in his steps towards the mailmare. “You don’t mean, Zephyr Dragon Shield Shenron, do you?”

“Oh, so that’s his full name? Huh…no wonder he had that weird draconic looking cross on him.” Amethyst muttered, fighting the urged to facehoof. “Do you know him Spike?”

“I sure do! He was one of me and Twilight’s best friends growing up, along with Goku!” Spike chirped, wagging his tail. “He’s also third in command of the Solar Royal Guard, and even lives with me, Twilight, Crescent, and Goku in the Queen’s castle, along with Goku’s own family!” He coughed into his claw as a sheepish expression came to his face. “Well, at least he’ll still be living with her, along with his Mom. Goku and some of her family are going to be moving back to Ponyville…at least, once they get back from their mission.”

“Oh right, she told us about that this morning when I almost crashed into her.” Derpy said as realization clicked in her head. Before she could verbalize her thoughts about that time, her mind went back on the last thing that Spike told her. “Wait…what do you mean by mission.”

It was at this moment that Midnight made herself known. All eyes turned towards the beetle black mare as she made her way out of the room. “Oh, were you looking for them Derpy? I’m sorry, but they’re not here anymore. Queen Celestia sent them all on a mission to defeat Nightmare Moon before she succeeded in her mission of bringing forth Eternal Night.”

Dinky’s big yellow eyes popped. “They did WHAT?!”

Snowflake jumped at the unexpected shout. “Yes…they went inside the Everfree Forest under the Queen’s order to stop Nightmare Moon. She Zephyr went along with them to provide some extra protection in case they ran into any of the beasts in there.”

“They went into the Everfree Forest to go after Nightmare Moon?!” Amethyst repeated, her jaw looking like it was going to fall to the floor. She blinked again as she registered what Snowflake had said. “W-wait a minute…you said that was where Nightmare Moon went to, right? Is that why the girls and Zephyr are headed there?”

“Yes, but that’s what Queen Celestia believes, since that is where she and Lu…were the Solar Queen used to live, and where she and Nightmare Moon fought before she was banished to the moon.” Midnight replied, nearly slipping on her words. “It’s also where Queen Celestia’s old castle is, so I suppose it sort of makes sense that Nightmare Moon would want to go there. So, she can begin her revolt against the Queen without anypony disturbing here.” Her ears pinned back as she looked up into the ceiling. ‘Well, almost nopony. If what we saw on Twilight’s maps were true, then Nightmare Moon will have much more to deal with than just my sister and her friends…and Zephyr, the Queen, and her own armies.’

“Oh goodness…I didn’t think that they were going to be going to that forest. It’s no wonder that Twilight isn’t here right now.” Derpy stated softly, her face creasing with worry. “I wonder if they’re going to be okay in there.”

“They will be, I know they will.” Spike said confidently, no shred of doubt in his voice. “And besides, they’re not going to be entirely alone there. Queen Celestia said that she was heading back to Canterlot to have herself and her guard storm the Everfree after the girls to give them some extra backup. So, they’ll get reinforcements eventually in their quest to stop the…not-so-legendary-anymore, Dark Queen.” A frown graced his lips as he pawed at the ground. “I just hope that they can get to them in time before they really do have to fight Nightmare Moon, and whatever monster army she conjured.”

“I wouldn’t be too worried Spike.” Snowflake said gently. “With the amount of forces that Queen Celestia has, you can be Nightmare Moon’s army will have more than a bit of a hard time. Plus, she has seven mares that’re from the Equestrian Clan, so she’ll have her hooves quite full.”

“Maybe, but Nightmare Moon is known as the Queen of Darkness for a reason.” Spike retorted. “She didn’t gain that title, along with the Goddess of the Red Moon, and Harbinger of Nightmares just by sitting on her throne and letting her subjects do her own work.” He frowned even deeper as he mentally added, ‘Like Mom does most of the time.’

“You have a point there…I suppose we’ll just have to see how it goes by waiting until the sun rises again.” Midnight sighed, pushing her mane from her eyes. “I really do hope they’ll make it out of there alive…and that the Queen manages to get there in time. I don’t want to imagine what would happen if we lost the girls, or Sheton.”

Snowflake shivered. “Neither do I sister…neither do I.”

Derpy looked in between the two bat ponies and dragon, not liking the tension she was feeling from within the library. Deciding that she needed to do something to lighten it, she clapped her hooves together and said, “Well, you guys don’t look so good with all those little frowns on your faces, we’re gonna need to fix that. Why don’t I fix you all up some of my signature muffins? While i do that, maybe you guys can play a game! I bet that’ll help you ease up at least a little.”

“…You know what? A muffin sounds just great right about now.” Spike said as he rubbed his stomach. “I hardly managed to get anything even during the reunion party the girls planned for Goku. At this point, I’ll eat just about anything.”

“Good choice Spike, because my Momma’s muffins are the best!” Dinky giggled. “Trust me, just one bite and all your taste buds will be sent to paradise!”

“I don’t doubt it sweetie~.” Midnight giggled as she turned to Derpy. “There’s some cooking supplies in Twilight’s kitchen to the right of the library Derpy. If you want, I can help you in making the muffin batch.”

“Thanks Midnight, I’d be happy to~!” Derpy said brightly, ruffling her bandaged wings as best she could as she and Midnight went into the kitchen. “Keep an eye on the little ones will you Ame? I don’t want them getting into too much trouble while we’re occupied.” A sly smirk came to her face as she looked pointedly at Spike. “Or too…physically personal~.”

Spike fell anime style. “S-shut up Derpy! As if I’d something like that to Dinky!”

The aforementioned unicorn filly tilted her head. “Do what to me, Spike?”

“I’ll tell you when you’re older.” Came his curt reply.

“But-”

“When you are older!”

"Awww, come on, pleeeease~?"

"No."

"Pretty please with a little mini muffin on top?"

"Oh good grief Dinky..."

Amethyst shook her head at her mother and sister’s antics, but the fond smile on her face gave away just how she was feeling. As good as it felt for herself and her family to be somewhere safe, she couldn’t help but get the feeling feel they’d be in danger again. Except only this time, a type of danger that none of them would expect. One that would put them all, even Dinky herself, in fight for their very lives.

Author's Note

Once again, this chapter is a mix of what I had put in the last chapter, and the new ideas that has continuously pop into my head, so it shouldn’t be that hard to tell either apart :derpytongue2: . For this one, I had decided that to have just Spike, Snowflake, Midnight, with Derpy, Dinky and Amethyst instead of the foals and Cloud Kicker, for the obvious reasons that the foals were foalnapped and that I’ll have to think 💭 on how to introduce those characters two characters in this new version. All and all, this chapter is a mixture of the last and this new version, along with the many others soon to come. Don’t know how those will go, but we’ll see how it goes :raritywink: .

Next time: Zephyr and the girls try to escape the talons of death :rainbowderp: .

Chapter 19 - Talons of Death

The titanic trees of the Everfree Forest shook and swayed under the powerful gusts of wind that were being generated from up above. The branches of the trees rippled violently, the leaves threatening to be torn off the branches. Deafening roars of thunder shook the sky as white blinked and flashed through the night sky, lighting the monstrous forest below. Even with the usual sounds that came with the wilderness, it was nothing compared to what and who was conjuring up the sounds. Far above even the tallest of the trees, two literal forces of nature could be seen flying and dancing through the sky in a duel of flight. One was a predatory bird larger than any other raptor, looking like it could carry an entire ship with its talons. The other was much smaller, an omnivorous equine sent to protect the ones sent by his leader from anything that harmed them. Even the very creature that it was currently battling, both having two different goals, one wanting a meal, and the other wanting to protect its prey. It was battle of talons, hooves and flurrying feathers, neither looked to be backing down, and they seemed to be just getting started.

The Shinomōkin screeched into the sky as it flew towards Zephyr, its beak opened in an attempt to get a hold of the stallion. Zephyr responded in kind by ducking and giving a powerful uppercut to the massive bird’s chin. He then let one of his hindhooves plunge into the bird’s massive chest, going in as hard as he could. The bird flinched from the blow, but was hardly affected by it, and flapped its giant wings to reel away from the stallion. It raised its talons and took a swipe at the stallion, hoping to slice him in half, but missed.

Zephyr growled and flew above the beast, diving headfirst down towards its head and body slamming into it. This left the raptor pretty dazed, and it did a front flip through the air, its talons sailing through the air. Zephyr realized his mistake, and backed away from the claws just in time, watching as they glinted in moon’s light. He let the raptor take a moment to shake the dizziness form its head, before it glared at him in anger and hunger.

‘Whoa, that was a close one. I most have body slammed him harder than it thought.’ The stallion thought, biting his lip. ‘Those talons are really something fierce…I’ll have to watch out for them when he tries to eat me.’

Screeching suddenly came from the Shinomōkin and it charged at Zephyr again, its wings causing wind to shoot everywhere around it. It dove its beak down in an attempt to impale Zephyr, the tip of its razor-sharp beak shining. Zephyr evaded in time to see the bird’s beak slam into the mountain that they were fighting next to. The force was harder than Zephyr was expecting, and it watched as most of its head went into conjured hole.

Before Zephyr could do anything, the Shinomōkin pulled its head out shook the rocks and pebbles out of it. With a hiss, it looked up at Zephyr and screeched again, flying towards him as its wings lashed out. He was taken off guard when he saw the bird suddenly lash its wings out, large slices of wind emerging from his feathers. Zephyr whinnied in surprise, the years of guard training allowing him to keep from getting sliced into pieces. He looked back behind him and watched as the attacks sliced into the larger trees. Not really slicing them apart but leaving particularly large slices and dents within the bark itself.

‘Son of a…of course! I cannot believe I forgot about this part!’ Zephyr thought, resisting the urge to facehoof. ‘The animals in this forest are able to use different type of magical abilities and not just the weapons their bodies provide them like normal animals! Fluttershy literally just stated this before we were nearly zapped into oblivion!’

A powerful blow slammed into Zephyr without warning, pain shooting all over his back despite his armor being protected by it. He yelled out as he went spiraling through the air and slamming into one of the giant dented trees. Zephyr’s eyes rolled about in his head, and through his blurred vision, he saw the Shinomōkin diving towards him. He went wide eyed when he saw its clawed feet extended outward ready to stab him into the tree. Realizing that he needed to take things up a notch, Zephyr summoned lighting from within his body.

“Lightning Pegasus: Lightning Spear!” The royal blue stallion shouted as he shot a spear of lightning at the incoming Shinomōkin. It slammed into the unsuspecting larger flyer striking it in the chest, making it shook shooting back as lighting struck it all across its body. It rolled across the air as it slammed into some trees in its own. The bark of the giant plants shook under the force in which was emitted by the raptor’s crash landing, but they were barely even harmed.

“I’m not done yet big guy!” Zephyr shouted as he tore himself out of the tree. “Now take this one! Lightning Pegasus: Whinny!”

Opening his own mouth, Zephyr shot a large stream of lightning where the Shinomōkin was still stuck against the trees. Just as it began to regain its bearings, the attack struck, causing an explosion to appear as lighting tore through the trees. The raptor screeched as lighting zapped it all about its body, the pain making it unable to focus on Zephyr. The Solar Royal Guard remained in his position in the air, watching as the beast was driving into the trees. Just as Zephyr thought that the bird was down for the count, it suddenly regained its bearings and attacked.

“Oh fuck!” Zephyr shouted, scrambling out of the way as the Shinomōkin tried to eat him up in its beak like before. Through some unknown means, it was able to remain agile and swift within the trees as it continued to pursue Zephyr despite its size. The stallion flew through the forest, ducking and swerving through branches as headed back to the mountain. The Shinomōkin just let out another screech as it went after its prey, meeting Zephyr in the exact spot as where it had first appeared. The raptor and pegasus stayed in that position for a time, staring into each other’s eyes as they waited for one another to make a move.

At some point, Zephyr broke the stare down and looked off into the direction of where Goku and the rest of her friends had galloped off. Despite their absence, their scent could still be smelt lingering around the area, thanks to the royal blue stallion’s hypersensitive nose. ‘Goku, Twilight and the others must be already down the hill by now. Two of them are Pegasi, and two of them are half Pegasus by the looks of it. So, they should be able to use their Pegasus magic to get down the mountain faster, while carrying the others. Odds are they’re already reaching the end and are waiting for me to catch up.’

The screeching of the Shinomōkin brought Zephyr out of his thoughts and he whipped his head in front of him to see the raptor flying towards him. He ducked just as the raptor swung its large talons at him, taking the stallion somewhat by surprise. Zephyr hadn’t expected it to use its talons in a manner other than trying to pluck him out of the air or stab him, not that either wasn’t unpleasant. Nonetheless, Zephyr still reacted the way he was supposed to, and once again kept himself out of the clutches of the thunderous feathered beast.

‘Looks like these big guys are as smart as they are tough.’ Zephyr thought, moving to the side to avoid a stab to his chest by the Shinomōkin’s talons. Reaching out with his hooves, he grabbed the Shinomōkin by its right leg and began swinging it around in the air. He soon let it go and let the giant bird fly away as he flew after it. At the last moment, when he was within range, he spun around and kicked the giant bird square into its back. This caused the Shinomōkin to arch backward, so much so that Zephyr was able to grab its beak and flipping it around in the air, sending it diving down to the ground.

“I’m not finished just yet!” Zephyr shouted, giving a hard flap of his powerful wings as he dove down under the giant raptor. “Lightning Pegasus: Thundering Hoof!”

Faster than the Shinomōkin could even blink, it felt the wind get knocked out of it as Zephyr slammed his hoof into its stomach. He hit it so hard that a large glob of blood left its mouth as it went rocketing high up into the night air. As it hovered high above the giant trees, Zephyr delivered the final deciding blow.

“Lightning Pegasus: Neigh!” The stallion shouted, shooting out a gigantic breath of garnet orange lightning at the giant raptor. He watched as it enveloped the giant raptor, who only had enough time to widen its eyes before its whole word was swept into orange. The Shinomōkin screeched in agony as the electricity ripped through it, burning its feathers all over its body. The giant raptor flew high into the sky away from Zephyr, the latter being unaware that he had just given his opponent an opening.

With a snap of its wings, the Shinomōkin flared them out, its yellow eyes glowing as it screeched down at Zephyr. Or at least, it looked like it was screeching, before a large bolt of lightning erupted from its mouth, sailing towards Zephyr. Out of pure instinct, Zephyr flew away and allowed the attack to strike the ground, forming an enormous crater. A few more bolts burst form the beak of the Shinomōkin and they struck either the mountain, the ground, or the trees. One of them finally managed to strike Zephyr point blank and he was sent plummeting as lighting zapped all over him.

“D-dammit…that was idiotic of me.” Zephyr winced, his limbs twitching. “Should’ve seen that coming.”

He gasped when he felt the gigantic claws of the Shinomōkin pierce into the ground, all looking to be just inches away from piercing him. Zephyr watched as the titanic bird towered over him, its wings halfway folded as it held its head eye. It hissed menacingly as it clenched its claws ever so slowly around Zephyr, letting him get a feel of its talons. As the bird prepared to crush him, Zephyr managed to find himself an opening to escape.

“Lighting Pegasus: Divulsion Hoof!” Zephyr shouted, shooting one of his hooves out and sending a blast of lighting up at the bird. It screeched as it was flown back, allowing Zephyr to flap his own wings and take flight, the wing armor gleaming. With a neigh he flew around the beast, slicing it where he could as his armor flashed and shined through the air. The attack lasted barely more than several seconds, but it had the effect he wanted, if the shower of blood was any indication of it. The Shinomōkin had no time to absorb the hits however, before Zephyr unleased the finishing blow.

“Alright big guy, it was fun playing with you, but it’s time I cut it short!” Zephyr said as he flared his wings out again. “Lightning Pegasus: Electrical Slicing Wing Attack!”

With another neigh Zephyr swung his wings forward, large slices of electricity emerging from the armored appendages in the blink of an eye. They slammed into the already injured Shinomōkin and it was sent crashing through the trees. With one final burst of lightning from his mouth, the creature vanished through the trees, its screeching echoing through the clearing.

“Well, that went a little better than I expected it to be. I hope I didn’t hurt him too bad.” Zephyr sighed in relief, the garnet aura around his body vanishing. “I have to admit, that was kind of a fun fight. Nice good way to get some good experience in with these guys.”

With a sigh, he turned around and flew back up through the trees, back up to the spot where he had least seen the girls run off. Looking over at the spot where his seven escorts were last seen, and he hovered down to where it was before the Shinomōkin found them. Lowering his head, he inhaled the scent left behind by the mares, hoping it was still strong. To his relief, the scent was still very fresh, making it really easy for him to be able to detect where they were going.

‘Alright, I got their scent.’ Zephyr thought, standing back upright. ‘They’ve probably gotten much farther away from me by now, but their scent is still strong. So I’ll still be able to easily track them from here. Hopefully nothing’s happened to them by the time I get to where they are. Twilight and Goku especially, or else Queen Celestia, Bardock and Gene are going to fucking fry my ass.’

“How are you holding up girls?” Goku asked, looking back at the mares running behind her as they galloped through the trees. “Any of you still able to keep up?”

“We’re doing just fine Goku.” Fluttershy replied reassuringly. “We haven’t really been going for that long, and it’s only been a few minutes since we’ve separated form Zephyr.”

“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash added. “We have plenty of gas left in the tank for anything! Even if it means facing off against any of the things in this forest!”

“I really wish that we didn’t have to run so much!” Rarity whined pitifully. “This is already messing up my hooficure! Can’t we just go with Goku’s original plan and fly down the mountain instead?”

“We’re going to have to hold off on it for right now Rarity.” Twilight said to her fellow unicorn. “We don’t know whether or not Zephyr was able to defeat the Shinomōkin, or if it blindsided him and came after us. We can’t risk turning back right now, so we’re just going to have to trust him to take care of that raptor himself.”

“Well said Twilight. I’m glad that you’re seeing just how big the risks are if we go back. Especially if we try to go against something like that.” Goku smiled approvingly. “Even if we did try to stay and fight with him, I’m pretty sure he would’ve forced us to leave. Besides, we do have a mission that we need to do anyway. One that is a lot more important than fighting a giant tower-sized raptor.”

“True, but I would’ve loved to see that fight if we were able to!” Pinkie Pie added, her straw hat flinging about on her head. “It would’ve been awesome seeing Zephie smack that giant bird around!”

Applejack snorted, rolling her eyes. “Yeah, sure it would. Fer y’all and Dash maybe.”

A scream from Goku made the others jump as she came to a dead stop, her large feathered bat wings spreading out wide. As she slid, each of her friends that were running behind her ran into her wings, stopping them dead in their tracks as if they slammed right into a wall. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, who were flying behind the group, came to a stop and looked back at the five other mares in front of them.

“Goku, what’s the matter?” The former asked, her tone laced with concern. “Why did you stop?”

“Girls don’t look now…” Goku began slowly, not moving an inch. “…but we’ve reached a dead end.”

Taken aback by this statement, the four mares looked down form over Goku’s powerful wings and looked down at where Goku had stopped. They all gasped when they saw they had indeed at the end of the path that they were running on. Not only that, from where they were standing and hovering, it was a very, very, very long drop down below that would’ve been fatal. Which was made all the more apparent by the large jagged looking rocks down below and the large sharp trees.

“Whoa nelly.” Applejack breathed, feeling a bit nauseous. “Now that is one have of a long drop-down t’ them rocks.”

“Indeed.” Rarity gulped, looking over at Goku. “I’m so glad that you stopped us when you did, that would’ve been quite the nasty fall.”

“I think ‘nasty’ is too nice of a way of putting it Rarity.” Rainbow Dash said, staring down at the rocks. “You guys would’ve been gutted like fish if G hadn’t stopped you, and if we hadn’t been here to catch you.”

“Plus, judging from how tall these trees are we can’t really see the bottom either. So, we don’t know how long it’ll take for us getting down there without getting bruised by those trees down below.” Twilight said, putting a hoof on Goku’s shoulder. “It looks like we’ll have to wait either wait for Zephyr or take another way.”

“Seriously? Come on Twilight, I don’t wanna wait here!” Rainbow groaned loudly. “I wanna get to Nightmare Moon as quick as I can so I can kick her moon-flanked ass into next week! Why can’t we just barrel through these trees and be on our merry way?”

“Because if we do that, it would mean leaving Zephyr behind with the Shinomōkin!” Fluttershy replied, a look of disproval coating her angelic face. “He may be a guard, but his protection will not mean anything if he can’t even find his way back to us. Not only that, if we go this way, we’ll be going off course of the path we’re supposed to be taking. And it doesn’t show any paths in this part of the Everfree when we looked at Twilight’s map.”

“Add insult to injury, we can’t even see the sky from up here!” Rarity added grimly, pointing to the trees in front of them. “These trees are so big that they’re even covering up the sky! For goodness sake we can barely even see any light coming from here, and that’s only a little bit of light.”

“Yeah, we don’t really have much options here Dashie.” Pinkie frowned as she tugged at her battle vest. “It’s either wait here for Zephie to finish his party with that giant birdie or go back and join in that part and help him finish it.”

Rainbow shot Pinkie a deadpan look. “Wasn’t that what I suggested like, fifteen minutes ago?”

“Yes, but Zephyr gave us a direct order to leave him be with the Shinomōkin.” Goku stated firmly, giving Rainbow a warning glare. “Unless it’s absolutely necessary, we’re just going to have to let him handle this on his own. He didn’t become third on command of the Solar Royal Guard just by dillydallying each and every day; Zephyr knows how to fight and fight hard.”

“Exaclty, no way is Zephyr going to go down without a good well-done fight.” Twilight nodded, looking back in the direction they were running from. ‘No way in Tartarus.’

“Well, guess we’ll just have t’ wait it out until Zephyr makes it back.” Applejack murmured, leaning down against one of the trees. “Ah do hope he finishes quick though, Ah don’t wanna have Apple Bloom an’ th’ girls wait fer us any longer than we have to.”

“I’m sure you don’t need to worry Applejack.” Fluttershy said gently. “Zephyr knows what’s at stake, just like the rest of us. He wouldn’t let the deadliest raptor in all of the face of Equis hold him back from helping us on a mission like this.”

“He’d better not.” Rainbow growled as she crossed her forelegs tightly. “Or I’ll I will seriously be leaving his shielded ass behind.”

Goku’s tail lashed out and struck the cyan mare on her flank. “I heard that.”

“Well, guess we’ll just have to stay here until Zephyr’s party is over and done with!” Pinkie chirped, hopping over and sitting next to where Rainbow was. She crossed her hindlegs together, tucking both forelegs in as her tail wagged about like a puppy. “Oh boy, I was not expecting for something like that to happen! One minute we were just hopping along the forest and then bam, that giant bird came out of nowhere quicker than one of my cannon blasts! It thought that I was gonna turn my brightest shade of purple yet!”

“Me neither…that bird gave me quite the fright I must admit.” Rarity nodded, rubbing tentatively at her chest. “For a moment, it felt like I was going to jump out of my own coat and become even whiter than I am now!” She rubbed at her mane and tail skirt in an effort to keep them in shape, however futile it was. “Not that I don’t like my white fur, but I’d rather not look like a ghost on Nightmare Night.”

“Ah can tell ya right now, I nearly had my titan tattoo scared off of me.” Applejack huffed, crossing one leg over the other. “Never in mah life have Ah ever seen a bird that big in mah life…Ah don’t think anypony ever has either. Given that they don’t venture into a story like this…not unless they have a death wish.”

“I’m really surprised, with animals as powerful as that, nopony would want to go anywhere near them.” Twilight murmured; her saddlebags set beside her as she looked at her map. “Then again, they have been known to venture out of the forest into Ponyville. There haven’t really been any reports of them going anywhere else besides there.”

Fluttershy frowned, her eyes setting on Twilight after that sentence was said. “That’s…not entirely true Twilight. Ponyville isn’t the only the only places that the animals here are said to have gone to…from what I’ve heard at least.”

All eyes, minus Goku’s, turned to her, each of them laced with confusion.

“What do you mean Fluttershy?” Rainbow asked, blinking in confusion. “Are you saying that more of those giant birds were seen in other parts of Equestria?”

“Not just the Shinomōkin Rainbow, but other animals just like the ones here; the one we just encountered is a prime example.” Fluttershy replied, her hooves running along her mane. “Over the centuries, there have been alleged sightings of gigantic predatory birds in various parts of Equestria that rule their skies where they inhabit. From the Forbidden Jungle, to the Diamond Dog Territory, to Redwood Range, Zebrabwe, Kirin, Halflinger and Sugar Maple Grove, and the Undiscovered West. There were even reports of said birds attacking the civilians in places where raptors can adapt and thrive, seein the ponies as a natural food source.”

“Hold on now, that don’t make no sense.” Applejack said, sitting up from the tree she was sitting on. “How can there be critters o’ this here forest in other parts of Equestria? Ah thought that ones like th’ one that nearly electrocuted us could only be found in th’ Everfree Forest?”

“Animals that can adapt don’t just live or even stay in one place Applejack. They can thrive in other places other than the ones they originated from.” Goku explained, licking at her dirtied fur. “It would definitely explain why ponies would report and even spread rumors about unusual creatures prowling in living in areas similar to that of the Everfree.”

“It honestly would, and it does. At least from all that I’ve heard in the places where ponies said they saw unnatural and supernatural creatures.” Twilight nodded, lowering her map. “There were also reports of said animals roaming out of the safety of their homes and prowling on civilian grounds searching for good. The most recent one was just over seven years ago in Dodge City on July 25th. A ten-year-old earth pony colt had reported that he had been grabbed by his tail and carried more than forty feet in the air in the enormous claws of an eagle-like bird.”

Rarity gasped in horror. “A ten-year-old earth pony colt?! My word, how in the world did that happen?! Better yet, how did the poor dear even get in a situation like that?!”

“I’m not too sure on the details…all I can say is that the poor baby was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Fluttershy sighed sadly, shaking her head. “He wasn’t even anywhere near the Everfree Forest at the time, so my theory is that the raptor that got him was starving and couldn’t catch food on his own but was stopped at the last second. Thankfully, by some unknown means, he was rescued, and returned safely back to his family shortly after he was attacked.” She looked up into the treetops as another thought came to her. ‘Either that, or one of the thestrals from one of the villages’ guilds here ended up saving that colt just in time before he was taken. Dodge City is south of the Everfree, and the closet village in this forest is Crystal Caverns, so a few bat ponies there may have went to the city when this incident happened.’

“Well thank Faust for that.” Rainbow said, shivering a little bit. “I can’t imagine how scared that little guy was when that happened. He had to have been pissing himself before that overgrown chicken tried to take him.” She chuckled as she smirked. “Of course, I would’ve given it a new one if it even thought of trying to mess with me!”

Pinkie giggled, beating at her straw hat with a hood. “We know you would Dashie! You probably even would’ve shot it into the sky with one of your Sonic Rainbooms!”

“Yep, that too!” Rainbow laughed. “Nopony messes with the Rainbow Dash and lives to tell the tale!”

“Only you would want to go against a giant pony-eating bird, Dash.” Goku sighed, throwing one hindleg over the other. “Only you.”

“Dash’s egotistical bragging aside, is that really true Fluttershy?” Rarity asked, her brows creased together in concern. “Have there really be incidents of horrid beasts like that bird appearing in places where it is mainly filled with…erm, nature?”

“Well, like I said, I’ve only heard rumors of it happening, but it has become more and more frequent over the passing centuries.” Fluttershy said, frowning slightly at Rarity for her comment. “They haven’t just been happening in Ponyville either, and not just by creatures of the Everfree. And, let’s be honest, we have had creatures of this forest attack the town over the years, even before Goku came back here. Don’t you remember what happened with Spike four and a half years ago?”

Nearly everypony in the small circle of friends flinched violently as if they were all struck by venomous snakes. All of them, that is, with the understandable exception of Goku, who just looked on in confusion at Fluttershy. The rest of the girls of the incident she was talking about; one that took place six months after Twilight and Spike came to Ponyville. A giant bat winged bear had come into the town looking for food, said food being two young colts, who were out and about one night for reasons unknown. Spike, who was returning from Fluttershy’s cottage, immediately engaged the Battookuma in a violet and brutal battle to save the two younger colts from being eaten.

Though he was victorious in saving the foals, he did end up getting quite a few battle scars in the fight with the lumbering beast. Ones that he actually thought were rather cool, and made him look tough, as well has helping him be taken more seriously. The whereabouts of the foals, however, were not known, but worries ceased when Spike mentioned that they were thestral foals. Ones that looked to be anything but helpless, something Spike realized only too late before he fought the beast that was prowling after them.

“Oooooh, please do not remind me of that Fluttershy!” Twilight moaned dejectedly, cringing hard as unpleasant memories came to her. Her forehooves came to both sides of her head as she planted her forehead against her map, which was laying on the ground. “Please Fluttershy, don’t remind any of us of that night! I don’t want to remember seeing Spike bleeding and battered all over while being looked down upon by a giant bat-winged bear!”

“Yeah, me neither!” Pinkie gagged, her fur, mane and tail turning slightly green for a few seconds as she stuck her tongue out. “I’m glad that Spike saved us from being eaten, but don’t want to remember seeing any of that red frosting all over Spike! And not the good kind of red frosting!”

“It was not a pleasant sight for me to see either.” Rarity said, putting a hoof to her mouth as if she was trying not to gag. “Seeing my poor Spikey Wikey all torn up as if he was a ruined dress…oh, I had horrible nightmares about that for weeks!”

“Ah can’t say that Ah was there t’ see it unfortunately.” Applejack said softly, waving a hoof. “But Ah heard jus’ enough from Fluttershy t’ know that it was pretty bad. That became even more apparent when Ah saw Spike again when Ah saw him in the hospital. That pretty much tells me all that Ah need t’ know about that night.”

“Neither was I.” Rainbow sighed, adjusting her sword. “But I did see Spike’s scars, so I have an idea that whatever happened in town was…pretty bad.”

Twilight nodded. “It was…i-it…really was.”

“Wait a second, what are you guys talking about?” Goku asked as she held her hooves out. “What happened in Ponyville while I was away? And how does Spike have anything to do with it?”

Right at that moment, a loud explosion burst out from behind them, causing the seven mares to jump and spin around to see who it was. Their eyes widened when they saw a large pillar of smoke in front of them and large piles of rubble scattered about the ground. Before they could figure out what it meant, Zephyr suddenly burst form the smoke, stopping just a few feet away from the mares.

“Zephyr!” Twilight shouted, relief flowing over her at the sight of the royal blue stallion. “You made it back!”

“Yeah, I did, and not a moment too soon either.” Zephyr nodded, keeping his armored wings spread as he looked at each of the girls. “Did anything happen to you guys while I was gone?”

“Aside from nearly falling down a rocky slope and gettin’ gutted like pigs, nothin’ outta th’ ordinary.” Applejack replied bluntly, getting up as she adjusted her hat. “Ah take it ya took care o’ that oversized bird?”

“Yes, but I fear that it may only be for the time being.” Zephyr replied quickly, glancing back at him. “I managed to by myself sometime and escape before it could see me, but I’m pretty sure that it’s looking for me right now.”

“Wait what?!” Rainbow Dash reeled back. “What the hell are you talking about?! I thought you took care of it!”

“He did say that Dash. What he means is that the Shinomōkin may not be kept down for very long, so we need to make our escape as quickly as we can.” Fluttershy said quickly before Rainbow could let loose on Zephyr. “Remember, the animals here aren’t like the ones found anywhere else. So even if you manage to get them down for th count, they’ll eventually get back up again.”

“Exaclty, and besides, we can’t afford to any time to waste fighting them unless we really need to.” Goku added as she and the girls huddled around Zephyr. “With that being said, we should get out of here as soon as we can before we get showered by lighting…again.”

“Right so, we’re still sticking to the original plan?” Zephyr asked. “Going down the mountain by flight?”

“Yes, but we can’t do it here. Applejack and Rarity mentioned this part of the mountain having jagged rocks and bunched up trees, so we can’t go from here.” Twilight said, pointing behind her at the edge where she nearly fell. “We’ll have to go back the route we came instead.”

“Hopefully the Shinomōkin won’t be there waiting for us before that happens.” Goku snorted, shaking her head. “Alright, let’s get out of these clearing and back towards where we were before-”

An ear-splitting thunderclap cut off whatever the tan thestral was going to say, and a loud screeched prompted the girls to look around them. The denseness of the trees around them kept them from seeing the giant predatory bird, but its screeching let them know it was close. This, unfortunately, did not tell them just how close the Shinomōkin was, until Pinkie stated to shake, mainly her tail.

“Um, Pinkie…” Zephyr said slowly. “What’s wrong with your tail?”

“M-m-my Pinkie Sense…it’s my Pinkie Sense!” Pinkie replied with a slight stammer as her tail continued to shake. “My Pinkie Sense is going off in my tail!”

Everypony, minus Zephyr froze when they heard this, mainly the first three words. Somepony would think that a giant dragon was about to burn the girls alive, how scared they looked right now. They watched in silent terror as Pinkie’s tail began to shake more and more violently. Even as it began to raise as if she was presenting her readiness to mate.

“Y-your…t-t-tail is twitchin?” Applejack said quietly, biting her lower lip. “D-does that mean…?”

Pinkie’s head snapped up as she looked into the bunched-up trees above them, her body shaking slightly by the twitching of her tail. Looking back down at them with eyes wider than birthday cakes, she screamed, “EVERYPONY RUN!”

Everything became a bright flash of light as the sound of chirping thunder stabbed into the pony’s ears, the light blinding them temporarily. One moment they were standing in a tight nit circle, and the next, they were flying in a swirl of rocks, trees, and broken branches. The small clearing of giant trees they were in exploded in a shower of trees and debree as the girls sailed across the air, before tumbling across the ground. Some of them ended up landing on the destroyed trees, while others had the bark fall on them and cut them up. After a brief stretch of pain filled silence, they slowly regained their bearings and looked to the explosion’s culprit. True to their fears, they saw that it was the Shinomōkin, who was now hovering above them, glaring down at them in the pile of barn and destroyed earth. To add to their terror, the raptor was covered in a cloak of grey clouds and lightning, showing that it had gone into another form.

“Nevermind…” Pinkie whimpered, holding her straw hat close to her head. “He’s here…and he is mad.”

“What the hell Zephyr?!” Applejack shouted, snapping her head towards the stallion. “Ah thought you had got this damn varmint down long enough to escape!”

“That’s what I believed too! I had shot it all the way into the trees with one of my most powerful attacks! I literally saw him vanish and not come back” Zephyr explained, quickly. “I even saw him get blown away from me by my last attack in the process!”

“Well, it looks like it wasn’t enough.” Fluttershy said grimly. “If the Shinomōkin was able to withstand your strongest attacks, then it looks like it was stronger than you thought.”

“Understatement of the century.” Goku snorted, shaking her head. “We can talk about that later okay?! For now, let’s get the hell out of here!”

Zephyr and the girls the girls didn’t need to be told twice, having already started running and flying just before the Shinomōkin unleashed another attack. It shot a huge bolt of lightning form its mouth, striking the very same spot the ponies were just at. It was completely obliterated, sending large chunks of earth and scattered trees about the air. This time, none of the ponies got it, and by the time the attack ceased, they were already out of the clearing. A hiss from the Shinomōkin voice its frustration, and with a zap of lighting, it took off after its prey. Opening its beak, it shot off a multitude of lightning bolts at the eight ponies, determined to shoot at least one of them down from the sky. Zephyr, however, wasn’t about to give it any leverage, and countered the incoming attacks with ones of his own.

“Not so fast! Lightning Pegasus: Neigh!” Zephyr shouted, opening his mouth to shoot a massive stream of lighting of lightning. They all countered and stopped the Shinomōkin’s own breath attacks in midair, causing multiple explosions to ring out in the air.

“Holy shit!” Rainbow Dash shouted, her eyes widening at the attack form the raptor. “Did you guys see that?! Zephyr just completely destroyed that thing in the air!”

“Yeah Dash we sure did!” Applejack replied. “An’ Ah’m so glad that we got away from that varmint! If we stayed there fer even a second longer, our gooses would’ve been cooked!”

“Applejack!” Pinkie Pie shouted, her eyes widening. “I said not to call him names like that! Do you want him to slice you apart like a birthday cake?!”

“That was a really close call back there.” Twilight said. “Now all we have to do is try to figure out how to get away from that bird before it tries to electrocute us again!”

Zephyr’s eyes suddenly widened, before they narrowed in a look of determination. “It looks like we’re going to get that chance Twilight…look!”

Following the line of Zephyr’s hoof, they saw that they were heading right towards edge that they had walked out of. Even form the distance they were, they could see the vastness of the forest, letting them know just how much of a drop it’d be. Realizing what they needed to do, they immediately put Goku’s plan into motion. The thestral didn’t even need to say anything as the ones who couldn’t fly chose their partners. Twilight went Zephyr, Rarity took Fluttershy, Pinkie practically leapt onto Dash, and Applejack rode on Goku. As soon as they were secure, they were only a few bodies length away from the edge, the Shinomōkin hot on their hooves.

“JUMP!” Zephyr screamed, having already taken to the air just before finishing that order. The girls soon followed suit, just as the Shinomōkin struck at them for the third time. As the debree and smoke cleared, it looked down and saw the group diving towards the woods, and it wasted no time going after them.

The rush of wind and the screeching of the giant raptor behind them was the only thing that the ponies could hear as the feel through the air. Fluttershy, Goku, Rainbow Dash and Zephyr flapped their majestic wings hard to put distance between themselves and their attacker. This proved to be a futile effort as the Shinomōkin slowly began to put distance between them as it closed the gap, ready to unleash the killing blow. Lighting stabbed at the air and thunder tore through it as the bird of prey drew ever closer to the ponies. When it was finally within range, it slowly inched its claws forward towards Fluttershy, who was carrying Rarity on her back, ready to pluck them out of the air.

“FLUTTERSHY, WATCH OUT!” Rarity screeched, but Fluttershy was already moving out of the way before the warning got out. They winced as they heard the clashing of the talons that were inches away from plucking them, and they went back to the safety of the group.

“This isn’t good you guys!” Rainbow Dash shouted. “We need to find some way to shake this guy before he gets us all! Anypony got any ideas?!”

“My smoothie cup is just about empty Dashie!” Pinkie cried, knocking at her head. “I am having way too much fun diving to think of anything that’ll help us!”

Rarity shot Pinkie a scathing look, a tick mark forming in his head. “How is this in anyway FUN?!”

“I…I-I can’t think of anything either!” Twilight cried desperately as she clung desperately to Zephyr. “I don’t know what we can do to escape! I feel like we’ll get zapped no matter what we try to do!”

“I think I can!” Zephyr said, holding Twilight’s hooves in his own. “We’re nearing the forest, so I’m thinking we can go to the safety of the trees and split up! If we go fast enough, we can try to lose him, and maybe even find some way around him and meet back up again!”

“Are you sure that’s gonna work?!” Applejack shouted nervously. “It managed to find us even while ya had it at bay! How can ya be so sure that this time it’ll work?!”

“I don’t know, but at this point, it’s the only thing I can think of right now!” Zephyr replied. “If that doesn’t work, then I guess we’ll have no choice but to engage it until it gives up, and I don’t think that’ll happen quickly!”

“Well, in that case…” Rainbow Dash said as she grabbed at her sword. “Let me give us a bit of a head start!”

Before anypony could stop her, the cyan mare whirled around, Pinkie still on her back, and unleashed a wave of azure blue energy at the Shinomōkin. It sliced it in its stomach as it spread its wings to try to dodge the attack, and screeched in pain as it hit. It caused the raptor to slow down in hits flight, allowing the ponies to gain some speed and increase the distance. After a few more minutes of silent and frantic flying, the group felt relaxed enough to continue conversing.

“Dash, was that the best idea?!” Twilight asked. “Not to sound unappreciative about the assistance but will that really manage to slow the Shinomōkin down?!”

“Don’t really know, and I don’t really care!” Dash replied uncaringly. “Anything that can get us away from that overgrown chicken is good enough for me!”

Pinkie frowned, lightly bonking Dash on the head. “First Applejack and now you Dashie?! Are you really wanting to get electrocuted that badly?!”

“No, I’m trying to save our asses here!” Rainbow shouted. “As much as I wanna show these guys how much of a badass I am, want to find Nightmare Moon even more! I have something very special for her in store, and the sooner I get to her, the sooner I’ll be able to show it to her!”

“Um, you’re talking about your sword…aren’t you Dash?” Fluttershy asked, already knowing the answer.

“Well duh! What did you think I was talking about?!” Rainbow Dash, gesturing to the appendage that she now strapped back onto her. “This baby of mine is something that can only be used by ones that really deserve it! There’s no way in hell I’m gonna let some stupid bird rob me of that!”

Just as this was said, Rarity suddenly spoke up. “Um…I think you may have spoken to soon Dash…”

“Uh, whaddya mean Rarity?” Applejack asked, one of her eyebrows raised.

“She means THAT!” Zephyr replied, his leveled voice ending in a shout that made the mares turned to look at him. They saw him pointing upward, and when they all looked up, they felt their jaws drop upon seeing the Shinomōkin above them. Its entire grey clouded body was twice it original size, flashes of white lighting appearing out of them. It covered every part of its body, from its beak, to its head, its wings, legs, all the way to its tail feathers, leaving no trace untouched. As a final touch, two orbs of pure yellow replaced its eyes, and grew almost twice as big as it was before. Despite its deathly frightening looking appearance, the group could see large droplets of blood falling from it and down on them like rain.

“Holy shit, it’s fucking huge!” Rainbow shouted; her eyes wide. “It’s even bigger than it was just a few minutes ago!”

“W-what is it doing now?!” Goku cried, her bat ears pinning back. “Is it gonna try and zap us out of the sky?!”

“I have no idea Goku!” Pinkie replied. “It looks like it’s turning itself into a giant bird shaped storm cloud! I could be wrong, but it looks like that’s what it’s doing!”

“No Pinkie! That’s exactly what it’s doing!” Fluttershy clarified, her expression one of panic. “And it’s about to send a rain of lightning down on us!”

“It’s going to WHAT?!” Twilight yelled, her eyes widening in horror.

The roaring of thunder brought the eight ponies’ attention back up to Shinomōkin hovering above them, lighting dancing all about its body. With a loud screech, it unleashed its shower of lightning upon its quarry, all of them giving loud ear-splitting cracks as they appeared. The girls screamed as they frantically began to dodge and evade the bird’s attack, watching as the smaller trees were destroyed in the process.

“What the fuck is going on with this bird?!” Rainbow Dash shouted angrily. “I mean, I know that this is the Everfree forest and all but come on! I wasn’t expecting any of this!”

“I have no idea Dashie, but this is just amazing!” Pinkie Pie squealed. “I mean, did you see the way how that bird struck the slope like that and how strong its attack was?! It’s even trying to strike us down without even trying to touch us itself! How cool is that?!”

“Pinkie Pie, I can hardly see anything ‘cool’ about any of this right now?!” Rarity snapped harshly. “Can you not see the situation that we are currently in right now?! We are being chased by a bird of prey trying to strike us down as if it was the weather itself! Tell me, just what is ‘cool’, about something like that?!” The alabaster Unicorn used her magic to grab at her mane and tail and pull them closely to her. “Not only that, but there’s also the potential risk that my beautiful mane and tail skirt will get absolutely ruined! There is simply not a greater tragedy than that!”

“That’s what you’re more worried about?!” Rainbow Dash shouted incredulously. “You’re a hair’s breadth away from being turned into turkey, and you’re more worried about your damn hair getting dirty?! Are you fucking kidding me right now?!”

“Well of course I am!” Rarity replied sharply with a snort, giving the cyan mare a frown. “A lady must always make herself look presentable, even in the face of danger! Something that you wouldn’t know anything about, Rainbow Dash, humph!”

“That is a load of bull-”

“Girls, that’s enough!” Fluttershy shouted, her voice surprisingly loud of the rumbling. “We don’t have time to argue about this right now! We need to find a way to get away from this Shinomōkin before it-!”

The sound of lightning cracking cut Fluttershy off, and she looked behind her to see a large pure yellow bolt of lightning zooming down towards her. Her friends all screamed her name, but they were just too far away from her to move her out of the way and could only watched as the bolt soared right at her. Just before it struck, Zephyr who had bucked Twilight off of him and threw her to Goku, appeared out of nowhere. The stallion knocked Fluttershy and Rarity out of the way just in the nick of time, taking the full brunt of the attack himself.

“ZEPHYR!” Twilight screamed, her expression one of utter horror as she watched the stallion get electrocuted. His agonized screams echoing about the sky as the Shinomōkin’s lightning ripped at his body from the inside out. The sound of an explosion rang through the air mere seconds later, and Zephyr fell out of the sky, a large mouthful of blood flowing from his mouth.

“Hold on sweetie, we’re coming!” Goku shouted, flapping her bat wings hard as she ascended towards the falling stallion. She held Twilight close to her, her tail wrapping around her saddlebags as the unicorn grabbed her tightly around her neck along with Applejack. The others followed closely behind her, with the giant raptor diving down after them, still in its stormy cloak of lightning.

“Hold on Goku, I got him!” Fluttershy shouted, diving down ahead of the group. She tucked her angelic wings on either side of her after giving them a powerful flap, allowing her to dive down at a faster speed. When she got within range, she shot her hooves out and grabbed Zephyr around his barrel, wrapping her forelegs around him. She then spread her wings, allowing the air to carry her back up and join the others in flight once more, even the extra weight.

“Alright, way to go Fluttershy!” Pinkie praised jovially. “Good on you for saving Zephyr from getting skewered!”

“Yes, but we’re not out of danger yet dear!” Rarity said, pointing behind her. “We still have our adversary chasing after us! And it doesn’t look like he’s going to be letting up anytime soon!”

“Well, it looks like we’re going to have to make him go away!” Rainbow Dash shouted, her eyes glowing as a magenta body began to appear around her body. “Don’t worry you guys, I’m going to take care of this!”

“No Dash!” Twilight shouted, using her magic to stop the mare in midair. “Didn’t you just see what happened to Zephyr?! He just nearly got murdered by that Shinomōkin just a few seconds ago thanks to your stunt! I’m not going to let you do the same thing and get yourself killed! This is not the time to go playing the hero!”

“Well then, whaddya suppose we do Twilight?!” Applejack asked. “All we’ve been doin’ is flyin’ away from this varmint, an’ it’s not really workin’ fer us! All we’re doin’ is makin’ ourselves targets fer him an’ that fancy lightnin’ o’ his, an’ it doesn’t look like he’s goin’ t’ give up so easily!”

“Then we’re going to have to make him give up!” Goku declared, her eyes narrowing as they approached a large grove of trees. “Come on guys, follow me!”

With a strong flap, the tan thestral shot right into the trees, the others flying close behind her with Fluttershy carrying their motionless guard. Their ears, Zephyr’s included, picked up the sounds of screeching and lightning striking trees and branches cracking and falling, and the strong flapping of wings. None of them needed to look to know that the Shinomōkin was still behind them, and they knew they needed to lose it, or else they’d be fried.

“Goku, I hate to sound rude, just what are you thinking?!” Rarity asked. “What’re you trying to accomplish by entering the forest?!”

“What do you think I’m doing?!” Goku asked, looking over at the fashionista. “I’m trying to gain enough distance from this bird so we can hide somewhere in the trees and shrub without him seeing us do it!”

“Are you sure that’s going to work?” Rainbow Dash asked, obviously in doubt. “That bird’s flying through this forest pretty fast, and he’s literally destroying the trees just by flying into them. I don’t think hiding in the trees is going to help anything.”

“Not unless we hide in a tree grove that he’s not trying to destroy.” Fluttershy said, looking over at the cyan mare. “The Shinomōkin has the most excellent vision of any raptor, but it’s only able to detect things that are in a clear view. If things like rocks and trees are blocking its view, then it’ll be very hard for them to keep track of their quarry. So Goku made the right choice choosing the trees as a means of trying to escape, even if the Shinomōkin is, um, destroying them.”

“Exactly, which is why I had chosen to do this in the first place.” Goku nodded, smiling thankfully at Fluttershy. “Plus, at this point, I really don’t have any other options other than to fight this bird, which would more than likely be suicide for us. Especially with the incredibly big task that we have right now.”

“Goku’s right everypony.” Twilight nodded. “It’s best for us not to even try to contemplate fighting the Shinomōkin, no matter the chances that we have for winning. We should just continue to try to fly it until we find a chance to lose it.”

“Good idea Twilight!” Pinkie Pie nodded. “Let’s just keep our eyes on the pri-WATCH OUT!”

Everypony whipped their heads back just in time to see a huge bolt of lightning shoot down towards them, the size being big enough to electrocute all of them at once. They were just barely able to evade the attack as it slammed into the trees and the ground below them, sending branches and chunks of dirt everywhere.

“Okay,” Applejack said, a slight tinge of annoyance in her voice. “Ah am really startin’ t’ get annoyed by that now! How long do we have to keep goin’ ahead o’ this thing?!”

“Not for much longer!” Rainbow Dash shouted; her eyes squinted. “I think I can see a clearing from up ahead of here!”

“Yeah, me too!” Goku nodded, her cat-like eyes seeing farther ahead. “And we’re almost there! Just hold on for a little a bit longer, girls! We’ll be home free soon!”

No other words were said after that; the only thing that the seven mares were focused on were getting away from the giant lightning and cloud coated raptor chasing them. Goku, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash’s riders held on tightly to them as the three flyers flew as fast as they could, with the tan thestral pulling ahead. The Shinomōkin’s chirping lighting and loud screeching still bounced about their ears as it kept up the chase, even as the ponies got father away. After what seemed like miles of flying, they broke out of the trees, finding themselves in a large clearing with a huge streaming river.

“We finally made it!” Rarity exclaimed, breathing out a huge sigh. “We escaped that retched creature!”

“Not yet Rarity, we’re not out of the woods yet.” Twilight cautioned. “We may be out of the sight of the Shinomōkin, but, we still need to find someplace to hide before it comes out.”

“Alright then, so where you do suggest that we go?” Rainbow Dash asked. “There aren’t any places here in this clearing, and like Fluttershy said, because of that we’ll be spotted pretty easily. I think we should try to go for those trees on the other side of this river.”

“That was pretty much my idea from the start, but thanks for the reminder Dash.” Goku said, looking at the cyan mare with slight annoyance. “Plus, we’ll also need to find someplace to let Zephyr get some rest too. He took a real hit when he saved Fluttershy from being zapped. We’ll need to make sure nothing happens to him while he’s recovering, otherwise he won’t be able to continue on with us.”

Fluttershy looked like she was about to say something, but an explosion of lightning and trees prevented her from doing so. They only had time to see the Shinomōkin diving towards them at break-neck speed, and scream at the sight, before the giant bird attacked. White hot pain tore through their bodies as the giant raptor swept them all in a world of grey as it electrocuted all of them on the spot, Zephyr included. Their pain filled screams rang through the air as they were carried through the air over the river. The Shinomōkin soared over it as it continued to mercilessly strike the mares trapped within its transformation.

All of a sudden, a pain filled screech escaped its mouth as a huge bolt of Golden lightning tore from out of its back and under its stomach. It halted its flight back into the forest as more bolts of lightning shot out of its body, emitting even more agonized cries. It flapped around wildly, trying to shake whatever had gotten in or onto it and get rid of the source of lightning that wasn’t its own, but to no avail. With one final burst of lightning, a massive whole opened up inside the transformed bird, and the eight ponies suddenly fell out.

The one stallion and six mares only had time to open their eyes and see the retreating giant bird that they were slowly getting father away from. One of the last images they saw was of the figure of a tan bat winged pony diving towards them as they fell. Then, in an instant, there was a mighty splash as they all hit the ice cold flowing river below them, before everything went dark.

Author's Note

Okay, I have to admit, I felt that I had kind of rushed this chapter a bit the last time that I had written it, and I that I should add a least bit more detail and conversing between Zephyr and the mares before I made things really get bad :twilightoops: . All and all, I had decided that to somewhat keep the chapter as it was last time in some parts, while adding some different parts in this newly versioned chapter that I managed to get by pretty quickly against all of my expectations :derpytongue2: . That, and I also decided to at least some bit of history about at least one of the animals in either in the Everfree, or in various wildernesses like the Everfree Forest, and get the girls point of view on it :raritywink: . Aside form those parts, and the little rest break they had, The ending of the chapter is kind of how it was made last time, with some slight chances. The chapter I have coming after the next one will also be kept mostly the same, since I don't really see anything that needs changing, but the one I will have after this one will certainly be changed in some parts. It may be bit longer than this one, but I'll try not to take too long with it, since not all of the chapters will have to go through whole rewrites :pinkiesmile: .

Next time: Sheton and the fillies attempt to think of an escape, only to witness the rise of an army that is the very definition of darkness...and Nightmare Moon prepares to send a little gift to Ponyville :pinkiecrazy: .

Chapter 20 - The Army of Nightmares

It took a considerable amount of effort, but Sheton finally manage to regain consciousness after being out for who knew how long. The first thing he saw when he woke up was a glittering ceiling that made him think he was looking into the night sky. He groaned as one of his hooves came to rub at his eyes, before rubbing at his aching temples. As he did so, a sharp pulse of pain coursed through his head, causing him to cry out and clench his teeth. Sheton took a few deep breaths to try to regain his composure, before he sat up in what he felt to be a large bed. It was, admittedly, a comfortable bed, even more so than his own back in Canterlot, along with the blanket that was currently over him. Sheton squealed in surprise and threw the covers off of him, as if they were trying to wrap him around their coils, before backing up to the bed’s head. He looked around and felt his fear slowly diminish when he found himself to be a bedroom of some sorts.

“H…h-h-hello?” Sheton squeaked out, his soft voice increasing in volume as it echoed about the newly fixed walls. “Is…i-i-is anypony here? Girls…a-are any of you all here?”

He received no answer to his question, except for the silence that allowed him to hear his own breathing and heartbeat due to how strong it was. With a shiver, Sheton slowly curled up from his ball and crawled over to the edge of the bed. He looked around at the room and found himself somewhat captivated by its fanciness and beauty. Sheton reached up to push his mane from his eyes, only to freeze when he felt something very important missing.

“M-my hat! W-where’s my hat?!” Sheton cried frantically, panic flowing into him as he felt around for his hat. “My hat’s, it’s gone! The hat that my Mom gave me is-!”

As he looked to the left of him, Sheton paused when he saw his fedora sitting on a bedroom lamp stand, next to an icy glittering lamp. Relief flooded Sheton like a gust of wind as he rushed over to it and took it off of his nightstand, hugging it close to him. When he pulled it away to look at it, he noticed that it looked to be much cleaner than it usually was. He also noticed that seemed to have a symbol attached to it, said symbol being that of a red crescent moon.

‘That’s funny…there’s no dirt or patches on it from earlier. Every single part of my hat has been cleaned spotless. It even has a red symbol of the moon in the center of it.’ Sheton thought as he examined his hat, running a hoof along the blue crescent moon on it. ‘Who could’ve done this to my hat? Could it have been…?’

Sheton froze, stopping himself from finishing that thought, for it seemed much too absurd for him to believe. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he set his fedora back on his head, feeling himself becoming much more relaxed. After making sure it was well adjusted, and his ears were through the holes, he turned back to the door and slowly trudged towards it. With a gulp, he slowly opened the door to the bedroom and walked out into the giant hall. The very same hall that Nightmare Moon had walked with them across up to her new throne room. He stayed just outside the door, not yet confident enough to venture out on his own yet.

“It doesn’t look like Nightmare Moon is here yet, and I can’t sense her magic either.” Sheton said to himself as he looked around. “Still, I shouldn’t cause too much noise, I don’t want to make her aware that I’m awake now.” His sharp mind went back to Nightmare Moon’s first appearance, remembering a particular appendage she had. “If I remember correctly, she has bat ears just like me, which means her hearing is sharper than most. If I’m too loud or make the wrong move, I might make myself loud enough to tell her where I am.”

Once he found enough courage to walk out of his room, he closed it behind her, more out of a force of habit than anything. His ears went back against the top of his head as he slowly walked down the hall, being sure to be as cautious as possible. The emerald blue orbs that made up for his slitted eyes looked left and right, taking time to really take in the wonderous sight that made up for Nightmare Moon’s new castle. He was still reeling from how she was able to something like this with just her magic alone, like he never saw before. Even if she was an alicorn, this seemed to be pretty far-fetched, since he’s never seen Queen Celestia do it herself. Still, that didn’t take away the amazement he felt, and was still feeling, upon seeing it again. More so now that he had more time to really take it in and absorb it all.

“This…castle is so big. I’ve never seen one anything like this before, not even in the Canterlot Castle where my parents live.” Sheton said to himself as he continued to look around him. “It’s so blue and white and black and…dark…but I don’t feel scared when I’m in it. I can feel Nightmare Moon’s magic all over it and around me and it’s so…powerful. Yet, I don’t feel scared feeling it…I wonder if the others feel that way too.”

Sheton suddenly gasped loudly as something crucially important came to his mind, and it took all he had not to slap the fangs off of his mouth. “Oh shit, that’s right; the girls! They got teleported away from Nightmare Moon along with me! I almost forgot about that!” He spun around to look at each of the doors, which were being lit by magically formed torches. “They must be in one of the rooms here! Nightmare Moon must’ve put them in one of each just like I was. It would explain why I was in that bed. I’d better go wake them up and see if they’re okay!”

Wasting no time, Sheton went to the first door that he set his eyes upon and began knocking loudly on it. He pressed his ear to the door to listen out for any sound that somepony was inside of the room, but got silence instead. Pursing his lips, he began knocking again, only much more softly this time. “Hello? Is anypony in there? Girls? If one of you are in there, can you let me know that you are? It’s me, Sheton!”

This time, Sheton did get a response, but it came from a far different section of the hall than the one he was currently at. He whipped his head around and saw one of the doors on the other side of the hall slowly opening. Sheton watched with bated breath as it fully opened, and a figure very slowly came out into the open. When he saw who it was, Sheton gasped as his expression filled with relief and surprise.

“Scootaloo!” Sheton cried happily as he flew over to her, throwing caution to the wind. Scootaloo jumped and squeaked just as the stormy grey colt collided with her, sending them both tumbling towards the ground. It took a moment for the ocean blue filly to regain her bearings, but when she saw it was Sheton, she calmed down.

“S-S-Sheton! I-it’s you!” Scootaloo cried in surprise, wrapping her own forelegs around Sheton as he pulled her in tight. “W-what’re you d-doing here?”

“I was in one of these rooms and I just woke up less than a few minutes ago.” He replied as he got off of Scootaloo. “Are you okay?”

“Y-yeah, I-I’m alright. I h-have a really b-bad h-headache and I-I’m a bit d-dizzy, b-but I’ll be okay.” Crescent replied as she rubbed at her forehead. Once she managed to get her head soothed, she looked around at the nocturnal halls. “W-where…are we?”

“I think we’re still in the Castle of the Two Sisters.” Sheton replied quietly, his voice echoing about the halls. “Or in this case, Nightmare Moon’s new castle. Do you remember what happened before we got here?”

Scootaloo nodded softly. “Y-y-yeah…I-I do…I-I remember b-being teleported away w-with the rest of you.” She looked back at the room behind her. “I-I w-w-woke up in that r-room a-after that…I-I wasn’t really e-expecting to be there though.”

“Me neither. I guess this whole castle wasn’t the only thing that Nightmare Moon used her magic to create.” Sheton replied, looking back at his own room for a second. “Where do you think the others are?”

“T-they may b-be in the o-other rooms a-around us.” Scootaloo replied as she took looked at the multiple blue doors. “T-they p-p-probably haven’t w-woken up y-yet. S-so they m-must be still u-unconscious.”

“Maybe.” Sheton nodded, walking in front of Scootaloo and looking into her single eye. “Alright Scootaloo, here’s what we’re gonna do. We’re gonna split up go to each of the doors one by one and wake the girls. After that, we’ll group together and find some way to escape here before Nightmare Moon finds out were gone, okay?”

“O-okay.” Scootaloo nodded obediently. “H-how will we know which doors to go to?”

“I don’t know, but I guess we’ll just have to start from the first two after the ones we came out of.” Sheton replied, flicking one of his ears. “We were both put on the same floor in rooms just on the opposite sides of each other. So, I’m sure that we’ll find them here too.”

“R-right.” Scootaloo said, smiling a bit. “S-so…you’ll take the second one, a-and I’ll t-take the third?”

“Mhm, and we’ll go from there.” Sheton replied as he smiled back. “We’ll find them and even if we have to go every single door, I know they’ll be here.”

Before Scootaloo could agree or anything, Sheton flew his way to the door next to his one the left side of the hall. Pressing an ear to the door, he gently knocked on it and waited for one of the other girl’s voices, just like before. Upon getting no answer, he lifted a hoof to the doorknob and slowly began to open it. He barely even got it several inches open before it swung all the way, and Sheton was blindsided by an orb of flames. Sheton screamed as they collided with him, sending him towards Scootaloo, who was already opening a door of her own. A scream of her own emitted from her mouth as she dived out of the way, watching as Sheton and the ball of flames flew right through the open door.

“Alright bucko, I’ve got you! Now you’d better tell me where Nightmare Moon is right now, or I’m gonna-!” Firestreak snarled heatedly, stopping when she saw just who it was that she collided into. “Sheton?!”

Sheton, who was busying himself in trying to get Firestreak’s yellow hoof off his throat, gasped out, “F-Firestreak?!”

The crimson filly gasped, flying off of the thestral colt as he coughed and gagged. “Oh fuck, I am so, so sorry! I did not know that it was you! I-I really thought that it was Nightmare Moon and-!”

“How could you not have known that it was me?” Sheton asked, glaring at Firestreak. “Even with my magical power reserves, it is nowhere near as high as Nightmare Moon! Plus, you’re around the same age as me, so you should’ve been able to sense my magical essence! There was no way that you could not have known that it was me!”

“I…y-yeah, you’re right, I’m sorry.” Firestreak lowered her head. “I wasn’t thinking, I’m sorry that I attacked you like that.”

“…No, it’s fine, don’t worry about it.” Sheton replied, his anger vanishing as quickly as it had come. “Let’s just go find the other girls so we can-”

There was a sudden burst of golden yellow magic, which appeared in the center of the room, between the door and the bed. Firestreak, Scootaloo, and Sheton all cried out when it appeared, but quickly calmed down when they saw that it was Crescent Shield. The ocean blue filly whipped her head around, looking around desperately with her horn still ignited.

“Sheton, Firestreak!” Crescent cried, the magic around her horn vanishing as she looked at the two foals that were on the bed. “You’re all alive!”

“Well of course we’re alive Crescent!” Firestreak said, turning to face her winged unicorn friend. “What did you think happen to us? That we were all turned into dust by Nightmare Moon?”

“N-no! Well…kind of.” Crescent replied, admitting her fears a second later as she looked away from the duo. “I’m glad that you guys are okay, it looks like you, me and Scootaloo aren’t the only ones still in one piece.”

Sheton’s ears perked. “Wait, do you mean that Melon Cake, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle are awake too?!”

A green blur shot down from the room before Crescent could answer, shooting all around the room like a tennis ball being it by multiple tennis rackets. It soon settled right in top of Crescent, revealing it to the first of the two aforementioned fillies. Melon violently shook her body as if she was trying to shake water off of it, before smiling up at Sheton and Firestreak.

“I sure am Tony~! Right where I knew you would find me!” She chirped happily as her tail whipped back and forth. “Tiger D. Melon Cake Ryūko Konton is here and at your service!”

“U-um, y-you didn’t n-need to say your w-whole n-name M-M-Melon.” Scootaloo said softy as she walked into the room. “Y-you could’ve j-just said your f-f-first.”

“I know that, but I want to make sure that you guys know that it’s really me!” Melon replied merrily, glancing back at the timid filly. “What if, at some point, you run into somepony trying to impersonate as me and tries to trick you? What if they make it seem like it’s me but isn’t if they don’t say my full name?! What if that pony manages to mimic me so well that they’ll jump you guys and try to drain each and every single one of you of all of your blood?!”

Firestreak’s look became deadpan. “Melon Cake, do you have any fucking idea out utterly fucking ridiculous that sounded? The last time I checked, none of the ponies we met were vampires, and even if they were, they definitely wouldn’t have tried to get us during the day, or in a town as populated as ours! The only pony who I can think of who’s capable of that is that nightmare bitch, who, in case you forgot, foalnapped us before bringing us into this forest!”

“I know! I haven’t forgotten that Firestreak!” Melon snorted, frowning childishly. “I’m just saying you could never know when somepony else may try to do what I said they could do. Which is why I took it upon myself to say my full name in case anypony trying to impersonate me doesn’t do the same.”

“…You’re an idiot.” Firestreak stated bluntly, much to honestly. “Seriously, you are such an idiot…almost as much of one as Pinkie.”

“Firestreak!”

“What?! She is Scoots!” Firestreak defended, frowning as Scootaloo glared disapprovingly at her. “Do you even hear what she’s saying right now?! It is just a load of bullshit! I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything dumber in my life!”

“Firestreak! You take that back right now!” Apple Bloom snapped sternly as she and a tired-looking Sweetie Belle entered into the room. “What Melon Cake said ain’t dumb in th’ least! In fact, Ah dare say that she does have a point in what she’s sayin’!”

“Oh really?” Firestreak asked snidely, frowning hard at Apple Bloom. “And how, may I ask, is that possible?”

“You mean you already forgot what happened after…whoever knows how long?” Sweetie asked incredulously, sounding somewhat unsure of how much time had passed. “Before Nightmare Moon put us in those rooms, she mentioned something about waking up an army of some sorts after she rebuilt this whole castle! She even said it right to our faces before she teleported us all here!”

“Oh yeah, I certainly remember that, along with the damn headache that I was given, thanks.” Firestreak replied, rubbing at her temples as she hissed in discomfort. “Even so I still don’t see what you’re getting at.”

Sheton frowned, shaking his head at his new friend’s denseness. ‘She is hopeless.’

“Here, let me break it down for you Firestreak.” Crescent said as patiently as she could. “Now, you know how Melon just said that ponies, unicorns especially, can try to impersonate others to get the jump on them? If Nightmare Moon is powerful enough to create a brand-new castle with her just magic, then what if she’s powerful enough to create an army big enough to do that, and be on par with whatever one that Queen Celestia has potentially coming here?” Her eyes widened a bit as her lower lip began to quiver. “What if each of them is strong enough to turn into a completely different pony that lets them get close enough to their victims and execute an efficient strike on them? Even if they’re not all unicorns, what’s to say whatever dark magic that Nightmare Moon used or will use on them can let them do it just like their fellow unicorns?!”

Throughout this explanation, the other foals, minus Sheton, felt their fear slowly rise as Crescent explained the potential hazards that Nightmare Moon’s next plan could create. As crazy as it was to believe, there was undeniable amount of truth, and logic, to Crescent’s words. They had all seen, with their own eyes Nightmare Moon create what had to be the biggest castle they had seen, all done by just her magic alone. The foals, mainly Firestreak, had sincerely doubted that she could, despite feeling the insane amount of power flowing through her. Unfortunately for them, all of that doubt was washed away the second Nightmare Moon’s castle reconstructed itself under her power alone. Crescent was right; if Nightmare Moon was powerful enough to do that, singlehoofedly, then…

“No…oh goddess please no! N-not that, anything but that!” Sweetie cried, her rump hitting the floor as her pupils shrank in her eyes. “Please, I don’t want that to happen! No, not that!”

“Whoa…shit.” Firestreak said as the implications of what Melon and Crescent said sunk into her mind. “When you put it like that…it does sound pretty bad.”

“Not just bad, but insurmountably petrifying!” Crescent cried, her filling her own eyes as she looked at each of her friends. “And that’s just one of the things that Nightmare Moon could be producing or conjuring with whatever army she may have about to rise! She could have earth ponies strong enough to take on entire groups all by themselves! Pegasi being able to control weather in ways that not even Rainbow Dash could do! Unicorns with powerful spells that would make my own elder twin sisters look like they’re still in training!” She took in a sharp intake of breath, and slowly looked up at her foalhood friend. “S-she…she could even have her whole army be that of bat ponies alone and have just them demolish all of Queen Celestia’s army, and even all of our sisters along with them!”

Sheton paled, his small body freezing as he thought of over Crescent’s horrifying thoughts of what kind of army Nightmare Moon could produce. “Y-you…you don’t think those are the kind of forces that Nightmare Moon is lookin for, d-do you? D-does she even know how powerful the bat ponies are? H-how powerful foals as young as me are?”

“W-well…s-she does sort of look like a b-bat pony.” Scootaloo whimpered. “I-I mean, even though she was an alicorn, she did have f-fangs, b-bat ears, a-and huge b-bat wings. P-plus, f-from what my b-big sister told me, t-Thestrals are the m-most p-p-powerful pony tribe in a-all of E-Equis. I remember her t-telling me t-that their so p-powerful t-that they’re c-considered supernatural. I-if Nightmare Moon has an a-army l-like that, t-then they could…”

‘Demolish them without breaking a sweat.’ Sheton finished mentally, sweat rolling down his face as he began to shake. Shutting his eyes, he fought back a whimpered as he bit his lip, to the point where it nearly began to bleed. ‘Queen Celestia…I really hope that whatever army that your bringing consists of bat ponies like my mom and sisters. And I really hope you’re able to make it to my sisters before they get here. Faust, if you can hear me, please let me be right!’

“No…no, no! That can’t happen, t-that just can’t happen!” Crescent cried, holding her hooves as she began to breath heavily. Tears formed in the bridges of her eyes, but she shut them in an attempt to keep from crying. “Our sisters a-and Queen Celestia facing off against an army of ponies that could pass off as nightmarish versions of bat ponies?! Oh, sweet Faust please…!” A gasp left her as she looked at her friends, before turning to the door. “W-we need to get out of here now! W-we’ve got to find some way out of this castle and figure out a way to get to our sisters!”

Crescent made a break for the open door but found herself toppling to the ground by something soft and fast. She then found herself rolled onto her back and looking into the wide and pleading blue eyes of Sheton. The thestral colt stared back down at her fearfully, using his hindlegs to kick the open door shut with a resounding slam.

“NO! You can’t go leave the castle now! None of us can!” He cried desperately. “Besides, we don’t even know where the exit is from here anyway! And even if we did, it would still be a really bad idea!”

“What?! What’re you talking about Sheton?!” Sweetie cried incredulously. “You heard what Nightmare Moon said she was planning to do didn’t you?! We need to get out of this castle right now before it happens!”

“That is not what I mean!” Sheton shouted as he got off of Crescent. “Do you all remember what happened after Nightmare Moon created this castle?! That little trick she did to the moon right before she remade it?!”

“Y-yes, w-w-we do.” Scootaloo replied softly. “J-just after Nightmare Moon f-finished her r-reconstructing spell, t-the moon t-turned a deep b-blood red. J-just like that of the B-Blood Moon…w-why do you ask?”

“You all do know what happens during the Night of the Blood Moon, don’t you?!” Sheton asked, backing away so he could look at each of the fillies. “It’s the time where each and every single mythological and supernatural creature from the dark tales comes out to wreak havoc in any city town, or village they’re close to! Haven’t you guys ever heard of the stories about how they were known to stalk the countryside, villages and regions back in the old days?! All of it done under the nights of the Full Moon, and even more so under the nights of the Blood Moon?!”

Some of the fillies looked at each other, not really catching onto what he was saying, those being Firestreak, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie. Melon, Scootaloo and Crescent on the other hoof, went pale, all of them picking up on Sheton’s explanation immediately.

“W-w-wait a minute, y-y-you’re talking about t-those creatures, a-aren’t you?” Melon asked as she began shaking a bit. “T-the ones that Pinkie Pie always likes to tell me?!”

“Yes, Scootaloo I do…” Sheton said, staring sympathetically at the shy filly. “I’m talking about the dark angels, vampires, werewolves, lycans, waheelas, zombies, ghouls, thralls and even witches that could make up Nightmare Moon’s own folkloric army!” He paused, watching as the rest of the fillies’ eyes went as wide as his own. “Now that the moon is a full blood red, every single monster of darkness is going to be rising out from the shadows and go on a bloodbath wherever they’re sent! By none other than the Dark Queen herself, and if they’re all in this forest, the first place that they’ll strike is the one that Nightmare Moon did! Ponyville!”

Each of the fillies let out loud gasp as this realization hit each of them as if they were bucked in the face. Even more so when the last word was spoken. The longer they stayed in their shocked states, the more they began to see just how much danger they were all in. Not only them, but the ones that were out to rescue them and stop the very pony that had taken them. Each and every word that Sheton had spoken was true, making them even more petrified by the second. They had indeed heard of the monsters he had just listed off, each one filling them with more fear. Images of their sisters, their friends, their family, and all of Ponyville being under attack by beings and entities that can only be found in legend. Vampiric versions of bat ponies sucking the blood from their bodies, bloodthirsty beasts crossed between that of ponies and wolves ripping them apart and devouring them. Unnaturally strong cannibalistic equines feasting on their flesh, and black magic mages using them for whatever spell or experiment, or even turning them on their side. All of these countless horrors befalling upon their home, their land, their nation…with their sisters being the first victims.

An ear-piercing scream from Sweetie drew the other foals’ attention to her, and they watched as her emerald eyes began to glaze over. A soft whimper let her quivering mouth as her breathing began to escalate and get out of control. She then let out a loud wail as she wrapped her forelegs around herself, no longer able to keep her tears from flowing.

“No, no, I don’t want that! I don’t want any of that to happen!” She cried pitifully, rocking back and forth as if she was in an insane asylum. “I don’t want my sister to get eaten by any zombies or werewolves! I don’t want her to die! Please Faust, please don’t let her die!”

“Ah…A-Ah…I can’t believe it! All o’ those critters will attack P-Ponyville?!” Apple Bloom cried, looking down at the floor as her face paled. “No, no…t-they can’t! They can’t do that! Nightmare Moon can’t do that, th’ rest o’ mah families down there!” Her face contorted into a grimace as she stomped both her forehooves. “They can’t get killed! Ah can’t lose ‘em ‘r Applejack like Ah did Ma an’ Pa! Ah can’t lose ‘em; Ah can’t!”

“Oh no…oh no oh no oh no oh no, OH NOOOOOOO!” Melon cried frantically, her multi-colored eyes looking like they were going to fall out of their sockets. “Pinkie’s going to get eaten by a bunch of lycans and werewolves and become their dog chow?! That can’t happen, that can’t happen, that can’t happen! She has the ability to transform into one herself! She literally has the name Lycan D. in her name!”

“T-Twilight…Spike…they’re both going t-to be killed by the…” Crescent muttered as she began to hyperventilate. “They can’t, they just can’t! They have to stay alive; they have to! They said they’d come and save us, they promised they’d come and bring us back!” Her head snapped up to Sheton, tears beginning to fall from her eyes. “T-they can’t die! Not here, not now!”

Firestreak growled lowly, flames surrounding her as she furiously marched up to Sheton. She grabbed him by his chest fluff, bringing him to her muzzle as her purple eyes glared into his. “Now you listen up here Sheton! I don’t know what you may have seen before you came to Ponyville, but there is no way in hell that my sister is going to lose against a single one of those things you said might kill her! You really think she’ll let a bunch of things like bat winged ponies, mangy mutts, super strong tireless ponies, and scary magic users will be enough to stop them?! Get real! My sisters a lot better than that, and if you know her for at least half as long as I did, you would too!”

“Firestreak, stop it!” Scootaloo cried, rushing over and firmly pushing her fellow flyer off of the bat pony colt. “That’s not what Sheton is saying! All he was implying was that our sisters will have more challenges to face, and it’ll be harder for them to come and rescue us! He never said that they were going to get killed!”

“Well it sure did make it sound like they would!” Firestreak growled as her eyes flashed, the angry purple orbs never leaving Sheton’s. “You’d better watch what you say there, bucko! Or else I swear, I will make those membranes of yours burn with my flames! No matter how cool-looking they are!”

Sheton frowned guiltily at the crimson filly, ignoring the reprimanding glare that Scootaloo was shooting at her. Before he could apologize, he felt an indescribable wave of power wash over him and the rest of the room. It froze him and the other fillies in place, shutting down whatever emotional tirades they were or were about to go on. It lasted for only a moment, but that moment was all that was needed for them to simmer down and snap back to their senses. The power soon faded, but the dark and ominous feeling it left behind still remained.

“D…did you all f-feel t-that?” Scootaloo asked, the silence making her soft voice sound like a door slamming shut. “T-that rush of p-power that…c-came?”

“Yes, I know you all did, and so did I.” Sheton replied quietly, looking and sounding strangely calm for some reason. “It was definitely Nightmare Moon, she’s outside in the hall! I know she is; I can feel her!”

“Oh no! D-do you think she heard us?!” Sweetie squeaked as she scurried back from the door. “Tell me she didn’t! I don’t wanna get turned into one of those drapes we saw when we first came here!”

“No, I won’t let her hurt any of you, I swear.” Sheton replied, walking over and wrapping his wings around the unicorn filly. “You guys are afraid, I know, and that’s okay, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let any of you get hurt. None of you will be any of Nightmare Moon’s victims. No matter what, I still with you girls, I won’t ever leave you unprotected.”

Sweetie sniffled, her teary green eyes shyly peeking up at the colt. “Y-you won’t?”

“No, I won’t; I won’t let her hurt any of you.” Sheton replied, bringing Sweetie closer to him. He heard her squeak as she was pressed against his warm fur, though he didn’t notice the pink tint coming to her cheeks. “I tried to keep all of you safe at the Town Square, but it didn’t go as I thought it would. Not only that, but Spike got hurt trying to keep us safe, and Nightmare Moon easily thwarted him. I’m not going to let that happen again, and I have to use every single Requip Magic Armor I have in my disposal to do that, then I will.”

It was now Sheton’s turn to feel something soft and warm envelop him, this coming in the form of Scootaloo, who proceeded to hug him from behind. The colt joined Sweetie in blushing as the bright orange filly, nuzzled his cheek.

“Thank you Sheton, that means so much to me that you’d do that, and I know the other girls feel the same way.” She cooed sweetly, her chin resting against his shoulder. “And we’ll do the same to keep you safe for however long we’re here. At least until our sisters come and rescue us from Nightmare Moon’s clutches.”

“Scoots is right, there ain’t no way we’re gonna let ya do this by yerself.” Apple Bloom declared firmly. “Anypony that tries t’ mess with us, Ah’ll give ‘em a nice good buck t’ th’ face. That is after Ah git them nice an’ wrapped up some o’ mah vines!”

“Yeah!” Melon chirped. “Besides, there’s a reason why there’s the word tiger in my name! after all! Because anypony who tries to act like a meanie pants to any of my party goers are gonna get the claws!” She grinned widely, allowing the other foals to see her wolf teeth elongating into canines in her mouth. “See?!”

“S…M-Melon is right.” Crescent nodded as she regained her composure. “We may be confined in this castle, but that doesn’t mean we’ll be her hostages forever! Whether we try to escape from here or not, one thing I know we can agree on! Our sisters won’t let Nightmare Moon get away with this, and they will come and save us! I know that they’re somewhere in the Everfree looking for us right now, and nothing, not even the power of the Harbinger of Nightmares is going to stop them!”

“Hell yeah, now that’s the spirit Crescent!” Firestreak boasted as she grinned widely. “See?! What did I tell you! Rainbow Dash and the girls aren’t gonna let a bunch of stupid monsters stop them from getting to us! Heck, I bet they’re already wiping the floor with one of the animals here even as we speak!”

Sheton paused, feeling a knot form in his gut at the last sentence. ‘Why do I get the feeling that is exaclty what is happening?’

“I-I’m sure t-that they are.” Scootaloo said softly, pulling away from Sheton as she went back into her more timid self. “B-but I d-don’t r-really w-want to face all of t-the c-creatures that N-Nightmare Moon m-might b-be b-bringing o-out. A-and I r-really d-don’t want them to c-come i-inside the c-castle. I-I don’t think I c-can take even l-looking at them.”

“I can’t imagine any of you want to.” Sheton said softly. “Which is why…we should try to get out of here before that does come to fruition.”

Sweetie blinked. “Wait, I thought that you said we couldn’t go out of the castle.”

“I did. What I meant, other than what we could face if we do, is that we should try to find some other way to leave.” Sheton replied. “As if right now, the only power that I can sense coming from this castle is Nightmare Moon’s. She’s the only pony in here, besides us, so that means she hasn’t tried to bring her army out yet. So, I say we try to make our escape before that does happen and she sends any of her troops after us.”

“Do you really think we’ll be able to get out of where before Nightmare Moon notices that we’re gone?” Melon asked. “This castle is pretty big based on what we’ve seen, and it may take a while for us to get out.”

“I don’t know…but it’s the only chance that we’ve got to go and getting somewhere safe nearby until our sisters come and get us.” Sheton replied, not sounding so sure himself. “If we don’t, who knows what’ll happen to us.”

“Okay, so let’s say that we do manage to escape here…” Firestreak said skeptically. “Where are we going to go? As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing but forest in all four corners of the Everfree Forest! There isn’t any civilization anywhere around here.”

“Um, that’s not entirely true Firestreak.” Crescent said quietly, ruffling her wings. “There actually is civilization in here.”

“What?!” Sweetie cried. “How can there be any cities or villages in the Everfree Forest?! I haven’t heard of any of populations being built up here!”

“W-well, m-maybe not you S-Sweetie.” Scootaloo silently as she held up her hoof. “B-but I-I have.”

All eyes turned to the bright orange filly.

“What do you mean Loo-Loo?” Melon asked curiously, looking like a student who was learning about a new history lesson. “Do you know something we don’t?”

“Wait a minute, Scootaloo…” Sheton said slowly. “Are you saying that you know about the Five Freedom Alliances of the Everfree?!”

Scootaloo nodded. “I do.”

“Wait a second, the Everfree Freedom Alliances?!” Firestreak asked, looking in between Scootaloo and Sheton. “What the hell are you two going on about?!”

The appearance and rush of turquoise magic appearing left Firestreak’s question unanswered as the foals all scattered away from it. They watched as if condensed and began to take shape and form into that of a pony. When it finally revealed the user of the magic, the foals all froze as they saw the last pony that they wanted to see.

“Oh wonderful! You’re all awake now…good.” Nightmare Moon crooned pleasantly. “That was sooner than I expected. I was sure that your precious little heads were going to be out for a little while longer.”

“I-it’s you!” Sweetie cried fearfully as she hid behind Firestreak. “W-what are you doing here?!”

“You’re finally away from your half-hour long slumber and that’s the first thing you say? I expected a more cordial greeting than that.” Nightmare Moon chuckled, shaking her head. “Oh well, I guess I shouldn’t have expected anything less. You all must still in quite a bit of a shock after witnessing one of my greatest achievements~.”

“That’s an understatement Queen Moonie!” Melon cried, her eyes as wide as could be. “You just made an entire castle suit for the night in a span of maybe a minute and a half! Why wouldn’t we still be reeling over that?!”

“Yes, you make a fair point there.” Nightmare Moon nodded, giving a toss of her ethereal blue mane. “As good of a point that is, you’ll all be reeling more by the time you see just what I have planned next?”

“A p-p-p-plan?” Scootaloo asked, struggling to look into Nightmare Moon’s eyes as she huddled close to Sheton. “W-what are you g-g-going t-to do n-now?”

Nightmare Moon smirked. “You’ll soon find out my little ones~.”

For the second time that night since the first time, Nightmare Moon encased the foals within her magic, and they all vanished from the room. In a fraction of a second, they were back in Nightmare Moon’s throne room, as if they had never left in the first place. The foals stumbled about and groaned in discomfort, trying to keep themselves from passing out again.

“Oh dear, I’m sorry about that my dear hearts~.” Nightmare Moon cooed; her tone genuinely apologetic despite the amusement it held. “I suppose I should’ve warned you that I was going to do that before hoof~.”

“Ugh, did ya really have t’ do that again?” Apple Bloom asked, gagging a bit. “Ya could’ve just walked us back up the stairs like ya did last time! Ah feel like Ah got kicked by one o’ th’ deer on mah family’s farm!”

“I could’ve done that, but I suppose I was a bit too excited back there; my apologies my dear little apple.” Nightmare Moon said softly, looking surprisingly sympathetic despite her vampiric features. “It was rather naïve of me to think that you could handle another teleportation trick after waking up rather quickly.”

“Well, not all of us are winged unicorns.” Crescent murmured as she rubbed at her forehead. She looked at her wings and ruffled them. “Or…at least, not all of have horns or as endurable as bat ponies are…no offense to you Sheton.”

"True…the fact that nearly all of you look like you’re going to empty the contents of your stomach tell me that much.” Nightmare Moon murmured, taking in most of the foals’ green faces, even Melon’s. “I’ll give you some time to collect yourselves. You’ll need to after all, since you’re about to meet my wonderful army~.”

Sheton’s ears perked. “Your army? W-wait, you’re calling them here? R-right now?”

“Bringing them here? Yes. Calling them here? No.” Nightmare Moon replied as she causally walked down the stairs leading to her throne. “I have another method to bring my army forth. One that will ensure they are all here at once.”

“Okay so…how’re you going to do that?” Firestreak asked suspiciously. “Are you gonna summon them up from the ground and pull them all up here or something?”

The fanged smirk on Nightmare Moon’s face gave Firestreak and her friends the sneaking suspicion that she was more or less spot on. The mare suddenly turned away before Firestreak could speak again, and they watched as she reached the floor, her horseshoes making loud clanks in the process. Closing her eyes, Nightmare Moon ignited her horn an in aura of solid magic, but instead of it being in the color of her eyes, it was the color of her fur; something that took Crescent aback. She lowered her head and let the tip of it touch her floor, letting the magic spread all throughout it.

The eyes of the foals behind her grew, not just at the magic’s color but at how fast it seemed to spread through the castle. It covered every single section of the newly formed castle from the floor, to the walls, all the way to the ceiling, and even the chandelier. The only parts that were left untouched were the windows, but even they seemed to give dark sinister vibes thanks to the black magic Nightmare Moon was producing. None of them were given too much time to take it in before they saw faint glints of light floating above the floor.

As they tried to get a closer look at them, they saw the floor beginning to morph and distort before giving way to figures that nearly made them scream. Figures that were in the form of skeletons, the skeletons of ponies that looked to be dead for a good amount of time. The ghostly whiteness of their bones seemed to glow within the blackened throne room, making them look like actual ghosts despite being solid in form. Their eyeless holed skulls seemed to bore into the seven youngsters, making them feel as if they were gazing into endless voids of blackness. It lasted for several agonizing moments before they were freed by what followed afterward.

Thick wisps and blotches of solid black magic began to rise from the floor, as if they were corpses rising from the grave. Each of them wrapped around the pony skeletons currently standing within the room, leaving no trace of white exposed on their forms. Slowly, the black magic began to take forms on the skeletons, distorted at first, but soon ones that belonged to that of an equine. Thick furry hides, luscious thick manes and tails and eyes of many different colors began to form on them, only theirs were far darker. One other thing drastically different about this army was that most of them had appearances like that of at thestral, except far more sinister looking.

Some of their wings were bigger, lined with larger curved claws, their fangs not too far off from that of a vampire’s, with their ears actually like that of a bat’s. Others that had horns rivaled Nightmare Moon’s in length, curved in the same sinister fashion as Emperor Sombra’s. Those that had neither had burgeoning muscles, looking like they could crush a pony’s skull with a single stomp or kick; even with the mares, despite their more slender and elegant frames. Their leonine tails lashed behind them like whips as they let out hisses that could freeze even the most warm blooded of creatures. Their armor gleamed as bright as their glowing slitted eyes stared back at their Queen, who returned their gazes with one of fondness and love. When she looked back at the foals, she grinned as she took in their awed and fearful faces.

“It would seem that you were right about my method of gathering my army, my dear little Firestreak.” The sin black alicorn said softly. “Well, what you all think? Impressive is it not?”

“Oh…my.” Scootaloo whispered, those words being the only ones she could say at the moment.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Nightmare Moon giggled. “Quite the appropriate response given what you little ones just witnessed.”

“T-this…this is inconceivable!” Crescent cried, her young, yet smart mind unable to take in the sight she was seeing. “I’ve…I-I’ve never seen magic of this scale before! T-this isn’t like any kind of spell I’ve ever seen from any unicorn! Not even my older brother and sisters!”

“Well, that’s because your dear siblings aren’t alicorns, like me. Nor do they have the level of magic that I have.” Nightmare Moon retorted smugly as she turned to face her army. “Of course, you little ones already knew that~.”

“Oh boy…it looks like you were right in what you had speculated earlier Crescent.” Sweetie whispered. “Nightmare Moon really did create an army with just a flick of her magic! J-just like you said they would!”

“Y-yeah.” Apple Bloom gulped. “They’re a lot scarier than Ah thought they’d be too…just look at those fangs. T-they look like they could suck me dry in seconds!”

The ocean blue filly gritted her teeth, her tail tucking between her hindlegs. “I hate being right sometimes.”

“My dear Nightmare Army children, it is so wonderful to see you all again, even if it has been a rather short time.” Nightmare Moon cooed, as if she were speaking to a group of young foals. “I honestly never thought that the day would come where you’d all be able to shine along with me. It would seem that fate has other plans for all of us, as it did with my freedom from by beautiful moon.”

The army of bat winged Nightmare Ponies all let out a chorus of hisses as they all stared back at their Queen in utter adoration. Their fangs stuck out like twin pickaxes as they all smiled at her, their bat ears twitching every so often. Sheton and his filly friends felt their spines go cold upon seeing their joyous reactions, their dark appearances making it look more scary than anything.

“Now my children, before we get down to business, there is something that I’d like to ask you all.” Nightmare Moon said, making the army go silent. “Do any of you know what I have called you here for?”

A stretch of silence washed across the nocturnal throne room, with all of the shadow ponies looking at one another in confusion. Nightmare Moon watched on in amusement as they tried to contemplate just what their Queen, had created them for.

“Of course, you wouldn’t. Only a select few of you know of the mission that I plan to give you all by this day’s end. For those of you who don’t know, you may have forgotten about it. No worries about that; allow me to tell you so you can make more sense of what is going on.” Nightmare Moon said, lowering her hoof as she cleared her throat. “Over a millennium ago, I had tried to take back my place as the ruler of this land, after somepony that I had once considered by family betrayed me. We ruled aside one another for countless of centuries, vanquishing foe after foe and keeping peace in the land that you know find yourselves in now. It was a peaceful time, until our dear subjects started to turn against me, and this pony that I use to rule with did nothing to help me. She let me wallow in my pit of despair and did nothing to protect me from the wrath and the prejudice of my subjects, never noticing what was happening to me until it was too late. This pony, is Queen Celestia Daybringer, my dear, and soon to be dead, sister.”

The moment those last words left her mouth, the army went dead silent, their gleaming draconic eyes staring back widely at their Queen. The sin black Alicorn watched them all intently, seeing the recognition that was slowly coming to their faces. As quickly as the shock came, it was replaced with looks of fury and anger, which was reflected off of the sinister black aura radiating form off of their bodies. From behind them, the foals were looking at one another, realizing exactly what Nightmare Moon was talking about.

“Wait…she can’t be talking about the story between her and Queen Celestia can she?” Melon asked softly, keeping his voice as quiet as possible. “You know, the one that was over one thousand years ago?”

“What else could she be talking about?” Crescent all but hissed, her wings open to cover each of them from view. “She clearly mentioned Queen Celestia and is talking about the time they ruled before Queen Luna turned into…well, her.” She pointed a hoof towards the Dark Queen. “What else could she be talking about?”

“I’m amazed that she’s even managing remember that.” Firestreak muttered. “I thought that after a thousand years, you’d forget about something like that.”

Sheton side-eyed the crimson filly. “Do you really think you can forget one of the bloodiest wars in Equestrian history? Especially if you were the one to potentially instigate it?”

Before Firestreak could reply, they heard Nightmare Moon’s silky voice speak up again. as they listened, they could sense her tone becoming more and more angered.

“Yes, my dear children, it was my very own sister that betrayed me. Leaving me to rot at the hooves of our, or rather, her, adoring subjects.” Nightmare Moon explained as she closed her eyes, memories from over one thousand years ago swimming across her mind. “Worst of all, she saw it happen right in front of her eyes, yet she did nothing to help me. She only offering measly words of encouragement that did nothing to help me in the predicament that I was in. By the time she realized just how far gone I was, it was far too late for her, for I wanted nothing to do with her anyhow.” Letting out a ground-rumbling growl, she opened her eyes and looked back up at her army. “I did not think it could get any worse than what it was all those centuries ago. All the constant backlash, accusations, the attempts to attack me and being looked at as if I was a demon from Tartarus. All of it was so horrible, making it some of the worst years of my life during my rule, and it only continued to get worse with each passing day.”

Scootaloo’s ears flattened against her head, her tiny heart flooding with empathy for Nightmare Moon despite being utterly terrified. She couldn’t imagine what she had suffered while she was still the infamous Queen of the Night, but based on what she was hearing, it had to be horrible. In all the time she had known her own sister, Fluttershy had never treated her in such a horrid and repulsive way. Never abusing her, laying a hoof on her, or even raising her voice to her when she got angry with her. Fluttershy had always been so kind, nurturing and gentle with Scootaloo, even when she had to be firm with her. Never doing anything to her that would surely paint the veterinarian in a very dark light. To hear Nightmare Moon talk about the neglect she went through under her own sister made the filly want to hug the Red Moon Goddess.

Nightmare Moon’s lips curled back, her pure white vampiric fangs gleaming in the darkness of the new Throne Room, as she began to shake. Her eyes squeezed shut for a moment as she snorted so hard that blue fire flew from her nostrils. “Pushed to the brink of insanity, and on the very edge of madness, I had finally managed to find some semblance of happiness that I had tried to grasp for so long.” Nightmare Moon said, her voice softening as she looked down at the ground. “It was so wonderful and so blissful that I had completely forgot about everything around me. Focused only one that one thing that made me so happy. The one thing that brought a smile on my face and brought my heart more joy than anything. I was so consumed with joy that I did not see my sister plotting my behind me back to take it away.”

Her head rose up, allowing her army to see the furious, and absolutely anguished look on their Queen’s face. Had the foals been in front of, they would’ve surely fainted from seeing the rage on Nightmare Moon’s eyes. “I happened so unexpectedly that I was unable to stop it, and I have no idea of when it happened either. By the time I realized that had happened and who had done it, there was nothing that I could do about it. And that happiness that I felt, the one that I finally had after so long, was gone. It was whisked away like a mere speck in the wind just like that. Which is why, Celestia must pay, and she must fall!”

“Do any of you guys know what she’s talking about?” Firestreak whispered. “What did Queen Celestia take from her?”

“I don’t know Streaky.” Melon replied softly, feeling her heart ache from some unexplained reason. “But it’s making my Melon Sense go off in my heart, making it all twisty. And that means something really really bad happened to Queen Moonie…Or Queen Lulu.”

Scootaloo looked over at the soft green filly. “Q-Queen Lulu? D-do you mean Q-Queen L-L-Luna?”

“Who did you think I meant?” Melon asked. “You, Loo-Loo~?”

Nightmare Moon suddenly flared her wings, standing tall and proud in front of her army. “For too long, Celestia done me wrong, and evaded punishment that should’ve been inflicted when she began to turn against me. She has taken away all the love and respect that I should’ve gotten as well and kept it all to herself. She has ignored my cries for help, left me at the mercy of those who hated me, put her own subjects before me, and taken away what I cherished the most. Now on this night, Celestia will finally face retribution for her crimes, and pay for all the suffering she has let be inflicted upon me. Tonight, this battle will mark the dawn of a new Era my children! The Era of the Darkness, the awakening of the Full Moon, and the rise of Eternal Night!”

A multitude of screeches and draconic roars broke out form within the dark army as the ponies within it went wild. The sinister aura surrounding their bodies grew and vibrated with intensity as their power went about uncontrollably. Each of the foals standing beside Nightmare Moon’s throne trembled violently from head to hoof, feeling themselves being crushed by the weight of such dark power. Nightmare Moon once again raised a silencing hoof, and just like that, all was quiet, and the nightmare army went silent once more.

“I am glad that you wish to aid me in my plot for revenge and rise as the new Queen my children; this certainly pleases me a great deal~.” Nightmare Moon praised. “I must honestly admit, I was never expecting you all to get this riled up, but I most definitely understand where you’re all coming from. You are all my precious creations after all, so that means you share everything with me; my powers, my memories, my feelings. Even my hatred towards Celestia and her wretched day and light.”

At the last few words, the bat winged, saber fanged magic manifested ponies all let out more hisses and growls. Their eyes gleamed brightly as their tails lashed out, some stomping on the ground while others horn’s gleamed, looking ready to fire off powerful spells. Thankfully, any unnecessary damage to Nightmare Moon’s new Throne Room was prevented by the sin black Alicorn herself, who stomped on the ground a couple of times. They all stood to attention again, waiting for any orders that their Queen was going to give them.

“Whoa, they’re hoppin’ mad now.” Apple Bloom whispered to her friends. “They look like they’re gonna destroy this castle from here an’ down forward!”

“Uh-huh…and this is the army that she plans to unleash on Queen Celestia’s own.” Sheton whispered back as images of his parents flashed into his mind. ‘Mom…Dad…’

“Now then, I believe that you should all go and prepare yourselves for the battle that is soon to come my dear children.” Nightmare Moon said sweetly, honey dripping from her words. “I have a feeling that it’s going to leave quite a scar on this forest…in more ways than one.”

Bearing wide sinister smiles, nightmare army ponies gave nods of obligement before they all began to give of sickly black auras. One by one they each sunk into the ground, leaving large holes of blackness in their wake, before they disappeared as well. The blackness that was enveloping the entire room vanished along with them, letting Nightmare Moon and the foals see the beautiful structure of the throne room again. Soon, there was no trace of their existence anywhere in the throne room, and they were left alone once more.

“My that was quite the exit. They’re quite excited to finally release all of that pent-up energy! I can’t wait to see them in action!” Nightmare Moon chirped, clapping her hooves together as she turned to the foals. “That was quite the sight to see, wasn’t it my little ones?”

“Sight to see? Sight to fucking see?!” Firestreak shouted, her purple eyes wider than the hooves of a Saddle Arabian Horse. “You literally pulled up skeletons from underneath the floor! Not the ground, but the fucking floor! We weren’t anywhere near the ground and it is a long way up from where we are!”

“Y-you also used black magic give them the forms of p-ponies. Ponies that l-look like bat ponies, l-like me.” Sheton added, rubbing his wings with his hooves. “H-how did you even manage to do that?!”

“Centuries my little pup~.” Nightmare Moon said as she walked up the stairs. “Centuries and countless centuries of practice, training and growing stronger. Add all of that to the fact that I am the Goddess of the moon, stars, and the very universe itself? Well, even an alicorn can find herself having unimaginable amounts of power at her disposal.” She chuckled as she reached out and patted the colt on his head. "Though, if you want a more thorough explanation, I sent a pulse of power from my throne room down to the ground. Then I waited until I felt it was strong enough for me to summon by army with a single pulse of my horn, before I began to go down to the entrance. That is, until I sense you all awake from within your chambers and did a little...change of plans~."

Sheton, who was blushing under the rare affectionate pat, paused as his mind went back to what happened in one of the rooms he and he fillies were in. 'That explains the rush of power I felt before. I suppose Nightmare Moon wasn't really nearby where we were yet. That was just the power she was emitting all over the castle.' He glanced over at the fillies, their expressions telling him that they were thinking the same thing. 'I guess it does make sense, since it explains how she was able to summon her army from all the way up here instead of outside.'

"I can see that you've figured it out my dear colt. Now you have a better understanding how how my magic works." She chuckled lowly as she gave a little flex of her bat wings. “And it is that very same magic that will be unleashed on my sister and whatever pitiful army she has. All used by the very same army I set upon her a thousand years ago before my defeat under her sun-wielding hooves.”

“S-same a-army?” Scootaloo asked curiously, her head tilting rather cutely. “W-w-what do you m-mean by s-same a-army?”

Nightmare Moon paused, staring at the timid filly before looking back at where her army just was. “Well, let’s just say that army this army isn’t any typical dark army. One that I’m quite sure that my dear sister will recognize, especially with who I will have leading the fight with her.”

“R-really?” Sweetie asked, her tail skirt fluttering back and forth. “I-is it t-the same army that you use against Celestia b-before you were b-banished?”

“Something like that, but you are getting on the nose there my little marshmallow.” Nightmare Moon replied, smiling in impressiveness at the filly’s sharp mind. “I can tell you more about that later though. I’ve exerted myself quite a bit and I’d take to take some time to relax before the inevitable clash between day and night. Which reminds me, I did say that I was going to give you a tour of the castle. Now that I’ve gotten most of everything set up, I believe I have more than enough time to do that. Do accompany me, would you? I believe you will very much enjoy what I’ve brought to fruition on this fine night.”

The foals silently obliged, knowing that despite how it sounded, Nightmare Moon was not suggesting it, but ordering. As they made their way to the throne room’s doors, they looked up at the ceiling, all of them unknowingly sharing one single thought.

‘Please save us...big sister.’

Author's Note

*Siiiiiigh* Okay, let me just say right now, that this is probably the hardest chapter that I have ever had to right here, mainly trying to get back to the foals' point of view. I was trying t to make it as dark and dramatic as possible, but I honestly don't think that I managed to get it to the scale that I was trying to reach :applejackunsure: . At the very least, I had manage to succeed in one again making it a bit of a mixture of the very last chapter, just like with the last chapter in this new version :pinkiesmile: . As for what I said about not making this chapter too long, I think I may or may not have succeeded in this route, but I think it sort of managed to get out okay. Well, as okay as it can get then you have a major amount of writer's block :facehoof: !!! Jeez, I can only imagine how much it's going to fuck with me in my brand new One Dragon Ball series :applecry: . Let me know what you guys thought and if I managed to do that, cause I don't think I sure did... :unsuresweetie: .

Well, that's all for now everypony; tune in next time for when we look into Celestia, GIne, and Bardock's trip towards the Everfree Forest! After that, we'll be visit one of the other populations of the Everfree :raritywink: ! As well as its infamous guardian and great and powerful right hoof pony :pinkiehappy: !

Chapter 21 - Vows of the Lamenting Sun

Author's Note

This chapter is just a little look into Gine, Bardock, and Celestia's own thoughts and reflections while heading to the Everfree. Sorry if you guys were expecting me to reveal what I said I was going to show in the last chapter. I forgot to add this extra bit in the blog that I had made afterward :twilightblush: .

Chapter 21 - Vows of the Lamenting Sun

Celestia quietly sat within the chairs of the Canterlot Express Train, her body moving along with the slight bumps it made. Her eyes stared out the window in front of her, her sparkling ethereal multi-colored mane and tail never losing its slow rhythmical flow despite being curled and pulled behind her. The mare’s four beautiful multi-colored wings were folded at her sides, paling in contrast to what she was wearing. Regal and formidable golden armor adorned her body, the moon’s light making it gleam within the train along with the large spear resting on the side. It was as if she was a large pony shaped star that changed seconds ever so slightly yet stayed one color at the same time.

She was not the only one riding on this silent trip. One either side of the train, were the Solar and Lunar Divisions. With their leaders on either side of the Queen; Bardock sitting on her left, while Gine was confined to her right side. Their own sets of armor reflected the moon’s light as they sat on the seats of the train. All of them were at attention their guards up fully despite nopony else being with them. While Celestia knew that they didn’t need to act so cautious at the moment, she didn’t bother to tell them that. With what was going on now, she knew that they’d take every precaution necessary.

Under any other circumstance, Celestia probably would’ve assured them that she could handle herself. That they didn’t need to come along for her sake. She may have even had them cut back a bit and let her do a majority of the work while she took care of the more important things at hoof. On more than a few occasions, she may have even given them the choice of turning away from the missions they were on. If the situation was even the slightest bit different, she very well may have done any one of those options. Keeping her subjects from doing anything they felt like they had to do.

Alas, none of them had the time, the option, or the luxury to do so, for reasons that were both dire andpersonal. Seven ponies were putting their lives on the line to save the ponies in their home, and the others all cross the land. They needed to be there for them and lend them all the help they could get, least they fall to the hooves of their foe and die for nothing. Something that Celestia was determined not to let happen whatever the cost. Her faithful student and the daughter of the division leaders sitting beside her were putting their lives on the line. Along with that of their dear friends, to ensure that Nightmare Moon did not succeed in her evil deed for retribution. She was not about to let their decisions be in vain; a vow that she swore on her golden spear.

“Your Majesty?” Gine’s soft voice cut its way into Celestia’s ears, making the alicorn turn to her in curiosity. She had to fight back a cringe at seeing how bloodshot the thestral mare’s yellow eyes were, showing that she had been crying. “Now much longer will it be until we get there?”

Celestia looked back out the window, squinting her eyes to get a better look at the horizon they were heading towards. “It does not look like we’re going to be there after too long. I would say that we are about ten minutes away from our destination of Ponyville Station.”

Bardock nodded in satisfaction. “Just ten minutes left before we make it to the Everfree. That’s good…the sooner we get there, the sooner we can begin our mission to rescue Sheton.”

“That’s right love.” Gine murmured as she shot a look towards her mate. She would’ve wrapped one of her large wings around him, had it not been for Celestia sitting in between them. “Plus, if our youngest daughter and her friends aren’t too far off into the Everfree, we may be able to catch up with them before they make it to the abandoned castle.”

“I am not so certain about that Gine.” Celestia said solemnly. “The Everfree Forest is quite close to where your three daughters and only son will soon be staying it. It’s so big that its trees can be seen from right in th center of the town itself.” She looked up at the train ceiling, her mind going back to how she noticed the trees peaking over the houses when she first arrived at the Ponyville Town Square. “I am fairly certain that they already left when I was going back to Canterlot to get you and assemble the guards for our quest. They could already be a good portion into the forest right now and will only be deeper in by the time we get there.”

“Whether they’re just beginning or all the way on the other side of the Everfree makes little difference to me.” Bardock snorted, his forelegs crossed over each other. “No matter how far they are in that beautiful kingdom of nature, I will save my son and protect my daughter at all costs. Even if they’re all the way in Rambling Rock Ridge, I will get there. I don’t care how many of Queen Estelle’s children that we have to face. I. Will. Save. Our children.”

“You’re not alone love.” Gine replied firmly, her fangs glistening as she glared out the window in front of her. “When I had Sheton, I swore to myself that no matter what happens, I was going to do all I could to ensure he was safe. I intend to do just that when we finally find him in that legend of a forest. I won’t let anything stand in our way of saving our pups. And if I have to fight a super pack of Timberwolves and suck them dry, then that’s what I’ll do.”

Bardock grinned, the curved lips devoid of any humor. “That makes two of us love.”

Celestia looked in between the pegasus and thestral, feeling a small smile come to her face at their devotion and determination. It was the same type she seen on most other parents faces in her time of ruling, even before meeting Bardock and Gine. That type that could only be found in a mother or father willing to risk everything to ensure their child was safe. It wasn’t the first time that Celestia would see this type of devotion between couples, and it would not be the last either; that much was certain. Still, Celestia couldn’t help but feel that Gine and Bardock stood out more than any other parents she met. That was really saying something, given how many parents she met that, sadly, didn’t care for their kids on this scale, if at all.

“I admire the dedication that you two have towards your children Bardock, Gine.” Celestia said softly, her comment making both mates look up at her. “It’s not every day that I see parents as devoted as you two. Most of the ponies’ form where the three of us love are nowhere near as loving towards their children, with the exception of your family branches. Your four hatchling pups are very lucky to have such loving and caring parents like you.”

“What did you expect your Highness? That we were going to be like the nobles and rich ponies in Canterlot and care about our family image?” Gine asked solemnly with a light headshake. “As if that would ever matter more to me than my own children’s safety and well-being. I’d rather slit my throat with my own wing claws than even think of putting my pups through something that horrid.”

“You just read my mind Gine.” Bardock said somewhat darkly, crossing his forelegs tighter. Twin streaks of smoke blowing from his nostrils as he snorted. “I swear, each and every time I even run into a noble, it just makes me want to burn them where they stand. Not that I have anything against them, despite how they treat us, they don’t exactly treat their kinds lovingly. If anything, they try to make them like little copies of them, becoming even worse when they grow. It’s no wonder why Crescent, Twilight, Zephyr, Spike and our own children had such hard times with them growing up.”

Celestia nodded, her other hoof going out to lay on Bardock’s shoulder. “I am sorry that you both went through that. I know that Venture Vine felt the same way while letting Zephyr attend my school in Canterlot. The only reason she even bothered to let Zephyr attend is because he wanted to be a Royal Guard, and she wanted to find some way to support him. Otherwise, she would’ve just had him stay in the Everfree Forest and train him to become the future leader of the Magic Vine Guild.”

“Oh, trust me. Me and Gine know that from experience your Majesty. We know for a fact that Venture didn’t want her little hatchling anywhere near the nobles or their own foals.” Bardock sighed. “She would’ve burned them all to a crisp if she found out any of them were hurting Zephyr in any way. I still remember how angry Venture was when she found out that he was beaten by a few earth pony colts while he was trying to defend Twilight.” He shivered as the image of an angry draconic mare flashed into his mind like a raging fire. “Not the best way to meet up with a friend if I may say.”

“And now her son is going on what has to be the most dangerous quest he’s ever taken.” Gine concluded. “If Venture were to find that out…I can’t think what she may do.”

“Most likely she’d demand why I sent her son on a mission that seems out of his control.” Celestia replied knowingly, voicing both ponies’ fears. “Thankfully, neither of you have to deal with that right now nor will I. She’s all the way in the northeastern part of the Everfree Forest, while Zephyr is with the girls in the western part. Hopefully neither they, nor us will run into her in the forest so we can focus on our mission, but if we do…”

Bardock and Gine said nothing, their pale face telling Celestia exaclty what they were thinking, neither of their thoughts being remotely pleasant. Celestia could practically see the blue color slowly flooding down their faces as they shivered on either side of her. She draped her wings around both of them in comfort, slowly running them down the married couple in an effort to calm them down.

“Let us both pray that doesn’t happen…at least not tonight.” Celestia said soothingly. “You two already have enough on your plate with your son being kidnapped and all. The last thing you need is the wrath of an angry draconic mare bearing down on you two. For now, you two just focus on doing all you can do to get your son back. If your youngest daughter can’t do it herself.”

“She will save Sheton your Highness.” Bardock shook his head. “I know that Goku will be able to do it. Even if Midnight and Snowflake can’t, Goku surely can. She loves that little colt more than anything else in this entire world and use all the power in her arsenal to protect him from anything and anypony. Be it friend or foe, it doesn’t matter to her.” His heterochromic blue eyes gleamed as he glared at the floor. If looks had any power, it would’ve lit up with the flames burning within his head. “If anypony can do it it’s Goku. Even if it means using all of her Requip Magic Armor forms and obliterating everything in her path. Or burning everything around her into a crisp, even going against anypony that despises her. She doesn’t care; if it means saving Sheton, she’ll do it all.”

“We believe in her, and so do her sisters. She won’t let herself get killed that easily.” Gine added knowingly, not a single shred of doubt lacing her voice. “Plus, she has her friends including Zephyr there to protect them all. And with him there, I know that our daughter will have a solid chance of surviving the land that some of my family calls home.” One of her cloven hooves came to touch the moon symbol on her chest armor. “On top of that, if they’re lucky, they may run into one of their villages, and even gain some assistance from one of the Everfree Guilds. From what you told me that you told Zephyr, they should be on the path that leads to the village of Evergreen Galley.”

Celestia shot a glance down at Gine, but said nothing, giving a gentle nod at her words. She had heard of the populations that resigned in the Everfree, with the Evergreen Galley Village being one of them. It was one of the five villages that were said to populate the untamed wilderness, something that she had just found out recently. It wasn’t until she had gotten a visit Spike’s personal magic and marital arts trainer that she learned of the other villages. That Venture Vine Doragon, who happened to be a leader of a guild in a village north of the Everfree. Evergreen Galley was the one village Celestia had known about the longest. Said village having stood for a millennium, even after her sister was banished to the moon.

It was only during those thousand years that she slowly heard of the other villages dotting the forest. Each one was slowly built overtime, with the last one having just been over two hundred years ago. It was then brought to her attention that each of the villages had formed guilds, which then formed an alliance with one another to protect the forest they held dear. While Celestia doubted that she’d see all of the villages leading occupants tonight, she was sure that she’d at least be seeing their leaders. All whom she hoped would aid her in the fight that would decide whether Nightmare Moon would fall or rise.

“I am positive that they are.” Celestia said with full confidence. “From what I’ve seen of Twilight’s library, she does have a number of resources that can help her in their quest. I also happened to have given her some extra essentials like maps and weapons should she ever have to face any dangers like the one she’s facing now.” A humorless chuckle left her. “Although, I don’t think even that could’ve prepared her for actually having to go inside of the Everfree. Though, in a place like that, you’re never really prepared.”

“Isn’t that the damn truth.” Bardock nodded dryly, recalling the missions that he was given that involved going into the Everfree. “There’s still the begged question though. Will they be able to survive that forest’s dangers long enough to reach Nightmare Moon?”

“They have to; by Faust’s name they have to reach her.” Gine replied, a stretch of silence lingering before she spoke. “Besides having corrupted Queen Luna, she’s the one that has our son in her clutches. She’s the one who invaded Ponyville and took him away from all three of our daughters, right in front of them! Who knows what she could be doing to him right now? I don’t know what it could be, but I know that I can’t be good, and that he has just terrified.” A sniffle left her as she fought the urge to cry, again. “S-so…that’s why Goku, has to-no…n-needs to get to Sheton, a-and save him f-from N-Nightmare Moon. S-she’s t-the only one who c-can…a-and if she doesn’t…a-and she and her f-friends fall to her, then…my b-baby boy…! H-he’ll…!”

The tears following down Gine’s alluring face stopped her from saying anything more. She broke down in sobs, which grew even louder when Bardock went over and took him in his arms. Gine was suddenly struck by images of her only son flashed through the latter’s mind, none of them pleasant in any way. His fluffy little form curled into a ball; his blue eyes filled with a type terror that could only found in a young child. Said eyes looking into the malicious ones of Nightmare Moon, towering over him with flared wings and billowing mane and tail. The Lunar Captain could see it now, Sheton trapped in the nightmarish alicorn’s magical grasp, muzzle’s length away from her face. Nightmare Moon’s mouth open as she brought Sheton even closer to her, and lowering her mouth to place her fangs in his…

Before Gine knew what happened, she was being unexpectedly hugged by Celestia. Both of her forelegs wrapping around her and bringing her in a tight, yet warm and motherly embrace. Gine gasped as surprise and shock mixed in with her anguish, her eyes lifting up to look at the Queen’s closed ones. Bardock was equally shocked as well but said nothing as his Queen comfort him and his wife.

“That will not happen Gine. I swear to you it won’t; you will not lose your son. Or your daughter, nor will any of her friends perish tonight.” She said quietly, her voice gentle, yet firm. “I can’t say that I know the pain and fear your feeling right now. It is the type that can only be found in those that have precious little ones that’re in danger. Nor can I really relate to that very same fear and worry, since I do not have foals of my own.”

She pulled away so she could look into Gine’s teary eyes, her own lavender ones narrowed in determination. “But I will tell you this…in all the time I have known your children, I have known them to be kind, gentle, caring, honest, and powerful ponies. Ponies that I see have the potential to do great things in many years to come, even your only son. Although I have known your son for a very short amount of time, I can see the potential that he has. When I look into his eyes, I see that in him as well, even at the age he is now.”

Celestia stepped off of her seat and backed away, looking both Gine and Bardock in their eyes. “That is why, I swear to you. To both you and Bardock, on the sun and moon I raise every day and night that your son and daughter will live to see the light of day again. I do not care what I have to do to see that through, or how much magic I have to use. If I have to use all the magic given to me by the sun to burn all in our path, then that is what I will do.” Reaching out with her hooves, she brought them both in a hug, nuzzling their reaches in a motherly fashion. “When I took the throne, I made a vow to my mother that I’d give all that I had to ensure that all of my subjects were safe. That no matter what dangers they face, they’d live to see tomorrow. And I intent to stay by that vow, even on this very night.”

Neither Gine nor Bardock responded to Celestia’s determined proclamations to help her and help their children, but they didn’t need to either. The Solar Queen could tell by their body language that they were incredibly thankful and relieved to hear those words come from her mouth. She could even feel the two of them beginning to shake in her embrace as both tried not to cry. Thankfully, they were stopped from doing upon hearing the sound of steam erupting from outside of the train. Breaking apart, the trio watched as the train slowly to a stop at the Ponyville Express Station, thus signifying that they had made it. Wordlessly, they exited out of the train as the doubt doors opened, and the sound of hoofsteps filled the groups ears as they and their guards exited out of the train.

“Well, we made it.” Bardock said as he wiped at his eyes, taking a calming breath. “So, where do you guys wanna go from here?”

“Well, I do want to go and see Snowflake, Midnight and Spike, just to check up on them.” Gine replied, biting her lip. “But I don’t want to delay any more time in going after Goku so me and Bardock can help her rescue Sheton. I want to get to the Everfree Forest as quickly as I can, but…”

“Hey calm down there Gine, it’s alright, deep breaths.” Bardock said, wrapping a wing around his wife soothingly. “Why don’t we try this? We’ll have our second or third in commands take half of our divisions to Ponyville and have them look after our elder daughters and Spike. A lot of them already know what they look like, so it shouldn’t be too hard for them to spot them.”

Celestia raised a brow at the tan stallion. “Isn’t that the plan that I suggested back at my castle, Bardock?”

“Oh…right.” Bardock sweat dropped, much to some of the other guard’s amusement. “You did.”

Gine chuckled a bit, one of her hooves rubbing at her face. “You know what? That does sound like a good idea, even if it wasn’t your idea. I can have my sister Raven Moon take half of the Lunar Division to Ponyville, while me and my brother Starchaser take the other in the Everfree.”

“Good idea love.” Bardock nodded approvingly, kissing her on her cheek. “And I can have Shining Armor to the same with my half, while Spearhead and the other half go with me. Since Zephyr is with the girls in the Everfree, he'll have to act as temporary vice leader for the time being.”

Now it was Celestia’s turn to sweat drop. ‘That was literally what I was going to have them do before we left. These two…’ Shaking her head, she cleared her throat to pull their attention back to her. “Yes, that does seem like the best option at the moment. That will give more added protection to the children you don’t have in the Everfree, and hopefully lift some of the weight on your shoulders.”

“I doubt that it will, but it’ll hopefully help me be more focused on what I need to do.” Gine sighed, adjusting the helmet currently resting on her head. “However, I want to make one thing very clear Your Majesty.”

Celestia looked at her curiously, having an inkling of what she was going to say. “What is that, my dear Gine?”

Gine slowly looked up at the larger mare, her yellow eyes piercing into Celestia’s own like twin daggers. “As thankful as I am for you helping me and my dear Bardock in saving my son you’re your sister, I am by no means going to go easy on her for a second. Little sister or not, I will not allow Nightmare Moon to harm a single hair on my little Tony’s precious head. And if I find that she has…” A faint flash of red danced across her eyes as she hissed lowly, her pointed fangs glistening. “…I will show her no mercy.”

A tense silence washed over the station as many of the guards looked in between Gine and Celestia nervously, the latter’s expression unreadable. More than half of them expected Celestia to lay into evening for daring to threaten her younger sister’s fate. Even if she did have every single reason to do so, unbeknownst to many of them. Against their expectations, the alicorn nodded and gave an understanding smile to the thestral mare.

“I understand Gine.” Celestia finally said, her tone matching her look as she closed her eyes. “While I do have my hopes that we can save my sister without her being too scathed, at the same time, I know the anger you hold towards her at the moment. I won’t hold it against you if you decide to give my sister your own form of retribution should you two meet. I only ask that you don’t hold it against her for what she has done tonight, even if she is corrupted.”

“There’s nothing for me to forgive her for your Majesty. Nor do I have any reason to hold a grudge against her.” Gine said firmly. “Because the mare that fought you a thousand years ago, and took my baby boy tonight, was Nightmare Moon, not Queen Luna.”

With that, Gine walked off, not noticing the wide-eyed look on Celestia’s face as the rest of the Lunar Division followed after her. Bardock watched his beloved wife go, sighing before he looked up at the Queen worriedly. “You okay there your Highness?”

Celestia blinked, shaking her head to clear her shocked state before eye Bardock. “Y…yes, I’m alright; I was just a bit surprised.” Straightening up a bit more, she gripped her spear on her magic and nodded to Bardock and the other guards. “Right, let’s go.”

Chapter 22 - Guardian of the Valley

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 23 - The Assassin of Stripes and Scales

The first thing that Zephyr felt as he began to regain consciousness was a comforting feeling of warmth and softness. It enveloped his entire being and put him in a state of relaxation that made him want to want to stay asleep. He shifted in whatever position that he was in to get more of the warmth embracing him, and it seemed to return it. Reaching out with his forehooves, he wrapped them around the warm and soft object. The stallion nuzzled deep into it, inhaling its sweet scent, which seemed to be that of a multitude of flowers. He suddenly found himself enveloped by even more of the comforting feeling, realizing it was reciprocating. A draconic purr seemed to make its way out his lips, signaling his love for whatever he was feeling.

“Oh my, it looks like he’s finally starting to come to girls.” A soft and gentle voice suddenly said from outside of Zephyr’s consciousness. It flowed into the stallion’s ears like a flowing river, or a gentle breeze in the middle of spring. “Zephyr sweetie, are you okay?”

Zephyr’s ears flicked, somehow recognizing the gentle voice despite still somewhat being in his unconscious state. He shifted again in the warmth and hugged it even tighter, even going so far as to wrap his wings around it. When that didn’t work, he just settled into cuddling into it, letting out another purr in the process.

“Hmhm, it looks like he is darling, but he doesn’t really want to let you go~.” Another more melodic voice crooned, laced with amusement and tenderness. “The poor dear is just far too comfortable with you holding him like that.”

“Well can you really blame him?” A third more raspy voice asked knowingly, sounding rougher than the other few. “He just got blasted by that giant fucking raptor after he took the hit for Fluttershy. I know for a fact that could not have felt good in any way.”

“Ah’m amazed that he even managed to survive that t’ be honest.” A fourth voice with a southern drawl murmured, speaking in a calmer tone. “It looks like them fancy lookin’ guards are a lot tougher than Ah thought.”

“Well, like Goku, Zephyr is a Shenron, and they are known for being able to take brutal beatings, just like the Nightstalkers.” A fifth more intelligent voice said softly, carrying undertone of deep worry. “Still, even I’m amazed that he was able to take such a devastating attack. For a second I really thought that he was…”

“Yeah, I had thought that too when the Shinomōkin struck Zephyr. At the very least, I thought that he was going to be out of commission for a while.” A fifth voice, this one sounding smooth and silky. “Thankfully it looks like that’s not the case. The fact that he’s moving at all is a good sign, for both him and us. As much as I want to let him rest for a bit longer, we’re going to need him up again.”

“Awww, do we have to Goku?” A sixth and final voice whined childishly, its high pitch nearly waking Zephyr up. “He looks so cute all snuggled up to Fluttershy like that! Can’t we just let him stay like that for just a little longer!”

“I’m sorry Pinkie Pie, but Goku’s right.” The soft gentle voice said sadly. “We’ve been here for over two hours now, and we’ve managed to recover from being shocked by the Shinomōkin. So, I think we should be getting a move on in a little while, though, I think we should have him eat something before we go.”

“Awww, phooey.”

“Don’t worry Pinkie Pie, it’s not the end of the world. I’m pretty sure that we’ll be able to have more moments like this.” The silky voice said comfortingly. “If it’s any consolation, if Zephyr gets knocked out by any of the animals again, I’ll let you be the one to cuddle him this time.”

The childish voice let out a squeal of delight. “Oh wow, really?! You’d let me do that?!”

“Sure sweetie. I could see how jealous you were that Fluttershy got to be the one to do it. So, I figured that you should get a turn if the opportunity presents itself.” The silky voice said, a low giggle coming afterward. “Just as long as you give Twilight a turn afterwards when your done with him.”

“Yes sir, ma’am sir!” The childish voice replied, a giggle of its own leaving shortly after.

“Really Goku?” The intelligent voice moaned, sounding embarrassed.

“Yes really.” The silky voice chuckled slyly. A second later, the sound of hoofsteps made its way over to Zephyr, before the royal blue stallion felt a warm breath right next to his ear. “Zephyr, it’s time to get up sleepy boy. Come on, I know you can hear me.”

Despite the gentleness in the silky voice, the undertone of firmness and authority behind it was enough to get Zephyr out of his state of semi-consciousness. The training he that he received form the military academy to pay attention when somepony’s talking to him added to that, and before Zephyr knew it, he was waking up. He stretched his legs out, while still being enveloped in warmth, before reaching up to his face and rubbing at his eyes. After blinking them a few times, he opened them, and found his vision enveloped in nothing but a sea of soft pink and yellow. Giving another rub at his eyes, he looked around, and found himself staring into the gentle, yet amused teal eyes of Fluttershy, with a smile to match.

“Good morning sleepyhead~.” She cooed, a soft giggle leaving her lips. “Did you have a nice nap in my chest fluff~?”

“Fluttershy?” Zephyr murmured quietly, looking at the buttermilk pegasus in confusion. He looked around and saw the other six mares, all of which who were sitting around him. There was also large clearing with a burning fireplace in the center. “W…what’s going on? Why am I snuggled up with you?”

“You mean you don’t remember what happened?” Goku asked with a small head tilt. “You got zapped by a giant Shinomōkin after you pushed Fluttershy away from its line of fire. After that you just went completely unconscious.”

“No, I remember that. I totally remember that.” Zephyr said dryly, shaking his head. “What I’m asking is, what exactly is going on here? And why am I all wrapped up in Fluttershy’s wings like this?”

“Weeeeeeeell,” Pinkie Pie began slowly, twirling her straw hat in her right hoof. “After you had gotten zapped unconscious by that giant scary bird, it chased us across some of the forest trying to zap us to smithereens as well! We had managed to make it to clearing where were we tried to think up of a plan, buuuuut that giant bird kind of ruined it for us and caught us all in its big cloudy body! It started zapping all of us, and we wouldn’t ended up as its food if it weren’t for Goku zapping that scary bird back!”

“Wait, you did?” Zephyr asked, his eyes widening at the tan Thestral. “You actually…fought that thing?”

Goku blushed sheepishly. “I wouldn’t say fight per say…” she said hesitantly, rubbing the back of her head as if she had done something embarrassing. “More like I blasted a hole through that bad boy’s body and created a hole big enough to break us all free and into the river.” She pointed over to an entrance in the forest where an opening could be seen. “The same river that I dragged you all out of, you’re welcome.”

“You made a hole in the Shinomōkin’s body?” Zephyr asked, staring aghast at Goku. A short stretch of silence passed, before he worriedly asked, “Did…did you-”

“No! No, I didn’t do it!” Goku interrupted quickly before Zephyr could finish. “You can trust me when I say that I did not kill the big boy. The Shinomōkin’s body was made entirely out of lightning and storm clouds and nothing else. So, while my attacks may have been painful, there was no way they could’ve killed while he wasn’t in his normal form.” She bit her lip as she looked away. “Although, I may have given the poor thing a stomach pain that’ll take a few days to go away. Other than that, he should still be able to master the skies he was blessed to soar under.”

Fluttershy sweat dropped, shooting a weird look at the thestral mare. ‘Is that really the only thing she gave the Shinomōkin?’

“Oh, I totally believe that one.” Rainbow Dash snorted out, as she laughed. “Overdoing things as usual G, haha!”

Rarity gracefully struck the back of Rainbow’s head with her tail. “Like you have any room to talk dear.”

“Oh, I see. Well, that’s good at least.” Zephyr said softly, looking relieved. With a sigh, he slowly pulled himself from Fluttershy, cringing as the pain receptors in his body flared up. “Ugh, sweet Faust, that aches.”

“Well you did just get zapped by a giant ass bird that could’ve eaten us all whole if it wanted to.” Applejack pointed out. “Ah’d be surprised if that didn’t hurt, or at least didn’t feel really sore…in a painful way.”

“Well, my pain isn’t the only one that I should be worried about.” Zephyr said, eyeing the rest of the mares. “Are any of you girls okay? I know that Shinomōkin got all of you too, so I know that all of you have your own fair share of injuries.”

“Well, we did, but not anymore.” Twilight said, rubbing the back of her head. “When we had all came to, Fluttershy used her healing powers to assist in the acceleration of our healing rate.”

The royal blue stallion snapped his gaze over to the buttermilk Pegasus. “You healed all of their wounds?”

“It’s a special type of healing magic that only members of my clan can use.” Fluttershy replied, slowly getting to her hooves. “Besides the Rosario clan, I come from another called the Tenshi clan, which like my other clan, has the ability to heal wounds by using spiritual energy in a solid form. When I came to, I had encased you, and almost everypony else in an oval of healing magic and healed your wounds while you were unconscious.”

“You can do that? Zephyr asked in amazement, earning a soft nod from Fluttershy. “Wow, I gotta admit…that is a really cool ability.”

Fluttershy blushed and looked away, her long pink mane partially hiding her face. “Oh, it’s not really anything special to be honest. Just something that I can use in case of dire situations like this.” A look of slight disappointment came to her face as she sighed. “Though, it is what you may call a double-edged sword.”

“What do you mean by that?” Zephyr asked, his voice tinged with worry. “It doesn’t have any serious side effects does it?”

“Thankfully not really.” Goku replied, easing Zephyr’s concerns. “It just drains an insane amount of Fluttershy’s magical power and leaves her in a bit of a weak state for some time. Plenty of rest and filling your stomach until it bursts will get that energy right back up though, and luckily for us, we’re surrounded by plenty of vegetation.” Her ears perked as a smile came to her face, her fangs gleaming. “There is one other cool thing about Fluttershy’s healing powers though. It runs off of her emotional energy and what positive or negative emotion she’s feeling. The more positive her feelings are and the more conviction she has, the stronger her healing magic is and the less her magic is drained. However, the more negative they are and the more doubt and worry Fluttershy has…”

“…The more magic is drained out of her and the weaker her healing magic is.” Zephyr finished as he figured the rest out, Fluttershy’s nod confirming it. He looked back over at the veterinarian, who was still looking down at the ground bashfully. “So…how long were we all out?”

“Well, I was the first one to wake up, and Goku told me that it was a good thirty minutes since we had all escaped the Shinomōkin. After she had explained to be the situation, I had used my healing magic to help you and the rest of the girls recover from being electrocuted, which took about another half hour. After that, me and her waited for the others to wake up; first Applejack, then it was Rarity, then Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Twilight, and finally you.”

“Okay, so let me get this straight. We spend half hour unconscious after being zapped into unconsciousness while you healed…most of us.” Zephyr said, glancing over at Goku for a moment before looking back at Fluttershy. “Then after another half hour, you waited one by one for us to wake up while I was cuddled up with you?”

“On a pile o’ big smooth leaves.” Applejack nodded, pointing at a large leaf bed behind Fluttershy. “Fluttershy insisted that if she was gonna be keepin’ ya warm, that you’d at least be as comfortable as possible. She wanted to do it fer all o’ us but, well…she only had enough fer one pony.”

“Oh, I see…” Zephyr nodded glancing at the lead bed for a moment. Shaking his head, he shot Fluttershy a grateful smile. “Thank you for doing that for me Fluttershy. That was, um…a really kind thing for you to do. Even though I don’t really know why in the hay you’d do that.”

“Why wouldn’t I? You saved me from being shocked to death by the largest bird of prey in all of existence, second only to the Haast’s Eagle.” Fluttershy said, tilting her head. “After such a life-threatening move like that, the least I could do was make you as comfortable as possible. Even if it meant sleeping with you.”

Zephyr’s cheeks flared up into a deep red blush as Rainbow Dash burst out laughing. “Sweet fuck Fluttershy! Did you really have to put it like that?!”

“Put it like what?” Fluttershy asked, looking over at the cyan mare. “All I was saying that even if it meant sleeping with him, I would make him as comfy as can be after he saved me.”

“That’s exactly what Rainbow Dash meant darling.” Rarity said delicately, a pink tint on her own snow-white cheeks. “Not the fact that you would make Zephyr as comfortable as possible while he recovered, but how you said the way you would do it. You said you’d do whatever it took, even if it meant sleeping with him.” She coughed into her throat like she literally had something stuck inside of it that required the action. “Don’t you think that sounded just the least bit, um…”

“Sexually graphic?” Twilight finished bluntly not looking the least bit embarrassed. “What Rarity’s trying to say is that when you said, ‘even if it meant sleeping with Zephyr’, you made it seem like you would…you would-”

“Wait what?!” Pinkie suddenly cried as she dropped her hat, her high-pitched voice echoing about the clearing. “That’s what you meant when you said that you’d make Zephie comfy while he was recovering?! That you would butter the biscuit with him?!”

Goku’s eyes bulged as Fluttershy’s pupils contracted, a sharp gasp leaving Zephyr’s mouth a split second later. Quickly regaining her composure, the fanged mare rounded on the pink earth pony, a tick mark forming on her head.

“That is not what Fluttershy meant and you know it Pinkie Pie!” She hissed sharply, keeping her voice low as to not attract any unwanted attention from within the forest. Ignoring Rainbow’s loud guffaws, she continued, “While you’re at it, keep your voice down too! We are in the middle of a clearing, and the last thing any of us needs is for that Shinomōkin to come back! Or any other animal to suddenly come into this clearing and ambush us!”

“What do you mean, that’s not what she meant?!” Pinkie Pie asked, frowning confusedly at the irritated tan thestral. “Rarity and Twilight said it themselves! When Fluttershy said that she’d go as far as to sleep with Zephie to make him comfier, she meant that she’d let him turn her into a creampie! While he was asleep!”

“N-now Pinkie, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.” Fluttershy said shakily, her own face as red as the eye on her roseray. “When I said I’d sleep with him, I didn’t mean that I’d r-r-ride him while he was asleep! I meant that I would-!”

“WHAT?!” Pinkie yelled again, the volume of her voice making everypony cringe. “You mean you wanted to do the dirty with him with all of us watching?! Whoa Fluttershy, I had no idea you were that dirty!”

“PINKIE!” Now it was Rarity’s turn to scold her friend. Doing so in a way that made her sound like a mother admonishing her child for doing saying a bad word. “How dare you say such a think about poor Fluttershy?! That is not was she was saying or thinking at all!”

“Uh, yeah it was!” Pinkie nodded adamantly. “Flutters clearly said that she’d do the stinky if it meant Zephie would feel better from being electrocuted! How could she not mean something like that if that’s what she said right in front of us?!”

Goku snarled warningly, another tick mark forming on her head. “Pinkie…”

“No, that’s what you said Pinkie Pie.” Applejack said bluntly with a deadpan expression. “And th’ reason ain’t what Fluttershy had said was because she didn’t mean it like that! Did ya sugarcube?”

“No, I didn’t!” Fluttershy cried desperately, falling to her haunches and covering her face with her forehooves. “I-I mean that I would let Zephyr snuggle up with me if it meant easing the pain he was feeling while he was recovering! I didn’t mean that I was going to touch him without his consent!” She snapped her head over to the royal blue stallion, who was still sporting his deep red blush. “I mean it! I wasn’t going to touch you like that in any way without getting the green light form you!”

“N-no, it’s okay, I believe you.” Zephyr said, fighting to keep his face from heating up. “I know you didn’t try to touch me like that. If you did, I would’ve known even if I was-”

“AHA! I knew it!” Pinkie Pie shouted, jabbing a hoof at Fluttershy. “You were planning to pass the gravy with Zephie! You were actually going to do it!”

“NO!” Fluttershy yelled, stomping both forehooves on the ground. “No, I was not!”

“Oh yes you were!” Pinkie Pie retorted, shooting to her hooves and getting right into a blushing Fluttershy’s face. “You just said right out of your mouth, that unless you had Zephie’s green light that you weren’t going to make him stuff you full of his frosting! You said it right to his and our faces, so now we all know without a doubt that you would’ve taken Zephyr while he was sleeping, and rode him until he-”

Anything else that Pinkie was going to say was interrupted when her face suddenly met the dirt ground below. A large lump appearing on the back of her head, despite her straw-hat covering it. Everypony looked on in shock as Goku stood over Pinkie Pie from behind, her left tri-colored hoof raised in the air. Her head was lowered, and her ears were pinned against her head, her eyes shadowed by her mane and a golden aura surrounding her body.

“I think that’s enough crazy accusations out of you for a while.” The tan thestral said sternly, watching as Pinkie Pie’s eyes swirled around and steam rose form her lump. Letting out a long breath through her nostrils, she turned to Zephyr with a softer expression. “I am so sorry you had to hear all of that Zephyr…Pinkie Pie can be a bit of a motormouth at times. I hope that you weren’t too embarrassed by what she was saying…especially you, Fluttershy.”

“N-no, it’s alright, I wasn’t really that bothered by it.” Zephyr stuttered. “Though I was just the slightest bit taken aback.”

“Yeah…” Twilight murmured dryly. “Just a little…”

“S-same here Goku.” Fluttershy nodded, taking a calming breath. “I’m not really mad at Pinkie about what she said. In fact, I can see why she thought that in the first place…given the rather, um, compromising position that I had put ourselves in. It did look like we were, um…”

“Just finished fucking each other’s brains out?” Rainbow Dash chuckled, earning her a swift bonk on the head from Goku. “Ow!”

“…Yes, that.” Fluttershy said meekly, squeezing her eyes shut as she felt the urge to crawl under a rock. It was soon washed away when she felt a warm wing drape over her, and Fluttershy looked over to see Zephyr smiling warmly at her. “Thank you…”

“Hey, you helped me have what had to be the most comfortable sleep of my life, so the least I could do I ease your embarrassment.” The royal blue stallion replied with a shrug. He suddenly leaned in and whispered into her ear. “If it’s any consolation, I do think that you are attractive as all living shit. I mean seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever seen any mare as sexy as you.”

Fluttershy’s cheeks sported the deepest blush that night. “Oh, um…t-thank you for that. Y-you don’t look, um…so bad yourself.” She replied, rubbing her left foreleg with her right.

“Alright, break it up you two.” Goku said, making the two pegasi look over at her. “You can act all lovey dovey towards each other later. We’re a in a bit of a fix her right now…and we need to band together right now and figure out what we’re going to do. First things first though…we all need to stock up and recharge.”

“Um…recharge?” Zephyr asked, raising an eyebrow.

“She means eating.” Twilight emphasized with a slight giggle. “It had been a while since we had last eaten, which was when we were back in my library, and honestly…it wasn’t very much. So, while we were all out, Goku had decided to do some foraging around the forest.”

“Foragin’?” Applejack asked, turning to Fluttershy and Goku. “Ya mean ya actually went int’ th’ trees to find some food?”

“Uh-huh!” The tan thestral chirped, lashing her extended tail into the shadows of the clearing. With a yank, she pulled out a huge wooden plate that was piled with thick grass, and a multitude of berries. “I had grabbed enough of this to make sure we’re all full until our bellies explode, and we’re not that far from the stream we fell into! So, if we get thirsty, we can just go to that river and drink from there.”

“Whoa Goku, this is a lot!” Pinkie Pie said, amazed at how much Goku had gotten. “This is an even bigger pile than the one of the sweets that I made for your brother! And coming from me, that’s really saying something!”

Rainbow Dash looked over at the pink pony in confusion. “Uh, what?”

“Meet Goku’s brother, gave him some sweets, put a big smile on his face.” Pinkie Pie said, keeping the explanation short and sweet. “Anyway, give me my sweets!”

Rolling her eyes, Goku obliged in taking a wooden plate and given one to each of her friends, Zephyr included, before they all say around the fireplace. They all began to eat the foraged vegetation and fruit, none of them exchanging a word as they took the opportunity to fill their stomachs. About half an hour into the feast, Twilight began to explain the predicament they were now in.

“Alright now, before we do anything else, I think I should point out the main problem we have right now.” Twilight began calmly. “That problem being that we’re no longer on the path we were treading. Which means that we’re now officially lost.”

“I think that was already made painfully obvious.” Zephyr murmured, rubbing at his shoulder as a shudder went down his back. “So, how’re we going to be able to find Queen Celestia’s old castle now? Anypony have any ideas?”

“Well, we could fly up into the air scout it out from here.” Rainbow Dash suggested, before looking up into the trees. “Then again, with all of these big ass trees blocking the sky, that’s going to be a pain in the ass to do. Not that I don’t mind getting a few leaves and twigs here and there, but I’d rather not take my chances of painting the ground red.”

“Well, luckily for you guys, I’m a flyer that doesn’t really need to worry about my wings getting messed up.” Goku said, winking at the cyan mare. “Though, you do make a good point…those trees are larger than any other that I’ve ever seen before. So, I guess I shouldn’t try my luck in flying up there, least I either break a wing, or send a rain of branches down here.”

“Good thing we’re not in Marelaska or the Forbidden Jungle if that were to happen.” Fluttershy murmured quietly. “Then we’d really be in trouble…”

“What was that darling?” Rarity asked, batting her eyelashes at the other mare.

“Nothing.” The buttermilk pegasus sighed. “Anyway, does anypony else have any suggestions?”

“We could try backtrackin’.” Applejack said her voice slightly muffled by the grass that she was currently chewing on. “Goku just pointed out that we’re not too far from the river that we fell in after getting’ away from that giant bird thing. So, we could go back to where we had landed and see if we can git back on th’ trail from there.”

“I believe that the bird that attacked us is called a Shinomōkin Applejack. It was said more than several times now.” Rarity said daintily chewing on a few berries and grapes. “And please, don’t talk with your mouth full. It’s unbecoming of a lady, even if you are a farmer.”

Applejack glared in annoyance at the fashionista, but said nothing.

“That’s another good idea. Except there’s one little problem.” Twilight said, grimacing slightly as she levitated her now burnt saddlebag in front of her. Opening a remained of one of the flaps, she pulled out the remnants of their map. “While we were trapped inside of the Shinomōkin, my saddlebag got burnt pretty bad. While not everything is burnt, it’s not going to be of much help for us anymore. There’s only a few extra maps and the combat weapons that I brought that, surprisingly, haven’t been totally burned or soaked. Other than that…everything is pretty much useless.”

“Soooo…” Pinkie said slowly a frown coming to her face. “…that also means the tasty treats that Spike made for us are gone as well?”

Fluttershy frowned sympathetically at Pinkie. “Yes Pinkie, every last one of them…I’m sorry.”

The party pony sighed dejectedly and fell flat on her face again. Doing it in a way that made it seem like Goku had given her another lump on her head. “Well that’s one other plan that’s party pooped…all of that hard work Spike did, gone just like that! And here I thought that it’d be a bit easier for us to keep going on this exciting adventure. Now we’ll never get to keep going on this super-duper fun adventure!”

“…Not exactly Pinkie.” Zephyr suddenly said, making all the mares turn to him. “There is a bit of a silver lining to Applejack’s suggestion to how to get back on track. That being the stream that Goku had rescued us from.”

“Oh yeah?” Rainbow Dash asked. “What’s so good about that?”

“Thing about it; when we had first appeared in that clearing, there was not a single tree in the river that we had flown to.” Zephyr explained. “Not only that, but since there was no trees, we were allowed to give a full view of the sky above since it wasn’t blocked by the trees. So, I think either me, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, or Goku should go over to that same river and fly above all the trees until they can see the remnants of the abandoned castle.”

“That does sound like a good idea Zephyr.” Fluttershy said contemplatively. It was soon replaced with a perplexed frown. “But…how will we able to spot the castle? It could be anywhere in the grove of trees no matter how hard we look.”

“I don’t think that should be much of a problem.” Goku said reassuringly. “If any of you want, I can go and look for the castle. From that I can remember, the castle of the two sisters is in the far mid-eastern side of the Everfree. I also have pretty sharp eyes, and can see from a pretty far distance, just like a dragon can.”

“That you do; anything that is far away to a normal pony is up close to thestrals like you.” Twilight said knowingly. “In that case, I’ll leave it to you Goku. Just be careful out there okay? There are a lot of dangerous beasts out here, and we really don’t need you getting into a scuffle with them.”

Goku nodded, winking at Twilight as she got up from her position in the fireplace. “Don’t worry Twi, I’ll be alright. If any animal tries to get me, I’ll just show them a good dose of my good old thestral strength. That way, they’ll know not to mess with me, just like the rest of my fellow bat ponies of this beautiful forest. I’ll be back as soon as I can, and if something happens, just scream and I’ll come right back.”

“You got it Goku!” Pinkie chirped. “We’ll make sure to scream nice and loud if we feel like we’re in any type of danger.”

“Good, I’m glad to hear that Pinkie.” Goku nodded approvingly, turning tail and trotting away. Just before she vanished into the darkness, she turned to Fluttershy and Zephyr and said, “Oh and Fluttershy, Zephyr, try not to fuck each other’s brains out while I’m gone.”

With a sly giggle, Goku spread her wings and took off into the shadows of the forest, leaving two blushing Pegasi and the rest of her friends behind at the campfire. Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash all laughed their asses off while Fluttershy and Zephyr stayed silent, both of their faces burning by the cheeks. The only ones who weren’t laughing were Twilight and Rarity, both of which who were sporting her own blushes, the latter sporting a disapproving frown.

“Well, I would never!” Rarity said hotly, looking like she was fighting back a smirk. “Of things she could’ve said before parting ways, that was what she came up with? Is she trying to make those two even more embarrassed than they already are?”

“If she was trying to make them shyer around each other, then it worked.” Twilight replied, watching as Zephyr and Fluttershy avoided eye contact. “Of course, I kind of suspected she wanted to have some fun with them before she took off.” She sighed and shook her head. “Typical.”

“Well, Ah was kind of expectin’ it mahself.” Applejack said, chuckling. “Goku more or less did the same thing t’ her brother while she was havin’ brunch with me an’ mah family. Sheton was tormented relentlessly by th’ teasin’ she was given him while he was playin’ with Apple Bloom on the field. The poor boy’s face was as red as Honey Blossom’s fur!”

“Oh, now I would’ve loved to see that!” Rainbow Dash snorted. “The same thing happened back at my home when Goku, her brother and sisters had come with me to my house. Blossomforth and Cloud Kicker were at my house, and they met G’s little brother, and needless to say…they hit it off pretty quickly, Sheton and Blossomforth especially. Heh, that girl always had a soft spot for kids…”

“I could say the same as well about that darlings.” Rarity said, giggling a bit. “Sheton was such a little gentlecolt my little Sweetie Belle when he first met her. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her hit it off with a foal that fast, not even your own sisters now that I think about it.”

“Yeah well that Sheton for you.” Zephyr chuckled, making the three mares turn to him. “He has this knack for getting anypony to like him. Well, at least those that have enough of a soft heart to like him and even love him. This works with a lot of ponies, the mares and fillies especially, and while not many of the ponies at the school he goes to got one over by him, the ones that did have taken quite a liking to him, Crescent Shield and Spike being a couple of them.”

“Heehee, I definitely believe that!” Pinkie Pie giggled. “When I had first met Sheton, which was earlier today, I saw something in him that I let me know that I’d like him the second I saw him! That theory was proven when he met my candy sweet little fan, Melon Cake, and didn’t make fun of her for having multi-colored eyes. He even went so far as to say that he thought they were the prettiest eyes he ever seen!”

“Awwww, he did~?” Fluttershy cooed, putting her hooves to her chest. “Well that was sweet of him. I bet that really made little Melon smile a lot~.”

“Oh, you better believe it sister!” Pinkie said slyly. “Oh, and you know what else I found out from Goku about her brother? Sheton has a thing for fillies that had different colored eyes!”

This made Fluttershy pause for a long moment. “He…he does?”

“Uh-huh, the little guy sure does.” Zephyr nodded, smiling slyly. “Don’t get me wrong, Sheton thinks that any mare or filly he sees as pretty is even prettier because of her eyes, no matter the color. Be that as it may, there’s just something about a filly or mare having one eye color being different from the other that’s really well…captivating to him. Heck, one time, while I was having lunch with his family, he told me that he ran into a thestral filly whose eyes were two different colors, and when he looked into them, it was like he was looking into different orbs of prettiness.”

“Well isn’t that sweet?” Twilight grinned, giggling into her hoof. “I bet that little filly really like hearing that.”

Zephyr barely held back a snort of laughter. “Oh yeah, she totally did! If the multiple kisses she gave him were any indication!”

“So…he likes fillies with heterochromia.” Fluttershy said quietly, her eyes trailing to the fire as it flickered within her pupils. Images of her smiling sister suddenly flew in her mind like a dove through a split mountain, and she found herself choking up. That choking soon dissolved into sniffling as her face went from thoughtfulness to pure sadness and anguish.

“Fluttershy, is somethin’ wrong sugarcube?” Applejack asked softly, being the first to notice Fluttershy’s demeanor change. “Ya don’t look too good.”

“Oh, it’s nothing, I’m just-” Fluttershy began, only to stop abruptly as the shaking in her voice became more apparent. The teary-eyed expression she had on her face strengthened as her eyes glaze over, the fire in front of her making them shine. Her head slowly lowered more as her eyes pinned and her wings ruffled, before a whimper left her throat.

“Fluttershy?” Zephyr asked softly, concern lacing his deep voice. “What’s the matter? Are you okay?

Fluttershy, at the last question let out a soft sob that drew the attention of the other mares to her. Applejack and the others all went silent, their conversing ceasing as Fluttershy’s sobs grew louder and stronger. She collapsed onto her barrel; her tears being covered by her mane which was now covering nearly all of her face. Zephyr immediately took her in his forelegs, holding her close to him while the other pegasus cried in his embrace.

“N-no…no, I’m not okay!” She cried out; her eyes so tightly shut that it looked like she was in pain. “How can I possibly be okay at a time like this?!”

“You’re not?” Pinkie Pie asked. “Why is that?”

“It should be obvious why she’s not okay.” Zephyr replied, rubbing Fluttershy’s back. “You’re thinking about your sister, aren’t you?”

Everypony froze in place as this question struck into their heads like an axe repeatedly chipping its way through a giant tree. The relaxed and cautious demeanor they had a few minutes ago dissolved as they all looked at each other. Their gazes soon turned back to Fluttershy, who continued to cry as her tears plopped onto the grass.

“Y-yes…I am. I’ve been thinking about her ever since we arrived in the Everfree. And since she was taken away from me by Nightmare Moon Nocturnis!” Fluttershy replied, her quiet voice ending in a fierce cry as she stomped the ground. “D-do…do any of you have any idea how scared she looked w-when I saw her? W-when I did everything in my power t-to get to her a-and get her away from the Q-Queen of Darkness? I-I’ve never seen such fear…s-such terror on the f-face of an foal in my l-life! S-she looked like she had s-seen t-the one thing s-she feared the most…and s-she wasn’t t-the only one either.” She inhaled shakily as she lifted her head up, one teal eye looking up at her friends. “Y-you all saw it too d-didn’t you? T-the same looks on the r-rest of your s-sister’s faces? E-even Sheton’s?”

None of the girls answered; none of them needed to answer that question. The look in their eyes and language in their bodies spoke louder than any words that could’ve came out of their mouths.

“I know you did...b-because I saw the looks in y-your eyes back at the T-Town Square.” Fluttershy continued, sniffling as she pushed her mane from her face. “T-the fear…t-the terror…the anguish…and the anger. T-the need to g-get them away from that monster that took Q-Queen Celestia’s s-sister…I saw and felt it from every single one of you.” Gently, she pushed Zephyr off of her dried her tears. “I can still feel it now. No matter how well you hide it from others, I can see it swelling inside of you all. I know that the only thing that you’ve been thinking about was getting to Nightmare Moon as possible and get our precious siblings away from her. And that you want to give her some sort of punishment for what she did. You’re still thinking that, aren’t you?”

Again, no nopony spoke, letting their eyes and slumped body frames do it for them. Slowly, they each broke away from Fluttershy’s gaze, their manes shadowing their eyes from the flames of the fireplace. The tense air around the clearing was so thick that it could’ve been slice to bits by the claws of a dragon. A tension that was soon broken by Rarity’s smooth poised and graceful voice speaking out.

“That’s just you Fluttershy. Always able to spot something that is so efficiently and masterfully hidden.” She said softly, sounding like she had made the worst dress in the world. “You are correct on all parts my dear…one every single point. I thought that I had managed to keep myself composed enough to think about surviving this place long enough to get to my sister.” She sighed in defeat as she delicately wiped at her muzzle. “I suppose I have just been fooling myself.”
`
“I’d be a real party pooper if I said that I didn’t feel the same way.” Pinkie said with a mirthless smile, her voice unusually soft. “I haven’t been able to really smile after my sweet little Melon Cake was taken to whatever party Nightmare Moon has planned. I tried to keep myself from being too down, because I didn’t wanna let it bother me.” Her smile fell into a genuine frown as her pink colors began to turn blue. “I guess it had the opposite effect…the big unfun affect!”

“You jus’ spoke mah mind sugarcube.” Applejack nodded, probing at her hat. “When Ah saw Apple Bloom gettin’ stared down by that mare…Ah jus’ so…angry. Like Ah wanted to break somepony’s neck kind of angry.” Her hooves dug into the ground as she bit her lip, nearly making her blood draw. “Ah wasn’t thinkin’ about anythin’ else, Ah jus’ wanted t’ save mah lil’ sis b’fore anythin’ happened t’ her.” She looked up into the trees, as if she could see the figure and terrified face of Apple Bloom being whisked into the sky by Nightmare Moon. “Lookin’ back, Ah think that turned out t’ be mah undoin’.”

“Same here AJ.” Rainbow muttered; her forelegs crossed tightly in front of her chest. “Hell, even before Firestreak got foalnapped, I was already planning on slicing Nightmare Moon’s head off for stabbing the Queen. And I very well would’ve if I had my sword…and if you hadn’t stopped me at the last second.” She sighed as she reached back and clenched the handle of her sword. “I was pretty pissed that you did, but now…I’m glad you did. I can see now that I wouldn’t have been able to try to save my sister now if I had just gotten myself killed like that. And that would’ve have been very uncool. Not just for me, but for Firestreak too.”

Tears silent feel from Twilight’s eyes she softly talked. “I…I can’t say that I’m innocent in my sister’s obduction either. I didn’t…couldn’t do anything to save her…neither her nor Spike from getting hurt by Nightmare Moon.” She hugged her tail close to her, as if it was a large teddy bear instead of a part of her body. “I can still here Crescent screaming out to me and feel Spike sobbing in my hooves. I never saw either of them so scared or distraught before. When Nightmare Moon took them, I felt my heart stop and I almost passed out. I-I didn’t do anything…no chase, no magic blast…n-nothing. I-I just stood there…a-and watched!” Her breath hitched in her throat as cheeks streamed with tears. “I…I have to get them back…we have to get them back. Our sisters and Sheton back! All of them back! We can’t lose them to Nightmare Moon! For Faust’s sake, WE CAN’T LOSE THEM!”

Anything else the lavender unicorn planned to say was drowned out by the multitude of tears freely spilling from her eyes. She began to cry softly as she hugged herself, rocking back and forth like an elderly mare in a rocking chair. Most of the others weren’t too far off as they too began to softly weep, some more quiet than others. Only Rainbow and Applejack looked to be still somewhat composed, though they looked like they were going to shed a few tears themselves. Fluttershy felt her heart go out to each of her friends, wanting to hug all of them, and she would’ve if she didn’t start crying again.

Then, like a soft clean tissue, Zephyr’s low voice dampened those tears away.

“You won’t.”

All six mare’s ears perked at these two words the conviction and firm determination within them pulling their faces towards Zephyr. They flinched when they saw the sharp gaze in his eyes, the orange irises burning brighter than the fireplace.

“You won’t lose them girls. You won’t lose any of them. Do you understand me?” The royal blue pegasus said, his voice gentle, yet stern. “None of you are going to lose any of those precious little hatchlings, ever. Not while I’m here, not while we’re in this forest and still on our trek to the abandoned castle.” He hugged Fluttershy close to him, and this time, the mare didn’t push away, resigning to snuggling against him instead. “I can’t imagine how you’re feeling right now based on what happened. I don’t even have any siblings myself, but I do have a mom…a kind, gentle, and understanding mare. And let me tell you, that my anger would be through the fucking roof if anypony hurt her or tried to take her from me. I would have nothing in my mind but burning whoever had the audacity to harm her.”

He sighed when he felt Fluttershy gently press a hoof against his cheek, stroking it in a motherly fashion. “Even so, I know that won’t help me. Just like how it won’t help any of you to let your emotions get the better of you. A royal guard never lets that happen with them, mare or stallion, though you guys are fine, since you’re not guards. Which is why, until we get your siblings back, and stop Nightmare Moon, I will not stop. I will not run away, I will not back down, and I will certainly not leave you to the mercy of the Everfree. Even if you do get help from the Everfree Alliances, I will not leave a group of ponies who are so determined to rescue their loved ones, that they will throw themselves in the most dangerous wilderness in the world.” He took off his helmet and pressed it against his chest. “As long as Nightmare Moon has those hatchlings with her, I will fight. To my last breath I will use every ounce of magic blessed to me by Faust herself so they can see tomorrow. That I swear on the roseray that I wear, the fire that I breath and the dragon that roars within me.”

The silence in the clearing was so thick, that the wood snapping and fire crackling was the only thing that was heard. Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie all looked at Zephyr, their tears eyes washing into the fiery orange irises his eyes possessed. Looking into them, they could still see the determination and conviction that burned inside of them. Which reflected in the words that he just spoke to them. They could feel the power radiating from those words, so strong that not a single doubt about them etched into their minds. The girls just sat, still and at a loss for words as Zephyr kept his helmet close to his chest.

Finally, the quietness was broken when Fluttershy reached out and cupped Zephyr’s face in them, turning the surprised stallion towards her. He suddenly felt something warm and soft press against his forehead, soon realizing that it was Fluttershy’s lips. His blue face blossomed into red as Fluttershy kissed him on his forehead, the act deep, warm and gentle. It last for at least ten seconds, but seemed to go on longer, before pulling away. The tears were still in her eyes, but they were accompanied by a smile that made Zephyr’s heart flutter.

“Thank you, Zephyr. That means so much to use to hear you say that.” She said sweetly, running her hooves along his mane. “We can’t even begin to comprehend what our sisters and Sheton could be suffering under Nightmare Moon right now. We want nothing more than to take them out of where she’s taken them and never let her anywhere near them again.” She hugged the stallion around his, letting his face rest into her chest. “I’m so happy that you’re going to help us any anyway you can. Truly, I am…”

Zephyr blushed but said nothing for a moment as he took a moment to inhale another smell of Fluttershy’s enticing scent. Slowly, almost reluctantly, he pulled away and draped a wing around her quivering form. “Well of course, why wouldn’t I? I signed up for the royal guard for a reason and that was to fulfill my dream. To protect any innocent citizens who can’t protect themselves against everything…and that’s what I intend to do. Even if it’s here and even if we do get some extra assistance.”

“I know baby, I know.” Fluttershy said, planting another gentle kiss on Zephyr’s cheek. “I just wanted to say how glad I am that you’re devoted to helping us. Goku really did choose wisely in becoming friends with you, and not just because you’re a fellow Shenron.”

“Yeah, she sure did.” Twilight nodded, laughing a little. “I’m thankful too Zephyr, that you want to help us too. And we’ll do all we can to help you, help us in finding Nightmare Moon and stopping her from keeping our sisters and taking over Equestria.”

“I’m gonna hold you to that Twi, you and the rest of your friends.” Zephyr said somewhat jokingly. “Because I’m not going to treat any of you like damsels in distress. I’ll be expecting you all to hold your own, just like how I will. And I’m definitely gonna be expecting some sort of thank you from you guys when this is over.”

Rarity giggled, her voice dripping to a tender, yet sensual croon as she talked “Oh, I will certainly make sure that goes through darling~. You’re risking yourself just to be in this forest with us, even more so to rescue our sisters. That is not something that can be repaid with a simple kiss~.”

Applejack looked at Rarity again, this time with dry amusement. “Fer you, it never is.”

“Ooooh, and just how’re you going to repay him Rarity?” Rainbow asked slyly, nudging the alabaster unicorn in her side. “With some sort of fancy tuxedo? Or maybe with a nice good fuc-”

“Don’t,” Rarity sharp voice pierce through Rainbow’s question like needle through fabric. “Even. Finish. That. Sentence.”

“Yeah, that’s what I wanna know Rarity!” Pinkie said excitedly, pressing her muzzle directly against Rarity’s. “Are you gonna repay Zephyr the same way that Fluttershy said she was going to get comfortable with him? By bumping your cushy tushy pretties?”

Rarity’s face went beet read and she looked to be ready to rip Pinkie’s mane right out of her head. Any such attempt was stopped when she noticed shoot up to her hooves, her ears flickering about. Also taking notice of the actions in their friend, Twilight, and the others all went silent, watching as Fluttershy continued to look around the campsite.

“Girls, I don’t want to terrify you…” She began softly and slowly. “…but I don’t think we’re alone right now.”

“Not alone?” Pinkie Pie asked. “Is Goku back already?”

“No, she’s not.” Zephyr shook her head. “If she was, I would’ve been able to pick up her scent. Even more so if there was wind blowing in this direction, and pick up her magical presence, especially since her reserves are so large.” He looked back into the dark shadows of the trees around them. “I’m picking up a powerful source of magic somewhere in these woods, and whatever it is, it is not Goku.”

This made everypony else go on high alert and stand to attention. Each of them gained looks that varied between fear and worry.

“Oh dear…” Rarity said gravely. “…you don’t mean to say that dreaded bird is back, do you?”

“…No, I’m not sensing the Shinomōkin anywhere around her. If it was hear, we’d be hearing the flapping of its wings, which is a dead giveaway whenever its hunting.” Fluttershy replied. “I can sense another animal’s magical presence around here, and it is huge.”

“I can sense it too.” Zephyr said, his own ears pinning back. “Everypony be on your guard, if this animal is a powerful as Fluttershy says it is, the we need to be prepared for everything.”

“Don’t need t’ tell us twice hun.” Applejack said, pulling on her fire boots. “After all o’ that shit we got but through with that varmint bird, Ah ain’t lettin’ any other critter here git th’ jump on me again.”

“Shinomōkin.” Rarity hissed sharply, glaring over at the tangerine farmer.

The echoing snap of a tree branch stopped all conversing between the ponies as they looked around the campsite for the new creature. Rainbow Dash was hovering above the group, legs tensed, and fangs bared as her magenta eyes gleamed in the campfire. Pinkie Pie stood in the very middle, her fur, mane and tails shifting between pink and purple as she tried to keep her fear under control. Rarity and Twilight stood off to the left, their horns aglow with magic in preparation of firing, while Applejack and Fluttershy stood to the right, their forelegs planted wide and heads lowered. Zephyr stood at the front, his body alight with an orange aura which glowed as brightly as his eyes, his wings halfway spread, and teeth bared.

“Did anypony else hear that?” Applejack asked, breaking the silence. “Ah couldn’t have been the only one who heard that.”

“No, you definitely didn’t.” Rainbow replied, growling a little. “And I’d really wish that whatever this thing is would just hurry up and come out so I can whip its ass! If it doesn’t, then I’m going to make it come out and make it fight me!”

“Rainbow Dash, calm down!” Twilight hissed sharply. “We’re not supposed to be making any noise right now! We don’t know where this animal is coming from, and your shouting may lead it to where we are! So please, keep your voice down!”

“I have to agree with Twilight, Rainbow Dash.” Rarity nodded. “Your shouting and threatening of this beast are the last thing that we need! And we certainly don’t need you trying to provoke it into coming out, least it eats you first!”

Before Rainbow Dash could go in on Rarity, a snarl broke through the shadows that made both her and everypony else’s blood curdle. They once again froze in place and looked the area, all of them feeling more afraid than ever of the unknown creature. Just as quickly as the sound came, it had immediately gone away, leaving the effect of it savagery on the seven ponies.

“It’s here everypony.” Fluttershy hissed quietly, looking at each of her friends. “Don’t let down your guard for even a moment. If you do, one of you might get-”

Before she could, she and everypony else were deafened by an explosive roar that shook the clearing like an earthquake. Two golden and garnet eyes suddenly sliced through the darkness like knives through flesh before a large white blur burst out from the trees. They all screamed and scattered in multiple directions, but one of them wasn’t quick enough, this unlucky victim being Pinkie. Fortunately for her, she was saved by Zephyr, who shoved her out of the way just in the nick of time. He immediately found himself screaming as something sharp clamp down on him I between his muscular neck and left shoulder. Before Zephyr could even try to get free, he felt himself being dragged back into the forest by the creature.

“Zephyr!” Twilight yelled as she watched her friend get taken into the trees and bushes. “He’s gone!”

“Hold on, I’ll go get him!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she flew off into the forest.

“Rainbow Dash wait!” Rarity shouted, just before the cyan mare vanished. Once she was out of sight, Rarity let out a frustrated sigh. “Ugh, I swear, that mare-!”

“D-d-d-did you guys just see that?!” Pinkie Pie cried, her entire body a bright purple. “You guys just saw that too, right?!”

“Yes, and I know exactly what that was.” Fluttershy replied, her eyes narrowed. “What had just popped out was a Doragontora!”

Applejack turned to Fluttershy with a perplexed look. “A what now?”

All six mares’ heads suddenly turned to see Goku flying into the scene, a worried and extremely panicked look on her face. As she landed, the tan thestral looked around the campsite, not seeing Zephyr and Rainbow Dash with Twilight and the rest. The fear in her eyes was joined with worry when she took notice of the large animal tracks, and the destroyed campfire.

“Girls, what the hell going on?!” Goku asked, locking eyes with them. “Where’s Zephyr?! Why is he not with you?!”

“H-he was attacked darling!” Rarity replied, looking ready to have a meltdown. “W-we were just sitting here at the campfire when something just popped out of nowhere and attacked us! We don’t know what it was, but it got Zephyr and dragged him into the forest!”

“What?!” Goku yelled her eyes widening in terror. “Did it get Rainbow Dash too?!”

“N-no it didn’t.” Pinkie whimpered, tears welling up in her eyes. “A-after Zephyr saved me and got taken, Rainbow Dash went after the thing that took Zephyr. She was going to try and go save him and bring him back!”

“Wait, so you mean to tell me that you let Rainbow go in there alone?!” Goku asked, a snarl coming to her face as she bared her fangs. “And you didn’t even try to stop her either?! What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

“W-we’re sorry, we were just so taken aback that we couldn’t do anythin’!” Applejack said, shrinking away from the tan Thestrals glare. “We didn’t have enough time t’ keep her from goin’ after that varmint that got Zephyr! It all jus’ happened so fast!”

Goku was stopped from berating her friends again upon hearing a scream and noticed something burst out from the trees. Her eyes widened when she saw it was Rainbow Dash, and she watched as she sailed over them and slammed into a nearby tree, falling to the ground with sickening thud.

“Rainbow Dash!” The jet-black maned mare shouted as she and the others ran to the fallen mare. “Are you alright, what happened?!”

Rainbow Dash groaned, pushing herself off the ground with her front hooves as she leaned against Fluttershy for support. Inhaling a deep shaky breath, she coughed out a glob of blood that splattered onto the ground. Holding a hoof to her chest and stomach, she choked out, “T…t-that goddamn cat…got the drop on m-me. I-I almost had him until he h-hit me with his d-damn t-tail club!”

“Rainbow Dash what were you thinking?!” Fluttershy scolded. “I know you wanted to try and save Zephyr but rushing in like that wasn’t the way to go! Do you even know what the animal that you tried to fight was?!”

“N-no, I don’t.” Rainbow Dash snarked, glaring up at Fluttershy. “And I’m assuming that you know what it was?”

“Dashie, Fluttershy had told us of all kind of Everfree animals that she knew of back in Twilight’s library before we came here!” Pinkie Pie said before Fluttershy could reply. “Of course, she knows what it is! Why would she be asking you what you tried to fight if she didn’t?”

The sound of hard galloping caused all of the girls to turn around to the spot where most of them had seen Zephyr get taken. Shock and relief washed over their faces when they saw that it was Zephyr, who was sporting a look of panic. All the mares flinched when they saw a large bite mark on between his left shoulder and side of his neck. Along with claw marks on the left right side of his face, left leg, back, and chest.

“Zephyr!” Twilight cried, running towards the injured stallion. “You managed to escape?!”

“Yes, I did, but we’re in real deep shit right now.” Zephyr replied, unable to hide the undertone of panic in his otherwise levelled voice. “We need to get away from this campsite! It’s not safe here anymore!”

“What do you mean?” Rarity asked. “What was it that just attacked you?”

“There’s no time to explain! We have to leave now before it-” Zephyr was cut off when Goku suddenly lunged at him and tackled him to the ground. The movement came just before a large bolt of fire shot out from above the trees and struck the one behind the other girls. The girls cried as it the bark exploded in multiple directions, not enough to make the tree fall but certainly enough to leave a noticeable mark on it. They were all brought out of their stunned states by another snarl, and they turned to the source, only for all of them to flinch at what they saw next.

Slowly hovering down from the trees and bushes, smoke floating from out of its gaping jaws, was what had to be the biggest tiger that any of them had ever seen. Upon closer inspection, the eight ponies realized that the rhino sized beast wasn’t actually a tiger; at least not entirely. It certainly had the legs, tail, torso, and head of the striped feline. But it had the legs of the reptile, with the feet being a mixture of both beasts. Its fur was a deep brown, almost to the point where it was chocolate color, sporting jet black strips that seemed to melt into the shadows around it. The cat had a set of deep green spines that went from the top of its head, all the way down to where its hind legs were, its eyes a blazing yellow with slitted golden orange pupils. The feline had a vast wingspan that span over twenty-five feet, both the ends and thumbs, along with its paws, lined with long curved white claws, and five-inch-long sabers protruded from its mouth.

“Sweet Faust above!” Rarity cried. “What unnatural abomination is that?!”

Fluttershy, who was also staring in shock at the creature, whispered, “Doragontora…”

Twilight looked over at Fluttershy, having not entirely heard what she had said. “What did you say Fluttershy?”

“She said it’s a Doragontora.” Zephyr replied, standing in front of the girls. “From what I had read about on creatures of the Everfree, the Doragontora is the famed draconic tiger of it.”

“A what?!” Rainbow Dash yelled in shock. “You mean to tell me that things a cross between a tiger and a dragon?!”

“Yes Rainbow Dash, it is.” Goku replied. “The Doragontora is considered to be the largest living tiger ever to exist in the Everfree Forest, with the Manticore being a close second. It has the strength and power of a dragon combined with that of a tiger’s speed and agility, despite the cat’s own power as well, making it a deadly adversary. It has claws that are strong and sharp enough to cut through the toughest bark on trees, with jaw power that can crush a pony’s skull and even shatter it in one bite. It also has a large spiked tail club that’s made entirely out of bone, strong enough to permanently cripple, or even kill another animal. Its most dangerous weapon is the fire power that it has, and its able to fire it off like a missile, quicker than most other dragons, aside from the Night Fury.”

“Night Fury?” Pinkie Pie repeated quizzically. “What the heck is a Night Fury?”

“Ah’m sure Fluttershy will have plenty o’ time t’ explain it t’ ya later sugarcube.” Applejack said, before Fluttershy could reply. “Right now, we gotta skedaddle!”

Right as she said that, the Doragontora roared again and leaped at the ponies with speed that took them by surprise, Zephyr being its main target. He was ready for it though, and delivered a swift back hoof to the draconic feline’s face, sending it flying off to the other side. He ducked when its tail club came zooming towards him, and he ducked just as it smashed into the burnt tree behind him.

‘Damn that’s a powerful club it has there!’ He thought, watching in silent shock as the tail club smashed through even more of the tree. ‘Normally I wouldn’t worry about any creatures tail in a fight, but it looks like I’ll have to make an exception with this one.’

Zephyr turned back to the Doragontora just in time to see it flip around before landing back on its clawed feet, its eyes piercing right into his. It gave another roar before it flapped its wings and leapt at him again, its large clawed paws out ready to slice. When it was within reached, it swiped at Zephyr with those same paws at a speed that Zephyr couldn’t help but be impressed by. Even so, it was enough to catch him off guard and make himself a target. When he saw an opening, he rushed under the cat and delivered a punch right to its stomach, before kicking it away from him. It was able to quickly recover and flew at the stallion, lashing its tail out and striking him it his side, the spikes drive into his skin and fur. Zephyr grunted as the attack hit him, before he collided with a tree, the force of the impact nearly making him throw up as bark rained down on him.

“Damn, this reptilian cat is kicking my ass like it’s nothing…! ” Zephyr said to himself, looking up at the beast through his mess of a blue and yellow mane. "Guess I shouldn't be all that surprised since he is a beast of the Everfree Forest!" His eyes glowed as his wings spread out, almost acting like a shield for the girls. Soon after, crackling chirping was heard as lightning burst out f him, charring ground beneath his hooves at its master’s will. “Alright then, time for me to respond in kind!”

Author's Note

Aside from editing and shortening some sentences, and adding a bit of a dramatic effect like I should've done last time, I this chapter is staying the same. Oh, and a good portion of the ending of the last one has been taken out, it it will be added in the next chapter that shows the fight with the Doragontora. Oh along with a little sneak peak with the Shadowbolts, as I'm sure some of you will remember me doing from the last edition :raritywink: . I do believe that the editing in these chapters are getting better and better, especially with the little paragraphs and phrases I'm putting in. Now, for those of you who may get on me about emphasizing the words and sentences into black, please don't get on my case about that okay? I believe that it would help me add some extra impact on the drama that I want to present in this story, so please don't come to be complaining about that too much. Now sure if I'll get the next chapter out just a day after this one, but hey...we'll see, now won't we :ajsmug: ?

Next time: The girls try to keep themselves from being lunch for the striped assassin, while the Shadowbolts run into a...minor problem :rainbowderp: .

Chapter 24 - A Minor Scale

Zephyr was the one to make the first move.

With a powerful stomp, the royal blue stallion conjured his magical energy, the aura around his body glowing and swirling like a garnet tornado. He flew straight at the giant Doragontora and struck it right in its face, before delivering a reign of punches on the feline. With another kick, Zephyr sent the cat spiraling into the air, watching as it slammed into a tree, bark flying like confetti. Before it could even try to recover, Zephyr coated himself in blazing golden flames before attacking once more.

“Fire Pegasus: Flaming Vortex!” He shouted, blasting a large flickering stream of flames up at the Doragontora. It enveloped the cat in a sea of yellow, emitting a painfilled roar from it as it flew out of the flames and fired off its own attack. It fired off large, yet fast bolts of fire down at Zephyr, who flew about the campsite and managed dodge them even in his injured state. The last one hit just inches away from his face, before he once again leapt into the air and ascended towards the Doragontora.

The Doragontora wasn’t having any of this and flew down towards the Shenron, its draconic claws extended in preparation. When it was within range, it swung them at Zephyr, trying to go for the vital areas, like the neck and his barrel. Luckily for Zephyr, his armor managed to protect his barrel and most areas of his neck, keeping him from bleeding. Despite knowing this, Zephyr kept evading the swipes, knowing that just one hit would’ve torn his armor apart in places where his body needed most protection. The stallion’s own hooves turned into claws, to which he used to return the attacks towards the Doragontora. He managed to get a swipe to the cat’s face, before one of its wings slammed right into his chest, the wing claw piercing into the armor. Zephyr grunted but didn’t feel much damage given to him from the blow and felt safe. A hind hoof collided with the Doragontora’s side, allowing Zephyr to grab its wing and toss it even higher for an opening.

“Fire Pegasus: Fire Bullet!” Zephyr yelled, shooting both of his forehooves out and shooting multiple bolts of fire. The draconic feline soared around the campsite, evading the attack, before descending towards Zephyr, claws once at the ready. It delivered agile swipes at Zephyr, and he was able to avoid most of them, but one of them manage go get him in his barrel, causing him to falter. The Doragontora, seeing its chance, spun around and slammed its tail club into Zephyr, sending him flying away and crashing into another tree. Wasting no time, the cat moved in for the kill, but Zephyr recovered quicker than it thought.

“Fire Pegasus: Scorching Neigh!” He shouted, drawing in a breath and sending a large wave of flames at the Doragontora. It didn’t have enough time to evade the attack and found itself in a stream of orange. It didn’t need to though, for it used its draconic wings as a shield against the flames, before dispersing them, despite having scales. A look of horrified realization came to Zephyr’s face, and he had to keep himself from facehoofing.

‘Of course! If I had thought about it, I would’ve realized it sooner!’ He though, flying into the air to avoid the Doragontora nailing him to the tree. ‘I’m not just dealing with any big cat; I’m dealing with one that’s half dragon here! They are practically immune to fire unless its added to cause even more devastation! I need to start using my head and not just attacking with what I think it’s the most dangerous tactic to use!’

With that thought in mind, Zephyr roared and dived down towards the draconic cat, sinking is claws deep into its back. The cat roared out in agony as the claws dug into its furry scaled back and downward, leaving deep slashes. As the cat turned around to claw at Zephyr, he gave an axe kick to its face, causing it to spin. The giant, yet agile Doragontora quickly recovered and once again resorted to its spiked tail club. Learning from last time, Zephyr reeled back and grabbed it a second after it passed him. He then began to spin the cat around in the air, harder and harder, creating swirling wind in the process. With a final whinny, he let the cat fly into the bushes, before letting a blast of fire follow it, burning the leaves and branches.

“Alright, no we’re starting to get somewhere.” Zephyr said to himself as he ruffled his wings. “I guess the only way I can really match that cat’s strength is if I match it the same way.”

A wet cough drew Zephyr’s attention, causing him to look back to see the girls grouped among one another. Racing over, he saw Rainbow Dash being held from behind by a concerned looking Fluttershy, who’s face was contorted with fear. The rest of her friends’ expressions mirrored the other mares, and when Zephyr looked down, he found himself feeling his guts twisting inside of his stomach.

“R-Rainbow…” He forced the word out, like he was trying to speak with a mouthful of somepony’s hoof jammed into his mouth. “W-what did the Doragontora do to you?”

Rainbow coughed again, her blood adding to the smudge on the vicious slash running down from her chest to her stomach. “T-that damn furball nearly gutted me! His claws dug into me like I was nothing but cheese and left me with this!”

“Not to sound like an ass or anything, but what did you expect?!” Goku asked, resisting the urge to bonk the injured mare on her head. “We’re not just dealing with some ordinary tiger here Rainbow! We are dealing with one who is half dragon! Did you really think you charging head on was going to help! I seriously wish you would use your head in times like this!”

“Y-yeah, well I didn’t see any of you guys stopping me!” Rainbow snapped, immediately regretting it as a stab of pain washed over her. “Ow…sweet fuck this hurts!”

“Oh Dashie, you poor thing~…” Pinkie cooed worriedly, a shaky frown on her pink muzzle. “That slash looks really nasty! You have a lot of your frosting leaking out of you too, and not the good kind of frosting either! How are we gonna close a slice that big?!”

“Not to worry Pinkie Pie dear.” Rarity said, trying to keep herself from freaking out. “Fluttershy has her healing magic to help Dash, so she still has a chance.”

“You’re right, Fluttershy should be able to heal him with her magic.” Twilight looked up at the buttermilk mare expectantly. “Y-you can do that, right Fluttershy?”

“Of course I can, Twilight. It’s alright I have this under control.” Fluttershy nodded, gently setting Rainbow Dash down on the ground. “I’ll need to do it quickly and I’ll need the rest of you to give me some space. My magic won’t be able to work if I have you all crowded around me, so I’ll need you all to back away.”

“Don’t need t’ tell us twice sugarcube.” Applejack replied, grabbing Rarity by her tail and pulling her away. “Y’all her the girl, let’s give her a birth wide enough for her t’ work in.”

“Oh, Applejack, watch my tail!” Rarity snapped, pulling her tail away from the farmer. “You didn’t need to pull it you know! I was about to back away!”

“How long is it going to take for you to close the wound Fluttershy?” Zephyr asked, not noticing the ominous figure slowly creeping up on them from behind. “Not to sound like I’m rushing you or anything, we’re kind of pressed for time.”

“Well, judging by the size of this injury…” Fluttershy said as she examined Rainbow. “…it’d say it’ll take at least twenty minutes. Though, judging by how quick it’ll take for you to beat the Doragontora it may take less than that.”

“Wait, what?” Zephyr asked, Fluttershy’s words giving him a pause. “What does that mean?”

At that very second Twilight’s scream blasted through the clearing like magic hitting a target cutout. “Behind you!”

Zephyr was already turning around as the Doragontora’s roar burst into his ears, and he watched as the cat sailed through the air. As he prepared to land on Zephyr, Twilight’s horn fired off a blast of pink plasma, right into the cat’s face. Instinctively, the cat’s wings flared out, and they were used to pull the cat away from the unicorn as its face scrunched up. It snarled hideously at Twilight, fangs and eyes gleaming with murderous intent as it violently flapped its wings. It roared and flew at the mare, only for Zephyr to slam into it from the side as they tumbled across the ground.

“Like hell I’m gonna let you eat my friend!” He shouted as he pinned the cat down beneath him, grabbing at the claw shooting for his throat. “You’ll have to get passed this drake if you wanna do that!”

Another paw to the face was the response the Doragontora gave to Zephyr as its claws dug into his face. Red filled Zephyr’s vision as he was sent flying off of the cat and rolling across the ground of the clearing. Despite the agonizing pain his face was in, he managed to pull himself to his hooves and leap away, narrowly missing the Doragontora’s pounce. Flapping his wings, he flew into a tree, to which the Doragontora followed as the beast viciously swiped at the branches protecting the stallion.

Zephyr smirked at the feline. “You just made yourself a target here!”

With glowing orange eyes, the stallion blasted the Doragontora right into its face, making the cat lose its grip on the tree he was on. As it fell, Zephyr flew down and delivered a powerful buck to its unprotected stomach, which not covered in scales. With a graceful spin, he slammed one of his hindlegs into the side of the Doragontora’s face, knocking some of its teeth out and sending it off like a spiraling missile. It crashed into one of the smaller trees with so much force that it gave way, and it feel onto the feline with a sickening crunch.

“Oh crap…” Zephyr winced taking a step back. “I may have overdone it a bit.”

“A bit?!” Goku cried from behind him. “You made a giant tree fall on top of the poor thing. I’d say that’s a lot more than, a bit, wouldn’t you say?!”

“Don’t make me come over there and burn your ass Goku!” Zephyr shouted, jabbing a claw at the tan thestral. “’Cause you’re seriously making me consider it!”

“I think you’re the one who needs to worry ‘bout gettin’ burnt hon’.” Applejack said, patting at her fire boots. “’Cause it looks like our lil’ critter friend here is ‘bout t’ make a comeback in a sec.”

Zephyr flinched and had to hold back a filly-like cry when he heard the tree explode behind him, and he slowly turned around to see the Doragontora on its feet. Its garnet and yellow eyes poked through the smoke like nails through wood, stabbing into Zephyr’s orange orbs as its tail whipped back and forth behind it.

“Well…that was unexpected…although I probably should’ve expected it.” Zephyr sighed, giving a little headshake. “So. what’re you gonna do next? Try to burn me to a crisp like Applejack said?”

As if to answer no, the Doragontora slowly flared its giant wings as a chirping sound suddenly filled the air, putting Zephyr on edge. To his shock and horror, golden lighting burst out from the Doragontora as if it was struck by a bolt of thunder. He watched as bolts of lightning flew and struck around the clearing, creating damage not matching their size.

‘What the hell?! He’s able to use lightning too?!’ Zephyr thought as he backed away a few more steps. ‘I thought it was only able to use fire!’

Zephyr’s moment of shock allowed the Doragontora to attack, and it shot a blast of lightning at the stallion, connecting square in his chest. For a few moments, all Zephyr felt was agony, the lighting stabbing into his skin and muscle as if he was stabbed by a thousand needles. Then, a bright blue glow appeared from around his chest armor, before the lighting vanished, letting him crash to the ground.

“W-what the…what was that light…?” Zephyr’s self-questioning died out when he looked down at his armor. His eyes widened upon seeing the teal orb within the center glowing, before it went back down to its normal gleam. “Oh right…my armor. It was…”

“Watch out Zephyr!” Came Fluttershy’s urgent shout from behind the stallion. “Fire isn’t the only thing that the Doragontora can use at its disposal! It can also use other elements of nature like wind and lightning, especially since the last two are connected to the sky! If one of the elements its using doesn’t work on its adversary, then it can just resort to the other two, or maybe even us all three at once!”

“You tell me this now?! I didn’t hear you mentioning this before this big guy tried to eat us!” Zephyr shouted back, not looking at the mare as he stood back up. “Still, it’s not like I knew exactly what kind of abilities he had. I mean, it’s not like I really had much of a chance to see what every single animal here was capable of anyway.”

In truth, he didn’t get to see or feel much of most of what the Everfree animals had as a power, or what their strengths and weaknesses were. The only opportunities that he had for something like that was when Queen Celestia sent him on missions that involved him going in the forest. Other than the occasional missing pony case, he hardly had any missions like the one he was on now. It left the stallion with more and more questions about the forest each time he ventured out of it in one piece. Questions that had yet to be answered, both about the forest, its creatures, and the equines that seemed to manage making a living in it, let alone a village. He doubted that he’d have them all answered, if any would be answered at all. It was still an appealing thought, one that he knew would only grow every time he set foot in the land that he considered a haven for ponies like him.

Another bolt of lightning from the Doragontora struck the thoughts right out of Zephyr’s mind and he used one of his wings to deflect the attack. As he deflected more, he quickly realized how wise he was to do that, for the girls were just feet away from him when he crashed. Had he moved out of the way instead, he would’ve made them an open target for the Doragon to get electrocuted, or maybe even ambushed. While he knew the cat wouldn’t have been able to get them all, Zephyr also knew that the most vulnerable ones of the group would have been targeted first.

“Dammit, this isn’t getting me anywhere!” Zephyr shouted after delivering a buck to the cat’s chest, driving his claws across it. “He just keeps coming and coming! Like he’s an actual dragon instead of half of one! I’m getting really tired of this shit!” He sent another blast of fire at the Doragontora as it was sent spiraling into the trees. “Alright, time to take this up a notch! If it’s going to switch tactics, then I guess I’ll just half to do the same!”

Closing his eyes, swirls of fire surrounded Zephyr, only this time it was accompanied by even brighter orange lightning. They swirled and mixed into one another like fruit in a blender as their roars and chirps filled Zephyr’s sensitive ears. He opened his eyes again to see the Doragontora leaping at him, and one of his hooves shot out, unleashing a stream of lighting and fire. The stallion had to keep himself from smirking when the cat was sent shooting back, making bark explode from the tree it crashed into. It fell to the ground in a convulsing mess of a few moments, before it pulled itself to its feet, glaring at a now smirking Zephyr.

“I’m sorry, were you expecting me to keep to the same tactic when you changed yours?” Zephyr asked, setting his hoof down as he planted both forehooves wide. “Sorry, but I’m going to change it up here! I hope you’ve had your fun playing with my fire, because you’re about to feel the thunder!”

The chilly wind echoed about in Violet Fire’s ears as she and the rest of her team flew through the Everfree Forest, her wings giving no sound as she flapped them. Her inky black mane and tail flowed gracefully behind her. The violet tinge nestled in the middle giving off a beautiful glow in the light of the full moon. Her yellow goggles and roseray glinted in the light while her flight suit melted in the darkness of the giant trees that she and her team were flying through. Her sensitive ears took in the sounds of the animals roaming within the forest like a vacuum sucking up dust and dirt. The mare’s nose and magic taking in and taking in the different scents and wild untamed magic that the forest had within it. Behind her five teammates flew silently behind her, staying close to their captain as they ducked and swerved their way through the giant tree branches.

“How are you all holding up back there everypony?” Violet asked, swiveling her ears back to listen to her team. “Are all of you doing alright?”

“We’re doing just fine captain.” Storm Shadow said calmly, flying beside her sister. “We haven’t detected any strange activity around the forest yet, nor have we sensed the magic of the ponies that we’re supposed to be protecting.”

“Awww, that sucks! I was so wanting to fight some of these bad boys here in this forest!” Fast Tracks said dejectedly, sounding like a child upset over not getting something he wanted. “I wanted to be able to get some nice ass kicking in for when we pull that Nightmare out of Queen Luna!”

“Fast Tracks, we know how anxious you are to see our Lunar Queen again, but do you really think that’s a good idea?” Lighting Shadow asked somewhat dryly, rising a brow at the light brown stallion. “All of the animals here aren’t like the ones anywhere else here in Equestria. They’re on an entirely new level of capacity, and if we run into any of them, it may but us on a major delay.”

“Lightning Shadow is right, Fast Tracks.” Blue Skies said softly and somewhat bashfully. “W-we’ve already wasted enough time with me going to Wonderbolt HQ and sending a message to Spitfire about what was going on in P-Ponyville. I-if we end having to help you from getting eaten by any of the animals here, the ponies we’re searching for might have something terrible happen to them, a-and that’d be really bad.”

“It’d be a major hindrance on us and our travelers if we wasted time trying to satisfy your unquenchable thirst for battle.” Crimson Skies added, giving her second-in-command a knowing look. “It’d be an even bigger waste of time if you even think of trying to get under out tails at a time like this.”

“Hey! I do not try to get under your tails all the time and you know it Stormy!” Fast Tracks protested, frowning at the stormy grey mare. “Why the fuck do you all keep going on about that anyway?!”

“Because each and every time you do win a fight, you get very sexually stimulated and driven. It was just like how you were with me back at the guild.” Violet replied teasingly, winking at the stallion through her goggles. “Not that any of us mind but, it’d be a really bad time for all of us if that were to happen now, Fast.”

“Oh, come oooon girls!” Fast whined, pouting hard. “You all know what I can’t help myself when I become like that! That’s just how I am; why do you all hate me for that?! I’m a bucking thestral, and we’re all sexually active and driven practically all the time when we hit puberty! Especially after we’ve had a nice good fight that needs us releasing all of that pent-up shit, okay?!”

“Oh, you misunderstand us Fast Tracks. It’s not that we hate you for being so sexually driven like any other typical thestral. As a matter a fact, we think it’s kind of cute that you’re giving so much attention to the other mares and us.” Crimson said, smiling at the chocolate brown thestral. “It’s just, where we are now, and with what’s going on, I’m sure the last thing that we, or our new saviors need is to see you trying to fuck all of us into the ground, hmhmhm!”

“I-I…I…no, I’m not!” Fast said, stuttering a bit as his face heated up. “I’m not gonna try to screw you guys into the ground! We’re literally flying through a giant ass forest right now!”

“What Crimson means, is it’d be bad if you gave into your inner sexual urges and try to take one of us right here and now.” Violet explained patiently. “Not that I’m saying that you’d let that happen but…you can get what I’m saying, right?”

Fast rubbing the back of his head. “Yeah, I get what you’re telling me Captain V. Still, it feels like you guys are patronizing me for being so sexually attracted to you guys.”

“We’re sorry Fast Tracks, we didn’t mean anything cruel by what we were saying.” Blue said gently, flying over and rubbing Fast Track’s back. “All we’re saying that it may not be the best idea for you to break from the team and find any animals to fight.”

“True.” Storm nodded. “And, depending on the animal you’ll fight against, it will leave you so pent up and frustrated that just a single look towards us will lead to us being plowed until none of us can even fly.”

“Oh, for the love of fucking Faust, you guys are just…” Fast Tracks said, looking like he was going to snap at them. A second later, he deflated and just let out a sigh. “You are all real assholes, you know that?”

“Maybe we are, maybe we’re not, but that’s why you love us.” Lightning said sweetly. “Just like how we love you for being so fearless and energetic, you love us for being asses. As well as having cute puckered asses that you can drill until their nice and red~.”

Fast stared at Lightning for a moment or two, before he chucked, a fanged grin forming onto his face. “Alright, you got me there Lightning.”

Violet giggled at the antics of her teammates, unable to help but find it amusing how they were bickering with one another like siblings. It was always like this whenever she hung out with them and spent any time with them outside of training and missions. At least one of them would start something up that would go onto them playfully and mercilessly teasing one another, even if it didn’t sound like it. Of course, it would eventually switch with the others, and dissolve from an onslaught of raking and bullshitting. Which would then dissolve into them laughing about in the end and having a little meal. Either that, or it would escalate into full blown steamy beneficial rutting, with Fast Track being the main one to take the lead.

While it may not have been that way with other Ariel Flight Teams, it was now the Shadowbolts were. Especially since they were more laid back, and not like other military teams. Something that had only grown over the years since they were together and would undoubtedly grow even larger. As unusual as it was, Violet Fire had no regrets about joining the team or becoming a Shadowbolt, having enjoyed every second of it since the first day. And she knew she’d only enjoy it even more in the upcoming years, if they managed to survive could be their toughest mission yet.

The Shadowbolt Captain was so caught up in her thoughts, that she almost didn’t notice she was heading towards a tree branch. With a rather graceful amount of swiftness, she flew over the branch, before adjusting herself in the air.

“Oh my…a-are you alright there, Captain Violet Fire?” Blue asked, a bit taken aback by her Captain’s lack of focus. “You looked a bit zoned out there.”

“On, its nothing sweetie…just enjoying how much you’re all bickering.” The ebony black mare replied, smiling at the blush that appeared on Bright’s face. “It always makes me feel as if I’m at home back at HQ under Evergreen Galley. It’s helping me feel more at ease about this little mission that we’re on right now.”

“O-oh, it does? Well, I’m glad that we were able to lighten the stress of the situation off your shoulder’s Captain.” Blue said with a slight stutter. “It really makes me happy that you’re able to relax a bit in situations like this.”

“Hmhm, I’m glad to hear that honey. I never like it whenever any of you are under the weather for any reason.” Violet said gently. “It really does make me happy that you guys are able to keep yourselves from getting overly worried or stressed about any scenario like this.” Her smile then fell, replaced with an expression of motherly concern. “Be that as it may…I wanna know…are you okay?”

Blue Skies jumped as if somepony had unexpectedly poked her in her side. “Um…what do you mean Captain Violet?”

“I think you know just as well as I do Blue.” Violet replied matter of factly. “You’re worried about Sheton, aren’t you?”

The flinch the palomino mare gave was all that the ebony black mare needed for her suspicions to be confirmed. The rest of the latter’s teammates, all having her what their Captain had said, turned to look at Blue Skies, the chatter cutting short as they focused on her. The young Shadowbolt mare looked from her Captain, to Fast Tracks, Storm and Lightning Shadow, and back to Violet, who was looking silently back up at her. For a second, she considered just playing off her concerns as nothing, but the look in her Captain’s eyes told her that wouldn’t work, especially on her of all ponies. Blue struggled internally with herself for some time, before finally letting out a dejected and defeated sigh.

“No Captain Violet Fire…I’m not okay.” She finally said, her solemn tone pulling the rest of the team’s attention firmly to her like magnet on a fridge. “I am far from okay right now. I feel like I just wanna break down and cry my damn heart out!”

The rest of the team flinched at the intensity behind her saddened and grief-stricken tone but said nothing at first. They all had a sneaking suspicion as to what was bothering Blue, which would be the same thing that was bothering all of them.

“Do we even wanna know?” Storm asked knowingly.

“No…because I all know what we’re all thinking about.” Blue replied, hugging herself and shivering despite the warmth provided by her suit. She took in a shaky breath as she struggled to keep her emotions under control, before she uttered a single word. “Sheton.”

That word; that one single word was spoken in such a quiet tone that it almost sounded mute, like the wings of a hummingbird. Yet the silence in the forest allowed the rest of the them to hear it as if Blue had spoken in it in a normal volume. It went on for nearly a hole minute, the whole team’s expressions matching Blue’s own, even though none of them could see each other. It was Crimson who eventually broke the silence, speaking in a tone that held every bit of sadness as her face.

“Heh…nothing really gets past your eyes huh Bluey? Just like how nothing gets past your ears, just like with Fast Tracks.” She asked, trying to smile and not succeeding much. “I’m probably going to sound stupid for asking this, but…what gave it away?”

“Just the way that you were all acting. Trying to hide your worry behind our usual antics so it wouldn’t cloud your judgements.” Blue replied, looking at each of her team, Violet Fire last. “Of course, I was participating in that too. So, I guess I really don’t have room to talk.”

“No, it’s fine Blue Skies.” Lightning said gently, wanting to ease any guilt one of the youngest of the team had. “You don’t have anything to be sorry for. If anything, we should be sorry for looking like we didn’t care about the safety of one of our favorite little colts.” Her eyes peered at the forest floor below her as she muttered, “Or one of our best friends…”

“None of you have anything to be sorry for either Lightning Shadow.” Blue countered leaping off a massive branch. “We’re all wracked with anxiety and stress about this whole thing, so we needed to do something to help us ease it. Otherwise it would’ve kept biting at our minds like a jaguar biting into a turtle’s shell and drive us insane.”

Fast snorted dryly. “I’d rather have a jaguar clamping down onto my head instead of having to constantly wonder if my little buddy is okay. I mean really. Who would’ve expected that the not-so-legendary Dark Queen would return? On today of all days? When the Summer Sun Celebration and Lunar Moon Celebration are supposed to happen a few hours apart from each other. I certainly wasn’t expecting it to happen. Were any of you?”

“No, we weren’t. None of us were.” Violet Fire admitted without out any trace hesitance. “Most of all, I wasn’t expecting to see the moon to turn from white to a gleaming blood red. Pretty much like the Blood Moon Night, when all the “mythological” creatures of the night come alive ready to cover the land in blood and horror.

The ebony black mare didn’t look behind her to see the flinches each of her team and friends gave, yet she didn’t need to. She could feel the flinches come from each of them one by one when she said those three dread-filling words. Each were fully aware of what the Blood Moon Night was, at least one of them having read up about sometime before or after they joined the team. It was the night where all the creatures and ponies of the darkness were said to come out to terrorize on any villages, towns and cities of where they were. Where the ponies resigning in them fell victim to these creatures if they strayed too far into the darkness. Said to be the darkest time in Equestria’s history, one that would match any that happened far in the past…and maybe even more in the future.

It was also the night that occurred before and after Nightmare Moon Nocturnis came to life, having finally managed to get Luna to let it in. Where she assembled all of these dark creatures and equines to fight against her sister and the followers of the sun. That night marked the downright bloodiest war that Equestria had ever seen since the royal sister’s coronation. One that left a scar on the earth so deep and black that no amount of erosion, soil, sunlight or even the force of Mother Natura herself could erase. Violet could still remember the stories Queen Celestia told her about her fellow Shadowbolts being slaughters by the creatures of darkness. A few of them were said to have been used as sacrifices and cursed to turn against Celestia, with the only possible method of saving them being death. Violet hoped that their suffering wasn’t as agonizing as she believed it to be, thought deep down she knew that was a very low possibility, especially if it was done by Nightmare Moon of all ponies. She never thought that night would come again, most of all on the night when the moon and its raiser was supposed to be praised and worshipped. Looking back on that, Violet felt that was wishful thinking, especially since she knew that Nightmare Moon would not be gone forever.

‘I guess a part of me wanted Nightmare Moon to come back. If only to come back and see if there was some way to get her free.’ Violet admitted mentally. ‘It looks like my hopes have finally been answered…though probably not in the way that I wanted to. And certainly not in a way that would have one of my best friends venturing into the most dangerous wilderness imaginable.’

“Yes, we still remember you telling us that.” Storm sighed, rubbing the back of her head. “I’ll be honest, I didn’t really believe you at first. I mean…the Thousand-Year-Old Blood Moon Night happening again tonight of all nights. It was just unfathomable.” She shivered as her mane billowed around her face. “But when you showed me the color of red that had blanketed the moon…I…I just…”

“I know how you feel, trust me Stormy.” Fast shivered as much as Blue did as he fought not to hug himself. “I don’t know what came over me when I saw the moon being red for the first time in my life. It was…it was like something inside of me was burning and churning, fighting to get out like I had locked it away for a long ass time.” He inhaled deeply, like he was wanting to get a lungful of air after being underwater for too long. “I guess it must have something to do with me being half bat.”

“I hear you there fast.” Crimson nodded. “It was like I was staring into the eyes of horror itself when I first saw the blood moon. I can still remember the terror and fear that I felt when I looked up at it.” She looked over at her captain. “I also remember the look Captain Violet had on her face and she came back and told us what she had seen.”

The ebony black mare smiled bashfully. “I’m…sorry you had to see me like that. I didn’t realize that I had that look on my face when I arrived back to the guild. I apologize if I made you guys think that I had seen a ghost.”

“It’s alright Captain, really.” Crimson said gently. “The one that I’m really worried about is Sheton, and what he’s probably seeing right now. Oh, that poor little baby…who knows what Nightmare Moon could be doing to him right now. I bet she’s holding him in some little cell somewhere in the abandoned castle, alone and colt. I just wanna take him in my embrace right now!”

“We all do Crimson sweetie; your thoughts are our thoughts exactly.” Violet said, her gentle tone gaining a firm edge to it. “Don’t worry, I promise you and the rest of the team, that we will help Goku get her little brother back! If they don’t get to him first, then we certainly will! Nopony hurts my little Tony and gets away with it, nopony! Not even our beloved fallen Lunar Queen!”

“Took the words right out of my mouth Captain.” Fast said, a snarl forming on his face like he was in a stare down with a Timberwolf. “I swear, if Nightmare Moon runs either one of her fangs through any part of Sheton’s little frame, I’m going to take those fucking fangs myself, and shove them up her-!”

Fast suddenly found the back of his suit being grabbed, before he felt himself being pulled back, like some invisible force grabbed him from the air. He soon found out that the perpetrator was his captain, who’s hoof came to cover his muzzle before he could speak. All around him, he saw that Blue, Crimson, Lighting and Storm had frozen as well like time had suddenly made them go still.

“Don’t. Move. A. Muscle.” Violet whispered in a stern, almost robotic like tone, straight into Fast’s right ear. “Just stay right where you are and don’t move a single inch.”

“Why?” Fast said as lowly as he could. “What’s going on? Did we get spotted by something?”

“More like we we’re the ones who spotted something.” Blue replied, her voice falling on the edge of nervousness. Like she was about to perform in front of a crowd with stage fright threatening to overtake her. “And that something is big.”

Looking in front of where Blue was pointing, Fast nearly yelled out a swear that would’ve surely woken up every single beast within their radius. Right in front of them, was a cave, a cave that was big enough to house a dragon the same size. Around it and within its deep dark and damp interior, were the bones of animals looking like they were more than perfectly adapted for life in the Everfree. The claw and teeth marks sliced and crunched into them matched the ones on the sides, top and even the outsides of the cave. Said claw marks themselves looked to be more than several feet into the caves geological wall, letting them know they belonged to a massive predator. The very same bear-like predator that was currently sleeping just outside the cave’s mouth, large gusts of breath flying from its nose.

“Holy shit…” Fast hissed, clamping his hoof over his muzzle a second later. “It’s an ursa…a fucking ursa!”

“Not just any ursa Fast.” Crimson added gravely. “It’s an ursa minor…not totally an ursa major, but an ursa minor nonetheless.”

“Who cares what kind of ursa it is!” Fast cried under his breath, shooting a comical glare at the palomino mare. “It doesn’t matter of its minor or major! It’s still a damn Ursa either way! And what do you mean that it’s not totally an ursa major?!”

“Look closely at it Fast.” Storm instructed patiently, lifting her goggles up so her blue eyes could stare at the ursa before them. She took in the sight of its glittering star covered blue fur, taking notice of the darker patches around its paws, back and forelegs. “Take a good look at its fur…its blue, its darkening to purple. While this ursa may not be a major one, it slowly going into the process of becoming one.”

“You’re right Storm.” Lighting said, coming up next to her sister. “This little one is definitely on the verge of becoming an adult ursa. If he already has this much patches of purple on him then that tells me that he left his mother not too long ago.”

Violet took a step closer, being sure not to wake the ursa minor up from its nap as she took a sniff of the air. “I think you’ve got it backwards lightning. I think it was the mother that left this youngster by himself. Remember, ursa behavior doesn’t quite work the same as regular bears or even the Battookumas. It’s the parents that leave their babies in the dens they were born in once they become independent enough to leave. I can still smell the mother’s scent here, so I know it wasn’t too long before she had said her final goodbyes.”

“Oh…right…” Lighting blushed and looked away like she had said something embarrassing. “I see it now, my mistake.”

“That’s all well and good and all guys, but…” Fast said urgently. “How are we supposed to get past him? if I recall correctly, ursas like to make their homes in extremely dense wooden areas where they can hear anything approaching them before they actually see it! That way, they can prepare for any attack from any kind of creature that comes so they won’t be taken by surprise!”

“I hate to say it, but Fast Tracks is right.” Crimson said, biting her lip as she looked around the bunched-up trees around them. “These trees are too closed together for us to be able to silently fly through without snapping them. Plus, this cave is big and high enough to blog any opening we can try to search for at the top.”

“So that means…” Blue said as she stared at her sister. “…we have to go back the way we came.”

“Is that the really option that we have?” Fast Tracks asked doubtfully. “We can just go through the trees and be as quiet as possibly, so we don’t wake this big guy up. And once we find an opening in the trees as can fly out of there. It’s not like any of the animals in the Everfree can here when we can fly, no matter how close we are.”

As hard as it was for others to believe, it was as true as somepony saying they had seen the Queen raise the sun and the moon. The Shadowbolts shared many similar traits with other ariel flight teams, going from teamwork, intense training in the clouds and being their own military base. It didn’t quite include the other quirks that the other Shadowbolts had, being beneficial friends being the on the list however common it was. The main quirk also didn’t include was the special abilities that they had, one of them being able to fly as silently as barn owl going after a mouse. This was one of the many special effects that the Shadowbolts had that made them stand out from most other military bases involving flight. Ones that made them very desirable to those tha wanted to be like them, other than their laid-back easy-going personalities.

“You make a good point Fast, but that doesn’t make this situation any easier.” Violet replied, frowning at her vice-captain. “These trees are just too botched together and if any one of them to snap, the ursa will wake up. I’m sorry, but we’re going to have to go with what Blue suggested and take another path down from the western side of the Aqua King Sea Beach.”

Fast sighed as he yanked his goggles from his eyes, scratching at his face. “Dammit…”

“However…” Violet continued. “…we could scout for Goku down below from the trees, as long as they’re not too crowded. We may even make it into Evergreen Valley before Goku and her team gets there themselves, so we can give them some extra assistance.”

“Hopefully they’ll be there before us.” Lightning moaned, putting a hoof to her forehead. “I’d hate to have to be there after they get to Everfree Valley and see Master Gaia. That means their still out there in the forest in danger somewhere.”

“I really don’t think it matters whether they get to Master Gaia before or after us.” Storm concluded, shaking her head. “The bottom line is, they’re going to be in constant danger all the way, and the sooner we get to Goku’s team, the sooner they can protected. And we won’t be able to do that here, so we should stop wasting time and get going.”

“Y-you’re right Storm.” Blue nodded, swallowing as she breathed deeply. “Let’s hurry and leave the ursa to sleep before it notices us. If it wakes up, it’ll be a major delay on our schedule and our mission.”

“That would totally be bad, no matter how much of a good fight this big guy may give us.” Fast nodded, putting his goggles back on. “Still, I doubt that any snapping of branches is going wake him up. It would have to take something like a giant wave rushing through this forest to do it. Or at the very least a clap of thunder.”

As if on cue, the four pegasi and one thestral felt the wind suddenly picking up speed, prompting them to look behind them. A massive wave of purplish blackness was what greeted their goggle covered eyes for a split second before it washed over them. Immediately all of them found themselves unable to move as the dark wave chilled them to their very bones. Pure terror overtook them as the wave continued on, as if they were seeing the one thing they did not want to see after seeing it the first time. Their instincts screamed at them to run, to hide, to confine themselves somewhere and away from whatever could be pursuing them like a wolf chasing a reindeer calf. Years of training and resilience as Shadowbolts was the only thing that kept them from running and hiding like coward. Though they’d be lying to themselves if they didn’t think about curling up into balls and crying like babies that were just born.

It was a relief beyond belief when the pressure of the darkness vanished, allowing the team to breathe again, sweet air soaring into their lungs. Some of them had to remove their goggles to wipe away the tears that poked through their eyes. Violet was the only one able to keep herself together, though even she looked like she was going to pass out.

“What…the hell…was that?!” Fast asked, managing to regain his bearings. “Did you guys feel that?!”

“We all did.” Lightning replied somewhat conspiratorially. “We felt it like a wave crashing onto us in the Aqua King Sea…and it was absolutely unfathomable.”

“I think that’s too soft of a word.” Storm said, patting her sister’s back. “But the fact that I can’t even find the words to describe it should tell just how…horrible it was.”

“I-it was…” Crimson panted. “I feel like I’m gonna puke right now. Somepony get me a paper bag!”

Blue suddenly heard a noise behind her, a noise that was every bit as a lumbering growl as it was made to be. She didn’t even need to turn around to know what was happening, but that knowledge didn’t stop her from doing that. Blue felt her bladder nearly lose control when she saw the fiery yellow eyes glaring down at her. It’s mouth of stallion-sized curved serrated teeth dripped with saliva like water from a faucet while its manchette shaped claws dug into the ground like shovels through soil. The white stars on its darkening pale purple coat shined as brightly as its lemon-yellow eyes. The very same eyes with the vertically slitted pupils that sliced into Blue’s eyes like it was trying to gouge them out of her sockets.

“Uh…g-guys…” Blue said, not even bothering to fight the term in her voice. “…I think we’d better start running.”

The rest of the team immediately turned around to see Blue’s fear-filled face, before they looked up to see the now awake ursa minor. The poor young adult mare’s expression matched their own as the ursa slowly stalked out of its cave. Its massive paws slammed into the earth like boulders from a mountain, leaving massive prints within the ground as it drew closer to the ponies. For some time, they just stood there, not taking their eyes off of one another as they waited for one side to make a move before the other. The Shadowbolts know what this was though. It more than a simple stare down. It was a test; a test that to prove which one was stronger and who was weaker. A test to who was the predator and who was the prey and who was the stronger one and who was the weaker individual. This was what the Shadowbolts knew very well, something that Violet made sure to voice out despite herself.

“Don’t look away everypony.” She said, her ears picking up Blue squeaking when she spoke. “The ursa is testing us! He wants to try to make us look away so he can see which one of us is stronger and who’s weaker! We’ve already got ourselves looked into a stare down! So if we look away first, he will see us as prey, and he will come after us! So, whatever you do, stand your ground!”

The ursa minor let out another growl as it took another step closer to the Shadowbolts baring its teeth even more as it towered over them. It could feel the fear coming from them despite their best attempts to keep it hidden, most of it coming from Blue. Even so, it could see they were staying strong, refusing it give it an inch in this intense stare between carnivore and herbivore, regardless of size. It let out a breath of ethereal mist as it lowered its head towards them, making sure they could see all of its teeth. None of them so much as even flinched, with Fast even baring his own fangs at the ursa, letting it know he was not afraid.

After what seemed like a whole hour of looking into each other’s eyes and testing one another’s strength, the ursa’s expression calmed. It gave the Shadowbolts a final look of irritation before it began to turn away, grunting as it did so. Violet and her team watched it go, surprised by the change in its behavior, but not really letting their guards down, waring of what may happen. Blue, who was shaking like a leaf when she first saw the ursa a wake up, paused when she saw it walking away from them. This put in her mind that the ursa minor changed its mind about trying to eat them, being too tired to do so. Against her better judgment, she breathed out an audible sigh of relief, her rump falling to the ground as if her fear had sapped her hindlegs of any strength.

It was the worst thing that she could’ve done.

The ursa, who’s backside was fully turned to them as it walked towards its cave, stopped when it saw Blue fall out of the corner of its eye. Faster than even Violet could’ve seen, the giant star-coated bear whirled around with a tree-shaking roar. Its massive right paw sailed through the air and came to crash down on where the Shadowbolts were standing. Lightning Shadow and Storm Shadow flew just out of range while Fast Tracks, Violet and Crimson darted to either side. Blue, however, wasn’t quick enough, and by the time she managed to get herself together again, she was squashed like a grape.

“BLUE SKIES!” Crimson screamed upon seeing her twin sister get flattened.

“NO!” Violet yelled with her as she scrambled to her hooves, watching as the ursa took its feet up off of Blue’s spot. Throwing caution to the wind, she flew over to her fallen teammate and took her in her hooves, Crimson meeting her just a second later. “Blue Skies?! Blue Skies can you hear me! Dammit, please Blue Skies, say something…anything!”

“Sis, open your eyes…!” Crimson pleaded, near the verge of tears as she held her unconscious sister’s face in her hooves. “Please open your eyes…” She pressed her forehead against her’s as she cried, “Please wake up…please Blue Skies, wake up!”

The ursa minor’s roaring snapped the mares out of their panic-filled states, and they looked up to see the beast’s other paw in the air. It flew down to flattened them both, but a stream of violet lightning got in its way. It struck the paw of the beast, causing it to pull back its paw in pain, allowing a wave of blackness to hit it in its chest. As it fell to the ground, Lighting, Storm and Fast flew down beside them, with the last one flinching at the sight of Blue.

“Holy fuck!” He cried as he took in her bloodied form. “Look at her! He squashed her like she was a fucking grape! Is she even alive?!”

Lighting rushed over to the motionless Blue, putting an ear to her chest as she searched for her heartbeat. She nearly cried when she felt the faint traces of a heat resonating in her ear like the music of an orchestra. “Oh, thank Faust…she’s still alive. I can feel her heartbeat…it’s faint, but it’s still there.”

“R-really?” Hope filled Crimson’s face, heart and tone. “She’s alive?”

“Yes, but not for long if we stay here?” Storm replied, her calm voice doing nothing to hide the fear in her tone. “This ursa is clearly not like the other youngsters we faced. Its clearly smarter than the others we faced.” She looked over at her Captain, who was hoisting a motionless Blue on her back. “We need to get out of here Captain, now.”

Violet stared at the dark grey mare for a moment, before looking at the ursa minor, who was now standing upright on its hindlegs. Throwing its head back, it let out a roar that would’ve made waves rise if they were near the Aqua King Sea. Violet watched with terror as ethereal flames erupted from its mouth, shooting up into the trees and setting the highest branches on fire. As the over-sized branches fell all around them and the ursa minor, and slowly at ate the ground, Violet steeled herself, knowing what she had to do.

“You’re right Storm, this is too much for us to handle right now, especially since Blue is out of commission.” She said urgently as she looked behind her at the path they had taken. “We need to get to Evergreen Valley now and get Master Gaia, before Blue loses anymore blood. For the time being, let’s just do what we can to keep her away from the ursa and find a way to lose track of it, does everypony understand?”

“Yes Captain!” Came the firm replied the other Shadowbolts, even Crimson, despite the agonizing pain laced in her voice.

“Alright then…” Violet nodded, turning around and spreading her wings. “Let’s move!”

Author's Note

First off, let me just say that I was planning to get this chapter out a bit sooner than anticipated, but this little ending here, along with searching for new jobs and posting other chapters in different stories sort of hindered that :applejackconfused: . Also, I was going through my most recently added version of this new version of my first story and seeing what chapters to add and which ones to put back in. I basically wanted to have a full folder of how many chapters there would be before we leave this story to rest at last, because I did not want to just keep it going on without seemingly no end in sight. As stated in the first authors note, I will not say how many chapters there will be, even though I have already calculated it, but, like I said, it will have an end. It may not be very soon, but it will have an end, and, if I'm lucky, it will end quicker than I originally planned it to be now, but we'll just have to see how this goes :twilightsmile: . Because things will certainly be much more different here, and more exciting :rainbowdetermined2: !!!

Next time: One of the girls show their worthiness of their future element, while the Shadowbolts try to escape from the "minor" problem they've stumbled upon :twilightoops: .

Chapter 25 - Flames of Integrity

The sound of thundering paw steps could be heard resounding around the Everfree Forest as the Shadowbolts flew from the ursa minor. The giant bear’s roar tore through the trees and sliced through the air like bombs reining from the sky. Auras that matched the colors of their eyes surrounded the team as they flew as fast as their bodies would physically allow. Their magical cloaks lit the shadows like stars shooting through the cosmos as they speed ahead of the ursa minor. As they flew their ears picked up the beast getting closer, albeit, slowly, but it was that very slowness that put them on edge.

Violet Fire’s goggles flashed brightly as she flew through the flames, holding the motionless body of Blue Skies tightly to her. The sobs and cries of Crimson Skies filled her ears like knives stabbing into her ear as the mare flew beside her. Pain was obvious in her face, along with the tears flowing form her eyes. Tears that the ebony mare desperately wanted to wipe away but knowing there was no time to do so. They had more pressing matters, like getting away from the largest bear that may have ever lived. The very same bear that was now just feet away from the ariel team, looking ready to take one of them in its jaws.

“Oh no you don’t, you overgrown teddy!” True to his name, the light brown stallion came down on the bear fast. He clashed the edges of his wings with the ursa minor’s claws, drawing sparks out of both appendages as they valiantly fought. They eventually separated, ursa minor struck again, shooting off a bolt of fire at the Shadowbolt. “Lightning Thestral: Thunderous Wing Attack!”

Coating his clawed bat wings in bright violet lightning and shooting them out in front of him. The two bolts of violet lightning flew right int the ursa’s open mouth, exploding seconds later. A roar of agony left the ursa’s mouth was pain burst all along the inside of his mouth. It faltered a bit in in its running but managed to shake off the pain to continue. With an ominous growl, it bounded into the air with its claws outstretched.

“Shadow Pegasus: Black Neigh!” A wave of black essence out of nowhere, shooting it from above the ponies and the ursa minor. The star-covered was caught off guard by the attack, but not enough to where it was left unable to defend itself from it. At the last second, the raptor was able to deflect the attack, using its right paw to backpaw it away.

‘Damn, I was hoping that I’d be able to get him thanks to him being in midair.’ Storm Shadow thought to herself, pursing her lips. ‘I guess I didn’t strike fast enough, which may explain why he was able to see my strike coming and deflect it so quickly.’

A loud roar suddenly came from the ursa minor and its mouth opened again, allowing another stream of ethereal fire to burst form its mouth. The dark grey pegasus tried flying away from the bear, but it was quickly gaining on her. Just as Storm was about to get fried in midair, her sister came to the rescue.

“Shadow Pegasus: Dark Hoof!” Lightning shouted, shooting off a blast of blackness form one of her hooves at the ethereal fire. The ursa minor’s fire clashed with Storm’s wave of darkness, but due to the speed the wind attack was coming at, the power struggle was brief. An explosion of wind shot throughout the trees as the ursa minor got blown back. It was sent crashing to the ground and into a tree as it skidded across the earth. Thanks to the force in which the ursa crashed, the tree it slammed into almost immediately gave way and slowly began to fall. The ursa minor wasn’t able to get itself out of the way in time and it found itself crushed under the wooden appendage.

“Are you alright Storm Shadow?” Lighting asked, looking over at her teammate and friend. “Did the ursa minor get you?”

“Thankfully no! I was about to try and blow it back, but thankfully you had stepped in and stopped him.” Storm Shadow replied, smiling slightly at the light grayish white mare. “Thank you for that by the way Lightning Shadow. I wasn’t quite expecting your interreference like that, but I commend you for coming to my aid regardless.”

“O-oh, well…it wasn’t anything really.” Crimson replied, blushing deeply. “I-I just saw you in trouble and about to get, um…eaten. So, I just came in and saved you from becoming the ursa minor’s food.”

Lightning was about say something when there was a huge explosion of wood, following by a powerful roar and the slashing of claws. All five Shadowbolts looked down to see the ursa minor rising from the ground like a phoenix from the ashes, fire bursting from his mouth it burned in the air. It glared up at the flyers, its teeth glinting as its face contorted into a hideous mask before it charged at the pegasi.

“Maybe we can save the praise for Lightning for later! This bear isn’t done with us yet!” Fast said as lightning continued to surround her. “We gotta take him out quick so we can get to the ponies that Queen Celestia sent us to protect!”

“Shouldn’t I be the one saying that Fast?!” Violet Fire asked. “Then again, I agree with you there about getting this ursa to lose track of us.” She glanced at the motionless Blue, who was still riding on her back. “For more than one reason...”

“So, do we!” Fast Track grinned. “Come on girls, let’s waste this overgrown chicken!”

“Don’t need to tell us twice Fast.” Storm murmured as she and the others turned to face their giant adversary.

Zephyr whinnied loudly as she shot down a giant swirling ball of fire and lightning down at the Doragontora. The cat promptly snarled as it countered it with its own stream of fiery lighting, seeming to be far more intense. The two attacks exploded in midair, creating a huge smoke cloud in midair that concealed the rest of the mares’ presence, and hiding them from view. The Doragontora snarled and looked all around the smoke, trying to sniff out the stallion, the smoke making its eyes sting and water. The flapping of wings coming from behind it alerted the draconic feline for the incoming attack. It spun around just in time to see a lightning cloaked Goku flying towards it.

“Lightning Fire Pegasus: Thundering Hoof of Fire!” Zephyr shouted, shooting a hoof out towards the Doragontora’s face. The Doragontora flared one of its wings out just in time to block the attack, but this did not prevent it from being electrocuted by Zephyr’s lightning and fire. As it roared loudly, Zephyr did a front flip, sticking his right leg out as it too was coated in orange lightning and fire.

“Lightning Fire Pegasus: Electric Flaming Axe!” She shouted, swinging his right hind hoof out right towards the side of the Doragontora’s head. The attack hit home and slammed the giant hybrid cat’s head into the ground, making a crater twice the size of its head. Spreading his giant wings, Zephyr took to the air and grabbed the cat’s tail. Making sure not to grab onto its spiked club, he swung it around the air, even harder than last time.

Just as he began to throw the beast, he felt herself being pulled back and slammed into the ground. The groan that Zephyr let out from the impact immediately turned into a scream of agony as the Doragontora slammed its tail club on the royal blue stallion with the full force of its tail. It sunk its sharp spikes into his chest and barrel, driving him deep into the ground beneath them. A considerable mouthful of blood burst from Zephyr’s mouth as the draconic cat pulled its tail club around the same time the cat pulled its head out of the ground. It snapped its head around to glare at Zephyr, who was trying to sit up, only to stop cold when she locked eyes with the Doragontora. Snarling, it raised its head to crush him again, only to be halted when another voice made itself known.

“Solid Form Magic: Slicing Wave of Wind!” Twilight shouted, shooting off a blast of wind at the draconic cat, who used its wings to block the attack. It ended up getting slammed into a tree to the point where it almost fell right on top of it. It shook the debree of before taking to the air, glaring down at Twilight with hungered anger in its eyes. It flew at her and was about to try to fry her where she stood, when it heard an angry raspy voice from above it.

“Belle Machine Gun: Gattling Gun!” Raity shouted; her eyes gleaming as she blasted a flock of magical bolts out. The Doragontora’s eyes widened at the incoming attack, and it leaped out of the way just as the attack hit the spot where it was standing. Large chunks of earth tore from the ground flew about the air; Zephyr included who screamed out as was blasted repeatedly.

“Zephyr!” Rarity cried, the magic in her horn dimming as she looked in horror at what she had done. “Are you alright darling?!”

Zephyr looked up at with one eye poking through her mane. “Alright?! I nearly got crushed by that cat’s tail club and feel like I have a bunch of bullets in me! Does it look like I’m alright, Rarity?!”

“R-right I’m sorry dear; that was a rather poor question.” Rarity stammered weakly, faltering under the royal guard’s withering glare. She felt herself shrink even further when she saw the glares the rest of her friends were sending her. “I-I…wasn’t exaclty thinking at the moment.”

“No, you were not.” Goku snarled, looking like she wanted to stab her fangs into Rarity’s neck. “I cannot believe you just pulled that stunt! Couldn’t you have stopped until after you had gotten the Doragontora off of Zephyr?! Now he has even more injuries! Injuries that you just caused that will hinder his progress in his fight!”

“I’m sorry! I didn’t see really see Zephyr there!” Rarity said protested, backing away from the advancing thestral. “That giant cat is so big that I couldn’t see much of Zephyr while it was on top of him! I-I just couldn’t let that beast devour our knight in shining armor!”

“Okay, first of all, that was a horrible pun fucking involving Twi’s big bro.” Rainbow Dash deadpanned. “Secondly, if you couldn’t see Zephyr that well, then you seriously need to get your eyes checked if you couldn’t see through something as big as him!” She bared her own fangs shouted heatedly. “Aren’t you supposed to be the one here with the sharpest sense of sight?!”

“I don’t have super sensitive sight hearing or smell like Goku does!” Rarity shouted indignantly. “You can’t expect me to be able to be able to see everything at! Even I have my limits when it comes to certain things!”

“Not from where Ah’m standing!” Applejack snorted. “If you were able t’ unleash an attack like that, then you should’ve been able t’ stop when saw got that critter off o’ Zephyr instead o’ continuin’ on!”

“Look, I was in the spur of the moment, alright?! I didn’t have time to look anywhere else but at that thing!” Rarity growled in irritation. “If I had known that Zephyr wasn’t going to get out of the way quick there I would’ve stopped before I did any added damage to him!”

“Girls, that’s enough!” Fluttershy’s voice cut through the arguing like an axe slamming into the bark of a tree. “This isn’t the time to be fighting like lions over the carcass of a wildebeest! Can you not see that Zephyr is about to get eaten by the Doragontora?!”

“I’m with Fluttershy!” Twilight nodded, stomping a hoof. “This is no time for us to be arguing! We need to get this cat away from us and Zephyr before we all get eaten! If we don’t, we’ll be nothing but sitting ducks!”

“Sitting ducks?” Pinkie Pie repeated with a blink. “Uuuuh, Twilight, do you realize that we’re not actually ducks, right? And I don’t think ducks don’t really sit all of much.”

“It’s a metaphorical way of explaining our situation right now Pinkie Pie.” Applejack explained as patiently as she could. “Twi’s got a point though. Zephyr’s already usin’ quite a lotta o’ his magic, an’ thanks t’ Rarity’s little stunt, it doesn’t look like he’s gonna last much longer. Somepony’s gotta go in there an’ help him ‘r else his goose will be cooked.”

A certain undertone inside of the farmer’s words made Goku and other mare look over at her, the former taking notice of her new body language. Applejack’s brows were furrowed, her emerald eyes were narrowed, gleaming from the light of the battle in front of her. Goku also took notice that she was digging her booted hooves into the ground, the flames on them giving a faint glow that could’ve only been produced by magic.

“Applejack…” Fluttershy murmured. “Don’t tell me that you’re not going to…”

“W-what?” Rainbow propped herself up from within Fluttershy’s healing cocoon. “What’re you planning AJ?”

No words came from the aforementioned earth pony mare, her only action being to let her hat shadow her eyes, as if she was going to cry. She stayed in that position for just a moment, before her tail flicked and her head lifted. The girls were given just enough time to see the emerald shade of her irises glow, before she snorted and leapt away from the group. At the same time, the flames on her hooves glowed even brighter, looking like they were going to become actual flames.

“Applejack!” Each of the girls shouted, Goku and Fluttershy being the loudest.

Against all the pain he was in, Zephyr’s ears heard the frantic cries being emitted from Twilight and the girls. He looked up and went wide in the eyes upon seeing Applejack soaring towards him, legs alit with flames as if they were set on fire. He watched as he sailed over her, crashing into an incoming Doragontora and sending a vortex of fire right into it. Applejack skidded across the ground as the cat plummeted into it, growling in agony as its face burned with pain.

“A-Applejack…” Zephyr stuttered. “W-what’re you doing?”

“What does it look like Ah’m doing sugarcube?” Applejack asked simply. “Ah’m helping you; it’s as simple as that.”

Zephyr’s hear leapt in his throat like he it had bounced of a trampoline. “W-what?”

“Eeyup, ya heard what Ah said hon’. Ah know that you’re our guard an’ all, me an’ th’ girls were by no means ordered t’ not help the one tryin’ t’ protect us.” Applejack added, turning around and winking at the royal blue stallion. “And while you have done a fine job of that so far, you’ve done enough protecting and saving for the moment. So, let one o’ us do th’ protectin’ an’ th’ fighting this time. You can jus’ sit back while Fluttershy helps you get patched up again…and when you’re ready, you can come an’ join in.” She glanced over her shoulder and shot him a stern glare before he could say a word. “But only after you’ve gotten all better...”

“N-no, you can’t…!” Zephyr protested, wheezing as he coughed up a bit of blood. He started to stand towards the ground, only to fall back down like a foal first trying to walk. “Y-you can’t fight that Doragontora on your own! W-we’re not even halfway to the abandoned castle yet!”

“And that’s a reason not t’ defend ourselves ‘r you against any critter that’s trying t’ make a meal outta us?” Applejack asked, the tone in her voice making it seem like she knew the answer. “Sorry Zephie, but that ain’t gonna fly. Ah’m not just going to sit by and let ourselves get killed, and any animal here that does will have to take us down first. Plus, our Adrenaline an’ Ascension Modes aren’t th’ only things that we have stored up. Did you forget that we’re all from the Secret Clans of Equestria other than you?”

Zephyr paused at this, allowing the words to sink in as he took in the determined look on the farmer’s face. He could tell just by looking into her eyes that they weren’t going to budge from this no matter what he said. It was the typical behavior of a farmer, not backing out of any type of challenge no matter how absurd it was. Although he hadn’t really met much farmers in his life, he knew from what his mother told him they were like the ones outside of the Everfree. Strong, powerful, stubborn and relentless, not willing to stop doing something until they saw some form of accomplishment. Although it was those very same qualities that could work against them if they weren’t careful and get them into a heap of trouble.

Form what Zephyr was seeing from Applejack now, he saw that very same weakness was about to come to light, but he could not find himself to stop her. As much as he wanted to, as much as he believed that he needed to keep her from doing something reckless, Zephyr couldn’t muster up the strength to stop her. The farmer had something inside of her, a gleam of in her eyes that told him this was something she could do. Something that she did not need his help him, no matter how much he wanted to say otherwise. That no matter what he said or did, that she wasn’t backing down until she made sure they all got away from this cat alive.

As he laid back against the tree, he couldn’t help but ask, “How…do you know that you’re going to be okay? How do you all know that you won’t end up like I did just now?”

“Well, fer one, if Ah didn’t think Ah was gonna win, Ah wouldn’t be doin’ this right now.” Applejack replied calmly. “Two, Ah’m pretty powerful in our own right along with th’ rest o’ th’ girls. So, it’s gonna be a pretty tough for this lizard cat t’ bring me down. Three…” She looked back at Zephyr, giving him one of the most reassuring smiles he had seen on anypony. “…it’s the honest truth.”

No other words were said between the farmer and the fallen guard after that, and the former turned to face the Doragontora, who was looking to be waiting for them to make a move. A long stretched of silence washed over the clearing for what seemed like hours, before Applejack whinnied and charge. Somehow, the Doragontora got the message as well, and in almost complete unison, they charged each other. The giant draconic cat roared and flew at Applejack, its own body glowing with power as they clashed in a vortex of roaring flames and lightning.

“Shadow Pegasus: Dark Explosion!” Lightning Shadow shot off a large bolt of darkness at the ursa minor as it swiped at her. It exploded upon impact, sending the beast flying through the air, as it tried to leap at her. Before it could however, it found itself being body slammed into by Violet Fire, the mare colliding into its stomach.

“You should really learn to pay attention to your own surroundings sweetie! I’m sure your mother taught you that before you left her!” She shouted as fire danced around her suited form. “My dear lighting isn’t the only pony here that you need to watch out for!”

Pulling herself away from the giant bear, Violet shot her hooves out and shot blast after blast of purple flames at the ursa minor. To her surprise, it managed to evade the flaming attack, batting at one of the fireballs. It looked down at Violet for a moment, before shooting off a bigger bolt of fire at her, striking her right in her chest. Thanks to the cloak of fire around her, the fire didn’t really hurt Violet, but it did manage to singe her suit and make her goggles emit some heat. The ebony mare flinched at the heat in her suit and goggles but managed to stay focused enough to dodge another fire breath attack. Flames and branches caught on fire as the Pegasus tried to get away from a flock of ethereal firebolts. As the flaming wooden appendages fell all around them, Violet’s second-in-command came to her rescue.

“Lightning Thestral: Thunder Drill!” Fast Tracks shouted, descending down form the air and spinning while being coated by purple lightning. He struck the ursa minor right on top of its head, sending electricity coursing through its veins as it faltered mid-strike. This left an opening for Lightning and Storm, who use those few moments to create a unified attack.

“Shadow Pegasus: Dark Whinny!” They yelled, streams of blackness exploding from their mouths and soaring towards the ursa minor. It roared as its vision was enveloped in magical darkness like curtain falling over a stage, thus leaving it unable to see one of the other Shadowbolts moving in.

“You still up for more, big guy? Well, why don’t you have some of this?!” Fast said as he drew in a breath. “Well, why don’t you have some of this shit?! Lightning Thestral: Electric Neigh!”

A powerful blast of whirling Lightning struck out of the light brown stallion’s mouth and at the ursa minor, striking it right in its stomach. It sent the ursa minor into a roaring mess as it staggered back on its hindlegs, trying not to fall over. It shook off the attack and made to go after Fast but found itself face to face with captain herself.

“Fire Pegasus: Scorching Blast!” She cried, sending large waves of black and purple flames that sent the ursa minor falling to the ground. Smoke burst out from under it like a geyser emitting steam as the ground cracked and gave way underneath it. Lighting, Storm and Fast hovered around the beast, watching as it writhed and snarled as it attempted to recover from its wound.

“Good work here team! We’ve managed to keep him down for the time being!” Violet said as her flame cloak continued to dance about her. “Make sure it stays where it us! I’m going to go check up on Blue Skies and Crimson Skies!”

Lighting, Storm and Fast all nodded in unison, replying simultaneously, “Yes, ma’am!”

In a graceful arc, Violet flew down towards the earth and to one of the tree lines, where her two youngest teammates, Blue Skies and Crimson Skies were hiding in. Once she got within reach, her fire cloak vanished, and she plopped down just a foot away from the sisters. Crimson, who was cradling Blue’s head, looked up upon seeing her Captain in front of them.

“How is she Crimson?” Violet asked as he examined the other mare. “Any signs?”

“Nothing…she hasn’t even given a flicker of her eyes.” Crimson said gravely. “She’s just been sitting here, not moving an inch. I-it’s like she’s…s-she’s actually dead!”

“I’m not surprised. She was crushed by an ursa of all animals.” Violet muttered. “It doesn’t take much strength from them to reduce any adversary to a pile of mush of they could. As hard as it is to say, Blue Skies became one of those victims…and right now, she is a fucking wreck.”

That was probably the best word to describe the condition Blue was in, yet at the same time, it may not be the strongest. Her suit was torn and ripped in, including where her head was, showing the parts of her fur that was covered in blood, dirt, cuts and bruises. Her mane and tail were disheveled in a way that made it seem like she had constantly tossed and turned in her bed form a nightmare. Blue’s whole body was covered in blotches of blood, some of its still dripping from her body and painting the ground a reddish color. Her wings were in the worst condition, twisted and messed in a way that made it look like she had not preened them for weeks. In all honesty she really did look dead, and it was only thanks to the faint moving of her chest that the other mares knew she was still alive.

“S-she’s…she’s not going to die r-right?” Crimson asked hopefully, looking like she was going to start crying again. “B-Blue is going to l-live, r-r-right?”

Violet nodded. “She will sweetie, we’ll make sure of it. We’re not going to let her die here, we’re going to get her to Evergreen Valley so Master Gaia and heal her, and she will be back to her sweet timid self again.” She reached over and gripped Crimson by the shoulders. “Do you hear me? Blue Skies is going to live, and nothing is going to keep that from happening.”

Crimson sniffled, rubbing at her face as she forced herself to calm down. “I know Captain I-I know…I’m just…s-scared that s-she might get killed out here.”

“We are too, all of us are, but that won’t happen. We’re going to get out of here, survive this mission and soon enough we’ll be back partying laughing and fucking each other like it had never happened to them.” Violet found herself turning her head behind her upon hearing the ursa minor begin to move. “Starting with getting ourselves away from him.”

“W-what…are you gonna do?” Crimson asked, taking her sister back in her embrace.

“Something that I am very sure we’ll make that ursa change his mind about trying to eat us.” Violet replied, facing Crimson once again. “First though…Crimson, honey, do you mind doing me a little favor?”

Crimson looked over at her Captain, blushed a bit. “Y-yes, what is it?”

“You have efficient control over your affinity to wind, right?” Violet asked, earning a nod from the younger Pegasus. “I need you to send out your strongest blast of wind at the ursa minor for me. I’m going to ride it home so I can deliver my final strike to our feathery opponent.”

“Wait, what?” Crimson asked, looking as if her Captain had explain an extremely complicated plan. “How’re you going to do that?”

“You’ll see sweetheart.” Violet winked slyly. “Go on honey, just do it. Trust me, it’ll only take a second; I’ll be fine. Now come with me~.”

Even though it didn’t sound like a direct order, Crimson followed Violet, nonetheless, casting one last look at her sister. She followed Violet up to where the rest of her team was, still standing guard over the ursa minor, was on its hindlegs once more.

“Alright team, I’m back.” Violet said, hovering next to Fast. “Has the ursa attacked any of you while I was gone?”

“No, our last attacks seemed to have worsened it more than we thought.” Storm replied. “It hasn’t tried to attack once since it last went down.”

“But it definitely looks like it’s going to now.” Fast added, his muscles clenched. “If the pissed off look he’s giving us is any indication.”

“Well, he won’t be angry at us for long.” Violet declared firmly. “Everypony stand back. I’m going to finish this with one strike. Whatever you do, don’t let the ursa minor come after me until I come back.”

Lighting looked at her Captain curiously. “What move are you planning?”

Violet winked at her. “You’ll see~.” She said, looking over at Crimson. “Crimson wait for my signal~.”

“Wait, hold o-” Fast stopped mid-sentence when he saw his main captain fly away from them, turning into a stream of black and purple. He blinked as he watched her go, before his attention turned to Crimson. “Um, Crimson Skies, what is Captain V planning on doing?”

“I’m not exaclty sure.” Came Crimson’s shrugging reply. “What she did tell me was that she wanted me to send a blast of wind at her when she said so. Saying that it was going to help her in saving us from the ursa minor.”

Lighting gained a bemused look. “How is that going to help her?”

“…It looks like we’re going to find out!” Fast cried out without warning. “Look!”

Lightning, Storm, and Crimson glance behind them to see Violet soaring back towards them, her whole body covered in a cloak of fire. This time, it was accompanied by bolts of bright yellow lightning mixing in with the flickering flames of the ebony mare. Her goggles were the only thing that could be seen through the fire, making her look like a ball of fire with yellow eyeballs. The heat produced by the cloak sent the closest trees on fire, even more branches giving way and snapping from their own.

“Oh, that’s what she’s planning!” Lightning cried as it clicked in her mind. “She’s planning to make a final attack with a combination of two attacks while using Crimson’s air affinity to make the attack quicker and more devastating!”

Crimson gasped as well. “Wait, really?! That was her plan?!”

“It looks like it.” Storm replied, looking like she was fighting back a smile. “Why else would she have you do what she wants you to do right now?”

‘She’s right…fire, lighting, and wind are all powerful affinities by themselves alone, but combined together, they can leave damage that most ponies and animals can’t get up from.’ Crimson thought as she mulled over it. ‘Plus, with the added heat, electrical pulses and slices given by the wind, it is not something one can recover form easily.’ She smiled at her incoming Captain. ‘Clever girl…’

“Alright Blue Skies!” Violet shouted from within her cloak. “Fire away!”

Blue Skies didn’t hesitate, inhaling as much air as she could before unleashing it. “Sky Pegasus: Neigh!”

Violet Fire smirked as the fire cloak around her grew in strength, the bolts of lightning chirping louder. With a powerful flap of her wings, she took off into the drill of wind, not noticing the jaw dropped look the ursa sent at her. Thanks to the speed that the wind was going, Violet’s own speed was triple to what it was mere seconds ago. With added speed and power, she flew even faster towards the ursa minor, the speed giving it no time to stop her incoming attack.

“Fire Lightning Pegasus: Electric Inferno Phoenix Sword!” She shouted as she slammed herself into the ursa minor right in the stomach for the third time that night. It was her strongest collision yet, and the combined speed and magic overpowered the ursa minor and send it flying. Flaring her wings out, Violet gave them another strong flap and pulled herself out of th cloak of fire, lightning and wind, letting it send the ursa minor away.

The ebony mare watched as it soared across the air its roars echoing all about as it vanished into the darkness of its cave. Moments later, a loud crashing sound was heard, a gust of smoke and dust exploding from out of the cave, before all grew silent.

“Well, that should be the end of that.” Violet said to herself. “I hope I didn’t hurt the poor baby too bad. He’s probably going to have quite the burnt hide that’ll take a while to heal. At least he’s still alive.”

“That. Was. Awesome!” Fast Tracks exclaimed, his slitted eyes turning into stars. “Seriously Captain V, that was so awesome! You just send that giant teddy bear flying into space!”

“I wouldn’t necessary say flying into space, more like into his cave.” Violet shrugged, before booping Fast Tracks on the nose. “Although, he does look like he was made from the stars and space of the galaxy, so I guess it sort of counts.”

Storm and Lightning sweat dropped in unison. ‘How in the hell does that count?!’

“That was incredible Captain Violet!” Crimson said, smiling brightly at the ebony mare. “I have no idea that you could just ride one of the elements of nature like that! How were you even able to do that?!”

“She’s always been able to do that.” Lightning Shadow giggled. “Captain Violet Fire has always had the tendency to use the attacks that that we use to help amplify her own whenever she’s planning to use dish out a devastating blow. None of us have really tried to do it, but Captain Violet loves to use that tactic from time to time. Probably because it gives her a real thrill in the heat of the moment.”

“You can most certainly bet that it does.” Violet giggled, patting the light grey mare on her head, as if she was a filly instead of a mare. “Speaking of which, I have to give you my thanks for helping me in winning against out adversary Blue. Though I have to say, that blast of wind was a lot more powerful than I thought that it was going to be.”

“W-well, you did tell me to give me my most powerful neigh of wind, so…” Blue Skies said timidly, poking her forehooves together. “…I did just that.”

“That you did honey, well done.” Violet said softly, kissing the youngest mare on her forehead. “Now, I think we’ve taken care of business here. Let’s get a move on so we can get to our seven brave adventurers. I’m betting that they’re tearing their manes out waiting for us.”

“I’m all up for that Captain…” Fast Tracks said, holding a hoof up. “…but don’t you think we should get Blue Skies out of here first? All of these trees are on fire, and it wouldn’t be a good idea to leave her out where she could get burned alive, or crushed, or both.”

“Oh fuck, Blue Skies!” Violet cried, horror and realization coming to her face. Resisting the urge to go into another flurry of cursing, she flew down to where the mare was. “She's still resting by the tree! Come on Crimson Skies!”

“R-right!” The palomino mare zoomed off after her captain, the team following close behind as they landed in front of Blue. They found themselves cringing once more when they saw her the state she was in, even though they saw it before.

“My Faust, she looks horrible.” Lighting all but whispered. “I wasn’t able to get a good look at her before, but now…”

“I know…that ursa was powerful. A lot powerful than even we probably anticipated.” Storm nodded, doing her best to keep herself composed. “I was not prepared for this.”

“None of us were…and I wish that this didn’t happen to Blue at all.” Violet said softly, her head lowered. She looked up at Crimson, who was stroking her sister’s unkempt mane. “Crimson Skies, I...”

“It’s not your fault Captain.” The palomino mare cut her off, her voice soft. “It’s not your fault, I swear to you it’s not. Nopony knew that this was going to happen, not you, n-not me…o-or anypony else.” She bit her lip as she held her sister’s head close to her chest. “Still, i-it doesn’t make it hurt any less…t-that she was put like this.”

“No, it doesn’t…we’re all hurt right now Crimson. all of us wish this didn’t happen to dear little Blue.” Storm said, her voice low and gentle. “All we can do is take precautions and ensure that it doesn’t happen again. Maybe even have Blue more prepared for any surprise attacks.” Her blue eyes shot over to the cave. “Especially from giant tree sized bears…”

“That does sound like a good plan.” Lightning nodded. “But we can do that after we’ve gotten Blue some medical attention. Let’s go with Violet fire’s first plan and take the fastest route to Evergreen Valley so Master Gaia can heal her.”

“Don’t need to tell us.” Fast Tracks said, shaking his head. “Let’s just get going already. If I have to look at Blue like this one more time I’ gonna kick down on of those trees.”

“Of course.” Violet nodded, glancing over at Crimson. “Blue, would you do the honors of carrying your sister? I’m…feeling a little tuckered out at the moment.”

“Huh? O-oh, okay!” Crimson nodded, taking a second to compose herself. Sucking in a breath, she gingerly hoisted Blue on her back, as if she was a baby that was just born. Once she was secure, she nodded to her Captain, who nodded to her and the rest of the team. Spreading her wings, Violet took off, leading the others out of the trees, leaving them to be burned by the ethereal flames.

Bright orange and yellow flames danced around Applejack in a protective cloak as she slammed into the Doragontora’s stomach, spreading her flames all around it. The feline roared out loudly in angered pain as he swiped at the orange mare, striking her right in her side. She winced at the pain in her shoulder and lower side, but the flames of her boots quickly dispelled the pain allowing her to focus on the draconic feline in front of her. The farmer gave the beast a hard uppercut to the jaw, making the Doragontora’s head snap up as it reeled away from her. At that moment, Applejack felt something hit and stab her in the stomach, this being the Doragontora’s tail club as it sent her flying and crashing across the ground.

“Applejack!” Twilight shouted as she watched the farmer tumble towards them. “Are you alright?!”

“Don’t ya worry ‘bout me sugarfoot! I’ll end this in a jiffy, Ah promise!” Applejack replied as she quickly got to her hooves. “Jus’ stay back with th’ others while Fluttershy heals ya an’ all come join ya, ya hear?!”

The furious roar of the Doragontora kept the girls silent as it flew at the tangerine earth pony. Applejack snorted and ran at the beast, her boot flames leaving burnt grass behind her as she evaded the lightning blasts of the giant Doragontora. At the last second, she whirled around and bucked the feline straight in its face. It caused its head to snap the other way, while the rest of its body still moved forward. Unfortunately for Applejack, due to the speed that the Doragontora was going at, the rest of its body fell right on top of the farmer, all but crushing her under its massive weight.

“Dammit, now that was a bad move!” Applejack cursed, mentally kicking herself. “Get th’ hay off o’ me ya damn lizard winged furball!”

With a loud yell, Applejack summoned a powerful pillar of flames from under her, sending the giant cat into the air and away from her. Just when the Doragontora was about to collided with a tree, it shook itself out of its shocked and pain filled state. The cat flipped itself around in the air and landed on the tree in such a graceful manner that even Rarity couldn’t hold back her impression by it. It snarled down at Applejack, baring its saber like face at her as it dug it claws into the iron hard bark it was holding onto, while the mare smirked back at him.

“Ah gotta say, fer such a large critter, yer pretty agile on yer feet.” Applejack complimented, flicking her tail back and forth. “Still though, ya think ya can handle this buckin’ bronco b’fore she finally sends ya flyin’ t’ th’ other side o’ th’ forest?”

The Doragontora growled menacingly and roared at Applejack as it slammed its tail club into the tree it was on. It them propelled itself off and descending straight towards the farmer, bright orange lightning and fire coating its body as its tail lashed out behind it.

“Ah’ll take that as a yes!” Applejack shouted, leaping up at the draconic feline.

“Good Faust…Applejack’s not holding back against that cat, is she?” Zephyr asked himself as he watched the fight from inside Fluttershy’s protective healing cocoon. “I know she’s only using the magic in her boots, but still…it looks like she is.”

“That’s because she really isn’t holding back Zephyr.” Rainbow Dash replied, chuckling over at the royal blue stallion. “She’s giving that giant dragon winged bastard a real good ass whooping and showing him what happens when you try to mess with us ponies! That’s wha the hell she’s doing!”

“Rainbow Dash, how many times do I have to tell you not to call him that?” Fluttershy asked, glaring sternly at the cyan mare. “I understand that you want Applejack to win, but that doesn’t mean you have the animals of this forest by such cruel names!”

“Why not?” Rainbow Dash frowned. “That thing tried to attack us when we weren’t expecting it! If you ask me, he deserves to get his fur burnt for trying to eat Zephyr. Especially since he’s Twi’s foalhood friend!”

“Oh what, so you’re going to get angry at the Doragontora for doing what he was created to do?” Zephyr with a deadpan expression. “Look, as much as I understand your anger for what almost happened to me, you can’t really get upset at him for doing what many other carnivores would do in his position. I can’t blame him for that, and I won’t. We just happened to camp at the wrong place at the wrong time. The Doragontora saw an opportunity for a meal and, well…he took it.”

“That he did dear.” Rarity nodded, casting a quick glance at Fluttershy. “And now he’s paying the price for it. Though, I would like to think that he’ll be more careful about the, erm…meals that he chooses, least what’s happening to him now, happens again.”

“After what we did to him, I don’t doubt it.” Pinkie Pie said, giving a little giggle. “Still though, I gotta give that kitty props for holding out for this long! If he’s this strong then I can’t wait to see how powerful all of the other Everfree animals are here!”

“Well Pinkie, something tells me we’re gonna find that out pretty soon.” Goku said, frowning slightly. “And we’re not going to like it.”

Fluttershy smiled sympathetically at the tan thestral. “No sweetie, you’re really not. We’re only just scratching the surface about the power the animals in this forest have. We still have a long way to go before we’re past all of them, trust me...it’s not going to be pretty.”

Goku groaned, letting her face hit the soft grass beneath her. “Great, I am so excited to find out.” She said, her tone flatter than a wooden floorboard.

“Anyway…” Fluttershy sighed turning her attention to her two patients. “…How’re you doing inside of there Zephyr? Is my healing magic doing its work in, um…making you all feel better?”

“I’m starting to feel much better, thanks to you.” Zephyr replied, sighing blissfully. “I can already feel all of these cursed injuries of mine fading away as if they weren’t even here to at all.” He ran a hoof down his disheveled mane and tail. “And I can see that’s not the only thing that you’re healing magic is good at doing.”

“Yeah, you got that right” Rainbow sighed, rolling across the ground like a warthog rolling in mud. “I feel sooooo comfy right now. I could really get used to this…”

“If I were you, I’d rather not.” Twilight advised, gently nudging the pink pony. “Remember what Fluttershy said; this healing magic of her’s drains a considerable amount of her magic. So, from here on out, I think we should take precaution get as little injury as possible so Fluttershy will be able to replenish her magic through whatever means necessary.”

“Awwww, do we have to?” Rainbow whined.

“Yes Rainbow, we do.” Goku nodded, her tone gentle, yet firm. “We can’t always keep relying on Fluttershy’s healing magic. If we do, she won’t be able to heal us when it’s really needed for the rest of our journey. Plus, we have our own inner healing magic to help us too, especially since all eight of us come from families sworn to protect Equestria. So, you’re just going to have to mare up and accept it honey.”

“Alright, if you say so.” Rainbow sighed. “Still, you can’t deny how cozy this shit feels. It feels like I’m in my nice cozy cloud, or even in my cloud bed back at home.”

“As glad as we are that you’re feeling so comfortable Rainbow…” Zephyr murmured, gently tapping at the cyan mare’s shoulder. “…you may have to get ready for it to end, because Applejack’s fight is about to as well.”

At these words, the six mares followed where Zephyr was looking, and saw Applejack crouched down, flames swirling around her in preparation for an attack. Above her, the Doragontora was hovering in the air, lightning and fire coating its body as it too prepared to deliver the decisive blow to the farmer down below. The equine and feline glared at one another as they waited for each other to make a move so they could get the drop on the other.

“Ah think we’ve had our fun with each other, wouldn’t ya agree?” Applejack said, her eyes glowing brightly. “Whaddya say we wrap this up partner?”

The Doragontora roared back at her in response and took down towards her as its lightning power covered it in a chirping cloak. Applejack didn’t move, but the flames around her fore stronger as she shot her forelegs straight outward. With a loud battle neigh, a spiraling drill of flames even bigger than the first one right at the cat, who fired of a breath of lightning fused fire. They both clashed in another power struggle that sent thick clouds of dust throughout the camp and beyond. Goku used her wings to shield the others from the dust, not wanting them to get swept away in it. Despite this, that didn’t stop her concern for Applejack, and for just a split second, she wondered if Applejack was really going to be okay.

‘No, don’t you dare start thinking like that now!’ The raven-maned fanged mare thought to herself. ‘Applejack said that she’d be okay against the Doragontora, and that she’d beat it! She looked Zephyr right in his eyes and said she’d do it! You can have Fluttershy help her with her own injuries after the fight is over! Just trust her for now and don’t interfere!’

For the next half minute, Applejack went on in her fiery power struggle with the Doragontora as they fought for dominance over the final strikes. The former gritted her teeth, her hind hooves digging into the ground as she struggled to keep her footing. The latter continued to hover in the air above her, continuing to fire off its seemingly never-ending stream of lighting flames, its eyes flashing. For a moment, it looked like the Doragontora was gaining the upper hand in the fight, especially with the lightning fused with the flames it was breathing.

“AH AIN’T LOSIN’ THIS FIGHT!” She roared, her eyes blazing as she turned the tables on the fight. "NOW GIT OUTTA HERE!"

At the last second, as an emerald green aura burst out from under her and went up along with the fire. It fused with the farmer’s own drill of flames and joined them in the power struggle, taking the Doragontora off guard. This gave Applejack the chance to give one final push in her attack, and it completely overwhelmed the draconic cat, enveloping it in the mare’s fire. It roared out in agony as it electrocuted and burnt on all parts of its body, while at the same time send it flying out of the clearing. Applejack continued on with her attack, only stopping when she was sure it was well away from the campsite. Finally, she let herself fall back to her usual stance, the flames around vanishing, leaving smoke and charred grass around her.

Author's Note

As with the one with the draconic tiger, this chapter was mainly editing and forming new paragraphs and phrases, along with adding some sections of the last versions of this new chapter and make it into how it is now :applejackunsure: . Not really much to say for chapters like this other than saying that I had formed it up a bit more thoroughly. I made sure to lot leave any type and misused sentences and this, though I did have to emphasize and change certain words inside of the chapters again... :ajbemused: . I had thought that my selecting all of this chapter on my Word Doc would help me not to deal with that, but I guess it was a glitch or something :facehoof: . Anyway, I got that over and done with, and ready to read, and I hope you've all enjoyed it as much as I enjoy editing it :ajsmug: . Even if I did not have much fun with that at all :twilightblush: .

Next time: Nightmare Moon sends Ponyville a bloody and furry Nightmarish gift :pinkiecrazy: .

Chapter 26 - A Folkloric Departure

Unlike many foals his age, Sheton Crimson Flash Nightstalker Shenron was given the luck of being raised in the protective confinements of a royal castle. He was given even greater luck of being able to socialize and bond with the ones that ran and took care of the castle while he was growing up. It may have been seen as unusual for anypony to be allowed to live with their king or their queen, let alone a bat pony, but that was just how Celestia Daybringer was. It wasn’t every day that the Queen gave somepony to privilege to live with her, despite having a many other ponies living with her already. Though those just consisted of royal guards, politicians, chefs, teachers, doctors and mages, the ones that any ruler would need for a castle. What was unusual about it was that the ponies Celestia did allow to live with her were not of any of the ponies that were required of somepony of her status. Those ponies being ones such as him, even if they didn’t have fangs, bat wings and supernatural powers that would make them seem like creatures of folklore. For ones with families not like Sheton’s, it was like inviting a colony of cockroaches into a clean secure home. Letting them invade and infest all that they managed to get their creepy crawly little legs on, tainting the glorious home they had built for themselves. It was just something they could not understand, not unless they were in the horseshoes of the Equestrian Clans.

For said clans, on the other hoof, it was like a haven of safety for them. A haven that would shield them and protect them from those who wanted them gone form the society of those that hated their mere presence, the bat ponies most of all. One where they could help each other grow stronger to fight back against those forces, until they were ready to face them again. To prove to them that they are not the monsters that they believed them to be, and they had just as right to be among them as all other creatures. It was what Sheton respected Celestia for, and why he loved living in her castle, but she and it provided that safe haven. Not that he didn’t think his own family didn’t to the same, but Celestia and her home seemed to provide that extra amount of security. That no matter what happened to him or his family, or his friends, it would always protect him and never allow him to suffer unjustly.

As Sheton walked through the halls of the Lunar Moon Castle, huddle close to his friends, he felt none of these feelings he felt in Celestia’s castle. All he felt was pure unadulterated fear as he walked behind the alicorn currently leading them down the hall. It was heightened by the dark and ominous feeling the castle itself was giving off. The beauty that it held did nothing to hide it, and the foals could feel crawling its way into them like an earth worm crawling through soil. Even with the intense fear they had, it didn’t stop them from marveling at the uniqueness the castle produced.

“This castle is enormous.” Crescent Shield murmured, her voice breaking the tense silence. Her mouth slightly agape like a fish struggling to breath as she looked around the large hallways. “It’s almost unnaturally huge…so much bigger than Queen Celestia’s own castle.”

“It is my dear little shield, and for a very specific reason.” Nightmare Moon nodded, smiling at th praise the filly gave to her castle. “Admittedly, it does seem a bit over the top and I may have gotten a little carried away with making it so large. I suppose I was just so excited with how I was able to make my own castle with my own magic that I didn’t think of how I may overdo it.”

“I’ll say! I can still remember the smile you had on your face when you did it.” Melon Cake nodded, her nose twitching like a baby bunny’s. “You looked like you were give the best birthday present of your life, and there weren’t even any presents at all! Though, I guess this castle could be considered your birthday present.”

“Indeed, it can, since it is a birthday present that I decided to give to myself.” Nightmare Moon chuckled, patting the earth pony on her head with her tail skirt. “The first present that I have given myself in the last one thousand years…”

“How the hell can you even give yourself a present anyway? On your own birthday no less?” Firestreak asked, eyebrow raised. “Birthday ponies usually have the presents given to them and not giving themselves presents. That just doesn’t make any sense to me…”

“I know it doesn’t, but that’s what someponies like to do for themselves sometimes.” Scootaloo explained. “Somepony’s don’t really have anypony to celebrate their own birthdays with them, so they decide to give themselves gifts to ease the loneliness.” A solemn sigh left her as thoughts of a pink and blue maned pegasus filly entered her mind. “I know one pony that’s going through that right now…” She said, low enough for none of her friends to hear.

“You speak the truth there, my little caterpillar.” Nightmare Moon crooned, hearing the last thing Scootaloo said but choosing not to comment on it. “In the time that I had ruled before my cursed sister sent me to my moon, I have met ponies without families. Families that were not there for their dear ones to celebrate the most important day of their lives. And even those that did have families had none of them to celebrate it with, be it because they’re not able to…or don’t want to.”

“But that doesn’t make any darn sense!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, a hard frown going down her face. “Why wouldn’t anypony not have at least their friends at their birthday?! Most of all their own family! Ah jus’ can’t see how that’s even possible!”

“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle squeaked in agreement. “In all of my birthdays, there hasn’t been one where my mom and dad didn’t at least try to celebrate it with me! And even if they weren’t there, at least my sister did something fun with me! How can family not want to celebrate one of their own family members birthday of all things?!”

“That’s because not all families are the same as your own girls.” Sheton said simply, his mane shadowing his eyes as he spoke. “My Mom used to tell me all the time that there are just some families who aren’t as close as we are, and probably you as well.” He gestured to the two fillies along the other fillies with him, minus Nightmare Moon. “Trust me, I’ve seen plenty examples of that back in Canterlot and how a lot of families treat each other, even their foals. It mostly comes from the ones that are of nobility and are a part of Queen Celestia’s political court, but there are a few that are normal families who’re just as bad.” He shook his head as he sighed. “Me, Crescent Shield and Spike have seen plenty of examples of it.”

“We have.” Crescent confirmed, her lips going as flat as her ears. “Me, Spike and Sheton have seen plenty of other colts and fillies who’re unjustifiably punished for a lot of things. Many of them that they didn’t do, but their parents, and even older siblings believe that they did, even if there’s something to suggest otherwise. A lot of them get even harsher punishments, ranging from grounding to even not being able to celebrate birthday parties.”

Apple Bloom’s jaw dropped in disbelief. “Are…are ya serious?”

“She is, very.” Sheton replied lowly, keeping the disgust out of his tone. “We’ve seen it all before, every time we go to restaurants, shops, playgrounds, movies, zoos, libraries, parks, you name it. We see at least one other foal going through that, even the ones that bullied us and Spike back in our school. Even if they were mean to us, that doesn’t mean that their Mom and Dad are allowed to treat them so unfairly. Most of all if they’re innocent of something that they had nothing to do with!”

“I agree.” Scootaloo nodded heartedly, frowning just as hard as Sweetie just was. “I just can’t understand how some ponies can be so quick to accuse another, foal or otherwise, for something they didn’t do. Even if it seems like it does, that doesn’t always mean it is like that, and that means that ponies going to suffer for something another pony did do!” She stopped when she realized her voice was raising, and she brought it back down like a rope pulling down a storage door. “It makes me so lucky that I have a big sister that’s so understanding and doesn’t go off of what just one pony says. Even if it is me, I’m glad that she takes the time to get all of the facts straight, and see if they’re false, before making a conclusion.”

“It’s the same with me Scootaloo.” Crescent smiled at her friend. “In a way, your own sister is just like mine, even my big brother Spike. Never judging too quickly and always trying to see the other side of things. Sure, Twilight may overreact at times, but she always makes sure she doesn’t make conclusions too quickly. Even if she does, she always has Spike to reel her back in before she goes completely insane…he’s so levelheaded and in tune with himself.”

Sheton giggled, the mirth inside of him helping alleviate his fear a little bit. “I guess that makes three of us then, doesn’t it?”

“Ah bet it does.” Apple Bloom sighed, bowing her head. “Y’all are really lucky to have sisters who’re like that. Makes me kind o’ wish that Applejack was like that sometimes…”

“Same here.” Sweetie said dejectedly, her face flushing as a little cloud appeared on her head. As if she could feel her sister’s razor-edged glare from behind her. “I am not even going to get into how it is with me and Rarity, but…its bad sometimes.”

Firestreak shuddered like she was suddenly out in the cold. “You have no idea what it’s like with me.”

Nightmare Moon glanced over at the foals, mainly at Sheton, silently listening as he spoke of his life experiences. While she didn’t show it, she found herself deeply impressed by the brains, intellect and, dare she say it, the wisdom he and his friends had. She had met many foals that were like that during her time, with nopony else able to really see it other than her. Of course, not all foals were like that, with some being the usual blissfully naïve foals that couldn’t stay out of trouble. Still, she had the pleasure of meeting some foals who were smarter and more mature than many adults, even their parents. Even before her corruption, it still amazed and impressed her how such young youth could be so much than they typically were. Which made her all the sadder that not everypony shared the same thoughts as her.

It reminded her all of all of those time that her own sister didn’t always listen to her when she came to her about her own problems. That no matter how many times she tried to make her see it, Celestia just could not see the main she was in. Not until it was too late, and she was too far gone in her anger and her jealously to listen when her sister did try to reach out to her. It wasn’t like she really cared what her sister finally wanted to help back then. She had made it perfectly clear that she wasn’t going to, and that Nightmare Moon was all on her own to deal with it. Her heart went out to any and all foals that were going through and had gone through the same issues and drama as she did, even while she was on the moon.

Some part of her feared that the insightful foals she met during her rule would no longer exist. That Celestia would make the same mistake she did with her and not listen to them and let their voices be heard like with her. Looking at the foals now, she could see she was wrong about that, just like with how much the bat ponies had changed. There weren’t many times that the Lunar Goddess found herself glad to be wrong, which was a rarity in itself. It looked like she could count this time as one of those times where she was glad that she wasn’t right.

“You young foals…you have to be some of the most insightful foals that I’ve met since I finally left my precious moon.” Nightmare Moon said softly, in an almost reminiscing tone, her voice making the foals draw their attention over to her. “The way some of you are speaking. It’s like you’ve been given a taste of what the real world is like before you even began to start to realize how it really is. You are certainly not like many of the foals I have met during my time period.”

Melon blinked up at her. “What do you mean, Queen Moonie?”

“I think what she means that some of us aren’t the kind of foals that other ponies usually expect us to be.” Came Scootaloo’s soft reply, locking her gaze with the multi-colored one of the soft green earth filly’s. “The way that we’re talking about our lives and what the experiences are with other foals. It’s not what she was expecting of us, even since we came here.” Her single purple eye looked at Nightmare Moon. “That was what you were thinking…w-wasn’t it, your Highness?”

The sin black alicorn nodded slowly. “Yes, it was. I’m impressed that you managed to figure that out so quickly.” She smiled a bit when she saw Scootaloo’s cheeks flush a cute pink color. “You are indeed correct. You are certainly not like the foals that I bonded with and met in my days. Of course, not all of them were the same. Some of them were a lot like you, insightful, able to see and understand things ponies thirty times your age could not.”

“Insightful?” Firestreak asked, not quite understanding the word. “Um, I don’t think I’ve heard that word before. I don’t even think that’s a word at all.”

“Actually, it is.” Crescent corrected. “It means having an accurate and deep understanding. Or, to put it more simply, being perceptive.”

This only made Firestreak more confused. “And what does that word mean?”

“Having or showing sensitive insight.” Scootaloo replied patiently. Before Firestreak could speak again, she added, “Which has the same meaning as perceptive.”

“Yeah…not really following you here.” Firestreak sighed, shaking her head. “I have never heard those words before in my life.”

“Probably ‘cause nopony ever told her ‘bout them.” Apple Bloom muttered to Sweetie. “Maybe that’s why she’s so slow...”

Sweetie nodded. “Most likely.”

“I heard that!” Firestreak shouted, her head gaining a tick mark.

Sheton shot both fillies a reprimanding look, his ears having picked up what they had just said. “Girls…”

“See? You’re doing it again right now.” Nightmare Moon chuckled softly, watching as the foals conversed with one another. “Having such insight and intellect that makes you more like adults than young foals. I must confess, I was afraid that such mature youth like you was gone from this planet while my sister ruled alone.” He breath left her nostrils that held as much relief as she intended it to be. “Looks like I was wrong about that too…”

“Why is that Queen Moon?” Sheton asked, his curiously replacing the disappointment he felt in Apple Bloom and Sweetie just moments ago. “What had you so scared that smart foals like us were gone?”

“Nothing my dear pup, don’t worry about it.” Nightmare Moon shook her head as she composed herself. “I’m just remembering a dear pony that I used to know before I became the true Queen of the Equestria.”

Scootaloo found her mind going back to the tapestry she and her friends saw when Nightmare Moon took them to her throne room. To the image of the eagle-winged alicorn surrounded by the animals, the trees and the other symbols of nature. An unsettling feeling came to the timid filly’s gut as she continued to mull over it. While thinking about the words Nightmare Moon had said, she wondered if that statement and the tapestry had anything in common. Could it be that the alicorn in that picture had been one of Celestia’s dear friends?

An explosion of power suddenly burst out nowhere, hitting the filly and her friend group like somepony stepping on a landmine. It was so fast that none of them even had the change to cry out as it enveloped them like their heads were being pulled underwater. Only Nightmare Moon was left unaffected, and had it not been for them being weighed down, they would’ve seen the giddy look on her fanged face.

“Whoa…what in th’ name o’ Harvest Saplin’ was that?!” Apple Bloom asked, once she had managed to regain her composure. “Did th’ rest o’ y’all feel that?!”

“I sure did!” Melon cried, shuddering like she had just drunk a giant cup of coffee. “It felt like somepony was trying to make me go on a massive sugar rush! And not the good kind of sugar rush either!”

“It felt like something was trying to grab me and drag me somewhere deep and dare.” Sheton said shakily. “L-like a v-vampire or w-werewolf trying to get at me in a deep and scary grove of trees.”

“You are not incorrect to think that my little foals.” Nightmare Moon stated, the tone in her voice making the foals pause. “In fact, your various reactions have told me that my little pets have finally awoken.”

“P-pets?” Sweetie asked, blinking as she struggled to keep her eyes from getting watery. “You have pets here in the castle?”

“I do, but not the type of pets that your probably used to.” Nightmare Moon replied, turning around to face the foals for the first time since their little tour. “Do remember when you all saw me summon my dear Nightmare Army? The army that I am planning to unleash on my sister and her little sun-worshipping town?”

“How can we not?” Firestreak asked sarcastically. “You literally summon their skeletons from their bodies right in front of us. I don’t think I can ever not see that from my mind.”

“After seeing a sight like that, Ah don’t think any of us will.” Apple Bloom deadpanned. “But what does that have to do with these pets o’ yers?”

“I’m just getting to that, patience little filly.” Nightmare Moon admonished as the farm filly’s mouth snapped shut. “Now, onto my next question? You know how you all felt that rush of power before I brought you all up to my throne room? I neglected to inform you, but my army was not the only force I was summoning.”

Sheton felt his heart suddenly clench as fear gripped it like the claws of a mountain lion digging into the hide of a white-tailed deer. “Y-yes…?”

“And do you remember when I had turned the moon red, and with that act, the creatures of the night and darkness would come out?” Nightmare Moon continued, her smile growing slightly wider. “And that I just said that I wasn’t just trying to summon my army?”

“…No.” Sheton’s heart clenched even tighter, feeling like it was going to burst into blood. “No, no, no…you cannot mean…!”

“Indeed, I do little pup.” Nightmare Moon replied as she suppressed a giggle. “My dear pets of folklore have finally been summoned form their millennium long sleep! And now they’re all nice and rejuvenated and ready to play!”

“W-wait a minute!” Melon exclaimed. “You mean they’re here under the castle too?! Right under our hooves!? And they’re going to come out of the ground?! Again?!”

“…That’s what you’re worried about?!” Firestreak shouted, slapping Melon upside her head. “She just told us that a bunch of vampires, werewolves and zombies are about to come out to feed like pack of wolves and that’s what you’re worried about?!”

“Well, yeah!” Melon frowned. “It’s not every day that you actually have real life werewolves, vampires and zombies rising from out of the ground and coffins like they actually existed! And if I recall, you were just as shocked as we were when Queen Moonie pulled her army out of the ground!”

Apple Bloom ran a hoof through her scarlet mane. “She’s…got a point there.”

“She does not!” The crimson filly shouted comically. “Melon’s got fucking nothing dammit!”

“Actually, I’m going to have to agree with dear Melon, my little storm of fire.” Nightmare Moon said with a shrug. “How often is it that you come face to face with creatures you thought were myths, only to realize they were actually real all along? Not at all of you were to question me.”

“See?!” Melon shrieked as she shot a hoof in Nightmare Moon’s direction, pressing her muzzle against Firestreak’s. “Even she agrees with me! The Dark Queen herself!”

“Wow…now that’s something I didn’t expect to happen.” Sweetie Belle muttered, looking dumbfounded. “Then again, when somepony agrees with Melon Cake of all ponies, then you know she’s right.”

“Now that’s the truth if Ah ever heard it.” Apple Bloom snorted as she side-eyed Nightmare Moon. “It’s even more true if the one who’s supposed t’ be our enemy agrees with us.”

Crescent nodded lightly. “It really does.”

A loud rumbling sound burst from all around the castle, knocking some of the foals off of their hooves and roll across the ground. They looked around frantically, apparently thinking the sounds were coming form on either side of the hallways. When they saw nothing come out and pounce at them, the foals looked to Nightmare Moon questioningly, who smirked down at them with a bit of bloodthirst in her eyes.

“I’m assuming that you are all wondering what that sound was.” Nightmare Moon guessed, while still knowing the answer. “I do apologize for that. It would seem that my pets are getting rather restless. Perhaps I should go and let them out before they get out of control and start trying to dig their way out. In the meantime, I’ll send you all somewhere you can do a little bit more…exploring~.”

Nightmare Moon ignited her horn as she once again grabbed each foal in a magical aura, lifting them off the ground. She stomped her hoof on the rug-covered ground a couple of times, the symbol of moon in the middle glowed, rising up just enough to reveal a large opening in the middle of the floor. The foals watched with bated breath as Nightmare Moon levitated them over to it, feeling their fear morph into surprise when they saw the inside formed like that of a slide.

“Um…M-Ms. Queen Moon?” Scootaloo asked as politely as she could, her frightened eye looking into the alicorn’s eyes. “W-why is there a s-secret slide here?”

“Oh that? That’s a little entrance way to where I’ll have you be for the time being.” Nightmare Moon replied. “I was going to show you there myself, but I’m afraid that I’ll have to cut it short and let you discover it yourselves. Don’t worry, I’ll have somepony come and keep you safe, so you don’t get lost underneath that secret chamber. I will warn you; what you may find in there may be a bit…shockingly barbaric~.”

Those were the last words the foals heard from Nightmare Moon before her magical aura suddenly vanished. Nightmare Moon watched in amusement as the foals flailed around for a moment, before vanishing inside of the entrance in the floor. As she closed the secret door, she could the sound of the foals sliding down the secret slide, before the door shut with a click. With the foals now occupied, she closed her eyes and vanished in a burst of telekinesis.

Nightmare Moon reappeared outside of the castle, the cool breeze of the nighttime air being the first thing she felt. She also happened to notice that the sky was a different color than it was the last time she was outside. Instead of the ebony blackness that was over it like the sea of the Everfree, it was a burning crimson, even darker than the blood moon itself. It was somepony had dipped a paint brush dipped into a bucket and painted the sky red instead of blue or black. While that was impossible, it was a little humorous thought that admittedly amused Nightmare Moon greatly, even if it could never happen.

“Oh my, it looks like my magic had worked on the moon better than I thought.” Nightmare Moon said to herself, looking up at the moon as it gleamed a mixture of red and white. Her slitted draconic eyes could see the outline of the unicorn head that had been there, and her smiled faltered a bit. “It looks like it didn’t make that disappear. Oh well, maybe I can improvise it sometime to make it more to my liking.”

The sin black alicorn felt another pulse of power come from underneath the ground, this one being much stronger than before. It came in the same blackish purple wave that washed over the forest a mere fifteen minutes ago. Nightmare Moon felt a grin come to her face as her mind went back to when the foals told her when they first felt it. A part of her wished that she had been there see their faces. Oh, how laughable that it would have been.

“I can think more on that later~.” Nightmare Moon said quietly, as she walked in the center of the front of the clearing. “It’s time to wake my pets up and send them on their merry way. I wonder, how Celestia’s little town will react when they see the most feared creatures of the darkness come to devour them all!”

With a sinister laugh, Nightmare Moon’s eyes and horn began to glow brightly, the former a color as red as the moon and the sky instead of blue. That same magic traveled down to her front hooves as they began to glow a mixture of blue and red, eventually turning to a dark purple. Flaring her wings, Nightmare Moon let out a massive whinny as she slammed her forehooves down. A massive purple and black ring washed over the clearing, around the castle and spanning into the forest all around it. With small cracks in the ground glowing the same purple color as the magic within her hooves.

No sooner did the magic vanish, the ground beneath the sin black alicorn’s hooves began to break apart and rise up in chunks. It was faint at first, but it grew louder, expanding all across the clearing the Lunar Moon Castle was nestled in the middle of. She watched as limbs burst out of the ground like a baby flower form within rich soil. Some of them were in the form of hooves, others were in the form of claws, while a few were a combination of both. Other bodily figures began to appear as well, such as horns wings and even tails. More rose from the ground, moans, growls and hisses coming from as they surrounded a wickedly smirking Nightmare Moon. They turned to the mare, auras as sinister as their figures surrounding them as stood to attention the Red Moon Goddess.

In front of Nightmare Moon, coming around and latching on the castle, were creatures that could’ve only come from the deepest and darkest pits of Tartarus. Not even that, but the very underworld of hell itself. There ponies looking like bat ponies, with wings like that of bats, fangs like that of saber-tooth cat’s and eyes like that of bats. Some of them even had goat-like horns on their heads, with leonine tails having heart-shaped blades at the ends. Many of them may very well have passed off as bat ponies had it not been for the fact that clawed digits adorned the bottom of their limbs. Others were mixes between that of equines and wolves stood beside them, covered in fur as wooly as a mammoth with long luscious yet wild manes. Wolf-like paws replaced their hooves, with wolf tails replacing their actual tails that swayed wildly behind them. Some that had bits and pieces of bony army covering them, some on their legs, others on their chests, with a few on their heads.

In the very middle, were large werewolf-like dogs, ones that could have passed for being monstorous with their sinister dark fur, fiery flaming eyes, muscular frames and saber-adorned teeth. Others looked like the werewolves at the far front, only they hardly had any pony features, looking more like actual canines. There were even beasts that were neither canines nor vampires at all, but ones that could’ve passed off as lions. All of them were adorning wings that were like that of a raven’s, larger than any known lion on the planet of Equis. At the far back were gigantic drakes, ones that could’ve passed off as demonic dragons given their dark and edgy appearances. Their massive shadows loomed over that of the vampiric, canine, and zombie ponies, their eyes burning like scorching hot coals. Clawed wings that were even bigger could be seen partially spread at their side. Each of them looking like the would span over the entire army if they chose to let them stretch out all the way.

“Hello, my dear pets. It is so good to see you again after so long.” Nightmare Moon cooed her voice seeming to echo about the massive army. “I do apologize if I had kept you all waiting. I had some other matters that I needed to attend to.”

The beastly army let out vocalized moans, grows, hisses and barks as they bowed to their queen, similar to how the Nightmare Army had done so. A smallish werewolf trudged up to Nightmare Moon and sniffed at her armored chest, making the mare chuckle as she patted its head. She pulled it into a hug as she nuzzled the top of its head, earning a whimper of contentment as its tail wagged like a puppy meeting its owner for the first time.

“As much as I’d like to play with you all, I am afraid that I have more pressing matters at hoof to attend to. One that I will need your help in.” She said softly, making all of them quiet down a bit. “To put it simply, I have a town that I want you to after, one that I hate with a passion within my soul. I am sure that you all know where you need to go, don’t you?”

Roars, screeches and howls the beasts gave out in response were all that Nightmare Moon needed to hear as the army went wild. The malicious smirk she had strewn across her face was back, replacing the motherly smile she just had one. She could see the bloodthirst in their eyes, the desire to rip, tear, main and destroy as they were made to do. Nightmare Moon could sense the dark magic coming off of them, the barely contained magic the beasts wanted to so desperately release. If not to satisfy the primal beasts inside of them that were yearning for their wielders to let them out. It was just about ready to burst, and Nightmare Moon wasn’t about to let them contain it one minute longer. They wanted blood and she would give it to them, knowing where she’d send them would offer plenty of it.

“Wonderful, I am so happy that you know what you need to do in order for this land to truly become your home.” Nightmare Moon praised, letting the werewolf she was patting back into the fray as she shot her forehooves out into the sky. “Now, go my dear pets! Go and feed to your heart’s content! Show those who feared you why none should ever go against the creatures and queen of the darkness!”

The beast’s reactions were simultaneous, some of them taking off to their while some of them chose for galloping and sprinting across the clearing. The wide gap in between them and forest meant nothing to them as sailed over like a kangaroo leaping over a picket fence. They followed their fanged, furred and winged brethren into the trees, tearing and ripping up ground and foliage along the way. Nightmare Moon watched them all go, a small part of her wanting to follow to watch the bloodbath soon to come. She shook her head, knowing she had no time. Not when she still had a few things to do to reclaim her reign.

“There! That should be a good taste of what those little day-loving ponies should expect once they meet their true Queen.” Nightmare Moon said, turning tail and walking back to the castle’s open doors. She suddenly stopped a few seconds in, looking up at the scarlet moon looming in the sky like beacon of light, showering her in its color of red. “I hope your little ponies are able to take the little gift I’ve sent them Celestia, and that you are prepared to lose some of your precious followers. Because when you do see them again in that little town of theirs, it will run deep and red with blood~.”

Author's Note

Okay, I gotta admit, I had lots of fun writing the other scene in this chapter, mainly because I'm bringing out every creature of darkness there is to know when it comes to folklore and legend, mainly with ones like vampires and werewolves :derpytongue2: . It is mainly for this reason that I decided that I would not add the tantabus in this newly edited version of Knights of Equestria - Book 1: War of Eternal Night, because...that was just such a bad idea on my part :facehoof: . I don't know what I was thinking when I did that, especially with Nightmare Moon of all ponies being the one in charge of bringing forth Eternal Night, along with all the creatures of said night coming out to wreak havoc :applejackconfused: . It was a bit harder for me to Nightmare Moon and the foals, since I really couldn't see anything that dark and dramatic going on in between them, other than the minor little scuffles, jump scares and parts where Nightmare Moon reprimands them...while not laying. a hoof on them in the process :twilightblush: . Other than that, I really enjoyed writing this chapter...just as much as I'm sure I know I'll enjoy writing the bloodbath soon to come in Ponyville :pinkiecrazy: . As for that little part with Nightmare Moon dropping the foals off somewhere in the castle, that will be stated much later on in the story, and it'll tie to another one that I'm currently writing. Oh, and for anyone who was misled by the last "Next Time" note, I apologize, I meant to put that in this chapter :twilightblush: .

Next time: Ponyville gets a furry and bloodthirsty nightmarish surprise...for real this time. And Spike shows just how much of a badass drake he is in the face of a canine :pinkiecrazy: .

Chapter 27 - Canine Vs Reptile

Author's Note

I just wanna saw a few of things here before you all go and read this chapter...one I changed Spike from being a Kirin back to being a full blown Dragon, just to dull the confusion that I don't want to come in this latest chapter. As he is in the canon and some of the non-cannon shows and stories of My Little Pony. After some speculation, I had decided that he'd be better off being a dragon, especially with a character that I have coming up soon in the story :raritywink: . As for number two, I won't be having the Tantabus appear again in this story, that'll either be much later in the series, or basically not at all. This edited invasion is going to be on the more folklorish scale and hopefully fit better int his final rewrite of my first book :twilightsmile: . It is certainly starting to feel like it is, but we'll have to see as the invasion goes on and the bloodbath continues :pinkiecrazy: . Oh, and I may also be adding the death tag to this story as well, since there will actually be more or less dead and alive creatures coming to feast in Ponyville :applejackunsure: .

Alright, that's all :scootangel: ! Enjoy the chapter everyone :heart: !

Chapter 27 - Canine Vs Reptile

Derpy Hooves Kindheart Rosario liked to consider herself a pretty positive pony. One that was able to face anything with a smile no matter how treacherous. She was one of those ponies who didn’t let anything get her down for very long. Even on her darkest and gloomiest days, Derpy always managed to find something to put a smile to her face. Or bring a warmth to her heart that would ease the aching pain inside of it. It was what helped her get along with Pinkie Pie, for both of them shared a common ground of finding the light at the darkest of tunnels. With Derpy, it mainly came in the form of her daughters, Amethyst and Dinky, the two brightest lights that shined in her life more than anything. She could have had the worst day in her life, and she could always count on her children to brighten it. Even if one of them was a bit more, typically, moody than the other. Any other day, if she was with her girls, she would’ve been smiling from ear to ear at whatever silly tactic that they used. Right now, though, as she cooked a batch of muffins with Spike and Dinky, that was sadly not the case.

“Hey, Ms. Derpy, can you hand me over those mittens over there?” Spike’s slightly deep yet sweet voice asked as he prepared to open the stove. “I think the muffins are just about ready to come out now.”

“Hm? Oh, sure. Just give me a second.” Derpy said, blinking as she took herself out of her train of thought. Reaching a hoof out to the sink, she grabbed the pair of hoof-shaped mittens hanging from doors underneath it. Smiling as best she could, she handed Spike the mittens to which he accepted cordially. “There you go baby.”

“Thank you~!” He chirped as he put on the mittens, before going over and opening the stove. A second after he did, the smell of the muffins, followed by a chocolatey scent that made Spike’s mouth water. Flaring his nostrils, he took in the smell like a vacuum gathering up dust like a dirty carpet floor, and he sighed blissfully. “Oh wow…the muffins smell really fresh! We did a better job baking them together than we thought!”

“Yeah, looks like we did.” Derpy nodded lightly, sniffing at the muffins as the pleasant scent filled her nostrils. It made the smile on her face become more pleasant, but not enough to erase the pain behind it. “You did a wonderful job Spike. You’re as good as a cook as Twilight always said you were. I’m really regretting not really inviting you over to my house to bake more often.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it, Ms. Derpy! It’s not really like I could go there often anyway.” Spike giggled as he set the muffins on the table. “Most of my days are full of helping Twilight with her studies, and when I’m not doing that, I’m either having combat training with her, Crescent Shield, Master Venture Vine, or crusading with the girls! Of course, that last part mainly consists of my free time, but it’s not like I’m not trying to see what else I can do.”

Derpy chuckled. “Is that so? Well, I’ll have to see if I can have Twilight let you come to my house so you can bake with me. I could really use your skills in the kitchen. That way my hooves won’t be so full all the time.”

“I’m sure she will. You and Twilight get along really well, and she and Crescent Shield love Dinky! I’m sure that she’d be okay with it.” Spike said as he smiled at Derpy, a bit of his sharp teeth sticking out a bit. His smile turned into a frown, making the teeth vanish as he looked at the mare with concern. “Speaking of which…are you okay Ms. Derpy?”

Derpy flinched as if somepony had stuck a tranquilizer dart in her rump. “O-of course I’m fine dear. Why would you ask that?” She asked, giving him her best motherly smile. A smile that did nothing to hide what she was feeling inside.

“Because, you’re smile isn’t all the way real.” Spike pointed out bluntly despite the softness of his voice. “I can see it, the corners of your mouth are trembling, and you’re not really looking at me when I’m talking to you.” He walked closer and set a claw on her leg. “Is there something wrong?”

Derpy blushed a bit at the warmth coming from the paw clenching her leg, her eyes timidly looking up to meet Spike’s. She could make out every flicker of green in his irises, which seemed to act like a mirror as she looked her reflection form within them. The look of pain that stared back at her, almost like Derpy was practically inside of Spike’s eyes. They held their stare down for a moment longer, before the mailmare looked away in defeat.

“It looks like that other thing that Twilight told you is true. Nothing can get past the eyes of a dragon, no matter how childish.” Derpy said, laughing mirthlessly. “If you want a honest answer Spike, no I’m not okay. In fact, I’m about ready to take these muffins and throw them across the room and scream my fucking head off.”

Spike cringed a bit at the response, but didn’t back away. “Let me guess…it’s because of the Town Square invasion, isn’t it?”

“What else could have me feeling what I’m feeling right now?!” Derpy asked as her pained look strengthened, like she was trying lift an extremely heavy set of weights. “I just can’t believe it. All this time, it was actually true. Nightmare Moon Nocturnis, the Blood Moon Goddess, Queen of Darkness and the Harbinger of Nightmares was real! She was actually real! What is the chance of a legend as big as her actually existed all this time?!”

“…Not that big of a chance if I’m being perfectly honest.” Spike replied, thinking back to the Story of the Two Sisters. “That definitely is something that you wouldn’t think, or would want to think was real since you first heard about it.”

“You’re telling me! All this time, I thought she was nothing more than a myth that was used to scare little colts and fillies into behaving. To give them a fright and a spook on Nightmare Night every thirtieth of October!” Derpy groaned, running a hoof down her face like she was trying to wipe a stain off it with a napkin. “To think she was the same mare that I used to tell scary stories to Dinky about to make her got to sleep. Heh, I’m definitely gonna have to come up with some other spooky stories to make her listen to me, other than giving her my Solar Stare.”

Spike cringed at the tasteless joke, but made no comment on it. “Yeah, you probably have to after tonight.” He took the paw he was using to hold Derpy’s foreleg to grip one of his own legs to ease his discomfort. “So…what are your thoughts on it?”

“I really don’t know what to think Spike. Everything is just happening so fast right now!” Derpy sighed, one of her hooves pounding against the counter. “One minute I’m with Dinky and Amethyst in the Town Square, looking at the different muffins I can dry. Then, the next, I am trying to keep my daughter from being buried alive by the Empress of Folklore! Thanks to you, Snowflake, and Midnight, that I’m even able to think right now, yet I can’t.” She sucked in a breath to calm herself. “But that’s nothing compared to how scared I’m feeling right now...and trust me, I am really, really scared shitless.”

“I believe you…I don’t even need to look into your eyes to know that.” Spike replied softly, his expression calm and composed. “But you’re not just scared for yourself, are you?”

It wasn’t a question. It was more of a statement, and Derpy knew it. She also knew she wasn’t just talking about being scared for herself. Like some invisible force snagging her head, it turned to let her eyes fall upon her daughters, both of which were currently engaging in a boardgame with Midnight and Snowflake. She watched as Dinky gave a victorious smile, while Amethyst scowled in defeat as Dinky levitated the game piece on the board. Tearing her eyes away from them, she let her golden eyes shine back onto Spike’s slitted reptilian ones.

“No, I’m not…I’m scared for my little muffin and sparky. I’m scared that whatever Nightmare Moon is going to send to us, to Ponyville. That it’ll take them from me.” Derpy admitted, fighting back a whimper as her voice began to break. “Dinky was nearly taken from me after Nightmare Moon made the roof cave in at the Town Square. What if she sends something else here and it not only gets her, but Amethyst as well? What if the lucky break that I was given would be given to me the next time they’re in trouble?” A glassy shine swam through her eyes like waves in an ocean as they looked down at the floor. “W-who will be there to protect them if I’m not there? W-who will be there to keep Amethyst form getting reckless when she duels. W-who will…who will keep my little Dinky…s-safe?”

This time, the next whimper that left Derpy was one she was unable to hold back as she began to cry quietly. The silence in the kitchen allowed Spike to clearly hear the plopping of her tears as they hit the floor. It was like somepony was clapping harshly in his ears, making him frown harder with each second. No longer content with just standing and listening, Spike walked over and hugged Derpy around her forelegs. The warmth coming from his scaly body was enough to dry the tears flowing from her eyes. Unable to find words, she silently stood there as he spoke to her his big green eyes shining as bright as his smile.

“You know, I was actually in the same state that you were. Just before you, Amethyst, and Dinky all came to the library.” He said softly. “My mind was all over the place with that was going to happen to us. With me wondering what was going to happen to Twilight and the girls, and what was going to happen to us. It took her reminding me just who we were and what we’re capable of to keep me from going off as hard as Twilight does in one of her magic surges.” He pointed to one of the tattoos on his shoulders. “That were from Equestria’s secret clans. Which more or less includes me.”

“I know that. It’s not like I don’t have this roseray with me all the time. Even when I fall asleep.” Derpy said, glancing down at her roseray as the eye glinted back at her. “What does that have to do with this?”

“It has everything to do with this. Because we can use this power to protect those we care about, including you.” Spike said, gently poking Derpy in her chest. “Just like how I can use my fire casting abilities to burn everything in my path, you can yank that roseray off of you and just pound the ever living shit out of anypony that hurts Dinky and Amethyst. We don’t just have our affinity and basic magical and earthbound abilities to defend ourselves against danger.”

“Yes, I know that too.” Derpy said, slightly calmer. “I still don’t see the point that you’re getting at.”

“I’m just getting to that.” Spike said patiently, almost like he was an older brother gently lecturing his little sister. “My point is, just because Nightmare Moon managed to get a drop on us so easily, doesn’t mean she won’t be able to do it so easily again. Unlike many of the other Ponyville residents, we’re a bit more capable of ending off anything she has planned for us. We just weren’t given the chance to really show it.” He smiled a bit wider, stepping away from Derpy. “But now that we’ve seen a bit of how powerful she is, we can make sure that what happens to you, Dinky, and Queen Celestia doesn’t happen to us, or anypony else again. We can use our powers to keep everypony safe from anypony else on her side, if there’s anypony else on Nightmare Moon’s side at all.”

Derpy did not reply immediately, too focused on inspecting her roseray, as if she was seeing it for the first time. A hoof rose from the ground to gently run down it, feeling the coolness from it run along her leg.

“Yes…you are right there. I’m pretty powerful already with my roseray on.” She said absentmindedly. “But whenever I take my roseray off…well…that’s not really something anypony would want to be in the middle of.”

“You mean like how they’d better not mess with Dinky, least they get the Solar Stare from you and Amethyst?” Spike asked somewhat jokingly.

“Yes, something along the lines of that.” Derpy said, giggling a bit as well as her mood brightened somewhat. “I think I can see what you’re getting at Spike. Yes, I wasn’t quite able to do a proper job in protecting Dinky and Amethyst from Nightmare Moon. Mainly because she took me and all of us by surprise, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make sure that doesn’t happen again.” She matched Spike’s smile. “Plus, I have you, Snowflake, and Midnight for some extra backup, along with any guards that Queen Celestia may be sending. If she’s sending them that is.”

“Oh, I know she is. No way in Tartarus or hell is she going to let something like this go unchecked and not make sure we don’t have some level of protection.” Spike said resolutely. “And if you’re ever looking for anypony, or any dragon to keep Dinky safe, then, I’m your drake!” His smile turned into a grin as his tail wagged. “Anypony that tried to harm her, they’ll be burned to a crisp before they know what hit ‘em!”

Derpy stared at the drake in amusement, before chuckling and kissing his nose. “I’m going to hold you to that honey.” She said, her tone half-joking and half-serious. “Or else the ones your burning aren’t the only ones that’re going to be burned, you got that?”

“Yes, ma’am Sargent Derpy!” Spike replied, giving a military-like salute. He and the mailmare broke into laughter for a moment, but that was immediately ended by a cry of pain form the latter. Looking up, Spike gasped when he saw her stumble back, clenching at the collar around her neck.

“Gah, what the hell?!” Derpy gasped, stabilizing herself as she held her collar tightly. “What was that just now?”

“A-are you okay Derpy?” Spike asked, concern once gain turning to his face and voice. “What happened? Is it your roseray?”

“I-I think so…” Derpy nodded with a wince, smoothing out her collar and the magical knots within it. Her eyes glued to her roseray for the third time that night, watching as the eye began to glow brighter than a light bulb. “It must be having a reaction to something. It’s the only thing that can explain why its eye is shining so brightly.”

“That can’t be a good sign.” Spike said, lighting poking at the red eye. He watched as it continued to shine like a flashlight in his face. It was almost as if it was trying to tell him and its owner that something bad was about to happen. “The way it’s flashing like that…it’s almost like an urgent flashing. Like the one that happens whenever there’s a code red at Ponyville Hospital.”

“Yeah, it does seem like that.” Derpy murmured, just before a thought came to her. “Could Amethyst be getting this same reaction too?”

As if on cue, Dinky suddenly came running into the kitchen. “Mommy, Spike! Come quick! There’s something wrong with Amethyst!”

Spike and Derpy looked at each other before they ran back into the main room of the library. As Derpy feared, Amethyst was on her haunches, both hooves gripping at her roseray. Her pained face relaxed a bit when her mother rushed to her side, before her own eyes looked down at her mother’s own roseray.

“So, you’ve got it too huh Mom?” The unicorn asked with a slight grunt. “I guess it happened around the same time with you huh?”

“I guess so.” Derpy said dumbly, looking in between both metal appendages. “Did you get that same electrical volt too?”

“Yeah, and it took it’s time making sure I felt it around my horn.” Amethyst snorted, rubbing at her horn. “Do you know what could be causing this?”

“I don’t know. I feel like I do, but I just can’t but my finger on it.” Derpy replied, her face contorting into confusion and thought. “Snowflake, Midnight, are the two of you having the same reaction?”

The pegasus and her two daughters looked over to the board game where Snowflake and Midnight were. When they saw they were no longer there, the family looked around and saw them at the window. The window that Midnight had open while Snowflake was looking at it, both mare looking like they were shaking.

“Midnight? Snowflake?” Spike asked tentatively. “Are…a-are you two alright?”

Snowflake’s ears perked before she slowly turned to look at the drake, the paleness in her face making her look like she was drained of her blood. “E-everypony…you may want to take a look outside.”

Put on edge by the tone of fear in Snowflake’s voice, Spike, Amethyst, Dinky and Derpy slowly walked towards her and Midnight. Pushing past them, they took a look out of the window, and felt themselves love all movement in their bodies. Looking back at them, hovering in the sky like the very sun itself, was the ever so bone-chilling moon of crimson. The orb of red and white shined as bright as the sun itself, looming over the town like table light shining on a desk. Its redness burned into the eyes of the ones viewing it like laser melting through metal, making them all want to look away. But they couldn’t, none of them could. They were too transfixed by confusion and terror to not look at it anymore. It didn’t stop them from voicing their thoughts on it.

“U-um…M-Ms. Snowflake?” Dinky squeaked. “W-why is the moon red?”

“I…I have no idea dear.” Snowflake replied, gaining some of her composure back. “It…it was not like that before. It’s only been two hours since we looked at the moon and it was as white as my own mane before now.”

“B-but that makes no sense!” Amethyst exclaimed. “I thought that the Blood Moon was only a myth! Stories ponies like to tell others on Nightmare Night!”

“It doesn’t look like it’s a myth now.” Midnight stated softly, slowly stepping back from the window. “What I wanna know is, what could’ve made it go from white…to red?”

Spike gulped. “I-I think I have a hunch. But it’s not something you guys are going to like hearing.”

Dinky was about to question the dragon on his thoughts but found herself screaming when she saw a shadow zoom past the window. The flapping of wings, followed by the sound of something crashing onto the exterior of the library, sent them all sprawling to the ground. wood being scratched and carved followed afterword, increasing the fear within the group.

“Is everypony okay?!” Derpy cried, her motherly instincts flaring. “What was that crash?!”

“I have no idea, but whatever it was, it was huge!” Amethyst shouted, helping her little sister to her hooves. “It shook the entire fucking library with us in it!”

“That just tells me how dangerous it us.” Midnight said as she held her sister close to her. “We shouldn’t go outside right now. Whatever is out there may still be here, so we need to-”

An earth splitting roar destroyed whatever words that Midnight was going to say next. The five ponies covered their ears as the roar beat into them like large bass drums. All except for Spike, who stood still on the spot with a look giving the impression that he was seeing his greatest fear. As quickly as the roar came, it ended, concluded by wings flapping hard, growing smaller before vanishing completely.

“I…I-I think it’s gone now.” Dinky whimpered, pulling her head away from her sister’s chest. “It’s gone, isn’t it?”

“Y-yes…it is.” Spike whispered, his legs shaking like he was trying to walk for the first time. “And I know what it was too.”

“You do?” Amethyst asked, snapping her head to Spike. “What was it?!”

Slowly, the dragon cub turned to the ponies, striking nervousness into them with the fear and terror in his wide slitted eyes. “It was a dragon Amethyst…a dragon! There was another dragon outside of the library!”

Derpy, her family and the Shenron sisters all went a lighter color at this revelation. Some of them were even wondering if they had heard Spike correctly, even though they knew they did. They could see it in Spike’s eyes, behind the fear and how petrified they looked, along with the shaking going throughout his body. Even with this, they were all terrified beyond belief, the prospect of a dragon inside the town all but sending them into a complete panic. How in Faust’s name did a dragon come to the town? More importantly, when and why?

A violent knocking on the door drew their attention to the entrance, watching as the door rattled violently. All six residents screamed when it flew open, but soon found themselves calming down when the saw who it was. Derpy felt herself nearly cry while her youngest daughter squealed in elation, the latter running for the pony now barricading the door.

“Auntie Cloud!” Dinky screamed, leaping into the persian blue mare’s forelegs. “You made it to the library!”

“W-w-what the-?!” Cloud Kicker stuttered as she took in the appearance of her youngest niece. “Dinky, what are you doing here?!”

“That’s what we wanna know too Cloud.” Derpy smiled as she and Amethyst trotted over to her. “We weren’t expecting you to come here. We thought you were at the Town Square!”

“Derpy…you and Amethyst are here too…” Cloud said, panting like she had just got done running a marathon. “Snowflake, Midnight, you’re at Twilight’s library too?!”

“Yes dear, we are…we were here with our sister and her friends too before they left.” Snowflake replied as she and Midnight came up to the mare. “What are you doing here sweetie? And why do you look so scared?”

“Oh shit, that’s right!” Like a light a light being flicked on into her head, Cloud got to her hooves, her eyes growing wider. “Guys, I need you to listen to me! Whatever you do, not go outside okay?! It is not safe for anyof you to be outside!”

“Yeah, I think we already got that Aunt Cloud.” Amethyst grumbled. “That dragon we felt land on the treehouse told us that much.”

Cloud shook her head, holding Dinky close to her chest as she looked at her eldest niece. “It’s not just a dragon Amethyst. There are a lot more beasts out there than just a damn dragon! There’s an entire army of bloodthirsty monsters outside attacking Ponyville right now! It’s fucking bloodbath out there right now!”

Ears flattening against her head, Derpy opened her mouth to speak, but was silenced when she heard a rather loud bang come from the door once more. This time, the sound was not like that of a hoof bounding against it, but it sounded as if somepony where slamming their whole body against it. The uneasiness in the silvery grey pegasus grew even more when she heard what sounded like scratching and snarling coming from the other end.

“W-w-what was that?!” Dinky squeaked, pressing herself next to Cloud as her little body shook.

“Oh no! It’s one of them! Cloud replied uneasily, pulling herself and her niece away from the door. “Dammit, I thought that I made sure that none of them followed me here!”

“W-who followed you here Auntie?” Dinky asked timidly, glancing up at her aunt. “I-is it one of those monsters you told us about?”

“It has to be. It’s definitely not that dragon from earlier, that’s for sure.” Spike said with a small shrug, before looking over at Snowflake. “What do you think it is Snowflake?”

“I have not the slightest clue dear, but I’m there’s no way I’m letting it get to us.” Snowflake replied firmly. “Listen, I want everypony to go down to Twilight’s Combat Training Basement. I’m going to stay here and make sure that whatever gets in here doesn’t get-”

The door was suddenly torn down before Snowflake even had time to finish her sentence. All at once, they were blown away by a roaring wave of darkness that sent them slamming into the other end of the room. The cold ominous feeling of power lingered as they tried to regain their bearings, but it soon increased when they saw who the invader was.

Standing in the middle of the room, saliva dripping from its mouth like droplets of water from a faucet, was the most terrifying looking wolf ever witnessed. Judging from its appearance, it was clearly a wolf, but at the same time, it was not. It had a mane that could only belong to that of a pony, lung and luscious. Flowing down its neck and head in long thick and wild waves, somehow making it look even more menacing. A majority of its body was that of an equine as well, save for its feet, snake-like tail and its ears, all of which belonging to that of a wolf as well. Its paw contained claws that looked like curved fishing hooks made to snatch a fish, with sharpness to match. It was covered in woolly black fur that was darker than the redness of the crimson sky, only adding to the intimidation of its massive muscular frame. Its yellow eyes burned like the venom of a rattlesnake, injecting even more fear into the ponies in front of it as it slowly stalked towards them.

“W-what…t-the…h-h-hell?!” Spike cried, his eyes threatening to fall out of his head. “I-is is that a…a-a…”

“No way. No fucking way…that is impossible!” Amethyst screamed, her tail skirt tucking between her hindlegs like she was trying to hide her sacred area. “There is no way that can be what I think it is! There’s…there’s just no way!”

“B-but it is big sis…and it’s r-right here in front of us!” Dinky cried, looking on the verge of crying as she clung to her sister like a lifeline. “A w-w-werewolf…it’s a werewolf!”

The aforementioned beast’s ears twitched at Dinky’s words, its dog-like eyes training on her for a moment, making her squeal. It snarled when Amethyst pointed her horn, igniting her magic in a threatening light as red flashed through her violet eyes. Looking away, it let its eyes slowly move onto Spike, Snowflake and Midnight, the mares themselves acting like a shield for the young drake. Finally, it set its eyes upon Derpy, whose body was twitching as if she had little bolts of electricity being shot into her. The mare stared back at the beast, her yellow eyes giving faint flashes of red glowing brighter than the one on her roseray. With one last glance down at Dinky’s direction, it suddenly roared and leapt at them, teeth and claws prepared to rip and tear.

“Girls!” Derpy cried, snapping out of her daze and leaping in front of her daughters. Just as she did so, there was a flash of green, followed by an explosion before the werewolf was sent flying. The mailmare, her daughters, Snowflake and Midnight both watched as it crashed into one of the bookshelves, adding to the ones already on the floor. Vicious claw marks could be seen on the werewolf’s face, blood dripping onto the floor and making a small puddle.

“Not so fast…” Spike growled as he set his bloodied paw down; his wings glared as he stood protectively in front of the ponies. “If you think I’m gonna let you rip one piece of flesh off of them, you are seriously mistaken!”

“Spike!” Snowflake cried out, looking at the spot where Spike was standing and then back at him. “What are you doing?!”

“Keeping this mutt from hurting Dinky and her family!” Spike replied, watching as the werewolf slowly got up. “What does it look like I’m doing?!”

“Spike, there’s no way you can take that thing on by yourself!” Midnight said worriedly. “Come back here and me and Snowflake take care of it! You’re too small to-”

Spike interrupted Midnight when he shot another blast of fire at the incoming werewolf, sending it crashing into the ceiling. The lights above swayed violently, flickering on and off before settling back on again. The werewolf yelped and growled in pain as the fire burned at it stomach, smoke coming from the effects of the wound. Getting back up on its paws, it snarled angrily at Spike, who glared back at it as he slowly began to grow. It lunged at him again, sending him crashing to the floor as it as it began to pit at is face. Spike responded by roaring and swiping the werewolf across its own face a few times, splattering blood across the ground. He then dug its claws into the beast’s stomach, going upward before ripping them out and kicking it back to the direction of the door.

“Did you already forget that I was a dragon Midnight?” Spike asked incredulously, the fear in his voice all but gone as an emerald green aura surrounded him. “This werewolf here may be a supernatural beast, but dragons are also the most powerfully feared beasts on the planet, save for the Strigoi Changelings.” His body started to grow longer, limbs, neck, wings and tail growing and lengthening until he was at Midnight’s size. “If there’s any one of us, besides you, that can hold their own against them, it’s me.”

“You know he’s got a point.” Amethyst pointed out. “There’s hardly anything in Equis that can harm a dragon. Aside from Queen Celestia or another dragon all together. Besides them, I can’t think of any other creature that can injure them.” Her brows furrowed as she muttered. “Except form maybe the thralls…”

“I heard that.” Spike murmured, keeping his eyes on the werewolf as it paced back and forth in front of him. “It’s fine everypony, I can keep him at bay. You all can take safety inside of Twilight’s Combat Training Basement until I get down there.”

Midnight hesitated. “B-but Spike…”

“Don’t waste time!” Spike ordered, looking at Midnight out of the corner of his eyes. “Just go under the library now before he kills you! GO!”

The werewolf’s roar alerted Spike and drew his attention back to the ponyish canine and found himself rearing up to meet it as it flew through the air. His large wings spread to keep them both from colliding with the mares and fillies behind him. Pushing the werewolf back, he swiped at its face a few times before slamming a clenched claw into its back. Spike grabbed the werewolf in an attempt to throw it away from them, but it bit his leg and sent him toppling to the ground. In a show of strength worthy of its size, it spun him around and let him slam into the wall just above the ponies, before he fell. Thanks to his scales, the werewolf wasn’t able to do much damage to him and he was able to get up and send a breath of fire at it.

The werewolf leapt away and latched onto the large lamp light like a spider monkey on a tree, before lunging at Spike again. His swung one of his wings out, letting it slash at one of the werewolf’s forelegs, before slamming his tail club into its face. Lunging forward, he grabbed the werewolf around the back if its neck with his jaws, before throwing away from his friends. He leapt across the room and began to slash at the werewolf, ripping into its arms and stomach and tearing out chunks of flesh. Blood smeared across Spike’s scales and filled his nostrils, driving him into a bit of a frenzy that made him go in harder.

The werewolf roared at him, countering Spike’s attacks with just as much force as they rolled and tumbled across the ground. Blood from the werewolf flew across the room as Spike bit and slashed into it, ripping out chunks of fur in the process. As Spike threw the beast off of him, he looked around, and noticed that mares and fillies were gone, seeing an open hatch where the horseshoe table was. He had no time to feel relieved before he felt the werewolf bit into his shoulder, clamping down hard in an attempt to pierce his flesh.

“That’s not going to work you know!” Spike shouted, grabbing the werewolf and ripping it off of his shoulder without a care. It shrieked in agony when it felt its teeth get ripped form its gums by the roots, the teeth falling to the ground like little beads. “It’ll take more than some dog teeth to pierce these scales!”

Grabbing its tail, Spike threw the werewolf towards the door, almost managing to throw it out and back into the street. The werewolf managed to stop itself at the last second, and leapt at Spike, slashing at his face the moment it was within range to attack. He found himself slamming into the back bookshelf as the werewolf roared bit him around his neck, using its neck muscles to try to rip and tear at Spike’s throat. As with last time, it was unable to do any serious damage before Spike stabbed his claws into the werewolf’s stomach. He ripped it out, causing blood to gush from the hole in the werewolf’s stomach. It jerked its head back, opening its jaws to cry out when Spike repeated its later act.

His teeth punctured its flesh, piercing into the werewolf’s jugular as he shook it like a dog would a chew toy. The werewolf grabbed him and pulled him to the ground with him, rolling over in an effort to get on top. Spike wasn’t having any of it, using his claws to rip and slash at the werewolf’s back, at some point managing to slash at its spine. The werewolf suddenly fell limp and Spike took this change to pin it down and rip its throat out.

Blood gushed from the pony-like canine’s throat, splashing into his face as he raised a claw to deliver the finishing blow. With a final roar, he sliced his sword-like claws deep into the werewolf’s chest, slicing deep enough to slice into where its heart was. The werewolf gurgled as it choked on its blood, before it fell silent, its yellow eyes glazing over.

“Well that was a pain in the ass.” Spike grumbled, stepping off of the now dead werewolf and licking the blood off of him. “That werewolf was as tough as he was big. Looks like he had the bite to back up his bark literally and figuratively. Too bad he was facing off against a dragon and not another werewolf.”

“Spike?!” Dinky’s voice shouted from down below the hatchet door. “Are you still up there?!”

Ears perking, Spike went over to the hatchet door and quickly called back down. “I’m still here Dinky! Are you and everypony else alright in there!”

“Just fine Spike!” This time it was Amethyst who spoke up. “Is the werewolf gone?!”

“Oh, he’s more than just gone Amethyst! He’s good and dead, with no chance of getting back up again!” Spike replied immediately, keeping the pain out of his voice. He didn’t want them to get the suspicion that he felt bad about killing he beast. “Are you guys okay?!”

“We’re fine Spike!” Derpy said once her daughters feel silent. “We managed to make it down before the werewolf tried to get us!”

“Okay, good!” Spike said, allowing himself to be relieved this time. “Just stay down there and don’t go anywhere! I’m gonna get rid of the body before it draws anymore in here!”

“You got it, kiddo!” Cloud Kicker called up, the tone in her voice making it sound like she was pleased. “Just give us a heads up in when you’re going to come down alright?!”

“Don’t worry! I will!” Spike added, frowning a bit at being called ‘kiddo’. Deciding to save a vague comment for Cloud later, Spike turned back to the body of the werewolf. He grimaced at the gruesomeness of its body, excluding the smell and the taste of its blood on his lips. Wasting no time, he covered it in a blanket of emerald flames covering it from head to tail. Spike stood there, watching as it slowly disintegrated it like a television being fast forwarded by a remote control. It was the work of several seconds for the werewolf’s body to be nothing more than ash. As that Spike blew out the door with a huge intake of breath.

“Well, that takes care of that shit.” Spike said, sighing as he returned back to his foalish size. “I’d better go barricade the door now. Don’t want any more of those guys to come in and find us…or that thrall that was just here.”

Licking the blood from his lips, Spike trotted over to the door and prepared to close it. He stopped when he saw the sight outside that his reptilian eyes fell upon. A sight that nearly made his heart stop in his chest and a scream of absolute fright leave his little mouth. With speed equivalent to that of a tree snake snatching a bird from the air, he slammed the door, locking it with all the locks on its left side.

Blissful silence washed over the room as the drake slowly slumped to the floor, his young mature mind trying to take in what he had seen. The horror outside that was sure to plague his mind with nightmares by the end of the night. He soon shook it away, replacing the thoughts of terror with ones of the ponies currently hiding. With the revelation outside in the forefront of his mind, he hastily flew down to the bottom of the treehouse, desperate to tell them of what he had found out. As well as get some answers out from a certain persian blue mare.

Chapter 28 - The Troop of Wooden Villains

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 29 - Planning for Combat

Despite what the name implied it to be to everypony, Ponyville’s Golden Oaks Library wasn’t an entirely a library. At least not like the ones found back in Canterlot City or even the castle. It did have the necessities needed for it to be called a library though. Such as having multiple shelves full of different books and giving ponies an estimated time as to how long they can have them before needing to be returned. While it may not have been built and constructed like all the other libraries found in other towns and cities, it was still a library in its own right. Ponies would often into it and ask Twilight for a specific book, and she’d set the tools needed for them to get it for a limited amount of time.

Most of the time, they would be able to return the book on time. With the item only just being a day or two late, and there’d hardly be any problem. Other times, they’d be gone for much longer, and they were returned, Twilight would be left with no choice but to fine them a fee. Not all ponies that returned her books wanted to pay the fee, but, once they got a good scare from Spike, they all but begged her to take their money. Twilight never really wanted to do it, but knew that she had to put her hoof down when needed. Even if it meant giving some ponies a scare from the one thing that they could all agreed was their biggest fear.

As good as that was to know, that was not what kept Golden Oaks Library from completely being a library. It was something else that only Twilight, Spike and the six of her friends knew of, with a few others knowing as well. Underneath the floor of the library, was a bigger section of books that only Twilight herself and those that she trusted knew about. One that had books that Twilight did give to others that wanted to buy them and keep them permanently. It was always a wonder to ponies how she made her money, since practically lived a library of all places. Until she showed them to the underground sections and gave them books that could actually be bought and paid for.

That was the first thing that Twilight had in her home that ponies knew about. The second one was something more secretive than even that. Save for the ponies that knew of it and kept it secret for the magic mage. Like the ones that were currently seeking shelter within it from the danger that was happening down below.

“What do you think is happening up there, Momma?” Dinky asked softy, her tiny voice echoing across the wide round walls of the room. “Do you think that Spike killed the werewolf or made it go away?”

“I don’t know sweetie.” Derpy replied, holding Dinky close. “I certainly heard everything that was happening down there. It sounded like they were going at each other pretty hard.”

“No shit.” Amethyst grunted, rubbing at her ears. “Even from all the way down here I could hear them roaring and screaming at each other. It’ almost like both of them having the lungs of a dragon or something.”

“Well, Spike is a dragon after all. Even though he was raised by ponies, he still has the traits of a dragon at his disposal.” Snowflake commented softly. “Just as his martial arts and magic trainer Master Venture Vine. She was the one who helped him become as powerful as he is now to face something like that.”

“We all know that, but I’m still worried about him.” Midnight said quietly, looking up at the opening above them. “It’s been ten minutes since Spike told us that he had beaten that werewolf. He hasn’t come own like he said he would. I’m wondering if there was something is going on right now. Or if he even went outside to investigate”

Cloud Kicker bit her lip in worry. “Oh, Faust no! Please tell me that he’s not going to do or is doing right now! I know he’s a dragon and all, but I doubt that even he can stand against the group that I had seen outside! At the very least he’ll be able to burn a few of those mutts before he’s overwhelmed! If not them, then by the dragon he said that he sensed outside the library!”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that Cloud Kicker.” Snowflake replied confidently. “Spike may not look it, but he can face more than one enemy on his own. For almost his entire life, he was trained in many different fighting styles. Including against an entire group rather than just one other pony, dragon, or even a thestral. They’re as closest to be supernatural creatures as whatever others are out there in town right now. I wouldn’t doubt Spike too much when it comes to facing creatures like that.”

In truth, while Spike did have sparring matches and duels with a multitude of ponies and bat ponies, it wasn’t limited to just them. At least, not to the ones that were in Canterlot City and in the Solar and Lunar Divisions. Spike’s martial arts and magic teacher, Venture Vine Ryu Doragon, sometimes came over to Canterlot to visit the young drake. While on occasion it was just to see and spend time with him, most of the time it was to help him keep his power at its peak. Due to how much destruction they caused, they’ve often go out in wild isolated areas where no ponies or animals were around.

Spike would even go to see Venture Vine himself, even though it was pretty far from Canterlot City. She lived on the far northeastern side of the Everfree Forest, which was all the way over the other side of Foal Mountain. Regardless of how much of a fly it’d be, it was worth the training sessions and the amount of pay that came with made it all the better for Venture Vine. After all, it wasn’t often you got special time with a protector of a village of the Everfree Forest. Especially if that pony was not only half dragon, but a guild master as well.

“Even so, he’d better not do anything stupid up there.” Cloud muttered, her brows furrowing as her ears pinned back. “The last thing that we need is for that kid to get himself killed. If he dies, not only things will get a hell of a lot worse for us, but Twilight is gonna get pissed at us for not keeping him safe.”

The door to the secret room suddenly burst open, causing Snowflake, Midnight, Cloud and the Hooves family to jump in fright. Their fear soon quelled into relief when they saw a bloodied Spike standing at the entrance. Patches of black fur covered various parts of his body, but something told the group the blood wasn’t his.

“That’s teenager to you Cloud Kicker.” Spike bluntly stated as he walked inside of the room, using his tail to slam the door shut. “And for the record, it was me protecting the you, Dinky, Ms. Derpy Snowflake, and Midnight. Not the other way around.”

“Spike! You’re okay!” Dinky squealed as she broke out of her mother’s hold. Before she got even halfway, Amethyst captured her in a magical aura. “Sis! What’re you doing?!”

“Best not to touch him right now Dinky.” Amethyst advised. “You see the fur patches and the blood on him down you?”

It was at that moment that Dinky noticed the fur and red patches on Spike’s paws, face, forelegs and chest. Her face of elation turned into one of revulsion as she recoiled sharply. “Ewwww! You’re all bloody!”

“Well, I was fighting a werewolf just ten minutes ago.” Spike replied, shaking the fur off of him. His snake-like tongue began to lick to blood off of him like a cat cleaning its fur. “I think forgive me if I seemed to be more than a little dirty.”

“I’m not sure if Rarity would feel the same way sweetie.” Derpy chuckled. “If she were to see your right now, she’d be screaming her head off and blubbering about how your scales weren’t shining as bright as diamonds.”

Spiked rolled his eyes. “I believe you there. But I’d still rather not hear it from her of all ponies or anyone else. Because I so do not wanna have my ears screamed off of my head.” He said dryly, recalling all the times where Rarity had dramatically screamed about how horrid he had looked at times. “At least Fluttershy cares more if she damages my hearing or not. I swear that mare talks softer than owl flapping its wings.”

Cloud burst out into a chortle. “Now isn’t that the truth.”

“Anyway, how have you guys been holding up here since I was up there dealing with our…guest?” Spike asked as he faced the entire group. “I hope I didn’t cause too much of a ruckus and make you guys too scared.”

“Oh, you scared us plenty. Thank you very much.” Amethyst snorted dryly, ignoring the scolding glare Derpy shot her. “On the flipside, this place has managed to barricade us pretty well from that giant werewolf from upstairs. It looks like Twilight kept up in her care of this place and making sure that it as stable and secure.”

“Well, you are right about the secure part.” Midnight murmured, looking around at the various equipment around the room. Her eyes glinted as they reflected the light of the battle knives, swords, arrows blades, and many other weaponries hanging and sitting around the room. There were also books and glass bottles that Midnight couple only guess were ones on medicine and potion. Along with maps leading to places other than Ponyville, other than the ones that Twilight, the girls and Zephyr took themselves. “I never thought that Twilight would have a preparation of weapons hidden underneath here. And here I was thinking only a few hours ago that she only had them stashed in her drawers in the main library room.”

“Well, this is Twilight we’re talking about after all. Always preparing herself for anything that may come to her. No matter what it was.” Snowflake commented with a laugh. “To be honest, I’m not really surprised that she has something like this. I feel a lot safer now that we have this to use to our disposal if the treehouse gets broken into again.”

“So do I. Now that we’re down here, we can take a breather and figure out what do next.” Spike sighed as he closed his eyes. He soon opened them and let the gleaming slitted orbs land right on Cloud. “Which reminds me of something else.” He said as he stepped closer to the persian blue mare. “Cloud Kicker, do you mind explaining to me what the hell I just saw?!”

Cloud blinked at the drake in confusion. “What? You mean the werewolf? I said that I had him tailing my ass and-”

“No, not that.” Spike held a claw up to stop Cloud mid-sentence. “What I mean is what you saw outside of the treehouse before you came here! You clearly told us not to go outside before that werewolf broke into the library. And when I looked outside, I could clearly see what you were talking about! With that being said, do you mind explaining to me why I saw a whole army of every single folkloric creature in the book, outside looking for somepony to devour?!”

“What?” Derpy felt her fur turn a lighter shade of grey at Spike’s words. “W-what did you just say?”

“Exaclty what you heard me say Ms. Derpy.” Spike said somberly. “When I was throwing the body of the werewolf out the door, I looked outside and saw what could only be described as a fucking nightmare! I didn’t just see werewolves outside! I saw lycans, zombies, ghouls, vampires, succubi, and thralls like the one outside the library, running and flying across the town! There were even dogs and black winged cats bigger than even that werewolf that I fought earlier! It wasn’t just a group of monsters that I saw out there, Cloud Kicker! It was a fucking folkloric army!”

Silence flew throughout the room after Spike’s words echoed about the secret combat room. A heavy breathing that came from the drake was the only thing that was heard as he stared at Cloud. Her younger sister and nieces were looking at her as well, mixed looks of worry and inquisitiveness swirling through their eyes like whirlpools. Cloud felt herself shrinking under the gazes as they silently begged her to tell them what she had seen. Sighing, Cloud slumped against the wall, dreading what she was going to tell them.

“It…it just came without warning.” She said softly, the quietness in the room allowing the others to hear her clearly. As if she was speaking at normal volume. “Me and Blossomforth were just beginning to recover from almost getting crushed at the Town Square. We barely managed to keep from getting squashed by the roof. I thought that was the worst of it, but…” She began to whimper like a puppy being out in the middle of the rain. “That’s when we heard the howling, and the roaring, and the screeching. Then this group of huge lions, with crow-like wings, came flying in out of nowhere and tried to attack us. If the royal guards hadn’t shown up when they did, we would have become cat chow.”

Spike’s reptilian ears perked. “Wait, the royal guards are here in Ponyville?”

“Yeah, they are. I saw a few of them galloping around the streets trying to get at some of the monsters that are in it now.” Cloud nodded, shuddering. “Anyway, the guards managed to get the lions out of there. But they did manage to get mauled pretty good by those feisty cats. It wasn’t too serious. They could still stand and fight, but something tells me that they’re going to be having everlasting scars.”

Images of Zephyr being bitten by Nightmare Moon and drained of his blood entered into Spike’s mind. He gave an involuntary shudder as he tried to banish the image from his mind, knowing that now wasn’t the time to think about that. Forcing the bile in his throat down, he asked, “Okay, so what happened after that?”

“After the royal guards threw the lions out, me and Blossomforth decided to get out of there ourselves. I didn’t want us to run the chance at getting attacked by those lions if they decided to go back inside the Town Square. So, we took the secret back entrance that the Town Square has in the back of the building.” Cloud continued, letting out a bitter chuckle. “Looking back, I just wanna go and whack myself upside the head for choosing such a shitty decision.”

“Let me guess.” Amethyst muttered, her eyes half-lidded. “You ran into the werewolf after you left the Town Square?”

“Not immediately. Me and Blossomforth were too shocked at seeing a whole army of zombies, giant dragons, lycans and fucking vampires all around in the street.” Cloud replied, remembering the fear she felt upon seeing Nightmare Moon’s pets. She could still see the look of absolute terror on her best friend’s face at being in the middle of the beastly army. “We tried to go hide somewhere, but a few werewolves caught whiff of us and gave chase. I tried to stay and help Cloud with the mutts, but she practically kicked me away before I could stop her. She told me to run while she fended off the werewolves, and there was already more trying to get at me. S-so I…so I ran. A-and…that’s how I ended up here.”

“That would explain why that werewolf just randomly barged into here out of nowhere.” Derpy said contemplatively. “Unlike that, um…thrall that almost flattened the treehouse earlier.”

“So, wait, Auntie Blossomforth stayed to fight the werewolves alone?” Dinky asked timidly, her eyes growing wet. “I-is…is she going to be okay?”

Cloud shook her head, her mane flowing in front of her eyes. “I don’t know baby. I-I really don’t know right now. I don’t know if Blossomforth is still alive. I don’t know if she’s dead and became dog chow for those fucking werewolves! And I certainly don’t know if they decided to turn her into a bloodthirsty pony devouring werewolf herself!” Her eyes shut tightly like she was being given a shot. “I just…dammit! I JUST DON’T KNOW!”

Her right hoof swung through the air, slamming into the wall like baseball being launched into the air like a bat. The combat weapons and sealed bottles rattled and rolled across the tables, some of them even falling to the floor, but not shattering. Midnight and Snowflake frowned in disapproval at Cloud, but said nothing as they went to clean up the mess.

“…I don’t know either Cloud Kicker. Neither do Snowflake, Midnight, Derpy and Dinky know if Blossomforth is okay right now.” Spike sighed, keeping his tone honest and sincere. “But that doesn’t mean that we can’t find out for ourselves. Which is why I have a plan.”

“You do?” Derpy asked. “What plan do you have?”

“You’re not going to have is go outside and confront those things, are you?” Amethyst asked worriedly, despite knowing the answer. “Because that’s the last thing I wanna do right now.”

“Well, yes and no.” Spike said sheepishly, smiling apologetically at the unicorn. “Yes, because we can’t stay here forever. One of those things is going to find us eventually and I’m pretty sure the last thing you guys want is to be turned into lycans, werewolves, or zombies.” He watched in slight amusement as the Hooves Family, Midnight and Snowflake shivered. “No, because I’m not intending for us to go out there like how we are now. At least not you three.”

“Wait, are you saying that we’re going to be suiting up?” Dinky asked with a cute head tilt. “Like, using the weapons in this place?”

“Yes. That’s exactly what you’ll be doing.” Spike said immediately. “I get that you guys are very powerful in your own right. And you’re all more than equipped a kicking the asses of almost every creature out there, minus the thralls. Except for maybe you Dinky.”

He smiled sympathetically as the younger unicorn pouted cutely. “Be that as it may, it doesn’t hurt for you guys to be a little more extra prepared. You don’t wanna waste your magical powers and resort to your last resorts too quickly. Remember, you’re not just dealing with ponies and normal creatures here. You are dealing with creatures and beings that are the very epitome of darkness and evil. Only craving for blood and destruction. And the only way to stop somethin like that…” He lifted a paw and unsheathed his claws, letting them gleam in front of the eyes of the mares and filly. “…is with the cold steel of a blade.”

“Alright. So, what you’re saying is,” Amethyst as she ran a hoof through her mane. “We should use the weapons in Twilight’s secret combat room to prolong us from using more power than we need to. That way, if we do have to us it, we’ll have a bigger chance of winning before we eventually run out? Or have to use our trump cards?”

“Uh-huh!” Spike chirped with his signature trademark grin. “That’s exactly it Amethyst! If you do this, you’ll all have a bigger chance at surviving what we’ll be facing up there! Not only that, but we’ll also have a bigger chance at finding Blossomforth and getting her back here to the library!” A smile came to his face as he hovered in the air. “See?! It’s the perfect plan! Our survival will be increased if we do this! And, if we use our magic carefully, we’ll be able to keep it longer and not get drained so quickly!”

“…Yes. Yes, that sounds like a wonderful plan.” Snowflake said as she thought over it. “It would certainly save us the effort in using more magic than necessary against the monsters up above. And we’d be able to last longer in combat and save more magical endurance and stamina should we need it.”

“Plus, you and I are Shenrons, and Spike is a dragon.” Midnight added, gesturing to said drake and their draconic crosses. “It’d be pretty tuff for any creature, folkloric and supernatural or not, to go against ones that have draconic powers. Well, except for the thralls of course. Those are the real threat for us.”

“We can deal with them when the time comes. For now, we can just focus on the less powerful creatures bound to the earth. If we’re lucky, we’ll have enough power and endurance to defeat the thralls. If that royal guards don’t do it first that is.” Spike said, clasping his paws together. “So, what do the rest of you think? Does that sound like a plan?”

“Yes. It sure does Spike.” Derpy replied immediately, smiling with approval. “It’s certainly something that I can go with. Anything that can keep me and my daughters safe, I’m willing to go with.” She held her youngest daughter close to her as she nuzzled the top of her mane. “Besides, it’s not like Dinky hasn’t been in this room before, along with Amethyst. They know this place from top to bottom. So, they should know which weapons are the best to use.”

“I sure do Momma!” Dinky nodded, smiling sweetly. “And I know which ones will be the best ones to slay the big bad wolves and all those other monsters out and town!”

Amethyst nodded with a chuckle. “When you have Twilight as a magic trainer, you tend to pick up on a few of her nerdy habits.”

“Well then, it’s settled!” Spike said as he clapped his paws together. “Let’s rummage around this place and see what weapons you’re most efficient at! You guys are in luck, since these weapons are magically enhanced! So you shouldn’t have that much trouble in dealing the fatal blow against any monster that tries to eat you!”

“Yeah, we kind of already know that Spike.” Cloud said looking at the swords handles as gemstones glowed within them. “We can literally see magical gemstones glowing from inside of the swords. They’ve been doing that ever since we got here.”

The drake paused, before sweat dropping as a blush blossomed on his scaly cheeks. “Oh, right. I kind of figured that already.” Shaking his embarrassment away, he put up a more jovial attitude as he headed towards the closes weapon filled corner. “A-anyway, we can worry about that in a minute! Why don’t we go through here and see which weapon is best fit for you guys so we can get out there and save Blossomforth?”

“Yeah!” Dinky squeaked, leaping out of her mother’s embrace and pounding towards the winged purple drake. “Let’s show those big scary monsters why you don’t mess with the Hooves Family! Are you with me Momma? Big sis? Auntie Cloud?”

Derpy smiled warmly as she, Amethyst, Snowflake and Midnight followed her youngest daughter and Spike. “All the way little muffin. All the way.”

Author's Note

I had made another little mistake in the author's not, and that was giving the impression that we were going to see the Hooves Family, Spike, Midnight and Snowflake being thrown into combat. What I meant to say when I put in that author's note, is that they were planning to go back and face the folkloric army. Which is why none of you have seen them go and face them yet :twilightsheepish: . That will happen in either the next chapter or the chapter after that one. Also, if some of you are wondering why I had given Twilight a secret magical combat chamber, is because I wanted to have her be a mare that is prepared for situations similar to that of the one that Ponyville is in now. Probably not anywhere near the scale of supernatural, but still prepared for situations like that nonetheless. Well, Spike is going to make sure that Snowflake, Midnight and the Hooves Family are plenty prepared, because I promise you they are going to get very bloody by the time they get out to face the folkloric army for real :pinkiecrazy: .

Next time: The girls try to escape the jaws of the Timberwolf pack and being eaten alive. All while getting a very scary surprise in the midst of it :twilightoops: .

Chapter 30 - Fangs of Bark

Goku’s hooves thundered across the ground and crushed the thick luscious green grass underneath her. The mare’s mane and tail flowing behind her as if it was a flag blowing in the wind as she galloped through the bushes and trees. Her friends were right on their heels as they did their best to keep up with her. From all sides, the timberwolves that were in hot pursuit of them, their eyes giving menacing glows from within the darkness. Rainbow and Fluttershy were soaring through the air above her, looking down below for any of the wooden canines that tried to take a hit at them. Rarity and Twilight were in the middle, both of their horns ignited and ready to fire if they got too close. Pinkie Pie and Applejack were at the far back, ready to give the timberwolves a sock to the face if they tried to take a bite at their legs. Zephyr was at the very end, making himself as a shield for the girls should the timberwolves try to get them from behind. The wooden canines flanked them at all times, working as a cohesive unit and acting as barriers to prevent the mares from making any side escape into the woods. Leaving them only one route to run, leading the deeper into the woods.

“Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh! I cannot believe that this is happening to us! Twilight exclaimed as she took quick frantic breaths. Her violet eyes darted around her, taking in the petrifying sight of the beasts chasing them. “We haven’t even been in the Everfree Forest for that long, and we are already being attacked! Oh, why does everything that I plan go downhill in situations like this?!”

“Calm down Twilight, we’re not dead yet! I know that we can make it out of here if we just keep calm and don’t lose our heads!” Goku shouted behind her. “Everything’s gonna be alright! Just keep close to me, and don’t run off the trail!”

“Alright?! How can being chased by giant beasts in the middle of the most dangerous forest in Equestria possibly be alright?!” Rarity shouted angrily. “We have been running for who knows how long, and not once we have lost these beastly dogs for a single minute! I don’t think that most of us will be able to keep this up for much longer!” The alabaster Unicorn looked down at her hooves, grimacing at how filthy they looked. “Not only that, all of this running is just ruining my hooficure! I don’t know if I can take any more if this wretched dirtsticking onto me, or any of this foliage getting into my mane!”

“Uh, Rarity, you do realize that you can use that Adrenaline mode stuff, right?” Rainbow Dash asked, taking a glance back at Rarity. “That’s the whole reason why none of us are getting tired! Because we can rely on our adrenaline magic for a huge second wind!”

“And you’re telling me that you’re not even the slightest bit worried about getting torn apart and eaten alive?!” Rarity retorted hotly. “What am I saying, of course you wouldn’t! After all, you’re the dare devil of this little group of ours!”

“Maybe not me! But I’m definitely worried about it happening to one of my friends, especially you!” Rainbow Dash shot back. “Any maybe if you started worrying less about how you’re looking all the time, then maybe you wouldn’t be so bothered by getting so filthy!”

“Start worrying more?!” Rarity repeated, giving the cyan Pegasus a flabbergasted look before it morphed into one of utter scorn. “Why I’d never-”

“Girls! Now ain’t th’ time t’ be bickerin’ over who should do what!” Applejack shouted, cutting Rarity off. With a heave, she shot her hindlegs shot out, bucking a timberwolf straight into the chin of the wooden canine and sending him flying. “Have y’all forgotten th’ situation that we’re in right now?! We need t’ find some way t’ get away from these varmints b’fore we become their dinner-!”

“Incoming!” Pinkie Pie shouted, leaping into the air at a timberwolf that had flung itself at Rarity. The pink pony delivered a hard sock to the canine’s face before the fashionista could even fire her magic at it. “Whew, that was a close one! You okay Rarity?”

“I am now darling. Thank you for that.” Rarity said thankfully. “Though I admit, that was quite the scare I was given there.”

“Well, from the looks of it, we’re going to get a lot more of those the longer we’re in this forest.” Zephyr said, galloping behind the seven mares. “We’ve gotten a couple since we had gotten here, so we’re bound to get more.”

Goku nodded, looking back over at her foalhood friend. “Yeah, good poi-” She stopped abruptly as she noticed a timberwolf dangerously close to Zephyr. “LOOK OUT!”

The royal blue stallion spun around just in time to see a timberwolf diving down towards him before landing on his back. Zephyr gritted his teeth as the wolf dug its teeth and claws into his neck and back, bucking wildly. He spread his wings in preparation for another attack only for a blast of magic to strike the timberwolf in its side and send it off the stallion.

“Thanks Twilight!” He said, giving a sigh of relief.

“No problem Zephyr! Just try to keep your eyes peeled more, okay?” The lavender unicorn advised. “I get that you wanna watch out for danger for us, but it’s not just us you need to look out for! These Timberwolves are also after you as well, and if you get killed, there won’t be anypony to keep all of us safe!”

“Yeah, good point.” Zephyr murmured. He suddenly noticed something up ahead and looked in front of the girls. “Hey look, I can see an opening up ahead!”

Surprised by this revelation, the mares all looked in front of them to see where Zephyr was looking, and sure enough he was right. Just yards away from them, they could see light to an opening that was growing bigger the closer they got to it.

“Hey, he’s right! I can see it too! There’s a way to get away from this timberwolves!” Goku said, a relieved smile coming to her fanged muzzle. “Come on girls, let’s make a break for it!”

“Aww come on really?” Rainbow Dash whined pitifully. “I wanted kick some wooden mutt ass! Are we seriously just going to keep running away!”

“Silly Dashie! These are just little doggies we’re dealing with!” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Besides, didn’t you say back at the library that the only thing you care about is beating that big Moon meanie for what happened to the Queen?”

The cyan mare blushed in embarrassment. “Yeah, you’re right. Good point there, Pinks.”

A snarl from behind the mares made Rainbow turn to see a few timberwolves leaping at them in preparation to pound. Fluttershy and Rarity’s screams indicated that they were the intended targets of the canines. Without even thinking, she spun around and swing her wings forwards, sending bolts of magenta lightning out. One by one, they each struck all three timberwolves with excessive force. Thus sending them rolling across the around and into their comrades.

“I don’t think so you fucking mutts!” She snarled at the downed canine trio. “If you wanna get to any of them you’ll have to through me first!”

“Good one Dash! You managed to get them off just in time!” Zephyr commented, sending a wave of lighting behind him for good measure. Doing his best to ignore the agonized yelps and explosion of lighting, he commanded, “Let’s go girls! Make a break for the next clearing!”

It wasn’t even a full half a minute before he said that, that the entire group found themselves inside of their new destination. The next open space they were in was far larger than that of the one that Goku had took them to. Unlike the last one, there were no bushes accompanying the trees, but a wide field of grass. It was around the size of the space where the Town Square was centered in, with the trees acting as bars to keep the girls and stallion inside.

Darks shadows surrounded the spots where the light shone in the trees from within the sky, leaving the girls to guess what could come out. They didn’t need to take a guess, for they were not needed. They all knew exactly what they were going to see from them. If the incoming pack of wooden forest villains was any hint of that. And they knew if they didn’t do something to buy themselves time, they would become timberwolf chow.

“Applejack, how close are the Timberwolves now?!” Zephyr asked, snapping his gaze to the farmer. “Are they still chasing us?!”

“It doesn’t look like it.” The farmer’s eyes narrowed, a glow dancing through them as she looked in the opening they had come out of. “Ah think they’re checkin’ up on the doggies that ya had just electrocuted. We saved ourselves some time from bein’ eatin’.”

“Alright, good. I figured they’d still be on our tails after that, but I guess I was wrong.” Zephyr nodded, relieved at the news. “Still, I don’t wanna take any chances. Do you think you can make an earth wall around this clearing to keep us from the pack?”

Applejack smirked at the solar royal guard. “Do ya realize who yer talkin’ to, sugarcube?”

Running into the middle of the group, an aura the same color as Applejack’s glowing eyes appeared around her. Rearing her hooves up, she stomped the ground with enough force to make the earth she controlled crack. Cracks appeared as her eyes glowed even brighter as she shouted two words. “Earth Make: Earth Ring!”

Spits began to appear all across the edge of the clearing as they connected and formed a massive unseen ring around the girls. As this was happening, they could make out the outline of a dozen or so eyes peering through the darkness like flashlight in an attic. Luckily, their pursuers were not able to make much of a move before a large ring of earth burst from the ground. They towered over the timberwolves, going as high as Applejack’s household, beyond the canine’s reach. For good measure, wooden like vines slithered up and around the ring from both sides, acting as extra protection and as an added barrier.

“There, that should do it.” Applejack said, panting somewhat. “Them doggies shouldn’t be botherin’ us for a while.”

“Well what was a lot quicker than I had anticipated.” Goku commented absentmindedly. “Nice work there, Applejack. That was an impressive wall you built there!”

“Thank ya kindly hon’. It wasn’t too hard to conjure up when Ah really thought ‘bout it. Ah had years of trainin’ and practicin’ under mah hoof. So Ah can make rings as large as this without much of a sweat.” Applejack smiled, adjusting her had atop her head. “Ah have to admit though, Ah feel even more out of it when Ah did when Ah was fightin’ that cat. Ah don’t think Ah’ve felt this out of it anywhere in mah life.”

“Neither have I dear.” Rarity panted, taking a moment recover from her run. She could feel sweat rolling down her body, but she was too physically exhausted to make a fuss over it. “I’m so glad that we’ve finally stopped. I thought that I was going to pass out from all of that running!”

“We didn’t really have much of a choice Rarity. We were backed into a corner and we didn’t have much weaponry on us.” Zephyr said sympathetically, hugging the other unicorn from behind. “It was all we could do to keep from being eaten. There were just too many of them. So the only thing that we could do is run.”

“Well hopefully we won’t have to do too much of it.” Rainbow grumbled bitterly. “I swear, I am getting more and more pissed off that I’m not packing a punch to something. If I have to go any longer doing that, I am going to go fucking crazy!”

“I know how you feel Rainbow Dash. Believe me, we all do.” Fluttershy said solemnly. “I wanna get to Scootaloo as quickly as possible and save her. Just like how you want to save Firestreak from Nightmare Moon. And I know that the girls all feel the same way we do, including Goku. It’s just…we can’t waste any more time than we need to in fending of the animals in this forest. We have to save as much energy as possible if we want to keep our chance of rescuing our sisters and surviving high. And we can’t do that if we fight every single creature here. So please, just be patient for a little longer okay? At least until we get to the first village in the Everfree.”

Rainbow gave a heavy sigh of defeat. “Alright, fine. I’ll wait a little longer. But don’t blame me if I decide I wanna a little duel with one of these guys. I need something to release all of this pent-up energy on.”

“Oh, you will Dash. I promise you that time will come.” Twilight said somewhat humorously. “After all, we don’t want you going to crazy. And especially not as crazy as Pinkie Pie does whenever she’s on a sugar rush. Isn’t that right Pinkie Pie?”

Everypony expected Pinkie to automatically respond. To give some kind of random statement or even call Rainbow by her signature nickname. When it didn’t come, all of them turned to the aforementioned party pony, seven of them instantly on edge. Their confusion grew when they saw Pinkie standing stiller than a birthday cake, her eyes locked right up at the sky.

“Pinkie Pie…?” Twilight asked softly, her brows slowly creasing with worry. “Pinkie Pie, can you hear us?”

Pinkie said nothing to the unicorn. She didn’t even seem to even acknowledge that she heard her speaking. Her expression was one that could only be described as dazed and unfocused. And her mouth was slightly agape, her eyes locked up above her.

“Hello, Equis to Pinkie Pie!” Rainbow said, waving her hoof in front of Pinkie like a swaying clock. “Hey! Are the lights in your head out or something?!”

It was at that moment that one of the girls looked up to see what Pinkie was staring at. A gasp escaped her before she whimpered out, “Girls…you may want to look up.”

Hearing the uncharacteristic fear in Goku’s silky voice, the group followed her gaze and found themselves all freezing. Up above them, hovering in the shy and gleaming like a chandelier over a dinner table, was the blood moon. Its red color burned in each of their horrified eyes, like somepony was lighting a patch dangerously close to their faces. Although it was mostly obscured by the deep red color, they could see outline of a black unicorn head glaring back down at them. It was almost as if Nightmare Moon was still on her moon rather than in the forest and the castle that she and her hostages were in.

“Uh, guys, feel free to say I’m fucked up in the head,” Rainbow said, gulping. “But am I seeing a red moon right now?!”

“Nope, Ah’m seein’ it too right now.” Applejack replied in disbelief. “But Ah’m havin’ trouble believin’ mah own eyes right now.”

“I’m not.” Zephyr said lowly, trying to keep his breathing under control. “Because after all that I’ve seen happen tonight, I’m not willing to put it past Nightmare Moon to have caused this.”

“You don’t think she really could’ve done this do you?” Rarity asked doubtfully. “This new red moon seems far to…divine to have been made by somepony so vile.”

“…No, it was definitely made by her. I know it.” Goku said firmly, his eyes narrowed. “I can feel the dark power radiating from it even from all the way over here. It may be all the way up in the moon, but it was done by her. It’s the only thing that can explain that dark rush of dark power that I felt wash over me after I rescued you all from the Shinomōkin.”

“D-dark wave of power?” Fluttershy asked, taken off guard by the tan mare’s question. “What do you mean a wave of power washed over the forest?”

Goku’s golden eyes trained onto Fluttershy’s teal ones, her upper teeth going to bite her lower lip in apprehension. Before she could so much as utter a sound, her ears were assaulted by a scream that seemed to come from deep within. Immediately recognizing it as Pinkie, all looked to see the party pony on her haunches, her mouth wide and eyes bulging.

“P-Pinkie Pie?!” Rarity cried, backing away from the other mare instinctively. “Pinkie, darling! What’s the matter?!”

As with Rainbow, Pinkie did not respond, too overcome with whatever pain she was feeling. She fell to her haunches and clutched the sides of her head, as if something was wriggling inside of her brain. Her haunting screams of agony continued to echo through the clearing as tears dripped from her face, sobs joining her screams.

“Pinkie Pie!” Fluttershy was at her friend’s side in an instant. She grabbed the earth mare by her shoulder and motioned her to sit in front of her. “Pinkie Pie, it’s okay! I’m here! Just calm down, okay?!” She got no response, but Pinkie’s cries slowly died down. “Pinkie look at me, please. I need you to focus on me. Look at me Pinkie Pie. Look at nothing but me.”

Bit by bit, Pinkie slowly lifted her trembling head to meet the gentle eyes of Fluttershy. Said eyes grew wide with shock and terror when her own eyes laid upon Pinkie’s. The pupils inside of the latter’s baby blue irises were shrinking, before slowly expanding. It was almost as if somepony was taking a microscope and zooming in and out of her eyes. From around both her eyes, black markings could be seen appearing and vanishing. As if somepony as painting her eyes with eyes shadow before rubbing off again, not pleased with their work.

‘Her eyes…the pupils are shrinking, and markings are appearing around them. Like a racoon or even a dog’s own.’ Fluttershy thought to them as she inspected them closely. As soon as that thought crossed her mind, something else clicked. ‘Bu…but that could only mean-! Oh no!’

“Fluttershy, do you know what’s wrong with Pinkie Pie?!” Twilight asked, her worried voice pulling Fluttershy out of her thoughts. “Why is she screaming?!”

Instead of answering her question, Fluttershy gave an entirely different response. “Girls, back away from Pinkie Pie.”

Rarity paused in confusion. “What? W-why?”

“Get away from Pinkie Pie, now!” Fluttershy repeated, her voice slightly higher as she shot them a stern, yet frantic look. She could feel Pinkie shaking in her hooves as a low growl rumbled in her ears. “She’s about to turn in her Lycan Dominator Form! Please, just do as I say and back away!”

Turning back around to face Pinkie, Fluttershy found herself staring into the menacingly glowing blue eyes of Pinkie. Then, her face burst with pain as something sharp and fast went across her face that could’ve only been claws. She barely had time to scream as she was sent shooting through the air and tumbling across the ground. Everypony else watched on in absolutely shock as Pinkie sent the gentle pegasus across the clearing. Leaving a small trail of the veterinarian’s blood in her wake as she slammed into the earth ring.

“Pinkie!” Rainbow shouted; her hackles raised as she glared at the mare. “What in the hell did you do that fo-?!”

Her tongue suddenly went limp, as if somepony made clamped her jaw shut right in between it with enough force to nearly bite it off. Her feelings of anger soon turned to fear as she looked into the eyes of Pinkie. The mare was staring back at her with her gleaming blue eyes, now looking more like that of a dog’s than a pony’s. A growl left her throat as she slammed her bloodied hoof into the ground. The hoof that was now a menacing clawed paw that was clawing at the dirt ground beneath it.

“P…P-Pinkie?” Twilight whimpered, looking ready to wet herself. “What’s h-happening to you?”

Still, Pinkie said nothing to any of her friends. She just growled at them ominously as her body slowly began to take a new form. Zephyr and the girls watched as her other hoof became a claw in place of the left one, her teeth also sharpening as well. Pinkie’s back legs lengthened and bent, becoming like that of a canine’s as the hooves became paws, claws jetting out of them. Her muzzle and ears stretched out, the muzzle becoming half like that of a dog’s muzzle while her ears poked out from either side of her straw hat. Pinkie’s fur became as dark as her mane, becoming a reddish pink color as her curly mane became a full solid red, with her tail lengthening as well. The only things that were not changed were her hat and vest, which seemed to expand to match the hybrid mare’s new form.

“Ho…ly…shit!” Rainbow screeched. “Pinkie just became a…a…”

“A werewolf…” Twilight whispered, backing away as Pinkie slowly stocked towards them. “She just became a werewolf!”

Zephyr narrowed his eyes. “No.” He said calmly, staring intently at Pinkie’s new form. “It’s not a werewolf form. She became a Lycan is what happened.”

“Lycan?” Rarity asked, looking at the stallion. “How can you tell?”

Instead of laying out the evidence, Zephyr asked a question of his own. “You guys told me Pinkie had the words, Lycan D., in her name, right?” He didn’t wait for a response before he continued on. “What if she’s like this now because her powers were brought out by the blood moon after Pinkie Pie stared up at it?”

“What’re you talkin’ ‘bout?” Applejack asked, keeping her eyes on Pinkie Pie. “Are you sayin’ that lookin’ at th’ red moon caused Pinkie Pie t’ turn into…that?!”

“It’s the only reason that can explain why she’s like this right now.” Zephyr replied, looking back at Pinkie. “And it would also explain why she’s not attacking us right now, and is just glaring at us instead.”

As if she was reminded why she even turned in the first lace, Pinkie slammed her tail down and let lose a roar that burst all throughout the night air. Her friends all jumped and backed further away from her as she crept even closer to them. Saliva dripped from her fanged jaws as she bared them at her friends, the fur on the back of her neck bristling. With another growl, she crouched down before leaping at her friends, mouth agape as she went in for the kill.

“PINKIE PIE!!!”

A yellow blur shot in front of the transformed party pony and sent her into the other side of the wall. It took the rest less than a second to realize that it was Fluttershy, who had apparently recovered from her strike. They moved into help her, but the mare’s authoritative tone stopped them like a mother keeping her foals from doing something stupid.

“Stay back everypony!” She said, looking at them with one eye, the other one obscured by her disheveled mane. “Don’t come near is whatever happens! I can handle this!”

“Are you nuts?!” Rainbow protested incredulously. “Look at her Fluttershy! She is clearly lost her mind! Get away from her before she-!”

“I said, stay back!” Fluttershy yelled, her single teal eye glowing orange for a few moments, making Rainbow shrink away. Fluttershy then turned back to Pinkie, doing her best to hold the struggling mare down. “Pinkie Pie, it’s me! Fluttershy! Snap out of it! For Faust and Moka’s sake, please! Snap out of it!”

Pulling her mane away from her eyes, she let her other bloodied eye be seen as they both glowed that frightening orange color. Pinkie, who was struggling violently against the mare, felt her body go slack when looking into Fluttershy’s fiery stare. Her snarl of anger and hunger slowly turned into a face of awe and fear as she slowly shrunk under the gaze. Silently, she began to whimper, as if she was a young puppy who was caught ripping up its owner’s couch. Slowly, her primal instincts receded, and Pinkie’s mental state slowly began to return, although her body still stayed in its hybrid from.

“F-Fluttershy…?” Pinkie said quietly, sounding like she had a headache. “Is that y-you?”

Fluttershy’s eyes immediately changed back to their normal color upon hearing Pinkie’s voice. A sigh of relief left her as she let herself fall on top of the other mare. “Oh thank Faust. You’re finally back.”

“Back? What do you mean I’m-?” Pinkie stopped as she took in her lycan form. “Whoa! Look at me! I’m in my Lycan Dominator Form! How in the heck did that happen?!”

“You transformed, that’s what happened Pinkie Pie.” Came the relieved voice of Zephyr as he stepped towards the two mares. “It happened when you stared up into the blood moon and stood in a daze. At first, I didn’t know what was happening to you. But then I remembered you had told me part of your name was Lycan D. So, looking at the blood moon must have triggered your inner lycan abilities.”

“Really? I was looking at the-whoa!” Pinkie tried to get up and look up at the moon, but squeaked when Fluttershy forced her back down. “Fluttershy, what’re you doing?!”

“Do not look at it, Pinkie Pie.” Fluttershy commanded softly. “Please, do not look at the blood moon. We already had too close of a call after you transformed and tried to attack the others. I don’t want to have another one like that again for us.”

“Wait, what?!” Pinkie shot up again, her forehead colliding with Fluttershy’s. The other mare cried out as she fell back, while Pinkie snapped her gaze towards her friends. “I tried to attack everypony?!”

“Yes, Pinkie Pie…you did.” Twilight said tentatively, keeping a reasonable distance away from Pinkie. As glad as she was that her friend got control of herself, she didn’t want to run the chances of having her throat torn out. “After you, um…turned, you tried going after us and Zephyr. Luckily, Fluttershy stopped you in time before you could even swipe at us.”

Pinkie sat silent, staring gob smacked at her friends, unable to believe what she was being told. “I…that…that’s impossible! I don’t remember doing any of that! All I remember is screaming before everything went all read and swirly! If I had really attacked you guys, then I would’ve remembered doing it! And I’d never forget anything like that! Not that I’d ever do that anyway!”

“Ah know it’s hard t’ believe sugarcube, but…it happened.” Applejack said solemnly, reaching down and putting her head to her chest. Pinkie froze at the action, knowing that Applejack only did that when either asking for forgiveness, apologizing, or when she was telling the absolute truth. “Don’t worry though, it’s alright. We know you didn’t mean it. You just lost control in the heat of the moment and got driven mad by yer inner, uh…doggie.” She blushed at not being able to correctly pronounce the word Lycan. “It’s fine really Pinkie Pie. None of us are mad at you. It doesn’t matter anymore now that yer back in control.”

“…If…if I really did try to attack you guys, then tell me this.” Pinkie said, her voice unusually serious as she looked at Fluttershy’s bloodied face. “Was I the one who gave Fluttershy that nasty cupcake splatter?”

“Um, I think you mean blood darling.” Rarity said delicately. “That’s not cupcake frosting that Fluttershy-”

“I know what I said Rarity!” Pinkie suddenly yelled, making Rarity flinch. “Now, tell me! Did I give Fluttershy that splatter of cake frosting or not?!”

The sound of the earth ring behind slammed into prevented everypony from giving Pinkie any confirmation of her attack on Fluttershy. They all looked around and watched as the wooden vines on the earth ring shook slightly with the force. Some of them even fell of as tiny cracks began to appear from within the ring, soon becoming visible.

“Uh oh, it looks like my earth ring is comin’ undone.” Applejack said urgently. “It looks like them lil’ doggies are done waitin’.”

“A-are they trying to break down the ring?!” Twilight asked Applejack. “Because it sounds like that’s what they’re doing!”

Goku’s bat ears flicked about. “They sure are. The pack that we saw earlier was nowhere near strong enough to try destroying an earth ring of this size. If the timberwolves are body slamming themselves against it and causing this much noise, then there must be more of them. A lot more.”

“Well isn’t that just lovely!” Rarity moaned, whining like a filly not getting a toy she wanted. “All this time we were in here, those beasts were calling for reinforcements to eventually overwhelm us! Thanks a lot for the security Applejack! This was a real help in keeping us safe!”

The tangerine earth pony frowned. “That remark was sarcastic, wasn’t it Rares?”

“What do you think, you apple-bucking buffoon?!”

“That’s enough girls.” Zephyr said, using his commanding royal guard tone to silence them like two young fillies arguing over a doll. “You can save your bickering and eventual romping under the moonlight sky later. Right now, we need to prepare for our incoming fight.” Ignoring the flushed glares he got from the fashionista and farmer, he turned to Goku. “Goku, do you have any ideas?”

“I think I just might.” She said clapping her hooves together as she took flight. “Applejack, Pinkie Pie, you two are the most physically strongest out of all us. So you should have the best chance fighting them physically. Especially since you have the most endurance and physical prowess. Applejack, you’ll take care of the timberwolves that’re flanking us from behind, while Pinkie Pie keeps them at bay from the front.”

“You got it Goku!” Pinkie Pie nodded, giving a sharp salute as her tail wagged. She bounced away from the group, a cerulean aura surrounding her body as she added, “I can’t wait to party with these doggies in my Lycan Dominator Form! It’s been so long since I’ve fought in it! I can’t wait to feel out energized it is again!”

“Well, Ah was hopin’ t’ fight th’ ones in th’ front instead o’ in the back.” Applejack mumbled as she trotted off, her own aura appearing once more. “Still, if ya want us t’ fight th’ ones from behind, then that’s what Ah’ll do.”

“Rarity Twilight, you two will handle the Timberwolves on the sides of us.” Goku continued, turning to the alabaster and lavender unicorns. “You two are the ones who are able to do actual visible magic, and because of that, you two are the best for fighting at a distance rather than up close. Just don’t let them get too close to you though; I don’t want to have one of you get a broken leg that’ll take more of Fluttershy's magic to fix that she could use helping us fight.”

“Very well then...if I must.” Rarity said with a sigh, summoning a sapphire blue aura. “Best of luck Twilight.”

“You too Rarity.” Twilight nodded as she galloped off, her body emitting an aura of violet. “And please be careful.”

“Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Zephyr, you three, besides me, are the ones who’re able to fly and use magic that relates to the weather.” Goku said, looking in at the other three Pegasi. “So, I want the four of you to take to the skies with me so we can fight the Timberwolves from up above. We can also watch out for any of the girls down below should any Timberwolf try to sneak up on them and give them some help should they need it.”

“You got it G!” Rainbow Dash said excitedly as she took off to the left side of the clearing. “You can count on me! Any mutt that tires to get any of you, I’ll sap them into firewood!”

“Alright Goku...if that’s what you want me to do.” Fluttershy said as she hung her head. As much as she disliked harming an animal, she knew that getting killed by them was far worse. “Just um...don’t rough them up too bad, okay? I know that they wanna eat us but, I don’t any of you to use that as justification to-”

“Don’t worry Fluttershy. We won’t kill them if that’s what you’re wondering.” Goku said reassuringly, as she gave the other mare a gentle smile. “They may be creatures of the Everfree, but they’re still like any other animal in Equestria. I won’t hold it against them for behaving how they were made to, even if they were created by the Savage Queen Estelle.” Her ears flattened against her head as she looked off to the side. “Besides, you’d burn my eyes to ash with your Solar Stare if I did so otherwise.”

“Your damn right she would!” Rainbow Dash guffawed, while Zephyr just stared at Goku perplexedly. The cyan mare noticed his look and asked, “What?”

“Um, pardon me for asking but…” Zephyr said. “…but what’s the Solar Stare?”

“You don’t wanna know.” Fluttershy replied softly, glancing over at Pinkie Pie. “Seriously…”

The sounds of the giant earth ring cracking and rumbling broke the three pegasi and one thestral out of their thoughts. They looked over to see it beginning starting to crumble, holes appearing to show wooden lips and heads of the timberwolves bursting out. Some of them were already nearly all the way on the other side of the earth ring, just seconds away from attacking.

“Here they come!” Goku shouted, her voice resounding around the entire clearing. “On my signal everypony!”

Just seconds later, the ring of earth blocking the clearing’s entrance finally gave way to the timberwolves, crumbling beneath their wooden paws. Everything seemed to go on in slow motions as the increased pack went on the attack. Their eyes glowed like blazing lanterns as their wooden teeth and claws cut through the air, their clubbed whipped like tails lashing like whips.

“Now!” Goku yelled, as if commanding an in-training police dog. “Everypony, ATTACK!”

All the other seven ponies automatically went on the offensive, either sending of wing attacks, blasts of magic, or bone shattering kicks. Each of the timberwolves that were within range of the ponies were wither blasted away, sliced to ribbons, or had their jaws broken by each of their attacks. It was all the more devastating due to the auras of adrenaline emitting from each of their bodies, amplifying their physical and magical strength. Even so, this did not stop any of the canines from their relentless assault on the eight ponies, and they responded in kind.

The battle between canine and equine had begun.

Author's Note

Yeah...I'm pretty sure that you guys were not expecting me to add the part on where Pinkie suddenly turns into her own version of a bloodthirsty Lycan huh? Pretty random if you ask me :derpytongue2: ! Now, before you ask me why I did or bash me for adding something incredibly random, let me remind you all that Pinkie Pie has the word Lycan D. in her name, with her full name being Lycan D. Pinkie Sōzōookami, that one meaning Creation Wolf in English. If you paid attention to the chapter you can see that she didn't turn into a Lycan by looking into a normal moon, and I am fully aware that Lycan's can transform whenever they want and at will, unlike werewolves :raritywink: . All while be explain in the next chapter couple of chapters after this one, and I will try to do so the best that I can :twilightsmile: . For the time being, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, because next time we're going to get back to Ponyville's bloodbath :pinkiecrazy: .

Next time: The Royal Guards engage the Folkloric Army in a bloody showdown, while Spike, Cloud Kicker and the Hooves Family finally throw down :rainbowdetermined2: !!!

Chapter 31 - Blades of Silver

Shining Armor Twinkleshine Sparkle was a soldier at heart. As with any other guard in the Solar and Lunar Divisions. Ever since he had gotten his cutie mark, he always knew that he was destined to become a member of the guard. He just didn’t expect that he’d be a part of the most powerful guard in Equis, that being the royal guard, led by Queen Celestia Daybringer herself. Alas, that was what he found himself going into when he enlisted in her solar division. Even more so as he trained, grew in rank, and eventually became captain. Or vice-captain next to Bardock. From then on, he went on a multitude of missions that constantly tested is physical and mental strength in countless ways. Shining had had plenty of close calls, a few of them that almost got him killed, but they served to him in his experience. Through them, he grew the belief that he would be prepared for just about anything.

As the solar vice-captain and his army tore through the beast filled streets of Ponyville, he found himself feeling foolish for being so naïve. For nothing could have prepared him for something as dark and as brutal as this.

As they ran through the streets, Shining could see that things had gotten worse for the residents of Ponyville. In ways that neither he nor them could have imagined coming to fruition. Ponies were running away from the folkloric army, screaming as they prowled all throughout the town. All of them trying to get at anypony that they were able to catch off guard or chase down and devour. Young foals were clinging and to their mothers as the mares held and stood over them protectively. Each were doing their best to keep the beasts and monstrous ponies at bay, despite the odds being staged against them.

Said monstrosities were all currently prowling all throughout town, each looking for their own quarry to prey upon. Werewolves and lycans could be seen bounding and leaping across houses in buildings, howling into the sky under the crimson moon. Zombies and waheelas could be seen rubbing across the streets, looking for anypony weak or helpless to attack and devour. Up above, vampires, raven winged cats, succubi and thralls could be seen up in the air, looking for victims to snatch from below. They flew across the air like a flock of vultures scouting atop the carcass of a wildebeest, eagerly looking for something to destroy. Theirs glowed menacingly, like the stars twinkling in the sky above them, watching for anypony that may come within their range.

The ponies that weren’t being pursued by the ethereal creatures were either trying to escape the ones they were surrounded by or protect the ones that were cornered by them. The sounds of magical blasts, electrical shots of magic, and the shaking of the ground could be heard all around town. It filled the ears of ponies that were either running or fighting for the lives, letting them know that things were indeed looking bleak, and it’d only get bleaker from here. For Shining Armor and his own troop, the bloodbath was only beginning.

Shining Armor’s blue mane and golden armor shone with black and red blood as he and his soldiers tore through the town. From either side of them, werewolves, zombies could be seen pursuing them, eager to feast on their flesh. From above them, Raven Moon and her lunar troops were flying above them, trying to keep the airborne beasts at bay. He could hear the cries and roars of both sides as they lunged and tore at one another, and it made him shiver. It didn’t shake him, for he couldn’t let it. The lives of the citizens were at stake, and if he let his nerves get the better of him, coming her would’ve been for nothing. Because of this, he could not allow himself to fall. He had to survive to the very end.

With this thought in mind, Shining gave a powerful roar cry as he lunged at the closest, folkloric beast, a lycan who was barreling at him. Leaping in the air, he dove his sword down and let it puncture the back of the best. It fell to the ground, but got right back up, throwing Shining off of him as he skidded across the dirt. It leapt at the stallion and tried to slash at him, but Shining’s sword met its swords in a clash. Pushing it back, Shining Armor slashed at its chest before cutting at its arms, slicing one off at the shoulder. The beast roared and lashed out with its powerful tail, but Shining ducked under it and stabbed the beast in it side.

Blood spewed out as it slashed upward, before Shining pulled his sword out. The red liquid blew form the beast’s mouth as it shrieked in angered agony, and it leapt at Shining, pinning him to the ground. He grunted from the force of the attack, before crying out when the lycan bit him in his armored shoulder, almost piercing through it. Igniting his horn, he levitated his sword and pierced it right into the lycan’s neck. It choked even more on its blood as Shining kicked it off, jumping at it and swinging his blade across his neck, right through the jugular. With a bolt of magic, he blasted the lycan away from him, letting it fall to the ground.

“That was too damn close.” Shining muttered lowly to himself with a headshake, getting up and rejoining his troops in the foray. Once he did, he looked up to Raven Moon and shouted, “Raven Moon, how many of these things are down here?!”

“Too many to count Shining Armor! They’re just too many of the damn things!” Raven Moon shouted from up above. “They keep trying to get at us from all sides! Their group is as big as our own army! Shit!”

“Tch! As if these things hadn’t made it so vividly clear!” Shining grunted as he joined his own group through their gallop. “I don’t know how I’m going to get to the Town Square at this rate! I just hope that whoever is there is alright!” He looked up into the red sky as he added a little afterthought. ‘I hope that you’re doing okay too Twily. You, your friends and Crescent Shield.’

“Captain! Look out!” The mellow voice of another stallion shouted, causing Shining to look down to see a somewhat armored zombie charging at him. Out of instinct, he fired with his horn, but missed his target, which was the zombie’s head. Luckily, he was saved from having his face torn out when he saw a spear sink its way into the creature’s neck. He watched as the zombie was pulled away and thrown into the air. The tangelo orange stallion holding the spear flew through the air and stabbed his spear into the zombie’s skull.

As he drove it into the ground, be pulled his weapon out before shooting it back into its chest. Lightning burst out of the weapon and coursed through the zombie’s veins, making it burst in a shower of lighting and blood. Getting up, he saw a few more surrounding him and preparing to lunge at him. When they did, he spared his wings, which were covered by blades, allowing him to slice at their heads with efficient ease. He then sent bolts of lightning through his wings and the blades, letting them strike the injured zombies and char then into ash, blood and flesh.

“Geez Shining! What’s with you tonight?” The stallion asked as he set his spear on his shoulder, still suspended into the air. “I’ve never seen you looking so spaced out before. Is this who monster group really fuckin’ with your head that much.”

Shining grunted and shook his head violently, his face going back to its hardened guard fashion. “I’m sorry Spearhead. I just lost focus there for a second. I’m still just trying to comprehend the fac that I’m seeing a bunch of werewolves and zombies running around town!”

“What about the lycans, waheelas, succubus and thralls?! Don’t forget about those too!” Raven said as she lowered herself to Shining and Spearhead. “They’re not the only ones here other than the giant dogs leaping all throughout the town!”

“I think he can see that Raven Moon. And I can too, clearly.” Spearhead murmured, spinning his spear around as he flung the blood off of it. “Queen Celestia told us to expect something like this before we got on the Ponyville Express. I knew that it was going to be bad, but I didn’t think that it was going to be this bad.”

Raven nodded in agreement. “Neither did I sweetie.” She said as she looked around her at the carnage slowly being built. “This shit is on a whole other level entirely. More than even me and by brother and sister, Starchaser and Gine ever faced since we became part of the Lunar Division. I’m not sure if even we will be able to get these guys out of here before somepony gets eaten or turned.”

“I’m not entirely sure about that either. But we can’t worry about that any of that right now guys.” Shining admitted, throwing his sword forward to clean it of the blood. “We were sent here to protect the towns ponies from these things. Not worry about whether or not we’ll be able to extinguish all of them. Let’s just focus on getting as many ponies to safety as we can! Then focus on killing as many of these beasts as possible!”

“Don’t need to tell me twice dude!” Spearhead grinned as he raised his. “Let’s show them how the E.U.P guard deals with bastards like them!”

Raven nodded as she flicked open the twin blades in her hooves. “Right, let’s get in here and-”

An explosive leonine roar suddenly broke out, and Raven turned around just in time to have three hundred pounds of fur and teeth slam into her. They tumbled across the ground as the beast tried to bite at Raven’s face. Luckily, her armored head managed to keep the most vital parts of her head form being crushed into brainy much. As relieving as that was, that did not stop Raven from screaming into age as she tried to get the beast off of her.

“Get off of me you damn furball!” She roared back, baring her fags up at the creature, which she could now see was a dark-furred lion. With a hiss, she plunged her armored knives into its stomach as it pulsed with electricity that traveled all through the lion’s body. As she kicked the creature away from her, she was at first confused as to why a lion was inside Ponyville. That confusion soon turned to horrified clarification when she saw the massive crow wings flared out from both its sides.

‘Oh Luna! Sweet Queen Luna Nightwalker above! It’s a crow-winged lion!’ She backed away a bit as the feline slowly stalked towards her. ‘No, not just that! It’s a fallen angel lion!’

Another roar from the lion snapped Raven out of her daze as it flapped its wings, hovering above her. A stream of deep orange and red flames erupted form his mouth like dragon breathing fire as it headed towards the bat mare. Snapping back to attention, Raven shot the knives on her armored hooves out and sent out large bolts of lightning. It clashed with the fire of the lion as a brief tense power struggle came to fruition. The two elements soon exploded to produce a cloud of dust that Raven immediately used to her advantage. As the fallen angel lion tried to ambush her from within the smoke, it found itself roaring as something stabbed into its side. Its left wing as the next thing to go as Raven sliced at it with her wings, leaving it unable to keep itself in the air.

“Raven, where are you?!” Shining asked form afar. “I can’t see you in all of this smoke!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine!” She shouted from within the dust. “Just leave this cat to me!”

Spearhead frowned in worry. “Are you sure? That cat looks pretty strong-”

“I said leave it to me!” Raven yelled, shooting a glare at where she thought Shining and Spearhead were. When she got no response, she focused back on the fallen angel lion, ducking and dodging its lunges and swipes. ‘Of all the things that had to be added in this army, it had to be fallen angels! I’m just glad they’re in their lion forms and acting more like cats too! Otherwise this would be a lot more fucking harder!’

As the smoke slowly began to clear, Raven delivered a slice with her metal knives up into the fallen angel lion’s stomach and chest. Spinning around, she delivered a hard kick that sent the feline flying and out of the smoke. As she spread her wings and flew, the fallen angel lion rolled across the ground and onto its back, glaring at Raven. It opened its mouth and fired off a few more bolts of fire, but the mare either deflected it or blocked it with her wings. She shot another bolt of lightning down at the beast, sending another electrical course through its body as with the first time. This allowed her to land on top of it before driving both of her knife covered hooves into its chest. Before she could finish it off, the fallen angel lion suddenly rolled over and pinned her to the ground, its claws aimed at her neck.

“Raven!” Shining and Spearhead cried, instinctively rushing over to the fallen mare.

Rather than feeling scared, Raven merely smirked at the cat before shouting, “Too slow!”

The next thing the fallen angel lion knew, a large bolt of lightning was coursing through its chest and out of its back in a flash. It roared out in agony as it shook violently while standing upright its feathers flowing falling off its wings like leaves form a tree. As it was slowly charred from the inside, Spearhead and Shining came from either side of it, driving their own blades into the beast’s sides. With a final gurgled growl, the fallen angelic lion slowly fell to its side, just after Raven gave it a swift slice across its neck, finally ending its misery.

“Whew, that was a close one.” Raven sighed, swiping the blood of her knives. She looked up at Shining and Spearhead and pouted. “What was that last move for guys? I told you I could handle it on my own.”

“Sorry, we kind of moved in without thinking.” Spearhead chuckled apologetically. “By the time we realized you already had it covered, it was too late. We just went ahead and done it.”

“And besides, isn’t it a guard’s duty to protect their fellow soldiers?” Shining asked with a raised eyebrow. “I think the same rule applies to your division Raven Moon.”

The dark grey thestral sighed defeatedly. “Okay, you got me there. Thanks for the help boys, even if it wasn’t really needed.” She coughed in her hoof as she glared at the two. “But next time, when I say I have it covered, believe me okay? I don’t want to be treated like some damsel in distress. No matter how well indented your actions were in keeping me safe.”

“Duly noted.” Spearhead grinned as he swung his spear around. “Now, shall we proceed in showing these monsters how we rock it?”

Shining smiled back, his dark blue eyes glowing as held his sword in front of him. “I thought you’d never ask!”

Amethyst had to give credit where credit was due, which was something that didn’t happen very often. Spike was far more efficient in organizing and planning that she would ever be. Something that she saw countless times in the last four years. That was saying a lot, since she Ponyville’s best organizer before Twilight came to town, and she became her assistant librarian. Over the time that she got to know the teen drake, she bore witness to his organization and memorization skills. To how he seemed to remember where specific books, scrolls and tools were in the biggest library she saw in the town she was born in. Despite being more than a little weary of Spike, she couldn’t help but be amazed by how intelligent and intellect that he was. How he seemed to be a draconic male version of Twilight, even though he was only four years younger than her.

This only seemed to be added by his sweetness, adorableness, and respect and care towards her and others. Especially they were given the impression that most dragons were mean and scary, not to mention greedy and power hungry. Which was, in general, very true for the most part for the eastern dragons in the Dragon Lands. Spike, though, happened to be an exception, due to the fact that he was raised by ponies instead of his own kind. Since, form what Twilight told her, he was raised by ponies, mainly by the Queen and Twilight’s only family. Even this knowledge, Amethyst knew that from the sparring sessions she had with Spike, that he was trained to fight like a dragon would. She didn’t know by who, but something always told her that both that and Spike himself would serve to help save her someday. If not just her, then those she cared about, that being her family. Something that she found herself seeing happening right in front of her while they all sat in Twilight’s Magical Combat Chamber.

It didn’t take very long for Spike to have the Hooves Family be firmly equipped with the weapons in the chamber. He didn’t just pick the weapons randomly either, or just threw whatever was presented in the area to them. Spike made sure to pick the weapons that were not only the sharpest and most efficient, but the ones that were the safest. Mainly for little Dinky, since she was more or less going to be fighting herself. He made sure to give her ones that weren’t too sharp, but still dangerous enough to where they’d be threats to the monsters outside. To Derpy’s credit, she didn’t protest against Spike giving Dinky any weaponry. Perhaps knowing that there was no other option at the moment, wanting her filly to be as prepared as possible.

Only Spike himself didn’t take any weapons at all, but that wasn’t all too surprising. After all, he was a dragon, and they could defend themselves against just about anything. Save for one of their own kind or anything that could harm them. Still, even he knew that he was going to be thrown around more than a few times on the battlefield. If not by the vampires, zombies, dark angelic lions, werewolves and their other canine brethren, then definitely by the thralls. They were practically dragons themselves, ones that were unlike that of the dragons of the east. So, he could hardly be blamed for feeling more than a little scared to face them.

Even after they made a break from the library, Spike was still apprehensive about the thralls, but he knew it had to be done if Blossomforth was to be saved. Otherwise, the young mare would meet the fate that Nightmare Moon had bestowed upon them. With that in mind, none of them could pack out, nor could they fall. Not until Blossomforth was saved and brought back with them safe and unharmed. Until then, they would all have to get themselves and their blades painted red.

“Alright everypony, do you remember the plan?!” Spike asked as he flew above Derpy, Amethyst, and Dinky, with Cloud Kicker flying right beside him. “Do you know which specific monsters that we need to fend off?!”

“Yes Spike! We all do!” Derpy replied as she galloped in front of her daughters. Her whole body was covered in a black latex suit that covered everything save for her mane, tail, eyes and her wings. They were still covered in bandages, they were also covered in weaponry, this being two vicious wing blades attached to a ring around Derpy’s neck. “Me, Amethyst, and Dinky will handle the succubus, vampires, and zombies! Other than the succubus, the vampires and werewolves won’t be able to use their magic outwardly! So Amethyst and Dinky shouldn’t have too much of a problem incinerating them!”

“That’s right, little sis! My nieces are definitely going to lay the smackdown on those bastards!” Cloud Kicker nodded, grinning down confidently at her younger sister. Her own wings adorned a set of blades as well, as well as a latex suit that was deep purple in color. On her back was a large sword that had no sheath, the metallic blade giving a red shine in the scarlet sky. “You can leave the werewolves, lycans and the waheelas down to me! Don’t worry, big sis will keep those overgrown dogs save from making you their dog chow!”

“Don’t worry! We believe you there, Aunt Cloud!” Amethyst yelled from below while carrying her sister on her back. A solid gleam came from her yellowish-brown latex suit, along with her long yellow cloak as she ran through the homes and streets. On her hindlegs and forelegs, were combat knives tied to them just below the knee, the handles glowing a bright magenta color. She also had a sword that was tucked under the saddle her sister was on, with reins sticking from the corners of her muzzle. “I’m just worried that you’re going to go out of control if you decide to go into your Kiba Lycona forms! I’m all for you getting the larger dogs, but I really don’t want you to hit any of us!”

“Oh, come on big sis! Have more faith in Auntie Cloud!” Dinky pouted, holding tightly to the reins in her sister’s mouth with her magic. As with her sister, aunt and mother, she was in a latex battle suit of her own, her’s being a deep blue. A large set of combat knives were strapped to her back, while her weapons were obscured by an even darker blue cloak. “She has perfect control over her doggy form! She’s not gonna bury us into the ground! Most likely Auntie Cloud is going to be all dizzy after she stops drilling herself into the ground!”

“I know Dinky. That’s exactly what I’m worried about. I just wish that Midnight and Snowflake came with us too instead of deciding to split up across the town.” Amethyst sweat dropped, fiddling with the metal appendage in her mouth. “Speaking of which, do you think you could ease up on the reins there? I get that your trying to hold on to me, but I really can’t afford to lose focus on slicing these zombies and werewolves heads off!”

Dinky gave her sister a sweet smile. “Oh, don’t worry Ame! I’ll try not to tug onto your head too much! I can’t make any promises though, cause you and I both know that I’m always having too much fun riding you!”

“Now that I literally have a saddle on me, I know that’s only going to be amplified.” Amethyst grumbled with a flick of her ear. A tick mark appeared on her neck as she shot a comically white-eyed glare at her sister. “And I thought I told you not to call me that in public!”

“Uh girls, why don’t you save the nickname timing for later!” Spike shouted, snapping both girls back to attention. “It looks like we’re about to have some guests!”

The snarling of a beast followed by something landing on the ground hard caused the rest of the group to look ahead of them. They found themselves running towards s hungry gleaming of a group of oversized canines, all of them bearing dark fur and bulging physics. At first, they thought it was either werewolves or lycans, but upon seeing their saber-like fangs, they realized they were waheelas. From all around them, they could see groups of zombies, either running around the town or making a beeline towards them. Finally, flocks of vampires shot down from the sky like eagles diving after rabbits, fangs jetting out in preparation for throat tearing.

“Mother Moka Almighty…” Derpy said softly, taken completely off guard for a moment. “It looks like we have some young pups eager to play with us.”

“Uh-huh, t-they look really scary.” Dinky squeaked, shuddering as if she was caught in the rain. “And it’s not the good kind of scary either.”

“You’re telling me sis.” Amethyst grunted, planting her forelegs wide. “It’s not like we can do anything about it now. Except for one thing…”

“Yeah, and that’s to show them guys who’s the boss!” Cloud shout gleefully, diving down and flying past Amethyst and Derpy. “By the time we’re done with them, they’re gonna wish they never messed with us!”

“Here we go everypony!” Spike shouted, his eyes glowing green as he bared his teeth. “Attack!”

With a war cry, Spike bashed his clenched claws together, letting his beautiful emerald fire coat them in their flames. Rearing one back, he slammed it into the face if a vampire that was coming at him front the front. The beast screeched in agony as the fire burnt at its face, before Spike stabbed his other fiery claw into its stomach. Flames began to spread around the creature’s body as both it and Spike spun through the air, wings flapping wildly. At some point Spike bit the vampire on its neck and ripped out its throat, before grabbing its head with his right claw and burning it clean off. After tearing the rest of its body in half, he let if fall to the ground before meeting another one who tried coming at him from behind. He let it land on him, before reaching back and grabbing it by one of its arms and throwing it forward. It screeched angrily, trying to swipe at it with its razor-sharp hooves, but they barely managed to even bruise Spike.

The vampire tried to do the same thing with its wings, but Spike’s own razor-edged wings and claws clashed with the vampire’s wings instead. It was like they were using two swords that were in the form of wings instead of actual wings, thanks to the sparks emanating from them. At some point, the vampire tried to kick at him with its clawed legs, and it actually managed to get it in its grasp. The vampire soon realized how stupid that was when Spike unleashed the flames from his mouth, letting it travel down the beast’s leg and onto its body. Pulling his head away, he slashed at the vampire’s wings, nearly ripping them off as he stabbed is right claw straight through its chest, where its heart was. The bat like equine let out one final screech, before a firebolt to the face silenced it. Spike watched as it fell to the ground, crashing with a meaty thump as his fire burned it away, though he did take a moment to look at his claw.

“That’s strange. I didn’t feel any heart from inside of that vampire’s chest.” He said to himself, clenching his blood covered paw. “No, wait. I did feel a heart down there somewhere, but it felt…harder and colder for some reason.”

“Alright Spike!” Cloud cheered with a hoof pump. “That’s the way we do things! That’s how we ponyvillians show others why we shouldn’t be messed with!” She looked down to a waheela that was rushing towards her. “Now it’s time to show how I do things around here!”

Cloud dove down and let one of the horseshoes on her hooves slam into the muzzle of a waheela, sending its head shooting to the side. She then swung one of her wings forward and let the blades slice down its neck and chest, before letting the other go down his chest. The waheela snarled and swiped its claws at her, but Cloud grabbed it and swung it at one of its other packmates that were lunging at her. It tried to pin her to the ground and rip at her throat, but Cloud it in its gut before sliding out from under it, slicing it in its side. She went to grab for the waheelas tail, but found her own being grabbed instead before she was thrown across the air. The waheela let Cloud collide with her younger sister, who managed to catch her just in time as it leapt at her again. It was just a second away from sinking its teeth in her barrel before she kicked it in its chest. Spreading one of her wings, Cloud sent a wave of wind into its stomach, causing blood and guts to spew as it as nearly sliced in half.

“Whoa, close one there!” Cloud panted as she pulled herself off of Derpy. “He thought he could get me while I was down huh? Too bad for him I’m a real good as kicker.”

“Are you okay Cloud?” Derpy asked worriedly. “That was a bad hit back there.”

“Don’t worry sis, I’m okay. I was able to keep myself from being eaten and that’s all that really matters.” Cloud said as she turned to the younger grey mare. Her ears perked we she noticed something from behind Derpy. “But it looks like you’re about to be eaten in just a second!”

Derpy whirled around to see a few zombies rushing towards her at speeds that would’ve made even the greatest athletes red with envy. The next thing she knew, the wind was being knocked right out of her as one of the zombies punched her in her stomach. She tumbled across the ground like a pebble going down a slope, before stopping on her back. As she looked up, she looked to see an earth zombie hovering over her, mouth agape to reveal black teeth that looked to be as sharp as her wing blades. As it lunged for her, Derpy swung one of her wings, letting the blade it wore slice the zombie across its face.

Doing her best to keep the blood off of her, Derpy kicked the zombie off of her and tried to get at is neck. To her shock, it got back to its feet and kicked her in her face, sending her spinning into the ground. This time though, she got back up as fast as she could, just in time to avoid the stab from a unicorn zombie. With as much agility as her injured wings would allow, she swung them forward as hard as she could, large slashes of wind bursting out. They cut into the zombies like an axe going through wood, into their limbs and even their necks, decapitating one and leaving another unable to walk.

Derpy watched silently as black blood flowed from their wounds like a hose left running, but her relief was short lived when she noticed something above her. A gasp escaped her when she saw a pegasus zombie flying towards her on wings that were mostly covered in red. She screamed ass she was slammed into the ground, one of the zombie’s hooves driving deep into her legs to keep her in place. Her mouth opened as she leaned in to pit out the jugular vein in her neck, but its own neck was soon stabbed into by a very pissed off unicorn duo.

“Don’t touch my mother you bastard!” Amethyst screamed, throwing one of her combat knives through the air like an arrow. Reaching with one of her hooves, she threw another combat knife that landed into the pegasus zombie’s shoulder, causing it to stumble. Wasting no time Amethyst charged the zombie with a blazing horn. A horn that blasted out a burst of magic that slammed into the zombie sent it flying. She fired off again at the cannibalistic beast, but it used its wings to fly out of the line of fire. Even though it was now in the air, it was not out of Amethyst’s sight, and Dinky made sure it knew it.

“This is for hurting my Momma!” The filly yelled out, using her own less than control magic to blast the zombie right out of the sky. As it fell, Dinky snapped at the reins around her sister’s head, while kicking at her flanks. Out of instinct, like a jockey on a horse, Amethyst whinnied and went on a full-on sprint. When they were within range, Dink reached from within her cloak and pulled out her combat knives, throwing them with surprising precision. Just as they were going to hit, the zombie used its fleshy red wings to block the knives, before swinging them forward to let the knives fly at them.

Amethyst grabbed them with her magic, before giving them back to Dinky as she leapt into the air, aiming her horn at the zombie. She blasted her magic out again and drove the zombie into the ground, letting it tumble. As it got back up, it suddenly found itself being repeatedly slashed and cut by the sword that Amethyst had. It tried using the sharp edges its wings to defend itself, but Amethyst’s rageful agility proved to become too much for it. Dinky sat upon her back, cheering her sister on as black blood splattered the ground. Behind them, the zombies that Derpy took down were suddenly back up, their libs reattached as they went at the sisters from behind.

“I don’t think so!” Spike shouted as he flew into the scene. “Fire Dragon: Roar!”

A huge blast of green flames erupted from Spike’s mouth like lava and spoke erupting from the top of a volcano. The zombies stood no chance against it as it slowly and painfully at them, the red patches on them bubbling and popping. Their screeches of agony drew the attention of their winged comrade, leaving it open for its inevitable doom.

“Take this!” Dinky shouted, grabbing at one of her combat knives again and pulling her right foreleg back. With as much a strength as her little body would let her, she threw the knife right at the zombie’s head, watching as it struck the beast in its eye. The pain from the wound in its white eye allow amethyst to deal a final blow herself with her sword. With speed and precision that would’ve made samurai proud, she swung her blade forward and sliced off the zombie’s head, making its exposed neck shower with blood like a park fountain.

Before it could even attempt to recover, a bolt of green fire zoomed towards it, colliding with it before exploding in a haze of blood, greying flesh, and white bone. The Hooves Family watched as the bodies slowly burned, along with the vampires and waheelas Spike set on fire. Soon enough, all that remained was charred ash, just like with the werewolf in the library.

“Well, that was fun~!” Spike chirped, giving a satisfied sigh as he slowly hovered down to the pegasi and unicorns. “Is that all of them?”

“Yep, it looks like that’s it for us kiddo.” Cloud said as she looked around the area that they were in. “Well, at least for this part of the town anyway. There is still plenty more of them around town. So we’re not out of the woods just yet.”

“You’re telling me.” Derpy said as she flexed her wings, wincing at the soreness she felt form them. “Jeez…that was barely five minutes of us fighting and I’m already feeling sore. I am not looking forward to facing the rest of these things.”

“Neither am I, but it’s gotta be done. Amethyst sighed, setting her sword back in her sheath from under her saddle. “The sole reason we came out here is to get Blossomforth and get her back to the library. So until we accomplish that, we’ll be constantly watching our hides, stomachs, and our necks.” She shot a look at spike as he shook the blood off him. “Even you Spike, because of the thralls up around.”

“Don’t remind me.” Spike whined childishly with a cute pout. It soon turned into a look of concentration as his ears perked. His nostrils flared as he began to sniff to air, dipping his head down towards the ground.

“Spike, what’re you doing?” Dinky asked curiously. “Why are you smelling the ground?”

“…I sense somepony nearby, and their hoofprints are still fresh.” Spike said, not looking up as he continued to sniff at the ground like a hound on a rabbit’s trail. A few moments later, he gasped and whirled around to face Cloud and the Hooves Family. “It’s Blossomforth! I can smell Blossomforth’s scent here!”

The filly and mare’s eyes all bulged. “WHAT?!”

“You smell Blossomforth?!” Cloud yelled, rushing over to Spike and shaking him violently his shoulders. “Where is she?! Where did she go off to?!”

“Whoa, calm down Cloud! Let me talk!” The drake shouted, ripping himself away from her. “Her scent is just down the trail that’s behind me. They’re still fresh, so I can still track where she went too!”

“Really?! Oh, thank Faust and Mother Moka!” Derpy sighed, nearly collapsing from relief. “I thought it would take forever to find her!”

“Well, it looks like we’ll be saved a lot of time and energy fighting now.” Spike said, smiling warmly at the grey mare. “That is, if we can get to her before we’re attacked again.” He shivered as his tail began to curl between his legs. “Hopefully not by a thrall.”

“Well then, what’re we waiting for?!” Dinky cried, snapping down hard on her sister’s reins. “Let’s get going! Hiya!”

None of the mares, nor the young drake needed to be told another time. With a sharp salute, Spike spread his wings and flew off, leading the ponies down the path where he believed Blossomforth would be.

Author's Note

I had a little too much fun writing this chapter out :derpytongue2: , though I did have some trouble in trying to figure out how to right the part with Shining Armor, Spearhead and Raven Moon. Since I was not entirely sure if I should continue that part or not :derpyderp2: . I suppose after a few minutes of relooking over it, I decided that I was going to leave it there while focusing on Spike, Amethyst, Derpy, Cloud and little Dinky's role in this chapter :twilightsmile: . Now, I was a little lost on how I was going to end this chapter, but after remembering the plan that I had them do, I decided to add the scene of Spike managing to pick up Blossomforth's scent. Now I know some of you may think it's impossible that he was able to smell a pony's scent mixed with that of a bunch of folkloric beasts, but, remember, he's a dragon! And no one smell, or any other smell, can get passed if they put their minds to it :raritywink: !

Anyway, that's all for this chapter! If you think this smackdown was thrilling to read, than you're going to think the next one is just as, if not more, thrilling than this one :scootangel: !

Next time: Zephyr and the girls make the fur fly with the Timberwolves :rainbowdetermined2: !!!

Chapter 33 - A Blossoming Rescue

Blossomforth’s wing flaps could barely be heard over the sound of roaring, screeching and fighting from all around her. Her watermelon mane blew behind her as she zoomed through the streets, intent on getting to the Town Square as soon as she could. With each turn she made through the corners and streets, she stopped in her tracks, keeping a sharp eye out for any folkloric creatures nearby. Many looked to be occupied with dealing with a royal guard or a group of them, so she was able to slip by without being detected. That didn’t mean she wasn’t on high alert, and that didn’t look like that was going to die down soon. Not while the howl town was swarming with beasts that came from the darkest of imaginations.

‘This is bad! This is really really bad! I’m not even halfway to the Town Square and I haven’t caught sight of anypony else out here! All I see are these beasts everywhere!’Blossomforth thought as she continued to fly through town. ‘Oh, I really wish I didn’t have Cloud Kicker go off without me while I fought those crow-winged lions! I really could have used her help right about now! Dammit!’

As she continued darting through streets, Blossomforth recalled the events that lead to her being where she was now. More than three hours earlier, she was in the Town Square with Cloud Kicker, getting ready to celebrate the biggest event in July. Both mares were talking with friends, playing with foals, and being up to their usual banter every day. That banter being Cloud trying to get Blossomforth to participate in some crazy sexual activity, with Blossomforth rejecting it every time. It looked like it was going to be a very good day for the flower-loving mare and her sexually active friend. At least that’s what Blossomforth believed it was going to be, since it was the day, and month, of the Summer Sun Celebration and all. A few of her foalhood friends only served to make her happier, and filling her with anticipation at being able to catch up after years away.

That was when the legendary Queen of Darkness came and blew everything into smoke and fire.

Blossomforth couldn’t find herself preparing for it no matter how much she may have tried. Not for Nightmare Moon all but destroying the Town Square, stabbing the Queen in front of all of them, or for her nearly burning them and the building to the ground along with Celestia. Even after Nightmare Moon left, the shock and fear she felt from that was still not all the way gone. And sudden folkloric army invading the town only served to help it increase higher than fireworks being shot into the sky. In those thirty minutes afterword, Blossomforth and Cloud found themselves doing whatever they could to keep from becoming lion chow. It was only thanks to the royal guards coming in at the very last moment that both mares’ lives were saved. Lives that they planned to ensure would last longer by making a quick exit out of the building when none of the cats were looking.

‘A plan that I am seriously regretting even thinking of in the first place!’ The pinkish white mare thought, chastising herself repeatedly. Had she known that this would be the result, then she would done all she could to have keep herself and Cloud in the Town Square. Even agreeing to having a three way with one of her bang buddies if that was what it took. ‘I really wish I didn’t make her leave me! I’ll have to find a way to make it up to her when I find her…’

Slowing down her pace, Blossomforth quietly trotted through the streets, careful not to make a sound that’ll give her away until she was sure what and who was out there. Her beautiful blue eyes glowed, the magic behind them amplifying her vision as they scanned through the dark streets of the town, completely on the lookout for any danger. The mare’s ears were perked as she listened out for anything that happened to be anywhere near her. So far, there still was nothing and nopony around her, thus leading the watermelon maned mare to continue onto her trek to the Town Square. As she did so, she began to look around at the blood and devastation left by the folkloric army.

“Mother Moka Almighty. So many of the buildings and stands have been destroyed. I can’t believe all of it in just one night.” Blossomforth murmured to herself. “So much has happened so quickly that it’s almost too much for me to take in. I really hope that something changes soon, or else things will only get even worse.” She paused, looking behind her in the direction of the library. ‘And not just for me either…’

As she rounded a corner, Blossomforth immediately picked up a powerful magical presence of something just feet away. Every single muscle in her body froze as she went still, the fur on her neck standing upright as she began to sweat. Swallowing the fear that was creeping up within her, she very slowly looked from behind a house. A squeak nearly left her while her hindlegs closed up as her eyes laid upon what she found.

Stalking across the streets of the wrecked town, coat and eyes glowing in the shadows, was a ravenous looking succubus. Its winter white coat made it seem like it was made out of snow on Hearth’s Warming. It gleamed in the blood moon’s light along with its long cherry blossom mane that fell over its head and neck like lose patterns. A set of brown goat horns could be seen towering atop her head like statues in front of a museum, their red color the same as its flared demonic bat wings. At its rump was a long leonine pink tail, with a heart shaped blade the size of an axe swaying hungrily behind it.

‘Oh fuck! There is another one of those pony monsters just around the corner from me! And even worse, it’s a Faust forsaking succubus!’ Blossomforth thought frantically as she looked into the creatures glowing pink eyes. Pulling herself away from view, she shut her eyes as she took several breaths, trying to control the buildup between her legs. ‘Okay, okay, calm down Blossomforth. Just calm down. Everything’s going to be fine. You just have to get past that creature so you can keep going after Cloud Kicker. Then you can her back to the Town Square, and let the royal guards make those things go away for good! Piece of cake!’

As if to show just how futile that attempt was, a soft hiss made its way into the mare’s ears like somepony was trying to shush her. She slowly looked over to see the white succubus standing in front of her, its glowing pink and blue piercing into her’s with hunger and lust. Blossomforth only had enough time to open her mouth for a scream, before she felt the wind knocked out of her by a punch from the succubus. The next thing she knew, she was spinning through the air, blood coming out of her mouth like a foal making water squirt from a toy gun. Blossomforth moaned loudly as she struggled to get up, before wave of pain that course through made her fall back down.

“D…d-damn it! My stomach!” Blossomforth cried, one of her hooves reaching out to rub at her barrel. “I-I can’t even sit up! How hard did she hit me?!”

The sound of a magic blast interrupted Blossomforth out of her thoughts, and she looked up to see a blast of green magic shooting towards her. Adrenaline coursed through Blossomforth and she flared her wings, shooting up into the air just as the magic blast went through a house. A hiss left Blossomforth as she clutched at her stomach again, but she ignored it as she glared at the succubus below her. It stared back up at her with that same gaze as before as it spread its wings and joined her in the sky.

The second it did, the succubus off another large wave of magic at Blossomforth, only for her to clash it with a wave of wind. The power struggle went on for a few moments, before they both exploded in midair, creating large dust cloud. A few seconds later, the succubus suddenly burst form the smoke, wings flared and its forelegs both stretched out in preparation for a fight. Along with something else that Blossomforth was certainly not going to give it.

“Bring it on!” Blossomforth shouted, wind coating her body as she flew at the succubus. She shot her head to the side to avoid sharp punch to the face, to which she delivered to the succubus’s own face. The pegasus then elbowed the creature in the back of the head, and went for a kick to the back, only for the succubus to lash its tail out and grab it. Blossomforth screamed as she was spun in the air and slammed into the ground, left in a daze. Just them a blast of dark magic struck her, sending her deeper into to the ground.

“Ow, s-shit! I forgot about its tail!” Blossomforth grunted to herself, coughing as she stared up at the beast. “It’s one of its main weapons. So I gotta watch out for it…”

With a roar, the succubus flew down towards the mare, fully intent on squishing her like a bug, but Blossomforth had other ideas. Inhaling sharply, she rolled herself out of the crater two seconds after the succubus slammed into it. As the smoke covered the creature, Blossomforth immediately went on the offensive.

“Sky Pegasus: Wing Attack!” She yelled, shooting her wings out and shooting out multiple air slices into the smoke. The sound of explosions and screeching filled her ears, letting Blossomforth know that her target was being hit. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to keep her attack up for long, for a few waves of red magic burst out from the smoke.

“Oh cra-!” Blossomforth cried before she felt the wave of magic colliding into her and send her tumbling across the ground. Gritting her teeth, she shot to her hooves and squared up to the creature in front of her, only to find it right upon her in an instant. Blossomforth’s left cheek exploded with pain as she was once again sent flying away, but she fought through the pain and fired off another round.

“Sky Pegasus: Whinny!” She yelled, shooting out a blast of magical wind from her mouth. It hurled towards the succubus at lighting speed, and collided with the creature, volts of electricity bursting throughout its body. It some point, it struck at the metallic core centered where its chest would be, causing it to let out an ear-piercing roar before an explosion rang out.

Blossomforth stood where she was, waiting for the smoke to clear so she could determine the state of her enemy. When the smoke cleared, it revealed a darkened crater and there was no sign of the succubus anywhere. Alarm bells immediately went off inside Blossomforth’s mind, and she looked around for the creature.

‘Oh no! Where did she go?!’ She thought as her body tensed like a python constricting a gazelle. ‘Behind me?! Above?!’

Suddenly, Blossomforth felt a searing pain burst through her left hind leg as something sharp sank into it. She snapped her head down to see the head of the succubus, its horns just inches form stabbing her stomach, and its teeth clamped on her leg. Before Blossomforth could try to do anything, a pillar of red magic burst out from under them both.

Blossomforth screamed in agony as she was sent shooting into the air, the succubus’s dark magic sending searing pain through her body. When it ended, the mare tried to look down to where the succubus was, only to feel and hear a crack from within her chest. She cried out as the creature slammed its hooves right into her chest, cracking a few ribs. It then grabbed her hindlegs and spinning around in the air, and throwing her to the ground. Blossomforth hit it with an echoing thud, and had no time to even absorb the pain before the succubus landed on top of her.

The watermelon maned mare did her best to get out of the Tantabuses hold, but had little success in getting away from the creature now hovering above her. All four of its hooves were pinned on top of her own, thus rendering her unable to really move, leaving her only able to watch as it ignited its horn. Her lip trembled with fear as the succubus pointed its horn down at her, preparing to blast her head off.

‘Oh no! She’s going to kill me! She’s really going to kill me!’ Blossomforth thought frantically, tears beginning to form in her eyes. She struggled even harder only for the succubus to press her into the ground even harder. Nausea billowed up within her when she felt the succubus’s tongue slide across her face like icing on a cupcake. Her fear rose even further when she felt the beast’s tail slowly creep dangerously close to her inner thighs. ‘I can’t move! I’m going to die! Somepony! Anypony! Please! Help me!’

Just as the succubus was about to fire at Blossomforth, a draconic roar burst out from within the streets, freezing the creature dead in its tracks. It looked to the right to see a purple dragon soaring towards it at breakneck speeds, green flames surrounding it like a cloak in the winter snow. It had no time to try to evade or dodge the incoming green blur before it was kneed in the face with the force of an oncoming cart.

“STOP RIGHT THERE YOU PERVERTED BITCH!” Spike bellowed in a powerful voice as he soared passed an aghast Blossomforth. With his emerald green eyes blazing, he swung his wings out, sending two powerful waves of fire magic at the creature, watching as they collided with his foe. The purple drake watched as the creature crashed into the house. The very same house that it had sent Blossomforth into as smoke enveloped and rubble enveloped it.

“W…what the…?” Blossomforth wheezed, staring in shock at her savior. “S-Spike?! Is that you?!”

“Hi Blossomforth. I’m sorry we couldn’t catch up to you in time.” Spike answered, shooting the mare an apologetic glance. “We had a run in with a few werewolves, vampires and zombies along the way before we picked up your scent.”

“We?” Blossomforth asked as she sat up from the ground. “You mean we didn’t come alone?”

“Of course we didn’t, you sexy dummy.” A pair of persian blue forelegs wrapped around Blossomforth in an embrace, filling her with warmth. Blossomforth didn’t even need to turn around to see who it was, but that didn’t stop her from dong it anyway. Water began to appear in her eyes as she looked into the amber ones of Cloud Kicker.

“Cloud Kicker!” She wailed, throwing her forelegs around the other pegasus. Sobs escaped her as she held Cloud Kicker tightly against her. “You’re back!”

“Hell yeah I’m back you silly. And there’s no way in Inuyasha’s name that I’m going to leave you again.” Cloud nodded as she hugged the younger mare back. She kept her wings folded to her side, not wanting the wing blades to cut Blossomforth. “What happened to you while I was away? Were you able to beat those furball lions into the ground?”

“Um…something like that.” Blossomforth replied sheepishly as she thought back to the fight she had with the fallen angelic lions. There was no way in Faust and Moka’s name she was going to tell her how she got away from the pride, least Cloud get sent into a laughing fit. Shaking her head, she looked up at Cloud with an apologetic expression. “Listen, I’m sorry that I made you leave me to face the lions alone! I should’ve let you stay with me so we could’ve faced them together!”

“Yeah, you really should have. That was honestly a really stupid plan on your part.” Cloud chastised, frowning at Blossomforth like a mother scolding her foal. It soon went away, replaced by a relieve smile. “But that’s all in the past now. I’m back here with you and I ain’t gonna leave your side again.”

“Thank you Cloudy!” Blossomforth gushed as she hugged the larger mare again. “Again, I’m so, so sorry that I made you go all by yourself! I’ll find some way to make it up to you! I promise!”

“If it involves you letting my sister rut you while she howls into the moon, it’ll have to wait.” The dry voice of Derpy said as she, Amethyst and Dinky came trotting up to them. “We have more pressing matters to deal with. Like keeping that succubus away from us so we don’t end up being its fuck buddies.”

“Derpy! You’re here too! Along with Amethyst and Dinky!” Blossomforth exclaimed, her happiness growing as the Hooves Family approached them. Confusion made its way into her when she noticed the combat knives, wing blades, and latex suits they had on. along with the, admittedly, adorable looking saddle and reins Amethyst was wearing. “Wait, why is Dinky with the rest of you too? Why do you all look like your suited up for war? And why does Amethyst have a saddle on her?”

“Long story short, we had a little scuffle with a werewolf back at the Golden Oaks Library and narrowly escaped. As for the suits and weapons, Spike decided that all of us should be armed in case something like that happened again.” Amethyst explained quickly as a blush appeared on her pinkish purple cheeks. “The saddle, I am not going to get into. But let’s just say Dinky picked the worst way to ride me.”

Dinky giggled while patting her sister’s neck. “Aww come on sis! You know you love it! Besides, you look pretty like this! All saddle up with me riding on you! Doesn’t she, Mommy?”

“Someday Dinky...” Amethyst growled, glaring at her little sister. “Someday, you’re going to pay for this. I swear to the Vampire Goddess Moka above when is say this. You. will. Pay.”

The sound of flames and an explosion broke whatever humor that was washing across the mares and the little filly. They looked back to see a house exploding in a haze of dark magic as wood, glass and cathedral roof blocks flew everywhere life firecrackers exploding onto a field. A white blur then shot out of the devastation, this being the succubus, as it hurled itself at Spike. The young dragon jumped upon seeing the creature, but did not back down as he reared up to square off with it.

“Fire Dragon: Roar!” He shouted, a swirl of green flames bursting from his fanged mouth they shot at the succubus. It snarled as its goat horns ignited, dark magic bursting them out of them as they clashed with the fire. It used its bat wings to spread the flames away as it lashed it’s whip-like tail out, intent on slicing spike’s head in half. Spike ducked under the attack as he grabbed the succubus by the tail and spun it around the air. With a heave, he threw it at the ponies behind him, all while shouting, “Heads up!”

“Way ahead of you, kiddo!” Amethyst shouted, pulling her combat knives out. With lighting speed, she threw them at the succubus, watching as they stabbed into its sides and wings. The demon screeched in pain as it the blades slices its flesh while it flew passed the unicorn and her little sister. Amethyst gave a vicious slice to one of its wings with her sword before turning to her younger sister. “Dinky, you’re up!”

“Right!” The filly nodded as she threw her own knives at the succubus. As they flew towards the succubus, Dinky sent a few blasts of magic for good measure. They stabbed and punctured its pack, sides and legs as it headed towards the ground. It yowled as it made impact, dirt filling its fanged mouth as it tried to bring itself up. As it tried to turn back to Amethyst and Dinky, two grey hooves slammed into its face.

“Don’t even try!” Derpy shouted, delivering a punch before a back-hoof strike followed it. “You lay a hoof on my muffins, and I’m gonna make you pop like the bubbles on my flank!”

Spinning across the air, Derpy delivering a downward kick on the succubus’s head, making its head hit the ground once more. She then wrapped a foreleg around its neck before raining punches down on its face, finishing her assault with a deadly kick. Now enraged, the succubus ignited its coat horns and fired at her, but Derpy’s agility saved her from certain doom. In a fit of retaliation, she swung her bladed wings at the succubus, cutting into its stomach and face as it flew towards Cloud Kicker.

“This is for trying to violate my little Blossomforth!” The persian blue mare shouted, sending a flock of combat knives at the succubus. This time, it was unable to conjure up its magic before it was once again covered in combat knives. Roaring out, Cloud sent it back at her sister and nieces with a wind slice, and they watched as it flew back at Spike.

“Fire Dragon: Flaming Tail Blade!” Spike shouted, engulfing the tip of his bladed tail in magic as he shot it at the incoming succubus. It roared in agony as the blade of the tail pierces into its stomach and out of its back in a shower of flesh and blood. It was soon silenced when Spike slammed it into the ground, letting the flames spread through its body.

“Blossomforth, she’s all yours!” Spike shouted from afar as the succubus flailed and struggled to put itself out. “Cut this demonic bitch to ribbons!”

“Right!” Blossomforth replied, rearing up on her hindhooves as she conjured up wind around her forelegs and hooves. Raising one of them up in the air, the others watched as the wind condensed and took shape into a weapon. One that looked to be like that of a shuriken, except it was larger in size, and had a sphere of blue wind in the middle. Knowing what was going to happen, the dragon and ponies all leapt away, leaving the succubus at the mercy of the one it tried to violate.

“Take this!” She shouted as she threw her attack forward. “Sky Pegasus: Whirlwind Shuriken!”

The orb in the middle of the wind formed weapon flashed in the red light of the blood moon as it flew at the succubus like a frisbee on a playground. The beast, who had finally managed to clean itself of Spike’s flames, perked its ears as it looked to see the attack coming. Its eyes widened as it instinctively conjured up a magical shield, but it was a second too late. It screamed loudly as the shuriken hit it, striking the glowing gem within its chest along with the rest of its body. Before long, it was nothing more than a swirl of blood and gore as the shuriken glowed and exploded, taking the deformed succubus along with it. Finally, after a few seconds, the winds vanished, leaving a bloodied crater showing where the succubus once stood.

“Is…is it over?” Blossomforth asked timidly. “Is she gone?”

Spike flew over to the crater and inspected it with a few sniffs. Once he was done, he looked over at the watermelon maned mare and nodded. “Yep, she’s gone. That bitch ain’t coming back to hurt you anymore. You’re safe.”

“That’s probably the best news that I’ve heard all day.” Cloud said, chuckling as Blossomforth slumped onto her. “After all the shit this little beastly army gave us, I’m glad to have something good come out of this.”

“Me too.” Blossomforth nodded, burying her face in the crook of Cloud’s neck. “I thought I was never going to find you. I was beginning to think I would be all alone until I was eventually eaten.”

“Well, I’m betting your glad now that you weren’t huh?” Cloud asked with a smirk as she stroked Blossomforth’s mane. “Don’t worry. We’re not gonna let any of these things try to get at you again. You’ll be safe with us from now on.”

“Ms. Blossomforth may be safe with us, but none of us will be safe out here for long.” Dinky pointed out, gaining everypony’s attention. “We should head back to the library before we get attacked again. The longer we stay out here, the higher the chances of us trying to keep from being eaten again.”

“Dinky’s right.” Derpy as she stood beside her daughters. “I say we head back now. Better safe and sorry if we get their sooner rather than later.”

Spike nodded as he spread his wings. “Right then, let’s go. Best not to stay where we can attract more attention.”

With nods of agreement, Spike once again led the group across the town with Blossomforth in tow. In the midst of their trip, Spike suddenly found himself plagued with a bad feeling. One that told him that he’d be facing one folkloric creature he hoped he wouldn’t have to face.

Author's Note

Not really much to say on this chapter, except for the fact that this is a slightly edited version of Blossomforth fighting the Tantabus in the last version before Moon Blade comes and saves her from certain done. The next part of where Spike, Cloud Kicker and the Hooves Family are the parts of this chapter that I actually thought about adding to not just make it entirely focused on her :twilightblush: . Looking back, this one feels much better than the last version, even if others thought that it was great, though to me, this one is much better than the last. Though I appreciate everyone's thoughts about it, along with their thoughts on this chapter :twilightsmile: . I just hope they feel that way in the next chapters, especially with one one that I am planning on showing in the middle of this folkloric and bloody adventure :pinkiecrazy: !

Next time: Nightmare Moon prepares a gift for her incoming foes. Only with this one, it very well maybe be the opposite of the Main Seven :pinkiecrazy: !

Chapter 34 - The Savage Seven

A soft exhale flew from Nightmare Moon Nocturnis’s nose like smoke from a train engine as she trudged through her castle’s dark halls. Her slitted turquoise eyes were half-closed as her mind wandered off to the events of her past. The events that all lead up tonight, where she was now, and what she was currently planning. While it was masked well under her wandering expression, it was clear as day that Nightmare Moon was clearly troubled some reason. A reason that was only known to her and to the ones that were lucky or unlucky enough to either hear it from her see it with their own eyes. If they did, it’d be understood why Nightmare Moon felt like she wanted to unleash her magic on her rugs or kick massive holes through the walls around her. For it was because of a specific event that burned into her memory like the acid within her stomach. An event that she spent the last millennium fighting, and failing, to forget. Or at least not let bother her so much.

Nightmare Moon was somepony who liked to think she had a very excellent memory. A type of power that make even the most well-remembering ponies seem like they forget on a regular basis. Even before she became the new replacement for Queen Luna Nightwalker, she was able to recall everything from the slightest detail while in Equestria. Or rather, during her time in the Castle of the Two Sisters while instigating her plan that involved getting Luna to let control her very being. Ever since she had become the Lunar Queen’s new “companion”, Nightmare Moon found herself being graced with the interior of the two sister’s castle. From the gardens, to the kitchens, the sleeping chambers, all the way down to the very room where the sister’s held meetings, court, and trials.

They all genuinely impressed the demonic being in their own right. Sometimes, she found herself unable to resist looking around at what she knew was soon to be her new home. Whenever she didn’t feel like giving Luna honied words and sweet promises, she would give herself a little tour of the castle. Thanks to the fact that only Luna could see her, Nightmare Moon didn’t need to worry about being seen. She made sure to take in every single detail of the Celestia and Luna’s home, from the tallest tower, all the way down to the deepest chamber. It wasn’t just for fun that she did it. At least not entirely. No, she did it because she was preparing for the day. That one fateful day where she’d finally be let in by the broken Lunar Queen, and use her to from the kingdom that she always wanted.

A preparation that was unfortunately stopped by the very pony she sought to destroy.

Despite not choosing her to be her host, Nightmare Moon knew that Celestia was powerful in her own right. While she may not have had the same incredible powers as Luna did, she was more than worthy of her title as the Goddess of the Sun. Even with that knowledge, Celestia didn’t really suit Nightmare Moon’s tastes. She was too soft, to merciful, too lenient and too… bright looking in her opinion. Not quite somepony you’d really want to have as a host when you’re a creature that represents all forms of darkness. Still, Nightmare Moon not to underestimate a future enemy. Especially if they were one of the children of the Pony Goddess herself.

This reason was why Nightmare Moon did not hold back a single iota when she went against Celestia for the first time. She threw everything she had at her disposal while hosting as Luna’s replacement, showing her just how much stronger she had become. Unfortunately, Nightmare Moon ended up getting too caught up in the heat of the fight and got careless. She had eventually gone from trying to swiftly eliminate the threat, to taking joy in causing her as much pain as possible. The Dark Queen didn’t know whether she had let herself get too much of a thrill from tormenting Celestia, or if it was Luna wanting to take a bit of control back. Whatever the case, she let the fight drag out longer than she intended it to be.

Nightmare Moon supposed that it really was Luna emerging from within. Wanting to finally take her revenge on her sister for all the decades of cruelty once and for all. It would make sense as to why she had suddenly decided not to finish Celestia off quickly. Yet it was that very same reason that ended up with Nightmare Moon being overwhelmed by the Celestia and losing in their fight. This led to her being forced to retreat with the followers she managed to gain and work together to think of a plan to thwart Celestia for good. It took months of planning, operating and campaigning, but they were months that Nightmare Moon used efficiently. Her loss against Celestia was the result of this, and she made sure each of her troops were ready for anything Celestia may have thrown at her. But even that could not have prepared the Goddess of the Blood Moon for what Celestia was going to do next.

It was unlike anything Nightmare Moon had seen before from Celestia. Let alone her and the sister she corrupted. The Solar Queen had whipped out a new power at her foe. One the likes of which the Dark Queen had never seen from the one she called her enemy. Because of her lack of knowledge on the items, Nightmare Moon was unable to properly defend herself against the onslaught of godly magic. In that instant, she felt herself soaring across the sky, into space and plummeting on the very moon she claimed as her own. The one she laid barren and confined on, in chains, for the next one thousand years.

A shudder went down Nightmare Moon’s spine as the memories of that of the famous Blood Moon War stomped away in her mind. The night where she not only lost against Celestia, twice, but felt the magic of the weapons she used on her for the first time. Even at that very moment, she could still feel the overwhelming agony flowing through her body as the divine magic worked itself on her. Nightmare Moon knew the items Celestia had were powerful, but not even she could have anticipated the level of power they would wield. It was the most otherworldly power she had ever felt in her entire existence. One that Nightmare Moon would make absolutely sure that she didn’t feel again.

And she would certainly make sure that none of the little ponies Celestia sent to retrieve them would be able to wield them either. Not if she and her Nightmare and Folkloric Armies had anything to say about it.

‘As if any of those little ponies could so a single thing to a being as powerful as me.’ Nightmare Moon though snidely, teeth clenched slightly as if she was ready to grind them. ‘They’re powerful yes, but they have nowhere near the experience needed to even attempt to stand to me. They will soon learn how much of a mistake it was to try to come and stop me. Even if they have every reason to. Soon they will learn how unwise it is to cross the Queen of the Night.’ She looked up at the massive crystalline doors. The draconic blue-eyed face stared back at her, as if welcoming her to the new room. ‘And I know just the ponies to can teach them that lesson to the fullest extent.’

With her horn glowing, Nightmare Moon slowly opened the doors, the sight of her Nightmare Army being the first thing to greet her reptilian eyes. Her ears were next, picking up the sounds of training and dueling in every corner of the room. Flashes of magic and sparks of battle equipment blinked in and out of existence as swords, knives and blades of all kind clashed and collided with one another’s steel.

Each Nightmare Pony tore through the ground, blasted out their magic, and flew through the air as they hurled themselves at one another. The roars, screeches and yowls they gave would’ve made anypony’s ears bleed from exhaustion. For Nightmare Moon, it was nothing but sweet music to her ears. Music that was loud and powerful enough to make a grin come across the alicorn’s face and whisk away her discomfort.

“Father Nocturnia above, my dear children look like they’re having quite a blast.” Nightmare Moon said to herself as she walked along the interior of her training room. “Perhaps they’re more excited about the incoming war than I anticipated them to be. I may have to rearrange this little training room. Or else they may take it down out of the sheer excitement alone.”

“With how long they’ve been asleep, can you really blame them for feeling more than a little pent up?” A deep and smooth voice quipped, like somepony speaking into another’s ear. “And besides, it’s like you have any room to talk, your Majesty.”

Ears perking, Nightmare Moon looked ahead of her to see a stallion that may as well have passed off as a vampire king or emperor. His coat was whiter than a winter snowfall, making him seem like a pony of the snow, while a mane the color of the earth cascaded down his neck. It framed his fanged handsome face, somewhat obscuring one of his eyes, both of which looked like gleaming orbs of garnet orange. He was dressed in an armor that consisted of a beautiful mixture of purple and black, with the black head of a slitted eyed unicorn glowing within the center of his chest plate. At first, Nightmare Moon didn’t recognize the stallion immediately, but upon seeing the symbol on his chest plate, she realized that it was the leader of her army.

“Oh! Hello my little Alessandro~! So good to see you down here in the Nocturnis Training Chamber~.” Nightmare Moon crooned, her muzzle stretching into a smile. Her bluish white armor shined as bright as the fangs in her mouth as she hugged the stallion. “I must say, I wasn’t completely expecting you to be here in all honesty.”

“Now why would you think that my Queen?” Alessandro asked somewhat playfully, tilting his head to the point where his mane covered one of his eyes. “Have you forgotten what my name means already? It means I am the defender of our kind. And that means that I’m going to be wherever there are others working to defend themselves and those they care about. It shouldn’t really that much of a surprise to find me of all ponies in a place like this.”

Nightmare Moon nodded solemnly. “Yes, it shouldn’t. You are the type of pony one would expect to be the first to try to defend the army behind you. More so if it meant the rest of your brothers and sisters would survive whatever onslaught falls upon you.” Her eyes flickered over to the army in front of them as they continued to train. “I just hope that my dear army will be able to survive the incoming onslaught from Celestia’s own forces.”

“I doubt that anything that your sister can send at us will be of any effect our magnificent army.” Alessandro murmured, snorting a bit as flexed his draconic wings. “The only reason she and her own troops got the drop on us in our last fight is because we underestimated her. And we were not prepared for the backup plan she had. The one that ended up with you being taken from this planet for a whole thousand years.” He clenched his teeth as he squinted his eyes shut. “I can still remember when I could no longer feel your magic anywhere around us in our army. After that, I felt my soul being pulled from by body, along with Baldassare and Nerio, and everypony else. That was the worst pain that I’ve probably ever felt in my life.”

It really was. Now that he thought about it, Alessandro believed that the word pain wasn’t a strong enough word to use for what he felt. The agony that ripped into his very being when he felt his essence being distorted form his body after not being able to sense his beloved Blood Moon Goddess. It was as if the Goddess of Death Selena herself had dropped down from the sky and ripped his and all the Nightmare Army’s souls out simultaneously. All while adding an extra bit of pain to the mix, like somepony’s skin and flesh being ripped off their very bones. It was a pain that was forever engraved into the Nightmare Army Commander’s memory. One that did not go away even in his thousand-year slumber.

“I am sorry for that Alessandro. I can only imagine the suffering you and the whole Nightmare Army were put through. Something that I came to regret each and every day that I spend on my glorious moon.” Nightmare Moon nodded as she stood next to Alessandro, her head bowed in reminiscence. “I just wish that I could have done something more to prevent what happened to all of us. Maybe then I would have been able to keep you all from suffering the fates you did under my sister’s hooves.”

“None of us could have known what Celestia was planning to do to you when you had your rematch.” Alessandro said softly, laying a comforting hoof on Nightmare Moon’s armored shoulder. Or at least, where he thought where her shoulder was. “It was something none of us could have foreseen no matter how deeply we see with our own eyes. But rest assured, we will be prepared for when she tries that trick again. Celestia managed to do it once, but she will not do it again! We don’t fall for the same trick twice.”

“Indeed, whatever methods and tactics Celestia used on us in our last fight will not succeed a second time. Something that we will both make sure comes to fruition.” Nightmare Moon started firmly. “However, I’m afraid that may be a bit harder when it comes to the Elements of Harmony.”

Alessandro gave his Queen a perplexed look. “What do you mean, your Majesty?”

“Before I came into this forest, I happened to take a little tour around the town my sister planned to have her celebration in.” Nightmare Moon explained. “At the end of it, I happened to come across a little library that had a few of my sister’s sun worshiping followers inside of it.” She paused as if she was silently preparing for what she was going to say next. “Including a young dragon cub.”

“A…a dragon cub?” Alessandro asked softly, looking like his Queen had said something truly shocking. “You saw an actual dragon cub in the presence of ponies?!”

“I most certainly did my dear Alessandro. It was an actual living breathing dragon that I saw in the last place I’d ever expect to see one in. Let alone a young cub.” Nightmare Moon replied, looking like she couldn’t believe it herself. She decided to leave out the part where she met Spike in the Town Square, not wanting to get too off topic. “He looked to be quite the formidable one too, despite looking so young. A few scars here and there, but really much else. I believe his name was Spike. He certainly wasn’t a helpless little hatchling, that much I can undoubtedly say. I could tell he was experienced just by looking at him. Very experienced.”

“Blood Moon above…” Alessandro breathed, his tone and face full of awe. “Who would’ve have thought that Celestia managed to get a dragon as one of her followers. It seems like she has gotten more successful in gaining other followers of the sun since you were away.”

“If she’s raised that dragon to be anything like her, then she certainly has. I could tell by the way he was acting around those ponies. Treating them as if they were his friends instead of his food. Much has changed indeed.” Nightmare Moon sighed, giving her tail a flick. “But I am getting off topic. The reason why I bring those ponies up is not because they have a dragon as a pet. It is because they are the ones that Celestia plans to use to overthrow me once more.”

“They are?” Alessandro asked, not getting the picture. “No offense your Majesty, but I fail to see how these ponies are going to overthrow you. It’s not like they are alicorns themselves, are they?”

“Thankfully no. That would make things for worse for me and everypony here.” Nightmare Moon replied, giving an inward shudder at the thought. “But the weapons that she has sent them to get might as well make them all alicorns. The weapons that lay in the confinements of this very castle right now.”

This time, Alessandro was quick to catch on, and he could not refrain a gasp. “Wait…you don’t mean-?”

“Yes, I do. The very weapons that had me imprisoned in the moon I raised.” Nightmare Moon spat out her reply, as if somepony had made her taste something bad. “And now, my sister is sending seven young mares, along with a single guard, to fetch them, awake their power once again, and use them on my for a second time.”

“Really? She sent only seven mares to retrieve the weapons that sent you to the moon? with only one guard to protect them while she and her own army are still preparing themselves?” Alessandro blinked at his Queen, taking a moment to take in his words, even as she confirmed it. Instead of the shock or disbelief Nightmare Moon was expecting, he just let out a humorous chuckle. “My dear sweet Blood Moon. She really has gotten full of herself since she banished you. If Celestia truly thinks that only seven mares will be enough to wield the most powerful weapons in existence, then she is even more insane than we gave her credit for.”

“I would not be too sure about that, my dear Alessandro.” Nightmare Moon said curtly, making the stallion pause. “I do not think that my sister chose those ponies randomly or just by chance. There is something about those mares that I sensed when I faced them. Something so deep and powerful that could only come from beings like the thestrals. I could feel the magic coursing through each of them, and it was anything but mediocre.” Her eyes narrowed as her pupils became thinner, making them look more like a snake’s than a dragon’s. The image of Fluttershy and Goku flickered into her mind like the light from a candle, and the alicorn’s ears pinned back. “I have a feeling that when they get here, they’re going to give us much more than what we’ll be expecting them.”

Alessandro stared at his Queen with the slightest bit of concern. “You do? You really believe they’ll be that much trouble for us your Majesty? Just seven mares and a single guard?”

“I’m not entirely sure really.” The sin black alicorn grumbled, snorting flames of blue from her flared nostrils.“All I do know is that the incoming battle will be one that will decide whether we rise or fall, and those mares will be the ones to decide it.” For the first time since meeting up with the Nightmare Army leader, she locked her slitted eyes with his own. “Which is why I’m going to be giving them a few playmates that will ensure they won’t succeed in this pitiful mission Celestia sent them on.”

“…Playmates?”Alessandro repeated, his worried tone turning to one of curiosity.

Nightmare Moon giggled softly, patting the horned bat ponies head affectionately. “Yes, my lovely. Celestia’s little band of heroes will be giving a few playmates to keep them occupied while we deal with her and the rest of her excuse of an army.” A sadistic grin extended across either side of her mouth as her eyes gleamed. “And those playmates will be…the Savage Seven.”

Had it not been for Nightmare Moon’s exceptionally sensitive ears, she would not have been able to hear Alessandro’s shocked gasp. The rest of the Nightmare Army would have as well if they had heard what their Dark Queen had said. The Savage Seven were ponies that all of them, Alessandro included, knew personally, for they were part of the army that was said to have been defeated countless centuries ago. Each of them consisted of a pony that was from one of Equestrian Secret Clans, all of them powerful in their own right. They were the most powerful members of the Nightmare Army, aside from Alessandro and his second and third in command, all ruthless in their own right. Even though they were all mares, they very well may have been stallions for all the power and wit they held. And crossing any of them was nothing short of a bad idea. Not unless those that did had one tartarus of a death wish.

“Y-you’re really planning on unleashing the most savage group of ponies ever to exist within the Nightmare Army on just seven measly mares?!" Alessandro asked once finally manage to get over shock. “W-with all due respect your Majesty, is that really such a wise idea? I believe you when you say these mares are strong, but are you really sure they’re that strong?”

“I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t see those mares for myself. And the strength that they have coiling within them.” Nightmare Moon stated knowingly, her brows furrowed. “If those mares are as strong as I believe them to be, I cannot take any chances with them. Nor can I go any easy on them with the power they possess.” She ruffled her four wings as she muttered under her breath. “Especially if they have a mare who has powers that make it seem like she’s one of Faust’s angels.”

“What was that your Highness?”

“Nothing, don’t worry about it Alessandro.” Nightmare Moon replied, smiling at the smaller bat winged stallion. “Anyway, are any of the girls here in the training room today?”

“Er, y-yes, they are." Alessandro replied with a stutter. “They’re actually training with Garnet Baldassare and Nerio with the Shadowbolts. Saying something about wanting to go up against somepony who matches them in strength, wit and brains”

Nightmare Moon gave a little eyeroll, but she looked anything but annoyed. “Of course they are. Only the strongest members of this arm would want to test themselves against those who are just as strong.” With a bat of her eyelashes, she reached and brought one of the claws of her four wings under Alessandro’s chin. “Be a dear and fetch them for me, would you my little ‘Sandro? I know they’re going to be so excited for the little playdate I’ll be setting up for them. Along with Baldassare, Nerio and the Shadowbolts themselves.”

“Y-yes my Queen.” Came the reply of a blushing Alessandro as he fought to keep his blush from blossoming on his pale cheeks. “I’ll be right back.”

With a bit of a haste in his step, Alessandro flew into the group of training ponies, ignoring the amused chuckle that came from Nightmare Moon. As soon as he was gone, the sin black alicorn suddenly felt something swell inside of her. She paused for just the shortest of moments, before her eyes lit up, the brightness behind them matching the wideness of her smile. For the sake of looking regal in front of her subjects, she resisted the urge to squeal and trot in place, and instead relented to rubbing her stomach.

“Oh dear me…I knew there was something missing. There’s one more guest that I forgot to bring into this little fray.” She said to herself, as she looked down at her barrel. Her armored hoof rubbed along it as if there was a foal currently inside of it. “Well, I think it’s time I let my little shield out now. She’s been cooped up for long enough, and now it’s time for her to stretch her legs a little.”

An aura of black magic appeared around her horn as she touched the smooth blue ground with a bow of her head. A single pit of pure blackness appeared, and a figure slowly rose from it, having the shape and form of a pony. They were covered in aura so dark that it was nearly impossible to identify them, but as they faded, it the appearances soon became crystal clear. A moment later, Nightmare Moon deactivated her magic and lifted her head to face the pony in front of her, looking pleased at what she saw.

Lying on the ground, looking like she was taking a deep sleep, was mare that may as well have been the heiress of the Dark Queen. She had the same sin black fur as Nightmare Moon’s, her ears and mouth having the tufts and teeth like that of a vampire fruit bat. One significant thing that set her apart from the larger mare, was that her mane and tail skirt were a flowing indigo color, and her four wings were adorned with feathers. Her chest and hooves were covered in dark silvery grey regalia, and a crescent moon dotted shield adorned both her flanks.

“Look at her. She looks so peaceful sleeping like that. I almost feel guilty for waking her up and preparing her for tonight.” Nightmare Moon cooed, feeling her heart began to clench as she watched the mare continue to snooze away. With a sigh, she leaned down and gently nudged the mare on her cheek. “Nyx? Wake up dear. Sleep time is over. It’s time to get up.”

Slowly, almost reluctantly, the smaller alicorn mare opened her eyes revealing two orbs of slitted blue that almost perfectly matched Nightmare Moon’s own. As she looked around her, a gleam of emerald blue could be seen flashing through her eyes while being rubbed by their owner’s hooves. Finally, her gaze settled onto the hulking mare before her and a smile came the reflected the one of Nightmare Moon’s own.

“Hello, my dear Nyx. It is so wonderful to see you again.” Nightmare Moon said softly, looking down at the other mare fondly. “I can’t tell you how much I missed seeing your precious little moon loving face~.”

Nyx smiled up at Nightmare Moon, her own vampiric fangs shining as if they were pearls found in the depths of the water. In a soft voice sweeter than silk, holding a bit of timidity, she replied back, “It’s good to see you again too Mother. How long was I out this time?”

“Longer than I would’ve liked my dear.” Nightmare Moon replied, frowning a bit. “A poor mistake on my part, given just how much time I had that I could’ve used to let you out. It seems that I had gotten a little rusty during my last thousand years on the moon.”

“I have to admit, you weren’t exaggerating when you said that it was going to be a wild ride back down to Equis.” Nyx muttered, rubbing at her head like she had taken a particularly hard hit to it. “It felt like I was riding on a giant comet form out of space. But that’s okay, because you were the comet that were all riding on.”

“Indeed, it was. I apologize if I made you feel nauseous my dear.” Nightmare Moon said, running a black hoof across Nyx’s cheek. “My eagerness had clouded my judgement I finally sensed that I was going to be free from my Moon. I was in such a rush that I did not think about how that rise would be for you and the others. I’m sorry if I made you feel nauseous.”

“That’s okay Mother. I know that you didn’t mean it.” Nyx said comfortingly, nuzzling her ‘mother’ under her chin. “You were just so happy to finally be able to leave the Moon, that’s all. Nopony’s going to get on your case from being free from a prison that kept you from Equis for so many centuries.”

“You and me both.” Nightmare Moon stated dryly. “Anywho, now that you’re all here, there is something that I wish to discuss with you. It concerns whether or not I’ll be able to win against Celestia and get rid of her retched day once and for all.”

“What’s that mother?” Nyx asked, tilting her head to the side. Just before Nightmare Moon could reply, the pale violet mare added, “This wouldn’t have to do with those mares that you saw in that library while I was resting inside of you, would it?”

“Hm…still as sharp as you have always Nyx.” Nightmare Moon praised, making the smaller mare blush and look away. “Well, since you’ve guessed it, it’s only fair that I confirm it. Yes, it has to do with the seven little mares that we all saw earlier. Apparently, they’re planning to make a trek into this very forest to try and take me out by themselves instead of my sister.”

“They’re…doing what?” Nyx asked, blinking in surprise. “That’s what they were planning when we saw them in the library? Trying to come up with a way to stop you instead of Celestia and her own army?”

“I would appear so my dear little Nyxie. While she’s planning to come here herself, my dear sister is sending somepony else to do her dirty work. As per usual. she really hasn’t changed over these last thousand years.” Nightmare Moon replied, spitting the last words out as if they were poison in her mouth. “However, this is not what concerns me as if yet. It’s rather what these ponies are going to use to try and stop me.”

Nyx blinked curiously. “What’s that Queen Moonie? What could those ponies use that’ll stand any chance of even sending you to the ground?”

“Do you all recall how Celestia had defeated me with what I said was, the Elements of Harmony, correct?” Nightmare Moon asked before Nyx nodded. “Well, those seven ponies you saw are coming to this forest to use these weapons to defeat me. Just like how they were used by Celestia do defeat me long ago.”

“Really? hose ponies are gonna use those weapons to beat you for a second time?” Nyx asked, frowning as she recalled the tales her ‘mother’ told her. Of how both Nightmare Moon and Celestia participated in the most brutal war in. Equestrian history with the latter using ‘cheap tactics to come out on top. “No offense Mother, but I didn’t really see anything special about them when I first saw them from within your magical essence. They just looked like ordinary orbs to me.”

“Don’t be so easily fooled by appearances Nyx. Your eyes can deceive you sometimes, so it’s best if you don’t always trust them.” Nightmare Moon advised, thinking back to the tour she took around her castle. She also recalled the shock, anger and indescribably fury she felt when she found the divine weapons that caused her downfall countless years prior. It was not a feeling that Nightmare Moon was eager to remember. Most of all when they were the cause of her suffering, and the unforgettable pain she endured on the moon. “It may not seem like it, but those stones have incredible amounts of magical power within them. I can feel it just by looking at them when I found them. Which is why I’m doing all I can to make sure they aren’t brought back into their original forms again.”

“Hm. When you put it like that, they really do sound pretty dangerous if they’re made to destroy ponies like you mother.” Nyx muttered, thinking over Nightmare Moon’s words. “If you don’t mind me asking though, I would like to know something. Just how powerful are those ponies for you to want to have my best friends be the ones to stop them from being obtained?”

“Enough to where they could unlock the Elements of Harmony, even though none of them are alicorns.” Nightmare Moon replied as her eyes closed, preventing her from seeing the look on Nyx's face. “Then again, they don’t need to be alicorns to be able to wield the most powerful weapons in existence. If they have the right personalities, as I saw from them, that will be all they will need to awaken the Elements and hinder my plans once more or bringing Eternal Night.

“They’re really that strong?” Nyx asked, looking to be in even more disbelief than before. “Gosh…They must really be experts in combat and battle if they’re that much trouble for your Mother.”

“While I highly doubt that they’re that experienced, they are definitely not rookies in training either. That’s why I’m having the members of your little group stop those meddlesome mares in their tracks.” Nightmare Moon concluded, giving a stomp of her hoof as she held her head high. Her eyes then looked ahead of Nyx, and she smiled again. “And it looks like they’re more than ready to make that plan come to fruition.”

Jumping in surprise, Nyx turned around and saw a group of mares that made her mood go as bright as the blood moon shining outside. It was only thanks to Nightmare Moon putting a firm hoof on her shoulder that she was kept from going crazy, and interrupting the Nightmare Army in their training. In front of the group, Alessandro stood tall, looking a little frazzled, but otherwise unharmed from his trek inside of the army. On either side of him were the ponies that Nightmare Moon requested, each of them covered in auras matching the darkness of her black coat.

The first mare in the circle was a unicorn, with a coat that was far darker color than Twilight’s to the point where it was almost indigo. She had a curly two-tone mane and tail skirt in the same style as Sweetie Belle’s, a mixture of dark purple and bright pink, her eyes being the same violet color as Twilight’s own. Her eyes were shadowed an inky black, and her cutie mark was a sword piercing right through a crescent moon. The second mare was an earth pony with a dark ocean blue coat, slightly darker than Crescent Shield’s own, with a long scarlet red mane and tail, her head having a purple bandana around it. Her eyes were the same emerald green color as Applejack’s and her cutie mark was of a trio of oranges. The third mare was a pegasus grayish with a coat the color of gray and blue, and a mane and tail mixed between that of bright purple and aquamarine, and magenta pink eyes, her wings being a combination of all four colors. Her hooves were covered in regalia that had rose colored gemstones on them, and her cutie mark was of a grey cloud with lightning bolts shooting out of them.

The fourth mare in the group was an attractive unicorn mare with a coat as black as coal, and a mane and tail the color of rich lemonade. Her eyes were a deep swirling vortex of midnight blue, with the cutie mark of three shining black gemstones, looking only slightly lighter than her fur. The fourth mare looked like a straight maned version of Pinkie Pie herself, her paler pink coat and her blood red flat mane and tail being the only difference. Her eyes were a shade of blue so pale that they were almost white, and her cutie mark was of a muffin that had red sprinkles on it, along with pony skull. The sixth and final mare was a hybrid between a pegasus and a thestral, her fur being a deep ruby red, with ebony black leather sticking out of her wings. Her similarly colored mane and tail skirt had pure white streaks in them, and her eyes were a menacing dark blue, with her cutie mark being a ball of fire with a bat wing spread out.

“Your Majesty, I have the members of the Savage Seven with me now.” Alessandro stated, standing tall as he saluted his Queen. “Starlight Shadow Majikku, Grayscale, Arashiikimono, Curaçao Sweet Orange Tyrant, Insipid Kesshoryu, Red Velvet Konton, and Havocwing Datenshi, all awaiting further orders.”

“Thank you very much my dear Alessandro. You are dismissed for now.” Nightmare Moon praised sweetly. “You just focus on making sure the Nightmare Army keeps themselves in ship-shape. I’ll take care of this little group from here.”

“As you wish your Majesty.” Alessandro nodded, bowing one final time before he trotted off to continue his surveillance of the Nightmare Army.

“Good evening my dear savage ones.” Nightmare Moon crooned as the six mares bowed to her. “How are you six doing this fine night?”

“We are doing just amazing your Majesty.” The indigo unicorn, Starlight Shadow replied intelligently, smiling up at the alicorn. Her violet eyes locked onto Nyx’s and her cheeks gained a pink tint. “And it looks like you have our sweet little Nyx with you too~!”

“Hi Starlight! It’s so wonderful to see you and the other girls again!” Nyx cooed, reaching over and hugging the smaller mare around her neck. “I knew you were all going to be here! I don’t think I could find you anywhere else than in my Mother’s own army!”

“Yer darn tootin’ you wouldn’t sugar. Otherwise you wouldn’t know where to find us at all.” The blue earth pony mare, Curaçao, said with a chuckle as she stretched at the red bandana around her head. “Ah definitely know that Ah wouldn’t be able to find you if Ah didn’t know where you went. We already have a hard-enough time figurin’ that out with Red Velvet over here. She can vanish faster than a squirrel scurryin’ up an orange tree…”

The aforementioned mare nodded energetically, a grin not too far from that of Pinkie’s own coming to her muzzle. “Yep! I sure am ‘Cao! I can be gone one moment and somewhere else the next and you won’t even know that I’m there! I did it back on the moon and I can definitely do it now!”

“Oh dear me.” The coal black unicorn, Insipid, said blandly, dragging a hoof down her face. “And just when I thought Red Velvet had outgrown that habit while on the moon. I guess we won’t be escaping it after all.”

The grayish blue pegasus mare, Grayscale Force, sighed, crossing her hooves. “Tell me about it. I can already hear Red’s constant jibber-jabber in my ears already. I guess it’s back to have less than peaceful sleeps and being woken up at five o’ clock with stupid questions.”

“I can see the two of you are as disinterested and laid-back as ever!” The final mare, Havocwing, giggled mirthfully. “You guys are the same as you’ve always been! Even after our fight with the worshippers of the sun!”

“Yes, none of you have changed a single bit.” Nightmare Moon replied, walking over and wrapping all seven mares in the embrace of her four wings. “It certainly brings me the old times that I spent with you after fleeing from my sister. And before our unfortunate downfall against her and her wretched army. It makes me so happy to see that you are still yourselves. Even if we haven’t seen each other for a millennium.”

“Oh Mother! As if whole thousand years of separation could never break six of my best friends in the whole wide world!” Nyx snorted back a burst of laughter. “They’re too strong for that, and you spend too much time making them strong enough to handle that!”

“Your correct on that account Nyxie! And if we’re strong enough to get through that trial, then we can go up against anything else!” Starlight cooed, smiling at the larger mare before she turned to her Queen. “By the way you Highness, do you have anything you want us to do for you? Maybe finding new spells or conducting new experiments that you want me to test like you had me do while creating the Folkloric Army?”

Nightmare Moon laughed softly, feeling her heart flutter at the sparkly eyed look Starlight was giving her. “Unfortunately, no my dear Starlight. I don’t have any spells or experiments that I want you to help me with.” She watched as the unicorn frowned a bit, before holding up a hoof to keep her from interrupting. “I do, however, have a task that I think you will be more than up for. Something that I’m positive all of you will enjoy to the greatest extent.”

“Oh really? And what would that be?” Insipid asked, quirking an eyebrow. “Is it a hunt for some of the rarest gems in the world?”

“Is it a secret underground party chamber?!” Red Velvet guessed excitedly. “Oh, please let it be that! I feel like throwing a real big party right now!”

“Screw parties, is it a sparring match?” Grayscale asked, a bit of a grin coming to her face. “I’m really itching to belt someponies face in, and if I don’t find somepony to throw down with, I’m gonna lose my shit.”

“I’ll fight with you if you want Grayscale~. I love it when I get to blow off steam with you of all ponies! Especially since you’re one of the few ponies that can really get by blood pumping!” Havocwing said sweetly, shooting a toothy smile at the other pegasus. She turned to Nightmare Moon and added, “By the way, are there any ponies here that can give me a good round? I wanna let my inner lioness out so badly!”

Curaçao shuddered. “Oh boy, now that’s somethin’ Ah’m really scared of seein’.” She turned to Nightmare Moon with a desperate look in her eyes. “Please tell me you have somethin’ for me to get started on your Majesty. Ah really don’t like jus’ standin’ around for long periods of time; especially when there’s work to be done.”

Nyx giggled as she watched her friends banter. ‘Yep, they haven’t changed a single bit.’

“Trust my little savage fillies, I believe I have something that will fit all of your needs. Maybe not in the way that you’re all expecting, but still helpful nonetheless.” Nightmare Moon replied, her motherly, yet commanding voice silencing all six mares immediately. She smiled at them all, displaying her fangs once more as they glinted in each of the mare’s eager eyes. “And by the time it arrives, your thirsts will be very eloquently quenched~.”

Author's Note

Wow...I can't even begin to describe how hard this was for me to write since starting it this afternoon, especially with the trips that I made earlier today :applejackconfused: . And I really don't feel like gettin into too much of that, other than I finally managed to accomplish the completion of it. While it may not be as well done as the last few, I hope it'll be enough for you guys to enjoy and get something out of :twilightsmile: . Now, the part with the Savage Seven and Nyx was a part that I got form my last version in the chapter that had both them and the Main Seven meeting, and I felt it would fit better here. I felt that I didn't have enough scenes of them from the last version of this story, so I'm gonna try to redeem myself by doing that before we get to the actual showdown between the two groups and the Royal and Dark Armies :twilightsmile: . Also, for those of you who are wondering why I added Nyx into this, again, is mainly because of an idea that I am still planning out that will happen much later on in the series that should tie into one of my seasons. While I won't be pointing out the biggest reason why I have Nyx in here, I will say that it is going to be a real shocker. That, and it'll make you feel so sorry for both Nightmare Moon and Luna :applecry: .

Anyway, that's all for now! Tune in next time for when we see the Main Seven recover from the fight with the Timberwolves, get an explanation from Pinkie about her powers, and meet a soldier of the Everfree :rainbowdetermined2: !!!

Chapter 35 - The Soldier of Solitude

The first thing that Pinkie Pie noticed when she began to come to, was that she had an unbearable headache. One more unbearable than any she had experience in her entire life. It felt like somepony or some incredibly creature powerful was trying cave her skull in and drive a large knife through it at the same time. She could feel each pulse that coursed its way through her head, following in perfect rhythm with her heartbeat. Each beat that followed send another searing stab of pain through her head, causing a groan of agony to escape her lips.

The second thing she became aware of was that her entire body felt numb from head to hoof. It was as if it was filled with led. Each and every time she tried to move, she’d feel parts of her body give off little twitches, along with an incredible amount of soreness following after. All four of her legs felt like they were made of jelly. They shook as if they were covered in coats of ice when she tried to move them. Even her tail was unresponsive when she tried to move it, which really confused her for some reason. Especially since she had excellent control over it. Even more than Goku did with her own tail, despite it being much longer than her’s.

As Pinkie slowly began to regain consciousness and come back to the waking world, was that there seemed to be a lot of talking. Very quiet, but still pretty audible taking, coming from what she believed were her friends.

“How do you guys think she’s doing?” The raspy voice of Rainbow Dash asked, her tone full of worry and concern. “She hasn’t moved an inch since she collapsed in front of us.”

“I have no idea.” The intelligent voice of Twilight replied softly. “I mean, she’s still breathing. And I can see her chest rising and falling. Other than that, nothing.”

“Well, at least we know that she’s still alive an’ kickin’.” Applejack’s drawling voice followed. “Still, she looks more out of shape than an apple rottin’ on a tree.”

“Applejack!” Rarity’s regal and elegant voice suddenly snapped. “How dare you make such a statement about our dear Pinkie Pie?! She looks just as beautiful as she always did! How rude of you to say such a thing!”

“Now Rarity, you know that is not what Applejack meant and you know it.” Goku’s smooth and silky chastised, sounding understandably upset. “All Applejack was pointing out was how bad Pinkie was looking because of the amount of magic that she used in her Lycan form. She was by no means insulting her!”

“Well it certainly seemed like it too me!” Rarity snorted hotly. “It’s bad enough that we have to deal with her suffering from such an extension of magic. Now we have to deal with Applejack here insulting her looks?! I mean look at her! The poor dear looks like she’s been trampled by a herd of cows!”

Pinkie suddenly felt her body give a jolt as a raging soreness made its way through her body, along with another stab of pain through her head. She let out another groan as she felt her insides coil like a colony of snakes. That was probably the best and downright worst way to describe how Pinkie was currently feeling at the moment. Because she really did feel like she was trampled by a herd of cattle, like the ones that Applejack sometimes had come onto her orchard to graze. Except, that’s probably how the farmer would describe herself if she was in her position. For Pinkie, she felt like she had eaten something that was horrible overcooked or made the wrong way.

“And is that really our fault?” Zephyr’s deep and gentle voice asked incredulously. “Look Rarity, I wasn’t really up for her fighting in the first place, especially in her new form. None of us were, and Ah do wish that we could’ve known the side effects of her transformations. But we were in an extremely tight spot, so we had no choice but to trust she wouldn’t burn herself out.”

The sound of Goku dryly chuckling filled Pinkie’s ears. “As if Pinkie Pie of all ponies can be burnt out easily.”

“Then why did you even let her fight it in the first place?!’ Rarity spat acidly. “Why didn’t you all just have her just stay put instead of having to fight those beasts?!”

“Because it was the only option that would keep us from getting eaten alive!” Rainbow snapped impatiently. “You saw it yourself, Rarity! You could tell just by looking at that those mutts that it was not going to let us leave! The only we could get away is if we made them leave instead! So we had pretty much no choice but to fight, including Pinkie Pie! Not to mention that Twi her wanted all of us to hold our ground!”

“Exactly!” Twilight said, sounding thankful that Rainbow brought that up. “While it may not have been the most well thought or and accurate plan, but worked nonetheless! Plus, we’re all still alive! So that should count for something right?”

“It doesn’t matter if we managed to chase those ruffians off!” Rarity hissed at Twilight. “The fact of the matter is Pinkie Pie is hurt, and it’s all your fault Twilight! Maybe if you had though up of a better plan, this would’ve never happened!”

Pinkie could now feel herself become just the slightest bit frustrated. Why was Rarity blaming Twilight for her condition? Why did she keep calling the Everfree animals by such mean names? The party pony desperately wanted to get up from whatever position she was in and put the fashionista in her place. She could feel her body start to respond to her advances, but it was going by slowly. She frowned inwardly; she would have to wait for just a little bit longer. If only to give Rarity a firm chewing out.

“Now don’t you go blamin’ us fer somethin’ that none of us had any choice in doin’!” Applejack shouted, sounding more irritated. “Ah ain’t just gonna sit ‘ere, an’ let anypony, not even mah own friends, go blamin’ one o’ mah other friends fer nothin’! So you better cool that curly little head o’ yers missy! Or yer hide is gonna get bucked all th’ way t’ Canterlot!”

“Yeah! You really need to take a damn chill pill Rarity! It’s not like Pinkie Pie was trying to get herself hurt!” Rainbow Dash added, agreeing wholeheartedly with Applejack. “What, would you rather her have gotten eaten instead?!”

“Of course not!” Rarity replied angrily. “But I certainly would not have put her put herself through such torcher in that retched form of her’s! Something that you all should’ve tried to prevent you-”

“Rarity ENOUGH!” Goku’s voice suddenly yelled out. The moment she made herself known; all sound abruptly ceased as the buttermilk Pegasus felt herself freeze in place. “Listen, I know that you’re upset that Pinkie is in the state that she’s in right now, we all are! However, that is no reason for you to be so hard on everypony and be such a goddamn bitch to the others! None of us knew that this was going to happen, and none of us wanted this to happen, but what other choice did we have?! To just go and let the Shinomōkin, Doragontora, and the Timberwolves eat us alive?!

“W-well! No of course not!” Rarity replied in a completely different tone from earlier. It was if somepony had dumped a bucket of water on the fashionista’s blazing anger and replaced it with a cold fear instead. “B-but-”

“If that happened, any which one of them would’ve torn us apart and had us for lunch! And you know what would've happened if that happened, don’t you?!” Goku continued, cutting Rarity off. “We wouldn’t be able to find the Elements of Harmony, we wouldn’t be able to defeat Nightmare Moon, and we wouldn’t be able to save Queen Luna or anypony in Ponyville! Including our families! If we keep pointing hooves and blame each other for things that we had no idea of happening, we won’t be able to fulfill the task given to us! Which is exactly what’s going to happen if you keep this up! So leave the other’s alone, sit that white plot of yours down be quiet! Before I make your coat whiter than already it is!”

There were no more words exchanged after that last sentence was said, and the silence that followed was so strong, that the only thing could be heard was the sound of what seemed to be the crackling of fire. Pinkie stayed still, silently waiting for any one of her friends to start talking again and converse with one another. When the only thing she heard was the quiet, she again tried to move, and felt her body was less sore than it was a minute ago. Though that didn’t stop another soft groan from escaping her lips as she attempted to gain some control of her body.

Pinkie soon realized that she must’ve gotten the attention of one of her friends, because she felt a warm hoof brush against her forehead. A few moments later, Fluttershy, sounding more hopeful than before, called out to Rarity and the others.

“Girls, look!” The gentle mare cried. “I think she’s waking up!”

Moments after those words were said, Pinkie heard a multitude of hooves galloping over to where she was. She immediately picked up several magical signature around her, seven at that, even in her sore state, she instantly recognized.

‘Wait, there are seven other magic signatures? Is there an eight pony with us?’ She thought, feeling her face morph into a frown. A second later, it clicked, and a certain stallion swam into her mind. ‘Oh right, Zephyr was with us too. I hope he’s okay. Is he okay?’

“Hey Pinkie! Are you alright? Can you hear us?!” The voice of Rainbow Dash shouted, snapping Pinkie out of her thoughts. Before she could try to reply to her friend, she felt a rough hoof start slapping her cheek. “Come on girl, say something already!”

“Dash, don’t do that!” Fluttershy’s voice scolded said sharply. “I know you want her to wake up, but slapping her like that isn’t going to help! Just wait a few minutes and let her do it on her own…”

“Girls look! I think she’s waking up!”

Fluttershy was indeed right, Pinkie was slowly beginning to open her eyes, only to snap them back shut at the light that shined in them. After a few more unsuccessful attempts, she finally managed to open them and adjust to the light, which she could now see was coming from a fireplace. Turning her head, she met the concerned eyes of each of her friends, who were all standing over her from all sides.

“Hey there sleepy head.” Goku said softly with a smile. “Welcome back to the world of the living.”

“Hi, Goku.” Pinkie replied, her voice tired and raspy. “It’s good to be back in the waking world.”

“How’re you holding up there Pinks?” Rainbow Dash asked. “No offense, but you look really like shit.”

“I probably do.” Pinkie giggled softly, moving a hoof to her head. “I’m definitely feeling like it too.”

“Oh, you poor thing.” Rarity cooed, reaching and taking Pinkie’s left hoof in her right. “You must be in so much pain right now! No thanks to-”

“Don’t ya dare finish that sentence.” Applejack growled, her eyes flashing as she glared at Rarity. “Ah swear, Ah will buck ya straight outta this cave!”

“Oooooh…my head! It feels so swimmy-wimmy no good yucky...” Pinkie moaned as she put her right forehoof to her forehead. “Where are we? What the hay happened to me?”

“We’re still in the Everfree Forest sweetie.” Goku replied quietly. “You had fallen unconscious after the fight with the Timberwolves. We didn’t want to take any chances in reviving you where we were. So we left the clearing and came to this cave.”

“Oh…” Pinkie muttered, draping a hoof over her forehead. “Wait a minute, where’s Zephyr?”

“Right behind you Pinkie Pie.” The deep and gentle voice of the royal blue stallion said from behind her. Jumping, Pinkie looked up, while still laying down, and met the garnet eyes of the Solar Royal Guard. The surprise she felt was so strong that she squealed and sat up in the blink of an eye, Goku still hovering over her. With a loud and sickening thud, both mares collided foreheads with one another, and the tan thestral found herself on the ground.

“Gah! Son of a bitch!” Goku yelled as she fell over on her back, both hooves flying to her forehead.

“Whoa there sugarcube!” Applejack rushed over and grabbing Pinkie by her shoulders. “Hold yer horses!”

“Oh! I’m so sorry Goku!” Pinkie cried as she looked back over at Goku. “Are you okay? I didn’t mean to hit you like that!”

“Ugh...yeah, I’m fine Pinkie.” Goku groaned, slowly getting up from the ground and onto her rump. “Geez girl, you really have a hard noggin there, don’t you?”

Pinkie moaned as she gently rubbed the side of her head, trying to lessen the agonizing throbbing. “My head hurts so much. I don’t think I’ve had a headache this bad in, well...ever.”

“I’m not surprised.” Rainbow Dash said with a small chuckle. “With the what happened back at the clearing with your new form and all, we figured you’d be feeling like that.”

“Yeah, you have a point there.” Pinkie nodded as she took in her surroundings. “Where…are we?”

“We’re in a cave of some sort.” Fluttershy replied, stepping back some to give Pinkie space. “We have found it sometime after we had left that clearing about an hour ago. We had all been keeping watch over you and ourselves while you were resting. So far, nothing’s come.”

“For now.” Goku murmured, staring off into the trees.

“Oh, okay. At least nothing is attacking us right now.” Pinkie said, slowly getting to her own hooves. All of a sudden, she stopped, blinked and looked at Rainbow Dash. “Um, Dashie, what did you mean when you said by ‘new form’?”

“You mean you don’t remember?” The cyan mare asked. “You suddenly turned into this giant mix of a pony and a dog right in front of us! Just straight out of the blue! Not only that, but you tried to attack us while you were in that form! You probably would’ve chewed our throats out had it not been for Fluttershy stopping you with her Solar Stare!”

Pinkie frowned hard at her friend’s words. “I…turned into a giant werewolf and tried to attack you?! Now that just sounds ridi-”

She stopped abruptly as the memory of the fight with the Timberwolves came sliding its way into her like melting cinnamon on bread bites. At that moment, her previous transformation clicked inside of her as its physical side effects suddenly landed on her like a set of weights. Her look of indignation quickly softened into one of guilt and shame as her mane and tail deflated a bit.

“Oh. Wait a second…” She murmured softly as she bowed her head. “I remember now… Y-yeah, it’s all coming back to me.”

“There ya go sugarcube. Ah knew you’d remember.” Applejack said, throwing a foreleg around the mare. “Ya really gave us a big scare when that happened. Ah don’t think Ah’ve ever seen ya do somethin’ like that in, well…ever! In all mah time o’ knowin’ ya, Ah did not ever see ya do what ya jus’ did in that there clearin’.”

“Which begs the question that I’m sure is on all our minds.” Twilight said taking a step towards Pinkie. “Pinkie…would you mind telling us just what in Celestia’s name that was back there?”

Pinkie took a tentative step back as if Twilight was trying to back her against a corner. “Uh, t-that’s kind of hard to explain Twilight. It… it’s actually really crazy to put it simply.”

“What could be crazier than seeing one of my friends turn into one of the most terrifying Nightmares ever to exist?!” Rarity cried, throwing a foreleg out for emphasis. Upon seeing Fluttershy’s glare, she recoiled and coughed delicately in her hoof. “Ehem…sorry.”

Fluttershy kept her stern look on Rarity for a moment longer, before focusing on Pinkie with a gentler expression. “Pinkie, you don’t have to tell us if you don’t want to right now. I can tell that this is something that you really don’t want to indulge in, and we understand if you-”

“No.” Pinkie interrupted, the uncharacteristic softness in her voice making Fluttershy pause. “No, it’s okay Fluttershy. I… I feel like you guys deserve to know why I turned what I turned into back there. I can tell that a lot of you guys are really curious to find out about it.”

“Are you sure Pinkie?” Zephyr asked gently, looking unsure. “I’m with Fluttershy on this. If this is something that’s too hard for you to do, then don’t bother telling us. We don’t want to cause you any unnecessary pain or bring up any-”

“I said it’s okay!” Pinkie snapped, looking frighteningly angry as everypony flinched. She took a second to calm her nerves before saying, “It… it’s alright Zephyr. If you really wanna know how I turned and why, I’ll tell you. It’s the least that I can do for you guys after I gave you such a scare when I did.” She looked into Fluttershy’s eyes and added, “And for giving Fluttershy that nasty red frosted scare…”

Fluttershy cringed at the mention of her wound. Her mind fluttered back to the vicious claw swipe Pinkie gave her while going into her lycan form before the battle with the Timberwolves. She felt the urge to reach up and rub at her still injured face, but ignored it for both Pinkie’s sake and her own.

“Alright so, here’s the thing you guys…” Pinkie began as she sat down, curling her tail around her neck she was wrapping a scare around her neck. “You know how I have the name, Lycan D., in my name, right?”

“Yeah, we do. You told us that, like, a thousand times in the past.” Rainbow replied, giving an eye roll. She flinched when she got hard elbow to the side from Applejack. “Ow!”

“Not the time RD.” Applejack hissed lowly, her eyes giving a warning glow. She turned back to Pinkie and urged her to continue. “Now, go on sugarcube. You were sayin’?”

“R-right. L-like I said, you all know that Lycan D. is in my name.” Pinkie continued. “A-and you know how there’s not really anypony else with that name, other than Melon Cake, r-right?”

Everypony flinched at the mention of Pinkie’s little helper. The party pony took notice but made no mention of it; looking guilty for bringing it up.

“Yes darling, w-we do.” Rarity muttered after a few seconds of awkward silence. “Where are you going with this exactly?”

Pinkie did not reply immediately, looking like she was choosing how to word her explanation. It took a moment for her to reply, but when she did, her voice, and question, came out in a slight stammer. “Have, um…have any of you guys ever heard of the island of Freespirit?”

Goku’s ears perked. “F…Freespirit Island?”

“Uh…no Pinkie Pie. Ah don’t think Ah’ve heard of any place like that anywhere around here.” Applejack replied dumbly, slowly blinking as the words of the party pony fully merged within her mind. “Is it, uh…some kind of island of freedom or somethin’?”

“You’re partially right Applejack.” Twilight replied quietly, the knowledgeable side in her mind kicked in. “The island of Freespirit is an island that was said to have once been dotted on the land of Equis some thousands of years ago. It was known for being an island where freedom was the one thing that was held on it, hence its name. At least from what I read from the books that I read about them. In Freespirit, every living thing on it, from the vocalizing creatures, to the wild animals, even to the very plants and weather were unrestrained by nothing. Free to do, grow, and prosper however they please, with nothing and nopony to stop them.”

“…Whoa, talk about unrestrained.” Rainbow muttered, whistling as the sound echoed in the cave. “That sounds like a pretty awesome place to live.”

“It was.” Fluttershy nodded, smiling fondly. “It was home to an abundance of creatures, including those that live in Equestria and live outside of it today. Even in places never discovered before. Besides Equestria, it was said to be the one place where creatures all around the world, even ones that were never seen, come together and live together. Like they’re an entire nation or a country, despite Freespirit Island not really having a kingdom or an empire.”

“Wait a moment, other creatures besides ponies lived in this Freespirit place?” Rarity asked, looking taken aback by the revelation. “Does…does that mean creatures like donkeys, griffins and dragons lived in there too?”

“Yes Rarity, they did.” Now it was Goku’s turn to take over. “However, it wasn’t just dragons, donkeys and griffins that lived on Freespirit Island with ponies. like Twilight said, other creatures besides us and them inhabited the island as well. From kirins, to sphinxes, hippogriffs, sea ponies, changelings and breezies. Even more creatures than that resigned in Freespirit. Such as flutter ponies, gargoyles, perytons, satyrs, kelpies, kitsunes, ookamis, and even sea lions. Every single one of these creatures, all from different corners of Equis, came to this one island and joined together as if they were a single dominant species. Despite the fact that ponies are the most abundant and dominant species of Equis.”

Applejack shook her head. “Okay, Ah could not understand even half th’ th’ names of all o’ them critters to named Fluttershy. Are you sure they aren’t jus’ little nicknames you came up fer ‘em?”

“No Applejack, they’re not.” The veterinarian explained patiently, smiling solemnly at the farmer. “That’s what all of those creatures are called, and no others. I’m sorry if it confuses you sweetie, but that’s all the names those creatures go by.”

“Pushing aside the unusual names for now…” Rarity said, drawing everypony back to the topic at hoof. “Pinkie, how does all of this tie to your powers exactly?”

“It’s because that’s where my powers were said to originate from.” Pinkie replied, rubbing one of her forelegs. At Rarity’s even more confused expression, she sighed and specified, “What I mean is that’s where my clan mates first came from. Meaning the very beginning of the whole Lycan D. Clan.”

“Oh! I get it!” Rainbow Dash said as it finally clicked in her mind. “So you’re saying that this Freespirit place is where the first members of your family came from!”

“Yes Dashie, it is. You at least got the icing on the cake there.” Pinkie replied with a soft giggle, her moon lifting a bit. “Okay, not that you guys know where my family came from, I’d better explain to you how my powers work.”

“Yeah, Ah think you should Pinkie Pie.” Applejack muttered, shuddering as she thought back to the horrid screaming Pinkie gave before her transformation. “After that scare you gave us and makin’ us think you were goin’ into a seizure, Ah really wanna know how that trigger yer new form.”

Zephyr shot Applejack a stern look of warning, elbowing her in her side. “Don’t push her Applejack. Pinkie doesn’t need to tell us about her powers if she doesn’t her.” He said firmly, a slight scowl on his lips. “I know you wanna know about them. I do too. But if it means Pinkie has to go through some unpleasant memories, then I’d rather her keep it to herself.”

“Zephie, it’s fine really. Just give me a second to settle myself.” Pinkie said before the Solar Royal Guard could go further. “Okay, so, you guys know how I turned into my hybrid form back into that clearing with the Timberwolves?”

“Yeah, and we also saw how you totally moped the floor with them.” Rainbow replied, her fangs glinting as she smirked. “Nice job with that by the way.”

“T-thanks Dashie, I’m glad you noticed.” Pinkie said, blushing a bit as she looked away, hiding behind her mane in a way that had Fluttershy gaining the urge to smother her. “A-anyway, the reason why I bring that up is because my lycan transformation is different from the ones that you guys probably heard of. You see… what you guys saw was the first stage of my powers.”

“First…stage?” Twilight repeated slowly, tilting her head. It suddenly licked, like she had managed to find a light in an exceptionally dark room. “Wait, you’re saying that you have more lycan forms than the one we saw you in?!”

“About ten of them, yes.” Pinkie replied, walking closer to the group as she turned around. “Here, I’ll show you what I mean.”

Pulling her mane back, she allowed the rest of her friends and Zephyr as well to see the tattoo on her back. It showed the image of a ten-tailed lycan in a leaping position, its tails spread out like a male peacock displaying its tail feathers to a hen. On the tips of the tails were various different colored spheres having elemental symbols on them. It started with earth, followed by fire, ice, earth, air, and lighting on one half. The other half of the Lycan’s tails were, magic, chaos, poison, light, and darkness. All of them were dull in color, but the one containing the earth symbol was gleaming brightly, like a gold medal glinting in the sunlight.

“Whoa. That’s one sick looking tattoo there, Pinks.” Rainbow commented looking it over like it was the coolest thing in the world. “Is that the one that the rest of your own clan has?”

“Uh-huh, it sure is.” Pinkie nodded, smiling merrily. “This is the big bad wolf symbol that every single pony of the Lycan D. Clan has when they come of age! Admittedly, it does look pretty scary when you first see it, but once you look at it enough times, it doesn’t seem all that bothersome anymore.”

“Amazing… So this is the symbol of your main clan.” Twilight breathed in awe, running a hoof down Pinkie’s tattoo as if it was an incredibly rare book she found. Her eyes locked onto the multiple symbols on each of the tails of the lycan tattoo. “Why does it have those symbols on its tails Pinkie Pie? Do they represent the different powers you have?”

“They sure do Twilight! Every single one of these symbols holds a different power that I can use, but haven’t unlocked yet.” With impressive flexibility, she pointed a hoof down at the bright symbol of earth. “You see that little rock symbol glowing on the left side of its tails? It’s glowing because I was able to unlock it thanks to my connection to the earth. If I’m able to unlock any of my other powers through some means, then they’ll give the same glow that little rock symbol is doing right now! And the more that I gain, the stronger I’ll get in my lycan forms!”

“You will?” Zephyr asked, eyeing the symbols intently. “So what happens when you’re able to go make all of those symbols glow?”

Pinkie spun around and did her best imitation of her back tattoo, which, in all honesty, was a pretty good one. “If I’m able to make all of those little symbols glow as bright as the lights at one of PJ-Pon 3’s, I’ll be able to go into a Lycan form that allows me to use all ten of these powers at once!”

Rainbow backpedaled hard. “Wait, what?! You’re saying you can use each and every single one of those element things at once if you’re able to activate them?! Just like how the symbols on my own back do if I do the same?!”

“I sure can Dashie!” Pinkie replied giddily. “Though the only difference between how you and I unlock our powers is because even though we’ll be able to use them all of we unlock them all, you can only use each of your techniques one at a time. Even when you use that big sword of yours!” She reached out and tapped Rainbow’s large sword for emphasis, earning her a swat to that same hoof by the athlete. “I on the other hoof, can use them all at the same time, which is pretty advanced if I do say so myself.”

“How about too overly advanced.” Rainbow Dash growled, crossing her forelegs. “Talk about overpowered…”

“…Oh goodness! I’ve never heard of a clan that has powers like that. Especially since it mainly has to do with creatures from folkloric tales.” Rarity said, grabbing Applejack’s hat in her magic and using it to fan herself. “Of course, since it is you of all ponies that has powers as wild and unpredictable as that Pinkie dear, it’s not too surprising.”

“Got it in on th’ nose there Rares.” Applejack murmured, taking her hat back. “’Cause if there’s one thing that you, me, and everypony here has learned while knowin’ Pinkie, it’s this: never put it past her to reveal somethin’ way outta this world.”

Zephyr blinked at the farmer. “What do you mean by that exactly Applejack?”

“Don’t worry about it, Zephyr.” Fluttershy said sweetly. “You’ll understand it better when you see Pinkie in…um, action more. It’s best just to do that than have it be explained.”

“Listen to her Zephyr, please.” Twilight all but begged. “It’ll be so much better if you just let Pinkie show you rather than tell. It’ll be a big load of stress of your mentality…” She rubbed at her head as if a splitting headache came in. “…and your sanity.”

Pinkie laughed. “Got the cream in the donut there, Twilight!”

Zephyr paused, understanding immediately morphing into his mind. It wasn’t very often when he heard Twilight say things like that. Especially since she was a pony that wanted things both explained and showed to her in order for her to fully understand it. So for her of all ponies to say that it was better to be shown something you don’t understand rather than having explained in words spoke volumes of what she experienced while in Ponyville. Even if he wasn’t there to see it, he could tell just by the tone in her voice alone that Twilight knew what she was saying. And that it was best to take her advice, least he put himself through some unnecessary stress. Not that Twilight wasn’t good at doing that in the first place, but when she gave it like that, Zephyr knew to either follow it. Or suffer the consequences in the long run.

“Well, if you think that’s best.” Zephyr murmured, wrapping a comforting wing around Twilight and pulling her in close. He nuzzled the top of her head, as if she was a lover rather than just a friend, or beneficial one. “If you of all ponies is giving advice like that, then it’s for me to follow it. Unless I wanna have my mane go up in flames, my eyes red, and my coat looking like I had got downed in bleach.”

Twilight giggled, smiling fondly up at the stallion. “You really do know me too well.”

“Pushing all the mushiness aside.” Rainbow Dash said with an exasperated sigh. “I gotta agree with Rares here Pinks. Those sound like really crazy powers! Even crazier than the things you can do without them! Do the rest of your family have powers like that or something?”

Pinkie abruptly stopped laughing, her mirthful demeanor turning to one of pain and uncertainty as her smile dropped like a deflated balloon falling from the air. The look on her face was the one that a puppy would give when somepony kicked it for no apparent reason. It was shot right at Rainbow Dash, who flinched back at the look like Pinkie had thrown a cupcake at her face. Goku and Fluttershy noticed, and neither of them looked happy about it.

‘Oh no…’ They thought in unison, their hearts skipping a beat as they looked at each other. ‘Rainbow just asked that question. The one question that Pinkie does not like to answer!’

“Pinkie?” The cyan mare asked in a much softer tone. “Are… Are you okay? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I…I-I’m sorry!” Pinkie caught herself, shutting her eyes as she turned her away. “I didn’t mean to… I was just… caught off guard a bit by you asking me that.” Before Rainbow could question her on that, she looked back at her and continued. “To be completely honest with you Dashie…no, they don’t. My family doesn’t have the same powers as I do. I’m the only one that does.”

“Wait, what?” Applejack asked, brows furrowing. “What are you talkin’ ‘bout Pinks? Ah thought you said you come from a clan that has powers jus’ like the ones you have?”

“I do!” Pinkie insisted, holding her hooves up. “What I’m saying is the family I was raised by doesn’t have them themselves. They’re… they’re not from my main clan. None of them are.”

“Not from your clan? Pinkie I don’t-” Twilight’s statement of confusion was whisked away by the gasp that came afterward. Her mind immediately connected the dots, like it was some incredibly hard math equation somepony of only her mind and intellect could solve. “Wait, are you saying that you’re-?”

The lavender unicorn was suddenly cut off when Fluttershy suddenly leapt to her hooves, as if she felt somepony slap her on her rump. Her nostrils were flared while her eyes made her look like she was a deer caught in headlights with the Canterlot Express barreling towards it. As if her neck was moving like a great horned owl, she turned to look at the mouth of the cave, like she could sense something or somepony behind her.

“Fluttershy?” Twilight asked, concern covering her voice. “Is there something wrong?””

“Guys, I think we should go and leave the cave now.” Fluttershy replied, her voice so quiet that only Goku and Zephyr could clearly hear it. “I don’t know what, but something is wrong here. Very wrong.”

“Wait, is there an animal that you sensed nearby?” Zephyr asked urgently, going on high alert. “What animal is it? And which way is it coming from?”

Before Fluttershy could answer, Goku suddenly whirled around, her ears perked up and her eyes trained on the darkness of the cave. Twilight, who was closest to Goku, was the first one to notice the change in the tan thestral’s demeanor.

“What’s the matter Goku?” The lavender unicorn asked, her worry growing. “Did you hear something?”

“I did.” The tan Thestral replied, not looking back at the librarian. “I really don’t wanna worry you guys, but I’m very sure that I heard a growl somewhere inside of that cave.”

“A growl?!” Rarity repeated, her eyes growing wide. “Are you saying that there’s something inside this cave?!”

“What do you think?” Goku asked, shaking her head. “It’s definitely not that of a pony, I’ll tell you that. It’s more animalistic and... feral.”

“Feral?” Applejack asked with a frown. “Are ya sayin’ that there’s some rapid critter in there?”

“I don’t think so.” Goku replied as she took a few steps closer to the darkness. She sniffed the air, trying to detect any kind of scent she could find inside of the cave. “There is an animal in somewhere in there. Not only that, it smells very much like a... bear.”

Now it was Rainbow Dash’s turn to frown. “A bear? What do you mean a bear? I don’t know of any bear that lives in this forest. Are you sure that nose of yours is working the right way?”

Rarity looked over at Rainbow Dash with a disapproving look, having not taken kindly to the cyan mare’s rather rude question. She opened her mouth to scold the athlete, when she and the others all heard the sound of deep growling combined with a bone chilling hiss coming from somewhere deep in the cave. All of the others’ eyes snapped forward to the source of the sound as they all took moved back some, except for Goku, who stayed right where she was.

“Does that answer your question Rainbow Dash?” Rarity asked with a slight hiss.

“Whoa!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, shaking on the spot. “Now that sounded reeeeeeeally scary!”

“Now what in tarnation was that?!” Applejack all but shouted as her eyes narrowed.

“I have no idea.” Goku replied. “Whatever it is, bear or not, it’s big. And its powerful, and it’s getting closer.”

Twilight looked over at the thestral with worry. “How powerful?”

The tan thestral went to answer, when they all heard the sound of something big slamming onto the ground, causing it to shake and nearly making them all lose their footing. A powerful blast of wind suddenly flew out of the cave and engulfed all seven mares in its powerful gust and putting out their fire. They all obscured their eyes from the blast, digging their hooves into the earth beneath them as they fought to withstand unexpected onslaught. Try as they might however, none of them could withstand it, and they all found themselves blown out of the cave, tumbling across the ground.

“Okay…” Rainbow Dash groaned as she rubbed her head. “...that was totally not cool!”

“You said it RD.” Applejack nodded as she got up, shaking the dirt off of her fur. “That sounded more powerful than one o’ Granny’s giant siren power speakers that she uses at th’ Apple Family Reunions.”

“Are you okay Fluttershy?” Twilight asked as she ran up to the buttermilk Pegasus. “That was a hard tumble that you took back there.”

“Yes, I’ll be okay.” Fluttershy replied, holding onto Twilight as she helped her up. “Other than the added soreness and cramps in my body, I’m not too banged up.”

“That’s wonderful and all dear,” Rarity said with a gulp, her eyes wide with fear as she stared ahead of her. “But I something tell me that we’re gonna get more than ‘banged up’, if we get out of here.”

“What makes you say that, Rarity?” Pinkie Pie asked curiously.

“I think she means that Pinkie Pie.” Goku said gravely, putting a hoof on the bubblegum pink earth pony’s head and turning it forward. When Pinkie Pie’s cerulean eyes laid on what the tan thestral, Rarity and the others were staring at, she let out a loud extended gasp of shock. Her fur, mane and tail turned a bright shade of lavender and deep indigo as she and the others stared wide eyed at the sight before them. Only Zephyr looked to be calmed under the revelation, though he also broke into a sweat at what he was seeing.

The creature that was standing just outside the cave, eyes flashing with bloodlust, was probably the most bizarre creature they had ever seen. From what they could see, it was clearly a giant bear. Standing over nine feet tall, though there were some glaring differences. Its fur was as black as Nightmare Moon’s, looking to be wild and matted like a fox that just caught rabies. All four of its limbs held quite the amount of muscularity. More so than any other bear, with all for paws having long sets of curved black claws. It had a huge set of bat wings, with the membranes going to the base of its extended muscular tail and two huge thumb claws as longer than samurai sword.

On its face, were three claw marks on the left side, and its upper back, lower neck and its left flank were burnt, showing off the bear’s black skin. Arrows could be seen stuck around where its lower neck and upper back were, showing that it may have had some run ins with ponies some time ago. Its eyes were two orbs of pure orangish golden that pierced through the darkness of the night like two twin lanterns on Nightmare Night, and it made the eight ponies’ own eyes burn as they looked at them. What was most disturbing, was its gaping canines, which oozed some sort of soft green texture that hung down from its mouth as if it was some mushed up jello. As it ran its tongue along its mouth, the green saliva that was hanging from its teeth fell. It hit the ground with a wet plop, the grass covering the earth immediately sizzling away as if acid was dripped on it.

“My Celestia…” Zephyr gasped as a chill ran down his spine. “What in the name of Celestia is that thing?!”

“Hell if I know!” Rainbow Dash replied, scrunching up her face in disgust at the green substance coming from the bear’s mouth. “I can’t tell if it’s some kind of giant winged wolf or giant bat or whatever!”

Fluttershy gulped inaudibly, fear overtaking her as she murmured, “Battookuma…”

“What was that Fluttershy?” Twilight asked, having heard what the buttermilk Pegasus had said.

Fluttershy closed her eyes and took a deep breath, fighting to keep her heart rate under control as she spoke louder. “I know what that creature is. It’s a Battookuma.”

“A what now?” Applejack asked. “Ya mind repeatin’ that Fluttershy”

“Battookuma?” Pinkie Pie asked curiously. “What’s a Battookuma?”

“It’s the largest species of bear that’s known to live in the Everfree. The only bear that’s known to live in the Everfree Forest, other than the Ursa.” Fluttershy replied, not taking her eyes off of the beast before her. “It looks similar to a Short-Faced Bear, the only difference being that it’s more muscular and is a cross between two animals. That, and it usually lives on its own in caves like the one we were in just a few moments ago. I noticed the claw marks on the cave, which gave me an assumption that we were in its cave.”

“Wait! You saw claw marks around the cave?!” Rainbow Dash asked, growling indignant as she glared at Fluttershy. “Why didn’t you tell us that sooner?!”

“It didn’t any large paw prints or any signs of poison that coated the ground. The claws were the only thing that I had to go by, but it wasn’t enough.” Fluttershy replied gravely. “The Battookuma is known for having incredible physical strength and stamina, equivalent to that of a dozen Timberwolves. It is also incredibly fast and agile, both on the ground and in the air, despite its size. It can suck in huge amounts of air and shoot of enormous blasts of wind that are powerful enough to take town full grown trees. The wings can be used to deliver powerful slices and gusts of wind, pretty much like I can. Though with the amount of magic it has, it’s bound to leave some destruction behind. It can even pull trees out by the roots with its own physical strength alone.” Her eyes narrowed as she stared at its mouth. “Although, that’s not what we need to watch out for.”

“It’s not?” Goku asked, feeling her stomach clench. “What is it?”

“Take a good look at its mouth.” Fluttershy instructed like a teacher to a class of foals. “Do any of you notice the green substance coming out of its mouth?”

“Yeah, we can see it fine Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash replied; her tone slightly sarcastic as she gave a roll of her eyes. “I mean, it’s not like we haven’t due to the fact that it is glowing!”

“Simmer down there RD, now ain’t th’ time fer sarcasm.” Applejack said firmly, before looking over at Fluttershy. “Now...go on sugarcube. You were sayin’ ‘bout that stuff that was in that critters mouth?”

“The saliva coming out of the Battookuma’s mouth isn’t really saliva.” Fluttershy replied with a grimace. “It’s poison acid.”

“Poison?!” Rarity repeated, whipping her head around to face the other mare. “Why would it need poison of all things?”

“To kill its prey.” Goku replied, giving the alabaster Unicorn a deadpan look. “What do you think?”

“The Battookuma’s main weapon, isn’t it’s strength or speed, or its wing attacks. It’s the acidic like poison that they have packed inside of their mouths.” Fluttershy explained. “Battookuma’s have been known to pack a potent saliva like venom inside of their mouths that is extremely toxic to any creature that it comes across. Their immune to their own poisonous bites. But those that aren’t, be it another carnivore or prey animal, are very unlikely to survive if they get bitten. A single bite, even so much as a flesh wound is enough to send the poison coursing through the victim's body and cause the skin, muscle, and bone to very slowly dissolve. The poison will also spread across the victim’s body, slowly weakening them until the Battoookami goes in for the kill.”

“I-It’s poison can dissolve skin flesh and bone?” Pinkie Pie stuttered, her purple and lavender color becoming more pronounced. “I-including our own?”

“It can.” Fluttershy nodded as her ears flattened. “It hasn’t been known to attack ponies because they normally don’t venture in the Everfree for obvious reasons. However, it’s been said that anypony who encounters a Battookuma, will suffer a slow and brutally agonizing death if not given immediate medical attention. As for the poison…” She paused, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves before continuing. “There hasn’t really been any known cure for it. So, the only way you can stop the poison from spreading as if you drain it not long after your bitten.”

“So basically, what you’re saying is, if we get so much as nipped by that guy, we’re fucked?” Rainbow Dash asked knowingly. “That’s what I’m hearing right?”

“Yeah, that’s just what she said Rainbow Dash.” Zephyr said bluntly. “Were you not listening at all?”

Just then, there was a loud thudding sound as the Battookuma slammed one of its large paws on the ground. It’s feathered bat wings spread to their fullest span as its powerful tail slowly swayed behind it, its jaws drooling with the acidic poison as it hunched its body.

“I think we should save scolding Rainbow Dash for later.” Goku said as she took a step back. “Our new guest looks ready to pounce.”

Rarity glared at the thestral as she viciously spat out, “You think?!”

The Battookuma let out a tooth grinding shriek combined with a howl that echoed throughout the forest. The eight ponies’ ears pinned firmly against their heads as the sound resonated painfully in their ears, making them want to jam their hooves inside of them and rip out their eardrums just to escape the painful noise. It was so loud that they didn’t notice the bat winged wolf had had made the first move until he was already flying right at them.

“Oh crap! Here he comes!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she instinctively reeled back, preparing to face their new adversary. “Lightning Pegasus: Thunderous Explosion!”

The cyan mare’s eyes glowed as she sent a blast of lightning at the Battookuma, the bolts ripping through the ground. The Battookuma stood up on its hind legs, letting out a roar that caused a blast of wind to shoot out of its mouth. It collided with the Rainbow Dash’s wave of lightning and after a brief power struggle, the beast’s attack won out and cancelled out the lightning attack. Rainbow’s eyes widened upon seeing her attack get stopped, and she found herself and the others screaming as they felt themselves being blown away and sliced to ribbons. The Battookuma, seeing its opponents down, took their moment of weakness to move in and deal another blow, hut Zephyr wasn’t about to let him.

“Oh no you don’t!” Zephyr shouted, turning tail and rushing towards the bear. Orange flames came out from under his hooves, causing them to light up as fire slowly began to emerge and flicker around him. “Fire Pegasus: Twin Flaming Hooves!”

Just as the Battoookami was about to reach the mares, Zephyr leapt into the air. The fire around him left a flaming trail as he stretched his forelegs forward. With a heave, Zephyr slammed them both into the Battookuma’s chest, sending a wave of heat throughout the bat winged bear’s body as it roared with pain. The Battookuma didn’t have much time to fight it down before Zephyr whirled around and bucked it in the face, sending it crashing to the ground.

“Alright! Nice one Zephyr!” Rainbow Dash cheered with a fanged grin. “You show that giant mutt what we’re made off!”

“I don’t quite think that now is the appropriate time for cheering Rainbow.” Rarity chastised.

“Are you alright everypony?” Applejack asked, turning to the others. “That varmint didn’t get ya too bad, did he?”

“Don’t worry Applejack. We’re okay. He didn’t get me. Though these wind slashes do hurt pretty bad.” Fluttershy said reassuringly as the tangerine Earth Pony helped her up. As she got back on her hooves, Fluttershy shot Applejack a disapproving frown. “And I would like it if you and the others would please stop the animals those names please. I get that you and the others want to keep each other safe, but that’s no reason to call them such rude names.”

Before Applejack could reply, the form of Zephyr came crashing past them before coming to a stop right in front of Twilight. As she helped him to his feet, she and the others screamed upon seeing the slash marks covering the right side of his face, blood seeping from them.

“Damn it! That varmint got Zephyr real good with that one.” Applejack murmured inspectingly, turning back to the Battookuma. “Looks like we’re gonna have t’ take this up a notch!”

“In that case, why don’t we give this ruffian a taste of our own medicine?!” Rarity asked, igniting her horn. “Belle Machine Gun: Gattling Gun!”

“Oh, wait for me!” Pinkie Pie said, bouncing in between the two mares as she went into her lycan form once more.

When the Battookuma got within range, Rarity fired off with her Belle Machine Gun, sending a flock of magical bolts at the bear. The bear grunted as they hit but managed to use its large forearms and wings as a shield against the assault. With a growl, it flared its wings, sending a blast of wind that eradicated the rest of them, only to see Pinkie zooming towards him. Pain exploded in the Battookuma’s face as the pink pony gave him a slash to the face that sent him flying away and crashing to the dirt ground. He said himself up and glared at the hybrid mare, but before he could get up, vines appeared and ensnared him, holding him in place.

“Earth Make: Vine Snare!” Applejack shouted, her eyes glowing as she grinned at the Battookuma. “He’s all yers Goku!”

“Right!” The tan thestral shouted flying passed the tangerine mare as she ascended high into the air. When she was high enough away, she dived down towards the Battookuma lightning coating her entire body as her cat-like eyes flashed. “Lightning Thestral: Twin Electric Hooves!”

The Battookuma roared loudly as Goku slammed both of her lightning coated hooves into its chest, sending lightning throughout its body. In her haste to take the Battookuma out as quickly as possible, she failed to notice the lightning destroying the vines holding the beast down. This left the Battookuma able to move, and it delivered a powerful blow to Goku’s side. It sent its claws deep into her right side and sending her crashing into a tree.

“Goku!” Twilight shouted as she watched the tan thestral get blown away. Her horror soon turned to fear when she noticed the Battookuma flying towards them. Twilight’s body got rooted with fear as the creature got closer, but luckily for her, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie all intercepted it.

“Stop right there!” They all shouted as they met the Battookuma head on. Rainbow Dash struck with powerful volts of electricity while Rarity fire off more magical blasts. They sent the giant bear crashing to the ground, allowing Applejack and Pinkie to ensnare it in their vines, leaving the other two mares to be able to hit their mark. At some point, Goku had recovered from being thrown, before she too rejoined the fray.

“Wow, they’re really getting into it.” Zephyr murmured, standing close to Fluttershy. “Are the two of you okay?”

“Not as okay as you are Zephyr.” Twilight murmured, wincing at the bloody cuts adorning her body from the Battookuma’s first attack. She looked over at Fluttershy, who was lying in between them. “Are you alright back there Fluttershy? Fluttershy?”

It was at that moment that both Twilight and Zephyr saw the look of absolute horrified shock on the buttermilk pegasus’s face. It wasn’t quite the same one that she sported back in the cave, but it had that addition as to where is she recognized something or somepony from a sensitive part of her past. One that she believed that she would never see again, or ever even wanted to ever see again for that matter.

“Um, Fluttershy?” Zephyr asked. “Is something the matter?”

“T-T-Twilight! t-that Battookuma…!” Fluttershy whispered, slowly looking up at the lavender Unicorn. “I-I know that Battookuma!”

Twilight paused, giving her friend a perplexed look. “Y-you do?”

“Yes, I do!” Fluttershy cried, shooting to her hooves. “Do you remember four years go when you first came to Ponyville?! How Ponyville was attacked by a Battookuma very much like that one?!”

“…Yes, I do. That was when I was around twenty.” Twilight replied, as the memories of the night that Ponyville was attacked by an Everfree creature flooded her mind. “Why? What is it about it that makes this Battookuma connected to it?”

“Take a close look at it.” Fluttershy said hastily. “Do you see the burn marks in between its neck and back, along with the on the left side its leg? Along with the claw marks arrows sticking out from behind it?”

“I saw them.” Twilight replied, looking even more confused. “But I still don’t see how-?”

“Think back on that day when the Battookuma from four years go attacked the town.” Fluttershy said, sharply cutting Twilight off. “What injuries did it sustain?”

“Fluttershy, why are you-?”

“What. Injuries. Did. It. Sustain?” Fluttershy repeated, sterner this time. “Just answer the question Twilight! Please!”

Twilight, sensing the urgency and demand in Fluttershy’s tone, immediately replied. “From what I can remember, it suffered a claw slash to the face. Along with some burns to its upper back and lower neck area, and some claw slashes to the same area as well, and they were done by-” She stopped abruptly, her pupils shrinking to pinpricks as she finally caught onto what Fluttershy had found out. “Oh no. No… y-you don’t mean…?!”

“I think it is Twilight.” Fluttershy nodded. “Without a single shadow of a doubt.”

At that moment Zephyr walked up to the mares. “Um, girls, I don’t mean to interrupt, but could you please inform me on what you found out?”

“It’s worse than you can imagine Zephyr.” Fluttershy replied, unable to hide the fear in her tone. “About four years ago, Ponyville was attacked by a Battookuma, much like this one, and tried to go after the residence for food. Luckily a one of my friends were there to stop it before things go too out of hoof, and chased it back into the Everfree Forest. She gave an audible gulp as she looked back at the Battookuma that was still fighting four of her friends. “That wasn’t just any random attack! This particular Battookuma has been reported to have been sighted in the cities and towns of Hallow Shades, Fillydelphia, Manehatten, and even in Appleoosa! He’s called…Mor’du.”

Author's Note

Well guys, here it is, the newly edited version of the 35th chapter of War of Eternal Night :scootangel: ! I have to say, the beginning o this chapter was a little bit easier to do since all I had to do was rearrange who was in the comatose state that I had Pinkie be put into instead of Fluttershy, like how I did at the end of the chapter Howls in the Night. The rest was a bit harder on explaining Pinkie's powers and where her first clan mares first originated, but as for the introduction of Mor'du, from the Disney Movie Brave, it was more or less smooth sailing for me...that last part was honestly pretty fun to do in my opinion :derpytongue2: . You guys probably weren't expecting me to do that though, but with all the things that have been going on in this story, with the obduction of the foals, the Folkloric Army invasion, and Pinkie's powers...I guess the unexpected is to be expected, isn't it :ajsmug: ?

Well, that's all for this chapter :scootangel: ! Tune in next time for when we see the royal guards in action once more, and Spike faces off against his greatest fear :rainbowderp: .

Chapter 1 - Prologue

Author's Note

Well guys...here it is...the third and final rewrite of the old version of my first book, and the start of my different titled AU of My Little Pony Generation Four :pinkiesmile: . Like I said in my blog, I was anticipating how the last version would turn out, and I really believed that I was on a role form there when I rewrote this for the first time. Unfortunately, as I said before, looking back on it...I was not pleased, which resulted in me doing what I am planning to do now :ajsleepy: . Well...I made my bed, and I have to lie in it, and that is exactly what I plan to do with this story until I'm able together out of its covers and finally move on from it at last :rainbowdetermined2: !!!

Now, before any of you go onto the chapters, please read the following ground rules that I have listed down below. It is paramount that you do to help me with some extra improvement in this brand new story :raritywink: .

Anyone who has the courtesy to leave a like in the story, please leave a reason as to why you did so in the comment section below. Favoriting it and adding it to libraries is one thing, but as I rewrote this story, I was becoming increasingly annoyed when people did leave likes, but didn't leave a reason as to why or what they liked about the story, or what they didn't like about it in the comments section. Also, the very first time I rewrote this, I got just a few, but very offending comments about the story itself, and that is somethin I have zero tolerance for. So if I find any insulting or trolling comments down here, you will be hearing from be, because as I said in my bio, I am not someone who takes crap from anyone, period.
Please point out any misspelling or over extended sentences and paragraphs, having to do with dialogue, or environments, in this new version of the Knights of Equestria, so I can fix them. I want this to be as flawless as possible, and the last thing I want is for people to get a bit put off by the things I accidentally put in my chapters. So please, please, please, be sure to do so, and I will do all that I can to fix it.
Under no circumstances are you allowed to ask me how many chapters there will be in this new version, okay? I know many of you want stories to have an end, I do as well, but that doesn't mean that I'm going to be giving out any guessess about it. I'll give hints here and there, but that is all. If you guys don't have the patience to see this through to the end, I am under no obligation to make you stay to watch this series. You are more than welcome the yourselves out and leave if you want to leave this series and find another story that will fit to your standards. I am a patient man, and I am willing to wait as long as it takes for stories that have caught my interest to be completed, unless they get cancelled by their authors for unknown reasons. Especially if those reasons happen to do with outside lives, as with all of us. I'll give blog updates about how the chapters are going, and when I believe they will be posted, but I will not be answering any questions as to how many there will be, at all. It will get done when it gets done, that much I can say.
The final and most important rule...have fun reading! If there's one thing that I don't like, is boredom, especially when it comes to a story. And the last thing that I want is for you guys to be bored of my own stories, so I'm gonna do my best to keep that from happening. If not for you guys, then at least for myself.

Well, that just about covers the ground rules; have fun reading the brand new first chapter of the brand new first version of the Knights of Equestria :rainbowdetermined2: !!!

Chapter 1 - Prologue

Magic is an amazing thing in the eyes of many who see it. Used and defined in ways that far surpass the comprehension of any ordinary beings. Whether they are creatures from the past, present, or another world entirely, magic is the one thing that will always fascinate them. It can come in many forms, shapes, sized and abilities, and be used however the wielder sees fit. Be it for good or bad, magic is the one thing that always has, and always will be, triumphant over everything else in the world. Being a representation of everything that exists in the world and beyond. Whether in the possession of an obtainer, or spread all across and vast and endless landscape, magic will always have some place in the universe. It is the biggest reason why supernatural forces, and lands full of myth and legend exist; why things unbelievable and unimaginable roam. Along with why one land in particular exists, filled with every type of magic possible in the minds or mortals.

The magical land, and vast nation…of Equestria.

To most, this nation was no different from any of the other lands of sorcery and impossibility in other lands or worlds altogether. Equestria however, was on a different level altogether. It was a land filled with endless possibilities and impossibilities, where the property of magic was always involved. This did not just stop with the nation itself, but those who lived in the Equestrian nation as well. From ponies, to griffons, dragons, thestrals, and any other creature that lived in this abundant land, they had some type of magic resting inside of them. Each one helping to symbolize and give a representation of who that individual is, and what they’re roll is in this beautiful land. This was not achieved by themselves, but by the being that created them, and blessed them with their magic. The one that was not only the ruler of the most dominant species in the world, but their mother, as well as the mother of every single living being in Equestria.

Lauren Holy Faust Lifegiver. The Alicorn Goddess of the Ponies, and the Ruler of Heaven and Paradise.

Lauren was the very first being to appear in the fabrics of the universe, as well as the one to create the world of Equis, and shape it into how it is today. While she could not be seen by the mortal eye, she did have a form, being the same as the ones that dominated Equestria. To say that Lauren was beautiful would be like saying that field of flowers was a mere basket. Or that a diamond was but a mere crystal found in an underground cave. No word relating to attractiveness could even describe the divine beauty that was Lauren herself. From her shining golden white coat that was softer than any cloud in the sky. To her luscious red mane and tail that were redder than even the darkest of rose petals. Add that to her glamorous blue eyes that seem to be deeper and brighter than any sky, and you have yourself a being that is the very definition of divine beauty.

For as long as ponies, and all other living beings can remember, Lauren was the only one that they went to in times of crisis. The one being that they went for whenever they needed guidance wisdom and reassurance over anything that was troubling them. No other deities or gods were worshipped as much as she was, or given as much respect as the Pony Goddess herself. Of course, there were many other gods and goddesses that graced the nation with their otherworldly response, and were treated as they were. As powerful and wise as they were, Lauren was always the one that was favored over the rest. Not that any of her fellow gods and goddesses minded; as far as they were concerned, Lauren was the real authoritive figure, and no one else. Alas, there is always that one in the group that was different from the rest, and that came in the form of a being that would send Equestria into a spiral of chaos.

Discord Konton, the God of Chaos and Disharmony.

Unlike the other divine deities that ruled the land alongside Faust, Discord was not like the other Alicorn. He was one of the more chaotic and destructive godly beings that were apart of Faust’s family, but not in the way that many would think. Despite being just as kind and wise, if not a bit goofier than the rest, that did not mean that he was not treated with some ounce of suspicion or caution. It soon grew to the point where the rest of the gods and goddesses begin to start accusing him of doing things that they had no proof of him doing. Faust, seeing where this was going, did all in her power to help one of her closest friends with the backlash, but it was all in vain. Eventually, after one incident that had everyone turning their backs in Discord, the God of Chaos revolted against those he once called his family. Throwing the entire nation of Equestria into a world of darkness and destruction.

Before anyone knew it, all of Equestria was under the rule of Discord, sent into a life full of absolute misery and despair and, of course, chaos. Earth Ponies, Unicorns, Pegasi, Thestrals, and so many other creatures alike became victims to the being that once helped protect them. None of them knew how, or why it came to be, or why he would even go against the ones he once fought alongside. What they did know was that he was out to get them, and was intent on making their lives hell on Equis, and then some. They fought hard, and did all they could to prevail against Discord, some of them even pleading with him to turn from the path he chose. Alas, no one, not even Faust herself was able to reach the grief-stricken Chaos God, and he made it clear that he had no intention of joining their ranks again. Knowing there was no other option left, Faust went to the only ponies she knew that stood a chance against the one she once called her family.

Celestia Daybringer and Luna Nightwalker; the Goddesses of the Sun and Moon, and Royal Daughters of Lauren Faust herself.

Like their mother, Celestia and Luna were the two sisters that were not part of the Three Equine Tribes. In fact, they were unlike any Earth Pony, Unicorn, or Pegasus that was born anywhere in Equestria. They were known as Alicorns, the most powerful, rare, and the majestic species of ponies that ever lived as well as the rarest. They had the combined powers of all three of the Pony Tribes and were stronger, faster, and more capable of magic than any other equine alive. It was easy to see why they were so gifted, since they were one of the children of Faust that descended from the very heavens themselves. Nevertheless, it did not stop the two sisters, from confronting Discord, engaging him in a battle that shook even their own mother to her very core. It took countless divine lives being sacrificed from their family, but in the end, the Chaos God was defeated at last. To ensure that he’d harm anypony ever again, Celestia and Luna used their combined powers to imprison him into stone for all eternity. This was not an easy decision for any of them however, and may grieved the loss of the Chao God. Some of them unable to let him go or truly despise him despite what had happened, including the Pony Goddess herself.

Not long after the defeat of the former God of Chaos, Celestia and Luna were crowned as the new Queens of Equestria, having proven themselves to be fine rulers. Faust disappeared from the face of the earth, as if she was never there in the first place. The two sisters and the rest of their family searched endlessly, but not a single trace of her was found. The day that they had finally gave up the search was the day that they and the remaining Alicorn race mourned the loss of the Pony Goddess. It was on that day that the Royal Sisters knew what they needed to do, and what they had to do to make the memory of their dear mother to live on. It was on that day that the Royal Sisters vowed to do everything in their power to live up to their mother’s legacy. That no matter what, they’d do all they could to protect the ponies in her absence, until their time came to join their mother once more.

From then on, the Queens began the task of replenishing the land that Discord had so horribly destroyed, bringing light, hope, and joy for all ponies alike. It took many centuries, many grueling battles, and many tears, but soon enough, they became rulers of Equestria and Harmonia. Celestia watched over the ponies during the day, and Luna watching them by night, as well as forming a guard of all three pony races. This guard worked together with both princesses, eliminating all threats that came to them and to the ponies that they swore to protect, putting in the blood, sweat, and tears to do so. For a time, all was peaceful and calm in this beautiful land, but alas, as the saying goes peace never lasts forever.

It was only a matter of time before another evil being came to rise, and it once again came in the form of one of their own. On the northern side of Equestria, in the inhabitants of the Frozen North, laid another nation in a land of nothing but ice and snow. This land was known as the Crystal Empire, a kingdom similar to that of Equestria but smaller, though it was by no means any less important, magical, or idealistic. For example, the ponies that lived there were not of the ponies that were found in Equestria, at least not in appearance, for their bodies looked as if they were made of the very crystal mountains themselves, found deep in the snowy mountain terrain.

The reason for this is because each and every single one of the ponies that inhabited this land was known for spreading as much love and hope as they could throughout the empire in, thanks to them powering the Crystal Heart that Inhabited the kingdom. It was the one known way that the empire was protected by any outside dangers, and it was very efficient against any types of dangers. Alas, no amount of protective magic or love would be able to face off against the evil that was yet to rise within their own land. One that would make sure would hear their roar of darkness and despair.

Before the rise of this great evil, there lived a royal family, two of which were alicorns, while the other was a mere unicorn. The first alicorn was a mare, Empress Mi Amore, the Empress of the Crystal Empire and the Goddess of love. Then, there was Mi Amore Cadenza, the future heir to the Crystal Empire’s throne, and the daughter of the Love Goddess. Finally, there was Cadenza’s unicorn husband, Sombra Ryuraion, the Black Lion King of the Crystal Empire. Each of them ruled side by side in this frozen land, bringing hope and love to the ponies that basked in their glory and power. As much as the crystal ponies accepted and respected both Cadence and Sombra, they always seemed to have a special eye for the former. The latter may have been their Emperor, and ruler as well, but many ponies seemed to favor Empress Cadence more than they did Emperor Sombra. Presumably because she was a pony of divine power and beauty, while Sombra was just like any other pony that walked across the street.

Sombra was not pleased by this, and only continued to grow angrier and more jealous as he went deeper into his role as the Crystal Emperor. He went to his wife about his feelings, but neither seemed to be able to help him. Only giving him little reassurances that he was just as loved, or ignoring his concerns all together. Mi Amore, however, did notice, and did all she could to warm Sombra’s breaking heart, sensing it becoming darker with each day. As helpful as she was, Mi Amore could only do so much before she too was consumed by her royal duties. This left Sombra all to himself, unable to do nothing but let himself be consumed by his own pain and anger at what he didn’t have that his family did.

The Emperor soon began to study forbidden magic and ancient spells, wanting to have the same kind of power and magic his wife and mother had. It was easy for him to do so, for his wife and mother and law were too absorbed into their royal duties to really notice what Sombra was doing. As careful as he was to hide what he was doing, it was only a matter of time before Cadence and Mi Amore figured out what he was up to. The once again tried to get him to open up to them, being far more concerned than they were before. It was too late sadly, and by the time they did, Sombra was already too absorbed in his research to come out now. The months went on, and before long, Sombra had completed his research, having gained what he oh so desired for so long.

Mi Amore and Cadence did not realize what had happened until it was too late, the damage Sombra went through being too great to fix. The straw had finally broken the camel’s back, and Sombra snapped, unable to keep the insanity clawing at him any longer. Wanting revenge for his subjects ignoring him, he unleashed his rage on all of the Crystal Empire, and the ones he was supposed to love and cherish. Before long, he went from the strong, kind and wise ruler, to a pony with unrelenting hatred and unquenchable thirst for power and a heard darker than his mane. A heart that was blacker than the very night sky itself, and an anger that would’ve frightened even the mightiest of dragons.

Soon, Emperor Sombra was no longer just the Ruler of the Crystal Empire and Husband of the Goddess of Love. He was also the Harbinger of Hatred and Fear, and the infamous Black Lion of the Frozen North.

After his new transformation, Sombra became the Emperor he so desperately wanted to be since his marriage into the Royal Family. In the wake of his new ascension, Sombra struck down Mi Amore, killing the Goddess of Love right in front of her daughter’s eyes. After taking his wife hostage and making him his prisoner, he took his place as the one and only leader of the Crystal Empire. His reign did not last long however, as the two royal sisters had discovered his twisted cruel misdeeds and put an end to his reign of terror once and for all. The battle was brutal, and there were a few times where they were nearly defeated and taken over by Sombra’s new alicorn form. With a stroke of luck given by Luna, the sisters prevailed, leaving a devastated Cadence to watch over the Crystal Empire.

After the defeat of the Black Lion, Celestia and Luna went back to their respective roles of watching over their precious ponies, day and night. As the centuries passed, life seemed to be flourishing, exhilarating, and absolutely perfect for the ponies of Equestria, with their Queens watching over them and protecting them from danger. Unfortunately, as the centuries passed the younger sister, Luna, began to grow sadden and depressed, for she had seen a change in most of the ponies. The Lunar Queen began to notice who they really respected, looked up to, and went to for guidance. Who they really worshiped and loved and depended on for leadership This only grew worse when she saw which of their two cycles that the ponies loved most; the cycles that Luna and Celestia both ruled over.

While everypony flourished in Celestia’s bright and gorgeous day, they shunned and slept through Luna’s calm, quiet, cool, peaceful, and beautiful night. Despite Celestia’s many reassurances that Luna was loved, she was not convinced, for she could see what was really happening. The Solar Queen was either naively oblivious to her sister’s pain or just brushing it off as mere jealously. Over time, the Queen of the Night’s sadness grew, to the point where she had shut out everypony out who tried to help her. It was only at that point that her sister finally began see just how much pain the younger Alicorn was in. What she didn’t realize, was just how much the darkness had consumed her little sister.

Slowly, Celestia had come to realized that her sister was not as loved as she thought. Not only that, but even she didn’t truly love her sister as much as she had originally believed. A small part of the Sun Goddess actually feared her sister, even more so due to the powers that she held. Ones that exceeded even that of Celestia’s own in many unseen ways, frightening the Sun Goddess with every fiber of her being. By the time she had realized what she had done, Luna was too far gone to be brought back. The Queen of the Night did not want anything to do with her, having seen how little her sister cared about her. The Lunar Queen had even come to believe that her sister was taking all the love of their subjects for herself. A thought that was as every bit as true as Luna believed, creating an even bigger rift between them.

Soon, the Lunar Queen’s sadness and depression began to grow into anger and resentment, until the Goddess of the Moon finally snapped. One fateful day, Luna refused to lower the Moon so that her elder sister could make the Sun rise for the dawn. Celestia pleaded with her younger sister to stand down, to do her duty as the Queen of the Night, but Luna’s anger, jealousy, and hatred were too deep, too bitter, and far, far to consuming. She was so hurt, so damaged, and so emotionally and mental unstable that she became another entirely different being. And a final unforgivable act by her Celestia’s hand lead to Luna becoming known as one of the most common villains in all of Equestrian history.

Before long, the Lunar Queen was no longer Queen Luna Nightwalker, Goddess of the White Moon and Protector of Dreams. She was now Nightmare Blood Moon, the Mare of Nightmares, the Goddess of the Red Moon and the Queen of Darkness.

In her new terrifying state, Nightmare moon vowed to Celestia that she would shroud all of Equestria and the whole world in Eternal Night. That the sun would never again rise, and her reign would last forever for as long as she breathed. Celestia once again tried to plead with her sister to surrender and lower the Moon, but the only answer Nightmare Moon gave was one with brute force and unfathomable violence. At that moment, Celestia realized that the one sister she knew, the one sister she loved more than anything else in the world, was gone. Only the monster remained, the monster that she had created…and there was only one way to stop it.

With no other option, Celestia finally went hoof to hoof against her younger sister. The battle that transpired afterward could only be described as a battle between gods, or goddesses for that matter. Towering mountains and vast forests cracked and split from the magical blasts emitted from their sword-like horns. Hurricanes and wind currents sliced through the air, tearing through the land with powerful flaps of their majestic wings. Craters that were the size of giant asteroids, as if falling from outer space, were left in the earth from the powerful strikes of their hooves. Through it all, every single one of their subjects were there to witness it, both that were with Celestia and forced to side with the corrupted Luna. It was a battle unlike anything Equestria had ever seen since the Era of Chaos and the rise of the Royal Sisters. One that would forever be known throughout the history of Equestria and many future generations, as the Battle of the Two Sisters.

Seeing that she was losing fast, Celestia was forced to take drastic measures to save herself and the nation she ruled. With regret in her weighing in her heart, and despair clouding her mind, she turned to the greatest source of power Equestria had ever known. The one given to her and her sister by their mother after she forever vanished from the face of Equis.

The Elements of Harmony.

With their combined power, Celestia rose up against her sister, defeating the former Ruler of the Night with the divine weapons of Faust. Try as she might, the Dark Queen was unable to withstand their combined might, and was permanently banished to the Moon she raised. From then on Celestia ruled Equestria alone, taking the task of raising both the Sun and the Moon without her dear sister by her side. As time went on, ponies began to take notice of the black unicorn head on the moon, the shape itself being so easy to notice. Before long, Nightmare Moon gained another name, coming to be known throughout history as, ‘The Mare on the Moon.’

Queen Celestia Daybringer may have succeeded in defeating her younger sister and saving Equestria from Eternal Night, but even she knew that the peace would not last forever. One day, her sister would return, and all of Equestria would soon be in danger once again. When it did, not even she would be able to stop it, not without the help of the Elements of harmony and the ponies who would bear them. Unbeknownst to her, when her sister was due to return, a group of ponies would soon rise up to face the Mare of Darkness. All of them, and allies alike, led by a pony more special that any of them combined. It would be a pony that would forge down a path that would change the future of Faust’s children, and the very history of Equestria forever.

For that one special pony, this path will be more adventurous and wondrous, then even she herself could’ve ever imagined.

Chapter 7 - Generous Gems and Melodious Belles

Despite the fact that Rainbow Dash’s cloud house wasn’t far away from Ponyville, the four thestral siblings still got there in a rush. Luckily for them, there speed in their flight managed to get them back to town in record time, not that it was really needed. The sun was only just hallway across the sky, meaning there was still time for them to complete their task. In their haste, Goku had a little run in with more than a few trees, leading to her getting lots of scratches and cuts by the branches, and getting a very disheveled mane. Luckily for her Sheton was able to get out of the way of danger and, trying to get his sister to stop, but ultimately failed. It was only when she was reminded by Snowflake that the celebration did not begin until later tonight that she finally calm down. However, that didn’t stop her from being gently scolded by Midnight for hurting herself like that. Nor did it stop the tan Pegasus from chastising herself for her forgetfulness.

“I am such a bucking idiot.” Goku chastised herself repeatedly. “Why did I have to forget that we were supposed to be supervising today? Was I really that happy to see Rainbow that I got totally fucking sidetracked”

“Sis, calm down!” Sheton cried, reaching out with his forehooves and grabbing his sister’s right foreleg. “We get it, you messed up on what we were supposed to do! There’s no need to keep beating yourself up over it! Please stop hitting yourself; I can already see a bruise forming!”

Goku blinked a couple of times and raised a hoof to her forehead and touched it. She winced as she felt a bruise forming right at the center, before looking back at her brother. “I’m sorry baby, I didn’t mean to scare you like that. It looks like I got myself more worked up than what was necessary huh?

“Yes, you definitely are. It looks like you’re rubbing off of Twilight a lot more than we had originally thought.” Snowflake replied, ignoring Goku’s glare as she giggled. “Anyway, let’s go ahead and get the rest of the supervisions done, so we can get someone to...” She give a little wince at the state of Goku’s mane. “…fix your mane dear.”

“Yeah, I was just thinking that; these twigs in my mane are really getting on my nerves.” Goku sighed, pullin out a branch that was stuck in her mane. “Luckily for us, I know just the mare to do it! The best fashionista and mane designer in all of Ponyville, and she’s right here in this very building!”

Right in front of the three sisters was a building known as the Town Square, a special place where everypony in Ponyville came for special events. The exterior of the Town Square was a large tower like building having a balcony with wooden pillars holding it at the top and the bottom, going around in a full circle. Numerous pink windows could be seen going around the tower from the bottom and to the top in different numbers. There were also some at the top balcony, where a few large flags could be seen flowing in the wind around it.

The interior of the Town Square on the other hoof, was a different a story, looking to be more than twice as big as the outside. The whole floor was pure tannin in color, with numerous tables and large food line table at the very far right adorning it. Each of them had beautiful looking plates and utensils, along with vases of flowers right at the center of the tables. The upper parts of the town square had balconies, that having thick clothes of fabric tied in perfect knots.

On either side of the walls, symbols of both the Sun and the Moon could be seen sewn into large pieces of fabric, slightly obscuring the windows. In the very center of the building interior, was a long ruby red curtain that led down to a large stage, having to large wooden pillars. That was also, group of four could see the next pony on the list that needed to be seen.

She was honestly one of the most beautiful ponies they had ever seen, Sheton even more so, since it was his first time seeing her. It was a unicorn mare, with an alabaster white fur that was whiter than the purest of snow in winter. A long curly indigo mane and a tails skirt made up her head and leonine tail, both done in curly styles. On all four of her legs were sapphire blue stockings going from her cloven hooves halfway up her legs. Her eyes were the same blue color, shadowed by bluish gray eye shadow, with long eyelashes adorning her eyelids. The mar’s horn was longer than that of the average unicorn, practically sword-like in appearance. A tattoo of large bat wings could be seen on her back, some feathers adorning the membranes. A cyan bow could be seen tied right at the base of her tail, and her cutie mark was of three blue gemstones.

Well, there she is…our beautiful fashion designer!” Goku said with a bright smile. “Looking as beautiful as ever I see.”

“Dramatic, too…don’t forget dramatic.” Snowflake added, making Midnight turn to her with a frown. The mountain blue thestral raised an eyebrow at her. “What’s with that look? You and I know how our dear dramatic Rarity can be. I don’t expect her to react and less differently once she realizes when we’re here.”

“I know that Snowflake but still, you could give her a break.” Midnight murmured. “Rarity has the tendency to overreact about somethings, but she usually doesn’t mean anything by it. She’s just…afraid of something happening that she doesn’t like.”

Snowflake just gave her a half-lidded gaze while replying, “Tell that to the multiple colts and stallions that dated her and found out how much of a nightmare she really is.”

“Well, either way I say that we go up here and give her a nice big hug!” Goku said, walking towards the stage. “Right after she finishes designing the tow hall that is.”

As the tan thestral advanced on the unicorn, her sharp bat ears could hear her muttering to herself. “No, no, oh goodness no, not that one either. Oh, one of these will work, oh there it is!” Rarity a bright smile coming to her face. She ignited her horn with cyan blue magic, and levitated to glittering red ribbons in the air. As tentatively as she could, she tied them both to the center of the pillars in between the stage. “There we are, glitter is always the best one. Oh, Rarity Belle Cifer you have certainly outdone yourself this time. Oh, I can’t wait until everypony comes here and see the marvelous decorations that I made!”

“In that case why don’t you tell some them that yourself?” A soft gentle voice said from behind Rarity. “Since they’re standing right behind you?”

The alabaster Unicorn jumped at the voice, whirling around to see just who had come into the Town Square to see her decorations. The moment she laid her eyes on three of the four ponies, she went stock still as if she was frozen by a spell. Eyes wide and mouth agape, she stared at the four ponies in the room, Goku most especially, not even registering her ruined mane and tail.

“My stars…am I dreaming?” Rarity whispered as she slowly began to lift a hoof to her chest, her lower lip quivering. “Goku, Snowflake, Midnight…is it really you?”

“Who else do you think it is, Rarity?” The tan hybrid mare asked sweetly, “After all, you wouldn’t be able to forget these ‘divine colors’ as you so elegantly put it?”

Rarity let out a gasp as her hoof flew to her mouth, stopping her lower lip from shaking. Her eyes grew misty as tears began to flow down her face, causing her mascara to stain it. With a shaky intake of breath, she all but leaped off the stage and fell into Goku’s outstretched forelegs. She buried her face into her large soft fluffy chest fur and wailing loudly, sobs racking her body as she clung tightly to the hybrid mare.

“Oh my stars, I-I can’t believe that it’s r-really you!” She sniffled, pulling her head away from Goku’s chest. “I…I-I never thought that I would…I would…”

“Oh, don’t be so overdramatic Rarity, of course you were!” Goku said simply, rubbing the alabaster Unicorn’s back. “It’s only been like, four years since we last seen each other.”

“Well it certainly felt like it was a lot longer than that, thank you very much!” Rarity said, jamming a hoof into Goku’s chest fluff. “It felt like an eternity waiting all this time for my dear darling friends to return to me at last. You don’t know how long I’ve missed you all. I missed you all so, so much…more than you even realized.”

“We missed you too Rarity.” Snowflake said gently. “There’s no need to cry dear. You should be happy that we’re back here in Ponyville, not the other way around.”

“I know. I just…oh, I just can’t believe you’re back!” Rarity nodded, smiling at the mountain blue mare. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you all.”

“You just read our thoughts Rarity.” Midnight said softly with a light chuckle. “We’re sorry that we made you so worried. We back now, and we’re not going anywhere anytime soon!”

“You’d better now, darling.” Rarity said, a small smirk coming to her face. “Otherwise, you three are going to be in for the longest modeling session of your lives.”

“Duly noted.” Goku giggled as they all resumed their hugging. “Besides, I’d be a pain to sit through a session that long.”
Snowflake nodded in agreement. “Yes, yes it would.” She said quietly, her face going bluer as her mind went to more…unpleasant memories with Rarity.

“I must say, you three have certainly become quite the beautiful mare’s haven’t you?” Rarity asked, looking the three mares over. “Ooh Snowflake! I see you decided to add a little color to your mane, darling?”

“Why yes, I did.” The mountain blue hybrid mare replied her fangs gleaming as she smiled. “It is beautiful, but I felt it...wrong for my tastes. So, I decided to give it a little style, and let it grow out a little.”

“Is that so?” Rarity asked teasingly as she looked up at Midnight. “And I supposed that’s something that you and Goku got from your big sister, I presume?”

“H-hey, d-don’t look at me! I wasn’t the one who created that habit.” Midnight replied, stuttering a bit. “O-our family has a habit of letting our hair grow out that’s all. Y-you should’ve seen some of the ponies that lived before our grandparents were even born! Their manes and tails were even longer than my own.”

“It’s true.” Goku nodded sincerely. “My mane is normal in comparison to some members of my clan. Some of them were even longer than the Queen’s, and that is really saying something.”

“Well, normally, I would detest ponies having manes and tails this long. With you three, it suits you. In your own special way I suppose.” Rarity replied with a shrug. her eyes suddenly went wide as she remembered something that Goku had said. “Wait a minute, that’s right! There were four of you! Sheton, wasn’t it?! Oh, where is the little darling? I haven’t seen him in so long since I last-”

The alabaster unicorn then felt her mane being tugged, looked down to see the stormy grey colt standing right in front of her. His emerald blue eyes locked onto her own, a small shy smile on his face. Th second she saw him a wide smile stretched across her face as she squealed like a school filly. Before Sheton realized it, he found himself levitated in her magic and brought into her cyan stocked forelegs, his buried into her chest fluff.

“Oh my Celestia, look at him! I knew I recognized the most adorable little colt that I’ve ever seen in my life!” She said as she nuzzled him affectionately. “You certainly have grown into a rather handsome young colt these past four years~. The very first time I saw you, you were nothing more than a little infant. It’s very nice to see you again darling.”

‘Mmmmm…she smells like marshmallows. Is it because she’s wearing a new perfume?’ Sheton’s face flushed a brink pink as he said, “H-hello Ms. Rarity. I-it’s very nice to meet you, too.”

“Oh, no need for the formalities dear.” Rarity said gently. “You’re the dear little brother of some of my closest friends. So you don’t need to be so formal. Just call me Rarity.”

“O-oh, okay then.” Sheton said, clearing his throat as he corrected himself. “I-it’s very nice to meet you...R-R-Rarity.”

“That’s better!” The alabaster Unicorn beamed. “Now, what’s a young colt such as yourself doing here in a place like this?”

“W-well, um…I’m here to help my sister supervise the Summer Sun Celebration today.” Sheton replied softly. “I’m also here to see if, um…there are any friends that I can make while I’m here.”

“Make friends in Ponyville hm? Well, your sisters were quite wise in choosing this as the ideal place to make friends. Especially for somepony your age.” Rarity nodded, putting a hoof to her chin. “Speaking of which, just how old are you darling?”

“E-eight.” The stormy grey hybrid colt replied. “I-I have some other friends back in Canterlot that’re around the same age as me, m-maybe a year older. T-though it’s not by a lot. I only have, maybe…three or four of them.”

“Three or four hm? Well, I can understand that, given that you come from Canterlot of all places.” Rarity murmured, holding back a look of disgust. “I’ll tell you what darling; I’m just about finished with the decorations for the celebration. How would you like to meet my little sister?”

Sheton’s ears perked up. “Y…you’re sister?” He asked, not quite believing what the alabaster Unicorn had said. “You have a little sister?”

“Why yes, I most certainly do.” Rarity chirped with a wink. “Her name is Sweetie Belle Cifer, and she’s about the same age as you are; older by at least a few months. She is by far the sweetest little filly you’ll ever meet~! I’m sure that she’ll take a wonderful liking to you!”

Goku’s ears pinned against her head, a knot forming in her gut. ‘For some reason, I feel that the next filly we’re going to meet will be even sweeter.’

“A-are you sure she’ll like me?” Sheton asked, a nervous expression coming to her face. “I-I mean, I am half thestral, and they’re not exactly common here.”

“Oh, now what kind of a question is that dear?” Rarity asked, letting out a little snort. “Me and my dear sister come from a family that basically turns into bat ponies ourselves. Even if it’s not exaclty the same species. Of course, she’ll like you, and I just know that you’ll like her too! And don’t worry, she won’t judge you for your appearance. If there’s one thing I taught my dear little Sweetie, is that we never judge anypony based on their face, or form other ponies perspective. I promise you. You two will get along just fine.”

“She is right about that Sheton.” Midnight pointed out. “Besides, Melon Cake and Apple Bloom took a big liking to you. So what’s to say that Rarity’s little sister won’t?”

“W-well, okay…if you say so.” Sheton said, looking down at the ground. “I’ve got along well so far with a couple fillies earlier today, and those meetings didn’t go too bad. So I guess I could go with you and met your sister.”

“There we go! That’s much better!” Rarity said, smiling in approval. “Now, what do you say we leave here and go back to my humble abode? I believe I’ve kept my dear Sweetie waiting long enough.”

“Actually Rares, before we do that...” Goku said, walking over to the mare and foal. “I need to ask you a little delicate, favor. It’s uh…a little complicated…”

“A favor? Why, whatever would you need me to do-UWAHAHAAA!!!” Rarity began to ask, only to let out shrill shriek a second later. “Oh my stars and garters darling! What in the world happened to your coiffure?!”

'It took her that long to notice it?!' Sheton thought, a sweat drop forming on the side of his head. ‘Is she really that oblivious?!’

‘Yep, she has not changed a single bit. Heh, typical oblivious and dramatic Rarity.’ The tan thestral thought, shaking her head. “Calm down Rarity, its nothing that you need to get so worked up over.” Goku said dryly, even though she knew that it would not sooth the alabaster Unicorn’s anger in the slightest. “Long story short, we were visiting rainbow Dash’s cloud house, I lost track of the time, I rushed back and had a little…run in, with the trees. in more ways than one.”

“A little run in…” Midnight laughed sheepishly. “R-right…”

“That’s an understatement of the century, darling. Oh, this will simply not do at all!” Rarity said, giving an indignant huff. She levitated Sheton onto her back before bushing Goku to the back of the stage. “Follow me, I will make sure that beautiful mane and tail of yours are in shipshape in no time!”

As the mares and colt made their way out of the town square, Sheton couldn’t help but notice something peculiar about Rarity. Leaning down, he took in her scent shivering again when he caught the scent of marshmallows in her coat. Luckily for him, Rarity didn’t seem to notice, and if she did, she didn’t really seem to care.

‘Wow, Rarity really outdid herself in living a fashionable life, hasn’t she?’ Goku though as looked about Rarity’s home. ‘Of course, I probably should’ve expected this…either way, it looks amazing.’

Indeed, Rarity’s home was quite the sight, though it was just a little more than the tan mare thought it would be. The exterior of the work home was in the ship of a large tent-like building, like the ones in circuses or amusement parks. It had two large circle shaped windows that had yellow striped covers at the very middle. A large pink white spotted cloth hovered over those windows, going around the Boutique held by thin yet strong iron bars. At the higher section of the Boutique there were to large iron objects in the shape of ponies that were displayed on either side held in place by iron bars. Just a little higher above a large window, was a large pink piece of fabric that went around that smaller roof, having white diamonds adorning it. To add as a finishing touch, was a tiny tent-like structure that had a small red flag.

The interior of the Boutique also looked to be larger than it was on the outside like most homes in Ponyville. The first thing that could be seen was a few chairs with mirrors in front of them, one of which that Goku was currently sitting in. On either side of the makeover desks, were wheeled bars used for fashion designers to hang their suits and dresses. There was also a large set of curtains on the further left side of the Boutique used for ponies to try on dresses. Along with another makeover desk, which was right next to a set of stairs. That last thing that could be seen in the Carousal interior was a large display floor for ponies to show off their dresses and suits. Finally, there was a set of double doors just behind it, leading to somewhere private and secret.

Goku closed her eyes as she let Rarity add a fresh smelling perfume to her mane and her tail, now free of any leaves and small branches. All the while, her elder sisters and younger brother tended to her feathers which wasn’t really hard due to how large they were. After a few more minutes of spraying and preening, all four ponies stepped back and admire their work on the tan bat winged mare.

“There we are darling! Good as new!” Rarity said, gushing with happiness. “Your mane and tail are as good as new! It’s a good thing that I was born a Unicorn, or else it would’ve taken me a lot longer to do this. Especially with such an important event coming up and you being the one to supervise it.”

“Thank you Rarity, it looks so much better now! My mane and tai haven’t felt this soft and silky in, well…forever!” Goku said happily, running her hooves through both appendages, loving the smell of the perfume added to them. “Though, was the eye shadow really necessary? It’s not like I was wearing any when I came here.”

“Oh hush now dear! It looks positively marvelous on you! It really goes with those beautiful earrings too!” The alabaster unicorn snorted, giving a gentle flick of the other golden earrings. “I must ask, wherever did you get earrings like that? They would go absolutely wonderfully with my dresses.”

“I was given these on my sixteenth birthday by my Mom. I didn’t really ask her where she got them from thought, so I can’t really help you with the source.” The tan thestral replied, rubbing the back of her head with a sheepish smile. Seeing the somber look on the alabaster unicorn’s face, she added, “But, if you want, I could help you make earrings just like them if you want.”

“Whatever do you mean, darling?” Rarity asked, looking up at the Kirin with a raised indigo eyebrow. “How could I possibly make earrings as marvelous as yours?”

“I remember you mentioning sometime when we were teenagers that part of your special talent is finding gemstones and making things beautiful. Which is what got you your cutie mark in the first place, based on the story you told me on how you had a magic surge and it lead you to a rock full of gems. You still have some saved over, don’t you?”

“Sure I do.” Rarity replied. “I go gem hunting every other week or so, so I can keep saving up on money should I start to run out. Why do you ask?”

Goku smiled excitedly at Rarity. “Well, I was thinking, whenever we’re both free, we can take some gemstones and carve them up into the shape of earrings like these!” She gave her left ear a swivel, making the earring sway. “That way, you’ll have earrings like mine, into any kind of color that you want! Only yours will look prettier, because well…they’ll be made from gemstones. Not only that, you can make some extra money for ponies who want to add those specific earrings to their dresses or suits.”

Rarity sat on her haunches and contemplated the suggestion that Goku made for her. She looked around her home/workplace, looking at the various amounts of dresses hanging about in random spot. Her sapphire eyes stared at their colors intently with a thoughtful look as she rubbed her chin with a hoof. A gasp escaped her lips as her eyes sparkled, leaping to her hooves and squealing with glee.

“Yes…yes, YES! That’s a wonderful idea, Goku! I could use my gemstone collection make beautiful little earrings form my clients to anypony that wants them! If I do that, I could make even more money than I already am!” She cried as she began to bounce around the boutique, before she stopped and started pawing at it dejectedly. “Of course, I won’t have nearly enough time to do it, since the Summer Sun Celebration is only hours away. Oh, why didn’t I think of this sooner?!” A thought suddenly crossed her mind as she looked at Goku curiously. “That reminds me, are you four going to the Celebration tonight?”

“Uh, yeah we are. Didn’t you hear my little brother saying that we were going to be the ones supervising it?” Goku asked, her bemused tone making Rarity smile sheepishly. “The Queen did so personally, and even added a little side not saying that she wasn’t going to pick any of the nobles from Canterlot to do it. Mainly because, for one, we’re your best friends, and two, the ponies in Canterlot were way too stuck up for our tastes.”

“Hmm, is that so?” Rarity asked, a thoughtful expression coming to her face. “Now that I think about it…yes, you would the better choice. With an event as important as this, I don’t think I would’ve had the patience to deal with those...posh ponies. Plus, I don’t think I could be able to stand how they may have treated my dear Sweetie Belle if she were hear instead of you.”

“Sam here Rarity, and seeing as how you were getting along so well with my little brother, I’m even more glad that I was chosen” Goku giggled, smiling as she saw both Sheton blush. “Say Rarity, you’re not the only who’s going to come to the Summer Sun Celebration, are you? You mentioned that your little sister was hear with you too, so is she going to be coming with you as well?”

Rarity’s eyes widened in recognition at this question, before her expression brightened like a glittering gemstone. However, before she could respond, another voice rang through the air like a belle after a clock striking at midnight.

“Rarity! I’m hungry, can I get a snack please?!” A younger voice squeaked out from above the four mares and colt, sounding as sweet as candy. The sound of little hooves clopping drew the attention of the other ponies downstairs, making them turn to the staircase. The thestral siblings’ eyes widened upon seeing a shadow morphing on the wall, steadily growing by the second. Sheton looked up at Rarity with a curious expression, only for the alabaster Unicorn to look down at him warmly.

“Is, um…that your sister?” He asked, just the slightest bit of hesitance in his voice.

“Yes darling it is.” She said softly, her voice dripping with tenderness. “The sweetest little darling that you’ll ever meet.”

Just as she said this, a young foal came trotting inside, their hooves making light clopping sounds each time they hit the stone floor. Like Rarity it was a unicorn, a filly, with the same alabaster white fur as the older mare, although her fur resembled that of a marshmallow. Her mane and tail skirt were long and curly, slightly curlier than Rarity’s and having a mixture of lavender pink and purple. She had a beautiful set of emerald green eyes, and a pair of emerald green stockings on all four of her little legs. Like Sheton, who was staring wide eyed at the filly, she had no cutie mark, though she did have an unusually long horn sprouting from her head.

“Rarity, are you in here?! I said that I wanted a-” The filly repeated again, only to stop short as she noticed the four siblings in the room. After blinking a few times, she turned to the fashionista and asked curiously, “Who are they? Are they a group of clients that are to buy your dresses? If they are then I’ll just go back upstairs and wait for you.”

“No, it’s okay Sweetie Belle, that won’t be necessary this time. As a matter of a fact, you came just at the right moment and time!” Rarity replied, smiling at her younger sister. “Darling, I’d like you to meet me dear friends from Ponyville. Goku, Snowflake, and Midnight! There the mares that I always told you about during my years in Magic College, the ones I told you that moved out of Ponyville and were planning to come back?”

The marshmallow filly immediately picked up on what her sister was saying. “Oh yeah, I remember! You showed my pictures of them during that time we visited Mom and Dad for a family dinner!” Setting her emerald eyes on the three, she trotted up to Goku and held out her hoof. “Hello there, my name is Sweetie Belle Cifer, the little sister of the bestest big sister in the whole wide world!”

“Hello Sweetie Belle, it’s very nice to meet you too.” Midnight said, reaching out with a forehoof and shaking the filly’s own. “I must say, you certainly are an adorable little one you are! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a filly as sweet looking as you.”

“O-oh, well…thank you Miss Midnight.” Sweetie said, looking away as her white cheeks turned a bright pink. “I don’t usually get that a lot from most of the fillies and colts at school, even if they really do think so.”

“Is that right?” Snowflake asked, with a raised eyebrow. “Well, I think we may have somepony who’ll think the same.”

“Really who?” Sweetie asked curiously, her large emerald green eyes blinking in curiosity. A light tap on her shoulder made her around to see Sheton standing behind her. A squeak left the alabaster filly’s throat and she took a moment to collect herself before she asked, “Whoa! I totally did not notice you! Were you there behind me the whole time?”

“W-well, yeah I was. I wanted to introduce myself, b-but I didn’t want to be rude in and interrupt your talk with my sisters.” Sheton replied, bashfully looking off to the side. “M-my name is Sheton…S-Sheton Nightstalker Shenron. I-I’m Goku, Snowflake and M-Midnight’s little brother. I’m here with them to help with the Summer Sun Celebration tonight.”

“Wait you’re their little brother>!” Sweetie Belle asked with a gasp. “My sister told me that they were all crosses between Thestrals. So…does that mean…you’re half thestral too?”

Sheton said nothing, just choosing to nod instead as he slowly spread out his wings. Sweetie and Rarity’s eyes widened as they took in the sight of the colt’s huge wings, the former being taken in by the beauty of the membranes.

“Wow…that looks so beautiful…!” Sweetie Belle said, rushing over to get a closer look at the membranes. She reached out with a hoof, only to stop as she looked over at Sheton. “Can…can I touch them?”

Sheton blinked in surprise at the request, obviously not having expected the filly to ask that question. Regardless, he gave a nod of consent as he shyly replied, “Y-yeah, you can touch them…but b-be gentle please. M-my wings are strong, but…they’re really sensitive to touch, a-and be careful with the wing claws please.”

Nodding in affirmation, Sweetie Belle very gently ran a hoof through the feathers of Sheton’s right wing, taking care not to be too rough. The stormy grey colt blushed at the contact, fighting back the urge to flinch as the filly’s soft hooves delicately ran through the edges. After giving a little poke at the wing claws, she ran a hoof through the membranes, marveled by its blue colored beauty.

“Wow…the feathers feel so soft…and the membranes are so smooth!” The alabaster filly gushed. “Are all thestral wings like this?”

“A-aside from being larger than pegasus wings, and being stronger and more durable while in flight, yes.” Sheton replied quietly. “The membranes may be see-through, but they’re very flexible and stretchable, k-kind of like a large rubber band.” He closed his eyes as a small jolt went down his spine. ‘Her hooves are so soft…almost as soft as mama’s.’

“Really? That’s so amazing…I’ve never met anypony with wings like that before.” Sweetie Belle said, taking her hooves away. “It must be pretty easy to fly around with wings like that huh?”

“Yeah, it really is. Plus, don’t have to worry about preening your wings, like most Pegasus ponies.” Sheton nodded, giving his wings a ruffle. “Well, unless you’re a fully blooded Thestral, like my Mom is, but it’s not really a problem. Most of my wings are bat winged, so I don’t have to really worry about crash landing as much.”

“Yeah I bet…and I also bet a lot of pegasus ponies will want to have wings that’ll stay in place whenever they’re flying. That way, they won’t have to preen their feathers, like how Scootaloo and Firestreak need to all the time.” Sweetie Belle said with a giggle. “So…what else are you doing here? You know, besides helping your big sisters and all?”

“Well, um…the main reason is because my big sisters wanted me to make some friend here while they’re supervising.” Sheton replied. “I-I’ve already made friends with a couple of fillies here, but I don’t know if there are any others who I think I can befriend.”

“Wait a second…” Sweetie Belle said, holding up a hoof. “Are you saying that you and your sisters are planning to move here?”

“Well…they’re planning to move back here and have me come with them.” Sheton corrected, giving a little shrug. “But yeah, I am going to be moving here to Ponyville after the Summer Sun Celebration is over. Hopefully after that, I can find some other foals my age who’ll wanna be friends with me…if they’re willing to look past the fangs and bat wings that is.”

“Oh…well, if friends is what you’re looking for…” Sweetie Belle began, smiling kindly. “…then I guess I could be one of those friends for you?”

Sheton looked up at her, emerald blue eyes wide. “Really?”

“Mhm! Nopony should be alone and without a friend just because they’re different form everypony else. And from what you’ve told me, you shouldn’t be along either!” Sweetie Belle said giving a little nod. She leaned in a bit close and smiled sweetly at Sheton. “So what do you say Sheton? Do you want me in your new little friend group? I promise to treat you really nicely if you do!”

Sheton looked deep into Sweetie Belle’s eyes for a moment, looking for any sign of deceit in th words she spoke. From the way she was smiling and the way her green eyes were sparkling, it didn’t look like it, especially form the way her tail skirt was wagging. The stormy grey colt looked down, silently mulling over his options, before looking up at Sweetie Belle, smiling, and nodding his head.

The unicorn filly let out a squeal that Goku and her sisters found absolutely adorable as she lunged forward and tackled Sheton in a hug. Though Sweetie Belle was much gentler than Apple Bloom was, and did her best not to scare the colt, seeing just how shy he was just by looking at him. “Oh thank you, Sheton! I’ve wanted to make another friend ever since the Summer Sun Celebration was around the corner! Oh, Firestreak and the others are gonna be so happy when I tell them about this!” Sweetie Belle cried, releasing Sheton from her hug. “Hey, you want to go play up in my room?!”

Sheton blinked a couple of times at this request, before looking up at his elder sisters, silently asking them permission to go and play in Sweetie’s room. The three mares looked at one another, before taking a temporary glance out the window seeing that there was still quite a bit of daylight out. They then turned to Sheton, and nodded silently smiles of consent on plastered on their muzzles.

“Go on Sheton, we still have some time left. We’ll let you know when it’s time to leave a bit.” Goku said, giving him a reassuring wink as she internally added, ‘And this time, I’ll make sure not to lose track of the time again.’

Seeing he had got his sister’s permission, Sheton turned to Sweetie Belle and nodded his head, shyly, yet enthusiastically. This earned a cute giggled from the little filly as she got to her hooves and ran towards the stairs. Sheton was about to follow, but he soon found himself encased in an emerald green aura of magic, before being pulled forward. He had just enough time to glance back at Rarity and his sisters before he disappeared up the staircase and out of sight.

“Sweetie Belle Joyous Cifer! That is not how we treat our guests in this house! Put that poor colt down this instant before you-!” That was all that Rarity was able to say before she heard a door slam shut, effectively cutting the older unicorn off. The fashionista gave a slow shake of her head, before turning to the other. “I’m terribly sorry about that; Sweetie Belle was just being a bit…over excited, when she meets new ponies. I’ll make sure to have her apologize properly to your brother when they’re through with their little play date."

“Oh it’s no trouble at all Rarity; et the little one have her fun with my brother. Besides, that’s not the first time my little brothers been carried in such an excited manner.” Goku replied, softly and dismissively. “Me and my sisters are usually like that when we ask him for something totally embarrassing. Though he goes along with it, only to make his big sisters happy…hmhm, the things he does for love.”

“Oh well…I suppose I can let it slide then.” Rarity murmured, hanging her head in defeat. “I’m still going to give her a little talk about how to properly treat our guests though. It’s certainly not the first time she’s acted so over excited like this. Unless I can properly teach her how to control her excitement, it certainly won’t be the last.”

“Well, you know what they say Rarity…kids will be kids. As long as your sister and my brother are kids, it’ll always stay that way.” Goku chuckled, earning one in return form Rarity. “Now, what do you say we take some time off of this supervision and decorating with a little a little girl time, eh? There’s still some time left, and I wanna see just what you’ve been up to these past four years while we were away Rarity. So how about it? Are you in for showing me some of those fabulous dresses of yours?”

The alabaster Unicorn’s response was to encase the three mares in cyan auras of magic and literally toss them into one of the giant closed curtains. Goku, Snowflake and Midnight only had time to shake off the shock, before a light was suddenly flicked on. After adjusting to it, they found themselves staring at a whole line of beautiful dresses that looked to have only been recently made, with Rarity right in the middle of it. A box of makeover and other materials encased in her magic, her eyes sparkling like gemstones in the light of the Moon.

“Am I in? Am I in?! What kind of a question is that now, darling?!” Rarity asked, grinning from ear to ear as she levitated a hoar of dresses in front of the three mares. “I can’t wait to show you just what I’ve been up to these last for years you were all away! And I just know that you’re going to love every bit of it! We’re going to have such an absolutely fabulous time, and trust me when I say, we will!”

‘Something tells me that I’m going to regret making this decision later on.’ Goku thought grimly, letting Rarity put her in the first dress she could find. She gave the mare the best smile she could, while trying not to look too apprehensive. ‘Then again…I could be wrong. Depending on the next pony we meet. Oh, I really hope that they won’t be too upset fucking with us for making them wait for who knows how damn long we’ll be here! Now that would be a really bad mark on my job as a supervisor!’

Author's Note

Again, there is not much to say here other than the fact that I had some dialogue change and taking out the description and backstory of the main characters. I'm most likely going to be doing this for the next couple of chapters, at least until we get to the part where Nightmare Moon comes in and invades the Town Square :ajsmug: . I'm literally seeing that this is a big problem that I had while I began rewriting this for the second, and hopefully final time, before moving onto the sequels :applejackconfused: . So, for the next stories, I will try not to do that, because, to me, it really seemed to have messed up my writing, so I am so not going to be doing that again :facehoof: . That, and I will definitely make this story live up to the title, even if it's not in the typical way :ajsmug: .

Next time; The Thestral siblings find themselves blessed by the presence of an angel form heaven, and met a little one who's the very definition of an angel :scootangel: :heart: .

Chapter 32 - Howls in the Night

The blood moon shone beautifully in the sky like a red ruby glittering in the confinements of a cave as it hovered over the Everfree Forest. Howls filled the silent night as its they echoed into the cool nighttime air. Following it were the barks and snarls of the animals in the jungle-like forest, one that could only belong to that of dogs. Not just dogs, but ones that could only be ones of the wild, those being wolves. Due to how they sounded, one could only guess that they were in a fight with some sort. A fight with another enemy pack that had encroached onto their territory and was looking for another place to call their hunting grounds. Brutal acts of violence could be heard from the offensive forces as they fought for dominance. Desperate to protect the land that they fought so hard to win and protect. At least, that’s what it sounded like to those who were only hearing it instead of seeing it.

If one were to actually see the fight unfolding, they’d see the wolves were not normal ones. Nor was the opposing group they were fighting wolves themselves. No, they were a small miniature herd of equines. Ones that were in a desperate fight for survival against the infamous villains of the Everfree Forest.

Golden streaks of light flew from Goku’s eyes like a young chick from a nest as she slammed a hind hoof into the chest of a Timberwolf. Bark flew from its chest as it flew across the air, and sprawled across the ground. Quickly shaking the attack off, it lunged at her again, being sure to evade her hindhooves. It gave swipe after swipe at her, and at some point Goku stumbled, allowing it to get at her forelegs. Goku screamed as she felt the its wooden fangs puncture into her flesh as it tried to break the bone. She wasn’t having any of that though, and sank her own curved teeth into the wolf’s neck, ripping it away. Like some rapid animal, she began to repeatedly swing the wolf around like a puppy would a chew toy, causing the timberwolf to yelp and whimper in pain.

Throwing it to the side, Goku grabbed the beast by its tail, taking care to avoid its vicious wooden tail club, thus stopping it in midair. She then began swinging it around, picking up speed with each swing, before she let it go and crash into some of its comrades. Waisting no time, she swung her wings out and let a slash of wind barrel into them like a bowling ball at multiple pins. They all exploded into a shower of wood and green blood as they howled and shrieked in pain. Though she didn’t quite succeed in destroying completely in leaving them a pile of firewood.

“Thought that you could take me by surprise while I was trying to kick you hm?” Goku asked, raising a brow at the canines. “Sorry sweeties, but you’ll have to try a little bit harder to bring this mare of the night down!”

A snarl from behind Goku alerted her to an attack from behind, and she turned around to see a timberwolf lunging for one of her wings. As with last time, she wasn’t quite able to keep it from getting its target, and found herself screaming when it bit on her wing. Goku bit back the pain and slammed one of her hooves into the timberwolf’s side, causing it to let yelp and let go. It soon found itself being slashes by both of Goku’s wings before she used her tail to violently smack it away from her. She didn’t get to rest long before she found herself nearly being driven into the ground as a wolf divebombed on her and started biting on her neck. Goku hissed angrily and was about to elbow the beast, but luckily for her, help came.

“Got off of her! You damn mangy mutt!” Rainbow Dash shouted angrily, her magenta eyes blazing as lightning dancing about her body. “Lightning Pegasus: Electric Wing Attack!”

The cyan mare flared her prismatic coated wings out and swung them out on either side of her, sending large bolts of lightning down below. They struck the Timberwolf riding on Goku head on, making the wood on its bodies burst into thousands of pieces as flew off of her. Wasting no time, Rainbow dove on top of it and rammed both forehooves into its chest, sending even more lighting coursing through it. The timberwolf howled and snarled as it bit at one of Rainbow’s forelegs, letting the other slash at her. Rainbow grunted from the attack, but fought it down as she lifted the timberwolf up and threw it across the air, sending a bolt of lightning at it. It bust into a haze of lighting wood and green liquid as it fell to the ground, whimpering as it writhed in agony.

“Don’t think you can just try to eat my friends and not expect me to do anything about it.” Rainbow snarled, glaring at the Timberwolf as if it was a longtime bully from her childhood. With a snort, she turned to look at Goku with a far softer expression. “Are you okay G?”

“Yes, I’m alright Rainbow Dash. Thank you for saving me honey.” Goku nodded, wincing as she looked at her bloodied wing. “Damn, that wolf got a real good bite on my there. I’ll have to watch out for their mouths. Otherwise they may actually end up breaking one of them.”

“Well, they were kind of trying to get at you every time you beat one of them.” Rainbow shrugged. “Why don’t you try keeping a closer eye out for any of their sneak attacks from her on out? That way you can keep them from tryign to rip off your wings!”

Goku blushed a bit, though whether it was from embarrassment or bashfulness, Rainbow couldn’t really tell. “Yeah, duly noted there, Dash.”

As they resumed their focus on the battle, they saw about several Timberwolves charging at them, looking to be seconds away from getting them. They were stopped when a pink blur suddenly shot out of nowhere, barreling into all five timberwolves. They were knocked off course as Pinkie Pie, still in her lycan form, began to rip them apart faster than the blinking eye. She slashed one timberwolf across where its stomach was, stomping on it with a hind paw, as she threw it across the clearing. The hybrid mare then back pawed a second one right across its face nearly breaking its jaw as she smacked it away with its tail.

One of them got her from behind and bit her right on its shoulder, but Pinkie flipped it around and slammed it into the ground back first. Without even giving the timberwolf a chance to recover she grabbed its tail with her paws and flew him its fourth comrade. Leaping into the air, she evaded the tail of the final timberwolf, letting it slam into the spot that she was in. repeating its actions, Pinkie lashed her own extended tail out like a beast tamer would a whip, letting it strike the beast right into its back. The timberwolf was barely given any time to yelp out as it was buried into the ground, Pinkie driving it deeper in as she landed on its back. With a roar, she got on her front legs and began to spin her hindlegs around like a fan on a ceiling, allowing the claws to smack and slash at the first few.

“You little doggies are not being real party goers right now!” She snarled, looking more like a dog than a pony as she glared at the Timberwolves. “Nopony hurts my little Dashie, you hear me?! Nopony!”

Roaring out again, she leapt at another unsuspecting timberwolf, driving it into the ground as she bit down on its wooden shoulder. It cried out as four of its comrades came rushing towards Pinkie in an attempt to bring her to the ground. The it was futile, for the mare’s new form amplified her strength to the point where it was supernatural. She only had to rear up and spin her body around, letting the timberwolves fly in all directions as she punched and slashed them away. one was eve bit right on its side, hanging in Pinkie’s doggish jaws before he was tossed into the air, and smacked away by Pinkie’s tail.

“So, you wanna have a piece of this big bad wolf, do you?!” Pinkie asked, a wide toothy grin stretching across her muzzle. Though it seemed impossible, every single one of her teeth could be shown, glinting in the moon’s bloody glow like glitter. “Well then, come and get my you little wooden doggies! Come and get a taste of Lycan D. Pinkie Pie Sōzōookami!”

With a mixture of a bark and a laugh, Pinkie leapt back into the fray, ripping and tearing at any timberwolf that dared to get close to her. Rainbow and Goku stared at her gob smacked, looked at each other, and eventually shook their heads, not bothering to figure out Pinkie’s behavior. In they end, they just chopped it up to Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie. Probably not in the way that they were used to, but still typical behavior all the same.

Rarity’s horn blazed as bright as her eyes as she fired off laser-like beams of magic at her wooden beastly enemies. Each blast pierced through them, stabbing right into their bodies like swords through flesh as they crumbled to the ground It wasn’t enough to keep some of them down though, and instead made them angrier. Some of them continued to try to run at Rarity, while a few of them tried to use their tail clubs to bludgeon her in her head. She screamed out in fear, and out of instinct, she fired off her horn, sending off a laser like beam of magic that some of their tails.

As the canines were momentarily stunned, Rarity swung her head about, sending rather graceful shots of her magic at the ones she hit. Some were stuck in the chests, others in the side, while a few were point blank in the face, temporarily blinding them. Remembering there were more timberwolves with her, Rarity whirled her body around and gasped when she saw a multitude of wooden spiked clubs sailing through the air like arrows, heading straight for her.

Screaming in terror, Rarity leapt away as fast as she could, feeling them barely grazing her body as they all slammed into her spot. She watched as they split the ground like a cracker being stomped on by a hoof, before a crater gave way. The fashionista continued to instinctively evade the timberwolves powerful tails, all the while using her magic to shoot at the ones that were planning to crush her. Eventually, she was given just enough time to charge up her horn and fire a magic that sent her group of timberwolves and send them flying away. Though that was just after one more tried to crush her with its tail club, just barely missing her muzzle.

“Belle Machine Gun: Laser Beam Flock!” The alabaster Unicorn yelled, firing off large blasts of laser like beams at the canines. The power behind her attack, powered by the raging fear and terror within Rarity allowed her attack to be more efficient than she thought it would be. The fashionista watched in amazement as the magical beams sent the Timberwolves soaring away from her, crashing into the trees.

“Oh my! I can’t believe just did that.” Rarity blinked, grinning as she came out of her shocked state. “Take thatyou uncouth ruffians! That’s what you get for messing with a graceful lady like me! Hmph!”

A sudden shake of the ground ruined the pride Rarity was feeling, and she looked behind her to see Applejack in her section of the clearing. She watched as the farmer rode on the back of a timberwolf as it desperately tried to get her off. This proved to be all but futile as it currently had a thick length of rope trapped in between its teeth. A rope that was currently being held by Applejack herself as she rode the beast like a bull in a rodeo ring.

“Yeehaw! Git along little doggies!” Applejack pestered, one of her forelegs flailing around in the air to keep herself balanced. “Kick ‘em up, kick ‘em down! Buck ‘em up, buck ‘em down!”

The timberwolf barked and snarled in a mixture of anger and annoyance, not at all liking how Applejack was treating it. Let along the fact that she was riding it like it was a bull instead of a supernatural east. At one point, it finally had enough and decided to add her fun, doing so by leaping in the air and slamming her back first in the ground. Applejack yelled in pain as she felt the back on the wolf’s back pierce her in her chest and stomach, with some slashing at her fac. It left her disoriented long enough for the wolf to get up and face her once more. Before she realized it, the timberwolf was hovering over her, its pupiless eyes burning into her emerald ones like coals in a fireplace.

“You look a mighty hungry there sugarcube.” Applejack smirked, putting one of her booted hooves into the canine’s face. “Why don’t you have a taste of mah good old apple fire?!”

The next thing the timberwolf knew, it’s mouth and entire body was being alight with flames like a match on wood. It wasn’t even given any time to howl before was quickly consumed by the flames, going from brown and green to a deep charcoal black. When the fire vanished, Applejack reared her hindlegs back and kicked the now unconscious beast away, letting it fall right near its comrades. They stared in shock at the state of their fellow pack-mate, before looking up at Applejack with murder in their eyes.

“Aww, what’s the matter? Y’all upset that he got all o’ mah attention and not me?” Applejack asked somewhat tauntingly. “Don’t worry, Ah have plenty of fire in mah hear fer all o’ y’all! Come on now, don’t be shy! Come get a taste of Applejack Sweet Apple Titan!”

As if they were complying to her request, the timberwolves all charged at Applejack, saliva oozing from their wooden jaws as their paws tore at the ground. Applejack stayed where she was, waiting until they were within range, before she made her move. With her eyes glowing green, she reared up and stomped her hooves onto the ground.

“Earth Make: Wooden Vine Snare!” She shouted as the ground split from around her hooves and opened up. They shot out at the timberwolves like tree snakes aiming for birds, and they found themselves stabbed viciously, making green blood ooze from their wounds. Other members of the pack had the wooden vines wrapped around them, stopping them in place. The canines found themselves either spun around in the air or flung away from her and back into the forest.

Those that were lucky eventually recovered and ran off into the forest, having finally lost their nerve and deciding to abandon the hunt. Others were not as lucky and found themselves being impaled to the point where they couldn’t stand. Some were too consumed by rage and the grief of their fallen comrades, helping them ignoring the pain as they tried to attack Applejack. She grinned as they got within range, and when they did, she took them by surprise with her next attack.

“Gotcha.”

In that very moment, all the timberwolves found themselves flying into a raging firestorm as Applejacks fire boots came to life. She balanced herself on her front legs, repeating Pinkie’s same move as she created a huge swirling tornado of fire. All the wolves on Applejack’s side were turned into dog-shaped balls of flames that wait away at their wooden bodies like locusts on a field of crops. In an instant, all of them were burned to blackened wooden bodies. Ones that were either unmoving or were limping away back into the trees. Applejack watched some of them go, suddenly hit with a mixture of embarrassment and guilt.

“Whoopsie…” She muttered, her expression and tone matching her inner feelings. “Ah may have over did that a bit.”

A rush of wind suddenly blew from behind Applejack. It was so strong that it caused her hat to fly off of her head, but she managed to catch it in time. Looking behind her, she watched as Fluttershy pushed a group of timberwolves away with a rush of wind. Applejack felt her jaw drop with awe when she saw her shy friend bravely stand off against the infamous forest villains. It wasn’t every day that she saw Fluttershy assert her authority, but when she did, it was indeed something to be feared.

A snarl from behind Fluttershy caused her to spin around and see several timberwolves creeping towards her from below. More surrounding her from all sides, blocking off any chance she had to escape, even though she was in the air. Fluttershy paused for a moment, before she slowly hovered to the ground, her wings still spread as she looked around at all the wooden canines. The timberwolves stayed where they were, waiting to see if the buttermilk Pegasus would make a move on them. When she didn’t, they slowly began to stalk towards her, all of them preparing to lunge at her and rip her limb from limb.

Without warning, Fluttershy’s head snapped up, her eyes going wide as they went from two gentle teal orbs of blue, to two blazing golden fiery orange spheres, the pupils becoming pure golden white. They bore into the gazes of the timberwolves that were in her line of vision like two twin roaring flames of Celestia’s sun. All the fight and determination that they felt inside of them vanished quicker than ashes scattering in the wind, as if it wasn’t even there in the first place. Fluttershy gave no visible reaction to their sudden change in behavior, her expression remaining completely unreadable as she stared at the carnivores.

“Now, I’m only going to say this once. You can either leave this clearing and leave me and my friends be, or, you can stay here and risk me turning you all into firewood.” Fluttershy said softly, her voice carrying the same undertone of terrifying assertiveness to it. It was like looking at a Drill Sargent standing in front of a line of cadets, displaying their authority that was sure to weed out the weak links within the troop. “Choose wisely little ones. Or you will be taught quite the lesson.”

Many of the timberwolves that were caught in the line of Fluttershy’s gaze shrunk away from her, feeling themselves grow hot under the intensity of her look. Their ears flattening against their heads as they went from offensive and hostile, to fearful and submissive. Some even began letting out whimpers and scattering into the forest, clubbed tails tucked in between their legs in terror. Those that stayed behind reeled back a bit by the change of color in the buttermilk Pegasus’s eyes and the scorching intensity behind them. Still, they were not ready to give up the fight just yet, which let Fluttershy know that they were not all backing down.

“Very well then,” She murmured in a dangerously soft tone as the orange glow in her eyes disappearing. “We’ll do this your way.”

Without warning, the buttermilk Pegasus swung herself in an incredibly graceful vertical arc with her wings still spread. Before the Timberwolves could even realize what was happening, they felt themselves being sliced apart and blown back in all directions. They howled in pain as Fluttershy’s wind attacks sliced deep into their bodies, so much so that a green substance could be seen leaking form their bodies. Just as quickly as the attack came, it stopped, and all of the Timberwolves could now be seen laying on the ground, bleeding as they all writhed in pain.

“I tried to warn you.” Fluttershy murmured remorsefully, looking at the canines sympathetically before she took back to the air. “But you didn’t listen…and now, you’re paying the price.”

Faster than any of the timberwolves could blink, Fluttershy had sent another set of wing attacks at the beasts as they attempted to recover. One managed to slice directly into one canine’s face, while another drove one completely into the ground. A few that tried to jump into Fluttershy’s line of fire found themselves ridded of parts of their wooden bodies as greenery showered into the air. The mare closed her eyes as the blood of the timberwolves fell onto her, staining her coat like water on a dry paper as she ducked and swerve around the pack. With one final swing of her wings, Fluttershy swung one massive slice of wind at last of the timberwolves in front of her. It sent them into the other side of the clearing, with some vanishing into the forest completely.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to do this to you, but you left me no other choice.” Fluttershy said softly, looking at the wolves with pity. She bowed her head as green liquid dripped from her fur, feathers, and mane. “Please forgive me.”

A blast of magic being shot out made Fluttershy’s ears perk, she looked over to see Twilight surrounded by three to four timberwolves. She watched silently as the unicorn sent magic blast after magic blast at the canines. One tried to get at her from behind, but Twilight did a spin and kicked it away from her, her hindhooves driving into its stomach. Her tail lashed and to strike another one in the face, before she blasted it in its side. A third one got in a lucky shot and landed on her back, clawing and biting at her shoulders. Twilight grunted from the pain in her back and shoulders, and used her magic to rip the timberwolf off of her. she was given no time to recover before the last one pounced on her and pinned her to the ground. Twilight grunted as she glared at the timberwolf who glowered right back at her with eyes that looked like miniature suns.

“Oh no you don’t!” Twilight growled out, electric volts magic striking out from her horn. “Solid Form Magic: Lightning Strike!”

A shower of wood surrounded Twilight as she struck the Timberwolf right in its face, sending it flying off of her and into one of the nearby trees. Not wasting a moment, the lavender Unicorn got to her feet and sent off a torrent of lightning strikes at the other canines surrounding her. It had the same desired effect with the last one, each of them howling in pain and exploding into multiple pieces of good. The ones that weren’t hit were overcome by fear, and began running away from the clearing.

With her horn still ignited, Twilight spun back around, ready to blast away any timberwolf that lunged at her from all sides. She didn’t have to wait long before they attacked, some coming at her from the front, while other came at her from the sides. Giving a strong lash of her tail, the lavender Unicorn fired off a few more electrical blasts of magic at the timberwolves that had come at her from the front, sending sparks of wood flying off of them as they tumbled across the ground. Twilight then swerved and dodged between the Timberwolves that were coming on either sides of her, narrowly avoiding their razor-sharp wooden claws and teeth as they slashed and bit at the air.

“Solid Form Magic: Wind Bullet!” With their backs turned to her, Twilight fired off sharp blasts of wind at the Timberwolves that had their backs turned to her. They howled and whimpered loudly as the attacks pierced into them and sent them toppling to the grass, before staggering back up and racing off into the forest.

“Whew, that was a close one.” Twilight sighed to herself, letting her body relax slightly. A bark from above her put her back on high alert and she looked up just in time for a Timberwolf to jump right in top of her. She cried out as its wooden claws dug into her flesh, leaving deep gash marks as it pinned her down. Twilight watched as the Timberwolf opened its jaws, its curved teeth exposed in preparation to rip the mare’s throat out.

“NOT SO FAST!” Zephyr roared, zooming in and slamming into the wooden canine. With a bright garnet aura surrounding him, the royal blue stallion sent a torrent of lighting and fire at each of the carnivores surrounding her. “Fire Lighting Pegasus: Swirling Thunder Flame Blast!”

Twilight watched in awe as her foalhood friend and royal protector summoned a large pillar of orange flames around them, scorching the canines surrounding her. Much to her surprise, the fire surrounding her didn’t burn at her skin or wounds. Instead filled her with warmth and enveloped her in a protective cloak, while the lighting gave her a rather pleasant buzz. Zephyr, however, wasn’t don’t just yet, having one other trick up in his sleeve to ensure the timberwolves didn’t come back.

“Fire Lighting Pegasus: Scorching Electric Explosion!” The solar guard shouted, letting large stream of flames and lighting wash over east side of the clearing, completely enveloping the canines around them. The Timberwolves all shrieked and howled as the flames and lighting burnt and zapped at their bodies. Unable to take pain, they followed their fleeing comrades off into the forest, leaving the foalhood friends to themselves.

“Thank you, Zephyr!” Twilight said as the stallion helped her up. “I really thought that I was going to get killed there!”

“Don’t thank me just yet Twilight! There’s still a good bunch of these wolves left for us to get past.” Zephyr said, hovering protectively over Twilight. He glanced over at Goku, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, who were still acting as lookouts. “I’m sorry Goku, but there’s been a slight change of plans! I’m staying near Twilight, so she doesn’t get surprised like that again!”

“Don’t worry about it!” Goku said dismissively. “I did say we’d be flying over the others and look of for any surprise attacks! So, you’re still sticking to my plan anyway!”

Rainbow suddenly came swooping in like a golden eagle divebombing towards an unsuspecting rabbit, kicking away an intercepting timberwolf. As she hovered back towards the trio, Applejack came galloping in, sending a few wooden vines at her side to squeeze and strangle more wooden canines that got too close. A bolt of sapphire magic then sailed over their heads; the growing group realized that it was Rarity. Judging by her expression, she had been trying to save them from an incoming group of timberwolves that tried to strike them from behind. Before they could thank her, a rush of wind came from above, sending all the other timberwolves flying away in all directions. Fluttershy came gently hovering in, her teal aura glowing as brightly as all the other mares as Zephyr stood in front of them protectively.

“Yeah, that was honestly a good plan you made there, Goku!” Rainbow said, looking back and forth at the canines. “But it looks like we need a new one to get out of here! Because these damn mutts just keep coming and coming! Please tell me you have a backup plan!”

Despite the situation, Goku could not help but blush in embarrassment. “Honestly, I didn’t think I’d make it this far. I just thought that plan up at the top of my head in the spur of the moment, and right now…I’ve got nothing.”

Everypony, minus Zephyr and Fluttershy, sweat dropped at this confession, but didn’t bother calling their friend out on it. Her plan honestly was very thought out, and it served to help them not get themselves taken by surprised or taken down too quickly. At the most, they had gotten a few bites and slashes, but none that couldn’t be healed by Fluttershy’s healing magic. Add that to the fact that Pinkie was a cross between a lycan, and the power and teamwork was pretty much in their favor. The only problem with that, is that the timberwolves and both as well, especially when it came to numbers. Something else needed to be done for them to prevail in this fight, because right now, the timberwolves looked to be slowly getting the advantage. A new plan was needed, least they either get ripped apart or decrease in numbers.

“Wait, I got it!” Pinkie shouted, making both her friends and the timberwolves jump. “I know how we can get away from these doggies!”

“You do?” Rarity asked suddenly, her voice filled with surprise, relief and hope all at once. “You know how we can get out of here Pinkie Pie?”

“Yeah, I do! And I know just the way I can formulate it!” Pinkie nodded vigorously. “But first, we’ll need to be given a more, private place to talk.”

Without warning, Pinkie stomped her forepaws down, both glowing with bright cerulean blue energy that traveled through the ground. In the span of a few seconds, a large earth sphere emerged from the ground and around the girls. It encased itself around them like a caterpillar settling inside a cocoon, protecting them from the savage beasts outside. To add some extra protection, vines wrapped around the sphere, doing so in a way that made them look like multiple garter snakes coiling around a massive tree. Before long, the girls were completely protected by the timberwolves, who were left dumbfounded by what happened. This did not deter the increasingly shrinking pack, and they began to attack the sphere. Confident that they’d be able to shatter as they did the earth wall.

“There! That should keep them occupied for a while!” Pinkie chirped, sitting comfortably within the confinements of her sphere. “How are the rest of you?”

“We’re…more or less okay.” Twilight said, wincing at the bite and claw marks that were still bleeding. “A little more than bitten and torn like a chew toys, but okay nonetheless.”

“Y-yes dear, we know. we happened to notice it.” Rarity grimaced, keeping a good distance away from Twilight’s bleeding form. “We can also smell it as well, and I must say, it is horrid.”

“The smell of blood is always horrid Rarity.” Goku pointed out, fighting the urge to roll her eyes at the fashionista. “It’s not something that gets easier smelling, no matter how many times you see it.”

“No, it really doesn’t.” Twilight nodded as she sat on her barrel to take a breather. “I can’t wait until these wounds are healed. The sooner I don’t have to feel like I’m being constantly stabbed by wooden teeth the better.”

“Don’t worry Twilight. I’ll be sure to heal those injuries of yours as soon as we get out of here.” Fluttershy said resolutely. “I did it with Zephyr, and I can certainly do it with you too! Just hold on a little longer while we listen to Pinkie’s plan alright?”

“Yeah, and now that we’re on the subject…” Applejack pointed out looking over at the hybrid mare. “Why don’t ya go and tell us what ya have cooked up in that lil’ cupcake lovin’ noggin’ o’ yers?”

“Weeeeeeeell, I was recalling on the way you guys were fighting and trying to figure out a way that some of you could help out in my plan.” Pinkie replied as she put a paw to her chin, careful not to cut her neck with her claws. Her blue eyes shot onto Zephyr, doing so in a way that gave him the impression that she was talking about him. “And just before we all regrouped, I had finally managed to figure it out!” She pointed a hoof towards Zephyr. “Zephie! You know how you have those wing blades on your wings?”

Zephyr blinked, looking at the weaponry on his wings for a moment. “Um, yes? Why do you ask?”

“I was noticing out Fluttershy here created those whirlwinds with her wings, even though she didn’t have any wing blades.” Pinkie replied, gesturing to both pegasi. “Then I remembered how you used your fire and lightning on that big draconic kitty just after we first got here! so I came up with this! Why don’t we have Fluttershy create a whirlwind for Zephyr to ride, while he creates his own whirlwind of fire and lighting, and shot it down at the rest of the timberwolves?!”

“And what is that supposed to accomplish exactly?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Are you trying to have them slice them, burn then, and electrocute them all at once?”

“Um, Dash…” Applejack muttered. “…Ah think that’s exactly what she’s saying.”

The cyan mare blinked. “Wait, what?”

“Uh-huh! That’s exactly the plan I’ve conjured up!” Pinkie replied proudly, looking like she had answered an incredible complicated question. “So, is everypony down for that?”

“If it means that I can get away from these ruffians, then I’m all down for it.” Rarity replied without hesitation, trying to keep the desperation in her tone from being noticed. “I don’t think my precious horn can take firing magic so many times for much longer. Anymore and it may burn! Or worse, even break in half!”

“I’m pretty sure that ain’t gonna happen Rarity.” Twilight said, tapping at her own horn. “Our horns are made of bone, not metal.”

“I know that!” Rarity snapped. “But it doesn’t take away the fear of it happening!”

“Whatever you say Rarity. whatever you say.” Goku said, sighing as she looked at Zephyr and Fluttershy. “So, you guys…how about it? Are you down for it?”

Fluttershy was quite for a minute, debating on whether or not she should follow through Pinkie’s plan in finishing off the Timberwolves for good. One on hoof, she didn’t want to hurt them more than she needed to, like her own group just a couple of minutes prior. On the other hoof, she did know if she didn’t agree, more and more timberwolves would be coming to help their packmates in taking them down. If that happened, their journey would end right here in a haze of wolves, teeth, claws, blood and torn guts. Which meant that they wouldn’t be able to stop Nightmare Moon, let along her plan for Eternal Night. Not only that, but none of their brothers and sisters would be saved either, including…Scootaloo.

After another fifteen seconds, the mare sighed and nodded. “Very well Pinkie. I’ll do it. I don’t wanna hurt the Timberwolves any more than I need to, but…I’ll do it. I just hope it will be quick enough to end their suffering.”

“Hey, you don’t need to worry about feeling bad for them Flutters. After all, they’re the ones trying to hurt us.” Rainbow said casually, trying to comfort the other mare. She was immediately given a smack upside by Twilight. “Ow!”

“Not helping Dash.” Twilight hissed, regretting her action a moment later as pain flared within her shoulder. “Ouch…”

“I’m down for it too if you want. And I’ll be sure to add some extra fire power to it as well.” Zephyr said, holding his hoof up. “Question though. What about Goku, Twilight, Rainbow, Applejack, Rarity and Twilight. What’re they going to do?”

“Oh, they’re gonna stay here protected by a shield that Rarity and Twilight will make together.” Pinkie replied sweetly with a wide toothy grin. “And as for Dashie, she’s totally not reliable for creating whirlwinds. Especially if the only element she can use is lighting.”

A tick mark grew on Rainbow’s head. “Hey! That was a dick statement!”

Applejack put a hoof to her muzzle. “Wow! Well that was harsh Pinks!”

“Alrighty! Does everypony know what to do?” Pinkie said, reaching to pull Fluttershy and Zephyr in like a football coach would his team. they both nodded, though the former looked less than a little pleased. “Alright then, let's do this!"

None of the Timberwolves were prepared for the explosion that came from the giant earth sphere as it suddenly burst into a shower of chunks. A blue and yellow blur shot out from within the interior of the sphere, followed by a yellow and pink one as they ascended into the sky. The timberwolves didn’t even need to think to know that it was Fluttershy and Zephyr flying in the air, but they decided not to focus on them at the moment. Looking down, they were just in time to see a blue and purple shield conjure around the remining ponies, protecting them from the teeth and claws of their adversaries.

“Honestly! Did Zephyr really have to take off like that?” Rarity asked distastefully, watching as her friend and the royal guard flew off. “He could’ve just had Pinkie lower her shield and let them simply fly through.”

“Well, to be fair, if Pinkie had done that, it would’ve allowed some of them doggies to try to jump inside and try t’ eat us.” Applejack pointed out. “And from what we’ve all seen, they are quicker than a barrel of apples rollin’ down a hill.”

“Maybe so, but they still could have waited!” Rarity snorted, crossing her forelegs. “Now many beautiful mane is all ruined! And just when I’ve gotten it fixed again! He is not going to get away with this! I’ll make sure of that!”

Rainbow sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Rarity…just shut the fuck up.”

Up above, Fluttershy and Zephyr could be seen hovering above their friends, their wings making slow yet powerful flaps to keep them afloat. Looking at one another, they gave a not before Fluttershy went even higher. Her teal aura streaked behind her like a sign behind a plane as she spread her wings to their fullest span. The moment she did, she shot down towards the earth, wind quickly gathering around her as she neared Zephyr. Said stallion was currently surrounding himself in a cloak of fire and lighting, waiting for the moment when Fluttershy gave the signal for him to make his move.

“Alright Zephyr, on my signal!” Fluttershy shouted from within her growing swirl of wind. After another two and a half seconds passed, she yelled out, “NOW!”

Her wings flared out and shot down just after she shouted that word, pulling herself out of the whirlwind as she let nature do the rest. Zephyr immediately took off within it, his fire and lightning cloak immediately fusing with that of Fluttershy’s wind like different color paint fused by a brush. The rush of wind helped him pick up speed as he shot down at an even faster place, all three elements growing as fast as he was diving.

“Whoa nelly! looks like Zephyr’s about to released his attack!” Applejack exclaimed, pulling her hat down around her head. “An’ it’s comin’ in hot!”

“Did he have to shoot it down right where we were?!” Rarity whined as she sunk to the ground, covering her head with her hooves. “What if it hits us?!”

“Too late to think about that now!” Rainbow Dash cried, squeezing her eyes shut and gritting her teeth. “Brace yourselves!”

No sooner did those words come out, the whirlwind of lightning, wind and fire slammed right into the center of the giant shield that was around the five mares. Against all expectations, it didn’t explode the moment it hit the top. Instead, it flattened and expanded all across the ground, slicing burning and electrocuting it and sending rubble, dirt and dust flying everywhere. It did th same thing to the Timberwolves surrounding the area and beyond the clearing, and they were not prepared for it. The wooden canines had no time to react or defend themselves as they were washed in a sea of wind, lighting and fire, as it coursed and sliced through their bodies. They all gave loud echoing howls of pure agony their bodies were torn apart from the inside and out, some of them exploding on impact. Zephyr and the girls all tore their gazes away and pinned their ears against their heads. Both from the blinding light and from the Timberwolves’ howls of agony, as they were zapped and burned beyond recognition.

Thankfully, none of them had endure the constant howling and blazing light for long, for their ears were then filled the sound of another explosion before all went silent. The six ponies shut their eyes even tighter as it shook within their ears, causing them to practically raise their hooves to their faces in an effort to reduce the sound. Eventually, the light slowly began to die down, and all that surrounded the shielded ponies was green liquid, smoke and dust with, no sign of the timberwolves anywhere.

“Well, that was quite the display wasn’t it?” Rarity asked, blinking a few times. “I didn’t expect Zephyr and Fluttershy’s attack to be that powerful.”

“Yeah…” Applejack nodded, using her hat to fan her face. “Ah literally felt th’ ground rumblin’ beneath me from all o’ that lightnin’.”

“I can’t see here through all of this dust.” Twilight said as she looked around. “By the way, where are they?”

Right as that question was asked, the Zephyr and Fluttershy suddenly shot down in front of them, landing on the ground with a wet splash. The ground shook violently and caused even more debree to go flying as they whipped their manes back and forth, giving a flick of their tails. After taking some time to catch her breath, they met the eyes of each of the mares, a small, yet relieved smiles on their face.

“Oh wow! That was a real rush that you had up there! I haven’t seen an attack that powerful in a long time!” Goku exclaimed as she brushed her extended mane out of her face. “Are you two okay?”

“We’re fine. We’re just a little winded out by having to use that much magic power.” Fluttershy replied as she folded her wings, ignoring the green blood staining her fur. “Though I do have to say one thing. That was a relatively impressive blast.”

The tan Thestral giggled. “Heh, it sure was! I could tell that it was going to be crazy! And it turned out just as crazy as though I’d be!”

“Yeah! That was one big blast you did there!” Pinkie Pie added as she bounced around the group, looking understandably giddy. “And it stopped all of those doggies from eating us! Yay, my plan worked!”

“I agree, but um...Zephyr?” Fluttershy began, looking at the royal blue pegasus with a slight frown. “Don’t you think you went a little overboard with that last attack?”

At these words, Zephyr blinked and looked around at the wooden remains timberwolves that lay sprawled across the field, small electric volts emitting them. The royal guard winced as she noticed a few of them still in the clearing, limping off into the forest.

“Yeah, I think I did go way overboard with that move.” Zephyr sighed as she looked back at Fluttershy with an apologetic expression. “I’m sorry. All I was trying to do was to stop them from trying to eat you guys. I didn’t think they’d be hurt this badly considering just what kind of creatures they are. Of course, now that I say that it does sound pretty stupid.”

“No creature is invincible Zephyr. No matter how much power they have or who made them into what they are.” Fluttershy said knowingly, letting out a sigh. “Still, at least you didn’t kill them. So, there’s that at least.”

“Mhm. I told you didn’t need to worry about that.” Goku said reassuringly as she put a hoof on Fluttershy. “It’s like Twilight said, they were only following their primal instincts. Nothing more, nothing less. Zephyr’s not gonna kill them over something like that.”

“Um, Goku, as touching as that is to hear you say that,” Rarity said tentatively, her expression apprehensive. “I think we may want to go now. We still have a mission we all need to head off on and accomplish, and if we stay here any longer, we will be the ones killed.”

“Um Rarity, with how much Goku kicked these wolves’ asses, I highly doubt they’ll be coming back for us anytime soon.” Rainbow snorted, rolling her eyes. “Still though, you have a point! We have a Nightmare’s ass that we gotta kick! And the sooner we get there, the sooner we can do just that!”

“Calm down Rainbow Dash. We’re gonna get there eventually.” Applejack interjected; irritation clear in her voice as she gave the cyan pegasus a look of annoyance. “Not all of us can fly, let alone run as fast as you or Pinkie Pie can! The least ya can do is keep at our pace!”

“Hey, don’t count me into that Jackie!” Pinkie pie exclaimed, glaring at the farmer. “You guys may not be able to catch up with Dashie, but I sure can! In fact, I’m the only one who can keep up with her, and I’m gonna prove it…t-to…”

Pinkie’s rant slowly trailed off as her energetic, if not indignant, posture, began to sag like a cone of ice cream slowly losing shape. Her expression went from angry and determined to tired and saggy as her body began slumping as if she was an elderly mare instead of a young adult.

“Pinkie Pie,” Zephyr asked suddenly, stopping in his tracks. “Are you alright?”

“Huh? Oh um, yeah…I-I’m okay.” The hybrid mare replied somewhat groggily. “I’m just a little icky that’s all.”

“Ya’ll certainly don’t look like yer just icky sugarcube.” Applejack pointed out, her face morphing into one of doubt. “Are you sure yer feelin’ okay?”

“I’m sure Jackie.” Pinkie replied, struggling to keep herself upright. Her knees began to wobble, though something told the girls that it wasn’t her Pinkie Sense going off. “I…I just need to rest for a little bit...t-that’s all.”

Right as she said those words, Pinkie’s hind legs buckled and they collapsed under the weight, causing her to fall flat onto her rump. The others, taking notice of this immediately rushed over to her, their concern for their friend growing.

“Oh, my goodness, Pinkie! Are you okay?!” Fluttershy asked, her worry for the earth pony from earlier returning. “What’s wrong?! Why can’t you stand up?!”

Pinkie stayed silent, letting out deep, long and slow breaths as she struggled to keep herself upright and not black out right then and there. She slowly looked up at the concerned faces of Zephyr and her friends, her vision blurring as she opened her mouth to speak, but the growing exhaustion prevented her from doing so.

The next thing everypony, Pinkie’s blue eyes rolled in the back of her head as she took in one final audible breath, before she fell to the ground unconscious. Just before she did, she heard the panicked voice of Fluttershy calling her name. Only this time, Zephyr and the other mare all accompanied her, their terrified voices echoing about the desecrated clearing.

“PINKIE PIE!!!”

Author's Note

Well, here we go! the newly edited version of the battle between the timberwolves and the Main Seven, with Zephyr acting as the extra packup! One of the things that I saw that really needed some editing was the beginning of the fight, and how I should have at least one scene of the girls fighting agains their own horde of timberwolves. That was...easier than I thought it would be to be honest :derpyderp2: . Well, all except for the last part of it, and that was a little bit harder to do, minus the part where I had Pinkie Pie being the one to pass out instead of Fluttershy :twilightsheepish: . I felt that would be more appropriate, especially since I literally had her turn into a lycanthropy beast right in front of her friends, and had her fight the timberwolves while in that form :derpytongue2: . For those of you wondering how that was even possible in the first place, all will be explained the next time I get back to the girls, which...wont be for another for another four chapters or so :twilightblush: . Don't worry, I'll make sure it'll be worth the wait, and...it'll even give some foreshadowing for somethings to come in the series muuuuuch later one :ajsmug: .

Next time: We see our favorite watermelon maned mare blossomforth into a warrior against the Folkloric Army :rainbowdetermined2: !!! (See what I did there :derpytongue2: :rainbowlaugh: ?!)