One week had gone by. Five mares were gathering. Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash were walking toward Rarity’s shop. Well, Fluttershy and Applejack were walking. The blue pegasus with the rainbow mane was slowly flying beside them. “Ah’m tellin’ you Rainbow,” Applejack was saying. “I dun saw it. The Shadow Pony is in the forest.”

“I’m not saying you didn’t see something,” Rainbow Dash replied. “But I still think you just saw somepony’s shadow.”

“Darn it Rainbow! Ah know what Ah saw!”

“I wasn’t there, so I can’t say any different,” Rainbow said as she raised her hooves placatingly. “But if you really think something’s there, why not tell Twilight? She did say she wanted to look at the forest. What do you think, Fluttershy?”

“Um, well,” the yellow pegasus said shyly. “My animal friends did say there was something new in the forest. Something dark.” She shuddered.

“The Shadow Pony,” Applejack said triumphantly. “See? Ah told ya, Rainbow. The Shadow Pony is real.”

“She something new was in the forest,” Rainbow argued back. “How can it be the Shadow Pony if it’s new? You said that it’s been there for years.”

“Maybe it has a cycle,” Applejack suggested. “Like th’ zap apples. Th’ zap apples don’t ripen every year. So, th’ Shadow Pony doesn’t have to appear every year. Th’ Shadow Pony could come back every so often.”

“Maybe,” Rainbow said as she rubbed her chin. “But I still say we tell Twilight.”

“You don’ have to worry about that,” Applejack said. “Ah’m definitely gonna tell her. Last thing Ah need is Apple Bloom and her new friends getting’ in their heads to go and catch th’ Shadow Pony.”

Rainbow Dash dropped her head. “Tell me about it,” she said. “I’m glad Scootaloo has friends. But she, your sister, and Sweetie Bell are getting into all sorts of trouble.”

“What about Sweetie Bell?”

The three ponies looked up at the question. In their discussion, they had approached Rarity’s boutique. The pony herself was standing in front of her door looking at the three of them. “Oh, we’re just talking about how her and her friends are causing so much trouble.”

“Darling, you don’t need to tell me anything,” Rarity said. “I fail to see how three fillies can get into so much tree sap.” Rarity shuddered. “Why, it took me hours to get the sap out of Sweetie’s mane.”

Rainbow Dash and Applejack rolled their eyes while Fluttershy comforted the white mare. “Now Rarity,” Applejack began as the group started walking. “A little dirt never hurt nopony.”

“It wasn’t dirt,” Rarity said. “It was tree sap! And it wasn’t a ‘little’ sap. I’m not sure how the trees survived the loss of that amount of sap.”

“Ya got me there,” the farm pony said. “Ah don’t know where all th’ sap came from. And how could three fillies get so much on ‘em either.”

“At least they’re having fun,” Rainbow said.

Applejack turned to look at the flying pegasus. Rarity glared.

“They were having fun, right,” Rainbow asked nervously.

“If those three don’t start thinkin’, they’ll get somepony hurt,” Applejack said. “It’s only the grace of the Princesses that nopony has gotten hurt yet.”

“I really try to impress on Sweetie how they should take more precautions,” Rarity said. “But then she looks at me with her big eyes and I can’t help but comfort her.” She sighs. “It’s a good thing that she doesn’t stay with me all the time.”

“Ah’ve been meanin’ to ask ya,” Applejack said. “Why do yer parents send her to ya?”

“They travel a lot,” Rarity answered. “When she was younger, they could take her with them. But now, she needs to attend school. At least, until she gets her cutie mark.”

The other mares nodded. One a pony got her cutie mark, she focused on learning things that could help. That is, unless it was the family business. Then, she stopped going to school and started working. It was like this all over Equestria. Everypony knew and expected this.

“Yes,” Applejack said. “But how long will it take them ta get their cutie marks?” The group sighed.

A few minutes later, the group stood in front of the Golden Oaks Library. They had stopped at Sugarcube Corner to pick up Pinkie Pie. They had just knocked on the door and were waiting for it to be answered.

“Are you sure she lives here,” Fluttershy quietly asked.

“Yes, I’m sure,” Rarity said. “Why the Sisters let her move into the library, of all places, I don’t know.”

“Because it’s a library,” Rainbow Dash shouted. The others turned to stare at her in shock. The blue pegasus was vibrating in midair.

“Of course, Twilight would live here,” Dash continued excitedly. “Remember. Robomare is based on her! And Robamare’s secret identity is a librarian!”

Pinkie Pie’s eyes grew huge and she gasped. “Twilight is Robomare,” she screamed. “Why didn’t anypony tell me?”

“Pinkie,” Applejack said. “We learned this last week. An’ Twilight isn’t Robomare.”

“That’s right, Darling,” Rarity added. “The writers just based the character on Twilight. Just how they discovered that Twilight was part whatever those things are, I don’t know.”

“Well, in the comic book,” Rainbow said. “Robomare was in a horrible accident. She would have died if the scientist hadn’t found her. They rebuilt her body using machines.”

“But that’s jus’ th’ comic books,” Applejack said. “You don’ expect us to believe that, do you?”

“It could have happened,” Rainbow said belligerently.

“I thought the princesses said that they found out when Twilight was examined,” Fluttershy quietly said. “They could have been on the staff then,”

“That is a good possibility, dear,” Rarity said with a smile.

“But why would Princess Celestia let them do that,” Applejack asked.

“Who would believe a young filly was the basis for that character,” Rarity asked. “Especially since the best we can do for a leg replacement is a peg leg.”

Rainbow Dash nodded. “Yeah. A lot retired Wonderbolts know somepony who’s lost a leg.”

“Those poor ponies,” whispered Fluttershy.

“Why are you ponies standing in front of the door,” a voice suddenly asked.

With a squeak, Fluttershy leapt behind Applejack. The other mares turned to face the now open door with gasps of surprise. The door was empty.

“Who said that,” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I did,” the voice answered.

“There’s nopony there,” Rainbow said.

Pinkie gasped. “Maybe it’s a ghost!” Fluttershy squeaked and ducked back behind Applejack.

“What’s a ghost,” the voice asked.

“Seriously,” Rainbow said. “What kind of pony doesn’t know what a ghost is?”

“I’m not a pony,” the voice said. “I’m a dragon.”

“A dragon,” chorused the ponies. Rainbow Dash and Applejack got ready to fight. Rarity with Fluttershy now behind her backed up. Pinkie Pie, on the other hand, was sitting off to the side eating popcorn out of a bowl.

“Show yerself,” Applejack demanded.

“But I’m right here,” the voice said.

“Where?”

“Here!” The ponies looked down. Standing in the door was a dragon. A baby dragon. He was green and purple with a green frill running from the top of his head and down his back.

“A baby dragon,” Rarity asked.

“Yeah I am,” the dragon said. “You got a. . .”

Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash were sent flying as Fluttershy crashed through them. Before the dragon could react, he found himself wrapped in her hooves. “Aren’t you just the handsomest thing,” she said. “What is your name? Where’d you come from? How long are you staying?”

The young dragon stared at the yellow Pegasus. He hadn’t even noticed her. “My name is Spike,” he finally said. “Dragon Lord Torch sent me to Celestia. I’m to stay until the Dragon Lord tells me otherwise.”

“Who’s the Dragon Lord,” Fluttershy asked.

“Only the most important dragon in the world,” Spike said as he pushed out his chest.

“Why did he send you to the Princesses,” Rainbow asked suspiciously. She had recovered from the shock of seeing a dragon. “Couldn’t he have done whatever it is he wants the Princesses to do?”

“It was because of my flame,” the dragon smugly said. “My flame is purple. See.” He turned his head a blew. A small stream of purple flame came from his mouth. “The Dragon Lord said that wasn’t normal dragon magic. So, he sent me to Celestia to learn what it was. She made me Twilight’s assistant to learn more about magic.”

“If you’re Twilight’s assistant,” Rainbow said. “Where is she?”

“In the basement,” answered Spike. “Doing egghead stuff.”

“Would you be a dear, and show us the basement, please,” Rarity asked.

Spike stared at the white unicorn of a moment. “Sure,” he said with a shake o his head. “It’s this way.” Fluttershy put him down and he led the way into the library.

“I don’t know what those ponies are doing down there,” Spike said as he led the group through the tree. “They’ve been down there all day.”

“Thar’s a basement in the library,” Applejack asked.

“Why not,” Spike said. “There’s already a kitchen, bathroom, and a few bedrooms.”

“Say whut now.”

“The bedrooms and bathroom are upstairs.”

The ponies looked at each other. They were all thinking the same thing: This was a library? They had never heard of a library that had a kitchen or bedrooms. A basement? Sure. Bathrooms? Well, the librarians needed someplace to relieve themselves. But not all of it together. There was even couches, lamps, and tables in here. Rarity noticed the throw rugs on the floor. They were old but they did bring the rooms together.

“Y’all live in here,” Applejack asked.

“Yeah,” the dragon said. “The previous librarian did, so why not?” He studied the following ponies. “Did you not visit the library?”

“Sorry, but no,” Rarity answered for the group. “The previous librarian, Mrs. Book Mark, was close to retirement. She did not present a welcoming demeanor. Don’t get me wrong, she wasn’t mean. She just wasn’t welcoming.” Fluttershy nodded her agreement. Applejack shrugged while Rainbow Dash looked away.

“Ah wouldn’t know anything about that,” Applejack said. “Ah was too busy workin’ on mah farm.”

“I really don’t have time to read books,” Rainbow said. She was scratching the back of her head with one hoof. “I manage the weather here in Ponyville and I’m training for the Wonderbolts.”

Spike just shrugged. “Twilight’ll be happy to have ponies come in a borrow books. She’s crazy about books. Just don’t damage them. You wouldn’t like her when she’s angry.”

“Heck no,” Rainbow said. “She’s Robomare! Everypony knows you don’t make Robomare angry!”

“Robo-what,” Spike asked.

“Rainbow Dash,” Rarity exclaimed. “You know Twilight is not really Robomare. That comic book is only based on her.”

“I know that,” snapped Rainbow. “But look. Robomare works in a library.” She waved her hooves around. “And where are we?” She looked at the others. “Robomare has her secret base in her library’s basement. Where are we heading? Twilight even has doctors working on her. Just like Robomare! I know she’s not Robomare, but you have to admit, she’s preeeetty close.”

“Well, Ah hate to admit it,” Applejack began. “But she’s right. If most ponies knew about Twilight, they’d make the same mistake.”

“Um, what’s a comic book,” Spike asked. “Twilight hasn’t said anything about a comic book. Ans she knows books.”

“Pfft,” Rainbow Dash said. “She can’t know everything about books if she doesn’t know comic books.” She puffed out her chest. “I can tell you all about it.”

“Not now, Rainbow,” Applejack said. “We’re here for Twilight. Y’all can talk about that later.”

The blue pegasus wanted to argue. But with the others nodding their agreement, she had no choice but to wait.

It wasn’t long until the group reached the basement door. “She’s down here,” Spike said. “She and the other ponies made some type of discovery this morning. They’ve been working on that all day.”

“Thank you, Spike,” Rarity said as the others opened the door. “You’ve been a big help to us.”

Spike blushed slightly. “No problem,” he said. “Just call if you need anything.”

Rarity joined the others as they walked down the stairs. They could see that the room was large and open. At least, it would have been if it hadn’t been cluttered with equipment, boxes, and metal ingots. Even the few pieces of furniture were covered.

“This is so cool,” Rainbow Dash squealed. She was bouncing excitedly in the air.

“This is a mess,” Applejack said.

“How will we find Twilight in all this,” Rarity asked.

“Easy peasy,” Pinkie Pie said. “She’s right over there.”

The others looked to where the pink pony was pointing. There, sitting in a chair was the purple unicorn herself. Her head was nodding, and she had her eyes closed. She looked very peaceful. Even her missing right foreleg did not seem to be bothering her.

“Twilight,” the group gasped.

* ~ *

Trailblazer sighed as she finished drying herself off. She sighed with pleasure as she ran the fingers of one hand over her vagina. She had never felt anything like this before she got to earth. She raised one hand and started moving the fingers. She thought about spending more time in play but changed her mine. She just got out of the shower. She didn’t need to play anymore. Besides, she need to go to the bridge.

It had been four hours since they had breached the barrier. They haven’t reached the other side and the captain was starting to get a little worried. Who knew how thick this barrier was. And it didn’t help that all the debris that came with them has vanished. Most collapsed in upon themselves. While a couple of pieces just vanished. Considering the nature of the barrier, she wasn’t surprised. But she knew she couldn’t tell the captain. She wasn’t sure how to explain her past. Not yet, at least.

With a sigh, Trailblazer started dressing. Not for the first time she wished things had been different when she arrived. In her defense, she did not expect to arrive in the middle of a war. A war the humans were fighting not with themselves. At first, she was terrified that her secret would be found. But then she found out that she needn’t have worried. Thanks to the war, multitudes of records were lost. As long as one was willing to help others, your past didn’t matter.

And then she joined the navy.

At the time, it seemed a good idea. She had some vague notion of showing them how much of leader she was. Then, somehow, getting them all to follow her as she returned to her home, the triumphant student, now the master. Instead, what she got was an eye opener on how much she didn’t know. Why they put up with her, she didn’t know and was too frightened to ask. But put up with her they did. They even worked with her to find what she was good at and focused her training on that. And now, here she was. Most likely heading back home. Just not how she thought she’d be.

Trailblazer shook her head. Now was not the time to be thinking of the past. She needed to think about what she was going to tell the captain. The barrier was magic. She may be in a low magic area, but she still knew how magic felt. She just couldn’t tell the captain that. Her adjustments to the shield generators were magic as well. They were the only thing keeping them from being destroyed. Also, they were allowing them to past through the barrier. The only problem was, she didn’t now where inside the barrier they would appear.

“There you are, Trailblazer,” Captain Bellman said as she entered the bridge. “I was beginning to thing I was going need to send a search party after you.”

“You didn’t have to worry, Captain,” Trailblazer responded as she approached the captain. “I just went to take a shower.” Everybody on the bridge chuckled. Trailblazer ignored them. She knew her showers were becoming legendary for their length. “So I enjoy my showers. Is that a problem.”

“As long and environmental doesn’t have a problem, then I don’t,” the captain said. “Now, what can you tell me about this?” He waved a hand at the viewscreen.

Trailblazer turned toward the screen. It was currently displaying a shifting field of mottled gray. It was the view of inside the barrier. She ran a hand through her red and blonde hair. She didn’t know how she was going to explain this without sounding crazy. She gave a mental shrug as she remembered most of the crew thought she was already crazy.

“Well, Captain,” Trailblazer began. “We’re inside the barrier.”

Bellman stiffened then forced himself to relax. He studied his scout for a moment. Several of the crew gave Trailblazer uncertain looks. “Inside the barrier,” he repeated. “And do you know how long we’re going to be inside the barrier?”

“Not for much longer,” Trailblazer answered. She was aware of the looks and the fact that they were getting worse. “But that’s not the problem.”

“And what is the problem?”

“When we exit, we will have no idea where we are,” the woman stated. “In fact, we can appear anyplace in the area the barrier is surrounding.”

Now everybody was staring at Trailblaze in shock. They had all assumed that they would exit the barrier near where they entered. It was common sense. But the two-color haired woman knew they had no experience with magic. Because of that lack of experience, they could not argue with her. Of course, that fact would not stop some people.

“And just how do you know that,” demanded Lieutenant Charlie Johnson. He was the science officer. The displays at his station were either blank or filled with static. “The sensors can’t detect anything. They can’t even say we’re still in space. So, how can you know what they don’t know?”

Trailblazer shrugged. “I am Trailblazer,” she said. “I forge tails into the unknown. It is my job to know these things.”

“Forge is right. All your trails are lined with fire.”

“I heard that Morely,” Trailblazer said as some nervous chuckles sounded off.

Before anybody could say anything else, the Coyote emerged into normal space. The bridge personnel sprang into action. They all forgot about Trailblazer’s behavior as they each focused on their tasks. All that is, except for Captain Bellman. He alone stared at the woman. Again, he wondered how this woman knew what she knew. And what other abilities she hasn’t reveled.

“Captain,” reported Lieutenant Johnson. “Sensors can not find any sign of the barrier. Nor can they identify the any of the stars in view.” He turned to look at Trailblazer. “We’re lost.”

“Navigation beacon detected,” Helmsman Tremaine called out. “It’s weak. Very weak. And old. But it is valid.”

“How old,” Bellman cautiously asked. It wouldn’t be the first time the machines tricked them using an old beacon code.

“Unknown,” Tremaine replied. “The computers just say it’s an old code.”

“It’s not like we have anywhere else to go,” Bellman muttered. “Alright, Helmsman Tremaine. Make for the beacon. Best speed. Now Trailblazer. . .” He turned to look at Trailblazer, but she had left the bridge.

Author's Note

Again, thank you for reading this. Hopefully I've continued to entertain you. Hopefully the next chapter will not take so long. There was a bit of backstory. More on Trailblazer's backstory in future chapters. The action should start picking up in the next 2 or 3 chapters.