Episode 17:

Flutter Brutter

Even though it hadn't been that long since they joined the Wonderbolts, both Rainbow Dash and Ono were still glad to be given the opportunity to get away from it all for a while. And as such, they had accepted Fluttershy's invitation to come up to Cloudsdale and visit her (that is to say Fluttershy's parents) Spring Breeze and Gentle Breeze.

The house in which the two elderly Pegasi lived was a relatively modest little house of blue and purple bricks. And the interior was comprised of walls in colored shades of green, yellow and orange.

Not long after Fluttershy, Ono, and Rainbow Dash arrived, they were treated to a delicious lunch prepared by the parents themselves. Spring Breeze was the stallion with a green coat and a light gray mane and tail in which the mane was styled like mint chocolate ice cream. He had grayish and turquoise green eyes, wore a blue sweater, had a light gray mustache, and a cutie mark depicting three clouds. And Gentle Breeze was the mare with a light grayish-gold coat and a moderate raspberry red mane and tail styled into a set of lovely curls. She had equally deep red eyes hidden behind a pair of blue-green glasses, a small necklace of yellow beads that hung around her neck, and a cutie mark depicting three flowers.

Gentle Breeze smiled as she set the plates on the table in the dining room. "We're so happy you could come have lunch with your father and I, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy smiled back. "Well, I'm glad you asked. It's always nice to get away and see family again."

Rainbow Dash, at the same time, added. "And it was super awesome of you to invite me too! It’s always nice to see friends of the family to be gifted with such a welcoming hoof extended to us." She then sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Things have been so busy with the Wonderbolts lately, so it's great to get a chance to just relax someplace quiet."

“Same here.” Ono agreed. “It’s not every day you get this opportunity in life even with all things considered.”

Spring Breeze happily nodded understanding what they are saying. "That's exactly what I plan to do now that I've retired. It sure took a little longer than I thought but I was finally able to save enough to be able to do it.” Then he let out a content sigh. "But with that in the past, I now had time to do the first thing on my list. I converted the back house to showcase my cloud collection."

"I look forward to seeing it, Dad," Fluttershy smiled again. "Along with Mom's flower beds."

Spring Breeze nodded again. "Yes. I have my clouds, your mom has her flowers, you've got your animals, and your brother..." He paused, apparently trying to think of something nice to say about his son.

Gentle Breeze gently finished for her husband. "Zephyr Breeze has his... interests," She gave a nervous laugh. "Interests I’m sure he is trying very hard in turning himself out to be a very successfully independent pony in life."

“Oh, is that right?” Ono curiously asked as he turns to the others hoping for more elaboration on the subject. “Just one of this late bloomers in life trying to fly out of his nest?”

Rainbow Dash giggled seeing that the egret managed to make a really funny joke without realizing it. "From someone who knows him from past experience, he sure is.” Then she smirked as she added. "Hey, remember when Zephyr was convinced square clouds were going to be the next big thing? Even after I warned he ended up falling flat on his face if he tried to pursue this investment he still went through with it. Should have listened.”

“Wow.” Ono remarked feeling amazed by that blunder in life. “That sure is quite an accomplishment on his part.”

Gentle Breeze sweetly commented. "He's matured a lot since then, I’m sure of it. He really is trying to get his life straighten out."

Then Spring Breeze added in a somewhat nervous tone as he joined his wife and held her hoof. "Actually, it's funny you bring Zephyr up now..."

Almost immediately, Fluttershy clued in to what her parents were implying. And when she did she could only groan and put a hoof to her head. "Oh no, not again! I thought you said he is trying to take his studies seriously?!"

Gentle Breeze reassured her daughter. "He is, Fluttershy. He is. He just..." She paused before adding. "Still trying to find a solid roof to live under along with enough revenue to live out on his own. Besides, it's only for a little while. Just until he gets back on his hooves."

A sense of dread filled Rainbow Dash as she nervously asked. "Wait, you don't mean…"

“That he’s…” Ono then said next...

At that moment, the front door of the Breeze family house swung open. And a Pegasus stallion of tall but lanky build strolled in, a large camp bag slung over his shoulders. He had a coat colored in sea green, eyes a shade of light gray and purple, and a blonde mane and tail in which the mane was styled like a mop top while the tail hung loose. His cutie mark was an orange feather with two green flourishes on either side of it. Around his chin was a noticeable five o'clock shadow. Zephyr Breeze himself had just arrived.

"Guess who's home?!" Zephyr Breeze spoke in a loud and obnoxious tone of voice. And without waiting for a reply he declared to Fluttershy. "That's right, big sis, it's your one and only favorite little brother, moi."

“Oh, no.” Rainbow remarked clearly displeased with his presence along with Fluttershy. in noticeable displeasure.

“...moving in.” Ono finished as he looks on seeing that this pony here is bad news for the Shy family. And with what he’s heard just now, it seems pretty clear to him that this pony is one of those birds who hasn’t properly managed to live a life outside his birth nest and it is clearly proving to be a big problem for them all.

Regardless of what his abrupt return was greeted by two of his guests, Zephyr Breeze went ahead and immediately plopped his huge blue colored camp bag down on the table. "Hi, Flutterbutter! How's the bestest big sister ever?" He greeted and began ruffling along with playing with her mane.

"Fine.” Fluttershy muttered. "Even though I’m still trying to understand why you are back so soon from mane styling school...again!"

Zephyr Breeze immediately retorted and replied. "Yes, I know this is hard to believe but I didn’t dropped out like you would think. I just had some time off from classes, and I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to visit and stay with my family again." He subsequently pulled out a huge book showing off pictures of various mane styles, and with a swish of his tail he retorted. "Along with showing off all these styles they want me to do. Even though I've got my own style that works wonders!" He proceeded to plop down the head of a ponyquin that displayed one of his "creations", a rather unappealing mane style in a tacky orange color. "Sure it may seem not quite as appealing as one would think but with the right touches I can make this work no doubt. In fact, it might just be enough to pull off acing my final exam needed to pass my class."

Gentle Breeze blinked slowly, trying not to show how disgusted she was by what she was seeing. "O-Oh, that's uh... lovely, dear. I'm sure you have what it takes to do it."

Rainbow Dash didn't bother to hide her disgust and displeasure. She turned her head and made a gag motion as she remarked. "Blugh!"

Just then, Zephyr happened to catch eye of the rainbow maned Pegasus. And with a teasing smirk he greeted. "Well, well, if it isn't Rainbow 'The Best Flyer There Ever Was' Dash herself, in the flesh."

Rainbow sighed and rolled her eyes. "Oh gee, this oughta be something." She groaned and already Ono was beginning to see why this pony is bad news for everyone around them.

Zephyr seemed to ignore that comment before moving to apologize for what he said. "Sorry, sorry, I know I shouldn't tease ya. After all you’re now a full fledged Wonderbolt now and given my position I’m not one to judge you anything less than being the most awesome flier in Equestria."

Rainbow arched an eyebrow upward. "I’m not accepting a date from you if that’s what you’re getting at, you know."

The lanky stallion chuckled. "Well, either way, it’s much appreciated that you were able to make it here today, it really means to a lot to me." Then he began to trot around the table while saying as he eyed Ono. "And I see you brought another friend with you today. This your little fellow Wonderbolt partner, yes?”

“Affirmative. That’s me.” Ono returned trying hard not to show visible disgust towards the pony himself.

“Interesting, nice to finally meet you.” Zephyr shook his wing rapidly. “Always nice to bring a face to the name, don’t you agree?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean it’s nice to see you’re a bird of business given your name. Say, you think you can answer me this question? And that is if I were to open up a business with my current mane styling line, how much to do you think I can make?”

“Hmm…” Ono gave his model a glance before answering. “Well...unless you’re willing to get a full education in your current studies…” The stallion nodded. “...aside from crunching some numbers, if you were to spend like a thousand bits on your place of business, you’d lose your entire investment in an hour.”

“A whole hour?!” Zephyr exclaimed in shock as the egret nodded in response. Then he said casually. “Okay, I’ll try to see if another investor is willing to help out more.” He casually walked aside much to the egret’s baffled shock even with solid honest financial advice blown aside like that.

“See why he’s not exactly a family favorite?” Rainbow casually asked like this is nothing new to her.

“I am now.”

Fluttershy having seen enough and not in a good way as evidentby her frown, she turned to her parents and told them. "Um, Mom, Dad, can I have a word, please?"

Both Mr. and Mrs. Breeze were not the kind of ponies who could say no to their children. So they agreed to Fluttershy's request, and moved to another part of the house so they could talk in private.

Gentle Breeze tried not to look intimidated as she asked her daughter. "What is it, honey?"

Fluttershy sighed and took a deep breath as she prepared to speak her mind about the whole situation rationally and calmly. "I'm not so sure it's a good idea for Zephyr to come back home like this. Every time he says he’s going to try to apply himself, he always quits when the going gets tough. I know you want to help, and you don’t want to turn him away, but I think he’s not take this downtime seriously."

"It’s nothing a few days won’t hurt, don’t worry, Fluttershy." Gentle Breeze insisted and assured while adjusting her glasses. "Zephyr's just trying to find his place in the world. We didn’t treat you any differently when you tried and failed at one of your initial calling as a veterinarian?"

Fluttershy only shook her head to assert the difference back then. “But unlike Zephyr, I really tried to apply myself only to come up just so short. Even then I didn’t allow myself to push you around when growing up, but with Zephyr you never made him do anything if he didn't feel he was ready. And you know where that led. Ever since then he’s kept repeating the same mistake over and over again because he knows he can do whenever it suits his needs to the point he is clearly dependent on you both.”

Spring Breeze reassuringly replied. "I know, Fluttershy. I know. Even though he has done this multiple times, more than enough, he’s still alive and doing well enough to get by. It’s not easy to make a living these days. He seems really passionate about mane styling, and he just really needs some convincing to keep pushing through even when bumps come along the way. We may not be as bold as you are now, but we do now how to stand up for ourselves. And we will ensure that if Zephyr does flunk out of mane styling school one more time, he will be on his own going forward, and that’s a promise."

Fluttershy wasn't so convinced but accepted their reasoning enough to take their word for it. "Just please make good on it. Last thing I need is seeing myself when I dealt with the breezies a while ago."

Spring Breeze promised. "We will, Fluttershy, we will.”

More or less satisfied with the conversation, Fluttershy and her parents returned to the kitchen only to find that Zephyr Breeze and Rainbow Dash had already left. They were now in the living room, Zephyr hanging over Rainbow on a green sofa chair and rambling on at length, all the while Rainbow was occupying herself with a Daring Do book.

Zephyr seemed to be in the middle of a rant if his speedy talking was anything to go by. "And they were all like: We love your free spirit, Zeph! And it would be wrong to cage that! Go follow your dreams! Be free, like a bird!"

Rainbow simply replied without a care in the world. "Yeah yeah, tell it to somepony who’s actually interested it what you have to say."

"I’m already looking at one.” Zephyr replied with a smile, before noticing Fluttershy. "Oh, hey big sis. Everything all good with you along with Mom and Pop? Rainbow and I were just talking together too, and it is quite a conversation, wasn’t it, Rainbow?"

The brash speedster groaned and rolled her eyes. "Zeph was just telling me all about the ins and outs of mane therapy school.”

Ono who was floating to the side while listening in completely attentive to the whole conversation even without a word said himself had this to chime in with. “And about how much he needs to do well on his upcoming final exam. Meaning that if he doesn't pass it with flying colors…” He quickly said to Rainbow. “Not literally.” Rainbow simply shrugged taking no offense to that comment before continuing. “...he’ll fail his class and he won’t be able to graduate."

Zephyr shrugged his hooves. "Hey, it’s not my fault that other ponies there can’t see eye to eye with my inspiration. If they got a problem with it, that’s their fault for pushing away true talent like myself.” Ono grumbled while shaking his head in disbelief as the pony let out a yawn. "Anyways, good talk, everypony, Ono…” Ono looked on with an annoyed frown like Spike would at times. “...Always nice to catch up. Now if you'll excuse me, this breeze needs his Z's." And he began to trot away towards a staircase.

Ono looked on blankly as he then spoke up and said. "Uh, you know it's the middle of the day, right?"

The lanky Pegasus stallion chuckled. "Just a little power nap, that's all. You know me. Siesta!" And after making a motion, he went upstairs, all the while leaving his bag and his mane styling project behind. He didn't bother to pick them up and take them with him.

Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Ono all left for Ponyville not long afterward. The flight back home passed in silence, much to the surprise of both Rainbow Dash and Ono. Looking across to Fluttershy when they drew near to Ponyville, they spoke up.

"I know you weren't expecting to see your brother again, but you've been kind of quiet, even for you."

“Yeah, much like Twilight whenever she is trying to be emotionally distant. And we all know what that means.”

Fluttershy's eyes narrowed as she began to grit her teeth. "It’s because he is exactly why I’m this upset! Every time so much as a hurdle or a bump in the road comes right up towards him, he acts like a baby towards it and comes right back home! And both Mom and Dad aren’t doing anything about it!" She felt her anger boiling over as she remarked. "I'm sorry, but I am just so... so... peeved right now!" Then she gasped and covered her mouth with her hooves, realizing she had accidentally said that word within earshot of children. Doing her best to ignore the glares coming from the parents, she profusely apologized. "Oh, excuse my language!" Even so, both Rainbow and Ono were taken aback by it as they find it very uncharacteristic of her to do so even while upset.

Just then, the two Pegasi happened to fly right past both Pinkie Pie and Applejack accompanied by Bunga and Beshte without saying a word.

Pinkie Pie, never one to let her friends pass by without at least saying hello, waved and called out to them. "Hey, Rainbow Dash! Fluttershy! Ono! It's me, Pinkie Pie!" But she received no reply. It was as if the three fliers couldn't hear her despite how loudly she was shouting.

Fortunately, Applejack knew how to get the attention of the Pegasi. Putting her hooves to her lips, she gave a sharp whistle. And that got their attention as Ono, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash stopped in mid-flight and flew down to greet their friends.

Fluttershy was the first to speak up, and she apologized. "Oh, sorry about that. I just have a lot on my mind right now."

“No worries.” Beshte assured. “It happens. Anything in particular?”

“Oh, yeah!” Ono nodded in reply.

Rainbow Dash then explained. "Yeah. We just had lunch with Fluttershy's parents, and you'll never guess who showed up unannounced."

Pinkie Pie replied by pulling out a wallet lined with photos of various ponies and non-ponies. And she pointed to each of them one by one as she listed off. "Mayor Mare? Cranky Doodle Donkey? Cheese Sandwich? Ms. Harshwhinny?! Thurston? Bupu? Kiburi? Scar?!"

“None of the above.” Ono shook his head as he is quick to answer who exactly. “Zephyr Breeze."

Pinkie quickly realized her mistake. "Oh, yeah, that makes more sense." Then to Fluttershy she added. "And that does explain why you were so distracted to the point you didn’t see us at first."

“Yep.” Ono once more nodded.

Beshte then commented. “And I take it you don’t have a pretty good relationship with your brother, do you Fluttershy?”

“She doesn’t?”

Applejack then figured out why. "And I'm guessin' it's because it’s another one of Zephyr's extended stays?"

The rainbow maned Pegasus nodded and whispered. "Yup, and she's a bit peeved.”

“Please excuse the language.” Ono added as both he and Rainbow tried their hardest to ignore the glare a nearby earth pony mare was shooting her, apparently having overheard the former while Beshte already sees what he heard enough to know how this is greatly aggravating her sweet friend.

Fluttershy, however, took a deep breath and calmly stated. "Zephyr's my brother, and I love him. But he's never learned to do anything for himself. He promised me he'd take his education seriously, that he'd actually commit to it this time. But once again, he failed to like up to his promise and has managed to get him into trouble. And at this rate, he’s going to find himself backed into a corner with no around to help him out of it, not even our parents." Then she pondered. "If only there was some way to change that."

The farm mare proposed. "Sounds to me like he needs a job, and maybe a change of scenery. Something new to look into outside of what he is trying to apply himself for."

At that’s where Fluttershy had an idea come into her mind, complete with a gasp. "And you know what?! That could actually work! And with the right motivation, he want to take his studies seriously so he can pass his class and finally graduate."

“Sounds good to me.” Beshte approved.

“Hopefully…” Ono said to himself unsure how much it’s actually going to take for that pony to listen to reason.

Fluttershy having heard that, remained certain as she is quick to assure him of that. “Trust me, Ono. He will even if he has to learn it the hard way.

The very next day, Fluttershy flew back up to Cloudsdale and to her parents' house, ready to make good on putting her plan in action with Ono accompanying her for assertive assistance.

Zephyr Breeze himself, was more than a little surprised to see his big sister back so soon. "H-hey sis, friend of sis." He greeted cheerfully the two. "You arrived just in time. I was just about to get Mom and Pop to convert that old shed back there," He gestured to the small little hut a ways away from the house. "Into my new art studio. That way I can work on my project in peace. Of course, Dad's gonna have to relocate his cloud collection. A minor formality, really.?"

Fluttershy narrowed her eyes. "And that is something he most certainly will not do, not in your lifetime!”

“Why not?”

“Because…” Ono spoke up. “...your father worked long and hard building up that collection, Zephyr and you know that.”

“And no matter what you say, you’re not getting your why and taking advantage of Mom and Dad like this. I don't care if they've always let you do whatever you want, you're not doing that here, again!"

The lanky Pegasus stallion just innocently replied. "Oh, really? Then where else do you expect me to do it, huh?"

Fluttershy replied by telling her brother firmly and assertively and in no uncertain terms. "You're going to stay with me at my place, in Ponyville. I've already talked it over with Mom and Dad, and they agreed."

"Oh, really?”

“Yep, with enough space for you to create and make your special art needed for your final exam project.” Ono then added next before raising a wing. “Under one condition.”

Zephyr Breeze frowned in response. "And what’s that?"

Fluttershy then somberly and seriously stated. "You have to get a job. Then you are going back to mane styling school, and then passing your final exam with flying colors. And before you even think it, understand that we are not accepting failure again this time from you."

The lanky Pegasus stallion sighed as his frowned deepened. "Cracking the whip like this, huh? Sometimes you are just always so bossy." He remarked as he ran a hoof through his sister's mane.

Fluttershy brushed off the hoof and shot her brother a glare then further warned him! "Zephyr Breeze! I mean it! It is either that, or the deal to stay with me is off!”

Zephyr reluctantly complied. "Kidding, really! I will get a job in Ponyville while I work on finishing up my project for class and that’s a promise."

“It better be, for your sake.” Ono further warned as he is going to need a lot of help to make sure of that. “Now pack your things so we can go!” As both she and Fluttershy watched as Zephyr went away to do just that the former commented. “Is he always this difficult even when you were fillies?”

Fluttershy responded with a weary reply. “Oh, you have no idea.”

The rest of the day went on by as both Fluttershy and Ono helped Zephyr to move into her cottage, making sure that she had a guest bedroom well furbished for him while also giving him enough space to set up a small studio to work on turning that tacky mane style into something beautiful (or at least decent, as long as it was something he could work with.).

Early the next morning, however, the two pegasi along with the egret woke bright and early. Zephyr Breeze found himself very puzzled by this, especialy once Fluttershy instructed him to follow her into Ponyville towards an unknown destination. "Where are we goin' so early? You have no idea how bad morning sun is for your mane." He complained as he took a moment to style his mane of blonde locks, making sure it looked presentable.

“Is that something you learned in class?” Ono asked.

“Oh, yeah. In fact, it’s something they stress greatly when teaching at mane therapy.”

“Interesting…” Ono remarked finding it very odd. “...and yet someway somehow your grades don’t reflect on that. Is there anything in particular why you’re not translating your knowledge to passable results?” He then inquired suspiciously.

Zephyr’s confident expression immediately vanished when asked that as he nervously replied. “Of course not. I mean school can be difficult that is if you actually see me in class for a day that is. One thing I can tell you is that they expect you to demonstrate their techniques almost as soon as you've learned them. It’s like all so sudden and like not enough time has passed enough for me to process and learn it to perfection!"

“Is that so?” Ono returned not convinced along with Fluttershy. “Or maybe it’s because you haven’t been playing attention enough in class to care to actually apply yourself?” When Zephyr didn’t answer, one look was more than enough for the egret to see the truth with his own eyes.

Fluttershy only shook her head as she then said. "In the meantime… remember how we talked yesterday about you getting a job?"

The lanky stallion reluctantly nodded. "It's totally on my to-do list, but you can't possibly expect me to find something befitting my awesomeness overnight. I mean I just got here!"

The animal loving Pegasus chuckled as she approached a very familiar (to her and Ono) carousel building. "Thought you might say something like that, so I went ahead and did it for you.

“And you're welcome." Ono added as Fluttershy trotted up to the front door and pushed it open, with the door bells jingling ringing when she did so. Out trotted a pony Zephyr had never seen before and that is the good fashionista friend of Fluttershy and Ono’s, Rarity herself. “Hello, Rarity.”

“Hello, Ono, Fluttershy, and this must be Zephyr Breeze, your little brother. The one who is set to start a new job here at Carousel Boutique. If you just follow me we can get started on your assignment.” She gestured a hoof to direct the lanky Pegasus pony the stairs to her workshop, proudly pushing open the door with her magic. "These fabrics all need to be dyed," She explained, pointing to a series of long, blank white fabrics. "There's a color sheet and paints right over there," She gestured to a small stand nearby. "Just follow the sheet to the letter for each fabric. Simple as that."

Fluttershy then asked her brother. "Think you can handle that?” I’d think an artist of your skill should find it pretty easy himself.”

Zephyr swallowed a lump in his throat. "I... I think so."

“Good!” Fluttershy smiled with satisfaction. “You go ahead and get started." She turned to leave with only Rarity and Ono by his side.

“Shall we get started?” Ono asked. “Because Fluttershy has already done all that she can here. And aside from a pair of helpful eyes, my wings are offically tied going forward.”

Zephyr Breeze hesitantly replied. "Let’s."

Rarity donned her ruby red sewing glasses and cleared her throat as she began walking her through the process step by step. "Now, here’s how this done..."

At first, everything went smoothly. Zephyr soon learned what he had to do, and both Rarity and Ono were very helpful and generous in explaining to him how best to do it.

The first two sheets of fabric were dyed with no trouble at all. It was clear that the stallion was indeed an artist and knew his colors. Rarity seemed to be impressed if the big smile on her face was any indication and Ono looked on seeing it as a nice work in progress.

Unfortunately, when it came time to dye the third fabric, that's when the trouble began. He started carelessly allowing the paints to get too close to one another, and are all on the verge of getting mixed up together.

"You're going to get your colors mixed up!" Rarity sternly warned.

"Am I?" The lanky stallion blinked in confusion.

“Yes!” Ono was quick to fly over and correct that before the paints could blend together. “Phew! That was close! Zephyr, you really need to be more careful!”

"But I thought I was leaving enough space?” Zephyr returned like he is drawing a blank. “I mean art can get a little messy every now and then, am I right?"

“No.” Rarity sighed before collecting herself before she finds herself at a wit’s end. “Zephyr, I’m not mad. I’m just a little mind boggled is all. You started off very well those first two pieces of fabric before you blanked out on the very next one. What happened?”

Zephyr’s response, instead of a retort, reluctant agreement, like one would expect. Instead, he looked on like he had froze right where he was standing like a deer in the headlights. "I... I…"

“Zephyr?” Ono asked as he waved a wing in front of his face to make sure nothing was internally wrong with him. Instead, of properly explaining himself or even answering, he just turned around and bolted straight for the door, fleeing in shame. Leaving both the Keenest of Sight along with his employer very bewildered.

Fluttershy soon found out what had happened when her brother quite literally ran into her, looking like he'd just seen a ghost! "Zephyr, what happened?! Why aren't you with Rarity and Ono?!" She furiously demanded of him! "It hasn’t even been five minutes and here you are now!"

The stallion blinked slowly. "No. I was just sparing myself the trouble of being fired before it could happen.”

"Fire you? For just one thing wrong?" Fluttershy questioned with concern. "It hasn’t even been a day."

"Yeah, and she already expects perfection!" Zephyr Breeze insisted. "I knew it was going to happen!"

The animal loving Pegasus frowned and shook her head in disapproval. "Rarity would never fire somepony she just hired. One little mistake doesn’t define the end of your career, Zephyr," She looked him deep in the eyes as she pondered his next course of action. "Tell you what,I have another idea that’ll work out. Come on.” She then grabbed her brother by the hoof and dragged him off to their next destination.
Fluttershy led her brother across town to the crystal castle where Twilight and Kion live in (half the time in Kion’s case). She brought him to the castle's throne room, where Spike, Kion, and Twilight were already waiting for them. And Spike had a bucket of water and some other cleaning tools.

What caught Zephyr's eyes, however, was the sheer scale of the throne room's windows! "Whoa! Those are tall!" He exclaimed!

Twilight Sparkle suppressed a giggle as she told the stallion. "I'm glad you noticed, because they're your new job.”

“And that is cleaning them.” Kion added.

The Pegasus stallion could hardly believe his eyes and ears. "W...wha?" He blinked slowly, before turning to Fluttershy. "I thought you were taking me to tea with the prince and princess."

Fluttershy quickly corrected. "Well, I'm having tea with them. You, on the other hoof, are going to work. And Spike is here to show you how to do it."
Spike nodded, before telling Zephyr. "Yeah, but I'm only gonna show you once, so you'd better pay attention because last thing I need is to have my work load doubled because of one missed instruction."

Twilight chimed in, telling Zephyr sweetly. "And given how hard Spike works around here, it’s much appreciated that you’re willing to step up for him." And she reassured him. "And don't worry, it's really quite simple: I just need a Pegasus pony like yourself to fly up, and wipe down each window from top to bottom."

Kion then added. "It’s a simple and straightforward job, compared to having to dye fabrics. Plus, it’s a well paying job, that even you can’t mess up.

“And if you do run away again..." Fluttershy then ominously warned. "You'll force me to take drastic measures to ensure you’ll get a job that you'll stick to." Then she, Twilight, and Kion left the throne room together, leaving Spike and Zephyr alone with each other.

The little dragon then gestured to his bucket and cleaning supplies. "Well, shall we get started?" He asked of the Pegasus who looked on ready to try it though more hopeful that certain it’s doable in his mind.

All seemed to go well for Zephyr at first. Watching Spike as he hoisted himself up via a little harness and taught the Pegasus how to clean the windows was simple. And it seemed so easy.

Eventually, Spike came back down. "Okay, now, time to put that into practice!" And he handed over the cleaning supplies.

Zephyr Breeze took the supplies, hastily strapping a small pouch around his hindquarters so he could better hold them all. It took him a minute to get used to flying with the added weight, but once he did it was no trouble at all to fly up to where the tall windows were and start wiping them down.

Spike leaned back in his little chair and watched, all the while encouraging. "Good work! Keep it up."

Zephyr did so. And already, some ideas were starting to come into his mind. In his mind the window washing was just the thing to clear his head. He was certain he'd have no trouble at all finding what he needs to work with for his mane styling project. But would it be good enough to get him a passing grade? It was there, a wave of fear started rising up in his end wondering and suddenly worrying about the worst case scenario he could face if he failed.

Spike suddenly noticed that Zephyr's mind seemed to be wandering and causing him to falter his work in progress. "Hey, what are you doing?!" He shouted at the Pegasus stallion.

"Huh?" The lanky stallion blinked in surprise and spun around, apparently confused.

The little dragon put a claw to his face. "I just explained it you literally two minutes ago! Now we need more water and cleaning solutions to get the job done." As Zephyr struggled to say anything in his defense, Spike just sighed. "It's okay. I'm sure Twilight will understand. Just come down and take a break for a minute."

Zephyr Breeze slowly but surely fluttered his way back down to the ground. But once he did so, he hurriedly yanked off the pouch he'd strapped on earlier, and then took off again in a flash.

"Hey! Zephyr! I said you could take a break not that you could leave!" Spike shouted, only to be ignored.

Like last time, Zephyr again happened to bump into Fluttershy after fleeing from his job. And once again, Fluttershy was mildly exasperated and annoyed. "Zephyr, are you kidding me?! It didn’t even take more than five minutes just to wash windows?!"

"Well apparently, the prince, princess, and I weren’t seeing eye to eye on what they wanted so, I thought it was best to turn away before things could get worse."

The animal loving Pegasus snarled and glared. "You didn't do it at all! You just looked for an excuse to get out of doing it and that’s not acceptable!” Then she paused to catch her breath and compose herself before smirking. "Not to worry because I can guarantee there won't be any fooling around on the next job. And if you run away from this one, then you're on your own and that’s it for you."

"And what is my 'next job'?" Zephyr nervously inquired as he wiped the sweat from his brows.

Just then, there came a whoosh, courtesy of Rainbow Dash herself. "Something that’ll be greatly provided by yours truly…” She then quickly added seriously. “...and I don’t mean really or in any other romantic way. So don’t even get started. Anyways...” She returned to her proud tone of her voice as she then said. “...you’re in luck, because you're comin' with me to your new job."

Zephyr Breeze smirked as he teased. "Aw come on, Rainbow, you don't need to come up with an excuse just to hang out and fly with me."

Rainbow was not amused in the slightest by Zephyr's attempts to flirt with her yet again. "I’m not. And I already told you, Zephyr, no flirting with the coworkers, especially on the job. And that job is at the Wonderbolt headquarters. A job that even you can’t weasel your way out of. And if you do, I'm gonna zap you with a storm cloud! Got it?"

The lanky stallion slowly nodded, forcing back a nervous gulp. "Y-yeah, I got it."

"Good. Now let’s get going!"Rainbow insisted as she unfolded her wings and took lead. "Come on! Time’s a wasting!" Zephyr reluctantly followed, waving goodbye to Fluttershy before doing so.

Feeling absolutely sure that her latest job will be a success, Fluttershy returned to her cottage to do some much needed cleaning. She dusted, she swept, she picked up some discarded paper balls courtesy of her brother and tossed them in the trash.

Fluttershy sighed wishing that she didn't have to be so hard on her brother. She even acknowledges that’s unlike her to act in this manner. But it was a necessary cruel to be kind deal in order to get him to hold down a part-time job without quitting. If only he had kept his word and taken his education at mane styling school seriously from the start, then they wouldn’t be having this conversation…

Suddenly, a loud boom split the air! It sounded almost like the crackling of electricity! And that led to only one conclusion of what that meant. "Oh no. Not again!" She thought to herself hoping that’s not the case.
Alas, those worries and concerns came true when the pony himself came strolling up to her cottage was a very battered looking Zephyr Breeze, his mane and tail standing up straight and his entire coat covered in black singe marks.

"Rainbow Dash is crazy!" He complained. "I didn't think she'd actually do it to me! I thought she meant that as an empty threat and just so I’d obey her!”

Fluttershy groaned and narrowed her eyes. She was losing all patience she previously had and hit her breaking point. "So you just quit, AGAIN! Even after having everything work in your favor to the point you could actually do it if you applied yourself?!” Zephyr, I can't believe you! I have given you plenty of opportunities, plenty of part-time jobs that would pay nice while giving you time to work on your project! But all you've done since you've got here is slack off like you always do!"

"It's not like that at all!" Zephyr insisted while tearing up. "All I wanted was just to try a few things my way just so those who constantly picked on me would be immediately proven wrong. And if I have to not follow the rules to the letter and to the T, so what?! What’s the harm with wanting to do that?!”

Fluttershy snapped in response. "Because that way of living your life is not going to get you anywhere, Zephyr. There is a reason why you need to follow instructions exactly instead of trying to cut corners. How do you think big business companies get themselves into trouble from time to time?!”

“Um...because nobody appreciated their ideas?”

“NO! They got sued and lost all profit they just tried to make out of it! Which is exactly what will happen the second you try going on about your business with that current attitude of yours!” She then added. "And since you’re not not even going to try to improve yourself, then I guess there is nothing left to discuss. I’m sorry, Zephyr. But we had a deal and that is now broken juts like your promise.”"

Zephyr Breeze wiped away the tears and did his best to brush off the soot clinging to his coat. "Fine!" He hurriedly went about gathering up the ponyquin displaying his mane styling project, and the bag he'd had when he came home from mane styling school the other day. "I'll go live in the woods like my foreponies before me! Guess the only breeze this zephyr can count on is his own!"

"Zephyr, wait!" Fluttershy frantically called as she tried to chase after her brother and prevent him further throwing his life away. Alas, she found herself getting the door to her cottage slammed shut in her face. All she could do now was stare at the ground in shame at having to do what she just did.

Rainbow Dash along with Ono arrived at the cottage a short time later. One look at Fluttershy's face told them of what just happened and what’s going through her head.

"I’m sorry, Fluttershy.” Ono apologized.

Fluttershy sorrowfully sighed. "Not your fault, Ono. I just wish I could understand why a simple thing in life is so hard to do. Why is it so hard just to listen to instructions thoroughly?"

Rainbow could only shrug her hooves. "I wish I knew." She then recalled. "He was doing a fine job with cloud busting, at first. Then, as soon as we were told to pick up the pace, he just froze up. And then he decided to just quit. It was like he was a completely different pony, like all that confidence just completely vanished in thin air. And I don’t mean literally."

The animal loving Pegasus' sigh deepened. "And yet he doesn’t realize how important it is to make a decent living while living independently? And how he can't be a good mane stylist if he always quits?"

Rainbow replied. "Look, Fluttershy, I know it was very hard to have to send him away. But you did do the right thing.”
“Yeah!” Ono chimed in. “You gave him plenty of chances to improve himself and allow him to do what he promised to do. It's not your fault. You had to stand up for yourself, he had to be told no."

"I just wish I didn’t have to really go through with it." Fluttershy lamented.

Just then a knock was heard on the door which opened seconds later, courtesy of Kion flying on inside. “Hey! Rainbow! Fluttershy! Ono!”

“What is it, Kion?!”

“What’s wrong?!”

“What’s the emergency?!”

All three asked.

“Dust devils! In the Pride Lands!”

“Ugh.” Ono groaned knowing full well that they are in for a long day now when he took a look at the nearby clock. “And it’s not even noon!”

“Tell me about it.” Rainbow couldn’t feel more annoyed than anyone else suddenly called over for an emergency on such short notice.

“Looks like this will serve as the perfect time for Zephyr to really get his thoughts together.” Fluttershy said to herself before huddling together with Kion and the others before the alicorn moves to teleport everyone on over there.

“Hang on and try to bear with me here!” Kion warned before working his magic on everyone. And in an instant, he successfully managed to teleport the group on over to where everyone else was waiting for them, nearby Ukuni Woods. “Phew! I did it!”

“Congratulations!” Twilight complimented as Ono and Rainbow both flew ahead and spotted the hyraxes in danger due to the forming dust devil nearing their direction. “Let’s go!”

“Come on!” Kion also encouraged as both he and Twilight led the way to go save the hyraxes.

“Perfect timing!” Fuli complimented. “Because this is just the third dust devil we encountered today since we got here!”

“Well, the conditions are perfect.” Ono commented as he managed to get a good analysis of today’s weather. “Fair skies, no wind. Hot air rises and starts to rotate and... Hapana!” Ono’s eyes managed to pick up sight of the dust devil’s next appearance with two hyraxes spotted fighting over a single fruit together. “It's headed for Ukuni Woods.”

“That's where the hyraxes live.” Beshte noted.

“They better hang on to their branches.” Bunga added.

“And that’s no joke.” Starlight also added as she is not one to laugh at a time of urgency.

And even with their best efforts to hang on to the branches they were standing on allowed them to be spared from the ruthlessly strong winds the dust devil produced before finding themselves flying and falling off of the tree.

“Hurry!”

“Here come the hyraxes!”

Both Kion and Twilight alerted as they were the first to brave the dust devil’s winds and managed to resist being blown away. But Pinkie, Rarity, Ono, and Fluttershy all weren’t so lucky.

“Whoa! Whoa!”

“Hey!”

“Not my mane!”

Ono, Pinkie, and Rarity all screamed as they were blown aside before being quickly caught by Starlight’s magic formed into a butterfly net.

“Gotcha!”

Fortunately for them, both Bunga and Beshte were quick to catch the hyraxes.

“Gotcha!”

“And I got you.”

The dust devil then dissipated as soon as it got here.

“There it goes.” Fuli remarked in relief.

“And good riddance.” Rarity said in agreement as she quickly combed her mane back into it’s fashionable and curly state. “All joking aside, they sure don't last long, but they sure make a mess.”

“There you go, little guy.” Beshte gently said to the hyrax as he and Bunga placed the two hyraxes down onto the ground near their home.

“And I think this is yours, little critters.” Applejack said to them while handing them the fruit they were trying to enjoy before the dust devil came by to which they gratefully took with happy faces…

...before they started wrestling with one another over it, prompting Applejack to give the fruit a little whiplash to slice it in half to resolve the dispute. “Something tells me we're gonna be chasing these things all day.”

“Great!” Bunga remarked with satisfaction. “I love catching hyraxes.”

“I think Applejack meant the dust devils, Bunga.” Kyoga corrected.

“Right.” Twilight stated before turning to two of the flyers. “Rainbow, Ono, keep an eye out.”

“You got it!”

“Affirmative.”

The Guard sets out to do so while a downcast Fluttershy is the last to follow, with the only hope that her little brother is doing fine on his own.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the Lion and Pony Guard, Zephyr Breeze had somehow managed to put together a rather hastily made campsite in the Outlands. His sleeping tent propped up by a single, large stick. He'd also surrounded some other sticks with small rocks to form a small fire pit. And of course, he still had his unfinished mane styling project, which he was now talking to as if it were alive.

"See, Wigford?" Zephyr spoke to the unfinished art. "The Breeze needs nopony! This area is perfect, for a truly talented artist like myself for me to do whatever I want! I'll show them, I'll show them all!" He gestured a hoof. "We’ve got food, water, shelter, everything we need here. Now, I just need to put the old kettle on, and the creative juices will be flowing in no time."

The lanky stallion proceeded to rub some rocks together for a bit, then threw them down at the sticks in the fire pit (above which was hanging a tea kettle). But nothing happened, the sticks did not ignite. The pegasus was most unhappy about this, frowning as he approached the pit and grabbed one of the sticks. "Come on, sticky-sticky, make with the sparks already!" He tried rubbing the stick against the others, to no avail. Frustrated, he started banging it against the tea kettle, which only served to spill its contents out! "Ugh, come on!" He complained aloud! "What's a pony got to do to find a decent stick around here?!" And in his anger, he accidentally knocked down his tent.

From nearby, two hyenas happened to be around to witness this. And both just happened to take an interest in his “activities.”

“Did you see that?” Cheezi asked his partner.

“Yeah.” Chungu nodded. “Who knew ponies could set up campfires?”

“And who knew a pony would actually wander all the way out here?” Then he realized something. “Wait? Isn’t he not supposed to be not here?” Chungu brought up.

“Uh, yeah!” Cheezi nodded. “Not very smart if you ask me.”

“I wonder what it would be like being smarter than like that.” Chungu then asked.

“If we were smart, we'd be in that big meeting with Janja and Scar.”

“The one Janja said we couldn't go to 'cause we're not smart enough?”

Cheezi chuckled in response. “Yeah. They're trying to figure out how to beat the Lion and Pony Guard.”

“Oh! Ooh! But that pony seems to be associated with the Lion and Pony Guard. At least associated enough that he is a pony worth saving.”

Cheezi laughed as he realized. “Oh, yeah! If we took that pony to Scar, the Lion and Pony Guard wouldn't want to fight us in favor of saving him!”

Chungu gasped. “Cheezi, didn't we just get an idea?”

Cheezi laughed in agreement. “Our very first one. Let's go get that pony.”

The two wasted no time in making their way over towards the rambling and struggling pony trying to make a living here.

“Psst.” Chungu whispered to him. “Hey, you, pony.”

“You're coming with us.” Cheezi added in a somewhat menacingly tone.

Zephyr turned his head towards them and looked on thinking they’re nothing more than harmless stooges. “Sorry I know you?”

“Of course you do.” Chungu assured. “We’re your friends.”

The stallion wasn’t convinced. “Friends? And what makes you both think that way?”

“Well, for starters, we didn’t try to eat you right away.”

“I suppose not. Assuming I’m not dead already.”

“Nope.” Cheezi shook his head. “You’re still alive in the flesh.”

“Mmm.” Chungu slurped his lips together along with his wet saliva filled tongue. “Meaty flesh.”

“Okay…great.” Zephyr returned very creeped out even when mentally unstable inside. “So how about sparing me the disgusting details and tell me why you are both trying to take me somewhere.”

“We're taking you to a big, uh, party!” Chungu answered after a little struggle choice of words.

“Yeah, right!” Cheezi agreed. “And you'll be the guest of honor.”

“Will there be snacks?”

“There will be if you're there.”

It was there Zephyr had enough reason to believe them. “Hmm...Sounds like fun. Lead the way. I can honestly tell you I was not looking forward to another afternoon with the pack. Oh, they're nice and all but they always expect you to stick to their way no matter what. It’s like they don’t allow anyone to break out and be able to prove themselves worthy of being able to succeed on your own. Like skills surpassing someone else including the alpha wolf is a crime. I mean can you imagine what it’s like to be in my hooves or paws in this case?”

“Oh, that sure sounds something we go through all right.” Cheezi laughed. “In fact, that’s pretty much our story every day here?”

“Oh, really? How so?”

“Whenever we try to go into the Pride Lands to get some food, the Lion and Pony Guard are always around there to stop us from getting what we want even when we just trying to get a measly zebra to keep ourselves from starving to death.” Chungu explained.

“Gosh. That’s sound awful.” Zephyr returned with pity towards them.

“I know right? Cheezi returned seeing that they understand one another. “Even when it’s just a single animal, all laser eyes are pointed towards us like we wiped out an entire pack. Can you believe it?”

“I find the whole thing hard to swallow, especially the Lion and Pony Guard part.”

“Us too.” Chungu returned in agreement.

As the three had a conversation, Zephyr found himself drawing closer and closer to the Outlands Volcano, a sight that seems out of place for him in his definition of a forest. “Say, have I been here before?”

“I think you was here with the Lion and Pony Guard once.” Chungu answered.

“Hmm, odd…” Zephyr couldn’t help but question their judgement a little. “I don’t remember seeing that in the forest. Unless…” The hyenas look on wondering if he has truly caught on. “...this just so happens to be that jungle Daring Do traveled through.”

“Daring Do?”

“Yes. I remember the Lion and Pony Guard once went through these parts of the jungle in their quest to help Daring Do. Led by their fearless and speedy friend of theirs Rainbow Dash, who has yet to reciprocate my feelings for her.”

“Wait, wait, wait. Rainbow Dash is in love with you?” Cheezi curiously asked.

“Oh, my, yes.” Zephyr chuckled in response. “I can tell it from first glance that she deep down wants me badly but yet she just manages to reign herself in enough to keep herself from pursing my awesome and handsome looks.” Both hyenas chuckled as they see themselves connecting with him from personal experience with their own friends.

“Sounds familiar.” Cheezi chuckled.

“Yeah!” Chungu laughed. “Sounds like Janja on any given day.”

His partner was quick to shush him right then and there. “Shh.” He looked around to make sure Scar’s eyes and ears didn’t pick that up. “Not when we’re here.”

“Oh, right.” Chungu realized before moving things forward. “So… you think if he heard that you were in trouble she would could flying on towards you?”

“Absolutely!”

“Cool!” Cheezi said in delight before moving to speak more, intrigued of how much he knows the Lion and Pony Guard. “Anyone else from the Lion and Pony Guard could do the same for you?”

“Oh, yes. My big sister, Fluttershy.” Zephyr frowned upon remembering their earlier argument. “That is of course, if she actually cares about me.”

“I’m sure she does.” Cheezi assured. “It’s probably her way of trying to look out for you so that you don’t wind up being led astray out of desperation.”

“You really think so?” Zephyr asked like the hyenas is onto something here.

“Yep.” Cheezi nodded before moving to pull Chungu aside. “And if you’ll just excuse us for a moment?” The pony nodded as he patiently waited and pondered the hyena’s advice.

“You hear that? This pony just so happens to be Rainbow’s boyfriend and Fluttershy’s brother. Do you know what this means?”

“Um...does it involve something like kissing between siblings?”

“What? No! Eww! Not Rainbow and Fluttershy and especially not Fluttershy and this hippie pony! I mean that pony is our meal ticket. If we bring Scar the pony, then he can use him as a bargaining chip to get the Lion and Pony Guard into accepting his deal that’ll ensure he can take over the Pride Lands.

It was there Chungu realized the potential of this plan. ““Ooh, he'd like that even better!”

“Exactly!” After saying what needs to be privately said, the two moved back towards Zephyr who didn’t even hear a word they said together. “Okay, we’re ready to continue on towards the party?”

“Ready when you are. Pony’s honor.” He said before allowing the hyenas to guide on over to the Outlands Volcano.

At the same time, Kinyonga who was passing on by, looked on in shock before hurrying her way out of the Outlands in order to alert the Lion and Pony Guard before anything bad can happen to the misguided pony.

Back in the Pride Lands, another dust devil has struck another part of the kingdom and has dissipated once more when the Lion and Pony Guard had arrived on the scene.

“There goes another one.”

“Bye-bye, dust devil.”

Both Bunga and Pinkie commented with the latter literally waving it off like any other friend.

“What's the damage?”

“Anybody hurt?”

Their leaders asked.

“Over here!” Fuli reported as she is nearby a fellow Pride Lander alongside Fluttershy. “It's a pangolin He's rolled up under all this stuff.”

“Aw. Poor little fella.” Fluttershy said with great pity. “It’s a very good thing they can do that whenever there is danger around them.”

“Actually…” Ono commented as he took notice of the extra sad look in her eyes along with Rainbow Dash. “...it's a very effective defense strategy. You can relax now. The danger's passed.” He gently then told the pangolin who all unrolled themselves and got up on their feet.

“You okay?” Fuli asked with worry.

The pangolin grunted as Ono moved to reply being able to understand what he is trying to say to them. “Were there other pangolins with you?” The pangolin grunted once more to clarify that he got seperated from them. “Oh… you got separated from the pack.” The pangolin grunted again to confirm that’s the case.

“That sure is tough.” Starlight commented with pity.

“They could have rolled off anywhere.” Kion commented before turning tot the fliers once more. “Ono. Rainbow.”

“We’re on it.”

“Come on, Fluttershy.”

Seeing that their friend is out of sorts considering she didn’t translate for them this time due to how greatly the pangolins plight hits home for her, the blue Pegasus pony moved to pull the pony along for the flight, rather forcibly, since she wasn’t budging from her place.

In another part of the Outlands, Goigoi is currently lying on his back sleeping…

...that is until he heard the voice of his wife talking to him. “Goigoi! Wake up!”

Goigoi did as he was told before snapping to attention. “Huh? Honey Paws? Why you roustin' me?”

“Scar's called a big meeting for all of the pack leaders.”

Slowly but surely he moved to get up on all four paws. “Okay, okay. I'ma comin'.”

“You're not invited.”

“I'm not? Phew!” He moved to fall back asleep only to be kicked in the face for doing so. “What is it now, Sugar Snout?”

“I woke you, 'cause I want you to round up some supper.”

“Me? Hunt?” He returned like it is the hardest task he has ever been given.

“That's right. Make yourself useful for a change.” Reirei advised before moving to warn him. “If I come back and find no food, I better not find you here either, you do-nothing lollygagger!” She then took her leave towards the volcano, leaving the now disgruntled jackal behind.

“Do-nothing? Lollygagger? It's like she thinks I can't do nothing. Well, I'll show her. I'll do something so amazing…” He moved towards the nearby edge to spot Cheezi, Chungu, and Zephyr all making their way towards the volcano’s path as well. “I'll be a baboon's brother. That there is a month's worth of fine dining. Once I bring it home, Reirei will have to admit I've done something.” He growled before preparing to fight the hyeans for it by making his way down the rockpath before slowly approaching it predator style.

“Oh! Well, hello there.” Zephyr casually greeted while the hyenas quickly adopted defensive growling stances in return.

“Eh... Howdy, stranger.” He chuckled in return casually too. “What's a big juicy, uh... handsome fella like you doing in these parts?”

“My hyena friends here are both taking me to a big party.”

“A party?” Goigoi blinked in surprise.

“Yes. Because I'm the guest of honor there, as expected for someone who happens to be the kind pony’s brother and the speedy pony’s boyfriend. The hyenas especially enjoyed hearing all about it.”

“Fluttershy has a brother? And Rainbow Dash has a boyfriend?”

“Yep.”

“He sure is and does.”

“Really?” After seeing and understanding why the hyenas are protecting him as if he is needed alive, he is quick to join on in. “Do tell.”

“Gladly.”

In the meantime, the Lion and Pony Guard have managed to managed to clean up the mess the latest dust devil did to the pangolin’s home, and the good news is that none of them were harmed like that one that got separated from the others.

“Twende Kiboko!” Beshte managed to lift up a long branch that landed on one of the pangolins to allow Pinkie to scoot it to safety.

“Hey, pangy-angolin.” She moved to pick it up with her tail. “Everything is okay now. You're good to unroll and relax.”

“He might be more willing to relax if you stop shaking him.” Fuli gently reminded as Starlight was quick to use her magic to freeze the honey badger and pangolin in place.

“So, if you please, Bunga, Pinkie...”

“Oh, right. Good point.” Pinkie happily did so thus allowing the pangolin to feel more at ease and comfortable in coming out of his shell. He then regrouped with the other pangolins before they all made their leave together.

The sight itself brought happy tears in Beshte’s eyes. “Aw. I love a happy ending.” He said with a sniffle while Fluttershy was on the very verge of bawling her eyes out.

Luckily before anyone could notice it, both Ono and Rainbow spotted something up ahead.

“Hapana! No time to wonder!”

“We've got another dust devil up ahead.”

“Lion and Pony Guard…”

”...let's go.”

They all went off after it, all while Kinyonga herself follows after them trying and struggling to keep pace with them as she tries to tell them of this sudden emergency that’s about to happen.

Elsewhere in the Outlands the crocodiles minus their leader Kiburi are all lazing around at their watering hole and both crocs are left alone with their thoughts.

“So did Kiburi say why we couldn't go to Scar's big meeting?” Tamaka asked the other croc Nduli.

“Yeah. Something about us having fish for brains.” The other croc recalled.

“Hey, speaking about fish, let's go find something to eat.”

“Ooh! That sounds good. What you in the mood for? Hyrax? Lizard? Mole rat?”

It was there Tamaka just spotted Zephyr who is walking alongside both the hyenas and jackals.

“Uh, how 'bout a pony?

Nduli looked on in confusion. “Tamka, there ain't no ponies in the Outlands. Unless you count those ponies from the Pony Guard wandering into our territory.”

“So what about him?” Upon seeing him along with the others sparked confusion wondering why he hasn’t been eaten yet. “Hey! Pony! Ain't you gonna panic and run?”

“What? And miss the big party?”

“Party?” The two crocs shared a confused look with one another before asking. “Eh, you mean the big meeting? You were invited?”

“Not just invited, I am the guest of honor. Because I just so happen to be a friend of the Lion and Pony Guard. Fluttershy’s brother and Rainbow Dash’s boyfriend.

“Really?”

“Yes, really. I know everything about them.”

“Oh, do you.”

Both crocs returned knowing smirks as they come to see themselves seeing eye to eye with the other Outsiders on what is going on now.

Tamka wasn’t completely sure about it but if it meant keeping the pony away from the Outlands Volcano he went along with it. “Uh, okay.”

“Very well. As I was saying and explaining to your friends here that how much that speedy pony Rainbow Dash loves me so much that she would do anything for me, and as for Fluttershy she is the kind of pony who may seem bossy especially towards me, but is as sweet as pony can be.”

“Yeah I get that.”

“At least when she is not staring at us to death.”

“Yeah, you’d have to be pretty strong willed and have nerves of steel to be able to resist her scowling eyes of her because if looks could kill you’d all be dead.”

“No kidding.” Goigoi returned knowing full well of how true it is. “It’s like sometimes that pony gives me the creeps to the point I can’t sleep at night.”

“Well that’s what you get when you don’t do your homework, so feelings mutual, buddy.”

“Buddy?” Goigoi returned like he is hearing one of the kindest things he’s ever heard in a long time.

“Well that’s really nice, pony. And look…” Cheezi commented as they arrived at the Outlands Volcano. “...we’re here.”

“Already?!”

“Yep. Welcome to the party just inside that temple there.” Chungu happily added.

“Okay. Lead the way in. I’m ready.” Zephyr told them as they all made their way up towards the volcano where Scar is holding an important war meeting with their pack leaders.

Back in the Pride Lands, the dust devil has managed to continue it’s chaos just as the Lion and Pony Guard arrived on the scene at a nearby gully.

“That's right. Keep going, dust devil.”

“The Lion and Pony Guard's here.”

Both Pinkie and Bunga told it off before tending to the current crisis in front of them accompanied with their cries for help. And that is the ostriches themselves are stuck in dirt there buried with only their heads sticking out.

“Heyvi kabisa!” Kion exclaimed in shock. “What happened to you guys?”

“The dust devil caught us in this gully.” Mbuni explained. “At least, it was a gully until all the sand blew in.”

“Don't worry. We'll have you out in no time.” Twilight assured before she and everyone else got to work on digging them out. “And Bunga, Pinkie…” She quickly spoke up when they were looking on like they were about to tell a joke. “...please don’t.”

“Okay.”

“We won’t.”

The two reluctantly replied in defeat as they both really wanted to tell it before they could even get a word out of it.

While they were digging, Kinyonga was able to take this time to finally close in on them.

“Don't worry, Mbuni, we’re almost there!” Bunga assured as he and Applejack worked hard in freeing her.

Once she was free, the ostrich herself exclaimed feeling free as a bird. “Oh, at last. Thank you, Lion and Pony Guard. Thank you.”

“Our pleasure.”

“Just doing our job.”

Both leaders humbly replied.

“We won't be needing another dust-bath for a while.” Mbuni commented as she and the other ostriches take their leave.

“Okay, everybody, time for a break.” Kion told the whole group.

“Phew, about time.”

“You said it.”

Both Applejack and Rarity returned as they both took the time to tend to their own needs. For the former, she snacks on an apple, and as for the latter, she blew the very dust that accumulated on her snow white coat until it was sparkling white again.

At that moment, Kinyonga once more made her invisible call nearby. “Lion and Pony Guard!”

“Kinyonga!” Both Twilight and Kion exclaimed upon seeing the chameleon once more.

“Yep, it’s me! And we got a big problem!”

“What is it?”

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s a pony being led into the volcano right now as we speak!” Kinyonga urgently reported.

“A pony?”

“Yep.”

“What did he or she look like?”

Hearing this had sparked sudden worry in Fluttershy’s heart as she is hoping that is not who she thinks is in danger.

“A tall and lanky looking Pegasus stallion with a turquoise coat, a blonde mane tied up together in a bun, with a five o clock shadow on his chin, looked like one of those ponies you see when they get together and mellow out with a smokey product of theirs.”

“Oh, no! Zephyr Breeze!” Fluttershy exclaimed in horror while face hoofing herself. “How the buck did he even manage that!” She briefly stopped before quickly turning to her concerned and shocked friends. “Oh, excuse my language. Again.”

“I’m sorry, is this somepony you know?”

“I’m afraid so. Zephyr Breeze is my brother.”

“Oh...he really means a lot to you.” She then turned to Rainbow Dash. “And who is he to you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Is he your...you know, your boyfriend?”

“What?! No?!” Rainbow groaned as the other had to stifle their chuckles and keep straight faces as they are told these urgent news. “Great! Now everyone in the Outlands is going to spread that slanderous rumor about me!”

“Sorry.”

“No, no, it’s not your fault. He is just so stupid.”

“Got it.” Kinyonga then got everything back on track by adding. “But enough said and now that you all know what’s going on. We have to save him before he is used to force your hooves and paws into surrendering to Scar.”

“Then let’s go!”

“Now!”

Both leaders stated before leading everyone on over to the Outlands towards the very volcano where it’s all going to go down, again.

Inside the volcano, is where Scar himself is appearing in his fiery form as he converses with Janja, Reirei, Kiburi, Mzingo, Ushari, Lightning Dust, Wind Rider.

“So far Kilio Valley is still under our control, and the Lion and Pony Guard are all carrying out with their daily patrol as usual. The princesses along with their king and queen are all standing close to their homes in case something happens to their subjects heavy guarded by their soldiers.” Scar explained to his followers. “But now it’s time to make our next move to further retake the Pride Lands and Equestria.”

“What are you suggesting we do next, Scar?” Ushari asked.

“And what part of the Pride Lands are we taking next?” Kiburi also asked.

“Somewhere where the Pride Lands are at their most vulnerable, somewhere where tension is at an all time high.” Scar then looks on from one of the openings from the volcano as he glanced at various areas in the Pride Lands that are up for grabs through force. “Somewhere out there the truth to that answer lies within the eye of the beholder. Somewhere...”

Just then, Scar managed to catch sight of the clan members peering through the entrance to the caldera. Upon seeing this had him frowning and glaring at them since it was made perfectly clear that they are not invited to bear eyes and ears to this meeting.

“Hyenas, Jackals, Crocs! At the opening to the caldera! What are you doing here?!” He stated loudly enough to get all ears and eyes inside the volcano directing their attention to them. “You know you all aren’t invited to this meeting!”

“You better have a good explanation for this, boys!” Janja added as he angrily growled at his companions for deliberately disobeying him.

“We do! We do!” Cheezi insisted albeit nervously. “In fact, we have someone outside that might of interest to you.”

“Like what? Dinner for everyone here?”

“If it is, Goigoi. It better be plenty for all of us! For your sake!” Reirei chimed in with daggers directed at her husband feeling this is another one of stupid attempts to make himself look good.

“Yeah!” Kiburi stated menacingly as he moved to approach them. “Show us the meat you conjured before we eat you!”

Scar was quick to interject by barking out a command to the crocodile leader. “Stand down, Kiburi! There will be no eating each other here!” Turning his attention back to the dimwitted members of the army he then said sternly. “So? Who’s this special someone you brought all the way out here that’s worth daring to drag your idiotic heads in here at in inopportune time?”

“It’s a pony.” Cheezi then answered.

“A pony. Okay.” Scar motioned his head expecting more details about this particular pony. “Go on.”

“He just so happens to know the Lion and Pony Guard.” Chungu added.

“How so?”

“This pony just so happens to be that kind pony from the Pony Guard’s brother.” Cheezi then said next.

“Really?” Scar looked on intrigued with that little detail brought up.

“Yeah!” Chungu eagerly stated. “And that speedy pony from the Pony Guard’s boyfriend.”

“Interesting.” Scar then moved to disappear and then reappear in his physical body at the edge of the cliff before making his of it while the others stood to the side to give their leader his space. “Bring him in here so we can all get more acquainted with him.” He then turned to the leaders. “As for the rest of you, stand by in the shadows for cover. I would like to have the room with him. Alone.”

“Of course.”

“You got it, Scar.”

“Will do, boss.”

“Read you loud and clear.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.”

Ushari, Janja, Mzingo, Lightning Dust, Wind Rider all complied without questioning it.

“And if not…” Reirei then said next as Kiburi finished.

“...he won’t know what’s happening next before it has already happened.”

Once everyone was out of sight and well-hidden, Scar then turns to the others waiting to guide Zephyr Breeze in. After giving them a nod, they proceeded to follow through with bringing their guest inside the caldera.

“Right this way, pony…”

“...inside where the party is…”

Both Cheezi and Chungu instructed.

Zephyr complied and went inside the caldera without questioning it himself even with strange vibes that something isn’t quite right for him. “Hmm...A funny place to host a party.” He thought to himself before walking on forward inside.

By then from the nearby cover of rocks and just on the hidden pathway leading to the entrance to inside the hottest part of the volcano is where the Lion and Pony Guard are all hiding to avoid being seen. And all while catching a glimpse of the misguided pony going inside to a certain trap.

“Great. A full welcoming committee just waiting for us inside.” Rainbow sarcastically quipped upon seeing the whole army inside there. “What are we going to do now?”

“I don’t know but we do have to do something about it.” Fluttershy returned equally unsure as both Kion and Twilight ponder the situation on how they can pull this off.

After some quick thinking, the princess immediately thought of an idea as she turned to the pony’s sister in question. “Fluttershy, tell me…”

“Hmm…?”

“...is your brother a smooth talker?”

“Yes.” Hearing that gave the certain confirmation she needed before proceeding with what she’s about to propose next.

“Then I think I know how we can get him out of there in a flash."

“How?”

“By putting out all the lights before it all happens.” Starlight answered as she too got the idea. “And given of how Scar covers his bases, it doesn’t take much to know where he’s placed inside.”

“So split up, everyone.” Kion then said next after knowing the plan from there. And everyone did just that right after the sorcerer and sorceress’s of magic worked their invisibility magic on everyone before sneaking inside the volcano.

While this was going on, Zephyr had managed to meet up with Scar, foot to foot, face to face.

“So...your the special pony and friend of the Lion and Pony Guard my followers were talking about, huh?” Scar began and asked.

“Uh, yeah. That’s right. That’s me.” The pony returned honestly and taken aback by the guy’s creepy appearance.

“Well that’s good to hear, it’s always a pleasure meet someone who’s closely associated with the Lion and Pony Guard. It really means a lot to them to have someone they can rely on and trust when it matters.”

Zephyr looked on feeling even more awkward as while he seems honest word for word, he doesn’t seem like he is someone that can be trusted along with dealing with something the pony himself isn’t sure he believes is true or not. “Uh, thanks, um. Good to meet you too.” When he sees that he is only a couple feet away from the half lion and alicorn and he scooted a foot backwards while trying not to make himself look rude and inconsiderate.

Luckily it seemed Scar got the message. “Oh, excuse me for being so eager to meet you. I just wanted to get to meet with you one and one is all. With me, I usually like doing business face to face on even footing. In fact…” He pulled out a documented form. “Just so we know understand each other better, sign right here.” He pointed to the blank line on the bottom of the paper with a levitated pen for him to sign with.

Zephyr responded by laughing it off. “I don’t know about you, but this pony likes to read waivers and contracts before signing them. No offense, mister pony of business.”

Scar simply nodded before replying. “Fair enough.” He vanquished the first document before presenting a new document. One that is blank. “And your name is…”

“Zephyr.”

“Zephyr, can you spell it out for me, please?”

“Sure.” Zephyr complied before signing the blank document with his full name. “Here.”

“Oh, okay! Nice!” Scar then vanquished said items before continuing.

“Yeah, congratulations.” Zephyr sarcastically returned. “So not trying to be rude or anything, but where’s this big party your friends or followers told me was happening inside here, right inside the hottest place in the world?”

“Right here.” Scar replied before making a party set up appear right before him, much to Pinkie’s enraged dismay who had to be restrained and moved aside by Applejack and Rarity so they can make their way on over to the Outsiders waiting to corner and ambush the pony soon to be hostage. “It usually takes me only a second for me to get it set up with my magic so no need to waste time in making a big fuss getting together.”

“True, true, though…” Zephyr noted before voicing his opinion on the matter as the ponies and Pride Landers not capable of magic sneak their way inside while the others hold up the barrier to ensure it doesn’t go off and trap them inside to taste it. “...some things can’t be rushed.” He moves towards the cake on the table. “I mean without proper baking, the cake won’t probably taste as great as it looks.” He then turns to the balloons which deflated and popped due to the extreme heat. “Good balloons need good helium and snacks need to be in good quality… and fresh.” He moved to taste one of the snacks which he cringed in disgust after one bite. “Not criticizing or anything but just saying like art party preparations can’t be rushed.”

“Ah.” Scar returned impressed and delighted at the pony’s intelligence as Pinkie had to be restrained once more by her friends from openly gloating at an inopportune time. “All very good points, young pony. You’re smarter than you look. And to think you may actually get somewhere in life if you actually apply yourself as an artist seeking to succeed.”

“How did you know that I was seeking a career in art?!” Zephyr suspiciously asked.

“You just told me.” Scar simply and correctly pointed out. “And I just put everything I seen here today along with visit here in the Outlands together as I connected the dots to who you are and what you want to do in life. I’m just that kind of guy.” During which the Outsider leaders all got knocked out without warning. Bunga took out Ushari, Pinkie took out Kiburi, Rarity took out Wind Rider, Rainbow Dash took out Lightning Dust, Ono took out Mzingo, Fuli took out Janja, and Applejack tied them all up with a handful of rope she hand handy along with bucking them all out into passing out. “And judging from how you’ve been able to smooth talk a conversation with me like us, I can also tell what you’re trying to do.”

“You do?”

“Yes.” Scar then simply hoisted the pony by the throat with his magic. “Trying to distract me so you can avoid getting out of this fishing trip with me.” He then proceeded to whack and backhand Fluttershy who felt enraged to the point of trying to attack him head on. “So your sister and your friends can come to your rescue.” He then used his magic to snag everyone all in hiding on over towards him and had them floating in front of them in a magical dome together. “While impressive effort on your part, it was still futile from the start.”

“Not quite.” Twilight spoke up before using her tail to smash a vial down through the bubble and on the ground and then used her wings to spread the growing smoke towards Scar to allow her to break herself and the group of their magical binds before disappearing in a flash by the time the smoke cleared.

Even after seeing that everyone has escaped, Scar simply brushed it off like it was no big deal as the pony’s signature on the paper he signed was enough to feel content with another advantage he can use against the Lion and Pony Guard going forward.

After the danger had passed, and everyone was all safely back in Ponyville, everyone all took a minute to catch their breaths before talking it all out.

“Are you okay, Zephyr?” Fluttershy asked in concern towards her brother.

“I am now.” Zephyr replied as he realized how close he was to encountering death that time around. Just then Fluttershy punched him in the arm. “Ow! Hey! What did you that for?!”

“For really scaring me!” Fluttershy snapped. “Going out all the way to the Outlands right in the very heart of danger is one of the stupidest things you’ve ever done!”

“I know.” Zephyr returned without any of his prior arrogance and cockiness. “It was very stupid of me to trust strangers I didn’t know right off of the bat. Then again, had I put that lesson from class to put that into practice, I would have known to say no from the very moment I was lead on towards that volcano.” He then sighed. “Which is quite disappointing considering the Outsiders I talked to were quite friendly, even when they were leading me to the biggest crime boss the world has ever seen.”

“Looks can be deceiving.” Starlight chimed in while being very understanding of what was going through his head. “Sad but true. Even if not everything is all black and white.”

“Like a zebra?”

“No. And don’t get us started on that one particular zebra.”

“Ugh. Thurston.” Fuli groaned knowing full well of who in particular that zebra is.

“Did someone call?” Said zebra asked as he appeared out of nowhere.

“No, we were just talking about how thirsty we are after a long hard working mission.” Fuli returned sarcastically to which the zebra didn’t pick up on.

“Oh, okay. I just thought you were interested in the new song I have proposed for the Pride Lands’s next musical performance.” He then started to dance and to the music starting up around them.

“The Lion and Pony Guard might be tough

But they're really not that bright

That's why they talk to me

I help them make things right

I know so many things like…”

POOF!

And in an instant, the zebra was poofed away from the group courtesy of Starlight’s magic.

“You read my mind, Starlight."

“Mine too.”

Fuli and Kyoga both said in response to the unicorn blowing the smoke off of her horn.

“Sorry everyone, but he was already getting on my nerves.”

“Anyways…” Fluttershy then said moving her attention back to her brother. “...I hope you learned your lesson today, because I was so worried about you. I almost I thought I was going to lose you, today.”

“If it weren’t you and your friends, you sure would have. And I’m sorry I allowed this whole thing to happen.” Zephyr apologized not even denying how he nearly and royally screwed up. “And in answer to your question why I haven’t been able to master the first speed bump a pony with wheels like can and should handle, it’s because…” He then broke down and confessed. “I’m scared. I’m scared of failure. No matter what I can get over the first hurdle life throws at me. I can't do this. I can't do anything."

Fluttershy leaned down next to her brother, trying to reassure him otherwise. "Sure you can, Zephyr. You're smart and talented, and you have what it takes to succeed in life. All you need to do is just remove the chains that are weighing you down from continuing to keep trying.”

Zephyr only whimpered further. "But everypony always looks down on me because everything I tried to do in my life was a failure even when I proved otherwise at times. I thought mane school would finally be my true calling, but instead I’m now about to fail… again. And once my project is presented. I’m sure to be the laughing stock for everypony… again!”

Rainbow Dash shook her head from side to side as she asserted otherwise. "With that way of thinking, then of course you're going to fail. And if you never try, you'll never be able to succeed or do anything.”

“And while it does seem scary pushing forward into the face of danger...that is when not actually looking for trouble of course.” He muttered to himself before resuming out loud. “...Is what you need to do if you ever want to conquer your fear of failing, even when things get tough.”

The lanky Pegasus stallion only protested. "Like I expect you along with everyone else to understand. You all are heroes out traveling the two worlds and saved both Equestria and the Pride Lands a dozen times…”

“Well…” Pinkie chimed in. “...it’s actually thirteen including the three times we saved the Crystal Empire, but hey! Who’s counting?!” She giggled as everyone took a moment to let that random fact moment slide.

“That being said…” Ono continued and then pointed out. “...that doesn’t mean we are exempt from our share of failures. Not even the prince and princess themselves can say otherwise.”

“That’s true.”

“Can’t say we haven’t.”

The two shook their heads before chiming in with their words of wisdom.

“But even when there have been days where we have failed, we still never gave up and kept trying, again and again…”

“...even if takes times for us to get things right and in order. And even when it seems it may never be possible we still kept persisting and never gave up.”

“And for somepony who’s also been afraid that I might fail…” Fluttershy then said next. “...I never let it decide that it would be the end of my time with the Lion and Pony Guard, even when I’m not exactly the bravest, strongest, fastest, fiercest, or even fearless, and most magical of ponies and Pride Landers. And the same can be said for you too Zephyr, as all as you are willing to listen and keep trying yourself.”

“And if you ask me, it’s better than quitting, because it would mean you’d be proving those who doubted before you right.” Rainbow added and pointed out. “And trust me when I tell you that it comes from a true story from someone I know.”

It was there Zephyr began to concede to their point. “That is...true. I guess.”

The animal loving Pegasus then proposed. "Rainbow Dash, Ono, and I would be more than happy to be your volunteers while you practice your mane styling and figure out a unique style that works for you…”

“Provided that you don’t make what almost happened in the Outlands happen again.” Ono quickly threw in.

“That too.”

“Which would be very much appreciated until further notice…”

“...meaning for now, just don’t even think about dragging yourself on over to the Outlands again, even when things don’t work out again.”

Both leaders kindly implored of them.

“That you can be sure of, especially after what their leader almost did to me.” Zephyr promised.

“Great.”

“Good answer.”

“So…” Fluttershy once more continued. “Do we have a deal?”

Reluctantly, Zephyr agreed. "Deal." He then suggestively hoped as he proposed looking at the rainbow maned Pegasus’s direction. “Along with the added stipulation that we could maybe…”

“No, Zephyr! Not even off a random rumor you planted in the small minded heads of the dim-witted Outsider’s heads.”

“Okay, okay. Never mind.”

Their friends all snickered at the pony’s expense who likewise knows she is not going to live this down and neither are the Outsiders (most of them that is).

After all is said and done, Zephyr Breeze returned with Fluttershy to her cottage. She managed to modify one of the rooms in her cottage so her brother could use as a saloon to practice his skills.

Rainbow Dash wasn't exactly thrilled with having to offer her mane up to be his test pony and neither was Ono, but nevertheless both cooperated the best they could with the latter taking the time to quiz Zephyr with every given opportunity he could.

Slowly but surely, as he kept working on the two Pegasus mares' manes along with the egret’s, Zephyr felt more confident with every passing minute. Eventually, inspiration came to him as he knew what he wanted to do, and how he can pass his exam.

Grabbing scissors, a comb and some styling gel, Zephyr Breeze worked hard and fast to style the mane on his ponyquin head, until finally it had been molded into a unique, one of a kind style that combined curly and shaggy together. The very next day, he packed up his things and set off back to mane styling school, ready to take his final exam.

Fluttershy, Ono, and Rainbow Dash were all quite relieved when they heard the news from Spring and Gentle Breeze, Zephyr had passed his exam and is now officially a certified mane stylist.

"Thank you dear, for helping Zephyr regain his confidence, Fluttershy." Gentle Breeze spoke to her daughter upon hearing of Zephyr's success. “Not to mention not giving up on him even when things got tough.”

Spring Breeze nodded in agreement. "It’s like he’s a completely different pony. Like he’s just like new filled with drive of determination."

“Our pleasure.” Ono nodded his head in response as it is nothing new to him. “We’re just glad we saved him before it was too late.” The three share a knowing wink as they promised each other along with Zephyr they won’t tell the parents about what happened in the Outlands.

Rainbow Dash, for her part, just wiped the sweat from her brows. "I'm just glad that Zephyr is now out of my hair, literally."

Just then, the front door of the Breeze family home swung open. And in strolled Zephyr Breeze, wearing a black cape and gown. "Guess who just graduated with honors?!" He proudly declared. "That's right, me! And that’s not all! Thanks to good word from friends from the Lion and Pony Guard." He turned to Fluttershy and Ono, looking at them with a thankful smile. "I got a new job working for Sapphire Shores who just so happens to in Ponyville before heading out on her upcoming tour."

“Cool!”

“Hah, awesome!”

“Congratulations, son!”

“You look so handsome!”

"Oh, I am so proud of you, Zephyr!" Fluttershy cheerfully exclaimed the happiest and proudest of them all. "Looks like your dream is something to look forward after all, Zephyr. You really turned yourself around."

Zephyr nodded. "All thanks to you, Fluttershy. You, Rainbow, and Ono. I couldn't have done it without you greatly encouraging to put more effort and work into my studies even when things got tough. And you all deserve the credit that much." He then smugly grinned at the rainbow maned speedster. along with the white egret. “That being said, Rainbow...”

"Don't even say it." Was all Rainbow Dash could bring herself to say in reply while turning aside with flustered red cheeks due to the embarrassment she endured because of that rumor. “I swear if he tells everyone that false rumor I am going to kill him.”

Both Fluttershy and Ono giggled themselves once more before looking on in pride with what Zephyr has just accomplished.

Elsewhere, back in the Outlands Volcano, Scar is back in his fiery form as he is greeted with two faces inside the caldera.

“Are your followers all ready?” Scar inquired of the two.

“Ready.”

“As always.”

Both King Sombra and Queen Chrysalis replied with sure confidence.

“Good. Because now is the time to put forward another attack that’ll ensure no help from the outside can come to their aid.” He then said as he sets his magic and sights on a visual of the upcoming festival preparations going on in the Crystal Empire along with their very special Crystal Heart. “An attack that’ll certainly change everything going forward.”

“And something I’ll never forget and enjoy.” Sombra added with an equally hungry and vicious grin as he prepares himself for something he has long awaited for ever since the day he fled that very empire...

Author's Note

Okay, before I begin I would like to start off by saying that due to the headache Thurston gives the episode "The Zebra Mastermind." is not part of the series. That said I was able to rework the episode portion itself into this episode with Zephyr as the one guided by the dim-witted Outsiders instead. So that said thank MLPBOY2006 for the suggestion.

Aside from that, this episode pretty much follows to the T aside from a few minor adjustments here and there as said brother of Fluttershy comes to learn a hard lesson about applying himself seriously even when challenges occur. And yes, one scary encounter in the Outlands is more than enough to do the job.

Now that the family of Fluttershy's has something to be celebrate over, next up is another party in the Crystal Empire where King Sombra himself is the guest of honor in this upcoming 4 parter mid season finale so stay tuned for when it happens sometime in August as this series is about to reach 200 episodes thus far so another major milestone coming up here.

And one more thing before I close things off for now, I would like to make it crystal clear that any comments bordering on begging and pleading for this upcoming episode will be stricken from the comments sheet (and yes, I know who), so keep this warning in light before you try.

But enough said, that's all have for now, and stay tuned...