Somewhere in the Wastelands...
The relentless sun hung high in the sky, beating down mercilessly on the barren wasteland below. A lone tumbleweed tumbled lazily across the cracked earth, pushed along by the dry, scorching wind. The skeletal remains of trees stood lifeless, their twisted branches devoid of even the faintest trace of leaves.
Beneath a dusty rock, a small lizard cautiously poked its head out, its scales already prickling under the sun's harsh rays. The heat was unbearable, but hunger outweighed discomfort. Its sharp eyes locked onto a sluggish fly nearby, its tiny tongue flicking out instinctively in anticipation at the sudden meal. Hunger turned to focus, and focus turned to a glimmer of hope as it began its slow crawl toward the unsuspecting prey. Inch by inch it would get closer, being careful not to surprise the morsal.
Before the lizard could make a meal of the insect, a whoosh split the air, a gray blur tearing past in an instant. The resulting gust sent the fly spiraling out of reach, tumbling away into the distance. The lizard froze in stunned disbelief, its once-promising meal now long gone. It turned to glare after the intruder in the distance, raising one tiny fist and shaking it furiously as it hissed what could only be reptilian curses.
Grumbling in frustration, the lizard resigned itself to defeat and began retreating toward its rock—only to yell as he saw something storming way to fast towards his direction. The lizard threw itself to the ground as a blue streak zipped by at impossible speed, kicking up a violent whirlwind in its wake. The lizard clung desperately to the earth as dust and debris whipped around it, its tiny claws digging into the cracked dirt until the storm passed.
Shaking itself off, the lizard peered up with narrowed eyes, watching the blue figure vanish over the horizon as it chased after the gray beast. With a long, exhausted sigh, the lizard trudged back toward its refuge, muttering silently to itself as it disappeared into the cool safety of its crack in the earth.
Some days, it just wasn’t worth crawling out from under the rock.
~~~
“Running away, Egghead?!”
The voice rang sharply in the mustached human’s ears, making him cringe in frustration. Turning around in his Egg Hoverer, he shook a clenched fist at the blue blur trailing behind him. “IT’S EGGMAN! DOCTOR EGGMAN! How hard is it to get that through your thick head, Sonic?!”
Sonic, keeping pace effortlessly, simply smirked as he feigned a look of pity. “Really, Eggy? I have no idea what you’re talking about. Maybe you should get your ears checked. You aren’t getting any younger, y’know.”
“Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!” Eggman barked, slamming a button to accelerate his hovercraft.
Unfazed, Sonic shrugged, his trademark grin widening as he picked up speed to match. “Suit yourself,” he quipped, effortlessly weaving through the twists and turns of the cavern’s dusty pathways. Though the narrow tunnels prevented him from hitting full throttle, tailing Eggman—and pushing his buttons—was satisfying enough.
“You know, Eggy,” Sonic teased, his voice carrying through the cavern, “one of us is gonna run outta steam soon, and I can guarantee it won’t be me. Why don’t you just give up now and save the ozone layer while you’re at it?”
Silence.
Sonic’s ears perked as he tilted his head. “What, no comeback? C’mon, Doc, you’re boring me over here.” Then he heard it—a low, smug laugh echoing ahead. His brow furrowed as suspicion crept in. “Oh, now you’re laughing? Care to share the joke with the rest of us?”
The cavern abruptly opened into a massive clearing, the rocky walls rising like an unbreakable cage. Sonic slowed to a halt, glancing around the wide space with an arched brow. “Well, this is cozy,” he mused, cupping his hands to his mouth. “Olly olly oxen free, Egghead!”
Eggman’s laughter rang out again, this time from above. Sonic looked up to see the rotund scientist hovering smugly in his Egg Hoverer, his glasses gleaming in the sunlight filtering down through cracks in the cavern ceiling.
“Ah, there you are,” Sonic quipped, planting his hands on his hips. “For a second, I thought you’d chickened out and ran away from your beating.”
Eggman smirked, his voice oozing satisfaction. “Why would I leave now, Sonic, when your demise is about to become my greatest masterpiece?”
With a dramatic flourish, Eggman pressed a button on his console.
The ground beneath Sonic began to tremble violently. “Uh-oh…” was all Sonic managed before the earth exploded, sending him hurtling skyward. His arms flailed as he reached the peak of his involuntary flight, gravity taking hold once more. Then his eyes widened in alarm as he came face-to-face with a massive, monstrous worm erupting from the earth. Its slimy body loomed over him, and its gaping maw—filled with spinning blades and jagged teeth—yawned open, ready to devour him whole.
“Oh, great,” Sonic muttered.
Before the worm could snap its jaws shut, something grabbed Sonic’s arms, pulling him to safety just in time. He glanced up with relief to see an orange fox with twin tails spinning like helicopter blades.
“Nice catch, Tails!” Sonic grinned as they soared toward a ledge above.
The fox landed them safely on a nearby cliff, flashing a sheepish smile as he rubbed the back of his head. “No problem, Sonic! Happy to help.”
Their moment of relief didn’t last long, however, as the rocky surface beneath them erupted into dust and rubble. Sonic sprang into action, grabbing tails and jumping away just as something blasted from the walls of the cliff.
“Whoa!” Tails exclaimed, eyes wide. “It’s an Extarian Worm! But—this doesn’t make sense! The largest one ever recorded was only two stories tall! This thing is huge—it’s a scientific breakthrough!”
“Less nerd talk, more helping!” Sonic shot back as he threw tails into the air and out of the way, dashing off to the side just as the worm launched itself towards the pair again.
From above, Eggman cackled gleefully, watching the chaos unfold. “OHOHOHOHO! Whats the matter Sonic? Is the Early worm getting the hog? HAHAHAHAHAHA!!”
Sonic groaned, rolling his eyes even as he kept running. “Geeze. You really should stop getting Orbot to write your jokes. Their even lamer then you are.” Grinning mischievously, Sonic kicked off the wall, angling upward with all the speed he could muster. Eggman’s smug expression faltered as he watched Sonic soar through the air—straight towards him.
“Wait… what?!”
In seconds, Sonic landed squarely on Eggman's machine, arms crossed and a cocky smirk plastered on his face. “Hey, Doc. What’s up?”
“GET OFF, YOU FOOL!” Eggman shrieked, flailing uselessly.
“Why? Seems like a nice and cozy place to stand while i catch my breath.” Sonic glanced down as the worm shot up toward them, its massive tail smashing through the air. “Hoo boy. That thing’s not letting up.” He leaned in, grinning at Eggman. “You sure you don’t wanna call it off? Or are we both gonna be worm food?”
Eggman’s face went pale. “I-I can’t! The tracking chip in the worm only recognizes your energy signature! I can’t stop it!”
Sonic’s smirk vanished. “W-What?!”
Before either of them could react, the worm’s tail lashed upward, smashing into the hovercraft and sending both Sonic and Eggman flying upwards. They screamed in unison, clutching at each other as they plummeted toward the worm’s waiting and hungry maw.
But just before they met their end, a swirling vortex suddenly opened beneath them, swallowing them whole. Then, as quickly as it had appeared, the portal snapped shut, leaving behind a confused Tails and a very disappointed worm.
“…Wa...What just happened?”
~~~
A lavender unicorn mare gaped in awe at just how many bodies could fit into Ponyville's seemingly compact Town Hall. It felt like every pony in town was there, with pegasi hovering overhead and others crowding balconies along the walls.
A bright pink pony, the same one who had startled her earlier that day, suddenly popped up at her side, jabbering what was akin to nonsense, “Isn’t this exciting? Are you excited? ‘Cause I’m excited! I’ve never been so excited—well, except for when I saw you walk into town, and I went gasp, but who could top that?!”
The purple unicorn shook her head, tuning out the chattebox just as a butter-yellow pegasus led a flock of birds in a fanfare. All eyes turned toward the stage as the mayor—a tan mare with graying mane and glasses—stepped forward.
“Fillies and gentlecolts! As Mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!” Her voice rang proudly. “In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise and celebrate this, the longest day of the year.”
The lavender mare glanced toward the moon through an upper window, her eyes widening as a cluster of stars collided with it—the dark image of the Mare in the Moon vanished. Her stomach sank.
This can’t be happening. I didn’t have time to warn…I didn’t have time to prepare!
“Now, it is my great honor to introduce to you, the ruler of our land,” the mayor announced, “the pony who gives us the sun and moon each day, Princess Celestia!”
Curtains were drawn. Birds chirped. A spotlight illuminated… nothing.
Gasps rippled through the hall.
The lavender mare whispered, “This can’t be good.”
The mayor tried to calm the murmurs. “Remain calm! There must be a reasonable explanation.”
The pink pony chimed in with glee, “Ooh! Is she hiding?”
A white unicorn with a purple mane emerged behind the curtain in a frantic state. “She’s gone!”
The crowd erupted in horrified gasps. Except for the pink one. “Ohh, she’s good!”
A swirling mist began to gather on the balcony where Celestia should have stood. It darkened and scattered, revealing a tall, pitch-black alicorn mare. Her cyan eyes, slitted like a dragon’s, scanned the room, her starlit mane flowing as though caught in a phantom wind. She wore a regal lavender helmet and breastplate emblazoned with a crescent moon.
The lavender unicorn’s voice trembled. “Oh no… Nightmare Moon.”
Her little dragon assistant that was standing by her side up until now fainted dramatically.
The dark alicorn above them spoke with a chilling regality. “Oh, my beloved subjects. It’s been so long since I’ve seen your precious, sun-loving faces.”
A cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane shot forward, pointing her hoof accusingly. “What did you do with our princess?!”
An orange pony yanked her back by the tail before she did something she would have regretted. “Simmer down, Rainbow Dash.”
Nightmare Moon chuckled darkly. “Why? Am I not royal enough for you? Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?”
The lavender unicorn spoke up, louder this time. “I did! And I know who you are… you’re the Mare in the Moon—Nightmare Moon!”
The crowd gasped again.
Nightmare Moon’s eyes narrowed in intrigue. “Well, well, well. Somepony who remembers me. Then you must know why I’m here.”
The unicorn faltered. “You’re here to… to…”
Nightmare Moon’s laughter echoed through the hall. “Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth… the night will last forever!" Her mane erupted, spiraling into a storm of darkness and lightning.
“I won’t let you!” the lavender mare shouted, her voice trembling but firm. “I know who you are! And I know how to stop you! Just give up now or… or…” Her words faltered as Nightmare Moon turned her icy gaze on her, a wicked smile curling across her dark muzzle.
“Well, well… a little hero in our midst,” Nightmare Moon purred, her voice dripping with condescension. “How adorable. can't let such defiance go unpunished now, can I?”
Before the lavender unicorn could react, Nightmare Moon’s horn flared, unleashing a beam of dark magic directly at her. Desperation took over the unicorn. Her horn glowed instinctively as she summoned her magic to defend herself, though it flared far stronger than she intended. Instead of simply deflecting the attack, her spell burst with raw energy made it vanish before splitting open a hole in midair.
Two loud, panicked screams echoed through the hall as something—or rather someones—was hurled out of the void, landing hard on the floor with a pair of unceremonious thuds. All eyes soon turned to the bizarre newcomers.
One of them was thin and blue, with spiky hair and bright red shoes, his face contorted into a mix of shock and confusion. The other, a tall red figure with shades and an unmistakable air of annoyance, sat up groaning.
The blue one recovered first, shoving the round one aside as he adjusted a red scarf draped around his neck. “Well, uh… that was surprisingly convenient, the hole opening up out of nowhere I mean,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his head. He glanced around the hall, taking in the crowd of ponies for the first time. “Huh… a room full of colorful horses. Definitely didn’t see that coming. Weird, but not the weirdest day I’ve had.”
“What is the meaning of this?!” Nightmare Moon roared, her horn crackling with menace as she stomped her hoof. “Who are you?!”
The blue creature turned toward her and raised an eyebrow, blinking. “Okay… correction. Colorful talking horses. Now it’s the weirdest day.” He shot an annoyed look at his round companion. “Alright, what did you break this time, Eggman?”
“Me?! This isn’t my doing, you meddlesome rodent!” The one called Eggman barked back, struggling to his feet. “If anyone’s to blame, it’s you and your incessant interference!”
“Silence!” Nightmare Moon bellowed, her patience snapping as dark energy surged around her. “You dare to ignore me?!” Without warning, her horn flared again, firing a beam of magic straight at the blue figure.
“Look out!” the lavender mare cried in alarm.
But the blue creature was already moving. In a blink, he leapt out of the way, the beam striking the floor where he’d stood, leaving a scorched mark in its wake. He landed effortlessly, crouched in a ready stance, eyes wide but gleaming with amusement.
“Whoa!” he exclaimed, standing up and dusting himself off. “Someone’s got anger issues. Did we interrupt a bad day or something?”
Nightmare Moon’s eyes glowed dangerously, her horn charging with dark energy once more. “Who are you, demon?! Speak before I obliterate you!”
The blue figure waved his hands nonchalantly, completely unfazed. “Whoa, whoa, easy there! No need to jump to ‘obliteration,’ and definitely no need for name-calling. I mean we just met after all.” He grinned, adjusting the fabric wrapped around his wrists. “If you really must know, I’m Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog!” He shifted into a confident stance, his smirk practically radiating defiance. “And judging by the looks on everyone’s faces, you’re not exactly Miss Popular around here, are ya?”
Nightmare Moon's eyes narrowed dangerously, her cyan gaze gleaming with icy contempt. Shadows swirled around her, coiling like snakes as her dark magic crackled ominously. “You dare mock me with your insolence, you wretched creature? You will bow before me, or be destroyed!”
Sonic casually stretched his arms over his head, rolling his shoulders as if the alicorn’s threats were little more than background noise. “Wow. Bow or be destroyed? You really went straight for the villain starter kit of lines, huh? Points for sticking to tradition, I guess.” He smirked before rubbing his nose with his thumb. “Right then! You wanna play?” pointed towards the Alicorn. “Then let's play!”
Author's Note
Redoing this one
The tension in Ponyville's Town Hall was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Twilight Sparkle couldn’t tear her eyes away from the scene unfolding before her. That strange blue creature—Sonic, he’d said his name was—stood with unwavering confidence, his cocky smirk never faltering as he faced down Nightmare Moon.
“You stand before me, creature, unafraid.” The dark alicorn scoffed. “Either you are a fool… or you have a death wish.”
Sonic chuckled, folding his arms as he leaned back slightly. “Nah, neither. I’m just not big on bowing to bullies, y’know?” He shrugged, giving her a look of mock pity. “All this doom and gloom stuff? Kinda overdone. You might wanna workshop your whole ‘eternal night’ gig—maybe add some fireworks or a musical number.”
Twilight’s jaw dropped. He’s taunting her. He’s actually taunting Nightmare Moon!
Nightmare Moon’s mane flared, her magical aura swirling like a tempest. Her icy glare locked onto Sonic, and her voice dripped with disdain. “You dare mock me, worm? I am Nightmare Moon! The eternal night is mine to command, and you will kneel before me!”
Sonic tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Mmm, yeah, no. I think I’ll pass.”
“Who do you think you are, insect? Do you truly believe you can challenge me, an all-powerful Alicorn?!” Nightmare Moon bellowed, her voice thunderous, punctuated by a flash of lightning that illuminated the hall.
Sonic rolled his eyes, his grin only growing wider. “Look, Moonpie, I get it. You’re the big bad, queen of dramatic speeches and flashy light shows. You should see Eggy on a good day. Has his name in neon and everything.” He crouched slightly, his legs tensing like springs, and his eyes gleaming with confidence. As for your question…I don’t think, lady. I know.”
With a glare of pure malice, Nightmare Moon's horn flared to life, unleashing a searing beam of black energy aimed directly at the cocky hedgehog. The room filled with gasps and cries as everypony turned away, flinching as the dark magic collided with its target. When the brilliant light of the impact faded, the spot where Sonic had stood was empty, leaving only scorched stone in his place.
An ominous silence fell over the room, broken only by Nightmare Moon's low, sinister chuckle. Her lips curled into a cold smile as she surveyed the scene. “Heh... That’s what happens to those who dare defy me.”
Twilight Sparkle stared at the empty spot in horror, her breath catching in her throat. “You… you killed him,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
For a brief moment, something flickered in Nightmare Moon’s expression—an almost imperceptible shadow of hesitation, a crack in her menacing facade. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a sneer of cruel disdain. “Of course I did,” she said with a chilling calm. “Fools who oppose me meet the fate they deserve. Speaking of which…”
Her horn began to glow again, dark magic crackling and swirling as she turned her attention to Twilight. “It’s time for you to meet your en—”
“Laughing before you confirm the hit…for shame Moonpie.” a familiar, smug voice called out from behind her.
Nightmare Moon froze, her eyes widening in disbelief as she whipped around. There, leaning casually against a broken column, was Sonic, completely unscathed and looking as confident as ever. He waggled a finger at her. “Sup Nighty. Did ya miss me?” He sniggered at the joke. “Get it? Cause you didn’t hit me before…Boy…Do I crack myself up.”
The room was deathly quiet, save for the faint sound of a pony stifling a laugh—likely Pinkie Pie. Nightmare Moon’s mane whipped violently around her as her fury reignited, her teeth grinding audibly.
“You insufferable pest!” she roared, “I will-! The mare cringed as she threw a hoof to her head. After a moment she breathed before glaring at the hedgehog. Her eyes seemed to flicker, from that of her piercing catlike gaze to more…kinder one. It only lasted a second before she spoke. “Do not get in my way again, hedgehog. Or it will be the last mistake you ever make.”
Nightmare Moon’s glare lingered on Sonic for a moment longer, her expression torn between fury and something far less certain. Then, without another word, her body dissolved into a swirling wisp of dark smoke. The mist coiled and spiraled upward, slipping through a nearby window and vanishing into the night.
Sonic frowned, his confident smirk replaced by a thoughtful expression. “Well, that was... weird.” He hopped down from the broken column, landing lightly on the floor. “Guess she couldn’t handle my charm.” He dusted off his gloves, about to make another quip when—
“Hold it right there!” a voice barked.
Before Sonic could react, a pair of armored pegasi guards tackled him from both sides, pinning him to the ground with surprising force. He let out a startled yelp as the cold steel of their spears pressed against his neck.
“Whoa, whoa, easy there, fellas!” Sonic protested, his hands raised in surrender. “I’m on your side!”
The guards didn’t loosen their grip, their eyes narrow and suspicious. “You’ll forgive us if we don’t take your word for it,” one of them growled. “We don’t know what you are or where you came from, but you’re clearly dangerous.”
Sonic sighed, rolling his eyes. “Dangerous? Me? Look, I know I’m fast, but that’s no reason to—”
“Quiet!” the other guard snapped, his spear pressing a little closer.
Twilight Sparkle hurried forward, standing in front of them “Wait! Stop! He clearly tried to fight her! He’s not a threat!” her gaze fell on the hedgehog. “Right?”
Sonic craned his neck slightly to meet Twilight’s gaze, his signature smirk creeping back despite the sharp spear tips at his throat. “Not a threat? Absolutely! Well, unless you’re a bad guy, in which case... yeah, I’m kind of a huge threat.” He winked, clearly unfazed by the situation. “But you’re good guys, so no worries, right?”
The guards exchanged skeptical glances, their grips on him not loosening just yet. “Miss Sparkle,” one said, his voice cautious, “with all due respect, we can’t just trust this... thing. He might have fought Nightmare Moon, but how do we know it wasn’t some kind of trick?”
Twilight frowned but stood her ground. “I saw him. He didn’t hesitate to stand up to her when the rest of us couldn’t. Nightmare Moon’s attacks were all aimed at him. If he was on her side, why would she do that?”
One of the guards hesitated, clearly considering her point. “It could’ve been a distraction...”
Twilight shook her head, her tone growing firmer. “And what if it wasn’t? What if he’s exactly what we need right now? He might be the only one fast enough to stand up to her if she comes back.”
“Hey, I appreciate the vote of confidence,” Sonic quipped as he raised a hand awkwardly, still pinned under the guards. “Really, I do. But, uh, maybe we could skip to the part where I’m not on the floor?”
Twilight huffed, her horn glowing softly as she gently nudged the guards back. “Let him up. He’s not our enemy.”
The guards reluctantly stepped away, keeping their spears at the ready as Sonic got to his feet and dusted himself off. “Whew, thanks,” he said, stretching. “I was starting to think I’d need to outrun these guys too.”
Twilight frowned, her eyes narrowing slightly as she watched Sonic stretch. “You said your name is Sonic, right?”
Sonic gave her a casual nod, brushing some dust off his gloves. “That’s me. Sonic the Hedgehog, fastest thing alive.”
Her gaze shifted briefly to the spears still in the guards’ hooves before returning to Sonic. “Alright, Sonic… then who’s he?” She pointed toward the corner of the room where another figure was similarly pinned to the floor by a pair of guards, struggling and grumbling under his breath.
Sonic turned his head, and his grin returned. “Oh, him? That’s Dr. Egghead. Mad scientist extraordinaire, professional pain in my side, and—” he cupped a hand around his mouth as if sharing a secret “—also probably the slowest thing alive.”
Eggman, red-faced and fuming, twisted his neck as much as he could to glare at Sonic. “Don’t think for a second this means you’ve won, you meddlesome rodent! I’ll have my revenge!”
Sonic leaned on a nearby column, his smirk widening. “Yeah, yeah, you’ve been saying that for years, Doc. Still waiting for it to happen, Eggy.”
Twilight glanced between the two of them, her frown deepening. “So you know each other? Are you… allies?”
Sonic’s laughter filled the room, loud and genuine. “Allies? Oh, that’s a good one!” He wiped a pretend tear from his eye. “Nah, we’re not allies. Far from it. He’s more like…hmm… a roommate I can never get rid of.”
Twilight raised an eyebrow at the comparison, her tone skeptical. “A… roommate?”
Sonic shrugged, still grinning. “Well, we don’t exactly live together, but we run into each other so often it might as well be that way. You know how it is—he cooks up a crazy scheme, I show up to stop him, he yells something about revenge, rinse and repeat.”
Eggman huffed, still pinned under the guards, his mustache twitching with irritation. “I am not some bothersome roommate, you insufferable pest! I am Doctor Eggman, a genius inventor and the soon-to-be ruler of all worlds!” He struggled against the guards, only to wince when one pressed a hoof to his shoulder.
Sonic waved a hand dismissively. “Yeah, yeah, ‘genius,’ ‘ruler,’ we’ve all heard it before. Don’t mind him, Sparkle. He talks a big game but never follows through.”
Twilight’s frown deepened as she processed Sonic’s words, her mind racing with questions. “If you’re not allies, then why are you both here? Did you come through the same portal?”
Sonic nodded, his expression turning slightly more serious. “That’s the weird part. One second, we’re in our world—me chasing Egghead here as usual—and the next, this giant portal opens up and sucks us in. Poof, we’re here, and Moonpie’s throwing a hissy fit.”
Twilight blinked. “Moonpie?”
“Nightmare Moon,” Sonic clarified with a grin. “Y’know, big, scary, all-powerful alicorn who’s really into the whole eternal-night thing.”
Twilight gave him a deadpan look. “I gathered that.”
Pinkie Pie suddenly bounced into the conversation, giggling. “Moonpie! I love it! It makes her sound so much less scary. Like, who’s afraid of dessert?”
Sonic chuckled. “Exactly. Gotta take the edge off when you’re dealing with bad guys. Keeps things fun.”
Twilight shook her head, exasperated but unable to suppress a tiny smile. “Alright, enough.” She sighs. “Listen…are you…serious about helping us?”
“Absolutely,” he said, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness. “Look, I get it. You’ve got every reason to doubt me—random guy shows up out of nowhere, cracking jokes, and acting like he’s got it all figured out. But trust me, when it comes to taking down big bads, I don’t mess around.”
Twilight opened her mouth to respond, but before she could get a word out, an orange earth pony wearing a well-worn cowboy hat stepped forward. Her steady green eyes locked onto Sonic’s emerald gaze, her expression firm and unreadable. The air grew still as she scrutinized him, her presence commanding without a single word.
Sonic blinked, his confident grin faltering slightly as he tilted his head. “Uh… hey there, cowgirl. Can I help you?”
Applejack didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she took a slow step closer, her eyes never leaving his. “Ah don’t reckon we’ve met before, hedgehog,” she said, her Southern drawl measured and deliberate. “But Ah’ve seen my fair share of smooth talkers, and most of ’em don’t mean half the things they say.”
Sonic straightened, his grin returning, though it was tinged with curiosity. “Well, I guess I’m the exception, then. Everything I say? One hundred percent true.”
Applejack’s gaze narrowed ever so slightly, her voice calm but firm. “That so? Then let’s get one thing straight. If yer serious ’bout helpin’ us, Ah need to know somethin’.” She leaned in slightly, her voice low. “When push comes to shove, are ya the kinda fella who’s gonna stick around? Or are ya just gonna run off when things get tough?”
The room went quiet as the others watched the exchange. Sonic’s expression shifted, his grin fading into something more sincere. He held Applejack’s gaze, the weight of her question settling over him.
“I don’t run away from a fight,” he said, his tone steady and confident. “When things get tough, that’s when I’m at my best. You’ve got my word, cowgirl—I’m not going anywhere.”
Applejack studied him for another moment, her green eyes searching his face. Then, after what felt like an eternity, she gave a small nod and stepped back. She turned towards the purple pony with a smile. “He’s telling the truth Twilight…”
“What! But…But…how do you know Applejack?” Twilight said.
Applejack turned her head slightly, her smile unwavering as she glanced back at Twilight. “Simple, sugarcube. Honesty’s kinda my thing. Ah can tell when somepony—or someone—is tellin’ the truth, and this hedgehog here ain’t lyin’.”
Twilight blinked, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to process Applejack’s words. “Wait, you’re saying… you can just tell when someone’s being honest?”
Applejack nodded, tipping her hat. “Eeyup. It’s somethin’ Ah’ve always been good at. Comes in mighty handy on the farm and when dealin’ with ponies who think they’re slicker than a greased pig. This fella”—she gestured toward Sonic—“he means what he says.”
Sonic crossed his arms, a smirk creeping back onto his face. “Well, glad to see someone’s got faith in me. Thanks, cowgirl.”
“Name’s Applejack,” she said with a small chuckle. “And don’t go gettin’ a big head now. Ah’ll be watchin’ to make sure you keep your word.”
“Fair enough,” Sonic replied, giving her a playful salute. “Right them. Time for me to find Moonpie and kick some sense into her, Hedgehog style.” He paused. “Though…Gotta figure out where she went. Usually I would ask Tails to back me up here but I’m down one fox boy.”
Twilight straightened her posture, her expression resolute. “Actually, I might know where we can find her.”
Sonic raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. “We?”
“Yes, we,” Twilight replied firmly. “I’m coming with you.”
Sonic blinked before bring up his hands, making the letter ‘T’ with it. “Time out. You wanna come with me to take on Moonpie?”
Twilight nodded without hesitation. “I’ve been studying Nightmare Moon even before I came to Ponyville, researching the prophecy. I was already planning to stop her before you and… he”—she motioned toward Eggman, who let out an indignant huff—“showed up. This is my world, my responsibility, and I’m going to see this through to the end.”
Sonic tilted his head, appraising her determination for a moment. Then, with a shrug and a grin, he said, “Well, alright, Sparkle. If you’re that determined, welcome to Team Hedgehog.”
“Hey! Don’t leave me out of this!”
Both Sonic and Twilight turned to see a blue pegasus with a rainbow-colored mane landing beside them. Her magenta eyes darted toward the blue hedgehog, brimming with curiosity and excitement. “No way am I missing out on anything this awesome!”
“Rainbow Dash,” came a refined voice from the group’s right. The white unicorn with a perfectly curled purple mane stepped forward, her blue eyes firm with determination. “This is hardly what I’d call ‘awesome.’ It’s a serious matter and must treat it as such.”
Rainbow raised an eyebrow, giving her unicorn friend a skeptical look. “Wait… you’re coming too, Rarity?”
Rarity gave a delicate nod, her head held high. “Indeed. I may not be thrilled about stomping through a dreadful forest, but I refuse to let Twilight go into danger without support—even if she’s accompanied by…” Her gaze flicked toward Sonic, appraising his appearance. “…an unusually dressed… individual.”
Sonic turned toward Twilight, jabbing a thumb in Rarity’s direction. “Why do I get the feeling I was insulted just now?”
“OH, OH! I WANT TO COME TOO!” exclaimed a bright pink pony with a bouncy, curly mane, energetically hopping toward the group. “Hi, that’s me, Pinkie Pie, by the way!” she added with a cheerful grin.
“Um… I-I’d like to go too… if that’s alright…” came a soft, timid voice from behind Rainbow Dash. A butter-yellow pegasus with a long pink mane peeked out cautiously. She shuffled her hooves before continuing, “I mean… only if it’s okay with everyone. You don’t have to let me…”
Applejack raised an eyebrow at the two newcomers. “Why do y’all wanna tag along?”
Fluttershy hesitated, glancing nervously at the blue hedgehog standing in their midst. “I-I’ve never seen a hedgehog like him before…” Her cheeks turned a faint pink as she lowered her gaze. “And I thought… maybe I could ask him a few questions? If that’s alright…”
Sonic looked her over for a moment, then grinned and gave her a thumbs-up. “Questions? Sure thing! The more, the merrier.”
Applejack adjusted her hat, her tone resolute. “Well, if Fluttershy’s comin’, then so am I. Can’t let her go marchin’ into Celestia knows where without someponykeepin’ an eye on her.”
“Hey, what about me?!”
The group turned to see Eggman still pinned under the watchful eyes of the two guards. His face was flushed with indignation as he struggled fruitlessly against their grip.
“You can’t just leave me here, Sonic!” he bellowed, his voice laced with desperation. “I demand you take me with you!”
Sonic tapped his chin thoughtfully, a teasing grin playing on his lips as he stared at the doctor. “Hmm… should I? Should I not? Decisions, decisions…”
Eggman growled, his mustache twitching in frustration. “SONIC!”
“Alright, alright!” Sonic relented with a laugh, raising his hands. “You can come too, Egghead.”
Twilight gave a reluctant nod, signaling the guards to release the disgruntled scientist. They stepped back, allowing Eggman to straighten his jacket and regain some semblance of dignity. As he adjusted his glasses, he shot Sonic a withering glare before turning to Twilight, a forced smile creeping across his face.
“Well, now that I’m free,” Eggman began, clasping his hands behind his back, “how shall we go about locating this… ‘Nightmare?’” He shuddered slightly as he said the name, clearly unimpressed by the ominous pun.
Twilight smiled, a glimmer of determination in her eyes as she gestured toward the door. “First stop: the library! If we’re going to face Nightmare Moon, we’ll need all the knowledge we can get.”
~~~
Sonic whistled as soon as he entered the tree home, his eyes scanning the towering shelves. “Whoa, Sparks, you weren’t kidding about the books. Do you actually read all these, or are they just for show?”
Twilight shot him a glare as she walked toward a nearby couch, dropping off what looked like a giant purple lizard that had been riding upon her back. “Of course I read them! Knowledge is the foundation of—” She paused mid-lecture, catching the bemused look on Sonic’s face. “Never mind. Let’s just focus on what we came here for.”
Eggman huffed, brushing some imaginary dust off his jacket. “A quaint collection, to be sure. Though hardly on par with my own archives of knowledge.” His tone dripped with condescension as he examined a nearby bookshelf. “Still, I suppose even this might have something useful.”
Applejack rolled her eyes, stepping past him. “If y’all are done admirin’ the furniture, we’ve got work to do. Twilight, where do we start?”
Twilight levitated a stack of books onto the table, flipping through them with practiced ease. “We’re looking for anything about the Elements of Harmony. They’re the key to stopping Nightmare Moon.”
Rarity, taking care not to disturb her perfectly styled mane, daintily approached the table. “Twilight, darling, surely you have a specific book in mind? Something less... dusty, perhaps?”
Twilight sighed, her magic flipping through pages at a breakneck pace. “Dusty or not, Rarity, these books hold the knowledge we need. The Elements of Harmony are ancient and powerful. We can’t afford to miss even the smallest detail.”
Sonic leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at his lips. “You’re telling me you’ve got magic doodads that can stop someone like Nightmare Moon, but you don’t even know where to find them? Sounds like a real solid plan.”
Twilight shot him another glare, but her focus didn’t waver. “We’re working on that, thank you very much. It’s not like we have a handy instruction manual.”
Eggman, who had started leafing through a book himself, chuckled dryly. “Clearly, this is why meticulous planning and superior intellect triumph over reliance on myth and happenstance.” He cast a pointed glance at Sonic. “Some of us understand the value of preparation.”
“Oh, please,” Sonic shot back. “Your idea of preparation is building a thousand robots just for me to smash. I think we’ll be fine without your genius, doc.”
Applejack stepped between them, her patience clearly thinning. “Will y’all cut it out? Ain’t nobody got time for this bickerin’. Twilight’s tryin’ to save Equestria, and we could use a little less jawin’ and a little more helpin’.”
Twilight huffed as she placed the book she had been looking at away. “Nothing here either. Gah! If only I had more time I could have looked for a book at least pointing towards the Elements of Harmony.”
Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared next to Twilight, seemingly out of nowhere, and with an exaggerated flourish, she slammed a hefty book onto the desk. A loud thud echoed through the room, sending up a small cloud of dust.
“Ta-da!” Pinkie exclaimed with a wide grin. “How about this one? The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide! Sounds like exactly what we’re looking for, doesn’t it?”
Twilight’s eyes widened, and her magic immediately grabbed the book. “Pinkie! Where did you find this?” she asked, flipping through the pages as quickly as her magic allowed.
“Oh, it was just sitting on that bookshelf over there.” Pinkie gestured casually to a dusty corner of the library. “It practically jumped out at me! Or maybe I jumped at it. Either way, we found each other!”
Twilight huffed, shaking her head in mild exasperation, but she opened the book nonetheless. Her eyes scanned the first page, and she began to read aloud, her voice tinged with both curiosity and urgency.
“There are six elements, but only five are known: Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, and Loyalty. The sixth element was a mystery kept a mystery, so nopony could use the power for evil. It is said that the last known location of the Elements of Harmony was the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters, hidden deep within the…Everfree Forest…”
Fluttershy fainted.
