The White Tailby Matias LongstrideChaptersPrologueChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Prologue“The White Tail” Prologue Written by Matias Longstride Edited by Abyss136 Fifteen years ago in the familiar land of Equestria… A bird can be heard singing its song while perched on an ancient tree, swaying in the wind near the edge of the forest. Five Pegasi can be heard tearing through the sky, leaving a trail of smoke behind them. Startled, the bird flies off as it hears the roaring of hundreds of ponies nearby. Upon discovering the source of this disturbance, it discovers a massive stadium filled to the brim with ponies staring at the announcer with anticipation. “Ladies and Gentlecolts! I am proud to present to you…The Wonderbolts!” Right on cue, The Wonderbolts did their usual routine of flying over the stadium, performing their signature moves. As they passed over the crowd, all five hundred ponies began stomping the ground, cheering and whooping. These ponies are from the nearby town of Celeston, a small city-port sitting on the western coast of Equestria. The city is made up of many small two-story buildings each leading to the center of town, where a beautiful statue of Princess Celestia can be seen. Not everypony went to go watch the Wonderbolts that day. A family of four Earth ponies decided to take the opportunity to spend some good ‘ol family time at the beach. A cream-colored mare was watching her young colt from the waters edge, and said with a hint of worry, “Branching, you better be careful in the water; the current might drag you out to sea!” This is Aedre Palm, whom would rather be called Miss Palm. Looking over at her with his blue eyes, the overconfident Branching replied, “Ha-ha, very funny Mom, like as if it could!” He continued his epic battle with the waves, only to be tossed ashore again and again. A leaf-green stallion trotted over to stand beside Aedre. “Son!” The little light-brown colt perked up. “You better listen to your mother, or else you will be doing nothing but bucking coconuts for the next three days.” This is Magnus Palm, the proud owner of The Palm Family Farm, as well as the husband of Aedre Palm. His cutie mark is a coconut split in half, while Miss Palm’s is a sugar palm fruit. They usually sell well over a hundred palm tree fruits a week, especially coconuts, which is what the Palm family is well known for, due to its sweet and exotic taste. Branching quickly fell into line, standing at the edge of the water, with a look of defeat on his face. The family started walking up the beach with the ocean facing their right, the colt still staring dejectedly at the water. Looking over at his wife with concern, Magnus asked, “Aren’t you having fun at all? You always seem stressed out.” Aedre sighed and replied, “Well, it’s not easy watching over two eight year old foals.” Magnus snickered at this, and then replied, “And here I thought the beach would make everypony relax. Speaking of relaxing, where is our filly?” As if he somehow managed to summon her by sheer will, a ball of sea-green fur came rolling out from the sand dunes beside them, causing sand to fly everywhere. Everypony jumped back in surprise from her entrance as well as from the sand storm she created. After shaking the sand from their faces, they see her sitting there with an innocent smile on her face, giggling. “Booyah!” exclaimed the little filly, punching a hoof in the air. “Can I do that again?!?” Branching angrily responded, “No Mayflower, you cannot do that again; I got sand in my eyes because of you!” “But it’s sooo much fun!” Noticing Aedre’s stress level rising, Magnus hoofed in, saying, “No! No more!” Trying to change the subject, Magnus said, “Hay, I have an idea, how about you two look for some seashells?” Aedre gave him a thankful look as both Branching and Mayflower immediately trotted ahead of them in search of seashells. Following her little hunters, Aedre noticed something odd floating in the water. “Honey… HONEY!” she yelled, trying to get his attention, still staring wide-eyed at the water. “Hmm?” Magnus responded, and looked over to see what his wife was staring at. He suddenly froze in place, realizing that not just something, but SOMEPONY was drifting just offshore. As he galloped towards the ocean, both Branching and Mayflower turned to see what the commotion was all about. “Kids, stay with you mother!” Magnus yelled as he dashed out into the water. He hurriedly swam over to the motionless figure, and reached him just in time before he slipped below the water’s surface. As he quickly pulled the from the cold clutches of the ocean, he saw that it was an ice blue Pegasus colt with a vibrant green mane and tail. He swam under the young colt, making sure he was on his back, and made his way back to his family, who were waiting anxiously on the beach. As Magnus reached the shore, Aedre and her foals gasped in shock, fearing the worst. Despite Aedre’s attempts to distract her kids from the scene, Mayflower asked, “Is he gonna be okay?” “Hush now dear...” was all Aedre could say. Once Magnus laid the unconscious colt down gently onto the sand, he realized that the little Pegasus could not be older than his own two foals. Wasting no time, he performed CPR on the young colt, attempting to break him from death’s grasp. Just when Magnus thought it was too late, the colt suddenly jolted awake, spewing water into the air. He gingerly opened his eyes, started tearing up, and then began to cry. Magnus secretly smiled at his success, thanking his rescue classes for the techniques he used. Seeing her husband successfully save the colt, Aedre and her foals trot up to the pair. “Hey there, little guy. It’s ok; you’re safe now. There’s nothing to be afraid of.” Magnus said with sincerity in his voice, all while scratching the back of the little colt’s ear. The little colt glanced up at them with his icy blue eyes, and mumbled something incoherently. Mayflower abruptly asked, “What’s yer name?” “Yes, what’s your name cutie?” Aedre asked. The shaken colt suddenly replied with a panicked look on his face, “I…I-I don’t remember...” “What do you mean? Do you even know what happened to you?” The colt got up slowly, only to quickly fall back down with a loud thud. “Do…d-do you know what happened to me?” asked the colt. Magnus replied, saying, “We aren’t sure; we saw you floating on the ocean’s surface not ten minutes ago.” Convinced the shivering colt was suffering from amnesia, both Magnus and Aedre decided to bring him to the local doctor. “Here, let’s get you into town to go see Doctor Clover.” said Aedre with a smile. “O…Ok…what’s a Doctor Clover?” And then suddenly the colt passed out. Aedre couldn’t help but giggle at his question; it was adorable how he said it. They went into town with the little colt on Magnus’ back, when Branching spoke up, “Since he doesn’t know his name, can we give him one?” Aedre and Magnus smiled at each other, and Magnus looked over to Branching and said, “And what would you name him, hmm?” Mayflower pounced in on the chance, saying, “Oh! Umm, how about Limpy? Or something like Blueberry… Oh wait Bubbles! Bubbles can work!” “I don’t think a young colt would want to be called Bubbles.” Magnus said to Mayflower, who kept trying to come up with good names. Branching merely said, “I don’t have a clue.” They came up to the Doctor’s house and knocked on the door. Luckily for them, Doctor Clover was not really interested in watching the Wonderbolts perform. The top half of the door opens, revealing the old pony. “Oooh! Well, if it isn’t the Palms! What can I do fer ya?” Doctor Clover was an old Unicorn, with faint orange fur, a grey beard and mane, a black flat cap, and glasses. His cutie mark was that of a red knee hammer. He glanced over at the unconscious colt on Magnus’ back with his shining green eyes, adjusted his glasses, and asked, “Is he alright? The lad looks like he had more cider than he could handle, eh?” Magnus quickly responded, before his agitated wife could yell at the clueless Doctor, saying, “He was found floating in the ocean, and I actually saved his life. He doesn’t remember who he is, or what happened to him, for that matter.” Doctor Clover’s glasses slid off a little as he thought, “Hmmm… these blackouts are usually due to too much fruit juice or something of the sort, but something seems amiss here...” After re-adjusting his glasses and clearing his throat, he waved them in while opening the rest of the door. When everypony was inside, he asked in a more serious tone, “Well then, let’s have a good look at him. How long was he out for, hmm?” “We don’t know.” Aedre said, giving a worried look at the colt. “We just saw him floating unconsciously in the ocean twenty minutes ago, and we got him here as quickly as we could.” “Ok, that’s a new one… So he was just floating in the water?” Magnus nodded, and motioned for Aedre and the kids to sit at one of the tables in the lobby. “Can you carry him over to the Inspection Room for meh, Magnus?” Magnus looked over to Aedre and she gave him an easy look, letting him know she and the foals would be fine. With confidence that Aedre wouldn’t explode into tears, he went into the Inspection Room with Doctor Clover, leaving his family in the lobby. The Inspection Room was like any other room in the clinic. It had an examination table with a mirror just behind it, and across the room were several cabinets and a small refrigerator. “Let’s put the lad on the table and see if we can’t wake him up.” Using his magic, Doctor Clover picked the Pegasus up and gently laid him on the padded table. “So, Doctor, how are you going to waa…?” Magnus asked, but Doctor Clover already had a plan, raising his hoof to cut him off. “Don’t worry, Mr. Palm; I know exactly what will wake him up!” He trotted over to his fridge, and returned with something wrapped in foil, and said, “This delicacy will definitely wake him up!” Unfolding what appeared to be a burrito, Doctor Clover heated it up with his magic and began to wave it in front of the young colt’s muzzle. Immediately reacting to the tantalizing aromas, the young colt’s eyes shot open. His wings slightly flared, and he began to devour the delicious food in front of him. Magnus stood there, shocked, as he watched the young colt wolf down the burrito, and asked, “So, what exactly was that, Doctor?” He smiled and confidently replied, “That was the nacho burrito, made up of a wheat flour wrap with cheese, chips, and spicy hay to top it all off. Nopony can resist it!” Noticing the little colt was done with his burrito, Doctor Clover asked him, “Was that good, my little friend?” The colt nodded, wings still slightly flared, but with a smile on his face. “That’s a… a nacho burrito?” The Pegasus slowly asked him. “Yes it is indeed! Here, have another; you must be starving!” Without skipping a beat, Doctor Clover fetched another one from the fridge and began to heat it up. Magnus thought to himself, “He helps his patient’s by feeding them? I’ll be sure to come here if I get sick!” The Colt ate the second nacho burrito, much slower than the first. Satisfied that the Colt was good to go, Doctor Clover leaned in and asked, “What’s your name lad?” The young colt’s ears drooped a little and he replied, “I don’t…remember…” He tried his best to remember, but all he could come up with was a fuzzy memory. Doctor Clover asked, “Do you remember anything at all?” The colt shook his head and timidly replied, “No…” Doctor Clover looked over towards Magnus and asked, “Was he hurt in any way when you pulled him from the ocean?” Magnus thought for a second, and replied, “Apart from having to perform CPR on him, I didn’t notice anything else.” With renewed interest, Doctor Clover decided to take a closer look at the nervous Pegasus, and said, “Well, let’s take a look, then!” Upon closer inspection, he didn’t find any bruises, abrasions, or cuts, or anything else of that nature. After much searching, he came across a strange-looking white patch on the inner side of his flank. “Oi! It seems you have a white patch on the inner side of your flank! What’s with that, lad?” Magnus cocked his head to the side and said, “Isn’t that normal among ponies, Doc?” Doctor Clover quickly stated, “Well yes, but his is more of a birthmark rather than a patch of fur, it seems. It’s only here, which is not the norm for other ponies. It’s definitely something else, eh lad?” The little Pegasus replied, “I don’t know…” He couldn’t help but be embarrassed by this, and blushed a deep red. “Humph… Do you think you can fly, my boy?” “I… I don’t know how…” “How about swimming then? Well, I guess not, since that’s how you ended up here.” The Pegasus nodded, feeling hurt from recalling that experience; ironically the only thing he could remember was not being able to swim. “Well, you seem to be feeling just fine now,” he says as he rubs the young colt’s head. “The memories are locked away somewhere in your noggin, lad. Alright, I think we’re done here.” Turning his attention to Magnus, he said, “Why don’t we go see how the others are doing in the lobby?” As they rejoined the others in the lobby, Doctor Clover said, “Well he seems fine now, everypony. Oh, and don’t worry about the bill.” Magnus replied gratefully, “Doctor, thank you for your generosity, but you really need the bits.” Doctor Clover dismissed his remark, looked over to the Pegasus colt, and said, “Now you’re going to stay with them for a little bit, ok lad? You’re welcome to stop by anytime if you need help.” The colt nodded and Magnus led him over to Aedre and her foals. “Oh, and one more thing!” The Palms and the icy blue Pegasus looked over to the old Doctor, who said, “Be sure to make it home safely!” With a goodbye, they set off to The Palm Family Farm, and the quickest way back was along the beach. They were careful to not frighten the Pegasus, but he didn’t seem to mind that they were walking along the beach again. The parents began to talk to each other about that what to do with him, so Branching and Mayflower decided to question him. “So, can you fly?” “No…” “Oh, ummm… How about tricks, do you know any tricks?” “No…?” “Do you have a favorite color?” “I don’t remember…” Mayflower looked at him and then said, “You are really tough to get answers from, you know that?” Branching looked over at Mayflower, who was on the opposite side of their mystery friend, and asked, “Hey sis, did you find any seashells?” “Sure did, I have one right he-” he cut off Mayflower as he snatched the seashell from her grasp, and threw it into the ocean. It skipped a few times and landed a good three yards out, still floating on the surface of the water. Mayflower angrily shouted, “Why did you do that?!?” “Because you stepped on mine and broke it!” “That was an accident, go and get it back now!” “No!” As the brother and sister argued, the young Pegasus looked over at the floating seashell. With a determined look, he said, “I’ll get it!” The foals both looked at him with surprise, and Mayflower cautiously asked, “…Really? Aren’t you afraid of the water?” The Pegasus didn’t respond, and calmly trotted towards the water. The parents were a good fifty hooves ahead when they noticed that their foals had stopped and where the colt was going. Magnus started galloping back, yelling, “No, don’t go in there!” The Pegasus didn’t hear him, or chose not to, as he took his first step onto the surface of the water, and then another, and then another. Magnus and Aedre stopped in their tracks, not sure of what they were witnessing. “What in the name of Celestia…” was all Magnus could say when he saw this strange Pegasus not swimming, but WALKING on the surface of the water. The colt simply walked over to the floating seashell. The water was a good six feet deep, but he was barely grazing the surface of the water with his hooves. After picking up the shell, he walked back to the brother and sister, who, along with their parents, stared at him in utter amazement, having never seen something so spectacular before. Quickly recovering from his initial shock, Branching says, “I wanna do that!” Mayflower added, “Me too!” Dropping the seashell in front of them, the surprised Pegasus asked, “Ya'll…can’t do that?” “No way can we do that! How do you do it?” the icy blue Colt merely shrugged, saying, “It just happens.” “Oh, I have a name for you now!” declared Mayflower with a smile, “You shall be called…Seaponeh!” Branching looked at her with a ‘really?’ look and dryly said “What’s with the ‘eh’ in Seaponeh? Isn’t Seapony just as good?” “No silly, it adds more to the name, and does it look like he has fins and sings that Shoo bee doo song on a rock?” Magnus and Aedre trotted up to them, still astonished from the little show. “Well, it seems you have a cutie mark…and an odd one at that,” said Magnus as Seaponeh looked at his flank. He discovered that his new cutie mark looked like a golden trident rising from the ocean. “So…do you like the name I’ve given you?” Mayflower tentatively asked. Seaponeh smiled, and replied, “Yes…Yes, I do.” And so together with the still astonished parents, they finally returned to the Palm Family Farm, discussing the day’s events. Chapter 1-Present Day- “Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosshh!” repeated a local mail mare as she darted across the sky, knowing she was going to be late for a delivery. She was already tallied twice for delivering packages late, and this was no exception. The only other mare they say is clumsier than she is living in a town called Ponyville…wherever that is. Glancing at the box in her bag, she saw that it was to go to the Palm Family. She had heard about their famous coconuts, but she never got the chance to try them because she was always so busy. “Oh, my boss is going to kill me!” the mare moaned out loud, flying as fast as she could. “Eeep!” She narrowly dodged a palm tree just to slam against a huge sign that read, “Welcome to the Palm Family Farm.” As she slid off the sign and landed with a thud on the sand, she heard the sound of coconuts hitting the ground coming from somewhere nearby. Recovering from her not-so-graceful landing, she looked over to the source of the noise to find a certain ice-blue Pegasus rounding up coconuts into a cart. “Ummm, excuse me!” She called out, startling the young stallion. It was like he didn’t even hear her hitting the sign. Slightly annoyed by this, but keeping calm, she asked him, “Do you know where I can find a member of the Palm Family? I have a delivery for them!” The stallion recovered and flew over to her, and landed just a foot away from her. “I’m actually a member of the Palm family! Is that for me?” said the stallion, pointing to the box sticking out from her bag. “Umm, yes it is! I don’t think I’ve seen you in town before; what’s your name?” “Seaponeh, but you can just call me Sea for short. And what is your name?” asked Seaponeh, bowing politely. Taken aback by his name and his manners, she timidly replied, “Well Seapo… Sea, my name is Bright Light. No offense, but my boss told me that the Palm family were all earth ponies.” “Ah, well that is because I am adopted.” said Seaponeh, still carrying that enthusiastic nice smile. Bright Light couldn’t help but wonder why she felt like she had seen him before as she took the box out of her bag. As she placed the package next to Seaponeh, she noticed that he had a white patch of fur on his rear end. “OH MY GOSH, YOU’RE THE ONE WITH THE ERASER BUTT!” She yelled, and then quickly shoved a hoof in her mouth before she could say anything else embarrassing. Seaponeh blushed a little bit from hearing the all too familiar remark. “Yeah, that’s right. Everypony picked on me because of this eraser butt of mine…” The mare regretted saying that to him instantly. With a chuckle, Seaponeh pulled the mare’s hoof from her mouth. “It’s ok, it doesn’t bother me anymore.” “I am so sorry, it’s just that you looked familiar and…Wait, so is it true?” asked Bright Light with a curious look. “Hm?” “Everypony claims that you can walk on water!” exclaimed Bright Light getting a little excited. “Um…yeah, I can…” Seaponeh was not sure about this at all; he was convinced that she hit the sign a little hard. “Before I go, can you show me real quick?” She got a little closer to him, eyes getting bigger as he nervously backed up. “Um, yeah, sure thing. I’ll just go over here…” Luckily, they were right next to the ocean, so he quickly trotted over to the ocean, which was pretty calm. With a gasp, the mail mare stared in amazement as he stepped on the water, casually going further out until he was a good fifty hooves from the beach, still standing on the surface of the water. “That…is…so…AWESOME!!!” yelled Bright Light, clapping her front hooves together in delight as he flew back to her. “So, is that your special talent?” “Eeyup, walking on water is apparently an exclusive ability that only I possess.” Seaponeh smiled as the mail mare was giggling with joy. “Well umm…oh geez! I’m about to be late again! I guess I’ll see you around Sea!” She quickly ran out of the front gate and flew off, making sure not to hit a palm tree…or the sign. “So, I see that you’re slacking off on the job again, eh Sea? And flirting with a mare, no less!” Seaponeh turned around to find his stepfather walking over, smiling at him. This was the very same stallion that saved Seaponeh’s life that fateful day fifteen years ago, Magnus Palm. Seaponeh blushed a little from Magnus’ remark. “Ah no not really eheheh…just accepting a delivery.” “Well, I guess I can accept that excuse, and the delivery too.” said Mr. Palm. Seaponeh felt a little embarrassed. Looking over to the box, Mr. Palm stated, “Aaaah so my new set of coco-cleaners are here; lovely! Well Sea my boy, you can take the rest of the day off! How about you go check out what’s going on in town today?” “But what about these coconuts? Don’t you need me to do all of the heavy work?” asked Seaponeh, pointing to the cart full of ripe coconuts. Mr. Palm looked at him with the blankest stare ever known to exist, and then he went into big ego mode. “Does it look like I carry a cane wherever I go, boy? The day I stop working my farm is when I can’t use my legs anymore. When that day comes I will use my teeth to grab the coconuts. When all of my teeth fall out, I’ll use my gums! I don’t even know how I would manage that! Then when that doesn’t work anymore and I am dead, I will haunt you AND this farm to make sure it is running properly. Is that clear, son?!?” Seaponeh could only laugh and nod in agreement, knowing that it was a stupid question to ask. “Now get outta here before I make you clean the bathrooms, boy!” after Magnus said that, there were nothing but feathers left where Seaponeh was just standing. “Hehehe, works every time…” Magnus thought out loud. Flying over the town, Seaponeh noticed that everypony was in a rush today. Some were getting a bite to eat at a local bakery, while others were surfing along the coastline, enjoying the sun. The market stands were already swarmed, despite the fact it was the middle of the day. Something familiar caught Seaponeh’s eye, so he flew down to investigate and came across Doctor Clover’s clinic. Over the years, he had become good friends with Doctor Clover, or Uncle Clover as Seaponeh called him now. “Uncle Clover? You in there?” After hearing a crash from inside, he got a response. “Oi! Can’t ya see that my sign says closed?!?” Checking the sign Seaponeh added, “It says that you’re open and ready for business…” The door opened, revealing Doctor Clover, who looked like he hardly aged at all. “Darn it lad, why do you have to ruin the moment for me with facts, eh?” “Sorry uncle, just coming by for my weekly checkup…” With a hardy laugh Doctor Clover replied, “Oh really? A checkup or maybe perhaps an order to go?” He smiled with a twinkle in his eye, “You can’t fool me that easily, lad.” “I want to know how you make that…that…treasure from above taste so good!” said Seaponeh, drooling at the thought of having that delicious nacho burrito again. “Heheheh, It seems nothing has really changed about you lad. Besides, you know I can’t tell you how I make those. It may break the rules of the universe or something. Well then, let’s have your checkup first and then you can have your date with Ms. Burrito.” They walked into the lobby and straight into the check room, and Sea figured it was a good thing that Uncle Clover wasn’t getting any business today, or anytime nowadays. The only business he usually got was the occasional drunk. “So, what do you think of Princess Luna coming back from those old mare’s tales, eh?” Doctor Clover asked as he fumbled with his medical drawers as Seaponeh decided to take a seat on the examination table. “I think she looks beautiful, being out of that “Nightmare Moon” phase and all that crazy stuff.” Seaponeh gave a shiver, remembering how Nightmare Moon attempted to bring all of Equestria into eternal night. “Ah yes, crazy stuff indeed, lad.” Doctor Clover finally brought out his clipboards showing Seaponeh’s medical condition, which was clean by the way. “Let’s see if there were any changes today then…” with an orange glow from his horn, a black portal formed in front of Doctor Clover, Seaponeh on the opposite end. It was an x-ray portal, which could not only see Seaponeh’s bones but his muscles and organs. “It seems that everything is where they should be, not that was a problem anyways. How’s the “birthmark” there lad?” as the portal disintegrated, Seaponeh stood up on the table, looking at the mirror behind him. “It’s doing fine, I guess.” replied Seaponeh. This was normal routine to him, as he’s been doing this same old thing for fifteen years. In school, where his classmates would call him eraser butt, they would tease him a lot and would want him to erase words from a sign or something like that. While the Palms felt bad for him, Doctor Clover laughed hysterically every time Seaponeh mentioned an eraser butt story. “Well, I guess you earned yourself a date with, *chuckle* Ms. Nacho Burrito.” Doctor Clover opened the fridge and fumbled through it. Seaponeh sat back down and asked, “Did you ever find anything about…my water-walking talent?” Doctor Clover paused for a second before continuing to fumble with the fridge…what in the world does he keep in there, a food court? “AH! Here we go!” Seaponeh’s eyes widened with anticipation when Uncle Clover brought two wrapped delicacies that would make angels jealous of. With a quick use of magic the two can already smell the beauty of the nacho burritos overwhelming their nostrils as the magic warmed the food. Doctor Clover grabbed one from the plate and floated it over to Seaponeh who was all too happy to take it. About to take a bite, Seaponeh suddenly heard “Wait lad, wait!” He was so close to taking a bite as Doctor Clover stopped him “Let’s savor this moment.” They both paused for a second. “Alright, lad let’s do this!” and they both chowed down on their nacho burritos with determination and years of skill. If an unfortunate pony wasn’t being careful, it could stick to the roof of their mouth. Seaponeh’s wings slowly spread out as he ate, making Doctor Clover nearly die from choking in laughter. After they were done, Seaponeh remembered something and said, “Uncle…” Doctor Clover looked back at him with a questioning look. “You didn’t answer my question earlier…” Doctor Clover stared at him for a second, twitching an ear, before he took a deep breath and answered. “No lad, I haven’t discovered anything new, sorry for disappointing ya.” Seaponeh lowered his head a little, having to wait a little longer for his answer. Doctor Clover then walked towards the door and said, “Also, your wings are still up.” He closed them quickly. “C’mon lad, it’s about time for you to get outta here. I may have actual customers today!” Seaponeh glanced at the Doc with guilt on his face as he followed him out the door. “Are you sure I can’t pay you for this? It’s the least I can do to show my thanks.” Doctor Clover dismissed that almost instantly, saying, “Lad, how many times do I have to tell ya that I will check on you for free? I’ll be fine! Geez, you’re just like your father sometimes.” “Are you sur-” “YES YES, I will be fine now get outta here lad before I beat ya with a stick, and tell your folks I said hello!” With that, Seaponeh walked outside as the door slammed behind him. “He sure did hesitate when I asked him about the water thing…” Thinking for a second, he shrugged and came to the conclusion that it must be an old pony thing. With that conclusion in mind, he took off again. Doctor Clover went into the back, where his office was. Opening the door he looked at an old, worn book with a bookmark in it lying on his desk. On the cover was the symbol of a pony and a deer, side by side. Closing his curtains so that he would not be disturbed, Clover opened the ancient book to look at the bookmarked page. “Ah lad, if only I could tell ya...” He said as he began to read the pages before him. Beside him was a message from a pony called Twilight Sparkle, telling him to be sure to send the book back to the Princess. Flying over the docks Seaponeh noticed a familiar mare with pink hair doing something with a sailboat. Smiling, he quietly landed on the water behind the boat. Making sure she didn’t notice him, he slowly crept over the railing and with a dramatic pause, he leaned over behind her left ear and simply said, “Boo!” Mayflower immediately shot off the ground, all hairs spiked up from being scared. Landing down face-first, she grumbled to herself, and then quickly got back up with a look of murder in her eyes. “Seaponeh…I hate you right now.” Saying that only made him laugh harder. With this she did her counter-offensive, and she kicked him over the side of the ship. With a sudden splash of water, he quickly jumped out and landed beside her. “Aaw c’mon sis; I was only playing with you.” Mayflower stuck her tongue out at him, with that murderous look still in her eye. “Sea, that was not called for…period.” Branching lectured as he walked over the bridge onto the center of the ship, wearing what looked like a business suit. His hair was all slicked back, as if saying hello ladies the line is to the left, too bad he is a bit of an annoyance sometimes. Mayflower suddenly went into ninja mode without Seaponeh noticing as he started to talk. “Oh, hi Branching, I see you just came back from a meeting of some kind.” Seaponeh pointed out as Branching snorted at him and replied, “It just so happens that I was in a meeting with the Mayor having to do with our sales right now. Don’t even get me started on apple sales…” Mayflower had gotten behind Seaponeh without him noticing and was ready to strike. “It also seems that our sister has you trapped.” “Wait…what?” is all Seaponeh could say before Mayflower started to tickle the living stars out of him. She kept tickling him as he fell to the ground dying from laughter. “O-o-okay! S-s-stop p-p-please! Teeheehaa!” Seaponeh begged as Mayflower smiled and said, “Say that you are sorry.” “W-what?!?” “Say that you are sorry!” “Okay okay I’m sorry, now please, stop it!” Mayflower eased up, smiling as she stood on top of Seaponeh in victory. “You can get off me now…” “One more second, I just beat you by tickling; don’t ruin the moment.” “Wwwwhyyyyyyyyy?” His whine would make a famous fashion pony proud. “Well, fine then.” Mayflower stepped off of him. “Aren’t you supposed to be bucking Palm trees for coconuts right now, Sea?” Branching straightened up his tie, making sure not to get any seawater on himself. “I was but Dad told me to take a break, sooo I’m here seeing you guys!” “Aaaw isn’t that sweet, little Seaponeh actually cares about us.” Mayflower teased as she went to fix a rope. “I also got word that the Lunar Guards are currently coming to our town.” This got Seaponeh and Mayflower’s attention. The town never really needed protection at all, so why are they getting it now? “ Wait? You mean Luna’s guards, as in Princess Luna, the princess of the night? What are they doing here?” Mayflower was as curious as always. Branching waved them in closer and whispered, “It seems as though there may be searching for a threat running about the countryside. Considering the Elements of Harmony just…well…turned Discord back to stone no more than a week ago, his creatures are still here.” Seaponeh and Mayflower were shocked, but slowly had smiles appearing on their faces as they looked at each other. “Don’t you even think about it…” Branching warned. “But chocolate rain, brother! CHOCOLATE RAIN!” Mayflower and Seaponeh both said in unison. With a groan, Branching stopped before he could face-hoof. “Look, just stay in the town and everything will be fine, ok? Ok.” With that, he walked off, nearly tripping on his tie, which had loosened again. With both Mayflower and Seaponeh trying to hold back their laughter, he walked away as he muttered something to himself. Chapter 2-Somewhere in the Canterlot Castle field grounds- “SPARKS, I WANTED YOU IN LINE TWO MINUTES AGO, MOVE IT!” Sparks muttered something under his breath as his captain harassed him for being late. They had just returned from a twenty-mile trot in full armor, on one of the hottest days ever. It was a wonder that they were all still standing. He was part of the select few soldiers that ran missions of importance to his country. They were known as the Dwarf Star Regiment, which was made up of only one hundred members of the best of the best Equestria had to offer. “I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO BE A PART OF THIS REGIMENT, SON, BUT YOUR SORRY FLANK SAYS OTHERWISE!” Sparks was getting very annoyed by his captain, but orders were orders as he stood silently in line with the other nine members of his squad. Moving on, the captain addressed the rest of them, “Alright… We have a special day today, and considering the hard work we did while the Elements of Harmony were taking down Discord…” The soldiers chuckled, remembering that delicious chocolate rain from the heavens. One recruit was tempted to sing the song but decided against it. Making sure there was no such interruption the captain continued, “Everypony in the regiment is allowed to take three days off, but be sure to be back right at this exact spot! Is that clear, Dwarf Stars?” “SIR, YES SIR!” yelled all ten soldiers. “DISMISSED!” the captain barked. As he fell out, Sparks couldn’t believe his luck. He went into the barracks to take off his gear. His armor covered nearly all of his body, which included a mask to cover his face from dust, which also served to protect his identity. His cutie mark was made up of a sword and shield, and he had pure blue fur from head to hoof. “YO! SPARKY!” Sparks turned around to see his old friend, High Tower. The red Pegasus had a funny look on his face as he trotted into the barracks. This punk had a pair of dragon wings on his flank. Smiling, Sparks responded. “How’s it going, Tower?” “Fine; thanks for asking, you jerk.” He playfully punched Sparks’ shoulder. Sparks retaliated by returning the punch and asked, “Any luck on that dragon thing you have going on?” “Oh, you mean dragon taming?” High Tower’s job is that of a dragon tamer. It was a job highly exclusive to Pegasi because they were the only ones to have wings. Unicorns had tried but apparently dragons can only relate to ponies that fly, and if anything the female dragons found them adorable. “Yeah, I heard another dragon was trying to sleep in the cave above those mountain ranges again.” He had taken all of his armor off at this point, and was finally able to relax. “We stopped him this time, unlike that jerk that nearly smoked out Ponyville.” Tower remembered that, and was annoyed by such an occurrence. “And it still took a group of Pegasi to make him move.” “How’s the city been while I was on duty?” Sparks hadn’t been able to see his hometown of Canterlot ever since Discord broke free, and was glad that it was all over now. “Ah well you know, the same old snobs. Pay is a little higher, and we had free cake for an hour…AN HOUR.” Sparks knew that meant everypony scrambled for cake. He silently cursed the sky for the misfortune of missing that. Suddenly, there was a growl from the deep end of his belly. “Let’s get out of here; I’m craving for some food.” “AH, YES FOOD! GLORIOUS FOOD!” Tower flew out of there within a blink of an eye. “You’re supposed to come with ME jerk!” yelled Sparks as Tower was already out of reach. With a sigh he began his trot to the city of Canterlot. Luckily he knew where High Tower was already going. -Celeston, later in that same evening- Seaponeh walked back through the Palm Family Farm gates, and noticed that there was still a mark where the mail mare had crashed. “I’m probably going to end up fixing that…” he groaned out loud to himself as he casually walked to the main house. There were three houses. The big one in the middle was where everypony lived in. The one closest to the water was where they worked on the coconuts. The one on the left near the tree line was a storage house for equipment and other fancy stuff. He opened the front door to the main house and walked in, feeling the warmth and a welcoming smell…home. “Sea, is that you sweetie?” Aedre asked as came around the corner. “Hey mom.” “Where is everypony today? I made pumpkin pie and hay penne pasta.” “They’re coming; things just got interesting in town.” “Oh you mean the fact that we’re not just getting guards, but LUNAR guards that are coming to town tonight?” “How did you…” “Your father went into town and everypony was talking about it.” So much for it being a secret. Seaponeh smiled, thinking this was the result of a “Mayflower Ramble.” She had a tendency for telling such things too. The poor mare is never going to hear the end of it from Branching. The door burst open to reveal an out of breath Mayflower with the look that said she is on a mission. “You…have got…to go…to town…they are…so cool!” With that, Mayflower plopped onto the floor, gasping for air. Seaponeh casually closed the door and paid no heed to his sister’s dramatic performance. “There is pumpkin pie in the kitchen, May, if you want any.” Miss Palm teased. “Okay…just saying though…” Mayflower slowly crawled her way to the kitchen. Seaponeh couldn’t help but laugh at this un-lady like display. “Seaponeh honey, please go fetch your father and brother for me. I don’t want dinner to go to waste” Seaponeh gave a little sigh before saying, “Alright I will, see you guys in a little bit…I guess.” He opened the door and flew off into the bright moonlit night sky. Landing softly in the bustling town, all of the streetlights as well as all of the businesses were lit up and decorated, all due to the arrival of the Lunar Guards. Heck, there were banners that said, “Welcome, Lunar Guards to Celeston!” It wasn’t hard to figure out where everypony was as he came across a huge crowd of ponies gathered around a small stage in the middle of the town square. “I assure you, good citizens of Celeston, we will make your town safe from the danger that the god of chaos created. It will be like we never existed.” This was obviously the leader as Seaponeh looked on. He wasn’t a rookie when it came to military topics; Mr. Palm had made sure of that. This guy looked like he was pretty new at his job though. “So exactly what kind of “danger” are we in for, Captain Nighthawk?” As always the Daily Celeston News journalist spoke first, being the only local newspaper company in town. “We don’t know specific details yet, but we know that it is a threat to this town, no more, no less.” The Captain said with a most sincere look on his face that reassured everypony there. Seaponeh decided to start looking for his father and brother as the captain continued with his speech. “We also would like to thank the Mayor for his hospitality, allowing us to set up our base in his workplace.” Seaponeh chuckled, knowing it was the only place they could really hold operations without a hitch. He continued to make his way through the crowd when he finally spotted Mr. Palm, along with his brother and Doctor Clover, near the front of the crowd. “Of course, they would be in the front. Why didn’t I look there first?” Seaponeh thought as he rolled his eyes. As he moved towards his two targets, the captain continued to talk. “Us being here will be temporary, so that...excuse me.” Seaponeh looked up to the captain as a recruit whispered to him in either fear or excitement; he guessed both. “*Ahem* It seems that we already located what we are here for, so I’m going to have to cut this short and ask you to stay in your homes for the remainder of the night.” With this, everypony in the crowd broke up, and Seaponeh walked over to Mr. Palm and Branching. “Sea! You just missed this pony’s speech! Where have you been?” Mr. Palm put on a small smile while Branching just stood there with a poker face. “Oh, nowhere, I was home, hoping you guys would get there SO WE CAN HAVE DINNER!” Seaponeh playfully shook Mr. Palm by the shoulders. “Oi lad, take it easy. The old geezer can only handle so much, ya know?” Doctor Clover teased, as it seemed he was on the offensive tonight. Ignoring this, Mr. Palm said, “Yes, yes, dinner. I have forgotten that my wife can still cook.” Seaponeh and Branching looked at each other, praying Miss Palm will never hear that remark in person. “Well I guess I’ll be heading home me-self. See you lads later now” declared Doctor Clover as he walked back to his clinic. “Anyway…so I guess we will go home now, Sea. Let’s go boys!” As Mr. Palm trotted off, Branching whispered to Seaponeh, “I wish you had come sooner; it was the most boring thing I have ever been dragged to…” Laughing at this, they both went to catch up to their father. Back in the family house they smelled dinner, which was already ready. “She planned this…” Branching declared. “Your mother is a smart mare, so I suggest that we watch ourselves” Mr. Palm said jokingly. “When you boys are done talking, there is food on the table!” The three stallions looked at each other in surprise, agreeing that Miss Palm had some kind of voodoo magic going on tonight. -Somewhere in the forest near Celeston- A Lunar guard was running for his life, taken aback at what they had found. He nearly ran into Captain Nighthawk and the rest of the platoon before he went into a complete stop. “PRIVATE TUCKER! WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU, SON?!?” The Captain made sure not to look concerned in front of the rest of the platoon. It was common sense to have the leader not looking scared, otherwise everypony else would be in more of a panic than they are already. Breathing heavily the private stuttered, “S-sir…*cough*…W-w-we f-f-found it b-b-b-but it’s acting d-d-d-differently from anything else we d-d-dealt with!” The Captain had a sudden cold chill crawl up his spine, and with a hoof on the private’s shoulder, he looked into his eyes. “What do you mean, son? Calm down, and tell me what you saw.” The poor guy took a few big breaths before he started again. “It isn’t some…”Looney” thing that Discord created that would throw pie or something. Cloud, Comet, Emerald and I cornered it. We only heard it laugh before it attacked us…” The private was at the point of tears, “T-t-t-their dead sir…all of them…” The Captain went wide-eyed, not sure what to do in a situation like this. The rest of the platoon stared at their captain, waiting for orders. With a deep breath, the captain told Private Tucker, “Alright son, you need some rest. Just point me in the right direction.” “N-not far sir, just beyond those trees…” The whole platoon suddenly heard laughter emanate from somewhere deep in the forest. Hearing the laughter, Private Tucker rolled into a ball on the ground. “Sir, something is coming right for us!” yelled one of the soldiers. “Everypony, form up! We will not let this creature be the end of us!” Chapter 3-The next day, somewhere in Canterlot city - “Uhhhhhh…” Sparks groaned as he woke up, his head pounding from a bad headache. Groggily looking around he took in what was there. Party streamers and slices of cake were scattered everywhere in what looked like a golden foyer. He suddenly remembered something. “By Celestia’s beard, HIGH TOWER, WHERE ARE YOU?!?” He heard somepony groan as a pile of junk falls over, revealing the red Pegasus. “I’m sleeping mommy… can I stay in bed for another couple o’ hours? Celestia won’t mind...” Sparks got up and slowly made his way over to High Tower, making sure not to step on anything. Once he reached the sleeping Pegasus, he tried to wake him up. “C’mon Tower, its half past noon already aaaaand we kinda need to get outta here… Ooomph!” Sparks suddenly received a punch in the stomach, doubling back a little from the unexpected blow. “I don’t wanna get up…” groaned High Tower, still in sleep mode. Recovering quickly and now fully awake, Sparks knew what had to be done. “Sorry Tower, but you forced my hoof.” He stood above the unsuspecting Pegasus and rubbed his hooves together, until he got a ‘spark’. He felt all his hairs rise a little and then moved his hooves over his friend’s body, ready to strike, when he suddenly yelled, “CLEAR!” and put his hooves on High Tower, who jumped into the air with a combination of a squeak and anger. Speaking words unknown to anypony he ran around the room as Sparks laughed at his attempt to get away from the electricity. Crashing back into the junk pile he pushed over earlier, High Tower glared at Sparks and said, “You’re lucky that I, OW! …don’t breathe fire, Sparky, OW! …You’re a very lucky pony.” Then Sparks remembered why he woke the tyrant up in the first place. “Tower we need to get going…NOW.” “Wait, why?” “Because if we don’t they will.” He was cut off as the doors to the foyer opened and two Solace Guards trotted in, with serious business written all over their faces. “Private Sparks of the Dwarf Stars Regiment?” “Crap…” Sparks thought as he quickly stood at attention. “Present, sir!” “Your highness requests an audience with you; she said it was muy importante.” Sparks held his breath for two seconds. He knew if Princess Celestia was using the ancient Caballo language, she meant business. High Tower suddenly got out of the pile, sat beside Sparks, and asked, “Since when did the Princess speak Cabolla?” Everypony stared at him with a ‘really?’ look on their face. “Ok, so it was a silly question…” High Tower sheepishly said. Face-hoofing in embarrassment, Sparks trotted over and stood before the guards. “Alright then, let’s not keep her majesty waiting, oh and High Tower…don’t follow me this time.” High Tower was about to respond when Sparks gave him a look, so he quickly shut up and nodded. Making their way up to the front gates of the inner castle, Sparks decided then to ask the guards what the problem was. “So, what does she want anyway? Just curious, is all.” The two guards looked at each other and back at him with honest looks, and the one on the left said, “We really have no idea, Private.” Opening the doors the two guards waved him in and then closed them behind him as he walked up the steps into the main hall. He looked around the walls, observing the artistry in the stained-glass windows. One had six ponies and what looked like Nightmare Moon being zapped. He looked over to the end where her majesty sat, who was currently talking to one of her advisors. “Well, it seems my Dwarf Star soldier has arrived.” Celestia declared nodding towards Sparks, glad that he had arrived at that exact moment. Her advisor left in respect as Celestia waited for Sparks to get close enough to address him. Sparks kneeled before her, bowed his head, and asked, “What have you called me for, my Princess?” Celestia smiled, and asked, “How have you been? Enjoying your little vacation?” “Yes, my Princess, and the cake was very delicious!” Mortified at what he had just said, he glanced up the Princess to gauge her reaction. Giggling, the goddess of the sun continued, “It was all made by a young mare in a small town called Ponyville, you should visit it sometime…but…” Her face got a little more serious. “That is not why I called you here today.” Sparks stood at attention, waiting for whatever she was going to throw at him. “Do you remember what happened when Discord broke free, Private Sparks?” Sparks quickly answered, “Yes ma’am, I remember everything, from the looney creatures, to the floating islands, to the chocolate rain…which was my personal favorite.” Sparks blushed a little from admitting that he actually liked something Discord made. “Was there anything else that you have seen Sparks, anything that would be out of place?” The princess was very serious now. Sparks only got all the more concerned, and said, “No your majesty…” The Princess sighed and said, “There is another problem, something that we all missed. I have chosen you for this operation because you have what I look for, but now I must ask this of you…” Sparks could only listen as she spoke. “You are to follow the orders of my sister Luna, and do exactly what she says.” “WHAAAAAAAT?!?” Both Sparks and Celestia looked over to one of the columns where a red Pegasus had popped out in surprise. Smiling, Celestia said, “I wondered if he was ever going to come out. A friend of yours, I presume?” Sparks nodded, ears folded back, blushing madly in embarrassment. “His name is High Tower. He’s my best friend.” Sparks declared. Giggling, the wise Princess called out “You don’t have to hide behind that column anymore, High Tower. I already knew that you were hiding there.” The wannabe ninja walked out, and slowly trotted over to stand beside Sparks, his ears also folded back. “Sorry Sparky…” “It’s ok, Tower.” Looking at them, the Princess smiled and was about to say something, when High Tower darted to stand before Princess Celestia. He kneeled before her and begged, “Please oh please oh please oh please can I go with Private Sparks your Majesty? I have always wanted to meet Princess Luna!” “TOWER, SHOW SOME RESPECT!” yelled Sparks. Princess Celestia was slightly surprised at Private Sparks’ outburst, but she said with a smile, “Of course you can, as a matter of fact, you’re going to help Sparks with his mission.” “WHAAAAT!?!” Sparks yelled in surprise as High Tower jumped up and down with glee. “Yaaay! I get to see Woona! I get to see Wooooona~!” High Tower was jumping all around them as Sparks stood stunned. “But your majesty, what if I need to…” Sparks words died as the Goddess of the Sun merely looked at him with an innocent smile. This alone confirmed that he was doomed to work with High Tower. It’s not like he didn’t like High Tower, it was the fact that this is a serious mission, and he wasn't sure that he could handle it. After High Tower had calmed down a bit, the Princess continued, “You’ll meet my sister in the observatory in the northern tower later this evening. She is currently asleep right now.” “Yes, your majesty.” was all Sparks could say as the two stallions bowed to the Princess, and before they left, High Tower asked one more thing, “Hey Miss Princess of the bright light thingy, can I ask you a question?” Celestia simply nodded slowly but gracefully, allowing him to continue. “Exactly WHAT time of the evening are we seeing Woona?” Sparks face-hoofed; he forgot that High Tower wasn’t military and didn’t know the protocol. “You must like my sister to be so curious like THAT, my little pony.” Celestia giggled once more. “I believe it will be seven o’clock…sharp.” “Thank you, Princess!” High Tower quickly caught up with Sparks as they walked back out of the hall. “Good luck, you two.” Celestia said out loud to herself. “You’re going to need it.” Chapter 4Walking out the front doors, Sparks looked at his lifelong friend and asked, “High Tower, why does it feel like you set that up?” “I have noooo idea what you are talking about, Sparky.” He replied in a sing-song voice. “Sure you don’t. By the way, how did you get into the palace and get past all of the guards?” High Tower couldn’t help but smile, and with a skip in his trot, he said, “Oh, it was easy; I just gave them cake!” -Later in the castle at 6:58 pm- “Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy!” High Tower kept saying over and over as two lunar guards led both of them to Luna’s quarters. He happily said, “The first thing I am going to do is give her a big ‘ol hug!” “Yeah, that attitude definitely needs to be restrained…” thought Sparks. The guards stopped at the bottom of the stairs to Luna’s tower as a butler greeted them with a nod. “This way gentlecolts; her majesty is waiting.” The guards started to follow them but the butler added, “That will be all. Her majesty said that you two are welcome to have the night off.” Both of the guards glanced at each other in confusion, but didn’t complain as Sparks and High Tower followed the butler up the stairs. “So, what has Princess Luna been up to, mister…?” High Tower couldn’t help but ask as his curiosity overtook him. “My name is Bond, Stars Bond.” He then added, “But you can just call me Bond.” Sparks couldn’t help but feel like he heard the name before, but it didn’t matter now. As they continued to climb up the long-winded stairs, Luna was engrossed with her own hobby. “Hmm, thou do not belong there.” Luna thought out loud as she moved a star that had somehow moved out of its place. “That’s better.” Luna smiled, staring at the night sky from her balcony, the stars formed in the shape of a rose. There was a knock on her door. “Come in.” Luna said, not knowing what was about to happen, when a blur of red fur flew in and tackled her. “HIGH TOWER, GET OFF HER THIS INSTANT!” Luna had no idea what was going on, and the only thing that she realized was that a red smiling pegasus pony had tackled her. She also noticed that some other pony was standing near the door; who was he, the Dwarf Star Guard that she had requested? The young Pegasus that had tackled her gave her a hug and kept repeating, “Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh!” She quickly used her magic try pry him off, and dangled him in front of her. “DOST THOU NOT KNOW THE MEANING OF RESTRAINT?!?” Her Canterlot voice was in use now…oh dear. “You’re on your own now friend.” Stars Bond said with a farewell and wisely made his way out of Luna’s quarters. Face-hoofing Sparks could only say, “I am terribly sorry your Highness, but he has really wanted to meet you for a long time; he’s practically your biggest fan.” Princess Luna stared at the smiling red Pegasus, despite the fact he was being held against his will in the air, but he didn’t care at this point. “Our biggest…fan?” High Tower nodded very fast at this; Sparks could only hope that he wouldn’t tackle her again. “Well, that would explain the few things that had just happened, but please be sure to restrain yourself.” High Tower nodded more slowly this time, disappointed that he could not hug her. She lowered him down to the floor and released him. Recovering from the sudden burst, Luna looked over to Sparks and asked, “So thou the one from the Dwarf Star regiment, correct?” Sparks cleared his throat and replied, “Yes your highness, although I am merely a private.” “It dost not matter that ye are a mere green horn, from a regiment of that sort.” Sparks appreciated the compliment although not used to this kind of speaking. High Tower couldn’t stop himself from doing one more thing. “Can I have your autograph?” Luna looked back at hopeful red Pegasus, puzzled. Shaking her head, she continued, “Anyway, what art thou names?” “My name is Sparks, and your biggest fan over there is my good friend High Tower.” Luna nodded, approving of these names, not that she needed to anyway, and asked, “So our sister has told ye that thou must listen to our orders, correct?” “That is one hundred percent correct, your Highness.” While the other two ponies were talking, High Tower had taken the opportunity to sneak behind Luna, but it was to no avail as he was picked up again. “Do please restrain your friend…High Tower is it?” “Oh my gosh, she said my name, she said my name Sparky!” High Tower was in a heavenly state of mind right now…that is until Luna finally gave him a stare. He stood at perfect attention right then and there as Sparks watched on in awe. “That should hold him in place; so energetic!” Thought Luna. “Are ye two ready to take your first orders?” The two friends nodded in unison. “Well, lend thy ears to us.” She walked over to a bookshelf near the balcony doors, where she was just adjusting the positions of her beautiful stars. Using her magic, she brought out a dusty book bearing a Pony and a Deer on the front. “Your first order is to fetch a certain Pony for me…” -Market Center of Celeston, twenty minutes after Luna’s predicament- Seaponeh yawned a little bit, still a little tired from the coconut gathering, as he escorted Mayflower into the center of the market place carrying a bag with his cutie mark on it. Nopony can never be too careful when in this place. The usual ruckus was underway but one thing nagged at him; he had not seen a single Lunar Guard walking around since last night. “Hmmm… they must still be out hunting that creature.” Seaponeh thought to himself. “Oh, Sea, look at this!” Mayflower pointed at an intricate necklace made out of purple seashells. “Oh, so my shell necklace got your attention, eh sweetie?” asked the salesmare. “Huh, she sells sea shells by the sea shore…” Seaponeh thought to himself, laughing at the coincidence of such things. Looking at the price, he prayed to both Celestia and Luna that she did not want it. “Can you get this for me, Sea? My birthday’s coming up!” Seaponeh winced a little, making sure she didn’t notice. Silently asking Celestia and Luna why he had to pay thirty coins for a seashell necklace, he brought out the bits and paid for the necklace. After the old mare thanked them in and they had walked away, Mayflower quickly put on the expensively priced necklace, and Sea hoped it was worth it. “Aw, doesn’t it look cute on me big brother~?” “Adorable.” Was all Seaponeh could say. “Be honest with me, does it look cute?” Seaponeh decided to stop and take a good look this time, if only to make her stop asking. “Cuter than a wittle filly!” Seaponeh said with enthusiasm. Mayflower giggled a little bit and asked, “Really? That’s all you had to…” she trailed off as they both suddenly heard an explosion from the opposite side of the market place. Everypony froze in shock, but after a few seconds another explosion followed the first, sending everypony into action. “Mayflower, RUN! NOW!” Both of them began to run away, trying to get away as far as they could until an explosion shot up in front of them, engulfing three ponies in flames. Mayflower screamed as the ponies were instantly turned into charred corpses. “Sea! Help me!” Mayflower hugged up against him burying her face into his chest. Seaponeh looked around the market place and realized that nearly the entire area was in flames. “Get on my back…we’re getting out of here.” Mayflower quickly jumped onto his back as the explosions continued, burning the unfortunate ones as they were engulfed in flames. They started to run to the closest building when laughter was heard from the market place. Looking into the fire-covered market, Seaponeh saw an outline of a figure unknown to him. What freaked him out was that it was laughing at the death of others and the chaos that ensued from the explosions. He suspected that this was the individual responsible for the explosions. A glow emanated from the figure’s head, and a black streak shot out from it and killed five other ponies. “Sweet Celestia…” Seaponeh quickly got into the building with the terrified Mayflower on his back. It was a wonder he wasn’t in a state of shock himself. There were a couple of terrified families huddling under some tables in the back. They all stared at him in fear as they ran inside. “Everypony alright?” Seaponeh asked, and the families nodded, glad to be alive. “We’re under attack, we need to get out of here and call for help.” The owner, a black stallion with a mild build, spoke up. “There was a telegram but it’s destroyed along with the mail house.” “Sea…” Mayflower muttered, still clinging to his back. “Is there nothing else to use to call for help?” Seaponeh asked, knowing that they needed to get help. The owner hesitated and replied, “There is one over at Doctor Clover’s clinic, but that is across town, son; you won’t be able to make it!” “Uncle Clover…” Seaponeh thought, he hoped the old stallion was alright. “Then that’s where I am going. Mayflower…” She looked over his shoulder, terrified but listening. “I need you to go with these families for me, ok? ” She shook her head and quickly replied, “I’m not going anywhere without you! You know I can run fast!” “That doesn’t mean anything now. Just do this for me please?” another explosion went off, making everyone freeze in fear. “I’ll go with you.” a dark yellow stallion said as he got out from under one of the tables. Smiling, Seaponeh looked at Mayflower and said, “See? We Celestonians don’t quit easily! Now, go with them and get our family out of here, I’ll meet with you later.” Mayflower slowly but surely eased up, and jumped to the floor. Before she went with the families, Mayflower hugged Sea with all her might, and said with tears in her eyes, “Be careful, big bro!” “You know I will be.” “The back door leads to a dirt road; everypony can get out safely from there.” The owner mentioned. “Well then,” said the yellow stallion as another explosion went off, “We should probably get going.” With that they cautiously opened the door and stepped outside. Seaponeh asked the stallion, “What’s your name?” “The name is Gold.” the stallion added, “as in Golden Heart. And you?” “It’s Seaponeh.” “…Seaponeh?” “Long story…” “Ah ok” Gold nodded, deciding to leave the subject alone. “Well Gold, we better get to Doctor Clover’s clinic now, ready?” Gold nodded. They quickly ran across the street as explosions went off in the distance. “It must’ve moved ahead…” Seaponeh thought out loud. Looking at each other, they nodded and ran across to another building again, and they kept doing this until they hit the corner that the clinic was on. “Sweet Luna…” said Gold as they approached the blackened building. The front door was completely destroyed, with the remains scattered along the main lobby. Seaponeh’s hairs instantly went up from seeing how slim the chances were that Uncle Clover had survived. Then suddenly, they heard a loud cough coming from somewhere within the Clinic. “Uncle Clover; I’m coming!” Yelled Seaponeh as he darted inside, followed closely by Gold. As they entered the clinic, Gold muttered, “Oh, Sweet Celestia, buck me sideways…”
Prologue“The White Tail” Prologue Written by Matias Longstride Edited by Abyss136 Fifteen years ago in the familiar land of Equestria… A bird can be heard singing its song while perched on an ancient tree, swaying in the wind near the edge of the forest. Five Pegasi can be heard tearing through the sky, leaving a trail of smoke behind them. Startled, the bird flies off as it hears the roaring of hundreds of ponies nearby. Upon discovering the source of this disturbance, it discovers a massive stadium filled to the brim with ponies staring at the announcer with anticipation. “Ladies and Gentlecolts! I am proud to present to you…The Wonderbolts!” Right on cue, The Wonderbolts did their usual routine of flying over the stadium, performing their signature moves. As they passed over the crowd, all five hundred ponies began stomping the ground, cheering and whooping. These ponies are from the nearby town of Celeston, a small city-port sitting on the western coast of Equestria. The city is made up of many small two-story buildings each leading to the center of town, where a beautiful statue of Princess Celestia can be seen. Not everypony went to go watch the Wonderbolts that day. A family of four Earth ponies decided to take the opportunity to spend some good ‘ol family time at the beach. A cream-colored mare was watching her young colt from the waters edge, and said with a hint of worry, “Branching, you better be careful in the water; the current might drag you out to sea!” This is Aedre Palm, whom would rather be called Miss Palm. Looking over at her with his blue eyes, the overconfident Branching replied, “Ha-ha, very funny Mom, like as if it could!” He continued his epic battle with the waves, only to be tossed ashore again and again. A leaf-green stallion trotted over to stand beside Aedre. “Son!” The little light-brown colt perked up. “You better listen to your mother, or else you will be doing nothing but bucking coconuts for the next three days.” This is Magnus Palm, the proud owner of The Palm Family Farm, as well as the husband of Aedre Palm. His cutie mark is a coconut split in half, while Miss Palm’s is a sugar palm fruit. They usually sell well over a hundred palm tree fruits a week, especially coconuts, which is what the Palm family is well known for, due to its sweet and exotic taste. Branching quickly fell into line, standing at the edge of the water, with a look of defeat on his face. The family started walking up the beach with the ocean facing their right, the colt still staring dejectedly at the water. Looking over at his wife with concern, Magnus asked, “Aren’t you having fun at all? You always seem stressed out.” Aedre sighed and replied, “Well, it’s not easy watching over two eight year old foals.” Magnus snickered at this, and then replied, “And here I thought the beach would make everypony relax. Speaking of relaxing, where is our filly?” As if he somehow managed to summon her by sheer will, a ball of sea-green fur came rolling out from the sand dunes beside them, causing sand to fly everywhere. Everypony jumped back in surprise from her entrance as well as from the sand storm she created. After shaking the sand from their faces, they see her sitting there with an innocent smile on her face, giggling. “Booyah!” exclaimed the little filly, punching a hoof in the air. “Can I do that again?!?” Branching angrily responded, “No Mayflower, you cannot do that again; I got sand in my eyes because of you!” “But it’s sooo much fun!” Noticing Aedre’s stress level rising, Magnus hoofed in, saying, “No! No more!” Trying to change the subject, Magnus said, “Hay, I have an idea, how about you two look for some seashells?” Aedre gave him a thankful look as both Branching and Mayflower immediately trotted ahead of them in search of seashells. Following her little hunters, Aedre noticed something odd floating in the water. “Honey… HONEY!” she yelled, trying to get his attention, still staring wide-eyed at the water. “Hmm?” Magnus responded, and looked over to see what his wife was staring at. He suddenly froze in place, realizing that not just something, but SOMEPONY was drifting just offshore. As he galloped towards the ocean, both Branching and Mayflower turned to see what the commotion was all about. “Kids, stay with you mother!” Magnus yelled as he dashed out into the water. He hurriedly swam over to the motionless figure, and reached him just in time before he slipped below the water’s surface. As he quickly pulled the from the cold clutches of the ocean, he saw that it was an ice blue Pegasus colt with a vibrant green mane and tail. He swam under the young colt, making sure he was on his back, and made his way back to his family, who were waiting anxiously on the beach. As Magnus reached the shore, Aedre and her foals gasped in shock, fearing the worst. Despite Aedre’s attempts to distract her kids from the scene, Mayflower asked, “Is he gonna be okay?” “Hush now dear...” was all Aedre could say. Once Magnus laid the unconscious colt down gently onto the sand, he realized that the little Pegasus could not be older than his own two foals. Wasting no time, he performed CPR on the young colt, attempting to break him from death’s grasp. Just when Magnus thought it was too late, the colt suddenly jolted awake, spewing water into the air. He gingerly opened his eyes, started tearing up, and then began to cry. Magnus secretly smiled at his success, thanking his rescue classes for the techniques he used. Seeing her husband successfully save the colt, Aedre and her foals trot up to the pair. “Hey there, little guy. It’s ok; you’re safe now. There’s nothing to be afraid of.” Magnus said with sincerity in his voice, all while scratching the back of the little colt’s ear. The little colt glanced up at them with his icy blue eyes, and mumbled something incoherently. Mayflower abruptly asked, “What’s yer name?” “Yes, what’s your name cutie?” Aedre asked. The shaken colt suddenly replied with a panicked look on his face, “I…I-I don’t remember...” “What do you mean? Do you even know what happened to you?” The colt got up slowly, only to quickly fall back down with a loud thud. “Do…d-do you know what happened to me?” asked the colt. Magnus replied, saying, “We aren’t sure; we saw you floating on the ocean’s surface not ten minutes ago.” Convinced the shivering colt was suffering from amnesia, both Magnus and Aedre decided to bring him to the local doctor. “Here, let’s get you into town to go see Doctor Clover.” said Aedre with a smile. “O…Ok…what’s a Doctor Clover?” And then suddenly the colt passed out. Aedre couldn’t help but giggle at his question; it was adorable how he said it. They went into town with the little colt on Magnus’ back, when Branching spoke up, “Since he doesn’t know his name, can we give him one?” Aedre and Magnus smiled at each other, and Magnus looked over to Branching and said, “And what would you name him, hmm?” Mayflower pounced in on the chance, saying, “Oh! Umm, how about Limpy? Or something like Blueberry… Oh wait Bubbles! Bubbles can work!” “I don’t think a young colt would want to be called Bubbles.” Magnus said to Mayflower, who kept trying to come up with good names. Branching merely said, “I don’t have a clue.” They came up to the Doctor’s house and knocked on the door. Luckily for them, Doctor Clover was not really interested in watching the Wonderbolts perform. The top half of the door opens, revealing the old pony. “Oooh! Well, if it isn’t the Palms! What can I do fer ya?” Doctor Clover was an old Unicorn, with faint orange fur, a grey beard and mane, a black flat cap, and glasses. His cutie mark was that of a red knee hammer. He glanced over at the unconscious colt on Magnus’ back with his shining green eyes, adjusted his glasses, and asked, “Is he alright? The lad looks like he had more cider than he could handle, eh?” Magnus quickly responded, before his agitated wife could yell at the clueless Doctor, saying, “He was found floating in the ocean, and I actually saved his life. He doesn’t remember who he is, or what happened to him, for that matter.” Doctor Clover’s glasses slid off a little as he thought, “Hmmm… these blackouts are usually due to too much fruit juice or something of the sort, but something seems amiss here...” After re-adjusting his glasses and clearing his throat, he waved them in while opening the rest of the door. When everypony was inside, he asked in a more serious tone, “Well then, let’s have a good look at him. How long was he out for, hmm?” “We don’t know.” Aedre said, giving a worried look at the colt. “We just saw him floating unconsciously in the ocean twenty minutes ago, and we got him here as quickly as we could.” “Ok, that’s a new one… So he was just floating in the water?” Magnus nodded, and motioned for Aedre and the kids to sit at one of the tables in the lobby. “Can you carry him over to the Inspection Room for meh, Magnus?” Magnus looked over to Aedre and she gave him an easy look, letting him know she and the foals would be fine. With confidence that Aedre wouldn’t explode into tears, he went into the Inspection Room with Doctor Clover, leaving his family in the lobby. The Inspection Room was like any other room in the clinic. It had an examination table with a mirror just behind it, and across the room were several cabinets and a small refrigerator. “Let’s put the lad on the table and see if we can’t wake him up.” Using his magic, Doctor Clover picked the Pegasus up and gently laid him on the padded table. “So, Doctor, how are you going to waa…?” Magnus asked, but Doctor Clover already had a plan, raising his hoof to cut him off. “Don’t worry, Mr. Palm; I know exactly what will wake him up!” He trotted over to his fridge, and returned with something wrapped in foil, and said, “This delicacy will definitely wake him up!” Unfolding what appeared to be a burrito, Doctor Clover heated it up with his magic and began to wave it in front of the young colt’s muzzle. Immediately reacting to the tantalizing aromas, the young colt’s eyes shot open. His wings slightly flared, and he began to devour the delicious food in front of him. Magnus stood there, shocked, as he watched the young colt wolf down the burrito, and asked, “So, what exactly was that, Doctor?” He smiled and confidently replied, “That was the nacho burrito, made up of a wheat flour wrap with cheese, chips, and spicy hay to top it all off. Nopony can resist it!” Noticing the little colt was done with his burrito, Doctor Clover asked him, “Was that good, my little friend?” The colt nodded, wings still slightly flared, but with a smile on his face. “That’s a… a nacho burrito?” The Pegasus slowly asked him. “Yes it is indeed! Here, have another; you must be starving!” Without skipping a beat, Doctor Clover fetched another one from the fridge and began to heat it up. Magnus thought to himself, “He helps his patient’s by feeding them? I’ll be sure to come here if I get sick!” The Colt ate the second nacho burrito, much slower than the first. Satisfied that the Colt was good to go, Doctor Clover leaned in and asked, “What’s your name lad?” The young colt’s ears drooped a little and he replied, “I don’t…remember…” He tried his best to remember, but all he could come up with was a fuzzy memory. Doctor Clover asked, “Do you remember anything at all?” The colt shook his head and timidly replied, “No…” Doctor Clover looked over towards Magnus and asked, “Was he hurt in any way when you pulled him from the ocean?” Magnus thought for a second, and replied, “Apart from having to perform CPR on him, I didn’t notice anything else.” With renewed interest, Doctor Clover decided to take a closer look at the nervous Pegasus, and said, “Well, let’s take a look, then!” Upon closer inspection, he didn’t find any bruises, abrasions, or cuts, or anything else of that nature. After much searching, he came across a strange-looking white patch on the inner side of his flank. “Oi! It seems you have a white patch on the inner side of your flank! What’s with that, lad?” Magnus cocked his head to the side and said, “Isn’t that normal among ponies, Doc?” Doctor Clover quickly stated, “Well yes, but his is more of a birthmark rather than a patch of fur, it seems. It’s only here, which is not the norm for other ponies. It’s definitely something else, eh lad?” The little Pegasus replied, “I don’t know…” He couldn’t help but be embarrassed by this, and blushed a deep red. “Humph… Do you think you can fly, my boy?” “I… I don’t know how…” “How about swimming then? Well, I guess not, since that’s how you ended up here.” The Pegasus nodded, feeling hurt from recalling that experience; ironically the only thing he could remember was not being able to swim. “Well, you seem to be feeling just fine now,” he says as he rubs the young colt’s head. “The memories are locked away somewhere in your noggin, lad. Alright, I think we’re done here.” Turning his attention to Magnus, he said, “Why don’t we go see how the others are doing in the lobby?” As they rejoined the others in the lobby, Doctor Clover said, “Well he seems fine now, everypony. Oh, and don’t worry about the bill.” Magnus replied gratefully, “Doctor, thank you for your generosity, but you really need the bits.” Doctor Clover dismissed his remark, looked over to the Pegasus colt, and said, “Now you’re going to stay with them for a little bit, ok lad? You’re welcome to stop by anytime if you need help.” The colt nodded and Magnus led him over to Aedre and her foals. “Oh, and one more thing!” The Palms and the icy blue Pegasus looked over to the old Doctor, who said, “Be sure to make it home safely!” With a goodbye, they set off to The Palm Family Farm, and the quickest way back was along the beach. They were careful to not frighten the Pegasus, but he didn’t seem to mind that they were walking along the beach again. The parents began to talk to each other about that what to do with him, so Branching and Mayflower decided to question him. “So, can you fly?” “No…” “Oh, ummm… How about tricks, do you know any tricks?” “No…?” “Do you have a favorite color?” “I don’t remember…” Mayflower looked at him and then said, “You are really tough to get answers from, you know that?” Branching looked over at Mayflower, who was on the opposite side of their mystery friend, and asked, “Hey sis, did you find any seashells?” “Sure did, I have one right he-” he cut off Mayflower as he snatched the seashell from her grasp, and threw it into the ocean. It skipped a few times and landed a good three yards out, still floating on the surface of the water. Mayflower angrily shouted, “Why did you do that?!?” “Because you stepped on mine and broke it!” “That was an accident, go and get it back now!” “No!” As the brother and sister argued, the young Pegasus looked over at the floating seashell. With a determined look, he said, “I’ll get it!” The foals both looked at him with surprise, and Mayflower cautiously asked, “…Really? Aren’t you afraid of the water?” The Pegasus didn’t respond, and calmly trotted towards the water. The parents were a good fifty hooves ahead when they noticed that their foals had stopped and where the colt was going. Magnus started galloping back, yelling, “No, don’t go in there!” The Pegasus didn’t hear him, or chose not to, as he took his first step onto the surface of the water, and then another, and then another. Magnus and Aedre stopped in their tracks, not sure of what they were witnessing. “What in the name of Celestia…” was all Magnus could say when he saw this strange Pegasus not swimming, but WALKING on the surface of the water. The colt simply walked over to the floating seashell. The water was a good six feet deep, but he was barely grazing the surface of the water with his hooves. After picking up the shell, he walked back to the brother and sister, who, along with their parents, stared at him in utter amazement, having never seen something so spectacular before. Quickly recovering from his initial shock, Branching says, “I wanna do that!” Mayflower added, “Me too!” Dropping the seashell in front of them, the surprised Pegasus asked, “Ya'll…can’t do that?” “No way can we do that! How do you do it?” the icy blue Colt merely shrugged, saying, “It just happens.” “Oh, I have a name for you now!” declared Mayflower with a smile, “You shall be called…Seaponeh!” Branching looked at her with a ‘really?’ look and dryly said “What’s with the ‘eh’ in Seaponeh? Isn’t Seapony just as good?” “No silly, it adds more to the name, and does it look like he has fins and sings that Shoo bee doo song on a rock?” Magnus and Aedre trotted up to them, still astonished from the little show. “Well, it seems you have a cutie mark…and an odd one at that,” said Magnus as Seaponeh looked at his flank. He discovered that his new cutie mark looked like a golden trident rising from the ocean. “So…do you like the name I’ve given you?” Mayflower tentatively asked. Seaponeh smiled, and replied, “Yes…Yes, I do.” And so together with the still astonished parents, they finally returned to the Palm Family Farm, discussing the day’s events.
Chapter 1-Present Day- “Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosshh!” repeated a local mail mare as she darted across the sky, knowing she was going to be late for a delivery. She was already tallied twice for delivering packages late, and this was no exception. The only other mare they say is clumsier than she is living in a town called Ponyville…wherever that is. Glancing at the box in her bag, she saw that it was to go to the Palm Family. She had heard about their famous coconuts, but she never got the chance to try them because she was always so busy. “Oh, my boss is going to kill me!” the mare moaned out loud, flying as fast as she could. “Eeep!” She narrowly dodged a palm tree just to slam against a huge sign that read, “Welcome to the Palm Family Farm.” As she slid off the sign and landed with a thud on the sand, she heard the sound of coconuts hitting the ground coming from somewhere nearby. Recovering from her not-so-graceful landing, she looked over to the source of the noise to find a certain ice-blue Pegasus rounding up coconuts into a cart. “Ummm, excuse me!” She called out, startling the young stallion. It was like he didn’t even hear her hitting the sign. Slightly annoyed by this, but keeping calm, she asked him, “Do you know where I can find a member of the Palm Family? I have a delivery for them!” The stallion recovered and flew over to her, and landed just a foot away from her. “I’m actually a member of the Palm family! Is that for me?” said the stallion, pointing to the box sticking out from her bag. “Umm, yes it is! I don’t think I’ve seen you in town before; what’s your name?” “Seaponeh, but you can just call me Sea for short. And what is your name?” asked Seaponeh, bowing politely. Taken aback by his name and his manners, she timidly replied, “Well Seapo… Sea, my name is Bright Light. No offense, but my boss told me that the Palm family were all earth ponies.” “Ah, well that is because I am adopted.” said Seaponeh, still carrying that enthusiastic nice smile. Bright Light couldn’t help but wonder why she felt like she had seen him before as she took the box out of her bag. As she placed the package next to Seaponeh, she noticed that he had a white patch of fur on his rear end. “OH MY GOSH, YOU’RE THE ONE WITH THE ERASER BUTT!” She yelled, and then quickly shoved a hoof in her mouth before she could say anything else embarrassing. Seaponeh blushed a little bit from hearing the all too familiar remark. “Yeah, that’s right. Everypony picked on me because of this eraser butt of mine…” The mare regretted saying that to him instantly. With a chuckle, Seaponeh pulled the mare’s hoof from her mouth. “It’s ok, it doesn’t bother me anymore.” “I am so sorry, it’s just that you looked familiar and…Wait, so is it true?” asked Bright Light with a curious look. “Hm?” “Everypony claims that you can walk on water!” exclaimed Bright Light getting a little excited. “Um…yeah, I can…” Seaponeh was not sure about this at all; he was convinced that she hit the sign a little hard. “Before I go, can you show me real quick?” She got a little closer to him, eyes getting bigger as he nervously backed up. “Um, yeah, sure thing. I’ll just go over here…” Luckily, they were right next to the ocean, so he quickly trotted over to the ocean, which was pretty calm. With a gasp, the mail mare stared in amazement as he stepped on the water, casually going further out until he was a good fifty hooves from the beach, still standing on the surface of the water. “That…is…so…AWESOME!!!” yelled Bright Light, clapping her front hooves together in delight as he flew back to her. “So, is that your special talent?” “Eeyup, walking on water is apparently an exclusive ability that only I possess.” Seaponeh smiled as the mail mare was giggling with joy. “Well umm…oh geez! I’m about to be late again! I guess I’ll see you around Sea!” She quickly ran out of the front gate and flew off, making sure not to hit a palm tree…or the sign. “So, I see that you’re slacking off on the job again, eh Sea? And flirting with a mare, no less!” Seaponeh turned around to find his stepfather walking over, smiling at him. This was the very same stallion that saved Seaponeh’s life that fateful day fifteen years ago, Magnus Palm. Seaponeh blushed a little from Magnus’ remark. “Ah no not really eheheh…just accepting a delivery.” “Well, I guess I can accept that excuse, and the delivery too.” said Mr. Palm. Seaponeh felt a little embarrassed. Looking over to the box, Mr. Palm stated, “Aaaah so my new set of coco-cleaners are here; lovely! Well Sea my boy, you can take the rest of the day off! How about you go check out what’s going on in town today?” “But what about these coconuts? Don’t you need me to do all of the heavy work?” asked Seaponeh, pointing to the cart full of ripe coconuts. Mr. Palm looked at him with the blankest stare ever known to exist, and then he went into big ego mode. “Does it look like I carry a cane wherever I go, boy? The day I stop working my farm is when I can’t use my legs anymore. When that day comes I will use my teeth to grab the coconuts. When all of my teeth fall out, I’ll use my gums! I don’t even know how I would manage that! Then when that doesn’t work anymore and I am dead, I will haunt you AND this farm to make sure it is running properly. Is that clear, son?!?” Seaponeh could only laugh and nod in agreement, knowing that it was a stupid question to ask. “Now get outta here before I make you clean the bathrooms, boy!” after Magnus said that, there were nothing but feathers left where Seaponeh was just standing. “Hehehe, works every time…” Magnus thought out loud. Flying over the town, Seaponeh noticed that everypony was in a rush today. Some were getting a bite to eat at a local bakery, while others were surfing along the coastline, enjoying the sun. The market stands were already swarmed, despite the fact it was the middle of the day. Something familiar caught Seaponeh’s eye, so he flew down to investigate and came across Doctor Clover’s clinic. Over the years, he had become good friends with Doctor Clover, or Uncle Clover as Seaponeh called him now. “Uncle Clover? You in there?” After hearing a crash from inside, he got a response. “Oi! Can’t ya see that my sign says closed?!?” Checking the sign Seaponeh added, “It says that you’re open and ready for business…” The door opened, revealing Doctor Clover, who looked like he hardly aged at all. “Darn it lad, why do you have to ruin the moment for me with facts, eh?” “Sorry uncle, just coming by for my weekly checkup…” With a hardy laugh Doctor Clover replied, “Oh really? A checkup or maybe perhaps an order to go?” He smiled with a twinkle in his eye, “You can’t fool me that easily, lad.” “I want to know how you make that…that…treasure from above taste so good!” said Seaponeh, drooling at the thought of having that delicious nacho burrito again. “Heheheh, It seems nothing has really changed about you lad. Besides, you know I can’t tell you how I make those. It may break the rules of the universe or something. Well then, let’s have your checkup first and then you can have your date with Ms. Burrito.” They walked into the lobby and straight into the check room, and Sea figured it was a good thing that Uncle Clover wasn’t getting any business today, or anytime nowadays. The only business he usually got was the occasional drunk. “So, what do you think of Princess Luna coming back from those old mare’s tales, eh?” Doctor Clover asked as he fumbled with his medical drawers as Seaponeh decided to take a seat on the examination table. “I think she looks beautiful, being out of that “Nightmare Moon” phase and all that crazy stuff.” Seaponeh gave a shiver, remembering how Nightmare Moon attempted to bring all of Equestria into eternal night. “Ah yes, crazy stuff indeed, lad.” Doctor Clover finally brought out his clipboards showing Seaponeh’s medical condition, which was clean by the way. “Let’s see if there were any changes today then…” with an orange glow from his horn, a black portal formed in front of Doctor Clover, Seaponeh on the opposite end. It was an x-ray portal, which could not only see Seaponeh’s bones but his muscles and organs. “It seems that everything is where they should be, not that was a problem anyways. How’s the “birthmark” there lad?” as the portal disintegrated, Seaponeh stood up on the table, looking at the mirror behind him. “It’s doing fine, I guess.” replied Seaponeh. This was normal routine to him, as he’s been doing this same old thing for fifteen years. In school, where his classmates would call him eraser butt, they would tease him a lot and would want him to erase words from a sign or something like that. While the Palms felt bad for him, Doctor Clover laughed hysterically every time Seaponeh mentioned an eraser butt story. “Well, I guess you earned yourself a date with, *chuckle* Ms. Nacho Burrito.” Doctor Clover opened the fridge and fumbled through it. Seaponeh sat back down and asked, “Did you ever find anything about…my water-walking talent?” Doctor Clover paused for a second before continuing to fumble with the fridge…what in the world does he keep in there, a food court? “AH! Here we go!” Seaponeh’s eyes widened with anticipation when Uncle Clover brought two wrapped delicacies that would make angels jealous of. With a quick use of magic the two can already smell the beauty of the nacho burritos overwhelming their nostrils as the magic warmed the food. Doctor Clover grabbed one from the plate and floated it over to Seaponeh who was all too happy to take it. About to take a bite, Seaponeh suddenly heard “Wait lad, wait!” He was so close to taking a bite as Doctor Clover stopped him “Let’s savor this moment.” They both paused for a second. “Alright, lad let’s do this!” and they both chowed down on their nacho burritos with determination and years of skill. If an unfortunate pony wasn’t being careful, it could stick to the roof of their mouth. Seaponeh’s wings slowly spread out as he ate, making Doctor Clover nearly die from choking in laughter. After they were done, Seaponeh remembered something and said, “Uncle…” Doctor Clover looked back at him with a questioning look. “You didn’t answer my question earlier…” Doctor Clover stared at him for a second, twitching an ear, before he took a deep breath and answered. “No lad, I haven’t discovered anything new, sorry for disappointing ya.” Seaponeh lowered his head a little, having to wait a little longer for his answer. Doctor Clover then walked towards the door and said, “Also, your wings are still up.” He closed them quickly. “C’mon lad, it’s about time for you to get outta here. I may have actual customers today!” Seaponeh glanced at the Doc with guilt on his face as he followed him out the door. “Are you sure I can’t pay you for this? It’s the least I can do to show my thanks.” Doctor Clover dismissed that almost instantly, saying, “Lad, how many times do I have to tell ya that I will check on you for free? I’ll be fine! Geez, you’re just like your father sometimes.” “Are you sur-” “YES YES, I will be fine now get outta here lad before I beat ya with a stick, and tell your folks I said hello!” With that, Seaponeh walked outside as the door slammed behind him. “He sure did hesitate when I asked him about the water thing…” Thinking for a second, he shrugged and came to the conclusion that it must be an old pony thing. With that conclusion in mind, he took off again. Doctor Clover went into the back, where his office was. Opening the door he looked at an old, worn book with a bookmark in it lying on his desk. On the cover was the symbol of a pony and a deer, side by side. Closing his curtains so that he would not be disturbed, Clover opened the ancient book to look at the bookmarked page. “Ah lad, if only I could tell ya...” He said as he began to read the pages before him. Beside him was a message from a pony called Twilight Sparkle, telling him to be sure to send the book back to the Princess. Flying over the docks Seaponeh noticed a familiar mare with pink hair doing something with a sailboat. Smiling, he quietly landed on the water behind the boat. Making sure she didn’t notice him, he slowly crept over the railing and with a dramatic pause, he leaned over behind her left ear and simply said, “Boo!” Mayflower immediately shot off the ground, all hairs spiked up from being scared. Landing down face-first, she grumbled to herself, and then quickly got back up with a look of murder in her eyes. “Seaponeh…I hate you right now.” Saying that only made him laugh harder. With this she did her counter-offensive, and she kicked him over the side of the ship. With a sudden splash of water, he quickly jumped out and landed beside her. “Aaw c’mon sis; I was only playing with you.” Mayflower stuck her tongue out at him, with that murderous look still in her eye. “Sea, that was not called for…period.” Branching lectured as he walked over the bridge onto the center of the ship, wearing what looked like a business suit. His hair was all slicked back, as if saying hello ladies the line is to the left, too bad he is a bit of an annoyance sometimes. Mayflower suddenly went into ninja mode without Seaponeh noticing as he started to talk. “Oh, hi Branching, I see you just came back from a meeting of some kind.” Seaponeh pointed out as Branching snorted at him and replied, “It just so happens that I was in a meeting with the Mayor having to do with our sales right now. Don’t even get me started on apple sales…” Mayflower had gotten behind Seaponeh without him noticing and was ready to strike. “It also seems that our sister has you trapped.” “Wait…what?” is all Seaponeh could say before Mayflower started to tickle the living stars out of him. She kept tickling him as he fell to the ground dying from laughter. “O-o-okay! S-s-stop p-p-please! Teeheehaa!” Seaponeh begged as Mayflower smiled and said, “Say that you are sorry.” “W-what?!?” “Say that you are sorry!” “Okay okay I’m sorry, now please, stop it!” Mayflower eased up, smiling as she stood on top of Seaponeh in victory. “You can get off me now…” “One more second, I just beat you by tickling; don’t ruin the moment.” “Wwwwhyyyyyyyyy?” His whine would make a famous fashion pony proud. “Well, fine then.” Mayflower stepped off of him. “Aren’t you supposed to be bucking Palm trees for coconuts right now, Sea?” Branching straightened up his tie, making sure not to get any seawater on himself. “I was but Dad told me to take a break, sooo I’m here seeing you guys!” “Aaaw isn’t that sweet, little Seaponeh actually cares about us.” Mayflower teased as she went to fix a rope. “I also got word that the Lunar Guards are currently coming to our town.” This got Seaponeh and Mayflower’s attention. The town never really needed protection at all, so why are they getting it now? “ Wait? You mean Luna’s guards, as in Princess Luna, the princess of the night? What are they doing here?” Mayflower was as curious as always. Branching waved them in closer and whispered, “It seems as though there may be searching for a threat running about the countryside. Considering the Elements of Harmony just…well…turned Discord back to stone no more than a week ago, his creatures are still here.” Seaponeh and Mayflower were shocked, but slowly had smiles appearing on their faces as they looked at each other. “Don’t you even think about it…” Branching warned. “But chocolate rain, brother! CHOCOLATE RAIN!” Mayflower and Seaponeh both said in unison. With a groan, Branching stopped before he could face-hoof. “Look, just stay in the town and everything will be fine, ok? Ok.” With that, he walked off, nearly tripping on his tie, which had loosened again. With both Mayflower and Seaponeh trying to hold back their laughter, he walked away as he muttered something to himself.
Chapter 2-Somewhere in the Canterlot Castle field grounds- “SPARKS, I WANTED YOU IN LINE TWO MINUTES AGO, MOVE IT!” Sparks muttered something under his breath as his captain harassed him for being late. They had just returned from a twenty-mile trot in full armor, on one of the hottest days ever. It was a wonder that they were all still standing. He was part of the select few soldiers that ran missions of importance to his country. They were known as the Dwarf Star Regiment, which was made up of only one hundred members of the best of the best Equestria had to offer. “I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO BE A PART OF THIS REGIMENT, SON, BUT YOUR SORRY FLANK SAYS OTHERWISE!” Sparks was getting very annoyed by his captain, but orders were orders as he stood silently in line with the other nine members of his squad. Moving on, the captain addressed the rest of them, “Alright… We have a special day today, and considering the hard work we did while the Elements of Harmony were taking down Discord…” The soldiers chuckled, remembering that delicious chocolate rain from the heavens. One recruit was tempted to sing the song but decided against it. Making sure there was no such interruption the captain continued, “Everypony in the regiment is allowed to take three days off, but be sure to be back right at this exact spot! Is that clear, Dwarf Stars?” “SIR, YES SIR!” yelled all ten soldiers. “DISMISSED!” the captain barked. As he fell out, Sparks couldn’t believe his luck. He went into the barracks to take off his gear. His armor covered nearly all of his body, which included a mask to cover his face from dust, which also served to protect his identity. His cutie mark was made up of a sword and shield, and he had pure blue fur from head to hoof. “YO! SPARKY!” Sparks turned around to see his old friend, High Tower. The red Pegasus had a funny look on his face as he trotted into the barracks. This punk had a pair of dragon wings on his flank. Smiling, Sparks responded. “How’s it going, Tower?” “Fine; thanks for asking, you jerk.” He playfully punched Sparks’ shoulder. Sparks retaliated by returning the punch and asked, “Any luck on that dragon thing you have going on?” “Oh, you mean dragon taming?” High Tower’s job is that of a dragon tamer. It was a job highly exclusive to Pegasi because they were the only ones to have wings. Unicorns had tried but apparently dragons can only relate to ponies that fly, and if anything the female dragons found them adorable. “Yeah, I heard another dragon was trying to sleep in the cave above those mountain ranges again.” He had taken all of his armor off at this point, and was finally able to relax. “We stopped him this time, unlike that jerk that nearly smoked out Ponyville.” Tower remembered that, and was annoyed by such an occurrence. “And it still took a group of Pegasi to make him move.” “How’s the city been while I was on duty?” Sparks hadn’t been able to see his hometown of Canterlot ever since Discord broke free, and was glad that it was all over now. “Ah well you know, the same old snobs. Pay is a little higher, and we had free cake for an hour…AN HOUR.” Sparks knew that meant everypony scrambled for cake. He silently cursed the sky for the misfortune of missing that. Suddenly, there was a growl from the deep end of his belly. “Let’s get out of here; I’m craving for some food.” “AH, YES FOOD! GLORIOUS FOOD!” Tower flew out of there within a blink of an eye. “You’re supposed to come with ME jerk!” yelled Sparks as Tower was already out of reach. With a sigh he began his trot to the city of Canterlot. Luckily he knew where High Tower was already going. -Celeston, later in that same evening- Seaponeh walked back through the Palm Family Farm gates, and noticed that there was still a mark where the mail mare had crashed. “I’m probably going to end up fixing that…” he groaned out loud to himself as he casually walked to the main house. There were three houses. The big one in the middle was where everypony lived in. The one closest to the water was where they worked on the coconuts. The one on the left near the tree line was a storage house for equipment and other fancy stuff. He opened the front door to the main house and walked in, feeling the warmth and a welcoming smell…home. “Sea, is that you sweetie?” Aedre asked as came around the corner. “Hey mom.” “Where is everypony today? I made pumpkin pie and hay penne pasta.” “They’re coming; things just got interesting in town.” “Oh you mean the fact that we’re not just getting guards, but LUNAR guards that are coming to town tonight?” “How did you…” “Your father went into town and everypony was talking about it.” So much for it being a secret. Seaponeh smiled, thinking this was the result of a “Mayflower Ramble.” She had a tendency for telling such things too. The poor mare is never going to hear the end of it from Branching. The door burst open to reveal an out of breath Mayflower with the look that said she is on a mission. “You…have got…to go…to town…they are…so cool!” With that, Mayflower plopped onto the floor, gasping for air. Seaponeh casually closed the door and paid no heed to his sister’s dramatic performance. “There is pumpkin pie in the kitchen, May, if you want any.” Miss Palm teased. “Okay…just saying though…” Mayflower slowly crawled her way to the kitchen. Seaponeh couldn’t help but laugh at this un-lady like display. “Seaponeh honey, please go fetch your father and brother for me. I don’t want dinner to go to waste” Seaponeh gave a little sigh before saying, “Alright I will, see you guys in a little bit…I guess.” He opened the door and flew off into the bright moonlit night sky. Landing softly in the bustling town, all of the streetlights as well as all of the businesses were lit up and decorated, all due to the arrival of the Lunar Guards. Heck, there were banners that said, “Welcome, Lunar Guards to Celeston!” It wasn’t hard to figure out where everypony was as he came across a huge crowd of ponies gathered around a small stage in the middle of the town square. “I assure you, good citizens of Celeston, we will make your town safe from the danger that the god of chaos created. It will be like we never existed.” This was obviously the leader as Seaponeh looked on. He wasn’t a rookie when it came to military topics; Mr. Palm had made sure of that. This guy looked like he was pretty new at his job though. “So exactly what kind of “danger” are we in for, Captain Nighthawk?” As always the Daily Celeston News journalist spoke first, being the only local newspaper company in town. “We don’t know specific details yet, but we know that it is a threat to this town, no more, no less.” The Captain said with a most sincere look on his face that reassured everypony there. Seaponeh decided to start looking for his father and brother as the captain continued with his speech. “We also would like to thank the Mayor for his hospitality, allowing us to set up our base in his workplace.” Seaponeh chuckled, knowing it was the only place they could really hold operations without a hitch. He continued to make his way through the crowd when he finally spotted Mr. Palm, along with his brother and Doctor Clover, near the front of the crowd. “Of course, they would be in the front. Why didn’t I look there first?” Seaponeh thought as he rolled his eyes. As he moved towards his two targets, the captain continued to talk. “Us being here will be temporary, so that...excuse me.” Seaponeh looked up to the captain as a recruit whispered to him in either fear or excitement; he guessed both. “*Ahem* It seems that we already located what we are here for, so I’m going to have to cut this short and ask you to stay in your homes for the remainder of the night.” With this, everypony in the crowd broke up, and Seaponeh walked over to Mr. Palm and Branching. “Sea! You just missed this pony’s speech! Where have you been?” Mr. Palm put on a small smile while Branching just stood there with a poker face. “Oh, nowhere, I was home, hoping you guys would get there SO WE CAN HAVE DINNER!” Seaponeh playfully shook Mr. Palm by the shoulders. “Oi lad, take it easy. The old geezer can only handle so much, ya know?” Doctor Clover teased, as it seemed he was on the offensive tonight. Ignoring this, Mr. Palm said, “Yes, yes, dinner. I have forgotten that my wife can still cook.” Seaponeh and Branching looked at each other, praying Miss Palm will never hear that remark in person. “Well I guess I’ll be heading home me-self. See you lads later now” declared Doctor Clover as he walked back to his clinic. “Anyway…so I guess we will go home now, Sea. Let’s go boys!” As Mr. Palm trotted off, Branching whispered to Seaponeh, “I wish you had come sooner; it was the most boring thing I have ever been dragged to…” Laughing at this, they both went to catch up to their father. Back in the family house they smelled dinner, which was already ready. “She planned this…” Branching declared. “Your mother is a smart mare, so I suggest that we watch ourselves” Mr. Palm said jokingly. “When you boys are done talking, there is food on the table!” The three stallions looked at each other in surprise, agreeing that Miss Palm had some kind of voodoo magic going on tonight. -Somewhere in the forest near Celeston- A Lunar guard was running for his life, taken aback at what they had found. He nearly ran into Captain Nighthawk and the rest of the platoon before he went into a complete stop. “PRIVATE TUCKER! WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU, SON?!?” The Captain made sure not to look concerned in front of the rest of the platoon. It was common sense to have the leader not looking scared, otherwise everypony else would be in more of a panic than they are already. Breathing heavily the private stuttered, “S-sir…*cough*…W-w-we f-f-found it b-b-b-but it’s acting d-d-d-differently from anything else we d-d-dealt with!” The Captain had a sudden cold chill crawl up his spine, and with a hoof on the private’s shoulder, he looked into his eyes. “What do you mean, son? Calm down, and tell me what you saw.” The poor guy took a few big breaths before he started again. “It isn’t some…”Looney” thing that Discord created that would throw pie or something. Cloud, Comet, Emerald and I cornered it. We only heard it laugh before it attacked us…” The private was at the point of tears, “T-t-t-their dead sir…all of them…” The Captain went wide-eyed, not sure what to do in a situation like this. The rest of the platoon stared at their captain, waiting for orders. With a deep breath, the captain told Private Tucker, “Alright son, you need some rest. Just point me in the right direction.” “N-not far sir, just beyond those trees…” The whole platoon suddenly heard laughter emanate from somewhere deep in the forest. Hearing the laughter, Private Tucker rolled into a ball on the ground. “Sir, something is coming right for us!” yelled one of the soldiers. “Everypony, form up! We will not let this creature be the end of us!”
Chapter 3-The next day, somewhere in Canterlot city - “Uhhhhhh…” Sparks groaned as he woke up, his head pounding from a bad headache. Groggily looking around he took in what was there. Party streamers and slices of cake were scattered everywhere in what looked like a golden foyer. He suddenly remembered something. “By Celestia’s beard, HIGH TOWER, WHERE ARE YOU?!?” He heard somepony groan as a pile of junk falls over, revealing the red Pegasus. “I’m sleeping mommy… can I stay in bed for another couple o’ hours? Celestia won’t mind...” Sparks got up and slowly made his way over to High Tower, making sure not to step on anything. Once he reached the sleeping Pegasus, he tried to wake him up. “C’mon Tower, its half past noon already aaaaand we kinda need to get outta here… Ooomph!” Sparks suddenly received a punch in the stomach, doubling back a little from the unexpected blow. “I don’t wanna get up…” groaned High Tower, still in sleep mode. Recovering quickly and now fully awake, Sparks knew what had to be done. “Sorry Tower, but you forced my hoof.” He stood above the unsuspecting Pegasus and rubbed his hooves together, until he got a ‘spark’. He felt all his hairs rise a little and then moved his hooves over his friend’s body, ready to strike, when he suddenly yelled, “CLEAR!” and put his hooves on High Tower, who jumped into the air with a combination of a squeak and anger. Speaking words unknown to anypony he ran around the room as Sparks laughed at his attempt to get away from the electricity. Crashing back into the junk pile he pushed over earlier, High Tower glared at Sparks and said, “You’re lucky that I, OW! …don’t breathe fire, Sparky, OW! …You’re a very lucky pony.” Then Sparks remembered why he woke the tyrant up in the first place. “Tower we need to get going…NOW.” “Wait, why?” “Because if we don’t they will.” He was cut off as the doors to the foyer opened and two Solace Guards trotted in, with serious business written all over their faces. “Private Sparks of the Dwarf Stars Regiment?” “Crap…” Sparks thought as he quickly stood at attention. “Present, sir!” “Your highness requests an audience with you; she said it was muy importante.” Sparks held his breath for two seconds. He knew if Princess Celestia was using the ancient Caballo language, she meant business. High Tower suddenly got out of the pile, sat beside Sparks, and asked, “Since when did the Princess speak Cabolla?” Everypony stared at him with a ‘really?’ look on their face. “Ok, so it was a silly question…” High Tower sheepishly said. Face-hoofing in embarrassment, Sparks trotted over and stood before the guards. “Alright then, let’s not keep her majesty waiting, oh and High Tower…don’t follow me this time.” High Tower was about to respond when Sparks gave him a look, so he quickly shut up and nodded. Making their way up to the front gates of the inner castle, Sparks decided then to ask the guards what the problem was. “So, what does she want anyway? Just curious, is all.” The two guards looked at each other and back at him with honest looks, and the one on the left said, “We really have no idea, Private.” Opening the doors the two guards waved him in and then closed them behind him as he walked up the steps into the main hall. He looked around the walls, observing the artistry in the stained-glass windows. One had six ponies and what looked like Nightmare Moon being zapped. He looked over to the end where her majesty sat, who was currently talking to one of her advisors. “Well, it seems my Dwarf Star soldier has arrived.” Celestia declared nodding towards Sparks, glad that he had arrived at that exact moment. Her advisor left in respect as Celestia waited for Sparks to get close enough to address him. Sparks kneeled before her, bowed his head, and asked, “What have you called me for, my Princess?” Celestia smiled, and asked, “How have you been? Enjoying your little vacation?” “Yes, my Princess, and the cake was very delicious!” Mortified at what he had just said, he glanced up the Princess to gauge her reaction. Giggling, the goddess of the sun continued, “It was all made by a young mare in a small town called Ponyville, you should visit it sometime…but…” Her face got a little more serious. “That is not why I called you here today.” Sparks stood at attention, waiting for whatever she was going to throw at him. “Do you remember what happened when Discord broke free, Private Sparks?” Sparks quickly answered, “Yes ma’am, I remember everything, from the looney creatures, to the floating islands, to the chocolate rain…which was my personal favorite.” Sparks blushed a little from admitting that he actually liked something Discord made. “Was there anything else that you have seen Sparks, anything that would be out of place?” The princess was very serious now. Sparks only got all the more concerned, and said, “No your majesty…” The Princess sighed and said, “There is another problem, something that we all missed. I have chosen you for this operation because you have what I look for, but now I must ask this of you…” Sparks could only listen as she spoke. “You are to follow the orders of my sister Luna, and do exactly what she says.” “WHAAAAAAAT?!?” Both Sparks and Celestia looked over to one of the columns where a red Pegasus had popped out in surprise. Smiling, Celestia said, “I wondered if he was ever going to come out. A friend of yours, I presume?” Sparks nodded, ears folded back, blushing madly in embarrassment. “His name is High Tower. He’s my best friend.” Sparks declared. Giggling, the wise Princess called out “You don’t have to hide behind that column anymore, High Tower. I already knew that you were hiding there.” The wannabe ninja walked out, and slowly trotted over to stand beside Sparks, his ears also folded back. “Sorry Sparky…” “It’s ok, Tower.” Looking at them, the Princess smiled and was about to say something, when High Tower darted to stand before Princess Celestia. He kneeled before her and begged, “Please oh please oh please oh please can I go with Private Sparks your Majesty? I have always wanted to meet Princess Luna!” “TOWER, SHOW SOME RESPECT!” yelled Sparks. Princess Celestia was slightly surprised at Private Sparks’ outburst, but she said with a smile, “Of course you can, as a matter of fact, you’re going to help Sparks with his mission.” “WHAAAAT!?!” Sparks yelled in surprise as High Tower jumped up and down with glee. “Yaaay! I get to see Woona! I get to see Wooooona~!” High Tower was jumping all around them as Sparks stood stunned. “But your majesty, what if I need to…” Sparks words died as the Goddess of the Sun merely looked at him with an innocent smile. This alone confirmed that he was doomed to work with High Tower. It’s not like he didn’t like High Tower, it was the fact that this is a serious mission, and he wasn't sure that he could handle it. After High Tower had calmed down a bit, the Princess continued, “You’ll meet my sister in the observatory in the northern tower later this evening. She is currently asleep right now.” “Yes, your majesty.” was all Sparks could say as the two stallions bowed to the Princess, and before they left, High Tower asked one more thing, “Hey Miss Princess of the bright light thingy, can I ask you a question?” Celestia simply nodded slowly but gracefully, allowing him to continue. “Exactly WHAT time of the evening are we seeing Woona?” Sparks face-hoofed; he forgot that High Tower wasn’t military and didn’t know the protocol. “You must like my sister to be so curious like THAT, my little pony.” Celestia giggled once more. “I believe it will be seven o’clock…sharp.” “Thank you, Princess!” High Tower quickly caught up with Sparks as they walked back out of the hall. “Good luck, you two.” Celestia said out loud to herself. “You’re going to need it.”
Chapter 4Walking out the front doors, Sparks looked at his lifelong friend and asked, “High Tower, why does it feel like you set that up?” “I have noooo idea what you are talking about, Sparky.” He replied in a sing-song voice. “Sure you don’t. By the way, how did you get into the palace and get past all of the guards?” High Tower couldn’t help but smile, and with a skip in his trot, he said, “Oh, it was easy; I just gave them cake!” -Later in the castle at 6:58 pm- “Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy!” High Tower kept saying over and over as two lunar guards led both of them to Luna’s quarters. He happily said, “The first thing I am going to do is give her a big ‘ol hug!” “Yeah, that attitude definitely needs to be restrained…” thought Sparks. The guards stopped at the bottom of the stairs to Luna’s tower as a butler greeted them with a nod. “This way gentlecolts; her majesty is waiting.” The guards started to follow them but the butler added, “That will be all. Her majesty said that you two are welcome to have the night off.” Both of the guards glanced at each other in confusion, but didn’t complain as Sparks and High Tower followed the butler up the stairs. “So, what has Princess Luna been up to, mister…?” High Tower couldn’t help but ask as his curiosity overtook him. “My name is Bond, Stars Bond.” He then added, “But you can just call me Bond.” Sparks couldn’t help but feel like he heard the name before, but it didn’t matter now. As they continued to climb up the long-winded stairs, Luna was engrossed with her own hobby. “Hmm, thou do not belong there.” Luna thought out loud as she moved a star that had somehow moved out of its place. “That’s better.” Luna smiled, staring at the night sky from her balcony, the stars formed in the shape of a rose. There was a knock on her door. “Come in.” Luna said, not knowing what was about to happen, when a blur of red fur flew in and tackled her. “HIGH TOWER, GET OFF HER THIS INSTANT!” Luna had no idea what was going on, and the only thing that she realized was that a red smiling pegasus pony had tackled her. She also noticed that some other pony was standing near the door; who was he, the Dwarf Star Guard that she had requested? The young Pegasus that had tackled her gave her a hug and kept repeating, “Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh!” She quickly used her magic try pry him off, and dangled him in front of her. “DOST THOU NOT KNOW THE MEANING OF RESTRAINT?!?” Her Canterlot voice was in use now…oh dear. “You’re on your own now friend.” Stars Bond said with a farewell and wisely made his way out of Luna’s quarters. Face-hoofing Sparks could only say, “I am terribly sorry your Highness, but he has really wanted to meet you for a long time; he’s practically your biggest fan.” Princess Luna stared at the smiling red Pegasus, despite the fact he was being held against his will in the air, but he didn’t care at this point. “Our biggest…fan?” High Tower nodded very fast at this; Sparks could only hope that he wouldn’t tackle her again. “Well, that would explain the few things that had just happened, but please be sure to restrain yourself.” High Tower nodded more slowly this time, disappointed that he could not hug her. She lowered him down to the floor and released him. Recovering from the sudden burst, Luna looked over to Sparks and asked, “So thou the one from the Dwarf Star regiment, correct?” Sparks cleared his throat and replied, “Yes your highness, although I am merely a private.” “It dost not matter that ye are a mere green horn, from a regiment of that sort.” Sparks appreciated the compliment although not used to this kind of speaking. High Tower couldn’t stop himself from doing one more thing. “Can I have your autograph?” Luna looked back at hopeful red Pegasus, puzzled. Shaking her head, she continued, “Anyway, what art thou names?” “My name is Sparks, and your biggest fan over there is my good friend High Tower.” Luna nodded, approving of these names, not that she needed to anyway, and asked, “So our sister has told ye that thou must listen to our orders, correct?” “That is one hundred percent correct, your Highness.” While the other two ponies were talking, High Tower had taken the opportunity to sneak behind Luna, but it was to no avail as he was picked up again. “Do please restrain your friend…High Tower is it?” “Oh my gosh, she said my name, she said my name Sparky!” High Tower was in a heavenly state of mind right now…that is until Luna finally gave him a stare. He stood at perfect attention right then and there as Sparks watched on in awe. “That should hold him in place; so energetic!” Thought Luna. “Are ye two ready to take your first orders?” The two friends nodded in unison. “Well, lend thy ears to us.” She walked over to a bookshelf near the balcony doors, where she was just adjusting the positions of her beautiful stars. Using her magic, she brought out a dusty book bearing a Pony and a Deer on the front. “Your first order is to fetch a certain Pony for me…” -Market Center of Celeston, twenty minutes after Luna’s predicament- Seaponeh yawned a little bit, still a little tired from the coconut gathering, as he escorted Mayflower into the center of the market place carrying a bag with his cutie mark on it. Nopony can never be too careful when in this place. The usual ruckus was underway but one thing nagged at him; he had not seen a single Lunar Guard walking around since last night. “Hmmm… they must still be out hunting that creature.” Seaponeh thought to himself. “Oh, Sea, look at this!” Mayflower pointed at an intricate necklace made out of purple seashells. “Oh, so my shell necklace got your attention, eh sweetie?” asked the salesmare. “Huh, she sells sea shells by the sea shore…” Seaponeh thought to himself, laughing at the coincidence of such things. Looking at the price, he prayed to both Celestia and Luna that she did not want it. “Can you get this for me, Sea? My birthday’s coming up!” Seaponeh winced a little, making sure she didn’t notice. Silently asking Celestia and Luna why he had to pay thirty coins for a seashell necklace, he brought out the bits and paid for the necklace. After the old mare thanked them in and they had walked away, Mayflower quickly put on the expensively priced necklace, and Sea hoped it was worth it. “Aw, doesn’t it look cute on me big brother~?” “Adorable.” Was all Seaponeh could say. “Be honest with me, does it look cute?” Seaponeh decided to stop and take a good look this time, if only to make her stop asking. “Cuter than a wittle filly!” Seaponeh said with enthusiasm. Mayflower giggled a little bit and asked, “Really? That’s all you had to…” she trailed off as they both suddenly heard an explosion from the opposite side of the market place. Everypony froze in shock, but after a few seconds another explosion followed the first, sending everypony into action. “Mayflower, RUN! NOW!” Both of them began to run away, trying to get away as far as they could until an explosion shot up in front of them, engulfing three ponies in flames. Mayflower screamed as the ponies were instantly turned into charred corpses. “Sea! Help me!” Mayflower hugged up against him burying her face into his chest. Seaponeh looked around the market place and realized that nearly the entire area was in flames. “Get on my back…we’re getting out of here.” Mayflower quickly jumped onto his back as the explosions continued, burning the unfortunate ones as they were engulfed in flames. They started to run to the closest building when laughter was heard from the market place. Looking into the fire-covered market, Seaponeh saw an outline of a figure unknown to him. What freaked him out was that it was laughing at the death of others and the chaos that ensued from the explosions. He suspected that this was the individual responsible for the explosions. A glow emanated from the figure’s head, and a black streak shot out from it and killed five other ponies. “Sweet Celestia…” Seaponeh quickly got into the building with the terrified Mayflower on his back. It was a wonder he wasn’t in a state of shock himself. There were a couple of terrified families huddling under some tables in the back. They all stared at him in fear as they ran inside. “Everypony alright?” Seaponeh asked, and the families nodded, glad to be alive. “We’re under attack, we need to get out of here and call for help.” The owner, a black stallion with a mild build, spoke up. “There was a telegram but it’s destroyed along with the mail house.” “Sea…” Mayflower muttered, still clinging to his back. “Is there nothing else to use to call for help?” Seaponeh asked, knowing that they needed to get help. The owner hesitated and replied, “There is one over at Doctor Clover’s clinic, but that is across town, son; you won’t be able to make it!” “Uncle Clover…” Seaponeh thought, he hoped the old stallion was alright. “Then that’s where I am going. Mayflower…” She looked over his shoulder, terrified but listening. “I need you to go with these families for me, ok? ” She shook her head and quickly replied, “I’m not going anywhere without you! You know I can run fast!” “That doesn’t mean anything now. Just do this for me please?” another explosion went off, making everyone freeze in fear. “I’ll go with you.” a dark yellow stallion said as he got out from under one of the tables. Smiling, Seaponeh looked at Mayflower and said, “See? We Celestonians don’t quit easily! Now, go with them and get our family out of here, I’ll meet with you later.” Mayflower slowly but surely eased up, and jumped to the floor. Before she went with the families, Mayflower hugged Sea with all her might, and said with tears in her eyes, “Be careful, big bro!” “You know I will be.” “The back door leads to a dirt road; everypony can get out safely from there.” The owner mentioned. “Well then,” said the yellow stallion as another explosion went off, “We should probably get going.” With that they cautiously opened the door and stepped outside. Seaponeh asked the stallion, “What’s your name?” “The name is Gold.” the stallion added, “as in Golden Heart. And you?” “It’s Seaponeh.” “…Seaponeh?” “Long story…” “Ah ok” Gold nodded, deciding to leave the subject alone. “Well Gold, we better get to Doctor Clover’s clinic now, ready?” Gold nodded. They quickly ran across the street as explosions went off in the distance. “It must’ve moved ahead…” Seaponeh thought out loud. Looking at each other, they nodded and ran across to another building again, and they kept doing this until they hit the corner that the clinic was on. “Sweet Luna…” said Gold as they approached the blackened building. The front door was completely destroyed, with the remains scattered along the main lobby. Seaponeh’s hairs instantly went up from seeing how slim the chances were that Uncle Clover had survived. Then suddenly, they heard a loud cough coming from somewhere within the Clinic. “Uncle Clover; I’m coming!” Yelled Seaponeh as he darted inside, followed closely by Gold. As they entered the clinic, Gold muttered, “Oh, Sweet Celestia, buck me sideways…”
