Pony of the Twelve Signsby Golden LusterChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 1Luster woke up in a panic. The tree house was on fire and his horn was spewing flames. He quickly concentrated and stopped the flow of magic to his horn and the flames. He ran over to the sink and turned it on. Concentrating again luster made a tidal wave that doused the eating fire. Boy was twilight going to be angry at him; he had almost burned the house down and had soaked her books when He managed to shoot a stream of water at the flames. Luster walked over to the sink and turned it off. He looked in the mirror and stared at himself his Dark Grey pelt and Golden blonde hair was singed and the Golden sheen on his pelt was dimmed. Thinking of cleaning up he quickly opened a window and debated whether it would be safe or not to summon a light breeze. Thinking it safe he concentrated and to his surprise the light breeze he summoned wasn't something drastic like a tornado or a hurricane. He directed the wind to spin around the treehouse and dry the place and his pelt while he laid out the wet books. The princesses had summoned him to Canterlot from Foalsom because his uncontrollable magic and it had spiked their interest. Next thing he had known he was put in a floating bubble and sent on a train to Ponyville to meet Celestia's student; Twilight Sparkle. He had been stuck in the house for about a week now it was starting the wear on him and Twilight was busy with whatever it was she did during the day It was at about this time in his thought process he heard the door open and close and a pleasantly familiar voice. "Spike the mysteries of magic are... LUSTER WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!!!!!" Luster wasn't surprised to hear the anger in Twilights voice the house was a swirling mess of papers, puddles and ash. Luster walked into the front room to see a fuming Twilight and a confused Spike. 'oh boy am I dead now' Luster thought to himself and then he looked to Twilight "Um sorry for the mess...'" "Mess, MESS!!!! UG! This is horrible! My notes are ruined and the ink is smearing!" Twilight was frantically running around the room trying to make sense of the mess. "I was doing my best to handle it." "What do you mean your best! Recipes ruined, History smeared, Spells muddled! GAH!!" "Sorry..." "No no it's fine Celestia warned me that you had some, er, quirks, I guess she forgot to mention the lack of everyday magic at your disposal!" Twilight sighed, "you can't even cast simple levitation spells and without a library of research, research will be a pain." "Twilight?" Spike interrupted. "Yes Spike?" "Would we be able to contact your brother somehow maybe he could help?" 'Just what we need another Unicorn.' Luster thought. "That's an excellent idea Spike take a letter." Spike dropped the books he was holding and started looking fo a spare quill and a dry piece of paper. "You have a brother?" Luster asked Twilight "Yes, he's the captain of the Royal Canterlot Gaurd. Though by now he might have been promoted to some higher rank." "I see." Luster knew the captain of the Gaurd and was not on good terms with him. Spike walked over with a quill, paper, and ink and was waiting patiently. "Now while I write a message to Princess Celestia start sorting those books according to how damaged they are." "Will do." "Now Spike are you ready?" "Yes Twilight!" "Ok. Ahem. Dear Princess Celestia I have come to a dead end with Luster's situation and would like to request the aid of my brother for his knowledge of magic as well as his protective abilities. Thank you. Always your faithful student Twilight Sparkle." "... And done!" said spike a moment later. "Good, now send." With the usual whoosh of green flame the letter was off to the Princess. Luster was pushing some books toward a pile. "Now that your done could I get some help please?" Before Twilight could respond a pink lump slammed into her shouting something that sounded like 'Twitchy tail' just as a beam from the ceiling came down a landed with a crash in the spot where Twilight was standing a moment before. Luster jumped in shock at the scene. "Pinkie! Get off"' shouted A muffled Twilight from under The pink pony. The pink pony got off Twilight and helped her up and started bouncing in place. "Thanks but Pinkie what are you doing here?" "I just had a hunch a new pony was in town and I thought I'd ask you first!" Luster figuring that this was the infamous Pinkie Pie watched the scene with concern. "Is she always like... This?" Pinkie Pie breathed in really loudly. "Twilight, since when did you hide Boys in your house!!!" Twilight blushed faintly but not so faintly that Luster didn't notice. "Um.." She said. Pinkie Pie walked over to Luster and shook his hoof violently. "Hi, I'm Pinkie..." "Pinkie." Twilight warned. "...Pie you must be new here as I've..." "Pinkie." "...Never seen you before and I know..." "Pinkie!" "...Every pony in Ponyville!!!" 'PINKIE!!!!' "What is it Twilight I'm done?" "Nice to meet you." Luster put in. "Pinkie I hate to put you down but Luster, Spike, and I have to clean up the place." "Put me down? Never Twilight I have a welcome Party to plan! See you!" Pinkie Pie bounced off toward Sugar Cube Corner. "Bye!" Luster and Spike shouted. "See you!" Twilight shouted. "Is she always like that?" "Yes, but you get used to it! Now for those books." "This pile is dry!" shouted Spike from on top of a small pile of books. "And this pile is drying." Luster motioned to a small cyclone drying a group of books their pages flipped in the wind slowly. "Good good it was about time I reorganized the library. Oh and you make and excellent dryer." Twilight joked. "Thanks," Luster chuckled, "I'm just glad it didn't become a tornado in all the time it's been up." The trio laughed and continued working through the night. End Chapter 1 Chapter 2In the morning the house was still a mess. Twilight was slouched over her desk with a half written list under her head. Luster was on top of a pile of books in a corner sleeping. Spike was in his bed upstairs curled in a ball. The clock chimed one and a knock was heard at the door. "who is it?" Twilight asked groggily before realizing that the house was still a mess. "Be a minute!" Twilight quickly woke Luster and Spike and with some groaning and eye rubbing shoved the books in the spare room (this also happened to be Luster's temporary room but he was too tired to care). Before Twilight could decide what to do with the burn marks and the broken beam the knocking came again. "Twily?" came a familiar voice. "Coming!" Twilight said as she opened the door. "Twily!" Shouted the blue haired stallion at the door. "Brother! You came!" Shining Armor went up to Twilight and wrapped her in a big hug. "I couldn't miss a chance to see you Twily." Twilight looked past her Brother. "Where's Cadence?" "She couldn't make it, she has duties in the Chrystal Empire to see to and as much as it pains me to leave her I know she will be safe." "Hey Spike!" "Yes Twi?" "I think Rarity, Rainbow Dash, AppleJack, Pinkie, and Fluttershy will be glad to see my brother again." "I'll go get them!" As Spike walked out Luster walked into the main room and stopped and looked at the Captain with hatred. "You." Luster said darkly "Hello Luster." "You two know each other?" "Know him? He put me in a bubble for no reason!" "Now we both know that isn't tr..." Shining Armor was cut off when Luster unleashed a cone of flame and Shining Armor who promptly put up a bubble shield around himself and Twilight. While the flames blazed around the shield Luster froze his left hoof and started freezing the room around him. Inside the shield Shining Armor was struggling to keep the shield up. Underhoof the ground was freezing. Luster knowing Shining Armor was weakening stamped his left hoof down sending spikes where the Unicorns were or had been if Twilight hadn't teleported behind him. As he turned around he was hit by a flash of white light that stopped the flame and thawed the floor. Twilight and Shining armor were panting heavily while Luster was not the least bit tired. He was trying to cast another spell but it wasn't working. "Why, why do you stop me? He locked me in a ball Unable to move, unable to cast spells and now you've done the same." Luster said disdainfully. "It was by order of the princess that I put you in that ball." Shining Armor explained. "Yet you still did. What did I ever do in the week I was there that would merit this!" "It was a safety procaution; one that I was reluctant to do. If you had one of your outbreaks you might have ruined the castle or hurt the princesses, thats an outcome that I could not allow." "And now I am blocking your magical flow so we don't get hurt, I hope you understand." "You think it's my fault my magic is this powerful." Luster looked at Twilight. "You must also understand the weight of powerful magic on a filly or colt. We are as powerful as we are because we've had our magic longer than most other ponies our age." "How is this relevant?" Shining Armor butted in. "Is your cutie mark related to your magic, Luster?" "It's a curse whatever it is related to." "As you must be aware a cutie mark is supposed to relate to ones special talent and yours doesn't seem to be ancient history." "Twily, your sure your spell will hold?" "If I wanted to break it I would have by now Shiny." "Respect higher ranking officers Luster last I checked you were still in training when the princesses called you to Canterlot." "What do know you would have lost our quarrel if it wasn't for your sister!" Shining Armor was about burst into a heated argument when the door opened. Quickly gathering themselves into the main room the group of newcomers was rather large consisting of an orange Earth Pony with a Cowcolts hat, a cyan Pegasus with a Rainbow mane, a yellow and pink Pegasus that hid behind a white Unicorn with a perfectly curled and primed mane, Spike, and bouncing in last Pinkie Pie. "Well howdy there Shiny." Stated the one in the cowcolts hat In her drawl. After a couple minutes of hellos and heys to Shining Armor the group finally noticed Luster standing in the corner. "Girls I would like you to meet Luster." Twilight introduced him. "Howdy der partner, I'm Applejack." "Rarity dear." "I'm Rainbow Dash fastest flyer in allllll of Ponyville!" "Hi you know me I'm Pinkie Pie but you might've forgotten so I'll say it again I'm Pinkie Pie!" "Fluttershy." said the last one so quietly Luster barely hear her. "Now I called you all here because Luster has extremely volatile magic." "Twilight what's volatile?" asked Spike before Twilight could continue. "Dangerous. Also he is having trouble controlling it as you can see my books have water damage and there are burn marks all over my house." "Pardon me Twilight but I was noticing the absolute disarray of both your and Luster's mane and coat and I believe that they could use a good makeover. Though Luster is a boy and probably doesn't like that kind of stuff." Fussed Rarity. "Do you really think a couple hairs out of place is going to change our problems?" Luster asked, "Besides in any other situation I wouldn't mind a day at the spa." "So, Twilight was saying you have dangerous magic?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You would not want to get him on your bad side." Shining Armor stated curtly. "Why's that Sugercube?" Applejack asked. "We had a explosive introduction today." Luster explained. "It was a bit toasty." Shining Armor laughed. Luster chuckled at the joke. "I don't understand you guys. Enemies one minute best friends a moment later." Twilight said to herself. "Any ideas on how we can help?" "Um, girls I have an idea." said Fluttershy but she was quickly outspoken. "Maybe Trixie can help!" shouted Rainbow Dash. "Or a few cupcakes!!!" shouted Pinkie Pie. "Girls." Fluttershy said trying to get the others attention. "A spa you need to be cleaned." Rarity offered. "Girls I um have an idea." Fluttershy said again. "Shhh Guys Fluttershy has something." Luster said. "Thanks, now we could talk to Zacora she might be able to mix a potion of some kind." Fluttershy said thankful of Luster. "EVIL BREW!!!!" Pinkie Pie shouted. "Pinkie we both know that's not true." Twilight scolded. "I know but it's still fun!" as Pinkie finished she smiled and did a little squee. "Any objections?" Twilight asked. "I, um, never mind." Fluttershy said. "Give us an hour to pack up." Rarity said. "Very well we will meet in the town square in an hour. Go!" Shining Armor commanded. "What do you need to gather Twily?" "You'll see. Luster you might want to get ready." "On it!" Chapter 3After an hour the group had gathered in town square with various pieces of equipment. Rarity was wearing some boots an autumn scarf and had a bag of what seemed to be sewing supplies on her back, Fluttershy had a small bag of food on hers, Applejack had grabbed her lasso, Pinkie Pie had a folded up contraption with her as well as balloons a lot of balloons, Twilight had packed the few books on magical theory that hadn't been completely ruined in the last 36 hours, Shining Armor had his black scarf, and Luster; who had very few items for himself, and Rainbow Dash had brought nothing. They had arrived in the town square at separate times with Twilight, Luster, Shining Armor, and Spike arriving first and undoubtedly drawing the attention of the ponyfolk of the town with the prince and the new pony. By the time the others arrived the crowd was quite sizable and after a few minutes of shooing the crowd separated with some grumbling and the hope that they would be in town later. "Now. Everypony ready?" Shining Armor asked taking command. Everypony nodded except Pinkie who was bouncing. "Pinkie are you ready?" Twilight asked her. Pinkie Pie nodded maintaining the bounce. As they neared the Everfree Forest Luster spoke up. "So who is this Zacora?" Luster asked. "She's an Evil Enchantress..." Pinkie chanted. "She's a Zebra." Twilight said over Pinkie "She does evil dances and when you look deep in her eyes she puts you in trances..." "She is usually very mysterious and speaks cryptically." Twilight translated. "And what she'll do is mix up an evil brew and gobble you up in a big tasty stew. Sooooooo watch out!!!" Pinkie finished. "Pinkie we've been over this she doesn't eat ponies!" Twilight turned to Pinkie with some annoyance. "She just likes to make potions." "I know I just wanted to freak out Luster." Pinkie said after a squee. "So she's a zebra that talks cryptically and has exceptional alchemical skills?" asked Shining Armor. "She is still downright creepy to me." Applejack said. "Well then I'll follow you guys then." Said Luster who was getting uneasy about the forest. After walking what seemed like a lifetime Twilight stopped. "What is it Twily?" Shining armor asked. "Did we pass Zacora's dear?" Rarity asked. "Well how am I going to put this... We're lost and the evil of the forest is stronger here." Twilight replied with some uncertainty. Both Shining Armor and Luster moved up to her flanks protectively. They heard a rustling in the bushes behind them. "What are you doing! I thought you were forest animals who needed shooing." Sounded a voice behind them. The group turned to see the cloaked figure of Zacora behind them. "You have strayed from the path. Follow me back to where you meant to go." Spoke Zacora. "Zacora where in the forest are we exactally?" Twilight asked. "Not here now now where the trees can hear." "Then lead on, I don't like this place either." Shining Armor added. After walking for about an hour Zacora led them to a large clearing with green grass and a large stump in the middle with a striped staff sticking in it. Zacora led them to the stump and promptly jumped up on to of the staff and started balancing. "Sit you will be here a bit." Zacora commanded. After everypony had found a comfortable spot in the soft grass Zacora started speaking again. "So now that I have your attention I can be devoted to answering your questions." "I'll start by saying we need some advice on how to control magic." Twilight said. "What is it that you need to learn that you don't already know?" Zacora replied. "I don't know what you mean." Twilight responded. "I think what Zacora is saying dear is that we all have ways of controlling our magic that Luster cannot use." Rarity figured. "Is that so..." Zacora looked over to Luster while maintaining perfect balance. "Luster I presume, what do you know about magic of the friends who've brought you here?" "Before I answer what does this have to do with controlling my own magic?" Luster asked. "What your friends do may help you. Now, continue." "Ok then" Luster stood up, "I'll start with Twilight because I've spent the most time with her." Luster glanced over to Twilight who was sitting next to her brother across from him. "Twilight controls her magic with a simple theory 'practice makes perfect' and only after studying a spell for hours to a point where she has mastered it's theory only then does she try it and afterward she masters all the aspects of the spell by practicing and experimenting with it." "Twilight even Luster knows your an egghead!" Rainbow Dash blurted out. "It's no secret I like to expand and continue my studies, whether it's history or magical theory." "Your observations of her were superb. Continue." Zacora commanded. "Now I come to Shiny here..." Luster began. "Hey!" Shining Armor shouted inciting a chuckle from the others. "Give it up buddy it's a good nickname. Now as I was saying." Luster spoke up again. "Now Shiny here only uses magic when necessary and in large bursts, larger than even Twilight's. He does this by storing his magical power in his brain using it as a form of temporary storage it also has benefited his mental development a little giving him better judgement the longer he holds it in. Another benefit to his method is that he can release it in a massive wave of energy and in his particular case most of his spells are shields of some kind." "Neat trick isn't it Luster but your missing one thing I cannot store offensive magic I can only store defensive and mundane magic." Shining Armor added. "Good good now what about Rarity?" Zacora asked. Luster paused for a moment and glanced over to Rarity and noticed the one thing about her that didn't seem right. "What is it dear cat got your tongue?" Rarity asked getting nervous about his long pause. "No, no it's just your trick is a little hard to figure out I haven't witnessed you use magic yet but..." Luster lost himself in his thoughts. "But what?" "Correct me if i'm wrong but your boots were clean when we got here right?" Luster asked. "Yes but what does this have to..." Rarity said but was cut off. "So you expect me to believe that your boots stayed clean through all that mud and dirt! Haha I know your trick you don't cast spells often because you are constantly using magic!" "So your saying she 'enchants' things?" Twilight asked curious. "In a way she like me cannot store her magic so she just uses it constantly so she won't get any outbursts by doing simple things like making her boots dirt-proof." "Very good Luster for a moment I thought you were hot air and buster." Zacora said in a kind of rhyme. "One thing Zacora how do you know so much about magic when you yourself cannot use it?" Twilight asked. "When I was a little one I read for fun." "Like what!?!" Pinkie interjected. "Many histories did I read one was of the old unicorn creed." "What's the unicorn creed, if you don't mine my askin?" cut in Applejack. "Long ago before peace rested between the ponyfolk a mighty queen ruled over the land. So corrupted by power was she that her body had changed into a grotesque bug-like shell...." "Um sorry to interrupt but what is grotesque?" Spike cut in apologetically. "Oh Spike it means disgusting or repulsive to look at." Twilight answered him. Spike looked at her curiously obviously not getting it. "You'd not want to look at her." Said Twilight opting for the simpler answer. "Oh I get it now... Go on Zacora." "Though she was no longer her beautiful perfect form she could prolong her life by sucking up all of the love in the empire. Slowly one by one the unicorns of the land became as deformed as she was. Their skin was black, their eyes were green, and their teeth were fanged. After 4 years of this three Unicorns from all walks of life in the empire made a pact called the Unicorn Creed to always oppose the monsters that had once been good friends. These Unicorns were Queen Moonbeam, Retainer Golden Hill, and Lord Silva." Zacora took the moment to pause here and take a deep breath. Luster looked up at the sky and found that it was night. He had been so engrossed in the story that time had slipped by. "Zacora I know y'all are tellin us a mighty fine tale but migh we git ourselves a bite to eat?" Applejack asked after her stomach growled "Suit yourselves the night is young and my story is not yet done." "Thank you." Fluttershy said with everypony's agreement. Applejack got up and grabbed her saddlebag and proceeded to give everypony 2 apples each. When asked for something to drink Zacora pointed them to a pool of fresh water on the edge of the clearing. Luster was sitting on the edge of the clearing, had never spent the night outside of a city or town was awed by the beauty of the night sky. He barely noticed when Shining Armor walked over and sat next to him. "You know I've never seen them this bright either." "Says the guard who is always cooped up protecting royalty." "Who says I'm not." Luster glanced over at Twilight who was laughing with her friends and then looked back to Shining Armor. "You don't mean?" "Yes I do, sadly, I don't know how to break it to her." Shining Armor looked down as he said it. "You're her brother I'm sure you'll find a way." Shining Armor looked over at Twilight. "I hope so Luster, I hope so." They both looked up at the stars again just in time to see one shoot off in the distance. "Hey what are you two little sneaky quiet pies doing over there Zacora's got a story to finish!" Shouted the unmistakable voice of Pinkie Pie who had set up some glowing balloons to light the clearing. "Well better go and listen, this is to help you, you know." Shining Armor said getting up, "I just hope I am not over thinking my duties." "You aren't." said Luster getting up, "Let's finish the story." Chapter 4After everypony was sitting comfortably Zacora spoke up. "Now that you have your apple's and have gotten comfortable I'll continue. Now the three unicorn leaders swore to bring down the menace the plagued their country. The pact they made reads something like this, 'We as brothers and sisters in race will uphold our duty to the land we sow and expel all outside evils, will be always faithful to our allies, and to uphold this code to our dying days'. That duty is bound in every unicorn today as the Unicorn Creed." Zacora paused. "I'm going to skip ahead a little while. After 21 long years of recruitment and liberating city after city they had reached the capital city where the evil queens influence was greatest. The army tired from years of fighting readied itself for one last fight, but as the army was about to push the walls the Queen; now known as Chrysalis, made an announcement. 'Before we fight in our final stands let me invite you for a meeting of the minds courtesy of me and in my castle halls.'. Though it was not in their best interests the three consented to Chrysalis's idea and wanting to meet their opponent face to face once again they left without the army knowing. While in the throne room Chrysalis talked big plans of a future of peace and prosperity between the two groups but as with the Queenly guise she had turned into for the meeting the three saw through the lies. After negotiations failed Chrysalis ordered the three captured but after much fighting where Chysalis's gaurd was obliterated and Retainer Golden Hill had lost his life. In a feat of magic only 2 Unicorns have ever attempted Lord Silva cast a spell of banishing, that propelled Chrysalis and all her minions out of the empire but the cost was too great and even as the army stormed the city Lord Silva had died the strain of that much magic being expelled was too much. Now with the empire cleansed and harmony restored the Great Queen Moonbeam while using a public display of magic was given the gift of flight becoming the first Alicorn. That's what the legend says. now that I am done, get some rest!" At this point only Shining Armor, Twilight, and Luster were still awake. Zacora dropped down to stump from her staff and lay down and drifted off to sleep. Luster and Shiny were once again looking at the stars. Twilight snuggled up a little closer to her brother as she fell asleep. "Some story huh?" Shining Armor broke the silence. "It makes you wonder if you'll ever have to stand up for your home and defend it like they did." Luster replied. "I don't know about you but I've had to do that more than once." "So I have heard I was referring to myself." "You're a good pony Luster. Though we have had our arguments and our disagreements I would stand with you in battle." "Your not half bad yourself I think I just misunderstood you before." "Yea, well goodnight Luster." "Goodnight Shiny" They both laughed at the nickname then they both closed their eyes and fell asleep. ••• Luster was awoken by something soft landing on his face. He opened one eye to see what it was just in time to see a snowflake land on his nose. But Luster had felt snow before and this wasn't cold. He stood up and saw he was the only one awake he stared in wonder at the magical snow. After a little bit he heard a yawn from behind him. "Luster why is it so cold?" Luster heard Twilight's voice behind him. Luster turned around to see her shivering and using her magic to brush away the snow. "Oh wait is that me? Sorry." Luster said apologetically finally noticing he was causing the snow. Luster took a deep breath and willed the magic to stop. "All better?" "Yeah, but even though it was cold it was beautiful in a way." Twilight responded. "What was dear?" Rarity's voice came from an improvised lean-to. "Luster made snow." Twilight said with a smile that was soon erased when a snowball came and hit her in the head. "You betcha he did!" Laughed Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow did you throw that one?" Twilight scolded but before Rainbow Dash could answer they were both hit by snowballs. "What d'ya'll mean by she threw that one?" shouted Applejack from behind the stump. Luster and Shining Armor were pegged by a couple snowballs that was followed by a loud "Yipee!!!" since Shining Armor was sleeping when he was hit and he woke up jumped to his hooves and shouted "Snowball fight!!!" and the fight ensued. Almost immediately teams were formed Shining Armor, Luster, and Twilight against Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack with Pinkie Pie blasting both sides and Fluttershy cowering in the middle and Spike behind the stump. In the fight Rainbow Dash was the first to strike hitting Luster square in the face but she was shut down immediately by Shining Armor and Twilight's retaliation. Rarity made a comeback with a barrage of snowballs that would have devastated Twilight and Luster's offense if it wasn't for Pinkie who suddenly appeared with skis and used them as a sort of shield as she rocketed snowballs toward Shining Armor and Applejack. Shining Armor ducked in time to dodge the one coming toward him but Applejack who was not as quick lost her hat to the projectile. This was abruptly stopped when a snowball came flying toward Luster who promptly melted the snowball and by accidentally applying too much heat melted the whole clearing ending the fun. With a lack of snow Pinkie Pie lost control of the skis and tumbled into the bushes laughing the whole way down. "Awwww, why'd you have to ruin the fun?" said Pinkie Pie from the bushes. "Is it safe now?" asked Fluttershy who was peeking out from under her hooves. "All things aside. That was sooooo awesome!!!" Rainbow Dash shouted gleefully. "Oh and not to mention made our manes frizzy." Rarity remarked inciting some laughter. "I know you girls are having fun now but where did Zacora slink off to?" Twilight spoke up while looking around. "Now that I think about it where did she go?" Applejack repeated. This put the whole clearing in a hustle calling out for Zacora and looking around for her with no avail. "Everypony gather to the stump!" Shining Armor called out and after everypony had gathered he continued. "Now we are lost in the woods, have no guide, and we are out of food. Also we have water, balloons, and a couple Pegasi." "What do you need Captain?" Rainbow Dash asked. "I need you and Fluttershy to fly up and see in what direction Ponyville is in!" Shining Armor commanded. "On it!" shouted Rainbow Dash. "Will do." Fluttershy confirmed. "Now Rarity and Pinkie Pie i would like you guys to take Spike back to Ponyville with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash and let the mayor and Celestia know where we are." "Okie Doki Loki!" shouted Pinkie Pie. "Will do, Oh Spiiiiike your coming home with me tonight!" Rarity confirmed. "Yes Rarity." Spike said in a slightly infatuated tone. "Ok now that that is cleared up... Rainbow! How's the sky look?" Shining Armor asked. "Just peachy I can lead them back to Ponyville no problem." After a few short goodbyes the group was on the way home all except for Luster, Twilight, Applejack, and Shining Armor. "Great. Luster, Applejack, Twily; we are going to look for Zacora."
Chapter 1Luster woke up in a panic. The tree house was on fire and his horn was spewing flames. He quickly concentrated and stopped the flow of magic to his horn and the flames. He ran over to the sink and turned it on. Concentrating again luster made a tidal wave that doused the eating fire. Boy was twilight going to be angry at him; he had almost burned the house down and had soaked her books when He managed to shoot a stream of water at the flames. Luster walked over to the sink and turned it off. He looked in the mirror and stared at himself his Dark Grey pelt and Golden blonde hair was singed and the Golden sheen on his pelt was dimmed. Thinking of cleaning up he quickly opened a window and debated whether it would be safe or not to summon a light breeze. Thinking it safe he concentrated and to his surprise the light breeze he summoned wasn't something drastic like a tornado or a hurricane. He directed the wind to spin around the treehouse and dry the place and his pelt while he laid out the wet books. The princesses had summoned him to Canterlot from Foalsom because his uncontrollable magic and it had spiked their interest. Next thing he had known he was put in a floating bubble and sent on a train to Ponyville to meet Celestia's student; Twilight Sparkle. He had been stuck in the house for about a week now it was starting the wear on him and Twilight was busy with whatever it was she did during the day It was at about this time in his thought process he heard the door open and close and a pleasantly familiar voice. "Spike the mysteries of magic are... LUSTER WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!!!!!" Luster wasn't surprised to hear the anger in Twilights voice the house was a swirling mess of papers, puddles and ash. Luster walked into the front room to see a fuming Twilight and a confused Spike. 'oh boy am I dead now' Luster thought to himself and then he looked to Twilight "Um sorry for the mess...'" "Mess, MESS!!!! UG! This is horrible! My notes are ruined and the ink is smearing!" Twilight was frantically running around the room trying to make sense of the mess. "I was doing my best to handle it." "What do you mean your best! Recipes ruined, History smeared, Spells muddled! GAH!!" "Sorry..." "No no it's fine Celestia warned me that you had some, er, quirks, I guess she forgot to mention the lack of everyday magic at your disposal!" Twilight sighed, "you can't even cast simple levitation spells and without a library of research, research will be a pain." "Twilight?" Spike interrupted. "Yes Spike?" "Would we be able to contact your brother somehow maybe he could help?" 'Just what we need another Unicorn.' Luster thought. "That's an excellent idea Spike take a letter." Spike dropped the books he was holding and started looking fo a spare quill and a dry piece of paper. "You have a brother?" Luster asked Twilight "Yes, he's the captain of the Royal Canterlot Gaurd. Though by now he might have been promoted to some higher rank." "I see." Luster knew the captain of the Gaurd and was not on good terms with him. Spike walked over with a quill, paper, and ink and was waiting patiently. "Now while I write a message to Princess Celestia start sorting those books according to how damaged they are." "Will do." "Now Spike are you ready?" "Yes Twilight!" "Ok. Ahem. Dear Princess Celestia I have come to a dead end with Luster's situation and would like to request the aid of my brother for his knowledge of magic as well as his protective abilities. Thank you. Always your faithful student Twilight Sparkle." "... And done!" said spike a moment later. "Good, now send." With the usual whoosh of green flame the letter was off to the Princess. Luster was pushing some books toward a pile. "Now that your done could I get some help please?" Before Twilight could respond a pink lump slammed into her shouting something that sounded like 'Twitchy tail' just as a beam from the ceiling came down a landed with a crash in the spot where Twilight was standing a moment before. Luster jumped in shock at the scene. "Pinkie! Get off"' shouted A muffled Twilight from under The pink pony. The pink pony got off Twilight and helped her up and started bouncing in place. "Thanks but Pinkie what are you doing here?" "I just had a hunch a new pony was in town and I thought I'd ask you first!" Luster figuring that this was the infamous Pinkie Pie watched the scene with concern. "Is she always like... This?" Pinkie Pie breathed in really loudly. "Twilight, since when did you hide Boys in your house!!!" Twilight blushed faintly but not so faintly that Luster didn't notice. "Um.." She said. Pinkie Pie walked over to Luster and shook his hoof violently. "Hi, I'm Pinkie..." "Pinkie." Twilight warned. "...Pie you must be new here as I've..." "Pinkie." "...Never seen you before and I know..." "Pinkie!" "...Every pony in Ponyville!!!" 'PINKIE!!!!' "What is it Twilight I'm done?" "Nice to meet you." Luster put in. "Pinkie I hate to put you down but Luster, Spike, and I have to clean up the place." "Put me down? Never Twilight I have a welcome Party to plan! See you!" Pinkie Pie bounced off toward Sugar Cube Corner. "Bye!" Luster and Spike shouted. "See you!" Twilight shouted. "Is she always like that?" "Yes, but you get used to it! Now for those books." "This pile is dry!" shouted Spike from on top of a small pile of books. "And this pile is drying." Luster motioned to a small cyclone drying a group of books their pages flipped in the wind slowly. "Good good it was about time I reorganized the library. Oh and you make and excellent dryer." Twilight joked. "Thanks," Luster chuckled, "I'm just glad it didn't become a tornado in all the time it's been up." The trio laughed and continued working through the night. End Chapter 1
Chapter 2In the morning the house was still a mess. Twilight was slouched over her desk with a half written list under her head. Luster was on top of a pile of books in a corner sleeping. Spike was in his bed upstairs curled in a ball. The clock chimed one and a knock was heard at the door. "who is it?" Twilight asked groggily before realizing that the house was still a mess. "Be a minute!" Twilight quickly woke Luster and Spike and with some groaning and eye rubbing shoved the books in the spare room (this also happened to be Luster's temporary room but he was too tired to care). Before Twilight could decide what to do with the burn marks and the broken beam the knocking came again. "Twily?" came a familiar voice. "Coming!" Twilight said as she opened the door. "Twily!" Shouted the blue haired stallion at the door. "Brother! You came!" Shining Armor went up to Twilight and wrapped her in a big hug. "I couldn't miss a chance to see you Twily." Twilight looked past her Brother. "Where's Cadence?" "She couldn't make it, she has duties in the Chrystal Empire to see to and as much as it pains me to leave her I know she will be safe." "Hey Spike!" "Yes Twi?" "I think Rarity, Rainbow Dash, AppleJack, Pinkie, and Fluttershy will be glad to see my brother again." "I'll go get them!" As Spike walked out Luster walked into the main room and stopped and looked at the Captain with hatred. "You." Luster said darkly "Hello Luster." "You two know each other?" "Know him? He put me in a bubble for no reason!" "Now we both know that isn't tr..." Shining Armor was cut off when Luster unleashed a cone of flame and Shining Armor who promptly put up a bubble shield around himself and Twilight. While the flames blazed around the shield Luster froze his left hoof and started freezing the room around him. Inside the shield Shining Armor was struggling to keep the shield up. Underhoof the ground was freezing. Luster knowing Shining Armor was weakening stamped his left hoof down sending spikes where the Unicorns were or had been if Twilight hadn't teleported behind him. As he turned around he was hit by a flash of white light that stopped the flame and thawed the floor. Twilight and Shining armor were panting heavily while Luster was not the least bit tired. He was trying to cast another spell but it wasn't working. "Why, why do you stop me? He locked me in a ball Unable to move, unable to cast spells and now you've done the same." Luster said disdainfully. "It was by order of the princess that I put you in that ball." Shining Armor explained. "Yet you still did. What did I ever do in the week I was there that would merit this!" "It was a safety procaution; one that I was reluctant to do. If you had one of your outbreaks you might have ruined the castle or hurt the princesses, thats an outcome that I could not allow." "And now I am blocking your magical flow so we don't get hurt, I hope you understand." "You think it's my fault my magic is this powerful." Luster looked at Twilight. "You must also understand the weight of powerful magic on a filly or colt. We are as powerful as we are because we've had our magic longer than most other ponies our age." "How is this relevant?" Shining Armor butted in. "Is your cutie mark related to your magic, Luster?" "It's a curse whatever it is related to." "As you must be aware a cutie mark is supposed to relate to ones special talent and yours doesn't seem to be ancient history." "Twily, your sure your spell will hold?" "If I wanted to break it I would have by now Shiny." "Respect higher ranking officers Luster last I checked you were still in training when the princesses called you to Canterlot." "What do know you would have lost our quarrel if it wasn't for your sister!" Shining Armor was about burst into a heated argument when the door opened. Quickly gathering themselves into the main room the group of newcomers was rather large consisting of an orange Earth Pony with a Cowcolts hat, a cyan Pegasus with a Rainbow mane, a yellow and pink Pegasus that hid behind a white Unicorn with a perfectly curled and primed mane, Spike, and bouncing in last Pinkie Pie. "Well howdy there Shiny." Stated the one in the cowcolts hat In her drawl. After a couple minutes of hellos and heys to Shining Armor the group finally noticed Luster standing in the corner. "Girls I would like you to meet Luster." Twilight introduced him. "Howdy der partner, I'm Applejack." "Rarity dear." "I'm Rainbow Dash fastest flyer in allllll of Ponyville!" "Hi you know me I'm Pinkie Pie but you might've forgotten so I'll say it again I'm Pinkie Pie!" "Fluttershy." said the last one so quietly Luster barely hear her. "Now I called you all here because Luster has extremely volatile magic." "Twilight what's volatile?" asked Spike before Twilight could continue. "Dangerous. Also he is having trouble controlling it as you can see my books have water damage and there are burn marks all over my house." "Pardon me Twilight but I was noticing the absolute disarray of both your and Luster's mane and coat and I believe that they could use a good makeover. Though Luster is a boy and probably doesn't like that kind of stuff." Fussed Rarity. "Do you really think a couple hairs out of place is going to change our problems?" Luster asked, "Besides in any other situation I wouldn't mind a day at the spa." "So, Twilight was saying you have dangerous magic?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You would not want to get him on your bad side." Shining Armor stated curtly. "Why's that Sugercube?" Applejack asked. "We had a explosive introduction today." Luster explained. "It was a bit toasty." Shining Armor laughed. Luster chuckled at the joke. "I don't understand you guys. Enemies one minute best friends a moment later." Twilight said to herself. "Any ideas on how we can help?" "Um, girls I have an idea." said Fluttershy but she was quickly outspoken. "Maybe Trixie can help!" shouted Rainbow Dash. "Or a few cupcakes!!!" shouted Pinkie Pie. "Girls." Fluttershy said trying to get the others attention. "A spa you need to be cleaned." Rarity offered. "Girls I um have an idea." Fluttershy said again. "Shhh Guys Fluttershy has something." Luster said. "Thanks, now we could talk to Zacora she might be able to mix a potion of some kind." Fluttershy said thankful of Luster. "EVIL BREW!!!!" Pinkie Pie shouted. "Pinkie we both know that's not true." Twilight scolded. "I know but it's still fun!" as Pinkie finished she smiled and did a little squee. "Any objections?" Twilight asked. "I, um, never mind." Fluttershy said. "Give us an hour to pack up." Rarity said. "Very well we will meet in the town square in an hour. Go!" Shining Armor commanded. "What do you need to gather Twily?" "You'll see. Luster you might want to get ready." "On it!"
Chapter 3After an hour the group had gathered in town square with various pieces of equipment. Rarity was wearing some boots an autumn scarf and had a bag of what seemed to be sewing supplies on her back, Fluttershy had a small bag of food on hers, Applejack had grabbed her lasso, Pinkie Pie had a folded up contraption with her as well as balloons a lot of balloons, Twilight had packed the few books on magical theory that hadn't been completely ruined in the last 36 hours, Shining Armor had his black scarf, and Luster; who had very few items for himself, and Rainbow Dash had brought nothing. They had arrived in the town square at separate times with Twilight, Luster, Shining Armor, and Spike arriving first and undoubtedly drawing the attention of the ponyfolk of the town with the prince and the new pony. By the time the others arrived the crowd was quite sizable and after a few minutes of shooing the crowd separated with some grumbling and the hope that they would be in town later. "Now. Everypony ready?" Shining Armor asked taking command. Everypony nodded except Pinkie who was bouncing. "Pinkie are you ready?" Twilight asked her. Pinkie Pie nodded maintaining the bounce. As they neared the Everfree Forest Luster spoke up. "So who is this Zacora?" Luster asked. "She's an Evil Enchantress..." Pinkie chanted. "She's a Zebra." Twilight said over Pinkie "She does evil dances and when you look deep in her eyes she puts you in trances..." "She is usually very mysterious and speaks cryptically." Twilight translated. "And what she'll do is mix up an evil brew and gobble you up in a big tasty stew. Sooooooo watch out!!!" Pinkie finished. "Pinkie we've been over this she doesn't eat ponies!" Twilight turned to Pinkie with some annoyance. "She just likes to make potions." "I know I just wanted to freak out Luster." Pinkie said after a squee. "So she's a zebra that talks cryptically and has exceptional alchemical skills?" asked Shining Armor. "She is still downright creepy to me." Applejack said. "Well then I'll follow you guys then." Said Luster who was getting uneasy about the forest. After walking what seemed like a lifetime Twilight stopped. "What is it Twily?" Shining armor asked. "Did we pass Zacora's dear?" Rarity asked. "Well how am I going to put this... We're lost and the evil of the forest is stronger here." Twilight replied with some uncertainty. Both Shining Armor and Luster moved up to her flanks protectively. They heard a rustling in the bushes behind them. "What are you doing! I thought you were forest animals who needed shooing." Sounded a voice behind them. The group turned to see the cloaked figure of Zacora behind them. "You have strayed from the path. Follow me back to where you meant to go." Spoke Zacora. "Zacora where in the forest are we exactally?" Twilight asked. "Not here now now where the trees can hear." "Then lead on, I don't like this place either." Shining Armor added. After walking for about an hour Zacora led them to a large clearing with green grass and a large stump in the middle with a striped staff sticking in it. Zacora led them to the stump and promptly jumped up on to of the staff and started balancing. "Sit you will be here a bit." Zacora commanded. After everypony had found a comfortable spot in the soft grass Zacora started speaking again. "So now that I have your attention I can be devoted to answering your questions." "I'll start by saying we need some advice on how to control magic." Twilight said. "What is it that you need to learn that you don't already know?" Zacora replied. "I don't know what you mean." Twilight responded. "I think what Zacora is saying dear is that we all have ways of controlling our magic that Luster cannot use." Rarity figured. "Is that so..." Zacora looked over to Luster while maintaining perfect balance. "Luster I presume, what do you know about magic of the friends who've brought you here?" "Before I answer what does this have to do with controlling my own magic?" Luster asked. "What your friends do may help you. Now, continue." "Ok then" Luster stood up, "I'll start with Twilight because I've spent the most time with her." Luster glanced over to Twilight who was sitting next to her brother across from him. "Twilight controls her magic with a simple theory 'practice makes perfect' and only after studying a spell for hours to a point where she has mastered it's theory only then does she try it and afterward she masters all the aspects of the spell by practicing and experimenting with it." "Twilight even Luster knows your an egghead!" Rainbow Dash blurted out. "It's no secret I like to expand and continue my studies, whether it's history or magical theory." "Your observations of her were superb. Continue." Zacora commanded. "Now I come to Shiny here..." Luster began. "Hey!" Shining Armor shouted inciting a chuckle from the others. "Give it up buddy it's a good nickname. Now as I was saying." Luster spoke up again. "Now Shiny here only uses magic when necessary and in large bursts, larger than even Twilight's. He does this by storing his magical power in his brain using it as a form of temporary storage it also has benefited his mental development a little giving him better judgement the longer he holds it in. Another benefit to his method is that he can release it in a massive wave of energy and in his particular case most of his spells are shields of some kind." "Neat trick isn't it Luster but your missing one thing I cannot store offensive magic I can only store defensive and mundane magic." Shining Armor added. "Good good now what about Rarity?" Zacora asked. Luster paused for a moment and glanced over to Rarity and noticed the one thing about her that didn't seem right. "What is it dear cat got your tongue?" Rarity asked getting nervous about his long pause. "No, no it's just your trick is a little hard to figure out I haven't witnessed you use magic yet but..." Luster lost himself in his thoughts. "But what?" "Correct me if i'm wrong but your boots were clean when we got here right?" Luster asked. "Yes but what does this have to..." Rarity said but was cut off. "So you expect me to believe that your boots stayed clean through all that mud and dirt! Haha I know your trick you don't cast spells often because you are constantly using magic!" "So your saying she 'enchants' things?" Twilight asked curious. "In a way she like me cannot store her magic so she just uses it constantly so she won't get any outbursts by doing simple things like making her boots dirt-proof." "Very good Luster for a moment I thought you were hot air and buster." Zacora said in a kind of rhyme. "One thing Zacora how do you know so much about magic when you yourself cannot use it?" Twilight asked. "When I was a little one I read for fun." "Like what!?!" Pinkie interjected. "Many histories did I read one was of the old unicorn creed." "What's the unicorn creed, if you don't mine my askin?" cut in Applejack. "Long ago before peace rested between the ponyfolk a mighty queen ruled over the land. So corrupted by power was she that her body had changed into a grotesque bug-like shell...." "Um sorry to interrupt but what is grotesque?" Spike cut in apologetically. "Oh Spike it means disgusting or repulsive to look at." Twilight answered him. Spike looked at her curiously obviously not getting it. "You'd not want to look at her." Said Twilight opting for the simpler answer. "Oh I get it now... Go on Zacora." "Though she was no longer her beautiful perfect form she could prolong her life by sucking up all of the love in the empire. Slowly one by one the unicorns of the land became as deformed as she was. Their skin was black, their eyes were green, and their teeth were fanged. After 4 years of this three Unicorns from all walks of life in the empire made a pact called the Unicorn Creed to always oppose the monsters that had once been good friends. These Unicorns were Queen Moonbeam, Retainer Golden Hill, and Lord Silva." Zacora took the moment to pause here and take a deep breath. Luster looked up at the sky and found that it was night. He had been so engrossed in the story that time had slipped by. "Zacora I know y'all are tellin us a mighty fine tale but migh we git ourselves a bite to eat?" Applejack asked after her stomach growled "Suit yourselves the night is young and my story is not yet done." "Thank you." Fluttershy said with everypony's agreement. Applejack got up and grabbed her saddlebag and proceeded to give everypony 2 apples each. When asked for something to drink Zacora pointed them to a pool of fresh water on the edge of the clearing. Luster was sitting on the edge of the clearing, had never spent the night outside of a city or town was awed by the beauty of the night sky. He barely noticed when Shining Armor walked over and sat next to him. "You know I've never seen them this bright either." "Says the guard who is always cooped up protecting royalty." "Who says I'm not." Luster glanced over at Twilight who was laughing with her friends and then looked back to Shining Armor. "You don't mean?" "Yes I do, sadly, I don't know how to break it to her." Shining Armor looked down as he said it. "You're her brother I'm sure you'll find a way." Shining Armor looked over at Twilight. "I hope so Luster, I hope so." They both looked up at the stars again just in time to see one shoot off in the distance. "Hey what are you two little sneaky quiet pies doing over there Zacora's got a story to finish!" Shouted the unmistakable voice of Pinkie Pie who had set up some glowing balloons to light the clearing. "Well better go and listen, this is to help you, you know." Shining Armor said getting up, "I just hope I am not over thinking my duties." "You aren't." said Luster getting up, "Let's finish the story."
Chapter 4After everypony was sitting comfortably Zacora spoke up. "Now that you have your apple's and have gotten comfortable I'll continue. Now the three unicorn leaders swore to bring down the menace the plagued their country. The pact they made reads something like this, 'We as brothers and sisters in race will uphold our duty to the land we sow and expel all outside evils, will be always faithful to our allies, and to uphold this code to our dying days'. That duty is bound in every unicorn today as the Unicorn Creed." Zacora paused. "I'm going to skip ahead a little while. After 21 long years of recruitment and liberating city after city they had reached the capital city where the evil queens influence was greatest. The army tired from years of fighting readied itself for one last fight, but as the army was about to push the walls the Queen; now known as Chrysalis, made an announcement. 'Before we fight in our final stands let me invite you for a meeting of the minds courtesy of me and in my castle halls.'. Though it was not in their best interests the three consented to Chrysalis's idea and wanting to meet their opponent face to face once again they left without the army knowing. While in the throne room Chrysalis talked big plans of a future of peace and prosperity between the two groups but as with the Queenly guise she had turned into for the meeting the three saw through the lies. After negotiations failed Chrysalis ordered the three captured but after much fighting where Chysalis's gaurd was obliterated and Retainer Golden Hill had lost his life. In a feat of magic only 2 Unicorns have ever attempted Lord Silva cast a spell of banishing, that propelled Chrysalis and all her minions out of the empire but the cost was too great and even as the army stormed the city Lord Silva had died the strain of that much magic being expelled was too much. Now with the empire cleansed and harmony restored the Great Queen Moonbeam while using a public display of magic was given the gift of flight becoming the first Alicorn. That's what the legend says. now that I am done, get some rest!" At this point only Shining Armor, Twilight, and Luster were still awake. Zacora dropped down to stump from her staff and lay down and drifted off to sleep. Luster and Shiny were once again looking at the stars. Twilight snuggled up a little closer to her brother as she fell asleep. "Some story huh?" Shining Armor broke the silence. "It makes you wonder if you'll ever have to stand up for your home and defend it like they did." Luster replied. "I don't know about you but I've had to do that more than once." "So I have heard I was referring to myself." "You're a good pony Luster. Though we have had our arguments and our disagreements I would stand with you in battle." "Your not half bad yourself I think I just misunderstood you before." "Yea, well goodnight Luster." "Goodnight Shiny" They both laughed at the nickname then they both closed their eyes and fell asleep. ••• Luster was awoken by something soft landing on his face. He opened one eye to see what it was just in time to see a snowflake land on his nose. But Luster had felt snow before and this wasn't cold. He stood up and saw he was the only one awake he stared in wonder at the magical snow. After a little bit he heard a yawn from behind him. "Luster why is it so cold?" Luster heard Twilight's voice behind him. Luster turned around to see her shivering and using her magic to brush away the snow. "Oh wait is that me? Sorry." Luster said apologetically finally noticing he was causing the snow. Luster took a deep breath and willed the magic to stop. "All better?" "Yeah, but even though it was cold it was beautiful in a way." Twilight responded. "What was dear?" Rarity's voice came from an improvised lean-to. "Luster made snow." Twilight said with a smile that was soon erased when a snowball came and hit her in the head. "You betcha he did!" Laughed Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow did you throw that one?" Twilight scolded but before Rainbow Dash could answer they were both hit by snowballs. "What d'ya'll mean by she threw that one?" shouted Applejack from behind the stump. Luster and Shining Armor were pegged by a couple snowballs that was followed by a loud "Yipee!!!" since Shining Armor was sleeping when he was hit and he woke up jumped to his hooves and shouted "Snowball fight!!!" and the fight ensued. Almost immediately teams were formed Shining Armor, Luster, and Twilight against Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack with Pinkie Pie blasting both sides and Fluttershy cowering in the middle and Spike behind the stump. In the fight Rainbow Dash was the first to strike hitting Luster square in the face but she was shut down immediately by Shining Armor and Twilight's retaliation. Rarity made a comeback with a barrage of snowballs that would have devastated Twilight and Luster's offense if it wasn't for Pinkie who suddenly appeared with skis and used them as a sort of shield as she rocketed snowballs toward Shining Armor and Applejack. Shining Armor ducked in time to dodge the one coming toward him but Applejack who was not as quick lost her hat to the projectile. This was abruptly stopped when a snowball came flying toward Luster who promptly melted the snowball and by accidentally applying too much heat melted the whole clearing ending the fun. With a lack of snow Pinkie Pie lost control of the skis and tumbled into the bushes laughing the whole way down. "Awwww, why'd you have to ruin the fun?" said Pinkie Pie from the bushes. "Is it safe now?" asked Fluttershy who was peeking out from under her hooves. "All things aside. That was sooooo awesome!!!" Rainbow Dash shouted gleefully. "Oh and not to mention made our manes frizzy." Rarity remarked inciting some laughter. "I know you girls are having fun now but where did Zacora slink off to?" Twilight spoke up while looking around. "Now that I think about it where did she go?" Applejack repeated. This put the whole clearing in a hustle calling out for Zacora and looking around for her with no avail. "Everypony gather to the stump!" Shining Armor called out and after everypony had gathered he continued. "Now we are lost in the woods, have no guide, and we are out of food. Also we have water, balloons, and a couple Pegasi." "What do you need Captain?" Rainbow Dash asked. "I need you and Fluttershy to fly up and see in what direction Ponyville is in!" Shining Armor commanded. "On it!" shouted Rainbow Dash. "Will do." Fluttershy confirmed. "Now Rarity and Pinkie Pie i would like you guys to take Spike back to Ponyville with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash and let the mayor and Celestia know where we are." "Okie Doki Loki!" shouted Pinkie Pie. "Will do, Oh Spiiiiike your coming home with me tonight!" Rarity confirmed. "Yes Rarity." Spike said in a slightly infatuated tone. "Ok now that that is cleared up... Rainbow! How's the sky look?" Shining Armor asked. "Just peachy I can lead them back to Ponyville no problem." After a few short goodbyes the group was on the way home all except for Luster, Twilight, Applejack, and Shining Armor. "Great. Luster, Applejack, Twily; we are going to look for Zacora."
