Dark Shadows

Chapters

Prologue: Dark Roots
Ch. 1: Lost, Found And Experiments
Ch. 2: A Surprise Guest
Ch. 3: Visions And Nightmares
Ch. 4: The Roots Sprout
Ch. 5: A Day At School
Ch. 6: Ruthless Comebacks And Defending Families

Prologue: Dark Roots

Dark Shadows

Written by Music Brush with the assistance of Mechafone.

Prologue:

Dark Roots

The air was cool with the added breeze that blew through the grass as the crickets and other night dwellers chirped their mating calls. Princess Luna's moon was high above the Crystal Empire as all her ponies, save for the royal guard on their patrol, were sound asleep in their homes. There was little light, save for the street lights, in the city.

Among the crystal houses, the front door of one slowly crept open and a unicorn stallion poked his head out, looking left and right to see if any of the guards on duty were in the immediate area. He had a deep brown colored coat with a darker mane and tale and his cutie mark was a few black stars surrounding a white sphere. When he was sure there were no guards on the street he slipped out of the house with a saddlebag on his back, closed the door behind him and began to quietly trot down the road towards the city entrance.

"Fear not, my lord." He whispered to the air. "The time comes when all will be yours again." He rounded a corner and quickly ducked back behind the house as he saw two guards trotting his way. "Horse feathers!" He cursed under his breath. "If only these foal-ish guards were not around to serve that... that crystal tyrant!" He hissed the last words in the air.

"Did you hear that?" Came one of the guard's voices.

"It came from over there." The other replied.

The hoof steps of the guards began to grow louder, a sign they were coming his way. He could not allow himself to get caught, not when he was so close to achieving his goal. He looked the other direction and found an opening between the house he was standing by and its neighbor. He quickly, but quietly, slipped over to the opening and into the little alleyway. He tip-hoofed through the alley to the other side and trotted through the back yard of the house back on the road and resumed his course.

"Do not worry, my lord." He called out again. "I will not rest until I have returned you to your full glory." He continued his pursuit to the city boundaries with more haste. Once or twice, he had to take alternative routes when he came across more guards on their patrol, all the while keeping his muzzle closed to avoid any more close calls.

He stopped beside a house keeping himself hidden from a group of guards that were conversing with another group. "Did they report to Prince Shining Armor?" One guard asked.

"Yes sir!" A female guard replied. "The Prince has ordered extra troops out to search for anything suspicious."

"Very good." The first said. "Resume the search and report back if you find anything."

"Yes sir!" Two voices replied. The unicorn's heart started beating faster, the guards knew something was going on, which made his mission even harder to complete. He heard hoof steps coming his way and bolted to the other side of the house as the guards came around the corner, one group of two went one direction while the other group of two went the opposite direction. He stayed there until the guards were out of sight, then proceeded out of the housing development.

He was out in the open fields now, where large crystal stones protruded from the ground and no guards were present. From what he heard, his sneaking around the city caused some suspicion among the guards. which caused the Prince to call in extra security. Not that it mattered, he was close to his goal now. Just a little further and he would find the place where the great one's horn was cut off by the spell used by Princess Cadence over a year ago.

According to several witnesses from that day, the unicorn managed to locate where King Sombra's horn was severed from his forehead and found the general area of which it fell just before his final downfall and the rise of the false crystal ruler, Princess Cadence. Ever since he found the horns location he set in motion a series of plans to recreate the true king of the Crystal Empire.

He paused behind a crystal to catch his breath and calm his nerves. "Just a little further, my lord." He said as he took a breath. "Just a little further and you will return to this world and reclaim what was stolen from you." After a few minutes of rest, he took in a deep breath and illuminated his horn with black shadow-like magic. He turned his head left and right, watching the shadows of his horn growing stronger as he faced the right. "That is where it will happen." He stated, then began running in the direction the shadows grew stronger.

He came to an area where the crystal stones were fewer in number, this was where the boundaries of the Crystal Empire came to an end and the frozen arctic began. He stopped short when the shadows of his horn suddenly grew weak, signaling he had passed his target. He turned back around to a spot on the ground where the shadows grew stronger again and the ground itself became alive with dark magic. He let go of the spell and the shadows around his horn disappeared with the magic coming from the ground.

He reached back into his saddlebags with his magic and pulled out an old book with no title. The leather back cover was worn and falling apart. He levitated the book in front of his muzzle and delicately opened its pages. The pages were filled with hoof written instructions on spells and other dark secrets not even mentioned in high security textbooks or Equestrian History. He flipped through the pages until he came across the information he was looking for.

"I am here, my lord." He said, looking up from the book to the place on the ground. "Through your guidance and instructions, I have come as your faithful servant." He placed the book gently on the ground in front of him then removed the saddlebags from his back onto the ground. "And now, my lord, I shall bring you back into this world."

He levitated the book once again and began to read through the page as he ignited his horn in the dark shadow-like magic. The magic also began to show in the ground and the wind began to pick up around him while he proceeded to read. "Let the King be reborn into this world as I give my magic to give him life!" He called over the wind, the shadow from his horn began to spread and flow like a small black cloud toward the ground. The wind intensified as a black crystal started to sprout from the ground, jagged points growing in all directions.

It seemed to go on for hours before the crystal grew as large as a pony and the unicorn broke his connection with the magic, the shadows from his horn flew into the crystal and lingered around it for a minute. The unicorn dropped to the ground, completely drained from using the spell as he gasped for air. The book landed with a thud on the ground in front of his muzzle. He looked up at the black crystal that had formed from the ground in his efforts, and smiled victoriously. The new black object was pulsing with energy that slowly grew faint with time, but it was complete.

He staggered to his hooves, dropping back down a few times before he stood at half his full height then dragged his hooves as he walked up to the new dark crystal he had just created. "Now..." he panted, "... all that is left... is one touch..." He reached up with a shaking hoof for the crystal. "Now... the King will return." The dark object began to glow around the area his hoof was reaching for. Slowly, his hoof got closer to its target and then...

"STOP!"

He looked over to find a large number of guards lead by a familiar white unicorn with a blue mane coming his way. He looked back with determination as he reached his hoof for the crystal only to be stopped by an aura of magic. "No!" He cried. "He must return! I must bring back King Sombra!" He was just inches away from coming in contact with the black jagged form before the guards got to him and pulled him away as he cried out to let him go.

The black color faded away, turning the dark object into a clear pony sized crystal. The unicorn cried out in despair as he saw the magic fade into nothing while the guards held him in place. Shining Armor stepped in between the unicorn and the new crystal, his horn glowing as he looked it up and down. After a few minutes of examining the object he turned to face the unicorn, his eyes filled with accusation.

"Blackstar Globe!" Shining Armor barked professionally. "I hereby place you under arrest for conspiracy against the Crystal Empire and by extension my wife, Princess Cadence!"

"You do not understand!" Blackstar huffed. "This empire needs its King! Not some pretenders like you and that crystal tyrant!" Shining glared at him, his horn flared slightly and the guards took notice of this. Shining wanted to strike at Blackstar so badly right now, and it showed.

"Take him away, lieutenant!" He ordered one of the guards holding Blackstar.

"Yes, your highness!" The lieutenant replied. He and the other guards holding Blackstar began carrying him away towards the palace, several of the others followed after, a few picked up the saddlebags and the old book. Shining looked up at the crystal again as one of the guards who remained with him approached.

"Your highness?" She asked. He looked down at her after a minute. "Are you alright?" He looked away for a minute then nodded his head after taking in a deep breath.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He answered. He turned back to face her with a smile. "You've done a great job tonight." His words made her cheeks flush.

"Thank you Shi- eh... your highness."

"You can call me Shining, if you want." He said with a reassuring smile.

"No, I must remain focused." She countered.

"It's alright." He said. She was about to speak up again but he silenced her by placing a gentle hoof on her shoulder. "You did great tonight. You followed your orders and helped us capture Blackstar before anything happened." After a minute, she smiled at his words of encouragement. "Now, let's return to the palace." He called to the rest of the guards, who saluted him with a 'yes sir' and began trotting back towards the city boundaries. Shining looked back at the new crystal once again with a look of concern. The crystal was now lifeless and clear, no more than any other crystal in the empire, with the exception of the jagged edges. He turned from the crystal and followed his crew.

~~)oOo(~~

Cadence was pacing back and forth in her and Shining's private chambers. The guards came in over an hour ago, saying they suspected somepony was sneaking around the streets, possibly an assassination attempt. Shining had ordered extra guards be put on alert, and soon joined them after placing a few guards by their room to make sure nothing would happen here.

"Oh, aunt Celestia, please let him be okay!" She said to herself as she continued her pacing. Just then, she heard hoof steps coming from outside her door with an 'at ease' from her husband’s voice. Her heart was racing a mile a minute as she watched the door open to reveal her husband, smiling at his wife as he entered. She ran up to him, wrapping her forelegs around Shining's neck as he returned her embrace.

"I'm alright, Cadence." He said reassuringly to her as he rubbed her back. She pulled away from him, her hooves on his shoulders.

"Did you find him?" She asked, concern in her voice. His smile faded instantly before he nodded his answer.

"It was Blackstar Globe." She blinked at this. "A few crystal ponies near the end of the city limits reported seeing a unicorn sneaking around their homes, avoiding the guards on patrol. We followed his trail and found him reaching out to some crystal."

"A crystal?" She asked. He nodded.

"I don't know why," he said, walking her over to their bed. "... but he seemed real desperate about that crystal, and it didn't look like any of the others I've seen." He helped his wife onto their bed, a slight look of fear in her eyes.

"You don't think it's him, do you?" She asked.

"Blackstar said something about bringing back King Sombra," he replied. “I inspected the crystal myself. I didn't sense anything coming from it, but I had a letter sent to Celestia and Twilight telling them what's going on. They'll be here in the morning to check it out." A sense of relief filled her eyes and they stared at each other for a minute before leaning in for a kiss and laid down on the bed as they embraced each other.

~~)oOo(~~

Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor were waiting on the balcony of the palace for Celestia and Twilight to arrive to investigate the mysterious crystal. Guards were stationed at the doorway and throughout the halls of the palace and streets of the empire keeping an eye on the two and for any strange activity.

Cadence stood next to her husband while he wrapped a hoof over her shoulders. She looked up at him, a gaze he returned. "They should be here any minute." He said.

"I'm not worried." She replied, staring in his eyes with a happy smile. He smiled at her and leaned in for a kiss. The two looked up and saw a horse drawn carriage coming their way. A trumpet sounded as the carriage got closer signaling the arrival of the Princesses. Cadence and Shining turned and trotted into the palace to go and meet their guests as the guards followed. They traversed through the hallways, down the stairs and out through the main doors. By the time they had arrived, Celestia's carriage was pulling to a stop, Twilight looking out the window with an excited smile on her face.

"Cadence!" Twilight cheered as she opened the door to the carriage and ran out to her sister.

"Twilight!" Cadence replied, trotting over to meet her halfway. When they were face to face with each other, they performed their 'Sunshine, Sunshine' greeting shake, then laughed and giggled as they embraced each other. Celestia and Shining smiled at the two sisters as they did their usual greeting they performed since they were young. Twilight then turned to face Shining and ran up to him.

"Hey B.B.B.F.F!" She called as she flew up, wrapping her hooves around him.

"Hey, Twily," he said as he wrapped his hooves around her. After they finished hugging, Shining looked up to Princess Celestia.

"Shining Armor." She said. "It is a pleasure to be here. Thank you for having us."

"Thank you for coming, Princess." He replied.

"You said in your letter you wanted Twilight and I to examine a crystal?" She asked, her expression calm and regal.

"Yes," he replied. "If you will follow me, I'll show you where it is." Celestia inclined her head then followed Shining and Cadence towards the area where he arrested Blackstar and saw that strange crystal while the guards followed. As they all trotted through the streets, crystal ponies showed their respect to the royal family by bowing their heads as they passed. Shining lead the Princesses out of the city limits toward the main entrance and into the open fields around the many stones protruding from the ground. A few minutes of trekking later, they saw a stone that looked different from the rest, not far from the main entrance of the empire that lead to the train station.

"This is the crystal, Princess." Shining said, pointing a hoof. Both Twilight and Celestia drew closer to the strange jagged object.

"I have to say," Twilight observed. "... it looks like one of Sombra's crystals, just without the black color." She noticed the two pillars marking the entrance to the empire. "And right at the main gate." She added.

"You're right, Twilight." Celestia said.

Both the alicorns took turns examining the crystal. Twilight went first, her horn glowing as her magic illuminated the clear jagged form before her. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, and after several long minutes she let her magic drop, breathing heavily from slight fatigue. She narrowed her eyes at the object with a look of curiosity. She obviously was intrigued. Celestia then performed the same process of illuminating the crystal with her magic, though her time spent examining it took longer.

Shining Armor and Cadence stood side by side as they watched the two alicorns examine the crystal when a guard came running to them as he called for the Prince. Shining looked over to the guard as he stopped and saluted him.

"Sir!" The guard panted.

"Yes, lieutenant. What is it?" Shining replied with a salute.

"It's about Blackstar, sir." The lieutenant answered.

"Has he said anything?" Shining asked. The lieutenant shook his head.

"He won't be saying anything at this point," he answered, and hesitated before continuing, "I'm afraid to say Blackstar Globe has died, sir." Shining blinked at this new information.

"What happened?" Shining asked. The lieutenant looked away for a second before continuing with hesitation.

"He... he just didn't wake up this morning. He was drained from whatever he did last night and didn't have enough strength to recover."

"And whatever he did doesn't seem to have lasted at all here." Twilight stated. The others looked over to her while Celestia continued her examination. "Tell me what you saw last night, Shining." She stated to her brother.

"Well," Shining began. "... we had received reports of a unicorn sneaking around the housing area, avoiding the guards on patrol. We picked up his trail and followed him out here. It could've been because it was dark, but I could swear I saw the crystal was black when we stopped Blackstar." Twilight hummed as she nodded her head and turned back to the crystal. "What do you think, Twily?" He asked. She shook her head before answering.

"Whatever the spell was that he cast," She observed. "...it was incomplete, and you stopped him before he could finish it."

"Very good, Twilight." Celestia said as she turned from the crystal.

"But, what kind of spell did he use?" Twilight asked. "I didn't detect any trace of magic, like everything was drained from it."

"I don't know, Twilight." Celestia answered as she shook her head. "This magic is beyond my knowledge."

"So, is this crystal a threat?" One of the guards asked, tension showing in his form. Twilight was a little tense as well. This was magic beyond hers and Celestia's current knowledge, and she was unsure of what to expect. She turned her gaze to the high Princess to wait for her conclusion. Celestia turned from the strange object to face the rest with a reassuring smile.

"I don't believe this Crystal carries any threat to the Crystal Empire." She stated. "You have nothing to fear, lieutenant." Some of the guards nodded their approval at the Princess' conclusion, while others still showed signs of uncertainty.

"Well, we don't want this trip of yours to be a waste." Cadence said. "Would you like to stay for lunch?" She asked. Twilight beamed at the idea, and Celestia smiled with a nod of approval.

"That would be lovely." She answered. "Thank you, Cadence." They all began to trot back towards the palace when a sudden breeze blew through the air, blowing a few feathers from the alicorns' wings and sending them flying in random directions. One of Celestia's feathers flew through the air, guided by the wind that carried it as it swirled around and landed on the crystal.

Everypony was gone from the area, back in the city limits leaving the new crystal alone with Celestia's feather clinging to its form. Where the feather lay, the crystal began to glow faintly, the wind picking up around it as the glow increased in brightness, engulfing it’s jagged form and the feather. They were now one pure light and began to levitate into the air, its form changing as it decreased in size and began to take the shape of a pony. The form collapsed to the ground and the glow faded away as the wind died down, leaving behind a little filly.

The filly lay there lifeless in the grass for several long minutes before her eyes shot open, and a fierce gasp of life filled her lungs for the first time. She bolted up to her hooves and looked frantically at her surroundings. Her heart raced dangerously high as she looked left and right, the sun blinding her eyes, the wind beating against her ears, the grass pricking at her hooves. In her state of panic she tripped over her hooves and landed face first into the grass with a thud and an "oof!" She looked up and her eyes met the great palace in the distance as she began to adjust to the light. She felt a high desire of nothing but to claim its beauty for herself, a desire that frightened her. She began stepping back away from the crystal palace before she turned away from it and bolted into a run.

The filly ran for hours before her legs gave out and she couldn't run any more. She was tired, hungry and thirsty and the snow did not help in any way other than providing a cold drink. She would have frozen to death in the arctic if she had not found a small farm where she rested long enough to sneak some food and warmth before the farmer chased her off by means of a pitchfork. It was not long after that she cleared the frozen region and found warmer places where she stopped to rest under wild trees at night time to sleep, then resumed her trek the next morning. After several days, even weeks of random trekking, the filly had entered a thick forest and was now traversing through its thick trunks and loose vines hanging from the branches.

She stopped to rest by a river, tired and hungry. She sat down on the shoreline and splashed the water on her face. She looked down at the water as it settled and she gazed down at her reflection. Her coat and mane were pure white and her eyes were red. A horn was dawned on her forehead and she look down her side to find she had more. She stretched her white wings out to find they were perfectly straight and healthy, minus the dirt and grime smudging every corner. She looked down to find her white tail all torn and tattered from her long journey, and it made her frown.

A noise that came from the bushes behind her not only captured her attention, but made her jump. She turned her gaze to find a pair of glowing green eyes glaring at her hungrily as well as a very foul smell in the air. Her body began to quiver in place as she stared at the timberwolf slowly approaching her, its teeth bared and its breath rancid.

When the monster was fully visible, she could no longer take the pressure of standing there any longer. She bolted in the direction she was going before, her wings aiding in her speed as the timberwolf chased after her, snarling and barking furiously. She ran through some bushes, the twigs and small branches cutting her coat and hair, but she ignored them and continued her running.

She spotted a tree up ahead and ran right for it, flapping her wings down as she jumped up the trunk to the high thick branches. She stopped on a branch long enough to look back down and see the timber wolf climbing up to get its prey. She resumed climbing higher until she heard a roar followed by some rustling and crashing on the ground.

After finding a new branch to sit on, she looked back to find the timberwolf being pulled down the trunk of the tree by an ursa. The timberwolf slashed its claws at the ursa, causing it to loose its grip on the tree, allowing the ursa to pull it from the tree and throw it back to another tree. The timberwolf collided with the tree and fell to the ground with a whimper as splinters of its wooden body scattered before staggering to its feet and charging the ursa.

The ursa swung it’s massive claw at the tree monster, which jumped over the claw and landed on its shoulder, digging its teeth deep into the ursa's flesh to draw blood. The ursa roared in pain and reached for the wolf with its spare claw and threw the little monster off it. The wolf rolled on the ground a few times before stopping, staggering to its feet once again as the ursa came charging for it. Before the timberwolf could do anything, the ursa slashed with it’s claw and threw the wolf into the trees. Not yet finished with the timberwolf, the ursa roared and ran after it into the forest.

The filly panted heavily as her heart pounded in her throat, tears streaming down her face as she thought about the last several weeks. She just woke up outside a beautiful crystal palace of which she had strong desires to claim as her own. She ran away from the palace, not knowing where she was going or even cared to know, she just wanted to get away at once. Her journey was long, harsh, and treacherous and she more than once was about to give up before finding things to eat or drink. Finally, she was just attacked by a fierce monster in this deep, dark forest, and thought she was about to die so soon after just waking up. She buried her head in her hooves as she let out muffled sobs. After a few minutes of crying, she passed out from exhaustion.

Author's Note

This story is in the making process and things will most likely be changed after chapters have been published. Any advice and positive feedback on the progress of this story would be much appreciated. But the bullshit about OC alicorns automatically being claimed Marry Sue/ Garry Stues will NOT be tolerated.

Ch. 1: Lost, Found And Experiments

Chapter One:

Lost, Found And Experiments

The young filly blinked her eyes open and looked around to see she was still on the branch she climbed onto the previous night to escape that timberwolf before it got into a claw fight with an ursa. Her coat was stained with dried blood from running through the bushes to get away from the monsters. She shivered in the cold morning air and did not feel good at all as she felt a tickle in her nose.

She reached up and rubbed her nose with a hoof then wrinkled her nose a few times before leaning her head back and let out a huge sneeze. The sneeze nearly threw her off her perch and in a panic she wrapped her hooves tightly around the branch. The branch shook under her weight for a second before it grew still once again before she tenderly loosened her grip.

She slowly got to her hooves, her body trembling both from the cold air and nearly falling off the tree just now. She slowly walked towards the trunk of the tree and, while clinging to it with her forelegs, looked down the base of the tree. There were several large branches which she could use to get down from the tree back to the forest floor. She looked for the closest branch she could find, took a deep breath and, with a whimper, jumped down to the branch with her wings splayed.

She nearly missed her target as she reached out her fore hooves just enough to grab the branch and slide a little as her hind legs fell towards the ground. She dangled from the branch, her hind legs frantically kicking as they searched for something to help push her onto the branch. After a minute of struggling, she pulled herself up and wrapped all four hooves around the branch, panting heavily as she held on for dear life, her heart racing a mile a minute.

She cried for a moment before calming down and began to make another attempt. She stammered to her hooves, struggling to keep her balance as she looked for the next branch then after a minute, jumped down again. She repeated this process with less near misses as she progressed down to the forest floor.

When she was finally on the ground, she breathed a sigh of relief before letting out another big sneeze. She moaned in discomfort as she rubbed her nose with a hoof. She looked up at her surroundings as she trotted through the thick forest floor, jumping at the sound of anything running in the bushes.

She walked through the thick trunks and vines for nearly an hour before she turned her head to the sound of rushing water coming from behind the bushes. She followed the sound into the bushes, cutting herself with the thorns and twigs causing more blood to stain her white coat.

She climbed through the bushes, wincing as she cut herself and found the river from last night before she was attacked by the timberwolf. She trotted toward the shoreline and laid on her belly as she reached down with her hooves into the rushing water and began to wash away the fresh bloodstains on her coat, gingerly rubbing her hooves against her fresh, sensitive cuts. After she washed away the less dried stains, she got to her hooves and let out another sneeze.

She then began walking alongside the river to her left, down stream, feeling miserable as she went. She walked alongside the river for what seemed like forever, stopping a few times to take a drink from the clear rushing water or to relieve herself. As she continued, she only grew more hungry, tired and miserable and she was starting to wish she had stayed at that crystal palace.

She did not know why, but she wanted desperately to claim that crystal palace for herself and that desire terrified her for some reason. For all she knew, she could have belonged there and was meant to be in the palace, instead she ran the other way. She did not know or care where she was going, all she did know was that she wanted to get away because of that fear and now she wished she had not.

A sound from her left drew her from her thoughts, she turned her gaze to see something moving through the trees coming her way. Her heart started racing and she did not even wait to see what it was that was coming, she bolted down the shoreline, her wings adding in her speed. She heard a roar coming from behind her and felt heat building up in spots around her from what ever it was. A blast of fire formed in front of her and she skidded to a stop just in the nick of time. She turned her head back to see a small dragon-like creature but with no hind legs flying toward her.

As the wyvern got closer to her, she turned back to face the fire and flapped her wings as she jumped up and over the flames, the heat burned at her belly and caught her white tail setting a small blaze to it. She yelped as her tail was being singed from the flame, her gaze turned to the river and without hesitation, she ran down to the water and jumped in and pulled her tail under to muffle the fire, steam rising up from the water where her tail was submerged.

Another roar came from the dragon-like monster that continued to chase after its pray. She struggled to the shore and resumed her running from the monster staying close to the water until she saw some rocks standing over the rushing water. She ran straight for the stones and began to jump across the stream in the hopes of getting away from the predator. The wyvern flew up towards her, its claws outstretched as it flew down to snatch its pray.

She took one quick glance at the monster before making a jump for the next rock and when she landed her hooves slipped and she fell into the water as the wyvern swooped down to catch her. She fell into the river just in time for the wyvern to miss her as her head went under water. She pulled her head over, gasping for air as she splashed at the surface to keep above the flowing river. The wyvern flapped its wings angrily as it watched its pray drift off in the current away from its territory.

In a panic of drowning, she splashed the water trying to keep her head up as she flowed down stream in the river. She screamed as the stream carried her, who knows where, and she was frightened. A large branch fell into the river ahead of her and she frantically splashed her forelegs to get to it. Closer and closer, she reached the broken branch and stammered onto it, shivering and crying as she felt more miserable then ever. Her throat was soar, her nose was runny and she just wanted to die to make it all stop. She laid her head down on the branch and just held on as the river carried them down stream.

~~)oOo(~~

The birds chirped in the morning sunlight at Fluttershy's cottage as the front door opened and a protesting yellow pegasus mare was pushed out by a testy white bunny rabbit. "Oh, but I'm sure I left the water running in the bathroom!" She said as she turned back to face Angel as he thumped his foot on the ground impatiently as he had his arms folded, glaring up at her. "I know I need to get some food, but I think I..." she was cut off by Angel pointing a paw at his wrist like he was pointing at a watch, an annoyed expression on his face. She raised a hoof as she started to say something else when he closed the door in her face making her flinch, the lock sounded from the other side. "Oh... okay." She whispered as she turned around and walked off towards town.

Fluttershy trotted over the bridge from her cottage and down the road towards town to get food for her and her animal friends for the week, mainly apples for the hedgehogs but she had a list of other things she had to get, too. She trotted down the road into town, ponies were already out and about as they went shopping, out on dates or just hanging out with their friends.

"Okay." Fluttershy said as she pulled a list from her saddlebags. "I need lettuce, apples..." She read the list to herself. She looked up from her list and trotted on to the market for the food she needed. The cherry stand was the first thing that came into her view and she trotted up to the stand, the stallion behind the counter looked up at her with a smile.

"Mornin' kid." He said. "How may I help you?"

"I need twenty cherries, please." She answered with a shy smile.

"I think we can make that happen." He said as he pulled out a small sack. "Red or yellow?" He asked. She looked down at her list for a minute then back up.

"Ten of each, please." She answered. He nodded his head and began filling the sack. When he was done he closed the sack and placed it on the counter in front of her.

"That would be twenty bits, but its your lucky day because there's a sale on twenty cherries today." He said with a smile.

"Oh, are you sure?" She asked. "I can pay the full twenty." He shook his head.

"I'm not takin' any more then fifteen from you today, kiddo." He protested. She smiled and reached back for her bag of bits from her saddlebags. She placed the bits on the counter of the cherry stand and the stallion gave her the small sack of cherries.

"Thank you so much!" She whispered as she grabbed the sack in her mouth and put it in her saddlebags.

"Sure thing kid." He said as he slid the bits into a box and placed it under the counter out of sight.

"No really, thank you." She said. "You really didn't have to lower the price."

"Calm down, kid." He said. "It was nothin'." She smiled sheepishly as she backed away from the stand then trotted off to continue her shopping, singing to herself as she went along, stopping at several places to buy food and supplies for the week. After she was done buying lettuce, she backed away from the stand with a repeated "thank you" and let out a yelp when she bumped into somepony and whirled around to see a big red stallion with an orange mane and tail. She went wide eyed as she saw Big Macintosh smiling down at her.

"Oh, Big Macintosh!" She whimpered. "I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there!"

"It's okay, Fluttershy." He said with a gentle smile on his face.

"No, really! I didn't hurt you, did I?" She half whispered.

"Nnope." He said reassuringly. "It's okay Fluttershy."

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"Eeyup." He answered. "Ya just bumped into me, is all." She smiled sheepishly at him, her cheeks flushing slightly as she straightened to her full height while keeping her head ducked down. "Do ya need any help with anythin'?" He asked in his deep, gentle, country accent.

"Well, um..." she said as she reached back and pulled out her shopping list, "actually, I'm just about done here. All I need are some apples."

"Well, we have an extra barrel of apples back at the barn." He stated.

"Oh, no. I couldn't." She stated.

"It ain't no problem." He said. "You'd save a few bits that way and we have enough to get us through ta next harvest."

"Well, um... if you insist, that would be just fine." She said.

"Okay. Ah'll go back to the barn and bring 'em to yer place in a little bit."

"Thank you, Big Macintosh." She said with shy smile.

"Ya can call me Big Mac." He said. She ducked her face behind her mane with a sheepish smile and a light blush.

"Oh, o-okay... um... Big Mac." She replied. He started off for Sweet Apple Acres. "Oh! Wait, will you need any help with the apples?" She asked as she jumped into the air and hovered over him. "Cause, I can come and help you, if it's okay with you."

"That's okay, I can get 'em." He replied.

"Are you sure? Cause it's really no problem if you need any help." She continued. He turned to face her with a thankful smile.

"Yer too kind, Fluttershy. But ah'll be fine. You go on back home and relax. Ah'll have the apples there before ya know it." After a few seconds she nodded her head with a sheepish smile and he turned to continued on to the barn.

"Okay." She said. Big Mac turned and trotted out of sight before she turned to see the clock tower. "Oh my!" She gasped. "It's almost noon! The animals are sure to be hungry right now. I better get back home, fast." She flew off back to her cottage.

She left the town streets and landed on the dirt road and trotted the rest of the way back home. The cottage came into view as she got closer. Her attention, however, was drawn over to several of the animals standing by the river. Curious, she trotted her way over to see what the animals were gathering around for. The animals, Angel among them, looked up at her and cleared a path for her and what she saw made her heart skip a beat.

Laying on the ground half way in the water was a little, pure white alicorn filly who appeared to be no older then Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. Her coat was stained with dried blood from the fresh cuts all over her body and the end of her tail was singed. The filly looked up and blinked her eyes open and found the yellow mare staring wide eyed at her, fear and misery swimming in her beautiful red eyes, then she let her head drop as she coughed and let out a sneeze.

"Oh my goodness!" Fluttershy cried as she dropped her saddlebags and reached down and felt the filly's forehead with her hoof. " Oh my! You're running a high fever!" The filly let out a sneeze and continued to coughed as she cried.

With her forelegs, Fluttershy picked up the filly and carried her to the cottage. Angel hopped up to the door and opened it to give Fluttershy a clear path inside, she flew right through the living room and straight up stairs with the filly in her forelegs. She landed on her hind hooves just outside her bedroom then she set the filly down gently on the floor and then opened the door. She turned back to pick up the filly again and carried her to the other side of her room and laid her on her bed. The filly opened her eyes weakly and looked up at the yellow mare, nothing but fear filled those red irises.

"Don't be afraid." Fluttershy said gently. "We're going to make you better." She ran off into the bathroom and opened the medicine cabinet and pulled out a white box with a red cross on the top, then ran over to the tub and turned the water on to fill it up, making sure the water was not to hot or cold before she plugged the drain to let it fill. She turned to find the filly was not where she left her.

Just then, there came a loud thud from the bedroom. Fluttershy jumped at the sound and ran out to find the filly laying on the floor next to the bed, sobbing quietly. Fluttershy let out a squeak as she ran over to the filly, she gently picked her up and carried her into the bathroom. She laid the filly down next to the tub then reached up to turn the water off when she saw it was full enough for a filly of her size.

Fluttershy looked back down to find the filly in tears. "It's okay." She said softly as she reached down to pick the filly up again. The filly let out a sneeze that made Fluttershy jump and after a few seconds she continued to slide her forelegs under the filly and lifted her off the floor and into the tub. The filly cried out as she was placed in the water. "Oh, I'm sorry." Fluttershy apologized. "I didn't mean to hurt you." The filly settled down a little, but continued to cry.

Fluttershy started to gently wash the blood off the white alicorn's coat, the water turned slightly red from the blood. The filly looked up at the mare, a mixed look of high fear and a thankful expression in her red eyes. Fluttershy smiled reassuringly at her new charge as she admired her single color when it was not covered in blood.

"Your coat is beautiful." She said gently as she continued to clean the filly. The filly's cries had died down a little more to Fluttershy's kind hearted nature and she allowed the mare to proceed without any more fuss.

Fluttershy finished cleaning the alicorn and pulled the plug to let the red water drain, the filly watched as the water swirled down the drain. When the tub was empty, she looked up at Fluttershy with more trust in her eyes as the mare reached down with a towel to dry her off tenderly as she pulled her out of the tub, then carried her over to the first aid box she pulled out earlier.

"Now, let's get those cuts covered." Fluttershy said gently as she opened the box and pulled out some supplies to bandage the little one up. "What's your name?" She asked as she began applying some bandages to her more serious cuts. The filly just looked up at Fluttershy with no answer for a minute before shaking her head. "No what?" She asked. "You don't have a name?" The filly shook her head again. "Do you have a mother, or a father?" The filly shook her head as her answer. Fluttershy was now filled with concern and sadness. This filly had no name and no parents. "Can you talk, sweetie?" The filly gave no reply, she just looked away as though she was ashamed. Fluttershy sighed.

Fluttershy finished covering the alicorns wounds and put away the med pack when there came a knock from down stairs that made the filly jump onto the mare, clinging to her in fear as she cried on her shoulder. "Oh my." Fluttershy breathed. "It's okay little one." She said as she stroked the alicorns clean white mane.

Unable to get make the filly let her go so she could check to see who was at the door, she helped the filly onto her back and smiled back at her as she let out another big sneeze. Another knock came from the door and Fluttershy began to trot out of the bathroom, through the bedroom, down the stairs and to the front door.

Another knock came from the door and Big Mac's voice called out from outside. "Fluttershy, are ya okay?" He asked. Fluttershy opened the door and found the red stallion with saddlebags full of apples hanging from his back and a look of concern on his face. "Are ya okay, Fluttershy?" He asked.

"I'm fine, Big Mac." She answered. "Why do you ask?" Big Mac let out a sigh of relief before he spoke again.

"Ah just saw yer saddlebags on the ground by the river and thought..."

"Oh, my saddlebags," she interrupted, "I forgot all about them." She started to walk by him when he held up her saddlebags in his mouth in front of her. "Oh, thank you. Um... would you bring everything inside for me? If you don't mind." She asked with a sheepish smile.

"Eeyup." He said with the saddlebags still in his mouth. She thanked him as she stepped to the side to let him in as he walked by her.

"You can just set them on the floor there." She instructed, pointing a hoof to where she meant as she closed the door. Big Mac set her saddlebags on the floor then eased his own down next to hers. When he set his down an apple fell out from the opening. The filly jumped off Fluttershy's back and ran to the apple and began eating it all in just a second. Big Mac stared at the alicorn in slight surprise before turning up to Fluttershy with a questioning look in his eyes.

"Fluttershy?" He asked. "Who's this?" She ducked her face behind her mane and kicked a hoof across the floor. "Fluttershy?"

"Well, um... she was in the river when I came home, She has no name or parents and she's scared about something." Fluttershy explained. Big Mac looked down at the alicorn who had started on a second apple. The first one was laying on the floor, eaten to the core.

"She sure is hungry, ain't she?" Big Mac observed. Fluttershy walked up beside him as she watched the little filly eat the apples.

"She was pretty cut up when I found her, she may have come from the Everfree Forest." She stated. The filly dropped the second apple core then grabbed another one and continued eating. The two watched as the little filly ate apple after apple for he next few minutes, emptying half of the first saddlebag then let out a satisfied belch. Fluttershy breathed an 'oh my' while Big Mac let out a light chuckle as he walked up and laid down beside her.

"Yer hunger, weren't ya?" He asked. The filly looked up at him with a nervous expression for a minute before nodding once. He smiled at her and reached out with a hoof, she cringed away from his hoof as he got closer. He immediately stopped his efforts and pulled away from her.

"It's okay little one." Fluttershy said. "This is Big Macintosh, or Big Mac for short. He's very nice." The filly looked up at her when she spoke then back at the red stallion, still uncertain about him. After a couple of minutes she got to her hooves and walked up to him and curled up on his forelegs under his chin. She let out a big yawn and laid her head down and almost instantly fell asleep, both Big Mac and Fluttershy smiled with an 'aww' as the filly slept.

~~)oOo(~~

Spike was on a latter putting a stack of books away in their proper places while Twilight was setting at a table with a book levitating in front of her in her magic. Twilight took a moment to look up from her book at Spike, who was still putting books away.

"Do you need help with any of those, Spike?" She asked. He was stretching his claw that was clenching a book to an empty spot on the shelf.

"No, I go- whoa!" The latter began to tilt under his weight and he started to fall. The latter suddenly went still and Spike looked down to see the purple alicorn was using her magic to steady him, a smile on her face. "Thanks, Twilight." He said with a thankful smile.

"You're welcome my number one assistant." She replied with a closed eyed smile. She moved the latter over closer to the slot he was reaching for before he almost fell to the ground and he put the book away. The books in his other claw levitated in the air and floated to their places on the shelves.

"You didn't have to do that." He said as he climbed down the latter. "I would've gotten them all."

"That's okay Spike." She replied. "You've worked hard enough already." He smiled up at her thankfully.

There was a knock at the door. "I'll get it." Spike called and ran off for the door while Twilight put the rest of books away in her magic. Spike opened the door and looked up to see Big Mac and Fluttershy standing side by side looking down at him. "Hey Fluttershy, hey Big Mac." He said. "What's up?"

"Hi Spike." Fluttershy said in her hushed voice. "Is Twilight here?" She asked. Just then, Twilight came into view behind Spike and smiled happily as she saw her two friends coming to visit.

"Hey, Fluttershy! Hey Big Mac!" She exclaimed.

"Hello Twilight." Fluttershy Replied.

"Hey Twilight." Big Mac added.

"Are you two here for some books?" Twilight asked. Fluttershy ducked behind her mane and scraped her hoof on the ground for a minute before turning her form to show a little white alicorn filly covered in bandages and clinging to her back. Twilight gasped when she saw the filly.

"We were hoping you could have a look at her and find out if anything is wrong with her." Fluttershy explained. The filly let out a great sneeze which made Twilight flinch. "Oh, and she's sick with a fever."

"Fluttershy, what happened to her?" Twilight asked as she urged them inside the library. Fluttershy and Big Mac walked inside.

"Well... um..." Fluttershy stammered as she thought about how to explain. "... I was going home after my shopping, and all the animals were gathered around her. She was in the water all cut up and sick, so I cleaned her up and then Big Mac," she said as she inclined her head towards the red stallion, "came over with the apples he offered to me and she ate a lot of them then fell asleep for an hour. So, we let her sleep before we brought her to you."

The filly sneezed again as Twilight walked up to the filly and reached a hoof to her. She cringed away from the purple alicorn. Twilight backed away from her with concern on her face as she looked to Fluttershy for some help.

"She's a might shy, Twilight." Big Mac stated. "She was afeared of me when ah first tried to approach her."

"But, she warmed up to you pretty quickly." Fluttershy observed.

"After yer reassured her ah was a nice pony." He added.

"Either way," Twilight said, "... I need to examine her and make sure she's okay. What's her name?" She asked Fluttershy.

Um... she doesn't have a name." Fluttershy replied. "I asked her earlier while I was cleaning her up what her name was and who her parents are, but she just shook her head. I don't know if she can even talk." She observed as she looked back at the filly with a soft smile as she clung to her back. "It's okay little one. This is my best friend, Twilight and she is very nice."

The filly looked up at Fluttershy, then turned her gaze over to Twilight. Her red eyes looking the purple alicorn over as though she was studying her. Then after a minute, she ducked her head back into Fluttershy's mane. Fluttershy gently nuzzled the filly to try and calm her down as she smiled at her. After a few minutes, the filly looked up at the yellow mare again.

"Is it okay if my friend helps you get better?" She asked sweetly. "I'll be with you the whole time. I promise." The filly looked over to Twilight uncertainly for a minute as she smiled reassuringly at her, then nodded her head just before she sneezed again.

Twilight began to use her magic to levitate the filly off Fluttershy's back, but she began to cry and cling tightly. Twilight stopped her efforts and looked over to her friend. "Maybe you should help me with this."

"What do you need me to do?" Fluttershy asked.

"Just bring her over to the table." Twilight answered as she trotted off while Fluttershy followed. "Spike, can you and Big Mac go out for a little bit?"

"Do you need us to get anything for you, Twilight?" The baby dragon asked.

"I'm about to check on a filly, Spike." Twilight replied. Spike blinked at first before his eyes opened wide with realization on what she meant.

"Okay." He said. "C'mon Big Mac. Why don't we go get a snack for everyone?"

"Actually, ah should be gettin' back to the barn." The farm pony replied. "Ah've been gone fer quite some time and everypony'll be wonderin' where ah am and ah still got work ta do."

"Okay." Spike said with a shrug. "See you later." He wave to him and the girls, who waved back at them as the two walked out the door. Spike switched the sign to 'closed' so nopony would enter in on Twilight's examination on the filly.

Fluttershy helped the filly off her back and onto the table. She sat there looking scared as Twilight came up to her. "It's okay." She said. "I'm just going to check to see how you are physically and then I want to run some tests to see what your magical capacity is." The filly now looked confused before turning to face Fluttershy.

"I think she means, she wants to check to see if you're hurt then find out what your magic is like." She explained. Twilight nodded, but the filly still looked uncertain about this.

After a minute of trying to earn enough trust from the filly to get close to her, Twilight began examining her body, checking her from nose to tail finding the only thing wrong was the cuts covered by the bandages and her singed tail. When she was done she ignited her horn and a white box with a red cross imprinted on the top flew from up stairs. The med pack opened up and some fresh bandages levitated into the air. Twilight undid the bandages already on the filly and set them aside and placed the new ones on her cuts.

"Well, apart from having a fever..." Twilight was cut off by another sneeze from the filly. "... and cuts all over her, she's in good health."

"That's good." Fluttershy said as she smiled at the filly.

"I still have a few more things I want to check." Twilight said. "Can you lay down on your back, please?" She asked. The filly hesitated for a minute before complying to her request. When the filly was on her back, looking up at the two, Twilight's horn began to glow.

"I promise, you won't feel a thing." Twilight said as she saw the rising fear in the filly's red eyes. The filly calmed down just a little and Twilight let a beam of purple light flow over the filly's body. She did this a few times, each time a little differently then the first. After a few minutes of scanning, Twilight looked confused.

"What is it, Twilight?" Fluttershy asked, nervousness in her voice.

"Well, she's healthy, but..." She trailed off as she looked up from the filly. Fluttershy followed her gaze to a pot of rather healthy looking petunias.

"Oh Twilight. Those flowers are just lovely." Fluttershy stated.

"Exactly!" Twilight replied. "Those petunias have been withering for a few days, and now they look as healthy as ever." She looked back down at the filly and ignited her horn over her again.

"You don't think it was her, do you?" Fluttershy asked. After a few seconds, Twilight let the spell disappear and looked up at the yellow mare with both excitement and confusion in her eyes.

"Actually, it is her." She said.

"How?" Fluttershy asked.

"Well, she's giving off a kind of radiation, like the radiation that's coming from the sun and the petunias are reacting to her like photosynthesis." Twilight explained. Fluttershy looked a little confused at Twilight's words. Twilight rolled her eyes to the heavens as she let out a sigh. "She's making the plants grow." Fluttershy hummed with understanding as she nodded her head once.

"So, I can take her home now?" Fluttershy asked.

"I think we should take her to see Princess Celestia." Twilight replied.

"Oh, I don't know, Twilight." Fluttershy said. "I don't think traveling is good for her right now." Twilight looked down at the filly, who had gotten up from the table and hopped back up onto Fluttershy's back and then sneezed again.

"I guess you're right." Twilight sighed. "But I still think we should let the Princess know about this."

"Okay." Fluttershy said. "But, do you think it can wait until she's better?" She asked as she looked back and nuzzled the filly gently. Twilight did not answer right away, she just watched as Fluttershy showed motherly affection for the new filly. Twilight watched the two with a smile on her face for a few minutes before saying anything.

"So, what are you going to call her?" Twilight asked. Fluttershy looked up at Twilight in shock from the unexpected question.

"What am I gonna call her?" She repeated. Twilight nodded with a smile. "Oh, well, um..." She looked back at the little white filly, who was laying on her back as she looked up at her with those beautiful red eyes. She looked up at the pot of petunias and saw how beautiful they looked, then it came to her. "I think I'll call her... Petunia Snow." She said as she smiled at the filly, who smiled back at her, the first real smile she had seen from her all day. "Do you like that name?" She asked. The filly nodded her head.

"Petunia Snow is perfect for her." Twilight said with a smile. "Hello Petunia." She called. Petunia raised her hoof and waved it slowly at the purple alicorn.

"Well, let's go home, Petunia." Fluttershy said as she started for the door.

"Bye Fluttershy, bye Petunia." Twilight called as they walked out. Fluttershy returned the 'goodbye' as Petunia waved her hoof through the door before Twilight closed it.

When Fluttershy was gone with the alicorn filly Twilight let a frown settle on her face as she turned towards the stairs and began walking up to her room where she used her magic to levitate a bit of parchment, a feather quill and an ink bottle and placed them on her desk by the window. She dipped the tip of the quill into the open ink bottle and began to write as she spoke aloud, "Dear Princess Celestia..."

Author's Note

I finished writing this chapter on my birth day at 2:55 AM, March 12, 2013. Today, I turned 22 years old.

Ch. 2: A Surprise Guest

Chapter Two:

A Surprise Guest

The morning sunlight shone through the closed window into Fluttershy's cottage, the animals waking to Celestia's morning glory as Fluttershy came down to feed her animal friends, humming to herself as she came into view.

"Good morning!" She called causing the animals perk up to her gentle voice. She started by giving the chirping birds their feed, then she gave the squirrels some nuts and the bunnies got lettuce and other veggies. The animals all ate their food happily after Fluttershy fed them all. Fluttershy was enjoying taking care of the woodland critters so much that she did not notice Petunia coming down the stairs until she coughed making Fluttershy jump and whirl around to find the source of the sound.

"Oh! Petunia, you startled me." Fluttershy said. The white alicorn filly ducked her head down, giving her an apologetic look before letting out a big sneeze. "Oh my. You're still not feeling well, are you?" Petunia gave her head a slight shake as her answer before looking back up at the yellow mare.

It had been two days since Fluttershy found Petunia laying at the edge of the river all cut up, covered in her own blood, her tail was singed and she was running a high fever. Twilight said that she was fine, apart from her cuts and fever, and somehow she gave life to plants around her. This had grown apparent as all the plants in the house looked better then ever with the natural help of her animal friends and Petunia's presence. Since then Petunia had gotten better, she still had a sore throat and sneezed every now and again, but she was better then when she was found.

Fluttershy gave her a smile as she trotted over to pick the filly up in her forelegs. Petunia wrapped her forelegs around Fluttershy's neck as she nuzzled her mane, humming happily as she did. Fluttershy found herself feeling content in this situation. She had never cared for a filly before, unless you count the times she watched over the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Finding Petunia gave her a chance to care for somepony who needed a family. Just then a hint of concern filled her thoughts. She hasn't spoken a word since I found her in the river. She observed. Can she talk at all?

A grumbling sound drew Fluttershy from her thoughts as she nuzzled the filly in her forelegs. She pulled away and they both looked down, Petunia placed her hoof on her belly then she looked up at Fluttershy. "Oh my," Fluttershy said, "...you're hungry, aren't you?" Petunia nodded with a faint smile mixed with a pleading look in her red eyes. "Well then, let's get you something to eat."

With that, Fluttershy carried Petunia over to the dining table and set her on a chair, then trotted into the kitchen. Petunia watched Fluttershy until she vanished out of sight then turned her head to find Angel sitting on the table looking up at her. She smiled at the white bunny as she reached a hoof up to pet him he pushed his head into her hoof.

"Hello Angel." She whispered faintly, even more faint then Fluttershy on her best. Angel looked up at the filly in shock. She had never spoken before now and her voice, even when it was quiet and hard to hear, was sweet and gentle. After a minute, Angel gave a great smile and began to hop off towards the kitchen only to be stopped by a white hoof. He looked back questioningly at Petunia with a bit of a gentle glare that said 'what'. She raised her other hoof to her lips making no sound like she was shushing him while she shook her head with a pleading gaze.

A few minutes past by before Fluttershy came out to check on Petunia, who was holding Angel in both hooves. "Aww," she said as she smiled at the two. "You like Angel, don't you?" She asked. Petunia nodded and Angel hopped out of her grasp and bounced away. Fluttershy watched the bunny hop away before turning back to her charge. "Your food will be ready in a moment." Petunia nodded, then let out a big sneeze again. "Oh, bless you." Fluttershy said before heading back into the kitchen.

A few more minutes passed before Fluttershy came out with a bowl in both her fore hooves and carried it over to the table. She sat the bowl on the table in front of Petunia, who looked into the bowl to find steaming soup within. She looked up at Fluttershy and gave her a faint smile before she grabbed the spoon next to the bowl and began eating.

Fluttershy watched happily as Petunia ate. It filled her with joy to know that she was looking and feeling better since her arrival. Petunia finished her bowl and looked up at Fluttershy thankfully. Fluttershy took the bowl in her fore hooves and carried it back to the kitchen. When she came back out, a knock came from the door that made Petunia jump and run up to Fluttershy and hide behind her.

"It's okay Petunia." Fluttershy re-assured. The knock came again and Fluttershy looked up before calling, "Just a minute, please," and trotted up to the door with Petunia on her back and opened the door to find a bright orange mare with yellow mane and tail wearing a hat standing next to a little yellow filly with red mane and tail and a large pink bow in her mane.

"Howdy, Fluttershy." Applejack said with a bright smile.

"Hey Fluttershy!" Applebloom added.

"Hi Applejack, hi Applebloom." Fluttershy replied to the two farm mares. "Do you need help with anything?" She asked.

"Nope," Applejack replied, "we just heard about the new filly and Applebloom here wanted to come see her."

"Is she here?" Applebloom asked. Fluttershy looked back to Petunia on her back with a smile. She looked both afraid and curious about the new faces coming to see her. Applebloom caught sight of the white filly and a broad smiled slapped itself on her face. "Hi there!" she chirped. Petunia ducked back behind Fluttershy, not sure about the farm filly now. "Did ah say somthin' wrong?" Applebloom asked with a sad look on her face.

"Oh, no." Fluttershy replied. "Petunia's just a bit shy." She looked back to Petunia with a re-assuring nudge of her muzzle.

"Petunia?" Applejack observed. "That's a pretty name." She looked behind Fluttershy, who turned enough to show the nervous filly on her back. "Nice ta meet ya Petunia. Ah'm Applejack and this here," she pointed a hoof to her little sister, "... is Applebloom. Big Mac's our big brother." Petunia poked her head slowly from Fluttershy's mane and looked at the two.

"Ya wanna come ut and play, Petunia?" Applebloom asked hopefully.

"Oh, I'm sorry Applebloom, but Petunia is still a little sick and needs to get better before she can go out again." Just then, Petunia let out another sneeze confirming Fluttershy's words to the Apples'. Applebloom let out a long disappointed 'aww' as she let her head drop, her ears pinning back. Applejack reached over to her sister and ruffled her mane up a little.

"Don't be upset, Applebloom, ya still got some chores ta do anyhow." She said.

"Yeah, ah guess so." Applebloom replied. Applejack pulled the filly in and tickling her a bit, earning a fit of laughter from her sister.

"C'mon, Applebloom." Applejack said. "Let's go get things done. Bye Fluttershy, bye Petunia."

"Bye Petunia." Applebloom chirped as she waved her hoof. Petunia slowly raised her hoof at the yellow filly as they trotted off. Fluttershy closed the door after saying her goodbyes and trotted off with Petunia on her back, who was nuzzling the back of her neck happily.

Fluttershy stopped when she heard something like a faint gentle voice coming from Petunia and looked back to her in slight shock. Petunia looked up at her, her eyes shining with multiple emotions before they became filled with a thankful, loving look toward Fluttershy.

"Did you say something, Petunia?" Fluttershy asked. Petunia said nothing, she just sat on her back staring at Fluttershy with a thankful expression. Can you even say anything? She asked silently. Petunia finally just smiled and pulled Fluttershy's head in, hugging her muzzle happily. Fluttershy gave in and leaned into the filly's embrace, humming happily.

Nearly half an hour later, Petunia was fast asleep on a large cushion next to Fluttershy, who had a book opened up in front of her that she read to the alicorn, who fell asleep in the middle of her reading. She continued to read the book quietly to herself when another knock came from the door, making Fluttershy jump and look down at the still sleeping filly before she got up and went to see who it was. She opened the door to find two white unicorns, one with a highly styled purple mane and tail, the other with a two toned pink and purple mane and tail.

"Hello Rarity and Sweetie Belle." Fluttershy whispered.

"Hi Fluttershy!" Sweetie Belle chirped with a happy smile.

"Hello darling." Rarity replied. "We heard about your new alicorn friend and simply had to come and see her for ourselves. I've got some things for her from the Boutique." She reached back with her magic and pulled out a small box from her saddlebags.

"Oh, well that's nice of you, but Petu-..." Fluttershy was cut off by the very filly she was talking about cuddling up to her hind leg.

"Is that her?" Sweetie Belle asked as she trotted up to Petunia, who back away behind Fluttershy.

"It's okay Petunia." Fluttershy said reassuringly. "These are more friends of mine and Sweetie Belle here is a great friend of Applebloom's." Petunia poked her head out from behind to get a better look at the white filly, who smiled and waved a hoof at her. Petunia slowly raised her hoof and waved it faintly at the white unicorn before looking up at Rarity, who smiled at her.

"Well, aren't you just beautiful." She chimed. "I am Rarity and this," she gestured to Sweetie Belle, "... is my little sister Sweetie Belle." Petunia took a step out from behind Fluttershy to see the fashionista smile growing when she came into full view.

Rarity levitated the box up with her magic and opened it to reveal five items inside. Among these items was a sky blue scarf, a deep blue vest for a pegasus, a simple dress, a set of horse shoes and a pink bow. Petunia looked inside the box curiously for a minute before looking back up at Rarity, who smiled at her.

"These are for you, darling." She said. "I know it's hardly the time for scarfs at this time, but I thought it would look smashing on you." Petunia looked back into the box to the scarf in question. Rarity thought for a minute she was going to grab the scarf until she turned her attention to the pink bow. "Do you like the bow?" She asked. Petunia looked up with a nod of her head. "Would you like to try it on?" Petunia nodded eagerly. Rarity looked up to Fluttershy with a hint of concern. "Can she talk, Fluttershy?"

"She hasn't said a word yet." Fluttershy answered. "I don't know if she can or not." Fluttershy and Rarity turned their focus to Petunia, who had grabbed the bow from the box and admired it in her hooves. Sweetie Belle trotted up to Petunia and held out her hoof.

"Do you want me to tie it on for you?" She asked. Petunia thought about it for a minute before looking up at the two mares then back at the filly and gave it to her. Rarity began to intervene when a yellow hoof was placed at her chest to stop her. She looked down at the hoof and followed it to its source, Fluttershy, who watched intently at the two fillies as Sweetie Belle began to tie Petunia's mane up in the bow. Petunia winced and pulled away from Sweetie Belle when she pulled to hard on her hair and ran up to Fluttershy, whimpering at her forelegs.

"It's okay, Petunia." Fluttershy said reassuringly.

"What?" Sweetie Belle asked. She looked again at her work on Petunia's bow and saw that her efforts were... not so good. The bow was in an untidy not leaving Petunia's mane going in all directions. "Oh..." She said with sheepish smile.

"Allow me, dear." Rarity said as she approached Petunia, who cringed at the white unicorn clinging tighter to Fluttershy.

"Don't worry," Fluttershy said as she stroked Petunia's tangled mane, "... Rarity can fix your mane." Petunia looked up to the yellow mare then over to Rarity before she slowly walked up to the fashionista and sat on her haunches while facing Fluttershy.

Rarity's horn began to glow and the bow flew gently out of Petunia's messed up mane then pulled a brush from her bag and brushed it through the white alicorns mane. After a few minutes, Rarity gently pulled Petunia's mane back and wrapped the bow and tied it nicely around her mane. When she was done she stepped back to admire her work.

"You look fabulous." She said. Petunia looked up to Fluttershy, who smiled proudly at what she saw. From behind Fluttershy, Angel came hopping up with a small mirror in his paws and held it up so she could see herself. She looked into the mirror, turning her head left and right to better look at her mane and new bow. Her mane was now done up in a straight tail, the bow holding it in place.

"Do you like it?" Rarity asked. Petunia looked up at her and she nodded vigorously with a broad smile. Petunia ran up to the white mare and hugged her forelegs, earning an unsure smile from the fashionista as she looked up to Fluttershy for help only to find her smiling at Petunia opening up to her friend.

Just then, a voice screaming 'Watch Out' sounded just before a crash. Fluttershy, Sweetie Belle and Rarity all looked out while Petunia jumped up onto Fluttershy's back ducking her head into the yellow mare's pink mane as a cyan blue pegasus came crashing, face first, into the grass with an orange filly on her back. Scootaloo quickly hopped off of Rainbow Dash's back and ran up to the open door with an eager smile on her face.

"Where is she?!" She asked. "Is she here? Does she have her cutie mark? Does she wanna be a Crusader?" She was stopped by a blue hoof on her shoulder.

"Slow down, Scoots." Rainbow said to the little pegasus before turning to Fluttershy. "Hey Fluttershy."

"Hello Rainbow." She replied. "Are you here to see Petunia, too?" Rainbow now looked confused.

"Who's Petunia?" She asked. "I came to see your new alicorn friend."

"The alicorn's name is Petunia, darling." Rarity replied with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"Oh." Rainbow said as she scratched the back of her neck.

"Well," Scootaloo said, "... is she here?"

"Yeah, she's here," Sweetie Belle replied, "... but she's more shy than Fluttershy."

"More shy than Fluttershy?" Scootaloo repeated. Sweetie Belle nodded her response as she turned to look up at Fluttershy, who turned to show the white alicorn clinging to her for comfort.

"It's okay Petunia." Fluttershy said as she nuzzled the white filly gently. "These are more of my friends." Petunia moved her head just enough to poke her eye out to see the newcomers to their home.

"Awesome red eyes!" Scootaloo said causing Petunia to duck back into Fluttershy's mane. "Wow, she really is more shy then Fluttershy." Petunia let out a muffled squeak into Fluttershy's mane, who's reassuring smile faded instantly at the sound.

"What was that?" Rainbow asked. "I didn't catch that."

"Petunia, did you just say something?" Fluttershy asked. Petunia never made another sound. She just clung to Fluttershy for protection. Fluttershy let out a long sigh.

"Hello?" Rainbow called. "What'd she say?"

"Rainbow Dash, honestly!" Rarity huffed.

"What?" She asked.

"Petunia doesn't talk." Sweetie Belle replied.

"Doesn't talk?" Scootaloo asked. Fluttershy shook her head before reaching back to nuzzle the frightened filly on her back.

"She hasn't spoken at all since Angel and I found her in the river," she explained to the group that came to see Petunia, "... and I'm starting to think she can't talk at all." Petunia finally looked up to the mare, who had been taking care of her for the last few days with a pleading look in her red eyes. Fluttershy smiled at her and gave her nose a gentle nudge before Petunia let out a large sneeze making her jump. "Oh my!"

"Hey, is she okay?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"I'm afraid she's a little sick." Fluttershy replied as she reached back and pulled Petunia into her forelegs.

"That's not cool." Scootaloo said.

"Do you need us to get you anything, darling?" Rarity asked.

"Oh, no thank you, Rarity." Fluttershy answered. "I really should get her to bed." The two fillies let out a long "aww" as their reply to Fluttershy's words.

"Now come along, Sweetie Belle," Rarity said. "... if little Petunia is sick then we really should give her some space." Of course she actually was more afraid of catching whatever Petunia had and wanted her and Sweetie Belle to go wash up after touching her.

"We should be going anyway." Rainbow said to Scootaloo, who looked up at her with a look that asked 'why'. "I told you I would teach you some flying techniques, didn't I?" Scootaloo perked up at this before turning to the others.

"We gotta go!" She chirped. " See you girls later." She hopped up onto Rainbow's back.

"Bye Fluttershy," Rainbow said, "... and Petunia, get better soon." With that, she flew out the open door with an excited Scootaloo on her back as they disappeared into the clear sky leaving a streak of rainbow behind them. When the two pegasi were gone Petunia seemed a little less scared now as she curled up and nuzzled Fluttershy's chest.

"Well, we must be off, too." Rarity said as she began to lead her sister out the door. As she was being lead out the door, Sweetie Belle looked back at Fluttershy and waved her hoof.

"Bye Petunia, bye Fluttershy." She said.

"Goodbye Sweetie." Fluttershy replied. Rarity turned her head back to her friend with a smile on her face.

"Goodbye sweetie," she said, "... and take good care of that beautiful alicorn."

"I will, bye Rarity." Fluttershy said. Rarity closed the door behind her and Fluttershy was left alone with a now calm Petunia in her forelegs. She looked down at the filly with her new bow tying her mane up in a tail, her red eyes beaming at the yellow mare with love. Fluttershy smiled at the filly in her grasp before her gentle voice said, "let's get you to bed, little one," and carried her up the stairs to her bedroom.

She flew into the bedroom and carried Petunia over to the new small bed sitting next to hers on the floor and laid her down under the blankets. As Fluttershy pulled away, Petunia reached out with her hooves in a pleading manner as though asking her not to go.

"It's okay," she said with a re-assuring smile, "... I'm just going to get your favorite story. I'll be right back, I promise." After a minute, Petunia let Fluttershy go and laid down on her bed. Fluttershy gave her charge a sweet smile before turning and trotted out of the room.

She trotted down the stairs and into the living room where she was laying with Petunia before Rarity and Sweetie Belle came to say 'hello' and woke her up from her nap. She grabbed the book off the floor and trotted back up the stairs to her room to read to petunia and help her get back to sleep.

She entered her bedroom to find Petunia laying on her belly on Fluttershy's bed looking out the window and smiled. She started trotting over to the bed when all of a sudden there was a loud Crack and confetti started raining from the ceiling while a pink energetic earth pony mare popped out of nowhere in the middle of the room making Fluttershy jump and earning a scream from Petunia, who jump out of the bed and ran like a bullet off the bed to the yellow mare.

"Surprise!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed with her usual fun, party loving attitude. "Were you surprised? Tell me you were surprised. I came all this way to surprise you." She looked over to find the white alicorn she came to see was clinging tightly to Fluttershy's foreleg, who was comforted her with her free hoof. Pinkie's smile faded almost instantly as she saw the two. "Ah oh! Did I scare her? I didn't mean to scare her, I just wanted to throw her a surprise welcome-to-Fluttershy's-family party, not scare her."

"Um, Pinkie..." Fluttershy began.

"I mean, it's no fun to scare other ponies, especially little fillies."

"... Pinkie."

"I'm so sorry, let me make it up to you."

"Pinkie Pie!" Fluttershy actually yelled. Pinkie finally stopped her chattering and looked up at her friend, who looked like she crossed the line and wanted to apologies for yelling.

"Yes, Fluttershy." Pinkie asked.

"Well, um... I do appreciate you coming to say hi and all, but..." she looked down at the white alicorn, who had started silently sobbing at her hooves from Pinkie's grand appearance, "... Petunia is very shy and she needs her rest because she's sick."

"Well, that's no fun at all." Pinkie said. "I should throw a get-well-soon party for Petunia."

"Uh... thank you, but I should really get her to bed... if you don't mind." Fluttershy replied. Pinkie looked at her for a minute before her cheerful smile returned and her eyes closed.

"Okie dokie lokie!" She chirped as she trotted past Fluttershy out of the room. "See ya later, Flutters."

"Thank you, Pinkie, goodbye." Fluttershy replied. When Pinkie was out of sight, yet she did not here the sound of the front door open and close, Fluttershy picked Petunia up in her forelegs and carried her over to her bed, set her down and laid down beside her. As soon as Fluttershy settled herself on the bed, Petunia curled right up against her still softly sobbing from her visit from the wild earth mare.

"It's okay," Fluttershy said as she stroked her back, "I won't let enypony hurt you." Petunia sniffed before a faint sound escaped her lips. Fluttershy blinked and leaned closer as she asked, "what?" Petunia pulled her head up so her eyes met Fluttershy's.

"Thank you." She said in a faint tone. Fluttershy's eyes widened at this. "Thank you." She said again, more clearly. Fluttershy smiled.

~~)oOo(~~

Fluttershy was now teaching Petunia how to care for the animals. Petunia had opened up to Fluttershy a lot more since Pinkie's surprise visit earlier and was now actually talking with her. Petunia liked learning how to care for the animals, especially Angel and a certain white ferret that had grown attracted to her.

There was a knock from the front door that drew their attention from the animals. Petunia hopped onto Fluttershy's back and Fluttershy trotted of to the door and opened it to find Twilight and Big Mac standing on either side of the tall, regal, white alicorn Princess Celestia, who smiled down at her warmly.

"Hello, Fluttershy." Celestia said in her gentle voice.

"Oh! Princess Celestia." Fluttershy said as she took a deep respectful bow to her monarch, revealing the little white alicorn filly on her back, who clung to her.

"Hello little one," she said to Petunia, "I am Princess Celestia." Petunia looked uncertain about the new visitor who looked a lot like her, especially in color. "And, what's your name?" When Petunia did not answer Fluttershy looked up at Petunia with a re-assuring smile.

"It's okay, Petunia." She said. "Princess Celestia is the nicest pony you will ever meet." Petunia looked up to the Princess for a minute before opening her mouth.

"I'm Petunia Snow... P-princess Celestia." She said, earning a look of shock from Big Mac.

"She can talk?" He asked. Fluttershy smiled at him.

"She started talking to me after Pinkie came to visit earlier." She explained.

"Well, that's good." Twilight said.

"Fluttershy," Celestia said, "might I have some time with Petunia?" Petunia ducked down into Fluttershy's mane at the Princess' request. "You have nothing to fear, little one. I only wish to examine you like Princess Twilight did to make sure you're healthy and unharmed."

"Um, may I be there with her?" Fluttershy asked. "if it's alright with you, that is." Celestia smiled.

"Yes, you may be there with her." She replied. Petunia lifted her head away from Fluttershy's mane and looked over to Big Mac as she pointed a hoof at him.

"And Big Mac, too?" She asked. Celestia looked over to the big red stallion, who looked pleased at the filly's request and looked up at the Princess, his eyes asking the same question. Celestia smiled then looked back at the filly.

"Yes, and Big Mac, too." Celestia replied. With that, Fluttershy allowed the three to enter into the cottage and lead them into the living room. Big Mac walked alongside her and when they got to the center of the room where the cushion was sitting Big Mac reached up for Petunia off of Fluttershy's back and placed her down on the cushion.

Celestia came up and laid down on her belly in front of the filly, who still looked uncertain about the larger alicorn, and smiled warmly before she gave her reassuring words.

"Don't be afraid little one." She said. "I won't hurt you." Fluttershy reached up and stroked Petunia's back while Big Mac sat down on the other side. It was not until after Petunia calmed down enough to give Celestia the go ahead to begin her examination that Celestia lit up her horn and scanned over Petunia's body. The first spell ended and she began the process again with a different colored beam that scanned over Petunia's body. She repeated this process a few more times before she smiled at the filly.

"You did a good job, Petunia." She said warmly. "You are still running a small fever, but other then that you are in good health."

"Um, Princess?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes, Fluttershy?" She replied.

"You're not going to take Petunia away, are you?" She asked.

"Oh no, Fluttershy." Celestia replied. "In fact, I'm placing this filly under your personal care."

"Really?" Petunia asked. Celestia looked down at Petunia and smiled.

"Yes, Petunia. Fluttershy has done a great job in caring for you, and I think nopony else is more suited for the task." Petunia turned and leapt into Fluttershy's forelegs wrapping her own around her neck. Big Mac joined in on the hug. As the three were locked in their embrace, Celestia got to her hooves and trotted off to the door and Twilight followed.
They got outside, closed the door behind them and continued over the bridge down the road.

"Princess," Twilight said, "why did you charge Petunia to Fluttershy?"

"I think you already know the answer to that, Princess." Celestia replied.

"Because, you feel like there's something else about her that only the Element of Kindness can control?"

"Because, Fluttershy needs Petunia as much as she needs her." Celestia replied. Twilight arched a brow at this. Celestia stopped to face her faithful student. "In a way, you are right, Twilight. I feel that there is something buried deep inside Petunia that only Fluttershy can contain through her kindness. But, Petunia also needs somepony to care for her since she is just a filly and she trusts Fluttershy."

"So, not only are you trying to keep something under control, you're giving Fluttershy a..." Celestia nodded before Twilight could finish her question. "That's wonderful!" Celestia nodded in agreement. Twilight smiled at her mentor as. "Well, I better get back to the library." Twilight reached over and gave the high Princess a hug before saying 'goodbye' and trotted off into the direction of the Ponyville Library.

When Twilight was out of sight Celestia's smile faded. She trotted over to her carriage and hopped in for the ride back to Canterlot. When she was seated she signaled the pegasi pulling the carriage to take off and immediately the carriage started moving. The trip was rather long and uneventful as they flew through the clouds for several long minutes before coming in for a landing and stopped in front of the castle. She climbed out of the carriage and walked along the red carpet into the castle, through the corridors and into her private chambers where she called for her new captain of the royal guard.

A few minutes after she had sat down on a cushion next to the fireplace, a knock came from the door. "Enter." She called. The door opened and a well built blue unicorn wearing deep blue armor came in. He trotted up to the Princess and gave a respectful bow.

"You called for me, your highness?" He said, his voice deep and serious.

"Yes, captain." She replied as she turned her gaze from the dancing fire. "I want you to send a few guards to Ponyville under cover to keep a close eye on a pure white alicorn filly under the watch of Fluttershy."

"Do you suspect some kind of treachery from this filly?" He queried.

"I'm just taking precautionary measures, captain." She replied.

"As you wish, your highness." The captain gave another bow before trotting off to fulfill his orders leaving Celestia alone to her thoughts. She turned her gaze back to the fire and watched the flames dance before her.

Let us hope I'm wrong.

Author's Note

I respectfully ask that you do not leave a comment on the spelling errers, I will go back later to proof read this and the chapters prior later.

Ch. 3: Visions And Nightmares

Chapter Three:

Visions And Nightmares

Two weeks past since all of Fluttershy's friends and Princess Celestia came to visit Petunia. Fluttershy's cottage was full of life in the plants do to Petunia's unique ability. Petunia was also in full health and more open to the yellow mare that nursed her to health and Big Mac who came in when he could to see Petunia if she did not beg to go and see him at Sweet Apple Acres, which was about every day. Fluttershy and Big Mac had eventually decided to take turns watching over the alicorn filly and today was Big Mac's turn.

After Fluttershy fed all the animals she went into the kitchen to start cooking breakfast for her and Petunia before leaving to Sweet Apple Acres. While Fluttershy was in the kitchen cooking their breakfast Petunia was sitting patiently at the table as she played with Blizzard, the ferret who had become her pet after the first weak of Petunia living with Fluttershy.

"Breakfast is ready." Came Fluttershy's voice from the kitchen. Petunia held her hoof out to Blizzard and he climbed up her foreleg to her shoulder as Fluttershy came out with bowls for the two and sat them on the table then went back into the kitchen and quickly returned with two glasses and a pitcher of juice. Fluttershy then sat next to Petunia and the two began to eat their breakfast.

"Are you excited to see Big Mac?" Fluttershy asked. Petunia perked right up even more then she already was and smiled as her caretaker.

"Yes!" She squeaked. Fluttershy let out a giggle to Petunia's joy, then resumed eating her breakfast. Petunia was already half done with hers. She was so happy to see Big Mac again that she was in a hurry to get going. Not to mention the Apples' were setting up the farm for a fall celebration prior to the running of the leaves event coming up.

They finished their breakfast and Fluttershy gathered the dishes and carried them out into the kitchen. Petunia looked over to Blizzard on her shoulder and frowned him staring at one of the windows to the side of the cottage. She followed his gaze and saw a flash of pink and lavender outside as well as a bit a white. Petunia jumped out of her seat and ran up to the window, but when she got there she saw nothing but the Everfree on her right at the back of the cottage and Sweet Apple Acres in the distance to her left.

Fluttershy soon came out and saw Petunia at the window. She trotted over next to the white filly and looked out the window to find nothing out of the ordinary. After a minute she looked down to the filly with a bit of concern in her eyes.

"Is everything okay sweetie?" She asked. Petunia never turned her gaze from the window when she answered.

"I saw something outside." She said. Fluttershy took another look out the window and saw a few birds fly over the trees.

"Was it a bird?" Fluttershy asked. Petunia shook her head.

"It was purple and pink and there was something white, too." Petunia replied.

The first thing that came to Fluttershy's mind was Twilight and Rarity or Celestia, but Petunia also said pink. Twilight had no pink color in her coat and the stripe in her mane was not enough to be noticed in a quick glance. Celestia had a bit of pink in her mane but Petunia never said anything about other colors. So, what could have been out there that was pink, purple and white?

Fluttershy looked back down at Petunia, who was still focusing her gaze outside to find whatever it was that was out there.

"Well, should we go Petunia?" Fluttershy asked. Petunia finally broke her gaze from the window and smiled at the yellow mare as though nothing happened.

Petunia ran past Fluttershy up the stairs and a few minutes later returned with saddlebags upon her back and an eager grin on her face. Fluttershy smiled as she saw Petunia with Blizzard running up onto her back, then lead them out the front door. They trotted down the road for Sweet Apple Acres, Petunia showed a broad smile on her face while Fluttershy kept on looking around for anything that might have been following them.

They arrived at the large farmland and found several ponies setting up gazebos and tables around the barn. Most of the apple trees were covered with apples about ready to be harvested for the winter season soon approaching. Applejack was carrying a tray of lemonade out to all the ponies who were there to help while Applebloom was with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle running around doing what ever they could do. Big Mac had yet to be seen, which made Petunia a little upset.

Fluttershy walked with Petunia up to Applejack who took notice of their arrival and smiled as she set the tray down on a nearby table and greeted them warmly.

"Well, howdy Fluttershy, hey there Petunia." Petunia shied behind Fluttershy, but not as badly as she did on their first meeting.

"H-hi... Applejack." She replied. Fluttershy smiled. She was happy that Petunia was opening up to her friends.

"Still a bit shah, eh?" Applejack observed. "Well, ah recon yer here to stay with Big Macintosh?" She asked even though she already knew the answer.

"Is he here?" Petunia asked, her shy side almost completely nonexistent.

"He left earlier t' get some supplies," she explained, "ah recon he should be back any minute now. Why don't y'all make yerselves at home." She reached back for the tray of lemonade and held it up to them. "Some refreshments?"

"Oh, thank you AJ." Fluttershy said as she reached down for a glass. Petunia also reached for a glass before a voice came from behind.

"Why don't you levitate the glass with your magic?" All three turned to find the lavender alicorn, Twilight Sparkle trotting up to them with a warm smile on her face.

"Howdy Twi!" Applejack chimed.

"Hello, Twilight." Fluttershy added. Petunia ducked her head at the princess as she came up.

"Hey girls," she replied, "hey Petunia."

"H-hi, Princess Twilight." Petunia replied.

"Petunia, would you like to learn how to levitate objects?" Twilight asked. Petunia looked uncertain. "Don't worry, it's not hard at all. It's basic unicorn magic." Petunia looked up at Fluttershy for conformation.

"Twilight would know sweetie." She said with a smile.

"Yeah she would," Applejack add, "Twilight here is the best pony ah've ever seen."

"Well, I'm not the best..." Twilight said with a sheepish smile.

"Are ya kiddin'?" Applejack countered. "Yer saved the town from that ursa three years ago just by usin' yer magic!"

"You did?!" Petunia asked, her shy side completely gone and replaced with curious excitement.

"It was just a baby." Twilight explained. "An ursa minor that was cranky because somepony woke it up. So, I just gave it some milk and rocked it to sleep back in its cave."

"Best display of magic ah ever did see." Applejack stated.

"Anyway," Twilight smiled at Petunia, "would you like to learn levitation? It's very easy and it will help me find out how well you've been recovering." Petunia looked up at Fluttershy, who smiled and nodded her head.

"Go ahead, Petunia." She said. "It'll be okay."

"I say go fer it." Applejack added. "It ain't right fer a unicorn, or alicorn fer that matter, to not use even simple magic."

Petunia looked up at the three mares, who all smiled at her encouragingly for her to give it a try. She gave an audible gulp then took in a deep breath before nodding her head and turn to Twilight to wait for instruction. Twilight smiled and stepped up and sat down on her haunches beside Petunia.

"Okay, it's very simple." Twilight began to explain the process as she took a glass into her magic, held it up then placed it back on the tray. Petunia watched with fascination as Twilight showed and explained how to levitate objects then felt nervous when it was her turn to try.

Petunia stepped up and began to use her magic. Her horn began to glow a deep dark purple and she suddenly felt cold as visions of that crystal palace that was the first thing she ever saw and the desire to claim that palace. She quickly let go of her magic with a squeal and dropped to the ground curled up and trembling.

Fluttershy was the first and most swift to act as she was almost instantly at Petunia's side, comforting her. Petunia did nothing for a minute before she reached up and embraced Fluttershy tightly with quiet sobs as Fluttershy rubbed her back and whispered 'it's okay' repeatedly.

"What's wrong?" Applejack asked.

"I don't know." Fluttershy answered as she held Petunia close. "She's never behaved like this before."

"What's goin' on?" Came the voice of a familiar stallion. Petunia looked up to find Big Mac walking up with saddlebags full of items for the festival. She hopped from Fluttershy and ran right up and jumped into the stallion's forelegs. Big Mac hugged the filly in his forelegs and looked up at the three mares looking for an answer. Fluttershy looked highly concerned while Twilight and Applejack looked confused and concerned. Fluttershy walked up and placed a hoof on Petunia's shoulder. Petunia looked up at the yellow mare with tears and fear in her eyes.

"Are you okay sweetie?" She asked. Petunia did not answer. She just curled back up against Big Mac, who held her against him.

It was not long at all before Petunia had cried herself to sleep in Big Mac's forelegs. The three mares, especially Fluttershy, watched as the little filly slept peacefully as if nothing had happened. Big Mac silently motioned for his sister to take his saddlebags, which she did, then he smiled at Fluttershy, who smiled at him and her charge. Then he began to carry her off toward the barn leaving the three mares behind.

"Now, just what in the hay was that all about?" Applejack asked.

"Something happened when she tried to use her magic." Twilight observed, earning a look of concern from Fluttershy.

"What happened?" She asked, her voice overflowing with concern.

"I don't know, Fluttershy," Twilight answered.

"Twilight, if you know anything about Petunia, please tell me..."

"What about Petunia?" Came a filly's voice that got everypony's attention. The Cutie Mark Crusaders standing by the three older mares, each with a mixed look of excitement and curiosity.

"Is Petunia here?" Applebloom asked.

"Yeah, she's here." Applejack answered.

"Where is she?" Scootaloo asked.

"Big Mac took her inside to sleep girls." Twilight answered. This earned confused expressions from the three fillies. "... she was really tired and fell asleep after she tried to use a levitation spell." Twilight partially lied. Fluttershy looked at the alicorn with appreciation for not telling the whole story. The three fillies let out a deep 'aww' as each of them let their heads drop.

"Don't none y'all fret nothin', " Applejack said, "y'all will see her later after she gets some rest and during the celebration." The three fillies perked up then bounced off, excited to see the white alicorn. Wen the Cutie Mark Crusaders were gone the three mares looked at each other.

"Twilight, what's wrong with Petunia?" Fluttershy asked.

"She's fine Flu-"

"Twilight..."

The two stared into each others eyes for a minute in awkward silence, neither on saying anything to the other before Twilight let out a sigh.

"Okay, I felt something when she started to use her magic, and the aura of magic coming from her horn... it reminded me of..." she trailed off.

"... of what?" Fluttershy asked. "Reminded you of what, Twilight?" The concern in her voice rising. Twilight looked around at everypony else around them.

"Why don't you meet me at the library? I'll explain when there's not so many ears around." Fluttershy stared at Twilight for a minute before nodding her approval.

"Let me go and tell Big Mac I'm leaving." Fluttershy said as she started to walk off.

"Don't you worry about that, ah'll tell him what's goin' on." Applejack said as she placed a hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder.

"I should at least tell Petunia goodbye first." Fluttershy said.

"I'm all fer that, Fluttershy, but she's asleep. Do ya wanna wake her up right now?" Applejack asked. Fluttershy pondered the question for a minute then looked up at the barn to find Big Mac coming up to them with a smile on his face.

"Is she okay?" Fluttershy asked.

"Eeyup," Big Mac said with a nod of his head, "ah think even when she's asleep she knows where she is because she put up a fuss unless I put her in my room."

"She's asleep in yer room?" Applejack asked.

"Eeyup, she wouldn't sleep quietly any other way." He said before turning to Fluttershy. "Don't worry Fluttershy, I'll take care of her."

"Thank you Big Mac." She replied as she nuzzled him. He wrapped a hoof over her shoulders and the two remained there for a minute. Both Twilight and Applejack looked at each other with smiles on their faces. Fluttershy pulled away from Big Mac and smiled up at the red stallion. "I'll be back tomorrow for the celebration."

"And, we'll be here waiting with Petunia for ya." Applejack said. Fluttershy smiled at her friend then said her goodbyes and trotted off with Twilight toward Ponyville.

~~)oOo(~~

Petunia slept for an hour after Fluttershy left with Twilight and immediately searched for Big Mac after waking up and spent the entire day with him. The Cutie Mark Crusaders tried a few times to get the white alicorn to spend time with them and, although she did talk to them a little, she refused to leave Big Mac's side.

Now the day was out and all the Apples' and Petunia were all inside. Granny Smith and Applejack were cooking in the kitchen while Applebloom, Big Mac and Petunia were dancing to country music in the living room. Petunia had proven to be a pretty clumsy dancer, but the fact that they were having fun was good enough for the three.

The music ended and all three collapsed to the floor laughing. Petunia crawled over into Big Mac's forelegs like she did when they first met over two weeks ago and nuzzled his chest.

"Well, shoot," came Applejack's voice and they looked up to find her standing under the doorframe to the living room with a smile. "Ah think yer niece loves our big brother Applebloom."

"Mah niece?" Applebloom asked. Applejack gestured to the white alicorn on Big Mac's forelegs with a smile. Applebloom looked at Petunia and a grin formed on her face as Petunia looked up at Big Mac, who just smiled at her.

"Anyhow, supper's ready you three." Applejack said. The three got to their hooves and followed her into the dinning room and sat down at the table, Petunia beside Big Mac, Applebloom next to Petunia and Applejack sat next to Granny Smith on the other side of Big Mac.

The table was loaded with home cooked apple based goods that smelled delicious and could make ones mouth water on sight. The five ate their dinner with laughter and joy for the next half an hour until Applebloom passed out in her seat and Petunia was obviously tired.

"Aww, look at them two all tuckered out." Applejack mused.

"Eeyup." Big Mac agreed.

"I'm not... tired..." Petunia yawned. Both Big Mac and Applejack chuckled as they got up from the table. Big Mac lifted Petunia onto his back while Applejack did the same with their sleeping sister.

"Ah'll be back fer yer when ah get Applebloom tucked in, Granny Smith." Applejack said before carrying her sister up stairs with Big Mac behind her. Granny Smith merely snorted having fallen asleep two or three times already at the dinner table. At the top of the stairs Applejack entered the first room to the right with Big Mac behind her. Applejack laid Applebloom on her bed and pulled the blankets over her then turned to her older brother, who came up and started to lay Petunia on the extra bed that had been placed in the room not to long ago only to half the little filly start fussing and complaining.

"No..." Petunia mumbled. Applejack looked up at her with a smile while Big Mac smiled at his sister.

"Ah'll take her to my room." He said earning a happy hum from the alicorn on his back as they started to leave the room, quietly closing the door behind them. Big Mac walked down the hall to his room and reached his hoof up to open the door when he felt a hoof on his shoulder. He looked back to find his sister smiling up at him and the filly on his back.

"G'night Petunia," she said in a hushed tone. Petunia let out a tired 'good night' to the farm mare then Applejack turned to Big Mac. "G'night big brother."

"G'night AJ." He replied, then walked in the room and closed the door.

He carried Petunia over to the large bed and sat her down on top of the blankets. She sat there with heavy eyes as he walked over to the closet, pulled out an extra blanket and pillow and brought them over to the bed. The pillow was large enough to act as a full mattress for Petunia. He repositioned his pillow and added the extra bedding for his guest, who was sitting at the end of the bed watching him. One everything was set he untied the bow in her mane, tucked Petunia in under the extra blanket, then climbed in under his own and laid his head on his pillow. Before long both were deep in sleep, ready for the fall celebration tomorrow.

~~)oOo(~~

Petunia found herself in an field with crystals protruding from the ground here and there as she stared at a palace made of crystal. Her original desires to claim that palace were there, but faint, almost none existent. She tried to move, but her body was rooted in place. She did notice, however, she was taller then she used to be. Almost as tall as Princess Celestia, even.

In the distance she saw somepony coming her way. It was a brown unicorn stallion with deep brown mane and tail and saddlebags on his sides. As he approached she noted the hint of fear in his expression. When he was in front of her he had to look up to meet her gaze and bowed respectfully.

"My lady," he said, "as a humble servant of our King, I come before you at your request."

"You have served well, Blackstar Globe." She said against her will, her voice was matured, deep and full of wisdom. 'What's going on' was the only thought she had as theses events passed before her eyes. "Now I must ask you one final task that will coast."

"Anything." He said without hesitation. Her head turned back to her side to find a saddlebag that opened under a deep purple magical aura and an old worn book levitated out of it. The book levitated over to the unicorn as he lifted his head from the ground to look up at it curiously.

"A ritual must be performed to bring back the King," she explained, "but life must be given for him to appear." Blackstar visibly flinched at this. "This book contains all the information you need to perform the ritual." He took the book into his magic and flipped through the pages briefly and showed a look of awe as he skimmed the pages. "The ritual must be performed here at the end of the month, or the King will never return and the empire will forever be lost to the crystal tyrants." He looked up from the book at her.

"I understand, my lady Arbmos." He said. "I will fulfill my duty to our King and return all to the way things were a thousand years ago."

"Good," she replied, "the fait of the empire lies in your hoof now, Blackstar Globe."

He gave her another bow then placed the book in his own saddlebag and turned back to the palace. She watched him as he slowly disappeared into the distance. When he was out of sight she turned and flew off into the opposite direction and everything faded into darkness.

~~)oOo(~~

She was now flying back toward the crystal palace in the dark of the night. There was a commotion below as guards ran around the city streets barking orders. She looked back at the crystal fields where she felt powerful magic being performed. She flew back toward the source of the energy she felt and landed on a large crystal out of sight and reach to watch as Blackstar Globe was performing the ritual she told him to perform.

Several minutes of watching black shadowy magic fly from the unicorns horn to the growing jagged crystal in front of him before he dropped to the ground and the crystal was as large as a pony. He struggled to his hooves and stared at the crystal before reaching up to it. She heard a voice yell 'stop' and saw the royal guard running up to him. Before Blackstar could get to the crystal the guards grabbed hold of him and the crystal went blank. A few minutes later the guards took him away and she took off after them.

The guards were coming up to the palace entrance and she flew down noticing a cloud of white smoke covering her vision. She landed behind the guards unnoticed and found her height was equal to the other and followed them inside the palace. They marched through the corridors left and right then down a flight of stairs into a dungeon.

"Lock him in cell twenty!" Barked a guard commander.

The order was followed without question or hesitation. Petunia watched as Blackstar was placed inside a cell and the door was closed and locked. He looked up at his captors, his color drained and dull as he looked completely tired and ready to give. Petunia watched Blackstar's saddlebags, along with the old book being placed in a chest and locked with a key.

"You!"

Petunia shot her gaze to the commander, who was focused on her. She assumed a military ready position as though she actually was a guard with a 'yes sir'.

"You're new, aren't you?"

"Yes sir." She replied. He looked her over a few times.

"I need you to stay and keep an eye on the prisoner." He ordered. She saluted him with a 'yes sir' and he nodded his approval before turning to two others and gave them the same instructions. They also saluted him, then he turned to the rest in the hall. "The rest of you return to your posts!" With that the room vibrated as all the guards said 'yes sir' in unison and marched out of the room.

The only ones left were her two pegasi. One male, the other female. The two others positioned themselves on both sides of the cell and Petunia stood staring at Blackstar, who looked back up at her. She closed her eyes and heard the sound of two ponies collapsing to the ground and looked down to see the guards asleep. The cloud of white smoke filled her vision again and she was back to Celestia's height, looking down at the drained Blackstar Globe laying in his cell.

"My lady..." he said weakly, "... forgive me... I've failed..."

"You did your part perfectly, Blackstar Globe." She said. He looked up at her in weak surprise.

"But... I did not..."

"Within the crystal you created is the life force of King Sombra." She interrupted. "And, on the morrow the rebirth of our king will return."

"And... I will not... be there... to witness his glory?" Blackstar struggled. Petunia's head shook.

"I'm afraid not, Blackstar Globe." She said as she turned to the chest the saddlebags and book were locked in. "As I said before, life must be given for him to rise again." A deep purple magical aura surrounded the keyhole and the chest opened as she looked back at him. "In performing the ritual, you not only drained your magic, but you life force, too."

"But... the ritual required.... the touch from one... capable of magic..." He observed. She nodded as the old book levitated from the box in the purple aura. "... then how... will he return... without my touch?"

"You are not the only unicorn around that can give life to the soul within the crystal." She explained. She walked up to his cell and stared down at him. "Now sleep, Blackstar Globe. Your loyalty has served our cause well." He smiled weakly and laid his head down.

"Long live King Sombra." He said as he closed his eyes and drifted off into sleep. A sleep he will never again wake from.

She turned and walked out of the dungeons into the hallways of the palace, keeping her eyes open for any guards that may be around. She walked down the hall and turned her gaze to a large mirror on the wall as she passed. Her reflection was that of a tall, regal, pure white alicorn with red eyes and her mane and tail was smoke like, flowing in the air like a mist. Dawned on her flank was the cutie mark of a two toned crystal. One side of it was dark and jagged, the other was beautiful and welcoming.

She was looking at the spitting image of herself that looked older and she tried to open her mouth to scream, but nothing happened.

~~)oOo(~~

Petunia shot up right in Big Mac's bed with a scream, her body covered in cold sweat. Big Mac woke up from her scream and sat up to find her crying.

"Petunia, what's wrong?!" He asked. She only continued to cry as she jumped up into his forelegs, clinging to him tightly.

"There was a crystal... and I was older... and the unicorn..." she cried in his chest as he wrapped his forelegs around her in comfort.

"Shhh, it's okay." He said. The door swung open and Applejack came in with a look of concern on her face.

"What happened?" She asked. "Is she alright?"

"Just a nightmare." Big Mac replied as he petted the filly in his forelegs. Applejack walked up and sat on the bed next to him and placed a hoof on the crying alicorn.

"It's alright sugar cube." She said sweetly. "We're here for ya. We won't let anythin' bad happen to ya." Petunia sobbed in Big Mac's chest as the two siblings comforted her.

"I'm not Arbmos," she cried, "I'm not... I'm not." The two looked up at each other, both sharing confused and concerned looks on their faces as they let Petunia cry herself back to sleep.

~~)oOo(~~

Hovering outside the window of Big Mac's bedroom was a pure white alicorn with her horn glowing a faint grey, watching the alicorn filly stirring in her sleep. After a few minutes the glow of the alicorns magic vanished and the filly inside woke up screaming, waking up the red stallion she was sleeping with. Soon after the orange mare came in to see what all the commotion was about.

A few minutes later the older alicorn flew away from the farmhouse toward Canterlot, her mane and tail flowing through the wind like smoke as she flew toward the castle in the distance. After several minutes of traveling she was now flying over the sleeping city of Canterlot toward one of the towers of the castle. She saw the Princess of the Night standing on the balcony with her horn glowing and her eyes closed. She landed next to Luna quietly so she would not disturb her as she focused on her magic. Soon enough Luna's magic faded and she turned her gaze to the white alicorn with a glare.

"I do not approve of you disturbing the sleep of my subjects." She said calmly.

"You know that had to be done, Luna." The white alicorn said. "Besides, you know she's not truly one of your subjects."

"She's just a filly." Luna said as she took a step closer to the taller alicorn. "Must she be put through this so soon?"

"Sister." Both Luna and the alicorn turned to face Princess Celestia walking up to them with a serious expression on her face. Luna gave the pure white alicorn one more glare before flying off to tend to her night sky. When Luna was out of sight Celestia walked up beside the other alicorn and they both looked off into the night sky.

"You gave her the vision?" Celestia asked after a long silence.

"Yes," the alicorn answered, "she's seen how it all started." She turned to the high princess, who continued to stare into the night sky. Celestia closed her eyes and let out a long sigh after a minute. "You're still unsure of this, aren't you?" Celestia nodded her head and turned to face the other alicorn.

"Does it really have to be so soon?" Celestia asked. "Luna is right, she's just a filly."

"I'm afraid there's no other way for this." The alicorn answered. "You know what must be done here, Celestia. If the following events do not take place as they should all will fall to pieces." Celestia let her head drop.

"I just wish it could wait until she was older." Celestia said.

"You know as well as I that it must be done this way." The alicorn said. Celestia looked up at her again.

"I know." She said.

"You can still keep an eye on her until it is time." Celestia looked into the red eyes of the alicorn as she looked into hers. "She still needs some time before she's ready for the next stage." They stood there staring into each others eyes for several minutes before the pure white alicorn turned and spread her wings out preparing to take off.

"Arbmos?" The alicorn turned to face Celestia with her wings still outstretched. "Does my sister have any further part in this?" Arbmos stared at Celestia for a minute before answering.

"Her role in this ended when the two of you imprisoned Sombra." There was a hint of remorse in Arbmos' voice as she answered the question. Celestia stared at her for a long minute as though she were trying to read if she was lying or not, but saw no lie in her eye. After a minute she inclined her head. Arbmos returned a nod then turned back around and flew off into the distance.

Celestia watched as Arbmos flew away and saw a purple and pink alicorn as tall as Arbmos join her on her flight. When they were out of sight Celestia turned her gaze toward the direction the small town of Ponyville was located, her thoughts turning to the young filly and the days yet to come.

"Forgive us, Fluttershy. I wish it was different."

Ch. 4: The Roots Sprout

Chapter four:

The Roots Sprout

The next morning Petunia never left Big Mac's side as he got to work on his morning chores and getting Sweet Apple Acres ready for the celebration later this evening. Big Mac was walking through the apple field with Petunia on his back as she clung to him, nuzzling her face into his mane. Big Mac looked back to the filly on his back and she pulled her head up to look into his eyes.

"Are ya alright, Petunia?" He asked. She inclined her head with a quiet 'mhmm' then reached up and nuzzled his nose, earning a happy smile from the red stallion as he nuzzled her back. He pulled away from her and resumed his walking through the apple trees back to the farm. When he came out of the fields onto the farm yard they saw Applejack and Applebloom feeding the pigs. Applebloom looked up and saw her big brother with Petunia on his back coming from the trees and ran up to greet them.

"Hey Big Mac, hey Petunia!" She chimed. Petunia shakily waved her hoof at the farm filly without a word as she held on to Big Mac. "Hey, Petunia, Applejack and ah were gunna go t' the train station t' pick up mah cousin, Babs. Ya wanna come?" Big Mac smiled as he looked back to Petunia. She shook her head as her answer and buried her nose in the red stallions orange mane.

"Ya don't wanna go?" He asked. She shook her head again.

"Why not?" Applebloom asked with a bit of a pant. Petunia lifted her head up to show her red eyes which clearly showed the fear being muffled by the comfort of the big red stallion she was perched on.

"I won't go without Big Mac." She whispered.

"Well, ah don't see nothin' wrong with that." Applejack said, trotting up to the group with a smile. "Y'all can go to the station t' pick up Babs while ah get things done 'round here."

"You sure, AJ?" Big Mac asked his sister with genuine concern.

"Don't you fret nothin', big brother," she said, "ah can handle things around here."

"Like the time ah got hurt during apple buckin' season over two years ago?" Big Mac said with a bit of a smirk, earning a soft scowl from AJ.

"That was different," Applejack defended herself, "ah got a few chores left t' do and some o' the town folk'll be here t' get the rest o' the celebration set up." Big Mac stared at her for a minute before smiling at her.

"Okay, ah'll take them t' the station and pick up Babs." He said. Petunia hugged the back of his neck as she nuzzled her nose into his mane.

~~)oOo(~~

The trip to the station was not long as they all walked side by side through the town. Several ponies looked up and greeted the three with cheerful smiles as they passed by, even the mayor of Ponyville took the time to stop and say hello to them. Petunia shied behind Big Mac when the mayor said 'hello' to her, but with Big Mac there she built up enough courage to say 'hi' Back to the grey haired mare.

They soon arrived at the station and the train had not yet pulled in with its passengers. Applebloom was bouncing with excitement to see her favorite cousin. They looked off into the distance to where the train would come in from as Applebloom talked about the first time Babs came into town.

They started to hear the trains wheels screeching on the track and a whistle echoing in the air, signaling the train was close and Applebloom bounced furiously as it approached.

"She's here! She's here!" Applebloom cheered.

The train came to a slow, screeching stop as it pulled into the station to drop off and pick up passengers. The doors of the trains opened and the ponies on the inside trotted out wile the ponies waiting trotted in. Applebloom's eyes darted back and forth as she searched the crowd for her cousin wile Petunia hopped upon Big Mac's back.

Applebloom was so busy looking for Babs she did not notice a brown earth pony filly with short red mane and tail come up behind her. Babs poked her cousin on the shoulder with her hoof and Applebloom turned around and the two embraced each other.

"Hey, Babs!" Applebloom cheered.

"Hey, Applebloom." Babs replied. She looked up to Big Mac and saw the new pure white alicorn filly on his back. "Hello, Big Mac. Who's that on your back?" She asked. Big Mac looked back at Petunia, who hid behind his head for a moment before poking her eye out to get a look at the city filly.

"This here is Petunia Snow." Big Mac answered. "Petunia, this is Babs Seed." Petunia poked more of her head out from behind Big Mac.

"I like your eyes, Petunia." Babs said. Petunia smiled sheepishly at the comment.

"Thank you." She said.

"Is she a member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders?" Babs asked Applebloom.

"Not yet," she replied, "she won't go anywhere, or do anythin' without Big Mac or Fluttershy." Babs looked confused as she looked up to the filly.

"She's very shah." Big Mac explained.

"Ah, okay." Babs said with a smile.

The train left the station and the four began their hike back to Sweet Apple Acres, Applebloom and Babs trotted side by side, exchanging laughs and stories, wile Petunia rode on Big Mac's back. By the time they got back the farm was loaded with ponies working on getting everything set up for tonight.

Several foreign ponies, along with some fireworks experts of Ponyville, were out across the fields where there were no trees, or anything that would easily catch fire, setting up fireworks for the night. Twilight and Spike were overseeing the arrangements, making sure things were being done correctly and on time. Applejack and several volunteers were setting up the farm with tables, obstacle courses and various other things for ponies to be able to enjoy the celebration.

Rainbow Dash was in the sky with several other pegasi clearing the sky. Petunia looked up to see if she could find Fluttershy up there helping them, but she never saw her. She let her head drop with a sigh when she did not find the mare who helped, and cared for her since she got out of that terrible forest. Big Mac looked back at Petunia and nuzzled her before he gestured his head to the direction they came from. Petunia followed his gaze and saw Fluttershy trotting up to them with a happy smile. Petunia hopped off of Big Mac's back and bolted for her caretaker, jumping up into her forelegs and hugging her tightly.

"Well, hello sweetie." Fluttershy said. Petunia only continued to hug the mare before she climbed up unto her back as Big Mac came up to them. "Was she good for you, Big Mac?"

"Eeyup." He replied. The three of them then headed over to help out with the decorations of the celebration. Big Mac did a lot of heavy lifting wile Fluttershy found a quiet place with Petunia to lead some animals in a musical choir.

~~)oOo(~~

Everypony in Ponyville was gathered at Sweet Apple Acres, playing games, sharing stories, talking about the running of the leaves, and simply having a great time. Young colts and fillies were running and playing with family and friends from out of town. Applejack and Granny Smith were serving apple treats to everpony hungry for apples and Petunia was with Fluttershy, each enjoying a glass of apple cider as the events of the evening went on.

Petunia put her glass down and poked Fluttershy to get her attention. Fluttershy looked over to Petunia with a sweet smile.

"Yes, Petunia?" She asked. Petunia bounced in her seat folding her legs together with a pleading look in her eyes. "Oh..." Fluttershy put her own cup down and picked Petunia up in her forelegs and flew up to find Applejack. She spotted the orange farm pony hoof wrestle with a small crowd cheering each of them on. Fluttershy landed outside the crowd with Petunia bouncing on her back and she politely tried to get through to Applejack.

"You're not gonna win this one, AJ!" Rainbow grunted.

"Ah sure ain't gonna loose here!" Applejack barked back.

The two grunted and groaned, sweat visible on their foreheads as the pushed against the others hoof. Scootaloo was behind Rainbow, cheering her on wile Applebloom shouted for her older sister. Petunia started to get a little more frantic as time proceeded and she patted Fluttershy as she bounced on her back. Fluttershy looked up to her friends with a little bit of panic in her eyes.

"Um, girls." She called shyly."

"You're hardworking on the farm won't save you here!" Rainbow spat.

"Excuse me." Fluttershy called again.

"Ya can't use yer wings here!" Applejack growled as she pushed against Rainbow's hoof.

"Um, girls..." Fluttershy yet again called.

The two athletic mares continued their struggle over the crowds cheers, pushing and grunting against each others hooves. Petunia bounced in place on Fluttershy's back as the yellow mare tried in vain to get her friends attention and was growing more worried as time went on. Fluttershy was about to speak up again when all of a sudden there was a crash and the two mares were sent to the ground as a grey pegasus with yellow mane flew into the table causing it the shatter under the pressure of the crash.

"Oops! My bad..." the mare said as she lay on Rainbow.

Petunia was not bouncing on Fluttershy's back anymore, she was burying her face deep into her pink mane. Fluttershy moved to comfort the little filly while Applejack scrambled to her hooves and Rainbow shoved Ditzy Doo off of her.

"Derpy, you featherbrain!" She shouted.

"Sorry girls." Ditzy apologized.

"Sorry? I was this close to winning and you come crashing in!" Rainbow barked.

"Now sugar cube, she didn't mean anythin'" Applejack said. "Besides, it's all jus' fun in games." Just then Big Mac came in with a concern look on his face.

"AJ, are y'all okay?" He asked.

"We're just fine, big brother." She answered as she bumped him on the shoulder with a hoof. He looked over to see Fluttershy with Petunia clenched to her back. She slowly lifted her head from Fluttershy's pink mane and looked up to the red stallion then he smiled at her. She reached out for him when she saw him smiling at her and he answered her silent call to pick her up, earning an 'aww' from a few of the ponies around them, especially Ditzy who giggled at the filly.

"She's just precious!" She said.

"Thank you, Ditzy." Fluttershy said with a smile. Just then, Petunia started bouncing in Big Mac's hooves, clenching her hind legs together. "Oh..." Fluttershy said with a look of realization."... um... Big Mac, can you..."

"Eeyup." He answered before she could finish, then he walked off with Petunia to the barn.

"Hey, Fluttershy?" Rainbow called. Fluttershy looked over to her friend who had a big grin on her face. "Can she fly yet?"

~~)oOo(~~

Big Mac carried Petunia on his back into the house and walked her to the bathroom. She ran in and closed the door while he waited for. His attention was captured when he heard some noises coming from inside when everypony was outside, or so he thought. He walked down the hall to see who was sneaking around the house when everypony was suppose to be outside.

Petunia came out to find the red stallion was not waiting outside for her and trotted through the house to the front door, where she ran right out and bumped into two fillies, one pink with a tiara on her head and as her cutie mark, the other was grey with silver mane, blue glasses and a silver spoon shining on her flank.

"Hey!" Diamond Tiara snapped. "Watch where you're going!"

"I'm sorry..." Petunia whimpered.

"Oh look, Diamond," said Silver Spoon, "it's the new blank-flank alicorn staying at the pegasus' zoo."

"You're right, Silver Spoon." Diamond agreed as she grinned menacingly at Petunia. "So, tell us, blank-flank, what's it like living in a zoo?"

"I bet it smells like poo everywhere." Silver Spoon observed. "Her hooves probably smell ugly, like her dull boring color."

"I like taking care of the animals, and Fluttershy likes my color." Petunia defended herself.

"She would." Diamond mocked.

"Yeah," Silver agreed, "somepony like her would like such a blank color."

"There's nothing wrong with my color." Petunia said as she began to shy away from the two.

"Oh, of course there isn't," Silver said, "if your a blank sheet of paper that needs paint splashed on it." The two laughed as Petunia looked at her pure white coat, and she felt a tear starting to build up in her eyes.

"I know if I was a single color like that I wouldn't want to go out in public." Diamond said with a smirk.

"I know, right?" Silver agreed. "She should go to that fashion pony and have her die her coat and mane, at least she won't look like a blank canvas, then." Petunia looked up at them, her eyes beginning to water. Just then her vision was replaced with a similar scene.

It was daytime and the sun shined down as the skies were being cleared by the pegasi. She knew they were not in Ponyville because all the houses were made of crystal. The ponies passing by were also crystal, ignoring Petunia and the other foals.

In Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's place were to colts, one was bright red, the other a rich green, both looking like a high class of ancient Equestria. They were laughing and pointing a hoof at her, calling her names like 'blank-flank' and 'dragon-eye'. Her head, involuntarily dropped and she saw her reflection shining at her from the ground, but she was not the same in the slightest.

She was a unicorn colt with a curved horn the was black at the base that turned a blood red at the end. Her coat a deep grey and mane a menacing black, flowing like smoke from her head and her irises were red like her own except the eyes themselves were a green and the pupils of her eyes were dagger shaped like a dragons.

She recognized the face that replaced hers from books she read while at the library. Granted, they were books that were only published in the last year, but they gave a lot of information about the Crystal Empire from the thousand year old citizens of the great city. This face that she was staring at was the face of a very young King Sombra.

Petunia blinked and she was back in front of the two rich looking fillies teasing her. They were laughing as though nothing had just happened until they turned their attention back at their target.

"What, blank-flank?" Diamond snarled. "Are you going to cry now?"

"I think she is." Silver stated. "Just look at those red eyes water up."

Petunia realized her eyes were watering up, but from what? Was it the two fillies teasing her? Or, was it that flash of a vision she just had? And why was she having so many visions about the Crystal Empire? She cleared her throat and wiped her eyes dry before she sheepishly smiled to them.

"I think your coats are lovely colors." She said.

Before the two could say anything, Petunia took off running, using her wings to pick up her speed and before long she was out of sight. Diamond and Silver both looked at each other like everything they knew about bullying backfired on them. Then the door to the house swung open and a very concerned looking Big Mac came into view, looking left and right until he saw the two fillies.

"Have you two seen Petunia?" He asked, worriedly. The two looked at each other and smirked before looking up at the stallion.

"You mean the new baby alicorn that's staying at the zoo?" Silver asked. "No, we haven't." With that, Big Mac darted past them and began searching for Petunia Snow before anything bad could happen to her.

~~)oOo(~~

On top of the barn, out of sight from everypony was Arbmos and Luna watching Petunia Snow standing in front of the other two fillies as they teased her for her white coat.

"Can we not stop there torture over her?" Luna asked as she helplessly watched the three.

"Don't let your feelings overcome you, princess." Arbmos said calmly with her eyes locked on the white filly.

"She is but a child." Luna stated, "Why must we add to her torture?" Arbmos did not answer. Luna turned her gaze to the other alicorn and saw her horn was glowing a faint grey, then turned her gaze back to Petunia who ran off into the crowd. "What did you do to her?" She asked.

Arbmos' mane then began to engulf her body in white smoke and when her body was visible again she was not an alicorn, but a regular sized, white pegasus with blue mane and tail. She took off after the alicorn filly and Luna followed after her.

"Arbmos, what did you do to that child?" Luna asked again as she caught up with the smaller pegasus.

"I gave her a little push to the next stage of her ascension." Arbmos answered, following Petunia past the crowd to the apple trees.

"And, what is the next stage?" Luna asked as they dove down into the trees. Arbmos turned her head to the alicorn of the night with a blank expression.

"The next stage, Princess Luna, is you." Luna blinked at this as Arbmos began walking through the trees to find the filly.

~~)oOo(~~

Petunia ran past the crowd toward the trees where she would hide herself from everypony. She was not going to hide because she was teased. She liked the color of her coat and mane, Fluttershy liked it and it was very similar to the fur of her pet ferret, Blizzard. No, she went to hide for a completely different reason. She went to hide because of these visions she had been having. She did not know why she was having these visions, but she know they were not good, especially if they involved Sombra, which they did.

She found a single tree in the midst of all the other apple trees and walked up to it and collapsed beside it, laying her head on her hooves. She let out a sigh as she felt the first stage of sleep begin to take over her. She lifted her head and gave it a good shake to chase away the signs of drowsiness and looked up at the trees, her thoughts turning to the first set of trees she ran through. After staring at the trees for a few minutes she turned her gaze up to the stars and watched them sparkle in the deep blue blanket that were soon replaced by thunderous booms and bright colorful lights.

Petunia jumped at the first crack of the fireworks, but was soon mesmerized by the beautiful mix of colorful lights. She turned her gaze to the sky and smiled as the fireworks flashed and cracked in the night sky. She enjoyed the sight as her eyes grew heavy, demanding she give in to sleep. Soon enough, she could not fight any longer and rested her head on her hooves, then passed out.

As Petunia fell asleep Arbmos, in her alicorn form, and Luna, with her horn glowing, came out from behind one of the apple trees, slowly approaching the little sleeping alicorn. Luna looked as though she was having second thoughts about something as she looked down at Petunia. Arbmos took notice of this and her flowing white mane floated its way in Luna's line of sight to get her attention.

"Don't falter on me now, Princess." She said as Luna turned to face the pure white alicorn. Luna frowned.

"Why must 'I' be the one to do this?" She asked.

"Because," Arbmos said with a serious look on her face, "your role in this is just as important as Celestia's."

"But, why must we be a part of this?" Luna asked. "Is there no other way for her ascension?" Arbmos simply stared blankly at the younger of the two sisters. Luna let her head drop with a heavy sigh.

"Princess Luna," Arbmos called with a sharpness in her tone, "the longer you wait, the closer we get to failing and all will be lost." Luna looked up at the alicorn with a look that screamed 'why', her eyes even began to water up. "You know why, Luna. Now do it."

Luna gave another heavy sigh as she turned her gaze to the sleeping alicorn filly in front of them. There more times in the past, like this, in which she did not agree with this alicorn, but every time she was this serious it meant that things were dangerously close to the edge of a thin cliff. She remembered the last time she tried something different from what Arbmos told her to do and that led to many things that she regretted later. Princess Luna took in a deep breath and focused her gaze to the sleeping filly and illuminated her horn with her magic.

~~)oOo(~~

Fluttershy was looking left and right for Big Mac and Petunia, a strong worried expression visible on her face as time went by. Big Mac took Petunia inside to the bathroom a while ago and she had not seen them since. She spotted Big Mac frantically looking through the crowd, and this made her fears rise when she saw Petunia was not with him. She ran up to the red stallion who noticed her coming and met her half way.

"Big Mac, where's Petunia?" She asked.

"Ah was about to ask if you've seen her..." He replied. Her eyes shot open wide as her heart started racing a mile a minute. Without another word the two split up and started searching for the little alicorn. Big Mac got Applejack and the other Apples' and told them what was going on, then they all began searching the farm. Fluttershy went to the others and did the same. When she found Twilight enjoying a glass of apple juice she ran up to her.

"Twilight!" She called. Upon hearing Fluttershy's panicked voice Twilight nearly dropped her glass as she turned to see the yellow mare.

"Fluttershy, what's wrong?" She asked.

"Petunia's missing, we can't find her anywhere!" Twilight's eyes shot open when she heard this and she put her hooves on Fluttershy's shoulders.

"Fluttershy, we'll find her, I promise." She reassured her friend. Fluttershy gave a quick nod then the two took off to look for Petunia.

Fluttershy flew around the barn a few times then to the ground where she met up with Big Mac after she got Twilight to help find there charge.

"Any luck?" She asked him.

"Nnope." He answered with a shake of his head.

"Oh, what are we gonna do?" She pleaded as tears started to form in her eyes. Big Mac placed his hooves on her shoulders.

"Fluttershy, we're gonna find her." The look in his eyes told her he was just as worried as she was at the disappearance of Petunia and he was not going to stop until she was found. She wrapped her hooves around him as a whimper escaped her lips and he returned the embrace to help ease her nerves.

Though they had there friends and family out searching for Petunia, the celebration continued as planned and the fireworks were sent into the sky. Flashing bright, beautiful colors in the night sky and everypony marveled in the beauty of the fireworks display. Fluttershy and Big Mac were looking for Petunia in the crowd when Twilight came up to them with a hint of fear in her expression.

"Fluttershy!" Twilight called.

"Did you find her?" Fluttershy asked.

"I might have. I felt some kind of magic coming from the apple trees. It might be her." Twilight explained. The three all bolted in that direction through the crowd. Rainbow Dash flew down over head to get their attention.

"Fluttershy, I saw something in the apple trees." Rainbow said.

"We're going there right now." Twilight replied. Fluttershy and Twilight took to the sky with Rainbow over the apple trees to find Petunia while Big Mac ran into the trees from the ground.

The three searched as they flew over the apple trees to find Petunia, Fluttershy kept her eyes glued to the ground as she flew overhead as Rainbow took off for the area she first saw something, and Twilight used her magic to scan the area around them.

"Girls, I feel something over there." Twilight said as she pointed a hoof ahead of them. Fluttershy bolted for that direction through the trees with a hopeful smile on her face. She landed on the ground and started to run for the first tree she saw, but stopped short. Twilight and Rainbow Dash landed behind her and there jaws dropped when they saw what Fluttershy was staring at.

Petunia stood rooted to the spot with her back arched up, screaming at the top of her lungs almost as though she were in pain. Black markings showed all over her body and her main and tail were like smoke flowing in the wind. Soon Big Mac came running and stopped beside Fluttershy as he saw Petunia in the state she was in.

Fluttershy took a step closer and was stopped by a cyan blue hoof. She turned back to find Rainbow with a panicked look on her face as she shook her head.

"Are you crazy?!" She asked. "Don't go near that thing!" Fluttershy looked back at Petunia who was still screaming as the markings on her body grew more menacing and dark.

"I have to do something." She said. "She needs my help"

"But..."

"Let her go, Rainbow." Twilight said. Rainbow looked back at Twilight like she lost her mind, but when the young princess gave her a stern look she backed away and allowed Fluttershy to go to Petunia.

Fluttershy took slow steps to Petunia, stopping once when the alicorn thrashed her body as the markings became more like a body suit covering the back of her body.

"P-p-petunia?" Fluttershy called. Petunia shot a glare at the pegasus, causing her to jump back a step. Even Petunia's eyes had changed. They gave off a purple hue of smoke and the whites of her eyes were green. "It's okay, Petunia. It's just me... Fluttershy." Petunia's glare soften and the flow of her smoky grey main began to die down. Fluttershy smiled reassuringly at the filly. "It's okay, Petunia. I'm here for you." The black markings began to vanish and her eyes returned to normal.

"Fluttershy?" Petunia's sweet voice called out. Fluttershy smiled and gave her a quick nod. Petunia bolted for Fluttershy and jumped into her forelegs, burying her muzzle into Fluttershy's chest as she cried hard. "Help me!" Was all she said as Fluttershy petted her back and her mane returned to normal. Big Mac came up beside them and nuzzled Petunia as she cried into Fluttershy's chest.

"We're here for you, Petunia." He said softly.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash backed away slowly, leaving the three alone. When they were no longer in sight they turned and left to tell everypony Petunia was found and there was nothing to worry about.

~~)oOo(~~

It was midnight and Arbmos stood alone on the balcony of the tallest tower of Canterlot Castel with her smoky, white mane flowing in the gentle breeze like real smoke. Her gaze locked on the now quiet town of Ponyville in the distance as it slept after the long celebration of autumn. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath as she felt the magic of a much older alicorn fast approaching. Princess Celestia landed behind Arbmos without a word and glared at the pure white alicorn who did not move from her spot as she patiently waited for the high princess to speak.

"You wish to talk about your sister." Arbmos said with a calm and regal tone.

"You lied to me!" Celestia stated flatly.

"How so?" Arbmos asked without turning her gaze.

"You told me she would have no further part in this!" Celestia barked.

"Would you have let her go if I told you she was meant to do this?" Arbmos asked, keeping herself locked in the same position looking over the town in the distance.

"She nearly brought an end to it all!" Celestia shouted. This got Arbmos to turn her head to face the princess with a blank expression. Celestia glared at Arbmos, unmoved by her red eyes staring into her soul.

"I would not have sent her to attempt the spell if I believed something was to go wrong." Arbmos explained. "Petunia needed that moment of power for her ascension, and her ascension will happen."

"What more is there to be done by Luna?" Celestia asked. Arbmos did not answer. She stared at the high princess fore a long period of silence that was filled only with the rush of the cool gentle breeze. A shadow flew over Arbmos' form and Celestia looked up to see the form of another large pony looking down at them from the sky.

"Get some rest, Celestia." Arbmos said. "There is nothing more I need from you or your sister for now." With that, Arbmos took to the sky while gazing down at Celestia then flew away with the other pony into the night sky.

"Arbmos!" Celestia called as she watched the two fly away, her thoughts locked on what that alicorn had planned for little Petunia next and why it had to be like this. She knew all to well what needed to be done, she just wished it didn't have to be like this.

Why wasn't I wrong?

Ch. 5: A Day At School

Chapter Five:

A day of school

Since the day of the celebration, Petunia never left Fluttershy or Big Mac's side for fear of having another outburst like that night or another encounter with those two fillies. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon had mercilessly insulted Petunia and Fluttershy without shame. They targeted Petunia because of her single color and Fluttershy for all the animals she loved to take care of.

When Petunia told Fluttershy about what the two fillies said about her coat and as Fluttershy's response, she took the young alicorn aside to comfort her.

"Petunia," Fluttershy said, "if anypony says your coat color is bad or boring you remember this, to have a single color is a rare honor. Not everypony can say their coat is the same as Princess Celestia's" Petunia was in tears a these words and hugged her guardian with pure joy and love.

Now a week has passed since then and it was time for the school semester to start. At first when Petunia learned that school was a place where she could learn more about Equestria history and such she was quite excited to go, but when she learned that other foals would be there as well, especially Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, she was not so eager to go anymore.

Petunia woke up in Fluttershy's bed with only Blizzard curled up right next to her still asleep and Fluttershy nowhere to be seen. She lifted her head up and looked around to see if Fluttershy was just in another part of the room, but there was no sign of her.

"F-fluttershy?!" She called, waking Blizzard up from his slumber.

"I'm downstairs sweetie!" Came Fluttershy's voice from where she said she was.

Petunia scooped up Blizzard in her forelegs and placed him on her back and jumped down and ran for the door. She ran down the stairs and when she reached the bottom she looked up and stopped when she saw Fluttershy stand in front of Princess Celestia herself, who turned her smiling gaze over to the young alicorn.

"Well, hello there Petunia Snow." Celestia said with a warm voice.

"H-hello, princess." Petunia replied as she walked up to Fluttershy with her head ducked down. She got to Fluttershy and leaned up against the yellow mare's side and nuzzled her cheek against her.

"I see you've grown quite fond of mis Fluttershy." Celestia mused. Petunia nodded her head.

"She hasn't left Big Mac or my side since..." Fluttershy trailed off and looked down at Petunia who cringed and wrapped her forelegs around the yellow mare tightly.

"I see." Celestia observed, hiding the sorrow she was feeling right now. She took a few slow steps closer and stopped when Petunia looked up at her with fear apparent in her eyes. "I know you're scare little pony." Celestia took a few more steps closer, but stopped when she saw a familiar white face glaring at her from outside the window behind Fluttershy. "I want you to know that there are many good ponies here to help you with any problem you may have." Celestia said as she looked back down at the filly.

"Like Fluttershy?" Petunia asked.

"And her friends like my student, Twilight Sparkle." Celestia replied.

"But isn't Twilight a princess?" Petunia asked.

"Yes she is sweetie, but she's still a true friend who will be their to help another in need." Fluttershy answered as she wrapped her forelegs around the young alicorn and nuzzled her cheek against hers. "I remember the day she helped me get my cutie mark back."

"You lost your cutie mark?!" Petunia asked as she pulled away from Fluttershy's cheek with a shocked look.

"Mhmm." Fluttershy answered. "Me, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie all somehow got are cutie marks switched and Twilight helped us get them back. It's how she became a princess."

"And I couldn't be more proud of her great achievement." Celestia added. Celestia suddenly felt a chill run down her spine and she looked back up to the window and saw Arbmos glaring at her more sharply now. Celestia silently let out a sigh and lowered her gaze to find both Petunia and Fluttershy looking up at her, each with a hint of concern in their eyes.

"Are you okay princess?" Fluttershy asked.

"Oh, I'm fine, Fluttershy." Celestia replied. "I just remembered I have some other things I need to do right now. I only came to wish you the best, Petunia." She said turning her focus to the young alicorn.

"Th-th-thank you... princess." Petunia said.

With that, Celestia leaned her head down and planted a kiss on Petunia's cheek, then turned and trotted to the door. Fluttershy sat Petunia down and trotted along side the princess to escort her out. Celestia gave Fluttershy a thankful goodbye and trotted away over the bridge where she was met with and angry glare that landed right in front of her.

"Do you have any notion as to what would happen if I had allowed you to continue with your intentions, Princess Celestia?" Arbmos asked calmly.

"What you are putting that child through is not right, Queen Arbmos." Celestia replied.

"Celestia, I thought you were better than this." Arbmos stated. "You know as well as I that what happens to her through my actions is for the greater good of Equestria."

"I don't care anymore." Celestia stated. "She's too young and nopony in my kingdom deserves to suffer like this."

"Then you condemn the rest of your subjects to a fate far worse than what I have been trying to ensure for them." Arbmos said. She said nothing more and allowed her words to sink in for a minute before speaking again. "If you want what is best for Equestria you will follow my instructions, allow my plan to proceed, and never again try to intervene. Am I clear?" Celestia said nothing for a minute. She just glared at the pure white alicorn standing in front of her. "Am I clear?"

Celestia walked passed Arbmos to her carriage, leaving the other alicorn to watch as she climbed on the carriage and had the pegasi pulling it take off.

Arbmos watched as Celestia flew away. Her ear twitched when she heard the door of the cottage open behind her and with a flash of her magic she vanished. Fluttershy poked her head out of her cottage to see only the animals staring at the place where the two alicorns once stood.

"Princess?" She called out, but received no reply. "Is somepony out there?" She called again. Still there was no reply to her quiet calls.

She let out a hum as she shrugged her shoulders before she turned back into the cottage, closing the door behind her.

~~)oOo(~~

Arbmos reappeared moments later near a cave in the side of the mountain far below where Canterlot was settled. Nopony remembered this cave, minus a few selected members of a race that attacked the castle nearly two years ago, which made this place an ideal location to settle and hide until desired.

Arbmos flapped her wings and flew into the cave and landed on the rocky ground inside where her hooves echoed off the walls. When the outside sunlight could no longer aid her in her vision she lit up her horn to allow her to see what obstacles were in front of her.

Her hooves echoed for several long minutes before a voice could be heard humming a gentle tune in the caves. A few steps farther and the humming stopped and other hoof steps could be heard added to her own.

"Is that you?" A young female voice called out from the shadows.

"Yes my child, it's me." Arbmos replied as she rounded a corner.

As the light of her horn filled the next area a purple alicorn with pink mane and tail and bright blue eyes came into view with a smile on her face. Her cutie mark was the of all the colors of the rainbow in the shape of a large seashell or hoofball. She was just as tall as Arbmos and similarly built in stature.

She ran up and wrapped her forelegs around the pure white alicorn, who returned the hug with less enthusiasm. The purple alicorn pulled away and looked at Arbmos with a concerned expression.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Celestia almost destroyed everything by trying to intervene in Petunia Snow's development." Arbmos answered.

"You did stop her, right?" The alicorn asked.

"Barely, Magic." Arbmos replied as she walked past the alicorn and found a spot to lay in. "Celestia was about to approach the child and use her magic to protect my implanted visions."

"She knows those visions are for the better, right?" Magic asked.

"But she feels for the filly." Arbmos explained. "I've told her what she needs to know for our plan to work, and now she tries this stunt. I told her not to intervene again or all will fall..."

"But you don't think we can leave her without her trying something else to lessen yo..."

"Careful of your words, Magic." Arbmos interrupted as she gave her a stern look. "Even in these walls there are ears listening to our conversation."

"Sorry." Magic replied. Arbmos expression softened.

"Yes, Celestia can no longer be trusted to be on her own for our plan to succeed." Arbmos said. "The fact that she tried to slip behind my back suggests her trust in us has nearly been diminished fully."

"I'll take the first watch, then." Magic stated confidently.

"She is coming on her carriage as we speak." Arbmos said. "She may even be arriving at the castle now."

"I shall leave at one." Magic said with a proud and cheery voice and started to dash off.

"Don't allow her to know of your observation, Magic." Arbmos ordered, causing Magic to stop with a tire stopping sound from her mouth and a pose with two hooves on the ground while one hind leg was just lifted off the ground and a fore hoof pointed at the spot it was about to be placed. "If Celestia discovers that we are spying on her because we don't trust her to screw up again then we have to take a different approach in making sure she doesn't do anything else."

Magic turned around with a confident smile and a salute. "I will not fail in this mission, ma'am!" And with that she bounced away into the darkness.

"I know you won't, Magic Color."

~~)oOo(~~

"Are you ready to go sweetie?" Fluttershy asked.

"Those fillies will be there, won't they?" Petunia asked from their room upstairs.

"Petunia, sweetie, I know you're scared, but I promise you, Miss Cheerilee will watch over you and your friends, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo will all be there too." Fluttershy answered.

Upon hearing this, Petunia poked her head out of the room and looked down at Fluttershy, who smiled encouragingly at the little filly. Petunia slowly slipped out of the room to reveal the saddlebag on her back and Blizzard over the straps sitting proudly on her back. She walked out of the room and down the stairs where she me her caretaker, Fluttershy, who smiled down at her warmly.

"Come on now." Fluttershy said. "You don't want to be late for your first day of school."

"Can't we just say that I got sick and had to stay home for a few days?" Petunia asked.

"Oh, sweetie, that would be lying." Fluttershy replied. "Have I thought you to lie?" Petunia shook her head in response. "And don't you want to see your friends again?"

"What if something like the other night happens again?" Petunia asked as she gave Fluttershy a pleading look.

Fluttershy gave no response to this. The memory of that night frightened her, probably not near as much as it did Petunia, but the fear of that night was still there and Fluttershy did not want the poor little filly she was charged with taking care of to experience something like that again.

"Do you remember hearing my voice that night?" Fluttershy asked. Petunia nodded her head. "If you ever feel like that again I want you to imagine my voice and follow it like you did before. Focus on my voice as if it was home with me and Blizzard and Angel all together for you. Can you do that for me?"

Petunia stared up at Fluttershy for a minute before she reached up and hugged the mare, who wrapped a hoof around her in response as she smiled down at her.

"I love you Fluttershy." Petunia stated. This warmed Fluttershy's heart upon hearing these words. She ad been taking care of this little filly for weeks now and she herself loved her. But that was a part of her kindhearted nature to love everypony around her. However, the way she felt about Petunia was more than that. She cared for Petunia almost more than all the animals she cared for. Could she be more to this filly than what he originally intended to be fore her?

"I love you too, Petunia." She replied. They sat there for a minute locked in each others embrace before they were both satisfied with the hug. Petunia pulled away and looked up at Fluttershy as the yellow mare smiled down at her charge. "Come on. Let's get you to school."

Petunia let a small smile form on her face and gave her head a single nod in response. With that the two walked side by side out of the cottage and over the bridge toward the town where they would find the school for Petunia's first day of learning, of which she was both eager and terrified of for many reasons.

The followed the road through Ponyville, being greeted by a number of ponies, who all had no idea about what happened to Petunia excluding the fact she ended up missing during the celebration last week. Princess Twilight had ensured them nothing was wrong and that Petunia was okay and back in Fluttershy's care. The Cutie Mark Crusaders had come to Petunia many times over the week to make sure she was okay and repeatedly asked what happened when they heard Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon had something to do with it, but Petunia told them it was nothing and she was fine.

Petunia walked along side of Fluttershy thinking about that horrible moment and all who came to her aid after that. The thought of so many ponies wanting to help her in her time of need warmed her heart, but the knowledge that there was something dark buried inside her raised her fears so high she did not wish for anypony to get hurt. For this reason she was terrified of being around others because she did not want something like that to happen and somepony like Fluttershy to get hurt.

"Here we are." Fluttershy called.

Petunia looked up to find a small red house with a playground in the side yard and young fillies and colts running and playing before the school day began. Petunia looked over all the kids and recognized a good number of them from the celebration last week. To her relief, she did not see a couple of rich looking fillies acting like they were better than all the rest.

After a few minutes Petunia looked up to Fluttershy with a hint of fear apparent in her eyes, silently begging her guardian to let her skip school and just stay with her and the animals. Fluttershy smiled and removed Blizzard from her back, earning a bit of a fit from the white ferret.

"You'll be fine, Petunia." She said. "You'll be able to learn more about history and I'll be back to pick you up before you know it."

"Eeyup." Came a familiar voice from behind. Both Petunia and Fluttershy turned to see Big Mac walking up with Applebloom along side him.

"Hey. Petunia!" Applebloom chimed as she saw the white alicorn.

"Hi, Applebloom." Petunia replied.

"Okay kids!" Came a cheery female voice from the schoolhouse. "Time to come inside!" They all looked up to see the purple mare, Cheerilee calling all the foals into class to start they day.

All the fillies and colts ran inside upon hearing their teacher call them for class. Petunia looked up to Big Mac and Fluttershy nervously. Fluttershy lowered her head down and nuzzled Petunia's cheek warmly to comfort her.

"You'll be fine sweetie." Fluttershy said. "I'll be back for you later." She then leaned down and planted a sweet kiss on Petunia's forehead then encouraged her to head on up as Cheerilee patiently waited for her last few students.

"C'mon Petunia! School will be fun!" Applebloom chimed. "Y'all get t' learn things. Play games. Spend time with yer friends. School's great!"

The more Petunia heard about what school was like, the more eager she felt to continue. And with Fluttershy and Big Mac's added encouragement a smile formed and her face and she turned to face Applebloom

"Race you!" Petunia said.

With that the two took off at top speed for the school. Petunia used her wings to give her a boost against the strong earth pony farm filly who at first had the upper hoof, then after they got past the fence line she got a good lead. Cheerilee stepped aside to allow them a clear entry and one second later Petunia dashed right past her into the small classroom, after which she soon regretted that decision.

All the students in the room turned their attention to her after she entered the room. Several of the students greeted her with warm, welcoming smiles while others just shrugged and two in particular gave her menacing smirks. Upon seeing the students staring at her, her vision immediately was replaced.

The room was much larger and made of beautiful shining crystals as well as the fillies and colts occupying the classroom. All of the students, even the teacher, were staring at her with unfriendly eyes as she walked in. She could feel her face frown as her head dropped at the sight of the others stares.

"Petunia?"

Petunia shook her head and looked up to see Cheerilee with a concern smile her face. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Petunia answered rather quickly.

"Are you sure?" Cheerilee asked. Petunia nodded her head as her response. Cheerilee frowned at this, but nodded her head. "Okay. You may choose any seat you like."

Petunia looked around and found a whole row of seats that ad not been occupied yet. She walked over to the seat the farthest from the front she could find. As she sat down at her desk she could hear some of the others whispering to one another, saying things such as 'How could something as hideous as him be the sun of somepony so beautiful?' and her blood began to boil. Soon the expressions on the others faces became replaced with fear and she felt a powerful surge of magic flow through her body.

"Okay class!" Cheerilee called. "Let's begin." All eyes turned focused on their teacher, ready for the day to begin. "First off, I'd like to introduce a knew student joining us today." She points over to Petunia, who ducked her head down as all eyes turned to her. "Would you come up here for a moment, please?" Petunia reluctantly got up and walked up to her teacher.

"Oh look." Said Diamond Tiara. "She's as white as an angel."

Petunia blinked and looked over to the rich filly who smirked at her. Petunia gave her a week smile that said 'thank you' and continued up to Cheerilee. When she was next to Cheerilee she turned around while keeping her head down with her eyes looking up at her classmates, most of which were smiling up at her warmly.

"Class, this is Petunia Snow." Cheerilee announced. "Some of you may have already met her, and I would like for you to make her feel welcome with this being her first day."

"Hi, Petunia!" The whole of the class called out. This made Petunia's lips curl up at the ends.

"Alright, you can take your seat again." Cheerilee told Petunia. Petunia then walked back to her desk. "Now class, open your books to page forty-three."

~~)oOo(~~

Later the bell for recess rang and the whole class bolted out of the room to play. Petunia walked out by herself after all the others left the room outside and found Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon standing side by side staring daggers at the Cutie Mark Crusaders if they were not talking to each other.

She wanted to go up and thank Diamond for saying what she did when class began, but there was another part of her that did not want her to go up to them. As she approached the two looked up at her, causing her pause for a moment.

"Look Silver Spoon." Diamond said. "It's the blank canvas." These words surprised Petunia.

"Didn't you say that I look like an angel?" She asked.

"That's because angels are a single boring color, like you." Silver said.

"I guess you're right." Petunia said, earning confused looks from the two fillies. "But even so, angels are kind creatures that forgive and protect others, even fillies like you." The two looked at her in shock.

"What are you playing at?" Diamond asked.

"I'm just saying I'm not angry at you for last week." Petunia said. "I was just thinking that maybe..."

"Are these two bothering you, Petunia?" Came a voice from their side. All three turn to find the Cutie Mark Crusaders glaring at the two bullies.

"Oh, great." Diamond huffed. "Now the blank-flanks are here."

"They're just making sure I'm okay." Petunia said.

"So the blank canvas not only is blank all around, but needs protection as well?" Silver stated more than asked.

"She's not a blank canvas!" Sweetie Belle said. "She's a beautiful rare color that ponies like you don't appreciate."

"B-but your colors are beautiful too." Petunia added sheepishly.

"We don't need ponies like you telling us what's beautiful and what's not." Diamond stated. "We can afford what ever color coat dies we like, unlike you three who come from poor families. And do you even have a family?" She asked Petunia.

Petunia blinked while the other three got in front of her defensively, each glaring daggers at the two. Even Silver Spoon flinched at her co-bully's comment.

"Now that's a know low, even for you!" Scootiloo cried.

"No," Petunia said. "It's okay."

"No, it isn't Snow." Scootiloo said.

"She does have a family!" Applebloom barked.

"We ll know that zoo keeper isn't her mother." Diamond stated coldly.

"Tiara, aren't you pushing this?" Silver asked. Diamond turns her gaze to her friend.

"Are you taking her side?" She asked. Silver did not answered right away.

"I've been thinking lately, Tiara." She said. "What have they done to deserve this?" The Cutie Mark Crusaders all gasped and their jaws dropped upon hearing this. Diamond looked at her incredulously. "This alicorn has shown us no ill will, and all we've done is tease her."

"You're joking, right Silver?" Diamond asked.

"What if I am?" Silver replied. "And even so, I still think you've gone to far with this."

"Are ya serious?" Applebloom asked.

"Give her a chance." Petunia replied, earning shocked looks from the crusaders. "If she's willing to try then we should give her that much."

"Ya want t' give her a chance?" Applebloom asked Petunia.

"No offense Snow, but these two are bullies." Scootiloo stated matter-of-factly as she glared at the two.

"So?" Petunia replied. "Fluttershy says we should always show kindness."

"But..." Scootiloo began.

"I want to give her a chance." Petunia interrupted and smiled at the grey filly. In response Silver Spoon looked shocked and mildly surprised.

"Even after how we treated you?" She asked.

"Silver Spoon, if you decide to become friends with this blank-flank you're not invited to my birthday party next month and I won't come to yours!" Diamond stated coldly. This made Silver blink and the Cutie Mark Crusaders huffed.

"See Petunia?" Sweetie Belle asked. "They're bullies."

"That was Diamond Tiara, and I'm still willing to give them both a chance." Petunia countered. They all looked at her with wide eyes, even Diamond now showed signs of shock and disbelief. Soon after Diamond put on her snobby face and turned her nose up at the four fillies facing her and Silver.

"Come on, Silver!" She barked. "We're leaving!" She started to walk off, but stopped when she noticed her best friend was not by her side. She looked back curiously to find Silver glaring at her. "Come on, Silver!"

"No." Silver replied. Diamond looked shocked. This also showed on the Cutie Mark Crusaders faces as well.

"What?" Diamond asked.

"I said 'no'." Silver answered. "I'm tired of being mean to every bla... er... 'pony' who hasn't earned their cutie mark, or aren't rich like us." Diamond's jaw was hanging in shock while the crusaders did the same.

"Come on, Silver, you don't mean that...?" Diamond said.

"Yes I do." Silver replied. "Petunia has shown 'us' kindness even after how bad we've treated her."

"But..." Diamond began, but never finished. After a minute the pink filly glared at all of them. "Fine! Hang out with these losers, but you are no longer welcome into my house!"

"Tiara, I..." Silver began.

"No! We're done, Silver Spoon. Have fun with your new blank-flank friends!"

With that Diamond Tiara turned and stormed off, leaving the five standing their alone. Silver looked hurt, like a large peace of her was ripped right out of her and ran off to Celestia knows where. The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked at each other as if they were trying to figure out what just happened. Petunia slowly walked around the three fillies toward Silver Spoon, who looked like she was about to burst in tears.

"I'm sorry, Silver Spoon." Petunia said.

"Are you happy now?" Silver asked. Petunia did not reply in anyway. Silver turned and glared at Petunia. "You got me separated from my best friend! Are you happy now?!" She screamed.

The bell rang, signaling to the foals that recess was over and it was time for class. All the foals on the playground began to head inside while Silver continued to glare at Petunia in anger. After most of the foals were inside Silver started walking to class while keeping her burning eyes on the white alicorn. After she as out of sight the remaining fillies and colts went inside for the rest of the school day.

Ch. 6: Ruthless Comebacks And Defending Families

Chapter Six

Ruthless Comebacks And Determined Defenses.

The tension in school was as high as it ever had been after Petunia's first day. The Cutie Mark Crusaders and a few number of other foals did what they could to help comfort the extremely shy, white filly alicorn while Diamond Tiara did everything she possibly could to make the other's lives dirt as they should be around her. Silver Spoon refused to be around any one else as she frequently attempted to be friends with her co-bully.

Day after day Silver Spoon made more attempts to become friends with Diamond and the more she tried the more she got closer. It was not long after the incident with Petunia the two were at it again like before, with the acceptation of them having four primary targets instead of three, each of which with blank flanks. The three friends defended with scowls against their long time enemies while Petunia tucked her chin against her chest.

One day after school, Diamond and Silver got together at Sugar Cube Corner when they knew the others were not there. They ordered their usual, expensive treats before going to a corner where they would not be heard. Diamond sat at one side of the round table while Silver sat opposite her friend.

"So, what's your plan?" Diamond asked.

"I did some digging on that blank canvas." Silver answered. Diamond looked up to her grey friend. "It turns out, Petunia Snow doesn't really exist. She has no mother, no father and there's nothing on her birth." Diamond shows extreme interest in what she just heard.

"How did you figure this out?" Diamond asked.

"Do you really need to ask that?" Silver replied. "Come on, Diamond, we're rich. We can do what we want."

"Good point." Diamond stated. "Go on."

"Anyway, since she has no real family to speak of, by all sense and purposes she should be in an orphanage." Silver explained.

"But the only orphanage Ponyville has had is now the school." Diamond observed.

"Right, which means we can get rid of that blank flank for good." Silver gleamed. Diamond beamed as she heard this.

"You're talking about sending her to the Canterlot Home For Foals?" She asked. Silver smiled as she nodded. The two smiled at what they just put together.

~~)oOo(~~

"Come on, Petunia!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "We'll have a great time crusading!"

"The four of us out to find our cutie marks!" Sweetie Belle agreed.

"Yeah!" Applebloom added her excitement. "It'll be much more fun with four of us instead of just three." The three smiled at the pure white alicorn who tucked her chin against her chest.

"Uh... no thank you." Petunia answered the three of them. "I'd much rather go home to Fluttershy."

"Dude, seriously." Scootaloo began. "It can't be healthy for you to stay locked up either Fluttershy's or Big Mac's house."

"I like it when she's at the farm." Applebloom smiled.

"She really should be your sister at this point." Scootaloo stated.

"Is that supposed to be a bad thing?" Applebloom asked.

"Actually, when you think about it, she's really your niece." Sweetie Belle interrupted. The two turned to her while Petunia turned a shade of pink instead of white. "Think about it. She treat Big Mac like a-"

"Stop right there." Apple Bloom interrupted.

"What?" Scootaloo asked with a smirk. "Not up for the idea your brother could be a father?" She grinned.

"No!" Applebloom spat.

"Sure sounds like it." Sweetiebelle giggled.

"Petunia likes Fluttershy just as much!" Applebloom defended. "Maybe she should be Petunia's mother" Petunia only turned more red as they continued talking, forgetting she was right next to them.

"Petunia!" Came a familiar voice, causing the white filly to perk up and bolt. In a streak of white, Petunia was behind the incoming Fluttershy in no time.

"Wow!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "I'd say that was faster than Rainbow Dash, but nopony's faster than her!" She beamed at Petunia. Fluttershy smiles at the filly she had been caring for the last few weeks while the other two awed at Petunia's speed. Fluttershy looks up to the three fillies.

"Nothing happened today, has it?" She asked them. They shook her heads.

"We did a lot of the same things together." Sweetie answered.

"Drawin'." Applebloom stated.

"Racing" Scootaloo added.

"And even decorating." Sweetie Belle smiled. Fluttershy smiled at the three before turning to Petunia.

"Did you have fun?" She asked her. Petunia nodded.

"Hey, Fluttershy?" Scootaloo asked. Fluttershy looked up. "Do you think you can convince her to come crusading with us?"

"Yeah!" Applebloom added. "We could have so much fun if she joined us!" Fluttershy looked to Petunia.

"Do you want to go play with them?" She asked. Petunia shook her head. "Why not?"

"I..." Petunia looked up. "I'm not ready for that... not yet." She poked her head from behind Fluttershy's hind leg to look to the three who 'aww'd in disappointment.

"Now, girls." Fluttershy looked to them. "Remember, she's been through a lot before she came to us. We don't want to push her too fast now, do we?"

"I guess not." Sweetie said with a frown.

"I'm sure she'll come to us when she's ready." Scootaloo stated hopefully with a smile.

"Yeah!" Applebloom added with her own smile. "Remember when we were too embarrassed of our blank flanks to be open at Diamond Tiara's party?" The other two blushed a bit at the memory of their first meeting. Petunia looks up to them.

"Maybe you could tell me about that time some day?" She asked. The three perked and smiled at her.

"Sure!" They gleamed. Petunia smiled shyly. "Maybe after my chores are done, Granny Smith'll let me come over for the night." Applebloom thought.

"I have some training to do with Rainbow Dash before the night is out." Scootaloo observed.

"I'll see if it's alright with Rarity." Sweetie Belle smiled.

"Whoa, girls," Fluttershy interrupted, "let's not get ahead of ourselves." Fluttershy remembered the last time the Cutie Mark Crusaders spent the night at her cottage. Encountering the cockatrice nearly turned all three of them into stone. Had it not been for Fluttershy's infamous Stare they would all be stone statues in the Everfree right now. Fluttershy would rather not let herself get into that situation again, especially since she had little Petunia to take care of right now. "Maybe tonight's not the best time for a sleepover." The three let their heads down in disappointment. Fluttershy immediately regretted opening her mouth before she looked to Petunia. "Do you want a sleepover tonight?" Petunia looked up.

"Maybe we can plan it for another time?" She asked. "But, not tonight" She looked to the three.

"Oh well." Scootaloo said. "If not tonight, we can still have another night together!" She smiled at the other two.

"We do have a lot to do at the farm right now, so..." Applbloom observed. "It's okay." She smiled.

"Yeah." Sweetie added. "Rarity probably has a lot to get done, so I might not have time." The three smiled.

"See you tomorrow!" They all exclaim to each other before bolting off to their respective destinations.

~~)oOo(~~

That night was no different than any other night at Fluttershy's. Fluttershy brought little Petunia home where she played with the many animals surrounding the cottage before they went over what homework she had to do for that night. Then Fluttershy cooked them a dinner they both enjoyed together before Fluttershy helped Petunia get ready for bed with a bath, brushing her teeth then into their shared room upstairs. Fluttershy read Petunia a story that put her right to sleep then she continued to read quietly to herself for a little while before putting the book away, shutting off the light then snuggling up to the filly in her bed.

The next morning Fluttershy woke up to find Petunia still asleep, quite peacefully. Ever since the Summer Sun Celebration, Petunia's had more peaceful nights, which she was happy about. Petunia has only had a horrible time since the day she arrived months ago. She smiled at the filly as she eased her way out of bed without disturbing the sleeping filly. She smiled at her before she slipped out of the room and down stairs.

When she got down stairs there was a knock on the door. Fluttershy looked up. "Who would be visiting at this time?" She asked herself as she went to the door. Standing just outside her cottage was a stern looking mare with golden brown coat, yellow mane and tail and dawned with a blue suit.

"Is this the residence of a Miss Fluttershy?" The mare asked with a rather deep voice for a female.

"Yes." Fluttershy answered. "Can I help you?"

"It has come to my attention you have an orphan filly in your care?" The mare asked.

"You mean Petunia?" Fluttershy asked.

"The filly has no name, or parents for that matter." The mare stated. "Therefor it is my duty to take the filly to the Canterlot Home For Foals." Fluttershy blinked.

"The orphanage?!" She cried out.

"If the filly is not here I will check Sweet Apple Acres instead." The mare explained.

"Now, wait." Fluttershy stated.

"Spare me the arguments, I've heard them all." The mare stated bluntly. Fluttershy blinked as if a knife went through her heart.

"But-" She began.

"Look, Miss Fluttershy, the filly has no home, no family, she doesn't even have a birth certificate. By all accounts, she's an orphan and all orphans go to an orphanage. You can give her to me now or I will find her and bring her to the orphan home myself." Fluttershy began to tear up.

"Fluttershy?" A tiny voice came from upstairs. Both mares looked up while Fluttershy's heart sank. "Oh no!" She thought to herself. "Who's that?" Petunia asked. The mare stood up.

"My name's Caring Hoof." The mare introduced herself. Petunia shied away. "I'm here to bring you to your new home."

"This... this is my home." Petunia protested.

"I'm sorry, child, but you cannot stay here." Caring stated.

"Wait just a minute!" Fluttershy jumped up and scooped Petunia in her forelegs. "I've been caring for Petunia for several months now!" She glared at the mare. Caring just narrowed her eyes.

"And that matters how?" She asked. "The filly-"

"Petunia!" Fluttershy interrupted.

"The 'filly', who will be given an official name after her arrival to the orphanage, is to come with me today. With or without your permission." She told Fluttershy. "As an orphan she belongs in an orphanage. Not in a zoo." Fluttershy glared.

"What's going on here?!" Came another voice from outside. The three looked over to find Twilight coming in with Spike right behind her to find out what the commotion was.

"Your highness." Caring bowed as she realized it was the princess of friendship.

"Caring Hooves?" Twilight asked. "What are you doing here?" Caring looked up to the princess.

"My job." She answered. She pointed to Petunia. "This filly has no family or home and is too young to be on her own, so it is my responsibility to bring her into proper care."

"Um... you come to pick her up after nearly six months?" Twilight asked.

"It has only just come to my attention last evening." She answered. "To think, a princess like yourself would keep such a thing from me."

"I thought the situation was settled since both me and Celestia were well aware of Petunia's presence in this cottage and she's been under the care of two of the most trustworthy ponies I know." Twilight stepped to the mare.

"Regardless, without a family, I must take the filly to the Canterlot-"

"Canterlot Home For Foals, I know." Twilight finished the sentence for her.

"Twilight, I won't let her take Petunia." Fluttershy stated as she held Petunia close.

"I'm afraid not even a princess can stop this from happening." Caring looked to Fluttershy. "I must bring the child to the care of the orphanage. You can take proper action there. Otherwise, she cannot stay her." Fluttershy was in tears while Petunia clung to her desperately.

"Spike!" Twilight called, causing her number one assistant to stand at attention. She grinned at him. "You know where the books are." He saluted with a 'yes ma'am' before bolting off.

~~)oOo(~~

Outside Fluttershy's cottage, hidden in the bushes to the right stood Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon watching the house closely, proud grins on their faces. Soon a golden brown mare with yellow mane and tail comes up and knocks on the door. Judging by the expression on Fluttershy's face it is the orphan keeper from the Canterlot Home For Foals. The two giggled quietly.

"This was the greatest idea ever, Silver Spoon." Diamond gleamed.

"I know." Silver smiled. The two did their 'bump, bump, sugar lump rump' dance and walked off giggling. "That blank canvas will be gone for good!" Silver smiled.

"Serves her right for getting between us." Diamond sneered. The two walked off in victory.

"What are you two so happy about?" Scootaloo asked as they turned a corner.

"Oh, no reason." Diamond said. "Just the first day with one less blank flank to be around." Scootaloo blinked.

"What did you do?!" She cried.

"Better hurry if you wanna see your friend the blank canvas again." Silver laughed. Scootaloo wasted no time in bolting straight for Twilight's.

"Twilight!" She cried as she burst through the door. "Twilight!?" She looked left and right to find the princess.

"Scootaloo?" Spike came out from a corner. "What's wrong?"

"Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon have done something wrong to Petunia!" Scootaloo explained. Twilight appeared behind Spike.

"What's going on?" She asked.

"Twilight! You have to get to Fluttershy's cottage right away!" Scootaloo cried. Twilight flew off out the door.

~~)oOo(~~

Spike ran out of Fluttershy's cottage, over the bridge, passed all the animals, nearly running over the three fillies who cared about Petunia like a sister, through town dodging ponies, not stopping until he got back to the library. Inside he bolted around every shelf to find the books Twilight asked him to find. "Where is it? Where is it?!" He asked himself as he skimmed through the shelves. He pulled the latter out to skim through the higher shelves to find what he was looking for. "Ah huh!" He pooled a book on adoption from the shelf and slid town the latter to the floor before bolting off again. After another taxing run back through town he made his way back to Fluttershy's cottage.

~~)oOo(~~

"We have to get to Fluttershy's cottage, right away!" Scootaloo cried to Applebloom.

"What's going on here?" Apple Jack asked as she poked her head out of the kitchen to find out what the screaming was about.

"Scootaloo says something's going wrong with Petunia at Fluttershy's!" Applebloom explained, causing Big Mac to poke his head out.

"Petunia's in trouble?" He asked alarmed.

"Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon have done something awful, I just know it!" Scootaloo explained to the two older ponies. Without another word, Big Mac bolted out of the house, quite literally through the closed front door. Apple Jack, Applebloom and Scootaloo rushed after him.

Big Mac galloped along the road toward Fluttershy's without any sign of slowing down, even so much as to lose sight of AJ and the others behind him. He collided with a small green a purple dragon, causing both to fall to the ground, the book Spike had fell with a thud.

"Ooh..." Spike groaned as he rubbed his head before looking up to Big Mac. "Big Mac? Where are you off in such a hurry?" Big Mac looked to the little dragon.

"Ah could ask you the same question." He answered. Spike got to his feet as he picked up the book.

"Twilight wanted me to get this book over to Fluttershy's in a hurry." He explained, the reason he was running sparked in his mind. "Oh! And it's important!" He started to run off before Big Mac scooped him up with his muzzle and bolted off to Fluttershy's, Spike almost falling back before he gripped Big Mac's mane and held on for dear life.

"What's goin' on with Petunia?" Big Mac asked.

"An orphanage care taker named Caring Hooves is trying to take her away!" Spike answered. "Twilight needs this book to help make it so she can't!"

"Then we better get goin'!"

~~)oOo(~~

"Princess, I do not have the time for this." Caring Hooves stated impatiently. She turned to Petunia. "Come with me, child."

"No!" Petunia cried as she clung to Fluttershy, who stood guard over the little filly with more assertiveness than she had ever shown before, even against the dragon trying to nap after he sent Rainbow Dash flying through the others like a bowling ball to the pins.

"Now, don't make this any harder than it needs to be." Caring Hooves said as she stepped up to take Petunia.

"Get away from that filly." A deep voice stated firmly. They all turned to find Big Mac glaring at the mare as Spike slid off his back and rushed off to Twilight. Caring rolled her eyes with a sigh.

"It doesn't matter how many ponies you include in this matter, I will be taking the child with me to Canterlot." She stated as she turned to Petunia. Big Mac stepped between her and the other two, glaring at the mare.

"Step away from my Petunia." He stated firmly. She simply looked up at him with an equally stern gaze.

"Do you have any idea what I can do to you for obstructing my work?" She asked. Before he could answer Twilight stepped up with the book opened and a few pages taken from it.

"You're not taking Petunia away, because she's going to be adopted." Twilight stated with a proud smile. Fluttershy and Big Mac blinked. Caring raised a brow. Petunia looked up from behind Fluttershy.

"Adoption?" Petunia asked. Twilight smiled at her.

"It means you'll get a mommy and daddy. Or at least one or the other." She explained. Petunia cannot help but gain a smile from what she was hearing.

"Princess Twilight, I cannot condone with this." Caring stated. "There's no one here to adopt her-"

"I'll adopt her!" Big Mac and Fluttershy stated at once. Twilight smiles at them as they both look to each other in shock while Caring looks to them.

"You two?" She asked. "You're not a couple, nor even live in the same estate."

"He works at Sweet Apple Acres while she tends to animals in her own home." Twilight explained.

"That's not a valid condition-" Caring started.

"Ah'll do anythin' to make it so you don't take away our Petunia." Big Mac stated.

"I'm not letting her be taken away." Fluttershy added her own words. Twilight levitated a piece of paper to the two with a smile.

"I'm afraid I cannot permit this." Caring stated. Twilight looked to her. "For one, these two are not a married couple. It would not be proper for me to sign an orphan filly to two individuals who are not related."

"As long as she's being signed to a parent or two, it doesn't matter what the conditions are, so long as they are good living conditions for the foal being adopted." Twilight explained. "Both Fluttershy and Big Mac have been caring for this filly for several months now, she's been nursed to full health since we all found her, and both living conditions are perfect for children." Twilight stated matter-of-factly. Caring Hooves stood silent, unable to come up with a valid argument against Twilight's statement. Twilight smiled at the two. "You're both willing to become Petunia's legal parents?" Fluttershy smiled at Petunia as she pet her head.

"I am." Fluttershy answered.

"Eeyup." Big Mac said with a smile. Petunia looked up to them both with a growing, tear-filled smile. Twilight smiled at the two as she held up the paper to them in her magic. Big Mac look to the paper before looking to Fluttershy.

"Ya gotta quill?" He asked. She nodded and pointed to the table at the end of the room. All of them walked over to the table while Caring stood in defeat with a look of disappointment in her eyes. Twilight set the paper down on the table. Big Mac took the quill first in his maw and signed the paper on the dotted line for the potential father. When he finished, Fluttershy did the same for the dotted line for the potential mother. Twilight looked to Caring as Fluttershy helped Petunia to scribble her name on the paper that included her.

"Well, caring." Twilight said. "There's only one thing left for you to do." Caring stared at Twilight for a minute as if trying to think of a way to stop this from happening, but it was clear Twilight had her beat this time. She stepped up to the paper, took the quill and signed where she needed to sign on the paper.

"Very well." Caring stated. "The alicorns filly known as Petunia Snow is now daughter to Fluttershy and Big Macintosh of Ponyville." She said. "Congratulations." She looked to them all before she turned to the door and walked off.

"Caring." Twilight called. She stopped and turned to the princess. "Would you like to come to the library for some tea?" She asked. "It has been a long time." She smiled. Caring smiled softly.

"Thank you, Princess, but I must decline." She answered. "I do still have other duties to attend to." The two smiled before Caring left. Twilight smiled at the three by the table who were in a group embrace. The three were now a family.

"Petunia!" Scootaloo's voice called as she, Applbloom and Apple Jack came in.

"She's alright." Twilight answered. The three looked over to have smiles slapped on their faces to the sight.

"What happened?" Apple Jack asked. Twilight smiled.