A White Stallion

Despite her best efforts, Twilight couldn't stay calm. The sight of the White Stallion was too much for her, as she broke down, screamed as loud as she could, and run upstairs, out the window, and curled up into a little ball on her balcony.

The rest of the gang managed to get a good look the White Stallion, and they noticed something about him. From the looks of it, he was clearly an Earth Pony, but he seemed to have a strange aura around him. An aura that seemingly caused anypony that stood near him to feel unnerved.

"Oh dear...Um....I think I'll go....you know...to Twilight....." said Fluttershy as she went to go comfort Twilight. It was clear that she was scared of the White Stallion too.

"Um....me, too" said Spike as he followed Fluttershy.

That left only Apple Jack and Pinkie Pie to deal with the White Stallion.

"She still flees just from the very sight of me..." spoke the White Stallion in an accentless voice. "I have come for Twilight Sparkle." He said plainly. "We have some unfinished business...." He slowly made his way to the stairs, right before Applejack walked in front of him and blocked his path.

"And just who do ya'll think ya are?" Applejack asked the White Stallion, in a not-too-kind manner. "And what business do you have with my friend Twilight? And how do you know her name?"

"I," replied the White Stallion harshly. "am Radiating Innocence. But you may call me Rade. I'm afraid my name has lost it's meaning because your friend, who, believe me, has a very long history with me, took what's rightfully mine."

"And what would that be?"

"My innocence!" And Rade shoved Applejack out of the way, causing her to hit her head on the floor, effectively stunning her, and proceeded more quickly up the stairs.

It was at that moment that Pinkie's plan to befriend Rade was promptly shattered. After all, why was he being so cruel? And what effect did he have on Twilight Sparkle that caused probably the most intelligent pony in Ponyville to lose all sense of coherence and cower in fear? Either way, Pinkie and AJ didn't care. They weren't going to let him near Twilight, no matter the cost.

"Oh no, you don't!" said Pinkie as she blocked Rade's path. She withdrew a cannon from what seemed like nowhere and pointed it at Rade. "One more step and you get a candy cannon ball to the face!"

"Pointless." said Rade as he telepathically lifted Pinkie, cannon and all, off the stairs and tossed her aside as if she were a rag doll.

Pinkie could only lay on the floor, stunned from the impact.

Rade was almost to the window, until Spike hopped in his path this time.

Spike did all he could to look as intimidating as possible....only to be met with laughter from Rade.

"How cute" said Rade after he was finished laughing.

Rade was just about to levitate Spike and throw him away, just as he did with Pinkie, until, without warning, Twilight appeared.

Twilight almost ran away in fear when she saw Rade, but this time, she stood her ground.

"Who are you?" Twilight asked Rade in a very shaky voice. "What do you want from me?"

"I am Radiating Innocence, however, you may call me Rade. You should have come to me earlier, but unfortunately, you hid behind your friends....just as you always have...."

"No." said Twilight. "You're wrong. I don't always hide behind my friends."

"Then why did you do so now?"

And then Twiligth said nothing. She only stood there, shaking furiously with fear and dread.

"I've made my point. Now, Twilight Sparkle..."

"H-how do you know my name?!" Twilight managed to ask.

Rade only looked at Twilight, with a look of curiosity in his eye. "So, you don't remember? All the pain and suffering you've caused to me...."

Applejack and Pinkie Pie suddenly came from behind Rade and jumped protectively in front of Twilight.

"Ya'll are not welcome here!!!" screamed Applejack. "GET OUT!!!!!!!"

"AJ, Pinkie! You're hurt!" said Twilight in concern as she saw the injuries on Pinkie and AJ's bodies.

"Don't worry about us, sugarcube. It's just a couple bruises. You've got some explainin' to do once we're done dealing with him, though."

And then Applejack and Pinkie began converging on Rade....only to be met with confusing applause from him.

"Bravo, bravo." he said as he clapped his hooves. "Looks like the one who took my innocence actually made some close friends."

Twilight recoiled in confusion. "Innocence?" she asked. "What do you-?"

"Enough expository banter." interrupted Rade. "Come to this exact location," he said as he tossed a map with an address scrawled onto the back."

"Come to this exact location" he said again. "And do NOT waste time. You must come as soon as possible. I'll be waiting."

And then Rade walked back down the stairs and made his way out the door, leaving the Spike and the girls to think about what just happened.

"A map..." said Twilight as she picked up the map with the address written on it.

"Twi?" asked Applejack after a moment of awkward silence. "You've got some explaining to do."

"Yeah, Twilight." said Pinkie as she stared somewhat accusingly at Twilight. "What did Rade mean when he said you took his innocence?"

"Um....girls...." said Fluttershy as she finally came in. "Sorry I didn't do anything...it's just that...he scares me a lot...." and then she hid her face behind her mane and started whimpering.

"Oh, don't worry, Fluttershy" Pinkie comforted her timid yellow friend. "Your auntie Pinkie Pie's got you." And then Pinkie gave Fluttershy a comforting hug.

"Thanks, Pinkie but...I'm still a year older than you..."

"Anyways." began Applejack. "About that explaining."

"I honestly don't know what to say, girls." said Twilight after a moment of thought. "I want to give you all the answers I know you're looking for, but I honestly don't know who that stallion was."

"Well" interrupted Pinkie. "The weird part is that he used magic and he's an Earth Pony."

"An Earth Pony using magic?" questioned Twilight. "I've never heard of that happening before. Maybe there's something about that written down in a book....well, girls. I'm going to start searching. You don't have to help me, but I'd really appreciate it..."

"No problem" said Pinkie cheerfully. "After all, what are friends for?"

"And I'll ask Princess Celestia if she knows anything." piped up Spike

"Thanks girls. And Spike" said Twilight as they all began their search for answers within the vast sources of knowledge inside the library.