//------------------------------//
// Chapter 12.1 
// Story: Child of the Swamp 
// by Topazzia 
//------------------------------//

Returning to Ponyville was a relief to the four ponies, having the entire train ride to sit in silence, quietly taking the time to rest from the harsh discovery. 

Starlight recalled every sight she could, writing it down in every detail she could remember. 

Huts, made from arranged sticks, with thatch and clay filling out the entire structure, and rocks and much larger branches set firmly against them. 

The formation of earth made them difficult to pick out from the rest of the trees and overgrowth, especially in the natural darkness of the Swamp. The huts were made in clusters, every one either the same heighth and width, or various sizes. They could have been melded together to form a more concealed fashion, or to make much larger rooms.

The clay bowls Starlight spotted, guessing they must be for water, or mixing things. 

What seemed more interesting were the much larger Kelpies, like the ones from Zecora’s book, or even the Kelpie Chief. Each of those of that size had white streaks and patterns painted along their long matted fur. As well as those same Kelpies sat stone still, only on the outskirts of the camp. 

And the apparent difference between big and small Kelpies, something Starlight probably wasn’t going to find out soon. But what she could, Fluttershy was the only one who heard what each of the dark creatures said, or growled. 

Starlight looked up from her parchment to the yellow Pegasus, “Hey Flutt.”

She looks up, broken from thought, “Yeah?”

“You okay?” Starlight smiles, attempting to cheer up her friend. 

Fluttershy nods, “I’m fine, it’s just… I could have talked to them, if I had another chance.”
Starlight raises a hoof, “Don’t worry, we’ll be back. If you don’t mind, I need help with something.”

Fluttershy pauses, and sits up straight, smiling. “Sure, what is it?”

The Unicorn readies her quill, “Can you recall everything each of the Kelpies said?”


In the castle library, Starlight then wrote a letter. Explaining the experience the best she could, and requesting any insight from the Princess of Friendship. 

Starlight stops and looks up, just as Apple Jack enters. The Earth Pony walks up, glancing over the letter with approval. 

“Y’all wrote down everything?”

Starlight nods, “Yeah, I just hope she’ll get this soon.”
AJ waves a dismissive hoof, “Worryin’ ‘bout nothin’, remember we’re not in that big a hurry.”

Starlight turns away, looking at the letter. “We should. This is another species we can talk to, we can help them.”
AJ rests a hoof on her shoulder, “An’ we will, just don’t count on things happenin’ at once.”

The Unicorn looks at her, unconvinced, but beginning to coming to. Apple Jack continued, “With everthin’ goin’ on right now, we gotta take thing’s one at a time. Sides, the Tribe is doin’ alright fer the most part.”

Starlight sighed, “I get it,” she floats the rolled paper into the Sending Fire. “But I can try.” 

The paper turned to ash, then magic fumes, swirling into the air when it flickered out of sight. 

Apple Jack watched it go, and smiled to Starlight. “I guess it would be best she read that before she comes in two weeks.”
The Unicorn flinched with realization, “Oh shoot, I forgot!”

Mud eventually came around to tolerate being near Starlight, though still refusing to tell or hear anything about the Tribe. All Starlight had to think about were her own thoughts throughout those two weeks. 



The day Twilight came to the castle had Pinkie too excited to sit still. The pink pony waited outside, running between each of her party canons that lined the front yard. 

Until midday, there was no sign of the princess. But she appeared in the air, wings spread to glide slowly on the breeze. Beside her was the small distinct companion that followed her everywhere. And the two closed in over the castle.

Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were the first outside, waiting for the arrival. The Pegasus swung her wings once and shot into the air, while Pinkie only jumped with joy. 

The streak of colors zoomed past every window around the crystal structure, along t=with the constant yelling of “Twilight’s here!”

Starlight in the library, jolted at the shouting, and ran to the stairs. Rarity, Fluttershy and Apple Jack met her in the main hall. 

Pinkie hooked the trigger string with a hoof, a grin forming. ”Almost there…”

In Mud’s room, the Kelpie opened her eyes and turned sleepily on the pillow, Rainbow’s yelling only being jiberish noise to her. She let her eyes close again, ignoring the racket.

Ranbow landed next to the other ponies, just as Twilight settled on the dirt road, Spike next to her. The Princess’ eyes brightened, “Hello everypony!”

“Now!” Pinkie yanked the string.

Mud’s head jerked off the pillow, back arched and fur bushed out. The loud boom from the party cannons kicked all the sleep out of her, and left her gritting her teeth with ears flat and eyes wide. 

Twilight stood under the falling confetti, and her friends mobbed her with tight hugs. Extending her wings, Twilight pulled everyone closer, feeling their warmth. “It’s so good to see you.”

Rainbow pulled closer with an arm over shoulder, smirking, “Isn’t it always?”
Spike reached out a claw, “Yes, it is, can I breath yet?” He was trapped between Twilight and Fluttershy. 
Rarity pulled him out, holding him up to her cheek. “Spikey Wikey, it’s so good to see you.”

The dragon smiled, lifting his arms to barley reach past the Unicorn’s hooves. 

Twilight folded her wings, settling onto all four hooves to stand. She looked around and past Starlight, “Now, I believe we’re missing somepony –or somekelpie, I should say.”

Pinkie pointed to the inside of the castle, “Yeah, she was sleeping earlier.”
Rainbow gave a huffed laugh, “She’s awake now, and probably really ticked off.”

Spike looked up at the Pegasus as the group walked back inside, “Is that bad?”
Fluttershy nodded, “She had some… Colorful, things to say last time Pinkie set off a party cannon inside while she was sleeping.”

Rainbow flapped her wings with a glare, “And chased me for some reason, as if I would wake a pony when they’re napping.”

In the living room, Twilight unlatched her saddlebag. The sound of metal as she set it on the coffee table drew Starlight’s attention. 

“That doesn’t sound like weekend essentials.” The Unicorn lifted a hoof to push open the bag, but Twilight kept it shut with magic.

Twilight smiled and waved a hoof, “It’s for our new friend.” She looks to the doorway, “If we’ll ever get to meet her.”

Fluttershy entered the room, and close behind Mud stalked in after. The Kelpie’s head was low, hackles raised, and tail twitching with agitation.

Twilight’s eyes widened in amazement, and leaned closer to Mud’s level. The Kelpie stopped, and stared. 

The Alicorn’s curiosity was different than the first time Mud met the ponies. A feeling of caution came over Kelpie as Twilight closed in, her large purple eyes sparkling. She circled the Kelpie, stopping with their muzzles only an inch apart. 

Twilight extended a wing behind her, flicking it at the bag she set down. “Bring me the necklace!”
Starlight tilted her head questioningly, but lit her horn, aiming it at the bag. 

What floated out of it was a necklace made from small gold plates, and three gems embedded to it. 
In order of a small red gem, a larger green one, and a small blue.

Twilight took it, and unhooking the clip to ready the jewelry, held it in front of the Kelpie.
Mud stared at it, opening her mouth to ask what this pony was doing, but Twilight was quicker.

She looped the plates around Mud’s neck and set the latch, so the heavy front hung over the Kelpie’s chest.

With another light of her horn, Twilight turned the green gem in the middle. The ring it was welded to turned clockwise, and a small shine sparked deep inside it. 

Everyone stood still, waiting.