//------------------------------//
// Equestria's Edge 
// Story: The Prince Returns 
// by Shadowslash101 
//------------------------------//

					Chapter 8
Equestria’s Edge 


The sun above heats the land below as Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Spike, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy; each wearing a saddlebag, wait patiently at the edge of Everfree Forest for Helpful; who was running late. Twilight begins to grow impatient. She paces over and over again; trying to pass the time, but it wasn’t enough. “Come on, Helpful!” Twilight growled aggravated. “I tell everypony to meet up at the entrance of Everfree Forest and you’re thirty minutes late. What’s taking you so long?” Fluttershy notices her friend’s aggravation.
“Now, Twilight, don’t be that.” Fluttershy reasoned comfortingly. “I mean, you gotta give him some credit. At least he got us all this far.” Twilight then realized she was getting wound up for nothing and sighed calming herself.
“You’re right, Fluttershy. I should be more patient.” Twilight agreed with her shy friend. Then Rainbow Dash walks up beside Twilight curious. 
“Hey, Twilight. Why are you bringing Spike with us?” Rainbow asked. 
“Because I don‘t k now how long we’ll be gone and I don’t want to leave him lonely.” Twilight explained. Spike crosses his arms and sighs unhappy about Twilight bringing him along.
“I told you before, Twilight, I’m not gonna be lonely.” Spike argued. 
“I know, Spike, but I don’t know what Envious can do while we’re gone.” Twilight explained. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
“But I won’t get hurt.” Spike protested. “I can take care of myself. Stop worrying about me so much.” 
“Okay, okay, fine. You can stay here where Envious could surely find you and take you away in an instant.”
“Yeah, and it’ll be so fast you wouldn’t be able to scream.” Dashie added trying to spook Spike; who seems to rethink about his decision. 
“On second thought, I always wanted to see what the outer stretches of Equestria looked like.” Spike replied trying to not look nervous in front of the others. Twilight rolls her eyes, and then Pinkie Pie spots something in the distance and jumps on top of Rarity; who exclaims in surprise, and puts a hoof over her eyes to see it better.
“You could at least use a rock, or a tree, or anything…just not me!” Rarity complained annoyed. Pinkie could almost see the thing better now. It was Helpful and Sunny finally coming. 
“Here he comes!” Pinkie shouted excited. Helpful soon made it to his friends wearing his yellow pack that Applejack gave him. Helpful stops in front of Twilight. “I’m so sorry I’m late.”
“It’s okay, Helpful.” Twilight assured. “We all get late once in a while.” Sunny climbs off of Helpful’s back and pulls out a list.
“So you have everything you need?” Sunny asked curious. “Your pillow, blanket, toothbrush, toothpaste, floo...”
“Yes, Sunny.” Helpful interrupted annoyed. “I got everything. I told you that a thousand times back at the mansion.” Dashie begins to giggle, but then Applejack nudged her to be quiet.
“But do you have everything?” Sunny digressed. “It’s a long trip and I just want to make sure.”
“Sunny, you can trust me.” Helpful sighed. “I got all that we need.”
“Okay, fine, but if you forget something it’s on you.” Sunny stuffs the list into Helpful saddle bag as Helpful rolls his eyes, and then he turns back to Twilight. 
“So we ready?” Helpful asked Twilight.
“Yes, just one more thing to do.” Twilight answered as she pulled out a map using her magic and reads it, but she didn’t seem to be getting anywhere. “Hmmm. This is weird. Mount Joysong doesn’t seem to be on this map at all.” Twilight explained confused. “I don’t get it. This is the most precise map to Equestria. Something’s wrong.” Helpful then remembers the map Celestia gave him back at Canterlot Castle. He pulls it out and gives it to Twilight. 
“Maybe it’s on this one.” Helpful grabbed Twilight’s attention; who folds her map into her bag and takes the map Helpful offered. She reads the map thoroughly holding it up with her magic. 
“Ah, here’s Mount Joysong.” Twilight pointed on the map, but then her expression turns to astonishment. “Wow. It’s awfully far.”
“How far are we talking about here, Twilight?” Applejack asked curious.
“Like out of Equestria, across the sea, and to the island far.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Dashie intervened confused. “An Island?”
“Yes, Mount Joysong is in an island at the center of the sea.” 
“Wow!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in astonishment. “That sounds far.” Then Rarity knocks Pinkie off her back to the ground. The silly filly stands back up without a scratch and smiles. 
“Not to mention the danger we’ll be facing.” Dashie added. “No one has ever stepped out of Equestria and returned.” Rainbow tries to scare her friends. Fluttershy squeaks fearfully and pulls Helpful; who looks surprised, closer to her for a comforting hug. Applejack then remembers about Zecora and looks at Dash suspicious. “Say, if nopony stepped out of Equestria and returned, what about Zecora?” Applejack asked suspicious. Rainbow quickly starts thinking of an excuse.
“Oh, uh, that’s because… um, well.” Dashie stumbled for an answer. “Because she only came from outside of Equestria and that doesn’t count.” Dash smiles hoping that her friends would buy it. Applejack just rolls her eyes.
“So how are we gonna cross the ocean?” Applejack asked returning to the original subject.
“We’ll make a boat?” Rarity asked thoughtfully.
“Maybe we’ll find a town near the beach.” Helpful thought out loud.
“Right, I doubt that, Helpful.” Rainbow protested. 
“We’ll just have to figure that out once we get there.” Applejack concluded the discussion. 
“Well, we’ll need to save the chit-chat later.” Sunny replied. “We’re wasting time. Let’s go!” Sunny climbs onto Helpful’s back. 
“Right!” Everypony shouted in agreement as they walked toward Everfree Forest. Fluttershy grows nervous and stops. The rest notice this and stop as well. 
“What is it, Fluttershy?” Twilight asked her friend concerned.
“D-Don’t tell m-me that we’re g-going in there.” Fluttershy stammered nervously.
“We don’t have a choice, Fluttershy. It’s the shortest route we have to take.” Twilight reasoned. “Any longer and Envious will destroy Equestria and who knows what he’ll do next.” 
“Yeah, Fluttershy.” Rainbow added. “Ya just have to toughen up.”
“And you’ve been in there before several times.” Applejack also added comfortingly. “So you shouldn’t be scared, Sugarcube.”
“But I am scared.” Fluttershy protested. “What if Envious made or summoned something in there so dangerous that it’ll gobble us all up before you’ll be able to say: ‘help’.” Fluttershy squeaked; making the others give one another uneasy looks. 
“Well, if you’re that scared, you’ll be with Helpful.” Twilight assured as Spike climbed on her back. “I know for a fact that you’ll feel much safer with him instead with the rest of us.” Fluttershy immediately lights up with a smile. 
“Really?” Fluttershy squeaked excitedly as she rammed into Helpful hugging him tightly. Helpful smiles embarrassed.
“Uh, Fluttershy.” Helpful whispered clearing his throat. “Everypony’s watching.” Fluttershy then realizes this and let’s go of her hug embarrassed.
“Oh, s-sorry.”  Fluttershy apologized blushing. Helpful just smiles at her comfortingly as the rest of their friends move ahead of them. They catch up with their good friends inside Everfree forest. Twilight and Spike take point while Rainbow and Applejack stayed close behind. Behind them, Rarity and Pinkie Pie walks beside one another, and Fluttershy, Helpful, and Sunny take the caboose. Pinkie blows on one of her party noise makers; seemly annoying Rarity. Pinkie blows on it again. “You know that’s beginning to annoy me Pinkie.” Rarity calmly told the pink mare. 
“Really? I think it’s kinda fun.” Pinkie blows on her party noise maker again, beginning to make Rarity irritated, but she fought the fury back.
“Just stop doing that, okay?”
“Okay dokey wokey.” Pinkie Pie obeyed. Behind them Fluttershy walks past a bush that then shacks uncontrollably; scaring Fluttershy. She dashes into Helpful; hugging both Helpful and Sunny tightly. 
“Helpful, there’s something in the bushes!” Fluttershy shouted scared. 
“It’s probably just a squirrel.” Helpful assured comfortingly. “Don’t worry. Just stick with me; and you’ll be safe.” Fluttershy then calms herself down and lets go of her hug on Helpful and they continue on their path with their friends. 
“Sorry, Helpful.” Fluttershy apologized.
“It’s okay, Fluttershy. Really.” Helpful assured. “No, really.” Fluttershy pressed. “It’s just that I’ve never walked through Everfree forest entirely; although I’ve walked through most of it just not to the other side. I don’t know what’s ahead.”
“You know; if you stop worrying about what’s in the dark, you’ll be a lot happier.” Sunny nagged Fluttershy. Helpful gives her a sharp look.
“Sunny.” Helpful replied annoyed.
“No. She’s right, Helpful.” Fluttershy insisted sadly. “I should stop talking.” 
“Nonsense, Fluttershy; if it’s what keeps you comfortable then carry on.” Helpful insisted assuring her.
“Thanks, Helpful.” Fluttershy thanked the tan Pegasus gladly then she grew curious. “You don’t seem scared.”
“Actually I am.”
“What are you afraid of?”
“What may happen.” Helpful answered confusing the shy Pegasus. Afraid about what may happen? This is something Fluttershy didn’t expect from Helpful. She often thought of him fearless, but she guesses that every so-called fearless pony is afraid of something nopony would expect. Helpful squints his eyes like he’s trying make out something in the distance. “What are they…?” Helpful started confused. “They stopped in front of something ahead. Come on, Fluttershy.” Helpful dashes ahead and Fluttershy soon catches up with him and they catch up with the rest of their friends; who all stare amazed at a huge wooden door in front of them in a seemingly black stone wall that seems to be endless on both sides and it had no end up top; like it was keeping them from coming in or keeping something out. The door was seemingly thick and ancient. It had no pony-made parts in it but two black steel bars that held the wood together and on the metal was ancient symbols from a time and civilization far too old for either Spike or Twilight to decipher. “What’s with the door?” Rainbow Dash broke the astonished silence.
“I don’t know, but, according to Helpful’s map, that door is Equestria’s Edge and we must open it to get through.” Twilight explained then Rainbow flies up to the door. 
“No problem. ‘Open it.’ Sounds easy enough.” Dashie pulls on the metal parts of the door, but it wouldn’t budge; surprising Dash greatly. “What the hay? It’s stuck!” Rainbow pulls on the door again and still no luck.
“Move over, Dash!” Applejack grabbed Dash’s attention; who was surprised to see a lasso coming straight at her. Luckily she dodges the rope; which catches on to a loose bolt in the metal, and finds the rest of her friends grabbing the rope behind Applejack and joins her friends. “Alright, everypony; pull!” Applejack ordered and they all pulled on the rope as hard as they could, but even their combined strength couldn’t pull the door open.
“It won’t open!” Twilight told Applejack.
“Keep pulling!” Soon the lasso breaks and the group fell backwards pilling on top of one another. Pinkie jumps out of the pile delighted. 
“Woohoo! “ Pinkie exclaimed in excitement. “Let’s do that again!” As the rest of the gang of travelers stand up off of each other an old kooky laughter goes through the air; making them curious. 
“Now who’s laughing??” Sunny shouted angry. 
“Now, Sunny.” Helpful tried to calm his companion, but, before he could say anything else, Pinkie Pie answered Sunny’s question.
“It must be that guy!” Pinkie pointed out. Everypony turns their attention to an old brown donkey with a stick for a cane because of his terrible back. The donkey continues to laugh then accidently honks at the others. “Pardon me.” The donkey excused himself.
“It’s okay.” Pinkie assured; making the others roll their eyes. 
“Who are you?” Applejack asked curious.
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m the Door Keeper.” The donkey laughed. “I have been the caretaker of this fine door for generations, and the only way to open this door is to be figured out by you. Trust me; it’s easier than it looks.” The Door Keeper laughed again and accidently honks. “Pardon me. And just who are you?”
“My name is Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight began. “And these are my friends: Spike, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Helpful the Selfless, and Sunny. We’re on a mission to save Equestria.” 
“A mission, huh?”
“Yes, sir.” Applejack answered.
“Well, missy, in order  to get through this here door you’ll have to figure it out yourself like I said before, or you’ll never get through.” Twilight turns her gaze to the ancient door then to her friends.
“Guys, huddle.” Twilight ordered. The others gather into a circle with Twilight. “What do you think of this?”
“I don’t know.” Spike answered first. “Maybe he’s telling the truth.”
“What Spike said,” Applejack added. “I just don’t know if we can trust him.”
“Well, I for one believe he’s telling the truth.” Rarity protested. 
“I second the notion.” Pinkie Pie agreed.
“But what if he’s not telling the truth?” Rainbow questioned.
“My mother told me ‘never trust a donkey you don’t know.” Sunny added.
“M-Maybe he is.” Fluttershy spoke up.
“Never know till you try.” Helpful encouraged. 
“I’ll have to agree with Helpful.” Applejack agreed. “It’s not like we have a choice here.”
“I agree as well.” Rarity added.
“Me too.” Rainbow agreed.
“Me three!” Pinkie Pie shouted.
“I guess so,” Spike added. “But how do we get to open it.”
“I-I don’t know.” Fluttershy turned her gaze to the huge door. “It’s an awfully big door and I’m not sure if we can open it.” 
“Ha! That’s because it hasn’t felt the full fury of Rainbow Dash!” Dashie scoffed, and then she flew up to the door and began beating at it furiously. She soon becomes a blur of various colors, but then she slows down; she was growing tired, and then she falls on the ground; breathing harshly for air. The Door Keeper laughs at Dash’s show. The gang tries to ignore the distracting laughter. “Maybe we need another way to open the door.” Applejack thought out loud.
“Applejack’s right.” Twilight agreed. “There’s got to be a different way to open that door than beating it down.” Pinkie then comes up with an idea.
“Ooo! Ooo!” Pinkie jumped excitedly grabbing everypony’s attention. “Maybe we should try several things at once!”
“Wow, Pinkie Pie!” Twilight gasped impressed. “That’s not a bad idea at all.”
“I get one every now and then.” Pinkie replied proudly. 
“What do we do, Twilight?” Applejack asked. Twilight takes a minute to think and observes the wall and door. She knew wooden objects are known to burn easily, and the wall certainly has an end at the top to fly over, and finally, in medieval times, Knights used chopped down trees as battering rams to break huge doors open. Now it all came together. “Spike, Sunny, use you fire breath to burn down the door.” Twilight ordered.
“Can do!” Spike saluted.
“Got it!” Sunny assured.
“Dash, Fluttershy, and Helpful, fly up and see if you can get over that wall.” Twilight pointed up toward the wall.
“Let’s do it!” Rainbow agreed.
“Alright.” Helpful assured.
“O-Okay.” Fluttershy stuttered.
“Good, and, while you’re doing that, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and I will begin on making a battering ram.” Twilight turns her attention to the rest of her friends.
“Yes, mam.” Applejack agreed.
“Of coarse.” Rarity assured.
“Okay dokey wokey pokey smoky antichokie!” Pinkie shouted; making the others roll their eyes again.
“Good, then let’s move!” Twilight ordered. Applejack then pulls out an ax from her saddlebag; spooking Rarity, and chops down the nearest tree. After it hit the ground, Twilight, Pinkie, and Rarity helps her chop off any excess branches. As this went Spike and Sunny get busy trying to burn the door down, and Dashie and Fluttershy fly up toward the wall, but then stop in mid-flight; waiting for Helpful. Rainbow grows impatient. “C’mon, Helpful!” Dash shouted at the tan Pegasus. “What’s stoppin’ ya?” As if that was his cue, Helpful flies at high speed between Dash and Fluttershy; making Dashie spin uncontrollably in mid-air. Soon her spinning slowly wears off and she shacks off the dizziness. Rainbow looks up to see Helpful far off above them sitting on a cloud looking down toward them. “C’mon, gals!” Helpful shouted in the distance. “What stoppin’ ya?” Dashie begins stirring up in anger.
“Nopony says that, but me!” Dash growled and dashed past Helpful in a flash; making him uncontrollably spin on the cloud like she did. Finally his spinning spree slows down and Helpful looks awfully dizzy; making Fluttershy greatly concerned. She flies up to him fast. “Oh my, Helpful.” Fluttershy gasped. “Are you okay? Say something.”
“I feel… funny.” Helpful replied loopy-like, but then shook off the dizziness to find Fluttershy rubbing his head gently.
“Oh, you poor dear; you must be sick.” Before Helpful could protest, Fluttershy sticks a thermometer in his mouth and puts a stethoscope up to his chest and listened to his breathing. “How do you feel, Helpful?” Fluttershy asked concerned. “You feel any weakness, nausea, pain in your chest, any hot or cold flashes, do you feel sleepy, feel any awkward itching, sore throat, or anything I haven’t listed that may lead to certain illnesses or injuries?” Helpful takes Fluttershy’s hoof that holds the end of the stethoscope off his chest gently, but Fluttershy didn’t notice this. 
“Now, Fluttershy, I’m-.” Helpful tried to reason with his mouth full, but Fluttershy interrupted him.
“Helpful, you have no pulse!” Fluttershy gasped shocked. Helpful tapped her shoulder grabbing her attention. 
“Uh, Fluttershy.” Helpful pointed down to her hoof on the cloud. She smiles at him embarrassed.
“Oh.” Fluttershy replied putting the stethoscope back into her saddlebag. 
“I’m fine, Fluttershy.” Helpful assured comfortably. “Don’t worry about me. C’mon. Let’s see if we can find a way over this wall.” Helpful positions himself for takeoff, but Fluttershy stops him.
“Wait!” Fluttershy took the thermometer out of Helpful’s mouth and examined it then she gasped shocked. “Helpful, you’re burning up!” Helpful facehoofs himself annoyed that Fluttershy won’t stop worrying about his condition for five seconds, and then they hear Dash laughing her rump off above them on a cloud. 
“Stop it!” Dashie laughed on her back. “It’s just too rich! You’re making me laugh too much; it’s so rich!” Fluttershy flew up to Dashie quite serious.
“You shouldn’t be laughing at Helpful, Dash.” Fluttershy scolded the blue rainbow maned Pegasus. “You could’ve hurt Helpful really bad.” Rainbow stops her crazed laughter and stares at Fluttershy surprised.
“Uh, Fluttershy?” Dash stood up concerned. “Are you okay up there?” Fluttershy’s serious expression turns to a nervous smile.
“O-Oh, uh… w-what I meant to say was: please be careful next time, D-Dash.” Fluttershy stuttered nervously; making Dashie raise an eyebrow in confusion. That wasn’t like Fluttershy at all. She never becomes angry unless… it was about one of her animals or her friends lives were in danger, but there were no animals nor was there any danger. So what made her so wound up all of a sudden? “Uh, okay, Fluttershy.” Dash assured skeptically. Helpful flies up to his friends curious.
“So what’s the hold up?” Helpful asked. “Are we going up or what?”
“Oh, we’re going up alright!” Dashie assured, and then she flew up to the dense clouds above. Helpful chuckles at Dash’s challenge. 
“Here I come!” Helpful flew up into the clouds after Rainbow; Fluttershy followed. Soon he finds himself in a maze of clouds too dense to see through. Helpful flies through the first few clouds then spots Dashie flying speedily through some thundercloud; he smirks. “You can’t lose me that easily, Dash.” Helpful said to himself. “Remember that.” Helpful flies after the incredibly fast Pegasus and then finds himself in a clearing; she was gone. Lightning flashes past Helpful too close for comfort. “Whoa!” Helpful exclaimed in surprise. Above him, Fluttershy flies above the cloud searching for Dash and Helpful as they play their little game of tag. She begins to grow concerned. “Where did they go?” Fluttershy asked herself. “It’s too dangerous for them to be in there.” Down inside the thundercloud Dash flies through another darkened cloud, but then stops to find out that she’s playing in a thundercloud. For a Pegasus that’s considered a death wish. 
She has to warn Helpful and get them out of here. If she is lucky enough she might even meet the fabled Storm Charger; a Pegasus gifted with the unique ability to charge thunderstorms with electricity. Some say he was born with such powers, but others say it was some freak accident though they can’t determine how it happened, but one thing is certain: he was hired by Celestia to charge thunderstorms with his unique powers. Back then thunderstorms were only charged by unicorn magic, but it was artificial, couldn’t be controlled, and wasn’t enough power to make enough lightning, but, when the Storm Charger was found, lightning was considered natural, more controlled, and had more power. Meeting such a famous pony would only be an honor of a lifetime though now ponies who see him get only a glimpse of him for a second. He is incredibly fast; faster than a Wonderbolt most say. Racing him would be more than just an honor. Rainbow jumps out of her thoughts and returns to reality. She had to find Helpful. Dash flew off fast through the next few clouds.
Helpful was thinking the same thing. Flying through a thunderstorm would be suicide and he really doesn’t want to die twice in one day; how would he come back again? Helpful flies downwards and crashes into another Pegasus different than Rainbow Dash. Helpful gets off the pony and helps him balance himself in the air. “Sorry, sir.” Helpful apologized. “I was just searching for my friend. It’s way too dangerous in here. So I came to get her out.” The Pegasus had a brown mane and his coat was a dull yellow. His Cutie Mark was much like Dashie’s, but the lightning on it was regular instead of rainbow colored and the cloud was dark. “It’s alright.” The Pegasus assured. “If you’re looking for your friend I believe I saw another Pegasus racing through here; haven’t seen another Pegasus come in a thunderstorm in years. Anyway, what’s your name?”
“My name’s Helpful the Selfless. My friend’s name is Rainbow Dash. She’s the fastest flyer in Equestria.” Helpful answered. “And you are?”
“Boltage,” The Pegasus replied. “But everypony knows me as the ‘Storm Charger’. Perhaps you’ve heard of me.” Helpful breathes in some air like he has heard of him before.
“No.” Helpful shook his head. Above over the clouds, Fluttershy still scans the clouds below her for Helpful and Rainbow Dash, but then she spots a pair of luminous red eyes. “Helpful!” Fluttershy screamed as she watched what the eyes rise from the dense clouds. Not far from her, Helpful and Boltage hear Fluttershy’s scream. 
“What was that?” Boltage asked curious.
“Oh shoot! It’s Fluttershy!” Helpful exclaimed after realizing who the scream came from and flew toward it fast as possible.
“Flutter-who?” Boltage flew after him. They soon find a huge, light blue, serpent-like dragon looming over Fluttershy; who tries to hide herself in a hole in the black wall of Equestria’s Edge, but she couldn’t fit. 
“I got this.” Boltage assured Helpful. He closes his eyes and then electricity starts to run across his body then up to his wings, and then the electricity shoots out; creating lightning, and hits the snake-like dragon, but it didn’t seem to affect it that much. It turns around toward Boltage and growls deeply at him infuriated. “C’mon!” Boltage tempted the dragon. “I’m an all you can eat buffet! Take a bite!” The dragon roars at an incredible blast of sound and launches itself toward Boltage; crashing him into the wall. Down below, Twilight hears the crash from above and grows curious. “Applejack, did you hear that?” Twilight asked her old friend. 
“Yeah, I heard that.” Applejack replied. “I hope they’re okay up there.” Above, Helpful couldn’t believe seeing Boltage stuck into the black wall; unconscious from the body slam that dragon laid on him.  The dragon whacks Helpful away with his tail; like he was nothing to worry about, and looms over Fluttershy again. 
“P-P-Please, Mr. Dragon, sir, um… I’ll do anything.” Fluttershy pleaded; hoping that the dragon would listen. “J-J… Just don’t eat me!” Then the dragon roars at Fluttershy; who then cries out of pure fear, and then it laughs at her. Fluttershy’s remembers her life from the time she was a small filly in flight school, and then when she found her Cutie Mark, and then the time she met Twilight and her friends and all the memories she shared with them, then she remembers the time she first met Helpful in Everfree Forest. She remembers how he just stared at her in a trance; sure it made her confused, but it wasn’t until then she found out how much he cared about others like her and how handsome he would be if he went with her the next Great Galloping Gala, but she thought it would never come to be and now this doubles the theory. 
Her life was going to end because of her greatest fear: Dragons. The dragon leans back with is mouth open ready to lash his final attack on his prey, but, when he attacked the shy Pegasus, something stopped his attack from reaching his meal. “Huh?” The dragon exclaimed in confusion. Fluttershy ceases her crying, wipes the tears from her face, and finds Helpful; who looks furious, holding the mouth of the dragon wide open, but what was so different about Helpful was his wings; the black-tips glowed a bright orange this time. The dragon pulls his head away; confused to see the same tan Pegasus he batted away from earlier. The dragon growls at him deeply, but Helpful seems unaffected.
“What’s the big idea, Buster?” Helpful shouted infuriated. “Think you could just come on over and scare the living daylights out of my Fluttershy! Nopony; and I mean nopony, ever makes Fluttershy cry and even thinks he can hurt her!” The dragon begins to grow nervous. Nopony has ever stood up to him like that. A pony with a lot of guts and power had to be that brave. “W-What’re you going to do?” The dragon hesitantly asked. 
“This.” Helpful rose up a hoof and punched the dragon’s nose hard. The dragon immediately flies off at full speed in pure fear. “Consider that a warning!” Helpful shouted after the dragon, and then was surprised to be tackled by Fluttershy; who busted into tears, and squeezed him pretty tight. Helpful notices that Fluttershy began crying again and streaks her hair comfortably. “There. There, Fluttershy. It’s alright. The big dragon’s gone now. Like I said before, I’ll protect you.” Fluttershy calms down, but felt much safer in Helpful’s arms so she didn’t let go of her hug. Boltage; after regaining consciousness pulls himself out of the wall the dragon tackles him into and flies over to Fluttershy and Helpful. 
“Are you two okay and where’d that dragon go?” Boltage asked curious of what he missed. 
“I scared him off.” Helpful explained. “He won’t be coming back for a while, and what kind of dragon was that?”
“Sky Dragon, and if you’re trying to get over that obsidian wall: don’t. The way up there is infested with those monsters.” Boltage explained. “You won’t stand a chance.”
“W-Well, why can’t you come with us?” Fluttershy asked.
“Sorry, Miss, but I can’t. Got places to go; storms to charge.” Boltage explained turning to leave. “You understand, right?” 
“Of coarse.” Helpful assured. Then Rainbow Dash flies out from the dense clouds looking worried.
“Fluttershy!” Rainbow shouted, but then noticed Helpful and Fluttershy in their hug and Boltage. Her eyes widened at the sight of the one and only Storm Charger. “Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!” Rainbow shouted rapidly and excitedly. “You’re the Storm Charger!”
“A fan.” Boltage sighed disappointed to be found. “Listen. I don’t do autographs, hugs, dates, marriages, kisses, paparazzi, reports, interviews, sidekicks, or races. I don’t have the time for those things.”
“B-But…” Dashie stuttered not knowing what to say now. No races? But Dash just wants one race against the fastest fabled Pegasus in Equestria. Was one race too much to ask? Boltage turns back to Helpful and Fluttershy. 
“Well, see ya later you two lovebirds.” Boltage waved to them then turned back to Rainbow; who still looked shocked, but stuck in the excited face. “Well, I’m sorry for being such a heart breaker, but I really don’t have the time for that anymore, but that doesn’t mean that we’ll not see each other again.” Boltage pats Dashie’s shoulder comfortingly and then disappears in a flash of lightning before Rainbow could smile. She looks back to where the Storm Charger flew off, but all she saw was a hole through the entire thundercloud that stretched out to the clear sky at the other end. Further on she saw nothing. Boltage was gone. “Whoa!” Dash exclaimed in surprise. “I’ve been told that he’s fast, but that’s ridiculously over the possible Pegasus speed limit!” She turns her gaze back to Helpful and Fluttershy; who, were still in their hug, smile back. Dashie looks at them with a smart look. “So how long are you going to hug like that?” Helpful’s and Fluttershy’s expressions turn from warm smiles to embarrassment. They quickly let go of their hug and simultaneously protest looking away from Dashie while both rubs the back of their heads and holds both hooves behind their back and smile uncomfortably. Rainbow raises an eyebrow in confusion. “Right. So are we going up still?” Dash asked looking up toward the dark clouds above them. 
“Actually, Dash, there’s been a change of plans.” Helpful explained disdainfully. “As it turns out, the way over this wall is infested with Sky Dragons and if we go that way we’ll be dead.”
“Sky Dragons? That doesn’t sound too bad.”
“B-But they are, Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy protested nervously. “I-I almost got eaten by one… u-until Helpful and Boltage saved me.” 
“Uh-huh. So I guess we’re going down?”
“Seems that way.” Helpful answered. “Don’t want to lose anything priceless.” Helpful and Fluttershy stares deep into each other’s eyes; making Dashie impatient. 
“Well, are we going or what?” Helpful and Fluttershy break their lock on one another’s eyes and turn back to Dash.
“Oh, yes!” They both answer; making Rainbow more confused, but she rolls her eyes.
“Whatever. Let’s go then before I puke rainbows.” Dash flies downward and Helpful and Fluttershy follow down to the ground below. Once they land below, they find Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rarity ramming a chopped up tree into the giant wooden door. “That door’s still closed?” Dashie asked her friends, and then Sunny walks over next to them. 
“Trust me, Honey.” Sunny assured. “It’s sturdier than it looks. Spike and I tried all the firepower we had, but it wasn’t enough to burn that sucker down. It may be made out of wood, but it’s fire-proof! No way you’re gonna incinerate that block of wood.”
“Wow.” Helpful gaped at the large door then he turns his attention back to the small dragon. “Sunny, where’s Spike?”
“He’s on Break Time.” Sunny pointed behind her. “Can’t blame the guy. He’s still young. So anyways, did you find a way over the wall?”
“No, unfortunately we couldn’t. The way up there is infested with Sky Dragons.” 
“Sky Dragons, huh? Those get pretty mean.” 
“Y-You know about Sky Dragons, Sunny?” Fluttershy stuttered.
“Know ‘em? I’ve had experience with those suckers before. Can’t defeat them though; their skulls are five times stronger than diamonds. One skull bash and, well, you’re history.” Sunny explained. “They don’t go down hard. You’re lucky if you survived even a glimpse of the monster, but anyways.” The others, ramming their tree into the door, stops pounding the gate and fall on the ground exhausted.
“How much longer are we going keep on this futile attempt to even crack the door open?” Rarity asked exhausted from her work.
“Until it does so, or until the tree gives out.” Applejack answered Rarity; who sighs of disappointment. 
“Come on, Helpful.” Dash motioned for Helpful to follow her to the others. “We gotta help them.” Helpful, on the other hoof, was still concerned about Fluttershy’s safety.
“But what about Fluttershy?” Helpful asked Rainbow; who stops for a second to think. 
“Uh,… Fluttershy can wait, Helpful, but our other friends can’t.” Before Helpful could protest, Dashie pulls him by the tail to the others and tied him to the battering ram like the rest and tried once again ramming the door open. Fluttershy and Sunny watch as they tried to break through the door. Spike walks up beside Sunny. “N-Now what do we do?” Fluttershy asked the two young dragons.
“We find a key?” Spike shrugged.
“Like that huge door’s gonna need a key, Spike!” Sunny snapped at the other dragon.
“It was just an idea.”
“I know, Spike!”
“But why are you taking it out on me?” Spike asked confused.
“I’m not taking it out on you.” Sunny growled, but then Fluttershy intervened between the two.
“Stop! There’s no need to argue about something that was just a suggestion.” Fluttershy reasoned politely.
“First of all: it wasn’t an argument, it was a heated discussion, and second: I’m not mad at anypony,” Sunny explained.  “I’m just irritated that the stupid door won’t open.” 
“Maybe we can find a way in around the wall and…” Spike’s voice left from Fluttershy as he offered some ideas and was more curious about the Door Keeper. She flew up to his side slowly; not to alarm him by accident. If the door could open the Door Keeper would be the only one who knows how to get in; asking him politely should work. She lands beside the Door Keeper; who notices, and smiles innocently at him. “Well, hello there, Missy, and just can I do for ya?” The Door Keeper laughed. Fluttershy wasn’t sure to ask him, but the Door Keeper was very kind to her; so it made her feel little more comfortable on asking him.
“Um,… Mr. Door Keeper, I was wondering.” Fluttershy nervously began.
“Yes?”
“Could we, please, go through the door, Mr. K-Keeper. I know you said was to figure it out ourselves, but as you can see…” Fluttershy pointed to her friends tired on the ground. The Door Keeper listened and understood what Fluttershy meant.
“Well, of coarse, I’ll open the door for you.” The Door Keeper agreed kindly; surprising Fluttershy and turns his gaze to the door serious. “Open Sesame!” The symbols on the door glow in different colors of red, blue, green, purple, orange, and white, and the door creaks; making the ground feel like it’s moving, and opens up slowly; letting the white light from the other side escape to them, and then, after the door opened fully, everypony could see the other side with ease and they gasp astonished as they saw a green endless meadow with butterflies flying around and a blue sky; to Fluttershy it was like a dream come true somewhat. She had Helpful that was enough. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” The Door Keeper explained. “Beyond here straight ahead is a town named Shores-a-lot. There you can spend the night and recover for the long journey ahead.”
“Pay up, Dash!” Helpful laughed as he untied the rope that held him to the battering ram. “I told you that there was a town near the ocean, and there is; right out of the donkey’s mouth!” 
“Uh, Helpful, we didn’t bet.” Dash explained confused; making Helpful think back for a moment, and then he remembered what happened near Everfree Forest. “Oh, right.” Everypony laughs, but then a yellow light appears on Fluttershy’s neck surprising her. Everypony notices and watch as the light formed a golden necklace with a pink and purple butterfly around Fluttershy’s neck. 
“It came back!” Fluttershy gasped excited. “Helpful, look! It came back!” Fluttershy jumped in front of Helpful; who was surprised and confused. 
“I see it, Fluttershy,” Helpful answered, but then took a closer look at it. “But what is it?”
“That, Helpful, is the Element of Kindness; Fluttershy’s Element of Harmony.” Twilight explained.
“You’re right, Helpful.” Applejack added. “The Elements of Harmony will come back once we prove our full potential.”
“Isn’t that dashing?” Rarity agreed.
Soon the nine friends exit Equestria; closing the door, and enter the unknown, but yet beautiful lands. Rainbow flies into the air toward the clouds above to get a bird’s eye-view of the entire country. “Wow!” Dash exclaimed in surprise. “The Door Keeper was right! There is a town not too far from here!” Dashie points forward and Twilight follows the direction. 
“C’mon, guys.” Twilight started ahead of them. “Let’s get to Shores-a-lot before dark.” After sometime walking they all take a small rest. Helpful notices Fluttershy feeding a small wild black rabbit a carrot. Curious he leaves the rest of his friends and goes over to Fluttershy wondering what she was doing, but, as he stops next to Fluttershy, he accidently scares the bunny away leaving the carrot and making Fluttershy disappointed. “Oh wait! Don’t go!” Fluttershy whispered after it, but it was too late. The small furry animal was gone in a flash; making Helpful feel guilty.
“Oops. I’m sorry, Fluttershy.” Helpful apologized sadly. “I was just wondering what you were doing that’s all.”
“It’s okay, Helpful.” Fluttershy assured kindly. “It was luck that got me this close to that small bunny. The animals here aren’t as friendly as the ones in Equestria. They’re more scared to be around me; like they’ve never seen a pony before.” Helpful pondered on her statement. Maybe they could find and befriend some animals; just the two of them; gives them a good chance to get closer to one another. “Maybe we can go look for some animals; just you and me.” Helpful offered trying not to look like he was desperate, and then Fluttershy looked at him surprised.
“You really mean it?” Fluttershy asked keeping herself calm.
“Yes.”
“Um, I-I would enjoy that somewhat.” Fluttershy tried to make herself not look too excited.
“Great!” Helpful looked around to see where to search first. “So I’ll go this way…,” Helpful pointed to his left. “And you’ll go… that way.” Helpful pointed to his right. “Okay. Well, let’s go.” Helpful walks to the left; leaving Fluttershy disappointed, but she searches to the other side of the field anyway. While they search, Twilight notices what they’re doing and grew somewhat curious. 
“You ever noticed that there’s something funny going on between Helpful and Fluttershy?” Twilight asked her friends; who were resting under some shade and snacking on a few apples.
“I don’t know, Twilight.” Applejack answered as she took a bite out of her apple. “I’ve noticed that Fluttershy’s more talkative when he’s around, but I don’t think it has something to do with anything ‘funny.’”
“Well, maybe you’ll change your mind once you know what I found them doing in Canterlot Castle.” Twilight smiled at her friends mischievously; making Sunny excited quickly.
“No…way!” Sunny exclaimed excited and ran up to Twilight. “Tell me! What they do, what they do??” Twilight backs up from Sunny a little creeped out. “Well, I saw what seemed to be them kissing.”
“What?? Oh my giant pie! That’s awesome!” Sunny gasped.
“But I think I interrupted the courtship.” Twilight smiled embarrassed.
“Oh well, that’s an epic fail.” Sunny replied disappointed. She sat down beside Rarity; who continues the conversation.
“Well, Twilight, that’s actually a lot of evidence that Helpful and Fluttershy might have something going on.” Rarity assured; making Twilight feel a little better.
“Why thank you, Rarity.” Twilight thanked her best friend.
“But the thing is that I don’t think we should be jumping to conclusions now.” Rarity explained. “Let’s wait till we see what they do next.”
“You’re right. We’ll just observe what they’ll do next.” Twilight turned her gaze back to Helpful and Fluttershy searching for animals.
“Well, I for one believe it!” Applejack announced throwing her apple core away, but Rarity caught it and put it into her small trash bag using her magic. “Besides if Twilight says if Helpful and Fluttershy might have something going on that’s good enough for me; then I won’t have to listen to Granny Smith betting Sweet Apple Acers on us getting married.” Twilight giggles remembering what happened at the barn; making Applejack curious. “What’s so funny?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.” Twilight smiled.
“Well, I think that Fluttershy having a boyfriend is marvelous.” Rarity added. “Then she won’t be so lonely every day.”
“Fluttershy isn’t lonely!” Pinkie Pie protested enthusiastically. “I go to her house every day, and she’s always got animals there.”
“That’s because she takes care of them.”
“Exactly.” Pinkie agreed drinking a canteen of water; making everypony confused.
“I’ll never understand that filly.” Sunny replied confused. 
“Don’t worry, Sunny, we don’t either.” Twilight assured. “Most of the time.” Then she grew curious about what Sunny knew about Helpful’s secrets. If somepony knew Helpful good enough she would, in fact, she lives with him; so she should know Helpful well enough. “Hey, Sunny. You know Helpful pretty well. Do you know if Helpful likes Fluttershy?”
“Well, first of all, Honey: that’s secret, and second: I don’t know him pretty well; just somewhat.” Sunny protested like she had control over the situation.
“Okay, well, I guess we’ll just ask Helpful then.” Twilight turns towards Helpful. “Hey, Hel-!” Sunny covers Twilight’s mouth.
“Okay, Twilight, you win.” Sunny sighed. “Okay, I’ll tell you just don’t tell him you know, or tell Fluttershy, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Yes, Helpful has a crush on Fluttershy, but he won’t admit it willingly of coarse.” Sunny assured. “Now, nopony tries to get Helpful and Fluttershy together, got it? Helpful plans to do it on his own.”
“Okay, Sunny, we understand.” Twilight assured.
“But what is Helpful doing?” Rainbow Dash asked Sunny. “I mean, look. They’re walking away from each other.” Sunny notices Helpful and Fluttershy as they search the sides of the field away from one another.
“I don’t know, but I know that Helpful knows what he’s doing.” Sunny assured the mares. At the right side of the field, Fluttershy looks carefully around the tall grass for a squirrel, small bird, tiny bug, anything that meant wildlife, and then she spotted a small gray rabbit in the brush. “A rabbit.” Fluttershy gasped; scaring the small creature and it dashed away. “Oh no. I might’ve been a little too loud.”
“Yeah, but you were so close.” Helpful agreed; surprising Fluttershy.
“Oh, Helpful,” Fluttershy sighed of relief. “Did you find anything?”
“Yeah, as a matter of fact I did. Follow me.” Helpful motioned for Fluttershy to follow him. They walk to a small hole inside an Oak tree and stop.
“Take a look.” Helpful pointed to the hole and Fluttershy peeked inside and spotted two cute bunnies sleeping on top of one another. The sight of them snoring and tossing over was adorable. “Cute aren’t they?” Helpful asked as he too took a small peek into the burrow. Fluttershy smiles and leans against Helpful; who looks surprised. 
“They’re adorable.” Fluttershy replied as she closed her eyes to get comfortable, but then Sunny broke the moment. 
“So what are you two lovebirds doin’?” Sunny asked from behind them; spooking them in the process, but, before they could react, Twilight blew on one of her loud whistles; grabbing their attention, on top of a hill not too far off. “Come on, guys!” Twilight announced proudly. “I can see the town!”