//------------------------------//
// New Arrival 
// Story: Friendship: The Gathering 
// by CrossMalaki 
//------------------------------//

The following morning, Cross rose as the sun’s light began to filter through the leaves of the forest, rousing himself quickly as he sniffed the air. All around him was still and quiet. He could smell faintly the animals of the woods, hidden in their dens, the dew on the grass, and the faint aroma of flowers far away.
“No attacks around here at least. Better check the other side.” Cross noted how loud he sounded this early in the morning, and a sudden pang of regret and shame coursed through him. He shook it off, growling softly, before stretching and directing himself towards the East, giving Ponyville a wide berth. He’d consciously decided a wolf near town wouldn’t be preferable. He’d either be asked too many questions or there would be panic, and neither was a favorable outcome. At least he hadn’t woken up to screaming.
‘Sometimes I wonder why I don’t use this form more often.’ Cross thought, looking at the quiet tranquility around him. This was true peace, where there was no war, nor disease, nor pain. This quiet morning, with everything out of sight and asleep.
‘”If only I could get this at the camp…” Cross whispered, ears flattening slightly. However, a rustling sound ahead brought them back up, and quickly Cross dropped his head and body as low as he could, scanning his surroundings for any further movement. With a quiet as deep as the grave and a patient stillness, he scanned his surroundings even drawing blue mana from his memories to cast a simple awareness spell, reaching out mentally to search for a physical presence.
Cross tensed as he felt a small flicker in the back of his mind. There was another Planeswalker near, a fully powered one at that. He muttered an incantation as quickly as possible, once more returning to his human form. Cross swiftly placed a tree between himself and where he assumed the other Planeswalker was, still reaching out to see where they were specifically.
‘Just past that tree line, in the clearing. Doesn’t seem to be moving.’ The beginnings of an attack strategy were forming in Cross’s mind, and he quickly made his move, circling the area and closing in. Mere seconds seemed to stretch endlessly before him, his eyes locked on what his spell was telling him was the location of his target. Then at last he was able to see the clearing itself.
The first thing Cross noticed as a bright red glow illuminating the clearing. The next thing was a bolt of fire hurled directly at his hiding place. He smiled, rolling away from the flames and launching a torrent of water from his palms at the now blazing tree. The flames were extinguished in a flash, and Cross walked towards the clearing with spells at the ready.
“Do you always have to set something on fire when you ‘Walk?” He asked, marching through the brush with his hands glowing with white and blue mana. A woman in gray armor was waiting for him, smiling as her flame red hair began to ignite. She produced a ball of red mana from behind her back, tossing it casually at Cross, who caught it in an outstretched hand and crushed it, dissipating the heat into his own spell.
“Sorry, I just like to burn things.” Chandra Nalaar extinguished the flames in her hair, watching as Cross dissipated his own spells, “So what mad job does that mind meddler have you on this time?”
“Nothing much, just saving a whole plane.” Both Planeswalkers laughed, partially from mirth and partially from the insanity of the mission.
“Well, I’d assume you two have a plan then?” Chandra started looking around the clearing, obviously searching for some reason the plane was to be saved.
“Well, we’re in the forming stage. You know, scouting the area for ourselves, keeping Bolas from finding out too much.” Cross explained, walking behind her with his hands at his sides.
“So going in head first this time? I like it.” The firebrand Planeswalker turned to look to him, a flash of fire in her eyes. Cross smiled, chuckling.
“As if I needed your approval.” He joked. Chandra shrugged it off, smiling to herself.
“Well, we do have an idea about this place. I could show you around a bit if you’d like.” Cross began drawing on his mana, thinking about what form would work the best for his pyromantic friend. While he sifted through spells, she considered things, and finally shrugged.
“I’ve got time to kill. Why not?” As she finished Cross unleashed the spell, watching it surround her. A mist enveloped Chandra’s frame, while he also became wrapped in thick haze. As the spells finished, Cross stood in his canine form, admiring his handiwork.
“What was that for?!” A fire red unicorn stood shaking her head in the spot a human once occupied. Her mane and tail were brilliant orange, with streaks of crimson running the length. Bright yellow and orange flames were on her flanks, a blazing insignia of the inner power of the newly created pony.
“I’m sorry Chandra, but humans aren’t native to this plane. I had to find a form for you that would fit in.” Cross walked towards the unicorn, then around her and towards Ponyville. Chandra looked herself over, then followed, grumbling to herself.
“Why do you get to be a wolf while I’m stuck as a horse?” She demanded, falling in beside him and glaring.
“You’re not a horse, you’re a unicorn, first off. Second, some of the natives of this plane have already seen me as a wolf. I had taken my wolf form because Jace had informed me the plane was largely intelligent animal life. My own reconnaissance revealed ponies to be the dominant intelligent life, with most of the other animals being of certainly greater than average intellect, but I’ve yet to see one speak directly.” Cross’s explanations did nothing for Chandra’s mood, but she asked no further questions as they went. Cross smiled, glad to for once be the one with more knowledge than she did. For all it was worth, this was the first time he would be teaching her something, and he relished the feeling that came with that distinction.
“So if I’m going to be stuck here like this for a while, you’d better tell me everything I need to know.” Chandra sighed, looking at the world around her, unsure if she could still burn it or not. Cross nodded, closing his eyes to think of where to start.
“Well, first of all, we’re currently in the forests outside of Ponyville, a relatively small town within Equestria. Jace and I have determined this area to be the center of Bolas’s focus, but we still have no idea what he’s after.” He quickly realized his explanation was turning into a military report, something Chandra had told him wasn’t her favorite thing to hear. Even now he felt her glaring at him, and he thought of something else to tell her that wasn’t about Bolas.
“I’ve made a few friends here, and explained to them the situation. They’ve agreed to help out in what ways they can, and I’ve offered to help them as long as I’m staying here.” They were nearing the crest of a hill on the edge of the forest, from which Ponyville was visible. Cross inwardly wondered what Chandra would have to say about the town.
“Heh, I’m surprised that soldier routine of yours actually gets you any friends at all.” Chandra teased, stopping at the top of the hill beside Cross.
“You’d be surprised the impression you make when you save someone’s life.” Cross felt the fur on his neck rise slightly, but he relaxed quickly. He had a tendency to take criticism and taunting a little too seriously, something Chandra had warned him would only lead him to doing something stupid. Even Jace had warned him of the dangers of hubris.
“Huh, never took you for the hero-type.” Chandra sarcastically commented, and Cross felt a low growl form in the back of his throat. He suppressed it by clearing his throat and looking away from the red unicorn to look at Ponyville.
“That’s beside the point. The point is, this place is peaceful, and I’d like to keep it that way. I can tell you more of what I know as we go along.” With that Cross bounded down the hill towards Ponyville.
“Hey! Wait up!” Chandra quickly broke into a gallop after him.

“First stop, Sweet Apple Acres.” Cross stopped running when they reached the farm’s fence, letting Chandra catch up before leading the way along the fence line. Chandra was too out of breath to respond, simply following him and trying to get her heart rate under control.
“Applejack should be around her somewhere…” Cross said, looking through the fence at the orchards. He finally spotted her near the barn, loading a barrel of apples into a cart. The orange earth pony looked up from her work to spot him and waved, and Cross nodded in response, walking quickly to the gate and over to the barn, Chandra following his lead.
“Cross, your timin’ is perfect. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie are helpin’ me load the apples for today, but I’m still behind schedule.” Applejack nodded towards the stack of barrels near the corner of the barn, not noticing Chandra at first, “Think you can give us a hand?” Pinkie Pie emerged from one of the barrels, looking around like she’d forgotten what she was doing for a moment, but quickly jumped out of the barrel and started pushing it to the cart. Fluttershy was struggling to move a barrel on her own, sliding it along the ground carefully.
“One moment, I need to prepare the spell.” Cross responded after seeing the situation, and he closed his eyes, surrounding the barrels with a halo of blue mana. He opened them again, and motioned with his eyes, lifting the barrels into the air and setting them inside the cart.
“Showoff.” Chandra muttered, and Cross ended the spell so he could roll his eyes. As if on cue the others noticed Chandra together, and Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie came over, their barrels loaded by Cross’s spell.
“Is she a…?” Applejack started, but Cross cut her off.
“Yes. This is Chandra, one of the planeswalkers that taught me most of what I know. Chandra, this is Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy.” He nodded to each of the ponies in turn.
“Nice to meet you three. These the friends you were telling me about Cross?” Chandra asked, her tone as unimpressed as Cross had anticipated.
“Three of them. Applejack and Pinkie Pie are earth ponies, and Fluttershy is a pegasus.” Cross explained. Fluttershy looked ready to speak, but Pinkie Pie interjected before she could even start.
“It’s great to meet you Chandra. I haven’t gotten around to readying Cross’s welcome party just yet, so I can add you to everything so we can welcome you both with one big SUPER party!” The pink pony had begun bouncing uncontrollably as she talked, and Cross shook his head.
“Pinkie Pie, Chandra isn’t staying. I just wanted to show her around a bit for now. And a party for me really isn’t necessary, because once Bolas is dealt with I’ll have to leave as well.” Parties were never something Cross enjoyed, and his reasons for being there weren’t the happiest in the first place. A party was just extraneous in his opinion.
“Nonsense! I told you yesterday, I LOVE to party! And don’t you want your welcome to Ponyville to be official?” Pinkie Pie would not be deterred, and Cross sighed.
“Oh come on, has Jace brainwashed you or something? If they’re willing to throw a huge welcome party for you, then take it.” Chandra cut in, “If someone was willing to practically roll out the royal treatment for me without me having to act like or be royalty, I’d take it, no questions asked.” She turned to Pinkie Pie, “I think I might just stick around here. It’s been a long time since I had a good party to go to. Count me in.” Pinkie Pie began bouncing more fervently at the red planeswalker’s words, an ear to ear grin plastered on her face.
“I’ll get started right away!” Pinkie said, bouncing towards the gate to Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack smiled and shook her head.
“Just what are we going to do about her. Anyway, I’ve got to get these to town. I’ll see y’all at the party.” With that, Applejack left to find her brother Big Macintosh, leaving the planeswalkers and Fluttershy alone near the barn.
“So, Fluttershy, right? What’s your thing. The pink one’s partying, Applejack’s all work, and you…?” Chandra asked.
“I-I care for animals, mostly…” Fluttershy’s voice trailed off at the end, and Cross looked to the road to Ponyville.
“We should really head to town, the others are there. Fluttershy, would you like to join us?” He asked. Fluttershy nodded slowly, and the three started for Ponyville.
“Well, if you care for animals, you’ve got to have some good stories.” Chandra moved to stand to Fluttershy’s left, and the entire walk the two talked about various stories about the magical creatures they’d encountered. Despite Chandra’s talk of roasting a few of them, Fluttershy seemed to warm up to Chandra after a bit, at least from what Cross could see.
‘If luck holds out she’ll want to stay and help. Not counting on it though.’ Cross thought silently. He didn’t want to intrude on the conversation, and simply led the way to town in silence.