> MLP:FiM - Season I: JetStream > by LunicStream1105 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The Beginning (Pre-Season I) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-Season 1: Shiny Introductions The peaceful setting of such certain themes. Where the whole town is basically just built into a hill, island, or mountain, a nice colour pallet is formed with it's calm and welcoming blues and whites. You could see the town almost a mile away if you tried. Where the ponies are always so quiet without being provoked, the concrete soaks up the city's sounds and everything around for it's own good. That's what they think defines a peaceful city. To the point to where the night doesn't even seem to bug you, because of the beautifully designed light poles carefully scattered across the city, where every inch of it seems perfectly lit, even in the alleyways. Where there are tall buildings, the light from the sun is only to scatter the light like little fireworks. Even a bustling city can be called some of the best work of art. Yet the most mysterious of them all, is the often mistake of losing your way, which yet makes a lively stroll through the city. And yet would you have to worry? A pony could be just around the corner, where they would almost gladly accept such requests. That, is a perfect city indeed. Now what would make it unbeatable? It's rather the easiest you could ask, with friends around, you're never to drop any second just to get a joke across. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Where the sun rises, the heads of ponies will follow with each second, burning with anticipation just to figure out just what they can do. Whether to make new friends, explore, or be the very best they can try to be. To discover something new, that nopony has ever heard of before, or achieve your best and boast for your own purposes. All these decisions are yours for the taking, yet with decisions comes with responsibilities, which some, were never even expected... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This story starts where it should all begin. In the ancient themed city of Altamare, where the town is known for its calming vibes, it's rather the opposite from the ponies you'd expect to see inside such an area. But where you know are hooves clip-clopping there way through town, you know should be no other place like your own home. And where does it all begin? Inside a small house with a big backyard, near the edge of the entire town. Corolla sighed with a smile as she drank the last of her coffee, "Oh well..." the chime on the bell rung when the mail-stal nudged it, "I guess we got ourselves some mail..." she put her coffee mug down and got down from her seat to walk over to the door, just as Myriad appeared from around the corner. "I heard the door again." he lifted an eyebrow at Corolla. She looked back at her husband just before she opened the door. "Of course you did. You need to keep those things in check you know." she stated semi-sarcastically as Myriad tried to look at his own ears, tilting his head forward causing them to fall over, yet he thought he could see them. "Same for you. Now it looked like you were trying to obtain something?" he tilted his head to the right, and went between looking at her and the door. Myriad looked at her until she turned to the door, he then went back to his business. Corolla walked to the door and opened it. This was her favorite part of getting mail from the stallions, is the scenery that beholds itself. It was nearly noon, so the sun's white light was still shining on their doorstep. Yet blinding on the first walk out, she accepts it, it's normal. The blooming of every colour around her makes her self-acknowledged about the normalcy around her. Even if she isn't thinking about it on the spot. She bent down to grab it, she turned around and walked back in. When seeing Myriad around that corner sparked her interest. "What are you even doing back there?" Corolla asked. "Me?" Corolla awkwardly looked around. "... Oh..." Myriad snickered, "Well, this ring that JetStream acquired interested me..." Corolla walked to the counter and put the box on the counter with her eyes half-open. "Shouldn't you have asked JetStream to see it first? Although we are his personal authority figures, we need to at least know that JetStream could care, we both know we don't want him to get the wrong idea." Myriad smiled rolling his eyes. "You can be such a buzz-kill sometimes." Corolla smirked. "I'm your wife." "Alright, alright... for JetStream." Myriad walked back into his room and placed it exactly where he saw it before he picked it up, he shook his head and turned to Corolla as he exited JetStream's room, "You know, where is the little guy anyway?" Corolla looked back toward the perfect box made of cardboard. "He went outside with his friends almost an hour ago." she answered as she attempted to open the box. "What's the mail's purpose?" Myriad asked. "Well, the topic says to be some, Summer Sun Celebration, as it says." Myriad brought a hoof to his muzzle. "Well, there are only... two days till summers longest day, who is it from though?" Corolla cleared her throat. "Not to sound displeased, but it's from Princess Celestia." Corolla responded as she started to read through the letter, "... It's an invite..." Myriad laughed as he scratched the back of his head. "Well, she seems to be in touch... almost." Corolla nodded as she read some more. "You're right about that, it doesn't even look like her hoof writing." Myriad swung his fore hooves in an arch. "Well there it is! That's proof of the princess! Not even able to write it herself, therefore she probably had some of the royal guard write down, exactly, what she had to say to whom these letters were getting sent to." Corolla had her left hoof in the air. "... Why does it sound like you trying to crack a case of some sort?" Myriad shrugged, Corolla rolled her eyes and went back to the invite. "Anyway, by what she has to say, she cordially invites us, along with JetStream, to join the Summer Sun Celebration. As we should know, the longest day of the summer will soon be upon us once again..." Corolla's eyes looked like they started to skim a bit. "Isn't there anything more important on there?" Corolla looked up and giggled nervously. "Not exactly, I think I'm supposed to be ahead of myself..." she sighed just before putting the invite down. When she did, she missed just the littlest bit of information. "Where is the Celebration taking place?" Myriad asked. "Ponyville." Corolla answered. Myriad smiled. "Shouldn't be too foreign for him then, nor for me either." "Guess we'll just have to wait for him." Corolla sighed, as she was ready to calm once again. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile, in a city far away from here, in Canterlot. Their own "preparations" were beginning to unfold. Where, in this city there were much more ponies and rolling hills due to such drastic changes of terrain. And out of all the talking and chattering you see ponies going around, one would rather be hidden with almost nopony to talk to except her own relatives. But instead of being hidden, this pony was rather out in the open, she doesn't see into talking to ponies above her books that she reads, which is tons of them. She was lying down with a book open in front of her, with one hoof over the other. And the birds chirping their song. The pony spoke, "... The elder took responsibility, with both sun and moon. And harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since..." she looked at the book closer, "Hmm, Elements of Harmony..." she looked up to the corner of her eye with her hoof on her muzzle in question, "I know I heard of those before..." she paused and crossed her hooves, looking into the empty sky, "... But where? ..." This is truly the beginning of things to unfold, and it seems to be blazing ball of gas already. ~~~Chapter End~~~ > Pre-Season I > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intro Season I: Not yet letting go "I'm back!" JetStream announced throughout the house. "Good, welcome back, JetStream." Myriad was the first to notice. "Hi, dad. Where's Mom?" he turned around to the back of the house. "She's just out the back door..." JetStream started walking to where he needed, but he stopped when Myriad spoke once again, "... You know, we are all going to bed soon." JetStream's ears perked up as looked back to him. "Huh? What do you mean?" JetStream sounded like he didn't like as much as he would've. "Because, it seems that Celestia had invited us with many other ponies to her Summer Sun Celebration." JetStream stood up straight. "Really? Is that why? ..." JetStream paused, "Summer Sun Celebration?" Myriad nodded. "Yep, we have to be their tomorrow." JetStream jumped in shock. "Tomorrow!? Where?" Myriad smiled. "In Ponyville." JetStream gained a smile, and trotted for the back door. "I'll tell Mom!" Myriad jumped up from where he was sitting. "She alrea-..." he sighed as he cut himself off. He decided to pick the invitation back up just from interest. Corolla was on the other side of the house, looking at the big blazing sunset. When all of a sudden the door opens. "Oh..." and JetStream appears from the corner. "Hey, Mom." "Hello, JetStream." she greeted. "Did you know Celestia's inviting us to something? It sounds amazing!" JetStream jumped for his own joy. "Yes, actually, I did." she nodded softly, in fact her whole tone was soft, "Me and your father decided to wait for you, until then." JetStream's neck went down. "Oh..." he looked back up to her. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting..." she stood back up and walked to the back door. "It was no big deal, now come on, we're settling for bed soon." JetStream walked after Corolla into the house. "Okay." something big once again is upon them. After some time passed, as they planned they would go to bed, where after they would go to Ponyville for the celebration of the millennia. Only if it seemed to go faster then they thought, unless JetStream's nightmares would end... and yet... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JetStream's eyes opened inexpediently, "Wha-? ..." his eyes open to see a ruble of a castle. "What happened here!? I was just in bed moments ago..." his vision was able to see further every second passed. At first it looked like there were two staircases heading downward in a semi-circle formation. When the staircases were fully revealed, JetStream realized he was right in the middle of the room he appeared in. The next thing that showed surprised him. It was a huge stained-glass window right on the wall positioned in the middle of the stairs. Soon after something started to glow behind the window, which made it shine upon him, "Is that, the moon?" JetStream focused on the stained window, and it seemed to hold a picture. JetStream gasped when he realized what it was. The window seemed to look like Celestia, and some other pony JetStream doesn't seem to recognize. And they seem to be shooting a rainbow at a weird creature. Yet in the first place it makes him wonder why such a thing his here, and why he's seeing this, "What is this abou-...?" he paused when a voice was coming from somewhere, "Who... Who is that!?" "Well... it has been a long time, hasn't JetStream?" that bittersweet voice, it gave him chills when ever she said his name, "Neurelm? Is that you?" "Ah, I'm glad you recognize me, even before I finally show myself for the last time." JetStream went silent, grimacing. "The, last time?" she suddenly appeared walking down the steps. "Yes..." JetStream took a step back. "Where are we anyway?" "It's an old castle of mine..." JetStream gasped. "Yours!?" Neurelm suddenly went silent, her head shifted like she wanted JetStream to consider it. JetStream raised an eyebrow. "Never mind that..." she spoke, "... Now, I'm going to show who I truly am before anypony else." his head tilted. "What? Before anypony else?" she paused. "... Indeed..." she looked slightly downward as she said that. "As I have spoke more then half a decade ago, I would return." JetStream gasped as he realized. "... Yeah, you did." she smirked as she looked down on him. "You possibly forgot didn't you?" he swayed his left hoof on the concrete. "... Possibility?" she laughed at his innocence, then she paused once more. "... My pity for you is running short, so that is why I am here." JetStream didn't like the sound of that. "Really? ..." JetStream asked nervously. Neurelm paused once more, grimacing toward JetStream. It gave pressure to JetStream with the uneasiness. JetStream was surprised that she suddenly closed her eyes, and kept them close, "..." JetStream carefully looked through the room, there was no where to go. When he finally blinked, he ended up in an hallway, there was a red carpet on the bottom and there were torches on the walls, it didn't look like the hallway ended either, "Whoa, where are we?" She gave him a glare, when JetStream somehow understood completely. "..." she signaled for him being quiet. Her mouth opened, and yet, instead of words, they were words spoken fluently, like in a song... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Time flows, yet nopony knows... the years, go by, where we are... alone... from here. Dark eyes, strange coloured skies. My eyes deceive, what is wrong... with me? Deep in the night you'd think everything's right, tell it to yourself, say "It's just, a nightmare." When JetStream heard those words, he somehow mouthed them at the same time. Something is telling you, nothing can change who you are... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Again? ..." JetStream responded. She looked rather angrily at him. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why should it matter your dreams of a foal, when your innocence is gone, you only have fear to play with. Time is always changing, yet nothing is changing that pain, never late... One second I make getting closer, and closer... And one more breath I take, sends me further back... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Neurelm started to moan softly, as if it was an extra towards this song of hers. Until JetStream realized that she was crying, 'Is that even her singing...?' JetStream at this point was more worried, surprisingly. There seemed to be a big gaping hole in the wall coming up as they were walking. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Over and over it'll call to your soul, say it isn't so, emptiness surrounds you. No one can help if your angels refuse to come near... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Why now?" JetStream asked, as he saw tiny white dots on the outside of that hole. It made him shiver. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cold vivid mem'ries, they lay heavy on your heart. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Something in my way..." JetStream responded, she had enough, he wouldn't interrupt no further -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Never mind, your reason. Your visions are truthful and reasons just live to suffice, every time. The cold, bold lies, your fear... returning... It is not, the looks, you receive, that is chilling you... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JetStream was speechless, "Was that...?" Neurelm was silent for some reason, but she finally spoke up when they somehow reached the end of the hall way. "From now on, JetStream. I prefer to be called Nightmare Moon!" "What!?" she flapped her wings so hard it created some air barrier, JetStream's breath suddenly became cold. "... Good bye..." she said rather weakly. As soon as JetStream felt the hard wind traveling his way. He flung from his bed. "Gah!..." JetStream paused and looked around. "... I remember... the whole thing, about before... when I was in the hotel, six years ago... the moon's silhouette, the mare on the moon..." JetStream paused to collect it all, "Is what she says to Nightmare Moon... but what did she mean by that being her, last time? And with it being the last time I see her, I was supposed to call her Nightmare Mo- which I wasn't even aware of saying that either!" he loudly whispered. JetStream looked up, just as the tip of the sun went above the horizon, when it all hit him, "Today's the day..." ~~~Chapter End~~~ > Friendship is Magic > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Friendship is Magic: Episode 1 & 2 Part 1 It has been minutes since JetStream moved after seeing the sun rise. JetStream finally moved his head back down to his bed, "Ughh, my neck..." he moved his right arm over his neck for the pain of finally moving it. The sun was fully visible once again. JetStream yawned at the thought of his parents waking up, when the yawn went away, he suddenly slumped, "... Why am I so tired now?" he sighed as his body worked at the same speed of a headache. And JetStream paused, "... This is it... This is my grand start for becoming great with my Aura..." he pushed his right hoof to his chest, "I can feel... it..." he inhaled deeply, which made his Aura glow visible. When he exhaled his Aura disappeared. After a short pause, he looked at his bare flank, "And maybe I'll finally find out what my Cutie Mark will be." he gained a firm smile, his Aura showed once again, yet it looked more solid and wasn't flowing as much as it was seconds before, 'My dest-....!' the door to his room suddenly opened. JetStream jumped and looked the door. His Aura was whisked away like a burning fire. "JetStream?" JetStream stumbled to reach the floor below. "Y-ye-yeah? What is it?" he sheepishly looked back and forth. "Just wanting to see if I had to wake you up." Myriad laugh, "... And it's pretty obvious. There will be a train for Ponyville in about an hour, as the invite says." JetStream's eyes opened wide. Really?" he looked back at his window, "Only an hour?" "Yes." Myriad answered as JetStream turned back, "Why don't you come out here then?" JetStream looked down for a second before looking back up. "Okay." he smiled. They both made their way into the living room. "Ah, there you are, JetStream." Corolla spoke out as she peeked around the corner of their bedroom, "I know it's only an hour, but I like you to gather anything you'd like to bring, JetStream." he did have one thing mind. He smiled, turned around and went for his room. When he ran in, he went for the ring with the colour changing gem inside, slipped it on his right forearm and trotted back. "I guess I'm done." he smiled without a doubt in mind. "Are you sure?" JetStream looked down at himself, and to the right where he peered through his room. Yeah, I'm sure." he walked into the living room from the hallway. "Alright, then." he suddenly started for the back door. "Now where are you going?" JetStream looked back. "We still have a bunch of time right? I want to go in the backyard and look at this ring some more." he lifted his right hoof indicating the black, moderately shiny, ring with the spherical gem pushed into the side. The whole ring had to be pushed all the way near the stomach on his right forearm, so it could be easily spotted, and besides, JetStream felt like it was right leaving it there, when he wore it. He sat just between the patio and the outside, where half of the sun's light was hitting his fur. He slipped the ring off and looked at it, letting the sun's light hit the marble-like sphere. It didn't register quickly, but he took a second glance, and where the sun hit the gem, it would change colour. The whole thing was an aqua colour right then, but where the sun was hitting it, left a noticeable orange hue on it as well. JetStream looked directly up, he gained a smirk on his face. He walked further outside, and chucked the ring way high into the Equestrian air. JetStream looked up so he wouldn't loose sight, but as it came back down, it ended up showing the whole sun when the ring went back down, and came between them. JetStream, out of repulse, stepped back and blinked his eyes, "Whoops... looked at the sun." he suddenly heard a rough pat on the grass around him, he rubbed his eyes and looked down, "Now where'd it..." he found it right next to his left hoof, "Go? ..." yet he noticed the gem was pointing right, so he looked right as well. He ended up looking at the Bell Tower, "Hmm, the Bell Tower..." he carefully looked at it, and noticed the area that's open looks something like a circle from where he is standing. He smirked and picked the ring back up, and faced it toward himself so that the ring fits the Bell Tower's top floor, "It's like a perfect match..." he concluded with his tongue out in concentration, and his left eye closed. He paused as he slipped it back on, 'What if I did the same, but when it happened before sunset inside the Glassed Hill? ... What will it do then?' he paused once more before he heard a voice inside. "JetStream! The trains are arriving, hurry!" since the mourning was still around, JetStream briefly slipped getting a grip. Altamare's grass was known for being rich and healthy, "Coming!" he responded, going through the back door to the front. JetStream turned around as he closed the door, facing his parents, "You ready to go?" Myriad asked, both his parents stood in front of him. JetStream nodded. "Yeah." "Alright, but we might want to pace ourselves, it's earlier than I thought." Corolla suggested. Since Corolla and Myriad are taller, JetStream didn't recognize the difference in their step, therefore he ended up getting behind. Corolla slew down, "Come on, JetStream. I thought you were faster than this." she teased. "Well, I am... I-" JetStream was cut-off from his reason as he was slightly tugged faster in a direction, 'I guess they don't mean to kid...' JetStream finally decided to speed up, he was now right by Corolla's right side. She smiled gleefully. "See, I knew you could do it." JetStream decided not to say anything, but instead just smile nervously. After they passed the bridge, Myriad was already waiting at the station. "Com' on! Speed it up you two!" he signaled them to hurry. Which they pulled it off, they managed to get into the train. JetStream went to an open seat on the right side, Corolla sat next to him, and Myriad sat in front. JetStream couldn't wait, for Ponyville to be a place to stop at. 'Maybe I could stay at Ponyville, if they let me...' the train starts to accelerate slowly, '... Ponyville isn't as busy as Canterlot, yet it doesn't seem so quiet as Altamare. At the point where there's usually something to do there...' JetStream's head looking out the window, he moved his eyes only toward Corolla, 'If only if Mom or Dad think it's fine, or not worth it... it's all up to them...' JetStream huffed as he sank a bit. "Is anything wrong, JetStream?" Corolla asked. "No, just thinking about how we'll get ready, like everypony else should..." JetStream moved his eyes from side to side of Mount Notia, until he saw Canterlot. And something really small far away from it, "What is that?" JetStream leaned closer to the window, Myriad and Corolla noticed. "What is it?" "... I see something in the air, and it's moving to where we're going." Myriad being a Pegasus, thought he had the advantage in knowledge, so he took the lead. "Oh!" Myriad exclaimed getting a good look at it, "Those, they're called, Sky Carriages, JetStream." "Then what is it there for?" Myriad looked to the front of the seat again. "Most likely came from Canterlot, they get their carriages from Cloudsdale." "A Sky Carriage from Canterlot? I guess somepony's riding that then..." "Yes, it's usually from the Princess only to get an escort like that." "Really? Do you mean, Celestia?" JetStream asked in curiosity. "Yes, Princess Celestia herself. As I would think of it." "I wonder who could possibly be riding something like that... I bet they're here for the Celebration too." JetStream wondered. Corolla shrugged. "You never know, they could only be here for shopping." Myriad turned around, giving Corolla a doubtful look. "Shopping? In Ponyville?" Corolla rolled her eyes. "Well, it definitely wouldn't be a first choice for them, it isn't like them. I should know..." JetStream looked down at the ring with the gem, it seemed to be glowing brighter. JetStream had an idea why, it wasn't like this before they got on the train. JetStream looked back up, toward the Sky Carriage. And started to think how it would be to ride in one of them. Part 2 In the lovely city of Canterlot, where there are the highest of style are required in ponies from each corner of the city, some of those are well known for those positions, especially those associated with Princess Celestia. While on a small route located near the library for the magnificent location. One pony, wearing a white bag with a book stuffed inside, though it could be seen from the top, as if it was all this pony had. She was walking down this route, making her way back from important requests from her parents, as they live locally. She was relatively happy, catching up on the book she had, a smile plastered on her face, and a certain someone waiting for her at the library, where she resides, going under the studies of Celestia herself, it is all she had, and ponies on question could answer for her to be at an extremely lucky state. Yet everypony's not perfect, including Celestia too, they're all ponies, they naturally make mistakes. Most ponies can't help but to poke out the flaws of this pony, while she never boasted unless asked about it, and that's good for your character, as they say. With all that aside, she does have a flaw, and can't seem to hide very well. Even Celestia may know about these personal characteristics. And it all seemed to change when three ponies from the side of the route stopped right in front of this mare. She stopped and looked back up to meet these ponies in the eyes, she looked rather surprised as well, "There you are, Twilight!" the pony in the middle spoke her name out loud, and she seem to have a present on her back, so did the other two standing next to her, "Moon Dancer is having a little get together at the west castle courtyard. You wanna come?" it seems the pony to Twilight's right was Moon Dancer, she nodded as the pony in front of her explained their doing. They smiled ecstatically as she finished her question, as where Twilight leaned back in discomfort. "... Oh, sorry girls-" she looked at her book in the bag, "-I got a lot of studying to catch up on..." she looked back at them sheepishly smiling. She then dashed past them to quickly get to her destination, as if she was in a rush. Yet the ponies now behind her didn't exactly fall for it. The pony in the middle sighed. "Does that pony do anything except study?" she was rather annoyed for her behavior. "I think she's more interested into books, than friends..." they all turned around unsatisfied. Twilight was on her way back home, as she would like to call it, when she recalled some of her recent studies. "... I know I heard of the Elements of Harmony..." she galloped all the way, where she went over the bridge, a couple of ponies were walking in her opposite direction, the mint coloured one waved, only to be ignored as Twilight continued without anything to return, while the other didn't seem bothered, the one waving looked like her heart shattered to pieces. She finally made it and only had to climb the flights of stairs. While there were tons of stairs, there seemed to be just enough stamina for her. Especially since she is only known for reading books. She climbed her way until she arrived at the tallest point of the tower, where the ceiling was a gold-yellow. Un-alarmingly, her assistant, as they both agreed to call his occupation, held a present in his claws, rather than hooves. He was happy to get outside and deliver that present to Moon Dancer's get toge-. "Ahh!" His plans entirely lost the mood when Twilight burst the door open to the library, he flew a short distance from where the door slammed him, where she walked in afterward, she looked right. "Spike." and yet didn't see him, "Spike!" she looked down to notice him lying on the floor, "Spike. There you are." he sat back up form his fall and rubbed his head, looking at Twilight as she trotted by towards an upper level of the library. She stopped in the middle to look around, "Quick..." she jumped to the bookshelf on the left as Spike made his way up, "Find me an old copy of predictions and prophecies." she was more than confident in her research, when she turned back around to Spike, she noticed a present was sent straight through his tail, she lifted her left hoof up to point, "What's that for?" Spike noticed her point and looked to his tail, only to realize his only present was ruined. He picked it up from his tail and held it from the ground to get a look at it. "... Well, it was a gift for Moon Dancer that..." the gift fell from the wrapping onto the floor, making a small squee as it did. Twilight walked over to a pile of books near the bookshelf. "Oh Spike, you know we don't have time for that sort of thing." she stated knocking off books that didn't seem significant. "But we're on a break." he complained, lowering the present further to the floor. Twilight looked bleak at a the last book in the pile, she looked back toward a bookshelf in front of her, her horn started to glow as well, visibly showing a light violet colour. After a couple of seconds, certain books started to flow from the shelves with the same coloured glow. "No..." a brown book with golden silhouette of an earth pony took the cover, "No..." a plain book hovered next to her as they came up to her faster, "No... No, no, no." she cringed with the frustration of finding this specific book, "Spike!" she exclaimed. Spike was on the job as he was on a ladder for climbing the shelves for more books that were stocked further up. "It's over here!" he waved the book to her. After a brief moment the book started to glow once again, and her magic pulled it away from the ladder, resulting in Spike falling back to the floor below, still holding the book in the air. Twilight examined it. "Ah." she stated pleased as the telekinesis of the others fell to the ground. When her magic took it from his claws, it went back to the ground as Twilight turned around to walk to the stand behind her near the giant window. Her magic was flipping the pages for her as she frantically looked around the written text, "Elements, e, e, e... Ah-ha..." the pages stopped turning as she looked to the even numbered page, "Elements of Harmony... see 'mare in the moon' ..." she looked up puzzled. Spike looked back toward her as he we stocked the shelves. "Mare in the moon?" he looked back toward the stocked books, "But that's just an old pony's tale..." "... Mare, mare..." Twilight gave Spike a look before going back to the book as she continued as pages flipped rapidly. When they stopped, it came to a page with a mare shaped silhouette on a moon with a dark blue background. Which was surrounded by four stars forming a square, "The mare in the moon..." Twilight began reading the text written on the pages, "Myth from olden pony times, a powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria. Defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon. Legend has it on the longest day of the a thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape-" Spike, who still stacking books, and balancing on a ladder sounded quite uneasy from the legend had to say, "And she would bring about night-time eternal." she gasped and looked toward Spike, "Spike, do you know what this means?" he was still looking at the shelves when he answered. "No..." he looked back and completely lost his balanced and his progress, "Ahh!" Spike harshly landed right on Twilight's back. Twilight hoofed Spike paper and a quill. "Take a note, please. To the princess." she extended her tail. Spike jumped on it and gained a few feet in the air, only to land back on the ground. "Okeydokey." Spike was ready for what Twilight was about to say, as soon as she spoke, he started writing. "... My dearest teacher, my continuing studies of pony magic have lead me to discover, that we are on the precipice of disaster." Spike stopped writing as he got nearly finished. "... Hold on..." Spike interrupted looking confused at his letter, "Preci... Preci..." he looked at Twilight rather worried. Twilight paused. "... A threat..." she suggested. "Threeeaaa..." he tried once again, only to look back up to her. "Uh... brink?" he looked at the paper once again. He let go of his shoulders and looked back toward Twilight. She sighed in distress, "Ugh! That something really bad is about to happen." Spike started writing down instantly. Twilight walked to the other side of the floor, "For you see, the mare in the moon, is in-fact, Nightmare Moon." suddenly everything was so haunting, "And she's about to return to Equestria. And bring with her eternal night." she started to pace back in forth with her worry at hoof, "Something must be done to make sure this terrible prophecy does not come true." she finally ended and came to the large window on the opposite side of the stairs, "I await your quick response. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle." "Twi-light Spar-kle, got it!" he held the letter up. "Great! Send it..." Spike looked down at the floor, and back to Twilight. "... Now?" Twilight looked back. "Of course!" Spike shrugged. "Uh, I don't know, Twilight, Princess Celestia's a little busy getting ready for the Summer Sun Celebration. And it's like, the day after tomorrow." Twilight leaned in close. "That's just it Spike, the day after tomorrow is the a thousandth year of the Summer Sun Celebration. It's imperative the Princess is told right away." Twilight leaned even closer, almost to the point Spike had to step back, he went back to the letter and started up again. "Impar.... impara..." "Important!" Twilight shouted in frustration, causing Spike to jump back in shock, tripping on his fall. After he got back up after he landed. "Okay, okay..." he grabbed the letter and held it away from his mouth. He inhaled and exhaled, when he did green flames went flaring from his mouth, which caused the letter to sizzled into pieces that turned into purple-pink fog, which went out the window, "There, it's on its way. But I wouldn't hold your breathe." he gave a warning tone holding his index finger up as Twilight crossed his path. "Oh I'm not worried Spike, the princess trusts me completely. In all the years she's been my mentor she's never once doubted me." just as she finished, Spike's cheeks bloated, with a burp and fire from his mouth the same looking scroll appeared from nowhere. Where it fell to the floor, Twilight stood confidently, "See? I knew she'd want to take immediate action." Spike picked the scroll up and looked at what the princess had to say. Spike cleared his throat before he began. "My dearest most faithful student, Twilight. You know I value your diligence, and I trust you completely. But you simply must stop reading those dusty old books." Spike's tone changed, as if he would start laughing. Twilight gasped, realizing the fear that could hold. Especially after all these years of studying under the princess's acknowledgement. Part 3 After further reading the scroll, it talked about the Summer Sun Celebration. In which the princess held it, as the topic describes it, every summer. Where everything is in full bloom since spring. Spike and Twilight were riding in some of the best transportation one can hold. The princess herself sent to them a Sky Carriage, where they'll fly to their next destination after leaving the library. Spike continued with it as they flew, hoping the scroll didn't go flying all the same, "My dear Twilight, there is more to a young pony's life than studying. So I'm sending you supervise the preparations, for the Summer Sun Celebration..." Twilight didn't look happy at all, she never even looked directly at Spike either. She wanted to get back to reading books. Yet that's when she saw the train going over its rails way below their position, and that reminded Twilight about the time she had a sudden interest for them and how they worked, not specifically their history. She looked back up after the thought finished, "... In this years location, Ponyville." Twilight shifted were she loomed over the side. The town seem to have a recurring colour of whites and yellows. Which the whole town was surrounded by purple mountains that had a steep slope. A couple rivers could be seen as well, "And, I have an even more essential task, for you to complete..." Spike leaned in close, "... Make some friends..." Spike finished reading the scroll as Twilight sighed with an audible groan, "Look on the bright side, Twilight, the princess arranged for you to stay at the library. Doesn't that make you happy?" he bent forward and tightened his fists. Twilight paused, and suddenly popped up. "Yes, yes it does. You know why? Because I'm right, I'll check on the preparations as fast as I can, then get to the library to find some clues on Nightmare Moon's return." Spike paused. "Then, when will you make friends as the princess said?" Twilight held a hoof to her chest. "She said to check on preparations, I am her student, and I'll do my royal duty. But the fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends..." the carriage made a slight bump as they landed, coming to a stop as soon as they did, "Thank you sirs." Twilight thanked as she walked to the ponies pulling the carriage. She turned back around, where Spike was in front of her, "Maybe the ponies of Ponyville have interesting things to talk about." Spike looked at the pink pony approaching. This pony was smiling and had a bounce in each step, though was really silent. She stopped as she walked in front of Twilight and Spike, "Come on, Twilight just try." he gestured toward this pink pony. Twilight's ears went backward as she knew she had to do something. "He-..." he neck went forward, "Hello?" there was a quick pause, before she gasped and jumped into the air, only to flee before they could say anything more, "Well that was interesting all right..." she looked bleaked as she stated. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The doors to the train finally opened when it arrived at the station, "Here it is!" Myriad exclaimed, "... Ponyville!" JetStream trotted out of the door. "Is the princess here? Is she? I'd liked to meet up with her." JetStream turned around looking like he was pleading to his father, "Why don't you calm down, JetStream..." he tone suggested as if he had a laughing fit seconds before. "Please dear..." Corolla added on just as she exited, "... You're already excited and we're not even taking our first step into Ponyville." JetStream turned around. "Then why don't we?" he asked. Corolla looked up to Myriad, who shrugged. "Alright then..." Myriad responded, "We will, at the same time." JetStream excite cooled to just a smile. "Alright." all three walked to the edge of the wood they got on from the train, when they reached the first step onto its soil, they stopped. "Alright, you ready?" "Yes." JetStream answered. With co-ordination, they all shifted and eventually they all touched ground at once. "Well there you go JetStream." Corolla said, "You wanted your first step." Corolla passed him as she continued. Myriad started to walk the same way. JetStream turned to them as they passed, and stopped when he faced Ponyville's direction. "Whoa... I guess I never stopped to see how this place looked like..." it looked different than Altamare, it was more whites and yellows than blues. But the sun was shining just as it ever was. He inhaled through his nose, and exhaled out his mouth. As he did, at that certain point the gem glowed, then dimmed as he exhaled, he gained a smile and suddenly shouted. Hey Ponyville! JetStream from Altamare is finally here!" It would've been nice to have something back it up, but it didn't matter, the looks he received was something otherwise. And yet there were some young ponies around snickering. Myriad and Corolla both turned around at the outburst. "What's with all the yelling?" Corolla asked. JetStream slumped down with a smile and walked over to them. Myriad paused, and finally spoke as JetStream was right next to them. "Did you let it all out in one go?" "Yeah, I'm fine." JetStream smiled. Corolla looked from JetStream to Myriad with a strange look on her face. Acting like they had their own communications, Myriad shrugged. "I to, divert from the path." he said, Corolla started walking toward Ponyville once again, her eyes satisfyingly half-open. "Yes you do." Myriad looked down, and then jumped back up with a wild expression and followed Corolla, JetStream didn't quite understand it, but he laughed at what he saw. He thought it was rare to see a Stallion and Mare tease each other, especially Moms and Dads. "Hey, where are we staying anyway?" "Well, there's this building, as it's called locally, by Sugarcube Corner. It's a sweets shop." "Sweet!" "Don't get ahead of yourself, JetStream. There are two ponies who already work there, I remember their names being Mr. and Mrs. Cake from the scroll, let's hope I didn't forget." she smiled rubbing her forehead, she stopped rubbing and continued, "So I'd like you to behave around them, as well as us two." he held a firm expression. "Okay." they all turned the corner going right, where it lead to this long road. "That building all the way at the turn down there." JetStream's neck went up. "The pink one?" "Yes..." Corolla nodded, "That's Sugarcube Corner." "Okay." they all continued to walk there way there. There were at least tons of ponies walking either direction like a flow of traffic, except there obviously weren't any paths marked. There were occasional "Hellos" and "Hi, there's" especially one from this grey Pegasus, it didn't sound like she had the voice like everypony had, but she definitely had the heart. Soon enough they arrived at the building they desired to be set at. Myriad opened the door, where this strategically placed bell was at the top, and rung. A stallion turned to the door and greeted. "Hello. Welcome to Sugarcube Corner, how may we help you." he smiled. "Uh, actually, are you Mr. Cake?" he looked down for a jiffy. "Well, yes, I am." Myriad walked up to the counter and showed the scroll they received the invitation by, Mr. Cake leaned over the counter a bit before he started reading. "... Ah, I see. So you're the ponies Celestia have told me about. Yes, this is your place of residence during the Summer Sun Celebration. There's a room for you upstairs." Myriad smiled. "Excellent. Thank you, Mr. Cake." he finished just as Corolla and JetStream walked in. So did Mrs. Cake. "Oh! Who do we have here? More customers?" Mr. Cake turned to her. "That's partly it. These ponies are the ones addressed by the princess to reside here during the celebration." "Really?" she turned to the trio. "Well then, welcome and get comfortable." "Thanks." Corolla responded. That's when she looked down and noticed the colt. "Oh, and who do we got here?" Myriad and Corolla decided JetStream to finally speak up. "... I'm ten... er, I'm JetStream...." he slightly blushed at his mistake. All of the adults playfully laughed. "Nervous one?" "Guess you could, we've just arrived." Myriad stated looking at his own. "In Ponyville?" "Correct." Myriad turned back to Mr. Cake. "JetStream, why don't you go upstairs and look around, there wont be much company. I'm sure you'll be calm there." Mrs. Cake suggested as a tease. JetStream looked over to his parents. "Go ahead." Corolla stated towards JetStream, he started to walk towards the stairs near the end of the floor. "Okay..." he said with his head at a slight angle toward the floor. He climbed up the stairs as he continued to hear them start their conversation up again. Everything was starting to get quiet once again. JetStream sighed, "Jeez, it's all of it outside, in here it's barely nothing..." he looked around curiously as he approached the rooms. JetStream got chills when his Aura surged. The gem on the ring glowed a horizontal line that went down the gem. JetStream looked down just as it was ending, "Why does it glow like that?" he stood still, "This Aura..." JetStream felt heat on the right side of his muzzle, "... Could it be the pony who Twister was speaking of? I... felt this Aura before..." and it was just around the corner, that pony was just a right turn away. Yet instead, he went to his room, like he said he was going to, "Hmm. It is cozy I guess..." he sniffed as he sat on the bed with furry blankets, and sighed, "This whole place smells like sugar..." the walls had pink on them, while the floors had a certain tone of a chocolate brown. He started to swing his hind legs, "It might not be so bad after all." JetStream stated, the gem glowed again, he stopped to look at it when he saw it glow, "Hmm..." he looked back, looking at the windows, seeing the sun shine through. Remembering about all that has to be done today, for the night afterward, "Oh! I can't wait!" JetStream sprung on the bed. That's when the pony JetStream was trying to avoid heard him, her right ear twitched. And she looked up to look around. JetStream looked extremely happy, only to notice her in mid-air. JetStream hit the bed again bouncing before it stopped. The pony looked back to what ever she was focusing on, "Whew..." she leaned in further of what she looked like was struggling, "Is she looking for something?" she pulled back and something flew in the air, only to pop back in her mouth, "Hmm, I guess so... I guess there's only one way to get passed it." he hopped down from the bed and walked to the hallway. The pony went to the left wall from JetStream's perspective. When he walked in just enough, he saw a towering clump of stuff used for banners and other stuff. JetStream jumped up, "Whoa!" "Hmm?" the pink pony shot up and turned where she heard the voice, the Aura JetStream hid suddenly turned into a blazing fire. She gasped when she saw the colt, "Oh my gosh!" she zipped over to JetStream, "How come you'r-?" "I'm staying here because of the princess." JetStream quickly answered. "The princess, really!?" "Y-y-yes, yes, yeah I am." he nodded multiple times, smiling sheepishly. "WhyareyoutalkingsofastisitbecauseI'mtalkingsofast?!" "I'monlytalkingsofastbecauseI'mnervous!" JetStream was on edge, he gave a desperate stare toward this pony. There was a long pause, as if each one waited for the other to move their mouths. Soon enough, the pink one cracked the tiniest smile. JetStream noticed it as well, he started to giggle. Within a second these two were having a laughing fit in no time. "You're really funny." the pony complemented, JetStream smiled and looked at her in the eye. "You too." "My name's, Pinkie Pie." Pinkie stated. "Mine's, JetStream." he smiled. Pinkie walked to the towering pile. "So, you are new here huh?" "Well, yeah. Almost half an hour ago." Pinkie noticed the black, shining, ring on near his stomach. "What are you wearing that ring for?" JetStream suddenly turned toward the pile. "What's this pile for, Pinkie?" she paused. "... Oh that? It's nothing really, just some scraps, a couple of banners, I personally thought that one wasn't enough, more scraps, some balloons, streamers with some scraps... and maybe some more scraps... I don't know..." she eyed the pile, "I think I forgot some in there..." JetStream looked toward the tower. "Alright... Wha-?" JetStream was cut off by Pinkie. "It's for a surprise party!" Pinkie exclaimed. Myriad looked up the stairs. "Just what are they planning?" he asked. "It's Pinkie Pie upstairs, she's the party pony around here, well known one at that." Corolla smiled. "Parties?" JetStream looked down for the moment. "Can I ask who?" "It is for this pony I met not to long from here, her name was... her name... Ah!" she shouted in frustration. JetStream took a step back, slightly worried. "Don't worry Pinkie! I'm sure we'll find who you're-" he was cut off once again. "Shoot! How could possibly forget Twilight's name!" JetStream paused, his neck lowered as he sighed. "Her name is-" "Twilight!" "Twilight!" They stated in unison, "Correct!" JetStream countered. "Yes! Thank you, JetStream, so much!" just before she grabbed all of her towering temporary belongings, she gasped her loud gasp once again, "I got a perfect idea!" "Wh-what is it?" he asked. Pinkie bounced toward him, making JetStream only step back. "You could help me with it, and could be in it as well... this is perfect!" "Wait." Pinkie Pie slew down, looking back at him, "What do you mean help?" she smiled again. "Hoping you could help me to make it even better than I could alone." JetStream tilted his head as he suggested it. "I didn't want to be cooped up in here." JetStream looked up to Pinkie. "Great!" she dashed to the pile and grabbed, JetStream lunged forward in fear. "Pinkie!" only to hit the floor alone. JetStream rubbed his head, "What?" Pinkie snickered. "What was that for silly?" JetStream stood back up. "Well, you grabbed that huge towering stack of... stuff. I-I thought it would tip over, and spill everywhere..." Pinkie looked flattered. "Aw, how sweet of you. But you'll have to remember..." she reappeared around the corner, "This is Pinkie Pie you're involved with..." she laughed as she went to the stairs, "You're such a kid, JetStream." JetStream looked out the door, and suddenly realize what she said. "Hey!" he trotted out the door and down the stairs after her. Mr. Cake saw Pinkie as she descended. "Ah, you're already to go for that, party, of yours Pinkie?" Myriad and Corolla were shocked to see how much stuff a young mare could carry. "Yes-siree I'm ready!" she jingled her rhyme just as JetStream made it back down. "Wait up Pinkie." Myriad and Corolla looked at one another. "You going with Pinkie Pie, JetStream?" he nodded. "Yeah, I want to help her out with this, special surprise party." "So I've heard." Myriad responded to himself. "Please, can I go? I finally be able to meet more ponies than I could just sticking around." while Pinkie was looking at Mr. and Mrs. Cake, JetStream was looking at Myriad and Corolla. "Alright." all four of them said in unison. "Sweet, come on JetStream the ponies await." "Alright." he turned to his Mom and Dad, trotted up to them and hugged them both, once he let go he went back to the door. "See you later." they waved as he headed out the door, and closed it as the bell chimed once again. Part 4 JetStream looked left, as if he thought he already lost her, "To my straight in front of you, JetStream!" he looked left rather confused. "What?" "Hurry, you're going to get left behind." 'No way they'll be...' JetStream galloped and caught back up to her, "About did lose you... you fade into the buildings surrounding me..." JetStream sighed. Pinkie looked toward him. "You know, I bet it is difficult..." JetStream nodded with his eyes closed, "To fade into buildings." her smile disappeared so she could form a curious gesture. JetStream's eyes flung open, and he quickly looked at her. "That's not what I meant!" "Nope..." she put one of her hooves in her left ear, as she was trying to clean it, "Heard ya loud and clear." she smiled, JetStream paused and thought for a moment. "But I wasn't yelling..." Pinkie looked back at him. "I knew you weren't yelling." she responded. "Don't you mean, know? It's repetitive..." "No... and what's repeti-..." she paused and looked back at him, "... Oh, you're good..." Pinkie picked up her pace as she went into a trot, "But you're still a kid." she smiled. JetStream still behind, sped up to catch her. "That's irreverent to what we're just talking about." "But what you said was relevant to what you tried to state as, irrelevant..." JetStream knew he had to end this soon, or else it would go on forever. "... Is that sentence false?" "No... wait, yeah it's false... bu- No it's tru-" Pinkie Pie realized the face he was receiving from the colt in front of him, "... You sure got some dandy tricks up your sleeves..." "I don't wear sleeves!" JetStream shouted to the world in open arms. He started to laugh afterward, yet right in the middle of his laughter, a rainbow streak rushed by creating a short but strong wind, which caught JetStream's laugh short. As the air didn't feel right. He swallowed and felt normal once again. "... Who-what was that?" the wind died as the question ended, although that question didn't get answered as the danger they saw. "That pony's going to cra-!" JetStream exclaimed, yet it was too late as the rainbow streak already hit an innocent pony into a mysteriously placed mud puddle, "Oooo...." JetStream inhaled with his teeth grit. The rainbow pony got back up, and looked back toward the pony she hit and laughed to herself. "Uh, 'scuse me?" she gave off a second round of laughter as Twilight gave her a look. Pinkie Pie's mouth opened, as JetStream just let it drop. "... I never seen a pony with a six coloured mane..." the pony jumped up and hovered above the mud pile, and started to look around. "Let me help you." she dashed off, flew right past Pinkie and JetStream and flew straight back. 'She's fast...' JetStream thought. She brought a cloud with her, and stopped it over Twilight, "What do you think she's doing with that cloud?" JetStream asked Pinkie, yet she didn't answer. JetStream gave her a look. The pony hopped on the cloud, she started to jump up and down, and as she did, it started to rain, "Well, she is a Pegasus..." he stated quietly to himself. Twilight was soaked, and her mane was drooping. She laughed again when she looked below the cloud. "Oops, I-uh guess I over-did it, um, uh... how 'bout this?" Twilight was suddenly surprised, her mouth went wide open, just like Pinkies. Which JetStream seemed to notice, "Uh, Pinkie... hello?" he waved a hoof in her face, hoping to get her attention. Suddenly the pony flew in circles around Twilight so fast that the mud started to rise, and actually formed a rainbow that could be seen from a distance. JetStream looked back up to notice the pony was done flying, "Rain-blow dry." she posed in mid-air, "No, no..." she started to sink toward the ground, "Don't thank me." yet nopony was, or even trying to, "You're quite welcome." she landed softly. "How quaint..." JetStream stated smiling at what he noticed. Soon as the pony took notice of it, she caught her self laughing. "Baa! Hahaha!" she fell to the floor as she continued to snort a couple of times. When Spike took a look at Twilight, he ended up falling to the ground as well. With an un-amusing glare, Twilight continued. "Let me guess, you're, Rainbow Dash?" she stopped her laughing and looked up at her. She got back to her hooves with the exception of Spike flying off her back. "The one and only." she went back to the air, and looked into Twilight's eyes, "Why? Ya heard of me?" she responded. "I heard you're supposed to be keeping the sky clear." Rainbow flew back a couple of inches as Twilight sighed, "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and the princess sent me to check on the weather." Rainbow was suddenly lying back on a cloud above Twilight. "Yeah, yeah. That'll be a snap." JetStream rose an eyebrow as he watched from the side lines, "I'll do it in a jiffy. Just as soon as I'm done practicing." Twilight looked like she sighed again. "Practicing for what?" Rainbow got up and looked behind her, only to point a hoof. "The Wonderbolts! They're going to preform at the celebration tomorrow. And I'm..." she did a couple flips as she landed back on the cloud, "Going to show them my stuff." "The Wonderbolts?" "Yep." "The most talented fliers in all of Equestria?" 'She's doubting Rainbow...' JetStream thought, 'She didn't recognize how fast she was flying back there...' "That's them." she lied back down on a cloud. Twilight looked away and blew raspberries. "Please, they'd never accept a Pegasus who can't even keep the sky clear for one measly day." she looked away from her as if she was mocking, Rainbow Dash got up from the cloud and looked down at Twilight, looking quite irritated. "Hey! I could clear this sky in ten seconds flat." Twilight stared at Rainbow Dash. "Prove it..." Rainbow stood up and instantly got to flying, wiping the cloud she was sitting on as well. 'One...' she bucked clouds left and right, 'Two, three... four, five, six...' she went back and forth with no particular order, 'Seven, eight, nine...' she flew straight then turned around sharp, JetStream trotted to keep up with them and Pinkie followed because she didn't want to get left behind, and flew faster. "Loop-a-loop around and wham!" 'Ten, eleven.' "Eleven..." JetStream counted the clouds all the way through. "What'd I say? Ten. Seconds. Flat..." she stated as she landed on the bridge in front of them, although she did it with great stamina, you could still see she looked winded, "I never leave Ponyville hangin'." she caught the stares of Twilight, she laughed again, "You should see the look on your face." Spike looked at Twilight's expression and smiled. Rainbow Dash hovered around them as she was getting ready to fly elsewhere, "You're a laugh, Twilight Sparkle. I can't wait to hang out some more." she smiled as she leaned in, afterward she flew off, doing a couple of loop de loop before she flew off, and passed both Pinkie and JetStream again, followed by a strong wind. "Wow..." he stated in awe. "She's incredible..." JetStream summarized the whole act. "She's amazing..." Spike stated. Twilight looked down noticing the ponies below, that's when Pinkie did another of her gasps. "I can't be seen!" and dashed as fast as Rainbow flew before JetStream could say a word to her. "Pinkie Pie wai-! Ugh..." he sank as he thought he lost her. "Wasn't that Pinkie Pie just now?" Twilight asked. "Yeah, don't know about the other pony there though..." Spike brought it up as Twilight looked away and continued toward the Town Hall. Yet Spike was still standing there, looking oddly at something. Twilight looked over her shoulders. "Ya coming, Spike?" he couldn't get his eyes off the ring this pony was wearing on the top of his forearm. "What do you think that ring is for?" he pointed at it from afar looking at Twilight. "... Alright." JetStream sighed, he took his step forward and started to gallop as fast as he could, where he was suddenly gone. "What ring?" Twilight asked. "That... one..." Spike awkwardly paused, as the pony he pointed to was suddenly gone. "Come on, Spike. We have stuff planned for today, there's no need for your little games." she continued, only to drag Spike as he continuously held his pointer finger out in the same direction. Part 5 JetStream galloped past the Town Hall and looked right, "No, I guess not... Considering you didn't want me to get lost..." he sighed, letting his neck fall, "How does she do it?" JetStream admitted. "... Do what?" Pinkie Pie answered. JetStream jumped, yelping as he hit mid-air. So did Pinkie Pie. "Since when were you here!?" he loudly whispered. "You galloped right past me." she smiled, "Come on, JetStream! We got to get going!" she had a bounce in her walk when she started. "Wait, wait!" JetStream caught up, "Where are we going?" "The surprise party for Twilight-" she looked at JetStream, "Duh!" he smiled sheepishly as Pinkie looked away, "I need it to make it the best! And since you arrived at the invitation from the princess-" Pinkie looked at JetStream as they continued to walk, "As you said-" she looked in front of them, "To Ponyville, I knew I could give you something to do, and everypony can get bored doing almost nothing for even an entire hour tops!" JetStream sighed. "I'm pretty sure that's just you..." Pinkie quickly rolled her eyes. "Oh well..." and smiled. They paused, JetStream looked up at Pinkie Pie, and slowly started to speak. "... Do-do you know abo-?" he was cut off. "You know what, JetStream? I forgot to ask you something..." he paused. "... And what is that?" he asked. "How did you get that invitation from princess anyway?" JetStream awkwardly looked away, "Oh, don't worry, I'm not trying to be a snoopy-pants or anything... I just want to ask..." Pinkie looked at JetStream. 'Might as well, I've never seen her this calm... and may never again...' JetStream spoke up, "... Well, it was six years ago... when I was living back in Altamare. There was this event being held that was... well, I forgot the name, but it was like a point to point route from their to Canterlot. Half-way there, on one of the paths, was a cloud path, where it was meant to be used for Pegasi. And I used this spell like magic to get across it. With Celestia seeing, or heard of it, I'm not entirely sure. She invited us to her castle the day afterward, so my Mom and Dad decided to have us stay in Canterlot for the night. And return to Altamare the next day." JetStream looked to Pinkie, signaling that he was finished. "Wait... magic?" JetStream grimaced looking slightly downward, "You're not a Unicorn though, you're an Earth Pony, like me... are you sure you're not just coo-coo?" "Well, if I could show you, I could show you. But I'd rather wait until you weren't busy." he looked toward Pinkie Pie. "Hmm, that's true I am a pretty busy pony." she hopped a couple times. Waving to other ponies that waved to her in the first place. JetStream looked over to them, and back over to Pinkie. "And a plus, is that you seem to be well known." he smiled. "Are you kidding me!?" JetStream regained his stature from the wind her yell contained. "Well, no-" "Everypony knows me, Pinkie Pie!" the ponies surrounding them shouted. "Hello, Pinkie Pie!" JetStream's eye opened wide. "Wow..." she squeed in her laughter. "And I know them right back! It's how I got my Cutie Mark." she pointed to her flank. "Oh... balloons?" he looked right back to Pinkie, "Yes-siree, I'm the party pony of Ponyville. And everypony knows it." "Well, I don't know it." JetStream admitted. "Of course you do, JetStream! You're such a kid." JetStream laughed as a cold wave went down his spine. "You're a blast just to talk to Pinkie Pie." they both paused as Pinkie saw her destination. "There it is!" she galloped into the library before anypony could see her. 'So that is the party place...' JetStream thought before speeding it up toward the tree. He opened the door softly with his hoof, "Pinkie Pie?" the gem on the ring glowed once again, 'Hmm?' he gave another useless attempt to gaze at the ring, 'I need to figure out why it does that...' when he looked back into the library it was pitch black, "What!? Pinkie Pie, why is it completely dark in here?" "JetStream! It's a surprise party, it can't be surprising without a surprise at the beginning!" she whispered so no other pony could hear her other then JetStream. He walked in and decided to close the door. He put his right hoof on his chest and closed his eyes as he spoke. "Don't you need to see to put the decoration up?" slightly after he finished asking, his Aura showed visible. The gem glowed brightly as JetStream went to his Auric sight. Where he looked around, "How did you do it so fast?" JetStream jumped when an orange Aura outline of Pinkie Pie bolted straight toward him. "Remember, JetStream-" she poked him to the words she was stating, "I'm the best party pony in Po-ny-ville." JetStream looked at the orange outlined hoof on his chest. "I'll keep that in mind..." he stepped back. "How did you know where I was? Being pitch black in here..." he was more than curious as why, "You're ring thing is glowing..." she answered. "Oh, right..." JetStream looked at the outlined decorations, "Don't you need more ponies for this, surprise?" she gasped loudly and dashed to the back of the library, where outline went back toward him. There were rectangular objects being held by her. "Here take these flyers and give them to everypony except Twilight." "You're sure direct, Pinkie Pie..." JetStream sighed. JetStream slowly inhaled and exhaled, his Auric sight was gone in seconds after, and the glow of the gem vanished along with his Aura. Pinkie opened the door to the library. "Now hurry JetStream, please! I don't want to waste time!" JetStream walked out. "Right, a perfect party." he smiled at Pinkie, she smiled back and nodded, just before she closed the door. JetStream looked ahead of him. "Wait..." he looked back at the door, "How am I-?" she gave him a saddle-bag. "Hurry!" she shouted in a whisper tone and closed the door. JetStream looked down at the object, "What's this supposed to be?" although JetStream has seen a saddle-bag before, they were mostly carried by ponies who were travelling by train, and stopped by Altamare for only some time. He put the saddle-bag on, and looked ahead, "Alright, here we go." and he started to gallop. The first couple of ponies were sooner than he thought, he breathed in real quick and pulled a random number of papers out, as soon as he was close enough he would shoot his head upward, letting them go by opening his mouth. He looked back, making sure they made it, "Whew... some more to go..." he stated. Meanwhile... "No, no, uh-uh-" she commentated on the various outfits she had Twilight try on, while Spike stood there and watched, "Too green, too yellow, too poofy, not poofy enough, too frilly, too shiny..." this one had a green and white outlook on it. With an Emerald plated on the chest, and white tags flying out from the back, "Now go on my dear-" the white Unicorn continued as Twilight looked at what she was wearing, "Tell me where you're from." she grabbed a band around Twilight chests and pulled back to tighten. "I've... been sent... from... Canterlot... to..." she struck a higher note on the last bit just as it snapped from her letting go. "Huh?" she got back up with her eyes sparkling, sometimes she doesn't even need the glitter, "Canterlot!?" she got right in front of Twilight, "I'm so envious-" she turned around went to pose, "The glamor, the sophistication, I always dreamed of living there. I can't wait to hear all about it." she stood right next to Twilight and held a hoof upward, "We're going to be the best of friends, you and I." Twilight jumped in shock of the word she used, and suddenly didn't like where this was headed. Suddenly the pony stood away, looking at the center piece, "Emerald!? What was I thinking?" she turned around, nose in the air, "Let me get you some rupees!" Twilight turned around and galloped for the door. "Quick! Before she decides to dye my coat a new colour!" yet Spike still stood there, with his eyes half-open he sighed. Twilight went back to grab Spike, and they both went toward the outskirts of Ponyville. The door to the Carousel Boutique opened once again. "Hello?" JetStream voice echoed through the building. "Here we a-!" she paused and looked around, "What? Where'd she go!?" she looked around. JetStream put the invite to Pinkie's party on the door step, when the she looked at JetStream, "Sorry, you look busy, I'll just set this here..." she walked up, holding the ruby, that's when he noticed it. "But excuse me, have you seen a lavender pony walking out of here?" JetStream saw this pony was desperately worried, he didn't know what to answer, then he saw a dress like clothes on the floor nearer to the stage. "What's that lying there?" he asked. "The dress I gave the pony who seemed to just walk out of here, why?" JetStream shook his head. "No reason..." he gave her the paper instead, "And, no. I haven't seen a pony walking out of here..." he lied. "Well, shoot..." she went to go pick up the discarded clothes, "So, what brings you here?" "I'm only here to deliver these to un-specified ponies." she turned around, "Just whoever I can give these to." she nodded and turned back. "Alright, good luck out there." "Thanks..." he trotted out the door. JetStream looked up to the sky, "I wonder if I could give one to that rainbow-mained Pegasus from before..." he looked into the sky. He saw a darkened cloud. JetStream smiled. He went right below where this Pegasus was, "Excuse me!" he exclaimed. The mare's right ear twitched, "Pegasus on the cloud!" her eyes opened. "Huh?" she looked down at the ground, "Who's talking?" "I am!" she looked slightly to the right, and lowered her cloud, "Whaddya want, short stuff..." JetStream paused at the remark. "... Well, I... I was hoping you could take one of these.." she grabbed one for herself and looked it over on her cloud. "What's it for?" she looked at him over skimming if for a good couple seconds. "Well, it's an invite for today, a surprise party." "Surprise party, huh?" her head went more at an upward angle. "Yes, as it says on the paper." she looked over to the invite, and it had the place the time, which stated "soon" for some reason. "Alright, I'll be there..." she hoofed it back to JetStream. "Well, uh... er, aren't you going to take it?" she lied back down. "Don't worry kid, I'll be there." her cloud floated back up, JetStream shrugged as he turned around. "Alright then... hmm, I guess she didn't notice me then." soon after much time, JetStream reached a three turn divide. His breathing was audible, as he was slightly winded. He looked left and noticed a distant barn, "Wow, way out there..." he swallowed before he took a split second to catch back up to speed, "I wonder how Pinkie could be doing at the library..." he looked left and right as he went down one of the paths toward the outer edges of Ponyville. After a five minute gallop. JetStream arrived at the white gate that covered as the entrance. JetStream opened it to walk in and close it once he walked, "I'll just give to the first pony I see..." he needed to, he was in a rush, as "soon" meant in the next couple of minutes to him in the shortest terms. He saw a red coated pony walk into the barn. JetStream smiled, and trotted. As soon as he got around the corner of a door for the barn, Aura shifted, which gave JetStream the warning that there was a pony around. Jumping to reflex, he swiftly jolted himself to the right, the orange coated pony's eyes opened when it felt the sudden wind. "Who the-?" she looked left and right, and found a pony in cyan and purple standing right there, "Oh, well hello there." JetStream was trying to get a look into the barn, but it was useless, that red coated pony was gone. "Hello." he responded standing back. "Ya in a rush?" "Yeah, so I'd like to give you this." he hoofed an invite. She suddenly looked worried, only to brush it off momentarily. "Ah, well. As ah hope ya can see, I'm a little busy." she looked over her shoulders to reveal a bale of hay. "Oh... well then can I put this somewhere where you'll check it later... once you're done?" he sort of cringed as he finished, she looked back in the barn pointing. "Well, yes. There's a wooden desk sittin' back there in the barn." she looked back down to JetStream. "Thank you." he said rather quickly and trotted inside the barn. Where it got cooler and shady, yet it was just lit enough as he looked toward the ceiling. He looked straight ahead and realized the desk was just ahead by a door leading to the outside, as it seemed. He set the paper on the desk, and turned around just as the door opened. JetStream stopped to look left, the door opening revealed a yellow coated filly, who jumped to see somepony unexpected. "Oh! Uh, who are you mister?" she asked in a firm voice. "Well, I ran into a pony outside and wanted to give her this..." he got the paper from the desk, "It's an invite for a surprise party, and I guess everypony's invited too..." he made a quick glance toward it, and looked back at the filly as she spoke. "Even me?" she jumped up. "Well, ye-yeah." he stuttered from the outburst. "Wohoo!" she jumped, and JetStream smiled, "But wait..." his smile stopped, "I guess that's only if Granny Smith lets me though..." JetStream jumped at the thought of getting through this quickly. "Well, I hope she does." she turned around, "I got to get going!" "Okay! I hope ya get your Cutie Mark as well!" JetStream stopped and turned around. "E-excuse me?" he asked cautiously. "Well, seeing ya don't have your Cutie Mark. I hoped you'll get it delivering these notes... er invites..." JetStream smiled and looked away from the ground to her, and noticing she was showing her blank flank, JetStream took this in shock, seeing how she can relate it escalated his spirits. "Oh, well. You too. I hope you found yours as well!" he galloped back for Ponyville, the filly smiled and waved. "You too, mister!" JetStream exited the gate and galloped straight for Ponyville once again. Once he reached a distance inward, he looked inside. "Not many left... I'm almost done." he looked ahead and continued to trot wherever his hooves would lead him. Part 6 "Oh no... All of this rushing and I'm only going to be late!" he grit his teeth running back to the library. The saddle-bag JetStream was equipped with ran out of invites, therefore thought it was about time he got back to the library. He galloped around a sharp corner, kicking up dust as he turned, a couple of ponies behind him flinched. Yet it was only the start of the day, as the sun just hit the top of the sky. When he can to a left turn he noticed the tree all the way at the slight bend of a turn, "Ah! I might make it!" JetStream was nearing the turn when he spotted Twilight and something else being followed by, "... Is that Fluttershy?" he looked in front of him and prepared to do something unexpected, "I can't let them see me... but I got to get in..." he noticed a balcony next to a part of the tree that lined up, "Perfect..." as soon as JetStream was close enough, he made a slight hop into the air, only to force himself higher when he went back down. He hit the wall directly on his hooves and pushed upward toward the balcony. He rose up, even higher then the balcony itself, "Wow, I didn't think it would-!!!" he noticed he had to grab the railing to successfully climb this. He shifted his left hoof toward the rail and almost completely rapped over around it, "...!" he put his other fore hoof on the bottom of the balcony to stop himself from falling, "... That... could have been worse..." he sounded unsure of himself. He quickly swung to where his lower half would peer over the floor, and just at the right moment stopped his right back hoof on the balcony, got his other on there and started to climb over it from that point on. Twilight stopped at the door of the library. "-Ponyville, and my poor baby dragon needs his sleep..." Twilight kicked her left hind leg after making a droopy tone, making Spike fall onto the floor. When he landed, at the top of his eye he saw something aqua coloured, crawl over the balcony, "Aw look at that, he's so sleepy he can't keep his little balance." she sheepishly grinned enormously at the cream coated mare. Spike looked away from the top of his eye to Twilight, looking irritated. Suddenly the mare picked Spike up and hovered above the ground. "Poor thing..." she said in a soft tone, "You simply must get into bed." she flew inside the library with Spike in her hooves. Twilight mentally panicked about her plans and dashed in to get this mare to exit. She pushed her out the door and nodded. "Yes, yes... we'll get right on that. Well good-night." and she slammed the door. Leaving a surprised look on the mare. JetStream walked in from a higher level. "Ech... I forgot how dark it is in here..." he stopped himself when he heard a voice, "...?" "Huh, rude much?" Spike asked at the way Twilight recently acted, as Twilight walked up to him. "Sorry Spike, but I have to convince the princess that Nightmare Moon is coming and we're running out of time." she looked at Spike straight in the eye. "We just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time." she looked to her left. JetStream stood there in shock. 'Nightmare Moon!?' "Now where's the light?" she looked right. JetStream sighed as he looked to his left, bent over and flipped the light on, revealing a crowd of ponies behind them on the bottom floor. Making Twilight and Spike jump. "Surprise!" the crowd yelled as a one of the "scraps" was used across Twilight's muzzle. "Whoa..." JetStream's shock was drowned out by the exclaims of the crowd, "How'd they get here so fast?" he looked left and right. Twilight's head drooped as she moaned. That's when Pinkie Pie showed up right in front of the mare. "Surprise! Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie and I threw this party just for you. Were you surprised, were ya, were ya? Huh-huh-huh?" she bounced from side to side. "Very surprised! Libraries are supposed to be quiet..." she looked over to Pinkie Pie as Pinkie leaned over to her. "That's silly, what kind of welcoming party would this be if it were quiet. I mean, duh! Boring!" Twilight started to walk toward a table. JetStream turned to Pinkie Pie. "There she goes again..." he sighed smiling. He looked down from the edge of the floor, "Now how do I get down from here..." he looked back up, "This libraries bigger than I thought..." he said flatly as he couldn't find a way down. "-Never saw you before that means you're new, 'cause I know everypony, and I mean, everypony in Ponyville." Twilight moaned at the statement and made it to the table, where she grabbed anything off the table to drink, "-You must not have any friends, and if you don't have any friends you must be lonely, and that made me so sad-" "This took a sudden turn." JetStream stated, "-Super-duper-spectacular welcome party and JetStream helped me invite everyone in Ponyville." four ponies gathered around Pinkie, "See? And now you have lots and lots of friends." Twilight turned around, she was sweating and her whole face was tinted red. "Are you all right, sugarcube?" Applejack asked. What she drank had to be extremely hot, because she jumped into the air with her mane and tail literally the fire itself, she dashed up the stairs to a separate room, "Aww, she's so happy she's crying!" as Twilight went upstairs, JetStream spotted her assistant pick up what she poured into her cup. "Hot sauce..." Spike stated, it was a red bottle with a fire logo on the front, JetStream brought his left hoof up to his muzzle snickering. "You know, I think it's stuff like that, that makes somepony think you're actually listening to them." he smiled. "Ooo..." Pinkie tilted the bottle toward a near cupcake where the sauce fell onto it. Pinkie grabbed the cupcake and took it all in one bite. "...?" JetStream stared from the above floor. "What? Ehs good..." she closed her eyes and savored her treat. "Alright, I'm just gonna slide down here then..." he finally decided. When he slid down the wood, and faster than he thought, he tumbled and bumped right into a pony in front of him, "... Sorry! I didn't mean to..." this pony turned around, irritated. "I hope you didn't..." she paused when she realized the pony she was talking to, "Wait, you're that, delivery colt going around and giving out those invites or whatever they were." 'Delivery colt?' "Yes, I-I was that pony." JetStream went to a normal stance after he thought it was settled down. She laughed as her voice cracked for a split second. "I expected somepony like that to be clumsy..." she paused snickering, "And you just showed it to me seconds ago." JetStream rubbed the back of his head, smiling sheepishly. Though JetStream needed to, he thought he got a bruise on the back of his head. "... I guess I did." she suddenly popped into the air. "Actually, I need to show you to Pinkie Pie. I heard she's been looking for ya." JetStream nodded. "I was kind of hidden, it's only fair to return to her I guess." 'Wow! I can't believe I'm actually talking to her...' she stopped herself and JetStream when she looked around and spotted Pinkie near the table. "Okay, she's right over there. You can take it from here." she turned around and started walking back. "Wait! What about you?" JetStream asked, stopping her. She looked around the surrounding crowd. "I still got some ponies to talk to..." she sheepishly smiled, "But I guess I'll see ya soon." "Very soon." JetStream replied, it's not like they'd be across the town. JetStream got passed all the ponies and finally was able to get into talking range of Pinkie. "Pinkie Pie!" JetStream called, she turned to her left. "Oh! Hello again, JetStream. I'm glad you're here. And you just missed Twilight, she was so surprised!" 'Looked like it...' "Yeah I saw her reaction." "I want to thank you so-so much for inviting all these ponies for my-Twilight's surprise party." "You're welcome, Pinkie Pie." "And since you have done this for me, and Twilight which his probably bursting with excitement as we speak, I'll like for you to have a gift that you cannot lose!" she stated clearly. "Really? That's incredible." he smiled. "I give you JetStream, the gift of friendship!" JetStream stood back in shock. "Oh! ... Well..." Pinkie suddenly didn't look so ecstatic as she does. JetStream waved one hoof in the air, "No-no, don't worry, you only caught me off guard... of course I'd like for me to be your friend." her smiled returned. "Woohoo! JetStream, this is your first friend in Ponyville, correct?" "Yes, actually you are." JetStream stopped to think. "Well, it's a pleasure to be your first ever friend for ever!" she grabbed JetStream hoof and they both shook on it, extremely fast. Upstairs, Twilight sat next to her bed for now until the Celebration, her right ear twitched to what she heard. "So that's who this pony was? Making your first friend? I feel partly sad for him... pretty soon I bet he or she will be a crazy pony before we both know it." she rolled her eyes, where they ended up at the bed and sighed, "Oh... just looking at it makes me sleepy... just hope they don't get to crazy down there..." her neck drooped with her eyes half open. Part 7 JetStream stood at the end of the balcony, the sun was setting for the last time before the a thousandth rise of the sun in the morning. JetStream inhaled and exhaled so many times he lost count looking at the stars above. Especially those four surrounding the moon from such a distance away, 'I can't blame myself for that... she... used me. Recover her strength. But how could she? She's the same one who brought me out of the forest... the same... she did look completely different now than she did when I first met her there...' JetStream stood higher, "Was that even her?" he looked to the stars, as if he could've been asking an answer from them, "There's no way..." he started to pace back and forth, "She was so nice, forging my path out of the forest... and, and now she just turns away and goes to do something like this!?" he shifted his right hoof toward the moon and the four stars. His brows furrowed, his breathing audible, he looked at the ring as it was visible on his forearm, the gem was glowing brightly a brown-reddish mix, it shined in his eyes as well. JetStream lowered his hoof and sighed, "It's just all too confusing... for me..." as he calmed, it went from red to a sky blue, and then just stopped glowing all together, and let the stars take its non-existent light and shine it on the earth pony's fertile ground. Despite the music being played inside, with the blinds closed and the extra space outside along with the balcony. With it never getting too cold all year round, you could sleep out here. JetStream paused for the longest time, "... Twilight... it's incredible she knows about Nightmare Moon..." his neck rose when he realized something, "Is that why Neurelm wanted me to call her the same thing?" JetStream nodded to nopony except himself, "Well, she said so she'll be back to claim, what is hers..." he looked back into the sky, "I feel it's very soon..." JetStream got back up and stood toward the blinds, getting ready to get back inside, "Twilight knows something about her as well... I want to see if we can both get to the bottom of this thing..." his expression was firm neither frown nor smile. The gem then glowed an orange-red, "Lets do it." he pushed the little doors open to get back inside, the music was a much, 'I don't see how they can get away with playing music that loud...' it was either that, or the change JetStream will have to get used to since being in Altamare. He walked around the crowd on the higher floor and walked to the stairs the brought yourself to the separated room. He stopped and took a deep breathe. He slowly opened the door, it creaked as it did. He stopped it when he was able to take a couple steps in, "M-Miss Twilight?" she shifted and slowly turned toward the blue and purple colt with gold-yellow eyes that could've shined in the night. "What could it possibly be?" she paused to think to herself about hearing the same voice not so long ago. "I just... well was hoping to talk about..." he paused, then finally spoke up after a good minute, "... Nightmare Moon." she sat up on her bed, raising an eyebrow. "... Could that possibly been you speaking out my window?" JetStream looked out there with no context. "What do you mean?" he thought he was fine where he was standing. "I was hearing this voice, sounded really distressed..." she sighed, "As I could ever be..." JetStream's ears went down. "Should I go?" JetStream stopped himself as Twilight continued. "You're free to. Sorry about it though, it usually helps my mood." she lied on her back with a blank stare toward the ceiling. 'What are you doing!? We have to get this conversation through... Equestria could be ominous danger!' JetStream stood back away from the door, Twilight turned her head left on the bed, her mane crumbling together as she did raise an eyebrow. "I overheard you saying to your..." JetStream paused as he needed a word for it. "Baby dragon..." Twilight responded. "Yes, thanks... About Nightmare Moon, I guess I know about her as well..." she gestured her left hoof above the bed. "So you're one of them that can actually hear?" "Wha-?" JetStream pondered about the sudden question he received, "Well, it was. Really quiet in there... before everypony yelled, of course." he scratched his head. Her head rose off the bed. "What do you mean by, you guess you know her?" JetStream paused before he continued, casually, yet softly, digging at the floor. "I met this pony named Neurelm, in a forest near here. We met up when I lost my way. She... helped me, out of the forest. When I was out and finally able to see the sun again, she stuck around like a voice in my head. As time then went along, things weren't so nice between me and her after a while..." "This pony turned on you that quickly..." "I guess you could say that, but any way..." JetStream paused, the music in the background didn't help with the mood. "... Don't mind them, I'm sure they'll stop soon." Twilight reassured, JetStream shrugged and started to continue. "Since then nightmares were almost common, and I would even catch myself having different coloured eyes. But I guess that one isn't really important." Twilight rose an eyebrow at the eye colour bit. "That's awful, and you were innocently lost in the forest?" "Yes. And finally just skipping to just yesterday, the same pony wanted me to call herself, Nightmare Moon." Twilight laid back after the story was over. "Although you seem to have a point, I'm not entirely sure." JetStream acted like he was about to take a step forward. "Do you mind?" "No." JetStream walked next to the bed and sat there, Twilight shifted where she was over-hanging the same side. "I see your reason." JetStream admitted. "Well the reason why, is from how learned about the mare in the moon-" JetStream interrupted. "I called her something liked that as well..." he pondered with a hoof below his chin, then looked at Twilight, "Sorry..." he sat his hoof back on the floor. "The mare in the moon, as described in the book I studied, said she was banished to the moon for a thousand years-" she turned her head to JetStream. "How could you have possibly met her then, if it says right in the very books itself that she was on the moon?" "... Maybe..." JetStream paused, and then furrowed his eye brows and looked at Twilight, "Maybe they aren't the same pony..." JetStream stated something he wasn't prepared to state. "What makes you think that?" she asked, criticizing, and audibly louder. JetStream's neck lowered. "That's, what I'm all choked up on right now..." JetStream replied softly, in a somber tone. He looked at Twilight after his pause, "It's something I still want to figure out. To avoid any more confusion... I just... personally hate the feeling of being lost, in something I should be able to wrap my hooves around, no matter how small it seems to be." Twilight sighed. "I try to avoid something like that, as Princess Celestia said, it is more to know less about what you cannot seem to understand..." she looked down, then to JetStream, "It's what had brought me far in my studies for..." Twilight paused, JetStream looked at her in curiosity as why she did, "... Magic..." she finally stated. Suddenly the gem on the ring JetStream wore glowed the whole rainbow simultaneously. 'It never did that before...' "Since when were you wearing that?" "I, uh... had it one since I was in Altamare, I haven't moved it since." JetStream looked up after a couple seconds, "You said that you were studying for magic? Why did you mention Celestia about it?" Twilight gave an unamused glare. "Princess Celestia..." "Sorry..." he looked back down. "... Is my mentor." Twilight said as if she never meant to correct him. JetStream jumped up. "Really!?" she hushed him, "... That's amazing." "It is rather interesting to know that." "Why didn't you ever tell about this to the princess about Nightmare Moon?" "I did, but she suggested I went too far into the pile, if I could say." "And you're still going? That's some strong willpower to continue after some sort of cease and desist, especially by the princess herself." Twilight looked at JetStream. "Why don't you go back out there, I don't want to talk about this any more if it gets even more interesting." JetStream looked at the door, then to Twilight. He stood up and walked to the door. "Alright. And it really does help to talk I must admit..." JetStream turned before opened the door. "About what, exactly?" Twilight asked. "Distressing matters..." JetStream opened the door at a moderate pace, "I think it does help the mood." just as JetStream took his first step out of the room, Twilight got off the bed and walked up behind. "Actually, we never got each other's names. Mine is Twilight Sparkle." he looked back to Twilight. "My name's, JetStream." "One word name?" Twilight asked. "Ye- well no, I do have two, but I don't really see much of my second name on everything." "Okay. So I assume you're the one to pass out the invitations for this party that Pinkie Pie was throwing?" "How did you know?" JetStream wondered. "I had to hear her." she smiled. Making it the first time ever for JetStream. "Alright then, I'll see you later then." JetStream waved as he closed the door. As he did, Spike noticed him walking out. Twilight jumped back into bed, praising to Princess Celestia that she would get some sleep tonight. Part 8 Twilight groaned at her inability to sleep. She rose from the bed to stare at the clock, it read "5:02am" she looked toward the door, where the lights and sound stopping her from resting came from, "Ughh..." suddenly Spike came in wearing some lamp cover on his head, the music was blaring and the lights lit the whole room. "Hey Twilight! Pinkie Pie started pin the tail on the pony!" he lifted the cover from his head to look at Twilight above. Without a second thought, she had enough and finally had to admit it. "No!" Spike stepped back from the sudden outburst, "All the ponies in this town are cur-razy!" she looked toward the clock. "Do you know what time it is!?" Twilight looked back at Spike as he answered. "It's the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration, everypony has to stay up-" Twilight looked to the corner of her eye in a sassy tone, "-or they'll miss the princess raise the sun." he paused and turned toward the door, he suddenly looked annoyed, "You really should lighten up, Twilight." she rolled her eyes, "It's a party!" he smiled as the cover dropped back down on his head and walked out of the room, he closed the door and everything you heard was ambience once again. It was dark enough for a comfortable sleep. Twilight looked up and started to mumble and mimic whatever Spike just said and practically threw it out the window. "Ugh! Here I thought I've time to learn more about the elements of harmony, but! Silly me, all this ridiculous friend making has kept me from it!" she violently shifted to her right facing the window as she finally got it out of her system, making her feel better and proving yet another lesson from her teacher. Her eyes opened in shock with what she saw out her window. The silhouetted moon with the surrounding four stars took her whole view. She got up and walked to it, recalling something vital to refresh for what she will probably need, "... Legend has it, on the longest day of the a thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape-" she grabbed the book in her telekinesis, "-and she will bring about ever-lasting night." she saw the description in the book simply matched what it actually looked like, "I hope the princess was right, I hope it really is just an old pony tale-" Spike opened the door suddenly. "Com' on, Twilight! It's time to watch the sunrise." he swung his arm in gesture still wearing the lamp cover over his head. Shortly afterword everypony started their way out of the library, and to the Town Hall. "Wha-? Where's everypony going?" JetStream asked to himself as he turned toward the entrance to the library. JetStream swallowed, "I guess it's time for the sunrise? ..." he sighed from exhaustion, "How's everypony still so hyped?" he yawned, "Alright... let's go." he slowly made his way as he waited for ponies to pass through the door. As JetStream was able to take a look outside, they were all headed inward to the city. The path went straight for a while, and it passed Sugarcube Corner too. It was tough to see through the line walking down to the Town Hall. When they got a certain distance away, Corolla and Myriad both exited from Sugarcube Corner, and joined the same line for Town Hall, "They're back!" JetStream picked up his pace so he wouldn't be left behind. Myriad was in the process of laughing. "Are you sure it's used like that?" he asked her, she shrugged. "The pony was either naïve to do so, or brave enough to catch the attention." "Well, that's we-" he was interrupted as a familiar voice was heard behind them. "Mom! Dad!" both parents looked at each other, smiling, then looking back. "JetStream?" he suddenly showed up right in the middle. "Yeah." "Ah, I'm happy you're sticking with us, didn't want you to get lost in the crowd." Myriad stated. "I was thinking I had to walk down with you anyways..." "Well then-" JetStream looked up to Corolla, "I'm glad you chose to do so." JetStream smiled, making a quick glance to the sky, noticing the four stars once again, made a cold wave flow over his back. He looked back down and noticed the entrance was just a couple steps away. As they walked in they all looked instantly around the building and the ponies already in. "...?" JetStream even saw pegasi flying inside, hovering around or drifting in one direction to get where they need to go. It was a weird experience since years ago back in Altamare it was considered to give you bad luck to fly as a Pegasus pony inside a building, or anything. JetStream's pause was due to the sudden chilling wind that went past them as they entered the door, "... Did you feel that too?" JetStream asked them, "It was like I felt something cold float past me..." "That was most likely the effect of them keeping it cool in here, while it being so warm outside." Corolla responded and JetStream sighed. "... I guess that's a yes?" "Yes." Corolla answered. They all decided to stand on the left, and closer to the door. While looking up toward the ceiling, JetStream noticed spotlights near the stage. "Wow, they even have those here..?" when he looked back down, his heart pumped a bit faster as he suddenly became nervous, "I wonder where Twilight and Pinkie Pie are." he looked to the right. "Oh!" he noticed them near the upper half and to the right side of the building, "Oh... why bother? I don't think they'll let me go over there, we are sticking together after all." "Don't worry, JetStream. After this is through, I'm sure your Mom and I will let you talk to them." Myriad assured. "Alright thanks, Dad." he smiled. Myriad looked back up toward the stage. JetStream inhaled and exhaled calmly as he noticed his spherical gem glowing once again. "Is that thing going off again." Corolla asked. "Yeah, but it is no big deal." JetStream's eyesight lagged away from her eyes as he looked back down, for the moment at his upper right forearm. Suddenly a fanfare started out of nowhere, and was sung by birds. "Well, it's starting." Myriad stated. You could see all the heads of ponies turning toward the one stage. "Wait a minute..." JetStream noticed that it was Fluttershy teaching the birds, "Fluttershy's amazing with animals..." he stated to himself. A spotlight flashed on and lit the place as its light bounces on every single wall. A pony was walking her way downstage. "Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure, to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!" everypony cheered. "Wow, she's the mayor of this town?" he noticed she had a scroll with long blue ribbons spinning in a circle, 'If I could clap my hooves without falling right now, I would.' Twilight matched JetStream expression as they both slightly looked downward to the ground. JetStream saw some sort of glint in the wood, he questioned it, only to receive no answer and look back toward the stage. "-Magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year!" JetStream hearing those words, yet another spine-stingingly cold wave went down his back. The gem on his ring glow a bright grey, JetStream's eyes opened in shock. "That isn't good..." he made a quick glance toward Twilight, as he knows her too is informed on such thing. JetStream noticed she was looking up and to her right, "... What is she looking a-?" he noticed the stars were so close to the moon, and you could visibly see them move, "Oh no..." the gem grew brighter. Both Twilight and JetStream looked away and at the stage. 'I don't think I ever haven't been so scared to see Celestia...' JetStream thought. 'It can be any moment now...' Twilight thought as they feared the same fear. "-Ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria..." Fluttershy looked to her birds and told them to get ready. JetStream's expression was the worst. As soon as she finished her most recent word, everything went cold and shattered eventually. 'Honestly I could feel her Aura up there were she was planned to be shown... but now she's...' "Princess Celestia!" Rarity pulled on the rope, which made the curtain's open, "Eh!?" she looked at the empty space before her. "This, can't be good..." Twilight dreaded. JetStream bit his lower lip. Mayor Mare looked through the crowd. "Remain calm everypony, there must be a reasonable explanation." "Ooo! Ooo!" Pinkie started jumping up and down, "I love guessing games!" she continuously looked around, then at the ground, "Is she hiding?" Rarity went up to the balcony after searching for the minute. "She's gone!" Pinkie along with everypony else gasped. JetStream sighed. '.. Right...' "Oh, she's good..." Pinkie had her eyes up on the upper stage, she paused. Reality hit JetStream never like it has before. "She's back..." Myriad looked to JetStream, but never asked him what he meant. "Ahhhh!" Pinkie exclaimed as a swirl of purple, transparent, sparkly goo forms in the same exact spot. It started shifting as it collected more of itself. "Oh no..." "Oh no." Twilight looked around. "Is she looking for me?" JetStream went ahead "better safe than sorry" as he always heard. He looked directly at Twilight with his eyes open. The gem changed to an orange colour, yet still grew even brighter, 'Please, please...' JetStream was suddenly pushed back just an inch, 'Yes!' his tone was rather desperate than thankful. Twilight looked around, and suddenly stopped. "..." JetStream paused. Twilight looked in JetStream's direction instantly. JetStream nodded with a grimace, Twilight nodded back as well, she didn't know how he did, but that obviously wasn't the case right now. The gem dimmed as the seconds passed. JetStream, out of shock, looked up toward the stage when everypony jumped, 'Why is...?' "...!" JetStream instantly saw her before himself, yet he was hard to see since he blended into the crowd. Too bad for Pinkie being a neon-bright colour in this situation, "It's Nightmare Moon..." "Nightmare Moon..." she stood in her own stature of an Alicorn, a symbol of power and knowledge. Mix them together and you got double trouble. Spike suddenly fainted, falling to yet another familiar floor. It has gotten cold in here suddenly as she begun to speak upon the ponies of Ponyville, and the history of what Celestia used to be. "Oh my dear beloved subjects, it's been so long since I've seen your precious, little, sun-loving faces." "What did you do with our princess!?" Rainbow Dash blew the question away. She leaped up into the air and intended to fly, yet Applejack caught her by her tail. JetStream sighed. 'That could've went horribly...' "Whoa there nelly!" she said with her mouth bit down. Nightmare Moon laughed. "Why, am I not royal enough for you?" her eyes squinted, and her tone was more bitter. "Don't you know who I am?" 'Yes I do!' JetStream thought, as of he actually spoke, 'But I don't want to get in trouble... or have my Mom and Dad worry for me...' JetStream felt empty thinking it. "Ooo! Ooo! More guessing games umm, Pokey Smokes... how about, Queen Meanie... no, Black Snooty, Black Snooty-!" Applejack stuffed an apple. Even thought she was aware of this, Pinkie still continued to talk. "Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?" she leaned toward Fluttershy, who was innocently hovering in the ground. Her goo-like flowing mane flowed next to her, just by staring you could tell it was cold as a winter night. 'I want to get up there!' JetStream was thinking like a shark, he would always have to be on the move. Nightmare Moon moved to Rarity, her mane was just below her chin. "Do you not recall the legend?" her mane flicked up on her chin, "Did you not see the signs?" 'I would be saying yes to so many of you-!' "I did." Twilight stated, looking at Nightmare Moon, "And I know who you are. You're the mare in the moon, Nightmare Moon." 'The mare in the moon... Nightmare Moon.' JetStream echoed and swallowed, 'I need to get up there!' JetStream jumped back to life as she trotted forward and pushed through the crowd, "Twilight!" she looked to her left, noticing shifting ponies in the crowd. "JetStream?" "JetStream!" Myriad exclaimed, they tried to follow, but they weren't getting all the speed they could get. 'Everything will change in this very moment... she must be stopped...' JetStream finally reached the end. When he got out, he stumbled and caught his balance. He suddenly noticed he was getting stared down by Nightmare Moon herself, 'Or else...' she smiled the instant she saw him, yet it didn't look like a very good smile. "Well, well, well. It looks like somepony remembers me." Nightmare Moon looked at JetStream like a loving mother, it didn't fit so well with JetStream thought, "Oh, it's been a long time. How have you been, JetStream? ..." her expression was so relaxed. JetStream rose his neck in shock, 'She did that on purpose!' next thing her heard was some of the worst, ponies were gasping like he was some wanted outlaw, "How does she know that pony?" he generally heard from in the crowd. She looked about the crowd. "Oh, so you're surprised at such a thing? To know him and I have a rotting bond since we first met..." she looked at Twilight, "We have interesting crowd here... And if this is true, you must know why I'm here." Twilight looked nervously through the crowd, at JetStream, then back to Nightmare Moon. "You're here to... to..." her swallow was audible, she looked worried toward JetStream, as did himself. Nightmare Moon laughed. "Remember this day little ponies, for it is your last-" she looked at Twilight and JetStream. The gem on his ring started to glow a turquoise colour, he started hearing something about it in the crowd as well, "From this moment forth, the night, will last. Forever!" she started laughing maniacally as he mane and tail surged through the building, they swepped by Twilight and JetStream. 'It's so cold...' the gem grew brighter. "That's freezing..." she shivered to its surprise. Mayor Mare jumped up, pointing her left hoof at Nightmare Moon. "Seize her!" Three pegasi guards jumped up and flew straight toward her, "Only she knows where the princess is!" "Stand back-" she turned right to the guards, "-You foals!" giving them a bitter look, her eyes glowed. She spawned mini-lightning flashes, the guards flew backwards and nearly landed on a couple ponies. "Ahh!" you could hear screams easily in the crowd. JetStream and Twilight just stared in horror. JetStream bit his lower lip and looked back to Nightmare Moon. His gem glowed the brightest it has ever done, he quickly looked at it in worry. 'That isn't good...' suddenly the miasma swarmed around Nightmare Moon in a circle, a never ending loop, it lunged for the door, and wisped right past Twilight and JetStream on its way out. JetStream lost his balance and had to get it back. They both had the same expressions, yet they may be thinking different things. As soon as the miasma was gone, everypony was galloping right and left in a panic. Suddenly the gem dimmed to where there was no light emitting whatsoever, JetStream was facing a little more toward the ground. He looked back up, Twilight gasped when she recalled what JetStream said, because the iris of his eyes were turquoise once again. "JetStream!" Myriad called out. He finally looked away from Twilight and to his father. "Dad?" "Are you alright, JetStream?" Corolla and Myriad galloped closer when they got the chance. "Come back here!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she flew outside after it, yet she stopped and grimaced. "... Nighttime? Forever?" she would watch it go until it practically disappeared. "Help! I'm stuck!" a pony exclaimed from the other side of the Town Hall, Myriad raised his neck and looked around, as did Corolla and JetStream. They saw a pony caught by a spotlight. Myriad turned to JetStream. "JetStream, I want you to get back to Sugarcube Corner, all right? You should be safe there." he didn't bother asking him the same. Instantly JetStream turned around, galloping out the door, looking like he would tear up. 'That was! ... It was like she set me up! I ca-!' "Gah!" JetStream suddenly fell backwards. He was breathing like he was walking through a haunted mansion. "Watch where yo-! Oh... JetStream..." Twilight turned around, JetStream tried to get back up. "Ow..." he breathed in with his teeth grit, "Now my flank hurts..." he stated to himself looking toward the ground. When he looked back up, Twilight gasped. JetStream turquoise eyes glistened by the moonlit night, JetStream quickly stood back up, "What is it?" he looked behind him. "Did you see something?" "I... I saw you." "Yeah- wait what?" he looked back to her with an eyebrow raised. "You're eyes are a blue colour, just like you said earlier today when you and I were talking..." JetStream looked at her. "These things are something I definitely don't want to lie about..." JetStream noticed his ring changed to a blue hue as well, "These eyes... it's like a curse... a blessing..." JetStream looked at Twilight knowingly, "A bad one at that!" Twilight sighed. "I need to hurry and get Spike back to the library, you going to follow?" she motioned to take a step. JetStream looked back and forth, until he finally decided. "Yes." rather shakily. They both started for the library and fled the Town Hall. From where Rainbow Dash stopped in an aerial position. Something reflected a bright glint in the corner of her eye. "...! Where they going?" she asked herself. Part 9 Twilight rushed into the library and went upstairs, "I'll be right back." she said. "I'll wait..." JetStream responded as he walked in and closed the door behind him. The final steps of her hooves vanished near the door upstairs, JetStream then turned toward the windows. "... I wonder where the others are..." JetStream continued about what they have to do next, 'I don't think just pony force alone can do it...' he remembered when he shattered the blue gem on the thick necklace she wore in some of her earlier nightmares she brought upon him. As soon as Twilight took her first step out of the room, JetStream's heart skipped a beat as he noticed his gem glowed a rainbow hue once again, "... The elements of harmony...?" Twilight perked up as she went to the bookshelf. "Excuse me, JetStream. But what'd you say?" JetStream paused. "The elements of harmony?" she stopped herself to look at him. "Wait... How do you know abou- I never told you about the elements of harmony when we had our little talk before..." Rainbow Dash went up to the window, and could faintly hear what they were talking through their mouths, she didn't quite like what she was hearing. "Yeah, I know..." JetStream kicked the ground, and continued, "I know about them because of my-" Twilight popped up and went back to the bookshelves. "That's it!" "-Oh okay..." JetStream stood by as she shredded the shelf of its books. "No, no, no..." JetStream took one sharp look at the shelf before him. "...!" he walked to Twilight's right, stood up on his hind legs and took a book out with his mouth. "I hhhink I hhhound et!" his voice distorted by his breathing. JetStream then let go and dropped the book to his right hoof, "Yeah-" he repeated, double checking his choice, "-The elements of harmon-! Ah!" JetStream looked up as he finished, just see Rainbow staring down at him. The book flew behind him, luckily Twilight caught it with her telekinesis and decided to look at it for a split second before shifting back to the argument there about to endure. "And just what are the elements of harmony!?" Rainbow Dash gave a bitter look JetStream, and flew around to Twilight. "And how do you, and your friend here-" 'Friend?' "-Know about Nightmare Moon, huh!?" JetStream was just about to speak up, when instead, "Are you both spies!?" 'Is she paranoid!? Maybe Twilight was right about everypony here?' luckily for a tough break deserved, she got pulled back by Applejack, yet again pulling on her tail, "Whoa!" her voice cracked as it hit a high note. Applejack let go, looking irritated. "Simmer down sally, they ain't no spy..." she looked at Twilight and JetStream, a little more calmly, "But they sure know what's goin' on." suddenly the other ponies, especially Pinkie Pie, who received JetStream's invite had walked up behind Applejack. JetStream backed down, scared about where this was going. And from where they stood, you could tell JetStream was some of the youngest in the group. The mysterious ring that nopony, even himself, knew about, and how Nightmare Moon herself said his name, made him think that this couldn't possibly be the way JetStream would think it would go, like how a lot of roads would merge into one, and never be any different. Since the moon was half of the light in the tree house of a library, JetStream backed up into a shady part of the library, making his gem more visible. There was a pause, Twilight then decided to look back at JetStream, who almost looked like he was cowering, his gem was almost a grey colour as well. She sighed as she looked back. "I read all about the predictions about Nightmare Moon, some mysterious objects called the elements of harmony are the only things that can stop her. But I don't know what they are, where to find them-" JetStream froze up at that statement. 'Yet I do... they're in this room of a castle somewhere around here... oh darn, I can't exactly to remember the name of the place...' "-they do!" Pinkie Pie looked around, that's when Twilight noticed this and looked toward her, "I have it, thanks Pinkie." she turned around to her and smiled. "Well, jeez, I knew you were a bookworm, but that fast? You're crazy, Twilight." she shook her head. "Well no actually-" she looked back toward the shady figure a bit behind her, "Thanks for finding it, JetStream." she smiled, it warmed him up a bit. "Y-you're welcome." he stuttered still shocked. He noticed the stares he got, almost all of them looked toward his ring too. Rainbow Dash moved closer. "Actually, JetStream, I don't remember your eyes being blue like that." she pointed at him. JetStream can felt it, she was calm, so it was something to celebrate, luckily Pinkie Pie didn't find out, hopefully not even in four years. JetStream gestured a shy shrug. After a short pause, Twilight flipped to the best page, and started reading. JetStream also decided to step up and try to read along with what Twilight said. "There are six elements of harmony, but only five are known." 'But only five are known.' JetStream mouthed the words to himself. "Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, and Loyalty." 'Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, and Loyalty.' JetStream vividly remembered how the object with six different arms seem to hold each stone, "Yet the one on the top..." he repeated to himself, Twilight's left ear twitched, making her look in that direction. "What about it, JetStream?" she asked. He looked up. "I- oh, uh... nothing, you can keep going." he acted as if he didn't mean to catch their attention, "Continue on with Magic..." he said unconsciously. Twilight shuffled and looked back toward the book. "The sixth, is a complete mystery. It is said the last known location of the elements, was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters." JetStream's Aura shifted, his gem glowed a turquoise colour. His breathing changed as he looked to his gem, he quickly looked over to the nearest window, which was to his left. JetStream saw something behind the window, he jumped up looking out the window, "Hey!" everypony else jumped afterward. "What!? What is it!?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "I saw something out there, out that window..." he pointed toward said window, everypony looked left. "I'm sorry dear, but I'm not seeing anything you are." Rarity admitted. "I swore I saw something there...!" "Nah." Pinkie responded, "You're probably seeing things, like me." she brought her hooves up to her eyes as they started to roll in opposite directions. "Okay..." he stood back. Twilight paused before continuing. "... It is located in what is now, the Everfree forest." she finished, JetStream suddenly jumped up. "That's what is was-!" he instantly covered his own mouth. The gem was glowing a bright green. "... What was that about?" Twilight asked. "Finally cleared something is all." he smiled sheepishly, almost matching Pinkie's smile. Twilight shifted and started walking toward the stairs. "We need to get ready." "Fur what?" Applejack asked. "..." she paused, then turned to her. "We're going to the Everfree forest to retrieve the elements of harmony-" she looked at the rest of the group, "-And maybe found out what the sixth element is." she smiled. "Ya know I must admit, this, element of harmony business is pretty interesting stuff." Rainbow Dash stated. "... I don't know, I've heard about that forest. I and I don't like what I have heard..." Fluttershy started to tremble. JetStream saw this, and decided what he would do trying to be a hero of some sort. "Don't worry Fluttershy-" his Aura was noticeably an orange. "You have all your friends by your side." "... You too right? I mean... I'm pretty sure you're a friend too." JetStream scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, thanks Fluttershy." JetStream's smile afterword seemed to have affect. "O-okay." the others smiled at her afterward. "We got this, Fluttershy. Don't you worry." Twilight finally got back from the room. "Tired little fellow." "Waddya doin' up there?" Rainbow asked. "I checked on, Spike. Why?" she walked to the door. "We're leaving the baby dragon here!?" Fluttershy almost broke a new record. They were all shocked by her sudden outburst, Twilight instantly shushed her. "Please, I rather have Spike here than in the Everfree..." JetStream looked curiously. 'Could they be?' he asked himself to whom he'd ask to who later. "Sorry!" she squeaked. She decided not to say anything further, but just to turn toward the door and burn the phrase. "Lets get going." off her mouth. The rest followed after her, the last two being Fluttershy and JetStream. He gave off a sigh and blew it all off. Fluttershy looked over her shoulders. "Excuse me, JetStream." he looked ahead and caught up to her. "What is it, Fluttershy?" they were walking next to one another. "I sincerely must think you again, for saving me... back years ago..." JetStream expressed a worryful smile. "You don't have to, I heard you the first time... but I do admire your gratitude." Fluttershy looked down at the ground once more. "I'm... I'm sorry, I just can't seem to forget about it, I necessarily like it to bring it back up. I hope you don't mine me telling you..." he smiled. "No, I don't mind at all..." JetStream paused before he continued, trying to think of something, "... I bet you can use that to build on what you already have..." "W-what do you mean?" she asked curiously. "I... well uh..." he looked around, "... Well, you know how they say how you can learn from past mistakes?" she nodded, "Well, keep that in mind, all of us bet you can..." JetStream tilted his head slightly up, "You should too." his gem was glowing a bright pink, he has never saw this colour until now. After that, less and less conversation broke out until they finally reached their destination, and when they did. "The Everfree forest..." all stated except JetStream, he cringed. 'Never thought I'd be here again...' he about took his first step, but suddenly Pinkie took it instead. "Weeee! Lets go!" Twilight turned to Pinkie Pie. "Not so fast." Pinkie stopped. "Look I appreciate the offer..." she turned to JetStream, "And the information we shared-" she looked firm into the forest, "But I really rather do this on my own..." Applejack walked up, shaking her head. Everypony looked at her, even Twilight. "No can do, sugarcube. We sure ain't lettin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone." she held a firm posture for herself. 'Ugh, that word!' it looked like Twilight could've physically retreated. Applejack went up ahead. "Ha!" JetStream exclaimed, "It's like she's the leader or something." JetStream directed to Twilight. Fluttershy, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash continued after. She rolled her eyes at his statement. "Hmmmm! Especially if there's candy apples in there." she looked back toward Twilight. All she did was give her a stare. "... What!?" she squeaked, as she turned toward the forest, "Those things are good!" she bellowed in the thought of it. "You know-" Twilight looked at JetStream, who just started to make his way to the entrance, "I did have a candy, that had one flavor change to green apple, I didn't like it as much..." he paused. "Hey, wait! Pinkie!" he dashed into the forest after her. Twilight looked down, and sighed. And rather said nothing at all instead of complaining. Part 10 It's been almost ten minutes since they entered this dark, lavender-hued forest, with only the bright stars above as their only way of knowing if they're still breathing. Trees surrounding almost every angle, and creatures rumored that you wouldn't dare mess with if you valued your own life. Twilight was the first ever to speak since they have entered, "...So, none of you have been in here before?" Rarity scoffed at the very thought, looking everywhere very carefully. "Heavens no! Just look at it, it's dreadful." she shrieked on the last word. "And it ain't natural..." JetStream sighed. "I have..." he rose his neck, he was surprised with the looks he received, "Well, technically yes, I have... It was in the nightmares I was always getting when I was with Neure- I mean..." he sighed, and rolled his eyes to the right. "Talk about being dreadful..." at that moment he felt something cold as he took his next step, and only that one. Yet he thought he only stepped in something, and shook his hoof in mid-air, "I must admit though-" JetStream continued, "I'm not a pony who likes to necessarily, get muddy..." he had to put his emphases where it needed to be. "... I herd folks say it don't work the same like Equestria." "What is that supposed to mean?" Twilight asked. They suddenly heard something, Twilight and Applejack jumped ahead while Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and JetStream were backing up, Rainbow Dash snuck up to them like a spider and with her ghostly voice. "Nopony knows, you know why...?" Applejack furrowed her eyebrows as she grew irritated at her teasing. "Rainbow! Quit it!" "'Cause everypony who has ever come in, has never come-" JetStream was ready for the pounce, "Out!" she jumped, making them all shriek. Followed by a massive crackling sound, which afterward cracks formed all around. The bad thing was that they were at the edge of the cliff, JetStream was right at the crack, unfortunately the whole chunk broke off, and started to fall, with everypony on it. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy instantly took to the air. JetStream quickly turned around and tried to reach for the edge at which the cliff broke, but suddenly the miasma exhausted from the exact spot. "Agh!" Making it too cold it almost burned, he let go in the pain and started sliding down as well. The moon shone at the right angle, shining down on them as they could meet their last look. But suddenly it all came back, and he heard out of nowhere. "Fluttershy, quick!" she instantly went downward. "Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!" she repeated to herself as she went down after her. They all screeched as they slid. 'I need to get a hold of myself!' his hooves were side-ways at an angle, yet he needed to hurry as they would run out of room and time to think. Rainbow Dash swooped down and caught Pinkie in mid-air. Fluttershy caught Rarity's tail in her mouth to slow her down. JetStream saw Applejack caught the vine dangling by her teeth, but Twilight, "Twilight!" JetStream exclaimed, Applejack hearing this, she instantly looked down, 'My hooves still hurt from that cold sting earlier...' yet he still looked around. Applejack let go and looked up, "JetStream grab the vine!" he was prepared and hoped to do so. She looked back down. "Hold on! Ah'ma comin'!" JetStream and the rest watched in terror, "Gocthya!" he praised to himself as he grabbed the vine sticking out from the ground. Apple jack was now just holding Twilight just over the cliff. "Applejack! What do I do!?" her hind legs slipping just below on the steep drop below them, causing more pebbles to fall. Everypony awaited her answer, and that's when. "Let go..." she looked up as she thought about it, and looked back to Twilight. Twilight's eyes almost teared. "Are? Are you crazy!?" Applejack did look very sincere to the pony almost awaiting anything fatal. "..." JetStream paused, looking worried himself, when suddenly the gem glowed a pinkish colour, "That... that Aura she reveals specifically to you Twilight, it shows true... I know it!" each pause was a struggle to stay attached to the vine he desperately needed. Twilight looked away from JetStream and at Applejack straight at her truthful telling eyes. She nodded toward JetStream as a thanks without words, still keeping her sincere expression. JetStream could feel it, Twilight's Aura was changing, to a light yellow. "Listen here, Twilight. What Ah'm sayin' here is the honest truth... Let go... and you'll be safe." she took it into thought. And one second after another became such a problem, she let go without another thought. JetStream gasped in fear, her Aura instantly changed to a murky blue. JetStream breathed in with his teeth grit, as all he heard were screams, until it finally stopped. Applejack looked up. "Don't worry JetStream, com' on down..." he gasped as he knew he had to take action. He looked at the vine he was currently holding on to, "Ah see platforms we can use below us." she explained her reason. JetStream let go after a seconds pass and started sliding down once again. "Okay..." she prepared herself. "Okay, JetStream, Ah want you to prepare yerself! Follow me!" she exclaimed and jumped to a rock platform being pushed from the side, where they were able to land on. JetStream was prepared to jump just where she would feel comfortable. 'Okay... Okay! I don't think I can use just only my eyes!' he closed them just before the jump, and a split second before he rolled off the cliff, his gem glowed a yellow colour. Falling now to the platform below, he gasped as he felt like he was able to breath again, just like before. He was able to see everything once again, and everything that falls behind it, yet it was all outlined in certain colours. His Auric sight has returned as the gem glowed like a light in a lamp post during the night. The first platform was straight below outlined in brown, earth colours. "Keep it up, JetStream!" she encouraged. Applejack jumped to the next, which was to their right just below. JetStream landed with dust blowing in every direction. "Aagh!" "Don't furget to bend yer knees!" 'R-right...' the pain rippled throughout his hind legs. He boost himself forward and saw the platform below as Applejack jumped to the next and the rest afterward, as the platforms seem to make a zigzag pattern. The rock came closer and closer until he finally landed, and bent his knees as instructed to, and looked down for the next to jump down to. Soon enough Applejack hit the ground and looked back up. "Doin' great so far!" JetStream jumped to the last one, yet as he did, something unexpected flew right past him, it was extremely cold. It swiped him off course, he lost balance and suddenly lost his sight. He missed the rock and just started plummeting. They all gasped, yet Rarity and Rainbow Dash caught this quickly. Rarity galloped closer, yet from where Rainbow Dash was, she couldn't see her. As Rarity prepared her magic. "Ahhhh-!" JetStream realized he suddenly felt heavier. He suddenly heard something whoosh by, followed by a crash. JetStream finally opened his eyes from them being shut in fear, he looked to his left and gasped. Suddenly he heard Applejack starting to snicker. "Rainbow Dash are you okay!?" they all went to her. As Rarity moved, JetStream who floated in mid-air surrounded by a blue glow followed after her. JetStream shifted in its grip. 'Jeez it's strong...' she pushed into the rock wall as her head was still encrypted into it. On her last push, she freed herself and landed right on her flank a couple feet away. Her wings flopped to the ground just seconds afterward. "Oh!" Rarity exclaimed as she looked at the dizzied mare, "Rainbow Dash, darling! I'm so sorry for that!" "Uh... eh-" JetStream thought of it as weird and or awkward. "Well, thanks Rarity for catching me..." she smiled. "Oh, it's no problem. And besides-" she set JetStream back on his hooves, "I think Rainbow Dash needs more help as of now..." as soon as JetStream touched the ground, he recoiled and pulled his left hoof away. 'Ag-! ... What?' he dangled it in mid-air like it was numb, 'It's not stinging anymore... it felt like a cold burn seconds ago...' he looked to Applejack in question, yet she was still busy catching her giggles. Part 11 After minutes later they were back on the trail, JetStream's now blue irises in his eyes are easily noticeable, if they were glowing as bright as the sun it wouldn't change how much you would notice. Yet it is still a shameful reminder at how he can't seem to bring himself to answer a simple question as "How does she know you?" or anything around the sort. JetStream was focusing on his Aura, concentrating on it like putting pressure on the end of a water hose, "-And once Pinkie and Rarity were safe, whoosh!" she flew by for effect, "Me and Fluttershy loop-de-looped around-" she did barrel rolls right above Twilight, and descended on her right side, "-and wham!" she landed with her wings folding instantly, her eyes closed in the fear of her own amazement, "Caught you right in the nick of time." her toned calmed. Twilight didn't look so pleased. "Yes Rainbow I was there-" she turned to her with a pleasing expression, "-And I'm very grateful-" JetStream was still concentrating, when what he needed flew off in the wrong direction of where he needed it to go. "Oh! Da-!" he gasped, Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy looked at him. As the wave he concentrated flew off in the direction he didn't want, it passed an Aura that wasn't resting as he stood before it. "What is it, JetStr-" a weightful stomp, stopped them in their tracks. JetStream grit his teeth with a worryful expression. 'What is that!?' Twilight gasped. "A manticore!" 'Manticore?' it jumped to its hind legs and roared like a lion, "We got to get past him!" Twilight declared. Fluttershy coiled in fear, she landed on the ground only later to soon realize what may be causing this, she jumped when she realized the manticore made a pounce for Rarity. It landed and swung its right paw around, only for Rarity to swiftly duck under. 'And maybe a bit of a fighter too?' JetStream questioned as he backed up, he needed to think about, it was all to confusing, 'Its Aura was so calm just moments ago... What made it so agitated!?' Rarity jumped and swung her hind legs straight at the hostile beast, she landed and looked just as aggressive back toward it. "Take that you crumpian!" It roared back at Rarity from the insult it took, causing excess saliva in its mouth to fly everywhere. Once it stopped it decided to take a look at what it did, "My hair!" Rarity exclaimed, she looked back at the manticore, "Ah!" a fled from the battle she decided to kick back into. As Rarity retreated, she past Fluttershy, who slightly yelled. "Wait!" JetStream looked over to her. 'She might have the same idea... yet I wonder what she can feel from this...' the manticore went after her, yet was stopped once Applejack took over, who appeared to jump onto and exclaim. "Yeee-haw!" on its back, it shifted and soon started to kick, "Get along little doggy!" she yelled as she tried to hang on. After a couple of seconds of jumping and prancing around, Applejack flew off at an angle, she flew past Rainbow Dash, "All yours, partner." she saluted before diving in after it. "I'm on it!" and flew right past Fluttershy. "Wait!" yet it still didn't seem to come across. She performed her "Rainblow Dry" and circled the beast, yet at the proper moment, it swatted Rainbow like a fly with its scorpion-like tail. "Rainbow!" Twilight exclaimed as she fell to the ground, dust and dirt flew up from the forest floor she slid upon. JetStream gasped. Twilight knew she had enough, and looked with a firm angry smile plastered on her face. Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow, and Pinkie all charged at the beast. 'Are they-!? ... wait... how come the manticore isn't moving at all?' since JetStream was at such an angle, he finally realized what it was, he took a step forward out of tension, as they will all get a hit on the beast that should've never messed with the-. "Waaaiiiit!" she held, and it was the loudest any of them would ever hear. They all stopped in their tracks. Out in silence, JetStream changed his way in Aura he knew would be friendly, his Aura went to a pale blue, as well as the gem, and acted a worried expression to finish it off with a smile, he was glad to still not see it move. Fluttershy turned toward it, with a friendly smile, yet that didn't change a thing for the manticore, it got back on its hind legs and draw its paw up for another attack, they all couldn't watch as they suddenly heard, "It's okay..." she nuzzled it with her nose on its left paw. Her sweet look was all it took to stop the manticore from attacking, it paused and decided to show its left paw, and unveiled what JetStream thought was his answer all that time, "Oh-" she looked at it in pain, "-poor, poor little baby..." "... Little?" Rainbow Dash questioned her statement, as it was obviously an understatement. "This will hurt for just a second." "Here we go..." JetStream cringed, it grabbed her and roared. "Fluttershy!" "Fluttershy!" "Fluttershy!" "Fluttershy!" "Fluttershy!" they all screamed at once. Yet suddenly it started licking her mane, purring like a cat, "I thought it would've been a dog..." putting his hoof on his chest, yet not boasting a pose. He was looking at Applejack as he spoke. "-You're just a baby little cutie aren't you?" she started to get a snuggle tone, just as if she got a new puppy. Twilight took her first step deciding to walk past it, the rest followed. JetStream walked up to the manticore. "Wow..." it suddenly stopped licking her for its thanks, and gave a firm unknown look at him, JetStream took a step back, "Ehhh... uh-" his audible pause was taken. "Don't worry you, here's not here to hurt you-" her tone was still present as it started to lick her again at her mane, "-Is he? No he's not. No he's not." JetStream laughed the building steam from the stare he received, and just decided to go around, where the rest waited for Fluttershy to return. Twilight was the only one who stopped for Fluttershy. 'She sure knows the nature of animals...' JetStream thought. After they waited, Fluttershy finally walked up to them. "How did you know about the thorn?" Fluttershy walked past her. "I didn't, sometimes all just need to shown a little kindness..." JetStream noticed Twilight took her sight to the ground for thought, JetStream shifted his head as if her suggested about something. Twilight looked at him and shook her head to the trail. JetStream followed behind the smiling mare, which was her first time in a while. Everything felt normal, up until something shifted in JetStream's Aura. "I swear this place is just something else..." he felt something, it was a cold coloured Aura, and it suddenly disappeared. Part 12 "Ugh..." Rarity finally spoke up after such a pause, "My eyes need a rest from all this, icky muck." it looked darker ahead, JetStream concluded as the once open ceiling is now been covered, it was almost as dark as if you mined through a cave, "... I didn't mean that literally...." she stated to herself. "Things are going to get interesting from here..." JetStream said in a dreadful tone. "It's so dark..." Rainbow Dash looked around. "That ancient ruin could be right in front of our faces and we wouldn't even know it." they all started speaking at once as if they were at a meeting. JetStream paused and looked around. "..." he was blankly staring at the tree before him. "Oh wait... I think I stepped in something..." Applejack said lifting her hoof to get a good look at it. Fluttershy looked behind Applejack, and screamed some of her best screams, "It's just mud..." Applejack responded. Pinkie Pie kept looking back to JetStream, he wasn't moving for some reason. He suddenly heard something, it changed. His hearing changed ever so slightly, then he saw something to the right corner of his eye, it was black as a silhouette. "...!" he quickly looked there, only to realize it was a fallen tree branch, "... Oh..." he said, looking up as he caught his breathe, "So that's what that noise was-" "Whoa!" Applejack yelled, falling back from shock. "What the...?" the tree had a distorted mouth on it. Yet even worse, they were surrounded by these trees, staring as statues. It built upon them until they let off yet another scream all together. JetStream cringed, covering one of his ears, still having a horrible look at the trees surrounding them. "Sometimes I don't know which is worse... wait..." he turned around and noticed Pinkie wasn't screaming with them, he looked back in front of him, only to walk back forgetting there was a tree right in front of him, "... Where's Pinkie?" he looked left and right, then suddenly they heard laughter. JetStream looked to his left, and noticed it came from Pinkie, she was laughing at one of the trees, and soon started making faces as you would to foals, "What...?" JetStream knew what he saw, but something was off about it. But that's when it came together, his gem glowed brightly, lighting up a small radius around JetStream in its rainbow-hued glow, they all looked from JetStream to Pinkie. "Pinkie! What are you doing, run!?" Pinkie Pie looked at the group of five, acknowledging JetStream to the side, nearly where she was. "Oh girls, you see-" Song Time! When I was a little filly and the sun was going doowwn...
"Tell me she's not..." Twilight dreaded this situation.
The darkness and the shadows they would always make me froowwn
"She is..." Rarity responded, 'Little bit of singing too I suppose...' JetStream thought.
I'd hide under my pillow from what I thought I saw, but Granny Pie said that wasn't the way to deal with fears at all
Rainbow Dash was tired of thinking what this mare could be thinking, "Then what is!?"
She said, Pinkie you got to stand up tall, learn to face your fears, you'll see that they can't hurt you just laugh to make them disappear
Pinkie then went up to a tree and proved her point, "Ha, ha, ha." the face them somehow went away, just as she said. She looked back with a big smile. They all gasped.
So, giggle at the ghostly, guffaw at the grossly, crack up at the creepy, whoop it up with the weepy, chortle at the kooky, snortle at the spooky. And-tell-that-big-dumb-scary-face-to-take-a-hike-and-leave-you-alone-and-if-he-thinks-he-can-scare-you-then-he's-got-another-thing-coming-and-the-very-idea-of-such-a-thing-just-makes-you-wanna...
She started laughing to pull the theme off, and finally held the last note for quite a time. It also dealt with the rest of the hideous faces and left behind normal looking bark. JetStream smiled looked to Pinkie as they all fell to the floor laughing, "Pinkie that's amazing!" JetStream felt cold in the back of his head, he scratched it on the spot that felt coldest. The miasma, which was hiding behind the tree, looked like it suddenly got hurt, it then went right and toward the place they all needed to go. JetStream looked behind them, yet all there were are trees just standing on their own, as it should be. JetStream looked to the ground in thought, only to look back up by Pinkie saying. "Come on, JetStream!" he trotted to catch back up. Seeing everypony bouncing like Pinkie usually would, it effected JetStream's mood, like it would with everypony. Everything around seemed much friendlier, you could actually explore without something popping out, and that there may be something worth finding in this unknown place, yet it isn't what they are looking for, it is something much more. JetStream had to keep pace, as he kept getting behind. Part 13 With JetStream following the bouncing ponies, they turned a corner. Though Pinkie suddenly stopped the train they were chuggin' along. They all look toward the river, he stepped to the side and gasped, "The river from my nightmare..." he said whispering to himself. "How are we going to get across this!" Pinkie exclaimed, there was a slight pause, then suddenly everypony heard a cry from not to far from where they were. They went to the left, moved aside a couple of bushes out of the way and took a look at where the cry was coming from. 'That voice sounds familiar...' JetStream thought, while too busy looking at the river, looking left he noticed they already were out on the other side, "Oh!" he trotted and galloped straight through the bushes, plowing his way to the other side. As soon as he went through, he went back to the ground, stopping himself rather sloppily. He walked up behind the six and looked around, "This sure is familiar, I guess it had to take a lot for it to be in memory..." when he looked straight ahead he couldn't believe his eyes, and about gasped, 'Incredible! That's the same seas serpent from before!' it was then when the serpent noticed JetStream as well, he paused only to snap out of it seconds later. "-It was a tacky little cloud of purple smoke just, wisps past me, and tore half of my beautiful mustache-" he pointed to the clearly cut facial hair, "-Clean off, and now, I look simply horrid!" he started to tilt, and started to fall back in the river. "Timber!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, but just before they could take cover, the serpent already splashed into the river. As JetStream looked up, he noticed the same water coming straight at him. '...!' he had a sudden flashback, to where he was in Canterlot, it seemed to be the same sewer. It looked like it was playing at the point of where he was falling toward the water, closer and closer until the flashback went white just as the water seemed to nearly him. The flashback suddenly went away, "Ah!" he jumped for no reason as it seemed to be. When he looked around, the six ponies to his left were soaked. "Oh give me a break..." Rainbow Dash dreaded. Fluttershy looked at JetStream. "JetStream..." "Hmm?" he looked toward her. "I don't mean to bother you, but somehow you're not soaked like us when the serpent splashed water everywhere..." "Really?" JetStream responded, Fluttershy cringed. "If... if you don't mind me telling you..." he quickly looked at himself, yet it was true. Not an inch of water seemed to be touching him. "I got to admit it though... I think I'm building a fear for water..." when he was looking around, he stepped away from his current position to notice even the grass below was wet like the dew of a normal summer morning. From that point on his mouth went wide open, he finally looked back up when Applejack spoke up. "That's what all the fuss is about?" she asked. Rarity rushed her way up, and looked at Rainbow Dash. "Why of course it is!" she looked away walking with her Canterlot stature, her nose in the air, "How can you be so insensitive?" Rarity's tone changed for the worse, "Oh would you look at him, such lovely luminance scales." the sea serpent sniffed before responding. "I know." it had a sincere tone. "And your expertly quaffed mane." it rose from the edge of the river to pull it backwards, slightly squeaking as he pulled on it. "Oh I know, I know." "You're fabulous manicure." he gasped. "It's so true!" "All ruined without your beautiful mustache..." Rarity ended. "It's true I'm hideous!" she looked fiercely at the crowd of ponies before her, "I simply cannot let such a crime stubulosity go uncorrected!" Rarity looked back at the sea serpent and opened her mouth, she got close to it and plucked one of its scales. "Ow! What'd you do that for?" she held it in the air, seeing it shine from the moon's light. "Rarity what are yo-?" all their mouths opened wide with a quick swipe of her tail. Rarity grabbed her cut tail with her telekinesis and floated toward the serpents cut off mustache and attached it from there. "Oo!" he exclaimed in satisfaction. Rarity smiled. "You look smashing." Twilight expression showed she was still shocked at her actions, she walked up in a fast pace. "Oh Rarity! Your beautiful tail!" it had sharp edges at where it was cut. "Oh!" she turned around. "It's fine, my dear, short tails are in this season. Besides, it'll grow back..." she said upon thinking to realize how it looked. Twilight smiled, when Rainbow Dash snuck up to her. "So would the mustache..." she walked back away, turning to JetStream and boasting a pose as she heard him snickering. Twilight gasped. "We can cross now!" it was true, as the raging waves from before now have all dissipated. Twilight started to cross into the water, when suddenly the water shot up from the serpents tail coming from the water was below her. "Allow me..." he said wholeheartedly, and then stuck his face in the water so they could finish his bridge. "Com' on, J'ream." Rainbow Dash gestured. "J'ream?" he questioned the nick name, yet followed after her. After they all crossed, and JetStream was the last to touch the other side, the serpent rose back up form the water. JetStream turned in shock and looked up at it. "Goodbye. I hope we meet again." the serpent waved, and afterward winked, JetStream gasped. 'Could he have, remembered that being my nightmare...?' he was frozen in second thought, yet shattered as he smiled and waved back, "Alright. Bye then." he turned around and caught back up to the others. Part 14 "There it is!" Twilight exclaimed. In all its glory, the shook up castle was still standing up right in front of them. "Oh!" "Jeez! What happened to it?" Rainbow Dash said looking critically. "I'm not sure-" Twilight responded, "-But it went through a lot during the royal sister's reign. Almost all the walls were smashed from the inside, even the bricks had cracks in them too. JetStream stepped from the forest and got to the open area. "Whoa... She was right, it looked a lot cleaner in the nightmare..." the ceiling seemed to be collapsed as well, so there were a considerable amounts of debris on the floor. "It's the ruins that hold the elements of harmony." Twilight continued. JetStream walked up to Twilight, looking at her. "We're going to get across... eh somehow..." "Right, of course JetStream..." Twilight paused before asking. "You mind looking back into your nightmare, if you went to the same place, then you probably know how you got across." JetStream gave a nervous laugh in return. "Well, that won't help much, I remember jumping this entire gap..." he looked down into the abyss below from where he stood, swallowing hard. "Don't worry, I'm sure we'll get there so-!" JetStream jumped up, he saw Rainbow Dash grab her tail. "Hhhelp mhhe, JhhetSthhream!" she exclaimed through her grit teeth. He went down towards Twilight, and asked her to give her a hoof to himself. She turned around the best she could, soon they finally grabbed each other's hooves, JetStream pulled his best, he quickly anchored himself against the wooden pole sticking from the ground that connected the bridge as he knew he couldn't keep it up. With a final tug, Twilight was set back onto the edge of where a bridge seemed to have fell. Rainbow Dash dragged her further away from the edge while JetStream was sent back on his flank. Everypony gave a sigh of relief as Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight, who was just standing back up, "What's with you and falling off cliffs today?" Pinkie Pie looked ahead. "Now what!?" there was another pause. JetStream looked around, not looking so sure himself. When suddenly. "Duh..." Rainbow responded, fluttering her wings. "Oh yeah..." Pinkie Pie realized. JetStream stood back up as he saw Rainbow Dash shot herself straight down. His mouth open in wonder, only to see her rise again with the bridge in her mouth. "Way to g-..." JetStream was cut-off from himself as he realized, "The cold is back..." he said to himself, looking at the ground. It feels like it suddenly got colder, something had to be around. As soon as Rainbow Dash landed with the rope still tight in her mouth, her grip loosened as she heard something faintly say. "Rainbow..." she gasped and dropped the rope. "Who's there?" she looked back and forth, while the miasma went literally right under her nose. "Rainbow..." the voice echoed through the forest. She looked around, gritting her teeth. She stood up on her hind legs and swung her forehooves like in a boxing match. "I ain't scared of you! Show yourself!" Rainbow turned around to the voice. "We've been eagerly waiting your arrival of the best flier in Equestria." she looked around puzzled. "Who?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Why, you of course." "Really!?" "That voice sounds oddly familiar..." JetStream thought aloud. "I mean, uh yeah! Me, hey uh, you wouldn't mind telling the Wonderbolts that would ya? 'Cause, I've been trying to get into that group for like, ever..." There was a pause. "No Rainbow Dash, we want you to join us..." three shadowy figures walked up in the clouds. They slid with full balance as they made to a stop outside of the cloud. JetStream suddenly was standing low, in some sort of defense position. "Imposters!" some of his sharper teeth were showing. Rarity looked down at JetStream's gem, as it caught her attention. It was glowing a certain colour. "What's the ruckus about, dear?" JetStream paused, just to figure out what made him trip into this anger in the first place. "It's those ponies' Auras, I have never seen an Aura from another pony glow so faintly..." "The Shadowbolts?" Rainbow Dash sounded lost. "We're the greatest aerial team in the Everfree forest. And soon we'll be the greatest in all of Equestria... But first-" the one in the middle walked up to Rainbow and talked to her side by side, "We need a captain..." she flew into the air, and turned back around. Rainbow Dash looked like she would have accepted it instantly, "The most magnificent." "Yep." "The swiftest." "Yes." "The bravest flier in all the land." "Yes-" she broke into small laughter, "-It's all true." "We need..." Rainbow Dash's eyes sparkled in anticipation. "... You." the dark-toned pony whispered in her ear. She jumped instantly into the air. "Woo-hoo! Sign me up!" she paused and looked at the bridge. The three ponies shifted as they saw what Rainbow had in mind. JetStream gasped. "Just let me tie this bridge real quick, and then we have a deal..." "No!" the pony yelled, causing Rainbow Dash to jump back in shock, "... It's them or us..." she looked gained a sense of worry. JetStream's heart went faster, he started tensing as he knew he had to do something. "Rainbow! What's taking so long?" he jumped forward just an inch. 'Do not alert them!' JetStream started backing up. "Oh no..." Twilight was hit with sudden realization that those ponies aren't what they seem. "Rainbow!" between pauses, JetStream was able to make good distance. With full force he pushed himself forward. 'Too late I'm doing it!' he was going a full gallop toward the gap. He waited so eagerly to see this turn out just like the nightmare. Just as he made his jump for it, and the other mares finally realized what he was doing. One of the ponies looked directly at Twilight, and put up a cloud barrier. Yet just before it was a complete white wall, JetStream was able to smash right through it. "JetStream!?" Twilight looked to her right in panic. "What the hay is he doin'!?" "That's rather reckless I may add..." not knowing how fast the ground would come at him, he prepared to tumble either way. After passing through the thick clouds, he saw the grass below him. He grit his teeth and prepared to land and keep his hooves in sync with the ground so he wouldn't trip over himself. He slid and stopped just a couple feet away from Rainbow. He shook off the stress that was once there, and had to deal with the stares he got from the two ponies on the left and right of the three in front of Rainbow Dash. "I knew something wasn't riiiieee-" he nearly stomped his hoof on the turquoise tinted grass. The stares he received were almost paralyzing. Seconds after seconds he got quieter and quieter on the same word. Until he couldn't be heard no more, the one in the middle finally spoke up. "Well?" Rainbow Dash paused, and decided to finally say what was truly lying behind that muzzle of hers. "... You..." the pony gained a grin "Rainbow! What are you saying!" is what JetStream would've said, but all that came out was the moving of his mouth. JetStream silently gasped, as he realized he practically is speechless. When suddenly, Rainbow Dash looked at JetStream, then quickly to the pony in front, "Thank you, for the offer I mean..." JetStream was now just confused, yet until she went straight for the bridge, he drew a smile open-mouthed as Rainbow Dash continued to tighten the rope for the bridge, "But, I am afraid I have to say no..." she looked at JetStream smiling, same for him, "I'll be right back, JetStream." he nodded. As soon as she rushed over, the three ponies all transformed into the miasma. When JetStream gasped, his voice was clear and audible. It suddenly got cold the further Rainbow Dash seemed to go, JetStream's temporal blue eyes glowed as well as his gem. It only took a moment, but he realized the miasma was surrounding him. "Aech!" Twilight looked ahead to see if JetStream was still up ahead, she gasped at what she saw. Since the clouds still lingered, JetStream's silhouette was brought upon the cloud, the miasma performed some kind of illusion. As soon as JetStream lifted on of his hooves so he could avoid it, the illusion kicked in, revealing Nightmare Moon's silhouette for a whole second. After that the miasma instantly left, leaving its Aura to be a clue for him and the rest who where now crossing the bridge. "What was that!?" Twilight exclaimed. "... Whatever it is... it's made upset..." he dreaded looking toward the shattered castle, his blue eyes shined by the moon's light. Part 15 Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity all decided to walk ahead, Pinkie Pie gasped to show that she was behind, she bounced just slightly faster to catch up. Twilight started walking when JetStream started to, "So this must be the castle?" JetStream asked, raising a brow at the mare next to her. "I'm pretty sure this is it-" she paused, "Didn't you say, JetStream, that you went to this castle, in your nightmares?" Twilight asked. "Well, yeah I did but..." he looked at the castle they were slowly approaching, "... It looked nothing like this. It was much cleaner looking, although the inside wasn't as smashed, it had a couple dents inside. From how I see it now from my nightmares-" he looked back to Twilight, "-It's basically like my memory has been cleared... but I've yet to remember..." JetStream looked like he saw something to the right, as he wouldn't look away. After a long pause, he signaled that he was finished. "... Why don't we catch back up." Twilight went to a slightly faster trot. "O-okay..." JetStream followed after, not looking at the ground. There were a couple gasps in awe as soon as they entered. JetStream was looking at the walls, "Yeah, it has really take a beating..." he looked at the center and gasped, he galloped up to it and took a look, "Wow!" "What is it?" Rainbow Dash asked. "This doesn't even look touched. There's no dents or anything happened to it!" he sounded very shocked, his voice bouncing off the brick walls. "Come on, Twilight, isn't this what you were waitin' for?" "Yes..." she nodded softly. "The elements of harmony, we've found them!" JetStream's eyes suddenly jumped to Rainbow Dash as she grabbed one of the stones, followed by Fluttershy. "JetStream, you might be wrong on that part." Rainbow Dash said, looking at him. "What do you mean?" he looked to her. "There are hoof prints everywhere on the top of this thing..." she started to fly down to settle the stones on the ground. "Careful, careful..." Twilight warned. JetStream instantly froze up, eyes wide open. 'Was that a nightmare...?' "There are only five stones here..." Pinkie Pie counted to herself as JetStream broke out of the seemingly invisible ice. "Pinkie, there are six. It's just the top one doesn't have its stone." "Oops-" she laughed, "I guess I couldn't see it." "The book said, when the five are present a spark will cause the sixth to be revealed." "Spark..." JetStream closed his eyes as he went to thinking he had tried to remember something, "The... The arc of the quint... build the unconditional soma. The spark to hold inside the power to bring all to harmony, the celestial corona will be yours to demand..." Rainbow Dash rose an eyebrow. "Can you translate that please?" Twilight paused, only to speak up moments later. "What was that, JetStream?" he softly kicked the ground. "It was something I saw in what my Mom was reading..." Twilight's expression didn't change, "She really liked to learn about the interesting history..." that got Twilight to move. "Alright." she responded, "I need to get back to these..." she kneeled down to the point she was lying on the cold concrete, "I have an idea... stand back, I don't know what will happen..." they all stood back, and JetStream walked back to the others. 'Is she going to use magic for this?' JetStream paused, his mouth opened when he saw Twilight's horn glow, 'Spark... as in magic?' JetStream standing a good couple feet away when Applejack started walking out. "Com' on y'all, she needs to concentrate." JetStream looked at the rest, as they all started walk out. Instead, JetStream just decided to back out further. 'I need to stay in here... what if Twilight's right. What if something bad could happen...' a cold wave went down his spine, he shivered and looked around, "Is that a draft I felt..." he noticed something slithering down the bricks behind them, "...!" he stepped forward, only to noticed the tons of bricks that were falling right toward him. As he bent down to jump out of the way, one of them fell directly onto his right forehoof, causing him to fall limb-fully onto the floor, as if he had no control to get back up. The rest started to shower on him like a rainy day, getting dust and stain looking bruise marks everywhere. Looking at him now he looks slightly darker. When he finally looked back up, he noticed the miasma was already circling the elements. "T-Twilight!" he shouted. She quickly opened her eyes and gasped, that's when the others outside heard and they all decided to go back in. As of now the small twirling was now a very small tornado. "The elements!" she saw them getting taken by this, as it started to shrink, she jumped for it, when the tornado disappeared, Twilight was gone as well. JetStream shifted in the bricks as he tried to break loose. They all ran up to in too late, a spark was produced and then it flashed in mid-air. When suddenly they hear. "Agh." followed by something hitting concrete. The next thing they knew, something emerged behind the pillar their left. "Who's that?" Rainbow Dash asked. As it looked like a silhouette to them. Finally he walked out to where the ceiling was open, and the light shined on him, "JetStream!?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "Oh, my! What happened!?" Rarity asked. "That... thing showed up and I found that those bricks suddenly started falling..." JetStream jerked to the side for the moment, "My legs... they hurt..." he said softly. "Ya alright?" Applejack asked. "I'm alright." he answered quickly. "Where'd Twilight go?" Fluttershy wondered as she looked around. Rarity saw something in the corner of her eye, and looked to her left. "Look!" she saw a building over on the other side. There was light just pouring out the side of it. JetStream closed his eyes, and prepared his Auric sight. His Aura was a faint red with a mix of grey, it was a sign of lost power and worry. When he shifted Fluttershy jumped. "Don't worry, Fluttershy." others just stared in confusion. "JetStream, what are you doing?" "Sorry I rather get to Twilight as fast as I can." he galloped to the outlined exit and paused there, "Anypony want to follow?" they all looked at the glowing pony in front of them, when Rainbow Dash suddenly jumped in front. "You're not letting me get behind!" she flew up to him. JetStream still looked back, the rest nodded and trotted up to him. He turned around and practically started galloping at full speed with his eyes closed, "We'll get there, Twilight don't worry!" Epilogue Somewhere in another part of the broken castle, a spark was produced, followed by it being surrounded by purple smoke. Twilight Sparkle appeared from the smoke, coughing as she didn't want to breath it in. She suddenly went quiet as she heard small laughter coming from afar. Twilight looked up, only to gasp. It was the one and only Nightmare Moon. She was laughing at the succession she has made thus far, and should be rather lucky to think she'd get this far. She stood up and yelled, "Where am I!?" Nightmare Moon's laughing fit went instantly silent, causing Twilight suddenly back off a step of the hoof. Nightmare had a furrowed look on her. "Let's not be too hasty..." the stones that circled around her lowered to the floor by a couple of feet, "They'll get here soon... enough..." Twilight ignored what bait she put in front of her. She exhaled and looked toward the ground, just as Nightmare was a brow. "The... spirits... of the elements. There were jumping at my eyes this entire time... yet they were transparent, like... like a ghost. Only to be more visible as I, and nopony else, figured out something I thought I never would have." Nightmare snickered. "What is it? What could have not possibly been on those books that you're surrounded by could have been there?" she had a mocking tone in her voice. Twilight smiled, as she was delighted to talk about it. This tiny expression rose big curiosity for Nightmare. "It's such a simple yet complex topic... one that can be discussed both ways. The light feelings of one pony to another, to give something and expect nothing except a "Thank you" in return..." she looked quiet unamused. "I don't see the look of where this has to be going..." Twilight's expression stayed firm. "That's exactly my point! You're too consumed of the hatred that you have forgot entirely of what it's supposed to b-!" Twilight eyes opened wide, lifting her right hoof from the ground as Nightmare yelled in anger. "Do not believe into those traps called books!" tears started to break from her eyes. JetStream gasped as he saw the gem glow brightly once again. "I-I think we should hurry!" Rainbow Dash nodded, who was right by his side. "Nopony should let such prevaricators abridge the heartfelt consequence on our personal chronicle!" The stones surrounding her were spinning a lot faster than they were, and much higher from the ground. But suddenly they stopped instantly, and fell to the ground within a seconds notice. They now surrounded her on the ground. Twilight's fears rose as her heart pumped faster. 'I got to get to those stones...' when suddenly, Nightmare Moon started galloping at her full speed. Twilight got her horn ready, as it started to glow, "You got to be kidding me..." she said to herself as she galloped afterward. She planned to teleport up ahead to the stones, now only hoping it would go before they'd hit, or something even worse. And just before they seemed to hit, Twilight disappeared into thin air. Nightmare gasped, she instantly stopped to turn around back at the stones. 'Oh no!' looking back, Twilight reappeared above the stones and fell back to the floor. She held herself together as a teleportation spell was tiresome to use, she bent down and horn started to glow once more. "Just one spark..." she paused, the glow went brighter, "Com on, come on...!" Nightmare Moon was rushed into her tornado, rushing from one side of the castle to the other. Twilight thought she had it, until Nightmare appeared. Using her magic, the stones was sent with an electric current, when it sparked, Twilight was sent flying back with a scream, landing sloppily on the cold concrete with her back. She pressed her forehooves against the ground and lift herself back up, looking back at the stones, her mouthed open as they shot electricity towards one another. "No... No!" Nightmare Moon looked down, knowing she has missed by the littlest. But suddenly, the stones relaxed, nothing was going between. And that didn't look good for Twilight, she gasped as it obviously wasn't complete. Nightmare Moon started to laugh. "But, where's the sixth element!?" Nightmare Moon got back on her hind legs, and stomped straight towards the ground, launching the stones into the air. Twilight was shocked as they all shattered in mid-air. "... You little foal! Do you really think you can defeat me!?" JetStream stopped in the middle of a three-way turn. "Which way do you see it again?" "That way!?" Rainbow Dash pointed to the right hallway, "Com' on!" she continued. "Ah don't know what Nightmare Moon did, but somthin' just effected us dearly..." Applejack looked back as they galloped, noticing Rarity was falling behind, "Rarity! Wouldya speed it up?!" she lightly scoffed. "All this galloping is tiring me out, mind you. And there's no need to yell..." "Yes there is!" Rainbow and Applejack shouted. "... Now, you will never see your princess..." her transparent mane and tail started bursting from her body like an energy source, "... or your sun. The night, will last, forever!" Nightmare's laughter echoed loudly throughout the castle. Her mane and tail swirling around like dark fog. The gem on JetStream's ring started to glow again. "You know JetStream, I never got around to askin' about that thing of yours..." Rainbow Dash asked. "That's not important no-" JetStream stopped mid-sentence, and instantly turned the direction he needed to go for the castle room. "This way!" he yelled without looking back. Rainbow Dash almost slipped trying to decide which way JetStream was going. Suddenly there was a light that took a left turn to, "I think this is it!" JetStream smiled, as Rainbow suddenly flew up ahead of JetStream and landed with her wings closing. "Better catch up then!" she looked back to JetStream. "Hey!" he shouted in response. As soon as they reached it, they galloped out of the hallway and into the open room, where Twilight and Nightmare awaited. "Huh?" Rainbow Dash went to a stop. As JetStream went out of his Auric sight, he didn't stop which lead him to gallop right into Rainbow Dash from behind, "Whoa!" she screamed as she landed just a bit further, JetStream got back up after he stopped sliding. "This is it!" he gained a firm expression, looking directly at Nightmare Moon. Twilight smiled, looking back at her. "... You think you can destroy the elements of harmony, just like that? Well, you're wrong!" All the ponies walked up behind Twilight, with Rarity catching just enough breathe to stand for her own good, "... Because the spirits of the elements of harmony, are right here!" JetStream gasped. "The spirits of...?" JetStream took a couple of steps back. He brought his right hoof onto his chest and focused, closing his eyes. A white Aura formed around him, and the turquoise colour of the gem dimmed. A white vivid thick fire started to form right at the point of where JetStream's eyes close. And to the point he thought he was ready, he suddenly opened them, revealing the fire looking tip in his blue eyes. He quickly put his hoof back down on the concrete, he didn't want to loose his balance. His eyes were open, although he couldn't see the outlines, this time with this vision, he could see other pony's Auras with much accuracy. JetStream was surprised with what he saw. The Auras of the six ponies in front of him were distorted, true to their colour, but they couldn't be as strong as they can. One was left to be judged, an Alicorn here for revenge and redemption for the wrong reasons, JetStream saw this pony's Aura to be a dark red surrounded by black all around, especially around the top of her head. He could see it, why it was there. He could see the Auras of the ponies closer to him, they were being drawn inward into it, as if some sort of vacuum. One thing's for sure, JetStream kept in mind that the dark red was some of the most often feelings, anger. The shards of the stones that shattered started to hover around Nightmare Moon. "What!?..." glowing one colour for each. 'Glow your brightest, Twilight. The six of us is your support.' JetStream's Aura surged. Twilight decided to tell Nightmare Moon what she had to her friends. "Applejack... who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of, Honesty." More then half a dozen of the shards circled around Applejack, glowing her coat colour, "Fluttershy... who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of, Kindness." the same happened for Fluttershy, "Pinkie Pie... who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of, Laughter." she was bouncing up and down as she would normally do, "Rarity... who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the spirit of, Generosity." she smiled as the shards surrounded her, "And Rainbow Dash... who could not abandon her friends for her own hearts desire, represents the spirit of, Loyalty. The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us." Twilight had a firm expression on her face. "You still don't have the sixth element... the spark didn't work!" Nightmare was looking back at her part of the castle, JetStream noticed she gained the slightest smile. "It did, a different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you-" she looked over at JetStream for the moment, "-To see you, how much I cared about you. The spark ignited in me when I realized that you all..." Nightmare gave her a rough look, "... Are my friends!" suddenly a shock like sound went into the air, and they all noticed the sixth stone, was floating right above Twilight glowing, it descended and hovered right above her. Nightmare Moon, hid behind her wing in the light, yet it was only her acting, she had something to plan, and these little ponies were not going to ruin it, "You see Nightmare Moon. When the elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all is creates the sixth element. The element of, Magic!" a spherical glow formed above Twilight, as it lit the whole room. Nightmare Moon finally thought she had a chance to stop it. With her magic she suddenly warming up a good shot for the stone in the middle. Whenever a glow around each of them would dissipate, they gained some sort of necklace they would where, when they got only the first one, Nightmare Moon easily snuck a shot and some of her magic went straight toward the center of the orb. When the magic hit it, it made a sound of something like bouncing of a window. JetStream didn't see the magic itself, but when JetStream saw the sudden unbalance in the Auras he could see, he gasped. 'We can't let anything go wrong at this point!' JetStream's Aura glowed just as bright as the orb in the center. He stood as tall as he could, and changed the frequency to where their glowing orb needed to be healed. He went for violet and let the orb's white Aura soak his up, holding his head up high, yet as it drained into the orb like glow, JetStream grew tired, his legs begun to shake in place, 'It's healing slower than I thought...' knowing the unbalance it would cause, Nightmare Moon started to laugh, yet the six ponies in front of her didn't seem to notice, that was her plan. Up until she checked back on her acquaintance, she noticed this violet Aura of his was getting drawed into the orb. "No!" she exclaimed. Feeling like he could fall at any moment, the feeling of being drained felt like he didn't eat for an entire day. 'Com' on... keep it up! I... we cannot... let this go!' with the orb glowing brighter and brighter, and the great sensation of knowing they were making it through, as it didn't feel it was enough. Nightmare Moon positioned a wide-spread stance, rushing that black Aura toward JetStream. As soon as it hit the violet rushing by, the black tangled itself with it. With his physical energy now being drained even faster, JetStream instantly fell to the floor, cutting off his balance for the chipped part of the magic stone Nightmare Moon shot off. In fact, when JetStream fell to his side, his head landed right next to the piece Nightmare cut off, yet it was the last thing he'd see before his eyes open again from this severely needed rest in such a dangerous situation. Yet just as everything went to black, he something shot out of the orb, not knowing what its colours were for some reason, yet it had much hope. Yet whatever it was, it was what they needed, what JetStream needed. As it was enough information for JetStream to acknowledge that he has pulled it through to help them pull it off with the handicap Nightmare gave them. As their attack went forward, a big rainbow made an arch before it started to fall like a double helix towards Nightmare Moon. "Noo!" just before the rainbow practically consumed Nightmare Moon. After the rainbow was gone, the orb that held attack together vanished, as well did Nightmare inside the rainbow. All six of them were lying down after the place was darkened after the light went away, it was quiet a while for one of them to get back up. "Uhhh, my head..." Rainbow Dash moaned as she rubbed her cheek as she stood back up, when everypony looked at Rarity when she gasped. "Oh thank goodness!" she looked at her tail, which seemed to be fully restored, as it was never clipped in the first place. JetStream shifted from his position. "..." his eyes continuously tried to keep open, "Nnn... Nightmare...." there was this cold before, that black Aura JetStream felt, soon faded away with the wind. JetStream broke a smile, "... She's gone..." he was finally able to get his eyes open to its full extent. He lifted his head to look up in front of him, "They're already standing..." as he tried his best to keep his footing, he realized something, "Wait... she's gone... then my help in balancing did the trick!" he stood higher from his slouch, "Actually..." he sank back down, "I feel a lot better than I did before..." his mouth opened unconsciously in thought. He looked over to the ponies cheering that they did it, as JetStream noticed they were suddenly wearing necklaces, with Twilight wearing a crown, "I have a long way to go..." he looked at himself, "With Aura..." he shut his eyes tightly in excitement, "And I can't wait to see what I can do." Rainbow Dash turned to JetStream. "Oh!" she trotted over, "You okay?" he took a couple of breathes before continuing. "Actually, I feel better than ever." he smiled, while Rainbow went directly toward her necklace. "Look at it, JetStream! We all suddenly got these. I really like how it shines..." she looked at the jewelry at the last sentence. "Cool..." the gem had a faint glow, like a state of rest. "Gee, Twilight. I thought you were just spoutin' a lot of hooey, but I reckon we really do represent the elements of friendship." there was a sudden bright glow past the big glass-stained window. "Indeed you do." a voice said. When suddenly the sky lit up its natural blue colour, and a glowing sphere showed up like the sun, yet it floated closer and closer instead of up. JetStream's mouth opened. "No way..." when the orb disappeared, no other then Princess Celestia appeared. Standing tall and high, looking down on the ponies before her, "She's actually here..." JetStream looked left and right, "In a place like this?" Soon enough Fluttershy bent down, and kneeled. Followed by Rarity, then Rainbow Dash, then Applejack and Pinkie Pie, "They're kneeling... yet Twilight is..." JetStream said as he was to the side. Twilight gasped and took her step forward. "Princess Celestia!" they both smiled. "Twilight Sparkle." Celestia responded, "My faithful student, I knew you could do it." that's when Twilight's expression changed. JetStream walked in more center, walking Fluttershy. "JetStream." she bowed a bit to greet him. "Hi, princess." he smiled. "But, you told me it was all an old pony tale." Celestia rose back up. "I told you that you needed to make friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return, and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her. But you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart." Twilight nodded to the five girls on her side, JetStream did the same to Twilight when she looked over, "Now if only another will as well..." they all looked back up in shock, back to where Nightmare Moon once stood. 'What?' JetStream wondered what Celestia meant. When they saw who laid in the wreckage of armor, some sort of magic fire still emitting from their attack, they gasped. When this pony saw Celestia, she looked up in shock as well. "Princess Luna..." 'Luna...?' JetStream walked left a bit, trying to get a good look at her, that's when he gasped. "It had been a thousand years-" those words he heard echoed like a long tunnel, "-since I have seen you like this." JetStream walked up to the others, looking at one another once Celestia went all the way to the ground to talk to this pony, "Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together little sister." "Sister?" they all echoed. 'There's no doubt about it... she has to be Neurelm. She looks exactly like her...' her coat was a lighter blue. She had the same coloured eyes, yet they were different. And they looked like regular eyes too, 'This has to mean that every we had seen is now set to normal. Does that mean something crazy happened during both of their rules? Did they rule at the same time?' JetStream's head was at a slight tilt, as he had one hoof in the air. "... Will you accept my friendship?" she stood back up. This pony looked absolutely awful in terms of pity, when remembering all those little images, those heated points in fights, and where lead to that one fateful moment. This pony leaped up. "I'm so sorry! I missed you so much big sister..." tears started to run down their eyes. 'A thousand years...' "I missed you too." Celestia called back. Pinkie Pie started to cry a waterfall, yet she suddenly stopped. "Hey! This calls for a party!" she jumped. "Just wait 'till we're out of this creepy place first, Pinkie..." Rainbow Dash responded. "Let's go sister. I do indeed think we all should celebrate a reunion." she smiled whole-heartedly. As they all started to walk out, Luna passed JetStream, which seemed to stand almost at equal height. Luna suddenly looked back, and without saying a word, tugged on JetStream's right forehoof. "Hmm..?" he gasped, yet all she did was give a small smile. Everything was back to the way it was supposed to be. > Post-Episode 1 and 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 1 "I can't beleive it..." small sounding hoof steps were made on the dirt trails around the town, "Neurelm was Luna, and Celestia's sister?" ponies were passing him every now and then, but it was only for the big commotion down town. He sighed, "She wanted my attention..." he remembered Luna grabbing his left arm back at the castle, "... But why didn't she say anything? She was speaking loud and clear for her sister..." he swerved to the side to avoid a pebble on the road, "... No, it was only because she was shy... maybe too humiliated to just turn around like that. It's just a matter of time..." he finally looked up, as JetStream saw where he meant to go in the first place, Sugarcube Corner. He opened the door as the bell rung, "Hello?" Mr. Cake turned, only to suddenly shift in shock. "JetStream! What are you doing here?" got him unnerved to see him like that but he continued. "I was looking for my Mom and Dad. Are they still here?" he had more of a curious tone. "Actually, they went out about 20 minutes ago, looking for you." JetStream's mouth went wide open. He quickly turned around, stumbled over his own hooves a bit and galloped out the door, "They're at th-!... Uhhh..." JetStream was far gone by the time he was finished. "I bet they're at the party Pinkie suddenly put together... almost everypony is there right now." he got close to the main circle that was located near to the center of town, there were everywhere, "Geez, I can't look somewhere and not see somepony..." he looked straight ahead to the Town Hall, "Could they be in there?" he started walking in that direction. As he got closer to the door, it felt like everything else faded, and he couldn't hear anything out area of the building. He stood right in front of the door, and started to slowly nudge it open. His head peeked in at an angle, it looked like Celestia and Luna were still there. Twilight, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie were there next to them, so were JetStream's parents. It sounded like Pinkie Pie was talking about her parties, but at the near second he walked in, she referred to him and about how he helped her gathering the ponies around Ponyville. When he was visible enough, Celestia spoke out. "Well, there's your gatherer." she smiled. They all looked to him. "...! Hey, everypony..." he had a nervous smile on his face. "JetStream!" Myriad and Corolla both went up to him, Corolla kneeled down to embrace him, "I'm so glad you're alright." she said. Myriad walked to the other side, where he could be seen. "Where were you, JetStream? Me and your Mom were both frightened to not see you at Sugarcube Corner." JetStream insisted on waiting until Corolla would let it go, then he spoke. "I went with Twilight, and the rest of them..." his family and the six on the other side shared glances. Celestia saw Luna take a glare at her, yet all they did was to look back, "To the Everfree forest. Where we looked for the elements of harmony." Corolla rose up in shock. "Really?" she looked back down at her son. "Yeah." JetStream looked at the six of them, so did Corolla, "And it turns out, them themselves are the elements, and not some stones as we once heard..." JetStream smiled looking back to Corolla. "How did you find that out?" she was surprised, yet she sounded like she didn't want to be so sure. "... It's because we helped one another." Applejack spoke. Corolla saw JetStream look back to her through the corner of his eye. Applejack's necklace showed in the sun's light. "JetStream, helped me how to pull through..." Fluttershy said without hesitation. "... He helped us show the way... even though we knew..." Rainbow Dash said, not trying to sound too behind, Rarity stepped up as Rainbow said it, she leaned in close to her and corrected. "Don't you mean he confirmed our path...?" Rainbow Dash slightly rolled her eyes. JetStream looked back a bit, sheepishly smiling at Corolla. "He helped me make a new friend!" Pinkie Pie bounced. Everypony stopped what they were doing when Twilight walked up ahead of the crowd, and stopped in front of JetStream. "You helped me share and confirm information I needed for my personal study..." JetStream looked up to her and smiled. "Thanks, it's always nice to have friends." Twilight once again stopped at the word, yet she just shook her head to look like she was ignoring it. "Yeah." she responded firmly. JetStream turned around. "I hope I haven't done anything to seriously do any hurtful things..." he looked down toward the ground, when suddenly. "Oh, JetStream." Corolla went back down, "Is this really all true?" she looked at the ponies behind him, "Have you really befriended these ponies?" there was a pause from JetStream. "Yes." all six of them said in unison. Corolla went back to look at JetStream. "... Yes, Mom. I did." he smiled. She embraced him one more last time. Myriad smiled whole-heartedly. It was quite some time since that event happened, after everything was settled one pony after another exited the building, Spike also entered not to long after he was looking for Twilight himself. Then it was just Twilight, Spike and them. "I guess is where we say good bye..." JetStream said. Twilight smiled. "I guess it is." Myriad suddenly bumped in. "Actually, considering how much you seemed attached JetStream. We'll stick around for a bit longer, okay?" "Really?" "Yes." Myriad answered as he headed for the Town Hall doors. "Then were are you going?" Corolla followed after him. "We're going back to Sugarcube Corner. We'll see you back there, alright." JetStream nodded. "Yes." they both waved, as they walked out the doorway and closed the door. When it shut, JetStream stopped. When he turned around, Twilight didn't look so happy. "Twilight?" "Hmm?" she looked at him. "You're still here?" "Yeah. We're staying a little longer... until I'm ready to leave." there was a long pause, when Celestia decided to have a word in it. "... Why so glum my faithful student?" Twilight looked to her mentor, "Are you not happy your quest is complete? And you can return to your studies in Canterlot?" JetStream's mouth opened in wonder as he stood on the side lines. "That's just it..." she looked down, "Just when I learn how wonderful it is to have friends..." Twilight looked to JetStream, and kept the others at heart, "I have to leave them..." Celestia paused. "... Spike! Take a note please... I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, shall take on a new mission for Equestria. She must continue to the magic of friendship, she must report to me her findings from her new home, in Ponyville." she gained a big smile. "Oh thank you, Princess Celestia! I'll study harder then ever before." she bowed, just as Spike finished. He handed her the note, where it vanished to someplace safe. Twilight grabbed Spike and swung him onto her back as she trotted for the door. "Com' on Spike, we got a home to get in order." JetStream followed soon after, yet when he reached for the open door, both doors glowed different colours, and gently shut. "What?" JetStream turned around. "Do not fret, JetStream. For I simply will spotlight your new-found abilities..." Part 2 With a hoof in the air he asked them a question, "... What do you mean, my new-found abilities...?" Celestia tilted her head in a way that made JetStream open his mouth in realization, "... Is it? ... is it because of my... Aura?" Celestia nodded. "Indeed." Luna looked up to her sister without saying a word, "This ability, as we can both say, anypony can use it, right? That anypony can use it if they put one's mind to it." JetStream smiled and nodded. "Well, of course anypony can if they tried." Celestia smiled as well. "Well, as I love to conclude you are a young, open-minded pony. There is a slight flaw in that logic." he suddenly looked back up from the recent complement. "I know there is a lot to learn from it." JetStream responded. "Yes, yes there is, JetStream. And in that field of the unknown, there might be something just standing next to your shoulder. And that embodiment of knowledge is what me, and my sister, will try to bring to you." JetStream fixed his stature as Celestia continued, "We want to bring up a new radical up-bringing in your awareness for Aura, ponies' spirits in you and everypony around you." Celestia looked at Luna, "And I must say, that Luna has foresaw your potential in being one of them, and I sincerely thank her for it." JetStream didn't realize it, but Luna closed her eyes. She stood from where she had sat, and it looked like she focused in place. "...Wha-?" JetStream wondered to himself. Soon enough, Luna's Aura, followed by Celestia's, rose visible. While Celestia's Aura was golden, Luna's was a clean, sparkling, night-sky blue, almost like her mane and tail when she was Nightmare Moon, "What's going on?" JetStream looked up ahead. "Don't fray by the scene you see, JetStream. For us to see what answer concludes our wonder, you must lull into your calmest calm..." Celestia paused, "We all need to respite on the same tier. It helps all of us here if you rather sit still, close your eyes and think about the ambience around you, until you cannot point to anything otherwise." JetStream's heart was beating more than the norm, how did a simple task as staying still sound so complex, or difficult? So JetStream followed exactly what Celestia said. Soon enough after the silence he felt a little light, not in the head, but in every spot. Soon enough the entoptical shifted while JetStream's eyes were closed. His Aura also started to lift, and was visible. With the princess, having many years of practice with this acknowledgement, she decided to leave her eyes open, even though the desired effect is stronger when they're closed. JetStream's ears lifted, as if there was a loud noise, yet didn't notice. That moment when Celestia said he couldn't focus on anything else after some time, well, what she meant, apparently, is that JetStream realized everything was beginning to lower in volume. And it was instead replaced by a continuous humming sound. It got louder until it was easy to spot out, and never went any further, "JetStream, I need you to answer this question." Celestia asked of JetStream, her eyes still wide open, he nodded, "Are you hearing some sort of sound? Any sound at all is some sort of response from Luna." 'Wait... what? I never... I never responded to Luna...' he paused, as the humming spoke to him with its never-lifting sound, "... Yes. Celestia, I am hearing a sound..." he finally responded. "Thank you for your co-operation, JetStream." he mentally sighed. 'This is intense...' "Hist, JetStream." Luna suddenly spoke, "Do not swink, JetStream. Mayst you hark thou Aura in which thou hast." Celestia decided to continue. "Please, JetStream. Don't let your Aura shift the slightest." soon after JetStream got composed once again, everything was back into place. "... Verily, JetStream." she seemed to smile as she kept her eyes close. Soon after, Luna's Aura changed to Gold as well, as they both will be following Celestia soon enough. JetStream started to various colours behind his eyes. When suddenly, yet slowly, he noticed a light that was shining in the middle, it gave off a yellow spark. Celestia saw JetStream's mouth open in awe. "JetStream, please hold on for us. We are more then half the way through." The light that intrigued him didn't start to feel to good, as he slowly felt a dull shock after every time the light pulsed. "Amain, JetStream." Luna said. The yellow light turned to gold, then went instantly to a bright white. He felt a cold wave go over his spine when his Aura turned the same gold in front of the two princesses. How was a light so bright, coming from nowhere? Well that technically wasn't it. He suddenly started to feel pain build around his head, as the white light he was seeing grew immensely, and as time flowed, a white transparent, yet bright, energy was flowing out of his eyes at where they met where they are closed. 'It hurts...' he thought, not some of the best moments to be thinking more positive things, but if the princesses know JetStream can pull through it, what could possibly be there waiting for him? Part 3 As the white energy that continuously flowed from JetStream's eyes, the more time passed, the farther the spark looking particles went toward the air, as they looked like they were pressured more than before. Not before to long, Luna sensed a colour. She was surprised at such a thing, "Dear sister... erewhile and forthwith, I iwis seek JetStream's Auric spirit, puissant and forby..." "..." JetStream let that sentence slip by. Celestia gained a smile of please. "JetStream, Luna finds the Aura she has foretold, and I thank her so for pointing such a thing out... do you wish to continue?" "... What do you mean...?" JetStream spoke without thinking, yet when they both worried about unbalance, they were surprised to see him at absolute zero, it would budge at all. "...Well..." Celestia continued after such surprise, "... This is what every Auroric has to do, in order to accomplish what they are naturally meant for. As you will find, JetStream..." he waited for what she was about to say, staring at the bright emptiness of the light before him. "Auroric..?" "Yes. Those who specialize in Aura abilities, are marked by such vast improvement in individuals..." "Aurorics? And they specialize in Aura? Is that what I'm here?" he asked. "Now, JetStream. Let's don't get to segregated... as Luna and I are Aurorics as well..." "What?" "This includes you as well... after one Auroric passes away, another will take his or her place... and I hope you take this lightly, JetStream. You are next, marked to be an Auroric..." "Out... out of all the ponies in the world... it ended up being me?" Celestia smiled. "Yes, I hope you will see this as an opportunity." "This... this is all too sudde-" JetStream's Aura surged, as did the spark like white energy did fly around the center of the Town Hall. JetStream instantly went silent, he didn't speak another word as his eyes open, shocking Luna and Celestia both. What they saw was JetStream's eyes glowing brightly, and Celestia had to think it through, as Twilight went through the same scene when she was learning her magic. "Sister, what I hast felt, is being physically dawned usward..." she looked at her sister, "T'is it, sister..." Celestia was relieved to finally know, yet it seemed like JetStream didn't have a choice, as it was already happening. "Then it is official. The next generation has awoken." Celestia stated, looking back to JetStream. The ring JetStream wore slipped down to the floor off of his fore right leg, and glowing as it hit. And it cracked as well against the wooden floor, the colour actually shot out of the crack like a light, "...?" Celestia noticed it, Luna's eyes were still shut. The further the gem glowed gold, it slowly dissipated to a blue, a navy blue. As if it was too cold to shine off its colours, yet that's when a sphere of the same colour formed around him, "Luna..." she noticed her sister shifted right after it happened. "Sister... you shouldst balance, JetStream... avoid thole, do thine..." Celestia thought that JetStream may have some sort of connection more than he thinks, this happening might have some sort of affect on him because of it nearly shattering. After a couple of breaths, Celestia stood up, and slowly approached him. She didn't even say a word, she just stopped next to him, and sat, completely silent. Yet although she did move from her position, her gold Aura didn't fade, it grew into more of a blazing fire. As if she gestured in front of the sun itself. Knowing how Aura and the emotions affect each other, she referred her feelings back to the time where she was bringing JetStream back out of the top of the castle, where it was they very first, and longest talk before going back to his parents, she just let that sit and slowly take effect. The last thing she did, was put on a smile, as she knows "Nothing is better than your own smile..." she'll never forget her saying that as she closed her eyes. A time passed by, and there was a lot of it gone by the time, the sphere slowly changed colour, then to grey and then it completely vanished, as if it evaporated. JetStream was visible once again, only his eyes were now closed. Celestia opened her eyes, once she saw JetStream, she finished off the stream, and whispered. "Wake up..." and JetStream's eyes instantly opened. Part 4 "...?" JetStream looked around, "What happen-!?" he noticed the princess standing on his immediate left. "T'is over, sister." Luna looked over to JetStream, "Gramercy, JetStream. It turns thou are an Auroric, I thank thee verily." she smiled. "Yes." JetStream smiled back, "I obviously might not have known about this, but I thank you both for bringing it out." JetStream finished the sentence looking at Celestia, that's when Celestia noticed JetStream's mark, as every Auroric will get a different effect with their eyes. There was a faint, transparent symbol covering both of JetStream's pupils, and nothing else, "... Is there something wrong, Celestia?" JetStream look back. "No... I just noticed your mark. That is all, JetStream." "My, mark?" his head tilted at the question. "Don't worry about it now, you're soon to figure it later." she smiled as she stood back up, and walked over to Luna. "It's getting a bit late, JetStream, and Luna and I has to begin raising the moon and sun like we used to." "Really?" he looked out the high placed windows, the whole sky was tinted orange, "Oh! Already?" he looked back to Celestia, "But what about the Aurorics? How can I figure more about them...?" he looked back down to his fixed gem, "... And learn more about Aura?" she laughed at his enthusiasm. "Well, why don't you wait a bit longer, you'll see. And besides, you can be an Auroric, JetStream. It now all depends if you intend to." JetStream stood back up in thought, "Those doors are open, and they're ready for you to enter at any time." JetStream looked back as the doors behind him opened back up slowly, "That jewelry seems to be very significant for you, JetStream, I suggest you keep an eye on it." Celestia smiled. "..." he turned around. "It's not jewelry, it's a gem." she blinked as she nodded. After a pause with the thought of new information, and the probability of being an Auroric at hoof, JetStream finally turned around and inhaled. "Alright..." he walked toward the white light that were behind the doors. When the white faded he was outside. "Huh?" he looked back to notice the doors were closed, he opened them again, "..." he paused, "... What?" he wondered, Luna and Celestia were both gone. "... Excuse me?" a voice asked. "...!" he jumped and turned around. "What are you doing here?" a mare with a grey-brown coat asked. "I was ju-..." he looked back in, then back to this mare, "Just seeing if anypony... was in there..." after the pause he pointed his hoof toward the Town Hall, "... There..." "I see. Well, nopony is, so you might as well be done with it." she rolled her eyes with a smile. "Ye-yes..." he looked past the mare and down a route, "... I got somewhere to go!" he went into a full gallop down the path. Near the Golden Oaks Library, JetStream saw Corolla entering just as he turned a corner, "Mom?" he got closer and entered through the door, with an audible ring to the wooden bell, "Mom?" Twilight, Spike and Corolla turned toward the door. "JetStream, glad to see you here. Why are you here?" Corolla asked turning to JetStream, Twilight and Spike just turned to each other to shrug, "I thought you'd be back at Sugarcube Corner." "I was, but I saw you going in here..." he looked around. "Well, alrighty then..." Corolla responded, "Just hang on a minute dear..." she smiled as she turned to Twilight, "So where was that book you spoke of, Twilight?" Corolla continued. "Oh, yes. It's right over there... Spike." she looked down to her assistant. "Yes, ma'am." he made a saluting gesture. Using the muscle in his legs, he jumped to incredible heights, and grabbed the book with amazing co-ordination, "Right here, Twilight." "Thanks, Spike." Twilight said as she lifted the book in her purple magic, "Here you go, Mrs. Corolla." he expression was enlightened when she saw the cover. "Yes! Oh, thank you two both so much!" Corolla looked back up to them. "When will I need to return this?" Twilight shifted backward. "We-... uh..." she smiled and snickered lightly from embarrassment, "I think you can keep it for as long as you like." she finally said, closing her eyes with a smile. "Thank you, Twilight. That's awfully generous of you." she smiled as well and turned around, "Ready to go, JetStream? Back to Sugarcube Corner?" Corolla asked. JetStream paused, yet finally answered. "Yes." and waved to Twilight and Spike. They both exited and went straight for Sugarcube Corner. When they got there, Myriad was standing outside of the door. Corolla showed him the book, and then attention went to JetStream as he brought up something about staying in Ponyville. Myriad responded by saying that, it was the reason he was staying here instead of lounging around this town, he was thinking about the fact of their son staying in a different town, where his parents don't live. But with the right attitude, and his thinking process on the brighter side, he thought he has a conclusion that would surprise him either way. With the big glowing red sun behind them, Myriad finally gave the answer, and suddenly Myriad and JetStream were both hugging in such decision he had decided for him. And since their time for the Summer Sun Celebration was nearly over, all the sun had to do was completely disappear from the horizon, they all walked to Ponyville's train station, and waited for the next to arrive. When it did, they shared hugs, and more than half of them got on the train. As the train started, JetStream kept up with them following the train's window, up until the wooden platform ended, and all JetStream could do was wave them good-bye. Their last words being "We'll promise to keep in check." as the train went down with the sunset, and the moon now arisen. JetStream looked back to Ponyville, and saw Twilight and Spike standing near the start of the platform he was standing on. Twilight was smiling, yet down at the fact they're splitting up. "I know how it feels, JetStream." she said. JetStream was silent, he looked at the blue tinted wood below him, "It's almost unbearable that the fact is I can even see the place my parents are at..." she looked her way to Canterlot, "Like you said to Fluttershy, JetStream. We're all your friends, we're all your company..." that broke the smile out of JetStream, "..." she paused on an offer, "Why don't you stay at the library? ... You do need to stay somewhere right?" she smiled, looking a bit worried. JetStream was still silent. He looked up to the moon, and suddenly spoke out of the blue. "Aye..." > The Ticket Master > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 1 JetStream sat up from where he lied, "What?!" he whispered to himself, "Luna... that wasn't you there? In the forest?" it shocked JetStream to realize Luna was standing in the middle of the library, the moon's time was almost over as well. "JetStream, come hither." she stood next to the window of the bottom portion, the moon shone through it perfectly. He slowly got up, despite his sleepiness, and walked over to the window, "Ho... why are you even here, Luna?" he asked wiping his eyes of the sand, she was partially lit be the moon out of the window. "During the quiet hour, is peaceful. Where thou not feel rouse nor time." "Wait..." JetStream looked around, and back to the equally tall princess, "Could we be dreaming right now?" he wondered. "With ponies without their noise, mayst come a sweven..." JetStream paused. "... So is that a maybe?" Luna rolled her eyes. "I come to tell you what I thought... and explain why my speech were silent." looking JetStream straight in the eye, she spot his Auroric mark. "That?" JetStream asked without context, "I know it was a very bad thing to do, but we fixed it, I don't think it's healthy to bring that up..." Luna slowly shook a head. "I thank thee for thy forgiveness, JetStream. But t'is not all of it." she didn't frown, and she definitely wasn't smiling, "The... pony thou walked into was myself... but the one's voice that stood with you... was not. It was iwis... maugre..." she sighed and whispered, "Lackaday..." Luna took a step closer, "Myself is apologizing, term short." "I must thank you as well..." JetStream looked slightly toward the wooden floor, "... And I don't really know if this conversation will get through, if this is a dream or not... but I think this Auroric business is catching on... it has opened tons of new paths for me to explore." JetStream smiled, "Yet that's the toughest part still... What can I do with so little of one thing?" he asked Luna, which she paused, then she backed away from the window, and gestured JetStream to look out of it. He jumped up and put his forehooves on the window sile, and looked outside, "Is there something out here?" "Quite, if thou believe it so, it usually aids to be patient and wait idly by the very seconds that art thine." he turned his head. "Oh, there's Canterlot to the right..." he could only see a quarter of it, as it cuts off from the window. Luna turned toward the door. "I must get going, back to Canterlot." JetStream looked back, away from the moon's rays. "Already?" "Calm thyself... everything unfolds in time..." she opened, "And still, JetStream. I do plan to return, where our converse will build. Farewell." she gave a half-smile as she walked outside swiftly closed the door. When the bang sound emerged from the slam, JetStream suddenly rose again. "... Wha-?!" he looked around, "... The sun... it's up... but the moon was just ther- ow..." he pointed his direction, only for it to backlash. He looked back, because of the slam of the door he heard, the door was closed, "Weird..." he noticed some short scroll just to his side, "What? Since when was this here?" he grabbed it and opened, it read... "We'll be back, gone to Sweet Apple Acres." JetStream huffed, "This is Spikes claw-writing..." he looked over to where he thought he slept, "I remember blacking out on the floor, I don't really remember falling asleep... here..." on the bottom of the circular window sile was two circles, "What are these doing here?" the circle on the right matched JetStream's hoof perfectly, "Does Twilight know these marks are here?" he looked back at the door, only to ponder out the window, the circle on the left, as JetStream tested, is slightly bigger than his hooves, "Hmm..." he brought his hooves closer for a look, when suddenly he realized out of the corner of his eye, his ring was discarded on his arm, "...! Where'd it go!?" with the lumps of the blanket on the floor, there was a small circular bulge under it, "..." he paused in the motionless awkward air. He walked over to the blanket and lift it up, "Ah! So it was here this whole time!" JetStream posed boastfully as he slipped the ring back on, 'Feels a bit lighter...' he then looked over to the scroll sitting on the counter, "Sweet Apple Acres, huh?" JetStream then walked to the door. Part 2 "Geez, it's a bit windy today..." JetStream held his hoof eye level. When he got there, to Sweet Apple Acres, he noticed Applejack and Twilight near the end of the fenced area of the barn, "There they are." he quickly opened the gate, went in and forgot to close it as he galloped to their position. "No problem at all, Applejack. I'm glad the goal is lunchtime, all this hard work is making me hungry." Spike, sitting on Twilight's back, through yet another apple, which landed directly on Twilight's head, causing her to give him a irritated glance. "I know right?" Spike responded. "Puh-leez Spike, you've been lounging on my back while we worked!" "Exactly, you two are taking so long, I missed... my snack-time..." he spotted JetStream headed in their direction, "Hey, that's JetStream over there..." Spike turned to Twilight and gave her a look, "... Maybe he could help you two speed things up." he smiled. "Oh stop it, Spike..." she rolled her eyes just as her stomach rumbled, still looking at him, she gave off a nervous laughter. "Hey, Twilight, Applejack, Spike." it was a short greet for the current day. "I see your finally up, JetStream." Twilight raising an eyebrow smiling. "...? What do you mean?" Applejack smiled to her as Twilight snickered. "It's almost noon." JetStream went quiet, then turned to Spike, and finally answered. "It was an emotionally exhausting day..." Spike shrugged the statement and looked back to the apples and scoffed. "Tell me about it..." Twilights stomach rumbled again, and with the sudden presence of JetStream, another pony in her sight, she blushed slightly. "I guess we better get some food..." "Nope, no... Ah-ha!" he held up a shiny apple that was bigger than the rest, Twilight licked her lips at the apple. "Oh Spike, that looks delicious-" just as Spike took the entire thing with him, spreading the apple sauce on the inside to go everywhere. 'Eech...' JetStream wiped off spots of it on his chest, "Wow, the whole apple?" "Spike!" she looked at him annoyed, when he swallowed the apple whole, he looked at the mare. "... What?" he said shrugging. Suddenly he covered his mouth, "Hmm!?" 'Ah, jeez...' JetStream thought, "I think we might need to go get somethi-" he stopped as Spike suddenly burped a strecthed green flame. An entity hovered in mid-air, then sparked, revealing a scroll, "What?" "That won't be necessary." Twilight looked shocked. "Spike... What was that scroll doing there?" he lifted his pointer finger up about to explain, but was interrupted by Twilight. "It's a letter from Princess Celestia." Spike and JetStream both looked at Twilight, in which Spike turned to JetStream. "Yep, that's basically it, JetStream. When it comes to letters like these-" he grabbed the hovering scroll, "-I'm like a portable mailbox." he stated, giving off a small chuckle at the end. Applejack finally turned around to take a look herself, as Spike cleared his throat... "Here ye, here ye. The grand royal highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce-" JetStream looked over to where Canterlot was visible. 'All the way from here?' "-The Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st day of M-.... eh, yadda, yadda, yadda... ah! Cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest." Applejack and Twilight instantly looked at one another in excitement. "The Grand Galloping Gala!?" they shouted in unison, while JetStream was left in the dust. "The Grand Galloping Gala?" he asked in a questioning tone. "What?!" Twilight and Applejack exclaimed. "Do you mean this incredible gala doesn't get you excited?" Twilight asked him, JetStream had to back up, he even looked back to Spike. "Well, no it doesn't, at least not yet I suppose. I never heard of it... or seen it." Spike shrugged, and JetStream looked back, '...!' giving him a shock as they kept coming closer, "Uh..." JetStream failed to quickly utter words. "Spike, have you been there?" all he did was blew raspberries. "No... and I plan to keep it that way..." "Hmm..." JetStream wondered, "Well, being in Altamare until now, I never really know what else there is. But that's why I wanted to join you, Twilight. I wanted to get around town and feel comfortable." everypony paused, Twilight turned back to Applejack. "The Grand Galloping Gala!" they both squeed in excitement, as they completely ignored both of them for the moment. JetStream suddenly fell, getting back up. "Well, persistent for sure..." he looked back to Spike, who just sighed shaking his head. Part 3 "Woo-hoo!" they both were squealing with joy, when Spike looked at JetStream and just gestured disgust. JetStream was an eyebrow, when suddenly another green burp flame went through, revealing two tickets. "Look, two tickets!" Spike held both tickets in his claws. "Golden as well..." JetStream noticed. "Wow, great! I never been to the Gala, have you Spike?" "Well, no, and I like I said before to JetStream, I plan to keep it that way. I don't want that girly-frilly frou-frou nonsense." Spike just shook his hand as if he was given some sort of dish, but didn't want it. JetStream looked around awkwardly, thinking about his statement. "Aw, com' on, Spike! A dance would be nice." she smiled, JetStream's mouth opened in surprise, looking at Spike. "What? Dancing...?" he wondered. Spike looked at JetStream like he didn't want it to be dragged further than it should. "Nice!?" Applejack leaned in, "It's a heap good more than just nice. I'd love to go..." Applejack closed her eyes in such a pleasure, "Land sakes, if I had an apple stand set-up, ponies would be chowin' out tasty vittles 'till the cows came home. Do you have any idea how much business I could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why, with all that money, we could do a heap of fixin' up 'round here. We could replace that saggy old roof, and Big McIntosh could replace that saggy old plow, and Granny Smith could replace that saggy old hip." she looked toward the sky, "Why, I give my left hind leg to go to that gala." Twilight walked closer. "Well, in that case...-" the tree above them shook, hearing the leaves and bringing a cold wave over JetStream's back, he looked up. "That isn't the wind..." he looked unsurprised, up until Rainbow Dash crashed down below. "-... would you like t-" "Whoa!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she came hurdling down from above. "Gah!" JetStream dashed backward, where he was able to grab Spike at the time, yet still the apple they carried flew everywhere. As JetStream swung Spike back around and landed right on JetStream's back. "What?" Spike looked around confused, JetStream looked back, worried. "Sorry about that, Spike." JetStream struggled slightly to keep his legs up. After a second or two, Rainbow Dash finally stood back up. "Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala!?" Applejack looked up. "Rainbow Dash..." she stood from where they once lied down, "You told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples... what were you busy doing, spyin'?" Rainbow Dash turned away from Applejack and to Twilight. "No, I was busy napping..." Rainbow Dash jumped in mid-air and turned herself upside-down, "And I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket?" Twilight paused, JetStream put his right hoof back on to the dirt ground. "Yeah, but-" "Yes!" Rainbow Dash flew into the air, "This is, so awesome!" she looked to the hills behind them, then turned to Twilight, "The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every, year! I can see it now, everypony would be watching the sky, their eyes riveted on the Wonderbolts, but then, in would fly, Rainbow Dash! I would draw their attention with-" Rainbow then continued to ramble on about her goal with catching the Wonderbolt's attention with her "practiced" moves, "-The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their team, and then, welcome me as their newest member..." Rainbow Dash looked away from the skies, "Don't you see, Twilight? This could be my one to show 'em my stuff!" you could tell by listening to her that her heart has actually intended to play along with it, "You gotta take me!" Applejack suddenly grabbed Rainbow's tail. "Hhold hon jhust huone pihkin' minhute here." she spat her tail out, JetStream looked at her in shock, "Ah asked for that ticket first." Applejack ended. "So-" Rainbow Dash leaned forward, "-That doesn't mean you own it." "Oh, yeah? Well, I tell you to a hoof-wrestle, winner gets the ticket." JetStream sank in their attempts to find their way to the ticket, JetStream stated as they did their useless activity. "I don't get why they have to do this. And since we haven't even got to the others yet, why don't we just as-" Rainbow Dash turned to JetStream. "What!?" Applejack suddenly got the advantage, and turned Rainbow Dash entirely over. "I win! I get the ticket!" Rainbow Dash got back up, minorly covered in dust. "No fair! JetStream distracted me!" she pointed a hoof before turning to JetStream and flew straight at him, "Are you up to something?" Rainbow Dash gave JetStream a sharp glare. "What!? I barely have an idea of what the Grand Galloping Gala i-" Rainbow Dash brought her right hoof close to JetStream's muzzle like a pointer finger. "Are you on Applejack's side? Is that what it is!?" "I don't have anything to do with i-!" he was cut off by Applejack. "It don't matter know, Rainbow! Whatever he did, it sure did the trick!" she laughed the remark off. Rainbow looked at Applejack in anger, then back to JetStream, in which he jumped. "You're not getting that ticket, it's mine!" Rainbow pulled closer with each word. "I never really-!" he was cut off again. "Girls!" her loud tone was like she pulled them apart in an argument. Applejack and Rainbow Dash turned to Twilight. "These are my tickets, I'll decide who gets it thank you very much... whoever has the best reason to go should get it, don't you think?" everypony went silent. 'Wow, she was able to silence the whole group...' JetStream looked at Spike for his recovery. "Drummin' up business?" Applejack said. "A chance to addition for the Wonderbolts?" Rainbow countered. "Money to fix Granny's hip?" "Living the dream!" Twilight's neck sank in realization. "Oh my, those were all pretty good reasons weren't they?" suddenly Twilights stomach rumbled forcing her to laugh in role-play of their decision for the ticket, "Listen to that, I am starving." she started to back up, signaling to Spike that she's about to flee, "I don't know about you, but I can't make important decisions on an empty stomach. So, I'll... uh... think about it over lunch and get back to you two..." she started to walk off. "Okay?" Applejack shook her head and breathed out with her mouth nearly open, Rainbow just groaned. Then they both looked to JetStream, when he looked back and noticed them doing the same. "I'll uh... just go..." he shied out and galloped after Twilight, "Wait up!" he shouted. "Ugghhh! Of course he gets to go along with her!" she complained. "Well, everypony's easy on the rookie Ah suppose..." she chuckled afterward. "Oh save it!" she rolled her eyes. Part 4 Spike and Twilight were quiet, just walking down one road in Ponyville to a specific place to sit down and eat, up until JetStream showed up next to them, Spike shifted suddenly and hesitated to say anything. "So who are you gonna give the ticket to, Twilight?" he looked back to JetStream, so did Twilight, as if they expected something. "... What is it?" JetStream asked. "Just wondering why you decided to come along with us." Twilight answered. JetStream looked up ahead smiling. "I just want to know Ponyville much better than I did before... I'm worried about getting a bit lost..." he rolled his eyes at the end of the sentence. Twilight paused then turned back to Spike. "I don't know Spike, but I really can't think straight when I'm hungry..." "That wasn't a distraction back there?" JetStream asked, Twilight sighed. "Surprisingly, no, JetStream." she turned between Spike and JetStream, "So where should we eat?" suddenly and for that no reason, Pinkie slammed into Twilight's left side so fast that Spike was still in mid-air, yet the tickets rushed from the wind Pinkie created. "Agh!" JetStream jumped, as the dust cleared from where Twilight and Pinkie landed, and with Spike finally falling to the ground, the tickets landed right in front of her eyes as they fell to the ground. When Pinkie opened her eyes, she jumped up into a full gallop in a frantic manor around them. "Ahhh! Bats! Bats on my face! Help!" she opened her eyes when she pulled all the way around and back to the place she started, "Wait! These aren't... tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!?" JetStream raised a hoof. "Pinkie..." he looked down to the tickets and picked them both off the ground and held them up to get a look. Twilight suddenly snatched them from JetStream's hoof, and gave him a distrusting expression, "No, wait I didn't me-!" JetStream responded, when suddenly Pinkie started jumping around. "Oh thank you, Twilight! It's the most wonderful-est gift ever!" "Pinki-" JetStream spoke up again, yet even Rarity suddenly showed up, gasping. "Are these what I think they are?" she looked at the golden tickets intently. "... Ugh..." Twilight and JetStream both fell behind, now they were both lost. "Yes! Twilight's taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot!" she smiled at Twilight. "Is the gala really even all that important somehow?" JetStream asked, when. "The gala?" Rarity held her neck up, Twilight saw JetStream shrug as she looked at him in annoyance, "I design ensembles for the gala every year, but I never had the opportunity to attend..." Rarity started to turn in every direction, JetStream sighed as he saw Spike's reaction, "The society, the culture, the glamour, it's what where I truly belong..." she posed as she tussled her mane, "... am where I'm destined to meet, him..." JetStream and Twilight looked to Pinkie as she echoed. "Him! ..." JetStream looked to Twilight. "Huh..." after a second's pause, they both looked back to Pinkie. "Who...?" "Him..." JetStream scoffed. "Okay then..." his eyelids half-open with a frown. "I would stroll through the gala, and everypony would wonder, who is that mysterious mare? They would never guess, that I was just a simple pony from little old Ponyville. Why! I'd cause such a sensation that I would be invited for an audience with Princess Celestia herself!" she put her hoof on her chest looking into the sky, then looked back to the group, "And the Princess would be so taken with the style and elegance that she would introduce me, to him!" JetStream just about spoke up again, but Pinkie cut him off by quickly putting her left arm across JetStream's muzzle, "Her nephew, the most handsome, allegeable Unicorn stallion in Canterlot. I eyes would meet, our hearts would melt, our courtship would be magnificent. He would ask for my hoof in marriage, and of course I would say, yes! We would have a royal wedding, befitting a Princess, which is, what I would become upon marrying him, the stallion of my dreams..." when she finished, you could tell the fantasy popped instead of fading away. "Twilight!" Rarity turned back to Twilight. "I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie so she can... par-tee... and prevent me from meeting my true love, how could you!?" JetStream sighed. "How could we?" Twilight gave a look at JetStream. He shifted when he saw something approaching rather unsteadily fast behind Spike, "Spike, behind you!" a white creature bumped into Spike, making him fall over, the creature jumped at Twilight and snatched a ticket. "Hmm?" she looked down to notice the creature hopping back to a pony. "Fluttershy?" JetStream wondered. "Angel, these are perfect." Fluttershy responded as the bunny showed her the tickets. "..." Twilight sighed, "Listen girls, I haven't decided who to give the extra ticket to." "You haven't!?" Rarity and Pinkie Pie both looked back, one with excitement and one in sorrowful surprise. "Um, excuse me, Twilight..." everypony looked back to Fluttershy, "I would just like to ask, I mean if it would be alright, if you haven't given it to somepony else..." Rarity rose from her stance, and turned toward Fluttershy. "You? You want to go to the gala!?" "Do you even go to it?" JetStream asked. "Oh... no..." Angel repeatedly tapped on her arm, Fluttershy turned to him, "I mean-" she looked at Twilight, "-yes... well actually, kind of. You see, it's not so much the Grand Galloping Gala as it is the wondrous private gated garden that surrounds the dance. The flowers are said to be the most beautiful and fragrant in all of Equestria. For the night in the gala, and that night alone would it all be in bloom. And that's just the flora! Don't get me started on the fauna! There's loons and toucans and bitterns, oh my-!" JetStream looked at Twilight and Spike, they just shrugged, "-Hummingbirds that can really hum, and buzzards that can really buzz, and blue jays, and red jays, and green jays, and pink jays, and pink flamingos." Twilight snapped out of some stare-into-space when Fluttershy, she shook her head for some reason and walked up to her. "Gee, Fluttershy, it sounds... beautiful?" JetStream's gem glowed just as they heard. "Wait just a minute!" up above was Rainbow Dash standing on the edge of a house right above them. "Rainbow Dash, were you following me?" Rainbow flew down, JetStream stumbled out of the way, as she did on purpose for the reason of "knowing" JetStream is still trying to obtain a ticket from Twilight. "No! I mean yes! I mean, maybe! Look, it doesn't matter! I couldn't risk a goody-four-shoes like you giving that ticket away to just anypony..." "Why can't we just as-?" JetStream was cut off as Applejack appeared. "Wait just another minute! Hold on to that thought, JetStream..." "I wish I haven't..." he backed to the ground below. "Applejack! Were you following me too!?" Applejack gave a slight pause. "No... Ah was followin' this one, to make sure she didn't try any funny business... still tryin' to take mah ticket." "Your ticket!?" Rainbow responded. "But Twilight's taking me!" Pinkie stated. Suddenly they all started to argue, pulling in words that sometimes didn't even make sense, when suddenly. "QUIET!" she actually went to her hind legs to let the sound go, letting the sound hit like a near passing train going 40 miles an hour. "And then I said, Oatmeal! Are you craz-?..." Pinkie stopped when everypony was looking around. "Girls there's no use in arguing." Twilight continued. "Yeah, as we can see, it didn't take us anywhere. A load of jumbled words with any concentration isn't really progress..." JetStream responded. "But, Twiligh-..." "Eh!" Twilight held a hoof in front of her, "This is my decision, and I'm going to make it on my own, and I certainly can't think straight with noise..." her stomach rumbled again, "Not to mention the hunger... Now go on, Shoo! ... And don't worry!" Twilight continued as Spike walked up to her, JetStream just stayed put, not sure if to stay or go, as if he would try to avoid Rainbow Dash this whole time, "I'll figure this out!... somehow..." she paused as she saw the newcomer standing before her, looking shocked, confused, or rather annoyed. "... Should I go too?" JetStream asked, the simple phrase brought back the raising of the sun. "You're free to..." Twilight walked up to him, "If you're really undeceive about if you know or not about the gala, JetStream, why don't you just go back to the library and save the drama for me. This is new to you, right?" Twilight still looked a bit worried, Spike ran up and jumped back onto Twilight's back. "Well, yeah, I do have friends back at Altamare, still, I never experienced this with any one of them..." JetStream nodded at the fact, yet he was still smiling. "Then how come you're still going along with us?" Spike asked. "Well, I kept this one thing in mind-" pony's passed as they got to a more populated part of town as they walked somewhere to eat, "-If I have not decided on the gala because of I never went there, well actually I didn't even know it existed, I guess I thought the same was with friends... If I never decided to have or be friends with anypony, then would I never even decide there either?" JetStream looked back to Spike. "And I know you and Twilight haven't had much friends to be around with earlier yesterday. So, Twilight..." he looked at her. "Hmm?" she responded. "What if we tackle this whole friendship sociology together, like you said, when my parents left for the first time, so I could stay here..." "We're all your friends, we're all your company..." "We're all your friends, we're all your company... Yes, JetStream I know what you mean by that." Twilight looked back to him, as she saw him catch back up. Part 5 JetStream looked around, checking the scenery while waiting at the table. Sitting at the same table were Twilight, and Spike, who on the left and right respectively. After JetStream calmed down, he decided to play with his Aura a bit while Spike went for the menu, and decided to take a look at it, when Twilight spoke up, JetStream's Aura visibly vanished, and Spike put the menu back down, "Ugh, you guys, what am I going to do?" she asked slouched over the table. "I'd rather we wait, we might know what happens then..." "Well considering you're the only pony who apparently hasn't seen the Grand Galloping Gala, I'd rather keep on my guard." JetStream sighed looking toward the table. "To be honest, I have this whole Auroric thing to wonder about, Twilight. It really wouldn't matter if I went or not..." he shrugged as he looked at Spike and spot him in the corner of his eye shifting. "I don't think you should, JetStream. I saw what happens in there, and it's..." Spike paused, and it sounded like he was hooked on a word, "... nothing that, I would be interested to do..." he tried to make sure JetStream would consider it. "I really can't urge you to do it, Spike, since I haven't even gone myself, but what made you want to stick to that?" Spike put the menu down, a shocked expression on his face. "Are you kidding!? Just not to long ago, how Twilight's and your friends went crazy over one ticket." JetStream sank, showing his younger colt side as he rubbed the table in a circle motion. "That's what it is in the first place you two, those five of my best friends have really good reasons to go to the gala..." The flower started to shift in Twilight's magic, JetStream looked at as soon as his Aura bulged from her magic's power, "Applejack? ... or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy, Rarity... oh who should go with me?" "... Have you made your decision?" the waiter asked, JetStream quickly looked to Twilight, sensing the Aura boil to a dark red, he got back up and tried to get to her. "Twilig-!" "I CAN'T DECIDE." the outburst flew straight for the sky above, as the steam let off back to a sky blue, JetStream sighed. "Twilight?" Spike responded, "He just wants to take your order..." Twilight paused, not even a twitching eye was given. "Oh, I would love a daffodil and daisy sandwich." "... Do you have any rubies?" the waiter shook his head, "No? Okay... I'll have the hay fries, extra crispy!" the waiter then turned to JetStream. "Your order..?" he asked. "Oh, uh..." he looked to Spike, who just about handed him the menu, but instead, "I'll have what he's having..." JetStream gave a nervous smile. As the waiter turned around, he slowly clopped his hooves together making a weak laughter. After another pause, Twilight spoke up. "What do you think, you two?" Twilight now looked a little bit like desperate. "I think we have to try another restaurant, I mean I like grass just fine, but would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstones?" "Wait, you mean you eat gems? Like diamonds?" JetStream asked. "No!" Twilight budged into Spike's field of vision. "I mean about the gala, Spike, and the ticket and who I should take..." Twilight scooted over a bit. "Oh... you're still on that?" he pinched his snout. "Spike, listen!" Twilight lunged her to forehooves onto the table, JetStream quickly had to get his off. "...!" "How do I choose? Yet when I do choose will the other four be mad at me?" JetStream regained his balance. "Considering how we saw them earlier, probably..." "I mean I could give up my ticket and give away two, that still leave three disapointed ponies, what if I-!" she was cut off as the food they ordered arrived. "And, your food." the waiter arrived. JetStream saw the order he oh-so-dearly wanted getting hoofed to him, when he looked to Spike the next second, he was already stuffing himself. "Thank you. This looks so good..." JetStream started as well. 'I really haven't ate anything in a while, so I guess this counts. And hey, I found a place to eat too...' everything was going smoothly, up until the point a mob of ponies galloped passed them, "Vuat?" JetStream spoke out with a mouthful, he suddenly realized and then swallowed, "It was... just sunny seconds ago..." "Erm... madam?" the waiter from the restaurant spoke up, "Are you going to eat your food in ze rain?" Twilight put the sandwich down. "It's not raining..." when Twilight turned, everything was soaked, except in the very spot they all were sitting, they all looked up, "What's going on?" Twilight looked up, JetStream was still too busy eating, just moments ago he only considered, not it doesn't matter as if it looked like he hadn't eaten in almost a whole day without sleeping. In the very whole that they sit below, Rainbow Dash looked down below. "Hi there best friend forever I've ever ever had... Enjoying the sunny weather?" "Devuanantly." JetStream responded as he continued to eat. "Okay!" Spike responded as he gave her an okay with his claws. "Rainbow Dash? What are you doing?" "What do you mean!?" she smiled rolling her eyes, "I just saw the smartest most generous pony about to get rained on-" Twilight's expression sank as she realized what might've been behind this action, "-dine in peace, that's all! ..." Twilight sighed as JetStream was still eating away. "Rainbow... you're not trying to get extra consideration for the extra ticket by doing the extra special favors, are you?" she finished it slowly. "Vi avgree vrith Twivright, Vrainbow Dav..." JetStream responded rather sloppily, 'Please don't close it up...' "Me?" she pointed a hoof at herself, "No, no, no of course not!" Rainbow Dash held on to her smile for a bit too long. "Uh-huh..." Twilight responded, "Seriously, I'd do it for anypony..." JetStream felt the blazing, confused Aura's running around in a frantic mess, as they tried to stay dry, when Twilight looked back from the ponies galloping, Rainbow Dash gave a nervous snickering laughter. "Rainbow, I am not comfortable accepting unwanted favors, so I would appreciate if you let go of your favor right now..." JetStream and Spike looked at each other in shock, then to Twilight as Rainbow Dash closed the cloud. "Twilight!" they both exclaimed as the rain hit down on them with Twilight and JetStream's mane and tail drooping. "Agh! I wasn't finished!" JetStream frowned as his hay fries sank in moisture from the rain, Spike started to get the giggles as it built up, when Twilight let her aggravated moan out, Spike spilled his laughter everywhere, up until he heard that sweet voice. "Twilight! It's raining..." Rarity stated, ignoring that fact that Spike and JetStream are acquainted with her. "Ya don't say..." "Come with me before you catch a cold!" Rarity grabbed Twilight by her hoof as she galloping in the other direction. As they got further and further, it finally got to JetStream that they should kick it out of here. "Com' on Spike we need to go!" JetStream got off from his seat, galloped around the table where Spike lunged to JetStream's back almost slipping in the mud now below them, "Ugh..." JetStream continued to run through the rain and looked around, "Do you think you know where Rarity could've went?" "Yeah... I'm going to assume the Carousel Boutique." JetStream paused, yet the hooves splashing in the dirt driven mud kept going, "... Where is that again..?" Spike sighed. "This will take a bit... take a left up here..." Back to the Boutique, Twilight shook the extra water off like a dog would, after she finished, she looked back to Rarity, "I'll still tha-" she noticed Rarity was soaked, "Oops, sorry Rarity..." she smiled nervously. "Oh no! It's quite all right!" she said as she slowly flicked the extra water everywhere, "After all, we are, the best of friends are we not?" Rarity paused, as if she expected an answer, "And you know what the best of friends do?" "Uhhh...." "Makeover!" Twilight looked around nervously. "Rarity I don't think tha-..." suddenly the door burst open, bringing over-soaked mud and rain into the Boutique's entrance. "Coming through!" JetStream exclaimed as he slipped straight into the wall, whereas Spike jumped off in time, spattering water everywhere onto the wall like an art and its canvas, Spike paused shortly afterward at the looks he got, and he turned to the soaked pony over by the wall. "Uhh, thanks JetStream..." as he found it awkward. JetStream raised his right hoof. "You got it, buddy..." his hoof fell back down with another splat as he was lying in a puddle. Rarity paused and actually decided to give JetStream something to dry. "I'll be right back, JetStream..." she didn't sound to excited either. "You're the best..." he responded, followed by another splat. Part 6 "Oh, you're simply darling!" Rarity swooned over her own work as she stepped back to see the entire picture, the outfit was centered around greens, yellows, and blues. JetStream, after some time, got around and sat near at a table, he wasn't dripping still, but the towel and his coat were both damp. " ...I hate mud... How long has it been anyway?" JetStream asked looking to Spike yet still trying to flick some off, who shrugged and continued to watch Rarity do her magic, and make dresses, JetStream looked back to the experimenting ponies. "Uh, yeah, it is kind of pretty isn't it?" "And you!" she looked toward Spike, "Oh, Spike, I have a dandy little outfit for the dashing gent." JetStream backed up in false terror, "Now you just need a hat..." Spike scoffed. "I told you I don't want any part of this girly gala gunk, see ya at the library!" Spike rushed out of the way and whispered. "I'd follow me if I where you..." as he passed JetStream. Rarity gave a nervous laughter. "Oh! Who needs him anyway!" Rarity pulled a mirror in front of Twilight, then turned to JetStream, "This should be all about Twilight, and how fabulous she'll look at the Grand Galloping Gala..." JetStream smiled. "Right..." he responded nervously. "Wait! The Grand-?" Twilight was cut off by Rarity gasping. "Yet, JetStream, you have the stature of a bold pony-" as JetStream should've known this ten year old colt was bold worthy. "Actually Rarity, I'm not all the fancy ga-ga stuff you suddenly believe I am..." JetStream put emphasize on the statement by staring at Twilight intently. "Oh no that's isn't that at all! These outfits I have designed will get all of us the attention you two so desire, ha-ha... and besides-" she turned back to Twilight, "-all the attention will build on my dresses! Where I, Rarity the Unicorn will be the most beautiful, most talented, and the most sophisticated pony in Equestria! ..." she opened her eyes, seeing Twilight was obviously displeased with Rarity. "I see what's going on, you're just buttering me up so I'll give you the extra ticket..." Twilight said as she struggled to get the outfit off, "Well it's not going to work! You're going to have to wait for my decision just like everypony else. Now if you'll excuse me, I've been trying all day just to get some lunch!-" Twilight grabbed JetStream in her magic. "..!?" "Com' on, JetStream!" "Do I really have a choi-..." "Did somepony say lunch?" Applejack barged into the conversation, Twilight's magic evaporated, leaving JetStream to fall back to the floor on all fours. "I'm almost done with all this..." JetStream galloped after them as Applejack grabbed Twilight outside, "It stopped raining..." "You got to be kidding me!?" "I got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, apple dumplings, apple crisps, apple crumblers, and apple brown betty... uh, the dessert, not my auntie." JetStream walked up next to Twilight, "What do you say there, best friend?" Applejack gave her best smile as her stomach growled, "Is that a yes?" JetStream's eyes opened in surprise, and backed up. "No, no! I don't know who I'm giving the ticket to..." she looked at JetStream with a sincere expression, "And all these favors aren't making it any easier to decide. In fact, I was less sure than I was this morning, Agh!" she galloped off in the direction toward the library. "So that's a maybe?" JetStream was standing for the moment, he was staring off into space. Applejack leaned closer and closer until she jumped when JetStream lunged forward to gallop after her. "Twilight, I got it!" he had a broad smile on his face, and seeing that the library was just down the path, he went straight for it as he saw Twilight enter, "Twiligh-!" he had to stop as Rainbow Dash got in his way. "Stop right there, ticket snatcher!" she landed just after a flight, she got closer on all fours as if it where to back JetStream up a bit. "Rainbow what are you doing?" "I'm stopping this newbie from ever getting the ticket, see? You have much of a less chance of getting that ticket than I do." for the one moment, JetStream let it all go as he smiled. "Show it..." she shrugged grabbed JetStream. "Whoa, what!?" "Well, you told me to show you what I mean by, you are not getting the ticket and I am, so, he I am to show you what it means...." Rainbow stopped right above a building, which was taller than normal houses. Rainbow let JetStream go on the roof. "Welp, here ya go! Good luck gettin' the ticket now, rookie!" she flew in a boomerang fashion and flew to the library. "That's a long distance aways..." he could see the library was much further than before, "Alright, I didn't expect her to be that serious!" the gem on the ring glowed white, as power was stored for an indication or status of what the holder's Aura is at the moment. JetStream breathed in, he focused and everything went calm up until the point as JetStream opened his eyes, everything built up in a flare until JetStream let it all go into one jump, the angle of the roof helped him, the extra power from his Aura turned into a clear red, and with Rainbow Dash now very far off, considering that JetStream wasn't going to get far. His jump put a dent in the roof of the building, and the arch made him roughly about 50 feet in the air, and going at incredible speeds, make it himself looked like he was flying as well. As he was going further than higher, when he got his chance, he let out a scream, "Rainbow Dash!" he smiled in such a feat he was pulling off. "Huh?" she looked back to noticed a flying Earth Pony behind her. "JetStream? ... JetStream!?" yet it was too late as he grabbed her left leg, where he swung off of it and did a backflip before he landed back to the ground, the gravity caused Rainbow Dash to fall to the ground, but she quickly caught her self with her wings, "Get back here!" she kick start to her flight to catch back up and it kicked dust 10 feet into the air, as soon as Rainbow Dash caught up to him, she turned to him, "I may not be able to stop you! But we sure can race each other!" Rainbow smirked as she sped up, judging by how she changed, she was going for the libraries window. But that's when JetStream sensed a sudden change in her Aura, it wasn't as anger driven as it used to. Part 7 When they got to the library, somehow, and this time alone, Rainbow Dash made a clean swoop through the window. JetStream slew down when he got to the door, "What could Rainbow be doing now?" JetStream turned to the door, and felt another cold wave down his spine as he looked into the damply lit library, when suddenly a purple spark came out of nowhere, and Twilight and Spike appeared. Spike looked all covered in smoke and dust, it looked like he was recently on fire. "Warn me next time you're going to do that." he sounded off. The door that JetStream just crossed through was still open. "I didn't even know it was going to happen! Now quick, JetStream, Spike lock the doors!" JetStream walked all the way in and slowly shut the door. "What's going on?" "There's no time to explain!" Twilight shouted on her way up to extinguish higher lights, she was back down soon enough. When finally Twilight and Spike collapsed on in the middle of the room from exhaustion. 'It's kind of dark in here...' he decided to turn the lights on by leaning to his left, he flicked the lights back on. Suddenly the other five were on the top balcony all staring intently at Twilight. "Argh! I can't decide I just can't decide! It's important to all of you and I just can't stand to disappoint any of you, and giving me gifts and doing me favors won't make any difference because you're all my friends and I wanna make you all happy and I can't, I just can't!" Applejack was the first to walk down. "Twilight, sugar... Ah didn't mean to put so much pressure on you, and if it helps, Ah wouldn't like the ticket anymore. Ah'm wouldn't want to see ya in such pressure. And Ah thought it was about time to give it up... so, you can give it to somepony else... Ah won't, feel bad about that decision, it's a promise..." then Fluttershy. "Me too, I feel just awful that I made you awfully indecisive, and my actions weren't helping you do so..." "And me too-" Pinkie Pie responded, "It's really no fun upsetting your friends, I hope my future parties make it up to you..." "Twilight-" Rarity continued, "It was unfair of me to try and force you as I did, I must admit I was caught up in the expense at such an object could uphold, therefore, I'm truly sorry..." Rainbow Dash jumped into the air, full of excitement. "Yes! That means the ticket it mine! Ha-Ha! The ticket, I get the ticket, I-..." she saw everypony's expressions, and paused, "You know, I haven't perfected my signature moves for the Wonderbolts anyway... I don't need that ticket either." Applejack paused. "We all got so gun-ho by going to the gala, that we couldn't see how ungun-ho we were making you." Twilight let her hooves down as she came to a realization. "We're sorry, Twilight." they all said in unison, except JetStream and Spike, who just sighed as this was all over. "Do you have anything to say on this, Spike? JetStream?" Twilight asked in curiosity. Spike and JetStream swallowed hard as the ponies looked at them. "... Not exactly, but I'm glad we're at a conclusion..." JetStream smiled nervously, Spike just shrugged. Twilight paused shortly after. "Spike! Take down a note... Dear, Princess Celestia. I've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings but when there's not enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful. So, though I appreciate the invitation, I will be returning both tickets to The Grand Galloping Gala..." Spike finished writing shortly afterward, "What!?" they all exclaimed, "If my friends can't all go, I don't want to go either..." she looked firm at the other ponies. "Twilight, ya don't have to do that!" Applejack said. "Nope! I've made up my mind. Spike, you can send the letter now..." Spike blew on it with his green fire, everypony watched as it flew out the window and to Canterlot. "... I get it now Twilight-" JetStream finally had a say. "What do you mean?" Twilight asked, "How you always say you couldn't make up your mind because of all the ruckus for the extra ticket? Well, it turns out your final decision is equality..." JetStream turned to the ponies to his right, "It's either none or all." he smiled. "I guess that's your first lesson learned huh, JetStream? Actually, I hope we all learn what JetStream just said." Twilight said back to him smiling. "Oh? Yeah! I guess it is!" he finished as the letter was coming back, as Spike started to make grunts out of nowhere. "A letter from the Princess? That was fast." Spike grabbed it and started to read. "My faithful student, Twilight, why didn't say so in the first place?" Spike pulled something from, "Six tickets for the gala!" everypony cheered. "Wow, what turn of events." JetStream smiled, as he stared back outside, just realizing it hit night. Twilight's stomach rumbled again. "Allow us to treat you to dinner." Rarity said. They all walked out. "Ya comin', JetStream?" Applejack said looking back on her way out. After everypony was out, all the tickets Spike held was gone. "How come I don't get a ticket to the gala...?" when suddenly Spike hurled another scroll. "And one for you, Spike." he read it, and sprang outside jumping for joy, unless some other pony saw. JetStream laughed at his ironic expression. Yet after some time, he had to face the fact that he himself didn't have a ticket either. "... Wonder what we're going to do now..." he said to himself in the quiet library. When suddenly he heard a teleportation right behind him, he quickly turned around, yet only to see nothing new, "What?" when suddenly he felt something land on his back, "Hmm?" a golden ticket that looked just like the others was lying on his back, "Oh!" he leaned to the side to slip it off, and caught it with his right hoof, "... Thanks, Celestia..." he headed out for the door, but yet before he even got to the outside, he stopped, "..." he turned around, "Might as well..." he mumbled to himself smiling, "It was a heck of a day, honestly... and since it being only the first day I find it a little early... but still, it would be nice to stay in touch." he said to himself in a note-taking tone. He looked directly at the quill and paper, he turned around, and closed the library doors... ~~~Episode End~~~ > Episode 5-Griffon the Brush Off > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 1 "Hoof-biting action overload! She was like a stunt superstar, flying higher and higher, and Rainbow Dash swooped down 'swoosh!' and right before she hit the ground 'Shoom!' she pulled up Vrrmmm!" Pinkie Pie paused, when Twilight sounded off, yet still looking at her book. "Uh-huh..." "And them she looped around and around like whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo!" she fell to the ground as dirt was forced aside. Pinkie Pie were both at the park, some distance away from Town Hall, where Twilight thought she could catch up on her reading. Yet Pinkie Pie talked about something that felt like it didn't even happen yet, and besides Twilight was too focused on her book anyways. "... Uh-huh..." she responded. As Pinkie was lying down, she was Rainbow Dash flying over head. She instantly got back and dashed after her, Twilight looked back up to notice her almost out of sight. "Whew..." Twilight smiled in relief. Rainbow Dash was on her way to her desire, which slowly melted away as Pinkie Pie continued to call her name. "... Rainbow Dash!" she looked down, and gave a mix of a grunt and a moan. "Pinkie Pie, again?" she increased her speed. "Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie Pie called again. "Not now, Pinkie Pie!" Rainbow exclaimed, not keeping her eyes ahead of her. "B-but, Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie continued. "I'm in the middle of something!" she continued to fly, and finally looked back. "Bu-!" "I said not now!" she looked back, and then suddenly collided with a cliff, stopping her flight immediately. Somepony spotted her from at most a half-mile away, smiled and giggled until he turned back in the direction he intended to go. "Spike told me it was this way..." Rainbow Dash started to slide down the dirt and rock, until she finally, and yet softly, hit the ground right next to Pinkie Pie. "... I was just going to tell you about that mountain..." Rainbow Dash groaned, she think she still might have some dirt in her mouth. When JetStream arrived, still wearing his ring, he looked around in thought and confusion, "Pinkie was here earlier, wasn't she?" Twilight looked up to the colt. "Oh, JetStream, why are you here?" "I heard you were practically taking a lazy day... well from Spike anyway..." Twilight sighed. "Not's not how I would put it, sometimes that dragon isn't fit to a be a dragon..." JetStream looked shocked. "I don't get how you two are so mellow! I mean Spike is the first real-life dragon I've seen! I'm still curious on how you two met..." JetStream held his posture like he mentally held back. She put the book up-side down on the page and she continued. "It was back in Canterlot, I was doing magic for the school for gifted unicorns, and they gave this egg. I had to crack... or hatch it using my magic-" she pointed to her horn as it glowed a lavender colour. "... Did you do it?" JetStream asked. Twilight scoffed. "I overdid it." she smiled, yet it wasn't very much confident, "My magic hatched from the egg, then suddenly he smashed his head through the roof because it made him so big..." "Yeah-" JetStream held his neck, "-that's overdoing it... I suppose." after a short pause Twilight spoke up. "And about Pinkie Pie, yes, she was here recently, how'd you know...?" she smiled as she got a relevant idea. "Was it her leftover Aura, as you would put it?" JetStream blushed, laughing nervously. "Yeah I guess..." JetStream turned around to the mountain ahead of him, "Either that or the uneven patches of pounded grass..." JetStream let that sick in. Where Twilight let her head fall into her book, followed by a sigh. Part 2 "Ugh, I think I lost her for once today..." she frowned looking still annoyed at the fact that she could still be followed as she lied down on a nearby cloud near Town Hall. 'What's up her with her today anyway? She's never been this... sticky.' Rainbow sighed, 'Ya know what? It doesn't help to think while trying to go to sleep, I've felt that too many times by now...' she went quiet, not even thinking anything at this point. Until then, she heard faint humming that was awfully full of tone, 'I know that anywhere...' she gathered a bit of the cloud and stuffed her ears, then she looked down to Pinkie, "...?" Pinkie walked to a stand where a couple ponies waited for their wants. "Hi! I'm looking for Rainbow Dash, have you seen her?" she just repeated that question over and over again as Rainbow Dash dug her way into the cloud, "Twilight! Have you seen Rainbow Dash?" Twilight looked back in shock, "Isn't she right up there?" they both looked straight, as did JetStream when he opened the building door they were close to, as if Twilight was waiting for something. "Rainbow Dash!" she hollered. Her pupils dilated as she got back up from the cloud, she looked back and forth until all she had was to get out of there, which she did, incredibly fast. Pinkie Pie paused, then after a couple of seconds she started bouncing after her, yet she had some float to it as well. "Geez, where's Rainbow in a rush to?" Twilight wondered looking back to JetStream, she saw his Aura just visibly disappearing. "Actually, Rainbow Dash is trying to avoid Pinkie-" JetStream sighed, "-She's flying south of here..." Twilight smiled in awe. "You know, the more I think of it, Aura could be just like magic..." she considered. "Never would've thought of that..." JetStream tapped his muzzle. 'Why is Pinkie crazy!? Why can't she ever just leave a pony to their business?' she thought as she hid behind Sweet Apple Acre's barn, she looked around the corner, "Whew, that was close..." she turned around. "Hi!" Pinkie exclaimed showing right in front of her. "Aah!" she jumped off and flew another direction. Pinkie just started to make lazy haste to wherever Rainbow may be going. As she flew back in, she noticed the large amount of leaves on the library, she zoomed right in and took cover there. She stopped to catch her breathe, but just when it got quiet. "Hi again!" Pinkie exclaimed. Rainbow Dash jumped once again flying left. Where she stopped at a lake, and took a seat on the ground, "... I need a favor, Rainbow Dash." on attempt to fly away once again, she stopped her self in mid-air. "Oh, forget it..." she flopped back to the ground. "I totally promise, it'll be totally fun!" "Okay..." Rainbow Dash said rather sloppily. Where they would finally go back to Town Hall together. Pinkie was looking Rainbow between her two hooves, "... Over to the right..." Rainbow Dash moved right, "No, no, a little to the left." Rainbow moved left. 'Uggh...' "Alright, I'm pretty sure I know where the Town Hall is anyway..." the voice paused as he thought it through, "Twilight sending me anyway, I thought I was busy doing something. I just want to get some work done, is that so wrong?..." JetStream looked up when he got around the corner, "What are those two doing?" he saw Rainbow Dash moving back and forth with a cloud, and Pinkie keeps opening her mouth, "Is Pinkie telling her to do something? But what does it have to do with a cloud? Especially at Town Hall..." "-Pinkie Pie!" Rainbow shouted. "I'm going in..." JetStream walked over. When Rainbow Dash looked around due to Pinkie hiding, by going to the nearest window, JetStream felt a change in colour for Pinkie's Aura, and it was of the roguish sense. "JetStream!" she jumped. "Shhh!" Pinkie Pie responded. JetStream gasped. "You're going to prank Spike aren't you?" "Why do you ca-?" "Shhh!" Pinkie shushed again. That's when Spike walked out, Pinkie moved in such a way Rainbow Dash got ready. 'They can't just... why are they!?' Rainbow went to the side, and prepared to buck the cloud. When Rainbow Dash did, it produced thunder from the cloud. "Aah!" Spike shrieked in surprise, dropping every single scroll he was carrying with him just fell to the floor. 'My ears...' JetStream expected to be too loud as he just pulled his hooves off of his ears, he was never that close to a storm cloud in the first place. After a pause, Spike suddenly started hiccupping, and Pinkie got big smile from. Pinkie laughed. "Oh Rainbow Dash, you startled Spike into getting the hiccups!" Rainbow Dash laughed as she realized what Pinkie planned. "Haha! Good one Pinkie -Hugh- Pie -Hugh- you're always pulling a fast one -Hugh- on me." Spike picked a scroll up, but as soon as he went off again, his green fire burned the scroll up and sent it off. "Uh oh, you're not hurt are you?" Pinkie asked. "Are those actually getting sent?" JetStream asked. "Na -Hugh- ah, don't be -Hugh- silly. Dragons are -Hugh- fireproof." "Oh, okay... good." Pinkie and Rainbow looked at one another and laughed. After finally picking them all up, Spike hiccupped once more, causing all of them at once to get sent. "What the heck is going to happen with those?" JetStream looked at Spike as he desperately tried to keep them together. "It's hard -Hugh- to hold in! I and e -Hugh- verypony don't really know how to control once w -Hugh- e get them, JetStr -Hugh- eam." after a short pause. "What if I told you I know something to help?..." JetStream looked rather annoyed. "What makes you susp -Hugh- ect it'll work?" JetStream looked to the sky in suddenness. "... My mom taught me..." Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash started walking somewhere else. "If you say so... -Hugh-." before they all could make it too far, Rainbow shout out. "Watch your back, JetStream!" he swallowed upon immediately hearing this, Spike looked up at JetStream, he could see JetStream quivering. When they no more and sight, and JetStream sense for them was way out of range. JetStream looked at his spine. "Oh come on, JetStr -Hugh- eam, I'm sure it's nothing." "Sorry, I don't stand for others that much around. And since it was all to small of a threat it turned out awkward to do it..." Spike saw the gem he wore was a desaturated blue. "Hey, JetStream, why don't you show me -Hugh- that trick of yours?" Spike smiled as he got JetStream snapped out of wherever he was. "Yeah..." JetStream paused, "Okay, first-" Spike looked at him, "-you need to breath in through your mouth." Spike inhaled, "Now hold it there, and swallow two times, it works better with the more saliva you have..." JetStream said for extra measure, "Make sure you tilting your head back too, you would want that to get down you throat fast enough I suppose..." Spike already swallowed once, he tilt his head when he was ready, and then he swallowed the second time, "The last thing to do is to, slowly, breath out your nose. As if your ready to smell a scent you really like another time." JetStream smiled. After all the air he gathered from the inhale was realized they were both silent for the next 10 seconds he didn't hiccup, when suddenly Spike jumped. "... Cool! I don't have the hiccups anymore!" Spike looked back to JetStream, "I think I'll remember that for later." Spike thought it was nice to see him out of that feeling trip he was just in. Part 3 "Ah jeez, didn't think we'll get around to this Pinkie..." Rainbow looked at Pinkie as they both walked away from the joke shop they exited. "I'm sure we would've, I'll never back down from a harmless prank!" Pinkie smiled. "Actually, Pinkie Pie-" Rainbow responded, Pinkie looked to her, "-If you said you wanted to prank somebody, why didn't you say so?" "I didn't though, I thought it was plain fun!" "What? ... You know what never mind... any way who are going for next?" Rainbow asked, gaining a mischievous smile. "To the Carousel Boutique, I have an idea." "Rarity's huh?" "Yes!" she went into a whisper, "Stay behind that bush..." "If you say so..." she snuck around and to a bush that was open in view to the Boutique's front door. Pinkie walked up, and spread some things all around the door, she containing her laughter moments before it even happened. After a few moments, Pinkie Pie knocked on the door and rushed back. "Now we wait..." Pinkie whispered, Rainbow nodded in the middle of snickering. Rarity walked up to the door. "Hello?" she wondered, looking left and right yet nopony was there. That's when she got a sudden sniffle in her nose, and sneezed afterward. She looked down, only to notice a substance on her wall, when she looked down, her sneezing got worse. That's when they both flew from their cover. Rainbow Dash sprinted, but while Pinkie still sat there, the container full of the stuff hit the ground after flying through, causing the stuff to fly into the air, Pinkie sneezed as well, after almost hundred she finally decided to get out of there and catch up to Rainbow. "Up next it Twilight." Pinkie muttered holding another jar. "Your turn Rainbow..." she hoofed the jar to her. They watched her carefully, then, when they noticed she went up the stairs to the second floor, Rainbow Dash swooped in and replaced the jar with their own, and flew out without a trace. When Twilight got to writing, as you could see with some paper out, and a couple of science-y tubes sitting next to her. 'Alright, it's about time I get to writing my descriptions down for these chemicals...' she looked away from the paper to change the chemicals boiling behind her, when they changed to purple, Twilight quickly turned back. "What!?" only to notice the ink was all gone, she checked the chemicals, then the paper once more, only to suddenly hear laughter bursting from the upper window. Twilight shrugged it off as soon as they saw the two ponies outside. Suddenly Rainbow grabbed Pinkie hoof. "Oo?" "Next up, Applejack!" they swopped from the leaves and flew over, leaving Pinkie to just dangle as they went. When they got there, they landed near a couple of trees, "Alright Pinkie, you have to help me on this one." she giggled she looked back to Pinkie, her mane was messed up as if she got hit with jet-strong winds, "Ready?" Pinkie nodded. "Go!" they grabbed a couple of painting boards and went throughout the orchard. After sometime, Applejack came out and was ready to pick the apples, when she opened her eyes she gasped. "Land sakes!" all the apples were coloured greens, yellows, blues, purples and other sorts of colours that were unnatural. Applejack turned when she heard some laughter, Pinkie and Rainbow. She through apples at them to get them away like the bugs they were, and yet when one landed in a bucket full of water, Applejack noticed it was harmless paint, she laughed after all that worry. After some time, they collected a telescope and a toy squirter. Pinkie was bouncing with the squeaker while Rainbow was at the Telescope, "Is somepony over there? Who're we going to squirt? Who're we going to squirt?" Rainbow snickered. "Fluttershy." she smiled looking at Pinkie. "What!?" she jumped, "No, no ,no ,no ,no you can't prank Fluttershy, I mean she's too sensitive, it'll hurt her feelings. Even are most are most harmless prank, and I know what I said about those, but we just can't!" Rainbow looked away from. "Yeah... huh... We need another victim who's made of tougher stuff..." Pinkie started laughing when Rainbow let off of the Telescope, "... So who's it gonna be?" "Oh! I got somepony in mind..." she continued to laugh, "... The toughest around..." "Awesome! Who? Who?" she looked around quickly in case she missed. "Oh yes, you're very close..." Rainbow was brought closer to the river, where she inspected her right eye, and noticed a darken ring around it. "Talk about friendly fire..." they both paused, then Rainbow picked it back up, "Good one, Pinkie Pie." Rainbow Dash held out her hoof, but only to move it when Pinkie was about to clip it together, they both laughed it off and continued on their day. Part 4 "I can't wait to get back to Rainbow Dash and our pranking! I can't keep my excitement, I don't know what we'll do!" Pinkie burst out off Sugarcube corner. "Oh, well... good morning, Pinkie..." Mr. Cake greeting missed as Pinkie seemed to miles ahead, she suddenly came back and was in front of the door. "Good morning, Mr. Cake!" she responded then zoomed off again. Mr. Cake sighed in shock when she went around the corner. Mrs. Cake came down with an abnormal look on her face. "Did you see what she had with her?" "Yes, I did. It just helps not to talk off about it in front of her." he looked back up. "It saves time for business." she giggled shaking her head. "Of course." Pinkie made her way to the outskirts of Ponyville, where Cloudsdale was located in the sky. She stopped right below and exclaimed. "Rise and shine, Rainbow Dash! It's a brand new day and we got a lot of pranking to-..." Pinkie stopped as she noticed a creature appeared from the clouds, "-Oo..." Pinkie muttered in awe. "Mornin' Pinks!" Rainbow burst from the higher clouds, she shot from them like a canon and flew over to her as she looked at her friend, "Gilda, this is my gal pal, Pinkie Pie." Gilda lift off from the clouds and landed in front of Pinkie, Pinkie shook as she landed, almost like an earthquake. Rainbow Dash pointed to Gilda, "This is my griffon friend, Gilda." "What's a griffon?" Pinkie asked Rainbow. "She's half eagle, half lion." she responded. "And all awesome!" Gilda added. "Gilda's my best friend from my days at Junior Speedster Flight camp-" she looked at her, remembering each and every memory sharing its balance in sanity, "-... Oh! Hey, remember the chant?" Rainbow recalled. "Shuh-" Gilda responded, "-they made us recite it every morning, I'll never get that lame thing out of my head." "Soo...?" Rainbow Dash stared intently at her. Gilda rolled her eyes and sighed. "Only for you, Dash..." they both suddenly flew into the air. "Junior Speedsters are our lives, sky-bound soars and daring dives Junior Speedsters, it's our quest, to some day be the very best!" "Junior Speedsters are our lives, sky-bound soars and daring dives Junior Speedsters, it's our quest, to some day be the very best." Rainbow and Gilda chanted. Pinkie laughed in cheer. "That was awesome! And that gave me a great idea for a prank, Gilda you game?" Pinkie asked her. "Hmm, well, I groove on a good prank as much as the next griffon, but Dash, you promised me we'd get a flying session in this morning." Gilda launched into the air. "Yeah, well, uh. Pinkie Pie, you don't mind do you? Gilda just got here, we'll catch up with you later." Rainbow jumped into the air and hovered, ready to leave. "Oh! Um, sure, no problem! Have fun you guys, I'll just catch up with ya..." they were both long gone, Pinkie sighed, "... later..." "JetStream, can you grab me that book over there?" "Yeah, su-" he paused in as he turned to notice the big bookshelf in front of him, "..." he turned to Twilight, "Which book exactly? I thought you could've pointed to it or-" "Right here..." Twilight interrupted as a book to his left glowed on a level higher than his eyes. "Oh, well. I can't read minds..." he held out his right hoof in complain, his ring slipped down a bit. "Eh, doesn't hurt to try right?" JetStream backed up in shock as Twilight looked to him smiling. "Well, well it doesn't hurt to try anything you just might be able to-" he looked around, "-and where is Spike, I haven't seen him yet..." Twilight sighed as she had to look away from her book. "... Spike!" she beckoned. "I'm back here like I told you, Twilight. I'm just grabbing a book is all..." Twilight's eyes opened as she turned. "Wait... what? You're actually-!?" Spike appeared from behind the door. "Yeah, yeah I don't usually read books, Twilight, I get bored sometimes too." Twilight went back to hers as she muttered. "Not that I get bored..." after a brief pause, JetStream walked to Spike who sat down at the stairs. "... So what's it abou-?" JetStream was interrupted as Spike closed the book, he saw just a little bit of text, with his right claw in the middle. "No!" Spike reacted a bit quicker than JetStream thought, "If you want to read it JetStream you'll have to wait 'till I'm done." JetStream snickered as Spike crossed his arms, "What's so funny?" he opened his left eye. "You just lost your spot in the book." he smiled. "..." Spike looked back to his book, then sank, "No..." Twilight laughed as they both looked to her. "I have to get you a bookmark sometime, Spike." his expression went angry. "I'm don't read as much as you Twilight! And besides, that would be a waste of time anyway..." "If you insist-" she looked through the corner of her eye, "-but if you ever need one... just ask..." Twilight went silent after that. Spike still looked annoyed afterward, where JetStream spoke in a short burst. "Page 26..." Spike jumped, then looked at JetStream. "It's about time!" Spike swung the cover open and onto the page he was recently on, Twilight snickered. Part 5 "Come on, Twilight!" Spike exclaimed. "Maybe, Spike-" she turned back to her book, "I'm half way through, if you waited this long, surely you can wait the next half..." the front door noticeably opened. "Twilight I need to talk to you about something!" she looked annoyed yet on the verge of tears. "Hmm? Pinkie Pie? What're you doing here?" "That's why I'm all, I need to talk to you about something, Twilight!" she mused. "There's no need to be loud, Pinkie." "... Sorry, but I need this to be figured out." Pinkie saw JetStream and Spike on the stairs, with JetStream fallen asleep next to Spike for some reason while Spike was still reading the same book, "... There's this friend of Rainbow Dash that's been acting strange." Twilight snickered. "And what's your standard of strange?" "For the all the sums of being sorta-serious Twilight, this is one of them, and I'm pretty sure this 'griffon' is not what she seems." Twilight rose a brow in confusion. "Where are you getting at?" "That Rainbow Dash's friend is actually a meanie-head! Whenever I would catch up to them to wherever their wings would take them, I would follow, but only for her friend to take me down, literally, and it hurt! It hurts, Twilight!" she suddenly got on her calves begging, Twilight instantly walked back to her book. "So, are you sure that this friend of Rainbow Dash is really so mean?" she got back up and started to pace back and forth as she got asked questions. "Umm, yeah!" she answered, "She keeps stealing Rainbow Dash away, she pops my balloons, and she told me to buzz off! I never met a griffon this mean, or, actually I never met a griffon at all. But I bet if I have, she wouldn't have been as mean and grumpy as Gilda..." Twilight looked back to her. "You know what I think, Pinkie Pie...?" "Hmm?" "Well, I think... you're jealous." Twilight finished. "Jealous!?" "Green with envy, well, in your case, pink with envy..." Spike added. "Well, yes, jealous. Listen, Pinkie, I don't want to upset you, but just because Rainbow Dash has another friend doesn't make Gilda a grump. I mean perhaps it's you, Pinkie, who needs to improve her attitude." Pinkie's eyes opened wide. "Improve my attitude!? But I- Bu- It's Gilda that- It- Are you seri-?" she let off a loud high pitched scream of anger, blowing it all off for now, she quickly walked out the door, and slammed it shut. "Wha-!?" JetStream shot out of his sleep, his eyes half open. "Oh my, JetStream, Spike, I may not know what just happened... well I'm pretty sure the whole town will not know until it's too late, but JetStream, I'd rather you stay awake for now. I want both of you to help their circle of trouble if you ever have to, hula-hoop it around the pit of something unworthy of living..." everybody was quiet, when JetStream stood up and saluted. "You got it, Ma'am." Spike looked at JetStream and did the same salute. "This was awesome, Gilda!" she shrugged. "It was no big deal, we were basically the best out of the whole group." she recalled. "Like old times!" "Like old times." They both had their brows furrowed and a smile on their faces. "Sadly, I'm gonna have to take care of some weather bizz around here, I know it shouldn't take long. You can just... hang out in town while it get it taken care of. I'll find ya later..." she shrugged. "That's cool I guess. I'm gonna go chow down." "Later!" she zipped off into the sky. Gilda looked around just as Rainbow Dash left, being a griffon in a pony territory is rather edgy, either she'll get noticed or make her noticeable. As soon as Granny Smith caught her sights, she looked with a smug grin. She was smelling the fruit when suddenly a tail popped out. "...? A rattler? A rattler!? Run for the hills! Save yourself!" she went off as fast as she could, which was a tough race for a turtle. Gilda looked through the fruit. "This stuff ain't fresh, dude..." Pinkie lifted her head a bit from where she sat. "Aw, poor Granny Smith, she didn't know it was a joke, how mean! ..." thinking back to the talk with Twilight, which wasn't too long ago, she had to rethink it, maybe it wasn't what it seems, "No, no, I can't misjudge her it, was, kind of a funny prank. I guess." her tone dropped in enthusiasm. Pinkie watched Gilda as she stopped by an apple stand, where her tail wagged around until it somehow moved to the barrels, as if she controlled herself, Gilda's tail swiped an apple from the barrel, Pinkie immediately gasped, "I did misjudge her, she's not only a meanie-mean pants, but she's also a thief! ..." she had to stop herself once again, "Nonono, she might give it back, it's just a joke." Pinkie paused as Fluttershy passed nearby with ducks in a single line. "Alright little ones-" Fluttershy was about to instruct, "-this way, this way." she continued to walk backwards, "Mama Duck, you're free and clear." "Hey!" Fluttershy had to realize she bumped into somebody else, she looked up to her, "Please excuse me-" "I'm walkin' here!" Gilda exclaimed. "Oh- I'm sorry, I was just trying-" Gilda suddenly let out a mocking tone. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry- Why don't you watch were you're going doofas!?" she practically roared. She continued to walk forward as the ducks scattered everywhere. "Bu- B- B- But, I-" Gilda inhaled, and let out a roar a lion could distinguish. Fluttershy discarded her ducks and ran the other way from Gilda, Pinkie watched in shock as Gilda stopped in front of Pinkie her mouth wide open. "Oh please! All these lame ponies are bugging me, I gotta bail." she took off to the skies once more, there was no more to explain, and Pinkie had it decided. "She's a grump, a thief, and a bully! The meanest kind of mean-meanie pants there is! I can take it, no one treats Fluttershy like that. No. One." she paused, "This calls for extreme measures, Pinkie Pie style!" Part 6 "... Welcome!" Pinkie greeted as ponies entered Sugarcube corner. When they entered they noticed the party decorations around the building. Applejack walked over to her friends near the corner of the room. "Who's this Gilda Ah've heard nothin' about?" she asked. "I heard she was a friend of Rainbow Dash. She's a griffon as well, how rare?" Rarity answered as Twilight got settled down near Fluttershy. The door to the library burst open, with JetStream galloping through. The door hit its mark to the point it turned back toward the library and closed all on momentum. "I didn't know Twilight was out!" he paused as he passed a couple ponies on the way there, "... The nap idea Spike proposed wasn't this so called "follow-the-rule-Twilight-gave-us" type of thing..." when he looked around, the only thing noticeable was a pony turning a corner, he turned to a pony when he passed him, "Excuse me. Do you know where everypony's going?" JetStream asked. "To Sugarcube Corner." he answered. "Thank you! ...." JetStream sped up incredibly. "Quite..." he responded. As soon as he got on the road leading to the place of interest, he turned toward the building. "-Dear friend of Rainbow Dash, lets honor and welcome her to Ponyville." Pinkie embraced Gilda as she showed her befriendy-ness, when Pinkie let go, the whole building was lit with sound. A whole crowd started to roar with cheer, when suddenly a voice broke out. "Twilight you left me behi-!" JetStream was cut off as he was forced back to the ground. "...!?" Gilda turned around, which everypony stopped cheering. Fluttershy gasped when she saw JetStream outside the doorway. "JetStream! Glad you could make it!" Pinkie exclaimed. JetStream's gem glowed, and with his eyes still closed from the fall he would think for the moment that something is off. 'I can see the glow without opening my eyes, if only I could understand this thing...' JetStream got back up, dusting the dirt off, "Thanks, Pinkie!" he smiled. When he opened his eyes again, he was in a new world of surprises, "Oh!" he felt that cold wave go down his spine again, 'See the glow without opening my eyes...' he recalled moments later. "I knew you'd be surprised, JetStream!" Pinkie continued, as she merged at the same distance with Gilda, it looked a bit uncomfortable, "This is Gilda-" she pointed to he immediate left. Gilda gave a languid wave. '... Her stare is dreading.' "She's Rainbow Dash's friend, and I, and everypony else, are here to give her the recognition she deserves, as she is new here in Ponyville." Pinkie giggled at JetStream's expression, "Is your face frozen or something, or are you that surprised to a see a griffon?" 'That's true, I have never seen a griffon before.' he turned back to Gilda, 'And by the looks of her stare, I think I might as well see more than just her...' "Come on you two, why don't you two greet each other, shake claw and hoof." Pinkie smile was glued on tight, even with the roll of Gilda's eyes, she extended her arm half-way through. "Actually, Pinkie-" he said with hesitation, "I don't think a shake is necessary." JetStream gave a smile when they looked at him with a surprising expression, 'Let you have that relieved sigh, Gilda...' JetStream thought, his gem glowed again, causing Gilda to raise an eyebrow, "Ehh, anyway, think I could be let in Pinkie?" JetStream smiled. "Of course, the more the merrier!" she exclaimed, she walked back in. JetStream followed Pinkie in. "Everypony's here, JetStream, so kick back and relax!" the other five were pointed to. "Of course they'd be here, you're the party pony after all." JetStream responded. It was nearly fifteen minutes later, when Pinkie walked back in with a cake from the kitchen, or what seemed to be one, "Cake time everybody!" she exclaimed, Twilight walked up with an open mouth. "Wow, this looks incredible." Pinkie smiled. "Thanks, Twilight! I baked it myself." she giggled. Spike walked up with her. "Hey! Can I blow out the candles?" he asked Pinkie. "... Why don't we let Gilda blow out the candles, Spike. She is the guest of honor after all." Gilda rushed over and pushed Spike down. "Exactly!" she exclaimed. Gilda blew out the candles in an instant. Only to realize moments later the candles were re-lit. "What..." JetStream tilted his head in confusion. Gilda turned back and burned them all out. They re-lit without any answer or question. Everypony started to laugh as Gilda continued to blow out the candles that continuously ignited themselves. "Re-lighting birthday candles I love that prank!" Spike recalled, Gilda looked down in annoyance, then to Pinkie when she spoke out. "Now I wonder who could've done that." she brought her hoof to her muzzle in mystery. "Yeah, I wonder." Gilda deadpanned. JetStream noticed Spike drill himself into the cake, and decided to walk closer. "Mmm! Who cares, this cake-" he appeared from the top, "-is amazing!" "Spike!" Twilight frowned at his action. "What? It's great, try some." Spike said with his mouth full. 'You know what, Gilda isn't looking so cool. For Pinkie, I do not want this party to be a bust for her.' Rainbow Dash walked up beside Gilda. "Hey G, you're not upset by some silly candles, are you?" she had a worried smile. "Hm?" JetStream looked over in question. "Hey, Twilight, what are we going to do now?" Twilight looked at JetStream, and pointed to Applejack. "Hey y'all!" she called. JetStream looked over to the cake to see Pinkie and Gilda with wide grins. "You two okay?" he asked. "It's pin the tail on the pony, let's play." she jumped and kicked her forehooves in the air. "Oh my favorite game!" Rarity responded, "Can I go first? I do have the purple tail." she insisted as she bent down to pick it up, just as Gilda swiped it from her. "Well, I'm the guest of honor, and I'll have the purple tail." she walked over to the wall. "Yeah! Gilda should definitely go first. Let's get you blind-folded." Spike walked up and quickly wrapped a cloth band around Gilda's head. "Hey! What are you doing?" Pinkie then spun her around. She done it so well, you could even see Rarity look dizzy. "I'm spinning you round and round. Then you got to pin the tail on the pony. Now walk straight ahead and pin the tail." "Now walk straight ahead and pin the tail, yeah right, this is another prank isn't it?" Gilda turned all the way around, "I'm going this way." Pinkie jumped and pointed to the poster. "Wait! The poster is this-! ...." everybody watched as Gilda went sliding out the door, "Uh, Gilda, you pinned the tail on the other end..." the JetStream, and Spike got a good crack at it, behind everypony else. When suddenly Gilda jumped up in yet another mighty roar. "This is your idea of a good time? I've never met a lamer bunch of dweebs in all my life! ... And Pinkie Pie..." Gilda flew down and showed up face to face. "You! You are queen lame-o with your weak little party pranks!" JetStream sighed as she finally had enough of it. Then JetStream had a glance at Rainbow Dash as his eyes were panning through the crowd. You could've seen the backstab-like anger that Gilda pulled off right in front of her "friend". Some of them are just improperly bold with misunderstanding, but this was just an outright attack. The Aura JetStream felt was proof into her heart, "-Come on Dash, we're bailing out of this pathetic scene." Gilda stopped part way to the door to realize she wasn't budging an inch. Gilda looked back in anger, "Come on Rainbow Dash, I said, we're leaving!" Rainbow Dash was facing toward the ground, and when she looked up, everybody could feel the steam she exiled. "You know what, Gilda? I was the one who set up all these weak pranks at this party..." Rainbow held a firm frown, one that wouldn't move a muscle. From that, she was entirely disappointed. "What!?" her anger burnt off to confusion. "Ooo." Pinkie didn't really know about this. "So I guess I'm the queen lame-o." Gilda broke her posture as she looked to the ceiling. "Come on, Dash, you're joshing me!" and back to Rainbow, she mentally sighed. "... They weren't all meant for you specifically it was just the chance that you set them all off." she closed her eyes in giving her plan away. "I should've known. That dribble cup had Rainbow Dash all written over it." she looked at Spike. "No way! I- It was Pinkie Pie, she set this party, to trip me up. To make a fool of me." JetStream froze in what he saw. 'She's lying, up until now she always said "it's" or some sort of nickname. And now she's right here, she's speaking of a colour her Aura shows me differently, and from what I've learned from actually reading books for the past couple of days, that nopony or anybody can fake their own Aura. It's the purest of their and our sociality.' JetStream noticed the glow turn red. "Me? I threw this party to improve your attitude. I thought a good party might turn the frown upside down." Pinkie confessed. "... And you sure didn't need any help making a fool of yourself." Rainbow and Gilda stared eye to eye, no other detour was in sight, "You know, this is not how I thought my old friends would treat my new friends." she paused, Twilight noticed Pinkie sank, "If being cool is all you care about, maybe you should go and find some new, cool, friends, someplace else." Gilda instantly grit her teeth in furry. "Yeah? Well you, you, you are such a, flip-flop!" Gilda tilted her head at an angle, "Cool one minute and lame the next, if you decide to be lame anymore-" she glared right into Rainbow, "-give me a call..." she started walking out the door, ending with a slam to start the silence. "... Not cool." Rainbow Dash remarked. "Wow, talk about a party pooper." Spike said. The ponies around her started speaking out. JetStream felt like he couldn't just stand there. He budged himself to try and tackle the situation. "... Rainbow, we-" he was cut off right there. "No, JetStream. It's fine." she turned to him, "In fact, I'm less stressed than what I was than when Gilda was around. Although I did just let a friends go. I'd rather think me and her weren't really in sync." JetStream didn't speak no further. 'I have a lot to learn.' Rainbow Dash turned around to the crowd behind them. "I'm sorry, everybody, for bringing Gilda here. I didn't know how rude she was. And Pinkie Pie-" she shot back up and looked toward her, "-I'm really sorry she ruined that awesome party you put on for her." one by one somepony smiled, as it seemed. "Hey, if you want to hang out with party poopers, that's your business." Rainbow smiled. "I'd rather hangout with you, Pinkie. No hard feelings?" Pinkie smiled as she extended her hoof. "No hard feelings-" every minute of feeling was put into this hoofshake, it takes maturity to reach an honest and modest decision. Twilight sighed and walked up. "Hey, Pinkie, sorry I accused you of misjudging Gilda, looks like I'm the one who misjudged you." Pinkie wrapped her left hoof around Twilight's neck. "It's okay, Twilight, even you can't be a super-smart-smarty-smart pants all the time." Pinkie jumped to the middle of the room, Twilight's smile was her response to forgiveness, "Come on, everybody, there's still a whole lotta party to finish." everybody cheered after that. JetStream and Rainbow Dash ended up chatting a bit more, Spike tried to help with Rarity, as if she ever needed assistance getting a new glass of whatever she wanted, it didn't matter what it was, as long as she wanted it in the first place. And Applejack assisted with Fluttershy to get around the building, nopony could've heard her scream. "That was amazing!" Spike shouted as Twilight and JetStream followed after them. "I know!" JetStream jumped, "The cake was really sweet, I'll never make it out on how Pinkie could make cakes." JetStream licked his lips as he finished. Twilight on the other hand was silent, instead she walked over to the pedestal with the scroll on it, which was blank, and started writing her notes down when she got a hold of the quill with her magic. "Didn't you enjoy the party, Twilight?" she continued to write. "Of course I did, Spike. There was nopony there who didn't." JetStream grinned. "Ya got that right." Spike and JetStream clapped together and laughed. When they both calmed down, which was nearly two minutes ago, JetStream walked up next to Twilight, "I gotta admit, Twilight. Ever since I came to Ponyville, things have been really lively." JetStream watched Twilight continue to write down, "What are you doing anyway?" "As the Princess assigned, to send a friendship report. It was a trade for me staying in Ponyville." JetStream sighed, yet it sounded like a mix between a yawn too. "A report huh? Sounds troubling still." "Meh, it becomes a habit. And writing down these letters really help to keep things in mind." Twilight and JetStream went silent. Which Twilight started to hum later on. "... Do you mind if I watch?" she looked at him. "Uh? Oh, no. But I'm nearly done." she thought as she pulled the last sentence together. Soon, Twilight leaned back up. "Alright! Spike." "Yes." he turned to her. "I want you to send this to the Princess, please." she handed him the scroll. "On it." Spike walked over to the window and held the scroll in front of his mouth, and exhaled. The scroll fizzled and traveled out the window. "I'll never get used to seeing that... actually-" JetStream turned to Twilight, "-Has it been a certain time since you two discovered you can do that, Spike?" Spike huffed. "Pretty sure I can't remember..." Twilight pointed a hoof to Spike. "That's basically how long it's been." "Hey, Twilight, what did you put down for the report?" JetStream asked. Twilight smiled, and cleared her throat. "Dearest Princess Celestia, today I learned that it's hard to accept when somepony you like wants to spend time with somepony who's not so nice. Though it's impossible to control who your friends hang out with, it is possible to control your own behavior. Just continue to be a good friend. In the end, the difference between a false friend and one who's true will surely come to light." JetStream walked to the window, Spike took a step back as JetStream turned to her. "If that's how you'd put it." and looked back, "..." JetStream took an abnormal inhale. "Something not right, JetStream?" Spike asked, still standing. "There's a lot to learn." he smiled back. His gem glowed once again as he looked out the window like he was already half awake. ~~~Episode End~~~ > Episode 6-Boast Busters > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 1 JetStream opened the front door to Sugarcube Corner as the sun just cracked above the horizon, the bell rung still, making it a moment of recurring nostalgia since he got here to Ponyville, "Oh! JetStream." Mrs. Cake jumped, "Whatchya doin' up so early?" she asked. JetStream didn't hesitate to answer, he was certain for what he was after. "The delivery, from Canterlot Library? I didn't exactly catch the name of it up there." Mrs. Cake shrugged. "Even if it did had a unique name, I suppose I wouldn't know it either. But yes, there is a book we received from there. I don't know why they're sending it here if you're relaxing at the Golden Oaks Library all the time." JetStream laughed blow it off, and looked back to her. "I think it's because of me switching without their aware..." he responded. "That makes quite the bit of sense, JetStream." she turned around, and went to go upstairs. When she disappeared behind the corner, JetStream sat at a table, and looked out the closest window. Carefully watching the sun rise, as the light started to shift downward onto him. "I know it's been a while, yet not too long..." he paused, "I wonder how they're doing back in Altamare..." JetStream looked away from the window suddenly, "Now that I think about it, I haven't really gotten a letter from them yet. Although it has been about four days since I made it, maybe the distance between Ponyville and Altamare is farther than I thought." JetStream thought that now was the time to settle with everything and think about then and now. Altamare and Ponyville, and how they're same. But before he could pull up anything more than how they're a distance apart, Mrs. Cake pulled around the corner in the opposite direction, and slapped the book inside some tough wrapping paper, on the counter. "Here you go, JetStream. Still has the tag and everything." JetStream hopped from the table. "Thanks! Been waiting for this since yesterday." he grabbed the book from the counter and turned toward the door. "If you don't mind me asking!" Mrs. Cake exclaimed. "Yeah?" JetStream turned back, a bit confused. "What's the book about?" JetStream walked back to the counter. "Well, I don't want to open it, but I'm sure it's a little something of detail for, Aura." Mrs. Cake scratched her chin. "Don't know what that may be, but it sure sounds fancy." she smiled, "Know who's it from?" she asked. "Actually, I was never told of who would send it-" he looked at the book wrapping, at the tag, "-There are the initials S.S. I guess that could be anypony though." JetStream shrugged. "Alright then, be on your way." she smiled. "Okay, see ya later, Mrs. Cake." after he was gone, she giggled. "Hiding in his parents shadow when he arrived, now he's just blowing up a conversation with me. They all grow up so fast." JetStream exited, and turned toward the library, ecstatic about getting into the book. Part 2 "What are you guys doing over there?" JetStream asked, lying down on the wooden floor, muzzle facing toward the ceiling. The book was motionless on his face. Twilight leaned over to look at him. "Actually, JetStream, I think we should ask you that." she leaned back to look at Spike, "And I might suggest you'd have to read it, JetStream." Twilight sighed as Spike looked over to him, completely silent, and turned back. "Where's that ring you wear all the time anyway?" Spike asked as he seemed to go through a couple pages of checkboxes with writing next to them. "Oh." he shifted his neck upward and looked at the window to the opposite side of the door, the book slid to his stomach, "There's something with that window and the gem on the ring that somehow go together. When I leave it there for a while, it starts to glow, like if it's charged or something." he shrugged. "Twilight. We only got a few more to go." Spike said as he finished going through the pages. "Hang on, Spike." she shifted her right hoof to Spike. "Did you read anything since you got that?" her head tilted. JetStream suddenly stood up. "Yes, I did!" Spike and Twilight watched as the book fell and hit the floor, closing itself. "Agh! No I lost my place." Spike laughed. "I guess that karma got the better of you, huh?" his tone was a mix of teasing and sarcasm. "Alright, alright." he looked at Twilight when he picked the book up, "I didn't go too far just yet, but some of the book said that an Aura strong enough could hold the energy to produce events that extend above terrestrial limits." JetStream smirked, "I don't know much about my own yet..." Twilight's mouth opened in a state of being puzzled. "Isn't the Aura a part of you? How would you not know it?" JetStream shrugged. "Don't know, I mean, I seem to be destined to be an Auroric. Which sounds so ascending to me. I don't want to jump to anything, even if I may sound like I will. It's a feeling of isolation, I suppose. Without knowing my Aura, it feels empty. Like everything has been drained, life and magic." JetStream was referring to every Auroric that seemed to be titled to such renown, but they were both confused. "Magic? JetStream, I'm pretty sure you kno-" she was cut off, as JetStream started. "-Anyway, I know Aurorics and ponies are of the same kind. As it seems to be in this book, where it's just ponies alone. Maybe, they're possibly to different things entirely. Oh! There's so much to think about!" Twilight paused, she was speechless, with a couple of things suddenly on her mind, she once snapped out of it as soon as Spike spoke up. "Come on, Twilight! We can do it. There's not so much more to do." Spike said, flipping through the pages on the board in front of them. "Alright, Spike. I guess if to get this thing over with." Spike grinned as he was ready for next couple of tricks. 'This might take a while.' JetStream sighed with a short smile. He sat down some distance away, he looked to his right at the window, where the ring was sitting, and back to the book. He started to read through it once again, and to realize a sound forming to his right. He looked at the sound to notice Twilight's horn was starting to glow, JetStream's mouth opened on surprise. Calmly, he looked at his own hoof, and tried to let his limbs other than his right arm to ragdoll back to the floor, his Aura started to show a visible blue, his eyes widened and he looked to the window, where his ring was glowing as the same blue colour, 'No way...' he thought as an idea popped into his head. He stood back up and quickly looked over to Twilight, "Do you think Aura is like magic?" Twilight jumped in shock, then turned to him. "I was thinking the same!" she exclaimed. She finished just as the spell took its place, and a mustache formed below Spike's snout. "...?" JetStream rose a brow. Spike turned to the board. "That's number 25! 25 different-" he stopped as JetStream was giving him a look, "What?" Spike asked, the marker he held was still in his right hand. "A mustache?" JetStream wondered. "I don't what you mean." Spike sounded distant, he walked his way to a nearby mirror. "This is the best trick so far." Twilight smiled, shaking her head. They both watched as Spike postured different gestures. "Sorry, Romeo, as attractive and enticing as you look. It's just for practice, and it has got to go." she closed her eyes as her horn started to glow. Spike saw the reflection and jumped. "Wait!" he exclaimed as he turned around. He looked down, only to notice it was gone, "Oh, rats!" he sank, Twilight laughed. JetStream rolled his eyes. Part 3 "Twenty-five, Twilight, twenty-five different kinds of tricks and counting." Twilight closed her eyes as she couldn't really hide it from him. Spike scratched his head after a pause, "I thought unicorns were only supposed to have a little magic that matches their special talents." he gave a shrug gesture and turned back to her as she responded. "True, Spike. For ponies who's talents are for things like cooking, singing, or math. But what if a unicorns special talent is magic?" "Like you, Twilight. And you know a ton of magic." he looked ahead as he finished. "Oh, Spike, stop." she smiled rolling her eyes, and started to look around, "I'm sure they're a lots of ponies right here in Ponyville who know just as much magic as me." Spike looked back, raising his arms. "Are you kidding? I don't think there's no unicorn in all of Equestria with your kind of ability." they both paused when a voice from the horizon was launched in every direction. "Gangway! Comin' through!" a colt yelled galloping with another through the same route they're on. They both jumped, and Spike was taken with them both. "Snips! Snails! What's going on!?" they stopped as he finished, the momentum though sent Spike flying, and landing on the ground in front of them. "Wha? Haven't you heard? There is a new unicorn in town!" Snips jumped up and down, like a sugar rush. "Yeah! They say she's got more magical powers than any other unicorn ever!" Twilight walking up behind stopped in shock to understand them. "Really?" she rose an eyebrow, and actually looked a bit worried. Spike swung his arm. "No, way! That honor goes to Twilight." she was just about to blush, but she stopped to ask. "Who is this unicorn?" "She's in the town square, come on!" Snails galloped ahead. "Yeah! Come on!" Snips followed. Spike jumped out of the way, then looked to Twilight. They both soon followed after them to Town Square, and unveil who this unicorn could be. As they got a good distance, an echoing voice was coming from a stand in the middle, in front of Town Hall. "Come one, come all! Come and witness the amazing magic of the Great and Powerful, Trixie!" Twilight and Spike had to shove themselves the crowd. "You decided to come too?" they both looked, to realize JetStream was standing with the other five. His face looked rather indecisive. "So, you wanted to see this too?" Spike asked. "Of course. I actually sort of ran into her, or her cart, on my way around Ponyville. Not on the right hoof here." he gathered a whispering tone. Spike held is sudden urge to giggle, when Twilight directed him to the stand. She started to look around the crowd, giving JetStream an unfavorable eye before looking through the crowd with a smile. "Watch in awe, as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes!" she jumped onto her hind legs, when a fanfare and mini fireworks started playing their tune. "... My, my, my, what boasting!" Rarity dreaded, Spike rose his arms. "Come on, nopony's as magical as Twili-" Spike suddenly stopped, his eyes opened wide, "-Twi, Twi, oh Rarity, I uh... mustache!" he ran behind to the end of the crowd. JetStream still had his left hoof in the air to get out of his way, he put it back down as Twilight walked up. "There's nothing wrong with me is there?" she asked looking between them. "Nothin' at all, 'cept when somepony goes around showin' if off like a school filly with fancy new ribbons." Applejack answered. "Just because one has the ability to perform lots of magic does not make one better than the rest." "Especially when you got me being around being better than the rest of us, He-" Applejack gave her a glare, everypony else just looked a bit confused, "-Eh... I mean, yeah! Uh, magic shmagic. Boo!" she looked back to Applejack, yet her expression didn't budge. "I agree with them, Twilight." JetStream responded, "Although it's nice to show somepony what you're made of, you can't just show up without anypony knowing your name-" JetStream looked in front of him, "And I mean, every Unicorn who knows magic. Any kind." Trixie turned to the group most close to the stage. "Silence!" JetStream jumped, so did others behind him, "You're the problem that truly bumped my plan." she held a hoof at him. "I already said I was sorry." he frowned. "Not when one is walking the same direction!" she piped, "If vision wasn't enough then sound would've obviously been your next ticket!" JetStream's head tilted, putting his right hoof on his chin looking toward the sky. "You got to admit though, that thing was a bit rusty..." there was a small group of ponies who laughed. "I will not try to silence thee no further, hold yourself at once young colt!" she looked to the rest of the crowd, "This is no comedic play I shall remind you! Keep you patience near, as the magic show will soon commence without insignificant interruption!" she still held her tone throughout the little act, "And the rest of you who dare intrude. Booing in the face of raw magic by the Great and Powerful Trixie herself, who do you neighsayers think you possibly could be? Who is so ignorant as to challenge the magical ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie? Do they not know that they're in the presence of the most magical unicorn in all of Equestria?" "Rubbish-" Rarity responded, "Just who does she think she is?" "Yeah!" Spike bumped in. "Since we all know, Twilight here is-" Twilight bent down. "Spike, shh!" she pushed out of the crowd, "What's wrong?" Twilight frowned. "You see the way they reacted to Trixie? I don't want anyone thinking I'm a show off-" a fanfare played just as Twilight finished. Rainbow Dash grunted, she jumped and flew straight up, JetStream and Fluttershy jumped. "Wait!" JetStream exclaimed. "So, Great and Powerful Trixie, what makes you think your so awesome anyway?" she asked, hovered above in front of her. She frowned and corrected her hat, then looked up and smiled. "Why, only the Great and Powerful Trixie has magic strong to vanquish, the dreaded Ursa Major!" trumpet looking horns on the side of the stage shot fireworks that when exploded in the sky formed the shape of said bear. "No way..." Snails said in awe. JetStream scoffed. "The everyday sun is more interesting than this..." he argued to himself. She shifted her hat once again before speaking. "When all hope is lost, the ponies of Hoofington had nopony to turn to, but the Great and Powerful Trixie stepped in, and with her awesome magic, vanquished the Ursa Major and sent it back to its cave deep within the Everfree Forest." "Woah." Snips and Snails responded. JetStream swallowed hard. 'I guess it's a good thing I didn't run into it... if it's there anymore...' "That settles it!" Snips called out. Snails walked up to the stage, Trixie was posing before the crowd, her eyes closed as well. "Trixie truly is the most talented, the most magical, the most awesome Unicorn in Ponyville." "No!-" Snips jumped next to Snails, "-In all of Equestria!" "How do you know!?" Spike broke out, Twilight looked back to him. 'Spike don't make me force you...' "You didn't see it, and besides, Twil-!" 'That's it!' she broke out a spell that closed his mouth for good, yet that didn't mean he couldn't be heard, 'It's going to be a long day.' she thought. Trixie laughed. "It's true, my enthusiastic little admirers, Trixie is most certainly the best in Ponyville." she paused, leaving everypony in the front row with angry or critical looks, "Don't believe the Great and Powerful Trixie? Well then, I here by challenge you, Ponyvillians. Anything you can do, I can do better. Any takers? Anyone? Or is Trixie destined to be the greatest equine who has ever lived!" the fanfare played back, fireworks went off once again. Spike extracted the spell, and fell to the ground next to Twilight's hooves, JetStream looked over to him with an eyebrow raised. "Come on, please! She's unbearable!" he stood up to look at her, JetStream continued to stare, he pretty much he confirmed he was seeing new things everyday, "Ya gotta show her! Ya gotta!" he begged. "There's no way I'm going to use my magic now, Spike-" JetStream started to whistle, and stood between Trixie and Twilight, yet Trixie didn't notice this. He got the sense of curiosity Trixie was feeling for the mare now behind him, since she always silenced the dragon for some reason, so if his hunch is correct, "Especially since-" she was cut off by Trixie. "Hmmm, how about-" she looked around the crowd, until she got the middle, "How about you! ...?" Twilight felt a cold wave going over her, fearing she was picked, turns out she ended up pointing the pony directly in front of her, JetStream. "Woah!" he tried to use his best non-actor voice possible, "Oh, Trixie, I'm pretty sure a mere Earth Pony couldn't best you in magic. Why would you decide to pick me?" he held a hoof against himself. "What!? Since when Trixie have not noticed you?" she piped down, "... Or are you making a dunce of Trixie, once again?" she hated to admit, but he and her had pre-show encounters. "Nope, just an innocent Earth Pony trying to watch the, performance. Besides I might as well watch what I helped put together..." he looked really bleak at the end of his statement, 'Did I really just say that!?' suddenly an aura developed around him, it was a light blue, "Hmm?" he grunted as the force of her magic pushed him aside colliding him with Rarity, she pretended to clear her throat. "Excuse me, but I don't want any ponies of your position, as I can't recall knowing such low pony as yourself-" she glared at JetStream, he caught that loud and clear. "One trick pony." he responded, he swallowed once again. "Have I broke you?" she asked after he silence, JetStream didn't answer, answering probably wouldn't be the best answer. "..." he looked at the ground, keeping as many ponies out of his field of vision as possible. He didn't move a single muscle. "... Like a broken record..." she answered. Rarity looked back up in amplified annoyance. Twilight looked at JetStream in surprise. 'That was his emerging rage wasn't it?' she wanted that question entirely to herself. "Now! Back to where Trixie was supposed to be flourishing." she stared at her victim, her glare showing Twilight in fear of showing her magic off as well. Seeing what JetStream just pulled off, Twilight's fear boiled higher. Part 4 Trixie walked to the edge of the stage, a smug look on her face, "Well? How about it? Hm? Is there anything you can do that the Great and Powerful Trixie can't?" her stare forced her to show what she wanted hidden. "I... um, well..." Trixie looked over to Applejack. "Well, little hayseed." Applejack was silent as well. '... Why are they so quiet?' JetStream wondered, his head still at an angle. Suddenly, Applejack burst out in a rainbow of words. "That's it! I can't stand for no more of this!" she stomped her hoof. Trixie stepped back, keeping her posture in check. "You show her, AJ!" Spike encouraged as she walked onto the stage. "... Can your magical powers do this?" she grabbed a rope, and started swinging it round to play some vertical jump rope. It was going to so fast it might've burned a circular whole in the wood below, you could easily know the crowd was pleased. She lassoed an apple on a nearby tree and tugged on it, flying the apple straight into her mouth. Once she swallowed, she turned to Trixie, "Top that, missy!" the crowd cheered. Trixie's horn started to glow, Twilight noticed JetStream shiver from the corner of her eye. "Oh ye of little talent-" her hat started to hover higher and higher off her head, "-Watch and be amazed as the magic of Trixie!" the rope slowly rose from the wood. Catching her attention, another side of the rope went for another apple, and when it came back, the first end of the rope quickly tied Applejack at the bottom of her arms and legs, turned her upside down to where her back was on the wood, and shoved the apple into her mouth. Surprisingly, the crowd did cheer and were laughing, only to confuse some ponies. Yet there was one in the background who was tooting there horn because of it, "Once again the Great and Powerful prevails." she was content in her character for sure. Next was Rainbow Dash, as she went back up to converse. "There's no need to go showin' off and strutin' like that." she turned to her. "Oh?" she looked unamused. "That's my job-" you could hear multiple ponies sighing. Twilight faintly heard JetStream snicker. She flew off into the sky, doing a quick backflip before she flew all the way in front of the sun, causing a solar eclipse to only the crowd in front of the stage. She dived straight into layers of clouds as she dove back down, catching moisture from them as she flew down at high speed, she instantly turned toward the stage and landed on her four hooves. When stopped, a rainbow formed around her, yet only the right side of the crowd could, "They don't call, Rainbow, and, Dash, for nothin'!" the crowd cheered, "Now, ya see, that is what the crowd should be cheerin' for." Applejack responded. "When Trixie is through, the only thing they'll call you is loser." her horn glowed again, catching the rainbow and wrapping it around her, causing to spin like a top. And set her aside to outside of the crowd. "... I think I'm, gonna be sick..." she gave a unamused to Rainbow Dash, she paused, then looked to the crowd. "Seems like anypony with a dash of good sense, would think twice before tussling with the great Trixie." her horn glowed its light pink, and spawned a small storm cloud next to Rainbow Dash, just after Applejack helped her up. The thunder and lightning made her shriek. "Yow!" causing JetStream to jump as well, Twilight turned to him afterward. "You okay?" JetStream shifted. "It's alright, I only jumped." he had a shrug tone. A good part of the crowd sprouted laughter. "What we need is another unicorn to challenge her." Spike nudged Twilight, she looked down at him, "Somepony with some magic of her own." Spike kept nudging, even though Twilight was clear of it. "Com' on, Twilight. It's best to take a shot at this..." JetStream looked back to the stage as Trixie continued to do tricks for the mean time, he looked back to Twilight, "She is rude, but she had her reasons..." "Yeah!" Rainbow Dash agreed, "A Unicorn who could show this Unicorn who's boss." "A real Unicorn to Unicorn tussle." Applejack said. "Uh, well-" Twilight was cut off as Rarity walked across her vision. "Enough, enough, all of you. I take your hint, but Rarity is above such nonsense. Rainbow Dash and Applejack may behave like ruffians, but Rarity conducts herself with beauty and grace." "Ooo, what's the matter? Afraid you'll get a hair our of place in that rats nest you call a mane...?" Rarity paused. "Oh, it is on..." JetStream sighed. "Not you too." JetStream was finally standing up straight. Rarity got up on stage, and walked past Trixie, keeping her expression of anger content. "You may think you're tough with all of your so called powers. But there's more to it than your brutish ways. A Unicorn needs to be more to be more than just muscle." her horn glowed a cyan colour, with it forming around the stage curtain to their left, she tugged it from their it brought it closer to her. Everypony looked shock as the robe looking cloth started circling her like a tornado, when it soon finished, she was in an outfit nopony has seen before. Rainbow Dash scoffed. "If only I could do something like that, that doesn't involve unnecessary dressings, of course." nopony bothered to look at her though. Soon Rarity continued. "A Unicorn isn't a Unicorn without grace and beauty." she strutted in the outfit. Ponies Ooo-ed her appearance. Trixie's horn started to glow again, JetStream could hear everypony sigh, when Spike suddenly spoke out. "Rarity won't let Trixie get the best of her!" Trixie's horn went down to a soft glow, she stayed idle, "She's strong, she's beautiful, she-...!" Trixie went ahead to skip his part, with a instant pop of her magic, everybody jumped in shock. "Quick! I need a mirror, get me a mirror! What did she do to my hair? I know she did something terrible to my hair!" it was either the big scary noise, or the looks she was receiving, she looked to her friends. "Nothing..." "It's fine..." "It's gorgeous..." everypony looked at Spike when he spoke. "It's green." JetStream let his laugh in one burst, still receiving glares, he asked, "What?" instead of that mirror, Rarity looked up, her eyes started to tear up. "No. Not green hair!" she galloped past everypony, "Such an awful, awful colour!" "... Well, I never!" somepony responded with a green mane and tail. Spike looked over to Twilight. "Well, Twilight, guess it's up to you. Come on, show her what you're made of." JetStream jumped to her side. "Yeah ,Twilight. I haven't seen much, but you're the one who I saw do the most." Twilight lifted a hoof. "What do you mean, I'm nothing special." Spike sighed, and pointed at her. "Yes you are! You're better than her!" JetStream noticed a sense of retreat in her, as her ears were starting to coil. "I'm not better than anypony." Trixie looked at the front of the crowd. "Ha! You think you're better than the Great and Powerful Trixie? You think you have more magic talent? Well, come on, show Trixie what you've got..." she noticed the looks she was getting by the others, "Show us all..." "Who me? I'm just your run of the mill citizen of Ponyville. No powerful magic here, I, uh... I think I hear my laundry calling. Sorry, gotta go." she instantly turned to other way and galloped, holding a frown all the way. "Twilight!" Spike and JetStream exclaimed. "I knew it!" his tone wasn't took as angry. "Once again, the Great and Powerful Trixie as proven herself to be the most amazing Unicorn in all of Equestria-" JetStream mouth hung wide as Spike crossed his arms, "-Was there ever any doubt?" they looked at one another, making a slight of a nod gesture. Part 5 A little later, Trixie was in front of a mirror, behind the stage. She was busy coming her mane from all the troubling difficulties from before, when she heard the grass rustling behind the mirror stand, "Who has wished to see me, the Great and Powerfu-." she was cut early. "It's only me Trixie..." JetStream walked from behind the mirror, sort of depressed to the eye. "Oh..." she paused being caught off guard, "Why does thee keep coming back to Trixie?" he sighed. "I'm here to apologize for earlier." he shrugged, Trixie lifted her nose into the air, still shifting the brush across her mane. "You approaching Trixie like this is apologetic enough. If this is all you have come for then leave her at once." JetStream was still trying to rap around the third person dialogue of hers. JetStream rose from his slouch, getting Trixie's attention. 'Don't, get angry...' he stared at the high point of his right arm, 'It's like I can't keep stable without the thing.' JetStream sighed once again. "What is it you have to say? Speak it." she stopped brushing, JetStream knew he would have to give it now. "Sorry, I'm still shattered from you breaking me. I still haven't welcomed you from your thanks, when I helped you roll your stage in with you. So, I came because of attitude, and to finish something earlier than that." he paused, but spoke before she could, "I know you will take much of this for granted, again for how bad I acted back there, and honestly-" he stopped, JetStream just suddenly stopped as spaced out, right before Snips and Snails approached them with snacks from afar. "Here's your smoothie you asked for, with extra hay, just how you like it." she grabbed it with her magic and started sipping from the straw. "Mmm, hay..." Snips echoed in a dreamy tone. When Trixie opened her previously closed eyes, she saw both of them staring intently, their eyes practically sparkling. "Yes?" she sounded annoyed, Snips stuttered. "Uh, tell us another story the Great and Powerful Trixie." he asked. JetStream rose an eyebrow. "Yeah!" Snails added. "Tell us about how you vanquished the Ursa Major." she looked up to JetStream, who tried to look interested. Instead, she tossed her head the opposite direction. "Ugh, Trixie is far too exhausted from performing feats beyond imagination." she instantly turned to the three of them, "Begone with you until morning!" she rose a hoof, continuously shifting it forward. "Of course, Great and Powerful Trixie." they started walking backwards, without any regard for what was behind them. JetStream watched as they continued in the direction. "Anything you say, we are at your beck and call." they walked backward with their necks toward the ground like she was some princess. "Bah!" she shifted with the wind, and turned to her mirror. "Hmm...?" JetStream turned around to a voice. "Hey you, over there." Snips called out, "Stay away from the Great and Powerful Trixie, she desires to be alone." "Yeah-" Snails usually followed, "We wouldn't, like to upset her." "Alright." he turned slowly, a little lost, those two were still backing up. JetStream noticed a figure behind them. "What are you two doin'?" Spike didn't look so good, his arms were crossed, his expression topped it off. "Just bringin' the G and P T a-" he was cut off by Spike. "The what?" "The Great and Powerful Trixie." Snips answered. "Sheesh..." Spike looked at the ground. "Just bring bringing her a smoothie." Snips finished. "How can you fall for her lameness?..." Spike noticed JetStream behind the two. "JetStream, why are you here? I thought you went back to Twilight's or something." JetStream spaced out on how Spike reacted to Snips and Snails praise toward Trixie, and with him apologizing earlier didn't form a fondness of the same so well, after a second or two, JetStream looked back to Spike, Snips and Snails looked back to him. "So your name's JetStream?" Snails asked. "Yes..." JetStream answered. "Why are you still here? Especially when your friends got humiliated with Trixie's false talent." Snips turned to Spike. "Don't worry though, JetStream was only apologizing for his fre-" Spike's mouth dropped, JetStream stepped back with the same expression. "What!?" they both exclaimed. "You were to say you and us were, sorry, for what we tried to do?" Spike asked. 'This is an misunderstanding!' JetStream swallowed. "No, Snips and Snails didn't come at the same time I did, they didn't here it all, Spike. You're misunderstanding." Spike sneered, and pointed at the tip of JetStream's muzzle. "You're saying you came down here as early as you could to make sure there were no misunderstandings at all between you and Trixie? JetStream! We were purposely trying to trip Trixie from getting to far ahead from us, I thought you knew she wasn't that great!" Snails suddenly spoke up for JetStream. "Trixie is the greatest Unicorn, she has the word, Great, in her name." they tried to get Spike back. 'Hang on you two!' he panicked. "She's only a show-off! Unlike Twilight who-!" Spike was cut off, as Snips got too close. "The Great and Powerful Trixie vanquished an Ursa Major! Can your Twilight claim that?" Spike scoffed. "Were you two even there?" there was a slight pause, "Actually, did you two even know who she was by then?" he held his arms out in question, JetStream stared at the colts in the back of their heads. "... Well, no, we weren't, but-" "But nothin'! The proof is in the pudding." Snails laughed. "I like pudding..." Spike expressed nothing for these two. "Spike, I need to settle things with you. I'm not here because of what you said earlier, you didn't let me get around to it." he frowned. "Well, JetStream, nothing was stopping you, except you..." his heart skipped a beat, a cold wave went down his spine, "... Look, unless an Ursa Major comes waltzing up the street for Trixie to vanquish, I am not going to believe what she says-" he pointed a claw at the two colts, "-and neither should you..." after a thought, Snips gained a smug expression. "Hmm, an Ursa walkin' up the street, 'ey? Snails-" he turned to Snails, "-Are you thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?" "Why is it they call it a flea market when they don't really sell fleas?" he wondered looking out into space. "Ye-! Uh, come on!" he turned around stomping at the ground like he finished a tantrum, they both passed JetStream, giving him a look as well. When they left, JetStream sighed. "On another note, JetStream, why does it seem like I'm the only one who's trying to take care of this?" now it sounded like he was trying to get an answer from himself, yet you would ask somepony else. JetStream rubbed his neck and walked up to him. "... Maybe because you're... obnoxious?" Spike's mouth opened. "What? No, I'm being loyal here, Twilight is the actual Unicorn of those two." Spike, without hesitation, started walking back into Ponyville. JetStream looked up. "...? Wait!" he caught back up to him, "Where are you going?" he asked. "Back to the library." he sounded bleak, "... I need to talk to Twilight." he answered without question. After another long pause, Spike looked back up to JetStream, "JetStream, would... help me with this?" he sounded a bit nervous, "I don't feel like I could take it alone, to persuade Twilight to show what she's made of." JetStream leaned away. "Why are you asking me, I'm only a colt. Twilight and her friends are all mares..." Spike instantaneously looked up. "And I'm younger than all of you!" he paused, "Okay, just listen here. Ever since we met, something I knew a feeling of has broadened, I feel like I'm heightened, whenever you're around..." he gestured a shrug with his arms, "I don't want this sounding weird, JetStream..." JetStream looked straight ahead. "You know what though, Spike? That's actually a really nice insight you brought up. I know you a dragon, Spike. And actually I thought you and them had some sort of heightened sense for something, yet if I had to say what it was..." Spike looked up to him, "Uh, I would say, it hasn't shown yet..." JetStream and Spike sighed for different reasons, "But you know what?..." JetStream bounced back, "If you're serious about this, then maybe it'll work out for the both of us." he smiled in wonder. The library was in front of them. Spike spoke up once again. "Can promise me you would help me with this?" JetStream paused. "I won't make a promise I can't keep." JetStream held out his hoof, and they both bumped, "But I had to say, Spike. I promise." they both smiled. Part 6 JetStream walked back down, and listened as the conversation between Spike and Twilight continued, yet she didn't look so happy, "Twilight, would you put down the book and just listen to me?" Twilight finally turned around, noticing JetStream behind him as well. "Didn't you see how they hated Trixie's bragging, Spike? If I go out there and show off my magic, I run the risk of losing them as friends." Spike shook his head. "It's not the same thing, Twilight! You'll be using your magic to stand up for your friends, you're being a bit too defensive." Twilight wiped her worried expression clear. "No, Spike, it's exactly the same. The others said it themselves-" she turned away from them, "-I can't show them more then what Trixie did." she turned her head back to them, "If I ended up showing Trixie what I got, the others will go by their word. And they'll hate me for showing off as well." she was pretty serious, it was an angry serious, not a worried serious. Spike suddenly lifted his arm, pointing toward JetStream. "But what if one thinks differently?" he looked over to him. JetStream noticed Spike pointing. "Eh, well. Twilight, sorry about that, Spike caught me off guard. From a point of view I would see all this, despite the same humiliation she gave me and our friends-" Twilight cut him off. "I didn't see you go on that stage." she replied. JetStream felt this faint heat wave come from Twilight. "Could we calm down?" they all paused. "I am not mad..." she assured. She was lying, the small, dark red outline of hers still wrapped around her. 'She is lying, but I don't want to drag this self-ignorance longer...' JetStream paused. Spike was still going back and forth between them, "I didn't see you on that stage..." her expression finally showed it. "I am not mad, JetStream." Spike looked over to Twilight, and his mouth opened in JetStream's same realization. "..." Spike walked over to the magic spell board they used before, "... Why don't we use a small one?" Spike asked, he saw her expression, then looked back, "Come on, Twilight, any one of these tricks even the teeniest would be enough to show off Trixie." she grit her teeth, her horn started to glow. "I don't want to be seen as a bragger like Trixie." Spike walked forward, but her Twilight spawned a door prop in front of Spike, and slamming it in his face, and immediately turning around after it. JetStream saw that thin red Aura of hers get thinner, yet it was still visible. 'I guess that didn't help so much...' he bit his lip. He looked back to Spike, who opened the door back open. "But you're the best, Twilight!" Twilight glared at him. "Please, Spike, I said no!" he went silent, and sank, looking toward the floor. Soon enough he looked back up. "If that's the way you wanna be, then fine." he slammed the door shut. Twilight went silent, her expression showed ignorance. JetStream looked into the corner of his eye. Spike opened the door once more and walked to the front door and exited there. When he slammed the door, JetStream looked back at the door, as it started to glow, so was Twilight's horn. "What are you doing with the door?" he asked. Twilight sighed, looked a bit dreadful at the moment. "JetStream, this came from my panic..." "What?" he looked puzzled, "You spawned this out of frustration?" he pointed at the pure blue door. "Yet another reason why I want to stay away from this." the door disappeared, and Twilight looked back to JetStream, "I don't know if I'll screw it up, or do anything that was unintended." "We're just going to have to wait, then." Twilight rose an eyelid. "What do you mean by that?" "Wait for whatever Snips and Snails could be doing. They walked away and said something about not being there when Trixie, vanquished, an Ursa Major..." Twilight's eyes didn't budge at all, JetStream just shrugged. "... I don't get it, JetStream. Why would Spike try so hard to get me out there and face Trixie like he intends me to?" "Because I've seen you do the most, besides Rarity. Honestly, all I have seen her do is simple levitation." JetStream shrugged. "I don't want to stray from my friendships, JetStream. I don't think this will seem to help." JetStream looked toward Twilight. "I know it hasn't been long since we first met, Twilight. But remember how conversed the first time we did?" Twilight looked toward the ceiling as she tried to recall, "You can't seem to bring it up at anytime? You have to be reminded? Not that you need to of course..." JetStream looked at the wooden floor. "..." Twilight still was silent. "Twilight, you were too tired and annoyed to act properly." he gave it away. Twilight's mouth opened in realization, "Despite how you may act at any time, it seemed like you didn't care for a thing as soon as I got a glimpse of your expression by the time you let me sit next the bed and talk with you. You sounded nearly empathetic until the very end." Twilight nodded. "True, yet I didn't care for any friendships at the time, let me remind you." JetStream smiled. "Trust me on that one, I could tell the slightest. You were closed off by everypony else, the lights were off..." he paused as he wanted to bring the theme of this event up, "As I was first into Ponyville, we went into Sugarcube Corner, because that's where I was staying. When Pinkie Pie was talking about this party for a certain mare-" Twilight smiled a bit, "-I thought that this pony was important to her. Despite how long they may have known each other. And through the big adventure we had trying to get through the Everfree forest, we all got to know each other a lot. And we have been friends ever since. We all seen you magic, Twilight. That's what got you to stop Nightmare Moon, and bring Luna back from it. Those bonds with your friends help the feat to be pulled through. The final attack you pulled on her as well. It was stronger than we both thought." Twilight rose up. "What was that?" JetStream inhaled to think back to that part, where Nightmare pulled a sneak attack to stop them, and he helped the six heal it back up. Sometimes when it comes to this, it feels like he isn't on their side, nor on the pony or any other thing against him. That's where he thought this Auroric thing rolled into place. JetStream sighed. "Never mind, Twilight." he walked toward the front door, he looked up in surprise to notice it was night. "..." he heard Twilight huff in figuring it out. "Things figure in time, Twilight, yet nothing starts until you take action." JetStream walked out and closed the door. Leaving Twilight to sigh again, with a frown that felt like would never leave. Part 7 In the outer skirts of Ponyville, Spike lazily dragged along kicking rock, the bright night shone above in the sky, "I just don't get it. Twilight earlier was doing tricks off the wazoo, how come she doesn't want to show Trixie for what she isn't?" suddenly Spike's fists clenched, he pulled back and gave the rock his hardest kick. Right afterward, he caught Snails galloped by following Snips, "Hey, guys, we're you going?" "Can't talk now!" "Got a major problem!" they both screamed as they passed by. "... Ursa Major to be exact!" 'How can I still hear him?' suddenly there was this big roar that filled the area, "Huh?..." he turned around, and a bear like creature where Spike only came up to his paw roared at him. "Trixie!" they beckoned. "Twilight!" he exclaimed. Futurewhile in the mean... Spike and JetStream dashed back in, where they both saw her reading a book on the pedestal. "Twilight!" they both exclaimed. "You got to come quick!" "I told you two, I don't want to show up Trixie." she seemed to be more calm then last. "... JetStream what are you doing? You saw what was out there!" JetStream was idle, up until the point where he shot something transparent directed towards Twilight. When it hit her, she instantly felt the fear and terror of what was going on. "Ah!" Twilight suddenly screamed. "Now come on we need to get ou-!" the loud roar rang out again. "Really?" Twilight looked at both of them, they nodded slowly looking at each other. "Great and Powerful Trixie, you've got to vanquish the Ursa." Snips said as the beast was just ahead of them, idly staring. "Yeah, vanquish it so we can watch." Snails said. "It took a lot of trouble to get this thing here." Trixie was just about to go for something, but she stopped when she heard. "Wait, you brought this here? Are you out of your little pony minds!?" she stared back at them instead. "But, you're the Great and Powerful Trixie." Snips responded. "Yeah, remember, you defeated an Ursa Major." the creature roared once again, and Trixie was nowhere near anything except for this bear. "Uh, okay.... Stand back." a rope appeared from a nearby vase and she wrapped it around him, his two fingers, where it snapped it off instantly. "Aw, come on Trixie!" "Stop goofin' around and vanquish it, eh?" Trixie turned back around and really burned to try this time, she ended up spawning a storm cloud without the help of a Pegasus, yet it was nearly to small for it to cover the Ursa Major. "Well that was a dud..." Snails verbalized his reaction. "Yeah-" Snips blew raspberries, "-come on! Where's all the cool explosions and smoke and stuff like earlier? You should know." the tiny cloud suddenly shot a lightning bolt, when it struck the Major, all three of them bolted. When it let out another roar, it caught everypony's attention. It started to crush a couple of houses around itself, and ponies around Ponyville started to spread out far from it. While Spike on Twilight's back with JetStream galloping on their side. "This is down right amazing!" JetStream exclaimed, as they violently pushed through waves of ponies trying to escape the scene. "Are you nuts! This is horrible!" Twilight yelled back. Twilight saw the beast collapse on another house, "Who the heck made that thing upset!?" Twilight exclaimed. JetStream saw Spike play with his claws. "I'm thinking Spike knows who..." "Spike!" Twilight looked back at him, and didn't until he answered. "Twilight..." JetStream tried her attention as they kept going down the path, ponies passing dozen by dozen. "Spike, how could you know who?" Spike continued to play with his claws. "I might have been out earlier, and..." "Twilight!" "... chased by it." Twilight instantly looked at JetStream. "What is it?" "Move to the side!" Twilight looked ahead. "Gagh!" JetStream lift his left hoof at a different time to drag across the ground, leaving himself to get pushed into Twilight, and her getting out of the way. "JetStream!" she exclaimed as she got pushed for no explanation, as she was about to gallop into a pillar built for support of a building, and the roof being lower than the rest of it, he jumped onto the lowered roof. As he was up there getting across, he was able to get a good look of the beast. "...!" "Do you see if from there!?" Twilight got his attention as he looked at her. "Uh, yeah! I do!" he looked back, then toward the ground as he got to the end of it, the landing was sloppy, but he was able to catch back up. "Where is it then?" she asked. "It's-" they were right in the middle of a three-way cross-road when Twilight spotted Snips and Snails. "You two!" she instantly stopped and turned to gallop into the path. JetStream tripped realizing she turned. He got back up and went after them around the corner, "What's going on!?" Twilight exclaimed as she stopped behind them. "Oh, we brought an Ursa to town." JetStream nodded. "You know, without the destruction, that would sound lovely..." Twilight groaned. "Now!? Seriously!?" he shrugged, and Twilight turned back to the other colts, "You what!?" "Don't worry, the Great and Powerful Trixie will vanquish it." Snails said. That's as far as Trixie thought she'd go standing in front of the very pony she said was superior. Her eyes felt like they'd tremble if she dragged it on any further. Yet with the simple phrase. "I can't..." and it was all released off her shoulders. Part 8 "What!?" Snips and Snails jumped. "I can't, I never have. No one can vanquish an Ursa Major. I just made it up to make myself look better." "Made it up!?" they kept their tone in tight order. The Ursa Major, showed itself. It stood so high it blocked the moon from where they were standing 20 feet away. JetStream had to cover his face, something bright was shining. "... That tail... I've seen it before..." the tail had seven white dots forming a skeleton like lines. Spike nudged Twilight. "I think it's finally time you do something..." he looked worried, yet who wouldn't be. "Hoooeyy, not the biggest rope could wrap that beast." Applejack said. JetStream noticed Twilight pass him. 'Is she finally going to do it?' 'JetStream's right about the tail... there's no way this is an Major...' they stood right in front of another. Pony to giant small bear. Twilight's horn suddenly glowed into a bright light as a field behind them was broken by the wind. "Are those, making music?" JetStream asked himself. The Minor heard it, and suddenly looked drowsy. "Nice use of number sixteen." he smiled. "You actually remember doing those?" he asked Spike, he just nodded and looked back to Twilight. She was dragging a water tower holder through a barn, when it went through, it as filled with milk. "Hmm, that's new." Spike said. JetStream smiled, and for some reason he was breathing heavily. The Minor lost its balance and begun to fell, yet just before it would have fallen on Trixie, Twilight grabbed it in time and lifted it off the ground, she gave the Minor the holder full of milk. As it started sucking from the end that was open. "I... I don't think this was a Major...." Spike's eyes opened wide. "What makes you think that?" "Just see how baby-ish it looks right now, Twilight's practically taking care of it like a mother." "How do you know?" Spike asked. He turned away, unsure, and looked at the sky looking mildly guilty. Before they knew it, Twilight brought it back to where it came. And everypony started to cheer for joy. JetStream's and Twilight's Auras glowed for a second. "Twilight." he walked up to her, his smile instantly a frown. She was a bit slow to stand all the way, but she got there, "Are you okay?" "Yeah, I'm fine, why are you asking?" JetStream backed up for a second. "That feeling..." JetStream's Aura changed to a violet, her horn glow and his Aura suddenly had the same colour, "It was hot wasn't it?" Twilight's neck rose. "You felt it too?" he shook his head. "No, but I could see it in you. Aura can change with body temperature you can figure..." Twilight's head tilted in confusion. "You burned off all that magic in two minutes that any Unicorn will do in an entire day, that's at least what I have read in the book." Twilight nodded. "Yeah, that makes sense..." "Heavens to Betsy! We knew you had ability, but not that much." she smiled. "I'm sorry, please don't hate me!" she begged. "What?" JetStream responded. "Hate you?" they all said in unison. "Why, what ever do you mean, darling?" Rarity asked. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Magic's got nothin' to do with it. Trixie's just a loud mouth." Rainbow said. "Most unpleasant." "All hat and no cattle." Applejack said. Twilight looked from JetStream to the rest in the crowd. "So, you don't mind my magic tricks?" "Your magic is a part of who you are, sugarcube, and we like who you are. We're proud to have such a powerful, talented unicorn as our friend." Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack, then to Twilight. "And after whoopin' that Ursa's hind quarters, were even prouder." "You are?" she finally getting the swing of things. They all nodded. "Wow, Twilight, how'd you know what to do with that Ursa Major?" "That's what I was doing when you came looking for me. I was so intrigued by Trixie's bragging that I was compelled to do a little reading up on them." JetStream gasped. "Oh, that's what that book you had earlier isn't it?" Twilight turned to him. "Yes." "So it is possible to vanquish an Ursa Major all by yourself." Twilight looked at JetStream, who rolled his eyes. "Actually, Spike-" Twilight answered, "-That wasn't an Ursa Major... it was a baby, an Ursa Minor. JetStream-" she turned to him. "Yeah?" "The tail you saw, that's what holds the difference between an Major and a Minor, it depends on its constellation." "That was just a baby?" Trixie looked stunned. "It wasn't rampaging either, it was cranky because somepony woke it up." she stared intently at the two colts. "Well, if that was an Ursa Minor, what's an Ursa Major like?" she decided that will be left up to the imagination. Trixie walked up to Twilight. "Hah! You may have vanquished an Ursa Minor, but you'll never have the amazing show stopping ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie." she shot up to her hind legs and threw a smoke bomb to the ground, causing it to blast everywhere. Yet after it disappeared, she was still visible, galloping out of Ponyville. "Why, that little-!" "Just let her go. Maybe someday she'll learn her lesson." Twilight's tone was calm. "Now about you two..." she had a glare that could pierce the heavens above. "Ah, uh, we're sorry we woke up the Ursa Minor." "We just wanted to see some awesome magic!" Snips said. They paused as Twilight kept her stare. "... We deserve whatever punishment you give us..." Twilight looked over to Trixie's cart, which JetStream so happened to notice. "For starters, you can clean up this mess. And... What do you think, Spike? Should I give them number twenty five? " he jumped to look at her. "Oh twenty-five, yes. And I think I deserve it too." "Wha-?" "I think you're right." she grinned mischievously as her horn started to glow. 'She can definitely be herself when she needs to...' JetStream thought. Suddenly all three of them had different mustaches. "Sweet." they all said in unison. Dear Princess Celestia, I have learned a very valuable lesson about friendship: I was so afraid of being thought of as a showoff that I was hiding a part of who I am. My friends helped me realize that it's okay to be proud of your talents, and there are times when it's appropriate to show them off... especially when you're standing up for your friends. "So, you finally admit your the most talented Unicorn in all of Ponyville?" Spike barged in. "Well, yeah, but it's nothing to brag about. So, uh, how did it go with Rarity?" she sounded uneasy asking. "Eh, she didn't go for the mustache..." "You know, Spike, that mustache has nothing to do with who you really are. Maybe you should just try being yourself." she restated from her lesson. "Or... maybe the mustache wasn't enough. Maybe if I had a mustache and a beard?" he asked grabbing both sides of the mustache. "Uh, not this again..." she turned to the letter and wrote her lasts, "Your faithful and most certainly extant student, Twilight Sparkle." she put the quill down and turned back to Spike. "-No, a soul patch on my right chin!" she rolled her eyes before she asked to send the letter. ~~~Episode End~~~