On orders from Celestia The Mane Six set out to investigate strange occurrences in the Everfree Forest.
An eerie calm settles over the Everfree forest leaving Celestia and Luna baffled. Unable to go on their own the send The Mane Six to investigate. On their way they meet Zecora who reveals a strange legend and a possible cause for the sudden change to the once twisted forest.
Twilight focused intently on her experiment. This would be her third attempt to modify the genetics of a Corpse Lilly to be better suited for indoor growing; however, her previous attempts had succeeded in making it smell worse or grow at a phenomenal rate, making it difficult to remove. She watched intently as a small drop of her potion fell on to the flower. A puff of beautifully colored fragrant smoke filled the room. She let a small smile slip onto her face as the smoke cleared. "I've done it!" she said to her self looking at the pot holding her newest creation, but a short while later she realized that she had not modified the plant at all. She had merely banished it from her home. Her smile fell "Why can't I get this right..." she grumbled. Another try failed yet again leaving a horde of corpse lilies in the room waiting to be cleaned up. she began considering the failure of her experiments she decided to speak with Zecora....and perhaps pick up a bucket on the way.
"Spike!" she called, only to have him respond "No way! I'm not going down there again! Last time I had to bring a mop..." she let out sigh and walked up the stairs into the throne room where spike was hiding. She sighed looking around the room. Seven thrones sat in a circle one for every element plus one for spike. She quickly located him by the small piece of his tail sticking out from behind her throne. She smiled and dragged him out with her magic. "I need to go to Zecora's for some advise and you are coming with me." She grabbed her saddle bags and spike. Then, exited her castle and set out for the Everfree Forest.
As she entered she notice an eerie calm had set over the forest. The usual dark intimidating forest seemed to have changed somehow. The fog that had clouded her path making it difficult to see where she was going had lifted showing clear paths and trails. Sun shined brightly threw the once twisted scary trees and they now were home to young birds chirping as if to call for their mother and father. No longer did the forest feel threatening it felt like a home of many animals enjoying the summer weather. The eyes that once watched her had disappeared as if they never existed at all leaving her to wonder if she was even in the right forest.
"Spike! Take a letter. The Everfree Forest had changed in a unexpected way. It seems to have lost its dark atmosphere, however, I still do not trust it. I request permission to investigate at once." With a burst of fire Spike sent the letter to Celestia and quickly received a response.
Dear Twilight Sparkle
You may investigate the forest. However you may want to bring your friends and speak with Zecora as well.
Please report back to me with your findings - Celestia
With renewed vigor she trotted off to Zecora's ram shackled hut, hopping she might be able to provide an explanation for the strange events.
She arrived at Zercora's small hut a short while later then proceeded to knock on the door. It only took a few short moments for Zercora to answer. "Greetings Princess Twilight what reason does your presence grace our hut tonight?"
"Well I originally came to ask about gardening but....the forest it changed...It seems...Brighter...Zecora, what's going on here?" She asked walking into the small home.
"There is nothing to fear the end of pain has come to the land upon which you leer." Zecora spoke with a small smile.
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.
"Let me tell you a story of pain and glory. A story from long ago of a man who simply could not let go. Consumed by pain he began a campaign. One of much death that would restore his sisters breath. His world divided our world now his chaos resided. This forest became his dwelling. His power consumed his chaos swelling. Changes came to the land, to the very dirt upon which you stand. The forest grew and his chaos continued to stew. The only way to undo the pain it had gone through. Was to strike him down and start anew. So now you understand the changes caused by his very hand."
Zercora told her waiting for her reaction.
She did not quite understand what the story meant but she knew the it was a very important part of solving the mystery of the Everfree forest. She began thinking of what needed to done, and the first thing on her list was to find her friends before continuing down this path. She quickly called goodbye to Zecora then ran out the door and back to Ponyville. Since Fluttershy's house was the closest she would go there first.
Before she knew it she was standing at the door waiting for Fluttershy to answer. The door opened revealing her good friend who smiled when seeing her "Oh hi Twilight...Would you like to come in?"
"There is no time. We must find the others and head to the Everfree forest to investigate the strange events."
"Oh Twilight I would love to help but.....Angels sick..." The aforementioned bunny stood beside her looking very much well tapping his foot impatiently. She simply grabbed her friends hoof and said "Discord can take care of him, let go."
"B-but..." Fluttershy tried to protest but was dragged along anyways. She let out a sigh and gave up fighting. Twilight was going to make her come anyway. Next they went to Sweet Apple Acres to locate Applejack. They arrived at the massive farm that supported most of Ponyville and began walking up to the Apple family home. On their way up their way there they look at the fields of crops and orchards hopping to spot their friend. They soon arrived to the front door having no luck in find her themselves they knocked hopping she was either inside or Granny Smith, Big Macintosh or Applebloom would know where she had gone.
Twilight knocked quickly then waited for the answer. Applebloom came to the door "Hi Twilight!" she said looking at her big sisters friend.
"Oh, Hi Applebloom have you seem Applejack?" she asked.
"Not since she went to town this morning." Applebloom Replied.
"Thank you Applebloom." Twilight said turning away and heading towards town.
Twilight and Fluttershy made their way towards town flying just a short distance above the ground. We should see Rainbow Dash before to long. she thought to her self scanning the skies. They walked along for a while longer then just as twilight predicted they saw Rainbow Dash laying back in a tree. "Rainbow Dash!" she called out to her.
The napping Pegasus looked up "Yeah?"
"We are going to the Everfree Forest to investigate the strange events."
She shrugged "Okay." Then, she flew down to join them.
After Rainbow Dash joined them, they set out to find Applejack. It did not take them long for them to find Applejack's fruit stand in the middle of Ponyville. Twilight ran over "Applejack! We need your help. We are going to investigate the strange events in the Everfree Forest."
Applejack sighed "O-okay..."
Pinkie Pie had over heard the conversation "That sounds fun!" she cheered hoping over to them.
"So now we just need rarity." Twilight said.
Just a few minutes later they were standing in front of her door waiting on her to answer. Pinkie Pie smiled as the door opened "Hi rarity! Do you want to go with us into the scaaaaary Everfree Forest to figure out what's got Twilight so on edge!?" she asked.
"Oh...um hi Pinkie Pie....N-no I think I'll stay home...That forest is so dark and musky...."
"Rarity we need your help." Twilight said.
"Fine... But I simply cannot go looking like this!"
After ten minutes of Rarity searching through her veritable ton of clothing she finally joined them they set out for the Everfree forest.
As they entered they all noticed the changes. "Wow" Applejack commented "Is this really the Everfree forest?"
"It caught me off guard too" Twilight said. "but yes this is indeed the same forest. That is why we must find out what has caused the change."
Applejack sighed "Well then we should go talk to Zecora."
"I already have...." Twilight said "She really couldn't shed any light on the situation...."
"So what did she say?"
"Something about a legend of the forest....to be honest it confused me more then it helped..." Twilight said.
"I see..." Applejack said "Well no use in standing around here. Lets have a look around."
Twilight nodded and lead them deeper into the oddly bright forest. The deeper they got the odder things got. Animals they didn't know existed seemed to run and play everywhere. Like a small green creature with two leafy antenna on its head. Twilight quickly pulled out a book and began noting it's appearance down. "This is amazing! It's almost like this came from a completely different world!"
Applejack sighed "Sugarcube, we can look at the new animals....if that even is an animal... later right now we gotta figure out what the hay is going on here."
"Right!" Twilight said continuing forward. The forest was dense and difficult to navigate but they pushed forward anyway. They looked for anything that might help them figure it out.
"Twilight...Where are we even supposed to start to look..." Rarity complained "This forest is sooooo dense..." She grumbled tripping over a small gem "Huh?" she mumbled looking down. At the ground. A red gem sitting in a golden fixture. 'Its soooo pretty....' She thought picking it up. 'I should tell Twilight about-NO! its mine she will only take it away!' she put the necklace on then walked over to the others.
Twilight looked at her then noticed the new necklace "Rarity where did that necklace come from?"
"Oh this old thing?"
"Well um yeah but you weren't wearing it earlier."
"No your mistaken I've been wearing all day." she said
"Oh I thought....never mind..." they continued to explore when they came to a small clearing with a white circular pad in the middle of this. "What is this...." Twilight said out loud. the others gathered around it.
"It's probably some kind of teleporter thingy that will take us to a entirely different world!" Pinkie Pie said looking at the thing "Oooooh lets step on it and see what happens!"
"Pinkie! No-" Twilight started but was to late. Pinkie Pie had already stepped onto the strange devise disappearing as soon as she touched it. "Come on girls we have to follow her!" she said stepping on the white pad her self, the others followed shortly after.
Twilight woke with a massive headache "Ugh, what in the world happened...?" She mumbled siting up slowly and looking around. she was surrounded by white hot sand. It was so hot here she already felt thirsty. "What the...I was in the forest before..." she said loud looking around for her friends but there was no but spike one around. She sighed just her luck she was all alone in the dessert. She grumbled under her breath "Pinkiepie just had the step on the thing...." she stood "Guess I should find shelter." she said then looked down at Spike "Well I guess I could stay here a while longer..." she waited on spike to wake up from his nap.
A few hours later spike woke up and stretched "Its nice here!" he said happily.
twilight groaned "I disagree...this is awful... I'm going to pass out if we don't find shelter soon."
"Come on twilight it's not that bad!"
"Spike your a dragon....you enjoy the heat..."
"Oh right...So where is every one else?"
"I don't know...Lets have a look around they might be near by!" She said lifting him and her saddle bags with great effort. That's odd I have never had trouble lifting Spike..... She thought before starting to walk.
Twenty minutes of walking through the hot arid dessert they had not found anyone. Twilight sighed "Still nothing....now what Spike?"
"Well you could try magic."
"A location spell! Spike your a genius!" She yelled. Spike hopped off her back as she began to try and cast the location spell. At first nothing happened, like she wasn't even trying to cast a spell. She made a face and tried harder. She felt as if the spell was just out of reach and all she had to do was push her self a little more. Just as she thought pushing her self did cause a form of magical reaction; however, it was not the one she was looking for. When she finally grabbed the energy it blew up with intense heat catching her horn on fire. She screamed and called for help.
A tall silver haired healer and her younger brother walked through the Triet dessert towards Iselia. They were heading home to meet with Lloyd and Kratos to make a yearly report on the progress they had made. Traveling to convince humans to accept half elves was not an easy job but it had to be done. Much like the task Lloyd and Kratos had taken on. They intended to rid the world of exspheres. It had taken a lot of convincing to get Kratos to stay and help but in the end Kratos stayed to be with Lloyd. Raine sighed, when she looked back, it was hard to believe it was all over. She looked down at her little brother and smiled he had changed so much since then. He accepted humans and strove to have then accept him. Before, he hated all but Lloyd and Colette but they had a big impact on him. It made her proud to be their teacher even if Lloyd never really learned anything. She was knocked out of her thoughts by the cry of a monster. "Genis be on guard!" she yelled pulling out her staff. Then, ran to investigate.
"S-sis!" Genis called then ran after her. They found the source of the noise was a strange purple horse like monster with a flaming horn running around madly.
"Genis quickly cast a water spell to put out the fire that should stun it long enough for me to study it."
"R-right." Genis said casting spread so his sister wouldn't smack him again. "Spread!" he yelled as water enveloped the strange monster and put out the flame.
The "monster" sighed "Thank you! I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come along..."
Raine gasped "You can talk!"
"Ummmm yes...."
"What are you?"
"I'm a pony of course what are you?"
"We're half elves...and are you sure your a pony? Ponies don't talk....."
"Of course we do! Now what the hay is a half elve?"
"Your not from around here are you?"
"Well of course not Genis! This is a new species!" Raine yelled with stars in her eyes "I must learn everything about you!"
"Oh well I guess I could answer a few questions..." she said backing up "but I really need to find my friends first...."
Genis sighed "We're heading toward Iselia you should come with us. We might run into your friends or our friends might be able to help you look."
"Okay..." she said looking at Raine slightly weary of her.
Lloyd sighed, it had been a long day, but still he knew what he was doing had to be done. Many people were reluctant to give up their exspheres but he couldn't stop. He had heard every argument as to why they should keep them but the two that hurt the most was "Why should we give ours up while you keep yours?" and "You mean to make the people used to make these exspheres die in vain?" The second one had hurt him so much that Kratos had to step in. He sighed and remember the events of the day. It was his first encounter with the excuse of honoring the dead by keeping their exspheres and he had no defense for it so his father stepped in. "The people used to make those exspheres are still there eternally trapped. Do you intend to keep them there for the rest of time? Forever suffering? What if that was your loved one? Would you not want them set free?" Kratos' words convinced the crowds of people to give up their exspheres and he had set them free just a few moments ago. He smiled happy his father had decided not to leave him.
Kratos walked over to Lloyd and placed his hand on his shoulder "Are you all right?"
"Y-yeah...why would you ask?" Lloyd answered him.
"What that man in the village said seemed to have upset you."
"I'm fine I just wasn't expecting that...thanks dad..."
He smiled at being called that name "When your done gathering the other exspheres do you intend to give up your exsphere as well?"
"Yes of course" Lloyd said "You will give yours up too right?"
The smile on his face disappeared "Yes I will....When the time comes I'll give up my Cruxis Crystal..." he said looking sad.
"Everything alright Dad?"
"Yes" he said going back to his famous one word responses and walking off.
"Well....that was nice while it lasted....I'm going to bed..." Lloyd said walking over to his sleeping bag and dosing off.
The next morning Lloyd woke to the smell of food meaning Kratos had cooked him breakfast again. "You know I can cook too."
"I was already up keeping watch so I cooked." he said as if cooking was an after thought.
"I can keep watch too."
"You need rest."
"So do you."
"Lloyd I'm an angel I don't require sleep."
"Yeah until you run your self into the ground...." he grumbled.
Pinkiepie hopped through the forest humming and looking for everyone else "I looooove hid and sneak!" She giggled "Twilight? where are yoooooou?" Then she smelled food and he stomach growled "Ooooh I guess we should eat good Idea guys!" she hopped towards the smell stopping when she saw it wasn't her friends "Ummm oops you guys aren't my friends..." she looked a little sad "Can I join you? That food smells soooo good and I'm super hungry!"
Lloyd smiled "Sure! Dad always makes too much anyway."
Kratos stood staring at her with his hand on his sword. A pony? Does she know about this....?
Pinkiepie sat down and began eating unfazed by Kratos' somewhat hostel posture.
Kratos sighed and sat down as well but kept his eyes on her.
Pinkiepie ate happily. "THIS IS GOOD!" she said.
Kratos sighed and ate a small bit of food I will have to speak with her...perhaps she can shed some light on things....
"Sooo what are you two doing?" Pinkie asked
"Heading to Iselia to meet our friends. Want to come?"
"I would....but I need to find my friends...."
"We'll help you! And maybe on our way to Iselia we'll find some of them! You should come with us."
"Okay!" Pinkie said happily.
Kratos sighed This is probably for the best...I'll need to keep an eye on her...
Pinkie Pie frowned and popped up in front of Kratos "You should really smile more!"
Kratos sighed and turned away from her "Hmpt!"
Lloyd laughed "Aww come on dad smile a little."
She popped in front of him again " I haven't met a pony I couldn't make smile yet!"
"I'm not a pony." his words were final and he stood and walked away.
She popped in front of him again blocking his path. "You don't have to be a pony to smile."
He drew his sword "Move."
She put on a half hearted frown "Awww somepony's cranky." She put on a smile and hopped to the side "Okie Dokie Lokie!"
He put away his sword and walked away quietly.
"Don't worry about it he is always like that. So um I forgot to ask what is your name?"
"I'm Pinkie Pie!"
"Lloyd Irving or um Aurion...I guess..."
"Huh?"
"It's a long story..." he said scratching the back of his head.
Applejack woke in the middle of a field with a pounding headache. "Ugh what the hay did Pinkiepie get us into....?" She groaned standing. She looked around her friends were no were to be seen. She sighed "Well I guess I'll have a look around then..."
Thirty minutes later she hadn't found anything but questions like "where was she?" "Why did she feel so week?" and "What happened to her friends?" she had began to feel discouraged. When she heard foot steps. "Who's there?"
Regal and Presea were on their way back to Altamira after talking with the leaders of Sylvarant. He and Presea had become ambassadors for Tethe'alla. They attempted to sooth the hatred between the two countries, however this was not easy and Regal did still had a business to run.
Regal looked at Presea "That went better then I expected...."
"Yes..." was the only thing she said.
He looked down ever since the journey of world regeneration he had taken on the response ability of watching over Presea. He regretted not being able to protect her or her sister from that experiment. Looking down he continued on his path to his office. They were almost there they heard a yell "Who's there?"
Presea was was on guard as soon as they heard it "Somethings up ahead."
Regal nodded "Lets go see." they arrived there and found a strange talking horse.
"Ummm Hi....Who are you?"
"Presea...." The pink haired girl answered
"Regal....A talking horse...." The man said curiously.
"My name is Applejack. I'm a pony, and just what the hay are you?" Apple corrected then asked him.
"Human..." he said.
Applejack sighed "I don't suppose you've seen my friends then...."
"Your the only talking animal we've seen..."
"I thought so...." Applejack sighed.
"You can come with us I'm checking in with my office then we'll be off to Sylvarant. Perhaps we'll run into them."
"Alright then I'll go with you..."
"Probability people will be terrified of Applejack ninety-eight present."
"Hmmm Your right Presea...Applejack you'll have to wait here until we return..."
Rainbowdash woke in the middle of a field. Not far from a strange looking city. She groaned as she stood "What was that pony thinking...." She mumbled then sighed "Wonder were everypony is...." She spread her wings and prepared to take off. Then, gave one mightily flap and nothing happened. She quickly checked her wings then made another attempt again but nothing happened. She began to panic. "Why can't I fly!" she screamed loudly. She calmed herself. "What would daring doo, do...?" She sighed "Twilight! Twilight will knows what's going on so all I have to do is find her!" She attempted to fly off yet again and failed "Oh right...walk...."
Five minutes of walking later and Rainbowdash was going out of her mind. she missed flying already and it hadn't even been an hour. "How do earth ponies do this all day long...I want to fly again....And where is Twilight!"
Zelos walked back from yet another peace keeping meeting "This sucks all I do is look pretty...they don't really care what I think...At least their are some cute hunnies there! Like Colette and Presea! That makes it bearable but still I wish I could do more to help Lloyd fix the world... Even Colette does more then me!" he complained as he walked back to Meltokio "And why did I give Yuan his Rheaird! I should have kept it. I would be home with my hunnies if I had!! And I can't use my wings either! Colette is lucky...She is the chosen everyone knows she has wings but me I have to listen to Mister grumpy..." he continued his rant. He was interrupted as his angelic hearing picked up a voice up ahead. "I wonder who that is?" he said running to see who it was. When he got there he saw a strange blue pony with a rainbow colored main and small wings. "Is this...Some new kind of monster....?" he said aloud getting ready to pull his sword as the 'monster' trotted over.
Rainbowdash had just about given up on finding her friend when she heard something speak. She looked over and saw a strange being standing on two legs with a peach skin tone, long red hair and what looked to be a special designed dress from Rarity's shop. Well that's interesting but if it's wearing that it must know Rarity! She trotted over "Hey have you seen Rarity?"
"A talking.....Monster...?"
"I'm not a monster...I'm a pony!" Rainbow replied.
"Okaaay then what is name?"
"Rainbowdash and just what are you?"
"I'm human. Now what are you doing out here?"
"Looking for my friends...."
"Oh...." he cursed in his mind Lloyd and Sheena would kill me if I left her out here all alone... he thought more afraid of the later "Well I live in a city near by....if you let me go get some supplies I'll help you look..."
Rainbow nodded and started to follow him "Woah sorry you can't come into the city with me. They'll scream monster and kill you. So you just stay out here and wait for me. My adorable little Dashie."
"Don't call me that. Only my friends call me that." She sighed and sat down.
"Aww but we're friends aren't we honey?"
"No."
Fluttershy woke in the middle of a forest panic set in as she realized she was all alone. She slowly looked around her self scared of what she might see but was pleasantly surprised to find she was in a forest still and It was filled with little creatures she had never seen before. Excitement shot through her body and she began to explore the new place. "Aww their all so cute!" she cheered her previous fear forgotten. She began making friends with the 'animals' as she slowly roamed closer to a small village without even noticing.
Sheena sighed, being the chief wasn't easy. There was so much she had to do and almost no time to do it. She was going through patrols and assigning new ones when one of the towns men burst one the doors "Chief! a horde of monsters is heading our way!" She jumped to her feet "Prepare our defenses!" She yelled running outside. Nothing like this had ever happened. The whole town was quickly on guard.
Fluttershy hummed as she walked through the forest her new 'animal' friends following her. They were nearing a break in the forest so she would be able to see where they were and hopeful figure out what happened to her other friends. She looked around at the little plant like animals. "I've never seen anything like you before!" she cheered still walking having not seen the wall of villagers waiting to kill them.
Sheena stood ready to kill whatever came through when she heard a hum. "Who's there?!" she yelled.
Fluttershy jumped. "J-Just me..." she said walking out
"Why are you attacking our village!"
"Attacking...oh no...I would never do that...."
"Then why do you have all those monsters!"
"Monsters? no their not monsters....their my friends...I'm sorry I didn't realized we were walking into your home...its all my fault...."
Sheena sighed "Stand down everyone....she means us no harm...." but even so....what is she.... she thought. "Come with me." she ordered "But leave your....Friends here...."
Fluttershy nodded and turned to the animals. "I have to go everyone, behave yourselves." she turned back to a dumbfounded Sheena and followed her
Rarity woke on the top of a mountain. Fear struck her and she backed way from the edge. "Is anypony there?" she called "Some please help!" she called even though she was sure no one would answer. She shook from the cold air that blew on her "Why me....?" she didn't see any of her friends, which meant she was completely alone.
Colette flew back towards Iselia she had just come from a peacekeeping meeting. In her opinion things had got well, many people had begun to accept the other world. She couldn't ask for more. As she flew over the mountains on her way home she heard a cry for help. "What could that be....?" she asked herself as she flew towards the noise. As she approached she saw a white pony with purple hair and a horn on it's head. "Wow your so pretty!"
Rarity looked up and saw something that stood upright, had blond hair, and pink translucent wings. "Why thank you!"
"You can talk!?"
"Yes of course I can I'm a pony. Now what are you!?" Rarity demanded
"Human..."
"Right... my name is Rarity. What may I ask is your name?"
"Colette."
"Well Colette. Since you have wings and I don't would you be a dear and GET ME DOWN FROM HERE!?"
It had been about an hour since Twilight met the strange half elf pair and so far Raine had not asked any questions. This made her very nervous. What the hay!? she was dying to ask me questions before but now she has yet to ask me one... She thought. Just then Raine stopped walking "This should do."
"Sis?" Genis asked looking at her.
"We need to set up camp. the sun is setting and we all need to eat."
"Right. I'll cook."
"That's fine I wanted to talk to Twilight anyway."
"Okay..." Twilight said on edge.
"When we met you why were you on fire?" She asked her instantly
"My spell back fired."
"What spell were you casting?"
"A location spell."
"And what incantation did you use?"
` "I don't use those... I just cast."
"Sis... What are you getting at..?" Genis asked Raine.
"Genis, doesn't she feel... off? I have never felt anything like her. Her mana is totally different from every other living creature, and the only thing that is remotely similar is..." she trailed off.
Genis finished her sentence "An angel..."
"Yes... But then what does that mean? I can tell she isn't a member of Cruxis... but she uses pure mana. Angels come the closest to that and still don't succeed."
"Then what is she?"
"I'm an Alicorn." Twilight offered.
"That doesn't really help..." Genis said.
Twilight sighed "Well then could you tell me why I couldn't cast my spell?"
"It's hard to say... I would need to see you cast, then I could be sure."
"Oh..." twilight replied disappointed.
"Perhaps when we reach Iselia I can do a more in depth study and tell you for sure why you are unable to use magic..."
"Well it's not that I can't... It just doesn't go well."
"Right... in the mean time can I ask you a few questions?"
"I...I guess...."
"Are you able to fly?"
"Yes..."
"Marvelous! And on such small wings! I must see this! would you do me a favor and fly a little?"
"I guess....." she spread her wings and attempted to fly, however, she was unable to get off the ground. "That's odd I've never had this much trouble before...."
"Hmmm are you unable to take off?"
"Well yeah...but I don't know why..."
"Twilight....Tell me where are you from?"
"Ponyville...Why?"
"And were is that?"
"Ummm...well its south of Canterlot..."
"Twilight....Neither of those places exist...."
"Of course they do! I was there not to long ago..."
"And how did you end up here?"
"Well my friends and I went into the Everfree Forest to investigate then we found this strange white circular platform...one of my friend stepped on it and disappeared...so I followed her..."
"I see and this place your from...what is it called?"
" Equestria...."
"Then I might have some Idea as to what is happening...."
"What...?"
"Well from what I gather this world is very different then yours..."
"And?"
"Well for starters I don't believe you have ever had to deal with elemental mana before have you?"
"No....What is Elemental mana? Is it like the Elements of Harmony?" Twilight asked pulling out a note pad and pen.
"I'm not sure but elemental mana is related to the spirits: Undine, Efreet, Sylph, Luna and Aska-"
"Wait Wait wait! Luna what!?" Twilight interrupted
"Luna is one part of the spirit of light. She and her Phoenix companion rule over the day and the night. Luna rules over the night while Aska rules over the day."
"Uhg... this place is giving me a headache... anyways, you were saying?"
"Ah, yes! To continue, Volt, Gnome, Celsius, Shadow, Origin, and Maxwell. their elements are water, fire, wind, light, lighting, earth, ice, darkness, time and space and birth respectively."
"Okay...not like the Elements of Harmony..."
"What are the Elements of Harmony?"
"Well they are honesty, kindness, laughter, generosity, loyalty, and magic they each play a part in bringing harmony to our world. Together they are our greatest defense against anything that could pull our world into darkness."
"I see. You have never had adapt to the high elemental mana area's....so if I teach you how to sense and control elemental mana you should be able to cast again."
"Well that's a relief, but what about my wings? Why can't I fly?"
"I believe I may have answer for that as well but I will have to talk to Kratos first..."
"Who?"
"A friend of ours.....he will know more about flying in this world than I..."
"Oh...."
"Well I think it's time we all got some rest" Raine said laying down as the others slowly followed.
The next morning they packed up and resumed their journey in silence. Everyone was to busy pondering the new information they had learned and before they knew it they were outside of Iselia. Genis looked at his sister "Um sis?"
"Yes Genis?"
"How are we going to get her into the city....?"
"Good question if we simply walked through with her it would draw far to much attention. hmmm... we can't leave her here either."
"Well we could always put her in a cage and claim your studying her...."
"Well the mayor is not really comfortable with that but if we take her straight to Dirk's it should be okay."
"Yeah, that's where we're meeting Kratos and Lloyd anyways."
Raine nodded and pulled out a small device and opened it up and a cage with wheels unfolded "Okay get in. I understand it is not ideal but it's the best option we have for now."
Twilight winced and slowly stepped into the cage. Raine shut the door once she was inside then pushed the cage through the town. All the towns people stared at the massive cage as Raine and her brother made their way toward Dirk's house. The people began to mumble about what she had found this time, and it began to make twilight uncomfortable.
Thankfully it did not take long for them to clear the small village, and Twilight was released from her cage. She sighed softly as they walked the rest of the way to Dirk's house and the waiting game began.
"It's a long story..." he said scratching the back of his head.
"Oh okay! OH! you know what we should do?" Pinkie Pie said
"Um... No. what?"
"Throw a party!"
"Why..?
"Because your dad needs to smile!"
"I don't know about that-"
"What's not to know about it! Everypony needs to smile!"'
"No pinkie that's-" he started but she was already gone.
Pinkie Pie quickly set up a party and waited for Kratos to return.
Kratos practiced his swordsmanship for a while to delay going back to camp. "If only I could communicate with her more directly." he mumbled. He sat down after a short while then realized how late in the day it was getting. He stood and went back to camp and right into Pinkie Pie's party.
Pinkie Pie rushed over when Kratos when he entered the camp. She quickly reached up to put the party hat on his head, which Kratos quickly cut it in half then sheathed his sword without anyone knowing when he drew it. Pinkie Pie stared for a while then undeterred she dragged him over to a table of food. "Apple pie?" he smacked it away "Apple Muffin?" again he smacked it away "Apple Cupcake?" he continued to smack them away "Applejack taught me all her recipes!" he turned his nose up to everyone "Hmmm How about tomato soup!" she said setting it in his hands his eyes went wide and he dumped it over her head. She quickly licked it all off then smiled "Yum!" he muttered something and turned and shade of green then slowly started walking away.
She jumped in front of him and pulled him to the pin the tail on the pony game. She blind folded him, handed him the pin and spun him around. "There! Now pin the tail on the pony!" He calmly set the tail on her head, took off the blind fold then walked away. She hopped after him "You put it on the wrong end! But that's okay, I'll give you a second try!" she rambled. Kratos sighed and pulled out his wings and flew up. He knew it went against his own rules but he had to get away from her. Pinkie Pie popped out of his shirt "Where are you going?! I mean the party isn't over yet!" He glared and pulled her out "It is over now..." he said.
"AWWWW but you haven't even smiled yet!!" Pinkie complained.
He flew down towards the ground and set her down the flew away again.
Pinkie Pie sighed "There has to be a way to make him smile."
"Don't count on it. I have never seen him smile." Lloyd sighed.
"But everyone needs to smile!"
"Not my dad..."
"There has to be something." Pinkie Pie said thinking. "OOOOH How about a prank! A prank done in good fun always makes people smile!"
"Um Pinkie that's not such a...." He started but again she was gone. "This won't end well...."
She began packing tomatoes into a chest so it would spray the first person who opened it.
Kratos sighed. I have to return whether I want to or not... he slowly dropped down the the ground then returned to camp "Pack up we are leaving." He said dismembering the camp site.
"Okie Dokie Lokie!" Pinkie cheered and helped him. She waited a moment then looked at Lloyd "Ooooo look there is a treasure chest."
Lloyd ran over "Ooo I wonder what is in it!"
Kratos' eyes widened "Lloyd! Stop!" He yelled running over and and pushing him out of the way. Just then the chest came open and sprayed him with tomato juice. He flinched "Lloyd I have told you before always sense for the magic seal on a chest first! If there is not one it is a trap or a fake!" He growled.
"Oops! That wasn't meant for you! Here let me clean you off!" She licked the all soup off of him in one flick of her tongue.
He looked horrified "Finish packing!" He yelled walking off
Lloyd watched "Where are you going?"
"To take a bath..."
"But your clean." Pinkie called after him.
"No. I'm not." He said as he disappeared into the trees.
Thirty minutes late Kratos came back and they began walking towards Iselia. Kratos refused to say a word all day which made the long tendentious walk more difficult. Pinkie Pie continued her efforts with no avail. Much to his relief they arrived outside of Iselia. "Lloyd, I will take Pinkie Pie and fly to Dirk's house. Meet me there." He said lifting the pony and flying off.
Kratos flew to Dirk's house then landed. He set her down and waited for Lloyd.
Raine heard someone outside and exited the house "Kratos? Where is Lloyd?"
"He is walking up here. I had to fly her here." He said pointing at Pinkie Pie.
" Another pony?"
"Another? You found one too then?"
Raine nodded "She says her name is Twilight."
"TWILIGHT!!!" Pinkie Pie gasped and cheered.
Twilight walked over "Good to see you too Pinkie. You had us all worried."
Lloyd arrived while Twilight and Pinkie Pie were talking. "Finally!"
Kratos looking at him "It seems Raine and Genis also found one of the ponies."
"Oh. What now?"
Kratos sighed "I think we should talk to Origin."
"Why is that?" Raine asked.
"He may know something about what is going on."
"Kratos?" Raine questioned "You know more than your letting on."
"It is not my place to say."
Twilight walked over "Please... I need to find my friends."
"I made a promise. I will not break it."
"Who did you promise?"
"I cannot say..."
Twilight sighed "Fine..."
"Then we go see Origin!" Pinkie cheered.
Raine was unhappy with Kratos keeping secrets again and it seemed she wasn't alone.
Lloyd looked at him "Dad? I thought you trusted me..."
"I do, however I made this promise to keep you safe. Therefore I cannot be the one to tell you...."
